One of Ammi’s ( my lovely mom) lovely talents were her honest stories which made her successful. So I personally believe hard work is not the only key, you just have to be that naive and simple just like my ammi. Success followed her and her hardwork paid off as she gave her best always.

Ammi finished her graduation in Homescience, something she was always proud of saying: I did it from SNDT. Yes she was a homemaker and all her qualities attributed to those years of homescience. Its a degree every girl needs to do with or without a Certificate. It is what makes a girl all ready for her next home.It grooms her completely. When Ammi heard that nowadays there are “actual grooming” classes, she was aghast. “hamare waqt aisa nahin tha” ( we did not have it in our times) But she learned it the easy way. She used to be really scared of nanaabbu ( Maternal Grandfather) and rightfully so. He used to be a daunting figure in their lives, reprimanding them for even speaking an English word at home. Ammi was slapped just once in her life by him when she said “Please.” She said it once and he looked at her angrily and by mistake when uttered again, she got hit. That hit was near the stomach and Ammi said it made him realize his folly. As she had severe stomach pain for days and ended up with gall stones. That was her very first operation. She was very young. I dont remember the age, but ammi knew and I dont know who to ask !!!

Ammi hid from her father but her supporting and loving mother ( my nani- Naseema) only knew of such dark deep secrets. Ammi used to go learn typing ( yes on those Remington typewriters which were a bliss for writers then) She just wanted to learn something new. She was asked to come back on time before nanaabbu returned back from his business. When Ammi’s wedding date was fixed, she went over to invite her Typing teacher too. She had this beautiful caring attitude of remembering people who touched her in life. That was my caring Ammi Well her Typing teacher gave her the Certificate that she acquired through her secretive classes. Ammi got married and soon joined Baba in Kuwait. Back then it was a difficult time to earn . Ammi had me and very soon my naughty brother Abbas came along. Till then Ammi was teaching English in the Pakistani School here. Ammi’s English was flawless and excellent, the credits she gave to being in St. Agnes Convent. I used to be super impressed by her command over the language. She always told me read and write whenever you can.Yes she got me addicted to reading and my love for words had begun. Years later today I have been given a title ” Woman of Words- WOW”. But the first steps were taken by my mom who inculcated this passion in me.

But taking care of me and Abbas,(aged 2 and a month old). Luck came as a friend who told her a lady needs someone to type. Ammi’s secretive certificate came to the rescue and she soon had heaps of papers to type, file and send the next day. Being at home, it was a comfortable task and yes was she efficient at that!!! Most certainly. The plus point was that in a year and a half she was offered to work as Secretary at UNDP.Yes that honorable lady who had given her these home assignments worked there. Ammi landed her First and Only job, proved her worth as she was really meticulous and tidy. Later her skills at Finance, got her handling the accounts section. By 1985 she was a Senior Accountant there. But no the journey does not end here. 1990 saw Kuwait’s invasion by Iraq ( another story) and when Ammi returned back to be with Baba who was here right after the Iraq War, Ammi took up the challenge to build up the UNDP Office slowly day by day. She succeeded as the Finance Manager there, handling HR and also UNICEF. She reimbursed claims for compensation to many and am sure she got a Thank you and lots of duaas ( blessings) for her deed. Many a times I have heard people referring to her as the UN Lady. She had made a unique impact on lives of others and a name for herself. She was an icon to reckon with. She handled work, home and us efficiently. She was the super force in our household. She was our fulcrum which held things together. She was the glue which held us all together.