Biography

Shohrat Saheb was born in Nowgawan Sadat in 1942 in a Shia Syed family that traces its roots to the 4th Imam Zainul-Abedeen (A.S.). Nowgawan Sadat (located about 125 Kilometers North East of Delhi), back then was a small dusty town of about 10,000 people.

Shohrat Saheb was born on 27th day of Mohrram. So his parents gave him the name Moharram Ali. Tragedy struck at a very early age as Shohrat Saheb was afflicted with polio. The disease left him unable to walk for the rest of his life.

At age 5, Shohrat Saheb started his education at the local elementry school. He was a bright student. After he finished the 5th standard, he was not able to continue his education as his family did not have the economic means.

As Shohrat Saheb entered his teen age, he was unable to take on physical labour work such as farming, due to his physical disability. He learned to roll beedies (hand rolled indian smokes) as that was pretty much the only industry in town.


His belief in exceling at whatever he did, made him one of the better beedi makers.

By age 16, he started to look for other means of earning a living. So he opened a small neighbourhood convenience store selling foodstuffs. But continued to look out for any other business opportunities.


While unable to continue formal education, he continued to learn literary Urdu, Farsi, Hindi and some English. Shohrat Saheb always associated himself with literary people that included accomplished writers and poets and religious scholars. He credits Maulana Aqa Haider and other scholars among his mentors.

Even at a very young age and despite his disability, Shohrat Saheb wanted to accomplish more. While other young men in his age group were perfectly content doing menial labour work, Shohrat Saheb was looking out for better opportunities.

At age 23, in 1965, he started a beedi manufacturing business with a meager investment. His savy business skills, an eye for detail and ability to work hard and long hours, made his beedi manufacturing business a success. His beedi label called Radha Beedi Company, became a success in the market.

In 1977, he brought in two partners into the business. One was his brother, the Late Mr. Mojiz Hussain and a long time associate Mr. Nasir Hussain. The partnership lasted over a quarter century and came to an amicable conclusion.

His generosity and strength of character started to show as he became more and more successfull. He started to give back generously to his community even though it had not been always very kind to him. He started supporting Babul-ilm Madressah.

A man who grew up with physical handicap, Shohrat Saheb attributes his success to the well wishes and prayers of his mother and his father's teachings.

Shohrat Saheb always found success in business, politics and personal life. He feels that one of his strength is that he is able to impress people with his simplicity.

Shohrat Saheb is a highly spiritual person. He sights Imam Ali (A.S.) and Hazrat Abbas ibne Ali (A.S.) as his heros.

"Innal-laaha Ma'as sabereen" has been his motto. He has a forgiving attitude towards everyone. He embodies a deeply generous personality. Content with his personal life, Shohrat Saheb has been blessed with 6 daughters and two sons.

Shohrat saheb is a great believer in communal harmony and tolerance. People of all communal and religious stripes are among his friends, associates and business partners.