Monthly Archives: December 2021

Philanthropist Dr Imtiaz Sooliman named South African of The Year

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

INDIA / SOUTH AFRICA :

South Africans across the board voted for Sooliman, putting Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in second place.

Johannesburg: 

Indian-origin philanthropist and founder of disaster relief group ‘Gift of the Givers’, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman has won the prestigious South African of the Year Award run by the Daily Maverick newspaper.

South Africans across the board voted for Sooliman, putting Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in second place. Zondo heads the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, which investigates fraud and corruption in the public sector, including state organs.

Dr Sooliman, in his acceptance speech at the Al Quds Mosque in Cape Town on Friday, called on Muslims worldwide to engage in caring for all communities to change Islamophobic perceptions.

“About Gift of the Givers”

Dr Sooliman started ‘Gift of the Givers’ after his religious mentor in Turkey, Muhammed Safer Dal Effendi, asked him to do so in 1994.

Since then, the charitable and relief organisation has undertaken relief work in more than 44 countries after natural disasters such as earthquakes as well as assisting people in war-torn countries.

Besides the Middle East, Eastern Europe and many countries in Africa, ‘Gift Of The Givers’ teams have also assisted during natural disasters in India and Pakistan.

“Utlization of Zakat”

Relying almost entirely on donations and the obligatory ‘Zakat’ paid by Muslims, ‘Gift of the Givers’ has provided almost 4 billion rand (USD 260 million) worth of aid to drought-stricken areas, ranging from mobile hospitals, food hampers, and digging boreholes.

The doctor recalled how Sheikh Muhammed Safer Dal Effendi, his religious leader in Turkey, had instructed him to establish the organisation ‘Waqful Waqifin‘, which translates to ‘gift of the givers’ from Arabic.

“My son, the Sheikh said, you will serve all people, of all religions, of all races; all colours, all cultures; all classes, of any geographical locations and of any political affiliation, but you will serve them unconditionally. You will expect nothing in return, not even a thank you,” recalled Dr Sooliman, who practises medicine.

“When we go into an area to do our work, we don’t look at their belief systems. Whether they are Hindu, Muslim or Christians, whatever they may be, we don’t go to be judgemental about anyone,” he said.

“This award came by South Africans who had voted across cultures, across religions, across people who do not have any faith too, but all of them were willing to vote for me,” Dr Sooliman said this symbolised that people in their souls, support goodness.

“Other Awards”

Dr Sooliman is recognised internationally for his works, winning scores of awards and accolades over the decades, lauded by South African and foreign heads of state for his organisation’s assistance during times of crises.

Dr Sooliman has also received National Orders, South Africa’s highest civilian honour, and earlier this year was named Social Justice Champion by the University of Stellenbosch in Western Cape province.

Dr Imtiaz Sooliman was born on March 07, 1962 in Potchefstroom. He completed his high school education at Sastri College in Durban, Natal in 1978, and later qualified as a medical doctor by obtaining his MBChB at the University of Natal.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India> Life & Style / by ummid.com with inputs from PTI / December 26th, 2021

Entrepreneur Adil Qadri Announces Its Business Expansion Into Offline Markets

Business & Economy, , , , , , , , ,

Navsari, GUJARAT :

A brand named after its founder name Adil Qadri has proposed a plan to operate its business through the brand outlets accompanying its existing model of operation – an e-commerce platform.

Adil Qadri

To root the offerings of the Adil Qadri brand deep into the daily lives of human beings, the attar brand has now entered the offline market. Adil Qadri wants to grab the offline shoppers who are not yet aware of the brand and products it has to offer.

A brand named after its founder name Adil Qadri has proposed a plan to operate its business through the brand outlets accompanying its existing model of operation – an e-commerce platform. India is wholly shifting the mode of purchase from offline to online, which has rapidly helped the e-commerce industry boom in the country. However, many people still choose to shop offline, especially when selecting the fragrances they want to use.

