WE need many more human beings like the now-departed, deeply-missed I.A. Rahman. He deserves recognition in his own individual right for his thoroughly humane attributes — and not only because of his tireless struggle for human rights and his outspoken condemnation of those who violated them.

We should remember him for his qualities of attitude, bearing and behaviour: respectful of other beings regardless of their views; modest in demeanour, never overbearing; gentle and humble in his movements; in speech, forthright yet modulated and firm; in action, clear and unambiguous. Most importantly, he was caring for fellow humans, particularly the oppressed and the dis-advantaged, and equally caring for all other species as well; a true person of the living planet.

Though his courage and candour were rare and exemplary, we do not need to extol him in the same breath as condemnation of the civil, political, social or military leaders and structures of power that he castigated. His humanism transcended the acrimony and self-abnegation to which some resort when praising him for his bold struggles.

While I did not formally serve with him in the forums he led, I had the privilege of knowing him for about 40 years of shared interests and causes, and shared participation with him in several events and processes. I was humbled by his reviews and helpful comments on some of my books and draft manuscripts.

In turn, even in the last couple of years of his life he would respond promptly to any message or comment I made on his writings.

Earlier, in the 1988-90 phase of our relationship, while I was part of the federal cabinet, I had the honour of inviting him to accept the position of Editor-in-Chief of The Pakistan Times (with the estimable Aziz Siddiqui as Editor). He led the transformation of the state-owned publication from a governmental mouthpiece into an independent, candid, daily evaluator of our own government’s tenure.

But, most of all, it is his humanism that remains so vividly alive in recall; a vision of fraternity that each of us should help sustain and strengthen. May the champion of ‘missing’ persons know in heaven that he is most profoundly missed on earth.

Javed Jabbar
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 18th, 2021