AMU Alumnus Yusuf Farooqi Joins Ontario Geological Survey, Canada
Aligarh:
Mr. Yusuf Farooqi, an alumnus of the Department of Geology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has been selected to join the prestigious Ontario Geological Survey, Canada, as a Geological Assistant.
In his new role, Mr. Farooqi will contribute to geological research, conduct fieldwork, collect and analyse geological data, and support technical and administrative aspects of mapping and exploration projects. He completed his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Geology from AMU in 2019 and 2021, respectively.
Prof. Rashid Umar, Chairperson, Department of Geology, congratulated Mr. Farooqi and expressed pride in his achievement, noting that it reflects AMU’s global impact and the academic rigour of its Earth Sciences programme.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / May 15th, 2025
Ohida Khandekar’s Dream Your Museum, an installation and film about her uncle’s collection won the V&A’s Jameel Prize for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic traditions.
Selim Khandakar with his grand-niece and the trunks housing his collection. | Photo Credit: Anand Kumar Ekboty
Selim Khandakar, 71, has always dreamt of making a museum in his village for the 12,000-plus objects he has collected over 50 years. A small portion of that collection has now reached one of the best museums in the world — the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London — thanks to his artist niece, Ohida Khandakar.
Ohida, 31, has turned her uncle’s lifelong obsession into an installation and film — Dream Your Museum — which won the V&A’s prestigious Jameel Prize for contemporary art and design inspired by Islamic traditions. The work is not just a tribute to what seems to be her uncle’s calling; it also challenges colonial museum structures and asks whether ordinary, personal objects deserve a place in museums. Can museums be flexible and inclusive spaces, showcasing the narratives of minority communities and customs? Are private collections the exclusive privilege of the rich?
The installation and film, ‘Dream Your Museum’, at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London.
Selim worked as a doctor’s compounder in Kolkata and started collecting random objects from the year 1970. A stamp exhibition piqued his interest first, prompting him to start collecting them. He also came across an exhibition of vintage objects from Mallik Bari, one of Kolkata’s heritage homes. “It was a record of what objects were used in the ancient times and how lives were led,” Selim tells me over a Zoom call from his home in Kelepara, a village near Hooghly, West Bengal. “It inspired me to start collecting whatever felt like a record of the common person’s life and times. From bus tickets to stamps to refills of pens, I wouldn’t throw anything away.”
An assortment of rare and mundane items makes up Selim’s collection. Old clocks, inscribed ceramics, vintage records and music players, letters dating back to Partition, perfume bottles, crystal rocks, hand fans, stamps, handbills, ink pots, cameras, train tickets, receipts, even matriculation answer sheets from the 70s!
Selim Khandakar surrounded by the objects he has collected over the years. | Photo Credit: Anand Kumar Ekboty
Gramophones to baby clothes
Much of Selim’s collection is housed in tin trunks and scattered across his home in Kelepara. It sometimes becomes a ‘travelling museum’ for people in the village to explore and interact with the objects as Selim takes them around. There is curiosity, awe, some ridicule, some laughter, and from those who understand history and record keeping, even encouragement.
Ohida’s film captures Selim walking through village fields with his trunk, stopping by the river to rinse some crystal stones, and holding them up to the sun. “Where did you find these, nanu?” asks Maria, his grand-niece, who appears in the film. “In the graveyard,” Selim replies.
Selim Khandakar walking through village fields with his trunk. | Photo Credit: Anand Kumar Ekboty
Ohida, who studied art at the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, and Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, says it is sometimes hard to understand what keeps her uncle going. Is it hoarding, as his exasperated family has often believed? She and Selim don’t think so. Instead, he thinks his collection, much like Dream Your Museum, is about storytelling. “Collecting is my way of showing people from my village a glimpse of things from around the world,” Selim notes. “Like rare coins dating back to the Mughal period or vintage perfume bottles from around the world. Often people here do not get a chance to go to cities to see such things. That’s what has always kept me going.”
