Misaalis a platform committed to inspire and influence young Indian Muslims by sharing success stories of people from the community who achieved incredible milestones and emerged as pioneers and champions in various fields.
At a time when Covid-19 lockdown forced all of us to stay indoors and positive stories were in short supply, three Muslim youth came up with an initiative called Misaal to highlight success stories from the Muslim community. Three youth Aman Mansuri (25), a consultant at BCG, Amim Fatmi (25), associate manager at TCS and Shaista Khan (25), a venture capital associate who are alumni of India’s premier institutes like IIT Roorkee, IIM Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, NIFT Delhi and NIFTEM started Misaal.
Misaal is a platform committed to inspire and influence young Indian Muslims by sharing success stories of people from the community who achieved incredible milestones and emerged as pioneers and champions in various fields.
Aman Mansuri
“Misaal in Urdu means ‘a good example.’ We wanted to find out the Misaals of our community and share their experiences to hone the self-confidence of the youths and introduce them to the world of possibilities,” Aman told TwoCircles.net.
The trio acknowledged the privilege they had in getting into institutes of national importance, however, they say that they were perplexed by the lesser ratio of the Muslim students in such institutions. “I had only two female Muslim students as my batchmate,” said Shaista. “If I made it to the list, so can others, and this is what the initiative is about,” she added.
Misaal believes that the first step to achieving something is to dream big.
“Muslim youth need to develop big aspirations and not restrict themselves. Currently, the major focus among the community’s youth is on quick income generation. This, coupled with a widespread lack of awareness about the opportunities leads many to drop out and overall poor education levels,” said Amim.
“While there are many reasons for lack of aspiration, the most important one is the lack of visible role models who can serve as positive examples to the youth,” added Aman.
Amim Fatmi
Aman shared an anecdote wherein the only prominent Muslim figures that his friends knew of were late Indian president Dr A. P. J Abdul Kalam and the first Minister of Education of independent India, Abdul Kalam Azad. “This obliviousness about the contemporary prominent Muslim figures was alarming,” the trio said.
Misaal has posted a total of 14 episodes starting August 16, 2020, to date. Each episode is of 25 – 30 minutes long entailing relatable lived experiences in which successful people from the Muslim community share their inspirational stories. Some of the prominent figures featured on their You Tube channel are Shahrukh Alam, a lawyer at the Supreme Court of India, Quaiser Khalid, IGP, Maharastra Police, Shabina Akhtar, founder of eNewsroom, Talha Abdul Rahman, an Advocate on Record, Supreme Court, and Dr Mohammad Hussain, founder of Baroda Muslim Doctors Association.
“I am very glad that I was contacted by Misaal to share my story as an inspiration. I am more than happy to contribute in whatever way I can in this endeavour,” commented Parveen Khanam, Assistant Vice President, Genpact, who had shared her story on the platform.
The trio identified the lack of guidance and inspiration among the Muslim youths as a problem and have set out to provide a solution through Misaal. To make a positive difference among their community’s youngsters, they want to create an efficient system working on three levels, “To inspire the Muslim youths by sharing the stories of high-achieving Indian Muslims and to provide mentorship and scholarships, and to upskill them through workshops.”
Shaista Khan
“We are in the initial phase where we are trying to create a fraternity. So far it’s been only a one-way communication but going forward we want to engage on a personal level with our audience and address their needs,” said Aman. “As things start to settle well, we will gain grounds and start conducting mentorship programs and workshops extensively,” added Amim.
The trio believes that educated Muslims can build a progressive society and eventually help build a better and stronger nation. The trio says in unison, “Padhega Muslaman, tab hi badhega Muslaman aur phir badhega Hindustan” (Only an educated Muslim can make for a progressive Muslim community and in turn making a better India).
The Misaal episodes are available to watch on their YouTube channel and they can be approached through other platforms on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
www.misaal.co.in
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> India News / by Shalini S , TwoCircles.net / March 01st, 2021
All the office bearers except Vice President were elected unopposed. Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar were the guests of the oath taking ceremony.
Dr. Shabana Kesar first woman President of MANUUTA, Newly elected office bearers took oath
Hyderabad:
The newly elected members of Maulana Azad National Urdu University Teachers’ Association (MANUUTA) took oath in the investiture ceremony held at CPDUMT Auditorium Tuesday evening.
