The disaster that liberated me
October 7, 2015 7:21 AM Subscribe
When the Kashmir earthquake struck in October 2005, Tabinda Kokab was a teacher in a remote village close to the epicentre. She recalls the day that changed her life, and how it forced her to throw off the expectations that Pakistani society had placed on her as a woman.
Kokab has also talked to the BBC World Service's Fifth Floor programme about her experience of the earthquake. She's previously been interviewed by the show about her role as one of the four, all-female anchors of BBC Urdu's current affairs programme, Sairbeen.
Kokab has also talked to the BBC World Service's Fifth Floor programme about her experience of the earthquake. She's previously been interviewed by the show about her role as one of the four, all-female anchors of BBC Urdu's current affairs programme, Sairbeen.
Wow, that second link is a terrific read—thanks for posting it. I like that she's not complacent about her own fortunate outcome:posted by languagehat at 8:29 AM on October 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Yeah, it's a very straightforward and very honest account.
posted by hat_eater at 8:39 AM on October 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
Before long, an 18 year-old woman, so lovely and grown-up, approached our group. Overflowing with excitement, she grabbed hold of my hand, saying, "Teacher I remember you, and I think about you often."Hopefully, with this piece she'll reach and affect more young women.
It was so lovely to see her. It emerged that she had left school when she was about 12, and I told her to go back to her studies.
She said, "OK, I will, because you gave me the order and I will not refuse you."
posted by hat_eater at 8:39 AM on October 7, 2015 [1 favorite]
This piece blew me away. Like languagehat, her lack of complacency is a great thing to see. I do hope that it will not take another natural disaster to put more people like her into society.
posted by Hactar at 9:41 AM on October 7, 2015
posted by Hactar at 9:41 AM on October 7, 2015
Great story.
posted by limeonaire at 3:56 PM on October 7, 2015
posted by limeonaire at 3:56 PM on October 7, 2015
Wow. What a powerful story.
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:30 PM on October 7, 2015
posted by Joe in Australia at 6:30 PM on October 7, 2015
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