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The Poet of Palnadu: How Sheikh Kareemullah Taught a Generation to Question
Palnadu District, ANDHRA PRADESH :
Beyond the Classroom: Honouring the literary soul and dedicated leadership of Headmaster Sheikh Kareemullah on his retirement, May 31, 2026
In the rural classrooms of Palnadu, a quiet revolution has been unfolding for decades. It did not begin with protests or speeches, but with the cadence of Vemana’s poems and the relentless commitment of a man who believed the classroom was a laboratory for democracy. As Sheikh Kareemullah, a senior educator and luminary of contemporary Telugu literature, hangs up his boots as a Headmaster this May 31, his legacy remains etched not in the service records of the state, but in the social consciousness of a generation.
For Kareemullah, teaching was never a mechanical transfer of curriculum. His tenure, particularly in the village of Enugupalem, became legendary. When news of his transfer broke, the village didn’t just file a grievance; two tractor-loads of residents reportedly arrived at the district office, demanding his retention.
It was a rare instance where the bureaucracy bowed to the pedagogical impact of an individual. Kareemullah had transformed his classroom into a crucible for critical thought, teaching children the nuances of pluralism, equality, and the weight of historical justice. He did not just teach the future; he nurtured it.
If teaching was his primary vocation, literature was his chosen battlefield. Kareemullah’s evolution as a writer is a mirror to the anxieties of the era. As communal tensions and social polarisation grew, his poetry shifted from traditional progressive themes to a sharper, more visceral exploration of identity.
His poem ‘Naa Raktham Kaaru Chauka’ (My Blood is Cheap) became more than a verse; it became a rallying cry for dignity. His long poem, ‘Saibu’, remains a seminal text in the Telugu literature, articulating the Muslim experience in India with a defiance that was both unapologetic and profoundly human.
Perhaps his most significant contribution to the literary canon is the introduction of the ‘Ababeel’, a poetic form inspired by Qur’anic allegory. By using the metaphor of small birds confronting overwhelming might, Kareemullah demonstrated that brevity could harbour immense political weight. The form took root, inspiring a new wave of younger poets to find their voices, and transforming what began as a creative experiment into a full-fledged literary movement.
Through the establishment of ‘Murasam’, Kareemullah created a vital space for Muslim writers to find a common ground, turning a literary collective into a school of critical thinking.
Throughout his career, Kareemullah has been the recipient of numerous honours, including the ‘Janmabhoomi Best Teacher’ award and the ‘Adarsha Guru Brahma’ title. Yet, to those who know him, these awards are mere footnotes.
His true achievement lies in his ability to bridge the gap between the teacher’s desk and the poet’s podium. His work, now part of university curricula, continues to be subjected to the rigorous academic scrutiny that defines a classic. He has navigated the complexities of domestic politics, critiqued imperialism, and remained a staunch defender of humanism.
As he steps into retirement, Kareemullah leaves behind a roadmap for the modern intellectual: to remain a teacher when the world is in chaos, and a poet when the world has lost its words. He remains not just a chronicler of his times, but an architect of the resistance against the silencing of voices.
[The writer is a journalist based in Hyderabad.]
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News/ Home> Features>Focus / by Md. Mujahid / May 31st, 2026
10 Muslim women who shine while running institutions
INDIA :
Representational Image
New Delhi :
Across India’s administrative corridors, diplomatic missions, universities, welfare departments, and heritage institutions, a generation of Muslim women is redefining leadership through intellect, perseverance, and public service. Their journeys are rooted in struggle, shaped by education, and driven by a deep commitment to society.
Under the Parvaz series, Awaz-the Voice brings you the stories of ten such Muslim women, whose lives and work should become an inspiration for all women in India.
Adeeba Anam Ashfaq Ahmed Shaikh
Adeeba Anam Ashfaq Ahmed Shaikh
Adeeba Anam Ashfaq Ahmed Shaikh’s journey from a modest home in Yavatmal to becoming Maharashtra’s first Muslim woman IAS officer is a story of determination overcoming adversity.
The daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver, she rose above financial hardship, repeated failures, and social prejudice to secure All India Rank 142 in UPSC 2024. Her success stands as a beacon of hope for countless girls from rural and marginalised communities who dream of changing their destinies through education and hard work.
Dr Adeela Abdulla
Dr Adeela Abdulla
Dr Adeela Abdulla represents a compassionate and thoughtful face of governance in Kerala. One of the early Muslim women from Malabar to join the IAS, she has played a vital role in strengthening social welfare systems and urban governance.
