Winners will benefit from tailored development programmes and mentoring from experienced motorsport professionals at Iron Dames.
Mir will compete in the Iron Dames Young Talents selection round in Italy on July 29-30
Nine-year-old Atiqa Mir, from Kashmir, has been shortlisted for the Iron Dames Young Talents programme. The new initiative has been launched by the same squad that made history last year as the first all-female team to win a race in the World Endurance Championship (at the 2023 8 Hours of Bahrain).
Mir is the only racer from Asia to be shortlisted for the first selection round that will be held at Italy’s Franciacorta karting track on July 29-30.
First selection round in Italy on July 29-30
Mir has top three results in the DAMC and UAE IAME Series
Iron Dames Young Talents programme
Iron Dames says the main goal of its new Young Talents initiative is to “identify and develop young kart racers between the ages of eight and 13”. A total of 20 young female racers have qualified for the selection round at Franciacorta, where they’ll compete in a series of scouting events.
Junior racing giant Prema Racing will help assess the candidates based on their driving skills, work ethic and “ability to embody the spirit and attitude of the Iron Dames”. Those who impress will earn the chance to join the Iron Dames stable and benefit from tailored development programmes, mentoring from experienced motorsport professionals and access to world-class training facilities.
Besides being the only Asian, Mir is also the youngest racer shortlisted in the Mini Category. “I’m truly honoured to be shortlisted for the Iron Dames Young Talent selection process. It motivates me further to perform and improve my skills as a driver. I will work hard and prepare myself better than ever to come out on top in the selections and make India proud,” she said.
Atiqa Mir: Climbing up the karting ladder
Mir has already built an impressive racing resume with outings in India, the UAE and Europe. She started karting at the age of six and made her competitive debut in 2021. Since then, she’s gone on to finish third overall in the 2023-24 DAMC (Dubai Autodrome Motorsports Club) Cup and second overall in the 2023-24 UAE IAME Series Rookie Championship.
Of course, racing runs in Mir’s blood. Her father, Asif Nazir Mir, was India’s first National Karting Champion and also raced in Formula Asia. “[My motorsport journey] started when I was three-four years old, watching my dad race at the Dubai Kartdrome,” Mir told Autocar India. “He gives me a lot of tips on the track, and we practice everything on our home simulator, which I drive on every day.”
Mir had competed in the Indian National Karting Championship in 2022. And she’s back this year, competing in all five rounds in the Micro Max category this time, racing for team MSport. And she’s already made a podium appearance, having finished third in Round 1.
This year, she also had her first taste of racing in Europe as part of the CEK (Campeonato de España de Karting) series. “The drivers are really competitive there,” she shared. “But the tracks there are like my style. That’s why I’m getting better and progressing.”
We’ve seen growing female participation in motorsport recently, further propelled by the new F1 Academy and even the success of Iron Dames. But there’s still a long way to go. “There are only three-four girls [competing in Europe with me], so not many, but they’re more than in Dubai. But that motivates me a lot,” added Mir.
She already has her sights on F1 and highlights Max Verstappen as a racer she looks up to. “I want to race in F1 because it’s the top 20 best drivers of the world, so it’s really rare to compete with them. I want to be the first girl driving in F1, and I want to do what’s never been done before.”
During the months of lockdown last year, NSS units in colleges across Gujarat mobilized resources for food, masks, sanitation.
More than 5,000 student volunteers associated with NSS units in universities carried out COVID relief projects during the initial phase of lockdown
New Delhi :
The risk of contracting a life-threatening virus and the lockdown did not discourage Shaikh Afzal, a final year student of LD Engineering College, Ahmedabad from stepping out to collect food grain for the people in need.
A volunteer with the government-led National Service Scheme, in his case the NSS unit of Gujarat Technological University, Afzal felt the need to be on the ground despite the inhibitions of his family members. While the country was under a nation-wide lockdown in March last year, volunteers like Afzal risked their lives to help migrant workers stranded for days without supplies.
“I have faced a shortage of food for days at home during the lockdown and I understood their situation. They have extremely limited means. I decided to help them despite the risks,” said Afzal who resides with his 70-year-old grandmother and five other family members. He spent two months distributing food kits in various parts of Ahmedabad.
Soon after the central government announced the countrywide shutdown to control the spread of the coronavirus, a wide range of problems emerged, especially for the working class. The lockdown was extended for nearly four more months. Having lost their jobs, thousands of migrant workers attempted to leave major cities for home. In the absence of food reserves, many were pushed into starvation and others struggled to make ends meet.
