Category Archives: Leaders

‘TruthIn͏͏ is India’s First Consumer Product Intelligence App’: Dr Aman Basheer Sheikh, Co Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Natfirst

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Leaders, Science & Technology, Scientists (wef. August 27th,m 2023), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

In an exclusive conversation with CXO News and APAC News Network, Dr Aman Basheer Sheikh, Co founder and Chief Medical Officer, Natfirst outlines how they are leveraging AI and data science to disrupt the health tech industry  

How͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ leverage͏͏ AI͏͏ and͏͏ data͏͏ science͏͏ to͏͏ provide͏͏ personalized͏͏ nutrition͏͏ guidance,͏͏ and͏͏ how͏͏ do͏͏ you͏͏ ensure͏͏ the͏͏ recommendations͏͏ are͏͏ both͏͏ accurate͏͏ and͏͏ actionable͏͏ for͏͏ users?

NatFirst is the parent company of the TruthIn͏͏ app, India’s first consumer product intelligence app, which is the go-to source for understanding packaged food labels. It employs advanced AI,͏͏ including vision models and optical character recognition,͏͏ to͏͏ decode͏͏ product͏͏ labels͏͏ and͏͏ provides consumers with insights͏͏. It analyses the nutritional͏͏ content,͏͏ additives,͏͏ processing level and͏͏ ingredient͏͏ quality by decoding the information disclosed on food labels. A simple barcode scan allows users to access this information. At͏͏ the͏͏ heart͏͏ of͏͏ this͏͏ is͏͏ the͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ Rating͏͏ System,͏͏ which͏͏ translates͏͏ the data͏͏ from labels into͏͏ clear,͏͏ science-backed͏͏ health͏͏ scores.͏͏ These͏͏ insights͏͏ help͏͏ users͏͏ navigate͏͏ a͏͏ market͏͏ flooded͏͏ with͏͏ ultra-processed͏͏ foods͏͏ (UPFs)͏͏, ensuring͏͏ that they͏͏ can͏͏ confidently͏͏ distinguish͏͏ between͏͏ genuinely͏͏ healthy͏͏ options͏͏ and͏͏ deceptive marketing claims.

Natfirst comprises of a multi-disciplinary team of experienced doctors, nutritionists, and tech engineers. This team of experts has developed the TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) by studying best practices of global systems such as Nutri-Score, a nutrition labelling adopted by a few EU countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland. Other international systems studied include the Health Star Rating system used in Australia and NZ, and Nutri-Grade utilised in Singapore. It has also empanelled an advisory board of eminent multi-disciplinary experts who include, K. Sunitha Premalatha, MSC, RD, PHD, (Cancer Nutrition) and Padmashree awardee Dr Manjula Anagani MBBS, MD (Pathology), MD (Obstetrics & Gynecology), FICOG to ensure the TruthIn Rating methodology is as scientifically accurate as possible. Features in the TruthIn app such as the Match Meter help consumers access personalised guidance by aligning portion sizes with individual health goals, making choosing healthier products much easier.

As͏͏ a͏͏ startup͏͏ aiming͏͏ to͏͏ disrupt͏͏ the͏͏ health͏͏ tech͏͏ industry,͏͏ what͏͏ specific͏͏ challenges͏͏ have͏͏ you͏͏ encountered͏͏ in͏͏ differentiating͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ from͏͏ other͏͏ companies͏͏ in͏͏ the͏͏ market?͏͏ How͏͏ do͏͏ you͏͏ overcome͏͏ these͏͏ obstacles?

The innovations͏͏ being developed at Natfirst coincide with the evolving needs of consumers and the demand for healthier, cleaner food products.͏͏ Unlike͏͏ the͏͏ USA or͏͏ EU,͏͏ India͏͏ lacks͏͏ a͏͏ centralized͏͏ database͏͏ of͏͏ packaged͏͏ food͏͏ products. This forced NatFirst͏͏ to build its product dataset͏͏s manually from͏͏ scratch which was a significant challenge but also differentiates Natfirst as one of the few startups in India with such an extensive database.͏͏ With millions of products circulating in the Indian market, the user base of TruthIn has also played an extremely vital͏͏ role in grassroots data͏͏ collection to͏͏ form͏͏ a͏͏ dynamic͏͏ database͏͏ of over͏͏ 16,000͏͏ products which is now set to grow exponentially.͏͏ In that sense, Natfirst is a pioneer in the Indian market with many industry firsts.

