Eminent authors charm Delhi OBA book month

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Raees Fatima and Mahboob Elahi Makhmoor, both of them having earned fame and eminence for having written extensively for children, charmed the audience by sharing their decades long experiences during the Author Session, a part of the book month event organized by the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association (DAACSOBA) with the collaboration of the National Library Association (NLA) and the Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD). 

The Author Session, held at the Delhi Montessori & Primary School on May 26, witnessed a detailed talk on using children’s literature for character building. The hall was packed to capacity with students, teachers and a few dignitaries. The interactive session turned out to be quite lively as the authors were inquired about various aspects of their scholastic career. 

Mahboob Elahi Makhmoor, one of the favourite writers among children’s folks across the country, revealed how he was attracted to reading books from his childhood which eventually prompted him to pick up a piece of paper and narrate his own thoughts. 

“I grew up reading Naunehal magazine and the inspirational articles of Hakim Mohammad Said the great appealed to me the most. He was the motivation to me in my childhood. I started contributing to children’s publications and the thrill of getting published lifted my spirits,” he recalled. 

“Monthly Anokhi Kahaniyan is our labour of love. It was my dream to start a magazine for children which was eventually fulfilled. The magazine has remained afloat for decades now despite the various challenges from time to time as our prime objective is to bring about a positive change in the society rather than thinking commercially,” he added. 

Raees Fatima, who has authored 18 books, many of them exclusively for children, informed the audience that, being a part of an educated family, she had the access to high quality literature in the comfort of her house from the beginning.

“I became a passionate reader from a very young age and as I was trying to absorb all that stuff the thought of writing crossed my mind and it soon developed into my hobby. I have continued putting my thoughts on paper even today and little wonder that I have authored so many books and articles despite having pursued the profession of teaching for a long time,” she observed. 

Farheen Mahmood, Senior Vice President, NLA, also gave a detailed talk on the subject and she warmed the hearts of the students in particular by urging them to try to develop a tendency of jotting down things their various activities which would enable them to improve their writing skills. Although a librarian by profession, she has continued to impress with her enormous knowledge on social issues. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood, Acting President, Delhi Anglo-Arabic College & Schools Old Boys Association, Prof Ahmed Ali Mukarram, Principal, Delhi College of Science & Commerce, and Anwar Hussain, Secretary General, NLA, also spoke on the occasion. 

The vote of thanks was presented by Prof Saeed Naqvi, Vice Principal, Delhi College of Science & Commerce, in which he lauded both the authors besides praising the continued efforts of Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association in promoting library and reading culture among the society.

Senior librarians visit Adamjee College, greet Farheen Mahmood

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

A delegation comprising of senior librarians called on the Chief Librarian of Adamjee Government Science College, Karachi, Farheen Mahmood, on May 25. After exchange of pleasantries, they discussed matters of mutual interest. 

Mannoomal Asrani (Government Superior Science College), Syed Munawwar Ali (Jamia Millia Government College of Education), Abdul Qadir Abbasi (Government College for Men, Korangi 6) and Shama Bano (PECHS Government College for Women) formed the delegation to visit Adamjee Government Science College. 

They presented the traditional Sindh Ajrak to Farheen Mahmood, who assumed responsibilities as Chief Librarian of Adamjee Government Science College a few months ago after having worked as Principal of Government Degree College for Women, Sector 11-I, North Karachi. 

Farheen Mahmood, presently the senior most female librarian in government service at provincial level, has also been hailed as the most proactive library professional because of her organizational abilities and the passion for doing big things. 

She had created history of sorts by holding the Library Day event at the Government Degree College for Women, Sector 11-I, North Karachi on an unprecedented grand scale last year when she was posted there as Principal. Her template became a talk of the town, motivating other institutions to derive a leaf out of her book. 

In recognition of her exceptional track record, she was specially invited to join their organizing committee by Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association (DAACSOBA) which has successfully held Library Week and Book Month during last few months.

Motivational speakers enlighten Delhi OBA book month

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The trio of Hira Yaseen, Abdul Hamid and Azra Ali, all of them leading professionals in their respective vocations, enlightened the audience with their inspirational talks during the Motivational Session, a part of the ongoing book month event being held under the auspices of the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association (DAACSOBA) with the collaboration of the National Library Association (NLA) and the Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD). 

