The Government College University Lahore amateur artists on Tuesday used art as a toll to sensitise the society about the importance of helping poor students in completing their education. Consul General United States, Lahore Carmella Conroy opened the exhibition titled "Help the Helpless". Vice Chancellor GCU, Professor Khalid Aftab was also present.
The one-day exhibition, which has scores of paintings and posters on topics including 'Nobody can do everything but everybody can do something', 'Rupee or a Smile', 'Things can Change', 'Educate Pakistan's Future', 'Together we can', 'Remove the Barriers', Say no to discrimination' and 'Education is my right too', was the part three-week fund raising and awareness campaign "Help the Helpless" launched by the GCU Welfare Society in collaboration with GCU Endowment Fund Trust.
Addressing the GCU students, Carmella Conroy said that cultural activities and art exhibitions could play a vital role in uplifting the image of Pakistan, which was hit by the terrorism. She said that cultural activities once had reduced to a minimum level in Pakistan. But now, the US diplomat said, she was very happy to see that such activities were again flourishing and reflecting the true image of the country. She assured the students that the United States would continue its support for raising the standards of education in Pakistan. She also appreciated the GCU Endowment Fund Trust's initiative of starting 24 perpetual scholarships to be given to the deserving students every year on merit.
Speaking on the occasion, GCU Vice Chancellor, Dr Khalid Aftab appreciated the GCU students' awareness and fund-raising drive "Help the Helpless", saying that universities were not only meant for making students scholars, scientists and engineers, but also for making them good humans who care for others. He said people should realise that helping a student means changing the life of a whole family.
Later, Carmella Conroy and Professor Khalid Aftab gave away prizes to creators of best three paintings and posters displayed at the exhibition. Ameer Hamza was declared first while Arslan Raza secured the second position. Adeel Akmal was bagged third position but he came to limelight when he donated his award to the GCU Endowment Fund Trust. Carmella Conroy highly appreciated the act of the student.