Native speaker input

Is it absolutely necessary to take language tuition in Singapore, or is it just optional to give your child’s language skills some ‘extra polish’? English language teacher Susan McKenzie discusses Lee Wei Ling’s recent article about language tuition in the Sunday times.

Pain and Pleasure
Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter Lee Wei Ling reveals snippets of her growing up years in The Sunday Times. Personal experiences of school, tuition and her philosophy on the pains and pleasures of study are put under the spotlight.

Playing Around
Although the Lee siblings received a “strong grounding” in languages there was still time for play!

Chinese Chatter
Wei Ling does not say exactly when Chinese tuition started, but it was well before primary school.

Extra Polish
Wei Ling’s Prime Minister brother had tuition even after starting primary school but this was for “extra polish,” she says.

Chinese Drama
During secondary school Wei Ling had a Chinese tutor but they did not go over the school syllabus. Instead they concentrated on reading classic works. This tutor encouraged her to write articles for publication in the Chinese media.

Queen’s English
I always pride myself on having a traditional BBC accent, so I was not surprised to hear Wei Ling had attended informal tutorials when someone from the BBC was available. Talking about or reading aloud from novels featured in these tête-à-tête sessions. Wei Ling reveals the rationale for native speakers: “My father arranged for the daughter of the then British High Commissioner to tutor me. He did not want his children speaking Singlish.”

Free Flow
“Free-flowing conversation” was the order of the day. Reading matter included classic literature.

Ring of Confidence
Having worked at the British High Commission for nearly five years as the public affairs officer, I would say that exposure to good quality native speakers does provide an enriching experience, extra polish and a ring of confidence.

Uphill Task
For many, mastering one language is no easy feat. For many, mastering more than one than one language is an uphill task!

Dressing Down
In the school I attended French was compulsory. One day, the headmaster summoned my mother and me to his office. I had no idea why I had been summoned. Usually you are only summoned in this way if you have done something terribly wrong. I searched my mind but could not think why. My French teacher and headmaster were in stern mood, proceeding to verbally abuse my mother for what seemed to be an eternity about why was I speaking French with an English accent. Was I doing this intentionally?

French Connection
My family went into overdrive to help me with my French. My English teacher and her husband who both could speak French gave me lessons. My father brought French native books including so-called easy-to-read classic novels. He also put me on a Linguaphone course. Thus I did not get through my language studies without extra tuition and help, and without native-speaker input.

Get Real
Native speaker input really can give you a leg-up in your language studies.

Reference: The Sunday Times (The Straits Times), When tuition was optional, by Lee Wei Ling, 23 September 2012

Listening and idioms

A World of Meaning

Idioms are phrases with special meanings. Straightforward idioms are usually ones all speakers of English can understand. Clichés are said to be overused phrases – but some so-called clichés are so apt (suitable) that they convey a world of meaning to us and more importantly enlighten and illuminate our thinking.

Here are some very apt idioms relating to the art of silence.

Listening and Silence
Did you know that the same numbers of letters make up the word silent? The same letters can be rearranged and mean silent or listen.  In fact when you think about it – to listen effectively you have to be silent to be able to really listen to what someone is saying.

Feel the Silence
The art of listening is to listen like you’ve never listened before – treat listening as if you are hearing something for the first time. This way you will be fresher in your listening. Feel the silence when you listen. When you are silent, you will hear at a deeper level of listening – we can call it a new level of listening.

Listen with Silence
Notice that the word Silence and the word License also have the same number of letters as well. Silence gives you the license to listen and be silent at the same time.

Space of Silence
The gap between your thoughts is the space of silence. Treasure this space. Treat it as the punctuation of thinking – the time for a comma, full stop (period), question mark or exclamation mark!

Listen to your Heart
In the silence you have greater access to your feelings.  When you listen to your heart you have greater awareness of your feelings and how you feel about a particular issue. Your feelings are there for a reason so you need to listen to them. Listening to the heart is listening to our feelings and not hard logic. There is a message in our heart if we are silent enough to listen to it.

Listen up
Listen up means to pay greater attention to what is going on. We need to listen up to be able to effectively listen to whatever we should be listening to. There are times when if we don’t listen up we will miss what is going on. “Listen up now! This is important.”

Listen in
Sometimes we want to listen in on something. That means we want to listen but may need permission to do so. “Can we listen in when the band rehearses today?”

A Word to the Wise
If you are wise then you will listen to what is going to be said next.

Bending Your Ear
If I have to bend your ear then I have to force you to listen to me. I would hope that you would hang on to my every word (listening to me closely).

