In an era where digital communication has taken center stage, the sentimental value of greeting cards has faded into obscurity.
There was a time when these tangible tokens of affection held immense significance, fostering connections across distances.
Research reveals that receiving a physical card can elevate recipients’ mental well-being, fostering a sense of connection and alleviating feelings of isolation.
The process of meticulously selecting and sending a card communicates thoughtfulness and care, reinforcing the recipient’s sense of self-worth. Contrasting the fleeting nature of digital messages, a greeting card evokes profound emotional responses.
The limbic system, governing behavior, emotions, and emotional memory, plays a pivotal role in triggering these reactions. Research underscores that the emotional impact of a physical card surpasses that of its digital counterparts.
Amidst this evolving landscape, Sharief Ayesha, an entrepreneur from Bengaluru, has embarked on a passionate mission to rekindle the importance of greeting cards.
Through her entrepreneural set up called Yaay Cards, she says she attempts to preserve a cherished tradition by revitalizing the act of conveying emotions through physical cards.
For Sharief Ayesha, sending greeting cards embodies a vessel of emotions, a bridge of connection, and a repository of memories.
She says, “The rewards of sending cards stretch beyond mere nostalgia. It will remain a time-honored practice”.
Sharief Ayesha has made cards for actors like Salman Khan, Nikhil Chinappa, singer Edward Maya. Sonu Sood and Bhaskar Rao (police-turnedpolitian) etc.
source: http://www.newstrail.com / Newstrail / Home / by Afra Afzal Sait / September 01st, 2023
Anwar Basha has emerged as the sole candidate for the Karnataka Waqf Board chairman’s position, which had been left vacant following Shafi Saadi’s resignation. The nomination papers, submitted by Anwar Basha, who hails from Chitradurga district, were the only ones received by election authorities.
The unexpected development has caught the attention of political circles and residents alike. Anwar Basha’s unopposed nomination suggests a level of consensus and support within the relevant political factions.
Shafi Saadi, the former chairman, had resigned from his post earlier this year. Since then, the position had remained vacant, leading to speculation about who would fill the void. Anwar Basha’s decision to step forward as the sole candidate has now resolved this uncertainty.
While the election authorities have yet to officially announce Anwar Basha’s selection, it is widely expected that he will assume the chairman’s role unopposed. The official announcement regarding his confirmation is scheduled to be made tomorrow, and it is anticipated that the transition will proceed smoothly.
Anwar Basha is known for his background in the Chitradurga district, where he has been actively involved in various community and political activities. His nomination and imminent appointment as chairman signal the potential for new leadership in Bangalore, and many are eager to see how he will address the challenges and opportunities facing the Waqf department.
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Nihal Mohammed / September 04th, 2023
Syed Mohammad Hussain said Failing in four attempts disappointed me, but it did not let me break down. I worked hard and cracked the UPSC exam.
Hussain, a resident of Sholapur Lane, Wadi Bandar, Mumbai, has secured the 570th rank in the UPSC Exam 2022.
Success for Hussain was full of struggles and hard work. Hussain lives in a small shanty on the roadside adjacent to the Wadi Bandar Majgaon Dock area. It is the hub of godowns; loading and unloading heavy vehicles is routine here. When I reached Wadi Bandar, Hussain met me enthusiastically and immediately reminded me by saying, Sir, I promised that this time I would definitely give you an interview opportunity.” Now that it has been fulfilled, I remembered that meeting in my flashback. After a while, Hussain got busy between some TV channels and YouTubers and then said, “Sir, we sit at a place nearby; the house is small; people will keep coming to meet me; we will not be focused.” We reached the nearby Jafar Sulaiman Hostel. Hussain said, Sir, the complete preparation of my 5th attempt has been done at this place.
On a question about the journey from primary to graduation, Hussain replied that he studied from 1st to 5th standard at Khwaja Shia Asana Ashri School, then joined St. Joseph High School Dongri in 6th standard, from where he passed the 10th exam in 2012 with 61% marks. Later, I passed 12th Commerce in 2014 from Anjuman Islam Alana Junior College in Vermont with 72%, joined Elphinstone College for graduation, and completed my B.Com. in 2017 with 86%.
Hussain reveals the story of how the idea of doing UPSC came to his mind. My father is illiterate; his childhood was spent in an area that was once considered a hotbed of crime. My father had dreamed of making us government officers by giving higher education to my siblings. He was a member of the Mohalla committee, so he used to participate in the programmes organised by the police station. When I was a school-going boy, I had the opportunity to visit government offices. Then I got inspired by the officers, and the idea of becoming an officer came into my mind at an early age. After graduation, I decided to pursue a career in competitive exams. My father wished that if the situation in the area were to change, I would have to prove myself.
