Monthly Archives: October 2022

Meet the man who slapped British officer only days before independence

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Agra, UTTAR PRADESH :

Meet 108-year-old Imamuddin Qureshi who had slapped a British officer during a protest in Agra, only a few days before India got its independence.

Imamuddin Qureshi, the man who had slapped a British officer, during a protest in Agra.
Imamuddin Qureshi, the man who had slapped a British officer, during a protest in Agra. (Photo: India Today/Siraj Qureshi)

 While Independence was primarily won through the non-violent means adopted and propagated by Mahatma Gandhi, a lot of people had to lay their lives and suffer pain in achieving this. Those fearless freedom fighters were not afraid of sticks or bullets, and defied the British officials at every turn, to show them that Indians have had enough.

One such person is Imamuddin Qureshi, who had even slapped a British officer just days before independence. Imamuddin had fought alone with the British without caring for his life. Whenever the topic of Indian independence is discussed, 108-year-old Imamuddin Qureshi gets lost in the memories of those days when the country became independent.

Imamuddin told India Today that back in August 1947, the country was about to get independence. Everyone was full of enthusiasm. The elders and the children had the tricolor in their hands and happiness in their hearts. People used to take out rallies in the streets, localities, and markets with the Tricolor in their hands. Angered by this, the British officers used to rain batons on them.

He recalled the day he slapped a British officer and said, on August 12, three days ahead of the independence, Hindu and Muslim brothers from Lohamandi, Syedpada area were taking out a rally with the Tricolor in their hands. Then a British officer came there and lathi-charged the people. Many innocent people were arrested. Seeing this, Imamuddin’s blood boiled and he attacked the British officer in anger. He slapped the officer on the cheek several times and escaped after freeing his arrested comrades. The police kept looking for him, but in three days, the country had become independent, and he was able to return home.

Imamuddin said that when the country was nearing independence, he was made a member of the Khaksar committee. At that time, no one dared to speak against the British and members of the Khaksar committee had their own separate dress. He said that at that time, he was about 24 years old and used to do wrestling, so he was made a member of the Khaksar Committee due to his physical prowess.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> India / by Siraj Qureshi / August 15th, 2022

This school in graveyard offers education to poor in Agra

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Agra, UTTAR PRADESH :

This school built in the middle of a graveyard offers education to the poor in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra. The unique school teaches all subjects to students from class 1 to class 8.

The high school conducts classes for around 75 students inside the graveyard. (Photo: Siraj Qureshi/India Today)

 A school, built in the middle of a cemetery area, offers education to the poor in Uttar Pradesh’s Agra. Built almost 50 years ago, Islamia junior high school conducts classes for around 75 students inside the graveyard. This unique school teaches all subjects to students from class 1 to class 8.

Nilofar, a class 5 student, told India Today that the school is closer to her home and a fee of Rs 50 keeps her fears away while visiting the graveyard to seek education.

“When everyone has to come to the graveyard at one point, why be afraid of the graves,” Mohammed Kaif, a class 7 student who aspires to become a doctor, told India Today.

Similar sentiments were echoed by another student, Farida, who said her father works as a labourer and cannot afford to pay the high fees in other private schools.

School principal Syed Shaheen Hashmi told India Today that the school is registered with the education department but there is no grant provided to the school, which is why the school charges Rs 50 from the students as fees. The unique school also doesn’t charge fees for orphan children.

Apart from this, people also donate to the school, which is used to pay the salaries of the teachers and to meet other expenses. Some also donate books to the students.

The school principal is of the opinion that the school welcomes students from all religious, but most of the students enrolled currently belong to the Muslim community. He said that students from the Hindu community stopped coming to school probably because the school was built inside a Muslim cemetery.

“At present there are six female teachers in the school who come from nearby areas. If the government provides books for the kids, it will become easier to run the school,” he added.

source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> Cities> Agra / by Siraj Qureshi / October 08th, 2022

How Kolkata Girl Alina Alam’s Mitti Cafe is Enabling People With Disabilities & Even Helping The Needy During The Coronavirus Lockdown

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Kolkata, WEST BENGAL:

When we talk of youngsters in their early twenties, of course, we think that it’s time for them to work hard and party harder. Right? But we are seeing a lot of youngsters take up entrepreneurship at a young age to make it big. But there are some like Alina Alam from Kolkata, who took to social entrepreneurship to make the world a better place for the differently-abled. All of 27 years of age, Alina started with her ‘Mitti Cafe’ when she was 23, which is run entirely by a staff of persons with a disability, ranging from visual and hearing impaired to Asperger’s and to Down’s syndrome.

