Hello. I read your piece about Gordon College with great interest. My wife and I were there for the academic years 1958-61. I taught physics; it was my first teaching experience. Dr. Stewart was indeed greatly appreciated by students and faculty alike.

Memory, of course, is a porous flask, but my recollection of those three years was that R.R., as Dr. Stewart was known, had already let go of his duties as principal, and spent all of his time teaching and collecting flora. My recollection is that the principal was a Pakistani Christian named M.A.Q. Daskawie.

It also was good to hear news of Professor Kwaja Masud. He taught mathematics, and as nearly as I could tell, was at least the second most admired professor in the College–by the students at any rate. The faculty, or perhaps I should say the missionary faculty, admired his great intelligence but whispered behind his back about his politics. I won’t go into that here.

The side of the grapevine that Robbie (my wife) and I have heard is that the Presbyterians are actively trying to regain control of Gordon College, but that the Government has been slow in handing it back–much different than the experience of Forman College in Lahore, which was handed back to the Presbyterians several years ago.

I love the Twain quote at this site. I was 24 when Robbie and I went for our three year stint in Pindi. Those years remain the most important part of my education. I went there as a naive, apolitical kid. I returned to the US in 1961 a “politicized” adult. The culture shock has never left me, and I hope it never does.

Thanks for sharing your visit.

Julian Crowell

My husband held forth above.

My connections with the R.R.Stewart family go back further. My parents were also missionaries in Pakistan - in Sialkot. In addition to knowing R.R. at Gordon College, I remember meeting his first wife (was her name Belle, maybe?) when I was a highschool student. When we were at Gordon College, R.R. was married to his second wife, Hladia Porter Stewart; she had been head of Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore, and was also from a mission family - one of the very early United Presbyterian missionaries there. One of the buildings at Gordon was named for her father.

I accidently happened on this website. My grandfather, Herbert Robinson Morton, taught at the Gordon Mission College in the early 1900s. He came back to America around 1909, I believe, and fell ill and died soonafter. My father, Robin Morton, was born there.

I recall Dr. Stewart, though by the time I joined the college Prof. V.K. Mall had taken over as Principal. Prof. Khawaja Masud took over later.

Gordon College was a wonderful place, imfused with a sense of purpose and intellectual curiosity. We had a great tradition of debating and sports and the annual Barr-Minerva Debates in English and Urdu (one in late Winter and the other in the Fall)were recongized city-wide events. I was Editor of The Gordonian and founder Editor of Literaria, which first puboished a short story by my friend Salman Rushdie in 1966 and an article by Bertrand Russell.

We should encourage the government to give the school back to its original founders so it can become an elite center of higher learning.

It certainly helped me build the foundation for my career in journalism in Pakistan and the US, and then in international civil service at the WHO, IMF and World Bank and the IAEA.

I would be delighted to connect with Dr. Stewart’s family and other Gordonians in the United States, where I now live.

Shuja Nawaz
BA English Literature and Economics,
Gordon College, 1964-68

It was delightful to read this article and especially see a picture od Prof. Khwaja Masud after all these years! I was at GC in 1969-71 and live in North Carolina USA now. Believe it or not there are more than one Gordonians here in NC!

Anyway if there is an alumni or Old Boys/Girls association of Gordon College or a web site I would love to know about it.

Ahsen (Mike) Salim

hello…i am the grand-daughter of a Gordonian who is currently around 87 years.. I am 14 years old and i live in Mumbai,India…I would like to know if there is an alumni of Gordon college or a web site…

That would be a great gift for my grandfather..
Thank you..
Sasha

It is wonderful to hear about Dr. Stewart. I had always seen pictures but now I know better. I was in Gordon College (1964-67). Wonderful to see Prof Khwaja Masud’s picture. The description of the Quran, Marx, Angel and Budha on the same shelf are very representative of Prof Khwaja Masud. He studied and reapected all thoughts. His Maths class used to be the first one (7:30 am ?)and invariably he would have the Pakistan Times in his hand and would have a comment and discussion on the major event of the day. He tought us life and connected it with our academics. That has proven very useful to me. There must be a connection of academics with reality and practicality. Most other teachers miss out on this. I miss Gordon College. Now I am at Boeing and selling airplanes - specially the latest one; 787 Dreamliner!

I don’t know if there is a Gordon College web site but why not start a web tree?

Write to me at Shuja@cox.net

Shuja Nawaz
Alexandria VA
USA

hi i m the student of gordon college.i m in first year .i like u all the old students of gordon college.i like gordon college very much.gordon college is a place where u can get every thing in your life .i proud to be a GORDONIAN .well it is great experience to read in gordon college.PROF salim is the best principle of this college . WELL I LIVE IN PAKISTAN.AND I PROUD TO BE A THAT I M IN THAT COLLEGE WHERE U ALL THE OLD STUDENTS PASSED THIER TIMES OF LIVES THERE.BYE GOD BLESS U ALL .ALLAH HAFIZZ

I am thrilled to have read such wonderful comments about Dr. R.R. Stewart for these have brought all the memories back. If there is someone who deserves to have a statue, it’s Dr. R.R. Stewart. I am a graduate of Gordon College, Rawalpindi. The principal in 1962 was Dr. M.A.Q. Daskawie who also taught drama. I clearly remember Prof. Mall who taught English Literature. My love for poetry is indebted to Prof.Mall. I came to the U.S. in 1968, and after receiving double masters degrees, started teaching in 1970 at Vestavia Hills High School, Birmingham, Alabama,U.S.A. I retired in May,2005. Now, guess where I went after having taught for 35 years: RIGHT - I went to Pakistan to visit my college, THE GORDON COLLEGE. I just came back after spending two and a half months. I visited Gordon College, walked all over the places, took lots of pictures. If you think I have forgotten any of the professors, and other staff, you are wrong.
In our living room (drawing room) hangs a large framed photo of debate memories. In the photo are the members of the Students’ Literary Union, Gordon College, Rawalpindi - Participants in All Pakistan Inter-Collegiate Debates 1959-60.
The debating society members with Dr. M.A.Q.Daskawie (Principal)and Dr.J.B. Cummings (Senior Hor. President); Shaukat Hameed Khan, Nawab Ahmed, Anwar Malik, Muzaffar I. Sheikh, Rifat Javed, Mian Nazir Akhat, Syyed Jamshaid Raza, Basir Qureshi, Raja Iqbal, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Pervez Samuel Dean and Zafar Javed.
Thanks to all the faculty members and staff for making such a great contribution in our lives.
Sincerely,
Muzaffar I. Sheikh
muzisheikh@charter.net
U.S.A

