Monthly Archives: November 2017

Mairaj Ahmad Khan crowned Skeet champion at Shotgun Nationals

Amazing Feats, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

Khurja (Bulandshahr District), UTTAR PRADESH :

Mairaj emerged victorious after edging out youngster Angad Vir Singh Bajwa of Punjab 26-25 in a marathon shoot-off.

Mairaj Ahmad Khan via Facebook
Mairaj Ahmad Khan via Facebook

India’s top Skeet shooter, Mairaj Ahmad Khan, was on Saturday crowned national champion after a marathon final at New Delhi’s Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range on the concluding day of the 61st National Shooting Championship Competitions for Shotgun events.

In a battle between India’s present and future of Men’s Skeet shooting, Mairaj, representing Uttar Pradesh (UP) and youngster Angad Vir Singh Bajwa of Punjab, were engaged in a grueling battle for top honours as both recorded 57 out of 60 hits in the final and then went through a marathon shoot-off before Mairaj came through 26-25 to clinch gold. Man Singh of Haryana won the Bronze with a score of 46 in the finals.

Earlier in qualification, Angad topped the field with a high score of 123 out of 125 while Mairaj was third among six to qualify with a score of 122. Angad however won the Team gold in the event, combining with Amarinder Cheema and Sukhbir Singh Harika for a total of 356, ahead of Haryana’s 351.

Mairaj and his UP team won Bronze with a combined total of 348.

There was another shoot-off to determine the winner of the gold medal in the Junior Men’s Skeet, where Chattisgarh’s Mohammad Hamza Sheikh prevailed over Punjab’s Gurnihal Singh Garcha 7-6 after both were tied on 53 hits.

Ayush Rudraraju of Tripura won Bronze recording 38 hits in the final.

Just like Angad in Men’s Skeet, Gurnihal did manage to win the Junior Team Gold with his Punjab teammates Abinash Pratap Singh Sidhu and Indereshwar Singh Sekhon recording a combined total of 336, ahead of second placed Rajasthan with 326 and third placed Madhya Pradesh with 285.

We welcome your comments at letters@scroll.in.

source: http://www.thefield.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> The Field> Indian Sport / by Scroll Staff / November 25th, 2017

Little scientists showcase talents at Children’s Science Congress

Education, Science & Technology,

Kodagu, KARNATAKA :

Students showcase their talents at the Childrens science Congress.
Students showcase their talents at the Childrens science Congress.

The district-level 25th Children’s Science Congress was organised by the departments of Science and Technology and Education at Rotary Children’s Science Centre here on Wednesday.

The Science Congress was meant for primary and High School students. The students presented project reports on ‘sustainable development through Science and Technology’ based on local issues.

The topics included natural resources, cleanliness and hygiene, agriculture, environmental conservation and waste management.

Inaugurating the convention, District Scouts and Guides Patron K T Mathew called upon students to develop a scientific temper. He added that students should know about the research, inventions and achievements of veteran scientists.

State Pollution Control Board Regional Office Environment Officer G R Ganeshan, Rotary Misty Hills president H T Anil and Vijnana Parishat district committee Secretary T G Premkumar also spoke.

10 best teams in the district-level will take part in the state-level Science Congress to be held in Mysuru from November 29 to December 1. The first 30 teams getting selected in the state-level will be eligible to take part in the National Children’s Science Congress to be held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat between December 27 and 31.

District Committee Vice President M E Mohiddin, Kodagu Vidyalaya Bharatiya Vidya Bhavana, Madikeri, Principal E Shrinivasan and Education Coordinator G Shreeharsha were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service / Madikeri – November 22nd, 2017

Dr Noor Mohammad passes away

Education, Science & Technology,

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar:

Dr Noor Mohammad Mir, former Head of the Plant Pathology department at the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, passed away on Thursday.
His ‘Rasme Chaharum’ would be held on Monday at 10:30 am at the family’s ancestral graveyard at Chotta Bazar, Kanikadal, in downtown Srinagar. (KNS)

source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / Srinagar – November 25th, 2017

Grand Double Crown for Mustafa in AITA Championship Series

Sports, , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

MustafaMPOs25nov2017

Mysuru :

City’s young 10 year old tennis player Mustafa M Raja won a grand double crown winning both the singles and doubles trophy of the Championship Series 7 days AITA 12 and Under National Tournament held at Top Spin Tennis academy in J P Nagar, Bengaluru.

