A 95-year-old retired Muslim teacher from the Idgah area of Ahmedabad has willed his ancestral home to a Hindu woman who has cared for him like a daughter in his twilight years.
Syed Hussain Ali Abbas Ali Bukhari, a former teacher at Anjuman Islam High School in the city, grew up without parental support after losing his parents in childhood. The Jhala family, a Hindu household living nearby, played a significant role in supporting his family. Their daughter, Asmita Pratap Singh Jhala, who grew up alongside Hussain Ali, has been caring for him since his retirement in 1990.
Despite never marrying, Hussain Ali found familial support in Asmita, who assumed the role of a devoted daughter, tending to his needs as he aged. In recognition of her unwavering service and affection, Hussain Ali recently made the extraordinary gesture of naming Asmita the beneficiary of his ancestral home, worth approximately Rs 50 lakh.
Asmita Jhala has treated Hussain Ali like a father, reflecting a bond that transcends religious boundaries. Speaking about the gesture, locals have lauded the teacher’s act as a profound example of mutual respect and gratitude. Hussain Ali continues to live with the same dignity and support he has extended to others throughout his life.
Hussain Ali’s former students, many of whom are now middle-aged professionals, frequently visit him to pay their respects. One such former student, businessman Yunus Khan Pathan, shared his admiration: “Hussain Ali Bukhari was not just a teacher but a guide and mentor. Whatever we have achieved in life is a result of his teachings. His values continue to inspire us to live with dignity and purpose.”
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