Experience gained in theatre teaches more than Ph.D which leads one to the path of righteousness and for actors it is important to be humble as arrogance will lead to their down fall, said senior theatre actor Julekha Begum, in city yesterday.
She was speaking at the monthly interaction programme Maatina Mane, organised by Rangayana at Bhoomigeetha. “An artiste must live the character on stage withstanding hunger and struggle. It is also important to note that artistes do not belong to any caste, creed or religion. They will have to face problems that come in their way and every house must have an artiste,” said Julekha Begum remembering her struggling days when she faced difficulties to provide education to her children.
Speaking on the occasion, Rangayana Director Satish Tiptur said that arts, which are on the verge of extinction and stories that are stored in the minds of artistes should be a part of the syllabus.
“The interaction programme has been organised to identify and recognise the real stakeholders of art and to bring out various art forms that have been neglected over the past decades,” he said.
Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by playwright Kotiganahalli Ramaiah.
Writer Abdul Rashid coordinated the event. Department of Kannada and Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjun and Rangayana Deputy Director M.D. Sudarshan were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 27th, 2024
Marzia Pathan, spokesperson of the NCP Students’ Wing
A young woman wearing a hijab is directing traffic on the streets of Mumbra, a muslim majority area Mumbai and a video of this scene posted on social media makes her a social media sensation two years ago. During Ramadan, this young woman and her friends manage traffic late into the night, even till 2 AM, in Mumbra.
She is Marzia Shanu Pathan, a social worker from Mumbara, Mumbai, maharashtra.
Through her social work, Marzia is always in the spotlight. She voices concerns for underprivileged and minority groups and. Recently she was appointed as the National Working President of the Nationalist Student Congress, an affiliate of the National Congress Party faction led by Sharad Pawar’s faction.
Marzia Patan being falicitated by NCP chief Sharad Pawar
Marzia received her appointment letter from Sharad Pawar, the party’s National President, and Jitendra Awhad, the party’s National General Secretary.
Marzia told Awaz-the Voice, Marathi, “This position comes with significant responsibility. I aim to work extensively for youth and students, especially in education. I intend to address the many issues students face.”
Marzia stated, “Due to financial hardships, students are facing numerous challenges these days. My focus will be on ensuring government scholarships reach them. Often, essential government schemes are announced for the needy sections, but due to administrative apathy or lack of awareness, many remain unaware of these schemes. I want to bridge the gap so no one is left out. Our country will progress only if today’s generation is educated. Therefore, resolving youth issues will remain my priority.”
While speaking about Marzia’s contributions, Jitendra Awhad once compared her to Malala Yousafzai, saying, “After the Taliban captured Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala fought for her right to education, even taking a bullet in 2012. Later, a protest for women’s education rights was organized in Mumbra, led by a young Marzia, just 10-12 years old then. Since that time, I’ve seen her work. I firmly believe this young woman is poised to lead not just Mumbra, but all of Maharashtra.”
Marzia Pathan with eye surgery patients
Marzia is known as a spirited young activist in Thane. She is the daughter of Ashraf Shanu Pathan, former Leader of the Opposition in the Thane Municipal Corporation.
This father-daughter duo has been working to address fundamental issues in Thane for years, from water and waste management to health and women’s safety.
Marzia’s activism has helped resolve various issues in Mumbra and Thane.Through her organization, MSP Care Foundation, Marzia began her social work journey. An educated leader, she actively represents student concerns to the administration. She also organizes awareness programs on the Constitution among students and youth.
Under her leadership, Mumbra hosts monthly eye-checkup camps for residents, where cataract surgeries are provided free of charge for senior citizens.
Marzia Pathan in her school
Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recommended halting funding for madrasas to the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories. They also proposed recording the attendance of children in these madrasas, which created a national uproar. However, the Supreme Court recently stayed NCPCR’s recommendation.
In response, Marzia made efforts at her level to prevent the discontinuation of madrasa education. Through videos, she passionately explained why funding and the traditional teaching methods in madrasas are essential, and her video went viral.
