Computer science engg student Reema Shaji is one of only five from India to be selected for the US Global UGRAD program, reports Vishnuprasad K P
Reema Shaji with her mother Jousiya Shaji
Malappuram :
As a child, Reema Shaji always told her relatives that her dream was to study in the United States. The responses were almost uniform — “get married and go abroad with your husband’s help.” The Tirur native, however, was not one to conform to society’s expectations of her.
“My first goal is to become an independent woman,” says the 20-year-old, who is all set to fly to the US to attend the fifth semester of her computer science engineering course at the McNeese State University in Lake Charles, Louisiana, next January.
A student at the Kuttipuram MES College of Engineering, Reema is one of only five students from India to be selected for the US’ Global Undergraduate (UGRAD) Exchange Program, a substantive exchange programme aimed at providing “a diverse group of emerging student leaders with a scholarship for one semester at a US college or university.”
Under the programme, students will be provided with a free round trip from their home city to the US host college or university.
The costs of tuition, housing and meals will be covered under the scholarship, in addition to which she will receive a small stipend to meet living expenses in the US during the period of the programme. Reema had applied for the scholarship last January and was selected on November 9 after several procedures including the TOEFL exam and an interview.
“When the interviewer asked why they should select me, I told them I will be an inspiration for other girls like me to chase their dreams. When I return from the US, I will also pass on the knowledge I acquired there to the students in my country,” she says.
Her relatives are now proud of her achievement. “They have realised that I don’t have to rely on a husband to go abroad,” she says. “After my father passed away, it was my mother Jousiya Shaji who looked after me and my sister Tasnim Shaji. My mother is my biggest inspiration to acquire education and stay independent. I only seek her advice.”
Reema, who is expected to return home by June next year, stresses that students even from economically backward families should try to earn a suitable foreign scholarship and study abroad.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Vishnuprasad K P, Express News Service / November 28th, 2021
Tempo driver’s daughter Naziya Parvin clears national medical entrance exams to set an example for her community in interior Rajasthan, writes Rajesh Asnani.
Naziya Parvin and her father Issamuddin (both garlanded) felicitated by residents of the Anjuman locality in Pachpahar, Jhalawar district, after her outstanding NEET results
Rajasthan :
The Anjuman locality of Pachpahar town, about 50 km from Jhalawar district in Rajasthan, is celebrating its daughter’s success – Naziya Parvin, 22, is on her way to become the first doctor in the locality. Her father Issamuddin, a tempo driver, cannot hide his happiness at Naziya’s dream coming true.
Naziya scored 668 marks in the NEET (UG) 2021 exam and ranked 1759th at the national level. Over eight lakh candidates took this prestigious exam, and Naziya ranked 477th in the Other Backward Classes category. In the predominantly Muslim locality, many dreams die young as the girls here rarely study up to Class 10 or 12.
Naziya challenged her circumstances even though her father earned not more than Rs 10,000 per month as he struggled to look after his three children. “Medical treatment is costly as there are not enough doctors around. In the absence of medical guidance, adolescent girls and women in my locality face many problems. I thought of helping them by becoming a doctor so that no one has to go all the way to a big city for treatment,” says Naziya.
Naziya studied at a private school till Class 8. As her parents did not have the money to pay the fee, her teacher Riyaz Qureshi waived it because Naziya was a studious child. However, there was no school in the town to study biology in Class 9. Naziya decided to cycle about 6 km to a school in Bhawani Mandi. The cycle was a gift from the state government.
In time, her hard work bore fruit. Naziya scored 92 per cent marks in Class 10 and topped the district. A scholarship scheme enabled her to avail specialised coaching. She went on to top Class 12 as well in the district, and then enrolled at a Kota institute to prepare for NEET exams.
There was yet another problem: Naziya had studied in the Hindi medium, so her first three attempts ended in failure. She got through in the fourth attempt by taking online study help. All this while, the family borrowed money for her coaching. “There was a lot of pressure on my father to stop my studies and marry me off. But he stood by me and I completed my preparations with my mother’s support. I am so proud of my parents,” says Naziya.
Aamna Bi, Naziya’s mother, says most girls in the family got married when they were barely 15 years old. “Our daughter has made the entire family proud,” says the delighted mother. At present, Naziya’s younger sister Ishrat is studying in Class 12 and wants to join the civil service, while her brother is in Class 10. After gaining success, Naziya wants to change people’s mindset about education.
