Tag Archives: Muslim Women IAS Officers

Where guns used to roar earlier, now ‘Shafqat Aamna’ has become an IAS

July 1, 2025Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Afroz Alam Sahil, Bihar Muslims, Bihari Muslim Women, Bihari Muslims, IAS Muslim Officers, Indian Muslims, Muslim IAS Officers in Bihar, Muslim Women IAS Officers, Muslim Women IAS Officers in Bihar, Muslim Women IAS Officers in India, Muslim Women of Bihar, Muslim Women of East Champaran District, Muslim Women of India, Muslims of Bihar, Muslims of East Champaran District, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Posiitive News of Muslim Women of India, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim Women of Bihar, Positive News of Muslim Women of Bihar in Education, Positive News of Muslims of Bihar, Positive News of Muslims of Bihar in Education, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Shafqat Aamna, Shafqat Aamna - IAS, Shafqat Amna - Adhakparia Village - East Champaran - Bihar, Shafqat Amna - Bhimrao Ambedkar University - Motihari, Shafqat Amna - DPS Bokaro, Shafqat Amna - Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya - Bettiah - West Champaran, Shafqat Amna - Residential Coaching - Jamia Millia Islamiampositiveone@gmail.com

Adhakparia Village (East Champaran District), BIHAR :

Motihari:

A village in East Champaran which was infamous for guns being pulled out on trivial matters and for fights, the village where last year a sarpanch was not only strangled by fearless criminals but also shot dead, now this same village will be known for the stories of Shafqat Amna becoming an IAS.

Shafqat Amna, daughter of retired teacher Mohammad Zafir Alam of Adhakparia village of East Champaran, has not only brought glory to her family by securing 186th rank in the UPSC Civil Services exam, but has also shown a path to lakhs of Muslim girls with the light of education.

The whole village is rejoicing at Shafqat’s success. 65-year-old Zafir is not tired of thanking people for this success.

In an exclusive conversation with BeyondHeadlines, Zafir Alam says, ‘We would like my daughter to work as an honest servant. She should strive for peace and prosperity in the society. And most importantly, she should take today’s new generation forward in the field of education.’

Let us tell you that Zafir Alam has retired as a teacher from an Urdu middle school in Agarwa village near Motihari.

24-year-old Shafqat Amna says in an exclusive interview with BeyondHeadlines that the backwardness of the village and the lack of infrastructure always bothered me. That is why since childhood I wanted to live among the people and do something for them so that I could change their thinking and circumstances. My father, sensing this desire of mine, inspired me to join the civil service.

Aamna says that my first choice is IAS and I am hopeful that I will definitely get IAS Insha Allah.

When asked what will you do first after becoming an IAS?

In response to this question, Aamna says that my first effort will be that whichever district I go to, I will first try to focus on education in the village. Since my father was a teacher, I understand the politics of teachers very well. I will inspire them to teach children honestly, away from that politics.

What if I get IPS instead of IAS?

On this question, Aamna pauses for a while and then after thinking says – I am hopeful that I will get IAS and I have not thought of anything else apart from this. But still if I get IPS instead of IAS then first of all I will pay special attention to law and order. I will try to maintain communal harmony in my district at all costs. I will try my best that there is never any fight or quarrel in my district, there is always mutual harmony.

When asked about preparing for civil services, Aamna says that, I would definitely like to tell those who want to join civil services that they should not start preparing for it suddenly, but first understand the syllabus well. If possible, try to take guidance from an IAS or IPS. Then start preparing for it thoughtfully with full courage and passion. Try to study smartly instead of studying like donkeys.

However, she also says that everyone’s way of preparing is different. The positive thing for me was that I had read NCERT books properly in school itself. So all the concepts were clear. I studied Geography very well in graduation as well. And yes, during my entire studies, I always had the habit of making short notes. These notes were very useful in my preparation. I paid full attention to its revision. Apart from that, I participated a lot in test series.

