Acknowledgement of services: Govt urged to name public places after teachers

PESHAWAR: A call was made at a special talk to name public places in Peshawar after those teachers who were known for devotion to the profession and produced towering personalities.

The suggestion was made by a United States-based writer, author, explorer and photographer from Peshawar, Professor Dr Syed Amjad Hussain, while delivering a lecture on his autobiographical journey through various educational institutions.

The lecture titled “The story of my education faculties by my own self” at the Victoria Memorial Hall of Peshawar Museum and attended by people from different walks of life.

Dr. Amjad Hussain was born in the Walled City of Peshawar in 1937.After receiving his education from different institutions, including MBBS from Khyber Medical College, he moved to the US in the year 1963 and became an emeritus professor of cardiovascular and thoracic surgery at the College of Medicine and Life Sciences.

Apart from being a renowned cardiovascular surgeon, he is famous for his contributions as a researcher, explorer, and photographer.

Dr Amjad Hussain has authored 50 scientific papers in national and international medical journals and has to his credit 18 books on diverse subjects such as religion, culture, history, and international relations.

His books “ Aalam Mey Intikhab Peshawar”, Yek Sher-e-Aarzo”, “ Matti Ka Qarz”, “Dar-e-Maktab”, “Chitraan Wala Katora”, “ Of home and country- journey of a native son” along with other publications have been well received.

Most of his books in Urdu and English are related to Peshawar and the culture associated with the city of his birth.

Dr. Amjad Hussain visits his native town every year during which he delivers lecture .In the latest lecture, he said his teachers, from primary to MBBS level, had a great share in shaping his personality from a doctor to writer, poet, photographer, hiker, explorer, researcher and storyteller, addin he was indebted to them for their way of teaching and concentration on students.

Unfolding the educational journey spanning over around 26 years, Dr. Amjad Hussain surprised the participants through his strong memory by vividly recalling names of his childhood teachers and their way of teaching.

In his primary at Machhi Hatta school in New Muslim Meena Bazaar locality near Ghanta Ghar from 1944 to 47. He said his teachers including Abdul Ali Afghan, Syed Laal Shah Jigar Kazmi and Master Muhammad Ali not only taught the students syllabus but also concentrated on improving handwriting, moral values and personality building.

“Whenever I start writing for any newspaper, the teaching of Master Fazal Ahmad of Government High School No. 1, Peshawar City comes to mind who would put a lot of stress on improving English composition,” recalled Dr Amjad.

“My penchant towards photography and hiking has roots in learning from Professor Muhammad Ahmad of the Islamia College Peshawar who used to hold photo exhibitions in the college and take students on excursion tours to mountainous areas”, he added.

Dr Amjad Hussain eulogised services of Prof Hubert Michael Close, a British academician, for generations of Peshawar in the field of education and for humanity through donating his blood, supporting education of poor children, giving time to the students without eyesight.

He lamented that the strong affinity between teachers and students was not visible now in the society. “For restoration of such a bond, there is a need for taking measures for remembering renowned teachers of Peshawar,” pointed out the doctor who has served as a professor of surgery in Ohio state of the US.

“By naming different places after the prominent educationists who rendered great services for the education of hundreds of thousands of students, a culture of respect will be introduced for the new generation,” he explained.

Dr Amjad Hussain said the step would also encourage teachers of the current era to put more focus on their profession and personality building of students for remembrance in future with good memories.

It is worth mentioning here that despite a myriad of national and international achievements, Dr Syed Amjad Hussain has not been officially awarded in his native country — Pakistan.