LETTERS AND OPINIONS

should act with total dedication; you should not be overwhelmed by the negative traditions of society. • In Delhi, when aapa could not live with her father, a family supported her, and treated her like a family member, arranging free tuition. The lesson we learn from this incident is that apart from parents, society should also be aware of the needs and difficulties of the nation’s future and be ready to help the members of society. • Failure in the exam should not break your resolve. You should start preparing again, without harbouring any complaints against anyone. • Unlike ordinary graduates, aapa was not content just to get a degree. She set herself the goal of learning high-quality English. This passion for continuous learning set her apart from other degree holders. • Maulana’s forcing aapa to pursue a specialization in English instead of Persian at the right time shows that courage, determination and ability are not enough to succeed; it is equally important to be aware of the needs of the time. -Principal Ansari Naeem Ahmed (Mumbai) Dr. Farida Khanam’s interview appears like a historical piece spanning over sixty or seventy years. It is a spiritual journey that she started at the age of thirteen from Saraimir, Azamgarh. Her story is the reflection of society and an outline of the paradigm shift in the way women’s role in society is envisioned. It describes how the perception of women in society has moved from negative to positive. The role of a woman in society is as important in the sphere of religion as in mundane affairs. Prof. Khanam’s personality is a practical model to emulate. -Dr Shabbir Ahmad Parray (Kashmir) o