Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Mohamed Kaffoor’s way of providing dignity in death

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues

Kaniyakumari, TAMIL NADU:

The money given for cremations and burials are taken from Kaffoor’s own pockets.

Mohamed Kaffoor has helped cremate bodies of 18 people so far, none of whom were his kin | Express

Kanniyakumari:

Living is expensive; so is death. At times, mourning gets distracted by all the expenses that they are expected to bear. Even the dead are not spared the horrors of the materialistic world. With their hands and feet tied with threads of deception, nostrils blocked with tiny blobs of cotton, and the white shroud of perfection – death, at times, can appear more gentlemanly than the living. Getting ready with the assortment of items termed essentials could be painstakingly unkind.

Mohamed Kaffoor

For anybody else, it would be a weird response of judgmental stares and self-suggestive silent spells. Mohamed Kaffoor, however, is quick to answer: “Rs 4,500 for cremating Hindus and Rs 8,000 for the burial of Muslims and Christians.” The 62-year-old from Edalakudy is not a gravedigger, but his handbook is as brimming with the essentials as Liesel Meminger’s from Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief.

The only difference between Kaffoor and Liesel, apart from reality, is that the former stole no book, but he is penning the afterlives of many by just giving the dead a decent send off. Kaffoor is from Nagercoil city, who has helped with the burial of two deceased and cremation of bodies of 18 people so far, none of whom were his kin of any kind. He visits crematoriums and burial grounds and sponsors the dead in their final journey.

Kaffoor’s philanthropy does not don the smiling faces of dust-clad, shabby but happy children. Only silence follows with little or no claps, let alone acknowledgment.Born to a daily-wage labourer father, Kaffoor started working as a salesman at a medical store in the city after his pre-university course (PUC). After working with a company of pens in Kerala and touring Tamil Nadu for his work, Kaffoor flew down to Uganda to work in a shop. He, along with a friend, set up his own shop in the African country.

After making some money, Kaffoor returned to India and started living in Edalakudy serving as chairman of the trust hospital UGASEWA, which was formed by people working in Uganda. Following his expertise, Kaffoor became a coordinator and continues to serve as one. While his stint with social service for the living had begun earlier, it was not until three years ago that Kaffoor got into serving the dead as well. Kaffoor was contacted by an acquaintance of his to suggest financial help for the final rites of a young man who had recently died. Kaffoor reached Kanniyakumari government medical college hospital.

“His family had no money to even perform the last rites,” he tells TNIE. After rushing to the mortuary, Kaffoor found a young woman holding a child in her arms and an aged woman. “She said that her husband sustained them by stitching and repairing umbrellas on the roadside in Nagercoil,” he says, adding that the family lost its money treating him of a sickness and had barely anything left to conduct his last rites. So, following completion of formalities, Kaffoor took the body to the crematorium at Ozhugunaseri and gave Panner, the cremator, Rs 4,500. The family members were brought as well and the last rites conducted as per their wishes.

Kaffoor says that he also got a facility constructed at his native place for Muslims to cleanse the bodies of their deceased. Even during Covid-19 pandemic, his services were available.Similarly, Kaffoor has also performed last rites for the elderly from Good Samaritan Home for the Aged at Aasaripallam in Nagercoil. S. Basil Rajan, director of the home, tells TNIE, “We admitted the sick aged inmates of our homes at nearby Kanniyakumari government medical college hospital for treatment. If they died, the bodies were kept in the mortuary and Kaffoor would be informed. He came to the mortuary and took the bodies to perform last rites.”

The money given for cremations and burials are taken from Kaffoor’s own pockets. A Shahul Hammed, a 74-year-old retired bank employee, is Kaffoor’s only companion on this road. About Kaffoor, Hammed said, “Though he was not very rich, he helped many people during the time of Covid.” In fact, Kaffoor recalls that his wife found out through an appreciation post on Facebook and has been supportive since.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by M Abdul Rabi, Express News Service / January 22nd, 2023

Undergrad Mustafizur Rahman develops Assam Pay to vie with Gpay, PayTM

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy

ASSAM:

Mustafizur Rahman

As digital payment applications like PhonePe, Google Pay, PayTM, etc have become easy means of transaction across India, a young man from Assam has developed an online payment system and given it the name Assam Pay Commission.

