CHENNAI: Now students can hope to study for UPSC, TNPSC and other competitive exams free of cost by simply logging into www.akias.in. This is a step toward bringing quality education to underprivileged students. It all began three years ago while Shamsudeen Qasimi, the chief Imaam of the Mount road Makkah Masjid was visiting Mecca. With the support of Islamic Literary Movement of India (ILMI), he started the Azhagiya Kadan IAS Academy, the first-of-its-kind in the State, inside the Mount road mosque.
It was an Islamic institute meant for the underprivileged giving free competitive exam training for academically bright students. This entitled students from across the state, to food, accommodation, study material flown in from Delhi as well as fine teaching from judges like Akbar Ali, all free of cost.
Just reaching out to Muslim students did not satisfy Shamsudeen Last year, he was able to give coaching to 65 boys and 15 girls and hopes to cover more students. “I want to help at least 10 students of other faith this year. It’ll be nice to create a sense of brotherhood among them all,” says the priest who is well known for his service in Makkah Masjid. There are seven examination centers around Tamil Nadu - Chennai, Tiruchy, Tirunelveli, Madurai, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri and Vellore. The entrance exam for 2015 is scheduled for August 30, and applications are open to all students in TN.