Stories of strength
How it all began.
Shoaib Sultan Khan was a student and friend to Dr Akhter Hameed Khan
The two worked together closely and each played an influential role in each others’ lives
1914
Birth of a visionary.
Akhter Hameed Khan is born on July 15, 1914, in Agra, British India. From these humble beginnings, he would grow into a pioneering social scientist who championed participatory development in South Asia
1933
Another changemaker born.
Shoaib Sultan Khan is born on July 11, 1933, in Moradabad, British India. He would later emerge as “one of the pioneers of rural development programmes in Pakistan”, destined to carry forward the mission of empowering the poor.
1945
Breaking away.
Witnessing the Bengal famine of 1943 and disillusioned by colonial apathy, AHK resigns from the Indian Civil Service in 1945. He then chooses to live among the rural poor – spending two years as a village locksmith and laborer – to understand their struggles firsthand. This bold step signifies his commitment to serve the people at the grassroots.
1950
New Horizons in East Pakistan.
After the Partition, AHK moves to Pakistan and becomes Principal of Comilla Victoria College in East Pakistan. During 1950–58, he immerses himself in local community life, planting the seeds for an innovative experiment in grassroots rural development that will soon take shape.