Lend me your ears (listen to me)
Show willingness by saying “I’m all Ears.”  Not only am I listening but I really want to listen. I am eager and what you are saying won’t fall on deaf ears.

Take Heed (listen carefully and be warned) - It Pays to Listen
Silence is golden when making an effort to listen. Listening is one of the best ways to learn if you listen with the aim of understanding what is being said. Listening builds rapport and respect when you listen with interest.

All Ears
Listen not only with your ears, but also with your experience, your knowledge, your compassion, your intuition and your real intention to understand. Listen well and create a powerful connection with the person you are listening to.

Golden Listening Blessings
B:  Being able to effectively listen is essential to being a successful communicator.
L:  Listening plays a role in every endeavour: for learning, understanding, working, creating, presenting, and developing satisfied customers, clients and partners.
E:  Effective listening enables you to obtain valuable information and to understand the hidden meanings in the words of others.
S:  Silence and listening go hand in hand. Silence is needed to concentrate on the message and the true meaning of the communication.
S:  Silence is a state that should be felt when listening. Silence permits you to hear at a deeper level of listening, understanding and putting the dots together.
I:  Increase your learning, comprehension, understanding and productivity by a conscious effort to listen.
N:  Nourish your mind with thoughts that you can really improve your listening and reap all the benefits that this post says you can achieve with effective listening.
G:  Gaps between your thoughts are times to reflect in the state of silence. Gaps of silence are an important aspect of coming back stronger in the art of communication. Gaps of silence enable you to review the beat of your heart, mind and soul.
S: Skillful listening enables you to learn more from people than they intend to tell you. Silence gives you the licence to listen and be silent at the same time.

the best attitude for kids

Little BearsI teach a Little Bears class for children officially aged at least 2 and half, although if the child is ready before that age they can join. Usually children are in the two to three age group. In my experience, kids have to be at least aged two before they can appreciate some of the activities.

Activity-Based
What activities can kids in the two to four year old range be expected to do?

This depends on what can be expected from children in this age range and also the philosophy of the organisation your child is attending classes at. Our philosophy is that before a child should learn to read he/she needs to have mastered phonemic awareness (awareness of the sounds of words), basic writing of letters and the ability to focus for about one and a half hours.

Awareness First
I am attempting to achieve in the Little Bears class:

Sounds first: A child first learns sounds and so we are putting together the sounds of English.

Shapes and Coloring first: A child can’t just write so it is best to learn how to color first and to draw shapes. This is what is called the development of motor skills (holding the pencil properly and being able to use the pencils correctly).

Talking first: Also when I am talking to the child I do repeat a lot and use pointing to reinforce language and understanding.

Educational Teething
The primary problem concerns separation issues, separating from Mum or Dad. I regard this as the equivalent of teething. It is painful for all, but we have to go through this process and the earlier the better. I have seen children aged five and six still having these problems, so there is no ideal age to go through. The earlier the better is what I say. This brings me to the main reason why you send your kids to English classes, and that is to have the best social skills possible.

Clear SignsMost parents focus upon the objective signs of leaning: Oh my child can do this and that … That is part of the joys of parenting and totally natural.

Savvy Social SkillsA minority of parents don’t overlook the skill that I feel is the most important.

Good Attitude
You may send your child to class to learn a language and to develop your child’s brain in the most holistic way, but the most important skills a child needs to learn is how to focus, how to work with a system and how to interact well with others. In other words, developing the good attitudes that underpin success. You may have read about how people get hired for skills but fired for attitude.  The best attitudes are learnt at the youngest age and that is in class.

Start EarlyYour child is going to class to obtain the optimum success – to learn to operate in English with the greatest social success. Mastering social success is the one greatest aspect of childhood learning that will last a lifetime.

3 wishes or kids

Are your kids missing out on the three top life skills? 

Do you remember how you learnt the three top life skills? 
Those three skills being financial management, cooking and social etiquette (including grooming). If you could give yourself a grade in these areas what would it be?  

Financial Management
Think about your financial story – how did you learn this crucial skill?

When I was growing up I was a Brownie (the younger arm of the Girl Guide Movement) and I took the Thrift Badge which aimed to teach financial skills. I remember having to keep a savings account to show how I could save money and also care more about the things I owned. This was probably financial management at its most simplest and today is woefully inadequate.

Growing Money
Of course, parents do try to impart financial management to their kids with pocket money but often are too mean or too indulgent.

Children usually are under the impression that parents have a lot of money and have high expectations. Kids even at the age of four or five are boasting about where their parents are taking them for a holiday and what has been bought for them. Parents do remind kids of the famous adages such as Money Does not Grow on Trees but many children find that hard to believe.

