Category Archives: Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Simran Skaikh’s inspirational journey from Dharavi streets to WPL

March 10, 2023Amazing Feats, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Indian Muslim Women in Sports, Indian Women Cricketer, Mumbai Muslim Women in Cricket, Mumbai Muslims, Muslim Woman Playing for UP Warriors, Muslim Women Cricketer of India, Simran Banu Shaikh, Simran Shaikh, Simran Shaikh - Batsman - Cricket, Simran Shaikh - UP Warriors, Women Cricketer of India, Women Cricketer of Mumbaimpositiveone@gmail.com

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA:

Dharavi, one of the largest slums in the world has thrown up many enterprises based on human grit and willpower; and the latest one is a 21-year-old Simran Banu Shaikh who has made it to the Women’s’ Premier League.

Simran has been picked by the UP Warriors for 10 lakhs in the first season of the WPL started on March 4.

Dharavi, spread over 550 acres is home to approximately 10 lakh people and is one of the most thickly populated human settlements in the world with a population density of 869,565 people per square mile. At a 68 percent literacy rate – the highest in any slum area – and a huge recycling a leather industry it’s also an export hub.

However, despite many ongoing schemes for the area’s development, Dharavi lacks Infrastructure and sanitation is extremely poor.

It’s amidst these circumstances that the story of Simran Sheikh unfolds and she became an example for the youth in following her dreams.

Simran played cricket since her childhood and as the girls didn’t play the sport, she played with boys in her area. When she turned 15, she found herself obsessed with cricket and yet had no idea about the growth and popularity of women’s cricket.

While playing street cricket, Simran joined the Crossway-based United Club, where under the guidance of coach ‘Romdeo Sir’, Simran learned the nuances of the game.

She also mentions the name of Sanjay Satam in helping her. He provided her with a cricket kit and would also bring her other stuff as and when she required it. “I can never forget Sanjay Satam,” she says.

There is a vast difference between street cricket and main cricket; the former is played with a Tennis ball and the latter with a heavy leather ball.

“I also agree that there is a big difference between street cricket and mainstream cricket. But I loved cricket. For my stakes were high and I embraced the change,” she told Awaz-the Voice.

To her surprise, mainstream cricket seemed easier than cricket played with a tennis ball.

Simran comes from a poor family; her father is a wireman and her parents have 7 children – four girls and three boys.

Simran said, ‘We are four sisters and three brothers. Our mother takes care of the house and our father works in wiring. I have two sisters older and the rest are younger than me.”

She said she was never interested in studies and after she failed the matriculation examination, she dropped out of school.

Simran Sheikh is a right-hand batsman and a strong leg spinner. She plays in the middle order and is known for her aggressive batting.

Her parents never stopped her from playing cricket. “Not only had my parents supported me, but even my extended family comprising uncles and aunts also did the same. I also got valuable support from my neighbours. So it has been a good journey so far.’

Simran gained experience playing local cricket tournaments in Mumbai. She also played under-19 cricket.

Later she was selected for Mumbai’s senior team. “I am a batsman. I like to bat in the middle order. But in T20 cricket, I can play at any position..’

Simran adds, ‘I have risen in life due to my strong willpower. I will continue to make efforts.”

She likes Virat Kohli’s batting and Alyssa Perry of Australia in women’s cricket. In the Indian team, she follows the game of Jemima Rodrigues.

Simran says that she got a chance to interact with Indian team women players like Mithali Raj, Jhulan Goswami, Harmanpreet Singh, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemima Rodriguez during a tournament.

She has played together with Jemima for Mumbai and says that experience is invaluable for her.

On the state of women’s cricket, she said, ‘Women’s cricket has developed at the global level in the last few years. After England and Australia now T20 league is starting in India too. Bids worth crores of ruppes have been placed on women players. This will also address the financial viability of women’s cricket and help the players.’

Simran dreams of playing in the Indian women’s team and has set her eyes on being in the team that will win the World Cup for the country.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Jayendra Londhe, Mumbai / March 07th, 2023

A documentary on Fathima Beevi, India’s first female SC judge

March 9, 2023Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Fathima Beevimpositiveone@gmail.com

INDIA:

Thiruvananthapuram:

A 30 minute documentary on country’s first female judge of the Supreme Court — Fathima Beevi is all set to be released on Wednesday, here.

