Tag Archives: Positive News of Muslims of Assam

Freedom fighter’s family preserves 73 year old national flag

Demow (Sivsagar District), ASSAM:

The first national flag hoisted in Demow after independence, 73 years ago has still been preserved well by the family of freedom fighter Commander Mohd. Maulobi Mohd. Hussain.

source: http://www.sentinelassam.com / The Sentinel / Home / by Sentinel Digital Desk / August 14th, 2019

Assam cop Moinul Islam pens poetry, essays on humanism

ASSAM:

DIG Moinul Islam Mandal on duty
DIG Moinul Islam Mandal on duty

For a cop toughened by years of dealing with criminals, writing soft stories may seem an oxymoron of sorts. But for Moinul Islam Mandal, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Dergaon Police Training College, there is no antithesis as his writings stem from the core belief that the “Truth will always prevail” and the perception that all religions are in harmony.

Having authored 18 essays that were compiled in a book, Aapun Jibonor Ortho Bisari (Finding the meaning of life). Mandal said that his essays are experiences and ideas that he garnered during his career as a policeman.

“These experiences molded my thought processes. The ideas germinated during my time as a policeman,” he said.

Moinul Islam Mandal during a book release function

Mandal said that most of his essays are based on the premise that the truth would always prevail –and he had attempted to offer both a scientific and philosophical reason behind this in his essays.

Citing an example he said that he had drawn a parallel of the human being with a computer. – “the organs are the hardware, what is imprinted in the brain is the software and our soul is the driver.”

His first essay was on the coronavirus, written during the lockdowns after the pandemic was declared in 2020 and there was plenty of time to write at the Dergaon PTC.

DIG Moinul Islam Mandal during a security operation

Mandal defines the Coronavirus in relation to nature and humans.

“It is about how the universe is run by natural law and that humans are also ruled by this same law. It also depicts how religion cannot be a separate entity from nature but is only an extended part of nature,” he said. This essay received a lot of feedback after it was published in the Asomiya Pratidin, an Assamese language newspaper.

“It encouraged me to write more and he wrote 17 more essays which were published in the newspaper,” Mandal said. And thus from a man who used to dabble in poetry, Mandal evolved into writing in-depth on soul-stirring topics.

Mandal said that he compiled the essays in a book after former IPS officer Pallab Bhattacharyya called him from Delhi to tell him how much he liked one of the essays, The Afghan Snow…   “I thought that over time, these essays would get lost, so I decided to preserve them in a book,” he said.

Explaining the title of the book, he said, “I had my perception of what life is. Likewise, everyone has his or her definition of life, and there are similarities of the thought process, a universality which everyone can relate to that I try to bring out in my writings, ” he said. Six of his essays in the book deal with the oneness of Hinduism and Islam.

Former deputy commissioner Ajit Kumar Bordoloi who released the book along with former Asam Sahitya Sabha president Dr Basanta Goswami said that these essays explore the relationship of religion with man, the Hindu Muslim divide, and the 19th essay in the book, Mussalman ne Muslim Manaxikota, needs the courage to write.

DIG Moinul Islam Mandal saluting the National Flag 

“People are now so involved in the religious rituals and this has polluted religion to such an extent that humanity which forms the basis of all religions has been suppressed to near extinction,” he said.

There is nothing different between Hindus and Muslims. With my knowledge of Islam and on the reading of the Gita I did not find anything that was against humanity. We are all humane and equal human beings. It is only after we divide ourselves into castes, religions, or languages that we become polluted,” he added.

Tracing his journey as a writer, he said that it all began during his college days in the Assam Agricultural University when he used to write poems and put them up on the wall of his hostel room. The other students encouraged me to write in the college magazine.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Smita Bhattacharyya, Jorhat / February 2022

Assam’s Ahmed Ali, Who Opened 9 Schools, Nominated for News18 Rising India Real Heroes of 2023

Khilorband (Patharkandi Village, Karimganj District), ASSAM:

By establishing nine schools with the money collected from driving an autorickshaw, Ali has helped bridge the gap between education and poverty in his community.

