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Unforgettable
renditions of some of the country's most cherished ghazals and geet
by Farida Khanum, preceded by the inimitable wit of Anwar Maqsood,
left the audience spellbound at a charity event organised by Aga
Khan University (AKU), Karachi at its Sports and Rehabilitation
Centre on April 9, 2005.
Farida Khanum's
performances have enchanted audiences throughout the world and Anwar
Maqsood with his unique brand of humour, both on television and
live on stage, has entertained those fortunate to hear him for a
number of years now. Saturday night at AKU was no exception.
Anwar Maqsood
was first to take the stage and, as is the case whenever he has
the mike in his hand, had the audience in stitches in no time. Then
it was the turn of Farida Khanum, the diva and star attraction of
the event. Even as the night turned into the early hours, members
of the audience remained riveted to their seats and their applause
and appreciation for each ghazal and song came clearly from the
heart and soul. "It was a mesmerising experience," said one elated
member of the audience. "I've heard Farida Khanum live on a number
of occasions and each time it is a revelation."
Earlier, after
introducing these two pre-eminent figures in the field of art and
culture, Dr Gaffar Billoo, Chairman, Faculty and Staff Resource
Development Committee, AKU, added that "AKU has become a standard-setting
institution in Pakistan that leads by example. The University Hospital
caters to some 1,100 outpatients a day while the laboratory services
conduct 10,000 tests a day." The introduction was followed by an
address by Nizam Shah, Chairman of the Patients' Behbud Society
for AKUH (Aga Khan University Hospital), a private philanthropy.
Elaborating on the assistance provided by AKUH to deserving patients,
Mr Shah explained that this is due to the generosity shown by donors
from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. AKU, he said, is now
a truly national institution supported by individuals from communities
across Pakistan. "People support AKU for two main reasons. One,
the social impact is there for all to see. Two, donors know with
certainty that whatever they contribute will be spent ethically
in accordance with expected standards. They know that every rupee
given will be spent properly."
Accessibility
is one of the fundamental principles of Aga Khan University. It
is the University's conviction that its educational and health care
programmes should be available to all, regardless of financial standing
and solely on the basis of merit. AKUH serves some 400,000 inpatients
and outpatients annually, of which over 70 per cent are from low-
to lower-middle income households. A large number of these patients
are unable to pay fully for their medical treatment and receive
assistance from the Hospital's Patient Welfare Programme. Since
its inception in 1986, the Programme has provided over Rs 1.22 billion
in assistance to more than 225,000 needy patients.
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