RAZAUL JABBAR: This name needs
no introduction. Razaul Jabbar, M.Com., LL.B., C.A., was a distinguished,
recognized and respectable personality of the South Asian community and India’s
Hyderabad community. His literary contributions and achievements are remarkable.
He contested for councillor seat in Ward 26 of Toronto.
Razaul Jabbar, who passed away on January 29, 2011, had a brilliant literary
background. He was author of seven books of selected stories in South Asian
languages and was recipient of literary awards. His books are: 1.
Hadees-e-Deccan 2. Nau Heerey (1958) 3. Roshni Ki Kiran (1970) 4. Nai Dharkan
(1975) 5. Chand Ki Kashti Ka Akela Musafir (1985) 6. Sunkh Uthaney Ka Hosla
(1991) and 7. Saharon Ke Mausam (2006).
His social contributions were as follows: Moderator, Speaker and Integrated
Member of the Christian-Muslim Forum of Canada. Launched project, “Feelings on
Wheels”, formed to raise awareness of ability and empowerment of individuals
with special needs. Mayor Art Eggleton inaugurated the project.
· He was president of Seniors Association, which provides opportunities to share
and socialize for healthy living. Organized Mushairas (Literary gatherings) and
community functions. Participated in various international conferences within
and outside Canada.
Razaul Jabbar was born on March 10, 1937, in Hyderabad Deccan, India. When he
was about one year old, he became a victim of Infantile Paralysis. His legs and
hands were completely paralyzed. His neck and back too were partly affected.
Later, some strength returned to hands but legs remained paralyzed.
Due to lack of facilities 70 years back, Jabbar faced very tough time. There was
no rehabilitation, no wheelchairs and the school and office buildings were not
accessible. He could only move by sitting on the floor and dragging his body
with the help of his hands. As a result, his lower body’s skin was affected with
eczema and bruises.
During winter, it became more difficult. Dragging on the cold floor resulted in
attacks of cold and fever. His ears were affected and there was continuous
discharge from them.
Razaul Jabbar’s disability became a great challenge for him. People used to
taunt, harass and discourage him. The family and society considered him a
burden. The barriers of attitude gave hard times. He, however, faced the time
and situation very bravely. He started going to school from Class 6th. Before
that he used to study at home. He used to read stories about children and this
interest developed into an urge to write short stories.
BOOKS PUBLISHED: In 1954, he remained in the hospital for 14 months due to major
surgery---from toe to chest. Even in this condition, he used to read books. In
the hospital, he wrote three stories, which were selected and published in a
reputed weekly Urdu journal `Rahbar’, published from Bombay.
In 1960, when Razaul Jabbar was a student of M.Com, he was editor of Osmania
Journal, published by Osmania University, Hyderabad Deccan. He did both B.Com
and M.Com from Osmania University.
LOVE MARRIAGE: Razaul Jabbar married in 1967. His wife, Zarina Rangwala,
belonged to the Bohri community. She was his fan and this ended in a dramatic
love marriage. Because of his disability, the Bohri community gave him a very
tough time and opposed him tooth and nail. Zarina is a highly educated lady and
has MA and B.Ed degrees.
Before migrating to Canada, Razaul Jabbar was Accounts Officer in a shipping
firm. He served the firm for ten years. At the same time, he used to teach part
time in Burhani College of Commerce as a part-time professor. He served on this
position for seven years.
Jabbar attended an international conference for disabled in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
He liked the place very much and decided to settle in Canada. He filed his
immigration papers in New York, USA, and returned to India. He migrated to
Canada in 1980.
Razaul Jabbar always said: “There is a code of conduct for Muslims in the Holy
Quran and they should follow it strictly.” He has left behind two children---a
son and a daughter---and five grandchildren. Jabbar’s wife Zarina worked as
Assistant Manager for 14 years (1982-1986). She quit the job due to kidney
failure. She is still under treatment.
Despite disability and tough challenges, Razaul Jabbar managed to not only make
a respectable place for himself in the society and system but helped his
children as well in getting good education and jobs. He retired in 2002 and kept
himself busy in social, cultural and literary activities. He passed away quietly
but is still remembered by thousands of his fans and near and dear ones.