Cowasjee receives 'Jinnah Award'

This year The Jinnah Society presented The Jinnah Award to renowned columnist and philanthropist, Ardeshir Cowasjee in recognition of his outstanding and dedicated services to Pakistan at a ceremony held at Oxford University Press head office. Former Pakistani ambassador, Jamshed Marker, was the chief guest on the occasion. The award was conferred upon Cowasjee by the Jinnah Society President, Liaquat Merchant.
While reading out the citation, Khalid Ahmed, the well-known theatre and television artist said that Cowasjee is regarded as one of Pakistan's best known columnists for the lengthy period of 22 years. He has been a committed crusader against corruption and a dedicated campaigner against all sorts of environmental abuses, the practice of land grabbing of amenity plots in Karachi and the violation of all building codes, laws, rules and regulations.
Cowsjee's exposure of corruption in his well-researched columns has touched all levels and he has written tirelessly to attempt to raise public awareness against the lawlessness and criminality that afflicts our society. One main target of his writings has been the vital need for an independent judiciary, which can uphold human rights and the rule of law.
Highlighting Cowasjee's philanthropic work, Khalid Ahmed pointed out that through his family trust fund, the Cowasjee Foundation, he has contributed towards the funding of the education of countless Pakistani students and the children of deprived families. The Foundation has sponsored a TCF school, the Cowasjee Campus in Lyari in Karachi, the construction of the Cowasjee School of Midwifery at the Lady Dufferin Hospital, and a school being built on the NED University campus.
Contributions have also been made to fine institutions such as SIUT where a dialysis ward and lithotripsy centre have been set up. NICVD has also benefited from the Foundation as has the accident and emergency operation unit at Jinnah Hospital, and the Dow University of Health Sciences. A park, Bagh-e-Rustom, has also been built at Clifton. Many other contributions have been made to worthy and deserving causes like the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital.
While speaking of Cowasjee's achievements in her welcome address, Ameena Saiyid, Managing Director, Oxford University Press Pakistan, said that knowing the value of the reading habit, he is active in trying to spread it. Citing from her personal experience, she related how whenever one of Oxford publications appeals to him and he thinks it could widen the horizon for others, he buys dozens of its copies and distributes them gratis among people he thinks should read it.-PR