Monthly Archives: November 2022

Role Of Muslims In Indian Freedom Struggl

INDIA:

Dr Ambedkar and Maulana Hasrat Mohani (left) at Sardar Patel’s reception

THE freedom attained on 15th August 1947 was a result of a long struggle which involved contributions and sacrifices of men and women of all classes and communities of India. Muslims form an integral part of this history. That muslims played an equal and important role in the freedom of India cannot be overstated.

It was muslims who spearheaded the very first attempts to fight back British imperialists. The list of people is inexhaustive. Whether it was Nawab Siraj-ud-Daulah in the Battle of Plassey or Tipu Sultan in the Seringapatam battle in South India in 1799; Muslims were not soft by any means towards Britishers. Infact, in what is known as the first war of Independence, 70% Hindu revolutionaries together with Muslims chose a Mughal ruler Bahadur Shah Zafar as India’s Ruler.

Bakht Khan from Bijnor district of Uttar Pradesh,  was a major part of the rebellion of 1857. An experienced army-man, Bakht Khan was serving as the Subedar in the Army of East India Company and took command of the rebel forces. His strong and powerful rebellion activities prompted the British rulers to launch a manhunt against him, following which, he was shot dead by Britishers.

There are still many muslim heroes, some at the center and some pushed to the margins. Muhammad Ashfaq Ullah Khan of Shahjehanpur who conspired and looted the British treasury at Kakori (Lucknow) to cripple the administration is one. When asked for his last will, before execution,he said: “No desire is left except one that someone may put a little soil of my motherland in my winding sheet.”

Similarly, Barkatullah and Syed Rehmat Shah of Ghadar Party sacrificed their lives for the independence of their country. Umar Subhani, an industrialist and a millionaire of Bombay is popularly known for presenting a blank cheque to Gandhiji for ‘Tilak Swarajya Fund and INC. His boundless donations crippled him but he bore the challenge for his country.

Who doesn’t know Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, “frontier gandhi”, who was one of the major reasons behind the Britishers leaving India. Ghaffar Khan met Gandhi and entered politics in 1919 during agitation over the Rowlatt Acts, which allowed the internment of political dissidents without trial. In the following year he joined the Khilafat movement.

Then there was another such stalwart leader and freedom fighter of India, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. His service to the nation didn’t just stop after India became independent, he continued serving India till his last breath.

Inspired by Bhagat Singh and Chandrashekhar Azad, Abbas Ali joined the Indian freedom movement in his teenage after completing his education. He joined the Indian National Army (INA) or the ‘Azad Hind Fauj’ and was subsequently court-martialled and sentenced to death.

When thousands of freedom fighters were getting jailed everyday, yet another Indian muslim, Asaf Ali stepped up and fought their legal battles to bail them out. He was even jailed alongside Jawaharlal Nehru. He participated in the ‘Quit India Movement’ and did everything he could to help India achieve independence. On 1 April 1953, Asaf Ali died in Bern (Switzerland) while serving as India’s representative. A postal stamp was issued in his honour in 1989.

Important historical events and etched echoes from India’s freedom struggle have a marked muslim presence, shoulder to shoulder with other Indians. It was Dr. Saifuddin Kichloo, hailed as the ‘Hero of Jallianwala Bagh’ who conducted a public meeting at the historical Jallianwala Bagh on 30 March, 1919, protesting the Rowlatt Act during the Indian National Movement. It was Yusuf Meher Ali, a socialist leader, founder of the National Militia, Bombay Youth League and the Congress Socialist Party who said, “Simon Go Back” was part of the Quit India Movement along with Mahatma Gandhi for India’s last nationwide campaign for independence from the British Empire.

Cardinal movements like the Non-cooperation Movement and the Swadeshi Movement saw overwhelming Muslim participation. Janab Sabusiddiq who was the sugar-king of that time gave up his business as a form of boycott. The Khoja and Memon communities owned the biggest business houses of that time and they parted with their treasured industries to support the boycott.

