Do it again and again. Consistency makes the raindrops create holes in the rock. Whatever is difficult can be done easily with regular attendance, attention, and action. Perhaps imbibed by the words of Israelmore Ayivor, an inspirational writer, blogger and LifeSkills Entrepreneur, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed from Yavatmal in Maharashtra created a record of sorts to become the first female Muslim IAS officer after successfully clearing the civil services with All India Rank 142.
The success saga of Adeeba only proves the awareness shown by Muslim girls to take up civil services exams breaking the barriers.
On cloud nine are Adeeba’s parents, relatives, friends and more particularly her teachers on seeing her victory after three failures. She came out with flying colours in her fourth attempt after getting the necessary guidance and coaching from Jamia Millia Residential Coaching Academy in Delhi.
Can’t imagine a girl hailing from a parched and drought-prone Yavatmal district bringing glory to her native. All because of her patience and consistency as to the quote of American business honcho Robert Kiyosaki – “Successful people don’t fear failure but understand that it’s necessary to learn and grow from.” It is learnt that Maharashtra hardly witnessed any female Muslim IAS officers in the last one decade or so.
Kudos to her dad Ashfaq Ahmed, an auto driver, who despite financial constraints strained his nerves to make his daughter’s civil service dream a reality. Of course, her mom and uncle were very supportive in ensuring she achieved her IAS after successive failures. Adeeba started her early education at Zafarnagar Zilla Parishad Urdu Primary School, where she studied from Class 1 to Class 7. Thereafter, she finished schooling from Class 8 to 10 at Zilla Parishad Government Girls High School. And she completed her 11th and 12th grades at Zilla Parishad Ex-Government College in Yavatmal.
Armed with BSc Mathematics from Inamdar Senior College in Pune, she joined a coaching academy in Pune to take UPSC foundation classes based on the advice of her maternal uncle Jan Nizamuddin Sahib, who works as secretary at Seva NGO.
She got interested after meeting a few IAS officers and was determined to become an IAS. The road to civil services wasn’t smooth for her as she faced many obstacles. However, she was firm and worked relentlessly to taste success.
Noteworthy to mention that her dad Ashfaq Ahmed dropped out of school after tenth standard due to family circumstances. But decided not to let her daughter face the same fate, left no stone unturned and encouraged Adeeba to do her UG. Right from her school days, she had a fascination for civil services inspired by the young IAS officers’ remarkable feat through newspapers. Since then, she has been working towards her civil service dream.
In an interview to a local television channel, she is reported to have said that studying isn’t easy, especially for girls in patriarchal communities like Muslim, but her parents stood by her. She expressed her gratitude to mom, who extended support for her in her endeavours. The community was against girls pursuing higher studies, but her dad told her not to worry about society, and focus on her goal.
It is interesting to infer that she chose Urdu Literature as her optional subject despite having a science background. However, she displayed her prowess in clearing the civil services with confidence. A total of 32 candidates from Jamia Millia Islamia and 3 from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) have figured in the UPSC Civil Services 2024 Merit List. Of the 1009 candidates selected, only two Muslim candidates figured in the top 100.
She said that IAS is the first step to serve the society and added that her area of interest is to work for the underprivileged, more specifically girls. And she wanted to contribute to the education and health sector as a civil servant. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) RCAs are renowned academies in the field of coaching students for Civil Services. They provide free coaching and training for preparing for the Civil Services Examination for candidates from SC, ST, Women, and Minority communities.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Markers of Excellence / by M Rafi Ahmed, Radiance News Bureau / April 28th, 2025
Turning aspirations into achievements, the Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) university’s Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) has once again proven to be a beacon of hope for civil service aspirants as a total of 32 students trained there have cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination 2024, one of the most competitive exams in the country.
Of the 78 candidates from the RCA who reached the interview stage, 32 made it to the final selection list, according to a statement issued by the JMI.
Twelve among them are women, reflecting the RCA’s strong emphasis on inclusive and gender-responsive education, the statement said.
Alfred Thomas emerged as the academy’s top performer this year with an All India Rank (AIR) of 33. He was followed by Iram Choudhary (AIR 40) and Ruchika Jha (AIR 51), all of whom have earned praise for their inspiring journeys.
