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, 2006.
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)
Link to: Pakistan
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