By TCN News,
Panaji: Felicitation of meritorious students and a debate on ‘Present Indian Muslims’ situation and our responsibilities’ marked the Popular Front of India, Goa (PFI) celebrations for the ‘National Education Day’ here.
The programme was held at Gomant Vidya Niketan Hall, Margao (morning session) on November 11. It was attended by E Abubakar, founder member of Popular Front of India, ex-Chief Town Planner of Goa Murad Ahmed, Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaats Shaikh Bashir, chairman of Posh English School Dr Shaikh Abdul Shakoor, president of Ittehadul Muslameen Bashir Khan, chairman of Anjuman School & Ex-SAG treasurer Ashraf Pandial, president of All India Imams Council Mufti Hanif Ahrar and president of Mufeedul Muslameen Youth Organization of Goa Tabib Shaikh among others.
Group Photos of Felicities of ‘Meritorious Students’ alonwith the Founder member & Chief Guest- Mr. E. Abubakar, Ex-Chief Town Planner of Goa & Guest of Honor- Mr. Murad Ahmed, President of PFI-Goa Mr. Shaikh Abdul Rauf, PFI-Goa Gen. Secretary Mr. Sayed Ifityaz and Spl. Invitees.
Abubakar congratulated the meritorious students and prayed for their bright future ahead and said, “his organization works for the total empowerment of the downtrodden, which is not possible without educational empowerment.”
The guest of honour called upon members to work at the grass root to realize the goal of education and empowerment of the community in Goa and suggested, “Our institutions should also impart religious teachings to make a student a good human being in life.”
Prof Shamsher Khan of GVM’s College, who was awarded by the Goa government as an excellent teacher, was also felicitated on the occasion. Students who earned distinction in various fields right from SSCE, HSSCE, graduation, PG courses, engineering, law and medicine etc were felicitated, a release said here.
Muzaffar Shaikh compeered the programme while Sayed Iftiyaz proposed the vote of thanks.
Later, community leaders, intellectuals, institutes heads etc were invited for a get-together at Gulmohar Baug, Verna for a debate and discussion on the topic ‘Present Indian Muslims’ situation and our responsibilities.’
Shaikh Abdul Rauf, president of PFI-Goa briefed the dignitaries about the PFI activities/work all over India, the release said.
The national executive member Anis Ahmed said the PFI is organizing such get-togethers all over India to study the pulse of the situation after Lok Sabha elections. “People are unable to understand what is going on in the country and through our programmes, we have tried our level best in educating them on the present Indian scenario. (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi, who was projected as a cruel leader 10 years ago, has now been projected as a saviour by the same main stream media in India. Wherever there is BJP government in power in any state, the RSS/BJP will not create communal riots, but they will do it to polarise the voters, for instance, Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka,” Ahmed said.
“Their aim is to bring Hindutva agenda in all the spheres of life and they are on track doing things as per their agenda. India is a democratic country and we as justice loving citizens have to stand firm to safe guard values our nation stands for,” he said.
Abubakar said “Goa and Keraka have so many things in similar and our literacy rates are 81% & 94% respectively. We have to bring the people of all faiths together and work out a united solution to safeguard our Constitutional values. Discrimination against Muslims is happening all over the world and it is not a new phenomenon in India but this can be overcome by working with like-minded people in matters/issues concerning the state.”
He further added that the RSS/BJP are working to further their goal and “their immediate plan is to change three things – Common Civil code, construction of Ram Temple and removal of Article 370. But ours is to build an ‘India of Equal Rights for all’ and we have to fight against all atrocities to cretae a just society.”
The august audience posed lot of questions, which were satisfactorily answered by Abubakar and Ahmed, the release added.