Marai Village, Siphajr (Darang District) , ASSAM :
Inside the shrine of Baga Baba
As National Highway-15 traverses through the village Marai of the Darang district in northern Assam, travellers see a shrine that commands the devotion and reverence of both Hindus and Muslims.
This is the shrine of Baba Baga which is visited by people of all faiths, and is especially popular among travelers who have taken the NH-15. Trucks and buses that come from far and wide stop here to offer prayers and make donations. All passenger buses and goods trucks stop here as the shrine management has kept drinking water available.
Baga Baba was born as Abdul Khaleque. He came to Assam in 1916 from the then Sylhet district (now in Bangladesh). Initially, he lived in Gog, Satsali, and Badalguri and finally settled down in Marai village of Sipajhar in 1919.
The shrine of Baga Baba in village Marai
From there, he launched his mission of spreading Islam in the greater Darang district. The Sufi cleric also joined the Indian freedom movement; he was also jailed.
Baga Baba died in 1933 and the locals raised a mausoleum (mazar) on his grave.
Speaking with Awaz-The Voice, Hafiz Ali, secretary of Baga Baba Mazar, said: “The cleric lit the torch of Islam here. Along with preaching the religion, he also spread the message of peace, harmony, and brotherhood. Then he sent Maulana Didaruddin Saheb to be educated as a maulana. Everybody believes Baga Baba to be an Auliya (master of some divine power) of Allah. Hindus and Muslims alike come here and pray.
“At present, people from all over Assam and India who travel through this highway donate at this mazar. Today the village has nine mosques. The inflow of people and pilgrims has increased over the years. Hindus and Muslims have equally contributed to it.
Drinking water facility at the shrine for travellers
The construction work of the mazar was initiated by former president Jiban Baruah. There are still many non-Muslims, such as Bhumidhar Saharia, Himanshu Kalita, and others, in the management committee of the Mazar,” he said.
The shrine hosts Milad sharif every Thursday of the week. In addition, a Urs is held every year on 12 of Magh (late January), the death anniversary of Baga Baba. People from different parts of India participate in the Urs. Although the Baga Baba Mazar is located on the northern side of NH 15, there is also a premises of the Mazar on the southern side of the road.
It is worth mentioning that the Baga Baba Mazar has played a significant role in maintaining Hindu-Muslim unity and harmony in the entire Darang district as well as in the greater Marai Bijulibari area.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ariful Islam, Sipajhar / June 25th, 2024
Syed Nazar Hussain, a pivotal figure in the development of the Naya Nagar township in Mira Road, passed away on Thursday at the age of 90. His namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayers) was held at Jama Masjid Al Shams on Friday at 2:30 PM, followed by his burial at Mira Road Qabrastan in the afternoon.
Nazar Hussain, often referred to as “Nazar Seth,” was instrumental in establishing Naya Nagar in the 1970s. Notably, he brought together the contrasting figures of Shiv Sena chief Balasaheb Thackeray and Indian Union Muslim League leader G.M. Banatwala for the township’s foundation stone laying ceremony, symbolizing his commitment to communal harmony.
Born in 1934 in Nandgaon, Amravati, Hussain moved to Mumbai at an early age. Despite limited formal education, he was a self-made man, known for his simplicity, modesty, and dedication to secularism. His efforts ensured that Mira Road remained peaceful during the 1992 Mumbai riots, a testament to his vision of communal harmony.
Hussain’s journey from performing odd jobs to becoming a significant real estate developer is marked by his deep commitment to his community. He envisioned a clean housing colony for Muslims but kept its doors open to all, fostering an inclusive environment. Today, Naya Nagar is a thriving township where shops owned by non-Muslims coexist peacefully with the predominantly Muslim residents.
Nazar Hussain valued education and, with the support of his wife Noor Jahan, ensured their five children received quality education. His elder son, Muzaffar Hussain, continues his legacy in both business and community service. Together, they have established numerous institutions in Mira Road, including schools, colleges, and a multi-specialty hospital, significantly contributing to the area’s development.
