The death of a popular Mathematics teacher in Okhla has left his students, family members, and relatives in deep shock. Sixty-two-year-old Md Arif Imam died of a cardiac arrest at his Batla House residence.
According to his younger son, Hasnain Arif, a Jamia Millia Islamia alumnus, his father returned home after his teaching job as usual on September 3. He took a bath and then sat down to eat. “He suddenly complained of feeling unwell, and within minutes, he collapsed due to a heart attack. I rushed him to the hospital, clinging to a sliver of hope, but there we were given the heartbreaking news that he had already passed away before we arrived,” his son said.
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He was laid to rest in Batla House the same evening after Isha prayers.
Students whom he coached are struggling to come to terms with the loss. Of short height and originally from Bihar’s Gaya district, Arif popularly known as Arif Sir had moved to Batla House many years ago with the sole purpose of giving his children a good education with Central University Jamia nearby.
He fulfilled his dream when both his sons, under his guidance, cleared the highly competitive engineering entrance exams of Jamia and went on to secure well-paying jobs. As a doting father, he found his greatest satisfaction in his sons’ accomplishments, especially their success in completing their education with distinction and excelling academically.
Arif Sir: Widely admired trained Mathematics teacher
Arif Sir, was a trained Mathematics teacher, widely admired for his friendly teaching style. Zeeshan, a student, said: “Besides teaching, Sir was always very friendly. He often told me not to stress too much and to enjoy my studies. His sudden death has left us in shock.”
When asked whether Arif Sir had any health issues or high blood pressure, his son replied: “He was perfectly healthy and had no known ailments. It was a sudden spike in blood pressure that caused the heart attack. We never imagined something like this could happen.”
He was born in 1962. He hailed from a madrasa background, completing his Islamiat studies at Nadwa and Deoband, becoming a Hafiz along the way. Later, he chose to shift from the Aalimiyat course to mainstream education. According to his son, he excelled in his matriculation exams, earning top marks, and went on to pursue a BSc in Geology from Ranchi University.
Like many youths from Bihar of his generation, he aspired to crack the UPSC examinations. Though he prepared diligently, he eventually set aside that ambition after marriage, following the advice of family elders to focus on a stable livelihood.
In search of better opportunities, he moved to Delhi in the late 1980s or early 1990s. There, while nurturing his passion for teaching, he also explored entrepreneurship, running a publishing house and engaging in various business partnerships over the years.
He began his professional journey as a translator in English, Urdu, and Arabic at the Qatar Embassy, before transitioning to a full-time mathematics faculty role, where he guided high school students and JEE aspirants toward their academic dreams.
Md Mohtamim, who knew him for years, expressed his grief: “We deeply mourn the sudden and untimely demise of Arif Sir, a highly respected and beloved Mathematics faculty. He was an integral part of Plasma Institute, now Neutron Classes (a unit of NN Career Institute Pvt. Ltd.) in Batla House.”
“Sir will be missed”
He said: “Arif Sir was not only an exceptional teacher but also a mentor who inspired countless students with his clarity of thought, dedication, and passion for teaching. Beyond academics, he was cherished for his cheerful personality, warmth, and ability to build strong personal connections with everyone around him.”
Rizwan Khan, director of Plasma Institute, Okhla Head, echoed the sentiment: “I knew Arif Sir for the last 15 years since he moved here with his family. He was a hardworking and sincere teacher who always put students’ welfare at the center of his work. A down-to-earth person, he was always ready to help residents in need. Before entering the teaching profession, he worked at the Qatar Embassy.”
Khan said: “I was shocked to learn about his death due to a heart attack. I find it hard to understand why so many cases of sudden heart attacks are being reported, where people pass away within minutes.”
Batla House resident and fellow Mathematics teacher Abdul Wahab said he had known Arif Sir for years but could not attend his funeral as he learned about his death too late. “We will truly miss him. He was not only a gentleman but also a dedicated teacher who shaped many young minds,” he said.
Friends and acquaintances vouched for his strong moral character and his readiness to extend a helping hand whenever needed.
Arif Sir has left behind three children, including two sons employed in jobs, a daughter pursuing engineering, and his wife. His death has created an irreplaceable void in his family, his institute, and the wider community that admired him.
