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

No Less Than Psychological War: Saltanat Praween Cracks UPPCS In 4th Attempt

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH:

Highlights

  • Lucknow’s Saltanat Praween secures 6th rank in UPPCS-2022 in her fourth attempt
  • Her mother believes she will pass the toughest of all, UPSC CES, as well
  • Preparing amid a joint family atmosphere boosted her support system
Saltanat Praween (in the middle) with her parents (Credit: Saltanat Praween)

“Khudi ko kar buland itna/Ke har taqdeer se pehle/Khuda bande se khud pooche/Bata, teri raza kya hai?” an old saying that completely fits Saltanat Praween’s journey in delivering as one of top scorer in the UPPCS-2022 exams.

A national-level volleyball player, Ms. Praveen, who is from a lower-middle-class family in Lucknow, cracked the UP PCS exams after giving in 7 years of her life and in her 4th attempt. She terms the exams “no less than psychological war”.

Ms. Praween was ranked sixth and got the post of deputy collector.

Saltanat Praween, UPPCS-2022, 6th Rank

Journey So Far

Speaking with Indian Masterminds about her success, Ms Praween got emotional and said, “Like others, my journey was also full of struggles. But what matters now is the win that came with overcoming all those hurdles that made me what I am today.”

She was a national-level volleyball player until 2016, and it was later that she moved toward civil services.

In her previous three PCS attempts, Saltanat, who originally hails from Salemgarh of Tamkuhi Raj Tehsil in Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, could not reach the Interview Round.

She had succeeded in qualifying for UPPCS Forest (ACF/RFO) Interview round though, but could not make it to the final list lagging by just 10 marks.

“It was heartbreaking and I nearly lost hope. But something kept me going,” remembers Ms. Praween, who now lives in Aliganj, Lucknow, in a 35-member joint family.

Her father runs a general store and her mother is a housewife. She is the only girl child of her parents.

Sultanat Praween, who was always a meritorious student and a good sportsperson, completed her primary education in Salemgarh. After completing her Intermediate, she completed her B. Tech in Computer Science (CS) from Integral University, Lucknow in 2016.

Saltanat Praween with her family

Preparing for PCS

She started preparation after completing B. Tech and cleared the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) exam from Jamia Millia University for civil services coaching in the 2021 session.

She focused on topic-specific targets. “Until I achieved my target, I never stopped studying the topic,” she said.

Ms. Praween, a CS student, had to take up Anthropology as her optional subject as CS was not available.
What went down for her though were the objective-type questions in the preliminary exam.

“I could not succeed earlier in Prelims, though my Mains were better. One thing that also contributed to repeated failures was I never went in with an integrated approach,” Ms. Praveen accepts.

She says anyone preparing for the civil services should prepare for prelims and mains together.

“One does not need to stop socialising or be cocooned in a room but just don’t lose your prime focus — the studies, and also minimise social media use.


No Less Than Psychological War: Saltanat Praween Cracks UPPCS In 4th Attempt - Indian Masterminds - Bureaucracy, Bureaucrats, Policy, IAS, IPS, IRS, IFS, Civil Services, UPSC, Government, PSUs complete information, NEWS, Transfers,
Saltanat with her father and his friend

Word of Advice

Her suggestion to all civil service aspirants is to have a support system that will always motivate and stand by them.

“This exam is no less than a psychological war, where sometimes you feel disheartened and distracted. But if you have the right support system and people who care about you, then you will certainly overcome all those difficulties,” Ms. Praween said.

She said while studying one shouldn’t count the hours. “Studying fewer hours doesn’t matter if the focus is unwavering. Nothing is unachievable if you are determined and have faith in yourself,” she added.

source: http://www.indianmasterminds.com / Indian Masterminds / Home> Features> UPSC Stories / by Ayodhya Prasad Singh / April 11th, 2023

Dheeraj Mishra, Seemi Pasha Win Ramnath Goenka Awards for 2019 Reports for ‘The Wire’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Videos, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI:

Both journalists have won in the Government and Politics category. While Mishra’s piece has won in ‘digital’, Pasha’s is the ‘broadcast’ division winner.

