On 28 April 2017, the children of classes 9 ,10 and 11 attended a discussion on the popular book Gold Dust of Begum Sultans by Zubaida Sultan. If is translated in English by Zakia Zaheer and Syeda Hameed.
Ms. Zakia Zaheer gave the children an insight on the revolutions that took place in the lives of three women. The women who were once, timid and shy dominated as they were by their male counterparts; later went against the customs of their society to establish themselves and wield power.
The story is around three women of three generations, the eldest being Qamar Zamani, the wife of the powerful Nawab Akbar Ali Khan, the second was Jahanara, daughter of Qamar Zamani and last and youngest was Shehzaadi, wife of the grandson of Qamar Zamani.
These three women after the death of their husbands realise that their chance to acquire power and importance is now. It was completely denied to them whilst their husbands were alive. Qamar Zamani was the one who was most carried away by her new freedom and it was reported that 'slipped into the persona of Akbar Ali Khan' and even started sprouting a beard with having people call her Dada instead of Dadi!
This intense tale set in the times of the Rohillas in 1857 saw the treasures of the household slip through their hands like dust. The tale ends with Shehzadi taking charge of the household and Qamar Zamani beating a retreat.
Ms. Zaheer also told the children about the exhibition conducted by her at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Arts.
The children listened with great interest. Later the speakers were presented with a hamper handmade by the Citizenship Programme.
Mehar Saxena, class X.
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