Like Afzal, more than 5,000 student volunteers associated with NSS units in universities across Gujarat carried out COVID relief projects during the initial phase of lockdown. From providing masks, hand sanitizers and dry ration kits, to managing large crowds along with the police, students participated in several measures.
Prompt relief in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, one of the major cities employing daily wage workers and construction workers from bordering states, experienced food shortages amid the extended lockdown. NSS units in various colleges kicked into action to provide ground relief.
Along with Afzal, a team of 15 NSS and National Cadet Corps (NCC) volunteers in coordination with Ahmedabad’s district magistrate’s office conducted an extensive COVID relief drive. The team under the leadership of Chaitanya Sanghvi, the college’s NSS program officer, raised Rs. 3.69 lakh in donations from teachers and students’ parents to arrange for food kits. The volunteers distributed more than 12,500 kits in two months.
“A lot of parents were concerned about their [students’] health but my personal assurance that COVID safety measures will be taken while helping others made them feel confident,” said Sanghvi. “The students were given training by the GIDM [Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management] on how to respond to various challenges on the field,” he added.
Student of LD Engineering College, Ahmedabad distributing ration kits
Each day, for nearly two months, the team distributed 500 kits that sustained families of four for at least 10 days. On several occasions, the team members recalled being overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation on the ground. “Every day we would find a new challenge before us. We had to be cautious about our own safety while maintaining safe distance among those who came to collect the kits. The chaos escalated at times and we had to call the local police to maintain order,” said Deval Naika, a final-year mechanical engineering student.
The relief work began with 16 volunteers but the group expanded into a large team of 100 students after the initial phase of the project ended in success. The students were asked to work on the field in rotation. The effort, according to Sanghvi, helped families that were severely starved amid the lockdown. “I remember providing a food kit to a migrant worker’s family of 12 members. They told me that they were going to eat solid food after 12 days of starvation. There were small kids delighted at the sight of food. I will never forget that day,” recalled Sanghvi.
The team, in a tie-up with the Indian Red Cross Society, also conducted a blood donation drive for thalassemia major patients who were facing a shortage of blood supply during the lockdown. To allay the fear of blood donors, the team remotely reached out to the willing donors on mobile donation vans in various parts of Ahmedabad.
Porda village, Anand
Another NSS volunteer, Kishan Nileshkumar Dave, studying in Natubhai V. Patel College of Pure and Applied Sciences, Vallabh Vidyanagar, managed to provide relief to 100 families in his village, Porda, in Anand district. The volunteers carried out a multifaceted relief drive which included the distribution of food, masks, sanitizing common gathering areas and distribution of Ayurvedic immunity boosters.
Dave and his group of 10 volunteers started a fundraiser to provide relief to the families struggling without any financial help in the period of lockdown. With the help of the village sarpanch and some of its well-heeled families, Dave managed to collect enough funds to feed the hungry for more than a month.
“The money was utilized to cook food and deliver to each villager in need. We also maintained meticulous records of people who require urgent help and avoided missing out on anyone who needed attention,” said Dave. This group also served food to the policemen and health-workers on COVID-19 duty.
The team also engaged local tailors to sew 2,100 masks to be distributed in the community. In this way, they supplied masks to 920 families of the village and surrounding areas.
The volunteers also prepared herbal tonic under the supervision of the Ayurvedic Aushadhi Kendra of a nearby village, Aradi, and distributed it in Porda and the surrounding areas. Around 1,500 villagers received the immunity booster.
In addition, Dave also conducted a sanitization drive for 20 days. “Providing food and masks was not enough, we also used a sprayer machine and fogging machine provided by the Gram Panchayat and sanitized all the streets, milk collection centres, banks, and other areas of the village,” said Dave. Close to 900 houses of the village were sanitized. The volunteers also raised awareness among the villagers about the significance of personal hygiene, wearing the mask, washing hands frequently, and maintaining social distance.
As the lockdown caused huge losses for the farmers, this group brought vegetables from the village farmers and sold them at fair price to the villagers and residents of slum areas of the village like Indira Nagari. While some group members sold the vegetables, others helped maintain social distancing among the buyers.
Food delivery on national highway
With education institutions shut for months, many students had left the college campuses. They planned to contribute from home. Several NSS volunteers of Vishwakarma Engineering College, Ahmedabad, stepped up to help the migrant workers heading home along the National Highway eight. “Our NSS volunteers living close to the NH provided home-cooked food whenever possible to several families traveling on foot. Since the lockdown was sudden, it was difficult to provide funds. Therefore, each student utilised their own resources,” said Shiza Sheikh, a second-year student of electronics and communication.
