Visually-impaired author and teacher awaits government’s assistance

Shahida Rasool’s is currently pursuing her PhD and teaching at the same time.

ISLAMABAD:

She lost the light in her eyes when she was three months old. However, she refused to lead a life of darkness.

Two decades on, her first book “Iqbal ka Tasawar-i-Kashaf” was selected as one of the four books for critical appreciation at a programme “100 Kitabain 100 Mehman” (100 Books 100 Guest) organised by the National Language Authority (NLA).

Currently living in a hostel, Shahida Rasool is awaiting a reply from the prime minister’s office. She has requested the government to give her a reader-allowance for her doctorate so she can appoint a permanent reader to assist her in research.

“I have also requested to be transferred permanently to my hometown in Multan and requested for an official residence so I can keep my mother with me. However, I am yet to get any of that,” Rasool told The Express Tribune.

She was invited by the NLA to speak on her thesis and to reply to critique on her book by eminent scholars, writers and critics on Wednesday.

Though her decision to take up the subject was partly influenced by her study of the Quran, criticism on Allama Iqbal’s work from certain section of critics incited her curiosity to study the philosopher and poet. Her first book, under discussion at the NLA, resulted from her MPhil thesis.

She spent over one year researching the subject. “Unlike many others I did not go into the research with pre-conceived notions on Iqbal’s work and his ideas and I concluded that most of the criticism on his work was unfounded,” said the author.

Rasool completed her Masters in Urdu from Bahauddin Zakariya University in Multan, where she scored the highest marks in 17 years and was also awarded a gold medal.

She is currently pursuing her PhD from International Islamic University Islamabad, where she is studying the role of women in Pakistan Television dramas and how it has affected social change over time.

At the same time, she is teaching at the Margalla College for Women to support her studies and assist her family. “People like me who want to study have to face several problems. A little attention and assistance from the government [can help us],” said the visually impaired author.

Commenting on Rasool’s book, writer and author Dr Najeeb Jamal said she did an excellent job despite the fact that her topic was complicated. NLA Chairperson Dr Anwar Ahmad also endorsed her work.

The other three books discussed during the programme were “Ghalib or Ghamgeen kay Farsi Maktubaat” by Partu Roheela, “Nasar Rasheed Jahaan” compiled by Humaira Ashfaq and “Fikar-i-Iqbal ka Almia” by Dr Salahuddin Darvesh.

Presiding over the first session, Dr Ahmad said Partu Roheela has compiled and translated 10 Persian letters of legendary Urdu poets Ghalib and Ghamgheen, which is a remarkable contribution to Urdu literature.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2012.