Gandhian Hakim Quadri passes away at 114

Kolkata , WEST BENGAL :

He accompanied Mahatma Gandhi on his Dandi March and later spent several days with him in a prison in Cuttack. In 2007, he was conferred with the Padma Bhushan for his fight against the British in the freedom movement.

Late on Monday night, Syed Mohammad Sharfuddin Quadri, who was affectionately referred to as hakim sahab, passed away three days after celebrating his 114th birthday. His family had moved to `Calcutta’ in the mid-1930s.

Quadri, a renowned Unani practitioner, who was instrumental in founding the Unani Medical College and Hospital in Abdul Halim Lane in central Kolkata, was born on December 25, in 1901 when Kolkata was still the capital of the country and Mahatma Gandhi had not returned to India.

“My father was imprisoned with Gandhiji by the British in Cuttack. He would accompany him everywhere during the Civil Disobedi ence Movement,” said son Manzar Sadique in the family’s home in 849 Rippon Street. “In October, abba had travelled to Lucknow where he was the chief guest at a conference of Unani practitioners. Chief minister Ak hilesh Yadav had invited him over to his house,” in forms Sadique.

Hakimji He began his day with Fajar (the morning namaaz) at the break of dawn followed by his visit to his chamber, Swadeshi dawakhana on Haji Mohammed Mohsin Square, where patients would already be waiting for him. He would examine more than 100 patients everyday at free of cost, says son Sadique.

The centurion who specialized in treating infertility would never miss his customary walk after work. “He suffered from arthritis which is why he took special care of his fitness,” said Quadri’s son.

Hakim told his followers that he learned the secret to remain fit from his father who lived till 121.

source:  http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home>  City> Kolkata / by Zeeshan Javed, TNN / December 31st, 2015