We are a Family Charitable Foundation (under Section 501 (C) of US IRS Tax Code). The Foundation was established in the memory of Dr. Feroz Padder’s two beloved children, Ayesha and Ali Padder, who, along with his then wife, Amira Abbas, MD, FACC died in a tragic automobile accident on October 31, 2006 (Halloween Night!). Ayesha had just turned nine and Ali was just under five years old. Both were exceptionally bright and shining examples for their peers. We hope to keep their names alive through the works and projects of this foundation.
Ayesha was born on September 5th 1997 in Nashville, TN. She was called “Gulabo” meaning Rose. She was and will always remain the “left ventricle of my heart,” says Dr. Padder. Ayesha was exceptionally bright, talented and gifted. She had memorized her alphabets and numbers at an early age of about 18 months. She was a very talented reader and writer and was exceptional in Math and Science. She had won the ‘Dr Abdus Salaam Scientific Award’ in 2005, explaining and demonstrating beautifully “the three states of matter.” She completed the recitation of the Holy Quran at the young age of 8. She was selected for a “Youth Leadership Course” in Washington, DC (which was due in March 2007). Ayesha enjoyed her short life fully. She was a source of happiness and joy for all our family and everybody around her.
Ali was born on Nov 8th 2001 in Columbia, MD. I always called Ali the “right ventricle of my heart,” says Dr. Padder. When asked a week before the tragic accident if he missed his father when he was away, he answered “yes” but immediately added pointing to his heart that “Dad, I love you and you are always in my heart. Once you love somebody, he always remains in your heart.” Dr. Padder was stunned by the depth and words of his son’s answer and wondered how a four year child could come up with such deep thinking wisdom. A week later Dr. Padder realized that these were words of an angel spoken through Ali to console him for the rest of his life. Ali was very affectionate and loving. He loved Ayesha unconditionally and dearly. Ali enjoyed his short life to the fullest. God provided him with everything he ever wanted. I do not recall saying “no” to him for anything, says Dr. Padder.
Amira was born in Pakistan on Sept 11, 1965. Her father (Shaheed Abbas bin Abdul Kadir) was martyred on Sept 2nd, 1974 in her early childhood which left a lasting impact on her life. Amira and Dr. Feroz Padder got married on Sept 2nd, 1995 and were blessed with 2 beautiful children. She graduated with M.B.,B.S from LMC, Hyderabad, Sindh in 1991. She completed her Cardiology Fellowships from NIH, Bethesda and Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN and received a Fellowship of the American College of Cardiology in 2002. She was a diplomat of American College of Physicians and American College of Cardiology. She was a superb physician who was very dedicated to the care of poor and underprivileged patients. She lived a very simple, chaste, pious and noble life. She was a very confident driver. This tragic car accident which was her first accident ever, cut short the worldly lives of Dr. Feroz Padder’s family. Dr. Feroz Padder’s immediate family, close friends and colleagues are helping him to live through this unimaginable worldly loss. We are living with the sweet memories, the pure and dear love and affection of Ayesha and Ali. They were the delight of our eyes. They illuminated our hearts with the light of love. We hope and pray to continue to shine this light forever and spread this love through the work of this Foundation.
Most of the Projects of the Foundation are based in Kashmir because Dr. Feroz Padder’s humble beginnings started there. He and his siblings were born in Kashmir. Their father died when his younger brother (Tanveer A Padder, MD) was only 6 months old. They struggled but never lost the HOPE. His older brother (Farooq A Padder, MD) had the heavenly guided wisdom from his early childhood. The sense of ‘Giving’ to others was installed in their hearts from the very beginning even when they did not have much to offer. They all came to USA after their medical school graduation and performed their post graduation training here and were successful in living the ‘American dream.’ As a foundation, we hope to give a chance and promote careers of many other fellow beings who are in similar situation as theirs in different stages of their life—early childhood to young adults.