Category Archives: Education

Sanskrit scholar Onampilly Faizy runs Islamic academy where Vedanta and Quran are taught

Education, Education : Sanskrit - Indian Muslims (wef. November 05th, 2024), Uniquely Indian - Inter Faith (wef. February 08th, 2023), , , , , , , , ,

Thrissur, KERALA :

Muhammad Faizy Onampilly teaching at Academy of Shariat and Advanced Studies

There are many educational institutions run by the Jamaat or other Muslim bodies all across the country. They go about their job teaching Islamic scripture, Islamic laws, Hadith, and so on. 

The Academy of Shariat and Advanced Studies in Thrissur in Kerala (ASAS) in Thrissur in Kerala is however a bit different as its principal is a Sanskrit scholar from Sri Sankara University Kalady (the birthplace of Adi Sankaracharya) and it also teaches Sanskrit and Vedantic texts to its students along with Islamic texts.

Started eight years ago by Samastha, a body of Sufi Sunni Muslim scholars, and its curriculum was redesigned by its principal Onampilly Muammad Faizy to make it one of the most unique institutions in the country.

The principal introduced Sanskrit language and literature as a compulsory part of the curriculum a few years ago.

Students enter the academy after grade X through an entrance test. They complete their intermediate, degree, and post-graduation in Islamic studies and one of the papers is Sanskrit.

Why Sanskrit in an institution which teaches Islamic law? What is the relevance? Are there any takers? Is there no opposition?

There are many more questions but just one answer. “I want students to know everything and be aware of every philosophy and not be isolated,” says the principal.

The Holy Quran and Bhagwat Gita

OnampIlly is well known for his discourses which turn pages of Koran and Upanishads as if they were from a single book. His erudition in both Vedantic thought and the Quran is well known.

“The Indian philosophical scenario is vast and I want students at my Academy to know it and not be cut off from it,’’ he says.

His students at the Academy are about 100 in number. Asked if they or their parents had objections to learning Sanskrit, he said it is an academic subject like any other. I believe that you should learn and know every thought rather than be isolated and restricted to just your religion. Knowledge and awareness breeds understanding,” he says.

Though his talks (available on YouTube) are laced generously with quotes from the Gita and Upanishads, he does not teach Sanskrit at his Academy. “ I feel that the study of a language is also a study of the culture that it represents. So, while we learn a language we are also appreciating the culture of the people who speak it. So, I have three Hindu Sanskrit teachers to conduct the courses. This interaction removes the cultural barricade between the two. I would not be able to communicate the cultural subtleties as a Hindu teacher would be able to,”’ he says.

OnampIlly says the present education system lacks dharma or value-based education. “Without values education is hollow.’’

But given the diversity of religious faiths in India, schools shy away from including anything on religious philosophies in the curriculum. Asked about this he says that is no excuse to deprive students of the rich values that our faiths provide. If his academy can do it, why can’t the schools do it, is the unasked question.

Academy of Shariat and Advanced Studies in Thrissur in Kerala 

Education is just a money-making exercise now. There is teaching of texts but no mentoring. Only if you mentor the child, you would expose him to the plurality of faiths and to the common principle that unites all faiths – compassion.

NEP was an opportunity to reform the education system but it failed to bring in any change, he says.

Unless students today are exposed to religion and value-based education, it is not possible to explain to them the beauty of plurality. They should know about differences while they keep their own identities, he says adding that without understanding and awareness, and differences can only lead to hatred and conflict.

He says that embracing plurality doesn’t mean discarding one’s own beliefs. I’m very rigid about my faith. Once I was asked to light a lamp at a function presided over by a Supreme Court judge I refused to do so. And then I told the gathering that even though my action looks shocking, the Constitution supports me in this, he says, adding that our education does not create awareness about even the Constitution.

He cites a Supreme Court verdict that said “Constitution and culture teach us harmony and let us not dilute it.”

The students here complete their UGC-affiliated degree and PG courses along with the Islamic studies courses provided at the Academy. The Sanskrit course is part of the eight-year Islamic Course. It starts with basic grammar,a few shlokas,and simple content at the intermediate level followed by Sanskrit plays at the degree level. In the final year and at the PG level, philosophy and an introduction to Puranas are included.

The main ten Upanishads which have Sankara’s commentaries are included for studies while Mundakopanishad is taught in detail, Abhishek, one of the Sanskrit teachers at ASAS to Awaz-the Voice.

At the PG level, students do a thesis which is usually a comparative study between Koran and Vedantic texts. Onampilly wants us to create an interest in the students as that will lead them to more self-study. The dissertation project also makes them explore texts on their own and stumble upon similarities while improving their analytical skills”.

Abhishek is a postgraduate from the Central Sanskrit University based in Delhi.

