By : Aamerah Shah
A call for Value- Based Nation Building
In an age dominated by media spectacles and social media applause, a troubling trend has emerged—the stunt mentality. Whether it is attempting to set a world record for the longest hand imprint banner or orchestrating large-scale public spectacles for fleeting recognition, the obsession with headlines is replacing the far more difficult but essential work of value-based nation building.
The Illusion of Progress Through Publicity
It is tempting to believe that making the news is equivalent to making progress. That achieving a World Record somehow reflects the strength, unity, or greatness of a nation. But this illusion is not only misleading—it is dangerous. When stunts take centre stage, the spotlight shifts away from education, ethics, innovation, and institutional integrity, the very pillars that uphold a sustainable, prosperous society. Such spectacles generate momentary applause but leave no lasting legacy. They exhaust resources—financial, emotional, and intellectual —that could be invested in building better schools, healthcare systems, judicial fairness, or leadership development programs. A society infatuated with the spotlight risks losing sight of the foundation
The Poison of Stunt Culture
1. Ruining National Morals
When a nation glorifies stunts over substance, morals become relative. Young minds begin to associate value with virality instead of virtue. Hard work is replaced with shortcuts. Truth with theatrics. We train our youth to chase validation rather than cultivate character. This erodes the very fabric of our national identity, where what once mattered—honesty, responsibility, empathy —is now seen as “boring” or “ineffective.”
2. Damaging the Future Generation
What message do we send to our children when headlines become more important than heritage? That being seen matters more than being good? That performance for applause matters more than performance for duty? This toxic lesson undermines the development of responsible citizens and ethical leaders
3. Erosion of Integrity
Integrity is defined by what we do when no one is watching. But in a stunt-based culture, everything is performed for the camera. This creates a vacuum where short-lived optics replace long-term outcomes. Institutions lose credibility. Leadership becomes performative. Governance becomes an event rather than a mission.
The Real Work: System Building for a Moral Society
If we truly desire to build a nation that commands respect—not just attention—we must pivot from event-based optics to value-driven systems.
1. Focus on Education Reform
Invest in schools that teach not only science and math, but ethics, civic duty, and critical thinking. Let classrooms be the arena of achievement, not public stages. Turn to the last page of our newsletter to discover how you can get involved and be part of the action!
2. Strengthen Institutions
Justice, accountability, transparency—these must not be slogans, but systems. A nation where laws are fair and fairly applied builds trust far more powerful than any media campaign.
3. Cultivate Ethical Leadership
Support leaders who work behind the scenes with consistency, not those who constantly seek the spotlight. Create mechanisms to measure impact, not impressions.
4. Reframe Success
Teach society to honour perseverance, honesty, and service. Redefine “achievement” as contributing to society, not trending online.
Choose Legacy Over Likes
“A nation is not built on records and headlines. It is built on values. On leaders and citizens who think beyond a day’s applause and act with integrity when no one is watching.”
We must resist the temptation of temporary applause and commit to the difficult, often invisible work of nurturing systems and souls. It is only then that we will lay the true foundation of a nation not only admired—but remembered