The manner in which the police and the law of the land handled the innovation by Muhammad Fayyaz, a youth of Sahiwal, for his successful attempt to conquer the airspace with his improvised flying machine is a case to study. Earlier, schools used to be considered the main culprits killing the future scientists within children; now, it seems that the ‘innovation’ in a few people that still manages to survive the onslaught of memory-based science education, also has to endure old-age laws.
Fayyaz built the flying machine with his own resources but its first flight was made the last one, thanks to the ‘abrupt’ police action. They confiscated the machine and took the young man into custody. Only at the police station, the innovator came to know that he lacked permission from the Civil Aviation Authority to look up into the spaces of the country. The police could have shown leniency towards the youth but the sense of authority led them to clip the wings of Fayyaz. Now, he is out of the lock-up after paying a Rs 3,000 fine. Perhaps not a hefty amount, but the young man still had to suffer humiliation on his dream day.
On the fateful day, Fayyaz exhibited his flying toy in front of an eager crowd; the machine, flown by its maker, took several rounds in the air. From take-off to landing, the machine showed good workmanship.
The case of this young innovator exposes how we deal with people interested in science and technology. The science enthusiast comes from a poor family and is a matriculate, and has great interest in aeronautics. Fayyaz had to cut short his studies due to poverty and yet his interest in aeronautics grew over the time. He started learning the art of manufacturing small scale airplanes using the internet. In order to pursue his dreams, he had to take the time out from selling popcorn on the streets during the day and working as a guard at night.
This makes one wonder if there is any hope for the Wright Brothers of Pakistan?
Perhaps not. *