By Dr. Syed Ahmed, TwoCircles.net,
Imphal: Member of Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW), Mazida Khan passed away on December 11, 2012 due to a sudden health complication. She was one of the three members of the MSWC.
Mazida Khan (55) started her career as a teacher in a missionary school. She served as an assistant teacher at Don Bosco School at Chingmeirong in Imphal for more than 20 years. Besides being a member of MSWC, she was associated with many other institutions. She was a member of Central Board of Film Certification under Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. She was also in the Board of Director of Manipur State Development Co-operation Ltd. She was an executive member of INC Board Director, Women & Child Development under Social Welfare Department. She was also a member of Moulana Azad Foundation, North East.
Mazida Khan was associated with the Mahila Congress of Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC). She served as Vice-President of Khetrigao Block Mahila Congress before joining MSCW.
Mazida Khan felicitating a Muslim girl
Mazida Khan was also associated with many civil organizations. She was advisor of Kairang Muslim Women Development Association, Women Development Association, Khetrigaon, and Women Social Development Organization, Khumidok. She also served as Secretary of Child and Women Development Association, Khergao Awang Leikai.
Mazida Khan was born to Ajmir Khan and Khatoon Bibi at Mantripukhri on 15 August 1962. Her father was a well-known contractor and supplier in the 1950s-60s. Her mother was a descendant of the celebrated couple, Usman Chaoba and Sagolsem Thambal, whose riveting courtship has become part of the folklore of the Manipuri Muslims. She did her schooling from 4th Battalion Assam Rifles High School. She then completed her intermediate (PUC degree) from G.P. Women’s College, and graduated in Political Science from N.G. Mani College, Lamphel. She got Ratna in Hindi and also cleared Basic Training in Education.
Mazida Khan was very fluent in many languages. Besides Hindi, English and her mother-tongue Manipuri, she could speak Bengali, Assamese, Nagamese, Bhospuri, Punjabi, Urdu and even Nepali.
Chief Minister, Governor and various others condoled the sudden demise of Mazida Khan. In his condolence message, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi said, “I am deeply grieved to learn about the sad demise of Mazida Begum, Member of Manipur Women Commission…She was a campaigner for women’s rights and social causes. She worked zealously towards the development of women during her life as a member of the Commission. In her death, the State has lost an eminent social reformer. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and pray the Almighty God to give them strength to withstand this loss.”
MSCW also condoled the death of Mazida Khan. In her condolence message, Chairperson of MSCW, Dr. L. Ibetombi Devi said Mazida Khan was one of the rare Muslim women of the State who came forward to tackle some of the key issues faced by the womenfolk of this State. In her death Manipur has lost a great campaigner of women rights, she added.
Further condoling the demise, Parliamentary Secretary of MOBC & SCs, Md. Amin Shah recalled the rich contributions Mazida Khan made in various kinds of social activities during her life time. He said the death of Mazida Khan has created a vacuum not only within the Muslim community but also to the State, which would be hard to fill. Mazida Khan happens to be from his assembly constituency.
MPCC President Gaikhangam, Member of Parliament Dr. Th. Mainya, Chairperson of Manipur State Minorities Commission A. Halim Chawdhury and various civil organizations of the State also condoled the death of Mazida Khan.
Mazida Khan and Chairperson of MSMC at a village in Churachandpur District investigating the death of a women
MSCW was constituted on Sept. 15, 2006 in pursuance of the Manipur State Commission for Women Act, 2006, to safeguard the interests of women. As a statutory body, its mandate covers almost all aspects of women’s development. At present the Commission has a Chairperson (Dr. L Ibetombi Devi), three members (the other two are: Ms. June Rose Vaiphei and Mrs. Hodam (O) Piteswori Devi) and a Member Secretary (S. Meghachandra Sharma).
The last rites of Mazida Khan, performed on Dec. 12, 2012 at the kabarsthan at Khetri Awang Leikai, was attended by Agriculture Minister Md. Abdul Nasir, Social Welfare Minister A.K. Mirabai, Parliamentary Secretary Md. Amin Shah, MLA Mrs. Landoni and many other Muslim leaders of the State.
Mazida Khan is survived by her husband M.A. Rahaman Shah and a young daughter.