Whether through her work in Kerala’s Solid Waste Management Project or as Special Secretary in the Social Justice Department, her leadership reflects empathy, accountability, and a deep commitment to human dignity, particularly for vulnerable sections of society.
Dr Chabina Hassan
Dr Chabina Hassan
In Assam, Dr Chabina Hassan has emerged as a powerful force in heritage conservation and archaeology. As Deputy Director at the Directorate of Archaeology, Assam, she played a key role in securing UNESCO World Heritage recognition for Charaideo Maidam and made groundbreaking discoveries in Dima Hasao.
Balancing motherhood, academics, and fieldwork, she has transformed archaeology into a bridge connecting communities with their cultural roots while inspiring younger generations to value history and preservation.
Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar
Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar
Dr Syed Sehrish Asgar’s career reflects excellence, resilience, and transformative public service. A doctor by training, she topped the J&K Administrative Services examination in 2010 and later secured AIR 118 in UPSC.
From becoming Budgam’s first woman Deputy Commissioner to spearheading initiatives like the SAATH programme that empowered over five lakh rural women through Self Help Groups, her administrative journey has been marked by innovation and social impact.
Her recognition with the Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Civil Services further highlights her contributions to governance and public welfare.
Naghath Tabassum Abroo
Naghath Tabassum Abroo
Naghath Tabassum Abroo’s life story is deeply rooted in the strength of family values, education, and perseverance. After a decade-long break from academics due to marriage and motherhood, she returned to secure third rank in the KPSC examination and later rose to become one of Karnataka’s pioneering Muslim women IAS officers
Through initiatives in women’s welfare, sanitation, healthcare, and e-governance, including Bengaluru One and Khajane II, she demonstrated how compassionate leadership and administrative innovation can improve public systems and people’s lives.
Nagma Mohammad Mallick
Nagma Mohammad Mallick
Nagma Mohammad Mallick carved history as India’s first Muslim woman IFS officer and built a distinguished diplomatic career through quiet yet impactful service. Currently serving as India’s Ambassador to Japan and the Marshall Islands, she has represented India in several countries while strengthening international partnerships in diplomacy, technology, and economic cooperation.
Through her thoughtful articulation of democracy, dialogue, and non-violence, Mallick has projected India’s values on the global stage with dignity and restraint.
Nahida Zam Zam
Nahida Zam Zam
Nahida Zam Zam has become known as a fearless and people-centric administrator in Karnataka. Through her public speeches and grassroots engagement, she consistently advocates for women’s empowerment, education, and freedom of thought.Her dedicated fieldwork during the COVID-19 pandemic, even while pregnant, earned her admiration as a compassionate officer deeply connected with ordinary people.
Whether speaking to students, women, or marginalised communities, she challenges restrictive social norms and encourages self-reliance and awareness.
Syeda Saiyidain Hameed
Syeda Saiyidain Hameed
Syeda Saiyidain Hameed stands as one of the most influential voices for women’s rights, peace, and social justice in India. An acclaimed author, educationist, former member of the Planning Commission, and member of the National Commission for Women, she has devoted her life to defending human rights and promoting dialogue across communities.
As a founder of the Muslim Women’s Forum and Women’s Initiative for Peace in South Asia, she worked tirelessly for peace-building efforts between India and Pakistan, proving that courage and compassion can coexist in public life.
Professor Shabina Nishat Omar
Professor Shabina Nishat Omar
Professor Shabina Nishat Omar has emerged as a dynamic symbol of academic leadership and women’s empowerment in West Bengal. With over twenty-five years in education and administration, she has transformed institutions through her leadership while advocating inclusive education, digital literacy, and gender awareness.
As an educator, speaker, and administrator, she continues to inspire young people to view education not merely as a profession, but as a powerful tool for social transformation and self-reliance.
Zaynab Syed
Zaynab Syed
Zaynab Syed’s journey reflects perseverance, discipline, and dedication to public service. From overcoming repeated failures in the civil services examination to securing an All India Rank 107, she proved the power of resilience and self-belief. Today, through her role at TRIFED, she works to strengthen tribal livelihoods and expand economic opportunities for artisans and self-help groups across eastern India.
Her story demonstrates how determination and commitment can turn setbacks into opportunities to serve society meaningfully.
By breaking barriers and creating spaces for future generations, they are not only shaping institutions but also redefining what leadership looks like in contemporary India.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemakers / by Vidushi Gaur /May 30th, 2026