Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Alishan Sharafu feeling ‘blessed’ ahead of UAE’s U19 World Cup campaign

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Kerala / UAE :

Captain has high expectations for his side before opener against Canada in St Kitts

UAE captain Alishan Sharafu in action against Pakistan during the Under 19 Asian Cup at the ICC Academy, Dubai, in December. Chris Whiteoak/ The National

The Covid-enforced dearth of international cricket in 2021 was keenly felt by all of UAE’s leading players, but none more so than CP Rizwan.

The Kerala-born batsman must have thought he had finally cracked international cricket when he scored an uplifting century in a one-day international against Ireland a year ago.

Alishan Sharafu says the UAE are capable of achieving “great things” at the U19 World Cup in the Caribbean.

The national team start their campaign on Saturday against Canada in St Kitts. They then face pool matches against England and holders Bangladesh next week.

The competition marks just the third time the UAE have appeared on the global scale at U19 level. They had free admission as hosts in 2014, before qualifying on the field to play in South Africa two years ago.

A return to the event was sealed in absentia this time. The qualifying process was derailed by Covid, and the UAE qualified on the basis of their record in recent years.

Sharafu, the side’s captain, is one of three players who also represented the country in South Africa in 2020.

The middle-order batsman is grateful to be returning for another crack at the event, and the chance to avenge the disappointment of last time.

The UAE missed out on the business phase of the competition back then after a storm ruined their shot at chasing a win against hosts South Africa.

“It really hurt when a chance of a lifetime of going through to a Super Eight of the U19 World Cup was taken away but fortunately we’ve been blessed with another opportunity and been given another shot at it,” Sharafu said.

“I feel we have a very, very talented group of boys and a more balanced with our bowling being our strength, especially our spin attack.

“A few of us were at the last World Cup and it’s great to pass on that experience to the newer boys and make them want to do well at this one because not many are blessed with this opportunity.”

Although the age-group players regularly train with their senior compatriots, Sharafu is the only player in the U19 squad to have sampled full international cricket so far.

The Kerala-born teen has played six T20 internationals and one one-day international for the national team to date. He is hoping to bring some of that experience to bear when the U19 event gets under way.

“Being around the men’s setup for a while just adds a confidence booster because the challenges here were already simulated or experienced there,” Sharafu said. “That obviously helps to figure and work out solutions to problems at the U19 level.

“What I want to pass on to my players is to just enjoy the opportunity and challenges, and be positive and believe that we together can achieve great things.”

UAE v Pakistan, U19 Asia Cup in December

video

As well as the benefit of experience of Sharafu, Kai Smith and Ali Naseer, each of whom played last time, the players will also be able to lean on the wisdom of Mudassar Nazar. The 65-year-old coach played nearly 200 times for Pakistan, including touring West Indies.

“Most of them are already relishing the chance to rub shoulders against the best in the world,” Mudassar said of his young charges. “So far the confidence is high. Having Alishan and Kai amongst us is a real bonus. Their experience is of immense value.”

The UAE’s two warm up matches on tour included a hefty win over Papua New Guinea , plus a narrow loss to England. Mudassar believes the UAE have a well-balanced side who are capable of improving on their pool-stage exit two years ago.

“I was not around then but I am fairly confident that this bunch of players will be very competitive,” Mudassar said. “I guess our top order batting is settled but we have plenty of allrounders, which provide us with depth.

“Spin bowling is a real asset with at least five who bowl spin. Pitches in West Indies are helpful to spinners. We should be able to defend any reasonable total.”

source: http://www.thenationalnews.com / The National / Home> Sport> Cricket / by Paul Radley / January 14th, 2022

‘Sensational’ Aayan Afzal Khan inspires UAE to historic win over West Indies

Amazing Feats, NRI's / PIO's, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , ,

GOA / UAE :

UAE batsman Aayan Khan plays a shot as Rivaldo Clarke of West Indies keeps during the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup Plate semi-final 1 at Queen’s Park Oval on January 28, 2022. Photo: ICC

Sixteen-year-old allrounder’s defiant innings sparks remarkable comeback for Covid-hit side in plate semi-final of Under 19 World Cup.

