Dr Asima Banu has taken charge as the principal of Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI), becoming the first Muslim woman to hold this position at the institution. Dr Banu, with 23 years of service at BMCRI, assumed her new role on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the college’s history.
Dr Asima Banu’s journey at BMCRI began in the 1990s when she completed her undergraduate and postgraduate degrees at the institution. In 2000, she joined as a faculty member in the microbiology department and has since held various key positions, including quality in-charge, infection control officer, head of the microbiology department at Bowring Hospital, convenor of the medical education unit, and nodal officer of the simulation and skills centre at BMCRI.
Her contributions during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic have garnered widespread appreciation. In 2020, Dr Banu served as the nodal officer of the Covid ward at the Trauma Care Centre, Victoria Hospital. Her dedication to patient care and well-being was evident as she implemented innovative measures to ensure the comfort and recovery of COVID-19 patients.
Dr Banu’s efforts to make patients feel at home and ease their recuperation included providing essential facilities and amenities in the isolation wards. She personally ensured that patients had access to juice tetra packs, nail cutters, toiletries, kettles, and pedestal fans. In an interview, she emphasized her commitment to meeting the diverse needs of patients, even when language barriers made it challenging. Dr Banu’s compassion and determination to ensure patient satisfaction have been instrumental in creating a positive healing environment.
Despite the immense responsibilities as the overall in-charge of the facility, Dr Banu consistently prioritized the patients’ well-being. She went above and beyond by catering to their specific requirements. Whether it was arranging for clothes and essentials or fulfilling requests for games, cakes, and chocolates, Dr Banu spared no effort to bring happiness and comfort to the patients. She established a WhatsApp group where patients could message her directly, creating a channel for communication and ensuring their needs were met promptly.
As Dr Asima Banu assumes the position of principal at BMCRI, her appointment serves as an inspiration to aspiring medical professionals, particularly women from minority communities.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / July 06th, 2023
Human Welfare Foundation (HWF), in collaboration with RailTel Corporation of India Limited, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to carry out a corporate social responsibility (CSR) project aimed at promoting healthcare and women’s empowerment in selected villages of the Jalna District of Maharashtra.
The project will include two interconnected initiatives. The first will address menstrual hygiene in a few selected villages in Jalna District, while the second will run a mobile unit staffed by healthcare professionals to facilitate special online consultations and offline solutions for common people in selected villages.
RailTel Corporation of India Limited will provide funding support for the project, which will be implemented over a period of one year in six villages in the Jalna District, namely Chikali, Dalegaon, Kedarkheda, Loangaon, Chandai, and Rajur.
The project’s activities will include the formation of two self-help groups comprising 60 women who will be responsible for the distribution of sanitary napkins in the villages. The project will also create a source of livelihood for the women, sensitizing and raising awareness among young girls and women in these villages about the health benefits of the use of sanitary napkins, menstrual hygiene, and health-related issues.
The project’s goal is to empower people in the selected villages to address health and nutrition issues and set up income-generating plants for women. The project will focus on two areas of activity, namely self-help group formation for menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and tele-health medicine.
The project aims to provide infrastructure, training, health, and medical facilities in Jalna District villages, promote hygienic menstrual practices among rural women and adolescent girls, eliminate stigmas and taboos related to menstruation, facilitate authentic information and guidance to reduce hospitalization, empower girls by addressing gender issues, provide comprehensive mobile health care services, and enhance the physical and psychological well-being of rural women. The project also offers free tele-consultations by an expert panel of doctors to all beneficiaries.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Economy / by admin India Tomorrow / March 08th, 2023
The mini Taj Mahal constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore at Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu which is the hometown of the businessman is drawing crowds from across the state.
Chennai:
In a unique love for his mother, a Chennai-based businessman has constructed a mini Taj Mahal in memory of his mother.
The mini Taj Mahal constructed at a cost of Rs 5 crore at Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu which is the hometown of the businessman is drawing crowds from across the state.
Family History
Amrudeen Sheik Dawood Sahib is a hardware businessman in Chennai and the only male member among the five siblings. His father Abdul Kader Sheik Dawood was a businessman in Chennai and dealt with leather goods.
However, Abdul Kader Sheik passed away while his children were very young. His wife, Jailani Beevi was a person who did not give up easily and struggled hard to run the business and to bring up the five children, including four girls. All the children grew up and after the four sisters were married off, Amrudeen Sheik also got married.
