Dream Chaser: A True Story

A newspaper article inspired 14 years old Maqbool Qurashi to immigrate to the US. In 1947 after the loss of his father in the ensuing conflict resulting from the India's partition, his family had to flee to Pakistan as refugees. There he experienced the pain and hopelessness of other refugees. Dream Chaser chronicles his adventures through three continents in pursuit of his dream. His anecdotes, sometimes serious and other times humorous string together an uplifting story of loss, love and triumph that will strike a chord with anyone who believe in following their dreams. Dream Chaser is 2011 finalist in Florida Writers' Association's Royal Palm Literary Awards.

Maqbool Qurashi lived in Jammu, a hilly city in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. His father was killed during the sectarian conflict when Indian paramilitary forces entered Kashmir after the partition of India. His remaining family took refuge with his grandparents in a border village in what became Pakistan. His elder brother, a medical doctor, supported the family. Before his death his father had assisted him to register with the US consulate as an intending immigrant. He, along with his wife and an infant son immigrated to the US in 1960 as domestics although he had earned an Associate Degree in textile engineering from an institution in England. After few odd jobs, in 1962, he joined an electronics company that manufactured cable TV equipment and installed the systems. He received BS in Engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia by attending evening classes. In 1968, he was promoted to manager of a product development section where he was awarded two patents in the early cable TV technology. 1n 1974 he founded AM Cable TV Industries that became the premier contractor that implemented the cable TV franchises in 26 states. The company went public in 1980. During this period he had the honor to be elected as President of the Board of Directors of the local Community Hospital and President of the local chapter of the Rotary Club. He is a member of Cable TV Pioneers Club. He is retired and live with his wife of 55 years in Florida. His story shows that persistence and positive attitude can overcome all hurdles.