All the office bearers except Vice President were elected unopposed. Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Vice Chancellor and Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Registrar were the guests of the oath taking ceremony.
Prof. Badiuddin Ahmed, Chairperson Election Committee, administered the oath to Dr. Shabana Kesar as the President of MANUUTA along with other office bearers. Dr. Salahuddin Syed, Vice President; Dr. Jameel Ahamad, General Secretary; Dr. Majid Ali Choudhary, Joint Secretary (organizing); Mr. Ahmad Talha Siddiqui, Joint Secretary (Publicity) and Mr. Chavala Mutyala Rao, Treasurer also took charge.
Dr. Shabana Kesar from the Department of Women Education is the first women President of MANUUTA.
Speaking as the Chief Guest, Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan congratulated the newly elected office bearers and emphasized upon work for the welfare of the teaching community of MANUU. He also distributed certificates among office bearers.
Prof. Ishtiaque Ahmed, Guest of Honour welcomed the new members and assured his full support for the overall development of the University.
Election officers – Dr. Syed Khaja Safiuddin convened the program and Mr. Mohd Omar proposed vote of thanks. Dr. Faheemuddin Ahmed, Dr. Z. Abdul Rahim, Dr. Khaja Moinuddin and Dr. Muqeem Ahmed also served as Election officers.
source: http://www.munsifdaily.com / The Munsif Daily / Home> News> Regional> Hyderabad / June 22nd, 2023
Dr Ayesha Ahmad, Department of Pediatrics, J N Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University received the prestigious Fellowship of The Royal College of Physicians (FRCP), London.
The honour given to her at the fellowship conferment ceremony earlier this year is in addition to her Membership in the Royal College of Pediatrics and Child Health (MRCPCH), for which she qualified in 2015.
According to a press release from the AMU, it may be noted that the Fellows of the RCP are distinguished consultants or SAS doctors and are given the honour of using the FRCP post-nominal.
Dr Ahmad was awarded the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Fellowship (ESPE) in 2016 for working in Paediatric Endocrinology in the United Kingdom. Currently, she is involved in developing the Paediatric Endocrinology division in the department, which will address the ever-increasing cases of Type 1 diabetes, thyroid, growth disorders, and other endocrine issues of the paediatric age group. Her main thrust in research and publications covers the fields of Paediatric Endocrinology and General Paediatrics.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by News Desk / June 15th, 2023
Firdousa Jan receiving the Florence Nightingale award from president Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhawan
It was a moment of excitement for Firdousa Jan, Staff Nurse at the Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Srinagar, when she received the information that her name was on the list of awardees for the National Florence Nightingale award. She was excited and thought of her mother, whose motivation had made her decide in favour of joining Nursing as profession, 21 years ago.
Firdousa Jan received the award from President Droupadi Murmu in Rashtrapati Bhawan on June 22; she was among 15 other nurses from all over the country to receive the award. Her husband, Dr Manzoor Ahmad, who works in Saudi Arabia, was also present at the event. Their school-going daughter and son watched with bated breath their mother being honoured by the President.
“My mother has been the force behind my choosing the profession”, she told Awaz-the Voice over the phone from her Baghe-Mehtab residence in Srinagar. “I was least interested in the medical profession, as I could not see people in pain”.
Firdousa said that when she could not get into a medical college she decided to be a Nurse and joined the SKIMS. “My mother kept reminding me that facing challenges is a great learning in life.”
She completed her disploma in General Nursing and Midwifery from SKIIMS; B.Sc Nursing from IGNOU in 2002 and her M.Sc again from SKIIMS. She has submitted her Ph.D. thesis in Nursing and is waiting for her final presentation – called defending the thesis.
Firdousa has two booklets and a couple of articles published to her credit and her thesis focuses on handling cancer patients.
Firdousa Jan (Extreme right, sitting) with President Droupadi Murmu and other awardees at Rashtrapati Bhawan
Firdousa Jan teaches at the Nursing College of the SKIMS. She has also the distinction of working with the victims of drug addiction who require psychiatric treatment. She also did great work in the vaccination drive during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It is a challenging job at the SKIMS as a large number of patients are referred to from other hospitals” in the valley, Firdousa commented. “All the professionals at the Institute, including doctors and nurses deserve not only national but international awards as they are doing a challenging job to the best of their capabilities.”
