Mai arrives New York for ‘Woman of the Year’ Award on Sunday
By Irfan Malik - PakistanTimes.net Special Correspondent

NEW YORK (US): An unknown-turned-globally fêted Mukhtar Mai arrives New York, expectantly by Sunday to receive the ‘Woman of the Year’ award from Glamour magazine, amid a galaxy of people, including intellectuals as well as many others, hailing from diverse segments of society in America.

Once, a docile inhabitant of a remote village in southern Punjab province of Pakistan clutched a worldwide repute, in a spur of moment, when her story of gang-rape hit the headlines of the media, not only in Pakistan but the world-over.

The print and electronic media raced with a swift pace to disseminate the news item in an atypical way. This scenario eventually, took-out Mai from a state of isolation and placed her onto the horizons of the Orb with her visit abroad, the first-ever in her life.

After the ill-fated episode, she had to face by the orders of an influential tribal assemblage [Jirga], not only that Mai now speaks to media with full command and confidence in a skilled and distinctive oratory style, she has also gained physical vigour and verve with a lustrous and glowing hale and hearty face as well as is well-acquainted with the usage of modern gadgets like the mobile phones, which is of-course her right like others cell-phone users, without any problem in any mode or manner.

Recap

As reported by 'PakistanTimes.net' in its edition of Wednesday, Oct-27, Mai, who arrived in Chicago Sunday night is all set to travel to New York in the next few days to accept the ‘Woman of the Year’ award from Glamour magazine.

Former US President Bill Clinton will introduce her to the star-studded event at Lincoln Centre on November-2.

Mukhtar Mai says that she would donate $5,000 of the $20,000 prize for earthquake relief, while the rest would be spent to expand the two schools she runs for girls in Meerwala, a remote village in southern Punjab.

“I’ve gained a lot of strength from building the school. I would not be alive today if I had not gained this strength, and I have more faith in Pakistan because of this,” she said.

Hectic Schedule

Mukhtar Mai, who was chosen as ‘Person of the Week’ by ABC last Friday, is scheduled to attend several seminars and meetings in the US at which she is expected to appeal for help to Pakistan in its hour of need.

Several American and Canadian documentary filmmakers are expected to follow Mai during her stay here.

She is also likely to visit Washington to urge Congress to stand up for women’s rights in Pakistan and pledge an additional $50 million in humanitarian aid to her country, but specifically for earthquake-affected women and children.

Recap

Mukhtaran Mai was invited by a New York-based magazine to receive "Glamour Women of the Year Awards" in a ceremony on November-2.

In a letter to Mai, Glamour editor-in-chief Cindi Leive explained that the magazine honoured the women who had struggled for the cause of women. Mai was invited to visit the US last week till November-5.

The award-giving ceremony will be held at Lincoln Centre in the New York City. Mukhtar Mai can attend the ceremony if the government grants her permission.

Dr Amna Buttar, her hostess and president of ANAA, has said that at every event held to honour Mukhtar Mai, funds would be raised for Pakistani earthquake victims. Mukhtar Mai returns home on November-4.

PT's Earlier Stories

To recap earlier stories on Mai's visit to the United States, Click here;
http://pakistantimes.net/2005/10/23/top9.htm 
&
http://pakistantimes.net/2005/10/22/top17.htm ●