A throng of eager people, both men and women, boys and girls filled the breathtakingly beautiful Jinnah Hall, Kasur, on the historic Oath Taking Ceremony of the Pakistan National Youth Service (PNYS) Volunteers. Never were such soul-stirring scenes witnessed in the history of Kasur where the assembled people pledged an important part of their lives for the exciting prospect of educating their coming generations under the aegis of UNICEF's Universal Primary Education Programme in which the District Govt. Kasur also played their part and collaborated with full vigor for the promotion of this important cause.

The PNYS is involved in the completion of its assigned task of Third Party Verification and Social Mobilization for Universal Primary Education. PNYS has introduced some pioneering concepts e.g. "The Service Concept" i.e. which involves people, meaningfully, intensely, structurally and requires sustained commitment from them for a certain period of time. PNYS has been successful in building social capital and generating support from neglected and isolated segments of society. It has evolved through the ceaseless efforts of PNYS volunteers into an exciting movement which is totally run and led by the local Youth with the mobilized support of their respective communities. In a very short period, PNYS volunteers have managed to produce some outstanding results. e.g. admitting over 3000 children to schools, arranging uniforms for poor and orphan children and providing books and stationary for needy children. This has been accomplished without any external help.

Notable dignitaries and personalities voiced their unflinching support for the cause, among them Dr. Faiza Asghar, Advisor to Chief Minister on Children Rights, Mr. Sardar Hasan Muakkal , Minister of Management and Professional Development, Ms. Sehar Raza Qizilbash, UNICEF Representative and Ms. Sadaf Hussain, District Coordinator UPE Kasur.

The volunteers were resplendent in their colorful dress and blue caps. This is the first time in the history of Kasur that an event of such magnitude and importance regarding the society's educational development has taken place, where an asset of 500 PNYS Volunteers dedicated one year of their lives for the cause of developing and enhancing the cause of education in a District known for its low literacy rate.

A very thought provoking case study was also presented on the occasion where a female youth shared the experiences of her personal life and the discrimination she encountered. She urged the people to support such initiatives so that other girls may not waste their lives in misery. This case study created a deep impression upon the people and was an eye opener for many in the audience. There were tears in the eyes of most people after listening to his experiences.

Professor Sallmaan Raffiq, In-charge Cultural Wing YES Pakistan was the master of the ceremonies while hosting the event; he welcomed the participants and gave an overview of all the achievements and activities of PNYS to date. He gave rich praise to the dedicated efforts of PNYS Volunteers who have so courageously embarked upon the realization of UPE goals.

Several songs and poetical pieces were introduced at various spots during the programme. These were highly appreciated and enjoyed by the audience. They were related to strengthening the morale of the youth and spurring them on to higher efforts. These pieces were presented by the boys and girls of the PNYS which lent a musical touch and dramatic force to the programme and inspired the audience to be the difference that makes a difference.

These Youth volunteered their services for a period of one year. Great enthusiasm was seen among the other assembled Youth, who also wanted to take the Oath, and were invited by Mr. Ali Khan to join PNYS.

Mr. Ali Khan Country Coordinator YES Pakistan gave all the credit to his team and his volunteers "It is you, the assembled youth, and the talented personnel of my team who have proved to be beacon light in the successful realization of this ambitious project and concept of service. "Your untiring efforts and dedicated work, day in and day out have given this project a new life." Ali further stated that there is dire need to create a balance between in-school factors and out-school factors for the attainment of UPE goals. Out-school factors, like home and community participation and encouragement greatly help in improving the in-school factors and developing the personality of the individual. We all need to contribute environmentally and socially in all spheres to improve the in-school factors.

Ms. Sehar Raza Qizilbash, Representative from UNICEF outlined the achievements of UNICEF in various sectors for education and social uplift of communities in the Punjab Province. Sialkot, she remarked, is a district where UNICEF has managed to achieve 100% UPE goals. She mentioned that 125,000 children still need to be admitted in schools in 5 to 7 year bracket, which is their target. While appreciating the efforts of PNYS she stated that if such an impressive gathering and function can be successfully held in Kasur where so many volunteers have been generated, there is every hope for success in other districts as well.

Ms. Sadaf Hussain District Coordinator UPE appreciated the efforts of PNYS Volunteers in promoting Universal Primary Education. She reiterated that with the support of these dedicated volunteers, it would be possible for UNICEF and District Govt. Kasur to realize the goals of UPE in a District which has the lowest literacy rate in the Province. I am confident that these volunteers will prove an asset in scaling up the campaign by mobilizing the communities and harnessing their resources.

Dr. Faiza Asghar, Advisor to Chief Minister on Children rights lauded the efforts of the PNYS volunteers and team under Ali Khan's leadership. She stressed upon the audience to educate their children and not discriminate on the basis of gender. She said; "Please do educate your girls." she expressed her pleasure at the fact that the promise witnessed at the previous launching ceremony of PNYS has been successfully carried further, and this function is a living example of its realization. She further said that she was confident that this educational project of PNYS, UNICEF and District Govt. Kasur would succeed in producing notable people who would follow the footsteps of Baba Bhullay Shah. She described her recent efforts in creating Bureau for Destitute and Neglected Children and Recreational Complexes and Libraries. She ended by voicing her complete and unconditional support for the PNYS cause.

Sardar Hasan Akhtar Muakkal Minister Management and Professional Development appreciated the initiative taken by Ali Khan and his team for strengthening the cause of education. He related an interesting anecdote on how Ali came to him and said; "I have a wonderful programme for the youth of Pakistan to mainstream them into the positive task of nation building and thus utilize their potential. However I did not receive any positive response from anyone so far, I have now come to you Sir, to see how you receive this ambitious and far reaching proposal." Then he gave me a presentation of the project. I was both delighted and astonish to find that it was a remarkable programme for the betterment of the youth and country at large. Sardar Sahib ended by voicing his unflinching support for the PNYS cause and also appreciated the dedicated efforts of the volunteers.

Perhaps no finer and more heartening sight could be witnessed then, when 500 PNYS Volunteers resplendent in their sparkling colorful dresses and blue caps exhibiting PNYS logos took the Oath to serve their communities. Mian Altaf Ahmed PNYS Advisor and an experienced Social Development Consultant took the Oath and appreciated the commitment and zeal of the volunteers to contribute in the spheres of education and community development He wished all the volunteers best of luck in their future endeavors. It was announced on the occasion that PNYS volunteers would begin this movement by donating blood for the youth who are suffering from Thalassaemia, Haemophilia and Blood cancer. This was accordingly done after this historic event.