The Seaforth News, 1962-06-07, Page 6look Girls! Here's
A Bachelor Worth
His Weight In Gold'.,
Karim Aga Khan Is the
world's most eligible bachelor as
well as the spiritual leader of
12,000,000 Ismailians, Yet at
twenty-four he is still single and
heart -free.
Perhaps it was the late Aly
Khan's hectic love life, with its
many affairs and divorces, which
has made' Karim determined to
be right first time. For Karim is
quite the opposite of his playboy
Cather,
lie does not haunt the race.
tracks, Gambling casinos and
nightclubs have no magic charms
For him, Ile neither drinks al.
foetal nor sinokes,
It was five years ago when
Karim learned that his grand-
father, the fabulous Aga Khan,
had passed over his own two
sons, Aly and Sadruddin, and
named Karim as the forty-ninth
Imam. The young man immedi.
ately began to prepare himself
for the heavy responsibilities with
which he had been burdened. At
Harvard University in the United
States he worked hard, passed
with honours in history and dis-
played a fine strength of charac-
ter.
Although his grandfather had
left him close on $800,000,000
he did not even o wn a car
and went without many things
that would have made life more
comfortable!
- Karim also excelled at hockey
and soccer. One of his best
:friends, with whom he roomed
at college, was John Fell, son of
•Adlai Stevenson, U.S. representa-
tive at the United Nations.
Many people liked the direct,
yet shy, manner of this tall
youngster with light brown hair
and hazel eyes — a legacy frons
his English mother, Joan Bar-
bara Yarde-Buller.
One of his official addresses
today is his mother's estate in
London,
When his parents were di-
vorced in 1949, Karim was given
into the custody of his father,
the late Aly Khan, and was sent
to a prep school in Switzerland,
where he was known to the mast-
ers as Mr. Khan and to his school-
mates simply as K.
He soon became an expert
skier, and last winter was a
member of the British ski team.
It was not until 1960 that the
new Imam visited his people, the
Ismaili Moslems, who are a pros-
perous minority in Africa, Asia
and the Middle East. In many
ways, they expressed their ador-
ation..
It has been said of the youth-
ful Karim that his heart is in
the heavens, but his feet are on
the ground, He is dedicated to
bettering his people's position in
in this world, while tending spe-
cifically to their spiritual needs.
Soap and water, medicine,
beds, peace are the bases of his
sermons — if sermons they are.
Theologically, the Imam is not
a god. But the blood of Moham-
med the Prophet is believed to
flow in his veins For his people,
that is enough. What pleases
Imam, pleases God.
A smile from Karim of Hus-
sain Shiah has the same depth
of meaning to them as a draft
of pure, clean water would have
to a man dying of thirst.
Yet the Ismailians are not
thirsty for religion. They live it
daily. They pray often at pre-
determined hours. And they are
content in the belief that no harm.
can come to then.
If it does, then nothing could
prevent it, anyway!
Karim created the city o1 Kar-
imabad, a few miles south of
Karachi. It is a haven of peace
and quiet for refugees from In-
dia. And the people there love
him.
On his first visit in 1960, they
pushed against his car, kissed the
windows, wept, bowed to the
ground and sought blessings from
the great new Aga Khan, Karim
accepted their devotion with a
modest understanding and sym-
pathy, writes Lee Miller in "Tit -
Bits".
Foremost in his mind is the
need for education among his
followers. They must grow in
knowledge and better themselves
through it. Much money given
into the faith finds its way into•
the establishment of schools.
Karim Aga Khan talks to them
about education and urges per-
sonal and community hygiene.
_SAtLi S SALLIES
chow do you sellchess,
the pound?"
For in Pakistan the average life-
span is only thirty-seven yeersl
When tradition forms a wall
between his desire and the prac-
tices of his people, he exercises
his power, carefully, as a father
correcting a child. For instance,
he has forbidden them to sleep
on the floor of their small homes,
where insects abound, and dust
and dirt carry disease,
Karlin has set as his goal a
home for every Ismailian fancily.
His determination has already
borne some fruit with the com-
pletion of several new housing
estates. He has promised more.
When the Aga Khan is visiting
a town, these is dancing and
singing throughout the night and
into the bright morning. The
shops close and business conies
to a standstill, So he is soon
forced to journey on.
It is a lonely life,
Indeed, the possessive attitude
of his people leaves him no choice
but to live outside an Ismailian
nation,. Otherwise, the land of hIs
choice would boast of his pres-
ence as a direct visitation from a.
deity!
The Aga Khan is probably best
known — apart front the racing
fraternity — for the annual
Weighingceremony,
It is traditional for Ismailians
to contribute a fifth of their in-
comes, if they are able. This is
written in the sacred books, and
banks and lending agencies pro-
vide gold ingots, platinum, dia-
monds.
The Aga Khan sits on one side
of a massive balancing scale
while the precious metal and
jewels are heaped on the other.
Naturally, Karim does not re-
ceive as much as his weighty
grandfather did, but it is still
substantial
None of the money from the
weighing ceremony goes into the
pockets of the Aga Khan. Al-
though he exercises direct con-
trol over its use, every penny is
earmarked for hospitals, schools,
housing developments and public
utility services.
