The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) alumnus Zeyad Masroor Khan has won the prestigious Crossword Book Award-2024 in the nonfiction category for his gripping and coming of age memoir City on Fire: A Boyhood in Aligarh.
The awards ceremony took place at Mumbai on Sunday. The Crossword Book Award, established in 1998, honours and promotes Indian writing in English. Honours were bestowed in six diverse categories – fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, business and management, mind, body and spirit, and translations.
The winning authors received a cash prize of Rs 50,000 each.
The short list in non-fiction category included some of the best writings such as Sudha Bharadwaj’s From Phansi Yard, Sohini Chattopadhyay’s The Day I Became a Runner, Zeyad Masroor Khan’s City on Fire: A Boyhood in Aligarh, Yamini Narayanan’s Mother Cow Mother India, and Arati Kumar-Rao’s Marginlands.
In his review of the book, Prof Mohammad Asim Siddiqui, wrote: “Though Aligarh has found a worthy mention in many recent memoirs penned by writers having some association with Aligarh, like Naseeruddin Shah, an alumnus of AMU, wrote a chapter on ‘Aligarh University Absurdists’ in his excellently-written memoir And Then One Day (2014), his brother Zameer Uddin Shah, vice chancellor of AMU from 2012 to 2017, talked about his efforts to make AMU a top-ranked university and his spats with some political leaders during his tenure in his memoir The Sarkari Mussalman (2018), and Muzaffar Ali credits AMU’s poetic culture and its celebrated Urdu poets for influencing his visualisation of subjects in his films in his autobiography Zikr: In the Light and Shade of Time (2023), Aligarh city is missing in these memoirs.”
Prof Sidddiqui noted that “Zeyad Masroor Khan’s City on Fire fills this gap. It vividly describes life in Aligarh city, particularly Muslim localities such as Uper Coat, Bhujipura, Nuner Gate, Babri Mandi, Mian Ki Sarai, Thakurwali Gali, Haddi Godam, Sarai Sultani and Shah Jamal inside out to debunk many myths about them”.
Sahitya Akademi award winning author Professor Shafey Kidwai congratulated Mr. Zeyad Masroor Khan on winning this prestigious award. “Zeyad Masroor Khan’s spectacular success should inspire other young writers, particularly those coming from Aligarh Muslim University,” he added.
Prof Shaheena Tarannum, Chairperson, Department of English, congratulated Mr. Khan on winning the prestigious award.
Notably, Zeyad Masroor Khan studied BA English at AMU, and now works as a journalist, writer and documentary film-maker.
Each category of the award was judged by a separate jury, and the non-fiction jury consisted of TCA Raghavan, Anuradha Sengupta, and Kaveree Bamzai.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / December 10th, 2024
In my previous article, I featured an Ethiopian coffee export company who ran her business based on trust. This is factored in two ways; dealing with her farmers and clientele. In this day and age, we can learn a thing or two by understanding the wisdom behind why some people do the things they do, treading a harder path and not resort to shortcuts. They are in it for the long term, not focused on the short term gains. I have nothing but high regard for individuals like Medina.
Continuing a similar conversation, I have been focusing on what exactly is happening at the farm level by getting in touch with the producer directly. In this article, I talk to the owner of a coffee estate farm based in India. Sumaira gives us an insight about how her family’s coffee estate started in the late 18th century, processing techniques employed on her farm, the specialty coffee movement in India, and much more.
source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates
Can you tell me a bit about yourself and Rasulpur Coffee Estates?
I am Sumaira, the owner of Rasulpur Coffee Estates & Roasters . We are located in the Rasulpur village, Coorg district, in the hot spots of the Western Ghats, India. My entrepreneurship journey has had its shares of ups and downs. I took up a career as an interior designer and worked as a business head for a furniture empire in India. Later on, I moved to the UAE and explored the real estate industry and the coffee sector. I envisioned starting up something of my own, being from a family of coffee planters and having the self-confidence and determination to start my own business. Something clicked the moment I realized how the coffee industry is growing day-by-day.
To add, I am a fifth generation coffee planter who introduced specialty coffee at our estate. We introduced better equipments and techniques, and new processing and fermentation methods which I’ll get into a little later. A laboratory is set up for roasting and cupping to create different roast profiles and new blends at our estate. We believe in helping and encouraging our coffee community, especially the neighboring small and marginal coffee growers to analyze their coffees, and improve their harvesting and processing methods to fetch a better price for their coffee.
The journey of Rasulpur Coffee Estates started in the late 18th century when our ancestors migrated to the Western Ghats of India i.e. Coorg at the time of the British rule, as their main occupation was trading in coffee and spices. They travelled to different parts of Coorg, as they developed a liking towards coffee estates and the greenery, purchased plenty of estates, learnt the methods of coffee cultivation, and started exporting coffee to foreign countries. England was one of the major countries to which coffee was exported to from our estates in that period with the help of the Coffee Board.