At the beginning of COVID-19 lockdown, to meet the sudden rise in demand of masks, the students also distributed 1,500 hand-stitched masks from unused cloth they found at home and distributed it in various parts of Gujarat. “Even though students were scattered throughout the state, the NSS volunteers of our college were determined to help people who were in need. The students learned how to make masks through YouTube videos or by learning stitching from their parents,” Sheikh added.
source: http://www.news.careers360.com / News Careers360 / Home / by R Radhika / April 24th, 2021
Mysuru’s Tasmai Cariappa, winner of the Novice (Stock 165cc) race on 7Sept 2024. Photo by Anand Philar
Chennai :
Chennai’s Ryhana Bee, seeking to regain the National title in the Girls category (Stock 165cc) after three years, scored a lights-to-flag win after topping the practice and qualifying sessions with her new team, Rockers Racing.
Meanwhile, teenagers and TVS Racing team-mates Sarthak Chavan (Pune) and Chiranth Vishwanath (Bengaluru) split the day’s honours with a victory apiece in the two premier Pro-Stock categories on a day of stirring action in the fourth and penultimate round of the MRF MMSC fmsci Indian National Motorcycle Racing Championship 2024 – Powered by STORM at the Madras International Circuit, here on Saturday.
Sarthak overcame a poor start to post his sixth win in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open category ahead of Chiranth and veteran Rajini Krishnan (RACR Castrol Power1 Ultimate).
National Championship Girls (Stock 165cc) race winner Ryhana Bee (centre) flanked by second-placed Jagathee Kumaresan (left) and third-placed Rakshitha Dave at the Madras International Circuit on 7 Sept 2024 / Photos by Anand Philar
The result in the Pro-Stock 165cc Open class race was the reverse with the Chiranth coming through an up-and-down six laps, the last of which saw him and Sarthak coming together, but staying in the saddle to complete the race with KY Ahamed, recovering from a viral fever, made it a 1-2-3 for TVS Racing.
Mysuru’s 22-year-old Tasmai Cariappa (Motul Sparks Racing) kept his nerves in a tense finish to score his maiden win the Novice (Stock 165cc) race while Pradeep C, a private entrant from Bengaluru, wrote his own script in winning the Stock 301-400cc (Novice) race after starting from P4.
TVS India One-Make Championship
Sarthak Chavan celebrating his win in the Pro-Stock 301-400cc Open race (Sept 07)
Coimbatore’s Raj Kumar C upstaged favourites to record his first win of the season in the Open (Apache RR 310) category as he finished well ahead of Manoj Yesuadian (Chennai) and championship leader Senthilkumar C (Coimbatore).
CS Kedarnath from Tirupati held off Bengaluru’s Harshith Bogar and Akarsh Jangam (Hyderabad) in a tight finish as the trio finished the Rookie (Apache RTR 200) race in close formation that also included Tejash BA (Tumakuru) in P4. Less than a second separated the quartet. It was Kedarnath’s second win of the season.
Later, SP Shuria from Trichy won a battle royal against Pune’s Saimah Ajaz Baig with a last lap overtaking to win the Girls (Apache RTR 200) race that was briefly interrupted by a red flag stoppage due to an on-track incident. Finishing third was Aisvariya of Coimbatore, ahead of Bengaluru’s Poojita Anil Kumar.
Idemitsu Honda India Talent Cup
Mohsin Paramban from Malappuram extended his hold on the NSF 250R class with fourth win of the season that took him further away from the pack in the championship standings.
Completing the podium were Kolhapur’s Siddesh Sawant and Prakash Kamat (Bengaluru). The outcome of the six-lap race was in suspense until the top three crossed the finish line within a second of each other.
The results (Provisional, all 6 laps unless mentioned):
Iqbal Manna, a committed social worker from Brahmagiri, Udupi, has been selected for the prestigious Swami Vivekananda State Award, recognising his tireless efforts to promote Kannada and Tulu languages in Gulf countries. The award is presented by the People’s Council for Human Rights.
Manna has gained recognition for his social and philanthropic activities in Qatar, where he is a founding member of the Qatar Tulu Koota and KMCA Qatar. After returning to India, he continued his involvement with various social organisations.
He has held leadership positions in numerous prominent associations, including the Udupi Giants Group, Haji Abdullah Charitable Trust, Saheban Welfare Trust, Udupi District Muslim Union, Muslim Welfare Association, and the Brahmagiri Hashimi Mosque. His active role in the Udupi District Minorities Forum further highlights his dedication to community welfare.