Adil Qadri jotted down the drawback of their current business model and felt the urgency to remove it as early as possible. He said in a statement that fragrances are the instrument to present our personality before the world without actually needing to show it off through conservation. Thus, people are very selective while buying the attars. Buying random attars online will not be their choice in any condition unless they first try them through the local stores. To win the trust of those customers, entering into the offline market was the necessity of Adil Qadri’s business growth.

The offline market has a huge demand but less qualitative and long-lasting attars. Adil Qadri is looking forward to capturing this untapped growth opportunity with its par at the excellence product line, added Mohammad Adil Asif Malkani.

Adil Qadri embarked on its offline services to launch its first brand showroom in Chikhali, a city situated on Mumbai Ahmadabad highway. The brand is exploring more locations for establishing the brand’s exclusive showrooms. Additionally, Adil Qadri has requested a franchise proposal from the interested entrepreneurs.

Launched in 2018, “AdilQadri Fragrance Store” has become a trusted name in the business of fragrances. The range of products Adil provides in his e-commerce store is exceptional. Many of his attars, such as AdilQadri Shanaya and AdilQadri Musk-Al-Ghazali, were extremely famous and attracted significant traffic to his e-commerce business. Adilqadri Shanaya is a perfume produced from deep soft oud. It has a nice smoky smell created from Agarwood – the most lavish wood on the market.

The brand has hundreds of products with regular additions to the list. Initially launched as a fragrance brand, Adil Qadri has increased its product line to several other categories. Luxury soaps, Barkati Topi, Islamic Caps, Thobes Jhubba, Bakhoor, Dry Fruits, Oils, Clothes, Car Hangers, Abaya, Home Décor, are a few of several other products available on Adil Qadri’s e-commerce site for sale. Adil Qadri products are also available on several online shopping sites like Amazon and Flipkart.

www.adilqadri.com

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> Outlook Spotlight / December 23rd, 2021

Army felicitates Mehraj Ahmed for his bravery

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, , ,

Karol Village (Ramban), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Army officer awarding HDF worker Mehraj Ahmed.

Ramban :

A worker of Hospital Development Fund (HDF) was awarded by Indian Army for his bravery.


As per the report, a woman namely Reena Devi wife of Naresh Chand, resident of Mir Pancheri (Udhampur) tried to commit suicide by jumping into Chenab River from Karol Bridge, Ramban on the evening of December 2.

While the woman was about to get drowned, she was saved by one person namely Mehrazuddin son of Farooq Ahmad, resident of Karol (Ramban) by showing exemplary courage and swimming skills.


The Mehraj was awarded by india Army in for his remarkable courage which led to saving of life of the aggrieved woman.


Mehraj was presented cash reward for his brave act.

source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com / Daily Excelsior / Home> State / by Excelsior Correspondent / December 06th, 2021

Peer Ali Khan, The Bookseller Who Led The 1857 Uprising In Patna : Kanupriya

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Patna, BIHAR :

#जिन्होंनेमाफ़ीनहींमांगी 

The revolt of 1857-58 is largely considered and is widely seen as a ‘Popular Uprising’. The uprising had centres spread across North India as well as Central and Western India. The uprising in different centres had its own leaders. The most important names associated with the uprising that comes in one’s mind are those of the Indian soldier Mangal Pandey at Barrackpore, Rani Laxmibai at Jhansi, Veer Kunwar Singh at Arrah, Maulvi Ahmad Shah at Faizabad, Tantia Tope at Kanpur, Begum Hazrat Mahal at Lucknow.

Peer Ali Khan

At the same time, there are many heroes who are largely unheard of or are often forgotten. One such name is that of Peer Ali Khan, a bookseller who led the uprising in Patna. Peer Ali Khan has been described as the “Chief Rebel of the city”[1] by William Tayler who was the Commissioner of Patna between 1855 and 1859.

