As the clock in the reception area, where I sat waiting, struck noon, I am invited into the office of Ronilla Singh, Principal of Foundation Public School, Elementary Campus. We are exactly on schedule; we exchange pleasantries and sit across the table.

Looking through her dark kohled eyes, reminiscent of an Indian dancer, while giving her family background, she says, “I was born in Udaipur, India, in the Ranawat clan. My father was a colonel in the Indian army, while my mother was an outgoing person, very modern in her approach with a passion for travelling. Both my parents come from royal lineage, but are extremely humble people who taught me and my younger brother, Rohit, to not flaunt our lineage. Owing to my father’s postings, as a child, I travelled extensively throughout India, which greatly enriched my life. After completing my education, I was married into the powerful Hindu Rajput dynasty of the Ranas of Amarkot (present day Umarkot), Sindh.”

Her father-in-law, Rana Chander Singh, was one of the founder members of the PPP, and contested elections from Amarkot seven times between 1977 and 1999. He was the leader of Hindu minorities, and founded the Pakistan Hindu Party. He also served as the federal minister and chieftain of the Pakistani Hindu Sodha Thakur Rajput clan.

Instead of harping on the achievements of our forefathers, Kunwarani Ronilla Singh believes that we, as individuals, must contribute to the society

Ronilla is all praise for her mother-in-law, who belongs to the Royal family of Bikaner. “Without her support, I would never have been able to pursue a career. My father-in-law was extremely reluctant. He agreed only on the condition that I would not work with men as our family followed a strict purdah system. I am the first woman in my family to pursue a career,” she says, with eyes looking back decades.

She lives in a palatial house in Karachi, though the family holds 3,000 acres of land in Umerkot and a family graveyard. Previously, the Umerkot Fort also belonged to the family. The famous Sindhi folksong, Mor tor tilay rana, which compares the happiness of the peacocks dancing in the rain with the happiness of the Rana, when he is carried on the shoulders of his close relatives is rooted in the rich history of her family.

“I have been here for almost three decades but there are few who know of my background,” she adds in a soft voice.

“With such a privileged background you chose to work, though almost anyone else would have loved to sit back and bask in luxury,” I ask, trying not to sound surprised.

A smile crosses her face and she begins reflectively, “I wanted to live life to the fullest and savour every moment. I wanted to go out and mingle with people. There was an intense desire to grow from within. Even as a child, I used to teach our servant’s children and thus my passion became my profession.”

“So when did you start working?”

“It was way back in 1986. I started from being a nursery teacher and taught till grade 2. I became the vice principal of Head Start School System in 2001 and was asked to join the head office in 2003 as the administrative co-ordinator.” By 2005, owing to her work efficiency, she was promoted to the position of manager administration of Head Start School System and Foundation Public School (FPS), and in 2009, became the principal of the elementary campus of FPS. “I love my job and even though it has been so many years, I look forward to coming each and every day. We teach children yet learn so much ourselves,” she adds with a smile.

Times have changed, and the rat race and the advancement of technology has affected the children as they grow. “I feel that parents should spend more time with their children and accept them for who they are,” she says.

When asked if she ever found herself in an uncomfortable position, as she belongs to a minority community, her answer was a frank ‘No’. “The higher management here is extremely supportive and liberal. As for myself, I have always respected all religions, which I feel are basically different ways of preaching the same values,” adds Singh.

When asked that being a career woman working at a high post must be very difficult to manage, she answers, “Well! My strength is my loving and close-knit family. My husband, Pritipal Singh, is my support without whom I would never have been who I am. Both of my sons, Shiv Karan and Bhawani are studying at Nixor College. Karan’s name is in the Guinness Book of World Record, for maximum number of sit-ups as well as maximum number of sit-ups with 10 kg on his chest. Bhawani is extremely meticulous and highly intellectual,” she concludes.

It is time to leave. Highly inspired, I bid her farewell. Going down the steps I think about this lady who can serve as an example for many.

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, May 8th, 2016