MOVIE REVIEW: DISNEY’S UP

The movie “Up” is a Disney animated movie, created by Pixar animation studio and distributed by Walt Disney pictures. It was released in May 2009. It is directed by Pete Docter having the lead characters of Carl Fredricksen (voice over by Ed Asner), Charles Muntz (voiced by Christopher Plummer) and Russell (voiced over by Jordan Nagai)

The story is about how a man fulfils the dream of his and his wife’s to go on an adventure. Ever since childhood Carl wanted to explore things but his life changes when he meets Ellie, a lively and adventure spirited girl. Being a balloon salesman he tries hard to save money to fulfil that dream but in the course of doing so he loses his beloved wife. They did not have an kids and after her death he is shown living a lonely life. The story represents the life of an aged person who had lived his life striving to fulfil a dream and only ends up fulfilling it later in life, irrespective of his age, only when he got the courage to step out of his past memories of his life. According to me, the movie gives the message that age doesn’t matter in the pursuit of one’s dreams.

The movie revolves around the story of an old man Carl Fredrickson. The story starts in the childhood years when he meets a girl named Ellie after accidentally fracturing his arm. Ellie shares her adventure book with him and tells him that she wants to go to Paradise Falls and live in a house near the falls. They both become good friends and they both marry each other later. Ellie becomes a zoo keeper and Carl sells balloons at the zoo. They both start saving money to go to South America but due to different reasons they end up using those savings each time. Ellie falls ill and eventually dies and Carl is left alone with the memories of their good times together. After a lapse of many years Carl is shown to be in his old age. He meets a boy named Russell who is a wilderness explorer boy scout. He asks him if he could assist him which will enable him to earn a badge. Carl rejects many proposals by a construction company to sell his house until finally he is summoned by the court after an accident which later orders him to sell the house and move to an old age home. But, decides not to go to the old age home because he knew that once there, he would never be able to fulfill his lifelong dream. He ties up hundreds of balloons to his house which lifts it up in the air and then controls it like an air ship to go to his destination and accidentally ends up taking Russell along with him. They had a three days’ time before the helium in the balloons ran out. After a storm hits their house along the way, they manage to reach their destination. Once there, they are followed by a bird and a talking dog named Doug (voiced by Bob Peterson). On their way they meet Charles Muntz, an adventurer who travels in an airship . After he tells him his story of how he’s been looking for a bird for so many years to prove to the people that he was not lying and asks them to cooperate with him. Finally capturing the bird, Muntz holds Russell as a prisoner and Carl manages to rescue both of them after a fight and the story ends where they both are seen flying home in the airship. Russsell gets the badge he needed and Carl finally goes to senior citizens home.

The movie won 2 Oscars awards including one for the best feature film of the year in 2010. It had also won many other awards along with many nominations in many categories. The movie was also translated in many foreign languages. It is a 3D animated and has a run time of 1 minute 36 seconds. Apart from certain fight scenes, the movie is suitable for all ages and it will appeal more to children because of the use of bright colors in the creation of the film.

Senior citizens in Islam

  

Humour helps us to think out of the box, the average child laughs about 400 times per day, the average adult laughs only 15 times a day; what happened to the other 385 laughs?? And that’s something to give a thought to. What’s the reason behind this? Work load, Pressure Or maybe just a little bit of missing love and respect.

Unfortunately the behaviour of today’s young generation with our senior citizens tends to be the reason behind their lesser number of laughs and more depression. Life in 21st century is hectic, and we are often overwhelmed by the worldly concerns so much so we tend to forget that morals and manners are a huge part of this way of life that is Islam.

