Prof Dr Syed Wadal Shah: A Name of Untiring
Struggle
By
Hajira
Shah
Prof Dr. Syed
Wadal Shah’s short but remarkable life very well justifies the quote by Johann
Wolfgang Von Geothe, “Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who
would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope
it, we know it”. Born in 1939, a time when resources and facilities in a third
world country like Pakistan were very few, no one knew that this little child
born to a poor family in a village of Amin Lakho, Pakistan would blossom into a
pioneer of Science. Let alone education, the financial conditions made it
very difficult for the family to even eat three times a day. Sometimes he and
his siblings slept hungry. In these conditions of his early life, one could
have never imagined about little Wadal Shah, he would be a renowned professor
and will be remembered by thousands of people. Even though, he bore the loss of his father at an early
age of five, he grew up to be a man of wisdom, blended with sincerity,
passion, and strong determination to serve his nation. Much credit goes to his
uncle and family guardian Syed Khan Muhammad; a pious and wise man, (inspired
by religious Rashidi family of nearby Pir Jhando village and had established
close acquaintance,) who gave utmost importance to education and therefore
encouraged the youth especially his nephews to acquire education. Syed Muhammad
Saleh Shah (Dr.Wadal Shah’s eldest brother who later completed doctorate in his
mother tongue; Sindhi and authored various textbooks and literature book in
Sindhi) and Syed Lal Shah ( who later got married to Dr. Wadal Shah’s sister
and became his brother in law) were first to complete eight classes (than Final
Pass) and were appointed as primary teachers. This was the beginning of a new
journey of Syed family of Amin Lakho. The goat shepherd child, Wadal Shah was
admitted in primary school Amin Lakho, where Syed Lal Shah was his primary
teacher.
If personality is
upright, only a tiny spark can be a candle in the dark. In his early age, Wadal
Shah was determined to achieve the true objective of life. As a student he was
intelligent and hardworking. He never gave up and continued for what he wanted
to achieve even with meager financial resources. With intelligence and the
right attitude towards his work, he earned respect among teachers and students.
His charismatic personality made him a leader in high school. Even students
older than him used to seek help from him in different subjects. His academic
career was full of achievements. He secured gold and silver medals. Dr. Shah
got into a medical college but was harshly disqualified due to his hearing
problem nevertheless that incident never discouraged him and resolved to work
even harder. Dr
Muhammad Ismail Ursani a famous educationist and author, writes in an article
about Dr Wadal Shah, “He was very intelligent student and during his university
education, one of his examiners wrote on his answer copy, ‘student is more knowledgeable than examiner’”. His academic
achievements are all attributed to his hard work, determination and God gifted
abilities. He never used cot and pillow while reading books as his friends
famously quote him saying, “The comfort of cot and pillow would hamper my
studies”.
Syed Wadal Shah started
his professional career as a junior lecturer in University of Sindh after the completion
of masters with gold medal. In a few years, he secured PhD scholarship from
Imperial College, University of London. Securing a scholarship to one of the
world’s best university at that time was an achievement of its own. In sixties there were hardly any people in the
country who went to further their education in foreign especially in the field
of chemistry. With his efforts, he produced great work and completed his PhD
before scheduled time.
Dr. Wadal Shah, on his
return, was appointed as a lecturer in Engineering College, University of
Sindh. Engineering College was in its infancy in those days with acute shortage
of qualified teachers. His joining in College was blissful and supportive. He
was highly motivated to gain knowledge and transfer it back to his student. With his visionary approach and
administration’s confidence in him, he successfully established the first chemistry
laboratory in College. His thirst for knowledge secured him another one year
research scholarship from University of Tokyo, Japan. He was married just a
week before his scheduled departure to Japan but with the consent of his newly
married wife and other family members he left for Japan. This showed his
commitment with profession and desire to do something for University of Sindh
in particular and for the nation’s education system in general. After
successful completion of research work in chemical engineering he returned to
motherland. This was not the end of his journey for knowledge and education. He
secured funding for one year post doctorate research from government of Norway
which he successfully completed.
Now it was time to pay
back to his nation. With his untiring efforts he encouraged and enrolled 5
students for PhD research. For the first time in history of the University, 5
students completed their PhD research within 3 years stipulated time. He worked
day and night in supervising the research and thesis writing of the students.
He prepared research proposals and succeeded in seeking funds from Pakistan
Science Foundation and National Science foundation of America. He enrolled another
11 students for PhD research. Simultaneously, he wrote and published 6 research
papers, six books on science in Sindhi language, composed English to Sindhi
scientific dictionary (unpublished), published various articles in magazines
and newspapers, delivered radio talks on Radio Pakistan, organized
international science conferences particularly Nawabshah conference, worked as
editor of first Monthly Science Magazine in Sindhi and rendered services for Sindh
University employees colony. Despite his commitment to his work, he proved to
be an obedient son, loving husband, caring father, reliable brother, ideal
teacher, companion of friends and a social developer.
Prof Dr Syed Wadal
Shah, while supervising 11 PhD students felt necessary to analyze the natural
product samples in advanced chemistry lab for which he requested the Norwegian
university to provide the research facilities and was allowed. He worked day
and night to complete his research on samples within 3 months’ time. He
succeeded in completing research and was ready to return back but unfortunately
was found lying dead on the floor in his room on 16 December 1975. Alas, he
lived a short life and his mission was incomplete. He was buried by thousands
of mourning eyes in this native village Amin Lakho.
His friends and student
regard him as legendary son of Sindh. In his short life he did remarkable work.
His mission was selfless service for progress of science in motherland and
dreamed to see University of Sindh as internationally renowned center for
academic excellence and advanced research. He never thought and worked for
money, luxury and authority. The gap after his death is not yet fulfilled.
People like Prof Dr Syaed Wadal Shah born once in a while in history and shed
long term impacts. It is our responsibility to value such people and set them as
an example for generations to come. No doubt, Dr Wadal Shah was one such
exceptional person who is still present in the hearts of many even after 38
years of his death. His commitment with profession, passion for science &
research and determination to see University of Sindh as world leading
institute is the deed which makes him alive and was recently refreshed in the
minds of many when his service to his nation was renowned on national level
when he was awarded Pakistan’s second highest national award; Hilal-e-Imtiaz.
