Monthly Archives: May 2022

962 students graduate from IIM-K

Amazing Feats, Education, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , ,

Kozhikode , KERALA :

Governor Mohammed Arif Khan being welcomed to the IIM-K campus for the 24th convocation address on Saturday. A. Vellayan, Chairperson of the Board of Governors and IIM-K Director Debashis Chatterjee are also seen.

Institute hosts 24th convocation ceremony

Kozhikode :

The Indian Institute of Management-Kozhikode (IIM-K) hosted its 24 th convocation ceremony on the campus at Kunnamnagalam on Saturday. A total of 962 students graduated from the prestigious institute by receiving their titles and degrees.

Delivering the convocation address, Governor Arif Mohammed Khan stressed the role the higher education institutions should play in preparing for knowledge dissemination that an uncertain future might require. “Institutions are marketplaces of ideas that train young minds through robust experience and prepare students for the journey ahead in pursuit of excellence, guided by reason and informed choice,” he observed.

Gender diversity

A. Vellayan, Chairperson of the IIM-K Board of Governors, explained the significant changes and developments taken place at the institution in the past years. In his address, IIM-K Director Debashis Chatterjee expressed his gratitude to the Central and State governments for their continued support for ensuring the growth of the institution. While listing out the achievements and the laurels gained by the institute, he said IIM-K would continue to be a pioneer in gender diversity with significant woman representation.

Among the newly graduates, 11 were those who completed the doctoral programme in management (PhD). There were 468 students who completed the flagship postgraduate programme (PGP). The executive post graduate programme in management had 343 students. There were 60 for the PGP in business leadership and 40 each for the PGP-finance and PGP in Liberal studies and management.

The toppers in each programme were awarded their gold medals. Devesh Bansal, Pooja Goel, Shubham Sharma, Rakesh Pendyala, Ayushi Puri, Saksham Mehrotra, Kritika Vijay Kumar, and Aijaz Fatima were the gold medal winners in different categories.

The 24 th annual convocation also marked the grand culmination of the IIM-K’s silver jubilee celebrations. A series of programmes had been hosted online and offline to celebrate the silver jubilee fete on the campus.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / April 09th, 2022

Toppers credit consistent efforts, family support for their success

Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Consistent efforts and unstinting support from their family were what toppers from Bengaluru City University, who will be awarded with gold medals and cash prizes during the first convocation on Monday, credited their success to.

Leading the rank list is Purva N. Gandhi, a commerce student of Sri Bhagwan Mahaveer Jain Evening College. She has bagged three gold medals. “I am both surprised and happy. I had to prepare for chartered accountancy as well as B.Com examinations. I invested a lot of time in solving model question papers,” she said.

Taqiya Khanum A., a BBA graduate from SSMRV College, has bagged two gold medals. She is currently pursuing an MBA degree. Asked about her secret to success, she said: “I have always been very focused and dedicated towards studies. I used to spend most of my time studying.”

Toppers have also credited their success to their parents who motivated and supported them during the course of the pandemic when online classes took a toll on these students. “It wasn’t smooth sailing for our batch owing to the pandemic. Despite the online hurdles, the college staff made sure we fared well,” said Duvvuru Alekhya, an MBA student of Reva Institute of Science and Management, who has bagged two gold medals.

Being interested in cancer biology and molecular biology, Niveditha B.S. from the Department of Biochemistry, Bengaluru City University, who has won two gold medals, is working on joining premier research institutions like Indian Institute of Science or National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences. She has already cleared GATE, apart from publishing two research papers. “My seniors and teachers guided me. I used to prepare for competitive exams as well as college exams, and learnt to spend time wisely,” she said.

Ann Mary Sebastian from M.S. Ramaiah College A.S.C, who has bagged two gold medals in microbiology, told The Hindu that she couldn’t wait to go back home and celebrate with her parents.