Natfirst has also differentiated itself by building a loyal community of users based on trust and consistently promotes its scientifically validated scoring system. Today its flagship product TruthIn, has more than 5 lakh downloads. The brand ambassador of TruthIn is Revant Himatsingka (Food Pharmer), a staunch promoter of scientifically validated information, who has embarked on a mission to educate the average Indian consumer on label literacy. The TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) was specifically designed to help consumers with the most accurate and validated information available to make healthier food choices.

Lastly, to accelerate the process of ensuring that consumers have access to transparent information about all the products, a feature innovation which is very technically challenging is currently being beta-tested. It will enable consumers to analyse products in real-time and TruthIn will become the first app globally to launch such a feature once it goes live.

With͏͏ the͏͏ vast͏͏ amount͏͏ of͏͏ conflicting͏͏ nutritional͏͏ advice͏͏ available͏͏ online,͏͏ how͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ ensure͏͏ that͏͏ its͏͏ platform͏͏ offers͏͏ clear,͏͏ reliable,͏͏ and͏͏ easy-to-understand͏͏ guidance͏͏ for͏͏ individuals?

The 2024 Healthy Snacking report showed that consumers In India are increasingly scrutinising labels. However,  the findings of an ICMR NIN report highlighted͏͏ that͏͏ while͏͏ many͏͏ Indians͏͏ read͏͏ food labels,͏͏ they͏͏ rarely͏͏ look͏͏ beyond͏͏ manufacturing͏͏ and͏͏ expiry͏͏ dates—leaving͏͏ them͏͏ vulnerable͏͏ to͏͏ misinformation, unwanted additives͏͏ and͏͏ inaccurate claims.͏͏ This underscores the importance of tech-driven consumer-focused solutions like TruthIn to navigate hundreds of complex food labels that consumers encounter daily.

By analysing product labels͏͏ factoring in things like fats,͏͏ sugars,͏͏ salt,͏͏ chemical additives,͏͏ artificial flavourings, the͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ Rating͏͏ System͏͏ helps users understand their food better. The product rating system developed by TruthIn analyses a lot of complex information and distils it into a 0-5 score that is easily understandable and helps consumers save countless hours deciphering͏͏ complicated͏͏ labels.

An example of this is the flavoured͏͏ yoghurt category; which is very often͏͏ marketed͏͏ as͏͏ a healthy͏͏ snack. However, it may contain synthetic͏͏ colours such as e102, or͏͏ an excess of added sugar.͏͏ TruthIn͏͏ clearly lists all such information,͏͏ connects͏͏ it to͏͏ reputable͏͏ research,͏͏ and͏͏ offers͏͏ healthier alternatives.͏͏ By emphasising transparency, accuracy,͏͏ creation of simplified visuals and decoding complex jargon, TruthIn͏͏ empowers͏͏ consumers to cut͏͏ through any confusion while choosing products.

In͏͏ the͏͏ realm͏͏ of͏͏ health͏͏ and͏͏ nutrition,͏͏ personal͏͏ data͏͏ security͏͏ is͏͏ crucial.͏͏ What͏͏ measures͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ take͏͏ to͏͏ ensure͏͏ user͏͏ data͏͏ is͏͏ protected͏͏ and͏͏ handled͏͏ responsibly?

NatFirst͏͏ places͏͏ data͏͏ privacy͏͏ at͏͏ the͏͏ forefront,͏͏ employing͏͏ robust͏͏ encryption͏͏ and͏͏ AWS-backed͏͏ secure͏͏ processing͏͏ to͏͏ safeguard͏͏ user͏͏ information.͏͏ Complying͏͏ with͏͏ both͏͏ Indian͏͏ and͏͏ international͏͏ data͏͏ protection͏͏ standards,͏͏ the͏͏ platform͏͏ collects͏͏ only͏͏ what͏͏ it͏͏ needs—dietary͏͏ preferences͏͏ and͏͏ health͏͏ objectives—to͏͏ deliver͏͏ personalized͏͏ guidance. By͏͏ maintaining͏͏ transparency͏͏ in͏͏ how͏͏ data͏͏ is͏͏ used͏͏ and͏͏ stored,͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ aims to build user͏͏ trust.͏͏ Consumers͏͏ can͏͏ feel͏͏ confident͏͏ that͏͏ their͏͏ personal͏͏ information͏͏ is͏͏ protected͏͏ as͏͏ they͏͏ benefit͏͏ from͏͏ tailored͏͏ recommendations,͏͏ fostering͏͏ a͏͏ secure͏͏ and͏͏ supportive͏͏ environment͏͏ for͏͏ informed͏͏ health͏͏ choices.

