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Former Bidar MLA Syed Zulfiqar Hashmi Passes Away

Bidar, KARNATAKA :

Former Bidar MLA Syed Zulfiqar Hashmi passed away due to kidney failure in the early hours of Tuesday at a Hospital in Hyderabad. He is survived by his wife, three sons and two daughters.

Syed Zulfiqar Hashmi was elected to the Vidhana Sabha from the Bidar constituency in 1994 on the Bahujan Samaj Party ticket. Hashmi was the first BSP MLA from South India.

Hashmi had been undergoing dialysis for the past four months and was admitted to Asara Hospital in Hyderabad two days ago due to deteriorating health.

source: http://www.thecongnate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / April 20th, 2021

Coimbatore-based We Little launches sleep passport booklet

Coimbatore, TAMIL NADU :

A booklet by Coimbatore-based paediatric dentistry team We Little throws light on the mouth-sleep connection

Sleep Passport   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Dr Shifa Shamsudeen has been blogging about the connection between problems in the oral cavity and sleep for five years now. As a paediatric dentist, she has seen misaligned jaw lines and under-developed tongues that cause the airways to narrow. While earlier, these problems were thought to be only genetic, today, research says that a number of oral cavity problems in children are a result of poor lifestyle habits, such as bottle feeding, and infections, like recurring inflamed adenoids.

“All these can lead to narrowing of the airway. When a child is not getting enough oxygen during sleep, the tissues, including the brain are not getting rest. As a result the child becomes lethargic during the day,” says Dr Kunal Gupta, pediatric dentist at Children’s Dental Center in Gurugram. A wider airway leads to better breathing and a deeper sleep. Mouth breathing alters jaw lines causing a short chin, which leads to an asymmetrical face and issues such as speech, breathing, and gum problems.

Dr Shifa Shamsudeen   | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Dr Shamsudeen and her team at We Little that works on children’s teeth in Coimbatore, have brought out what they call a sleep passport — a booklet for parents and children that gives pointers on a healthy sleep routine from infancy to 18 years. It provides a pictorial description of low quality sleep, and highlights the symptoms, causes, and effects of mouth breathing and sleep disordered breathing (SDB), an upper airway dysfunction.

Her message is that many problems with the mouth that result in poor sleep can be prevented. They can also be solved early, with myofunctional therapy. “This involves breath, muscle and sleep re-training exercises,” she says. An example of this is to place the tongue behind the upper front teeth without touching the teeth for 10 seconds. There are many more in the ‘passport’.

Lifestyle choices

Malocclusion (misalignment) of teeth in children is a symptom that something is not functioning in harmony. This used to be mechanically corrected with braces when the child turned 14, but can now be tackled much earlier.

Today dentists understand that for a majority of children, narrow jaws and crowded teeth are induced by lifestyle. “Bottle feeding, the use of pacifiers and thumb sucking can make the tongue muscles weak. It narrows the nasal airway, thereby leading to mouth breathing that induces low quality of sleep,” says Dr Shamsudeen. To prevent this, it is best to breastfeed, avoid the use of pacifiers and try and break your baby’s thumb sucking habit. “Breastfeeding sets the foundation for well-defined facial and jaw growth,” says Dr Shamsudeen.

Timely medical attention

SDB is a result of an improper tongue position, causing difficulties while breathing, says Dr Uma Nagarajan, chief paediatric dentist at Pedo Planet Children’s Dental Center in Delhi. “When a child snores or wakes up with a sudden gasping sound at night or while napping during the day, it is a symptom of SDB. The tongue at rest should be positioned in a way that the tip of the tongue rests on the roof of the mouth, even during sleep.”

“SDB is caused by recurring inflamed adenoids and tonsils, an enlarged tongue, or a narrow lower jaw because of habits like thumb-sucking and mouth breathing. It can have an impact on concentration and attention in the short term and growth in the long term, both because of lack of quality sleep,” adds Dr. Gupta.

If your child is not getting good quality sleep, and psychological factors are ruled out, it’s best to check whether there is a problem with the oral cavity.

To get a copy of the sleep passport, call 97869-29892

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Health / by K Jeshi / Coimbatore – April 17th, 2021

Ayesha Nazneen’s solo art exhibition gave a peep into her dreams

Dabeerpura (Hyderabad), TELANGANA :

This promising artist who hails from Dabeerpura, describes her works as impressionistic, abstract and contemporary.

