At 80, Mohd Shafi Pandit is not with us now. He valiantly braved the fatal illness and left us all to mourn his untimely death. A gentleman par excellence and a man of deep culture, a friend and a capable and experienced value addition in our Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group -an acclaimed think tank engaged in the activities of peace, Justice and disputes resolution. The third Kashmiri after Koul and Kadalbuju but the first Muslim from Kashmir to crack Indian Administrative Service examination in 1969 with a higher rank.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on a visit to Kashmir for election campaigning, mentioned Shafi’s contribution in his speech in Srinagar. “I came to know that Kashmir’s pride and one of the first IAS officers, Mohammad Shafi Pandit, passed away last night. Even after retirement he continued to work for the welfare of people. In this hour of grief, our prayers are with his family,” the PM said.
Friends and well-wishers are saddened by the demise of Mohammad Shafi Pandit. He had an illustrious career as a bureaucrat and served with distinction. He will be remembered for his significant contributions to public service and as a civil society leader.
A good friend Pandit epitomized the glorious composite heritage of J&K. He always advocated the revival of the civilisational pride of Kashmir known as-the cradle of Civilisation. He wrote a piece on the way forward to set right the turbulent Kashmir affairs some time before his hospitalization for the magazine to be published by KPSG. It shall be shortly in Public domain.
After retirement, he devoted himself to various public causes and emerged as a leading voice of civil society. Soft spoken and extremely gentle by nature… he was a role model for the Valley to join the civil services and many followed him.
Rest In Peace.
(The Author is Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India and a distinguished fellow, United Services of India (USI); Chairman; Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group)
