Tag Archives: Muslims of Bengaluru

Dr Syed Althaf appointed director of Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Dr. Syed Altaf, Director Kidwai Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru

Bengaluru :

Dr Syed Althaf, professor and head of the Department of Surgical Oncology, has been appointed as Director of the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.

The government order was issued by Mohammed Mohsin, Principal Secretary of the Medical Education Department, following a report by the investigating committee headed by Arundhathi Chandrashekar, Commissioner, Department of Treasuries.

The report highlighted that the institute, under Dr Lokesh, misused funds, provided low-quality treatment to patients at much higher costs, lacked necessary medicine stocks, violated the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act in tender procurements, and committed corruption, among other things.

Dr. Syed Althaf has been practicing as General Surgeon in Karnataka for a considerable amount of time, and is respected by his peers. Whether you’re coming for a simple check-up or a more complex treatment, you will be treated with utmost empathy.

Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology is a cancer care hospital here. It is an autonomous institution of the Government of Karnataka and a Regional Cancer Centre funded by the Government of India. It was granted Regional Cancer Center status on 1 November 1980.

Rafi Ahmed Kidwai played a major role in donating 20 acres of the campus land and Rs.100,000 for the radiotherapy machine. It was founded on 26 June 1973. The Government of Karnataka, by an order on 27 December 1979, converted the institute into an autonomous institution.

Rafi Ahmed Kidwai (18 February 1894-24 October 1954) was a politician, an Indian independence activist and a socialist. Kidwai served as a Minister of Communications in the first Cabinet of Independent India.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / February 17th, 2023

Impelsys CEO, Sameer Shariff enters elite IRONMAN Club

Bangalore, Mangalore, KARNATAKA / New York, U.S.A :

Sameer Shariff, the CEO of Impelsys, a prominent IT company with global offices, including one in Mangalore, successfully completed the IRONMAN 70.3 Bahrain triathlon on December 8, 2023. The challenging event, held at Reef Island, witnessed the participation of over 1500 individuals, with more than 1000 successfully completing it.

By accomplishing the IRONMAN 70.3 course, which comprises a 1.9 KM swim, 90 KM cycling, and a 21.1 KM run, Sameer Shariff joined an exclusive club of global business leaders who have conquered this grueling challenge. Beyond personal achievement, Shariff aims to inspire others to adopt a healthy and active lifestyle. He expressed, “Completing the IRONMAN triathlon pushed my endurance limits, and I believe it sets an example for others. We are making strides with the CEO Fitness Challenge for associates at Impelsys.”

Shariff’s achievement has motivated many colleagues at Impelsys to pursue their fitness goals. Sripad, heading cloud services, shared, “Sameer’s dedication motivated me to run a half marathon in 2023.” Prachi, a project manager, added, “After seeing Sameer’s preparations, I decided to participate in a half marathon. I completed my first half marathon on November 5, 2023, in Mangalore.”

These accomplishments mark the beginning of a broader wellness initiative envisioned by Sameer Shariff. In 2024, Impelsys aims to encourage more participants, extend the challenge to partner organizations and customers, and promote overall well-being. The ‘CEO Fitness Challenge’ is a voluntary program that has seen over a hundred associates engaging in specific health and fitness activities, collectively achieving impressive milestones.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / January 12th, 2024

‘Quran in Embroidery’ a hand crafted phenomenon in 604-pages of velvet cloth – The Miracle of two Bengaluru sisters – Bibi Tabassum and Suraiya Quraishi

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Bibi Tabassum and Suraiya Quraishi who embroidered the Quran.

Bengaluru :

This is a miracle. An awe-inspiring phenomenon took place in this city a few days back, as two sisters- Bibi Tabassum and Suraiya Quraishi- embroidered the sacred Quran onto 604 pages of plush velvet cloth.

Showing excellent craftsmanship, they used needles and threads to meticulously prepare an embroidered holy Quran. This embroidered Quran, prepared under the watchful guidance of an Alim-e-deen (religious scholar), is not only easily legible but also heavenly captivating.

Bibi Tabassum, the younger of the two sisters, holds a great fondness for doing embroidery ever since she was a child. In the beginning, she used to embroider only small verses of the Quran, but one day, an idea graced Bibi Tabassum’s mind – to intricately embroider the entire holy Quran. This took her on a laborious journey, one fueled by love and devotion.

