KKMA Student Awards, ‘Family Benefit Scheme Distribution’ held in Mangaluru
Mangaluru:
Kuwait Kerala Muslim Association (Karnataka Chapter) held a ceremony on Sunday, July 30, at the Highland Islamic Forum (HIF) Auditorium in Falnir.
The event aimed to provide assistance and recognition to its members and their families through various welfare schemes and awards.
During the ceremony, the Family Benefit Scheme was distributed to the families of deceased members as a compassionate gesture from the association.
Additionally, the deserving patients were recipients of the Free Dialysis Scheme, providing vital medical support to those in need.
The occasion also saw the distribution of the Late SM Basheer Memorial Student Scholarships, which offer educational support to deserving students.
Moreover, the Lifetime Achievement Award was bestowed upon CAO of Shepherd International Academy, Hasan Yusuf, a respected figure recognized for his substantial contributions to social services over the years.
NA Muneer, the former chairman and trustee of KKMA, delivered the inaugural speech, highlighting the association’s commitment to taking care of its members even after their passing. He emphasized how the association, which began in 2002 and now boasts over 16,000 members, has been able to extend financial assistance totaling more than Rs. 15 crore to 255 families who have lost their loved ones. Muneer applauded the selfless contributions of KKMA members, who, despite being small-time earners, generously contribute from their hard-earned money to support bereaved families. He urged the families of the deceased members to pray for the well-being of KKMA members, who tirelessly work for this noble cause.
Yusuf Rasheed, the KKMA Karnataka president, delivered the presidential address, underscoring the association’s dedication to the well-being of its members and the underprivileged within society. This dedication is evident through the distribution of facilities such as free dialysis and educational scholarships, aimed at uplifting and empowering the community.
The ceremony also witnessed an address by Architect Mohammed Nissar, Chairman of Indian Design School Mangaluru. Nissar encouraged the scholarship recipients to make the most of the opportunity and urged the association to provide guidance to these students so they can pursue professions that benefit both themselves and the wider community.
SM Farooq, KKMA Karnataka State President, paid tribute to his late brother, the esteemed SM Basheer, and recounted how he tirelessly worked for the welfare of KKMA Karnataka Chapter. He also highlighted how the Family Benefit Scheme offered essential support to the families of deceased members during crucial times.
In recognition of his exceptional service to KKMA Karnataka Chapter, SM Farooq was felicitated at the ceremony.
Several students were awarded with the KKMA students award for their academic excellence in various exams while several other deserving students were awarded educational scholarships during the event.
The event concluded with Abdul Latif extending the vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all participants and supporters. Uzaif compered the event.
Prominent personalities like SM Basha and Munir Kodi were among the dignitaries present during the event.
source: http://www.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / July 3oth, 2023
Misbah Anwar Khan, a resident of Jalna city in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra, has become an inspiring example for students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds with her remarkable performance in the NEET Exam 2023, scoring 633 out of 720 marks.
Misbah hails from a humble working-class family, with her father running a puncture repair shop in Mujahid Chowk, Jalna City.
Her achievement is a testament to her perseverance and determination. Despite facing challenging circumstances at home, she remained focused on her studies and never gave up. To date, she has only received a scholarship of 15 thousand rupees from the “Seema Khatib” foundation after passing her SSC exam.
The Seema Khatib Medley Pharma scholarship, awarded by an NGO based in Mumbai, supports deserving students who aspire to pursue professional or technical courses such as medicine or engineering.
Misbah’s academic performance has been exceptional even in her SSC Board Exam, where she scored 92% marks, followed by 86% marks in the Class 12 board exam.
Cracking the NEET Exam
Speaking to TwoCircles.net, Misbah shared that she had dreamt of becoming a doctor since childhood. “Alhamdulillah, now I am qualified to pursue this course. I dedicated myself fully to my studies, never wasting time, and remained focused on clearing the NEET Exam.”
