Grandson of Quaid's physician receives top US honour for technology and innovation
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The grandson of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's personal physician, Mark Humayun, has received United States top honour in the field of technology and innovation by US President Barack Obama, reported The Hindu.
Humayun was awarded the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
The medal was awarded for Humayun's contribution to invention, development, and application of bioelectronics in medicine, including a retinal prosthesis for restoring vision to the blind, thereby significantly improving a patients’ quality of life.
He is the co-inventor of 'Argus II' series of retina implants, which restores sight for those suffering from blindness. His invention is inspired by the loss of sight suffered by his grandmother..
“When his diabetic grandmother lost her vision, he began studying to become an ophthalmologist, hoping he could save the sight of others," said Obama at the White House investiture ceremony.
“Mark helped create the ‘Argus II’, a ‘bionic eye’ that has restored vision to patients who’ve been blind for up to 50 years,” added the US president.
Humayun is also the only ophthalmologist to be elected as a member of both US National Academies of Medicine and Engineering.
Obama elaborated and said the happiest moments in Humayun's professional career have been when someone experiences the miracle of sight for the first time in decades.
An Indian, Rakesh Jain, was also presented with the National Medal of Science. His contribution was recognised for developing novel strategies for manipulating tumours and using those techniques to improve cancer detection, prevention, and treatment.
Humayun's family migrated from India's Jalandhar in 1947, and his grandfather, Colonel Ilahi Bakhsh, was the personal physician for Jinnah. His family moved to the United States in 1972.
The National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI) is the United States's highest honour for technological achievement, bestowed by the president of the United States on America's leading innovators.
The medal is awarded annually to individuals, teams (up to four individuals), companies or divisions of companies for their outstanding contributions to America’s economic, environmental and social well-being.
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Comments (87) Closed
May 20, 2016 05:03pm
Congratulations Humayun!
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May 20, 2016 05:04pm
Good job. Doing something positive for humanity and changing people's lives for the better is such a powerful motivator. Unfortunately in Pakistan most of the people are seeking and measuring their achievements only in monetary terms, which is very shallow thinking.
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May 20, 2016 05:06pm
Good job! Keep it up.
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May 20, 2016 05:13pm
He has nothing to do with Pakistan, he is an American. My best wishes for him though, its an achievement to be NAE member let alone achieve such an accolade.
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May 20, 2016 05:31pm
@ZTech Is there a problem being not a Pakistani national? You need to grow up and earn to b happy and respectful.
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May 20, 2016 05:36pm
This is the difference between US and Pakistan so much respect paid to researchers and innovators and we here have a man who run car with water and the federal minister is been fooled around taking a ride in it
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May 20, 2016 05:41pm
Good Job.. I am sure you will get many prayers from tons of people and hoping it becomes affordable to poor people as well.
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May 20, 2016 05:42pm
@ZTech who told you that he has anything todo with Pakistan?
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May 20, 2016 05:56pm
@shdhsn ,, He just lived in Pakistan since 1947 to 72 since he moved from India.
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May 20, 2016 06:05pm
Excellent piece of news! Good work that uplifts humanity is much appreciated.
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May 20, 2016 06:15pm
Shahbash!!
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May 20, 2016 06:30pm
congratulations.
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May 20, 2016 06:39pm
Good that he migrated to US otherwise he would hardly have found an opportunity like this in Pakistan...because of his background.
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May 20, 2016 06:48pm
And Trump wants to ban muslims from entering.
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May 20, 2016 06:53pm
well done Humayun..Pakistan’s higher education system has achieved an embarrassing score of 9.2 in the first ever QS Higher Education System Strength Rankings 2016 which placed the country at the bottom of the table.
The assessment released by the reputed Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a global ranking body based in the United Kingdom, ranked India at 24 with 60.9 points. Even Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and the tiny state of Estonia scored better than Pakistan......http://www.thenews.com.pk/print/121389-Pakistan-higher-education-at-the-bottom-of-QS-ranking
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May 20, 2016 06:53pm
A very good news of accomplishment by a Pakistani-American. This is called the genetic continuity of excellence.
