KARACHI - A ceremony, to celebrate “60 years of children’s magazine Hamdard Naunehal”, was held here the other day under the auspices of Hamdard Naunehal Assembly Karachi chapter at a local hotel.
The ceremony comprised recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, naat, speeches, poetic tribute and dua-i-Said.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest, writer and dramatist, Fatima Surayya Bajia said that knowledge was more wider than an ocean and acquiring of knowledge was started from reading the books.
Commending the role played by the Hamdard Naunehal in mental training of children, she said that this magazine was a great source of pleasure for children and also creation the habit of reading and writing among them. ‘I wrote extensively to such an extent that I lost my thumb’s prints, though I have not studied in any school and all my education is completed, being remained at home’, she said, adding ‘I know Urdu, Arabic, Persian and English too, I know to cook all kinds of foods and can make very thin breads’. Young girls should make themselves experts in making foods which was very necessary for them, she observed.
Sadia Rashid, President, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan, while addressing the gathering of children said that Hakim Said was much worried about the education and training of children, the future of Pakistan. So he brought out a children magazine, “Hamdard Naunehal” to create the habit of reading, writing and thinking among children. He wanted to make them good and responsible citizens of Pakistan as he anticipated in one of his articles and to a big extent his hope came true as hundreds of children who were the readers of Hamdard Naunehal, after of age, has now been performing national responsibilities at government and private levels.
“Hamdard Naunehal has been performing its role, fixed by its founder, very well even after long time of 60 years under the editorship of Masud Ahmed Barakati, for which he deserves all praise and congratulations,” she said and prayed may God give more other individuals to promote literature and knowledge in our society.
Prof. Dr. Raof Parekh was of view that Hakim Said brought out the magazine Hamdard Naunehal to teach etiquette and Urdu language to children. He advised the children to be proud of their language and should not feel complex while speaking Urdu. Khurram Suhail, media advisor to Consulate General Japan, Karachi, said that he learnt Urdu from Hamdard Naunehal and also lesson of hard work for success from the characters of its stories. Nusrat Nasarullah, a seasoned journalist suggested that Hamdard Naunehal should also be published in English language in order to convey its message to the whole world.
Child speakers also spoke and paid great tribute to Hakim Said, Sadia Rashid and Masud Barakati for bringing out and continuation of Hamdard Naunehal which brought pleasure and stories, based on good lessons, for them every month.