MEIF Honored with Kannada Rajyotsava Award for transformative contribution in education sector
Mangaluru: The Muslim Educational Institutions Federation (MEIF), a prominent educational organisation operating in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has been honored with the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Award this year.
The Karnataka state government recognized MEIF's significant role in revolutionizing education within the Muslim community across both districts. Founded by former Higher Education Minister of Karnataka, BA Mohidin, MEIF's commendable efforts in education for the past 22 years have earned them this esteemed accolade.
In response to the educational gaps prevalent among Muslims in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Mohidin initiated free English classes within mosques' madrasas during daytime. The positive reception from the community led to Jamaats in undivided Dakshina Kannada establishing English medium schools within Madrasa premises.
Encouraged by the overwhelming response, Mohidin conceptualized the Muslim Educational Institutions Federation (MEIF) in 2001. Today, MEIF comprises 180 English medium schools and pre-university colleges across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, catering to 60,000 students and employing 6,250 teachers. Notably, students of all communities and religions study in these institutions.
MEIF's mission centers on the belief that education is pivotal for development and strives to empower Muslim community, through education. The Federation extends guidance to member-school boards on administrative matters and conducts regular training sessions for teachers, students, and parents across its five zones. MEIF's concerted efforts have yielded remarkable results in annual examinations, with an impressive 83 percent of students achieving distinction and first-class grades in recent years. Furthermore, pre-university students have displayed consistent improvements in their academic performances.
Operating with government approval, MEIF's private unaided schools, primarily located in rural areas, maintain affordable tuition fees. Financially disadvantaged students receive free education, while others are charged nominal fees. Additionally, MEIF facilitates 174 SSLC students' admission to prominent PU colleges in the districts, supporting over 300 eligible rural students in securing free seats in technology institutes in Mangaluru and Bengaluru.
MEIF has also been instrumental in adding interest among high school students in civil service careers, organizing training sessions to enhance their skills. Over the past three decades, MEIF has played a pivotal role in enhancing literacy rates and women's education in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
Founder-chairman of MEIF and esteemed educationist PA Khader Kukkady significantly contributed to the Federation's development. Following his tenure, Mohammed Beary Yedapadavu assumed the role of chairman, steering MEIF to greater heights. Retired officer Moosabba P Beary is currently running the Federation successfully as its President. Umar Teekay serves as the honorary chairman of MEIF, while Syed Mohamed Beary is the chief advisor. Riyaz Ahmed Kannur is the current general secretary of the federation.
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Minister Patil chairs industry meetings to chart growth for key sectors in Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister M B Patil on Tuesday chaired meetings with industry representatives from the aerospace and defence, machine tools, auto/EV, and green energy sectors to discuss sector growth and government support measures.
The meetings were attended by leading industrialists and their representatives, with some participating virtually.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister for Large and Medium Industries said Karnataka is at the forefront of the country’s aerospace and defence sectors.
He noted that Suzuki and Toyota plan to launch aerial taxi services in Japan by 2028, with Bengaluru-based Sasmos supplying electrical equipment for the project.
Industrialists suggested introducing similar “fly-taxi” services in Karnataka through an appropriate policy, which Patil said would be examined seriously.
The minister highlighted the need to establish testing centres and Common Facility Centres for the aerospace and defence industries and assured that these facilities would be provided.
Suggestions were also made to prepare a comprehensive roadmap for sector growth.
Karnataka has urged the Central Government to approve Defence Corridor projects in the Bengaluru North–Kolar–Chikkaballapur and Dharawada–Vijayapura–Belagavi regions.
Industrialists also suggested a corridor between Bengaluru and Mysuru, Patil said.
He said Karnataka aims to become a hub for defence electronics manufacturing, with plans to establish a 200-acre Defence Electronics Park and a 100-acre Avionics and Sensor Park.
These projects will be implemented once the Special Investment Region is operational, and land availability will not be an issue.
On the machine tools sector, Patil said the industry has recorded an annual turnover of Rs 36,500 crore and is witnessing steady growth.
Large-scale exhibitions have increased demand, and the state must strengthen its capabilities to develop control systems for heavy machinery. One testing unit is already operational in Bengaluru, with another planned for Tumakuru. Expansion of vocational training institutes in industrial areas is also underway.
In the Auto and EV sector, Vision Group members highlighted the need for a network of dry ports and more EV charging stations across the state.
Patil noted that the Tata Group is manufacturing EV buses in Dharawada for nationwide supply. Plans for mini excavator production and export facilitation were also discussed, along with the establishment of a testing facility for two-wheeler EVs.
For the Green Energy sector, the group emphasised the need for a suitable policy on battery-based energy storage and the establishment of data centres.
Patil assured that the government will seriously consider all suggestions and respond positively.
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