Professional Primer
If parents feel they need help in this department then there are the professionals such as Mind Champs (www.moneychampkids.com) and people who have undergone the Mind Champs training such as Fortuna Tung (lifeskillsbuddies.com.sg). Children learn by example so if you are going to send your child on one of these courses, you need to think about what example you are setting.  At the same time this might be a good juncture to rethink your financial management skills and win greater respect and understanding from your children.

Culinary Arts
Please don’t blame my mother. My mother attempted to teach me to cook and there were some classes at school too. I even passed the Cooking Badge for the Brownies but still my cooking sucks.

Being able to cook is an essential skill and without it can affect our health in the long term. While fast food is a treat once in a while, every day may not be such a good idea!  If I had my time over again I would say if only I had taken cooking more seriously and I feel handicapped only having rudimentary culinary skills. This is one skill I think is worth going on a course for, and who knows your child might make you some great food that you can enjoy!

Social Discourse
I am a great believer in the development of social skills. It is a department where there is room for improvement for most people. I know I wish I could remain calmer in difficult social situations and in the office. Being able to say nice things to others is one social skill that many kids need to improve upon.

In the English classes I teach at I Can Read social skills are an important part of the ethos of the teaching.  In my teaching – expressing English politely is an important social skill that has to be learnt.

Just changing the tone of phrases such as “Excuse me,” can be asking to be excused or referring to the other as rude!

When I was still a teenager I attended finishing school in London. I attended Lucie Clayton and spent a summer learning social skills, grooming and etiquette (how to behave in all the social situations one would encounter). We may think we know many of the social graces but actually some of the finer points do need imparting. 

Have a compelling story

Impressive CV
The irony of life is that we need an impressive CV but its impressiveness is not what bags the job. It is a good intro but then … 
A Leg in the Door 
No more than a leg in the door, resumes get you in front of the hiring people, but it will be a compelling story that will get your past the door and into a work station that is truly yours.   
Preparation is Key 
Many people have got the message of a professional CV (sadly some have not!). Some people have to learn the hard way and I am one of those who took that route until I wised up.  Not just a professional CV but also specific preparation about the company. I went to one interview and had not even looked up the company’s website. The disappointment on the part of the interviewing panel was palpable and needless to say I did not get the job! This was clear lack of preparation and lack of savvy. 

Leadership Quandary 
If you are applying for a responsible position where you will be making some day to day decisions and aspiring to a leadership position then you need a compelling story about yourself and how you hope to benefit your target employment company.  You have to be prepared to be hired. If you are not prepared how on earthy can you take the lead in a responsible position.  

Leadership Positions
Think about what people have to do in a company: teamwork with colleagues and manage one or more employees.  You may have to persuade customers and sell products and services. 

Why the Lack of Preparation? 
In my case I thought I knew enough. That must be a form of arrogance.  Arrogance is defined as meaning that you think you are better or know more than others.  In my case it was complacency – thinking I could look it up once I got there!  Or is that arrogance again?  

Advance Work
Aptitude – your skills to do the job are set out in the CV, but at the interview your attitude is also being tested. Your attitude is on the line.  How you tell your story will reveal your attitude, your passions and your can-do philosophy.  

Emotional Click
Your CV is important and all the date is on the page.  Now you are on the stage. Remember what Shakespeare penned: All the world’s a stage and here is your 15 minutes to 30 minutes (usually).  There needs to be an emotional connect and that is where your compelling story fits in.  
Next Time
When you get the next call for an interview go into overdrive and load up with a compelling story that hits the right spot. You can’t sell yourself on the back of your CV alone!   

The Number One Secret of Getting that Job Offer: have a compelling story. 

3 wishes for your kids

Beautiful Blessing
When your child is born you are in the greatest position to bestow blessings upon your child. Many will just wish for a healthy baby while some are more ambitious, the child must get to an Ivory League University and make millions.

Your Wish
Whatever your wish for your child and there should be many for a rounded upbringing, the top three would financial finesse, culinary skill and social charm.

Financial Finesse
How do we learn financial management and financial savvy?  I learnt some basic stuff when I was a Brownie (a junior Girl Guide) but it was real simple stuff such as saving pocket money and not wasting things. Apart from watching my parents that was it!

Further parental advice may be limited to admonitions such as money does not grow on trees! That is hardly training!

Perhaps people who study accountancy and business at college will learn some financial management too, but for the average Joe and Jane it is going to be lacking.

These days there are courses available for kids to attend. It is never too young to introduce your child to one of these courses. Think about your own example of how you use and manage money. Does your example pass muster?

