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.