THE LECTURE WAS DELIVERED AT MILAN
MELA, PARK CIRCUS MAIDAN ON 15TH FEBRUARY 2022
MY LIFE AND MY
ACHIEVEMENTS
Respected Janab Nadimul Haque Sb, Member of Parliament, Janab Istiaque Raju Sb, Janab Mukhtar Ali Sb and other dignitaries present on the dais and off the dais, dear
students, I am honored to be here today and share with you about my life and
achievements with hope to encourage you all to dream big, walk with courage,
work hard, adopt perseverance and BE SMART. Remember these five set of words
just now I said: (a) dream big; (b) walk with courage; (c) work hard; (d) adopt
perseverance; and (e) be SMART.
I will
soon explain all these five words contribution in my life and will act as magic
in your life too.
So much
inequality do exists in our society in its varied forms, that access to basic
need is a challenge for many of us. But will those challenges deter us
achieving our goal? Even in such challenging situation, can one able to change
one’s own life? Can we have better world where everyone will be equal? Can the
capability which bestowed upon us will help in making life better not only of
one self but of all?
I am
reminded with what Mohd. Iqbal, the great Urdu poet said,
KHUDI KO
KAR BULAD ITNA KE HAR TAKDIR SE PEHLE
KHODA BANDE SE KHUD PUCHE BATA TERI RAJA KYA HAI
(You make yourself so high even before your luck that God himself will ask you
what your wish is)
All my
previous questions answers are YES, YES and YES. We can change our own luck
with our own deed and by following those five words!
Let me
share some insight from my life.
Like many
of you who do not get opportunity to study in the best schools of Kolkata, I
too studied in Monu Memorial Institution Topsia and thereafter at Calcutta
Madrasah, which is an Urdu Medium Government School at Taltala. We six brothers
and sister, my parent and grandmother all were living in the tiled shed room of
around 100 square feet at Topsia and in my adolescent age we got another
tenanted room. Despite all challenges my father ensured that all of us get
education. My father was a hawker and that time having hawker stall at
esplanade. During those days from my Class VI to Class X, I have to go to my
father hawker stall to support him. I had a bicycle by which every day I had to
cycle from residence to School and then from School to Esplanade. Every day I
worked with my father, used to sell Sarees there on the footpath of Esplanade,
and in the night around 10 to 11 we together returned to residence at Topsia.
My father also had a Cycle. Within couple of years my younger brother also joined
us and also did the same thing. Whenever I used to upset with our condition, or
on comparing ourselves from others who have resources, my father used to reply
just look on the other people who are worse than you, who do not have money to
have two time meal, whose children works in factory or Hotel to feed himself as
well as parents. It will give you some satisfaction. I always remember those
words of my father and reiterate the same whenever anyone complained about
their conditions.
My father is rare example of hardworking, dedicated, Muslims from humble
background of Kolkata who while facing all challenges makes children educated.
Despite all ordeals my father never stops us from studying. In fact, he is the
source for education for all of us. I am happy to share my two youngest sisters
are Doctors while my youngest brother is practicing lawyer in Kolkata. May
Allah make every parents of the community like my father, the face of community
will automatically changed.
Even with
all these difficulties I continued my study. Passed Madhyamik Examination in
the year 1988. Similarly I did Higher Secondary from Umesh Chandra College in
the year 1990. My father purchased one small shop at Topsia and started
Building Materials business there. It brings some fortune for us. But his business
becomes victim of Local Goondas belong to ruling party. Our shop was looted. My
father and younger brother got injury. This entire episode of loot and
Goondagardi encountered us with police and court system.
I had to
support my family. I started working as Agent of Peerless, LIC and then luckily
got opportunity to work at United Bank of India as Commission Agent just before
my Higher Secondary. There was a break in my study. I had to support my father,
my family along with working as commission agent of United Bank, Topsia Branch.
My agency at Bank gave me financial assistance to continue my study. I joined
South Calcutta Law College and completed LL.B in the years 1998 and result got
published in February, 1999. I got arranged marriage around same time.
I
practiced for around two years and had been selected for admission at National
Level Entrance Test of West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences.
The study at NUJS gave a new meaning to my life. Many new avenues opened for me.
I may
remind here that once Mahatma Gandhi said, ‘men often become what they believe themselves
to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it.
