Daughter of teacher couple ranked fifth in Madhyamik, dreams of becoming a doctor.
A girl has topped West Bengal Higher Secondary exams alone for the first time. Image Source: ABP Education picture.
Rumana Sultana, a student of the science stream from Kandi Raja Manindra Chandra Girls’ High School from Murshidabad, has scored the highest marks in the West Bengal Higher Secondary (HS) 2021 exams.
Rumana scored 499 out of 500 marks — 99 in Bengali, 100 in English, 100 in bioscience, 100 in chemistry, 99 in physics, and 100 in maths.
“I am very happy for her. This is an all-time record. This is the first time that a girl student has topped the Higher Secondary exams alone and this is also the first time that a student from a minority community has topped the exam. We congratulate her,” said Mahua Das, the president of West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBSCHSE), which conducted the HS exams and declared the result on July 22.
The Murshidabad girl’s dream is to become a doctor. She hopes to crack the medical entrance exam and if not she plans to study biology.
Apart from studying, Rumana loves writing poetry. She had ranked fifth in Madhyamik (Class X) 2019, scoring 687 marks.
Rumana comes from a family of teachers. Her father Rabiul Alam is the headmaster of Gaisabad Achala Vidyamandirin Bharatpur, Murshidabad. Mother Sultana Parveen is also a teacher.
Her feet firmly on the ground, Rumana regrets not being able to write the exams and does not to give too much importance to her top score. “My Madhyamik and Class XI results were good. That helped. I would say I was expecting to do well but did not expect to top,” she signed off.
As the pandemic ravaged the world, it threw up one little golden nugget of truth: that humanity is alive and well.
Researcher Syed Baker selling e-waste to help the underprivileged in Mysuru on Saturday | Udayshankar S
Mysuru:
As the pandemic ravaged the world, it threw up one little golden nugget of truth: that humanity is alive and well. People reached out to each other, to offer succour and comfort. Many came forward to feed the needy, and one group of people in Mysuru went a step ahead and coupled their Good Samaritan efforts with recycling waste, thereby helping the planet too.
A 34-year-old researcher, Syed Baker, and his friends have been distributing groceries and food packets to many families since the first wave of Covid hit the country. Syed, who returned from Russia during the pandemic, said, “I came across two women who had lost their father to suicide years ago. They, along with their mother, were surviving by doing odd jobs with caterers, but were left with no work when the pandemic struck. We helped them by supplying grocery kits. It made us realise how badly people were struggling.”
However, the second wave made it worse for families like these. With more and more people getting affected by the pandemic, it became difficult as Syed’s own finances, along with that of his friends and donors, were drying up. “One day, we sold our old devices and gadgets to buy grocery kits. That is when we thought of using unwanted things as a source of funding,” he added.
The researcher, who has co-invented an AI-based social distancing and pandemic-detecting sensor, as well as a disinfecting device, says the initiative came into being in May 2021. The group reached out to their donors, friends and families to collect e-waste, old newspapers, books, packaging material and old clothes. “We would visit homes and collect recyclable goods. MB Roadways, a transport company, helped us with a vehicle. We segregated the items to sell them separately to vendors,” Syed added.
Since then, the group has been collecting recyclable waste — especially e-waste, paper and discarded online shopping packaging material and clothes.
Eventually, they started receiving help from many other friends, including Chethan Vishwanath of Rotary — that is taking the initiative forward with the help of Helping Hands, an NGO. Later, Nrisimha Datta Sai Peethika Seva Trust also pitched in to help.
Syed says this initiative made him realise the importance of recycling. “Yes, the money from selling recyclable material aided us in helping many others, but it also made us realise the excesses we take for granted. For example, among the items we collected, packaging material from e-commerce orders was one of the largest in quantity — a major part of it recyclable. They would otherwise be dumped as waste, that too unsegregated, with some of it clogging drains,” he added.