“This was my second attempt,” she explained. “The guidance provided by Ankush sir in the tuition class was invaluable to me, and he didn’t charge any fees. I will always be grateful for his educational assistance.”
Due to the high fees associated with coaching and a lack of proper guidance, Misbah couldn’t succeed on her first attempt. However, her enthusiasm caught the attention of Akash Sonawne, who runs the ‘Premier Institute of Science.’ He took her under his wing, providing free coaching at his institute.
Overcoming Hardships
Despite facing challenging circumstances and coming from a financially disadvantaged background, Misbah and her siblings are determined to pursue their dreams through education. Misbah is the third child among four siblings. Her elder sister is married, while her brothers are currently studying in 12th grade and the first year of their degree program.
Misbah’s father, Anwar Khan, completed his education up to the 9th standard. Due to hardships at home, he started his small shop repairing vehicle tyre punctures. The family lives in a one-bedroom house that belonged to Anwar’s grandfather.
“I understand the importance of education,” Anwar told TwoCircles. “That’s why I want my children to study. My eldest son wants to help me after his college hours, but I don’t allow him to do that. I don’t want him to get distracted. I have been running my tyre puncture repair shop for the last 30 years.”
Running the household and bearing the educational expenses of his children is burdensome for 53-year-old Anwar Khan. However, he has full faith in Allah and manages to earn between Rs. 12,000 and Rs. 15,000 from his work, with the potential to earn up to Rs. 20,000 during prosperous times.
Felicitation and Honors for Misbah
After learning about Misbah’s success in the NEET exams, prominent members of Jalna visited their humble abode to extend their congratulations and good wishes. Her school management also invited her for a felicitation ceremony.
Iftikhar Bagwan, the secretary of Anjuman E Ishat E Talim’s Urdu High School & Junior College, Jalna, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I thank the Almighty for rewarding Misbah’s hard work and sincerity. I also extend my thanks to everyone who prayed for Misbah’s success. Her achievement is a feather in our institution’s cap. Misbah has always been a bright student and has once again excelled in NEET, making us proud.”
Misbah’s father, Anwar Khan, overflowing with joy, shared that, tears of happiness filled their eyes upon hearing the news of her success. “I thank Almighty for showering his blessings on me and my children,” he said emotionally.
“We are looking forward to admitting her to medical college. Misbah has won a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, and some well-wishers have promised to assist with my daughter’s higher education. So, I am hopeful that we will be able to fulfil her dream of becoming a doctor,” he added.
Misbah’s aspiration as a future doctor is to provide medical aid to the underprivileged.
Anwar Khan can be reached at 8806342962.
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> India News / by Imran Inamdar, TwoCirlce.net / July 14th, 2023
Prof Farah Ghaus, Department of Anatomy, J.N. Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) has been recognized by The Knowledge Review magazine as ‘one of the Most Influential Women Leaders – Shaping India’s Future, 2023’, for delivering noteworthy pedagogical facilities for the last two decades and leveraging exceptional leadership qualities via extensive expertise, progressive ideas and unrelenting dedication, and thus have left an impact on the industry.
The inspiring story of Dr Ghaus has been featured in the magazine, and she has been presented with a certificate for the same.
Notably, Dr Ghaus holds a prominent position in the field of Anatomy, serving as a member of the advisory board for ‘Inderbir Singh’s Human Embryology 12th and 13th editions’.
She is a life member of various anatomical societies and her book ‘Development of Maxillary Sinus-A Morphological Study in Human Fetuses’ is a testament to her expertise in the subject.
source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University, AMU / Home> AMU News / by Public Relations Office, Aligarh (headline edited) / June 28th, 2023
Bhandara Char Village No.4 (Bangagaon District), ASSAM:
Afruja Begum, a student of BH College, Barpeta, Assam, has secured first position in the Philosophy Department of the University of Guwahati. She scored 9.07 CGPA.
