Friday May 15, 2026
Friday May 15, 2026
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Prof. Dr. Aurangzeb Hafi
By Amira Cader
Pakistani researcher and nominee Prof. Dr. Aurangzeb Hafi said he was representing the Asian chapter of the initiative and highlighted the importance of recognising merit-driven contributions from across the region, speaking at an event held at the Hilton Colombo yesterday.
Launched under the theme “The Mirror of Rectitude,” the initiative shortlisted 188 individuals from over 1.9 million notable personalities across 195 countries. According to Impact Hallmarks, the selection is based on “Merited Impact Value” (MIV), focusing on long-term societal impact rather than popularity.
Prof. Dr. Hafi stated that the global poll, which closes on 15 May, is designed to identify individuals whose contributions have created lasting impact on humanity, scientific advancement, environmental stewardship and social development.
“I am representing Asia –Chapter icons in this initiative and was shortlisted under the category of scientific endeavours and innovations. The program features ten categories including humanitarian and social justice work, scientific innovation, youth leadership, cultural excellence, and legacy memorial recognition,” he noted.
Impact Hallmarks states that the Quarticentennial Merited Impacts Gazette seeks to challenge conventional popularity-based ranking systems through what it describes as a merit-centred approach to global recognition. The initiative presents itself as a “living ledger” documenting transformative contributions made between 2000 and 2025.
According to the organisation, traditional rankings often reward visibility and media attention rather than genuine societal impact, while the Gazette adopts a Multi-Criteria Initiatives and Individual Assessment System designed to evaluate long-term scientific, humanitarian, ethical and social contributions over a 25-year period.
Twenty distinguished figures from South Asia and China have been nominated for the international opinion poll of the Quarticentennial Merited Impacts Gazette (2000–2025), an initiative aimed at recognising transformative global contributions of the 21st century.
Sri Lanka’s nominees include peace advocate Dr. Jehan Perera, astrophysicist Prof. Chandra Wickramasinghe, marine scientist Dr. Asha de Vos, and Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne.
From India, nominees include Kailash Satyarthi for his work against child slavery, healthcare innovator Nitesh Kumar Jangir, molecular biologist Dr. Fathima Benazir J., and mountaineer Arunima Sinha, the world’s first female amputee to summit Mount Everest.
Pakistan’s nominees include Prof. Dr. Hafi, recognised for his scientific and environmental advocacy, as well as Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, founder of the world’s largest interest-free microfinance network, and humanitarian Parveen Saeed.
The Gazette additionally honours legacy humanitarian figures including Bilquis Bano Edhi and Dr. Ruth Pfau for their decades of humanitarian service.
From China, the list features suicide prevention volunteer Chen Si, renowned mathematician Shing-Tung Yau, and environmental activist Yi Jiefang.
Bangladesh’s Muhammad Yunus was recognised for his interest-free “Struggling Members Program,” while Nepal’s Pushpa Basnet was acknowledged for supporting children of incarcerated parents through education and care initiatives.
The wider global shortlist also includes internationally recognised figures such as Greta Thunberg, King Charles III, Cristiano Ronaldo, Prince Harry, Usain Bolt, Elon Musk and Pope Francis.
Impact Hallmarks stated that the Gazette is intended to chronicle individuals whose contributions have fundamentally shaped the first quarter of the 21st century, describing the initiative as a merit-based global recognition platform rather than a popularity contest.
