Every progressive society owes its progress to women, and both Field Marshal Muhammad Ayub Khan and the people of Pakistan and Swat were blessed with a remarkable daughter, Begum Naseem Ayub Aurangzeb. She made immense contributions as the First Lady in the absence of her purdah-observing mother and later as the wife of the then Crown Prince Aurangzeb of Swat (the Walihad).
Unfortunate are the nations or communities that remain leaderless and directionless, groping in darkness, surrounded by confusion, and unable to find the right path to progress.
This historic picture from the personal archive of Prince Dr. Mahmud Aurangzeb, as the Patron-in-Chief of the Alumni of my school, depicts the founding Principal of Public School Sangota Swat, my beloved alma mater. It was taken in front of the remains of the pre-Islamic old fort, presumably of Raja Gira, defeated by Mahmoud Ghaznavi. I am certain that Begum Naseem, in naming her son Mahmoud, had envisioned that the revival of Muslims and her people could only be achieved through modern education. It was her initiative that brought Public School Sangota Swat under the administration of the Irish Nuns.
I consider myself fortunate to have been in personal contact with the late Sister Pius Madden until her passing, and I take pride in the fact that my school fellows participated in her last burial rites in her native Ireland, as a reaffirmation of our gratitude for our teachers and their invaluable services.
It boggles my mind when I hear of certain youngsters being introduced to the world as champions of girls’ education while forgetting the real heroes whose hard work and selfless service form the edifice of modern education in Swat. Thanks to these few brave ladies, thousands of doctors, engineers, civil servants, military officers, and professors are serving around the world, with credit to their contributions. They stand tall, posing in front of the ruins of a once-powerful military garrison that could not withstand the power of knowledge that spread and could not be resisted by swords. Modern education and technological advancement remain the only defense against any intrusion, be it political, religious, or social, that no military might can deter or defend.
As a nation, we owe our gratitude to all the wonderful women in every sphere of our national life, particularly to this group of ladies who are no longer physically with us, but whose selfless spirit continues to inspire thousands of children receiving education at Public School Sangota Swat. Rest in peace.