Expressing extreme gratitude to Allah for giving them the opportunity to prepare this embroidered Quran, Bibi Tabassum says that she aspires to gift this embroidered holy Quran to a library in the holy city of Madina.

Venturing on this embroidery voyage of the Quranic verses along with her elder sister Suraiya Quraishi, Bibi Tabassum started with the first inaugural Surah of the Quran i.e. Surah Al-Fatiha, and continued diligently. The last surah- Surah An-Nas marked the culmination of their hard labour.

This embroidered holy Quran is divided into five volumes, and each volume consisting of six chapters. It went through a meticulous binding process by the skilled hands of its creators.

Initially, in the detailed process of embroidery, Bibi Tabassum used to inscribe the verses of the Quran with a pencil on the velvet cloth, followed by both the sisters intricately weaving threads along those sacred lines.

Carrying on the demands of daily life, both sisters, driven by unwavering dedication, used to finish their household chores and then engage in the embroidery work of the holy Quran.

To ensure the utmost accuracy of the embroidered work, a learned religious scholar closely scrutinized each verse upon the completion of a page. Bibi Tabassum says, ‘After completing every page of the embroidered holy Quran, we would show that to our scholar and do any correction if required.”

In the aftermath of this big achievement, family members are thoroughly elated for the two sisters. They say that the two sisters have utilized their time for a very noble endeavour. Extending heartfelt gratitude, they thank Allah for the manifestation of this lovely artwork, which stands as a testament to the beautiful blending of devotion and artistry.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> News> Society / by India Tomorrow (headline edited) / February 05th, 2024

Sheema Mohsin first Muslim woman on Karnataka wakf board

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Bangalore:

By her appointment as the member of the Karnataka State Wakf Board, a new chapter has been added to the history of the state where perhaps has never been a Muslim woman appointed on a statutory body like wakf board.

By profession a journalist and social activist Sheema Mohsin (36) is based in Bangalore.

She has been with “Spradha Prapancha” an educational magazine and All Rounder News Weekly.

Congratulating her on being appointed as the first woman member of the 11-member Wakf Board, TwoCircles.net asked her if she was taken by surprise at her appointment. Her answer was a simple No as she has been in the public field for long both as journalist and social worker.

She has been working in the areas of communal harmony, development of women, health awareness and awareness among backward classes.

She has been actively involved in creating awareness among the minorities about the schemes of Central and state wakf boards through the Institute of Research and Harmony (IRH).

She is the Secretary for Karnataka Chapter of Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity (FDCA), an organization formed in the post Babri Masjid demolition era by Justice Rajinder Sacchar, Swami Agniwesh and Kuldip Nayyar.

Being with FDCA she was part of fact finding committee into the riots which flared up in certain parts of Bangalore from January 19-21, 2007. Then FCDA submitted its report to the National Human Rights Commission.

Mother of three Sheema Mohsin is also the Convener of the Women’s Cell of Centre for Community Development (CCD).

She is also the Founder Secretary of Institute of Research and Harmony (IRH) and group leader of Humanitarian Relief Society (HRS).

At present among other social works, she is working with NIMHANS, a hospital in Bangalore.

She has also been actively engaged in providing awareness amongst the deprived classes and pursuing them to readmit the school dropouts, creating health awareness towards a better hygiene in the slums, conducted several free health camps for women and children.

Her mother Momina Naseer was the professor of Hindi Literature and also Principal of Al Hasnat Junior College, Bangalore. She studied literature in the college.

Not only this, she has a historical connection also. She said she is the great great grand daughter of Khumaiden Md. Ali, who was the Commander in Chief of Haider Ali.

The role of the man who appointed her as member of the state wakf board is not less. He is Mumtaz Ali Khan, Minority Welfare Minister of Karnataka.

“This is the first time in the recent government history of Karnataka that Muslim women are being given representation through their appointment on public post,” said Mumtaz Ali Khan to TCN.

The fact is that women constitute almost half of the total Muslim population in the country and also in the state. Who else will think about women’s development issue in a better way than the Muslim women themselves. They need to be given opportunities to raise topics pertaining to their problems and development, he reasons his decision to appoint Mohsin.

