Calcutta Rescue is very sad to announce that Dr Gazi Mohibor Rahaman, who was chief executive of the NGO for 10 years, died on 25th June 2021, aged 63 years.
His surname means compassionate and that was a quality that he fully embodied during over 30-years of service to the poor with the organisation.
Dr Bobby, as he was affectionately known by everyone at CR, joined the organisation as an idealistic and talented young doctor back in 1991, having graduated from Calcutta National Medical College & Hospital, Kolkata in 1983.
He was inspired by the work of Dr Jack Preger, the founder of the NGO who is now widely recognised as the grandfather of street medicine globally.
Dr Bobby worked alongside him for many years at his first street clinic for the destitute in Middleton Row in the centre of Kolkata. He received a very low salary at the NGO, so he worked in private practice in the evenings in order to earn enough money to raise a family.
Over the years Dr Bobby became Dr Jack’s right hand man and gradually Dr Jack handed over the responsibility for running the organization to Dr. Bobby who became the chief executive in 2004.
In this position, he was responsible not just for all of CR’s clinics but also its schools, vocational training centres, handicraft unit and an arsenic filtration project in Malda.
Although he had never trained as a manager he threw himself into this extremely challenging role.
Known for his hard work, his calm presence, and his ready smile, Dr Bobby was respected and admired by staff and patients alike. He skillfully led the NGO until 2013 when a heart attack forced him to retire. Even then his commitment to the work continued and he became a member of the NGO’s Governing Council in 2014 and honoured the position of Honorary Vice-Chairperson.
He was advising it on how best to support people in the slums during the Covid crisis right up until June 18 when he suddenly fell ill. He tested negative for Covid but was admitted to hospital two days later where he suffered a heart attack and multiple organ failure.
Calcutta Rescue founder Dr Jack said, “Dr. Bobby will be greatly missed by all in CR, and very many in Kolkata and beyond. We owe him a huge debt for his tremendous service for so many years. Starting in Middleton Row street clinic, he worked for many years as our chief medical officer, and CEO. He continued until poor health made him retire to the Governing Council, where he continued to give expert advice, especially in the present, Covid crisis. CR extends its condolences to his wife and family. May all who mourn be comforted. May he rest in peace.”
Calcutta Rescue Chief Executive said, “My colleagues are devastated at the news of Dr.Bobby’s death. He was their mentor, their guide, their older brother, their Bobby da. He was always the voice of reason and balance. He always exuded warmth and affection for his team, and for CR’s patients and students. He was always humble. He was a good listener. He was a great leader. I hope we can recover from the pain of his passing and continue to serve our beneficiaries to the best of our ability during this horrible pandemic. I am sure that is what Dr.Bobby would want. We will miss him so much.”
Dr Bobby leaves behind his wife Nasreen and son Zohiab.