Peer Ali Khan was born in Muhammadpur in Azamgarh district of Uttar Pradesh. Around the age of seven he ran away and arrived in Patna. In Patna he was provided shelter and refuge by a zamindar who brought him up along with his son and educated him.[2]Peer Ali Khan owned a bookshop in Patna. The bookshop became the meeting point for rebels and also a contact point for rebels and the disenchanted Indian soldiers in the British Army.

According to William Tayler:

“Peer Ali was a native of Lucknow, but had resided for many years at Patna; he was by trade, a Book-seller, and I strongly suspect that he may have originally established himself here, for the express purpose of carrying on the intrigues which issued in this abortive out-break.”[3]

Peer Ali secretly distributed important leaflets, pamphlets and coded messages to the rebels.

He regularly organised campaigns against the British, and became the leader of the July 1857 upsurge in Patna.

William Tayler in his narration of the events of 1857 in Patna says:

“Two days before the emeute at Patna, which will be described in a subsequent chapter, Ahmed Oollah’s father, Illahee Buksh, the blind man, whom I have above mentioned, sent a message to apprise me, that the leader of the Rebels, Peer Ali Khan, was collecting arms and men”.[4]

Uprising in Patna

The uprising in Patna took place on the 3rd of July 1857 and it was carried out by Peer Ali and the other rebels.

The rebels led by Peer Ali first attacked the house of a Roman Catholic priest in the heart of the city but the priest escaped. They then shot and killed Dr Lyell who was the principal assistant to an opium agent. When a reinforcement of British soldiers was sent to the scene of attack some of the rebels were shot and killed whereas others fled.

The History of the Indian Revolt, and the Expeditions to Persia, China, and Japan,1856-7-8 published by W.U.R. Chambers in 1859 describes the 3rd July, 1857 uprising as follows:

“The most serious affair at Patna, however, occurred about the close of the period to which this chapter more particularly relates. At about eight o’clock in the evening of the 3d of July, a body of Mohammedans, variously estimated from eighty to two hundred, assembled at the house of one of their number, one Peer Ali Khan, a book-seller, and proceeded thence to the Roman Catholic Church and mission-house in Patna, with two large green flags, a drum beating, and cries of ‘Ali! Ali!’ The priest, whom they probably intended to murder, fortunately escaped. They emerged into the street, reiterated their cries, and called on the populace to join them. Dr Lyell, principal assistant to the opium agent, immediately went to the spot, accompanied by nine Sikhs. He rode ahead of his support, was shot down by the rioters, and his body mangled and mutilated before the Sikhs could come up. A force of Sikhs and nujeebs speedily recovered the unfortunate gentleman’s body, killed some of the insurgents, and put the rest to flight.”[5]

In the aftermath of the attack, Peer Ali’s house was searched by the British, where they found and seized arms and a number of letters. He was designated as the leader of the upsurge by William Tayler.

William Tayler describes it as follows:

“Somewhat later in the day, the deputy Magistrate, Moula Buksh to whom the Magistrate had entrusted the investigation of the case, came to me in great triumph with some murderous looking arms and implements (among which was an English fencing mask) and a large packet of letters, all of which had been found in the house of Peer Ali Khan, the leader of the outbreak and Captain of the rebels;”[6]

“The letters discovered in his house serve to show, that, for several years past, he had been in correspondence with different parties, principally with one “Musee” ool “zuman”, a Lucknow man, who followed the same trade, and that he had, in communication with these parties, deliberately discussed and matured seditious plans against the British Government.”[7]

Thereafter, Peer Ali Khan and the other rebels were arrested and tried. Most of the rebels were hanged within hours of sentencing. Peer Ali who was believed to be the murderer of Dr Lyell was also handed death sentence for his overall role as the leader in the uprising of 3rd July 1857.