The money transfer application developed by Mustafizur Rahman of Dalgaon in the Darang district has recently received the government’s approval and recognition. The app is registered with the Government of India’s ‘Bharat Bill Payment System’ and is also available in the Google Play Store.

Mustafizur Rahman, son of Zulfikar Ali and Jyosnara Begum, is currently a B-Voc IT undergraduate student at Kharupetia College. Mustafizur has been interested in technology since his childhood.

Mustafiur Rahman working on his computer

Mustafizur spends most of the day with his mobile and computer. He has already submitted his app for registration with India Start Up. He is also planning to register his innovation with Assam Start-Up.

Speaking with Awaz-The Voice, Mustafizur Rahman said: “I was thinking about making this app for a long time. I was also facing a lot of financial problems. But, I have been able to get involved in the app over the past 3 months. Just like PhonePe, Google Pay, and PayTM, people can recharge, transfer money, pay bills etc. Our Assam Pay app has all the features of the leading apps in trend. People don’t always get cashback when they recharge on other apps. But, in our app, they get the cashback for every transaction.”

 He said, “I was always interested in mobiles and computers. I always used Google Pay, PhonePe, etc. Using these, I thought that many people use these apps. But there is no profit. So, I started working on my app. Those who have used our app are very happy. We take the problems faced by the users seriously and try to fix them as soon as possible. In our app there is a help link, click on it and you can call or message. If you tell us your problem, we will fix it.”

The logo of Mustafizur Rahman’s app

He adds he plans to add more features to Assam Pay app in the future. Like the way updates keep coming on other apps, Assam Pay users will also be able to get new features through new updates.

“I am working on another big project. I cannot reveal it right now. But a very nice service will be launched soon,” Mustafizur said about his plans.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaaz, The Voice / Home> Youth / by awazthevoice.in / by Ariful Islam, Guwahati / January 21st, 2023

Qatar: Indian ultrarunner Sufiya Khan breaks another Guinness World Record

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

Ajmer, RAJASTHAN / NEW DELHI :

Sufiya Khan completed her first international expedition, ‘Run Across Qatar’ — 200 kilometer south to north in 30 hours and 34 minutes.

 Ultramarathoner Sufiya Khan (Photo: Twitter)

Doha:

Indian ultramarathoner Sufiya Sufi Khan, a three-time Guinness World Record holder has achieved another feat as the fastest runner to run across Qatar.

Sufiya Khan completed her first international expedition, ‘Run Across Qatar’ — 200 kilometres south to north in 30 hours and 34 minutes.

In a Fastest Known Time (FKT) Guinness World Record attempt, Sufi started her run from Abu Samra on Thursday, January 12, at 6 am and finished at Zulal Wellness Resort in Al Ruwais on Friday, January 13.

The Indian embassy in Doha congratulated Safiya Sufi Khan on her achievement.

Before starting the campaign, she met the Indian Ambassador to Qatar Deepak Mittal.

Sufi Khan tweeted, “Honored to meet The Indian Ambassador to Qatar H.E. DR. DEEPAK MITTAL at @IndEmbDoha before the run. Had a fruitful conversation about the Run, Fitness community in Qatar and India and got his blessings for the World record attempt. @MEAIndia @PMOIndia @narendramodi.”

About Sufiya Khan

An increasing number of people are leaving their 9 to 5 jobs today! In fact, most of them take a career break to do something completely outside the box. It may seem scary at first, but it could be one of the best decisions you’ve ever made! And today we have a brilliant example of a woman who quit her job and chose a completely different profession. Here meet Sufiya Khan.

Photo: Sufiya Khan/Facebook

37-year-old Sufiya Khan was born and raised in Ajmer, Rajasthan. She worked in the aviation industry for almost a decade, but the turning point in her life came when she decided to run her first half marathon in Delhi in 2017.

In 2018, Sufiya quit her airline job and started running as a way to unwind and relax. She participated in several marathons and races. In the year 2018, she broke a national record by running the Golden Triangle — 720 km — in 16 days.

In 2019, she set the record for the fastest time by a female runner in the “Kashmir to Kanyakumari” category and in April 2021, she became the fastest woman to run along “The Indian Golden Quadrilateral Road”.

Sufiya currently holds several world records and continues to explore what her body is capable of.

In 2021, she undertook the Tribute Run to salute the sacrifices of Kargil War Heroes.

