Ahmad Ashfaque Karim is a businessman, edupreneur and politician from
Katihar
Katihar (; ), is the tenth largest city in the state of Bihar in India in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the eastern part of Bihar. The city situated in the eastern ...
,
Bihar
Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...
, India. He is a former Member of Parliament in the
Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the upper house of the Parliament of India and functions as the institutional representation of India’s federal units — the states and union territories.https://rajyasabha.nic.in/ It is a key component o ...
of the
Indian Parliament
The Parliament of India (ISO: ) is the supreme legislative body of the Government of the Republic of India. It is a bicameral legislature composed of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) and the Lok Sabha (House of the People). The President o ...
. He is a part of
Janata Dal (United)
Janata Dal (United) ("People's Party (United)"), abbreviated as JD(U), is a Social democracy, social-democratic and secular List of political parties in India, Indian political party, rooted mainly in East India, eastern and Northeast India, ...
party.
Dr. Karim is the founder of several educational institutions, including
Katihar Medical College and
Al-Karim University, and has dedicated his career to education and healthcare, particularly benefiting the Kosi and
Seemanchal regions of
Bihar
Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...
and the western part of
West Bengal
West Bengal (; Bengali language, Bengali: , , abbr. WB) is a States and union territories of India, state in the East India, eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabi ...
.
Education
Dr. Ahmad Ashfaque Karim completed his higher education at Bihar College of Pharmacy. He obtained a Master of Pharmacy, and later completed a Ph.D., with his thesis focused on the “Biochemical profile of oxovanadium (IV & V) complexes.” His academic background provided a solid foundation for his contributions to the field of medical and healthcare facilities.
Career
Dr. Karim has been active in politics since 1982 and has been deeply involved in various social and community organizations, emphasizing his dedication to social welfare, minority rights, and regional development. He began his political journey with Samata Dal before becoming active in various political organizations.
He is a former member of the All India Congress Committee and also the treasurer and General Secretary of the Bihar Pradesh Congress Committee. Dr. Karim was the National Vice-President of the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP).
Dr Ahmad Ashfaque Karim contested the 2009 Lok Sabha election from Katihar constituency of Bihar assembly elections on a Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) ticket but did not win.In 2012, Karim established and Kosi Bedari Morcha, a group that campaigns for special status for Bihar's eight districts in
Kosi division
Kosi division is an administrative geographical unit of Bihar state of India. Saharsa is the administrative headquarters of the division. Currently (2022), the division consists of Saharsa district, Madhepura district, and Supaul district.
Eco ...
, one of the poorest regions of India. He is the founder Chairman of Al-Karim Educational Trust, Patna, Bihar; founder Chancellor of
Al-Karim University, Katihar, Bihar; and founder Chairman-cum-Managing Director of
Katihar Medical College,
Katihar
Katihar (; ), is the tenth largest city in the state of Bihar in India in terms of population, Along with being one of the largest economic, educational and administrative centre in the eastern part of Bihar. The city situated in the eastern ...
,
Bihar
Bihar ( ) is a states and union territories of India, state in Eastern India. It is the list of states and union territories of India by population, second largest state by population, the List of states and union territories of India by are ...
.
In April 2018, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha as a member of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and he was one of five candidates elected unopposed.
During his tenure in the Rajya Sabha, he served on various parliamentary committees, including the Committee on Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), the Committee on Water Resources, the Standing Committee on Water Resources, the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers, the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, the Committee on Finance, and the Committee on Railways.
Dr. Karim has actively participated in various social and community organizations, highlighting his dedication to social welfare, minority rights, and regional development. He has founded and served as the Morcha President of the Kosi Bedari Morcha, advocating for special status for Bihar's Kosi region, and holds membership in influential bodies. He received the 'Synergy Award-2008' for excellence, presented by Mr. Syed Mahdi Nabizadeh, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in India, on January 25, 2009, at the India Islamic Cultural Centre in New Delhi, in recognition of his valuable contributions to the field of education.
He is currently a member of the
Janata Dal (United)
Janata Dal (United) ("People's Party (United)"), abbreviated as JD(U), is a Social democracy, social-democratic and secular List of political parties in India, Indian political party, rooted mainly in East India, eastern and Northeast India, ...
party.
References
External links
Personal website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Karim, Ahmad Ashfaque
Rajya Sabha members from Bihar
People from Katihar
Indian social workers
1956 births
Living people
India MPs 2009–2014
Lok Janshakti Party politicians
Rashtriya Janata Dal politicians