By Dr. Syed Ahmed, for TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Outstanding Muslim students of Manipur were feted by United Pangal (Muslim) Cultural Centre (UPCC) at a function organized at Manipur Press Club at Imphal on 31 December 2012.
The function was graced by social worker and Congress leader Alhaj Ahamed Ali, President of UPCC and educationist M.A. Salam, Grandson of former Chief Minister of Manipur Md. Alimuddin, Md. Lucky Ahmed and Inspector of Police Md. Riyazuddin as dias members.
Md. Ismat recieving the award
Large number of Muslim social activist and students from various parts of Manipur attended the function.
The Late Aljah Md. Alimuddin Educational Award was given to Md. Ismat, son of Maulana Bashirur Rahman and late Shahidan Bibi of Lilong Haoreibi Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district. Md. Ismat topped the CBSE-AISSCE 2012 scoring 495 marks out of 500 (99.6%) in Science stream. He is presently enrolled in St. Stephen College, N. Delhi. The award, sponsored by the family of the former Chief Minister Alhaj Md. Alimuddin from Lilong Haoreibi Turel Ahanbi, will be given to outstanding Muslim students of the State every year.
The outstanding Muslim Girl Award was given to Ms. Shaheen Khullakpam, daughter of Md. Hesamuddin and Mrs. Samina Sultana from New Lambulane River View. Shaheen was the Gold Medalist (Kangjam Ongbi Nungshisana Memorial Gold Medal) in the M. Sc. Examination 2012 in Bio-Chemistry, conducted by Manipur University. The cash award was donated by Md. Riyazuddin.
Shaheen receiving the award
The Educational Award was given to three Muslim Class X CBSE toppers who secured 100% marks, namely:
1) Mohd. Araz Khan, son of Mohd. Majid Ali and Mrs. Mumtaz of Lilong Haoreibi Makha Leikai, studied in Sainik School Imphal;
2) Mohd. Abrar Khan, son of Mohd. Talib Ali and Mrs. Alamjan Begum of Lilong Heinoumakhong, studied in Sainik School Imphal;
3) Mohd. Shoib Khan, son of Late Mohd. Abas Khan and Mrs. Umarjan of Sangaiyumpham Puleipokpi Part-I, studied in Sainik School Imphal.
The cash award was donated by Alhaj Ahamed Ali.
Giving the key-note address, Secretary General of UPCC, Benjamin M Shah highlighted the activities of UPCC. He said that the organization was formed in order to take up those activities and programmes which would help in promoting the education and culture of the Muslims in North-East India. The felicitation function was organized to promote quality education among the Manipuri Muslims. The organization had decided to felicitate the outstanding Muslim students every year by giving the educational award which was named after the former Chief Minister of Manipur, Alhaj Md. Alimuddin, Shah added.
Addressing the gathering, Ahamed Ali expressed hope that awarding the meritorious Muslim students in such felicitation functions would surely encourage Muslim students of the State to work hard.
M.A. Salam, who retired as a teacher of CBSE affiliated educational institutions, said he was happy to see the ever-increasing popularity of CBSE over the recent years in the State. The achievement of Md. Ismat had further enhanced the popularity of CBSE in Manipur in general and among the Muslims of the State in particular, he added. He also highlighted some of the advantages of studying in CBSE affiliated schools.
Students awarded along with their parents
In his speech, Md. Riyajuddin said large number of Muslim parents had realized the importance of giving quality education to their children. The performances of young boys and girls in various categories of exams in the recent years had shown that. However, Muslim students need to give in more labour, he added. He also expressed concern over the issue of drug-abuse by large number of Muslim youths in the State.
Giving his speech, Md. Lucky Ahmed highlighted some of the memorable works done by his grandfather Md. Alimuddin when he was the Chief Minister of the State, particularly in the field of education, which included establishment of the first institution of higher learning in the State, named Jawaharlal Nehru University Centre. The Centre later became Manipur University. Today it is a Central University.
UPCC is an organization formed in 2001 to promote Islamic culture and modern education among the Manipuri-speaking Muslims, locally known as Pangal, of North-East India. Benjamin M. Shah, social activist and well-known Muslim literary figure of Manipur, is the key founder of this Cultural Centre. Shah was the former President of Social Democratic Party of India and founding Secretary of Popular Front of India, Manipur State. Shah has, so far, published three novels (Begum Saheba, Khagnuthakki Singarei and Anarkali) and a short-story (Fulwar Begum). He is coming out with another novel, titled Madam, this month. Over the years, the organization has organized various Islamic cultural programmes, namely Nat and Kirat competitions, celebrated Milad-ul-Nabi in various parts of Muslim inhabited areas of the State and educational programmes.