Speaking exclusively to PTI, Jha said, “The Jamia Millia Islamia RCA gave me a healthy competitive environment to push myself to work hard. The peer group I got here kept me motivated through tough times. The JMI RCA has played a crucial role in my UPSC-CSE journey.” She added that service allocation is expected in the next four to five months and her first preference is the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) in the AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre.
Several of the selected candidates are likely to be inducted into top services like the IAS and Indian Police Service (IPS), while others will join the India Revenue Service (IRS), Audit and Accounts, Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) and other Group-A services based on their ranks and preferences.
Celebrating the achievement, JMI Vice Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif said, “This result is a matter of great pride. The RCA continues to uphold its mission of empowering students from socially- and economically-disadvantaged backgrounds. The performance of our women candidates particularly underscores the potential of inclusive education.”
Registrar Professor Mohammad Mahtab Alam Rizvi said, “These results are a reflection of the academy’s rigorous preparation model and the unwavering determination of our students. The RCA has built an environment of excellence that consistently delivers.”
Professor Samina Bano, the in-charge of the RCA, was praised for her personalised mentorship and hands-on guidance, which played a crucial role in this year’s success.
Established in 2010 under the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) initiative, the RCA operates through the university’s Centre for Coaching and Career Planning (CC&CP). It offers free coaching and residential facilities to candidates from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, minority communities and women. Admission is based on a national-level written test, followed by interviews.
The academy’s legacy includes Shruti Sharma, the UPSC topper of 2021. Since its inception, the RCA has helped nearly 300 students enter elite services such as the IAS, IPS and Indian Foreign Service (IFS), while more than 300 others have joined services like CAPF, IB, RBI, Bank PO and various state PSCs.
According to the statement, the RCA’s structured programme includes more than 500 hours of classes, mock interviews, special sessions with retired civil servants and experts, and mentorship by successful alumni. It also provides round-the-clock library access, free Wi-Fi and secure residential facilities.
The Civil Services Examination is conducted in three stages — preliminary, mains and interview — to select officers for the IAS, IFS, IPS and other central services.
The preliminary exam was held on June 16, 2024, with 9,92,599 candidates applying and 5,83,213 appearing. A total of 14,627 candidates qualified for the main exam held in September and 2,845 reached the interview stage that was conducted from January 7 to April 17, 2025.
This year, the UPSC has recommended 1,009 candidates — 725 men and 284 women — for appointment to various services.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by PTI / Tarique Anwar / April 24th, 2025
The Hyderabad Institute of Excellence (HIE) has once again proven its academic prowess with an impressive performance in the IIT-JEE Mains 2025. Around 85% of the students from the institute’s prestigious ‘Super 40’ batch have qualified for the IIT-JEE Advanced 2025, reported the Siasat.
Among the top achievers, Mohammed Aman Mustafa Khan stood out by securing an outstanding 99.831 percentile, earning him an All India Rank (AIR) of 244 in the IIT-JEE Mains 2025.
The HIE, a residential junior college known for its 100% success rate in intermediate examinations, offers a focused academic environment for students aiming for careers in engineering, medicine, or defense through the NDA. Situated on a sprawling 115-acre campus, the institute boasts world-class facilities including international-standard sports infrastructure, a gym, swimming pool, horse riding tracks, and more.
The remarkable results this year are a testament to the institute’s dedicated mentoring and comprehensive academic strategy.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau (headline edited) / April 20th, 2025
Toiyeb has been officially recognized as the State Topper of Jammu & Kashmir, with his name listed on the JEE website’s official state toppers list.
Kashmir’s first-ever historic feat: RISE student secures All India Rank 152 in JEE Main 2025
Srinagar :
In a monumental academic breakthrough for Jammu & Kashmir, Toiyeb Ashiq, a student of RISE, has scripted history by securing All India Rank 152 in JEE Main 2025. This is the highest rank ever achieved by any student from Kashmir in the prestigious national-level engineering entrance exam — a moment of immense pride for the region and a landmark achievement in Kashmir’s academic journey.
In addition to his outstanding overall rank, Toiyeb has been officially recognized as the State Topper of Jammu & Kashmir, with his name listed on the JEE website’s official state toppers list. What makes this feat even more remarkable is that he also scored a perfect 100 out of 100 in Mathematics, a testament to his exceptional analytical skills and deep conceptual understanding. This likely places him among the top scorers in the subject across the entire country.
