Sayeed Bin Mohammed Naqsh was a prominent figure in the Progressive Art Movement, born on September 7, 1921, in Mahbubnagar District, Telangana.
A self portrait of Sayeed Bin Mohammed Naqsh
Hyderabad:
A website dedicated to the late Sayeed Bin Mohammed Naqsh, a renowned artist from the 1960s and 1970s, was inaugurated by Prof. T. Gangadhar, the Principal of the College of Fine Arts in Masab Tank.
The launch event for the website, ‘www.sayeedbinmohammed.com’, was organized by his son Hamid Bin Sayeed Babader and daughter Jameela Nishat, and featured a display of some of the artist’s paintings.
Sayeed Bin Mohammed Naqsh was a prominent figure in the Progressive Art Movement, born on September 7, 1921, in Mahbubnagar District, Telangana.
He was known for his innovative approach to portrait painting, initially mastering oil techniques that diverged from Western traditions.
His unique style later evolved to include watercolour, where he infused life into his subjects, often using blue backgrounds to evoke calmness and spirituality.
A recent event celebrated his legacy with the launch of a dedicated website, attended by art enthusiasts, former professors, and colleagues.
During this event, Hamid Bin Sayeed highlighted the distinctiveness of Naqsh’s self-portraits, noting how his method of expression captivated viewers.
In recognition of his talent, Naqsh received the Chattari Gold Medal in 1945 for his remarkable contributions to art, particularly for his ability to intertwine themes of creation and life in his works.
Jameela Nishat, daughter of Sayeed Bin Mohammed Naqsh, noted that her father, like any other artist, was deeply observant of his surroundings and absorbed the essence of life into his art.
She highlighted how he was particularly influenced by the allure of the Deccani marbled miniature paintings housed in the Salar Jung Museum in Hyderabad.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by News Desk / August 22nd, 2024
Creates world record of doing Indian Bridal makeup in less than 9 minutes’*
Budgam :
A youth from Budgam district of Kashmir has made it to the International Book of records for doing the fastest Indian bridal makeup.
Younis Ahmad Sheikh (22) known by the name Afnan, a resident of Bugam district area in Chadoora hamlet of Budgam district has created a record for making Indian bridal makeup in less than 9 minutes.
Younis said that he was interested in calligraphy since childhood which later turned to designing and make up art as well.
“Despite facing taunts from the society as makeup artists being a female dominant area during the initial stage as there was no make up artist in Kashmir, I continued my passion and joined training programmes online,” he said.
Younis first used to do make-up of his customers at his residence as he wasn’t in a position to start his saloon due to financial issues.
“As my mother left this world in my childhood and father was old and not in a position to earn anything. After struggling hard, somehow I managed to start a saloon at my own village and slowly society has started becoming supportive as well,” he said.
After starting a salon titled YAS professional beauty salon, the number of customers started increasing and currently three girls are working as helpers at his salon.
“Three girls have got a job at my salon as currently makeup is available for ladies only and I am planning to start making up for male folk as well,” Younis said.
He said that earning livelihood for himself and providing jobs to others is a big achievement at a time when youth are getting involved in anti-social activities.
Younis claims that he had first made it to the Indian book of records followed by the Asia book of records and now the International book of records. He made to international book of records by breaking the previous record of Indian bridal make up of Assam girl in 13 minutes 46 seconds to just 8 minutes and 58 seconds
“I made it to the International book of records for making the fastest Indian bridal makeup and creating a world record,” he said. He said that people shouldn’t be judgemental as every art is a gift of Allah and everyone must respect it.
“Many people don’t show their arts just out of the fear that how society will react to it and if there are equal rights, then men can go in the field of women and vice versa,” he said—(KNO)
source: http://www.thedispatch.in / The Dispatch / Home> The Lead> The News Feed / by The Dispatch Staff / May 08th, 2023
To celebrate the declaration of India as a democratic country, an Urdu periodical ‘Jamhoor’ was started from Aligarh, on the same day when the Indian Constitution came into force, i.e., on 26th January 1950.
