It is often heard said that the happiest and the most gainful time of ones life consists of the years spent in college. That is the time when one gathers knowledge speedily and forms friendships and associations that one benefits from and relishes throughout one's life. It makes me so glad to hear that the T.I. College old boys have decided to form an association so that they may relive the happy moments spent in the T.I. College as a student or as a teacher. I wish them every success in this venture. I envy those who have been privileged to form an association in order to further its laudable objectives. May Allah bless all members and enable them to live the kind of lives that their parents and guardians wished them to. Amen.I wish I had the honour and privilege of studying in the T.I. College. However, a large number of friends whose companionship I highly value have been closely associated with the College as Professors and students.
wassalam
With deep affection
Anwar Ahmad Kahlon
27 Hall Park Ave. - Liversedge WF15 7EH (UK)
Tel: +44-1924-501067
Fax: +44-1924-501075  

Dear Hamid,

I am glad to hear that T. I. College Old Students Association has been launched in Germany. Whereas I congratulate you on that, I wish it could be done all over the world, including Pakistan. I owe so much to T.I. College that I will be ungrateful if I forget it. It is not the buildings of bricks and cement that lend grandeur to an institution. It is the devotion of its leadership, love and affection of the teachers that create an atmosphere that helps in moulding the character of students.
My admission to T. I. College brought about a turning point in my life. After having wasted my years in Government College Lyallpur, I decided to join that great institution in 1956. The college was then headed by a charismatic personality. You remember I had a big wound on my arm and needed special care and attention. God bless the then Principal, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, who treated me like his own son and provided every facility I needed and more. It was not that physical attention alone that impressed me, it was the entire family-like atmosphere that was so sincere, so Islamic, so innocent and so enjoyable. Rabwah in those days was a small sleepy town, devoid of facilities of a city life that I was used to in Lyallpur. No hotels, no cinemas, no music and yet it was not monotonous. It was both academic and athletic. It was religious and yet secular. I did not belong to the Ahmadiyya community, and am still not an Ahmadi, but I never felt that I was not amongst good Muslims. Rather I did feel that I was amongst better Muslims. I developed some Islamic values that later revolutionised my life became integral part of my character.

My Dear Hamid,

I was at TI College for two years 1952-54 when it was at Lahore but received my BA degree in its first convocation at Rabwah. Later, in 1957, I also taught at the college for three or four months before joining the Civil Service of Pakistan in the September of that year. Both periods had a bearing on my character and career disproportionate to the time spent in the college. The presence of the Principal Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad was overwhelming and caring. He commanded affection and respect without asking for it. The future even then seem to beckon him to an exalted responsibility. I had the singular honour of being his only student in political science and then headed the students union and edited the English section of the college magazine. Among my teachers (who later were also my colleagues for a short while) I count Chaudhry Mohammad Ali, Sufi Basharat Rehman, Dr Naseer Ahmad Khan, Dr Sultan Mahmud Shahid, Dr Naseer Bashir, M.A. Khalid, Ch. Ataullah, Mirza Khurshid Ahmad and Maulana Abulata Jullundhri. Akhwand Abdul Qadir and Abbas bin Abdul Qadir (Shaheed) were among my teachers but when I returned to teach in 1957, the former had retired and latter had left to join the government education service. Each one of them was worth his weight in gold, some much more.

I learnt recently that Iftikhar Ayaz now of Britain is the same guy, two years junior to me, who was secretary of the college union when I was it’s president. At the 2005 UK Jalsa I also ran into Afzal Turki who lost the election to Iftikhar though he was in my camp.

Dear Old boys

Assalam-o-Alaikum wa rahmatullahe wa barakatohu

Hamid Ahmad Chaudhry has been very enthusiastic in setting up the Talim-ul-Islam College Old Boys Association in Germany. His sincere efforts have at last borne fruits and the association has been firmly established. It has brought to life many forgotten old associations.
I had the privilege and the pleasure of participating in the association meeting in 2005 in Germany. This re-union with many old boys of the college was encouraging as well refreshing.
We have studied in this college and some of us have also served as teachers. The memories of the old days are part of our souls. We still see with the light lit by the great institution. This light is everlasting.
It was really a great privilege to be students of Hadrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib (Rahematullah Taala), Akhwand Abdull Qadir Sahib, Mian Ata-ur-Rahman Sahib, Professor Basharat-ur-Rahman Sahib, Professor Chaudhry Mohammad Ali Sahib, Sheikh Mahboob Alam Khalid Sahib, Maulana Arjumand Khan Sahib and many other distinguished teachers.
Consciously or unconsciously we are spreading around us the experiences we had at our ulma mater. Its impact is gobal and it is reality that the world has been benefiting from this institution through its old boys directly or indirectly  