Dheeraj Mishra (left) and Seemi Pasha.

Note: This article was originally published on December 29, 2021, when the awards were announced, and was republished on March 22, 2023, when Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud handed them out.

New Delhi: 

Journalists Dheeraj Mishra and Seemi Pasha have won the Ramnath Goenka Award in the Government and Politics category for reports which were published in The Wire, in the ‘digital media’ and ‘broadcast media’ divisions respectively.

Established in 2006, the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards, is one of the most prestigious honours for journalists in India.

Dheeraj Mishra’s report focused on MPs’ unusually high expenses while travelling, for which he filed “30 to 35 RTIs in each ministry,” tackling enormous data.

It found that violating the guidelines prescribed for streamlining parliamentary committee study tours and cutting down expenses, members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have spent crores of taxpayers money on frequent outstation tours.

“The story had a noticeable impact as the Lok Sabha Secretariat issued instructions to sharply curtail [such] expenditure,” the Indian Express noted in its announcement of the award.

twitter.com/seemi_pasha

Seemi Pasha’s video delved into Jamia Nagar, which in late 2019, developed into a neighbourhood attracting communal hatred from those opposed to the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The otherness of the area was heightened with a brutal police crackdown on students of Jamia Millia Islamia in December 2019.

Even as stories of police brutality on students of Jamia Millia Islamia continue to unravel, the blame is being slowly being shifted to outsiders or locals residing in nearby areas of Batla House, Shaheen Bagh, Zakir Nagar – localities which are loosely referred to as Okhla or Jamia Nagar, the documentary found.

Titled Inside Jamia Nagar, the documentary sought answers for essential social questions. “This is a prominent Muslim ghetto in south Delhi and a place that is often viewed with suspicion. But why is that? What kind of people live here?” it asked.

source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Media / by The Wire Staff /edited by an additional picture via twitter / March 22nd, 2023

Youth Parliament debate winner Mahira Khan hailed in Saudi Arabia

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , ,

Raipur, CHHATTISGARH :

Mahira Khan in Parliament House delivering her speech in the Youth parliament
Mahira Khan in Parliament House delivering her speech in the Youth parliament

Mahira Khan, a winner in the recent National Youth Parliament debate, is getting international recognition for her grand oration. Her diplomat style speech on the theme ‘Peacebuilding and Reconciliation: Ushering in an era of no war’, earned her an invitation from a school in Saudi Arabia. 

Her speech in the Central Hall of Parliament was an instant hit and was uploaded by Sansad TV and many Indian news channels. Mahira began her speech with Hindi poetry and concluded in Urdu. 

Like 28 participants from different States, Mahira delivered her speech on two consecutive days – the competition speech on the first day and the winners’ speech for dignitaries the following day.

By the time she landed in Mecca with her family a couple of days later for Umrah, she was already a star on social media. 

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 1680873790mahira_with_om_Bidla.jpg
Mahira Khan receiving the trophy from Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union Minister Anurag Thakur

This soft-spoken 24-year-old lady from Chhattisgarh was pleasantly surprised when she received a call from Dr. Muzaffar Hassan, Principal of International Indian School, Jeddah to address a gathering of 1000 senior students. She addressed them on the theme ‘How making mistakes can make you more confident.’ 

In Jeddah, her speech at the National Youth Parliament was replayed for the benefit of the students. She interacted with the students and it was followed by pre-Ramazan lunch. Dr.Hassan noticed Mahira on social media and decided to invite her and her family. 

In conversations with Awaz-the Voice, from Raipur and later Dammam, she said, “Whatever I say now has more value. People listen to me very attentively.’’ 

But what was an extraordinary experience was her visit with her parents and siblings to Kabah, Islam’s holiest shrine in Mecca. “It was a surreal experience. I cannot describe it. I felt an extraordinary spiritual power. My family also felt that it was an experience of a lifetime. It was an invitation from Allah. So, we are very grateful. And I feel like giving back much more than I have got.” 

Mahira Khan addressing students in a Jeddah School

This star orator was overwhelmed by her visit to Kabah.She told this correspondent that she is feeling a sense of enlightenment and serenity.

