Mohammad Naushad, a retired man from Bengaluru had plans to travel the world after completing his tenure in the steel industry. He landed as a tourist in Samarkand a year ago and his quest for his morning masala tea and paratha prompted him to settle here and open the only Indian restaurant in the second-largest city of Uzbekistan.
Called “The Indian Kitchen”, the restaurant came as a respite to Indian students who are studying medicine here and used to miss Indian food. The locals here also fancy the wide-ranging menu from lip dosas to chicken biryani.
“I had no plans to work post-retirement and had no experience of working at a restaurant let alone running one. When I came here as a tourist, I headed out to have my usual breakfast of masala tea and paratha.
“I have travelled to so many countries and have always found some or the other place where Indian food is available. I was surprised to find out that there is not a single eatery or restaurant which serves Indian meals,” 61-year-old Naushad told PTI.
“A week more and the vibrant culture and simplicity of people here, prompted me to give it a shot and now Samarkand is my permanent home,” he added.
According to Naushad, the restaurant receives around 350-400 visitors per day and there are catering orders for weddings and events where having Indian cuisine as an option is a hit here.
His day starts with going to the “bazaar” with his staff to buy groceries as he prefers everything to be cooked afresh at the restaurant.
“There are over 3,000 Indian students in Samarkand and they tell me often that they used to miss Indian meals. The shahi paneer and naan and the rotis used to be a rare sight here. I expected the Indians to love the restaurant but the response I have received from Uzbeks is phenomenal,” he said.
Behind the lip-smacking dishes available at the restaurant is Ashok Kalidasa, a chef who hails from Madras. He earlier used to live in Uzbekistan’s Tashkent and is now settled in Samarkand.
“We enquire from each customer about the kind of spices they like us to use, whether they want it less spicy or tangy because Uzbek food is very different. The effort to customise the popular Indian dishes to their taste is what attracts the local crowd here. Indian students come here because they get their home food and the meals are not expensive,” he said.
Kalidasa says the most popular dishes at the restaurant are “masala dosa” and “chicken biryani” which is much different from the Uzbek “Pilaf”.
Asked about her favourite pick at the restaurant, Zarina, an Uzbek woman, said “I love masala chai”.
While right now the Indian Kitchen offers meals at the restaurant, Naushad has expansion plans.
“We are also thinking of starting a tiffin service for Indian students. Also, we get a lot of tourists. So I am contemplating opening similar setups in Bukhara and Khiva which are popular tourist destinations in Uzbekistan but do not have any Indian restaurants,” he said.
According to the Uzbekistan Embassy in New Delhi, the Indian diaspora in Uzbekistan has more than 5,000 people. In pre-Covid year 2019, over 28,000 Indian tourists visited Uzbekistan. However, the number has crossed over 30,000 this year so far.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> World / November 19th, 2023
In a sweep of the University of Hyderabad’s student union elections, an alliance comprising the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), the Ambedkar Students’ Association (ASA), and the Tribal Students Forum (TSF) won all six elected positions. The official announcement of the election results came late on Friday night, following the polls on Thursday.
Elected Student Leaders
Mohammed Ateeq Ahmed of SFI, who is a student at the School of Humanities, was elected as the president of the students’ union with 1,880 votes.
Ahmed beat Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) candidate Shaik Aayesha by over 470 votes. Aayesha was the first Muslim candidate of ABVP, which is affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), in University of Hyderabad (UoH) elections.
Jalli Akash of ASA-SFI alliance was elected as the vice president with 1,671 votes. Deepak Kumar Arya of ASA-SFI was elected as the general secretary with 1,765 votes. Lavudi Bala Anjaneyulu of SFI-TSF was elected as the joint secretary with 1,775 votes.
Samim Akter Sheikh of ASA-SFI and Athul of SFI were elected as the cultural secretary and the sports secretary respectively.
Several colleges have not held student elections since the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions to the academic calendar until 2022.
But UoH elections for the previous academic year, which the SFI-ASA-Dalit Students Union alliance had won, were held in February 2023.
(With inputs from PTI)
source: http: //www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Education / by PTI / November 11th, 2023
The ongoing exhibition on iconic birder Dr Salim Ali at Bombay Natural History Society offers rare insight into the meticulous life of the man who shaped India’s avian conservation programme.