He further said that the person he has appointed is very dignified, reputed and hardworking social activist.

“Soon I am going to appoint not one or two but three Muslim women on the Tipu Estate Wakf Council, Shri Rangapatnam. I will also ensure that Muslim women are there on Minority Development Corporation,” points out the man.

Asked how he is going to address the conservative quarters of the community who are against this, the minister said, I will try to convince them. I told them when they raised questions on the appointment of Sheema Mohsin that I am not doing and I won’t do any thing against Islam. Whatever I am doing is sanctioned by Islam itself because Islam gives equal status to women.”

He said that the appointment has broken the stereotype, and made an initiative. It will go a long way in providing Muslim women of the state a representation and in their overall development itself.

Two.Circles.net learnt that there were some opposition of her appointment from a lobbying group named as the Waqf Protection Committee which recommended to the minority welfare minister the name of the Sajjadah Nashin of Gulbarga.

But largely it has been hailed as a historic and path-breaking decision when it comes to the representation of Muslim women, says Mohsin.In fact most of the Muslim scholars and religious organisations welcomed this historic decision.

TwoCircles.net talked to Syed Tanweer who is associated with Jammate Islami( JMI) and Muslim Muttahida Mahaz (KMMM),which is a conglomeration of JMI and Jamiatul Ulama Hind and others.

He welcomed her appointment as a “historic” and progressive and as the need of modern times.He appreciated her merit and her work in the social sector

Apparently agitated at the sheer lack of logic in opposing the representation of Muslim women, she pointed out that it doesn’t make any sense in keeping Muslim women isolated form such posts.

After all women constitute about 50% of the total Muslim population. Only women can understand the seriousness of women’s problems. In that case she questions,”who else will raise their problems and issues which concern them, if not they themselves, And that is not going to happen if they are not given proper representation.”

She said that on the issue of empowerment of Muslim women, the traditional quarters have always squirmed. There hasn’t been much work in the area. There is an urgent need to empower them on every level through the tool of empowerment like education, creating awareness among them about their rights.

What is also important that they be given representation at the higher decision making bodies, so that they should raise the problems of Muslim women at that level. This is how they will be able to influence and formulate the policy making so that the concrete decisions would be made for their welfare and development.

She said, “it should be kept in mind that if we are working for the development and empowerment of Muslim women it is actually the community itself which is being empowered and developed.”

She said that she wants to congratulate Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khan that he realized this need to work for the cause of Muslim women.

But what are the ways through which she is going to serve the interests of Muslim women.

She said that there are so much of Wakf properties which are going simply waste. They are not put to good and beneficial use.

What we can do is that they should be used to generate money. And this money can be used to uplift Muslim women.

She said that why every time we need to ask for the funds from the government when to an extent we can ourselves generate money if the Wakf properties are properly put to use.

So she wants to push the Wakf Board in this direction.

Until and unless women are empowered, how can you expect these women who are actually enslaved and helpless, to produce children who are on par with the merits of Sir Syed Ahmad khan and Moulana Azad.

It seems that her question is to all those who are against the idea of women on the key posts.

It is quite revealing here that her appointment is a part of the efforts to provide representation to women on higher posts. But actually this representation is not at all satisfactory as Sheema Mohsin will be a lone member of an 11-member Wakf Board.

Will she be able to break the stereotyped mindset It is early to say. TwoCircles.net wishes her all the best in her mission.

(Sheema Mohsin can be contacted at sheema.mohsin@gmail.com)

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by Md Ali, TwoCircles.net / September 11th, 2008

Tamil Nadu Govt Honours Fact-Checker Mohammed Zubair With Communal Harmony Award

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

TN chief minister M.K. Stalin with Mohammed Zubair at the awarding ceremony. Photo: Video screengrab.

The government noted that his “work helps prevent the occurrence of violence in society likely to be caused by fake news.” 

New Delhi: 

Fact-checker and journalist Mohammed Zubair is the recipient of the 2024 Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony Award given by the Tamil Nadu government.

The citation notes that Zubair has been “rendering various services to promote communal harmony.”

