Younis Hashmi, other librarians visit Education Expo, Book Fair in Lahore

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The fifth edition of the Education Expo and Book Fair, organized by the Nazaria Pakistan Trust at Aiwan-e-Quaid-e-Azam in Johar Town, Lahore, from January 10 to 12 attracted a large number of scholars, educationists, intellectuals, media personalities, students and teachers, besides librarians. 

The tastefully decorated stalls of the educational institutions, publishers and booksellers remained the focus of attraction for the visitors, who braved the cold weather and foggy conditions to roads to be a part of the three-day annual event in which entry was free of cost. 

Younis Hashmi, a former chief librarian of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), having relocated in Canada following his retirement from service, made it a point to visit the Education Expo and Book Fair where he was warmly greeted by fellow librarians. 

He met Sher Afzal Malik, Librarian, Quaid-e-Azam Public Library, who is also Secretary Finance of the Pakistan Library Association (PLA), Punjab Branch, Muhammad Sadiq, Librarian, University of Education, Lower Mall campus, who is the Assistant Secretary of PLA Punjab Branch and Mukarram Nawaz, Librarian, Archives department, Government of Punjab. 

Younis Hashmi, one of the very few librarians, working proactively for the cause of the profession, was delighted to exchange views with the librarians of Lahore who also believed in keep things moving for their community. 

“It is really heartening and heartwarming to meet such wonderful librarians who are committed to the profession. Their presence in the Education Expo and Book Fair reflected their passion for books and other scholastic activities,” he complimented.

ESUP hosts poetry competition at SZABIST

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) organized a poetry recitation competition at the Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science and Technology University (SZABIST), Karachi, on January 9. A total of 35 students participated from 18 different schools participated in the event which was a new addition to the many educational activities it has been holding from time to time. 

Mohammad Ali Atif of Happy Home High School was declared the winner of the competition while Maria Asif of Mama Parsi Girls Secondary School, and Burhanuddin M Petiwala from MSB Education Institute, finished as the 1st runner-up and the 2nd runner-up respectively. 

Shahznaz Wazir Ali, President, SZABIST, along with Aziz Memon, Patron-in-Chief of ESUP, Pervez H Mardaswala, President of ESUP, and Irfan Qureshi, Senior Vice President, ESUP, distributed awards and certificates to the position holders and participants.

Aziz Memon tributes literary icon Bapsi Sidhwa

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Aziz Memon, National Chair, Pakistan Polio Plus Committee, condoled the death of Bapsi Sidhwa, an internationally-acclaimed author and literary icon, who passed away in Houston, Texas, USA, at the age of 86, on December 25. 

She was hailed as a celebrated novelist, credited to have left an indelible mark on global literature, in her own lifetime. Her passing is not only considered a profound loss for the literary world but also for Pakistan, India, and the global Zoroastrian community. 

“We send out our heartfelt condolences to you and your family on the sad demise of your aunt, Bapsi Sidhwa. She contracted polio at the age of two and was home schooled until she was fifteen. Polio helped shape her outlook on life and resilience. She is a beacon of light to all those who are victims of this crippling disease," Aziz Memon, who’s also Trustee, The Rotary Foundation (2020-24) besides being Member, International Polio Plus Committee, wrote to Isphanyar M Bhandara, a member of National Assembly and CEO, Murree Brewery, Pakistan. 

"This setback did not deter her from becoming one of the most celebrated authors of her time. A woman of substance, she fought relentlessly for the rights of women’s empowerment and social justice. Amongst the many accolades she was also honored with ‘Sitara-e-Imtiaz’ for her literary work. Her passing leave behind a significant literary legacy,” Aziz Memon tributed.

It may be recalled that Sidhwa had gained international acclaim for her novels, particularly her collaborative projects with Indo-Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta. Her 1991 novel Ice Candy Man inspired the critically acclaimed film Earth (1998). She also famously wrote Water: A Novel (2006), which served as the basis for Mehta's Academy Award-nominated film Water (2005). 

