21st century belongs to women: Frank Islam
LUCKNOW: Men dominated the last century but the 21st century belonged to women who were no longer sequestered and were contributing in every sphere of society, said US- based entrepreneur of Indian origin Dr Frank F Islam, while addressing a gathering at La Martiniere Girls’ College here on Thursday.
The programme was also attended by former chief minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and his wife Dimple Yadav, MP from Kannauj.
“I have realised that by empowering girls with education, it is very likely that they will overcome their problems and contribute to society. We must invest in women and try to tap their potential,” Islam told the audience of students and teachers.
The function started with a formal welcome by the students.
Born in Azamgarh, Islam spent his formative years in Varanasi before joining Aligarh Muslim University for graduation. He later moved to the US for further studies and became an entrepreneur there. He currently heads an investment group established in 2007 after selling his information technology firm.
Narrating his journey from an Indian middle class family to making it big in the US, Islam said, “My journey from India to the US is divided in two parts. I call the first part ‘lessons from India’. While growing up I learnt about all aspects of leading a good life. I learnt to be humble and to work hard in India. The second part I call ‘lessons from America’, when I learned to look for opportunity in difficulties,” Islam said. “My life has not been a straight line, there have been many twists and turns. But I continued to persevere for my dream of making it big,” he said. Islam’s parting message to the students was to never give up. “No matter how difficult the days are, never concede defeat, ” he said.