Chacha Rasheed the Canteeneer, of University of Sindh

                          

BRAVO CHACHA (UNCLE) RASHEED!

                  There are majority of people who always cry, mostly those who belong to socially well off in terms of money, property etc. considering scarcity that they have nothing special in their lives despite having a  grace of natural bounty.

                But a few of them are still those who are determined and patient with what they have whether less or more, consequently, without getting raged from hopelessness are always persistent to their responsibilities and never get dismayed and are always thankful to Almighty Allah of what they have.

               One of the great personality whom I consider is my dear  Chacho Rasheed.

        He is canteeneer an elderly man of around 65 years of age or even more and a civil servant in serving the hostellers of Sindh University Jamshoro for more than 46 years in canteen with a view to serve the students as a cook in single congested room having a limited life for himself.

                         People (hostel residents) call him Chacho Rasheed by name a well known person amongst the hostellers as well as teachers.

                        Since 1962 appointed as a cook by university as an employee in Blocks hostel later on shifted to international hostel for boys when it was fully constructed in 1964. There he permanently held his responsibilities and yet  now in providing food to the students of university.

                  He is the kind of personality who never said anything to those who did not pay for the food of what they received from him, he often forgave them who were penniless, for he considered students as his own progeny.

                 Rasheed Khan Pathan S/o Noor Muhammad Khan was born in 1945, in Naushehra near Peshawar of NWFP Province. When he was a child he started working as laborer in cutting and crashing the rockbat into pieces, right from the childhood he has remained a painstaking at labor work.

               Having no much experience further in reading and writing he no longer continued his studies in his early childhood apart from primary education.

               As he entered the Sindh University in 1962 he has observed many things like memorable good conditions of University at the times of old political comrades such as Jam Sangi 1^st comrade of S.U, then Gul Mohammad Jakhrani, Sattar Morio but with the passage of time conditions changed from best to worst, as later on other comrades began to emerge only with a view to gain dominancy over others, they started fighting and firing, consequently violation increased.

                After the 1965 war situation of hostel began from bad to worst. However, Chacho Rasheed kept his duty in serving the hostellers at international hostel till now.

               After his wife died having no children to him he did not loose hope or dismayed in his life.

                He had a wish of a son that could not be fulfilled and accepted the decision of divine nature, now his only wish is to serve the students the whole of his life till death.

              Chacho Rasheed is living a very simple and no luxurious life, however, he is gratified in his life of what Allah has destined to provide him.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN IN  CHACHO RASHEED ANY SIGN OF HOPELESSNESS DESPITE HE HAVING PASSED LOTS OF HARDSHIPS IN HIS LIFE.

WE ALL LOVE YOU CHCHA RASHEED.

BROVO ON YOU

 BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR HERO

A profile written by:

Irfan Ali Mirani.

From: Larkana.

PROF. DR. RAFIA AHMED SHAIKH INTERVIEW

INTRODUCTION:

          Professor Dr. Rafia Ahmed Sheikh/ Rafia Mohammad Ali is a pro-vice chancellor of University of Sindh since July 2007-todate. Before that she was the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences right from August 2003 to July 2007. She also has taken participations and worked in different whether in public and private organizations in her life.

          She was born in August 3^rd in 1947 before eleven days of independence of Pakistan. She was interviewed as follows:

Q:1    Mam! Could you please tell us about your childhood life?

Ans: Well, we are only seven siblings 4 brothers and 3 sisters and I was 5^th number of them. We were all happier in our childhood, it was a very innocent period for us no violation, no corruption no TV or even no existence of media as today’s. I really remember my childhood cute memorable days.

Q:2    About your education?

Ans:  In 1972, I passed my matriculation in Saint Mary’s high School in Hyderabad, Intermediate from Nazareth College Hyderabad, Sindh, under the guidance of mums. BA (Hons) in Comparative religion in Sindh University Jamshoro in (1967). MA, (Comparative religion) from Sindh University in first Class first position (1968). In 1972 post graduate diploma in Library science Sindh University, MA in Library studies from Southborough University of Technology England U.K in 1975, PhD in library studies from University College London U.K in 1983.

Q:3    How do you compare the quality education of our country as       compared to western educational system and future of our        education?

Ans:  Everybody knows respecting the quality education in Pakistan is nothing but a worst form of education as compared to western educational system. They have a strong media; they are even good at public as well as private educational sectors.

In Pakistan some private institutions like SZBIST. AKU etc are working very well. However, our country has a great need of more books, more money even we need of best teachers as well to meet the required criterion.

Q:4    What are the qualities of a good research and what are your      views on the approach of today’s youth towards the research         plus how can it be improved?

