Our Teachers through their Autographs

By Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, 671/Latif House

Published in Petaro and Petarians Over 50 Years © Edited and Published by Kazi Zulkader Siddiqui, 2007

I have a little autograph book that has been one of my greatest treasures since I left Cadet College Petaro in 1969. It contains autographs of most of my teachers and some close friends at Petaro. This small book is a treasure-house of the sentiments expressed, and reflective of the character of our teachers and my colleagues.

Whenever I flip through its pages, it reminds me of so many things that I have been taught as a child. It is those values that were ingrained in me during my formative years which indeed bring out the best in me. I am indeed thankful to my teachers and my mentors for all I gained from them – for their words of wisdom and for their well wishes and blessings.

Cdr.(R) Firoz Shah’s Autograph When I approached Cdr. Firoz Shah – who was our principal in 1969 – for his autograph, it didn’t take him a minute to write his thoughts down immediately. Our final Intermediate exams had been delayed due to the disturbances and agitation against Field Marshall Ayub Khan all over Pakistan. It was already the month of July, and Petaro was simmering. Only the 12th class was still around in the college to sit for the final Board exams. All other cadets had gone home much earlier.

On the 21st of July 1969, the first man ever in the history of mankind – Neil Armstrong – and his colleague landed on the moon. We were all excited that day, trying to see the pictures of the moon landing on TV.

I happened to approach Commander Sahib that very day, requesting him to write in my little book. It seems that this event had overcome him too. As he pondered over the achievements of man, the words seem to flow automatically on to the page.

Indeed, those who conquered space are men like us and not super beings. The destiny of Pakistan lies in our hands – men and women who can also achieve heights in every field of life.

Cdr. Firoz Shah’s own handwriting and signature

“Remember space has

been conquered today and those who

have accomplished the task are

men like you.”

Signed Firoz Shah 21.7.1969

Prof. Syed Shaida Azim’s Autograph

Mr. Syed Shaida Azim (or S.S. Azim as he was normally known as) was the college Vice Principal as long as we were at Cadet College Petaro. Later on, he rose to become the only permanent civilian college principal from 1972 to 1975. All others were retired or in service Pakistan Navy officers, except for Colonel Coombes who was from the Army.

Azim Sahib was indeed an “azeem” personality. He was a master at English and at Mathematics though he only taught us English at Petaro. His greatness lay in his extensive knowledge base and his

command over the subjects he taught.

Azim Sahib used to talk very fast, and move very fast. For those of you who remember him, I am sure that you will recall many interesting anecdotes about him.

The autograph Azim Sahib wrote for me is so reflective of his personality. You must know him to appreciate what he wrote for me. Just imagine him saying these words very quickly with his own tongue, in short bursts, and then disappearing from the scene as fast as he would have entered the room.

He was without a doubt a very benevolent person, and truly a fatherly figure where he always treated us like little boys – and as his own sons. In fact, if you visit him even today at Maymar Apartments in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, he will tell you that he has 7000 sons. This short autograph is so telling of his goodness and how he relates to us. Azim Sahib is 90 years old now masha Allah, and still going strong despite his age and the tragedy of the death of his dear wife last year.

Mr. S.S. Azim’s own handwriting and signature

“You are a good boy

and I hope you will

continue to be good

throughout your life.”

Signed S.S. Azim

8th July, 1969

Prof. Aziz Ahmed Faruqi’s Autograph Mr.Aziz Ahmed Faruqi was one of the first 5 staff members ever to join the college in 1957. He retired from the college in 1988, and presently lives a retired life in Karachi with his son Cdr.(R) Rashid Faruqi, kit no. 7192.

Faruqi Sahib was another great institution at Petaro. He used to teach us Urdu. During the 1960's he got his second M.A. - this time in English Literature and won a gold medal. I remember that

day, because then he also started taking some English language classes as well.

Faruqi Sb was famous for his intellectual discourses. He was definitely anti-mullah, and had a flair for left of the center thought in his philosophical leanings. This is so well reflected in his autograph he wrote for me, where he is critical of the typical "ritualism" in our society. In fact, he knew me well in how my fledgling mind worked. While at Petaro, I was deeply involved with the Tableeghi Jamaat, going to the dorms every week on gasht and inviting everyone for namaz. We used to have our weekly tableeghi talk at the masjid. I would never miss my namaz. And I was so deep into the spiritual activities that I would rarely miss the roza (fasting) of the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month.

Faruqi Sb's almost prophetic autograph hit me many years later. I had left Petaro and gone off to Turkey for doing my engineering at METU. I stayed in Ankara, Turkey for 2 years, and during those 2 years all my namaz and nafil rozas were gone. I did pray Juma namaz, but my regular prayers were left behind at Petaro. I would remember Allah at times, but the material world showed me that all my rituals were meaningless. I had never understood Islam or the true meaning of faith in all those years with the Petaro Tableeghi Jamaat. It was a great spiritual experience in a specific environment, but devoid of true understanding of Allah. Finally, it was when I moved to Boston, USA to study at MIT when I started to re-discover God and the true meaning of faith. It was a journey of a life when I realized that banging my head on the ground or repeated incantations of tasbeeh alone could not lead me to the ultimate reality. Despite all that, East Pakistan was lost, and we Muslims killed each other.

