NOTHING can prepare a parent for the loss of a child, especially at such a young age. Being a Habibian myself, I can feel a certain degree of empathy with this tragic episode.

No amount of remorse can dampen the fact young Usman’s candle was sniffed so early in his life. While the school could not ensure a long and healthy life for the child, the least it can do is to make his memory eternal and benevolent by naming the administration block or the auditorium after Usman, and to initiate a scholarship in his name for a deserving student for higher studies.

While we may not be able to bring Usman back, we can keep his memory alive, and show to his family that we care. Anything less would be inhumane and callous.

Dr Raza Gardezi

Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2019