The University of Guwahati (GU) has announced the results of the Bachelor’s Degree Examination in Philosophy.
Afruja’s achievement comes at a time when Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma has openly praised the talent of the youth of the rural areas.
Afruja, daughter of Habel Ali, a resident of Bhandara Char village No. 4 in Bangagaon district, has brought joy to the underdeveloped area.
“It was very difficult for me to leave home and take classes in college because our area is very backward. During the rainy season, the roads are flooded. There is no way to get there. So I stayed in hostel.”
Afruja is grateful to the college authorities for allowing her to stay when the hostel should be otherwise closed.
She says her parents inspired her to dream big and now she wants to enroll for a postgraduate degree.
Afruja Begum’s father runs a small business. The village of Bhandara Char where he lives is very inaccessible. The roads are in poor condition.
Afruja Begum is happy that despite coming from a remote village topped in the Philosophy department of the University of Guwahati in the Bachelor’s Examination results.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by AMSU President Rezaul Karim Sarkar visited the house of Afruja and felicitated her and her parents with flowers, gomochas, sharai, pens and books.
“We are delighted with the performance of Afruja, a daughter from a very remote area like Bhandara Char village. She studied with great sacrifice and hard work. We wish her even better results in the coming days We hope he will be a good citizen who can serve the region,” said, Rezaul Karim Sarkar, AMSU President.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / July 18th, 2023
Motivational speaker and life coach, Saif Sultan, along with his wife, Adeela Farheen, is embarking on a remarkable mission to raise awareness about the vital importance of blood donation. The dynamic couple will undertake an arduous 4,000-kilometer motorcycle ride from Mangaluru to Kargil, aiming to spread the message of patriotism, dispel misconceptions about hijab, and highlight the significance of donating blood.
The journey is set to commence on July 29, 2023, at 7:30 am, from Nehru Maida in Mangaluru, under the auspices of esteemed dignitaries, including MLA and State Speaker U T Khader, and Mangaluru Police Commissioner Kuldeep Kumar R Jain. In preparation for their ride, a blood donation camp will be organized on July 28, in collaboration with the Blood Helpline Karnataka and the Red Cross Blood Bank. This initiative not only showcases the couple’s dedication but also encourages others to contribute to this noble cause.
Riding on the BMW GS 310, the couple has made modifications to suit their travel needs before embarking on their journey. Over the course of 19 days, Saif and Adeela will traverse multiple cities, including Honnavar, Belagavi, Pune, Mumbai, Surat, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Jaipur, Delhi, Amritsar, Jammu, and Srinagar, before reaching their destination in Kargil on August 15. Covering an average distance of 300 kilometers per day, they plan to engage with the public, promoting the importance of blood donation and distributing souvenirs and chocolates to create awareness and foster community participation.
Saif Sultan expressed, “Our primary objective is to raise awareness about blood donation. However, I also hope to dispel misconceptions surrounding the hijab and demonstrate that it is not a symbol of oppression. By showcasing my wife, Adeela, wearing the hijab during our ride, we want to emphasize that Muslim women are educated, empowered, and free to pursue their aspirations within the framework of their faith.”
Reflecting on the inception of their journey, Saif shared, “Originally, I had planned a solo ride to Kargil and was preparing for a 300-kilometer ride to Karwar. But when my wife expressed her interest in joining me, I welcomed the idea with open arms. Our previous trip to Karwar was a transformative experience, allowing us to strengthen our bond and subsequently inspired us to embark on this extraordinary journey together. Our children, Hoodh, 8, and Safa, 6, are also thrilled and supportive of our adventure.”
In addition to raising awareness about blood donation, the couple’s expedition aims to serve as a testament to India’s safety and cultural diversity. Along the way, they will document their experiences through daily blog posts, sharing their insights and encounters with the public. On reaching Kargil, the couple plans to organize a blood donation camp, where Saif will proudly donate blood for the 20th time, and Adeela will contribute for the first time.
