Jhajha Block (Jamui District), BIHAR :

Patna / New Delhi :

In a small village under Jhajha block of Jamui district in Bihar, a man who earns his livelihood repairing punctured tyres has built a concrete bridge using his own savings and community support — in memory of his late mother.

Sarfaraz Ansari, who runs a modest puncture repair shop and struggles to support his family, constructed the bridge over a river that once claimed his mother’s life. The structure is expected to benefit nearly 40 villages in the surrounding area.

The story dates back to 2019, when Sarfaraz’s mother fell seriously ill during the monsoon. The village had no proper bridge connecting it to the main road and nearby market, and the river was swollen due to heavy rains.

Sarfaraz had to carry his ailing mother across the overflowing river to reach a hospital. The journey was dangerous and exhausting. By the time they managed to access medical care, she had passed away.

He believes that had there been a bridge and quicker access to treatment, her life might have been saved.

“Since that day, I felt that the river took my mother away from me,” Sarfaraz said. “I kept thinking that no other son should suffer like this.”

After her death, he resolved to build a bridge so that no one would have to risk their life crossing the river again, especially in emergencies.

Despite limited financial means, he began setting aside small amounts from his daily earnings at the puncture shop. Over time, his savings grew.

When he shared his plan with villagers, they supported the idea and contributed funds and voluntary labour. The bridge was built entirely without government assistance.

The structure measures approximately 25 feet in length, 13 feet in width and 8 feet in height. According to residents, it will directly benefit people from around 40 villages.

Earlier, during the rainy season, residents had to travel several extra kilometres to reach the town. Many risked their lives attempting to cross the river. Children struggled to attend school, farmers faced difficulty transporting produce to markets, and patients often experienced delays in reaching hospitals.

With the bridge now in place, daily life is expected to improve significantly.

“For years, we demanded a bridge. We never imagined it would be built by one of our own,” a local resident said. “Sarfaraz has done what even the authorities could not.”

Another villager added, “During the monsoon, we feared the river. Now we feel safe.”

Local representatives and officials have also praised the effort. One official described it as “an inspiring example of community initiative and determination.”

Sarfaraz, however, remains humble.

“I am not a big man,” he said. “But a person should have a big heart. I still feel the pain of losing my mother, but I find peace knowing that no other mother or daughter will have to face what mine faced.”

“For the world, this may be just a bridge made of cement and iron rods,” he added. “For me, it is a dream fulfilled. I saved little by little, and with the villagers’ support, we built this bridge. Seeing people benefit from it is my greatest happiness.”

For many in Jamui, the bridge is more than infrastructure. It stands as a symbol of determination, grief transformed into action, and the power of one individual to change the lives of thousands.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslim / by Team Clarion / February 28th, 2026

Cumbum (Theni District), TAMIL NADU :

Cumbum:

In an era where charitable acts are often measured by the length of a queue or the flash of a camera, a quiet revolution of compassion has been unfolding in the streets of Cumbum. For over a decade, the local unit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) has chosen a path less travelled: bringing relief not to a distribution centre, but directly to the doorsteps of those in need.

On Tuesday, this mission reached a new milestone as volunteers navigated the town’s lanes to deliver essential ration kits to 120 underprivileged families. The initiative, now in its 13th consecutive year, is built on a foundation of Dignified Giving, ensuring that the recipients never have to experience the vulnerability of standing in a public line for their daily bread.

The intervention is far from symbolic. Each kit is a meticulously curated package of 10 essential commodities, including staples like rice, pulses, cooking oil, sugar, and tamarind. These kits are designed to provide a nutritional safety net for families struggling against the tide of rising costs.

“Our philosophy is simple: no one in our vicinity should go to bed hungry,” says Sheikh Muhammad Rafi, head of the Social Service Wing. “By taking the kits to their homes, we preserve their self-respect. It is not an act of pity; it is an act of brotherhood.”

The initiative draws its strength from the Islamic principle of Zakat. Ghaus Khan, District President of JIH South Markapuram, explains that this is a structured social responsibility rather than a random act of kindness.

“The Qur’anic injunction to ‘establish prayer and give Zakat’ is a call to bridge the gap between the haves and the have-nots,” Mr. Khan notes. “The mandatory 2.5% contribution from one’s annual savings is a powerful tool for social equity. It belongs to the poor by right, not by favour.”

The programme’s longevity is a testament to the seamless collaboration between the local diaspora and residents. This year’s efforts saw participation from diverse quarters, including Zainul Abideen, an NRI from Kenya, and Syed Abdul Jaleel, Secretary of the Mandal Consumers Association.

The youth wing, Students Islamic Organisation (SIO), led by Cumbum President Waseem Akram and Secretary Abu Bakar Siddiq, provided the logistical muscle for the door-to-door distribution. The event concluded with a prayer by Mufti Yasin Saab, who sought continued strength for the community’s philanthropic endeavours.

