By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
New Delhi: I get saddened when I hear from a Muslim youth about official apathy and injustice in the country,” said Justice Rajender Sachar at a reception to successful Muslim candidates of UPSC 2008. “One can live half-fed but one cannot tolerate injustice,” said he who chaired now famous Sachar Committee, while reacting to the speech earlier in the program of Akhtar Hussain Ansari, who ranked 453 in the final results of Civil Services examination 2008.
L-R: Prof Aftab Zaidi (Hamdard Study Circle), Dr Zafar Mahmood, Tariq Mabood (Rank 499), Akhtar Hussain Ansari (Rank 453), Shahid Alam (Rank 540), Salik Perwez (Rank 603), Justice Rajender Sachar, Shahid Mehdi (ex-VC, Jamia Millia Islamia)
While speaking at the reception Akhtar Hussain Ansari had narrated his story of injustice. He had topped in BA and MA in Shaheed Bhagat Singh College of Delhi University but he was denied a job of ad hoc lecturer and his junior and very low in the rank was appointed. The reception was given by Dr Zafar Mahmood, director of Zakat Foundation of India to successful Muslim candidates. About half a dozen were present at the program at India Islamic Cultural Centre.
In his turn, Dr Zafar Mahmood said the Muslim community, to an extent, is itself to blame for its backwardness as their youths have not been taking part in competitive examinations in good number. There is no dearth of talent among the Muslim youth but there is need of inspiration, determination and commitment.
With an aim to increase the presence of Muslims in governance Zakat Foundation of India launched a program in 2007 to select highly talented but financially weak students from across the country and to help them in coaching and accommodation in Delhi. This year also the Foundation has invited applications and it is going to interview the selected ones this month.