Nargis Sultana being felicitated by her neighbours after her she scored a distinction in her matriculation examinations
The academic success of the daughter of a Maulana in Assam’s Darrang district has revealed the determination of Indian Muslim women to defeat adversities and break stereotypes for giving wings to their dreams.
Nargis Sultana, the daughter of a Maulana who passed the High School Leaving Certificate Examination or Matriculation examination in 2022 with distinction despite facing various challenges, studies for more than 12 hours to fulfill her dream of becoming a doctor.
Nargis is the second daughter of Samsher Ali and Nasira Khatoon, residents of Kachari Bheti in Dalgaon in the Darrang district.
Born in a very backward and remote area, Nargis had to walk 5-6 km daily from her home and cross a river to reach her school for her primary education.
Being the daughter of a Maulana, many residents in her village asked her to learn Islamic textbooks including the Holy Quran instead of going to school for modern education. But Nargis was determined to go to school and her parents backed her.
Maulana Shamsher Ali (Left), the father of Nargis (In white dress) and his family
Nargis Sultana told Awaz-the Voice, “I was a student of Anandaram Barua Academy in Siliguri when I appeared for the Matric examination or Class X final in 2022. Besides my hard work and dedication, I want to give credit to the teachers for my success. After knowing my poor financial background they (teachers) helped me to continue my education.”
Anandaram Barua Academy did not charge any fee and provided free tuition from Nargis for her education from the Class ninth and Tenth.
In the Matric exam 2022 Nargis scored 96 (out of 100 marks) in Social Science, 95 in Mathematics, 92 in Assamese, 90 in Elective Subjects, 90 in English, and 78 in General Science.
Nargis got is studying at Ajmal College in Hojai and pursuing a science stream for her higher secondary examination.
“Many people and teachers have helped me financially to continue my education. They have pinned high hopes on me. So, I cannot disappoint them. I am studying more than 10 hours daily so that I can excel in 12th stands due next year. I want to become a doctor. I will try to become a gynecologist and serve the poor people in rural areas by reducing maternal and infant mortality rates among them,” Nargis said.
Nasira Khatoon while expressing gratitude to the almighty Allah and those who have helped her daughter to continue her education, said she is hopeful that “Nargis will become a successful doctor in the future to serve humanity.”
Hafiza Begum (Left) being felicitated
Similarly, another Muslim girl student from Dalgaon in Darrang district Hafiza Begum has also proved that poverty cannot be an obstacle to academic excellence.
Hafiza, daughter of e-rickshaw driver Habib Ullah, has told Awaz- The Voice that she had passed the Matriculation examination from Adarsh Jatiya Vidyalaya, Dalgaon by securing distinction marks.
Hafiza is determined to become a doctor and later prepare for the Union Civil Service Examination.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Munni Begum, Guwahati / May 05th, 2023
Noor Jahan and her cousin Wajeeda Tabassum co-founded Shesrig Ladakh, an art conservation practice that restores and conserves ancient wall paintings, religious manuscripts, thangka (Buddhist scroll) paintings and metal works.
How do you protect and preserve culture? It’s a question Noor Jahan – a 32-year-old expert in art conservation and heritage management from Leh – has grappled with for a decade.
Through Shesrig (meaning ‘heritage’) Ladakh, an art conservation practice she founded with her cousin Wajeeda Tabassum, Noor performs critical restoration and conservation work on ancient wall paintings, religious manuscripts, thangka (Buddhist scroll) paintings and metal works.
“My real interest lies in working on ancient wall paintings and thangka paintings,” says Noor Jahan in a lengthy conversation with The Better India.
Backed by a Master’s degree from the Delhi Institute of Heritage Research and Management (DIHRM) and a PhD from the National Museum Institute, she has worked on wall paintings dating back to the late 8th century and Buddhist thangkas from the 19th century. Also, since 2019, she has run Shesrig on her own following Wajeeda’s departure for foreign shores.
What’s more, Noor is also the goalkeeper for the Indian women’ ice hockey team. Earlier this year, she helped India finish second in the Union Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament in Dubai. Noor reckons that she has a few more years left before she “officially retires” from the sport.
By all accounts, it’s an extraordinary way of life, and this is her story.
Noor Jahan working on old wall painting in Saspol caves, Ladakh
A serendipitous journey
There was a void in Noor’s life after earning her bachelor’s degree in commerce from Delhi University. Going through the motions, she had no passion for what she was learning. To reflect on what was next and enjoy a short holiday, she left for Leh after graduation in 2011.
It was during a walk through Leh’s crowded old town, when she met a few foreign conservators from the Tibet Heritage Fund working on an old Buddhist temple. Intrigued by what they were doing, Noor engaged in a short chat with them which would change her life.
After returning to Delhi, she began reading up on art conservation and learnt that she could pursue higher studies in this field.
What also sealed the decision to get into this field for Noor were memories from her childhood.
“My mother is from Hunder village in Nubra. Every holiday, we would always visit Nubra to meet my maternal grandparents. The bus would stop at this location called Chamba on the main road from where you had to walk inside the village. This particular route holds great importance in my life now because there are many stupas along the way. Every time I would look up at these pathway stupas, I would see these old paintings. But each passing year, some part of these paintings would disappear. When I applied for this course at DIHRM, the first thing I thought about were these paintings and the conservation work I could do someday,” she recalls.
Allied with a strong desire to come back home, starting this course brought passion back into her life. “Everything I was studying there found a purpose in Ladakh,” she says.