According to William Tayler:

“….. numerous accomplices were seized during the next few days, and among them, after a short resistance, in which he was wounded, Peer Ali himself; ample evidence was, by the exertions of Moula Buksh, obtained, convicting these men of active participation in the outrage, 21 were hanged, 23 imprisoned.”[8]

He refused amnesty

After being sentenced to death, Peer Ali was offered amnesty in lieu of providing more evidence and information regarding the nature of the uprising, but nothing could break him. History therefore stands witness to the fact that this ordinary bookseller did not concede to the demands of the British and refused the amnesty. He accepted the gallows rather than a life of disgrace.

William Tayler goes on to note:

“After capital punishment had been pronounced upon him, I sent for him (as I generally did with such criminals) and questioned him in my private room, in hopes of eliciting some further information regarding the plot.

Heavily fettered, his soiled garments stained deeply with blood from a wound in his side, confronted with myself and several other English gentlemen, the last hope of life departed, not for a moment did he betray agitation, despondency, or fear.”[9]

Declining the pardon being offered, Peer Ali proclaimed:

“On being asked whether he could do anything to make it worth while to spare his life, he answered with supreme coolness and some contempt: “There are some cases in which it is good to save life, others in which it is better to lose it”. He then taunted me with the oppression I had exercised, and concluded his speech by saying, “You may hang me, or such as me, every day, but thousand will rise in my place, and your object will never be gained.””[10]

William Tayler seems to be in awe of Peer Ali and says:

“….. men, whose unconquerable fanaticism renders them dangerous enemies, and whose stern resolution entitles them, in some measure, to admiration and respect”.[11]

The Hanging

On 7th July 1857, Peer Ali was hanged in full public view in Patna. In present day Patna a children’s park opposite the DM’s office near Gandhi Maidan has been named the Shaheed Peer Ali Khan Park by the Govt. of Bihar to commemorate the sacrifice of this ordinary bookseller whose deeds made him extraordinary and memorable. The park is considered to be the place where Peer Ali was hanged in 1857.

Naming a park after a forgotten hero of the 1857 uprising goes a long way in making him and his contribution known to the people. Moreover, reading and writing about Peer Ali khan made me realize once again and ever more that our freedom is very hard earned. We cannot take it for granted. I and we all need to cherish it, nourish it and strengthen it.

Sources

  1. William Tayler – Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, 2007 Reprint.
  2. The History of the Indian Revolt, and of the Expeditions to Persia, China, and Japan, 1856-7-8, W.U.R. Chambers, 1859 (Google Ebook).
  3. The Story of the Indian Mutiny (1857-58), W.P. Nimmo, Hay & Mitchell, 1885 (Google Ebook).
  4. Unsung heroes of freedom struggle, The Hindu, 10 August 2017.

References

  • [1] William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.4
  • [2] https://www.thehindu.com/children/unsung-heroes/article19464112.ece, 10 August 2017
  • [3] William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.45
  • [4] William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.30
  • [5]The History of the Indian Revolt, and of the Expeditions to Persia, China, and Japan, 1856-7-8, W.U.R. Chambers, 1859, p.153,  https://books.google.co.in/books?id=P-hCAAAAcAAJ&q=Peer+Ali+Khan&pg=PA153&redir_esc=y#v=snippet&q=Peer%20Ali%20Khan&f=false
  • [6]William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.44
  • 7William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.45-46
  • 8William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.44
  • [9] William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p. 44
  • [10] William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p.44-45
  • [11] William Tayler, Our Crisis Or Three Months at Patna during the Insurrection of 1857, (2007 Reprint), Khuda Bakhsh Oriental Public Library, Patna, p. 45

source: http://www.thecrediblehistory.com / Credible History / Home> English> Freedom Movement> Others / by Kanupriya Gautam / October 20th, 2021

__________________

Kanupriya Gautam :
Kanupriya has done her Master’s in Modern Indian History from University of Delhi and has deep Interest in History, Politics and Literature.

source: http://www.thecrediblehistory.com / Credible History / Home> English> Freedom Movement / by Kanupriya Gautam / October 20th, 2021

Uzra Zeya appointed U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibet

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , ,

Bihar,INDIA / North Carolina / Washington, U.S.A. :

File photo of Uzra Zeya.   | Photo Credit: AFP

The coordinator’s role involves promoting “substantive dialogue” between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama.

