An Investment in the Future
of the World
A Pakistan Link Report
Left
to right: Dr. Nasim Ashraf, Consul General Ibn-e-Abbas,
Pervaiz and Almas Lodhie, Najeeb Ghauri, Ayesha Ghauri
and Bill Grady
|
Rolling Hills, CA: An investment
in the National Commission for Human Development (NCHD) is
an investment in the future of the world. So claimed Mr. Pervaiz
Lodhie, CEO Ledtronics Inc., while addressing a select group
of community activists at his Rolling Hills residence on Saturday,
September 2.
The event brought together prominent Pakistani Americans who
have made their mark in various fields. In the spirit of true
achievers, the enterprising men and women never feel shy in
supporting initiatives aimed at bettering the lot of Pakistanis,
especially the disadvantaged, less privileged ones inhabiting
the rural parts of Pakistan. Thanks to the generous support
of Pakistani Americans, the NCHD program has received a marked
boost and has been crowned with multifarious successes.
Enumerating these successes in greater detail, Minister of
State and NCHD Chairman Dr Nasim Ashraf informed the gathering
that the Commission’s area of operation will be extended
to the 100 districts of Pakistan and will covers the entire
length and breadth of the country. “All this would not
have been possible without your generous help,” he gratefully
told the gathering. The handsome chairman with his winsome
smile claimed his organization provides hope of a wholesome
change to the country’s teeming millions. “It
restores human dignity and provides an opportunity to the
common man to move forward.” Given its successes in
the short span of four years, NCHD appears destined to play
a catalytic role in achieving the United Nation’s millennium
development goals.
In just four years NCHD has managed to make a significant
contribution to improving primary education and health care
provision in Pakistan, with millions of beneficiaries. Perhaps
more important is the way these results have been achieved:
promoting public-private partnerships, building capacities,
mobilizing communities to help themselves.
Pictures
above: Glimpses of the NCHD Fundraiser at the Rolling
Hills residence of Pervaiz and Almas Lodhie on September
2, 2006
|
NCHD provides support to Government
line departments, NGOs and district governments in delivery
of primary education, promoting literacy, income-generating
activities and provision of basic health care services. NCHD
thus fills the gaps in education and health service delivery.
Says Dr Nasim Ashraf: “NCHD has come a long way, but
the challenge of promoting human development in Pakistan remains
formidable. I hope you will continue to support us in facing
this challenge, and making a difference for the people of
this great nation.”
Several speakers, including Pakistan’s Consul General
Syed Ibne Abbas, Mr Najeeb Ghauri of Netsol, Mr Bill Grady,
Chief-of-Staff of US Congresswoman Linda Sanchez and member
of the Congressional Pakistan Caucus, Mr Reza Akif, Field
Representative of US Congresswoman Jane Harman who is also
on the Congressional Pakistan Caucus and Mrs. Ayesha Ghauri,
made brief but scintillating remarks. They were all praise
for the National Commission for Human Development’s
sustained strivings to improve the lot of the common man in
Pakistan. The Consul General proudly mentioned that the 2006
UNESCO International Reading Association Literacy Prize has
been awarded to NCHD for its National Literacy Program. To-date
NCHD has set up 21,000 Adult Literary Centers where 500,000
people have been taught to read.
Ayesha Ghauri recalled her recent visit to NCHD’s centers
in Pakistan. “I was amazed at what was actually being
done.” At Thatta, Mansehra and Balakot women who could
barely identify a single alphabet of Urdu were able to read
paragraphs in the span of a few weeks. The NCHD is making
a big difference. “Your money is being well spent,”
she assured the gathering.
Mr. Najeeb Ghauri introduced Dr Ashraf to the audience. “He
has created the NCHD and we are privileged to be a part of
it,” he remarked. To the delight of the gathering, he
disclosed that the NCHD will have a new director, Mr Shoaib
Kothawala, from the Los Angeles area. Mr. Pervaiz Lodhie and
Mr. Najeeb Ghauri are founding directors of the NCHD/PHDF
initiative. Mr. Kothawala made a generous donation of $200,000
to the NCHD funds on the occasion.
Mr. Bill Grady and Mr. Reza Akif, representing Congresswomen
Linda Sanchez and Jane Harman respectively, also spoke on
the occasion. Mr. Grady emphasized the importance of political
activism “to organize and make your interests heard.”
This point was earlier stressed by Mr. Pervaiz Lodhie who
has established the Pakistani Congressional caucus in Washington
to air the views of the Pakistani people on Capitol Hill.
“We have a political lobby in Washington. We have made
a beginning. We are making friends with the Congressmen. We
have made a difference,” Mr. Lodhie said. He exhorted
the community to extend support to this well-meaning effort.
The guests fully enjoyed the warm hospitality of the Lodhies
and greatly relished the tasty food and choicest dishes in
what appeared to be an entrancing setting. Kiran Lodhie’s
recitation from the Holy Qur’an and Shaan Lodhie’s
playing of the national anthem seemed to impress one and all.
Mr. Ahmed Ali, former President of COPAA, admirably conducted
the auction. (Pictures by Naushad Sarwar)
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