‘Kinnaird has weathered all storms’

Gardezi, a college alumnus herself, is currently secretary general of the Old Association of Kinnaird Students. She has written Kinnaird 1913-2013 and Light, Courage and Love – a two-part book on college’s history and its development over the years.

Principal Dr Rukhsana David said that the college had empowered women for a century.

“There is hope and confidence that we will achieve greater things in the coming years as Kinnaird steps into its second century,” she said.

David commended Gardezi for her research and resilience.

David said that the book accounts the intensity of the challenges faced by the institute.

Tributes were paid to Gardezi for her love for Kinnaird. Citing a quote “Some people make headlines while others make history,” Bishop Emeritus of Lahore Dr Alexander John Malik said Gardezi was one of those who made history.

“The real lesson is how our forefathers faced challenges and overcame them. History should not just document events,” he said.

Malik said ‘genuine’ liberation and empowerment of women was vital, and that was what Kinnaird had been aspiring to achieve over the years.

“There has been a colossal amount of work done to bring out this book. I am so glad that the book is finally here and valuable information is in our hands,” said former principal Dr Mira Phailbus.

With the first part of the book tracing the history of the institute, the second: Light, Courage and Love pays a tribute to the students and their achievements.

“It’s about women who have made a difference in the society while managing their affairs at home as well,” she said.

It also includes essays and poems by old students about their experience at Kinnaird, the most prominent including Bapsi Sidhwa and Asma Jamil.

Gardezi said from the partition of India in 1947 to nationalisation of the institute and the wars, Kinnaird had weathered all storms.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2013.