English & Urdu Text : Khalid IqbalPresentation : Shoaib Sobani

The Class of ‘79 can easily recall the modest looking girl, relatively gangly andslender. She was easy to communicate and could befriend instantly to bothseniors and juniors. Away from all sorts of braggers, she was Tasneem, for whomentry into Dow was like a cherished dream coming true. Salahuddin Afsar, KhanShah Zaman, Taj Tabassum, Hameed Piracha Riffat and Nargis were cohorts to herin the clinical group.

Tasneem was very considerate for colleagues and was ambitious about carrierand future. She has never liked to remain in a status quo. Six years at Dow was adelicious span of life when she participated in curricular and extramural activitieswith fervor. Nostalgia and remembrances haunts her. The two "Naheeds" of theclass echoes in her memories, to this day. A little girl strangled in torrential rainsof 1973 right in front of the Anatomy department. With a sandal in her hand shewas yelling at some wayward boys who were luring her to show more fury.

She was Naheed Mumtaz, a celebrity of the class of 79, known for herfearlessness and loose but, rhythmic movements. The other was late NaheedKazi who was like her own image, ready to help anybody in need. Tasneem stillremember the magical touch of her fingers on her forehead when oncethrobbing headache pulled her down in the girls’ common room. The saddeparture of Kazi still made her downhearted. The elegance, agility and theaffections of the Late Professor Shakir Ali Jaffery to the girls of 79 was fixed toher memory cells as if this is a matter of yesterday.

After graduation Tasneem joined Government service until she got married in1984 to an army officer. There was a paradigm shift for an ambitious person likeher. Adjusting to situations, a new aspiration that infatuated her was to serve asan exemplary mother for her four children. She left no stone unturned toeducate them to the best. Time has ultimately arrived to reap the rewards. Theelder daughter is a medical graduate and is doing residency in the States. Theyounger one is a graduate of medicine from Dow University. The elder son hasdone Master’s in Business from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. Theyounger son is studying at Johns Hopkins.

On the personal front Tasneem has remained affiliated to Aisha Khans IVFCentre in Karachi probably, the one and only link to the medical profession. Herhusband Tahir Ali Khan has retired from Army to turn into a business magnate.She is enjoying her continuing obligations to the family without any ill will.Tasneem show no changes in her persona. No aftereffects of the ruthlessageing; smart, stylish and slender quite like the English slim cucumber she wasfondly called in the Dow days.

PERSONALITY UPLOADED ON 25TH JAN 2014

Dear ShoaibMany thanks for posting Tasneem's profile. I saw recent pictures when she visited javed in Detroit. She has not changed at all. She was very hard working and not surprising moulded her children in her image. Congratulations to her for such a success.Ifti

Thanks again team Shoaib for a wonderful job.Tasneem, It was nice to learn about you and the family. May be we can meet them along with you in Malaysia. Write a few lines. We would love to hear from you. Take care. Bashir

Brought a lot of memories backDelighted to hear about a memorable ray of laughter and happiness of class79Very best wishes for you and your delightful familyMunir