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Dr .Akhter Hameed Khan:
True Gandhian of the poor yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Addressed by Keynote Speaker K. Raju (Andhra Pradesh - India)
Distinguished Guests!
I
am deeply honoured by the invitation from Dr Akhter Hammed Khan
Resource Centre, Rural Support Program Network and Council of Social
Science Pakistan to deliver Dr. Akhter Hameed Khan's Memorial
lecture. Dr Akhter Hameed khan lived his life for others. Those who
live only for others, live for ever. Dr Hameed khan who believed
that caring and sharing is critical for the growth of any society is
indeed immortal and he lives for ever. I accepted the invitation
with abundance of delight and some trepidation. I am always
delighted with any opportunity to visit Pakistan and meet friends.
Trepidation, I suppose is natural, especially when one attempts to
speak about a legendry person like Dr. Hameed Khan, who was guru to
my guru Mr. Shoaib Sultan Khan. What I attempt to share this morning
is a very humble tribute to a great soul.
Dr. Hameed Khan's life and legacy
have been of abiding interest to me and it makes me regret more
and more that I could not see him in flesh and blood. During the
last one decade, each time I realise the wisdom in recognizing
the resourcefulness, intelligence and creativity of the poor,
with whom I have been working closely, I repeatedly felt
connected with Dr Hameed Khan. From Shoaib Saab, I learnt about
Dr Hameed Khan's life and lessons in Rural Development.
I am overwhelmed at the range of
his intellectual interests, his social commitments, his
scholarly pursuits, and his passion for true development of the
poor. Dr. Hameed Khan's principled ways of living, his
generosity and humbleness, his work and words always inspired
me. My desire to meet him never materialized. However, over the
years I remained a staunch admirer of his ideas and work, as
some one practicing them on a daily basis for more than a
decade.
Dr Hameed Khan deeply influenced
the development discourse not only in this country but in
several others, including my own country, India. His work of
finding long term solutions to complex socio-economic problems
afflicting the poor and the underprivileged is truly inspiring.
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