Not having much career awareness, I moved from Mumbai to Pune based on whatever I had learned by myself. There I took admitted to Unique Academy and started regular civil service studies. Alhamdulillah I qualified for the preliminary exam on my first attempt in 2018 after only eight months of preparation, but failed the main exam due to my lack of experience in studying.
Meanwhile, I came to know about Jamia Residential Coaching Academy. I cleared its entrance and went to Delhi, where I learned a lot from seniors. Appeared for the 2019 prelims but didn’t qualify. The reason was that I focused all my attention on the main study. As I had no experience studying, it was a big lesson for me.
Unfortunately, due to the Corona lockdown, I returned to Mumbai. Here, then, CEO Maqsood Khan Sahib gave me an opportunity to prepare in Haj House. With all the facilities near my home, I worked hard and qualified for the 2020 and 2021 prelims, respectively, but failed again in the mains. Due to some unavoidable circumstances, senior students left the Hajj House. It was a sign of great sorrow for me.
At the same time, with the efforts of Maqsood Khan sb., a centre for the preparation of the civil service examination was started at the Jafar Sulaiman Musafir Khana hostel. I was very happy that Allah provided us with the means. It was impossible to study with uniformity among all the members of the house. After joining Jafar Sulaiman Hostel along with my own studies, I started coaching other students as well. Alhamdulillah, ever since this centre was established, students have been achieving success in one or another examination. The full credit goes to Maqsood Khan Sahib and his teammate, who laid the foundation of this centre in times of need. Despite very limited resources and a lack of facilities, doing my studies here has been quite fruitful for me. Having qualified in three out of the four attempts in the prelims, I was very disappointed with the continuous failure in the mains but did not let myself break down.
One day, I sat in the courtyard of the mosque in Jafar Suleman Musafirkhana and wept before Allah. I did introspection on myself and found out my weaknesses, strengths, and the reasons behind my failure. In the end, I stood up with determination by committing myself, “Now the next journey will be for success.” Then I qualified for the May 2022 preliminary exams. This encouraged me. The main exam took place in September 2022. Alhamdulillah, I had success in that too. In preparation for the interview, I went to Jamia RCA Delhi, where I got training and guidance from seniors. Through hard work and continuous mock interviews, I gained confidence and appeared for the interview in February 2023. Alhamdulillah, I succeeded with a 570 rank on my 5th attempt. Due to the support of my parents, relatives, friends, Haj House, Jamia RCA, Jafar Sulaiman Musafir Khana Civil Service Centre, and especially Maqsood Ahmad Khan Sb.
Mohammad Hussain said in a message to the students: The civil service exam takes time. It’s a test of patience and requires hard work with comprehensive planning, concentration, a positive attitude, and consistency. Sometimes you have to go through a lot of stress and pressure. I would like to tell the students that success is not within their realm and takes time.” It’s a test of patience and requires hard work with comprehensive planning, concentration, a positive attitude, and consistency. Sometimes you have to go through a lot of stress and pressure. I would like to tell the students that success is not within their realm.” It’s a test of patience and requires hard work with comprehensive planning, concentration, a positive attitude, and consistency. Sometimes you have to go through a lot of stress and pressure. I would like to tell the students that success is not within their realm. Everyone has a share in it. Meet the professionals with whom you want to make your career, get full knowledge of the field, and work hard.
Interviewer Akhlaque Sk (career counsellor) can be reached at sakhlaque@ymail.com.
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Education / by Shaikh Akhlaque / May 28th, 2023
As Tablighis came under the scanner of the government post lockdown in India for allegedly ‘ spreading the coronavirus intentionally’, journalist and noted author, Ziya Us Salam pens down a topical book on the history and evolution of this Jamaat. The book is being published by Harper Collins India.
Cover Page of The Book : Inside The Tablighi Jamaat
A book such as Inside the Tablighi Jamaat is an important intervention to understand the historical continuity of a contemporary phenomenon, more so in the context the controversy involving the movement and its headquarters popularly known as Markaz. Tablighi Jamaat has been in existence for almost one hundred years but it preferred a life of quietude till such time it was made the focus of sustained media attention in the month of April for its congregation in the context of the pandemic.
Many would have preferred to remain quiet on the issue but Ziya us Salam chose to dig out material from the history and place them and the movement in the contemporary context. Devoting twenty four chapters and 260 pages to unravel the layers of the existence of the movement must be viewed with as much seriousness as the book deserves. The scholarly community as well as an interested reader would find mist evaporating from the body and the movement that were initiated about a hundred years ago.
