Fatima Zakaria (1936-2021) was a trailblazing Indian journalist, educationist, and social reformer whose five-decade-long career left an indelible mark on Indian society. Born in Mumbai, she was the second wife of Dr. Rafiq Zakaria, a prominent politician and scholar. She was a mother to two biological children, including the renowned journalist Fareed Zakaria, and a stepmother to two children from her husband’s previous marriage. A lifelong advocate for social change, she began her journey as a social worker and later became a respected figure in journalism and education.
Zakaria began her journalism career in 1963 as a children’s columnist for The Illustrated Weekly of India. Working closely with editor Khushwant Singh, she quickly rose through the ranks to become his assistant editor. In 1970, she joined The Times of India, where she took on a range of responsibilities, including leading a nine-page Sunday supplement and covering political and cultural affairs. Her career was marked by exclusive interviews with influential leaders like Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher, making her the only Indian journalist to interview both while they were in office. She also reported on international events, such as the US elections in 1984. From 2001 until her death, she served as the editor of the prestigious Taj Magazine, transforming it into a collector’s item that showcased India’s rich cultural heritage. Her editorial skills were also evident in her work on The Annuals of The Illustrated Weekly of India.
Zakaria’s commitment to social reform began early. At just 22, she founded a childcare institution and a women’s industrial home in Mumbai, providing essential services like education, healthcare, and vocational training to over 500 underprivileged children and their mothers. After her husband’s passing in 2005, she took on the leadership of the Maulana Azad Educational Trust, overseeing 15 colleges and professional institutes that educated more than 15,000 students. She was particularly dedicated to women’s empowerment, establishing the Dr. Rafiq Zakaria College for Women, which now serves over 2,000 female students. Under her guidance, the Institute of Hotel Management in Aurangabad became a world-class institution, collaborating with British universities to offer internationally recognised degrees.
Zakaria’s work was guided by a strong belief in secularism and social integration, and she viewed education as a powerful tool for social transformation. She focused on providing quality education to marginalised communities, particularly women and minorities, while promoting communal harmony. Her efforts earned her several prestigious honours, including the Padma Shri in 2006, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, for her contributions to education. She also received the Sarojini Naidu Integration Award for Journalism in 1983 and an honorary doctorate from the University of Huddersfield, UK, in 2018.
Fatima Zakaria passed away on April 6, 2021, at the age of 85, due to complications from COVID-19. Her death marked the end of a remarkable life dedicated to public service, leaving behind a legacy of educational institutions and journalistic integrity that continues to inspire generations.