Let me indicate, not for any pride but as a humble expression of gratitude, Tahdis-e-Naimat, some unique aspects of my long association with T.I. College. I ws a student of the very first batch when the college started in Qadian in 1944 and had all my education inthat institution right up to M.A. I was the first M.A. when the college was in Lahore. This needs to be explained. At the time of partition, when Non-Muslims left, there was shortage of teachers and it was decided that for post-graduate studies, students enrolled in colleges and their common instruction arranged at the University. So I was the only flag-bearer of T.I. College, not only in the Economics department, but also in the entire University. I was able to combine studies with sports at a fairly high level. I had my first lesson in Economics from the Principal, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib, who later became the third Khalifatul Masih (akshsalam). He taught Economics on for two years as no other teacher of the subject was available. He gave that up when Faiz-ur-Rehman Faizi Sahib, the younger brother of famous Malik Abdur Rehman Khadim Sahib of Gujrat joined the college staff. Thereafter he taught Political Science.

My interest in Economics continues even after retirement. Though with some shift in focus. I occasionally write on current problems of Pakistan, not just for the sake of writing or to satisfy my ego, but only when I am really infuriated with the situation. With my rate exposure to both monetary and fiscal management, I highlight, without fear or favour, those aspects of the problems which may be lost sight of or deliberately held back so far. More than one hunred articles have been published, mostly in the DAWN. However, my main focus, rather pre-occupation, is Islamic Economics, with particular emphasis on interest-free economic system. I have already published a 545-page book titled “Islam, Philosophy of Life and Economic Principles” and am currently working on follow up entitld “Interest-free Economy” which is likely to be of the same size.
 

My Dear Hameed,

Assalamo-Alaikum.

It was one of the luckiest days of my life when in August 1952 my maternal uncle Mr. Aziz Masood Bhatti, on the asking of my mother took me to the T. I. College Lahore (as it then was) for admission in the first year. After filling-in the admission form at the administrative office, I was immediately ushered in the auspicious audience of Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (ra) Principal of the college. I found him to be an absolute epitome of love, kindness and fatherly affection. After going through my admission form and the academic record he asked me why I wanted to join the pre-medical group. Before I was out of my mumbling he, with his proverbial broad smile, remarked that he had asked all the brilliant students, seeking admission, to look forward for superior services and start preparing for competitive examinations right from the day one. That was the moment, which changed the entire scenario of my future. Saeed Ahmad Khan Rahmani and I opted for Inter-Arts (a strange combination of subjects). And lo and behold! I am sure the desire of the saintly person (who was going to be the next khalifatul Masih) was taken as a prayer by God Almighty there and then, and was also accepted. It was only the two of us (Saeed and I) who later joined the Civil Services.

It was at the T. I. College that my personality and the future career were carved and chiseled. I was a resident of the Fazl-e-Umer Hostel where Professors Ch. Mohammad Ali and Soofi Bisharatur Rahman were to take care of their wards, far better than their parents. They took real pains to provide guidance to the students not only with regard to their studies but also about their religious, health and emotional aspects, under the kind advice of the Principal. Hazrat Mian Sahib (ra) showered his blessings and kindness on all the students and I was one of them. I cannot help citing one or two instances of his love.
 

My dear Hamid Ahmad Chaudhri Sahib

AssalamoAlaikum.

First of all, please accept my heartiest congratulations on the construction of a most informative Website about T.I. College.
I joined T.I. College in 1949 and graduated in 1953. The convocation of 1953 was presided over by Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, the then Foreign Minister of Pakistan. These were the formative years of the College.
Fortunately the College had a dynamic personality as its Principal, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad Sahib who transformed the College into a great educational institution.

The College soon started competing with old establishments like Islamia College and Government College and superseded them in many respects. In sports, the College established an excellent record. The College won trophies in Rowing, Kabbadi, Swimming and Basket ball. Several of its students got prizes in Debating contests all over the Punjab. The College magazine, Almanar, was started in 1950. It was printed on art paper and the quality of articles, both in Urdu and English section, was admired by Scholars and learned people all over Pakistan. Another magazine was issued by some students on their own. It was called “The Young Economist.” I had the honour of editing the Urdu section of both these magazines.  