The clarion call of the movement has been to invite the Muslims to become better Muslims and follow the prescribed rituals of Islam. But in the course of doing so it moved in the direction of revivalism in personal life of a member of Jamaati and then spreading out to those who would come under its influence through personal contacts in the course of conducting Chilla whether for three days or forty days or a year. The very fact that the Jamaatis would invite their contacts to live a life of piety as modeled during the times of the Prophet Muhammad and his companions.
For the purpose of helping a new entrant to the charmed circle of the Jamaatis, a book consisting of several volumes known as Fazail-i-Amal was compiled, generally believed to have been done in good faith preaching lessons from the Islamic scholarship and traditions. Among the jamaatis the book evokes tremendous respect and acceptability. As a matter of matter of fact in their circle the book attracts much greater attention than any other book. It is believed that for a Jamaati there is no word beyond Fazail-i-Amal. But the author is not quite impressed as his scholarly scrutiny of the movement takes him to argue, “In other words, Fazail-i-Amal introduces a lot that is biddah (a practice not approved in Islam) based on hearsay. The stories and anecdotes might seem attractive to a layman, but they do not always pass the crucible with scholars of Islam.” (p.102)
An overwhelming emphasis on the good conduct and personal piety does not create conditions of bringing about social reforms within the community of believers. For instance it has opened the door of the Jamaat on women without laying emphasis on social reforms leading to an ideological and cultural climate of gender equality. The Tablighi Jamaat has been shying away from the question of women performing namaz in masjids. The author has highlighted instances where tablighi controlled masjids have been openly hostile to the idea of men and women performing namaz simultaneously. Precedents from the instructions by Hazrat Umar are invoked while a reference to Surah Tauba talking about men and women going for prayers in a masjid is ignored.
The author explains has argued that the tablighis rarely engage themselves in issues which social and political bearings. This benign neglect of contemporary issues such as Tripple Talaq or the issue of Babri Masjid judgement etc. is borne out of their understanding of the movement that it must not get involved in the worldly affairs. This reclusive approach has helps the movement to keep itself away from the gaze of public and the government of the day. However, the fact remains that values imbibed on social plane have bearings in personal life too as it become hard to maintain a distinction between the two. Seen in this perspective, life of an average tablighi is reflective of the larger values they inculcate in the course of their interactions within the organization.
However, such an approach has borne them fruits of a different kind. Their apolitical nature and tendencies to avoid getting involved in contentious issues have gained them access to far off land in the Western hemisphere. They have significant bases in countries such as the UK and USA in a significant way. They have managed to penetrate certain African nations such as South Africa and others without difficulty. However, South-east Asian nations such Indonesia and Malysia have proved to be fertile grounds for the expansion of the Tablighi work. But in the Central Asian countries a similar luck eluded the movement as many regimes suspected it for spreading too much religious mindedness and making masjids as centers of their activities.
While the author has subjected the tablighi movement to scrutiny in a number of ways especially as regards gender justice in spiritual spaces he emerges a trenchant critic of the movement as regards the leadership issues. He raises the issue of absence of democratic values within the oragnisation as no member of the organization has risen to the leadership position due to the stranglehold of the family since the time of Maulana Ilyas. There is a dedicated chapter, ‘All in the Family’ and has argued, “Right from the 1920s to 2020 not a single president has come from outside the family.” (p.138)
The most interesting aspect of the book is its journey into the past to explore historical dimensions of the Tablighi Jamaat and return to the contemporary to examine the continuity and digressions and adjustments. Attempts to locate its genesis take the readers to 1920s when the Shudhi movement under the aegis of the Arya smamaj, especially it’s leader Swami Shradhanand was launched. Culturally vulnerable groups were targeted. Much like the Ghar Wapsi campaigns in recent years.
The author has cleverly used his skills of navigating between the popular and academic language format, which makes the book immensely readable. While it is a book on Tablighi Jamaat, it quietly introduces myriad dimensions of the Islamic religious traditions to the readers.
( Views are personal)
The Reviewer, Prof. Rizwan Qaiser teaches History at Jamia Millia Islamia.
The Author , Ziya Us Salam writes for Frontline Magazine.
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> Books / by Rizwan Qaiser / September 29th, 2020
Ace entrepreneur Haji Bukhsh Ellahie launched India’s first brand of local cigarettes which became a huge success.
Making History: (Left) Promotion board; (Right Portrait of Haji Bukhsh Ellahie Photo: Bukhsh Ellahie Archive
In 1906, Jellicoe and Page, representing British American Tobacco, were unsuccessful in finding an agent in Mumbai to sell their W.D & H.O Wills cigarette brands. In Calcutta, they had no choice other than to tie up with Indian entrepreneur Haji Bukhsh Ellahie. He had made a fortune with his indigenous cigarette brand named after Gauhar Jaan, an upcoming Hindustani music singer who would go on to become the first to be recorded for the gramophone.