Photo: Sufiya Khan/Facebook

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India> Qatar / by Sakina Fatima / January 18th, 2023

Hyderabad loses a great historian in the passing away of M.A. Qaiyum

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education

Hyderabad, TELANGANA:

Hyderabad: 

A good archaeologist needs both research and writing skills. M.A. Qaiyum, who passed away on Thursday night, had these qualities in equal measure. But he wrote more than he excavated.

Archaeology holds the key to understanding who we are and where we come from. In that sense, Qaiyum had all the answers to who, what, where, when, how and why.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he knew Hyderabad like the back of his hand. A walking encyclopaedia indeed as far as Hyderabad goes. Qaiyum also had thorough knowledge and wrote extensively about Mughal and Deccan history. No wonder he explained the initials of his name as: Mughal, Asafjahi and Qutb Shahi.

The noted archaeologist died at a hospital in Banjara Hills where he was admitted for fever and lung infection. He suffered a massive heart attack around 8.30 p.m on Thursday night. But doctors succeeded in reviving him through (CPR), Cardiopulmonary resuscitation procedure. After some time he suffered another attack and passed away. Two days ago when he was taken out from ICU, Qaiyum kept speaking in English to the surprise of the doctors and his family members. He spoke mostly about Hyderabad, its history and the Department of Archaeology. “He breathed his last peacefully with a smile on his face”, said his son, M.A. Basith.

Qaiyum was 76 and is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. His funeral prayers were held at Masjid-e-Suffa, Janki Nagar and the mortal remains were laid to rest at the graveyard in First Lancer.
Qaiyum joined the Department of Archaeology and Museums in 1965 as Assistant Director and retired in 2004 as Deputy Director. During his long service lasting 39 years he gained firsthand knowledge about the Qutb Shahi, Mughal and Asaf Jahi architecture along with historical background of those periods. He also had thorough knowledge about the Chalukyan, Kakatiyan and Buddhist monuments situated in the combined Andhra Pradesh.

With his death, the city has lost an important historian. A few months ago another great historian of Hyderabad, M.A. Nayeem, had passed away.

What was unique about Qaiyum was that he was not the run-of-the-mill archaeologist. Nor was he the typical nine-to-five officer. He went beyond the call of duty and engaged himself in delving into the past. As Deputy Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, he researched and wrote extensively.

Even after retirement his passion for history and heritage did not wane. In fact he wrote two books – one on Charminar and another on Taj Mahal. His knowledge and experience came handy in identification and protection of sites of heritage and archaeological value. “Like all cities Hyderabad too is caught in a time-wrap,” he used to say and called for sustained efforts to retain its rich past.

Years after his retirement, the Archaeology Department took his services in preparing a database of all antiquities and archaeological findings in the State. Qaiyum helped in preparation of archaeological resources in terms of built heritage, sites and antiquities right from Badshahi Ashoorkhana to Makkah Masjid, Paigah Tombs, Hayat Bakshi Mosque, Monsieur Raymond Tomb and Gun Foundry.

Qaiyum had a sharp eye for artefacts. When everyone preferred to relax on Sundays, he would visit Charminar and its surroundings looking for rare objects and books. And he hit pay dirt every time he went out. Qaiyum has a good collection of historical books and rare objects. Once he stumbled upon a 450 year old copper coin minted during the time of Ibrahim Qutb Shah. Coins of the third Qutb Shahi ruler are not to be found even in the A.P. State Museum, which boasts of thousands of copper coins. And Qaiyum got it for a song on the Old City pavement.

Unlike other archaeologists, Qaiyum took pains to write about his findings. He is perhaps the only archaeologist who wrote a comprehensive book on Hyderabad’s famous icon, Charminar. The book –Charminar in Replica of Paradise – throws light on monuments all over the world which sport ‘minars’ to explain the concept of minarets. In this book Qaiyum also explains the magic of  ‘four’ in Charminar. He explains in detail the geometric combinations and mathematical reasoning that went into the construction of Charminar. The number ‘char’ (four) and its multiples, according to him, figure in the design of the structure. He discovered at least 22 spots where the magic of four dazzles.

Such was his knowledge about the Hyderabad monuments that he was invariably deputed as a guide to conduct the VVIP’s visits to historical landmarks like Charminar, Golconda Fort and the royal mausoleums of Qutb Shahi kings. He had the privilege of showing the historical monuments to Queen Elizabeth in 1983, Prince Charles and Princesses Diana in 1992, Boris Johnson, then British Foreign Secretary, film star, Dilip Kumar, Turkish novelist and Nobel Prize winner, Orhan Pamuk.

