Akola, Jan. 29: Asif Iqbal Shaikh Jeelani, a qualified lawyer with an impressive academic background and a dedicated government employee added another feather to his cap by winning the gold medal in the 10 km cycle inter-university race at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (University) here. The prestigious award was presented by Dr. S.R. Gadakh, Vice-Chancellor of the University, on the occasion of Republic Day.
Asif, who holds postgraduate degrees in Urdu, English, Public Administration, and a legal background with LLB and LLM in Criminology, currently serves as ASO in the Office of the Comptroller at Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola. His academic achievements are complemented by his dedication to public service.
This isn’t the first time Asif has been recognized for his outstanding contributions. In the academic year 2014-15, he was honored with the Best Employee Award by the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Furthermore, in 2018, Asif displayed his literary prowess by winning the first prize in an essay competition.
Despite his numerous accomplishments, Asif is deeply concerned about the lack of Muslim representation in sports activities within the university. Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth has a strength of approximately 4,500 employees, with only a meager 10 being Muslims.
Expressing his views on the matter, Asif said, “It’s disheartening to see that not a single Muslim participates in the sports activities of the university. As Muslims, we should strive to excel in whatever we do. Despite the challenges and pressures, we must discard negativity, stay positive, trust in Allah, and continue competing without getting disheartened.”
His recent gold medal victory in the inter-university cycling race serves as an inspiration to others, demonstrating that excellence knows no bounds. Asif’s message to the Muslim youth resonates with a call for active participation and a commitment to overcoming obstacles. His achievements stand as a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a positive mindset.
