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Tasnim Mir becomes first Indian to claim world no. 1 status in u-19 girls singles

Amazing Feats, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GUJARAT :

The 16-year-old from Gujarat was rewarded for last year’s stellar run when she had secured titles in three junior international tournaments to jump three places to grab the top position in the junior world rankings.

Young shuttler Tasnim Mir(Twitter/@ShashiTharoor)
Young shuttler Tasnim Mir(Twitter/@ShashiTharoor)

Young shuttler Tasnim Mir on Wednesday became the first Indian to grab the world no 1 ranking in the under-19 girls singles in the latest BWF junior rankings.

The 16-year-old from Gujarat was rewarded for last year’s stellar run when she had secured titles in three junior international tournaments to jump three places to grab the top position in the junior world rankings.

“I can’t say that I expected this. I thought I will not be able to become no 1 as tournaments were getting affected by COVID-19 but I won three events in Bulgaria, France and Belgium. So I am really excited and happy that finally I could become the world no 1. It is a great moment for me,” Tasnim told PTI from Guwahati.

“I will completely focus on the senior circuit from now on and looking forward to playing at Iran and Uganda next month. My aim now is to improve my senior ranking. If I can weave some good performances and get into top 200 by end of the year that would be great.”

Tasnim, who is supported by OGQ, is currently ranked a lowly 602 in the women’s singles.

Tasnim’s feat has never been achieved by any Indian girl, including two-time Olympic medallist P V Sindhu and London bronze winner Saina Nehwal.

While Sindhu was world no 2 in her under-19 days, Saina didn’t make the cut for being a junior with the BWF junior rankings starting only in 2011. Another Indian Samiya Imad Farooqui of Telangana came close but could only reached the second spot in the BWF junior rankings.

In Boys singles, Lakshya Sen, Siril Verma and Aditya Joshi had become the world no 1.

Tasnim was part of India’s campaign at the Thomas and Uber Cup held late last year in Denmark and says it had a huge impact on her game.

“It was a huge moment for me, it was first time that I was among the seniors, playing against world class players in big stadiums, it was a great experience. I also met Viktor Axelsen there, I like his game. I also like to watch players such as Tai Tzu Ying and An Seyoung,” she said.

Tasnim has been training under Indonesian coach Edwin Iriawan at the Assam Badminton Academy in Guwahati for the last four years.

“I have been training for last four years under Edwin, it has been great experience, we get to train with men players, so I has helped to improve my game,” said the teenager, who won the 2019 Dubai Junior International.

Tasnim got her first lessons on badminton from her father Irfan Mir, who is a badminton coach and also ASI in Mehsana police.

“My father is a badminton coach and also works for Mehsana police. He has always been interested in sports and used to take me along with him when I was about 7-8 years old,” she said.

Tasnim, whose younger brother Mohd Ali Mir, a Gujarat state junior champion, also trains with her in Guwahati, has been an achiever right from her young days.

She won the national junior champion (U-19) at the age of 14 and also claimed the national crown in the under-13, under-15 and under-19 girls’ singles categories.

Tasnim also won U-15 singles and doubles titles at the All-India Sub-Junior ranking tournaments in Hyderabad and Nagpur in 2018.

At the 2019 World Junior Championships in Russia, she could not go past the round of 32 but returned to win the title at the Asian U-17 & U-15 Junior Championships the same year in Indonesia.

She also emerged victorious at the President Cup Nepal Junior International Series 2020 in Kathmandu.

“I will need to work on my stamina and mental aspect of my game, which will play a big role. I have confidence on my shots but it is important to focus on mind,” she signed off.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Sports> Badminton / by PTI / January 06th, 2022

Congress veteran Ghulam Nabi Azad named among Padma Bhushan recipients

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Ghulam Nabi Azad, one of the top politicians of Jammu & Kashmir, has served as the chief minister of the erstwhile state between 2005 and 2008.

He was the Union health minister from 2009 and 2014, and subsequently served as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha till February 2021.

Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad (PTI)

Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and veteran politician of the Congress party, Ghulam Nabi Azad, was included in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees released by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on January 25.

Azad, 72, will be conferred with Padma Bhushan by President Ram Nath Kovind for his contribution in the field of “public affairs”.

A total of 17 names were approved by the President for the conferment of Padma Bhushan — which is awarded for “distinguished service of high order”.

Apart from Azad, the list also includes another top politician – former West Bengal chief minister and senior CPI(M) leader Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee.

Azad, who served as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha between June 2014 and February 2021, was lauded by the prime minister at the conclusion of his tenure in the Parliament’s Upper House.

“Azad has distinguished himself in Parliament. He not only worries about his Party but also had a similar passion towards the smooth running of the House and towards India’s development,” he had said.

Azad, a member of the Congress’ G-23 – an informal reference to 23 Congress veterans who had marked dissent against the party’s style of functioning, had apparently reciprocated the gesture last year by praising Modi for ‘not hiding his true self”.

Notably, Azad, before serving as the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha for close to seven years, was the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in the second UPA government between 2009 and 2014.

He had served as the seventh chief minister of Jammu & Kashmir between November 2005 and July 2008.

The Padma awards, whose recipients are announced on the eve of Republic Day, are conferred by the President of India at ceremonial functions which are held at Rashtrapati Bhawan usually around March-April every year.

This year, the President has approved the conferment of 128 Padma awards. The list comprises 4 Padma Vibhushan, 17 Padma Bhushan and 107 Padma Shri awards.

source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / MoneyControl.com / Home> News> India / January 25th, 2022

Tirurangadi’s paraplegic literacy activist Rabiya honoured with Padma Shri

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , ,

Tirurangadi (Malappuram District), KERALA :

KV Rabiya
Rabiya with her relatives in Vellanakkattil house

Tirurangadi:

One of the highest civilian awards Padma Shri came in search of KV Rabiya who is a staunch literacy activist in Tirurangadi. Though 56-year-old Rabiya is paraplegic, she pursued her literacy mission without fail by sitting in a wheelchair. 

Rabiya’s house on the banks of the Kadalundi river is also a cultural centre for the people of Tirurangadi. She had dealt with several works including that of the library, palliative care, rehabilitation of physically challenged persons and women, and issues related to family conflicts. 

She developed early symptoms of paralysis when she was studying in class 9. Life was difficult as her mother had 6 daughters including Rabiya to look to look after.

Her uncle took her to school during high school and she joined PSMO college in Tirurangadi later for pre-degree course. But she could not attend the examination as she got completely immobilised six months before the exams.

Still determined, Rabiya completed graduation and post-graduation via distance education. Along with this, voracious reading also added her strength.

Even before the government deployed its literacy mission, Rabiya Rabiya started to teach the people in her locality.

Meanwhile, she survived cancer too. 

Rabiya was honoured with many awards including the National Youth Award of 1993. She was the daughter of the late Vellinakkattil Moosakutty and Biyachutti. She is now living with her sister’s family at her residence.

source: http://www.english.mathrubhumi.com / Mathrubhumi / Home> News> Good News / by Shaneesh Moozhikkal / January 26th, 2022

Bengaluru’s child music prodigy, dancer from Mangaluru receive PM’s Bal Puraskar

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Karnataka (under research project), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Fateen takes western piano lessons from Belarusian concert pianists and concertmasters Natallia Kapylova and Liudmilla Alizarchyk.

Along with Fateen (L), the district administration also felicitated Uttar Pradesh’s Abhinav Kumar Choudhary who won the award in the social service category. Credit: Special Arrangement

City-based western music prodigy Syed Fateen Ahmed and Bharatanatyam dancer Remona Evette Pereira were among the 29 children who received the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar award on Monday.

Fourteen-year-old Fateen, who began learning music at the age of three, is now a western classical pianist, guitarist, and vocalist trained by international teachers.

Remona, 17, received the award in recognition of her achievements in art and culture. Remona has been trained in semi-classical, western, and contemporary dance styles.