Qaiyum had the knack of surprising foreign delegates by pointing out the historical connection of India and Hyderabad with their countries.

A voracious reader, Qaiyum authored five books in all. His first book “Hyderabad – Tab Aur Ab (Hyderabad – Then and Now) was published by the Siasat Daily. Then he came up with another book – Great Achievements of Turks in India. He also penned a comprehensive book on Charminar followed by Khas Mahal to Taj Mahal. This apart he published hundreds of research articles on Mughal and Hyderabad monuments.

In his death, Hyderabad has lost a great historian who immensely loved the city of his birth.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by JS Ifthekhar / September 16th, 2022

Kashmir: 12th graders Abid and Danish make a model to demystify math

Amazing Feats, Education

JAMMU & KASHMIR:

Abid Fayaz and Danish Mushtaq with their teacher
Abid Fayaz and Danish Mushtaq with their teacher

New Delhi

Kashmir’s Abid Fayaz and Danish Mushtaq, the class 12 students, have developed a model to make mathematics learning easy.

Their model resembles a wooden box with angles marked on it. It can be used as such and also online. In the latter mode, it has to be connected to a mobile phone application, which is further connected to a Wireless Local Area Network.

According to the Kashmir Life portal, the application provides a variety of options related to the properties of angles like corresponding angles, opposite angles, etc. The model works by highlighting the angles on the board when a user selects an option in the application. 

This model will give students a better understanding of the properties of the angles, especially for middle and high school level students.

danish fiyaz
Abid Fayaz and Danish Mushtaq with their model (Image Courtesy: Kashmir Life)

Abid and Danish are students in 12th standard at the Boys Higher Secondary School, Zainakote with mathematics as the main subject.

“Since childhood, I struggled with mathematics and could never understand concepts like angles and triangles. However, in eighth grade, something changed and I began to enjoy the subject. I attribute this to my math teacher, who helped me understand the fundamentals of the subject so that by the time I reached class ten, I was more proficient than ever,” Abid Fayaz told Kashmir Life.

“Maths being a non-practical subject and triangles being the toughest chapter at the school level is the real reason why many students fear the subject. This is where the idea of model piqued in my mind,” he said.

Abid says he has always been inclined toward science and innovation.

It took the duo two years to make the final product and they are still working on improving its design.

“We shared the idea with our teachers at our school. They motivated us to participate in the science exhibition where we showcased the basic version of our model for the first time,” said Abid. 

“Initially I started to use this model for teaching my cousins and the outcomes were good. This is where we decided to make it better and modify it as it can help the students to learn maths. Danish helped me equally throughout my journey.”

During an event of the Jammu and Kashmir State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), the duo was appreciated by the Union Territory government for their efforts in creating this mathematical model. They also presented the model at DIET Srinagar where they were appreciated for their work.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Youth / by awazthevoice.in / January 19th, 2023

Hyderabad: Nargis and Nafees of Telangana Minority Residential College awarded medals in Delhi

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

TELANGANA:

 Telangana Minority Residential College

Hyderabad: 

Two sisters of Telangana Minority Residential College in Uppal, Hyderabad, were awarded gold medals and silver medals in Delhi. Nargis Sultana daughter of Mohammed Abdul Saleem scored 95 per cent and was awarded gold medal while her sister Nafees Sultana scored 93 per cent in 12th grade and bagged a silver medal. Nargis wants to be a doctor and is preparing for NEET. Nafees is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in Telangana.

The awards were presented at the 32nd Convention of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) in New Delhi.

Hyderabad: Two sisters of Telangana Minority Residential College in Uppal, Hyderabad, were awarded gold medals and silver medals in Delhi. Nargis Sultana daughter of Mohammed Abdul Saleem scored 95 per cent and was awarded gold medal while her sister Nafees Sultana scored 93 per cent in 12th grade and bagged a silver medal. Nargis wants to be a doctor and is preparing for NEET. Nafees is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in Telangana.

The awards were presented at the 32nd Convention of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) in New Delhi.

