Rockets, Nagara Fort, India(Courtesy Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage (DAMH))
More than 1,000 unexploded rockets have been recovered from an abandoned well in the state of Karnataka in southern India.
The excavators believe the corroded shells date to the eighteenth century when the Muslim warrior King Tipu Sultan ruled the region.
The cache was uncovered when the well, located at Nagara Fort in the Shivamogga District, was being repaired. “The rockets, which are of several sizes, are metallic cylinders filled with some powder, possibly saltpeter or some form of explosive propellant,” says R. Shejeshwara Nayaka, assistant director of the Karnataka Department of Archaeology, Museums, and Heritage (DAMH), who led the excavation in 2018. “They have circular end caps on oneside, while on the other side there is an opening which lights like a fuse. We have also found some equipment that might have been used for assembling or making them.”
G. Venkatesh, commissioner of DAMH, adds, “Records say that Tipu Sultan’s father, Hyder Ali, was the first to use metal-cased rockets. He also had an armory and factory at Nagara Fort, a strategically very important city. There is a strong possibility that this site was used as a storage point or a factory for the rockets.”
Major Mahmood Hasan Khan hailed from Dhanuri village in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan and was born on 02 March 1941. Son of Risaldar Nawab Mohd Hasan Khan, he was born into a military family but lost his father at an early age. He was brought up by his uncle Major Akbar Ali Khan who was serving with the then Nizam of Hyderabad. He completed his school education in Hyderabad and later went to Aligarh Muslim University for higher studies. He joined the Indian Army in the year 1962 as a Sepoy and subsequently got commissioned as a commissioned officer. He was commissioned into 14 Grenadiers of the Grenadiers Regiment, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers with a rich history of various battle honours. In 1971, Maj MH Khan got involved in the thick of operations as his unit got deployed on the western border when the war with
Atian Supply Point Raid (Naushera Sector): 06 Dec 1971
During the Indo-Pak 1971 War, Maj MH Khan’s unit 14 Grenadiers was deployed on the western front. In December 1971, India had to go to war with Pakistan as the genocide perpetrated by the Pakistani army in their erstwhile eastern part of the country had resulted in an unprecedented influx of millions of refugees into India. Though the war was concentrated on the eastern front, Pakistan launched operations on the western front too. When the war was declared on 03 Dec 1971, 14 Grenadiers under the command of Lt Col Inderjit Singh was functioning under the operational control of 25 Div and was spread all over the Div AOR (Area of Responsibility) from Naushera to Poonch. On 06 Dec, 14 Grenadiers along with the elements of 8 Mahar battalion were tasked to raid the enemy’s Atian Supply Point to cause maximum damage to it. Maj MH Khan as ‘Raid Commander’ was tasked to carry out the assault along with two more officers, Capt Roy Chowdhary and 2nd Lt Prakash, and 49 OR (Other Ranks).
The raid involved going through a heavily guarded area and destruction of the objective of platoon strength. The team led by Maj MH Khan and divided into three groups planned a multi-directional attack on the enemy to achieve an element of surprise and cause maximum possible damage. The attack commenced at around 1800 hrs on 06 Dec and Major Khan led his men to the objective by shrewd manoeuvres, destroying post after post. The raid was thus successfully carried out after twelve hours of constant action. Maj MH Khan and his soldiers fightly valiantly, destroyed the enemy’s 12 storehouses, and 6 timber stocks, besides eliminating several mules and personnel. Maj MH Khan was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his act of conspicuous gallantry, unyielding fighting spirit, and leadership. By the second week of Dec 1971, India had almost achieved victory on the eastern front but the border skirmishes were still going on, on the western front. Maj MH Khan’s unit 14 Grenadiers was involved in operations in the “Battle of Daruchhian” during that period.