Muslim freedom fighters were active in the field of journalism as well. Maulana Azad used his pen against the British despite being prevented by the colonial powers a number of times. In fact, the first journalist to be martyred publically in the cause of India’s Freedom Struggle was also a Muslim – Maulana Baqar/Moulvi Muhammad Baqir. He was executed following the revolt of 1857.

Additionally, the history of the Indian national movement would be incomplete without mentioning the contribution of Muslim women. Asghari Begum (mother of Qazi Abdur Rahim, the revolutionary of Thana Bhawan, Muzaffarnagar) fought against the British and was burnt alive when defeated. It was estimated that about 225 Muslim women gave their lives in the revolt. Begum Hazrat Mahal, revolutionary Queen of Awadh, was the unsung heroine of the first war of Independence, who shot the British ruler, Sir Henry Lawrence and defeated the British army in a decisive Battle at Chinhat on 30thJune, 1857. Bi-Amma out of the hundreds of women who fought the battle of freedom along with their men folk against the British Raj. Abadi Begum (mother of Maulana Muhammad Ali), Amjadi Begum (wife of Maulana Muhammad Ali), Amina Tyabji (wife of Abbas Tyabji), Begum Sakina Luqmani (wife of Dr Luqmani and daughter of Badruddin Tyabji), Nishat-un-Nisa (Begum Hasrat Mohani), Saadat Bano Kitchlew (wife of Dr Saifuddin Kichlew), Zulekha Begum (wife of Maulana Azad), Mehr Taj (daughter of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan), Zubaida Begum Daoodi (wife of Shafi Daoodi, the reputed nationalist of Bihar)  and many others. Aruna Asaf Ali popularly known as the ‘Grand Old Lady’ of the Independence Movement. She is known for hoisting the Indian flag at the Gowalia Tank Maidan in Mumbai during the Quit India Movement. In 1932, she had gone on a hunger strike in Tihar Jail against the mistreatment of the political prisoners, which led to an improvement in their living. There are many many more of such brave souls who fought for their nation all along with the people of other religions of the Country.

“Quit India”, “Simon Go Back”“Inquilab Zindabad”,“Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, Ab Hamare Dil Mein Hai”“Saare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara”,  the famous patriotic slogans commonly used during the Indian freedom struggle were coined by Muslim freedom fighters.


Views expressed in the article are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the editorial stance of Kashmir Observer 

  • The author is the Principal (I/C) Abhedananda Home-Higher Secondary Institution for Specially-abled Children, Solina, Rambagh, Srinagar and can be reached at abhome78@gmail.com  

source: http://www.kashmirobserver.net / Kashmir Observer / Home> Guest Author, M Ahmad / August 14th, 2021

Passing Out Parade Of Women Jail Warders Held

KARNATAKA:

Mysuru:

The passing out parade of the 45th batch of Women Jail Warders was held at the Parade Grounds of Jail Staff Training Institute in Central Prison premises here this morning.

Speaking after receiving the Guard of Honour, ADGP (Prisons) N.S. Megharikh said that Warders should first try to understand the mentality, body language and attitude of the inmates, as it is vital in reforming them.

Highlighting the importance of getting well versed in prison administration, he said that most of the prisoners may be victims of circumstances and as such it is important to assess their mindset.

Pointing out that it was important for jail staff to ensure their own safety while dealing with prisoners, Megharikh said that every prisoner should be given immediate medical attention when he/she falls sick.

Stressing on the need for the jail staff to be always alert, he said that although there may be a negative perception about the Police and prison staff in general, the new recruits should try to overcome this perception by working in a positive manner.

Underlining the role of prison staff in reforming prisoners, the ADGP said that the staff should ensure that the guidelines in the jail manual are properly adhered to. Calling upon the newly recruited women Jail Warders to uphold the dignity of the Prisons Department, he wished them the best in their career.