U.S. official Uzra Zeya has been appointed the country’s new Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. She will hold the position concurrently with her current role as Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said via a statement.

The coordinator’s role involves promoting “substantive dialogue” between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama. The coordinator is also supposed to promote the unique identity of Tibet, safeguards human rights of Tibetans and coordinates U.S. policy on Tibet.

“Specifically, she [ Ms. Zeya] will promote substantive dialogue, without preconditions, between the Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama, his representatives, or democratically elected Tibetan leaders in support of a negotiated agreement on Tibet,” Mr Blinken said in a statement, as part of a list of activities Ms Zeya would undertake in her new role.

In addition to her responsibilities around promoting human rights and preserving the distinct heritage of Tibetans, Ms. Zeya “ also will promote activities to protect the environment and sustainably manage the water and other natural resources of the Tibetan plateau,” Mr Blinken said.

The position, which was established by U.S.’s Tibetan Policy Act (2002), had been lying vacant for much of the Trump administration, i.e., from January 2017 to October 2020, when State Department official Robert Destro was appointed to the role.

Ms. Zeya was born in North Carolina to parents who emigrated from India. She quit the State Department during the Trump administration (2018), speaking and writing, after her departure, of the decline in diversity at the top levels of the administration.

Ms. Zeya has worked at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi as a  politicial-minister counselor, in addition to deputy chief of mission and charge d’affaires in Paris and postings in West Asia and North Africa.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> World / by Srriram Lakshman / December 20th, 2021

Azim Premji Foundation, Salesforce to launch app to accelerate Covid-19 vaccination

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Science & Technology,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta flags off a Covid-19 vaccination vehicle at the BBMP head office in Bengaluru on December 15, 2021.   | Photo Credit: Sudhakara Jain

To cover 110 million people in 25 States by June 2022’

Salesforce, a customer relationship management player, and Azim Premji Foundation have entered into a collaboration to introduce VaxIT, an app to help accelerate Covid-19 vaccination in India.

The programme would use VaxIT across 25 States to cover a population of 110 million (11 crore) across over 3,500 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) by June 2022.

The VaxIT app, developed on the Salesforce platform for Azim Premji Foundation and its partners, would capture the status of vaccination to help individuals plan and stay updated on their progress in the healthcare programme.

VaxIT is available on the Android app store and offers multi-lingual, and offline capabilities.

Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation, said, “Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we have organised ourselves to provide a comprehensive response to the situation – addressing healthcare and humanitarian needs.”

Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO, and Chairperson, Salesforce India, said, “As we race to deliver one of the largest mass vaccination campaigns in human history, we believe our collaboration with Azim Premji Foundation will help with the safe and equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines across India.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – December 22nd, 2021

Shams Tabrez Qasmi is Felicitated with Amar Shaheed Molvi Baqar Award 2021

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Shams Tabrez Qasmi, the CEO and the chief editor of Millattimes, has been honoured with “Amar Shaheed Molvi Baqar Award 2021”.

The award is in the memory of the martyr and celebrated Urdu journalist Molvi Muhammad Baqar (1780-1857). The award was conferred upon him on 16th September 2021 in a programme held at the premises of the Press Club of India (PCI), 1 Raisina Road, Near Kirshi Bhawan, New Delhi-1 in the presence of the office bearers of the PCI and a good number of the journalists.

The award was presented to Mr. Qasmi in the recognition and appreciation of his commitment, dedication and continuous efforts in the field of journalism.

Millattimes, from its day one, had been covering the issues ignored by the mainstream media, specially the issues of the minority communities and the other weaker sections of the society.

The Award was sponsored by Media 24×7 and Abdul Sattar Memorial Educational Society.