“People discard electronic devices easily, which end up constituting a huge part of waste generated in cities. Nowadays, people are quick to buy a new television when the old one develops even a minor snag. We were able to sell these discarded television sets at a good price as they were up and running after some repairs,” he said.
So far, the group has distributed food packets to over 600 families with the money from the recycling initiative, and regularly supply groceries to at least 24 families — some which had lost their breadwinner and others whose incomes were hit during the pandemic. When most of the lockdown restrictions were lifted, they were also able to buy large umbrellas for the vendors whom they had helped restart business. They are also focusing on recycling material responsibly.
“As old books can’t always be sold to scrap paper vendors, we sometimes send them to second hand booksellers,” said Syed.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Ajith M S / Express News Service / July 18th, 2021
Professor Mohd Zahid Ashraf will receive this award under the Biological Sciences category. His work, as per a JMI statement, has contributed towards developing strategy for an early diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis at extremely challenging environmental conditions at high altitudes.
New Delhi:
Professor Mohd Zahid Ashraf (Source: JMI)
Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) Professor Mohd Zahid Ashraf, Head, Department of Biotechnology will be conferred with the Visitor’s Award 2020. The professor will be awarded for his research on resolving the mystery of blood clotting on exposure to hypoxia at high altitudes. Professor Ashraf will be awarded by President Ram Nath Kovind at a function to be organised at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Professor Ashraf will receive this award under the Biological Sciences category. His work, as per a JMI statement, has contributed towards developing strategy for an early diagnosis and treatment of thrombosis at extremely challenging environmental conditions at high altitudes.
“The outcome of his research has given insights to our understanding of blood clot formation on ascension to mountains, sports, pilgrimage and soldier’s working under hostile environments,” the JMI statement said.
Congratulating Professor Ashrah, the Vice Chancellor of JMI Najma Akhtar said that it is a recognition for the research accomplishments by the university and Professor Ashraf’s achievements will motivate other faculty members towards pursuit of excellence in research along with academics.
The Vice Chancellor said that the university is committed towards the government’s mission to increase science education, research and promote STEM.
JMI professor to be awarded Visitor’s Award
Professor Ashraf is an elected Fellow of National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad and the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore. He is a member of distinguished Guha Research Council.
Professor Ashraf, the JMI statement says, is also the recipient of ICMR’s Basanti Devi Amir Chand and DBT’s National Biosciences Award for his seminal work on high altitude related thrombosis in the Indian population.
This is the second time a JMI Professor has been selected for the Visitor’s Award. Earlier in 2015, the Cosmology and Astrophysics Research Group headed by Professor M Sami of Centre for Theoretical Physics, JMI had also received the Visitor’s Award for research carried out in the field of contemporary issues in Astrophysics and Cosmology.
source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Education / by Mridusmita Deka / July 19th, 2021
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appointed Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi as Deputy Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha. (File photo)
The appointment of Naqvi, who is known to have cordial relations with leaders of parties across the political spectrum, assumes significance at a time when the Opposition is aiming to target the ruling dispensation over a host of issues.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday appointed Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi as Deputy Leader of the House in the Rajya Sabha.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi informed Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu that the Prime Minister has directed him to inform that Naqvi, Union Minister of Minority Affairs, has been appointed Deputy Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha.
Naqvi succeeds Piyush Goyal , who has been named Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha. The minority affairs minister is known for his knowledge of parliamentary affairs, and has served as minister of state for parliamentary affairs during the first term of the Modi government.
Naqvi hails from Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur and was elected to the Upper House from Jharkhand. He was MoS for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He joined the BJP in 1986 as a student leader, and emerged as a prominent Muslim face of the party.
The appointment of Naqvi, who is known to have cordial relations with leaders of parties across the political spectrum, assumes significance at a time when the Opposition is aiming to target the ruling dispensation over a host of issues, including handling of the second wave of COVID-19, rise in fuel prices and farmers’ stir.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by Express News Service, New Delhi / July 20th, 2021
Hasnain will fill the vacancy created after the retirement of Justice (retd) Satyendra Singh Chauhan, who too was a judge at the Allahabad HC. Singh retired on July 4 upon turning 65.
Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal Saturday announced retired Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Shabihul Hasnain as the next chairperson of the Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC).
Hasnain’s appointment comes at a crucial time when the commission is gearing up to announce the annual tariff order, which determines the electricity charges of domestic and industrial consumers.
“Delhi govt approves the appointment of Justice Shahibul Hasnain (Retd) as the new Chairman of Delhi Electricity Regulatory Commission (DERC) Providing cheap and uninterrupted power supply is one of the key priority areas for Delhi Govt My best wishes to him for a successful stint,” Kejriwal tweeted.
A law graduate from Lucknow University, Hasnain was enrolled as an advocate in 1984. He was elevated as an additional judge in the Allahabad HC in 2008 and took oath as permanent judge in April 2010 and served in that capacity till retiring in January, 2020.
Apart from a chairperson, the DERC can have two members. Currently, former officer of the Indian Forest Service Dr A K Ambasht is the lone member of the commission. Days before his retirement, Chauhan had written to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Anil Baijal, seeking an extension.
Before Chauhan, who was appointed in July, 2018, the appointment of Krishna Saini to the post of DERC chairman was a flashpoint in the AAP-Lieutenant Governor ties as then L-G Najeeb Jung had struck down the appointment in September 2016 citing lack of his prior approval. As a result, the post had remained vacant for nearly two years.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Express News Service, New Delhi / July 17th, 2021
Dr. Luqman Ahmed Khan offered consultations to around 4,000 Covid patient and 2,000 other patients.
Dr. Luqman Khan
New Delhi :
An MBBS doctor in Telangana’s Karimnagar offered online consultation to thousands of Covid patients throughout the country during the recent lockdown. He also trained around 100 doctors for Telangana Covid Task Force.
Dr. Luqman Ahmed Khan, who is a specialist in social and family medicine and diagnosis, has provided consultation through direct Whatsapp Call, video consultation, writing the prescription online and sharing its soft copy. He has also been following up each case for 10 days with Covid-orientated diet and exercise to improvise post-Covid complications.
Khan, who provides online service through his personal contact number, received thousands of calls from all over India. He offered consultations to around 4,000 Covid patients and 2,000 other patients. Currently, he is receiving less requests of Covid patients and more of other ailments, a sign that cases of Covid have come down.
Khan also runs a YouTube channel named ‘Health Tube Dr. Luqman, for medical awareness.
Talking to Clarion India, Khan said he used to run a trust-based hospital for poor people in 2017-18. He later handed over the hospital to the trust and started his own clinic. When the first lockdown was declared in 2020, his clinic was shut down. He took to online consultation. When hospitals were overwhelmed with patients, he developed his own system of online consultation with the help of a task force at his disposal.
He observed that there are multiple reasons why people consult very late, even though with clear associated illness, such as
Some patients were so afraid to confront the disease (seeing the way pandemic caused deaths in hospitals) that they decided not to get properly diagnosed and instead went to quacks.
Some people still argue that corona is a conspiracy and not a disease to worry about
Some patients’ primary concern is their impoverished situation to get treated
Some people opted for some remedial medicines which guarantee treatment of corona without hospitalisation; I believe it’s not just a grave mockery of medicine and health system but a punishable offence especially in times of pandemic
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> India / by Waquar Hussain, Clarion India / July 01st, 2021
Syedus Saadat Salaar’e Ajam: Dast’e ou Maemar’e Taqdeer’e Ummam
(Syed of Syeds and a leader of Iran; who shaped the destiny of nations) (Allama Iqbal)
Many great saints, sages, and savants came to Kashmir for promoting and propagating ‘Islam’. Among these personages, ‘Syed Ali Hamdani (R.A)’ is the most prominent and is considered as the founder of Islam in the valley.
