When asked to imagine modern-day
Afghanistan, you’ll see photographs of a war-torn nation under the control of
the Taliban often come to mind. Though, if you envisage the history of
Afghanistan there was once a time when this country showed peace and good
fortune. Therefore, University professor Dr. Bill Podlich captured the phase in
history when he travelled to Afghanistan in 1967 with his wife Margaret, and
Jan and Peg, their two teenage daughters. Moreover the key reason for their
relocation revolved around Dr. Podlich's wish to become the Expert of
Principles of Education at the Higher Teachers College of Kabul. Thus, aside
from teaching, the professor also used his Kodachrome film camera to hold onto
1960s Afghanistan and to capture the relationships he'd forged with several
Afghans.
Well, in their tour Dr. Podlich
captured a liberal land and Westernized lifestyle. All over smiling boys, girls
are learning in classrooms, even women wearing short skirts on a warm day, and
families simply loving each other's company outdoors. However, miserably, this
uplifting atmosphere totally changed only a decade later. Afghanistan was
pulled into war, occupied, and became a country ruled by the Taliban.
When I look at my dad's pictures,
I remember Afghanistan as a country with thousands of years of history and
culture, Dr. Podlich’s daughter who once attended the American International
School of Kabul. We still remember that it was been a gut-wrenching experience
to watch and hear about the thoughtful suffering which has happened in
Afghanistan during the battles of war for approximately 40 years. Ferocious and
proud yet fun loving people have been beaten down by terrible forces."
Now, the happier times live on in photographs.