“It is a challenge for a nurse when she has to make a balance between family and profession”, she commented. “I was kind of a strong woman and knew how I have to make a balance between my job and the family”, Firdousa added. “I had that kind of strength…without my parents”, she said.
Firdousa admits she never thought that her work deserves an award because she only worked hard. “Recognition and appreciation help one to move forward, but ultimately a job requires dedication and honesty”, she said.
“It was very difficult and a great challenge to manage my family and profession”, Firdousa said. “In Nursing, we are taught how you have to be strong and take care of yourself”, which eventually became the title of one of her papers, “Who will nurse the Nurses?”
with her husband and children
Even as she faced the struggle amid stereotypical beliefs about the profession, her mother’s words that she is into the noblest professions kept her going. “I have proved myself.…many, including my relatives, have been inspired by me”.
Many of her relatives joined Nursing after her. She said the mantra for her is that keep improving her skills each day for self-satisfaction.
Her husband’s family hails from Chrar-e-Sharief; while Firdouse, her doctor husband had shifted to Srinagar for work. Besides her husband, her supportive family includes her elder brother and sisters.
Firdouse has not seen her father, for he had passed away as soon as she was born; her mother also died in an accident. She did her schooling at Chrar-e-sharif, the venue of the shrine of Kashmir’s patron saint Nund Rishi. Firdausa Jan received her early education from a Government school in Chrar-e-Sharief.
“I haven’t seen my father….there were little resources for us”, and therefore no facility to study in a private school, while many others were studying in private schools,” she said.
Firdousa would manage to get textbooks from the senior students. Never did the lack of resources come in the way of her studies.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ehsan Fazili / June 29th, 2023
Learning Point, founded by Sarvath Adil Khan in 2018 with only six students, has since expanded to accommodate a student body of 300.
Education, in today’s world, is more than just conferring a certificate. It is granting a child an equal opportunity to compete and excel in a fast-progressing world that is only growing every day in ideas and possibilities. It is to equip children with the necessary skills, techniques and information that build in them the confidence to challenge, create, innovate and allow them to contribute towards the betterment of societies and the upliftment of their communities. It is this confidence that Sarvath Adil Khan, founder of Learning Point , talks about when she says, ‘I want to give them the gift of confidence, so that they can, at least believe that they too, like every other child, have a right to dream. And then over here, with the help of this project, I want to equip them with the necessary tools with which they can turn their many dreams into a reality.”
Learning Point, located in Bangalore’s Tannery Road is an NGO that works to offer youth, struck by fate, a second chance at pursuing their education in various fields, and to make a difference in their lives. The NGO works with school drop outs who had to discontinue their education early to become breadwinners for their families. Learning Point’s alumni, of the past four years boasts of children who were formerly working as maids, house helps, waiters, table cleaners, garage boys and are now either successfully placed in decent jobs or are pursuing their higher education as lawyers, paramedics and engineers. The course seeks to offer firstly a basic training in spoken English and then goes on to incorporate the students in an NIOS program. The National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) is a government initiative that provides courses and programs up to pre-degree level through open and distance learning mode. The NGO also organises job placements, vocational counselling, teachers training and workshops on women empowerment, computer skills, interview skills, personality development along with scholarship programs.
Learning Point began in the year 2018 with only six students and has now grown to a 300-student strength, with a well-equipped, qualified staff, catering exclusively to youth, single mothers, widows, abandoned women, child laborers and drug addicts who wish to give themselves a second chance at breaking free from their circumstances for a better future. A unique initiative by the NGO is their AEMS (Academic Education for Madrasa Students) program that aims to empower huffaz, alims and students enrolled at madrasas with a formal English education along with personality development and computer courses, without hindering their Islamic education. The program even allows the students to write their exams, three subjects at a time, so as to not overburden their curricula.
‘We hope to make madrasas a haven of both Islamic and academic education’, their brochure optimistically says. The AEMS program is already being implemented in four madrasas in Bangalore and has yielded vibrant results. The NGO prides itself on a 96.7% pass rate for tenth standard and 98.1% for twelfth standard of which madrasa students too had between 98-100% pass rate.