Syed Ali Hamdani enjoys the prestige of being Najeeb-ur-Tarafaen Syed- ( a true Syed whose lineage has never seen non- Syed) with his father Syed Shaha-bu-deen Hamdani, a decedent of Imam Hussein (A.S) and his mother Syeda Fatima, a decedent of Imam Hassan (A.S). Born on 12 Rajab-ul-Murajab 714 AH (12 October 1314 A.D) in Hamadan (Iran), and died on 6th Zilhujjah 786 AH (19 January 1384 A.D) in Kunar (a province in Afghanistan), Syed Ali Hamdani was Sufi Saint of Kubravi order, a scholar, a theologian, a socialist, a writer, a poet, and a preacher par excellence.
Having several titles, ‘Ali Sani’, Amir-I- Kabeer, Shah-e-Hamdan, Qutub-ul-Aktaab, etc. Syed Ali Hamdani belonged to an educated family and received basic education under the supervision of his maternal uncle Ala-ud-Daula Semnani for thirteen years. For Spiritual training, Syed Ali Hamdani proceeded to Sheikh Shrafuddin Mahmud Mazdigani who instructed him to set out on a journey, meet the saints, get guidance from them, and spread the message of Islam. He traveled frequently, spent the better part of his life traveling, and contributed enormously to the dissemination of the Islamic message.
According to tradition, he toured around the world three times and carried teachings of Islam to many countries, which include China, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, etc. He also chose the valley of Kashmir and sowed here the seeds of love, peace, and harmony that influenced masses to accept the message of Prophet (PBUH), that is – ‘There is no God but Allah. Muhammad (PBUH) is the messenger of the God.’
The valley of Kashmir is blessed in the sense that Syed Ali Hamdani came here thrice and made it the center of his activities. He came to Kashmir for the first time during the reign of Sultan Shihab-ud-din in 774 A.H (1372 B.C) and stayed here for a brief period of four months.
Sultan Qutubudin (brother of Sultan Shahabuddin) welcomed the second visit of Hamdani in 781 AH (1379 A.D). This time Hamdani was accompanied by 700 missionaries who assisted him in establishing mosques, seminaries, and centers of preaching across the length and breadth of the valley. This visit was thus, a landmark in the growth of Islam. After spending 2years, he went back to Turkistan via Ladakh.
He visited the valley again in 785AH (1383 A.D) but had to return earlier on account of illness. On return from this visit, he reached Kunar and after few days bade adieu to materialistic life (on 6th Zilhujjah 786 AH). His earthly remains were taken to Kolab in Khitlan (Tajikistan) and buried there.
Before leaving Kashmir, he deputed his son Mir Muhammad Hamdani (r.a) to take forward the sacred mission of enlightening the hearts of people with the faith of Islam. Mir Muhammad Hamdani later institutionalized the Islamic mission in Kashmir. He supervised the construction of famous institutions like, Khankah e Maula (Srinagar), Khankah e Faizpanah (Tral), Khankah-I-Aala (Pulwama), Khanqah, (Wachi Shopian), etc, which played an important role in spiritual, social, and educational reforms throughout the history of Kashmir. Even at present, these institutions continue to be the fountainheads of excellence and spirituality.
Hamdani’s economic impact on Kashmir is incredibly profound. His role in the economic upliftment of the Kashmiri nation is historic and crucial. He aimed to make Kashmiri self-sufficient by imparting skills. Thus, along with religious preachers, he brought with him numerous artists and artisans who settled down in Kashmir and taught the craft of Pashmina textile and carpet making to the local population. The establishment of the shawl industry and its subsequent prevalence in this part of the world has been possible because of him. The introduction of the craft, handicraft, calligraphy, Copper-work, and Silverwork in Kashmir is also the benevolence of Hamdani on the Kashmiri people. He familiarized people with trade and commerce on the pattern prevailing in central Asia that boosted them economically. In addition, he revived agricultural, irrigational, and industrial systems by suggesting new techniques. In this way, Hamdani changed the life patterns of the Kashmiri people and shaped the destiny of Kashmir. Apart from appreciating Hamdani’s role in Kashmir’s Islamic revolution, Allama Iqbal immortalized his socio-economic, and cultural contribution as- Khitah ra ‘aan shah’e darya aasteen; Daad ilm wa sannat wa tehzeeb wa deen (Shah Hamdan provided (to Kashmiris) knowledge, industry, culture, and religion through his inclusive approach and oceanic vision).
