Iqbal Academy Pakistan
Summary
Activity Report - 1997-1999

Preamble

The ‘Activity Report’ that follows in not exhaustive. It is, nevertheless, true to its minute details. We have neither exaggerated nor inflated the report since, in matters of performance evaluation, understatement and honest narrative is preferable to apparently impressive accounts of performance that, as a matter of fact, are made up of incorrect information.

It is, however, a matter of satisfaction that, in hindsight, we find our performance, even in its brief, to be such in which we all can take pride; the Director and the members of the Governing Body.

Money that Matters

Institutions need financial resources to maintain themselves and to carry out activities in accordance with their charter of duties. Either they generate their own resources or these are provided to them by the enabling bodies/supporting agencies. The Iqbal Academy Ordinance clearly states that "The funds of the Academy shall comprise of grants from the Central Government and the Provincial Governments….".

All this is so evident and almost a platitude that to talk about "Money that Matters" and to report on it looks like an anomaly. But this anomaly is called for by an other. In financial terms the last two years had been difficult and we had to struggle very hard to overcome the series of crises that assailed the Academy. In the detailed Report Document we have reproduced some of the details of our ordeal. Salient points about securing the financial situation of the Academy are summarised below:

• THE IQBAL AWARD FUNDS (Rs. 2, 19, 000) SALVAGED
• 
  RESTORATION OF CONFISCATED AMOUNT OF Rs. 7, 56, 300 ACCOMPLISHED
• APPROVAL OBTAINED FOR 33, 80, 000 AS RECURRENT BUDGET 1999-2000 BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
• ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF RS 3, 83, 000 OBTAINED TO COVER THE DEFICIT IN THE RECURRENT BUDGET 1998-99.
• APPROVAL OF SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF RS. ONE MILLION BY THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJAB.
• RESTORATION OF ANNUAL DEVELOPMENT BUDGET (Rs. 2,50, 000) FROM THE PUNJAB GOVERNMENT.
• APPROVAL OF DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF RS. 1.5 MILLION FOR THE IQBAL ACADEMY LIBRARY BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
• ENHANCED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM INFAQ FOUNDATION

FUNDS IN THE OFFING

• SPECIAL DEVELOPMENT GRANT FOR THE IQBAL ACADEMY LIBRARY BY THE PUNJAB GOVERNMENT. (App. 1.5 MILLION)
• ADDITIONAL BUDGET FOR PAYMENT OF PENDING UTILITY CHARGES TO THE AUTHORITY FOR AIWAN-E-IQBAL. (RS. 30, 54, 545)

Website Development

• First detailed and in-depth Website of Iqbal was designed, developed and hosted.
• Comprises of six distinct but internally linked sections that cover all the essential aspects of Iqbal’s life and thought.
• The second phase of addition of contents, languages, sound, and interactive query module is in progress.

Film on Iqbal

• Project of a serial/film on Iqbal undertaken in collaboration with the Iranian Cultural Centre
• Researched, supervised and developed in the Academy in its entirety.
• The first phase i.e. of the script material was completed with the help of a committee of three scholars.
• Second phase of collaboration in progress.

Iqbal Award

• Presidential Iqbal Award (National) distributed for 1985-87 and 88-90.

• Awarded to six scholars on 9th November 1997 for the best books on Iqbal in Urdu, English and Punjabi.
• National Presidential Awards for 1991-1993 have been finalised.
• Awards for 1994-1996 are in process.

• Presidential Iqbal Award International (1947-81).

Awarded to Dr. A. Schimmel on her English Book Gabriel's Wing. The award has the cash prize of US$ 5000 along with a Gold Medal.

• International Iqbal Awards for 1982 onwards are in process.

Publications

Books

1997-1999 witnessed the publication of 26 titles:

• Thirteen Titles in Urdu
• Seven Titles in English
• One Title in Arabic
• Three Titles in Persian
• One Title in Cyrillic
• One Title in Punjabi

5 New Books Forthcoming
6 Reprints of Books Forthcoming
5 Books in Process (Editing /Preparation)
One Hundred and Fourteen manuscripts dealt in the period

Some Published: few Rejected: A large number in Process

Journals

1997-1999 witnessed the publication of 8 Journals:

• Three in Urdu
• Five in English

6 Journals in Process (Printing/Editing /Preparation)
122 Articles Received & Evaluated (Iqbal Review)
58 Articles Received & Evaluated (Iqbaliyat)

Iqbal for Children

• Kulliyat-i-Iqbal (Urdu)—Simplified Annotations

A special edition of the Kulliyat i Iqbal (Urdu) was planned that was specially geared for the use of children and less qualified readers that contains text and simplified, brief annotations.

• Reading Material for Children

Listing and Survey of the existing Iqbal material for children was completed. Iqbal scholars analysed the material. Selections/ proposals prepared.

Projects, Plans & Ideas

1. Projects in Progress

1. 1 In House Projects

1.1.1.    Research and Compilation

1.1.2.    Translation

1.1.3.    Annotation/Index/Editing

1.1.4.    Audio Projects

1.1.5.    Iqbal Archives Project  

1.1.6.    Library Development Projects 

1.1.7.    Multimedia Projects  

1.2 Projects by Associated Scholars

1.2.1    Research and Compilation

1.2.2.    Annotation/Index/Editing

1.2.3.    Archiving Projects

1.2.4.    Multimedia Projects

1.3    Projects in Collaboration

1.3.1.    Collaboration with other Organisations and Institutions

1.3.2.    Individual Collaboration
 

2. Project Planning

Along with actively monitoring the ongoing projects, considerable efforts were diverted towards planning for the future projects. Shift in the focus of attention of the Academy. 28 Monumental and ambitious projects chalked out.