In Malayalam titled as ‘Neethipathayile Dheera Vanitha (A brave woman on the path of justice)’ will be officially released by state Minister for Film and Culture Saji Cherian to coincide with the International Women’s Day.

Directed by senior journalist Priya Raveendran, the film has been scripted by R.Parvathy Devi, with the Creative contribution coming from Suja Susan George and popular danseuse Rajasree Warrier is the narrator.

Speaking to IANS, Raveendran said she was enamoured by the achievements of Beevi for a long, right from the time she entered journalism.

“Now I feel elated and happy that I have finally done it with the support of Parvathy and Suja. Beevi achieved all this, probably a first by any lady in the country to have sat in several crucial positions. None should forget that Beevi achieved all this at a time when women of her times were mostly relegated to their homes,” said Raveendran.

The now 95-year-old Beevi living a retired life at her home in Pathanamthitta has a number of firsts in her life which includes, the first female judge of the apex court, the first chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, the first Muslim woman Governor (Tamil Nadu).

The film has been produced by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation.

Incidentally Beevi enrolled herself as an advocate in 1950 and began her career in the lower judiciary in Kerala.

She was appointed the Munsiff in the Kerala Subordinate Judicial Services in May, 1958.

She was promoted as the Subordinate Judge in 1968 and as the Chief Judicial Magistrate in 1972, as District & Sessions Judge in 1974.

She was further appointed the Judicial Member of the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal in January, 1980. She was then elevated to the High Court as a Judge on August 4, 1983. She became a permanent Judge of the High Court on May 14, 1984.

She retired as the Judge of the High Court on April 29, 1989, but was further elevated to the Supreme Court as a Judge on October 6, 1989 where she retired on April 29, 1992.

She later went on to become the Governor of Tamil Nadu on January 25, 1997 and she quit in 2001 following a decision of the Union Government recommending to the President to recall her. — IANS

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home / by IANS / March 08th, 2023

Bazme Sadaf International awards announced

March 2, 2023Arts, Culture & Entertainment, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Patna, BIHAR / Doha, QATAR :

Bazme Sadaf International (BSI) award is to be given to famous Urdu poet Shahida Hassan while Ambareen Salahuddin was selected for the new generation writer award, according to a statement received in Doha.

Ibrahim Kamal Khan (Qatar), Zahoorul Islam Javed (Abu Dhabi) and Sheraz Ali ( UK) were selected for Urdu Movement awards.

The awards will be presented in Doha at a grand ceremony on January 26-27, followed by an international literary festival and poetry symposium.

Delegates and eminent literary personalities from 12 counties are expected to attend the gala event.

Speaking at a press conference in Patna, India, BSI director Prof Safdar Imam Quadri announced the names of awardees of 6th BSI awards and enumerated their literary achievements.

Shahida Hassan is a Canada-based Urdu poet who has published three acclaimed anthologies of poems and also translated select pieces from contemporary literature of other languages into Urdu.

The new generation award, given to a promising writer below 50 every year, has been bagged by Pakistani academic and poet Ambareen Salahuddin. Both the awardees will be arriving in Doha to receive their awards and participate in the literary festival too.

BSI also gives awards to individuals who have served the cause of promotion of Urdu language and literature.

For 2020, this award has been given to Ibrahim Kamal Khan who, as the founder president of Anjuman Mohibban e Urdu in Doha, has provided significant service to the cause of Urdu language in Doha.

Abu-Dhabi-based poet Zahoorul Islam Javed would be given this award for 2021 and UK-based academic Sheraz Ali for 2022.

In the last two years, this award has been renamed after the late Sabih Bukhari, who was the chief patron of BSI until his death.

BSI chairman Shahabuddin Ahmad, in a message sent from Doha, congratulated all the winners and informed that eminent Urdu poets and literary figures from 12 counties have confirmed their participation in the event.