Barure (in saree) guides a visitor
In the quiet landmark of Hornbill House at Fort, a buzz is slowly developing. On International Bird Week (November 5 to November 12), the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is celebrating one of the pioneers of Indian ornithology, Dr Salim Ali, with an exhibition from his personal archives. Today might be the last opportunity to peek into the life of a man whose efforts paved the way for conservation study in the country.
Dr Salim Ali. / File pic
“Research and conservation were two very important facets of his life,” shares Kishor Rithe, director, BNHS. The exhibition brings to fore his professional expanse and personal meticulousness. The collection was brought together by curator and BNHS librarian, Nirmala Barure. The work began in 2014, she reveals. “The process is still ongoing since it is such a monumental record of correspondence, research and notes over a period of 60 years,” Barure remarks.
The tape recorder used by Dr Ali to record bird sounds
The theme for the exhibition, Rithe adds, is a focus on the layman. It includes correspondence to prime ministers, policy makers, as well as people on the ground — from forest officials to students and villagers. Barure points out that the correspondence also has some touching personal moments.
His filming equipment. Pics/Atul Kamble
“There are greeting cards from Mrinalini Sarabhai, and a commendation letter from the famed botanist Ethelbert Blatter of St Xaviers’ College,” she notes. One of the more remarkable objects was a complaint written by Dr Salim Ali to a Bandra neighbour — Yusuf Khan aka Dilip Kumar — complaining about the noise the latter’s watchman made in the night.
A letter written by Dr Salim Ali to Dilip Kumar from 1975
Then, there is his equipment — from typewriters and cameras to telescopes and lenses. “While technology has advanced, this equipment is proof of how challenging it was for the early pioneers to make audio visual records and document their studies,” Rithe notes. Among the equipment on display is a rare find of 16mm films, shot by Dr Ali during his many journeys, that were preserved by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.
Dr Ali’s portable typewriter
The society is already in the process of dedicating a space to honour Dr Ali’s collection. Rithe shares, “This year, we plan to begin renovation work on the space, and will dedicate some part of it to Dr Salim Ali’s collection. This exhibition is just a rehearsal of those plans.” For now, visitors would want to hurry to Hornbill House to catch a glimpse of the rare treasure trove.
A collection of Dr Ali’s correspondence
On: Today; 10 am to 5 pm At: BNHS, Hornbill House, opposite Lion Gate, Fort. Call: 9594953425 Log on to: bnhs.org
Kishore Rithe
source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day.com / Home> Mumbai Guide News> Things to do News/ Article / by Shriram Iyengar (shriram.iyengar@mid-day.com) / November 10th, 2023
Assam’s lemon represents the core table fruit of every household in North East India. It is a very important part of the food of the region and stands out from the other lemons owing to its distinctive aroma and flavour.
Lemons from Assam are being exported to various parts of India and abroad because of its unique aroma and flavour.
A team of scientific researchers led by Professor of Gauhati University Sofia Banu has, however, sounded an alert that Assam’s lemon may lose its original distinctive genetic characteristics.
Sofia Banu has told Awaz-The Voice that lemon collected from 97 locations reveals that the lemon populations in Assam could be genetically diverse. She said that in-depth genetic diversity analysis of 510 samples from 97 locations has revealed some very intriguing findings for Assam lemon populations.
Lemon of Assam
“There is a high possibility that the samples studied may not be exact clones of the parent plant but may have arisen independently as other chance propagates. We have suggested that each existing population must be conserved as part of a comprehensive management strategy to maintain the lemon’s unique qualities and characteristics as hybridization is a natural tendency of citrus species,” Sofia Banu said.
According to Sofia Begum when it comes to Assam lemon conservation focus should be primarily on in-situ conservation techniques. The present study can act as a base for future efforts in breeding and conservation of this valuable cultivar of lemon, by assisting farmers and breeders in selecting genetically diverse plants for breeding programmes, thus promoting sustainable utilization, Begum said.
The lemon story in Assam began in 1956, when a chance seedling emerged from the progeny of the variety ‘Chi-na-kaghi’, collected from the village of Hahchora in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar district. This fortuitous event led to the birth of the Assam lemon, a lemon like no other, exuding an extraordinary aroma and flavour that set it apart from its counterparts.
The work carried out by Sofia Banu and her research scholars Raja Ahmed and Suraiya Akhtar of the Department of Bioengineering and Technology, Gauhati University, has been published in ‘Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution’ and has been highlighted by Nature India.
