For Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC), education has always been one of the core objectives of their mission for all those who can’t afford to pay their fees. Along with establishing high quality Challenger International schools, Indo-US schools and Jahangirabad Institute of Engineering & Technology (JIT) in rural Uttar Pradesh with an aim to educate students from weak financial backgrounds, IMRC is also providing scholarships to hundreds of students who don’t have means to pay their fees.This provides an opportunity to thousands of students in pursuing their respective dreams and eliminating cost barriers which discourage them from completing their education.Sameena Tasleem, a resident of Bandlaguda, Moinabad in Hyderabad, had always dreamt of becoming a doctor. The reality was however, much different. After finishing her 12th standard from MS Junior College, Malakpet with a good percentile, Sameena couldn’t could not figure out how to finance her MBBS studies.She had selected a medical college, but her father, MD Jamaluddin was a low-rung government employee in water supplies department and earned barely enough to make ends meet. There was no way he could have afforded to pay the annual fee of the college.“I had always dreamt of becoming a doctor and I had put lot of efforts in my studies to get into the medical college. When I could join one, the financial constrains cropped in and jeopardized my dream,” says Sameena.
Through one of her references, Sameena came to know about the IMRC scholarship programme being implemented by its sister organisation, Sahayata Trust based in Hyderabad. She applied and got selected.The annual fee of Rs 70,000 is paid by IMRC to Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences where Sameena is now in her third year of MBBS.“If they (IMRC) hadn't helped me, I could not have realized my dream,” she adds.The story of Khaja Uzair Hasan, who lives in Tolichowki, Hyderabad, is similar. He wanted to do Bachelors in Pharmacy but financial condition of his home didn’t allow him to opt for the course. At the brink of dropping the course, he saw a ray of hope which was going to help him pursue his dream.His education is also being funded under the IMRC Scholarship programme.“For me pursuing this course was way more important because I wanted to improve the financial condition of my family. Scholarship from IMRC has not only helped me in saving my career but it has also given hope to my family, a hope of a good future,” says Uzair.Uzair is presently studying in 3rd year of B.Pharmacy in Deccan School of Pharmacy.As of now IMRC had provided scholarships to 376 students mostly from Telangana, including 40 students from Manipur for this academic year starting from March.
Last year, IMRC scholarship benefitted 6,254 students from various states of India.The scholarship amount ranges from Rs 1,500 ($25) to Rs 70,000 ($1200) depending upon the courses which the needy students are opting.Sameena wants to do MD after finishing her MBBS. But after completing MD, the young girl aims to help poor people.“I want to help the people in the similar way like I was helped by IMRC,” says Sameena with a confident voice.Apart from the general scholarships, IMRC also helps the needy students in payment of fees on merit cum need basis who secure admission in Jahangirabad Institute of Engineering & Technology (JIT).IMRC also paid one year school fee of 1,100 flood affected students of Kashmir valley in 2015-2016.Manzoor Ghori, Executive Director of Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC) said , “We have been sponsoring and giving scholarships to students in various parts of India who come from poor backgrounds and do not have financial means to go for the higher education. A philanthropic passion develops in these children’s who get support. They after completing their studies and securing their goals not only help people in their surroundings but create a huge positive impact on the community as whole.”IMRC's approach has been to provide quality education from elementary school up to the university level. This will help a child transition into a self-sufficient adult who can support themselves, their family, community and give back to their society.