How͏͏ does͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ integrate͏͏ human͏͏ expertise͏͏ with͏͏ technology͏͏ to͏͏ create͏͏ a͏͏ balanced͏͏ approach͏͏ to͏͏ nutrition͏͏ and͏͏ health͏͏ guidance?

The importance of tech-driven tools such as TruthIn is becoming evident where over 11% of the population suffers from diabetes and 25% are classified as obese as per the ICMR. NatFirst͏͏ marries͏͏ cutting-edge͏͏ AI͏͏ with͏͏ the͏͏ insights͏͏ of͏͏ doctors,͏͏ nutritionists,͏͏ and͏͏ engineers͏͏ to͏͏ ensure͏͏ that͏͏ health͏͏ recommendations͏͏ are͏͏ both͏͏ scientifically͏͏ solid͏͏ and͏͏ easy͏͏ to͏͏ understand.͏͏ While͏͏ AI-driven͏͏ vision͏͏ models͏͏ decode͏͏ labels͏͏ in͏͏ real-time—exposing͏͏ harmful͏͏ additives͏͏ like͏͏ INS͏͏ 102,͏͏ a͏͏ coal-derived͏͏ dye͏͏ linked͏͏ to͏͏ hyperactivity—human͏͏ experts͏͏ validate͏͏ the͏͏ nutritional͏͏ frameworks͏͏ that͏͏ power͏͏ these͏͏ evaluations. The synergistic approach ensures the recommendations are accurate, easily understandable, and actionable. The nutritional framework under which the TruthIn Rating System (TIRS) has been developed by an expert team of nutritionists and doctors and output including the score is further validated by empanelled experts on an ongoing basis. This is the unique way in which TruthIn blend͏͏s human͏͏ expertise͏͏ and͏͏ AI͏͏ innovation͏͏ to help users͏͏ make͏͏ truly͏͏ informed͏͏ choices͏͏ tailored͏͏ to͏͏ their͏͏ unique͏͏ dietary requirements.

Looking͏͏ ahead,͏͏ what͏͏ are͏͏ the͏͏ key͏͏ innovations͏͏ or͏͏ trends͏͏ in͏͏ AI͏͏ and͏͏ health͏͏ tech͏͏ that͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ is͏͏ excited͏͏ to͏͏ explore?

NatFirst͏͏ is͏͏ pushing͏͏ boundaries͏͏ by͏͏ developing͏͏ real-time͏͏ product͏͏ analysis͏͏ and͏͏ looking ahead integrating͏͏ it with Generative͏͏ AI͏͏ (GenAI)͏͏ for͏͏ conversational͏͏ interfaces is something we’re all looking forward to exploring.͏͏ GenAI will enhance the user experience by automating responses, providing instant feedback, and improving decision-making capabilities. This͏͏ will allow users to interact with it seamlessly for real-time guidance. This will solve for efficiency at scale  enables͏͏ instant͏͏ insights͏͏ into͏͏ nutritional͏͏ content,͏͏ ingredient͏͏ implications,͏͏ and͏͏ personalized͏͏ dietary͏͏ recommendation. The tech architecture at Natfirst has been developed for quick category expansion to support the rapid addition of new product categories, ensuring timely updates to meet evolving user needs. Expanding͏͏ on the features of the MatchMeter͏͏ and͏͏ adding͏͏ more͏͏ nuanced͏͏ dietary͏͏ filters͏͏ will͏͏ help͏͏ users͏͏ navigate͏͏ the͏͏ explosive͏͏ growth͏͏ of͏͏ UPFs͏͏ and͏ aid consumers to make much more informed decisions.͏͏