“Battle of Daruchhian” (Indo-Pak War): 13/14 Dec 1971
After the failure of the Pakistani divisional attack on Poonch, the Indian Army decided to carry out local and limited actions all along the ceasefire line to improve its defensive posture. One such attack was launched by an infantry battalion in the area opposite Madarpur on the night of 10/11 December, and having captured Nangi Tekri, Jungle Tekri, Bump and other features denied the use of the Kotli-Madarpur-Hajira road to the enemy. As a follow-up to these operations, it was decided to secure Daruchhian, a feature blocking the Balnoi neck of the Kotli-Balnoi road between the Poonch River and the ceasefire line. Daruchhian was a conical feature, narrow and rugged at the top and with steep projections. It was forested on all sides except the southwest spur and was reportedly held by less than one Pakistani company of regular troops and some Mujahids as part of the main picquet line. 14 Grenadiers battalion under the command of Lt Col Inderjit Singh was tasked to launch an attack on Daruchhian and it was allotted an additional company and artillery support of four to six fire units. Maj MH Khan was functioning as a Company Commander of “D” Company at that time.
The capture of Daruchhian was planned to be carried out by 0800 hrs on 14 Dec in three phases. It was a multi-pronged attack involving primarily B, C, and D companies of 14 Grenadiers and elements of other outside resources. As per the plan, in Phase-I ‘B’ Company was to capture OP (Observation Post); in Phase-II ‘C’ Company was to capture West Spur and in Phase-III ‘D’ Company was to capture South West Spur. Besides the commanding officer Lt Col Inderjit Singh, Maj MH Khan, Maj HS Chahal(‘B’ Company Commander), and Capt Hamir Singh(‘C’ Company Commander) as company commanders were involved in planning and executing the operational plan. ‘A’ Company under the command of Maj SR Dogra was responsible for marking the FUP(Forming up Point) for Pase-I and then acting as a reserve for Phase II. The attack was launched on the night of 13/14 Dec 1971 in three phases with three assault groups attacking from different directions.
In Phase-III of the battle, Maj MH Khan’s ‘D’ Company was given orders to attack SW Spur at about 0400 hrs on 14 Dec. Maj MH Khan moved swiftly and ordered his platoons to give him fire support when he with one platoon moved towards the objective. Despite heavy enemy firing, Maj MH Khan and his men kept moving and reached the flat ground west of the OP position. While moving forward, Maj MH Khan noticed one of the enemy MGs that was impeding the advance and causing casualties. Maj MH Khan along with a few men in a daring move charged towards the bunker with grenades. However while doing so, Maj MH Khan was shot and got injured. But despite the injury, he moved forward and lobbed the grenade in the enemy bunker, before falling to another burst of fire on his head. The enemy gave a very stiff resistance and the battle for Daruchhian continued for over 12 hours. Maj MH Khan as the Company Commander of ‘D’ Company fought valiantly and led his men to give a befitting reply to the enemy firepower. In the fierce exchange of fire, during the battle, a total of eight officers, seven JCOs, and one hundred and forty-five other ranks were martyred, wounded, or missing in action. Besides Major MH Khan, the other martyred brave hearts included five officers (Maj HS Chahal, Maj SR Dogra, Capt OP Dalal, Capt Bakshish Singh, and 2nd Lt GP Bahukhandi), 4 JCOs ( Sub Jai Singh, Sub Taj Mohd Khan, Nb Sub Hasam Khan and Nb Sub Ram Sarup Singh) and 44 ORs.
Major MH Khan displayed commendable gallantry and devotion to duty during the operation and laid down his life in the service of the nation. Though he was given the gallantry award, “Vir Chakra” for his act of gallantry on 06 Dec 1971, he did not live long enough thereafter and made the supreme sacrifice on 14 Dec 1971 during the heroic ” Battle of Daruchhian”.
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Shaheen KhanReplyLate Major MH khan is my grandfather. We obviously have a lot of relevant information about him. Pease contact us so we can give as much info for the page of this great man.
Honourpoint is an online memorial to honour, appreciate and remember the spirited and valiant sons and daughters of India who had the distinction of serving the country in “military uniform”, and are no longer with us. It is an endeavour to ensure that supreme sacrifices of our soldiers and their families do not fade away and are given their rightful place in our nation’s collective consciousness. Read more…
In central Delhi’s Jor Bagh, lies a holy place that provides a spiritual sanctuary to those unable to visit holy shrines in distant lands
MODEL FOR DEVOTEES: A replica of shrine of Ali in Najaf, Iraq, at the Shah-e-Mardan dargah in Jor Bagh
Moinuddin meticulously sweeps the dusty floors surrounding a grave, his lips moving in silent prayer. With a handkerchief covering his head out of reverence for the “greats”, as he affectionately calls them, he speaks of his steadfast faith in the dargah.
