A bunch of Bohra women harness the power of social media to ace their careers, clad in their colourful traditional wear
The rida is the traditional attire of the women of the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sub-sect of the Shiite Muslims.
After an adrenaline-charged skydive from 15,000 feet in the USA, everyone around Arwa Merchant was in awe, not because of her daring performance, but for her insistence on doing so in the rida. She wrote about this in a blog post for Dawoodi Bohra Women’s Association for Religious Freedom in October 2019.
The rida is the traditional attire of the women of the Dawoodi Bohra community, a sub-sect of the Shiite Muslims. The two-piece dress is distinguishable from other forms of the hijab by its bright colours, decorative patterns and lace. With their roots in Gujarat, the members of this peace-loving trading community follow the teachings of their spiritual leader Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. Although embedded in a tradition dating back to more than 1,400 years, this two million-strong Dawoodi Bohras in India have never been shy to embrace the latest technologies. They even have celebrated festivals like Eid and Shab-E-Baraat online due to the pandemic.
Not one to fall behind, the women of the community have taken social media platforms by storm. From content creators to food bloggers to creating clothing brands, they have managed to expand their careers online, but without giving up their rida.
MariyaKanchwala, 31 Makeup artist and beauty influencer, Indore Instagram: 28,000 followers Kanchwala has carved a niche for herself in the glamour industry by showcasing her makeup skills while wearing her rida. After a brief stint as a public relations executive for a fashion brand, she turned her full attention to makeup. She started posting on Instagram in 2017 as a food blogger, but 2020 made her realise her passion for makeup and she began posting beauty looks on Instagram. In the past year, she has started working on beauty and looks projects for weddings and shoots for makeup.
Rashida Jawadwala, 20 Content creator, Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh Instagram: 32,700 followers Known online as GirlInRida, Jawadwala started posting comic content on Instagram while pursuing her degree in Computer Engineering from Indore in September 2020. And the follower count went up to 32,000 in a year. Jawadwala has brand deals from companies such as VLCC, Urban Clap and Dresscode. Also, offers came her way for anchoring TV and stage shows, but she declined them to focus on her studies.
Arwa Zakir, 25 Fitness expert, GoFit Studio, Salmiya, Kuwait Instagram: 4,200 followers Also known as GoFit Arwa on Instagram and YouTube, Zakir is a certified trainer from the American College of Sports Medicine and owns the GoFit Studio fitness centre in Salmiya, Kuwait, where she trains people of all ages and genders. Her parents are originally from Sagwara, Rajasthan, and until she turned 16 she never paid heed to her health and was an obese child. Today, she posts content around health and workouts on Instagram. Even though some people initially mocked Zakir for posting content in the rida, she never let negativity come in the way of her passion. Zakir believes that social media is the best place for small business owners to grow and for creative people to showcase their talent.
Winner of the 2019 Women Icon of the Year Award in the field of coaching and the Best Life Coach of the Year Award, Ghadiali conducts workshops and seminars on motivation, personality development, life skills, etc—both online and offline—along with personal therapy sessions. Born in Tanzania, but working in Mumbai for the past 17 years, she has a master’s in Counselling Psychology along with a Life Coaching Certification from the International Learning Centre, Manchester, the UK. Ghadiali started posting videos and content on Instagram and Linkedin in 2015 when she found a lot of misinformation being circulated about mental health. It helped her grow from 2,000 to 19,000 followers on Instagram, which helped her garner many clients as well.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Zainab MM / December 12th, 2021
Mysuru boy, 14-year-old Mustafa Raja won his first U-18 Tournament in Vancouver, Canada, today. Mustafa, seeded fifth in the Tennis BC U18 4 Star Tournament, held his nerves at crucial moments, saving two match points in the finals, winning the tournament defeating the top seeded player Denny Bao 2,6; 7,6(7) and 6,1.
By virtue of this win, Mustafa became the top player in his age category in British Columbia and Top 4 in Canada.
Mustafa trains at the Tennis Centre in Surrey, Vancouver and studies at the Sullivan heights Secondary School.
Mustafa has had a good year, he was the Provincial Champion in U-14 category and was also the Canadian National Champion.