I believe I have a much better appreciation of what is the true meaning of humanity in Islam now. And I pray to the Almighty to grant me greater understanding of faith through love of mankind - not through mere ritualism. I have been regular in my prayers once again for decades. But now it is not merely for the sake of ritualism. Prayer and all other faraiz must be a part and parcel of a greater reality.

I finally met Faruqi Sb again in 2001, after nearly 32 years. He now has a long beard, and looks more like a maulvi himself. I am sure he too has gone through his own experience in life and has found his ultimate reality.

May Allah bless Faruqi Sb for being one of those who guided me towards seeking faith with understanding - moving beyond the simplicity of utter blindness!

By the way, just for the sake of those who do not understand Persian, Faruqi Sb summarized the meaning of the Persian couplet he wrote in English in that autograph page.

Mr. Aziz Ahmed Faruqi’s own handwriting and signature

“Do not be from the

people who deceive God

by prostrating before him

and counting beads for the

Prophet.”

Signed Aziz Ahmed Faruqi

12th July, 1969

Sqn.Ldr. A.A. Shaikh’s Autograph Sqn. Ldr. A.A. Shaikh - may Allah have mercy on his soul - died of tongue cancer back in 1986.

Shaikh Sahib was the Senior House Master of the College, and was next in rank only to the Vice Principal Mr. S.S. Azim. He also used to teach us English.

Shaikh Sahib left Petaro rather early - in 1971. After leaving Petaro, he became Controller of Examinations at Karachi University, a post he held until his last days.

Shaikh Sahib was one of the most unique of all our teachers. He had a great sense of humour in a very serious style. Therefore the students would enjoy his class very much. Let me give you one incident. Shaikh Sahib used to laugh very loudly - just like he spoke very loudly. Many a time, his jokes would not be understood by the students, but the students would make it a point to laugh as loudly as Shaikh Sahib did. Once we were in class and Shaikh Sahib cracked a joke, and the entire class guffawed in the loudest of laughs. Azim Sahib (the Vice Principal) was on his regular rounds to check the classes. Hearing this loud noise, he immediately walked in and in and in 5 seconds expressed his disgust in the fastest speech ever (he used to speak so fast that many times we wouldn’t understand what he said). Then as Azim Sahib walked out, Shaikh Sahib laughed aloud, and all the class laughed in chorus with an even louder laugh. Azim Sahib didn’t bother to come back.

When Shaikh Sahib spoke, he always had an "a" after every phrase while he thought of what to say next. So for example, he would say "You...aa...... what are you.....aa ..... doing?" etc. Because of these aaaaa's, he was referred to as Shaikhaaaa the mighty.

Despite all these laughs, Shaikh Sahib was one of the most upright and disciplined of our teachers and officers. He used to exercise every morning rigorously, and emphasized discipline.

In this autograph, Shaikh Sahib wrote about a malaise that had already stricken Pakistani society at that time in the 1960s. We had already demonstrated that as a nation we did not have the character that is required to become a great people. We were devoid of honesty, and corruption had entered our homes at different levels.

Little did Shaikh Sahib know that rather than moving in the right direction, we would continue to build on this lack of character, and make the hillock of corruption into mountains of corruption. Every successive generation and leader seemed to try and exceed the limits reached by the previous one in corruption.

Sqn.Ldr. A.A. Shaikh’s own handwriting and signature

“Character is a commodity that is very

much in short supply at present in

Pakistan. Look after your own

character foremost.”

Signed A.A. Shaikh,

Sqn.Ldr. 12th July, 1969

May Allah rest Shaikh Sahib in peace in Jannatul Firdaus, and grant him the prayers to rebuild the character of this nation.

There is one last point I would like to mention about Shaikh Sahib. One of his daughters got married to Capt. Zaheerul Islam Abbasi who was the Adjutant of the College from 1966-1969 in our days. Captain Sb rose up to become a Major General in the Army and was eventually court-martialed in an accusation to overthrow the Benazir government in 1995. He served 7 years in jail and now lives a retired life in Chaklala, Rawalpindi. He is a great guy, and if you haven’t met him, you would want to. He is a great Pakistani and a great Muslim. While Abbasi Sahib was in Haripur Jail, his wife (the daughter of Shaikh Sahib) held the fort, and got 2 of his children married and saw the graduation of the other 2. She must be a lady of strong character like her father to be able to manage in that massive crisis in her life and bring up her children.

Prof. Ch. Saeed Ahmed’s Autograph I am sure that most of you will remember Ch. Saeed Ahmed Sahib as the head of the Physics Department at CCP almost all of his nearly 29 years at Petaro. He joined CCP in 1960 and retired from there in 1989.

Saeed Sahib was also my house master (at Latif House) throughout the period I was at CCP (1965-1969). Saeed Sahib was a very successful house master during our time. Latif House had been the youngest of the houses (Iqbal and Qasim Houses were built in 1966 and 1967), and therefore it inherited a mixed bag of students from different houses. It was considered as a pappoo house, always looking only for credits for the Credit Cup.

However, it was to Saeed Sahib's key insight towards selecting students from the incoming new entries that allowed Latif House to rise up to become the Champion House. For the last 3 years of my stay at Petaro as well as the last 3 years of Saeed Sahib's tenure as house master, Latif House retained the Champions Cup consecutively. It became an all-rounder house, being the best in Academics as well as taking many of the sports trophies. I must say that the credit for this achievement goes to Saeed Sahib. He made sure that he selected some of the best cadets on both the academic side as well as sports.

