Dr. Mohammad Azam Ali
| Dr. Mohammad Azam Ali | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 5 August 1991 Chirlavancha village, Siricilla Mandal, Telangana, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | Ph.D. in English, Kakatiya University |
| Occupation | Assistant Professor of English, Social Activist, Motivational Speaker |
| Known for | President of India NSS National Award, Youth empowerment initiatives |
| Organization | Founder President, Chamak Foundation |
| Awards | President of India NSS National Award (2012–13) National Youth Award (2017–18) Maulana Azad National Award (2018) Ideal Teacher Award (2021) |
Dr. Mohammad Azam Ali (born 5 August 1991) is a prominent Indian social activist, educator, motivational speaker, and Assistant Professor of English from Telangana. He is widely known for his inspirational journey from poverty and child labour to becoming a national award-winning educator. Dr. Azam Ali has trained thousands of students in communication skills, personality development, and career guidance.
He received the President of India NSS National Award and the National Youth Award from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for his contribution to social service and youth development. He is also the Founder President of the educational NGO Chamak Foundation, which works to empower underprivileged children through education and mentorship.
Early life and background
Dr. Mohammad Azam Ali was born on 5 August 1991 in Chirlavancha village of Siricilla Mandal in the erstwhile Karimnagar district of Telangana, India. He was the fifth child of Ahmed Hussain, a lorry driver, and Khalida Begum, a daily wage labourer. His family belonged to a poor working-class background and struggled to meet daily needs.
Due to lack of employment opportunities in the village, the family later migrated to Karimnagar town in search of livelihood. Azam studied in government schools because his family could not afford private education. Financial hardship meant that books, uniforms, and school supplies were often difficult to obtain.
During his school years, his father left the family, leaving his mother to raise the children alone. Khalida Begum worked under difficult conditions as a labourer but remained determined to educate her children.
When Azam reached the eighth class, financial problems forced him to discontinue school for a year. During this period he worked as a wall poster boy, pasting posters and banners on streets to support his family. While working, he noticed a slogan of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme that encouraged education for all children. Inspired by the message, he approached his teachers and explained his situation. With their support he rejoined school, marking a turning point in his life.
Education
After returning to school, Azam studied with dedication and secured second rank in his school in the SSC examinations in March 2006 from Government High School, Padmanagar village.
He joined Government Junior College Arts and Commerce in Karimnagar from 2006 to 2008 with History, Economics and Civics as optional subjects. He scored 873 marks out of 1000 and stood second at the state level. For this achievement he received the State-level Pratibha Puraskar Award in 2008 from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Azam later completed his Bachelor of Arts (H.E.P) from SRR Government Degree College, Karimnagar between 2008 and 2011. He pursued M.A. in English Literature from Kakatiya University, Warangal from 2012 to 2014.
Coming from a Telugu-medium background, studying English literature was challenging. With guidance from lecturers and consistent practice, he gradually improved his language skills.
He later completed M.Ed from the University College of Education at Kakatiya University. He qualified the State Eligibility Test (SET) in English and Education and secured first rank in the Ph.D. entrance examination. Between 2018 and 2022 he completed his Ph.D. in English from Kakatiya University.
Learning English and personal transformation
A defining moment in Azam Ali’s life occurred during a National Integration Camp at JNTU Kakinada in 2010. While delivering a speech on “National Integration and Role of Youth,” he initially spoke in Telugu but was asked to speak in English or Hindi. Unable to continue, he stepped down from the stage feeling embarrassed.
This incident motivated him to master English. With the guidance of lecturers Nalimela Bhaskar and Gande Parsha Ram Rao, he joined spoken English programmes and began reading newspapers, magazines and books daily. Over time he gained confidence and fluency.
Today he trains thousands of students in English communication skills, interview preparation and personality development.
Social service and NSS activities
Dr. Azam Ali developed an interest in social service during his school days through programmes such as Lead India 2020, NCC activities and environmental campaigns.
He became actively involved in the National Service Scheme (NSS) during his intermediate studies under the mentorship of Dr. S. Manohara Chary. Through NSS he participated in several social initiatives including:
- Tree plantation drives
- Cleanliness campaigns
- AIDS awareness programmes
- Pulse polio campaigns
- Environmental protection initiatives
- Literacy drives
- Village adoption programmes
- Blood donation camps
- Disaster relief activities
During the 2009 floods in Andhra Pradesh, he organised a donation drive that collected funds and notebooks for flood-affected students.
