Arfa Karim
Arfa Karim Randhawa | |
|---|---|
| File:ARFA.jpg | |
| Born | 1995 |
| Died | 14 January 2012 (aged 16) Lahore CMH |
| Other names | Arifa, Kareem, Randhawa |
| Occupation | Student of Lahore Grammar School |
| Known for | World's Youngest Microsoft Certified Professional, 2004-2008 |
| Relatives | Lt-Col. (Retd) Amjad Karim (Father) |
Arfa Karim Randhawa (Urdu: ارفع کریم رندهاوا) (1995 – January 14, 2012), in Jatt Randhawa family was a student from village Chak No. 4JB Ram Dewali, Faisalabad in Pakistan, who in 2004 at the age of 9 years, became the youngest Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) in the world,[1] a title she kept until 2008.[2][3][4] She was invited by Bill Gates to visit the Microsoft Headquarters in USA.[5] S. Somasegar, the vice president of the Software Development Division, wrote about it in his blog.[3] She also wrote a poem about Bill Gates [6]
Returning to Pakistan
On returning to Pakistan, Arfa had numerous interviews on almost all of the country's known television channels and newspapers. In August 2005, Arfa Karim received the Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in the field of Science and Technology, presented by the Prime Minister of Pakistan at that time. She also received the Salaam Pakistan Youth Award again in August 2005 by the President of Pakistan.[7] Arfa Karim is also the recipient of the President's Award for Pride of Performance. This is a very high level civil award granted to people who have shown excellence in their respective fields over a long period of time. Arfa is till now the youngest recipient of that award ever.
Representation on International Forums
Arfa Karim has also represented Pakistan on various international forums, she was invited by the IT Professionals of Dubai for a stay of two weeks in Dubai. A dinner reception was hosted for her there, which was attended by the diagnostics of Dubai including the Ambassador of Pakistan. During that trip, Arfa was presented with various medals and awards. She also flew a plane in a flying club in Dubai at the age of 10, and received the first flight certificate.
Invitation by Microsoft
In November 2006, Arfa was invited by Microsoft to be a part of the keynote session in the Tech-Ed Developers conference held in Barcelona. The theme of the conference was "Get ahead of the game" and Arfa was presented as a true specimen of being ahead of the game. She was the only Pakistani among over 5000 developers in that conference.
Cardiac Attack
As of 2011, at the age of 16, Arfa Karim was studying at Lahore Grammar School Paragon Campus in her second year of A Levels. She suffered from cardiac arrest after an epileptic seizure on December 22, 2011 and was admitted to Lahore's Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in critical condition.[2][8][9][10]
Visit by Prime Minister Gillani
On January 2, 2012 Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited the hospital with his daughter Fiza Batol Gilani to inquire about the health of Arfa Karim Randhawa.[11]
Offer by Bill Gates
On January 9, 2012, Bill Gates, Chairman of Microsoft, has made contact with Arfa's parents, and directed his doctors to adopt "every kind of measure" for her treatment. Gates’ doctors contacted Arfa’s Pakistani doctors and received details about the illness through internet. On the other hand, relatives and family members of Arfa have lauded Bill Gates for contacting to bear her treatment expenses. They also expressed their dissatisfaction over Pakistan government attitude which despite repeated claims did not pay any head towards the issue.[12]
Signs of Improvement
On January 13, 2012, The condition of world's youngest MCP Arfa Karim started to improve and some parts of her brain showed signs of improvement. Arfa felt desperately ill the previous month and doctors say that she had suffered brain damage, leaving her in a coma at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Lahore. Her father, Amjad Karim Randhawa, said Microsoft had raised the possibility of flying Arfa to the US for care.[13]
Death
In what could simply be described as an enormous loss for Pakistan, Arfa Karim, the world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) lost the battle of life after remaining admitted here at Combined Military Hospital for 26 days. On January 14, 2012 16 years old Arfa Karim died[14] at 9:50 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore. Her Namaz e Janaza was offered in Cavalry Ground Lahore at 10pm on 15th January 2012.
Some Other Poems By Arfa Karim
6 Stars
10 My Mom
14 How to stay polite and nice
17 Fallen Tear
19 Burned
References
- ^ "9-year-old earns accolade as Microsoft pro". News.cnet.com. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ a b A message from Arfa: Remembering a remarkable girl who made a mark on Microsoft
- ^ a b "Arfa Karim Randhawa young IT child prodigy | Pakistan's youngest MCP". Pakblog.net. 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ Nine-year old girl is youngest person to become Microsoft Certified Professional (about M. Lavinashree)
- ^ In smarts, she's a perfect 10 - Seattle Pi.
- ^ "List of Poems written by Arfa Karim Randhawa". Pakblog.net. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ Technology: 'Shining Pakistan' -DAWN Science; September 10, 2005[dead link]
- ^ "World's Youngest MCSE Professional Arfa Karim from Pakistan Hospitalized". Events-pakistan.blogspot.com. 2011-12-29. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ "World's Youngest MCP Arfa Karim Randhawa Shows Signs Of Life". Columnpk.com. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ Update on Arfa: Doctors now hopeful about Microsoft programming prodigy
- ^ "Fiza Gilani inquires after Arfa Kareem". Thenews.com.pk. 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ "Bill Gates contacts Arfa's father for treatment". Geo.tv. 2012-01-07. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ "Arfa Karim is improving and some parts of her brain have shown signs of improvement". Nation.com.pk. Retrieved 2012-01-14.
- ^ Kiran Qureshi (2011-12-22). "Arfa Karim Died In Lahore". Awamiweb.com. Retrieved 2012-01-14.