They include Shahida Hassan (Canada), Khalid Irfan (US), Zahoorul Islam Javed (Abu Dhabi), Hassan Kazmi, Safdar Imam Quadri, Azm Skakiri, Shadab Azmi and Dr Shakil (India), Ambareen Salahuddin and Ali Zariyun (Pakistan), Sadaf Mirza ( Denmark), Ateeq Anzar, Ahmad Ashfaq, Nadeem Jilani Danish and Wasiul Haq Wasi (Qatar), Masood Hassas (Kuwait), Ayesha Shaikh Aashi (Dubai) Jamil Ahsan ( Sweden), A M Tahir (Germany) and renowned journalist Dr Mohammed Gauhar.

BSI chief patron Hassan Chougule congratulated the awardees and requested all Urdu lovers to attend the poetry symposium in DPS-Modern Indian School auditorium, Al Wakra on January 27.

BSI Doha chapter president Dr Nadeem Zafar Jilani also expressed his happiness at the announcement of the awards and congratulated the winners.

source: http://www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / Home> Community / January 19th, 2023

Book on inspiring tales of Muslim women from Karnataka out

March 2, 2023Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Aiman Ansari, Book - Rising Beyond the Ceiling - Karnataka edition, Dr Farah Usmani, Dr Zoya Fatehally, Farah Usmani, Zoya Fatehallympositiveone@gmail.com

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

“Rising Beyond The Ceiling was born out of the need to change the stereotypical narrative about Muslim women in India,” said Fatehally.

(L to R) Zoya Fatehally, Margaret Alva, Farah Usmani and Aiman Ansari at the book launch

Bengaluru:

Recently, Rising Beyond the Ceiling launched their hardcover edition of Rising Beyond The Ceiling Karnataka publication, after releasing an e-book version of the same in November 2022. With 100 stereotype-shattering stories of inspiring Muslim women from Karnataka, the book is authored by Dr Farah Usmani and co-authored by Dr Zoya Fatehally and Aiman Ansari. Former Governor of Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, Margaret Alva was the chief guest while director Saad Khan hosted the evening’s launch party.

“Rising Beyond The Ceiling was born out of the need to change the stereotypical narrative about Muslim women in India,” said Fatehally. “The need to change the narrative behind the stereotype about Indian Muslim women not contributing to the nation much and how Muslim women are known for getting married and having a lot of kids and not working was one of the inspirations that drew to author such a book,” said Aiman Ansari, the co-author.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / March 01st, 2023

Shama Hakim first Muslim American woman appointed as judge in US appellate court

March 1, 2023Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World OpinionShama Hakim, Shama Hakim Mesiwalampositiveone@gmail.com

Mumbai, INDIA / California, U.S.A:

Judge Shama Hakim is the first South Asian American woman and the first Muslim American woman on any appellate court in United States.

New York:

In a first, Indian-American Democrat Shama Hakim Mesiwala has been unanimously confirmed as associate justice of the Third District Court of Appeal in Sacramento, California.

Mesiwala, 48, was administered the oath of office this month by Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero, chair of the Commission on Judicial Appointments.

She was confirmed by a unanimous vote of the three-member commission, which included Chief Justice Guerrero, Attorney General Rob Bonta, and Acting Presiding Justice Ronald B. Robie.

Judge Mesiwala, who would now be the first South Asian American woman and the first Muslim American woman on any appellate court in the country, would fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Coleman A. Blease.

She has served as a Sacramento County Superior Court judge since 2017 and was a commissioner there in 2017.

Mesiwala is the co-founder of the South Asian Bar Association of Sacramento and the president of the Schwartz/Levi Inn of Court.

She served as the Americans with Disabilities judge for the Sacramento County Superior Court Hall of Justice and created the first Indian Child Welfare Act courtroom in Northern California.

Armed with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law, Mesiwala also teaches appellate advocacy as an adjunct professor in the same university.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> United States / by ummid.com with inputs from IANS / February 28th, 2023

IOS organises two-day conference on “Indian Muslims and Plural Society”, Feb 15-16, 2023 New Delhi