In 2020 Jailani Beevi passed away, which was a major shock to Amarudeen, as he was the one who had helped his mother from a very tender age in the shop and was always moving around with her. She passed away on a new moon day and Amarudeen decided to feast 1,000 people on every new moon day with biryani.
However, Amarudeen thought that this was not enough and later came across the idea of constructing a mini Taj Mahal for his mother. He bought one acre land at his ancestral village, Ammayiappan, and with the support of a builder friend started constructing the monument.
What’s inside this Taj Mahal?
He bought marble from Rajasthan and made pathways and walkways around the monument just like in the Taj Mahal at Agra and on June 2, the monument was opened to the public.
It has meditation centres where people of all faiths can meditate and a madrasa where 10 students are presently staying.
Amarudeen, however, did not give publicity to the Taj Mahal of the South and people came to know of this through word of mouth.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Life & Style / by IANS / June 11th, 2023
The story of a girl from a small town who goes out to make her place on a global map voicing out the importance of the equality, inclusion and economic empowerment of women.
A survival story of a girl from an industrial town with an SSLC graduation who goes out to make her place on a global map voicing out the importance of the equality, inclusion and economic empowerment of women.
How I became an entrepreneur
I was born and brought up in a very well-reputed, broad-minded family of people involved in the leather business. I got married at the early age of 16 to the only son of the leather industry’s biggest names. My parents found the best for me. However, life isn’t a bed of roses and i and my spouse had our struggles.
The sudden demise of my father-in-law had shattered my husband and then I decided to accompany him in his business. It was very much unheard of and extremely novel in the industrial town of Ambur to see a woman come out and shoulder financial responsibilities with their husband in business.
What was the turning point?
The formation of ‘Ammara’ a footwear manufacturing factory is unique with its idea of the implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and its individuality stands alone as it’s the only women-owned factory in the whole industrial belt of Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Ranipet, Vellore, Gudiyatham, etc are the industrial towns completely male-oriented businesses where “Ammara” stands unique with the only female-run business where I had always strongly stood for women empowerment actively volunteering with the Government and International organisations like Tamilnadu State Planning Commission, NITI AAYOG, UNDP, United Nations for the awareness of entrepreneurship development in women by organising Awareness programs in villages and rural areas for the same.
What was the lesson I learnt
“Believe in yourself…If you believe it then you can Achieve it”
When I entered into the business of footwear manufacturing in a male-oriented industry, it was very tough for me to survive as there was no encouragement or positive energy. I had to face a lot of criticism and abuse. I was targeted for the wrong reasons and there were constant blame games on my name. I had to overcome hurdles and obstacles until I found my place in the business and the industry. I am a firm believer in destiny and have always had a positive outlook on things.
I have always believed that these were tests and are nothing but a process of learning and grooming on the road to success. I started small with the pure motive of the economic empowerment and growth of women. I named my factory ‘Ammara’ meaning ‘Eternal’ which I believed will InshaAllah, like its meaning last forever against all odds and will triumph towards the Implementation of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 5 and 8.
Coming from an orthodox conservative Muslim society, I chose the path less travelled, and that made all the difference in my life.
Why financial independence for women is key
Each and Every woman should be financially independent as everyone is born with gifts by birth but aren’t aware of what to find in them and I believe that girls and women in my home town Ambur are very intelligent and smart but they lack the right support and the correct guidance in the areas of knowledge on skill development, capacity building, mentoring, financial assistance that make a woman strong. I believe that these skills made me strong enough to voice out my opinions louder about the need for knowledge and education on life skills. I had always felt that it was the need for the hour and the cry of society on the road to women’s empowerment & entrepreneurship.
How a women’s health platform is needed to ensure more women join the workforce
Awareness/Advocacy/Action/Accountability is the key to ensuring that we make more women join the workforce. The only idea is to see ‘women in a leadership role’ which keeps me motivated and inspired. I have always believed that women are driven, courageous, brave and strong. Women can achieve anything and everything they set their minds to. I’ve always wanted women to be honoured in my industrial town in leadership decision-making roles. I second the opinion that the world needs more and more women in the board rooms, in the courtrooms, in academia and in civil service. I am inspired by women achieving in many areas and it keeps me motivated.