“The students are very talented and often point out to me similarities between Sanskrit philosophical content and Koran and other texts”, he says.

Abhishek who just completed his course from the Kerala campus of the CSU and in his first job here, then finds himself reading English translations of the Quranto find those similarities pointed out by students. “So, I’m learning a lot too,” he says.

“The principal himself knows most Sanskrit texts and wants his students also to be knowledgeable. This is something no institution branded as secular would dare to do,especially for all its students, and choose to keep them all in blissful ignorance of both their texts and those of other faiths, ‘’says Abhishek.

A class in progress at ASAS

“So that is our tradition. You keep your identity but accept the other too. By teaching Sanskrit, I’m only promoting this broader outlook among my students,” says OnampIlly.

His dream is to include the study of Syrian, Buddhist, and other streams of philosophy and religious thought in his academy. It may not be possible to do full-fledged courses but at least we can start with lectures and presentations to expose students to world religions and philosophies, he says adding that the most challenging task is to find teachers.

“I want to tell my students that there is a sea of human community around you and you don’t exist in isolation’’, he says.

He says that no other Islamic institution teaches Sanskrit texts or Sanskrit as a course as his academy does.

However, this initiative is done in a smaller way in another institution run by Samastha, the Sufi platform that started this academy. The Dar ul Huda an Islamic University in Chemmad in north Kerala, a deemed university also conducts short programmes on Sanskrit texts and to build awareness among students, says Onampally.

Asked about any resistance from non-Sufi bodies in Kerala, he said that the Jamaat and other Islamic bodies are moving towards openness. “So, I have not faced any objections from anyone so far’’. Besides the study of Sanskrit helps improve their study of their texts. Sanskrit influences Malayalam and we are all products of different influences. Society is all about give and take and so we can’t separate ourselves from other languages and other belief systems, he explains.

Asked about the obscurity of Sanskrit and the consequential ignorance of the philosophical content in Sanskrit even for Hindus, he quotes Ved Vyasa and says dharmasya tattvaṁ nihitaṁ guhāyāṁ mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ meaning that the dharma tattva or righteousness or the knowledge of the truth resides in a cave. So, walk where the wise men go and realize the right path through them.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Sreelatha Menon, Thrissur / November 04th, 2024

Dr. Chaudhary Wali Mohammad (1886-1968): Life and Contributions

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Science & Technology, ,

Feerozpur, PUNJAB / Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

In October 1919, Chaudhary Wali Mohammad joined as the Deputy Secretary in the Educational Department, Government of India.

He was also a member of the Indian Education Service and was instrumental in drafting the Bills of Aligarh Muslim University, Lucknow University, Dacca University, and Nagpur University.

Dr. Chaudhary Wali Mohammad was born in Feerozpur Punjab, on August 18, 1886. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. degrees from Lahore College, Punjab. When in 1907, MAO College began science classes under the guidance of Prof. E. Harrison; he joined the College in March 1908 as one of the earliest teachers of Physics. Wali Mohammad was later sent by the MAO College Management to Cambridge England for higher studies in Physics in October 1908, for which he received the Agha Khan Scholarship. He passed Tripos in Natural Science in July 1910. He was the pupil of Noble Laureate Sir J. J. Thomson of Cambridge University. After that, he was shifted to Germany where he received his Doctorate from Gottingen University (Germany) in March 1912.

After returning back to Aligarh in 1912, he resumed his service and served as a professor and the Head of the Department of Physics from 1912-1919. He also served as the Principal of MAO College, Aligarh for a brief stint i.e. from March 1919 to May 1919.

In October 1919, he joined as the Deputy Secretary in the Educational Department, Government of India. He was also a member of the Indian Education Service and was instrumental in drafting the Bills of Aligarh Muslim University, Lucknow University, Dacca University, and Nagpur University.

In 1921, he was appointed as the first professor and the Head of the Department of Physics at Lucknow University at which position he worked till 1945. In the tumultuous phase of 1946, he was appointed the Vice-Chancellor of Osmania University, Hyderabad but he was there only for a brief period. He was also one of the members of the planning committee for the establishment of the National Physical Laboratory approved by the CSIR Governing Council in 1943.

At Aligarh, he had left a big trust for the benefit of the students of Aligarh Muslim University. He established a corpus fund at the MAO College to scholarships to promising young students for research at the best Universities and Institutes in Europe and Elsewhere within our country. At Lucknow University he also started Evelyn Wali Mohammad Gold Medal for the student topped in M.Sc. Electronic.

After partition, he migrated to London in 1948, where he worked for the cause of science education. In 1957, he established the Edith Evelyn Wali Muhammad Trust to support students in pursuing higher research in science, technology, and medicine in various British Universities.

