PRETTY GIRL

Miss Pakistan Earth 2011(Winner), Miss Earth 2011

BIOGRAPHY:

Sanober Hussain, is a Pakistan model and beauty pageant contestant, winner of the Miss Earth Pakistan 2011 title.

She will represent Pakistan in the 11th edition of the Miss Earth pageant, is scheduled to be held on December 4 in Manila, Philippines.

INTERVIEW:

What environmental project will you create to promote the protection of Mother Earth and why?
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. Positive environmental effects will occur through means of educating and convincing others to commit to small changes. For example, by turning off electronic items when not in use, utilize public transport and conserving water. The WHO reports that 25-30% of all hospital admissions are connected to water borne bacteria and parasitic conditions, with 60% of infant deaths caused by water infections.

The long-term effects on human health of pesticides and other pollutants include colon and bladder cancer, miscarriage, birth defects, deformation of bones, and sterility. Only 3% of the earth's water is fresh water - we must protect this critical resource. Essentially, by enthusiastically engaging with the public, especially the youth, actions taken now will become engrained as lifelong traits, ensuring that the future generation yet to come will appreciate the importance of caring for the Earth.

What makes you proud of the country you are representing, and what can you promote about your country?

Firstly, Pakistan's culture is again unique like the rest of the country. 'Pakistan's geography is the meeting point of South Asia, Central Asia and West Asia/Gulf. Its culture could be termed as a combination of sub continental, Islamic, Regional, English and more recently global influences...' is a quote from the famous book Gwadar on the Global Chessboard by Nadir Mir, which highlights the diversity and different dimensions one country has to offer.

Pakistan is a nation that is ready to co-operate and promote peace. Therefore, tourism is a growing industry in Pakistan because of its diverse cultures, individuals (the Punjabis, Kashmiris, Sindhis in the east, Muhajirs, Makrani in the south; Baloch and Pashtun in the west; and the ancient Dardic, Wakhi and Burusho communities in the north) and famous landscapes. These include some of highest mountains in world such as K2 (which is the second-highest mountain on Earth), the world's third oldest zoo (Lahore Zoo), historic religious sites for Buddhists, Hindus and Sikhs and historic monuments going back to ancient times. Hence, Pakistan has some of the most striking natural beauty and diversity in the world. Pakistan is also world class when it comes to sports such as cricket, hockey and squash. Furthermore, music, dance and art has flourished in our land for millennia, demonstrating how Pakistani people are extremely talented and intelligent. Additionally, Lahore (the city I am from) is the cultural heart of Punjab as it hosts most of the arts, festivals, film making and music of the country. It is also has some of the finest gardens in the continent.

What's more, Muhammad Ali Jinnah who carved out a nation, Pakistan, stated 'We are starting in the days where there is no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed and another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens...' This in turn, reinforces how Pakistan is a place that embraces giving people equal opportunities. The years since independence have continued to be a period of discovery for Pakistan. These years have seen a rise in industrialization and modernisation of the traditional agricultural sector. The use of modern technology and ambitious export aspirations has poised Pakistan to become the fastest developing industrialized countries of Asia.

Essentially, I believe Pakistan has set in motion an irreversible process towards the emancipation of women as its gradually gaining momentum. Women themselves have risen to fight for their rights and many men now realise that they cannot and should not try to stop the process. Pakistan has made great progress. With determinism and persistence we will be a state that is a model to be emulated and not shunned and as an active country participating in all worldly events.

Ultimately, being Miss Pakistan is like having a birthstone, you may lose it but being Pakistani is like having a birthmark, its forever. Something, I am proud of.

Describe your childhood/growing years.
I remember my childhood home being a very memorable one. Born into a close-knit extended family and the oldest of 4 siblings (1 boys and 3 girls), my parents did their best to raise us to be our own individuals and instilled in us a positive discipline. Also, apart from focusing on my academic studies, I was very much into extracurricular activities such as sport and drama whereby from a young age, I got the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life.