The award ceremony will be held on September 28 at 5:30 pm at the Lions Bhavan in Brahmagiri, Udupi
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Karnataka / by Media Release / September 26th, 2024
Screengrab of Subhan Khan (wrapped in a scarf) earning massive praise and adulations from people in Telangana
In an extraordinary act of bravery, a man named Subhan Khan from Haryana became a local hero after he single-handedly rescued nine people stranded on a bridge during severe flooding in Telangana. The incident occurred on the Prakash Nagar bridge over the Munneru river in Khammam district, where a sudden rise in water levels left the group helpless.
Despite warnings from others, Khan decided to take matters into his own hands. With the state government unable to reach the site due to adverse weather conditions, Khan drove his bulldozer to the bridge, determined to save the marooned group. Before setting out on the daring mission, he remarked, “If I die, it is one life, but if I return, I will save nine.”
Khan’s courageous efforts paid off as he returned safely with all nine individuals, who were greeted with loud cheers from the onlookers. His daughter, who captured the moment on video, expressed her relief and pride, saying, “I am shivering, my daddy, he managed to do what he set out to.”
The heroic act quickly garnered widespread attention, with many praising Khan’s selflessness and courage. Among those who congratulated him was KT Rama Rao (KTR), a prominent opposition leader and former minister. In a post on social media platform X, KTR expressed his admiration, stating, “You, my brother Subhan Khan, have saved so many families from a life-long pain by helping these nine people. Salute to your big heart and amazing grit!”, reported NDTV.
KTR further added that he intends to meet Khan in person upon his return to Telangana, acknowledging that Khan’s bravery had saved the lives of those stranded and spared their families from immense grief.
Subhan Khan’s story serves as a powerful reminder that true heroism lies in the willingness to risk one’s life for the sake of others, a quality that has now earned him widespread respect and gratitude across the region.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Social Service / by Radiance News Bureau / September 03rd, 2024
Affan Abdul Aziz Momin, son of a paan shop owner from the slums of Zaitoonpura here, has achieved what many dream of but few attain – admission to IIT Kanpur, one of India’s top engineering institutes. His journey, marked by immense perseverance and sacrifice, saw him rise from humble beginnings in an Urdu medium school to earning a degree in Aerospace Engineering. Today, Affan serves as a Control Engineer at Vestas Wind Technology, a multinational leader in wind turbine manufacturing, showcasing that hard work and dedication can indeed turn dreams into reality.
Affan Momin with his parents
Affan’s path to success was not easy. Financial difficulties threatened to derail his education on more than one occasion. When he secured admission to Defense Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) in Pune, his family couldn’t afford fees.
It was then that his sisters made the ultimate sacrifice, selling their cherished jewelry to ensure that their brother’s dreams did not go unfulfilled. This act of selflessness kept Affan’s aspirations alive, allowing him to continue his studies and eventually secure a place at IIT Kanpur.
Even after securing a spot at IIT Kanpur, the financial strain persisted. The family’s resources were stretched thin, and Affan feared his dreams might remain unrealized.
However, the kindness of his BE professor, Dr. Rahul Makade, who paid his admission fees, proved that humanity and compassion transcend all barriers. This support, combined with the monthly stipend Affan received from the government, enabled him to focus on his studies without the burden of financial worries, paving the way for his eventual success.
Affan’s journey is a beacon of hope for the community, illustrating that perseverance, faith, and the support of loved ones can overcome even the most daunting challenges. He encourages others to never give up on education, no matter the difficulties, as help will always come to those who strive sincerely. His story is a reminder that every obstacle can lead to greater success, and that with determination and the right support, even the most improbable dreams can come true.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / September 02nd, 2024
Prof Zia ur Rehman Siddiqui (R) receives the National Urdu Award from Mr Dharmendra Singh Lodhi at Bhopal
Prof Zia ur Rehman Siddiqui, Centre of Advanced Study, Department of Urdu, Aligarh Muslim University has been conferred with the National Urdu Award by the Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy, for his contributions to Urdu literature and research.
The award was conferred upon him by Mr Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, Minister of Culture and Dr Nusrat Mehdi, Director of Madhya Pradesh Urdu Academy in a function held at Bhopal.
Prof Siddiqui has authored several books, including “Tehreek-e-Azadi aur Urdu Nasr”, “Urdu Adab Ki Tareekh”, “Urdu-Hindi Dictionary”, “Armughan-e-Tehqeeq”, “Asaleeb-e-Fikr”, “Bengali Kahaniyan”, “Doon ka Sabza” (Urdu translation of Ruskin Bond’s writings), “Hsuan Tsang ka Safar-e-Hindustan”, “Asan Urdu Grammar,” etc.
He has also contributed over 200 research papers to various journals of repute in India and abroad.
