A Tribute to Pakistan’s Arfa Karim

[CENTCOM]

Arfa Karim Randhawa was just sixteen years old when she passed away after a brief illness in her home town, Lahore on January 14, 2012. So what is so special about this teenager that we write about her today! She was one of the brightest Pakistani child; world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional from 2004 to 2006. I had the opportunity to meet with her in Seattle when she visited the Microsoft Campus in 2005 on the invitation of MS Chairman, Bill Gates. The then ten years old Arfa had bright vision for her homeland Pakistan. I was surprised to hear that she did not have a computer at home so she used to go to a “computer center” in her neighborhood where she practiced and learned her software skills. Even at 10 she seemed to be a girl with vision. She wanted girls to be empowered and wanted education for all girls in her country. Long before Malala Yousufzai, this young Pakistani was dreaming of school in every village and town of Pakistan to educate the kids. After her Microsoft Headquarters visit, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Technology by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was also awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance, a civil award usually granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. She is the youngest recipient of this award. Arfa was made brand ambassador for Pakistan Telecommunication Company's 3G Wireless Broadband service, "EVO", in January 2010.

Arfa represented Pakistan on various international forums, and was invited by the Pakistan Information Technology Professionals Forum for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various awards and gifts including a laptop. In November 2006, Arfa attended the Tech-Ed Developers conference themed “Get ahead of the Game” held in Barcelona on an invitation from Microsoft. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.

In her short live Arfa was able to achieve more than any adult would in their entire lifetime. Her death must have been a big blow to not only her family and friends, but the whole nation and the world. After her death the Punjab Government changed the name of Lahore Technology Park to Arfa Software Technology Park. All I can say is you have left a beacon for others to follow. Rest in Peace little girl!


Abdul Quddus
DET - U.S. Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

 

[django]

Arfa Karim Randhawa was just sixteen years old when she passed away after a brief illness in her home town, Lahore on January 14, 2012. So what is so special about this teenager that we write about her today! She was one of the brightest Pakistani child; world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional from 2004 to 2006. I had the opportunity to meet with her in Seattle when she visited the Microsoft Campus in 2005 on the invitation of MS Chairman, Bill Gates. The then ten years old Arfa had bright vision for her homeland Pakistan. I was surprised to hear that she did not have a computer at home so she used to go to a “computer center” in her neighborhood where she practiced and learned her software skills. Even at 10 she seemed to be a girl with vision. She wanted girls to be empowered and wanted education for all girls in her country. Long before Malala Yousufzai, this young Pakistani was dreaming of school in every village and town of Pakistan to educate the kids. After her Microsoft Headquarters visit, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Technology by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was also awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance, a civil award usually granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. She is the youngest recipient of this award. Arfa was made brand ambassador for Pakistan Telecommunication Company's 3G Wireless Broadband service, "EVO", in January 2010.

Arfa represented Pakistan on various international forums, and was invited by the Pakistan Information Technology Professionals Forum for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various awards and gifts including a laptop. In November 2006, Arfa attended the Tech-Ed Developers conference themed “Get ahead of the Game” held in Barcelona on an invitation from Microsoft. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.

In her short live Arfa was able to achieve more than any adult would in their entire lifetime. Her death must have been a big blow to not only her family and friends, but the whole nation and the world. After her death the Punjab Government changed the name of Lahore Technology Park to Arfa Software Technology Park. All I can say is you have left a beacon for others to follow. Rest in Peace little girl!


Abdul Quddus
DET - U.S. Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

Superb post.

 

[Aepsilons]

Arfa Karim Randhawa was just sixteen years old when she passed away after a brief illness in her home town, Lahore on January 14, 2012. So what is so special about this teenager that we write about her today! She was one of the brightest Pakistani child; world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional from 2004 to 2006. I had the opportunity to meet with her in Seattle when she visited the Microsoft Campus in 2005 on the invitation of MS Chairman, Bill Gates. The then ten years old Arfa had bright vision for her homeland Pakistan. I was surprised to hear that she did not have a computer at home so she used to go to a “computer center” in her neighborhood where she practiced and learned her software skills. Even at 10 she seemed to be a girl with vision. She wanted girls to be empowered and wanted education for all girls in her country. Long before Malala Yousufzai, this young Pakistani was dreaming of school in every village and town of Pakistan to educate the kids. After her Microsoft Headquarters visit, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Technology by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was also awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance, a civil award usually granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. She is the youngest recipient of this award. Arfa was made brand ambassador for Pakistan Telecommunication Company's 3G Wireless Broadband service, "EVO", in January 2010.

Arfa represented Pakistan on various international forums, and was invited by the Pakistan Information Technology Professionals Forum for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various awards and gifts including a laptop. In November 2006, Arfa attended the Tech-Ed Developers conference themed “Get ahead of the Game” held in Barcelona on an invitation from Microsoft. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.

In her short live Arfa was able to achieve more than any adult would in their entire lifetime. Her death must have been a big blow to not only her family and friends, but the whole nation and the world. After her death the Punjab Government changed the name of Lahore Technology Park to Arfa Software Technology Park. All I can say is you have left a beacon for others to follow. Rest in Peace little girl!


Abdul Quddus
DET - U.S. Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

Wonderful, my friend.

 

[waz]

Thank @CENTCOM , a wonderful post. Greetings to all the guys.

 

[rockstar08]

I really Admire that kid .. I wish god can return her and take all our Stupid Politicians ..who are somehow responsible for her death ...

 

[Pak_Sher]

Arfa Karim Randhawa was just sixteen years old when she passed away after a brief illness in her home town, Lahore on January 14, 2012. So what is so special about this teenager that we write about her today! She was one of the brightest Pakistani child; world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional from 2004 to 2006. I had the opportunity to meet with her in Seattle when she visited the Microsoft Campus in 2005 on the invitation of MS Chairman, Bill Gates. The then ten years old Arfa had bright vision for her homeland Pakistan. I was surprised to hear that she did not have a computer at home so she used to go to a “computer center” in her neighborhood where she practiced and learned her software skills. Even at 10 she seemed to be a girl with vision. She wanted girls to be empowered and wanted education for all girls in her country. Long before Malala Yousufzai, this young Pakistani was dreaming of school in every village and town of Pakistan to educate the kids. After her Microsoft Headquarters visit, she was awarded the Fatima Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Technology by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan. She was also awarded the President’s Award for Pride of Performance, a civil award usually granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. She is the youngest recipient of this award. Arfa was made brand ambassador for Pakistan Telecommunication Company's 3G Wireless Broadband service, "EVO", in January 2010.

Arfa represented Pakistan on various international forums, and was invited by the Pakistan Information Technology Professionals Forum for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various awards and gifts including a laptop. In November 2006, Arfa attended the Tech-Ed Developers conference themed “Get ahead of the Game” held in Barcelona on an invitation from Microsoft. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.

In her short live Arfa was able to achieve more than any adult would in their entire lifetime. Her death must have been a big blow to not only her family and friends, but the whole nation and the world. After her death the Punjab Government changed the name of Lahore Technology Park to Arfa Software Technology Park. All I can say is you have left a beacon for others to follow. Rest in Peace little girl!


Abdul Quddus
DET - U.S. Central Command
www.facebook.com/centcomurdu

Thank you for posting.

 

[Khafee]

Arfa Karim Trust:

Arfa Karim Trust

 

[ghazi52]

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