PESHAWAR: Speakers at a function here on Thursday advised the students of Khyber Medical College (KMC), Peshawar to imbibe the spirit of selfless service and develop a patients-friendly attitude right from the beginning to serve the ailing humanity.

“Being young doctors, you not only need to learn about medicines but you also need grooming to better serve your patients,” said noted cardiologist and Khyber Medical University Vice-chancellor Prof Hafizullah, who was chief guest at the Annual English Day function organised by Khyber Medical College (KMC), Peshawar at the college’s auditorium.

The students presented skits, an English declamation contest and a shadow act garnering a thunderous applause from the audience.

Prof Hafizullah said that arranging such literary functions enhanced creative capabilities of the students. He added that youth should be given more opportunities for self-expression and honing their skills for future leadership.

He advised the students to participate in co-curricular activities and utilise their strengths for brining smiles on the faces of people. “You may not become good doctors but at least you should try your best to become useful citizens and peaceful human beings,” he said.

He appreciated performances of the students and asked them to avoid playing out skits promoting violence and intolerance.

“People are sick of violence, taking place everywhere around them. They are in dire need of laughter and smiles perhaps more than medicines,” Prof Hafizullah said.

Prof Ejaz Hassan Khattak, the principal of Khyber Medical College, in his remarks said that his students excelled both in academic and co-curricular activities because they had the best resources and facilities at their disposal. Prof Mohammad Idrees, chairman literary society KMC, said that students were abreast with natural qualities but needed just a spur to bring them out.

He said that students could display their latent if ample opportunities were provided to them. “In addition to being just doctors, they may become good poets, painters and artists tomorrow,” he added.

The event was opened with a beautiful performance based on the classic English novel ‘Sherlock Holm’ followed by a stunning shadow act played out for the first time with the theme to revolt against a tyrant king. About 10 students took part in the English declamation contest.

Bilalzeb, Mahnoor Fakhra and Habibur Rahman grabbed the first, second and third position in English declamation contest while Izhar and Tauseefullah were given consolation prizes.

Shamir Raza was awarded with special cash prize for his best performance.