Monthly Archives: June 2022

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, IUST innovators create ‘frugal’ ventilator prototype

Awantipora (Pulwama District), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar:

Innovators at the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have claimed to have set up a prototype of a low cost ventilator to tackle the shortage of ventilators amid the COVID-19 pandemic.


A statement by the varsity said that the innovators at the IUST’s Design Innovation Centre (DIC) had tested the ventilator prototype, named ‘Ruhdaar’ successfully in the laboratory.

Amid COVID-19 pandemic, IUST innovators create ‘frugal’ ventilator prototype


It said the ventilator is expected to be handed over to the medical experts at the SKIMS hospital Soura for evaluation purposes which will immediately begin once the innovators are satisfied with its functioning in the laboratory.


The statement said that the raw materials for the said frugal ventilator are easily available within J&K and India.


Team members headed by Coordinator DIC, Dr Shahkar Nehvi, Dr Majid Hamid Koul, ex faculty IUST who recently joined the NIT, Peerzada Shoaib, Assistant professor IUST, two IUST Alumini Asif Shah and Zulquarnain, Jawad, Design Fellow IUST, Dr Saad Parvaiz from NIT Srinagar, Dr Shabir Hassan from Harvard University as overseas mentor and Abdul Rahim from Rahim Greens contributed towards the designing of the said prototype, the statement said.


It further said that there was a possibility that the ventilator is manufactured in A commercial scale once the prototype is approved by medical experts.


Vice Chancellor IUST, Prof Mushtaq A Siddiqi has congratulated the entire team for this huge achievement.


A statement quoted Prof Siddique as saying that he was thrilled over the team members for achieving the feat in a very short span of time adding that the components of the ventilator were mostly local.


The VC IUST said that the university will go for patenting and handover the technology to a start-up or couple of start-ups, so that the ventilator is produced on the large scale. Prof Siddiqi further added that the prototype is fine and alright, but it depends on the medical fraternity to accept it or suggest certain modifications.

source: http://www.kashmirreader.com / Kashmir Reader / Home / by KR Desk / April 23rd, 2020

Remembering Prof K A Siddique Hassan

KERALA / NEW DELHI :

Releasing two new projects of Human Welfare Foundation. Chief guest Dr. S Y Qureshi, former chief election commission, is fourth from left.

New Delhi :

Have you ever wondered why all philanthropic activities start from the South and why North India remains behind? When Al-Shifa Hospital has to be built in Delhi, Prof KA Siddique Hassan Sb had to come from Kerala, said Dr. SY Qureshi, Former Chief Election Commissioner.

Speaking on the occasion of Prof K A Siddique Hassan Memorial PG Scholarship Distribution Function organized by Human Welfare Foundation (HWF), at India Islamic Cultural Centre here, Dr. Qureshi said that the most worrying fact was that today Muslims were not following the teachings of Islam. Islam’s first commandment was to read. Unfortunately, Muslims are far away from education.

Dr. SY Qureshi was the Chief Guest on the occasion in which two major projects of the Human Welfare Foundation under the aegis of Vision 2026 were announced.

“Despite discrimination, if you are good at what you do, you will get an opportunity and only quality education will bring that change. The practice of fictitious degrees in northern India is destroying generations. I am pleased that the Human Welfare Foundation has taken practical steps for quality education, which are proving fruitful,” Dr. Qureshi added.

Dr. Siraj Hussain, IAS (Retd) Chairman, Human Welfare Foundation, in his presidential address, said that education as a sector has taken a hit in the last couple of years.

Quoting the Annual Status of Education Report, he said that the enrolment in private schools has gone down due to the financial crisis. This happened after many decades. Offline classes are yet to start in prominent universities. Quality of education is going to be a big challenge in the coming times.

“In my interaction with students receiving the scholarship today, I observed that the students are all committed towards their academics,” Dr. Siraj Hussain said.

He wished the students willing to pursue civil services and journalism to show true dedication, which can only bring success. He also reminisced his association with Prof K A Siddique Hassan Sb and said that the scholarships and the newly announced projects are a glowing tribute to his great personality.

