Debates and Debaters in 1961-65 Some of my cherished memories of Government College Sargodha are about fabulous debates in English, Urdu and Punjabi. I am a devout lover of good verbal communication that includes all dimensions of speech including: selection of appropriate words, tone, accent and pronunciation, rhythm, expression, pace, wit, spontaneity and humor. I gained consciousness of this taste during my high school days and since then I appreciate and enjoy these delicacies of speech as thoroughly as people enjoy a blockbuster movie. I have the proud privilege and honor of listening to great orators, demagogues and haranguers. In Urdu, I heard Agha Shorash Kasmiri and Qazi Murid Ahmed of Sargodha. To me, accomplished speakers are uncrowned kings of their times. They leave their imprints on human minds very firm. Ghulam Ahmed Falki, two years my senior, was indeed a skillful and talented debater of Urdu and above all he was a blue eyed boy of the entire young academic staff of the college who were kind of discontented with the authoritarian and firm-disciplinarian regime of Principal Ali Khan. What made the young lecturers fascinated was a pet-sentence of Ghulam Ahmed Falki, “Jaber hukamran kay samnay kalma-e haq kehna sab say bada jihad hay” that he would always adjust in his speech and render that with a sly eye on the presiding chair where Khan Sahib was controlling the entire arena with the blink of his eye. Once I overheard a young lecturer reciting a verse of Tufail Hoshiarpuri when we had disbursed after the speech session. He was insinuating on Falki: Youn saray bizm kinakhyoun say na dakho mujh ko Baat barh jayay, to bohat dur nikal jaati hay! There was a thunderous laughter of all intellectual teachers that satisfied their core ego. Sargodha of 1960s was a classic conglomerate of dialects and accents of locals and ‘Mahajars’. A wide variety of Punjabi dialect of Sargodha district, assortment of dialects from East Punjab Managers, Gulabi Urdu of East Punjab and a few Urdu speaking were all mixed up to transform a new communication system. In the academic staff of my college, Professor Badayouni of Urdu, Professor Masood Khan of Chemistry (Deccan Hyderabad), Professor Syed Rais Ahmed of Geography (from Allahabad) and Professor Mumtaz of English were thorough- bred Urdu speaking. (I apologize if I have missed any other name). Most common medium of communication was Punjabi outside the classrooms. Punjabi debates have been distinct-recognition of Government College Sargodha. I am overly fascinated to recall some of them. Conducted at a ceremonial style and scale a Punjabi debate was held in 1963: “Vakil insaf thay vari honday nay” (Lawyers are opposed to justice). While ‘scholarly debaters of the college were propounding this thesis, Sargodha Bar Association was invited to speak against the motion. What a captivating debate it was! I feel greatly honored to write the good name of Advocate Syed Ghazanfer Shah Bukhari the then president of Sargodha Bar Association who was the leader to oppose the motion. Bukhari Sahib, a family friend of mine, had been President of Sargodha Bar for many years and as such ex-officio member of many organizations. A leading lawyer, true city-father, Bukhari Sahib lived in the Chowk of Char (4) block across Post Office, always maintained a long-size Chevrolet car and patronized youngsters out of the way. In an accident near Harsa Sheikh – Chiniot his wife, two young daughters and the age old driver died in 1964. An other eminent lawyer on this panel was Chaudhry Anwar Aziz LL.M. who later rose to distinguished positions in the politics of Pakistan. His younger brother Liaqat Aziz was my batch-mate. College debaters who had jumped over the discussion with a verse: Payda huway vakil to shaitan nay kaha Lo aaj ham bhi sahib e aulad ho gayay lost the debate when it was placed before the house for vote. Pride in mother-tongue is natural. But in our culture cultivated factors were far stronger than ‘natural’. Apparently it was imprint of 200 years long colonial legacy that reading, writing or speaking English was somehow considered far more superior than Urdu or local languages. I was a teen-ager student who was learning by observation in my college environment. Polished and sophisticated lecturers of English who were more in number were regarded ‘special’ than others. Their idiosyncrasies and styles were significantly different than others – particularly from the lecturers of Urdu and Farsi. Amongst the community of equals, the English professors were certainly more equal. Untold realities were tangibly felt about the superiority of English and those who patronized that language and culture. Infatuated with the desire of being a good debater, I solicited guidance of some of my teachers. The question of selection of language jeopardized my prime efforts. I could not be a notable debater. Another classic Punjabi date was held in 1965 under the auspices of the President of Students’ Union Nazar Hussain Bhatti. He was a distinguished Punjabi debater and leader of the house for the motion: Ma’an pian nu bala’n the shadi which hath nah’in pana chahi da (Parents should not interfere in the marriage of children). Selected parents were invited to participate in this hypothetical discussion. The debate was held in the college hall. On the big stage of the hall two guests were very prominent for they were wearing red-color gowns. They were Dr Wazir Agha and Dr. Naqvi of PAF College. My friend later on, Dr Wazir Agha is certainly a pride for the people of Sargodha. May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace. Debates and Debaters in 