After coming back to India he continued to take great interest in the affairs of Aligarh Muslim University and donated to it both his property and his rare books. The property includes his house Wali Manzil and a piece of land on which Nadeem Tarin Hall is situated.

Besides being a dynamic Physics teacher and administrator, he also took a keen interest in library affairs. When he was in Aligarh, he served as the Librarian in charge at College Library known as Lytton Library. In Lucknow University, besides working on the expansion of the Department of Physics he set up a modern library now known as Tagore Library. He was the President of the All India Library Association.

Chaudhary Wali Mohammad was specialized in spectroscopy, magneto-optics and wireless operations. His research on the hyperfine structure of spectral lines with a littrow mounting spectrograph was a rare achievement for an Indian University at that time. He was one of the earliest to introduce wireless in the post-graduate course in physics in an Indian University. Set up a low-power medium-wave radio transmitter in the Department of Physics AMU for his research on ionospheric reflection.

He was a foundation fellow of the ‘National Academy of Science (INSA). He also worked for the revival of Sir Syed’s ‘Scientific Society’ at Aligarh and served as the Vice President and President of the Scientific Society, Aligarh respectively during the sessions 1907-1908 and 1914-1915. In 1914, he also introduced the ‘Photographic Society’ at MAO College.

He delivered many lectures on various aspects of physics through the platform of Scientific Society. One of his lectures on X-rays which he delivered on 24th June 1908 for the students of MAO College at Strachey Hall was well received by the audience. In 1925, as a fellow of Allahabad University, he also wrote a booklet critically evaluating the condition of Physics education at Allahabad University. The  Aligarh Institute Gazette” published a report on this book in its issue of 4 November 1915.

Chaudhary Wali Mohammad also served as the President, the Physics and Mathematics Section, the Indian Science Congress in 1917. His Presidential address at the Indian Science Congress’s Physics and Mathematics session of the year 1917 was published as Tim-ul-Mraya-wa-al Manazir’ by the Aligarh Institute Press, Aligarh in 1918. His article on physics Uqda Kainat Bazariya Ilm-e-Hayyar’ appeared in Aligarh Monthly in June 1908.

Wali Mohammad’s article on the education system of Cambridge depicting literary and educational activities of the University ‘Cambridge University ke Dilchasp Halat’ was published in the “Aligarh Institute Gazette” on 26th May 1909. His other articles that appeared in the Gazette are: ‘Wilayat ke Akhbarat Kyonkar Chaptay Hain? – London ke Matbat me Aik Din’ (15th September 1909), ‘Sikkay Kaise Mazroob hotay Hain (22nd September 1909), ‘Aik Japani Mudarris ka Dastoor-ul-Amal (22 September 1909), ‘Wilayat me Andbe Bacche kaise Parthe Hain-Andhe Bacchon ke School me Aik Din’ (29, September 1909). An article of him Aligarh College ke Maujooda Halat’ appeared in Aligarh Institute Gazette on 16th March 1919. He died at Aligarh on 24 June 1968.

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References

1. Aligarh Institute Gazette (23 September 1908, 26 May 1909, 6 February 1918, and 4th November 1915),

2. Aligarh Monthly (June 1908)

3. Dr. Chaudhary Wali Mohammad College Ke Pehle Hindustani Principal Aur Mabir-e- Tabayyat by Dr. Asad Faisal Farooqui, Fikr-o-Nazar, Aligarh June 2021

4. Aligarh Muslim University Contributions and Achievements, Duty Society, Aligarh, 1989.

5. The Nine Faculty Gems of Lucknow University, Times of India, November 16, 2019.

6. Website of Indian National Science Academy, Insaindia.res.in Souvenir Department of Physics, Aligarh Muslim University, 2012

7. Indian Library Chronology by PSG Kumar, Allied Publishers Delhi, 2000

8. University Mourns Professor Wali Mohammad’s death, 8 September 1968 Muslim University Gazette

source: http://www.heritagetimes.in / Heritage Times / Home / by Dr Asad Faisal Farooqui / August 26th, 2024

MLA Raees Sheikh inaugurates Bhiwandi’s First Digital Classroom

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, , ,

Bhiwandi, MAHARASHTRA :

Bhiwandi :

The city of power looms marked an educational milestone with the inauguration of its first municipal digital classroom at the historic Municipal Urdu School. This achievement is a result of the concerted efforts of the MLA Raees Sheikh.

The newly introduced digital classroom aims to modernize municipal schools and level the playing field for students compared to private institutions. This initiative started at one of the oldest municipal Urdu schools, previously shut down due to inadequate facilities. The digital classroom features a 55-inch television for online learning, writing capabilities, a digital syllabus for grades 1 to 4, Wi-Fi, and CCTV cameras. The classroom’s walls are painted with vibrant colors and educational cartoons, creating an engaging environment.

