A minor planet in the solar system, which earlier bore just the number 5718 CD4, has now been named after Kollam based scientist, Dr Sainudeen Pattazhy, reports Ramesh Babu.
Pattazhy was surprised when a representative of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, run by the space agency NASA, telephoned him on Wednesday evening. “I’m not a space scientist and initially thought someone was pulling my leg,” he told Hindustan Times. “But the official explained that my name was chosen after going through my research papers.”
Pattazhy, who teaches zoology at a local college, has carried out pioneering research on many environment related issues such as the phenomenon of ‘red rain’ —which occurred in Kerala in 2001—the control of mosquitoes, the eco biology of ‘sacred groves’, and the health hazards posed by mobile phone towers.
Pattazhy’s suggestions on the health hazards posed by mobile towers are still pending with the Union Ministry of Environment. According to him, the radiation would affect people residing within 300 metres of the towers.
The minor planet — to be henceforth known as ‘5718 Pattazhy’ — was discovered by US-based space scientist Dr R Rajmohan in 1989. There are around 400,000 ‘minor planets’ or asteroids in the solar system, of which 185,685 have well defined orbits and have been allotted numbers by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Around 14,000 of them have been given names.
“It seems the discoverer of the planet forwarded my name after going through my work,” said Pattazhy, adding that he had no idea why he was chosen.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India News / by Ramesh Babu, Thiruvananthapuram (headline edited) / May 02nd, 2008
Prof. Muzaffar Assadi, former acting Vice-Chancellor and currently Dean of the Faculty of Arts and senior-most Professor at the University of Mysore, was elected unopposed as the President-Elect of the Indian Social Science Academy for the year 2024-2025. He was formerly its Vice-President.
Indian Social Science Academy (ISSA) was founded in 1974 with the goal of evaluating, integrating and disseminating scientific knowledge about man, society and nature in relation to India’s specific circumstances and fostering harmony between social sciences, natural sciences and technology. ISSA is the only institution in the world that defines science as social and encompasses all fields of natural, social and behavioural sciences.
ISSA organises the Indian Social Science Congress (ISSC) every year with the goal of discovering, developing and disseminating science of Nature. The UGC, DST, ICSSR, ICHR, ICPR, INSA, ISRO, CSIR and ICMR are supporting ISSA.
Prof. V.K.R.V. Rao, one of the greatest economists in India and founder of the Delhi School of Economics, Institute of Economic Growth, and Institute of Social and Economic Change in Bengaluru, is among its former Presidents.
A Professor in the Department of Studies in Political Science, Prof. Assadi is also the Chairperson of the Department of Studies in Public Administration, University of Mysore and in-charge Chairperson, Department of English.
Prof. Assadi is a native of Shirva, Udupi Taluk, and a former student of St. Mary’s Institutions and Hindu Higher Elementary School in Shirva. He graduated from Mangalore University, JNU, New Delhi and University of Chicago.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / (headline edited) / April 10th, 2023
Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri is engaged in the field of Bidri Ware handicrafts and is known for introducing the Phooljhadi design.
Image: Twitter/@rashtrapatibhvn
New Delhi:
President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday, presented the Padma Shri award to renowned craftsman Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri for Art.
The master craftsman is engaged in the field of Bidri Ware handicrafts and is known for introducing the Phooljhadi design.
Quadri has invented many Bidri Ware articles and has trained hundreds of artists in the field.
” Quadri has repeatedly raised concerns regarding Indian art due to the lack of marketing. He has also requested the government to provide an appropriate market and platform to artists so that they can create and develop their art “
Notably, Quadri is among the eight personalities from Karnataka to receive the prestigious Padma award this year.
Who is Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri?
Shah Rasheed Ahmed Quadri started learning this ancient art when he was just 10 years old against the wish of his father Shah Mustafa Quadri who was also a Bidriware craftsman. The 68-year-old artist is a third-generation artisan from his family. Apart from introducing the Phooljhadi design, Rasheed Quadri has also reintroduced sheet-work, which was popular during Bahmani empire.