The programme, wherein the award was presented, was held from the Press Club of India (PCI) to commemorate the 164th death anniversary of the Martyr of the first War of Independence 1857 and the famous Urdu journalist Maulvi Muhammad Baqar.

It was addressed by a galaxy of journalists like Mr. Jai Shankar Gupta, Member of Press Club of India, Satish Jacob, former BBC journalist, Meem Afzal, ex-MP, Ismail Zafar Khan, SK Pande, Arvind Kumar Singh, Qurban Ali, Maroof Raza, Masoom Moradabadi and others, besides chief guest Prof. Azra Mosavi, a direct descendant of Maulvi Muhammad Baqar’s grand family from AMU, Aligarh.

The Press Club of India resolved in its meeting held on 6th September 2021, in the presence of its President, Mr. Umakant Lakhera, Secretary General Mr. Vinay Kumar and other members, like Mr. A. U. Asif, Press Club of India’s executive member, to commemorate the death anniversary of the Martyr of the first War of Independence 1857 and the famous Urdu journalist Maulvi Muhammad Baqar.

It was also decided that an award after his name will be presented to two journalists every year along with an amount of 21,000-00 Indian Rupees.

According to the resolution, this programme was held on 16th September 2021 and two dynamic, youth, budding and promising journalists: Maulvi Shams Tabrez Qasmi, a Darul Uloom Deoband Alumnus and the Chief Editor of Millattimes and Swati Mathur, a JNU Alumnus and a reporter with The Times of India were felicitated with the award named after him.

The Press Club of India (PCI), as stated at its website, is basically a meeting point for the journalists. The idea to set up the Press Club of India was first conceived by eminent journalist and editor Mr Durga Das in the early 1930s. When he had visited London as the editor of the Associated Press of India, he had chance to visit the London Press Club as well. It became a motivator for him to replicate the model in Delhi.

Eventually the Press Club of India was founded on December 20, 1957 and incorporated as a company on March 10, 1958. Mr Durga  Dass, the then Editor of The Hindustan Times was elected its first president and Mr D R Mankekar, a veteran journalist, became the first secretary general of the Club.

Now, it is an important and oldest body of the Indian journalists which is run by the elected President, Secretary general and members.

Moulvi Muhammad Baqar, a scholar, a journalist and an Indian independence activist, was born in 1780 in Delhi. He received his basic education from his father. For further studies, he got admission in Delhi College. Following his graduation, he was appointed as a teacher in Delhi College in 1828. He served as a teacher for six years.

Along with being one of the best editors, he was a successful reporter as well.

He launched a weekly newspaper namely “Dehli Urdu Akhbar” in 1835. It survived for almost 21 years and proved to be a milestone in the field of the Urdu Journalism. With the help of this weekly, he played a significant role in social issues. The weekly brought political awakening in masses and united them against the tyrant British rulers.

It is a fact that Maulavi Muhammad Baqar always advocated for the unity among the Muslims and Hindus as he thought that it is necessary to get rid of British rule.

He was arrested on 14th September 1857 for revolt. On 16th September 1857, he was tied to the mouth of a cannon. Then he was fired mercilessly by Major William SR Hudson.

Thus he became the first journalist to be executed following rebellion in 1857 by the then tyrant British government ruling over India.

Mr. Qasmi, who was felicitated with Amar Shaheed Molvi Baqar Award, is fond of learning, reading and writing from his early age. He has penned more than one thousand articles and essays on religious, social and political issues. He is one amongst the few journalist of the new generation taken seriously in India. He is known as a courageous, bold and fearless journalist.

Being a student in the DUD, he wrote columns for Weekly “Aalmi Sahara” and Daily “Azizul Hind”. It was an honour for him that on 6th December 2014, Dr. Aziz Burney published his article on Babri Masjid in his daily newspaper Azizul Hind as editorial.

When he reached capital city Delhi, he started his career as the editor of known New Agency: “INS”. In 2015, he was offered to write a column for the daily newspaper “Khabren”, New Delhi.