The grand opening at School No. 65 was attended by former teachers, students, families, and local residents, who were impressed by the modern facility. MLA Raees Sheikh, who inaugurated the classroom, highlighted that Bhiwandi’s government schools would become a model for Maharashtra. He announced plans to implement similar digital classrooms in all municipal schools, with 20 schools in the Eastern constituency currently undergoing upgrades. School No. 65 is the first to be completed, and Sheikh committed to ensuring that municipal schools are equipped with facilities comparable to private institutions.

Previously, School No. 65, located on Kalyan Road in the As-Bibi area, operated for 63 years in a small, dilapidated room with minimal amenities, including a lack of drinking water and sanitation. Despite operating for over six decades, these needs were ignored by educational authorities. After media reports, the State Human Rights Commission ordered improvements, but instead, the corporation closed the school and relocated students. Responding to local protests and educational disruption, MLA Raees Sheikh recognized the need for a new building. He allocated ₹60 lakh for construction on nearby PWD land and ₹7.5 lakh for a digital classroom in the old building. While construction of the new building is ongoing, efforts to improve educational facilities continue.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education / by Radiance News Bureau / August 17th, 2024

Educationists, activists attend AMP’s seminar on education

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi :

The Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) organized a national seminar on “Education Roadmap for the Community” on Sunday at the JSSS Auditorium, Jamia Millia Islamia University. The event was attended by notable educators, social leaders, vice-chancellors, deans, senior professors, and school principals from across the country, who discussed strategies to promote education and foster collaboration for national development.

The Chief Guest, Mr. Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (Government of India), praised AMP’s nationwide efforts in promoting education and employment, and expressed his support for such initiatives. He called upon organizations and individuals engaged in community development to collaborate and share their challenges and potential solutions. Mr. Lalpura reaffirmed the government and commission’s commitment to minority welfare and commended AMP’s career guidance and education-employment initiatives. He appreciated the AMP Career Chart displayed at Jamia for student career guidance, calling it a commendable step, and advised AMP to display charts of government welfare schemes in schools as well.

The keynote speakers at the seminar included:

– Dr. Khwaja M. Shahid (Former Vice-Chancellor, MANUU, Hyderabad)

– Professor Khan Masood Ahmad (Former Vice-Chancellor, KMCLU, Lucknow)

– Professor Furqan Qamar (Former Vice-Chancellor, University of Rajasthan and Central University of Himachal Pradesh)

– Prof. Dr. Rehan Khan Suri (Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Jamia Millia Islamia)

– Professor Wasim Ahmad Khan (Former Faculty, Department of Teacher Training & Non-Formal Education, Jamia Millia Islamia)

– Mrs. Fauzia Mumtaz (Principal, Crescent School)

– Professor Zubair Minai (Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia)

– Dr. Javed Alam Khan (Economist)

– Mrs. Bushra Khanam (Senior Journalist)

– Dr. Mohammad Arshad Khan (Principal, Jamia Senior Secondary School)

Each speaker shared their valuable insights on promoting educational empowerment within the community.

On this occasion, the AMP National Talent Search 2024 poster was also unveiled by the Chief Guest and other dignitaries.

The program was skillfully anchored by AMP’s National Head Coordination, Mr. Farooq Siddiqui, who highlighted AMP’s 17-year journey, supported by over 150 chapters and thousands of volunteers across India, dedicated to promoting educational awareness and employment.

AMP Delhi Chapter Head, Mr. Altamash Mohammad, welcomed the dignitaries and appreciated the contributions made by AMP under the leadership of its President, Mr. Aamir Edresy, over the past 17 years.

On this occasion, AMP also presented the AMP National Awards 2024 for Social Excellence to the Delhi NCR awardees. The honorees in the national category included:

– Institute of Objective Studies (IOS)

– Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR)

– Taraqqui Foundation

In the State NGO category, the following organizations were honored for their impactful work:

– Tasmia All India Educational and Welfare Society

– Muslim Education Foundation (MEF)

– Rahat Welfare Foundation

– The Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on Relief (EFICOR)

– Hamari Sada Trust

– Rahbar Foundation

– Guncha Foundation

The individual changemaker awards recognized:

– Syed Mahmood Akhtar, IRS (Retd.)

