Monthly Archives: February 2022

Can you guess what this journalist’s day job is?

Chittorgarh City, RAJASTHAN :

Passionate for journalism, Najir couldn’t pursue a degree in it due to financial constraints. | Photo by arrangement

Najir Hussain wanted to be a journalist ever since he distributed newspapers for work but couldn’t pursue his dream due to financial constraints. His dream came true when Bahujan news outlet The Mooknayak began publishing his stories. 

New Delhi :

40-year-old Najir Hussain wakes up early in the morning and sends his three daughters to school, says bye to his wife, and sets up his vegetable shop in the Bichhor, Chittorgarh city in Rajasthan. Najir is a vegetable seller and a journalist. 

While selling vegetables, he picks up his cellphone and scrolls through messages from his editor Meena Kotwal assigning him a new story. He credits Kotwal for his position as a journalist today. “Without Meena and a Bahujan space like The Mooknayak, who would have given space to my words?”  Najir told TwoCircles.net.

Najir has done all of 20 reports for The Mooknayak  in the last six months. The journey of becoming a journalist was not easy. “I used to  distribute newspapers in my village. Un surkhiyon ke beech kabhi mera bhi naam hoga, maine sapne dekhta tha. (I used to dream of having my bylines in those newspapers),” Najir said.

Najir could not pursue a journalism course, or for that matter any course, due to financial and social constraints. Najir is from a Pasmanda Muslim community. He was married shortly after finishing school and has ever since been a breadwinner for his family. “I used to be very smart in school and secured 1st division in my 12th standard examinations,” he said. 

Ever since leaving school, Najir has been engaged in many casual odd jobs— motor mechanic, a newspaper distributor and now a vegetable seller. His life changed when with the access to social media, and his passion for journalism got rekindled.

“I started using social media around two years ago and saw so many vocal Muslims, Dalits, Bahujans and Adivasis. It greatly inspired me and made me think of the days when I thought I could become a journalist. I started reaching out to editors of progressive newsrooms,” Najir said.

Najir said nobody responded to him, considering he did not have a degree and had no prior experience in the field. However, in September 2021, Meena Kotwal, the founder of The Mooknayak, wrote back to him asking him to send some reports.

Najir Hussain from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan sells vegetables and is a journalist. | Photo by arrangement

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Kotwal said that Najir is passionate about journalism. 

“You won’t believe me, but the truth is that big privileged journalists have failed in front of Najir’s passion. He ran the shop all day long and started reporting many unreported or new incidents of atrocities from Rajasthan. This is what I have intended to do with The Mooknayak, and I am happy that someone as passionate as Najir helps me to pass the mic,” Kotwal  said. 

Najir would make many mistakes when he started and would get help from Meena. “She is such a patient editor,” he said.  

“Other contributors in The Mooknayak would help me out and although I got scolded sometimes, I am glad I learnt so much,” he said. 

Najir used to be scared of the police before becoming a journalist. His socio-marginalised identity as a Pasmanda Muslim affected how he felt around police personnel. Reading news about police brutality made this even more pressing. Being a journalist now has helped him become more confident.

A Twitter threadposted by Meena Kotwal about Najir’s story became viral.

Najir’s eldest daughter is in 9th grade and uses Instagram on her mother’s phone. One day, as she scrolled through her feed, she was excited to find her father’s photo in one of her friend’s posts.

Everyone in the village calls him “Mooknayak vala Najir”. 

“It makes me feel proud to be addressed like this. My family is supportive and appreciative of my work. My heart swells with pride every time my 13-year-old daughter calls me ‘Mooknayak vale papa.’ It is all because of Meena didi, and Bahujan newsrooms like this,” he said. excitedly. 

Suchitra is an independent journalist working on social justice, focusing primarily on gender justice. She tweets at @Suchitrawrites

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead story / by Suchitra, TwoCircles.net / February 09th, 2022

Clinching the Feats

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

In the recently declared board results of senior secondary exams, girls topped the results in all the streams and outshined boys. Dedication and hard work were the common components among all the toppers.    

Adeeba Muzamil has topped the humanities stream with 496 marks. Hailing from the Batamaloo area of Srinagar, her father is a businessman and her mother, a homemaker.

