Funeral held today in Sydney, Australia
Venkat Raman
Auckland, December 2, 2021
We are sorry to report the passing away of our dear friend and renowned academic Professor Rais Alvi at his home in Sydney, Australia yesterday, Thursday, December 1, 2021.
He was 76 years old and left behind his son Dr Safi Alvi of Sydney, daughter Farah Alvi and her husband Adnan Mirza and their children (Auckland).
It is understood that Professor Alvi succumbed to cardiac arrest. He was buried in Sydney this afternoon after prayers.
A Scholar and bard
Born in Lucknow, India on May 7, 1945, Professor Rais Alvi was enrolled in the Shia School in the city and moved to Pakistan following the partition. He continued his further education in Karachi. A widower, he moved to Sydney in Australia to live with his son (Dr Safi Alvi) and his family and be closer to his daughter Farah Alvi of Auckland, New Zealand.
One of the finest men of letters including literature and poetry, Professor Alvi was also a genuine friend, known for his kindness and pleasant manners. He was an enthusiastic participant in Mushairas and various other literary programmes held in Australia, Pakistan, India and New Zealand.
He was a regular visitor to this country and appeared at the Mushairas and Sangeet-Sammelan held by the Urdu Hindi Association of New Zealand and those organised by Mr Mirza. He was the Editor-in-Chief of ‘Sangam,’ a magazine launched this year to be a cultural and social bridge between South Asian communities and promote the literary and cultural interests of people.
We were awaiting his visit in July but the closed borders and Covid-19 lockdown kept him away from us.
Indian Newslink offers its condolences to the grieving families and prays for the departed soul to rest in peace.
