Yousuf Siddiqi’s passes away

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Senior Vice President of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA) and the Convener of the Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT), Yousuf Siddiqi, passed away in Karachi in the early hours of January 6. He was also a former Member (Technical) of the now defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA).

He was 78, having left behind two sons and three daughters besides a large number of friends, relatives and his colleagues in the AMUOBA to mourn his death. 

He was laid to rest at Milk Plant graveyard near Hasan Square. Earlier his Namaz-e-Janaza was offered at Masjid Baitiul Mukarram. 

The funeral was largely attended by the top officials of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET) and the AIT, faculty members besides members of AMUOBA, friends and relatives. 

The President AMUOBA and Chancellor SSUET, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, has expressed his profound grief and sorrow over the sudden demise of Yousuf Siddiqi and prayed to Allah to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant fortitude to bereaved family to bear the great loss. 

He also visited the residence of Yousuf Siddiqi and offered his heartfelt condolences to the family members. 

He termed the death of Yousuf Siddiqi as a great loss and paid rich compliment to him for his dedicated services for the causes of the SSUET and the AIT. 

“We have lost a great friend, a true Aligarhian and a close associate,” the Chancellor said while paying tributes to Yousuf Siddiqi adding that his efforts for the promotion of quality education in the Sir Syed University as a founding member were truly commendable. 

Meanwhile the Vice-Chancellor SSUET, Prof Dr Jawaid H Rizvi and Registrar, Syed Abrar Ali, also visited the residence of Yousufr Siddiqi and offered their heartfelt condolences to the grieved family members. 

Prominent Aligarhians and members of the AMUOBA kept visiting the residence of Yousuf Siddiqi since morning to condole the demise of their close associate. 

Yousuf Siddiqi was also the member of SSUET’s Board of Governors besides being a member of Academic Council and Finance and Planning Committee of the university.

Young Ahsan Parvez shines in Mr Lahore bodybuilding contest

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Twenty year old Ahsan Parvez made it and set a record by winning 4th position in senior 65-Category Mr Lahore bodybuilding competition organized by the Pakistan Body Building Federation at the famous Al-Hamra Hall in Lahore.

He has become the youngest position-holder in this senior class category of Mr Lahore Bodybuilding Competition 

“It was my dream to become a body builder, and I have achieved it now”, the promising youngster stated while talking to the media. 

Born and raised in the historic city of Lahore, Ahsan, said that he has already started preparations to participate in the Mr University Competition due to be held a couple of months later. 

A fourth semester software engineering student at the University of Lahore Ahsan remarked that he loved his country and city very much. 

“Since my early childhood I had an inclination to become a bodybuilder whenever I saw Arnold on my television set and I felt right at the core of my heart that I can emulate him,” he stated 

“I dreamt of being a perfect bodybuilder by seeing modern western world as it was portrayed in movies and international body building championships competition,” Ahsan added. 

He disclosed having started workout two years back when he was 18. Although it was a tough undertaking for him, his fierce determination to succeed enabled him to stay focused and achieve his goal. 

He said that his studies did not come in the way and he is confident that if he claims a position in the Mr University Competition, he will be able to concentrate more on his scholastic activities and hopefully also get scholarship from the university as he already is the topper of his batch. 

He said he worked out really hard at the fitness centre, Muscles and Fitness, owned by most respected personality of Pakistan Bodybuilding Federation, Mounas Choudery. 

“He always had faith in me and always encouraged me by saying that you can do it. He is my true inspiration my coach,” Ahsan acknowledged. 

 “I had planned to debut in bodybuilding competition at our university I was training for it under my coach. I had never planned to appear in Mr Lahore competition as a participant. But my coach has always supported me. He got my name registered for Mr Lahore competition and I have truly fulfilled his expectations,” the young bodybuilder concluded.

Mathematician Shaukat Abbasi’s death condoled

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

A joint meeting of the members of the Karachi Mathematical Association (KMA) and the Department of Mathematics of the Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET), was held to condole the death of Prof Shaukat Abbas Abbasi, a renowned mathematician and a member of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boy’s Association (AMUOBA).

 

Prof Shaukat Abbasi, a mathematician of high calibre, served various national and international universities for several years and he has left behind a large number of students to mourn his death.