Aligarh :
The Constitution of India was enacted in our country on 26th January 1950, after repealing an earlier act known as Government of India Act-1935. This implementation marked the beginning of the democratic form of government in India.
To celebrate the declaration of India as a democratic country, an Urdu periodical ‘Jamhoor’ was started from Aligarh, on the same day when the Indian Constitution came into force, i.e., on 26th January 1950. It was published three times a month, on 6th, 16th, and 26th day of the month. It was owned and edited by Mohammad Umar Khan Chattarvi (1924-2003), a well-known literary and pro-Urdu figure from Aligarh. Chattarvi was also the founding Secretary of the Urdu Board Aligarh and Idara-e- Ilm-o-Adab, Aligarh, under which he organised various Urdu literary activities and worked to promote Urdu education. He was a good poet and carried the pseudonym, “Samar”. In addition, he also held the posts of Secretary of Anjuman Taraaqi Urdu, Aligarh, and the National Anti-Communal Committee. He also served as the vice-president of the Aligarh Congress Committee.
Mohammad Umar Khan Chattarvi (1924-2003)
In 1957, in his editorials, he raised his protest against corruption in government circles and vehemently criticised its policies against the people. He questioned many decisions of the government, and in this regard, he exposed many faces. The then government did not appreciate his views, and he was soon arrested and sent to jail. Thereafter, protests started in Aligarh for his release. In 1958, the district court acquitted him honourably. Even after his release, he continued to edit ‘Jamhoor’. He believed that the strength of a democratic system rests on questioning and analysing the government’s work. He passed away on 16th March 2003, at the age of 77.
Every year, on the occasion of the Republic Day (26th January), “The Jamhoor” used to publish a special issue ‘Jamhooriat Number’ in which it meticulously examined Indian democracy and identified the real issues of the country, such as corruption in the government sector, educational inequality, poverty, illiteracy, minority issues, and communal problems, and so on. This special number was continuously published for thirteen years until it ceased its publication in 1962.
Jamhoor also started publishing a series of special articles on Indian democracy, contributed by Dr. Mohammad Hashim Kidwai who was then a young assistant professor of political science at AMU. This series was published continuously for about ten years. In his articles, Kidwai analysed and explored the political activities related to India over the previous year, highlighting the points that would contribute to the weakening of the Indian democracy.
On the cover page of the Republic Day special issue of 1951, under the title ‘Heroes of India’s Independence’, sketches of Mahatma Gandhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Acharya Kirpalani, and Sardar Patel were published. The same issue carried articles of Dr. Parasram, and Mohammad Hashim Kidwai, respectively titled “Position of Minorities in the Republic of India” and “Some Disturbing Thoughts on Democracy”.
‘Jamhoor’ helped the helpless Muslims at every stage of the post-independence period by fostering national unity and integrity and debunking Pakistan’s propaganda. Through their editorials and columns, ‘Jamhoor’ pulled Indian Muslims out of their inferiority complex and tried to convince them that their future is safe in India and they should not fall into Pakistan’s mischievous propaganda. For this purpose, it published messages, statements, and speeches of national leaders from time to time, so that the atmosphere of peace and tranquilly in the country can be maintained.
‘Jamhoor’ made a unique and indelible mark in the field of journalism. Its editorials and columns highlighted public concerns and issues in independent India, and helped to find new avenues. These features of ‘Jamhoor’ guaranteed its success and advanced its popularity.
At a critical juncture, during the early years of the post-independence years, when Hindus and Muslims were looking at each other suspiciously, there was a lot of prejudice on both sides, this newspaper played a significant role in promoting national unity and a peaceful society. Jamhoor apprised the government of the basic problems of the people, and exhorted both Hindus and Muslims to exercise patience and take steps towards the development of the country.
