No one can deny the immense talent of Pakistan, but unfortunately, it is overlooked or go unnoticed because of the negative image that is highlighted in media. Thus there is dire need to not only appreciate the talent but also provide them with a necessary platform to shine. I always look forward to talk about any such initiative through my blog. Thus you can imagine that I had to cover for this one too.
Sparkistan is an initiative taken by Atlas Battery to show the Spark of our unsung heroes. To discover more about our stars, they travelled all over Pakistan to record their Sparking story. Atlas battery showcased the story of 15 Heroes who are not given the fame they deserved. Atlas battery took a step ahead to give prominence to our sparkling heroes. I would love to tell you stories of my favourite ones.
Nazir Sabir:
He is adventurous, well known as a top mountaineer. He was born in Hunza and has climbed Mount Everest and four of the five 8000 m peaks in Pakistan including the world’s second highest mountain K2 in 1981, Gasherbrum II 8035m, Broad Peak 8050m in 1982 and Gasherbrum I (Hidden Peak) 8068m in 1992.
He became the first from Pakistan to have climbed Everest on 17 May 2000 as a team member on the Mountain Madness Everest Expedition led by Christine Boskoff from the USA that also included famed Everest climber Peter Habeler of Austria and eight Canadians.
What he has accomplished is not an easy thing to do. I will call him an unsung hero of Hunza as not many of Pakistanis know about him.
Aneeqa Bano & Afzal Rasool
47% children in Pakistan are getting zero to a little education. The figures are worst for special children! A couple that gives us some serious relationship goals! Aneeqa Bano and Afzal Rasool have a child who is deaf, that was a turning point in their lives. They realised the lack of education for deaf children. Thus started their very own school in Skardu where they teach sign language to deaf children as well as their families.
A couple that gives us some serious relationship goals – Aneeqa Bano and Afzal Rasool have a child who is deaf, that was a turning point in their lives. They realised the lack of education for deaf children. Thus started their very own school in Skardu where they teach sign language to deaf children as well as their families.
“We wouldn’t have done this if God hadn’t given us a deaf child. We decided that our daughter will study, people around us mocked us” ~ Aneeqa Bano
“I thank God whenever I see a child with pencil in his hands” ~ Afzal Rasool
Azima Zaidi
We know how difficult it is to survive with a physical disability, even for mundane routine tasks. She is not only self-sufficient but also leading life while inspiring others. She gives credit to her parents to taught her that she is no less, not only can she dream but also be whatever she wants in her life.
“What I want to achieve in my life is to run my own organisation, work on inclusive education and dream to have inclusive education in every institute of Pakistan ~ Azima Zaidi”
She teach us how to convert your weakness into your strength. I feel so motivated when I hear her talk as you can feel her determination and passion even when being disabled. She definitely our hero!
Roma Sayyedian and Siblings
The new generation of Pakistan is not behind in making us proud! Roma Sayyedian and her siblings are also #Sparkistan heroes. They hold the record for being the youngest Microsoft Certified Professionals worldwide. Roma was only 9 when she was also awarded Prime Minister Award among other awards. Learning from her sister, Subhan was able to break the record of being only 7 years old when getting certified from Microsoft
Azima, a YES (Youth Exchange & Study) got a lifetime opportunity to travel to U.S and exchange culture as active Pakistan ambassador. Aren’t we all proud of them? :’)
In the end, Thank you Atlas Battery for highlighting these heroes from ordinary people of Pakistan. It gives us hope and motivation to do even better!