The country’s leading age-group players produced one of the greatest wins in the history of UAE cricket after their Covid-hit side beat West Indies on home soil in the Under 19 World cup.

Aayan Afzal Khan, the prodigiously talented all rounder who only turned 16 in November, played the defining knock in an extraordinary comeback win in Trinidad.

The side from the Caribbean, who have won the World Cup twice at senior level and the age-group version as recently as 2016, were heavy favourites going into the game.

That assessment appeared well founded when the home side reduced UAE to 26 for four within 11 overs.

That brought Aayan to the crease, promoted in the order by a series of events which had deprived the side of senior players. Front-line spinners Nilansh Keswani and Adithya Shetty were among the absentees, as UAE were hit by separate cases of both Covid and food poisoning.

What followed was little short of “sensational,” to use the words of Mudassar Nazar, the UAE coach.

Aayan’s innings of 93, which included a stand worth 103 with Shival Bawa for the seventh wicket, carried the national team to a total of 224 for nine from their 50 overs.

In reply, the West Indies did not get close. While Aayan – whose left-arm spin might have been crucial in the defence – spent much of the innings off the field because of heat exhaustion, his colleagues thrived.

Jash Giyanani took three for 21, and Dhruv Parashar four for 30. Fittingly, after receiving glucose in a pitchside ambulance, Aayan was able to return to the fray, and picked up the wicket which sealed the 82-run win.

“It feels amazing to have beaten a Test nation, especially West Indies on their home soil,” said Alishan Sharafu, the UAE captain.

“I think the boys believed in themselves. We played as a team and grabbed every opportunity to contribute.

“I am really proud of them, and hopefully we can produce another special performance in the final.”

Matthew Nandu of West Indies is bowled by Jash Giyanani of UAE. Photo: ICC

UAE will now take on the winner of Ireland against Zimbabwe in the plate final on Monday. That leaves them two days to recover from the exertions of the game against West Indies.

“Credit to our support staff for helping out with drinks and support,” Sharafu said of his patched up side.

“We had a few setbacks with some Covid cases and some others unfit, but it was a game of 11 of us against 11 of them. I’m glad we put on a performance to remember and cherish for a long, long time.”

Mudassar, the former Pakistan allrounder, labelled the performance “wonderful” given the circumstances.

“It was an incredible win, especially considering three players were not available due to the virus, including our two frontline spinners,” Mudassar said.

“Both of them [Keswani and Shetty] have huge potential and a great career ahead of them in the game. Given the history of Queens Park Oval for being helpful to spinners, we were fairly confident of beating West Indies provided we could put up a decent total on the board.”

Mudassar lavished praise on Aayan, including for his enthusiasm for getting back on the field after his bout of heat exhaustion and cramp.

“Once promoted in the batting order, Aayan was sensational,” the coach said.

“He guided us through a tough time, then blossomed with Shival Bawa and laid the platform for a historic win.

“Jash gave us a head start with three early wickets. While this was taking place, Aayan was lying in the ambulance van receiving glucose.

“He made a big effort to get back on the field. By then we were racing towards victory. Hats off to these youngsters.”

source: http://www.thenationalnews.com / The National / Home> Sport> Cricket / by Paul Radley / January 29th, 2022

Third book of Haqqani Al-Qasmi’s single-theme series Andaz-e-Bayan launched

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi:

Andaz-e-Bayan is the outcome of my passion, a passion which I did not allow to die even during unemployment and the pandemic. These views were expressed by renowned Urdu critic and writer Haqqani Al-Qasmi.

He was speaking at the launch of the third book of his famous single-theme Andaze-e-Bayan series at a cafe in Shaheen Bagh, New Delhi on Sunday, 6 September, 2020.

The present journal, which in fact, is part of a series of books, “discusses about those poets, litterateurs, authors and novelists, who, despite being in the medical profession, are serving Urdu in areas of research and criticism”, said Haqqani.


