By Mirza Mosaraf Hossain, TwoCircles.net
In an extremely positive news for the Muslim community in West Bengal and the country, five Muslim students feature in the Top 10 list of the West Bengal Madhyamik Examination for 2017, which were released on Saturday. The students, who come from modest backgrounds, secured their positions among over 10 lakh students(4.73 lakh male, 5.87 female students) who appeared this year.
Mozammel Haque from Parpur village of Bankura district and a student of Bankura Zilla School secured the joint second rank in the exams. after he scored 689 out of 700. He got 100 out of 100 in Mathematics and Geography, 98 in English, 99 out of 100 in Physical Science and Life Science, 96 in History and 97 in Bengali. “ I always maintained studying seven-eight hours on my own after my school and tuitions. My parents and teachers were always beside me encouraging me to do something extraordinary.” he said and added that he wants to research on medicine.
His father, a retired teacher at a madrasa, was overwhelmed by his son’s success, and said, “We anticipated that he will be standing in top 10, but to be second overall is something that has made us tremendously happy. We are overjoyed with his success,” he said.
Md. Masum Akhtar, student of Sundarban Adarsha Vidyamandir, in South 24 Parganas, secured 4th rank with a total of 687. He got 100 out of 100 in Mathematics, Physical Science and Geography, 98 in Life Science, 97 in Bengali, 94 in English. His father said, “Though he expected 690 he got 687. We were always confident that he will stand in top 10.”
Masum could not be contacted as he was busy in a live programme. His father, a clerk at Kakdwip Sub division, told that they want him to be a doctor and a researcher on his concerned field.
Md. Sayan Safik, a physically handicapped student of Deulgram Mankur Bakshi High School, ranked 8th scoring 683 without any home tutor. He got 93 in Bengali, 95 in English,98 in History, 97 in Geography and 100 in Mathematics, Life Science and Physical Science.
Sayan was not available for his comments. His father, Sk Md. Safik, a resident of Delugram, Howrah district, said, “His ambition is to be doctor and research on eyes as he is a visually-challenged patient.” “But”, he added, “our first and foremost task is to recover his low eye sight and we will do whatever needed for this.”
Sk. Afridi of Burdwan Municipal High School Abdul Malek Khan of Al Ameen Mission jointly took the 10th position securing 681 marks. The son of a ration dealer, Afridi scored 94 in Bengali, 93 in English, 100 in Mathematics and Geography, 99 in Physical Science and Life Science. “I would like to say that students should read their textbooks very minutely as it ensures both good understanding of the topics and good marks,” was Afridi’s advice when he was asked about his reading process.
Malek, the son of an auto driver of Kachiamara, south 24 Parganas, got 90 in Bengali, 99 in English, Mathematics and Geography, 98 in Physical Science, Life Science and History. “We never expected that my son would do something great like this. We are indebted to Al Ameen Mission for their constant help and support,” said Malek’s father Abu Kalam Khan who earns minimum wage and has a tough time maintaing his five members’ family.
Though he was a student of Al Ameen Mission, Bagnan branch of Howrah district, Malek was admitted to Paikpari High School. Malek said, “Our secretary (Al Ameen Mission) helped us in all sorts of means –from providing notes, books to mental support. Without his insistence, this success could not have been realized”. He also said that he wants to be a doctor and hence he started his higher secondary classes in Al Ameen Mission.
The overall pass percentage of students this year is 85.05%. According to a report in Hindustan Times, there were 98,571 male Muslim candidates who gave the test, while more than 1.61 lakh Muslim girls sat in the Madhyamik examinations. Girl students outnumbered boys students this year by a margin of 10.76% according to the Hindustan Times report.