In the charged political climate of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, her appointment brings a significant boost to the party.
Marzia’s robust social work, dedication to following through on initiatives, strong grassroots connections, and social media presence will help expand the party’s organization and aid election campaigns. Wishing such a young, dynamic personality continued success in her social journey!
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Bhakti Chalak, Pune / November 02nd, 2024
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
With her family’s support, Farah Hussain passed India’s toughest exam, the UPSC, in 2016 at the young age of 26, securing the 267th rank.
Meet IAS Farah Hussain, second Muslim woman to crack UPSC exam, her family has 3 IAS, 1 IPS, 5 RAS officers
Success is the result of determination and self-confidence, as IAS Farah Hussain has shown. Growing up in a Muslim family in the Jhunjhunu area of Rajasthan, Farah Hussain broke stereotypes that suggest Muslim girls receive limited education and are often married off at a young age. With her family’s support, Farah passed India’s toughest exam, the UPSC, in 2016 at the young age of 26, securing the 267th rank.
With this achievement, Farah became the second Muslim IAS officer from Rajasthan. By passing the UPSC exam without any coaching, she set an inspiring example for millions of young people. Aslam Khan from Jaipur was the first Muslim to join the All India Services. Farah succeeded in her second attempt.
Farah was born in Nawa village in Jhunjhunu district. Even as a young girl, she was determined and came from a family of administrative officers from the Kayamkhani Muslim minority community, primarily found in the districts of Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Nagaur, and Bikaner in central and northern Rajasthan.
Farah Hussain graduated from Government Law College, Mumbai, where she studied law and became a criminal lawyer. As a young girl, Farah participated in a beauty competition and dreamed of becoming a doctor.
Her father, Ashfaq Hussain, was a District Collector. Her elder brother is a lawyer in the Rajasthan High Court. One of her uncles served in the police force, and another held the position of Joint Secretary in the state government. Two of her cousins are currently officers in the Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS). In her family, more than 14 members hold top positions.
Right from the beginning it was there in the family that Farah Hussain too have to go in the same field. Seeing her father and the family atmosphere she too decided to become an IAS officer and serve India.
Farah Hussain once said, “I am really glad that I was born in a well educated family. My father always said that for a person to attain anything big he must attain education. Education is real wealth and with its help a person can attain great heights in life. It is sad that Muslim parents do not give attention to their daughter’s education. We Muslims blame the government for everything but we don’t try hard enough ourselves to attain our right.”
The officers in the family are:
Liaquat Khan, IPS: Liaquat Khan was selected as RPS in the year 1972. After getting promoted, he became IPS and retired from the post of IG. He was also the chairman of the Waqf Board. He passed away in 2020.
Ashfaq Hussain, IAS: Ashfaq Hussain, younger brother of former IPS Liaquat Khan, was selected as RAS in 1983. In 2016, he got promotion as IAS. He has also been the special government secretary in the education department, Dausa district collector and Dargah Nazim. He retired in 2018.
Zakir Khan, IAS: Following the path of elder brothers Liaquat Khan and Ashfaq Hussain, Zakir Khan also became IAS directly in 2018. At present, he is a collector in the district Sriganganagar.
Shaheen Khan, RAS: Shaheen Khan, son of Liaquat Khan, is a senior RAS officer. Presently posted as Chief Medical Officer. Earlier, he has aslo been Ashok Gehlot’s OSD (Officer on Special Duty).
Monica, DIG jail: Shaheen Khan’s wife Monica is also an officer. She was selected as jail superintendent. Monica was working as DIG Jaipur.
Shakib Khan, Brigadier, Indian Army: Liaquat Khan’s nephew Shakib Khan is a Brigadier in the Indian Army. Currently, he is posted in Hisar.
Salim Khan, RAS: Liaquat Khan’s nephew Salim Khan is a senior RAS officer. He is working in Jaipur on the post of Deputy Secretary, Education.
Shana Khan, RAS: Senior RAS officer Salim Khan’s wife Shana Khan is also an RAS officer. These Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan are posted in Jaipur.