Founded in Detroit, United States in 1989, AFMI recognises the country’s top student achievers. It has recognised over 4,000 students so far from over 400 districts in India.

source: http://www.munsifdaily.com / The Munsif Daily / Home> Education / by Rasia Hashmi / January 02nd, 2023

Assam | Bagh Hazarika: The legendary warrior who fought Mughals alongside Ahom general Lachit Barphukan in Battle of Saraighat

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

ASSAM:

Assam Bagh Hazarika
Portrait of Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika. Credit: wikipedia

Many people know about Lachit Barphukan – the Ahom general – who led the Ahom army against the invading Mughals forces and defeated them in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.

But very few know about Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, who fought alongside Lachit Barphukan in the famous Battle of Saraighat.

Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, a 17th century Ahom army warrior, is believed to be instrumental in turning the tide in favour of the Ahoms in the Battle of Saraighat.

The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Mughal Empire (led by Ram Singh I) and the Ahom Kingdom (led by Lachit Borphukan) on the Brahmaputra River at Saraighat, now in Guwahati, Assam.

Although weaker, the Ahom Army defeated the Mughal Army by massive army, clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, guerrilla tactics, psychological warfare, military intelligence and by exploiting the sole weakness of the Mughal forces—its navy.

The Battle of Saraighat was the last battle in the last major attempt by the Mughals to extend their empire into Assam.

ABOUT BAGH HAZARIKA

Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, was a 17th-century warrior who fought against the Mughals for the Ahom kingdom.

He was born in an Assamese Muslim family at Dhekerigaon village near Garhgaon in Assam.

LEGEND

The legend around his origins states that there was once a tiger that had entered his village and Ismail Siddique, who was unarmed, killed the tiger barehanded.

The news of this valour reached then King of the Ahom kingdom – Chakradhwaj Singha – who then called young Ismail Siddique to his court to display his strength.

The Ahom King was impressed by the show of strength and appointed Ismail as a Hazarika, an Ahom office in charge of 1000 paiks.

This event marked the beginning of the legend of the brave Bagh (Tiger in Assamese language) Hazarika that culminated in his acts of bravery during Battle of Saraighat.

BAGH HAZARIKA’S ROLE IN BATTLE OF SARAIGHAT

In this first conflict, the Mughal forces were well entrenched on the hills of the north bank of the Brahmaputra river with a chain of huge cannons.

Bagh Hazarika suggested a plan on how to disable the Mughal guns to Ahom General Lachit Barphukan, royal minister Atan Burhagohain and other generals.

Impressed by the plan, they entrusted Bagh Hazarika with command to lead the operation.

That night an advance party led by Bagh Hazarika along with a few soldiers crossed the Brahmaputra by boat and landed on the northern bank of the river and laid in wait for the right moment.

While the Mughal soldiers were busy saying their Fajr or dawn prayers, Bagh Hazarika and his soldiers climbed the high embankments and poured water into the Mughal cannons, rendering them useless.

Later, the Ahom army announced their advance by blowing the trumpets. In response, the Mughal soldiers rushed to their posts and tried to fire the cannons at the advancing Ahom forces.

But, the wet cannons would not work. The Ahom forces used their cannons to the full strength and the Ahom army landed safely on the north bank and attacked ferociously as the Mughal soldiers retreated helplessly.

This victory proved the courage and valour of Bagh Hazarika beyond any doubt and he was felicitated by the Ahom King.

Bagh Hazarika thus went down in the annals of Assam history as a highly skilled front ranking military officer.

RECENT CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING BAGH HAZARIKA

A controversy erupted recently in Assam surrounding legendary Ahom warrior Bagh Hazarika.

A major controversy erupted in Assam following tagging of Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, as a “fictional character” by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, was a 17th century Ahom army warrior, who fought the Mughals alongside Lachit Barphukan in the famous Battle of Saraighat.

Ismail Siddique alias Bagh Hazarika is believed to be was the second in command to Ahom general Lachit Barphukan in the Battle of Saraighat.

Recently, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing a state convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Guwahati, said that Bagh Hazarika was a “fictional character”.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had claimed that there was no authentic information about Bagh Hazarika in the history books.

“Our history teachers have never questioned this narrative,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said while saying that a narrative had been created about him (Bagh Hazarika).

Slamming the Assam chief minister over his statement on Bagh Hazarika, several Assam Muslim intellectuals and scholars rejected the CM’s “interpretation of history”.

“We reject the chief minister’s interpretation of history about one of Assam’s illustrious sons with a communal overtone,” a statement issued by 10 Assamese Muslim intellectuals and scholars said.

