Rahmani 30: They ride science dreams to milestone of excellence

Rahmani 30, modelled on an idea of former DGP and physicist Abhayanand, runs from a small establishment at Anisabad, Patna. Muslim boys are selected to Rahmani 30 after rigorous entrance tests; a student’s economic background is also taken into consideration. The institute has students from all parts of Bihar including the Seemanchal belts of Kishanganj and Araria, and also from West Bengal, UP, Jharkhand and Gujarat.

“It is a step closer to the national level. We hope our students represent the country someday in the International Olympiad,” Abhayanand said.

Rahmani 30 manager Shabbirul Hoda said the 2015 results, announced in December and January, are phenomenal for the Patna institute. About a dozen of the students cleared more than one subject in the level-one tests. “The best results came in chemistry, in which 20 students cleared the test compared to only four in 2014,” Hoda said. “In maths, 10 students cleared the test as against only six in 2014.”

Among the successful students in mathematics are Farhan Ali, Ghulam Waris, Nijdain Ahmed, Khojema Shakeel and Hammad Nijami. “My father is a farmer. My elder brother Zeeshan is in Class XII and also in Rahmani 30,” said Farhan, who is from Araria. “Clearing level-one in maths test is very satisfying.” And Ghulam Waris said, “The most heartening part of our result is the big jump from last year.” Muntazir Rafi Alam of Kishanganj, who cleared astronomy, said his brother and sister are studying engineering, “which inspired me to study here.”

Abhayanand has expanded the Super 30 concept to various parts of the country. Rahmani 30 also runs a similar course, Anjuman Islam Rahmani 30. Over 100 students from Rahmani 30 have made it to IITs and NITs in the last four years. “Earlier, Muslim students from villages and small towns did not dream big and would think of studying in Aligarh Muslim University,” Abhayanand said. “Rahmani 30 has given them a platform to dream and realise that.”