February 26, 2023Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Leaders, Uniquely Indian - Inter Faith (wef. February 08th, 2023), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Akhtarul Wasey, Arshi Khan, Dr Lubna Naaz, Dr Lubna Naaz - Department of Islamic Studies - Womens College of AMU, Faheem Akhtar Nadvi, Haseena Hashia - Assistant Secretary General - IOS, Institute of Objective Studies, Institute of Objective Studies - IOS - New Delhi, Lubna Naaz, M H Qureshi, M Ishaque, Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Mehrajuddin Mir, Mohammad Sohrab, Padma Shri Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Prof Akhtarul Wasey, Prof Akhtarul Wasey - President - Maulana Azad University - Jodhpur, Prof Faheem Akhtar Nadvi - Dept of Islamic Studies - MANUU - Hyderabad, Prof Haseena Hashia, Prof M H Qureshi, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Prof.Akhtarul Wasey-Vice Chancelor-Maulana Azad University-Jodhpur, Professor Akhtarul Wasey, Professor Arshi Khan, Professor Arshi Khan - Dept of Political Science - AMU, Professor Haseena Hashia, Professor M Ishaque - Dept of Islamic Studies - JMI, Professor Mehrajuddin Mir, Professor Mehrajuddin Mir - Vice Chancellor - Central University of Kashmir, Professor Mohammad Sohrab, Professor Mohammad Sohrab - MMA Jauhar Academy of International Studies - JMI, Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chistimpositiveone@gmail.com

INDIA:

New Delhi:

Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, organised a two-day National Conference on “Indian Muslims and Plural Society” in hybrid mode from February 15 – 16.

Inaugural session

The inaugural session commenced with Prof Haseena Hashia, Assistant Secretary General, IOS, welcoming the guests and participants.

Prof M.H Qureshi, an eminent Geographer, talked about India witnessing numerous migrations over the last several centuries. “We have Nordics, Mediterranean, and Mongols—people from Central Asia, Persia and even Arabs who arrived in India through its southern-western coastal region. Therefore, India has immense diversity, he said.

He said that the Arabs came to the Kerala coast and brought many traditions that became part and parcel of India.

Professor Mehrajuddin Mir, former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, said that the concept of pluralism was how to live together, tolerate others’ thoughts and ideas, and even understand opponents’ miseries for solutions to live in diversity. All religions have various sects, and thus, their practices differ. The conflicts are, therefore, intra-religious, interreligious and social, he noted.

Professor Mir quoted Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, who recently spoke about how one Imam and one Pundit shaped his career to understand brotherhood and oneness.

Professor Akhtarul Wasey, former President, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in his presidential address, said that Muslims came to India as traders and invaders. But once they came here, they delved into the culture and traditions of India and became one who enriched the nation to encourage pluralism. Muslims have contributed to India’s prosperity.

He said that how Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam became a global personality of Indian origin—a Muslim. The country couldn’t think of its missile programme without his theoretical contributions, he said.

Technical Session I

The 1st Technical Session began with the theme, “Genesis of Pluralism in India.” Professor Arshi Khan, Department of Political Science, AMU, Aligarh, as Moderator & Chairperson.

Dr. Ram Puniyani, Human Rights Activist and Writer, said, “There is a misconception in the country, especially against Muslims.” The alliance of civilizations defines plurality. Religions don’t have any nationality. They are universal. The Kings in India, whether Muslim or Hindu, ruled the nation for centuries with people of different faiths as their core governance teams. There was nothing like Muslim Kings or Hindu kings then, he explained.

He observed that calling Indian cultures as Hindu is a bigoted idea. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad brought secular spirits into the country. We have Sufi and Bhakti traditions that describe the morality of religions and humanity in India.

Professor Mohammad Sohrab, MMA Jauhar Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, described pluralism as a definition both from a conceptual and theoretical perspective. Primarily a religious and moral philosophy, pluralism was the acceptance of diversity. It is more than tolerance of differences. The conception of ‘We’ was essential to assess pluralism through organic social bonding. Pluralism in the Islamic context of acceptance and the country’s scenario today should be understood in the context of how the nation’s spirit developed in Madinah during the time of the Prophet, he elaborated.

He said that pluralism demands that your neighbour be considered an asset, not a liability. Diversity with pluralism creates resilience, but diversity without pluralism brings disaster, he concluded.

Gurtej Singh, IAS, Chandigarh, spoke about how India’s constitutional and political federalism paved the way for the constitution. The atrocities against Sikhs and their resistance were part of history, he said. The examples of pluralism can be understood from the Guru Granth of Sikh religion.

His book Sikh and Indian Civilization sheds light on how Sikhs were projected during partition.

