Maqbool Ahmed Lari (1916 – 2004) was an Indian businessperson, philanthropist, Urdu writer, and the founder of All India Mir Academy in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.[1][2][3]

Maqbool Ahmed Lari
BornMay 1916
Lar in Deoria district, Uttar Pradesh, India
Died17 May 2004
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Occupation(s)Businessman, philanthropist, Writer
Known forUrdu literature
AwardsPadma Shri
Royal Gorkha award

Early life

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Lari was born in May 1916 at Lar, Deoria district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in a clan of Iraqi Biradari. After he graduated (B.A. degree) from Allahabad University, he migrated to Nepal in 1942 as an entrepreneur where he stayed for 10 years. He returned, living with his family at "Lari House" near City Station in Lucknow, U.P. India from 1953.[1][2]

Honors and achievements

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In Nepal, Lari as an Indian businessman worked with others to improve trade and education. For his services he was honoured with a title, Royal Gurkha, by the Government of Nepal; he was selected as a member of the senate of Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu for 10 years.[1]

He took a personal interest in all the activities of the Urdu Rabita Committee of U.P. and Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy established by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Uttar Pradesh Government in 1972. In other words, as an advisor/ or a member within the aforementioned organizations together with his generous financial support, he helped strengthen the status of the Urdu language and child education at the level of schools in Uttar Pradesh.[1][2]

It is believed that the marker of the burial place of Mir Taqi Mir in Lucknow was lost when railway tracks were built over his grave.[4][5] For the above reasons, a cenotaph was built in the vicinity of his actual burial place in the 1970s, due to his efforts as the founder of Mir Academy.[3] He played a big role in the publication of Hadeed-e-Meer, a collection of poems of Mir Taqi Mir, the renowned Urdu poet.[6]

It is noted that he provided a major financial contribution toward the establishment of Lari Cardiology Centre at King George's Medical University in Lucknow. As a result, the aforementioned centre was founded in 1977 by the renowned cardiologist, Mansoor Hasan.[7][8] In 1971 the Government of India honoured him with Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his services in the field of literature and education.[9][10]

Death and legacy

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Lari died on 17 May 2004 in Lucknow at the age of 88.[1][2]At his death he was survived by his son and two daughters.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Obituary". Millgazette. 15 July 2004. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Islahi, Ziauddin (2004). "Maqbool Ahmed Lari, biography post". Archived from the original on 8 January 2024. Retrieved 8 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Legendary Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir passed away". The Times of India. 19 September 2010. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  4. ^ Khurshidul Islam; Ralph Russell (1994). Three Mughal Poets: Mir, Sauda, Mir Hasan. OUP India. p. 269. ISBN 978-0-19-563391-7.
  5. ^ Dalrymple, William (1998). The Age of Kali. Lonely Planet. p. 44. ISBN 1-86450-172-3.
  6. ^ "Hadeese-e-meer". Maqbool Ahmad Lari. 1986. p. 650. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Lari Cardiology Centre Lucknow". Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Doctor of Heart & Doctor by Heart". Lucknow Society. 2015. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
  9. ^ "Padma Shri" (PDF). Padma Shri. 2015. p. 42. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2014.
  10. ^ Maqbool Ahmed Lari (1971). "Padma Shri Award Winner". retrieved 17 August 2023