Noted radiologist and president of the 150-year-old educational organisation Anjuman-I-Islam, Dr. Zahir Kazi was among the recipients of Padma Shri awards, announced on the eve of the Republic Day. In an interview with The Navhind Times, the Mumbai-based educationist whose heart is firmly rooted in Goa, shares his impactful journey in promoting education, especially among the minorities for the past 40 years, and how his days as a student in Goa Medical College shaped his philanthropic outlook
DANUSKA DA GAMA NT NETWORK
A Lifelong Commitment
Mumbai-based educationist and a noted radiologist Dr Zahir Kazi traces his roots to Ponda where he was born and raised. On the eve of the Republic Day the government of India announced his name for the fourth-highest civilian award, the Padma Shree, in the Literature and Education category. For Kazi, the award may have been unexpected, but the timing of its announcement was perfect for two reasons: it was the eve of his birthday and also marked 150 years of Anjuman-I-Islam, which runs around 97 schools, colleges, hostels, orphanages, and other educational organisations across Maharashtra, catering to over one lakh students, the majority of them Muslims.
“This is not just a personal award but a recognition of collective efforts for Anjuman-I-Islam, which I have been associated with for the past 40 years,” says Kazi.
“The institution stands as an inclusive space for people of all castes, communities, and religions. With a strong commitment to education, it has 10,000 students and 3,500 teachers, besides overseeing orphanages and homes for the destitute and catering to the underprivileged.”
Prior to his association with the organisation, Kazi was attached to several hospitals, besides having his own private setup, and Kazi says it was his conscience that led him to Anjuman-I-Islam.
“During my interactions with patients, I realised that there was a need to address the educational disparities faced by underprivileged children. Many couldn’t afford education, and those who sent their children to municipal- or government-run schools didn’t get the best education they deserved, and that pinched me,” says Kazi, who started as a member of the organisation before being elected to the governing council.
He has also served as chairman of the Unani Medical College for about 12 years, where he held the posts of general secretary, chairman, and president.
Talking about Anjuman-I-Islam, he says the organisation has grown exponentially in the past 15 years. “We have undertaken several collaborations and brought about excellence. We were in the national mainstream with all our students. So much so, we went beyond India and have had collaboration with MIT Boston.” This was the first such collaboration in India. The organisation also went on to collaborate with Westminster University, Central London, with talks presently under way with Oxford University, the University of Maryland, and the University of Tampa for similar collaborations.
“We have plans to take our campuses beyond Maharashtra, and I think the first campus will be in Goa,” says Kazi.
Roots and dreams
Born and raised in Ponda, Goa, Kazi studied at Almeida High School, Ponda, and Dempo Higher Secondary School before joining the Goa Medical College in 1973. “Our batch was called the ‘Original 73’. Here, I was encouraged by my classmates and colleagues, and I became the president of the students’ union of the Goa Medical College,” says Kazi. Always active in cricket and extracurricular activities, he says that it was the encouragement, opportunities, and platform apart from studies that gave him an edge and taught him about social work. After his post-graduation in radiology, which he completed in Mumbai, he proceeded for his fellowship at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital for ultrasound studies and the University of Pennsylvania for radiology. On returning, he joined the famed Hinduja Hospital.
While Mumbai has offered him numerous opportunities, Kazi says that his heart remains in Goa. Expressing a dream to retire here, he says that his soul is rooted in the coastal state. “I make it a point to be in Goa every three to four months. My brother lives in Ponda, and even here in Mumbai, I speak in Konkani with my family and Goan friends.”
He laughs when he says that his children think he is obsessed with Goa. “I am in Mumbai, but my soul resides in Goa,” he states. The family received the title of ‘Kazi’ from Adil Shah during his reign in Goa, entrusting them with the role of intermediaries in settling disputes among the people.
Satisfaction and Recognition
With a successful career in healthcare, Kazi decided to spend more time educating youngsters through Anjuman-I-Islam. “In 2020, I reduced practice by 50% and now by 30%. I am very happy, and my family supported me too,” he says, finding it tough to put into words the joy and satisfaction derived from taking care of someone’s education.
“There are numerous achievers from Anjuman Islam across fields, whether it be acting, sports, business, law, or engineering, who are well placed in life having passed out of our institution,” he says, reeling out a long list of names including actor Tabu, cricketer Mushil Khan, and several others.
When the conversation is steered towards communal tensions and polarisation, Kazi promptly brushes it aside, saying his being awarded has been received with equal joy, excitement, and pride across communities. He, however, acknowledges the communal issues but hopes the award will send across a strong message of peace, love, and humanitarian service beyond religion.
“In my years of experience with this organisation, there has never been a moment of discrimination felt. We did whatever was doable and within the purview of the law, and we could do a lot of things. For example, on expansion projects, the present government in Maharashtra and the centre have been very helpful,” says Kazi.
“My contribution is recognised, and I am very thankful to the Prime Minister, who gave me a listening year when I met him on two occasions.”
Looking Ahead
“The ultimate goal is to go beyond Maharashtra and continue making a significant impact on healthcare and education.”
Kazi says it is important to give back to society when you are well settled and financially strong. “We can’t depend on the government all the time. How much can the government do? As citizens, we have to join hands, walk shoulder-to-shoulder with the government, and reach out to the last person,” he says. Kazi›s dreams for education in India are still unravelling in his visionary mind, as he finds a way to take it to the remotest of rural areas to touch those left on the sidelines of the learning highway.