Noor Jahan found purpose in preserving Ladakh’s heritage
Finding Shesrig
Following the first year of her Master’s programme in 2012, Noor and Wajeeda opted to do their internship with the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation (HCHF), a Leh-based non-profit. Helping them find projects to work on was Dr Sonam Wangchok, founder secretary of HCHF.
During this internship, the first major project Noor got involved in was a wall painting at Diskit Gompa, a 14th-century Buddhist monastery in Nubra Valley.
She recalls in an Instagram post, “The internship entailed working on the restoration of wall paintings from the 17th century under the supervision of art conservators from [the] Czech Republic. This was my first hands-on experience where I had the opportunity to conserve sacred Buddhist art and the opportunity to stay at the monastery itself. I think that internship changed my life forever as I not only got to work on the most beautiful wall paintings but gave me the opportunity to meet and interact with the monks at the monastery who took me and Wajeeda in as their own.”
Conserving ancient wall paintings is a delicate process
After completing her Master’s programme in 2013, Noor came back to Leh to work with other organisations like Art Conservation Solutions and Achi Association, amongst others, as a freelancer. In 2014, she worked on her first project outside Ladakh at the Golden Temple in Amritsar with Heritage Preservation Atelier, and also commenced her PhD at the National Museum Institute. Despite these landmark moments, she knew this sort of freelance work wasn’t sustainable.
“Working in these organisations was a great learning experience and helped me to capture some of the finer nuances of conservation. Even today with Shesrig, I collaborate with most of them. But this kind of work wasn’t sustainable, i.e. it was limited to summer months,” she says.
“In the summer, I would work on many projects. But the moment winters came, all these organisations would stop their work in Ladakh. I really wanted to start something of my own in Leh, while working sustainably and throughout the year,” she adds.
Thus, in 2017, Noor and Wajeeda founded Shesrig Ladakh and rented out a historic structure called Choskor House as their base in Leh’s old town, which they had to first restore.
This three-storied structure is located right behind the Jama Masjid (mosque) in the centre of Leh along the hillslope. It belongs to a renowned family of traders, who along with other important families, once led important trade missions to Lhasa from Ladakh.
“Even though Choskor House was really old, we decided to rent it. To restore it, we had initially consulted some architects, but there came a point when it became difficult because of costs and time constraints. That’s when we reached out to Achi Association India, a sister organisation of Achi Association (a Swiss-based organisation), which took over the project of restoring this structure backed by funding from the German Embassy. They helped with establishing the studio in which we currently operate. We started working inside our studio only this year,” says Noor.
“It’s important to see your heritage as an inheritance that has great value,” says Noor Jahan
Conserving ancient wall paintings is a delicate process
Conserving wall paintings
Conservation and restoration are different acts. Noor explains, “In conservation, people do not recreate anything new. So, if there are losses in a given wall painting, there is no recreation but only stabilisation. Restoration, meanwhile, seeks to recreate some of those losses.”
Some of the fundamental challenges in conserving or restoring old artworks include physical access to remote sites and obtaining the necessary materials that they largely import.
Noor gives us an example of a project they worked on in collaboration with the Himalayan Cultural Heritage Foundation in June 2020 to illustrate her point. The site was Chomo Phu, a small one-room Buddhist shrine near Diskit Monastery, Nubra.
“It’s quite a steep hike up from Diskit Monastery, and there is a gorge inside the valley where this shrine is located. There was no place for accommodation. Instead, we pitched tents next to the shrine and had to improvise basic facilities. We camped in that valley for about 25 days since it was not practical or possible for us to hike from there to the monastery or the village every day,” she recalls.
Before, during and after the project, Noor and her team do extensive documentation work. During this phase, they closely examine the kind of deterioration the wall painting has undergone.
In this particular case, there were a lot of over-filling and historical fills done in the past. These fills were done in such a way that it was obscuring a lot of the original painting and sometimes even overlapping it. They had to carefully remove those historic fills.
“Another issue with wall paintings is that there are a lot of detachments. In the event of any structural movement or water seepage, the plaster gets detached from the support, thus creating these hollow areas inside the painting. You can discover these hollow areas through a percussion test (a method for the structural inspection of wall paintings). We then perform grouting, i.e. fill the gaps between the painting and the support structure,” she notes.
Apart from these, there are cases where the paint layer gets delaminated. To address this, they use a consolidant and then stick the paint layer back to the surface.
“Of course, there is cleaning work which is done. The paintings are largely glue-bound tempera (also called secco, which are paintings on dry surfaces). In this kind of technique, the pigment is usually mixed with the binder and then applied to the walls. With water infiltration, the binder becomes weak causing delamination of the paint layer,” explains Noor.
“This damage primarily occurs because of water. We make sure not to perform any wet cleaning, i.e. don’t use any solvents to clean the wall painting. We only employ dry cleaning. There are various types of conservation-grade sponges which we work with and soft brushes to remove the dust or any mud infestations,” she adds.
A major point of contention with wall paintings is retouching work (reworking small areas of a painting to cover damage or to mask unwanted features).
Without getting too deep into the subject, when it comes to wall painting conservation work, Noor and her team largely stick to what she calls “conservation or stabilisation work”.
“It’s important to see your heritage as an inheritance that has great value,” says Noor Jahan
Restoring old thangkas
This year most of the thangkas that were brought in for restoration at Shesrig’s studio came from private households. Each thangka arrives in a different condition.