At the same time this might be an opportune moment to rethink your financial management or mismanagement.

Canned Cuisine
Tonight again its burger or something out of a can!

Not the best way to live if that is your daily fare. One of my biggest regrets in life if that I am not a better cook. Again I did try – attempted the Cooking Badge with the Girl Guides and my dear mother did try to show me the basics, but I rarely got past peeling the potatoes.

If you can cook you might think it is natural for everyone to cook. But it just does not come naturally for all.

If I had my time over again I would have taken cooking more seriously and if you have children then lose no time, get them enrolled in cooking classes.

This is one skill I think is worth going on a course for, and who knows your child might make you some great food!

Social Skills Advocate
I am a total believer in social skills development.

In my teaching of English I am glad I have the opportunity to interact with young minds and to explain to them why nice behave is important.

Social Skill expertise is an underpinning skill for social success. Without developed social skills, it is going to be difficult to interact well with others.

One of the best investments I made when I was a teenager was to save up for a grooming and etiquette course at Lucie Clayton. This was a London finishing school course, and I spent a few months learning how to behave correctly in diverse social situations. Not only that I really enjoyed this experience.

My Three Wishes
My three wishes for your children are –
may they learn to the best cooks,
may they always make wise financial decisions and
may they have express the best social graces and charm.

Where are you headed to?

 Where do you see yourself in five years time? 

Do you have a good answer? 

Whenever I have asked myself that question I have not really had a good answer.

Money First

My first consideration is money. I hope I will be earning more money.

 I also hope I will be with the same company.  

Your Feelings 

What do you feel when asked that question? Will you be able to look back with satisfaction and contentment about your achievements?

If five years is too much, how about one year in the future? 

So Rare 

If you look at CVs these days it is rare that people have stayed with the same job for many years. 

Is Your Track Record Better Than Mine? 

If I look at my CV the maximum time that I stayed in one position was 10 years, two jobs where I stayed for about 5 years and two jobs where I stayed less than two years. In my current job I have not yet done two years. What about you - what has your track record been like so far? 

Push and Pull Factors

Of course we console ourselves that we were looking for better jobs but often the shift is lateral or brought upon because of some dissatisfaction in our job such as an overbearing person (a kinder word than bully but it feels like bullying).  

What Can You Do Better? 

Think about your career up to now and how it has been going. Could you do better and where could you do better?  What are the realities about you and about your job choices?  Who can help you and how can you help yourself?  Look within and look at your existing job and see how you can improve. 

Likes and Dislikes

In all the jobs I have been in there have been people who have liked me and people who ...  That is life. 

What you should make a greater effort on is to know yourself better and more deeply - in other words what makes you tick and click. In addition, work on the things that you need to get up to speed. This will help to increase your confidence translating into better choices of what to embrace and what to avoid.

What Confidence Does

With greater confidence people's respect and acceptance will increase. It may still mean that not everyone warms to you but hopefully that won't matter so much or affect your career. 

Career Carving

If you have been in a company that gives you access to free training or bosses behave like mentors then you are truly lucky. Most of the companies I have worked for have not and so you have to develop your own plan. Even if you work for the ideal company and you get all the training you need, do think how you can add to that. But again remember why are you training - to make you better at your job or to make you better with your relations with others. 

The Price of Love

Lament of Loss

“The time we had spent with someone. 

The time we know, we are never going to get back.” (Muhammad Mohsan Zaki)

May the Blessings Be

Oh this is sad and so true - I wonder why we spend so much time hoping when the other has made it so clear that they don't want you. And yet we do. A very sad aspect of life, or perhaps it is to our credit if we have good thoughts and wish the best for them. If only if should become may the blessings be.

Stages of Loss

In a relationship break down – there are a number of stages. 

Stage One

The first stage is perhaps our need to tell them what we had hoped they had done that they have not done. That actually makes the break up worse but then after that we should wish them well. 

Perpetual Love Stage

We should wish them well because if you truly loved you will love them forever and we should wish a loved one well. 

Always Easier Said than Done

Yes it is easier said than done but it is best for them, for you and the world. The good or bad news is that you may think of them for the rest of your life. So many times the what ifs come in but try to crowd them out with good thoughts and good wishes for the person.

Why the Love Should Remain

When we offer love sometimes it is rejected but if we really feel the love why should we turn it to hate or to something that is not nice. 

Proof of Love

The proof of true love is that we continue to love no matter what. 

Unreturned Love

While it may mean that we never get that person's love hopefully in time, at the very least, they will realize that there was someone in their lives who truly loved them. 

