US based charity organisation ,Indian Muslim Relief and Charities (IMRC), in a noble initiative, have started Challenger Civil Services Academy in Moinabad area of Hyderabad in Telangana state of India.
The Academy was inaugurated in Hyderabad on Sunday, May 8th by Director General of Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), AK Khan.
The main motive of starting the academy is to motivate more students to take up civil services exams and provide quality coaching at affordable cost to the local students who earlier had to rush to rush to Delhi for coaching. The academy also provides hostel facility for students coming from different parts of state.
“People aren’t aware of civil services exam in Hyderabad in comparison to northern cities likes Delhi and Rajasthan where more candidates apply for the coveted UPSC exam. With proper guidance, aspirants from Hyderabad can surely crack the exam,” said Chief Guest, DG ACB, AK Khan.
While appreciating the IMRC move of opening the Academy, Khan said, “Deserving candidates who are deprived of opportunities will get chance in the academy to prepare for the bright future. The academy will support and also encourage aspirants to be successful and the academy also aspires the society to get good civil servants.”
The academy will offer top tier civil services courses like UPSC and state PSC besides providing a launching pad for CLAT, Banking, Railways, SSC, CPF, IB exams and other state and central competitive exams.
A residential campus with hostel, internet facility and library is also made available for hostellers.
The Academy has three levels of courses. There are hundred seats in first two levels, where students of intermediate and undergraduate students can take admission. Student’s right after their 10th class exams can start preparing for civil services without hampering their regular class work. In third level there are only sixty seats.
“Our three tier integrated course provides the holistic approach to inculcate among our aspirants the natural inclination to succeed in competitive exams. As of now the registration of students to appear in entrance exam is in progress. We are getting a lot of applications,” said Mukesh Sahay, Director, CCSA.
The academy has made it mandatory to appear in the test for admission at Challenger Civil Services Academy. Qualifying criteria will be only based on merit acquired in the admission test. The academy will provide 50% fee wavier to the students who gets 90% and above marks in the entrance test whereas the students with 70-89% marks will get 30% fee waiver.
5% marks will be added on the merit marks of SC ST/OBC and Minorities. The entrance test is scheduled for Sunday, May 22nd.
source: http://www.beyondheadlines.in / Beyond Headlines / Home> Education / by BeyondHeadlines News Desk / May 22nd, 2016
The Pulitzer Center is pleased to announce freelance multimedia journalist Sidrah Fatma Ahmed has been selected as the 2023 winner of the Pulitzer Center’s annual Breakthrough Journalism Award . The runner-up award goes to freelance journalist Emily Fishbein.
The $12,000 Breakthrough Award, inaugurated in 2020, is made possible through the generous support of Eva Lohrer. The award seeks to recognize and celebrate the achievements of Pulitzer Center-affiliated freelance journalists who report on the underreported issues. The runner-up is awarded $5,000.
Ahmed, a Delhi-based freelancer, is recognized not only for her dedication to producing and directing high-caliber video projects on underreported topics, but also for enriching projects with nuanced and layered storytelling.
Ahmed’s reaction to winning the award was a nod to all those she has reported on.
“It’s a moment to celebrate the people represented in my stories. There are so many stories to be told in India. I hope to use this support to do more in-depth video reporting in the areas of climate justice, gender, and health,” Ahmed said in a recent interview with Pulitzer Center Editorial Intern Alexandra Byrne.
Ahmed, who began her career in India with a legacy news outlet, felt increasingly drawn to underreported topics and people, so she struck out on her own. Ahmed told Byrne she was “a bit restless because I was spending a lot of time in the office. The whole reason I got into journalism was so that I could be in the field and I could talk to different kinds of people, and I could really explore and engage and dig and be curious.”
Her dynamic video production and in-depth reporting skills have captured the attention of numerous international news outlets, including the Financial Times, for which she directed the Pulitzer Center-supported film Can India Adapt to Extreme Heat? alongside grantee Juliet Riddell. For this project, Ahmed and Riddell succeeded in blending macroeconomic insights with personal stories from a diverse range of Indians, including farmers, scientists, vendors, and children.
Ahmed says she wants to continue to tackle relevant topics that are in the news, but she also hopes one day to produce and direct longer-format documentaries.
The 2023 Breakthrough Award runner-up is freelance journalist Emily Fishbein for her relentless focus on exposing wrongs in Myanmar over the past few years, as well as for her collaborative approach to working with local reporting partners.
Fishbein said she was “honored to receive this award. It really validates everything I have been working for as a journalist and gives me so much motivation.”
With regard to her collaborative approach, she says she seeks “to pay forward the opportunities afforded to me as an international journalist and to encourage and support rising local talent who have a passion for the issues they cover.”