In thangka paintings, you have a textile-based canvas made of cotton fabric or any other material used by the artist in the centre. These thangkas also usually have either silk or brocade borders. Most thangkas they got into their studio this year had silk borders.
Step 1: “Since the thangka has come directly from the chod-khang (prayer room) to our studio, we first take it to a nearby monastery, where a de-consecration ceremony is done,” she says.
Step 2: The next step is to bring the thangka back to the studio, perform extensive documentation work including photographic documentation and understand what kind of problems are visible. Accordingly, they prepare a treatment plan.
Step 3: Usually the centrepiece of the thangka is stitched with a textile border. They separate both elements because the fabric at the border is completely different from the canvas in the centre. Following separation, they work on the border and centre piece canvas separately.
Step 4: Once the separation is done, the first step is cleaning the soot. “In thangkas, there are times (only when required), when we go for mild solvent cleaning but once again dry cleaning methods are preferred. Also, solvents can sometimes be harsh. We have started preparing gels which are much milder and do not adhere to the surface for the cleaning process,” she says.
Step 5: What if there are big losses or tears on the thangka painting? “We make a similar kind of ras-jee (the local term used for the textile canvas of a Thangka painting) in the studio. We use pieces of that ras-jeeto mend the tears. Otherwise, in thangkas, we also see a lot of cracks. To fill the cracks, we use the markalak (local clay mixed with mild adhesive) to fill those cracks because that’s part of the original technique of preparing a thangka. We follow the same methods while restoring it as well,” she explains.
Step 6: Once this is done, if there is any consolidation work required or a paint layer is coming off, they fix those problems. Sometimes, they mend the tears fibre by fibre, which requires very delicate hands. Also, if there are any small losses or paint losses, they do subtle retouching work using natural colours or the colours originally used on the thangka.
Conservation of Thangsham (the local term used for the textile border of a Thangka painting)
Step 7: Meanwhile, there is another team which is working on the textile border known as thangsham locally. There is a particular method of washing the textile using conservation-grade detergents.
“We don’t dip it straight into the water. Instead, we use wet sponges to clean it very meticulously. Sometimes these borders are also torn or otherwise in a bad condition, for which we mend them using patchwork with silk, brocade or whatever material was originally used. We have a stock of raw silk, which is white. We dye it as per the thangka’s requirements. If the thangsham, for example, is blue, we will dye the silk blue and do the patchwork from the inside. We perform the process of dyeing ourselves at the studio,” she explains.
Step 8: Once both elements are ready, they stitch the centrepiece canvas and the border back together, following which a consecration ceremony is done and then returned to the client.
Once again, depending on the state in which the thangka is sent, it takes anywhere between a fortnight to two months or more to restore a thangka. It also depends on manpower.
“Most of the time, we work in groups of two or three women on one thangka, and depending on the scale of the task, it takes about a month or two if the damage is extensive,” she says.
Given that most of the conservation work she does with Shesrig Ladakh relates to Buddhist heritage, questions have emanated from either side of the religious divide.
But is her faith an obstacle in this line of work?
“Most of the time, they don’t see my Muslim faith as an obstacle to the work that I do. For the most part, I’m not treated as an outsider or not from the community. In fact, it has been the opposite, where I am given more respect and love, especially in monasteries,” she says.
However, recently she heard someone say, ‘What is this Muslim girl doing here?’ “Look, this is how the world around us is moving. As Muslims in India, we know what’s going on. But I do not take these comments personally because I have to do what I know how to do,” she says.
Noor Jahan: “I have to do what I know how to do”
But such ad-hominem comments don’t necessarily come from the Buddhist community. She even notes how members of her religious community pass judgement on her line of work.
“Sometimes, people from the community approach my family to complain about my work, but fortunately they have been very understanding,” she notes.
Another struggle Noor deals with is the significant lack of awareness in Ladakh about art and heritage conservation as a field. “Even though they support me, my parents and some friends still don’t understand the kind of work I do. They still think this is a ‘hobby’ to me and don’t take me seriously. Even though the conversation in Ladakh about restoration and conservation has progressed a little, there are still people who think that this work can be done for free. This is something, I hope, changes with time as the conversation around this subject grows,” she says.
In an exclusive conversation with CXO News and APAC News Network, Dr Aman Basheer Sheikh, Co founder and Chief Medical Officer, Natfirst outlines how they are leveraging AI and data science to disrupt the health tech industry
NatFirst is the parent company of the TruthIn͏͏ app, India’s first consumer product intelligence app, which is the go-to source for understanding packaged food labels. It employs advanced AI,͏͏ including vision models and optical character recognition,͏͏ to͏͏ decode͏͏ product͏͏ labels͏͏ and͏͏ provides consumers with insights͏͏. It analyses the nutritional͏͏ content,͏͏ additives,͏͏ processing level and͏͏ ingredient͏͏ quality by decoding the information disclosed on food labels. A simple barcode scan allows users to access this information. At͏͏ the͏͏ heart͏͏ of͏͏ this͏͏ is͏͏ the͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ Rating͏͏ System,͏͏ which͏͏ translates͏͏ the data͏͏ from labels into͏͏ clear,͏͏ science-backed͏͏ health͏͏ scores.͏͏ These͏͏ insights͏͏ help͏͏ users͏͏ navigate͏͏ a͏͏ market͏͏ flooded͏͏ with͏͏ ultra-processed͏͏ foods͏͏ (UPFs)͏͏, ensuring͏͏ that they͏͏ can͏͏ confidently͏͏ distinguish͏͏ between͏͏ genuinely͏͏ healthy͏͏ options͏͏ and͏͏ deceptive marketing claims.