For his exceptional volunteer service, he received the Indira Gandhi NSS National Best Volunteer Award (2012-13) from the President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan in 2013.
Later he received the National Youth Award (2017-18) from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi.
Participation in Telangana statehood movement
During his graduation years, Dr. Azam Ali participated in the Telangana statehood movement. He joined rallies, protests and public awareness programmes advocating for regional development and social justice.
He took part in events such as dharnas, Million March protests and the Sakala Janula Samme movement. He also represented student concerns before the Sri Krishna Committee.
Civic activism and public awareness
Azam Ali has also been associated with civic awareness initiatives. Inspired by social reformer and former IAS officer Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, he participated in activities promoting RTI awareness, election reforms, consumer rights and voter education through Lok Satta.
He also supported the anti-corruption movement led by Anna Hazare, which further shaped his views on ethical governance and citizen responsibility.
Teaching career
After completing his postgraduate studies, Dr. Azam Ali began his teaching career as Guest Faculty at Government Degree College for Women in Karimnagar. He later joined engineering colleges in Warangal as an Assistant Professor of English.
With more than a decade of teaching experience, he has trained over 20,000 students in communication skills, interview preparation and personality development.
He has presented research papers at national and international conferences and published academic research in UGC Care journals. He authored the book Indian Youth Literature: Mapping Young Minds in Changing India and edited another book titled Education: A Pathway to Viksit Bharat.
He currently serves as Head of the Department of English and Chairperson of the Board of Studies for the B.Tech first-year English subject.
NSS Programme Officer
Later in his career, Dr. Azam Ali served as an NSS Programme Officer, guiding students in community service activities. Under his leadership, NSS units organised:
- Swachh Bharat campaigns
- Drug awareness programmes
- Ethics workshops
- Environmental protection initiatives
- Voting awareness drives
- Youth leadership camps
- Community outreach programmes
He also facilitated student participation in national camps held in Delhi, Maharashtra and Kerala.
Chamak Foundation
On 6 October 2023, Dr. Azam Ali founded the Chamak Foundation (Chamak Padhai Se) in Hyderabad in the presence of Professor Shanta Sinha. The foundation focuses on improving access to education for underprivileged children.
The organisation conducts English communication classes, personality development sessions and mentorship programmes in government schools and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas.
Through the foundation he has supported students pursuing higher education and helped establish libraries in rural schools including ZPHS Matwada and Rangapoor village.
Awards and recognition
Dr. Mohammad Azam Ali has received several national and state-level honours for his academic achievements and social service.
Major awards include:
- President of India NSS National Award (2012-13)
- National Youth Award (2017-18) – Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Maulana Azad National Award (2018)
- Rashtriya Gaurav Samman (2018)
- UN World Environment Day Hero recognition (2019)
- State-level Pratibha Puraskar Award (2008)
- State Best NSS Volunteer Award
- Ideal Teacher Award (2021)
He has received more than 150 certificates and over 100 mementos for delivering more than 1,000 motivational lectures across India.
Resource person and youth mentor
Dr. Azam Ali regularly serves as a resource person for organisations such as NSS, NCC and Nehru Yuva Kendra. He conducts leadership workshops, motivational sessions and career guidance programmes for students across India.
His speeches encourage discipline, patriotism, social responsibility and confidence among young people.
Meetings with public figures
Dr. Azam Ali has interacted with several prominent personalities including:
- President of India Droupadi Murmu
- Former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu
- Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan
- Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi
- Social activist Anna Hazare
- Social activist Sandeep Pandey
- Environmentalist Vanajeevi Ramaiah
- Professor Shanta Sinha
- Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan
- IPS officer J. D. Lakshmi Narayana
These leaders have appreciated his work in education and social development.
Philosophy and message
Dr. Azam Ali often emphasises that poverty should not prevent individuals from achieving success. Through his speeches and mentoring, he encourages youth to develop skills, maintain discipline and work for the welfare of society.
He believes that education is the most powerful tool for social transformation and urges young people to contribute to community development.
Legacy
From working as a poster boy during childhood to receiving national awards from the President of India, Dr. Mohammad Azam Ali’s journey reflects the transformative power of education and determination.
Through teaching, motivational work and the Chamak Foundation, he continues to inspire students across India and promote educational opportunities for disadvantaged communities.
External links
- LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-mohammad-azam-ali-08a2ab143
- Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mohammad_azam_ali_activist
- Twitter/X – https://x.com/AzamActivist
- Facebook – https://www.facebook.com