Srinagar, Aug 4: Prominent businessman and philanthropist Bakshi Abdul Qayoom son of Bakshi Ghulam Nabi passed away Thursday morning after a brief spell of illness. He was 71.
 Qayoom, who was also the nephew of former Prime Minister of Kashmir, Bakshi Ghulam Muhammad, was a founder member of some of the prominent organizations like the Cancer Society of Kashmir.
 Thousands of people from all walks of life including political personalities attended the Namaz-e-Jinazah followed by the burial at the ancestral graveyard of Bakshis at Malteng near UNO office.
 The family sources said the Rasm-e-Chaharum would be held on Sunday 10 AM at the Malteng graveyard followed by a Taziyatti and Duiya Majlis at Bakshi Manzil 4B Sonawar.
 The mourners termed Qayoom as a social activist who dedicated all his life to help people.
 “He was the founder member of blood banks in Kashmir, blind school and Valley Citizens council,” the mourners said while paying tributes to the departed soul.
 Qayoom was also remembered as an active member of Samaj Sudhaar Committee of ‘80s that aimed at the eradication of social evils.
 His death was condoled by both political and social circles.
 Pertinently, despite being a prominent businessman who headed the family ventures the Bakshi group including forest business in Pathankote and Shiraz Cinema, he would devote most of his life for social work.
 He donated blood at least 38 times to encourage blood savings in the Valley.
 Qayoom is survived by son Omar Bakshi, daughter Aasiya Naqeeb and wife.
 The deceased was brother of prominent personalities including Bakshi Muhammad Yusuf, Bakshi Ghulam Hassan and Bakshi Nazir.
CSK shocked 
 An emergency meeting of the members of the Cancer Society of Kashmir (CSK) was held here to condole the demise of its founder member and treasurer Bakshi Abdul Qayoom, a CSK spokesman said in a statement.  
 Members expressed profound grief and shock on his demise and acknowledged his unmatching voluntary services at all levels with tearful eyes. They paid glowing tributes to him for his proactive participation in public awareness programmes, organization of mass screening programmes in remote areas, establishment of diagnostic center and mobilization of financial resources through donations for financial assistance to cancer patients.
 “Society has suffered an irreparable loss and his death has created a vacuum in social and philanthropic circles which will be difficult to fill in near future,” the spokesman said.
  May Almighty rest his noble soul in peace and give courage to the bereaved family to bear this great loss, he added. 
PDP condoles demise 
 PDP president Mehbooba Mufti expressed deep grief over the sad demise of   Bakshi Abdul Qayoom, brother of Nazir Ahmad Bakhshi.
 The party president expressed deep sympathies with the family of Bakshi’s family, a PDP spokesman said.
 Describing Qayoom a noble man, Mehbooba said, “The loss to the family couldn’t be compensated. We are standing side by side to the bereaved family at this hour of shock.”
 Others who on behalf of party paid their condolence to the family included General secretary Dilawar Mir, Chief spokesperson of PDP Nayeem Akhter, and all the party members.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 4 Aug 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 5 Aug 2011 00:00:00 IST