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    Pakistani Genius Teen Arfa Karim Dies, Draws Worldwide Praise

    This story comes from the Yahoo! Contributor Network, where individuals publish their unique perspectives on some of the world’s most popular websites.
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    The death of Pakistani child genius Arfa Karim Randhawa from an epileptic episode at age 16 is reflecting common ground during a time of worldwide conflict.

    U.S. citizens have been questioning aid to Pakistan, questioning whether a supposed ally harbored Osama bin Laden and has been a haven to al-Qaida terrorists.

    A child's story establishes the common ground.

    Arfa Karim, with support from her parents, was a gifted child and a Third World computer prodigy. A writeup in The Express Tribune, an arm of the International Herald Tribune, expresses sentiment that she made an impact during her short-lived 16 years. The girl worked hard to make the most of her gifts and talents, becoming the youngest Microsoft Certified Professional at age 9, earning the praise and consideration of none other than Bill Gates. He worked to ensure she had the best medical care after her Dec. 22 epileptic seizure led to heart failure and brain damage. At the age of 10, Arfa Karim achieved a license to pilot an airplane.

    Her story resonates with parents worldwide who aspire that their children achieve full potential. In addition to salutes from Microsoft, Arfa Karim Randhawa received numerous awards and gold medals from government and private institutions.

    Citizens who react to Arfa Karim's premature death by doing Google searches for Arfa Karim Randhawa will find her posed for a photo, chin in hand, in an outdoor setting. This was uncommon in her hometown of Lahare, Pakistan, where girls and women often are culturally subordinated. Arfa Karim told journalist Todd Bishop, "If you want to do something big in life, you must remember that shyness is only the mind. If you think shy, you act shy. If you think confident, you act confident. Therefore, never let shyness conquer your mind."

     

    47 comments

    • Mayu  •  Houston, Texas  •  4 mths ago
      Let's leave politics aside, a gifted 16 year old has lost her life and the fact that she's a Muslim does not make her death any less tragic
      • Julie 4 mths ago
        Well said...
    • pete  •  Santa Fe Springs, California  •  4 mths ago
      finally something newsworthy. what an incredible child! how many more of these gems are out there are waiting to shine. RIP
      • John C 4 mths ago
        As many as Bill Gates allows.
    • squaddy  •  4 mths ago
      apparently, the negative comments on this story were made by people who suffer from a mental disease known as "close mindedness" or plain stupidity for short.
    • Douglas  •  4 mths ago
      Why was aid to Pakistan even mentioned? That had nothing to do with this story.
      • Ovais 4 mths ago
        Something to give all the folks on here something to gripe about, I suppose.
      • K.S. 4 mths ago
        Amen
      • Mayu 4 mths ago
        propaganda at its finest
    • Jeff  •  4 mths ago
      Such an old soul that lived in the body of this precious young lady. Such a loss for all of us. RIP.
    • manse99  •  New York, New York  •  4 mths ago
      "If you want to do something big in life, you must remember that shyness is only the mind. If you think shy, you act shy. If you think confident, you act confident. Therefore, never let shyness conquer your mind." what beautiful girl, I hope she is reborn with better karma and less suffering.
    • reader  •  Columbia, Maryland  •  4 mths ago
      Truly, a huge loss for Pakistan and as for Mr Thompson's statement '... will find her posed for a photo, chin in hand, in an outdoor setting. This was uncommon in her hometown of Lahare, Pakistan, where girls and women often are culturally subordinated' , clearly you have never been to 'LAHARE!'(Lahore) I have studied there for 3 years in a Fine Arts College and it is one of the most diversified and larger than life cities in the entire country!
      • respect 4 mths ago
        Am a Lahori girl myself .Lived and studied there for 10 years ALONE ! People go visit a place before making judgements about a place.The word subordination makes me laugh!
    • Yasir  •  Islamabad, Pakistan  •  4 mths ago
      Really sad. Its a loss for the entire humanity. Unbelievably genius.
    • hikingnut  •  4 mths ago
      a big loss for her family and her country.also if mossad popped into your head, please turn off the am radio take that aluminium off your head and go outside and get some fresh air and sunshine.
    • Manny  •  4 mths ago
      RIP, dear child.
    • Peace4All  •  4 mths ago
      This genius wasn't only loss for PK but everyone who is related to technology and knows little bit about her story is equally sad all over the word as Bill Gate said "Today is a black day of my life &
      same for Pakistan because I lost
      my princess colleague & Pakistan
      lost her own Pakistani "

      just check her videos and ideas on youtube
    • JF-17 Thunder Bird  •  4 mths ago
      Ohhh Arfa we are miss you ( Whole world )..
      • sunny 4 mths ago
        ya..........
    • ジェフリー  •  Toledo, Ohio  •  4 mths ago
      I too have epilepsy, and albeit the most mild form possible where the seizures don't go beyon affecting my brain, but this still concerns me... What the family probably dealt with...
    • shan  •  4 mths ago
      lost one, gained 1000's.. We are just smart! if you tea baggers keep your business away, we might make this world a lot better place!
    • madgreedy  •  McClellan, California  •  4 mths ago
      Sad story. But how does an epileptic receive a pilots license?
    • sunny  •  Newark, Delaware  •  4 mths ago
      Poor girl, she would have had a really bright future...........may Allah bless her
    • N  •  4 mths ago
      Sad for this girl to lose her life at such a young age, but forget about any aid to Pakistan, absolutely 100% never again!
    • Unconventional  •  4 mths ago
      Co-founder of Diaspora Social Network dies at 22, Steve Jobs cancer death, and now this MUSLIM young Pakistani. All of these deaths could be well part of an evil war from racist and/or materialist yanks. Gringos are scared to death of that little girl with a brilliant future among the envious, racist and insecure yanks.
    • metro!  •  Albany, Georgia  •  4 mths ago
      So the evil Americans invented computers and built microsoft that this girl accelerated at, the MS founder provided her medical aid, she flew a plane was was also an AMerican invention.... gosh, those Americans.......... and Pakistan gave us?
    • Rick  •  4 mths ago
      gee - lets use the death of a child to advance our political agenda "U.S. citizens have been questioning aid to Pakistan, questioning whether a supposed ally harbored Osama bin Laden and has been a haven to al-Qaida terrorists.A child's story establishes the common ground". M Thompson you are a pig.
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