“Some people are born to be loved”
I think this quote has been said for none other than “Abdul Sattar Edhi sahab”. The renowned Pakistani social worker, humanist, philanthropist and a Ray of hope for the orphans of Pakistan. He has been a Great Humanitarian and Legendary socialist, a very Humble and simple living person. The creator of Edhi foundation, A non-profit social organization running along with his wife Bilquis Edhi. He was born on 1st January, 1928 in India. His father was a businessman in Mumbai. At the age of 24 when Pakistan get separated Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi along with his family migrated to Karachi, at that time Karachi was kind of a small town where migrants were in conundrum of settling and residence in newly born Pakistan. Around 150,000 migrants were residing in Karachi. At that time, flu was out-braked and Edhi owned consecutively a Medical store and due to those circumstances he gathered few doctors of Medical College to provide the medical treatment to the people who were suffering from Flu. From the age of 24 until now he extent his medical store to the 400 foundations to all over country. He said that he can read and write “Gujrati” only.
His Morgue does not discriminate between the dead bodies
Edhi said:
“No religion is greater than humanity”
In Edhi Foundation:
-20,000 abandoned babies have been saved.
-50,000 orphans are housed in Edhi Centre branches of Pakistan
-40,000 qualified Nurses have been trained
-1 Million babies have been delivered in Edhi Maternity centers
– Possess World’s largest Charity based Ambulance service
-8 Hospitals providing free Medical care, Eye hospitals, Diabetic centers, Surgical units.
-More than 400 Edhi foundations has been working in whole Pakistan
-330 welfare centers in rural and urban Pakistan which operate as food kitchens, rehabilitation homes, shelters for abandoned women and children and clinics for the mentally handicapped.
Due to Edhi sahab’s hard work and struggle in helping for humanity and as a social worker he had been granted an abundance of awards from Pakistan and from the whole world as well. Here is the list of his Awards for his Excellency and philanthropies.
International Awards:
Ramon Magsaysay Award for Public Service (1986)
☆Lenin Peace Prize (1988)
☆Paul Harris Fellow from Rotatory ☆International Foundation, (1993)
☆Peace Prize from (USSR former) for services in the Armenian earthquake disaster, (1998)
☆Largest Voluntary Ambulance ☆Organization of the World – Guinness ☆Book of World Records (2000)
☆Hamdan Award for volunteers in ☆Humanitarian Medical Services (2000) UAE
☆International Balzan Prize (2000) for Humanity, Peace and Brotherhood, Italy
☆Peace and Harmony Award (Delhi), 2001
☆Peace Award (Mumbai), 2004
☆Peace Award (Hyderabad Deccan), 2005
☆Wolf of Bhogio Peace Award (Italy),2005
☆Gandhi Peace Award (Delhi),2007
☆UNESCO Madan jeet sing Peace Award (Paris),2007
☆Peace Award Seoul (South Korea), 2008
☆Honorary Doctorate degree from the Institute of Business Administration Karachi(2006)
☆UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize(2009)
☆The Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize for Advancement of Peace, 2010
☆Peace Award (London), 2011
National Awards:
☆Silver Jubilee Shield by College of Physicians and Surgeons, Pakistan, (1962–1987)
☆The Social Worker of Sub-Continent by Government of Sind, Pakistan, (1989)
☆Civil decoration from Government of Pakistan (1989)
☆Recognition of meritorious services to oppressed humanity during eighties by Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Government of Pakistan, (1989)
☆Pakistan Civic Award from the Pakistan Civic Society (1992)
☆Shield of Honor by Pakistan Army (E & C)
☆Khidmat Award by Pakistan Academy of Medical Sciences
☆Human Rights Award by Pakistan Human Rights Society.
In November 2011, Edhi sahab was recommended for a Nobel Peace prize by the Pakistani Prime MinisterYousaf Raza Gillani. Abdul Sattar Edhi suffered renal failure as announced on 26 June 2013 at SIUT and needs kidney donation.
Unfortunately, Edhi was facing severe kidney issues and his health condition makes kidney transplantation impossible. He used to visit SUIT for dialysis to improve his health but his health was getting worst and due to it he was admitted in ICU. From last few weeks Edhi sahab’s health was getting suspicious, however, nation was praying for his speedy recovery and long life. In 8th July, 2016 evening he was transferred to Ventilator due to shortness of breath and unfortunately, after few hours we heard the tragic news of his death.
The nation mourns over the heartbreaking news of Edhi sahab. Because we know that Pakistan won’t have another Edhi. He was a Ray of hope and Guardian of orphans of Pakistan. Not even Pakistanis, whole world is paying tribute to him for serving humanity. This land may not produce another one like you Mr. Edhi. His eyes has been donated as per his will.
His last words were:
–Bury me in same clothes, donate all my body parts, make sure my clothes are distributed among others.
—Take care of the poor people of my country.
–An angel sent from heaven to serve humanity is going to be buried, forever!