As a symbol of solidarity and gratitude, the Indian Army personnel will witness the hoisting of flags, including the flags presented by dignitaries in Mangaluru, along with the Kannada flag on August 15. This gesture honors the memory of the late Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, with whom Saif had the privilege of meeting on three separate occasions.
This exceptional endeavor by Saif Sultan and Adeela Farheen not only promotes blood donation awareness but also sheds light on the global blood shortage crisis, which affects both low- and middle-income countries, including India. Access to safe and sufficient blood for all those in need remains a challenge worldwide. By encouraging voluntary, unpaid blood donations and fostering active community participation, we can ensure a stable blood supply, particularly during emergencies and disasters.
The couple’s forthcoming plans of touring Thailand next year and Europe the following year reflect their unwavering commitment to exploring the world while advocating for noble causes.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / July 27th, 2023
Faculty members and scholars of Aligarh Muslim University underscored the salient features of the writings of Dr Syeda Narjis Fatima, especially stressing the aesthetic and philosophical aspects of her work, during the release ceremony of her book, “Muntakhab Mazameen” (Selected Essays) in the conference hall of the Faculty of Social Science, Aligarh Muslim University.
In his presidential remarks, the founder and director of Ibn Sina Academy, Aligarh, Prof Hakeem Syed Zillur Rehman, congratulated Dr Narjis Fatima on the publication of the book and said that most of the articles included in the book bring forth the aesthetic aspects of Urdu literature, which is an important genre of literary criticism in Urdu. He said that her canvas of writing is vast and her articles introduce the Urdu readers to a new way of thinking.
The chief guest, Prof. Qazi Jamal Hussain, while underscoring the aesthetic aspect of various topics included in the book, said that studying Urdu literature from an aesthetic point of view is a difficult task because people generally do not differentiate between aesthetics and impressionistic criticism, while both are different things. He said that aesthetics covers all the genres of fine arts and Dr. Narjis Fatima has employed the aesthetic elements in her essays with great objectivity and dexterity.
He said that Dr. Fatima’s articles emanate from her philosophical concerns and this is another important quality of her writings.
The Guest of Honour, Prof Syed Siraj Ajmali, Department of Urdu said that the release of a book in an educational institution is an important event as it reflects its academic activities. Dr Narjis Fatima’s book is an embodiment of philosophical and aesthetic ideas with reference to her essays. He said that Dr Fatima belongs to a family of scholars and carries forward the scholarly tradition. She submitted her PhD thesis on Aesthetic Criticism in 2009, which was later published in the form of a book.
Former associate professor of the Department of Philosophy, Dr. Tasadduq Hussain said that although Dr Fatima is a housewife, her academic activities continued over a long span of time as she has a genuine aptitude for reading and writing and pondering over scholarly topics. He added that the book contains enough material for the students of literature and they can benefit from it in many ways.
While conducting the program, Prof Mohammad Asim Siddiqui, Chairman, Department of English, said that Dr Fatima’s book stimulates the thought process as the articles included in this book cover important subjects like the aesthetic dimensions of Iqbal’s and Faiz’s poetry and the aesthetics of progressive writers’ movement.
He said that the book is very helpful for students of English literature, especially comparative literature, as the it includes special studies on “Shakuntala and Shakespearean Heroines”, “Antigone and Greek Drama” and Manto’s “Toba Tek Singh: A Critical Review”.
Prof. Ashiq Ali, Chairman, Department of Hindi extended a vote of thanks.
Prof Mehtab Haider Naqvi, Prof Shahid Rizvi, Prof Madihar Rehman Suhaib, Prof Samina Khan, Prof Prem Kumar, Prof Sami Rafiq, Prof Shambhunath Tiwari, Mr. Ajay Basaria and a large number of teachers and students congratulated Dr Narjis Fatima for the publication of the book.
source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University, AMU / Home> AMU News / by Public Relations Office, Aligarh / July 17th, 2023
Long thought to be simple fare, Kokni Muslim cuisine’s unique flavours and aromas are slowly wafting out of the confines of home kitchens.
