Karachi: As journalists, we’ve attended countless 14th August celebrations — most of them lost in long speeches, endless queues of guests of honour and chief guests, or simply mismanaged and overcrowded. You leave unable to focus on even a single stage performance, let alone the sequence of events. This year was different. I attended a ceremony that was not only full of joy, but also remarkably well-managed and disciplined — a gathering where everyone truly felt part of the celebration. It was held at KDSP, a centre of excellence for children with Down syndrome. A Lesson in Discipline and Dignity And isn’t it surprising? In a country where we can’t even manage discipline at regular school functions, it took a centre for differently-abled children to show us how it’s done. With sharing. With togetherness. With dignity. I saw real joy and happiness on those children’s faces — and my daughter, Bibi Marium, was among them. The event was full of surprises. In most gatherings, adults push and shove to get to the main head table and into group photos. Here, the children were gently accommodating each other in the queue for cake cutting. There was no chief guest to distract, no protocol to irritate the kids and parents. Even the CEO and Chairman stood to the side, watching joyfully as their children celebrated. A Family Festival, Not Just a Ceremony The next surprise was this: it wasn’t just a celebration. It was a family festival. Children and parents both came dressed in green and white — shalwar kameez, t-shirts, trousers, mostly in flag colours. They weren’t sitting on the sidelines. They were part of it — they were guests and chief guests both. The entire KDSP management — CEO, Directors, Managers, teachers, staff and mentors — made a point to be present too. But they chose to stand from the sidelines, letting the children take center stage. One of the most moving moments was when Abdullah Haris, a student of KDSP’s EFL program, played the National Anthem on the piano. The entire venue erupted in thunderous applause. And you could see the proudest smile on the face of CEO Tabish Shahzad as she watched her children shine. Baked with Love After the anthem came the cake-cutting ceremony — and again, no pushing, no crowding. Children, staff, and parents all enjoyed the refreshments together. There was enough for everyone. The cake was so soft, yummy and delicious that I assumed it came from some high-profile bakery. But to my surprise, it was prepared in-house — by the children of the cooking class, guided by their young yet expert instructor, Head Chef Zainab Durrani. A COTHM graduate and pursuing her special education degree, Chef Zainab has a rare gift: children instantly connect with her. For years she has been associated with KDSP, putting in all her effort to teach them the skill of cooking on every available platform. Under her guidance, these children aren’t just baking — they’re gaining confidence, independence, and pride. While talking to me, a parent of a child with Down syndrome, Mr. Karim Navroz Ali from the Finance Department said, “KDSP makes every effort to motivate our children, to inspire them, and to build a more inclusive society. These children must be treated equally — and normally.” He nodded, head held high. And again to my surprise, after the ceremony, everyone was back to work and into the class, no day of skill development of a child is wasted, that development means here. “1947. Pakistan. Independence.” I also spoke with Ms. Sadia Navaid, a skills facilitator at KDSP, who teaches and empowers students with fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. She is among the teachers loved by all. When I asked her whether these children feel patriotism and love for the country, her answer left me speechless. She shared that when she asked the children to make a quilling flag, they instantly said: “1947. Pakistan. Independence.” Ms. Sadia emphasized that these children are often more sensitive than others, and they carry a deeper feeling of ownership for their country. The managers of the Skill Development Program — Ms. Mahzaib Faheem, Ms. Umme Farwa, and Ms. Sania Siddiqui, Ms Mehak — also dressed in green and white, were glowing with pride. They shared that although the event was short and sweet, it took days of decorating the entire center and making arrangements for this precious day. “For us, it’s not just about a celebration,” they said. “It motivates the children, and it also binds us all together in joyful times.” What Independence Is Meant to Be As I walked out of KDSP that day, my heart was full. What I saw wasn’t just an Independence Day celebration. I saw courage, I saw dignity, I saw belonging. These children taught me that patriotism isn’t about grand speeches — it’s about standing together, singing together, baking together, and believing together. KDSP isn’t just building skills. It’s building a Pakistan where every child, regardless of ability, is seen, heard, and celebrated. And in that hall, dressed in green and white, I truly felt it: this is what independence is meant to be. “Independence is not a day on the calendar. It is the day a child feels they belong to.” Meet the author: The writer is a senior journalist and columnist covering crime, law, social issues, governance, energy, health, literature, and women and children’s rights across Pakistan’s leading English media houses. Feedback: mediawomen2014@gmail.com