Sponsored by a few organisations across Bangalore, the NGO was founded by Sarvath Adil Khan, who has nearly seven years of experience in social service. A former parent leader at Oasis International School, Sarvath did not let her early marriage deter her from seeking a higher education for herself. A certified Cambridge trainer with a Masters in Psychology, she has previously served as headmistress in Elegant International School, before establishing her own centre for schooling and service.
“Maybe it was my own circumstances that moved me towards my brainchild, the Learning Point,” she says when asked about her source of inspiration. “I was married too early, depriving me the chance at education, training and self-reliance. It is only when I pushed myself to study after the birth of my two children that I realised that every school dropout should also be given this second chance at bettering themselves.”
“Parents from poor economic backgrounds enrol their children in a madrasa for many reasons. But the foremost amongst them is that it offers some sort of a formal education, free of cost, that allows the child to have at least a meagre income in the future. But as a society we have stereotyped our alims and huffaz to a point that we don’t see them beyond their kurta pajamas as individuals who are deserving of respect and opportunities just like other members of the society. All they end up with is having to stand in BPL ration lines for food and less than sufficient incomes while they are only approached by the community on a ceremonial basis.”
While many aspects differentiate Islam from other religions, the pursuit of education stands out as a significant one. Islam considers the acquisition of knowledge as a fundamental duty for all believers, irrespective of gender, age, or profession, rather than a privilege for a chosen few. The AEMS program that works with madrasas empowers the students to balance both the worlds and face the society head-on without any feelings of deprivation and inferiority, as they enhance themselves with their Islamic education accompanied by a formal English education that enables them to have careers of their choosing.
After completing their pre-degree level courses with NIOS the students are integrated into colleges across the city where they can meet and learn from diverse cultures and thought processes to become individuals who understand the society better and can offer more than what they themselves received.
Sarvath emphasises on the need for teachers to be more aware of the skill-based opportunities that are now available, making it possible to create careers out of every little hobby. It is with this guidance and encouragement that many lives and futures and can be given a chance so that they too can become contributing members of the society instead of dependents on government schemes.
“My students give me the energy boost I need to carry on with my initiative whenever I’m feeling overwhelmed or discouraged by the lack of support in our community. I watch them talk about their dreams with a twinkle in their eyes and I know that I will continue to work for them.” Learning Point has already made a difference in 317 lives that have now been removed from the shackles of illiteracy and unemployment and are already on a path of determination, confidence and compassion.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate/ Home> Education / by Zainab Aliyah / June 15th, 2023
Two girls have made Kashmir proud by not only memorizing Holy Quran but excelling in academics as well.
Baserah Mehraj, who memorized Holy Quran from Darul Bayan in old Srinagar, cracked NEET 2023 with flying colours.
“We need to balance between academics and religious education. If we maintain balance, we can achieve our goal,” she said.
Baserah enrolled in Darul Bayan at a very young age. She completed memorizing Holy Quran when she was in Class 10 in 2019. Later, she started preparing for NEET which she cracked early this month. “When the result was declared, there were tears of joy in my eyes. It is a proud moment,” she said.
She devised a timetable in such a way that there was perfect harmony between her religious studies as well as her academics. “There was no specific strategy. After attending tuition classes, you have to revise everything otherwise you tend to forget things. A clear concept is very important. Plus NCERT is the core of NEET. So one needs to read NCERT books for clarifying concepts,” she said.
The family’s joy knew no bounds after Baserah cracked NEET. “We are overwhelmed with pride and happiness. Baserah’s dedication has been exemplary. It is a testament to the power of balance and the potential it unlocks,” said Mehraj Ahmad, Baserah’s father.
A kilometer away from her residence, another girl earned a rare honour by memorizing Holy Quran as well as passing the matriculation exam with flying colours in a span of three months.
Afeefa Khan of Shaheen Public School, Ganderpora, Safakadal, scored 486 marks in the matriculation exam for which the result was declared today.
“I completed memorizing Holy Quran on January 27. Later, I fully prepared for my class 10 exam which was held in March. I had devised a timetable in such a way that I could do justice with my Quranic education as well as my studies,” she said.
