Our readers will be pleased to know, that our former colleague has published a new book with recollections of 30 years’ service in the ILO. It provides a kaleidoscope of a huge number of missions, meetings and projects all over the world, many of which under the World Employment Program (WEP). Indeed, many of his colleagues will give a nod of recognition to the projects and meetings, of which he enumerates over sixty. In addition, for those who want to refresh their memories, there are an abundance of source and bibliographic references to draw on.
However, this is far from all. This compelling and entertaining book goes beyond the dry mission reports. With a human understanding and a delightful sense of humour, the author tells of his many memorable events and remarkable encounters, which he has experienced as a world traveller. As Dr. Johnson has said, “So it is with traveling. A man must carry knowledge with him, if he would bring home knowledge”.
Iftikhar Ahmad will have nothing of the occasional voiced notion of an “unhappy UN family” with an army of disgruntled officials. Instead, he takes a positive view, resourcefully and with humour facing all challenges that his official travels have entertained.
I shall not disclose any of the amusing events, which the author recalls from his worldwide duty travels, but just give a few hints to the reader. If you are looking for an adventurous lodging, he suggests either a Treetop or an Arch Gaming Lodge, or what to expect of a Dragon dance in Zhuhai. He describes the terror of sailing with a less than seaworthy boat to the Island of Women (Isla Mujeres) in Mexico or getting lost in New York City, and he reveals that the cabaret at the Casino du Lebanon in Beirut, is no less gorgeous than that of Las Vegas (sic.).
He amusingly tells about the hassles of traveling, encounters with ministers, officials and the local population in numerous countries and the joy of playing tennis. He recounts receptions and dinners, and even includes a recipe for the legendary Banarasi Paan or the exciting experience of puffing Shisha Water Pipes.
Like the reviewer, former officials will read this book with a special thrill, triggering many half-forgotten memories of delayed flights, lost suitcases, mislaid passports, wild taxi-drives into the unknown, missed appointments, cultural encounters and much, much more.
If you have not met Iftikhar Ahmad during his missions, you will no doubt know him from the UN Inter-Agency Games, where he participated as an accomplished tennis player for numerous games, 17 years as the Captain of the ILO Tennis Team.
In closing, I cannot omit observing how the quality of printing in Bangladesh has improved over the past fifty years. The book is a pleasure to handle and a piece of good workmanship.
Iftikhar Ahmad has written an engaging book, which many colleagues will enjoy.
Published in September 2023 by Pathak Shamabesh, Bangladesh, 276 pages, ISBN
9789849761662. Available through Amazon.