The Mitti Cafe

While pursuing her graduation from Azim Premji University, Alina volunteered in an organisation that works with adults with a disability. That’s when she realised that the problem is not their ability but the disability in our perception, which needs to change. Talking to us about the cafe, Alina said, “I started with the Mitti Cafe in 2017, with an aim to create platforms for adults with physical, intellectual and multiple disabilities to showcase their abundant potential for productive activity and create awareness for the cause of equal opportunities in employment.”


Not every enterprise needs a VC funding, as Alina started this venture with funding from her friends, family and partnerships with Deshpande Foundation, NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore & N-Core Foundation. And now she has several branches of the cafe in both Kolkata and Bengaluru.

Facilities Enabling The Staff
One can find menus printed in braille, food orders written on sheets of a note pad, self-explanatory placards and flicker lights that signal the staff when a customer calls for them, and more such unique ideas to facilitate the differently-abled staff at the Mitti Cafe.


Apart from remuneration, Alina explained how they have additional benefits like accommodation for the staff, “Since most of our employees along with having a disability come from a low-income background, apart from salaries, we also provide them with accommodation, food and logistics. We provide wheelchairs to those who cannot afford it. There are placards in the cafe for communication with our HSI staff and menu as well as instructions in Braille for our staff with visual impairment. The training methodology for our adults with an intellectual disability involves innovative techniques that involve songs, poetry and pictorial training.”

Impact & Help With The COVID-19 Outbreak
Talking about the impact of her venture, Alina said, “We currently have a total of 71 adults with disability employed at the various cafes branches and we provide experiential training to adults with a disability who is placed in the hospitality sector, retail sector or decide to start their own business.” Not only that, currently Alina and her team is also helping the vulnerable sections of the society affected by the Coronavirus lockdown. Talking about the same, she added, “The MITTI team is working on a war footing currently to help in the COVID 19 crisis by providing the most basic of the necessities: food to 2000 of our Frontline Heroes-daily wage labourers every day.”

Alina runs the social enterprise with the help of her amazing team members who left their cushy corporate jobs for the cause, including the COO & Director- Swati, another Director- Anjani Gupta and Area Operations Heads- Sanidhya Bindal & Amruta Wadekar.

She also shared her future plans with us which include, “Creating awareness about economic empowerment and dignity-one cafe at a time, till Mitto Café becomes outdated. We are hopeful that should be soon.”

source: http://www.inclusiveindia.in / Inclusive India / Home> Feature> Inclusivity / by Shobita Dutt / April 17th, 2020

Edupreneur Mahbubul Hoque receives “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service -2022”

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Purabgul Village (Karimgang District), ASSAM / Shillong, MEGHALAYA :

Governor of Meghalaya Shri Satya Pal Malik conferring “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service-2022” upon Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya.

Raj Bhavan, Shillong :

Acknowledging and expressing appreciation for outstanding accomplishments, the Governor of Meghalaya Shri Satya Pal Malik has conferred the highest and prestigious award, “Governor’s Award for Excellence in Public Service-2022” upon Shri Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya for his pioneering and outstanding contribution in the field of Higher and Technical Education, , one who established all his educational institutions mainly in rural areas of Meghalaya and Assam.

Padma Shri Ms Trinity Saioo, a school teacher who led a silent revolution mobilising more than 800 rural women to set up Self Help Groups for growing turmeric through organic farming methods, also received the Governor’s Excellence Award on the same occasion.

The conferment of the awards by the Hon’ble Governor was held yesterday evening at the Raj Bhavan Shillong in the presence of an august gathering.

Accepting the Award, Mahbubul Hoque thanked the Hon’ble Governor and the people of Meghalaya for giving him the opportunity to serve the society spreading higher and technical education as well as various outreach activities.

He recalled the cooperation extended by Late Dr Donkupar Roy, former LS Speaker and Chief Minister P. A. Sangma and the former Governor R.S. Mooshahary and overall support by the officers.

