Abdul Ghafoor ate less and worked more, and prioritized public service: Manzah Dhakvi
Gopalganj: The achievements of Chacha Abdul Ghafoor are prominent. The biggest achievement was to solve the basic needs and problems of the poor and backward classes, and to strive for the recovery of their rights, because he belonged to a village and was well aware of the basic problems of the people. In this way, he was a supporter of social justice. Secularism and socialism were the two basic pillars of his politics. These things were said by the guest of honor, Secretary of the Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation, Mr. Muhammad Rafi, while addressing a commemorative ceremony on the birthday of former Bihar Chief Minister Abdul Ghafoor.

The Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation, under the auspices of Gopalganj, organized a commemorative ceremony today, on January 18, at 2 pm, at the Madrasa Darul Uloom Islamiya Ghareeb Nawaz Saria Ikhtiar, Dharampura, Manjha block. Mr. Muhammad Rafi further said that there is a need to learn from Abdul Ghafoor's impeccable personality. The new generation should learn from him how, on the basis of education, honesty, and integrity, Abdul Ghafoor from a small village became the Chief Minister of his own state of Bihar.

Mr. Rafi also said that the Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation, under the patronage of former MP Dr. Ahmad Ashfaq Karim, is running an awareness campaign so that our new generation is aware that we can also achieve high positions on the basis of good character. Remembering our ancestors gives us the encouragement to follow in their footsteps, strengthens our connection to our roots, and we make a commitment to play a positive role in life by remembering their sacrifices, which gives us a sense of self and helps us determine our future direction.

Special guest, former MLA Barauli, Mr. Muhammad Nematullah, paying tribute to Abdul Ghafoor on his birthday, said that a nation that forgets its ancestors does not develop. He also said that Abdul Ghafoor was a very honest, noble, and simple human being. When he became the first Muslim Chief Minister of Bihar, he did not compromise on his policy of honesty. A movement was also launched against his honesty and integrity, but he did not back down. He was also a minister at the center and did not compromise there either.

It is regrettable that in Haj Bhavan, there are halls named after Abdul Qayyum Ansari and Ghulam Sarwar, but why not after former Chief Minister Abdul Ghafoor? Mr. Nematullah also said that the government intends to build a medical college in Gopalganj, and he demands from Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that a medical college be established in Manjha block, Abdul Ghafoor's native block, in his name.

Renowned poet Professor Razi Ahmed Faizi said that the land of Saria Ikhtiar is very fertile. This soil has given birth to an honest Chief Minister like Abdul Ghafoor. There are people from here who are professors at BHU and commissioners. The pain that should have been in our hearts for Abdul Ghafoor is in Champaran's Manzah Dhakvi and Muzaffarpur's Muhammad Rafi. There should have been educational institutions here in his name, but that did not happen. The Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation has vowed to try to open schools, colleges, and medical colleges in his name.

Nabiullah Ahsan said that Abdul Ghafoor was a god-gifted leader who resigned from Rajiv Gandhi's cabinet. Presiding over the ceremony, President of the Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation, Manzah Dhakvi, said that in 1973, when the possibility of making him the Chief Minister in place of Kedar Pandey arose, Siddharth Shankar Ray, former Chief Minister of West Bengal and General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee, discussed with all MLAs and MLCs, and everyone unanimously named Abdul Ghafoor as the most honest leader, whose proposal was sent to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and Abdul Ghafoor was made the Chief Minister of Bihar on the basis of his honesty.

He further said that Abdul Ghafoor lived a very simple life. He ate less and worked more. He gave the most priority to public service. He completely stopped bribery and corruption. That's why the employees of the secretariat became his opponents. This is the reason why an army of corrupt and dishonest people was formed to remove Abdul Ghafoor from power.

Mr. Zafar, while performing the duties of moderation, said that since Chacha Abdul Ghafoor was born in Saria Ikhtiar and is also buried there, this program was organized today to introduce his personality to the public and to inspire the new generation. This is just the beginning, and a better program will be organized next year.

On this occasion, Muhammad Abdullah, alias Shahenshah, expressed his gratitude to the guests and all participants, saying that the son of Saria Ikhtiar, who illuminated the name of his village and district Gopalganj at the national and international level, is being forgotten today. Therefore, under the patronage of Dr. Ahmad Ashfaq Karim, Mr. Manzah Dhakvi, President, and Mr. Muhammad Rafi, Secretary of the Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation, are doing excellent work, and their determination to revive the memories of a forgotten personality and to make everyone aware of his personality, may God fulfill it.

Nabiullah Ahsan said that now we will work under the banner of the Abdul Ghafoor Memorial Foundation to take the personality and achievements of Chacha Abdul Ghafoor to every nook and corner with a united heart. Maulana Ashraf-us-Salam Nadvi expressed his feelings on the occasion, citing a poem by Sahir Ludhianvi, "I have been taking my heart to this place, where the difference between sorrow and happiness is not felt."

The ceremony began with the recitation of the Quran and Naat by Hafiz Parvez. Manzah Dhakvi presided over the ceremony, while Muhammad Ali Zafar moderated it. Finally, Muhammad Abdullah, alias Shahenshah, expressed his gratitude. After the program, everyone went to Abdul Ghafoor's grave, recited the Quran, and prayed for his forgiveness. A board was also installed at the grave. On this occasion, Waqar Alam, a member of the State Executive Council of the National Teachers' Organization, Bihar, and Hasan Raza, among others, were also present.