Pak visit: Advani visits alma mater

Bharatiya Janata Party chief Lal Kishenchand Advani on Saturday took a trip down memory lane when he visited his alma mater St Patrick's High School in Karachi.

Accompanied by his family members, the 78-year-old leader recalled that there were times when he used to cycle all the way to school only to read a board, which said the school was closed for the day due to rains.

Quoting noted economist Amartya Sen, Advani said a country's progress depended on the importance it gave to education and health.

Schoolmates including Father Robert D' Silva remembered him as 'an outgoing student who was good in mathematics'.

Denis Laper, Advani's junior in the school, recalled that he was the 'scorer' in the school cricket team. "He was very disciplined and always ready to help," he added.

School Principal Father Joseph Paul described Advani as one of the 'most illustrious' students of the institution along with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and former prime minister late Mohammad Khan Junejo.
 
"I am fully confident that Advani's visit to Pakistan will prove to be a catalyst in bridging the vast gap of impediment between the old and new generations across the two borders," Mushtaq Noorwala, president of the Old Patricians, said in a felicitation message on the occasion.

The Old Students Association also presented mementos to Advani, who also interacted with the members of the school band, which played He Is A Jolly Good Fellow in his honour.

Advani had last visited the school in 1978 when he came to the port city as the Information and Broadcasting Minister to oversee the first live telecast of the Indo-Pak cricket match.

The BJP leader, who arrived in Karachi on Friday night, is scheduled to visit his pre-partition residence and meet members of the Hindu community before leaving for India on Monday.

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