If we believe in God, and if we honour God then we should work to do this. It is not easy but it is one of the challenges for us. Really it is not easy and there will be good days and not so good days but do we must. Also sometimes we may even be back to square one when the flood of emotion takes over us but we must seek solace at that time by saying to ourselves - yes I truly loved and cared.

Why Love is Never a Sure Thing

Love is never a sure thing because some people only love what we do and not what we are, so when we cannot give exactly what they want then they don’t love us any more (according to their definition of love). However, do you really want to keep on buying their love?  Well I can’t answer that question for you but you need to think whether that price of love is worth it. You may think it is and are prepared to pay it.  

How Deep is Your Love? 

I don't think it is to do with naivety totally – I think it is to do with how deeply you felt and the commitment you made. When the other stops loving or perhaps makes it clear they never loved, the other can't just stop if they themselves truly loved. I am not saying the person stays depressed for the rest of their life. In fact by continuing to love even though it is now at a distance one can avoid the worst days of depression, which is why I say continuing to love is good for you, them and the world. 

What We Wanted

Loving is what we wanted to do anyway, so there is no harm continuing to love. I cannot talk for the Muslim world, only the Western world and in the Western world I think there is nothing worse when I meet someone and they tell people they don’t love their former partner any more, or worse they hate their former partner. How can love turn to hate? If it does then it was a very conditional type of love and probably no better or true than the one who no longer wants anything to do with you. 

Forgiveness 

I think this approach also helps in the process of forgiving too. If you continue to love then it is easier to forgive and in forgiving you will find a form of peace towards the situation.  

True Jinnah: True Beliefs

The Man Behind the ManRehana Matri: MA Jinnah was a man with a vision, influenced by another man with a vision (Allama Iqbal). Both returned from Britain to serve their people.
Relentlessly RelevantRehana Matri: MA Jinnah is still relevant to Pakistan because he is the father of the nation and he wanted to create an Islamic state where everyone is able to practice their own religion, free and without fear.
Relentless WorkIf MA Jinnah could advise the younger generation today, Rehana Matri thinks he would tell them: work hard and not waste time, stand together.

Man of Principle and Pragmatic WisdomThe words in quotation marks are those of MA Jinnah when he gave his first presidential address to the Constituent Assembly in 1947.
First Duty“The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State.”

Bribery and Corruption“Bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put that down with an iron hand.”

“Colossal crime against society”
“A citizen who does black-marketing commits, I think, a greater crime than the biggest and most grievous of crimes.”

“The evil of nepotism and jobbery”
“I shall never tolerate any kind of jobbery, nepotism or any any influence directly of indirectly brought to bear upon me.”  <Jobbery is using public office for your own  gain or advantage, while nepotism is favoring family and friends where there is no merit.>

Partition
“There are people who do not quite agree with the division of India and the partition of the Punjab and Bengal. …but now that it has been accepted, it is the duty of everyone of us to loyally abide by it and honourably act according to the agreement which is now final and binding on all.”

“A united India could never have worked”
“A division had to take place. On both sides, in Hindustan and Pakistan, there are sections of people who may not agree with it, who may not like it, but in my judgement there was no other solution.”

Last SpeechMA Jinnah passed away in September 1948, but one of the last speeches he gave was to the Army Staff College.  

“The Defence Forces are the most vital of all Pakistan Service”

Oath Of Allegiance
“An oath is only a matter of form; what are more important are the true spirit and the heart. But it is an important form, and I would like to take the opportunity of refreshing your memory by reading the prescribed oath to you."

“I solemnly affirm, in the presence of Almighty God, that I owe allegiance to the Constitution and Dominion of Pakistan (mark the words Constitution and the Government of the Dominion of Pakistan) and that I will as in duty bound honestly and faithfully serve in the Dominion of Pakistan Forces and go within the terms of my enrolment wherever I may be ordered by air, land or sea and that I will observe and obey all commands of any officer set over me…..”

“The spirit is what really matters”
“Any command or orders that may come to you cannot come without the sanction of the Executive Head. This is the legal position.”