“My mother applied for this award last year after she got to know about it from a friend. It is a great feeling and an honour to receive this award. I feel proud to represent India,” Fateen told DH.

Fateen takes western piano lessons from Belarusian concert pianists and concertmasters Natallia Kapylova and Liudmilla Alizarchyk.

At the age of 12, in December 2020, he also became one of the youngest Indians to complete a diploma with distinction at the London College of Music (LCM).

Fateen’s parents Asma and Syed Zameer said their son was honoured to receive the award. “We read the Prime Minister’s tweet about him and are touched. It is very encouraging.” 

Studying in class 8 in Samved School in the city, Fateen wants to build a career in western music and aspires to become a sound engineer. Apart from music, he is also interested in painting, chess, and swimming. Bengaluru Urban DC J Manjunath felicitated Fateen at Kandaya Bhavan.

Along with Fateen, the district administration also felicitated Uttar Pradesh’s Abhinav Kumar Choudhary who won the award in the social service category.

Choudhary is studying in Jawahar Navodaya School, Bengaluru Urban, according to officials. Choudhary had created an app to promote the reuse of books during the lockdown, which benefitted thousands of children in rural India.

Remona Evette Pereira with her mother Gladis Celine

Dancing on glass shreds

Remona, who started learning dance at the age of three, said she initially found it difficult to dance on shreds of glass. “Many times the glass shreds have pierced through. But due to the constant encouragement from my mother, I mastered the dance.” 

“Despite financial difficulties, my mother Gladis Celine enrolled me in a classical dancing school.

“I am now driven by a passion to highlight the diversity of culture in Indian classical dance to the world,” said Remona, who was greeted by Narendra Modi virtually. Remona recollected how her mother had to struggle after the death of her father.

(With inputs from Harsha in Mangaluru)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City> Top Bengaluru Stories / by Jahnavi R, DHNS, Bengaluru / January 25th, 2022

Specially-abled girl to become first doctor from remote TN village

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

Merpanaikadu Village (Pudukottai District) , TAMIL NADU :

Specially-abled Shamsiya Arfin will become the first doctor from the remote Merpanaikkadu village in Tamil Nadu

Chennai: 

Shamsiya cleared the counselling on Friday and got admission to MBBS at the prestigious Government Stanley Medical College, Chennai, one of the oldest medical colleges in the country.

The 18-year-old just like her father Muthalif is physically challenged and was in and out of hospitals during her childhood.

Her father Muthalif too had suffered a polio attack and is physically disabled.

The medical aspirant while speaking to IANS said: “I had always dreamt of studying MBBS and I have cracked NEET and got into my dream course. My happiness is limitless. As a child, I was in and out of hospital due to physical issues and several people helped me then. I had always dreamt to become a doctor as I have seen how they serve humanity”.

A student of Merpanaikadu Government Higher Secondary school, Shamsiya said she was studied in Tamil medium, adding that she would not have reached this far without her teachers’ help. Thisaigal centre, a NEET coaching centre that provides free coaching to Government school students helped her crack the examination.

The centre even provided free bus services for Shamsiya to attend classes and according to teachers of the centre she always attended classes and were prompt in her studies.

While speaking to IANS, Shamsiya said: “I want to become a gynaecologist and I am thankful to all those who had helped me overcome my personal disabilities. My dreams have taken wings finally.”– IANS

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Women / by IANS / January 29th, 2022

Hammad Ahmed is new Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor presents a bouquet to Hammad  Ahmed   Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard.

New Delhi: 

Hammad Ahmed, Co-Chairman, Hamdard National Foundation (India), President, Hamdard National Foundation (India) – HECA, and Chief Mutawalli (Trustee) of Hamdard Laboratories India (Foods), has been appointed as Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University).

