By Mumtaz Alam Falahi, TwoCircles.net,
He was just 4 years when he caught polio and he hasn’t since stood on his feet. But it was his steely determination to go ahead and live a successful life that the disease never deterred him from going. His father was a solid rock support for him. Dr. Anees Rasheed Khan, 41, is a lecturer in a college in Amravati district of Maharashtra.
On 18th February 2012, Amravati University, at its 28th Convocation program, awarded Khan with his Ph.D. degree. The audience was overwhelmed with joy and excitement and gave him a standing ovation when he came on the stage and received the degree. Khan has done his graduation and masters in science from the same university.
Dr. Anees Rasheed Khan receiving Ph.D. degree at Amravati University on 18th Feb. 2012
Childhood & Education
“I was just 4 years old when I caught polio. My father was a teacher. He did his best for treatment but I never got cured and I never stood on feet. My father did not get depressed. He started taking serious interest in me. He was a teacher and he started tutoring me at home. I did matriculation and after that I had options to take either art or science steam. Many suggested art but I had interest in science and I opted for it. I did I.Sc., B.Sc. and then M.Sc.,” Dr. Khan told TCN over phone from Amravati.
Career
After M.Sc. he did B.Ed. and then M.Ed. to brighten job chances in teaching field but he could not get job for some years due to his physical problem. “Even having so many degrees for teacher’s job I could not get one for some years. They would doubt my ability to do blackboard work as I could not stand on my feet. And then for livelihood I began tuition and soon word spread that I am a good teacher,” says Khan.
Dr. Anees Rasheed Khan receiving an award
Meanwhile, a post of teacher got vacant in 1996 at a high school in Dharil tribal area, about 150 kms from Amravati. None wanted to go there. None applied for the job. “But as I needed a job I applied. I was the lone applicant. The management even asked me that though my appointment is final if I wanted to do the job here when physically able men have rejected it. I replied in affirmative and got the job. I taught at the school for three years. That was my first job,” says Khan.
Then he got the job of lecturer at Zila Parishad Amravati Junior College and has been teaching at the college for last 12 years.
Dr. Anees Rasheed Khan at a science exhibition in 2007
He missed a chance to join ISRO
He says there were three-four turning points in his life when he felt depressed. When he was in final year of M.Sc. (physics) he got a chance to join India’s premier space research institute ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) but he could not.
“I was in M.Sc. final year, had in fact cleared the course. A professor from ISRO had come for practical viva. He was so impressed with my academic background and scientific interest that he suggested me to join ISRO as a junior scientist. He offered all help. But at the same time, my father met with a serious road accident which claimed his one leg. And I had to leave ISRO opportunity as I had to look after father and home,” recalls Dr. Khan.
Title page of the book Sitaron se Aage translated in Urdu from Marathi by Dr. Anees Rasheed Khan
Literary interest
Though from science background, Dr. Anees Rasheed Khan has deep interest in literature and he has been writing on issues. Last year his translated work was published by Pharos Media, New Delhi. He translated a Marathi book written by eminent social activist and teacher Naseema Hurzuk and titled it “Sitaron se Aage”. The book was launched in December 2011 in Kolahpur. Naseema herself a physically challenged runs several schools, hostels and vocational training centers – all for only physically handicapped persons.
Family
Khan’s father has passed away. He has mother and elder sister who is also a teacher. In his own family he has wife and three children – two sons and one daughter.