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Hilal Kids English

Badlo Soch Ko: Children & Youth The Frontline Soldiers

October 2024

The month of September said goodbye after filling the hearts of the nation with enthusiasm and devotion. October began, but Asad was still lost in September. Perhaps, he was down and gloomy. His heart was not at ease. Asad was a 7th-grader at the Army Public School. He was a brilliant student and was admired by all his teachers and mentors. 



It’s been more than a month before he went to sleep, he used to adore the official invitation card for the Defence Day ceremony in Rawalpindi. Since he got the invitation, he would carefully read it every night. He loved to touch the name written on the card with wet eyes.
One day, he was really upset when returned from school. Mama asked the reason; he hardly smiled and replied “Nothing”. At dinner, Mama noticed his swollen eyes and asked: “Tell me what happened?” Asad knew what Mama wanted to know.
“Mama I’m really tired nowadays. The internet is filled with so much criticism and negativity. The continuous propaganda and hate speech against the Army on social media are so hurtful. While spreading negativity, why don’t folks realize that it would hurt the families of Shuhada? There are hundreds of children like me whose fathers are no more; so many mothers lost their beloved sons, and so many women like you are living their lives without their partners. The accusatory attitude of haters at every incident is getting so intolerable. Do the sacrifices of my beloved Baba, and his blood to protect this country and nation have no value?”
“No son. The blood of martyrs can never go in vain. Our nation trusts its Armed Forces, but some evil minds are spreading hate and disinformation to create chaos.”
Mama tried to console him. Asad handed over his mobile to Mama. While going through the images, posts, and fabricated stories on social platforms, she started looking dejected.
“In the name of humor, jokes, and satire, evil forces are deliberately working to pollute the mindset of our younger generation to disgrace the country and malign the Armed Forces of Pakistan. Every act against the country is enough to make the enemy happy.”
“Mama, why are you and brother looking sad? I can see the rule of not to use the cell phone during the meal is broken too…” said little Fatima innocently.
“Nothing to worry about my child, let’s eat…” Mama somehow managed to divert everyone’s attention. 
At night, Asad was finding it difficult to fall asleep. 
“You are my brave son!” A familiar voice echoed in his heart and he wiped his tears. He picked up the picture of his father in uniform put it on the side table; kissed it and hugged it, helplessly. Tears were rolling down his cheeks. His father embraced martyrdom during an operation against terrorists. He was very excited about last year’s Defence Day. As usual, he woke up early, offered Fajr, and prayed for Pakistan and Army. He attended the special day with his dad. After some days, on September 20, that tragic incident happened, which they could never forget. It changed their life altogether. 
He attended this year’s Defence Day along with his mother and younger sister. The families of Shuhada had been respectfully invited to attend the ceremony.
It was a pleasant day. Asad was sitting in the school playground, along with his friends. They were discussing the current affairs.
“Look, we are not kids anymore who cannot understand why fake narratives are being spread, and why disinformation on social media is being carried out by anti-national elements,” said Asad. 
“Yeah, it’s obvious... By doing this they are promoting the enemy's agendas, and the enemy wants to spread chaos and uncertainty in our country. Through propaganda they attempt to turn the hearts and minds of youngsters against their own country, and their Armed Forces.” Hamza expressed himself.
“What can we do?” asked Ahmad. He was quite shy.
“A lot… My dad used to say that the young ones are the agents of change, and the future of this nation. Together we can counter rumors as well as fake news. Ahmad is good at writing. He can create impressive content. Hamza and I are good at graphics, making videos and audio.” explained Asad in a firm voice.
“We’ll prove ourselves as the front-line soldiers ever ready to defend our homeland as well as our institutions on social media platforms. In case of disinformation, rumors, and propaganda, we will quickly respond to it.” Hamza smiled, and others nodded, saying yes.
Gradually they were able to make a pool of talented and patriotic young minds. Regularly, they started posting motivational videos with a very catchy hashtag “#Badlo Soch Ko”. It became their routine to post positive and patriotic content in the form of wall posts, images, and videos. In the beginning, they had to face provoking comments, negativity, and sarcastic remarks. But they stayed firm as they knew that it would take time to change the negative thinking and narratives into positive thinking and perception. Eventually, they managed to attract like-minded people, and a large number of young supporters, on social media.
A couple of months later, Asad’s group emerged as a strong voice of patriotic youth on all social media networks and got much appreciation from people belonging to all walks of life. He was invited as a young sensation to a TV talk show meant for the youth. His heart raced with enthusiasm. “Believe in yourself. You can play wonders, my boy!” His Shaheed father’s words echoed in his heart. He looked at Mama, who was sitting in the front row of the audience; from the stage, he could see her teary eyes. He took a deep breath, and began to speak:
Assalam-o-Alaikum, friends! We know that the Pakistan Armed Forces are defending the motherland with their fullest dedication and commitment. They always give a befitting reply to the enemy whenever they are attacked from across its frontiers. The enemies with their evil designs want to harm Pakistan. Now the enemy is using hostile elements within the country, and has unleashed digital war on Pakistan. And in this war, the children and youth are the actual targets. The young ones are the future of this nation. I am the honored son of a Shaheed. Our Armed Forces and the nation have sacrificed a lot in the war against terrorism. They are always there, alert, vigilant, and prepared, to protect us and every inch of our homeland. All they need is our unwavering support, trust, and devotion.” 
He spoke with confidence, and each word of his speech touched the hearts of the audience. The people in the talk show hall applauded him with love and appreciation. He successfully delivered his message, full of patriotism and national sentiment.
At night, before going to sleep, he whispered to his dad’s picture: “My dear Baba… You will live forever in our hearts. The sacrifice of the Shuhada will never be disregarded. The youth will always defend it with great zeal and keep playing their strong role for the development of the state on all fronts.” He smiled with contentment. He drifted into a peaceful slumber.