New Delhi: K Rahman Khan, a former deputy chairman of the Rajya Sabha and former minister for minority affairs, has received the prestigious 10th IOS Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to academia, society, and other fields.
He received the award, which consists of a memento, a shawl, and a check for Rs. 1 lakh, at a ceremony on December 29, 2022, held at the Constitution Club. He was given the award by Harish Rawat, the former chief minister of Uttarakhand, who was present at the occasion as the chief guest. He complimented Rahman Khan and said he felt privileged to present the award to Rahman Khan as he had worked with him in the government and in Parliament. It was a source of pleasure for me, he added. He said that Rahman is an institution rather than a single person.
“His entire career and life have been a light, from the realm of education to politics and the legislature. Rahman performs each task flawlessly. Held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Upper House and managing the Rajya Sabha is a highly challenging job. He made decisions with a grin and said unpleasant things with a very courteous smile, which was a very observable manner. The development of parliamentary abilities takes time; they are not developed overnight. I have seen how government initiatives helped minorities. He worked as a minority minister in the sectors that required government funding. He also has an open heart and appreciates others. One of those people who takes into account the opinions of others and behaves appropriately is Rahman Sahib,” Rawat said.
Rahman Khan thanked IOS and Dr. Manzoor Alam in particular during his address and said he was thrilled to receive this honor from such a prestigious organization as IOS. Narrating his life experiences, the former minister said we should be positive and work for others.
I was born in a village before we gained our independence, he said and added when I hear that nothing has improved in the last 70 years, I chuckle as they are not aware of the pre-independence realities.
“I have found that people who work with faith in Allah usually succeed. One’s life is changed through education. The community advances,” he said.
“I have approximately 55 years of experience in the field of education and have founded numerous schools. The community’s worries are highly important, and those who worry also take action. There are a lot of meetings and conferences in our community but no implementation, the former minister opined. As other communities move to progress, we can also move forward, and blaming the government is not the solution to the problem. We tried to do various things, such as create medical and engineering colleges; we did all of this after much work”. Khan highlighted these points in his speech. He gave the example of Karnataka’s Lingayat community saying the community itself has developed through its own efforts.
On his entry into politics, Khan said he was offered to contest legislative council elections and entered politics and worked with full honesty.
“We cannot move forward with mutual conflict, so negotiation and conversation are crucial. It is necessary to move forward in a constructive way and to be together with everyone. Dialogue is necessary to good living. You must dispel misunderstandings. Some people wish to destroy this country, and only when all religions are acknowledged will it stay secular,” Rahman Khan said, who returned the prize money of one lakh rupees to IOS.
Farqan Qamar, a professor, remarked awarding exceptional work in a variety of sectors is a source of pride, and individuals who have received awards in the past have a significant impact.
Rahman Khan has made outstanding contributions to education and other sectors, according to IOS Chairman Dr. Manzoor Alam, which is why the award committee chose his name.
IOS General Secretary Prof Z M Khan gave details about the activities of the institute. Former Delhi L G Najeeb Jung, Dr. Arshad Khan, Prof. Afzal Wani, and other personalities were present on the occasion.
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