Ali started the first school in 1978 in his village Madhurband. (Photo: News18)

Ahmed Ali, from Assam’s Karimganj district, is a true inspiration for many, especially those who are determined to make a positive difference in their communities. Despite facing financial challenges, the 87-year-old decided to take matters into his own hands and established schools in his village to provide education to underprivileged children.

By establishing nine schools with the money collected from driving an autorickshaw, Ali has helped bridge the gap between education and poverty in his community. He understands that education is the key to unlocking opportunities and breaking the cycle of poverty. His schools offer affordable education to students who would otherwise not have access to it.

He is a resident of Khilorband, a marginal village of Patharkandi in the Indian state of Assam, bordering Bangladesh. Ali started the first school in 1978 in his village Madhurband. He sold some of his land and donated a part of the land to the school, on which it was built. Out of his 36 bigha land, he donated 32 bigha land for the construction of the school. Funding of the school is also done from its deposits, daily earnings and donations.

His high School was set up in 1990. In addition to it, he also established three lower secondary schools, five secondary schools and one higher secondary school. He hopes to establish a college in the future.

Besides donating his own land for the schools’ construction, Ali also works hard to keep them running. He drives a rickshaw during the day to earn a living, and at night, he cuts wood to help maintain the school’s finances. His dedication and hard work have made a significant impact on the education of many children in his community.

Ahmed Ali’s work has not gone unnoticed. He was nominated for the News18 Rising India Real Heroes Award in the education category, and he will be conferred with the award at the News18 Rising India Summit at the Taj Palace Hotel in New Delhi on March 30.

His story has been shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat,’ inspiring many others to take action in their own communities. Narendra Modi said, “I have come to know that a rickshaw puller named Ahmed Ali of Assam’s Karimganj district has opened nine schools for the education of poor children. It is a beautiful manifestation of the will of the people of our country.” Ali was also invited to Delhi as a speaker by an NGO Jookto.

source: http://www.news18.com / News 18 / Home> India / by Akhi Das, edited by Jessica Nani / March 29th, 2023

There is no shortcut but to study hard ,Assam civil services topper Rashika Islam

ASSAM:

Rashika Islam, ASC topper
Rashika Islam, ASC topper

Rashika Islam has topped the Combined Competitive Examination (CCE), 2022 conducted by the Assam Public Service Commission (APSC). The results of the CCE which were declared on Wednesday also saw 54 Muslim candidates crack the tough examination to become civil servants, police officials, and administrators in allied State services. Rashika Islam, daughter of Colonel (Retd) Saidul Islam and Raihana Islam, of Matiabag, Gauripur in Dhubr district, has secured the highest marks in the CCE exam conducted by the APSC. Rashika’s achievement has delighted the residents of Gaurpur and the entire Dhubri district.

“I am elated after seeing my name on the top of the APSC results. In 2020 I had cleared the final of the CCE. But my rank was low and I got the job of a Tax Inspector posted in Dhubri district. However, I was not happy and wanted to improve my rank in the APSC exam. Though it was tough to study for such a tough exam while serving the job of tax inspector, my husband and parents were supportive. I took no coaching in any institute to prepare for the CCE 2022. I prepare a lot for the exam by watching free YouTube channels and websites on success mantra in civil service examination,” Rashika Islam told Awaz-The Voice soon after the results were declared on Wednesday evening. 

Rashika Islam has been selected for the Assam Civil Service (ACS) category. When asked about study tips to crack the exam like CCE Rashika said there is no definite answer to such a question.

“There is no shortcut but to study hard for the exam. Despite my hectic schedule as the tax inspector I managed to study four to five hours a day before the CCE-2022,” Rashika said.

Raashika’s husband who is also a bureaucrat with the Assam Government had been very supportive of his wife’s success. Due to her father’s pan-India job, Rashika studied in different army schools in different parts of the country, including the Army Public School, Narengi, Guwahati.