By͏͏ staying͏͏ at͏͏ the͏͏ forefront͏͏ of͏͏ AI-driven͏͏ transparency,͏͏ NatFirst͏͏ aspires͏͏ to͏͏ set͏͏ new͏͏ industry͏͏ standards͏͏ and͏͏ guide͏͏ Indian͏͏ consumers͏͏ toward͏͏ healthier,͏͏ more͏͏ informed͏͏ choices. By focusing on these priorities, NatFirst will ensure it stays ahead of trends while remaining aligned with its vision of enabling healthier, more informed choices.

source: http://www.apacnewsnetwork.com / APAC Media / Home> Healthcare & Wellbeing> Interview / by Bhavya Bagga, APAC News Network / December 21st, 2024

What Days They Were: Memoir sheds light on events before India’s partition and its aftermath

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bayara Village (Basti District), UTTAR PRADESH :

Kazi Jalil Abbasi was a leader, freedom fighter and politician who witnessed key events of twentieth century–not just as an observer but as someone who took active part in public life, participated in movements and after independence went on to fight elections and become a legislator, minister and Parliamentarian.

When a large number of Muslims from Uttar Pradesh including elite and the community leaders, were leaving the country, he remained committed to his political ideology, kept opposing communalism and led from the front–fighting and raising his voice democratically in independent India.

Uttar Pradesh, the heartland and the most populous state in the country, had been the battleground for Congress and Muslim League before 1947. It had seen competitive communalism, inter-religious tensions and riots. On the ground, situation in UP was complex and different from other states.

Kazi Jalil Abbasi’s autobiography is insightful and reveals a lot about the period and the struggles. Abbasi was born in Bayara in Basti district in1912. He studied in different schools in Gonda, Unnao and Basti before he joined the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) from where he was expelled.

All these circumstances, his idealism, role in freedom struggle are part of the book. He was against the political stand of Muslim League. The books also provides information about Congress’ organisation and the politics in UP, its leaders. There are interesting anecdotes about top leaders, ranging from Rafi Ahmad Kidwai to Indira Gandhi. 

The autobiography titled ‘Kya Din The!’ was originally published in Urdu. 

Arif Ansari has now translated it in English. Ansari is settled in Washington DC. The book that runs into nearly 350 pages is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the era, important events and the post-partition situation in Uttar Pradesh.

Notionpress has published the book and it is available online. 

source: http://ww.newsbits.in / Newsbits.in / Home> Special / by Shams Ur Rehman Alavi, Bhopal / January 26th, 2021

Forgotten martyrs: Nawab Kadar Ali, his companions were hanged by British at Sitabuldi fort in Nagpur

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), First War of Independence 1857 / Naval Mutiny 1946 / Others PreIndependece (wef. July 27th, 2022), Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA :

More than seven decades after India achieved independence, the role of innumerable martyrs and freedom fighters who gave their blood and offered lives for the motherland, needs to be remembered. 

Many of them got harsh punishments, didn’t get proper last rites, remain forgotten and even those whose sacrifices are known, don’t have monuments or memorials built in their memory.

The martyrdom of Nawab Kadar Ali, and his companions, who planned attack on residency and to take on the East India Company forces in Nagpur, also needs to be recalled. They were hanged here for their role in 1857–the first war of independence.

Though there is no monument named after them and no big memorial, they remain heroes in public memory. The fort that had been a base of 118 Infantry Battalion for years, is opened on three days including August 15 and January 26. Thousands of people arrive on these days, and also pay visit to the grave and offer their respects.

The flame for independence was already lit. History books mention that soon after Meerut, the anger was palpable among soldiers and citizens in this region too. On June 13 1857, a large gathering took place near Mission High School. The soldiers too were anxious and ready. 

Scared, some of the East India Compnay officials ran towards Kamptee Cantonment, while others went inside the Sitabuldi Fort. It was due to treachery that the attack plans had been leaked and the news reached British officers. More EIC forces were called from other places to control and overpower the rebels.

Rani Baka Bai, wife of late Raghoji II, was supporting the British and issued a warning that anyone abetting or aiding the revolutionaries would be arrested and handed to the East India Company. It’s a long story and how the soldiers and citizens suffered, refused to name the leaders of the movement. 