Sanjay K. Rai, a social activist from Lucknow, mentioned that “diversity doesn’t accept dictators.” He highlighted the importance of multicultural societies. Linguistic Pluralism was the need of the hour in today’s context. Societies with pluralism also impact by technological growth. Communities can’t be defined through one particular race or culture. He felt that there can’t be nation-building and growth without taking Muslims along who constitute 15-20% population in India. The One Nation, One Culture concept can only work in some countries. One can’t find books on Hitler in Germany today. Mussolini’s home has been destroyed in his country as people don’t want him to be remembered. It symbolizes how those going against pluralism perish from the leaflets of history, he concluded.

Mr. Gurdeep Singh, a Sikh leader from Bhatinda, Punjab, stressed that it was high time to focus on the future, in view of the experiences of the past and present to grow in a plural society. Mistakes could be there in the past, but remembering those only won’t solve the purpose. It will hinder progress. He warned that today’s rulers in India were breaking the very ascent of Indian culture and unity.

He said that when Kashmiri Muslims are tortured, others in the country feel their pain.

Dr. Lubna Naaz from the Department of Islamic Studies, Women’s College, AMU, spoke on “An Islamic Perspective on Peaceful Coexistence.”

Technical Session-II

Focused on the theme, Role of Islam to Strengthen Pluralism in India, the Technical Session II started under the Chairperson, Professor M. Ishaque from the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.

Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Former General Secretary, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Delhi, highlighted that two things are required to be properly understood: the Creator, and the Creator’s motive. He said that Sufis always made one feel the independence to think and lead life. Islam always propagates the rights of neighbours, relatives and much more. Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti wore similar dresses like Indian Sadhus to ascertain people of his time, irrespective of their religious faiths, connected with him.

He said that Swami Dayanand and Raja Ram Mohan Roy kept Hindu philosophy out of their movements but promoted social reforms in the societies applicable to all faiths for social betterment. “Faith is vital, like Allah’s mercy, unlike social practices that change with time,” he said. India’s beauty was in its diversity of religious thoughts. In pre-Islam Arab tribes kept fighting for generations on a single issue of their forefathers, but the scenario has changed. Islam accepts variety in pluralism, from religious to traditional to social practices. Islam as a religion must not change its basic principles. It is a Sanatan religion with firm principles, he concluded.

Prof Faheem Akhtar Nadvi, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies, MANUU, Hyderabad, emphasized that the role of Islam in strengthening pluralism in India is vital. Pluralism is a society where people of all religions reside and respect each other. India is one of the best examples where pluralism has stayed for centuries. He emphasized that India will grow only when pluralism is projected in practice.

To be Continued..

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by News Desk (headline edited) / February 25th, 2023

‘Dust of the Caravan’ is a Muslim woman’s unique personal and political memoir

February 25, 2023Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Anis Kidwai, Ayesha Kidwai, Book - Dust of the Caravan, Book - Dust of the Caravan - Author Anis Kidwai - Translator Ayesha Kidwai, Professor Ayesha Kidwaimpositiveone@gmail.com

INDIA:

An excerpt from Anis Kidwai’s memoir, translated from the Urdu by Ayesha Kidwai.

Author Anis Kidwai (second from right, middle row) with members of the family and family retainers.

Amongst the dream-like memories there is also one of an evening in which my Bua has my younger brother in her arms and I am walking alongside them. At a short distance from the house, I see a dirty bundle of clothes lying on the road and I give it a kick. The bundle groans loudly, and my Bua exclaims, “Hai! What are you doing?! You don’t kick a human child, do you?” She sits down besides it and starts speaking to it. In response, the bundle of rags unjumbles. At first, two pairs of arms and legs, burning hot, appear, and soon we are on our way home, a dirty young girl tottering along with us.

The girl was quite a bit older than me, but I went about the house preening – she was my “discovery”, the one I had found and brought home.

Her fever came down with medicines the very next day and my mother herself stood by and supervised as one of the women servants gave her a bath with water, soap, and besan. The grime and dirt were rubbed off of her with potshards. With a kurta from one person, a paijama from another, a pink orhni draped on her, that pitch-black girl was soon transformed into a comely one with large eyes and golden skin the colour of wheat.