But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn’t
have it in the beginning’.
Sir C. V.
Raman said in 1969 while addressing young graduate, ‘I would like to tell the
young men and women before me not to lose hope and courage. Success can only
come to you by courageous devotion to the task lying in front of you…..if that
indomitable spirit were to arise, nothing can hold us from achieving our
rightful destiny’.
My
Professor at NUJS, Prof. D. Banerjea always reminded us that for all successful
life, whether in professional career, administrative career, academic career or
otherwise we need three ‘C’ – Character – Commitment – Competence. I had
courage and determination, the Almighty Allah (SAT) made me what I am today.
Dr. A.
P.J Abul Kalam said, to quote; ‘what is life but a mixture of unsolved
problems, ambiguous victories, and amorphous defeats? The trouble is that we
often merely analyse life instead of dealing with it. People dissect their
failures for causes and effects, but seldom deal with them and gain experience
to master them and thereby avoid their recurrence. This is my belief: that
through difficulties and problems God gives us the opportunity to grow. So when
you hopes and dreams and goal are dashed, search among the wreckage, you may
find a golden opportunity hidden in the ruins’.
About the
aforesaid phenomenon, I have used the words “walk with courage”. I will also use the word “Grab the opportunity” as it comes.
Let me
explain from my life:
1.
After devastating
loot and torture at our shop at Topsia, there were case and counter case. We
have to go to court regularly. This encounter with legal systems had encouraged
me to study law. Though, this episode had many adverse impact it our life but
when I see those incident now it look like Allah provide me guidance to choose
my career and made me capable of helping others.
2.
In the year 2000,
I was practicing at Alipore Court. My income was quite reasonable in comparison
to other junior lawyer of my age. My wife was pregnant and soon we were
expecting our first child. I appeared for 1st NUJS entrance, a new
University just established. I got selected. It was a full time residential
program. Every student has to stay at Hostel. Two challenged I had. One
suddenly stoppage of income at such crucial time when we are expecting our
first baby. Staying at hostel leaving my family. I did not want to loose the
opportunity. Joined LLM and successfully completed. It was really a difficult
decision. Had I not joined that course, I would have not reached where I am
today.
3.
When I almost
completed my LL.M, impliedly I have completed my dissertation and went to our
Vice-Chancellor N. R. Madhava Menon (Padma Shree and Padma Bhusan Awardee) to
show him first draft. He used to call me as Mr. Khan. He asked me after seeing my first draft. “Yes
Mr. Khan, What you want to do next”. I said, “sir not decided”. He replied,
“would you like to join NUJS”. After hearing this I was almost shaking. Never
imagine to get such offer. It was difficult to open mount in front of person of
such strata. I only said will shaking lips “it will be my privilege sir”. I
came back to our sitting place. I receive appointment letter as “Research
Assistant” with half an hour. More difficult decision sweeter fruits.
4.
I was teaching
with contractual appointment since November 2002. In the 2004 August, I got
permanent appointment at NUJS as Lecturer with UGC scale. Same time I receive
scholarship to study at University of Essex. Going to Essex impliedly means not
joining your job. Few of teachers whom I contacted told me join job as I may
get another scholarship in future. I decided to go abroad without caring about
job. The University was kind enough to allow me to join after one year. It was
also very difficult decision but Allah (SAT) is only our Rajjaq. Let grab the
opportunity.
5.
One recent example of difficult decision was to
repatriate back to NUJS. The executive council of NUJS directed me to
repatriated back within 7 days. On one side I have an option to stay on the
lucrative post of Professor and Director Symbiosis Law School Hyderabad on the
other hand I have an opportunity to come back to my own city, to live with my
parents and all family members. On one hand, our own aspirations for
name and honour forces us to reach at higher pedestals of success while on the
other hand, your family wants you to come back to the city where they live,
with your parents and siblings. I took the decision to come back and stay with
my parent and fulfill the desire of my family. Unless you get peace in your
life and make your family members happy, your life remain unsuccessful no
matter which higher rank or post you have attained. Naturally, I was upset with
the decision of NUJS. Had no idea how come such regressive decision can be
taken by Public University. But Almighty Allah had foreseen challenges in my
family. My younger brother diagnosed with cancer. At least in the last few
months, I was with him. Had I been in Hyderabad, I would have not able to spend
time during last days of my younger brother. I have no regret for coming back
now.