Scoring 99.2% in her exams, she said she didn’t follow any schedule. She said, “I believe if you study for a few hours with concentration that’s better than studying all day. Parents often pressurize their children to study all day but this is not how it works.” 

Her future plans are cracking the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination and want to work hard for it. “My secret to success is hardwork. You set a goal and try to achieve it,” she said.

Studying in Government Girls Higher Secondary Kothi Bagh, she said that her parents have played an important role in her success. Citing the struggles during online classes, she said “I am thankful to my principal and my teachers who never cared about the timing of the class and helped me even after the class.”

Talking about her stream, she said Economics is not easy and difficult as well and teachers have always been supportive.

“I used to make notes on my own. Whatever teachers in online class used to teach me and whatever I understood from the books, I made self-notes and studied from them,” she said.

Apart from studies, her hobbies are book reading and she would play games for recreational activities. William Shakespeare is one of her favorite writers and these days she is exploring other authors as well.  

She believes that parents should not compare their kids with others. “I want to tell parents to stop comparing their children with others as each child is unique and possesses unique qualities. They should support them and believe them. Also, parents should not pressurize their kids to take subjects against their choice,” adding “Children should also take into consideration that if their parents believe them, they should give them something in return. They should make them feel proud.”

Talking about her subject she said, Humanities have good scope as well. She said, “In arts, people can further go for administration. Like society needs doctors and engineers, there is a need for a good administration as well.”

Sahila Nabi, a student of Kothi Bagh has topped the stream of Home Science. By self-study, she has scored 495 out of 500. Being the first person in her family to take home science, she believes the subject has much more to offer than what people think.

She said, “When I chose the subject, some people told me that I have to cook food only but when I explored it, I found it very interesting. It has interesting subjects like Home Management and it can help a person in life. I want to let people know that this subject is no less.”

She has decided to go further in the subject of child development which is one of the subjects of the stream. “I will do Ph. D in the subject and further would take teaching as my career,” she said.

Hailing from Eidgarh, she has received immense support from her family, she said, her father has never put his choices on her and let her do what she wants.

“I was a good student and did well in the 10th class examination. Everybody expected me to take science as there is a notion that a good student always takes science as his or her subject but I had other choices,” she said.

Having attachment with kids, she gives private tuitions to kids at home. In her free time, she paints and also teaches religious studies to children.

While talking about the utilization of time, she said, “Time should be spent on productive things. Excessive use of social media and over-gaming have misguided many youths and left them purposeless.”

From Kashmir Harvard School, Tabinda Jan has topped in Commerce. Hailing from Soura, she has secured 497 marks.

She believes her technique of self-studying keenly has made her successful. “I worked hard with full consistency and dedication. I am thankful to my teachers who provided better study material which really helped me,” she said.

Being an average student, she said motivation from her parents and teachers have made her successful. “I am thankful to my teachers because they motivated me and encouraged me. The internet connection was on and off usually but I had set my mind and thankfully I achieved it,” she said.

Talking about average students, she said, “I have seen average students getting demotivated and bullied. This should not happen. Those who couldn’t pass the exam should take go with positive approach and keep trying.”

Tabinda wants to follow her father’s footsteps and wants to be a Chartered Accountant.

A friendly extrovert girl always socializes and believes that her friends and cousins also played a key role. “One doesn’t have to get glued to the books only. You can maintain your social life as well,” she said.

From the same school –Kashmir Harward, Aroosa Parvaiz has topped in the science stream with 499 marks. Aspiring to be an engineer, she said that she has worked very hard to achieve success. “Sometimes I would study till late night as well because this was a big exam and it demanded so,” she said.

She said it takes her time to grab things so she would give extra time to her studies. “It depends on a person and their concentration level. I take more time to understand things than others,” she said.

While preparing for her exams, she had consulted NCERT books and had taken help from private tuition as well as school teachers.

Talking about herself, she said, “I am a very social person and active on social media but when exams approached, I stopped using all this and started working hard.”

While thanking her teachers, she said that they always helped her regardless of time. “Teachers always helped me when I had doubts and they were always available even at midnight,” she said.  

Recalling her exam time, she said she used to be nervous but her friends, parents and teachers would always calm her down.