Even in his later years, Hussain remained active in his community, striving to maintain the moral fabric of Naya Nagar. His philanthropic efforts and charitable initiatives have left a lasting impact on countless lives.
As Mira Road mourns the loss of its founder, the community reflects on his legacy of unity and inclusivity. Syed Nazar Hussain’s contributions have left an indelible mark, and his memory will continue to inspire future generations.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Obituary / by Radiance News Bureau / June 29th, 2024
S.N. Sikkander (second from Left) receiving the award
Chennai :
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), a Dalit social movement and political party committed to combating caste-based discrimination and actively participating in Tamil Nadu’s politics, held an awards ceremony, on Saturday last, to honor prominent state leaders for their exemplary service to society.
VCK, currently represented by two MPs in the Lok Sabha, recognized seven individuals for their decades of selfless dedication to various social causes, ranging from political activism to fostering communal harmony
One of the distinguished awardees was S.N. Sikkander, State Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Tamil Nadu, former State President of Welfare Party of India, and editorial board member of Samarasam Magazine. He was awarded the ‘Qaid-e-Millath Crescent Award’ for his significant contributions to communal harmony, disaster relief efforts, and political activism.
Other notable awardees included Mr. R. Mutharasan, State Secretary of CPI; Advocate Arulmozhi, Secretary of Dravidar Kazhagam; actor Prakash Raj; Bishop Esra Sargunam; Mr. A. Subbarayulu, an epigrapher; and Professor Raj Gowthaman.
The award ceremony, held in Chennai, attracted thousands of spectators who echoed the importance of nurturing harmony, peace, and mutual respect among communities.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards / by Radiance News Bureau / June 01st, 2024
It is rarely that a person becomes the Vice Chancellor of four universities. Professor Qamar Ahsan, who was born into a middle-class family and started his education in Madrasa, is one such person.
Professor Qamar Ahsan is a top-ranking educationist and economist, who holds the distinction of being the vice chancellor of four universities. Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, Professor Qamar Ahsan said that he not only brought changes in the educational system but also started new courses, especially job-oriented ones for the benefit of students in all the four universities.
Qamar Ahsan became the Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haq University, Patna at its inception stage. He played an important role in shaping the University campus, curriculum, and ethos. Generally, it was believed that the path to education in a University or seminary is linear, but I believe, it should be dynamic and both the curriculum and pedagogy should change periodically. This will make the students ready for jobs and thereby increase their employability.
Speaking about his early life, Qamar Ahsan said he was an ordinary student but quite active. “I always worked with complete confidence, even today my method is the same,” he said.
Prof Qamar Ahsan with President Ram Nath Kovind
Qamar Ahsan says that self-confidence is an emotion that gives a person the courage to succeed in the environment of a comprehensive culture. “My father was in the police and he often said that everyone should live and work together. At my home, I was raised in an environment where there was no scope for hatred or negativity. We were brought up in an inclusive culture and in later days not only fostered mutual brotherhood and goodwill but also studied and grew up living with people of different religions.”
He said that it helped him as his friends (from other religions) also supported him. Prof. Qamar Ahsan has worked with many governors and is familiar with the Madrasa, School, and College education system and has worked on improving these institutions.
“When I was the Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haq University, I tried my best to implement modern science in madrasas, although I was not fully successful, we connected hundreds of madrasas with the university and it improved the standards of education there. I succeeded in changing the environment in the madrasa.”
Professor Qamar Ahsan was born in April 1952 in Patna. He is the fourth among seven brothers and sisters. His father Syed Muzaffar Ahsan was in police service and he retired as an Additional SP.
Prof Qamar Ahsan with his parents and siblings
According to Qamar Ahsan, their father also received a medal for his good service in the police service. “We belong to a village in Siwan district of Bihar. When my father was in the police service, he was constantly transferred and I could not study in one place. I studied in different cities and schools,”
Qamar Ahsan says that at the time he was in primary, his father was posted in Ranchi where he was admitted into Madrasa Islamia. Thus his formal education started from a seminary. Next, his father was posted to Muzaffarpur CBI, so he joined a Pathshala. He then joined an English medium school and later the famous Miller School This trend continued and finally, Qamar Ahsan joined Patna College for higher education.