The Konkan coast, which is home to the Kokni Muslim cuisine
When you think of Muslim cuisine, what do you think of? Hyderabadi dum biryani, Lucknowi galouti kebab on a warqi paratha, or the lavish Bohri thaal? Dishes such as yakhni gosht (dry mutton), machli cha halduni (fish gravy), dum che Bombil (Bombay Duck made in the dum technique) are not the ones that readily come to mind as most of us are unfamiliar with the cuisine of the Kokni Muslim community.
What has kept this cuisine away from public knowledge is that it cannot be found at just about any restaurant and can be sampled only at home-dining experiences or pop-ups, that too only over the past couple of years.
One such is Ammeez Kitchen, a home-dining service on weekends at Marol, Mumbai, founded by Shabana Salauddin in 2017. “Ammeez Kitchen happened over a conversation with my mother, Ammee, while having our meal,” she recalls. “The discussion hovered around why Kokni Muslim food, which is so delectable, is unknown compared to other regional cuisines? Ammee dismissed the idea, saying our food is just ‘ghar ka khaana [simple home food]’. This strengthened my resolve, as I felt this was exactly what I wanted to showcase.”
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Kokni Muslims are a sub-ethnic group from the Konkan region, including the areas of Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg. About 1,000 years ago, trade between the Indian sub-continent and West Asia saw Arab merchants coming to this region—to ports such as Chaul, near Alibaug—and, over centuries, settling along the coast, marrying into the local communities and giving rise to the Kokni Muslim community of seafarers. The Arabs brought along with them the knowledge of food such as yakhni or mutton dishes, and spices such as fennel. Besides, owing to their location, seafood became an integral part of their cuisine along with local, Maharashtrian influences.
(From top left) Khatte bangde; roath, a semolina-based cake
Nujmoonnisa Parker, author of Kokni Delights (a book of recipes and history of the community) and an exponent of Kokni Muslim cuisine, explains, “The backbone of Kokni Muslim cuisine has always been what is harvested from the ground, i.e. local produce. Like the cuisine of the Goud Saraswats of Konkan and Christians in Goa, Kokni Muslim cuisine is largely dairy-free, and, in this respect, differs from the Mughlai cuisine. There are various permutations of any given recipe, based on the region, availability of ingredients and seasonality. Coconut, rice, lentils, onions, potatoes and red chilies are the main ingredients of this cuisine.”
Although a myriad spices and ingredients go into each dish, according to Shahida Khan, a Kokni Muslim from Navi Mumbai, the food is light on the stomach. “Kokum, dry mango, black sesame seeds, coconut, red chilies, turmeric—all grown in the region—are used in our cuisine. Rice, which is also common, is used in whole or powdered form in almost every dish.”
Elaborate meals are the cornerstone of this cuisine. Popular dishes include machli cha halduni, chavachi chutney (coconut chutney that is eaten as a main dish), chawrachi roti (boiled rice flour chapati), kavtacho bojar (stuffed egg), kolbi chi chutney (dried prawns chutney), alni paalni (chicken soup without salt).
“Kokni Muslim food is always a complete meal. We have roti, chawal (rice), sabzi (vegetables), saalan (gravy), kebab or talela, and tondilavayla (condiments). Many a time, the number of condiments exceeds the number of main courses, and typically include hari chutney (green chutney), sirke ka achaar (onions pickled in vinegar), kalkhand, kuldey (rice papad), thecha (chilli chutney), raita or kachumber,” says Salauddin.
Saravle, a wheat pasta
The cuisine has similarities with other Konkan cuisines and yet remains distinct. Mumbai-based home chef-turned-entrepreneur Mumtaz Kazi Pawaskar, who hails from the fishing village of Harnai in Ratnagiri and runs a catering business along with her cousin Sameera Gawandi, elaborates: “We call ourselves Kokni and not Konkani. The use of coconut milk as in other Konkan cuisines is common. But we use it instead of water to make curries, and this is one such distinction of Kokni food. So much so, that coconut milk is even used to cook rice, which gives it a glaze and extra flavour.”
