Hyderabad: It is a universal fact that education plays an important role in moulding illiterate to a person of high calibre.
Many educationists are of the opinion that without education, a man is just like a body without soul. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was a great man of literature and hence was made the first Education Minister of independent India.
One such person was late Mr. Abid Ali Khan, founder Editor of Siasat Daily who put his heart and soul to constitute Abid Ali Khan Educational Trust in 1994 in order to provide the knowledge of Urdu to those who got their education through English medium schools.
During his lifetime, he was instrumental in nurturing many institutions to maturity in the field of Arts, Literature, culture and Education.
When I spoke to the in-charge of Abid Ali Khan Educational Trust situated in the premises of Siasat Daily Mr. Habeebuddin, he first gave me a warm welcome and said that this trust proved to be great asset to the people of not only Hyderabad but also people from other states such as Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, UP, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
According to him, two sessions of examinations conducted every year. First session is in the first month of every year i.e. January and the second one in the middle of the year i.e. June. Urdu Dani, Zabandani and Insha are three sects where the examinations are conducted.
For the first two subjects the pass marks are 30 out of 100 and for the last subject, obtaining 35 marks is compulsory.
Mr. Habeebuddin said that apart from Urdu literacy programme in association with Idare Adabiyaat Urdu, Panjagutta, the trust also conducts free Eamcet training, Teachers training, BUMS entrance test training and runs various funds such as Millat fund for the underprivileged.
He said that from 1994 till date 6,00,000 students have appeared in the above said three examinations and approximately 5,00,000 students cleared their examination with distinction.
According to him M/s Zahid Ali Khan, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan and Amer Ali Khan are always available for the cause of Abid Ali Khan Educational Trust.
Late Abid Ali Khan, who can be truly called the pioneer and champion of Urdu cause, now his legacy is progressing with every passing day and would continue to do so for a very long long time to come. (AMEN)
Wajid_siasat@yahoo.in