Pakistan's 60th Independence Anniversary 2008
Saturday 11th October 2008 - Celebration Dinner & Cultural Evening - Kelvin Gallery, Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow
Monday 13th October 2008 - Lecture by Mrs Yasmeen Lari - Gannochy Lecture Theatre, Wolfson Medical School Building, University of Glasgow.
Funded by - Awards for All and other sponsors.
The Guest of Honour was HE the High Commissioner for Pakistan to the United Kingdom, Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan (left hand picture), with the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, Sir Muir Russell as the Chief Guest (right hand picture).
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A Souvenir Booklet was published on the occasion and copies were given to all the dinner guests.
There were 120 invited guests, including His Excellency the High Commissioner for Pakistan to the United Kingdom, Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow Sir Muir Russell and Lady Eileen Russell, the Minister and Consul General for Pakistan to Scotland, Mr Shah M. Jamal, and Mr Bashir Ahmad, MSP.
Corporate tables were sponsored by members of the Scottish-Pakistani Business community (Trespass, Suleman Group, United Wholesale Grocers, Habib Back AG Zurich) and by Scottish Universities (Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow, University of Stirling, University of the West of Scotland). This sponsorship makes an important statement about the desire by the business and academic communities in Scotland to develop new initiatives between Scottish and Pakistani communities within Scotland and between Scotland and Pakistan.
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Speeches were given by the Chair of SPA Dr Azra Meadows (left hand picture), the Principal and Vice Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, Sir Muir Russell, the High Commissioner for Pakistan, Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan, and by the invited guest speaker from Pakistan, Mrs Yasmeen Lari (right hand picture, right hand side).
Yasmeen Lari is a highly respected architect, and Chair and Chief Executive of Heritage Foundation, now working with the earthquake affected communities in NWFP, Pakistan. The speeches at the dinner reflected the historical links of the two nations. They also stressed the need for promoting relations between the Scottish and Pakistani communities and for encouraging educational, business and cultural ties. There was emphasis on exchange programmes between students and staff of academic institutions of the two countries. In particular the event provided a platform for the younger members of the community both resident in Scotland and those studying here from Pakistan to interact and form an integral part of the event. The evening offered the younger group the opportunity to connect with and beyond their own groups. This was a unique occasion for forming associations and partnerships. It also provided an excellent opportunity for younger members to join the Scottish Pakistani Association, and offered a healthy dialogue between people from diverse backgrounds and age groups. There was a poster display of the post-earthquake development work being undertaken by Yasmeen Lari and her group.
The cultural events at the evening consisted of Scottish and South Asian dance and music. The music group 'Midgie Rakers' (Craig Daly, Kate Griffiths, Alistair Kirk, Liz Masden, above) played popular Scottish and Celtic tunes during the reception before the dinner. At the dinner, girls from the Sutherland School of Dance performed a variety of Scottish Highland Dances under the supervision of their tutor Ms Betty Sutherland. This was followed by classical South Asian dances that were performed by Miss Sivaranjiha Sivapatham of the Scottish Academy of Asian Arts.
Constables Gordon Shaw and Alasdair Murray, pipers of the Strathclyde Police Pipe Band, piped the High Commissioner for Pakistan and other guests into the University. They also piped in the top table guests before the dinner. The cross-cultural entertainment was greatly enjoyed by both the Scottish and the Pakistani communities attending the evening, especially in terms of broadening the understanding of Scottish culture by students from Pakistan who are new to Scotland, and vice versa.
Acknowledgements: The Scottish Pakistani Association is most grateful for the 'Awards for All' funding, and to its business sponsors Trespass, Suleman Group, United Wholesale Group, Habib Bank AG Zurich, and to Scottish Universities - Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Glasgow, University of Stirling, University of the West of Scotland and supporters who made these events and outputs possible and a success.
Lecture by Mrs Yasmeen Lari (Sitara-i-Imtiaz) Yasmeen Lari, Chair and Chief Executive of the Heritage Foundation, Pakistan will speak on the subject of "Heritage for Rehabilitation and Development: Women's traditional bead craft helps transform lives in post-earthquake hamlets of the Siran Valley, Pakistan".
The lecture took place on Monday 13th October at 5.30 pm in the Gannochy seminar room of the Wolfson Medical School building, and was jointly organised by the University of Glasgow's "Glasgow Centre for International Development" and the Scottish Pakistani Association.
See website for lecture summary - please click on this link