Gossips © Burhan Rasool

I came down from stairs, late as usual, screaming for the breakfast and shouting at someone to check the mobil oil and radiator for me. While asking my mom, “Where is my brush? Where is the newspaper?”, I noticed walking past someone I should have known.

I kept on looking for the newspaper and then Shahid said, “bhai Nasir aya hua hai” (Nasir is here) . I was like: What!

I looked back and saw Nasir. He was a young boy when he started working at our home away from his home. He was a year younger to me. We used to play a lot of cricket together & had a lot of fights with each other. And now he had returned back after 10 years to meet us all. I had heard he was doing some job somewhere and had 3 kids. It was a very pleasant feeling.

But I was in a hurry. Just had a quick hello-hi with him during the breakfast and off I went to the office.

A week ago, I was informed that Nasir has had an accident and half of his body has been paralysed. I was shocked. I thought of his kids and his plans for the future.

Today, when I came back from office, i was informed that Nasir has died.

Its been 3 years now since I graduated from FAST-NU. Few weeks back, the Alumni Association approved a small amount of money for a student. After that, the accounts office made that kid move from one door to another, time and again. I got infuriated, went straight to the Senior Accounts Manager, exchanged some harsh words with him and the kid’s problem got solved. I thought one of the things that the administration of FAST-NU ”must” look into, is their Public Relationship priorities. 

During our recent Alumni meeting with Rector and Registrar of the University on Saturday, July 12, 2008, both of them mentioned receiving a letter every year from their Alma Mater, mentioning its progress over the past years and requesting them to contribute (back) to the University, whatever they can. 

Later, while talking to the Registrar I moved the discussion towards importance of Relationship Building and how it all starts when we are Students at the University. I mentioned receiving a letter of appreciation from the Pro-Rector of the University, a couple of years after graduation, for the Yearbook of our batch and that it was really encouraging. Then again, how many letters have FAST-NU sent to its Alumni over the past many years, showing a sense of belongingness & association.

But then, speaking of letters; for the Convocation of Lahore Campus on March 08, 2008, the Director of Lahore Campus asked me to send in the names & addresses of active members of the Alumni Association and some important CEOs of the software Industry, so that formal invitation could be sent to them. It was one of those shockingly amazing moments for me, when you get something you were least expecting. Apart from the President & Vice-President of P@SHA, 30 Alumni of Lahore campus were sent invitations at their postal addresses. A meeting of P@SHA & Alumni Association with Rector, Dean and Computer Science faculty just after the Convocation was announced.

But then, coming back to the letter from the Pro-Rector, which was really motivating and elevating. Here is the text as printed on the offical cover letter of FAST-NU:

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Dear Mr. Burhan Rasool,
(Asslamo Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh)

I thank you for sending a copy of MMI (Year 2001 in Roman Numerals?) year book. I must say that it is unique in style and contents and covers many aspects of personal and academic life of the Members of Batch 2001. It really represents ‘Sacred Scriptures’, as far as you are concerned.

I heartily congratulate your talented team, even though I don’t see a single female face in the editorial/compilers team. Discrimination?!!

I have seen the matrimonial pages. I believe that both bride and groom are from the National University. Even if that is not the case, please convey to them on my behalf my best wishes for a long and happy married life.

You are leaving behind a huge challenge for the Batches who follow you. Well done.

With warm regards.

Yours sincerely,

(Syed Refaqat)