A perfect example of beauty and brains, Mahira says that she wrote the speech in a single sitting but kept updating it. “I departed from the written script when I spoke. This is the second time I was contesting. Selection is not easy. One has to win at the district level. Only those participants who get the first and the second position make it to the State level. Then, at the state level, one has to get the first, second, or third position to get a chance to represent the state in the Central Hall of Parliament. The 29 speakers who assemble there are selected from two lakh speakers,’’she explained. 

When Mahira flew back to Raipur with a trophy, a certificate, and prize money of Rs one lakh, she was received at the airport by her parents and two school teachers. 

She says, “I want to go to schools, colleges, and communities to teach them how to develop communication skills.’’ 

In 2020, Mahira also secured a position in an inter-university festival.  

Her participation in the National Youth Parliament in 2022 was a learning experience. “I understood that to produce good content for a short-duration speech, it is important to get perspective and research well. My speech was only five minutes and 45 seconds. Last time, I spoke on the topic’ Patriotism and nation building. This year, the theme was ‘Ideas for a better tomorrow- India for the world’. So, I decided to understand the viewpoint of some of my classmates from Jamia and also my friend, Barkha Soni in Bhillai.’’ 

Mahira Khan interacting with students in Jeddah

Mahira who is awaiting the results of her postgraduate course in Mass Communication from Jamia Millia Islamia is grateful to her friend Barkha Soni who gave her meaningful lines of her poem, for her speech. Mahira used two lines of Barkha’s poem as the opening line. “Jab jab dehla vishw hamaara aur jab jab bemaqsad khoon baha, Cheen, Roos, Japan sabhi ne, Bharat ko ek doot kaha’.Mahira says, “After I got the prize, I went to meet Barkha in her father’s office in Bhilai to thank her.’’ 

Mahira has been offered a corporate communication job in a private company and her training is likely to start in May-June. 

An avid reader, Mahira says, “I am very concerned about children and youth who are neither reading nor writing but just sitting with mobile phones.’’ 

Mahira Khan with her friend Barkha Soni

Apart from Shah Rukh Khan’s films, she likes watching fantasy and animated films. Her favourite film is ‘The Lion King.’  

Born and raised in Raipur, Mahira has clear views on nationalism. “We may make big statements but all we need to do is take small steps. Even clearing garbage or helping the poorest of the poor is nationalism. We can be responsible citizens and can try and pass on skills.’’ 

Mahira studied in DPS, Raipur till Class XII. 

In her hour of glory, Mahira misses her paternal grandmother who died of cancer. She remembers her bed-ridden grandmother telling her after she did not win last year: “Mahira is anyway a winner for me. I have won because of her blessings.”

Mahira Khan in Kabba

Her father is in the construction business while her mother is a homemaker.  

Mahira says her habit of jotting down important ideas and lines in a diary also helped her end her speech in Urdu which read, “Bade chalo, Bade chalo, Yahi nadai waqt hai, ye Kainath yeh zameen, yeh kehkahsa ka raasta, Issi pe gaamzaan raho’’  

Mahira adeed the line, ‘aman ki raah par chalo.” 

She said that she chose to use Urdu as the language does not get the recognition it deserves.

She also likes to give credit to her maternal grandfather, Syed Mahfooz Ali Madni, a retired railway man who kindled her interest in Urdu. “He is the one who gave me my name Mahera from the word ‘Maher’ in Urdu. He lives in Raipur and he is always encouraging us to use Urdu. My siblings and I had a Maulana who would come to our house to teach us how to read the Quran. He taught us Arabic but my father also requested him to teach us Urdu. ‘’ 

Mahira says, “We did not have Urdu in school or college. My father would make sure that we wrote one page in Urdu from an Urdu book every day. This was the only way we can preserve our language. We are trying to save our legacy in our own way.’’ 

