In an event held at the Highland Islamic Forum (HIF) Auditorium in the city, the Highland Islamic Forum (HIF) unveiled a new book titled ‘Big B,’ a tribute to the late SM Basheer.
Subtitled ‘A Bond Beyond Brotherhood,’ the book is centered around the inspirational thoughts and life of Late SM Basheer.
Addressing the gathering at the book launch, NA Muneer, Ex-Chairman of the Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (KKMA), shared memories of his association with SM Basheer. Muneer spoke about the charismatic personality and powerful aura that SM Basheer possessed, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who met him.
Recalling his memories, Muneer emphasized that even a year after SM Basheer’s passing, he continues to remember and honor the late leader. He praised SM Basheer’s instrumental role in organizing significant events at KKMA and acknowledged his invaluable contributions to the organization while serving as its chief.
Fatah Tayyil, Ex-President of KKMA, also paid tribute to SM Basheer, acknowledging his substantial contributions to the KKMA.
SM Rasheed, Chairman of Bearys Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), spoke about SM Basheer’s profound influence on people’s lives and commended his contributions to the BCCI.
Other speakers, including Mohammed Ali Uchchil and Rizwan Pandeshwar, shared their views on the life and impact of SM Basheer during the event.
The book ‘Big B’ was released by AK Niyaz, MD of AK Group of Companies, along with HIF India President Adil Parvez, and other guests present at the event.
Hussain Shafi, the author of the book, was felicitated by HIF for his contributions.
HIF also presented a documentary-style short video introducing SM Basheer and showcasing his life.
Prominent figures such as SM Basha, MD of SM Group of Companies, SM Farooq, KK Abdullah, officials, and executive members of KKMA and BCCI graced the occasion.
The event, hosted by AK Shaaz, concluded with supplications led by Moulana Tayyub, Khateeb Ehsan Masjid.
source: http://www.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / December 01st, 2023
Syed Bismah and Syed Sabiya, twin daughters of an Imam from Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district, south Kashmir, have achieved success by qualifying the Undergraduate National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) in their first attempt.
The NEET results for 2023 were recently announced, and Bismah and Sabiya secured impressive marks of 625 and 570, respectively.
When asked about their achievement, the siblings expressed their gratitude towards their parents, highlighting their unwavering support throughout their journey to qualify for this prestigious examination. Their parents played a vital role in encouraging and guiding them, making it possible for Bismah and Sabiya to achieve this notable milestone.
“They provided us with whatever we needed to study from childhood. They made a big sacrifice for our future”, Sabiya told local media.
Twin sisters, Daughters of local Masjid Imam from Watto Kulgam Qualified NEET 2023 in their first attempt with flying colors.#NEETUG2023pic.twitter.com/X5ZLjkJGvU
— Meer Irfan ( میر عرفان ) (@JournoIrfan) June 14, 2023
She emphasized the importance of focus in order to qualify for the NEET examination.
“If you want to appear in NEET, you should first check your level and identify your weaknesses. You should discuss your weaknesses with your teachers and also take help from internet to overcome them,” she said.
The father of Bismah and Sabiya, an Imam from Damhal Hanjipora, expressed his immense pride in his daughters’ accomplishment. He acknowledged that he had faced struggles and worked tirelessly to provide support to his daughters throughout their journey. His dedication and hard work were aimed at ensuring that his daughters had the necessary resources, guidance, and encouragement to pursue their dreams of qualifying for the NEET examination. The father’s commitment and efforts played a significant role in enabling Bismah and Sabiya to achieve their goals, and he takes great pride in their success.
“My advice to every parent is that you should provide the best opportunities to your wards for their better future,” he said.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education> Indian Muslim> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Staff / June 14th, 2023
A peek into a precious wardrobe of strange outfits that are fast becoming invisible from Delhi evenings.
Ghararas, too, are fast becoming invisible from Delhi evenings, although Rakhshanda Jalil is often spotted wearing it in literary gatherings.(Mayank Austen Soofi / HT Photo)
The other day, we spot a strange outfit. It is neither a skirt, nor a gown, and definitely not a sari. It is also not a pajama.
What is it, we ask.
“It is gharara,” says author Rakhshanda Jalil, pronouncing the ‘gh’ from the base of the throat.
We are at Ms Jalil’s home in central Delhi. Her most precious wardrobe is a treasure-house of about two dozen ghararas. Most have been passed on to her from her mother and mother’s mother; a few are even older.