Bukhsh Ellahie had moved to Calcutta from Delhi in 1878 in the hope of making his fortune in the then capital of India. His brother, Karam Ellahie, stayed back to mind the family business. Enrolling himself as an intern with a business house, Bukhsh Ellahie soon learnt the tricks of the trade and was all set to take off on his own.
In the Crimean War (1853-1856), French and English officers acquired the habit of cigarette smoking from their Turkish allies. This addiction soon spread all over Europe. There was a great demand from the armies of the Western world for cigarettes. Bukhsh Ellahie saw the potential and realised it would replace pipes and the Indian hookah. When he came across a new and fast model of a cigarette-rolling machine, an innovative business idea germinated.
In 1887, he registered a company under the style of Bukhsh Ellahie & Co., Calcutta. Borrowing capital from his brother to import tobacco, he launched India’s first cigarette branded ‘Gauhar de Baha’, named after the legendary Gauhar Jaan. Bukhsh Ellahie did not just have the vision for business but also an uncanny knack for marketing. What he created then are now standard principles in marketing and promotion. He named his product after a popular singer to cash in on her popularity. He launched a campaign in which the visual showed her relaxing on a couch, listening to the gramophone almost in supine listlessness, holding a cigarette with smoke gently curling from it. The outrageous visual broke all traditions and advertising stereotypes. The campaign grabbed the attention of the audience. Bukhsh Ellahie then launched her face on matchboxes. These were printed in Austria. This was another first in India’s marketing scene.
To promote the product, he also sent free boxes of cigarettes to the Indian Army thereby building a demand which could be best termed as creating ‘brand addiction’. The shift to cigarettes was rapid, as Bukhsh Ellahie had envisioned, and he became one of the richest men in Calcutta by the 1900s. The trend of sending free cigarettes continued for two decades as letters sent to the Army prove. Joined by his son, Abdur Raheem, Bukhsh Ellahie grew the business and soon their portfolio included various types of goods and they took up imports, partnering with several international firms. When Jellicoe and Page came to India, they appointed Bukhsh Ellahie & Co as the first agent of Wills. This was, in a way, the birth of ITC, the multi-business conglomerate of today.
The father and son also contributed to the Army War Fund and towards building hospitals and relief work for natural disasters. Abdur Raheem held several positions including that of Commissioner of Calcutta Corporation from 1913-1923. They also built a traveller’s lodge, founded an orphanage and formed an association for the burial of indigent Muslims. Bukhsh Ellahie was bestowed the title of Khan Bahadur and later, the Companion of the Indian Empire (CIE) was awarded to Abdur Raheem.
The business is tracked till the 1930s and it is assumed that organised cigarette manufacture, including competition from new cigarette companies such as Vazir Sultan Tobacco Company and imports by others dented it. Abdur Raheem had no sons but his daughters were married off into eminent families in Delhi. The next generation took up legal practice. Bukhsh Ellahie’s great grandson was the managing director of Kalinga Airways and his sons went into trade and started their now flourishing tea and export business that spans continents.
(Views expressed are personal)
Rajiv Soni is a brand engineer and mentor
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> Profile / by Rajiv Soni / September 03rd, 2023
Nida Anjum Chelat, a 21-year-old rider from Kerala’s Malappuram, became the first Indian to complete the gruelling Equestrian World Endurance Championship for juniors and young riders in Castelsagrat, France on Saturday.
Nida, riding atop Epsilonn Salou, accomplished four laps totaling 120 kilometers within a span of seven hours and 29 minutes.
The goal of the championship is to cover the track without any harm coming to the horse.
Nida demonstrated remarkable skill by successfully finishing all four stages, securing the 23rd position in the initial stage (28.6 kilometers), 26th in the second stage (29.2 kilometers), 24th in the third stage (33.8 kilometers), and an impressive 21st place in the final stage (28.6 kilometers). Throughout the competition, Nida maintained a commendable average speed of 16.7 kilometers per hour.
In this championship, 70 competitors representing 25 different countries participated, with 33 of them unable to finish the race.
The UAE claimed both the individual gold and silver medals, while Bahrain and France emerged as the victorious teams in their respective categories.
“To qualify for the World Endurance Championship, a rider and their horse must complete a 120km distance at least twice within a two-year period. Nida has surpassed this requirement by completing the 120 km distance four times with two different combinations,” said a statement on Sunday.
