Fatima was an ambitious girl. She lived in a small village in Tharparkar and all around her neighbourhood, she was known for her courage, kindness and her love for education. Though a little girl, her dreams were big, her ideals were so high that everyone around her laughed. She believed that ‘A human is incomplete without education.’

Fatima always motivated her siblings, classmates and even her neighbours, especially girls, to pursue education. She would explain the true value of education and how it can change one’s perspective and make us complete as humans.

Despite her efforts, no one took her seriously. However, her father saw that fire of dedication and determination in her eyes, and decided to send her to another city to gain higher education once she completed school. But every family member opposed his decision, and many villagers taunted him too for such a ridiculous move.

Like many backward societies, the people in the village considered education a waste of time and money, especially for girls. They believed that instead of spending a significant amount of money and years on education, it was better to invest in purchasing land and cultivating it. While boys managed to receive some education, no girls were seen going to school, as they were strictly prohibited from even thinking about it.

The villagers believed that educating girls was pointless because, eventually, they would get married and leave. Therefore, instead of education, they focused on teaching them cooking and cleaning skills, which they considered more useful for their married life.

However, Fatima’s father thought differently. He sent her to school, then to college, and finally to a renowned university. Those four years at the university were extremely challenging for both Fatima and her father. He faced daily taunts and insults for sending a girl to live alone in another city for education. His unwavering belief in his daughter was what gave him strength.

Four years passed, and the day finally came when Fatima returned home with a Masters’ degree in her hands. It was a moment of immense pride for her father, who had believed in her and not only gave her wings, but also protected them.

A few days later, she went to her father’s room, where he was sitting in his chair. She sat in front of him and said, “Baba, I want to open a school for the children of our village, especially for the girls. They can neither read nor write and in my opinion, everyone has the right to an education.”

For a moment, her father didn’t respond, and an expression of hesitation spread across his face. However, a few seconds later, he got up from his chair and leaned forward to Fatima. He looked into her eyes, and after a sigh, he kissed her forehead. Fatima’s heart instantly filled with joy.

A few months later, Fatima managed to have a small building constructed and hung a name board that boldly stated, “Salim Khan School”, named after her father. The school’s tagline read, “Education sees no gender.”

One day, after many requests from her, an MPA visited the village for the school’s inauguration. The villagers were flabbergasted to see an MPA inaugurating a school founded by a simple village girl.

The next day, Fatima and her school became the talk of every home. Everyone marvelled at how an MPA himself had come to their small village for the inauguration of a modest school — all because of Fatima and her higher education.

From that day on, the villagers witnessed the power of education and decided to send their daughters to the school. Before long, Fatima became an inspiration for all the young girls in the village.

Dear friends, before becoming a good wife, husband or daughter-in-law, becoming a well-educated human is necessary.

Published in Dawn, Young World, March 22nd, 2025