Indeed, Ms Jalil has a fascination for souvenirs of the past. One of her many books is titled Invisible City: The Hidden Monuments of Delhi. Ghararas, too, are fast becoming invisible from Delhi evenings, although Ms Jalil is often spotted wearing it in literary gatherings.
Years ago, she had worn a pink gharara for her wedding. Her two young daughters also wear it on during special occasions such as… well, weddings, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, where more people are likely to be similarly attired.
It is not unusual in Delhi weddings to see women in gharara’s sister dresses, such as the lehenga and the sharara — which is like flared pants. The gharara is more complicated. Each leg is comprised of two parts. The first goes down from the waist to the knee, and the second, which is much wider, begins from the knee and goes down to the foot.
Truth be told, Ms Jalil prefers saris and trousers for ordinary outings. But the gharara was the daily costume of her maternal grandmother, Zahida Suroor, who lived in the university town of Aligarh. “In my grandmother’s time, it was common for women to wear cotton ghararas made of chintz (called chheent by Urdu speakers) at home,” says, Ms Jalil. “Silk or satin ghararas were worn on formal occasions. And the heavy brocade, called kamkhaab, was worn at weddings.”
Each gharara should have its own kameez and dupatta, though these days one has more liberty to mix and match. Ms Jalil says that back in the day an entire gharara was sewn in four or five days. Each piece was stitched by hands. The entire hem was turned in with tiny invisible stitches. Sparkling bits of gold lace were tagged to camouflage the joints at the knees.
Ms Jalil’s mother, Mehjabeen, recently hand-stitched a red gharara for her. The happy daughter gave it a trial run at a dinner in her own home. There was much applause. The gharara came with a short white shirt. The red dupatta was lined with gold frills.
In the old days, women of a family gathered together to sew a gharara if it had to be made for a bride’s trousseau. Neighbours and friends also chipped in. Opinions were eagerly sought on the design, and the leftover cloth was never thrown away — it was used to make an accompanying batua (wallet), or jootis (sandals).
There was a time when a few cities were known to make special types of ghararas, says Ms Jalil. Benares was famous for its brocade ghararas, with master-weavers painstakingly transporting the design to lighter gauzier material for the accompanying dupatta. Lucknow favoured a patchwork design called chatapati. Delhi specialized in something called ‘farshi’, with a long train that women were supposed to hold delicately in their arms.
Perhaps the most ideal way to study this old-world costume is to ask the wearer to sit still. On request, Ms Jalil settles down beside a window with an Eric Segal novel. While the book belongs to her elder daughter, Aaliya, the gharara belongs to her great grandmother. Made of atlas (no relation to the book of maps), the fabric is so fragile that it can tear at the slightest tug. It has a blue background with yellow, orange and pink flowers. At one point, Ms Jalil looks out of the window. Her gharara ceases to be a dying tradition, and seems very much a part of the present.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> News> Cities>Delhi News / by Hindustan Times / by Mayank Austin Soofi / October 09th, 2017
Amidst the busy roads of Gujarat that have thousands of cars passing by every day, there lies a neglected divider that holds reverence for many. A petal-strewn corner on a broken divider signifies the tomb of an Amdavadi poet credited for the advent of Urdu poetry that gave rise to a league of poets like Zauq, Mir, and Mirza Ghalib.
The poet in question is none other than the father of Urdu poetry, Wali Muhammad Wali, whose contribution towards uplifting Urdu poetry to being at par with its Persian counterpart is considered indispensable.
Challenging the notion that elite poetry can only be Persian, Wali opened up a world of poetic possibilities for Urdu poets and his influence can be seen in a piece penned by the Poet Meer Taqi Meer as a tribute to the Urdu Chaucer.
Khugar nahin kuch yun hi hum Rikhta-goi kay/ Mashooq jo apna tha, bashinda-e-Dakhan tha”
(It isn’t casually that I began dabbling in Urdu/I picked it from my lover, a native of the Deccan).
The poetic legend who died 300 years ago was buried in his family graveyard in Ahmedabad after his demise. Post Independence, Wali’s grave was separated from the graveyard and found itself situated in the middle of the road.
While the death and origins of Wani might be disputed, the razing of his grave has been linked to the communal past of Gujarat. Destroyed during the Gujarat violence of 2002, Wali’s grave was part of the riot that saw thousands murdered and the demolition of many significant Muslim shrines and Dargahs. Eliminating any and all signs of the Dargah, roads were built overnight and the atrocities of communal violence were swept under the layers of tar and repairs that ensued.