 

He has a number of publications to his credit including many books having been brought out by national publishers.

 

The meeting was attended, among others, by Prof Dr Syed Jawaid Hassan Rizvi, Vice Chancellor, SSUET, and President, KMA, who paid rich tribute to the services of the Professor and prayed for the departed soul to rest in peace. He also prayed for his near and dear ones to have courage to bear this irreparable loss.

SANA condemns Peshawar carnage

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Sindhi Association of North America (SANA) has condemned in strongest words the cowardly attack on a school of Peshawar and killing of innocent children, and announced to arrange vigils in Houston, USA and Toronto, Canada, for martyred people specially the students and teachers of Peshawar school assassinated by cruel terrorists.

The SANA President, Jamil Daudi, through a press statement, issued on behalf of the executive council and all the members expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy.

He observed that the grief and pain of those families cannot be measured who have lost their loved once in this barbaric act. He said that the children are like angels and all the colours of world are because of them, and killing them in the name of Islam is like killing whole humanity.

He said that through killing children and women, those elements basically were trying to take revenge from the people of Pakistan because people have rejected them.

The SANA President added that not only the people of Peshawar and Pakistan at whole were shocked on this barbaric act but the entire world was in a state of sorrow and we all shared the grief of those parents and families who have lost their kids and beloveds in this tragedy.

Jamil Daudi has appealed Sindhi community of Houston to participate in a Vigil for Victims on at Westheimer and Post Oak. Another vigil was planned to be arranged at Chicago’s Daley Centre.

In Canada, the SANA Vice President, Aijaz Kolachi, has arranged a vigil at South Fletchers Community Center, Brampton Town of Greater Toronto Area to express sympathy to victims and grieved families.

SSUET students, faculty denounce Peshawar attack

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The barbaric and savage act played at the Army Public School, Peshawar, on December 16, was vehemently denounced at a condolence get-together held at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, the following day.

On the occasion Fateha was offered for the departed innocent lives which was very largely participated by the university students besides entire faculty staff members. 

Also attending the special prayers were Chancellor SSUET, Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Jawed H. Rrizvi, Registrar Syed Abrar Ali, Dean and Vice-Dean Prof Dr S M Makhdoomi and Prof Dr Najeeb besides chairpersons of the various departments. 

The grim-faced participants prayed to Allah to rest the departed souls in eternal peace and grant fortitude to the bereaved families on this grave national tragedy. Prayer was offered for greater national unity to combat the elements of terror and resolved to let no stone unturned to counter terrorism with their unity. 

The university was engulfed in a sad atmosphere and many male and female students, while talking about the grim tragedy at Peshawar, could not stop their tears rolling down.

Final semester exams commence at SSUET

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

 

The final semester examinations in all the disciplines and all batches have commenced at the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), Karachi, as the future engineers devote all their energies in further proving their academic excellence prior to stepping into the professional arena.

 

While the regular exams will continue up to December 20, the process of new admissions for the academic year 2015 has also started simultaneously at the SSUET.

 

The university has announced December 15 as the last date for payment of admission fee and completion of related formalities.

 

This year, the newly introduced electrical engineering has emerged as the second most sought after discipline after civil engineering.

 

According to Vice-Chancellor, Prof Dr Jawed H. Rizvi, the new academic session will start from January 19, 2015, with the Orientation Day scheduled to be held at the Karachi Expo Centre.

Ambassador revisits Belgium and beginning of Great War

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The role of Belgium before and during the World War-I was highlighted by the Belgian Ambassador, Peter Claes during an exhaustive discourse at a get-together of the English Speaking Union of Pakistan, held the Beach Luxury Hotel on December 4. 

The function was chaired by the ESUP’s President, Aziz Memon, who, in his welcome address earlier, spoke about growing Pakistan-Belgium relationship. 

The Belgian Ambassador's topic of the talk was "Belgium and the beginning of the great war" during which he dwelt at length about his nation's role at the beginning, during and after the war. Marking the centenary of the First World War, Ambassador Peter Claes recalled the history of Belgium and how it became a country. 

In his discourse, he recalled when European leaders gathered in Vienna in 1815 to redraw the map of their region and thereby the Southern Catholic Netherlands and Northern Protestant Netherlands were united to form the Kingdom of Netherlands with two capitals, one in Amsterdam and the other in Brussels. 

