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| The group photo, 2015 |
The students of English literature are trained to be more cognizant towards the sensitivities of life. Rejoicing the past, alongwith enjoying the present is one of the characteristics which the study of the subject, plants in them. Annual reunions are a part of this training. That is why, Department of English, Bahauddin Zakria university, officially endorses, AODELL, 'organization of alumni of department of English language & literature' and encourages the former students to gather at one platform to share their success stories and rekindle their past experiences. A little about the history of this organization. AODELL, came into existence in March 2013, when encouraged by a number of old students, who desperately wanted to have a reunion, a very popular and renowned teacher of the department Ramna Fayyaz, got together with Fariha Munir Shah (former visiting faculty member) and organized an informal/ unofficial gathering in Ramada hotel, Multan. The excitement was overwhelming. An immediate voting took place, Ramna was elected the treasurer of the organization. Fariha Munir being the most senior present there was elected as the lifetime chairperson of O'DELL.Whereas, Mustafa Kamal became the president. The year 2014 witnessed, further strengthening of this organization with its official endorsement of the reunion by Department of English and special patronage by the head of department, Madam Saiqa Imtiaz. Ramna Fayyaz's efforts for organizing this event remain undeniable. Together with some extremely active old students like Hassan Muhammad, Asif Ansari and Ashfaq Rehman, she went on to arrange a splendid show. And this year, again the credit goes to this lovely lady for making an effort to make it happen.
On Saturday, 4th April, the beautifully lit, Department of English, at Bahaudin Zakria university, Multan, awaited its old students. Fresh students welcomed their seniors at registration counters. Ramna appeared a perfect portrait of patriotism and beauty, dressed in Green. For those, who did not know her, it was impossible to believe that she was teaching faculty, not fresh student but was among old students.
The vice chancellor of BZU, Dr. Alqama was the chief guest of the evening. The informal session was to start at 4pm, in the enormous courtyard of the said building. Tea, coffee, Dahi Bhalla and other snacks were served for free to all the attendants. Mr. Amir Hafeez Malik, Ms. Dua Bokhari and Roop Hasnain Khwaja, were among the compères. They kept everybody engaged and entertained by small talk, games and competitions. Shazia Jabeen Arshad, Syed Mubashir Hashmi, Uzma Asif, remained active winners during this session. Mubashir won, singing competition for males. Shazia won in female category and Uzma Asif succeeded in acquiring first position in musical chair.
The formal session took place in the splendid amphitheatre of the department. Sumera Khalil hosted it as compère with grace and poise. After recitation of holy Quran and praise for the holy prophet (peace be upon him) the program proceeded. Head of department Madam Saiqa Imtiaz was invited to deliver a welcome address. She left the audience cheering, when she said, 'I won't call you, old students. You are all former students, not old at all'.
A lot of entertainment followed. The mimickery of Meera jee's interview, had everybody rolling on the floor. The saree, purse and shoes used by the actress, were a courtesy of Madam Ramna Fayyaz again. Love story of shahzada Salim and Anarkali also, scattered laughter among audience. And performance of a scene, out of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' left everybody mesmerised. A musical band performance also kept the audience entertained. Few of the old students were invited on stage to share their memoirs. And video messages of those, who could not attend the event were also played. Once again, videos created by Hassan Nasir were admired for bringing back the memories, fun and laughter. His class fellow, Mian shan, came all the way from U.K. to attend this reunion. Finally, it was the turn of prize distribution. All those, who contributed towards the event, were awarded shields. Alongwith others, department extended thanks to Hassan Muhammad for providing backdrop, souvenirs and photo booth. Kamran Ali for shields, Dua Bokhari and Amir Hafeez Malik for fun gala. Sumera Khalil for formal session and Ramna Fayyaz, for organizing the event. Students from the session 1998 to 2000, also donated 25000 rupees for the organization. At the end, VC was requested to address. He mentioned, Departments of English language and literature are considered 'elites' all over the country. He greatly admired the tradition of holding reunions annually.
Later, the dinner was served on roof top. Scrumptious barbecued food and other traditional cuisine awaited the guests. The evening did not end there but continued late at night with live performance of the musical band.