I was a student in this college from 1983 to 1985. this was the time of mr. Aziz Mehmood Zaidi as a principal and i think thta it was a great time in this college`s recent history . i will always remember him. he alongwith his entire family died in a car crash near kharian . i have double pride, first as a gordonian and second it was the time of late Mr. Zaidi thanks and regards for all readers

Aslam O Alikum Every body
i have been there in Gordon College for my graduation. These were the best days i cant forget in my life, all the frinds, teahers, environment, annual sports wee, tutorial periods and lot much more.

I was a student of Gordon College 1962 till 1965, and believe me those were the best days of my life! I am now 62 years of age, and still cry like a baby when I miss my fellow Gordonians!
Mr.Mall was the principal those days. I remember our Historian Mr.Nasrullah Malik, In Psychology was Mr.Daniel Bakhsh. (His son was my Class fellow and good friend.) Mr.Shameem who taught us dramatics, and I was in Minerva Club.
My best friend as well as my mentor in education was Javaid Zafar son of the famous poet Yusuf Zafar! Many of you must surely remember Vidya Gopal!
Ejaz was our College news person and he was very good!
Najma was elder and my senior there. When i was just in my 1st.year, she was I think in M.A.
I used to call her “Deedee”. I remember her mother was a lady doctor.
Mansoor Irfani was an Iranian student and a good friend. How can anyone forget Abid Majeed!
There is so much more I remember and even now while I write, I miss you all! Please, please, please! If anyone remembers me, please write to me. My email addy is novel@gotiger.com
Where am I now? I am in Canada!

but i think professor sadiq malik is best professor of gordon college .college is nothing without him

I was a premed student at Gordon College, Rawalpindi from 1961 to 1964.I used to travel daily covering a distance of 21 miles on a one lane road passing through the awesome Margalla Hills pass from Wah Cantt.Those were the best days of my student life.Every day I used to wake up by the whistle of the Khyber Mail passing through Taxila carrying her passengers from Karachi to Peshawar.I used to look forward with vigor and passion to work in the chemistry lab and then to attend chemitry lectuure taught by Professor Azhar. Our Physics professor was Munnawar Shafqat who was an excellant teacher who always encircled the physics formulas.He made physics easy for us premed students.Our Biology teacher was Hassamudin, I still remember his plant and animal life teachings,he always encouraged me to work hard,I am thankful for his support.Professor Shamim taught us English and our Urdu teacher was Mr Cheema who taught us easy Urdu,as Urdu became a compulsory subject for science students that year.Physics lab was always scary because of the chief lab instructer, who was called Nana Jan, who ran a very tight ship and rarely smiled in the lab.Beside being an excellant site for science education ,Gordon College also excelled in liberal arts and debate,I remember the name of Raja Bashir who was a very good speaker.Rahat Kazmi,Jamshaid Gulzar,Jane Najmuddin,Lilly Najmuddin are some of the names I remember from those days.The kindest and the most accomplished Botanist was Professor Nasir,another Professor I remember was Dr Robert Tebbe who was an excellant Organic Chemistry teacher.I am currently providing medical care to tiny and fragile preterm infants in the state of Texas.I owe a lot for this privilege to my Alma mater Gordon College Rawalpindi.I will be very happy to hear from any premed students of the early sixties from Gordon College.I will be much delighted.My best friends were Zafar Ali Syed,Khalid Masood and Khalid Mahmood.I will also like to hear from Lily Najmuddin,Asifa Murtaza(who I hear is a Pediatrician),Shanaz Siddiqui and her brother Sohail Siddiqui.God Bless you all and I thank you all for creating these fond memories for me to hang and anchor on.God Bless you all,who also hold memories of our place of fine learnig.Best regards, looking forward to hear from any one of you.Mubariz Naqvi

I was a student of Gordon College Rawalpidi Remember me?

Although I never studied at Gordon College myself, my father and most of my uncles went their for their education.

My father, now in his mid-70s, fondly remember his days at the Gordon College. During his times, Gordon College used to be one of the top educational institution of Pakistan with many world renowned scholars like Professor Toynbee delivering lectures.

It’s about time that the College should have a website of its own.

It was really great to come across this blog. A couple of years ago I had tried (unsuccessfully) to locate anything on the web about Gordon College. I had thought about stopping by at the college on my next visist to Rawalpindi and asking about any Alumni (Old Boys) Association.

Like the rest of you, I have great memories of Gordon College. I attended the college from 1962 - 1964. I was pre-med student. I live in Texas now but still have family that I visit in Rawalpindi every so often.

This was indeed a surprise, to hear from you Mubariz.
Yes I remember you very well.
I had answered to your name a couple of times as proxy, and nearly got caught by Prof Munawar Shafquat.
I am thrilled to read of so many names that I have known.
I did attend Dr. Stewart’s wedding on the grounds of Kinnard college, to Hiladia Porter, I remember the wedding cake was a carrot cake.

