Tag Archives: Jameel Akhtar

10 extraordinary men and women of Bihar who changed society

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , ,

BIHAR :

New Delhi :

Among them are women who, through their work, have not only guided society but also become role models themselves. With courage, dedication, hard work, and limited resources, they are bringing about changes.

The list includes teachers, entrepreneurs, social workers, and heralds of change. Their stories fill us with pride and remind us that you can realise your objectives of serving society.

Khursheed Ahmad

Khursheed Ahmad has played a pivotal role in reviving Bihar’s cultural soul and turning Patna into a vibrant center of literature and arts. He has brought traditional forms like qawwali, poetry, literature, and Sufi music back into public life, infusing them with fresh energy and contemporary relevance.

Jabir Ansari

The right guidance at the right time can profoundly shape a life. Jabir Ansari, who hails from a humble background, reached the international martial arts arena thanks to his unwavering dedication. Hailing from Tumba Pahaad village in the Naxal-affected Jhajha block of Jamui district, he has won many gold medals and made his mark in martial arts.

Shams Alam

When doctors diagnosed a tumor in Shams Alam’s spine, they reassured him he would be running again in weeks. That day never came. Paralysis left his body’s lower half numb—a life-changing moment. Instead of despairing, Shams chose determination. Through grit and love for swimming, he emerged as a para‑swimmer who has made an indelible mark in Bihar, across India, and on international stages—breaking records and breaking barriers.

Tayyaba Afroz

She’s a pilot, and her social media bio proudly features phrases like “Born To Fly,” and “Dream, Achieve, Fly.” But behind these inspiring words lies a powerful story—selling ancestral land, withstanding social criticism, and overcoming physical and emotional barriers. Tayyaba Afroz from Jalalpur village in Saran district is not just the state’s first Muslim woman commercial pilot—she is a vibrant symbol of struggle, perseverance, and lofty dreams.

Dr. M. Aijaz Ali

Former Rajya Sabha MP Dr. M. Aijaz Ali has been an advocate for the marginalized for nearly 30 years. His guiding belief is that true development is incomplete without social equality and protecting the rights of the poor. Born in 1958 and raised in an orphanage, he overcame poverty through his academic passion to gain admission to the prestigious Patna Medical College.

Jameel Akhtar

As Deputy General Manager at NTPC, Jameel Akhtar has dedicated his life to educating underprivileged children in Bihar. His commitment is so intense that he has chosen to remain unmarried, believing marriage might hinder his mission. “If I marry, managing the education and care of 550 children will become difficult,” he told Awaz –The Voice. In a senior role at NTPC, his heart beats for the children who have no means to attend school.

Mohammad Ibrahim

A resident of Ramna in Motihari, Mohammad Ibrahim’s extraordinary journey inspires not just the youth of Bihar but all of India. His path from Motihari to Dubai is a powerful testament to determination and purpose. Recently honoured with Oxford University’s Best Travel & Immigration Services Award, his story marks a significant milestone in his professional journey.

Dr. Mumtaz Nair

Dr. Mumtaz Nair hails from a small village in the Kishanganj district of Bihar. In her early years, her family struggled even to meet basic needs. Despite hardships, her family chose to invest in her education—a decision that one day contributed significantly to the global fight against some of the world’s deadliest viruses.

Faizan Ali

At just 18 years, Faizan Ali was earning a degree in business studies when life called him to a deeper purpose. More than studies or ambition, he realised his true calling was serving humanity. “If you truly want to share someone’s pain, age and education don’t matter—passion does,” Faizan told Awaz – The Voice. Now 23, Faizan from Gaya is a shining example of selfless service. Raised in a modest family, he never imagined his life would pivot from a corporate future to community work.

Rani Khanam

Rani Khanam is the first Muslim Kathak dancer in Independent India to turn her love for classical dance into a profession. Originally from Gopalganj, Bihar, she practiced Kathak clandestinely, in a family that did not allow music or dance. Through her art, she has empowered women and highlighted key social issues.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home>The Changemakers / July 20th, 2025

Engineer by day, educator at night for young minds

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, SCHOLARSHIPS,

Dehri-On-Sone (Nabinagar, Aurangabad District), BIHAR :

Jameel Akhtar, an NTPC manager in Bihar, combines his professional career with a passion for education, founding a free school for underprivileged children, narrates Ramashankar

Bihar :  

Education is the best tool to change society and transform the lives of the poor.” So believes Jameel Akhtar, a deputy general manager at NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation), Nabinagar, in Bihar’s Aurangabad district.

For him, life is more than just about having a cushy job. An engineering graduate from Kanpur’s Harcourt Butler Technical University, Jameel landed a job in NTPC in 2001 and got his first posting in New Delhi. But his life took a turn after he was transferred to Nabinagar in 2014. “It was close to my maternal uncle’s house at Dehri-on-Sone, a place I used to visit as a child. So, I was familiar with the town,” he smiles.

Not long after settling down there, he decided to open a school for students belonging to underprivileged families in 2015. Without wasting any time, he rented and appointed teachers to that end nursery to class VII. And the school was filled with the hustle and bustle of children not long after it opened as word spread about free education.

“The number of students grew sharply as we did not charge a tuition fee. In fact, at Noble Public School, we even provided the pupils with books and the necessary educational material free of charge.” Today, the school has a strength of more than 550 students.

“We have a co-education set. Both girls and boys study here,” he shares, adding, “I bear all the expenses. We have 14 teachers. I pay their salaries. I also take care of all other costs involved in running the school. For me, it is an opportunity to serve humanity.”

Ask him if he faces any financial problems because of the initiative, and he shrugs with a smile, saying, “I don’t have any monetary constraints. I am a bachelor. And all members of my family are well-settled.” However, he does take some steps to minimise the expenses. The school authorities have been asked to contact book publishing houses directly to supply the educational material for the students.

It makes the cost of books much cheaper as they don’t have to pay commission to agents or local suppliers.

“The money we save is spent on the students’ welfare,” he reveals. Despite having a full-time job, he has a very hands-on approach towards the school. “Though we have quality teachers and experts at the school, I take personal care of the students,” he shares.

Remarkably, students from Hindu, Muslim and Christian families alike study there. “The school has set an example of communal harmony in the small town of Dehri-on-Sone,” Jameel grins. At his school, education is not merely limited to the academics. His educators lay special focus on the personality development of the students.

Jameel says he wants to make sure that his students don’t lag behind others in any field. For the purpose, personal monitoring is required, he said. Since the quality of education imparted at government schools across the country remains under a cloud, schools like the one set up by Jameel is a perfect proposition for parents who can’t afford the high fees of a public school.

“It’s a boon for children belonging to economically backward sections of the society as education is imparted here free of charge,” notes Girija Devi, former councillor of Ward No. 36 (Dehri-on-Sone). Teachers at the school, such as Aarti Kumari and Tabassum, exude hope that students of the school have a bright future.

Quality teaching and proper guidance will shape the career of students studying here, they firmly believe.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Ramashankar / May 25th, 2025