Her day starts when others have completed half of their daily business. Some call her names, others take pity on her — but she responds to none. Reshamaa, a 28 year old eunuch, has been facing the wrath of society for years. Like most of the eunuchs, she has given up her family and a part of eunuch community in which guru (eunuch’s head) is the focal relation. Commenting on the government’s recent efforts to give representation as well as ‘identification’ to the eunuchs, Reshamaa contemptuously asks, "Will they give us quotas in the government jobs as after registration it is our legal right? Shall we become teachers, doctors and police women like lady wardens?" The answers to most of these questions are still to be answered by the government that plans to register some thousands of eunuchs living in Punjab.

As per the Supreme Court instruction of July 13, 2009, the government has initiated few steps to give relief to the eunuchs; there are giant issues that need the authorities’ attention. Majority of the eunuchs term the registration process as a futile effort and call the amounts being given to them under Benazir Income Support Programme very meager and insufficient. Eunuchs and their gurus are not ready to change their appearances and ‘professions’ just for few thousand rupees, especially when their existing jobs provide them with sufficient money without much effort.

How can government arrange jobs for eunuchs in various sectors and make them obey the disciplinary action of those departments, currently seems a far-off debate. There are many clauses relating to the gender specification in all sectors, jobs which eunuch might not fulfill and are disappointed even if they abide by what the government wants them to be.

The registration of the eunuchs is continuing across the Punjab and in other province. Punjab Social Welfare department will present a final report to the Supreme Court in mid-October. Punjab Social Welfare department started the registration of eunuchs in July, following the directions of Supreme Court of Pakistan as it ordered the federal and provincial governments to register them and provide them protection and free of cost health and education facilities. The Punjab Social Welfare Department also presented a report to the Supreme Court last month after conducting registration. But the eunuch community is not satisfied with the facts and figures as they claim that there are thousands who have not been registered by the department. However, one department official said that the behaviour of the eunuchs is very disheartening regarding registration.

Normally eunuchs migrate from their native cities to places where they are not recognizable. A lot of them who are present in Lahore are from other cities of the province and they don’t want registration due to the fear of identification.

Government jobs require permanent addresses as well in case of any emergency, untoward incident, embezzlement or corruption so that necessary steps can be taken. An official of the Punjab Social Welfare Department said that a number of eunuchs hide the name of their fathers, cities and also avoid giving their contact numbers.

Eunuchs whose families are in other cities, do not want to expose themselves if they dance or have adopted prostitution because it would be unbearable for their family. They pose themselves as workers or businessmen in other cities.

According to the first report of Punjab Social welfare Department, 2615 eunuchs were registered across Punjab. The Eunuchs’ Gurus (Heads) say it means only 10 percent of the eunuchs have been registered in Punjab. A guru Haji Sayen says that more than 100,000 eunuchs are present in the province.

Tufail, a guru in Firdaus market says, "Usually gurus care for their chailas like their own daughters but there are some who use eunuchs for income purposes." He says more than 10 gurus are registered and they support the government move at all platforms.

Although government is taking various steps to upgrade the status of the eunuchs, most of them do not want to change themselves and are desirous of continuing their traditional professions. Bobby Almas, Chairperson She-males Association Pakistan, said that he was disappointed with the intentions and behaviours of the eunuchs because they would not give up dressing up like women. "There are those who dance and are even into prostitution, which has earned them a bad name," he said.

He claimed most of the eunuchs would not be happy getting other jobs because most of them are earning money ranging from 1000 to 2000 rupees daily. It is very difficulty to draw them to government jobs which offers far less than what they are currently earning. "What would be the legal status of a eunuch in court and can a eunuch become a police officer?" asks Almas Bobby.

Bobby and two other members of a eunuchs association suggest the government to increase the financial assistance of the eunuchs so it can convince and force most of the eunuchs to quit their bad traditional profession. Bobby said that some members of his own community have become his enemy as they don’t want to change and prefer begging, dancing, prostitution and snatching which has already distanced them from a clean society.

Bobby urges the government to take strict and legal action against those eunuchs who are looting the citizens in the name of prostitution, dancing and begging.

Punjab Social Welfare Department’s Director Programme Abdul Quddus Akhtar says the government has not announced any strategy regarding the participation of eunuchs in government departments. "Our teams are registering eunuchs and they are reaching out to gurus in this connection. In Punjab around 25 thousand eunuchs are present but they cannot register them by force. Besides this, there are many who are not eunuchs but have only adopted their style," the Social Welfare department’s director explains.