Pawaskar adds that the cuisine has three broad spice combinations: Fish masala, mutton masala, and haldi (a combination of turmeric and fennel ground together). Fennel, a key ingredient of Kokni cuisine, is an example of the Arab influences. “Isan is the process of adding a few prawns to some vegetable preparations like stuffed brinjals, a yellow curry with drumsticks, and yam in garam masala for extra flavour,” she explains. “In our village, during summer, all household courtyards have whole red chillies drying in the sun, while households make and store spice mixtures for the whole year.”
Each meal has some special dishes. “Ghavne and sandan are breakfast dishes made with rice flour and a bit of jaggery. While ghavne [delicate crepes] is made on a tawa with pure ghee, sandan [similar to the Goan sanna] is steamed and is lighter in texture,” Khan explains. “Ghario, on the other hand, is an evening snack made with shredded cucumber, jaggery and rice flour, deep fried and typically served with Sulaimani chai.”
Cooking methods and ingredients vary from village to village, according to Salauddin. “Every family has their own version of the recipe. Most of the Kokni families have at least one clay pot or degh in which machli ki halduni and kalsani ka saalan (fish gravy) are prepared. The wet spice mixture—coriander, chillies and garlic—is always freshly ground. There are two extremes in our cooking: An entire meal can be fixed in 30 to 45 minutes, while others that include sandan (like idlis, made of coarse rice, coconut, milk, sugar and steamed), roath (semolina-based cake), khichda (slow-cooked meat and lentils), sarole or saravale (wheat pasta), bhakorche (like rotis), and ukdi ke kanole (rice dumplings) are laborious.”
Chonge, or sweet puris
Desserts occupy an important place in this cuisine. Pelve are rice flour crepes stuffed with grated coconut and jaggery and garnished with chironji, a variety of nut. Poppy seeds are used abundantly to garnish sweet dishes like mitli (made of rice flour and coconut), peyushi (coconut milk and cashew pudding), duderi (flour and egg pudding), chonge (sweet puris) and seviya (vermicelli in milk).
Although Kokni Muslims have traditionally cooked and enjoyed their own cuisine at home, Parker feels that in the last few decades the community has learnt to incorporate various styles of cooking into their kitchens.
Saravle, a pasta made from wheat dough moulded into tiny rings, is a favourite in this cuisine. It plays a significant role in weddings as it is part of a bride’s ‘rukhwat’ (gifts) when she leaves her parents’ home. It is cooked as a savoury dish with mutton or chicken, or as a sweet when steamed and topped with eggs.
Salauddin says, “Ukdi ke kanole, small half moon-shaped rice dumplings stuffed with freshly grated coconut, sugar and nuts, are prepared on the wedding day. These piping hot dumplings are bought in a big plate and placed in front of the couple. The groom is expected to pick up the maximum number of dumplings and gift them to the bride. The belief is that the larger the number of dumplings he picks, the more likely he is to take care of his wife.”
Religious occasions, too, call for special dishes being prepared at home. “Women prepare sandan on Ramadan Eid, and roath and malido in the first week of Muharram,” says Parker.
Until recently, Kokni Muslim food had remained restricted to homes and was not considered to be a cuisine that could be popularised beyond the community. However, many women are now making an effort to help more people become aware of their rich culinary heritage through pop-ups and curated home-dining experiences.
Since 2017, Pawaskar and Gawandi have been delivering food from their home under the name of Kokni Dastarkhwan, and have joined hands with Authentic Cook, an organisation that offers unique culinary experiences hosted by home chefs. For instance, in 2019, Neel, a popular Mughlai and North Indian cuisine restaurant with branches in Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi and Powai held a Kokni Muslim cuisine pop-up with Pawaskar and Gawandi.
