In the bosom of the Pakhtun society where tradition and culture occupy a unique place, the story unfolds about a unique character who challenges the norms and structures with unparalleled style and decorum. Zarghuna, wife’s cousin, is an example of harmony between educated and gentle disposition, which makes her character special in the framework of a conventional environment.
A Welcoming Presence
Each time we go to visit Zarghuna and her family, they welcome us with extra ordinary hospitality. She tries her best to make us have a comfortable stay and looks at every single aspect to ensure we are comfortable. It is not mere tradition that compels her to perform these acts but rather affection and care. Such a level of hospitality is hard to come by and goes a long way in describing her personality.
Balancing Tradition and Modernity
Presently living in District Mardan with her aunt to continue her higher studies wherein she is pursuing a Master of Philosophy in International Relations Zarghuna hails from Mingora Swat Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also known as the land of natural beauty, charm and Yousafzai’s. Notwithstanding the fact that she comes from a conservative Pakhtun culture, she is neither too modern nor too conservative. Her academic experience, on the one hand, provides a view of the world and helps respect the cultural values of her upbringing but at the same time, accept modern values.
A Day of Laughter and Reflection
One day, during a joyful family dinner, my brother-in-law, Waheedullah, joked about the new fashion among the Pakistani women. He pointed out how many of today’s young women shy away from practicing Joint families after marriage, a situation that causes so many clashes with the in-laws. He began to jokingly question if she considered herself as not part of this trend. The response I received was pertinent to her comprehension and sympathy.
When she asked me if I thought she was different from other girls, my answer was spontaneous and sincere. “You are very caring and understanding,” I said to her. “You will not have issues with your future husband or in-laws because your friendly disposition and acceptance of family relationships are admirable.” Yes, someone like Zarghuna is very worthy of appreciation and she is the reason why this blog is being written.
Defying Stereotypes
In a society where women are labelled in certain ways, Zarghuna proves these tags to be a joke. It is also an added advantage that she can oversee family business, care of others children including Suhaima, Saneeha or Ameera (Bhae G children) OR Ayan and Zayan (my children), and accept requests with an open mind. Not only is she intelligent, but she also has a caretaking disposition that is growing scarcer each day. She defies the stereotype portrayals of modern women and presents the fairness of education in upholding traditional virtues.
An Example for All
Zarghuna’s story is not only motivating for women in Pakhtun society but for all other societies and all other people. This proves that even as a modern and educated woman, one can be respectable and can stick to cultural norms. She is an example of how education can improve the communication with the members of the family with consideration and respect towards each other.
Shahzeb, a software engineer working hard in the vibrant Saudi Arabian city, had a home sweet home in the person of Zarghuna, his cousin. Popular amongst family members as Bhae G – an informal term used to refer to another brother in Urdu, Bhae G had a special kind of closeness with Zarghuna.
It was rather peculiar that Bhae G had a humorous name for Zarghuna which was ‘Wakeela’, its meaning in English means advocate. This nickname resonated with Zarghuna on how she was flexible and equally embraced both the traditional ways of the Afghan culture and the contemporary ways of the western society, which was something that Shahzeb admired in her a lot. During those moments at night, Bhae g would feel the urge of having the Arabic Qahwa Tea to fend off his stress. In any case, prior to our family blend, he has very light-heartedly asked Zarghuna to bring two cups of this fragranced tea .
Great hospitality and a great care-taker of people, Zarghuna would have acceded the request of Bhae G and served all of us with full positive intent. These few words as indicators of additional caring demonstrate the extent of the love, respect and familial scoping that Shahzeb and Zarghuna shared.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Zarghuna is an extraordinary female whose personality and actions deserve acknowledgement. Her ability to develop a balance tradition with modernity, combined with her caring nature, makes her a role model for many. Her story always makes me think that the positive change for the better comes with the support of education and the understanding of the empathy and utilizing them to improve our culture rather than neglecting it. Like people, Zarghuna is compassionate to animals as well, or if not compassionate at least she respects them. She works very hard looking after a German Shepherd named Iwo, which is owned by Waheedullah. And the fact that she can take care of house pets proves that she is a kind-hearted and loving woman, which is a bonus to her already exceptional character.
Her story is a beacon of hope and inspiration, not just for Pakhtun women, but for all of us. It’s a testament to the fact that with the right attitude and education, we can create a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, making our lives and the lives of those around us richer and more meaningful. It is time to rejoice the achievements of Zarghuna and many more like her who are delivering change in their own societies. These stories should be expressed and brought into the light, as such, these are the true heroes of our society.
