A teacher and more

That was in 1971,when he even carried bricks on his head to the site where he,along with some like-minded friends,had decided to erect a one-storey structure.

Initially,it was a Junior High Madarsah up to Class VII. In 1986,it became a ‘high madrasah’ and, subsequently,in 1992 it was upgraded to a three-storied higher secondary madrasah.

All this was not easy,though. Haque and his friends had to collect funds during the Friday afternoon namaz and also sought donations. “After the Friday prayers,we used to go around with a can and people donated whatever they could. From Rs 2 to a Rs 100 note,we accepted everything with a smile. We,too,put in whatever we could,” he said,adding that government grants at that time were few and far between.

Haque has also been actively involved in the pulse polio campaign. “We went around door-to-door for the pulse polio campaign and telling people,especially housewives,why it was important to administer two drops of polio vaccine to children below five years,” he said.

Later,he also started vocational training courses at the school. “The vocational course have also become popular,as they explore the entrepreneurship skills of people,” Haque added.

The soft-spoken,introvert teacher says his family,which comprises his wife,son,daughter-in-law,and two grandchildren,have never had a problem with this long working hours.

Haque intends to spend the Rs 25,000 award money,which he received from the CM,on the medical expenses of someone needy.