– Syed Zubair Ahmad

– Advocate Maryam Fawzia Rahman

– Dr. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

– Zia us Salam

– Dr. Mohammad Arshad Khan

– Dr. Hasnain Akhtar

– Hammad Rahman

– Dr. Mohammad Shoaib Akram

– Professor Majid Jameel

– Ali Javed

– Wadood Sajid

– Abdul Majid Nizami

– Advocate Juneis Padalath

– Ashraf Ali Bastawi

– Senior Advocate M. R. Shamshad

– Fatima Khan

– Advocate Abubakr Sabbak

– Adil Meraj

Recipients of the AMP National Award for Excellence in Education 2024 from Delhi NCR included esteemed teachers:

– Prof. Furqan Qamar

– Professor Dr. Reshma Nasreen

– Dr. Irfanullah Farooqui

– Professor Arvinder Ansari

– Professor Nafees Ahmed

– Professor Nisar Khan

– Professor Sheema Aleem

– Rubina Gul Khan

– Fauzia Mumtaz

– Sumera Khan

– Dr. Mohammad Mukeet Khan

The event concluded with a vote of thanks by AMP Delhi Chapter Secretary, Dr. Aftab Alam, who expressed gratitude to the Chief Guest, speakers, Jamia Millia Islamia administration, guests, media, and AMP Delhi team for their hard work and dedication in making this event a success. Key members of AMP Delhi Core Team, including Monu Khan, Faizy Wasik, Adnan Khan, Shafi Ullah, Aftab Fazil, Mohammad Azharuddin, Shadab Ahmad, Arif Hussain, and Anwar Khursheed, provided exceptional support in organizing the program.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / IndiaTomorrow.net / Home> Education / by admin indiatomorrow / November 04th, 2024

Farooq Fayaz’s journey of chronicling Kashmir’s cultural history

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Prof Farooq Fayaz Bhat

Farooq Fayaz Bhat’s rise in life had a strong link with the place of his birth. The Sahitya Akademi award winner author and historian feels that being born in a locality that was adjacent to Habbakadal, a hub of theatrical activities in Kashmir back then, shaped his personality and mind.

Early in his life, he developed a keen interest in art and culture and gradually moved into the realms of literary criticism, particularly Kashmir’s folk cultural history.

More than five decades of his journey through theatre, Radio Kashmir, Srinagar (now AIR), and teaching, his zest for Kashmiri culture through history has earned him the Sahitya Akademi award for the Kashmiri language in 2022.

The author of many books in Kashmiri and English, Bhat was also conferred with the Jammu and Kashmir State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages award in 2009.  He also taught history at the University of Kashmir where he retired as Professor of History a decade ago.

He was also the Director, UGC Academic Staff College.

Farooq Fayaz Bhat receiving the Sahitya Akademy award

“Zael Dab, for which he received the Sahitya Akademi award in 2022, is a collection of critical essays on literary personalities of Kashmir. It was adjudged  “the best book”. 

“For the first time I applied a particular critical theory and it was under the wide frame of a post-modern critical theory, neo-historicism”, Farooq Fayaz said while talking to Awaz-The Voice at his residence at Kanipora on the Srinagar outskirts. “I applied this theory to examine Kashmir’s wide range of writers. It was highly appreciated in literary circles with (at least) 14 reviews published in regional and national media by eminent writers”, he said.

Farooq Fayaz disclosed that he was “working on the second edition of ‘Zael Dab’ in which more contributors would be critically examined”. He hopes to publish it next year.  

One of his current projects in which he is working is the Kashmiri translation of Romila Thapar’s “Early India History”, under the aegis of National Translation Mission, Mysore. He said he has completed the work and the book is in the process of printing by the Mission of the Government of India.

Another project of “rewriting the history of Kashmiri literature”, is at the hands of the critic and author, which has been completed up to Habba Khatoon, 16th century Kashmiri woman poet.

The Jammu and Kashmir State Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages awarded Farooq Fayaz for his book “Kashmiri Folklore: A Study in Historical Perspective” (English) in 2009. The book was picked up among 100 entries for the coveted award. The awards were given away on the literary works in 14 regional languages of the erstwhile State of J&K by the then Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar. 

Prof Farooq Fayaz Bhat

This award-winning book was based on his Ph. D thesis under the guidance of renowned Prof Mohammad Ishaq Khan,   with more additions to his work on the “Kashmir folklore as source information in an attempt to build a cultural history of Kashmir”, he said. Kashmiri folklore including “Baande paether” (street theater) and “Laddi Shah” have been the only oral evidence of folk culture in Kashmir, through which social and economic issues were being highlighted through street plays, mostly in the rural areas till the end of the last century. “Baande paether”, though being staged in some areas over the past two decades, has taken a back seat now.

Elaborating on his work, Farooq Fayaz said that the peasants, before 1947 were being humiliated and lived a hard life. “I studied and examined “Baande paether”, played by folk artists presenting their plight or torture, etc through their plays. It became a medium between the governments and the common man. I started decoding the coded language. Similarly, there is “Laddi Shah”, a story-telling musical genre, the art of traditional humorous folk singing by minstrels wandering (for alms during harvest season) from place to place. He also referred to the Wanwun, and Rauff, folk songs by Kashmiri women on marriage or other occasions, in his endeavor to build the cultural history of Kashmir.