It observes that in creating the website Alt News – which he co-founded with Pratik Sinha – Zubair has set up an instrument to analyse the “veracity of the news coming out on social media,” giving primacy to real news.

The government noted that his “work helps prevent the occurrence of violence in society likely to be caused by fake news.”

The citation especially says that in March 2023, when there was a rapid spread on social media of the disinformation that migrant workers were being attacked in Tamil Nadu, Alt News‘s verification of the authenticity of the video was instrumental in proving that the footage was not from Tamil Nadu at all.

It “stopped the spread of rumours against Tamil Nadu and acted to prevent violence caused by caste, religion, race and language in Tamil Nadu,” the government said.

In 2022, Zubair was arrested by the Delhi police for a 2018 tweet in which he shared a screenshot from a 1983 Hindi movie. Six cases were slapped on him during the period of his incarceration until the Supreme Court gave him bail.

Zubair is often attacked online by Hindutva commentators for fact-checking viral claims and disinformation.

source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Media> Government / by The Wire Staff / January 26th, 2024

Retired man from Bengaluru runs only Indian restaurant in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA / Samarkhand, UZBEKISTAN:

representational image (freepik)

Samarkand (Uzbekistan) (PTI):

Mohammad Naushad, a retired man from Bengaluru had plans to travel the world after completing his tenure in the steel industry. He landed as a tourist in Samarkand a year ago and his quest for his morning masala tea and paratha prompted him to settle here and open the only Indian restaurant in the second-largest city of Uzbekistan.

Called “The Indian Kitchen”, the restaurant came as a respite to Indian students who are studying medicine here and used to miss Indian food. The locals here also fancy the wide-ranging menu from lip dosas to chicken biryani.

“I had no plans to work post-retirement and had no experience of working at a restaurant let alone running one. When I came here as a tourist, I headed out to have my usual breakfast of masala tea and paratha.

“I have travelled to so many countries and have always found some or the other place where Indian food is available. I was surprised to find out that there is not a single eatery or restaurant which serves Indian meals,” 61-year-old Naushad told PTI.

“A week more and the vibrant culture and simplicity of people here, prompted me to give it a shot and now Samarkand is my permanent home,” he added.

According to Naushad, the restaurant receives around 350-400 visitors per day and there are catering orders for weddings and events where having Indian cuisine as an option is a hit here.

His day starts with going to the “bazaar” with his staff to buy groceries as he prefers everything to be cooked afresh at the restaurant.

“There are over 3,000 Indian students in Samarkand and they tell me often that they used to miss Indian meals. The shahi paneer and naan and the rotis used to be a rare sight here. I expected the Indians to love the restaurant but the response I have received from Uzbeks is phenomenal,” he said.

Behind the lip-smacking dishes available at the restaurant is Ashok Kalidasa, a chef who hails from Madras. He earlier used to live in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent and is now settled in Samarkand.

“We enquire from each customer about the kind of spices they like us to use, whether they want it less spicy or tangy because Uzbek food is very different. The effort to customise the popular Indian dishes to their taste is what attracts the local crowd here. Indian students come here because they get their home food and the meals are not expensive,” he said.

Kalidasa says the most popular dishes at the restaurant are “masala dosa” and “chicken biryani” which is much different from the Uzbek “Pilaf”.

Asked about her favourite pick at the restaurant, Zarina, an Uzbek woman, said “I love masala chai”.

While right now the Indian Kitchen offers meals at the restaurant, Naushad has expansion plans.

“We are also thinking of starting a tiffin service for Indian students. Also, we get a lot of tourists. So I am contemplating opening similar setups in Bukhara and Khiva which are popular tourist destinations in Uzbekistan but do not have any Indian restaurants,” he said.

According to the Uzbekistan Embassy in New Delhi, the Indian diaspora in Uzbekistan has more than 5,000 people. In pre-Covid year 2019, over 28,000 Indian tourists visited Uzbekistan. However, the number has crossed over 30,000 this year so far.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> World / November 19th, 2023

Karnataka: Bidar MLA Rahim Khan Takes Oath As Cabinet Minister In Siddaramaiah Govt

Bidar, KARNATAKA:

Bidar MLA Rahim Khan, who emerged victorious in the recently held Karnataka Assembly Elections, took oath as a cabinet minister in the Siddaramaiah government on Saturday. The swearing-in ceremony was held at Raj Bhavan in Bengaluru, where Khan pledged his commitment to serving the people of Karnataka.