After finishing my high school from Dennys High, I completed (1951-1954) my B.Sc from Gordon College, where I had the privilege of meeting Dr
R.R. Stewert who was Principle there . I also had
the honor of being his student along with others whowere a part of his wonderful team namely J.B.Comings, Musud khawaja, A.Q. Daskawai, R.K. Mall and Professor Toynbee who were all some of
my teachers as well.Those were fine days and the
college was at the peak of its glory. Later I went to Peshawar for my MS and then after teaching at the University there, I came to the United States for doing my Ph.D from the University of California Davis.
Similar to R.R, I also spent about 24 years of my life in Saudi Arabia with King Fahd University but I am less fortune than R.R and am not remembered by a group of colleagues and students as R.R.
Dr Stewert was a complete person in the true sense of the word. He was an excellent teacher, a scholar of highest caliber, a wonderful and
sympatric man, a kind which is no longer available in the teaching profession any more.
He was a kind man. To some sense, I owe my starting college education to him. He helped me a lot during those days.
It is so wonderful to know that R.R’s great-grand
daughter Tay’s traced the memories of her great-grand father, Dr. Ralph L. Stewart, where he spent some 21 years of his life;

hello gordonians,

I dont know if any of u remeeber me or not. I joined Gordon College in 1982 after completing my high school from Saint Mary’s Cambridge School Murree Road Rawalpindi. My family has a long history of affiliation with the college. My father and my uncle(my dad’s elder brother) both had worked at the college during Dr. Stewart’s period. They very fondly remebr those days. Two of my elder brothers and one elder sister have attended Gordon College and graduted from there. We r a family of Gordonians. So u see i grew up in an atmosphere where Gordon College and names like Dr.Stewart, J.B. Commings, A.Q.Daskawi, R.K.Mall, Khawaja Masud, Professor Gill, were a houshold name. Under these strong Gordonian influence I followed the family tradition and joined the college. I remeber Dr Aziz Mahmood Zaidi was the principal at that time and he was the one who interviewed me. my elder brother Sylvester Javed( Im sure some of you msut remeber him)was an active member of SCM so all the teachers and Dr Aziz knew him well.

I have a strong emotional ties with the college, and often proudly declare myself as a Gordonian. I accidently stumbled on to this page and was extremely excited to read about my college. I wish government of pakistan hands back the college to its rightful owners, it lost its charm under the state occupancy.

Yes its a pity that an institute of such caliber does not have a website of its own. I hope some gordonian will step up and do something about it.

Im currently living in New Jersey, if anyone wants to know something abt Dr Stewart or JB Commings, my dad and my uncle have a long list of stories which they will love to relate.

God bless you all

Do send me an email if any of u remeber me

maximus08861@yahoo.com

hi, its been such a great surprise for me to know that people like mr RR stewart is related to gordon college, i myself was a student in gordon college from 98 to 2003 and i spent some of the best time of my life ..but there is still lots to be done to make the college one of the best in sub continent again

I joined as Principal of Gordon College as first administrative assignment of my academic carrier in year 2000. The traditions and culture of the college which were conveyed compelled me to work hard for the restoration of the high academics and extra curricular activities, to inculcate the true sprits of character building. The glaxy of Alumnae who had been visiting the college from all over the world desired to reactivate the “Old Gordonian” forum and provide opportunity to them to visit their mother institution. The present aministration is keeping up the task in this direction, but it requires your support. The data on alumnae of pre-partition time requires special attention for compilation. Contribution to it will be a great support. If you have some spare time please do visit your institution as it engourges the present generations to work harder and maintain the level of achivements on one side and point of satisfaction and ownership on other side for you. Gordonians! may God belss you in every feild of life.

It’s a great pleasue for me to read about my beloved college, its history and especially about Dr. Stewart, thourh he left college before i was born. But the whole narrative, the moment i read, transproted me to that age when the college was on its peak in presence of such great people like Dr. Stewart, Masud Khawaja and others. I feel utmost happyness as i myself was on of its teachers. I did my MA English lit. from this college and luckily got lectureship (though temporary) before i left for London. I have some very great memories with this college. One of the things i miss about Pakistan is Gordon College, my teachers colleagues and my students. whenever i call my friend back, i never forget to ask them about Gordon College. I want to see it once again on it previous glory.Finally, i think writing about Gordon College is a great honour for me of which i m really proud of.
thanks
javed Khan ( X lecturer in English Gordon College
Rawalpindi)
London

Hello All,
I am also a former student of Gordon college, Its very disappointing that despite the very rich history this institution had, we have no forums for alumni where we may know each other and have some sort of connection, i know this college produced some great people who contributed substantially in this world but we dont know really much about them as to where they are now, ….
in order to make some sort of connection between gordonians i have created a community on orkut (www.orkut.com) named Gordon College Rawalpindi in the Alumni & Schools section its url is http://www.orkut.com/Community.aspx?cmm=16642599
if you are or have been a student or teacher please spread this information to those who in anyway have been connected to our beloved college, this way we can atleast gather on a common place and this might also help in future towards making a formal forum, if anyone has any problems getting an orkut account, please feel free to shoot me an email on muhammad.ahmed@gmail.com and i’ll be trying to help you out,
Regards,
Muhammad Ahmed {Gordonian}

Hello all,
I was just browsing some material about potohar Platue,and during this search i came across this site.I did my graduation from gordon college (1993-1997).As a student of science,specially botany i still remember the day when one of our professor told us about the death of Dr. Stewart.I myself used many plants for studied collecetd by Dr.stewart.Beside that i have golden memories of gordon college, and that still hunting me all the time.
Presently, i am in germany and going to complete my phd. I would like to request all gordonian residing in europe to share their views and memories through this site.
ONCE GORDONIAN,EVER GORDONIAN.
bye.
E.U.Satti
Germany

I studied in Gordon College for only one year, 1989 and could not continue further as i was selected to join a Cadet College but fine memories of my stay at Gordon College are still fresh. I wish if time could fly back to those wonderfull days we spent in college.
Presently, i am in Sudan as member of UN Mission and basically i am Superintendant of Police, PSP, back home in Pakistan.
ONCE GORDONIAN/EVER GORDONIAN
bye.
NASIR MEHMOOD SATTI,SP,PSP.
UNMIS, Sudan

Hi everybody. I am so touched to read all about my lovely Gordon College and the people deeply conncted to it through a string of emotions. I was there as student from 1992 to 1996, Now settled in New Zealand.I still remember those days in class rooms and nights at the hostel. Its a wonderful institute that talks high of its repute builders, Dr. Stewart the most significant one. I feel so blessed writing something about my college and I am so proud of it.
Many Thanks
Zahid Shabbir
Auckland
New Zealand

hi everyone im glad everyone is sharing their memories about gordon college. My name is Simon Arif Anwar Amamudi. I am the oldest grandson of my grandfather Anwar Amamudi. I dont remember much cause i was still young maybe about 5 years old or so. but i think my grandfather was a unit clerk. The reason I am posting is that if anyone knows him from this site. I am not sure if he went to college himself or not.