“I have been coming to Dargah Shah-e-Mardan for the last seven to eight years,” he says, a glint of devotion shining in his eyes.
This 700-year-old dargah, nestled in Delhi’s Jor Bagh, holds the distinction of being one of India’s oldest. It attracts people from all walks of life, irrespective of religion, caste, or creed, each hoping for their wishes to be granted within its hallowed grounds.
According to historian Rana Safvi, the dargah’s origins are steeped in legend. It is believed that in the 15th or 16th century, a Shia Muslim man named Arif Shah sought refuge at the spot where the dargah now stands, invoking the name of Imam Ali. Legend has it that Imam Ali himself appeared before Arif Shah, saving him from harm and prompting the construction of the dargah.
ENTRE POINT: The Shah-e-Mardan dargah attracts processions from all over the city during Muharram
Named after Imam Ali, also known as Shah-e-Mardan, meaning ‘King Of Heroes’, the dargah holds immense significance for the Shia Muslim community.
Syed Bahadur Abbas Naqvi, General Secretary of Anjuman-e-Haideri, which oversees the dargah complex, emphasises its importance not only to Delhi’s Shia community but also to those living in neighbouring states like Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
“Tazias from all over the city are buried on our Karbala ground,” asserts Abbas, referring to the commemorative processions marking the Battle of Karbala, a pivotal event in Shia Islam.
Karbala, a city in modern day Iraq is famous as the field of battle between forces of Umayyad Caliph Yazid and Husayn Ibn Ali, son of Imam Ali in 680 AD.
The papier mache replicas, known as Tazias, are carried by mourners during the month of Muharram to honour Imam Husayn Ibn Ali’s sacrifice.
Reflecting on the dargah’s rich history, Abbas notes the impact of the 1947 Partition. The area was initially known as Karbala Colony. Today, it is known as BK Dutt Colony and is surrounded by structures commissioned by Qudsia Begum, grandmother of the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zaffar.
Renowned filmmaker and heritage activist, Sohail Hashmi praises Qudsia Begum’s contributions, highlighting structures like Qudsia Begum Mosque and Bibi ki Chakki within the dargah complex.
“She was a powerful regent and administrator in her own right,” he says.
While both shrines draw devotees daily, only women are permitted entry into Bibi ki Chakki.
Devotees flock to Bibi ki Chakki to pray before a millstone believed to have been used by Fatima, daughter of Prophet Muhammad.
Hashmi reveals historical accounts of Timur’s visit to the dargah in 1399 AD, during which a Tazia was buried, marking one of the earliest such burials in the world.
RESTING: The grave of Saiyid Fazl Ali, a former judge of Supreme Court who served as Governor of two states as well as head of States Reorganisation Commission
The regal begum now rests peacefully alongside an odd 111 graves at her mazar (mausoleum) in Karbala Ground.
“It is a great honour to be able to witness and pray to the very footprint of our Shah-e-Mardan,” says a devotee who did not wish to be named.
“Qudsia Begum was very spiritual in her own right and she was the one who brought this important stone to the land,” claims Abbas.
The dargah has also hosted eminent figures like India’s first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Rajiv Gandhi, attesting to its enduring significance.
With lakhs of devotees visiting during Muharram and Chhehlum, the dargah’s complex, adorned with centuries-old graves, serves as a site of spiritual solace for many.
For devotees like Mahfooz Ali from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, the dargah offers a sacred refuge.
“We don’t have many dargahs to turn to, hence I make it a point to visit here every once in a while,” he shares.
Abbas emphasises the dargah’s role in providing a spiritual sanctuary for those unable to visit holy shrines in distant lands.
“With important religious symbols enshrined here, people get an opportunity to observe their religious practices,” he explains.