Selim Khandakar’s house that was destroyed after a cyclone.. | Photo Credit: Anand Kumar Ekboty
Once displayed in his modest mud house, now destroyed after a cyclone, Selim’s possessions came close to being discarded by his family until Ohida decided to document it digitally. She reacquainted herself with both her uncle and his collection when stuck at home during the pandemic. To her artist’s eye, it is a compelling one, given its range — from gramophones to baby clothes from the 80s. “It even has a bunch of fingernails [Selim’s own] in a box. It reminds me of Marcel Duchamp’s Dadaist Fountain exhibit [1917], where he displayed an upside-down urinal. Such objects challenge conventional notions of what belongs in a museum. These items, including a broken plate passed down through generations, show the power of storytelling through objects.”
Selim laughs when asked about the fingernails. “I had once visited an exhibition where I saw art made with fingernails and thought I would do the same with mine. It made me curious, so I kept them.”
What makes a museum?
Curiosity has been the driving force behind Selim’s obsession and this is what Ohida celebrates in her work. Maria accompanies Selim throughout the film, asking him curious questions about the objects in his collection, an attempt to peek into his mind. Ohida started filming Dream Your Museum as an entry for the 2022 Berlin Biennale, where it was received well, eventually landing her the V&A award.
Filmmaker Ohida Khandakar
Growing up in Kelepara, Ohida hadn’t stepped inside a museum until she came to study art in Kolkata. “I had achieved my dream of studying art and moving beyond a village where many women still had no voice and were married off early. It made me wonder — was there a limit to our dreams? Was there a limit to the dreams of my uncle, a rural, aged Muslim man?”
With the funds from the award, Ohida is now hoping to create a museum for her uncle’s collection and a cultural space in the village. “We need accessible museums that work as alternative spaces for the narratives of rural minority communities; as safe spaces for women without opportunities; to engage those who might not typically visit traditional museums due to a lack of knowledge, distance or financial constraints.”
In Dream Your Museum, her camera gently films Selim among his collections in his crumbling ancestral home. He expresses frustration at having no permanent place even after 50 years to showcase his prized collection. “I’ll now make a museum on the moon,” he declares.
The writer is a freelance journalist and the co-author of ‘Rethink Ageing’ (2022).
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Art / by Reshmi Chakraborty / April 20th, 2025
Chenibari Village (Darang District) , ASSAM / ITALY :
Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika
A young scientist from a small village Chenibari in the Darang district of Assam has brought laurels to the country in global medical research. Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika has been appointed as a research scientist at the prestigious University of Calabria in Italy, where he will conduct research on cancer detection and diagnosis with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and will assist in teaching.
Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika is the son of Bashiruddin Ahmed Hazarika and Rabia Khatun, residents of Chenibari village. He received his early education from local Assamese-medium government schools and after matriculation moved to Mangaldoi for further studies.
After passing 12th in Science from Mangaldoi Government Higher Secondary School, he obtained B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD degrees from North Eastern Hills University (NEHU), Shillong. Due to his hard work and dedication, today he has secured such an achievement which is a matter of pride for the entire state and country.
His main area of research in Italy is to develop AI-based cancer detection systems. This technology can prove helpful in the early detection of cancer and can revolutionize medical science at the global level.
Dr Hazarika believes, “Medium of education and social status are not barriers if the hard work and dedication is genuine.”
He himself studied in Assamese medium government schools from primary to 12th standard and then achieved this position by obtaining a PhD from government universities.
After completing his education, Dr. Ruhul Amin worked as an Associate Professor at Manipal University, Bangalore, where, observing his research work and technical expertise, he received a research invitation from the Italian University.
This achievement of Dr. Hazarika is not just an inspirational message for his family or village but also for the students of Assam and India who dream of touching heights despite limited resources and difficult circumstances.
“With hard work and determination, any obstacle can be overcome. If I can do it, anyone can,” said Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika.
His achievement not only strengthens India’s role in the field of medicine and technology but also shows that boundaries cannot stop talent.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ashad Ali, Mangaldoi / April 2Oth, 2025
Built in the 15th century, Sarkhej Roza on the outskirts of Ahmedabad holds many different worlds within its vast expanse.
