Podar Pearl School has achieved a significant milestone by being named the No. 1 Indian School in Qatar under the Education Unites World Initiative, as recognised by Education World’s (EW) Global School Rankings 2024-2025, the school said in a press statement.
These awards honour top schools in the EW India School Rankings, the world’s largest and most comprehensive school ranking survey, evaluating over 4,000 Indian schools.
The accomplishment underscores the school’s dedication to excellence in education and its commitment to fostering a nurturing and innovative learning environment.
In addition to its academic achievements, Podar Pearl School boasts world-class infrastructure and cutting-edge teaching technologies, including advanced 3D printing labs. The school is also expanding its focus on sports and physical education by building a large sports complex, which will complement its already impressive range of sports facilities.
The Indian Global School Ranking Awards celebrate exceptional educational institutions across the country.
Podar Pearl School’s top ranking reflects its strong emphasis on academic success, holistic development, and student well-being.
“We are deeply honoured to receive this recognition,” said Dr Maneesh Mangal, principal of Podar Pearl School. “This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our staff, teachers, parents, and everyone who contributes to the growth of our school. I am grateful for their relentless commitment to excellence and for helping us create an environment where students thrive.”
C Muhamed Nizar, president of Podar Pearl School, added: “This award is a testament to the visionary leadership of our management, the dedication of our expert educators, the support of our parents, and, most importantly, the brilliance of our students. We remain committed to providing a world-class education that empowers our students to excel.”
source: http://www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / Home> Qatar / October 22nd, 2024
Book on ‘Post-Truth India’ by Syed Ali Mujtaba being released by former Rajya Sabha MP, Mohammad Adeeb, journalist Vinod Sharma, social activist Syeda Hamid and human rights activist John Dayal
New Delhi:
A new book titled, ‘Post-Truth India –The Brand New Republic’, by Syed Ali Mujtaba was released at a glittering function in the Constitution Club of India last week.
The book launch ceremony was graced by prominent personalities like former Rajya Sabha MP, Mohammad Adeeb, former Planning Commission member Dr. Sayyeda Hamid, senior journalist Vinod Sharma, and veteran journalist, and social activist John Dayal among others.
Authored by Dr. Syed Ali Mujtaba, a well-known author, and journalist, the book is a treatise on the contemporary situation in the country. Inspired by legendary Indian journalist and author Frank Morris’ work ‘Witness to an Era’, this book can be called a witness to contemporary India, whose value will be appreciated by those who read it living in a different era.
Speaking on the occasion, Adeeb said the author through the book, raised the concerns of a citizen living at a time when the country’s economy is in a mess, poverty, and unemployment is at an all-time high and the social fabric of the nation is in tatters.
Adeeb described the book as a testimony of the freedom of writing without fear. He lauded the author for the courage he displayed in speaking up about the truth at a time when it is considered a sin.
Addressing the gathering, well know journalist, Vinod Sharma, congratulated the author on bringing many aspects of contemporary life out of the closet. He expressed reservation over the title “The Brand New Republic” and said in the Post-Truth era that we are living, Republic is an illusion. He stressed the need for a campaign to fight hatred with truth.
In her turn, Syeda Hameed called the book ‘candid and bold. She said she found the book very direct and clear. “What fascinated the most about the book is that it talks about communal harmony and the re-establishment of real India,” she said.
The author, Dr. Mujtaba recounted his predicament when publisher after publisher rejected his manuscript, and said, at one point in time; he had lost hope of the book seeing the light of day. After encountering 10 rejections, when eventually one publisher mustered enough nerve to publish the book, he took a sigh of relief.
He said through the book, he raised the concerns of a citizen living in this great country. I have used four positions to write the book, the author said, one as a concerned citizen, second as a journalist, third as an academic and professor, and last his own identity as an Indian Muslim.
There was a consensus among the speakers that the work will serve generations as a reference book to relate to and learn from the contemporary realities faced by Indians living in this era.
The book release function began with the felicitation to the author by different media organizations where his writings appear regularly. Website ‘The India Observer’ published from New York; ‘Siasat Daily’ from Hyderabad, ‘Good Morning Kashmir’ from Srinagar, ‘Muslim Mirror’ from New Delhi felicitated the author.
