In the tumultuous times of 1947 when families were being uprooted, Janab Hakeem Abdul Hameed Saheb was scouting for land he could buy and build schools for the thousands of Muslims and other sections of society that stood on the brink of being consigned to the darkness of illiteracy, and political, socio-economic subservience. Poverty was staring them in the eyes. Hakeem Saheb knew that without modern education these economically deprived masses would remain caught in the vicious circle of abject poverty. Modern education was needed so that the coming generations would step out into the world with the educational empowerment which would put them at par with others. Hakeem Saheb could feel the pain and sufferings of humanity, and had decided to use his God given resources to set up institutions of learning so that the coming generations could become educated and participate in nation building.

His foresight and vision saw him buying land in 1947 in what was then a foresaken forested area but is now an overcrowded locality known as Sangam Vihar. On this land Janab Hakeem Saheb laid the foundation of the Hamdard Education Society in 1981 as a charitable society registered under the Registrar of Societies Act of 1860. This haloed campus was aptly named Talimabad. Hamdard Education Society, also known as HES has evolved as the apex body that runs Hamdard Public School and several other schools, and residential coaching centres. It is one of the premier NGOs in the country concerned primarily with the education of minorities, rebuilding the nation through participation in civil administration, and the country-wide survey of Muslim managed schools and colleges. Hakeem Saheb also took up research activities establishing the Hamdard Charitable Trust in 1948 and the Hamdard National Foundation in 1964. He also established the Hamidia Charitable Hospital now known as the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Centenary Hospital, and the Jamia Hamdard. He realized the importance of education for the girl child, and established the Rabea Girls Public School in 1973 in Old Delhi.

Hakeem Abdul Hameed Saheb’s motto was austerity, simple living and selfless service. He was polite, courteous and compassionate while dealing with people. A god-fearing person, and a philanthropist, Hakeem Saheb left for his heavenly abode in 1999 leaving his indelible footprints for us to follow.