KPDC: First of all we would like you to share some words about yourself?
Kehkashan: My name is Kehkashan Ameen. I am 8 years old and studying in class-3. I have 2 brothers and a sister. I love giving speeches and reading poems but I give attention to my studies as well.
KPDC: Who is your favorite poet?
Kehkashan: My favorite poet is Allama Muhammad Iqbal and I like his book “Baang-e-Daraan” a lot.
KPDC: Why do you like Allama Muhammad Iqbal?
Kehkashan: I like all poets whose poetry touches heart. Allama Muhammad Iqbal awoke the Muslims of South Asia, who were sleeping in the darkness of slavery. He made them face the reality and struggled to let them know the importance of freedom.
I want to know as much as possible about him. I read books, I ask my teachers, my parents about him and that’s how I get information about Allama Iqbal and his life.
KPDC: Do you play games?
Kehkashan: I try to do every work on its time. I like playing games with my sisters.I also play computer games and do work with my mother. But I don’t watch TV, because I don’t have enough time for it. I believe time is the most precious gift of Almighty ALLAH, and we need to manage our time properly. We should make maximum use of our time.
KPDC: Do you like poets other than Iqbal?
Kehkashan: Apart from Allama Iqbal, I like poets like Mirza Ghalib, and Raghib Murad Abadi. I read their books and poetry as well. I like Allama Iqbal most of all because despite being a great poet and a philosopher, he has written a number of poems for children. He knew that children need special attention.
KPDC: Do you read story books?
Kehkashan: Yes, I like reading story books when I am free. I like stories in both English and Urdu.
KPDC: How did you start giving speeches and reading poems?
Kehkashan: When I was 4 years of age and studying in Nursery class, I read a poem in the Annual Function at my school and people appreciated me so much that I can’t express it in my words. My father used to read Baang-e-Daraan and other books. I started sitting with my father and asking him about the books. In a little time, I learned 4 poems.
Then, I participated in Koocha-e-Saqafat for the first time, which is held on every Sunday by the Arts Council of Pakistan. I read a poem of Iqbal in that function and the audience appreciated me a lot. People complimented me saying they have never seen a little child reading Iqbal’s poems so well. I was given titles like Fakhr-e-Karachi, Daughter of Karachi, Naaz-e-Karachi, etc. I also read Iqbal’s famous poem “Shikwa” and “Jawab-e-Shikwa”, and for this I received a certificate from the Cultural Minister, Mr. Rauf Siddiqui. I also received a medal and a certificate from CDGK for a speech that I delivered during their Karachi Festival.
I am extremely thankful to my ALLAH that I have received so many certificates, shields and honor wherever I have performed and all this is possible because of efforts and involvement of my parents.
I am also thankful to Mr. Hanif S. Kalia for making me a member of Ko-Ordination group, and Dr. Saira Bano for her support at KrG.
KPDC: What other interests do you have apart from speeches and poetry?
Kehkashan: I like reading “Naat” and whenever I have participated in any “Naat competition” I have been awarded with 1st, 2nd or 3rd position by the grace of ALMIGHTY ALLAH. I was also given a title of “Nanhi Naat Khwaan”. Dr. Amir Liaqat Hussain invited me as a child star in a play which was part of his drama series named, “Mehakti Kaliyan” in which I played character of a lawyer. I have also played different roles in other plays but I don’t want to be an actor in future.
I also have great interests in IT. I think it’s an era of computers and IT. But I would say that we shouldn’t leave books. Books are our best friends. Knowledge is the most precious thing. Whatever development we have seen over the years, it has only been possible because of knowledge. And the best way of obtaining knowledge is through books. Therefore, I would say that we should not leave reading books.
KPDC: Do you say poetry yourself?
Kehkashan: Yes, I have said a number of poems and I am about to launch a book which will consist of my poems.
KPDC: What you want to be in the future?
Kehkashan: I leave this on ALMIGHTY ALLAH whatever he decides for my future. As far as my wishes are concerned, I want to be a Space Engineer and achieve something in this area for my country. However, I like to be a pilot too because I want to sacrifice my life while serving my country.
KPDC: What is your favorite verse?
Kehkashan: My favorite verse is:
Ek hon Muslim Haram ki paasbani key liey……….
Neel key saahil sey ley kar ta-bakhaak-e-Kaashghar.
KPDC: What message do you want to convey to the other children?
Kehkashan: I want Pakistan to become an exemplary country for the rest of the world. Our country should develop like other developed countries. We are left behind because we are divided into different groups. Some of us call them Sunni Muslims, some want to be called Shiahs, and others call themselves Punjabis, Pathans, Sindhis or Balochis. But we must realize that first of all we are Human Beings, second we are Muslims and third we are Pakistanis.
We should remain united otherwise our enemies will make use of our division. If we live united, no one will have the courage to see our country with a bad eye. I want that every child of my country should get education, because these children are the future of this country. So, my message is that every child should try and get education as much as he or she can so that they can play an active role in the development of the country.
Questions from Kehkashan’s mother:
KPDC: What do you want to say about kehkashan’s achievements ?
Kehkashan’s Mother: All that kehkashan has is a gift from ALMIGHTY ALLAH; she is exceptionally intelligent by birth. Her father loves reading books and he used to read poetry of Allama Iqbal and other poets. In fact there are books relating to almost every subject in our home. So, when she started taking interest and reading books fluently, we were all surprised. When we saw her interests we also started to support her. She used to learn poems so quickly and then read so fluently that everyone used to get amazed. We help her to prepare for speeches and other contests and she never let us down by the grace of ALMIGHTY ALLAH.
KPDC: Have these activities made any negative effects on her studies? What contribution has her school made in her achievements?
Kehkashan’s Mother: Well, all these activities have helped in her studies. She has so much information that whatever the teacher asks in the class she gives answers. Her school has also made good contribution in her achievements. Although, Mr. Rauf Siddiqui, the then Cultural Minister, had offered scholarship for kehkashan’s studies, but her father said we don’t need help from anyone for the education of kehkashan.
KPDC: What message you want to give to the other parents?
Kehkashan’s Mother: My message is that children at the age of 3-4 years are usually neglected in our society. Parents are happy to see their children sitting in front of the TV. They think that by sending their children to the schools, they fulfill their responsibility as parents. But I think children learn from their parents more than any other place. If the environment of the house is good, the children will learn good things. So, I would say that parents should share different information with their children. It will help in their learning process.
KPDC: Thank you so much for being here and enlightening us with your thoughts. C U on Net.
Kehkashan & Kehkashan’s Mother: We also enjoyed being here. C U On Net 2.
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