Conferring the excellence awards, the Hon’ble Governor Shri Satya Pal Malik said that Mahbubul Hoque is a visionary educationist and passionate in institution building targeting rural areas. His dedication, selfless contribution for the cause of education has created an impact in the education sector which has been observed by every person. “Shri Hoque is a passionate visionary who relentlessly works to build a self-reliant society through need-based education by establishing institutions”, he said.

Earlier, delivering the welcome address, Shri Pravin Bakshi, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary to the Governor said that this Award is the first step taken by the Meghalaya Governor’s office as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in recognizing individuals for their remarkable public service.

Born to a rural family at the remote Purabgul village in Assam’s Karimganj district, Mahbubul Hoque had a turbulent early life as he lost his parents and supportive elder brother during childhood. He had to earn by doing private tuitions and selling home grown vegetables in the local market to continue his studies. A Masters in Computer Science from the prestigious AMU, he got lucrative job offers from MNCs and IT industries of the country as well as abroad but he decided to come back to his native place with a vision and embarked on a career of educational entrepreneurship.

His humble journey began with 1 computer and 4 students from a rented room in Guwahati, with only 85 rupees in his pocket. He assembled computers and sold them in the market to earn revenue to set up a computer lab. Initially, challenge was such that even landlords were unwilling to rent him in view of his financial condition. However, his study center Central IT College became the second-best study‐center of Manipal Group in the whole country. There was no looking back.

In order to strengthen the education infrastructure of the North East, Mahbubul Hoque set up the Education, Research and Development Foundation (ERDF) in 2005 under his chairmanship. A number of pioneer educational institutions were established under ERDF umbrella catering education from KG to PG to Ph.D. through two CBSE affiliated Senior Secondary Schools, one AICTE approved Engineering College, two PCI approved Pharmacy Colleges, one BCI approved Law School, one AICTE approved Business School, one NCTE approved B. Ed. College, one Women’s College and his largest dream venture—University of Science & Technology Meghalaya where more than 5000 students are now pursuing higher education. The University has been accredited “A” Grade by NAAC in its 1st Cycle of assessment in 2021, a rare achievement. USTM is now placed among the top 200 universities of India in NIRF-2022 Ranking.

The institutions set up by him are imparting quality education to more than 10,000 students, of which 35% are from indigenous tribes, 20% belong to underprivileged backward classes and receive Free Education, 80% from rural areas, 57% are girl students. More than 1200 teaching, administrative and non-teaching staffs are working for the growth of the institutions under his dynamic leadership. One of the most important features of the university is that more than 30 community and tribe students from the whole of north eastern states are studying in the university.

A recipient of ‘Shikshacharya Award-2019’ bestowed by Asam Sahitya Sabha and many such awards for his contribution in the field of higher education including the recent Community Excellence Award to USTM by UNESCO.

Mahbubul Hoque has initiated numerous welfare activities such as Endowment Funds, Emergency Medical Assistance, Interest-Free Loans, Relief drives, Health camps, etc.

He is extremely sensitive about environmental protection and efficient use of energy which reflects in adopting Green Campus Initiative for which USTM has already received many awards under the sustainable development goals of the UN.

Under the USTM Neighbourhood Mission, various departments of USTM have adopted neighbouring villages and children from these villages are availing free and concessional education in the University. A unique initiative of Mahbubul Hoque is the introduction and implementation of the Pay Back Policy under which students who clear competitive examinations are given back their entire course fee.

The future roadmap of USTM encompasses Research and Extension activities focussing on rural education and achieving its Milestones. He has set up Milestones to make USTM a World Class university by 2030 facilitating the state of Meghalaya as a global education destination by attracting students and scholars from across the world and nurturing local youths creating a global community. His current dream project is a Medical College and Hospital in Meghalaya with cutting edge research facilities. Establishing a women’s university in his native place Karimganj is another dream project submitted to Govt of Assam for enactment.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Network / August 27th, 2022

First Prize In Dasara Terrace Garden Competition

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Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Nishhat Afza, Founder and Director of Curiocity — School of Creative Art and Design, N.R. Mohalla, Mysuru, has bagged first prize in the ornamental terrace garden and 1st prize in waterfalls for the 5th consecutive year in the Dasara Home Garden contest organised by the Horticulture Department.

