Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Monday, August 25, 2025
Mandate for Change
MANDATE FOR CHANGE
The big victory of the BJP and its allies proves beyond any doubt that Indian people by and large wanted a change. They defeated the Congress and its allies mainly because of their unsatisfactory performance under the UPA government. It is hoped that Mr. Narendra Modi who is mainly instrumental for this great victory revolving on his development plans will endeavour his best to make India a progressive, peaceful and prosperous country treating people of all languages, cultures or religions as one without any discrimination.
There is no doubt that people have voted for the change for the sake of forward march in irrigation, industrial and foreign policies. We hope that the forthcoming Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi and his government will stand for "progress and prosperity" and nothing else.
V. M. Khaleelur Rahman, Chennai
Published in Deccan Chronical dt. 17 May 2014.
Vajpayee's Musings
VAJPAYEE'S MUSINGS
The happy New Year message in the article titled "My musings from Kumarakom" by the Prime Minister Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, is interesting and thought provoking.
His expressions for solving the problems of the country, particularly Jammu and Kashmir and Ayodhya disputes, reflect the long-cherished wishes and aspirations of the Indian people.
Actually these are the national sentiments which should be honestly implemented without allowing any communal ideology to raise its ugly head and ruin the nation so that as he most aptly points out "it can pursue its developmental agenda for the future with single-minded determination.
Our country craves for peace which is in danger now because of the irrational approaches of communal and extremist outfits which take pride in slogans and not solutions political advantage.
The government should maintain law and order and protect the rule of law without allowing jungle law to prevail anywhere in the country.
As regards the Babri Masjid dispute, Mr. Vajpayee says "there are only two ways to resolve this contentious issue: the judicial route or the route of negotiations leading to a mutually acceptable solution. The judicial route is understandable but not the other one – a negotiated settlement. The dispute is a national one which should be settled in a justifiable manner getting appreciation from all who witnessed the uncivilised demolition of the Babri Masjid on December 6,1992 in blatant violation of the rule of law and Constitution.
It is not a Hindu-Muslim issue. It is an issue between law-abiders and law-breakers. Hence Hindus and Muslims cannot be considered the rival parties and asked to arrive at a negotiated settlement. It is neither possible nor desirable.
There is an urgent need for the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties to sit together and settle this dispute or at least agree to abide by and implement the judiciary's verdict whatever it might be, jointly. There is no possibility of this problem being solved without there joint efforts. This issue should be de-politicised first and considered national. Let the Prime Minister take the initiative for this and do the needful.
V.M. Khaleelur Rahman, Chennai
Published in The Hindu dated 6 January 2001.
Friday, August 15, 2025
Thursday, August 14, 2025
Writing to the press
PREFACE
The book titled "Writing to the press" is in your hands.
It consists of my write-ups published in daily newspapers and
other periodicals during the past many years from which you
can find the problems mostly our community and country have
faced, and the solutions suggested for them. These are the
selected ones out of the materials available with me.
As some of the issues discussed here quite often appear
in the press, it is hoped that this book will be of some use to
readers to think over them and take decisions, of course,
according to their own perceptions. This is my humble opinion.
I will be happy if it is useful to readers in any manner.
I have always found writing to the press interesting and
thrilling. It is a good hobby, which makes one understand the
importance of the press and exchange of views among readers.
Its interest is all the more necessary in a plural society like ours
where people belonging to different linguistic, cultural and
religious backgrounds have varied and sometimes also
altogether different connotations. There is no alternative to the
exchange of views on all controversial issues to arrive at right
conclusions. This is also a need of a democratic country. While
discussing or issuing rejoinders there should not be any anger
or animosity. Every issue has to be dealt with coolly and calmly
because everyone has the right of enjoying the freedom of
expression.
My heart-felt thanks and indebtedness to
Janab K. Ehsan Ahmed Sahib for compiling this book in a
beautiful way taking all troubles and writing his foreword for it
mentioning its importance and commenting on some write-ups.