Toiyeb’s journey with RISE began in Class 10, when he joined the institute’s intensive three-year program. His academic brilliance shone through early on when he emerged as the CBSE Class 10 Board Topper in 2023. Since then, he has shown unwavering commitment to academic excellence, combining intelligence with hard work, and ambition with humility.
RISEis an educational institution based in Srinagar with a mission to uplift the academic aspirations of Kashmiri youth founded by three IITians Mubeen Masudi, Imbesat Ahmad and Salman Shahid. What started as a modest initiative has now become a powerhouse of talent development — producing IITians, doctors, and scholars. RISE has played a pivotal role in transforming the academic landscape of the Valley by providing top-quality coaching, mentorship, and exposure to national-level opportunities.
Despite the overwhelming praise and admiration pouring in, Toiyeb remains remarkably grounded and laser-focused on his next goal. “I am happy, but this is just a step,” he said modestly after the results. “My full focus is on the JEE Advanced exam coming next month.”
His mentors at RISE believe that this is just the beginning of his journey.
Salman Shahid, Co-founder of RISE, and a graduate from IIT Kharagpur said, “Toiyeb’s achievement is not just a rank — it is a message to every student in Kashmir that with hard work, the right guidance, and belief in yourself, nothing is impossible. He represents the future we believe in: brilliant, hardworking Kashmiri youth reaching the highest levels of academic success. This is a historic moment not just for RISE, but for the entire Valley.”
This achievement is not only a personal milestone for Toiyeb, but a defining moment for the entire education community in Jammu & Kashmir. It signals a shift — from limited access and opportunity to national-level competitiveness and success.
source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir / Home> Education / by GK Web Desk / April 19th, 2025
Dr. Vakeel Ahmad Khan, Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Aligarh Muslim University, has been awarded “Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Outstanding Educator Award 2025” under the International EARG Awards 2025 in recognition of his contributions to teaching and research.
The Entrepreneurs, Academicians, and Researchers Guild (EARG) organized this award, with the 2025 edition hosted by the MathTech Thinking Foundation, an international association of STEM professionals based in Fazilka, Punjab, in collaboration with the Sharda University, Greater Noida.
Dr. Khan has authored two textbooks, Basics of Functional Analysis and Basics of Differential Equations, and published 188 research papers in reputed international journals.
He is also associated with Mathematical Reviews USA as a reviewer.
source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) / Home> News / by Public Relations Office, AMU / March 03rd, 2025
Simrah Mir, a Kashmiri student, beat the odds to score 99.39 percentile in JEE Mains, inspiring countless students.
Simrah Mir, a JEE topper from Kashmir. | Photo by Special Arrangement
She comes from a region where resilience is a way of life. When Simrah spoke over the phone, her voice exuded conviction which only comes with a sense of achievement.
“At one point, I felt like giving up,” she began. Yet even her recall of desperation was in an unwavering tone.
Hailing from Kashmir’s Pulwama, a town often making the headlines for more negative than positive news, Simrah Mir has given a reason for the region to shine bright. Defying all odds stacked up against her, this young woman has brought immense joy and pride to the valley by scoring 99.39 percentile in the recently concluded JEE Mains this year.
Simrah’s is not just a personal victory but may well be an inspiration for countless students across Kashmir. Simrah, a student of a local government school, attended RISE coaching classes in Srinagar for JEE.
RISE is a coaching institute in Srinagar started by three former IITians: Salman Shahid and Imbesat Ahmad, both alumni of IIT Kharagpur, and Mubeen Masudi of IIT Bombay. Mubeen is a Kashmiri, says Mr. Shahid. “We started our institute in 2015 since we wanted to do something for Kashmir. When we started out, only a handful enrolled in our classes. Today, every year, some three to four students from our institute go to IIT and 70 to 80 students go to NIT. Twenty percent of these students are girls,” says Mr Shahid.
In an interview with The Hindu, Simrah spoke about her challenges, triumphs, and her fresh optimism for the road ahead.