Rahim Khan, a two-time MLA, secured a resounding victory by defeating JD(S)’s Suryakanth Nagamarpalli with a margin of 10,780 votes. His triumph in the elections solidified his position as one of the prominent representatives of the Congress party in the region. Today, he joined the ranks of 24 Congress MLAs who were sworn in as cabinet ministers in the newly elected Karnataka government.

Nine Muslim representatives all from Congress party had won the election in the Karnataka assembly elections, despite multiple political parties fielding Muslim candidates in the elections.

Congress had fielded 15 Muslim candidates, while Janata Dal (Secular) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) fielded 21 and 15 Muslim candidates, respectively. The Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) had fielded 11 Muslim candidates, and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) had fielded 1 Muslim candidate.

Among the victorious Muslim MLAs, BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan, a five-time MLA from Chamrajpet, was earlier inducted as a cabinet minister on the same day Congress leader Siddaramaiah was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Karnataka.

Additionally, the Congress party appointed former Karnataka Minister and Mangaluru MLA UT Khader as the Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly. UT Khader made history by becoming the first Muslim to hold this prestigious position in the state’s legislative history. He was elected unopposed as the opposition BJP and JD(S) did not field their candidates. 

source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / May 27th, 2023

Mansoor Ali Khan appointed secretary of AICC

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

New Delhi: 

In a significant development, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed Mansoor Ali Khan as the Secretary of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) attached to the AICC In-charge of Telangana.

The appointment is effective immediately, according to the release.

Simultaneously, PC Vishnunadh, who previously served as the Secretary of AICC in Karnataka, has been relieved from his current responsibilities and has now been attached to the AICC In-charge of Telangana.

While relieving, both N.S Boseraju and Nadeem Javed from their responsibilities as Secretaries, AICC, The All India Congress Committee appreciated contributions of both the leader during their tenure as Secretaries of AICC.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> India / by Vartha Bharati / June 09th, 2023

First of its kind, 3-day multilingual calligraphy exhibition, seminar in B’luru from March 10

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Bengaluru:

A three-day multilingual calligraphy exhibition and seminar named Miraj will be held in Bangalore from March 10 to 12, 2023.

The event will be held at Falcon’s Den, Prestige Falcon Towers, Brunton Road here in the city.

The exhibition and seminar will be first of its kind in Bengaluru, Syed Beary, Chairman of Bearys Group said in a press conference at the Press Club on Wednesday.

The event sponsored by Bearys Group is being organised by Institute of Indo Islamic Art and Culture ( IIIAC), Syed Beary who is also the Chairman and Managing Trustee of IIIAC added.

“More than 50 artists and experts from across the world will take part in this unique event. Calligraphy is a special art. It helps in maintaining balance between your mind, body and your thoughts,” he further added.

“Calligraphy finds its origin in Arabic. But Chinese and Japanese modern calligraphy are also significantly beautiful and pleasing to eyes. Even Indian regional languages have now adopted calligraphy and artists are exhibiting their skills and talents in their respective regional languages,” Syed Beary further stated.

Speaking about the exhibition, he said experts and artists from more than 10 countries including Turkey, Japan, Sudan, and Middle-East will take part in the event. Calligraphy experts in Urdu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Marathi and other regional languages will also be a part of the event.

“Seminars, Talks, and discussions on various aspects of calligraphy will also be held during this first of its kind three-day event,” he said.

Institute of Indo Islamic Art and Culture’s Principal Muqtar Ahmed  also spoke at the press conference and said the exhibition will be inaugurated on March 10 at 10:30 am by Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Group, Bangalore. The seminar will be inaugurated later at 3 pm by Maulana Mufti Sageer Ahmed, Ameer-e-Shariyat, Karnataka, snf Principal & Shaikul Hadees, Darul Uloom Sabeelur Rashad.