Prof Q.H. Faridi, Chairman, Department of Urdu, Prof S. Siraj Ajmali and other faculty members congratulated him for getting this prestigious award.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards / by Radiance News Bureau / September 11th, 2024
Renowned Kashmiri journalist Arjumand Shaheen has received the Laadli Media and Advertising Award for Gender Sensitivity 2024 for her 2022 report on “Kashmir’s Proxy Sarpanches.” She was recognized with the Web Jury Appreciation Citation in the English category.
Published by Article-14.com in 2022, the report exposes the misuse of statutory posts meant to empower women through the practice of “Sarpanch Patis.” She earned recognition for her report “Kashmir’s Proxy Sarpanches: Women Elected to Reserved Seats Have Become Rubber Stamps for Men,” which highlights male dominance and governance issues in Kashmiri local bodies.
Speaking to Radiance, Ms. Shaheen said, “I feel honored that my work has been recognized. Media wields significant power in shaping public opinion and attitudes towards gender. To combat existing stereotypes, we need more stories with a gender perspective. The media often focuses on male-centric narratives, so it’s crucial to also highlight women-centric stories to achieve a balanced portrayal. Such stories can inspire change and help combat gender discrimination over time. My piece addresses how the ‘panch-pati’ misuses power and highlights the lack of genuine political participation by women.”
Ms. Shaheen received the award at a ceremony in Mumbai this week wherein she was honored for her role in promoting gender sensitivity through media.
The Laadli Media and Advertising Awards annually celebrate journalists and media professionals who challenge patriarchal and misogynistic attitudes in society.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / September 15th, 2024
The annual Global Islamic Finance Conference 2024 was recently held in the Maldives, organized by the Maldivian government. The event was graced by the presence of former Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed Hassan and Finance Minister Mohamed Shafeeq, alongside representatives from various Muslim countries and Islamic banking institutions, reported the Siasat.
During the conference, Syed Moosa Kaleem Al-Falahi, Chief Business and Investment Officer of the Islamic Bank of Afghanistan, was honored with the Global Islamic Finance Award 2024 (GIFA). The award was presented by former President Waheed Hassan and Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq in recognition of his significant contributions to the field.
Hailing from Hyderabad, Syed Moosa is the son of the late Syed Yusuf, former Secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Legislature and former Hon. Editor of Radiance Viewsweekly. He has an impressive track record, having served in prominent roles at the Dubai Islamic Bank, the Islamic Bank of Afghanistan, and various other Islamic banking institutions.
Syed Moosa has played a pivotal role in promoting the concept of Islamic banking in Afghanistan, facilitating the establishment of new branches of the Islamic Bank of Afghanistan to enhance banking services. His extensive experience and commitment to advancing Islamic banking principles were acknowledged at the global conference.
The event was jointly organized by Cambridge IFA and the Maldivian government, where Syed Moosa’s contributions to small and medium enterprises and retail sectors through the introduction of Islamic products were particularly highlighted. His expertise has been instrumental in promoting the ideals of Islamic banking across multiple countries.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Muslim World> Asia> Awards> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / September 19th, 2024
In a remarkable achievement, Dr. Faizuddin Ahmed, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), has once again been recognized among the world’s top 2% scientists by Stanford University, USA.
This marks the fifth consecutive year that Dr. Ahmed has received this prestigious honor, showcasing his unwavering contributions to scientific research, reported The Hindustan Times.
Despite ongoing political scrutiny of USTM, a Muslim-owned university, by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the institution has continued to excel academically.
Under the leadership of founder Mahbubul Hoque, USTM has nurtured a diverse student body, with 80% of its students being Hindu. Dr. Ahmed’s recognition further affirms the university’s commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity.
The list, published on September 16, 2024, highlights global scientific excellence, with Dr. Ahmed being honored for his groundbreaking research in Theoretical Physics, particularly in the areas of General Relativity and quantum mechanics. Over the course of his career, he has published 165 research papers in top-tier Scopus-indexed journals, including the European Physical Journal C, Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics, and Annals of Physics.
Expressing his gratitude, Dr. Ahmed stated, “Being recognized by Stanford University for five consecutive years is a humbling experience. This honor is a testament to the value of persistence, research, and the pursuit of knowledge. I owe a great deal of gratitude to USTM and my colleagues for their unwavering support.”
Dr. Ahmed’s academic journey began at Bholanath College, Dhubri, where he completed his undergraduate degree in 2006. He went on to pursue his master’s and PhD at Gauhati University, receiving his doctorate in 2016.
His consistent recognition on the global stage not only highlights his individual brilliance but also positions USTM as a hub for scientific research and innovation, standing tall against the political challenges it faces.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Pride of the Nation / by Radiance News Bureau / September 21st, 2024