As devotees continue to stream into the dargah, seeking solace and blessings, Moinuddin reflects on its inclusive nature.
“Dargahs are an essential feature of the Sufi doctrine,” remarks Hashmi, underscoring their enduring appeal.
“The great Imam will keep inspiring future generations,” adds Abbas, his voice filled with pride.
source: http://www.thepatriot.in / Patriot / Home> Heritage / by Monish Upadhyay / April 11th, 2024
Chathiramanai village (Perambalur district) /Tiruchi, TAMIL NADU :
A. Basheer Khan, right, and his son Mohamed Imran, of Tiruchi demonstrate the oil spill filtration device that they have designed and obtained a patent. / | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A. Basheer Khan, 62, and his son B. Mohamed Imran, 28, of Tiruchi recently received a patent for a device that they designed to remove oil spill from seawater through filtration along coastal areas.
The recognition was given on September 24 by the Patent Office and is valid for 20 years from the date of filing.
“At present, the technology to deal with oil spill on land is limited. Our device uses a low-energy method to draw out the oil contaminated water from a targeted area, and after filtering, pumps cleaned water back into the sea. The filtered sediment has to be processed further for eco-friendly usage,” Mr. Khan told The Hindu.
Mr. Khan, who retired as a machinist at the Ordnance Factory Tiruchi (OFT) in 2023, was interested in engineering from a young age while growing up at Chathiramanai village, Perambalur district. “ I studied at an Industrial Training Institute in the 1980s and apprenticed at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). I used to be inspired by mechanical objects and science concepts to invent my own machines. In 2017, when an outbound empty tanker collided with an inbound loaded oil tanker in Ennore, Chennai, the crude oil was spread all over the coastal areas. I decided to design something to deal with such situations, and started working on the concept from 2018,” he said.
A prototype of the device is available at his home. It consists of a metal tank with two sections for polluted and clean water. The inlet pipe is lined with fine nylon mesh and sieved sand to allow free movement of water contaminated with oil.
During a demonstration on Saturday, Mr. Khan mixed machine oil into water in one section of the device and created ‘waves’ in it with the help of a small steel snack plate fitted to a pulley and sewing machine motor. To guide the water into the filtering inlet pipe, a manually operated shutter fixed with multiple springs is placed at the mouth of the targeted area. In a matter of minutes, the oil and grease were separated from water.
Mr. Imran, who helped his father in research and trials, said the prototype had potential for commercial development. “In the event of an oil spill, our machine can help not only save the environment, but also keep salvage workers safe from direct exposure to harmful chemicals,” he said.
source: http://www.tartv.in / TARTV / Home / by admin / October 19th, 2024
Association of Muslims Professionals (AMP) will be conducting their 5th Annual National Talent Search Exam (AMP-NTS 2024), for School & College students on Saturday, 7th December 2024.
The National Talent Search Exam is organized with the intention of increasing and rewarding the students’ general awareness and competitive spirit and identifying the best and brightest students to support and nurture for the forthcoming national competitive exams.
The specially designed poster of AMP-NTS 2024 was launched at a grand function in the auditorium, Arcade Business College auditorium in Patna on October 19, where more than 200 influential people like social and community leaders, professionals, policy makers, retired bureaucrats, and others were present.
Farooq Siddiqui, Head of AMP National Coordination Team, welcomed the dignitaries, guests and students. He said that the purpose of AMP NTS is to create achievers from smaller cities and informed the audience that in NTS 2023, 90% of top rankers were from tier 2 and 3 cities. He further informed that this year, the AMP NTS 2024 intends to reach out to 1000 Blocks in all the minority-concentrated districts of India and is bound to achieve many milestones.
Dr. Syed Shah Shamimuddin Ahmad Munemi, Sr. Professor & HOD Arabic Department, Oriental College, Patna, was the guest of honour at the event. He said, “The Association of Muslim Professionals has brought about a revolution in the country in the field of education. Their commitment and focus are exemplary. They have touched innumerable underprivileged lives through their many activities and I wish them well for the 5th edition of their National Talent Search 2024 competition.”