Hi Guys:
I am a gordonian too and feel happy to hear good things about my college. We were there from 1985 - 1989, and nowaday were considering of settingup a website where we Gordonians could share our thoughts and join, we will keep that in mind and will surely put a link here.
Rehan

http://www.alumni.net/Asia/India/Punjab/Government_Gordon_College/

heres a link which gordonians could use for a while, till the time we have our own website.

Hi,

I have two uncles on my mother’s side (mamoon) who studied in Gordon College. I have an old black-and-white photograph of myself in the arms of my younger mamoon Rashid in 1963 - the year I was born. My mamoon now lives in Faisalabad. Years later I visited the college when the other mamoon Munir, after graduating returned to work in the College laboratory.

I stumbled on your website but it was so good to read about Dr. Stewart as well as everyone’s memories. I too think the Gov’t should be encouraged the hand the college back so that it’s traditions can be kept alive. Gordon college has an honour that every Gordonian is proud to carry.

Joy (Canada)

Wonderful article. It took me back to my Gordon College days (1985-1987) as a student of B.Sc. Physics and Mathematics. Our entire family is Gordonian. My father was a student over there and later on bacame Professor of Chemistry and taught at Gordon College (Professor Zulfiqar Ali). All my brothers and myself went to Gordon College. As a matter of fact on my recent trip to Pakistan, I went back and took some pictures of the college. Gordon college has a very rich history and a very distinguished Alumni all over the world. I really enjoyed my days at Gordon College. Go GORDONIANS !.

hi all

i came accross suddenly to this page and it reminded me the beautiful days of gordon college. i was there during 98 -2000. Done my bsc. there. still miss my devoted, learned, commited teachers of botany, zoology, chemistry and english.

now i am in uk for Phd. but i want to say that i got my passion for research work from gordon college.

i am shahzad i am from Pakistan live in Jhelum and i am doing job there. i am send you message for all becouse i like some one read me
ok bye take care

It was such a delight to read the article about Gordon College and those who made Gordon College a great academic institution.

I was at Gordon College from 1985 to 1988. I was very inspired by the historic building and its people: Aziz Mahmood Zaidi, Maqsood Jafri, and many others. I met Khawaja Masud later when I was a journalist in Islamabad.

I would love to help Gordon College strive for its lost glory and I am very willing to volunteer my time. I hope others who read this will contact me.

Sincerely,

Murtaza.

Murtaza Haider, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Faculty of Business
Ryerson University, Toronto, ON Canada
murtaza.haider@ryerson.ca

salam..helo im old student of gorden collage….in 1993

Mansoor Irfani and Saroosh Irfani were at school with me in Teheran, Iran. I am trying to reestablsih contact with them. Any clues will be greatly appreciated.
Gurmander Singh Kohli, MD, FACS

Hi
My name is Muhammad Usman Raja and i did my F.Sc. From Gordon College(92-94) and now currently doing Ph.D in U.K. I feel proud to be student of this great Institute of Pakistan.The institutes not build in a single day. People Like Dr. Stewart and many more contribute their lives for the Gordon College. I beleived Dr. Stewart name alive till the Day gordon college remain on earth.
Many regards for the family of Dr. Stewart.
usman

I came across this site and was very interested because my ancestors founded Gordon College. My mother’s maiden name is Gordon, and her great grandfather went out to India/Pakistan in 1853,I believe, with the Presbyterian Mission and his son David Gordon and grandson Andrew Walker Gordon (My grandfather) carried on as missionaries there. My grandfather and mother and family left in 1936, I believe. I’d be fascinated in any history connected to them and those early years.
Blessings!

Hi, i was a student there in Gorden college from 1989-1994.Any one from pre medical group at that time please contect me: ashfaq_ahmed01@hotmail.co.uk
Thanx

in writing my own biography i came across the reference i had made in 1960 when i met Dr Stewart at a farewell dinner hosted by Dr Paul A Nicoll (Indiana University & Basic Medical Science Institute, Karachi ) Paul Nicolls father had been a missionary contempary of Dr Stewarts.

Asalam O alakum,
I am also feeling proud to tell that i am also a Gordonion, i am in these days working in the largest news paper of Pakistan and the GS of our CBA union is also a gordonion. The PM of Pakistan is also a Gordonion. I study in 1982-85

I m a Gordonian and graduated in 1964. I carry countless memories and can write a thick fat book of those golden days. Since we had two debating clubs Bar and Minerva, so i was a Minervian. When I joined, DR. Tebby was finishing his term as princepal, and he was succeeded by Dr. Cummings and later Dr. Daskeiwi, who also was our english teacher. When I left college V.K. Mall was the princepal. C.A. Peter taught us economics, and Mr. Imamudins’ persian class was fun. Khwaja Masud and Nasurllah Malik were very popular amongst students as they use to participate in punjabi debates - student vs professors. This use to be the most interesting event of the year. After the debate there use to be a loud shout for Mr. Malik to recite Heer and he would meet the request. I cannot forget the firey debaters like Arshad Nasir, Ahsanuddin, Rabia Mushtaq, Zafarullah Naizi, and my best friend late Awuan Rizvi, who also served GM Ptv. Gordon College produced some famous T.V. Actors. To name quite a few who studied the same year are Rahat Kazmi, Rehan Ahzar, Nayyar Firdaus, Sajda Syed, and brothers Abid and Zakir Mujeed. Two of my best buddies Khalid Hafeez and Shujat Hashmi are also seen in Ptv drama’s these days. Last I met Shujat Hashmi in 1987 at the Rawalpindi Airport and we very warmly hugged each other. When i watch all of them on T.V. it takes me back to those old days. I also had the honor to meet the veteran Indian movie star Balaraj Sahani, an old Gordonian when he visited our college.

