October 9, 2004

As an old student of PECHS School, Karachi, when it was for girls up to matric and boys up to class sixth, I recall an energetic woman dressed in a crisp cotton sari taking rounds of an educational institution which was founded by her.

She would see to it that everything from the school quadrangle and the furniture to the uniform of children was in ship shape. She was none other than Begum Amina Majeed Malik, who died on October 4. She had engaged capable staff and the best of head mistresses. The kindergarten section was headed by Mrs Alys Faiz, who was the wife of the great poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, the junior section by a graceful lady, who was out of affection called Ajjo (I am glad to learn that she is still holding the same position) and the senior section’s in charge was Mrs Zuberi, who was also a well read woman. But as for Begum Majeed Malik, she had so many qualities of head and heart that there was no one to equal her.

In our days there were calligraphy classes, dance classes and music classes in addition to normal subjects. I still remember Mrs Ghansyham teaching classical dance to girl students. She was such a charming woman. We used to have poetry sessions and baitbazi in the school and looked forward to the Eid-i-Milad because at the end of Milad Sharif we were all given mouth-watering mithai.

Begum Majeed Malik, who was Baji to everybody, also founded the PECHS College, which was as great an institution as the PECHS School. But the college was for girls right from the start, ours was the last batch in the school to have both boys and girls. And then it became PECHS School for Girls.

Begum Majeed Malik was born in Lahore in 1913 and had her early education in her native town. She topped in the matriculation examination at the age of 13. Two years later she topped in intermediate arts and at the age of 18 she completed a first class first. She then got married to another learned person Colonel Majeed Malik. Her father was a doctor and at the Aligarh Muslim University, where he set up the Tibbia College and became its principal. Baji did her Bachelor of Teaching in Aligarh and later did her MA in Philosophy from the University of Bombay.

Baji was a good speaker and being a learned woman, she made her speech highly informative. Every time we learnt something from her. After Mrs Zuberi’s departure, Baji’s daughter Miss Nageen Malik took over and she was also a well read person. By that time Begum Majeed Malik had more or less retired but she made it a point to attend all functions of the school.

Baji had a large circle of friends. Artist Sadequain was given a room to stay when he had no home of his. It was fun to see him doing his paintings. Then there was the poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz, who was a frequent visitor to the school. The library was named Faiz Library after the great poet died. A number of great people such as Duke of Edinburgh and Prince Barnard of the Netherlands visited the PECHS School when the girls put up conservation projects for display. Sadly, this happened after I had passed my matric.

Not just the students of the PECHS School (and PECHS College) but also the teaching and administrative staff will remember her. Also to remember her will be many people who were helped by her when they were in distress. May God rest her soul in peace.