19 January 2024
Rasika Islam of Assam’s Dhubri district topped Assam Public Service Commission (APSC) and Zohaib Hassan from Bihar’s Purnia district in Bihar topped BPSC examination for the recruitment of assistant professor in engineering colleges.
Khursheed Khan of Dibrugarh, a Central government employee, who joined as Inspector of Income Tax in 1996 and was promoted to IT Officer in 2005, said, “We are thrilled at the achievement of Rashika Islam. It has been amazing journey from Inspector of Taxes to ACS No.1 within a span of 3 years. A living example of women empowerment, she has brought laurels to her community and entire Dhubri district. Dhubri has the lowest literacy rate in Assam – 60 percent; it is also the district with highest percentage of Muslims – 75 percent. Assam’s literacy rate is around 75% while Muslims’ literacy rate is less than 65 percent.
On the performance of Muslims in APSC, he said, “Overall performance of Muslims in the APSC has been very dismal. In the current list out of 86 candidates selected for ACS cadre, 8 are Muslims, 6 male and 2 female. Out of 65 candidates selected for APS cadre, 4 are Muslims, 3 male and 1 female. Muslims account for more than 1/3 of the state’s population. However, their share in the government job is dismal.”
Hailing from Guaripur of Dhubri district, Rasika is the toper of Assam Civil Services (ACS) 2022, result of which was declared by APSC on April 17. She cleared APSC 2018 exam in her first attempt and was selected as Inspector of Taxes and posted in Dhubri. She has worked for three years as Inspector of Taxes. Her husband Roushin UL Alom is also an ACS and working as election officer in Dhubri district. Her father Shahidul Islam is voluntarily retired colonel of Indian Army.
Rasika scored 89 percent in ICSE-Class X exam, did her XII from Narengi Army School and graduated from Cotton College in 2016.
On the performance of Muslims in BPSC, Dr Maskoor Usmani, former President of AMU-SU, said, “Almost 7 percent of Muslim candidates have qualified for the 67th BPSC examination in 2017. According to reports, among 101 Muslim candidates who have qualified, 50 imparted coaching from Bihar Haj Bhawan, which has set a paradigm for change. I am sure in coming times more Muslims will qualify such examinations and will serve the state and country. Muslims constitute 17% of Bihar’s population and I believe this is a positive step towards achieving affirmative action. More needs to be done to get the results of 20 percent.”