“Nida has achieved the three-star rider status, becoming the first Indian woman to do so by successfully completing the 120km distance ride more than once,” the statement added.
“I am proud to be the first Indian to have achieved the feat and would try to bring more laurels for the country,” said Nida.
Nida whose parents hail from Kerala’s northern Malappuram district and reside in Dubai, gained entry into World Championships by winning the Gold Sword at the Abu Dhabi Endurance Championship. She is being coached by renowned horse trainer and rider Ali Al Muhairi.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob / Home> India> Latest> South India> Sports / by Maktoob Staff / September 04th, 2023
Abdul Nasir Maudany and his son Salahudeen Ayyoobi
Salahudeen Ayyoobi was 10 months old when his father and Peoples Democratic Party chairman Abdul Nasir Maudany got arrested and sent to Coimbatore central jail in 1998. Unlike other kids, Salahudeen grew up visiting his father in jail.
Salahudeen rarely spent time with his father during his childhood. His limited memory was those periodical visits to the jail, amidst tight security, and looking at his beloved father standing behind the bars at the visiting space and graciously looking at his skull cap and a magnificent beard.
His father’s oratory skills, analytical and intelligent skills, empathy, and caring nature, Salahudeen learned through the admirers across Kerala, was a forbidden treasure for him to enjoy. Every day in his life, he lived the injustice unleashed by the Indian judiciary system and coped through the vacuum created by his father’s absence.
“Father’s absence left a void in my life which cannot be filled by anything. There are no ways to cover it up. I crave for his presence during Eid days and to guide me through my academics,” said Salahudeen, while sitting in the guest area of his two-storey house in Ernakulam district’s Kaloor.
However, at least two decades later, an example of poetic justice can be seen in the enrollment of Salahudeen at the Kerala High Court. He graduated from Bharat Mata College with a degree in Legal studies in January 2023 and has now enrolled today, March 19, 2023.
According to Salahudeen, the degree of injustice his father and family faced throughout his life and the prolonged legal fight in the Indian courts are the major driving force behind his decision to study law and his father inspired him to pursue law.
Salahudheen’s father Abdul Nasir Maudany, an assertive Muslim politician who founded Islamic Sevak Sangh and People’s Democratic Party, was arrested in connection with the Coimbatore bomb blast on 31 March 1998. After spending around 9 years in jail, he got acquitted of all charges in August 2007.
However, in August 2010, he was arrested and taken to Parappana Agrahara central prison in Bangalore in connection with the 2008 Bangalore blast case. In July 2014, Maudany got bail on medical grounds by the Supreme Court on the condition that he will not leave Bangalore and the government is at liberty to take all steps, including putting him under surveillance, to ensure he does not get in touch with witnesses in the case.
Similarly, his wife Sufiya Madani was arrested from her residence in December 2009 in connection with the burning of a Tamil Nadu bus in Kerala’s Kalamassery in September 2005. She got bail in 2009 from rom the NIA court under the condition not to leave Ernakulam district without permission. The court later relaxed her bail in July 2014 after she approached the court to grant her permission to visit her husband in Bangalore who was battling with many health issues, including diabetes and urinary issues.
Maudany lost his right leg in August 1992 following a bomb attack from an RSS cadre near Anwarssery in Kerala’s Kollam district. In April 2021, the Muslim leader moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to leave Bangalore for his hometown in Kerala, citing health issues. However, the then chief justice of the apex court denied him permission and called Maudany a “dangerous man.”
Salahudeen spent most of his childhood thinking that it’s normal for a grown-up person to end up in jail and similar to him most of the kids’ fathers are in jail.
Salahudeen Ayyoobi. Photo: Thoufeeq K
“I thought the only time they were allowed to meet is during festivals or another day of special occasions,” he said.
Although Abdul Nasir Maudany will not be able to attend his son’s enrolment due to safety reasons and bureaucratic red tape, he is so satisfied and happy with his son’s achievement.
An elixir of happiness amidst the dark days and nights of grave injustice,” his father took to Facebook to share Salahudeen’s achievement.
“I want to meet him in person and need to watch that excitement in his eyes,” Salahudeen said with proudness in his eyes.
Maudany is currently struggling with a lot of illness and was advised to take rest by his doctors. They also advised him not to talk over the phone for a long time.
“I missed my parents’ presence almost all important stages of my life. The prolonging tale of injustice is the sole reason behind those missing,” Salahudeen said.
Salahudeen made up his mind to pursue law while he was studying in the ninth standard.
“It’s the need of the hour for the marginalised community including Dalits, Muslims, and Adivasis to study law, represent them in court, and fight for justice. They must be part of the judiciary and law-making institutions,” he added, stating the importance of representation in the legal sector.