Farah Khan, IRS: Farah Khan followed in her father’s footsteps and went a step ahead of him. In the year 2016, he got 267th rank at All India level. Then she also got the distinction of being the second Muslim woman from Rajasthan to become an IAS. Presently Farah is posted in Jodhpur.
Qamar Ul Zaman Choudhary, IAS: Qamar-ul-Zaman Chaudhary, husband of IAS officer Farah Khan, is also an IAS of Rajasthan cadre. They are originally from Jammu and Kashmir. Presently working in Jodhpur.
Javed Khan, RAS: RAS officer Salim Khan’s brother-in-law Javed Khan is also RAS. He is serving as PS to Minister Saleh Mohammad in Jaipur.
Ishrat Khan, Colonel: Indian Army Brigadier Shabik’s sister Ishrat Khan is a colonel in the Indian Army. 17 years ago, he was commissioned in the Indian Army in the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After getting promoted, she became a colonel.
(Inputs from One India Hindi)
source: http://www.india.com / India.com / Home> Education / by Analiza Pathak / October 30th, 2024
The sixth talent award ceremony of the Muslim Welfare Society took place at the Town Hall here Monday, celebrating academic excellence and achievements across various fields. The event opened with Quran recitation by Hafiz Suhail. Society patrons, including Mohammad Anwar Qureshi, President Abdul Sattar Tanwar, Secretary Mirajuddin Pathan, and Treasurer Qasim Nirman, welcomed the guests with shawls, garlands, and mementos.
Rehana Riyaz Chishti, Chairperson of Rajasthan State Women’s Commission, presided over the event, emphasising that recognition cultivates talent, which, in turn, contributes to national and societal advancement. “Education is a vital tool to change the destiny of nations,” she remarked.
Assistant Professor Dr. Shamshad Ali highlighted that honouring talent is an inspiring way to encourage achievement, stressing the importance of such events. Other esteemed guests, including Dr. Ehsaan Gori, Naseem Riyazat Khan, and Farzana Mansuri, spoke on the transformative power of education.
Top students, Alvira Chauhan, who scored 96.50% in Class 10, and Aksa Parihar, with 94.50% in Class 12, were awarded the Fatima Sheikh Award along with a cash prize of Rs.1100. In total, 74 students from Class 10 and 76 from Class 12 were recognised, along with 16 individuals who made notable contributions in various fields. Local journalists were also honoured.
Retired CBEO Mohammad Anwar Qureshi lauded the committee’s work, while the programme was co-hosted by Anwar Qureshi, Dr. Syed Mohammad Aslam, and Lal Mohammad. Committee members Abdul Jabbar Khokar, Nawab Ali, Ashfaq Ali, Hanif Khatri, Salim Kalal, Ramzan Neelgar, Usman, Hakim, Farooq, Ishaq Bagad, Liaqat Ali Khan, Imran, Sabir Nirvan, Haroon Nirvan, Zulfen Kanwari, and Advocate Raza Murad Alvi, Chief City Qazi of Ratangarh, were in attendance. Contributions included gifts by Yakub Gouri of Gouri Construction Company, mementos from Hakim Ali Maniyar Loha, certificates by Farooq Maniyar Loha, and religious books by Mohammad Ramzan Neelgar.
At the programme’s close, President Abdul Sattar Tanwar expressed gratitude to all guests. The ceremony underscored the role of education and talent recognition in shaping a better future.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation / by Radiance News Bureau / October 29th, 2024
Abir Asad in front of the UPSC Office in New Delhi
New Delhi :
This is the success story of a Muslim cleric’s daughter who cleared the coveted the Indian Civil Services examinations held by the UPSC in her first attempt and without coaching. Her achievement is remarkable given the limited resources available to a Maulana.
Abir Asad’s name figured at the supplementary list of candidates who appeared in the Civil services examinations held in 2023, released by the UPSC recently. She has cleared it through self study and thus become an example of hard work, dedication, passion, and a visionary for the Indian youth.