Past recipients of the annual Breakthrough Award include former grantees Neha Wadekar, Mariana Palau, and Victoria McKenzie. Read more about the Breakthrough Journalism Award here.
We celebrate freelancers’ adaptability and their dogged pursuit of the truth, work that is essential in today’s news environment. These journalists provide diverse perspectives and in-depth coverage of issues often overlooked by traditional media outlets. They often work alone, with little or no safety net, and with thin profit margins. We’re proud to amplify their work and contribute to their development.
source: http://www.pulitzercenter.org / Pulitzer Center / Home> Updates / by Steve Sapeinza, Pulitzer Center Staff / August 17th, 2023
One surely feels happy that the statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is being installed near the India Gate in New Delhi. Every Indian and even Netaji’s 79-year-old daughter Prof Anita Bose Pfaff feels happy about the statue at the most important area of the capital.
In an interview with an Indian TV, Anita, who is a German citizen, mentions that she thinks if not Netaji’s only Mahatma Gandhi’s statue should have been there. She may be aware that there existed a plan to install life-sized statue of the Father of the Nation at that place.
Even after differences with Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel which led Netaji to leave the Indian National Congress, Bose was the first person to call Mahtma Gandhi Father of the Nation on July 6,1944 in his Ragoon Radio broadcast, and sought Bapu’s blessings as the Supreme Commander of the Indian National Army (INA).
Till 1968 there was statue of King George V at India Gate. It was removed and placed in the Coronation Park, New Delhi. Until the installation of the actual statue of Netaji is completed, a hologram of Bose will be projected at the site of the statue.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced: “At a time when the entire nation is marking the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, I am glad to share that his grand statue, made of granite, will be installed at India Gate. This would be a symbol of India’s indebtedness to him.”The canopy at the India Gate, which has been lying vacant since 1968, will now house a granite statue of Netaji, with official sources saying its installation will be a case of India “reclaiming” its history.
When the entire nation is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Gujarat, which is the home state of not only the Prime Minister but also of Amit Shah, Home Minister of India, is not only ignoring and insulting a small request on November 24, 2020 from Haji Afrojbhai Lakkadkutta, President of the Anjuman-e-Islam Memon Moti Jamat, Dhoraji , along with Nayan Kuhadiya, a local journalist, to at least name a road in the name of Memon Abdul Habib Yusuf Marfani, a Dhoraji-born donor, who gave away his entire fortune for Netaji’s Indian National Army (INA) in Burma (now Myanmar).
In fact, Marfani, known as Habib Sheth among those who knew him, was so close to Netaji that he donated Rs 1 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 3 lakh in 1944, all of which values around Rs 500 crore today. He also made other Gujaratis in Burma donate to INA. The Azad Hind Bank was established with his initial donation.
A Dhoraji-based historian and a relative of the Marfani family, Yusuf Chitalwala, says Marfani was among the first donors, and Netaji expressed his gratitude by awarding him a Sevak-e-Hind medal.
Not only Netaji’s lieutenant in INA Lt Col AC Chatterji but celebrated historians Raj Mal Kasliwal and Sugata Bose have praised the contribution of Marfani. Great grand nephew of Netaji and Harvard professor of history Sugata Bose records: “One such millionaire-turned-fakir was Abdul Habeeb Saheb who gave away his entire fortune amounting to one crore and three lakhs of rupees to the Azad Hind movement. At a public meeting in Rangoon in 1944 Habib Saheb walked up to the platform and emptied a basketful of diamonds and jewellery into a silver tray, placed a bundle of title deeds in one corner, and then lifted the tray and handed it over to Netaji with a smile. When His Excellency Netaji pinned the medal, Sewak-e-Hind, he said, ‘I feet so proud and happy’.”She told me: “Abdul Habib Saheb should be honoured properly in Gujarat for his magnanimity. We remembered him at Netaji Research Bureau (Kolkata) in the presence of one of his descendants a few years ago.”
Saeed Khan wrote the following in the Times of India on July 14, 2012:
“Marfani is not the only Gujarati Muslim to have contributed to INA. Surat’s Ghulam Husein Mushtaq Randeri was the recruiting officer for the army. During the recent celebration of Bose’s birth centenary, Marfani’s grandson Yacoob Habeeb was felicitated in New Delhi for his ancestor’s action. However, these references were missing from Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s speech on the occasion last week, when he donned the INA cap and tried hard to establish the Gujarat connection with Bose.”
Today not only Gujarat but Dhoraji Municipality is being ruled by Modi’s party i.e. Bharatiya Janata Party. None from the ruling party has bothered to attend to the simple request to name a road after Habib Sheth’s name in Dhoraji.