Finally, a big regret that i could not meet Mr. R.R. Stewart. During our college days we heard a lot about this great teacher. 1968 when i came to U.S.A. for studies, one of my best friends Munir Christy, who was a P.H.D student at Wayne State and taught at Gordon College before coming to states, informed me that Professor Viviandas, a teacher of my college days lives in Ann Arbor, MI. Dr. Stewart also resides there too. We planned to meet them, but because of our busy schedules could not do so. And later I moved to Florida. Today reading the above article I m sad that i did not meet Dr. Stewart.

My older brother Professor Qaisar Trimizi and his Father in Law, late Anwar Ariz, are also alumni of this College. I m very proud and feel honored that I m an old student of Gordon College. Names of some best friends I spent times with were Aftab Chohan, Pervaiz Rehman, Riazuddin, Masood, Javed Masood, late Fiazuddin, and late Fazal-u-Rehman, The present Mir of Hunza, Ghazanfar with whom i use to occasionally take a ride in his cream Angelia, his two cousins Nazim and Behram were my best friends.

Group Address is http://groups.google.com.au/group/Gordonians?hl=en

i am extremely happy to find some thing where i can share my feelings to some one regarding my memories of past happiness ,the days in gordon college 1989 -91.
zaigham kayani
toronto,on
canada
zegy2000@hotmail.com

Greetings,

It is quite heart warming that there are Gordonians in every corner of the world that still care and like to read about their alma mater. I would like to thank you all for taking pride and also taking time out in expressing your feelings and views about Gordon College. It is very pleasant to see that some folks have re-established their past connections with their college mates. Probably, you all know that we are trying to establish a “Grand Central” for Gordon College or Gordonians where we can not only talk about Gordon College and connect with our past but also establish a relationship with the future of Gordon College.

Many Gordonians have expressed desires in this post to participate in discussion about Gordon College and also indicated that they would like to see Gordon College back to her old glory days. The question is how do we achieve that goal. The attachment and the sense of belonging with our Alma mater is a very natural thing and most certainly we do not want to lose connection with our past. Having said that, I would like to invite all of you and all Gordonians who read this post to join Gordonians Group at Googlegroups which has the following address

http://groups.google.com.au/group/Gordonians?hl=en

We have a goal in mind starting from donating a world class website to Gordon College. The details of this website will be sorted out very soon. We have set August 14, 2007 as a launch date for Gordon College Website. We would also like to establish a Guest lecture series, Alumni fund drive, book drive for Gordon College and also numerous other projects with the help of current administration. This might sound like a pipe dream but this is what we have in mind. This will be a collective effort and Gordonians participation is the key to achieve our goals.

We all like to read the stories of donations to Alma mater (Gordon Moore of Intel, $600M to Caltech just to mention one and recently one Indian businessman set a record of donation of over a billion dollar to a University in Orissa). This is a high time to show our love and passion for Gordon College. I hope this will not drive people away. Let’s get started by joining Gordonians Group.

Best Regards
Khurshid
Gordonian

Hi, i am sunil rihan from India. I am 59 years old. We migrated to India in 1947. My father Ram Nath Rihan was from Gordon College Rawalpindi. He died in 1980 at the age of 73 years. He was a student of this famous college in 1930’s. He was a great scholar and won the Sir Arnold’s gold medal in English literature and Philosophy having stood first in the Punjab University. He used to make a mention of Mr Stewart his principal who was very fond of him.
I hope this email is read by some one who could provide a link to those times.
Thank You

Hi, I’m Prof. Khwaja Masud’s granddaughter and I just wanted to thank everyone who wrote such great things about him! It makes me really happy to read them all- he really is a great man in all senses of the word, especially as a grandfather! Incidentally, I have also met Dr. Stewart- the picture my granddad is holding up is of Dr. Stewart with our family and I happen to be the little girl sitting at the front left hand side.

-Providence,RI

I found this site by googling “Hiladia Porter”, whom I see was married to Dr. Stewart. My late aunt, Miss Jessie Woods was a close friend of Hiladia Porter when she lived in India, but had lost touch with her. I inherited from Jessie a small watercolour painting done by Hiladia when they were younger. The woman’s name was so unusual that I thought I would see if I could track it down.

Paul Woods, Bristol, England

July 23, 2007

Dear Sophiya,

I was delighted to see your name as Dr. Khwaja Masud’s grand daughter.

I was a student in Gordon College from 1941 to 1943.

Do please get in touch with me.

Lots of loving regards.

Sincerely,

Ahmed Saeed
Pittsburgh, PA
Phone: 412-372-6033
Email: allharmony@comcast.net

It was real wonderful to read about the past of Gordon College, which seems so familiar.

I was wondering if any body knows “Alam Sher Khan Lodhi”, my father who was in Gordon College during 1956-1958,

I have with me debate pictures of my father, who was also the President of Bar club, with Dr. Stewart, Professor Khawaja Masood, Prof Daskawie and others ..

Reading the comments takes me back to my childhood when I used to hear a lot from my father about how the debates were conducted and names of all these professors and the stories of their interaction with the students.

To correct the record, my father was president of Minerva (not Bar) during 1957-58, with Mr. Malik Ahmad Nawaz (critic), Mr. Zahoor Kotla (vice president)and Mr. Akhtar Azad (secretary).