Source of quotes for the first presidential address: Source: Dawn, Independence Day Supplement, August 14, 1999.
Transcribed from printed copy by Shehzaad Nakhoda
http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/legislation/constituent_address_11aug1947.html

Source of quotes for the address to the army:  http://new-pakistan.com/2011/12/23/quaid-e-azam-address-to-officers-of-the-staff-college-quetta/

Did you intend Pakistan to be Secular or Islamic? Asks Tyrone Trellis of MA Jinnah

Tryone Trellis shares his views about MA Jinnah and the future of Pakistan1. What are the most admirable qualities of Mr. Jinnah?His honesty, his principles.
2. What parallels/similarities can you draw between Mr. Jinnah and Imran Khan?Not much. Imran Khan seems to mean well but can he go the distance? I don’t know.
3. If you could ask Mr. Jinnah some questions what would they be?Do you still see the shadow of the nation you dreamt of in Pakistan?
Finally, settle it, did you desire Pakistan to be secular or Islamic?
Comment by Susan McKenize: Good questions – after I read this timeline I think he meant it to be enlightened Islamic. That means he wanted it to be Islamic but that other religions would be able to freely practice and have their own way of life too but with mutual respect for all. See the time post and see if you agree with me: 

http://abetoday.com/2012/12/10/muhammad-ali-jinnah-man-character-quotes-inspirations-and-milestones/

4. What do you remember most about Mr. Jinnah when you think of him?His fair play and objectivity.
5. Where does Mr. Jinnah stand compared to other world leaders?He is a world hero and should be better known. We haven’t sold him to the world like India sold Gandhi.
Comment by Susan McKenzie:  I think the world has bought the idea that Gandhi was a man of peace in that he advocated a non-violent response.6. What question should I have asked but I have not?Do you know of any flaws or biases committed by Jinnah?
Comment by Susan McKenzie: Good question. He is a man so will not be perfect. For me the border was not drawn properly but it may be that it was the best that could be achieved. Also with the benefit of hindsight – to have a split nation – an East and West Pakistan really was not viable in the long term.  I have not investigated what impact that had on the border drawing. I feel India should be more generous and accommodating in this area but it is not easy to give up sovereign territory.

7. Is there one thing that you know about Mr. Jinnah that people don’t generally know about?

He did break rules and was partly responsible for the divide with East Pakistan.

8. How is Mr. Jinnah still relevant for Pakistan?

He is the founder. How is Washington relevant to Americans? He is relevant in the same way. He is a visionary and a great man.

9. What can Mr. Jinnah teach the younger generation?

To be humble and disciplined and objective.

10. Is there anything Mr. Jinnah can teach the world? 

The same as above and also how to be compassionate as well as resolute in crisis.

11. Do you regret not being part of a greater India?

No.

12. What have your parents/grandparents said about Mr. Jinnah? 

Nothing much. I’ve seen my mom live the ideals Jinnah expounded. She didn’t need to speak about him, she could have walked with him as one.

13. Why do you keep Mr. Jinnah in such high esteem?

He is a man who is a role model and a great inspiration.

Add this question: 
How can the youth learn from Jinnah?

Pic credit:  Pics courtesy of http://www.urdupoint.com/ and public domain sources.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Man, Character, Quotes, Inspirations and Milestones

Enter to Learn, Go Forth to ServeMuhammad Ali Jinnah went to a school in Karachi which had the bold inscription:  Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve. He certainly did. 

1916: At age 40, Jinnah is bubbling with confidence: "The word failure is unknown to me."

1918:"A neat, charismatic, well-mannered young man, a master of logic. The most intelligent man I have seen." (Lord Montego Chelmsford)

1920: Mohandas K. Gandhi renames the working committee of the Congress, from Home Rule League to the Hindi "Suraaj Sabha."  Jinnah resigns from the Home Rule League. He picked up the name change as Gandhi’s drift toward serving the Hindu Cause alone.

1920s: Gandhi promotes Hindu fundamentalism and gains popularity. He threatens, "If Muslims or Christians slaughter a single cow we will shed rivers of blood in India!"

1922: When people shower him with extremely honorable titles, Jinnah asserts, "I have no desire for any position or title. You may simply call me Jinnah or Mr. Jinnah."

1931: Round Table Conference in London. Chaudhry Rahmat Ali tells Jinnah that he will not accept crucifixion at the hands of the Hindu extremists. Allama Sir Muhammad Iqbal present at the conference convinces M. A. Jinnah that Indian Muslims must have their independent homeland.

1931: "If India ever attains freedom, it will be because of Jinnah." (Gopal Krishna Gokhle)

1933: Allama Iqbal writes to M.A. Jinnah, "Muslims of India are looking up to you to lead them." Liaquat Ali Khan tells M.A. Jinnah, "Indian Muslims need and deserve you."

May 29, 1937: Allama Iqbal writes to Jinnah, "The only safeguard for Muslims is to achieve a free homeland for themselves. Don't you think the time has come for this demand? A great storm is nearing and Muslims deserve to look up to you to captain their ship."

1937: Jinnah declares, "Even if we have to go through fire and blood we must march on to freedom, otherwise, we will forever remain poor, weak, illiterate, and slaves of Hindus.