Many eminent scholars, such as Dr. Hashim Kidwai, Riyazur Rahman Sherwani, Muqtada Khan Sherwani, Waseem Alig, Dr. Ashraf, Haroon Khan Sherwani, Dr. Parasram, Zia Ahmed Badayuni, Abdul Shahid Sherwani, Zaheer Ahmad Siddiqui, Abu Anjum Qamar Sohouri, Aziz Ahmad Siddiqui, etc. immensely contributed to Jamhoor through their writings.
References:
Farooqui, Asad Faisal. Aligarh Ke Sahafat, Educationl Book House, 2016
Jamhoor, Aligarh (1951-1960) preserved in MAL library, AMU.
Idara-e-Ilm-o-Adab, Salana Report, 1959 (Annual Report, Compiled by Mohammad Umar Khan Chattarvi Samar)
The author may be contacted at asadfaisalamu@gmail.com
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> News> Special Reports / by The Milli Gazette Online / by Asad Faisal Farooqui / March 16th, 2023
The Urdu Academy Jeddah, in collaboration with the Hyderabad Education Center, organized a gold medal and merit certificate distribution ceremony for SSC top-performing students and best teachers from Telangana government Urdu medium schools. The event was held at the Education Center in Nezampet, Bownampally on Saturday.
The ceremony was presided over by Mr. Saleem Farooqui, Founder and Patron of the Urdu Academy Jeddah, and Mr. Sheikh Ibrahim, President of the Urdu Academy Jeddah.
The guests included General Secretary Syed Naeemuddin Bari, Manwar Khan, Qudrat Nawaz Baig, Vice President of Hyderabad, Ahmeduddin, Rifat Siddiqui, and Mohammad Bashir Ali.
The event began with a recitation from the Quran by Hafiz and Qari Syed Naeemuddin, followed by a Hamd (praise of God) and Naat (praise of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ) by Hafiz Ameenuddin Ansari.
Special tributes were paid to the late Mr. Syed Jamalullah Qadri, former President, and Mr. Asif Samadani, former Patron-in-Chief, for their invaluable contributions to Urdu language and literature.
The event continued with the distribution of gold medals to top-performing SSC students and certificates of appreciation to outstanding teachers.
The distinguished guests included Mr. Obaidullah Kotwal, Chairman of Telangana Minorities Finance Corporation, Mr. S.A. Ashkour, Director of Ma’arif University Osmania, Mr. Haqayuqur Rahman Baig, Coordinator of All India Congress Committee, and Mr. Imtiaz Ishaq, former Chairman of the Minority Financial Commission.
Ms. Saadia Fatima Khan from Maharashtra, representing the Urdu Academy Jeddah, conducted the ceremony with great skill. She extended a warm welcome to the guests of honor, patrons, and attendees, expressing gratitude for their continuous support.
The Urdu Academy Jeddah has always strived to support Urdu medium students, teachers, and schools. Their efforts aim to promote and preserve the Urdu language. The academy’s dedication has illuminated the path of knowledge not only in Hyderabad and Telangana but also in other cities, spreading the light of education.
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of awards for 25 students who achieved top grades in the SSC exams, including gold medals and cash prizes. Twelve outstanding teachers and two exemplary schools also received honors, including shawls and mementos.
Prominent figures at the event emphasized the importance of creating a supportive home environment for learning, encouraging families to maintain a library at home. The ceremony was a celebration of academic excellence and a tribute to the ongoing efforts to promote Urdu language and education.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation / by Radiance News Bureau / July 03rd, 2024
Dr. Faiza Abbasi receiving the Nishan-e-Urdu Award from Mr Abbas Ali Mehndi at Lucknow
Aligarh :
Dr. Faiza Abbasi, Director, UGC Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Programme (MMTTP), Aligarh Muslim University, has been honored with the prestigious Nishan-e-Urdu Award by the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Committee, Uttar Pradesh Government. The award ceremony took place at the Premchand Sabhagar of the Rajarshi Purushottam Das Tandon Hindi Sanstha, Lucknow on June 22.