This is Mustafa’s biggest win of his career.  This tournament saw players participating from all over India including Maharashtra, Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka etc.

Mustafa played consistently throughout the 5 days and did not drop even one set in the entire tournament.  In the semi finals third seeded Mustafa won against the top seed player Keshav Goel from West Bengal with the score of 6,2 and 7,6(7,4).  In the finals Mustafa overcame Prakash Bhuvan from Karnataka with the score of 7,6(7,1) and 6,4.

In the doubles finals second seeded pair of Mustafa and Jason M David from Karnataka defeated the No 1 seeded pair of Keshav Goel (WB) and Arnav Paparkar (MH) with the score of 6,3 and 6,1.

This is Mustafa’s 21st AITA Trophy which includes 16 winner titles and 5 Runner Up titles. Mustafa has achieved this feat in less than 24 months.

Mustafa studies at Excel Public School and trains at the Nagaraj Tennis Centre.  He is the son of Murtuza Raja and Farida Raja. -(KK)

source: http://www.citytoday.com / City Today / Home> Mysore / CT Bureau / November 25th, 2017

Shrines of sand

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Tucked away in the locality of Urdu Shareef is the shrine of a sufi saint

The sand graves of Hazrat Arifullah Syedna Shah Saadullah Saheb Naqshbandi and others in Urdu Shareef. Photo: Hrudayanand
The sand graves of Hazrat Arifullah Syedna Shah Saadullah Saheb Naqshbandi and others in Urdu Shareef. Photo: Hrudayanand

The Deccan region has been blessed by the influence of many sufis, saints, gurus and spiritual leaders. It is said that 1400 paalkis (palanquins) came to Deccan, symbolising the number of sufi-saints. They spread the message of universal brotherhood, love, tolerance, peace, harmony, humanity and amiable relations between the two major communities. Many devotees and followers also embraced Islam. The entire Deccan region and the city of Hyderabad, in particular was visited by many god men, who not only commanded respect and reverence from common man, but also from nobilities and elite class of the society.

The old city of Hyderabad i.e. the southern part has shrines of many famous Sufi-saints, whose annual Urs are still celebrated with great devotion.

A little away from Pathergatti High Court road is the locality called Urdu Shareef, where the army of Mughal Prince Kaambakhsh stayed during that period. The palace of Kaambakhsh was also constructed in the vicinity.

It is in this area that you will see the shrine of Hazrat Arifullah Syedna Shah Saadullah Saheb Naqshbandi. The 175 year old shrine has a large dome with beautiful architecture housing four graves made of fine sand. It is an uncommon and unusual sight, as graves are usually made of cement, mortar, lime and stones; and rarely are covered by marble, the graves appear like sand dunes, and lie adjacent to one another. The biggest grave is that of Hazrat Saadullah Saheb.

The adjacent one on the left side is of his brother, Md Osman Saheb, the next one is of Osman’s wife, while on the far right is the grave of his favourite disciple, Mirza Ashraf Ali. The entire area of these graves is seven feet long and four feet wide. The sand is changed annually and many devotees, both Hindus and Muslims pay their respect and seek his blessings.

Hazrat Saadullah was born in the Frontier Province. He came to Deccan during the reign of Nawab Nasir-ud-daula, the fourth Nizam, and settled here. Many nobles including, Maharaja Chandu Lal, used to come to seek his blessings. A great scholar, he was an Arabic and Persian poet as well. Since he was physically disabled, he would sit on the back of a disciple when roaming around the city.

The impressive dome was constructed by one of his ardent followers, Maulvi Mohd Hussain, who was the tutor of the fifth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan.

Just opposite the shrine is a small mosque built by Hazrat which bears similarity with Charminar. The architecture on the parapet, minarets and the ceiling is extraordinarily magnificent.

source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home> SundayScape> Telangana Diaries / by Dr. Anand Raj Varma / October 15th, 2017

Bastar SP Sheikh Aarif Hussain is first IPS officer to be honoured with IACP award

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World Opinion, , , ,

Bastar, CHHATTISGARH :

Pennsylvania :

Arif Sheikh has become the only Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the country to win this award in community policing twice in a row.