Speaking on this occasion Maulana Ajaz Urfi Qasmi, president of All India Tanzeem Ulama-e-Haq, who chaired the session, lauded the author for his powerful, creative style of writing which had won him global acclaim.

Haqqani Al-Qasmi is an accomplished and distinguished litterateur and critic serving Urdu with great sincerity and humbleness. There is an unusual amount of literary taste in his works which can be felt by the reader. He further said that Haqqani is not unaware of the social world. “From above the literary firmament, Haqqani surveys the mundane world”, Mualana Urfi said adding that one can see that in his literary journal series Andaz-e-Bayan as well.


Abid Anwar, a senior journalist with UNI remarked that to say anything about Haqqani would amount to explaining the obvious.

Urdu critic and Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Dr Noman Qaisar presented an overview of the author’s literary journey mentioning about some of his well-received and critically acclaimed books like Philisteen Ke Chaar Mumtaz Shu’ara, Tawaaf-e-Dasht-e-Junoon, La Takhaf, Takalluf Bar Taraf, etc which are full of literary aesthetics, creative imagination and academic insights.

It should be noted that the first issue of this book series (Andaz-e-Bayan-1, May-July 2016) was dedicated to literary contributions of women, especially of women from marginalized sections of society, with reference to biographical writings and their analysis.

The second one was dedicated to the creative facets of the police while the latest is an effort to unmasking the unrevealed literary contributions of doctors and medical professionals not just in Urdu literature but in English and Hindi literature as well.


Persons from media and different Urdu literary circles present on this occasion included Shahidul Islam, A N Shibli, Dr Khan Mohammad Asif, Ashraf Bastawi, Zubair Khan Saeedi, Majid Khan, Manzar Imam, Mohammad Alamullah, Nayab Hasan, Maulana Firoz Akhtar Qasmi, Shams Tabrez Qasmi, Ahsan Mehtab, Anwarul Haq, Abdul Bari Qasmi.


The launch programme was coordinated by T M Ziaul Haque. Salam Khan, head of Ibarat Publication which has published the book, presented the vote of thanks.

source: http://www.millattimes.com / Millat Times / Home> Education> National / by Md Irshad Ayub / Manzar Imam / September 11th, 2020

Book Launched on Shamim Ahmed, A Human Rights Activist

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, FREE : Food, FREE : Healthcare / Assistance, Leaders, Useful / HEALTHCARE, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BIHAR / Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Kolkata:

A book titled ‘A world Divided: Human Rights in an Unequal World’ written on the 25-year struggle of famous social activist Shamim Ahmed was launched on September 25 at a grand ceremony held at the Five Star Ruff Hotel The Park in the West Bengal Capital.

Former minister and congress leader Mani Shankar Iyer paid tributes to Shamim as he said there are very few people in the country who do great service for the restoration of human rights and to put a smile on the face of the people of the country.

He congratulated the author of the book and said that the author has researched the life of Shamim Ahmed and brought a book before us.

The book sheds light on the life of Shamim Ahmed and his work in promotion of Urdu language.

Shankar said that he had the opportunity to read a book, adding that he was very much impressed with his “Food for All” campaign.

“Rights and opportunities have not been found. Even today, people on the streets are longing for food.” Mani Shankar Aiyar said that India is a multi-religious country. “The destiny of this country lies in national unity.”

pix: goodreads.com

Former Member of Parliament and renowned intellectual Mohammad Adib, while acknowledging the services of Shamim Ahmed, said that coming from Bihar to Bengal and launching a movement to make Urdu the second official language is nothing short of a feat.

He said, “it is unfortunate that after India’s independence Later, Urdu was treated leniently. There was injustice with Urdu in Bengal as well. Shamim Ahmed raised his voice against this injustice.

Expressing his views on the occasion, Adib said that the 25-year journey of Shamim was full of difficulties, trials and tribulations.


On the occasion, renowned international artist and Bengali intellectual Shubha Parsna said that Shamim Ahmed is the pride of Bengal. “We are happy that there are people in Bengal who speak of humanity and deal with people on humanitarian grounds. That I have known Shamim Ahmed for the last many years. He had compassion for humanity in his heart.