1938: Bombay, 3 A.M. August 14: A Hindu journalist gently enters the mansion and asks Jinnah why he was staying awake so late while all Hindu leaders were sleeping in comfort. Jinnah responds, "I am awake because my nation is sleeping. They are sleeping because their nation is awake."

1938: "In India, the only un-purchasable leader is M.A. Jinnah." (Pakistanfirst Prime Minister to be, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan)

1938: Jinnah visits Ilahabad, UP. He rules the hearts and minds of students. They crowd the Ilahabad railway station in multitudes. The railway traffic has to be stopped for 2 hours.

May 13, 1939: Muhammad Ali Jinnah orders his fortunes to be distributed between Aligarh University, UP, Islamia College, Peshawar and the Sind Madrasah,Karachi.

1940: Jinnah says, "One's whole life can be built around moral strength, courage, hard work and persistence."

1940: Everyone starts calling M.A. Jinnah as "Quaid-e-Azam", the Great Leader.

1940: Quaid-e-Azam introduces his English newspaper "DAWN" to fight anti-Muslim propaganda.

1940: Careful with words. "I am willing to see Gandhi but you can't say that I wish to see him."

1941: When advised to take rest by his loving sister he replies, "Fatima! Have you ever heard of a general going on vacation while his army is at war?"

1941: "Pakistan was established when the first Indian accepted Islam and Hindus called him Untouchable!"

July 26, 1943: A 30 year old tall and stout man, Rafiq Sabir tries to assassinate Quaid-e-Azam at his office with a dagger. The 67 year old slender Jinnah calmly grabs his wrist while his driver arrests the attacker. Jinnah proceeds with his work as if nothing happened. Rafiq Sabir belonged to the Khaksar Tehrik that believed Muslims must rule the whole India by way of power.

Dec 18, 1943: "The most important man in Asia is 67, tall, thin and elegant, with a monocle on a gray silk cord and a stiff white collar." (Beverly Hill Nichols, in his interview with the great leader titled Dialogue With A Giant)

1945: The Working Committee of the Muslim League requests Quaid-e-Azam to accept becoming the life President of the League. Quaid-e-Azam declines and insists on democratic process with yearly elections.

1945: Jinnah says, "I first decide what is right and proceed to do it. The people invariably come around me and the opposition vanishes. Many leaders would rather say what people want to hear."

1945, to students: "Do not criticize others when you yourselves have not yet learned to respect the sanctity of law. I see you have no lights on your bikes after dusk. --- Education and scholarship must come first and politics after."

1945: Unity, Faith, Discipline must be the motto of our nation.

1945: "I am an old man and I have all the luxuries of life. Why am I toiling hard? It is for you, for the poor of the nation."

1946: "No power on earth can prevent (the creation of) Pakistan!"

1946: "There is no tribunal to which we can go. The only tribunal for us is the Muslim nation."

1946: "Work for the good of the common man." (Addressing the leaders of Muslim League)

1946: M.A. Jinnah addresses students in Deccan, "In Islam, the ultimate obedience belongs to God alone. The only way to follow His Guidance is through the Holy Qur'an. Islam does not preach obedience to a king, parliament, person or any institution. The Islamic government means Rule of the Qur'an. And how can you establish the Rule of the Qur'an without an independent state? In this state, legislation will take place within the boundaries drawn by the Qur'an."

1946: Jinnah reaches this conclusion, "All the conferences in the world cannot reconcile the stark differences between the Hindu and Muslim ideologies."

1946: "What are our utmost demands? The answer is Pakistan."

1946: "Exceptional inner worth, vitality and endurance with eager humanity, a simple, winning humor like a child." (The prominent Indian intellectual, Miss Sarojini Naidu, the Nightingale of India™, poet and later, the governor of Uttar Pradesh)

1946: "Democracy is in the blood of Muslims. I'll give you an example. Very often, when I go to a mosque, my chauffeur stands side by side with me."

1947: "His youth was spotless." (Sarojini Naidu)

1947: "M.A. Jinnah is such a smart man. How would he not make history? I admire the tremendous personality and his inexorable determination." (British Field Marshall, Sir Claude Auchinleck)

1947:  M.A. Jinnah says, "I believe in criticizing the government freely and frankly. But at the same time, it is the duty of every educated person to support and help the government when it is doing right."

1947: "Jinnah is the Muslim League. For him, people invariably fall in line. No one has any doubt what he means when he speaks. He speaks what he means and he means what he speaks." (R.G. Casey, Governor of Bengal)

June 3, 1947: Quaid-e-Azam gives the great news of freedom to the Indian Muslims. From All India Radio, Delhi he exclaims, "Pakistan Zindabad!" (Long Live Pakistan!)

