Seraj Anwar / Patna

For the first time, a good number of Muslim women have qualified for the Bihar Public Service Commission announced the result of its 64^th examination recently. Their stories of grit and determination in the face of a multitude of problems are inspiring. Awaz-the Voice has spoken to some of them to chronicle their stories and to know how they made it to the top.

Rushda Rehman

Rushda Rehman of Gaya Panchayati Akhara is all set to join as section officer in the Bihar Civil services. She was two- years old when she lost her father Ataul Rehman in a riot in Nawada. Rushda was fathered by her elder brother Abu Huzaifa. He not only raised her but also motivated her to aspire for higher things in life.

While studying at Delhi’s Jamia Hamdard, Rushda also prepared for BPSC. She couldn’t make it twice and yet continued to pursue her goal.

Rushda says that this is her first big step to success. “I can become an example for others through my conduct and sense of duty.” She says she will keep inspiring Muslim girls to study and move ahead in life.

Rushda is the mother of a child.

Seema Khatoon (inset)

Seema Khatoon of Aliganj, Gaya, is a homemaker and a mother to her eight-year-old daughter. She studied privately at home up to her tenth standard. Later she did a diploma course from Aligarh Muslim University followed by a graduation course in computer sciences from Jamia Millia Islamia.

A decade ago when she got married and took charge of a home for a few years, she got back to her urge to learn more five years ago. Her husband Mohammad Khurshid Alam offered his full support.

Again she started self-study and also joined Bihar Haj Bhavan coaching for the BPSC aspirants.

Seema was successful in her first attempt.

Seema says she wasn’t to be a role model for Muslim women who take homemaking as their only work and keep inventing excuses and don’t move forward in life.” She says there are 18 members in her family. While taking care of them she managed to take out time for her studies. “Today I am the happiest person,” Seema said.

Razia Sultan will be the first Muslim woman to start her career as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP)in Bihar Police. Razia hails from Ratanchak of Hathua in Gopalganj district. Her father Mohammad Aslam Ansari was a stenographer at Bokaro Steel Plant.

Her father passed away five years ago. Razia is the youngest of her seven siblings. Having done her engineering from Jodhpur University, Razia is currently working as an assistant engineer in the electricity department in Patna. She was preparing for BPSC alongside performing her duties on the job. Though she wanted to join coaching classes, due to the lack of good English medium coaching in Patna, she studied at home. Razia has succeeded in the very first attempt. In the results of BPSC this time, 40 aspirants have qualified to be the DSPs and Razia is the only woman.

Razia told Awaz-the Voice, 'Crime control will be our priority. Issues related to women can be registered and action should be taken on their complaints.” She said mostly the police doesn’t register complaints related to women.

Razia sees her job as a big responsibility.” I will do my duty honestly,” she says.

Asma Khatoon

Asma Khatoon of Patna, Digha is going to start her career as a Sub-divisional magistrate (SDM). Her father Ashraf Ali runs a chicken shop.

Asma got married on March 12 and immediately started preparing for BPSC after joining the  Haj Bhavan Coaching. She said though she thought of giving up in the middle of but continued her preparations on her father’s encouragement.

She says women are not allowed to dream and achieve due to purdah. She says though religion does not impose such restrictions on them it’s the society that imposes curbs.

Noor Jehan

Noor Jahan of Darbhanga, Laheria Sarai says that Haj Bhavan coaching was a major factor in her personality development. She said during the preparation for the examination, she once felt like giving up. “I told myself that I am not worth such a high position,” she said.

However, the tutors at Haj Bhawan kept igniting her passion to do well. “I would like to tell the girls that hard work leads to success. For me, this is a big success. The thinking of society will change with the progress of girls. My success will inspire women.”

Aiman ​​Fatima's father Syed Mashhood Alam of Patna Khajpura is in a private job. She studied for six to seven hours each day. Aiman says this success is her first step; more avenues will open.