Zohra Begum Kazi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Zohra Begum Kazi
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| জোহরা বেগম কাজী | |
Kazi
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| Born | 15 October 1912 Rajnandgaon, United Provinces of British India
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| Died | 7 November 2007 (aged 95) Dhaka, Bangladesh
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| Alma mater | Lady Hardinge Medical College |
| Occupation | Medical professional |
Zohra Begum Kazi (born October 15, 1912 – died November 7, 2007) was a very important doctor. She was the first Muslim woman from Bengal to become a physician. She received several special awards for her work, like the Tamgha-e-Pakistan, Begum Rokeya Padak, and Ekushey Padak.
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Early Life and Family Background
Zohra Kazi was born in Rajnandgaon, in what was then British India. People sometimes called her the "Florence Nightingale of Dhaka" because she was such a caring doctor. Her family was from Gopalpur in the Madaripur District of Bengal. Her father, Kazi Abdus Sattar, was also a doctor and a politician.
When she was 32, Zohra Kazi married Razuddin Bhuiyan, who was a lawmaker. She became a widow in 1963. Even though she didn't have her own children, Zohra Kazi adopted and helped educate many children from families who didn't have much money across Bangladesh.
Her Talented Siblings
Zohra Kazi had two siblings who were also very accomplished. Her older brother, Kazi Ashraf Mahmud, was a Hindi poet. He was also a botany professor at Dhaka University.
Her younger sister, Shirin Kazi, was also a doctor and a poet. Shirin was the first Bengali female doctor to get a special degree in obstetrics and gynecology in 1951. She later became a children's doctor. Like Zohra, Shirin also adopted and raised children from families who needed help.
All three siblings once lived in Sevagram, a special community started by Mahatma Gandhi in India. Zohra Kazi also volunteered at Mahatma Gandhi's Sevashram, which later became a medical institute. She gave free medical care to people who were poor.
Education and Medical Training
Zohra Kazi earned her first medical degree (MBBS) in 1935. She studied at the Lady Hardinge Medical College for Women in Delhi. She was a top student, coming in first in her class. She even received a special medal from the Viceroy of India.
She continued her studies and earned more advanced medical degrees. She received a scholarship to study in London. There, she got special degrees in obstetrics and gynecology. When she returned to East Bengal (which later became Bangladesh), she joined Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. She became a professor and the head of the department for pregnant women and women's health.
A Career of Care and Service
Throughout her long career, Zohra Kazi held many important positions in medicine. She was recognized for her great work, both as a doctor and for helping society. After she passed away, she was given the Ekushey Padak award in 2008 for her social work.
Zohra Kazi was known for helping people during difficult times. On February 21, 1952, she helped organize emergency treatment for students who were hurt during the Bengali Language Movement. During the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971, she found and treated wounded freedom fighters. She always cared deeply for her patients and the babies she delivered. Zohra Kazi passed away on November 7, 2007, at the age of 95.
Documentary Film About Her Life
A documentary film called Zohra Kazi was made in Bangladesh. The film shows her life and how successful she was. It also highlights her lifelong effort to fight against old superstitions and outdated beliefs. She worked hard to convince women in India and Bangladesh that modern medical treatment was important.