Prof Qamar Ahsan says Patna, the city of his birth, was quite famous for its educational institutions. “One of these was the Patna University. At that time this university was well respected. I was admitted into the Patna College.”
According to Qamar Ahsan, when he reached Patna College and Patna University, he could understand life from a different perspective. “I did my BA and MA in Economics. I was an average student but very sensitive about my course and my studies.”
The Patna University, education was quite good; it charged a nominal fee and the University Library was a treasure trove. “I used to read non-syllabus books more than my course books. My father also encouraged me in this regard and I started reading a lot of novels and story books. I read Premchand and Ismat Chaghatai and in between I also read a lot of English novels. This broadened my horizons of thinking and understanding.”
He said that at that time JP (Jay Prakash Narayan) Moment was at its peak and he too joined it. He earned her doctorate from Ranchi University. “In the meantime, after MA, I got a job at Magadh University in 1977. Although my father had wanted me to join the civil services, I always wanted to be a teacher. So when I joined the college as a teacher, my dream had come true. I was quite happy and excited. I wanted to share my experiences with students and take practical steps to improve the system.”
Prof Qamar Ahsan with his wife, children and grandchildren parents and siblings
Interestingly, Qamar Ahsan’s grandfather was the Head Maulvi at Chapra District School. ‘I had the experience of studying in different schools and mentally I was passionate about teaching. When my dream became a reality, I turned my full focus to teaching students and improving their academic standards. Then I got transferred to AN College, Patna, and was promoted as a Reader. Since then I never looked back and received promotions regularly.”
He first was appointed the registrar of Nalanda Open University, then Veer Kaur Singh University, and Maulana Mazharul Haq University of Bihar
Given his excellent educational experience, the government appointed him the Vice Chancellor of the BN Mandal University, Madhapura. He remained in the post from 2006 to 2008.
During this period he made the university clear a huge backlog of examinations and corrected the system. He tried to improve the attendance of teachers, and students; establish an educational environment, and promote curricular and extra-curricular activities in the campus and colleges under its jurisdiction. He introduced job-oriented courses in the university as well as improved the financial condition of the institution.
Prof Qamar Ahsan says,” I was given an opportunity to become the vice chancellor of various universities and in the meantime, I tried to provide job-oriented courses to the students so that their migration could also be stopped. Bihar students usually go abroad for job-oriented courses, I tried to start the same courses for which they would go abroad.”
In 2008, Professor Qamar Ahsan was made the Vice Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haq University, Patna. When he came to take charge, the University was in a small government building on Bailey Road, Patna. The Maulana Mazharul Haq Arabic and Persian University was established in 1998 and despite the appointment of three Vice-Chancellors, it did not take off till 2008. It was a University on the papers.
Prof Qamar Ahsan with Sushil Modi while inaugurating a University
Qamar Ahsan says, “I formulated a plan of action and the university was functional within three months. Today, more than 20,000 students are studying in different departments at this university.”
He said that the University has more than four dozen Knowledge Resource Centers throughout Bihar and arrangements have been made to provide regular education to 116 higher education institutions near Madrasas and Fazil.
The university has a strong management of teaching as well as training. Professor Qamar Ahsan was the Vice-Chancellor of Maulana Mazharul Haq University till 2011.
Mazharul Haq University started various courses at that time, in which BBA, BCA, BJMC, MBA, B.Ed, etc. are noteworthy. He said that this university was also related to madrasas, so in the meantime, I tried to correct the higher education system of madrasas, but some people did not approve of it.
Professor Qamar Ahsan says that my experience with madrasas is that there are two types of madrasa, one is a madrasa where religious education is given and the other is the one where all subjects are taught. I believe that normal education should also be introduced in the former while in the latter category, the curriculum needs to be modernized to make the alumni job worthy.”