Ans:  Well, we must work with great efforts and keen interest; one should work by 1% from inspiration besides 99% is work hard, work hard and work hard. Our youth is much more advanced in every step out of media exposure, new innovations and facilities of new technologies and compared to old era.

Our youngsters are chanalized to a reverse direction rather than a proper guidance, no child is given a right direction. Despite of the fact that has a son I myself look after him in providing tuition for I am mother. Children are wasting their times more in unnecessary work habits as emailing, chatting on cells etc., any child can grow up well on good guidance that is taught by both teachers and parents.

Q:5    How did you enter in the field of library information science?

Ans:  Basically, after having passed MA in comparative religion I went to Lahore, there I tried to find out for the job regarding my subject, there was no much scope in comparative religion. Therefore, around 3 years I stayed at home helping my mom in household chores, then my father was transferred to Jamshoro, later on in 1970 I became librarian in Nazareth College, Hyderabad, Sindh. Then I got admission in Sindh University for diploma in library information science in the evening shift there I got 1^st position in first class and became lecturer later on after one year I went to London as a meritorious student for further studies in library information science.

Q:6    How do you see the future of library information science in terms of its scope?

Ans:  very well, for there is a huge need for librarian also, in first there was only 2 years course in library information science.

Inshallah right from 20/0 we are going to launch 4 years programme in library information science.

Q:8.   How do you think about religion specially Islam and its followers (Muslims) of today?

Ans: Islam is a magic wand doesn’t go against of its principles or law (a written constitution by Allah almighty for Adam and Jin) for the life of every human being on earth on how to live a life to succeed here and hereafter. Islam and Muslims they are two different things never to equalize them as Muslims of today majority of them are so called Muslims going against the laws breaking the laws, creating violence, hatred etc rather than peace and harmony real Muslims are only few like counting your fingers. 

Q:9.   Could please name your favourite reading books and your other hobbies?

Ans:  Jane Iyer is my favourite book a story about two sisters currently I don’t remember the name of author I have read countless book pertaining to stories, novels etc but due to being busy these working days I seldom read books, whereas I read newspaper daily.

Q:7.   Any wish in your life that you have not fulfilled yet or want to       fulfill it?

Ans:  Oh yes, I want my son to become successful in every walk of life, and I pray to God for my health because health is wealth in ones life, without it you cannot live and work well.

Q:10. Any suggestions to our young generation?       

Ans:   Certainly they must say prayer daily, obey their parents. They should and must be persistent to their purpose that is work hard, hard and hard. There is a saying “Play while you play, work while you work”.

INTRODUCTION:

          Professor Dr. Rafia Ahmed Sheikh/ Rafia Mohammad Ali is a pro-vice chancellor of University of Sindh since July 2007-todate. Before that she was the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences right from August 2003 to July 2007. She also has taken participations and worked in different whether in public and private organizations in her life.

          She was born in August 3^rd in 1947 before eleven days of independence of Pakistan. She was interviewed as follows:

Q:1    Mam! Could you please tell us about your childhood life?

Ans: Well, we are only seven siblings 4 brothers and 3 sisters and I was 5^th number of them. We were all happier in our childhood, it was a very innocent period for us no violation, no corruption no TV or even no existence of media as today’s. I really remember my childhood cute memorable days.

Q:2    About your education?

Ans:  In 1972, I passed my matriculation in Saint Mary’s high School in Hyderabad, Intermediate from Nazareth College Hyderabad, Sindh, under the guidance of mums. BA (Hons) in Comparative religion in Sindh University Jamshoro in (1967). MA, (Comparative religion) from Sindh University in first Class first position (1968). In 1972 post graduate diploma in Library science Sindh University, MA in Library studies from Southborough University of Technology England U.K in 1975, PhD in library studies from University College London U.K in 1983.

Q:3    How do you compare the quality education of our country as       compared to western educational system and future of our        education?

Ans:  Everybody knows respecting the quality education in Pakistan is nothing but a worst form of education as compared to western educational system. They have a strong media; they are even good at public as well as private educational sectors.

In Pakistan some private institutions like SZBIST. AKU etc are working very well. However, our country has a great need of more books, more money even we need of best teachers as well to meet the required criterion.

Q:4    What are the qualities of a good research and what are your      views on the approach of today’s youth towards the research         plus how can it be improved?

Ans:  Well, we must work with great efforts and keen interest; one should work by 1% from inspiration besides 99% is work hard, work hard and work hard. Our youth is much more advanced in every step out of media exposure, new innovations and facilities of new technologies and compared to old era.