Before winning the Padma award, Quadri has already won the State Award in 1984, National Award in 1988, District Karnataka Rajyotsava Award in 1996, and The Great Indian Achievers’ Award in the year 2004.
The artisan has also exhibited and demonstrated the ‘Bidri’ craft across many countries, including USA, Netherlands, Spain, Bahrain and Oman.
All you need to know about the Padma Awards
Padma Awards are presented in three categories including Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri to honour people for their notable work in different disciplines and fields like art, social work, literature and education, public affairs, etc.
The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civil honour in India. While the Padma Shri is bestowed on those with distinguishing contributions in any field, the Padma Bhushan is granted to those who have had distinguishing contributions of a high order. The Padma Vibhushan is the highest of all and is awarded to those with exceptionally distinguished services.
Bharat Ratna is considered to be the highest civilian award of country. Notably, the award has not been bestowed to any single person since 2019. The last Bharat Ratna was awarded to Nanaji Deshmukh (Posthumous), Bhupen Hazarika (Posthumous) and former President of India Pranab Mukherjee.
source: http://www.republicworld.com / Republic World / Home> English News> India News> General News / by Mahima Joshi / April 06th, 2023
Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) expressed its pride in being awarded the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) of 12 research scholars of the university under the Lateral Entry Scheme of the May 2022 drive.
New Delhi:
Jamia Millia Islamia(JMI) expressed its pride in being awarded the Prime Minister Research Fellowship (PMRF) of 12 research scholars of the university under the Lateral Entry Scheme of the May 2022 drive.
According to the PMRF Coordinator, JMI Professor Abdul Quaiyum Ansari, the researchers will individually get a fellowship of Rs 70,000 for the first two years, Rs 75,000 for third year, Rs.80,000 for the fourth and fifth year respectively. Apart from this, each fellow will get a research grant of Rs. 2 Lakhs per year (a total of Rs 10 Lakhs for five years) under the PMRF.
The JMI has improved its performance significantly as in 2021 six research scholars were selected for the PMRF under the Lateral Entry Scheme of the December 2020 drive. The university has also shared the name of students, their recommender and the Department/Centres selected for Lateral Entry Scheme of the May 2022 drive
1.Nadeem Ahmad recommended by Professor Quamrul Hasan – Civil Engineering
2. Mohammad Ariz recommended by Professor Tarikul Islam – Electrical Engineering
3. Mohammad Masood recommended by Professor Mohammad Mahfuzul Haque – Biotechnology
4. Gulnaz Tabassum recommended by Dr Kapil Dev – Biotechnology
5. Ayesha Aiman recommended by Professor Seemi Farhat Basir – Biosciences
6. Sakeena Masrat recommended by Dr Rafiq Ahmad – CNN
7. Mudasir Younis Sofi recommended by Dr Mohd. Ajmal Khan – Physics
8. Shah Masheerul Alam recommended by Dr Javed Ali – Physics
9. Shelly Bhardwaj recommended by Dr Amit Kumar – Chemistry
10. Sneha Shukla recommended by Professor Saif A. Chaudhry – Chemistry
11. Abdus Samad recommended by Dr Shama Parveen – CIRBSc
12. Nuha Abeer Khan recommended by Dr Mohan C. Joshi – MCARS
While conveying best wishes to the successful candidates of the university, JMI Vice-Chancellor Professor Najma Akhtar said: “JMI stands for excellence and strives hard to provide its students every possible support to achieve great heights. This performance reflects university’s focus on high quality research and I am particularly happy that six out of the twelve students are girls. I hope that it would inspire other students particularly girl students of the university to do well in science and engineering research.”
source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Education / by Adarsh Srivastava / October 26th, 2022
In a glittering ceremony, two books on Muslims’ contribution in India’s Freedom movement were launched here in Patna on 17th December. The function was presided over by Harsh Mandar, former IAS officer and human rights defender in the country.