He said that the curriculum and teaching method should be changed from time to time.
“When I was the VC of Maulana Mazharul Haq University and during my visits to the madrasas, I noticed that students showed up only on the day I visited these. That too only 50 percent of the students were present.”
Prof Qamar Ahsan delivering a lecture
This would change if the curriculum included research. “If there is a research curriculum then the students will benefit and the subject should be taught as per the demand of the market.”
After Maulana Mazharul Haq University, Prof. Qamar Ahsan became the Vice Chancellor of Sidhu Kanhu Murmu University, Dumka, Jharkhand and then of Magadh University.
Meanwhile, according to his vision, he continued to solve the problem of education quality of students, better university system and teachers. Qamar Ahsan is the author of about 9 books and more than 30 of his papers have been published in major journals of the country. He has been a member of the editorial board of NCERT, IGNOU and various journals. Professor Qamar Ahsan says that whether a student is successful or reaches a position, he should not forget honesty and hard work. Only those people who have the confidence and passion to do something achieve success in life.
Prof. Qamar Ahsan was born and brought up in Patna, son of Syed Muzaffar Ahsan and Nafis Fatima Naqvi. He has distinguished himself as an educator, educational administrator and educational innovator. He said that by the 10th class, every child should make his own goal of what he wants to do in his life. “People who do not fix their goal often fail,” Qamar Ahsan says.
He says he had made his goal clear as soon as he passed matriculation and it was he wanted to become a teacher.
Professor Qamar Ahsan got married in 1980, he has two children and his wife is also a school teacher. The elder of the two children, the daughter has shifted to the Netherlands and the son lives with them. He said that they are seven brothers and sisters. Four are in the US, and one is in England.
According to Qamar Ahsan, he had also shifted to the USA and had obtained a green card. However, due to his mother’s health, so returned and then decided to continue his services for the country.
Although most of his family has shifted abroad, Qamar Ahsan says he is satisfied with his life.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Mehfuz Alam, Patna / May 30th, 2024
Students from the Anjuman Institute of Technology and Management (AITM) showcased their talents and brought laurels to the institute by participating in the Savishkar Fest held at MIT Kundapur.
Mohammad Ismail, a fourth-year Mechanical Engineering student, along with Zuraif Ahmed and Mohammad Meeran Mohtisham, both second-year Electronics Engineering students, represented AITM in the competition and emerged victorious, securing the championship title.
In a press release, AITM announced the success of its students in the fest, highlighting their outstanding performance. The institute’s Principal, Dr. Fazalur Rahman K, Registrar Prof. Zahid Kharuri, Media Coordinator Prof. Subrahmanya Gajanana Bhagwat, and other faculty members expressed their appreciation for the students’ remarkable achievement. The students secured the first prize in three different competitions during the fest, showcasing their talent and dedication.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / May 09th, 2024
Sunari Village (Nuh District) , HARYANA / WEST BENGAL :
Rukhsana, a resident of village Sunari in Nooh district (Haryana) has qualified West Bengal Public Service Commission Judicial Exam. She brought laurels back home by securing third place and made people in the Nooh proud of her achievement.
Rukhsana studied till 10th from Model School in Tawadu before going to Aligarh Muslim University to study intermediate. After passing the 12th examination from AMU, Rukhsana took LLB and LML degrees from Jamia Millia Islamia.
Rukhsana’s father Mohammad Ilyas, who has retired as a manager from Sarva Haryana Gramin Bank, is very happy with the success of his daughter. According to him, after passing the 12th examination, Rukhsana’s mother insisted on getting her daughter married but Rukhsana turned down her mother’s proposal and today everyone is happy and proud of her.
