Second Annual Dow
Alumni Retreat
By Naushad Sarwar
Congressman Rohrabacher, Supervisor Chris Norve, Dr
Ahsan Rashid and Mr. Safi Qureshey |
Irvine, CA: There was
a sense of attachment, a sense of belonging to the alma mater,
and a vision for the future on the memorable evening of April
16, 2005 when Dowites - members of Dow Graduates Association
of North America (APPNA) - met at Hilton Irvine on the occasion
of the Second Annual Dow Alumni Retreat 2005.
The Dowites flew from different states of the US to testify
to the strong bonds that exist between them and the Dow Medical
College. As the evening progressed they furnished manifest
evidence of how they are maintaining their Dow links and also
doing their best to serve their alma mater.
The proceedings began with words of welcome by the dashing
emcee of the evening, Dr Nasar Qureshi. The national anthems
of the US and Pakistan were played following recitation from
the Holy Qur’an. Dr Salma Agha soon after greeted fellow-Dowites.
Dr Ahsan U. Rashid, Chairman, Host Committee, thereafter introduced
prominent Dowites who had played a major role in arranging
the meeting. “Nothing is impossible” if you remain
persistent and steadfast in the pursuit of your goal, he remarked.
Quite a few Dowites spoke briefly to enliven the proceedings.
Dr Syed Samad expressed appreciation for “some junior
Dowites” who had made excellent presentations during
the Dow Alumni Retreat. He happily remarked that the association
of Dow graduates had covered considerable ground during a
relatively short span of time. He informed the gathering that
a Dow Endowment Fund had been recently created and it was
planned to raise a million dollars. He added that a website
“connects all Dowites” while Dowlink, a newsletter,
keeps the members abreast of their activities. He also informed
the gathering that the Dow Medical College will soon have
an emergency trauma center.
Dr Nadeem Zafar said the association “does something
that makes a difference in someone else’s life.”
He said it was always good to meet friends who make a positive
contribution in the life of individuals, groups, and communities.
Some of the invitees |
Dr Khwaja Qayyum Ahmad
who had a serious accident and was rehabilitated in life,
thanks to the support of his Dow and APPNA friends, expressed
his profuse gratitude to fellow Dowites. “I know the
meaning of friendship,” he gratefully said.
The next speaker was Mr Safi Qureshey who made his mark in
the IT sector as founder of AST. Described as “a friend
of the community, a friend of APPNA,” by Dr Ahsan Rashid,
the former AST chief exhorted the gathering to take measures
for building the society. He then introduced Congressman Rohrabacher,
an upholder of the “cause of justice, cause of freedom.”
Alamgir |
The congressman described
Mr Safi Qureshey as a “good friend,” a “great
American.” He also made quite a few edifying remarks:
“ The spiritual side of human beings connects people
– Muslims and Christians… the fact that you are
doctors and place a very high place on life, you are our greatest
ally in the international arena … sound of life unites
us on this planet … please speak up and be heard, condemn
when Muslims are killed and condemn when Muslims kill Christians
in the name of Islam. Tell fellow Americans that this is not
Islam…” Life, liberty and happiness were not promised
by the founding fathers for North European immigrants only.
They were meant for all people, he said, to the applause of
the gathering.
Supervisor Chris Norve, another distinguished guest speaker
who visited Pakistan at age 23, spoke highly of the country
and told the audience of how Pakistani medical professionals
are making a difference in the field of medicine in the US
and Pakistan.
Later, famous singer Alamgir electrified the gathering with
his performance.
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