HDF's Medical
Facility and the Jehangir Khan Story
By M. Majid Ali, CPA
New York
"This is my last
tournament. Let me go to Australia for this and
then I will concentrate on you. You can do it."
This was the counsel to the young Jehangir Khan
from Torsam Khan, his older brother, squash coach,
mentor and himself ranked number 13 in the world.
But Jehangir's life changed forever when Torsam
tragically died on court and did not return.
Initially he gave up squash but was finally convinced
to carry on for that is what Torsam would have wanted.
Cousin Rehmat Khan, himself ranked in the top dozen
players in the world, took him into his home and
sacrificed his own career to become Jehangir's full
time coach.
That's all Jehangir needed. He practiced day and
night with a fitness regimen that included waking
up at 5am, running 10 miles, sprinting 400 yards,
practicing 100 shot rallies with his coach, weight
training and height climbing. His fitness became
legendary; his legs like oak and his Pathan frame
began to fire like the pistons of a combustion engine
presenting an almost superhuman challenge that no
other player could withstand. The strategy was simple;
do not hit winners but keep the ball in play at
an astounding pace for as long as possible.
And the boy wonder from the outskirts of Peshawar
swept all before him. He won an astonishing 555
consecutive matches over an unbeaten period of five
years plus 10 British Opens and six World Opens;
the longest winning streak in Squash history or
perhaps any other sport. Long-time opponents like
Gamal Awad had publicly stated; "We will bring
him down" only to be thoroughly demoralized
in future encounters. Jehangir had effectively converted
his early tragedy into becoming (as his name suggests)
the "Conqueror of the entire world".
Several factors went into the Jehangir Khan story.
"I did it because of him. It was his aim to
make me world no. 1". Rather than be permanently
disheartened by his elder brother's death, Jehangir
did his best to fulfill his dream and dedicates
his career to his brother. Cousin Rehmat Khan sacrificed
his own career to train Jehangir and took him into
his home. And with this mix of inspiration, sacrifice,
guidance, sheer hard work and "yes" the
availability of facilities, Jehangir propelled himself
to the zenith of Squash history. The squash facilities
provided by the PAF in the Peshawar area and the
long-term vision of people like Air Marshal Nur
Khan must also be mentioned in this context which
helped nurture a long series of Squash champions
from the Peshawar area.
Inspiration, sacrifice and personal effort are not
lacking in Pakistan but basic educational and sporting
facilities are. In fact after the devastating 2005
earthquake a large portion of the infrastructure
of northeast Pakistan was lost. And this is where
organizations like the Human Development Foundation
(HDF.com) are working to restore and rebuild. Initial
relief efforts from 2005 are being followed up by
the construction of simple medical facilities and
schools to help people get back on their feet. The
Field Medical Center (FMC) created by HDF in the
village of Bugna of Union Council Danna in the Muzaffarabad
area is one such example of the various relief and
rebuilding projects taken on by HDF in the earthquake
area.
Shortly after the earthquake, HDF established a
skeleton Field Medical Center on October 16th, 2005
and later transformed it into an established facility
with proper structure in place. With its substantial
history of building schools, organizing villages
and providing micro-credit in Pakistan HDF has the
personnel and knowledge base to contribute to relief
and development in a meaningful long-term way. Through
its network of contacts in Pakistan and the United
States, HDF was able to arrange material resources
from within and without the country. Nearly 20 doctors
(mostly US-based) volunteered to serve in the earthquake
zone.
The report filed by Dr. Mazhar Abbasi (HDF-Program
Manager Health) as of January 16th, 2006 states
that there were about 150-200 patients visiting
the center each day. As of Jan 15th, a total of
4,672 males and 6,452 females had benefited from
the facility. They have been treated for fractures,
dislocations, bruises, body aches etc. Hundreds
of IV fluids have been given while 438 patients
were admitted for a period of over 24 hours. Approximately
4,190 patients have been seen in their homes and
have either received first aid or moved to the FMC.
A total of 253 patients have been provided ambulance
services while about 201 have been referred to tertiary
health care centers. Another 2,969 people were provided
with psychotherapy services. Administratively the
facility is managed by a mixture of paid and volunteer
staff including doctors, dispensers, lady health
visitors, trainees, support staff and drivers.
It has long been observed by HDF and other organizations
working in the area that the people are very hard
working and self-motivated to rebuild on their own
and only need the tools to do so. The focus then
is to provide the self-sustaining tools of education,
healthcare and basic housing to help people help
themselves. The success of this formula is evident
from the multiple projects being run successfully
by HDF in Pakistan (HDF.com). The fact that many
volunteer doctors from the US and elsewhere have
chosen to serve via the HDF platform also shows
that HDF is well organized and has the local network
needed to carry on the effort.
A lot of people were beset by tragedy during the
2005 earthquake and are looking to rebuild. They
only need the tools. HDF is providing these tools.
But in turn HDF needs help from all those who believe
in the Jehangir Khan story that converts tragedy
into triumph by providing opportunity and tools
to the people who need it most. Jehangir was also
born a sickly child but was fortunate to receive
medical help. As a teenager, he lost his elder brother
and coach. Fortunately this was followed by a window
of opportunity as cousin Rehmat Khan provided the
coaching and the facilities that he needed to thrive.
The rest is history.
To help, visit HDF.com or call 1-800-705-1310. Tax
deductible donations (IRS tax ID # 36-4184940) can
be made online or checks made payable to "Human
Development Foundation" and mailed to:
HDF
1350 Remington Road
Suite W
Schaumburg IL 60173
(The author is a CPA working in Investment Banking
in New York. He can be reached at Indus000@hotmail.com)
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