The man who gives too much
Zahid Ali Khan, editor of Urdu daily Siasat, is a career philanthropist first and a journalist later
Salwa Fathima, whose father works in a bakery, is the first woman pilot from the Old City. Zahid Ali Khan, editor of the Urdu daily, Siasat paid `16 lakh for her training. The 69-year-old Khan, originally from Gattaiah, has been a messiah to thousands of Hyderabadis. His charity knows no boundaries or religion. He was there for the people of Gujarat after the earthquake ravaged the state. He also helped the victims of Mumbai riots. Khan carries out his philanthropy under the banner of several trusts and organisations.
Owing to his tall standing in society (and in real life: he is a really big man), he holds several key positions: member of the Telugu Desam politburo, member of the National Integr-ation Council, member of the National Council for Communal Harmony.
Apart from doling out largesse from his own coffers, he raises funds through appeals in
Siasat. Nearly 30 per cent of his family’s earnings is set aside for charity.
Revered by his readership as “Rehbar-e-Millat” (guide for the community), Khan’s sincerity, dedication and commitment to serve the society is apparent when he says, “I want to ensure that the recommendations of the Sachar Committee and Ranganath Mishra Commission are implemented. If the governments, at the Centre and in the State, fail to implement them, I will try and ensure its implementation in the city and the state to start with.”
“He is a role model for everyone in the family and a gentleman. When we travel together to foreign countries he is a great companion. He eats less but wants a wide range of spread on the dining table,” said Khan’s wife, Shams Fathima Khan. Among one of the most eminent families in the walled city, Khan’s ancestors came to Hyderabad from Madina at the invitation of Aurangzeb to teach Quran and Islamic law to his daughter. “After completion of studies, our ancestors were requested to stay back and the Bijapur Jagir was bestowed upon them. My great grandfather, Intekhab, was given the tile of Jung by the Nizam. My grandfather, Mahmood Ali Khan, was handed the title of Mir. Nawab Intekhab Jung was the classmate of the Nizam VI while Mir Mahboob Ali was the classmate of the Nizam VII, Mir Osman Ali Khan,” Khan said.
Siasat was founded in 1948 by Khan’s father Abid Ali Khan and his friend Mehboob Hussain Jigar. “After the demise of my father, I took over the reins of Siasat and now my son is assisting me. I want my grandson to become the editor one day,” said Khan.
His son, Amir Ali Khan, says he was inspired by his grandfather Abid Ali Khan. Armed with
Khan paid 16 lakh for ` Salwa Fathima’s pilot training course
a degree in journalism and an MBA, Amir is now concentrating on expanding the reach of Siasat.
“My father has trained me well and I want to be his true successor. For an Urdu daily to not only survive but also grow, it’s crucial that the owner and the editor should be one. We have just launched our edition in Qatar. Siasat is also the first Urdu epaper in the country and gets the highest hits on the net among all Urdu dailies in the world. The US administration and the Pentagon are some of the regular visitors of our website,” Amir said.
Amir’s wife, who grew up in Abu Dhabi and studied in the US, didn’t have any trouble adjusting to life with the Khans. “This family is so warm and cordial that it took no time to be one of them. My parents are family friends of Amir’s uncle,” she said. Amir’s uncle, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, is the managing editor of Siasat and looks after its Internet edition.
Khan’s three brothers and two sisters meet every Monday and Friday for lunch — a sign that a family that eats together, sticks together.
After the demise of my father, I took over the reins of Siasat and now my son is assisting me. I want my grandson to become the editor one day.