H. Abdur Raqeeb, Trustee, Human Welfare Foundation, and Chairman, Indian Centre for Islamic Finance (ICIF) addressing the gathering said that he had the opportunity to work with Prof K A Siddique Hassan for five decades in different capacities.

“Prof. Siddique Hassan was an admirer of talents, and took them along and always paved the way for them to serve the society,” H. Abdul Raqeeb said.

“Under Vision 2026, he envisioned and established many NGOs. Professor Siddique Hassan’s dream was to explore the potential and immense opportunities in the community and make it beneficial for the upliftment of the marginalized sections,” He added.

Abdul Jabbar Siddiqui, Trustee, Human Welfare Foundation, on this occasion, announced the future projects of Vision 2026.

A new award has been instituted for NGOs and Social Engineers. The Best NGO and Best Social Engineer Award’ will be given to an NGO and an individual, selected by the jury, who are doing well in the social and humanitarian sector with a cash award of Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 100,000 respectively.

Announcing the projects, he said, “Fifteen years ago today, under the leadership of Prof. Siddique Hassan, a whole team was formed and we have come a long way learning many things. The biggest achievement of Prof. Siddique Hassan was shifting the focus of South Indian Muslims towards the North and diverting the resources. He always said that only through changing the North, India can change.”

Another important project which was announced today is an academic publication on the topic – Pragmatics of Community Empowerment in India: Contributions of Prof. K.A. Siddique Hassan. A national seminar will be organized in which researchers and academicians will present papers on various aspects of Prof K A Siddique Hassan’s interventions. The proposed publication will be an asset for the coming generations to understand and be guided by his life experiences and interventions.

Twenty-eight students pursuing various PG courses received the Prof. KA Siddique Hassan Memorial PG Scholarship. Human Welfare Foundation has launched the ‘Professor KA Siddique Hassan Memorial PG Scholarship to strengthen its educational activities and further expand the scholarship program. This scholarship will be given every year to the talented PG students in Humanities at the national level.

On this occasion, the CEO of the Human Welfare Foundation PK Noufal presented the performance report of the foundation.

Mr. Shafi Madni, Trustee, HWF also graced the occasion. Dr. Rizwan Rafiqi delivered the welcome address. Dr. Arif Nadvi, Manager, Health Services of the Foundation moderated the program, and Saleemullah Khan, Senior Manager, Education, proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education> Featured / June 20th, 2022

Expertise’s Sheikh Karnire receives Saudi’s Premium Residency ‘Green Card’

Karnire (Mangalore) KARNATAKA / Jubail. SAUDI ARABIA :

Dammam:

KS Sheikh Karnire, Vice President of Expertise Contracting Ltd, has become one of the few Indians to receive permanent residency in Saudi Arabia after the Kingdom recently permitted foreign nationals to own business and property without the need for a sponsor.

Reacting to the news Sheik said, “My heartfelt thanks to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, and the entire Saudi Government. No doubt, this is a proud moment for me. I am delighted and happy. My sincere thanks to the people who have trust in Expertise and my brothers who are the driving force behind the success of Expertise. “

The Premium Residency, informally known as Saudi Green Card, is a residence permit in Saudi Arabia that grants expatriates the right to live, work and own business and property in the Kingdom without the need for a sponsor.

The introduction of the Premium Residency comes as a part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reform plan, which was announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to boost the Saudi economy.

Expertise Contracting Company, founded in 1999 has been a renowned Industrial service provider of KSA with more than 10,000 employees and more than 5000 pieces of equipment. Expertise services span major industrial divisions allowing them to serve a variety of sectors including petrochemical, oil & gas, fertilizer, steel, cement, water treatment, and power generation verticals. With headquarters in Jubail Industrial City, KSA, Expertise boasts an operating terminal of 300,000 sq. meters and has branch offices across the kingdom.

It can be recalled that Sheik and his team had supported the stranded employees and families during COVID 19 pandemic to safely bring them back from Saudi to India through more than 10 chartered flights to the various cities of India. They are also running an NGO under the name of KS Sayeed Charitable trust supporting a number of downtrodden families with food, shelter, and education.