Natfirst comprises of a multi-disciplinary team of experienced doctors, nutritionists, and tech engineers. This team of experts has developed the TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) by studying best practices of global systems such as Nutri-Score, a nutrition labelling adopted by a few EU countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. Other international systems studied include the Health Star Rating system used in Australia and NZ, and Nutri-Grade utilised in Singapore. It has also empanelled an advisory board of eminent multi-disciplinary experts who include, K. Sunitha Premalatha, MSC, RD, PHD, (Cancer Nutrition) and Padmashree awardee Dr Manjula Anagani MBBS, MD (Pathology), MD (Obstetrics & Gynecology), FICOG to ensure the TruthIn Rating methodology is as scientifically accurate as possible. Features in the TruthIn app such as the Match Meter help consumers access personalised guidance by aligning portion sizes with individual health goals, making choosing healthier products much easier.
The innovations͏͏ being developed at Natfirst coincide with the evolving needs of consumers and the demand for healthier, cleaner food products.͏͏ Unlike͏͏ the͏͏ USA or͏͏ EU,͏͏ India͏͏ lacks͏͏ a͏͏ centralized͏͏ database͏͏ of͏͏ packaged͏͏ food͏͏ products. This forced NatFirst͏͏ to build its product dataset͏͏s manually from͏͏ scratch which was a significant challenge but also differentiates Natfirst as one of the few startups in India with such an extensive database.͏͏ With millions of products circulating in the Indian market, the user base of TruthIn has also played an extremely vital͏͏ role in grassroots data͏͏ collection to͏͏ form͏͏ a͏͏ dynamic͏͏ database͏͏ of over͏͏ 16,000͏͏ products which is now set to grow exponentially.͏͏ In that sense, Natfirst is a pioneer in the Indian market with many industry firsts.
Natfirst has also differentiated itself by building a loyal community of users based on trust and consistently promotes its scientifically validated scoring system. Today its flagship product TruthIn, has more than 5 lakh downloads. The brand ambassador of TruthIn is Revant Himatsingka (Food Pharmer), a staunch promoter of scientifically validated information, who has embarked on a mission to educate the average Indian consumer on label literacy. The TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) was specifically designed to help consumers with the most accurate and validated information available to make healthier food choices.
Lastly, to accelerate the process of ensuring that consumers have access to transparent information about all the products, a feature innovation which is very technically challenging is currently being beta-tested. It will enable consumers to analyse products in real-time and TruthIn will become the first app globally to launch such a feature once it goes live.
The 2024 Healthy Snacking report showed that consumers In India are increasingly scrutinising labels. However, the findings of an ICMR NIN report highlighted͏͏ that͏͏ while͏͏ many͏͏ Indians͏͏ read͏͏ food labels,͏͏ they͏͏ rarely͏͏ look͏͏ beyond͏͏ manufacturing͏͏ and͏͏ expiry͏͏ dates—leaving͏͏ them͏͏ vulnerable͏͏ to͏͏ misinformation, unwanted additives͏͏ and͏͏ inaccurate claims.͏͏ This underscores the importance of tech-driven consumer-focused solutions like TruthIn to navigate hundreds of complex food labels that consumers encounter daily.
By analysing product labels͏͏ factoring in things like fats,͏͏ sugars,͏͏ salt,͏͏ chemical additives,͏͏ artificial flavourings, the͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ Rating͏͏ System͏͏ helps users understand their food better. The product rating system developed by TruthIn analyses a lot of complex information and distils it into a 0-5 score that is easily understandable and helps consumers save countless hours deciphering͏͏ complicated͏͏ labels.
An example of this is the flavoured͏͏ yoghurt category; which is very often͏͏ marketed͏͏ as͏͏ a healthy͏͏ snack. However, it may contain synthetic͏͏ colours such as e102, or͏͏ an excess of added sugar.͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ clearly lists all such information,͏͏ connects͏͏ it to͏͏ reputable͏͏ research,͏͏ and͏͏ offers͏͏ healthier alternatives.͏͏ By emphasising transparency, accuracy,͏͏ creation of simplified visuals and decoding complex jargon, TruthIn͏͏ empowers͏͏ consumers to cut͏͏ through any confusion while choosing products.
The importance of tech-driven tools such as TruthIn is becoming evident where over 11% of the population suffers from diabetes and 25% are classified as obese as per the ICMR. NatFirst͏͏ marries͏͏ cutting-edge͏͏ AI͏͏ with͏͏ the͏͏ insights͏͏ of͏͏ doctors,͏͏ nutritionists,͏͏ and͏͏ engineers͏͏ to͏͏ ensure͏͏ that͏͏ health͏͏ recommendations͏͏ are͏͏ both͏͏ scientifically͏͏ solid͏͏ and͏͏ easy͏͏ to͏͏ understand.͏͏ While͏͏ AI-driven͏͏ vision͏͏ models͏͏ decode͏͏ labels͏͏ in͏͏ real-time—exposing͏͏ harmful͏͏ additives͏͏ like͏͏ INS͏͏ 102,͏͏ a͏͏ coal-derived͏͏ dye͏͏ linked͏͏ to͏͏ hyperactivity—human͏͏ experts͏͏ validate͏͏ the͏͏ nutritional͏͏ frameworks͏͏ that͏͏ power͏͏ these͏͏ evaluations. The synergistic approach ensures the recommendations are accurate, easily understandable, and actionable. The nutritional framework under which the TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) has been developed by an expert team of nutritionists and doctors and output including the score is further validated by empanelled experts on an ongoing basis. This is the unique way in which TruthIn blend͏͏s human͏͏ expertise͏͏ and͏͏ AI͏͏ innovation͏͏ to help users͏͏ make͏͏ truly͏͏ informed͏͏ choices͏͏ tailored͏͏ to͏͏ their͏͏ unique͏͏ dietary requirements.
