Wahida Hyder

Wahida Hyder was a great mother to us. She left her home in Mangalore in 1946 at a young age and accompanied her husband to the newly independent Pakistan. She did not know the language or the customs of the Punjab, but at the time of her death she had completely adapted to her adopted country Pakistan. Her contact with her family in India were almost non-existent. She devoted her life to bringing up her children and taking care of her husband. She loved to cook, and a major part of her day was spent in the kitchen preparing food for her husband and children, who lived well and ate well. A selfless person indeed, who was blessed with plenty, but gave it all away. Her only belongings at the time of her death were a few clothes. She gave all the rest away to her servants. I wish I could have done more for her. I wish I could have taken her to Mangalore for a visit when she was in her prime. This will perhaps be my greatest regret.