Open door for waiting parents who accompanied students appearing for NEET
AMN / Kochi
In a rare gesture of Hindu Muslim unity, mosques in Kerala opened the door for non Muslim parents who accompanied students, from different states to exam centres for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET).
Management of Vadi Hira Masjid at Aluva near Kochi hosted parents, including women, and made the necessary arrangements forthem to get rest while their children wrote the exam.
More than 1,500 students had come to Aluva to appear the medical entrance examination. The students were allotted centres in
nearby Thottumukham Sivagiri School and Chalakkal Amal Public School.
“Vadi Hira Masjid arranged accommodation for hundreds of parents who accompanied their children for the NEET exam, said Abdul Raoof Bin Rahim, a social activist and member of the committee said adding that reception for parents was arranged by the mosque management.
Last year too, the mosque management had offered shelter and food and water to parents, but arrangement were made only after they saw the troubled parents near their gates.
“Unlike last year, we were all prepared to receive the people who come for the entrance exam,” Raoof said.
The school had informed Wadi Hira Islamic Trust in advance, who responded to the need with required facilities in the mosque, including fan and seating in the hall and in the upper floor under sheet roof. When these places overflowed, place was offered even inside the mosque. The temporary occupants were also offered soft drinks. Those who had arrived Saturday night were also provided with facility to sleep overnight.
Last year, a similar crowd had turned up, but since there was no advance information, the mosque officials could not cope up. Still they became a model by providing the guests with space for rest and refreshments.
This time, workers of KSU, Fraternity Movement and Welfare Party volunteered service to facilitate the make-shift amenities. Those who turned up for test at Amal Public School took rest at the mosque of Azharul Uloom College, Chalakkal. Some parents were gratified that in the spiritual atmosphere of the mosque their wards were able to sit in prayer.
“Apart from the mosque we could also accommodate people at nearby houses and shops as well,” he said, adding youth from the villages of Malayam Kadu, Keeran Kunnu and Ajantha actively took part to help out.
CBSE conducted NEET examination on Sunday for more than 1.3 million students across the country. Only students from Tamil Nadu were allotted centres in different states.
Story is edited by Andalib Akhter
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