She was still bold, she was still beautiful, but most importantly, she was still having that sentimental heart. The remote areas of Sadar witnessed a new ray of light when Dr. Salsabeel Zia took the initiative of opening an NGO for the welfare of the deprived. It was August 2001 when the energetic doctor, in her middle ages, came up with this bright idea. She had lived long enough as a successful gynecologist, and even longer as an obedient daughter, a concerned sister, a fostering mother and a loyal wife. Now it was time to be the Fairy God-Mother of many Cinderellas, who were suffering in the secluded areas of the developed Lahore.

Her altruist face still glitters with a smile when her mind takes her back to the opening of her first clinic. It was a small rented house, not lavishly furnished. The staff consisted of a single doctor Dr. Asma, working with two midwives. Dr. Shaheena Asif practicing in Surgimed Lahore and Dr. Nuzhat Javed of Gujranwala shook hands with the lady for the noble cause. They were together in this fight for a better future of their hometown. The clinic offers free diagnosis, medicine, and minor surgical operations for women and children, long neglected of their necessities. Every human has a right to be healthy, and maintenance of their health is an obligation of the doctors, as per their oath taken at the graduation. Mrs. Zia was there to fulfill her oath by striving for the needy of remote Lahore.

Many of us sit back today in our cozy nests, enjoying the luxuries our provincial capital offers. Seldom do we think when we waste our food in trash that the same may fill the appetite of a child who is feeding on the garbage. We see this city glittering with lights every night but hardly bother observing the tear, glittering down the rough skin of many, sleeping without a shelter. Our schooling gives us lectures on regular medical check-ups for a healthy body and mind, but while we spend a fortune on our medical insurance, we never consider those who cannot even afford an aspirin when they are running temperature.

Who asks here for a thousand rupee donation? All I say is that is it not possible to save a single rupee or ten per month. Can we not take even this meager amount out of our pay checks, or pocket moneys to help someone live a healthier life? I suppose that if we contribute a little for the sake of the deserving, we can make our city a much better place to live in. To those who have a heart, I have a plea: join hands with us to make sure that our coming generations be more healthy and strong for a stronger Pakistan. May God bless us with a thoughtful and considerate heart, Amen!