What the point in saying these five examples of difficult decisions?
(a)
Take difficult
decision in life and walk with courage.
(b)
Whenever
opportunity comes, do grab it. Many occasions we miss opportunity.
(c)
Allah (SAT)
always has some greater plan for us. Never upset with His decision. Some new
opportunity is hidden, even if there is misery.
Let me share two examples OF
PERSEVERANCE from life.
1.
When I was in
Class IX, I went to British Council pavilion during book fair once to enquire
about the process to study law at United Kingdom. Those days book fair used to
be in Esplanade. My mother used to tell some story in my childhood where
invariably Barristers, Judges were characters. She also never thought that her
son will become lawyer one day and then faculty of one of the best law
Universities of India. It was uncommon for Urdu Medium School student to visit
British Council to enquire about studying at United Kingdom at that age. More
so for me knowingly that my father resources will never be sufficient to send
me U.K. My father was merely a hawker and I used to assist him every day from
evening 4 to 10 in the night and during school holidays whole day. The fortune
turns on me. I had been awarded British Cheveing Scholarship, which is one of
the world most reputed scholarship, to Study LL.M at University of Essex,
United Kingdom in the year 2004. The dream which I have seen in class IX got
realized in the year 2004.
2.
I always wanted
to do PhD from abroad. I got admission in many Universities but was
unsuccessful to secure scholarship. I completed first LL.M in 2003 and 2nd
LL.M in 2005. In fact, in the year 2011, I was recommended for Commonwealth
Scholarship from India but later on rejected at final round in UK. At last, in
the 2012, I got scholarship from City University of Hong Kong Scholarship
funded by UGC Hong Kong for PhD and ultimately completed PhD from one of the
top University. It rank within 50 Top Universities of world.
If
anyone consistently following own dream, one day opportunity will come for
sure. Even while doing PhD, I applied for research fellowship at Michigan Law
School USA to work under Prof. Catherine MacKinnon, world legendary Feminist
and fortunate enough to receive fellowship with funding.
Thus,
follow your dream with perseverance. You will get it today or tomorrow.
John Maxwell once said
“Successful and unsuccessful people do not vary greatly in their abilities.
They vary in their desires to reach their potential.” The last word which I am going
to explain is SMART. I want you all to be SMART. I know you all are smart,
intelligent, and good students for a fact that you came here, you are hearing
us and learning from our mistakes and success. But what I meant from SMART here
is established Management Goal Setting Theory, explained by G. T.
Doran, it consists of five alphabets SMART and for you, this is the last golden
key to unlock your success. These 5 pointers will help you develop a smart
goal. Let us see what SMART stands for-
The First alphabet ‘S’
stands for Specific. Your goal must be specific which ideally
means that it should be simple, sensible, significant. Make sure that you are
extremely specific with your goal. Do not dream of a thousand goal. Just aim a
bullseye.
The second alphabet ‘M’
stand for Measurable. It might be difficult to always measure your goal but
there must be some meaningful or motivating measurable objects that you design
to measure accessibility to your goal. Make sure you can track the progress of
your goals.
The third alphabet is ‘A’
stand for Achievable. This implies that try to have a goal which stretches
your ability but remains possible
The fourth alphabet is ‘R’
stand for Relevant. This implies it should be reasonable, realistic, resourced
and results-based. Make sure your plan drives you forward and keeps you
authentic. That is to say, your goal must be realistic.
The last alphabet T stand
for Time-bound. This implies time-based, time-limited, time/cost limited,
timely and/or time-sensitive. Fix some deadlines to reach it, do not
procrastinate.
I have
shared with you the story of life, the struggle which million of
underprivileged youth of this Country faced. No one, however poor, deprived,
underprivileged or small need feel disheartened about their life. I firmly
believed that sheer determination, dedication and hard work will lead to one’s
life accomplish all that he/she dreamt. The five words (a) dream big; (b) walk
with courage; (c) work hard; (d) adopt perseverance; and (e) be SMART,
impliedly fixing your goal reasonably, will definitely make you successful,
wherever you want to be. Resources can never be a constrained for your achievement.
May Allah
(SAT), accomplish the life of all of us.
I am
again express my gratitude to West Bengal Minorities Development Corporation
for felicitating me and giving this opportunity.
Thank you all very much.