A Twitter user recently went searching for the shrine and impressively remarked on the presence of the Urdu poet’s legacy that remains etched in the mind of locals. Street vendors, shoemakers, and locals seem happy to guide and give precise directions to the grave for those looking to visit the shrine. Once an ornate shrine, the grave now portrays a sad picture of desolation and jarring neglect that can be blamed on the political powerplay as well as the ‘divide and rule’ ideologies that plague the nation.
One cannot miss the imprint of Wali’s work on Urdu poetry. It remains immortal in the hearts of people and keeps the light of consciousness alive.
source: http://www.homegrown.co.in / Homegrown / Home> #HGExplore / by Riya Sharma / August 08th, 2022
Using technology and people management skills, read how Mansoor is making waste collection a well organized profession. Thanks to his efforts, Bengaluru now sees ragpickers with ID cards, fresh uniforms and better incomes.
Using technology and people management skills, read how Mansoor Ahmed is making waste collection a well organized profession. Thanks to his efforts, Bengaluru now sees ragpickers with ID cards, fresh uniforms and better incomes.
“The waste pickers’ community is very enterprising. If their entrepreneurial skills are channelized and steered in the right direction, they can work wonders,” says Mansoor . “Not only will this put fellow waste pickers on the right path of hard work and integrity, but it will also be an opportunity to include them in the mainstream economy.”
He believes that one man can only do so much to solve the garbage crises of the city. The idea is to involve the entire community in problem solving. On the one hand, Bengaluru citizens are keenly looking for a solution to the garbage menace, while on the other hand there is tremendous energy to be unlocked in the waste picker community who can come to their rescue.
“My father started as a scrap dealer around 30 years ago. ‘Segregation’ was an alien word then. However, he used to promote the practice like we do today. He is no more but I am inspired by him and want to do the same,” he says.
Mansoor, who operates the Dry Waste Collection Centre in ward 168 of Jayanagar in Bengaluru, is not just another somebody who manages the city’s waste, but a trained scrap dealer trying to bring about change much beyond his job description.
Thanks to Mansoor, ward number 168 is now emerging as a systematic waste collection system, with a team of collectors and sorters who ensure that the waste is responsibly recycled and not dumped in a land-fill.
“When I was a kid, I would help my parents in waste collection and sorting. We used to manage around 500 kgs of waste every month,” he remembers. Today, his vision is beyond just numbers.
Mansoor’s dream of better waste management and giving a better life to waste pickers went one step forward when he got associated with HasiruDala, a Bangalore-based NGO that works with the city waste pickers. They not only gave him the initial support but also helped him scale up with financial aid, when required.
Today, Mansoor has a team of 10 sorters & collectors at the Jayanagar Dry Waste Collection Centre. He manages the inventory of 10-12 tons of dry waste every month and sorts the same in 72 different categories before it goes for recycling.
Mansoor with his wife.
But Mansoor does not stop just by adding value to waste. He also aims to make a scrap dealers’ cooperative which will play a role in creating a fair price marketplace, provide access to transparent data and geo-tag scrap dealers as the first point of sale for household waste.
He coined the brand name Clean City Recyclers Association (CCRA), and has MBA graduates assisting him in implementing his plans.
Reaching to this scale wasn’t easy for him. He had no stable source of income to support the operations or pay salary to the workers he had hired. HasiruDala came to the rescue and helped him stabilize operations. “Gradually, I got hold of things and today this centre is self-sustainable,” he says.
“Waste collection should not be considered as petty work. Thanks to HasiruDala, people don’t look down upon my work & have respect for what I do. HasiruDala has also provided ID cards to fellow waste pickers and a good uniform. It feels like we are all a part of something good.” he says.
Talking about the impact of his work, he has seen a tremendous positive change in the lives of the sorters and his team mates.
“People would sometimes be very careless while disposing the waste. They would mix wet and reject waste also in the dry category. This made our centre an unhygienic place to work. We later stopped collecting waste if it wasn’t segregated properly”.
Thanks to his hard work in spreading awareness, 75 percent of his customers are now segregating at source.
Dry waste collection centre.
Apart from altering people’s mindset towards waste, Mansoor has made an impact in his work force as well. We learned that one of his new recruits, Arunachalam, who was a waste picker and an alcoholic, also had an unattended serious leg injury. From the day he has started working with the team, his condition has improved significantly, he earns more than what he used to and is now on a healthier diet towards recovery.