Through her deeply evocative writing, she was hailed for masterfully weaving together history, culture, and personal experiences, securing her position as one of the most celebrated authors of her era.

ESUP hosts reception for Pakistan Ambassador to USA

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Council of the Executive Committee of the English-Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) hosted a reception in the honour of the visiting Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, Pakistan Ambassador to USA, in Karachi on December 24. 

The popular figure of Aziz Memon, Patron-in-Chief of the ESUP, who is also the President of the International Council of the English-Speaking Union (ESU) presented a memento to the Ambassador. 

The other top functionaries of the ESUP present on the occasion included Kaleem Faqrooqui (former President), Majyd Aziz (Honorary Secretary General) and Irfan Qureshi (Senior Vice President). 

The ESUP, over the years, has set a healthy tradition of honouring visiting dignitaries by inviting them to share their experiences with members.

Former PIA chief librarian feted in Karachi

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Muhammad Younis Hashmi, ex-Chief Librarian of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Technical Library, was feted on November 13 upon his return to Karachi where he had worked at the headquarters of the national flag carrier for more than four decades. 

As PIA has been hitting headlines lately because of the ongoing process of privatization, it was refreshing to find a group of its former staffers making it to the reunion at a restaurant in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, to celebrate the accomplishments of one of their contemporaries who has relocated in Canada, following retirement from service. 

Younis Hashmi has chosen to move to the rapidly growing city of Milton in Ontario, which is also now home to a large number of expatriates from Pakistan. He has stayed in touch with political and social circles besides interacting with fellow professionals of his own field. 

His activism has been proudly hailed by the Pakistani community in Canada in particular, while he has continued to retain contacts in other parts of the world. 

He has planned to stay in his home country for about a couple of months before returning to Canada on the eve of the coming year. 

Shuttling between Karachi and Lahore, he is set to attend the 1st Karachi Festival of Books and Libraries 2024, scheduled to be held on November 26 and 27.

TMSG, UNICEF ink MoU to address child malnutrition, stunted growth

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth (TMSG) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UNICEF on November 12 and the partnership aims to address child malnutrition and stunted growth by combining resources, expertise, and outreach capabilities. 

The MoU was signed by Aziz Memon, Chairman, TMSG, and Abdullah A Fadil, Country Representative of UNICEF Pakistan. Many top functionaries of both the organizations were present on the occasion. It was in the fitness of things that the signing ceremony took place on the World Children’s Day. 

With UNICEF’s support, the TMSG will be able to enhance its programmes in nutrition education, healthcare accessibility, and support for vulnerable mothers and children. 

“Together, we aim to scale up our initiatives across underserved areas, reaching more communities with life-saving nutrition and health interventions. This MoU signifies a critical step toward a healthier future for every child in Pakistan,” it was declared in the joint statement. 

Talking briefly to media corps, Aziz Memon, identified early marriage and inadequate spacing between children as the main causes of the problem, urging the governmental authorities to enforce the laws which were already in place in this regard. 

Expressing the eagerness to expand the good work, he also appealed to the media to help amplify this noble cause by spreading awareness and inspiring positive change for countless families in need.

UNICEF, TMSG to sign MoU on World Children’s Day

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth (TMSG) will celebrate the World’s Children Day by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Karachi on November 12. 

The MoU between the UNICEF Pakistan and the TMSG is aimed at combating malnutrition and stunted growth among children across the country. 

The signing ceremony will be graced by the presence of Aziz Memon, Chairman, TMSG, and Abdullah A Fadil, Country Representative of UNICEF Pakistan. The media is expected to help amplify this vital cause, spreading awareness and inspiring positive change for countless families in need. 

Historically, the UNICEF, originally known as the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, was created by the United Nations General Assembly on December 11, 1946, to provide emergency food and healthcare to children and mothers in countries that had been devastated by World War II.