Renowned educationist and radiologist Dr. Zahir I. Kazi, President of the 150-year-old Anjuman-I-Islam educational trust, has been conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his outstanding contributions to Literature and Education.

Since taking over as president in 2009, Dr. Kazi has spearheaded the modernization and expansion of Anjuman-I-Islam, which now oversees 97 educational institutions serving more than 110,000 students—many of them from marginalized and minority communities.

A trained radiologist with academic exposure in the U.S., Dr. Kazi set aside a successful medical career to focus full-time on building a robust, inclusive, and quality-driven education system. Under his leadership, the organization has established cutting-edge facilities including the Panvel Technical Campus, offering engineering, architecture, law, and pharmacy programs.

Beyond academics, Dr. Kazi’s initiatives include orphanages for girls, shelters for destitute women, support for first-generation learners, and de-radicalization outreach programs. His efforts align with national missions like Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, and he is widely regarded as a bridge-builder between tradition and modernity.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kazi said, “This honour belongs to the entire Anjuman-I-Islam family. Inclusive education is the only path to a truly empowered India.”