The book launch ceremony was a well-attended event. Even the rains could not dampen the spirits ofi the Nobel souls, who braved the downpour to make the event a grand success.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Books / by Muslim Mirror Network / October 16th, 2022
“I have decided to renounce my showbiz lifestyle, repent before Allah, and seek his forgiveness”, wrote Sahar Afsha in her Instagram note.
Sahar Afsha/Instagram
Popular Bhojpuri actress Sahar Afsha recently announced that she has decided to quit the showbiz industry to follow the religious path of Islam. She isn’t the first actress to take such a step as Lock Upp contestant Sana Khan and Dangal star Zaira Wasim also decided to leave the entertainment industry for Islam.
Taking to her Instagram on September 22, Sahar penned a long note that read, “Dear Brothers and Sisters, in the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I want to let you know that I have chosen to leave Showbiz and will no longer be involved. I want to live my future life in accordance with Islamic teachings and with Allah’s blessings.”
She continued, “I’m grateful to my fans for bestowing upon me many blessings, including fame, honor, and fortune. I had not even pictured this life in my childhood. I stumbled into this industry just by chance and kept on growing. But now I have decided to renounce my Showbiz lifestyle, repent before Allah, and seek His forgiveness. I intend to live my next life according to the commands and preachings of Allah.”
Concluding her note, the actress wrote, “Hence, I request everyone to pray that Allah accepts my repentance, blesses me with the strength to live in line with my resolve to spend my life upholding the laws of my Creator and serving mankind, and gives me the perseverance to do so. And I hope that I will be remembered not for my past life but for the life to come.”
Sana Khan also reacted to her note and commented, “MashAllah my sister so happy for you. May Allah give u isteqamah in every step of your life. May you inspire everyone around you and become zariya e khair for mankind.”
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> English> Entertainment / by DNA Web Team / edited by Aman Wadhwa / October 08th, 2022
Ideal Indian School (IIS) alumna Sahar Abdul Gafoor has achieved first rank and gold medal at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Delhi, India, by securing the highest marks ever in Clinical Psychology (96%) for her post graduation.
Daughter of Abdul Gafoor and Sunitha Hameed from Kodungallur, Kerala, Sahar topped the Gulf region and all of India with 100% marks in Psychology in the CBSE Senior Secondary Examination, and won an award from the Council of CBSE Affiliated Schools in the Gulf.
Later, she graduated with high distinction in Psychology from Maharaja’s Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram, and also completed training at Oolampaara Government Mental Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The IIS management, principal, teachers, and students have congratulated Sahar.
Her next goal is to pursue a Psy.D. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
source: http;//www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / Home> Community> Education / October 26th, 2024
At the age of 18, this Khammam athlete is running, not only for medals but also to help her family escape poverty.
18-year-old Sk Afreen
Khammam:
At an age when most young adults are just beginning to explore their independence and dreams, 18-year-old Sk Afreen from Khammam is racing ahead — not just to win medals but to support her family. A cheetah on the track, this second-year BA student has set her sights on using her athletic talent to help her family break free from the clutches of poverty.
She primarily competes in the 200- and 400-metre sprints and the triple jump categories. For the 18-year-old, it all began when her father, Raheem, took her to the Sardar Patel Stadium in the city about four years ago. Afreen was mesmerised by the sight of young girls exercising, training and speaking to the coaches. Soon after, she enrolled in an athletics programme under local coach Md Ghouse.
Afreen’s determination and hard work have already led her to notable achievements. She recently secured second place in the Telangana South Zone Athletics Championship, held at the Regional Sports Hostel Stadium in Karimnagar from October 30 to November 1.
She also took second place in the 10th Telangana State Junior Athletics Championships in the 400- and 200-metre races, held at Osmania University in Hyderabad on September 19 and 20. Furthermore, she achieved third place in the Junior National Athletics Championships at Nagarjuna University in Guntur, held from October 17-19. Earlier, she also claimed third place in the Telangana State Youth 400-metre Athletics Championship, held at JN Stadium in Hanamkonda from October 6-7.
