Arfa, who became the microsoft certified professional at the age of nine, breathed her last on January 14. PHOTO: WASEEM NIAZ
LAHORE: Men of letters, district officials and relatives feted child prodigy Arfa Karim for the rich potential of her work and vision on her third death anniversary on Thursday.
At the age of just nine, Arfa was recognised as the youngest certified Microsoft Professional.
“Arfa still holds a special place in the hearts of people across the country. We have been very lucky that people are extending their support to us even after three years,” says 17-year-old Sarmad Karim, younger brother of the child prodigy.
He points out that “there is so much potential in our children and youth”. “What now required is that the government gets its priorities straight and focuses on areas, particularly education.”
Sarmad shared these views while talking to The Express Tribune as the third anniversary was marked with an official ceremony at Arfa’s hometown in Faisalabad.
In 2012, she passed away at the age of 16 after suffering an epileptic attack and eventually fell into a coma.
A student of A-level, Sarmad, says it is vital for the government to play its role in improving the lives and educational opportunities for children in the country.
Speaking about the horrific incident on December 16 that killed more than 130 schoolchildren in Peshawar, he says the biggest strength of Pakistan lies in its children, adding that Arfa believed in that as well.
“She often spoke about how we could shape the future and make things better in our country,” he recalls.
As an elder sister, she was the one who inspired but was not one devoid of a little bit of fun.
“Every now and then she would reward me for doing my homework with little things like chocolates and toffees,” says Sarmad who now aspires to pursue higher education abroad.
On Wednesday, the district government organised an event to commemorate the death anniversary which was attended by Arfa’s father Col Amjad Karim and DCO Noorul Amin Mengal.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2015.
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Our pride.