Shillong, Aug 8: Former journalist and philanthropist Rabiul Islam, passed away in Guwahati on Saturday.
He was 69.
Rabiul, who is the former Chief Sub-Editor of The Shillong Times, and part of The Meghalaya Guardian team when it wss launched, breathed his last at Apollo International Hospital in Guwahati around 4.30 am.
According to Clara Jyrwa, who retired from the Guardian said Rabiul started Sunday Guardian along with two others.
Islam died of respiratory failure following pneumonia. Born on October 29, 1956, he was the son of Late Azizul Islam.
A native of Dhubri, Rabiul had a long association with journalism in Meghalaya and Assam. As a journalist, he was widely respected by colleagues for his professional commitment, warmth and amiable nature.
Beyond journalism, Rabiul devoted considerable time to social work, particularly in the field of rehabilitation.
He had also started restuarants both in Shillong and Assam serving Mughlai cuisine.
Former UNI bureau chief saddened
“I am deeply saddened to hear the premature death of my good friend, Robiul Islam at the
age of 69 years. I have known him for more than a decade. He was a journalist and a social worker. Among other things, he established a rehabilitation centre at Guwahati, for people with issues of substance abuse. His sudden death is a great loss to the society. He was a
warm and generous person and will be fondly remembered by his friends. May his soul rest in peace. My condolences to his family and friends, said Subroto Bhattacharjee (88), the former Bureau Chief, UNI, Shillong. Subroto sent this message via WhatsApp from Kolkata.
Rabiul worked with the Kripa Foundation in Shillong and later established and ran Ashray, a rehabilitation centre in Dhubri. Through his work, he helped several people battling addiction and supported their efforts to rebuild their lives.
Music was another passion of Rabiul’s life. A talented guitarist and crooner, he was well known among music lovers in Shillong and Guwahati. His love for music, easy-going personality and willingness to connect with people made him a much-loved figure among friends, colleagues and admirers.
His passing has left his former colleagues, friends and admirers in Shillong, Guwahati and Dhubri saddened. Many remembered him as a gentle, generous and multi-talented person who made a lasting contribution through journalism, music and social service.
Rabiul Islam is survived by his two sons and a daughter. His daughter is Raisha Aziz.
The Janaza (Zanaza) will be held at 7 pm on Saturday at Athgaon Kabarastan, Guwahati.
Friends, former colleagues and well-wishers are expected to attend the funeral and pay their last respects to the departed journalist, musician and social worker.
St Edmund’s Past Pupil’s Association (SEPPA) issues statement.
“We are all in deep shock and sorrow at the loss of our dear brother and friend Spn. Rabiul Islam (72 Batch) at around 4 a.m. today (8th August) in Guwahati.
He had severe complications: Severe Type 2 respiratory failure in the background of pneumonia bi focal and respiratory arrest along with acute coronary syndrome, and could not be saved despite the best medical treatment.
It is learnt that his last journey will start today (8th) at around 6.00 p.m. from his residence No.40, Apurba Singha Path (connecting Rajgarh & Zoo Road), Guwahati.
To know what a loss it has been, not only to his family and Seppans, but to the entire North East: He started his career as a journalist till 1995 when he quit journalism and immersed himself in social service by helping run the Shillong Centre of our nations leading NGO, Kripa Foundation. In 2006 he shifted to Guwahati and started the Kripa Foundation Centre there, from scratch. In 2018, with decades of experience in substance abuse prevention & care, he founded and continued as the Managing Trustee of CSAPC (Centre for Substance Abuse Prevention & Care), a public charitable Trust based in Gauripur, Goalpara District (Assam), offering community-based care with treatment facilities for affected persons.
Brother Rabiul will ever be remembered for the stellar work and yeoman service that he has rendered for the rehabilitation of thousands, bringing them back from an abyss, and for his remarkable humility, as not once did he ever he talk with conceit of the extraordinary service that he rendering to humanity.
A In 2020, he wrote a comprehensive book “Substance Abuse & Recovery Handbook”, which has now become a textbook used in many rehabilitation centres across the Northeast.
Another unforgettable facet of Rabiul was that of a very talented musician, never failing to entertain friends and Seppans with his renditions of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY), The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and others.
Rest in peace kind, gentle, smiling and humble soul. May Allah keep Jannat’s Gates open for you.
Although we know that they, like us, will find it well-nigh impossible to reconcile with this colossal loss, we offer our heartfelt condolences to all your family members and pray that Allah grants them the strength and peace of mind to be able to do so”.