Farooq Fayaz lamented that women were “marginalized” as there were illustrations of only 13 women who had been directly or indirectly associated with “Durbar”, adding there have been a large number of such women. “I highlighted the plight of Kashmiri women in feudal structure. How they suffered and how they have shown their miseries and plight….all these things were added to the thesis”, he said referring to the award-winning book.

His publications include (a) “Zaban Adab Te Tawareekh”(Language, Literature, and History), (b) Folklore and History of Kashmir, (c) Kashmir Folklore-A Study in Historical Perspective, (d) Zael Dab (Collection of Critical Essays), (e) Fazil Kashmiri (Monograph-Kashmiri) and (f) Ameer Shah Kreeri (Monograph-Kashmiri).

Some books authored by Prof Farooq Ahmed Bhat

Born on April 16, 1954, in Sathu Barbarshah, Farooq Ahmad who is known by his pen name Farooq Fayaz (Bhat), he got schooling at the local Government schools and the nearby SP Higher Secondary School and graduated from S P College in 1973. From early childhood, he was exposed to the “hub of theatrical activities” from the nearby Kralkhud to the Habbakadal area.

“The area was dominated by learned Kashmiri Pandits, great luminaries, having knowledge of Persian, Sanskrit (Urdu as well) theatrics and cultural activities. In the S P college, “there were teachers of eminence whose teachings influenced my passion for writing”, Farooq Fayaz said and referred to many teachers like Prof Mohiuddin Hajini, who was regarded as an authority on Arabic, Urdu, and Kashmir languages, Prof L N Dhar, History, Prof Manzoor Fazili (Political Science) and Prof Ghulam Nabi Firaq.

He was also a regular contributor to the prestigious college magazine, Pratap. With encouragement from the learned men in the vicinity and teachers in the college, Fayaz Farooq developed an “immense literary taste” and got associated with theatrical activities in and outside J&K. In the 1970s and ’80s, Radio Kashmir, Srinagar (AIR) being the “biggest attraction for writers and talented” persons, provided a platform for literary and cultural activities.

 “I got motivated to work on the literary history of Kashmir and developed an interest in literature”, he said. Initially, he became a member of Rangmanch Dramatic Club, performing in J&K and also outside in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, and other places, where the audiences comprised mostly people from Bollywood.

However, his keen interest in History and language led him to pursue a master’s degree in the subject from the University of Kashmir, followed by a Diploma course in Kashmiri language at the newly set up Department (Later, PG Deptt) of Kashmiri at The University of Kashmir. Having served as a school teacher for about five years, Farooq Fayaz, also worked as a Translation Executive at Radio Kashmir, Srinagar from 1989 to 1992. He joined the Department of History as a Lecturer in 1992 and superannuated as a Professor at the University of Kashmir in 2014.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ehsan Fazili, Srinagar / May 29th, 2024

Indian institution to launch school in Saudi Arabia aligned with Vision 2030

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Education- Excellence, Coaching, Training, Tutorials (wef. Feb 09th, 2024), , , , , ,

Bidar, KARNATAKA / Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA :

The Indian group intends to expand further in Saudi Arabia, with schools and other educational institutions, into cities like Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah. 

  (Photo: Shaheen Group)

Jeddah: 

Following the footsteps of leading educational institutions from Europe and the United States, India’s Shaheen Group is now preparing to enter the Saudi market. Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global education hub, aligned with Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman’s Vision 2030, is rapidly gaining momentum as several prominent academic institutions establish campuses in the Kingdom.

Shaheen Group, based in Karnataka, has achieved impressive results in medical and engineering entrance exams across southern India, known for its strong educational standards.

The group has long been a preferred choice for many NRI students from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf, who study in India to bypass domicile norms and improve their chances of securing spots in professional courses such as medicine and engineering. However, the Shaheen Group’s move to Saudi Arabia aims to address this issue by bringing quality education directly to the Kingdom.

India group expands with new school in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The Indian group of educational institutions plans to open a new school in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, offering classes from Kindergarten through to Class 12, alongside integrated coaching for competitive exams such as NEET, JEE, and the CA Foundation.

Chairman of Shaheen Group of Institutions, Dr Abdul Qadeer, announced the ambitious project, likely to begin operations in March 2025, pending the completion of building and accreditation processes. The school will be located in either Malaz or Sulemaniya.

Additionally, the Indian group intends to expand further in Saudi Arabia, with schools and other educational institutions, into cities like Jeddah, Al Khobar, and Madinah.

