Ajmal Foundation
| Formation | 2005 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit organization |
| Legal status | Private |
| Purpose | Charity |
| Headquarters | Hojai, India |
Region served | Assam |
| Badruddin Ajmal |
Ajmal Foundation is a non-governmental organization established in 2005, in the Hojai district of Assam, India, that works for social services including education, health, employment, environment, women empowerment,[1] and poverty management.[2]
History
[edit]The NGO was founded by Member of Parliament of India, Badaruddin Ajmal on 2005 at Hojai, Assam, India.[3]
Overview
[edit]The Ajmal Foundation established 25 educational institutions,[4] schools, and hospitals.[5] Some of such institutes are Maryam Ajmal Women's College of Science and Technology,[6]Nazir Ajmal Memorial College of Education, Ajmal Law College, and Ajmal College of Arts Commerce and Science.[7] The NGO also runs a free educational coaching programme, "Ajmal Super 40".[8]
Beyond educational activities, the NGO is also doing other charitable works. In 2020, the Ajmal Foundation donated 10 computers to the Asam Sahitya Sabha.[9] In August 2019, the Ajmal Foundation donated Rs 10 Lakh to Assam Chief Minister's Relief Fund for flood victims.[10] During the lockdown period in 2020 for COVID-19 outbreak, Ajmal Foundation donated Rs 2 Lakh to Khalsa Centre (North-East).[11] In 2021, Ajmal Foundation donated Rs 58 lakh to Assam Chief Minister's Relief Fund for COVID-19 vaccination in Assam.[12] The foundation also provides financial aide to ailing journalists and artistes.[13]
The NGO also provided Rs 50,000 to the next of kin of each of the six people who were killed during the Citizenship Amendment Act protests in Assam in 2020.
Controversies
[edit]In December 2020 an RSS-backed organization Legal Rights Observatory filed a complaint against Ajmal Foundation with an allegation that the Foundation received funds from international groups linked to terror outfits.[14] Denying the allegation, the Assam State Jamiat Ulema submitted a memorandum citing "Such propaganda has created misunderstanding and wrong conception among common people on Ajmal Foundation to demoralise its creative and charitable activities."[15]
The Director of the Ajmal Foundation Dr. Khasrul Islam admitted that most of the funding to the NGO comes from the United Kingdom but refuted the allegation of any terror link. Dr. Islam said, "Most of our foreign funds come from the UK under strict compliance of the FCRA regulations and are used in social, education and relief works. A false impression is being created about our foundation based on incorrect information."[16]
Awards
[edit]- Best NGO-Skill Development Award 2015: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).[17]
References
[edit]- ^ "बदरुद्दीन अजमल कौन हैं, जिन्हें बीजेपी नेता असम का 'दुश्मन' बता रहे हैं?". BBC News हिंदी. March 12, 2021.
- ^ "असम में एससी, एसटी के लिए शुल्क में अजमल फाउंडेशन दी 50 फीसदी की रियायत". Navbharat Times.
- ^ Nath, Monoj Kumar (2019-04-21). "Muslim Politics in Assam: The Case of AIUDF". Studies in Indian Politics. 7 (1): 33–43. doi:10.1177/2321023019838648. ISSN 2321-0230. S2CID 159324656.
- ^ Agha, Eram (18 October 2020). "Number of Students Clearing NEET Exam After Coaching From Ajmal Foundation's Increases from 11 to 80". News18. CNN-News18. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
- ^ Chakravarty, Ipsita; Saikia, Arunabh (18 April 2019). "'Minority communalism is costly': A polarising debate on citizenship makes Assam's Muslims cautious". Scroll. Scroll.in. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
- ^ Imam, Manzar (24 June 2020). "Maryam Ajmal Women's College bags top two ranks in Assam HSSLC 2020 exams".
- ^ Padalkar, Ravindra (2021). "Assam". Ruling Dynasties of Independent India. Notion Press. ISBN 9781637147993.
- ^ Singh, Abhijeet (25 October 2020). "Dehradun: Free coaching institutes help poor kids crack NEET". The Times of India. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ Zaman, Rokibuz (24 January 2020). "Sabha, Ajmal prod on Assamese". The Telegraph (India). Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "Rain pounds Siang, relief in Assam". The Telegraph (India). 1 August 2019. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Zaman, Rokibuz (6 May 2020). "Foundation donates Rs 2 lakh for food". The Telegraph (India). Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Khan, Fatima (31 August 2021). "AIUDF's praise for BJP is baffling, says Assam Congress as it severs ties with Ajmal's party". ThePrint. ThePrint. Retrieved 24 May 2022.
- ^ Thakuria, NJ (3 February 2016). "Ajmal Foundation Offers Financial Supports To Ailing Scribes". Modern Ghana. ModernGhana. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ Parashar, Utpal (4 December 2020). "AIUDF chief's foundation booked for receiving foreign funds with alleged terror links". Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
- ^ Hasnat, Karishma (16 December 2020). "Assam's Jamiat seeks CM's intervention to stop 'propaganda' against Ajmal Foundation". ThePrint. ThePrint. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ Choudhury, Ratnadip (5 December 2020). "Case Against Ajmal Foundation For Foreign Funds "Traced To Terror Groups"". NDTV. NDTV. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "MoU signed between Meghalaya and Ajmal Foundation on skill development". The Economic Times. The Economic Times. 4 August 2015.