Despite her achievements, Afreen’s journey has been far from easy. Her father, Raheem, works as a home guard in the Khammam police department, with his entire family relying on his salary. Supporting Afreen’s athletic needs has placed a financial strain on him. “We’re facing hardships in providing her equipment,” Raheem shared, mentioning that he recently purchased a pair of shoes for Rs 12,000, half his monthly income.
“If someone could help us, it would make a big difference,” he added, hopeful for donors who might support his daughter’s aspirations.
Khammam police chief Sunil Dutt felicitates SK Afreen after her recent performances across southern India
Coach Ghouse praised Afreen’s potential, stating, “She is talented and competes with dedication. She has a bright future if she continues like this.”
‘I want to represent India’
Speaking to TNIE, Afreen shares, “Athletics is more than a passion; it’s my lifeline.”
The starting blocks and finish lines represent steps toward a future where her family no longer struggles, she elaborates.
Afreen credits her success to her coach and her family’s support. “My goal is to represent India, secure a government job and support my family,” she says.
In recognition of her achievements, Khammam Commissioner of Police (CP) Sunil Dutt recently felicitated her at his office, commending her resilience and determination.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by B Satyanarayana Reddy / November 03rd, 2024
Muhammad Faizy Onampilly teaching at Academy of Shariat and Advanced Studies
There are many educational institutions run by the Jamaat or other Muslim bodies all across the country. They go about their job teaching Islamic scripture, Islamic laws, Hadith, and so on.
The Academy of Shariat and Advanced Studies in Thrissur in Kerala (ASAS) in Thrissur in Kerala is however a bit different as its principal is a Sanskrit scholar from Sri Sankara University Kalady (the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya) and it also teaches Sanskrit and Vedantic texts to its students along with Islamic texts.
Started eight years ago by Samastha, a body of Sufi Sunni Muslim scholars, and its curriculum was redesigned by its principal Onampilly Muammad Faizy to make it one of the most unique institutions in the country.
The principal introduced Sanskrit language and literature as a compulsory part of the curriculum a few years ago.
Students enter the academy after grade X through an entrance test. They complete their intermediate, degree, and post-graduation in Islamic studies and one of the papers is Sanskrit.
Why Sanskrit in an institution which teaches Islamic law? What is the relevance? Are there any takers? Is there no opposition?
There are many more questions but just one answer. “I want students to know everything and be aware of every philosophy and not be isolated,” says the principal.
The Holy Quran and Bhagwat Gita
OnampIlly is well known for his discourses which turn pages of Koran and Upanishads as if they were from a single book. His erudition in both Vedantic thought and the Quran is well known.
“The Indian philosophical scenario is vast and I want students at my Academy to know it and not be cut off from it,’’ he says.
His students at the Academy are about 100 in number. Asked if they or their parents had objections to learning Sanskrit, he said it is an academic subject like any other. I believe that you should learn and know every thought rather than be isolated and restricted to just your religion. Knowledge and awareness breeds understanding,” he says.
Though his talks (available on YouTube) are laced generously with quotes from the Gita and Upanishads, he does not teach Sanskrit at his Academy. “ I feel that the study of a language is also a study of the culture that it represents. So, while we learn a language we are also appreciating the culture of the people who speak it. So, I have three Hindu Sanskrit teachers to conduct the courses. This interaction removes the cultural barricade between the two. I would not be able to communicate the cultural subtleties as a Hindu teacher would be able to,”’ he says.
OnampIlly says the present education system lacks dharma or value-based education. “Without values education is hollow.’’
But given the diversity of religious faiths in India, schools shy away from including anything on religious philosophies in the curriculum. Asked about this he says that is no excuse to deprive students of the rich values that our faiths provide. If his academy can do it, why can’t the schools do it, is the unasked question.
Academy of Shariat and Advanced Studies in Thrissur in Kerala
Education is just a money-making exercise now. There is teaching of texts but no mentoring. Only if you mentor the child, you would expose him to the plurality of faiths and to the common principle that unites all faiths – compassion.
NEP was an opportunity to reform the education system but it failed to bring in any change, he says.
Unless students today are exposed to religion and value-based education, it is not possible to explain to them the beauty of plurality. They should know about differences while they keep their own identities, he says adding that without understanding and awareness, and differences can only lead to hatred and conflict.