Besides Rashika, 53 other Muslim students cracked the APSC exam and have made it to the civil police and allies services of the government of Assam.

The Muslim candidates selected for the Assam Civil Services are Rashika Islam, Wahiduz Zaman, Zamanur Islam, Asfaq Laskar, Benazir Ilyas, Abu Saeed Mohammad, Golzar Hussain, Affan Khan, and for the Assam Police Service: Fayez Ahmed, Rubina Begum, Arshad Wasim Ahmed and SK Sajidur Islam.

Rashika islam

Shabnu Rahman and Shahjahan Ali have been selected as Superintendent of Taxes while Mohammad Abdul Wakil has been selected for the Assam Finance Services.

Others selected candidates are:

Block Development Officers: Mohsin Siddiqui, Zahid Hussain Hazarika Khorshida Khanam, and Antra Hussain.

Assistant Manager, District Industries Center: Farida Yasmin.

Assistant Registrar of Co-operative Societies: Pinaj Rahman. Tax Inspectors

Pakiza Begum and Javed Akhtar Laskar.

For Inspector of Excise posts Mohammad Tazim Ahmed, Imran Hussain, Sarnaz Mehboob. Sub Register, Mudrika Jhabiullah Hindi. Assistant Audit Officers Shabiha Shabnam, Tanveer, Parvez, Hamidur Rahman, Salim Majid, Anjum Parbin, and Jahangir Alam Barbhuiya have been selected.

For Assistant Account Officers posts Philorina Begum, Tanveer Amin, Wasim Ahmed, Syeda Tamanna Yasmin, Manin Uddin Ahmed, Nekib Zaman Ahmed, Zaffrin Rahman, Firdaus Rahman, Jackie Ahmed, Rauchna Parbin Akand, Mirza Kausar Ahmed, Shamsur Rahman, Abdul Ullah Ahmed, Khandkar They are Khairul Islam, Shabana Rakia Ahmed, Mohammad Ali and Abu Bakar Siddique have been selected.

Ahmed Faraz will be a Research Assistant in the Transport Service Department. For Assam Urban Administrative Service Azharul Alam, Asif Ali Khan, Baitul Alam Rahman, and Ajmal Hussain have been selected.

So far, 68 Muslim candidates have cracked the CCE conducted by the APSC between 2013-18.  This year, 54 Muslim candidates cracking the same exam in a single year is considered a very encouraging and positive development for the minority community in Assam. 

The number of Muslim candidates selected for ACS and Allied Services would be more in the future provided quality education spreads among them,” eminent surgeon and Padmashri Dr Illias Ali said.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ariful Islam, Guwahati / January 19th, 2024

Chandrayaan-3 success: Assam scientists Nazneen Yasmin, Baharul Islam shine

ASSAM:

Scientists Yasmin Nazneen and  Baharul Islam
Scientists Yasmin Nazneen and Baharul Islam

Guwahati

 Assam’s Nazneen Yasmin and Dr. Baharul Islam Barbhuyan are among the scientists who contributed to making the ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 land on the South Pole of the Moon.

Nazneen Yasmin, who is from a middle-class family of central Assam’s Nagaon district joined the ISRO after cracking the toughest selection test two years ago. The young scientist has been involved in radar tracking in the launch department of ISRO for more than a year.

But the journey was not easy for Nazeen Yasmin. While she was on maternity leave for her firstborn about six months ago, she was recalled for crucial operations at least twice and she took her child along.

Despite facing the challenges of married life and the post-pregnancy phase Nazeen was very passionate about the Chandrayyan-3. Many a time, Nazeen worked from home by keeping her baby in her lap.

Naznin Yasmin, daughter of Abul Kalam Azad and Manzila Begum of Maherpar near Juria in the remote Nagaon district received her appointment letter as a scientist at the ISRO headquarters in Swar Sriharikotha, Andhra Pradesh around two years back.