Let us tell you that Shafqat Amna passed 10th from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Bettiah, West Champaran. Then she went to Bokaro for 12th, passed 12th from DPS there. After that, circumstances became such that she had to return to the village. Here she got a BA Honors degree in Geography from a college of Bhimrao Ambedkar University in Motihari. After that, she came to Delhi in 2016 to prepare for civil services. Here she prepared by staying in the residential coaching of Jamia Millia Islamia and after failing twice, she succeeded this time in the third attempt.

Apart from her parents, Shafqat Amna’s family also has three sisters and a brother. Her younger sister is pursuing BA LLB from Jamia Millia Islamia. Her two elder sisters have completed B.Ed and are currently living with their mother in the village.

Aamna says that the situation at home was never good. My father was the only breadwinner in the house. But he never neglected our education. Whatever I am today is because of my father.

What would you like to say to the girls of the country?

On this question, Aamna says that I would like to say that it is very important for you to get educated. And never underestimate yourself. Your hard work, your efforts can change your fate. But yes, for success you will have to make your own policy and your own routing. You will have to decide for yourself what things matter in your life…

source: http://www.beyondheadlines.in / Beyond Headlines / Home> India> Real Heroes / by Afroz Alam Sahil, Beyond Headlines / April 06th, 2019

Adiba Anam becomes Maharashtra’s first Muslim woman IAS officer, daughter of an auto-rickshaw driver

June 23, 2025Amazing Feats, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Adiba Anam, Adiba Anam - IAS Officer, Adiba Anam - Maharashtra, Adiba Anam Ashfaq Ahmed, Adiba Anam Ashfaque Ahemad, Alifa Khan, Arshad Aziz Qureshi, Ashfaq Ahmed, Farkhanda Qureshi, Farkhanda Qureshi - IAS, Female Muslim IAS Officers, Female Muslims of Maharashtra, Female Muslims of Yavatmal - Maharashtra, Ghanchi Gajala Mohammad Hanif, Ghulam Haider, Hasan Khan, Indian Muslims of Maharashtra, Iqbal Ahmed, Iram Chaudhary, Javed Mev, Maharashtra's First Muslim Female IAS Officer, Maharashtra's First Muslim Woman IAS Officer - Adiba Anam, Md Nayab Anjum, Mohamma Salah T A, Mohammad Aftab Alam, Mohammad Haris Mir, Mohammad Haris Mir - AIR 345 - UPSC 2023, Mohammad Muneeb Bhat, Mohammad Shaukat Azeem, Mohsina Bano, Muslim IAS Officers, Muslim Women IAS Officers, Muslims of Madha Pradesh, Muslims of Maharashtra, Muslims of Maharashtra in Education, Muslims of Yavamal Town - Eastern Maharashtra, Muslims of Yavatmal - Maharashtra, Nadia Abdul Rashid, Najma Salam, Nazeer Ahmed Birjan, Nizamuddin Sheikh, Nizamuddin Sheikh - Local NGO - Yavatmal, Positive News of Female Muslims of Maharashtra, Positive News of Female Muslims of Maharashtra in Education, Sadaf Malik, Shah Mohammad Imran Mohammad Irfan, Shakeel Ahmed, Syed Mohammad Arif Moin, Wasim Ur Rehman, Women IAS Officers, Yasir Ahmed Bhattimpositiveone@gmail.com

Yavatmal Town, MAHARASHTRA :

Adiba Aman in the centre.

New Delhi :

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) declared the results of the 2024 Civil Services Examination on April 22, with 1009 candidates clearing one of India’s most competitive exams. Among them, Adiba Anam has made history by becoming the first Muslim woman from Maharashtra to be selected for the Indian Administrative Service (IAS).

Hailing from Kalam Chowk in Yavatmal, a small town in eastern Maharashtra, Anam secured an all-India rank of 142. Her achievement has been widely hailed as a breakthrough for both women and minorities in the state. Her father, Ashfaq Ahmed, earns a living by driving an auto-rickshaw.

Raised in modest circumstances, Anam completed her schooling in Urdu medium from a local Zilla Parishad school. Despite limited resources, she consistently excelled academically—scoring 94% in her Urdu board exams and 92% in 12th grade with a science stream.

Speaking to India Tomorrow, Anam recounted her journey through UPSC. Her first attempt in 2021 ended at the preliminary stage. Undeterred, she progressed to the mains in her second attempt, and finally, in her fourth attempt, clinched success with a rank likely to earn her an IAS cadre.