July 1947: In the history of nations, an enemy of today is a friend of tomorrow.

August 7, 1947: Do you know I never expected to see Pakistan in my lifetime?

August 11, 1947: Addressing the Nation: You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed, that has nothing to do with the fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of the state.

These words were Jinnah's, but the thought and beliefs were an inheritance from Prophet Muhammad: Today I trample under my feet all the distinctions of caste, color, and nationality. (Hector Bolitho)

August 12, 1947: Muhammad (the exalted Prophet) was the greatest lawgiver, statesman and sovereign.

August 13, 1947: "The single-mindedness and persistent integrity of Muhammad Ali Jinnah gave him the victory over all his adversaries." (M.K. Gandhi)

August 14,1947: Hindu fundamentalist party RSS tries to assassinate Quaid-e-Azam as he is driven to the Government House in Karachi. For some reason, the bomb thrown on his car fails to explode. Quaid-e-Azam declines personal bodyguard.

1948: "It is as important to unlearn as it is to learn." (M.A. Jinnah).

April 15 1948: On medical advice, Jinnah temporarily moves to a scenic place, Ziyarat near Quettabut he refuses to stop working.

July 1, 1948: Comes to Karachi for the inauguration ceremony of the State Bank of Pakistan. He asserts, The adoption of Western Economic Theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contented people. We must work our destiny in our own way, and present to the world an economic system based on the true Islamic concepts of equality of mankind and social justice. This was the last official engagement of M.A. Jinnah.

August 1948: Muhammad Ali Jinnah's personal physician Col. Elahi Baksh said, Sir! You must have woolen pajamas. Quaid-e-Azam replied, Listen Doctor, whenever you spend money on me. Think twice whether it is necessary or not.

August 1948: My ways are what? - Just common sense.

August 29, 1948: Now it does not matter whether I live or die. I have completed my job.

August 29, 1948, Ziyarat: "I have completed my mission."

September 11, 1948: 10.20 PM, the great leader breathes his last at the Government House in Karachi. The entire Pakistan is beclouded in gloom within the next hour.

1948: While the Hindu leadership of India, including Gandhi, indulged in tactics simulating mantras, soothsaying and voodoo, Jinnah in comparison carried on his politics with the selectivity of an expert surgeon. (Sir Winston Churchill)

1948: Jinnah was a man without malice. (General Sir Douglas Gracey, Commander-in-Chief of the Pakistan army in 1948)

1949: Jinnah was faultless in both ethics and virtue. (Sarojini Naidu, the Nightingale of India).

1949: Jinnah abhorred the "vague, philosophical absurdities" of Gandhi. (Hector Bolitho, the renowned British author)

1949: "Gandhi was an instrument of power, Jinnah was power," states the physician, Dr. JAL Patel, who had treated both leaders. The doctor adds, "Gandhi was unclothed before his disciples, Jinnah was clothed before his disciples. That was the difference between them."

1950: Jinnah used to say, "A spade should be called a spade." And he always did that. (Historian G.A. Alana)

1950: Gandhi was not happy if he achieved his objective through logical progression. He appealed to emotions. Muhammad Ali Jinnah was logical, practical and appealed to reason. (Sir D.B. Cunningham)

1950: Jinnah apart from his integrity, which was frightening, was a powerful man; when he decided to dominate anyone, an individual or a multitude, he did. He spoke to Urdu understanding masses in English but they listened to him, bewitched! (Professor Khalid Bin Saeed, historian)

1951: To doubt Muhammad Ali Jinnah's sincerity was to question the law of his life. (Hector Bolitho, British author)

1951: The profound laurels and long accounts of Muhammad Ali Jinnah achievements in newspapers failed to impress him. (Rizwan Ahmad, a close associate)

1951: The force of Jinnah's convictions and his inimitable style struck large audiences into wonder and agreement. (Hector Bolitho)

1951: Jinnah was completely free from extremes of emotions. (Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan)

1952: Jinnah's eyes were the 'twin lamps of truth'. Only the honest could look him straight in the eye. (Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan)

1955: The word holiday was foreign to Jinnah's active mind. (Younger sister, Fatima Jinnah)

1970: To the end of his life, he made no effort to court popularity or to please the press. (Lord Mountbatten,India’s last British viceroy)

Pic credit: Khalid Mahmood. Educational institutions received the remaining part of Mr Jinnah’s worldly goods.

Text credit: the text was first published at http://www.hamariweb.com/articles/article.aspx?id=2747
Glimpses of Quid-e-AZAM by (Shahzad Shameem, Abbottabad)