Bad times often bring out the best in some people. It happened with Ayesha Nazneen. When most persons found the lockdown unnerving, for her it was a godsend opportunity to indulge in her passion. No, she wouldn’t be able to travel, see waterfalls or be one with nature. But surely she could do all this with her canvas, colours, brushes and palette knife.

She did just that. She did not let the pandemic to come in the way of her creativity. Each day was a new start, a new opportunity to explore her feelings and put them on the canvas for the world to see. The other day Nazneen had her ‘Dreams Unlocked’. Her solo art exhibition gave a peep into her dreams.

While it was her first art show, it was also the first such event for the Luqma Kitchen Studio, the newly-opened women-only space at Dar-ul-Shifa. “Women in this part of the city have a lot of skills which need to be tapped,” remarked Rubina Nafees Fatima, president, Safa Society.

This promising artist who hails from Dabeerpura, describes her works as impressionistic, abstract and contemporary. Most of her exhibits relate to dreams of women. She makes use of circles to create an illusion of cage — to indicate how women have traditionally been confined. She also paints the theme of education as the liberating force. Judicious mix of vibrant and contrasting colours is her hallmark. Her favourite work remains the ‘Dream of Final Abode’. This acrylic on canvas depicts a milky waterfall, the artist’s perception of the luxurious life promised in Paradise.

A self-taught artist, Nazneen has been sketching right from her childhood, drawing inspiration from her artist-grandfather, Azeemuddin. An assistant professor at Shadan Women’s College of Pharmacy, she plans to explore sculpture next. Her aim is to use art to illuminate, educate and motivate people.

source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home> Features / by J S Ifthekhar / April 12th, 2021

Kerala man builds miniature replica of Mahindra jeep for his kids

Areekode (Malappuram District), KERALA :

Shakir, who is a resident of Areekode in Malappuram district, Kerala, built a miniature soft top Mahindra jeep for his children and the video of his creation is now making rounds on the internet.

While it’s common for parents to buy kids their favourite toys, a Kerala man went out of his way to build a miniature jeep for his children to play with.

Shakir, a resident of Areekode in Malappuram district, built a miniature soft top Mahindra jeep for his children and the video of his creation is now making rounds on the internet.

The jeep, which is a replica of a Mahindra Jeep, is powered by a 1000 watts motor and comes complete with a manual gearbox, power steering, detachable soft top and headlights. It took Shakir around a year to finish the project.

In the video, Shakir explained that though he completed the project over 5-6 years ago, it was only now that the miniature jeep went viral.

The jeep, which reportedly has a driving range of approximately 60-70 km, cost him around Rs 1.5 lakhs.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Trending> Trending in India / by Trends Desk, New Delhi / April 19th, 2021

Hubballi professor gets a surprise from ‘Gulzar Sahab’

Hubballi, KARNATAKA:

Prized possession: Mustaque Ahmed S. Mulla displays the books sent by lyricist Gulzar.  

The award-winning poet calls up Mustaque Ahmed S. Mulla after he reads the latter’s letter

Never in his dream had Mustaque Ahmed S. Mulla thought that a letter he wrote to award-winning poet and lyricist Gulzar would lead to a moment he would cherish for life.

It was in the second week of March that Prof. Mulla, principal of Tippu Shaheed Institute of Technology at Old Hubballi, happened to watch a reading of Mirza Galib’s poem by Mr. Gulzar in the ‘Jashn-e-Rekhta’ programme.

A fan of ‘Gulzar Sahab’, Prof. Mulla could not resist penning down what he felt. He also wrote about Mr. Gulzar’s determination on reading and writing in Urdu in its own ‘Rasmul Khat’(script) and his views on learning Urdu and expressing it Devanagari script. Mr. Gulzar’s 1972 film Koshish revolved around visually-impaired characters and Prof. Mulla related to it as his father was disabled. He wrote on how the film changed his view of his father, posted the letter and had almost forgot about it.

One afternoon, a few days later, Prof. Mulla’s cell phone rang and to his surprise, the person identified himself as Gulzar. He could not believe that a Dada Saheb Phalke award winner would personally call him and checked to confirm what he had heard.