Salauddin’s Ammeez Kitchen offers home dining experiences on weekends, where customers can reserve their seats in advance, and also delivers Kokni Muslim fare to the homes of customers. “Most Kokni Muslims now live in nuclear families, and with the busy lives we lead we all prefer to have quick-fix meals rather than our own cuisine, which can be quite elaborate. Families have either stopped making these dishes, or are unaware of old recipes made by our grandparents,” laments Salauddin. “This is why the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another is at a standstill. While we Koknis love our food, we have always undervalued it. It is confined within the walls of our kitchens. It is now time to let the world know.”
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(This story appears in the 14 February, 2020 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
source: http://www.forbesindia.com / Forbes India / Home> Life> Forbes Life / by Mini Ribeiro / February 08th, 2020
Inshada Bashir Mir, a 29-year-old MBA graduate hailing from Hanjiwera Bala Pattan located close to LOC near Kanehama in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Despite challenging circumstances, Inshada with grit and determination has found a company “Tubruk”, which sells a plethora of hand crafted articles.
She works with 40 artisans and has expanded her business to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi and Jaipur. Inshada’s ambition is to take her brand “Tubruk” to the international level to introduce the handmade crafts of Jammu and Kashmir and give a new lease of life to the art and artisans who are vanishing day-by-day.
Inshada was invited as a panelist to share her success story in the recently held “Kula – 23 Conclave” organised by “200 Million Artisans”, a social enterprise enabling ecosystem for craft led enterprises for the community at the Bangalore International Center in Bengaluru.
Narrating her successful journey to IANS, Inshada explained that “Tubruk” is a Kashmiri word meaning a souvenir and blessing. “When I approached artisans with business proposals, they just saw me as a little child and laughed,” she says.
The young lady had dreamt of establishing a business at her native while she studied crafts management in Srinagar Craft Development Institute. She had learned the basics, value supply chains, but the challenge was to deal with the existing ground realities in Kashmir.
When asked about whether she was allowed to carry out business by the family, Inshada explained that she hailed from a family which was into the business of carpets.
“Outsiders think Muslim women are not allowed to carry out business. Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) wife is the first businesswoman of this world. My father’s advice on my adventure was negative. Don’t start a business as it is risky, was his opinion. But, as I was firm with my intention, he did not stop me from pursuing my dream. He is there for me all the time. My mother supported my dream as well.
“I started my business by making advance payments to artisans. I got the new designs of shawls, stoles, jewels, ear rings, laptop covers and other articles with signature modern embroidery works. You have to take that one first step and you will realize there are many to help you. You have to do it with a creative mindset,” Inshada revealed.
She participated in the Bengaluru Exhibition organised by the NGO Commitment to Kashmir in 2018. After that she attended a few more events which helped her to get contacts, networks and market.
“I started with four to five artisans. Now, I feel proud that I am working with 40 to 50 of them. The more joy comes as I am able to make their payments in advance. Now, my aim is to take Tubruk to international level,” she says.
200 million artisans under the leadership of its founder Priya Krishnamoorthy are doing great work to bring together the handicraft artisans and enterprises community and promote this sector.
“I am grateful to them to invite me for this Kula Conclave event in Bangalore and share my thoughts and journey along with other eminent personalities from the handcraft segment and discuss on how we can save this sector,” Inshada says.
Kashmir is marching forward, it is going ahead, Inshada explains with glitter in her eyes.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Karnataka / by IANS / July 23rd, 2023
Today, Google Doodle commemorates the birthday of Zarina Hashmi, an influential Indian American artist who would have turned 86 today.
