By Md. Mudassir Alam
Published in: TwoCircles.Net
He is a simple man with a gentle smile, and donning characteristic Muslim appearance. Long white beard, a skull cap (topi) and very simple clothing is what describes much better about Feraque Ahmad, the District Magistrate of India’s Muslim dominated district Kishanganj. At the first sight hardly anyone will believe that the man can be an IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officer and encompasses a high (liberal) thinking.
With Union Home Minister during a recent meeting in New Delhi
But it’s a pleasing truth and Feraque Ahmad has carved a distinct niche for himself by working as District Magistrate of Kishanganj for past two years. From local media to national media, all keenly follow the modus operandi of DM Feraque Ahmad and also provide recognition to his excellent administrative power and commendable jobs.
Around two years back in March 2008, Nitish Kumar led NDA government that was earning plaudits for good governance in Bihar made a historic decision to appoint Feraque Ahmad as the District Magistrate of Kishanganj. On March 17, 2008 he took the charge as DM of Kishanganj, one of the most socially and economically backward districts of India.
Feraque Ahmad’s arrival in Kishanganj
Feraque Ahmad’s tryst as DM of India’s backward district was not a bed of roses as the grieving issues were well before his eyes. Less literacy percentage, poor health and unemployment were some of the major problems that the people of Kishanganj were facing since Independence. While all issues were equally important, Feraque Ahmad made improvement in education field his main agenda. On an urgent basis he reviewed the dismal state of education in the district and guided the officials to effectively implement the government run projects in Kishanganj. Ahmad’s guidance worked well, and within a span of six to seven months a remarkable improvement was observed in the education field.
Assisting Bihar Governor during Foundation Day of Insan College
‘Sarva Sikhsha Abhiyan’ – a flagship education programme of the Government of India and other education projects remained highly successful in Kishanganj district in 2008. On December 3, 2008 on the occasion of birth anniversary of first President of India Dr Rajendra Parsad, Kishanganj DM achieved a notable feat. The Government of Bihar honoured Feraque Ahmad with excellent DM (District Magistrate) Award for the year 2008. Amidst glittering ceremony in the state capital Patna, Feraque Ahmad was facilitated with a memento and a certificate by Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar Sushil Kumar Modi in presence of the state’s Education Minister and other dignitaries.
Getting an award as the best DM of Bihar was not the final cup of tea for Feraque Ahmad. Still the people of Kishanganj district were expecting a lot from him. Meanwhile, besides school and madarsa education, Ahmad put his attention on other issues of common people especially those living Below Poverty Line (BPL), children and elders. Although there was a tough task for him for properly regulating the fund among the real needy people, but he justified the quote ‘where there is a will there is a way’.
With his accomplished administration ability Ahmad got success in properly distributing the houses under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) to people below poverty line by indentifying them with utmost care. Old Age Pension and other special government projects were properly implemented by the DM. Very soon Ahmad made a special place in the heart of common people and the officials as well with his progressive work. However, some sects of the society also tried to unnecessarily spoil the hard work of Feraque Ahmad through dharnas (protests) on illogical issues at the Collectorate and other places of the district. As usual Feraque Ahmad dealt with those issues and nicely maintained peace and normalcy in the district.
In the year 2009, on the guidelines of Bihar’s progressive Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Feraque Ahmad found out 250 acres land for proposed AMU (Aligarh Muslim University) off-campus centre in the educationally backward district. As per AMU administration’s guidelines the state government had to approve 250 acres land for the study campus that was not possible without the involvement of district administration. Feraque Ahmad showed high interest for the noble work and got success in finding the required land at the outskirts of district headquarters on the banks of Mahananda River. The deck for AMU study campus has been cleared by Bihar Government on February 17, 2010 and very soon the construction work will start at the site.
An easily accessible District Magistrate
Being a sensible educated person I was highly impressed with Feraque Ahmad’s progressive work. Hence, recently on my trip to Kishanganj I decided to personally meet with the dynamic District Magistrate. Without any prior appointment I reached to his office that was appearing somehow awkward. But the generous DM didn’t mind my uninvited arrival and heartily welcomed me. Like me many other common people were present there with the hope to sort out their personal issues at DM office.
I asked various questions to Feraque Ahmad including about his stereotype Muslim look. Without any type of hesitation he answered all my queries and also kept himself involved in signing the official documents by putting his proper attention in the context of the matter. Feraque Ahmad shared an interesting aspect of his life that was beyond my knowledge and imagination as well. Despite a practising Muslim he participates in religious gathering of Hindus and even deliver the speech on various topics including ‘Tauheed’ (literally meaning 'unification').
Addressing a religious gathering in Haridwar and delivering a speech on Tauheed
My talk went about 2 hours long, but one thing that impressed me a lot about his perception about life. “I am on the post of District Magistrate due to blessing of Almighty Allah, and he has chosen me for the welfare of common people. Today I am at this position, tomorrow someone else will be here. For me all people are equal. As the super creator has not made any difference in mankind, then how can I?” said Feraque Ahmad. One more thing Ahmad has ended is the taboo of District Magistrate in common people’s mind and any one can speak about his grievances over the phone or directly visiting the district Collectorate. The presence of many citizens at the DM’s chamber with hope for possible solution was adding credibility to Feraque Ahmad’s claim.
Promotion as Bihar Govt’s Principal Secretary
In between the talk Feraque Ahmad informed me that he has been promoted to Principal Secretary of Government of Bihar with effect from January 1, 2010. But, he will be in Kishanganj as DM till Bihar Assembly Elections that is scheduled in October, 2010. Ahmad’s promotion as Principal Secretary is a good news indeed and another feather in his cap, but I was little worried about the future of Kishanganj that has just moved on the path of development. Hope the India’s most socially and economically backward Muslim district would get many Feraques in the coming time.
I would like to end the article with couplet of Indian Urdu poet Shams Jalili.
‘Yeh Darhi, yeh topi, namaz bhi aisa, nahin dekha aisa collector Kishanganj,
Kya administration woh qanoon aisa, Sabho ko sanwara collector Kishanganj’
(The beard, the skull cap, and the devoted prayer (namaz), never seen such collector of Kishanganj,
With accomplished administration, and law & order, made everything better as collector of Kishanganj)
(Md. Mudassir Alam is a Delhi based freelance journalist)