Coming from a humble family of Noorbagh, Afeefa started memorizing Holy Quran when she was only 14. “It took me two years to memorize Quran. I took classes at Darul Bayan and by the grace of Allah completed Hafez Quran in two years,” she said.
Afeefa was inspired by young girls who were enrolled in the Darsagah for Quranic studies. “I saw small girls memorizing Quran. It motivated me to the extent that I also decided to memorize Quran. My parents were fully supportive. In fact, they told me that you should not worry if you get fewer marks. But I worked hard on both. I was studying during the day and learning Quran in the morning and evening,” she said.
Afeefa wants to become a doctor. She has already started preparations for NEET. “I want to serve society. My aim in life has been to become a doctor. I will now work hard to crack NEET,” she said.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by A Correspondent / June 20th, 2023
Nida Ansari, is a Delhi based development practitioner and consultant with over 12 years of experience in working with national and international non-profit foundations, grassroots organisations and funding agencies in the field of youth centric development, organisational development, agency and ending violence, community development and social entrepreneurship. She describes herself as a community campaigner, and an ‘Arctivist’ with a decade of experience of designing, facilitating and leading large scale national programs and campaigns.
She is also the co-founder of Mazdoor Kitchen, and has been closely involved with many grassroots initiatives, public campaigns associated with food security, public health, education and rights-based movements with workers, farmers, women and marginalised communities.
Q. How did the idea of the Kitchen come to be?
ND: Mazdoor Kitchen is a citizen run voluntary initiative, working to provide meals and subsistence to daily wage workers in North Delhi. Run by a dedicated team of volunteers comprising professors, students, artists and people from the community itself, it has been providing meals and ration kits to hundreds of people across north Delhi, ever since the beginning of the lockdown since May 2020.
In March, my parents – Delhi University professor Nandita Narain and her husband Rashid Ansari, a martial arts instructor and performing arts practitioner-director, joined a collective of teachers in North Delhi to start ‘Mazdoor Dhaba’ (workers’ café). It had 3 community kitchens running under its banner in North Delhi, from the garage of the Principal’s house in St. Stephens College. I remember my mother, Nandita saying , “I’d heard from many of my colleagues that this isn’t something we, at the age of 60+ years, should be doing. But we felt that even if there is risk involved, we want to take that risk; after all, when there are wars, people who volunteer, go to the frontiers to support wounded and war-affected people. And if they can do that, then the risk is surely not greater for us.”
By July, the lockdown in Delhi had ended and many in the group felt the need to shift operations away from cooking to other relief work. But my parents decided to venture out independently and started ‘Mazdoor Kitchen’ (a citizen-run voluntary workers’ kitchen) in Jawahar Nagar, Malka Ganj- as they felt there was still a need to support people with food and rations. I recalled what my father said to me in 2020 – when hoards of migrant workers walked back to their homes, on feet – “how can I be comfortable sitting in the confines of my home, eating a hot meal, when there are people on the road who have to travel thousands of kilometres just to be safe and alive?’,”
Q. In what capacity are you associated with MK? Pls describe the team and their responsibilities.
ND: I have been associated with MK right from the beginning supporting my parents, raising funds, running the crowdfunding campaigns and building collaborations with many grassroots groups, CSRs, partners, voluntary groups.
Q. What are the pros and cons of running an independent, voluntary citizen run initiative?
ND: The 500 meals, ration kits and monthly rations that we’re able to support people with, is the pros. These meals are distributed to individuals and marginalised communities, who do not have the socio-economic means to feed themselves. Cooked meals are given in North Delhi across- Nigambodh Ghat – Monastery market road, behind geeta mandir, north delhi. These areas have a growing population of displaced vulnerable people, living on the streets – homeless, beggars, daily wage workers, migrants, rickshaw drivers, rag pickers etc. For some of these folks, the cooked meal packet that they get from Mazdoor kitchen, is their only source of food in the day.