According to him, a judge from a marginalised community or with lived experiences of injustice might be able to ensure righteous judgments. “They will be able to understand and empathise with the pain, injustice, and problems faced by the common man and its impacts on their daily life. Instead of merely seeing it as a profession,” he said.
However, due to his father’s prolonged imprisonment under draconian laws, Salahudeen missed the privilege of having a smooth school education. He spent the lion’s share of his academic life, almost 13 years, in boarding school as his family don’t want his study to get affected by the case. There were days in which Salahudeen cried the whole night in hostel beds due to the injustice faced by his family.
“We have experience in the management of an educational institution expressing their concern over continuing my studies due to case-related issues. We respected their concern, discontinued the course, and enrolled in other institutes,” he said.
“Although we faced many hardships in life, there were many people who supported us, considered us as their family members, and showered us with love and care. Those love and affections healed us and empowered us to survive,” he said while showing a black-coloured Mont Blanc pen gifted by renowned writer Kamala Surayya’s son Nalappad in his childhood wishing him successful academics. “I am planning to carry this pen with me on my enrolment day,” he said.
Although many college-mates empathised Salahudeen’s cause and offered solidarity, a few of them were of the notion that his family is of terrorists. “As they started interacting with me closely, hanging out with me, understanding my ideals and principles, they started to rethink about the manipulated portrayal of my family and became so close in the next 5 years,” he said.
Salahudeen points out the media trial as the main reason behind the vilification of his family. “Those innocent people portrayed as criminals and terrorists by the media, have to carry the scar of accusation even after they got acquitted. There are many lives in the country destroyed by the media. Those lives include our family too. For the general public, their reference materials are those distorted facts and constructed lies peddled by the media. Common conscience was formulated from those biases,” he said.
During our one-hour-long conversation, he highlighted that the prolonged jailing of undertrial prisoners is a grave injustice not only for them but to their close ones including children, parents, spouses, and comrades.
“This crisis must be addressed with seriousness by civil society. Such prolonged incarcerations might halt the creative intervention by those individuals aimed at societal change and would affect the progress and welfare of the society as a whole,” he said.
The system ensures prolonged incarceration mainly by delaying the filing of the chargesheet and presenting fabricated evidence and witnesses in court. Salahudeen alleged many witnesses presented by the investigation agencies on his father’s case later confessed to the court that they were forced by the investigation agencies to give false testimonies and a few of them were not even interrogated but their testimonies were included.
“Under the present circumstances, it’s easy for an investigating officer or an agency to persuade an individual or force him/her to give false witness testimony in court. There must be a responsible system to effectively monitor the investigation process and ensure transparency,” he said.
Although many people were offering solidarity and empathising with political prisoners, most of them were unable to stay with the cause for long term. In most cases, family and closer ones of the prisoners were left to fight the battle alone, he said, questioning the silence of the Kerala society over his father’s arrest.
“Be it the public or responsible individuals, most of them were silent on the injustice faced by my father. My father has been battling with various issues including legal and health. He is fighting every day for his existence. But the concerned authorities and rights advocates were relatively silent,” he added.
Being the elder son of a man who propagated the politics of the unity of the oppressed in Kerala at least three decades ago, Salahudeen is well aware of the hope and aspirations many people have in him. “There are many unfinished social justice missions and movements kickstarted by my Vaapachi (father). I am planning my future in a way to be part of it and play my role in it,” he said.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob / Home> Features> India> South India / by Ashfaque EJ / March 19th, 2023
Meher Sheikh wins the ‘Emerging Female Influencer in Media Industry’ Award
New Delhi :
The 12th Edition of Entrepreneur Awards, an initiative by Entrepreneur India Magazine took place on September 20, 2022.
The platform recognizes the most influential, path-breaking entrepreneurs who do something out of the box and break stereotypes.
Bollywood actress Shraddha Kapoor graced the occasion and spoke about her debut as an entrepreneur.At the 12th edition of Entrepreneur Awards, a new category was introduced to commemorate emerging media companies. And this year, Meher Sheikh won the award in the category ‘Emerging Female Influencer in Media Industry’. Narain Kartikeyan, India’s 1st Formula One Driver who’s now the Founder and CEO of DriveX, presented the award to the uber-talented Meher Sheikh.
Meher Sheikh is a media entrepreneur and digital creator, she was a Sports Anchor with News 24 and she started her career as a fashion merchandiser. Meher is the Founder and CEO of Nikology a Youtube Channel with a subscriber base of 02 Million.
Nikology is an initiative of Papr Network that runs its operations from Noida Filmcity in Uttar Pradesh.