The books ‘Muslim Freedom Fighters: Contribution of Indian Muslims in the Independence Movement’ and its Urdu version ‘Muslim Mujahideen-e-Azadi aur Tehrik-e-Azadi Mein Unki Khidmat’ have been authored by Delhi based author and journalist Syed Ubaidur Rahman.
The two books try to fight the oft-repeated allegations that Muslims are anti-national and have not contributed for the freedom of the nation. The books nail the lie and prove that Muslims not just participated in the freedom movement, they went on to lead the freedom struggle for a long time. The first war of Independence or Mutiny of 1857 was led by Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar in Delhi and Begum Hazrat Mahal in Lucknow. The Independence Movement in the first two decades of the twentieth century was led by Mahmud Hasan and ulama of Deoband and they had respect and support of everyone including Hindus and Muslims.
If anyone has any doubt about the Muslim contribution in the freedom movement, the fact that the Indian National Congress had as many as nine Muslims as its president till the year 1947 will remove such doubts.
While speaking on the occasion, Harsh Mandar said that the divisive forces in the country are trying to divide the nation on the basis of religion and faith. He said that the danger from such forces for the national fabric and its unity has become grave.
Harsh Mandar added that the threat to the communal amity in the country was never so high as is today as divisive forces are doing every thing to pit one community against the other and create a fear psychosis among the majority community prompting it to turn it against minorities.
Khursheed Mallick, a Chicago based urologist, philanthropist and director of IMEFNA said that the book is a timely reminder to the nation that Muslims and Hindus both sacrificed for the nation and this fact must be clearly told to our young generation. He said Muslims sacrificed heavily for the cause of the freedom of the nation and efforts must be made to tell the history.
Syed Ubaidur Rahman, the author of the two books, while speaking on the occasion said Muslims have been rather loath to write about the sacrifices they have made for the cause of the Independence and freedom. He said Muslims suffered badly throughout the freedom movement. They were the worst suffers in the wake of the mutiny of 1857 and its aftermath when Muslims were hounded across North India and beyond. Tens of thousands of Muslims lost their lives for the freedom.
Syed added that ulama of Deoband played a stellar role in the freedom movement. Unlike the common perception, they were secular to the core and when they established a government in exile in Kabul in 1915, they appointed Raja Mahendra Pratap as its President and Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali as its Prime Minister.
The book documents the lives of forty renowned Muslim freedom fighters including, Shaikhul Hind Maulana Mahmud al-Hasan, Maulana Barkatullah Bhopali, Hakim Ajmal Khan, Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Dr Maghfoor Ahmad Ajazi, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari, Ashfaqulla Khan, Maulana Hasrat Mohani, Maulana Muhammad Mian Mansoor Ansari, Asaf Ali, Husain Ahmad Madani, Aruna Asaf Ali (Kulsum Zamani), Peer Ali Khan, Saifuddin Kitchlew, Mohammed Abdur Rahiman, Captain Abbas Ali, Abdul Qaiyum Ansari, Prof. Abdul Bari, Moulvi Abdul Rasul, Nawab Syed Mohammed Bahadur, Rahimtulla Mahomed Sayani, Syed Hasan Imam, Sir Syed Ali Imam, M.C. Chagla, Yusuf Meherally, Justice Fazal Ali, General Shah Nawaz Khan, Allama Fazle Haq Khairabadi, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Syed Mahmud, Maulana Mazharul Haque, Badruddin Tyabji, Col Mehboob Ahmed, Begum Hazrat Mahal, Maulana Shafi Daudi, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Syed Mohammad Sharfuddin Quadri, Batak Mian
The book launch function was organized at Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu and was presided over by Abdul Qaiyum Ansari, chairman of Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu Bihar.