1961-65 Some of my cherished memories of Government College Sargodha are about fabulous debates in English, Urdu and Punjabi. I am a devout lover of good verbal communication that includes all dimensions of speech including: selection of appropriate words, tone, accent and pronunciation, rhythm, expression, pace, wit, spontaneity and humor. I gained consciousness of this taste during my high school days and since then I appreciate and enjoy these delicacies of speech as thoroughly as people enjoy a blockbuster movie. I have the proud privilege and honor of listening to great orators, demagogues and haranguers. In Urdu, I heard Agha Shorash Kasmiri and Qazi Murid Ahmed of Sargodha. To me, accomplished speakers are uncrowned kings of their times. They leave their imprints on human minds very firm. Ghulam Ahmed Falki, two years my senior, was indeed a skillful and talented debater of Urdu and above all he was a blue eyed boy of the entire young academic staff of the college who were kind of discontented with the authoritarian and firm-disciplinarian regime of Principal Ali Khan. What made the young lecturers fascinated was a pet-sentence of Ghulam Ahmed Falki, “Jaber hukamran kay samnay kalma-e haq kehna sab say bada jihad hay” that he would always adjust in his speech and render that with a sly eye on the presiding chair where Khan Sahib was controlling the entire arena with the blink of his eye. Once I overheard a young lecturer reciting a verse of Tufail Hoshiarpuri when we had disbursed after the speech session. He was insinuating on Falki: Youn saray bizm kinakhyoun say na dakho mujh ko Baat barh jayay, to bohat dur nikal jaati hay! There was a thunderous laughter of all intellectual teachers that satisfied their core ego. Sargodha of 1960s was a classic conglomerate of dialects and accents of locals and ‘Mahajars’. A wide variety of Punjabi dialect of Sargodha district, assortment of dialects from East Punjab Managers, Gulabi Urdu of East Punjab and a few Urdu speaking were all mixed up to transform a new communication system. In the academic staff of my college, Professor Badayouni of Urdu, Professor Masood Khan of Chemistry (Deccan Hyderabad), Professor Syed Rais Ahmed of Geography (from Allahabad) and Professor Mumtaz of English were thorough- bred Urdu speaking. (I apologize if I have missed any other name). Most common medium of communication was Punjabi outside the classrooms. Punjabi debates have been distinct-recognition of Government College Sargodha. I am overly fascinated to recall some of them. Conducted at a ceremonial style and scale a Punjabi debate was held in 1963: “Vakil insaf thay vari honday nay” (Lawyers are opposed to justice). While ‘scholarly debaters of the college were propounding this thesis, Sargodha Bar Association was invited to speak against the motion. What a captivating debate it was! I feel greatly honored to write the good name of Advocate Syed Ghazanfer Shah Bukhari the then president of Sargodha Bar Association who was the leader to oppose the motion. Bukhari Sahib, a family friend of mine, had been President of Sargodha Bar for many years and as such ex-officio member of many organizations. A leading lawyer, true city-father, Bukhari Sahib lived in the Chowk of Char (4) block across Post Office, always maintained a long-size Chevrolet car and patronized youngsters out of the way. In an accident near Harsa Sheikh – Chiniot his wife, two young daughters and the age old driver died in 1964. An other eminent lawyer on this panel was Chaudhry Anwar Aziz LL.M. who later rose to distinguished positions in the politics of Pakistan. His younger brother Liaqat Aziz was my batch-mate. College debaters who had jumped over the discussion with a verse: Payda huway vakil to shaitan nay kaha Lo aaj ham bhi sahib e aulad ho gayay lost the debate when it was placed before the house for vote. Pride in mother-tongue is natural. But in our culture cultivated factors were far stronger than ‘natural’. Apparently it was imprint of 200 years long colonial legacy that reading, writing or speaking English was somehow considered far more superior than Urdu or local languages. I was a teen-ager student who was learning by observation in my college environment. Polished and sophisticated lecturers of English who were more in number were regarded ‘special’ than others. Their idiosyncrasies and styles were significantly different than others – particularly from the lecturers of Urdu and Farsi. Amongst the community of equals, the English professors were certainly more equal. Untold realities were tangibly felt about the superiority of English and those who patronized that language and culture. Infatuated with the desire of being a good debater, I solicited guidance of some of my teachers. The question of selection of language jeopardized my prime efforts. I could not be a notable debater. Another classic Punjabi date was held in 1965 under the auspices of the President of Students’ Union Nazar Hussain Bhatti. He was a distinguished Punjabi debater and leader of the house for the motion: Ma’an pian nu bala’n the shadi which hath nah’in pana chahi da (Parents should not interfere in the marriage of children). Selected parents were invited to participate in this hypothetical discussion. The debate was held in the college hall. On the big stage of the hall two guests were very prominent for they were wearing red-color gowns. They were Dr Wazir Agha and Dr. Naqvi of PAF College. My friend later on, Dr Wazir Agha is certainly a pride for the people of Sargodha. May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace. Debates and Debaters in 1961-65 Some of my