We named the estate and brand ‘Rasulpur Coffee’ after the village, Rasulpur, which is on the banks of the Kaveri river in Kodagu district is named after Mr. Rasul Khan, our first generation planter. He cleared the land, started cultivation, built dams for irrigation, made the place livable and initiated agricultural works. Looking at his abilities and progress, the government named this village after him.
In time, our second, third and fourth generation planters purchased more coffee plantations and improved the methods of cultivation, processing, and introduced pulping and irrigation. An R&D team was also set up and a variety of experiments are conducted to this day. The goal here is to enhance the quality of the crops, and advance the processing and post harvesting methods. Our coffee is featured in auctions, supplied for projects, sold locally and exported to wholesalers, cafes, and restaurants. We also ferment micro lots as per requirements from our roasters and young entrepreneurs who are venturing into the coffee industry.
What kind of processing is done on the farm?
Processing on our farm is done in three different ways along with few specialty processing methods, all of which change the sweetness, body and acidity of brewed coffee. These are natural/sun dried, washed, and honey processed.
Natural/sun dried process. A natural processed coffee, also referred to as dry processed, is a traditional yet common way to process coffee today. Originating in Ethiopia, it involves drying out freshly picked coffee cherries with the seed still inside. To do this, we place the cherries on drying beds in the sun. These beds are either patios or raised drying tables. The cherries have to be rotated and turned to prevent mold, and takes about seven to eight days to ferment. During this time, the sugars and mucilage (the sticky substance that coats the seed) will latch onto the seeds, develop flavours and make them sweeter. Once the coffee is dry, a machine separates the pulp from the seed. Natural coffees are heavy bodied, and have deep, complex tasting notes. This development comes from the way the cherry ferments differently. Natural processed coffees can be difficult to replicate because of the inconsistencies in fermentation. However when done right, these coffees can also be some of the sweetest you’ll taste. It is juicy, syrupy and well worth the extra effort.
Washed process. Unlike natural, washed processed coffees are called the opposite, i.e. wet processed. In this scenario, machines called pulpers remove the seeds from the cherries before drying them. However, it is not just any cherry that gets the seed removal treatment. These cherries must have the perfect amount of ripeness to make sure they are sweet enough. To accomplish this, they go through a sorter and are segregated according to density. Once these pulpers remove the skin and pulp from the seeds, they are placed in tanks full of water. The water separates the rest of the mucilage and fruit caked onto the seed. Finally, the seeds are dried on the beds in the sun. Washed processed coffees have cleaner, and more crisp tasting notes when compared to natural processed coffees. The body of a brewed washed coffee is lighter. There is typically more brightness as well, because of a cleaner acidity that balances out the sweetness of the coffee. They are just as fruity as natural coffees, but the flavor notes are easier to differentiate.
Honey processed. This method is a combination of both natural and washed. It is a rare and demanding method, and not as commonly practiced as the previous two. However, it produces a unique cup of coffee, with flavours similar to both of the previously described processing methods. During honey processing, a pulper removes the seed from the cherry before it undergoes a drying process. However, it does not go into washing tank to remove the mucilage. That mucilage, which is what the ‘honey’ refers to stays on the seed and is now dried in the sun. The amount of mucilage left behind determines the sweetness, and there are even machines to control the amount on the seed. Like natural process, the seeds are dried on beds. The flavor components of honey coffees are varied and complex. Like washed coffees, they have lighter body and are very syrupy and sweet. Acidity is present but more mellow when compared to washed coffees.
Specialty processing. This is an emerging field and we use unique methods like anaerobic, aerobic, natural fermented, and fruit fermented to name a few. We ferment our coffee in a temperature controlled environment, with or without oxygen, followed by controlled drying to bring out unique and funky flavors out of the coffee.
source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates
What is the current state of the specialty coffee industry in India?
The coffee culture in India has evolved over the past decades. The nostalgia-inducing coffee houses were popular meeting grounds until the 1980’s. In the 90’s, cafe culture took over the country and coffee became the trendy drink to try.
Cafes are becoming the primary hangouts for youngsters and coffee found an emerging and appreciative audience. In the past two decades, we have seen a surge of cafes all over the country. They have materialized as a central hub for meeting, whether casual or business, and also doubling up as co-working spaces.
The 2020 pandemic impacted the industry In multiple ways and its effects were manifold. Logistics of coffee exports are pretty bad even today. Traditional coffee plantation owners who supply heavily within India and export to Europe are left with excess stock of coffee that could no longer be shipped to international markets.
Coming to the Indian coffee space, in recent years, the spotlight is on specialty coffee. This movement is picking up speed with many brands and roasters setting up shop. Analysis gives us a deeper understanding on how speciality coffee has emerged as the current buzzword in coffee circles. Current generation and millennials have emerged as the major chunk of consumers of specialty coffee within India.
Increased awareness and interest about coffee augmented by growing exposure to worldwide trends due to rising international travel and social media saw many of them exploring specialty coffee and manual brewing techniques. Lockdowns put a halt to the possibility of exploring cafes and thus many coffee consumers in the country turned to home brewing.