The site comprises a mosque, tombs as well as mausoleums, palaces, pavilions, and noble houses (Express/Bhupendra Rana)
As the sun begins setting behind the domes, the rays filter through the stone filigree splashing a gold hue in the vast compound. The devout makes their way to the vast mosque for the evening prayers; in another corner, a seeker sits in the enclosure housing a tomb, lost in a world of her own. Under the baradari, a weary traveller takes a nap; at the dried-up reservoir beyond the mosque, children play a game of cricket.
Built in the 15th century, Sarkhej Roza on the outskirts of Ahmedabad holds many different worlds within its vast expanse. The monument complex stands as a testament to Gujarat’s rich cultural and architectural heritage.
The site comprises a mosque, tombs of sheikhs, sultans, and the royal family, as well as mausoleums, palaces, pavilions, and noble houses. At its heart lies the famous Ahmed-Sar Tank, a man-made lake excavated in the 15th century by Sultan Mehmud Begada, the great-grandson of Sultan Ahmed Shah, who founded Ahmedabad in 1411.
A protected monument, Sarkhej Roza falls under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Sarkhej Roza Committee. Built in a village of indigo dyers and weavers, the monument, said to have been built by Ahmed Shah’s successor and son, Muhammad Shah II, became the repose of the mid-15th century Saint Shaikh Ahmad Ganj Baksh Khattu, one of the four Ahmads who laid the foundation of Ahmedabad in 1411 AD. Following his death in 1446 AD, Sultan Muhammad Shah II commissioned an exquisite tomb and mosque in his memory, which were later completed by his son and successor, Sultan Qutbuddin Ahmad Shah II, between 1451 and 1458 AD. Over time, Sarkhej Roza became a favoured retreat for Gujarat’s sultans and eventually evolved into a Sufi town with the addition of palaces, gardens, pavilions, royal tombs, grand gateways, and a vast artificial lake spanning 17 acres.
Historians and architectural experts consider Sarkhej Roza a unique and unparalleled collection of historical buildings. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture seamlessly blends elements of Hindu, Jain, and Islamic design, creating a masterpiece.
Among the mausoleums of Agra and Gujarat, Sarkhej Roza is believed to be the largest architectural complex of its kind. The site holds deep spiritual significance for both Hindus and Muslims, attracting visitors from all walks of life.
The intricate jali work on the outer and inner walls showcases beautiful geometric patterns, while the exquisite craftsmanship in brass, silver, and enamel enhances its aesthetic appeal. Sultan Mahmud Begada, known for his bravery and vision, decorated the structure in such a way that many believe it contributed to Ahmedabad’s recognition as a Unesco World Heritage City, although it is some 10 km from the walled city that got the tag in 2017.
Beyond its architectural splendour, Sarkhej Roza is home to priceless historical artefacts, including coins from the Sultanate period of Gujarat. The monument also houses incomplete yet beautifully handwritten copies of the Quran, a manuscript of Hidaya, and a printed Quran with Persian and Urdu translations. Additionally, an old handwritten copy of the Quran, completed in 1649 in the elegant Naskh script, remains one of the site’s treasured possessions.
Over the years, Sarkhej Roza has hosted several prominent events and dignitaries. On World Heritage Day (November 18, 2010), the complex welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was then Gujarat chief minister.
Last month, during a Sufi event in New Delhi, PM Modi recalled how he had restored Sarkhej Roza when he was the Gujarat CM. “When I was the CM, a lot of work was done on its (Sarkhej Roza) restoration and very few people would know that there was a time when Krishna Utsav was celebrated with great pomp and show in Sarkhej Roza…,” Modi said.
Other notable visitors include the Iran embassy’s Khawaja Piri (August 8, 2006), Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan (January 26, 2014), and poet-lyricist Javed Akhtar (December 2, 2010).
A few scenes of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Raees (2016) were also shot here.
Subamiya Akberali Kadri, a retired national union leader in the banking industry, has been visiting the dargah at Sarkhej Roza since 1974. He said, “Over the years, I have actively participated in various events. One memorable occasion was when a Sufi disciple from the Rumi Sufi Academy in San Francisco performed a Sufi dance. That day, I delivered a speech on Sufism.”
