NLA, DMC officials undertake whirlwind tour of Nazimabad libraries

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Key officials of the National Library Association (NLA) and the District Municipal Corporation (DMC), Karachi Central, undertook a whirlwind tour of three libraries housed in the densely populated locality of Nazimabad which has had a rich history of producing literary stalwarts, international athletes and acclaimed intellectuals besides high-achievers in various other fields. 

The NLA delegation comprised of its President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, and Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, while Saleem Ahmed Siddiqui, Director Libraries, DMC Central, led his team. Together, they visited Sehba Akhtar Library, Allama Shabbir Ahmed Usmani Library and Al-Huda Library on October 31.

“It was a great experience to have visited these libraries after quite a while and spending some time there. We interacted with the staff of duty to find out firsthand about the challenges being faced by them in carrying out their responsibilities,” the NLA President remarked in a conversation with PNFS later in the evening.

“It was gladdening to discover the high spirits of the librarians and the support staff despite working in an environment which was far from ideal. They deserve praise for having braved all the challenges over the years and survived the toughest of circumstances. They remain optimistic about change of heart of the authorities at some point of time,” Muzaffar Ali Shah added.

“The visit to these libraries has brought to light the fact that there’s adequate space available almost everywhere which sadly wasn’t being utilized in the desired manner. These libraries have the potential to become the centres of learning in their respective areas if the concerned authorities make a point to do so,” the NLA President reckoned.

“The engagement of the DMC Central in activities aimed at upgrading its 11 libraries augurs very well for the future of the citizens of Karachi who are known to be laborious, educated and hardworking. More facilities should be provided at these libraries to bring about real change,” he opined. 

“The NLA remains committed to play its due role in promoting library culture and we are delighted to have joined hands with DMC Central in achieving our mutual objectives. Together we can make greater impact as we plan to take other stakeholders on board too for fast-tracking the project of revival of 11 libraries in Karachi Central,” Muzaffar Ali Shah felt.

Meanwhile the NLA Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, was pleasantly surprised to find one of his books 'Pakistan's Triumph in World Cup Cricket 1992' prominently displayed on the shelf of Sehba Akhtar Library.

Aziz Memon creates history; first Pakistani elected as International Council ESU President

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Aziz Memon, a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist, created history of sorts when he was elected as the President of the International Council of English Speaking Union (ESU) for the term 2022-2024 during its ICM held at Hotel Pearl Continental, Karachi, on October 29. 

Already having quite a few feathers in his cap, Aziz Memon, blessed with outstanding leadership qualities, was unanimously elected as the new International Council ESU President with the chapters from Bangladesh having proposed and seconded him. The ESU has over 90 chapters in 54 Commonwealth countries.

Besides the presence of foreign delegates in the board room, numerous other countries were represented via zoom and all of them nodded in favour of Aziz Memon. His name was greeted by a big round of applause when Jane Easton, Director General, ESU and Secretary General, ESU International Council, announced his name for the coveted slot. 

In his acceptance speech, Aziz Memon vowed to work across the continents for the cause of ESU. Feeling humbled, he declared his availability to all the ESU chapters as he also expressed his desired to personally visit different countries from time to time. He spoke about replicating the two-tier model of Pakistan and Chile for other ESU chapters as well. 

The passionate devotion to the cause of ESU Pakistan has made the ESU International to recognize the contributions of Aziz Memon. This office is deemed highly prestigious and much sought after owing to its connections with the British Royal Family with Princess Anne being its Patron. 

Aziz Memon is a successful Pakistani entrepreneur who specializes in textiles and Chairman of Kings Group of Companies. In June 2020, he was elected as Trustee of the Rotary Foundation for a period of four years. In fact, it had taken 92 years for a Pakistani to acquire this position, an achievement that has been widely applauded. 

He is a member of the International PolioPlus Committee and Chairman of the Pakistan National PolioPlus Committee. In addition, he is also the Chair of the Trust for Malnutrition and Stunted Growth. 

He has excelled in matters of social welfare and he has been globally recognized for his altruistic commitment to myriad social issues. He is deeply committed to eradicating polio from Pakistan and has been the leading representative of Rotary International in Pakistan. 

Aziz Memon is the Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Suriname and President of the United Memon Jamat of Pakistan. The major awards he has received include President of Pakistan’s Pride of Performance, Recognition by USA Congressman Hon Daniel M Donovan Jr. and Louis Pasteur Medal by France. His Rotary awards include Service Above Self Award, International Service Award for Polio-Free World, Regional Service Award for Polio-Free World, Distinguished Service Award and Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service.

NLA donates medical books to Taimuriya Library

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA) presented a donation package of medical books to the Taimuriya Library, housed in Karachi’s bustling area of North Nazimabad. The books were arranged through the courtesy the NLA’s senior member, Najma Sultana. 

The handing over ceremony was held during the joint meeting of the NLA and the District Municipal Corporation (DMC) Karachi Central at the Taimuriya Library, on October 22. 