Hamdani was a man of letters and despite having a busy schedule, he proved to be a great poet and writer. In poetry, he used pen names; ‘Ulai’ and ‘Ali’ and Chihli-Asrar is one of his anthologies consisting of 40 poems mostly based on spirituality. He wrote hundreds of pamphlets in Arabic and Persian to reach the maximum audience and to preserve his ideas, philosophy, and message (which include guidance for Kings and rulers) for the future generation. Abdul Wahab Noori, author of the book Fatuhaati Kubraviyah quotes Syed Ali Hamdani saying; ‘I have not been appreciated in this world but hundred years after my death, people will start benefiting from my writings and appreciate my value’. And without any doubt, these pamphlets exist as documents of guidance for all. These writings are scattered in different libraries of the world and scholars in particular and people, in general, are benefited from them.
Among these writing, Awrad-Fathiyah is one of the great Arabic works of Syed Ali Hamdani. It is a reflection of Hamdani’s concern for Muslims of Kashmir. Syed Ali Hamdani on noticing unsure faith and witnessing the plight of Kashmiri Muslims asked them to recite Awrad loudly to reinforce the belief and to get rid of sufferings by invoking Almighty Allah.
So immense is the contribution of Syed Ali Hamdani that one column will not suffice to cover it. A detailed account of his role in the preaching of Islam and influence on different aspects of the lives of Kashmiris has brought forth many books. Nevertheless, what is important for us is to understand his message, imbibe his teachings, and practice them in everyday life besides bearing in mind his multi-dimensional role.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / by Zeeshan Rasool Khan / July 17th, 2021
Mufti Ebrahim Desai, the world-renowned South-African-Indian Islamic scholar, and jurist, who established the Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah in Durban, South Africa where he trained students to become muftis passed away Thursday 15 July in Durban. He was 58.
Mufti Ebrahim Desai had been issuing fatwas in various fields for more than 25 years, mainly through the askimam.org website.
Born on 16 January 1963 in Richmond, South Africa, Mufti Desai memorized the Quran at the Waterval Islamic Institute and studied traditional Dars-i Nizami course at the Jamia Islamia Talimuddin in Gujarat, India. He specialized in fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) under Mufti Ahmed Khanpuri and also studied with the former Grand Mufti of Darul Uloom Deoband, Mahmood Hasan Gangohi, the author of the multi-volume Fatawa Mahmudiyyah.
Mufti Saheb taught Fiqh, Principles of Fiqh, Tafsir, Hadith at Madrasah Ta῾limuddin, Isipingo Beach, South Africa for 10 years. He also headed the Fatwa Department at Jamiatul Ulama, KwaZulu-Natal. He was a senior Sheikhul Hadith at Madrasah In’aamiyyah, Camperdown for another 10 years. In 2011, Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb moved to Durban permanently and laid the foundation for Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah, Sherwood, Durban. In the early 1990s, he started Ask Imam Fatawa Portal, an online Islamic questions and answers database of Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah.
Mufti Desai was an Islamic finance expert who served as sharia advisor to various Islamic financial institutions.
He was featured among The 500 Most Influential Muslims compiled by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre and referred to as the “South African Grand Mufti of Indian descent.”