Noting that 1,070 Warders and 32 Jailors have been appointed recently, he said that the ‘Government was ready to extend any sort of support that would uphold the name of the department.

DIG (Prisons) H.S. Revanna, AIGP (Prisons) G. Veerabhadraswamy, Deputy Commissioner Abhiram G. Sankar, KPA Director (In-charge) Vamsi Krishna, IGP (Southern Range) Soumendu Murkherjee, City Police Commissioner Dr. A.S. Rao, SP Amit Singh, Mysuru Jail Chief Superintendent P.V. Ananda Reddy, Jail Staff Training Institute Principal V. Seshumurthy and others were present.

A total of 38 Women Warders passed out. Most of them were highly qualified, with one recruit Swathi of Udupi being a BE (Electrical and Electronics) Graduate, while three are Diploma holders, 4 B.Com Graduates, 2 B.Com and D.Ed Graduates, 1 M.Com, 2 MA, 1 B.Sc, 2 B.Sc and B.Ed and 22 BA degree holders. Out of the 88 trainees, only three were SSLC, the minimum qualification that was required for the appointment to the post.

Deepa Idgal of Central Prison, Belagavi was adjudge the Best Trainee in Indoor Section, while Lilofer Guttedar of Central Prison, Kalaburagi the Best in Outdoor Section, Bhagyashri Yalagi of District Prison, Chikkaballapur came first and M.R. Bindu of District Prison, Madikeri came second in Firing Section and M.N. Mamatha of Central Prison Bengaluru for Good Conduct.

Shakina Begum Nadaf of Central Prison, Bengaluru bagged ADGP and IGP Cup, while Rudravva Kurubara of District Prison, Udupi was declared as the Best All Round Performer.

The trainees had undergone a 9-month basic training that started from Aug 16, 2017 at Jail Staff Training Institute here.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / June 01st, 2018

Meet Ruveda Salam – a doctor and Kashmir’s first woman IPS officer

Farkin Village (Kupwara District), JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Meet Ruveda Salam - a doctor and Kashmir's first woman IPS officer

In 2015, Dr Ruveda Salam became the very first woman IPS officer from Jammu & Kashmir. When Ruveda was growing up, her father often used to say that he wanted his daughter to become an IPS (Indian Administrative Service) officer. That’s when she first thought of becoming one. It inspired her and she decided to aim for it.’

“As I have cleared the UPSC (Union Public Services Commission) exam for the second time, I will have to go for training again depending on the cadre. I think I will be posted as a sub-collector. Last year, I was selected to the Indian Police Service cadre. I went for training to Hyderabad. The training was very strenuous. Physically it was very hard. I joined the IPS cadre in Tamil Nadu and was posted as an Assistant Commissioner of Police in Chennai,” Ruveda said in a report in Rediff.com.

Before Ruveda cleared the UPSC (for the first time), she got into medical college, but even while studying medicine she used to read a lot. Ruveda found time to clear the Kashmir State Administrative Service exam. Instead of doing a post graduation in medicine, Ruveda started preparing for the UPSC.

As a young ACP, Ruveda has given motivational speeches to the youth, particularly girls. She encourages them to appear for the IPS exams in Jammu and Kashmir. Ruveda’s role is challenging. It carries a lot of responsibility. “I am in a state where people respect the police. I like it here (Tamil Nadu). When girls see me in uniform they look at me with admiration. I had conducted a workshop for girls in Hyderabad. The girls who attended said they wanted to join the IPS, but were apprehensive about whether their parents will support them,” Ruveda shared.

According to Ruveda, development will lead to peace in Jammu and Kashmir. “Peace and development go together. We should look to the future. Living outside has helped me understand the situation better,” said Ruveda.

source: http://www.yourstory.com / Your Story / Home> Inspiration / by Think Change India / May 11th, 2016

Farmer’s daughter Ayesha becomes Judge

Tolanur Village (Akalkot Taluk, Solapur District) ,MAHARASHTRA :

Unfovourable conditions were my inspiration, which pumped me to achieve something and bring positive and healthy change in family’s financial status, said Ayesha.