Mohammad Ashfaq Sir, Director-Gravity Classes & Lead partner – AMP NTS, said “When AMP approached us to support them for their National Talent Search exam, we wholeheartedly agreed as we believed in their vision. We all need to create awareness regarding this talent search all over the country especially in smaller cities and towns so they can benefit, as their students’ IQ level is the same as in bigger cities, and those who start the training from 9th Standard onwards have a higher ratio of success.”
Dr. Abdul Qadeer, Director & Founder – Shaheen Education Foundation said, “AMP is known all over India for its excellent work in education and we decided to collaborate with them for the National Talent Search. This year we will be selecting students for the Common University Entrance Test (CUET) as well, which is for 450 Universities, through AMP NTS 2024.”
Mohammad Reyaz Alam, AMP State Head, Bihar and the driving force for this programme hosted the event very successfully and explained to the audience the purpose of the event, which was to launch the promotion and students’ registration of AMP NTS – 2024.
The AMP NTS 2024 exam will be held for 3-Categories of students:
* Senior/Degree Colleges (Undergraduates)
* Junior Colleges (11th & 12th Std)
* Schools (8th, 9th & 10th Std)
This year 2.5 lakh-plus students from over 8,000 schools and 2,000-plus colleges from 600-plus districts across India are expected to participate. This year, this competition will be held offline in a physical mode in 1000 exam centres of over 400 districts across the country. There will also be an online version available on the AMP World mobile app for those who are unable to appear in person.
The top 500 students will be given IIT-JEE/NEET coaching scholarships worth Rs. 10 Crores ranging from 50% to 100% by AMP’s top 20 training partners. Also to encourage the students to participate in the NTS 2024, AMP is giving out cash rewards worth ₹ 5 lakhs+. Other than these, academic scholarships worth over ₹ 20 lakhs will also be given to deserving underprivileged students through IndiaZakat.com, their Zakat-based crowd-funding platform, plus a whole lot of additional support for the students.
The uniqueness of this competition is, that along with school, college, NIOS, ITI, and Diploma students; even Madrasa students between the ages of 13 to 15 years can also participate in the National Talent Search.
This examination will be conducted simultaneously across the country on December 7, 2024 from 11 am onwards. The last date for registration in this competition is November 26, 2024.
More details about the NTS 2024 exam are available at: www.ampindia.org/National_talent_search
The AMP NTS 2024 promotion launch event ended on a positive note with all present affirming that they will try to reach the maximum number of institutions and students to become exam centres and register for the exam. The local AMP Bihar team and the respective chapter executive team members all worked relentlessly for the success of the launch event.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by admin India Tomorrow.net / October 21st, 2024
Master-craftsman Ghulam Rasool Khan had once made a shawl using 360 individual pieces of ‘jamawar’. He has produced several other priceless jamawar designs for which he has received several state and national level awards including the prestigious Padmashree (2021).
Though Khan has not lost passion for this work, he regrets that the new generation does not take much interest in the craft and says the machine-made cheap varieties posed a great threat to the sector.
“Now, we have machine-made shawls that sell for Rs. 5000 and are no match for the original jamawar. This is the biggest threat to this craft as there is no match for a hand-made piece. This art requires a lot of hard work and patience but nowadays artisans do not have the patience,” Khan told reporters during a Craft Safari to Amda Kadal area of the old city on Saturday.
The safaris had been started in the wake of Srinagar making it to the coveted list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific & Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in Crafts and Folk Arts Category for the year 2021.
Khan said they also used to receive orders worth Rs. 100 cr for ‘Arabi Rumal’ annually but due to entry of fakes, they had stopped receiving the same.
“There was a time when there was a great demand for Arabi rumal. The ones we make have different and intricate artwork that is not usually available in the market. There was a time when we used to receive orders to the tune of Rs. 100 cr annually from the elite Arabs. Unfortunately, the same has stopped now,” he said.
An official of the Handicrafts Department said the master craftsman had received several awards in recognition of his hard work.