She says: “At times, there were internet shutdowns, and many times it was a fearful environment at my hometown. My parents sheltered me from everything, even from what happening around our near vicinity. Then I moved to Srinagar. It was difficult to travel up and down daily from Pulwama every day for the coaching classes. It’s a long distance.”
Unlike many students who set their sights on JEE early on, Simrah’s decision to pursue engineering evolved over time. “It was a big step. Initially, I didn’t know much about JEE. I joined the RISE Institute, and there I got to know about the exam and started looking at engineering as a career. Later, I faced difficulties in my preparation. I felt like giving up, but my parents constantly supported and motivated me,” she continued.
What kept you motivated? What were the reactions of your parents, friends, and teachers to your preparations?
Initially, when I was searching for an interest, my parents and relatives were pushing me towards medicine. I didn’t like Biology and I’m not interested in Medicine. From an early age, I was interested in Physics and Mathematics; I wanted to know about the subjects. I studied by myself. I used to read books other than my textbooks. Physics and Maths interested me.
Later on, I decided that it is a stream for me. I decided I had to take Mathematics and Physics as a career.
Any obstacles or resistance you came across while preparing for JEE? Did you ever think about what would happen if you didn’t get selected?
There were definitely moments of doubt. And I used to have them often. As I said, I felt like giving up. JEE is a tough exam. I did think about what would happen if I didn’t get selected. But every time I felt low, my parents supported me. That helped me stay focused and push through the tough times.
I recently spoke to some people in Assam and learned that language, infrastructure, and cultural barriers can be obstacles in education. Did you face any challenges like that?
Shifting to Srinagar was a big deal for me. I’m from Pulwama, and it was getting difficult. There were no coaching classes specifically for JEE preparations
I did think of going to Delhi or another State initially because there are good institutes there. But then I realised it might not be beneficial for me. I have never lived alone, and I felt like I should be close to my parents.
In Kashmir, students usually prefer medicine and becoming doctors, especially girls. It’s rare for a girl to take engineering as a career.
Did your school play any role in your success? Did they provide career counselling or extra classes for JEE aspirants?
There was enough career counselling but no extra classes specifically for JEE aspirants. Most students in my school focused on board exams.
Nobody actually introduced the subject to me. I was inquisitive. There were some other students too who were genuinely interested to study and were inquisitive like me.
Which branch of engineering attracts you the most? And why? And have you thought about any specific college you would like to join?
I have not thought about it. Of course, I want to go to the best college. I want to go to IIT.
Personally, I want to take Computer Science Engineering, but I don’t know exactly what will happen in the future. I haven’t researched much yet. It also depends on my rank and how I perform in the JEE Advanced exam.
What do you wish to become eventually?
As of now, my goal is to pursue Computer Science Engineering. I would see where my passion takes me eventually.
What advice and tips you would want to give to JEE aspirants from your region?
In Kashmir, many students, especially girls, hesitate to choose engineering because it’s not the common path. But if you genuinely enjoy Mathematics and Physics, you should give it a chance. It’s important to be practical.
JEE is tough, and there will be challenges. But if you take it step by step and stay disciplined, you can do it.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Education / by Mantasha Ahmed / February 15th, 2025
Inauguration of the New Batch at Noori Academy, Malegaon
Malegaon:
Noori Academy, a beacon of knowledge, continues its academic journey under the leadership of Dr. Ataur Rahman Noori. On January 28, 2025, after Maghrib prayers, the inaugural session of the UGC NET June 2025 batch was held at the academy’s headquarters with great enthusiasm. The event witnessed the participation of distinguished educationists, researchers, and scholars, while thousands of students from across India watched it live.
Noori Academy is not just an educational institution but a stronghold for the promotion of Urdu language and literature. Over the years, it has helped more than 500 students clear UGC NET, State SET, PhD entrance, and assistant professor exams, significantly contributing to Urdu research and teaching.
The session began with Quranic recitation, followed by speeches from eminent scholars. Mufti Mujeeb Sir highlighted the academy’s exceptional results, urging students to seize this opportunity. Linguist Saleem Shehzad spoke on modern and postmodern literary discourse, while Dr. Muhammad Husain Mushahid Rizvi called Noori Academy a guiding light for Urdu education.
