Excelsior Correspodent
Muslim Educational Trust Baba Ghulam Shah Academy Thanna Mandi Rajouri was established way back in 1976 with thirteen tinytots in a small cottage at Thanamandi town. On first nov , 2015 it completed thirty nine years of its existence. In 1976 it was then a first attempt of its kind in the field of modern education in whole Peerpanchal region . Mr. Khurshid Ahmed Bismel the poineer of this movement infact borrowed this idea from Muslim Educational Trust Sopore Kmr from where he did his B.Ed. in early seventies. Late Prof. Ghulam Rasool Bacha founder M. E .T Sopore was the moving and guiding force behind Mr. Bismil. This institution had a very humble start and being first of its kind was taken as a jest by many people around and very few extended their helping hand in this lofty endeavour. Every day was a new challenge for this tiny school . Among the lot of thirteen students was the son of Mr Bismil himself named Tahir khurshid Raina who later qualified J& K Higher judicial services examination 2012 with distinction and became the first direct District and sessions judge from Rajouri. Another star student of this batch was Dr. Wahida Prizm who got later honoured with President medal for her outstanding performance in Indian navy. And very recently an illustrious product of this institution Mr. Baseerul Haq qualified the prestigious I.A.S examination and brought laurels for this institution. And many more outstanding students have been produced by this institution in last 39 years who marked their existence by virtue of their competence. The obsession and commitment of Mr Bismil for the institution was and is unflinching and unparalleled in the whole region of Peerpanchal. The movement after its inception every day got a new momentum and strength. In a short span of its existence , its fragrance got felt in higher echoleons of the State and Center. It was its reputation which invited the visit of the then Governor of J & K State B.K. Nehru to this institution followed by many other great personalities of the times whose impressions can be read in the log book of the institution. In early eightees the institution got shifted to Mughal fort at Thannamndi which was then in a complete dilapidated condition and with its meagre resources made it habitable. Within a short period of its existence the institution rose to the level of high school, higher secondary and simultaneously Govt of India in recognition to its comendable role and image established ICDS training centre in it where hundreds of women got child care training . Not only this even in late eightees, private college classes also started under its aegis. Thus in a short span the very idea of this institution got felt, recognised, multiplied and appreciated in the length and breadth of the whole region and the State. Every day a new person had then to meet Mr Bismil in context of establishing a school of this kind in his area which was always taken as a good omen for the stupendous growth of the region . As it was a movement to bring education. revolution in the Peerpanchal region, therefore, this institution always kept its doors open for all those who wanted to work in the field of education. With the result ,this movement multiplied in the whole region and this institution became the trend setter in the field of education, in the area. No one can deny this stark reality.
It was in early eightees Mr .Bismil focused simultaneously his efforts for elevating the status of Baba Ghulam Shah Academy to Baba Ghulam Shah University and started collecting one rupee extra from each student of the school which one day can be utilised for estabilishing Baba Ghulam Shah University. It was being done to keep the goal alive and also to motivate the new generation for this sacred mission. The slogan which was then taken as a day dream translated into reality and university got established in the year 2004. The first token contribution to University was Rs one lakh given by Baba Ghulam Shah Academy Thanna Mandi and was based on the collection of one rupee of each student per month which started in early eightees . This university has infact not been air dropped over night from the sky, but is the result of continuous untiring nd unflinching efforts and prayers of many unsung personalities of the area and especially of the commendable role of Baba Ghulam Shah Academy Thanna Mandi. Unfortunately, in the year 1997 when militancy erupted in the region , this institution had to shift from Mughal Fort on account of strict demand of army and where it had made its huge investments on its renovation and creating other assets. This phase virtually put a stumbling block on the physical growth of the movement and situation worsened to this extent that movement apparently got closed and collapsed. But inspite of complete hostility around, Mr Bismil didn’t lose its stamina and commitment and once again rejuvenated with full sincerity and hope .
Its apt to mention here that its during this phase , movement of university got momentum and Mr. Bismil was often seen carrying placards with children of his school on roads raising slogan ” Our demand Baba Ghulam Shah University”. Its aptly said great movements don’t have their origin in physical structures only . Its always in minds. Same is true about this institution. Had it been a just superficial school only , it would have got crushed and finished in totality in 1997 as many thought then it will be . But those who wished and thought in such inmical fashion proved wrong. With the grace of Almighty it rejuvenated again and this time even with more vigour and created university. Muslim Educational Trust Baba Ghulam Shah Academy Thanna Mandi is in fact the lighthouse of the region and foundation institution of Baba Ghulam Shah University. Those with unbiased opinion admit this fact in totality .
Many of the organisations which got impressed of this movement and got established later of its existence even though grown in size and structures to this institution, but its a mother institution of all educational institutions in the region and honesty and sincerity demands that no one claims his or her stature higher of the mother.
Moreover , Its ideas that maters and not structures. This movement gave birth to an idea of modern education. Tomorrow’s historian will never deny this gospel truth and those who wish to malign this fact and try to overshadow this movement by their false propoganda will get exposed one day. Bismil is infact the” “Sirsyed “”of this region and history will definitely establish this fact. His commitment and conviction for the cause of education is as young as it was on first nov , 1976 when he laid the foundation of educational movement in the region. In recent past when some unfortunate developments took place in the Baba Ghulam Shah University, Mr . Bismil was seen on the roads again with students of his institution raising slogan for protection and progress of the university . In furtherance of this lofty objective, he even invited the new vice chancellor of the university at his campus at Thannamandi on 25th November where galaxy of intellectuals of the region were also invited . He aprised the new V. C about the contours of this dream institution and conveyed him of his serious concern about the university – the dream institution of twin districts.
Lastly , we wish and pray for longevity of this institution and its contribution and commitment and say “” Allah kray yai ilm kda ta rozay abud abaad rahay “”
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