A brief report would be presented to the Supreme Court in mid-October. He informed that eunuchs will get financial help ranging from 5-10 thousand rupees from the Baitul Mal.

caption

Does the society have an alternative work opportunity to offer? — Photos by Rahat DarDoes the society have an alternative work opportunity to offer? — Photos by Rahat Dar

Solo Photography Exhibition by Sana Khan to open on Sep 24 at

Alhamra, The Mall. It will continue till Oct 3.

Khatati & Naqashi Exhibition at Shakir Ali Museum. Today is the last day.

Exhibition of Calligraphic Paintings at Ejaz Gallery till Monday, Sep 21.

Exhibition of Sumera Jawad’s paintings at Alhamra, The Mall till Sep 30.

An exhibition of photographs by a civil society organisation ‘Hum Log’ at Alhamra, The Mall till Sep 21.

Paintings Exhibition by various artists at Revivers Galleria till Sep 25.

Ghazal Night at Peerus Cafe every Friday at 9pm.

Jazz Night at Peerus Cafe every Saturday

at 9pm featuring live performance

by Jazz Moods.

As per the records of Naqoosh Lahore Number 1962, the year 1597 saw the construction of the first Roman Catholic chapel in Lahore on State expense during Emperor Akbar’s era — but its location is shrouded in obscurity.

On the account of the letters received at Goa Christian Society by the Priests of Jesuit Christian Missions in 1595, Emperor Akbar promised Jesuit Christian Priests that necessities for the erection of the church would be provided and the construction site would be marked. A letter dated August 20, 1595 by Jesuit Missions stated that the site fixed for the chapel was near the palace. The chapel was constructed on September 7, 1597.

Naqoosh Lahore Number 1962 also details that after the completion of the chapel Christmas was celebrated with great fanfare witnessed by many inhabitants.

Emperor Akbar consolidated the Mughal empire in India for about 50 years. His subjects belonged to different religions and enjoyed great latitude in practicing their rites and rituals. The phenomenon of ‘universal tolerance’ or ‘sulah-e-kul’ was observed irrespective of caste, colour or creed, which led to the friendly rapport between the ruler and the ruled.

For about 14 years, starting from 1584 to 1598, Emperor Akbar made Lahore his capital. Most historians consider Akbar a crafty statesman and administrator because of his policies on religious tolerance. He was resultantly dubbed as a ‘secular’ ruler of immense importance in the realm of world history. The later Mughal emperors were not so tolerant of religious freedom and imposed their own ideologies.

Notes of Oxford History of India, Fourth Edition, narrate that following the invitation by Emperor Akbar, three separate Christian Jesuit Missions were sent off to Lahore by the Goa authorities. The first mission comprising of three Christian priests stayed for three years till 1583 at the Court of Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri, which served as the capital of Mughals for 15 year before it was shifted to Lahore. In 1592, on Emperor’s urgent request, the second mission was sent which remained at Akbar’s court for two years. The last mission arrived in Lahore in 1595 and became a permanent institution.

The English translation of ‘Ain-i-Akbari’ by Henry Blochman mentions that there is no doubt that Akbar had a Christian wife. The marriage probably took place during 1592 and 1595, around the same time when Akbar got acquainted with Jesuit Christian Missions. On account of a few historians the Christian lady was Portugese (from Goa) but the other parallel accounts indicate that she was an Armenian. The city guide of Fatehpur Sikri includes a palace of Akbar’s Christian wife from Goa, Maryam, located near Joda Bai’s palace, Akbar’s famous Hindu wife.

Starting from Akbar’s era, the movement of the Christian priests from Goa became a regular feature, which got discontinued during the reign of Aurangzeb Alamgir. Further, no authentic evidence has shown record of church construction from Auarangzeb’s time till the advent of the British, when churches began to be established in Lahore during 1840 to 1947.

Initially the Christians, mainly the Roman Catholic priests, remained confined to the British garrisons only. From Lahore Number 1962, it became evident that during Ranjit Singh’s reign in 1830, a few Catholic priests arrived at Lahore for the purpose of preaching Christianity. Later in 1847 a Missionary Priest, namely Kaferal came from Agra to Lahore and built a church with the help of local Christians. But the site of this church is also not known. Although a building at the Government College Lahore, known as Gymnasium, is considered to be the site of an ancient church. Its year of construction is inscribed as 1858. It is speculated that it could be the church built by Priest Kaferal.

