Author Topic: Springfield School Karachi Celebration of a life well lived  (Read 4358 times)

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Springfield School Karachi Celebration of a life well lived

Karachi:Nasrat Agha, the Founder cum Principal of Springfield School, passed away on April 25, 2009, after more than a year-long battle against severe and painful sickness.

Agha had a warm and personal relationship with all those who in the past or present connected with Springfield School. She had become an iconic figure and a guiding star for all the students. Hundreds of people including students, old and new, teachers, parents, friends and family and many others whose lives she had touched in a very significant way had gathered in the grounds and corridors of the old school on April 26, to pay their respect and say farewell to her.

Springfield School in KDA Scheme 1 was founded by Nasrat and her late husband Mirza Nadir Agha, alumni of Lucknows famous La Martiniere and Lucknow University. The school opened its doors to students on September 1, 1966 and weathered the political upheavals of Bhuttos nationalisation, Zias Islamisation and the citys continued turmoils. Nasrat never missed a day till the severe sickness made it impossible for her to attend and she regretted it complaining that her attendance record has been spoiled.

Born in Bhopal, Nasrat was the fourth child of late Khan Bahadur Akhtar Ali Khan and Aurang Bano. Their residence, Ginnory Bagh, was known across India for its rare collection of plants and trees. She came with her family to Pakistan, and got married to Mirza Nadir Agha, scion of a prominent Lucknow family, at a very young age. Soon after their marriage, Mirza Sahib met a serious road accident that restricted his movement but the couple bravely raised five children. Nasrat completed her Masters degree in Arts and later the couple together founded Springfield School.

The school was established from their personal funds, and started on a modest scale. What is unique about this school is that it never harassed students parents  not for building fund donations, nor for admission form fees. The standard of education and discipline among student and staff, and the policy of admission on strictly merit basis has been a hard fought battle facing the bureaucracys antics and influential peoples pressures to seek favours.

Nasrat set standards and stood by them to protect and maintain them to the last. The school is her treasured legacy that she built with the help of her husband. Her husbands untimely demise in 1981 left her alone to cope with the developing school and growing family. Another tragedy struck her, when her only son Mirza Agha Asim, after a long illness expired on February 4, 2008. This proved fatal for her as she fell sick soon after but valiantly carried on working, attending school till February 2009 before surrendering to the serious illness.

The school, her numerous projects of supporting charities, helping the poor families and students who cannot afford fees, will remain her lasting memories. It will take a book to sum up her work and achievement but at this moment of loss it is to celebrate her life that was lived with courage, sincerity, honestly with hard work.
If you born poor, its not your fault....But if you die poor, its your fault...."Bill Gates"