Name of the Book: Muslim Freedom Fighters: Contribution of Indian Muslims in the Independence Movement Author: Syed Ubaidur Rahman ISBN: 81-88869-43-0 Price Rs 225/- Global Media Publications E-42, G. Floor, AFE, Jamia nagar, Okhla, New Delhi-110025
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by ummid.com News Network / December 12th, 2017
Veteran Journalist, activist and an encyclopaedia of Andaman history, Mr. Zubair Ahmed is no more among us. Sad demise of Mr. Zubair Ahmed has left people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, his friends, family members and followers deeply shocked. The fearless voice of these Islands, Mr. Zubair Ahmed was deeply loved by Islanders because he had what hardly a few have today- a spine to fight for injustice.
His writing in newspapers and blogs on Andaman history, childhood memories and social issues were extremely popular among Islanders. Mr. Zubair Ahmed’s out of box thinking and ability to question authorities on crucial issues made him favourite of masses.
Mr. Zubair Ahmed, after working in Times of India, Bengaluru moved back to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and started republishing ‘The Light of Andamans’ with veteran journalist Late Govind Raju and other senior journalists. ‘The Light of Andamans’ became extremely popular in no time. He was also the Editor of ‘The Sunday Islander’ an online news portal from A&N Islands.
Other than Journalism, he was deeply involved in Education, social works and social reform activities.
His death has left a void in the media fraternity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Andaman Sheekha Daily team deeply mourns the death of Mr. Zubair Ahmed. Meanwhile, the Andaman and Nicobar Media Federation and Daily Newspaper Association have also mourned the death of Mr. Zubair Ahmed.
source: http://www.andamansheekha.com / Andaman Sheekha / Home> City> Featured / by Vikramaditya / July 08th, 2022
Gulf Medical University (GMU), Ajman, the biggest private medical university in the Middle East region celebrated its 24th anniversary, with a special ceremony attended by Dr. Thumbay Moideen – Founder, President Board of Trustees GMU, Prof. Hossam Hamdy – Chancellor of GMU, Mr. Akbar Moideen Thumbay – Vice President of the Healthcare Division of Thumbay Group, and Deans of the colleges of the University as well as other staff and students.
The celebration was an occasion to reflect GMU’s achievements till date, at the same time reaffirming its commitment to foster continued evolution of Gulf Medical University as an international powerhouse of health professions education, research and innovation.
Highlighting the evolution and development of the Gulf Medical University in terms of buildings, staff, students and scientific and educational degrees, Dr. Thumbay Moideen said, “From humble beginnings as the region’s first private medical University, today GMU is a testament of along and distinguished success story of being the region’s only private Academic Health System- delivering futuristic medical education at the same time playing an important role in providing state-of-the-art healthcare and promoting innovative research.
Our progress over the last 24 years has been driven by the dedication of our staff, students and partners, in addition to GMU’s philosophy of constant innovation and above all, the Grace of the Almighty. We have also received excellent support from the government throughout this journey.
Prof. Hossam Hamdy said that GMU has developed a unique model in the form of the Gulf Medical University Academic Health System, showcasing on a global front that the future of medical education is ‘systems’ linking education, healthcare and research. “The shared philosophies of the six colleges under Gulf Medical University, its teaching hospital and the passion for supporting all-round excellence has helped in making many distinctive contributions to the overall community over the last two decades. In addition, our response to the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the great value of our academic community and the strengths of our basic, convergent and translational science.”
Recently, the ‘Academic Team’ at Gulf Medical University unveiled a long-term strategic growth plan of doubling its capacity in the next three to four years, aligning to future requirements and strategic direction of education policies laid down by the United Arab Emirates and thereby creating an Emirati healthcare workforce to serve the region
Gulf Medical University and Thumbay network of academic hospitals daycare, Labs, Pharmacies and clinics together train around 20 percent of the doctors and approximately 60 percent of the healthcare professionals in the country, creating a significant impact on the healthcare sector of the country and the region.
