The Blind Side Exclusive!

Meet Sana Arif, who is a cyclist, obstacle course Runner, abstract painter, and a mountaineer and not married as well. Does she really care about the later one, or society care more about her marriage than her passions and achievements, let’s find out. She spoke her heart out in this exclusive interview with Blind side.

How come you became interested in sports because girls usually dream of becoming a doctor, what enhanced your passions in the respective field?

I was fond of outdoor activities and sports since my childhood but never got opportunities to polish those skills. When we moved to Pakistan, i used to play a-lot of video games, watch adventure sports shows on Television and i was also interested in reading about it, so due to that exposure, my interest in sports gradually developed and became stronger. I always wanted to do something different and there I found a way.

Share some of your experiences regarding mountain climbing and what adventures are you looking forward to?

I started mountain climbing in 2017 from Mount Everest base camp and climbed a few more mountains in Oman as well. It was really difficult but definitely worth it. Extreme cold weather is the real challenge in mountain climbing that i faced, and also you are kind of alone there because in the groups that you are with, you barely know anyone. But, after all the hurdles, when you realize that you have finally done it, the feeling of accomplishment that fills you is everything that you need in life. Climbing the mountain itself is a different feeling.

Your whole education is from Pakistan, when did you leave Pakistan and what were the reasons behind that decision?

Well, I was born in Kuwait. My family moved to Pakistan as the Iraq Kuwait war broke out but my father stayed in Kuwait. I continued living in Pakistan to complete my education and then i moved back to pursue a career because my family and friends were in Kuwait. Also, in the area of my interest, Pakistan had very little opportunities for women at that time and it compelled me to go back to Kuwait as there were plenty of chances to get my hand on very easily.

We see Pakistan’s flag in every photograph of yours in which you are achieving something, what has made you that patriotic?

I am very patriotic about Pakistan even though I wasn’t even born there, but I think it is important to never forget where you belong to. No matter whatever passport or nationality one gets, one should always remember the origination of their roots. People who try to hide their origin reflect their inferiority complex and to be a Pakistani is something to be taken pride in genuinely. I also own a T-shirt on which Pakistani flag is imprinted and on national days I wear it proudly. One should always be proud of where they are from.

Have you ever been taunted for not getting married despite of crossing the ‘right age’ of 30 years? Have your parents ever put your profile in marriage bureaus?

Never! I have always disliked this whole concept where girls are being presented in front of a guy’s families and they are pinpointing her flaws as if they are set to buy some animal. So I had communicated it to my parents from the very beginning and thankfully they completely understood. For me, getting married shouldn’t be the goal of your life. I do not preach that people should stay single, but it should be done by choice, not on priority basis. We have to change the parameters of women’s success, for example getting married and having a child, it cannot define anyone’s success. A woman should be strong enough to handle any kind of situation and marriage should mean companionship rather that dependence over a male partner just because you are not prepared to face the world.

Have people labeled you too gutsy and strong for a man to marry you?

Yes, people look out for certain feminine attributes while choosing a girl to get married, they do say to me that you go to gym; you have no femininity, who will marry you? Thankfully, I have got massively supportive social circle, my family, friends, colleagues, they all contribute positivity to my personality and thoughts and it has prevented me to feel any kind of inferiority complex. Although I am sure I would be getting more of such toxic remarks from people if I had been living in Pakistan, so it’s good that I live in Kuwait, its negligible here.

Why don’t you want to get married, what are the underlying reasons?

I think marriage bounds you big deal and there is so much that I still look forward to in my life. I know it depends partner to partner, sometimes you find a really supportive partner and things remain smooth but that is not always the case. So for now, I am doing very well on my own, I do not feel the need of emotional support as well, I have got enough in my circle and marriage would just impede my passions.

One message for the girls with dreams and passions out there?

Girls! Marriage is not the end goal of life. Take marriage out of the picture and make yourself strong enough and ready to face any kind of situation. Think about yourself before people, you only live once.