Prof. A. Nazim Ahmed Sahib deserves my heartfelt
thanks for his Foreword highlighting the importance of this
book and commenting on some write-ups. When I requested him
to write the foreword for the book, he happily agreed and
favoured me.
My heartfelt thanks to my family members – daughter,
son-in-law and son for their expressions and happiness of which
I am so proud and thankful to Allah.
V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Saturday, August 9, 2025
V.M. Khaleelur Rahman : DR. FAIZ AHMED, THE MASTER ARCHITECT
V.M. Khaleelur Rahman : DR. FAIZ AHMED, THE MASTER ARCHITECT https://share.google/8wX4M6ufQElPS88lr
Thursday, August 7, 2025
AMES - a revolutionary change maker
AMES – A REVOLUTIONARY SOCIETY PAR EXCELLENCE
A time was there when education was considered unnecessary for girls. Girls were given education mostly in well to do families only up to high school. The Muslim community was not very particular in giving education to girls who were considered only as homemakers. Higher studies were not even thought of. Now thank God, things have changed a lot for better, and we see quite a good number of boys and girls getting higher education not only from our country but also abroad. They seem to follow the hadees – seek education even if it is available in China. The credit for this happy change goes to organisations like The Ambur Muslim Educational Society (AMES), a 120-year-old organisation, which celebrated its Centenary in 2006. This three-day grand celebration was inaugurated by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam sahib, the then President of India. You can read the details in a separate writeup in this book.
We whole-heartedly thank AMES for its silent revolutionary endeavours in creating awareness among the backward Muslims for education of boys and girls.
The Present President Janab M. Rafeeque Ahmed sahib and General Secretary Janab N. Shafeeque Ahmed sahib and other office bearers of AMES are trying their best in the path of their predecessors to empower boys as well as girls by encouraging them to seek higher education in the present highly materialistic and competitive world and engage in some useful work and at the same time providing avenues for them. The opening of "Kubra Market" by AMES at Ambur where only women can sell and buy, is a revolutionary concept to make women engage in trade. The enrolment of women in the AMES executive committee and giving them an opportunity to work in the educational arena is also a welcome change, appreciated by all.
The AMES team headed by Padmashri M. Rafeeque Ahmed sahib is expected to do a lot for the upliftment of the Muslim community in Ambur. Allah helps those who help themselves.
A big salute to AMES –a revolutionary change maker.
Fw: AMES
----- Forwarded message -----
From: V.M. Khaleelur Rahman <vmk1234@yahoo.com>
To: K. Ehsan Ahmed <ehsanahmed000@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday 7 August, 2025 at 10:23:15 am IST
Subject: AMES
Assalamu Alaikum
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Padma Shri Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed sahib
MR. MECCA RAFEEQUE AHMED GETS "PADMA SHRI" AWARD
By V. M. Khaleelur Rahman
Mr. Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed of the Farida Group and the recently elected Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri Award for the current year 2011. It is a befitting honour to him and the leather industry he represents. The leather fraternity in Tamil Nadu is happy over this honour.
The Almighty Allah has paid good dividends to Mr. Rafeeque Ahmed for his principled approach, determination and efforts to achieve what he wants along with his friendly nature – a beautiful trait inherited from his ever smiling cool and calm but at the same time strong willed father the late Mecca Abdul Majeed sahib.
Mr. Rafeeque Ahmed expanded his family business – the Farida Group-founded in 1957 by his father to the present position. To put it in the words of the group, what started off as a small unit in Ambur, Farida today has expanded to 12 plants in the last five decades making them self-sufficient in sourcing of raw materials like finished leather and other shoe components and sub-assemblies from their own subsidiaries. They have a work force of 7000 people in their units and almost double the number benefit through indirect employment from this group.
