Mr. Pandit’s Lasting Influence

Losing a figure like Mr. Muhammad Shafi Pandit is a huge loss, not just for those who knew him personally, but for the countless lives he touched through his wisdom, honesty and relentless pursuit of making the world a better place, especially for senior citizens. It was not until November last year, when he reached out to me after reading one of my columns on senior health that I had the privilege of getting to know him. He had invited me for an interactive health talk with a group of seniors at the Amar Singh Club. With his characteristic humility, he introduced me to his friends and initiated discussions that left me deeply inspired.

Shortly after, I visited him at his home for a comprehensive health check-up, and our interactions grew from there. I quickly realized that we shared a common mission—advocating for the well-being of the elderly. His passion and commitment to seniors was not just an idea but a way of life. Before the start of Ramadan, Mr. Pandit reached out to me, asking if he could fast. I assured him that he could, and later he said to me, “I am fasting, and I feel much better during fasting. May Allah accept my starving.” His words moved me deeply.

Weeks passed and our discussions evolved—touching upon senior healthcare, societal issues and spirituality. But life, as unpredictable as it is, had different plans. I vividly remember the 1^st May of this year. A day when I unexpectedly found myself with nothing on my plate, a rare occurrence. I decided to call Mr. Pandit and told him, “I’m completely free today.” He paused for a moment and then, with a gentle laugh, replied, “Dr. Zubair, you? Free? Impossible. You’re too full of purpose to ever be truly free.” His words were more than just a playful retort—they carried a greater meaning, reminding me that even in stillness, there’s always something to be done, something to strive for. It was a moment that reignited my sense of purpose.

It was through Mr. Pandit’s encouragement and the shared support of friends and seniors like Mrs Masooda Yaseen, Mrs Nighat Shafi, Mrs Nazifa Alavi, Mrs Naseem Lankar, Mrs Masooda Rajpuri, Mr. Fayaz Kaloo, Mr. Khurshid Ganaie, Dr. Shakeel ur Rehman and other senior citizens that we embarked on a new journey—one dedicated to the comprehensive care of the elderly. Over time, many senior citizens from various organizations joined this noble cause, strengthening our mission and vision.

This vision culminated in the establishment of the Moul Mouj Health Centre (MMHC), which was inaugurated on 15^th June. Although Mr. Pandit couldn’t attend the event due to prior commitments, he ensured that all his and our mutual friends were there. MMHC was founded with a mission to offer significant discounts on healthcare for seniors. However, Mr. Pandit quickly pointed out a harsh reality: Many elderly could not afford even those reduced rates.

Realizing that we need to go beyond MMHC, we expanded our efforts, founding the Moul Mouj Foundation with a charitable objective. We introduced two privilege cards for elderly citizens, aimed at providing them with healthcare benefits. Despite being out of the country at the time, Mr. Pandit made it a priority to be present for the launch of these cards. His commitments were never mere words; they were always followed by action. He continually pushed us towards the proper implementation of home-based care, understanding the unique challenges seniors face.

One day, in a casual conversation, Mr. Pandit shared words that will resonate with me forever. He said, “Allah won’t ask you about what others did to you, but He will ask what you did for them. Others may act based on who they are, but you must act based on who you are.” These words reminded me of the importance of decency and compassion.

A month ago, Mr. Pandit called me, mentioning he had some abdominal discomfort. After examining him, I recommended some tests, which revealed the need for further thorough investigations. The next day, as he was coming down the stairs of his home for some more investigations, I noticed how impeccably he was dressed. He told me, “I never leave my home unkempt.” His strength, grace and dignity in the face of adversity were awe-inspiring.

Few days later, even as he prepared to go to Delhi for further treatment, his composure remained unshaken. Before leaving, he said to me, “Nobody on earth can alter even a fraction of a second of their end time. But pray that whatever life Allah has bestowed upon me is dependence-free.”

Though he is no longer with us, his legacy continues to inspire us. We remain committed to implementing the plans and ideas we discussed, and we are determined to carry forward our mission at MMF with the same dedication and passion he embodied. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah, and may we honour his memory by carrying forward the work he believed in so ardently. His life was an epitome of hope and a reminder that our actions, no matter how small, have the potential to transform lives.

By: Dr Zubair Saleem