Many retail specialty coffee brands saw skyrocketing sales in 2020 as consumers invested in manual brewing equipment ranging from French Press, Moka Pots, Chemex and Aeropress. The new generation of coffee consumers respect the people behind the product, want to better understand the ‘farm to cup’ journey and are willing to invest in educating themselves on all nuances of coffee.
A few years back, this was largely unheard of. Farmers were just one aspect of the coffee supply chain, but hardly ever found the spotlight on them. Now plantation owners are keen on sharing their stories and experiences, information on their crops and the work they put in to make that perfect cup of coffee.
One can safely say that specialty coffee will not just be a passing trend, but en route to becoming one of the mainstays of the Indian coffee space in the coming decade.
I think there is a lack of communication between the consumers and farmers. I know some of the consumers, including me, have started to pay attention to where exactly the coffee is coming and from which farm. What do you think can be done to fill this gap?
The missing ingredient is awareness. People need to be educated about Indian coffee. The new-generation farmers need to collaborate with the Coffee Board of India and conduct events to promote coffees originating from India within the country and internationally.
Joint efforts need to be made by all coffee enthusiasts to encourage the consumption of coffee by making people understand the benefits of drinking coffee. The government has to support and help promote farmers to come forward and establish their own brands.
Being honest and transparent ensures the consumers and clients knows about the past, present and the way you are going to build a future. Bringing credibility to the table builds trust factor for the brand with the consumers.
I know some of the issues the farmers are facing currently are the increasing production costs, what steps are you employing to change that? Have you increased the price of your coffee to reflect that?
Whether we like it or not, coffee is getting more expensive. It’s important to look at some of the reasons why this is happening, before you potentially do one of the following:
Buy less sustainable and ethical coffee because it’s cheaper or
Lay blame on the wrong people for higher prices.
There are many factors influencing the cost of coffee from climate change, disruptions to global shipping, consumer demand, and packaging cost. While the need to use more environmentally-friendly packaging for coffee cups and bags is real, so too is the cost for shops switching to compostable or recyclable materials. We have also witnessed fluctuating shortages of packaging stock forcing some companies to find more costly short term solutions to packaging which comes at a higher cost.
Lastly, coming to the cost of quality, producing coffee of higher quality simply costs more. Coffee must be cared, harvesting and processing is hard work. It requires time and physical effort if you want to achieve the highest quality standards. You can’t have it both ways.
source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates
What are your thoughts on transparency? Has it benefitted you in any way?
Yes, by ten-fold. Transparency has improved our overall trust factor in this industry. It solves many problems and even stops disasters before they happen. It expands relationships, increases productivity, strengthens innovation, and improved our revenue.
What is the future of specialty coffee?
By far, the most interesting and exciting coffee segment of the moment is specialty coffee. It is rapidly expanding in India and across the globe as consumers continue to seek out the best cup of coffee to enjoy.
When it comes to coffee quality, specialty coffee is the ‘cream of the crop’ and is likened to fine wines due to its distinctive characteristics and delicious flavour that can only be achieved under certain growing conditions.
In today’s market, specialty coffee has become an intricate science and a global phenomenon that is seeing rapid growth across all sectors. More estates are coming into this specialty game, that will give ‘Indian specialty coffee a lot of mileage.’
What do you do in terms of R&D on Rasulpur Estate
We are currently doing research on developing a hybrid plant which is resistant to white stem borer and leaf rust. These are the two biggest pests and diseases faced by all Arabica growers throughout the world. International Coffee Organization (ICO) is working with different countries to find a solution for this.
This R&D program has been ongoing for the past four years on a 40 year old, 30 ft tall, Arabica plant labelled by us as Rasulpur Arabica. So far, the results look promising and it is resistant to these diseases. We have propagated progenies of this plant by clonal cutting, seed and tissue culture, and cross-bred this plant with other varieties of Arabica.
source: Rasulpur Coffee Estates
About Rasulpur Coffee Estate
Rasulpur Coffee Estates & Roasters is based out of Rasulpur village in Coorg district in the hot spots of the Western Ghats, India. The Estate is run by Syeda Sumaira, a fifth generation coffee planter and entrepreneur.
Fun fact: Coffee farms are the best place to get first hand knowledge about the beverage, how it is grown, harvested and processed. Rasulpur Coffee Estates organizes coffee tours, get in touch with them to find out more.
source: http://www.fltrmagazine.com / FLTR / Home> Insight> People / by Naveed Syed / August 11th, 2022
It is no longer true that women in Kashmir cannot work or run businesses. As circumstances change, people’s mindsets are evolving as well. Nowadays, there is hardly any difference in how entrepreneurship is perceived by both men and women; they are working side by side and competing equally.
Breaking barriers and forging their paths in business, Kashmiri women are shining in vibrant colors. Another inspiring example is Sania Zehra, a 20-year-old resident of Balhama, who is a champion in beekeeping.