In fact, the view is stong, Memon Abdul Habib Yusuf Marfani should have been awarded posthumous Bharat Ratna by the Government of India for his yeoman service.
Donning INA cap and trying hard to establish Netaji’s Gujarat connection, Modi’s speech in 2012 ignored Habib Sheth, felicitated by CentreIt is worth recalling how Marfani’s his father gave away everything of his to INA. Hailing from Dhoraji, Marfani migrated to Rangoon, the capital of Burma (now Myanmar), and became one of the rich business magnates of Rangoon.
In 1943, Netaji formed Azad Hind government and Azad Hind Bank. Later, at in a huge meeting on July 9, 1944, Netaji made an appeal to the public for ‘total mobilisation’. Marfani responded to the call of Netaji in full measure by sacrificing all that he had, and thus acquiring for himself a prominent place in the chapter of ‘total mobilisation’ in the history of INA.
Marfani magnanimously handed over a plateful of gold jewellery and cash along with a bundle of title deeds of his total property, all about the worth Rs 1 crore and 3 lakh (estimated to be worth Rs 500 crore at the present value) to Netaji. He requested Netaji to provide him with two pairs of INA uniform and allow him to serve as its full-time volunteer.
Marfani’s son Noor Mohmmad Habib has described how, delighted with the ‘total sacrifice’ of Marfani, Netaji said, “Brother, I am very happy today that people have started realising their duties… People are ready to sacrifice everything. What Habib Sheth has done is commendable, and those who emulate him to serve the motherland are praiseworthy”. Netaji asked Marfani to be the Director General of the Azad Hind Bank. He became his devotee in the struggle for the freedom of the motherland.
In his article, published in the “Memon Welfare Magazine” (November 2006) Noor Mohammad, giving the background of the Marfani family said, Habib Seh and his wife Hajarabai Ali Mohmmad had one son and three daughters. He never returned to Dhoraji after he left his native before the first world war.
His son once visited Dhoraji in 1960s. One of the three daughters of Marfani, Fatimabai, shifted to New York with her husband. Other two daughters, Ayesha and Mariam, died earlier. Younus Chitalwala says, “We have almost lost track with the Myanmar-based family of Habib Saheb. When I was in Kolkata, the family members used to visit us there. Some eight years back, his grandson had come to Delhi for Netaji’s birth anniversary celebration.”
Even as losing track of the Marfani family, the people of Dhoraji feel proud of his contribution and the role he played in the freedom movement. The least they demand is the road in Dhoraji be named after the great man.—
*Former editor of Gujarati daily of the Indian Express Group in Mumbai, currently based in Ahmedabad
source: http://www.counterview.net / Counterview / Home/ by Dr Hari Desai / January 22nd, 2022
Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs feature on Royal Mail stamp marking King’s coronation
A stamp depicting Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and their places of worship feature on one of the four stamps issued by the Royal Mail to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
London:
A stamp depicting Sikhs, Hindus, Muslims and their places of worship feature on one of the four stamps issued by the Royal Mail to mark the coronation of King Charles III on May 6.
Captioned “Diversity and Community”, the stamp reflects a multi-faith community and the cultural diversity of contemporary British society, a news release stated.
The stamp features figures representing the Jewish, Islamic, Christian, Sikh, Hindu and Buddhist religions and is representative of all faiths and none.
“The background shows aspects of both rural and urban Britain and includes some of the many different places of worship that are found around the United Kingdom,” the release noted.
Presented in a miniature sheet, the stamps illustrate the Coronation ceremony and the traditional street party, as well as some of the causes His Majesty has dedicated his years of public service to.
This includes cultural diversity and community, the global ties of the Commonwealth, which he now leads, and sustainability and biodiversity.
This is only the third time in history that Royal Mail has issued stamps to mark a Coronation. The previous two occasions were for King George VI in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
“Royal Mail is proud to issue this set of commemorative stamps which celebrate the Coronation, and some of the causes which His Majesty has championed throughout his many years of public service,” Simon Thompson, Chief Executive of Royal Mail, said. “This is only the third time we have issued Coronation stamps and I am delighted that they mark the start of a new reign and a new chapter in our history,” Thompson added.
The stamps were designed by Atelier Works and feature newly commissioned wood engravings by British artist Andrew Davidson.
Royal Mail will also be applying a special postmark to stamped mail to mark the event. The postmark will run from April 28 until May 10.
source: http://www.mangalorean.com / Mangalorean / Home> Agency News / by IANS / May 01st, 2023
The distinguished honorees pose for a group photo during the mega event in Dubai.
The Gulf Karnatakotsava, an event dedicated to honouring the outstanding contributions and work of Karnataka-origin business icons in the Gulf region, concluded on a grand note.
