Jetha Nand

MOST of the times we read or hear people telling the stories that are often against Pakistan our beloved homeland. Here, we are proud to let you read a true story saying 'thank you Pakistan' by the gentleman himself.

I was born in a very poor family in 1952 in Mirpurkhas district. My maternal uncles were educated up to the final class i.e. equal to Class VII. That inspired my mother to send me to school.

At my village, Dengan Bhurgri, the birthplace of Raees Ghulam Muhammad Khan Bhurgri probably the first graduate of Sindh, I studied up to Class VI. I am grateful to my wonderful and selfess teachers, who taught me very well. I then studied from Class VI to Class X at Tando Jam Muhammad.

To earn for my studies, I started working when I was in Class V. The first wage was 25 paisa for a half day. It increased to Rs15, Rs50, Rs125 and finally to Rs200 a month in 1975.

Domestic circumstances compelled me to marry at the age of 20. I could not continue my engineering classes after FSc (Pre - Engineering) because of financial constraints. I did many odd jobs, at a restaurant, a fruit shop, a paan-bedi shop, a shoe shop, a cotton factory, a flour mill and at a trading company.

In January 1975, I took a bold step of quitting the job that meant losing Rs200 a month and sought admission in MA English literature at the University of Sindh. It all became possible because of Fayaz Ahmad, my best friend. Fayaz Ahmad gave me Rs200 a month for two years. His salary was only 350 and he was married too.

I studied 14 hours a day at the university hostel because there was no room for any sluggishness. I did my MA and got second position.

The late Captain Shukuruddin, who was the Principal and the late Prof. Tariq Mustafa Khan at Cadet College, Petaro selected me for the post of lecturer in English in 1977 on merit.

I taught English at Cadet College, Petaro, for 35 years, and retired as Vice Principal in 2012.

[The boy who earned Rs25 a day in 1962 was receiving Rs133,000 a month in 2012. Now, he is receiving a pension of Rs55,000 a month.]

My head bows down to God Almighty, all the time.

Thank you, my dear Pakistan. Thank you, Cadet College, Petaro. Thanks to all those who helped me, especially Mr Fayaz and my late mother.

My humble request to my fellow Pakistanis: Never be without hope, never be discouraged. Just keep working hard with a total faith. Time does not remain the same. Stop talking and writing against Pakistan.

We have, recently, been declared the 16th happiest country in the world while India is 32nd and the US is 105th.

We do have our problems but it is we, who have to rise above the self and steer the ship out of the troubled waters to the island of safety, happiness and prosperity. Just keep the faith. Things have changed for the better. You must try further to make more good changes to make Pakistan great and strong.

Best Wishes

Prof. Jetha Nand Rahi - Hyderabad

Prof. Jetha Nand Rahi was the Twelfth Vice Principal of Cadet College Petaro and Professor of English at Cadet College Petaro. He joined the college in 1977. He retired as Professor at the college and as Vice Principal in May 2012.

Prof. Jehta Nand was born on 19 May 1952 at Dengan, Dist Mirpurkhas, and got married to Mrs. Sony Anand on 19 July 1972. They have 2 daughters and 2 sons.

He completed his BA (Hons) and MA English from Sindh University.

Prof. Jetha Nand's entire career has been at Cadet College Petaro. He joined as a lecturer in 1977 and was promoted to the rank of Assistant Professor in 1989, and as a full Professor in 2003.

He was the House Master of Iqbal House in the early 1990s and the Patron of The Cadet Magazine from 1997-2002. He has been their overall In Charge of Petaro Times as well.

In addition, he has held various other administrative responsibilities at the college. He has been Officer In Charge New Development Projects, Buildings Dept, Woodwork Dept, Electricity Dept, and Telephone Dept.

Upon the retirement of Prof. Wahid Bux Shaikh, Prof. Jetha Nand Rahi took over as the Head of Dept. of English at Petaro in 2011 and in February 2012, he was promoted to the position of Vice Principal of the College upon the retirement of Prof. Anwar Ali Shah. Three months later in May 2012, he retired from service upon superannuation.