Hailing from a village Karnire, Near Mangalore, Mr.Sheik had entered the kingdom as an Automobile Engineer and built the company along with his 5 other brothers.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / June 11th, 2022

Sincona Estates Owner A K Shetty donates 3-acre plantation land to widen highway. Zilla Panchayat Member Abdul Latif of Suntikoppa donates 1-acre land to build houses for flood victims.

Kodagu, KARNATAKA :

In a rare gesture, a land owner has donated his entire three acre coffee plantation to help authorities widen and restore Madikeri-Somwarpet State Highway.

The road near Balaji estate was completely damaged due to recent landslides in the district.

A huge trench had been created as a 450 metre-long road was washed away. With 12 damages on the stretch, the road had been sealed for traffic at Kandanakolli, Haleri, Makkanduru, Emmettala, Hattihole, Tantipala and Madapura villages.

The residents were forced to trek through hills to reach the neighbouring villages.

Initially, experts had toyed with the idea of constructing a bridge to facilitate connectivity between the villages. But the plan to construct a bridge was shelved with Ashok Kumar Shetty, owner of Sincona Estate, stepping forward and voluntarily handing over three acres of coffee plantation to Public Works Department (PWD) for the purpose. The donation of excess land helped the PWD relay a new road and help residents access their villages without having to take the long rugged path.

Contractor Ashraf said Shetty had lost nearly 50 acres of coffee plantations in different parts of Kodagu due to landslides. Yet, that did not stop him from donating the three acres of land for the road project, he added.

Shetty, now based in Chennai, has helped thousands of villagers with his gesture.

Zilla Panchayat member Abdul Latif from Suntikoppa has also donated one acre of land to build houses for flood victims.

He handed over the land documents to Housing Minister U T Khader here recently.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Adithya K A, DHNS, Madikeri / September 20th, 2018 (headline edited)

Senior Beary Writer U.A. Khasim Ullal passes away at 74

Mangaluru , KARNATAKA:

Mangaluru:

Senior writer U.A. Khasim (74), who was one of the architects of the Beary Andolan passed away at his residence in the city during the early hours of Monday. 

The deceased is survived by his wife, four sons, three daughters, and a legion of relatives and friends. 

Writer Khasim has written stories, novels, poems, and various literary pieces in both the Beary and Kannada languages. 

Apart from being at the forefront of the Beary Andolan, Khasim Ullal has also been a member of the Beary Sahitya Academy, he has also served as the office bearer of Kendra Beary Parishad and Beary Literary & Cultural Association for several years. 

The sources close to the family of the deceased have informed that his funeral rites will be conducted at Kallapu Patla near Thokottu. 

Many prominent personalities expressed their condolences and remembered Khasim Ullal’s rich contribution to the Beary movement and literature. 

With his passing away, one more pillar of the Beary literary movement has crumbled. With his pioneering works in Beary literature by way of novels, poems, short stories, plays etc. he had given a big boost to the movement in its early years, said Umar Teekay, Chairman of Teekays Group in his condolence message.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / June 20th, 2022

Mangaluru: HIF felicitates toppers of SSLC examination, awards scholarship to 20 students

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA :

Mangaluru: 

Highland Islamic Forum (HIF) on Monday organised a felicitation ceremony for the students who scored more than 90% marks in the recently announced SSLC examination results.

The forum also awarded scholarships to the students during the ceremony to honor their feat.

20 students who met the criteria were awarded scholarships for their further studies, during the event.

Dr Surfraz J Hasim, Psychologist, Mind Trainer & Coach, Principal, P.A. First Grade College, Mangalore was the Guest Speaker at the ceremony. In his address, he spoke about how students can excel by concentrating and focusing on learning while they embrace competitive life.

HECC Secretary Hanif PS was also invited to the event as a guest while Imam of Masjid-ul-Ehsaan Moulana Altaf was also present at the event.

Nazim AK, President of HIF presided over the event that was organised at the HIF auditorium here in the city.

Yusuf Hussain welcomed the guests and attendees.