Arif Sheikh has become the only Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the country to win this award in community policing twice in a row. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)
Arif Sheikh has become the only Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the country to win this award in community policing twice in a row. (Photo: ANI | Twitter)

Bastar:

Bastar Superintendent of Police (SP) Sheikh Aarif Hussain has been awarded the prestigious International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) Award 2017 in Pennsylvania in the ‘Homeland Security’ category for his campaign ‘Amcho Bastar, Amcho Police’.

Arif Sheikh has become the only Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the country to win this award in community policing twice in a row.

Arif Shaikh has dedicated this award to the martyrs, who have sacrificed their life at the altar of their duty in Bastar and to the brave and innocent tribals of the region, who have supported and collaborated with the Bastar Police in this fight against the Naxalism.

Through his campaign, the Bastar Police have come to the aid of few children, who were trapped in the clutches of the Bal Sangham of Maoists, who were used to plant IEDs against the security personnel. They also tried to bring back the surrendered Maoists into the mainstream by giving them alternative earning opportunities.

The ‘Amcho Bastar, Amcho Police’ initiative aimed at bridging the gap between the police and the tribal communities by assimilating with their culture. At the same time, the police has focussed on neutralising the Left wing extremist and also by encouraging the ultras to surrender and join the main stream.

The annual IACP award ceremony and Banquet was held on Wednesday in the Pennsylvania convention centre in a majestic ceremony.

The IACP is a 126-year-old organisation of all the chiefs of police in the U.S. with its headquarters located in Virginia.

The IACP president, Donald W. De Lucca, was the chief guest. The other guests of honour were the executive board directors of the IACP.

Total 15 different awards were given in various categories including forensic sciences, prevention of terrorism, community policing, human rights awards, victim services awards and Reuters awards for excellence in criminal investigations et al.

The IACP/Cisco Leadership award in community policing recognises outstanding community policing initiatives undertaken by law enforcement agencies worldwide.

The other agencies across the world which won the community policing awards were the Oelwein Police department from Iowa, the Monrovia Police department from California, the Roanoke Police department from Virginia, the Fujairah Police department from the UAE and the Arlington Police department from Texas.

source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> Newsmakers / by ANI / October 25th, 2017

Mewat sisters launch anti-dowry drive, ask qazis to join the fight

Community Involvement / Social Issues, ,

Pingwa,Mewat (HARYANA)  / NEW DELHI :

HighLights

  • Six sisters of Delhi’s Malaviya Nagar have launched a campaign against dowry in their native village in Mewat.
  • They are carrying a door-to-door campaign against the social evil in Mewat.
  • They have also urged the qazis, or Sharia magistrate, to not allow such weddings in the district.

________________________________________________________________________

MewatSistersMPOs24nov2017

Gurugram :

This is what a silent revolution looks like. Six sisters, who live with their parents in Delhi’s Malaviya Nagar, have launched a campaign against dowry in their native village, Pingwa in Mewat. Since Friday last, they have been busy in a door-to-door campaign against the social evil in Mewat.

They have declared they will also urge qazis, or Sharia magistrate, to not allow such weddings in the district.

Shabana Khan, 29, the eldest of six sister, was married to a Sikandrabad, UP, resident 10 years ago. Tormented by her in-laws for dowry, she returned home to her parents after suffering for two years. Since then, she realised most women around her suffered after marriage for “not bringing enough dowry”.

Noticing the plight of their sister, Shabana’s five younger sisters — Nishi (26), Neelu (24), Shahin (23), Abida (21) and Nafisa (15) — have declared they would rather remain unmarried if there is dowry involved in a potential alliance. It also inspired them to launch their campaign against dowry. They founded an organisation in 2014 — Sahely, for victims of dowry, and now have decided to return to their roots to empower girls in Mewat.

“As dowry, my father gifted all kinds of household articles, but he didn’t have enough money for a car and the lakhs of rupees in cash sought. For this, I was harassed by my in-laws and eventually my marriage broke. Dowry is an epidemic. Girls are mentally and physically tortured for it. It has to stop, and it’s time somebody did something about it,” said Shabana.
The sisters will organise public meetings in the villages to raise awareness. They chose Mewat not only because it is their ancestral home, but also because of its high illiteracy.

 “Both Islam and country’s laws prohibit dowry, yet it’s given and taken openly. We’ll approach all qazis and tell them not to consecrate any wedding where dowry is exchanged. In fact, dowry seekers should be boycotted. It’s against Islam, and is a cancer that is eating away at the foundations of the institution of marriage,” said Shahin, another sister.