“My parents never asked me to give up on my education. There were people who suggested I take up a small job to ease our financial burden, but my parents never let those voices affect me,” she said.

Anam noted the social barriers women often face in her community. “Yes, girls do face restrictions. But these challenges only overpower us if we allow ourselves to feel weak. Once we build our mental strength, those obstacles lose their power,” she said. Her message to young women: “Stay mentally strong. Chase your dreams with courage and determination.”

Initially aspiring to become a doctor, Anam couldn’t clear the NEET exam. It was then that her uncle, Nizamuddin Sheikh—a local NGO secretary in Yavatmal—encouraged her to consider civil services as a way to serve the public.

Adiba Anam draws inspiration from the poetry of Allama Iqbal. Two couplets, in particular, fuel her determination:

“Khudi ko kar buland itna ke har taqdeer se pehle, Khuda bande se khud pooche, bata teri raza kya hai, ” meaning, “Elevate your selfhood to such heights that even destiny, before shaping your fate, is compelled to ask you: ‘Tell me, what is it that you desire?’”

This powerful verse emphasizes self-empowerment, urging individuals to strengthen their character and willpower to such an extent that even fate bows before their determination.

“Amal se zindagi banti hai jannat bhi jahannam bhi, Yeh khaaki apni fitrat mein na noori hai na naari hai.” This translates in English as “Through actions, life can become either a paradise or a hell. This being (the human) made of dust is by nature neither angelic nor demonic.”

The couplet underscores the idea that our actions determine the quality and direction of our lives. Human beings are not inherently good (like angels) or evil (like demons); it is their actions (amal) that shape their destiny and define their identity.

Explaining the two couplets, she said, “These lines remind me of the power of action. If you just sit still, nothing will change. But if you act, if you try to change your situation, something will definitely happen,” she said.

Anam’s journey—from a small-town Urdu-medium student to a future IAS officer—stands as a powerful story of resilience, ambition, and the transformative potential of education.

Here is the list of 26 Muslim candidates who cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination this year, with their ranks written in front of their names.

• Iram Chaudhary – Rank 40

• Farkhanda Quraishi – Rank 67

• Mohammad Muneeb Bhatt – Rank 131

• Adiba Anam Ashfaq Ahmed – Rank 142

• Wasim ur Rehman – Rank 281

• Md. Nayab Anjum – Rank 292

• Mohammad Haris Mir – Rank 314

• Mohammad Shaukat Azeem – Rank 345

• Alifa Khan – Rank 417

• Nadia Abdul Rashid – Rank 429

• Najma Salam – Rank 442

• Shakeel Ahmed – Rank 506

• Shah Mohammad Imran Mohammad Irfan – Rank 553

• Mohammad Aftab Alam – Rank 560

• Mohsina Bano – Rank 585

• Syed Mohammad Arif Moin – Rank 594

• Ghulam Haider – Rank 633

• Hasan Khan – Rank 643

• Ghanchi Gajala Mohammad Hanif – Rank 660

• Mohammad Salah T.A. – Rank 711

• Sadaf Malik – Rank 742

• Yasir Ahmed Bhatti – Rank 768

• Javed Mev – Rank 815

• Nazeer Ahmed Bijran – Rank 847

• Arshad Aziz Quresh – Rank 993

• Iqbal Ahmed – Rank 998

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Mohammad Akram / April 2025

Farkhanda Qureshi: Small town woman achieves big success by securing 67th rank in UPSC