In the Vice Chancellor Board Room, Jamia Hamdard, the Chancellor was greeted by Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Iqbal S. Hasnain, former Pro-Chancellor, and. Syed Saud Akhtar, registrar, in the presence of various Deans of Schools, Dy. Registrar, Chief Proctor, DSW, FSA, Executive Engineer, and other senior officers of Jami

Hammad Ahmed is also a well known philanthropist, man of wisdom and exemplary character. He is one of the founding members of Hamdard National Foundation at its inception in 1964; he brings with him infinite wisdom and experience. Over more than 50 years, he has forged Hamdard National Foundation into one of India’s most prominent and respected charitable organizations. Hammad Ahmed’s quiet modesty hides the magnitude of his achievements in introducing new initiatives for contributions to society, and his relentless commitment to the charitable cause has improved the lives of countless people.

Late Janab Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the founder of Hamdard National Foundation and Jamia Hamdard, instilled in him a lovely and motivating personality. Hammad Ahmed’s gentle modesty belies the immensity of his contributions to society through the introduction of new initiatives, and his unwavering commitment to the charity cause has benefited the lives of countless people.

He has been involved in Jamia Hamdard before its recognition as Deemed University status in 1989. Over the years, he has served in the Executive Council, Finance Committee and various other advisory bodies of the University and has championed the growth of Jamia Hamdard through sustained personal attention and interest.

Since joining Hamdard Laboratories India as its Sales and Marketing Head in 1973, he has overseen a meteoric rise in business and the Hamdard name, in the process establishing himself as one of India’s prominent business leaders.

Educated in Sherwood College, Nainital, and then in Cornwall, UK and New York, USA for further studies, Hammad Ahmed has inculcated a strong sense of discipline in his life and work, and the results are self-evident.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Special Correspondent / January 26th, 2022

Ayesha Noor honored with the prestigious A One Global TV Award

Amazing Feats, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Ayesha Noor honored with the prestigious A One Global TV Award

Kolkata:

If a person has the desire to achieve a high position in life, then no power in the world can stop him from moving forward. An example of this is international karate player Ayesha Noor. Who has achieved so much success in Karate regardless of poverty and disease that today the world calls Ayesha Noor as Golden Girl.

The fame of Ayesha Noor, who has won many gold medals for India in international karate competitions around the world, has now reached abroad. In recognition of her success in karate, the UK’s prestigious media organization A-One Global TV honored him with the A-One Global TV Award.

Ayesha Noor was given the A-One Global TV Award at the hands of J Lamin of the West African country Gambia at an event held in Kolkata. A-One Global TV has wished Ayesha to achieve more success in future.

Let us tell you that earlier America has also honored Ayesha Noor with Hero of Gender Equality Award.

Along with this, the National Open Karate Championship was also organized under the supervision of International Karate Coach and Champion MA Ali. In which there was a competition between Karate players from different places. On this occasion Shailen Pal, DK Acharya, Mohd. Farooq, Arup Dasgupta and Monimala Haldar were also present.

The sad thing is that while countries like America and Britain are honoring Ayesha Noor, the governments of our country are not helping Ayesha. Due to which even today Ayesha Noor is living life in poverty.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Positive Story> Women / by Special Correspondent / January 27th, 2022

M.K. Faizy re-elected as national president of SDPI

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , ,

NEW DELHI :

M.K. Faizy addressing National Representative Council of Social Democratic Party of India was held on 22, 23 November 2021 in Chennai.

New Delhi/Chennai :

M.K. Faizy has been  re-elected as national president of SDPI in a meeting of National Representative Council of Social Democratic Party of India which was held on 22, 23 November 2021 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Representatives from various states were present in the Council wherein review of party activities, discussions on global and Indian Socio-Political situations, issues and intervention, etc were conducted.

The New Office Bearers and National Working Committees comprising total members of 45 were elected for the term 2021-24 in the Council. Adv. Sharfuddeen Ahmed, Mohammad Shafi and B.M. Kamble as Vice Presidents , Elyas Muhammad Thumbe, Abdul Majeed Faizy, Seetharam Khoiwal and Yasmin Farooqi as General Secretaries, Alfonse Franco, Riyaz Farangipet, Tayedul Islam, Abdul Sathar, Faizal Izzuddeen and Runa Laila as Secretaries and Abdul Ravoof Indore as Treasurer of the party.