Meher is successfully hosting 2 shows on Nikology ‘Totally Unapologetic With Meher Sheikh’ and The Aatmanirbhar Bharat Show’. Both the series received a great response from the viewers and preps for a bigger and better season 02 is underway.”I am very happy to be recognized as an influential media entrepreneur. It’s just the beginning of a new era for content creators because the content industry is continuously facing disruption, with the emergence of OTT, mobile and digital penetration across Bharat, India has seen a shift in the way content is consumed today. Every big network is shifting its focus on the digital front by launching their own OTT platforms, podcasts and having a presence on Youtube etc”.
“I have huge plans for my viewers and aspiring entrepreneurs, we at Papr Network aim to be game changers for digital creators and new entrepreneurs”.
Some of the other winners of this prestigious award were Navya Naveli Nanda, Founder, Project Naveli and Co-founder, Aara Health, Aditya Ghosh Co-Founder, Akasa Air, Aman Gupta of Boat, Vineeta Singh of Sugar Cosmetics, Sandeep Nailwal Co-Founder, Polygon.
This story has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content in this article. (ANI/PNN)
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Content> Press Release ANI/ PNN / September 21st, 2022
Burhan-ul-Zaman, a resident of Kolkata, has secured the 768th rank in the UPSC 2022 exam. He worked hard, underwent many problems, struggled a lot, and fought through hurdles, but by keeping his morale high, he achieved success.
Burhan shared his educational details, from primary to higher education: he did his primary education at Rajabazar Boys & Girls English School. After that, he completed 10th grade at ML Jubilee School with 91% marks in 2013. Due to my interest in math and science, I chose the science stream and passed 12th grade in 2015 with 91.4% from Shri Jain Vidyalaya. My JEE score was not so good, but based on that, I took admission to B.Tech. in Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shabpur Howrah. I completed my degree in 2019 with an 8.27 CGPA.
About the idea of preparing for the Civil Service Exam, Burhan said that in the final year of my B.Tech., I appeared for the GATE exam, in which I got an All India rank of 141. During GATE preparation, seniors were seen as busy preparing for the competitive exams. I got more information from them, and my good rank in GATE boosted me. Then I did a Google search and gathered more information about the UPSC. I got information about the Sitendra Nath Tagore Civil Services Centre, which is run by the West Bengal government. The institute provides an opportunity for the youth to prepare for the WB State Services with the facility of day boarding (weekend classes and week-long library self-study). I started my regular UPSC preparation in 2019. After spending almost two months there,I appeared for the first preliminary exam. But I could not qualify for the exam. At that time, my goal was to familiarise myself with the exam, which I accomplished.
In the meantime, I came to know about the Haj House IAS Coaching Centre from a senior colleague, and I appeared for the entrance exam for which I was qualified. Thus, in September 2019, I came to Haj House Mumbai. With the best arrangements and a favourable environment, I studied with more enthusiasm.
Maqsood Khan Sahib’s role was very positive; he made all kinds of facilities easily available.
Staying here, I appeared for the 2020 and 2021 UPSC exams, cleared both prelims and mains and reached the interview but unfortunately failed to make my name on the final list. After failing the interview twice, it was sad to be demoralised, but I had braced myself. Both times I prepared for the interview at the Sitendranath Tagore Civil Service Study Centre in Kolkata, but due to some shortcomings, I could not crack the interviews.
Then, due to policy matters or some other reason, the senior students had to vacate the Haj House.
I went straight to Kolkata, stayed at home, and worked hard on the basis of self-study. Qualified for the 2022 prelims, I got the opportunity to get admission in the MS IAS Academy, Hyderabad, which provides a quality environment for students to prepare for UPSC. While staying here for 3 months, I worked hard day and night. There is a very good environment for self-study at MS Academy. I cleared the mains exam and went to Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi, for interview preparation. I didn’t want to miss this opportunity. This is the best place to prepare for the interview. Guidance from seniors and mock interviews are well-practised and painstaking. The interview went well, the results were announced, and, Alhamdulillah, I got the 768th rank.
Burhan-ul-Zaman advised UPSC applicants that students pursuing careers in this area should carefully comprehend the following information: More than 11 lakh candidates registered for the prelims, out of which 14 thousand showed up for the mains, and out of which 2529 qualified for the interview, according to the UPSC 2022 results. 933 candidates made up the final list, which was eventually made public. The information above is intended to highlight the significant distinction between individuals who appear in the “exam” and those who appear on the final list. The “hard worker” is “rewarded” by UPSC. An endeavour may occasionally take 15 months to complete. You must patiently wait for the second attempt if, regrettably, one of the stages fails. Professionals in the civil service are respected by society. You need to work hard and be patient if you want to pass the exam; those who quit the UPSC in the midst of it lose all opportunities. So continue your diligent preparation and keep showing up for other government job examinations. The rest is up to Allah.