Mustafa used to train at the Nagaraj Tennis Centre at SJCE College Campus and is alumni of Excel Public School, Mysuru.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / December 13th, 2021
The Karatekas of IKA Karate Academy, Mysuru and Kali Warriors Academy, Karnataka, under Pekiti Tirsia Kali India in city, have bagged various prizes in the 3rd National-level Karate Championship organised by Shotokan Karate Do Sports Association and Sensei Durganada on Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 in Hubballi.
Seen are (front row from Ieft) : Keerthan (Bronze medal in kata – 7 years), Abdul Malik (Gold in Kata and 2nd prize in Kumite – 8 years), Tharun Kumar (Gold in Kata – 9 years), M. Abhimaan (Gold in Kata – 11 years and 1st prize in Kumite);
(Standing from left): Mohammed Daniyal (Gold in Kata and 1st prize in Kumite – 11 years), Sensei Abdul Waseem (Senior Instructor of IKA), Kyoshi Sivdas (Chief Instructor of IMSKA and Representative of India), Mohamed Saqeeb Ur Rahman (Senior Instructor of IKA), Chayadevi (Silver in Kata and 1st prize in Kumite – 15 years).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / December 10th, 2021
From being in the company of snake charmers at Kotla in 1999 to capturing history once again at Wankhede Stadium.
Taqi Raza has the unique distinction of being the camera person for Anil Kumble’s 10-for, as well as Ajaz Patel’s at Wankhede (Express Photo)
When Ajaz Patel twirled around in nervous excitement as the ball started to descend towards Rachin Ravindra, Taqi Raza cleansed himself of emotions and watched from the Grand stand at Wankhede stadium. He would give millions watching the game on television a peep into the mysterious art of a spinner with his spin-cam, the mechanical eye that reveals the ripping release and the revolutions of the ball across the 22 yards in slow-motion.
Now he held his breath and waited. Ravindra, who would later say how his peripheral vision had made him nervous as it had revealed his team-mates were already celebrating the historical moment, managed to safely pouch it. The crowd erupted, the commentators lost their heads, living rooms in New Zealand and even in India filled with joy but Raza struggled hard to check his emotions spinning out of control.
“Sadly I can’t show my emotions because if I express then I can’t concentrate and the world cannot see what is happening inside the stadium,” Raza told The Indian Express . The eye of the world can’t go blind in joy even on a moment that has only occurred thrice in the 144 years of cricket history. A tiny shake of a camera would deprive the viewers. Raza is a ‘slip’ cameraperson, beaming home the fingers of the bowler on the ball at release.
As rare as the epochal moment was, Raza has been there, done that. He had captured the incredible ten-for twice. He was there at Feroz Shah Kotla in 1999 when Anil Kumble snared 10 Pakistani batsmen.
In the company of a snake charmer. But we are getting ahead of the story. Here and now to Ajaz’s and his own tryst with destiny.
MCA President Dr Vijay Patil felicitated Ajaz Patel with #INDvNZ score sheet and momento. Ajaz handed over the ball and tshirt for the upcoming MCA museum
Ajaz Patel bagged 14 of the 17 Indian wickets to fall in the Mumbai Test He had picked up all 10 wickets in the 1st innings of the 2nd #INDvNZ Test
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7, 8, 9, 10 countdown
Well before the historic moment, Raza had begun the countdown in his mind. 7 down, 8 down, hoping for a historical reprise. “When eight wickets fell down, I asked myself will I have a chance to see history again? I’m the only one in the camera crew who has recorded this achievement before while everyone has retired,” he says. “As a cameraman we don’t have liberty to talk to anyone. Our job demands lots of concentration.” So the internal monologue continued. “When Ajaz took ten wickets, I was overjoyed.”
22 years back, he had witnessed another ball travelling across 22 yards towards history. That memory rebooted now. It was a turbulent time. The political party Shiv Sena had warned of dire consequences if Pakistan were allowed to play at home in India. Uncertainty, tension, fear was in the Delhi air. Raza recalls how the Delhi police had locked all the gates of the stadium to prevent the protestors.
However, the Delhi police also feared the humans might outsource the vandalism to reptiles.
“There was fear that protesters could send snakes inside the ground, so I remember the authorities had kept a snake charmer near the boundary line, incase snake entered the playing area, they could catch it.”
In the end, the only spitting venom that stung the Pakistanis in Delhi winter was released by Kumble. Ajaz’s date with history was captured by 35 cameras. Kumble had got eight. One of which was in the hands of Raza. “Just 8. Now we have around 75 units compared to 30 earlier. There was no technology earlier,” Raza says.