Here is an acknowledgement to a lady, who played vital role from the beginning of AODELL till the latest event. None other than Ramna Fayyaz . She believed in the cause of providing the people from this department a platform to meet and worked relentlessly towards it. If this tradition has developed a root, her efforts and dedication are behind it. We wish and hope, she will remain an inseparable part of this great tradition that she has started.
INFORMAL SESSION
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| Ramna Fayyaz with Sadia Farooq |
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| Imran Chauhdary. Hassan Nasir, Khan, Ramna Fayyaz, Ashfaq, Mian Shan, Rao Tahir. |
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| Hassan Muhammad with Amir Khan, M. Ashraf, Rao Rizwan Raunaq, M. Nadeem, Mubashir Bokhari |
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| The gathering growing slowly. |
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| Syed Mubashar Hashmi and Hassan Muhammad, approaching for a cup of tea. |
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| The informal party area, courtyard at the department |
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| Shazia Jabeen Arshad, singing in the competition during informal session. |
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| Fariha Munir Shah giving away prize to Mr. Mustanir |
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| Guess, who is the teacher? Ramna Fayyaz with her old students. |
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| Ashfaq Ahmed, entertaining with Basanti dance in Love jail. |
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| Hassan Muhamad, Shahbaz Shah, Dr. Naveed, Mubashir Hashmi, Zahoor Hussain, Amir Hafeez Malik |
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| Fresh students of the dept. to help register the seniors. |
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| Registration please! |
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| Samra Shakir, Dur-e-Nayab, Madam Saiqa, Zinab Shaukat, Aisha Sajjad, Sidra, Rafia Qadeer, Faiza Haris. |
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| Head of department Madam Saiqa and Ramna Fayyazwith students. |
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| Ashfaq Ahmed, Shabaz Shah, Hassan Muhammad, Dr. Naveed, Mushtaq Kharral, Naseem Abbass, Asif Ansari |
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| Walking down memory lane, Vardah Mushtaq with a friend |
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| Pictures from the past. |
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| Roop Hassnain Khwaja and Dua Bokhari. |
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| Uzma Asif, playing to win musical chair. |
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| Dua Bokhari & Amir Hafeez Malik, hosts for informal session with Hassan Muhammad |
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| Sharing a laugh. |
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| Uzma Asif, Mamoona Yasmin, Sidra Khwaja and Sadia Malik. |
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| Ashfaque with friends |
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| Former students, not old students. |
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| Amir Hafeez Malik, caught in the love jail. |
FORMAL SESSION
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| Arrival of the VC, with Madam Saiqa. |
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| Ramna Fayyaz, Madam Saiqa Imtiaz, VC. BZU. Dr. Alqama |
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| Imran, Shan, Hassan, Rao with a friend |
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| The seniors |
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| Applause! |
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| The gentlemen's side. |
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| The beautiful compere of the formal session, Sumera Khalil |
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| Head of Department of English, Madam Saiqa Imtiaz. |
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| Head of Department of English, BZU, Madam Saiqa with her class fellows. |
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| The modern day Shahzada Salim with entertainers |
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| Modern day Anarkali and prince Saleem |
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| Romeo and Juliet. |
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| Romeo. |
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| Juliet in the window |
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| The interviewer with Meera jee. |
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| The band. |
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| Rao Rizwan Raunaq sharing his memories. |
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| Syed Hammad |
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| Ramna Fayyaz, Saiqa Imtiaz with a guest |
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| Madam Saiqa and Chief guest, Dr. Alqama presenting shield to Hassan Muhammad. |
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| Ramna Fayyaz, receiving her shield from VC. |
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| Roop Hussnain Khwaja receiving her shield |
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The chief guest, addressing the gathering.
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| Friends and fellows. |
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| Lubna with friends |
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| On a happy note |
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| Students come and students go but the staff remains there. |
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| Rao Rizwan Raunaq, expressing his regards for Madam Saiqa and Dr. Alqama. |
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| Time for an all girls click, at the photo booth. |
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| Dinner is served |
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| For the love of barbecued food. |
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| Sidra and Sumera Khalil. |
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| Class fellows, Mr. Zeeshan, Shazia Jabeen Arshad, Fariha Munir |
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| Volunteers from the current morning session of the department. |
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| Stage, back drop by Hassan Muhammad |
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Rana IMRAN ALI