Masroor Lodhi, UAE

To correct the record, my father was president of Minerva (not Bar) during 1957-58, with Mr. Malik Ahmad Nawaz (critic), Mr. Zahoor Kotla (vice president)and Mr. Akhtar Azad (secretary).

Masroor Lodhi, UAE

Hello Gordonians!

I m a Gordonian and study in GORDON COLLEGE, in 1994-1996, and Mr. Sajjad Sheikh (Voice Principal) was very great Teacher and he was a real man of principles.

Shoaib Masood Malik (Rokhri)
Gordonian.

Dear fellow Gordonian

I was a student of Gordon College from 1962/1964. I was a student from Nairobi Kenya . I am now a practising Solicitor in London and at times remember my best time of my life when I was a Student of Gordon College. I cherish very sweet memories of my classfellows. My best friend were Aftab Asrar , Manssor Irfani Zulfikar know as zulfi Ishrat Khan and many many more. My lady class felloows were Mubeen Minhas Shaheen Saddiqui Anjum Haque Salma Agha. I wish all my Friend a happy and prosper life . Iwill be delighted to contact with my old college friends I can be contact either by email adqureshi@hotmail.com or my office Number 00442086742121 or on my Mobile 00447950602844 God Bless all.

Hi,

I am extremely excited to see the article and many comments about Prof. R.R. Stewart and Gordon College. I completed my FSc and BSc from this college (1989-1993) and since I studied botany for some years, I also find myself associated to Dr. Stewart. Some of the great teachers who really contributed to my later success in life are Dr. Lal, Dr Saleem (I believe that I am an organic chemist because of him) and ??.
I’m working as a project manager in Germany and it would be great to recall the memories of my time at GC if I receive the message from old friends (session 1989-1993). I can be contacted through the e-mail: chem63@yahoo.com.

Best wishes to all

Dr.Z.H. Abbasi
Braunschweig, Germany

I was a BA student at Gordon College 1977-1979 session. I had the pleasure of attending classess by Prof. Sajjad Shaikh. Also knew Prof. Khawaja Masud a bit. Off course the late Dr. Aziz Zaidi was asuch agreat teacher and human being.This was a great time to be in Gordon College.

These days I am serving as Consul Geenral for Pakistan in Milan (Italy).

Two of my younger brothers Tahir and Tanveer also graduated from Gordon College. They are both based in Islamabad.

Hi this Abeer Qureshi again Please correction I was student of Gordon College from 1962 to 1966 and not as mention in my message sent on the 30th August 07 of the period from 1962 to 1964.Once again my good wishes and prayers for all fellow gordonians.

I was student of Godon College 1987-89 session and it was a good period. I often heard the name of Dr Stewart there. But it was meeting with Joshua and Sutey during my travel from Gilgit to Rawlapindi on a Natco bus that I became fully aware with that great botanist.

I was a student of Gordon college in 1968-1970. prof Mall was pricipal and prof Khawaja Masud used to teach Mathametics and introduced us to Marxist politics.Those were golden years and student politics was at its Peak with Gordon college leading the students movement of 1968 against Ayub khan. I live in Houston USA now.

hi Gordonians!!
i\’m Umair javed student of gordon college(04-06). i found this college one of the graet institutions of pakistan one of the professors of gordon college i never forget and i can\’t that is Prof. Dr rana Taj who turned my whole life now i\’mmedical student but whatever i\’m it is because of gordon college and great teacher Dr. Rana Taj miss U alot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Gordonians and others, I feel myself lucky to reach this great site of Gordonians. I was student in Gordon College for my FSc. in late seventies.

During my first year Professor K. Masood was principal and in the second year Dr. Ariz. Mehmood Zaidi. I was lucky to have classes of Maths with both of them. As regards to Dr. R.R Stewart I was also lucky to meet and have chat with Dr. Stewart and her daughter Allen Stewart. Our house was very close to Gordon college, we used go to play circlet since childhood and years after I left Gordon college. In the year 1990 old Gordonians celebrated 100th birth day of Dr. Stewert and invited him to come to attend a grand party in Flashmen Hotel, situated at the Mall Road Rawalpindi. It became a marvelous event when hundreds of old Gordonians who sang his birth day song with Dr. Stewart. I contributed an column published in Urdu news papers, “NAWA-IE-WAQAT “Rawalpindi and “JANG” Rawalpindi. I’m going to produce in the following translation of the column published in Nawa-ie-Waqat 27th March,1990, for the sake to contribute some knowledge about Dr. Stewart and great institution of subcontinent Indo-Pak., Gordon College.

(Start of column)
A COLORFUL FUNCTION OF OLD GORDONIANS ASSOCIATION
A FEW MOMENTS WITH DR. R. STEWART

On the eave of birth day of world renown botanist and ex. Principal of Gordon College a beautiful and respectable function was organized by Rawalpindi, Islamabad Old Gorgonian Association. This function was held in a local hotel. A large number of Gordon College students (male and females) of forty, fifty, sixty and seventy’s decades participated. The function was supposed to start at 4.00 pm but a large number of guests had reached at 3.30 pm in the hall. This writer met with an old Gorgonian, Col. Dr. Abdul Ghafoor who claimed that he was the oldest Gorgonian in th function. He had been studying in the college in 1932-35. He told that he was the student of first badge of B.Sc. class. The books for bachelor of science syllabus were brought from America. After one year of studying them, we came to know that those were B.Sc. reference books.

This writer met with old Godonians, political leaders, among them prime minister of Azad Kashmir Sikandar Hyat Khan, Nasir Khokhar, Ali Afzal Khan Jadoon etc. were included. In the hall a beautiful electric orchestra was placed which was being played in intervals by musician Nawazish Ali Hazravi. Dr. Stewart alongwith his daughter Allen Stewart and organizers entered in the hall at 4.40 pm and with that countless series of meeting of people with him started. Those who met were old students of Gordon College, belonging to all spheres of life, including judges, doctors, engineers, businessmen, professors, politicians, army officers, journalists etc. The women were introducing their-selves to Dr. Stewart with great enthusiasm.