In her free time, she reads books, draws and plays other games. “When I am done with my studies, I do these things and when I used to get exhausted while studying, instead of watching TV or net surfing, I would take a nap,” she said.   

source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Insha Latief Khan / February 14th, 2022

Padma Shri award for Najma Akhtar, first woman vice-chancellor of Jamia

NEW DELHI :

First woman vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Najma Akhtar has been selected for the Padma Shri award.

Najma Akhtar, Jamia VC at ceremony.

New Delhi : 

First woman vice-chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Najma Akhtar has been selected for the Padma Shri award. Akhtar will be one of the 28 Indians, who will be conferred with the award in the field of literature and education by President Ram Nath Kovind, at a ceremonial function, which is held at Rashtrapati Bhawan every year.

Akhtar (67) who was appointed as Jamia Vice Chancellor (VC) in April 2019, scored a historic double – not only was she the first woman to hold the post, but she was also the first woman to head any central varsity in the national capital. 

She has previously served as the VC of University of Kashmir and headed the department of Educational Administration at the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) for 15 years. 
Akhtar said that she is grateful that her work was recognised and thanked both the PM and the President.

“I will accept this award just not for myself, but on behalf of my colleagues. Everyone works hard, but not everyone’s work reaches the recognition they may deserve. I thank the PM and the President for recognising my work, especially, the President, who entrusted me as the first woman VC of the university,” she said.

Besides her, three others from the field of literature and education, from Delhi, have been selected for the award including – Tara Jauhar, J K Bajaj and Dilip Shahani.    

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Express News Service / January 26th, 2022

Junior World No 1 Tasnim Mir wins Iran Fajr International Challenge

Gujarat, INDIA :

The 16-year-old from Gujarat, who became the first Indian woman shuttler to claim the world no. 1 status in u-19 singles, beat second seed Susato 21-11, 11-21, 21-7 in 51 minutes.

India’s Tasnim Mir beat Indonesia’s Yosephine Susanto at the 30th Iran Fajr International Challenge 2022. (Photo | Twitter, @BAI_Media)

Shiraz :

Junior World No 1 Indian shuttler Tasnim Mir on Friday notched a three-game win over Yulia Yosephine Susanto of Indonesia in the final to claim the women’s singles title at the Iran Fajr International Challenge here.

The 16-year-old from Gujarat, who became the first Indian woman shuttler to claim the world no. 1 status in u-19 singles, beat second seed Susato 21-11, 11-21, 21-7 in 51 minutes.

Tasnim, ranked number 404 in the senior world rankings, lagged 1-3 early on but she soon clawed back at 5-5 before reeling off six straight points to create a huge gap, which her rival couldn’t bridge.

The Indonesian came out all cylinders blazing in the second game, jumping to a 9-2 advantage.

She kept moving ahead to roar back into the contest in a jiffy.

In the decider, Tasnim got her bearings back, zooming to 6-1.

She didn’t look back and shut the door on her rival to comfortably pocket the title.

En route to the title, Tasnim defeated Iran’s Nazanin Zamani, Armenia’s Lilit Poghosyan, Iran’s Fatemeh Babaei, India’s Samayara Panwar before outwitting top seed and World Number 71 Martina Repiska in the semifinals.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sports> Cricket / by PTI / February 11th, 2022

Scholarships worth ₹1 cr. given to over 3,600 girls

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Seventeen-year-old Bushra Parveen, Rufiya K. and Mizba are happy that they can now realise their dreams of becoming professionals. These girls are among the 3,613 students who were awarded an educational scholarship by the Bazm-e-Niswan Charitable Trust in Bengaluru on Thursday. These girl students are happy that they can now pursue courses in medicine, engineering and accountancy, which they are aiming for.

The all-woman charitable trust distributed scholarships worth ₹1.32 crore to the 3,613 deserving girls from poorer sections of society. While 1,731 beneficiaries are PU students, 1,722 are pursuing undergraduate courses. As many as 65 are diploma students and 95 post-graduate students.

According to the organisers, the trust, which has been funding the education of poor girl students in 1971, has given scholarships to over 63,000 girls so far. These girls are now successfully qualified as teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, government officers, business women, engineers, journalists among other professions.

