3rd May : The death anniversary of Dr Zakir Husain

Today, 3rd May is the death anniversary of India’s 3rd President Dr Zakir Husain (1897–1969). He was an eminent economist (doctorate from the University of Berlin in 1926) and one of the most prominent educational thinkers and practitioners of modern India. He served as President of India, from 13 May 1967 and died in office on 3 May 1969. (He is seen in the photo with the then Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi). He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour, in 1963. He was also India’s 2nd Vice President from 1962 to 1967.
My late father (K.A. Abraham) had a very close association with Dr Zakir Husain as his student at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) where ZH was Vice-Chancellor form 1948-1956. My father studied for his MA and LLB from AMU during this time. Zakir Husain had special affection for my father as the young 21-year-old lad was coming from the distant Kerala. Once the VC visited my father’s hostel room and was surprised to see a large crucifix on his table and asked, “Why are you having a crucifix here, Ibrahim?”. At that time, some wealthy Muslim students from Malabar used to study at AMU and naturally the VC had counted my father as one among them especially with the similarity in the name! On learning, my father was a devote Syrian Catholic from Kottayam, Dr Husain’s affection only increased- ever the most secular leader Dr Zakir Husain was.
In his inaugural speech as President, Dr Zakir Husain said, “The whole of India is my home and all its people are my family”. My father maintained close association with Dr Zakir Husain until his death. May the memory of leaders like Zakir Husain illuminate our minds!
Dr. Roy Abraham Kallivayalil.