From schooling to graduation, Abir passed all her examinations with high grades and distinction. She scored 92.8 percent marks in 10th, 97.5 in 12th, and graduated in Economics from Delhi University’s Hansraj College with distinction.
Abir’s name figures at position 35 in the list of remaining 120 candidates in the reserved category which was released by the UPSC recently. A release of the UPSC said, that 1016 candidates were declared successful in the Civil Services Examination, 2023 on April 16, 2024, in order of merit against 1143 vacancies.
Two days ago, the UPSC released a Consolidated Reserve List in order of merit which will be below the earlier list in respective categories.
The UPSC List with Abir Asad’s name
“As sought by the Department of Personnel & Training, the Commission has now recommended 120 candidates which include 88 General, 05 EWS, 23 OBC, 03 SC, and 01 ST, to fill up the remaining posts based on the Civil Services Examination, 2023. The candidates, so recommended, will be intimated directly by the DOP&T.”
Abir Asad would soon head to the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, for training.
Abir has given the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) as her first choice, the Indian Revenue Service (IRS) as second and the Indian Railway Management Service as the third one. The allocation is done somewhere during the training and is also based on the vacancies available in the government departments.
Recently, the final list of 120 candidates was released by the UPSC, in which Abir Asad is ranked 35th.
Abir Asad’s brother Muhammad Basil is a software engineer, and mother is a homemaker. Her ancestry is from the well-known Kirthi Jafar of the Mayo district.
Abir Asad worked hard for one year. She studied eight to nine hours on normal days and added more hours close to the examination.
Abir credits her parents for teaching her the wages of hard work, explaining the importance of studies, and encouraging her at every step of her life.
“This formula that never lets children lose their spirit,” she said.
Abir said that if girls are given the freedom to read and write, encouraged, and provided equal opportunities there is no reason why Muslim girls should not do well in life.
She told the Muslim youth that instead of wandering around the neighborhood and wasting their time, they must focus on studying and writing.
Abir Asad’s father Maulana Muhammad Asad Al-Qasimi Al-Azmi said that he gave Abir the freedom to read and write and pursue her dreams.
He appealed to the Muslims to give their children the freedom to read and write and take care of their choice in which field they want to study further. He said that only education can change the fate of a Quom (Muslims).
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by ATV / October 30th, 2024
Begum Gulbadan’s Humayun-nama, a remarkable chronicle of early Mughal life in India is the only work written by a woman in Muslim courts of Ottoman, Turkey, Iran and India.
An early Mughal princess
The Vagabond Princess by Professor Ruby Lal is a captivating historical biography of an early Mughal princess. Even though this is a work of meticulous historical research, it is an adventure tale and a travel narrative with a female protagonist which provides as much entertainment as any work of fiction. The real wonder of this book is that it’s a true account of a real woman, Gulbadan Begum, who lived from 1523 to 1603.
The author Dr. Ruby Lal is a Professor of South Asian history at Emory University in Atlanta who wrote The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan (2018)which was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist.
While her previous book concentrated on a later Mughal queen who was as powerful as her husband the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, this work focuses on an early Mughal princess whose contribution is not so much to statecraft but to memorializing through her writing the formative years of the Mughal Empire in India.
The life of Gulbadan
As the title suggests, Gulbadan’s life was one of astonishing journeys that very few others had undertaken in the sixteenth century. She was a beloved daughter of Emperor Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India. At the age of six, she undertook an arduous journey with her Mughal relatives from Kabul in Afghanistan to Agra, where her father had established his new capital. This journey took her across the Khyber Pass, a treacherous mountainous gap that allowed an entry point into India.
Once in Agra, she reunites with her beloved father and grows up in the new country of Hindustan, amid a plethora of languages, her native Turkish, Persian, and the emerging mixed tongue of Hindavi in India. Even when it seems there is a modicum of stability, her father Babar’s life is suddenly cut short when he prays for the survival of his son and heir Humayun and participates in a ritual where he barters a part of his own life to save his son.
The untimely death of Babar is a shock for Gulbadan, but even more disconcerting are the rebellions by various half-brothers who periodically betray their allegiance to Humayun, her half-brother who ascends the throne.