It is an inspiring story of 24 years Old Village girl Ayesha Aziz pasha Peerzade who defeated all odds and cracked the MPSC exam on her first attempt and became judge .


After four years of legal education, she has passed the first class examination of the Civil Judge Junior Division and the Judicial Magistrate. About 15,000 students from across the state sat for the exam. However, only 190 students have passed the exam and grab in the final list. Ayesha Rank is 99.

The girl who is eldest among five sisters from Tolanur, a small village in Akalkot taluka in Solapur district, has achieved a tremendous success which has brought smile on faces of her relatives and village people.

She is claimed to be the first girl in the district to be a judge at such a young age.

Tolanur is about 40 km from Akkalkot town and 70 km from Solapur city . Due to the difficulty of language in the village, Karnataka border is within walking distance of the village. Only up to 10 education facilities is available in the village.

Hence Ayesha along with her three sisters had to shift to Solapur city for higher education and she joined Dayanand Vidhi College.

During Conversation with Millattimes.com Ayesha shared, those days were challenging for us, we, four sisters used to live in small rented room for years. During stay we faced financial crunch several times.

Ayesha’s father, Azizpasha is a small landholding farmer. Agriculture is the only means of livelihood in the village. They have five daughters. But despite the circumstances, they did not allow their daughters to go away from education. Four out of five girls are highly educated. Their fifth daughter is also attending school.

He also taught Ayesha with the same amount of hard work. The family is happy after this success. Aisha also had tears of joy.

According to Ayesha in some Muslim families, girls are usually not motivated for education. But we are fortunate enough.


Credit of this success goes to my father and mother who always encourage us and take pains for our educational purposes , ”Aisha told Millattimes.com

Competitive exam guide Asif Yatnal commented that, Ayesha’s performances is encouraging. She has become a role model for Muslim community girls. We should try to create awareness among Muslim youngsters to join judiciary, Asif added further.

Adv. Asim Bangi lauded Ayesha’s success and congratulated her. He said that cracking such an important exam in a young age is really appreciable.Hope that more and more girls will take inspiration from this rural area girl’s remarkable success, added Adv. Asim.

source: http://www.millattimes.com / Millat Times / Home> Education> Muslim World / by Imran Inamdar / January 16th, 2020

Successful Event Jashn-e-Noor Amrohvi celebrated to honor Dr. Noor Amrohvi for the first time in history in the Parliament of London

INDIA / Dallas, Texas , U.S.A:

The evening of 4th November 2022 became immortal for the lovers of Urdu and Dr. Noor Amrohvi. For the first time in British history, the first ever international conference and celebration of Dr. Noor Amrohvi regarding Urdu was held at the prestigious, magnificent, and historic Ealing Town Hall in London.

Ealing Town Hall was inaugurated on 15 December 1888 by the then Prince of Wales Edward. It was Prince Edward who went on to be called King Edward VII.

For the first time in this historic town hall, hosted and chaired by the Honorable Munir Ahmed, Mayor of Ealing London, fans of Shama Urdu gathered here from all over the world

For the first time in this historic town hall, hosted and chaired by the Honorable Munir Ahmed, Mayor of Ealing London, fans of Shama Urdu gathered here from all over the world.

The mayors, councillors, literary and social journalist personalities of different boroughs of London as well as precious personalities who love Urdu participated in this celebration.

Professor Aqeel Danish, patron of Bazm-e-Sukhan Britain, thanked the guests and explained the history and achievements of Bazm-e-Sukhan, and the Mayor of Ealing London, Muneer Ahmed gave the welcome speech, while Ehsan Shahid, the leader of Bazm-e-Sukhan, recited his poems for the participants. Welcoming the guests who came to join the celebration.