Mr. Qasmi launched a News Portal namely “Millattimes.com” in January 2016.

Officially it was inaugurated by Maulana Sayyid Muhammad Rabey Hasani Nadavi, President: All India Muslim Personal Law Board in Mumbai. Currently it is most read and visited Urdu news portal from India. Along with Urdu language, Millat Times is also providing its services in English and Hindi languages. Its YouTube Channel is also available, where the ignored issues by mainstream media are discussed.

He has interviewed several towering personalities like Mr. Iqbal Ahmad Ansari, ex-Chief Justice of Patna High Court and General Zamiruddin Shah, ex-VC of Aligarh Muslim University to let the viewers know their lives, services and views on several topics.

The area of his main interest is issues of Indian Muslims, current affairs of the Muslim World and the Middle East.

On this auspicious occasion, I congratulate Mr. Qasmi from the bottom of my heart! Congratulations! I hope Millattimes, as a media house, will continue offering its services and covering the issues, under Mr. Qasmi’s able leadership, which are commonly ignored by the mainstream media houses. ****

Email: qasmikhursheed@yahoo.co.in

source: http://www.millattimes.com / Millat Times / Home> Opinion / by Khursheed Alam Dawood Qasmi / Millat Times Staff / September 19th, 2021

Bengaluru Man MD Ahmed Bags Guinness Record For Memorising Most Three-Digit Flash Numbers

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Mohammed Ali Athar Ahmed (MD Ahmed)

Bengaluru-based author and coach Mohammed Ali Athar Ahmed, also known as MD Ahmed, entered the Guinness World Records for memorising the most number of three-digit flashcards.

Ahmed bagged the world record for recalling 32 three-digit flash numbers. The previous record was held by an Iranian (30 three-digit cards).

Ahmed is highly trained in memory techniques and also trains others to use such techniques. He decided to attempt a Guinness World Records title to help inspire others who are also interested in memorising as a skill and sport, Guinness World Records noted.

A Neuro-Linguistic-Psychology (NLP) practitioner, Ahmed is the author of the book “Hidden Secrets Of The Topper’s Mind”.

source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / December 10th, 2021

Meet Bushra Arshad from UP, who cracked civil services thrice to land her dream job of IPS officer

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Saurikh Village, Kannauj, UTTAR PRADESH :

Bushra Arshad with her husband and children. | Photo by arrangement

A mother of two, Bushra Arshad Bano’s story is one of grit and determination. Cracking the civil services exams for the third time last week, Bushra has finally secured her dream job of IPS. 

Uttar Pradesh :

It is no easy feat for Bushra Arshad Bano from Kannuaj, Uttar Pradesh, a mother of two, to crack India’s toughest and prestigious civil services exam thrice. 

Currently posted as a Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sadar in Firozabad, Bushra resumed her studies after thirteen years of marriage and cracked the civil services exam thrice and will be an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer – which has been her lifelong dream. 

Bushra told TwoCircles.net that she has undergone four major surgeries but this didn’t deter her to fulfil her dreams. Expressing joy over being allotted the IPS category, she said, “I would join IPS as it has been my aim always.”

In earlier exams, Bushra Arshad was given IRS and was a top ranker in Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPCS) exams. 

Her achievement has been lauded by one and all. 

Bushra Arshad, who hails from Saurikh village in Kannuaj, Uttar Pradesh, was the only Muslim participant to become SDM in UPPCS-2017. When she secured 277th rank in the UPSC result in July last year, she was selected for IRS, which as per her “did not satisfy her.” She appeared again in the exams and got 234th rank and secured IPS in the current seat allotment.

Bushra said she had resolved to continue to work hard till she came on top. 

Bushra is fond of breaking the ‘myth’, proving misconceptions wrong, and breaking stereotypes.

Her family and relatives said that they always believed in her. 