NatFirst͏͏ is͏͏ pushing͏͏ boundaries͏͏ by͏͏ developing͏͏ real-time͏͏ product͏͏ analysis͏͏ and͏͏ looking ahead integrating͏͏ it with Generative͏͏ AI͏͏ (GenAI)͏͏ for͏͏ conversational͏͏ interfaces is something we’re all looking forward to exploring.͏͏ GenAI will enhance the user experience by automating responses, providing instant feedback, and improving decision-making capabilities. This͏͏ will allow users to interact with it seamlessly for real-time guidance. This will solve for efficiency at scale enables͏͏ instant͏͏ insights͏͏ into͏͏ nutritional͏͏ content,͏͏ ingredient͏͏ implications,͏͏ and͏͏ personalized͏͏ dietary͏͏ recommendation. The tech architecture at Natfirst has been developed for quick category expansion to support the rapid addition of new product categories, ensuring timely updates to meet evolving user needs. Expanding͏͏ on the features of the MatchMeter͏͏ and͏͏ adding͏͏ more͏͏ nuanced͏͏ dietary͏͏ filters͏͏ will͏͏ help͏͏ users͏͏ navigate͏͏ the͏͏ explosive͏͏ growth͏͏ of͏͏ UPFs͏͏ and͏ aid consumers to make much more informed decisions.͏͏
By͏͏ staying͏͏ at͏͏ the͏͏ forefront͏͏ of͏͏ AI-driven͏͏ transparency,͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ aspires͏͏ to͏͏ set͏͏ new͏͏ industry͏͏ standards͏͏ and͏͏ guide͏͏ Indian͏͏ consumers͏͏ toward͏͏ healthier,͏͏ more͏͏ informed͏͏ choices. By focusing on these priorities, NatFirst will ensure it stays ahead of trends while remaining aligned with its vision of enabling healthier, more informed choices.
source: http://www.apacnewsnetwork.com / APAC Media / Home> Healthcare & Wellbeing> Interview / by Bhavya Bagga, APAC News Network / December 21st, 2024
Mumbai student overcomes cramped living conditions to achieve national success in the prestigious entrance exam.
Mumbai:
Ayan Sheikh, a 20-year-old student from a modest 96-square-foot house in Byculla, has achieved an extraordinary feat by securing the 12th rank in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) in his first attempt. Ayan, currently in his third year of a computer science degree, hopes to follow in his elder brother’s footsteps and secure admission to IIT Bombay for his master’s degree.
Living in a cramped chawl in Mustafa Bazaar’s Haji Alana with his parents and elder brother, Ayan’s journey to success is a testament to determination and hard work. With limited space at home, Ayan and his brother Aman, who previously cracked the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) and graduated from IIT Bombay, often studied on a makeshift platform built in their small house.
“My success is the result of my parents’ prayers and their constant hard work,” Ayan told Clarion India. “Even with a limited income, my father tried his best to give both of us brothers a better and higher education. Despite the lack of space, we made the most of what we had. This platform has been our study spot for years, and it holds a special place in our hearts.”
Ayan scored an impressive 89.04 percent marks in the exam, which is considered one of the toughest national-level entrance tests for postgraduate engineering courses. Out of 1.8 lakh candidates who appeared for the exam, Ayan’s 12th rank is a remarkable achievement.
His father, Akhtar Sheikh, a senior fitter at BEST’s Mumbai Central Depot, expressed his joy and pride. “Ayan’s result is like the blessings of Ramadan for us,” he said. “One lakh 80 thousand students appeared for the GATE exam, and Ayan secured the 12th position. This is a huge achievement for our family.”
Ayan’s academic journey has been marked by consistent excellence. He scored 90% in his SSC exams from Enza English High School in Byculla and 78% in his HSC exams from Peace College in Dadar. He is currently pursuing a computer science degree at DJ Sanghvi College in Vile Parle and will complete his four-year course next year.
Ayan’s elder brother, Aman Sheikh, is an inspiration for the family. Aman secured 90% in SSC and 89% in HSC before cracking the JEE exam with a rank of 1,023 out of 1.5 lakh candidates. He went on to complete his B.Tech and M.Tech in electrical engineering from IIT Bombay and now works for an American company in Bengaluru with an annual package of Rs 12 lakh.
“I hope to get admission to IIT Bombay, just like my brother,” Ayan said. “This platform in our house has been our study corner for years. Even today, I sit here and study for three to four hours daily. It’s a part of our lives.”
Ayan’s story is a shining example of how perseverance and family support can overcome even the most challenging circumstances. As he prepares to take the next step in his academic journey, his family and community are filled with pride and hope for his future.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> India> Indian Muslim / by Team Clarion India / March 24th, 2025
Kazi Jalil Abbasi was a leader, freedom fighter and politician who witnessed key events of twentieth century–not just as an observer but as someone who took active part in public life, participated in movements and after independence went on to fight elections and become a legislator, minister and Parliamentarian.
