A blind man spreading light of education

Mohammed Izharul Haq

In this world there are a lot of people with disabilities. If a person lacks something physically he makes it an excuse and becomes dependent on others. But there are some who don’t just rely on others, they even help others. Mohammad Izharul Haq of Khairi Banka, village of Madhubani district of Bihar is one such man. He is totally blind. He doesn’t only consider himself better than others; he even runs a successful school in his village.

The life of Izhar Sahab is very inspiring. Due to chicken pox, he lost the sight of both his eyes at the age of only six. At a very young age he completed hifz. For a better life, he left Kolkata and went to Mumbai. In Mumbai, he got three-year technical training at a blind school. During the training period, he was popular among students and teachers. After completing the course he succeeded in getting a job in the famous company, Mahindra and Mahindra. Though he was good at his job and was earning a handsome salary, he was not satisfied. He always thought that he should do something for the children of his village. Whenever during vacation he returned to his village he got upset, finding the young boys of his village whiling away aimlessly doing nothing. It upset him very much that the boys who should be at school were wandering here and there all day.

He decided to retire in 1991, 10 years before the actual date and came back to his village with a plan to open a school. In the beginning, he started teaching boys and girls of his own family. At the initial stage he started teaching students in his drawing room with only two teachers and a few students.

After some time with the support of his family and villagers he opened a school and started teaching the students properly. The school, which was started with only two teachers and a few students, now has about 20 teachers and 500 students. The village which had only two to three high school pass girls now has about 100 girls with matric certificates. All because of this school which is now among the best schools in the area. Many girls of this school have passed intermediate examination.

Vinay Kumar Mishra is the school principal now. After observing the dedication of Izhar Sahab, he left his higher paid job and joined this school with a lower salary. Praising Izhar Sahab he said, though he is blind but his views are clear and pure. He has decided to give the light of education to society. He has given his own land for the school building which shows his dedication towards education. 

Izhar Sahib said during a meeting that the students who have received education at this school are very interested in the school and many of them would like to run it after him.

Here are excerpts from an interview with him:

Tell me something about yourself.

I was born on November 9, 1941. When I was only six months’ old my mother died. Then my grandmother looked after me. When I was only six years old, I lost both my eyes due to chicken pox.

What is your educational qualification?

I do not have any proper education. I completed hifz, and then completed a technical course from a blind school in Mumbai.

What was your profession in Mumbai?

After getting technical training, I got a job in Mahindra and Mahindra. While working, I was involved in many social activities. I was also a member of the National Association for the Blind.

When did you realize that you should start a school?

When on holiday, I used come to my village. I got frustrated after seeing that young boys of my village were wasting their time. They should be going to school instead. I discussed my feelings with my family members. After consultations with them I decided to retire early and spread the light of education. Initially, I started teaching the boys and girls of my relatives. A few people of my village came to me and said that if I was interested in teaching children, I should open a school so that other children of this village could benefit. Surprisingly, there were a few people who said that I should not do so, because being blind it would not be possible for me to run a school. But my well-wishers, my children and family members supported me so I moved ahead.

Tell me about your family?

My spouse is a housewife. I have four children, two sons and two daughters. The girls live with their husbands. My elder son is working in Mahindra and Mahindra while my younger son is working in Dubai as an accountant. Both my sons fully support me in running this school. They insist that at this age I should reside with them rather than run the school here. I think that by running a school and spreading education I serve the community and through this I am pleasing my God, Allah, and this is more important for me.

Do you face any problems in running the school?

No. Thank God. The school is running smoothly and the number of students is increasing day by day. A few years ago my own relatives had disturbed me. They provoked our teachers against me. Many of our teachers left the school and started another school. Many people opened schools as our rivals but all failed. For a while, I wanted to leave all these things and settle down in Mumbai but after getting support from villagers I decided to shelve this move.

Do you get help from the villagers in running the school?

I never took any monetary help from the villagers. The only help I need from them is that they send their children to the school. Now Muslims know that in life there is nothing more important than education. I have complaints against the Government. When I went to the education department to get the school recognised the officers asked for a bribe. There is a scheme of scholarships for Muslim students who secure first division in matric examinations but my students do not avail of this facility.