Rizwan Pandeshwar compered the event and Bilal Raif delivered the vote of thanks to conclude the ceremony.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / June 20th, 2022

Entrepreneur Mohammad Mansoor honoured for contribution to sports & international relations

BAHRAIN :

Leading Bahrain-based Indian entrepreneur, Founder and Chairman of the Saara Group, Mohammad Mansoor was honoured for his enormous contribution to sports and international relations by the one of the oldest cultural organisations in Bahrain, the – Kerala Catholics Association. 

Mansoor was presented the award as presented the award by Minister of Labor and Social Development H E Jameel Bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan at a glittering gala ceremony at the Crowne Plaza hotel, in the presence of Ministers, Ambassadors, VIPs, distinguished guests and community leaders including India’s Ambassador to Bahrain, HE Piyush Srivastava, Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Julios, Peravur MLA Adv. Sunny Joseph.

Mr Mansoor, a serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist, is the Founder & CEO of Saara Group, which has a portfolio of operations across the domains of Information Technology, Energy, Oil & Gas, Digital Media, Sports Infrastructure, Seed Capital Investments, and Social Initiatives.

The operations of the group span across the Gulf Cooperative Council (GCC), United Kingdom, United States of America, ASEAN countries and India.

As an active supporter of an array of social and cultural initiatives to empower community relations and strengthen the social fabric, he has played and played a crucial role in supporting the sports initiatives in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad AI Khalifa. 

As a cricket enthusiast, he was the brains behind launching the first-ever franchise-based T20 Cricket Premier League which was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad AI Khalifa in 2018. In 2021, he was appointed as the advisor to the newly revamped Bahrain Cricket Federation and was instrumental behind giving the sport a much-needed boost in Bahrain. So much so, that the women’s team has already inked its name in the record books by scoring the highest score in an T20 International. 

An active supporter of Bahrain’s flagship sports media property, BRAVE Combat Federation across multiple venues around the world. He spearheaded the KHK Heroes Foundation initiative assisting the economically vulnerable communities and expatriates throughout the Kingdom of Bahrain during the Coronavirus pandemic part from being a director of KHK Venture Holding. 

In 2021, he was appointed to the prestigious World Youth Group as director of the Council. The WYG has been designed by Collegiate Congress, in association with United Nations Member States, United Nations Agencies, youth and student groups; All-African Students Union (AASU), European Students Union (ESU), Young Republicans National Federation (YRNF), Young Democrats of America (YDA), higher education institutions, the private sector, and individuals from around the world.

Of the most notable among the awards that he has been conferred with is the Hind Ratan Award.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / June 14th, 2022

Kashmir teacher innovates solar car

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Breaking the notion that only the elite can have luxurious rides, Bilal Ahmad, a mathematics teacher as well as an innovator from Srinagar has made a solar car which is not only luxurious but is also affordable for the common people. 

Hailing from Sanat Nagar area of Srinagar, Bilal has been working on this project for over 11 years and today he drives his solar car with confidence. The innovative car made by him works on solar energy and has solar panels all over the surface. 

He watched and studied about various luxurious cars which were made since 1950. He also studied about an engineer and innovator named Delorian who started a company DMC which helped him and motivated him to make a car which is luxurious and simultaneously affordable for the common people.

“Cars like Mercedes, Ferrari, BMW are just a dream for a common person. Only few people are able to afford it while it remains a dream for others to drive such cars and roam in it. I thought of something to give a luxurious feel to the people as well,” he said. 

He started working on the car and modified it by watching the various videos and started adding the features in it. 

Initially he wanted to make a car for disabled people but due to his financial conditions, he couldn’t conceive the idea which made him put his idea on hold.  “Government didn’t help me at that time. I was not financially sound so I couldn’t take the cost of the innovation,” he said. 

Keeping in view the rising price of the fuel, he thought of using solar energy to run the car. In 2019, he went to Chennai to get in touch with the solar panel making company. Furthermore he researched and brainstormed with a number of experts of the field. 

“In Kashmir, most of the time, the weather is gloomy. I used solar panels which can give higher efficiency even in low sunlight days. I went to many solar companies to check the efficiency of solar panels,” he said.

The challenge of how the solar panels can be used over the car and how much efficiency it can give on the less surface area was overcome  by him with the use of monocrystalline solar panels. 