The sisters will target both youths and elders for their campaign. “We as a society spend more on girl’s dowry than her education. We should provide all resources to a girl for education, and not give any dowry at all. Even if in one generation, family of the bride/groom refuse to give/accept dowry, our job is done. That will transform society and will be the way to save the girl child,” added Neelu.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Gurgaon News / Chetna Choudhry / TNN / October 30th, 2017

Kolkata Maidan coach Abdul Monayem to nurture aspiring Bengal cricketers

Sports, , ,

Kolkata , WEST BENGAL :

Abdul Monayem (Image credit: Facebook)
Abdul Monayem (Image credit: Facebook)

Kolkata:

Former Bengal cricketer and Maidan coach Abdul Monayem takes up the role of the Cricket Operations Head and the bowling coach of the Aditya School of Sports launched by the Aditya Group, here on Thursday.

The Aditya Group, in a press conference at the Calcutta Sport’s Journalist’s club announced the launch of The Aditya School of Sports of in the presence of coach Monayem, Anirban Aditya, chairman of the Aditya Group, Ankit Aditya, vice-chairman, Subrata Talukdar, CEO of Atletico De Kolkata and Jhulan Goswami, former captain of the Indian women’s cricket team.

The Aditya School of Sports is a new and a first initiative of it’s own kind as it seeks to promote the idea of sports as career option. Initially, the institution would have training personnel for only cricket and football but other sports like rifle shooting are set to be included soon.

The students will have to undergo practice sessions for six days a week along with well balanced education.They would be provided with the latest training equipment and no stone, in their path of becoming able sportspersons, would be left unturned.

Anirban Aditya said that this initiative has mainly been taken to give importance to sports along with studies. He told ,”We have built this institution following the lines of The Tata Football Academy.”

“We are trying to contact the Dumdum and Barasat municipalities so as to get them repair the unkept fields. After they have been rebuilt they could be made available for even local players use them.” Coach Monayem, the man who had played for both East Bengal and Mohun Bagan clubs, and has big responsibilities of nurturing young talent, came out supporting this initiative.

He said, “This was needed from a long time. Here, along with education, people would take interest in sports, especially cricket”. He goes to say, ” Some of these cricketers may end up playing for Bengal one day.” He also says that not only boys but girls too, are free to take up admission in this institution.

Monayem had won the CAB First Division league with the Bhowanipore Cricket Club in the 2015-16 season. He also carries with him an experience of coaching first division clubs for 15 years.

The football training will be provided by specialized coaching staffs from the inaugural Indian Super League champions, Atletico De Kolkata.

The CEO of the club Mr.Subrata was present for occasion and said that, “ATK has helped the development of football in the country.” He also assured continuous help and support from the club to this institution.

source: http://www.sportscrunch,in  / Sports  Crunch / Home> Cricket / by Souryaprokas Bhaduri / November 23rd, 2017

Mughals were leaders of first independence war, says NALSAR University of Law V-C

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , ,

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

SirSyedMPOs22nov2017

Lucknow :

These are times of aggressive nationalism we are living in, said vice chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, Faizan Mustafa, where we have started to consider Mughals not part of the country. Mustafa speaking at the grand 200th bicentenary birth anniversary celebrations of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in Lucknow on Tuesday went ahead to say that Mughals were in fact leaders of the first war of independence of 1857 and were considered so by the likes of Tipu Sultan, Tatya Tope and others.

“Mughals were an integral part of India who could not be fragmented from its soul and now we are here in these times of aggressive nationalism where we are having doubts about them. And this nationalism has not only made us target the Mughals, but also recently there were similar talks about Rabindranath Tagore,” said Mustafa who was the guest of honour at the Sir Syed Day organised by Aligarh Muslim University’s (AMU) Old Boys’ Association. Filmmaker Muzaffar Ali was the chief guest on the day, both of whom being former pupils of the university, recounted their time spent at AMU.

Mustafa also cleared that now when criticising the government is equated to being seditious, it was in 1860 after a fatwa (decree) from clerics at Deoband against the British that the law of sedition as a charge was enacted. Mustafa also exhorted his fellow Aligs (as past pupils of AMU are popularly known) that the dream of Sir Syed has not yet been realised with Muslims lagging in both modern education and securing government jobs.