Ch. Saeed Ahmed’s own handwriting and signature

“With malice towards none; with charity for

all; with firmness to see

the right, as God gives us to see the right.”

Signed Saeed

Ahmed, 15th July, 1969

During those years, I remember Saeed Sahib with fond memories of a father-like figure. He always depicted a sort of kindness and love that was beyond expression. And when he wrote me this autograph, it struck me that indeed these words were a true reflection of what Saeed Sahib stood for - although he probably had never expressed himself in so many words to us before. Being against malice, and stressing on charity and firmness truly forms the bedrock of success. And Saeed Sahib was successful in that period relying on these very same qualities. He had an uncanny way of expressing himself so quietly, and maintaining discipline within the house.

In recent years, I have had the opportunity of meeting Saeed Sahib a few times. And each time, all I could see were the tears of love in his eyes. He still leads a simple life, and keeps to himself and prays for us.

For those of you who are not aware, he is also the father of Nadeem Zaigham (kit no. 808/Latif) who was instrumental in starting Petariantalk. Saeed Sahib now lives in Model Town, Lahore.

May Allah grant a long life to Saeed Sahib with health and prosperity!

Prof. Feroz Yusuf Khan’s Autograph The late Mr. Feroz Yusuf Khan was head of the department of Chemistry at Petaro in the 1960s. When I joined Petaro, Feroz Sahib was also the house master of Liaquat House. Later on Bhatti Sahib took on this position. I am sure that the early Liaquatians could would have many interesting stories to tell us about Feroz Sahib.

Most Petarians will not remember Feroz Sahib since he left Petaro rather early in 1969. I do not have details of when he died, but I understand that he is buried in Karachi.

Feroz Sahib was one of the coolest of all our teachers. And I have yet to find a better teacher of Chemistry. It was solely because of his teaching method that I fell in love with Organic Chemistry, and eventually ended up doing my B.S. in Chemical Engineering from MIT. Had it not been for him, I am certain that I would have been doing some other engineering.

For all the lovers of Ahad Sahib, please note that it was Feroz Sahib who was his boss, and it was he who brought Ahad Sahib to Petaro.

Feroz Sahib had a deep voice, and his guttural "aray bhi" coming from deep within his chest in the long drawl is unforgettable.

Mr. Feroz Yusuf Khan’s own handwriting and signature

“Ishqi hum kotaah qadon mein ko’ee bhi Suqraat nahin

Sach kay gun to sab gaatay hain sach ka

zeher piyayga kaun?.”

Signed Feroz Yusuf

Khan, 12th July, 1969

He was a class in himself, and one of the best of educationists in the country at that time (in my opinion). And the principles he stood for are so well enumerated in the autograph he wrote for me. Truly, how many are there amongst us who talk of honesty, yet how many are there who will drink the poison to uphold honesty like Socrates (or Suqraat) did? I suppose that is a dying species - if it isn’t extinct already. Most of us are hypocrites. How loudly do we proclaim that we must bring in honesty, yet we deceive ourselves.

May Allah rest Feroz Sahib's soul in peace in Jannatul Firdaus!

Prof. M. Akram Bhatti Although I do not have an autograph of Bhatti Sabib, I cannot resist writing a few words about him. Like Toor Sahib, his command over Mathematics was incredible. And he was a good learner himself.

During the summer of 1967, the Ministry of Education changed the syllabus of FSc, and brought in tremendous changes in the subject matter taught for Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry. For the first time, they included Calculus and Differential Equations. Our teachers were sent on special training courses that summer so that they could teach us the subject properly.

I suppose had it not been for Bhatti Sahib, we would have flunked in Calculus and Differential Equations. He was able to pick up the subject very quickly and taught us in a very professional manner.

Bhatti Sahib became the House Master of Liaquat House after Feroz Yusuf Khan Sahib. Most of us remember Bhatti Sahib for the simple two-worded four-letter words that he used to utter. He had a knack of controlling the boys through language rather than with the use of his hands. And he was effective.

Bhatti Sahib now leads a semi-retired life in Lahore, not far from where Toor Sahib lives. May Allah grant him a long life with good health.

Prof. Tariq Mustafa Khan’s Autograph If there was a truly well dressed and soft-spoken gentleman at Petaro, it was the late Tariq Mustafa Sahib. He had class. He stood out amongst my teachers without a doubt.

Tariq Sahib was the House Master of Jinnah House during my days – the house which was furthest from my Latif House. However, I had a very unique relationship with him. He was my Geography teacher, and I was the only student in his class. It was a one teacher – one student class.

In our days, every student was required to take an elective course in Matric. Since most of the 9th Class boys had no real inkling of their own aptitude, the college used to test their abilities in the different electives being offered through an examination, and would then advise the boy on which elective would suit his best. Options available included Drawing, Agriculture, Biology, Electricity, Sindhi in addition to Geography.

Mr. Tariq Mustafa Khan’s own handwriting and signature

“Nazar mili hay to is ko bahar

saaz bana,

Nazar to maa’il-e rangeeni-e

bahar na kar : Jigar.”

Signed Tariq Mustafa

12th July, 1969

When the results for our tests were posted, I had scored 100% in Geography. Mr. Azim called me to his office and insisted that I should take Geography although I was more inclined to take Drawing classes with Mr. Zuberi. I was in two minds. Tariq Sahib was a favourite teacher too. I finally succumbed, and accepted. And when the lists were published, I found out that all my colleagues were adjusted in other classes, while I was the only one in Geography.