Dr. Ataur Rahman Noori emphasized the academy’s mission, showcasing its success in both traditional and digital platforms. With 8 million+ YouTube views and a thriving mobile app, Noori Academy continues to shape the future of Urdu education.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / February 05th, 2025
As part of its educational initiatives, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Pune City has started a study center for students and youth in Sai Baba Nagar, Kondhwa. Given the large number of students in need in this area, the center will serve as a valuable facility for those seeking a peaceful environment for studying.
Speaking at the inauguration, the President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Pune City, Tajammul Khan, stated “Jamaat has been actively supporting the educational progress of students and youth since its inception. He highlighted that various initiatives such as career guidance, exam preparation, motivational programs, and scholarships are already being conducted under the organization’s banner, and this new study center is an extension of those efforts. The area houses several schools, tuition centers, and students who lack a conducive environment for academic pursuits. Through this study center, an additional effort will be made to have educational mentors available periodically to guide and assist students in their studies. Furthermore, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is committed to providing educational facilities to other students in need across the city, whether through scholarships, distribution of educational kits, or the establishment of study centers and mentorship programs. JIH has already been providing computer and teaching facilities in several schools to promote quality education.”
The inauguration ceremony was attended by local dignitaries, school administrators, and education professionals, who appreciated the efforts of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in supporting the academic development of students.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / February 10th, 2025
A Mosque Study Center was inaugurated in Taj Enclave, Northeast Delhi, with the support of the Shaheen Group. The center aims to provide both religious education and academic coaching for medical, engineering, and competitive exams.
During the event, Faisal Falahi, Director of Shaheen Academy Delhi, introduced the Shaheen Group, highlighting that approximately 35,000 students are currently enrolled in its institutions, where they receive not only general education but also specialized coaching for NEET and engineering entrance exams. He emphasized that the new study center aligns with this vision.
Advocate Feroz Ahmed, President of All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, underscored the importance of education, citing former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam as an inspiration for students from underprivileged backgrounds. He stressed the need for initiatives like those led by Dr. Abdul Qadeer in the current educational landscape.
Mufti Adil Jamal Nadvi emphasized the necessity of combining religious and worldly education, while former Secretary of the Maulana Azad Foundation, Rizwan-ur-Rahman, highlighted the importance of counseling to help school dropouts return to education.
Dr. Khwaja Shahid, President of the All India Educational Movement (AIEM), shared his long-standing association with Shaheen Group and its founder, Dr. Qadeer. He referred to such study centers as “academic ICUs” for students struggling with education. The center was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Shahid and Advocate Feroz Ahmed.
Before the inauguration, AIEM General Secretary and former President of the Taj Society, Abdul Rashid, expressed gratitude to Shaheen Group and Dr. Qadeer for their support in establishing the center. The event was presided over by Faisal Faridi, President of Taj Society, and conducted by Nasir Aziz. The vote of thanks was delivered by the society’s secretary, Javed Hasan Khan.
The ceremony witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Supreme Court Advocate-on-Record Aslam Ahmed, former DSP Mohammad Akhtar, Ilyas Saifi, Dr. Idris Qureshi (President, Mushawarat Delhi), and a large number of attendees.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / February 03rd, 2025
Zillur Rahman, a professor, poet and hakim, has established a museum-cum-library in Aligarh to preserve books and artefacts that tell the story of Delhi of yore.
PIONEER: A bust of Ibn Sina, a physician and philosopher, who lived over a thousand years ago, at the Ibn Sina Academy in Aligarh
Nestled in the heart of the city of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, is Ibn Sina Academy of Medieval Medicine and Sciences, named after famous scholar of philosophy and medicine Abu Ali Ibn Sina (980 -1037), who lived over a thousand years ago.
Located at Tijara House, the non-profit, non-government and non-political academy was established in the year 2000 by Professor Syed Hakim Zillur Rahman, an academic and a litterateur from Aligarh.
A one of its kind museum and library, it was aimed at encouraging and promoting researches and studies in medieval sciences, especially Ibn-Sina’s, as well as arts, culture, poetry among other subjects.
Notably, Ministry of Ayush, Government of India gave accreditation to the academy in 2004 and promoted it as a Centre of Excellence in 2008. The professor had a mammoth personal library that he had established in 1960s. After Ibn Sina Academy was born, the library became a part of it.
