Dr. M.S. Karimuddin at his clinic in Jeddah. (SG photo by Fouzia Khan)DR. Karimuddin received this prestigious honor from Pratibha Devisingh Patil, the Indian president and Manmohan Singh, the Indian prime minister. The ninth edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) Convention was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, from Jan. 7-9. The PBSA is the highest honor conferred on overseas Indians by the President of India as part of the PBD Conventions organized annually since 2003. In an interview with Saudi Gazette, Dr. Karimuddin said all organizations should work together under one umbrella for the benefit of the Indian community. Teamwork needed He said that this award is given not only to individuals but also organizations. “There are so many organizations in Jeddah and many of them are doing good jobs. A few are focused only on entertainment and social gatherings. I think we should all be focused on one project. For example, an organization formed in Hyderabad focuses every year on the Hujjaj. They spend all their energy once a year and engage themselves for three months continually helping the Hujjaj. I think they can help the people in the community as well. Some of them can be useful in the medical field; they can collect medicines from the doctors, as there are many people who don't have (medical) insurance and need free consultations and medicines. I do as much as possible but it's not an individual's job. We need team- work because an organization can do a much better job,” he said. He added that Indians should also divert their attention back home where exciting things are happening. The prime minister said in a recent speech that there will be nine to 10 percent growth for the next 10 years, he said and that 40 percent of the population of India is below the age of 25 years. Dr. Karimuddin said he was a founder of the India forum, along with the present ambassador Talmiz Ahmed. In its early days, events could only be held at the consulates, so the forum was formed to help Indian families come together and exchange views and ideas. “But unfortunately we narrowed it down to entertainment,” he remarked. 30 year service For over 30 years, Dr. Karimuddin has been associated with promoting the health of Indian children by developing and leading community initiatives in important areas. As a member and chairman of the managing committee at the International Indian School, Jeddah (IISJ), the doctor has successfully pursued academic and extra-curricular activities at the school. “As a pediatrician I started my career after my graduation in 1974 when I took up a job in one of the Christian missionary hospitals in Chennai, which was at the time Madras,” he said. He said that after six months, a project to rehabilitate slum dwellers came up. With the Bishop of Madras and others, money was raised abroad in London and Germany for the development of the area. A trust was set up to oversee the spending of the money, in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Clearance Board. “We started a small clinic for first aid treatment – a social welfare room where a trainer made the people aware how to rehabilitate themselves.” Working in Jeddah Dr. Karimuddin said the bishop then suggested that he attend Vellore Christian Medical College, where he completed a one-year diploma before going to Ireland and England. “After completing my higher education I came here to Saudi Arabia,” he said. “I worked for nine years at Bugshan Hospital and for the last 21 years at New Jeddah Clinic Hospital.” Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad said Dr. Karimuddin has a long record of selfless and devoted service to the Indian community. “The award will motivate Dr. Karimuddin to continue his commitment to community services, particularly in his capacity as a member of the Higher Board of the International Indian Schools in the Kingdom.” Dr. Karimuddin explained that he established a medical room at his son's school. He was a member, and then chairman of the school's management committee, for 14 years. He also said that 340 students were denied admission last year because there was no place for them, so now plans are underway to get another building to accommodate more students. He mused that he has had ups and downs in his time as a pediatrician, but one of the brighter moments was when he saw three women – the wife of the Indian Consul General, the wife of the Pakistani Consul General and wife of the Bangladeshi Consul General – sitting with their children waiting to see him. “We are fighting with each other and losing so much money and life, so when I saw these friendly ladies sitting together with their children to consult with me I felt wonderful because, in a small way, I became a part of a peace mission,” he said joyfully. He also told Saudi Gazette that so far he has also contributed, in an unofficial way, to the Haj mission. “I still remember the year 1980 when there was an outbreak of meningitis. We had a hectic job treating so many fatally ill patients.” He added that he also treats patients during the Haj each year. Saudi ties Dr. Karimuddin is part of the Indo-Saudi Friendship Society which is organized by the Indian consulate. He is also a member of the Indo-Saudi Medical Forum which brings together Saudi and Indian doctors. Despite so much success, he is still in touch with the slum dwellers trust in Madras and also the Al-Noor trust in Bhopal in India. “I want to diversify my work, so I joined this trust which is doing excellent work training graduates who can't go to coaching classes for competitive exams, like those they have to do for the civil service,” he explained. “At the moment I am concentrating on two projects in India: One is the Al-Noor trust in Bhopal where we have plans to build a big boarding school and we also want to enhance the coaching center. We are planning to purchase 20-acres there. In Chennai, my city, I am still working with the slum dwellers project.” Dr. Karimuddin said he has learnt a lot over the years from many people, including the current ambassador. He was also influenced by his father-in-law, S.A. Rahim, who was a “nationalist freedom fighter” and an award winner. “He never went after any position after India became independent. He was doing constructive work in education, and always used to tell me that our service should be for the people. Proud moment Dr. Karimuddin is very pleased to have received the award. “Shaking hands with the president and prime minister was a wonderful moment in my life. We also met around 1050 delegates; I interacted with so many people which was another wonderful feeling,” he remarked. He said he wanted to thank his students and patients, many of whom keep in touch with him, and also has advice for students: “We are in the IT age so we depend more on computers but it's not good for our health to sit for long periods in front of computers. Young people should get involved in physical activities.” He said being overweight and obese can lead to many problems, including diabetes. “For my generation: Keep doing good work and have faith in Allah. I would like to share this award with many of my friends who are doing good work, you are on right path. Be simple and be polite. Simplicity will take you a long way.”