She is not only the backbone of her family’s longstanding business but also a shining example for her entire community. Sania said that beekeeping has been her grandfather’s business, which her father took over, and now she is in this line of work as the third generation.
Sania Zehra taking care of the bees
A Kashmiri beekeeper, Sania Zehra, displays a beehive full of honeybees at a farm in Pampore, south of Srinagar. Zehra, a young girl from Balhama on the outskirts of Srinagar, is working to revive her familyÕs beekeeping tradition, along with her father. Beekeeping in Kashmir requires more care during the winter as temperatures drop below zero degrees, making the bee farming a challenge.
“In the beginning, I used to help my father, but I often felt bored and just tried to pass the time. I never thought I would develop an interest in it, but today I am so passionate that I handle everything from beekeeping to its marketing myself.”
She mentioned that the profits from the business have enabled her to grow further, and she is also involved in import-export activities. Sania reflected on why she chose beekeeping when there are many other businesses: “Beekeeping is mentioned in the Quran; it carries great blessings from Allah. It doesn’t matter that I am a girl; what matters is the capability to work. I believe that beekeeping is a respectable profession and also has healing properties.”
She acknowledged that no journey is easy, especially in Kashmir and for women. “I faced a lot of trolling at the start, even from close relatives, but Alhamdulillah, I never lost heart. I always tried my best to focus on my work, and today I am genuinely satisfied.”
Honey bees sit on the hand of a Kashmiri beekeeper at a farm in Pampore, south of Srinagar. Zehra, a young girl from Balhama on the outskirts of Srinagar, is working to revive her familyÕs beekeeping tradition, along with her father. Beekeeping in Kashmir requires more care during the winter as temperatures drop below zero degrees, making the bee farming a challenge.
Sania stated that not only does she earn a decent income, but her beekeeping business has also allowed her to expand into other ventures. “I produce beauty products, wax, and even green pollen from beekeeping.” She emphasized that the government is providing support for this business, and anyone interested can approach the concerned department to gather complete information about these schemes.
In her message, she said, “No job is too small. One should work with dedication and honesty, and Allah will bless even the smallest of efforts.”
The trend of women in business is on the incline in Kashmir. For centuries, women have battled a stereotype that involves staying home to cook, clean, and care for the family. However, a new generation of young female entrepreneurs is overcoming all the challenges. As per the figures, under the Prime Minister’s Employment Guarantee Programme (PMEGP), 14,943 projects have been established by women in the last three years. This initiative has played a vital role in promoting women’s participation in the workforce.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home>Story / by Basit Zargar, Srinagar / November 19th, 2024
Asad Haque’s commitment to innovation, technological advancements, and dedication to philanthropic initiatives, including date farming, makes him an exemplary figure in both technology and environmental sustainability. An expatriate from Bengaluru, now thriving in Dubai, Asad’s inspiring story illustrates the incredible value of pursuing one’s passion with unwavering enthusiasm and dedication.
Asad’s journey began in Bengaluru, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in CAD/CAM with a distinction from R.V. College in 1989 and simultaneously completed a CNC, NC machines project at the National Aeronautical Lab (NAL). Asad was also passionate about sports and was awarded the Best All-Rounder award by the KSCA for state schools in 1982. Additionally, he won the Best All-Rounder award again in the Karnataka Junior Colleges Cricket tournament in 1984.
His career took flight at Infosys, leading to senior positions in renowned companies such as Hewlett Packard Distribution (Emitac Group), Samsung, Xerox, and Dubai Internet City. His significant contributions to the ICT, AI, and security industries have not gone unnoticed, earning him prestigious awards including the Award of Appreciation from Dubai Police Headquarters, Government of Dubai, and the Gulf NRI Karnataka RATNA Award by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum.
Asad Haque honoured with the Gulf NRI Karnataka RATNA Award in 2023 by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum
As a distinguished alumnus of Bangalore University and an executive founder member of The Alumni Association, Asad Haque has been recognized for his expertise in Artificial Intelligence. Over the past 30 years, he has been a key player in the UAE’s ICT landscape, instrumental in launching the first PC made in the UAE by the brand CUB PC. This success paved the way for other achievements, such as the launch of Samsung’s HDD storage and TFT Monitors, and multi-million dollar XEROX printing and copying solutions for the SME segment.
He also introduced various niche technologies across market segments, including firewalls, antivirus, unified and convergent solutions, IP networking, data and voice encryption and cryptographic solutions, enterprise servers and data-centre solutions, IPTV, and AI-based solutions to major enterprise clients. Additionally, he mentors younger professionals and aspiring university students.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Asad Haque’s philanthropic spirit is complemented by his passion for date farming. For the past 19 years, he has grown palm trees and generously donated the harvest to charity. Dates, a staple in the UAE, are particularly cherished during the summer months. Asad’s experience in date farming, though challenging, is a testament to his patience and hard work. His palm trees now towering at 25-30 feet, produce large quantities of dates each year, which he distributes to labour camps and other charitable organizations.
“Thanks to a bountiful harvest, Asad Haque generously donates a substantial quantity of dates to charity.”