The Nishan-e-Urdu Award is conferred upon individuals who have significantly contributed to the promotion of the Urdu language in India but neither got their employment from Urdu nor studied through the Urdu medium. Dr. Faiza Abbasi was selected for her contributions to the Urdu language, despite the fact that she holds a PhD degree in Wildlife Sciences and has been teaching Environmental Studies to undergraduate students in the departments of Shia and Sunni Theology and Quranic Environmental Ethics at the Khaleeq Ahmad Nizami Centre for Quranic Studies, AMU, which primarily imparts higher education to the students from Madrasas.
Dr. Abbasi has authored, edited, and translated five books in Urdu on educational, scientific and literary topics and regularly writes for Urdu journals and magazines, including the Tehzib ul Akhlaq and Fikr-o-Nazar. She also emceed at Jashn-e-Rekhta and organized Urdu literary evenings, voluntary Urdu language classes, and delivered lectures on the contributions of non-Muslim Urdu poets.
She was felicitated by Mr Abbas Ali Mehndi, Vice Chancellor, Era University, Lucknow, at a programme convened by Shri SN Lal, Convener, and Jitendra Kumar, Additional Secretary of Languages, Government of Uttar Pradesh.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / July 01st, 2024
Historians and enthusiasts are taking public education into their own hands to tell the story of the country’s Muslim communities.
Chaotic narrow lanes lined with opulent old mansions, shops selling spices, dried fruits and kebabs, all overhung by dangling power cables – any trip to Old Delhi, a bustling Muslim hub built by Mughal ruler Shah Jahan, is a full sensory experience.
Abu Sufyan weaves through the crowd with about 20 people in tow, making his way through streets smelling of flatbread soaked in ghee, the call to prayer at a nearby mosque mingling with the bells of a Hindu temple.
He is on a mission to change negative perceptions of Muslims by showing visitors more of their history in the capital.
“People in old Delhi were labelled as ‘terrorists’ and ‘pickpockets’ because they were predominantly Muslims from the lower economic background, and Mughal rulers were vilified as cruel invaders, as they were considered the ancestors to Indian Muslims,” Abu Sufyan, 29, says.
“My walks involve the local community members including calligraphers, pigeon racers, cooks and weavers with ancestral links in the Mughal era to showcase old Delhi’s heritage beyond these stereotypes.”
Abu Sufyan is one of a growing crop of enterprising men and women using the medium of heritage walks to educate the Indian public and tourists on the nation’s lesser-known history.
He started his walks in 2016, when hatred against Muslim communities was on the rise after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party introduced several anti-Muslim policies.
In 2015, a BJP politician urged the local civic body in Delhi to change the name of Aurangzeb Road to APJ Abdul Kalam Road. The civic body immediately obliged, removing the reference to the Mughal ruler from the road by naming it after the former president of India, who was always considered a “patriotic” Muslim.
Later, the 2019 Citizenship (Amendment) Act caused further division, as critics said it could be weaponised against Muslims, who are designated as “foreigners” under the National Register of Citizens.
Occasionally, divisions lead to violence: Thirty-six Muslims were killed in Hindu mob attacks for allegedly trading cattle or consuming beef between May 2015 and December 2018, according to Human Rights Watch.
‘A sense of belonging and togetherness’
Over 2,000 kilometres away in Chennai, documentary filmmaker Kombai S Anwar hosts walks in Triplicane to tell stories of Tamil Muslim history, Tamil Nadu’s pre-Islamic maritime trade links with West Asia, the arrival of Arab traders, Mughal emperor Aurangzeb’s rule, the appointment of a Mughal minister’s son Zulfikhar Ali Khan as the first Nawab of Arcot, and the lives of the subsequent nawab’s descendants.