The mega event marked a significant milestone as it paid tribute to a total of 21 exemplary ‘Most Influential Business individuals’.
These distinguished honorees, recognised as ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna,’ received their recognition from the esteemed Chief Guest, Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a Member of the Royal Family of Dubai and the Chairman of MBM Group. The heart of this momentous event was a coffee table book launch, capturing their achievements and dedication to both the Gulf nations and their home state of Karnataka.
The Gulf Karnatakotsava was a resounding success, drawing more than 1000 attendees from all walks of life and capturing the essence of Karnataka’s rich culture, heritage, and business prowess. The event served as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the remarkable success stories of these individuals who have made a significant impact on the economic and social fabric of both the Gulf countries and Karnataka.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation of the 21 distinguished individuals who were honoured as ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna Awards.’ These business icons, representing the most influential and powerful leaders from a wide array of industries, who have achieved tremendous success but have also contributed significantly to the welfare of their communities and the betterment of Karnataka.
The list of notable icons featured in the coffee table book and ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna 2023’ awardees included Dr. Thumbay Moideen, emerging as the number one contributor in Medical Education and Healthcare sector of UAE. Notably he’s the only businessman from Karnataka who holds the distinction of being world’s only businessman from Karnataka to own a private medical University outside of India, the leader in healthcare and medical education in UAE.
Other awardees included: Hidayatullah Abbas, Founder & Chairman, Hidayath Group; Mohammed Meeran, Chairman of EMCO International and Electric Way; James Mendonca, Founder & Chairman, Reliable Group of Companies; Nissar Ahmed, Chairman, Nash Engineering; Ramchandra Hegde, Managing Director, Spraytek Coatings; Joseph Mathias, Managing Director, Merit Freight Systems; Vasudeva Bhat Puthige, Owner, Venus Group of Restaurants; Mohammed Naveed Magundi, Intignis Naveed Company; Mansoor Ahmed, Chairman, Saara Group; M. Syed Khalil, Founder Chairman, K&K Enterprises; Michael D’Souza, Managing Director, Ivory Grand Real Estate; Ibrahim Gadiyar, Managing Director – Gadiyar Group of Companies and Director Projects – Pantheon Development Group; Dr. B.K Yousuf, Executive Chairman, Air Chateau International; Dr. Sathish P Chandra, CEO, Global Tech Park; Zafrullah Khan Mandya Chairman and Founder, ZGC Global / Zain Group of Hotels; Devid Frank Fernandes, Chancellor General MEA, Peace Ambassador & Chief of Mission (UAE) ICDRHRP IGO, Martin Aranha, Managing Director, Globelink West Star Shipping, John Sunil, Group Chief Executive Officer, Burjeel Holdings, Mohammed Ashif, Co-president and CEO, Expertise contracting and Ravi Shetty, Managing Director, Advanced Technical Services. Their stories of perseverance, innovation, and commitment to excellence served as an inspiration to all attendees.
The Gulf Karnatakotsava was not just about awards and accolades; it was a true celebration of Karnataka’s vibrant culture and artistic heritage. The event featured a captivating blend of cultural performances, musical concerts, and comedy acts that left the audience enthralled. Traditional dances such as Pili Vesha were showcased, transporting the audience to the heart of Karnataka.
Hidayathullah Abbas, Founder and Chairman, Hidayath Group told Gulf Today that he is honoured to have been recognised at this Gulfkarnatakotsava platform, alongside so many accomplished individuals who share a connection with Karnataka and have made remarkable contributions in the Gulf.
“The Gulf Karnataka Ratna Awards event celebrates our shared heritage and showcases the incredible achievements that have taken shape from this cultural bridge.”
“The launch of the coffee table book emphasizes the stories, journeys, and legacies of Karnataka’s business icons in the Gulf. It serves as a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of our community and the lasting impact we’ve made across industries and borders. I hope that these stories inspire future generations to continue the legacy of excellence and compassion that our community represents.” Abbas added.
The musical segment of the event witnessed renowned artists and musicians such as, Santosh Venky, Guru Kiran and noted playback singer Chaitra HG, was a testament to the harmonious coexistence of cultures and the bond between Karnataka and the Gulf countries.
Comedy, often regarded as the universal language of laughter, also played a pivotal role in the event. Comedian Kannada actors Prakash Thuminad and Deepak Rai Panaje had the audience in splits, providing moments of pure joy and amusement amidst the grandeur of the evening.