The specialty of this museum lies in its varied collection that includes sofas, crockery, jewels, armours, stamps, mirrors, outfits of princesses, queens and kings as well as turbans worn during battles by historical legends.
The Zillur Rahman Library houses 32,000 rare books and magazines, 1,100 manuscripts apart from paintings, sketches, citations, artefacts and much more.
RARE: A collection of books on Delhi
The Delhi connection
There are 7,500 books on Delhi of yore in the library, including on poet Iqbal, dictionaries as old as 150 years, authentic diwaan on Ameer Khusrau, books dating back to 1893, on and by the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, British Raj–Victorian Era with pictures in lithographs and more.
But considering Delhi is dry without the ‘zikr’ (mention) of the poetic legacy of Asadullah Khan ‘Ghalib’, the library has dedicated a special space for the poet: “Ghalib Study Centre”.
A galaxy in itself, this part has 1,350 rare books in Urdu, Persian, English and Hindi on Ghalib apart from several special issues in different magazines (called risala in Urdu) which are now available only in this museum.
For instance, an important old publication called Sooraj (meaning sun) had special Ghalib edition.
One of the books has illustrations of most of the ghazals he had penned, while in his own Deewan (collection of his authentic shayri) there, Ghalib’s original ghazals had no pictures or illustrations.
MASTERPIECE: The translation of the book written by Hakim Zillur Rahman
One of the most important collections here is a book by renowned author Shakeel ur Rahman called Mirza Ghalib aur Mughaliyaat, which has illustrations from Muraqqa-i-Chughtai, an illustrated selection of Ghalib’s work by AR Chughtai, a renowned artist of early last century. The illustrations are based on an important topic or issue that the poet raised in his couplet (sher).
Rare books with names like Jihad-e-Ghalib, Ghalib Satrung, Soz-e-Ghalib, his letters in Persian and many more ornate the archive.
Additionally, a book called Naqsh-e-Rung from Pakistan which was brought to India by scholar Urdu litterateur and poet professor (late) Shamsur Rehman Farooqui enriches the book shelves.
Tehqeeq-nama Ghalib, Ghalib’s ghazal in Persian called Ghazaliayat-e-Farsi, Ghalib, few rare and special issues of magazines like Shama, Nuqoosh, Hunoon, Taar-e-Nau, film magazines, Al-Ilm, Shayar, Kaarvaan with special edition on Ghalib are the other charms.
A rare pocket-sized edition on Ghalib is a popular one.
Travels to Delhi
Another section on Delhi consists of travels and trips done in Delhi by the authors, travellers and poets of old times. Rare books like Safarnama Dehli and Sair-ul-Manazir provide an inside view of Delhi in the 18th century.
LEGEND: Bust of a renowned Indian physician Charaka at the academy in a section dedicated to physicians and medicinal plants
Also, over 200 rare books on Delhi’s poets (shayars) in Urdu and important personalities form another gallery here. For instance, there is Aslam Parvez’s award-winning book on Bahadur Shah Zafar, and his another one called Meri Dilli. There is also a book on Hamare Zamane Ki Dehli, Charagh-e-Dilli, Dilli Wale by famous author Salauddin, Aalam mein intekhab-e-Delhi among others.
Rare and significant books on personalities include those on Hakim Ajmal Khan, Sir Ross Masood, former India President Zakir Hussain, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, Raja Mahendra Pratap and many more.
An entire unit is also devoted to all the journals that came out of Delhi during the War for Independence “and those from late 17th century to beginning of 19th century. The Delhi College was established in 1824, with it, all these journals rose to a great height. These form an enticing collection in the museum,” apprises Aftab Najmi, the coordinator and convener at Ibn Sina Academy.
On enquiring why such a large collection in Urdu finds space here, Professor Rahman adds, “Our own language and culture is much better described only in Urdu and Persian. So, it was very important to have a different section on Urdu to give a peep into what Delhi was in olden times.”
However, countless notable oldest books in English and Hindi on Delhi also enrich the collection on the Capital.