When a large number of Muslims from Uttar Pradesh including elite and the community leaders, were leaving the country, he remained committed to his political ideology, kept opposing communalism and led from the front–fighting and raising his voice democratically in independent India.
Uttar Pradesh, the heartland and the most populous state in the country, had been the battleground for Congress and Muslim League before 1947. It had seen competitive communalism, inter-religious tensions and riots. On the ground, situation in UP was complex and different from other states.
Kazi Jalil Abbasi’s autobiography is insightful and reveals a lot about the period and the struggles. Abbasi was born in Bayara in Basti district in1912. He studied in different schools in Gonda, Unnao and Basti before he joined the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) from where he was expelled.
All these circumstances, his idealism, role in freedom struggle are part of the book. He was against the political stand of Muslim League. The books also provides information about Congress’ organisation and the politics in UP, its leaders. There are interesting anecdotes about top leaders, ranging from Rafi Ahmad Kidwai to Indira Gandhi.
The autobiography titled ‘Kya Din The!’ was originally published in Urdu.
Arif Ansari has now translated it in English. Ansari is settled in Washington DC. The book that runs into nearly 350 pages is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the era, important events and the post-partition situation in Uttar Pradesh.
Remarkable achievements highlight talent and determination in Bihar’s intermediate results.
New Delhi :
The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) on Tuesday revealed the 2025 Class 12 exam results, and this year, two Muslim students from modest backgrounds have made headlines by securing the first and second positions. Shakib Shah from Buxar district and Rukaiya Fatima from Begusarai have not only made their families proud but also demonstrated the power of hard work and ambition in overcoming challenges.
Shakib Shah, a student at Plus Two High School Koransarai in Buxar, achieved an impressive 473 out of 500 marks, securing the top position in the Arts stream. His 94.6% score has ignited celebrations in his village, with locals and teachers praising him as a source of inspiration. “I studied hard every day, and my teachers supported me throughout. My dream is to crack the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) exam and serve as an administrative officer,” Shakib told Zee Media, his determination evident in his words.
Following the announcement of his results, Shakib received a flood of congratulations at his home in Koransarai. Teachers from his school, along with the District Education Officer, visited the school to honour their star student. “Shakib has always been a focused student. His success is a testament to his hard work and the guidance he received here,” said one of his teachers, beaming with pride.
Meanwhile, Rukaiya Fatima, a student at BN High School Teyai in Begusarai’s Teghra subdivision, earned the second position with 471 marks, achieving 94.2% marks. The daughter of Mohammad Abu Salem, a bidi trader from Kolkata, Rukaiya comes from a family of seven sisters, where she is the third child. Despite her father’s modest income and the challenges of supporting a large family, Rukaiya’s resolve to excel never wavered. “I want to become an IAS officer and work for the poor. Education is my way to change my family’s future,” she shared with local reporters.
Rukaiya’s success has brought joy to her community in Begusarai. Her school principal described her as a diligent and bright student who balanced her studies with household responsibilities. “She would often stay back after classes to clear her doubts. Her success shows what girls can achieve with determination,” the principal remarked.
The Bihar Board 12th exams, held between 1 and 15 February 2025, saw over 12.92 lakh students appear across 1,677 centres in the state. This year’s results reflect an overall pass percentage of 86.50%, with the Arts stream recording 82.75%. Shakib and Rukaiya’s stellar performances stand out, not only for their academic brilliance but also for their powerful message of resilience and hope.
For Shakib, topping the state is just the beginning. Growing up in a simple family in Koransarai, he credits his family’s encouragement and his own disciplined routine. “My parents never let me feel any pressure. They just told me to do my best,” he said. His ambition to join the administrative services stems from a desire to uplift his community and tackle local issues like education and employment.
Rukaiya’s journey is equally inspiring. Despite growing up in a family with limited resources, she often studied by candlelight during power cuts. Her father, Mohammad Abu Salem, expressed his pride over the phone from Kolkata: “I always knew Rukaiya was special. She has made us all proud, and I hope she achieves her dream of becoming an IAS officer.” Rukaiya’s six sisters also look up to her, with the youngest saying, “I want to study hard like Rukaiya Apa.”
The success of these two students has also highlighted the untapped potential within Bihar’s Muslim community, which often faces socio-economic challenges. Local leaders and educators have hailed their achievements as a beacon of hope. “Shakib and Rukaiya have shown that talent knows no boundaries. Their success will inspire countless others,” said a senior official from the BSEB during the result announcement press conference in Patna.
However, their triumphs stand in contrast to the broader narrative in Bihar, where tensions between communities have occasionally erupted. Critics have often pointed to the state’s history of communal friction, exacerbated by divisive politics and economic disparities. Some have accused Hindu groups of marginalising minority achievements in educational settings. Yet, Shakib and Rukaiya’s success challenges these narratives, proving that merit and perseverance can overcome prejudice.
To celebrate their achievements, the BSEB has announced cash prizes and scholarships for the toppers, with Shakib set to receive £2 lakh and Rukaiya £1.5 lakh, along with laptops to support their future academic pursuits. These rewards, doubled from last year, reflect the state’s commitment to nurturing talent. “We are proud of all our students, and these two have set an exceptional standard,” said BSEB Chairman Anand Kishore.