However, this union, he stated, lasted only for 15 years after the Belgians living in the kingdom revolted and seceded in 1830. After it became independent, the Belgians offered to Leopold to become their king which he accepted and the decision to do so, Ambassador Claes opined, had far-reaching implications since Leopold was related to the royal family of England, firstly as the son-in-law of King George IV and then as a maternal uncle of Queen Victoria. 

It ensured two things-one the Great Britain recognized and supported the new country and the other Great Britain became the guarantor of its neutrality, which was one of the pre-requisites of European leaders in order to recognize the new country. 

Ambassador Claes said Belgium invested more in industry and neglected its military aspect. Nevertheless, Belgium did safeguard its cities by erecting forts, perhaps foreseeing the developing militarist intentions of neighboring countries like France, Germany and Russia. Continuing, the Ambassador said that in essence First World War was a Balkan war. Austria-Hungary had declared war on Serbia. Russia had mobilized its forces against Austria-Hungary. 

Germany was supporting Austria-Hungary. Germany faced a terrible choice because it had to fend off two enemies: France and Russia. France was particularly hostile to Austria-Hungary and Germany. The hostility between France and Germany dated back to the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.” 

“Germany promised us all kinds of help even going to the extent of promising us territorial compensation from France. We were given only 12 hours to decide. Everyone from the king to the Prime Minister to the parliament rejected the ultimatum. This automatically led to war and on Aug 4, 1914 the Germans entered Belgium and Liege was the first Belgian city that Germany attacked.” 

The Ambassador said the battle lasted for seven days, which is a considerable period of time, since our policy of neutrality meant that our military strength was negligible and yet we defended ourselves which was a no mean thing especially against the enormous German forces who used heavy artillery and destroyed forts in the city. 

According to Ambassador Claes, Belgium tried to organize as best as they could, but because of their policy of neutrality, they did not have a tradition of defence. Germany didn’t expect resistance from Belgians In fact in the Battle of the Silver Helmets the Belgian cavalry defeated the German troops. 

The Germans kept advancing through Belgium and torched several towns and killing many defenceless civilians. Giving the example of the Battle of Ypres, he said the town was completely ruined by the Germans during the Great War. Speaking about Belgium's stance of neutrality in the Great War, he said during the first days of the war, Belgium maintained its neutrality. Officially it was never part of the alliance. 

"We controlled our own forces.” But this policy was challenged again in 1940 when Germany invaded Belgium without warning. This is why his country lost faith in this policy and invested in the multilateralism and hence it was one of the founder members of Nato, United Nations and European Union. 

While concluding, Ambassador Claes became emotional when he recounted the services rendered by the soldiers of the subcontinent who had participated in the First World War. 

“Nearly one-third of people of this soil that had nothing to do with the war, came in cold, misery and mud, away from their beloved to fight and defend our freedom and our homeland. The first Muslim to be awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery was given to a private named Khudadad Khan," he recalled. 

On the occasion President ESUP, Aziz Memon, presented the ESUP plaque to Ambassador Peter Claes. Secretary General, Majyd Aziz, Senior Vice President, Abdul Kader Jaffer, Senior Vice President Byram D Avari, were also present on the occasion.

Sir Syed Tower to contribute in knowledge acquisition

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys’ Association (AMUOBA) has achieved commendable successes towards attainment of its cherished objectives in persuading the mission undertaken by great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. 

“The multi-storey Sir Syed Tower will prove to be the great asset of the AMUOBA towards knowledge creation and acquisition,” Engr Mohammad Adil Usman, the Association’s President remarked while addressing the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at its Head Office on November 9. 

The foundation stone of multi-million Sir Syed Tower project was laid by Engr Adil Usman on October 16, 2014, occasion of the Sir Syed Day. 

 “The project is like a dream which has come true,” Eng Adil Usman, who is also the Chancellor of Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), had observed on the occasion. 

“The Sir Syed Tower would prove to be of historical value as an academic and corporate hub promoting intellectual, cultural and creative activities,” he stated, adding that it will mark the continuation of our efforts towards accomplishment of Sir Syed’s Mission. 