The Gulf Karnatakotsava was a celebration of success and a testament to the strong ties between Karnataka and the Gulf countries. It highlighted the importance of recognizing and honoring the contributions of individuals who have bridged the gap between these two regions, fostering cultural exchange, economic growth, and mutual understanding. As the curtains closed on the Gulf Karnatakotsava, it left behind a legacy of inspiration and pride. The ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ awardees serve as an encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs and a reminder that Karnataka’s heritage and success stories continue to shine on the global stage.
source: http://www.gulftoday.ae / Gulf Today / Home> Business / by Inayat-Ur-Rahman, Business Editor / September 11th, 2023
In a testament to extraordinary achievements and contributions, Dr. Thumbay Moideen was bestowed with the ‘Gulf Karnataka Ratna’ Award, emphasizing his leadership in healthcare delivery and medical education. Notably, Dr. Moideen holds the distinction of being the only Indian in the world to own and operate the biggest private medical university outside India. This recognition reflects his dedication to enhancing healthcare and nurturing the future of medical professionals. Alongside him, 20 other distinguished businessmen were also honored for their remarkable contributions at the festivities of the Gulf Karnatakotsava- the United Arab Emirates’ most prominent platform for celebrating business excellence and recognizing the remarkable contributions of Karnataka’s businessmen in the Gulf region.
The award was presented by the esteemed Chief Guest, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Maktoum Juma Al Maktoum, a Member of the Royal Family of Dubai and the Chairman of MBM Group to Dr. Thumbay Moideen.
In 1997, Dr. Thumbay Moideen founded the Thumbay Group in 1997, which has grown from a private medical college to a prominent conglomerate in medical education, healthcare delivery research, diagnostics, pharmacies, and hospitality sectors. With over 110 locations across seven emirates, the group partners with over 70 institutions.
Speaking about receiving the award, Dr. Thumbay Moideen, founder president, Thumbay Group stated, “I am grateful to God Almighty, the support of the Rulers and the government, and my own sincere team. This recognition will inspire me to do more in driving positive change.”
Beyond business excellence, Dr. Moideen has been an ardent advocate for the importance of healthcare accessibility and quality education globally. His philanthropic efforts have reached communities in need, providing medical services and educational opportunities to those who would otherwise lack access.
The Gulf Karnataka Ratna Award is a testament to Dr. Thumbay Moideen’s commitment to improving the well-being of people and his dedication to nurturing the future leaders of the medical field.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / September 11th, 2023
Ibrahim Shahbandari, hailing from Bhatkal, Karnataka, achieved an outstanding second place in the fifth category of the 43rd King Abdulaziz International Competition for Memorization, Recitation, and Interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.
The event, held at the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, featured 166 contestants representing 117 countries across all five categories, with a total prize pool of SAR4,000,000.
In the first category, Ayoub bin Abdulaziz Al-Wahibi from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia secured first place and received a prize of SAR500,000. Saad bin Saadi Sleim from Algeria came in second place, earning SAR450,000, while Abu Al-Hasan Hassan Najm from Chad achieved the third position, receiving a prize of SAR400,000.
In the second category, Ammar bin Salem Al-Shahri from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia claimed the first position and was awarded a prize of SAR300,000. Mohammed bin Adnan Al-Omari from Bahrain secured second place, receiving a prize of SAR275,000. The third position went to Abdulaziz bin Malik Atli from Syria, who received a prize of SAR250,000.
In the third category, the winners include Mohammed bin Ibrahim Mohammed from Somalia, who clinched first place and received a prize of SAR200,000. Second place went to Shuaib bin Mohammed Hassan from Sweden, who was awarded SAR190,000 while Faisal Ahmed from Bangladesh secured the third position, earning SAR180,000 Saudi Riyals, and Mohammed Mufid Al-Azza from Indonesia claimed the fourth spot and received SAR170,000. Siraj Al-Din Muammar Kandi from Libya rounded off the top five, receiving a prize of SAR160,000.
Regarding the fourth category, the winners are as follows: Mohammed Ghai from Senegal secured the top position, earning a prize of SAR150,000. Hatem Abdulhamid Falah from Libya claimed the second spot, receiving an award of SAR140,000, and Yassin Abdulrahman from Uganda achieved the third position, with a prize of SAR130,000. Mashfiqur Rahman from Bangladesh attained the fourth position and was granted SAR120,000 while rounding off the top five, Abdulkader Yousef Mohammed from Somalia received a prize of SAR110,000.
As for the fifth category, Elias Abdou from the country of Larionion secured the first position, earning a prize of SAR65,000 while the second place went to Ibrahim Shahbandari from India who was awarded SAR60,000. Marwan bin Shalal from the Netherlands achieved the third position, receiving SAR55,000, and Mustafa Sinnanovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina attained the fourth position and received SAR50,000. Lastly, Hassib Amrullah from North Macedonia took fifth place, earning a prize of SAR45,000.