Mr. Rafeeque Ahmed has also been serving the cause of the leather industry through holding high posts in different trade associations. He is now the Chairman of the Council for Leather Exports, President of the All India Skin and Hide Tanners and Merchants Association, Chairman of the Ambur Economic Development Organisation Ltd. (AEDOL) etc. He was instrumental in establishing the Aedol icon "Ambur Trade Centre" in Ambur at the cost of Rs.11.5 crore with the government assistance for the development of leather and leather products industry. He also holds other posts in some other organisations. He is the President of the TN state council of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). He is also associated with different educational institutions and associations. He holds high posts in the Ambur Muslim Educational Society (AMES) and the Muslim Educational Association of Southern India (MEASI). He played an important part in the three-day Centenary Celebrations of the AMES in June 2006 to which Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was invited when he was the President of India. He is an active gentleman well-known in the national and international leather circles.
Published in The Milli Gazette dated 24th March 2011.
Alhamdulillah the Farida group has expanded further and there are more than 20,000 employees now.
Kudos to Sadia and Fayiza
MAKING HISTORY
KUDOS TO H. SADIYA KAUSER FOR HER EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE IN B.SC. PHYSICS
V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN, AMBUR
We are extremely happy that H. Sadiya Kauser, daughter of Mr. H. Abdul Rasheed, Noorullahpet, Ambur has passed her B.Sc. (Physics) examination of the University of Madras held in April 2006 by obtaining FIRST RANK and securing FIRST CLASS WITH DISTINCTION.
In the 149th Annual Convocation 2006 held at the University Centenary Auditorium on 14th November 2006, presided over by His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala, Chancellor, University of Madras and Convocation Address delivered by Mr. P. Chidambaram, the Honourable Minister for Finance, Government of India, New Delhi, H. SADIYA KAUSER has been awarded 3 (three) Gold Medals in recognition of her extra-ordinarily excellent performance in the B. Sc. degree examination held by the Madras University in the Faculty of Science during April 2006 as a candidate from Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed Women's College, Chennai – 600 018.
It is reliably learnt that during the past 150 years of the University of Madras she is the first Muslim girl to receive FIRST RANK and 3 GOLD MEDALS with distinction in the state of Tamil Nadu in B.Sc. Physics.
We take this opportunity to congratulate SADIA KAUSER for her record-breaking performance in the B.Sc. Physics examination and wish her all the best in life. She has brought laurels not only to herself but to her parents, community and the school and college where she studied. She is now doing her postgraduate M. Sc. Physics degree course in Women's Christian College, Chennai. We are proud of her and her parents who are educating her well.
We also congratulate her parents for giving a right guidance to her, T. Abdul Wahid Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ambur (where she studied and passed her Plus Two examination with flying colours) for providing good education and learning atmosphere and Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed Women's College, Chennai (where she did her B.Sc. Physics degree course and brought name and fame) for its excellent coaching and encouragement.
The services rendered by Mr. T. Abdul Wahid sahib, founder of T. Abdul Wahid Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ambur and Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed sahib, founder of the SIET Women's College (now called Justice Basheer Ahmed Sayeed College) are immortal and ever green. The community must be thankful to them.
The people of Ambur know that another brilliant girl student of TAW Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ambur P. FAYIZA TASKEEN, daughter of Mr. P. Oosman Basha got GOLD MEDAL from Raja Rajeswari College of Engineering, Chennai for securing FIRST RANK in her B.E. examination in 2005. She was honoured in a function in the TAW school. The Ambur Muslim Educational Society also honoured her for her meritorious performance during its historic Centenary Celebrations in September 2006 which was inaugurated by His Excellency The President of India Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
The undeniable fact is that within a short span of 21 years T. Abdul Wahid Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Ambur studied boys and girls have done well in medical, engineering, science and other degree courses. It is a big achievement for it. We are thankful to its Management, Principals and teaching staff for their educational service. We are sure that it will go on expanding its educational activity and serve the community in its educational and economical advancement.
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