Five years before Kumble had Wasim Akram poking to VVS Laxman for his glorious moment under the smoggy sun, Raza began his job as a technician. He has travelled the world since then, covered all cricket World Cups, including India’s triumph in 2011, trained his camera at Tiger Woods at golf courses, spent time capturing blurs at Formula 1 races, beamed Pro-Kabbadi to homes, and spent his life in various sporting arenas.
He has evolved; so has the broadcasting technology. “In 1999 there was no DRS and Ultra Edge, too much relied on human judgement but now with these tools, bowlers have more chances which wasn’t the case earlier.”
It’s a no-brainer choosing between Kumble and Ajaz’s achievements but the question is asked nevertheless. The answer comes quicker. “For me Kumble’s performance will always be on a higher plane. First it came against Pakistan and the team won because of him. Kumble was under more pressure because he was playing at home. I’m not taking away credit from Ajaz but Kumble was more special for me,” Raza says.
Anil Kumble 10 wickets record against Pakistan
Tough job
The job of the human behind the camera is one of the most difficult ones in the circuit. The pre-game rigging and testing of equipment and the match-day fatigue. Nature might yell, leave alone call, but they can’t abandon their post.
Raza chuckles at a memory from the 2019 World Cup in England. The body screamed for a release at the toilet, but he had to resist. “I somehow controlled and waited.”
Good he did as he could catch priceless moments of the World Cup . “I saw how Virat Kohli was consistently looking to his left side. First I felt there might be some family members seated there but between breaks, Kohli ran towards the stands and told the crowd not to boo Steve Smith, who had come after being banned by Cricket Australia after the ball tampering saga.” Eagle eyed, as ever, Raza didn’t miss the moment.
“I was the only cameraman who got that shot, it showed the other side of Kohli,” he says.
Taqi Raza (Express Photo)
More often than not, it’s a lonely job in some ways though in some stadiums, they aren’t left on their own. “In Multan stadium in Pakistan, Virender Sehwag used to come to our area, which was near the dressing room, and chat up,” Raza says. The new stadiums with segregated spaces don’t allow for that coziness. They are isolated in their corners. They do what the producer tells them to do. They stand for hours under baking sun or chilly winter to get us as close to the action. They stand there, in a cocoon, trying to drag us into the heat of the battle.
Jim Laker, 1956. Anil Kumble, 1999. Ajaz Patel, 2021. And one man with an umbilical cord to two of them – Taqi Raza. Remember the name.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Cricket / by Devendra Pandey, Mumbai / December 07th, 2021
The Mumbai-born Ajaz took all 10 wickets in India’s first innings and returned with an impressive return of 10-119.
New Zealand’s Ajaz Patel celebrates the dismissal of India’s Mohammed Siraj during the day two of their second test cricket match with India in Mumbai (AP)
Ajaz Patel becomes just the third bowler in the history of men’s Test cricket to take all 10 wickets in an innings (Jim Laker in 1956 and Anil Kumble in 1999).
Resuming on 221 for four, the hosts were bowled out for 325 runs. The Mumbai-born Ajaz took all the wickets and returned with an impressive return of 10-119.
In his first over of the day the 33-year-old Patel, whose family immigrated to New Zealand in 1996, dismissed Wriddhiman Saha leg before wicket for 27 to complete his third five-wicket haul in an innings in tests.
Incredible achievement as Ajaz Patel picks up all 10 wickets in the 1st innings of the 2nd Test.
Ravichandran Ashwin was out bowled on the next delivery to hand the left-arm spinner his best bowling figures in the format as India were reduced to 224-6.
Axar denied Ajaz the hat-trick and then combined in an unbroken 61-run stand for the seventh wicket with Agarwal to keep India on course for a big total on a track offering assistance to the spinners.
Agarwal has hit 16 fours and four sixes in his knock and looked assured at the crease with Ajaz, who didn’t find much support from the other New Zealand bowlers.
The opening test in Kanpur ended in a thrilling draw, with New Zealand’s last batting pair hanging on in the final session to deny India victory.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Cricket / by Sports Desk, New Delhi / December 03rd, 2021
The 31-year-old Arif, who hails from Tangmarg of Baramulla district (Jammu & Kashmir), achieved the qualification in the final FIS Qualification being held in Dubai.
