My life struggles started when I was four. I was living in modern-day Pakistan, as had my family for generations.
In 1947, there was a partition between India and Pakistan and millions of people were displaced. Hindus from Pakistan went to India and Muslims from India went to Pakistan.
Because of the partition of India, my family had to leave for India overnight and leave everything that we owned behind. A police officer helped us escape, and we went to Delhi.
When we reached India, we stayed in a refugee camp. We were wealthy in Pakistan, but we had to start all over in India. My dad started by selling vegetables on the side of the road. We grew up very poor. I had 3 siblings. We supported each other in our studies as we grew. My older sister helped pay for my higher education.
I got married in 1973, and started my part-time engineering course, while managing a job and a baby who was born in 1974. Every evening, I would work till 6pm and then study till 10pm. This went on for 4 years. Finally, my degree was completed, and I could do better in my job.
From there, I continued working hard and became more senior in my job. I was finally able to provide well and take care of my family. The early years of my life were not easy but I never lost hope, always stayed positive and continued working hard.