CENTURY OLD CONTRIBUTIONS REMEMBERED WITH GRATITUDE

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 CENTURY OLD CONTRIBUTIONS REMEMBERED WITH GRATITUDE

            (1926-2026)

Whenever we receive a gift, favour, or help at the time of need from people, we have the habit of expressing our gratefulness by just saying ‘thanks’ or by doing a similar favour in return to them. And this act of gratitude is a moral obligation of a civilised society. According to Islamic teachings, it helps to retain the received favour and also increases it.

The Holy Quran says, “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you in favour” (Surah E Ibrahim).
“The Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said, He who does not thank the people is not thankful to Allah (Sunan E Abu Dawood).”

During national events, we remember our leaders and freedom fighters and recall their sacrifices from history, which motivates us to convey our gratitude and pay respect to them. Because history acts as a bridge between generations, helps to foster gratitude, and creates a cordial bond among nations, communities, individuals, and people of different places.

Since the dawn of 2026, two important events have drawn my attention where history has brought people of two different places closer and helped to remember the donor with gratitude.

The donor was none other than Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib. As we all know, his contributions were not confined to Visharam only but had also benefited institutions and communities irrespective of caste and creed across South India and also North India. A glance at his biographical works ‘Fabulous Jewel of Madras Presidency’, ‘Mukhaiyyar E Aazam’ (Urdu), and ‘Vallal Perumagan’ (Tamil) will make the readers acquainted with such contributions.

Event-1

    On 29th November, 2025, a group of elders from ‘Salem Kottai Mel Theru Sunnath Jamath Mosque’ came to meet Janab Sakvai Ziauddin Ahmed Sahib (General Secretary, MMES), the great-grandson of Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib. The Jamath members informed him that Abdul Hakeem Sahib had donated the land and constructed the above-mentioned mosque at Salem in 1926. Until then, neither this contribution was recorded in the above-mentioned biography nor were his family members aware of it. The Jamath expressed that their purpose of visit was to invite Janab Ziauddin Ahmed Sahib for the opening ceremony of the second floor of the mosque and mark the momentous occasion with the company of the descendants of the donor. 



     

 Accepting their invitation, Janab Sakvai Abrar Ahmed Sahib (S/o Janab Ziauddin Ahmed Sahib, Joint Secretary MMES & Correspondent of C. Abdul Hakeem College of Arts and Science), along with Dr. S. A. Sajid Sahib (Dean, C. Abdul Hakeem College of Arts and Science & Correspondent, Islamiah Boys Higher Secondary School, Melvisharam), attended the grand opening ceremony held on 1st February, 2026. Both were honoured by the mosque committee, whose photographs are pasted below. 




        Similarly, a group photo also shows the stone tablet inscription in Urdu and Tamil which reads, ‘Kilvisharam C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib constructed the masjid’.



 

Event 2
     In 1934, a group of elders from Kaveripakkam met C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib and requested him to upgrade the Government Middle School (Estd. 1926) of Kaveripakkam into a high school. He not only assisted to upgrade the school but also made a generous donation of 5 acres and 50 cents of land where the present-day Government Boys Hr. Sec. School of Kaveripakkam is situated. Apart from this, he also gave scholarships to deserving students. For detailed information, please read my article written in 2016 titled ‘Nawab C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib and his Contributions to Kaveripakkam’ by clicking the link below.

https://localhistorymelvisharam.blogspot.com/2025/10/c-abdul-hakeem-and-his-services-at.html

This school was started on 2nd July 1926 as a primary school, which gradually grew into a High School and Higher Secondary School. The advent of 2026 marked the completion of 100 years of one of the oldest schools of Ranipet district. To commemorate this landmark occasion, the school administrative council decided to celebrate the centenary celebrations in a grand manner on 22.02.2026.

A day earlier, i.e., on 21st February, 2026, a delegation consisting of prominent members from the Govt. Boys Hr. Sec. School of Kaveripakkam visited Islamiah Boys Higher School to invite Janab Sakvai Ziauddin Ahmed Sahib for the historic event.




In response to this invitation, a team of members of MMES, namely; Dr. S. A. Sajid Sahib, Janab Asghar Ali Sahib (Correspondent, FM Primary School), Janab Malack Mohammed Saifuddin Sahib (Correspondent, Hakeem Matriculation Hr. Sec. School), Janab K. Irshad Ahmed Sahib (Headmaster, Islamiah Boys Hr. Sec. School, Melvisharam), and Mrs. Amudha Mani (BT Assistant, Hakeem Mat. Hr. Sec. School), represented MMES. All the members were warmly welcomed and, as a mark of gratitude and respect, honoured with a memento by the host. On this occasion, Mrs. Amudha Mani delivered a speech on the services of C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib.




Conclusion

     In 2018, Hindu Higher Secondary School, Ambur, celebrated its Centenary in a grand manner. The donor  was  C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib. On that occasion, the Centenary Committee invited  the descendants of the donor.  Janab Sakvai Abrar Ahmed Sahib (S/o Janab Ziauddin Ahmed Sahib, Joint Secretary MMES & Correspondent of C. Abdul Hakeem College of Arts and Science) accompanied by Janab K. Irshad Ahmed Sahib (Headmaster, Islamiah Boys Hr. Sec. School, Melvisharam) were honoured by the host.




In 2026, some institutions are completing their Centenary, namely MD School, Melvisharam (Estd. 1926), C. Abdul Hakeem Government Boys’ Higher Secondary School, Arcot, and Government Hospital, Melvisharam. 



Insha Allah, we hope that in the near future we shall witness similar Centenary celebrations.

The contributions made by C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib a century ago were remembered by the fourth-generation beneficiaries with deep gratitude. These instances clearly demonstrate that sincere acts of charity rise above time and continue to inspire generations long after they are made. It is history, especially local history that reconnects communities, revives forgotten contributions, and strengthens bonds among people of different regions. Such remembrance is not merely a tribute to the past but also a reminder to the present generation to emulate these noble deeds. May the legacy of generosity and service left by C. Abdul Hakeem Sahib continue to inspire many more to work selflessly for the welfare of society.  I thank Janab S. Mohammed Khasim Sahib ( P. G. Asst, Tamil) IBHS School, Melvisharam for sharing photos of  Centenary event at Kaveripakkam.

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