Historical texts say that the signal of a fire balloon was decided. But after the traitors gave information to East India Company officers, Plowden, the commissioner, ordered a regiment to move into the city. The irregular calvary at Tali was dismayed. Major Arrow tried to get information from ring leaders but no one gave names.

Baka Bai summoned all her relations, and dissuaded them with threats. This chilled the spirit of public. However, later when Company officials’ strengthened their hold, the rebels were identified. Arms were collected and after inquiry, Dildar Khan, Inayatullah Khan, Vilayat  Khan and Nawab Kadar Ali were tried and executed.

KILLED, HANGED, BURIED IN A COMMON PIT

The Gazetteer briefly mentions that ‘tucked away between the easter walls of the inner fort and the barracks is a large grave known as Nav Gazah Baba…the grave of Nawab Kadar Ali…and his eight associates..who were killed and hanged by the ramparts of the fort due to their role in the war of independence”. 

“They were all buried in a common pit, nine yards long. The fort recalls to our mind the memory of the brave soldiers who fought in an attempt to preserve the independence of the mother land”. It was treachery that was responsible for the arrests and the punishment.  Those who helped the British, got ‘jagirs’ as rewards.

Ghulam Rasool ‘Ghamgeen’, the poet, wrote these lines in Farsi :

Choo.n Qadar Ali Khan Ameer Kabeer
Shud-az-tohmat, ahl-e-balwa aseer

Bajurm shiraakat girafaar shud
Chau mansoor, Hallaj, bar-daar shud

Duaa’e shahaadat ba-raahe Khuda
shab w roz mi kard aa.n mahtada
…
…
Khirad guft ee.n misra-e-silk-e-noor
Za-daar-e-jafaa shud ba-daar-e-suroor

The last couplet of this long Persian verse, brings out the ‘tarikh’, the year of execution. The complete verse is mentioned in Dr Mohammad Sharfuddin Sahil’s book ‘Tarikh-e-Nagpur’. It shows the impact of the hangings on the people in the region. Nagpur is geographillcally considered to be a part of Central India and is the biggest city in Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

The fort for a long period remained the base of 118 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army. Every year, on August 15 and January 26, fort is opened for public so that it can pay respect to the freedom fighters. It’s also opened on May 1 i.e. Maharashtra Day. [Illustration is representive]

source: http://www.newsbits.in / NEWS Bits / Home> Top News / by Shams Ur Rehman Alavi / August 15th, 2021

Renowned cancer surgeon Dr Majid Ahmed Talikoti made Honorary Health Commissioner by India-GCC Trade Council

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinion, , , , ,

Shakhapur Village, KARNATAKA / NEW DELHI / Bokharo, JHARKHAND:

Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti

The India GCC (Gulf Corporation Council) Trade Council has announced renowned oncologist surgeon Dr Majid Ahmed as its Honorary Health commissioner.

Dr. Talikoti was recently recognised as one of the 100 most influential Indian Muslim figures by Muslim Mirror. He is a chairman of a ‘Medicant Hospital’ in Jharkhand’s Bokaro. The hospital is known and praised for treating patients at very affordable fees.

In an event in Delhi, Dr. Talikoti was presented with the appointment letter of honorary health commissioner. The India-GCC Trade Council presented the offer recognising his contributions in the field of oncology and his health initiatives between India and Gulf countries.

Accepting the letter, doctor talikoti said the role offered to me is a significant step and I am eager to contribute to health initiatives that bridge India and Gulf countries together. Let’s work to build strong diplomatic ties and healthy Nations across borders.

Earlier, Dr Talikoti had gained recognition in Dubai and was awarded with Healthcare “Excellence Asian Arab Award 2025.”

AIUTC J&K Pharmacy Wing Formed, Hakeem Mohammad Ashraf Lone Named Provincial President

Business & Economy, Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , , ,

Baramulla, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Hakeem Mohammad Ashraf Lone

New Delhi:

The National President of All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC), Professor Mushtaq Ahmad, has appointed renowned Unani practitioner from Baramulla, Kashmir, Hakeem Mohammad Ashraf Lone as the Provincial President of All India Unani Tibbi Congress Pharmacy Wing.

Additionally, Hakeem Imtiaz Ahmad has been named as the Vice President, and Dr. Mohammad Yousuf Dintho has been designated as the General Secretary.