Our youngsters are chanalized to a reverse direction rather than a proper guidance, no child is given a right direction. Despite of the fact that has a son I myself look after him in providing tuition for I am mother. Children are wasting their times more in unnecessary work habits as emailing, chatting on cells etc., any child can grow up well on good guidance that is taught by both teachers and parents.

Q:5    How did you enter in the field of library information science?

Ans:  Basically, after having passed MA in comparative religion I went to Lahore, there I tried to find out for the job regarding my subject, there was no much scope in comparative religion. Therefore, around 3 years I stayed at home helping my mom in household chores, then my father was transferred to Jamshoro, later on in 1970 I became librarian in Nazareth College, Hyderabad, Sindh. Then I got admission in Sindh University for diploma in library information science in the evening shift there I got 1^st position in first class and became lecturer later on after one year I went to London as a meritorious student for further studies in library information science.

Q:6    How do you see the future of library information science in terms of its scope?

Ans:  very well, for there is a huge need for librarian also, in first there was only 2 years course in library information science.

Inshallah right from 20/0 we are going to launch 4 years programme in library information science.

Q:8.   How do you think about religion specially Islam and its followers (Muslims) of today?

Ans: Islam is a magic wand doesn’t go against of its principles or law (a written constitution by Allah almighty for Adam and Jin) for the life of every human being on earth on how to live a life to succeed here and hereafter. Islam and Muslims they are two different things never to equalize them as Muslims of today majority of them are so called Muslims going against the laws breaking the laws, creating violence, hatred etc rather than peace and harmony real Muslims are only few like counting your fingers. 

Q:9.   Could please name your favourite reading books and your other hobbies?

Ans:  Jane Iyer is my favourite book a story about two sisters currently I don’t remember the name of author I have read countless book pertaining to stories, novels etc but due to being busy these working days I seldom read books, whereas I read newspaper daily.

Q:7.   Any wish in your life that you have not fulfilled yet or want to       fulfill it?

Ans:  Oh yes, I want my son to become successful in every walk of life, and I pray to God for my health because health is wealth in ones life, without it you cannot live and work well.

Q:10. Any suggestions to our young generation?       

Ans:   Certainly they must say prayer daily, obey their parents. They should and must be persistent to their purpose that is work hard, hard and hard. There is a saying “Play while you play, work while you work”.

   

Larkana A Comprehensive Introduction

( Past and present)

Larkana city is an oldest metropolis of Sindh. It is monumental due to close
connection with historical city that was known as cultured and civilized people’s
earth in South Asia called, Moen Jo Daro.

Larkana is bestowed with everything in terms of trade, politics, literature
and culture as having precedence as compared to other major cities of province
Sindh. The word Larkana is taken by Larik, (a community) a regional caste.
Larik Brotheri lived in here.
According to the historical sources its name was Chandka.
Before Larik there lived Chandia Brotheri (Community). Larkana region identifies
the primitive journey of human civilization.
The climatic conditions of this area are always fluctuating according to
season. The temperature accedes more than 50 degree centigrade in summer, 11
degree centigrade in winter, humidity ratio increases from 40 to 60 %. It rains
from 100 to 125ml in a year. Here there is an evidence of the ruined city Moen Jo
Daro as having highly cultured society, which in 1822 according to an archeological
survey of India by the Director Sir John Martial identified this oldest culture of this
region that was five thousand years old.
Larkana region remained stabled even in the times of Aryan invasion and
halting of King Sikandar (Alexander Pope) as an invader in Sindh.

The things which were made in this region were spread throughout Asia.
People were so affluent that the citizens of different far territories were aspirant
to visit the city. Many of the Aliens of different regions entered the city on boats
through Indus river route.
Before Isa Masih people used to grow wheat here. Consequently, the British
had relationships with the people for trade in 1843. The British laid its foundation
here out of grain abundance and affluence.

Around a half century later in 1901 Larkana came into being as a district. In
these days Larkana city was famous for the city of orchards, such as guava trees of
Mahota, village Agana, Bheda and Aqil Khuhro the birth place of famous politician
Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, other orchards include date palm trees, mango trees, berry
trees, jumbo trees etc.

This fertilized land has given birth to the great scholars in the field of politics,
education and literature amongst them are: Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Ex prime
minister of Sindh, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Ex prime minister of Pakistan,
Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Comrade Hyder Bux Jatoi farmer proletarian leader,
Khan Bahadur Muahmmad Ayoub Khuhro, Mumtaz Ali Bhutto ex prime minister
of Sindh, Shaheed Mir Murtaza Bhutto, Shaheed Shahnawaz Bhutto, Nawab Ghebi
Khan Chandio, in addition literary people include: Pir Hisam-ud-Din Rashdi, Jamal
Abro, Kishen Chand Bewas, Ayaz Qadri, Dr. Abdul Kareem Sandeelo, Pir Ali
Muhammad Rashdi, Memon Abdul Majeed Sindhi, Muslim Shaikh, Nawaz Ali Niaz
Jaffery, Sobho Gian Chandani and so forth.