“Though many artisans have received Padmashree, Ghulam Rasool Khan is the only one who has received it for his jamawar works. He has also received several other awards at the state and national level. His enthusiasm, patience, and knowledge of the colours and designs enabled him to bring out the extraordinary work. He also made a shawl using 360 individual pieces of jamwar to make the pattern,” the official said.
source: http://www.thekashmirmonitor.net / The Kashmir Monitor / Home> Kashmir> Latest News / by M Aamir Khan / October 22nd, 2022
Saleem Baig has spent 18 years filing 20,000 applications under RTI to root out corruption. His efforts have earned him the wrath of many but resulted in correcting a few wrongs.
RESILIENT: Saleem Baig has file 20,000 applications under the RTI Act.
Saleem Baig has been using the RTI (Right to Information) Act as a sword against corruption and irregularities for the last 18 years. He has filed around 20,000 applications in states and Union Territory departments, as well as, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).
While his applications have often resulted in forcing authorities to change their decisions, and punishing the officers, Baig’s journey as an RTI activist has hardly been ‘a bed of roses’.
He has paid a heavy price for it as his life has turned private and he is hardly seen in public, living in complete secrecy nowadays.
“I have faced different kinds of problems [as an RTI activist]. I have been harassed for asking questions to police and anti-social elements. I was underground for around three and half years, jailed for 20 days and changed residence many times due to fear of arrest, fear or threat,” says Baig, who hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Moradabad district.
BIG RESPONSE: The reply from the Prime Minister’s Office
But peace of mind isn’t the only thing affecting him adversely.
“I have lost my earnings, business and have had to leave my hometown too.”
Earlier, he owned a business dealing with brass products and also practiced Ayurveda medicine in his hometown of Moradabad, which is famous for its intricate brass-work and is called Peetal Nagri (city of brass). But his dispensary and business shut down and his newspaper became defunct after he was sent to jail in 2008.
Although Saleem started filing RTI immediately after the act came into force in 2005, harassment started in 2007 when he filed an RTI seeking to unearth caste-based recruitment in Moradabad police.
“In February, 2007, I had filed an RTI application at the Moradabad Police office seeking details about recruitment of police constables in the district. I suspected that the jobs had been sold. We challenged it to the RTI watchdog body UP State Information Commission, which found an illegal process in this recruitment and slapped a fine of Rs 25,000 on SP, rural Moradabad.”
The order put him in the bad books of police and others associated with them.
“This order was enough for the police officials to start harassing me and my family. I was pressured and threatened too not just by the police but also by acquaintances who were affected by it, as well as brokers. They wanted me to withdraw the case. But I didn’t and informed it to the commission,” he says.
He says he had to pay a heavy price for it.
“The SO (Station Officer) Police implicated me in fake cases of theft and extortion, among others. So, I went underground for six months,” reveals Saleem.
“When I returned after six months, the police first arrested me in June, 2008, in connection with fake cases and then filed an FIR before sending me to jail. I was released after 18 days. After my release, the police filed a fake FIR against me again.
“Finally, I left my hometown and moved to Lucknow and remained underground for two and a half years. My lawyer told me that the police wanted to impose NSA (National Security Act) and arrest me. They are all bogus cases, which have been quashed by the court now,” said Baig.
The RTI is an act of the Parliament of India which sets rules and procedures regarding citizens’ right to information. Right to Information Act, 2005, mandates timely response to citizens’ requests for government information and empowers every citizen to seek any information from the government, inspect any government document and seek certified photocopies thereof.
FRUITS OF LABOUR: Some of the responses that Baig has got from his applications
During this entire period, Saleem’s personal life has been badly affected. Not only Baig, but his family has also paid a huge cost.
“I am unable to complete my regular work — related to authorities — easily. For example, if I want to admit my child to school and if there is any requirement or difficulty, I cannot even approach any politician, Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) or a Member of Parliament (MP). Other people can do, but I can’t because of the bad rap due to our RTI queries,” he adds.
“If we ask for any information like road, water, electricity from local, state or central government-level officers, then we enter their ‘bad book’. When we reveal information, politicians and officers feel upset. So, our general work from block level to Centre, which is our right, anyway, doesn’t happen easily,” he complains.
Baig feels that the lives of most of the RTI activists are at risk.