As a part of the export consignment, about 600 kg of lemons have been exported to London, UK from Assam. Taking to Twitter, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed happiness about the first consignment of the export plan.
“Happy to share that the first consignment of Assam lemon for export to the UK has been dispatched from Baksa. About 600 kg of lemons have been sent as part of an export commitment by the producer at the rate of Rs 30 per kg for about 80 tonnes over the next 2 months from Gati, Salbari”, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma tweeted. Earlier, a consignment of “Kazi Nemu” (Assam lemon) was exported from Guwahati to London.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ariful Islam, Guwahati / November 06th, 2023
Meet Shahana Parveen, a homemaker-turned entrepreneur, who was able to improve her financial condition significantly by simply taking the first step towards freedom.
Hyderabad :
Shahana Parveen, a dedicated wife and mother of three, had never envisioned herself as a businesswoman. For two decades, her life revolved around her family, raising her children and maintaining her household. However, unforeseen financial struggles and a strong determination to secure a better future for her children led her down a path she had never imagined.
Shahana’s life took an unexpected turn six years ago when her family moved to a rented house owing to deteriorating financial condition. Her father, a retired army officer, encouraged her to open a general store. She had never received any business training before as she got married immediately after finishing her class 10 from Kendriya Vidyalaya. It was during this time that she connected with SAFA, an organisation working in the Old City area for the socio-economic empowerment of women.
SAFA, led by Rubina Nafeez Fatima, has been able to reach out to around 3,741 women in the area through its Micro Enterprise Development Program (MEDP) and other projects that help women entrepreneurs formalise their businesses. SAFA aims to help around 250 women through its project Ujaagar. It provided business training to about 50 women, out of which 36 finished their course in the first cohort. The Department of Minority Welfare, Government of Telangana later provided Rs 1lakh as loans to each of these women to encourage other women in the community as well. The project is being supported by WE Hub, led by Deepthi Ravula.
Shahana began attending business classes with SAFA, which eventually led her to explore opportunities for personal and financial growth. Even though she was managing a small grocery shop, she did not know the basics of handling the business. “Women in my community do not have the freedom to go out and work on such initiatives. For me, my children and SAFA became the driving force. During those six weeks of training, I would go and attend classes and my children would manage the shop meanwhile,” Shahana Parveen said.
After immediately joining SAFA, Shahana was made part of a Self-Help Group (SHG) consisting of ten women. Collectively, they learned some basics of business including profit margins, savings, and the intricacies of running a business. This enabled Shahana to navigate the complexities of business paperwork, including licensing and identity proofs. She became aware of credit schemes offered by banks and could secure a loan worth Rs 1 lakh.
She also received a personal loan from SAFA, amounting to Rs 20,000. She committed herself to repaying these loans to the best of her ability, steadily improving her family’s finances.
Challenges and Triumphs Shahana Parveen’s journey was not without its challenges. Her husband initially did not support her business endeavours. Over time, her husband could see the progress she was making which somewhat made her entrepreneurial efforts more sustainable. However, she never got a clear green signal from him.
Shahana and other women who finished the training through project Ujaagar had the opportunity to meet with KT Rama Rao, the Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Government of Telangana. “That was the best thing that happened to me. KTR sir recognised the resilience of Muslim women and encouraged us to share our challenges and support one another,” she said. This meeting boosted Shahana’s confidence and determination to continue her journey. It is to be noted that due to upcoming elections in the state, the loan transactions have not been completed due to the code of conduct being enforced. The cheques these women received from the government can now only be cashed in after the elections are over.
Since embarking on her entrepreneurial path, Shahana Parveen’s profits have seen a 50% increase, allowing for greater savings. “I can repay my loans and also fulfil all my children’s needs,” she said. “I want to ensure the best future for my children. I want to support their educational dreams,” she added.
Shahana’s aspirations do not end here. She envisions starting a wholesale business, sourcing goods in bulk and empowering others to join her entrepreneurial journey. She plans to stock products such as oil cartons, which can yield a significant profit margin. Additionally, she utilises her tailoring skills, ensuring that she remains proactive in her business endeavours. She has motivated and involved ten to fifteen more women to take training with SAFA, empowering others in her community. Shahana Parveen’s journey from a homemaker to a businesswoman is a testament to her resilience and determination.