The Motivational Session, organized at the Delhi Montessori & Primary School on May 20, was spread over a couple of hours in which the learned speakers shared their thoughts on the subject of multiple benefits of book reading. An interactive session also followed in which some probing questions were asked by the participating students and teachers. Prof Syed Zulfiqar Ali, Principal, DHA Degree College, presided over the session. 

It may be recalled that the opening ceremony of book month was held with great fanfare on April 29. An Authors Session is planned to be organized on May 27 while the month-long activities will come to a halt with the prize distribution ceremony on May 28. 

Hira Yaseen, recognized as one of the most versatile library professionals with proven track record as a college librarian, was the first speaker in the Motivational Session. She is one of the founding members of the NLA. After having served as its Joint Secretary for six years she was recently elected as its Vice President for the term of next two years. 

After being a part of its leadership for the last few years, she has also been elected as President of the Sindh College Library Association (SCLA) for a term of two years (2023-2025).

Abdul Hamid is a professional trainer in the field of management, accounting and finance. He is the Chief Executive Officer of his own enterprise, Business Research and Management Group (BRMG), having interests in diversified fields. He is also Secretary of Jumbo Book Club, which promotes reading culture by facilitating availability of books at affordable prices for the masses. 

Azra Ali has had a prolific career in teaching and education management. She has proven track record as a teacher and administrator, having worked with distinction at the some of the most prestigious educational institutions like The City School and Habib Public School among others. 

Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah, President, NLA, Farheen Mahmood, Senior Vice President, NLA, Anwar Hussain, Secretary General, NLA, Shama Bano, Joint Secretary, NLA, and Muhammad Nasir Nayab, Treasurer, NLA, were present in the ceremony alongwith their Advisor, Syed Khalid Mahmood, and Vice President, Hira Yaseen.

The vote of thanks was presented by Anwar Hussain, Secretary General NLA, in which he expressed gratitude to the three motivational speakers besides acknowledging the efforts of Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association in promoting library and reading culture from the grassroots level.

Prof Rumina Akhtar notified as Principal of Adamjee Science College

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Prof Rumina Akhtar, one of the most widely respected teachers, has been appointed as Principal of the prestigious Adamjee Government Science College, Karachi, acclaimed as the top college of the province of Sindh for a number of years. 

The notification in this regard was issued with the approval of the Sindh Chief Secretary, Dr Muhammad Sohail Rajput, on May 15 according to which the Professor of Biochemistry (BS-20) has been posted as Principal of Adamjee Science College with immediate effect and until further orders against an existing vacancy. 

Hailing from an enlightened and highly educated family, Prof Rumina Akhtar has an experience of more than 33 years in teaching and education management at college level. 

After completing Masters in Biochemistry from the University of Karachi in 1989, she had started her career the following year as she was posted as lecturer (BS-17) at the D J Science Government College in 1990. She was promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor (BS-18) in 2005 while she became an Associate Professor (BS-19) nine years later. 

She was elevated to the post of a Professor (BS-20) in 2022. Quite remarkably, she has taught with distinction at Adamjee Science College and D J Science College, two of the best colleges of the province, during her illustrious career.

Delhi OBA’s book month in full swing

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi 

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Various activities are being held during book month at Delhi Montessori & Primary School which is scheduled to conclude with prize distribution ceremony on May 28. Organized by the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association (DAACSOBA) at its school and college campuses, its opening ceremony was held on April 29. 

The National Library Association (NLA) and the Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD) are collaborating with the DAACSOBA in holding the landmark event, thought to be first of its kind in Pakistan. They had also joined hands in organizing the first-ever library week at the same premises, housed in Karachi’s buzzing locality of Karimabad, in February 2023. 

While the teachers and the students at Delhi College for Science & Commerce are preoccupied in preliminary examination, with annual board exams round the corner, there’s an opportunity for Delhi Montessori & Primary School to get lion’s share in book month activities. 