“Predominantly, non-Muslims participate in these walks because they are ‘curious’ about local Muslims and their heritage. During [Ramadan], they are invited to the historic Nawab Walaja mosque, where they experience the breaking of fast and partake in the iftar meal,” Mr Anwar says.
Tickets for heritage walks across India range between 200 and 5,000 Indian rupees ($2-60).
Historian Narayani Gupta, who conducted heritage walks in Delhi between 1984-1997, said any controversy related to history generates more interest.
“Whether history is right or wrong or good or bad, it has to be backed by research findings,” she said
Saima Jafari, 28, a project manager at an IT firm, who has attended more than 30 heritage walks in the past five years, says it is hard to ignore the historical monuments in the city since they are almost everywhere.
Delhi-based Ms Jafari recalled one of her best experiences was a walk, in 2021, trailing the path of “Phool Waalon Ki Sair”, an annual procession of Delhi florists, who provide sheets of flowers and floral fans at the shrine of Sufi saint Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki and floral fans and a canopy at the ancient Hindu temple of Devi Yogmaya in Mehrauli.
“When I walked along with others in that heritage walk, I realised that heritage enthusiasts across religion walk together in harmony,” Ms Jafari says.
“One of the best parts of heritage walks is the storytelling that connects places with lives of people of a certain period. Plus, it always gives a sense of belonging and togetherness.”
Anoushka Jain, 28, a postgraduate in history and founder of heritage and research organisation Enroute Indian History, which holds walks to explore the erstwhile “kothas (brothels),” and “attariyas (terraces)” of old Delhi, said during pandemic lockdowns, posts on Instagram helped sparked interest.
“Before the pandemic, barely 40 people participated in two weekly walks as opposed to 50 in each of the four weekly walks which we conduct now,” she says.
But it is not all smooth sailing.
Ms Jain says some people feel uncomfortable when they are given historical facts and research that show Hindu and Jain temples constructed by Rajput rulers were repurposed during the rule of Delhi Sultanate, Qutb ud-Din Aibak.
Iftekhar Ahsan, 41, chief executive of Calcutta Walks and Calcutta Bungalow, adds that sometimes, participants come with preconceived notions that Muslims “destroyed” India for more 1,000 years – but walk leaders hold open conversations to “cut through the clutter” with authentic information.
For some, heritage walks often change perceptions.
“Until I visited mosques in old Delhi during a walk, I didn’t know that women were allowed inside mosques,” law student Sandhya Jain told The National.
But history enthusiast Sohail Hashmi, who started leading heritage walks in Delhi 16 years ago, cautions that some walk leaders present popular tales as historical fact.
A mansion called Khazanchi ki Haveli in old Delhi’s Dariba Kalan is presented as the Palace of the Treasurer of the Mughals by some walk leaders, Mr Hashmi says. The Mughals, however, were virtual pensioners of the Marathas – Marathi-speaking warrior group mostly from what is now the western state of Maharashtra – and later the British and had no treasures left by the time the mansion was built in the late 18th or early 19th century.
Another walk leader had photo-copied an 1850 map of Shahjahanabad, now old Delhi, passing it off as his own research, he adds.
“The walk leaders must be well-read and responsible enough to ensure that the myths are debunked,” Mr Hashmi says.
source: http://www.thenationalnews.com / The National / Home> International Edition> World> Asia / by Sonia Sarkar / June 01st, 2023
A hundred-year-old Muslim library stands firm in the narrow lanes of Shivajinagar, Bangalore, barely visible from the outside and quite difficult to locate. By asking the locals, one can find a small staircase squeezed between shops leading to the library. You can easily detect the smell of old books on the staircase, and upon entering the library, a sudden sense of calm and peace permeates the bustling market. There have been many highs and lows throughout the library’s long and illustrious history, and in 2014, it celebrated its centenary.