Asad’s love for nature and gardening dates back to his childhood in Bengaluru, where he tended to plants and flowers. In Dubai, he embraced the challenge of date farming, a pursuit that requires meticulous care and patience. The process of nurturing date palms from pollination to harvest is labour-intensive, involving skilled gardeners who scale the tall trees to pollinate the flowers by hand. Despite the challenges, Asad finds great joy in the spiritual and cultural connection that date farming brings.
“I experience profound joy in the spiritual and cultural connection fostered by date farming, which allows me to forge a deep bond with the Creator and marvel at His creations. I am immensely grateful for the Creator’s magnificent ecosystem, the harmonious cycles of nature, and the intricate tapestry of life,” says Asad.
In addition to his role as CEO of ICT Consultants and his advisory roles in various other companies, Asad recently expanded his professional horizons by assuming a pivotal leadership role as the Representative for the Middle East Region on behalf of KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific and its affiliated entities. He was appointed as a Consultant for the Middle East at Wahed Inc. (“Wahed Invest”), an ethical and values-driven digital investment platform.
His work involves bridging business sectors and fostering collaboration across diverse regions, with a notable emphasis on connecting the Middle East, USA, UK, and ASEAN countries.
Asad Haque’s far-reaching legacy is reflected in numerous accolades, underscoring his exceptional contributions to technological innovation, security advancements, and societal development. As a philanthropist, Asad endeavors to uplift underprivileged children with scholarships and educational support. He also provides access to clean drinking water and assists orphanages. His unwavering commitment to societal improvement cements a legacy of magnanimity, solidifying his position as an esteemed leader in technology and environmental sustainability. Emphasizing the importance of water conservation, Asad Haque states, “No Water, No Life.”
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> Business / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / May 27th, 2024
Kahkasha Parveen, a resident of Baganshahi Road No. 7 under Azadnagar Police Station in Mango, has been felicitated for achieving a perfect score of 720 out of 720 in the NEET examination. The accolades poured in at a prestigious ceremony organized by Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Jamshedpur in Azadnagar’s conference hall.
The event, graced by Dr. Arifa Khursheed, a distinguished specialist in women’s health, saw Kahkasha Parveen lauded for her remarkable dedication and perseverance in pursuing a career in medicine. Dr. Khursheed emphasized the challenges Kahkasha overcame, noting that her achievement reflects both her academic excellence and personal resilience.
Kahkasha, a source of immense pride for her community in Baganshahi, was joined by others including Tasneem, Kulsum Anwar, Mahrukh Parveen, and Rimsha Ara, who were also recognized for their contributions to society.
Prof. Anjum Ara, representing the Women’s Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Jharkhand, highlighted the solidarity and support extended to Kahkasha during her academic journey, underscoring the community’s unwavering unity in difficult times.
The ceremony, overseen by Amaan Sadiq, included expressions of gratitude by Shahnavaz Qamar on behalf of the gathering.
Notable figures such as Master Ashfaq Anwar, Tanveer Akhtar Romani, and Khursheed Akram Ansari extended their heartfelt congratulations to Kahkasha and her family.
Kahkasha Parveen, with aspirations to serve as a doctor, has pledged to provide free medical care to the underprivileged, underscoring her commitment to community service and welfare.
In another gesture of felicitation, various community leaders and well-wishers visited Kahkasha’s residence. They included Azadnagar Police Station in-charge Rakesh Kumar Singh, Sidhgora Police Station in-charge Ghulam Rabbani Khan, Syed Naushad of Tatanagar Railway Station, and Azadnagar Police Station Peace Committee Secretary Mukhtar Alam Khan. Haji Mohammad Ilyas, Rizwanuj Jama, Syed Asif Akhtar of Al Kabir Polytechnic College, Syed Saifuddin Asdak, Imam of Hussaini Masjid and Founder Chairman of Paigam-e-Islam, Master of Dawat-e-Islami Jamil Ansari all presented bouquets, shared sweets, and conveyed their immense pride and congratulations to Kahkasha Parveen and her family.
Kahkasha’s father, Mohammad Abbas, a fruit seller, and her mother were specifically acknowledged for their unwavering support that played a pivotal role in their daughter’s grand success.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education / by Radiance News Bureau / June 13th, 2024
Abdul Khadar Nadakattin from Dharwad in Karnataka has 24 innovations under his belt.
The niche but problem-solving machines and innovations help farmers with everyday solutions and have also increased their yield up to 25 per cent.
Splashing water on a deep sleeper to wake them up is a clichéd scenario used in many comedy films and on social media. But Abdul Khadar Nadakattin earnestly practised this comedy routine on himself during his school days to wake up early.
A native of the Annigeri village of Dharwad district in Karnataka, Abdul struggled to push himself out of bed in the mornings. “A splash of water on my face was the only solution to wake me up. But I could not expect my parents to do this to me every day,” he tells The Better India.