Before earning recognition at the 43rd King Abdulaziz International Competition of Holy Quran, Ibrahim Shahbandri showcased his remarkable talents on a global stage in July 2016. At just eight years old, Ibrahim was awarded the prestigious title of “Preacher of the Nation” in an Arabic religious sermon contest held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ibrahim’s astonishing oratory skills astounded both the predominantly Arabic-speaking audience and judges as he outshone more than 70 contestants to clinch this coveted title. The contest was an integral part of the 13th annual Ramadan Forum, hosted by Dubai’s Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Foundation.
source:http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / September 07th, 2023
Global NRI Official presenting a memento to Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani, presented by Azmat Ali Emran and Syed Abdul Hadi / SG Photo by Abdul Rahman M Baig
Jeddah:
Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani, winner of the annual Qur’an memorization contest organized by Jamiat Khairokum Li Tahfizul Qur’an Kareem (Khairokum Qur’an Memorization Society) for Makkah region, was recently felicitated by the Global NRIs Youth Club here.
Abdullah Usmani won the first prize from among 1,000 participants out of which 13 candidates were bracketed in the category of those securing between 95 and 99 marks. In the ensuing round involving the 13 finalists of the competition, he was declared the winner.
Abdullah Usmani was presented a car by Jeddah Governor Prince Mishaal Bin Majed.
Jamia Al Khairiya Li Tahfiz-ul-Qur’an Kareem is a semi government institution and center established for the students to memorize and recite the Holy Qur’an. It holds the competition every year to encourage students and other participants.
Hafiz Abdullah Usmani is an Indian and belongs to the city of Hyderabad in Telangana state.
Syed Abdul Hadi, vice president of Global NRIs Youth Club, presented a Mishla’h (an adornment cloak wore by men) to Hafiz Abdullah Usmani as a token of appreciation. It was followed by a memento presented by Azmat Ali Emran, president of the club. Bouquets were presented to the contest winner by Fysal Ali, Farhan Baig and Syed Khaja Viqaruddin.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Hafiz Abdullah Usmani said: “It took me four years to memorize the Holy Qur’an. I was 11 years old when I started the memorization.”
He is also the alumnus of IISJ from the batch of 2017. Initially he was admitted to Muaz Bin Jabal School where he memorized about one/sixth of the Qur’an. Later he got enrolled in Dar Ul Furqan School from where he completed his memorization of the Holy Qur’an while learning Tajweed. He completed the memorization of the Qur’an four years back. It was last year when the Masjid Al-Aziziyah officials advised him to appear for the Qur’an memorization contest.
Hafiz Abdullah Usmani took the opportunity and appeared from Masjid Al-Aziziyah under the supervision of Sheikh Hamza Rayyan, imam and khateeb of the mosque.
Abdullah Usmani continued with his worldly pursuits along with his Qur’an memorization and took an open school examination from 6th to 8th standard from IISJ. He became a regular student of IISJ from 9th standard after completing his Qur’an memorization.
Initially, he started memorizing of Holy Qur’an on the instructions of his mother. Later after getting admitted in Muaz Bin Jabal School he gained interest in memorizing and was very much motivated by seeing his peers doing so.
While memorizing the Qur’an, he got a chance to meet Sheikh Ayman Rushdi Suwaid, and learned Tajweed from him. He is known to be the Sheikh Ul Tajweed in Jeddah. In his early days of memorizing Qur’an, he used to listen to the Qirat of Sheikh Abdurrehman Al-Sudais and learned the ayats (verses) of the Qur’an that made him memorize the Qur’an faster.
Talking about his future plans, Abdullah Usmani said he would like to learn more Arabic, Islamic history and Qur’an. He said he was interested in pursuing advance accounting courses and build his career. He also has plans to lead Taraweeh prayers during Ramadan in any of the mosques of Jeddah.
Listening to the recitation of Sheikh Meshary Alafasy, Sheikh Mohammed Ayub and Sheikh Al-Sudais helped him learn the correct pronunciation and also helped him in the memorization process.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, the award winner’s father, Abdul Mateen Usmani, said: “I would first thank and express my gratitude to Almighty Allah for the honor bestowed on my son.”
In this context, he said, efforts of Jamia Tahfiz-ul-Quran was exceptional. “This prize is more than a hundred billion dollar for me. I have not even dreamt that my son Abdullah will be winning the first prize.”
He said all his children initially received their early education having British curriculum. “Me and my wife decided that we will invest money on good education for our children. All my children were enrolled in Al-Waha International School for their primary education. It was my wife’s plan that we will encourage Abdullah to be a Hafiz. So after completing 5th standard, we removed Abdullah from the school and admitted him in the institute for Qur’an memorization. I was a little reluctant but my wife played a major role in making my son Hafiz.