At the beginning of the second decade of the 20th century, a group of intellectuals and benefactors in the city of Bangalore came together to promote the Urdu language and raise educational awareness among Muslims. On 5th May 1912, Bangalore’s Muslim Library was founded. The inaugural conference took place at Maulvi Abdul Ghaffar Sahab’s New Market Road (Char Minar Road) building on 9th May 1912. Five months after its establishment, in 1912, the library moved from the New Market Road building to a shop on Masjid Street, where Madarasa Quwwatul Islam was located.
In January 1929, a significant event took place when Amin-ul Malik Mirza Muhammad Ismail Diwan of the Mysore State presided over a grand meeting at the Globe Theatre (Opera Bazaar) in honour of the poet of the east – Allama Dr Muhammad Iqbal. During this meeting, Allama Iqbal was presented with a letter of appreciation by the library. The library members raised money for Allama Iqbal’s visit and the meeting under the name “Iqbal Fund.” Additionally, the library celebrated its founding anniversary on 9th May 1937, with a grand celebration presided over by Baba Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq, the Secretary of Anjuman Tarqee Urdu.
The Muslim Library was registered under Registration Act 21-1860 on 3rd May 1935, at the Bangalore office of Joint Stock Companies. To ensure the security and maintenance of the library’s assets, a trust named “Muslim Library Trust, Bangalore” was established and registered under the Indian Registration Act 1-1908 in the office of the Sub-Registrar, Civil Station, Bangalore, on 14th September 1957. Donations were received, and the present building of the library was purchased on 22nd May 1958, although there were concerns about the institution’s stability.
Throughout its 100-year history, many notable and famous personalities from the country and the state have visited the library and expressed their good wishes.
These include Syed Sulaiman Nadvi, Allama Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal, Maulana Shaukat Ali (Ali Brothers), Maulana Zafar Ali Khan (Director Zamindar-Lahore), Baba Urdu Maulvi Abdul Haq, Professor Abdul Wahab Bukhari, Sagar Nizami, Hazrat Josh Malihabadi, Allama Seemab Akbarabadi, Mirza Yas Yagana Chingizi, Ejaz Siddiqui, Hazrat Jigar Moradabadi, Hazrat Hafeez Jalandhri, Hazrat Amjad Hyderabadi, Maulana Mufti Muhammad Ashraf Ali, and Professor B Sheikh Ali, among others.
Photo by Nabeel Ahmad
The two-storey library houses more than 30,000 books in various languages, though it has a treasured and rare manuscript collection in Urdu and Persian, some of which are even a century old. The library houses rare and valuable books on various subjects, ancient magazines, 1980s newspapers, and manuscripts from the Haidari era. The total number of manuscripts is 29. Some important manuscripts include: Maulvi Abdul Haq bin Saifuddin’s “Completion of Faith and Taqwaity of Faith”, “Al-Tazirat” (Dakhini Urdu), compiled by Hafiz Ahmad bin Muhammad Maghrib in 1235, “Deewan Naziri” (Fari Kalam) by Nazir Neshapuri, “Kaliat Kamal” (Urdu) by Kamal Shah Peer (Dakhini Urdu). Additionally, selected letters from Shaheed Tipu Sultan, written to various friends, are available here. The library also holds many rare books published by the famous publisher Munshi Kishore of his time. Notable among them is “Ajab al-Makhluqat,” published in 1889, and ancient and rare books on medicine such as “Talb Akbari,” Volume I, published in 1895, and the translation of “Makhzan-e-Adawiya” written by Hakeem Muhammad Noor Kareem in two volumes. Moinuddin Farooqi’s books on Islamic medicine are also available in the library.
A thick, long register at the entrance with visitors’ signatures in Urdu is a rare sight, but it simply depicts the library’s love of Urdu. Photo by Nabeel Ahmad
The first person to greet visitors at the library is Muhammad Altaf, the caretaker who has been looking after the library for the past 24 years. Altaf says, “Urdu is the sweetest of all languages, though the new generation is drifting away from it. There was a time when the library used to be filled with readers. However, most of those readers are no longer alive. Only a few PhD scholars now visit the library for their work.”