Moreover, students benefit with adequate opportunities to showcase their achievements through student activities, Interprofessional skills, sporting and cultural events that train them to be multi-disciplinary experts.
Other benefits provided to the students include: Clinical training sites of unmatched quality at 8 hospitals, 10 clinics, 5 labs and 48 pharmacies and a total of 700 beds; tie-ups with other local entities as clinical training sites with over 400 qualified faculty, doctors and adjunct faculty who provide one-on-one clinical training to students and quality care to the patients of UAE; access to technological platforms and an outstanding infrastructure for research on imaging, functional genomics, sequencing with NGS facility.
In terms of advancing healthcare in the UAE and globally, GMU has launched the establishment of the first liquid biopsy facility in the region, the zebra fish and a platform for drug discovery and development. This has led to achieving its position as a leader in research in medical education in UAE and the entire region with 70% of all papers published in medical education in the UAE coming from GMU.
Since its inception, around 2000 students have graduated from GMU, advancing their career and securing successful positions including CEOs, COOs, Medical Directors and Heads of Departments in the healthcare and research across the Middle East, Africa, South Asia, Europe, North America and Australia.
Moreover, the university’s academic and research tie-ups with over 70 international universities and research institutions has ensured global recognition and employability for GMU graduates.
To name a few, GMU’s collaboration with International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has led to humanitarian learning in healthcare to create a model youth force in the country that will be equipped with all the basic skills and knowledge to fight any emergency crisis as per international standards.
Likewise, the ‘Future Scientist program’ has been an innovative educational enrichment internship program for Male/ Female Emirati talent who are motivated to nurture their interest in biomedical and drug discovery research. The program helps in preparing them for an exciting career as research scientists.
Recently, GMU has also achieved international accreditation by the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA)-the agency responsible for accrediting higher education institutions in the UK utilizing european standards and guidelines for Quality assurance.
Besides, Gulf Medical University has won several global recognitions such as Forbes, Dubai Quality Award, QS Awards, QS Reimagine WRC Leaders and Ranking from QS University Rankings, Times Higher Education, placing placed the university among top health professions education institutions in the region and globally.
source: http://ww.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home / by press release / November 21st, 2022
Bazm-E-Niswan, an all women’s charitable trust distributed Rs. 1 crore 51 lakhs in scholarships to 4146 female students from the economically weaker section of the community on Sunday. While 2,166 beneficiaries are PU students, 1,796 are pursuing undergraduate courses. As many as 59 are diploma students and 125 are post-graduate students.
The organisation has been distributing scholarships since its inception in 1971 and has so far given financial aid to over 67000 students to complete their higher education
The purpose behind the yearly scholarships is to encourage Muslim girls from deprived sections to pursue higher studies, Mrs Husna Ziaullah Sheriff, president, Bazm-E-Niswan said.
These girls are now successfully qualified as teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, government officers, businesswomen, engineers, journalists, trainers, nurses, paramedics and in many other professional courses, she said.
Students applied for the scholarship online through Bazm-E-Niswan’ website. Candidates were required to fill out an online application and submit the hard copy of the application at the trust’s office. The fresh students who had secured more than 50 per cent in their previous exam were selected.
“We received 5,200 online applications this year as against 4,505 last year. The increase in applications indicates the growing need for scholarship due to the financial crisis post Covid 19,” Ms Sheriff said.
“Overall 69.7% students belong to BPL families and 30.3% belong to non BPL families,” she said.
However, the total number of applicants in Post Graduation was only 152, compared to 2,350 in Under Graduation. “This shows only 6.46% girls pursue Post graduation after completing their UG,” it was observed.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> Education / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / November 27th, 2022
20-year-old Roshna created the longest cartoon strip measuring 430m, titled ‘The Billion Dollar Journey’ honouring businessman MA Yusuff Ali
Father and daughter duo M Dileef and Roshna M. Photo: Nasreen Abdulla
The ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) houses two record-breaking installations — tucked away in Hall 7, the world’s largest screwdriver is displayed and right next to it is the world’s longest cartoon strip depicting the inspirational story of UAE-based businessman MA Yusuff Ali.
