RIYADH — With more than 500 civic and community leaders including women and children mainly from north India, Bihar Anjuman’s (BA) biggest fundraiser to date featured special guests, a look back at 20 years of its social service, along with a peek at what’s next for the growing organization, here recently. A prominent educationist Fahad Rahmani, chief executive officer of the India-based ‘Rahmani30’ was the chief guest, on this occasion.

In his keynote address, Fahad Rahmani appreciated the works and achievements of BA, while explaining the success story of Rahmani30; which is a name to reckon with in the field of education in India. He urged people to launch “similar initiatives to educate and train young students in a better environment”. Asked about possibility of helping Indian students of the Gulf countries, Rahmani pledged to work with individuals and NGOs operating in the region.

He lent his support to “any educational or training program” on the model of Rahmani30, which currently trains students for the entrance examinations of Indian Institute of Technology, Medical, Olympiad, CA, CS and Law.”

In his speech Shakeel Ahmed, founder of Bihar Anjuman, made a presentation on how the organization is working in Bihar and Jharkhand to help “street children attend school, eradicate illiteracy among Muslims and offer them basic technical education to earn livelihood for their families.”

“Its better to light a candle than to curse darkness,” said Mohammad Shahin, BA president in his speech. Shahin urged community members to come forward “to educate our future generation”.

“If we can support education by adopting one child, we can make a huge difference,” said the BA chief, adding that the Riyadh-based chapter of BA has had its participation in a host of social and charity works.

He pointed out, “The BA has been on the forefront in extending aid and relief during emergency situations and natural calamities in India.” To this end, he noted that the BA works in collaboration with different Indian NGOs operating in the Kingdom, when it comes to relief and rehabilitation efforts for refugees or flood victims in India.

BA President Shahin also appreciated the roles of active members like Syed Amanullah, Seraj Akram, Abid Hussain, Nasir Tauqeer, Danish Shaikh, Zafar Imam, Sajid Hussain, Faizuddin, Firoz Ahmad, Maher Alam, Nesar Ahmad, Aftab Alam, Ansar Azam, Shazaad, Shahzeen Eram, Samina Haidri, Najmus Sahar, Shazia Nasreen, Sheeren Amaan, Dr. Suad, Nuzhat, Sheeren, Ishrat, Amna Khatoon and Asmat Ara Simi for organizing this high-profile event.

Speaking on behalf of the female participants, Shahzeen Eram, chief of the BA’s women wing, said, “the event was a grand success.” She applauded the functioning of the BA, which has set up a women wing, symbolizing women empowerment and gender parity. Eram said that a number of children and women won prizes in different competitions organized on the sidelines of the main event. The ladies wing also welcomed Rafatur Rahman, director of ‘Rahmani30 NRI Branch Bangalore’ with a memento.

Speaking on this occasion, an Indian community leader Saalim Zubaidi explained “the value of unity and importance of education in the modern world.” The event was also attended several businessmen and top-notch professionals including Salahuddin Manzari, a prominent Saudi businessman; Syed Mohammed Mutayyab, president of India’s Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association; and Ghazanfar Ali Khan, a local journalist.

A faculty member of King Saud University (KSU) Dr. Abul Farah, who has been associated with the BA, proposed the vote of thanks. The program was jointly conducted by Dr. Alim uddin and Afaq Ahmad. The globally-acclaimed Rahmani30 is primarily an educational movement, which traces its origin to Indian province of Bihar. Its mandate is to train and equip students to appear and qualify professional competitive examinations in India.

The Saudi chapter of Bihar Anjuman (BA) is credited with a range of charity works including about 100 merit-cum-poverty scholarships being given to students at the moment. It is one of the few social organizations of Indian expatriates in the Middle East, which is credited with helping thousands of poor students in India, as well as extending aid and relief to victims of natural calamities. — SG