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Book Published on the 13th Death
Anniversary of Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan
“Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan’s written works and models will continue to benefit millions around the globe. He was a man of action and created two highly regarded institutions for poverty alleviation. Dr. Khan disliked wasting time in frivolous conversation. Even on holidays such as Eid, he would spend his time working or reading. Dr. Khan’s achievements and work ethic were admirable and continue to inspire me.” – Nasim Yousaf
Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan – Pioneer of Microcredit & Guru of Rural Development is a collection of ten articles and two poems on Dr. A.H. Khan – a world renowned social scientist and Nobel Peace Prize Nominee. Dr. Khan was a guru of rural development, pioneer of microfinance and recipient of many prestigious awards. He was founder of two world-famous institutions, i.e. Bangladesh (previously Pakistan) Academy for Rural Development (BARD) and Orangi Pilot Project (OPP). Dr. Khan was also recognized by many academics, world leaders and global organizations, such as the World Bank, for his contributions to poverty alleviation. Dr. Khan passed away on October 09, 1999, and per his will, he was laid to rest on the premises of the OPP.
In honor of this great social scientist, Nasim Yousaf has published this work as a tribute to Dr. A.H. Khan on his 13th death anniversary. This work contains articles authored by well-respected and illustrious scholars in their field and includes poems from Dr. Khan’s son. The articles also include statements and views of a number of prominent and learned persons on Dr. Khan. These articles contribute to the enrichment of scholarship in the fields of microcredit, rural development, poverty alleviation and self-reliance based development.
The author and compiler, Nasim Yousaf (nephew of Dr. A.H. Khan), has been in research since 1996 and is a recognized scholar and historian. His works have been published globally in various mediums. Nasim Yousaf has written extensively on Allama Mashriqi and Dr. A.H. Khan and topics related to the Indian subcontinent’s history. He has authored 10 books, and his first book on Dr. A.H. Khan was published in 2003 under the title of Allama Mashriqi & Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan: Two Legends of Pakistan. He is currently working on additional articles and books, such as World Famous Personalities in Microfinance and Poverty Alleviation: Nobel Prize Nominee Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan, Nobel Prize Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and President Barack Obama’s Mother, Dr. S. Ann Dunham (tentative title). As his nephew, Nasim Yousaf had seen Dr. Khan in many different moments – during Dr. Khan’s visit to the author’s family house and at Dr. Khan’s home in Comilla. Additionally, the author’s knowledge comes directly from Dr. Khan’s first wife (Hameedah Begum, a daughter of Allama Mashriqi) as well as sons and daughters of Dr. Khan and other relatives.
Additional contributions have been included from the following distinguished persons:
Dr. Norman Uphoff is a professor at Cornell University and former director of the Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture, and Development. He is an eminent professor and has various publications. He has also been affiliated with many international organizations, such as USAID, World Bank and others. The New York Times (June 17, 2008) paid rich tribute to him: “Many a professor dreams of revolution. But Norman T. Uphoff, working in a leafy corner of the Cornell University campus, is leading an inconspicuous one centered on solving the global food crisis. The secret, he says, is a new way of growing rice”. He received his MPA from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and his PhD from the University of California at Berkeley.
George H Axinn, Professor Emeritus, has had a longstanding and impressive history with Michigan State University, where he has taught for fifty years. His interests lie in international development, rural social systems, farming systems and other relevant areas. Over the years, he has helped establish MSU’s reputation in his subject area, lived in various countries, and has been affiliated with many international organizations, e.g. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). He and his wife, Nancy Axinn, established the Department of Community, Agriculture, Recreation and Resource Studies (CARRS). They are distinguished scholar-practitioners committed to rural development. Their services are well regarded and in recognition for their contributions, in 2006, they were awarded the Distinguished Rural Sociologist Award by the Rural Sociology Society.
Akbar Khan (born in Comilla), the only son of Dr. Khan, has worked for various organizations. From 1992-2000, he worked for Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) in Karachi (Pakistan) as the Director of the Rural Development Program. As OPP Director, he used to work with farmers at Glorachi village (200 kilometers from Karachi) and taught them how to increase the production of rice. With his efforts, farmers were able to increase the yield of rice from 26 units per acre to 66 units per acre in three years. Khan went to Faujdarhat Cadet College (Chittagong), then to Forman Christian College (Lahore) and thereafter, he went to Michigan State University and obtained a BSc. in Animal Husbandry.
Nasim Yousaf greatly appreciates these contributors: “I am grateful to these distinguished and learned personalities for their thoughtful contributions on Dr. A.H. Khan. These men’s efforts are, indeed, valuable scholarly contributions on one of the greatest figures of the 20th century, Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan.”
This work is published by AMZ Publications (USA) and is available in electronic format on Amazon’s Kindle and other latest mediums. It will also soon be available in print form. The said publisher has invited book manuscripts and Masters/PhD theses in English on Dr. A.H. Khan and his contributions to microfinance, rural development, poverty alleviation, etc.
The following sites have been dedicated to the great Dr. Akhtar Hameed Khan:
1) http://www.akhtar-hameed-khan.8m.com
2) http://www.facebook.com/dr.akhtarhameedkhan
May God rest his soul in peace forever!
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