A Mughal dynasty
Humayun’s reign becomes even more tenuous when he faces military challenges led by the Afghan ruler of Bihar, Sher Shah Suri, who defeats Humayun in Chausa in 1539 and Kanauj in 1540, forcing him into exile in Afghanistan. These changing vicissitudes of the Mughal dynasty force Gulbadan into a peripatetic existence moving back to Kabul and then returning again to Hindustan after Humayun recaptures Agra. During the years of his exile from India, Gulbadan witnesses Humayun’s marriage to his favorite wife Hamida who gives birth to their future heir Akbar, and who also becomes a close friend of Gulbadan.
Akbar’s ascension to the throne marks a shift in Gulbadan’s personal life. In her early life, she had lived in gardens and tents and had traveled freely. With the growth in Akbar’s stature, Mughal women were consigned to the enclosed quarters of the harem in Fatehpur Sikri. While this was a mark of the rising prestige of Akbar, the Emperor, it was not a particularly pleasing option for his aunt, Gulbadan. Even though she is a mother and a senior advisory figure in the harem and also highly regarded by Emperor Akbar as a writer and memory keeper of her clan, she is increasingly restless by her confinement in middle age.
A pilgrimage to Mecca
Gulbadan successfully petitions Akbar to allow her to embark on a holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina with the women of the harem. This is a formidable journey, even with Akbar’s support. First, the Mughal contingent arrive in the port city of Surat where they wait for the Portuguese to approve their passage as they have a monopoly over shipping routes. After much negotiation, and payment of requisite fees, two Mughal ships set sail for the haj pilgrimage. Lal provides a detailed account of the journey across the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea to arrive at the port of Jeddah, from where the party travels to Mecca. At Mecca, they are able to complete all the rituals associated with the Haj including the lavish giving of alms to the poor. The party then proceeds to Medina and completes the rituals of worship particular to that city as well.
Gulbadan and her associates do not return to Hindustan after completing the Haj but stay on in one of the elite neighborhoods of Medina. After some time, they attract the criticism of the Ottoman Sultan Murad III, who issues orders of expulsion for Gulbadan and her group. Lal suggests that the lavish giving of alms, made possible by the immense wealth of Akbar and the Mughal Empire in a way threatened the sovereignty of the Ottoman Sultan.
The Humayun-nama
On her return journey by sea, Gulbadan faces being shipwrecked but escapes with her life and seeks refuge in Aden. Unlike Mecca, the authorities in Aden are not hospitable or courteous. She is relieved to return home where she commands the respect of men and women as someone who is a haji or who has accomplished one of the pillars of the Islamic faith: pilgrimage to the Prophet’s birthplace. Once settled in Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar commissions her to write a biographical sketch of Humayun. Gulbadan accomplishes this task with great finesse. Her book is an outstanding primary source document about the condition of life during the Mughal era in India.
The narrative begins with Lal’s examination of Gulbadan’s book Ahval- i- Humaun Badshah (Conditions in the Age of Humayun Badshah), at the British Museum in 1997. This is the only extant copy of this commissioned work that Gulbadan authored, but Lal soon realizes that the manuscript is incomplete, and it does not touch on her pilgrimage to Mecca or her life after the return. It is this gap that Lal seeks to fulfill in her research, trying to reconstruct events that happened during the pilgrimage including her group’s expulsion.
First female chronicler of Mughal life
As she recreates the life of Gulbadan, Lal reminds us that her work, popularly called Humayun-nama, is the only prose work written by a woman in Muslim courts including Ottoman, Turkey, Iran, and India. Gulbadan is a remarkable witness and chronicler of early Mughal life in India. Moreover, her life defies notions about women being constrained by Islamic institutions of purdah. Gulbadan did not accept the confinement of the harem and sought out travel to the holy cities of Arabia, appearing publicly to give alms to the poor.