For Aneeta Karen Pareira, who has won two gold medals for her performance in M.A. (French), success came after a lot of hard work. Determined to succeed, she said she was now planning on turning her passion for teaching into her profession. She is currently teaching French at a private school in the city.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Shrabani Chakraborty / Bengaluru – April 09th, 2022

Travancore royal’s 1955-model Benz to join business tycoon’s fleet of cars

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KERALA / UAE :

When the businessman, Yusuff Ali, paid a visit to the palace in 2012 Marthanda Varma had expressed his wish to gift the car to him. A year later Varma died (December 16, 2013) and the transfer was delayed due to many reasons.

Earlier, the German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz came back to Marthanda Varma with an offer of two new high-end cars, but the royal entity refused to part with his favourite vehicle. (SOURCED.)
Earlier, the German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz came back to Marthanda Varma with an offer of two new high-end cars, but the royal entity refused to part with his favourite vehicle. (SOURCED.)

Marthanda Varma’s favourite car — a 1955-model Benz nicknamed “Mile a Minute,”– will soon join the fleet of well-known business tycoon MA Yusuff Ali. Varma was the patriarch of the erstwhile Travancore royal family.

The royal family and Uthradam Tirunal Marthanda Varma Foundation have said the late royal figure’s announcement in 2012 in this connection will soon be fulfilled. Many vintage car collectors and businessmen have eyed the vehicle for quite some time. Even the German luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz came back to him with an offer of two new high-end cars, but the royal entity refused to part with it.

What is amazing is that the old beauty had travelled 40 lakh miles, a rare achievement for a vehicle. People close to the royal family said he bought the car when he was 38, in 1955, and he drove a major portion of the miles it covered on his own and the rest as a passenger. Built in Stuttgart in Germany, Varma bought it for ₹12,000 and got it registered in Karnataka, CAN 42. It got its nickname “Mile a Minute” after it used to cover one mile in one minute.

When the businessman, Yusuff Ali, paid a visit to the palace in 2012 Marthanda Varma had expressed his wish to gift the car to him. A year later Varma died (December 16, 2013) and the transfer was delayed due to many reasons. Though delayed, the royal family members decided to fulfil his desire and informed the business magnate about it. He is yet to react to the royal offer.

The car is with his son Padmanabha Varma and in good road condition. Benz had presented many honours to the car and some of them are placed in front of the car and bonnet, said royal members. Palace old timers say even on his sick bed Varma used to watch his trusted companion. “He was so attached to it and looked after it as his progeny,” said one of them. A multinational businessman, Yusuff Ali, owns the Lulu group. He had a miraculous escape after his chopper crash-landed in Kochi last April.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Top News> India News / by HT Correspondent / April 04th, 2022

Chikkamagaluru girl Umme Sarah bags 16 gold medals

Agriculture (since June 07th, 2021), Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , ,

Sattihalli Village, Gullampete (Chikkamagaluru District) , KARNATAKA :

Proud Umme Sarah receives gold medals from Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot on Wednesday

Bengaluru :

A girl student from Chikkamagalur district, bagged 16 gold medals at the 11th convocation of the University of Horticulture Science at Bagalkot on Wednesday. As many as 34 students received 77 gold medals during the convocation.

Karnataka Governor Thwar Chand Gehlot gave away the medals to Umme Sarah, daughter of Asmat Ali, a farmer from Gullampete.

Hailing from an agriculture-based family, Umme Sarah came to the horticulture sector inspired by her father’s farming. She studied hard with a government scholarship. Her father grows coffee on four acres of land. He had taken a loan of Rs 1 lakh from the bank for his daughter’s education. Umme Sarah’s mother is a homemaker.

Congratulating the winners, governor Thawar Chand Gehlot said, ““Our country is still agriculture oriented and agriculture graduates have to look out for wall and terrace garden horticulture,” he said.

Umme Sarah said, “There was no compromise when it came to studies since my childhood. My parents always encouraged me.”

I obtained a seat in the university after passing the CET,’ Sarah said.

She also said that she aims to work towards the betterment of Indian farmers and wants to pursue MSc from the university of Padua in Italy for that.


