Posts
All Comments
As chief guest on the occasion of the Opening Ceremony of the Askai Bank Khayaban – e – Bukhari branch in D.H.A Karachi….
A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER
Brig ® Mohammad Alimuddin, T.I, (1917 -
December each year brings nostalgic reminisces about the melancholic and emotionally charged events which took place towards the end of this month about 10 years ago on this day in the year 2001.
28th December 2011 will be 10th death Anniversary of my Father Brig ® M. Alimuddin, who’s presence and guidance has been missed by me from day to day and from time to time and the vacuum thus created can never be filled.
More than a decade has passed and time has not been able to heal my wounds nor have his pleasant and emotional memories faded or even become dim from my memories.
As every day passes I miss him more and more and find the bond between Father and Son become even stronger which even death can not weaken.
Why is it that such nice relationships and comradeship has to be annulled by the irony of fate that is DEATH, and death is a reality which no one can deny or escape, We all have to embrace it sooner or later.
In order to pass on the Rich Legacy and traditions left by him I on my humble behalf have tried to keep the beacon of light lit for future generations to come. We have started a trust in his name RAZA CHARITY TRUST in which we give Rations during the month of RAMZAN and help the needy and poor people from time to time on monthly basis.
All friends and well wishers are requested to join me in my humanitarian and philanthropic cause to help the needy and poor.
As usual we have arranged FATIYA KHAWANI in the JAMIA ISLAMIA MOSQUE followed by distribution of food to the needy.
All friends and well wishers are requested to join me in a humble prayer for the departed soul.
GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU,
Dr. Babur Zahiruddin
CHURCHILL PICQUET
And at the same time milestone also shows chitral 229 miles away. As we leave the Motorway the road becomes Narrow and we are met with typical frontier traffic slow and impatient, as if everyone is in a hurry and the world is on fire.
We pass the Punjab Regimental Centre the home of the training of famous Punjab Battalions of Pakistan Army and go pass Takht Bai one of the oldest Buddhist Monastery and Stupa are located here. SHINGARDARA STUPA about three kilometers from Barikot, one gets a glance of a magnificent Buddhist Stupa on the right side. Just about one and a half km away from this Stupa, one can see large figures of Buddha carved on the rock.
Our journey then takes us to Shergah and we enter in to Malakand agency to Sakhakot. We pass Malakand agency markaz and started climbing the incline. It is a very good road made by Frontier Works Organization (F.W.O), a tribute to the Army Engineers. We pass through the Malakand Tunnel and the mobile services work very well in the hilly areas. We reach Batkhela (home of Malakand levies) and go pass the Malakand fort.
The Malakand Fort is situated on a
In 1897 Sir, Winston Churchill as a War correspondent stayed in one of the rooms in the Malakand fort which I visited courtesy of the 37 division headquarters of the Pakistan Army. The room where Churchill stayed is marked by a marble commemorative plaque which says Sir Winston Churchill the future prime minister of Great Briton stayed in this room in 1897.
I specially requested to see this room and had to pass through many ups and downs of steep stair cases and ascent to reach the room where Sir Winston Churchill stayed.
This fort needs a full day visit but these days it is occupied by one of the battalions of the Pakistan Army a part of 37 divisions which has now moved for Operation RAHE-RAST in the Swat valley.
We then start our descent down hill to Pirano pass
As you reach Batkhela a small sleepy town where main bazaar is more than 2 kilometers long, there are no intersections (junctions) so no traffic lights. Therefore it is the longest bazaar in the country that has no traffic lights or junctions.
Batkhela has many beautiful and big mosques. Some of them are located over fast flowing rivers which increases the beauty of these mosques.
This beautiful valley is covered by tall hills from all sides and there are many fast flowing rivers which are a contribution to its wonderful landscape. One water canal that pours into a small dam in Jaban area is the main source of electricity production.
As you go pass the Chakdara bifurcation the road on the left curves over the
This watch tower (Churchill Picket) in Swat
Just across the bridge on the left side is a well marked incline walk way which is further highlighted by white wash stone markings on either side of the path.
It is quite a steep incline and novices and people with hypertension and arthritis should not try to attempt to climb this path in one go.
For the fit and regular walkers it is about 25 – 30 minutes climb to the top of the hill on which is perched the Churchill picket.
