by Dr Sajad H Parey
“Every soul shall taste death.” – Holy Qur’an
Death honours no schedule. As believers, we accept that we cannot alter the divine will. Life unfolds by the decree of Allah, in wisdom we may not always grasp, but which ultimately guides us toward a greater good.
I first met Dr Zubair Ahmad Rather in June 2012 at the Directorate of Research, SKUAST-Kashmir. We had both come for an interview under the Pollination Management Research Project led by Prof M A Paray. There he was, soft-spoken, plainly dressed, and unassuming, yet with a quiet confidence that made an immediate impression. When we struck up a conversation, I learned he was an MSc Botany graduate from Ajas, Bandipora, practically a neighbour. A sense of kinship took root instantly.
Both of us were selected. That day marked the beginning of an extraordinary journey. Together with our friend Waseem Ahmed, we shared rooms on Harwan Road, then Shalimar, moving often due to rising rents or challenging landlords. Through it all, we stood together like brothers, bound by more than just research.
A Man of Faith
Dr Zubair was a deeply spiritual and principled man. He rose every day before dawn for Fajr prayers at the local mosque and often urged me to join him. We would then set out together for work and meals. His humility, unwavering kindness, and sense of purpose made him universally loved.
While still working on the pollination project, Dr Zubair cleared the MPhil and PhD entrance exams at the University of Kashmir. Though drawn to a direct PhD, he chose, after many heartfelt conversations, to begin with an MPhil under the joint guidance of Prof Shaukat Ara (SKUAST-K) and Prof A A Khuroo (University of Kashmir). He supported his education and family entirely through project fellowships, never losing focus despite the weight of responsibility.
Following his MPhil, he pursued a PhD jointly guided by Prof Khuroo and Dr Tanvir-ul-Hassan Dar (BGSBU). He earned a Junior Research Fellowship under a DBT-funded project and again directed his modest income towards his family’s welfare, his parents, wife, three daughters, two younger brothers, and a sister. He was not just a scholar; he was the foundation of their lives.
Contributions to Science
Dr Zubair was a gifted researcher with expertise in Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Biodiversity, and Bioinformatics. He authored over 30 research papers in respected journals, Elsevier, Scientific Reports, Taylor & Francis, Springer, and more.
Among his finest works was Smartphone-integrated field microscopy: a low-cost and portable tool to study live biological specimens in the wild (Plant Biosystems, Taylor & Francis), which proposed a novel method to identify plant species like Ephedra in their native habitats. His research was practical, innovative, and far-reaching. It will be referenced for years to come, a legacy of knowledge for future generations.
Last Conversation
On June 10, 2025, Dr Zubair called me: “Let’s meet—I’m returning from the coaching centre in Sumbal.” He visited my home in Hajan, as promised, before heading to Ajas. We spent the afternoon by the banks of the River Jhelum, talking, laughing, sharing ice cream, reminiscing about our work and dreams, two friends, unaware that it would be their final meeting.
Though he found joy in teaching schoolchildren, he often voiced frustration. His true calling, he said, was research and mentoring in higher education. He lamented how his training and experience were underused, a silent sorrow he carried with dignity.
That ordinary afternoon has now become a sacred memory.
A Legacy
In 2024, grief struck his life hard, the loss of his father, then his sister. He bore these blows with quiet endurance. But tragedy followed swiftly. Dr Zubair’s life was cut short in a road accident involving a Casper vehicle. His death is not just a personal loss, it is a loss to science, education, and the values he lived by.
He leaves behind a grieving wife, three little daughters, two unemployed brothers, and an elderly mother. He was their provider, protector, and guide.
A Plea for Support
Though he held no government post, Dr Zubair’s contributions were monumental. I humbly appeal to the Lieutenant Governor and Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir to consider offering a government job to his widow. Let his children grow up with dignity, not despair.
In my view, Dr Zubair was akin to Raymond Lindeman, the young ecologist from Minnesota whose short life shaped global ecological theory. Like Lindeman, Dr Zubair’s vision and intellect will live on through his work, long after his passing.
May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannah, bless his family with strength and patience, and guide his daughters toward lives filled with knowledge, grace, and success.
(The author is an Assistant Professor at Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri.)