According to Ilyas, the decision taken at that time is making not only the whole family but the entire region proud today. There is a queue of people coming to their house to congratulate them and their daughter on becoming a civil judge.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Pride of the Nation> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / May 18th, 2024
A graduate of the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram with a BS-MS dual degree, Fabi is not only elated but also excited about the results and her dream of becoming a civil servant.(Handout)
Kerala native Fabi Rasheed secured AIR 71 in her first attempt in the UPSC CSE 2023 results announced on Tuesday, April 16, 2024.
A graduate from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram with a BS-MS dual degree, Fabi is not only elated but also excited about the results and the fulfilment of her dream of becoming a civil servant.
In a telephonic conversation with HT Digital, Fabi Rasheed talks about her strategies, mental health during her preparation duration, inspiration and more.
Congratulations on your success in securing AIR 71 in UPSC CSE 2023. How do you feel about this feat?
I am very excited and happy, I feel blessed at the same time. It is a mix of emotions. Initially, it was a surprise and took some time to settle in. My parents have seen me go through an emotional roller coaster for a year and they are extremely happy about the results.
Could you take us through your preparation strategy for the examination?
For prelims, the main thing was to have a factual understanding so that we can eliminate the options. Whenever I read, I try to make questions on my own. So that in whatever way it was asked I would be able to understand the nuances of the question.
For the Mains exam preparation, I mainly focussed on writing. I am a person who studies by writing. Even for prelims preparation, I studied by writing. So that gave me an edge for mains as completing a paper was not an issue and it is I believe the way I had written and studied. After the Mains examination, I was feeling very happy about myself. After every exam, I felt satisfied as I had done well. I had made notes for a few questions for the Mains exam, and I was lucky enough to get the same questions in the exam.
For the Personal Interview test, I had very little time to prepare as my test date was on January 9, 2024, and I had also appeared for the Indian Forest Services Examination (Mains) which ended in December. That was a very close call. I referred to my notes and newspaper.
What would your preference be with respect to the posts?
My first preference would be my home state, Kerala cadre. My first choice would be IAS, then IRS-customs and then IRS-IT.
Did you go through any mental breakdowns during your preparation duration?
I used to have constant panic attacks. I started preparation in June 2022 and by September I had panic attacks as I used to take very little breaks. I wanted to finish the syllabus very fast and I pushed myself to the brink. I had to lose at least one and a half months due to the constant panic attacks.
My sleep schedule was also ruined but then I understood that I cannot continue like this. Then I made it a point to sleep for at least 6 hours no matter what. I ensured that I tried to study at least 10 hours a day.
I had a tear film instability in my eye due to constantly looking at the laptop and reading. This condition was also a reason for the panic attacks. My family stood by me through these tough times.
Could you tell us about your educational background? Did you take coaching for your CSE preparation? What was your optional subject?
I completed my schooling from Thiruvananthapuram and graduated from IISER Thiruvananthapuram with a BS-MS dual degree in Biology. I took coaching from Fortune IAS Academy for my preparation to crack CSE and for my optional I took sociology as my subject.
Can you share with us some striking questions from your Personal Interview Test?
I was asked questions about India’s defence expenditure, India’s rural and urban health divide and what will I do about it.
The Chairman had asked me Why India is lagging in AI front and whether AI was a game changer. He asked me who is the most intelligent scientist in the world and also asked me the IQ of Einstein. Later I was asked to compare it with the IQ of ChatGPT.
Did you follow any routine?
I used to sleep by around 10:30 pm and tried to control the weight that I gained due to stress eating during my prelims and mains preparation. I wanted to maintain a healthy BMI for the medical tests.
Tell us about your support system who helped you get through the exam. Did you draw inspiration from anyone to help you motivate in the preparation journey?
My father who is an Ayurveda specialist and my mother a former state director of Insurance Medical Services supported me throughout the journey.