While the world is fast moving forward with technology, how could search for spiritual journey lag behind. Sometimes you don’t aim to offer your services just to increase your clientele or followers, it’s just a way to open the door to a spiritual journey, especially when you are young.
Mumbai’s Cosmic Tours and a few social media influencers joined hands for this very reason. While Cosmic provided their expertise, the social media influencers dished out their platforms as they embarked upon the journey to the Holy cities of Makkah & Madina.
“It was an attempt to help people connect with their spiritual side,” Baba Ebrahim of Cosmic Tours made their intentions clear.
Based out of Pydhonie, Cosmic has been operating Hajj, Umrah excursions since 1990.
The operator claims they have spread their wings not only in India, but even abroad with just word of mouth publicity.
“Besides India, pilgrims join us from America, UK, New Zealand, Barbados. Currently we have a couple pilgrims from Japan. We are slowly working on that region as well,” the operator said.
Cosmic Tours, however, is aiming to move with time. They feel social media influencers and actors are now paying attention to their spiritual side as well. “Even Shah Rukh Khan went for Umrah recently,” he said.
Check Instagram handle of Cosmic Tours
“They want to connect with the fans who seek spiritual motivation. They not only on Instagram, but are on YouTube as well. They are, in fact, on all over social media channels. They are present in the Metaverse. They are everywhere now, on TV soaps, dance shows and reality shows.”
Recently, Cosmic Tours had Faisal Shaikh aka Faisu (29.4 million Instagram followers), Faiz Baloch (9.6 million Instagram followers) and Shayan Siddiqui (7,80,000 Instagram followers) for Umrah.
Check pictures below
If Cosmic Tours is to be believed, there is no particular age group that goes for Umrah. Today, even children go for Umrah. “Earlier, only old people would go for Umrah, but now everyone goes,” he said.
According to them, their only motive in taking social media influencers was not only to target youngsters for Hajj and Umrah, but every individual who is active on social media.
“We are not chasing results. We have already achieved the result. Those who have joined us bear testimony to our services. Apart from our achievements and awards received in this field, it is just that people are acknowledging our effort and services,” he said.
Most pilgrims for Cosmic are repeaters. “We wanted to target their followers, especially the young lot. We want to reach out to people in each and every corner of the world. And that is possible through this move and their own presence on social media,” he said.
source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Lifestyle / by Mufeed Mahdi Rizvi / April 05th, 2023
In a story that blends Ripley’s Believe It or Not with Mission Impossible, Musaif Shaan Mohamed and his family have kickstarted their incredible adventure that could potentially earn them a place in the Guinness Book of World Records or the Limca Book.
Bengaluru-based Advocate Musaif Shaan Mohamed, known for his extensive road trips in India and neighboring countries, has crossed Dubai and is currently in Oman with his family on a Mission Impossible-style Road tour of 55 countries spread over 3 continents and 57000 km starting November 12th, 2023.
What makes this journey truly exceptional is that it includes not only Musaif but also his 62-year-old father, mother, sister, and his 6-month-old nephew, Wildan Ezlin Adaam. Musaif has traveled the length and breadth of India by road multiple times in the past 10 years and across Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar too!
Musaif, a legal professional and Chairman of Campus Continent, is also a motivational trainer who guides MBBS students seeking better growth prospects. Inspired by Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days” from his school days, he nurtured the dream of traveling around the world, albeit in a slightly extended timeframe.
An Inspiring Tale of Determination:
Musaif’s travel saga is a testament to determination and living life to the fullest. Over the years, his passion for travel grew, leading him to yearn for more adventure. His latest expedition commenced on November 12th this year from Dubai and is a journey that spans several countries, including Dubai, Turkey, Iran, England, Spain, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal, and some rarely heard of exotic countries with beautiful landscapes such as Georgia, Albania, Romania, Kyrgyzstan, Moldovia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Latvia, Austria, Ireland, Russia, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan. This incredible journey will conclude in India via China, China (Tibet), and Nepal next year.
Customized Ford Endeavor for the Family:
Recognizing the unique needs of his aged parents and an infant, Musaif made the thoughtful decision to customize his Ford Endeavor to make it an all-terrain SUV. A capable team from The Wrench Virtuoso having branches across India and Germany undertook the challenge of customizing the SUV to ensure the family’s comfort, safety, and protection in varying weather conditions, be it rain, shine, hail, sandstorms, or snow. This custom-built vehicle took nearly three months to complete.
