IT was with a heavy heart that I read about the death of Pakistan’s first woman PhD, Dr B.B. Qureshi, at an old citizen’s home a few days ago. After completing her MA in economics from Aligarh University in Mumbai she went to Dublin to pursue her PhD and turned homewards to Pakistan for a life selflessly dedicated to promoting academics.

She had also been a teacher at many leading institutions of the world, and former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was one of her students whom she inspired to greatness. A legendary woman and a role model, she toiled hard her entire life to promote education and literacy in Pakistan.

It was in October last year that Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad paid homage to her. She was honoured on the occasion and due notice was given to the years of neglect that she suffered at the hands of a nation that she had served well.

The images that were taken on the occasion show a humble and modest woman in the late years of her life who still believed in the Quaid’s Pakistan and was thankful for the attention she was receiving.

However, nothing was actually ever done to improve her living conditions and provide her with the comfort and care that she deserved. When the nation mourned the death of child prodigy Arfa Karim, perhaps many thought that we would avoid such neglect in the future by granting timely rewards to our gifted citizens.

But the conditions in which Dr B.B spent last days of her life highlight the fact that we will time and again fail to acknowledge the achievements and efforts of our extraordinary citizens. All we can do for them is to express our grief at their plight long after they have departed from this world and reward them with empty obituaries.

May this great lady rest in peace and may Allah Almighty grant her a place in the heavenly abode.

AMNA BILLOO Karachi