Even upon her return she adopted the role of official historian and was not limited to traditional roles of wife and mother in the harem. At a time when the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is reducing Mughal history content in school history textbooks in India, it is all the more important to continue bringing the lives of Mughal women to the attention of the world. Ruby Lal has succeeded in giving us a biography of an extraordinary life that women in the twenty-first century in India and the world can draw inspiration from.
The Vagabond Princess: The Great Adventures of Gulbadan by Ruby Lal Yale University Press, February 2024.
source: http://www.indiacurrents.com / India Currents / Home> Books> Culture / by Lopamudra Basu / April 10th, 2024
Dr. Afreen Mubeen Sheikh, a native of Mangaluru has made her hometown proud when she recently won the SHE Award in Dubai for her dedicated service to her profession and for contributing to the cause of women empowerment in UAE.
Dr Afreen is an alumnus of K S Hegde Medical Academy where she pursued her MBBS. She later did her Diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland.
Dr Afreen is a mentor and coach for foreign medical graduates seeking medical licensure in the UAE. She is a women’s health consultant in Mamahood, Dubai. Her expertise and guidance have empowered countless mothers to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. She has also successfully founded a women’s modest fashion brand by name ’Hayaa by Afreen’ in Dubai and also has a popular blog page by name ’The Whitecoat Mama’ on Instagram.
She uses the platform to raise awareness about women’s health and Gulf medical exams. She’s not only a respected medical professional and social media influencer but also a brand ambassador for several renowned brands in the UAE. Dr Afreen’s inspiring journey and her achievements were featured in a popular Dubai magazine ’Xpatzhub’ in October.
Dr Afreen is married to Dr Mohammad Mubeen who is a Paediatric Intensivist.
Under the auspices of Media Study Centre and with the cooperation of Vistara TV and Basaveshwara Parishad, Dr. Mohammed Farooq Pasha, Asst. Prof. Department of Commerce and Management Kengeri and Dr. Fazilath Uzma from Microbiology and Food Technology Department of Bangalore University were awarded with Acharya Shri 2024 in recognition of their services in their respective fields.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Bengaluru South Shiv Prakash Devraju, renowned cardiologist Mahantesh R Chantimath, President of Basava Parishad Uma Devi, former MP Prof. I.G. Sanadi and others were present on the occasion.
Dr. Farooq has authored more 50 books for pre-university and degree courses in Commerce. Dr. Fazilath is a senior research fellow at Bangalore University and has written 11 books on the subject.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Mohammed Atherulla Shariff, (headline edited) , Radiance News Bureau / October 28th, 2024
Haaequa Awati alias Hijabi trekker climbing Kalsubhi peak, the highest one in Maharashtra
Haaequa Awati of Junnar in Pune, Maharashtra, known as Hijabi Trekker for her passion for trekking in a hijab, is on an exploration of all the forts built by the Maratha Warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. It’s interesting to note that both were born in Junnar, a historic city of Maharashtra.
Haaequa Awati’s bio on her Instagram account @hijabitrekker includes a quote, “Nature’s path is where the mind finds clarity, the body finds strength, and the heart finds freedom” Haika emerging as ‘Hijabi Trekker’ is creating a different identity through trekking.
Haaequa has been fascinated by forts since childhood. She feels drawn to the stories of Maharaj Chhatrapati Shivaji’s bravery. She developed an interest in outdoor sports right in school. Inspired by Shivaji’s stories, she picked up adventure sports.
Haaequa’s wanderlust started because of her passion for sports. She had been practicing taekwondo from the age of nine years. She is the first Muslim woman from Junnar taluk to earn a black belt.
“Being born in Shiv Janmabhoomi, I have had an adventurous spirit since childhood. I don’t have a brother, so I felt responsible for the protection of my sisters… In that sense, I learned taekwondo for self-defense out of my love for sports… From that love, I developed the hobby of trekking.”
Haaequa Awati practising martial arts
Haaequa spent her childhood in a village. Her father has a small tailoring business and her mother is a school teacher. Haaequa is the eldest of three sisters.
Haaequa came to Pune to pursue higher education. Sports and trekking are popular in her community, but higher education among women is not common. She completed her education while maintaining her passion for sports.