Therefore, we never sat in a classroom. Tariq Sahib would take me to the Library and pull out some of the most wonderful books on Geography. We had the TIME-LIFE series books and many others. We would sit and talk about many interesting aspects of how this universe exists and about the earth, the oceans, the skies, the mountains, and all different aspects. It used to be the most relaxing of periods.

Tariq Sahib’s autograph is so reflective of what he sought to teach me. It is visions and insight that can lead to optimism and a desire to attain excellence. One has to be a visionary. And my Geography lessons took me away from the starkness of science and mathematics, exploring the other side of one’s life - the humanities - that brings out the best in a person.

May Allah grant Tariq Mustafa Sahib the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus!

Prof. M.S. Toor’s Autograph I was probably extremely fortunate to have the best of Mathematics teachers. My favourites were Bhatti Sahib and Toor Sahib. Unfortunately, I do not have an autograph of Bhatti Sahib, although I would love to write about him.

It was these two great teachers of mine who I should give full credit for my love for Mathematics and my success in the subject. It was rare that I would not score 100% in the subject.

Toor Sahib had full trust over my command over the subject. Whenever he would mark my examination paper, he would simply mark every question 100% right without even going through the details. And then he would get me to write the answers on the black board after returning the papers.

I realized this when once when he returned my paper, I found out that I had made a mistake in one question for which he should have deducted 2 marks, and he had not done so. I walked up to him and asked him to re-check that question. He smiled and took the 2 marks away, and then gave me one mark for honesty. I got 99.

It was Toor Sahib who forced me to go see an ophthalmologist because I couldn’t see the blackboard clearly although I used to sit in the first row.

Toor Sahib was a feared man. He would not tolerate any nonsense, and quite a few of his students would recall (with great pleasure) how Toor Sahib would box them when he lost his temper.

The uncanny part of Toor Sahib was that he had a squint eye. So you would never know which direction he was actually seeing. This was probably a great boon for Toor Sahib, as he would catch boys when they would least expect him. They would think he was looking at someone else while he would be watching their antics. And he was unforgiving.

He rewarded sincerity and hard work, and was severe with those who played games with him. This is so well reflected in the simple line he wrote for me below.

Mr. M.S. Toor’s own handwriting and signature

“Sincerity of purpose will lead

you to the ladder of success.”

Signed M.S.

Toor 12th July, 1969

Toor Sahib has not been keeping good health over the past few years. He suffers from heart disease and is restricted in his travel. However, he still teaches Mathematics and is considered to be one of the best in Lahore even today. May Allah grant Toor Sahib a long life with health!

Prof. A.A. Naqvi’s Autograph Hitlerian in looks (due to his moustache) but not in his outlook, Naqvi Sahib was another teacher of his kind. He used to teach us Civics, which was a requirement in our Matric curriculum. The subject was boring to the nth degree; but Naqvi Sahib was the only one who kept it alive.

I am not sure how many of my classmates actually understood what was being taught. The concepts were deep, trying to instill a sense of political awareness and civic duty in our young minds. Unfortunately, most of us merely memorized those paragraphs and sentences, never really understanding their importance in our lives to come or in our careers.

Mr. A.A. Naqvi’s own handwriting and signature

“Work implies self-realization and self-

sacrifice in equal measure. One has to plunge oneself into

work for the good of mankind, nay for the

betterment of the entire universe.

I am sure you will do.”

Signed Ali Asghar Naqvi

11th July, 1969

Naqvi Sahib was eloquent, and knew how to use big words - many of which were not understood by us. He talked of how to truly convert these concepts by “plunging” ourselves into work for the betterment of mankind and the entire universe. His autograph for me took me back to my Civics class. His lecturing continues; and such lectures should be a constant reminder to all of us at every juncture of our lives. Let us continue to be of service to all.

Naqvi Sahib settled down in Daressalam, Tanzania in his later years with his son Sohail, kit no. 7417. He is buried in that country. May Allah grant Naqvi Sahib the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus!

Prof. Mukhtar Siddiqui’s Autograph Mukhtar Siddiqui Sahib was never my teacher, although he was the darling of many of my batch mates. I had always been groomed in the English tradition, and thus my grounding in Urdu was weak. I was a student of “salees Urdu”. Mukhtar Sahib’s philosophical bent of mind and his eloquence in Urdu were beyond me.

But he was there all around us. He was par excellence in Urdu poetry and was the hub of many of the cultural and artistic activities at Petaro. In our times, he was the one who supervised “Funkada”, the Drama Club of Petaro.

Mr. Mukhtar Siddiqui’s own handwriting and signature

“Yahan kotahi zauq-e amal

hay khud giriftari,

Jahan bazoo simat-tay hain waheen sayyad

hota hai.”

Signed Mukhtar Siddiqui

11th July, 1969

Mukhtar Sahib was always very humble and soft spoken. And it was purely through his intellectual discourses that he was able to attract many of his students towards himself. Even to this day, his students are mesmerized whenever they talk about him.

Mukhtar Sahib now lives in Karachi and is very frail. Ever since his fall and fracture of his hip bone, his movement is very restricted. But he always welcomes his students.

May Allah ease his pain, and give him health and happiness!

