economics,anyone?

An idea can change a world. An idea can shape up the future from the ashes of the past. An idea is man’s best asset; an infinitely productive property. Muhammad Yunus was probably thinking on the same grounds when he initiated his micro-finance schemes and the revolutionary Grameen Bank. Let’s not go very far, let’s talk about who and what Fahd Farooq Chattha is. His father is a doctor who studied in a top notch medical college of Pakistan. He set up a clinic to reach out to the poor masses in his rural home town. But the major impact was his interest in business. Few men of sciences ever delve into the world of economics and finance like he did. He was one of the pioneers of the agro-to-industrial based economy in the region despite being a regular worker of a totally opposite field. Better still, he took the first steps in maintaining a healthy balance between an agrarian and an industrial life style. He employed the poor land owners of Muridke to productively capitalize their assets. He meted out small scale loans and established the fertilizer industry in this region. His factories broke the vicious cycle prevalent at that time which introduced the middle man as an oppressor of the poor. He redefined this role. The poor farmers now get A-grade fertilizer at cheaper rates. There is more employment. The land is more productive. Even the crime rate seems to have decreased, now that the regional disparity has been reduced. All in all, a small town in one part of Pakistan revived the basics of successful financing and created a ripple effect reaching as far out as the GDP of the country imparting a positive influence on it. And in this journey, Fahd Farooq Chattha, although still a youngling, was an avid spectator and at times even a critic and a counselor.
This is where my love and passion for the world of economics started. Since my childhood, I had seen the power of sciences in the form of medicine and engineering in action around us. I was surprised, however, by how little the impact of economics on any society was understood in our country. Yes there have been A-grade students and PhD holders in this field but few who actually tapped into a proper understanding and implementation of its rituals. Fortunately my father was one of these. It gave me a boost up and sense of direction I wanted my life to take. I knew deep inside me that economics was where my destiny lay. It was a natural passion and instinct even. I remember being engrossed in the business section of BBC and TIMES and marveling at the market dynamics. The economic recession was the tsunami for my world. I was nearing the end of my O-levels at the time and couldn’t wait to ‘go out there’ and ‘get into action’. I had studied sciences in O-levels however, contrary to what the above lines might imply. The reason was a very simple one : sciences imparted a very innovative and logical problem solving attitude. The likes of this are a must have for successfully handling the intricate world of finance. Mathematics was, as a result, a favorite subject and my link between the two opposite fields. I kept sciences even in A-levels despite studies becoming very challenging at that point. The marvels of science demanded a herculean mind to understand and comprehend. If I could develop exactly that, I would have one of the many tools necessary for becoming a successful economist. I kept pace with the concerned subject too, going beyond the confines of course books. As stated above, the idea behind Grameen Bank and a very similar format of action being adopted by my father acted as great inspirations for me.
Life is process of consistent learning and micro-evolutions. Everything we do from watching Leonardo Di Caprio sketching awesome figurines in ‘Titanic’ to playing hockey as Captain and centre forward for the school team is a learning experience. One teaches finesse and dedication, the other inculcates team work ethics and an ability to handle tough situations. I have been passionate about extracurricular activities for this very reason. They give me the learning opportunities that life ought to be honored with. Problem solving skills, coordination, leadership, time management, hard work, creativity; aren’t these features common to both a hockey match and an economic project?
Once the prospective degree was decided, the place to obtain this was a clear choice too. When it comes to education, the United Kingdom is a royalty. One of the best educational institutions of the world, intellectually stimulating and encouraging environments, and to top it off, a G-8 country which also happens to be a common room for many different cultures and ethnicities. What more could a student ask for?