Naznin Yasmin received her primary education at Nuruddin Furkania JB School, Juria in Nagaon district in central Assam. She performed brilliant results in the matriculation or Class X final exam from Kadamani Town High School in 2007. She passed the Class XII exam from Alphabita Science Junior College in 2009 with letter marks in several subjects in the science stream. She later obtained her B.Tech in Electronics from NITS Mirza College, Guwahati in 2013 and her M.Tech in First Division from Tezpur University.

Along with working in various private scientific institutions, Nazneen passed the National Eligibility Examination under the University Grants Commission in 2018 and also qualified for the Junior Research Fellowship of the Government of India.

Nazneen Yasmin, who had dreamed of becoming a scientist since childhood, said she was inspired by the success of India’s first female astronaut Kalpana Chawla. She urges the younger generation not to think of themselves as weak and prepare themselves to get a place in the leading institutions of the country through hard work.

Also, Nazneen was inspired by the life and work of former President Dr. APJ Abbul Kalam, who came from a family with modest means, a family source said.

On the other hand, Dr. Baharul Islam Barbhuiyan of south Assam’s Hailakandi has proved that all dreams come true if a person chases them and works hard.

Baharul, 45 is a resident of Syedband II Khand village situated about 5 km from Hailakandi town. He is the pride of the Hailakandi district.

Baharul Islam’s name came into the spotlight after India’s Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft made history by landing on the south pole of the moon on Wednesday evening. He is a prominent scientist at ISRO. He is one of the scientists who played an important role in the success of Chandrayaan-3

Speaking to Awaz-the Voice Assam from ISRO headquarters in Bangalore, Baharul Islam said he was proud to be involved in a historic work that set a record in the space world. He said students have always been interested in space and after the successful landing of Vikram on the South Pole of the Moon. “Success of Charayaan-3 will result in an increase of interest and curiosity about space science among the younger generation,” he said.

He earned his B.Sc from SS College, a Masters in Mathematics from Aligarh Muslim University, PhD from Gujarat University before joining the ISRO.

Baharul’s parents were teachers and they created an environment of science at their home from the very early stage of their son. His father, Moinul Haque Barbhuiyan, has passed away. Mother Rehana is old yet she is excited about her son’s achievement.

“There are no words to express my joy at the moment. I never thought such a day of success would come. People have been calling us since Wednesday,” said Baharul’s brother Enamul Haque.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice/ Home> Story by ATV / posted by Aasha Khosa / August 26th, 2023

Afruja of remote Assam village tops varsity exam and breaks barriers

Bhandara Char Village No.4 (Bangagaon District), ASSAM:

Afruja Begum

Afruja Begum, a student of BH College, Barpeta, Assam, has secured first position in the Philosophy Department of the University of Guwahati. She scored 9.07 CGPA.

The University of Guwahati (GU) has announced the results of the Bachelor’s Degree Examination in Philosophy.  

Afruja’s achievement comes at a time when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma has openly praised the talent of the youth of the rural areas. 

Afruja, daughter of Habel Ali, a resident of Bhandara Char village No. 4 in Bangagaon district, has brought joy to the underdeveloped area. 

“It was very difficult for me to leave home and take classes in college because our area is very backward. During the rainy season, the roads are flooded. There is no way to get there. So I stayed in hostel.”

Afruja is grateful to the college authorities for allowing her to stay when the hostel should be otherwise closed.

She says her parents inspired her to dream big and now she wants to enroll for a postgraduate degree.

Afruja Begum’s father runs a small business. The village of Bhandara Char  where he lives is very inaccessible. The roads are in poor condition.

Afruja Begum is happy that despite coming from a remote village topped in the Philosophy department of the University of Guwahati in the Bachelor’s Examination results. 

Meanwhile, a delegation led by AMSU President Rezaul Karim Sarkar visited the house of Afruja and felicitated her and her parents with flowers, gomochas, sharai, pens and books. 