Islam is a religion of justice and compassion that teaches morality and forbids bad conduct in society. Special merits have been accorded with the elderly; they are treated with respect and dignity. Muslims are urged to honour them. In one of the hadith, the prophet disavows those who do not venerate the elderly and consider them alien to Muslim society:

“He is not one of us who does not show mercy to our young ones and esteem to our elderly”

(Al-Tirmidi and Ahmad)

It’s a young one’s duty to respect and care for the elders, Islam emphasis on good behaviour with elders regardless of the relation with that person. Here follows the hadith which specify: Anas-Ibn-Malik (May Allah be pleased by him) narrated that prophet (PBUH) said:

“If a young man honours an elderly on account to honour him in his elderly”

(Al-Tirmidi)

The Prophet (SAWW) here advices the youngsters of the society to respect the elderly  as they too will be tomorrows elderly. The continuous application of this prophetic advice helps bridge the gap between generation and spread an atmosphere of love and understand between young and the old. Consider also the generalization in prophets words, the hadith requires to honour the elderly regardless of their colour or religion.

They define the characteristic of an old age, which are Slowness of behaviour, They may listen to high pitch, Slowness of task performance, They might get impulsive, They can be stubborn at times etc. But still the young ones are obliged to stay polite and kind with them, prophet urged the young ones again and again to be kind with these people. Since these are the assets of our society they are those priceless treasures who behold the important history, past information and moreover a lot of experience. Islam teaches us to protect them and give them their complete rights because they are not physically and mentally eligible to take care of themselves. The Prophet keeps reminding the young ones about the circle of life, where you will get what you have been doing; everything will come back to you, so, be kind. Islam forces the children to take care of their parents and not throw them out when they are old. The society would be glorious if and only if we would have followed our religion, the Prophet’s footprints (Sunnah).

Starting from nowhere but home, what are we doing with our assets in our so called Islamic Republic of Pakistan? Here, parents work day and night to give their children a better lifestyle and good education, but unfortunately once these children gets educated enough to become independent; they leave parents here and go abroad with their families. I personally, , met 7 old couples left in old homes or their own homes to be nurtured by strangers; where they wanted to live with their children’s. In our country the trend of keeping parents and old age people of family in old homes is more common in urban areas than in rural areas; as compared to urban areas old people in rural areas are respected in their families, they are the decision makers, and family members takes care of them like babies. We must understand that, Islam recognizes the importance of the family unit, and good an loving relationship between parents and children is essential. After God, our parents deserve our gratitude and obedience. A Muslim is obligated to show goodness and mercy to his or her parents. There is only one exception to this if, if parents expect their children to associate anything to god or do something regarded impermissible in Islam, then the child must not obey their parents, however nothing removes the obligation to be kind and respectful. This obligation is not limited to one’s parents mere, but extended to every old age person one meet; regardless of the religion they follow; the race they belong to; the color they have ; the language they speak; as discussed before.

Banking System Introduced For Senior Citizens

KARACHI: Banking system offered monthly savings account for senior citizens a decade ago is still helping them a lot.

Pakistan has a huge number of bank operating in various cities. They all serve to offer good quality services to their customers, which are currently working and are offering different packages to all its customers for children, youngsters and seniors.

The banking system in Pakistan has a long history for its success and their dynamic functions. Many banks are offering different packages to senior citizens and are also providing different facilities. The main aim is to empower the senior citizens to lead their life independently and can have their saving habits. They get special offers and discounts that help them to lend their life easily especially for the people who are living alone. The main advantage is also that there is no deduction for Zakat or other taxes. These accounts offer convenience and financial independence to senior citizens. They have no life insurance that is covered. These packages also offer benefits of free A.T.M cards, utility bills and payment facilities. They are now striving for more valuable packages for senior citizens and trying to give them more facilities.

When asked about what their bank offers to the senior citizens, A manager of a private bank said that they offer a monthly savings account for senior citizens from the ages of 60 and above. There is no minimum deposit value. They offer an interest rate is 6.5% per annum. Other benefits include a free online banking system and there are no deductions made like zakat etc. upon depositing the money they are given 90 % loans as well. They also offer a monthly profit which means higher the savings likewise higher will be the returns. There is no limit for the withdrawal of money or funds. Apart from these facilities, they don’t keep senior citizens waiting in the line and serve them first. They also have wheelchair ramps apart from stairs, for people who are unable to walk.