In 1849 two American missionaries from the Presbyterian Church came to Lahore, namely Newton and Forman. During those days, a missionary school at the present day Rang Mahal and the Naulakha church were built, attests Lahore Nakoosh Lahore Number 1962.

According to the historical notes of Cathedral Church Lahore Diocese the tomb of Anarkali in 1851, now in the Civil Secretariat, was officially allowed to be used as a church, which was consecrated as St. James in 1857. It remained open for 30 years till the time the present Lahore Cathedral was constructed on January 25, 1887 by the first Bishop of Lahore, namely T.V. French. The big Red Cross, which is now present in the compound of Lahore Cathedral, was originally placed on the dome of the tomb of Anarkali. Later it was brought to the Lahore Cathedral.

The Lahore Cathedral is a fine specimen of architectural beauty. Other ancient buildings of the missionaries include the Church, the Divinity School, and the St. John Hostel at the present day Mission Road. These old buildings are situated at a venue previously known as Maha Singh Bagh.

In 1904, the Roman Catholic Church at Lawrence Road was constructed. This is also a majestic edifice.

Many other magnificent and splendid churches are situated at various places of Lahore. All built during the British period. But the actual site of the first chapel ever built at Lahore remains unknown.

caption

From the collection of Fakir Khana: The painting of Maryam, Akbar’s only Christian wife.

The basic purpose of the drains is to provide an open path for the flood and rain water but just like in any other part of the country the attitude of the people of Lahore is no different and they are being used for yet another purpose that is "dumping". Misconduct of people along with the negligence of the authority has transformed even the main drains of the city into sewage water drains.

There are 12 major drains in the city which pass through areas of Walton Road, Fruit and Vegetable Market on Ferozepur Road, Bihar Colony, Township, General Hospital, Chungi Amer Sidhu, Sattoo Katla, Hudyara, Khurshid Alam Road, Gulberg (near Home Economics College), Canal Park, Shama Cinema, Rasool Park, Samnabad, Gulshan-e-Ravi, Abdul Rehman Road, Fortress Stadium, Mian Mir Colony, Upper Mall, Zafar Ali Road, Mustafabad, Mian Mir Graveyard, Governor’s House, Jinnah Gardens, Lawrence Road, Birdwood Road, Jail Road, LOS Workshop, Samnabad, The Mall, The Zoo, Queen Road, Dayal Singh Mansion, Mozang, Lytton Road, Chauburji, Shalimar Road, Shalimar Garden, Madina Colony, Misri Shah, Shadbagh, Bagh Munshi Ladha, Walled City, Data Nagar and Siddiqpura. All these drains discharge water in River Ravi through the disposal stations constructed at Mahmood Booti, Shadbagh, Chota Ravi, Shahdra, Babu Saboo and Sattokatla.

Security and health are the two main issues with the people living along the drains in the city. Many people have lost their lives because of illness due to living next to the drain. Tasneem Munawar Baig, a resident of Angoori scheme number 2, street 11, says, "Drains near houses have created a lot of health as well as environmental problems in this area. The stagnant water causes serious stomach and liver problems along with allergies in the neighborhood. The quantity of mosquitoes is so high than even after using sprays one can not get rid of them. The torturing odour of the drains is besides that."

One major problem of these drains is encroachment. In a presentation given by two students of University of Engineering and Technology Lahore (UET), Mujahid Hussain and Muhammad Haneef, which was arranged by Muawin, a sister organization of Punjab Urban Resource Centre (PURC), the main drains in some of the areas are encroached which has reduced right of way drastically. The problems of the main drains also affect the function of the secondary and tertiary ones joining these main channels.

The students also brought up the health issue which is badly affecting people settled along the canal. According to their research about 90 per cent of the residents of Shalimar Town suffer from diseases like allergy, stomach problems etc. Whereas 10 percent of the residents of Ravi Town suffer from Hepatitis, 10 per cent from diarrhea, 40 per cent have allergies and 30 percent suffer from some other diseases and only 10 per cent have no disease. 10 per cent of the residents of another main drain of Aziz Bhatti Town suffer from Hepatitis, 20 per cent from diarrhea and 40 per cent have allergies. Only 30 per cent are healthy. And 30 per cent of the residents around the drains of Allama Iqbal Town suffer from Hepatitis and 50 percent have different allergies. Only 20 percent have no disease. Another problem which people face is that when the drains are filled with water the water moves towards houses through the sewerage pipes because most the houses are built at low level which damage their possessions.