Just a few days of a regular diet brought out her beauty even more, and within a month, this twelve- or thirteen-year-old girl was always to be found teasing and flirting with the other servants. We named her Nargis. I was very happy and pleased with her and kept her by my side always.

One day, Nargis accompanied me to the part of the house where the cousins who were living with us for their studies, resided. I don’t know what exactly happened, but soon little pebbles started flying around, and peals of laughter bubbled in the air. I felt compelled to go report to my mother that Nargis was throwing stones. The next I knew, Nargis was given a few slaps and ordered never to even think of making her way to that side of the house ever again. And shortly after, she was sent off to my nānī’s home for education and training.

It was one year later that she returned. In her colourful gharara, shining with gold trim and embroidery, and the red dupatta she wore around her shoulders, she was now a married woman. A dim-witted young man was by her side, and he was at once engaged by our family, and sent off to Aligarh to serve Rafi sahab.

Once I said to Nargis, “Your husband is calling you.” My words were greeted with a loud snort and a gob of spit. She detested him.

And though she stayed with us and grew more beautiful by the day, she never gave that husband of hers a second look. The truth was that she had eyes only for one manservant of ours, handsome in his beplumed turban. Eventually, one night, Nargis disappeared altogether.

It was only three years later that she returned. We all surrounded her, delighted to see her. She now swore by Our Father and Jesus Christ and wore a skirt. The Christian missionaries had inducted her into Jesus’s flock of sheep and had taught her to say, “Oh Heavenly Father, let your will be fulfilled on earth as it is in heaven, and give us our daily bread.”

We brothers and sisters pleaded with her, “Nargis come back to us!” And to our delight, she agreed. However, now her manner was quite brazen. After a year or so of revelry, she decamped with the magnificently turbaned manservant. The next year this esteemed employee was sighted in the mela at Dewa, dressed in saffron robes, now a self-declared pir, but Nargis never returned. And we never got any further news of her.

For everyone else, Nargis soon became long-forgotten, but her memory has always remained in my heart. Today when I am concerned with the education, reform, and improvement in the lives of the girls in the Women’s Service Home, I think of Nargis again. If only we had afforded her some ease and facilities, her ruined life could have been repaired.

One day, my mother told me that I was to go to visit an aunt, whose husband was a senior lawyer in the city.

She had visited us a short while ago and had said that she wanted her daughters to meet me. Since her elder daughter was ill, they couldn’t visit us, so I must go to them, she said.

To be invited as a guest was a matter of great pride and fulfilment for me. I got ready quickly and sat in the palanquin. I was escorted by one uncle and Ramzan Baba carrying his big staff. Arriving in such pomp made me stand up tall as I alighted at my destination.

My aunt received me outside in the veranda. She hugged me affectionately repeatedly, expressed her delight that I had come, and then took me inside saying, “Let me take you to Habiba’s room. She is bedridden with a boil on her leg and cannot walk.”

Habiba was with her two younger sisters, two or three daughters of maidservants and perhaps also a couple of girls who were her relatives. I was invited with great informality to sit on her bed and conversation began. Confidences about themselves, information about their neighbours, stories about their villages, romantic sagas of passion, tales of spectres and demons, black magic, gossip about debauched men… oh lord, how much information these girls had! That was the day that I came to understand what a simpleton I was in comparison.

Ghost stories were forbidden in my home, and I had never even seen philtres and potions. The information that a ḍāyan bewitches men into states of utter foolishness, that certain female ghosts speak through their noses and have their feet on backwards, made my hair stand on end. Habiba was just one year older than me, yet she had seen all these things with her own eyes!

But when the girls started talking about how the Munshi has kept his second wife in his house, I couldn’t restrain myself any longer.

What was odd or scandalous in this – where else was he supposed to keep her? Outside? My foolish questions elicited peals of laughter. But I couldn’t bring myself to believe in the truth of what they said – no man could really have two wives.

Habiba’s insistence was that every man had a randi (prostitute). Her father also had one. She doesn’t come to the house, but we go to hers. But what was a ranḍi like? My question once again induced hysterical laughter.

“What’s she like? You don’t know? You are such an innocent fool!’’