“Many people are convinced that their daughters deserve higher education. I will be happier if my example prompts four girls to study further,” she says. “I will come back to my town after I complete my medical studies. I want to help poor children like me in studies and I would like to help those unable to get treatment because they don’t have enough money,” adds Naziya, who wants to work in the field of health and education. “We need daughters like her,” says local councillor Nahid Begum, who expects Naziya to serve as an example for others.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> The Sunday Standard / by Rajesh Asnani / November 28th, 2021
In a tragic incident, YSRCP MLC Muhammad Kareemunnisa passed away on Friday night due to a heart attack around 11 pm. She was 65.
According to the sources, Kareemunnisa was shifted to a private hospital after she fell ill where she breathed her last while undergoing treatment.
The YSRCP MLC attended the Assembly meeting on Friday morning.
She started her political career with the Congress party and later joined YSRCP. She was offered MLC seat by the YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy eight months ago.
YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed grief over her death and offered heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. He also said that the family members of Kareemunnisa will be given all support by the YSRCP.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> News> State> Andhra Pradesh / by Roja Mayabrahma / Hans News Service / November 20th, 2021
Five students from University of Kashmir have invented an automatic rice cooker. Apart from working automatically, the rice cooker also sucks out starch from the rice.
The group of inventors said, “Rice cookers accessible these days are giving us undesirable food. They prepare food without expelling the destructive material like starch which can cause medical issues among some people.”
The main goal of this invention is to suck out the starch from the rice which is unhealthy for the diabetic patients.
Earlier, the people who used to cook rice in cooking pots, used to drain out starch from the rice manually which avoided health problems like diabetes, obesity etc. It was researched by innovators that diabetic patients were advised by doctors not to consume rice made in rice cookers as it doesn’t drain out starch.
“The cooker is designed as such that it prompts the user whether to suck out the starch from rice or not because healthy people need starch for their body,” said Jehangir Hameed, a member of the group, who is currently pursuing M. Tech.
The rice cooker will cook food with a single text message sent by a user through the mobile phone. It will monitor the starch status of the rice being cooked. It will consistently screen the starch status and will expel when it is being discharged out of the rice.
Working of the project
It has inbuilt rice bowl and water tank which are controlled utilizing controllers and hence no physical intervention is required while cooking or keeping the prepared food warm.
The device is fully automatic as it is controlled by GSM and IoT based technology. The rice cooker is programmed and configured to receive a command from a mobile phone to cook rice for people ranging from 1 to 12.
With predetermined chambers for water and rice, it will automatically put the rice and water for cooking. At every stage of cooking, the device will send an alert to the user about the number of people for whom rice is cooked. When the food is cooked, it will again send a message to the user that the food is ready.
Jehangir said, “It’s good for everyone. People who work outside, or a student who lives in a hostel, people coming from outings and sports activities after being exhausted, have no capacity to prepare food. With a single text from a mobile phone or other source, it will accomplish the cooking work itself.”
Apart from Jehangir, Azraw Hussain, Sajid Noor, Ariez Koul and Imran Nazir are part of the project along with Dr. Bilal Ahmad Malik, the Scientific Officer from University of Kashmir.
The patent authority of India has accepted and published the details of their patent on the invention.
The innovators want support from government or private companies in order to convert their prototype into a marketable product.
source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Insha Latief Khan / November 03rd, 2021
Arif Peerzade celebrated the marriages of his children at a Muslim graveyard in Shingalapur village near Gokak of Belagavi district on Monday. | Photo Credit: P.K. Badiger
A family from Shingalapur near Gokak in Belagavi district celebrated the marriages of their children in a Muslim graveyard in the village on Monday.
Arif Peerzade, a member of Manava Bandhutva Vedike and a follower of Satish Jarkiholi, organised the marriages of his children and nephews in the graveyard. The family put up a tent in the empty land in the graveyard and organised the wedding rituals. “We wanted to send a message against blind belief. Hence, the choice of this venue,” Mr. Peerzade said. Several hundreds of well-wishers attended the marriages.
Satish Jarkiholi’s daughter, Priyanka Jarkiholi, and convener of Manava Bandhutva Vedike Ravindra Naik blessed the couples.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – November 23rd, 2021
Muzaffar Assadi’s book examines the ways in which the social space was documented during colonial times
The cover of the book written by Muzaffar Assadi.