According to Dr. Tamkeen Ghafoor, a doctor of Public Health from John Hopkins University (Maryland, Washington) who is serving as a doctor at Shaukat Khanum Hospital, a high number of patients living near drains come to hospitals, the reason may be the hygiene factor as people are more exposed to contaminated and stagnant water which effects their health in the form of Malaria, Cholera, Dengue, Hepatitis and even Cancer.

She says that people living near drains are mostly uneducated and for the sake of shortcut some of the milkmen, vegetable sellers, barbers and others make use of the drain water and thus affect people’s health.

Director Drainage of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa), Masood Ghazi says "The main problem is mixing of sewerage and drain water. Instead of covering the main drains Wasa’s focus is on separating the main drains of Lahore from the sewerage water because the drains are cleaned mechanically. If the main drains are covered it will be impossible to clean them". Moreover, he said, "Although nothing has been done so far, it is included in the future projects of Wasa".

Most of the people living near drains are uneducated and are unaware of the dangerous diseases which are caused by the bacteria, viruses and parasites present in the drain water. The stagnant water also gives birth to mosquitoes which cause Malaria. Professor Dr. Irshad Khokhar, former eminent scientist at Environmental Science department and Professor of Organic Chemistry, University of the Punjab, elaborates the effects of drains and the gases produced by them on environment and human health.

She says "Dirty water of drains affects all people directly or indirectly. The direct effect includes the problems of stomach, kidney and liver which are caused by the mixture of contaminated water in the direct drinking water or is caused by the smell of the drains and indirect effect includes the fact that somehow the drain water ends up in the agriculture land where vegetables and fruits grow which are consumed by us. Even the pesticides which are used for killing the germs spoil human kidneys and can cause Asthma and even Cancer. There is need to clean the drains properly".

According to a news report by Ali Raza namely, "Feasibility of covering open sewers" published on Thursday, April 23, 2009 in daily The News, over 80 per cent drains have been encroached upon by people who have constructed houses and shops on them. Chota Ravi Drain that was six feet deep is now just one and a half feet deep because the waste and animal dung is being dumped into it without any check. On Shalimar Link Road the width of the drain is reduced from 150 to 30 feet. Similarly, construction of shops on Beadon Road drain has reduced its width from 100 to 10 feet. Construction of houses on drain walls in Bagh Munshi Ladha reduced its width from 50 to 20 feet which shows that the drains are used less for the primary function and more for secondary purpose which was never even meant to happen. Other examples of dumping of solid waste in drains are that of drains in Rasool Park, Samnabad, Mozang, Bagh Munshi Ladha, Walled City, Shalimar Link Road and fruit and vegetable markets at Ferozepur Road and Badami. People should have a sense of responsibility that solid waste should not be dumped whereas the drains should be maintained if they actually want to get rid of the problems arising day by day. Things can be brought on track only if public joins hand with the authority and practices responsibility.

The presentation of Mujahid Hussain and Muhammad Haneef of UET revealed that instead of cleaning the drains of the city there is a growth of the secondary drains merging in Cantonment Drain. Some of the secondary drains we see in the city are Gulberg Drain ? which starts from Railway line and then meets Cantt Drain near Gulberg road crossing, Birdwood Drain starts from Davis Road and meets Cantt Drain near Rasool Park Bridge, Central Drain starts from Rattan Cinema and meets Cantt Drain near Krishon Nagar and Allama Iqbal raod Drain Starts from Neelam Block and meets Cantt Drain near Multan Road Disposal Station.

The misconduct of the people has worsened the condition of the already problematic drains; NGOs should take the initiative and inspire people to keep the drains clean. Covering the open drains in Lahore would resolve the issues of pollution being generated by these sewage drains as well as illegal encroachments around these drains. These problems will be difficult to resolve if the massive overlap of jurisdiction of the urban and local authorities is not resolved. It should be made clear that who is responsible for what and the interference of the provisional government should be kept least so that the local bodies are made stronger in order to meet the needs of the people promptly. Newspapers reveal that the Government of Japan has agreed in principle to help Wasa to improve capacity of the sewerage and drainage system in the city which is said to be completed before the monsoon of 2010 and costs more than one billion rupees. Pumps at Shadbagh, Multan Road and Gulshan-i-Ravi which have been installed since 1981 will be replaced according to this plan. The intervention of Japanese in our indigenous plans has given some among us a hope that lives around the drains might change some day.

Everybody needs privacy.