What’s next for Aysha
‘Inclusion & Equality’
Progress is impossible without change and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything it’s high time that we believe Inclusion is a must to see the growth in the GDP and the economic progress of a country will be made possible by empowering more women and Seeing is Believing and Believing is Achieving and she has always strongly believed in herself and her instincts which kept her moving forward. She has witnessed herself and the organisation progressing towards our vision & goal from the day she started. From the scratches till today, she considers each day is a new lesson and new development in the areas of manpower, product, technology, fashion, manufacturing and empowerment. Her husband and her fellow workers and staff of her factory have come a long way by understanding the process of standing together throughout the journey and she has always seen herself getting closer to the light at the end of the tunnel. She has been growing since Day 1 and each day is a new day with a new opportunity and a new idea.
I’m now moving towards my next endeavour and all set for my first in-person meeting of the Action Council in Delhi on March 15 as an integral part of the G20 Action Council & Taskforce.
source: http://www.shethepeople.tv / She The People / Home> Personal Stories> Drafts / by Aysha Sanober / March 08th, 2023
J-K’s Shaista Khan wins ‘Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar’ in 2022
New Delhi [India], (ANI):
‘Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar’, initiated in 2011 to promote language and literature, has served as an inspiration in the lives of youth in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the rise of their interest in the Kashmiri language.
Sahitya Akademi New Delhi had started this award in 24 languages. Nine writers have received this award for the Kashmiri languages so far, according to a report.
The latest in the list is a Srinagar-based young writer Shaista Khan who won the award for her fictional collection “Brand Birs Peeth” in 2022.
“It has been observed that due to this award, other novice writers are also getting inspiration and they are getting interested in Kashmiri language and literature,” the report said.
According to the report, the previous recipients of this award in the field of fiction, poetry, and criticism in the Kashmiri language include Nishad Azam, Farooq Shaheen, Adil Mohiuddin, Nighat Sahiba, Diba Nazir, Sagar Nazir, Muzaffar Ahmad Pare, and Razi Tahir Baghat.
A young writer, Nisar Azam, was the first one to receive this award in 2011 for his poetry collection ‘Pathalej Zone Dars’.
Farooq Shaheen was awarded this award in the year 2012 for his literary criticism book “Gash Miller”. Adil Mohiuddin received this award for criticism in his book “Zol Dith Sardars” in 2016. Nighat Sahiba was awarded the Yuva Praskar in 2015 for her poetry collection “Zardpankh Dear” while Diba Nazir won the award for her fictional collection “Zarin Zhom” in 2018.
Sagar Nazir won the award for his poetry collection “Thar Anganch”. Awarded in 2019 for Uva Proscar while the 2020 Yuva Proscar was won by Muzaffar Ahmed Pray for his poetry collection “Wauch Baath” and the 2021 Uva Proscar recipient in the Kashmiri language is Razi Tahir Bhagat who received this honour for his fictional collection “Yela”. Awarded for “Ain Phath”, the report said.
A certificate of Rs 50,000 is given to writers up to 35 years of age in a grand ceremony.
“This is a welcome step by the Sahitya Akademi to encourage young writers. It gives more inspiration to the writers and encourages them to produce quality literature,” the report quoted researcher Mohammad Salim Salik as saying. (ANI)
This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by ANI / January 01st, 2023
Misaalis a platform committed to inspire and influence young Indian Muslims by sharing success stories of people from the community who achieved incredible milestones and emerged as pioneers and champions in various fields.
At a time when Covid-19 lockdown forced all of us to stay indoors and positive stories were in short supply, three Muslim youth came up with an initiative called Misaal to highlight success stories from the Muslim community. Three youth Aman Mansuri (25), a consultant at BCG, Amim Fatmi (25), associate manager at TCS and Shaista Khan (25), a venture capital associate who are alumni of India’s premier institutes like IIT Roorkee, IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, NIFT Delhi and NIFTEM started Misaal.
Misaal is a platform committed to inspire and influence young Indian Muslims by sharing success stories of people from the community who achieved incredible milestones and emerged as pioneers and champions in various fields.
Aman Mansuri
“Misaal in Urdu means ‘a good example.’ We wanted to find out the Misaals of our community and share their experiences to hone the self-confidence of the youths and introduce them to the world of possibilities,” Aman told TwoCircles.net.
The trio acknowledged the privilege they had in getting into institutes of national importance, however, they say that they were perplexed by the lesser ratio of the Muslim students in such institutions. “I had only two female Muslim students as my batchmate,” said Shaista. “If I made it to the list, so can others, and this is what the initiative is about,” she added.
Misaal believes that the first step to achieving something is to dream big.
“Muslim youth need to develop big aspirations and not restrict themselves. Currently, the major focus among the community’s youth is on quick income generation. This, coupled with a widespread lack of awareness about the opportunities leads many to drop out and overall poor education levels,” said Amim.