A relative of mine reminded me during my preparation that ‘Once you become a civil servant the only task that you have in hand is to help the maximum number of people in the maximum time that you have’
I believe that civil services is a very fulfilling profession and I have drawn inspiration from a lot of civil servants. I believe that If I am also given the right training I will also be able to follow their path and make a difference however small it may be. One such person I draw inspiration from is Guruprasad Mohapatra who was involved in the COVID crisis and helped people during that crisis time even when he was sick.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Latest News / by Tisha Jacob, New Delhi / April 17th, 2024
City resident Dr Sharief Deshmukh, a professor in Mathematics at the King Saud University, Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, has featured in the list of the top 2% of mathematicians in the world.
Dr Sharief Deshmukh
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar :
City resident Dr Sharief Deshmukh, a professor in Mathematics at the King Saud University, Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia, has featured in the list of the top 2% of mathematicians in the world.
Each year, depending on paper publications, citations, as well as contributions to the field of research, Stanford University identifies research and recognises them under its prestigious list.
Deshmukh, who specializes in ‘differential geometry and its applications’ is the first from the district to bag this prestigious recognition in 2021 and 2022.
Deshmukh intends to give back to society by guiding and helping students in Mathematics.
“Our country has a lot of exceptionally good talent, but it needs proper guidance to perform, compete and excel on the global platform,” Deshmukh told TOI.
As a research scientist, he has 190 publications to his credit. Deshmukh’s work has also been published in the world’s leading international journals and about 2,000 indexed publications.
Deshmukh completed high school and studied BSc Honors in Mathematics from Deogiri College under Marathwada University (Now BAMU) in 1972. He was among the toppers in his master’s degree in 1974.
source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Aurangabad News / by Mohammed Akhef, TNN / July 20th, 2023
On Saturday, the Students Islamic Organisation of India launched the Mohammad Muslim Mentorship Program for Urdu Journalism.
The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) is offering the Mohammad Muslim Mentorship Program for Urdu Journalism, aimed at supporting students interested in pursuing careers in journalism. The program provides scholarships for needy students who cannot afford courses at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC).
Speaking to Radiance, Imran Hossain, National Secretary of SIO India, said, “IIMC holds a unique position in the field of journalism education and training throughout India. The institution has been offering PG Diploma course in Urdu Journalism for the past 11 years. In 2013, when IIMC initiated Urdu journalism course, it encountered quite discouraging results. After a few years, discussions began about discontinuing this course. Later, SIO emphasized the need to prepare serious and intelligent students for a career in journalism to contribute to the positive development of the nation. In this context, students were specifically advised to undertake PG Diploma course in Urdu Journalism from IIMC. SIO provided scholarships for needy students who couldn’t afford such courses due to IIMC’s fees.”
Imran mentioned that in 2022, four students were admitted to IIMC through the Mohammad Muslim Mentorship Program for Journalism.
Currently, there are 12 students enrolled in the PG Diploma course in Urdu Journalism at IIMC, out of which 8 are beneficiaries of this Program. For the 2024 entrance exam, students are being provided with free classes and guidance through the Mohammad Muslim Mentorship Program for Journalism. Imran added, “We urge you to make the most of this opportunity.”
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education / by Radiance News Bureau / March 17th, 2024
Renowned Islamic scholar and president of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, Maulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani was honoured with Hakimul Millat Award in Gulbarga, Karnataka. In admiration of his great contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, the Madrasa Arabia Tajweedul Quran presented a citation to Khalid Saifullah on his first visit to Gulbarga after being elected as president of the highest body of Indian Muslims. Nazeer Ahmed Rashadi, the founder of the madrasa and Ghayasuddin Rashadi, the founder of famous Safa Baitul Mal presented the award.
Reading out the citation on this occasion, Nazeer Ahmed highlighted the contributions of Khalid Saifullah in the fields of Islamic jurisprudence, codification of laws on various issues and his research papers apart from his timely writings on contemporary issues. He also stated that Muslims of India have high expectations from the scholarly president of the Board.
Students of Madrasa Tajweedul Quran presented programmes relating to the Quran. Mohammed Bilal, a student who recited the complete Quran in one go spread over 15 hours, was awarded a special prize and a memento.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Mohammed Atherulla Shariff / Radiance News Bureau / March 19th, 2024