During the holy month of Ramzan, Sarkhej Roza transforms into a vibrant hub of community gathering with people assembling here for evening prayers and iftar, sharing meals as a gesture of unity and harmony.
Bhavna Ramrakhiani, founder of Sarkhej Roza Crafts and Saanjhi Virasat, a community promoting diversity and heritage, said, “People are not permitted to live inside the monument except during the last 10 days of Ramzan when devotees stay inside the mosque for prayers.”
On other days, Sarkhej Roza remains a favoured destination for school trips, vacations, picnics, and family outings – and an occasional seeker looking for solace.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> News> India / by Sande Gona (an intern with The Indian Express, Ahmedabad / with inputs from ENS, New Delhi / Ahmedabad, April 19th, 2025.
A 17th century mosque in Punjab declared declared as a symbol of religious tolerance by the UNESCO and UNDP has no Muslim worshippers. Called Guru ki maseet (Mosque of the Guru) it is being looked after by the Sikhs.
Its story dates to the early 17th century. When the sixth Sikh Guru, Hargobind Singh, took over the throne, Emperor Akbar’s efforts to bring all religions together had already failed. In the reign of Jahangir, animosities based on religious difference had begun to surface across India.
Soon, Hargobind Singh realized that in the midst of growing tension and threats, only spirituality would not work.
With this idea, Guru Hargobind Singh started wearing two swords on his body. He called them the swords of Piri and Miri. Piri referred to spirituality and Miri to power. He also raised an army to fight wars.
In one of his armed campaigns, his army camped on the banks of the Beas River. Soon a big settlement came up here and it was called Hargobindpur. Today one can reach this place while travelling on Hoshiarpur-Batala Road in Punjab.
The township had people of all religions. Soon a temple and a Gurudwara were built there. There were only a few Muslims there and they had no place of worship. As their numbers were low, building a mosque was not feasible at the community level.
They went to Guruji and told him their problem.
Guru Hargobind Singh instructed his authorities to build a mosque for the Muslims to worship. In no time the mosque was built on a small hillock on the banks of the Beas River. The sound of Azan from the mosque reverberated in the air for the next several hundred years.
Guru ki Maseet at Hargobindpura, Punjab
However, after the partition of India and many Muslims leaving for Pakistan in 1947, this mosque was deserted. All the Muslim families of Hargobindpura had left for Pakistan.
As the mosque was related to Guru Hargobind Singh, the Nihang Sikhs built a Gurudwara there. Today, the sounds of Gurbani resonate there the place every morning and evening.
In the last decade of the twentieth century, Muhammad Rizwanul Haq of the Punjab Waqf Board visited the town and met many Sikh leaders. He requested the Sikhs that since this mosque was built on the orders of Sikh Guru it should be allowed to remain a mosque.
The Sikh leaders consulted historians; they too concurred with the idea of the place being retained as a mosque.
Soon a consensus was reached. Once again the kar seva started and the mosque was renovated. Some people from the Punjab Waqf Board also came there but most of the kar seva was done by Sikhs.
Nihang Sikhs who look after the mosque sitting outside Guru ki Maseet
The mosque was restored to its original shape in 2002.
For its inauguration, the locals invited Imam Maulana Hamid Hussain Qasmi of Amritsar’s Jama Masjid to lead the Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the mosque.
Even today there is no Muslim living in Hargobindpur and yet the mosque stands tall. Today, Guru ki Maseet is cared for by Nihang sevadars.
In 2003, this historic mosque gained international recognition when UNESCO and the UNDP’s Culture for Peace project highlighted its importance as a symbol of religious tolerance.
(The author is a senior journalist)
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Harjinder / April 01st, 2025
Shakhapur Village, KARNATAKA / NEW DELHI / Bokharo, JHARKHAND:
Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti
The India GCC (Gulf Corporation Council) Trade Council has announced renowned oncologist surgeon Dr Majid Ahmed as its Honorary Health commissioner.
Dr. Talikoti was recently recognised as one of the 100 most influential Indian Muslim figures by Muslim Mirror. He is a chairman of a ‘Medicant Hospital’ in Jharkhand’s Bokaro. The hospital is known and praised for treating patients at very affordable fees.