The family is now heading back to India after spending nearly three weeks in Saudi Arabia where they also have relatives.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Tripti Nath, New Delhi / April 07th, 2023

Meet Sadiya Shaikh, emerging community leader from Mumbai

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), ,

DeoraBandhauli Village (Darbhanga District), BIHAR / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA:

Sadiya Shaikh receiving the Savitri Bai-Fatima Bi Award

Born in Bihar, Sadiya’s family shifted to Mumbai when she was 4 years old. Sadiya, eldest of her 5 siblings has recently been awarded with the Fatima Bi Savitri Bai Award in 2023 for her contribution to society towards education and community upliftment.

At the age of 21, Sadiya’s tremendous efforts towards social work has won her accolades from both regional and national institutions. She is a recipient of the ‘All India Women Achievers Award 2021 organised by Twell TV and Tanishq in Karnataka’s Mysore; part of 100 inspiring women featured at the Global Women Inspiration Awards and Conclave 2021; and ‘Humanitarian Excellence Award’ by ICan Foundation and the more recent Fatima Bi Savitri Bai Award 2023.

Her journey in activism

“Savitri Bai Phule and Fatima Begum have done huge work in the field of education to be such icons. My work in comparison is just a small baby step,” says Sadiya smilingly as she recounts how she was informed of her most recent honour. One morning she got a call from an organisation named ‘kaide ne vagya’ (walk with the constitution) asking her to send her details. Much later she got to know that this organisation identifies 5 young achievers ever year who overcome stereotypes and make a difference in the society.  And thus, along with 4 others Sadiya was selected to receive the prestigious Fatima Bi Savitri Bai Award that commenced in the year 2017.

Presently working for international child rights and advocacy group, KidsRights.org, Sadiya’s journey in activism began with the anti-CAA protests in 2019. She had a lot of friends from all faiths till the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed. When people came out in protest against the Act, she noticed that her friends had all backed out and did not join in the protest.

“I realised we have to fight our own battles and stand up for our rights. It was then that reality hit me that I was living in a dream world,” she recalled. Thus began her journey as a social activist. She got actively involved in organising peaceful protests, supporting groups in advocacy and using her education to empower masses. “People around us have tried to  demotivate me, some even told my father not to give me so much of liberty or else I will never get good alliances for marriage,” she added. However, that didn’t deter her from pursuing her path and joining youth activists from different cities in the country to work for bigger causes.

Her first notable work across different communities was when Sadiya helped flood-affected victims in Darbhanga in 2020. This was when she had started ‘Rehnuma Welfare Foundation’ with help from her father, who runs a small leather goods manufacturing unit in Dharavi. The foundation is aimed at stopping child marriages and child labour while paving way for women empowerment from marginalised communities.

“They even mocked him, asking things like do you want your daughter to contest the elections?” but her father did not bother about any outside influence or lack of support. Instead, he accompanied her everywhere she went – conferences, protests, or workshops.

“He accompanied me to Shaheen Bagh, Karnataka and other places,” she said with pride while talking to TwoCircles.net.

Community library

Sadiya hails from Darbhanga district of Deora Bandhauli village in Bihar. This is where her journey as an emerging community leader began. Looking at poverty and inaccessibility of resources, she started a community library for the children of her village called ‘Maulana Azad Library.’ This library houses Bihar School Board and NCERT books from classes I to XII which are issued free of cost to the needy children. There are other books on history, literature, social sciences, etc. that can be borrowed for reading. The children nearby are also helped with their studies at the library which is being managed by Sadiya’s cousin who is pursuing her postgraduation.

Her library has gained a lot of reputation in the surrounding villages as well. Sadiya says her dream is to equip this library with computers and internet facility so the children in the village can access these facilities as well.

The road ahead

“I will continue to work for child welfare and education with renewed energy and inspiration with support from donors, well-wishers and parents,” says a determined Sadiya. Currently pursuing her Masters in Sociology, Sadiya is the eldest among her five siblings – three sisters and a brother with progeria genetic disorder. This emboldens her to work harder and bear the family’s responsibility along with her father.

“I am humbled by these honours as they motivate me to work harder to change the lives of many young children and women from my country India,” she shares when asked about what she feels about winning such big achievements at 21. Sadiya was recently honoured with ‘Emerging Social Work Leader 2021’ at the Asia World Model United conference.

