No-one in the world has to do anything - life is all about choices.

Quite often the choices people make are based on the premise that the alternative is too unpalatable.

In other cases the choice is based on a positive attitude with potentially life changing goals having been set. The most successful people, the happiest and most effective people are those with a positive attitude and who have taken responsibility for their own lives.

They have also accepted personal accountability and admit they are where they want to be in life based on past choices.

Rubina Ismail made a choice soon after she arrived in Keighley some ten years ago. Now Rubina is being hailed as an inspiration to others, especially Asian women and also a powerful role model.

Even those descriptions seem to fall short of describing the achievement of this remarkable young woman.

Her story is highlighted today and at the weekend Rubina will receive a local honour, to add to the already announced national acclaim.

It is worth digesting the basic facts of her choices once again.

Rubina arrived in Keighley with no knowledge of English and became the first married woman from her community to enter education, first to learn English and then to study for other qualifications.

Now she has a list of achievements, which have led to her being saluted as part of National Adult Learners' Week.

Her own words are so profound - for example her desire to help people who have been, or still are, in a similar position to hers, who still have cultural and language barriers restricting their freedom and choices.

Her learning experience has made her a different person with life choices previously denied, now a reality.

Today this newspaper adds its voice to the chorus of praise for Rubina.

The message is brief and basic. The choice is yours.

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