Prof. Syed Wasiul Hasan Wasi Sahib was my teacher for a brief period – in 9th class when he taught me Civics. It was he who taught us the concepts of government. For the first time in my life, I was exposed to the concepts of democracy and the “basic democracy” of Ayub Khan.

Other than that, he was the housemaster of the neighboring Ayub House.

Prof. John Mumtaz’s Autograph The late John Mumtaz Sahib was truly an all-rounder. He was one of our Physics teachers - and one of the best in teaching Physics. He was a great sports coach as well.

John Mumtaz Sahib rarely spoke in Urdu. He would feel more comfortable talking in English. However, his spoken English was unique in its style of expression. When he would be perturbed or exasperated, you would know it through his expression “Oye Look-o Mister!” At the same time, he was a thorough gentleman.

He was always very prompt, hard working and disciplined. These characteristics of his are beautifully demonstrated in his short autograph he wrote for me 37 years ago. Work ethics are extremely important in one’s life. And coupled with universal brotherhood, these can bring luck and success. May Allah bless Mr. John Mumtaz’s soul.

Mr. John Mumtaz’s own handwriting and signature

“WORK IS WORSHIP

Work to Create

Universal Brotherhood.

Wish you good luck in your Future Life.”

Signed John

Mumtaz 21st July, 1969

Prof. Ch. Abdul Ghani Ghani Sahib was never my teacher as such although he was very much around during our time. However, my interaction with him was rather close due to the fact that he was the Asst. House Master of Latif House. He had joined CCP in 1966.

Ghani Sahib was very soft and loving towards the boys. I do not recall Ghani Sahib ever raising his voice.

Normally the Latifians were considered to be the most “shareef” of all the Petarians. But sometimes we too played some pranks. A new song was on the market titled “Hello Hello! Mr. Abdul Ghani”. We fell in love with it, and we went to Hyderabad and bought a copy of the 45rpm record (there were no tape-recorders then). And we would then play that song in the Radio Room at the loudest pitch. One day, Saeed Sahib got upset and walked in, picked up the record and smashed it on the wall. That was the end to it.

I met Ghani Sahib next in 1996 at Petaro, shortly before his retirement when he was the Vice Principal. I was passing by Hyderabad, and I called him on the phone. I had thought that he may not even remember me. To my utter surprise, not only did he remember me but he insisted that I come immediately. He had laid out a full “High

Tea” for me at his home. Ghani Sahib now leads a retired life in Faisalabad. May Allah give him good health and a long life!

Prof. Mohammed Ahmed Khan’s Autograph

Several months after Ahad Sahib joined Petaro, we got another Chemistry teacher. This was none other than Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Khan.

Ahmed Sahib was our Inorganic Chemistry teacher, and he was also the hockey coach for the college team. He left Petaro early - in 1972 - and returned to his father’s lands in Nawabshah where he has been settled all along.

Ahmed Sahib is one man who has always made an effort to keep up his contacts with me and with all of his students. After I left Petaro, I was abroad for over a decade. Upon my return to Pakistan, I worked at Zelin Limited (Karachi) on Victoria Road

between 1980 and 1982. Ahmed Sahib found out through someone that I was there. One day while I was in my office, he walked in and asked me if Kazi Zulkader is around. I told him that this is my name. He immediately blurted out, then don’t you recognize me? I retorted, when you didn’t recognize me, how do you expect me to recognize you? He smiled – that most unforgettable smile. And it was obvious to me as to who he was. He had come all the way only to meet me, not knowing how much I may have changed.

It is rare to find your own teacher who keeps on monitoring your movements in life and being concerned at how you are doing. Such is Ahmed Sahib. He does not simply say that I love you. He demonstrates it through deed. Periodically, he calls each one of us and finds out how we are doing. He demonstrates this care very vividly. So when he wrote “with heaps of love” in that autograph, he was not just saying it out of courtesy.

Mr. Mohammed Ahmed Khan’s own handwriting and signature

“For Kazi Zulkader with heaps of love

A man would do nothing if he

waited until he could do it so

well that no one would find fault

with what he has done –

Cardinal Newman”

Signed Mohd. Ahmed

Khan 11th July, 1969

Many of us do remember Ahmed Sahib in different ways. After Azim Sahib, if there was another teacher who would talk and walk fast, it was Ahmed Sahib. At times, it would even be difficult to understand some of his expressions and jokes as he would swallow words. But even if you didn’t, you would smile and laugh with him.

We can never forget the famous Chemical Club which he used to head. We wouldn’t miss an opportunity to go to Hyderabad to buy “falsa” so that we could make “sharbat” and have it preserved through Ahmed Sahib’s concoctions. Recently, he didn’t forget to send me 8 bottles of some other types of very healthy sharbat - all the way from Nawabshah. That is the typical Ahmed Sahib – always caring and loving.

Ahmed Sahib’s life is exemplary in many ways. He has always demonstrated a very strong character. The latest tragedy in his life was the loss of his second son Shoaib, kit no. 8482/Latif, who died of cancer a few weeks ago. It is amazing how Ahmed Sahib kept his calm and buried his own son.

Ahmed Sahib never waited for anyone. This is reflected beautifully in his advice to me in his autograph below. One must recognize the realities of this life and not be lost merely in idealism. We must take a step at a time - however imperfect it may be.

May Allah grant Ahmed Sahib a long life with vigor and health!