When asked about her future plans, Sadiya says that her focus besides her fulltime postgraduate degree lies on developing more community libraries in other villages and improving education of girls as they suffer the most in underprivileged backgrounds. Her key takeaway from Shaheen Bagh protests was “women can fight to retain the secular fabric of India, end communalism and defeat fascist forces.”

“Muslims, especially women should work on improving their lives at all levels especially education in which we are lagging behind,” Sadiya feels. Motivated by this, she plans on establishing a school for girls with support from funds at ‘Rehnuma Welfare Foundation’ in villages. At present, the organisation is mainly funded and managed by her sisters who are also studying. Therefore, she wants the encouragement of her supporters, donors and parents to make them proud.

Her message to aspiring women leaders is “to be politically, socially aware to raise questions where there is injustice. We should keep the interests of the nation at heart and work towards building a harmonious and peaceful environment.”

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Education / by Nikhat Fatima , TwoCircles.net / April 05th, 2023

Dr. Aisha Nehla bags 5th rank in MS-ENT exam of RGUHS

Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA:

Mangaluru:

Dr. Aisha Nehla has secured the 5th rank in the MS-ENT examination that was conducted by the Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences in May 2022.

Dr. Nehla is the daughter of PS Abdul Khader Kanangar and Khatheejathul Kubra. She is married to Haseeb Abdul Hameed.

She has completed her post-graduation from AJ Institute of Medical Science in Mangaluru.

source: http://www.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by VarthaBharati / April 08th, 2023

A lost gold ring and a debt paid off 55 years later

Amazing Feats, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Dhaiali (Sivasagar District), ASSAM:

Former national discus throw champion Tayabun Nisha traced her childhood friend Julekha to return a gold ring the latter had lost in school back in 1967.

Tayabun Nisha (left) and Julekha
Tayabun Nisha (left) and Julekha

Guwahati :

When these two friends met after five decades, one paid off a debt never asked for and acted like the champion that she is.

Former national discus throw champion Tayabun Nisha felt heavy at the burden of an almost weightless finger ring of her friend Julekha, lost way back in 1967 at their Dhai Ali Girls’ High School in Assam’s Sivasagar.

More than 55 years later, Tayabun traced Julekha and arranged a reunion to reclaim those golden years that far outweigh the little ring. She gave her friend an envelope containing Rs 12,000 – the value of the ring.

“We were possibly students of class 7 or 8. Julekha was from an affluent family and she would come to school wearing gold jewellery. One day, she lost her finger ring in the class,” Tayabun, the first Assamese woman athlete to represent India in several international events, said recalling the incident.

“I used to go to school early to play games in the field. Those days, we had to clean our classroom. So, while cleaning it the next morning, I found the ring Julekha lost. However, I didn’t return it for the fear that I might be accused of stealing it and took it home. In due course, my father died and we faced a lot of financial difficulties. Perhaps, it was then that the ring was sold off by my family,” Tayabun said.

As time rolled by, the two friends lost contacts with each other and Tayabun landed a job in the railways in the sports quota but she was mentally disturbed all along.

“I used to think that since I cannot return that very ring to her, I will give her its value when I meet her. I thought I can expiate that way,” Tayabun, who has retired from service, said.

“But I had no idea about her whereabouts. So, I sought the help of my sister. After talking to a whole lot of people, she learnt where Julekha lives. Once I got her number, I called her up to say I would visit her. When I met her (on Tuesday), I told her everything. She initially refused to accept the value that I gave for the ring,” Tayabun said.

She said she would not have got the peace of mind if she had failed to locate Julekha and pay off the debt.

The softspoken Julekha was equally overjoyed to meet Tayabun after decades. “I feel happy that she came. I almost forgot her but she remembered me,” Julekha said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prasanta Mazumdar / Express News Service / March 24th, 2023

Ghazal Khan”s dedication helped disabled cricket come of age in India

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Agra, UTTAR PRADESH:

Ghazal Khan with a trophy
Ghazal Khan with a trophy

“I dedicated my second life to specially-abled people; especially helping the wheel-chair bound cricketers make their careers. Nowadays they are the talk of the town; they are scoring runs and playing well,” Ghazal Khan, CEO of Divyang Cricket Control Board of India (DCCBI), says.