He says that embracing plurality doesn’t mean discarding one’s own beliefs. I’m very rigid about my faith. Once I was asked to light a lamp at a function presided over by a Supreme Court judge I refused to do so. And then I told the gathering that even though my action looks shocking, the Constitution supports me in this, he says, adding that our education does not create awareness about even the Constitution.
He cites a Supreme Court verdict that said “Constitution and culture teach us harmony and let us not dilute it.”
The students here complete their UGC-affiliated degree and PG courses along with the Islamic studies courses provided at the Academy. The Sanskrit course is part of the eight-year Islamic Course. It starts with basic grammar,a few shlokas,and simple content at the intermediate level followed by Sanskrit plays at the degree level. In the final year and at the PG level, philosophy and an introduction to Puranas are included.
The main ten Upanishads which have Sankara’s commentaries are included for studies while Mundakopanishad is taught in detail, Abhishek, one of the Sanskrit teachers at ASAS to Awaz-the Voice.
At the PG level, students do a thesis which is usually a comparative study between Koran and Vedantic texts. Onampilly wants us to create an interest in the students as that will lead them to more self-study. The dissertation project also makes them explore texts on their own and stumble upon similarities while improving their analytical skills”.
Abhishek is a postgraduate from the Central Sanskrit University based in Delhi.
“The students are very talented and often point out to me similarities between Sanskrit philosophical content and Koran and other texts”, he says.
Abhishek who just completed his course from the Kerala campus of the CSU and in his first job here, then finds himself reading English translations of the Quranto find those similarities pointed out by students. “So, I’m learning a lot too,” he says.
“The principal himself knows most Sanskrit texts and wants his students also to be knowledgeable. This is something no institution branded as secular would dare to do,especially for all its students, and choose to keep them all in blissful ignorance of both their texts and those of other faiths, ‘’says Abhishek.
A class in progress at ASAS
“So that is our tradition. You keep your identity but accept the other too. By teaching Sanskrit, I’m only promoting this broader outlook among my students,” says OnampIlly.
His dream is to include the study of Syrian, Buddhist, and other streams of philosophy and religious thought in his academy. It may not be possible to do full-fledged courses but at least we can start with lectures and presentations to expose students to world religions and philosophies, he says adding that the most challenging task is to find teachers.
“I want to tell my students that there is a sea of human community around you and you don’t exist in isolation’’, he says.
He says that no other Islamic institution teaches Sanskrit texts or Sanskrit as a course as his academy does.
However, this initiative is done in a smaller way in another institution run by Samastha, the Sufi platform that started this academy. The Dar ul Huda an Islamic University in Chemmad in north Kerala, a deemed university also conducts short programmes on Sanskrit texts and to build awareness among students, says Onampally.
Asked about any resistance from non-Sufi bodies in Kerala, he said that the Jamaat and other Islamic bodies are moving towards openness. “So, I have not faced any objections from anyone so far’’. Besides the study of Sanskrit helps improve their study of their texts. Sanskrit influences Malayalam and we are all products of different influences. Society is all about give and take and so we can’t separate ourselves from other languages and other belief systems, he explains.
Asked about the obscurity of Sanskrit and the consequential ignorance of the philosophical content in Sanskrit even for Hindus, he quotes Ved Vyasa and says dharmasya tattvaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ meaning that the dharma tattva or righteousness or the knowledge of the truth resides in a cave. So, walk where the wise men go and realize the right path through them.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Sreelatha Menon, Thrissur / November 04th, 2024
On the occasion of Haryana Day, the All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC), Haryana, organised a Free Unani medical camp under its “Unani Upchar Janata Ke Dwaar Mission 2025” at Gaushala Road here. The camp served 296 patients, who received free Unani medicines and consultations. The day also marked the annual general body meeting of the All India Unani Tibbi Congress, Haryana.
Dr. Yashbir Gehlawat, District Ayurvedic Officer of Nuh, and Dr. Syed Ahmed Khan, former Deputy Director of CCRUM (Ministry of AYUSH) and Head of Unani at Safdarjung Hospital, attended as special guests.
Dr. Gehlawat encouraged Unani and Ayurvedic practitioners to take pride in their work and assured support for Unani medicine’s development.