“We are delighted with the performance of Afruja, a daughter from a very remote area like Bhandara Char village. She studied with great sacrifice and hard work. We wish her even better results in the coming days We hope he will be a good citizen who can serve the region,” said, Rezaul Karim Sarkar, AMSU President. 

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / July 18th, 2023

Nazira girl Sheikh Raisha Tabassum appointed as State Secretary of BJP’s youth wing (BJYM), Delhi Pradesh

Nazira (Sivasagar District), ASSAM :

Sheikh Raisha Tabassum from Nazira in Sivasagar district has been appointed as the youngest State Secretary of BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Delhi Pradesh.

Sheikh Raisha Tabassum

Sivasagar :

Sheikh Raisha Tabassum from Nazira in Sivasagar district has been appointed as the youngest State Secretary of BJP’s youth wing Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Delhi Pradesh.

A graduate with honours in Political Science honours from Hindu College, University of Delhi, 20-year-old Sheikh Raisha is also the founder of ‘El Jeffa Foundation’ — a national NGO working with the United Nations in various parts of India.

Previously, Sheikh Raisha was also the State Secretary of the ABVP Delhi’s North East Cell, in-charge of the ‘Slum School Project’ under ‘Students For Seva’, ABVP where she focused on educating 300+ Muslim underprivileged children in Delhi.

The BJP has given her the responsibility to work for the welfare of the minority community with focus on the youth of the north-eastern region.

Sheikh Raisha is also a recipient of the prestigious SKOCH Yuva award. She was also nominated for the ‘Karmaveer Chakra Awards’ constituted by confederation of Indian NGOs & UN.

Sheikh Raisha is the daughter of Hamida Rahman, a teacher by profession of Nazira Na-mati.

source: http://www.sentinelassam.com / The Sentinel / Home> NE News> Assam News / by Sentinel Digital Desk / September 06th, 2021

Sahidul Alom Award-2023 for Habibur Rahman Choudhury

ASSAM:

01The annual magazine of the Minority Welfare Society, “Barak”, was unveiled at the Society’s annual general meeting held in Guwahati on Sunday.

Shahidul Alam Choudhury, who had a very humble background, came to limelight in 1985 when he was sworn in as a cabinet minister in the AGP government of Assam. He was the lone minister from the Barak Valley in the cabinet. He shone over the political sky of Barak valley for nearly three decades until his death in November 2012. In order to perpetuate his memory and to keep his service to the community embedded in public mind, Minority Welfare Society (MWS) Guwahati instituted the Annual Sahidul Alom Choudhury Memorial Award in 2014. It may be mentioned here that late Sahidul Alam Choudhury was five times elected as MLA from Algapur Constituency of Hailakandi District and served two times as Cabinet Minister in the Government of Assam. The award is meant for persons of Barak Valley origin for outstanding achievement in their field of activity such as education, literature, social service, science and technology, arts, sports, medicine, health care, professional excellence, journalism, entrepreneurship, etc.

This year’s Sahidul Alom Memorial Award was conferred to Janab Habibur Rahman Choudhury, editor of the daily newspaper “Nababarta Prasanga” published from Karimganj, Assam. Besides being an acclaimed journalist, Habibur Rahman is also an educationist, social activist, and opinion leader who is respected in India and abroad. The award includes a memento, citation, and cash component of Rs 25,000. The award was given away at MWS 26th annual general meeting held in Guwahati on Sunday. Habibur Rahman, however, returned the award amount back to MWS for using the same for humanitarian purposes. Among earlier recipients of the award are Hafiz Rashid Ahmed Choudhury (jurisprudence), Abid Raja Majumdar (literature), Ali Haidar Laskar (history), Dr Baharul Islam (academics), and Dr Md Masoom (medicine & social service).

Earlier in the first session of AGM, the general secretary of MWS, Abdul Karim Choudhury, placed before the house the annual report of the activities of the society for the year 2022–2023.

In the second session, presided over by Abdus Sattar Choudhury, president MWS, three publications of MWS were unveiled in presence of a galaxy of dignitaries including Dr Abu Saleh Nazmuddin, former health minister of Assam and KJ Hilaly, Secretary to the Govt of Assam.

