The late Mr Ghulam Farooq has the highest record of
accomplishment in this country during his career as Chairman "Pakistan
Industrial Development Corporation". I know very little about him but I had a
very very brief encounter with him which I shall describe in the following
paragraphs. This incident throws light on his magnanimous approach and attitude.
In 1958, I was the Construction Engineer of PIDC at the
Penicillin Factory, Daudkhel. At that time, a chimney was to be built there for
the boiler. I proposed to my Operative Director that I build it in RCC.
Considering it a risky job, he did not agree with me and ordered the Karachi
Shipyard for supply of the steel chimney.
Shortly afterwards, the chairman of PIDC Mr Ghulam Farooq
came on a round. At the chimney site, I told him that I had proposed an RCC
Chimney. "Oh! that will be very good", he said and ordered his steno who was
accompanying him to cancel the order of the steel chimney with the shipyard.
"How much will the RCC Chimney cost?", he asked me. I told
him that it would cost around Rs 30,000. "Thirty thousand rupees sanctioned", he
dictated to his steno.
A little further, on the same round, I told Mr Ghulam
Farooq that I could build very very economical RCC Shell Structures at a cost of
nearly Rs 3.50 only per sq ft. He paused a bit and tried to decide as to where
to build these, but could not think of some suitable site. So he ordered me to
build two sample shells at a seemingly available space and asked me as to how
much money was required. I told him Rs 7,000.
"Seven thousand rupees sanctioned", he again dictated to
his steno.
In the evening, an officer told Mr Ghulam Farooq that his
Operative Director was apprehensive of the risks in building an RCC Chimney.
Mr Ghulam Farooq very emphatically said "WELL, LET THIS
CHIMNEY FALL, I WILL BUILD IT AGAIN. BUT IF A YOUNG MAN WANTS TO DO A THING, LET
HIM DO IT."
Alas! very few high ups in our country having the same or
even more powers as the late Mr Ghulam Farooq had, use their powers. Many of
them are not even aware of their powers and of the ways they could use them.
See how Mr Ghulam Farooq behaved in this incident:
1. He showed extraordinary keenness.
2. He took spontaneous decisions.
3. He gave on the spot financial sanctions on the basis of
his own judgement setting aside the bureaucratic proper channels.
4. He displayed an encouraging, rather patronizing
attitude to new experiments.
5. He exhibited overwhelming enthusiasm in being a
guardian to keen young men.
O
Today, there are many craftsmen who have developed new
techniques, processes and products and need to be encouraged and helped in the
interest of the industrial progress of the country. Many writers have proved
their worth but await help in publishing their excellent works. There are many
good and dedicated teachers around whom schools could be set up.
If only our high-ups could show some iniative in this
regard, such gifted people will definitely be helpful in the progress of our
country. |