Passing it on: Seniors tell youth to work hard, be honest and be disciplined at IOBM

Institute organises an event to honour renowned senior members of the society

KARACHI:

'Work hard, be honest and be disciplined' was the message that almost every senior citizen had to give to today's youth at the Institute of Business Management (IoBM).

An event 'Our Veterans, Our Assets' was organised on Saturday by the students of media management and public relations to honour the senior citizens who have made something out of their life and hear of their experiences. A video clip was played which included messages from renowned senior members of the society such as Sarim Burney, the founder of Sarim Burney Trust, AQ Halepota, a member of Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan, and senior fellows at IoBM such as Urfi Khalid, Syed Iftikhar Ali, Dr Sahib Khan Channa, Dr Abdul Rauf Farooqui and Syed Ajaz Ahmed.

All senior citizens were asked to give a piece of advice for the younger generation based on the experience they have gained in all these years. It was encouraging to see that so many young faces had turned up to listen to what the golden agers had to say.

"Knowledge is not to pass an examination," said Muhammad Ashraf Janjua, IoBM adviser of the president. "It is a way of life."

According to Urfi Khalid, the biggest challenge for today's youth is critical thinking. Jinnah University for Women mathematics department chairperson Dr Ansaruddin Syed seemed to be on the same page with her. "I see a basic flaw in how mathematics is taught here," he said. "Our teaching is more inclined towards rote learning. Our students don't really know what they are doing."

Speaking of attitudes towards education, Karachi University Institute of Space and Astrophysics founder and director Dr M Javed Qamar said that students only go to universities to get good jobs. "My advice [to the youth] is that you should go for the field that you have a love affair with," he said.

Farooqui stressed upon the importance of self-analysis. "All your life, you have to face challenges," he said. "You have to be honest, consistent and hardworking. [Moreover], you must ponder over what I can do to improve myself."

About challenges, Burney's message in the video clip was that they are a part of life and one must use her/his energy to cope with them. "If everything were perfect in life with no challenges, we would claim to be divine," he said. "Keep your intentions clear and all hurdles will fade away."

After the video, an interactive session was held during which chief guest Dr Ruth Pfau and Sarim Burney addressed the audience. "If we don't work hard and don't learn to become tolerant, we won't be able to develop our country," said Pfau.

Talking about life, Pfau said that it is colourful, different and unforeseeable. "Everybody gave very good messages in the video," she said. "But one thing I felt was missing as no one said that you should enjoy your life. Don't forget that life is wonderful and if it is not wonderful, one should make an effort to make it wonderful for others."

She went on to share her experience with a 14-year-old girl who she found and brought to the Marie Adelaide Leprosy Centre. "Today, that girl is married with four children," she said. "And when I held her youngest child in my arms, I felt so happy." Her sense of accomplishment and contentment was apparent in her voice.

Army veteran Saiful Haq Bajwa gave a final message for the audience. "Love everyone, hate none."

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2014.