Prasana urged books should be written on such personalities so that the new generation is aware of him. The event was attended by important personalities from different sections of the society.

source: http://www.millattimes.com / Millat Times / Home> National / by Millat Times Staff / October 05th, 2021

7-yr-old receives mention in the India Book of Records for being the youngest one to create 100 paintings in 3 years

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Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Mohamed went for it and most of the paintings were drawn during the pandemic. Out of the 100 paintings, 67 have already been sold.

Farhan Mohamed. (File photo)

Bengaluru : 

As a seven-year-ol d artist, we assume that Farhan Mohamed needs his parents’ help to explain his art work, but Fiza Taj, his mother, assures us that Mohamed will be more than happy to do it himself.

The young artist from the city has received a mention in the India Book of Records 2021 which is recognised by the Government of India, for being the youngest one to create 100 paintings in three years.

The art works were exhibited at the Bangalore International Centre, Domlur. “100 is just a number for the record, but Farhan has painted more than that. He puts up many of his paintings for sale and the proceeds go towards charity,” say Taj, who was told by the team of the India Book of Records 2021 that Mohamed needs to have 100 paintings in hand for the record.

Mohamed went for it and most of the paintings were drawn during the pandemic. Out of the 100 paintings, 67 have already been sold. “We collected around Rs 28,000 from the sale of the paintings. Out of which, a certain amount went towards charity and a token amount has been kept for Farhan,” says Taj , who is a physiotherapist.

Mohamed, who showed inclination towards art when he was merely three months old, was introduced to Tempera paints when he was six months old. “He began dabbling with myriad hues and by the time he was three-anda- half, he had already completed his first art work titled ‘Sunset In Africa’, inspired by a trip to Africa,” says Taj.

Mohamed, who is in Class 2 at Neev Academy, Yemalur, is quite inspired by the works of Van Gogh and Monet.

“Painting relaxes me and makes me happy. Whenever I have a hard day or feel unwell, sad or angry, I just paint. It helps calm me down. As soon as I see a range of colours, my day becomes bright and colourful and I feel better,” says Mohamed, who wants to visit the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and wishes to recreate the famed artist’s series, Sunflower.

Mohamed loves drawing landscapes. “Last year I visited Kashmir with my grandparents. When I returned, I used to pick a picture that I clicked and would paint it,” says the prodigy.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / January 31st, 2022

Maharashtra: Facing poverty, national bravery awardee works as banana loader

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

Nanded District, MAHARASHTRA :

However hard Ajaj Nadaf (20) may try to couch it, disappointment lurks on his face as he displays his 2017 National Bravery Award as well as numerous mementoes, certificates and letters of appreciation for his heroic courage in saving two people from drowning.

Today, Ajaj works as a loader at a banana farm to sustain his family, earning Rs 300 a day.

Ajaj lives with his parents and older brother. They work as labourers and live in extreme poverty.

As a 16-year-old, Ajaj had risked his own life while pulling out a woman and a 12-year-old girl who had fallen into the river in his remote village in Nanded district.

For his bravery, he was bestowed with the National Bravery Award by President Ramnath Kovind and a cash prize of Rs 20,000.

Four years since his derring-do, promises by the authorities of a job and a house, among others, have fallen by the wayside.

When contacted, the Nanded district collector promised all the help he can extend and also initiated the process to fulfil the promises made to the National Bravery awardee.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> Videos> City> Mumbai / August 11th, 2021

Karnataka’s Republic Day Tableau Steals The Show

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Karnataka (under research project), World Opinion, , , , , ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Artist Akmal Pasha of Rajivnagar and his 45-member team provide a magical touch

From skilfully made pots, carefully sculpted sandalwood miniatures to hand-woven sarees, Karnataka’s rich tradition of handicraft were on grand display at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi’s Rajpath on Jan. 26.

In fact, the Karnataka tableau stole the show with an eye-catching depiction of the land’s cultural icons. A massive Asiatic elephant sculpted out of Mysuru rosewood with ivory inlay carvings, impressive Bidriware, bronze statues and lacquerware toys from Channapatna were the highlights of the tableau which was based on the theme — ‘Karnataka: The Cradle of Traditional Handicrafts’.