Abdul Majeed Mysore, Dehlan Baqavi, Dr. Mehboob Shareef Awad, Abdul Waris, P.Koya, Mohammad Mubarak, Rizwan Khan, Dr. Nizamuddeen, Ashraf Moulavi Muvattupuzha, P. Abdul Hameed, Roy Arakkal, Abdul Hannan, Adv. K.P.M. Shareef, Gurujanth Singh, Ashfaq Hussain, Sadashiv Tripathi, Ashok Jadhav, Sayeed Saadiya, Mohammad Farooq Tanjavur, Mohammad Kamil, Zaheer Abbas, Umar Farooq A.S, Mohiyudeen Chennai, Mohammad Ashraf Mangalore, C.P. Abdul Latheef, Adv. Shameem Akthar, Munawwar Hussain Chathurvedi, Dr. Zafar Ubaid, Kausar Banu, P.P. Moideen Kunhu were elected as members of National Working Committee for the term 2021 – 24

The Council was concluded with a grand felicitation program attended by the cadres and supporters of the party.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Politics / by Muslim Mirror Network / November 26th, 2021

Researchers document 43,118 butterflies in Dakshina Kannada

Agriculture (since June 07th, 2021), Education, Green Products, Karnataka (under research project), , ,
Painted Sawtooth (Prioneris Sita)  

The ‘winged beauties’ are a good indicator of the ecological health of a habitat

Butterflies are excellent communities to monitor the ecological health of a place. A team of researchers from Mangalore University, in collaboration with other two institutes, has identified and documented 43,118 butterflies (individuals) belonging to 175 species in Dakshina Kannada.

Of them, 22 species were habitat specific. The researchers were pursuing the ‘winged beauties’ for the past two years.

Yellow Pansy (Junonia Hierta)

The team comprised M. S. Mustak, Associate Professor, Department of Applied Zoology, Mangalore University and Deepak Naik, a PhD student at Mangalore University. The study was done in collaboration with Shyam Prasad Rao, a researcher at Yenepoya Deemed to be University, Mangaluru and Krishnamegh Kunte, a researcher from the National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bengaluru.

The butterflies were identified at eight heterogeneous landscapes ranging from coastal sand dunes to agricultural fields to botanical gardens to semi-evergreen forests on the foothills of the Western Ghats.

Sahyadri Lacewing (Cethosia Mahratta) 

“Using indicator value analysis, 22 habitat-specific and several shared indicator species were identified. The study also documented larval host plants, and over 283 habitat-specific host-butterfly species pair interactions,” Mr. Mustak told The Hindu.

Their research paper – study on abundance and habitat preference of butterflies of the Western Ghats – has now been accepted for publication by the Journal of Insect Conservation, an international journal devoted to the conservation of insects and related invertebrates.

Shiva Sunbeam (Curetis Siva)  

The researchers said that butterfly communities indicate the type and state of a habitat, and can easily be conserved by the restoration of habitats with diverse host plants. They have great public appeal and easy to work with, and are the indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

Mr. Mustak said, “People usually cherish abundant and widely distributed butterflies, but fail to appreciate less common or habitat-specific species. Our study gives quantitative data on the butterflies of the Western Ghats, which is essential for public awareness and outreach.”

Malabar Tree Nymph (Idea Malabarica)  

The team conducted a systematic transect survey for two years to get baseline data on the abundance patterns and habitat preferences of butterflies of the Western Ghats. The study gives an important dataset for future assessment, monitoring and conservation of butterflies of the Western Ghats.

