A new dawn, a new beginning - However only a beginning: For someone who is not overly emotional, it is still emotional. For someone who claims to (and only claims to) look at things objectively, it continues to be emotional. How can it not be? Waited for such moments where people yearning for change outnumber those who are content (even happy) with consistent deterioration and constant decline. Cannot even fathom emotions of the man who fought it, remained at it, kept at it for 22 years. Yes 22 years. This is unreal yet surreal. This is struggle beyond words, but my Goodness me well worth it. Only someone who is determined, focussed, committed, sincere to a cause could sustain this struggle for this long. He made mistakes, he was ridiculed, he failed many times - yet he never gave up. His self belief is unreal. To have this ability and mental toughness to come out of the deepest of holes and most precarious of situations epitomises the resolve and determination of the man. That man can only be Imran Khan. Rare are men who pick a field, excel in it,reach the pinnacle of it and change its colour and design for ever. Rarer are those who attempt two fields, make an impact, change the colour, flavour and reach the peak. Still rarer are those who take an attempt at three fields, beating all conventional wisdom, yet making an impact to all three of them. It takes a very special breed to attempt four fields, commit to each one of them, and change all of them forever. This is something only Imran Khan has achieved. Changed Cricket forever, institutionalised concept of philanthropy, brought world class education degree to Pakistan, transformed and raised the bar in politics forever.
I always believed my generation is a wasted generation. We gave leaders who role modelled corruption, mediocrity, bad governance, dynasty, and self serving interests. For them personal interest first and anything else later. The flavour of leadership we provided had all the ingredients for our youth to be disgruntled, disgusted, disillusioned, disenchanted. Hence for good reasons I ashamedly thought we are a wasted generation. Today I pause and say “not yet”. Definitely not yet. My generation also gave a man who selflessly fought for 22 years, who brought hope, who gave optimism, who raised issues, who shook the status quo, who showed light to the youth and who is willing to lead them from a dark alley to a brighter future.
What I am absolutely convinced about - that with this leader at the driving seat we will not be short on intent, leadership sincerity, effort, hard work. It is a tough and complex country. Change is not easy and is a treacherous, long, painstakingly slow journey. The outcome, while I am very hopeful, would remain a dream for sometime to come. For now it is just the beginning - but a great beginning, for which I waited for decades. So hell yes I will relish the moment.