cherished memories of Government College Sargodha are about fabulous debates in English, Urdu and Punjabi. I am a devout lover of good verbal communication that includes all dimensions of speech including: selection of appropriate words, tone, accent and pronunciation, rhythm, expression, pace, wit, spontaneity and humor. I gained consciousness of this taste during my high school days and since then I appreciate and enjoy these delicacies of speech as thoroughly as people enjoy a blockbuster movie. I have the proud privilege and honor of listening to great orators, demagogues and haranguers. In Urdu, I heard Agha Shorash Kasmiri and Qazi Murid Ahmed of Sargodha. To me, accomplished speakers are uncrowned kings of their times. They leave their imprints on human minds very firm. Ghulam Ahmed Falki, two years my senior, was indeed a skillful and talented debater of Urdu and above all he was a blue eyed boy of the entire young academic staff of the college who were kind of discontented with the authoritarian and firm-disciplinarian regime of Principal Ali Khan. What made the young lecturers fascinated was a pet-sentence of Ghulam Ahmed Falki, “Jaber hukamran kay samnay kalma-e haq kehna sab say bada jihad hay” that he would always adjust in his speech and render that with a sly eye on the presiding chair where Khan Sahib was controlling the entire arena with the blink of his eye. Once I overheard a young lecturer reciting a verse of Tufail Hoshiarpuri when we had disbursed after the speech session. He was insinuating on Falki: Youn saray bizm kinakhyoun say na dakho mujh ko Baat barh jayay, to bohat dur nikal jaati hay! There was a thunderous laughter of all intellectual teachers that satisfied their core ego. Sargodha of 1960s was a classic conglomerate of dialects and accents of locals and ‘Mahajars’. A wide variety of Punjabi dialect of Sargodha district, assortment of dialects from East Punjab Managers, Gulabi Urdu of East Punjab and a few Urdu speaking were all mixed up to transform a new communication system. In the academic staff of my college, Professor Badayouni of Urdu, Professor Masood Khan of Chemistry (Deccan Hyderabad), Professor Syed Rais Ahmed of Geography (from Allahabad) and Professor Mumtaz of English were thorough- bred Urdu speaking. (I apologize if I have missed any other name). Most common medium of communication was Punjabi outside the classrooms. Punjabi debates have been distinct-recognition of Government College Sargodha. I am overly fascinated to recall some of them. Conducted at a ceremonial style and scale a Punjabi debate was held in 1963: “Vakil insaf thay vari honday nay” (Lawyers are opposed to justice). While ‘scholarly debaters of the college were propounding this thesis, Sargodha Bar Association was invited to speak against the motion. What a captivating debate it was! I feel greatly honored to write the good name of Advocate Syed Ghazanfer Shah Bukhari the then president of Sargodha Bar Association who was the leader to oppose the motion. Bukhari Sahib, a family friend of mine, had been President of Sargodha Bar for many years and as such ex-officio member of many organizations. A leading lawyer, true city-father, Bukhari Sahib lived in the Chowk of Char (4) block across Post Office, always maintained a long-size Chevrolet car and patronized youngsters out of the way. In an accident near Harsa Sheikh – Chiniot his wife, two young daughters and the age old driver died in 1964. An other eminent lawyer on this panel was Chaudhry Anwar Aziz LL.M. who later rose to distinguished positions in the politics of Pakistan. His younger brother Liaqat Aziz was my batch-mate. College debaters who had jumped over the discussion with a verse: Payda huway vakil to shaitan nay kaha Lo aaj ham bhi sahib e aulad ho gayay lost the debate when it was placed before the house for vote. Pride in mother-tongue is natural. But in our culture cultivated factors were far stronger than ‘natural’. Apparently it was imprint of 200 years long colonial legacy that reading, writing or speaking English was somehow considered far more superior than Urdu or local languages. I was a teen-ager student who was learning by observation in my college environment. Polished and sophisticated lecturers of English who were more in number were regarded ‘special’ than others. Their idiosyncrasies and styles were significantly different than others – particularly from the lecturers of Urdu and Farsi. Amongst the community of equals, the English professors were certainly more equal. Untold realities were tangibly felt about the superiority of English and those who patronized that language and culture. Infatuated with the desire of being a good debater, I solicited guidance of some of my teachers. The question of selection of language jeopardized my prime efforts. I could not be a notable debater. Another classic Punjabi date was held in 1965 under the auspices of the President of Students’ Union Nazar Hussain Bhatti. He was a distinguished Punjabi debater and leader of the house for the motion: Ma’an pian nu bala’n the shadi which hath nah’in pana chahi da (Parents should not interfere in the marriage of children). Selected parents were invited to participate in this hypothetical discussion. The debate was held in the college hall. On the big stage of the hall two guests were very prominent for they were wearing red-color gowns. They were Dr Wazir Agha and Dr. Naqvi of PAF College. My friend later on, Dr Wazir Agha is certainly a pride for the people of Sargodha. May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Mar 2014 13:09:16 +0000
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