In an event in Delhi, Dr. Talikoti was presented with the appointment letter of honorary health commissioner. The India-GCC Trade Council presented the offer recognising his contributions in the field of oncology and his health initiatives between India and Gulf countries.
Accepting the letter, doctor talikoti said the role offered to me is a significant step and I am eager to contribute to health initiatives that bridge India and Gulf countries together. Let’s work to build strong diplomatic ties and healthy Nations across borders.
Earlier, Dr Talikoti had gained recognition in Dubai and was awarded with Healthcare “Excellence Asian Arab Award 2025.”
I found that the journey from East Pakistan to India is seen in a completely different light – unlike in Assam.
Design | Rubin D’Souza
Earlier this month, I was on my way to the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal on a reporting assignment.
As I crossed the outskirts of Kolkata and took the Jessore Road, ancient trees swam into view. Our driver, Swapan Kumar Shikari, got talking. “These are very old trees,” he told me. “They guided millions of refugees from East Pakistan who were fleeing the [1971 Bangladesh liberation] war.”
Jessore Road is a historical refugee route, connecting Kolkata and Khulna in present-day Bangladesh, and the flight of terrorised people on this road in 1971 is now part of collective memory. “Most people who you will meet, they came here in 1971 or after that,” Shikari said, pointing to the houses and paddy fields on both sides of Jessore Road.
A similar journey is part of my history too. More than a hundred years ago, our forefathers, mostly peasants, migrated from the Mymensingh district of undivided Bengal to Assam – they were not fleeing violence, but following the instructions of the British colonial power.
Many of them tried to assimilate with the mainstream Assamese society. They not only started to read and write in Assamese but also initiated campaigns to identify themselves as “Assamese speakers” and “Assamese” in the 1941 census. Over decades, however, even our best efforts have not led to acceptance from Assamese society.
And in the process, we have become wary of recognising our roots – on the other side of the border.
For good reason. The rise of Assamese sub-nationalism has led to Muslims of Bengali origin being vilified as “illegal immigrants” from Bangladesh – even though many of them migrated years before the creation of India.
An anxiety, if not paranoia, about outsiders has taken centre stage in Assam and shaped politics in the state for the last six decades. The rise of Hindutva in Assam has only made our lives more precarious.
But as I began my interviews in Thakurnagar, the seat of the Matua order in North 24 Parganas district, I found that the journey from East Pakistan to India is seen in a completely different light here.
The Matuas, an influential religious order consisting almost exclusively of Namashudra Dalit immigrants from Bangladesh, are open about their migration history and are not afraid to speak of their origins.
“My family came here between 1980 and 1985,” said a resident of Thakurnagar. “There is nothing to hide. People in West Bengal have accepted us. Even if they don’t accept us, we don’t have anywhere else to go. Lakhs of people fled, and the local Bengali people not only welcomed us but also gave shelter and showed empathy.”
If he were in Assam now, he would never speak this openly. “You would have been picked up by the border police any day,” I told him.
Indeed, the state in Assam has come up with several mechanisms, from foreigners’ tribunals to the National Register of Citizens, to detect “illegal” residents. This institutional suspicion has taken a toll on the Bengali community in Assam, both Muslims and Hindus.
I have been reporting on the citizenship crisis in Assam for the last five years. Minor errors in documents or the inability to prove they are the children of their parents through documentary evidence have led many people to “fail” their citizenship test.
The plight of Bengalis in Assam was familiar to those I interviewed. Indeed, a few years ago, residents of West Bengal were spooked at the prospect of the National Register of Citizens being carried out on a nationwide scale, as suggested by the Union home minister Amit Shah.
On the last day of my reporting assignment, a Kolkata-based social activist from the Matua community had several questions for me about the National Register of Citizens.
I told him how the majority of Bengali Muslims in Assam supported the idea of the National Register of Citizens. Since they are required to produce papers in every aspect of life to prove their citizenship, they were not anxious. They knew they could produce the documents that could rid them of the lifelong “Bangladeshi tag.”
The Assam National Register of Citizens ended up excluding 19.06 lakh people, from Hindus to Muslims, from natives to those with a migration history. They are on the verge of statelessness and they now have to prove their citizenship before the tribunals, the last chance before being declared as non-citizens.