The conversation extending to over 15 minutes will remain etched in the memory of Prof. Mulla and his daughter Nikhat Sameen, who was by his side. “Gulzar Sahab thanked me for my letter and sought to know about Hubballi and its literary culture. His poetry, films, the region, my father, his struggle, Koshish… all figured in the conversation,” Prof. Mulla recalled.

Mr. Gulzar asked Ms. Sameen, a postgraduate students, about the city, its literary circles and her literary inclination. She requested Mr. Gulzar to send an endorsed copy of his latest Urdu poetry collection Bal o par sare.

“He said he would send it. A few moments later, he called back to ask whether she knew Urdu. At that moment, I said, I too had the right to an endorsed copy, being her father,” Prof. Mulla told The Hindu. Ms. Sameen told her father that more than a poet and lyricist, Gulzar Sahab was a great human being who respected others’ sentiments.

After the conversation, Mr. Gulzar sent two books, one in English for Prof. Mulla and one in Urdu for Ms. Sameen, with endorsement.

These days, Prof. Mulla’s house has visitors who comes to see the books with Mr. Gulzar’s handwriting. Prof. Mulla never gets tired recalling the pleasant surprise.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Girish Pattanashetti / Hubballi – April 16th, 2021

Now Muslim women have a place to unwind in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The Luqma Studio started by Safa Society provides a platform for like-minded women to network and exchange ideas.

There aren’t many places for women to hang out and unwind in Hyderabad. But now, they can boast of a women-only space. Yes, Darulshifa, the heart of the old city, offers such a legroom for them. At Luqma Studio, they can let their guard down and relax — leaving their worries behind.

The unique initiative is the brainwave of Safa Society, the city-based NGO, which aims at socio-economic empowerment of women. The one-of-a-kind studio provides a much-needed platform for women to engage in dialogue, network and exchange ideas. No, Muslim women are not making a beeline to the studio as yet. That will take some time but the very idea of women-only area has gone down well with the fair sex.

Those who dropped in at the inauguration of the studio, along with the Luqma kitchen, last week were pleasantly surprised at the idea of women having a place of their own. “Don’t we need such a place in the #MeToo era,” remarked a young woman pleading anonymity.

The all-female studio is well-furnished and has room for about 25 persons. The pink-coloured walls are decked up with art portraits of women. Adjacent to the studio is the spacious Luqma kitchen, the food brand of Safa, aimed at turning ordinary women into foodpreneurs. “We want Muslim women to make use of the studio and engage in meaningful discourse. They can also showcase their talent here,” says Safa Society president, Rubina Nafees Fatima.

Rubina Nafees Fatima

The studio can be an oasis for women seeking rest and relaxation. They can order something sizzling from the kitchen next door and chit-chat leisurely, something the presence of men would hinder. The homely ambience only adds to the pleasure. There will be special events with prominent women from different fields addressing them on a range of subjects.

There are many myths about Muslim women. What adds to the confusion is people judging them through the prism of stereotypes. “Women from different communities can now intermingle and discover each other,” says Rubina.

With its safe and supportive environment, will Luqma Studio open up new vistas for women?

source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home> Features> My Hyd / by J S Ifthekhar / April 04th, 2021

Indian football: Former Olympian Ahmed Hussain passes away

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

The former India international defender passed away at the age 89 on Friday…

Former India international footballer Ahmed Hussain breathed his last at the age of 89 on April 16 in Bengaluru. The Olympian footballer had tested positive for COVID-19.

Born in 1932, Hussain started his career with Hyderabad City Police. While playing for the club he was selected in the Indian squad which took part in the 1951 Asian Games held in New Delhi and won the gold.

A defender, Hussain was also a part of the Indian Olympics football team that put on a fantastic show in Melbourne (1956) where they thrashed Australia 4-2 to eventually finish fourth in the tournament.

Hailing from Hyderabad, the footballer was incredibly talented and was an integral part of the Hyderabad side which won the Santosh Trophy in 1956 and 1957.

Other than Hyderabad City Police, the India international had also plied his trade with Kolkata football giants Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting Club. In his career, he had won three Durand Cups and six Rovers Cups.

After retiring from football, he took up coaching and joined the Sports Authority of India (SAI). He was posted in Bengaluru where he eventually settled down.

