Page 3 - VMFT News Letter _Ajeesh_New Design_26.03.2020_Copy Revised

Editorial

Vakkom Moulavi Foundation Trust (VMFT) has completed 33 years of service to the Kerala
community. VMFT was established by the late Shri. K.M. Bashir of International Labour
Organisation Office in Geneva to honour the memory of Vakkom Muhammad Abdul Khadar
Moulavi for his services and sacrifices to Kerala society and to undertake the studies and
research related to the development of the State. After the demise of the Founder in March
1990, Dr. N. A. Karim, noted educationist and social activist was directing the activities until
he passed away in February 2016. Prof. V. K. Damodaran, a well known public figure and
Science Administrator who held responsible positions in Government of India as well as
abroad is leading the organization from 2016.

Vakkom Moulavi contributed not only to the upliftment and education of the Muslim community,
but also raised the banner against corruption. He strove for civil rights and liberties of people of
erstwhile Travancore and democratic governance through his newspaper ‘Swadeshabhimani’,
in close collaboration with the second editor of the journal Shri. K. Ramakrishna Pillai.

In the three decades of its existence, VMFT has organized many meetings and seminars on
important topics of concern to the people of Kerala. It has undertaken several projects on
education, social development and science & technology funded by reputed agencies and
Governments. It has also carried out several training programmes benefitting diverse
segments of the society. VMFT has steadfastly stood for the values and ideals of Vakkom
Moulavi, as well as its founder, to promote democratic rights, ethics in public life and social
cohesion. It has developed a unique reputation as an intellectual centre in Trivandrum, one
which attracts people from all walks of life. Foundation has provided a place and platform for a
number of think tanks to mould their thoughts and views on issues of concern to contemporary
society.

Based on its working experience, VMFT has identified three core areas of work to focus its
attention.

• Education and Life Long Learning: to improve pedagogical methods and use
of technology to raise the quality of education at the school level as well as other
levels of education and to provide flexible opportunities for students, teachers
and adults to engage in continuous learning.

• Science and technology applications for sustainable development: to find practical
and realistic solutions that can be applied in Kerala’s context to address the key
challenges in sustainable development. These include energy conservation, water
management, waste management and climate change.

• Governance and equitable inclusive development: to improve democratic
governance and integrity in public affairs, as well as evolving mechanisms for
promoting social cohesion and communal harmony conducive for uninterrupted
progress and development.

The VMFT has also started two centres namely Vakkom Moulavi Renaissance Study Centre
and Swadeshabhimani Media Study Centre. We are resuming the publication of this quarterly
Newsletter to inform the public about various activities that are taking place under the Trust and
the Study Centres.

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VMFT NEWSLETTER JANUARY-MARCH 2020