I told the Matua leader that if the National Register of Citizens came to West Bengal, those who came after 1971 would face hurdles having their names included. But while Hindu migrants may be protected by the Citizenship Amendment Act, Muslims may still have to prove their citizenship.
“Yes, the words ‘infiltrators’ and ‘illegal immigrants’ will only be associated with Muslims,” he agreed.
Citizenship is a federal subject in India, and the Union government makes the laws for it. But how a state responds to the spectre of illegal immigrants depends on its own history and culture.
In Assam, both the state and the citizenry are suspicious about migrants.
But other regions show us that another way is possible. In West Bengal, the state and its people not only accept migrants wholeheartedly but also show compassion for their history.
Most recently, the tiny northeastern state of Mizoram gave shelter to refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh, describing them as their kith and kin.
But in Assam, with an aggressive form of Hindutva becoming dominant, it is unlikely that a Bengal-origin Muslim like me will find the courage to look back at my history – without having to pay a price for it.
source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> Backstory 2024 / by Rokibuz Zaman / December 11th, 2024
Dr. Mehdi Hayat Shahi with research team comprising Dr. Musheer Ahmad, Arif Ali, Ms. Basree at Brain Research Centre
Aligarh:
In a ground-breaking achievement, the Interdisciplinary Brain Research Centre (IBRC), Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has been granted an Indian patent for a novel compound named ARSH-Q. The compound is the result of rigorous research and extensive screening conducted by the Centre in collaboration with the Department of Applied Chemistry.
ARSH-Q has shown exceptional potential in inhibiting brain cancer cells by targeting stem cells, which are major contributors to resistance against radiation and chemotherapy. Given the high recurrence and mortality rates associated with brain cancer, this discovery brings significant hope for more effective treatment options.
Led by Dr. Mehdi Hayat Shahi, the research team, including Dr. Musheer Ahmad, Arif Ali, Mr. Mohd. Muzzammil, Ms. Basree, and Mr. Swalih P., developed ARSH-Q after screening numerous synthesised compounds. Dr. Shahi, whose research on brain tumours has been ongoing since 2005, focused extensively on the Sonic Hedgehog cell signalling pathway – a critical factor in stem cell-mediated brain cancer and other malignancies.
The team’s objective was to develop a compound that surpasses the efficacy of Temozolomide, the current standard chemotherapy drug. After extensive efforts, they successfully synthesised ARSH-Q, which has demonstrated exceptional results in suppressing brain cancer cells in initial studies.
Dr. Shahi and his team are now set to advance their research through pre-clinical studies to validate the efficacy of ARSH-Q. The goal is to develop the compound as either a standalone therapeutic agent or an adjuvant to existing chemotherapy treatments for brain cancer.
The team expressed gratitude to the Vice-Chancellor of AMU, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Convenor of the IPR Cell, and the Coordinator of IBRC for supporting the patent filing process and facilitating this significant research endeavour.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / March 22nd, 2025
Ms. Zainab Irfan Sheth, daughter of leading emergency physician of Singapore General Hospital Dr Irfan Abdurrahman Sheth and Muniba Irfan Sheth, a native of Modasa Town of Gujarat State of India, has achieved maximum achievable rank points which are 90/90 in 12th grade exams of Singapore. She is now eligible to get admission in all the faculties including the reputed medical school of Singapore for further studies. May Allah bless her to get more and more success in future endeavours, too.
Ms. Zainab’s maternal uncle Dr Iftekhar Malek, who is a practising doctor in Modasa for many years, says that her achievement is a proud moment for our family as well as for the whole of the Muslim community.
Her other maternal uncles, Dr Shahid Malek and Dr Shakib Malek, are also practising Anaesthetist and Orthopaedic Surgeon respectively, providing services in their fields.
Zainab’s grandfather Late Abdurrahman Sheth, was a famous CA and her grandpa Late Nisharahmed Malek was an educationist associated with various educational institutions in Modasa.