“While there are many reasons for lack of aspiration, the most important one is the lack of visible role models who can serve as positive examples to the youth,” added Aman.
Amim Fatmi
Aman shared an anecdote wherein the only prominent Muslim figures that his friends knew of were late Indian president Dr A. P. J Abdul Kalam and the first Minister of Education of independent India, Abdul Kalam Azad. “This obliviousness about the contemporary prominent Muslim figures was alarming,” the trio said.
Misaal has posted a total of 14 episodes starting August 16, 2020, to date. Each episode is of 25 – 30 minutes long entailing relatable lived experiences in which successful people from the Muslim community share their inspirational stories. Some of the prominent figures featured on their You Tube channel are Shahrukh Alam, a lawyer at the Supreme Court of India, Quaiser Khalid, IGP, Maharastra Police, Shabina Akhtar, founder of eNewsroom, Talha Abdul Rahman, an Advocate on Record, Supreme Court, and Dr Mohammad Hussain, founder of Baroda Muslim Doctors Association.
“I am very glad that I was contacted by Misaal to share my story as an inspiration. I am more than happy to contribute in whatever way I can in this endeavour,” commented Parveen Khanam, Assistant Vice President, Genpact, who had shared her story on the platform.
The trio identified the lack of guidance and inspiration among the Muslim youths as a problem and have set out to provide a solution through Misaal. To make a positive difference among their community’s youngsters, they want to create an efficient system working on three levels, “To inspire the Muslim youths by sharing the stories of high-achieving Indian Muslims and to provide mentorship and scholarships, and to upskill them through workshops.”
Shaista Khan
“We are in the initial phase where we are trying to create a fraternity. So far it’s been only a one-way communication but going forward we want to engage on a personal level with our audience and address their needs,” said Aman. “As things start to settle well, we will gain grounds and start conducting mentorship programs and workshops extensively,” added Amim.
The trio believes that educated Muslims can build a progressive society and eventually help build a better and stronger nation. The trio says in unison, “Padhega Muslaman, tab hi badhega Muslaman aur phir badhega Hindustan” (Only an educated Muslim can make for a progressive Muslim community and in turn making a better India).
The Misaal episodes are available to watch on their YouTube channel and they can be approached through other platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
www.misaal.co.in
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> India News / by Shalini S , TwoCircles.net / March 01st, 2021
All the office bearers except Vice President were elected unopposed. Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar were the guests of the oath taking ceremony.
Dr. Shabana Kesar first woman President of MANUUTA, Newly elected office bearers took oath
Hyderabad:
The newly elected members of Maulana Azad National Urdu University Teachers’ Association (MANUUTA) took oath in the investiture ceremony held at CPDUMT Auditorium Tuesday evening.
All the office bearers except Vice President were elected unopposed. Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar were the guests of the oath taking ceremony.
Prof. Badiuddin Ahmed, Chairperson Election Committee, administered the oath to Dr. Shabana Kesar as the President of MANUUTA along with other office bearers. Dr. Salahuddin Syed, Vice President; Dr. Jameel Ahamad, General Secretary; Dr. Majid Ali Choudhary, Joint Secretary (organizing); Mr. Ahmad Talha Siddiqui, Joint Secretary (Publicity) and Mr. Chavala Mutyala Rao, Treasurer also took charge.
Dr. Shabana Kesar from the Department of Women Education is the first women President of MANUUTA.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan congratulated the newly elected office bearers and emphasized upon work for the welfare of the teaching community of MANUU. He also distributed certificates among office bearers.
Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Guest of Honour welcomed the new members and assured his full support for the overall development of the University.
Election officers – Dr. Syed Khaja Safiuddin convened the program and Mr. Mohd Omar proposed vote of thanks. Dr. Faheemuddin Ahmed, Dr. Z. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Khaja Moinuddin and Dr. Muqeem Ahmed also served as Election officers.
source: http://www.munsifdaily.com / The Munsif Daily / Home> News> Regional> Hyderabad / June 22nd, 2023
Dr Ayesha Ahmad, Department of Pediatrics, J N Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University received the prestigious Fellowship of The Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), London.
The honour given to her at the fellowship conferment ceremony earlier this year is in addition to her Membership in the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH), for which she qualified in 2015.
According to a press release from the AMU, it may be noted that the Fellows of the RCP are distinguished consultants or SAS doctors and are given the honour of using the FRCP post-nominal.