A legacy himself
Professor Zillur Rahman has 56 books to his credit. The subjects are related to Tib (Unani medicine) and Urdu literature. His books on medical sciences with oldest references (100 to 200 years old) are immensely popular. He is also a poet and an ardent admirer of Urdu poets of yore. He has also edited Diwan-e-Ghalib and many books on Urdu shayri. So far, 11 books have been written on him by students from different parts of India and globe in Arabic, Urdu and English. There are two academies, in Meerut and Bhopal, named in his honour. A part of the library has books on Zillur Rahman’s own family and their contribution to academics, medicine, poetry and culture.
For the next generation
On why he decided to make such a rare museum and library under one roof, Rahman says, “I was just a teacher at AMU. I had no money like businessmen to construct roads and hospitals so I decided to build this museum and library to help those who want to study but have neither books nor a place for the same. I want the current generation to know that books on all our glorious histories and personalities were penned in Urdu before 1947.
ICONIC: A portrait of Mirza Ghalib at the library, which boasts of rare works on the Delhi-based poet
“So, our generation has to know Urdu to understand their buzurgs (elders) and what charismatic works they had done. Our current generation, which doesn’t know Urdu, is like a blackboard. Anyone can write anything on it and it doesn’t impact them because they are so ignorant of legacies of their own language.”
Professor Rahman has travelled abroad 44 times. He visited Greece, including its capital Athens, Samarkand and Bukhara in Uzbekistan, Spain, Turkey, Germany and other countries.
“I went to Iran 11 times to gather books and study how it has preserved its arts and culture, literature, medicine and environment,” he says adding that children of every country know their mother tongue and can read and write in it.
“India’s children, especially the new Muslim community, is ignorant of its own legacy in Urdu.”
The Ibn Sina Academy has a tremendous collection of Islamic sciences and Islamic medicines. The professor has procured them from across the globe.
“Some are bought, some gifted and some requested and begged for. Hamaare 3,200 hazaar kitaabon mein, Ghalib ka collection jo hamaare paas hai vo duniya mein kisi ke paas nahi hai (No one in the world has the rare collection on Ghalib that we have among our 32,000 books). Even Delhi’s own Ghalib Institute and Ghalib Academy visit us and take photocopies of the rare material they require. We have made our academy work on Delhi’s poets, littérateurs, historical buildings and monuments,” he adds.
Most books, he adds, are from Iran, Samarkand and Bukhara.
“The richest in education, philosophy, medicine and culture is Uzbekistan but it could not present it to the world, the way Iran did.”
Why Delhi in Aligarh?
Why Delhi forms a special section at his library, has its reasons.
“Delhi was always the capital of India, be it during the Mughal, British eras or post-Independence period. So, it has always been not only a melting pot of cultures but also an abode for the best of poets, authors and travellers. The number of academics, authors, sufis, litterateurs, shayars (poets), lovers of arts and music and academic institutions that Delhi had, no other capital in the world has it till date,” he reasons with pride.
To know Delhi better, he suggests books penned by the renowned Dehlvi family.
For instance, there is Dilli jo aik shahar thaa by Shahid Ahmad Dehlvi, who was born in Delhi in 1902.
He wrote extensively on vanishing culture of Delhi which was a symbol of Indo-Muslim culture ruined by violence and blood of the War of Independence. Post Independence, he went to Pakistan and died in 1967.
Waqyaat-e-Darool Hukoomat in three volumes by Bashiruddin Ahmad Dehlvi published from Urdu Academy, Delhi in 1990, and books on 1857 revolution are also there in the academy.
Delhi just got richer by another book by Zillur Rahman — Dilli aur Tibbi Unani which has just come out in Urdu. It is translated in English by Toronto-based Zakaria Virk, titled ‘History of Unani Medicine in Delhi – 17th Century to 20th Century – Biographies of 261 physicians’.
source: http://www.thepatriot.in / The Patriot / Home> Delhi NCR / by Rana Siddiqui Zaman, Delhi NCR / November 15th, 2023
What kept you motivated? What were the reactions of your parents, friends, and teachers to your preparations?
Initially, when I was searching for an interest, my parents and relatives were pushing me towards medicine. I didn’t like Biology and I’m not interested in Medicine. From an early age, I was interested in Physics and Mathematics; I wanted to know about the subjects. I studied by myself. I used to read books other than my textbooks. Physics and Maths interested me.
