The Jinnah- Every time the name is taken, it has an unfaltering effect of causing goose bumps to my body. The Jinnah is a name which talks of a million words, narrates a story- a story which has several versions and styles. However the versions may be, and whatever style to choose but the history and geography of all of them agree to one fact, and that fact is the country of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

The magnitude of personality of this man who etched the map of Pakistan on the world map with his nerves of steel is indeed immeasurable. It’s beyond human interpretation how a person could have such a powerful determination and ambition to singlehandedly maneuver the British Raj and the powerful Congress to even think of such a generous gifts to the Muslims of the sub-continent. Yet that was the Jinnah focused, crisp, factual, staunch and a true visionary. He envisioned the Pakistan, and so made the miracle happen!

I read “The Jinnah” by Jaswant Singh in 2009 while I was teaching history in the MSB-Institute. I had read much about partition, and different opinions and views on it, however never closely viewed the life of Jinnah from birth till death. It was indeed a fortune to know how every chapter of his life was altogether a separate journey, how a person who spent years in favor of Hindu Muslim unity and a united India, changed his course towards the demand of a separate homeland for Muslims.

Truly the personality is an enigma; it leaves one awe struck and forms a void, restlessness in one’s soul after knowing him, making us wonder of his worth to the nation. What other miracles could have been possible had he lived merely 5 more years after the existence of Pakistan? But that only we can wish…

However my passion for this towering personality is immense. It was transparent while I taught my class. I used to struggle for extra minutes just to speak about him, to hear and answer my student’s questions specifically relevant to him. I loved the presentations they made and the immense respect they showed for the father of their nation. The display of understanding, creativity and the yearn to know more made me greedy to tell and teach more to let them know who he was, transfer my respect and idealism for the Jinnah to them.

Many a times I am left to tears, when I read about the struggle of Pakistan and the role of Jinnah in it. It breaks me when I imagine the thankless way we treated his state which actually killed him, for it was days, he went on & on sleepless and without food, working for the nation non-stop till he expired.

I hope today when Imran Khan speaks for the betterment of the nation and makes promises to the people of The Jinnah; he has his tomb and presence in front of his eyes…

Quaid-e-Azam shall live till the word Pakistan does;  the land of Pakistan shall remain a witness to it!

Happy Birthday Mohammad Ali Jinnah!

Xeynab