The last weighing of Karim's
grandfather, which netted $9,-
000,000, was used to build a
modern hospital in Nairobi.
Karim's weight will also consti-
tute a pound -for -pound value in
education, medical treatment
and electrical power for his peo-
ple.
Karim has displayed a talent
for helping individuals as well.
A little boy with tuberculosis; a
girl whose legs are twistsed from
polio, and old man whose eye-
sight is failing, are brought to
him for blessing.
He administers the ritual —
then creates a fund for their
proper treatment.
Karim has a private fortune,
which includes vast land hold-
ings, investments and racing
stables, and was given to him by
his father a n d grandfather.
These, plus his personable man-
ner and good looks, make him
a wonderful catch f o r any
woman,
"After all," Karim admits,
"what man doesn't want to get
married? And I am a man."
But he believes he has little to
offer except duty and travel ,
constant travel,
When he does choose, his bride
can be of any nationality, 'so long
as sshe adopts the Ismailian
faith.
A wife could be of tremendous
help to Karim in many ways.
But doubtless her most important
service would be to provide him
with a son, to become one day,
perhaps, the fiftieth Imam.
Modern Etiquette
Ely Anne Ashley
Q. is it really considered pro-
per for a woman to use scented
stationery, and if so, how may
she best produce this scent?
A. This is in quite good taste,
and the best way to do it is to
put a sachet bag in the drawer
or box in which the stationery
is kept.
Q. I've been told that a person
should always keep looking at
another person while talking
with him. Is this true?
A. You are, of course, imply-
ing closer attention to what the
other person is saying, if you
look at him — but be sure this
doesn't become a fixed and hy-
pnotise stare that could make the
other person feel uncomfortable.
Q. We are the married chil-
dren of parents who will soon
be celebrating their 2,5th wed-
ding anniversary, and we would
like to give them some sort of
party. What kind of party should
this be, and whom should w5..
invite?
A. You can make this party a
reception and, above all, be
sure to invite THEIR 'good
friends. not just yours.
Q. What would be an appro-
priate note of appreciation to
write to a friend who was espe-
cially thoughtful at the time of
one's bereavement?
A. Just be very simple and
sincere, as, "When Mother passed
away, you were very kind, Mrs.
Anderson, and I want to thank
You, Coma to sea sea when you
find time."
LEAF SPRAY -- Gretl Bauer .displays hair ornaments which
will be worn this season, according to fashion authorities.
Sprigs of gold leaves are scattered on hairdo's sides.
GwendoLLnt.2, P. Cta, k,¢
Another week has passed and
there are a few more leaves on
the trees - but not many more.
Of course the forsythia is in
bloom everywhere and makes a
pleasing contrast to the other
practically lifeless trees and
shrubs. However, there is some
hops as I see there are tiny buds
on the lilacs and flowering crab.
I can hardly wait for them to
come into bloom. And we, have
a climbing honeysuckle vine that '
has actually survived the winter
after being killed out twice be-
fore. We are so pleased with its
progress that Partner is now
busy building a wooden trellis
for it to climb on '-. along one
side of the back patio. Some-
thing else that delights me is the
fact that a number of cotton -tail
poplars appear to be well estab-
lished and growing fast. I love
the poplars because they remind
me of the farm — and they real-
ly do make nice shade trees. But
Daughter doesn't like them at
all.
Well, since we haven't had too
many nice days — so much cold
wind — I haven't done too much
outside myself. But 1 have been
cleaning. What I have been dcing
cleaning, What Ihave been doing
is going over a lot of stuff that
has never been unpacked since
we left the farm — especially
picture frames, Several of the
pictures are oil paintings that I
had actually forgotten. Now
they are seeing the light of day
on our livingroom walls. I have
also entirely rearranged my own
room - a combination of den,
workroom and bedroom. One of
my neighbours said — "You are
always changing things around
— why do feu de Lt?" 4+e11 now,
that's quite a question. The truth
is I often think I have things the
way I want them and then I look
around while I art lying in bed
and figure out other ways of
mating it more convenient as a
workroom. 'This time I have
shifted my bed around so 1 don't
face the light. That is a great
improvement. I expect to be do-
ing quite a bit of historical re-
search in the near future and
for that job a filing cabinet is.
a necessity. I had a section down
in the basement so that had to
be rooted out and a place found
for is in my •room.
In the middle of this activity
I went to the doctor for a check-
up — the first since I came out
of hospital. And what do you
think he wanted me to do? Go to
Florida, no less! He said if we
couldn't both get away I should
go by myself — just to finish out
the month of May. He' was sure
it would do ice the world of good
and if 1 went once he wouldn't
mind betting we would both
pick up and go every winter
from now on, Well, I didn't go
for that advice at al]. For one
thing I haven't the least desire
to go to Florida, and for another
thing we can't afford it — not
with accounts coming in from
three doctors! Partner is of the
same opinion, He says — "We
have worked hard all our lives
to get a comfortable home so
why walk out and leave it?" 1
suppose the truth is we are both
home -loving folk. We are glad
to visit nearby friends; and to
have thein visit us but we don't
need to leave home to be enter-
tained. So often we are invited`
Highway Safety
Overrules Chivalry
Highway safety has forted
those who set rules' on etiquette
to retreat somewhat from their
rigid rules on masculine ehival.
ry.