Both of these Guinness world record-holding creations have been made by Indian expat father-daughter duo M Dileef and Roshna M. “It feels great to be exhibiting here,” said 20-year-old Roshna, who broke her own record for the longest cartoon strip established in 2021 with her latest creation. Measuring 430m, the new strip titled ‘The Billion Dollar Journey’ is stretched across two wheels and can be read by rotating the hand.
On Sunday, the illustrious Indian businessman from Kerala, MA Yusuff Ali, visited the stall and commended Roshan’s efforts.
Roshna’s father, M Dileef, a seasoned record-setter, said this is his third Guinness World Record. “Due to space constraints, I could only put the head of the screwdriver on display,” he said. Completed in March, the tool measures a whooping 6.6m in length. The artist was recently granted a Golden Visa in the UAE.
The longest cartoon strip
The cartoon strip charts the journey of businessman MA Yusuff Ali, from his childhood in a village in Kerala to his meteoric rise as one of the most influential businessmen in the world.
“I have always looked up to him,” she said. “I want to be an entrepreneur; he is my role model, so I wanted to make something to honour him.”
It was in 2021 that Roshna set her first world record with a cartoon strip measuring 404 metres in collaboration with Global Village. This year, she has broken that record. According to the youngster, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts, making this strip took her 8 months, five months of which was just for research.
“I had a team of six classmates,” she said. “We had decided that we wanted to do something to make our mark, and this is the idea we came up with. They helped me in the entire research process and aided me when drawing the cartoon strip as well.”
The graduate now dreams of pursuing a master’s degree in Europe and hopes to raise funds for her education with her artwork.
Largest screwdriver
The masterpiece by Dileef was first displayed at World Art Dubai in March of this year. “I wanted to pay tribute to the working-class population in the city,” he said. “No other country has honoured and valued the contribution of the working class like the UAE has. So many lives were transformed because of Dubai. This piece was a homage to that.”
Made out of mahagony wood and mild steel, the screwdriver was constructed in Dubai. The handle, which has a diameter of 70cm, also has storage space for knickknacks.
Dileef has earlier set two world records- one for curating the world’s longest Quran and another for the largest badminton racket.
www.dileefartgallery.com
source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> UAE / by Nasreen Abdulla / November 06th, 2022
The 52-year-old Devanahalli farmer grows Avocados, Macadamia nuts, Rambutan, Bush Orange, Water Apple, Star Fruit and Lychee Thai Guava among others in his one-acre nursery.
Avocados. (Photo|Associated Press)
Bengaluru :
Eleven years ago, Mohammed Adil bid adieu to his 20-year-old gemstone business and turned to his interest in growing tropical fruit plants full-time. The decision helped him reap rich dividends as now his turnover by selling exotic saplings in Bengaluru is over Rs 1 crore annually.
The 52-year-old Devanahalli farmer grows Avocados, Macadamia nuts, Rambutan, Bush Orange, Water Apple, Star Fruit and Lychee Thai Guava among others in his one-acre nursery.
“I had 4 acres of land where I had many Jamun trees. But, since the yield was less, I searched for exotic fruit trees and my journey as a farmer began 11 years ago. I converted one acre into a nursery where I grew all the mother saplings. In Avocado alone, I have 13 types with four types named after Bengaluru nursery,” said Adil.
In the last five years, he has sold over lakh Avocado saplings. “This tropical fruit is easy to grow with zero maintenance and the yield is just in three years. All one has to do is ensure good care for the first two years,” said Adil.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Mohammed Yacoob , Express News Service / November 04th, 2022