April 29, 2025Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Abdul Malik Qureshi, Abdul Wasim Ansari, Advocate Abdul Malik Qureshi, Farkhanda Qureshi, Farkhanda Qureshi - 67th Rank - UPSC 2024 Civil Services, Farkhanda Qureshi - Balaghat - Madhya Pradesh, Farkhanda Qureshi - IAS, Farkhanda Qureshi - Madhya Pradesh, Farkhanda Qureshi - Methodist Mission, Farkhanda Qureshi - St Marys School, Farkhanda Qureshi - UPSC 2024 Topper - 67th Rank, Indian Muslims, Iram Choudhary, Iram Choudhary - UPSC 2024, Madhya Pradesh Muslim Women, Madhya Pradesh Muslims, Madhya Prasdesh Women, Muslim IAS Officers, Muslim IAS Officers in Madhya Pradesh, Muslim Women IAS Officers, Muslim Women IAS Officers in Madya Pradesh, Muslim Women of Balaghat, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of Madhya Pradesh, Muslims of Balaghat - Madhya Pradesh, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Madha Pradesh, Muslims of Madhya Pradesh, Nikat Anjum Qureshi, Nikhat Anjum, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim of Balaghat, Positive News of Muslim Women of Balaghat - Madhya Pradesh, Positive News of Muslim Women of India, Positive News of Muslim Women of Madhya Pradesh, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Madhya Pradesh, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of Indiampositiveone@gmail.com

Balaghat, MADHYA PRADESH :

Farkhanda Qureshi of Balaghat, Madya Pradesh, outside UPSC office in Delhi

Farkhanda Qureshi was in her eighth grade when she saw district Collector B. Chandrasekharan son a local Television channel. This visual ignited a dream in her mind; she too wanted to become a civil servant. Today this Muslim woman from from Balaghat, a small town of Madhya Pradesh, has realized her dream which she nurtured over the years with passion, hard work, overcoming failures and perseverance.

Farkhanda Qureshi has secured 67th rank in the UPSC 2024 Civil Services Examination and would soon join the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy for Administration, Dehradun, for training to become an Indian civil servant.

“I had decided that one day I will also become a collector and work for society.” She credits her success in her fourth attempt to her family’s support.

She started preparing for UPSC in 2021. Despite failures, she did not give up. She says, “My parents did not let me break down; they motivated me and told me that I will get success one day. Had they not supported me, I would have probably given up in the first or second attempt,” she told the told media persons.

Farkhanda believes that for a tough exam like UPSC, studying for 18 hours is not necessary, but consistency and strategy are. “I studied for 6 to 8 hours every day, but I studied every day. Old year papers, standard books, current affairs and newspapers were an important part of my preparation.”

Farkhanda Qureshi flanked by her parents Nikhat Anjum and Abdul Malik Qureshi

Farkhanda, who completed her 10th from St. Mary’s School and 12th from Methodist Mission, says, “Being from a small town like Balaghat has never been my weakness. I believe that if the youth here get the right direction and resources, they can make a name for themselves across the country.”

Farkhanda considers her father Abdul Malik Qureshi, who is a lawyer, and her mother Nikhat Anjum Qureshi, a homemaker, her heroes and credits her success to them.

Her father said, “Today people recognize me by my daughter’s name, nothing can give me greater happiness than this.”

There is a festive atmosphere in the area, the collector congratulated Farkhanda and and wished her a bright future. The local mosque committee (Anjuman( also felicitated her and called her inspiration for the Muslim youth.

Out of the 1,009 candidates recommended by UPSC this year, 26 are Muslims, though none made it to the Top 25.

Iram Choudhary (Rank 40) and Farkhanda Qureshi (Rank 67) are the highest-ranking Muslim candidates in the merit list. A total of 97 Muslim candidates were selected for the interview stage, and the success rate stands at 2.57%, lower than previous years.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Abdul Wasim Ansari, Balaghat, Bhopal (name error edited) / April 26th, 2025

In a first, Maharashtra gets first Muslim female IAS officer – Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed

April 28, 2025Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Education- Excellence, Coaching, Training, Tutorials (wef. Feb 09th, 2024), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Adeeba Anam, Adeeba Anam Ashfaqe Ahmed - Zilla Parishad Ex-Government College - Yavatmal, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed - Inamdar Senior College - Pune, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed - Jamia Residential Coaching Academy - Delhi, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed - Zafarnagar Zilla Parishad Urdu Primary School, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed - Zilla Parishad Government Girls High School, Ashfaq Ahmed, Ashfaq Ahmed - Auto Driver - Yawatmal, First Muslim Female IAS Officer, Inamdar Senior College - Pune, Indian Muslims, Jamia Millia Residential Coaching Academy - Delhi, Jan Nizamuddin Sahib, M Rafi Ahmed, Maharashtra's First Muslim Female IAS Officer, Muslim IAS Officers, Muslim IAS Officers in Maharashtra, Muslim Women IAS Officers, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of Maharashtra, Muslim Women of Vidharba Region, Muslim Women of Yawatmal - Vidharba, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Maharashtra, Muslims of Vidharaba, Muslims of Yawatmal - Vidharaba Region, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim Women of India, Positive News of Muslim Women of Maharashta, Positive News of Muslim Women of Maharashtra, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Maharashtra, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Zafarnagar Zilla Parishad Urdu Primary Schoolmpositiveone@gmail.com

