Talk:Hasan Askari

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Mr. Mohammad Hassan Askari was my teacher. I came to know him in 1965 when I joined Islamia College, Karachi. I had no clue about English literature but had a great passion to improve my English language skills and thought that by reading literature I could achieve my goal.

Mr. Askari was an amazing teacher and he had his own style of teaching. Our classes began by Askari Sahib ('sahib' is an urdu word which is used for respect) dictating us notes(notes on Victorian Age and what not, perhaps they were mini lectures). He went on and on and on and a time came when I said to my friend Zia that for three months we had done nothing except 'note taking', when would this end and how were we going to take our exams. We both laughed in bewilderment. Then the day came when we realized the purpose of all that was dictated. When we started reading the novel 'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens, he applied all that was dictated to the story. Our eyes opened and we understood the purpose. I have referred to this story to show the uniqueness of the notes he gave us. When I was doing my Masters in English Literature, I had to take an exam in Romantic Poetry. I was confused and went to Mr. Askari's house. I expressed my fears. "we have the paper tomorrow." I said. And he laughed. "Masood, you know everything. Go to our house, get the 'pakoras' (dumplings made from gram flour) and tea ready and I'll join you." So the sage arrived! He came, had his pakoras and while having his tea, in about an hour I knew how to write answers to the questions. He made use of the notes he had dictated us while we were going our graduation. When the results were announced, I had stood second in that paper.

May his soul rest in peace. Ameen. I am a teacher myself and have taught for almost 37 years now. From 1965 to 1974 when I left Karachi for Muscat to teach, I had spent most of my time with him. How many stoires can I write? Innumerable! And will when this discussion goes active.

Where you guys, I mean Askari Sahib's students?! Come and join me!

Masood Wahab Dubai Women's College, UAE