A Master’s Degree will cost anywhere between Rs. 15 lakh and Rs. 20 lakh abroad. Umme Sarah and her parents are expecting a helping hand for loans through banks, government scholarships, and donors.

source: http://www.newstrailindia.com / News Trail / Home / May 27th, 2022

When the Chief Justice felicitated a homeguard

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Chief Justice Satish Chandra  Sharma felicitating homeguard Mohammed Ashraf Ali in Hyderabad on Friday. | Photo Credit: Arrangement

Justice Satish Chandra Sharma was impressed by Ashraf Ali’s commitment to duty

‘Arey maine ye kya kardiya?’ (What wrong have I done?) was relentlessly ringing in the mind of homeguard Mohammed Ashraf Ali (43) when the convoy of Chief Justice of Telangana High Court Satish Chandra Sharma started to approach him at a slow pace and stopped on Friday morning.

Mr. Ali, who works at Abid Road Traffic police station, was performing his duty at Babu Jagjivan Ram statue near Nizam College when he had a shock of his life as Justice Sharma himself got down from the vehicle and felicitated the officer with a bouquet.

Nonplussed by this development, the homeguard couldn’t believe what was happening in front of his eyes. A visibly impressed Chief Justice, while patting Mr. Ali, said that he had been observing him every day on his way to High Court and was pleased by his commitment and sense of duty.

“I see you every day. You are a good police officer,” Justice Sharma told Ali.

Speaking to The Hindu about the ‘once in a lifetime’ moment, Mr. Ali said that he was still in a state of shock and couldn’t believe that the Chief Justice took time from his busy schedule, and stopped the entire convoy to felicitate him, a homeguard rank police officer.

“It is a rare opportunity and a lifetime memory which I will recollect every single day and share with near and dear ones at every opportune time,” he said.

Mr. Ali’s family members and friends circulated his photo with Justice Sharma to every possible person they know and soon he was flooded with phone calls.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Abhinay Deshpande / Hyderabad – April 08th, 2022

Rare copies of Koran on display in Telangana

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TELANGANA :

One such is a miniature version that can be worn as an amulet

Ramzan marks the revelation of Koran and families go into a huddle reading it through the night. The Abul Kalam Azad Oriental Research Institute in Public Gardens is now hosting an exhibition of copies of some rare Korans.

One of them has been created in Hyderabad with Persian and Urdu translation and explanatory passages on the side. Another Koran is a miniature version which could be worn as an amulet. “This is among the 5,000 Koran amulets commissioned by Hasan Nizami, a legatee of Nizamuddin Aulia of Delhi. It is a priceless object as very few are in circulation,” informs S.M. Ahmed Ali of the institute.

Then there is a Koran which is a gift of Reza Shah Pehlavi, first Shah of the House of Pahlavi of the Imperial State of Iran, when his wife visited the city in 1960. It has the Persian translation along with the Arabic original.

A few facsimile copies show how different writing styles have evolved. A 7 th century Koran in Kufic script is without the diacritical marks. “This is one of the earliest copies and unique. It will be difficult to read as we are used to seeing the sound markers,” adds Mr. Ahmed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – April 14th, 2022

Dentist, collector of 15,000 extracted teeth, bags UAE Golden Visa

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Kerala, INDIA / Abu Dhabi, UAE :

Abu Dhabi-based dentist couple Abdul Rahiman Nizar and Simi are the latest recipients of the 10-year UAE Golden Visa.

Abu Dhabi :

Abdul Rahiman Nizar gained popularity for amassing a rare collection of all the teeth extracted so far in his career.

Abu Dhabi-based dentist couple Abdul Rahiman Nizar and Simi are the latest recipients of the 10-year UAE Golden Visa.

Dr Nizar has served in Abu Dhabi for 20 years, including 18 years at Ahalia Group. However, the Indian doctor gained popularity for amassing a rare collection of all the teeth extracted so far in his career.

“Teeth are the strongest part of your body. I have always liked teeth. And once into my job, I started collecting it. Soon, it became a hobby. And I began to have a varied collection, which has been helping students in their dental studies,” said Dr Nizar, who is from Kerala, India.