Dr Ahmad was awarded the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Fellowship (ESPE) in 2016 for working in Paediatric Endocrinology in the United Kingdom. Currently, she is involved in developing the Paediatric Endocrinology division in the department, which will address the ever-increasing cases of Type 1 diabetes, thyroid, growth disorders, and other endocrine issues of the paediatric age group. Her main thrust in research and publications covers the fields of Paediatric Endocrinology and General Paediatrics.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by News Desk / June 15th, 2023
Firdousa Jan receiving the Florence Nightingale award from president Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan
It was a moment of excitement for Firdousa Jan, Staff Nurse at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, when she received the information that her name was on the list of awardees for the National Florence Nightingale award. She was excited and thought of her mother, whose motivation had made her decide in favour of joining Nursing as profession, 21 years ago.
Firdousa Jan received the award from President Droupadi Murmu in Rashtrapati Bhawan on June 22; she was among 15 other nurses from all over the country to receive the award. Her husband, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, who works in Saudi Arabia, was also present at the event. Their school-going daughter and son watched with bated breath their mother being honoured by the President.
“My mother has been the force behind my choosing the profession”, she told Awaz-the Voice over the phone from her Baghe-Mehtab residence in Srinagar. “I was least interested in the medical profession, as I could not see people in pain”.
Firdousa said that when she could not get into a medical college she decided to be a Nurse and joined the SKIMS. “My mother kept reminding me that facing challenges is a great learning in life.”
She completed her disploma in General Nursing and Midwifery from SKIIMS; B.Sc Nursing from IGNOU in 2002 and her M.Sc again from SKIIMS. She has submitted her Ph.D. thesis in Nursing and is waiting for her final presentation – called defending the thesis.
Firdousa has two booklets and a couple of articles published to her credit and her thesis focuses on handling cancer patients.
Firdousa Jan (Extreme right, sitting) with President Droupadi Murmu and other awardees at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Firdousa Jan teaches at the Nursing College of the SKIMS. She has also the distinction of working with the victims of drug addiction who require psychiatric treatment. She also did great work in the vaccination drive during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is a challenging job at the SKIMS as a large number of patients are referred to from other hospitals” in the valley, Firdousa commented. “All the professionals at the Institute, including doctors and nurses deserve not only national but international awards as they are doing a challenging job to the best of their capabilities.”
“It is a challenge for a nurse when she has to make a balance between family and profession”, she commented. “I was kind of a strong woman and knew how I have to make a balance between my job and the family”, Firdousa added. “I had that kind of strength…without my parents”, she said.
Firdousa admits she never thought that her work deserves an award because she only worked hard. “Recognition and appreciation help one to move forward, but ultimately a job requires dedication and honesty”, she said.
“It was very difficult and a great challenge to manage my family and profession”, Firdousa said. “In Nursing, we are taught how you have to be strong and take care of yourself”, which eventually became the title of one of her papers, “Who will nurse the Nurses?”
with her husband and children
Even as she faced the struggle amid stereotypical beliefs about the profession, her mother’s words that she is into the noblest professions kept her going. “I have proved myself.…many, including my relatives, have been inspired by me”.
Many of her relatives joined Nursing after her. She said the mantra for her is that keep improving her skills each day for self-satisfaction.
Her husband’s family hails from Chrar-e-Sharief; while Firdouse, her doctor husband had shifted to Srinagar for work. Besides her husband, her supportive family includes her elder brother and sisters.
Firdouse has not seen her father, for he had passed away as soon as she was born; her mother also died in an accident. She did her schooling at Chrar-e-sharif, the venue of the shrine of Kashmir’s patron saint Nund Rishi. Firdausa Jan received her early education from a Government school in Chrar-e-Sharief.
“I haven’t seen my father….there were little resources for us”, and therefore no facility to study in a private school, while many others were studying in private schools,” she said.
Firdousa would manage to get textbooks from the senior students. Never did the lack of resources come in the way of her studies.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ehsan Fazili / June 29th, 2023
Learning Point, founded by Sarvath Adil Khan in 2018 with only six students, has since expanded to accommodate a student body of 300.
Education, in today’s world, is more than just conferring a certificate. It is granting a child an equal opportunity to compete and excel in a fast-progressing world that is only growing every day in ideas and possibilities. It is to equip children with the necessary skills, techniques and information that build in them the confidence to challenge, create, innovate and allow them to contribute towards the betterment of societies and the upliftment of their communities. It is this confidence that Sarvath Adil Khan, founder of Learning Point , talks about when she says, ‘I want to give them the gift of confidence, so that they can, at least believe that they too, like every other child, have a right to dream. And then over here, with the help of this project, I want to equip them with the necessary tools with which they can turn their many dreams into a reality.”