The function was started with recitation of Verses Holy Quran The ex. Principal of Gordon College Khawaj Masood was holding the responsibilities of MC of the program. He with his extempore sentences amused the people. An old Gorgonian Raja Azam in his address, said that he learned the principles of life from Dr. Stewart. Later he presented books as a gift to Dr. Stewart. Dr. Manzoor and Mrs. Manzoor Qadir told that Mrs. Stewart, now who is not in this world was their friend and with that reference old memories have freshened. Raja Mushtaq beautifully described about the life of Dr. Stewart and also read an English poem. He was a best speaker of the college of his time. Professor Nasar Ullah said that the sayings of honorable doctor kept him alive. He told that he was not a good student in the college but due honorable doctor I am engaged with field of education for the last thirty years. Chaudhry Ali Nawaz said that he is an old student of college but I had never seen honorable doctor. I wished to see him and that (wish) has today been completed. He congratulated honorable doctor for his 100th birth day in adorable words.

Mr. Farooq Azam appreciated Dr. Stewart services and prayed for his long life. PA to honorable doctor during his period in college N. M. Khan said that when I heard that Dr. Stewart is coming I came to see him from Peshawar. He said that I am a such plant which was planted by honorable doctor and now it has become a strong tree. He explained how honorable doctor used to work and about also told about his hard work. Raja Bisharat a judge of Azad Kashmir who was a student of Gordon College (1953-56) said that he was not honorable doctor’s student but honorable doctor was the principal and he always found honorable doctor doing hard work.

It was announced from the stage that oldest Gorgonian Abdul Hai Sheikh would come on the stage who remained college student during 1928-32. After his departure it was disclosed in the hall that Sheikh Shafique, 1926-28 was available in the function, so he was requested to come on the mike, as he was an old person so, everyone welcomed him with great cheerfulness. He said that we learned from honorable doctor that, be Good, have, good. Dr. Nobahar (1945-49) said that he was impressed by honorable doctor’s greatness. Raja Basheer (1957-61) said that in his period every one had equal opportunities to study and for recreation.

Allen Stewart appreciated Pakistani people’s love and their good feelings for foreigners. She told that she remained with his father in Gordon College for 19 years. She said that she would remember this day for years. Khawaja Masood, president, Old Gordonians Association, who was student of the college, 1938-42, said that he always found honorable doctor a complete person. He said that “Dr. Stewart is a man of God” and he is such a sharp (today) as he was in 1938. He said that we learned from honorable doctor, tolerance and that we should meet others with an open heart.

Prime minister of Azad Kashmir while addressing said that Gordon College is a great institution of the country and this is the teaching of this institution’s teachers that today he has been dealing very well the affairs of the government in Azad Kashmir for the last five years. He said that honorable doctor taught him lessons of behaving well and discipline, by following these we can solve today our problems.

At last while addressing Dr. Stewart said, that he loves Pakistan so much and this love has made him to come to Pakistan in this senior age. He showed his concern, saying that backing ones own party is common in Pakistan, while making oral plus minus is not needed, practical work is required. He said Pakistanis are very open hearted. He thanked to all of them who gathered there in very well manners.

At the end of function Dr. Stewart cut a cake in great applause and on rhythm of music and received so many gifts. Association presented a model of, Minar-e-Pakistan as gift which was received by honorable doctor. Later tea was presented to the guests and with this a unique function was over.
(End of column)

I tried to provide information as much as possible in the article about the function, I believe many of the readers would have attended the function and this would be a revival of memories for them and those who were not present there could at least imagine how the function in the honor of honrabl Dr. R.R. Stewart would have been held.

Thanks all of you who read the article and I would apology for any inconvenience happened to the readers due to contents of the above article.

Hamid Ali Shahzad
Toronto,CANADA

dear gordon college lovers , i have gone to gordon college too in 1960,s my cousin whose name was Bilal husain used to be the pupel of khawaja mussud my professor were zaki durani statistics & other low profiled personalities , with zaki durani there was some thing which was behond the words , any way if zaki sahib sees this please e mail me so that i can apologise to him , thanx hasan wasty

My maternal grandfather Prof Gurdasram Budhiraja taught in Gordon college in the forties. I am trying to write a book about those times and would greatly appreciate any kind of help in this area. Any information about my grandfather would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I heard the names of Dr Stewart and Prof Maksud from my mother and it feels wonderful to read about them here. Pl email me at nsanotra@hotmail.com

Hello Gordonians
I studied in this great institution in 1979 as a student of intermediate and in 1986 when I came out I had done my masters in English literature and was ready to take on the world. Since 1987 I have been teaching in Government College Asghar Mall , Rawalpindi.
In 1986 I was the student editor of the English Section of the College magazine “The Gordonian.” I sudied for six years in that institution and every single moment that i spent their the only feeling I ever harbored about my College was that of immense pride. Inspite of a 20 year long association with another College I say that I am from Government College Asghar Mall, but I am of Gordon College.
The day I shall never remember was the Decenmber of 1986 when my MA Final result was to be announced. I got the news that I had done it, that I had topprd my College with a very good second division score. Delighted, that I had done what I had promised my Principal Dr. Aziz Mahmood Zaidi, I rushed to his office to be embraced by the great man. As I reached the College gate our haed of the Psychology Department Prof. Nazir Zaidi dropped the bombshell,” Haven’t you heard the news Dr. Zaidi has died.” We wept like anything. We had loved the man and it was his initiative thaT POST-GRADUATION classes were revived in the College, ours was the first batch and he had waited ever so eagerly for the result. He never lived to see it…

dear gordonians , just came to know that our ex priminster studied in gordon college too ,
i am researching in this field that how many good people have been educated by this great insitution ,
in my time one english professor was a lady ,in 60,s
i live in avery isolated city called vancouver canada but in usa i have found lots of ex gordonians like zaki durani sahib ,
how is in pindi today ? e mail me some time toron@shaw.ca

I was at Gordon College in 1945-46. Anybody please write to me at gspsuri@gmail.com or to Gursaran Suri, A-26 Jangpura Extension, New Delhi - 110014.