“Over the years, I have collected nearly 15,000 teeth. I clean each tooth with antimicrobial hydrogen peroxide and then treat it with disinfectant. Once dried, I preserve them in a box. I am aiming to see my name in record books,” said the general practitioner dentist.

Dr Nizar urges people to take care of their teeth and visit a dentist every six months.

“Early detection of any tooth decay will help to avert a situation of tooth extraction. I always try to save a tooth and opt for extraction only as a last resort,” he said.

Dr Simi, who works at Al Mafraq Medical Centre in Baniyas, has also been collecting teeth.

“We are very excited to have bagged the Golden Visa. During this pandemic, both of us served the community, sacrificing our off days,” Dr Simi said.

The couple have four daughters: Grade 12 student Neha, Naila in Grade 8, Naima in Grade 3 and Naira is eight months old.

Dr Nizar, who also holds a 10-year US visa, added: “We plan to spend the rest of our lives in the service of Abu Dhabi. I thank the leadership for this honour and our hospital for the support in building our careers.”

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home / by Ashwani Kumar / September 29th, 2021

Karnataka: After 28 years, father clears Class X exam, along with son who tutored him

Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project), , , , , ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

42-year-old Rahmathulla passes exam in fourth attempt, says it is one of the happiest moments of his life.

Rahmathulla with his son Mohammed Faraan (Express Photo)

After 28 years and three failed attempts, 42-year-old Rahmathulla finally achieved his lifelong dream of clearing his Class X exams when the results were declared in Karnataka and he learnt that he had passed with 333 marks. What made the accomplishment sweeter was that he shared the achievement with his son Mohammed Faraan, who scored 98 per cent.

“My father always insisted that I study and pass the 10th standard…which I did not do. But now, after nearly 30 years, I have achieved this only because of my son,” said a teary-eyed Rahmathulla, crediting son Faraan for his success.

A Mysuru resident who works in a cloth merchant’s shop, Rahmathulla said that clearing his Class X exams was one of the happiest moments of his life. “I come from a poor family but despite this, my father always asked me to study and at least pass 10th standard. However, I did not pay any heed to his words and started working as our family was not in a position to afford to feed us,” he said.

After his first attempt in 1994, Rahmathulla decided to give the exams another shot in 2004. “I felt I should give it a try but I only ended up securing 82 marks. Then, last year when the state government announced that they would pass all candidates, my son forced me to appear again. I did, but again I failed as I was able to score only 316 marks,” he said.

After his first attempt in 1994, Rahmathulla decided to give the exams another shot in 2004. (Express photo)

It was then that Faraan stepped up and refused to let his father give up his dream. “I had given up and thought I would not appear for the examination again, but my son did not leave me. He said he would train me to at least pass by attending a few questions and writing less. He used to teach me after I returned home after work. I managed to secure 333 marks to pass the examination. This was really one of the biggest moments of my life,” said Rahmathulla.

Faraan, who secured 613 marks (100 marks in Mathematics, Hindi and Social Science), dreams of becoming a software engineer or scientist. “I have got admission to CPC Polytechnic College in Mysuru where I will pursue Diploma in Computer Sciences,” he said.

Speaking about Rahmathulla, Faraan said, “Today, passing 10th standard is the minimum criteria for anything. My father may have wanted to but did not get the guidance he needed. I made him enroll for the examination and when the examination neared, after his working hours, I used to teach him a bit. Along with that, I also studied. I am really happy that he was able to clear the exam.”

Asked if he now wants to pursue education, Rahmathulla said, “I am glad I completed 10th standard. Now, let my son decide.”

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Kiran Parashar, Bengaluru / May 25th, 2022

Mysuru health sciences students bag RGUHS ranks

Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project),

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Students of Cauvery Institute of Health Sciences, Mysuru, affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS), have bagged a gold medal and 23 ranks in the recent 24th annual convocation of RGUHS.

Rohith, a student of Cardiac Care Technology, has secured first rank and a gold medal.