Dr. Khan highlighted that organising such free medical camps benefits the public and raises awareness of the Congress’s efforts in promoting Unani healthcare.
Dr. Khan also called on the Haryana government to establish a Deputy Director for Unani in the AYUSH department. Historian and social activist Dr. Siddiq Ahmed Mewati, present as an honorary guest, emphasised the significance of such camps in regions like Mewat, suggesting that adopting Unani treatments could address numerous health issues without the side effects often associated with allopathic medicine.
Dr. Qamaruddin Zakir, President of AIUTC Haryana, expressed gratitude to the Unani doctors from Delhi who contributed to the camp and urged the Haryana government to prioritise the reopening of Akhera Unani Medical College and establish Unani departments in district medical colleges. He also requested that vacant Unani Medical Officer positions be filled through regular recruitment. Dr. Zakir thanked the BJP government for approving 84 Unani Medical Officer posts out of 1,085 sanctioned posts for Ayurvedic Medical Officers.
Dr. Mohammad Arshad Ghiyas, General Secretary of AIUTC Haryana, welcomed the guests and noted that most patients in the camp were treated for seasonal ailments, joint pain, and skin conditions – areas where Unani medicine is particularly effective.
Other notable participants included Dr. Shakeel Ahmed, Israr Ahmed Ajini, Hakeem Atta-ur-Rehman Ajmali (Managing Director of A&S Pharmacy), Aleem Ansari, Imran Qanooji, Hakeem Murtaza Dehlvi, Hakeem Aftab Alam, Dr. Habibullah, Dr. Aslam Ali, Dr. Mohiuddin, Dr. Mohammad Qasim, Dr. Abdul Salam, Dr. Mohammad Umar, Hafiz Akram Ali, and Mohammad Arbaaz. The organisers extended their gratitude to Limra Remedies and Aulia Herbals for their support in making the camp a success.
The programme began with a recitation from the Quran by Hafiz Mohammad Kamil.
Lecturer Ashraf Mewati skilfully conducted the event, and Dr. Mohammad Arshad Ghiyas extended thanks to all participants and contributors in his closing remarks.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / November 04th, 2024
In October 1919, Chaudhary Wali Mohammad joined as the Deputy Secretary in the Educational Department, Government of India.
He was also a member of the Indian Education Service and was instrumental in drafting the Bills of Aligarh Muslim University, Lucknow University, Dacca University, and Nagpur University.
Dr. Chaudhary Wali Mohammad was born in Feerozpur Punjab, on August 18, 1886. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Lahore College, Punjab. When in 1907, MAO College began science classes under the guidance of Prof. E. Harrison; he joined the College in March 1908 as one of the earliest teachers of Physics. Wali Mohammad was later sent by the MAO College Management to Cambridge England for higher studies in Physics in October 1908, for which he received the Agha Khan Scholarship. He passed Tripos in Natural Science in July 1910. He was the pupil of Noble Laureate Sir J. J. Thomson of Cambridge University. After that, he was shifted to Germany where he received his Doctorate from Gottingen University (Germany) in March 1912.
After returning back to Aligarh in 1912, he resumed his service and served as a professor and the Head of the Department of Physics from 1912-1919. He also served as the Principal of MAO College, Aligarh for a brief stint i.e. from March 1919 to May 1919.
In October 1919, he joined as the Deputy Secretary in the Educational Department, Government of India. He was also a member of the Indian Education Service and was instrumental in drafting the Bills of Aligarh Muslim University, Lucknow University, Dacca University, and Nagpur University.
In 1921, he was appointed as the first professor and the Head of the Department of Physics at Lucknow University at which position he worked till 1945. In the tumultuous phase of 1946, he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University, Hyderabad but he was there only for a brief period. He was also one of the members of the planning committee for the establishment of the National Physical Laboratory approved by the CSIR Governing Council in 1943.
At Aligarh, he had left a big trust for the benefit of the students of Aligarh Muslim University. He established a corpus fund at the MAO College to scholarships to promising young students for research at the best Universities and Institutes in Europe and Elsewhere within our country. At Lucknow University he also started Evelyn Wali Mohammad Gold Medal for the student topped in M.Sc. Electronic.
