Freelancing is not the Aladdin's Lamp of magic. If you have started planning for future like Sheikh Chilli and dreaming about your life as a billionaire, so please come out of it before the egg basket collapse and you have left with nothing. "An apple a day, Keeps the doctor away" but eating dozen of it a day will make you calling a doctor at immediate. Freelancing may have some demerits, if one cannot balance it with physical and social activities. Freelancing is just like many other professions, you will be rewarded for what you have worked. There are many benefits of freelancing other than earning, not only for individuals but to the society.
1. Constructive Activity, Need of the Time
We are working on the "Sustainable" use of materials so that we can save it for our future generations. We are introducing solar and bio energy to save our planet from excess of Carbon-dioxide and poisonous gases. But we are not thinking to save our future generation from the increasing evil and immoral material that is spread all over the electronic and social media. Its really high time to think over it.
Let's have some examples. I think many of you are aware of that scheme run by government in which village students are paid stipends to come to school. You are also aware with the fact that we are a nuclear power. Why? Because we can't defense our country with swords at this age. Basically, I want to explain why we need freelancing or such constructive activities. That money is just a sort of stipend. You can't fight with those negativity by handing a book on "Demerits of Mobile and Internet" to the kids, nor you can banned the use of technology to them. But evolution of such applications, competitions and website can bring the youth towards positive use of technologies.
2. Physically Deficient People are also Human
Couple of months back, many of social sites user, including you and me, have changed our display pictures by a Great Humanitarian of Century "Abdul Sattar Edhi", posted his quotations and work. All of us got inspired by the Florence Nightingale after reading about her in our text books. Now we are waiting for another "Edhi" or " Nightingale" to come and help the poor, needy and physically deficient people. Because we can only look down upon them. One more rising issue that is under discussion is Gay's rights. They are also human-being. Its we the, so called educated one, who have made them knocking each door, introducing themselves as "Baji,, Reema!!" and Begging street by street. There are many special person around us that are educated but got deficiency either by born or by some accident. They can earn their education through private or online universities or courses. University of Karachi offers a specialization or master degree course of "Special Education" to train the student to teach those special children and adults. Unfortunately, we the fast running society, moving through signal free corridors, won't consider them eligible to work with us.
Freelancing is a Platform where they can work and make their livings without been mocked.
3. War against Crime
Do you ever witnessed some mobile snatching? Whats make them snatch it from you? Its poverty, discrimination and lawlessness. If a person from lower middle class managed to get higher education and then rejected in interview because of not dressed up to the standards of that Multinational or that government officer has reserved that seat for his nephew who was not on merit; he will ultimately become a criminal. We are the society, who don't need any law and force agency, and can punish or even kill to dead to the thief that has robbed few thousands. While the spectators are busy making video of that dying one, laughing and sharing it to media. Yes, a thief deserves a punishment. but not a killing. In majority of criminal activities, we found out someone very young of age between 12-20.
Freelancing and Entrepreneurship can help to fight against poverty, discrimination and lawlessness. How? Read next point.
4. Online Business Network
First, lets define Entrepreneur. Entrepreneur is the one who have set up his own personal business and responsible to any loss or benefits himself. Entrepreneur may be grocer, seller, plumber, electrician, driver, baker, or whatever. By taking advantage of technology, they just extended their business. They are marketing their products or skills over the city or country or even worldwide using the same social sites. You have heard many of them. All the facebook user have read those funny advertisement of Sukoon , a group of electrician, carpenter, plumber, painter and mason. With the help of marketing and graphic team, they spread their network, enhance their earning and facilitating society by on-call delivery. Similarly, you may hire a taxi by Call Careem, or buy dress or accessories online, you can order and send 3D cakes and gifts to your loved one by messaging in inbox, you can buy or sell furniture or vehicle on OLX, or even you can find a property details on Zameen and much more. These all have become the needs of our rapid life. One who does not update himself continuously became outdated. So if you are a laymen waiting for work at some corner of street, think of some creativity, plan, work and be a part of this race.
5. Book Reading Culture
Race, race and race.. This race has made us a machine. We have forgotten the taste of some good literature, poetry and art. We used to go library in exam's preparation leaves only. Book fares only mean to get some text books that are available in cheaper rates. Books are the Best Friends, but we haven't met them for long.
Thanks to some entrepreneur who realized the need of it and connect us together again. I really enjoyed reading Peer e Kamil (SAWW) online in long winter nights under the blanket on mobile at Urdu Novels Online , now reading episodes of its sequel Aab e Hayat at Alif Kitab . I read few other good novels online. Although you cannot compare it with Book reading but still its a great effort. These are available in either E-book format or scanned pages of novel with author and publisher permission. You can read it for free or with little subscription fees. Instead of wasting your energy on frustration and anger while waiting for your turn in a queue or sitting in a lounge because of flight delay, you can enjoy marvelous piece of writings by our great writers.
One more advantage is, in case you are posted in some other city, you don't need to carry a luggage of books and manuals, you can find and read them online. There are many books that are not easily available in pdf format, you have to purchase them online. Scribd has solve this problem. You may find there as many technical books and audios to extend your research.
6. Country's Fame and Reputation
If you are thinking that you will be famous by freelancing and entrepreneurship, then you must have started it 5 to 10 years back. You may find a tough competition today. To become famous, either you need to be extraordinary incredible or you have to explore that magic lamp. What my personal experience is, If I open one freelancing site, chose one field say Civil Engineering, next one of it branch say Structural Engineering, further narrowing down my selection to Show only Top Rated or 5 Star or freelancers with 100% job success score, still I can find hundreds of freelancers.
The increasing trend of freelancing in Pakistan and in other subcontinent's country is bringing it next to the agriculture and textile industries. Foreign companies preferred to work with Asian's employer and now Freelancer, not only because of low rates (due to currency conversion factor) but also due to their hardworking, honesty and dedication. It is proud to see the top rated freelancers with a green flag bringing good name and reputation of their country to the world.