Speaking to Telangana about Hussein his former teammate and Olympian SS Hakim said .“Hussain was one of the giants of the Indian football team. He was one of the greatest stopper backs of the country. Despite his glorious achievements he never received any honours from the government. He truly deserved a Padma Sri.’’ 

Ahmed Hussain’s death is a great loss for the Indian football fraternity.

source: http://www.goal.com / Goal / Home> India / by goal.com / April 17th, 2021

Muslims, Jamia Millia Islamia shine in UPPSC PCS 2020 exams

NEW DELHI / UTTAR PRADESH :

Of them 07 are Muslims whereas Sanchita, a student of Jamia Millia Islamia secured the topped the UPPSC PCS 2020 exam.

UPPSC PCS 2020 Exam: 

A number of Muslim students once again registered success in Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Examination 2020 whereas a student of the Jamia Millia Islamia topped the important exam result of which was declared on Monday.

According to the UPPSC PCS 2020 result which is now live on the UPPSC official website uppsc.up.nic.in, a total of 476 candidates from different districts of Uttar Pradesh have been recommended for as many as 487 civil services posts.

Of them 07 are Muslims whereas Sanchita, a student of the renowned university Jamia Millia Islamia secured the top rank in the merit list released by the UP Public Service Commission Monday.

UPPSC declared the PCS 2020 exams based on the written exam result of which was declared in March. The written exam was followed by personal interviews held from April 1 to 8, 2021.

Direct Link to Check UPPSC PCS 2020 Final Result in PDF

The top ranked Sanchita of Jamia Millia Islamia New Delhi will join the UP state services as Deputy Collector.

Along with Sanchita, Tanveer Ahmad, Mohammad Amaan and Mohammad Amaan are 03 Muslims among the total 61 successful candidates who have been recommended for the post of Deputy Collector, as per the list of selected candidates in Combined State/Upper Subordinate Services Exam 2020 released on the website.

Other Muslims who have shined in Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Examination 2020 are Rifat Malik, Salman Mairaz, Mohammed Nazre Alam and Babar Khan.

While Rifat Malik and Salman Mairaj will join the UP state services as Sr Lecturer, Mohd Nazre Alam will work as Labour Enforcement Officer (15) and Babar Khan as Child Development Project Officer.

Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) had declared the final result of Provincial Civil Services (PCS) Examination 2019 in February. Out of the total 434 candidates who had qualified the 2019 PCS exams 10 were Muslims.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Careers / by Ummid.com News Network / April 14th, 2021

Muslim female entrepreneurs, achievers rule the show at first IMEN summit, Start-up showcase

Pune, MAHARASTHRA :

Uzma Nahid addressing the first IMEN summit and Startup Showcase held in Pune on Februray 07, 2016 (ummid.com [Uzma Nahid addressing the first IMEN summit and Startup Showcase held in Pune on Februray 07, 2016. Also seen in the photo are Architect Nafisa Kazi, Sameena Razzaq and Farah Deeba. (ummid.com photo)]photo)

Pune (Maharashtra): 

A new initiative aimed at driving Muslim involvement in India’s startup and technology economy hosted by Indian Muslim Entrepreneurs Network (IMEN) in Pune last Sunday ended in double delight when it showcased the upcoming business opportunities along with success stories of Muslim female entrepreneurs and young achievers.

The event, brainchild of Chicago based Indian American Tausif Malik, was organized in association with Pune based trainers Anees Kutty and Gaffar Asim Malik.

Started with National Anthem at about 09:00 in the morning, the event ran throughout the day before ending at 06:30pm, uncovering the inspiring stories of Muslim female entrepreneurs and achievers, and also sharing the experiences of Muslim change-makers who have dedicated them for years for the social, educational and economic empowerment of the Muslims in India.

Besides sharing their success stories, the ‘Role Models’ – as the organizers introduced them, also urged the ‘would be’ entrepreneurs to gear up and prepare to take the benefits of the ‘Start-up India Action Plan’ unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“This is an emergency like situation for Muslims, especially the Muslim women. In the situation when we have limited opportunities, it is high time we develop business skills in women so as to fruitfully utilize their skill and talent for the empowerment of the community”, Uzma Nahid said while participating in the panel discussion titled “Role of Women in Business & Community”.

“A huge number of Muslim men and women artisans are skilled and talented. But they are unorganized and hence are vulnerable to exploitation. We should adopt areas dominated by such people, form small groups and establish small scale and cottage industries for them”, Uzma, founder of India International Women’s Alliance (IIWA) which has more than 3000 women members, said.