As Bihar celebrates its top achievers, the stories of Shakib Shah and Rukaiya Fatima resonate beyond their exam results. Their journeys embody the dreams of millions in a state where opportunities are scarce, and their success serves as a shining example of the transformative power of education. For now, the spotlight remains on these remarkable individuals, whose stories are only beginning to unfold.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Indian Muslim / by Mohammad Bin Ismail, Clarion India / March 26th, 2025
More than seven decades after India achieved independence, the role of innumerable martyrs and freedom fighters who gave their blood and offered lives for the motherland, needs to be remembered.
Many of them got harsh punishments, didn’t get proper last rites, remain forgotten and even those whose sacrifices are known, don’t have monuments or memorials built in their memory.
The martyrdom of Nawab Kadar Ali, and his companions, who planned attack on residency and to take on the East India Company forces in Nagpur, also needs to be recalled. They were hanged here for their role in 1857–the first war of independence.
Though there is no monument named after them and no big memorial, they remain heroes in public memory. The fort that had been a base of 118 Infantry Battalion for years, is opened on three days including August 15 and January 26. Thousands of people arrive on these days, and also pay visit to the grave and offer their respects.
The flame for independence was already lit. History books mention that soon after Meerut, the anger was palpable among soldiers and citizens in this region too. On June 13 1857, a large gathering took place near Mission High School. The soldiers too were anxious and ready.
Scared, some of the East India Compnay officials ran towards Kamptee Cantonment, while others went inside the Sitabuldi Fort. It was due to treachery that the attack plans had been leaked and the news reached British officers. More EIC forces were called from other places to control and overpower the rebels.
Rani Baka Bai, wife of late Raghoji II, was supporting the British and issued a warning that anyone abetting or aiding the revolutionaries would be arrested and handed to the East India Company. It’s a long story and how the soldiers and citizens suffered, refused to name the leaders of the movement.
Historical texts say that the signal of a fire balloon was decided. But after the traitors gave information to East India Company officers, Plowden, the commissioner, ordered a regiment to move into the city. The irregular calvary at Tali was dismayed. Major Arrow tried to get information from ring leaders but no one gave names.
Baka Bai summoned all her relations, and dissuaded them with threats. This chilled the spirit of public. However, later when Company officials’ strengthened their hold, the rebels were identified. Arms were collected and after inquiry, Dildar Khan, Inayatullah Khan, Vilayat Khan and Nawab Kadar Ali were tried and executed.
KILLED, HANGED, BURIED IN A COMMON PIT
The Gazetteer briefly mentions that ‘tucked away between the easter walls of the inner fort and the barracks is a large grave known as Nav Gazah Baba…the grave of Nawab Kadar Ali…and his eight associates..who were killed and hanged by the ramparts of the fort due to their role in the war of independence”.
“They were all buried in a common pit, nine yards long. The fort recalls to our mind the memory of the brave soldiers who fought in an attempt to preserve the independence of the mother land”. It was treachery that was responsible for the arrests and the punishment. Those who helped the British, got ‘jagirs’ as rewards.
Ghulam Rasool ‘Ghamgeen’, the poet, wrote these lines in Farsi :
Choo.n Qadar Ali Khan Ameer Kabeer Shud-az-tohmat, ahl-e-balwa aseer
Duaa’e shahaadat ba-raahe Khuda shab w roz mi kard aa.n mahtada … … Khirad guft ee.n misra-e-silk-e-noor Za-daar-e-jafaa shud ba-daar-e-suroor
The last couplet of this long Persian verse, brings out the ‘tarikh’, the year of execution. The complete verse is mentioned in Dr Mohammad Sharfuddin Sahil’s book ‘Tarikh-e-Nagpur’. It shows the impact of the hangings on the people in the region. Nagpur is geographillcally considered to be a part of Central India and is the biggest city in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.
The fort for a long period remained the base of 118 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army. Every year, on August 15 and January 26, fort is opened for public so that it can pay respect to the freedom fighters. It’s also opened on May 1 i.e. Maharashtra Day. [Illustration is representive]
source: http://www.newsbits.in / NEWS Bits / Home> Top News / by Shams Ur Rehman Alavi / August 15th, 2021
Eva Fathima Basheer, a Grade 3 student of GEMS Millennium School, Sharjah, has been recognised by the India Book of Records for her exceptional feat of reading English storybooks for the longest uninterrupted duration by a child.
At just nine years old, Eva read aloud from six English storybooks for 4 hours, 31 minutes, and 38 seconds without a break. She received the India Book of Records Achievers Award for this accomplishment at a ceremony held on 29 March 2025 at the organisation’s centre in Faridabad, Haryana.
Apart from this record, Eva has excelled in academics, securing gold medals in various national and international Olympiads conducted by reputed institutions. She is also actively involved in extra-curricular and social activities, including cleanliness drives, environmental awareness campaigns, fundraising efforts, and promoting safety practices.
Eva’s interests extend to writing stories, poems, and articles, as well as drawing and singing.
She hails from Aramboor in Sullia, Dakshina Kannada, and currently lives in Sharjah with her parents.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / March 29th, 2025
A 17th century mosque in Punjab declared declared as a symbol of religious tolerance by the UNESCO and UNDP has no Muslim worshippers. Called Guru ki maseet (Mosque of the Guru) it is being looked after by the Sikhs.
Its story dates to the early 17th century. When the sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind Singh, took over the throne, Emperor Akbar’s efforts to bring all religions together had already failed. In the reign of Jahangir, animosities based on religious difference had begun to surface across India.