But even then the senior citizens are facing many problems, in the main branches they have their different counters so they are not made to wait however, this facility is not provided in small branches because they have only 2 to 3 counters and there is not too much space to expand their counters. But, the banks are trying to overcome all the problems that are faced by these people. The customers are more or less satisfied. On average 6 to 7% interest rate is being offered to senior citizen in Pakistan but we see that internationally the interest rate is 2 to 3%. But further a 4 to 5% of decline is needed to meet international standards, which is only possible if the economy progresses in the near future.

A VISIT TO DAR-UL-SUKUN

(A Home of Peace and Love)

In our visit to the Dar-ul-Sukun Senior Citizens home we had a interview the managing head and the following conversation took place.

Q: Tell us little about yourself?

A: My name is Anna Daniel. I have a Master’s degree in Criminal Psychology from University of Karachi and have done some medical courses of ICU and CCU from Civil Hospital, Karachi. By profession I am a banker and I’ve worked in UBL.

Q: What is your star?

A: I don’t believe in horoscopes but my star is Gemini.

Q: what are your hobbies?

A: I like reading books and internet surfing.

Q: how long have you been working in Dar-ul-Sukun?

A: Basically I have been working in Dar-ul-Sukun since my childhood as a volunteer. This Senior Citizen home has built just one year ago So, I am here since one year.

Q: What is your position here?

A: I work here as a manager.

Q:  what is your working time?

A: My office timings are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm but sometimes I come here at 7 or 8 am and may leave after 7:00 pm.

Q: In case of any emergency who provides the residents with immediate help?

A: we have a medical staff that stays here 24 hours and in case of any emergency they provide immediate help.

Q: What is the history behind Dar-ul-Sukun Senior Citizen home?

A- Dar-ul-Sukun was founded in 1969 by Sister Gertrude Lemmens when she came to Pakistan. She came to meet her brother who had met an accident. She was a Dutch lady and belonged to Holland. When she came to Pakistan she saw the condition of orphans and disabled children here. They were given no importance and were thought to be useless. Their parents thought they are a curse for them. Sister Lemmens decided to take care of them so she devoted her entire life for the care of such children in Pakistan. She broke her engagement and devoted her whole life for the sake of disabled children.

Q: As you mentioned earlier that you have worked as a banker then why did you choose to work here?

A: As a banker, I was given enough amount of salary but I choose to work in Dar-ul-Sukun instead because I wanted to help those who are helpless. My elder sister was blind I always felt sensitive towards her and wanted to help her. Here at Dar-ul-Sukun I am able to help those who are helpless. Old people are respected individuals of our society and are our natural wealth. The senior citizens here at Dar-ul- Sukun were rejected by their children them and we have accepted them by welcoming them in this home.

Q: How are the activities carried out in here throughout the day?

A: in the morning, breakfast is served at 7:30. Then physiotherapy and yoga activities are carried out from 9:00 to 10:30.  At 10:30 tea time or milk is given according to each individual’s preference. Then from 11:00 to 1:00 they do some activities like jewelry and candle making or some play games. 1:30 is the lunch time and afterwards they take rest in their rooms. In the evening, 4:00 pm is their tea time after that they walk around. At around 7:00 pm they sit together and talk with one another. After that have their dinner and watch TV then they go to sleep.

Q: How you manage finances here? Does any other organization or government provide any support?
A:  We manage finance through local Zakat and donations. No Government support is provided to this old home. We have contacts with NGOs and organization they often provide us with few requirements like wheel chairs, beds, blankets etc. but no permanent help is offered.

Q: what did you learn from experience working here?
A: I learned a lot from my experience. People at this stage in life should keep some amount of money or property as a saving to spend for them. Parents are the ones who loved their children, provided them with all their needs and fulfilled their wants. They gave them the love and support throughout their life and when those children were able to make a living for themselves they transferred all their property and life savings to them. In return to the efforts by their parents, they left them helpless in the time where they needed their children’s love and support the most simply because they couldn't take care of their parents anymore. So, everyone should keep some future savings for themselves so that their children give importance to them.

Q:  Would you like to give any message for the youth out there?
A: I just want to say that today is their time; tomorrow will be the time of your children. Remember that as you sow today, so shall you reap tomorrow.