The tableau also featured Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the acclaimed freedom fighter from Karnataka, who is also hailed as the ‘mother of traditional handicrafts in India’. She is seen offering ‘bagina’ that includes a sandal box, peacock shaped lamp pots, banana fibre bags from Sandur among others.

For the tableau to impress the guests and onlookers, the efforts of many artists have to be taken into account and this time, it is Akmal Pasha, a resident of Mysuru who displayed his talent in designing and giving a shape to the tableau. A resident of Rajivnagar in the city, Akmal Pasha is a retired employee of BEML.

Pasha has acquired the skills of an artist due to years of hard work. Under the guidance of Shashidhar Adapa, Art Director of Prathiroopi, Pasha has been designing tableaus for the Republic Day parades. Shashidhar Adapa was the Art Director for this year’s Karnataka tableau. A 45-member team functioned along with Akmal Pasha and the initial sketches were provided by Shashidhar Adapa that were brought to life by Pasha and team.

16 traditional handicraft products

The 45-feet long, 16-feet high and 14-feet wide tableau showcased 16 traditional handicraft products that have received the Geographical Indication tag. The coastal traditions of the State also found a place on the tableau in the form of Yakshagana models and bronze face masks used in ‘bhootha aradhane’ (devil worship).

A mammoth Mysuru elephant with rosewood inlay carvings led the tableau which also featured Ganjifa cards, Bronzeware, Kinhal toys, Kolhapuri slippers and Mysore traditional paintings. Various weaves were a part of this artistic presentation including the Navalgund Jamkhana, Gulledgud Khana, the Ilkal, Molakalmuru and Udupi sarees, Mysore Silk, along with traditional Kasuti and Sandur Lambani embroidery.

The central portion had a huge vase depicting Bidri carving and two large peacocks were placed behind. At the end of the central portion was a large installation of Hanuman depicting Kinhala artwork which was surrounded by Channapatna toys, lacquerware toys, Navalgund fabric and sandalwood carvings and terracotta articles.

From BEML to art

After completing his ITI in Hassan, Akmal Pasha got a job in KGF where he pursued his passion for art and drama. He worked backstage creating various artefacts and visual appeal objects that fit into the theme of the dramas. Later he was transferred to BEML and in 1991 he designed certain ‘Jumboo Savari’ tableaux. He did this task for 10 years and later joined Shashidhar Adapa’s team. In 2000, he visited New Delhi to prepare the Republic Day tableaux and has never looked back since then. Akmal Pasha is a constant feature in the nation’s capital when it comes to Karnataka tableaux. He has been awarded by the Karnataka Nataka Academy in 2013 and has also bagged CGK award in 2015.

Pasha has been designing Karnataka tableaux in Delhi for 13 years under the guidance of Adapa. This year, Pasha and team left Mysuru to New Delhi on Dec. 23 and worked tirelessly to make the culture tableaux a reality.

Commenting on the overall Karnataka tableau this year, Pasha said that the design will bag the best tableau award this year. Online voting is open till Jan. 31 and after that, the winner will be decided, he added.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles> Top Stories / by A Ganesh / January 30th, 2022

Vijayapura student gets first rank in Karnataka in unani exams

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Science & Technology, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vijayapura, KARNATAKA :

Unani examinations were held by Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS)  

Unani examinations were held by the RGUHS

Students of the SECAB Luqman Unani Medical College in Vijayapura have got encouraging results in the unani examinations held by the RGUHS. As many as five students have got State-level ranks.

Among degree students, Farah Khatoon Parvez Ahmed got the first rank with 81.67% marks, Khan Batul Mazar got the 7th rank with 79.94% marks and Aseema Mahin got 8th rank with 79.83% marks.

