One would like to share with you personal feelings about a living legend of our country, Prof Dr Ahmed Hussain Qureshi, whom I luckily met during my stay in Gujrat. I found in his frail body — he is in his late 80s and bed-ridden — a great man who is virtually in possession of world's 28th richest library, a precious treasure of perhaps his ascendant — the founder member of Ashaab-i-Suffah, Hazrat Abdullah bin Masoud's trail of knowledge.

He happens to be one amongst the veteran activists of the Pakistan Movement. The young Ahmed was reportedly tasked by late Hameed Nizami to disseminate knowledge and spread education on Sir Syed Ahmed Khan's footprints.

Ahmad Hussain kept his words; he rose from a school teacher to a double-PhD professor of Zamindara College and carried out the mission for more than three decades.

The memorial built in the heart of the city of Gujrat with an inscription on the contribution of the people of Gujrat in the Independence struggle for Pakistan, bears the name of Dr Ahmad Hussain Qureshi at the top. This prompted me to seek the veteran hero of Independence. A dervish with glowing forehead and sparkling eyes, revealed his life-long works, treasure of thousands of precious books, rare manuscripts and contributions made to the nation.

It is surprising to know that the Iranian government has honoured him with Iran's highest literary award.

The then Iranian ambassador offered to pay millions of rupees for an eight- hundred-year-old manuscript handwritten by the Pehlvi dynasty pioneer.

Dr Qureshi's library books need not only a well- preserving plan but also need to be translated into Urdu for the nation's benefit. I would ask the media to give Dr Ahmad his due recognition.

He is really an asset for the nation and should be duly honoured. The government bestowed him with Tamgha-i-Imtiaz in recognition of his services some years ago, but his Tafseer elevates him to deserving no less than the Pride of Performance.

His presence is a blessing. His belongings and his works are a national treasure that need to be preserved for generations.

Qamar Abbas
New York