karachicharacter
Noman Hussain Malik: Power to the youth
By Aqsa Hussain
Noman Hussain Malik believes in making a difference. A computer engineer, besides being a veteran writer, an orator and a painter, Malik's career focuses on undergraduate education. He has written 12 books on computers for primary, secondary and higher secondary level. Currently, he is the editor of a magazine for the youth and has hosted various talk shows and workshops. Being the strong advocate of youth issues, Hussain is also involved in social work. Here's what he had to say when on a one-on-one with Kolachi:
Kolachi: As a writer, what do you intend to convey through your work?
Noman Hussain Malik: As a writer, I motivate students to do their very best and push themselves. By expanding on what I already know and exploring new, uncharted territory, students increase their chances of doing well in their career. My writing style is best described as eclectic. While I am always organised and focused, I vary my instructional methodologies to incorporate diverse activities and material to engage and raise the interest of students. By understanding human behaviour and acknowledging the many different learning styles of students, I try to convey my message in a lucid manner.
K: You've written 11 books on computers for students. What was it that you wanted to achieve through it?
NHM: I believe that education is vital to establish a strong foundation on which understanding is based. The absence of education allows opportunities for ignorance to take from and grow, resulting in negative repercussions for the society. Keeping this in view, I have written 11 books on computers for the elementary, upper elementary, and secondary level. My ultimate endeavour is to guide students in developing the skills and knowledge necessary in becoming a responsible member of our society.
K: Why editing?
NHM: There are very few people who choose editing as a profession. It is mostly the profession that chooses them. Everyone edits – it doesn't matter how old and/or experienced one is. Those writers/authors who revise even one word in a manuscript are editing. A speaker who pauses in mid-sentence to find a better word or phrase, a manager who revises an instruction… they are all editors. With editing, I want to strive to produce the best quality work so that my writing a piece or magazine or book provokes young people to read.
K: Don't you think with the explosion of electronic media in past few years, the youth has lost interest in the written word?
NHM: Young people are surrounded by a lot of information and knowledge; more than what they can deal with. With the various ways by which we get updated every day, especially the electronic media, our books, magazines, newspapers -- the world of print in general, has not lost its charm. We all still look up to authentic, unbiased, imaginative and creative write-ups from our favourite authors. This anxiousness that we always feel before getting hands on the magazine or book of our choice tells us that the magic of the written word has bewitched us since ages.
K: How long have you been living in Karachi? What would you say about Karachiites?
NHM: I've spent my entire childhood in Karachi. Therefore, I have lots of memories. I just can't think of living anywhere else. Karachiites have a lot of opportunities, more than the people of any other city. Whatever I'm today is just because of the opportunities available in this beautiful city. But I've learnt through experience that the people of Lahore and Islamabad read more than Karachiites. I receive hundreds of mails on weekly basis from Lahore and Islamabad showing their interest in writing for my magazine.
K: What's so special about Karachi?
NHM: Karachi is a city full of fun and places. There is an array of places that one can choose from. Being a metropolis, it is not much of a tourist spot but the busy life of this city won't bore you.
K: For all those who've never been to the city, which place would you like them to visit first?
NHM: The beaches! The most interesting aspect of the city are the beaches. Of course, then we have number of malls, coffee chops, restaurants, museums and mausoleums. The old buildings, monuments, and tombs in Karachi must be seen. These monuments and tombs depict the rich heritage and culture that the city has.
K: What's in store for the future?
NHM: Well I want to start a TV programme which I have conceptualised. That basically would be for the youth. It would be a youth-oriented counselling programme. The concept that only guys can be engineers and girls doctors does not exist anymore. Basically, I have decided to do two big projects every year.
--Photo by the writer
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