Syeda Saiyidain Hameed is a women’s rights activist, educationist and writer. She is a former member of the Planning Commission of India. Her publications include Islamic Seal on India’s Independence: Abul Kalam Azad—A Fresh Look (1998) and Dr Zakir Husain: Teacher Who Became President (2000). In 2007, the Government of India conferred the Padma Shri on Hameed.