When Mohsin Ali arrived in Lahore from Hafizabad 12 years ago, he had no idea about what his luck had in store for him.

He was always a good student and stood first in every classroom from matric to graduation, grabbing six gold medals on the way.

His perfomance at the graduate level made so many headlines that it earned a visit from then Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He was also featured alongisde now Prime Minister Shehbaz at a laptop distribution ceremony recently.

But he had to work, and not just in class.

“As far as labour goes, I don’t think there is a single thing I did not do,” Mohsin told Aaj News. He worked as a plumber, welder and also baked rotis and naans with his younger brother at a tandoor, near the MAO college in Lahore.

“The difficulties were my adornment, my dress,” he said, “I never shied away from difficulties.”

His efforts bore sweet fruit eventually. Mohsin, now 38, is an English lecturer in the same MAO college.

Mohsin thinks a person should smile openly when dark clouds seemingly hover over your future. After all, he adds, it is the same clouds that will rain good fortunes on you later on.