Instead of waiting for the Govt. agencies or social organisations to start a school in his native village, an illiterate rickshaw puller in Karimganj, Assam, opened nine schools by eking out a meager living pulling cycle rickshaw. Buoyed by his success, now he plans to start a college too. He received accolades from PM Modi in his ‘Man ki Baat’
W hile carrying student to schools or tuitions on his modest cycle rickshaw, an illiterate rickshaw puller dreamt, 40 years ago, of building a school in his remote village of Patharkandi. His village, 40 kms away from Karimganj district headquarters, remained cut off from rest of the world for severe lack of proper roads, electricity or means of communications. But with his clear vision, he saw how proper education can transform one’s life beyond recognition. So, his determination to build a school in his remote native village grew stronger and stronger even as he continued to pull his cycle rickshaw every day.
Ahmad Ali with the students at one of his schools
He often carried an Education Officer on his rickshaw. So, he thought he would discuss his idea with him, hoping an education officer might help or guide him. But when he asked the officer where and how he might arrange funds for building a school, the non-plussed officer said with a deadpan face, “You’ve to earn it yourself, my dear!”
But poor rickshaw puller was undaunted because of his superior willpower and his undying determination to get on with his ‘mission’. So he started looking for ways to make enough money so that he can build a school on his own.
Since his paltry earnings from his rickshaw proved to be too little to be of any use, he decided to do something no one could have dared or imagined in his life. He started working at night on his agriculture lands. Finally, his relentless work paid off. As soon as he made enough money, he made a makeshift hut on his own plot of agricultural land. He gathered some wooden logs that would serve as bench for the students to sit on. And then he did one of the most daring things no Muslim would ever think of doing. He sought out Manipuri Hindu teachers to teach in his school. Finally, in 1976, he opened his first Middle School for class 6th to 8th Standard.
From Unknown to a Celebrity
Since then there were no looking back for Ahmed Ali, the man on a mission. Out of his 36-Bigha of agricultural land, he donated 32 Bigha of land to build schools. And that’s not all. He is ready to give away his remaining lands to build a college, if any government agency, voluntary organisation or any rich individuals come forward to support him in his missionary fervour for education.
Ahmad Ali
That humble, but noble, rickshaw puller is 82-year old Ahmad Ali, who found a glorious mention in the March 2018 episode of ‘Man ki Baat’ of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The man whom no one ever noticed in his entire life suddenly achieved an overnight celebrity in this remote village and people started visiting him to seek his blessings even to start any new work including purchasing a new car. Even at the ripe age of 82, he is quite active and fit. The point which drew appreciation is that he started all the schools to offer modern education and not any madrasa type religious education. He comes from a very remote area of Barack Valley, the Southern part of Assam close to Tripura and Mizoram. For three-four days after Independence, the area was part of East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
Inspiration Worth Emulating
Ahmad Ali is an inspiration for the people who still wait for the government agencies to start a school in their areas. When asked what inspired him to start the school, Ahmad Ali recalls: “I came to Karimganj town from my village to pull a rickshaw. When I saw the boys and girls going to schools there, what nagged me the most was that there was no school in my village. I also saw how educated people made progress and how it improved the quality of their life. I thought if I ensure education in my village the young generation will not end up driving rickshaw like me. So, I thought there must be a school in my village. I often carried an education officer in my rickshaw. I discussed the idea with him, and he encouraged me. When I asked him from where the initial fund will come, he said ‘earn yourself’. Though I have a big family of seven daughters and four sons, I spent from my
own pocket to start the school. To earn extra money I cultivated land at night also.”
From Left Bangladesh High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali, Shri Sumit Dutt Majumder, Shri Ahmad Ali and Shri Subimal Bhattacharjee at the felicitation
Finally, Ahmad Ali started a middle school at Khillarban under Patharkandi Police Station in 1976. It was named ‘Ahmad Ali School’. When the school was started, the question was who would teach at the school. He hired some Manipuri teachers. However, some people questioned this decision saying why a Muslim is hiring Hindus and that too Manipuri teachers. But he was firm on his decision. When the school started working well, he approached the Assam government led by AGP for help and it provided help. Out of the nine schools that he has started so far, four are now government aided, and the rest are managed by the people. Interestingly, 60 per cent of the students in all these schools are girls. The population of Patharkandi is now about 20,000. In 1976, he started a Middle School and then in 1985 a Lower Primary School. In 1986, he started four Upper Primary Schools. Then in 1990, he started a High School. One of the pass outs from this school is now an Elementary Education Officer at a Block in Hailakandi District.