Zia Ulla Sharief, Chairman India Builders Corporation, Bangalore, Irfan Razack, Chairman, MD Prestige Group Bangalore, Shabeena Sultana, Consul of the Republic of Tunisia, Bangalore and Pusphamala N, Artist, Sculptor, Writer and Curator will be guests of honor during the inaugural event that will be presided over by Syed Mohamed Beary, Muqtar Ahmed said.

He also spoke about how expert calligraphers of multiple languages will grace the event and share their thoughts and experiences with the participants.

Efdaluddin Kilic, Turkey, Narjes Noureddine, UAE, Dr. Abdullah Fattini, KSA, Tagalsir Hasan, Sudan, Mohsin Ghareeb, Bahrain, Farid Abdur Rahim, Kuwait, Dr. Ali Rabbani, Iran, Yuko Takaji, Japan, Achyut Palav, Marathi, Poosapati Raju, Telugu, Narayana Bhattathiri, Malayalam, Suresh Waghmore, Kannada, Vinoth Kumar, Tamil, Nikheel Aphale, Hindi & Devanagari, Salva Rasool, Urdu are some of the experts who will hold talks on Calligraphy on the first day of the event.

The exhibition will remain open from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm on three days of the event.

The program schedule is as follows:

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

Indian Muslim writer Andaleeb Wajid’s new book is part of a time-travel trilogy

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Andaleeb Wajid is a Bangalore-based writer who attempts to authentically portray India’s Muslim diaspora through novels that focus on life, food, family and relationships.

The young Indian Muslim writer Andaleeb Wajid has published five books in almost as many years. Courtesy Andaleeb Wajid
The young Indian Muslim writer Andaleeb Wajid has published five books in almost as many years. Courtesy Andaleeb Wajid

Modestly dressed in a pretty headscarf and shalwar kameez, the Bangalore-based writer Andaleeb Wajid smiles as she talks about her short but successful writing career – she has published five books in six years, most of them featuring a Muslim setting and credibly representing the community in India.

Wajid, 36, says she has been writing since she was 10. Her first book, Kite Strings, was released in August 2009 followed by Blinkers Off (August 2011), My Brother’s Wedding (May 2013) and More Than Just Biryani (January 2014). No Time For Goodbyes, released in April this year, is her latest book and the first in the Tamanna Trilogy series, books on time travel targeted at young adults. The other two will be released in September and December this year.

How did you begin writing?

I have been writing stories since I was 10. When I was in Grade 12, I was left very confused about what I would do with my life. There weren’t many options for girls from orthodox Muslim families. Then it occurred to me to take up writing as a career. I was certain that no one would stop me.

Is there a reason why many of your books have been set in a Muslim milieu?

I’m quite amused with the way Muslims are depicted in Bollywood films and on television in India. My stories attempt to show a slice of Muslim life, which is no different from anyone else’s. I wrote More Than Just Biryani only because I strongly felt that the world has labelled us as just biryani-eaters and I wanted them to be aware of the diversity in Muslim cuisine. Kite Strings discusses the issues a young girl from an orthodox Lababin Muslim [a community from Tamil Nadu] family faces. But a large number of non-Muslim fans also reached out to me, saying how much they identified with the character, which proves that some things transcend religious boundaries.

More Than Just Biryani was ­conceived as a recipe book. What prompted you to turn it into fiction?

My brother and I had thought of writing a culinary memoir but the idea never took off because I realised early that I could never do justice to non-fiction. Instead I wrote about three women and the role food plays in their lives. Nearly every chapter of the book has a recipe, which is ­woven into the story.

Have you drawn upon your personal experiences to craft stories?

Yes. Like most writers, I started off writing about what I knew best. In Kite Strings, the protagonist Mehnaz is a rebel without a cause and ­behaves a lot like I did as a teenager. The story is set in Vellore, Tamil Nadu, where as a child I spent several holidays with my grandparents. In More Than Just Biryani, one of the protagonists loses her father. It was the most painful chapter I have ever written.

What else is in the pipeline?

I have one more young-adult novel in my kitty, about a girl whose mother has left the family. Then there’s ­another about a crochet teacher and the four women who learn this ­beautiful craft from her and end up baring their lives to her.

• Andaleeb Wajid’s books are ­available on Amazon

artslife@thenational.ae

source: http://www.thenationalnews.com / The National / Home / by Priti Salian / July 05th, 2014