Prof. Inayat Ali Khan Amongst all my teachers, the one who had a deep impact on my thought process was none other than Prof. Inayat Ali Khan. Unfortunately, for some reason or the other, I could not obtain his autograph in 1969.

Inayat Sahib was my Urdu teacher. I was very weak in Urdu language, and was therefore relegated to the “salees Urdu” class. It was our fortune that Inayat Sahib was assigned the task of bringing us up to speed.

The point I would like to make here is that it was Inayat Sahib’s thought process, his behaviour, his attitude, and his simplicity that had a very lasting impression on me. He was the epitome of humbleness, and he was a true reflection of the characteristics demanded of a Muslim.

I continued to correspond with Inayat Sahib even after I left Petaro from Turkey and the USA. During the summer of 1973, I was visiting Pakistan from Boston. By then, I had become deeply involved with Muslim community activities at MIT. I traveled from Karachi to Hyderabad especially to meet Inayat Sahib. Hafeez (542) accompanied me. And we sat at Inayat Sahib’s house for probably more than 6 hours trying to solve the problems of the world. Those were the days of idealism. And Inayat Sahib was also relatively young and full of vigor.

The next I met him was more than 28 years later at the great reunion of my batch mates in 2001. What a man! He had not changed at all. The same simplicity, the same demeanor, the same humbleness! This is all despite the fact that over the years he has gained fame as a satirist and a poet of national stature. His books and poems are worth reading. May Allah grant Inayat Sahib a long life with health!

Prof. Abdul Ahad Khan’s Autograph Ahad Sahib was an institution within himself, and is known to almost every generation of Petarians who passed out from there.

Let me say a couple things about Ahad Sahib (may Allah grant him the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus).

Ahad Sahib joined Petaro the same year as I did, i.e. in 1965. During our period, i.e. the 1960s, he was known more as a maverick amongst all the teachers. His cutting sarcastic remarks have gone down in the history of Petaro as masterpieces in themselves. Almost every Petarian of every generation would

have preserved some caustic remark of Ahad Sahib in his memory.

It used to be a rarity to see Ahad Sahib smile. Yet when he wrote this autograph for me, I was wonderstruck that all he could think about was a smile – which seemed to be the anti-thesis of this great man. I realized that despite his firm demeanor, Ahad Sahib in fact had a smiling heart. And that was truly reflected in his remarks which not only evoked smiles but often led to laughter and guffaws.

So let me dedicate this epitaph to his love for all Petarians - with all the smiles.

Mr. Abdul Ahad Khan’s own handwriting and signature

“Smile is the key which

opens the lock of the love.”

Signed A.Ahad Khan

21st July, 1969

Prof. M.H. Taqvi’s Autograph My first Mathematics teacher in 9th class at Petaro was Taqvi Sahib. Although very loud in his expression, the late Taqvi Sahib was one of the most loving creatures of God that I have ever met. He always had utmost regard for me, treating me like his own son.

However, Taqvi Sahib was not a very innovative person. He would rather echo thoughts that were in harmony with his own rather than expressing his thoughts in his own words. The following autograph was written by Taqvi Sahib after he glanced through my autograph book and saw what Toor Sahib had written. Those thoughts resonated with his own, and Taqvi Sahib immediately wrote the same thoughts down with a small change. Indeed, Taqvi Sahib was a very sincere person himself, and that was the key to his success. May Allah grant Taqvi Sahib the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus!

Mr. M.H. Taqvi’s own handwriting and signature

“Sincerity of purpose will always help you in the

attainment of your goal in

life.”

Signed M.H. Taqvi 18th July, 1969

Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi’s Autograph During the 1960’s, the Adjutant of the college was always a captain from the Pakistan Army. Pakistan Navy was thus represented by a “Naval Officer” of the rank of a Lieutenant Commander. It was only in the early 1970s when Pakistan Navy took over the total management control and the Army Adjutants came to an end, replaced by naval officers.

I never could truly figure out the real role of the “Naval Officer” during the 1960s, since he was just a liaison officer between the college and the Navy. Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi was our naval officer between 1966 and 1969. I understand that upon his retirement from Pakistan Navy, he continued on as Physics teacher at Petaro until 1981.

A.W.Siddiqi Sahib was another thorough gentleman. Always smiling, he was an extremely friendly fatherly figure who we could always look up to for any assistance, even though he had no real role to play in our daily lives.

Despite an arm’s length relationship, I am very fortunate to have been so close to him. I will always cherish his memory. May Allah grant him the choicest place in Jannah!

A.W.Siddiqi Sahib’s very simple prayer and wish for me tells a great deal about the nature of this man.

Lt.Cdr. A.W. Siddiqi’s own handwriting and signature

“Whatever you do &

where ever you are may

God Bless you with success”

Signed

A.W.Siddiqi, Lt.Cdr.

8th July, 1969

Maulvi Mubarak Ali Shah’s Autograph One man who had an important impact in my tender years was Maulvi Sahib of our mosque at Petaro. Maulvi Mubarak Ali Shah was Pathan, and lived in the quarters adjacent to the masjid.

Throughout my four years at Petaro, I was very regular in my prayers at the mosque. Thus, I would meet Maulvi Sahib 5 times a day along with my formal five times meetings with Allah.

He was also the leader of the tablighi jamaat activities at Petaro. Along with Ghazanfar Bhai, Farooq Taj Bhai and Fakhruddin (my batchmate), I too became closely attached to the tablighi activities. We would have our weekly gasht in the houses followed by the address by Maulvi Sahib after Asr prayers.

