Moideen championed the cause of education in DK

Former higher education minister B A Moideen, who passed away in Bengaluru on Tuesday, had given thrust to the education of girl children and had ensured that a school was opened in a Madrasa at his native place Bajpe.

As he supported the opening of English medium schools, members of the Muslim community started English medium schools in Katipalla, Krishnapura, Soorinje, Jokatte and Baikampady areas. As a result, Muslim Educational Institutions’ Federation came into existence.

Moideen’s autobiography ‘Nannolagina Nanu’ was scheduled to be released on July 20 at Town Hall in Mangaluru. Two writers Muhammed Kulai and B A Muhammad Ali had persuaded him to pen his autobiography.

Recalling his political days in his autobiography, Moideen is learnt to have blamed three senior Congress leaders B Janardhana Poojary, M Veerappa Moily and Oscar Fernandes for his political debacle after 1983.

Condolences

Condoling the death of Moideen, Karnataka Beary Sahithya Academy President Karambaru Mohammed said that he was one of the greatest leaders of the region. “He was made a minister for his honesty. He had strived hard for the upliftment of the Beary community through education. He had also worked for the setting up of Beary Academy.”

In a condolence message, CPM DK unit said that the district has lost a veteran leader. “Through his tough stance against the miscreants during the riots that followed after Babri Masjid demolition incident in Dakshina Kannada, Moideen had become a target of the communal forces. He had won the hearts of all through love. The district has lost a great son of the soil.”

He was one of the founders of Bertrand Russell School in Mangaluru.

JD(S) district unit organised a condolence meeting on Tuesday.

Speaking on the occasion, JD(S) district unit president Mohammed Kunhi said that Moideen was a veteran politician and an education expert. He has contributed a lot to the development of the state, he recalled.

District Wakf Committee and Zilla Kannada Sahithya Parishat president Pradeep Kumar Kalkura too condoled the death of Moideen. (Another report - obituary - on page 5)