Bushra’s father is a farmer, and her mother is a homemaker. She comes from an educated family – both parents are graduates, and her siblings are well educated. Bushra, however, is extraordinary. After graduating at the age of seventeen, she completed her MBA degree before turning 20. She completed her studies till class XII from Kannauj and went to Kanpur to graduate.

Bushra said that she wanted to appear in the UPSC exam back then, but she was too young and wasn’t eligible.  

According to Bushra’s mother Shama, “Bushra was admitted to 2nd standard at the age of four and a half years.” 

“Bushra had learned so much at home that she never came second. She has a habit of being a topper. She has always been on top,” her mother told TwoCircles.net. 

Bushra recalls relatives visiting her family and telling her family to make her (Bushra) a collector (considered a coveted job). Bushra has gone a step further and become a police captain. 

“Age was never a bar for me. It never occurred to me that that I cannot give the UPSC exams or the JRF exams,” she said. 

Bushra cleared the Junior Research Fellow (JRF) exam on her very first attempt and got a PhD in Distress Management from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). It was while being at AMU that she married Asmar Hussain, an engineer. The couple went to Saudi where Asmar started teaching at a university there, and Bushra got a well-paying job in a company. 

Forsaking their jobs, the couple returned to India. 

“The only reason to return to my country was patriotism and unconditional love for the country. I often used to think that the knowledge that I have learned from the residents of my country in India, the skill generated from it should also benefit the residents of my own country. They should also get it, as it is their right,” she said. 

Her husband Asmar Hussain told TwoCircles.net that she (Bushra) got a job in Coal India while being a mother of two. “Ten years passed, but her hunger for excellence kept on,” she said. 

Talking about that period of her life, Bushra said, “I did the job honestly, and fulfilled my duty as a mother and as a wife.” 

“Bushra is a hard-working woman who accomplishes what she decides to do,” her husband said. 

Bushra’s story is a testament that nothing is impossible for this determined woman from Uttar Pradesh. 

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead Story / by Aas Mohammad Kaif, TwoCirlcles.net / Devember 02nd, 2021

Kerala Muslim Jamaat president Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar calls for retrieval of lost Waqf properties in Kerala

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

KERALA :

Kanthapuram says most of Waqf properties in Kerala belonged to Sunnis, and most of them were donated to Waqf with the purpose of conducting prayers for the dead and for ‘dars’ in mosques

Kerala Muslim Jamaat (KMJ) president Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliyar has demanded that the government initiate a move to salvage the dispossessed Waqf properties in the State.

“As per the Waqf rules, a Waqf property can be used or managed only as per the will of the person who has bequeathed the property for Waqf. Many dispossessions and encroachments have taken place in violation of the Waqf rules,” said Mr. Kanthapuram, who also holds the title of the Grand Mufti of India.

He was inaugurating a State-level campaign by the Jamaat called ‘Vigil is the Strength’ in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

Mr. Kanthapuram said that most of the Waqf properties in the State belonged to Sunnis, and most of them were donated to Waqf with the purpose of conducting prayers for the dead and for ‘dars’ in mosques.

“Many such properties are now being used against their donors’ will. Many mosques and Waqf properties have been appropriated and encroached upon,” he said.

Pressure exerted

Although Sunnis used to bring the matter to the attention of the authorities, those in the Waqf Board were found to have been exerting pressure on the authorities to take biased decisions, he said, adding that “this cannot be allowed any longer.”

The Waqf Board and its ancillary systems should help retrieve the lost Waqf properties in the State, he said. “At the same time, the board should carry out programmes meant for the development of the Muslim community in the State,” he added.

Senior KMJ functionary Sayyid Thwaha Thangal presided over the function. Minister for Road Transport Antony Raju delivered the keynote address. N. Ali Abdullah presented the subject. Congress leader K.S. Sabarinathan, KMJ secretary A. Saifuddin Haji, Rahmatullah Saqafi, P.A. Mohammed Kunhu Saqafi and Devarshola Abdussalam Musliyar spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Malappuram – December 15th, 2021