Soon, Hargobind Singh realized that in the midst of growing tension and threats, only spirituality would not work.
With this idea, Guru Hargobind Singh started wearing two swords on his body. He called them the swords of Piri and Miri. Piri referred to spirituality and Miri to power. He also raised an army to fight wars.
In one of his armed campaigns, his army camped on the banks of the Beas River. Soon a big settlement came up here and it was called Hargobindpur. Today one can reach this place while travelling on Hoshiarpur-Batala Road in Punjab.
The township had people of all religions. Soon a temple and a Gurudwara were built there. There were only a few Muslims there and they had no place of worship. As their numbers were low, building a mosque was not feasible at the community level.
They went to Guruji and told him their problem.
Guru Hargobind Singh instructed his authorities to build a mosque for the Muslims to worship. In no time the mosque was built on a small hillock on the banks of the Beas River. The sound of Azan from the mosque reverberated in the air for the next several hundred years.
Guru ki Maseet at Hargobindpura, Punjab
However, after the partition of India and many Muslims leaving for Pakistan in 1947, this mosque was deserted. All the Muslim families of Hargobindpura had left for Pakistan.
As the mosque was related to Guru Hargobind Singh, the Nihang Sikhs built a Gurudwara there. Today, the sounds of Gurbani resonate there the place every morning and evening.
In the last decade of the twentieth century, Muhammad Rizwanul Haq of the Punjab Waqf Board visited the town and met many Sikh leaders. He requested the Sikhs that since this mosque was built on the orders of Sikh Guru it should be allowed to remain a mosque.
The Sikh leaders consulted historians; they too concurred with the idea of the place being retained as a mosque.
Soon a consensus was reached. Once again the kar seva started and the mosque was renovated. Some people from the Punjab Waqf Board also came there but most of the kar seva was done by Sikhs.
Nihang Sikhs who look after the mosque sitting outside Guru ki Maseet
The mosque was restored to its original shape in 2002.
For its inauguration, the locals invited Imam Maulana Hamid Hussain Qasmi of Amritsar’s Jama Masjid to lead the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the mosque.
Even today there is no Muslim living in Hargobindpur and yet the mosque stands tall. Today, Guru ki Maseet is cared for by Nihang sevadars.
In 2003, this historic mosque gained international recognition when UNESCO and the UNDP’s Culture for Peace project highlighted its importance as a symbol of religious tolerance.
(The author is a senior journalist)
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Harjinder / April 01st, 2025
Jamia Millia Islamia has launched a special week-long exhibition showcasing rare and ancient Quran manuscripts at its Dr. Zakir Husain Library during the holy month of Ramadan. The exhibition, titled “Muqaddas Quran,” was inaugurated by Professor Mazhar Asif Sheikh-ul-Jamia and features a diverse collection of calligraphy spanning from the 15th to the early 20th century.
Through meticulously crafted posters, the exhibition traces the development of Islamic calligraphy from the 7th to the 14th century, offering a comprehensive visual exploration of how Quranic calligraphy evolved over time.
Alongside the manuscripts, the exhibition presents an impressive collection of printed Qurans in various national and regional languages, including Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, and Bengali. The display also includes translations in foreign languages such as Chinese, Japanese, German, Turkish, Russian, English, Spanish, Albanian, Myanmar (Burmese), and Persian. A special Quran in Braille was also featured, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and ensuring that visually impaired individuals can access the sacred text.
Professor Mazhar Asif, Sheikh-ul-Jamia(Vice Chancellor )of Jamia Millia Islamia, expressed his satisfaction with the exhibition, saying, “It is a privilege for the university to open its rare collection during the holy month of Ramadan, allowing people to benefit from the teachings, knowledge, and moral values of the Quran. The Quran promotes helping the poor, equality, and justice, and by presenting this exhibition to the public, we aim to encourage accountability, bringing people from darkness to light.”
The exhibition also showcases rare Arabic manuscripts, including Tafseer Baizawi and Tafseer of Ibn Abbas, both from the 16th century. Additionally, books in eleven foreign languages and six regional translations illustrate the rich diversity of Jamia’s collection.
Professor Asif highlighted the rarity of the Japanese translation of the Quran, which was produced by the Islamic Society of Koshikawa in Tokyo, calling it an extremely rare edition globally.
Professor Mohammad Mahtab Alam Razvi, Registrar of Jamia Millia Islamia, emphasized the significance of the exhibition. “This collection reflects our rich heritage of Quranic manuscripts and printed copies from the 15th century to the early 20th century, including small Quranic manuscripts. With thirty-five rare handwritten manuscripts and twenty-seven printed translations, the exhibition offers valuable insights into the evolution of Quranic script.”
Dr. Lucas S. Nigrale, who also participated in the event, spoke about the importance of such exhibitions during Ramadan, a time for reflection, devotion, and learning. “This exhibition shines a light on the Quran’s timeless wisdom and universal message,” Dr. Nigrale said, expressing hopes for future exhibitions that further promote awareness and cultural dialogue at the university. The Dr. Zakir Husain Library holds a total of 2,243 Quranic manuscripts.
The exhibition serves as an important platform for enhancing public understanding of the Quran’s linguistic, intellectual, and literary traditions. It highlights the eternal teachings of the Quran in a contemporary context, fostering greater cultural and educational dialogue.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Mohammad Akram / March 30th, 2025