Maulvi Sahib also used to spend spare time with me to help me read the Qur’an correctly. We used to have sessions in the mosque.

Maulvi Sahib was a very simple man. And sometimes simplicity doesn’t pay in this country. The boys used to love playing pranks on Maulvi Sahib as he was an easy target.

Since Urdu was not his native tongue, he would often make grammatical mistakes. Gender of verbs was his biggest problem. Thus Allah used to “farmati hai” instead of “farmata hai”. He also used to take our Islamiyat classes. The naughty boys would make sure they would distract Maulvi Sahib towards something they would consider funny and thus we passed our time. We never really learnt anything about Islam. One of the ways to keep us jolly was to bring lots of tomatoes to class from the farm. When Maulvi Sahib would turn towards the blackboard, tomatoes would fly on to the ceiling fan and splash freshly made ketchup on the walls or on the shirt of some cadet. That would be the end of the class with Maulvi Sahib in a rage. Such is the fate of our faith and our values.

Maulvi Sahib’s words in his autograph are golden, where he talks of 1) Faith in Allah (iman), 2) Values and Character (akhlaq), 3) Deeds that are in consonance with Faith (amal), 4) Not to fear worldly difficulties, and 5) Seeking guidance and help from Allah alone. Whenever I read this passage, it also brings a smile to my face, remembering his mix up of genders in expression. This is also enshrined in his autograph.

May Allah grant peace to Maulvi Sahib’s soul, and the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus

Maulvi Mubarak Ali Shah’s own handwriting and signature

“iman kay baad sab say behtareen cheez achi akhlaq hay. Sab say achi saathi nek amal hay. Duniya ki

ko’ee mushkil say ghabrana nahin

chahiye. Har waqt Khudawand ta’ala

say madad mangna chahiye. Faqat wassalam”

Signed Syed Mubarak

Ali Shah 24th July, 1969

Muhammad Abid Saleem’s Autograph (now commodore) Although I do have autographs of many of my other batch mates, I have chosen to include Abid Saleem’s autograph with this collection solely for the reason that he finally rose up to the rank of Principal of Cadet College Petaro - more than a generation later. Abid is my teacher in some ways too (I do learn from every person), but I can safely say that there have been times when I was his teacher as well.

I joined Petaro in 1965 in Class 9, and Abid was the House Prefect from our class. Over the next four years, we became the best of friends, and alhamdu-lillah this relationship continues to grow stronger.

Coming from a humble background, Abid has built a career for himself solely through his hard work. He is a man of high principles, and this has been his hallmark throughout his life as I have witnessed it. After leaving Petaro, he joined the Navy and

rose up through the ranks to eventually become a commodore. This was the feather in his cap.

During our days at Petaro, Abid was a star. He excelled in sports and became the College Football Captain. In athletics, no one could beat him at 400m, 800m and 1500m races.

In 11th Class, Abid, Raza Kamal (584), and Khalid Jamil “Luddoo” (509) were my room mates. We lived in the Latif House portion of “Sheesh Mahal”. That was the hottest room in the college, acting like a proper greenhouse. Sometimes we wondered if it was a reward or a punishment to live there. But I guess others used to envy us for having been given the honour since it was the grandest room, with the best view over the grassy field.

When we were in 12th Class, Abid was rightly chosen to be the JUO of Latif House. And Abid, Raza Kamal and I were the room mates, living in the JUO room across from the Radio Room.

Abid did prove his leadership qualities over the years throughout his career and this last assignment as the Principal of CCP is the crown in his cap. During these past 7 years, he has proven his mettle. Being the first Petarian to become the Principal, he has brought an understanding and love into the job which no previous principal could.

During these 7 years, there has been a major change in the college. Not only have there been several infrastructure development projects like the Squash Court, new mosque, Drinking Water plant, houses of staff, etc, but his greatest achievement is the security he brought to the college by getting legal possession over the nearly 750 acres of land and building a boundary wall around it. This also eliminated many of the problems that emanated from outside elements and instilled stronger discipline amongst the cadets.

Abid also ensured that the flow of cadets to the Pakistan armed forces resumed with full force. During the previous periods, it had almost come down to a trickle.

Thus, when I reflect on Abid’s autograph, I feel that maybe he was examining his own ambitions in life. After all when you pray for someone who is dear to you, the prayer does come back to you. And Allah has honoured Abid accordingly.

Abid Saleem’s own handwriting and signature

“bagh-e aalam main yahi apni

dua hai har subh,

Rahein sar sabz shajar phoolnay phalnay walay -

Aatish”

Signed Abid Saleem 14th July, 1969

Indeed, it is our prayers that through our efforts may Allah grant our college and our nation growth and productivity which will make us into the best. And may Allah keep on honouring Abid by taking him to even greater heights in this world and the Hereafter!

My parents’ Autographs Teachers are supposed to be the reflection of one’s parents. Or rather, they are indeed sitting in the position of our parents as per our tradition. Therefore, I thought it appropriate to end this article with the autographs of my own parents (may Allah grant them the choicest place in Jannatul Firdaus). I am sure you will all appreciate these sentiments, and they would probably be not far from those of your own parents.