An active member of Srushti Bonsai Club, she has also participated in women empowerment and other social activities. Besides, she helps people with landscaping and waterfall designing.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / October 07th, 2022

Hero Dirt Biking Challenge in Mangaluru sees enthusiastic participation

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Benjanapadavu (Mangaluru), KARNATAKA :

More than 60 motorcycle enthusiasts participated in the Hero Dirt Biking Challenge (HDBC) at Benjanapadavu near Mangaluru, held on September 24-25, 2022.

Hero MotoCorp introduced the Hero Dirt Biking Challenge (HDBC) to serve as a platform for aspiring riders and enthusiasts to showcase their talent.

More than 60 passionate motorcycle enthusiasts from Mangaluru, Goa, Mysuru, Chikkamagaluru and Shivamogga participated in the Hero Dirt Biking Challenge (HDBC) held on September 24 and 25 at Benjanapadavu near Mangaluru while five were selected for the next round.

Hero MotoCorp introduced the HDBC to serve as a platform for aspiring riders and enthusiasts to showcase their talent. The country’s best amateur off-road riders are chosen from 45 cities. Hero MotoCorp will be awarding a Hero Xpulse 200 4V motorcycle and sponsorship contracts worth ₹20 lakh to the winner and the two runners-up. State 3 of the event was held at Kodman Motopark in Benjanapadavu.

The HDBC event was hosted by Shoeb Khan from Mysuru, a certified FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile) official and a professional rally racer.

The two-day action packed event included a variety of challenges that the riders had to face. Participants had to go through jumps, a sidewall, whoops and finally park at the stop box with the fastest time, said a release.

Five winners will participate in the next round to be held in Bengaluru. Asad Khan from Chikkamagaluru won the first place while Ishan Chandra from Mangaluru won the second, Samson from Mysuru came third, Suhail Ahmed from Mangaluru the fourth and Safwan Hussain from Mangaluru came in fifth position.

The top 100 chosen riders Nationwide will attend a 5-day regional boot camp following the preliminary rounds.

Ross Branch and Joachim Rodriguez, from the rally team of Hero Motosports, will work with the best competitors and offer their advice. The final event of the boot camp will be a race, and the winners will advance to the finals.

Kodman Motopark proprietor Christon D’souza said, “I was truly contented seeing the number of participants at Kodman. This is a great initiative taken by Hero MotoCorp to give opportunity to the motoenthusiasts.”

KodmanMotopark has an off-road track for bikes and 4 wheelers where motorsport enthusiasts can train and hone their off-roading skills.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by The Hindu Bureau / Mangaluru – September 30th, 2022

Jabbar Khan Honnalli, a former minister, passes away in a Hubballi hospital.

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Hubballi, KARNATAKA :

pix: aninews.in

Jabbarkhan Honnalli, a former minister for the state of Karnataka, passed away on Friday morning at the age of 80. Honnalli had been experiencing health issues for some days as well as also was receiving treatment in a specialized hospital when he passed away this morning.

In 1989, Janata Dal put him forward for the Karnataka Legislative Council.

Later, he joined the Congress party and twice won election to the Hubli City constituency. He was the minister of youth development and sports in the coalition government of the Congress and JDS in 2004.

He also served as the president of Hubli Anjuman E Islam.

Following are his works.

1. From 1966 to 1980, I spent 18 years as a teacher at Model Urdu Girls School No. 1.

2. He was actively working on behalf of society’s poor and needy, particularly those from marginalised and minority communities.

3. Established in Hubli in 1984 the Alfarah Education as well as Cultural Association.

4. In 1962, the Youth Muslim Academic Association was founded in Hirekerur, Dharwar District.

5. This Association established a primary girls school in Hirekerur.

6. From 1975 to 1978, acted as joint secretary of the Karnataka Muslim Academy in Hubli.

7. Muslim Jamat, Keshwapur, Hubli, established and built an Arabic school at its own expense.

8. Spent two years in Dandeli serving as an executive member of the Muslim Educational Association of North Karnataka.

9. From 1964 to 1966, I worked as the Poor Boys General Hostel’s secretary in Hubli.

10. Initiated the Hubli Taj Nagar Co-operative Residential Society in 1972. Distributed fully completed plots to minority communities and the society’s poorer members. Serving as president ever since it began.

