NLA leaders illuminate Library Week at Delhi College

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The first-ever Library Week at Delhi Commerce & Science College and Delhi Montessori & Primary School, housed in Karachi’s densely populated location of Karimabad, Federal-B-Area, was jointly organized by Delhi Anglo-Arabic College & Schools Old Boys Association, National Library Association (NLA) and Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) from February 20 to 25. 

Competitions were conducted in poster, sketching, essay writing, quiz and poetry with the top performers receiving shields besides books. Four top office-bearers of NLA, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah (President), Syed Khalid Mahmood (Advisor), Farheen Mahmood (Vice President) and Anwar Hussain (Secretary General) were present in the colorful prize distribution ceremony held at the Auditorium of Delhi OBA Complex while Hira Yaseen (Joint Secretary) and Nasir Nayab (Treasurer) had earlier graced the competitions which were held Delhi School and Delhi College. 

Farheen Mahmood was also a part of Library Week organizing committee and her template of having successfully holding last year’s Library Day at Government Degree College for Women, 11-I, North Karachi, was greatly admired and followed at Delhi School and Delhi College. 

The NLA leaders have praised the efforts of Delhi Anglo-Arabic College & Schools Old Boys Association for having pioneered the idea of Library Week in Pakistan. They have assured their best possible technical support in organizing similar events in future. 

The NLA functionaries are also persuading the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College & Schools Old Boys Association to add a faculty of arts at Delhi Commerce & Science College to start classes of Library & Information Science at intermediate level.

NLA President lauds Quaid-e-Awam University’s library

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The President of the National Library Association (NLA), Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, visited the central librarian of the Quaid-e-Awam University of Engineering & Technology in Nawabshah on February 24. 

The university librarian, Ghulam Farooq Chanar, warmly received the NLA chief who was escorted to the different sections of the library as well as the auditorium. He was shown the various features of the library software which they had acquired to improve their services. 

Muzaffar Ali Shah appreciated the initiatives of Quaid-e-Awam University towards improvement of library features and expressed the hope that other educational institutions will take a cue from them. In the end, as per tradition of the NLA, he presented a book to the university librarian.

Aziz Memon updates envoys about Rotary efforts for earthquake devastated areas in Turkiye, Syria

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Aziz Memon, a globally acclaimed social activist and a recipient of numerous international awards, met the Consul General of Turkiye in Karachi, to condole the deaths caused by the recent calamitous earthquake in their country and updated them about the Rotary relief efforts in the devastated areas. 

Being the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Suriname, Aziz Memon offered condolences to the people of Turkiye and Syria on behalf of the Government of the South American nation. He also conveyed them the sentiments of the leaders as well as the members of the English Speaking Union (ESU) which he has been heading since last year. 

Aziz Memon, who has spearheaded the campaign for the elimination of polio in the country, also spoke to the ambassadors  in Islamabad, expressing solidarity with the people of both the countries which were struck by a devastating earthquake on February 6 which has reportedly killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed thousands of homes and other structures, and left people across the region without shelter in bitterly cold winter weather.

“The Rotary community from the world over has responded to this catastrophe immediately. The Rotary International (RI) President, Jennifer Jones, activated our disaster response efforts, communicated with the affected districts, and encouraged governors in those regions to apply for disaster response grants and share information about their relief efforts so that Rotary can amplify the calls for support,” Aziz Memon, a Trustee of The Rotary Foundation, revealed. 

“Rotary's project partner ShelterBox has an emergency response team assessing the needs in the region and how it can respond. This team is communicating with Rotary district leaders. Our service partner Habitat for Humanity International is also working on its response. Many Rotary members are asking how they can help,” he added.

“Rotary has been able to cause the greatest impact by urging its members to donate generously to The Rotary Foundation's Disaster Response Fund. Donations help clubs and districts provide aid and support rebuilding efforts where the need is greatest. The funds are distributed to affected communities through disaster response grants. The Disaster Response Fund can accept cash contributions and District Designated Funds (DDF). Donations to the Disaster Response Fund are combined and cannot be designated for a specific disaster,” he explained. 

“Supporting local initiatives has been another blockbuster effort. As we learn about local response efforts that are being led by clubs and districts Rotary raises awareness about how to support them. People can then support these projects by working directly with Rotary members in the region,” Aziz Memon, who has served as Rotary’s District Governor for Pakistan and Afghanistan, pointed out.