Engr Adil Usman said despite the fact that initial funds have been provided to start the Tower’s construction work, still more funds would be needed for its completion for which greater financial support would be required from the philanthropists and protagonists of Sir Syed Mission. 

The AMUOBA President firmly believed that if the first step is taken with sincerity of objective, Almighty Allah certainly helps in achieving the accomplishment. 

“I have the strong feeling that not only Sir Syed Tower but AMUOABA’s all of the plans will be completed without any hurdle and within the stipulated period.” he said. 

While recounting AMUOBA’s plans, Engr Adil Usman referred to Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), pointing out that four new technologies of . Electrical and Software Engineering, Architecture and Bioinformatics were added while construction of the 8-storey Nizami Block is in the final stage of completion. 

This year around 1327 students were conferred degrees at Convocation 2014 while the university spent around Rs 29.124 million on providing scholarships and financial assistance to 1561 needy and deserving students. The university’s library has 75,000 books on science, technology and other subjects and Rs 3 million are spent on procuring latest books while internship arranged for 2130 students. 

Earlier the AMUOBA’s General Secretary, Mukhtar Ahmed Naqvi, presented the Association’s Annual Report highlighting the successes made towards the achievement of its targets while its Treasurer, Salman Sualeh, presented the audited accounts.

Reformative measures in KMC schools starts showing results

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The implementation of reformative measures taken by the City Administrator, Rauf Akhtar Farooqui, to bring improvement in the academic standard of KMC schools, which according to him were in a mess, has started showing results.

The Administrator of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has entrusted the challenging task to his Advisor, Brig (Rtd) A S Nasir, who is known and respected for his disciplinary strictness. 

Brig Nasir, for the first time in the KMC’s history, convened a largely attended meeting of Head Mistresses and Head Masters of KMC Schools in the Z A Nizami seminar hall at Civic Centre on October 27, with the objective to have close interaction with them in order to achieve the cherished goal of bringing KMC schools into disciplinary circle and improve their, otherwise battered, academic environment. 

In his thought provoking and soul stirring address on the occasion, the KMC Administrator, Rauf Farooqui, called upon the teaching community members that they will have to employ their capabilities honestly and transfer the same among the children who are supposed to should the future national responsibilities. 

He was critical of the educational environment in KMC schools and said the conditions prevailing therein had brought bad name for them in the society with bad reflection on KMC itself which is today regarded as merely a sweeping agency. 

He noted that there had been lot of complaints against KMC school teachers who too had lot of grievances for what they called injustices being done to them. 

“Within eleven months we have reached a stage where we can now provide protection to their due rights including their promotions and seniority which previously used to be dealt with an element of adhocism”. 

The Administrator also observed that the gender imbalance between male and female teachers with females being in higher number than the male and said this has to be removed for n even field for both to achieve the desired results of academic excellence. 

Rauf Farooqui informed that the administration is working on the provision of quality training facilities for the KMC teachers along with eliminating the group mafias in the education sector. “We have started seeing improvement with the introduction of initiatives taken so far”, he added. 

He, however, made it clear that unlike the past practice, the teachers will now have to perform their responsibilities and they will not be tolerated to attend or not attend the schools at their whims and just drawing salaries. 

The Administrator emphasized that they are supposed to prepare a generation and for this realize their responsibilities honestly. He pointed out that if certain schools are known for their high standards, it was because of their quality teachers and the same pattern should be followed by KMC school teachers. 

Earlier in his address the Advisor to Administrator, Brig (Rtd) A S Nasir, who previously held many challenging positions in the Sindh Government, made a clarion call for eradication of corruption from KMC's education directorate and the schools under it and said cheating in examinations is one such element of corruption. 

He said that whole nation has great expectations from the teaching community and Karachi, being the biggest metropolis of the country, can play a leading role in this respect. 

He appreciated Administrator Rauf Farooqui for giving top priority to education which, he reckoned, is the basis for a strong nation building.

AMUOBA celebrates Sir Syed Day with traditional fervour

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to the great reformer, educationist and the guide of the Muslims of South Asia on the occasion of the Sir Syed Day which was observed with traditional fervour in Karachi.

Eminent speakers, on the occasion, highlighted various aspects of the life of the legendary Sir Syed Ahmed Khan and recounted his achievements in particularly the contribution and efforts towards the emancipation of the Muslims of South Asia by way of creating an awareness about their identity. 