The General Secretary of All India Unani Tibbi Congress, Dr. Syed Ahmad Khan, in a statement, stated that the Pharmacy Wing has been established to ensure the availability of Unani medicines. He emphasised that increasing the number of Unani dispensaries is essential to ensure the public can access Unani medicines easily.

Along with assigning the responsibility of Provincial President to Hakeem Ashraf Lone, he has been requested to complete the selection process for all office-bearers in J&K within a month as per the prescribed regulations.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / March 28th, 2025

Brigadier Ahmad Ali takes over as Pro-Vice Chancellor of AMU

Education, Leaders, , , , , , , , ,

Allahabad / Aligarh, PRAYAGRAJ (Uttar Pradesh) :pix

Aligarh:

Brigadier Syed Ahmad Ali, a retiree from Indian Infantry (Kumaon Regiment) on Wednesday assumed charge as the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University. Vice Chancellor of AMU, Lt. General (Retd.) Zameer Uddin Shah has appointed him to the coveted post for a period of five years.

R-L: AMU Vice Chancellor, Lt. Gen. Zamer Uddin Shah, new PVC, Brigadier S. Ahmad Ali and Registrar Gr. Cap. Shahrukh Shamshad

Born in 1954, Brigadier Ali has 35 years’ experience of working in army in different capacities. He has also been associated with academic institutions of army training and served as Chairman/Member, Board of Governors of leading schools such as La Martiniere College, Lucknow and Army Public Schools. Brigadier Ali originally belongs to Allahabad.

pix02

Brigadier Ahmad Ali received his BA degree from Allahabad University in 1976 and M. Sc. (Defense Studies) from Chennai University in 1990. He completed his Master of Management Studies course at Osmania University, Hyderabad in 2002 along with an Advance Course in Management from All India Management Association, New Delhi.

AMU Vice Chancellor welcoming the newly appointed PVC Brig. S. Ahmad Ali

Brigadier Ali has been awarded Sena Medal for his services during Kargil War and holds the honour of having received Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card and Commander-in-Chief Andaman & Nicobar Command Commendation Card.

He also served as the member of Indo-US Executive Steering Committee constituted to promote bilateral military ties. He has the distinction of serving as a single point interface between army and Ministry of Defence and was entrusted with the planning, control, allocation and monitoring of Army’s budget as Director at Financial Planning Directorate at Army Headquarters.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by TCN News / September 26th, 2012

Rumana Ali Appointed as General Secretary of BJP Women Wing Minority Front

Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , ,

Pune, MAHARASHTRA :

Rumana Ali was also honored by the Citizen Rights Forum for her contributions

Pune: 

Social worker Rumana Ali has been appointed as the General Secretary of the Women’s Wing for the Minority Front of the Pune City Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

The official appointment ceremony was held on Saturday, October 19, at City Lawn, Parge Nagar, Kondhwa. The event was presided over by Imtiaz Momin, head of the BJP Minority Front for Pune City.

The ceremony saw the attendance of several notable figures, including Khwaja Iqbal, Maulana Idris Qari, Satpal Parge, Isak Pansare, Taufiq Shaikh, Nitin Boke, Nurjaha Shaikh, and Sameer Pathan. During the event, Rumana Ali was also honored by the Citizen Rights Forum for her contributions.

Addressing the gathering, Rumana Ali expressed her commitment to working in alignment with the policies and objectives of the BJP. She emphasized her dedication to the party’s vision.

Imtiaz Momin, speaking at the event, highlighted that the BJP is dedicated to social advancement through grassroots engagement, which has led to increased trust and support for the party.

Earlier, BJP spokesperson Ali Daruwala was appointed as a senate member on the governing council of Dr. P.A. Inamdar University, Pune.

In his new role, Daruwala will play a key part in overseeing the institution’s governance, focusing on academic policies and strategic initiatives on behalf of the government. His involvement is anticipated to enhance the university’s alignment with public policy and strengthen its regulatory framework.

source: http://www.thebridgechronicle.com / The Bridge Chronicle / Home> News / by Salil Urunkar / October 20th, 2024

DC Wokha to receive ECI award

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR / Wokha District, NAGALAND :

Dr Manazir Jeelani Samoon. (File Photo)

The Deputy Commissioner of Wokha district, Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon will be among the awardees, who will receive the Election Commission of India’s National Awards 2018 for outstanding election-related activities during the elections held in 2018. 