Burhan discussed his accomplishments and the people who contributed to them. I’ve had the thought of being an officer since I was a young child. Therefore, whether deciding whether to pursue further education or begin preparing for the UPSC following aeronautical engineering, I had already made up my mind to apply for the UPSC during my preparation, but I ultimately chose after talking to my family. Everyone was incredibly supportive of me. I thank God that I made the right choice.
In the meantime, I received step-by-step assistance from the SNT Civil Service Centre in Kolkata, Haj House, MS Academy, teachers, and all of my family, friends, and seniors (who are closer to me than teachers and parents). All of these people, in addition to Allah, are my success co-partners, and they all provided me with advice. Thanks to all the well-wishers.
When asked about his family, Burhan-ul-Zam said that his father’s name is Muhammad Masih-ul-Zaman, who is a science graduate and a cloth merchant in Kolkata. Mother Sabiha Begum is a housewife and has studied only up to high school.
The two elder brothers run a clothing business with their father. One brother has a B.Tech. One sister is a doctor, and the youngest is preparing for UPSC.
Interviewer Akhlaque Sk can be reached at sakhlaque@ymail.com
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Education / by Shaikh Akhlaque / June 07th, 2023
Overcoming the stiff odds of poverty and deprivation, Arbaaz Alam, son of a roadside egg seller, is among the 50, 455 lucky candidates who cracked the IIT JEE Advanced 2017 confirming admission in one of the twenty-three IITs – India’s top engineering institutions.
Arbaaz Alam got free coaching from Super 30 – an NGO which prepares students from poor background for IIT JEE considered as one of the toughest competitive exam. It was founded 15 years before by Anand Kumar.
Repeating its impresseive performance of last 15 years, all 30 students of the Super 30 cracked the JEE Advanced 2017.
“Anand Sir made me feel confident about my abilities. He boosted my confidence. Now, I think it is a matter of few years when my father will not have to sell eggs braving the chilly winds of winter nights.
“I will also have a house where I will live with my father and mother,” Arbaaz told PTI after he found his name in the list of successful candidates.
The JEE Advanced 2017 results were declared by IIT Madras today morning.
Sarvesh Mehtani from Panchkula, Chandigarh secured first all-India rank in IIT- Joint Entrance Exam. He had got AIR 55 in JEE Mains.
Sarvesh, who wrote the exam from IIT Roorkee zone, scored 339 marks out of 366, in which he got 120 marks in Maths, 104 in Physics and 115 marks in Chemistry. He was ranked 55th in JEE Main entrance examination.
Pune’s Akshat Chugh, who was ranked 7th in JEE Main 2017, had ranked second in JEE Advanced All India Ranking.
On the pattern of Super 30, Syed Mohammad Wali Rahmani with the support of former Bihar DGP Abhyanand, launched Rahmani Foundation to provide free coaching classes to poor students of the Muslim community.
A total of 25 students of Rahmani 30 Patna appeared for the IIT JEE Advanced 2017 and 23 were declared passed.
Similarly, 11 students of Anjuma e Islam Mumbai, a branch of Rahmani 30 Patna, are also among the successful candidates.
Meanwhile, IIT Madras while declaring the JEE Advanced result today morning said those students who took the IIT JEE Advanced 2017 exam may get 11 bonus marks for three ambiguous questions. This would be applicable to all candidates who took the examination on May 21.
The decision to award 11 bonus marks for the three ambiguous questions was taken following an internal review meet on the question papers by IIT experts.
Conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and other IITs, the JEE Advanced 2017 was held on Sunday May 21. More than 1.7 lakh students appeared for the JEE Advanced 2017 held at more than 500 centres in the country on Sunday.
JEE Advanced is the entrance test for admission to IITs spread across India and located in Bhubaneswar, Bombay, Delhi,Gandhinagar, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Indore, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kharagpur, Mandi, Madras, Palakkad, Patna, Ropar, Roorkee, Tirupati, Banaras Hindu University (IIT-BHU) Varanasi and Indian School of Mines (ISM) Dhanbad for the academic session 2017.
The performance of a candidate in this examination will form the basis for admission to the Bachelor’s, Integrated Master’s and Dual Degree programs (entry at the 10+2 level) in all the IITs. The decisions of the JAB 2017 will be final in all matters related to JEE (Advanced) 2017 and admission to IITs.
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com and Agencies / June 11th, 2017
