Dr. Mushtaque Ahmad, M.A. (Double) Ph.D., is an academician par excellence – a teacher, administrator and development planner rolled into one. He graced different colleges not only with his auspicious presence there but also by discharging his academic responsibilities with great dedication, innovative initiatives and extraordinary commitment to the cause of education and also for the progress of the students, besides providing necessary infrastructural facilities for the students. Had he not taken up different essential infrastructural measures, it would not have been possible for the colleges to offer such facilities to the students.
In the year 1996 he joined B.N. Mondal (H.S.) College, Madhepura, Bihar as a Lecturer. In 2009 he joined Millat College, Darbhanga as Principal and continued to serve the institution in that capacity till May 2014. During this period, he very efficiently discharged various important responsibilities. Notable among them are establishment of hostel, laying the foundation of Commerce Faculty and setting up separate departments for History, Geography, Home Science and Environment & Water Management. At the time of his joining there were only five classrooms in the college. But within the next five years, 12 more classrooms were added.
Formerly there was no Conference Hall in the college which got established during this period. The hall has the capacity of 500 seats. Besides, he organised 22 annual seminars. Setting up of Allama Jameel Mazhari Extension Lecture Series on regular basis is another feat. In this connection he obtained permission from the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India. Five lectures have been delivered under this series till date. Moreover, books were also made available on the given topics.
As part of safety measures, a boundary wall was erected around the campus. Besides, Free Coaching for Medical Competition for students belonging to the minority community with the help of public was started. As a result of this measure, six out of the total 15 students cracked the examination. Food and lodging was also provided for the candidates free of cost.
He remained attached with Marwari College, Darbhanga as Principal from 1st June, 2014 to 27th April, 2017. There had been no trace of any boundary wall since 1958. During his tenure he got it constructed. A coaching centre for students belonging to the Minority Community got started with a view to prepare the students to compete for services in Banking and Railways Departments. Besides, coaching for Beverage has also started and within a period of six months 60 students have achieved success. Books are given to candidates free of cost.
From 28th April, 2017 to 16th July, 2018 he remained attached with M.L.S.M. College, Darbhanga. During this span of time, NAAC Grading of the college started and the college secured B Plus grade. Construction works of seven classrooms and two staffrooms (separate for ladies and gents) got started. Canteen and Cycle Stand also were established. Besides, a Minority Coaching Centre also got started here.
He took charge of C.M. (Arts) College, Darbhanga on 17th July, 2018. Ever since his assuming the responsibility of the College, he laid emphasis on infrastructural as well as academic developments. During this very short period, a coaching centre has been established to enable the students belonging to the Minority Community to take part in the tests/examinations conducted by the Bihar Public Service Commission. He got permission from University Grants Commission to provide coaching for National Eligibility Test for Lectureship and this has started functioning. Renovation works within the campus of the said college are in progress.
Literary works
Dr. Mushtaque Ahmad is also a prolific writer. It seems he can go without food for few days, but not without expressing his views and opinions through print media, in particular. His writings clearly reflect his ideas and vision relating to issues of varying dimension and magnitude, the issues usually confronted by the society. This to draw the attention of the concerned departments of the government towards the same. Besides writing for several newspapers and magazines published in the vernacular language (Urdu), he is also credited to have written in English on different issues.
His books in English include Minority Education in India, Muslim Reservation – Vote Bank Politics or Way to Uplift, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, and Gynotexts of Indian Diaspora.
His books in Urdu are: Tanqeedi Basirat, Qirtas-e-Mehar, Tanqeedi Taqaze, Nusrat – Fard aur Fankaar, Aatishe Pinha, Masnabi Daur-e-Shahwar – Tanqeedi Mutalaa, Bayan Pase Manzar, Iqbaliyat Ki Wajahti Kitabiyat, Mazloom Shahanshah – Bahadur Shah Zafar, Iqbal ki Asri Manqiyat, Jahan-e Faiz, Bihar Mei’n Urdu Tahqeeq –o- Tanqeed, Meezan-e Sokhan, Ehtasab-e-Fikr-o-Nazr, and Tanab-e Naqd.
Dr. Mushtaque Ahmad undertook some translation works too. He translated ‘Balchanma’ into Urdu from Hindi (Baba Nagarjun) in 2010.
He rendered commendable services as Editor to Awaz-e-Nau, an Urdu weekly, and edited 58 issues of the said weekly.
Under his able editorship, 70 issues (since 2001) of Jahan-e-Urdu, a Research Journal approved by U.G.C. have so far appeared. This is in continuity.
He is also a member of NCPL Literary Panel, Ministry of H.R.D., Government of India for the last 10 years and also a member of the Bihar Urdu Academy Literary Committee, Patna. He has served as Vice-Chairman of the Bihar State Urdu Advisory Committee, Government of Bihar from 2015 to 2018 and Director of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Chair, L.N. Mithila University, Darbhanga from 2006 to 2008.
It would be quite injustice on my part if I fail to mention that till now 15 candidates have completed their Ph.D. theses under his supervision and have been awarded Doctorate Degree.
It is also to be noted that Dr. Mushtaque Ahmad has been the recipient of two Minor Research Projects granted by the University Grants Commission.
As a Journalist and Columnist also he has written more than 2000 articles during the period spreading over about 30 years. And, this continues.
As far as this writer has studied him closely, through his words and deeds, I would unhesitatingly say that he is a great thinker, intellectual and remarkable writer. Besides, he gives utmost importance to infrastructural development in educational institutions. Such development, undoubtedly, plays a crucial role in the all round progress and development of students. Our educational institutions everywhere desperately need such thinking and talented minds.