It is a well maintained monumental building which is made of stone with an elevation of about 2 ½ stories high.
At the present moment the entry to the picket is not allowed because of the security purpose for which permission has to be taken from the Army Authorities.
On the front side on the picket there are white neat stone markings, which say CHURCHILL PICKET and can be viewed from a distance across the swat river and beyond.
Sir, Winston Churchill came here in 1897, as a war correspondent for the Allahabad Pioneer and Daily Telegraph. He used to signal his messages from this spot to Malakand and onwards by Heliograph. A heliograph meaning "sun", graphein, meaning "write") is a wireless solar telegraph that signals using Morse code flashes of sunlight reflected by a mirror. Heliographs were standard issue in the British and Australian armies until the 1960s, and were used by the Pakistani army as late as 1975.
That is why the picket is also known as "Shisho Picket" (Shisha for Mirror in local language). The present picket was constructed by the British and commands the area around it like a sentry guarding a vantage point which covers 45 degree’s angle of visual eye ball contact on each side.
The picket is set a top a hill in such a way that it over looks 4 valleys at the same time.
On the front is the Swat river on the right is the Malakand agency on the back is the road leading to Timar Garaha on the left side is the Chakdara fort.
The Chakdarra Fort occupies a small detached hillock that provides observation of the surrounding areas on the backside of which is small fishing hut which is a paradise for trout anglers.
So next time when you are visiting Swat Valley for Holidays, please find time to make a small detour to visit Churchill Picket and enrich yourself with the first hand knowledge of our rich cultural heritage.
DR. BABUR ZAHIRUDDIN
RAZA CHARITY TRUST
It was some times back in the fall of 2002, I was very withdrawn melancholic depressed and introvert after the loss of my Parents in 2001 with in short span of three months that the phasic depression engulfed me.
I did not find any respite in any of my pursuits like sports, outdoor activities and interaction with friends….. I thought that this was the end.
Then came the Holy month of RAMZAN in 2002 and it was a month of fasting and sharing other people joys and sorrow that the idea dawned on me that happiness lies most in giving to the needy and poor. To help the destitute and those who are under privileged.
With this small idea in mind like the flickering oil lamp (DIWA) as narrated by RABINDAR NATH TAGORE the first noble laureate of South East Asia in his poem GEETANGALI that one small candle lights anther candle.
I started my humble philanthropic and altruist beginning in the form of a Charitable Trust dedicated to the memory of my late Father Brig ® Mohamamd Alimuddin T.I.,
Initially it was a very modest and miniscule endeavor but with the passage of time and because of help and encouragement of my family members and friends that we have matured into a Well organized Charitable Institution by the Name of RAZA CHARITY TRUST.
Since 2002 we have given RATIONS and donations to more than 6000 people and have helped the needy and poor people to overcome their financial problems in the shape of School fees, Utility bills and Marriage of Daughters of widows and less fortunate people.
This year because of inflation and price hike I feared that I will not be able to come up to the expectations of the people registered with me but GOD works in strange and mysterious ways.
By the grace of GOD almighty and with help and donations from my sons, wife and friends the response has been over whelming.
This year again we distributed RATIONS on the 18th 19th 20th and
Also we have arranged AFTARI in the JAMIA ISLAMIA,
This information along with photographs is being sent to you to show gratitude and thanks to all my friends, family members and well wishers who have been a source of inspiration and encouragement for me and have helped me with their generous donations.
Please watch our appeal on u-tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnrYDcd_-jI
I look forward to greater response and cooperation next year in RAMZAN.
Thank you my friends May God Bless you
Dr. Babur Zahiruddin
An Appeal to all Humanitarian and philanthropic organizations, individuals and volunteers to come forward and help us in this noble cause...
No doubt there are many charities and trusts who are already working in this sector but RAZA CHARITY TRUST is a down to earth hands on organization in which no honorarium is paid to any trustee / Volunteer for his input... and efforts.
As said by Rabindar Nath Tagore the first Nobel laureate of
Let the flame of hope be kept alive by your generous donations and contributions....
So that the poor and needy people are able to celebrate their RAMZAN / EID with no tears in their eyes.
All your contributions will be much appreciated.
Dr. Babur Zahiruddin
0092-51-5584905, 0092-332-4444456
