On Sunday, September 26, Urdu Foundation of North America--I have to find out how and when Urdu Academy of North America changed its name to Urdu Foundation--held a mushaira at the Chandni Restaurant in Newark. Prominent Bay Area poet Tashi Zaheer's book, Sham ki Aahat, was released at the event.

Famous Pakistani pop singer Alamgir gave the last performance of the fundraiser gala.

Strung through a series of image slides, Greg Mortenson, best selling author of 'Three Cups of Tea', narrated his life story and explained how he got involved with philanthropic work in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It was a speech he has been given before, multiple times--his childhood in East Africa; his father believing in handing over the administration of a hospital to the local people--and finally the wish coming through; his sister's untimely death; Mortenson taking his sister's necklace to Pakistan to climb K-2 and put the necklace on the summit; Mortenson not able to summit the peak--here he stops and asks if anyone in the audience remembers the title of the first chapter of 'Three Cups of Tea', one or two people raise their hands, Mortenson asks them what is that title, they yell 'Failure', Mortenson acknowledges the answer to be correct, and then tells the audience how his publisher thought a book should never start with a chapter titled 'Failure', everybody laughs and loves the guy even more; Mortenson returning back from K-2, dejected; Mortenson ending up in a village where Haji Ali is the Chief of village [the use of word 'Chief' makes you wonder if Mortenson is mixing Pakistan with Africa]; Haji Ali looks at Mortenson, who has not taken a shower in 72 days--you wonder why?--and says in Balti, 'What the heck!'; Mortenson recuperates in Haji Ali's village and one day sees boys using sticks as pens to write on the ground, Mortenson promises to them he would build a school for them; Haji Ali's wife dies; Haji Ali points to the grave of his deceased wife and tells Mortenson he (Haji Ali) too would be in the ground soon; much later Mortenson returns back to the village to find out Haji Ali is indeed dead; Mortenson visits Haji Ali's grave and remembers what Haji Ali told him--Haji Ali had asked Mortenson --in the very profound and cryptic manner old wise men are supposed to speak--to 'listen to the wind'; Mortenson listens to the wind and hears children reading their lessons; etc. etc.

Hollywood actress Helen Hunt also spoke at the Central Asia Institute fundraiser gala.

At the Mortenson fundraiser Todd Shea of Shine Humanity talked about the flood relief efforts of his non-profit organization.

On Saturday, September 25, over one thousand people gathered at the Santa Clara Convention Center to listen to Greg Mortenson, author of 'Three Cups of Tea' and 'Stones into Schools'.

Waiting for a reincarnation of Kipling's Kim? The wait is over. Kim has grown up and is now called Noor Mohammad Khan, or Noor Khan in short. From Silverman of unknown faith to Noor Khan, a converted Muslim, this man has gone through an unbelievable transition. Read his book, 'Some Time On the Frontier... A Pakistan Journal', to appreciate why honest writing makes good reading.

When it comes to the field of education in Pakistan Samir Hoodbhoy is a tall figure. He has provided valuable intellectual capital towards the building of BCCI FAST, the Usman Institute of Technology, and the Hamdard Institute of Information Technology. It is my understanding that in the 90s and beyond for many NEDians Samir Hoodbhoy's company Data Communication & Control (Private) Limited provided the stepping stone to a career in Electronics.
Samir Hoodbhoy was an OPEN (Organization of Pakistani Entrepreneurs and professionals) guest speaker on Thursday, September 23. Whereas, unfortunately, many of us wait too long to appreciate the work of a hero it was heartening to see around eighty people show up on a weekday to listen to Samir Hoodbhoy.