Muzaffar Assadi, professor of political science in the University of Mysore, has brought out a new book on caste among Muslims, a relatively unexplored area.
In the book Alpasankyakaru Mattu Jati Vyavaste: Asmite, Vasahatushahi Mattu Meesalati (Minorities and Caste System: Identity, Colonialism and Reservation), the author argues that Islam, one of the semitic religions known for its established rules and framework, is now tested against the remnants of caste practices.
Multiple factors
The book, which runs into 264 pages and is published by Bengaluru-based Bahuroopi, explores practices of caste that are not just the result of conversion but inherent in the logic of trade, the class interest of retaining property, social mobility from Central Asia, social identity, and political expansionism.
The author says that colonialism, while documenting various castes, did make a distinction between Hindu social order and Muslim social order. In the latter case, social space for internal mobility, spaces for enlisting as ‘Ashrafs’ (Sheikh, Sayyed), and for continuing traditional occupation was available. And social hierarchy and social distancing continued to perpetuate.
Noting that colonialism created new castes, Prof. Assadi pointed out that the larger agenda of documenting, enlisting caste was ultimately meant to hegemonise, control, and dominate. The book focuses significantly on the way Muslims became subaltern classes during the colonial rule.
“With the experience derived from colonial encounters, Indian Muslims were castigated and condemned again and again for their social backwardness. This was backed by enlisting hundreds of castes among Muslims, although enlisting remained incomplete,” the author argues.
Post-Independence
The legacy continued after the Independence with reports on backward classes/ethnographic studies identifying and enlisting social groups, known for practising caste. “This culminated in identity politics, demand for affirmative action and reservation policy,” Prof. Assadi notes.
The author painstakingly unearths issues of caste among Muslims by referring to material from history, including the colonial census reports, gazetteer, travelogues, missionary works, police records and writings of Muslim scholars. The book comes at a time when there is a demand to re-enumerate castes and a growing urge for enhanced reservation.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Naghesh Prabhu / Bengaluru – November 28th, 2021
“A successful woman is one who can build a firm foundation with the bricks thrown at her,” says Ar. Ishrat Nowshehri who has chosen architecture as her career and has been in the profession for the past two decades.
Talking to Rising Kashmir, Ishrat shared her vast experience of a 23 years career, when architecture as a career for a woman in Kashmir was unheard of.
Hailing from Soura area of Srinagar, Ishrat says that everything is possible if there is a true commitment behind that. She is a qualified architect by the Council of Architecture, New Delhi (COA).
Ishrat was awarded in 2005 by the J&K government for her architecture designed for the famous handicraft market “Kashmir Haat” which is located in the heart of Srinagar.
“When I started my schooling, I had an inclination towards designing, drawing and my parents were expecting that I may become an engineer,” she said.
After completing 12th class examinations from Presentation Convent School in Srinagar, it was not difficult to pursue her studies in architecture as her mind and heart were already ready for that.
Her father was Civil Engineer and she feared that he may force her to pursue studies in the same field. It was totally different when her parents supported her dream, she said.
They realized that it was in architecture and design that her heart lay; they backed her unconditionally, and later Ishrat became the first female architect of the Valley.
After that, Ishrat got enrolled in a five-year course for a bachelor’s in Architecture at Karnataka University in 1999, because in J&K there was no such college at that time providing such a course.
“I topped in my final year design jury among the three colleges of architecture in University,” she said while recalling her college days.
Ishrat said she got a couple of partnership offers in architectural firms in Dubai, UAE way back in the year 2008 but I opted to stay back in Kashmir and serve my own people.
“I believe that to be successful one needs to be committed, hardworking, and dedicated towards their profession,” she said.
Despite facing many difficulties Ishrat did not look back and continued her journey. After that, she was awarded nationally and internationally and has taken up projects like residential, commercial, interiors, renovations, landscaping, and turnkey projects too,” she said.
In 1999 she did her practical training with senior architects of India including “Ar. Munir Khan” for six months and then started her own architecture consultancy “Ishrat Nowshehri Associates” in the city.
She was awarded in 2005 by the Jammu and Kashmir government for her architecture design for the famous handicraft market, Kashmir Haat, located in the heart of Srinagar.
After that she got job offers to work in other places across India but love towards her motherland forced Ishrat to work in Kashmir and serve her own people.