11. Since 1980, serving as the honorary secretary of the Sri Kadasiddeshwar Cooperative Housing Society. Has given worthy underprivileged people from all facets of society house sites.

12. Since 1985, has served as president of Diyanat Urban Co-operative Finance Society in Hubli.

13. Founded Kamadhenu Cooperative Housing Society in Hubli and served as its honorary secretary from 1978 to 1980.

14. From 1978 to 1981, he served as the director of the Hubli-based Forest Labour Cooperative Society.

source: http://www.en.bebaak.in / Bebaak.in / Home> Karnataka / by Hritik Mishra / October 07th, 2022

Bantwal: Well-known philanthropist S M Aboobacker passes away

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Kolnadu (Bantwal) Dakhsina Kannada District, KARNATAKA :

S M Aboobacker (60), resident of Golnadu grama, Suribail passed away due to sickness.

He was the president of the school progress committee at the Suribail government upgraded higher primary school for the last several years. He had grown a flower garden, vegetable plants and areca nut trees in the school premises and was looking after them. The school has bagged national environment award and other awards due to his efforts.

The school received district Rajyotsava award considering his services.

He was the office bearer of the state SDMC committee, secretary of Suribail mosque management committee and was the member of Kolnadu gram panchayat for two terms. He was a well-known philanthropist. He has left behind his wife.

Former minister B Ramanath Rai, district panchayat member M S Mohammed, Congress panchayat committee district president Subhaschandra Shetty Kulala, Sudeep Kumar Shetty and others visited his residence and paid their tributes.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Obituary> Karnataka / by Mounesh Vishwakarma / Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP) / October 07th, 2022

Don’t Sell Your Old Two-Wheelers; 23-YO Engineer Converts Them Into EVs in Just 2 Days

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Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

EV by Maaz Khan
Hyderabad engineer Maaz Ahmed Khan founded his startup Torq Electric to convert old two-wheelers into electric vehicles.

In 2021, Maaz Ahmed Khan was still a mechanical engineering student when his interest in electric vehicles began brewing . “It started when I got into the EV subject of the syllabus in final year,” he recalls, adding that he would look closely into the working of these machines and formulate his own ideas to make his own version of them. 

But the 23-year-old’s idea was not to build a new design. Instead, it was to convert existing fuel vehicles — which would otherwise be turned to scrap — into fully functioning EVs. 

The then final year student of Methodist College of Engineering and Technology, Telangana, started looking for someone’s help to start building on his vision. This brought him to a non-academic startup incubator EdVenture Park, which focuses on student innovations. He applied for a job here and was selected. 

With their support, the youngster began working on his dream project, eventually founding Torq Electric in March 2021.

“A few years ago, I happened to attend the launch of Tata Nexon. Even though the vehicle excited me, I also thought, ‘Why should we buy a new EV if there exists a technology to convert existing vehicles?’,” he tells The Better India. 

He continues, “I also had ‘electric vehicles’ as a subject in college. I learned that after 15 years of running, the fuel usage of any vehicle goes up and it contributes to greater pollution. Instead of turning it to scrap, you can convert it.” 

On 27 August 2021, Maaz came up with the prototype of a two-wheeler EV, which he built by transforming an old petrol scooter and spending Rs 60,000. The model was covered widely by the media and popularised further through the internet, he recalls. 

Electric Vehicle by Engineering Student
The EV by Torq Electric.

“Even then, it took time to gain people’s trust. A few months later, I managed to get some customers. A majority of them were unwilling to let go of their two-wheelers due to emotional attachments and similar reasons. Converting these into electric vehicles seemed like a great idea to keep your old favourite bike,” he explains. 

Maaz says he has so far converted seven bikes, and received orders for 15 more. 

Additionally, he helps engineering students to take up college projects related to EV and supports them with the related technical know-how. 

For a greener future

Even though it takes just 5-7 hours to convert a two-wheeler into an EV, Maaz asks for two days to check and ensure the vehicle’s safety after riding. 

Electric Vehicle by Engineering Student
Maaz busy at work.

He provides two types of models — fully electric and hybrid vehicles. Those who wish to keep fuel as an option can opt for the latter. He says the price to convert any type of two-wheeler into a fully electric EV is Rs 50,000. For hybrid, he charges Rs 55,000.