The views were endorsed by Architect Nafisa Kazi, Educationist and one of the youngest Headmistress of School Farah Deeba and senior journalist Sameena Razzaq, with each one of them adding valuable inputs to the idea mooted by Uzma Nahid.

Participating in another panel discussion Managing Director of Exhicon and Executive President, Imamia Chamber Of Commerce & Industry MQ Syed appealed the young entrepreneurs to use their talent effectively to maintain quality and present innovative products of world-class quality.

“There is no discrimination if you have talent and skill, and there absolutely no challenge and competition to quality”, he said.

Highlighting the importance of business and entrepreneurship in Islam, MQ Syed said, “The Holy Quran gives 9 out of 10 marks to business and trade while discussing the livelihood. Jobs and service have the least priority for us”, Syed, who has mentored over fifty start-ups, said.

Stating that the Muslim community is wasting their energies on useless issues MQ Syed said, “We might have problems with Israel. But, instead of boycotting Pepsi to corner Israel, we should produce a product better than Pepsi.”

Mariyah Rehmani, author of e-book titled ‘The Hijab And Its Purpose: Understanding the veil’ taking the question from Maryam Asif Siddiquee, the winner of ‘Gita Champions League’. (ummid.com photo)

Detailing the key features of ‘Start-up India Action Plan’, Aleem Faizee, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Awaz Multimedia & Publications and Founder Secretary of Malegaon Industries & Manufacturers Association (MIMA), said if implemented properly the plan is the best suitable for Indian Muslims.

“Everyone suffered due to ‘inspector raj’, and lengthy and tiring bureaucratic procedure in India. But, Muslims were worst sufferer of this menace. The Start-up India Action Plan has many features to end this problematic and unhealthy regime”, he said while opening the Start-up showcase session.

“If implemented properly, the Start-up action plan will surely open the doors of opportunities for Muslim entrepreneurs in India”, Faizee, who is instrumental in establishing a mini Textile Park in Malegaon, said.

Irfan Pathan, founder of ‘Coffe Addict’, showcased the ‘soon to be launched’ product by giving history of coffee and elaborating on the role of Muslims in spreading the coffee drink. During the presentation, he was supported by Khan his cousin and team member.

The event was also addressed by, Managing Director of Idafa Investments Pvt. Ltd. & Rehbar, Regional Head, West India Ashraf Mohamedy, Mariyah Rehmani, teenager who authored e-book titled ‘The Hijab And Its Purpose: Understanding the veil’, Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor and Investor Altaf Rehmani and Program Facilitator UNCTAD-Empretec Program for India Nasser Mehdi.

Among the organisers, Tausif Malik, Anees Kutty and Asim Gaffar Malik detailed the objectives of the event and also shared their valuable experiences in their long careers.

At the end of the ceremony, MQ Syed was conferred ‘IMEN Businessman of the Year Award’, Mohammad Yunus, who saved more than 2000 lives during Chennai flood, was conferred ‘Shaheed Abdul Hamid Award’ and Maryam Asif Siddiquee, the winner of ‘Gita Champions League’, was conferred ‘Educational Excellence Award’.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Business & Economy / by Zohair Mohammad Safwan / February 13th, 2016

Delhi’s Meatscapes: Muslim Butchers in a Transforming Mega-city

NEW DELHI :

Tracing the journey of meat from the farm to the meat shop and other workspaces of the butcher within the multi-sited margins in Delhi, the current volume intimately follows the lives of Qureshi butchers and other meat sector workers in this transforming mega-city.

The author addresses the tensions that meat throws up in a bristling society whose stakes are now more than ever intense.

She shows how meat is also a rising sector in the Indian economy, and fetches precious foreign exchange. Qureshi butchers stand at the crossroads of class, caste, stigma, religion, market, urban ecological policies, and a never- ceasing political debate around these issues.

Delhi’s Meatscapes brings together rare archival documents, vernacular sources, and ethnographic insights gleaned from several years of immersion in the city’s meatscapes and is the first of its kind for urban anthropologists, economists, political scientists, policy planners and readers who wish to take a hard look at their own (non-) meat choices.

source: http://www.newindiafoundation.org / New India Foundation / Home / by Zarin Ahmad