“I have personally faced this. People need to realise that while filing applications under RTI, we are helping the state and Centre by bringing in awareness. But RTI activists are being killed in the country because no government or officer wants to back them.”
Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative data shows that 28 activists have been threatened, assaulted, or killed every year on an average since the Right to Information Act came into effect in 2005 in India.
“When I went underground for over three years, everything – my brass goods business and ayurvedic shop — was crushed. Sab chopat ho gaya (Everything ended).We barely survived. I was not as rich. My earnings got reduced drastically but expenses increased due to travel or lawyer’s fees. Our belongings were sold. My children’s education had come to a halt for two years. So, I had to shift them to my father-in-law’s home,” Baig says before breaking down.
“My younger son often asks his mother, ‘Ammi (Mother), why do the police come to our home again and again’. My heart would tremble when my wife would tell me over phone that our son is asking, ‘Ammi hum school kab jayenge (Mother, when would we go to school). I faced a lot of problems, which I can’t explain,” he says.
Some relief had come in the form of some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), which helped Baig.
“Some big NGOs offered me fellowships after that. In 2011-12 ‘Dalit Foundation’ gave me a fellowship of Rs 7,000 per month for highlighting atrocities on Dalits and minorities. In 2012, another funding agency gave me a fellowship of Rs 15,000. That was a big support for me to survive that time.”
Baig has won many awards for his courageous work, including a lifetime achievement award by the Delhi State Minorities Commission. Also, his RTI reference was used by the court and published in international media. He was a member of the fact-finding team of the 2020 North-East Delhi riots too.
“Presently, I work as a RTI trainer. Some NGOs invite me to train their people and also, I work as a researcher with a prestigious organisation. Currently, these two are the only sources of my income. But during Covid, my condition went bad again, because my job as a trainer came to a halt. Then I went into debt, which I haven’t been able to pay as yet,” he says further.
For the last 5-6 years, Baig has been living in Delhi with his family.
“I want to appeal to the citizens to use the RTI Act for public’s benefit. The usage of RTI is very low at present because many state and even Central governments have shrunk power of this act. Especially since 2014,it has gone from bad to worse. But we can use this act as a tool or sword to stop corruption. We should fight for our rights. If we don’t have awareness, then we are like dead people. Aap mare hue hain, aur mara hua aadmi hi harkat nahi karta (You are a dead man, as it is only a dead man who doesn’t react).”
source: http://www.thepatriot.in / Patriot / Home> Community / by Muhammad Tahir / March 06th, 2023
Amidst the joy of the Durga Puja festival, the news of an Assamese young researcher in the United States hitting a major success had doubled the happiness of the people across the State.
Rahul Islam a researcher at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, New Jersey, has developed a mobile app that can identify people suffering from depression. The app can scan a person’s face and eyes to decode the state of his brain.
Rahul Islam, a native of Assam, is an important part of the research led by a senior professor at the university. He hails from the Radhakuchi village in the Karra area of Baihata Chariali in the Kamrup district.
Rahul Islam graduated in Computer Science Engineering from the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIT), Guwahati, and left for the USA. received a scholarship to fulfill his dream of pursuing higher studies. Rahul Islam is researching under Senior Professor Sang Won Bae at one of the oldest universities in the United States established in the 1870s.
Rahul Islam, son of Golmahmud Ali and Sulema Begum, spent his childhood and adolescence outside the home.
Golmahmood Ali was a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) soldier.
Rahul attended several Kendriya Vidyalayas in India till higher secondary due to his father’s job that took the family across India. Rahul Islam passed his matriculation and higher secondary examinations from Dimapur Kendriya Vidyalaya.
Rahul topped the North East with 97% marks in the 2010 High School Leaving Certificate Examination.
In an interview with Awaz-The Voice, Rahul Islam’s father Golmahmood Ali said; “Rahul was a keen reader since childhood. He spent most of the day reading books. As a father, I am very happy and proud today. I have a daughter. Rahul is older, my daughter is younger Every year, Rahul comes home in December and returns to the United States in January.”
