Early Life and Background
Born on November 15, 1982, in Murshidabad, Sadikul Islam grew up in a very humble and remote village with no basic amenities and poor educational facilities. His father was in business, but the family struggled with financial constraints. Reflecting on his childhood, he recalls, “My journey started from a very backward place. I was from a very humble background. My native was a very remote village. There was no approach road, no basic amenities.
Sadikul Islam is a distinguished professional engineer and a dedicated social activist, particularly within the education sector. With a career spanning over 15 years in web development and project management, Sadikul currently serves as a Techno Manager at Cognizant Technology Solutions. His technical proficiency and passion for social work have made significant contributions both in his professional field and in his community.
Career and Turning Point
After completing his engineering degree, Mr. Islam worked in the US for three years, but the desire to give back to his community led him to leave his lucrative career and return to India. He recalls the turning point: “Leaving Delhi job was the key turning point. Leaving a better job in Delhi and a promising future in USA was a huge loss to my carrier. However, I realized that I needed to work for my community, and I believed that education was the only way to make a significant change.”
He witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of illiteracy and social injustice, fueling a burning desire to make a difference. “My hometown was once plagued by violence and riots, earning it a notorious reputation. This tumultuous environment served as a catalyst for my desire to create change”
“I saw a lot of injustice,” he recalls, “and I realized that education is the only way to change things.”
It started when I was a student in class 10,” he recalls. “I was looking for a place to rent, but it was hard for a Muslim child to get accommodation easily. This experience, along with many others, made me realize the disparity and the need for change.”
Though he excelled in his studies, securing an engineering degree and landing a promising job in Delhi, a nagging sense of purpose lingered. “I had a good job, a good family, everything was nice,” he reflects, “but I was asking myself, ‘Is this the real life? What is the meaning of life?’”
His realization came after a year in Delhi, realizing that his work wouldn’t directly impact the community he felt connected to. “I knew I had to go back to Kolkata,” he shares. Leaving behind a comfortable life, he returned to Kolkata with a drastically reduced salary, driven by a clear vision: to empower his community and society through education.
“There are reasons for doing educational activities”, he said “Educated persons, they bring justice in society, they help others, they become better persons,” says Sadikul, highlighting his belief that education is the cornerstone of societal progress. He believes that it’s not just about academic achievement, but about fostering a moral compass. “Education is not directly related to money, but it gives a principle of life.”
Educational Initiatives
In 2008, Mr. Islam established Giriya Child Mission, a primary school in Murshidabad, which now has over 350 students from nursery to class VII. In 2011, he founded Dr. Kalam Education Mission in Kolkata, a co-educational school with over 350 students from class V to X. His vision is to create a community that values education and works towards the betterment of society.
Despite his success in establishing these institutions, Sadikul isn’t resting on his laurels. “Pray for me that I can get into education as a full-timer,” he requests, driven by a desire to dedicate himself completely to his mission.
His inspiration came from several quarters, including the Al Amin Mission and its secretary, Mr. Nurul Islam, as well as Mr. Mushtaq Hussain Sahab, the owner of Pataka Industries. He admired their dedication and the impact of their work.
Message to the Young Generation
He is a true inspiration for young people, encouraging them to prioritize personal growth and social responsibility over material success. “Make yourself a good human being,” he urges, “work for the purpose for which you have been created. Give your zakat of everything you got – your knowledge, experience, your time, your talent, including money. So that you die, you will die happily considering the Allah will welcome you in the right place and it will be real success.”
In his own words
“I want to work for education till the last day of my life. I want to open many more schools and create a community that values education and works for the betterment of society. That is the real success.”