After partition, he migrated to London in 1948, where he worked for the cause of science education. In 1957, he established the Edith Evelyn Wali Muhammad Trust to support students in pursuing higher research in science, technology, and medicine in various British Universities.
After coming back to India he continued to take great interest in the affairs of Aligarh Muslim University and donated to it both his property and his rare books. The property includes his house Wali Manzil and a piece of land on which Nadeem Tarin Hall is situated.
Besides being a dynamic Physics teacher and administrator, he also took a keen interest in library affairs. When he was in Aligarh, he served as the Librarian in charge at College Library known as Lytton Library. In Lucknow University, besides working on the expansion of the Department of Physics he set up a modern library now known as Tagore Library. He was the President of the All India Library Association.
Chaudhary Wali Mohammad was specialized in spectroscopy, magneto-optics and wireless operations. His research on the hyperfine structure of spectral lines with a littrow mounting spectrograph was a rare achievement for an Indian University at that time. He was one of the earliest to introduce wireless in the post-graduate course in physics in an Indian University. Set up a low-power medium-wave radio transmitter in the Department of Physics AMU for his research on ionospheric reflection.
He was a foundation fellow of the ‘National Academy of Science (INSA). He also worked for the revival of Sir Syed’s ‘Scientific Society’ at Aligarh and served as the Vice President and President of the Scientific Society, Aligarh respectively during the sessions 1907-1908 and 1914-1915. In 1914, he also introduced the ‘Photographic Society’ at MAO College.
He delivered many lectures on various aspects of physics through the platform of Scientific Society. One of his lectures on X-rays which he delivered on 24th June 1908 for the students of MAO College at Strachey Hall was well received by the audience. In 1925, as a fellow of Allahabad University, he also wrote a booklet critically evaluating the condition of Physics education at Allahabad University. The Aligarh Institute Gazette” published a report on this book in its issue of 4 November 1915.
Chaudhary Wali Mohammad also served as the President, the Physics and Mathematics Section, the Indian Science Congress in 1917. His Presidential address at the Indian Science Congress’s Physics and Mathematics session of the year 1917 was published as Tim-ul-Mraya-wa-al Manazir’ by the Aligarh Institute Press, Aligarh in 1918. His article on physics Uqda Kainat Bazariya Ilm-e-Hayyar’ appeared in Aligarh Monthly in June 1908.
Wali Mohammad’s article on the education system of Cambridge depicting literary and educational activities of the University ‘Cambridge University ke Dilchasp Halat’ was published in the “Aligarh Institute Gazette” on 26th May 1909. His other articles that appeared in the Gazette are: ‘Wilayat ke Akhbarat Kyonkar Chaptay Hain? – London ke Matbat me Aik Din’ (15th September 1909), ‘Sikkay Kaise Mazroob hotay Hain (22nd September 1909), ‘Aik Japani Mudarris ka Dastoor-ul-Amal (22 September 1909), ‘Wilayat me Andbe Bacche kaise Parthe Hain-Andhe Bacchon ke School me Aik Din’ (29, September 1909). An article of him Aligarh College ke Maujooda Halat’ appeared in Aligarh Institute Gazette on 16th March 1919. He died at Aligarh on 24 June 1968.
Best online courses
References
1. Aligarh Institute Gazette (23 September 1908, 26 May 1909, 6 February 1918, and 4th November 1915),
2. Aligarh Monthly (June 1908)
3. Dr. Chaudhary Wali Mohammad College Ke Pehle Hindustani Principal Aur Mabir-e- Tabayyat by Dr. Asad Faisal Farooqui, Fikr-o-Nazar, Aligarh June 2021
4. Aligarh Muslim University Contributions and Achievements, Duty Society, Aligarh, 1989.
5. The Nine Faculty Gems of Lucknow University, Times of India, November 16, 2019.
6. Website of Indian National Science Academy, Insaindia.res.in Souvenir Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, 2012
7. Indian Library Chronology by PSG Kumar, Allied Publishers Delhi, 2000
8. University Mourns Professor Wali Mohammad’s death, 8 September 1968 Muslim University Gazette
source: http://www.heritagetimes.in / Heritage Times / Home / by Dr Asad Faisal Farooqui / August 26th, 2024
Rashid un-Nisa’s life and work continue to inspire, reminding us of the importance of education and the courage to advocate for change in the face of resistance.