Alpine skier Arif Mohammad Khan
Chennai :
Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday became the first alpine skier from the country to win a quota for the Winter Olympics by accumulating requisite FIS (International Ski Federation) points.
The 31-year-old Arif, who hails from Tangmarg of Baramulla district (Jammu & Kashmir), achieved the qualification in the final FIS Qualification being held in Dubai. The 2022 Games is scheduled to be held in Beijing in February.
Father Mohammad Yasin Khan was Arif’s first coach. Yasin used to guide mountain tracking expeditions and teach the basics of skiing in Gulmarg. “Arif took up skiing at the age of three and quickly learnt the basics. It’s good that the efforts he had put in in all these years have eventually paid dividends,” said an elated father.
As per the FIS, a skier has to accumulate minimum qualifying points to confirm the Winter Games spot. According to www.olympics.com, in order to qualify for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the slalom, the average of five best results in the event between the period of July 1, 2019, to January 16, 2022, is considered. For alpine skiers who have competed in less than five events during this period, an extra 20 per cent of average points are added to the International FIS points list.
The four slalom races in Dubai over the past week were the only events Arif has taken part in during the qualifying period.
“It’s a proud moment as earlier the Winter Games Federation of India used to organise trials to pick the teams including the skiers. Arif has become the first alpine skier from the country to secure qualification by earning FIS points,” Rauf Tramboo, member of Winter Games Association of Jammu & Kashmir, told this daily.
Alpine skiing comprises events like downhill, super G, slalom, giant slalom and combined.
Arif will now head to Italy from Dubai to compete in an international event. “Some international event is there. It will be great preparation for him ahead of the Games. He is unlikely to return to the country before the Games,” signed off Rauf.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Others / by Firoz Mirza, Express News Service / November 20th, 2021
Thirteen young Muaythai athletes of the Academy of Martial Science and SMITE Academy of Martial Arts, under the banner of Mysore Combat Sports Association (MCSA), participated in the Youth Muaythai Gala held at Bengaluru to commemorate the Children’s Day (Nov. 14). The team won 7 gold, 5 Silver and 1 Bronze medal.
The event was hosted by Muaythai Association of Karnataka and sanctioned by Muaythai India (MTI).
This event also served as selection trials for the upcoming National Championships to be held in December where athletes from over 25 States are expected to participate.
Seen in the picture (standing from left) Praful Raghavendra (12 years, -80 kgs: Gold Medal), G.M. Chandramouli (15 years, -35 kgs: Silver), G.M. Durgashree (12 years, -37 kgs: Gold), Kiran (Coach), Kru Syed Tanveer Ahmed (Founder Director, SMITE and International Referee), Kru Vikram (Secretary, WBC Muaythai India and Secretary, MCSA), Kru Samarth (Coach), S.K. Advika (10 years, -37 kgs: Silver Medal), Falkia Khan (14 years, -40 kgs: Silver) and H.R. Theeksha Bharuni (12 years, -57 kgs: Gold); Kneeling from left: Aryan Raj (13 years, -56 kgs: Silver), Ankush P. Mathad (11 years, -30 kgs: Bronze), Ayaan Ali (9 years, -30 kgs: Gold), Abhik K. Athrey (8 years, -25 kgs: Gold), Mohammed Hasen Khan (8 years, -32 kgs: Gold), Raaid Tanveer Syed (10 years, -30 kgs: Silver) and Kshaminaam Kanthraj Urs (10 years, -42 kgs: Gold).
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / November 22nd, 2021
Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen posing with Mohammad Rizwan’s jersey. (Special Arrangement, Twitter/ShoaibAkhtar)
The attending pulmonologist, Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen, originally from Thiruvananthapuram, said Mohammad Rizwan was critical at the time he was admitted in Dubai’s Medeor Hospital.
It was a race against time. Two days before his team’s T20 World Cup semifinal against Australia, Pakistan’s wicket-keeper opener Mohammad Rizwan, after complaining of severe chest pain, was in the ICU unit of Medeor Hospital near Burjuman in Dubai.
The attending pulmonologist, Dr Saheer Sainalabdeen, originally from Thiruvananthapuram, says Rizwan was critical at the time he was admitted. Under the Indian doctor’s care, Pakistan’s key player recovered in time for the game.