The NLA delegation led by its President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, also featured its Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahnmood, Vice President, Farheen Mahmood, Secretary General, Anwar Hussain and senior member, Najma Sultana, while Saleem Ahmed Siddiqui, Director Libraries, headed the DMC Central side. 

Saleem Siddiqui, Director Libraries, DMC Central, thanked the NLA leadership for arranging the donation of medical books which would be very useful to these users of the Taimuriya Library where a large number of students turned up on daily basis. 

Speaking on behalf of the NLA, its Advisor Syed Khalid Mahmood appreciated the enthusiasm of the DMC Central functionaries in promoting library culture and he expressed the hope that together they would succeed in improving the facilities at all the 11 libraries of the district.

NLA, DMC Central contemplate libraries reforms

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The officials of the National Library Association (NLA) and the District Municipal Corporation (DMC), Karachi Central, brainstormed for a couple of hours to discuss ways and means to bring about a synergy for library-related activities. 

Having agreed in principle to join hands in reviving all 11 libraries of the district, being run by DMC Central, the NLA leadership desired visiting them to work out their needs and requirements in order to provide better services to their users. 

The NLA contingent, comprising of its President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahnmood, Vice President, Farheen Mahmood, Secretary General, Anwar Hussain, and senior member, Najma Sultana, held the discussion with the Director Libraries of DMC Central, Saleem Ahmed Siddiqui, and a few of their librarians at the Taimuriya Library on October 22. 

The DMC Central, headed by Taha Saleem, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Karachi Central, has recently embarked on the mission of restoring the pride of its libraries which used to serve the area people with great enthusiasm in the past. 

The famous Taimuriya Library, housed in North Nazimabad, having served as the hub of literary and cultural activities in the district, has now been opened round the clock to facilitate the citizens of Karachi. The authorities now seem desirous of upgrading the facilities at other 10 libraries of District Central.

English Speaking Union’s ICM at Karachi from Oct 28

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The International Council Meeting (ICM) of the English Speaking Union (ESU) is a momentous occasion and the city of Karachi is set to host the mega event from October 28 to 30. 

 “The ICM is regarded as the main annual convention of the ESU where legislations are made and key policy decisions are taken. The elections are also held in one of its sessions. Around 25 international delegates from the various countries are expected to reach Karachi while many others would join this august gathering via Zoom,” Aziz Memon, the first Pakistani to be elected as Vice President of the august body, informed PNFS on October 20.

“We are all set to organize the prestigious ICM as we look forward to welcome the delegates, dignitaries and guests in Karachi which had previously hosted this event in 1997. We are ready to play host to the ICM again, after a gap of quarter of a century. We are looking forward to hold the grand event in a befitting manner with the lively interactive session of brainstorming which will be chaired by the USU President, Jonathan Callund, while the ESU Director General Jane Easton will conduct the proceedings,” he revealed. 

The ESU, an educational charity, was founded on June 28, 1918 at the initiative of an English writer and journalist, Sir Evelyn Wrench. During its long history, the ESU has played an important part in fostering cultural links between people of different nationalities. 

The original ties between Great Britain, the United States of America and Commonwealth countries have, in recent decades, been extended to most countries throughout the world.

It is an independent, non-political body, operating with the support of many distinguished public figures. Corporate members support the ESU’s activities through sponsorship of individual awards and events. The mission of the ESU is to promote international understanding and human achievement through the English language. 

These aims are achieved through scholarships, awards, debating and public speaking competitions that encourage speaking skills and a variety of educational programmes for young people from all over the world. 

School children, students and young professionals are their main focus while the centre of their activities happens to be the international headquarters at Dartmouth House in London, which not only manages the international programmes but also provides advice and support for ESU, both nationally and internationally.

NLA, DMC Central join hands for libraries revival

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The National Library Association (NLA) and the District Municipal Corporation (DMC), Karachi Central, have agreed in principle to join hands in reviving about a dozen libraries housed in the most literate areas of the country.

The matter was discussed at length in a recent meeting between the Director Libraries of DMC Central, Saleem Ahmed Siddiqui, and a three-member high-level NLA delegation, comprising of its President, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahnmood, and Secretary General, Anwar Hussain. 

The DMC Central, headed by Taha Saleem, who is also the Deputy Commissioner of Karachi Central, has already created history of sorts by opening the Taimuriya Library in North Nazimabad round the clock to facilitate the area people in particular and the citizens of Karachi in general. 

Appreciative of their efforts aimed at bringing people back to books, the NLA officials volunteered their support and assistance to the DMC Central functionaries in improving facilities for the users at the other libraries in the district. 

The DMC Central’s Library Director, recognizing the passion and iron will of the NLA office-bearers, invited them to come on board and jointly carry out a visit of all the 11 libraries to get firsthand idea about the requirements for improvement of services over there. It was agreed to undertake a tour of all libraries in near future to get things moving.