By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: Bhupal Singh, Vice Chancellor Barkatullah University, Bhopal, has said that there can be no progress and development in society without acquiring knowledge. Apart from helping and supporting talented Muslim children, there should be an attempt to change the mind-set of Muslims at large towards education while pointing out its importance and laying great stress on it for the all round development of the community.
The above observation was made by Singh while speaking as chief guest at the annual function of Muslim Education and Career Promotion Society, (MECAPS), here at M.P. Urdu Academy hall on Sunday evening. Prof. Afaq Ahmad, an eminent Urdu litterateur presided over the function. Ishtiaq Arif and Prof. Hasan Masood, the present president and founder president of MECAPS respectively, were also seated on the dais. In the function meritorious Muslim students and talented sportspersons were felicitated.
Meritorious Muslim students and talented sportspersons with Bhupal Singh, Vice Chancellor Barkatullah University, Bhopal; Prof. Afaq Ahmad, an eminent Urdu litterateur, and other dignitaries
The highlight of the programme was that apart from Muslim children one upcoming cricketer Ajitesh Argal was also honoured on the occasion for his selection in Under-19 World Cup Indian team.
Singh lamented that the backwardness in Muslims is due to the fact that the community did not give priority to it in it’s scheme of things as it should have been. Those without education will continue to languish in darkness where no prosperity will ever reach them, he remarked.
With the change in mind-set towards education Muslims can come at par with other communities and realise their golden past once again when their ancestors did not lag behind others but were fore-runners in many fields, he added.
While lauding the efforts of MECAPS led by Sagheer Baidaar in creating awareness towards education and inculcating competitive spirit in Muslim students, Singh announced that Barkatullah University will coordinate and cooperate with MECAPS in organising lecture series in the memory of late Shahjahan Begum of Bhopal, former President of India Dr. S. D. Sharma and Mulla Sajjad Hussain who did yeoman service in the field of education for the people of Bhopal.
He informed that he would be forming an all women advisory committee to monitor coaching for competitive examinations for minorities for which classes would be starting shortly.
Prof. Afaq Ahmad speaking on the occasion said Bhopal is a perfect example of “Ganga-Jamuna Tahzeeb” (communal harmony) wherein in 1947 at the time of partition when whole of India was engulfed in communal frenzy not single drop of blood was shed here in the city in the name of religion.
Praising MECAPS for its wonderful work to glavanise the future of Muslim students, Prof. Afaq hoped that the new generation would rise to the occasion and bring glory to the community by toiling hard to achieve their target.
Ms Sana Akbar and Kashif Nawaz Durrani, both of St. Joseph`s Convent School, were crowned Senior and Junior level “MECAPS Student of the Year – 2007” respectively. Ms Sana received Mohd. Ismaeel Memorial Gold Medal and Rs. 25,00 merit scholarship and certificate. While Kashif was presented Mohd. Ismaeel Memorial Silver Medal and Rs. 2,000 merit scholarship and certificate.
Along with over three dozen meritorious students some talented sportspersons were also felicitated on the occasion. The sportspersons who were honoured included: Ajitesh Argal (cricket), Faisal Khan (Powerlifting), tiny-tot Aadil (karate) and Abdul Samad (Hockey).
It may be mentioned here that Faisal had won medals at an international powerlifting competition held in New Zealand. While Abdul Samad, a deaf and dumb youth, has been selected as goalkeeper of Sports Authority of India hockey team.
Earlier, Sagheer Baidaar, secretary MECAPS, presented the annual report. In his report he had mentioned about the memorial lecture series to which Bhupal Singh responded positively.
At the outset Hafiz Mohammad Khalid recited verses from the Holy Quran. Syed Masood Ali of MECAPS proposed a vote of thanks while Iftekhar Ayub compeered the programme with aplomb. ([email protected])