Photo by Nabeel Ahmad
A place that was previously bustling with activity from city dwellers who devoured Urdu newspapers, magazines, and novels is now desolate and silent. Amidst the haunting stillness, the sound of pages rustling from bygone eras is nearly audible. Altaf bemoaned the slow but steady decline of Urdu readers, citing youth as an example of an audience that values instant gratification more than the more reflective practice of reading, especially Urdu.
Altaf emphasised that parents should encourage their children to learn to read and write Urdu in this era. The new generation needs to pay heed to Urdu; otherwise, the language will gradually go extinct.
Altaf added, “The library is open to the public and provides a lifetime membership for Rs. 1,500. Members can issue the books; however, the older and rare collection is aesthetically stacked on the shelf. Over the years, Urdu lovers in the city have considered this place a haven for learning.”
The Muslim Library is one of the repositories of India’s linguistic and cultural wealth, holding the key to Urdu’s revival. By digitising their precious collections, these forgotten sanctuaries can be transformed into accessible digital archives. Coupled with restoration efforts, proper funding, and community engagement through reading clubs, literary events, and language courses, these libraries can become vibrant hubs of learning and appreciation. Strategic partnerships with the government, corporations, and the public are essential to ensuring their preservation and expansion. With a concerted effort, these libraries can ignite a renaissance of Urdu, reasserting its place as the soul of India’s literary heritage.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> Culture / by Nabeel Ahmad / August 01st, 2024
IMPROF President Raja Mohamad (right) and the Chief Executive of Centre for Singapore Tamil Culture Arun Mahizhnan presenting Dr Maliki Osman a token of appreciation.Photo: IMPROF
A newly launched microsite aims to serve as a comprehensive repository of the Singapore Indian Muslim community’s rich history and contributions.
The digital platform, developed by IMPROF, a network of Indian Muslim professionals, in collaboration with the Centre for Singapore Tamil Culture (CSTC), centralises information on important individuals, organisations, institutions and publications in the Singapore Indian Muslim community.
Launched on July 28 at the National Library Building, the microsite serves as a gateway into the insights of the Singaporean Indian Muslim community, said Dr Maliki Osman, Second Minister for Education and Foreign Affairs, who was the guest of honour at the launch event.
“The story of Indian Muslims in Singapore is one of resilience, cultural preservation and contribution to our nation’s multicultural identity.
“I hope this microsite can serve as a reminder, not just for the Indian Muslim community, but also for the broader Singaporean audience on the importance of preserving and documenting our stories,” he said.
He also encouraged the younger generation to take up the mantle and uphold these traditions.
Mr Raja Mohamad, president of IMPROF, said that Indian Muslims are often misunderstood even in today’s society.
“This microsite aims to address misconceptions and promote accurate information about our community. It is not merely a directory but a well-organised collection of existing information that has been gathered from various sources across the internet,” Mr Raja said.
For example, one can find information about a teacher who is also a community leader, an author, and a sports enthusiast, all in one place, he said.
The microsite documents key developments and notable figures in the Singapore Indian Muslim community, including publications and resources by Indian Muslims as well as those written by others about Indian Muslims.
With 111 subjects, 58 personalities, 30 institutions and 705 links featured, Mr Raja said the site’s content is non-exhaustive and will be continually updated.
The criteria for selection include having an independent mention on authoritative third-party websites, such as government or official institutions, and being recognised through national awards or respected institutions. Additionally, individuals must have excelled in their professional fields or served the community in significant capacities within government or influential agencies.
Mr Raja said he hopes it will be a valuable resource for scholars, community leaders, students and anyone who wants to know more about their community.