Among post-graduate students, Salma Choush stood second in Karnataka in medicine with 66.83% marks, and Saba Parveen Alam got the third rank in OBG discipline with 70.45% marks.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – January 31st, 2022

Jamshid Nassiri left Iran and became a Maidan legend in Kolkata. Now, he hopes his son Kiyan will play for India

Amazing Feats, Sports, World Opinion,

IRAN / Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Nassiri Jr, 21, became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the Kolkata derby, starring in ATK Mohun Bagan’s 3-1 win over East Bengal in the Indian Super League.

Kiyan Niassiri, the son of an East Bengal legend, has followed the footsteps of his father

About eight years ago, a fresh-faced teenager turned up at Mohun Bagan-CFC ground with his father. The young boy was filled with bubbliness that made him instantly lovable. His father Jamshid Nassiri’s presence made the onlookers more curious about how young Kiyan performed on the pitch. Jamshid was an East Bengal legend, an important cog in the famed Majid (Bishkar)-Jamshid partnership in the 1980s. From the very beginning, Kiyan Nassiri carried a rich football legacy.

Across the divide, centre line to be precise, where the Bagan youth train cheek by jowl with their CFC counterparts, the trained eye of Amiya Ghosh, the green-and-maroon youth team coach, spotted promise in young Kiyan. “One day I walked up to Jamshid and told him to give his boy to us instead of him playing for CFC. He agreed. That’s when the journey began,” Ghosh tells The Indian Express .

From U-13, Kiyan’s progression to U-15 was seamless. In between, he had played for Bengal U-14s, carrying advice from his father. “Aspire to play for your country, India. I think that’s the only advice I have given to Kiyan since he has started playing football. Otherwise, I usually don’t speak to him about his game,” Jamshid recalls.

How it started ➡️ How it’s going ✨

Here’s what a young @Kiyannassiri had to say in an interview a few years back. Cut to the present, the Mariner has become the youngest to score a hat-trick on the big  #HeroISL stage!

📹 Greymind Communication #LetsFootball #ATKMohunBagan pic.twitter.com/x2kL9MGdNw

— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) January 31, 2022

After the derby delight, he has raised the bar a little higher. “Playing for India should be Kiyan’s next target. And he must work harder and aim the higher Asian leagues or Europe three-four years down the line,” Jamshid tells this paper.

Football transcends geographic boundaries. In 1979, Jamshid came to India from Iran to pursue his studies at the Aligarh University. A year later, with the club facing a mass exodus of players to Mohammedan Sporting, two East Bengal recruiters bumped into him and his close friends, Majid and Mahmood Khabaji, during an inter-university football tournament. A switch to Calcutta followed. Majid was the star of the pack, while Jamshid would always play second fiddle to his more gifted mate.

Till this day, Majid unarguably remains the finest overseas footballer ever to play in India. But his life lacked discipline, contributing to his quick decline and an inglorious return to Iran. Jamshid had a more successful and lengthy career because he embraced discipline. Gradually, he made India his adopted home and Kiyan was born here in November 2000, as an Indian citizen.

In the 1960s and 70s, Calcutta was Indian football’s nursery and some fantastic coaches like Achyut Banerjee and Khokon Mallick for example, at the grassroots level, contributed to that. Good coaches at the youth level are at a premium in this city at the moment. Men like Ghosh are exceptions. Not only did he look after Kiyan’s football, but the Bagan youth coach ensured that his ward had a wholesome development.

‘Willing to learn’

“Kiyan made my job easier, for he was always willing to learn. He would train alone, polishing his shooting and other aspects of his game, after our scheduled practice sessions were over. His father would wait outside the touchline until Kiyan was done. That was Jamshid’s mental support to his son,” Ghosh says.

Circa 2019 was Kiyan’s breakthrough year. He was the showstopper at a U-19 tournament organised by a TV channel. It took him to the Bagan senior team trial where he impressed then club coach Kibu Vicuna. Kiyan got a professional contract.

Jamshid thanks Vicuna for his son’s development. He lauds ATK Mohun Bagan head coach Juan Ferrando to give Kiyan the opportunity to showcase his talent in the Indian Super League derby. Ferrando resisted the temptation to bring on a half-fit Roy Krishna and introduced the youngster instead, despite chasing the game against SC East Bengal. Before this, Kiyan’s appearances had been restricted to much shorter cameos, just five-ten minutes on the pitch. Given 30-odd minutes to prove his mettle, Kiyan emerged as a star, becoming the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the derby.

