A function in the memory of Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan and Shaheed-e-Pakistan Hakim Mohammed Said, comprised recitation of verses from Holy Qura'n, na'at, speeches, poetic homage, analogy (from dream to realisation), drama (depicting life and services of Hakim Said) and Dua-e-Said, was held on Sunday at a local hotel, in which speakers paid rich tribute to Liaquat Ali Khan and Hakim Mohammed Said for their sacrifices and services to the nation.
Speaking on the occasion, chief guest and former commissioner of Karachi, and ex-registrar, Sindh High Court, Shafique Piracha said the dual systems of education prevailing in the country, one for elite and the other for non-elite and under-privileged classes, were causing further division in the nation whereas Pakistan was made to minimise gap between the rich and the poor as Liaquat Ali Khan, when he was the finance minister in the interim government of India before partition, tabled his famous 'poor man budget' first time in the history of India.
When Taj Mahal was being built in India by Emperor Shah Jehan, at the same time Oxford University was being built in England, he said, adding: 'Progress and greatness are achieved by setting up the educational institutions and not constructing the buildings.'
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan founded Aligarh College which afterwards became Aligarh Muslim University from where Quaid-e-Azam took the inspiration and Liaquat Ali Khan education. Hakim Said even built a city of education, science and culture - Madina-tal-Hikmah, where schools, colleges and Hamdard University were running, for the promotion of education and modern knowledge in the country, he said, adding: 'It is quite amazing how a single man, Hakim Said touched to the every aspects of life as he was a physician, a herbalist, a writer, traveller and reformer, who loved the children, patients and suffering humanity,' he added.
He said there was a common factor between the personalities of Liaquat Ali Khan and Hakim Mohammed Said that both lived for the nation and died for it. Commending the speeches, made by the child speakers, he said until the young and talented speakers like Noor Bibi would continue to attend the Naunehal Assembly and depressed patients would continue to go to hospitals Hakim Said would be present in this assembly and hospitals to encourage and help them as those people who gave value to life would never die.
'Hakim Said doesn't need us we need Hakim Said it is therefore pertinent that a very big session in his memory should be held to recall his services and achievements, he concluded. Mrs Sadia Rashid, President, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, while addressing the gathering of children said that the month of October has brought in the memories of two great Pakistanis, Liaquat Ali Khan and Hakim Said as in this month we were deprived of one of great national leaders and the other a social reformer, who spent his entire life in service to the nation and always spoke truth even in peril of his life for the sake of his homeland.
Hakim Said loved the children very much and made their education and training a mission of his life. He didn't forget the village children and established Hamdard Village School for their free education at Madina-tal-Hikmah, she said, adding Hakim Said had left many great examples and paradigms, if followed we could touch the heights of progress and developments.
Child speakers, Hafiza Urooba Fatima, Ubaidur Rehman, Noor Bibi, Umaima Iqbal, Nabiha Qamar, Hira Bano, Aqsa Zeb and Aena Asim also spoke. Maryam Akbar compeered the function, in which teachers, students, parents and children participated in a large number.-PR