A Hijabi girl winning 16 medals proves a point to anti-Hijab forces in India
Syed Ali Mujtaba
A girl with Hijab bags 16 gold medals in studies gives a bold
reply to all those who are for its ‘ban’ in the educational institutions of the
country.
Meet Hijabi Bushra Mateen, a 22-year-old civil engineering
graduate from SLN College of Engineering, Raichur, who has bagged 16 gold
medals, at the 21st annual convocation of Visvesvaraya Technological
University, on March 10. She has secured a grade of 9.47 out of 10, in her
studies donning a headscarf all her life.
Bushra Mateen won first place in 16 different categories, the
highest by a single student from VTU University. The tally includes the
VTU gold medal for the topper as well as other endowment medals.
Bushra created a record of sorts in the history of VTU
because to date the maximum number of gold medals won by a single student was
13.
At the event, Lok Sabha Speaker, Om Birla delivered the
convocation speech. Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot presided over the function.
Minister of Higher Education Dr. CN Aswathanarayan was the Chief Guest of the
event.
Bushra received her early education at St. Mary’s Convent
School, Raichur, and completed her pre-university at Pramana PU College,
Raichur. She got over 90% marks in all her exams.
Bushra Mateen’s father, Sheikh Zaheeruddin, is a government
civil engineer and her mother is a bachelor in arts.
Bushra’s father who was present on the occasion said “Bushra
was good at studying since childhood and she has worked hard for her studies.
We are all very proud that she has got the fruits of her labor.”
Bushra’s mother gave a piece of advice on the necessity to
educate girls for the development of the nation. “It is extremely important for
women to get educated. They should be empowered to make their own decisions.
And education is the most important way to do that,” she said.
Bushra's future goal is to appear for the UPSC Civil Services
exam for which she has already started preparing from November 2021.
“When I started with the course, I wanted to work
for the government as that is the best place to work as a civil engineer but
later, I realized I wanted to go for UPSC as it provides a bigger canvas to
serve the country, she said.
Bushra Mateen uses Hijab since her childhood and says the
headscarf has never come in the way of her studies. “Hijab is my choice and
fundamental and constitutional right. It has never come in my way to achieve my
target nor has any non-Muslim ever objected to it. I have never faced any
problem right from my school days to college because of wearing Hijab,” she
said.
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Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist. He can be contacted at
syedalimjtaba2007@gmail.com
