Dr. Mughees Uddin Sheikh: Carving His Name on Hearts, Not Tombstones.

LAHORE: The day I learned about dreadful demise of Dr. Mughees Uddin Sheikh, It looked as if I have lost one of the most precious and treasured persons of my life. It has been a week of his poignant passing away and I am still in the state of permanent denial that he has left us for forever.

Dr. Mughees Uddin Sheikh was a leading and renowned icon of Punjab University. Being torchbearer of meritocracy, he was a larger-than-life figure for thousand students of Journalism and Mass Communication. For more than three decade, he ruled over millions of hearts with his phenomenal persona and unparalleled allegiance for welfare of aspirants. His earnest guidance, motivation and unconditional support of students in the quest of better and quality life cannot be disregarded.

Many of his students and colleagues have paid him tribute and homage for his intellectual, academic and professional achievements in golden words. Merely few words can't do justice to his utmost greatness but I try to relate one aspect of his aspiring personality to remodel the world of his students and making their lives more rewarding, gratifying and significant for many others. Because of this personality trait, he has carved his name on hearts `of others, not tombstones. His legacy of mentorship is engraved into minds of his students and stories they share about him. I am certainly one of them.

One spring afternoon of my BS (Hons) 5th Semester in 2006, I was going home, passing the car parking of ICS. I suddenly heard a voice, "Ayesha are you interested to work in Dunya TV? I looked up and Dr. Mughees was there standing in front of me. I felt chill entering my body, cold and calming, leaving me numb. I took a deep breath and said 'yes'. Ok come to my office tomorrow, he replied. That day, I could not speak more because I was in the state of shock. "How could he know anything about me?" "I never spoke in his class". "I was so scared of him because he was a very strict director and dean". Oh God! He knows my name!" Countless thoughts and questions raced through my mind. That was my first one to one interaction with him.

After few formal meetings, I gathered courage and asked, Sir, I used to think that you know only few students in my class and I am not one of them. He instantly replied I know you have always secured first position in class and maintained your CGPA 4:00 in every semester so far. I know every student of this department. My BS program is the life of this...