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio congratulated Samoon for the achievement. “Congratulations Dr. Manazir Jeelani Samoon, IAS @DcWokha #Nagaland who will be conferred with National Awards 2018 for smooth conduct of elections, by the #ElectionCommissionOfIndia, on National Voters’ Day, at Delhi, by the Honourable President of India…” tweeted Rio on his Twitter handle. 

An IAS officer of the Nagaland cadre, Samoon will receive his award in the ‘general category’ on the occasion of National Voters’ Day on January 25. The President of India will confer the awards at a ceremony to be hosted at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi. 

source: http://www.morungexpress.com / The Morung Express / Home / by Morung Express News, Dimapur / January 24th, 2019

For decades, Ameen Sayani brought music into the homes of millions of radio listeners

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Sayani not only hosted Binaca Geetmala for 42 years, he produced more than 50,000 radio programmes, including the popular Bournvita Quiz Contest, and managed to transition from radio to television with seamless ease.

Ameen Sayani, who passed away at the age of 91 due to a heart attack. | Photo Credit: Hardeep Singh Puri-X

He painted with the spoken word and ended up filling our canvas with rich memories of his mellifluous voice and popular songs of Hindi cinema. A word that dropped off his lips got a life, a lilt, even destiny of its own. Listening to Ameen Sayani, who passed away in Mumbai following a heart attack on Tuesday evening, was like serenading joy. The Binaca Geetmala he hosted with much relish and not a little chutzpah gave millions of weary listeners of first, Radio Ceylon, and then Vividh Bharati, a reason to smile at the end of the day. For a brief while every week, from 1952 to 1994, it seemed there was no sorrow in life, and the music of life itself had an unending rhythm of its own. Until it all came to an end when Sayani, who had been battling age-related issues for a few years, breathed his last at HN Reliance Hospital, leaving his fans speechless.

The tributes came in thick and fast with Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeting: “Shri Ameen Sayani Ji’s golden voice on the airwaves had a charm and warmth that endeared him to people across generations. Through his work, he played an important role in revolutionising Indian broadcasting and nurtured a very special bond with his listeners.” Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, stated, “He had an equally sweet voice as the songs.” Seasoned actor Raza Murad called him “the badshah of radio just like Lata Mangeshkar was the badshah of music”.

The praise was hard-earned. Sayani not only hosted Binaca Geetmala for 42 years, he produced more than 50,000 radio programmes, including the popular Bournvita Quiz Contest and the well-received S. Kumar ka Filmi Muqadma besides Saridon ke Saathi, and managed to transition from radio to television with seamless ease. He composed around 19,000 radio jingles, too. Such was the charm of Sayani that playback singers, music directors and film stars, all wanted their songs to be featured on his countdown show. Once renowned film director Basu Chatterjee wondered aloud what did he have to do for the songs of his films to make it to Binaca Geetmala! His prayers were answered, and the songs of both Chhoti si Baat and Rajnigandha earned repeat slots in Binaca Geetmala in the 1970s.

There is an interesting story behind Binaca Geetmala, and how some 37 years later, it became Cibaca Geetmala with a jingle announcing, “Wohi gun, wohi kaam, Binaca ka sirf badla hai naam” (same values, same work, only Binaca’s name is changed).

Back in the early years of Indian Independence, there was a pronounced effort to promote classical music. The Information and Broadcasting Minister B.V. Keskar did not have much regard or space for Hindi film songs on All India Radio (AIR). With AIR limiting itself to merely 10% for Hindi cinema, Radio Ceylon, then riding waves of popularity, stepped in with its combination of English, Tamil and Hindi music. Sayani was to make his first splash not in what was then Bombay but Ceylon.

It so happened that an American businessman, Daniel Molina, hired Hamid Sayani, Ameen’s elder brother, to run the operations at Radio Ceylon. The elder brother, in turn, brought in his sibling, Ameen, then barely 20, to host a music show. The programme was sponsored by a Swedish company Ciba, the manufacturers of Binaca toothpaste. The name Binaca was prefixed to the ‘Geetmala’. It played popular songs of the week though it would be another couple of years before the countdown started. And Sayani devised a vocabulary all his own.