“If there is any confusion about Bagh Hazarika, the government should constitute a committee of historians under a university in Assam to find out whether he existed or not,” the statement said.

The 10 include professors Abu Nasser Syed Ahmed and Poynuruddin Ahmed, former Minister Samsul Huda, political activist Mehdi Alam Bora, and Kazi Nekib Ahmed and Mushtaq Golam Osmani of the Bagh Hazarika Research Forum.

Recently, the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad (TAYP) had warned Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against distortion of Ahom history.

In a statement, TAYP president Vijay Rajkonwar urged the Assam chief minister to refrain from distorting the history of Ahoms.

“Avoid the thought of distorting the history of the Ahoms. This history is thousands of years old and written history. Mahavir Lachit Borphukan cannot be made a Hindu hero even if you try a thousand times,” the TAYP president said.

“Lachit Borphukan is an Ahom and Assamese hero, he is not a religious warrior. We don’t even allow it to happen,” Rajkonwar added.

In his address at the ABVP conference, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that the name of Ahom King Chakradhar Singh carries the identity of Hindus.

Reacting to the Assam chief minister’s comments that there is no authentic information in history about the presence of Bagh Hazarika,  Rajkonwar said whether he was a part of the battle of Saraighat or not, Tai script will tell.

“The chief minister or anyone else cannot keep saying it,” he added.

Referring to Chief Minister’s comments about Lachit Borphukan going to Kamakhya temple to offer prayers, the TAYP president said, “Ahoms are allowed to go anywhere. They eat all types of food. There is no restriction in Ahom tradition and beliefs. The Ahoms worship nature and their ancestors.”

source: http://www.nenow.in / NorthEast Now / Home> Assam / by NE Now News / January 12th, 2023

Faiz-e-Aam Trust: A journey of 40 years in helping the helpless; but miles to go before one sleeps

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

Hyderabad, TELANGANA:

Syed Husain and Saba Begum with the Faiz team

Hyderabad: 

Everything begins with an idea. But sometimes a moment of indifference could be the trigger. It was so in the case of Zulfequar Hussain, former Director of Bombay Mercantile Cooperative Bank. One day he was sitting in his office in Aurangabad and a dilapidated house collapsed right in front of his eyes in Loha Bazar, Chowk area. Those present there were touched by the tragedy which claimed the lives of two earning members and left their five children to fend for themselves. More than the misfortune, what troubled Hussain was the crass indifference of people who merely expressed sympathy and left. He was moved in a different way and wanted to do something for the bereaved children beyond lip sympathy.

Zulfequar Hussain

And the idea of Faiz-e-Aam Trust took birth. Soon poor and destitute found in it a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on. That was the year 1982. Two years later the Trust opened its branch in Hyderabad. There has been no turning back since then. As the name suggests, its ‘faiz’ (munificence) has spread far and wide to all and sundry.

As he looks back on Faiz’s journey in the last four decades, Iftekhar Husain Fida Ali, Hon. Secretary of its Hyderabad branch, is pleased with the work done and the achievements made. But he doesn’t want to rest on laurels. “I have miles to go before I sleep,” he repeats a line from a famous poem.

Iftekhar Husain, Faiz-e Aam Secretary

On Monday evening Husain will take a walk down the memory lane at the programme being organised at the Salar Jung Museum and outline the vision statement for the coming years. The Faiz teams, both in Aurangabad and Hyderabad, have their job cut out: create more opportunities for students who have the calibre to study but can’t afford the expenses, render medicare to more underprivileged persons and rehabilitate the lower strata of society by helping them set up small businesses.

If statistics are something to go by, Faiz has impressive numbers of providing succour and relief to the needy: 10,000 plus education beneficiaries and 8000 plus medical beneficiaries. The Zulfeqar Husain Memorial Hospital at Kagzipura in Aurangabad has treated 3.80 lakh patients at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. This selfless service has drawn the appreciation of one and all, including Mother Teresa, the famed nun known for her charitable work.

Unlike other welfare organisations, Faiz doesn’t believe in merely adopting a child. It goes a step ahead and ensures that other children in the family are also taken care of so that the entire family is uplifted economically. Its volunteers look out for deserving destitute in vulnerable areas who want to study but have no means to do so. Over the years it has transformed the lives of many poor children by providing assistance for education and now they are in a position to help others. Helping others grow is the secret of Faiz’s growth.

