By Md. Mudassir Alam,
Kishanganj, the north-eastern district of Bihar, was in news on Sunday (July 4, 2010) due to visit of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The same day brought a big shock for the locals as people’s favourite District Magistrate Feraque Ahmad had been transferred to Patna as the Special Secretary, Department of Minority Welfare, Government of Bihar. Feraque Ahmad’s tenure as a DM had been exceptional and he had nicely kept a balance between his official commitments and humanitarian association with locals.
An overview of Feraque Ahmad’s stay in Kishanganj
About a couple of years back in April 2010, a Muslim district administrator Feraque Ahmad came to India’s second Muslim dominated district Kishanganj in Bihar. The stereotypical Islamic look with long beard and skull cap was the only recognition of DM Kishanganj Feraque Ahmad. For locals only the Muslim factor was reason to give attention to Ahmad, but the label of District Administrator was as usual a big taboo for them. Since its existence on January 14, 1990 the post of DM in Kishanganj was a part of government’s curriculum and hardly anyone had seen the humane side from any District Administrator in the past.
Receiving Best DM award from Bihar CM Sushil Kumar modi [TCN photo]
Feraque Ahmad was an exception and he changed the perception of District Magistrate from common people’s mind. The generous man who is a firm believer of Islam provided a new definition to the post of District Magistrate. From youth to elders, literate to less educated, almost every section of the society was aware about Feraque Ahmad and his unique persona. All this happened due to far sightedness of Ahmad, who never tried to show bossiness while handling the responsibility of a District Administrator.
Instead of organising weekly ‘Janata Darbar’, Ahmad opened the doors of his office for common people without any specific time limit round the week. The office of Feraque Ahmad became a problem-solving hub for people of the district. Almost every day people used to visit the DM office in Kishanganj with the high hope to get their problems solved. Not only this, DM Kishanganj Feraque Ahmad was easily accessible over his mobile phone or office phone any time in the day for any genuine cause or grievances. Even his office staffs were very much closely attached with him and always used to take fast action of their mentor’s order.
I am describing the unique facets of Ahmad based on my personal observation and association with him that started about a year back. It all happened sudden as after listening and reading much about him, I personally meet with him in his office at District Collectorate. As listened earlier there was a gathering of common people in Ahmad’s chamber. While carefully signing over the official documents at the same time Feraque Ahmad was keenly listening to the grievances of people. It was an amazing instance for me as I never thought that a District Administrator can be so kind and have such thinking about common people.
My association with Feraque Ahmad continued further and I found many impressive things in this personality. During his 2 years tenure Kishanganj had witnessed the complete peaceful environment. Ahmad succeeded in getting the funds cleared from the centre for minority education, also he played a key role in properly implementing education and other projects including Indira Aawas Yojana and Old Age Pension. Meanwhile, Feraque Ahmad also put his full effort on the much talked about issue of the proposed AMU off-campus centre in Kishanganj. With the help of the then BDO and CO, Ahmad found out 246 acres land for AMU centre at the outskirts of district headquarters near Chakla Village. The land was later denied by AMU VC after his visit to Kishanganj on May 22, 2010 because the land was offered in 3 pieces.
Quite sadly and surprising, a section of society made Ahmad the main culprit for the AMU land issue instead of knowing the ground realities. In fact, many groups on the name of AMU off-campus centre in Kishanganj were established that targeted DM Kishanganj and tried to tarnish the image of Feraque Ahmad. Some told him the agent of Nitish led NDA government, while some even questioned his image by putting allegations. However apart from statements in newspapers and media, the groups never tried to talk or keep their ideas before DM Kishanganj to find out the solution of land issue.
Very few know Feraque Ahmad was silently working on getting the solution and prepared 3 new proposals for AMU off-campus centre in Kishanganj. Feraque Ahamad has discussed his proposals with local MP Maulana Asrarul Haque and also submitted a copy to Union HRD ministry on June 30, 2010 in New Delhi. Further on July 2, 2010, Feraque Ahmad was scheduled to meet with AMU VC Prof. P.K. Abdul Azis in Aligarh. But he had to postpone his meeting with AMU VC due to Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s planned visit to Kishanganj. When I talked to Ahmed in Delhi on June 30 regarding AMU issue he said that he would visit Aligarh shortly to meet with AMU VC.
On July 4, 2010 the Ruidhasa Maidan in Kishanganj was echoing with chants of Janata Dal (U) supporters and party workers. Nitish Kumar attended the huge rally of JD (U) and also shook hand with the former MP and one time leader of RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal), Mohammed Tasleemuddin. Nitish and Tasleemuddin were sharing the same stage and vowed to take the area of Seemanchal on the path of progress. But at the same time, silently Kishanganj had lost a loving District Magistrate Feraque Ahmad. As the Bihar Government declared the decision of transferring Ahmad, it spread like wildlife across the district and other parts of country among his followers. I too got the news, and was feeling happy as well as little sad. Quite pleasantly, Feraque Ahmad will now be the Special Secretary, Department of Minority Welfare in Patna (a higher position) but Kishanganj will always miss a good human being and an accomplished District Administrator.
(The writer is a Delhi based freelance journalist, hailing from Kishanganj)