Representative image of girl students. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Rashid un-Nisa, India’s first female Urdu novelist, wrote Islah-un-Nisa, advocating for women’s education and reform. Born in 1855 in Patna, she was also a champion of girls’ education, founding Bihar’s first girls’ school. Her novel, published in 1894, addressed social issues and encouraged women to seek education. Rashid un-Nisa’s pioneering efforts in literature and education have left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of women and contributing significantly to India’s literary and social history.
The premise of Islah-un-Nisa is something like this: “I am aware of the fact that there are many problems in our Muslim families. I also want to remove these problems. But instead of giving any sermons for this, I have chosen an interesting way to do this work the way of writing a novel.”
Early life and family background
Rashid un-Nisa, also known as Rashidatun Nisa or Raseedan Bibi, was born in 1855 in Patna, Bihar, into a scholarly family. Her father, Shamsul Ulama Syed Waheeduddin Khan Bahadur, was a prominent Islamic scholar. Growing up in a rich intellectual environment, Rashid un-Nisa received her education at home through private tutoring. Though formal schooling for girls was rare, her intellectual curiosity was nurtured in this setting.
Her marriage to Maulvi Mohammad Yahya, a lawyer, introduced her to progressive literature, particularly Mirat-ul-Uroos by deputy Nazir Ahmad, which deeply influenced her views on women’s education and reform.
Islah-un-Nisa: Breaking new ground
Rashid un-Nisa began writing her most famous work, Islah-un-Nisa, around 1868, though it took over a decade to publish due to challenges as a female writer in a male-dominated field. With the help of her nephew, Mohammad Suleman, the novel was finally published in 1881. Its significance as the first Urdu novel written by an Indian woman cannot be overstated.
The novel advocates for women’s self-improvement through education and moral upliftment, tackling issues such as superstitions, societal constraints, and regressive customs. It promoted the empowerment of women and their active participation in social reform, much like the themes Rashid un-Nisa had encountered in Mirat-ul-Uroos.
Jamia Millia Islamia’s research scholar, Dr. Uzma Azhar, comments on the novel, stating, “Islah un Nisa is the first novel in Urdu literature authored by a woman (1881). Rashid un Nisa came from an educated family of Azeemabad (now Patna, in Bihar) and later started a girls’ school as well.
Titled “Islah” meaning “to rectify/reform”, and “un Nisa” of women, it conveys ways through which a woman could improve herself. She has advised women on broad mindedness, importance of education against ignorance and has also tried to talk about the lives of literate women of that era through her story.
The main story of Bismillah is followed by further similar short stories. She has given delightfully detailed descriptions of the various traditions around marriage, pregnancy, birth of a child in simplified common language interspersed with local regional songs, making this book an interesting historical document.”
The novel’s appeal stretched beyond its time, with later editions being released in 1968, 2001, and 2006, highlighting its enduring influence in India and Pakistan.
Social reformer: Championing girls’ education in Bihar
Rashid un-Nisa didn’t limit her reformist spirit to literature; she founded the first girls’ school in Bihar, a revolutionary step at a time when educating girls was controversial. The colonial administration even recognised her efforts, with Lady Stephenson, wife of the lieutenant governor, personally praising her work during a school visit.
Her educational philosophy was grounded in the belief that women’s education could transform not only their own lives but also the wider society. By ensuring access to education, Rashid un-Nisa opened new avenues for countless women, many of whom went on to contribute significantly to education and reform.
Educational Philosophy and Social Impact
Rashid un-Nisa’s educational vision was deeply embedded in her literary work. Islah-un-Nisa reflects her belief that intellectual and moral growth were essential for women. Her protagonist, Bismillah, navigates societal challenges, embodying the values of enlightenment and self-improvement. Through conversations between her characters, Rashid un-Nisa critiques harmful customs and superstitions, urging women to rise above them.
Senior journalist and well-known historian Shams Ur Rehman Alavi notes, “Islah un Nisa, gave message to women to shun regressive cultural practices that were a burden on them, and instead, aim at achieving excellence in all fields.