Dr Noor Giving Autograph

Ms. Shazia Khan, General Secretary of Al Noor International and founder of Stardom, came specially from America, highlighted Dr. Noor Amrohvi’s services to Urdu literature and his community. Dr. Shamsa Qureshi, the managing director of Al-Noor International and a well-known poet, could not come from America, but she expressed her good wishes over the phone from there and said that this honor can only be given to Dr. Noor Amrohvi. He is the most celebrated person for whom we Americans are proud.

Dr. Gabriela, a special representative of the Romanian Embassy and a literary figure, also participated in this speech ceremony for the first time and expressed his views.

Dr. Noor Amrohvi was awarded a certificate by the Mayor of Ealing London for his social and literary services and an award from Bizm-e-Sukhan Great Britain and it was acknowledged that the name of Dr. Noor Amrohvi is also London. It will also be written in golden letters in the literary history that he became the first representative of Urdu who took Urdu and his culture to such a high position and reached the London Parliament which was unimaginable. That’s why he was welcomed not only by all the audience, but also by all the assembly workers and mayors, and a standing ovation was given to Dr. Noor Amrohvi.

Chief organizer Mr Sohail Zarrar- Dr Noor Amrohvi

The program was moderated by Sohail Zarar Khalish, a spirited person from Great Britain. And thanked all the friends for organizing this wonderful event

The great poets of the Urdu world Syed Salman Geelani, Qaiser Wajdi, Aftab Alam Qureshi, Irfana Amar Ambrin Qureshi and Syed Shan Kanpuri captivated the hearts of the participants with their words.

In the end, the celebrant Dr. Noor Amrohvi took the seat and thanked Bazm for organizing the event. He said that Muneer Ahmed Sahib and Bazm-e-Sukhan may have made history today, after that there may be thousands of mushairas here, but whenever there is an event related to Urdu, this mushaira will always be remembered as the first mushaira. He will always be remembered.

Standing ovation to Dr Noor Amrohvi

Dr. Noor Amrohvi lit up the gathering with his wonderful words and beautiful speech and won the hearts of Londoners. A sumptuous dinner was given at the end of this long-remembered event.

source: http://www.millattimes.com / Millat Times / Home> World / by Millat Times Staff / November 13th, 2022

India’s first ‘Gate Woman’ Mirza Salma Baig is icon of dignity

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Mirza Salma Baig at her workplace
Mirza Salma Baig at her workplace

Mirza Salma Baig is India’s first woman to man the Railway crossing. She is stationed at Malhore Railway Crossing, one of the busiest intersections of railway and road traffic, located a few kilometers from Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

Salma Baig, 29, a mother of a toddler, has been working at this crossing for the past 10 years.

Seeing a hijab-clad woman turn a heavy wheel to shut the gate when the train is about to arrive at that point and then open it for pedestrians and other road traffic, the onlookers often stop to take selfies with her.

People show respect to Salma Baig for her job. Seeing her for the first time, many people stop to just look at how she works.

Mirza Salma Baig was appointed as the country’s first Gate Woman in 2013 at the age of 19. She hails from Lucknow, Uttar pradesh.

Malhore crossing is a busy intersection between railway track and the city road and it’s challenging to control and direct the traffic. She has to frequently close the gate for the vehicular traffic as many trains cross this point all through the day. Salma turns a heavy wheel with a lever to close the gate and then unwinds it to open it.

The gates open as soon as the train passes. Salma says that while closing and opening the gate, she has to take care not to hurt anyone. She stands with a red and green flag in hand until the train has crossed the gate.

Interestingly, many people had questioned Salma’s appointment in 2013 as the newspaper reports of 2013 suggest.

Mirza Salma Baig opening the railway gate

The railway authorities had to clarify that this job was always open to women but not many serious contenders for this job had ever applied.

Salma’s father Mirza Salim Baig was also a gateman at the Railway crossing. Due to hearing impairment and other ailments, he had to take voluntary retirement much earlier than it was due. Salma’s mother had suffered a stroke and after father’s retirement, there was no bread winner in the family.