A then 14-year-old Abdul devised an innovative Wa(h!)ter Alarm. Its functioning was simple — one end of a string was tied to the key of his alarm clock in a manner that when it rang, the thread would unwind itself and the other end was tied to a water bottle. Once the alarm key unwound, the bottle would tilt, and the water would fall on Abdul’s face.
“It helped me wake up and complete my school,” he recalls, laughing. Though he managed to pursue education until Class 10, he did not pursue higher studies.
Abdul at his tamarind plantation
But his water alarm talks led to him speaking of the more serious water issues his village faced. “My father owned 60-acre ancestral land and the water scarcity deterred us from earning good profits from farming. My father admitted that our family’s financial condition was poor and asked me to contribute to the farm. So, I gave up my dream to pursue graduation in agriculture,” the 70-year-old says.
Being deprived of an education did not deter him from thinking out of the box. Little did he know then that the water alarm was the first of many of his innovations .
This farmer has come up with unique ideas to solve everyday farmer problems. To date, Abdul has had 24 innovations under his belt, which benefit thousands of farmers in India. It was for this reason that he won the Padma Shri award in 2022.
Helping Farmers, One Innovation At A Time
“Thomas Alva Edison is the source of my inspiration,” says the scientist who went barefoot to receive the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015 at the hands of the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee. “I always thought of unique ways to solve a problem. That is how I conceived the water alarm. In 1974, I received the ancestral land from my father to continue farming. But interacting with fellow farmers and practising the occupation myself, I learned about the issues of finding labour and other difficulties faced in agriculture.”
Soon after taking over the reins, he built a tiller machine capable of deep ploughing which needed operating by a bullock. “In 1975, I established Vishwashanthi Agricultural Research and Industrial Research Centre to sell the product. But financial constraints did not allow me to market it well, and it failed to take off,” he says.
Later, he also built a plough blade that did not require sharpening and lasted for a long duration compared to others in the market. “The blade did not lose its sharpness, which ensured its long life. It could be attached to a tractor as well,” Abdul adds.
Following this, he built a seed-cum-fertiliser drill that enabled sowing seeds of different sizes with equal spacing. “The equipment is used in sowing a wide variety of seeds from jowar to groundnut. The device also facilitated the dispersal of fertilisers, soil and other organic matter,” he says.
To meet the demands of farmers in Maharashtra, Abdul constructed an automated sugarcane sowing machine. Slowly, his innovations became popular and saw an increase in demand.
Abdul’s 5-in-1 tiller machine
Apart from his innovative pursuit of helping farmers, Abdul also worked to improve the agricultural yield on his farm.
As his father and grandfather suffered losses with erratic rains and limited groundwater reserves, Abdul decided to find an alternative. “In the early 1980s, I planted mango saplings, placed between ber and sapota (chikoo) trees. I planted chillies as an intercrop. But the lack of water killed the plantations. So I switched to growing tamarind as I learned that it required less water and maintenance,” he says.
He sourced 600 saplings and planted them across 6 acres of land by keeping a gap of 20 feet each.
In 1985, the region faced severe droughts, but Abdul managed to source water from a distance of 3 km. “I dug 11 bore wells, but only two yielded water. So I sourced water from a long distance and stored it by creating six farm ponds. They also helped to harvest rainwater during the monsoons. I used the water for flood irrigation of my plantation of 600 saplings,” he says.
“The plants grew well, and feeling confident with its success, I planted more than 1,100 trees in a 10-acre area, making a total of 1,800 saplings,” he says.
But there was another unexpected chapped Abdul faced. “I did not know how to make use of so much tamarind produce. My wife and daughter made pickles and jams to sell in the markets across the state including, neighbouring Hyderabad,” he says.
So, Abdul decided to harvest tamarind and make pickles out of them. “But the process of separating seeds from the tamarind was tedious, and labour shortage made it more difficult. The seeds had to be separated manually and were a time-consuming process,” he explains, building up the crescendo before revealing his next innovation.
After spending nearly Rs 3 lakh and over six months, Abdul conceived a machine that did the job. “The instrument involved a system where the tamarind slid on the tapered peg. This pushed the seeds out from the tamarind pod,” he says, adding that to make tamarind pickles convenient he built yet another device.
“The pickle making required tamarind to be sliced into smaller chunks which again was labour intensive. So, I designed another machine to make the slicing effective and efficient,” Abdul adds.
Over the years, Abdul produced more machines and sold them. His popularity with these niche but problem-solving innovations earned him the name ‘hunase huccha’, meaning ‘tamarind crazy’.
“It was the most difficult innovation of my life as the seeds often got stuck in the tamarind making the separation difficult. I researched and experimented for years to achieve the desired result,” he says.
An Innovation Revolution
Abdul receiving lifetime achievement award at the hands of then President Pranab Mukherji
Abdul has sold thousands of his various innovations to date, he claims with pride.
Shrikanth Jain, one of the farmers who purchased Nadakattin seed-cum-fertilizer drill a few years ago, says, “I used it to sow wheat pulses and other woodgrains. The machine does the job of sowing, dispersing fertiliser, covering the soil, spraying pesticides and saving fuel. It also helps to prevent excess sowing of seeds. Using the device has helped me increase my yield by 20 per cent.”