My Alma Mater - yes, what else should I call my T. I. College, other than a BOUNTEOUS MOTHER!? It is the first time that I happen to write something about so dear, so important and so integral a part of my existence. And, again it was not on account of a motive on my part, but to a phone call from Prof. Hameed Ahmad Choudhry. Choudhry Saheb, as I call him is someone whom I have known from the times when I, a dreamy eyed boy of FOURTEEN, entered Fazl – e – Umar Hostel as a resident student of T. I. College, way back in the year 1955. I cannot boast of any affinity between the two of us during that stay at the hostel. They were different times and the SENIORS especially the likes of CHOUDHRY SAHEB were considered as icons, only to be looked in awe, admiration and respect.
And, we the trifling JUNIORS obliged, ‘religiously‘!!
I do not recall even a small chat between me and CHOUDHRY SAHEB except the customary exchange of salutations whenever we crossed each other’s path. Strange though it may seem, the same CHOUDHRY SAHEB, has proven to be a pillar of strength for me in this latter phase of my dingy and dreary existence in EUROPE. His console’ and counsel always resuscitate and give me a new lease of life. He is, without doubt, a blessing that came my way thru none else but my T. I. College. May Allah keep him and his dear ones under His care and protection always!!
While writing these lines a host of memories crowd my mind and the feelings of nostalgia make me loose my focus. I am carried back to the day when my father took me to RABWAH to lodge me at Fazl - e - Umar Hostel. It was some day of September but the heat was still scorching to the young boy who had just descended from the cool comforts of his home in GILGIT. The monotony all around made me visualize the oft related story of Hazrat Ibrahim ( as ) and his son Hazrat Ismail ( as ) so explicitly. I had heard this story repeatedly from my early childhood from my grandmother, my mother and also my father, yet it had never made such a vivid impression as it did that day; when my father left me at the hostel.
 

It is a matter of great pleasure to know that finally, the "Association of the T. I. College Old Students" has been formed. Thanks to Professor Chaudhry Hameed Ahmad Sahib and other friends who worked strenuously to achieve this goal. The main purpose of this organization is to keep the luminous traditions and high values of this great institution alive. I joined T. I. College Rabwah as an F. Sc. student in 1966. Although by that time Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifa tul Masih III was not the Principal of the college anymore, nevertheless the high moral, ethical and educational standards that were achieved during his leadership were still there. Since the majority of the professors were Waqifin, they did their job with a missionary spirit that was apparent from the extremely good results that were achieved every year.

One always felt a family like atmosphere in the college because the teachers were caring and generous, always ready to support the students whenever they required help. At that time Professor Qazi Mohammad Aslam Sahib was the principal. Some other names that I remember are Professor Chaudhri Mohammad Ali, Professor Naseer Ahmad Khan, Professor Sultan Mahmood Shahid, Professor Mian Ata ur Rehman, Professor Chaudhri Hameed Ullah, Professor Chaudhri Hameed Ahmad, Professor Abdur Rashid Ghani, Professor Mirza Khurshid Ahmad, Professor Basharat ur Rehman and Professor Masud Atif.
 

Dear Chaudhry Sahib
Assalam o alaikum
My name is Hamid Ahmad Khan and I am an ex-student of Taleem ul Islam College, Lahore and later Rabwah. I am older brother of Mahmood Ahmad Khan whom you have mentioned as pilot. Mahmood as popularly known as Captain M. A. Khan who retired as Chief Pilot after a distinguished service in PIA covering over four decades. He now lives in Karachi and is a successful agriculturist in Sind as well as Punjab. His e-mail address is duee42@hotmail.com .
I joined T. I. College Lahore in 1952 as pre-medical student for two years but could not continue in the field due to lack of interest. I rejoined the college at Rabwah in 1954 as a student of economics and graduated in 1958. For 6 years I helped my father on his land in Sargodha. Then in 1964 I joined National Bank of Pakistan where I was Manager of its Gulberg Branch Lahore until 1965. Then I was selected for foreign Exchange training by the United California Bank, Los Angeles for one year. Upon completion of the training I served the Foreign Department for a brief period at the Head Office in Karachi. I was transferred to Hong Kong in 1971 and then to New York, Chicago and Bahamas where I was Manager of Nassau Bahamas Branch. I resigned from NBP in 1979 to join The Fuji Bank of Japan as its Operations Manager at its Chicago Branch. After three years of serving the Japanese Bank I was hired by BCCI at its American Operation to head its International Trade Finance Area at Miami to supervise its operation in Miami, Caribbean and Latin America. I was an unfortunate victim of its demise in 1990 when this great bank was forced to close down globally.
 

Sir,
Assalamo Alaiku, I have come to know of the of OLD STUDENTS ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE today. How ignorant I am. You may know me, if its so, please tell me how can I be added to the list of old students of this now forgotten institution. I am Dr. Mirza Mubashar Ahmad, FRCSED, at present head of department of surgery at the F.O. Hospital, Rabwah, Pakistan. I was at T.I. College from 1958 to 1962, did my F.Sc. in medical, stood first in the college and got the government merit scholarship and was admitted to King Edward Medical College, Lahore, where I did my MBBS in 1968. I went to England in January 1970 for further training and did my fellowship in surgery from Edinburgh University in 1977. Being a Faqif-e-Zindagi I returned to Rabwah and am working at the F.O. Hospital as Head of Surgery. I have seen the hospital grow as it stands today.

