INF Launchpad 2025 empowers Bhatkal students with guidance on careers, competitive exams, scholarships, and essential soft skills

Bhatkal (Bhatkallys News Bureau):  About  270 tenth-grade students from five schools in Bhatkal took part in INF Launchpad 2025, a one-day career and leadership camp held on Thursday at Ameena Palace, Bhatkal. Organized by the reputed NGO Indian Nawayath Forum (INF), the event proved both inspiring and informative, equipping students with valuable insights to guide their future academic and career choices.

The full-day camp, which concluded at 4 p.m., was followed by a valedictory ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Chief guest Mohammed Rafi Pasha, Deputy Commissioner of GST, Bengaluru, and author of several books on competitive examinations, praised the Indian Nawayath Forum for its commendable job. He lauded the initiative for providing crucial career guidance to Class 10 students at a decisive stage in their academic journey and assured his continued support for similar youth-oriented programs in the future.

Ameen-e-Mudassar, CEO of CIGMA and Karnataka’s leading career counsellor, commended the program’s planning and execution. “Most events are decided barely 15 days in advance, but this one was planned three months ahead -- and that’s why we’re seeing such smooth organization and effective delivery,” he remarked.

Presiding over the valedictory session, Aftab Husain Kola, President of INF, drew attention to the low participation of Muslims in higher education in India. “Just two years ago, Muslims accounted for only 6% of total enrolments in higher education. In India’s premier institutions  like IITs, IISERs, NITs, and IIMs the figure drops to a mere 1.92%. Even in the 2024 Civil Services results, Muslim candidates made up less than 3% of successful aspirants,” he asserted.

“These numbers highlight an urgent need for intervention,” he added.

Key sessions were led by prominent speakers, including Ameen-e-Mudassar; Suhail Babu, experiential educator and leadership facilitator from Tirur, Kerala; and Shamsuddin Usman Shaik, Taluk Minority Extension Officer, Bhatkal. All expressed appreciation for INF’s efforts in hosting a well-organized and impactful camp that combined learning with inspiration.

The event began with a qiraat by Hafiz Mohammed Abyaan Akrami,  followed by a welcome address from Mohammed Adil Nagarmath, General Secretary of INF. Event coordinator Saalim Kola delivered the vote of thanks, with Tanveer Motiya serving as co-coordinator.

Throughout the day, the sessions featured interactive presentations, multimedia resources, and quizzes that kept students actively engaged. At the end of the program, all participants received certificates of participation, marking a memorable and motivational experience for Bhatkal’s young learners.