The 21-year-old injected life into a derby that was seen as losing relevance. To start with, without crowd presence and the matches in Goa rather than Kolkata, derbies have become ghost games in the last two years. The current plight of SC East Bengal has made matters worse. While ATK Mohun Bagan are playing to win the title, their arch-rivals would have been in a relegation scrap if the ISL weren’t a closed-shop league, without promotion and relegation.

When the tournament, which has been punctuated with Covid-19 forced postponements, was becoming a drag due to average performances and even poorer refereeing, Kiyan arrived like a breath of fresh air, reminding us that all was not lost in Indian football yet.

Bhutia-like effervescence

He carried a Bhaichung Bhutia-like effervescence, not the Bhutia of the 1997 Federation Cup semifinal vintage, where he netted a hat-trick against Bagan, but a few years earlier, when he finished former India centre-half Tarun Dey’s career in a derby, through his twists, turns and shoulder drops. Bhutia went on to play for Bury FC in England . For Kiyan, he has a long way to go to emulate the former Indian football team captain.

Little wonder then that he maintained equanimity. “There’s nothing to celebrate. We returned to our hotel after the match, had my dinner and slept,” Kiyan said via the club media. About his father, he said: “He never set a target for me. He just tells me to work hard.”

The return-leg derby in the ISL saw the emergence of a star and the Indian football team coach Igor Stimac must have taken note. “Kiyan needs to add muscle mass to graduate to international football. He has a natural goal-scoring ability. His shooting and finishing are very good. He plays his football with his brain. But his ball control calls for improvement and most importantly, he has to be physically stronger,” says Ghosh.

Until then, according to his youth team coach, Kiyan would be better used as a winger, not as a striker.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Sports> Football / by Shamik Chakrabarty, Kolkata / January 31st, 2022

Khan Sir, the teacher who can explain everything, but RRB: ‘Beyond me’

Amazing Feats, Education, Leaders, , , , , , ,

Gorakhpur, UTTAR PRADESH / Patna, BIHAR :

Khan opened his G S Research Centre at Patna coaching hub Chak Musallahpur over five years ago. The centre comprises a big hall with tin shade that can accommodate about 1,000 students at a time.

Faisal Khan who has built a You Tube following of 14.5 million from his videos breaking down intricate topics into easily understandable details, denies instigating the applicants (photo videograb @Khan GS Research Centre)

His students can decode all the theories of science but cannot understand how the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) thinks, says Faisal Khan a.k.a Khan Sir. In the protests that have broken out in mainly Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over recent RRB exam results, the head of a coaching institute and popular YouTuber is among six teachers booked on the charges of instigating the applicants.

Khan, who has built a YouTube following of 14.5 million from his videos breaking down intricate topics into easily understandable details, denies instigating the applicants. However, the 29-year-old says, the workings of the RRB are beyond his comprehension. Talking to reporters on January 26, Khan said: “The RRB people do not know the ground reality.” Adding that the government “can’t be blamed for everything”, he said it was good the Railways has decided to hear out students.

Khan opened his G S Research Centre at Patna coaching hub Chak Musallahpur over five years ago. The centre comprises a big hall with tin shade that can accommodate about 1,000 students at a time.

However, Khan really took off when he started his YouTube channel in 2019, and soon gained an audience for his videos explaining things in Hindi, with a lot of vernacular and proverbs thrown in. In 2021, he started an app called ‘Khan Sir Official’, that has one million-plus downloads.

Khan opened his G S Research Centre at Patna coaching hub Chak Musallahpur over five years ago (photo videograb @Khan GS Research Centre

A teacher in the area said around 12,000-15,000 students used to attend classes at G S Centre in batches before Covid struck. Khan has earlier said he charges fees as per the paying capacity of a student. There is no other teacher at the coaching centre though it does have a devoted “research team”.