Through conversation of characters, she emphasised that it’s not just about ability to read and write, but learning and expertise in all spheres, which was the need of the hour for women. It must be remembered that it was a period, when all the social reformers were not so enthusiastic about women’s rights and adequate priority was not given to women’s higher education, as some of them still felt that basic literacy was enough, so that a woman could communicate through letters with husband in case he is away or be able teach own children a bit.
Sample this from a paragraph in the novel: Mir Waaez’ wife says, ‘Beti is mein bhalaa kya buraai hai [What’s wrong with this]’ and Karim-un-Nisa replies, ‘Aap badi hain, aap ki baaton ka jawab dena be-adabi hai magar….be-adabi maauf ho….ye rasm buri hai...[You are elder and it is disrespectful for me to speak but I need to say that this custom is bad’.
The writer shows her disgust towards superstitions also that are continued in the name of ‘tradition’ and disses fake healers as well as those who are obsessed with spreading fear about apparitions and paranormal. On one hand, language and Urdu idioms heard in households of the era, keep the reader fixated, the unique description of the rituals that brought financial burden on households and forced families into debt, was clearly aimed at discouraging the practice of going to money-lenders and falling in this trap, which affected the families.“
The novel blends traditional and progressive values, challenging superstitions while depicting modern aspirations. It offers a vivid portrayal of customs like marriage and childbirth, making it not only a piece of literature but also a historical document of women’s lives at the time.
Legacy
Rashid un-Nisa passed away in 1929, but her contributions to literature and social reform endure. She is remembered not only as the first Urdu woman novelist but also as a pioneer of women’s education in India. Her novel Islah-un-Nisa remains a powerful reminder of the struggle for women’s rights and education during an era resistant to change.
Her school continues to inspire generations, and her work has been reprinted several times, testifying to her lasting influence. As Dr. Uzma Azhar reflects, “Islah-un-Nisa offers delightfully detailed descriptions of the various traditions around marriage and other social practices, making it an interesting historical document.”
Rashid un-Nisa’s life and work continue to inspire, reminding us of the importance of education and the courage to advocate for change in the face of resistance.
Sahil Razvi is an author and research scholar specialising in Sufism and history. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. For inquiries, you can email him at [email protected].
source: http://www/thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Culture / by Sahil Rizvi / October 13th, 2024
The city of power looms marked an educational milestone with the inauguration of its first municipal digital classroom at the historic Municipal Urdu School. This achievement is a result of the concerted efforts of the MLA Raees Sheikh.
The newly introduced digital classroom aims to modernize municipal schools and level the playing field for students compared to private institutions. This initiative started at one of the oldest municipal Urdu schools, previously shut down due to inadequate facilities. The digital classroom features a 55-inch television for online learning, writing capabilities, a digital syllabus for grades 1 to 4, Wi-Fi, and CCTV cameras. The classroom’s walls are painted with vibrant colors and educational cartoons, creating an engaging environment.
The grand opening at School No. 65 was attended by former teachers, students, families, and local residents, who were impressed by the modern facility. MLA Raees Sheikh, who inaugurated the classroom, highlighted that Bhiwandi’s government schools would become a model for Maharashtra. He announced plans to implement similar digital classrooms in all municipal schools, with 20 schools in the Eastern constituency currently undergoing upgrades. School No. 65 is the first to be completed, and Sheikh committed to ensuring that municipal schools are equipped with facilities comparable to private institutions.
Previously, School No. 65, located on Kalyan Road in the As-Bibi area, operated for 63 years in a small, dilapidated room with minimal amenities, including a lack of drinking water and sanitation. Despite operating for over six decades, these needs were ignored by educational authorities. After media reports, the State Human Rights Commission ordered improvements, but instead, the corporation closed the school and relocated students. Responding to local protests and educational disruption, MLA Raees Sheikh recognized the need for a new building. He allocated ₹60 lakh for construction on nearby PWD land and ₹7.5 lakh for a digital classroom in the old building. While construction of the new building is ongoing, efforts to improve educational facilities continue.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education / by Radiance News Bureau / August 17th, 2024
