By Anoosha Hassan
6th of her seven siblings, Khalida Parveen, born in 1963, and raised in a small town of Karachi, always had a talent of arts and craft of almost every type. And although from a small, struggling background, she was always the creative one out of her siblings, making beautiful things out of whatever she could. Her late mother told her not to lose her talent and to even pursue it as she grows or if her fate gives her a chance to do so.
She did whatever courses there were within her reach, and eventually found herself painting, sewing, embroidering, and much more; she was indeed a girl with remarkable capabilities for art.
Marrying rather young, her passion for arts were once again halted due to the immense responsibilities a homemaker faces, and as in that era people were not very supportive of a woman earning or pursuing her dreams, Khalida, focused on her home.
In the early years of her marriage, Khalida started sewing clothes of her neighbors without letting her husband have any idea about it. She found her way to balance home and pursue her passion. She would sew clothes when her husband would be at work, in a small store like room, where she had put up a cardboard and her sewing machine. Her mother-in-law didn’t get the slightest idea. One day, after mustering up a lot of courage, she finally informed her husband about what she does, and to her surprise, he was supportive and proud of her work. He helped her set up her own proper work station in that very store like room, with the money Khalida herself earned by sewing.
Khalida’s career had only just begun and she had successfully surpassed her obstacles. Eventually, she had to focus on her kids and leave her passion once again, because she found her growing kids to be her priority. With almost an 8 years of gap and a struggling financial situation, Khalida found herself tangled between kids and life.
Going through her old belongings, Khalida found her lost journal in which she wrote her ideas, designs and much more. Inspired by her old self, she decided to try again, and didn’t have any issues continuing after such a long gap. Khalida now had three kids, and a family of 5-6, and much more responsibilities to look after, but she efficiently managed and soon set up her own Center in the same room where her journey initiated. The Center was not well-equipped nor did it have proper individual amenities, but it was Khalida’s talent which attracted her students within two days of putting up her banner.
Soon after opening her center, girls from almost all over the town came to her, some were not only underprivileged, but also couldn’t afford the fees, which was just 30rs. Khalida welcomed every student with open arms and taught them for free.
From embroidery, sewing, cooking, painting, baking, fabric painting, sculpting, handmade jewelry, beautician course, handmade crafts, all these were taught in that small center, and Khalida sometimes only to teach had to learn somethings herself as well, but she never failed to give her best to her students.
Watching Khalida, her daughter Sara, learned the talents her mother held in no time, sometimes she would also help her in the center and help the students learn as well. They both were and are extremely naturally talented.
The center had generations of kids coming into it, and starting from only sewing it had come very far. Coming from a Hyderabadi background, Khalida knew delicious foods that had the authentic taste, and soon her students took a great interest in learning cooking from her as well. Despite all the struggle’s life threw her way, whether financial, personal, or otherwise, Khalida stood back up stronger than before each time, and successfully defeated her obstacles.
In 2015, Khalida lost her husband and faced immense emotional and practical struggles, and this time, she had to take a break, quit her center after almost nineteen (19) years of running it and calm herself and face the reality. By now, Khalida had three grown up children and had become a grandmother as well.
After her husband’s demise, Khalida didn’t only leave her center, but she left her town and shifted to another area, but throughout this time, she had her students approach her, some even willing to come to her new home to learn. It was after almost 4 years of her husband’s death that she realized this wasn’t her. Khalida, even to her, was a fighter, an inspiration to so many girls. And thus she tried again.
She didn’t set up a center this time, but started making things for herself and her grandkids. By this time many people had liked Khalida’s cooking and the authentic Hyderabadi cuisines she made, and had demanded for recipes and even gave orders. Seeing the demand of people, Khalida’s kids decided to establish a social media page named Ammi’s Kitchen, whose specialty is Hyderabadi Shami kebab, Hyderabadi Bagharay Baingan, Mirchion ka salan, many types of Pickles, Kabuli Pulao, Hyderabadi Biryani, Burgers, and much more.
Khalida says, “Koi kaam khushi se karo tou woh mushkil ya bura nahi lagta.”
Her page has taken off a very positive start, many people have ordered, and are her regular customers, especially the hygiene and quality that’s promised as it’s homemade and always made with the best quality ingredients.
Khalida’s only daughter, Sara Khurram, watched her mother throughout her childhood and even inherited her mother’s talent. Although Sara herself knew almost everything she saw her mother do, and even helped her in the center, there was one particular thing which attracted Sara the most, it was the love for baking, and cake decorations she had. Completing her Intermediate in Home Economics at the age of 18, Sara soon got married in the year 2009. Eventually getting busy with household chores and grooming her kids, Sara, now a mother of three, took a break from year 2010-15, eventually starting to bake in her home during 2015.
Everyone in the house didn’t only love her baking, but Sara soon started sending cakes in her neighborhood (free of cost) and baking every other day which truly helped her become better and better at what she does, as she strongly believes that practice makes a man perfect.
Her baking, after expanding in her area and getting known by the others, soon earned her first order of a Cream Cake from her neighborhood, to whom she until date gives discount, as it was not only her first order, but the first push to become a cake expert as well.
Sara journeyed from learning tips and tricks about baking and decorating to now successfully having her social media page known as Cake City and becoming an entrepreneur, where the name truly represents her wide range of cakes and types in a massive amount. Sara now makes customized cakes (of every type) on orders, she also gives online baking classes and sessions, so that many people can benefit and learn from her. She, like her mother, has been a true example of womanhood.
In the year 2020, Sara Khurram co-founded an all female Facebook group along with Javeria Faheem called, “The Mango Women Pakistan.” This all female group on Facebook has been massively growing over the months.
The Mango Women Pakistan is an all women Facebook group consisting of many female entrepreneurs and empowering personalities, and has a very healthy and positive environment. The group focuses on women who are either an entrepreneur or an influencing personality, helping them by giving them an ultimate stage where they cannot only showcase their talents but also have a great time and support from sisterhood. This group is a business/entertainment group.