Sahyadri Birdwing (Troides Minos) 

The study showed interesting patterns. Some of the most abundant species are Common Crow (Euploea Core), Common Emigrant (Catopsilia Pomona), Common Four Ring (Ypthima Huebneri), Tawny Coster (Acraea Terpsicore), Lesser Grass Blue (Zizina Otis), Rustic (Cupha Erymanthis), and Chocolate Pansy (Junonia Iphita)

Blue Oakleaf (Kallima Hosfieldii)  

Some species, though very abundant, are restricted to specific habitats. For example, Tawny Coster (Acraea Terpsicore) is common in coastal regions, Common Bush Hopper (Ampittia Dioscorides) in found in agricultural habitats, and Malabar Tree Nymph (Idea Malabarica) in semi-evergreen forests. Some species, such as Common Mormon (Papilio Polytes) and Common Leopard (Phalanta Phalantha), though rare, are found everywhere.

Tree Flitter (Hyarotis Adrastus)  

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Raviprasad Kamila / Mangaluru – December 04th, 2021

Mehak Hyderabadi’s stories spread the fragrance of Urdu in Telugu

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The former scribe’s recent Telugu translations include anthologies of Saadat Hasan Manto’s Urdu works

Padullaparthy Venkata Suryanarayana Murthy, known by his pseudonym Mehak Hyderabadi to readers, has been bridging the cultural gap through translations. The former senior journalist with 35 years of experience in Telugu print media has been enriching readers with the ease and simplicity of his translations of Urdu stories into Telugu.

In a span of six years (2016-2021), Mehak has brought out six books – translations of two volumes of Jeelani Bano’s Urdu stories (with Telugu titles Guppita Jaare Isuka, Antaa Nijame Chepta), and Jeelani Bano’s autobiography Main Kaun Hoon as Terichina Pustakam. 

What made Mehak’s journey as a translator gratifying yet sapping, both emotionally and mentally, were the two recent anthologies of celebrated Urdu writer-playwright Saadat Hasan Manto’s stories — Saadat Hasan Manto Kathalu (Volume 1, 27 stories) and Manto’s Classics, and Amrita Pritam’s much-acclaimed novel Pinjar’ into Telugu

The Telugu stories Toba Tek Singh (Toba Tek Singh), Teetwal kukka, (Teetwaal ka kutta), Challani Maansam (Thanda Gosht) and Sukhaantam (Anjaam Bakhair) from Manto’s second volume deal with the horrors of Partition. “It is hard not to be gripped by Manto’s narration of the dark times. People from this part of India (South) were not so impacted by Partition but the narrative leaves you distressed. One feels shattered and hopeless and I was no exception,” shares Mehak.

While there have been translations of Manto’s works into Telugu, they have been translated from English or Hindi. Mehak claims, “I am the first writer to translate Manto stories from Urdu, the language they were originally written in.”

Tryst with Urdu

Mehak was transferred to Hyderabad in ’90 from Vijayawada. Hoping to get a State government job, he began learning Urdu from MA Malve, a retired DSP. He did not get the job but continued to learn for two years, cleared Urdu exams and translated Urdu articles from Siyasat and Munsif into Telugu. “Urdu is poetic and its expressions are unmatchable.”

Translations are a lot of labour, observes Mehak. “Being aware of the atma (soul) of the original writer, what he/she wants to convey, the language’s history and culture helps in the translation process. One has to be careful of the idiom and dialect used.” The key Mehak points out is not imitating the writer’s style while ensuring the gist does not get diluted.

Mehak rues the fading away of mushaira culture in Hyderabad as well as the fact that youngsters are not finding learning Urdu rewarding. “Urdu has many admirers but its position as medium of instruction in educational institutions is vulnerable. The link between Urdu learning and employment opportunities is fragile and many students with Urdu as mother tongue are not inclined to study in it.”

Trained under poet Rehman Jami, Mehak is also an Urdu shayar (poet)and has written ghazals on religious intolerance, the Telangana agitation and other contemporary topics. Currently he is translating Hyderabad-based popular Urdu fiction writer (late) professor Baig Ehsas’s anthology, Dakhma.

Revealing the story behind his takhallus (pseudonym), he says, “Mehak means fragrance and also touchstone to check the quality or genuineness of gold. Renowned Urdu scholar Muztaz Majaz who gave me the name felt it will be unique in the literary world.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books> Interview> Author / by Neeraja Murthy / January 27th, 2022