He didn’t just make it to the playing XI, he also made a gritty 67, helping his team post a formidable score in the match that Australia narrowly won. Despite the heartbreaking loss, Rizwan, 29, remembered to acknowledge the efforts put in by the good doctor. As a token of gratitude, he sent across a team shirt, autographed by the Pakistan players.
Speaking to The Sunday Express at his chambers, Dr Saheer credited the quick recovery to Rizwan’s “willpower”.
In ICU for 35 hours
“He was in the ICU for 35 hours. He had a fever for three-four days, but he was Covid negative. Then (two days before the match), he had severe chest pain, enough to make him gasp,” Dr Saheer said.
The 40-year-old doctor said he initially suspected a heart problem, but tests ruled that out. “Actually, due to infection, spasms had blocked Rizwan’s esophagus (food pipe) and trachea (windpipe), resulting in chest pain. His condition was critical.”
Going into the match, Rizwan was not 100%, but managed to score 67 in 52 balls, getting out only in the 18th over of the Pakistan innings. He returned to keep the wickets and took a sharp catch of the in-form Australian opener David Warner, who seemed to be running away with the game.
During a break in the game, Pakistan’s batting coach, former Aussie batsman Mathew Hayden, had revealed to the host broadcaster that Rizwan had been in hospital a day earlier.
“I am a big fan of this batting line-up, they have performed superbly right through with the bat all along, and tonight is no exception. Rizwan was in hospital a night ago, suffering from a bronchitis condition, but this is a warrior… He has great courage, so has Babar (Azam), fantastic to see them combine so well,” Hayden said.
Among those who applauded Rizwan’s drive and commitment was Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin . “Can you imagine this guy played for his country today & gave his best. He was in the hospital last two days. Massive respect @iMRizwanPak. Hero,” posted Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar.
Dr Saheer recalled Rizwan was desperate to play. “Whenever we spoke, he told me, ‘Play I must, I have to be with the team’. He was given an injection before leaving the hospital (a day before the game) and then, two hours before the start of the match, he took medicines. I allowed him to play only because he was medically fit to play,” the doctor said.
Dr Saheer said, Rizwan and his Pakistani teammates wanted to visit him personally to thank him, but biosecurity protocol didn’t allow them to do so. “He said, ‘Ek shirt bhej rahe hain aapko (Sending you an autographed team shirt)’.”
While happy at the gift, Dr Saheer said he was happier at Rizwan’s recovery. “It was down to his willpower. I have never seen a person with such strong willpower. He was weak but his willpower trumped the illness.”
Recalling the challenge, he added: “An illness that usually takes about a week to heal was taken care of inside two days… He had a big game coming up, so it was my duty to walk the extra mile, leave no stone unturned and then see how it goes. When he was admitted to the ICU, I never thought it would be possible. But he responded very well to the treatment, followed our advice in toto and pulled off something unreal.”
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Cricket / by Shamik Chakrabarty, Dubai / November 14th, 2021
The students of IKA Karate Academy, Mysuru, have excelled at the 1st State-level Kickboxing Championship organised by Karnataka Kickboxing Sports Association at Yoga Hall, University of Mysore (UoM), recently and have been selected to take part in the national-level event to held in Pune.
Seen in the picture are (kneeling from left) S. Pooja (2 Gold Medals in Point Fight and Light Contact event – 18 years – 52 kg Category), Tasbiya Taskin (Gold – Light Contact and Silver – Point Fight – 15 years – 52 kg) and Keerthana (2 Gold Medals – Point Fight and Light Contact – 16 years – 64 kg);
Standing from left: T. Chanukya (2 Gold Medals – Light Contact and Point Fight – 17 years – 78 kg), Dhiraj (Gold – Light Contact – 15 years – 47 kg), Abdul Waseem (Senior Instructor and Head Coach of IKA), Mohamed Saqeebur Rahman (Senior Instructor and Head Coach of IKA), Lali Vishnu (Asst. Instructor and Coach of IKA) and Nikilesh (Gold – Light Contact and Silver – Point Fight – 15 years – 78 kg). T. Chanukya (standing extreme left) has also secured Silver medal in Light Contact category at the WAKO India National Kickboxing Championship organised by WAKO India Kickboxing Federation in Goa. [WAKO – World Association of Kickboxing Organisations]
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / November 10th, 2021