“Though I am still learning, I have realized that technology has a role to play. I Got Garbage team has developed android apps for managing our daily operations making it much easier than ever before. It helps us keep track of waste pick-ups, waste inventory and more,” says Mansoor.
Satyam Gambhir, client partner – Social Inclusion at Mindtree Ltd. adds, “At I Got Garbage, our focus is on waste picker livelihood and building solutions on the cloud platform that are repeatable and scalable. In Mansoor we see a long-term strategic partner, his unrelenting dedication and expertise has been instrumental.”
Mansoor is the chosen partner with I Got Garbage, a Mindtree initiative that positions waste pickers as recycling managers. I Got Garbage, along with Mansoor, is piloting a project ‘Donate Dry Waste’ in some parts of Bengaluru.
As Mansoor describes it, “Every waste picker will have a well-branded Rickshaw, a uniform and a smart phone, and will be put on-route to collect segregated dry waste from households and apartments.”
Mansoor segregates the waste in over 72 different categories.
“Currently, waste pickers are at the end of the chain, scavenging for waste on the street. They venture out on roads during odd hours of the day in hope of getting sufficient waste to make ends meet. We intend to place them at the beginning of the waste supply chain, i.e. at the source, like your house and mine,” says Gambhir.
He envisions a day when waste pickers will turn into waste managers, collect segregated waste from households on a weekly basis in a uniform, and wants to formalize the same; and Mansoor plays an important role in making this happen.
Mansoor and his unique people management skills have enabled waste pickers to earn Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 12,000 per month, which is far more that what they do while working informally and scavenging on the street for recyclables.
With Mansoor’s amazing enthusiasm and willingness to see change in the society, we definitely hope to see the much ignored sector getting its due credit.
source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> English> Bengaluru> Changemakers – Waste Management / by Shreya Pareek / February 19th, 2015
Nasreen Anshad’s brand SAWB makes beautiful garments specially created for Namaz with dreamy designs.
Nasreen Anshad
Picture this. The next time you offer Namaz, you are in a single, free-flowing, comfortable garment adorned with flowers or stars and sometimes even polka prints. The prayer dresses or Jilbabs may not be that familiar to people in Kerala . However, 28-year-old Nasreen Anshad is bringing Jilbab into vogue among the women here through her venture SAWB.
The whole idea is to offer dresses for Muslim women that they could wear with elegance during prayers. An MCA graduate, Nasreen’s foray into garment designing happened by chance. It all started last year when Nasreen was just searching for modest wear on the web. “I came across the prayer dresses on my search. But these weren’t available here. So I thought of making one for myself. I designed a Jilbab and my mother stitched it. After a few trials, we eventually got the attire right,” says Nasreen.
Nasreen started getting some customers for this specially designed prayer garment. And soon it turned into a huge business with over 1,000 pieces of Jilbabs getting sold every two weeks. Usually, women wear an Abaya and a Makhana while praying. The Jilbab comes as a single piece, making it a convenient garment for the prayers. It is also easy to carry as well. “A lot of people prefer buying Jilbab because it is comfortable and convenient. It is also beautiful and elegant to wear and is travel friendly,” says Nasreen.
The prayer dresses that Nasreen makes are modelled after the kinds available in Dubai. Nasreen says the style of these dresses changes according to the country. “The prayer dresses made in London or Indonesia are completely different. The reason Jilbab isn’t available here is since it is very pricey to even import. I wanted to make them and offer them to everyone at an affordable price,” says Nasreen.
The main challenge the novice designer faced was to convince people of the faith that wearing a colourful dress while praying was okay. “There is a misconception that you should wear only white. But this is nowhere mentioned in the Quran. What the Quran says is that one should wear the best dress while offering prayers,” says Nasreen.
So, Nasreen’s Jilbabs come in a grand array of colours and patterns, all designed by her. When she started out, it was her mother who used to stitch the garments. Now she has employed a women’s collective to stitch the garments. The Jilbabs are available in three sizes — for kids, teens and adults. The garment is made out of soft crepe and will last for three to four years, she says. “I feel so happy and proud now. This is a venture that happened by chance and people have embraced it. I want to incorporate more styles into the Jilbab, like the different versions available in various countries,” Nasreen says.
source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / The Indian Express – INDULGE / Home> Fashion / by Aathira Haridas / April 13th, 2022
