Dr Saveera Parkash: Defying Odds, Redefining History

Once a shy young girl who would hide at the mere sight of guests visiting her home making history as the first Hindu woman to challenge the political landscape of Pakistan. This is the remarkable journey of Dr. Saveera Parkash, a 25-year-old doctor, who is defying stereotypes and societal norms with her historic candidacy. Little did anyone know that this shy girl harboured aspirations that would one day redefine the political landscape of her community and nation.

Who is Dr. Saveera Parkash?

Dr. Saveera Parkash, a graduate of Abbottabad International Medical College, was born and raised in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Despite being from a minority Hindu community, she stands tall as a beacon of hope, contesting elections from the Buner constituency.

Her vision extends far beyond religious lines, focusing on crucial issues such as education, healthcare, and women's empowerment. Serving as the general secretary of the PPP women's wing in Buner, she carries forward her family's legacy of service, inspired by her father's unwavering commitment to community welfare.

Breaking Barriers: From Medicine to Politics

With a background in medicine, Parkash's journey into politics was not just a personal ambition but a mission deeply rooted in her desire to serve humanity. Her firsthand experiences in government hospitals fueled her determination to bring about tangible change in healthcare, educational opportunities and all facets of society. Saveera's journey is fueled by a passion for serving her community and addressing its pressing needs. Education, healthcare, and the status of women are the pillars of her electoral agenda.

Her resolve to tackle these challenges head-on is unwavering. Saveera envisions a future where every child, regardless of gender or socioeconomic background, has access to quality education and healthcare from an early age. By addressing these fundamental issues, she hopes to uplift her community and pave the way for a brighter future.

Embracing Unity Beyond Religious Lines

Dr. Saveera Parkash's candidacy has garnered widespread support, transcending political affiliations. From social media influencers to grassroots activists, her candidacy has become a symbol of hope and empowerment for the people of Buner.

Saveera's candidacy isn't just about making history; it's about breaking down barriers that have long divided communities. Despite belonging to the Hindu minority in a predominantly Muslim region, Saveera's vision transcends religious boundaries. She firmly believes that divisions based on religion are outdated, advocating instead for unity and cooperation among all communities.

Her party, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has placed its trust in her, fielding her from a general seat rather than one reserved for religious minorities. This decision underscores the party's commitment to inclusivity and reflects the changing dynamics of Pakistani politics.

Bridging Divides Through Diplomacy

Beyond her local commitments, Saveera is a proponent of fostering people-to-people ties between India and Pakistan. Her multicultural background, with roots in both Pakistan and Russia, imbues her with a unique perspective on international relations. She firmly believes that diplomacy and dialogue are indispensable tools for building trust and understanding between nations.

An insight into a small conversation between VYGR Correspondent Ayanangsha Maitra and Dr. Saveera Parkash:

Q: Tell me something about right now your constituency work. How are you making the engagement? What strategy have you taken?

A: We have got a lot of media coverage from this thing. Politicians have told us a little bit that at the start people have to go to them and first they have to do the introduction. It takes half an hour in this way. My father goes, meets people, prepares the grounds, arranges the meetings and then I go to the meetings or conventions or house-to-house or door-to-door this way.

Q: How many meetings do you get on Fridays and Fridays to Fridays? Do you have more meetings on a daily basis or how?

A: No, we do it every day. It's not like that. We went to Gurudwara in the morning. There is Gurudwara here and there is a shrine here. So we went there too. After that, we went to two towns. There were many meetings and conventions in two places. One is in our constituency and the other is in another constituency. But we went there too.

Q: Are going to the other constituency too?

A: I feel it's my responsibility. I have a daughter and she is from Buneer. If they call me, I can't reject them. Because I am from Buneer. So there are three constituencies in Buneer. So if they call me, I feel it's bad to reject them.

Q: Apart from PPP, which party are you getting more support from?

A: I am getting support from everywhere. Every party's supporters are messaging me that they are from PTI, JUI, Jumat-e-Islam, and religious parties. So they are also messaging me.

Q: Are they just a supporter or a leader texting you?

A: No, they are not leaders. They are supporters.

Q: What changes have launching this campaign for one month and participating in the worker convention on December 13th brought to your life, and what valuable lessons have you learned from all these campaigns?

A: Nothing is impossible. The limitation is in our mind. We are basically afraid to take the first step. If someone takes the first step, then only we can know what the response is. So I have encountered this thing a lot and learnt a lot from my example.

Q: So have you missed anything? I mean during this election campaign, did something happen that you are not up to that?

A: When there is less time during the campaign, I mean, I used to enjoy it when I was eating food. So now, for food, it takes two or three minutes, so I ate like this, so this thing has changed. I am leaving the house a lot. So first, it was not allowed, I mean it was not allowed to leave the house. And like a lot of changes have happened.

Q: What are your favourite things?

A: Mostly I prefer comedies. I prefer the 1980s, 1990s, 2000s. Those are the comfort movies for me. I don't like the new ones that much. Jane Austen's books are my favourite. Pride and Prejudice. It's from 1995. It's my comfort movie. I watch it when I'm sad. And also The Parent Trap. It reminds me of my childhood.

Q: Do you have any favourite Bollywood movies?

A: Welcome and Welcome Back.

Q: Where did you study MBBS?

A: Abbottabad International Medical Institute.

Q: What kind of relation you want to see with India?

A: Europe and America, etc. I mean, I'm a Russian, right? I have an idea that the people of India and Pakistan are considered a race. And, even then, we haven't been able to make relations right since the start. This is upsetting.

You can watch the video here: Vygr Exclusive: Dr. Saveera Parkash - The First Hindu Woman to contest Elections in Pakistan

As Saveera embarks on this historic endeavour, she carries with her the hopes and aspirations of not only her constituents but also those who dare to dream of a better tomorrow. In her hands lies the power to shape the future, to bridge divides, and to leave an indelible mark on the annals of history. And as she takes each step forward, she reminds us all that with determination and compassion, anything is possible.

(Interview inputs: Ayanangsha Maitra)

(Video inputs: Ayanangsha Maitra)