What lessons did you learn from your childhood/growing years? ?
My early years taught me that life experience (both positive and negative) and education (academic and non- academic) were of key impotence in shaping an ambitious, balanced and compassionate individual. Essentially, by travelling and seeing the world, I reinforced my ability to appreciate the natural beauty of my surroundings.

Importantly, through emulating role models within my family, I recognized the significance of helping others. Consequently, this drove me to choose a career in mental healthcare. Ultimately, my childhood experience taught me to continuously have the drive to be an achiever.

What is your most memorable moment?
Aside from winning my title, Miss Pakistan 2011, my most memorable moment was being present at and actually helping my sister give birth to my first niece. I witnessed firsthand the beginning of life whereby this incredible experience has instilled in me the precious nature of our lives.

What is your environmental advocacy?
Globalization has had far-reaching effects on our lifestyle. It has led to faster access to technology, improved communication and innovation. Apart from playing an important role in bringing people of different cultures together, it has ushered a new era in the economic prosperity and has opened up vast channels of development. However, globalization has also created some areas of concern, and prominent among these is the impact that it has had on the environment. Globalization has featured extensively in the debates on environmentalism, and green activists have highlighted the far-reaching effects of globalization on the environment.

Activists have pointed out that globalization has led to an increase in the consumption of products, which has impacted the ecological cycle. Increased consumption leads to an increase in the production of goods, which in turn puts stress on the environment. Globalization has also led to an increase in the transportation of raw materials and food from one place to another. Earlier, people used to consume locally-grown food but with globalization, people consume products that have been developed in foreign countries. The amount of fuel that is consumed in transporting these products has led to an increase in the pollution levels in the environment. It has also led to several other environmental concerns such as noise pollution and landscape intrusion. Transportation has also put a strain on the non-renewable sources of energy, such as gasoline. The gases that are emitted from the aircraft have led to the depletion of the ozone layer apart from increasing the greenhouse effect. The industrial waste that is generated as a result of production has been laden on ships and dumped in oceans. This has killed many underwater organisms and has deposited many harmful chemicals in the ocean. The damage caused to ecosystem from the oil that spilled from one of the leaking containers of British Petroleum in 2010 is just one of the examples of the threat globalization poses to the environment.

Due to globalization and industrialization, various chemicals have been thrown into the soils which have resulted into the growth of many noxious weeds and plants. This toxic waste has caused a lot of damage to plants by interfering in their genetic makeup. Globalization has put pressure on the available land resources. In various parts of the world, mountains are being cut to make way for a passing tunnel or a highway. Vast barren lands have been encroached upon to pave way for new buildings. While humans may rejoice on the glimmer with these innovations, these can have long-term effects on the environment. Various studies have over the years found that plastic is one of the major toxic pollutants, as it is non-biodegradable product. However, plastic is of immense use when it comes to packaging and preserving goods that are to be exported. This has led to increased use of plastic, causing widespread environmental pollution.

Globalization has made so many changes to our lives that reversing it is not possible at all. The solution lies in developing effective mechanisms that can check the extent to which it can impact the environment. Researchers are of the view that the answer to this problem lies in the problem itself, that is, globalization itself can lend support to building a better structure which is economically feasible and environment friendly. Globalization is about competition, and if certain privately owned companies can take the lead in being environment friendly, then it will encourage others to follow suit.

It is important that we put in some efforts to maintain harmony with the environment. The survival of human race on this planet is dependent on the environment to such a large extent that we cannot afford to ignore the consequences of our own actions. While there are a lot of debates and discussions on this issue, the need of the hour is to have effective policies in place, and implementation of those policies. The people that we have chosen to represent us have the responsibility of ensuring that the extent of damage on environment is curtailed, if not totally prevented. Ultimately, by educating citizens of society from a young age (for example, from school years) everyone can play a small yet significant role in aiding the environment. By each of us being a role model, we can encourage simple things such as re-using plastic bags or using renewable energy sources when possible as an alternative to non- renewable sources. Collectively, we can then contribute to a bigger, more positive difference to the environment of the world we are living in.

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