A fool I certainly was, because when I returned home with this treasure trove of new knowledge, I reported it all to my mother, and even repeated a few of the observations the girls had made. My mother was exceedingly displeased. It was perhaps because of this that I wasn’t ever allowed to visit them again, although I was always eager to meet those girls of a thousand tales.

Excerpted with permission from Dust of the Caravan, Anis Kidwai, translated from the Urdu by Ayesha Kidwai.

source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> Book Excerpt / by Anis Kidwai / February 18th, 2021

Acupuncture is a divine gift to heal mankind: Dr Mobina Khan

February 25, 2023Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Dr Mobina Khan, Mobina Khanmpositiveone@gmail.com

RAJASTHAN / Pune, MAHARASHTRA:

Dr Mobina Khan is nationally acclaimed Acupuncture and Hijama specialist who into practising acupuncture and Hijama therapy in Pune for more than a decade.

Widely respected for her qualities of head , heart and a humane approach in patient care, Dr Khan was born in a village in Rajasthan and later moved to Libya at a very tender age of 2 or 3 years. She grew up and studied in Libya , has travelled widely and Iinteracted with the tribals traditional treatment in the host country and their way of treatment which obviously was quite different from the accepted medical practices. Such treatments were limited to only a few countries in Africa and Libya was one of them. Her family used to get treated with those traditional methods.The Mediterranean climate did not suit her mother particularly and she needed constant medical care. During the time of treatment, she was impressed as to how these traditional methods worked. She secretly wished to learn them one day.

After her return to India, Mobina went to Dharamshala in search of alternative therapy and interacted with the monks there and learnt Acupuncture also. She has a Diploma in Acupuncture, Masters in Acupuncture and is pursuing a Ph.D in Acupuncture. She also has Diploma in Bio-medicine and is a Member of Global Alternative Medical Association and All India Alternative Medical Association. Dr Khan is a student of Hijama Nation, a Society based in London which teaches Hijama. She has submitted some of her successful cases to them and those case studies have been published on their website. It is said that only one condition cannot be cured by Hijama – death!

Q) How did you become interested in acupuncture?

Ans-While in Libya, I had seen some tribals doing treatment with cups, fire and needles which got me interested. Being young at that stage, I had forgotten about it and then while studying for Acupuncture I became aware of wet cupping and then I started researching about Hijama. A combination of Acupuncture and Hijama/ wet cupping gave far better results to my patients than Acupuncture or Hijama alone.

Q) Who all have been your source of inspiration for your career ?

Ans-The tribals in Libya themselves were an inspiration and the effect that their treatment had on my body. I never liked to consume the medicines. To be truthful, I did not have the normal immunisation that all the children had in their childhood. As I began Acupuncture and Hijama, my patients became my inspiration as I saw them leading a normal life.

Q) What have been the key achievements in your career so far ?

Ans- I must have successfully treated several cases, including cancer patients. One gentleman was told that he would not live for more than 8 days and he came to me on the 5th day. After a continuous treatment of 5 months, his Medical Reports did not show any signs of cancer. Another person aged 84 came to me with stage 5 Prostrate cancer. With dedicated treatment his PSA count drop to 0.4 from 1000. A 13 year old girl came to me with Lupus disease which is an auto-immune disease in which the cells start attacking themselves. Her treatment is still on after 10 months. Her condition has improved remarkably. One person was sent back from the Hospital stating that he had Liver failure and had few days to live. It’s been three years now and the person is hale and hearty. One boy came to me with a tumour on his Liver. After the treatment, the Reports showed no sign of tumour. Mr. Subash Sanas had vertigo which was cured within 15 days of treatment. Mr. Yusuf Kapasi was on sleeping pills for years due to his working schedule. With 2 months of treatment, he started leaving a normal life. Mr. Rajiv Kapoor also gets treated for his well being and general de-toxification.

Q) Which role do you enjoy the most in the field of patient care ?Ans-Actually, the whole process – from diagnosis to an ailment free person – is a challenge. For me, a person is a diseased body and my aim is to make that person live happily. I am a friend at times, mother at some other and a teacher too. No one single role is fulfilling.

Q) How has acupuncture contributed to the society ?

