JEDDAH — An essay competition on the life and achievements of the legendary Indian freedom fighter and Congress party leader late Mohammad Abdulrahman Sahib will be conducted for students of Indian schools here. The subject of the essay is “The impact and importance of Mohammad Abdulrahman Sahib's vision for a long, lasting secular, democratic, developed, progressive and united India.” The Mohammad Abdulrahman Sahib Memorial Symposium Committee is organizing the event in co-ordination with the Overseas Indian Cultural Congress (OICC) Malappuram district committee, according to K.C. Abdulrahman, chairman of the committee The participating students have been classified into three groups: Group A: students of grades 5 – 7; Group B: students of grades 8 – 10; and Group C: students of grade 11 and 12. The medium of language is English or Malayalam. The last date for the receipt of the essays is December 5. The scanned copies of the essays (not exceeding single sided five pages of A4 size paper) together with the copy of their school ID should be sent to [email protected] or [email protected], or in a sealed envelope through the principals of the participant's institution. Apart from receiving certificates and prizes, those who will score the highest marks from each group will be given a chance to present their papers in front of a big audience, including dignitaries and professionals at a symposium on December 12. Abdulrahman said the symposium, which will be themed “Feel India 2014,” will be organized as part of activities to commemorate the life and achievements of Sahib. Abdulrahman said the essay competition is being conducted with the objective of enlightening the younger generation on the vision and life of Sahib, who died in 1945 at the age of 47, two years before India's independence. The contestants can cover Sahib's contributions as a freedom fighter, secularist, journalist, printer, publisher, writer, orator, educationist, environmentalist, teacher, political leader, and social and religious reformer. Nicknamed “The Lion of Kerala,” the charismatic leader who served as president of the Pradesh Congress Committee was well-known as an ideal towering leader. A.P Kunhali Haji, OICC Global Committee member; K.C. Abdulrahman, Abdul Majeed Naha (former President, OICC Jeddah Regional Committee), P.P Alippu, C.M Ahmed, Hakeem Parakkal, Jamal Nasar, Hussain Chulliyode, Shareef Arakkal, Saidalavi Pattambi, Sruthasenan Kalarikkal, Shibin Thomas and Rajesh also attended the program committee meeting. Ashraf Kannangadan welcomed the gathering while Sakeer Kanneth delivered vote of thanks.
