Slightly revised version of what was originally posted to the Dr Sarwar blog earlier – more photos at this web album:
Rahat Kazmi introducing speakers - photo by Aliya Nisar
What an amazing response to ‘Looking Back to Look Forward – Celebrating the 1953 Student Movement’. (‘…we look back not to revel in nostalgia, WE LOOK BACK TO LOOK FORWARD,’ said veteran journalist Eric Rahim in an email while we were conceptualising the event).
We didn’t think we’d be able to fill the 1000-seater hall. Everyone said “be happy if 500 people turn up”. The hall was FULL, thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers and participants – students and youngsters from Sindh Awami Sangat (huge team of volunteers and a crowded bus-load of participants), Szabist University, Ziauddin Medical College, PECHS Girls’ School (thanks to Seema Malik, 150 students who formed the heart of the audience and kept up the tempo with their youthful energy), and other groups.
Naushaba Zuberi slams the A.T.Naqvi Tower and demands one for the Jan 1953 martyrs. Photo by Sakhawat Ali
View of the audience with PECHS Girls School students - photo Aliya Nisar
“It’s not just the event, it’s the timing of the event that’s important,” said Hiba Ali Raza, one of the student volunteers. “At a time when things look so bleak, and people are so depressed, this was very significant”.
Many had come expecting the usual 200-300 crowd of old lefties with a sprinkling of the young ones. Instead, we had a hall full of young people, boys and girls, students and young professionals who listened attentively to the speakers – Continue reading →
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Filed under: Progressive politics | Tagged: 1950s student movement, Ali Cheema, Alia Amirali, Amar Sindhu, Dr Adib Rizvi, DSF, Fehmida Riaz, I.A. Rehman, NSF, PECHS Girls' School, PMC, Rahat Kazmi, Seema Q Jaffar, Shabnam Abdullah, Sharjil Baloch, Sindh Awami Sangat, SIUT, Szabist University, Tina Sani, Varda Nisar, Ziauddin Medical College | Leave a comment »
Prof. Badri Raina <badri.raina@gmail.com> sent this heartfelt tribute to Jyoti Basu, the veteran Communist leader of West Bengal, on the night of Jan 17 – which is how I learnt of Basu’s demise. Over to Badri Raina: “a humble tribute with a heavy heart”
Journeys to democracy 