By Mir Mohsin Ali

RIYADH — The Hyderabad’s community in Riyadh bid farewell to Dr. Syed Rafatullah, who served as a researcher at the King Saud University (KSU) for almost four decades.

Chief Guest Venkateshwaran Narayanan, first secretary at the Indian Embassy Riyadh appreciated his contributions to the community, and specially his research work on medical plants.

Narayanan thanked Dr. Rafat for his services as a meticulous researcher. He said, “We are proud that you with you work have made the tricolor fly high. You are an ocean of knowledge and we are dwarfed by it when in front of you.”

He said, Dr. Rafat’s personality is a true inspiration for the younger generation, and hoped that the researcher would pass on his knowledge and experience to the young.

Guest of Honor Kundan Lal Gothwal, senior AGM Air India, hoped that after returning to India that Dr. Rafat’s second innings would be filled with community service and he will play an important role in educating the younger generation and would transfer his knowledge and experience in his expertise to the fledglings, who are sure to face challenges in their life’s journey.

Special Guest Mohammed Quaiser, president, OUAAR and THH, said that he was a witness to Dr. Rafat’s helpful nature, as he went out his way to help help and serve the Indian community. He wished him luck in future endeavors.

Dr. Syed Rafatullah, who hails from Hyderabad, in his keynote address thanked the organizers and guests. He shared his experience of working at King Saud University for over three decades as a research scientist while highlighting his experience in various aspects of Arab traditional, complementary and alternative medicine modalities including field survey, identification of herbs and basic drugs, psychopharmacology and toxicological studies.

He said, his research activities undertook preliminary pharmacological and toxicological screening of about 250 Saudi plants and more than 350 basic drugs used in Saudi folk medicine. More than 30 species and number of vegetables and fruits were studied in detail for their possible general pharmacological activities, potential gastric anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-hepatotoxic, anti-cardio toxic, anti-nephrotoxic, anti-pyretic, analgesic, anti-hypertensive, antidiabetic, acute and chronic toxicity evaluation and estimation of some biochemical parameters.

He said that in 1993 United Nations Industrial Development Organizations (UNIDO) invited him as a consultant at regional consultation meet on the industrial utilization of medical and aromatic plants in Asia and the Pacific. Of his 63 research papers published during his tenure, King Saud University awarded him for 10 distinguished research publications. He has given 20 presentations at international and national conferences. He attended 22 conferences, symposia, congress, meetings and workshop.

Dr. Mohammad Ahmad Badshah, former president AMUOBA, said he has been associated with Dr. Rafat for long and found him always focused and busy in his research works.

Dr. Ahmad Dilshad, chairman, IISR managing committee, too talked about his long association with Dr. Rafat that spanned over 25 years and highlighted the meticulous effort in his research work.

Moahmmed Farooqui Shabaz, senior banker at SABB, said, “He has known Dr. Rafat from his childhood as he was a close friend of his father. He recalled many childhood events heard from his father about Dr. Rafat.”

Journalist Mohammed Saifuddin welcomed the gathering and took the opportunity to bid farewell of the renowned researcher. He said it is duty of the community to honor people, who bought laurels to the Indian community with their services. “Dr. Rafat is one such gem and we are proud to arrange this farewell,” he said.

On behalf of Hyderabad’s community Narayanan presented medal and plaque of appreciation, Air India presented traditional shawl that was given to Dr.Rafat by Dr. Badshah and Kundan Lal Gothwal.

Earlier, Mohammed Azizuddin recited the verses of the Holy Qur’an to start the event, and flower bouquets were presented to all the guests. Mir Mohsin Ali proposed vote of thanks.