3. Ideas

35 plans at the initial stage of conception. Not yet received attention for active planning. Considerable time has been spent delineating the ideas that give them the underpinning.

Outreach Activities

Out reach is a plethora of activities incorporating many strategies and employing various levels and modes of action. During these years, its multifaceted manifestation has taken the forms that we describe hereunder.

• 11 International Conferences, Seminars or Celebrations Arranged
• 7 National Conferences, Seminars or Celebrations Arranged

• Projection abroad

Projection of Iqbal’s thought was accomplished through various means in China Indonesia Canada Tajikistan Europe Egypt Al-Azhar Belgium Malaysia Turkmenistan Bangladesh Hungary Karghigistan

• 20 International and 16 National Exhibitions of the following were arranged during the years 1997 - 99:

Academy’s books
Academy’s Journals
Iqbal’s Memorabilia and personal effects
Iqbal’s Translations into National and International Languages
Iqbal’s Manuscripts and first editions of his works
Iqbal’s Letters
Iqbal’s Photographs
Paintings and Illustrations on Iqbal Themes
Audio and Videos on Iqbal

• Research Guidance

Visiting Scholars: Three international scholars associated themselves with the Academy
Research Guidance Services: 47 persons benefited from the Research Guidance Services
483 persons benefited from the general academic guidance.

• Queries

More than 5000 queries were entertained analysed and responses sent.

• Academic Assistance /Donation of Books, Journals, Audio and Video productions, Photographs and Other Material

Scholars from various parts of the world were entertained and assisted in their research on Iqbal. Books on Iqbaliyat and other material donated to 211 scholars and 9 institutions in Pakistan and 66 scholars and institutions abroad. Photocopies of required material was also provided to a large number of scholars.

• Affiliations

Iqbal Academy Canada
Iqbal Society Tajikistan

• Financial Assistance

During this period lack of resources did not allow us to provide financial assistance to individual scholars, institutions or affiliated bodies.

• Memberships

13 Life Memberships during 1997-99.
18 Annual Memberships during 1997-99.

• Visitors

INDIVIDUALS /DELEGATIONS

Hundreds of visitors/guests from Pakistan and from various other countries were received, attended and assisted by the Academy.

Library Services

Library services -- an important aspect of out reach activity. Following is the resume.

• CURRENT AWARENESS SERVICES:
• RESEARCH/COMPILATION PROJECTS
• READER’S INFORMATION SERVICE:
• LIBRARY AUTOMATION
• BIBLIOGRAPHIES/INDEXES PREPARED:
• ASSISTANCE TO VISITING SCHOLARS/RESEARCHERS:
• CATRERING OF SOURCE MATERIAL/INFORMATION TO NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS/INDIVIDUALS:
• CORRESPONDENCE:
• TECHINCAL SERVICES:
• CLIPPING SERVICE:
• COLLECTION OF ARTICLES (SELECTED SUBJECTS) FROM PERIODICALS:
• CIRCULATION SERVICES:
• ACQUISITIONS:
• EXCHANGE PROGRAM:
• INTER LIBRARY LOAN:
• MISCELLANCEOUS

Sales

Vigorous sales policy adopted; Increased efforts to boost up sales of Books, Journals, Cassettes etc. Total Sales proceeds for 1997-99 (Rs. 928267) highest in the last two decades.

Office of the Director

• DIA published two books and one booklet on Iqbal studies in Urdu, Persian and English,
• Presented 18 Articles, Translations, Speeches
• Edited 16 Works
• Provided Research Guidance
• Developed and hosted the Iqbal Website
• Attended five International Conferences abroad and presented papers: Turkey, Canada, Malaysia, Belgium and Morocco.
• Represented the Academy on various forums, official and literary meetings
• Planned for future projects
• Edited Iqbal Review, Iqbaliyat
• Explored avenues and plans for donations and government funds and generated resources
• Routine duties performed: Office/ file work, management and accounts, reading, going through fresh arrivals, clippings from Periodicals, project monitoring, entertaining guests and visitors

Computer Revamp

• Latest Networking System installed
• New and sophisticated software installed
• In-house technical support for projects is fully available

Activities of the Admin. & Accts. Section

• AUDITS
• BUDGET ESTIMATES & BUDGET APPROPRITATION
• ACR’s
• SERVICE BOOKS
• RESTRUCTIURING; DOWNSIZING
• PENSIONS GIVEN, HOUSEING
• ROUTINE DUTIES OF DRAWING, DISBURSING, INTERACTION WITH THE MINISTRY,
• CORRESPONDENCE, LOOKING AFTER DAY TO DAY AFFAIRS ETC.
• EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
• GOVERNING BODY
• PERIODICAL ACTIVITIES

Rules for Self-Financing of Books
Rules for Collaboration
Rules for Affiliation

PROBLEMS & DELAY

• Allama Iqbal’s Old Residence
• Office Interiors
• Aiwan i Iqbal
• Lack of Space
• Iqbal Awards