From a distance, she looked hardheaded. But from what I’ve heard about her, she was the most kind-hearted person who rewarded her team members fairly and generously. The education fraternity is mourning the sad demise of one of the finest educationists of Pakistan, Mrs Sobia Lodhi, the principal of Crescent Model Higher Secondary School who lost her battle to Covid-19 earlier this week. The news about her illness broke out over the weekend. It was interesting to note that such a down to earth and simple person like her, who never sought spotlight, caught everyone’s attention mainly because of her impeccable contribution to the field of education. In a country like ours where socio-economic stability is always at stake, it’s an irreplaceable loss to lose an invictus personality like her who was truly devoted to imparting education and women empowerment for the progress of the nation. Social media flooded with prayers for her speedy recovery. I, myself, was asked to make a prayer intention for her by a Catechist in our church who had received a prayer request for her by someone. That Sunday on October 18 2020, an evening before her sad demise, the entire community prayed for her. Sadly, the tragic news broke to us the next evening leaving everyone in shock. Mrs Sobia Lodhi, having dedicated a significant years of her life to education, spent that last half decade of her career and life at Crescent Model Higher Secondary School. Joining Crescent Model in August 2015, Mrs Lodhi brought along with her a renewed vision, an exhilarating mission and pioneering plans to educate and groom the younger generation. Her concern and care wasn’t limited to students only. She extended her support to all her faculty members, and to even the supporting staff members such as the custodians. Many of her staff members took to social media expressing their love for her. The most common attribute shared about her by her staff members was the fact that she treated her teachers like her own daughter. She mentored them. Disciplined them at the same time. Above all, extended her motherly love towards them which is why the faculty was known for having a friendly and cordial relationship among themselves. She was an epitome of quality education and women empowerment. A close friend of hers Sam Dada, activist and designer, expressed her grief saying, “Sobia Naveed was an energetic soul, full of intellect and always thinking out of box. She was a true example of women empowerment. She was an educationist who did a number of international courses to groom herself and she encouraged other young women to do the same. While being the principal of Crescent Model, she put in a lot of effort to revamp the interiors. She especially tried making the school library colourful so the children find it amusing and exciting to seek knowledge through books. As a friend, she was so down to earth and a lively person. Her sudden death left me in great shock and pain.” Nayab Gul, CEO Beyond a Décor, has been a colleague of Mrs Sobia Lodhi in one of the education institutes where she worked. Gul comments, “Mrs Lodhi was immensely passionate about education and spreading knowledge among everyone she came across. She was the most down to earth person I have known. She was absolutely humble, courteous towards both seniors and juniors to her. We have, no doubt, lost a gem of a person due to Covid-19. She will always live in our hearts forever. Her struggles for imparting knowledge will be remembered for long. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen,” Mrs Sobia Lodhi was credited for making a significant contribution to education in Pakistan, and most especially for her tireless dedication to the school during these trying times of Covid-19. Till the time she was infected and took off from work, hoping to return to office soon, she worked hard training teachers to adopt e-schooling so that the education of students was not affected and to materialize her vision for the institute overall. Utterly heartbreaking! What a loss! Her death has left a vacuum in the lives of her dear and nears ones – especially her fellow team mates and the students. But, her legacy will live on in each and every faculty member and student who will exhibit the values she taught and the knowledge she imparted to them. God bless your dear soul, Mrs Sobia Lodhi. God bless, Amen.