For many migrant families, these cooked meals allow them to save some of their meagre daily earnings, which they can then put to use for other purposes of everyday living like medicines, rations , education of their children and deal with inflation. We have also been able to generate livelihood, medical and education support through direct reliefs/ cash transfers to different families, individuals from marginalised socio-economic communities. We’ve also been able to support disaster responses to support groups during floods, and extreme hunger through kits, ration, blankets, clothes, medicines and other relief material across the country.
We’ve been able to demonstrate how a community owned – and run kitchen can benefit countless people and bring people together. But there have been a host of challenges – running a community kitchen is not easy! From being a small team, to managing with small budgets and the constant challenge of raising more funds, persuading people to donate – in face of the widespread belief that ‘since the pandemic is now over, people in the community are alright. ‘ This is a complete mismatch with reality, because poverty, unemployment, rising expenses and cost of basic living all remain a stark reality and crisis for those on the margins.
The country has been witnessing unending cycles of migration and now, reverse migration of workers who found no support in the cities and now, find no sources of income in the villages too. Most who have lost employment as industries stand devastated by the economic repercussions of the virus and the safety concerns brought about by physical proximity, will not see opportunities open up for months to come. The need to continue the work of the kitchen remains urgent. Several beneficiaries of the initiative have no other source of income or subsistence.
Q. Apart from cooking daily meals, what are the other issues MK deals with?
ND: While the initiative was born in the middle of the pandemic, as a response to the urgent need of the hour, over the last few years it has developed deeper relationships with the local communities it serves in slum colonies of Kingsway Camp, Pul Bangash, Bahadurgarh Road, Azad Market, Roop Nagar, and Patel Chest, Nigambodh Ghat. Many working-class people and migrants who had travelled back to the cities hunting for jobs depend on that one meal a day that the kitchen provides. In the heightened phases of Covid till 2021 they fed up to 800+ people daily in different communities and supplied dry ration kits, blankets, and gas cylinders, even relief material and clothes in the areas. Currently the kitchen runs daily and feeds people with up to 500 meals in a day, and supports 20-70 families with ration kits in a month.
Through a sustained effort, the initiative has also developed a keen relationship with members of the community. We also give monthly ration kits to families, medical relief and gas subsidies, Aside from food and ration, we’ve has also started a ‘livelihoods initiative’ , under which local community members (women) have been making and distributing thousands of masks and other small vendors like balloon sellers and food carts have been able to restart their businesses with small funds, Our relief efforts have included helping those struck by natural disasters with material or monetary support, supporting students from underprivileged communities pay their college fees, rickshaw pullers procure a new rickshaw if needed and medical fees.
Q. Would you like to share an incident that personally left a deep impact on you?
ND: In 2020-21, a migrant worker, who received daily meals from MK, from bada hindu rao- Bulla, a daily wage labourer from Bihar, had an accident and his spine was dislocated. He was admitted into Safdarjung hospital and had an operation on his spine. Bulla was living alone in Delhi, in shanties on the streets, and after hearing about his accident his family had just come to Delhi. His time in the hospital was dismal and scary to say the least, as none of the family members were literate and struggled to engage with a chaotic hospital system. Our team, including my parents, visited the hospital- and talked to the floor doc, name of the unit head etc. Bulla has had one surgery, doesn’t require another, but was paralysed from the waist down, with physiotherapy after the stitches are opened, might regain mobility in maybe six months, maybe longer, maybe never! Our team, along with the help of good folks like Ankit Jhamb of Aao Khilayein, were able to facilitate Bulla’s discharge from the hospital to a rented accommodation that we managed to procure and furnish in time for him to get there, including a much-needed air mattress.We tried to provide all the necessary things required for day to day living, and what is needed for his medical care too. We have engaged a day nurse, Raj Rani, to come and do his dressing etc. every alternate day. His recovery is going to be long, arduous and difficult. We and more importantly, Bulla and his family, needed all the help that they could get. While initial surgery costs have been taken off by the hospital, we knew that supporting a family who has no source of income ( as bulla was the main bread earner), rented accommodation for 6 months, food, medical expenses, nurse for day care, physiotherapy- will cost anything from 2.5-3 lacs in total. We were able to raise the funds to pay off Rajrani who was a compounder in a hospital and would go and do his physiotherapy every day. But eventually the trauma from his accidents were too grave – and he passed away. For me – this was a mirror image of the shattered socio-economic structure of our society – it felt futile and overwhelming, just how deep this structural inequality goes. I had the same feeling in 2022 when I started hearing about more and more migrant suicides. It made me more resolute to keep trying to do whatever bit we can, no matter how small the impact.