In his brief speech, Mustafa also touched upon the controversy around AMU’s minority status and said, “People say that the minority status was for the college and with AMU a university, it does not stand now. I researched for this when I had to submit in Allahabad high court as AMU’s stand on the case and I found that when Sir Syed laid the foundation of the madrasa it was the university he had in mind and when he gave his first speech in 1877 when the school was raised to the college level, in front of Lord Lytton he said that one day the college would be a university.

Mustafa also said that blaming Sir Syed for the two nation theory was not just wrong but also absurd. “In several of his recorded speeches, he has identified and defined both Hindus and Muslims as not separate identities but one qaum (community) and one nation. Mustafa considered an authority on law also said that reforms in Muslim personal laws were needed and could only be possible through the ideas of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

ON the day, the AMU Old Boys’ Association and its members that had gathered in the city from different parts of the state passed the resolution to raise demand of Bharat Ratna for Sir Syed and to generate funds for a Sir Syed House in Lucknow to carry on his Aligarh movement of education.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / by Yusra Hussain / TNN / October 18th, 2017

Jamia Milia Islamia alumni meet evokes nostalgic memories

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

The ex-Jamia students came all the way from India, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UK for the meet
The ex-Jamia students came all the way from India, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UK for the meet

The meet not only fostered the alumni bond, but also extended a helping hand to fresh graduates

It was an evening steeped in nostalgia, as over 500 alumni of New Delhi’s central university and one of India’s most famous – Jamia Millia Islamia – came from all across the world to celebrate their alma mater’s 97th birthday.

Scores of ex-Jamia students who travelled all the way from India, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the UK along with their families, attended the event at Hyatt Regency, Dubai Creek Heights.

Apart from the distinguished guest list that included Ambassador of India to UAE Navdeep Singh Suri, the university’s vice chancellor Talat Ahmed and other dignitaries, successful alumni shared nostalgic memories of their time at the school.

The programme began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the university’s anthem called sung with full enthusiasm.

Addressing the gathering, prominent alumni Parvez Akram Siddquie welcomed the guests and JMI alumni and highlighted the university’s key objectives. He spoke about starting a medical college in the university’s campus, expansion of the campus, and campus placement for students.

Talking about the role of the alumni meet, Siddquie added: “The heart of the alumni meet lies in giving back in kind to their alma mater. Such meets not only aim to bring together and foster a bond among alumni, but also are a means of extending a helping hand to fresh graduates in different aspects, from job-hunting to settling down in the UAE. Many a time, the alumni chapter has also generated funds for pressing needs like a hostel accommodation at the university.”

Dr Haji Ibrahim, co-chairman of Malabar Gold & Diamonds, announced the company’s support in building the hostel facility for students, on the Jamia campus.

JMI vice-chancellor Talat Ahmed delivered a powerful speech on the values and ideals that define the university. Stating that JMI is a confluence of modern and age-old values of brotherhood and mutual coexistence, he said: “JMI is a platform from which students embark on a journey of learning and self-discovery. It is a model of national integration where children of every religion, sect, and denomination study together,” Ahmed said.

“We recalled our college days today, as we met our batchmates and friends after so many years, even 20 years in some cases. We shared the same jokes that we cracked as students and had a great time catching up,” said Imtiyaz Ahmad, a JMI alumni and one of the meet’s organisers.

Suri assured his support in getting the Global Jamia Alumni Network (GJAN) official recognition and registration in the UAE.

Talking about the role of Indian expats in the UAE, Suri said: “I was talking to some very high officials in the UAE government, and they said we have been told to drive the India-UAE relationship because our leaders believe that Indians are the people we trust. Why? ‘Because, at home, we leave our children in the care of Indians, in hospitals we put our lives in the hands of Indian doctors, and in banks, we put our money in the hands of Indian bankers’ he said. There is a lot of goodwill earned by the Indian community.”

The show concluded with the vote of thanks by one of the main organisers and JMI alumni Nadeem Hasan. Others key alumni members who helped in organising the event were Imtiyaz Ahmad Ansari, Eqbal Ahmad, Abdul Khaliq, Abbad Khan, Ahmad Khan, Riyaz Khan, Shams Khan, Jalal Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmad, Salauddine Ansari and Amjad Khan has been appreciated to make this event successful and Syed Nadeem Zaidi.

saman@khaleejtimes.com

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> Nation / October 24th, 2017