As the sun set over Cumbum on Tuesday, 120 hearths were lit with a little more ease – not just because of the rations provided, but because of the grace with which they were delivered.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Muhammad Gouse Khan / March 05th, 2026

Pune, MAHARASHTRA :

Abrar Aland

Abrar Aland, a resident of Ramwadi in Kalamb, Pune, Maharashtra, has fulfilled his father’s dreams by clearing the tough exam and becoming a Chartered Accountant at the age of 23.

His father, who sold fruit in the weekly market of the Walchandnagar area in Pune, was keen that his son should hold a good position in society.

Chartered Accountant (CA), awarded by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) after enrolled candidates clear a three-level examination (Foundation, Intermediate, Final) and complete practical articleship. While not a traditional academic degree, the UGC recognises the CA qualification as equivalent to a postgraduate degree.

Abrar Aland’s father, Ayub Jungbahadur Aland, manages the family with his income from selling fruit in the weekly market.

Growing up in ordinary circumstances, Abrar had harboured the dream of becoming a CA right from the beginning. To fulfil this dream, he worked hard by studying for ten to twelve hours every day.

Abrar told Awaz-The Voice, “Since childhood, I wanted to become a Chartered Accountant. This thought came to my mind when I was in the seventh or eighth grade. At that time, my cousin was pursuing CA, and taking inspiration from him, I also decided to choose this path.

Abrar Aland with his family

Abrar went to school in Walchandnagar. For his eleventh and twelfth-grade education in the commerce stream, he joined the BMCC College in Pune city. He completed his B.Com education at MMCC College in Pune.

 He passed the CA Foundation exam in November 2020. After that, he passed the Intermediate exam in May 2022. Later, he passed the first group of the CA Final in the year 2025 and, by passing the second group in January 2026, he finally realised his dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant.

Speaking about his exam preparation, Abrar said, “Immediately after the HSC exams were over, I joined classes for CA Foundation and began my preparation. Since it was the COVID time, I was studying from home, and my exam was in December 2020. I passed the CA Foundation in my very first attempt with a score of 257/400.”

He further said, “After taking a two-week break, I started classes for CA Intermediate in Pune. But due to the second wave of COVID in 2021, classes went online again, and I returned home to prepare, but I did not achieve success at that time. Then, without waiting for the results, I started studying again. I got the fruits of this hard work in May 2022, when I passed both groups of CA Intermediate with a score of 411/800.”

Abrar shared that he received invaluable guidance from his parents, siblings, teachers, and. He also mentioned that getting various training facilities like computer skills, communication skills, skill development, and expert guidance through the Pune branch of The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) was highly beneficial.

Abrar said, “After passing CA Intermediate, I gained practical work experience in all important areas of the CA field for three years. My final CA attempt was in May 2025. Therefore, I took a study leave from the office in December 2024 and started preparing. At that time, my mother and sister decided to come and live in Pune to help me with my studies, so that I could get home-cooked meals and emotional support. My father could not come to Pune due to his work, but he used to come to visit us occasionally. During that period, he was living alone, and the three of us were living in Pune.”

The result of the Chartered Accountant exam, considered to be extremely tough in the country, was declared on March 1, 2026. Abrar Aland cleared the level.

Abrar says, “When the result was declared, I got a call from my brother Waseem Aland, and he happily said, ‘Hello CA Abrar Ayub Aland, you have passed!’ My joy at that moment could not be put into words.”

Speaking about that special day, Abrar said, “Since Ramadan was going on the day of the result, we were all fasting, and the result came around 6:30 PM, which was close to Iftar time. The joy was so immense that my family and relatives started sharing the news of my success everywhere. In that joy, they even forgot to complete their Iftar properly.”

Abrar Aland’s cousin, Waseem Aland, is also a Chartered Accountant. Meanwhile, his other cousin, Azam Aland, is working as a Police Sub-Inspector (PSI).

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Aamin Shaikh, Pune / March 14th, 2026

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Prof. Zakia Athar Siddiqi

Prof. Zakia Athar Siddiqi, former Principal of Women’s College of AMU and Officer on Special Duty at Aligarh Public School, exemplifies an ideal of educational leadership that is founded on integrity, discipline and vision. In her first year as Principal in 2006, Prof. Siddiqi led the institution through a successful revitalization, stabilization and development process. More than anything, Prof. Siddiqi stands out from other educational leaders by being a true volunteer leader—she has never financially benefited from her service at either school. For example, she did not take advantage of school transportation nor receive housing at either institution. Rather, her contributions to both institutions are more about commitment than they are about convenience.

When Prof. Siddiqi began as Principal in 2006, the academic results of the school were troubling. About 40% to 50% of students passed the High School examination. Within a few years, due to consistent planning for academic improvement and appropriate reforms, student results improved significantly. Since 2007, the school’s pass rate has consistently increased to 90% to 95%, and has achieved a 100% pass rate on a number of occasions; multiple students have passed with distinct grades for many subjects. The evolution of these outcomes did not occur by chance; they resulted from an intentional focus on teacher preparation, educator accountability, and student support programs.

