I'm sorry.
Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, 1988Photo from Wikipedia, Source: DOD via pingnews
This morning, I woke to the news that Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated. Beyond my concern about the national and international repercussions, I am personally saddened. I've admired Benazir Bhutto for a long time.
Born in 1953, she was just a couple of years younger than me. She attended primary and secondary schools in Pakistan, and then she came to the United States to attend college at Radcliffe and Harvard. After graduating with honors, she went to England and studied at Oxford.
During her years as a young woman in the West, she surely must have thought sometimes about staying in the U.S. or England. But Benazir decided to put on the scarf and go back home. I won't attempt to summarize the events of her life here -- you can read about her in any number of news articles today -- but I always respected her for being smart, brave, strong, and intensely loyal to her country.
Rest in peace, Benazir. The world is a poorer place without you.
2 comments -- add yours:
Thank you for saying this so eloquently. I wanted to write a bit on her, too. What a woman to know you'd probably die in your quest, but go on in anyway. I mean, she's taken nobility to a new level, and the terrorists are so scared of a WOMAN that they took her out. Sad. Very sad day.
Thanks for your note, Kiran. It would be a good thing to say a little prayer for Pakistan's future if you're a praying person. A lot is hanging in the balances there.
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