Haaequa got inspired to play sports, she says, “Being born in Shiv Janmabhoomi, I have had an adventurous spirit since childhood. As I didn’t have a brother, I felt responsible for protecting myself and my sisters… In that sense, I learned taekwondo for self-defense out of my love for sports… From that love, I developed the hobby of trekking.”
She came to Pune and completed her MBA from a reputed college and soon got a job. Soon she started coaching schoolchildren in sports and would use her weekends for trekking.
Haaequa Awati posing for a picture during one of her treks
She started trekking from the Shivjanmasthan Fort Shivneri, a fort build by Shivaji Maharaj. So far, she has collected that information by wandering in many places like Torna, Harishchandragad, Korigad, Kokandiva, Rajmachi, Bhuikot, Sea forts, and Mountain forts. Her travel vlogs have also become popular on YouTube and Instagram.
She says, “My mother, being a teacher, is always innovative. She knows a lot about social media and technology. So she gave me the idea to start the channel. After that, I started my channel on social media called ‘Hizbi Trekker’.”
Along with showing the beauty of Sahyadri through her social media, Haaequa tries to convey the culture of Maharashtra and the history preserved through the forts. She chooses a high-altitude fort or a mountain and climbs it wearing casual clothes that blend in with the forest. Haaequa decided to trek wearing a hijab. The idea behind it was to break the stereotype of a Hijab-wearing Muslim woman.
Haaequa has shown how modernity can be embraced while still maintaining religiosity and modest dressing. On being asked about her Hijab while trekking Haaequa said, “When I performed Umrah and Hajj in 2019, I gained more respect for the hijab. That’s when I realized that religion or culture never comes in the way of your ambition. We can fulfill our dreams even by wearing hijab. Because hijab is not compulsory but a matter of choice.”
Haaequa adds, “Many people think that being religious means you can’t live life as per your choice. I wanted to break this misconception. So I decided to wear my religious identity on my sleeves while pursuing my passion for trekking. That is how the concept of ‘Hijabi Trekker’ was born.”
On her logo on her social media pages, she says, “There is a lot of respect for our tricolor. It is also a place of inspiration. Inspired by the three colors of the tricolor, I created my Hizbi Trekker logo.”
Haaequa Awati in front of a monument up in the hills
Speaking about her journey from a passion for sports to trekking, Hayka says, “I’m trying to prove myself through this. I want to show that Muslim women are also leading the way in sports. Today, my social media followers refer to me as Hizbi Trekker. Hijabi Haaequa has become my identity.”
When asked about the difficulties she faced in her early days of trekking as a woman, she says, “While trekking, you have to wear loose but skimpy clothes. But I feel comfortable in full body coverings. So that one thing bothered me, but luckily some companies in Kerala have marketed full-body clothing used during trekking. It solved the problems of many girls like me.”
She further says, “I have met a lot of girls who want to do trekking. However, when it comes to trekking by women, many people wonder about where they would stay. Sometimes, the trekkers may also carry their children. I mostly get such reactions, especially from Muslim families. While searching for answers to such questions, I thought that we should curate trekking groups for women.”
Haaequa feels education is an important component of development and empowerment. Unfortunately, the level of education of Muslims in India especially in higher education is not very satisfactory. Although this society has been somewhat backward due to the lack of education, today it seems to be undergoing many positive changes.
Women face many problems due to lack of education. Therefore, Haaequa has expressed her strong opinion on the importance of education. “I got married in 2017,” Haaequa adds, adding that women should be educated and empowered. Opinion I had to separate from my husband within a year of marriage. After that, I had to face the questions of relatives and society. The couple also started a huge court battle for divorce and that battle is still going on. I realized that this battle could not be fought effectively without knowing the law.”
She adds, “There are many laws for women in our country. But I did not know how to use those laws. So I decided to study law to fight my own battle effectively.”
Haaequa is completing her LLB from a reputed college in Pune. After becoming financially strong, she wants to cobble a trekking group of women and start a fitness training center for the elderly women.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Bhakti Chalaka, Pune / October 24th, 2024