There are many things that can be added to my profile later. Sir, it will be an obligation on your part if I am added to the old students section. I shall insha Allah pay the subscription if any.
Eagerly waiting for acknowledgement.

Dr. Mirza Mobashar Ahmad  

LOVE FOR ALL HATRED FOR NONE
Unfortunately I could not continue at T. I. College for the completion my Fsc as I had to shift to Lahore for my Flying training with Lahore flying School (Club).
I appeared privately for my Fsc.
I qualified as commercial pilot and obtained the Commercial Pilot’s license in 1967 from Lahore flying club Flying School and was taken in PIA same year.
In PIA in the nitial trainig phase I qualified and obtained ATP license (Airline transport pilot rating)
Although I was never a bright student at college but my performance on the professional side has always been outstanding. During my 35 years of service in Pakistan International Airlines as a pilot I have always been utilized as an instructor pilot.
When CAA Pakistan (Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan) established flight inspectorate I was the first one to be appointed as their Flight Inspector on Air buss A300 aircraft, I was latter appointed as CAA flight inspector on Boeing 747 aircraft upon my promotion on that equipment. I have been in the management as Chief Pilot Planning Scheduling & Coordination for almost seven and a half years, the longest period any pilot in PIA has ever been on a management post. I retired as a Boeing 747 captain on Dec.16 2002.
If required I may send some of my pictures taken on and after my last flight in PIA. With this mail two pictures are being attached herewith.
 

Ustazi -ul- Mukurrum Chaudhary Sahib
It is very kind of you to advise me to cotribute to the TIC website. As an alumni of TIC, I feel indebted to you and your colleagues for providing us this wonderful forum to cherish our sweet memories associated with the charismatic environment of TIC campus.
For me,TIC website has revived memories that had gotten blurred in wake of last 35 years. I have again come to know the whereabouts of many old friends and teachers and how they have progressed in their lives. I was indeed glad to know about Dr Muhammed Sharif Khan who taught me the basics of the life sciences.
I consider my self as a humble product of TIC and still live with this strong conviction, that the kind of education and mentors that we had at TIC is hardly to be surpassed by any comparable institute. It is because of their dedication that many of us are what we are today, and my deepest gratitude goes out to them.
In 1971 I graduated from TIC and then obtained Master's degree in Botany from Punjab University in 1973 . Later I served for a period of three years in Nusrat Jehan Scheme in Sierra Leone. I returned home in 1981 after accomplishing doctrate from the Queen's University Belfast. I was advised by Hazarat Khalifa tul Messih lll to look for a professional career in Pakistan and so far God has been very kind and helped me adhere to the advice of Hazur.
I have served Pakistan Agriculture Research Council in various capacities for almost 12 years (1982-1993). Since 1993 I have been associated with Engro Chemical Pakistan Ltd., which is a leading company in Pakistan's corporate set up.
I am accessible on e-mail and telephone, details of which are given below.
Chuadhary sahib we pray Allah may bless you with good and innovative ideas to make TIC Alumni Association a very puposeful forum.
 

Dear Chaudhry Sahib,
Assalam o alaikum wa rematullah
Thank-you for inviting me to contribute to the Souvenir. Having worked with you as the student Editor of Al-Minar English section in 1967-68, I have no doubt that it will be a worthy presentation.
I migrated to T I College Rabwah in first year in 1967 from Government College Sargodha. Similarly, my younger brother Dr. Tayyib Arif also migrated to T I college five years later. I can declare with the fullest emphasis at my command that T I College Rabwah played a vital role in moulding our educational career- nay, our lives in such a way that we were able to achieve successes and win accolades in our later life. We both won College Colour and Tayyib also won role of honour for standing first in the college in Fsc (pre-medical). We both were cabinet members of the students union also.
The greatest impact that my stay in T I College had on me was that it strengthened my personality and self-belief. I owe a lot to my teachers, my fellow students, my friends and to the every environment of T I College Rabwah. I would be failing if I did not mention Baba Shaadi, Shamoon, Laeeq Sahib (dispenser)and our hostel staff who were caring and ever ready to make our lives as comfortable as possible. Now that I have embarked upon this journey down the memory lane, I remember a lot of my old friends and the fun we had together. I cannot join Longfellow in saying:
"Let the dead past bury its dead".
Rather, for each one of those who have left us I say, in the words of Shelley :
"He lives, he wakes 'tis death is dead; not he, mourn not for Adonais".
In fact, I sing along with Keats:
"A thing of beauty is a joy forever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness"