Chennai, Mar. 5:
Mrs. Imtiaz Fathima Wadood, a notable philanthropist and social activist based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu was recognized and felicitated by Mr. Udhayanidhi Stalin, Minister of Youth Welfare and Sports Development of Tamil Nadu at the “PetrorgalaiKondadalaam” event organised by the Tamil Nadu School Education Department held at Kanchipuram.
Mrs. Wadood has been a familiar face in the Muslim social service space in Chennai, and has served on the board of many institutions and charities in her 45-year history of social activism, including Anjuman e Himayath e Islam, the Girls Education and Welfare Trust and many more.
Her most notable contribution has been towards her alma mater, the Government Hobart Higher Secondary School for Muslim Girls. As the head of the Hobart Alumni Foundation Trust and President of the school’s Parent Teacher Association, Mrs. Wadood has worked tirelessly for the welfare of the school and its students.
Hobart School is a historical institution in Chennai that completed 150 years of existence this year. It was started in 1873 by Lord Hart Hobart and his wife Lady Hobart for the specific purpose of the education of Muslim girls. It stands on a beautiful, leafy campus, on land that was donated by Nawab Mir Humayun Jah who had his summer palace there. The much-dilapidated palace still remains on the school grounds till today. The school ran as a prestigious academic institution for many years, drawing Muslim students, especially girls from many prominent Madras families. At its heyday, its students would get many state ranks and garner numerous awards and accolades for their achievements in sports and other extracurricular activities.
Like many other government schools, this school also saw a significant decline in the last few decades and Mrs. Wadood with her team of social workers has been working to bring it back to its former glory.
As part of their efforts for the school, they have launched several student development initiatives including Bloom – a Special Education program for students who face academic challenges, Umeed – a career counseling program for girl students from grades 9 to 12, Parvaaz – a college scholarship program for graduating students, Sehath – a health initiative that provides a wholesome breakfast and health education, Reflections – a value education and Islamic studies program, The Muddy Fingers eco club to teach students about sustainability and conservation, Dunk and Dribble – a basketball program for the students, Hobart Center of Excellence that includes a renovated library, spoken English classes and other soft skills training.
Since the students of the school come from extremely underprivileged backgrounds, these programs give them skills and opportunities they need to build successful careers for themselves. Apart from all this, under the leadership of Imtiaz Fathima, the Hobart Alumni Foundation has invested heavily into renovating and building infrastructure for the school including classrooms, laboratories, a prayer hall, dining hall, basketball court, toilets, etc. and provided free transportation.
To extend her vision for the students of Hobart School, Mrs. Wadood’s team has also been lobbying the TN Government to allow them to establish an arts and science college for minority girls and students on the school campus. When the college project is approved, it will truly be the crowning glory of Mrs. Wadood’s career as passionate advocate for Muslim women’s education.
Mrs. Wadood’s yeoman service to the cause continues to bear reward not just through these awards and recognition, but through the generations of girls she has educated who are contributing members to their families and the communities.