Arfa Karim: Pakistan's IT genius remembered on 2nd death-anniversary
The IT prodigy passed away in 2012 as a result of cardiac arrest following an epileptic attack.
LAHORE: (Dunya News) – Pakistan’s IT prodigy Arfa Karim Randhawa, who passed away as a result of cardiac arrest following an epileptic attack at the age of 16, is being remembered across the country today on her 2nd death anniversary.
Arfa passed away on January 14, 2012 after remaining under treatment at hospital in critical conditions for weeks. People nationwide held candle-light vigils remembering the young national hero and mourned the loss. The outpouring of tributes from across the world continues to this day.
Arfa hailed from Faisalabad, Punjab and was a bright young student who became youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), a record which she held until 2008. The IT genius attracted attention of Bill Gates, the head of Microsoft at the time, who invited her to visit Microsoft headquarters in USA. Arfa termed the visit as remarkable and once in a lifetime experience.
The young genius continued to conquer success as she bagged several national and international awards including a presidential pride of performance. In 2005, Arfa was the recipient of Fatimah Jinnah Gold Medal in Science and Technology which was presented by the Prime Minister.
The IT prodigy continued to bag good image for the country with her representation of the country and its IT industry worldwide. One such event took place in Dubai where IT professionals invited her to speak. To honor her at the reception, prominent dignitaries including Ambassador of Pakistan were in attendance.
Arfa was invited by Microsoft to participate in a keynote session at Tech-Ed Developers conference which was held in Spain. The conference was of approximately 5000 participants and Arfa was the only Pakistani present there.
At the end of year 2011, Arfa, while studying at Lahore Grammar School in Lahore suffered a cardiac arrest as a result of epileptic attack and was admitted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH). Her conditioned worsened and had to be put on life support. During this time, she was offered medical assistance by Bill Gates who directed his doctors of the involvement in diagnoses and treatment. Bill Gates also recommended flying Arfa to US for better treatment but the doctors here and consultants abroad decided against it because of the complicated situation and need of putting her on life support. Afra’s parents thanked Gates for generosity of offering to cover full expenses of her treatment.
The IT genius passed away on the morning of 14 January, 2012 leaving the whole nation grieving.