Q. Have you come across issues of caste purity and untouchability with respect to the menu?
ND: While distributing food we have by and large not come across caste purity and untouchability with respect to our food. All the 400+ people we feed, love our meals, they wait for us graciously. In the middle when we were shut for a week, while shifting to a new place – when we went back the 1st day so many of them came howling to us – ‘ where were you? had you forgotten about us ? ‘ Many people distribute food near nigambodh ghat, but often it is baasa, waste food. My father had told me, “The other day I had people take 2-3 meals from me; they sat on the pavement and ate those meals, telling me how hungry they were. We give the food packets to them in their hands and we ask them to take care. We give them as many meals as they ask for, as long as we have it. We try to ensure that everyone who’s standing in the line gets food. I don’t differentiate between a rag picker or a drunkard or someone who’s dressed well. I don’t question anyone; I just give them food.”
Q. Do you see MK as a long term venture especially when the State is refusing to perform its basic duties of providing food and shelter?
ND: While it is constantly challenging to raise enough funds to sustain the kitchen – we are always trying. In a country like ours, if communities were to go an extra mile, support their own local vulnerable populations just around their homes – the 80% of this country on the margins would not be as vulnerable as they are right now. Why can;t we have a community owned, run, funded and employed community kitchen in every mohalla ? Despite everything, we are trying to continue this initiative as long as we can. My father says, “This might be just a drop in the ocean, but it is a regular consistent drop,”. My mother said to me once – ” ” There was this idea amongst friends that this sort of work doesn’t really bring about any social transformation. You are just doing charity. You are just filling in where the government should be doing it. But I don’t even see it as charity. I see myself as a beneficiary of this inequality. The fact that I have got a public funded education, there is a debt of gratitude. There is a debt. On my soul, or psyche or whatever you call it. And that is a debt that I cannot repay in one lifetime. ”
Q. Anything else you’d like to share?
ND: I would like to thank the supporters and funders of this initiative and would appeal to more people for funding. Because of them MK has been running for almost 3 years, supporting people from marginalised communities with cooked food, ration and financial assistance. I have never been prouder of our small team of 10 community members which keeps the kitchen going. With 1 in 4 suicides in India being of a migrant worker, the need for food, rations and financial assistance for marginalised communities is still very dire.
We are currently running out of funds and may only be able to sustain till the end of the year. To keep the kitchen running till 2025 and beyond, we need support to raise funds.
Capt Sami Ara, the first Muslim woman pilot of Kashmir to have a commercial pilot license (CPL), wants Kashmiri youth to aim higher.
Photo: Twitter/ @capt_samiara
Speaking at the conclusion of a two-day career counseling conclave for girl students at the mini-secretariat here, Ara, who hails from north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, said, “Hailing from a far-flung place like Sumbal, if I can fly a plane, students here are capable of achieving better heights.”
Also known as Sami Surury, Ara said, “The students studying in government schools are as capable as those studying in private schools but they need to aim higher and remain firm till they actualise their dreams.”
Urging parents to repose trust in their children, she said, “They should not restrict their children and stop them from actualising their dreams or else their confidence will be shattered.”
Talking of her own struggles, Ara said: “Since my childhood, I wanted to do something different, something good and something big. I wanted to qualify IAS or IPS but become a pilot by chance.”
Ara received her early education from a government school in her village.
She started her career by issuing air tickets at Srinagar Airport and later become a cabin crew.
Ara received her CPL after training for three months in the southern US state of Texas in 1994 and finally started flying as a co-pilot in 2004.
Expressing her love for her hometown, she said, “I love Bandipora, I keep returning here, and will continue to do so in future to talk to and to inspire more students till the time I see scores of Sami Aras coming out of this place.”
source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir / Home> Editor’s Pick / by Owais Farooqi (headline edited) / November 06th, 2020
Six students from MS achieved scores above 600 marks in this year’s NEET examination.