Ghazal Khan, 28, from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, is the youngest woman in the world to be involved in the promotion of wheelchair cricket. She is also the Vice Chairperson of the International Council of Wheelchair Cricket and the Secretary of International Affairs of the International Cricket Council for the Physically Challenged.

Ghazal Khan narrated an incident from her childhood that changed the course of her life,

At the age of 21, Ghazal had a close shave with death. “On 22 December 2015 when I was preparing for the examination of the second semester of the MBA my blood pressure suddenly fell. I was riding a scooter when it happened. I fainted and fell off it. I opened my eyes after 9 days in the ICU of a hospital in Agra.”

Ghazal Khan with the winning team after a tournament

Ghazal spent 20 days in the ICU. He was told that she was in critical condition and on a ventilator for 2 days. Doctors had declared her almost dead and given her only a 2% chance of survival.

“I was reborn on December 24 that year on my birthday. I had been in a coma for 9 days. My face was sewn up to close the injuries. I lost the beauty of my face. When I looked in the mirror, I couldn’t recognize myself.”

After this experience, Ghazal wondered why she survived even after doctors had given her a 2 percent chance.

“I asked myself, why did He (Allah) save me..? During this period, I received several calls from disabled cricketers from my father’s association.”

Ghazal Khan with her father Haroon Rashid (right) and another official

Ghazal’s father Haroon Rashid was a famous pacer of the Indian team. He too met with a mishap and had to give up cricket on doctors’ advice.

He founded the Divyang Cricket Control Board of India (DCCBI) to enable cricketers facing disabilities to pursue their interests. He is the general secretary of the Board and Ghazal the CEO.

Ghazal says, “I volunteered to help them during the first Asia Cup in 2015. It also helped me develop a good relationship with disabled cricketers.

“I realized that I had lost the beauty of my face, but they lost their body parts and yet they are very happy and thankful to the almighty. So, why should I be ashamed of my ugly face?

 “I realized that Allah has saved me for a reason; I decided to prepare for UPSC civil services examination and become an IFS officer.

“I was sure of cracking the examination on the first attempt. However, I day before my preliminary exam, I fought with my fiancé. Thereafter I became depressed and was diagnosed with severe clinical depression. 

Ghazal Khan posing with officials and the winning team

“Suddenly I behaved like a child of 8-9 years’; had a loss of memory. Biologically, I was 23 but mentally I was 8 years old. I had lost all senses.

 “One day while playing with the wheelchair cricketers before the IWPL tournament, a miracle happened. I felt normal. It was a pleasant shock for my family.”

Ghazal decided to work for the disabled cricketers. “This was the moment when I realized why Allah saved me. From that day till now I have given all my time and energy to Divyangjan’s cricket.

Ghazal is also Vice President of the International Council for Wheelchair Cricket (ICWC) and is secretary, International Affairs in the International Council for the Physically Challenged Cricket (ICPCC).

Almost four years ago she launched the Divyang Premier League DPL T-20.

Ghazal says she aims to elevate disabled cricketers to the status of others. Due to her efforts, on the lines of IPL, the Divyang Premier League IPL was played between 6 teams in 2021 at the Sharjah International Cricket Stadium in Dubai.

Ghazal Khan with players

She gives the credit for her success to her father.

Ghazal Khan said she is also influenced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She was impressed by Modi’s remarks in o address ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on December 27, 2015, which said that physically challenged people have a divine ability and for this, they should be called Divyangjan and not disabled.

Ghazal Khan recently received the Global Excellence Award from the Samarth Seva Sansthan of Rajasthan. Last year she received the Icons of Asia Award.

Ghazal Khan told Awaz-The Voice that she is also planning to work for women’s disability cricket, improving the commentary of the game and setting up a sports business industry.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Onika Maheshwari, New Delhi / March 29th, 2023

Kashmir’s Aliya Mir gets Wildlife Conservation Award

Amazing Feats, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

JAMMU & KASHMIR:

Aliya Mir caching a venomous snake
Aliya Mir caching a venomous snake

Srinagar :

Aliya Mir has been honoured with the wildlife conservation award by Jammu and Kashmir, becoming the first woman in the Union Territory for her conservation efforts in the region.