Notably, Mr. Nitin Dossa, Chairman, Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) and Federation of Indian Automobile Association (FIA) along with Mr. Edil Katrak flagged off the journey in Mumbai on the 26th of October 2023.
You name it, this SUV has it
Musaif’s commitment to safety is evident as the vehicle includes a side tent, a main tent, foldable chairs, a portable toilet, and a kitchenette. Incidentally, an extended fuel tank is also built-in to ensure there are no stoppages. Every detail has been meticulously planned to ensure the family’s well-being throughout their journey.
A Collaborative Family Effort:
Musaif’s family plays a significant role in this extraordinary expedition. His sister, Dr. Muneefa A.K., a doctor, is responsible for caring for her son and her mother, Mrs. Nafeesath A.K. While Musaif and his father, Mr. Mohammed Kunhi K.M., a retired businessman, manage the driving and handle entry and exit formalities in each country.
For the family, this journey isn’t just about sightseeing; it’s a profound opportunity to learn about diverse cultures, history, and nature. It’s a way to step out of their comfort zones and explore new places.
A Mission of Peace:
While the initial intention of their tour was exploration, their plan evolved in light of recent global conflicts. The primary goal of their world tour is to spread the message of living in peace and harmony.
This is the first part of the five-part series that the family has planned out. The 2nd part will witness Musaif covering 47 countries in Africa, followed by Australia in the 3rd part, and the 4th part of the globe will be the Americas and Canada.
Musaif and his family intend to share their experiences and promote the importance of peace in their travels, reinforcing the belief that travel has the power to transcend borders and foster understanding.
For further information, please contact Mr.Musaif Shaan Mohammed at +91-8884421111 or mail him at info@campuscontinents.com
Disclaimer: This article is a paid publication and does not have journalistic/editorial involvement of Hindustan Times. Hindustan Times does not endorse/subscribe to the content(s) of the article/advertisement and/or view(s) expressed herein. Hindustan Times shall not in any manner, be responsible and/or liable in any manner whatsoever for all that is stated in the article and/or also with regard to the view(s), opinion(s), announcement(s), declaration(s), affirmation(s) etc., stated/featured in the same.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> News> Brand Stories / November 16th, 2023
Dubai’s CHS GROUP’s Founder-President Nasir Syed to Sponsor Event
Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu Urdu, DK and Udupi districts is set to host the Urdu poetry festival, ‘Urdu Mehfil-e-Mushair,’ at the Town Hall in Mangaluru on Friday, November 24, with the aim of promoting Urdu language, literature, and culture. The event, scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm, will feature renowned Urdu poets from Karnataka and other states.
The event is sponsored by Nasir Syed, a distinguished NRI businessman and founder-president of the CHS Group of Dubai. Abdul Salam Madani, President of Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, announced the event through a press release.
Participating poets include Azizuddin Aziz Belgaumi from Bengaluru, Dr. Mohammed Haneef Shabab, and Syed Ahmed SaliK from Bhatkal, Siraj Sholapuri from Mumbai, Rahmatullah Rahmat from Shivamogga, Usama Qazi Asad Karnataki from Gangolli, and Abdul Salam Madani from Mangaluru. Nasir Syed will chair the event.
The program will not only feature poetic performances but also include the distribution of prizes for various competitions and the acknowledgment of emerging talents.
Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu President has urged Urdu poetry enthusiasts to actively participate in the event along with their friends and family members.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / November 22nd, 2023
Ikram Ahmed Khan is gearing up to introduce, International Forum for Trade and Business (IfTab)
In the realm of business networking, Bengaluru-based entrepreneur Ikram Ahmed Khan is gearing up to introduce a groundbreaking platform—the International Forum for Trade and Business (IfTab). With a slated soft launch in December, IfTab aims to redefine the way professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders connect on a global scale.
Ikram Ahmed Khan’s Trailblazing Background:
A serial entrepreneur driven by a passion for innovation, Khan embarked on his business journey in 2004. With nearly two decades of experience and a proven track record in various ventures, he is the force behind Spacewell Ventures Pvt Ltd, where cutting-edge solutions in personalizations and customizations are the norm.