MS felicitates successful NEET candidates
Hyderabad:
The MS Education Academy has organized a felicitation ceremony to honour the successful candidates of the NEET 2023 batch.
Mohammed Lateef Khan, addressing the ceremony, expressed his delight and announced that this year, approximately 169 candidates are expected to secure free seats in MBBS. He emphasized the academy’s mission and vision for 2036, aiming to produce 10,000 doctors dedicated to serving the country and the Muslim community. These doctors will be committed to providing exceptional healthcare and making the well-being of the people their primary goal.
Khan expressed his gratitude to Allah Almighty and proudly stated that 1,763 students from the MS Education Academy have been admitted to MBBS programs. Many of them have also pursued MD degrees and are currently serving both within the country and abroad. He extended his heartfelt congratulations to the NEET-qualified students and their parents, emphasizing that these students are valuable assets to the community. He expressed his hope that their service to the people would contribute to a better world for themselves and their parents.
It is worth noting that six students from MS achieved scores above 600 marks in this year’s NEET examination. Hafiz Abdul Rahim Shukoor secured the top position with 670/720 marks, followed by Syed Abdul Basith Rehan with 665/720 marks in the second position. Shabana secured the third position with 650/720 marks, and Muhammad Abdul Malik, son of Muhammad Abdul Hameed, obtained the fourth position in MS with 647/720 marks. Amara Fatima bint Mohammad Rahman brought great honor to MS, her family, and the country by scoring 624/720 marks. Notably, Amara Fatima is the granddaughter of Mohammad Osman Ali, the younger brother of State Home Minister Mohammad Mahmood Ali.
At the beginning of the event, Mohammad Ghousuddin, the Director of MS Education Academy, warmly welcomed the students and eloquently described the educational journey of MS. He proudly mentioned that the academy, which started with just two rooms in 1991, has now expanded to 106 educational institutions nationwide. These institutions collectively accommodate more than 30,000 students and employ over 3,000 teachers.
Mohammed Lateef Khan assured the community that MS students would strive to become achievers with perfect scores of 720/720 in the future.
During the felicitation ceremony, Mr. Mohammad Anwar Ahmed and Dr. Muhammad Moazzam Hussain, Trustees of MS Education Academy, provided insightful guidance to the students. Mufti Shakeel, the imam and khateeb of the Spanish Mosque (Masjid Iqbal-ud-Daula) in Begumpet, received special recognition during the event. It is worth mentioning that his fourth daughter achieved impressive marks in NEET, joining her siblings in the prestigious accomplishment of securing free MBBS seats through MS Education Academy.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Zahed Farooqui / June 15th, 2023
Over 600 students from West Bengal’s Al-Ameen Mission, spanning across 70 branches, achieved remarkable success by excelling in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) 2023.
This year’s topper from Al-Ameen is Ariful Haque, who achieved a score of 682 out of 720 in the NEET examination. He secured a rank of 1339 at the All India level.
Among the girls, Suhana Sultwa emerged as the topper, securing a score of 675 out of 720 in the examination. She obtained a rank of 2260 at the All India level.
A total of 494 boys, accounting for 79% of the qualified candidates, and 132 girls, making up 21% of the qualified candidates, have successfully passed the examination this year.
As per Al-Ameen’s data, out of the successful candidates, 27% (167 students) belong to poor and below-poverty line (BPL) families, 35% (218 students) come from the lower-middle-income group, and 38% (241 students) are from the middle and upper-middle-income group.
In the previous year, more than 500 students from Al-Ameen Coaching Academy successfully cleared the NEET examination and secured admissions into different medical colleges.
Al-Ameen Mission, established by M. Nurul Islam, is a renowned organization based in Howrah, West Bengal. It has an impressive track record of producing more than 3500 doctors (MBBS & BDS) and 3000 engineers, along with numerous researchers, administrative officers, teachers, and professors.
Operating across 20 districts in West Bengal, Al-Ameen Mission runs 70 coaching institutes. It provides education to approximately 17,000 residential students and employs a dedicated team of over 3000 teachers and non-teaching staff. The primary campus of Al-Ameen Mission is located in the Howrah district of West Bengal, specifically at Khalatpur (Udaynarayanpur).
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education> Indian Muslim> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Staff / June 18th, 2023