It is worth mentioning that depression is currently recognized as a silent killer of human society and a serious threat to mental stability. Identifying depressed people at an early stage is essential to free them. This can be done to identify such patients at an early stage. However, in reality, it is difficult to identify such patients in the early stages.
This is because people who suffer from depression do not want their inner turmoil to be expressed and do not allow it to be reflected on their faces.
Researchers at the Stevens Institute of Technology have developed two mobile apps that can scan a person’s face and eyes to detect depression. Both apps use artificial intelligence (AI). The first app detects brain functioning by scanning subtle changes in the size of the eyeballs that happensto a patient suffering from depression.
A second app, FacePsy, identifies such patients by studying the person’s emotional state through changes in facial muscle movement and brain posture. The innovative discovery of the son of Assam has already been published in various scientific journals in the United States as well as in the national media of India.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ariful Islam, Guwahati / October 19th, 2024
Pandit was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi after he was detected with cancer about a month ago, his family said
In the bureaucratic circles, Pandit was widely viewed as a chief secretary that Jammu and Kashmir never had. Image: X@Jairam_Ramesh
Mohammad Shafi Pandit, the first Muslim IAS officer from Jammu and Kashmir, passed away on Thursday. He was 80.
Pandit was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi after he was detected with cancer about a month ago, his family said.
Pandit was the first Muslim from Jammu and Kashmir to qualify the civil services examinations in 1969. His final assignment with the government was as the head of autonomous Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission.
In the bureaucratic circles, Pandit was widely viewed as a chief secretary that Jammu and Kashmir never had.
The soft-spoken Pandit was part of many civil society and philanthropic initiatives in Kashmir. He also played a key role in rolling out of the Mandal Commission report as he was the joint secretary in the Government of India in 1992.
Pandit’s body will be flown to Srinagar later in the day.
“If possible, he will be laid to rest today,” his family said.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condoled the death of the IAS officer.
“My good friend of many years. Mohammed Shafi Pandit, has just passed away.He was a 1969-batch IAS officer who occupied important positions with distinction, both in J&K and at the Centre,” Ramesh wrote in a post on X.
“After retirement, he devoted himself to various public causes and emerged as a leading voice of civil society. Soft-spoken and extremely gentle by nature, he epitomised the glorious composite heritage of J&K and was a role model for youth from the Valley to join the civil services,” the Congress leader added.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> India News / by PTI, Srinagar / September 19th, 2024
The Razack family, renowned for their legacy of generosity, has donated Rs 5 crore to St Joseph’s Boys’ High School (SJBHS) to support the institution’s ongoing projects.
The unveiling of the ‘Razack Family Block’ plaque in September 2024 marked a significant moment for the school. Present at the event were prominent alumni, including Irfan Razack, Managing Director of Prestige Estates Projects (Batch of 1968), along with his brothers Rezwan Razack (Batch of 1970) and Noaman Razack (Batch of 1974).
The generous contribution will fund crucial developments at the school, including the construction of a playground with a double basement and additional classrooms. These infrastructure upgrades aim to align with the new National Education Policy (NEP) and address longstanding challenges such as parking limitations in Bengaluru’s Central Business District.
During the ceremony, Irfan Razack expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is a privilege to give back to my alma mater, which has shaped me into who I am today. Your recognition of my efforts is humbling, and I am deeply grateful.” The sentiments were echoed by Rezwan Razack and other family members, all underscoring their continued commitment to supporting the school’s growth.
Jayashree Prince Jacob, a teaching faculty member at SJBHS, highlighted the deeper meaning of the Razack family’s donation, stating, “This contribution represents more than just financial support. It is a testament to the lasting bond between the school and its alumni, inspiring future Josephites to uphold the tradition of giving back.”
In a statement, the school reflected on its cherished motto, “Fide et Labore” (Faith and Toil), emphasizing that the values imparted through the years continue to resonate with the alumni. “Once a Josephite, always a Josephite” remains more than a saying—it embodies the unyielding love and loyalty of the Josephite community.
The Razack family’s contribution serves as a lasting example of dedication to the school’s mission, ensuring that St Joseph’s Boys’ High School continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / October 12th, 2024