At this stage the Indian Railways offered Salma a job. Salma quit her studies and accepted it. Her relatives were angry but she chose what was best for her and the family under the given circumstances.

She credits her parents for her success.

Salma is proud of her 10-year career and smiles when asked about the snide comments made by many when she first joined.

When she started working at the crossing, the staff told her that being a girl she would not be able to open the crossing gate. They told her that a train passes this crossing every one minute and many predicted she would leave the job in four days. Salma worked hard and never gave up.

She has been standing here for the last 10 years. Salma says, everyone in the staff has become her supporter.”

She performs her 12-hour long duty with full responsibility and competence. Salma says that girls should have the same freedom as housewives.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Women / by M Mishra, Lucknow / November 07th, 2022

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind President mourns demise of renowned economist Dr Nejatullah Siddiqui

Gorakhpur / Aligarh /UTTAR PRADESH / U.S.A. :

New Delhi : 

Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH) President Syed Sadatullah Husaini has mourned the passing away of renowned economist Dr. Nejatullah Siddiqui

In a media statement, the JIH President said that Dr. Nejatullah Siddiqui’s contribution to the field of Islamic economics was unparalleled and he pioneered the concept of Islamic banking and laid the foundations of what is currently a thriving multi-billion-dollar industry.

Mr.Husaini held that Dr. Nejatullah was a very versatile personality dedicated to learning and development and, despite living abroad, he contributed intellectually to many forums and institutions in India. Calling his demise, a great loss to the Muslim world and the Islamic Movement, Mr.Husaini said, “his passing away leaves a great vacuum in the field of Islamic economics and finance.”

Offering his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members, the JIH leader said, “May Allah forgive him, grant him the highest position in Paradise and bestow patience upon his family members.”

Dr. Mohammad Nejatullah Siddiqui, an Indian economist, was awarded the King Faisal International Prize (Saudi Arabia) for Islamic Studies in 1982. Born in India in 1931, he was educated at Aligarh Muslim University as well as Rampur and Azamgarh.

He served as Associate Professor of economics and Professor of Islamic studies at the Aligarh Muslim University and as Professor of economics at the King Abdul Aziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in its Center for Research in Islamic Economics.

He later became a Fellow at the Center for Near Eastern Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles (USA), and after that a visiting scholar at the Islamic Research and Training Institute, Islamic Development Bank, Jeddah.

He was a prolific writer in Urdu and English with 63 works in 177 publications and 1301 library holdings to his credit. Several of his works have been translated into Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Indonesian, Malaysian, and Thai languages. He was also the recipient of the Shah Waliullah Award in New Delhi for contributions to Islamic Economics.

Some of his notable books are Recent Theories of Profit: A Critical Examination, Economic Enterprise in Islam, Muslim Economic Thinking, Banking Without Interest, Partnership and profit-sharing in Islamic law, Insurance in an Islamic Economy, Teaching Economics from in Islamic Perspective, Role of the State in Islamic Economy, Dialogue in Islamic Economics, and Islam’s View on Property.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> National Interest / November 12th, 2022

Nagpur’s 19-year-old Alfiya Khan Pathan became the First-ever Maharashtra Woman Boxer to win Gold at ‘Asian Elite Boxing Championships (ASBC), Amman, Jordan

Nagpur, MAHARASHTRA:

Nagpur's Alfiya Pathan 1st Maharashtra woman boxer to win Asian Championships gold

Nagpur:

City’s Alfiya Khan Pathan became the first-ever Maharashtra woman boxer to win a medal at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships. On Friday, Alfiya won the gold medal in 81+kg category and is among the four Indian gold medal winners in the women’s section in Amman, Jordan.

Apart from Alifya, Saweety (81kg), Lovlina (75kg) and Parveen (63kg) won the yellow medals for India, 1 silver and  2 bronze. This is Indian women’s third-best performance at the prestigious tournament in terms of winning gold medals, after seven gold medals in 2005 and five in 2003.