The idea for the microsite was conceived four years ago when he gave Mr Raja a call on Hari Raya morning, said Mr Arun Mahizhnan, the chief executive of CSTC.
“The world of the Indian Muslims in Singapore is a continuation of what existed more than 2,000 years ago in this region. They are a small but significant community that helped build Singapore.
“CSTC believes social history is essential for a fuller understanding of our community life. We hope to act as a catalyst in several more of such initiatives,” he said.
The students and teachers of the German Section, Department of Foreign Languages, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) contributed significantly to the Translation Project conducted by Goethe-Institut, Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai.
The South Asian regional translation project, “Diamantenschliff: The Digital Translation Academy” focused on the translations of German literary works into the South Asian languages with special emphasis on the translation of selected works of Franz Kafka from German into various South Asian languages, including Bangla, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Sinhala, Tamil and Urdu.
Syed Salman Abbas, Assistant Professor, German Language and Literature, Department of Foreign Languages, who was the mentor for Urdu translations, moderated a lecture session on translation delivered by Dr Almuth Degener, a retired professor from the Indology Department, University of Mainz, Germany.
The current and former students of the German Section, including Mohammad Uzair, Mohammad Khalid, Sadique Khan, Mohammad Intizar, Muhammad Fahad and Syeda Alina Ali translated different works of Kafka from German into Urdu, while Mr Syed Salman Abbas contributed to and edited the Urdu translations for the website.
Dr Subair PM, Assistant Professor, made contributions as one of the translators of German texts into Malayalam.
The one-year-long project concluded with the launch of the translations on the official website of Goethe-Institut, on July 3, marking Franz Kafka’s birthday. The voice recordings of the Urdu translations are also available on the website.
Prof Muhammad Azhar, Dean of the Faculty of International Studies and Chairman of the concerned department appreciated the unique achievement of the students and faculty members of the department and congratulated them for their outreach.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / July 31st, 2024
In 2020, Hina made her Bollywood debut with the film Hacked and also ventured into the OTT space with the web series Damaged 2.
Hina Khan (Instagram)
Mumbai:
On June 28, 2024, popular actress Hina Khan took to her Instagram to share some shocking news with her fans and followers. Hina revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She asked everyone to pray for her quick recovery, while also assuring them of her determination to come back stronger. In her heartfelt post, Hina requested privacy during this challenging time.
The Indian television industry boasts many talented and stunning actresses. Over the years, we’ve seen numerous iconic performers who have captured our hearts and created unforgettable characters. Recently, there’s been a surge of talented actresses such as Divyanka Tripathi, Rubina Dilaik, Anita Hassanandani, and Surbhi Jyoti, among others.
One actress who stands out in this industry is Hina Khan, known for her role as ‘Akshara Maheshwari Singhania’ in the popular TV show “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai.” Hina, now 36, is one of the highest-paid television actresses in India. She has an impressive 19.1 million followers on Instagram, where she frequently shares updates about her personal and professional life.
In 2020, Hina made her Bollywood debut with the film “Hacked” and also ventured into the OTT space with the web series “Damaged 2.” According to reports, Hina earns a substantial income from her TV shows and brand endorsements. She reportedly charges between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakh per episode and has an estimated net worth of Rs. 52 crore.
Hina Khan was born on October 2, 1987, in Srinagar and raised in an orthodox Muslim family. She completed her schooling at CMS Montessori School in Lucknow and later graduated from Delhi University’s Gargi College. It was during her college days that she auditioned for “Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai” and landed the lead role, despite having no formal training in acting. She started her television career at the age of 22, and since then, she has appeared in several popular TV shows like “Kasautii Zindagii Kay” and “Naagin.”
Hina Khan’s journey from a college student to one of the highest-paid actresses in the Indian television industry is truly inspiring. Despite facing a tough health battle, her determination and resilience are a testament to her strength and spirit.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Entertainment> Television News / by Chandra Mouli / June 30th, 2024