Ridiculed by Many
The change in one’s life and thinking, normally seen after the spread of education, is visible in these villages now. But all this was not so easy. “After spending my hard earned money, when I visited government offices for the school-related work, some ridiculed me saying you are a rickshaw puller and why are you establishing a school. But nothing discouraged me. However, some people appreciated my efforts,” he recalls. Recalling an incident of the 1980s, he says when I approached the Education Officer to inspect our village school he said he could not walk to such a remote village. Then Ahmad Ali arranged an elephant for him and the officer cleared the school after inspection.
“Today, I get huge respect wherever I go. It is because of the hard work of the teachers and the people associated with the schools. I go everywhere, but indeed, feel very uncomfortable, because I can’t read and write. After the PM mentioned my name in ‘Man Ki Baat’ on All India Radio, a lot of people come to me thinking I am a wise man and seek my blessings. My life has changed now,” he said while talking to Organiser in New Delhi. He is now regularly called for felicitation in Silchar, a major town of Assam. Chief Minister Sarbanand Sonowal and Finance Minister have also promised him help for the college.
Champion of Modern Education
During the whole process of setting up of schools, he encountered some obvious questions. Since he is a Muslim, some people from his own community asked him why he is not setting up madrasas for imparting ‘mazhabi taleem’. “Right from day one, I did not want to limit the education to Quran or religious books but desired to impart modern education so that the children of all communities get equal education. I am happy to see today that the number of girls studying in all these schools outnumber the boys,” he said adding that each of the school is at least three km away from each other. To meet the running expenses he continued to pull a rickshaw for many years.
Applause from Bangladesh High Commissioner
Ahmad Ali was in Delhi on November 25 for a recording in Doordarshan as part of the 50th ‘Man Ki Baat’. ‘Jookto’ a Delhi-based group of intellectuals, felicitated him. As part of the felicitation, people from diverse backgrounds gathered at Club House in Oberoi Apartment and interacted with him. The felicitation was arranged by Shri Subimal Bhattacharjee. Prominent among those present on the occasion was Bangladesh High Commissioner Syed Muazzem Ali. Sharing his feelings he said, “It is an unusual get-together. When I told my PSO that I have to go to meet Ahmad Ali, he was surprised and wanted to know who is this Ahmad Ali to whom the High Commissioner is going to meet. I said he is a great man; once we go there, you will understand what he has done. In fact, I have my association with Assam. My father was in Assam Civil Service and, in 1947, he was posted in Karimganj, the same place from where Ahmad Ali comes. Ahmad Ali’s story is very inspiring. In most parts, people do not surrender their land to the government for any reason. Even if they have to give, they ask for huge amount as compensation. But Ali has given 32 Bigha of his land for the schools. Normally, in such a case, the rule is that once the land is surrendered, and if the school is not constructed, the government still takes over the land. He is an illiterate man but understands the value of education. That is the thing that is inspiring for all of us.”
Shri Sumit Dutt Majumder from the Department of Customs said: “It is a great day for me because I also hail from the same Barack valley. I didn’t know about him earlier. The way he has spread education in such a remote area is really touching.” Shri Subimal Bhattacharjee said he first met Ahmad Ali in Guwahati where a journalist introduced Ali to him. “Since then on every third day he calls me to ask for my well being. He is a wonderful human being,” he said. When asked how he feels after the PM introduced him to the nation, Ahmad Ali said: “Because of Shri Modi’s recognition people now know him across the world. I feel I have become young. I am being honoured by everyone.”
Apart from the strong willpower that Ahmad Ali has displayed for opening the schools and also donating his agriculture land for them, the point which needs more appreciation is that he handed over four schools to the government so that they are managed well and never tried to earn money through these schools, which is normally done in most parts of the country today.
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