– Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa
Tucked between the roaring waves of the Arabian Sea and the lush green canopy of the Western Ghats lies a jewel of a town – Bhatkal. A place where coconut palms sway in the ocean breeze, where the call to prayer echoes through the valleys, and where the scent of cardamom-laced biryani mingles with the salty sea air. But beyond its scenic charm and poetic quietude, Bhatkal tells an inspiring story – a story of legacy, faith, culture, and a deep-rooted commitment to education.
Once a humble trading post frequented by Arab merchants, Bhatkal today is a dynamic blend of history and modernity. Its people, mostly of Arab descent, still carry the flame of their forefathers – traders who braved the seas, settled in distant lands, and left behind more than just wealth. They bequeathed a way of life, a sense of community, and a passion for learning that continues to flourish in remarkable ways.
Imagine waking up to a view where mist-kissed mountains tumble into spice-scented fields, only to meet a coastline where waves pound golden sands under the watchful gaze of age-old palms. That’s Bhatkal – not just a town, but a canvas painted with the green of the hills, the blue of the sea, and the gold of tradition. And amid this natural splendour, an educational movement has quietly taken root – transforming lives and reaffirming the town’s historic role as a cradle of knowledge and cultural resilience.
A Legacy Carried on the Tides
The story begins not just in Bhatkal, but far beyond – across the seas in the Gulf. Over the last five decades, thousands of Bhatkalis migrated to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Kuwait – carrying with them their culture, values, and a remarkable sense of unity. Wherever they went, they established Jamaats (community organisations), which became lifelines of cultural preservation and mutual support.
But by the 1990s, community elders noticed a worrying trend. Amid the glitz of Gulf jobs and the comfort of petro-dollar salaries, education was beginning to take a back seat. Young boys were dropping out after high school, opting to join the workforce early. The allure of quick earnings began to eclipse the pursuit of knowledge.
It was then that the Bhatkal Muslim Khaleej Council – an umbrella body of 11 Gulf-based Bhatkali Jamaats – decided to act.
The Birth of the Rabita Educational Award
The Council launched the Rabita Educational Award to rekindle academic ambition among Bhatkali youth. It wasn’t just about giving away medals or cash – it was about igniting pride, ambition, and a sense of purpose. The idea was simple: if we honour excellence, others will strive for it.
When the initiative began 30 years ago, the bar was modest. Students securing 65-70% were among the awardees. Yet even then, it was revolutionary. For the first time, young boys and girls felt seen and celebrated, and parents began to regard education as a shared community value.
Fast forward to today: Rabita Award winners score as high as 98% and above. This year, the difference between the topper and the runner-up was a mere 0.0375%. That’s not a gap – it’s a heartbeat.
This Year’s Celebration: A Festival of Learning
The 2025 Rabita Award Ceremony, held on 24th July at the sprawling grounds of Anjuman Islamiah Anglo-Urdu High School, was nothing short of majestic. Even as rain poured steadily over the coastal town, the people of Bhatkal gathered in full strength. The makeshift auditorium overflowed with parents, teachers, and well-wishers – proving once again that no weather can dampen a community’s spirit when the cause is education. The stage, draped in the colours of Bhatkal’s spirit, welcomed an audience of thousands – parents, educators, students, and dignitaries.
Dr. Saud Alam Qasmi, a respected professor from Aligarh Muslim University and member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, addressed the gathering. His words resonated deeply:
“The United Nations declared education a basic human right in 1947. But 1,450 years ago, Islam declared: ‘Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim man and woman.’”
His speech wove together spiritual insight and modern urgency, urging families to view education not as a luxury, but as both a sacred duty and a social necessity.
Joining him was Karnataka State Minister Mankal Vaidya, who praised Bhatkal’s educational institutions and pledged full support for establishing a medical college – recognising that Anjuman already offers nearly every other academic faculty.
More Than Medals: The Power of Encouragement
This year, 35 students across SSLC, PUC, and degree levels were honoured with gold medals and thoughtful gifts. Among them, female students once again outshone their peers, capturing two-thirds of the recognitions – a heartening sign of changing mindsets and growing gender parity in education.
The Best School Award continues to be named after Janab Usman Hassan, the legendary headmaster of Islamia Anglo High School, who worked tirelessly to promote education in Bhatkal. A pioneer in his own right, he laid the foundation for a culture of academic excellence that still echoes through the town’s institutions.
In a meaningful addition this year, the Best Teacher Award was named after Janab Syed Khaleelur Rahman Sahib, the very same visionary celebrated in the tribute volume “Iftikhar-e-Qaum Janab SM Khaleelur Rahman”. From his Gulf office in Dubai, he dreamt of uplifting his people through knowledge – and worked quietly but tirelessly to turn that vision into reality.
Though he now rests in the desert sands of Arabia, his legacy continues to bloom each year in the smiles and successes of the awardees he once imagined. Honouring him through the Best Teacher Award is both a tribute and a reminder that behind every great student is a teacher who believed in their potential.
This year’s recognitions reflected that enduring vision. Ali Public School (Girls) received the Best School title, led by their standout student Hafsa Bint Hafeezullah, who scored an impressive 98.04%. The Best Teacher honour went to Ms. Fatima Wida Siddiqui of Noonahal Central School, recognised for her outstanding dedication to education. District toppers such as Shagufta Anjum (Urdu) and Bhoomika (English) were also felicitated, symbolising the inclusive spirit of academic celebration that the Rabita Awards embody.
Why This Model Deserves to Be Replicated
In an age when education is increasingly commodified, where coaching institutes manufacture toppers and commercial schools chase ranks, the Rabita model stands apart.
It is community-funded, value-driven, and inclusive. It celebrates the bright, uplifts the average, and motivates the struggling. It views education not merely as individual success, but as a shared legacy and a community responsibility.
The Rabita Award isn’t just a medal; it’s a signal fire – telling every child, “We see you. We believe in you. We’re with you.”
Imagine This in Every Town
What if every small town like Bhatkal decided to invest in its children this way?
What if the diaspora of Hyderabad, Azamgarh, Kutch, or Kolkata pooled their earnings not just for lavish marriages and luxury homes, but for educational dreams?
What if every community – regardless of faith, culture, or geography – told its youth: “We are proud of your academic journey. Keep going. We’re watching. We care.”
Communities that value knowledge rise. Those that don’t, perish slowly.
A Lesson from the Sea and the Ghats
Just like the waves of the Arabian Sea, education must be relentless – always pushing, always reshaping. And like the roots of the Western Ghats, it must be deep, nourishing generations, and anchoring identity against the floods of time.
Bhatkal is not just a place; it’s a model of what’s possible when community, culture, and commitment converge.
As the sun sets behind its palm-draped shores, one truth becomes clear:
Awards don’t just honour achievers. They create them.
Let This Be Your Takeaway
If you’re reading this in another town, another country, another community – know this: you too can start your Rabita. You too can plant the seeds of pride, perseverance, and purpose in your youth.
Start small. Honour the top three in your school. Involve your elders. Call the students to the stage. Clap for them. Gift them a medal. Take their picture. Tell the story. And do it again next year.
That’s how legacies begin.
And who knows? One day, someone may write about your town the way we write about Bhatkal – a place where the sea sings songs of learning, and the mountains stand tall in witness to dreams fulfilled.
