Orangi Town has the potential to develop into an independent city

Orangi Town is one of the thickly populated areas of the city, which has a population of more than 1.5 million consisting mostly of people who had come here from Bangladesh after the fall of Dhaka. It is a mix from Bihar and Benaras from undivided India.
It is now the third generation, which is coming up in Orangi Town. In about ten years they would replace their elders and take the command of their affairs. Their population, according to statistics, is growing fast. The average family size is 6,7 persons per household.
This population has a literacy rate, as is officially defined - able to read the Holy Quran and be able to put signatures, higher than urban average. Similarly the number of schools, both in public and private sectors, is high. The private schools do not charge fees less than private school charges in other areas of the city.
Generally it is believed that people living in low-income areas are either poor or unable to afford a decent living. But this perception is wrong here, as people living in Orangi Town are self-employed and there is no unemployment as is seen elsewhere.
In this locality the popular occupation is cloth merchandising - Small-scale provision stores, carpentry, motorcycle mechanic, auto part shops and a number of other works. It is a big labour market and most of them are in the construction industry. Both the immigrant Biharis and Banarsis and the ethnic Pashtoon are hard working and entrepreneurial by nature.
Though these people have not expanded their business but they have consolidated the gains of their hard work. The first generation of Biharis that had come from Bangladesh was in a shattered condition. They had little to eat and survive. They had no place to live and no work to do to earn money to keep their lives going. In spite of compelling circumstances, poverty and hunger they did not beg from people. It is surprising that not a single beggar that can be seen in the street comes from a Bihari family that had migrated from the British India to Pakistan in 1947 and later from Bangladesh after 1971.
Many of these immigrants are now well off and have their sizeable business. They have generated business and employment for others as well. Most of the people are involved in skilled labour, may it be a tailoring shop or a motor mechanic's shop and the workers are trained. They have learned the art of living the hard way.
The second generation is in politics as well but the third generation which is getting proper schooling and exposure to the realities of life, its fastness and the growing competition for survival seems to be conscious of the fact that they will have to build their future themselves. It is for this reason the local community is actively involved in the affairs. Though the motivating factor is the Oragni Pilot Project, the initiative of Dr Akhtar Hamid Khan, but there are several other factors that have led to a change in the thinking of these people.
The first reason is their exposure to electronic and print media. The number of cable operators and the number of newspapers that reaches people are higher than is other areas. This observation is not based upon any survey but is the outcome of a visit to Orangi. All cables are fixed properly and in complete orderly manner. Their children are exposed to international events and are aware of Grameen Bank in Bangladesh and that the Nobel Prize for peace has gone to this institution and to the founder of this institution.
The second reason is the use of Internet. Internet Cafés are functioning in each Mohalla and most of the users are students. Arrangements at these cafés are such that chances of misuse are minimum. Girl students are encouraged to visit these places.
The third reason is that some of the coaching centers have volunteered free coaching to deserving students. There is philanthropy as well. The poor get assistance from the unknown people. The financial help is being gainfully utilised.
The fourth reason is that a large number of A-Graders come from Orangi Town and can be seen in prestigious colleges and in universities.
Fifth reason is the increasing sense of competition among the children as is indicated from the boards hanging on the walls of private schools and coaching centers. They all promise excellence and bright future to their students.
Sixth reason is that people have taught their children the value of independence and self-reliance. Bihari population in the Orangi Town is less exposed to seeking favours through connections and more involved in developing qualities to compete and then seek favours. This technique works well and those who have got employment opportunities through these mechanisms have set up good example for others belonging to their community.
In a way the Orangi Town, where the Bihari population lives, is developing into a cultured place and there are chances to see that the entire population, which is inter-linked may emerge as one of the most enlightened communities of Karachi.
What is needed is to provide proper road network, supply of electricity and water. A great deal of work in respect of developing a sewerage system is also to be done there. There is need to develop a good road network in the entire area. It is non existent at the moment. Many houses are either Kutcha construction on encroached land or are purely temporary living quarters. These may be removed after adequate compensation to widen roads proper drainage system can also be developed in the area. There is an opportunity to work in Orangi Town, as people are enlightened and co-operative. Once the chance is missed it would be too late to carryout corrections. Orangi Town has the potential to develop into a good city in itself. Let us not miss the opportunity.