Mufti Ebrahim Desai had authored two books, “Introduction to Hadith: A general introduction to Hadith and its sciences” and “Introductions to Islamic Commerce”. His fatawa have been compiled in a book titled “Al-Mahmood”. Another compilation of his talks at the Shariah Compliant Business Campaign is also available titled “Shariah Compliant Business Campaign”. The latest compilation of contemporary verdicts is also available titled “Contemporary Fatawa”.
Muslims around the world expressed their sadness over his death.
Final Bequest: A Plea from the Grave of a Deceased Parent by Mufti Ebrahim Desai
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / July 16th, 2021
Karnataka Beary Sahitya Academy has chosen nine persons with considerable achievements to their credit in their respective fields, for the honorary awards and honorary felicitations pertaining to the year 2021.
Harekala Hajabba has been chosen for his achievements in the field of Beary language and education sector. Hussain Katipalla, a famous singer, has been chosen for his contribution to the field of Beary art and literary fields. Dr E K A Siddique Addoor has been picked for enriching Beary culture and social service fields.
Honorary awards comprise Rs 50,000 cash component, felicitation, and award plaque.
Ashraf Apolo from Beary music sector, Dr K A Muneer Bava from Beary organizational sector, Mariam Fauzia B W, Beary woman achiever, Zulphi Beary from Beary Youth talent sector, Muhammed Basheer Ustad from Beary Duf field, Mohammed Faraz Ali from Beary young talent sector, have been selected for the Beary honorary felicitation. The felicitation comprises Rs 10,000 in cash, felicitation, and citation.
Academy president, Rahim Uchil, said that the awards function will be held at Shivamogga after fixing a date of the chief minister, Shivamogga district in-charge minister, and Kannada and culture department minister, after the Covid situation eases substantially.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Daijiworld Media News Network (SP) – June 30th, 2021
UAE-based motoring historian and author Mohammed Luqman Ali Khan with the ‘UAE 50’ number plates in Abu Dhabi. — Photo by Ashwani Kumar
The special plate was first released in January 1955 by Bristol County Borough Council.
Since it’s the Emirates’ golden jubilee year, it will be quite a sight to see an Emirati or a UAE resident driving around London with a ‘UAE 50’ number plate.
Such a unique number plate actually exists and it is grabbing the attention of bidders globally, said UAE-based motoring historian and author Mohammed Luqman Ali Khan, who has seen the registered plate and the official documents.
The UK-registered number plate is up for grabs through an online auction — and the bid is expected to break the world record for the most expensive plate.
The special plate was first released in January 1955 by Bristol County Borough Council. Currently, it is owned by a private British collector in the UK, who is a serial investor. Khan is now coordinating with the owner and looking for potential bidders in the UAE.
“This is the Year of the 50th and the Expo 2020 Dubai (is kicking off soon). There is no bigger occasion and a better opportunity to acquire this historic British number plate,” said Khan, while flaunting a copy of the number plates in white and yellow colours.
The UK is a popular destination for UAE nationals and residents, with some of them shipping their supercars when they travel abroad. Now, imagine an Emirati or a resident taking a luxury car bearing the ‘UAE 50’ plate to the streets of London.
“It will be a majestic sight. I hope the number plate is bought by someone from the UAE,” said Khan, who has been a resident of the country for more than 10 years.
The UAE holds the most world records when it comes to number plate prices. ‘UAE 50’ is being sold on www.specialnumberplates.com, and Khan is hopeful of finding a potential bidder before the auction ends closer to the Expo opening date.
The Indian expat has curated events such as the UAE and the British International Concours d’Elegance. In 2018, he discovered the first official state motor car — Rolls Royce Phantom V in Vienna, Austria — and is documenting the story through a pictorial book titled ‘Sheikh Zayed’s Rolls-Royce 5VE15’. He has written ‘Automobiles of the Nizams’ and is working on ‘Automobiles of Sheikh Zayed’, ‘Rolls-Royce in Arabia’ and ‘Nizam’s Throne Rolls-Royce 2117’.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com
source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> Year of the 50th / by Ashwani Kumar, Abu Dhabi / July 06th, 2021