The 19-year-old Nagpur girl was declared winner against Islam Husaili when the Jordan boxer was disqualfied by the referee for biting Alfiya on shoulder. Alfiya, the Youth World Champion, went all out from the word go and planted aggressive left-hand punches. The gold medal bout did not last even the full 3 minutes of the first round.

Southpaw Alfiya was so fierce that the Jordan boxer looked clueless in the first 1.5 minutes itself. After a series of  punches, Husaili came close to ensure Alfiya could not charge, and in the process bit Alfiya’s shoulder. She was immediately disqualified.

“I am super excited with the result. This is the result of efforts taken by Bhaskar Bhatt sir and his team in the national camp. We had prepared well and it turned out well,” said Afliya while talking to TOI from Jordan.

This result in the final was expected after Alfiya cruised past 2016 world champion Lazzat Kungeibayeva of Kazakhstan in a 5-0 win in the semis. This was the second time this year that Alfiya has defeated Lazzat, having stunned the Kazakh on her own turf in the Elorda Cup in July this year, in what was her senior international debut competition.

“It is an amazing performance by Indian women boxers. Winning four gold medals is a big achievement. It is a result of the hard work put in by Indian boxers, support staff and team in the camp,” chief coach Bhaskar Bhatt told TOI from Jordan. He added, “We got very good support at every juncture from BFI and SAI. We will continue similar practice pattern as we keep our eyes on the 2023 World Championship”.

Alfiya’s feat is a result of her rigorous training at the national camp under Bhatt. After winning the maiden senior category medal in July, Alfiya was called for the senior national camp considering her consistent show in junior, youth and senior international events.

Generally, a player is selected in the national camp on the basis of performance in the senior national championship. On very few occasions, boxers are included in the camp on other criteria, like it happened with Alfiya due to her Kazakhstan success.

Alfiya, who is a daughter of Akram Pathan, ASI at Nagpur Police Headquarters, is yet to play senior nationals but has two international gold medals including the Asian gold won on Friday.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> News> Sports News> Boxing News (headline edited) / by Pratik Siddharth / TNN / November 12th, 2022

UAE: Meet the Guinness record-holding Indian father-daughter duo at Sharjah book fair

Kozhikode, KERALA / Dubai, UAE:

20-year-old Roshna created the longest cartoon strip measuring 430m, titled ‘The Billion Dollar Journey’ honouring businessman MA Yusuff Ali

Father and daughter duo M Dileef and Roshna M. Photo: Nasreen Abdulla

The ongoing Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) houses two record-breaking installations — tucked away in Hall 7, the world’s largest screwdriver is displayed and right next to it is the world’s longest cartoon strip depicting the inspirational story of UAE-based businessman MA Yusuff Ali.

Both of these Guinness world record-holding creations have been made by Indian expat father-daughter duo M Dileef and Roshna M. “It feels great to be exhibiting here,” said 20-year-old Roshna, who broke her own record for the longest cartoon strip established in 2021 with her latest creation. Measuring 430m, the new strip titled ‘The Billion Dollar Journey’ is stretched across two wheels and can be read by rotating the hand.

On Sunday, the illustrious Indian businessman from Kerala, MA Yusuff Ali, visited the stall and commended Roshan’s efforts.

Roshna’s father, M Dileef, a seasoned record-setter, said this is his third Guinness World Record. “Due to space constraints, I could only put the head of the screwdriver on display,” he said. Completed in March, the tool measures a whooping 6.6m in length. The artist was recently granted a Golden Visa in the UAE.

The longest cartoon strip

The cartoon strip charts the journey of businessman MA Yusuff Ali, from his childhood in a village in Kerala to his meteoric rise as one of the most influential businessmen in the world.

“I have always looked up to him,” she said. “I want to be an entrepreneur; he is my role model, so I wanted to make something to honour him.”

