Asma Memorial Trust Felicitates 80 Educators, Including Retired and Specially-Abled Teachers
Kolkata: In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, 80 educators from Kolkata, including retired and specially-abled teachers, were felicitated by the Asma Memorial Trust in an event celebrating their unwavering dedication to nurturing the next generation, reports eNewsroom.
The event, organized to recognize teachers who have served without formal acknowledgment, honored educators from both government and private institutions, with a special emphasis on those who had never received such recognition before.
Among the recipients was 32-year-old Junaid Kamal, a fine arts teacher who has been associated with four organizations in Kolkata. Using crutches to approach the stage, Kamal – whose left leg is paralyzed and right leg impaired – was presented with a memento, a plant, and a set of notebooks. It marked the first time in his 13-year career that he had been publicly recognized for his contributions as a specially-abled educator.
“I am thankful for this felicitation. For someone like me, it is difficult to not only study but also secure a respectable job. Even when you succeed, appreciation is rare in this fast-paced life,” Kamal shared.
In addition to Kamal, 15 retired teachers were honored, including Dr. Umar Khyyam of Maulana Azad College, Mobark Ali Mobarak from Bankura district Urdu School, Nurul Hoda from Kankinara Himayatul Ghurba High School, and Ashraf Ahmad Jafri of Karaya School. The event also celebrated current educators such as Afaf Jameel of Frank Anthony Public School, Sangita Gurung of Assembly of God Church School, Michael A. Panja of GD Goenka Public School, and Dr. Khalid Hossain of Monu Memorial Institution, among others.
Noor Alam, founder of NEET Basket and Asma Memorial Trust, explained the motivation behind the event: “We used to celebrate Education Day on Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s birthday, but this year, we began earlier to honor educators who have contributed to society without receiving recognition.” Alam, a Rashtriya Shiksha Ratan Award recipient, noted that the plant given to each honoree symbolized how educators, much like trees, nurture and enrich the lives of future generations.
The event’s chief guest, former IRS officer Shamsher Ahmad, who founded Crescent School in Kolkata’s Topsia area, shared his journey as an educator. Ahmad reflected on how he built a well-equipped school to instill confidence in underprivileged students, eventually making Crescent a center for the UPSC exams.
“Today, our school produces doctors and students who pursue higher education after graduating,” he proudly stated.
Sangita Gurung of Assembly of God Church School offered a guiding principle for teachers: “Teach what you preach and preach what you teach. This motto has guided me throughout my career, and I believe it should be the foundation for every teacher.”
Dr. Sarfaraz Adil, founder of Izma International School, highlighted the deep connection between education and Islam, noting that the pursuit of knowledge is one of the core tenets of the religion. “Before Islam, education was reserved for the wealthy. Islam made it accessible to all,” he reminded the audience, sharing the story of Hazrat Barira, a slave who was granted freedom through her pursuit of knowledge.
The event marked a significant moment of appreciation for the selfless contributions of educators who have shaped the lives of countless students, underscoring the importance of recognizing and valuing their efforts in building a better future for society.