Yawatmal (Vidharba Region), MAHARASHTRA :

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

City Muslim girl Sarah Rizvi takes Urdu route to IAS

September 8, 2024Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Afzal Ahmed, Female Muslims of Maharashtra, Indian Muslims, K M Arif, K M Arif - Chairman - Alliance Foundation, Khalid Hussain Khan, KM Arif, Muslim IAS Officers, Muslim Women IAS Officers, Muslim Women of India, Muslims of India, Muslims of India - Positive News, Muslims of Maharashtra, Muslims of Mumbai, Nigar Afzal Ahmed, Positiive News of Indian Muslim Women, Positive News of Indian Muslim Women in Education, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive News of Muslim Women of Mumbai, Positive News of Muslims of India, Positive News of Muslims of Maharashtra, Positive News of Muslims of Mumbai, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Muslims of India, Sameera Rizvi, Sarah Rizvi, Sarah Rizvi - Canossa Convent School, Sarah Rizvi - CWC College for Commerce & Economics, Sarah Rizvi - MMK College, Sarah Rizvi - St Louis Convent High School, Wasif Rizvimpositiveone@gmail.com

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Mumbai:

Sarah Rizvi has done her bit to issue a blow to the stereotype of the Muslim woman, moderately educated and socially subjugated, ensconced in hijab. She has cleared the IAS exam, ranking 86th among 734 successful candidates. More remarkably perhaps, she has achieved the feat with Urdu literature as one of her optional subjects.

“Urdu is my mothertongue. I learnt Urdu and Persian from my late grandfather, Khalid Hussain Khan, who was a lawyer in Uttar Pradesh. I have read Urdu poems and novels since childhood. My Urdu writing speed was bad but I wrote a page a day and that improved my pace of writing,’’ Sarah said. Mohammed Iqbal was, for her, the most difficult poet to understand. “But his shayeri is fabulous,’’ she said of the Kashmiri poet who wrote Sare Jahan se achchha, Hindustan hamara.

After finishing BCom from MMK College in 2003, Sarah attended a lecture on competitive exams by K M Arif, educationist and chairman of Alliance Foundation. That inspired her to go for the IAS. “I tried twice but could not clear even the preliminary stage. This was my third attempt and, masha Allah, I passed,’’ the 25-year-old said, adding that her success was the outcome of 10-12 hours of study a day.

While doing her BCom, Sarah also completed her foundation course in chartered accountancy. “I wanted to become a CA but Dr Arif suggested I study for the IAS exam instead. I was clueless about the exam procedure and the requisite study material but my family supported me,’’ she said. Sarah was also awarded a scholarship by MESCO, an NGO.

Sarah is now posted as section officer in the Haryana Accountant-General’s office.

Sarah’s father, Afzal Ahmed, a science graduate, and mother Nigar, an arts graduate from Aligarh Muslim University, run a small garments business.

Her elder brother, Wasif, a civil engineer, is working for a company in Dubai and Sarah’s twin sister, Sameera, a graduate in computer applications, from National College, is married and lives in Bahrain. “I feel more Mulims, especially women, should go for the competitive exams. Many women don’t even know what these exams are about but awareness is spreading,’’ Sarah said.

“This subject gives us an inside knowledge of government administration. And the topics are similar to the business administration course matter I read in college,” Sarah said, explaining why she chose public administration over accountancy as one of the optionals.