Added to his easy, conversational style were terms like ‘paydaan’ or rank. He backed it up with information about the songs and little anecdotes about the films. For instance, he told the listeners how it took 16 years to make Mughal-e-Azam, or how Lata Mangeshkar sang the songs of Satyam Shivam Sundaram at one go. Or why Amitabh Bachchan kept his hand in the pocket during a song from Sharaabi. These were little gems only Sayani, who began his programmes with trademark remark, “Behno aur bhaiyo, main hun apka radio dost Ameen Sayani”, could offer.

He played Hindi film music, the kind which was first available on LPs, then on music cassettes. Yet when he played snatches of it on radio, there was an indefinable charm. Added to the joy was anxiety to see which song would rise to the top in those rather innocent days, and his unique ability to keep the suspense going.

The show shifted to Vividh Bharati in the late 1980s before the curtain fell one last time in 1994. As a tribute, Saregama released a 10 volume compilation called ‘Ameen Sayani Presents Geetmala Ki Chhaon Mein’. It apprised the next generation with the programme’s illustrious history.

Back in the late 1970s, Jnanpith winner Gulzar had penned a timeless song, ‘Naam gum jayega, chehra ye badal jayega, meri awaaz hi pehchan hai’ for the film Kinara. The song, a regular on Geetmala, was widely played at the demise of Lata Mangeshkar. One could play it again for the matchless Ameen Sayani, the Padma Vibhushan winner who gave radio a new identity altogether.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India / by Ziya Us Salam / February 21st, 2024

Prakasam district collector leads fight against bonded labour, rescuing victims

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Prakasam District (Ongole) , ANDHRA PRADESH :

Under Ansariya’s leadership, Prakasam has become the first district in Andhra Pradesh to establish a vigilance committee on bonded labour.

District Collector A Thameem Ansariya IAS

Nellore :

In the dusty villages and industrial pockets of Prakasam, a quiet revolution is underway. District Collector A Thameem Ansariya has made it her mission to eradicate bonded labour, rescuing the exploited and restoring their dignity. With a rare blend of authority and compassion, she is enforcing the law and transforming lives, proving that governance driven by justice can be truly impactful.

Under Ansariya’s leadership, Prakasam has become the first district in Andhra Pradesh to establish a vigilance committee on bonded labour, setting a precedent in tackling the issue. More than a bureaucratic milestone, the initiative is a lifeline for the voiceless, ensuring legal action against violators and rehabilitation for victims.

Her approach is multifaceted—aggressive rescue operations, strict enforcement, and large-scale awareness campaigns. “Every government stakeholder must take responsibility of this issue. We will ensure strict action against violators to make Prakasam free from bonded labour,” Ansariya said.

Recently, officials rescued two minors trafficked from Madhya Pradesh to an aquaculture unit in Karavadi village near Ongole. Stripped of their wages and phones, they were trapped—until Ansariya intervened. She directed Ongole Revenue Divisional Officer Lakshmi Prasanna to lead the rescue, ensuring the children were issued release certificates and reunited with their families.

In another operation, eight workers were freed after being trapped for eight years in a timber unit, while two others were rescued from a shrimp farm after six months of forced labour. These are not isolated but part of a system Ansariya has built—one that combines surprise inspections, swift rescues, and rehabilitation to dismantle exploitation at its roots.

Ansariya believes that prevention is as crucial as rescue. Between February 10 and 16, her administration launched an awareness campaign that reached over 13,404 people. Posters, rallies, and mobile LED displays carried the message that exploitation has no place in Prakasam. Workshops brought workers, law enforcement, and industries together, fostering accountability and equipping vulnerable communities with the knowledge to resist bonded labour traps. “Awareness is our shield,” she said, underscoring her proactive approach.

The Vigilance Committee, chaired by Ansariya, spearheads inspections, legal proceedings, and rehabilitation efforts. Rescued workers receive financial aid and employment support, while offenders face prosecution.

Prakasam Collector Ansariya, a 2015-batch IAS officer, previously served as Srikakulam Municipal Commissioner and Annamayya Joint Collector. She has been married to Srikakulam Collector Manajir Jilani Samoon, she stands as an inspiration to young women aspiring to join civil service, proving that perseverance can shape meaningful leadership.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by D Surendra Kumar / March 09th, 2025