The campus of Delhi Montessori & Primary School has been wearing festive look since inauguration of book month and the intensity has not been compromised despite the unforeseen challenges like terrifying weather and uncertain law and order situation in the city. 

The thematic posters designed by Tehmeena Khalil, the young and creative teacher-cum-artist, hanging on walls, continue to add glamour and grace to the school besides promoting the event herself. 

Shahida Nazim, Principal, Delhi Montessori & Primary School, has credited their teaching quartet of Ambreen Syed, Sana Javed, Daniya Saeed and Tehmeena Khalil for making the event successful by organizing books related activities in their respective classes.

Hira Yaseen elected SCLA President

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Hira Yaseen has been elected unopposed as President of the Sindh College Library Association (SCLA) while Zulfiqar Ali Channa (Vice President), Shazia Qadir (Lady Vice President), Munir Ahmed Memon (Secretary General), Azhar Ali (Joint Secretary), Shahla Shaikh (Lady Joint Secretary), Abdul Qadir Abbasi (Finance Secretary) and Sarwan Mehraj (Press & Publicity Secretary) have also been declared successful unopposed for their respective positions for a term of next two years (2023-2025). 

The notification in this regard was issued recently by Zainul Abedin Abbasi, Chairman, Election Committee, SCLA, subsequently circulated publicly and its copy was also shared with PNFS. 

The polling was scheduled to be held at Hyderabad on May 13 which would not be needed anymore as no other candidates submitted nominations for any post by its deadline and the above office-bearers were declared successful unopposed. 

Hira Yaseen is an experienced Karachi-based college librarian, who has been serving as Joint Secretary of the National Library Association (NLA) since its establishment in 2017. She is also a motivational speaker.

The SCLA, now in its 25th year of existence, is an active platform of librarians working at the various colleges in the province of Sindh. Its mandate includes resolution of problems faced by the college librarians particularly the service matters at the governmental level.

Delhi OBA’s book month inaugurated colorfully

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Despite threats of rain, the opening ceremony of book month, being hosted by the Delhi Anglo-Arabic College and Schools Old Boys Association (DAACSOBA) at its school and college campuses, turned out to be a well-attended event on April 29. A special welcome tableau on books, presented by the students of Delhi Montessori & Primary School, caught the imagination of the audience. 

The book month, first of its kind in Pakistan, is being organized by the DAACSOBA with the collaboration of the National Library Association (NLA) and the Rotary Club of Karachi Darakhshan (RCKD). These three organizations had also joined hands in holding the first-ever library week at the same premises, housed in the bustling locality of Karimabad, in February 2023. 

Mahboob Elahi Makhmoor, founding editor of Anokhi Kahaniyan, a famous magazine for children, was the chief guest in the inauguration ceremony which was also attended by Prof Syed Zulfiqar Ali, Principal, DHA Degree College for Men, Karachi. Both the dignitaries, during their speeches, while praising the initiatives of the DAACSOBA leaders, highlighted the need to have such extra-curricular activities at regular intervals. 

Syed Khalid Mahmood, Acting President, DAACSOBA, in his welcome address, shared the vision behind launching book month, an event, which he reckoned, will be helpful in motivating students to read more books. 

Farheen Mahmood, Vice President, NLA, who is credited to have organized several library events during her tenure as Principal of the Government Degree College for Women 11-I, North Karachi, was appreciative of the continued efforts of the DAACSOBA leadership aimed at bringing the students closer to books and libraries. 

Awais Moghul, President, RCKD, also expressed his delight at the engagement of students in events like library week and book month which, he felt, go a long way in fuelling their passion for reading. Assuring Rotary support, he congratulated the DAACSOBA office-bearers for undertaking the arduous task for the promotion of education from the grassroots level. 

One of the features of the opening ceremony was the display of various thematic posters designed by Tehmeena Khalil, the young and creative teacher of Delhi Montessori & Primary School, who was showered with praise for her excellent work. She was presented a special prize on the occasion. 

Shahida Nazim, Principal, Delhi Montessori & Primary School, presented the vote of thanks in which she made particular mention of their teachers, Ambreen Syed, Sana Javed, Daniya Saeed and Tehmeena Khalil for their proactive participation.