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Tribute to Late
Dr Rafiq Zakaria
Mumbai
Veteran Congress leader, academician, writer and commentator, Dr Rafiq Zakaria was adored and respected by Muslim and non-Muslim intellectuals alike. Dr Zakaria’s contribution in the field of community politics and academics is a documented fact. A cabinet minister for 19 years, Zakaria spent over 25 years in public service and was closely associated with India’s freedom struggle. A veteran Congressman, Zakaria also held the Health and Urban Development portfolios and served as Member of Parliament. Zakaria rose to his luminous stature from very humble beginnings. He was born and raised in a large and poor family in Nalasopara. His father passed away when he was six years old. Zakaria carved out a place for himself in international theology and politics through sheer hard work and academic brilliance. ‘‘I knew Rafique for 35 years. He was the first person I met when I came to Mumbai in 1970 when he was Minister of state for Health. I was immediately impressed by his dynamism. He has introduced several ideas into the medical system of the state and has also contributed immensely to the field of urban development during his tenure as minister of Urban Development,’’ said close friend and renowned cardiologist, Dr B. K. Goyal.
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