The doodle, designed by guest illustrator Tara Anand from New York, pays homage to Hashmi’s artistic style by incorporating her signature geometric and minimalist abstract shapes.
source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> English Edition> Business News> Magazine> Panache / by ET Online / July 16th, 2023
The cover of Nisar Kubra’s only published book Khayalat e Kubra
“I used to write criticism of every book or article which I believed needed to be countered. Apart from these, I had written fiction, non-fiction, satires, and novels. Unfortunately, I could not publish any of these works because my Father-in-Law (May Allah Bless him with Paradise) was old-fashioned. In his opinion, good women did not write or engage with the public. Still, I got a few of my articles published in magazines under a pseudonym.”
These are the words of a Muslim woman writer from Patna who lived about a century ago. She was Nisar Kubra, one of the first women Urdu poets from Bihar to get published. She had written at least 50 books that were never published. In fact her works got destroyed by natural calamities. Her first notebook with her poems was torn by her elder brother, who questioned her daring act of being like Sauda (a famous Urdu classical poet). The poems were lost.
Probably, looking back, one could have reconciled to her plight had she been from a less-educated or backward family. Kubra’s mother Rashid un Nisa was the first woman author to publish a novel in Urdu. She had also established one of the first girls’ schools in Patna. Her father-in-law was Syed Ali Karim, who took part in the 1857 revolt and was a well-known scholar of his time. Kubra’s family and her in-laws belonged to Patna’s intellectual class.
In her memoirs, Kubra wrote that in the early 20th century “women’s education was considered to be evil, and teaching them the art of writing was no less than a grave sin”.
Muslim women are taught to read the Quran but without understanding it. They weren’t taught to read or write Urdu, Hindi, or English. She was no different. The female tutor hired for her didn’t know anything but the Quran, without understanding its meaning.
Kubra would have ended up like other girls of those times, uneducated but for her passion for reading and writing. She imitated alphabets on waste papers with the help of a piece of straw dipped in colour. One day her mother, who was an advocate of women’s education but couldn’t do much against the wishes of male members to help her daughter, saw Kubra trying to write. She was moved. She immediately gave her pen, ink, and paper. A tutor was hired for her. A female tutor who herself didn’t know much about writing could teach only the basics. But, this was enough for Kubra. She started practising.
Kubra learnt Arabic by comparing Arabic with Urdu translations; English from male family members’ books and Hindi from a Hindu maid at home. She would read any scrap. She followed her mother’s advice that girls should be exposed to both good and bad literature. Their minds should be developed in a fashion that they could distinguish between good and evil.
Kubra and her niece, Asghari, started writing poems. Once, when the Urdu poet Shad Azimabadi was shown her poems, he appreciated those and said that she should have been sent to a formal educational institution. Professor Syed Abdul Ghafur also appreciated her writings but Kubra’s elder brother did not endorse a woman from the family writing poetry. He tore down her notebook of poems. Kubra recalled, “This humiliation killed my passion for poetry and I would not write another poem for years to come”.
Kubra felt independent only in 1934, after the death of her father-in-law. Her children had grown up by then and she was on a pilgrimage to Arab. She got her poems published and called it Khayalat e Kubra (Kubra’s thoughts).
Kubra’s poems written before 1934 were lost because she also feared the rage of male members of her family if she discloses her passion.
Kubra wrote on religion, women’s rights, political movements, social movements, freedom struggle, Hindu-Muslim unity, and education.
In one of her poems on Hindu-Muslim unity, she wrote, “Suno aey Hindostaan waalo tum aey Hindu Musalmaano, Tumhi aapas ke kul jhagdo ko bekhatke mita sakte” (Listen my Indian people divided into Hindus and Muslims only you can solve these internal communal feuds).
Kubra also wrote about the need for education among women. She welcomed the freedom of women with a caution that Indians should not get carried away with western ideas. Kubra was satisfied. She wrote, “Now the times are changing. Women are attaining freedom, rather they have gained freedom. Old traditions are now past. We have no dearth of teachers for girls. Girls’ schools are being opened. Muslim women should also move forward with women of other communities to educate themselves. They should not lag.”
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Saquib Salim / July 21st, 2023