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May 20, 2016 06:56pm
Awesome-Good Job !!
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May 20, 2016 06:57pm
@Zulfikr Ali Khan(ZAK) great decision by Humayun he moved to USA and achieved his dream,,in Pakistan he would have rejected ...not son of soil..
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May 20, 2016 07:03pm
Two people of Indian origin one Hindu and one Muslim honored by US President which speaks volumes of two great democracies and culture
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May 20, 2016 07:06pm
Encouraging news but depressing comments. I do not understand the mindset of people. Pakistani or American, being a Muslim, he has done amazing stuff.
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May 20, 2016 07:26pm
It is a moot issue whether Mark Humayun is an Indian, Pakistani, American. We collectively should value his contribution to humanity.
Congratulation Humayun.
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May 20, 2016 07:28pm
Wonderful work. We hope he continuous to improve his invention, which I am sure will be done. This is the reason why America is a such a great country, people from everywhere in the world can achieve their best. Knowledge, research, innovation, inventions, is given importance, encouragement, scholarship. We value, money, that is the beginning and end of our thinking.
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May 20, 2016 07:47pm
How come none of our founder's family lives in Pakistan????
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May 20, 2016 07:56pm
A very good news
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May 20, 2016 07:57pm
Product of the American education system and culture.
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May 20, 2016 07:59pm
@Tamilselvan Rakesh Jain is just that ...a Jain?:):)
Never mind, I get your point..the American INCLUSIVENESS and embracing diversity.
Good show, Mark Humayun and Rakesh Jain...and thank you, USA for showing what a modern civilized society is about!:):):):)
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May 20, 2016 08:08pm
Time for thoughtful people to introspect why Pakistanis
do well abroad? The system needs drastic change to
produce Humayu by thousands if the country makes
progress. How many metrics, showing Pakistan near the
bottom, are needed before the government wakes up.
It has been a long period of 70 years of deep slumber.
It is also shameful to waste the talent of the people
and frustrate their aspiration.
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May 20, 2016 08:09pm
If there are good schools, colleges and in universities in Pakistan, similar news will flash from here too. Good education is best investment and saving for a country.
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May 20, 2016 09:13pm
@Sarai Alamgir
Nope, he can't do this.
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May 20, 2016 09:18pm
@Tamilselvan
One is of Pakistani origin while the other is an Indian national resident in the US.
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May 20, 2016 09:41pm
@All my dear Pakistani fellows.
A scientific achievement should not be associated with the inventors national / ethical background or religion.
We should instead focus and discuss on how good the achievement is and how to utilize it in an efficient and cost effective manner even if it is from our neighbouring countries or a religion which is minority in Pakistan.
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May 20, 2016 09:42pm
Now he is an American. We need not to be happy. Indeed, he did a wonderful job for humanity.
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May 20, 2016 09:45pm
American system brings out the best . for all the noise, China is way behind America in technology.
Congratulations Mr Mark. Great Achievement and hope you are proud of your roots in Pakistan-India
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May 20, 2016 10:07pm
A heartiest congratulation and good job done for humanity. You are giving a good reference for others.
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May 20, 2016 11:22pm
indeed a great achievement.
nevertheless, its has got nothing to do with Quaid and his physician...
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May 20, 2016 11:33pm
Good to hear but sad that his family moved to USA to fulfill their dreams I wish our fatherland could provide scope for our people
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May 20, 2016 11:35pm
How is it that Pakistanis are great innovators and entrepreneurs outside of Pakistan, but Pakistanis were recently noted to be among the least innovative in the world? It is not Pakistanis as such, it is the environment in Pakistan - intellectual, educational, business, political - which is very stifling and suppressive. That is why the same families remain in political power, or in control of a political party for generations (PPP, and now PML-N getting ready for same); the same professors remain in control of departments for their lives, without regard to their research productivity. The Pakistan higher education system was rated the lowest quality in the world recently. We are a nation of very intelligent people with a third class political and educational system due to corruption and self interest. We need to get our act together or we are doomed, nuclear power or not! We will defeat ourselves. India doesn't need to do it.
