I was born in Rawalpindi and we lived in Satellite Town. My family belongs to Delhi, India. My grandfather, Zahiruddin Shamsee migrated to Pakistan at the time of partition and settled in Eid-Gah Shareef, near Asghar Mall.

My grandfather had a business in Delhi and when he came here, he started a bakery named Good Luck Bakery, and his was the first of the businesses to start in Commercial Market.

My father started a toy shop, but my uncle continued the bakery and is still running it.

My father enrolled me in a madressah for learning the Quran. But it was hard for him to make ends meet, especially with our growing family. So, after learning the Quran and having only done my matriculation, I told my father I will be helping him and opened a bakery near our house some three years ago by the name of Good Luck 2.

I sell the same items sold at my uncle’s bakery and bake in the same premises, which is how I am able to replicate the original taste. Because I gave up my studies to help out my father, my younger brothers were able carry on with their education.

Published in Dawn November 26th, 2016