Ans-Acupuncture is an alternative medicine which has existed for more than 5000 years now and still exists and helping the mankind with its benefits. The modern life is too fast paced, too stressful and too demanding and intoxicating. Today we see that the humans are looking for ways of the past to deal with the demands of modern life. And Acupuncture also fits the bill.

Q) How does acupuncture stand different from other branches of medicine ?

Ans-Human body becomes diseased when the flow of energy is restricted. Acupuncture opens up these channels and restores the balance of the energy in the body – Yin (female energy) and Yang (male energy). Acupuncture is not invasive and does not introduce anything foreign in the body except of course the needle. It has no known side effects – Acupuncture either works or it does not work.

Q) Is it possible to root out any illness of human body with the help of acupuncture ?

Ans- Yes, it is. Again Acupuncture alone may not be that effective and has to be complimented with other sciences. For example, I use Hijama as a complimentary aid which is another alternative therapy. I specialise in mainly immunity related diseases.

Q) What kind of treatments do you specialize and how has been the patient response to these treatments ?

Ans-I specialise mainly in the immunity related diseases.

Q) Which are your favourite tools for treating patients ?

Ans- All of them. I do not have much choice as there a few that are used.

Q) What are your future professional goals ?

Ans-I want to reach out to as many people as I can by opening Hospitals, have branches. The kind of results that I have experienced are immensely encouraging. I want to see Acupuncture and Hijama to get the same kind of recognition that other branches of medicines are getting. I want the Government agencies to encourage these alternative methods of treatments. I want to open an Academy where I can teach people what I do.

Q) Please explain the concept of Hijama and how is it beneficial to the society at large ?

Hijama is practised in Muslim world and is like wet cupping in Chinese medicine. It involves creating a vacuum by taking a fireball inside cup which causes a suction of superficial level of skin and that area is then pricked by a needle and the vacuumed cup is again placed on the pricked area and blood oozes out into the cup. Hijama facilitates removal of toxic blood, rejuvenates creation of new blood cells and releases endorphins. It is said that Hijama is a cure for all illnesses except death!

Q)Can you list out some of the common myths of acupuncture profession ?

Ans-I have found people being scared of needles. No one wants to experience pain therefore probably popping a pill is so much easier. But no pain, no gain!

Q) How can acupuncture be used for the betterment of humanity ?

Ans-The very fact that Acupuncture is still around even after 5000 years later speaks of its potency. Acupuncture is not being taught as compared to any other form of medicine. One would rarely find a course in India. There should be more practitioners and it should be a part of the Medical Association curriculum.

source: http://www.punekarnews.in / PuneKar News / Home / Pune

Madiha Pathan secures 10th rank in Gujarat Civil services exam

February 25, 2023Amazing Feats, Education, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)Habibullah Khan Pathan, Habibullah Khan Pathan - Class One Officer - Gujarat High Court, Madiha Habibullah Khan Pathan, Madiha Pathan, Madiha Pathan - 10th Rank - Gujarat Public Service Commissionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Juhapura (Ahmedabad), GUJARAT:

Madiha Habibullah Khan Pathan of Juhapura, Ahmedabad, has secured 10th rank in the Gujarat Public Service Commission in her first attempt.

Madiha Pathan, 24, was home-taught by her father Habibullah Khan Pathan, who is a class one officer in the Gujarat High Court. Her mother is an advocate.

On her success, Madiha Pathan said, “I had been prepared for the examination from 2019. Due to the lockdown in between, I couldn’t write my examination.”

Madiha Pathan has done her schooling in Ahmedabad and graduated in law.

She said “I started preparing for GPSC in 2019 and passed the preliminary exam the same year. However, due to Covid, the final examination was postponed for two years and I could appear only in 2022.”

Habibullah Khan Pathan said since Madiha’s childhood, he had been pushing her to reach the highest position through education. “Today we are very happy that our girl has made her mark by securing 10th rank in the Gujarat Public Service Commission examination.”

“Parents should provide an environment for studies to their children,” Pathan said and added, “through education, one can achieve a lot in the world, the respect and status that you get from it comes in the fate of very few people.”

Habibullah Khan Pathan said he used to teach Madiha every day for two hours in the morning and in the evening after returning from work.

“I am proud that I have successfully played the roles of a teacher and a father.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Mohammad Akram, New Delhi / February 24th, 2023