Aliya Mir is also Kashmir’s first woman who works for the charity Wildlife SOS organisation which is part of the Wildlife Rescue Team.

Lt. Manoj Sinha facilitated her with the wildlife honour. The eminent sociologist Aliya Mir was awarded at the World Forestry Day celebrations organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Collective Forests.

After being honoured, Aliya said that she was feeling very happy to receive this honour.

“I am thrilled to have been selected for this honour.”  I am thankful to all the people who trusted me every step of the way and helped me get to this point,” Aliya said.

Aliya was awarded the award for her achievements in all aspects of wildlife conservation including bear rescue in Kashmir, rescue and release of wild animals, injured animal care, and wildlife.

Aliya Mir is Kashmir’s first woman wildlife rescuer who is performing her duties as Head of an Education System in the Wildlife SOS Program.

Aliya has rescued many wild animals, including birds, Asiatic black bears, and Himalayan brown bears, but is best known for catching snakes.  She rescued snakes from corridors, cars, lawns, gardens, and bus rooms in offices and other establishments and released them back into the wild.

Aliya grabbed the headlines for an hour-long when she led the Wildlife SOS team to hunt down a Levantine viper, a venomous snake, from the then chief minister’s regional residence.

According to this, the Viper snake weighed about 2 kg and it is the largest animal biting in a group of wild animals.

Similarly, the video of Aliya rescuing a snake trapped in a scooter in Jahangir Chowk has also gone viral on social media.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by ANI /posted by Aasha Khosa / March 26th, 2023

Nikhat – fragrance – from Hyderabad fills world atmosphere; her control over mind game puts her on top

Amazing Feats, Leaders, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Hyderabad, TELANGANA:

Three other female boxers from India add to women power. India has emerged as the topmost country in the championship. With four gold medals, India pushed the mighty China to second spot and powerhouse Russia had to be content with third place.

New Delhi: India’s Nikhat Zareen reacts after winning over Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Tam in 50 kg finals at the 2023 IBA Women’s Boxing World Championships, in New Delhi, Sunday, March 26, 2023. (PTI Photo/Gurinder Osan)

The women’s world boxing championship in New Delhi ended in a blaze of glory for India. Four times the Indian tricolour flew on the topmost mast and four times the Indian national anthem reverberated around the hall. Our four golden girls namely Nitu Ghanghas, Saweety Boora, Nikhat Zareen and Lovlina Borgohain made all Indians proud with their achievements inside the boxing ring.

India emerged as the topmost country in the championship. With four gold medals, India pushed the mighty China to second spot and powerhouse Russia had to be content with third place.

The outstanding display of our triumphant girls was analysed by Omkar Nath Yadav, who has been associated with boxing for four decades. Yadav was a national level boxer who served as a talent scout and coach. He was the first to spot the potential of Nikhat Zareen way back in the year 2009. “Nikhat was then a skinny 13-year-old girl. After I had watched her in a few bouts I realised that this girl is outstanding. Her footwork and punching speed were exceptionally good. I was then a talent scout and I decided to take a gamble on her. She was a very lively (chulbuli) girl and I felt that she would definitely do well,” said Yadav.

“I entered her name for the PYKA Games which were to be held in Anandpur Sahib in Punjab. My colleagues were skeptical of my decision and warned me that she is not yet fully developed in physique. She is a 13-year-old girl. How can she compete against 19-year-old rivals? She will be knocked out by the stronger girls from Haryana and Punjab. She may suffer grievous injuries. But I persisted because I felt that she had a rare spark and we should give her a chance to prove her merit inside the ring against tough opponents,” said the coach.

“Far from being knocked out, Nikhat put up such a wonderful fight that she fully justified my faith in her. Thereafter I persuaded experienced girls from Manipur to do sparring with Nikhat. That improved her technique and confidence. After that her career took off like a rocket. In 2010 she won the national championship. In 2011 she won the sub-junior world boxing championship in Antalya in Turkey. In 2014 she won a silver medal in the World Youth boxing championship and thereafter an impressive list of victories followed,” said Yadav.