Sandra Sabu and Sandra Shibu, students of Operation Theatre Technology, have bagged 2nd and 5th ranks respectively.  Ashley, a student of course in respiratory technology, has secured 7th rank. Adil Mubarak, Laveena Jose, Anagha, Anju David, Shalu Reji, Amulya Celestina, Bharathan R., Anjana Rajan, Santuna Saji, Mariya Linet, and Shilpa are the other students whose names figure in the list of rank holders, a press release from the institute said.

Principal Aravind R.M. congratulated the students and faculty for their efforts in bringing accolades to the institution. Chandrashekar G.R., Chairman, Cauvery Group of Institutions, called upon the students to consider the healthcare field as a career option which has huge demand and potential for growth in India and abroad.

He said in the release that the Cauvery College of Nursing has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with NHS, United Kingdom, for training and recruitment in various hospitals in the United Kingdom.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – April 14th, 2022

UAE: Indian autistic student gets Golden Visa for exceptional academic performance

Amazing Feats, Education, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , ,

Kerala, INDIA / Dubai, UAE :

A student with high functioning autism and has been breaking academic records since his high school days.

Manipal Academy of Higher Education student Aman Maqbool has been breaking academic records since his high school days. Supplied photos

Indian student of determination Aman Maqbool is the latest recipient of the UAE Golden Visa.

A 20-year-old student of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Aman is a student with high functioning autism and has been breaking academic records since his high school days. 

Aman first made headlines , including a report in Khaleej Times, after scoring an impressive 94.2 per cent in his Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Grade 10 examinations.

A former student of Delhi Private School, Sharjah, Aman has found immense support from his family, teachers, and counsellors at school and university.

Aman Maqbool with former Indian President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

“He scored 95 per cent in his Grade 12 CBSE examinations,” his father Maqbool Ahmed told Khaleej Times. Aman is a BSc information science and technology student at MAHE Manipal, Dubai campus.

“After Grade 10, he chose commerce. He decided to pursue a BSc in computer science since computers are his passion,” added Ahmed, a Kerala native.

The family, including Aman’s most significant pillar of support – his mother Anitha and younger brother Ayaan, have been UAE residents for over two decades. “Aman is very passionate about studies. He loves going to campus and loves learning and studying,” said his mother.

“We did not think he would get the golden visa. I applied on behalf of Aman because it was a token of appreciation for all the hard work he has put into his studies,” said his father. While Aman is brilliant and has a photographic memory, he struggles to communicate in a manner that is considered “socially acceptable”.

Aman Maqbool with his mother

Aman was diagnosed with high-functioning autism aged three to four years old, said Anitha. “He studied in Delhi Private School all his life before moving to MAHE for higher education. Our aim now is to help Aman become a lot more independent,” she added.

He underwent several speech and functional therapies as a child, including brain gym. “For children with autism, every action and word is a form of therapy. Aman is also active in sports, cycling, swimming, and exceptional musical skills. He plays the keyboard very well,” said Ahmed.

“What’s important for Aman is that he has a never-give-up attitude and is extremely hard working. We are sure he will reach much greater heights,” said his parents.

Aman receives an award.

Commenting on Aman’s impressive achievements, Nasreen Bahar, the inclusion champion at DPS, Sharjah, told Khaleej Times, “Aman has been a student with DPS since KG1. I worked with him after he reached Grade 6. He has a lot of potentials. He is academically gifted and well-versed in music. He can recall any day of the calendar day and date from the 1970s to 2030.” While his social skills are not indicative of his intelligence, Nasreen remembers Aman getting along well with his peers at school.

Similarly, Kritika Mathur, the deputy manager at the office of student affairs (student engagement and inclusion), said, “I’ve been working with schools for ten years now, and I’ve come across multiple stories of children who have family support and students who do not have family support. Aman has several major challenges, but his family efforts are solid, and his parents are determined.”

She added, “They are not victimising themselves in any way. They work with Aman to achieve his dreams. At present, Aman is going through several changes as he grows older. However, his parents are so forthcoming with these changes.”

Mathur said her message to all families with children of different abilities is that the issue is ‘not what’s happening with their child. “Parents need to educate themselves on how to grow with their child of determination,” she added.

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> UAE> Education / by Dhanusha Gokulam / March 12th, 2022