“The surface area of a car is less as compared to the surface area of the roof of the house. I got the solar panels which take less space but give high efficiency,” he said.

Pertinent to mention here that there are two types of solar panels – monocrystalline and polycrystalline. Bilal used monocrystalline solar panels which occupied less space and gave more efficiency. 

Further he worked on the weaknesses of the solar innovative car. At times, the doors of the car when parked at the place received light sunlight, to overcome this problem, he made a Gullwing door which opens upwards like the ones in a Ferrari. Making and balancing the gullwing doors was a challenge as well as a difficult task for him. “With gullwing doors, the solar panels attached to the doors will also raise up and the sunlight will directly fall on them,” he said. 

Further, the solar panels automatically can change their direction with the changing directions of the sun. For this he has made a remote control which works within the range of 1.5 kilometers which can control the direction of panels so that more light can be absorbed by them. 

Also he has increased the seating capacity of the car. “The sports car only has seating capacity of two people but here 4 people can sit conveniently. Also the braking system will regenerate the power to its batteries to save energy. It is eco-friendly and works on free energy resources. It has a huge potential to revolutionize the market,” he said. 

“The car is not a prototype, it is a fully luxurious car. The other luxurious cars available in the market have huge costs in crores. I want affordable inventions to reach common people. I want people to make use of advanced technology at affordable prices,” he further said. 

He has driven the car on the roads and has received good response from the passers-by.

He said he has used a Lead Acid battery in the car. “We can also use a lithium battery in it but we have to use a protection circuit with it additional protection can be added,” he said. 

Talking about his difficulties, he said that the unavailability of the equipment and gadgets is a major difficulty which innovators face here. “Lack of exposure among the local mechanics is another problem. The knowledge they possess is limited which makes it really difficult to explain them,” he said.

He further said that the youth of Kashmir have more talent but lack exposure and platform to showcase it. 

He is of the opinion that a place like Kashmir should have attractive things to attract the tourists as well as locals. “The electric vehicles plying on roads don’t have that luxurious look. Kashmir is a tourist place and we should have attractive things like in any other foreign place like Switzerland.”

He wishes to soon start his company for its mass production which can also generate employment for the youth of Kashmir. “I will name the company as YMC after the names of my children- Yosha and Maisha. The company will be making luxurious cars for the common people,” he added. 

Bilal is an innovator associated with IIED center NIT, Srinagar. The center will provide him assistance for this innovation.  Saad Parvez, head, IIED center said, “The IIED center will help him to develop his innovation and will connect him with the industries or forum that can help him. Our local innovators need motivation and a marketplace. The challenge is to market the innovation.”

Despite having a B.Tech degree in civil engineering, he has a good interest in electronics. He has an experience of 14 years in teaching as he has worked in various colleges and schools as assistant professor. In the past, in 2009, he has made a LPG gas controlling safety device. The device which can automatically turn off the LPG cylinder from anywhere via a mobile app.  

source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Insha Latief Khan / June 20th, 2022

Basheer Fest to be held from July 2 at Beypore

Beypore (Kozhikode), KERALA :

Nammal Beypore will organise a Basheer Fest, a range of programmes in connection with the 28th death anniversary of writer Vaikom Muhammed Basheer, at the author’s residence at Beypore from July 2 to 5.

Tourism Minister P.A. Mohamed Riyas, who is the patron of the fest, told reporters here on Sunday that there would be district-level and State-level programmes as part of the fest, with the help of the Chalachitra Academy, Sangeetha Nataka Akademi, Kerala Lalithakala Akademi, Folklore Academy and Sahitya Akademi.

A Basheer feature and documentary show in association with Chalachitra Academy, a literature camp for budding writers led by writer Subhash Chandran under the aegis of the Kerala Sahitya Akademi, a Basheer painting contest, photo exhibition, traditional food fest, plays and ghazal concerts are being held as part of the festival.

Besides, there will be seminars and cultural meetings in which noted writers are expected to take part.

School children can visit the Basheer residence at Beypore.

Mayor Beena Philip is the chairperson of the organising committee.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Staff Reporter / Kozhikode – June 20th, 2022