Today in History: Pakistan celebrates Jinnah's sister's birth anniversary

New Delhi: Every year on July 30, Pakistan celebrates the birth anniversary of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, popularly known as Madar-e-Millat (Mother of the Nation). Born in 1893 in Karachi, Fatima was the younger sister of Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah. She was an upright and intelligent lady and a dauntless soul against heavy odds.Fatima was an active political figure in the movement for independence from British Raj.Mohammed Ali Jinnah once said, “My sister was like a bright ray of light and hope whenever I came back home and met her, anxieties would have been much greater and my health much worse, but for the restraint imposed by her”She is also known in Pakistan as Khatun-e Pakistan (Lady of Pakistan”). She was an instrumental figure in Pakistani women's movement .During the transfer of power in 1947, Jinnah formed the Women's Relief Committee, which later formed the nucleus for the All Pakistan Women's Association (APWA). She also played a significant role in the settlement of Muhajirs (refugees from India) in the new state of Pakistan. She continued to work for the welfare of the Pakistani people until she died in Karachi on July 8, 1967.She was a dental surgeon by profession. She took admission in Dr. R. Ahmed Dental College(University of Calcutta ) in 1919 . After she graduated, she opened a dental clinic in Bombay in 1923.After the death of her sister in law Rattanbai Petit, Fatima Jinnah gave up her practice and any semblance of a personal life, to be her brother's caretaker, adviser and emotional support network until the day he died on September 11, 1948, one year after the birth of Pakistan. She also contested presidential elections in 1965 against the then military president Field Marshal Ayub Khan. With her shocking white hair and billowing salwar, she gained popular support and roused Pakistanis to reclaim democracy only to lose amidst accusations that the incumbent cheated. President Ayub Khan also tried to delegitimize her, alleging that Muslim women could not become head of state. Jinnah remained unmarried and died in 1967.She has always been considered a role model by many. She is unequivocally revered across religious, ethnic and gender lines in Pakistan.. She passed away on 8th of July 1967.The official cause of her death was heart failure but rumours kepr revolving that she was assassinated.Watch the journey of Lady of Pakistan in pics:Fatima jinnah during a political campaign.Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah with Quaid-e-Azam.Fatima Jinnah with brother Mohammed Ali Jinnah.Gorgeous Jinnah posing for picture.Fatima jinnah during a political rally.Father of the nation Mohammed Ali Jinnah along with Fatima Jinnah.Jinnah gets warm welcome from her followers on arrival at Quetta.In huge procession on arrival at the All-India Muslim League Session(1942).Fatima jinnah with her friends.Mr Jinnah and Miss Fatima jinnah with their friends in Bombay.