“In fully electric two-wheelers, the engine and fuel tank are replaced with a powerful motor and batteries. In hybrid conversion, a motor and battery are added to the existing engine. This gives the flexibility of driving on both electric power and engine power,” says the engineer.

The base variant of the vehicle takes about three to four hours to charge, and can run up to 75 km at an average speed of 45 km/hr, Maaz says. Customers can also give their preferences, for which prices may differ.

“EVs are in their early days in India. But undoubtedly, they are the future. It is important to be aware of the pollution from fuel vehicles. Soon, we might be living in a country where breathing feels like smoking a cigarette. But we can prevent this by showing responsibility. Like shifting from plastic bags to cloth bags, or using public transport, opting for an EV is a great step,” Maaz says.

Electric Vehicle by Engineering Student
The electric vehicle built by Maaz.

Through his company, he aims to create sustainable living through automotive manufacturing, with the vision to create an eco-friendly world. 

Even though his current innovation is receiving great response, the engineer’s dream is to launch his own design of an EV, exclusively for Indians. He also plans to extend the current innovation to three and four-wheelers.

Electric Vehicle by Engineering Student
Maaz Ahmed Khan — the engineer.

“The rise in fuel prices has most affected the auto drivers of the country. After a little research, I discovered that if they switch to EVs, they can save around Rs 400 a day. This accounts for Rs 12,000 a month. Thus, my plan is to launch an innovation pertaining to three-wheelers,” he shares.

Visit his website www.torqelectric.com

Edited by Divya Sethu

Photo Credits: Maaz Ahmed Khan

source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> English> Electric Vehicles – Sustainability / by Anagha R Manoj / September 20th, 2022

Nobel Peace Prize 2022 | AltNews cofounders Pratik Sinha, Mohammed Zubair among favourites

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Bengaluru, KARNATAKA / INDIA :

File picture of AltNews co-founders Mohammed Zubair and Pratik Sinha after Zubair’s release from police custody in July 2021. The duo are among the favourites to win the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize | Photo Credit: Twitter/@free_thinker

AltNews journalists Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair and Indian author Harsh Mander were included in an unofficial shortlist of favourites for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize, ahead of the announcement of the winner on October 7

Cofounders of fact checking website AltNews Pratik Sinha and Mohammed Zubair and Indian author Harsh Mander are among the favourites to win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize, according to unofficial shortlists released ahead of the announcement on Friday.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced on October 7 in Oslo, Norway. Ahead of the announcement, predictions are being made about who and which organisations are the favourites and top-runners to win one of the most prestigious global honours.

TIME magazine, in a report, compiled a list of “some of the favourites to win, based on nominations that were made public via Norwegian lawmakers, predictions from bookmakers, and picks from the Peace Research Institute Oslo.”

The list includes journalists Mr. Sinha and Mr. Zubair, who “have relentlessly been battling misinformation in India.” The Time report said that the duo has “methodologically debunked rumors and fake news circulating on social media and called out hate speech.

Mr. Zubair was arrested by Delhi Police on June 27 for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through his tweets.

The TIME article notes that Mr. Zubair’s arrest was condemned by journalists around the world who “argued it was retribution for his fact-checking work.”

Ukraine’s Zelenskyy among favourites

The TIME list of favourites also includes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the U. N. Refugee Agency, Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the World Health Organization, Russia’s jailed opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexey Navalny and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunburg.

The Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) director Henrik Urdal also released his annual shortlist of probable Peace laureates. His list includes Mander, and the campaign he launched in 2017 ‘Karwan-e-Mohabbat’. Mr. Urdal also names Mr. Sinha and Mr. Zubair as “other worthy candidates for a prize focused on combating religious extremism and intolerance” in India.

“Religious extremism helps justify discrimination and violence, and stokes tensions between groups that can result in armed conflict.

Making a significant contribution to fighting religious extremism and promoting interreligious dialogue is therefore a compelling rationale for being awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. A worthy recipient of such a prize is Harsh Mander, along with the campaign he launched in 2017, Karwan-e-Mohabbat (“Caravan of Love”),” according to Urdal’s shortlist.

“Mander is an important voice for religious tolerance and dialogue, and his campaign an important rallying point for those who oppose interreligious conflict and violence.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by PTI / New York – October 06th, 2022