She worked with many famed architects of Kashmir and under their guidance, she got an opportunity to work on projects in Srinagar city.
Apart from tradition, she also had an interest in contemporary Islamic architecture.
“I feel proud that I have designed architect work for both Masjids and Shrines in Kashmir. From my designs, I want to promote every local thing that is made here.
It may include wood carving, to promote Kashmiri designs and heritage rather than using imported things,” Ishrat says.
She believes that local architects know in depth the weather conditions; culture and house style of Kashmir and can serve them in a better way.
“Now people have become aware and they consult us before going for any construction because architects use the space which a normal mason cannot do,” Ishrat said.
She believes that there is a good scope in this field because people have become aware and they are coming forward.
Apart from Kashmir, she is also getting orders from outside states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand for special designs for houses, hotels situated at hill stations.
Ishrat works both on traditional and contemporary designs. Over the years, she has worked on various large projects including government buildings, hotels and residential houses.
Some of her architect master designs include Kashmir Haat at MG Road, Sheikh-Ul-Alam (RA) Chair at the University of Kashmir, Hotel Village Walk at Sonamarg, Jehlum automobiles at Awantipora, and many more private works across Kashmir.
As Kashmir witnesses moderate to heavy snowfall during winters every year, due to which scores of rooftops in the Valley collapse, Ishrat suggests that people should consult qualified architects and structural engineers for designing before going for any construction.
She believes that it is not fear that people are not consulting architects but there is a lack of awareness and information.
Ishrat believes that parents should not force their choices on their children because everyone has their own interests and taste.
Working in the male dominated sector is a challenge itself but she says that during the span of 23 years she had not faced anywhere gender bias.
This year in April, she was awarded by Brand Opus India for Outstanding Excellence in Architecture & Designing in Srinagar. Ishrat Nowshehri Associates and Innovative Architecture & Interior Design was adjudged as the Firm of the year 2021 by Architecture & Interior Design Excellence Awards & Conference 2021 Bengaluru.
She has also been awarded under various titles like “Finest architect in Srinagar”, “Bespoke residential architects and designers in Srinagar”, and awardee for “Women entrepreneur (architect) in Srinagar J&K”.
Apart from these awards, she was also nominated and awarded under the category of “finest architect in Srinagar” in India’s most prominent architect and design awards-2020 in New Delhi and “Best residential architects and designers in Srinagar” in “design Icon Awards-2020”.
She also bagged women entrepreneurs (architect) “The Real SuperWoman Award 2020”- at New Delhi. Global Icon Award of the year, Asia’s Creative Architect of the year award” from “RULA International Award” – at Malaysia, Global Shanti Samman & World Peace conference 2021 – at SKICC Srinagar, and other awards.
About her message to aspiring architects, Ishrat said there is always scope when one works with patience, dedication, and commitment.
“I always advise aspiring architects not to be forced into this field. Get in only, if they have patience and a good imagination for design with that one has to be hardworking, dedicated and committed towards their work,” she said.
source:http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Irfan Yattoo / November 07th, 2021
He is the owner of a Rolls Royce worth Rs 2.01 crore and two Fortuners worth Rs 49 lakh each
Cong MLC Bengaluru candidate Yusuf Sharif declares Rs 1,743 crore assets, becomes richest politician of Karnataka. Credit: IANS
Congress’ Legislative Council election candidate Yusuf Sharif has declared assets worth Rs 1,744 crore belonging to him and his family in what is, literally, a rags-to-riches story making him arguably Karnataka’s richest politician.
A native of Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Sharif also goes by the monikers Gujri Babu and Scrap Babu as he was earlier into the business of selling scrap, before making a foray into real estate.
Shariff, 54, a resident of Millers Tank Bund Road, is the Congress’ candidate from the Bengaluru local authorities’ seat in the Legislative Council, for which election is scheduled on December 10. Few in the party knew about his candidature until it was made official.
According to his election affidavit, Sharif has two wives and five children. They have assets worth Rs 1,744 crore of which Sharif alone owns land currently valued at Rs 1,640 crore, non-agricultural.
Sharif’s declared assets are worth more than Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar’s (Rs 840 crore in 2018) and BJP MLC MTB Nagaraj’s (Rs 880 crore in 2020).
Sharif, who has studied up to Class 5, is said to be the owner of Umrah Developers, a realty firm. He also has stakes in five other private real estate companies.