It is no longer necessarily con-
sidered proper procedure for the
male driver to open the autcmo.
bile's• front door, allowing bis fe-
male passenger to precede him,
while he goes around the car to
get in from the traffic side,
which can be dangerous,
According to a Chrysler Cor-
poration booklet, although the
polite thing may be to hold the
door open for the girl, "]t is
neither smart nor safe for the
driver to open his door on the
side away from the curbing."
Lack of chivalry thus is no
longer the reason for a driver's
crawling into the front seat
ahead of his female companion.
The '14 -page booklet, called
"Do You Have What it Takes to
Drive Like a Pro?" stresses the
basic rules — look ahead, think
ahead, and don't- compete — but
co-operate. Co-operation with
other highway users follows the
accepted pattern of many inter-
section signposts: "Yield the
Flight of Way."
The booklet g 1 v es young
drivers something to think about
when they get behind the wheel'.
It sets up a chain of reasoning
that goes like this:
Drive with extra caution when
rain starts because oil, mixed
with water,makes a sleek, slip.
poly covering,
If the engine starts, to sleesften,
pull oft the road,, go into neutral
gear, and feed it gas to dry eft
the engine with its own heat.
It is good driving practice to
turn on the low, -beam tights at
dusk in rain or fog, or when
there is a rising or setting sun
behind your ear. In these situa-
tions visibility is greatly dimin-
ished for oncoming motorists,
writes W. Clifford Harvey it the
Christian Science Monitor.
If brakes get wet or will not
leold, dry them out by applying
slight pressure to the pedal when
the car is in motion, while at the
same time compressing the gas
pedal,
When in traffic where cars are
parked at the right curbing,
drive as far to the 1'eft as you
can safely to avoid the possibility
of someone darting from behind
the parked vehicles,
Don't race to the next traffic
signal. Time yourself to arrive
there when, the light has turned
in y0uu favor. A green light a-
head does not mean that le will'
stay green. Don't race to catch
it, The next one will' probably be
against you, anyway,
Save gas, brakes, and wee: and
tear on the. driver by timing the
'flow of, traffic and' the pattern of
stop lights to maintain n ateerly.
even, and' moderate speed,
Left -foot braking c a n rut
stopping time almost a half sec-
ond' in emergencies, At the same
time, it minimizes the possibility
of the right foot, in moments of
haste, from striking the gas pedal
instead of the brake, a cotmnon•
failing ice emergencies.
ToCAN'CE — Dorothy Mead contemplates, the work of a fel'-
law artist in a London, England, gal!i:ery Work is. •titled)
"Reclining Figure"' and is done Nro painted: plaster.
'by the Senior Citizens' Club to
their meetings but we, never ac -
ceps as the meetings are at night
and we much prefer to be at
home.
Two. of our friends in similar
circumstances to our own have
a lovely home in the Caledon
Mountains. Yet they are often
away. Right now they have just
come back from a trip and are
planning to he away again this
winter. Mrs. F. said .to me —
"You know, Gwen, time is get-
ting on and if we want to do
these things we've got to go be-
fore,it is too late." That struck
me as being a curious attitude
to take, especially as we thought
they both looked so tired after
their Caribbean sight - seeing ,
tour. I wonder what other re-
tired farmer folk think about
the subject — that is travelling
or staying comfortably at home.
Of course we are not supposed
to think of anything these days
except party politics and who is
going to win the next election.
Six weeks of propaganda — Prow
can we stand it? To me an elec-
tion is a necessary evil. But of
course I arra interested fw what.
takes place once the government.
is in office.
Ah, now 1 see something that
Is really interesting. Our cock -
pheasant is strutting around the
lawn. After watching him for
about five minutes it seemed as
if something startled him and he
crouched downand hid himself
in a water furrow.
Well, 1 was interrupted at
that stage by Dee, Art and the
three boys coming in. They had
been for a little hike in the
Credit Valley and brought me
trilliums and wild violets, Thank
goodness there are a few places
where wild life is left undistur-
bed. It almost broke my heart
last Week when 1 saw bulldozers
levelling what is know as Spring -
bank Road where a natural
spring comes gushing through
the side of the hill. I believe it
has been there since the time of
the Indian Settlement.
ISSUE 21 — 1962
Syrnb of Courage—and Faith
This new just'-cumpieted cathedral has been reconstructed
on the sume site of the dest^oyed 600 -year-old structure,
Ancient Coventry Cathedral, blasted into a burned -out shell
by Nazi bombers during the blitz of 1940 which almost com-
pletely destroyed the British industrial city of Coventry, hag
been rebuilt of pink sandstone.'lt was consecrated an May 25.
Cost of the new $3,500,000 edifice is being paid by the
icalred walls of ancient Coventry Cathedral rose bleakly British government, public subscription and through done-
above mounds of charred ruble after the raid in 1940. tions from individuals all over the world.