Learning Point, located in Bangalore’s Tannery Road is an NGO that works to offer youth, struck by fate, a second chance at pursuing their education in various fields, and to make a difference in their lives. The NGO works with school drop outs who had to discontinue their education early to become breadwinners for their families. Learning Point’s alumni, of the past four years boasts of children who were formerly working as maids, house helps, waiters, table cleaners, garage boys and are now either successfully placed in decent jobs or are pursuing their higher education as lawyers, paramedics and engineers. The course seeks to offer firstly a basic training in spoken English and then goes on to incorporate the students in an NIOS program. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is a government initiative that provides courses and programs up to pre-degree level through open and distance learning mode. The NGO also organises job placements, vocational counselling, teachers training and workshops on women empowerment, computer skills, interview skills, personality development along with scholarship programs.
Learning Point began in the year 2018 with only six students and has now grown to a 300-student strength, with a well-equipped, qualified staff, catering exclusively to youth, single mothers, widows, abandoned women, child laborers and drug addicts who wish to give themselves a second chance at breaking free from their circumstances for a better future. A unique initiative by the NGO is their AEMS (Academic Education for Madrasa Students) program that aims to empower huffaz, alims and students enrolled at madrasas with a formal English education along with personality development and computer courses, without hindering their Islamic education. The program even allows the students to write their exams, three subjects at a time, so as to not overburden their curricula.
‘We hope to make madrasas a haven of both Islamic and academic education’, their brochure optimistically says. The AEMS program is already being implemented in four madrasas in Bangalore and has yielded vibrant results. The NGO prides itself on a 96.7% pass rate for tenth standard and 98.1% for twelfth standard of which madrasa students too had between 98-100% pass rate.
Sponsored by a few organisations across Bangalore, the NGO was founded by Sarvath Adil Khan, who has nearly seven years of experience in social service. A former parent leader at Oasis International School, Sarvath did not let her early marriage deter her from seeking a higher education for herself. A certified Cambridge trainer with a Masters in Psychology, she has previously served as headmistress in Elegant International School, before establishing her own centre for schooling and service.
“Maybe it was my own circumstances that moved me towards my brainchild, the Learning Point,” she says when asked about her source of inspiration. “I was married too early, depriving me the chance at education, training and self-reliance. It is only when I pushed myself to study after the birth of my two children that I realised that every school dropout should also be given this second chance at bettering themselves.”
“Parents from poor economic backgrounds enrol their children in a madrasa for many reasons. But the foremost amongst them is that it offers some sort of a formal education, free of cost, that allows the child to have at least a meagre income in the future. But as a society we have stereotyped our alims and huffaz to a point that we don’t see them beyond their kurta pajamas as individuals who are deserving of respect and opportunities just like other members of the society. All they end up with is having to stand in BPL ration lines for food and less than sufficient incomes while they are only approached by the community on a ceremonial basis.”
While many aspects differentiate Islam from other religions, the pursuit of education stands out as a significant one. Islam considers the acquisition of knowledge as a fundamental duty for all believers, irrespective of gender, age, or profession, rather than a privilege for a chosen few. The AEMS program that works with madrasas empowers the students to balance both the worlds and face the society head-on without any feelings of deprivation and inferiority, as they enhance themselves with their Islamic education accompanied by a formal English education that enables them to have careers of their choosing.
After completing their pre-degree level courses with NIOS the students are integrated into colleges across the city where they can meet and learn from diverse cultures and thought processes to become individuals who understand the society better and can offer more than what they themselves received.
Sarvath emphasises on the need for teachers to be more aware of the skill-based opportunities that are now available, making it possible to create careers out of every little hobby. It is with this guidance and encouragement that many lives and futures and can be given a chance so that they too can become contributing members of the society instead of dependents on government schemes.
“My students give me the energy boost I need to carry on with my initiative whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or discouraged by the lack of support in our community. I watch them talk about their dreams with a twinkle in their eyes and I know that I will continue to work for them.” Learning Point has already made a difference in 317 lives that have now been removed from the shackles of illiteracy and unemployment and are already on a path of determination, confidence and compassion.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate/ Home> Education / by Zainab Aliyah / June 15th, 2023
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