Dear Fellow Gordonians,

I read with interest the website and the email communications from ex-Gordonians. I joined Gordon College in January 1970 after completing my Cambridge School Certificate (O levels) in Nov 1969 from St.Mary’s Academy. The Acting Principal was Mr.C.Peters - I think he took over from Prof Khwaja Masud. I found my old Gordon Colege student ID card. Our English teacher was Ms.Jane ad I will never forget the one-one tutorial sessions I would have with her to catch up on missing lessons during the late morning breaks over tea and samosa! I took my FA exams in June 1971 and left Islamabad in August 1971. I have been living in London,England since December 1971. I do remember Shuza Nawaz, as he read the English news bulletins on Pakistan TV. Two of my older brothers were also students of Gordon College between 1965 and 1969. Would like to renew contacts with friends who studied with me between 1970 and 1971. Best wishes. Talal Karim

I am an ex student of Gordon College. Gordon College in many ways has gone backward since it was nationalised in the late 1970s. For example, the college was a coeducational institution up until the nationalisation. The facilities (i.e., class rooms, etc.) were in very bad shape when I was there. I can only imagine that perhaps the buildings are in a worse shape now. It is perhaps worth pointing out that nationalisation took place just before the college was about to move to a new location a few km away. The newly built campus of Gordon College included a building or perhaps one part of a building that was named after Dr Stewart. From memory, the building was named Stewart Herbarium. The government stopped the relocation plans and handed over the new building to a newly created academic institution (Rawalpindi Medical College). I hope that Stewart Herbarium still exists at Rawalpindi Medical College.

AoA, well how exciting its is to read about
Gordon College which take you to good old days you can never forget. i studied there for 5 years (1986 - 1991) and did F.Sc. and B.Sc. from there. i find necessary to write the names of our beloved teachers i always miss and idealize them like sir asad(Maths), sir javed anwar(physics), sir dishad(Maths), sir zubair(urdu), sir Rehmat Din(chemistry) sir alam zeb(maths) and many others these days i m not in pindi one the things that i miss most is gordon college my college fellows and most beautiful days i spend there. i happened to visit gordon college a few years back and got very sad to see that the old tree in front of the notice board is no more there under which v gathered and hug each other every morning after reaching the college.
Saqib

Dear Fellow Gordonians, Tay, & Dr. Jaleel Tariq (Current Principal, Gordon College):

My name is Riasat Masih Mobashar. Currently I live in New Jersey, USA. I am a Gordonian too! What a surprise.

I am very please to connect with all of you. This brought a lot of good memories to my mind. In fact I am searching for biographical information about Dr. Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Daskawi, former Principal of Gordon College and accidently got to this website. I am still looking for information about Dr. Daskawi and would appreciate your help. After his retirement from Gordon College, Dr. Daskawi became Director of the Christian Study Center, Murree Road, Rawalpindi and was the Director until his last day on the earth. I have the honor to know Dr. Daskawi personally. He was at Gordon College well before my time but I know him from the Christian Study Center. In fact I went to see him the day before I left for USA in the last week of August 1983. In USA I got my Ph.D. degree in Chemistry at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.

I got my F.Sc. (1972-1974)from Gordon College. At the time Prof. Masud Khawja had just become the Principal and Dr. Francis Xavier was the Vice Principal. Prof. Salim (I belive he was originally from Faisalabad and not sure if he is the same in the above article) was my Chemistry Laboratory professor at Gordon College. Prof. Munawar Shafqat, Prof. Yasin Nasir, Prof. Inayat Ullah are some of my teachers at Gordon College that I remember. At one point, I vistited Prof. Masud Khawja at his residence in Satellite Town, Rawalpindi. In 1983 before leaving for USA, I had the opportunity to visit Dr. Robert Tebie (The Tebie Chemical Society at Gordon College is named after him) at his residence in Islamabad. I got my B.Sc. from Government College, Asghar Mall Road, Rawalpindi and M.Sc. (Chemistry) from Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. At Quaid-i-Azam University, I got the opportunity to know Dr. Jaleel Tariq, the current Principal of Gordon College. Jaleel was one semester ahead of me. Jaleel and myself studied chemistry and both had good handwiring (Urdu & English). Jaleel’s handwariting was probably better than mine. During one student election at Quaid-i-Azam University, both Jaleel and myself wrote posters and banners for the same student group. I hope Dr. Jaleel Tariq can recognize me.

Tay, I came to Gordon College well after Dr. Stewart’s (your grandfather’s) time. I do remeber the Stewart Biological Society at Gordon College. In addition, I saw your grandfather’s picture and the accompanying news article in the Presbyterian Magazine in USA when the Pakistan govenment invited and officially honored him at the Golden Anniversary celebration of the herbarium. At the time I subscribed to the Presbyterian magazine. Currently, I am a member of the West Side Prebyterian Church in Ridgewood, New Jersey, USA (RiasatMobashar916@hotmail.com). Some times when mention Gordon College in my communication and presentations, people ask me about the history of the college. I am very pleased to know that the college was named after your maternal great grandfather and a Presbyterian missionary. In the rural Pakistan, Prebyterian Mission was better known as American Mission. Its my great honor to finally connect to, although indirectly and just by chance, to the great granddaughter of these great men (Gordon and Stewart). I would be pleased to communicate further with you through e-mail if you choose so. Please accept my warmest regards on behalf of your great ancestors whose hard work, sacrifices, and prayers established and developed this outstanding institution and I had the good fortune to benefit from it.

My warmest regards to all Gordonians, Gordonian descendants, Dr. Jaleel Tariq, and all affiliated with Gordon College.

Very Sincerely yours,

Riasat Masih Mobashar, Ph.D., New Jersey, USA