When asked to analyze Nikhat’s game, the coach said:
“Her greatest asset is her ferocious determination and her mental abilities. She never gives up. She is able to learn fast. A coach does not have to struggle with her. She picks up her instructions quickly and smoothly. Today she has made all of us in the boxing fraternity of Hyderabad and in India proud of her achievements,” stated Yadav.

“In this championship she was facing a very tough opponent–Nguyen Thi– Tam of Vietnam, who is the Asian champion. The Vietnamese girl was a hard punching fighter and Nikhat had to pull out an extra effort to win. But Nikhat has that ability. When the struggle is hard, she can bring out an extra effort from within herself,” said Yadav.

“Among the other boxers, Nitu Ghanghas was very good too. She is a product of Bhiwani in Haryana and has been coached by Jagdeesh Singh, the same man who coached Olympic medalist Vijender Singh and others. Nitu was very aggressive and knew how to dominate the fight against her opponent from Mongolia. From start to finish there was no doubt that Nitu would win. Saweety Bora faced a tough time and so did Lovlina Borgohain. But I am glad that they too won and enhanced our gold medal tally,” concluded Yadav.

India’s top celebrities and political leaders hailed the victory of our girls. Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal had a special word of praise for Hyderabad’s Nikhat. She tweeted: “Nikhat you are a world champion again. Congratulations for winning the gold medal.”  Mahindra and Mahindra Company handed over a Mahindra Thar SUV vehicle to Nikhat. It was good to see that our women boxers got the recognition and rewards that they deserved. The victories of these girls will inspire many more youngsters to take up sport and achieve excellence at the world level.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by Abhijit Sen Gupta / March 28th, 2023

Telangana: WE Hub launches ‘Ujagaar’ to democratize minority women-led biz

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , ,

TELANGANA:

The programme will target 150 aspiring women entrepreneurs or existing businesses per year and aim to formalise 50 percent of them.

 photo- Twitter

Hyderabad: 

Telangana government’s WE Hub, in partnership with SAFA society, has launched Project Ujaagar to formalise and improve financial literacy for minority women-led businesses in Telangana.

The 1.5-month-long intervention programme aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of the minority community’s infrastructure and promote entrepreneurship among minority women by providing various programmes and amenities to improve their quality of life.

The programme, consisting of four fundamental tracks conducted weekly, will cover topics such as statutory compliances, business models, marketing and sales, legal and finances, and upskilling.

It will also provide tailored programmes at no cost to participants, introduce essential guidance and facilities to promote business, build a strong community of founders, and induce skill development through building a business.

Principal Secretary of the state, Dr Jayesh Ranjan launched the project during an event at WE Hub.

Speaking at the launch event, Jayesh Ranjan said, “WE Hub will validate and support women to scale their current businesses and encourage new ones. The only ask from entrepreneurs is to stay consistent, make use of the opportunities, and advance further in terms of socio-economic status.”

CEO, of WE Hub, Deepthi Ravula, said, “We’ve observed over the past five years that businesses led by women often lack proper registration, financial literacy, accounting skills, and tools to enhance their operations.”

“Our project aims to tackle these challenges faced by women-led businesses in Telangana. By offering this programme, we aspire to create a robust community of founders who can learn from each other.”

The programme will target 150 aspiring women entrepreneurs or existing businesses per year and aim to formalise 50 percent of them.

In addition, WE Hub will also be hosting WE Talks monthly or bimonthly, providing further opportunities for learning and growth.

CEO of SAFA Society, Rubina Mazhar said, “the collaboration between WE Hub and SAFA will attract a new demographic and dimension to its model.”

Over the past 5 years, WE Hub has incubated 3194 start-ups by women founders and successfully engaged with over 5,000 women entrepreneurs, 1247 students, 986 social impact entrepreneurs, and 609 urban entrepreneurs.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Telangana / by News Desk, posted by Masrath Fatima / March 18th, 2023