A memorable experience for ‘Kinnaird’ descendants
March 07, 2013
Islamabad
Kinnaird College, Lahore, recently commemorated the centennial of its foundation. The grand celebrations saw college alumni converging on the provincial metropolis from many parts of the world but two visitors — Caroline Best and Mary Staib, great, great, granddaughters of Lady Mary Kinnaird — were also very much the focus of attention.
Visiting Islamabad for a brief visit on their way home, these ladies — happy and enthusiastic about their visit and dressed in local outfits — attended an education related function where this scribe caught up with them. Caroline and Mary informed that the Kinnaird College administration went to a great deal of trouble to locate them since they required some old photographs and information for letting people know something about the person that supported the setting up of what is now one of its premier, prestigious educational institutions.
And to their surprise, after the reason for contacting them was fulfilled, they were invited to come to Lahore and join in the celebrations. Out of four sisters, two managed to land in Lahore for this momentous occasion and expressed the opinion that they had no idea that the institution was as well established or as large as it is. Besides the two of them being sought after for photo shoots and other interactive sessions with the students, Caroline also chaired the 76th convocation of the college.
They have not had time to visit any other places because of their commitment to the celebrations and the short length of their stay but said they would try and come again. “We have been overwhelmed with the hospitality and friendship accorded to us by everyone,” they said. “We have had a most memorable experience.” With this in mind it is hoped they will be spreading a positive image of the country instead of the negative one portrayed by the media of their country.
Kinnaird College, the premier women’s college in Pakistan, was founded in 1913 by the Zenana and Bible Medical Mission, now called Interserve and named after Lady Mary Kinnaird, who supported the original project to such an extent that it was named after her. Pupils of Kinnaird High School (founded 1864) pleaded to continue their education so the first Intermediate class (FA) started with Miss Joan McDonald as Principal. BA classes commenced in 1917 and from 1913 to 1922 the college was the only women’s liberal arts college in the Punjab.
Kinnaird College, Lahore, recently commemorated the centennial of its foundation. The grand celebrations saw college alumni converging on the provincial metropolis from many parts of the world but two visitors — Caroline Best and Mary Staib, great, great, granddaughters of Lady Mary Kinnaird — were also very much the focus of attention.
Visiting Islamabad for a brief visit on their way home, these ladies — happy and enthusiastic about their visit and dressed in local outfits — attended an education related function where this scribe caught up with them. Caroline and Mary informed that the Kinnaird College administration went to a great deal of trouble to locate them since they required some old photographs and information for letting people know something about the person that supported the setting up of what is now one of its premier, prestigious educational institutions.
And to their surprise, after the reason for contacting them was fulfilled, they were invited to come to Lahore and join in the celebrations. Out of four sisters, two managed to land in Lahore for this momentous occasion and expressed the opinion that they had no idea that the institution was as well established or as large as it is. Besides the two of them being sought after for photo shoots and other interactive sessions with the students, Caroline also chaired the 76th convocation of the college.
They have not had time to visit any other places because of their commitment to the celebrations and the short length of their stay but said they would try and come again. “We have been overwhelmed with the hospitality and friendship accorded to us by everyone,” they said. “We have had a most memorable experience.” With this in mind it is hoped they will be spreading a positive image of the country instead of the negative one portrayed by the media of their country.
Kinnaird College, the premier women’s college in Pakistan, was founded in 1913 by the Zenana and Bible Medical Mission, now called Interserve and named after Lady Mary Kinnaird, who supported the original project to such an extent that it was named after her. Pupils of Kinnaird High School (founded 1864) pleaded to continue their education so the first Intermediate class (FA) started with Miss Joan McDonald as Principal. BA classes commenced in 1917 and from 1913 to 1922 the college was the only women’s liberal arts college in the Punjab.