Khan is also the founder of IKRAMAAC Properties, a consultancy committed to transforming real estate aspirations into reality.
His venture into the art world led to the creation of Callithon.com, a platform dedicated to the promotion of calligraphy.
Khan’s impact extends far beyond the realm of business. As a devoted Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Bangalore Koramangala, he has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to community service. He is also the founder of the Spacewell Foundation, an organization with a focus on local community development and well-being.
Introducing IfTab – A Forum for Global Collaboration:
Set to soft launch in December, IfTab is poised to be a dynamic and innovative international forum for trade and business. Khan envisions it as a platform that brings together professionals, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders, fostering valuable connections and collaborations worldwide.
IfTab will operate on an invitation-only basis, a departure from traditional networking platforms. Khan emphasizes communication through social media platforms like LinkedIn, steering clear of WhatsApp groups. The forum will offer training sessions led by industry professionals, business/investors meetups, and extensive networking opportunities, targeting markets from B2C/D2C to B2B on both local and global fronts.
Distinguishing Features and Benefits:
IfTab sets itself apart with its invitation-only membership, inter-state seminars, and exhibitions. It promises skill development workshops and emphasizes privacy by avoiding WhatsApp groups. Beyond networking, IfTab aims to provide resources for professional development, collaborative projects, mentorship programs, leadership opportunities, international exposure, and media/public relations support.
When asked about the motivation behind IfTab, Khan stated, “I wanted to create a platform where people not just network with people, but also get to learn something.” With this vision in mind, IfTab is positioned to be more than just a networking hub—it’s an ecosystem where innovation meets collaboration, and professionals can learn, grow, and connect globally.
As the soft launch date approaches in December, the business community eagerly awaits the unveiling of IfTab. With Khan’s track record of turning ideas into successful ventures, IfTab is poised to be a game-changer in the world of global business networking.
Coming from a modest family of furriers in Srinagar’s Chattabal area, Dilafroz Qazi laid the foundation of the Srinagar School of Management (SSM) in 1988—exactly when the seeds of separatism and violence were sprouting across the Kashmir valley. Investing in management, engineering, and technical education was virtually sailing against the wind.
With a bachelor in Law—and no money in hand—Dilafroz set up a small training center of short-hand, typing, cutting, and stitching at Rajbagh. Soon it grew into the valley’s first private polytechnic operating from a tiny space of a hotel. Parallel to the militancy’s meteoric rise, SSM spiraled into Kashmir’s first private engineering college in 1996. It is now a full-fledged engineering college alongside its school of management and a polytechnic.
Thirty-five years later, SSM boasts an impressive alumni base of more than 30,000 students—a number of them have reached top positions in management, corporate, and government sectors. They include Bisma Qazi of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Naveed Tramboo of Indian Revenue Service (IRS), Ursilla Tabassum, Iqbal Hassan Mona, Abidah, Wajeeza, Adeel Aslam and Gowhar Shamim Mir of Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) and many others like Auditing Officer Sheikh Muzammil and Executive Engineer Umar Jan.
Dilfaroz Qazi (Extreme left) in her college
Established on a plateau close to the archaeological site of Parihaspora, SSM still carries the distinction of being Kashmir’s only private engineering college imparting technical education at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It conducts degree courses in civil, mechanical, computer, electrical and electronics, and communication engineering and postgraduate courses (M.Tech) in mechanical engineering and electronics and communication engineering.
SSM also conducts the courses of Masters in Computer Application (MCA) and Business Administration (MBA) besides Bachelors in Business Administration (BBA). Diploma courses in six engineering disciplines are conducted at the SSM Polytechnic which, in 1988, was the first step towards privatization of technical education in the erstwhile State of J&K.
A massive infrastructure, including teaching blocks with smart classrooms, libraries, computer and science laboratories, playfields, auditoriums, and two hostel blocks have come up at the campuses, 20 km from the capital city of Srinagar.
The governing council of the institute comprises eminent educationists, administrators, technocrats, and professionals. Similarly, the faculty comprises highly qualified and trained teachers. SSM has to its credit several awards and recognitions in capacity building, education and communication, sports, and cultural activities.