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May 20, 2016 11:36pm
Huge thing Dr. Humayun...you are a real hero...my wife went through Retina operation...
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May 20, 2016 11:52pm
I never knew that, so proud of you !!!
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May 21, 2016 12:01am
The man succeeded in a country where people are valued for what they are, for his good work
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May 21, 2016 12:02am
@Omar Hayat ...may be that is the reason he never came to Pakistan cos here in Pakistan everything is based upon either on nepotism or quota system.his grand father created the country may be for oligarch or for feudal lords..
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May 21, 2016 12:14am
Great stuff.....
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May 21, 2016 12:24am
It's good his family moved to states.
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May 21, 2016 12:54am
Good for him. Our rulers has made it impossible for talent to flurish in Pakistan. Hence the brain drain to countries like US.
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May 21, 2016 12:59am
@Imran ali I don't know what "son of soil" means to you but for me all Pakistanis are "son of soil". Also, I have not met any Pakistani who even care for or even think in those lines "son of soil". So please, try to think big. We are all Pakistanis.
As for him not having the same opportunities in Pakistan: it has to do with poverty, corruption and lack of science facilities - and not "son of soil" crap.
I would quality as "son of sol" under your deginition but I do not care for such things and hold no meaning in the 21st century.
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May 21, 2016 01:36am
Great going Pakistan, keep it up!!
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May 21, 2016 01:37am
Both from India??? Great Indian genes.
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May 21, 2016 01:40am
Good. He managed to get out of Pakistan.
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May 21, 2016 01:40am
He is the grandson of Dr. Illahi Bakhsh and Aslam Khattak. His father was in the foreign service and was posted to the US when he was small so he grew up in the US.
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May 21, 2016 01:58am
Contributions like yours restores our hopes and faith in humanity!
Well Done....
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May 21, 2016 02:01am
@M.Saeed So the same genes should be able to flourish in Pakistan too.For a seed to grow the ground has to fertile too.
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May 21, 2016 02:21am
What an accomplishment. My father was a patient of Col. Illahi Bux and I met him several times. He was excellent human being. It is no wonder that his grand son is so great.
This heartwarming story renews my faith in excellence and humanity.
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May 21, 2016 02:40am
So what? He's an American.
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May 21, 2016 03:06am
Congratulation. The world needs people like you.
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May 21, 2016 03:20am
@Sarai Alamgir :Humanyun achieved his great feats because he is an able and focussed human
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May 21, 2016 03:46am
@Saqib
Sorry mate. U can denounce history but the reality is Pakistan has its origin in India....so as far as origin goes, south asians have indian origin.
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May 21, 2016 05:03am
@IMRAN ALI, Thanks for sharing the info - very vital statistic. Though Indian presence (abroad) is quite apparent in knowledge sector, had no idea of strength/efficacy of its education system. Thanks Dawn too.
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May 21, 2016 05:06am
@Tamilselvan , He is not Indian,he was born in 1971 in Lahore,Pakistan.
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May 21, 2016 05:11am
@an expatriate , he is a Pakistani born in 1971 in Lahore, Pakistan but Indians get chocked in their throat saying the word Pakistan.
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May 21, 2016 05:14am
congrates Humayun
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May 21, 2016 06:18am
Just shows irrespective of where people come from they can perform miracles when given the right environment to do their work.
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May 21, 2016 07:08am
Dr Humayun is such a talented and warm person. Meeting him at conferences is a pleasure. Gem of a man! and of course he has wonderful legacy too.
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May 21, 2016 08:13am
@Tamilselvan Two democracies? The world knows only one democracy, the melting pot of the world it is US, but what about the other any idea ?
