AKU Independence Day Celebrations

Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi hoists the flag at the Independence Day celebrations at AKU. Also seen in the photograph are Dr. Riaz Qureshi (centre), Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine, AKU and Dr. David Taylor (extreme right), Acting Provost, AKU.

"Nationhood must be earned constantly" - Ambassador Dehlavi Recalls the Quaid

"The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan. It gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how a nation, containing many elements, can live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of all its citizens, irrespective of caste and creed."

These words of the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, were reiterated by Saidullah Khan Dehlavi, former Ambassador to France, Ireland, Belgium and the European Community and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Aga Khan University (AKU), at the 57^th Independence Day celebrations at the University on
August 14, 2004.

The programme began with a flag-hoisting ceremony attended by guests, faculty, staff volunteers and students. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Dehlavi said that the nation continues to remember the sacrifices rendered by the Quaid-e-Azam and by people who had a vision for the future. "The Quaid also spelt out," Dehlavi continued, "where the new nation had to go and how to get there." He said that the Quaid-e-Azam realised that coming generations must continue the struggle, "for nationhood is not a right - it is a privilege, a privilege that must be earned constantly."

While describing the challenges facing the nation, Dehlavi recounted Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan's leading role in the Pakistan movement. "He worked closely with the Quaid in the All-India Muslim League and led a long and successful campaign for separate Muslim representation in the Indian legislature," he explained.

Dr. Riaz Qureshi, Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine, AKU, speaking to guests, faculty, staff and students at the Independence Day celebrations at AKU.

At the same time, added Dehlavi, the fight against ignorance became a passionate priority for Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan, as did his deep concern for human dignity. "From every platform he advocated free universal primary education and strove hard to ensure that the benefits of education were enjoyed equally by Muslim men and women." Sir Sultan Mahomed Shah Aga Khan envisaged Aligarh University as "an intellectual and moral capital" for Muslims, a university of "free inquiry and large-hearted tolerance and morality. Now, under the leadership of His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan, these institutions have expanded far beyond the original geographical core and scope of activities but the underpinning impulse remains the same - the unchanging Muslim ethic of compassion for the vulnerable in society," said Dehlavi.

Chief Guest Ambassador Saidullah Khan Dehlavi, Chairman, Board of Trustees, AKU, addresses guests, faculty, staff and students at the 57th Independence Day celebrations at AKU.

Highlighting AKU's contribution to producing quality human resources and enhancing knowledge to help the nation meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, Dehlavi mentioned two ways in which the University acts on the principles of service to the nation. "We successfully follow a needs-blind admission policy," he pointed out. "During the academic year, nearly 50 per cent of MBBS and School of Nursing students received financial assistance. At the same time, Aga Khan University Hospital provides financial assistance to needy patients. Since 1986, over 1.05 billion rupees have been spent on over 200,000 patients under the Hospital's Patient Welfare Programme and the Behbud Society which distributes Zakat." AKU has come a long way since it was chartered in 1983 and has become a genuinely national institution.

Faculty, staff, students and guests at the Independence Day celebrations at AKU.

Addressing the students, Ambassador Dehlavi asked them to "remember that national understanding begins in the hearts and minds of people, young people like yourselves. You can therefore make an enormous contribution to society and to our country."

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