On this occasion of Ms. Zainab’s brilliant success in academics, the whole family is proud and happy, expressing gratitude to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala for the same.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Pride of the Nation> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / February 24th, 2025
It is the story of a young boy who once wanted to take his parents to the moon. However, for Sabir Alam, the journey from a small village in Bihar to the one in which he was associated with ISRO’s Chandrayan Mission 3, Moon was a destiny chiselled with grit.
Sabir Ali’s story began in the Chhoghra village in Katihar district, 350 km from Patna, Bihar. Son of a primary school teacher from Seemanchal – one of India’s most underdeveloped regions – this young boy turned his limitations into challenges and life happened to him.
Sabir’s father, Harun Rashid, knew the value of a good education but often wondered how to make his son rise in life with his meagre earnings. “With my limited earnings and the struggle to secure quality education for him, it was a challenging journey,” Harun says.
Sabir Alam having chai
Sabir joined his father’s school, where learning was born from passion rather than resources.
When Sabir cracked the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV) entrance exam, it was a monumental moment. JNV was a lifeline, offering free education to talented students from rural areas.
He joined the JNV in Kolasi, Katihar, and after his 10th-grade exams in 2012, he shifted to JNV, Puducherry.
Sabir also enrolled in a coaching program run by Avanti, an NGO in collaboration with Tata Motors, to prepare students for competitive exams like IIT–JEE, the gateway to some of India’s most prestigious engineering institutions.
He graduated with a B.Tech in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in 2018 and then joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Sabir Alam with fellow scientists celebrating the launch of Chandrayaan-3
Then came the day that would forever etch Sabir’s name in history. On August 23, 2023, when India made its historic landing on the moon’s South Pole as part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, Sabir stood among the brightest minds who made it possible.
The moment was both joyous and emotional for his family.
“It was like Eid for us,” says Harun Rashid. “People gathered at our house to congratulate us and shower blessings. It felt natural as a young man from a region often associated with poverty and underdevelopment contributed to the country’s successful lunar mission,” he says with palpable pride and happiness.
Son of the soil : Sabir Alam in his field in the village
Though his mother, a homemaker, may not fully grasp the enormity of the achievement, she stood in quiet pride, holding back her tears. “As a mother, I cannot put my emotions into words. All I know is that my son has made not just Seemanchal but the entire country proud,” she says, her voice trembling with love and joy.
For the family, Sabir’s rise was not about wealth. “There was no financial investment in his schooling,” his mother said.
Sabir’s education was sustained by the values of hard work, sacrifice, and scholarships. The JNV provided the crucial foundation, and scholarships allowed Sabir to scale the mountain that seemed insurmountable to so many.
Did Sabir’s mother ever imagine he would join ISRO or contribute to such a prestigious national mission? I asked her. “I always knew he would succeed,” she said. “He often joked during his visits home that he would take us to the moon one day.”
Sabir Alam showing a model of the lander at the surface of the moon to his son at ISRO center
Mumtaz Naiyer, a scientist based in the United Kingdom, shares a unique bond with Sabir. Hailing from the same region, he always acknowledged Sabir’s abilities. “Sabir has always been extraordinary. He stands out from other youth in Seemanchal because of his approach, temperament, and determination to learn and succeed. Thanks to Sabir, we, the Surjapuri-speaking (local dialect of the region) people, Seemanchalis and Biharis, are now part of history,” Naiyer says.
“This will certainly inspire the youth of this underdeveloped region to dream big,” Naiyer adds. “I also want to thank Sabir’s parents, as their son has brought immense pride to Seemanchal.”
Yet, despite all his achievements, Sabir has never seen himself as someone extraordinary. In a post on Facebook’s page ‘Humans of Seemanchal’ he wrote, “Honestly, I do not feel that I have achieved anything extraordinary or made any significant breakthrough in my field. I do not need to talk much about Seemanchal – its literacy rate already tells its story. I was just fortunate to find a way around the high cost of education.”
For Sabir, it was never about the prestige of joining ISRO. It is simply a milestone. “There are numerous challenges for those from backward areas, but with dedication, hard work, willpower, and, most importantly, awareness, you can overcome them,” he advises.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Tarique Anwar, New Delhi / February 13th, 2025
