Aasha Khosa/New Delhi

Khan Sir is one of the most loved Indians at the moment. His recent celebration of Raksha Bandhan with 15,000 women students from his coaching classes of Khan GS Research Center took the internet by storm. His image with his right hand overloaded with love from 15,000 Rakhis tied by the students sobered many radicals. He hosted a party for “India’s ‘Queens” as he referred to the young, ambitious students, where they were served multi-cuisine and sumptuous food.

What makes Khan Sir one of the most adored figures in India? Here are my reasons:

Religion in personal

Khan Sir keeps religion out of his actions, discourse, and work. Although he is a highly celebrated person in India and is often invited to television shows and public functions, he rarely engages in conversations about religion. He did not disclose his real name and religion for years because he felt it was irrelevant to his work. His real name is Faizal Khan, and he hails from Uttar Pradesh.

The image of his wife in veil at their wedding reception raised questions posted on Instagrsm

 

 

 

 

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Self Belief

Apart from helping students with coaching at nominal rates, Khan Sir is also India’s most charismatic motivational speaker. He constantly reminds his students – who are from poor sections of society – that education is the only weapon that can change their lives. He often narrates the stories of students who made it after clearing competitive examinations. This gives immense self-belief to all who otherwise have no money to join the rat race for jobs, admissions into elite colleges, and institutions.

Rustic style

Khan Sir’s use of local lingo is what makes him a ‘dharti putra” – son of the soil, and endears him to people across India. His non-preference for English as a medium of teaching is a boon to students who are weak in the language. It also adds to their pride in their language and fills them with confidence. He makes narration of knowledge and analysis so much fun. Once, I wanted to know the nuances of the Nagorno-Karabakh dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and I found Khan Sir’s video on the subject the most comprehensive and yet interesting.

Focus on the poor

Khan Sir’s constituency is the poor and ambitious youth. His philosophy is reflected in his entire work and narrative. He never derides the rich, though. The fee structure of his institute, Khan GS Research Centre, based in Patna and Delhi, and his narrative is meant to bring about a mindset change in the lower sections of society.

Money is secondary

Khan Sir’s simplicity and his work have made money redundant in the process of achieving success. His low-fee online teaching has elevated human efforts as the most important weapon for change and self-improvement. It has made the money-can-buy-anything concept irrelevant. After celebrating Raksha Bandhan with his girl students, Khan Sir told a reporter who wanted to know how much the party cost him. “If Ambani can throw a party for his friends, I can also do it for the Queens of India. I can spend anything for the love they gave me.”

Khan Sir’s main source of income is his YouTube channel, Khan GS Research Centre, which has 2.4 crore subscribers. His monthly earnings from advertisements, sponsorships, and Super Chat are estimated to be between Rs 10 and 20 lakh. The fee for his courses is nominal and highly affordable.

Indianness

Khan Sir promotes Indian-ness as nobody does. He celebrates all festivals and never shies away from participating in traditional rituals and cultural celebrations.  His videos on international relations affecting India are superb and well-researched. He wears his Indianness on his sleeves. Due to his aura, the regressive people dare not raise fingers at him for deviating from his religion.

पटना में खान सर को राखी बांधने के लिए लगी छात्राओं की भीड़

Watch: Popular educator Faizal Khan, also known as ‘Khan Sir’, celebrates Raksha Bandhan with students in Patna, Bihar. #bihar #patna #khansir #rakhi #rakshabandhan #girlstudents #viral #video #india #thebigfaces #tbf pic.twitter.com/LMFoeQ1Bpr

— The Big Faces (@TheBigFaces2) August 19, 2024

No filters

Khan Sir’s thinking is stunningly clear on passing instructions to how to project his image in public. After not disclosing his real name – which is Faizal Khan - for years, he also did not disclose the face and name of his wife, whom he got married to recently. Khan Sir, somewhere, said that his wife deserves privacy and the right to not be judged as Khan Sir’s wife.  He realizes that in India, people judge others by their religion and caste.

Love for the Army

Growing up in a poor family in Bihar, Khan Sir wanted to join the Indian Army. He failed to make it because of his medical condition. Though he says his pen is his gun for defending India against illiteracy and poverty, he becomes emotional when it comes to the Indian Military. His online videos on India-Pakistan are full of love and praise for the bravery of the Indian army.

Philanthropy

Khan Sir has recently announced to enter the medical field, where a common man feels disillusioned because of the high cost of treatment. The concept is the same that he used for his coaching classes, where he took on the coaching mafia that charges exorbitant fees. His project again reflects his concern for the poor and also his determination to change lives and make a difference.

Women power

Khan Sir is a strict disciplinarian to the extent that he used to keep a cane in the offline classes in Patna. His instruction to youth is clear that nothing will change unless they become disciplined and focused on life.

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He shows special consideration for the girls in his classes and offline.