However, these innovations and his passion for helping the farming fraternity came at a heavy financial loss to Abdul who says, “I struggled with debts all my life and mortgaged part of my agricultural land to invest in research for innovations. I never sell equipment for profits and offer them at make-to-cost, which is about 25 per cent cheaper than the ones in the market. It is a seva (service) for the farmers, and I do not wish to burden them financially.”
Today, Abdul has received funding for his research from the National Innovation Foundation, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and Karnataka government. He adds, “I received Rs 16 lakh to develop the ploughing machine from the Karnataka government and have also invested other prize money received.”
Elaborating on his innovative process, he says that some innovations happen in months while others take a year or more. “Investing time and money can become very demanding.” But Abdul is relentless and wants to continue his dream of helping farmers. “I believe that the economy of this country runs on farmers. But our community is facing hardships at various levels. I aim to benefit them and ease their difficulty. Innovations can only bring the next revolution in agriculture,” he says.
source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> Stories> Innovation> Karnataka / by Himanshu Nitnaware (headline edited) / Edited by Yoshita Rao / February 05th, 2022
Jalalpur Town (Ambedkar Nagar District) , UTTAR PRADESH :
Agricultural scientist Dr. Moinuddin
Dr. Moinuddin’s life is a testimony to the fact that education is the key to changing lives and resolving the present-day problems of societies. This Madrasa-educated agricultural scientist Is an inspiration for those who want to grow in life no matter how many odds are stacked against them.
Dr. Moinuddin was born in Ambedkar Nagar, Jalalpur town, Uttar Pradesh. He joined Madrasa Nida Haq in his town where he completed his primary education. Driven by a desire to study, he continued his education beyond the Madrasa.
He completed his Ph.D. degree from Allahabad (Prayagraj), UP and is today posted as an Associate Professor in the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Sri Guru Ram Rai University of UP.
Not that his journey was smooth. Moinuddin says that during his student days, life was quite hard for him. When he was studying at the NPG College Barhalganj, run by Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, he was not able to rent out a house. “Wherever I went for renting a house, I was met with refusal, and finally had to live in the Bhimsawa Ashram for two years.”
Thereafter a kind-hearted Hindu family offered him their house for rent.
Dr. Moinuddin
Dr. Moinuddin obtained his Ph.D. from Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology, and Sciences, Allahabad on the topic “Effect of different organic sources of nitrogen on growth, yield and oil content of groundnut”. He also presented his thesis for his MSc degree on ‘Growth and yield behavior of mustard under different sowing methods and sulfur levels’.
Today Dr. Moinuddin is working as a teacher and also continuing his research. He is currently posted as an Assistant professor of Agriculture at Maya College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun, College of Agriculture and Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
Dr. Moinuddin received many national and international awards for his work on agricultural research. He was awarded the Young Scientist Award for the first time by the Bioweed Research Institute of Agriculture and Technology, Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of the “15th Indian Agricultural Scientists and Farmers Congress” at Allahabad University in 2013.
He attended the 3rd International Conference on “Global Initiatives in Agriculture and Applied Science for Green Environment”.
He was awarded the Best Agricultural Scientist Award at Shobhat Deemed University, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh in 2021 on the occasion of the 4th International Conference on Global Perspectives in Climate Smart Agriculture Natural Resource Management during the coronavirus pandemic. He was awarded the Outstanding Scientist Award at the Institute of Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Pokhara, Nepal in 2022 on the occasion of the 4th International Conference on Global Efforts on Agriculture, Forest, Environment and Food Security.
Dr Moinuddin receiving an award
Dr Moinuddin says, “I cannot explain my feelings of gratitude at the respect I have received from people at such a young age. Today if I am considered worthy, it is because of my education. Education can lift anyone from the ground to the sky. Everything was not easy for me when I was getting my education. Rather often have to face adverse environments. But I completed my studies. And today this education made everything suitable for me.”
Dr. Moinuddin is also a life member of the Indian Society of Agronomy, Agronomy Division, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. He is also an active member of the Society of Agronomy, Department of Agriculture, Sam Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad. He is also an active life member of the Agricultural Technology Development Society, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Moinuddin has participated in several important seminars, and conferences including the National Seminar on “Livelihood Generation in Hill Statistics of India based on Agriculture and Allied Sectors” organized by Uttaranchal (P.G.) College of Technology and Biomedical Sciences, Dehradun, UK in 2014.
Dr. Moinuddin asks the youth “to recognize the value of time and avoid wasting it; always be in good company. Also, those who don’t value their time will be left behind.”
His father Haji Munir Ahmed was the Principal in Mirza Ghalib Inter College Jalalpur and now leads a retired life.
He told me on the phone that his son Dr. Moinuddin was always a studious child. Unlike other children of his age, he did not make many friends and never wasted his time hanging out and having fun.