Sarah did her schooling from Canossa Convent School and St. Louis Convent High School in Andheri. She later joined CWC College for Commerce and Economics and eventually graduated from MMK College with 75.7 per cent marks.

(Courtesy Times of India)

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home / by Mateen Hafeez, TNN (headline edited)

BDO inspires young girls

July 21, 2022Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Choudhury Abdul Karim, Choudhury Abdul Karim - Minister for Library Services & Mass Education - West Bengal, Indian Muslims of West Bengal, Muslim Women IAS Officers, Muslim Women in Leadership Roles in India, Muslim Women of India, Muslim Women of India in the 21st Century, Muslims of West Bengal, Muslims Women Leaders in West Bengal, Positive News of Indian Muslims, Positive Stories of Indian Muslim Women, Positive Stories of Indian Muslims, Rashid Alam - Resident - Lodhan - Goalpokhari - West Bengal, Shama Parveen, Shama Parveen - First Woman IAS Officer for North Dinajpur District - West Bengal, Shama Parveen - IAS Officer, Women IAS Officersmpositiveone@gmail.com

WEST BENGAL:

This IAS officer held a career counselling camp at the recent Islampur Book Fair.

This IAS officer held a career counselling camp at the recent Islampur Book Fair.

In the few months following her first posting at Goalpokhar-I in November 2014, Shama Parveen, “BDO Mam” as she is addressed by many, has become a source of inspiration to several, especially young women belonging to the minority community.

She is the first woman IAS officer in North Dinajpur district from the minority community.

Shama, a 2013 batch officer from Kanpur, had wanted to do something for the underprivileged. At Goalpokhar-I, one of the most impoverished areas of North Dinajpur, she began to act on her dreams.

Goalpokhar is largely agriculture-based. There are no industries here and not a single college in the block. People from the minority community comprise roughly 80 per cent of the block’s population.

During her short stint — she is waiting for a transfer order — Shama has, on her own, held career counselling sessions by visiting schools in her area. She told the young girls as well as their parents that if she could make it, these girls could too.

“The main impediment for the girls from my community are members from their own families. It is a popular belief that we cannot do well in higher studies. Whenever I meet the guardians, I tell them their daughters have the capacity to do well in higher studies. Please stand beside them. I tell them, let them shine. I am a woman from a humble background and if I can achieve what I have, so can these girls,” said Shama, who hails from a middle-class family. Her father is a businessman and her mother a homemaker.

Shama said her younger sister is studying civil engineering and her brother is a schoolteacher. She said her father is proud of both his daughters.

“When I started preparing for the civil service exams, I went to a tutorial in Delhi. But I realised that it was not the proper way, it was a kind of cheating. I left the tutorial and began preparing at home. I concentrated on reading media reports and hunting up events and data on the Internet. I had done my masters in history and that remains my favourite subject. I tell young people to read books as they are the cornerstone of success,” Shama added.

Choudhury Abdul Karim, minister for library services and mass education and Islampur MLA, could not praise the young bureaucrat enough. “She is an inspiration for the women of our community,” Karim said.

Rashid Alam, resident of Lodhan in Goalpokhar, said that this year’s Madhyamik exams were being conducted smoothly mainly because of the efforts of the BDO. Examinations have often been conducted here among allegations of cheating and violent reactions.

Shama’s interactions with school students have prepared the way for peaceful examinations. “She has been keeping a watch. My daughter is sitting for her Madhyamik and all arrangements are being overseen by the BDO. We know that she will be promoted and leave the block. But she will remain an inspiration for all of us,” he said. The students of the schools that Shama has visited fondly recall her quiet manners and gentle way of persuading them to carry on their studies.

“Once she came to our school. The manner in which she spoke to us was very impressive. I do not know about the others but I am determined to pursue higher studies. I used to be convinced that higher secondary would be as far as I would be able to study. Almost all girls here do not go to college as the two colleges are far away in Islampur or Dalkhola. But BDO Mam has kindled a tremendous urge in me to study,” said Arjuna Khatun, a resident of Goagaon, a village in the block.

Shama’s formula of success is simple. “If you have nek irada (honest resolve), it can help you achieve anything,” she said.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> West Bengal / by Mehdi Hedaytullah / March 09th, 2015