At an academic event in Riyadh, Dr Abdul Qadeer highlighted that a large number of NRI students from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries enrol in Shaheen Group institutions across Karnataka, Telangana, and other regions of India.

Dr Abdul Qadeer also revealed the new leadership team in Saudi Arabia. Syed Wayez Ahmed has taken on the role of managing director for the group in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.

Mohammed Zaki will take on the role of vice president of operations for Saudi Arabia, while Fahad Saleh Al Jurais will serve as the HR and administrative director and Sarah Mohammed Al Sharief will be the director of the Riyadh school.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Middle East / by Irfan Mohammed / November 03rd, 2024

In Five Years, TWEET Empowered 8,257 Women, Sets Goal to Reach 50,000 in Next Three Years

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, SCHOLARSHIPS, Useful / SCHOLARSHIPS, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi:

Since its founding in 2019, the Women Education and Empowerment Trust (TWEET) has empowered 8,257 women and now aims to reach 50,000 more in the next three years. TWEET also announced plans to host a National Women NGOs Conclave in April 2025 to foster capacity building, collaboration, and effective resource utilisation.

At a press conference held here Sunday, TWEET’s Chairperson, Rahamathunnissa A. shared the organisation’s vision to promote social and economic empowerment of women, enabling them to lead dignified lives with equal participation in society. She emphasised TWEET’s mission to support women in need, tackle the root causes of women’s issues, and offer comprehensive support through multifaceted initiatives.

A five-year progress report was also presented, with highlights of the programmes and areas where women have benefited under TWEET’s initiatives.

Educational Empowerment:

TWEET believes that education is the foundation of empowerment. The organisation offers merit-based scholarships for girls to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions domestically and abroad. The one-year campaign “Freedom from Illiteracy” from August 2022 to July 2023 mobilised educated women to teach non-literate women nationwide, extending literacy to underserved communities.

Economic Empowerment:

To promote economic independence, TWEET supports small business ventures such as boutiques, tiffin services, and cosmetic shops, as well as home-based businesses like detergent units.

TWEET’s support has empowered many women to become self-sufficient, enabling them to start sustainable businesses. Moreover, training sessions equip women with skills to establish their own start-ups, creating additional income for their families.

Emotional and Financial Support to Widows:

Recognising the challenges faced by women who have lost their spouses, TWEET provides counselling and financial support, ensuring they can live dignified lives.

Mahila Help Desk

This initiative empowers women by raising awareness about various government welfare schemes and guiding them to access these benefits. This programme helps women achieve financial stability by utilising government support for their livelihoods, paving the way toward a dignified and self-sufficient life.

Life Skills and Safety Programmes:

Collaborating with Special Police Unit for Women and Children, Delhi Police, TWEET conducted self-defence training programmes for girls and women. Through sensitisation initiatives, TWEET raises awareness about women’s rights and social issues, including domestic violence, empowering women to advocate for themselves and their communities.

TWEET provides internship opportunities for female students from diverse disciplines and has also established a hostel to support both students and working women.

The press meet was also addressed by TWEET General Secretary Shaista Rafat, and Treasurer Dr. Sharnas Muthu.

TWEET also announced the unanimous election of the following trustees as office-bearers for the next three-year term.

Chairperson: Rahamathunnissa A, an educationist, writer, and trainer
Vice Chairperson: Zeba Zaferali Baig, a social worker and counselling expert
General Secretary: Shaista Rafat, an expert in grassroots development
Secretary: Rajeena Beegum, an educationist and social worker
Treasurer: Dr. Sharnas Muthu, specializing in psycho-social and legal support

The extended team includes Khalida Parveen, a social worker; Dr. Jueria Reemi, a healthcare specialist, and Fakhira Atheeqe, a social entrepreneur working with women and children with special needs.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / October 27th, 2024

Iqra Farooq, Srinagar Tailor’s Daughter, Finishes 2nd in JKAS Exams

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Zakura (Srinagar), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Iqra Farooq Bhat, from Zakura, Srinagar, has secured the highest rank in the Kashmir region and the second rank overall in Jammu and Kashmir in the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service examination.

Daughter of a tailor, Iqra invested three years in intensive self-study to prepare for this challenging exam. She shared her passion for making a positive impact, saying, “I have always wanted to reach a position where I can make a difference.”

Despite financial constraints, Iqra remained focused, proving that determination and self-guided learning can overcome obstacles. Unlike many who attended coaching centres, she chose to prepare independently through online resources.

“I didn’t opt for coaching and believe it’s unnecessary if you can effectively utilise the internet. It provided me with everything I needed,” she explained.

Iqra’s journey was challenging, especially due to her family’s limited finances. Her father, Farooq Ahmed, faced hardships at times, yet Iqra’s parents continually supported her.