“I advise all unmarried as well as married people not to waste or kill their time by watching movies and TV serials and spoil their future but instead focus on their education both for the deen (religion) and duniya (world). Even the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that one should give priority to the Seerah of anbiya (prophets).”
He said his wife started attending religious classes with other women in our neighborhood soon after she landed in Jeddah. She sacrificed her sleeping hours during daytime to attend these classes.
“It’s the parents responsibility to mold their children as they want. One can lay the right foundation from the word go,” he said.
Speaking to Saudi Gazette, Azmat Ali Emran, president of Global NRIs Youth Club said: “It’s an honor for our club to be the first to felicitate Hafiz Abdullah Abdul Mateen Usmani.”
Syed Abdul Hadi, vice president, said: “Abdullah made the Indians and specially the people of Hyderabad very proud by winning this award. I would like to thank Allah the Almighty and also congratulate his parents on behalf of Global NRIs Youth Club.”
source: http://www.saudigazette.com.sa / Saudi Gazette / Home / by Abdul Rahiman M Baig, Saudi Gazette / Headline edited / September 18th, 2018
The 1860s and 70s were a difficult time for the old and noble families of Delhi. The changes ushered in after the rising of 1857 had precipitated the decline of the city that had begun with the invasion of Nadir Shah over a century ago. The grandeur of the old Mughal capital was gone and with it disappeared the wealth and commerce. This was the era of Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib and his poetry of decrepitude and nostalgic longing. Old merchant families were particularly badly hit.
The Ellahies were just such an old family of Delhi merchants. By the 1870s it was being run by Hajee Karam Ellahie. The writing was however, on the wall and the family realized that opportunities in Delhi were dwindling. Karam’s much younger brother, Bukhsh, an ambitious young man therefore decided that he would not sit around waiting for the decline to be complete. Rather he would take on the challenges of the new era head on.
If Delhi was in decline, the new capital of the British, Calcutta, had been growing rapidly over the same period. By the second half of the nineteenth century it was a city bursting with opportunities, ideas and wealth. Young Bukhsh decided the best way to approach the new age was to move to Calcutta. In 1878 he joined an old Muslim firm in Calcutta as a young apprentice hoping to pick up enough skills to survive in the new order.
Gauhar Jaan in a Cigarette Advertisement
During his time in the city, Ellahie also keenly observed his fellow denizens closely. Amongst the new fashions that caught his eye was the habit of smoking cigarettes. The British army had picked up the habit during the Crimean War in the mid-1850s from their Turkish rivals. Unbeknownst to Ellahie precisely around the 1880s, when he was apprenticing in Calcutta, a new cigarette-rolling machine was making it faster and cheaper to produce cigarettes commercially.
A shrewd businessman, Bukhsh soon asked his older brother to lend him some capital to start a business importing tobacco to make cigarettes. In 1885, with his brother’s loan, Bukhsh set up Bukhsh Ellahie & Co. Apart from new production techniques he also adopted new advertising techniques to popularize the new trend in the city. Cashing in on the growing celebrity of the Hindustani classical singer, Gauhar Jaan, Bukhsh Ellahie launched a brand of local cigarettes called the ‘Gauhar be Baha’. he also distributed free cigarettes to the army as a precocious new promotional tool.
The brand and the business were an enormous success. Before the century ended, Bukhsh was one of the richest men in the city. So complete was Bukhsh Ellahie’s domination of the local market that when foreign firms such as Wills and ATC first came to India, they had to enter into partnerships with Ellahie and depend upon the latter’s distribution networks.
Bukhsh Ellahie & Co Offices
Until 1901 the firm of Bukhsh Ellahie therefore remained the sole agents for the major foreign tobacco companies. It was only in 1901 that E.J. Parrish, the manager of ATC’s Indian operations eliminated Ellahie’s sole agency and instead set up its own distribution depot at 95, Clive Street, Calcutta, with its own devoted staff. While the partnership flourished however, Ellahie innovated once more and advertised the partnership using yet another then still fairly new commodity, i.e. matchboxes.
Matchbox label issued by Bukhsh Ellahie & Co. advertising their partnership with British American Tobacco.
Bukhsh Ellahie & Co. were, as they themselves would later advertise, unquestionably the “Pioneer of the Tobacco Trade in India”. Yet, their mercantile portfolio were not limited to tobacco, or indeed matches. Ellahie was a general merchant and dealt in a wide variety of goods. He was also an official supplier for the Indian Army, thereby acquiring a large and lucrative captive market. Above all, they were one of the first local firms to recognize the importance of foreign trade and worked hard to develop international trading partnerships.
