1. National Hero
"Greatness be nothing unless it be lasting." (Napoleon)
A national hero is a man of exceptional qualities. With his selfless and sincere efforts, he can
mould the fate of his nation. He is a man of determination and willpower who stimulates the
energy, courage, and enthusiasm of the people and welds them into a nation. His words have
the power to inspire devotion and dedication. Carlyle has said:
"All history is the biography of great men."
History is replete with great heroes, but my own hero in history is the Quaid e Azam,
Muhammad Ali Jinnah. I like him because of his marvellous personality and noble soul. His
matchless leadership liberated the oppressed Muslims of the sub-continent from the cruel
slavery of the Hindus and imperialism.
The Quaid e Azam was born in Karachi on the 25th of December, 1876, into a well-off
merchant family. He received his early education in Karachi. His father, Poonjah Jinnah,
wanted to give his son a good education and kept him away from the business. At the age of
sixteen, after passing the matriculation examination, he went to England and studied law at
Lincoln’s Inn. After four years, he returned as a barrister and started his practise in Karachi.
Then he shifted to Bombay. Within a short time, he became a distinguished lawyer.
2. As a result of the untiring struggle of the Muslims under the marvellous leadership of the Quaid e
Azam, Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. The Quaid e Azam was appointed as
Pakistan's first governor general. In spite of his shattered health, he worked day and night for the
great task of nation-building. He died in harness on September 11, 1948. He will always live in our
hearts as the "Father of the Nation."
"A good man never dies" (Callimachus)
In those days, Indians were struggling for freedom. He decided to take an active part in politics.
He joined the Indian National Congress and worked for the freedom of his country. His political
career began in 1909, when he was elected to the Indian Legislative Council. He joined the
Muslim League in 1913 and tried to establish a working relationship between the Hindus and
the Muslims. He was called the "Ambassador of Hindu-Muslim Unity." But he was disillusioned
very soon. He realised that the Indian Congress was not sincere about the cause of the Muslims.
He was convinced that Hindu-Muslim unity was not possible. So he decided to leave the Indian
National Congress in 1920.
The Quid e Azam infused new life, energy, and spirit into the dull bodies of the Indian Muslims.
His sincere and devoted leadership kindled a new imagination among frustrated Muslims. He
awakened them from their slumber and organised them as a nation. He told the Muslims that the
only solution to their problems was that they should have their own separate homeland where
they could live according to their religion and culture.
"Time makes heroes but dissolves celebrities." (Boorstin)
