By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net Special Correspondent
Banaras Hindu University or “Kashi Hindu Vishwavidalaya” established by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya is guarded by Mr. Firoz Ahmad Khan, a security guard. Mr. Khan hails from District Kaimur, Bhabua in Bihar and is quite comfortable with his assignment in B.H.U.
Khan joined the security staff of B.H.U. on 7th August 2008 on contract. He was initially recommended by Mr. Tewari, a former Sainik from Bihar for an interview in uniform. Mr. Khan suggested that only former Sainiks can recommend someone for this job and feels obliged to Mr. Tewari who was quite considerate for his employment. Firoz Ahmad Khan feels comfortable living in a barrack in B.H.U. and performing his duty as security guard. He is not alone in the security department of the university.
While walking hastily to join Friday prayers, I was asked to hop on the carrier of a bicycle riding security guard, who was hurrying to change dress and offer Friday prayers. Pillion riding, I enquired and came to know that I was helped in covering distance to the mosque just outside the boundary of B.H.U. by Mr. Salahuddin, another security guard in B.H.U.
Mr. Firoz Ahmad Khan in front of the main gate of B.H.U.
It is not that Muslims are only security guards here. There are many in the teaching faculties, some prominent researchers and scientists
Professor Mumtaz Ahmad Quraishi is in Applied Chemistry, Institute of Technology, B.H.U. Prof. Quraishi passed M.Sc.(Chemistry) from Sagar University in 1971. Then he obtained M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Kurukshetra University in 1978 and 1986 respectively. Later on he was awarded D.Sc. from Aligarh Muslim University in the year 2004.
Prof. Quraishi started his professional career as Lecturer in Govt. Science College, Jabalpur (M.P.) in 1973 and remained there till 1990. He was appointed as Reader in A.M.U. in 1990 and worked in this capacity till 2005. Then he joined B.H.U. as Professor in the year 2005.
Prof. Quraishi
Prof. Quraishi’s area of research is in the field of material conservation. He specifically studies prevention of corrosion through organic inhibitors. He received best paper award from MAAS in 1998 and from SAEST, Karaikudi (T.N) in 2002. He received Excellence award from NACE (National Association of Corrosion Engineers) in 1997. Electorchemical Society, Bangalore gave him the Mascot award in 2001. In the year 2007 Prof. Quraishi was given Meritorious Contribution award by NACE and decorated with “Vigyan Ratna” by U.P. Council of Science and Technology.
Students who can join Prof. Quraishi’s research group must either qualify GATE or five year integrated M.Tech. course (admission through IIT-JEE).
Presently Professor Quraishi has following research scholars:
1. Farhat Ayesha, M.Sc. from A.M.U. and an young scientist awardee
2. Ishtiaq Ahmad, M.Sc. from U.P. College, Varanasi (GATE qualified)
3. Shagufta Khan, M.Sc. fromJMI, New Delhi. She is working as Research Assistant in a research project.
4. Amreesh, M.Sc. from Harish Chandra College, Varanasi
5. Dilip Kumar Yadav, M.Sc. from Allahabad University recipient of National Doctoral Fellowship of AICTE
Amresh, Shagufta, Ishtiaq
Ishtiaq, Amresh (standing)
Shagufta Khan at work
Ten Ph.D’s have been awarded under Prof. Quraishi’s guidance.
Prof. Quraishi exhorts Muslim students to face the situation boldly and advises them to work hard as it is only their work that will bring recognition to them. He encourages Muslim students to join research in B.H.U. as there are more facilities here. He stresses on proper education of Muslims and feels that well educated Muslim youths can go anywhere citing the example of Shagufta Khan who though is not GATE qualified has been selected in BARC (Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay).