If you determine to do something, the whole universe conspires to help you to do the thing. It is the same case when you want to help others. You can bring a smile to others’ faces by trying to help as much as possible, no matter how big or small the help is. Mohammad Azam, from a rural background raised by a single parent, has endured many hardships in every stage of his life. 

Yet he never gave up; this attitude made him achieve success in his life. He had been an active NSS volunteer from his early academic days. He was honored with the Indira Gandhi NSS National Award in 2013 by the then President of India, Shri Pranab Mukharjee. He was also honored with India’s Prestigious National Youth award by Hon’ble Union Minister Shri Anurag Singh Thakur for his outstanding contribution to society. His story is a real motivation to all the youth.

Biography:

Mohammad Azam was born in a lower-middle-class family on 5th August 1991 in Chirlavancha village of Siricilla Mandal of erstwhile Karimnagar district, Telangana state. He was the fifth offspring of his parents. While his father, Ahmed Hussain, was a lorry driver, his mother, Khalida Begum, used to work as daily wage labor. During his childhood, his family had to migrate to Karimnagar town in search of livelihood. He did his education in all Government Institutions as his family couldn’t afford to pay fees for his education.

Mohammad Azam with his family

Education: 

He completed his schooling in Government High School, Padma Nagar, intermediate course with History, Economics, and Civics as optional from Govt. Arts Junior College, and graduation (BA) from SRR Govt. Degree College, Karimnagar, Master of Arts in English Literature from Kakatiya University, Warangal, Telangana.

Mohammad Azam: A Wall Poster Boy

Due to family issues, his father abandoned them during his schooling. With this, the financial condition in the family even worsened, and his mother has shouldered the entire responsibility. 

Though she was trying to do her best, his family faced a lot of sufferings to make both ends meet. They had to starve for many days and found it challenging to pay house rent. Azam intended to be a helping hand to the family and earned money by doing so many miscellaneous jobs such as sticking wall posters and tying banners. During his graduation time to meet his expenses, he used to work as a catering boy after his college hours. 

Mohammad Azam was an enthusiastic learner, academic, and great explorer inspired by the teachings of Swami Vivekananda, Mother Theresa, and Gurujada Apparao. It evoked deep thought in his mind to contribute his knowledge to the well-being of society. He decided to follow in their footsteps and do his best.

Mohammad Azam at field work

Social work: 

Mohammad Azam has been passionate about social service since his school days, and out of his passion, he actively participated in Lead India 2020, NCC, and NGC programs. His participation in social service taught patriotism, discipline, dedication, and service motive. He collected Rs 500 funds for the flood-affected people when Tsunami hit the entire nation in 2004. 

Appreciating the noble gesture of Azam, the collector has sent an appreciation letter to the school management. Azam was motivated by his economics lecturer Dr. S. Manohara Chary, an NSS program officer who enrolled him as a volunteer in National Service Scheme (NSS). He actively participated in NSS activities and played a vital role in sapling plantations, cleanliness, AIDS Control programs, eradication of superstitions, pulse polio immunization, and environmental protection. 

Immediately after joining the graduation at S.R.R. Degree & PG College in Karimnagar, he again enrolled in NSS as a volunteer. He actively participated in many activities such as eradication of illiteracy, village adoption, check dam construction, blood donation drives, and propagation of Govt. Welfare programs, Govt. sponsored rallies. During the 2009 floods in Andhra Pradesh, he collected remarkable donations and 1000 notebooks for the flood victims.

azam_at_nss

He even enrolled as an NSS volunteer at Kakatiya University during his Master in Arts in English Literature. He got an opportunity to participate in several National level camps, such as the Inter-state Youth exchange program, National Integration Camp (NIC), National Youth Festival, etc., held in different states. 

After seeing his active participation, commitment, and dedication to various NSS activities, Prof B. Suresh Lal, NSS, the coordinator of the Kakatiya University, nominated him for the National level best NSS volunteer award. Two months later, he received the prestigious Indira Gandhi N.S.S. National Best Volunteer Award, 2012-13, was handed over by then the President of India Sri Pranab Mukharjee in 2013 at Rashtrapathi Bhavan, Delhi.

Mohammad Azam with Anna Hazare

Drawing inspiration from renowned social activist Anna Hazare and noted environmentalist Vanajeevi Ramaiah, and then decided to start an organization to do a bit for societal well-being. Intending to focus on the environment and education, he started an organization, ‘Dharti Bachao’ with a group of like-minded friends. He organized many awareness sessions, rallies, and pledge campaigns in schools and colleges to ignite young minds.

Mohammad Azam dharti bachao ngo

On behalf of the organization, they have adopted two villages in the erstwhile Karimnagar district and conducted a series of programs such as Swachh Bharat, soaking pits, and eradicating single-use plastic. He also conducted classes on spoken English, personality development, and life skills sessions in many Kasturba Gandhi Schools, Govt. Schools. 

Considering Azam’s profile, the ministry of youth affairs, the government of India, has selected him for India’s Prestigious Youth award, i.e., National Youth Award for 2017-18. The award was presented by Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, Union minister for youth affairs and sports, at a function held at Vignan Bhavan Delhi.

Educational Journey:

With the support of his mother and school teachers, he stood second in his school in the SSC examinations. With a keen interest in social sciences, he opted for History, Economics, and Civics as an optional intermediate course at Government Arts Junior College, Karimnagar. He secured 873 marks out of 1000 in his intermediate examinations. He stood second at the state level, which fetched him a state-level Prathibha Puraskar Award in 2008 by the then government of Andhra Pradesh. 

After cracking the APRDC 2008 entrance examination, a seat was allotted in Bachelor of Arts in Andhra Pradesh Residential Degree College, Nagarjunasagar in Guntur. As he couldn’t afford the counseling and traveling expenses, he had to join SRR Government Degree College in Karimnagar. During his graduation, he participated in a National Integration Camp held at JNTU, Kakinada representing Andhra Pradesh. He was asked to speak on ‘National Integration and Role of Youth.

Mohammad Azam with pratibha puraskar

While he was addressing the students in his mother tongue Telugu, the organizers intervened and stopped his speech, stating that it should be in either Hindi or English. Abandoning the speech amidst such a vast gathering has hurt him a lot. That incident propelled him to learn the English language, and then he took guidance from his English Lecturer, Gande Parsha Ram Rao, regarding how to improve his English skills. 

He then offered Chandamama and a few other books and conducted special spoken English classes with the collaboration of The Hindu Newspaper E-Plus club. Azam used to attend all English classes, which helped to get to some extent. He joined an MA English course at Kakatiya University, Warangal, to take it further. As he came from a rural background and pursued his education in his mother tongue till his graduation, he found it very difficult to do the course, with the thought of discontinuing it after some days. 

After spending some days in his hometown, he met his school teacher Syed Moin Ahmed who boosted and motivated him to continue the course. Azam continued the course and used to read two hours per day to improve his skills by reading English dailies and a few other magazines and books.

Mohammad Azam at a seminar

After completing his post-graduation, he cracked the State Eligibility Test (SET) and joined as a guest faculty at a Government Degree College for Women, Karimnagar. To scale up their academic skills, he appeared for the entrance examination and secured the first rank in the Ph.D. entrance examination held by Kakatiya University. Besides doing a Ph.D., he is also an Assistant Professor of English at Balaji Institute of Technology & Science, Narsampet, Warangal, Telangana. His achievements made him an inspiring icon among the youth.

Awards received by Mohammad Azam

• National Youth Award 2021
• Ambedkar National Award-2019
• Moulana Azad National Award-2018
• Rashtriya Gourav Samman Award-2018
• State Best NSS volunteer Award-2013
• Indira Gandhi N.S.S. National Award-2013
• Gold Medal in Literary Excellence -2011
• Prathibha Puraskar Award-2008
• Gold Medal as a college Topper-2008

He states that the awards received have increased his social responsibility, and he assures that he will work for the welfare of society till his last breath with great devotion.

Mohammad Azam with studetns

Azam’s advice to the youth:

Poverty is not at all a deterrent to excelling in our lives. The tough times test your mettle and help us realize our true potential. We will reach the pinnacle of success only when we overcome every challenge that life throws us. We should try to turn obstacles into opportunities. In this competitive world, everyone should have a clear-cut goal and the capability to turn it into reality. 

They should concentrate on improving their skill set required to scale great heights in the career of their choice. I urge everyone not to confine to their personal and professional life but also to invest time, money, and energy for societal well-being. The onus is on each of us to make India a Vishwa Guru.

Mohammad Azam collage days

Sincere Gratitude:

I will be truly indebted to my parents, teachers, and well-wishers who have extended their unflinching support in every phase of my life. Without them, I wouldn’t have accomplished all these. It is only because of the values they instilled in me that I could serve the nation in the best way possible.

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