ALIGARH November 6: Mrs. Birjis Kidwai, 93, daughter of Sheikh Abdullah, founder of the Women’s College of Aligarh Muslim University, died here today at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College. She is survived by a son Mr. Rashid Kidwai, who runs an NGO and is married to Ms. Naina Lal Kidwai, Former President of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and currently the Group General Manager and Country Head of HSBC India.
The officiating Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Brigadier S. Ahmad Ali visited the J. N. Medical College and paid condolences to the bereaved family. He expressed sorrow on the sad demise of Mrs. Kidwai, who happened to be the last surviving child of Sheikh Abdullah, fondly known as Papa Mian.
Her body was later taken to Abdullah Lodge where a large number of University teachers gathered to pay condolences. Prominent among them who joined the grieved sympathizers, were Prof. Anwar Jahan Zuberi, former Vice Chancellor, Calicut University, Prof. Naeema Khatoon, Principal, Women’s College and Prof. Tariq Mansoor, Principal and CMS, J. N. Medical College.
The burial will take place at the University graveyard on arrival of Mr. Rashid Kidwai and family and Mr. Salman Haider, former Indian Foreign Secretary, former India’s High Commissioner to London and nephew of the deceased.