Finding My Roots

Wajahat Ali

Daastan Publishing 2026

First Published in Pakistan by Daastan PVT LTD

House # A-41, Madni Street, Lala Rukh, Wah Cantt, Punjab 47040

www.daastan.com

www.meraqissa.com

Text copyrights © Wajahat Ali
Edited by: Shamrez Syed Ali

Book Design copyright © Anum Ameer

The moral rights of the writer, illustrator, and editor have been asserted.

All rights reserved

This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or distributed in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Print: ISBN 978-627-526-093-6

E-Book: ISBN 978-627-526-090-5

Foreward

In March 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out worldwide and we all, following the government’s emergency measures, health guidelines, and social distancing rules, confined ourselves within the four walls of our homes as a precaution, it felt as if someone had suddenly pulled the reins on life’s galloping horse. The fast-moving wheel of life came to an abrupt halt. Going out of the house was limited only to essential shopping, and we all started using various social and communication means to stay connected with our relatives, friends, and acquaintances to inquire about each other’s well-being. Work from the office also began to be done from home, which gave me some free time. During these moments of leisure, I got the opportunity to read my childhood diary and the letters my mother had written.

Those letters my mother wrote in the last two years of her life — I would read them myself and read them aloud to my brothers. The four of us brothers would spend hours reading those letters, remembering our mother’s unparalleled life, struggles, and sacrifices, and praying for her forgiveness. It was also during those days, at the request of my brothers, that I began to write down my childhood memories and observations.

I made every effort to briefly write down the true events of times before my birth, as told to me by my mother and father, avoiding any exaggeration.

This biography of my mother also includes the incidents of the past that are indirectly related to her inspiring advice, useful counsel, and decisive instructions. The purpose of writing my mother’s biography is to pay tribute to her extraordinary life and to briefly narrate to close relatives and friends the details of her struggles and sacrifices. After embracing Islam, the displeasure of her family in India, the migration, and the difficulties she faced in winning the hearts of her close in-laws, and how she patiently endured worldly trials and steadfastly faced adverse circumstances — I cannot put her feelings and emotions into words.

I am grateful to all those relatives and friends who, out of humanity, helped my mother financially or morally during any tough time in her life. May Allah Almighty reward them with goodness and have mercy on them.

I pray that Allah Almighty forgives my mother, grants her the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous (Paradise), and blesses the four of us brothers, our children, and future generations with the ability to follow her advice. (Ameen.)

Wajahat Ali
Mississauga, Canada
February 13, 2026

Editorial Review

Finding My Roots by Wajahat Ali is a heartfelt memoir that pays tribute to the life and sacrifices of the author’s mother, Ayesha Sultana. Through simple yet moving storytelling, the book traces her journey from Hyderabad Deccan to Pakistan after converting to Islam for love, and the immense challenges she faced while building a life in a new country. The narrative highlights her resilience as she navigates poverty, migration, family tensions, and her husband’s illness while raising and educating her children with unwavering determination and faith.

At its core, the book is a powerful reflection on motherhood, perseverance, and the strength found in ordinary lives. While the narrative occasionally follows a straightforward chronological style, its emotional sincerity and rich personal memories make it compelling. Ultimately, Finding My Roots stands as a touching tribute to a mother whose sacrifices and steadfast belief in her children shaped the destiny of her family.

Finding My Roots by Wajahat Ali is a heartfelt memoir that pays tribute to the life and sacrifices of the author’s mother, Ayesha Sultana. Through simple yet moving storytelling, the book traces her journey from Hyderabad Deccan to Pakistan after converting to Islam for love, and the immense challenges she faced while building a life in a new country. The narrative highlights her resilience as she navigates poverty, migration, family tensions, and her husband’s illness while raising and educating her children with unwavering determination and faith.

At its core, the book is a powerful reflection on motherhood, perseverance, and the strength found in ordinary lives. While the narrative occasionally follows a straightforward chronological style, its emotional sincerity and rich personal memories make it compelling. Ultimately, Finding My Roots stands as a touching tribute to a mother whose sacrifices and steadfast belief in her children shaped the destiny of her family.

Narmeen Surahio
Editor, Daastan

Table of Contents

Introduction. 1

Migration. 6

Trials and Tribulations. 8

Home Sweet Home:  Dream House. 17

Maternal Love. 22

Move to the Rented House. 31

Glad Tidings. 37

Naheed’s Baji’s Death. 42

Looking for Work. 45

Good Days. 51

Wedding. 58

Amma’s Tragic Death. 64

Introduction

Before independence, there lived a girl named Nirmala Devi in the city of Hyderabad Deccan, India. Born in 1942, the girl was named Nirmala Devi at the insistence of her father, Bansi Prasad, though everyone lovingly called her Coco. Nirmala Devi, being the middle child, had two elder siblings and two younger ones. The elder ones were Surender Kumar and Veera Devi, while the younger ones were Saroj Devi and Pramod Kumar.

Nirmala Devi passed her matriculation from a Hindi medium school. Alongside Hindi and Telugu, she could also read and write excellent Urdu and English. Since childhood, she had developed a keen interest in music. Whenever there were musical gatherings at home, her elder brother Surender Kumar would invite his friends over. Among his friends were Abid Ali and Manzoor Ahmed, who frequently visited their home. Abid Ali, too, had a deep passion for music. This shared love for music gradually sparked a fondness for Abid Ali in Nirmala Devi’s heart. Meanwhile, Veera Devi began to like Manzoor Ahmed.

Over time, the fondness of both sisters turned into love, but they were fully aware that their love faced the barrier of religion, and the consequence would be not only the disapproval of their family but also a lifelong separation.

Abid Ali was born in 1937 in a Muslim family in Hyderabad Deccan. His father, Badr Ali, belonged to a lineage that had migrated to India from Afghanistan. Badr Ali was a police inspector and had married Sughra Begum as his second wife. Abid Ali had a total of seven brothers and two sisters. His elder siblings were Mahmood Ali, Mehboob Ali, Zahid Ali, and an elder sister, Razia Sultana. After Abid Ali came his younger brothers Maqsood Ali and Khurshid Ali, followed by a younger sister, Rabia Afsar Farooqi. The youngest brother was Sajid Ali.

Due to his job, Badr Ali was often away from home and thus could not pay much attention to his children’s education. Sughra Begum herself was a devout woman, regular in her prayers and fasting, but she could not provide her children with a religious education. Abid Ali studied up to the tenth grade but could not pass; however, he could read and write both Urdu and English very well.