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May 21, 2016 08:19am
Born in India, raised in Pakistan ,educated & trained in US. Retina transplant specialist Inventor. The family moves to US after 1971 war.
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May 21, 2016 09:08am
Congrats!!!
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May 21, 2016 09:30am
@ZTech check where he was born, search for his profile before make any comments.
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May 21, 2016 09:50am
One can google, what Pakistani Americans have to say about Pakistan. The results aren't what you'd expect.
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May 21, 2016 10:36am
Salute to Mr. Mark. What a wonderful achievement for mankind.
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May 21, 2016 11:10am
The scientists and that sort of people who contribute for the welfare of human beings should not be bracketed in the folds of nationality, religion or race. Their work for the cause of humanity is supreme and that should be recognised.
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May 21, 2016 11:10am
Great job! But we must also note that this is a horrible way of formulating a head-line. If it's such a distant relationship to the Quaid, maybe just say a Pakistani won an award - after all, the award is what this is all about an not his relationship with Quaid - that sounds nepotistic.
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May 21, 2016 11:13am
Good job Humayun. USC (University of Southern California) is a great school and as a fellow Trojan (USC Alum), i feel proud of what you have accomplished for humanity
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May 21, 2016 11:51am
@Zulfikr Ali Khan(ZAK) Was he born in Pakistan or the U.S.?
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May 21, 2016 02:02pm
Sorry to read some of these comments as almost half of these are on trivial issues like Mark Humayoon's DNA,genetics,origin,place of birth,residence and all that crap.Instead,as myself congratulating him on his momentous achievements! Great work Mark,may you be guided by the Almighty and through your hard work to reach greater laurels in the future also.Congrats from many of us to your family also.
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May 21, 2016 03:40pm
What needs to be appreciated is the enabling environment in the west that allows a person to rise and achieve his dreams.
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May 21, 2016 08:27pm
Heartiest congratulatios Humayun for rendering invaluable service to alleviate the incalculable sufferings of mankind.You richly deserved to have received this award.It is a double pleasure for we Pakistanis as you are grandson of Col.Ilahi Bux who was personal physician of our Father of Nation.
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May 21, 2016 11:30pm
i totally agree with you if someone have the ability then he must be the one to break the shakles actually we are the one who have made this system and what we do we blame the government we r not faithful to ourself so what should be expect form government think about it what have we given to this homeland
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May 22, 2016 04:19am
@R S Chakravarti ,he was born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1971
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May 22, 2016 09:40am
Congratulations. May God bless you with many more such successes.
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May 22, 2016 11:06am
Sir, you roots links to our National Hero, we will always be grateful to your family..
Many Many congratulations on your achievement.
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May 22, 2016 12:53pm
@Zulfikr Ali Khan(ZAK) Than how old is he today?
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May 22, 2016 02:37pm
Congr to the gr8 inventor, may i know how can i get this benefit for my mother who has also lost 1 eye cos of diabetic. any help of finding the source would be much appreciated. thanks
pls contact on farhan.zahur@gmail.com
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May 22, 2016 05:09pm
Its Good thing that he accomplished all this in the USA. Imagine if he was living in Pakistan there would have been all kind of allegations of him being privileged etc. Its good to see that he is being recognized for his professional achievements as an individual, regardless of his pedigree.
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May 22, 2016 07:30pm
@Tamilselvan sir this speaks greater about US acceptance and recognition of true merit.
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May 22, 2016 08:30pm
Pakistan excelling everywhere and patriotic wherever they go to love of Pakistan. This is truly an honour.
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May 22, 2016 08:33pm
@Zulfikr Ali Khan(ZAK) he moved from British India to Independent Pakistan and then to Enhance international career. His heart is pakistani.
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May 22, 2016 08:39pm
I have seen Pakistanis as achievers all over the world. It is sad, our own media do not cover this kind of news.
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May 22, 2016 11:56pm
excellence is in the genes!
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