Academic upliftment was the primary focus of her leadership in revamping the institution. Classrooms were well-structured; lessons were planned systematically; and student performance was monitored transparently. The teachers were encouraged to implement more effective pedagogical strategies so that all students not only passed their tests but also developed confidence through conceptual clarity. In a time when high-quality education often comes at a high cost, APS has been able to keep a low fee structure during her tenure as head of the institution. This has enabled families in the Aligarh area to obtain quality schooling without having to worry about financial burden. Education was a right, rather than a privilege, under her leadership; she ensured that the institution’s social character was preserved while strengthening its academic stature.

The extent of her concern for inclusion is evidenced by her provision of significant financial assistance via freeships to students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. In just the 2025-26 academic year, she provided Rs 17,000,000 in assistance to students. While this is just a number, for hundreds of families, it represents their ability for their children to continue their education without interruption. This reinforces the idea that APS is truly an academic institution and a socially responsible one.

The way that Prof. Siddiqi has led staff welfare also brought dignity and structure to it. When she took charge, she implemented a formal salary scale and created a systematic way to increase salaries according to the U.P. Government’s pay scales for teachers and staff where applicable. There were regular salary increases for all staff and teachers that used a process that was transparent. This created motivation, consistency and loyalty to the institution for the staff. The way that a school will develop is by ensuring that its teachers believe they are valued and feel safe.

Under her leadership, administrative reforms led to an increase in transparency. This included modernising the record keeping systems, streamlining work processes, and making information easily accessible. Institutional discipline improved while not creating rigidity. Transparency became a signature of the APS administration providing trust between the parent body, the staff and governing bodies.

Under her leadership, infrastructure development has been another mainstay. The construction of a new hall complex that is fully air-conditioned and has other modern features was completed in 2015, giving the school an enhanced ability to host both academic and cultural events. In 2020, four additional classrooms with modern furniture were added to assist with the increase in enrolment. Both of these projects enhanced the amount of space available for additional academic related usage and were not just cosmetic upgrades to the school.

Serious attention was focused on security and preparedness with the installation of CCTV surveillance systems throughout the campus in 2017 to help keep students and staff safe. A Renault Triber vehicle was purchased to help respond to emergencies and to safely transport employees when necessary. These types of measures demonstrate a style of leadership that looks at anticipated challenges instead of merely reacting to them.

The development of an all-new computer laboratory under the SAFAL Project of the Ministry of HRD provided yet another addition to APS’s academic framework. The laboratory has been outfitted with updated technology that will help support competency-based learning and diagnostic assessment. The SAFAL initiative has been designed to help schools track and measure how students learn, as well as to modify and enhance their overall instructional strategy. By providing progressive initiatives such as this, Prof. Siddiqi is able to align APS with national educational reform efforts.

The school’s financial transformation likely represents the best example of how Prof. Siddiqi has fulfilled her role as an educational leader. When she assumed control of the school in 2006, the school had approximately one crore rupees available in the corpus. By 2025, that corpus had expanded to ten crores. This significant increase in the school’s finances was accompanied by significant expansion of the school’s physical infrastructure, increased salaries for employees, and increased amount of financial assistance provided to low-income families. The financial consolidation that occurred during this time frame is a reflection of strong financial management, transparency, and long-term planning. A growing corpus provides all financial stakeholders with confidence that their respective financial contributions to the school are being utilized in a responsible manner, as well as allowing them to feel secure in their respective long-term commitments to the school.

Her ongoing ability to provide continuity during periods of administrative change reinforces her professionalism in a variety of environments. She has worked under numerous vice chancellor ships since commencing work at Aligarh Muslim University, including those of Mr Naseem Ahmad (IAS), Professor P.K. Abdul Aziz, Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah and Professor Tariq Mansoor. Continuing in a prominent role during all of these administrations demonstrates the level of trust within the organisation to her competence and integrity.

She has received recognition for her contributions to education at the national level as evidenced by numerous awards that include the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Award (2025), the Women Icon Award (2024), the A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award (2024), the Bharat Leader Award (2024), the Lifetime Achievement Award (2023 – by the Government of Maharashtra), the Best Principal Award (2018 – by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

Today, Aligarh Public School is exemplary in its academic performance, transparent administration, social equity, and ability to carry on financially. The way APS grew from those early days of little student success, minimal resources to now being so strongly and consistently successful, is directly attributed to the incredible leadership of Prof. Zakia Athar Siddiqi. Thousands of students and families she impacted or touched throughout this development have had irrevocably changed futures as a result of her quietly powerful work. Her service has demonstrated that visionary leadership combined with integrity and compassion can create a transformation in an institution. As a result of her devoted efforts, APS has become a stronger institution and has reaffirmed the importance of education as a vehicle for social progress and national development.

***

( Author is Writer, Donor Member of AMU & Director of Media Centre at Aligarh. Email: nikhatoffice@gmail.com )

source : http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Nikhat Parveen / March 10th, 2026