In time, Hajee Bukhsh Ellahie became members of both the Bengal and Punjab Chambers of Commerce and was honored by the British government, first with the title of Khan Bahadur and later, with the Companion of the Indian Empire (C.I.E.). He also became a well-known philanthropist and built or sustained several charitable institutions in his adopted city, Calcutta. On Chitpur Road he built a Musafirkhana or a Traveler’s Lodge. He also founded an orphanage and an association for the burial of indigent Muslims.
Khan Bahadur Haji Bukhsh Ellahie
Notwithstanding recent awareness of the unhealthfulness of smoking, Calcuttans continue to smoke in large numbers today. A recent survey found the city is the highest consumer of cigarettes in all of India. Few of these modern smokers however, have ever heard of Bukhsh Ellahie. His once legendary fame and wealth have, alas, disappeared from public memory like the smoke from his Gauhar cigarettes.
Ace entrepreneur Haji Bukhsh Ellahie launched India’s first brand of local cigarettes which became a huge success.
Making History: (Left) Promotion board; (Right Portrait of Haji Bukhsh Ellahie Photo: Bukhsh Ellahie Archive
In 1906, Jellicoe and Page, representing British American Tobacco, were unsuccessful in finding an agent in Mumbai to sell their W.D & H.O Wills cigarette brands. In Calcutta, they had no choice other than to tie up with Indian entrepreneur Haji Bukhsh Ellahie. He had made a fortune with his indigenous cigarette brand named after Gauhar Jaan, an upcoming Hindustani music singer who would go on to become the first to be recorded for the gramophone.
Bukhsh Ellahie had moved to Calcutta from Delhi in 1878 in the hope of making his fortune in the then capital of India. His brother, Karam Ellahie, stayed back to mind the family business. Enrolling himself as an intern with a business house, Bukhsh Ellahie soon learnt the tricks of the trade and was all set to take off on his own.
In the Crimean War (1853-1856), French and English officers acquired the habit of cigarette smoking from their Turkish allies. This addiction soon spread all over Europe. There was a great demand from the armies of the Western world for cigarettes. Bukhsh Ellahie saw the potential and realised it would replace pipes and the Indian hookah. When he came across a new and fast model of a cigarette-rolling machine, an innovative business idea germinated.
In 1887, he registered a company under the style of Bukhsh Ellahie & Co., Calcutta. Borrowing capital from his brother to import tobacco, he launched India’s first cigarette branded ‘Gauhar de Baha’, named after the legendary Gauhar Jaan. Bukhsh Ellahie did not just have the vision for business but also an uncanny knack for marketing. What he created then are now standard principles in marketing and promotion. He named his product after a popular singer to cash in on her popularity. He launched a campaign in which the visual showed her relaxing on a couch, listening to the gramophone almost in supine listlessness, holding a cigarette with smoke gently curling from it. The outrageous visual broke all traditions and advertising stereotypes. The campaign grabbed the attention of the audience. Bukhsh Ellahie then launched her face on matchboxes. These were printed in Austria. This was another first in India’s marketing scene.
To promote the product, he also sent free boxes of cigarettes to the Indian Army thereby building a demand which could be best termed as creating ‘brand addiction’. The shift to cigarettes was rapid, as Bukhsh Ellahie had envisioned, and he became one of the richest men in Calcutta by the 1900s. The trend of sending free cigarettes continued for two decades as letters sent to the Army prove. Joined by his son, Abdur Raheem, Bukhsh Ellahie grew the business and soon their portfolio included various types of goods and they took up imports, partnering with several international firms. When Jellicoe and Page came to India, they appointed Bukhsh Ellahie & Co as the first agent of Wills. This was, in a way, the birth of ITC, the multi-business conglomerate of today.
The father and son also contributed to the Army War Fund and towards building hospitals and relief work for natural disasters. Abdur Raheem held several positions including that of Commissioner of Calcutta Corporation from 1913-1923. They also built a traveller’s lodge, founded an orphanage and formed an association for the burial of indigent Muslims. Bukhsh Ellahie was bestowed the title of Khan Bahadur and later, the Companion of the Indian Empire (CIE) was awarded to Abdur Raheem.
The business is tracked till the 1930s and it is assumed that organised cigarette manufacture, including competition from new cigarette companies such as Vazir Sultan Tobacco Company and imports by others dented it. Abdur Raheem had no sons but his daughters were married off into eminent families in Delhi. The next generation took up legal practice. Bukhsh Ellahie’s great grandson was the managing director of Kalinga Airways and his sons went into trade and started their now flourishing tea and export business that spans continents.
(Views expressed are personal)
Rajiv Soni is a brand engineer and mentor
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> Profile / by Rajiv Soni / September 03rd, 2023