“The purpose is to encourage women from the deprived sections of the community to pursue higher studies. Eligibility for the scholarship is based on academic merit and economic need. Any girl wishing to apply must have scored an average of at least 50 per cent in her exams and must also have documents proving her financial status,” said Husna Sheriff, president of the trust.

“We received 4,505 online applications this year as against 3,200 last year. This 40% increase in the number of applications can be attributed to the fact that many students who had dropped out of their higher education in 2020, came back this year,” Ms Sheriff said.

Pointing out that lakhs of students dropped out of higher education during the pandemic, she said: “Realizing the dire need to support the poor and needy girls, we decided to go ahead with the scholarship program despite many uncertainties.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – February 10th, 2022

Hijab row: Mumbai MLA meets Mandya girl, gifts iPhone

Mandya, KARNATAKA :

Bengaluru : 

Karnataka college girl Muskaan Khan who confronted a crowd by raising slogans of “Allah hu Akbar” during protests that broke out on hijab row, continues to be in news.

Congress MLA from Mumbai’s Bandra Zeeshan Siddique came all the way from Maharashtra on Friday and paid visit to Muskan’s residence in Mandya city. The MLA appreciated her “courage”, assured support and gifted her an iPhone and smart watch.

“I came from so far to meet the girl from our community who showed exemplary courage. I am happy for her courageous act,” he stated.

“Today whole of Karnataka, entire country is taking pride of her act. She has shown what is the real power of woman. After seeing her brave act, other women who are being pressurised, subjected to harassment and whoever is meted with injustice, they can also confront such acts,” he asserted.

Her act against those zaalims (cruel people) is commendable, he added.

“Wearing hijab is a constitutional right. One can wear clothes of her choice. You have problem with her hijab or with the fact that she is getting educated,” the Congress MLA said.

“There are crores of brothers behind Muskaan to protect her right of wearing hijab. I felt happy after meeting her family,” he added.

Muskaan Khan, the student of PES College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Mandya district was allegedly heckled by a group of students in the college premises for wearing ‘burka’. The group raised slogan of ‘Jai Sriram’ while surrounding and following her. Muskan confronted the crowd with slogan of ‘Allah hu Akbar’. The video is now viral on social media.

Later, she was safely escorted inside the classroom by authorities. Muskaan has later stated that she will abide by the court order and thanked college authorities.

Meanwhile, various Muslim organisations have announced cash reward for her act. Complaint has also been lodged in connection with announcing cash prize to Muskaan.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Top Stories / by IANS /Bengaluru, February 11th, 2022

Winners Of World Online Karate Championship

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

The Karatekas of IKA Karate Academy, Mysuru and Kali Warriors Academy, Karnataka, under Pekiti Tirsia Kali India, have bagged various medals in the World Online Karate Championship-2022 organised by Dynamic Shotokan Karate Do Association, World Union of Martial Arts Federations, World Karate Alliance and Evolution of Karate between Jan. 20 and Jan. 25, 2022.

Seen in the picture are (sitting from left):  Raihan (Gold medal), Daniyal (Gold medal), Navanidh Surya (Silver), Saatvik (Silver), Md. Abdul Malik (Gold), Tharun (Bronze) and Abhimaanm (Silver);

Standing from left: Noushin (Gold), S. Pooja (Silver), Diganth (Gold), Sensei Mohamed Saqeeb Ur Rahman and  Sensei Abdul Waseem (Senior Instructors and Head Coaches of IKA), Sempai Lali Vishnu (Instructor and Coach of IKA), Rihaana (Bronze), Poojitha (Silver) and Keerthana (Bronze).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / February 11th, 2022

J&K Lieutenant Governor condemns Bandipora terror attack

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. File   | Photo Credit:  PTI

Militants hurled a grenade at a patrol party near Nishat Park in the district in north Kashmir on the evening of February 11, causing splinter injuries to five security forces personnel

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sihna has strongly condemned the Bandipora terror attack on February 12, which led to the death of one policeman and injuries to four others.

In a late night tweet, the Lieutenant Governor said, “Strongly condemn the heinous terror attack on our security personnel. I salute the bravery of martyr of J&K Police SPO Zubair Ahmad Shah. We will not forget. Each drop of tears will be avenged”.