The centre gives coaching for examinations conducted by the Railways, Staff Selection Commission, State Teachers Eligibility Test and Institute of Banking Personnel Selection.

Khan did not reply to calls or text messages, remaining unavailable since issuing a video appeal to students on Thursday night to maintain calm.

In an interaction with the media on January 26 and 27, he said he had never provoked students nor told them to take to the roads. But underlining the anger, he pointed out that a “digital protest” by them had drawn “some eight million tweets”. “I just tweeted once, and it had nothing provocative.”

Khan admitted though that, during his classes, he told students how the RRB had changed the format for the exams, leaving many applicants apprehensive that they would not get the jobs for which they had applied back in 2019. The forms released at the time did not mention any change.

“The RRB examinations are very important. A government job means a lot. I have two students who work as daily wagers on the side. If they become station masters, their lives would change forever,” he told reporters, thanking Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for putting the exams on hold after the protests.

While applicants took to the streets and blocked rail lines in both UP and Bihar, the maximum violence was in Bihar, where students burnt empty train coaches. The Indian Express had reported that the two states made up nearly 30% of the applicants for the RRB exams.

In a recognition of how the youth protest – and the police action on them in UP – could backfire amid polls in five states, former Union minister and BJP Patna Saheb MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday urged the government to hear them out.

Little is known about Khan’s background, and he does not say much except that he belongs to Gorakhpur in Eastern UP and wanted to join the Army like his elder brother. Crestfallen after rejection due to a medical condition, Khan has said, he wondered for a long time what to do.

In a video on his channel, he said that with a degree in science and a Masters in geography, he decided to try out teaching. “I started with just six students in Patna. They told me I was good at explaining things. This is when I decided to pursue this field, ” he said.

About his style, his ease at explaining issues like the Galwan Valley crisis – a video of it went viral at the height of India-China border tensions – Khan once said: “Unless a teacher understands the mind of an average student, he cannot teach well.”

He said he liked doing the Galwan video as he is fascinated with defence subjects. “It is my first love. However, a lecture comes after several days of preparation. There are occasions when I spend nights at my studio, ” he said in an interview recently.

In the wake of the RRB protests and the case against Khan, there has been an outpouring of support for him on social media.

Sometime back, there was a controversy regarding Khan’s real identity. “How does it matter if I am called Amit Singh or Faisal Khan? I am only a teacher to my students. One has heard about ‘Guru, Govind dou khade…’ (underlining that if God and your guru were both before you, a wise man chooses the guru)’,” he said at the time.

He also said he revealed his identity wherever necessary. “What’s in a name? Teachers have no religion, I can recite verses from the Quran and also the Gayatri Mantra.”

Khan had also stirred a row in April 2021 when in a viral video, he was heard criticising participation of children in a protest in Pakistan. Criticising their parents, he had said: “18-19 bachche paida honge to kis kaam aayenge? Koi bartan dhoyega, koi bakri kaatega, koi puncture banayega (If one has 18-19 children, what will they do? Some would wash utensils, some would work at meat shops and some would repair punctures).”

Following outrage, he had said that he meant people in Pakistan and not a community.

In a recent video, Khan cautioned police that arresting him would only aggravate the crisis. “I am very relieved that Patna District Magistrate Chandrashekhar Singh gave teachers and the coaching association a patient hearing. I also said that some people were running fake accounts in my name,” he said.

On Friday, the Bihar Bandh called by several student organisations, and backed by Opposition parties, was peaceful. While party workers were seen at some places, the DM said: “We were relieved to note almost nil presence of students. It is good that Khan Sir appealed to students. I met Khan and the other teachers to say we do not have any prejudice against them.”

Asked about the case against Khan and the others, the DM said: “We are scrutinising the facts. The administration will look at the evidence and not do anything that can aggravate the problem.”

Unmarried, Khan has also been fending off other, more pleasant, rumours. “I don’t have any control over them. Someone said I have two girlfriends, some have declared me married… One even ran a news about my death. My mother called me after learning about it,” he said in a video.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by Santosh Singh, Patna / January 29th, 2022