Abdul Waris Chowdhury, Vice President MWS, highlighted the journey of the society and its activities since its formation in 1994.

Various competitions among children were also organised on the occasion.

The event was anchored by Dr Ferdous Ahmed Barbhuiya.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> India News / by TCN News / May 02nd, 2023

A lost gold ring and a debt paid off 55 years later

Dhaiali (Sivasagar District), ASSAM:

Former national discus throw champion Tayabun Nisha traced her childhood friend Julekha to return a gold ring the latter had lost in school back in 1967.

Tayabun Nisha (left) and Julekha
Tayabun Nisha (left) and Julekha

Guwahati :

When these two friends met after five decades, one paid off a debt never asked for and acted like the champion that she is.

Former national discus throw champion Tayabun Nisha felt heavy at the burden of an almost weightless finger ring of her friend Julekha, lost way back in 1967 at their Dhai Ali Girls’ High School in Assam’s Sivasagar.

More than 55 years later, Tayabun traced Julekha and arranged a reunion to reclaim those golden years that far outweigh the little ring. She gave her friend an envelope containing Rs 12,000 – the value of the ring.

“We were possibly students of class 7 or 8. Julekha was from an affluent family and she would come to school wearing gold jewellery. One day, she lost her finger ring in the class,” Tayabun, the first Assamese woman athlete to represent India in several international events, said recalling the incident.

“I used to go to school early to play games in the field. Those days, we had to clean our classroom. So, while cleaning it the next morning, I found the ring Julekha lost. However, I didn’t return it for the fear that I might be accused of stealing it and took it home. In due course, my father died and we faced a lot of financial difficulties. Perhaps, it was then that the ring was sold off by my family,” Tayabun said.

As time rolled by, the two friends lost contacts with each other and Tayabun landed a job in the railways in the sports quota but she was mentally disturbed all along.

“I used to think that since I cannot return that very ring to her, I will give her its value when I meet her. I thought I can expiate that way,” Tayabun, who has retired from service, said.

“But I had no idea about her whereabouts. So, I sought the help of my sister. After talking to a whole lot of people, she learnt where Julekha lives. Once I got her number, I called her up to say I would visit her. When I met her (on Tuesday), I told her everything. She initially refused to accept the value that I gave for the ring,” Tayabun said.

She said she would not have got the peace of mind if she had failed to locate Julekha and pay off the debt.

The softspoken Julekha was equally overjoyed to meet Tayabun after decades. “I feel happy that she came. I almost forgot her but she remembered me,” Julekha said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prasanta Mazumdar / Express News Service / March 24th, 2023

Edupreneur Mahbubul Hoque receives “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service -2022”

Purabgul Village (Karimgang District), ASSAM / Shillong, MEGHALAYA :

Governor of Meghalaya Shri Satya Pal Malik conferring “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service-2022” upon Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya.

Raj Bhavan, Shillong :

Acknowledging and expressing appreciation for outstanding accomplishments, the Governor of Meghalaya Shri Satya Pal Malik has conferred the highest and prestigious award, “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service-2022” upon Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya for his pioneering and outstanding contribution in the field of Higher and Technical Education, , one who established all his educational institutions mainly in rural areas of Meghalaya and Assam.

Padma Shri Ms Trinity Saioo, a school teacher who led a silent revolution mobilising more than 800 rural women to set up Self Help Groups for growing turmeric through organic farming methods, also received the Governor’s Excellence Award on the same occasion.

The conferment of the awards by the Hon’ble Governor was held yesterday evening at the Raj Bhavan Shillong in the presence of an august gathering.

Accepting the Award, Mahbubul Hoque thanked the Hon’ble Governor and the people of Meghalaya for giving him the opportunity to serve the society spreading higher and technical education as well as various outreach activities.