On the education front Faiz has done extremely well. It has spent a total of Rs. 8.78 crore to help 3341 students from 1982 to 2022. Of these the female beneficiaries account for 2,080. This apart, Faiz has churned out more than 3000 nurses in partnership with the Bibi Amena Hospital in Hyderabad. Each one of them was provided with financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month. In association with other charitable trusts too, Faiz has been extending aid to families based on their needs.

This is not all. Faiz has also helped many realise their dreams. Take the case of Mohammed Yousuf, a polio affected boy from the old city of Hyderabad. To his misfortune a pair of crutches became an inseparable part of his body. But his fortune turned for the better when he came into contact with Husain and the late Abid Ali Khan, the founder Editor of Siasat. Looking at his interest in education, they extended financial assistance. He passed B.E (Electronics and Communications) in the first division. Faiz helped him fulfil his American dream too. Yousuf landed a job in General Motors and did extremely well. Now he has set up the Equally Able Foundation in the US and helps differently able persons. In 2019 he spent more than Rs. 2.40 lakh through his Foundation on 101 students back home.

Mohd Yousuf, the polio affected boy, now helping others

Likewise, Syed Hasan of Mir Alam Tank and his sister, Saba Begum, have realised their dream of becoming doctors. Faiz adopted him right from the first standard and funded his education till he completed his MBBS. Now he is working in the Owaisi Hospital as a doctor in General Medicine. His sister too has cleared MBBS with the financial assistance of Faiz. “Now I want to do my bit for the community and guide others”, says a grateful Dr Hasan.

The case of Mohd Jameel Husain’s children is also quite interesting. Faiz adopted all his 12 children and helped them come up in life. The eldest daughter, Ayesha Jabeen, has completed MBBS and is pursuing M.D while her younger sister, Atufa Jabeen, has passed out B Pharmacy. The other siblings Adeeba Jabeen, Aafiya Jabeen, Arshiya Jabeen, Mohd Muzammil are all pursuing different courses. They couldn’t have come this far without the timely help rendered by Faiz.

In the same way, Faiz has helped the children of Mahmooda, a widow, who was struggling to raise her children through tailoring. Besides extending financial assistance towards ration, house rent and medical treatment, Faiz adopted her three children – Syeda Fayeq, Syeda Asma and Syeda Tabassum. While the first one is pursuing B.Ed, the second one has completed B.Sc and the third sibling is doing B. Pharma.

Another major thrust area of Faiz is imparting technical skills through its four Skill Development Centres in the old city. Through the Ayesha Effendi and Siasat centres computer skills are being imparted to the students.

Apart from education and medical care, Faiz has been helping out people in association with the Siasat Daily. The Kapda Bank set up by them has benefitted more than 50,000 persons. Similarly the two organisations have rendered help to Delhi riot victims and rehabilitated the affected families thanks to the generous contribution received from donors. While the COVID pandemic and the resultant lockdown left thousands of people sick, unemployed and struggling, Faiz pitched in to render relief. It fed more than 7000 families at a whopping cost of Rs. 24 lakh.

Among the many beneficiaries is also Syeda Salwa Fatima, the first woman pilot from Hyderabad. Her success shows how Faiz and Siasat Daily gave her not just the wings but also the landing gear. As its motto goes, Faiz believes in helping the helpless.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by JS Ifthekhar / December 25th, 2022

Bengaluru lad beats the world to win Men’s Classic Physique C’ship

Amazing Feats, Karnataka (under research project), Sports, World Opinion

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA:

Meer Ashar Qureshi

Bengaluru:

Meer Ashar Qureshi, a 27-year-old fitness trainer from the city, topped the Men’s Classic Physique Championship in Delhi and ‘Mr Karnataka Men’s Champion’ held this year by Musclemania. As many as 45 contestants from across the world participated in the championship, and Ashar defeated them all “in style”. It is not always that people with career passion achieve their goals in life.

But ‘Namma Bengaluru Huduga’ has learned what it really takes to be a successful trainer. The gymnast completed his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Ramaiah institute of Management while excelling in his fitness career. At the age of 15, he not only represented India at the International Karate Championship in Sri Lanka, but also won the competition.

“After winning the competition in Sri Lanka, I decided to pursue a career in fitness. My family has been very supportive, and my father keeps me inspired,” Ashar told News Trail.

