RISE INSTITUTE : AN INSPIRATION IN ITSELF
Education is the backbone of any enlightened society. No society can dare to exist without making apt and ample preparations for imparting quality, standard education to its members. The rejuvenation in education is leading to an enormous advancement in our society. The national literacy rate is on the rise and enthralling everyone, be it in terms of caste, sex or status etc. The educational institutions are increasing in number and toting up the knowledge and intellectual strength of our society. The government led institutions for an adequate time have been the main source of education and now the privatization has a lot changed the scenario of life. The government schools have always remained fundamental means of education for the children of huge poor masses of India who cannot afford heavy expanses of privately led institutes.
How it all began
Graduates from India’s IITs are well-positioned for international jobs with lucrative salaries and a life of luxury. But occasionally, we hear stories of IIT graduates opting for a more modest livelihood spent in service of society. And even if this life does not always mean a life of great wealth, it always means a life of great satisfaction and legacy. Such individuals improve the lives of countless others and inspire all of us in the process.
Imbesat Ahmad is one such individual. A graduate of IIT-Kharagpur, Imbesat and three of his friends got together to open an educational institution for students in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Realising the education crisis in India’s northernmost state, they resolved to help aspiring IITians there by coaching them and guiding their careers so that they could make the most of their lives. Imbesat’s organisation is named RISE. Located in Srinagar, it was founded in 2012 with a focus on preparing students for IIT-JEE and other national-level entrance examinations. It coaches around 200 students today – students with big dreams but little chances, due to various factors like poverty, conflict, isolation, curfews and other issues.
The rise of RISE
Initially, Imbesat would visit Srinagar to educate students during his summer breaks. After the completion of his courses, he envisioned a more durable presence and impact. He got two other friends on board Salman, a student of chemical engineering from IIT-Kharagpur, and Saifi, a student of Electronics and Communication from Delhi Technical University. They were people united by the goal of educating the students of J&K. Over time, RISE grew in clout and scope.
They teach engineering fundamentals and they also encourage and guide children in ideating startups and apps and so on. One of their students, for example, made an app to sell her family’s Pashmina shawls. They also help out students who are already in engineering colleges to connect them to the industry and prospective employers. The goal is to help students stand on their own feet.
In their quest to give Kashmiri youth a chance to join India’s best educational institutes, the RISE team, invariably, faced many obstacles. They had to confront various troubles. For example, in 2014 when J&K was engulfed in floods, even the institute was flooded, and half-submerged. They lost most of their books and material in that disaster. Then, last year there was a lot of turmoil. The months-long curfew affected their activities. The students suffered and classes were affected. Due to the curfew, students were forced to come at 5 in the morning for classes.
Success Story so far…
In this year’s JEE-Main, 42 RISE students cracked the preliminary JEE exam. Till now from last four years over 23 students joined the coveted IITs & over 227+ students joined NITs/IIITs.People like Imbesat, Mubeen, Salman, and Saifi are people who change the world by educating the youth. The logical Indians applauds the RISE team for their efforts in helping Kashmir’s youth realise their dream of joining India’s top colleges.Education enables a nation’s children to enter the best colleges and companies. The youth will find satisfaction, respect and belonging in that. It gives them the independence they seek. After all, it is only when you are educated that you can reach the tallest of heights.
Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” Education is indeed the most important aspect of an evolved society, and those who help youngsters get educated are the torchbearers of a nation’s conscience.