He recalled the cooperation extended by Late Dr Donkupar Roy, former LS Speaker and Chief Minister P. A. Sangma and the former Governor R.S. Mooshahary and overall support by the officers.

Conferring the excellence awards, the Hon’ble Governor Shri Satya Pal Malik said that Mahbubul Hoque is a visionary educationist and passionate in institution building targeting rural areas. His dedication, selfless contribution for the cause of education has created an impact in the education sector which has been observed by every person. “Shri Hoque is a passionate visionary who relentlessly works to build a self-reliant society through need-based education by establishing institutions”, he said.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Shri Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor said that this Award is the first step taken by the Meghalaya Governor’s office as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in recognizing individuals for their remarkable public service.

Born to a rural family at the remote Purabgul village in Assam’s Karimganj district, Mahbubul Hoque had a turbulent early life as he lost his parents and supportive elder brother during childhood. He had to earn by doing private tuitions and selling home grown vegetables in the local market to continue his studies. A Masters in Computer Science from the prestigious AMU, he got lucrative job offers from MNCs and IT industries of the country as well as abroad but he decided to come back to his native place with a vision and embarked on a career of educational entrepreneurship.

His humble journey began with 1 computer and 4 students from a rented room in Guwahati, with only 85 rupees in his pocket. He assembled computers and sold them in the market to earn revenue to set up a computer lab. Initially, challenge was such that even landlords were unwilling to rent him in view of his financial condition. However, his study center Central IT College became the second-best study‐center of Manipal Group in the whole country. There was no looking back.

In order to strengthen the education infrastructure of the North East, Mahbubul Hoque set up the Education, Research and Development Foundation (ERDF) in 2005 under his chairmanship. A number of pioneer educational institutions were established under ERDF umbrella catering education from KG to PG to Ph.D. through two CBSE affiliated Senior Secondary Schools, one AICTE approved Engineering College, two PCI approved Pharmacy Colleges, one BCI approved Law School, one AICTE approved Business School, one NCTE approved B. Ed. College, one Women’s College and his largest dream venture—University of Science & Technology Meghalaya where more than 5000 students are now pursuing higher education. The University has been accredited “A” Grade by NAAC in its 1st Cycle of assessment in 2021, a rare achievement. USTM is now placed among the top 200 universities of India in NIRF-2022 Ranking.

The institutions set up by him are imparting quality education to more than 10,000 students, of which 35% are from indigenous tribes, 20% belong to underprivileged backward classes and receive Free Education, 80% from rural areas, 57% are girl students. More than 1200 teaching, administrative and non-teaching staffs are working for the growth of the institutions under his dynamic leadership. One of the most important features of the university is that more than 30 community and tribe students from the whole of north eastern states are studying in the university.

A recipient of ‘Shikshacharya Award-2019’ bestowed by Asam Sahitya Sabha and many such awards for his contribution in the field of higher education including the recent Community Excellence Award to USTM by UNESCO.

Mahbubul Hoque has initiated numerous welfare activities such as Endowment Funds, Emergency Medical Assistance, Interest-Free Loans, Relief drives, Health camps, etc.

He is extremely sensitive about environmental protection and efficient use of energy which reflects in adopting Green Campus Initiative for which USTM has already received many awards under the sustainable development goals of the UN.

Under the USTM Neighbourhood Mission, various departments of USTM have adopted neighbouring villages and children from these villages are availing free and concessional education in the University. A unique initiative of Mahbubul Hoque is the introduction and implementation of the Pay Back Policy under which students who clear competitive examinations are given back their entire course fee.

The future roadmap of USTM encompasses Research and Extension activities focussing on rural education and achieving its Milestones. He has set up Milestones to make USTM a World Class university by 2030 facilitating the state of Meghalaya as a global education destination by attracting students and scholars from across the world and nurturing local youths creating a global community. His current dream project is a Medical College and Hospital in Meghalaya with cutting edge research facilities. Establishing a women’s university in his native place Karimganj is another dream project submitted to Govt of Assam for enactment.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Network / August 27th, 2022