With 12 bank accounts, Sharif has declared liabilities worth Rs 67 crore.
According to his own declaration, Sharif was raided by Income Tax authorities and levied on him tax dues worth Rs 13.43 crore. “…I have preferred an appeal before the Commissioner of Income Tax and same is admitted. The hearing of the case is yet to be done,” he stated.
Also, Sharif has four criminal cases pending against him under various IPC sections.
He is the owner of a Rolls Royce worth Rs 2.01 crore and two Fortuners worth Rs 49 lakh each.
How did he get so rich? “That’s a question I will answer to the I-T officials if they ask me,” Sharif told DH.
According to one Congress MLA from Bengaluru, Sharif is not an active party man. “In fact, we were surprised that the party chose him for the Legislative Council election,” the MLA said, adding that Sharif was picked by Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar and senior leader Ramalinga Reddy.
According to party sources, Sharif had bagged a scrap contract with the Indian Railways when CK Jaffer Sharief was the Railways Minister.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> National / by Bharath Joshi, DHNS / Benglauru / November 24th, 2021
Although the award will technically go to AR Rahman for being the music director and the producer of the video, it is clear that Rahman considers the video to be the work of his daughter Khatija.
Chennai :
Noted music director AR Rahman’s daughter Khatija Rahman seems to be doing her dad proud. The gifted singer’s music video – ‘Farishton’ – has won the award for the Best Animation Music Video at the International Sound Future Awards.
Although the award will technically go to AR Rahman for being the music director and the producer of the video, it is clear that Rahman considers the video to be the work of his daughter Khatija.
He tweeted the news of the musical video having won the awards. “‘Farishton’ wins one more award. @Rahmankhatija EPI.”
This is not the first award for ‘Farishton’ as just a couple of days ago, the music video won an Award of Merit at the Global Shorts.net, an international short film competition.
The video has also received a special mention award at the Los Angeles Film Awards.
‘Farishton’ is significant as Khatija Rahman considers it to be the beginning of her musical journey.
In a post describing her video on YouTube, Khatija says, “I was born in Chennai in a multicultural family with different genres of music and with friends from diverse backgrounds. I’ve always been fascinated with the wonders of life. As Mawlana Rumi says – ‘There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground; there are a thousand ways to go home again’. The video’s main character Amal was created with such experiences of mine and the longing to explore the unknown. I hope all of you find your own journey of the unknown.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamilnadu / by IANS / November 09th, 2021
The 31-year-old Arif, who hails from Tangmarg of Baramulla district (Jammu & Kashmir), achieved the qualification in the final FIS Qualification being held in Dubai.
Alpine skier Arif Mohammad Khan
Chennai :
Arif Mohammad Khan on Saturday became the first alpine skier from the country to win a quota for the Winter Olympics by accumulating requisite FIS (International Ski Federation) points.
The 31-year-old Arif, who hails from Tangmarg of Baramulla district (Jammu & Kashmir), achieved the qualification in the final FIS Qualification being held in Dubai. The 2022 Games is scheduled to be held in Beijing in February.
Father Mohammad Yasin Khan was Arif’s first coach. Yasin used to guide mountain tracking expeditions and teach the basics of skiing in Gulmarg. “Arif took up skiing at the age of three and quickly learnt the basics. It’s good that the efforts he had put in in all these years have eventually paid dividends,” said an elated father.
As per the FIS, a skier has to accumulate minimum qualifying points to confirm the Winter Games spot. According to www.olympics.com, in order to qualify for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics in the slalom, the average of five best results in the event between the period of July 1, 2019, to January 16, 2022, is considered. For alpine skiers who have competed in less than five events during this period, an extra 20 per cent of average points are added to the International FIS points list.
The four slalom races in Dubai over the past week were the only events Arif has taken part in during the qualifying period.
“It’s a proud moment as earlier the Winter Games Federation of India used to organise trials to pick the teams including the skiers. Arif has become the first alpine skier from the country to secure qualification by earning FIS points,” Rauf Tramboo, member of Winter Games Association of Jammu & Kashmir, told this daily.
Alpine skiing comprises events like downhill, super G, slalom, giant slalom and combined.
Arif will now head to Italy from Dubai to compete in an international event. “Some international event is there. It will be great preparation for him ahead of the Games. He is unlikely to return to the country before the Games,” signed off Rauf.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Others / by Firoz Mirza, Express News Service / November 20th, 2021