Mr. Sinha expressed deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and wishing the injured speedy recovery.

Militants hurled a grenade at a patrol party near Nishat Park in the district in north Kashmir on the evening of February 11, causing splinter injuries to five security forces personnel.

The injured personnel were evacuated to a hospital but one of them succumbed. Security officials cordoned off the area and began a search operation.

Political parties across the board condemned the attack.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Other States / by PTI / Jammu – February 12th, 2022

Shaik Rasheed credits success to Laxman, support staff

Guntur, ANDHRA PRADESH :

Shows his mettle: Rasheed was one of India’s star batters in the Under-19 World Cup with a 94 in the semifinals and a 50 in the final. 

India U-19 vice-captain says ‘we were fortunate to have people like Kanitkar and Bahutule’

“Hold a cricket bat, close your eyes, keep visualising the bowlers whom you are likely to face on the cricket field and do shadow practise.”

Vice-captain of victorious Indian under-19 team in the recent World Cup in West Indies, Shaik Rasheed, said this advice from the cricketing great and now NCA Director V.V.S. Laxman made a huge difference to his batting in the semifinals and the final.

Difficult times

“After the first league match, I tested positive. There were too many negative thoughts. Was finding it difficult to handle the situation.

But, Laxman sir (who was with the Indian team during the World Cup) kept talking to all of us (whoever tested positive) during quarantine daily and kept encouraging,” Rasheed recalled in an exclusive chat with The Hindu.

“I should say we were fortunate to have such wonderful support staff which includes head coach Hrishikesh Kanitkar and bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule. I remember even Kanitkar sir telling me ‘We don’t look to you to score runs. We would love to see you stay at the wicket as long as possible’,” 18-year-old Rasheed said.

“I owe everything to my father. He never ever made me feel uncomfortable. Whatever I asked, he always provided despite the financial problems,” Rasheed said.

“No. There was never ever a thought of quitting cricket because of the poor financial background of my family. Me and my father always felt cricket is the way out for us,” he said.

“I am always grateful to ACA, J. Krishna Rao sir (Mangalagiri ACA Residential Academy), MSK sir and Bharat anna (wicketkeeper-batter K. Srikar Bharat). They all ensured that I didn’t miss anything in continuing my passion in my early days,” the young cricketer said.

First priority

On his own batting, Rasheed said his first priority was to stay as long as possible and not think too much about individual goals. “For me, team’s win is always important,” he said.

What next? “Hoping to be in the Ranji Trophy squad as I have been called to join the State team’s preparations in Vizianagaram ACA Sports Complex. Looking forward to doing well and keep scoring and then, of course, play for India seniors one day,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / by V V Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 10th, 2022

Award sought for Ibrahim

KARNATAKA :

As 2022 marks the silver jubilee of the peaceful settlement of the Idgah Maidan row, the former Mayor and Congressman Deepak Chinchore has sought peace award for the former Union Minister C.M. Ibrahim for helping settle the issue.

Addressing presspersons in Dharwad on Monday, Mr. Chinchore said that when Hubballi was caught in the clutches of communal violence following the Idgah Maidan row over flag hoisting, it was Mr. Ibrahim who played a pivotal role in working out a truce.

He said that when Hubballi was burning in the aftermath of the Idgah Madian row, the city witnessed a series of violent incidents and protests. The violent protests had even led to police firing, resulting in the death of four youths. In fact, for close to six months, the residents spent their days in fear amid curfew and prohibitory orders, he recalled.

Mr. Chinchore said that Mr. Ibrahim, who was the Union Minister then, took the lead and held a series of meetings with members of Anjuman-e-Islam and others and finally resolved the issue amicably.

Subsequently, the members of Anjuman-e-Islam themselves started hoisting the tricolour on Independence and Republic Days, till the Supreme Court issued an order directing the Municipal Commissioner to hoist the national flag at the maidan.

Mr. Chinchore said that because of the efforts of Mr. Ibrahim, Hubballi returned to normality subsequently. Considering his role in the establishment of peace in the region in general and Hubballi in particular, the State Government should honour him with peace award, he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hubballi, February 07th, 2022