The historical places in Larkana include:
1. Moen Jo Daro: (The mound of the dead) named by local residents. It is
around 27km away from Larkana city.
2. Jhakkar Jo Daro: this mound is around 10km away from the city to the
North West; it covers the area of 33 acres at Waggan road near village
Meetho Dero. However, this historical place is overlooked by the ministry of
culture and tour.
3. Tomb of Shah Baharo: Shah Baharo was the minister of Mian Noor
Muhammad Kalhoro, the tomb was constructed in 1773 by Ghulam Shah
Kalhoro due to his rememberance. This tomb is in Shah Baharo Colony Near
Jelas Mandi Larkana.
4. Tomb of Mian Muhammad Saleh Qadri: this tomb is lying in Qadri Mohalla
Larkana, its construction is decorated according to conventional traditions.
In the times of Talpur dynasty this tomb was constructed by his son Mian
Ghulam Muhammad in the remembrance of his father who was the follower
of the uncle of Sachal Sarmast.
5. Jamia Masjid Lahori Mohalla: this is an oldest mosque in Larkana
its construction was made in the reign of initial British government
establishment in Lahori Mohalla by Haji Muhammad Fateh, its structure of
interior was made in traditional way and this mosque is an aesthetic example
of construction.
6. Tajar Building: it’s a very small building, its construction was made with
highly sculptured bricks, this cottage like building is near Larkana town hall
in Jinnah Bagh depicting a best artistic work, and this was built in 1936.
7. Madafan-e-Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto: it is a historical graveyard
a permanent resting place of great personalities amongst them are: Sir
Shahnawaz Bhutto, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Mir Murtaza
Bhutto, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Mir Shahnawaz Bhutto. This cemetery is
often famous for “grave yard of the Martyrs” all of these historical places are
worth visiting.

Mega Planning Projects in Larkana:

1. Indus Highway from Rato Dero to Sehwan.
2. National Highway from Khuzdar to Peshawar through Larkana, Shikarpur
and Jacobabad.
3. From Larkana to Khairpur is under construction.
4. Gawadar through Rato Dero Motorway.

The favorite dishes which are famous and most often people eat here keenly are:
Pulao (Sindhi Biryani), Beeh (Kanwal Jar) ki sabzi, Sindhi Fish eg (Pallo), meal of
maize, millet and rice, Shikarpuri Pickle, Palli and Palak lettuce, Gobi Goshat are
mostly loved by local people.

The famous markets amongst them are: Resham Galli, Shahi Bazar, Suriya
Padhar, Anaaj Mandi, Khattan Bazar, Seeo Bazar and Jelas Bazar as well.
In addition there traditional dresses include Shalwar Qameez, Embroided dress
(Pehraan), Ajrak, Sindhi Topi, Pagri, Godh (Lungi), Sindhi Gagha (a type of Sari)
are common in the habitants of this region.

The famous games that are common in surrounding villages of Larkana are
Kodi Kodi (Kabaddi), Malh (Local Sindhi Wrestling, Kushti), tipcat, common races
of bulls, donkeys and horses, Wanjh Watti, Volley ball, local village fairs, swine and
hound fight and so on.

With respect to educational facilities,there are many collages and schools in private
and public sector most prominent of them are: Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Meidcal
University, Larkana formerly named as Chandka Medical College, Z.A Bhutto
Agricultural Collage Dokri, Muhammad Ayoub Khuhro Engineering Collage
Larkana, Government boys degree college, Government Girls Degree College,
Cadet Collage Larkana, Public School Larkana, Government Municipal High
School, Government Pilot Higher Secondary School, City School Larkana,
Government Deeni Madrassa High School, Law Collage Larkana, Szabist Collage
Larkana, Sindh Science Collage Larkana and some other major institutes of
Larkana are: Gul Hayat Institute, Rice Research Institute, Sir Shahnawaz Library,
Open Air theatre, Arts Council Larkana, Mother Gallery and the like.

The monuments of Larkana are Sui Corno Tower, Kamal Ataturk Tower,
Larkana Gymnasium and Ladies Club.

Larkana with the grace Almighty Allah enjoys much more natural bounties
bestowed on the people of this region.
And hopefully, in future this small rich and fertilized region will have some
quantum leap progress with tranquility, harmony progress and success in the field
of technology, agriculture, education, business, trade and industry.

May Allah bless this region with more stability and happier life for the people living in this
region.