It was in 2021 that Roshna set her first world record with a cartoon strip measuring 404 metres in collaboration with Global Village. This year, she has broken that record. According to the youngster, who recently graduated with a bachelor’s in fine arts, making this strip took her 8 months, five months of which was just for research.

“I had a team of six classmates,” she said. “We had decided that we wanted to do something to make our mark, and this is the idea we came up with. They helped me in the entire research process and aided me when drawing the cartoon strip as well.”

The graduate now dreams of pursuing a master’s degree in Europe and hopes to raise funds for her education with her artwork.

Largest screwdriver

The masterpiece by Dileef was first displayed at World Art Dubai in March of this year. “I wanted to pay tribute to the working-class population in the city,” he said. “No other country has honoured and valued the contribution of the working class like the UAE has. So many lives were transformed because of Dubai. This piece was a homage to that.”

Made out of mahagony wood and mild steel, the screwdriver was constructed in Dubai. The handle, which has a diameter of 70cm, also has storage space for knickknacks.

Dileef has earlier set two world records- one for curating the world’s longest Quran and another for the largest badminton racket.

www.dileefartgallery.com

source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> UAE / by Nasreen Abdulla / November 06th, 2022

23-yr-old Indian American Muslim woman wins US mid-term elections

INDIA / U.S.A. :

“My name is Nabeela Syed. I’m a 23-year old Muslim, Indian-American woman. We just flipped a Republican-held suburban district,” she tweeted.

 Nabeela Syed (Photo: Instagram)

A 23-year-old Indian-American Muslim woman Nabeela Syed, the candidate of the Democratic Party, has won a significant victory in the United States (US) mid-term elections.

Nabeela has written history as the youngest representative to have won the election for the 51st House district of the Illinois state legislature in US.

On Wednesday, Nabeela took to Twitter and shared her happiness of being elected to the General Assembly as a representative of the Democratic party.

“My name is Nabeela Syed. I’m a 23-year old Muslim, Indian-American woman. We just flipped a Republican-held suburban district,” she tweeted.

She further wrote, I will be the youngest member of the Illinois General Assembly.

Nabeela took to Instagram and wrote, “When I announced for State Representative, I made it a mission to genuinely engage in conversation with people – to give them a reason to get involved in our democracy and hope for better leadership that represents their values. We won this race because we engaged in that conversation.”

“We talked to seniors about the rising cost of prescription drugs. We talked to working families about the growing burden of property taxes. We talked to women, pledging that I would protect their right to reproductive healthcare. We spoke with parents about their desire to strengthen commonsense gun safety laws,” she adds.

Nabeela continues, “We won this race because the people of the 51st District want a representative who is ready to fight for them and their families.”

“I knocked every door in this district. Tomorrow, I start knocking them again to thank them for placing their trust in me. I’m ready to get to work,” she added.

In June 2022, Nabeela Syed had won the Democratic primary and has now flipped a Republican district against incumbent Chris Bos.

Syed, who becomes the first South Asian in the Illinois state legislature, will also be the youngest member of the state assembly.

Born and raised in Illinois, Nabeela Syed graduated from the University of California with a degree in Political Science.

In her election manifesto, Nabeela Syed has promised to consider and address public issues such as equal rights, health care, education and taxation.

According to her website, Syed is running “to build a better Illinois for residents today and tomorrow – an Illinois with a strong economy, sustainable infrastructure, and affordable healthcare, and higher education.”

Syed currently works for a non-profit, helping them in digital strategy and supporting a myriad of civic engagement initiatives, for example, mobilising voters, curbing sexual assault on college campuses, and enhancing gender equity, according to her official website.

Having graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a degree in Political Science and Business, she served as the president of a pro-bono consulting organisation that helped local businesses.

Syed is active in her religious community at the Islamic Society of Northwest Suburbs and advocates interfaith dialogue and aims to empower young Muslim women to lead.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by Sakina Fatima / November 10th, 2022