He was always focused on his education. He says that his early studies were in the madrasa till the fifth grade. “After he completed his matriculation, a friend told me that “your son is very intelligent and extremely sincere in studies”. He advised me to put him in the field of agriculture studies. After this, I discussed it with my son and he also agreed. And with his hard work today, he is a scientist in agriculture and serving the country,” the proud father said.
(The Author is a Lucknow based Freelance Journalist)
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Irshad Saqafi, Lucknow / April 15th, 2024
Dr Valli is the scientist who made the world realise the importance of food grains
He had a comfortable US job that he left to return to India and make it healthy. More than two decades since he launched his mission, India’s ‘Millet Man’ Dr Khadar Valli Dudekula was recognised by the government of India with the civilian honour Padma Shri during the 74th Republic Day celebrations on Thursday, January 26.
Dr Valli is the scientist who made the world realise the importance of food grains. He has numerous researches to his name and has worked extensively for revival of grains over 20 years. As per The Better India, Dr Valli woke up to the problem of diet-related consequences in society around 1986-87 when he came across the case of a girl who had started menstruating at 6 years of age. Shocked by this, he decided to return to his country in 1997 and settled in Mysuru to work towards a healthy society rather than in a foreign nation.
Dr Valli is an independent scientist and food expert. In his pioneering work, he has revived five types of disappearing millets. He is a leading advocate of Millet cultivation and use. He was born in a humble background in Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh. He pursued his BSc (Education) and MSc (Education) from Regional College of Education, Mysuru before earning a PhD in Steroids from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru. Besides being an agricultural scientist, he is also a homoeopath.
After completing education in India, he became a postdoctoral fellow in environmental science at Beaverton, Oregon for three years. He then worked as a scientist with Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) for four years before working with DuPont for a year in India and four plus years in the US. He discovered medicinal properties of grains during his research and named 5 specific types of grains he prescribed as “Siridhanyalu”.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> India / by DNA Web Team / January 28th, 2023
“Asma Banu, collector of seeds of various paddy breeds, helping in social and farming activities will be felicitated with B Appanna Hegde agriculture award during an award program on the birthday of religious leader and former MLA B Appanna Hegde on December 24,” said trust president B Rama Kishan Hegde.
He further said, “Asma who works saying that work is worship is collecting various paddy breeds that are on the verge of extinction from various states. She has collected and grown more than 840 varieties of paddy this year. She is conducting a study about those seeds and creating awareness about their benefits to health. She has been selected for the award considering her rare achievements.
“The award programme will be held by Basrur Appanna Hegde Prathistana in the premises of Sharada college, Basrur. Monetary help will be distributed to students, the sick and weak during the program.
“The award will be presented by Ishapriya Theertha Swamiji of Adamar math. Karnataka backward class commission president K Jayaprakash Hegde will preside over the programme,” he said.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Silveste D’Souza / Daijiworld Media Network – Kundapur (EP) / December 20th, 2023
The Kodava Muslim Association (KMA) illuminated the night with joy as they celebrated the ancient custom of removing the traditional Kadiru (New Rice Crop) on the auspicious occasion of Puttari festival. The festivities took place on Monday night, drawing the spirited participation of hundreds of members from the Kodava Muslim community, marking the Harvest Festival of Kodavas.
At the striking hour of 8:30 PM, the Kadiru removal ceremony unfolded in the Jamma Gadde of the Kolumanda family in Aimangal village, Gonikoppa. Led by KMA President Duddiyanda H. and Sufi Haji, the event saw elders from Aimangala village, KMA members, and Kootambattira Hussain coming together to share in the holy Swalat. Boiled rice milk, a symbol of abundance, was distributed to all attendees, fostering a sense of unity and community spirit.
Key figures in the program included KMA Vice President Akkalatanda S. Moidu, General Secretary Italathanda Rafiq Tuchamakeri, Treasurer Harishchandra A. Hamsa, Joint Secretary Karatorera K Mustafa, Organizing Secretary Meetalathanda M. Ismail, and Senior Director Chimmichira K. Ibrahim (Ummani).
The presence of local Jamaat presidents, such as the head of Kondangeri Jamaat and K.M.A. Director Kuppandir K. Yusuf Haji, and the President of Katrakolli Jamaat, Alira M., added a distinguished touch to the celebration.
Residents from various areas, including Kottamudi, Cheriyaparambu, Kunjila, Kolakeri, Kondangeri, Chamiyala, Gundikere, Nalvathoklu, Ambatti Kandangala, Katrakolli, Halligattu, and Begur, joined the festivities alongside children from Aimangal.
The program, hosted by Kolumanda Rafeek, extended its warmth with a traditional Tambittu-Puttari sweet potato breakfast and dinner, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the Kodava Muslim community.
The Kadiru, symbolizing the new rice crop, was then respectfully taken to households, marking the culmination of a joyous and culturally significant event.
source: http://www.thehindustangazette.com / The Hindustan Gazette / Home> News> Latest News / by The Hindustan Gazette / November 28th, 2023
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