Ashar underwent several certification programmes including those offered by the National Academy of Wellness, the Diploma in Fitness and American Counselling on Exercise (ACE) before registering for the Musclemania competition in 2022. With a belief that fitness goes beyond physical transformation, the muscleman has also trained and transformed over 600 people across the world over a span of eight years.

As a coach, he works on bringing out the hidden potential in his clients. Ashar has now been selected for the Asian Division competition. “I am extremely happy about my achievements. I’m keen and preparing myself with the hope of representing my country in the next competition,” he said.

source: http://www.newstrailindia.com / NewsTrail / Home / by Hameed Ashrafi, NT / December 28th, 2022

Why CM Shivraj Chouhan is calling Sana Ali an inspiration

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Science & Technology, Scientists (wef. August 27th,m 2023), Women/Girls(since May26-2021),

MADHYA PRADESH:

Sana Ali
Sana Ali

New Delhi:

When Sana Ali of Vidisha, a town in the state of Madhya Pradesh received her appointment letter for the job of technical assistant in the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), it turned out to be a celebration of the human spirit and opportunities that the country offers to hardworking youth.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan congratulated Sana Ali and her family. He called her “Daughter of Vidisha.” Chief Minister Chouhan also belongs to Vidhisha.

In his message posted on Twitter, the chief minister said

“Hearty congratulations to Sana Ali, daughter of Vidisha, on being selected as Technical Assistant at ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Center. Congrats! Ladies like you are making Madhya Pradesh proud and revealing the potential of daughters. I wish you all the best for your happy, successful, and bright future ahead.”

Even central minister Jyotiraje Scindia, who hails from Madhya Pradesh congratulated  Sana. He complimented Sana for rising above her adverse circumstances to reach this position and become an inspiration to others.

Sana’s achievement has to be seen in the context of her social and economic backdrop. Considering that Sana Ali’s father was a bus driver in the engineering college where she completed her B.tech and later M.Tech degrees, Sana’s achievement is great.

Her father and family had to raise funds for her education by mortgaging family jewelry and eliciting snide comments from relatives.

Sana’s father Sajid Ali used to be employed as a bus driver in the same college from where Sana completed her engineering studies. Sana Ali completed her master’s degree from Samrat Ashoka Technology Institute (SATI) of Vidisha.

https://www.hindi.awazthevoice.in/upload/news/167369148401_Sana_Ali_Khan_ISRO_Driver's_daughter_Sana_Ali_Khan_will_now_fly_ISRO's_rocket_2.jpg
Sana Ali’s family celebrating her appointment i ISRO

However, later Sajid was promoted to the position of a laboratory assistant in the same college.

While Sana was completing her Master’s degree, Sajid Ali faced a severe financial crisis. He had to borrow money and pawn his wife’s jewelry to pay for his daughter’s education.

As the family made efforts to raise money for their daughter’s higher education, they also faced taunts from extended family and others. People around them disapproved of the family’s obsession with making a daughter go for higher studies when they didn’t have enough resources.

They brazenly asked Sajid why he choose to take a loan for his daughter’s studies as she will have to leave his home one day after her marriage and he would be left to repay the loan.

However, Sajid ignored them and kept supporting his daughter’s education.

Today a proud father Sajid says, “I worked hard to educate my daughter. Despite all the financial constraints, we continued her studies. I told my daughter that she has to complete her studies at any cost and achieve her goal. My daughter also worked hard and reached this point. We are very happy. I pray that my daughter progresses all through her life.

https://www.hindi.awazthevoice.in/upload/news/167369150701_Sana_Ali_Khan_ISRO_Driver's_daughter_Sana_Ali_Khan_will_now_fly_ISRO's_rocket_1.jpg
Sana Ali with her parents

After completing her M.Tech course, Sana started preparing for the competition. Sana will be joining the Satish Dhawan Space Center (SDSC) at Sriharikota in the Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh.This center of ISRO is a rocket launcher center, where rockets with state-of-the-art technology are sent into the space.

Sana told the local media, “I belong to a middle-class family. I want to give a message to all women that they must strive to get an education at any cost. Make all efforts to achieve the goal which you have set in your life. You need to work hard and don’t get discouraged by the failures that come your way.”

Significantly, Sana not only worked hard in her studies but also gave tuition to young children to meet the expenses related to her education.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> India / by awazthevoice.in / January 15th, 2023