KARACHI, May 21: One of the pioneers in social work, a women’s rights activist and educationist, Gool Khurshed Minwalla died at her Bath Island home here on Monday evening. She was 89.

She died of weakness and old age. She leaves three sons, a daughter and several grandchildren.

Funeral prayers for her were held at the Blessings, next to the State Guest House, on Tuesday morning. Religious rites — Sarosh prayers — were held for her at the same place in the evening. Sarosh prayers and Uthamna ceremony will be held at the Blessings on Wednesday, too.

Gool Minwalla was one of the few leading women social workers who joined hands with Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan when she established the All-Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) for the welfare of the women soon after partition.

Born on May 1, 1913, Gool was one of her parents’ six children — three girls and three boys. She studied at Mama Parsi Girls School and after doing her matriculation, she joined the school as a teacher.

She took a teachers’ training course at Adyar, Madras (now Chennai), conducted by Maria Montessori, in 1939, and gained an international diploma for education of children aged between 2- 1/2 and 6 years. On her return, she established the first montessori school in Karachi, which is still operational. It was accredited by the Association of Montessori International (AMI) in Amsterdam.

Gool also established the Pakistan Montessori Association, which started conducting International Diploma in Montessori Method. Dr Maria Montessori also came to Pakistan to see the working of the montessori schools. So far, over 3,500 montessori teachers have obtained training from her organization.

She was also appointed external examiner by the AMI to assess students all over the USA, Europe, India, Sri Lanka and Japan.

Inspired by the then Karachi mayor, Jamshed Nusserwanjee Mehta, Ms Minwalla joined the Theosophical Society in 1935 and succeeded Jamshed as the presidential agent for the society in Pakistan after his death in 1952, and delivered lectures on the subject in Australia, East Africa and the Philippines.

She also formed the Theosophical Order of Service (the welfare arm of the Theosophical society) in the mid-1960s in Pakistan and also almost single-handedly established Jamshed Memorial Hall, where numerous civic activities are held.

Gool Minwalla joined the All Pakistan Women’s Association (APWA) in 1949 when it was founded by Begum Raana Liaquat Ali Khan, who being aware of Gool’s impressive credentials in the field of education appointed her APWA’s education secretary.

She spearheaded the APWA’s drive in the field of education and the association set up numerous schools, where ever open spaces could be found. During the drive, teachers started engaging volunteers, pitching them in by providing them with slates and chalks. APWA’s 17 well-equipped schools were nationalized during the 1970s.

She also introduced informal education for women through APWA and adult training centres were set up throughout the country and women were specially encouraged to attend. She and her APWA colleagues faced fierce opposition from men but continued their efforts.

The government recognized her services in the field of social welfare work and she was awarded Tamgha-i-Quaid-i-Azam in 1958. At different times she had served various social welfare organizations such as the Poor Patients’ Welfare Society; Poor Families Welfare Society; Karachi Children’s Welfare Society; the Ida Rieu Poor Welfare Association; etc.

She also helped establish many organizations like Social Services Coordinating Council; the Pakistan Council of Social Work; Karachi Social Services Group; the Karachi Tuberculosis Association; and the National Federation of Welfare of the Blind; the Pakistan United Nations Association; etc.

She had also served as the chairperson of the National Council of Social Welfare and served on the KDA, Radio Pakistan and the Remand Home.

Ms Minwalla had represented the country at various forums, including the United Nations International Congress at Geneva on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders. She was also the initiator of the American Field Service Programme in Pakistan that is providing assistance to the youth.

Anita Ghulam Ali: Sindh Education Minister Anita Ghulam Ali in her condolence message has said that Pakistan would mourn the passing away of a renowned scholar, a popular teacher and a model guide — Gool Minwalla.

She said that every student and teacher, who received words of wisdom and encouragement from her, would pray for eternal peace for her soul.