Former bureaucrat, eminent educationist and Chancellor of Hamdard University Saiyid Hamid passed away on Monday, December 29, after a prolonged illness.
One of the prominent Muslim figures in India, Saiyid Hamid passed away today after prolonged illness. He was 94. Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard and former Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Saiyid Hamid was also a member of the high level committee headed by Justice Rajendra Sacchar which was appointed by the Prime Minister in 2005 to study state of Muslims in India.
Born at Faizabad in 1920 Hamid joined AMU in 1937 and obtained his Masters Degree in English from AMU in 1942.
He then joined the UP State Civil service and was promoted to the IAS. He held charge as a Joint Secretary in several departments in the Central government including Home and Communications.
Hamid, a retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS), officer was appointed Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in 1980 at time when university was passing through a very crucial phase and he remained there till capacity till 1985.
He later succeeded Hakeem Abdul Hameed, Founder of Hamdard Dawakhana (now Hamdard (Wakf) Laboratories) as the Chancellor of Hamdard University in Delhi. He was also appointed by Hakeem sahib as Secretary of Hamdard Education Society to look after Hamdard Public School and Hamdard Study Circle.
Announcing his demise, Milli Gazette, edited by Dr Zafaul Islam Khan, wrote on its website, “The light has gone out. Saiyid Hamid, a man of illustrious personality, a man having Himaliyan achievements to his credit, a man having versatile qualities, a man embodying the finest values and the beacon of absolute honesty, love and commitment is no more. Yet he is alive and shall remain alive for generations to come for his massive socio-educational reformations and renaissance movements that shall continue to inspire all.”
Navaid Hamid, community activist, described it as a “great loss for community.” While expressing his grief, Mahab Alam, journalist and activist, currently associated with Amnesty India, noted, “We will not forget your contributions, especially in the field of education!”
He was married to Surayya Hamid and has three children Samar, Saman and Faraz Hamid.