Dilfaroz Qazi (in Red gown) at the convocation of her college
The embryonic stage of Dilafroz’s ambition ran parallel to an era of death and devastation across the valley. She got married to the Srinagar resident Qazi Shabir who came in as a support in the early 1990s but the environment of education was hugely disturbed by curfews, hartals, encounters, and operations by the security forces. These were the days when militants burned down a large number of the valley’s educational institutions, including schools and colleges.
As the situation began to show some semblance of improvement, Dilafroz acquired a chunk of land at the hillock of Parihaspora to set up her dream college of engineering. But she landed in an unexpected trouble.
“Ironically, the biggest hurdles were created by a prominent mainstream leader who perceived my college as a threat to his conventional vote-bank even as I had nothing to do with politics. He engineered and encouraged several attacks on my construction workers; his musclemen torched a number of our structures. I put up resistance by way of refusing to surrender and got FIRs registered over every single attack. It was not easy those days to file an FIR over a grenade attack”, Dilafroz narrated to Awaz-The Voice.
After the 1996 elections, the said leader was back in power – this time as a minister -. Dilafroz claimed that the entire administrative and Police machinery acted on his instructions. “There was never an action over the FIRs we filed. The official machinery sabotaged our plans. Everyone from DC’s and SP’s office to Tehsildar and SHO sided with the politician and created untold hurdles. I am sure any other man, let alone woman, would have abandoned it and bought peace. But I thought I must fight it out until I break completely”, Dilafroz added.
The campus of SSM College, Parihaspura
When we applied for the University recognition and affiliation and t officers, deans, and registrars from the University of Kashmir and the State-run Regional Engineering College (REC) visited our infrastructure, their behaviour was completely hostile and demoralizing.
“I experienced male chauvinism and misogyny. They raised irrelevant and irrational questions. They asked how a woman with no engineering background and qualification could operate an engineering college. But, notwithstanding all these adversities, I managed to get recognition and affiliation to the SSM as I set up the best infrastructure and employed the best possible faculty”, Dilafroz added.
“One day, while I was shuttling between the government offices in Srinagar for the recognition of my college, I came across a local lady IAS officer namely Tanvir Jehan. I learned from her that the entire government machinery and bureaucracy was pitted against me. Are you the woman, she asked incredulously. When I narrated my story of ambition and struggle to her, she empathized and provided every possible support. By the grace of Almighty, I am now heading a full-fledged engineering college with management courses and I am struggling to set up J&K’s first University in the private sector”, Dilafroz asserted.
Over the years, the competition as well as the procedure of admissions has changed drastically. When Dilafroz began to raise the valley’s first private engineering college, even the government had only one—the REC which subsequently became the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar. Now, in addition to several private engineering colleges, six engineering colleges are run by the University of Kashmir, the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, the Central University of Kashmir, and the Cluster University Srinagar. The Union Territory government operates one more engineering college at Ganderbal.
Dilfaroz Qazi with eminent educationist Prof Neerja Mattoo
“With the expansion of the private and government polytechnics and engineering colleges, our roll of students has fallen phenomenally from 3,000 to just 1,300. Until recently our intake limit was around 666 seats. Now we can’t admit more than 115 students in a year. And, contrary to the procedure outside J&K, all admissions here are done by a State-run authority. We are also barred from taking the students under the Prime Minister’s special package for the J&K students. All the beneficiary students of J&K are distributed among the colleges outside. The stepmother’s treatment is still unabated”, Dilafroz added further.
Dilafroz pointed out another irony. According to her, the University of Kashmir is charging a fee of Rs 80,000 for B.Tech courses. IUST is charging Rs 75,000. Her SSM is charging only Rs 38,000 to Rs 40,000 per student. “Still our allocation of seats is reduced and we are made to renew the University affiliation every year”, she lamented.
“We have two times B+ NAAC accreditation and we figure in the top 10 engineering colleges in India. Still, the University of Kashmir didn’t grant us permanent affiliation in the last 25 years. There are biases and prejudices which can’t be explained. J&K is the only State/UT in the country where engineering admissions are done by a government-run authority called BOPEE. Whatever I have earned, I have invested in this institution. I don’t have dreams of making billions for my luxurious life. I am just pursuing my dream of establishing a full-fledged private university in J&K in which the Union and the UT government should support me”, Dilafroz said.
According to her, as many as 18,000 J&K students of her college have got high-salary jobs in the government sector and the private sector across India and abroad.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ahmed Ali Fayyaz, Srinagar / November 18th, 2023
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