Bhatkal: It was midnight. People of Bhatkal were enjoying a sound sleep. As usual, the highway was full of fast moving vehicles. Suddenly, an accident took place and people began mourning over the death and departure of the loved ones. The victims became helpless and grief-struck. In such a situation, a man who received the news of the mishap came to the rescue of the victims even before the police arrived.




He called the ambulance and rushed the injured to the hospital. He pacified the kith and kin of the victims and helped the injured in availing treatment at the hospital. He arranged for vehicles and money for the survivors to reach their town or village.

This man who lent a helping hand to distressed people at that crucial moment was 43-years-old Nisar Ahmed Ruknuddin, who is popularly known as -Top Nisar-. Hailing from Haneefabad coming under Heble Gram Panchayat limits in Bhatkal taluk, Nisar Ahmed belongs to a poor family of Nawayat Muslim community. Born to Mahdool Hasan, Nisar Ahmed is not a well-educated man but his dream of serving the needy matters him the most.

Raising loans form various sources, Nisar Ahmed had put up a shop from which he was earning his living. But in 1993, Bhatkal witnessed harsh communal clashes and it was during that time that miscreants burnt the shop run by Nisar Ahmed. Following a hint given by some unidentified persons, Nisar Ahmed was identified as an accused of the communal clashes and he also underwent jail term in that case. But this fateful incident turned the life of Mr Nisar Ahmed. He decided to dedicate himself for the welfare of mankind and try to erase the black mark attached with time and prove himself innocent. Keeping aside the poverty factor, he engaged himself in selfless social service. He once again availed loan and set up a shop for livelihood.

Today, be it helping the accident victims, performing last rites of unclaimed dead bodies, serving the people displaced due to floods or assisting the people in seeking the benefits of the government schemes or philanthropists, Mr Nisar Ahmed always takes a lead in lending a helping hand. A decade back, Gujarat was completely shaken by the earthquake. Even then, Nisar Ahmed rushed to Gujarat and helped the victims for 15 days.

With an intention to assist poor children’s education, he sets aside a fraction of his earnings every month. He has helped poor students directly and through philanthropists beside providing necessary materials to government, aided and unaided schools.

Being a member of various welfare organizations, he founded an organization. ‘Top Emergency Association’ with eleven members. With this, he intended to expand his social service.

Awards
Speaking to reporters Nisar Ahmed said that he had dedicated himself to social service not with an aim to earn awards but to prove himself innocent. Recognizing his services to the society, many organization of the taluk have honoured him. In 2004, he won the taluk-level Republic Day award and in 2011, he was hourned by the DC on the occasion of Independence Day. Besides, he has also been felicitated by the Police Department and the MLA.

In 2009, he received a special award and letter of appreciation on the occasion of Independence Day, from Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj and the then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Nisar Ahmed can be contacted on mobile phone number 9886181786 or 9480086786

Source: Deccan Herald