NOT many Karachiites would know that long before the Edhi ambulance service in the city, there used to be St John’s Ambulance that served the citizens with dedication and care. But, like all facilities, it had its ups and downs when it functioned. On Sept 4, 1971 the deputy commissioner of Karachi, K Idris, who was chairman of the St John’s Ambulance Association, stressed the need for more public participation in the welfare body. Speaking at the fourth inter-divisional competition of the association held at BVS Parsi High School Ground, he said despite its many achievements the expansion work could not keep pace with the growing needs of the organisation in every part of Karachi district. He added that the people spoke highly of the service which was why none would hesitate to join the association by extending physical and material cooperation to it.

Another development in the field of health took place a day earlier. On Sept 3 it was announced that the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at the Jinnah Post-Graduate Medical Centre (JPMC) had proposed to start a new institute to train its personnel in speech therapy. The Institute of Speech Therapy, to be set up under the Colombo Plan Technical Assistance Programme, was claimed to be the first of its kind in the country.

Speaking of programmes, on Aug 31, Abrar Hasan Khan, the administrator of the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC), visited Drigh Colony, Landhi Cattle Colony, Muhammad Ali Memorial Society and certain areas in PECHS and ordered steps for immediate face-lifting of those localities. For Drigh Colony, he asked the director of parks and playgrounds to complete roadside plantation by Oct 31, and levelling and fencing of the sites reserved for recreation by end of December. It was also decided to build a sub-office of the corporation’s Landhi department in order to provide facilities to Landhi residents on their doorsteps.

Interestingly, the same day, on Aug 31, more than 300 workshop drivers of the KMC went on a lightning strike, adopting, a couple of days later, slowdown tactics to disturb civic life in the city. They had gone on strike to protest against the KMC’s decision of reducing their overtime period from six to four hours. According to a KMC spokesperson, it was not possible to pay huge overtime bills from its limited resources.

On a cheerful note, on Aug 29, as relayed by the media on Aug 31, loud pop music set the mood for a fashion show held at a local hotel. A number of city boutiques and pop bands took part in the event to make it a success. As per an account published in this newspaper, it was the pulsating music that dominated the show and captured the audience more than the dresses. Four musical groups played popular numbers and drew applause from a young audience and a fair sprinkling of the not-so-young-chaps. “Saris, surprisingly, eclipsed other mood dresses.

In heavenly colours, they looked brighter and impressive with gold and silver embroidery. Among the six boutiques that participated in the gig, Shahzadi and Erum were awarded top prizes.” Filmstars Nisho and Kamal were chief guests on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, August 30th, 2021