Held under the auspices of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), the sponsors of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET), the proceedings of the day were chaired by Engr Mohammed Adil Usman, President, AMUOBA, and Chancellor, SSUET. 

The speakers included prominent intellectuals, writers, poets, educationists and critics like Syed Safwanullah, a former Federal Minister, Prof. Dr Waqar Ahmed Rizvi, Prof Sehar Ansari, Anwar Ahmed Zai, Chairman Board of Intermediate Education, and Syed Arif Raza, a senior Aligarhian. 

They reminded of the various aspects of the life of the great reformer and enlightened the audience with his achievements with the assertion that it was high time to follow his mission with the spirit he had created among the Muslims of that era and which led to their independence from the yoke of imperialists. 

In his presidential address, Engr Adil Usman observed that Sir Syed had launched the Aligarh Movement to raise the educational and mental level of the Muslims and improve their economic bits. 

"He championed the cause that Muslims must secure scientific knowledge and have their own educational institutions and the AMUOBA takes the pride that while persuading the mission of Sir Syed, it established the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology and Aligarh Institute of Technology where best facilities have been provided for dispensing modern scientific knowledge," the AMUOBA President stated.

He said that the educational thinking and the mission undertaken thereof by Sir Syed were undeniable in their significance and the present day era and its needs demanded in following the footsteps of the great leader in its real spirit. 

On the occasion, he particularly referred to the construction of multi-storeyed Sir Syed Tower on AMUOBA’s plot and described the same as an accomplishment towards fulfillment of Sir Syed’s mission. 

He specially recalled the contribution of late Chancellor Engr Z A Nizami and the late Zakir Ali Khan, having served the AMUOBA as President and Secretary General respectively, towards conceiving this stupendous project. 

Engr Adil Usman sought the support and help of all and sundry at every step towards the completion of this gorgeous project . He pointed out that whatever funds AMUOBA had with it, were allocated for this project which, however, need more funds required for the project of this size. 

He also informed that work on the Engr Z A Nizami Block at the SSUET was in the final stages of completion while the present university management introduced four new technologies with funding from its own resources. 

Earlier in his discourse Syed Safwanullah said that it’s high time to ponder whether the message which Sir Syed left 150 years back, still exist to be pursued by us and what we are leaving behind for the next generation. 

“We should look into our own hearts to see whether we did follow the course provided by the great educationist or or we should leave them on smaller arteries to move ahead.” 

Prof Dr Waqar Azeem while unfolding various aspects of the life of Sir Syed, said that he spent whole of his life in reforming the Muslims and proved himself as an epoch-making personality who brought an opinion-making revolution which was his unmatched achievement. 

He said that Sir Syed had made Urdu a simple language and translated some 40 books on scientific subjects from English into Urdu. He said he brought out a gazette publishing scientific matters and it continued to be published for 30 years. 

Prof Sehar Ansari said that the wisdom and mission demonstrated by Sir Syed finds no other figure in the sub-continent which may match his towering personality. 

“He fought the knowledge and thinking of the Britishers with still greater knowledge and thinking and his 'khutbats' are a source of light even today.” He praised that his mission was being promoted at SSUET which is lighting the whole world. 

Prof Anwar Ahmed Zai remarked said that Sir Syed raised an army of his followers whose influence can be felt in the boys and girl students even of today. 

He pointed out that only three years later, the nation will celebrate the 200th birth anniversary of the great reformer who taught the lesson of independence 150 years back while focusing on the need for acquiring and learning English and scientific knowledge. 

Earlier Tayyaba Fasih and Shahzeb Rahman, two students of SSUET, delivered heart-warming speeches in Urdu and English respectively on the life and achievements of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan. Anwar Azeem, Editor of Tehzib, the AMUOBA’s journal, presented poetic tribute to Sir Syed. 

The proceedings concluded with the famous Tarana-e-Aligarh which infused warmth in the blood of audience who stood up in zeal and sung the same in unison with the group of SSUET’s boys and girls. 

The function was organized at the same venue where the foundation stone of the multi-million Sir Syed Tower was laid by the AMUOBA President, Engr Adil Usman, who is also the Chancellor of SSUET, a week earlier.