“My mother and father never let me feel the weight of our financial struggles. Their belief in my potential kept me motivated,” she recalled.

After receiving her exam results, she expressed relief and gratitude: “I wasn’t sure I’d rank this high, but I’m thankful to Allah for this blessing.”

Ahmed said, “Every parent strives to do their best for their children. My daughter worked hard, and God has rewarded her.”

Iqra, who has been driven by a desire to help others since childhood, is committed to serving her community. “I want to support future aspirants and remind them not to lose hope. Even if they don’t qualify the first time, they can continue working hard,” she said.

She explained, “Coming from a humble background doesn’t mean you can’t dream big. You can succeed with the right resources. My family supported me financially, emotionally, and materially. Coaching can guide you, but ultimately, it’s your effort that matters.”

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / October 31st, 2024

MEIF Honored with Kannada Rajyotsava Award for transformative contribution in education sector

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Dakshina Kannada, KARNATAKA :

Mangaluru:

The Muslim Educational Institutions Federation (MEIF), a prominent educational organisation operating in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, has been honored with the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Award this year.

The Karnataka state government recognized MEIF’s significant role in revolutionizing education within the Muslim community across both districts. Founded by former Higher Education Minister of Karnataka, BA Mohidin, MEIF’s commendable efforts in education for the past 22 years have earned them this esteemed accolade.

In response to the educational gaps prevalent among Muslims in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, Mohidin initiated free English classes within mosques’ madrasas during daytime. The positive reception from the community led to Jamaats in undivided Dakshina Kannada establishing English medium schools within Madrasa premises.

Encouraged by the overwhelming response, Mohidin conceptualized the Muslim Educational Institutions Federation (MEIF) in 2001.

Today, MEIF comprises 180 English medium schools and pre-university colleges across Udupi and Dakshina Kannada, catering to 60,000 students and employing 6,250 teachers. Notably, students of all communities and religions study in these institutions.

MEIF’s mission centers on the belief that education is pivotal for development and strives to empower Muslim community, through education.

The Federation extends guidance to member-school boards on administrative matters and conducts regular training sessions for teachers, students, and parents across its five zones.

MEIF’s concerted efforts have yielded remarkable results in annual examinations, with an impressive 83 percent of students achieving distinction and first-class grades in recent years. Furthermore, pre-university students have displayed consistent improvements in their academic performances.

Operating with government approval, MEIF’s private unaided schools, primarily located in rural areas, maintain affordable tuition fees. Financially disadvantaged students receive free education, while others are charged nominal fees.

Additionally, MEIF facilitates 174 SSLC students’ admission to prominent PU colleges in the districts, supporting over 300 eligible rural students in securing free seats in technology institutes in Mangaluru and Bengaluru.

MEIF has also been instrumental in adding interest among high school students in civil service careers, organizing training sessions to enhance their skills. Over the past three decades, MEIF has played a pivotal role in enhancing literacy rates and women’s education in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

Founder-chairman of MEIF and esteemed educationist PA Khader Kukkady significantly contributed to the Federation’s development.

Following his tenure, Mohammed Beary Yedapadavu assumed the role of chairman, steering MEIF to greater heights.

Retired officer Moosabba P Beary is currently running the Federation successfully as its President.

Umar Teekay serves as the honorary chairman of MEIF, while Syed Mohamed Beary is the chief advisor. Riyaz Ahmed Kannur is the current general secretary of the federation.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> India / by Vartha Bharati / October 31st, 2023

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Karnataka Rajyotsava Award announced for Dr. Thumbay Moideen

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Karavali, KARNATAKA / Dubai, U.A.E :

Bengaluru:

The Karnataka Government on Wednesday named Dr. Thumbay Moideen, son of prominent community leader late B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, among the recipients of this year’s Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award. A prominent alumnus of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, Dr. Moideen has earned widespread recognition in the UAE and beyond for his contributions to higher education and healthcare.

Dr. Moideen founded the THUMBAY Group in 1997, a diversified international conglomerate that has since expanded into health education, healthcare services, and medical research. In 1998, he became the first Indian invited by the rulers of Ajman to establish a medical college in the UAE. This institution has now grown into a university with its own network of hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and pharmacies throughout the country.

Dr. Moideen has been featured in respected publications, including Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business. His achievements have also been recognized with an Honorary Fellowship from the International Medical Sciences Academy (IMSA) and an honorary doctorate from Amity University.

The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, also known as the Rajyotsava Prashasti, is the second highest civilian honor in Karnataka, India. The award is given annually to recognize citizens of Karnataka and others who have contributed to the state in various fields: Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service, and Public Affairs.

The award is presented on November 1, the day of the state’s establishment, which is celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava. 

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / October 30th, 2024