It is so often that we take parents for granted. Yet parents are truly the greatest gift of Allah to us. Unassumingly, they are always there for us whenever we want them. And they will suffer for you without ever making you feel it. They will sacrifice everything for you without demanding anything from you. They will share in your happiness and sorrows without revealing their own.

My dear father died in February 1982 (over 25 years ago), and my dear mother died in June 1993 (over 14 years ago). I cannot express to you how much I miss them at times.

Whenever I turn to the pages of their autographs, I virtually burst out with emotions. At first my eyes become wet - and when I read my mother's autograph, I truly weep. I cannot control myself. I recall every juncture in my life and their contributions towards my growth and my life - and what they truly mean to me. My autobiography scans itself before my inner eye as I ponder over their words.

As I read the 2 autographs again and again, I realize that there is a distinctive difference in my response to my father's and my mother's autographs. Let me explain what goes through my mind since I am sure that this would be so relevant to each one you as well.

My dear father was a man of letters, and a great lover of poetry and literature. Besides, he was a great Muslim nationalist within a Sufi tradition. He had great admiration for Allama Iqbal and his thought. He would go out of his way to help other people, and his discourses were worth listening to. At the same time, he had a tremendous awe inspiring personality. I would normally be speechless before him, and could never say no to him.

My father (late) Kazi Abdur Rasheed’s own handwriting

“Piyaray betay Zulkader ke liye.

Ba-deh oora jawanay paak baazay,

Saroorash az sharabay khanah saazay

Qawi baazoo-e-oo maanind-e-Haydar,

Dil-e-oo az do-geti bay niyazay (Iqbal)”

Signed Kazi Abdur Rasheed 8th April, 1967

When I went through an intellectual crisis in my own life during the 1970s after the fall of Dhaka and the Ramadan War in Palestine (during my years at MIT), it was my father alone who provided me the intellectual support and guidance in steering me towards further civilizational studies and a fulfillment of my academic dreams. For a whole year, he wrote me letters (there was no email then and telephones were out of reach) to advise me on how to approach life and how to look towards the future. He was far far

away - thousands of miles away from me while I was in the USA. But his heart and mind were burning for me. He was my true strength.

This autograph was written in 1967 when I was barely 15 years old and had just sat for my Matric examination. At that time, the words he wrote had a deep impact on me; and even more so over the ensuing years. As the years passed by, I would read his words again and again, and a strange feeling would envelope me. Throughout my intellectual and spiritual crisis of the 1970s when I was in the USA, I would be reminded of his words often.

What had he written? As you will note, he wrote down the words which Allama Iqbal had written for his own son. It is a prayer to Allah - a most apt and beautiful prayer that a father can desire for his son. Let me summarize it for you.

In these verses, Allama Iqbal prays to Allah to grant his son pristine youth, peace and tranquility within the strands of a family life, physical strength like that of Haider (Hz. Ali), and a heart that would go out towards the service of all. (This is a very rough translation of the Persian verse).

What more can a father ask his Lord for the sake of his son indeed? And I am sure that every father would desire the same for his son. This prayer depicts the awe and love that holds the rope between a father and a son.

And then I turn to next page - to read my mother's autograph. I read it - and I read it again - and again and again. The words are so simple - and yet there could be no deeper words. In those 6 words - her own words - she probably said a thousand times more than what my father had written in the most eloquent intellectual form.

My mother (late) Muneerunnisa Begum’s own handwriting

“piyaray betay Zulkader.

Allah ta’ala tumhein baraa aadmi bana’ay”

Signed “tumhari ammi Muneerunnisa Begum”

8th April, 1967

Just ponder over it. "Allah ta`ala tumhen bara aadmi bana'e". She had expressed everything she had for me. All her pains and all her love for me had translated themselves into just that desire to see my success. And that was truly her success. I put my head down on my arms and cried again, wishing that she would be with me to see my success, and ignore my failures.

As I write this, her face appears before me. She was the loveliest of personalities that I have ever come across. She was simple, always smiling and laughing, cheerful, optimistic, and a pleasure to be with. She was so unassuming that you would wonder at times as to what is it that she desired. And I knew it. She had sacrificed her entire life just for me and my brothers and sisters. I could share so many things with her, burst out at her with exasperation at someone else, ask her for anything - and yet she was always there for me. And all she desired was my success. She fretted for me right up to her grave. And Allah gave her the best for the Hereafter.

She died in a car accident coming from Madinah Munawwarah, and was buried in the Jannatul Baqi in Madinah, just as her own mother was. If a human could be an angel, it was her.

As I write this, tears flow down my cheeks. I truly miss her. And I will always miss her.

Well friends, I wanted to share this with you because I know that my mother and my father are probably not unique. What my parents expressed for me is what your parents would probably also desire for you, and what you will probably desire for your own children. These could very well be the words of your parents for you. Parenthood is indeed a blessing of Allah.

Is it a wonder then that the Prophet Muhammad (sallAllahu alayhi wa sallam) has said that Jannat is beneath the feet of your mother. And that amongst the most important personality in your life is your mother - thrice over - and then your father.

May Allah grant our parents the best in this life (for those who are alive), and the best place in Jannatul Firdaus for those who have passed away.

With Love,

---------------------------------------------- Copyrights to this article and the book "Petaro and Petarians Over 50 Years are reserved with www.petaro.org and the Petarian Foundation. The e-version is available for free distribution. However, permission is required from the Petarian Foundation to republish the work in any format.