Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Fahadh Faasil-starrer ‘Joji’ wins top honour at Swedish International film fest

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KERALA :

“Joji”, which released on Amazon Prime Video, is inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth” and presents a “twisted version” of the plot.

Fahadh Faasil in ‘Joji’. (Photo | YouTube screengrab)

Mumbai :

Fahadh Faasil’s Malayalam feature film Joji has won the top honour at the Swedish International Film Festival, the actor announced on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

The 39-year-old actor shared the news on Facebook, revealing that the Dileesh Pothan-directed film won the best international feature film award at the film gala.

“Good News from Sweden ! JOJI won The Best International Feature Film Award @ the Swedish International Film Festival (SIFF) 2021,” he posted.

Joji, which released on Amazon Prime Video, is inspired by Shakespeare’s tragedy Macbeth and presents a “twisted version” of the plot filled with greed, ambition, murder and mystery, set in a plantation family in Kerala.

The crime drama revolves around Faasil’s character Joji, an engineering dropout living with his iron-fisted father and two brothers.

When his father falls ill, Joji looks forward to finally getting his share in the property but his dreams are dashed when his father starts recuperating, forcing him to take an extreme step.

At the time of the film’s release, Faasil told PTI that the movie is not expansive like the source material.

“The film’s narrative is not a direct adaptation of Macbeth. We were deeply inspired by it and we were trying to set something inspired by ‘Macbeth’ in today’s scenario. 

“‘Joji’ is not as large as Macbeth…The drama happens within the family. I thought the emotions of Macbeth were more relative to the story,” Faasil had said.

Joji marked the third directorial collaboration between Pothan and Faasil.

The duo earlier worked on 2016 comedy-drama Maheshinte Prathikaaram and National Award-winning feature Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017).

Faasil will next be seen in Allu Arjun-starrer Pushpa as well as Kamal Haasan-starrer Vikram, also featuring Vijay Sethupathi.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Entertainment> Malayalam / by PTI / September 23rd, 2021

24-year-old from Kerala throws 426 punches in 60 seconds, enters Guinness World Records

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Kozhikode, KERALA :

How fast can you punch? Well, Rafhan Ummer can punch faster!

Rafhan Ummer

Kochi: 

Rafhan Ummer from Kozhikode recently entered the Guinness World Records for throwing the most full extension strikes on a punching pad. The 24-year-old from Kozhikode swung his fist an amazing 426 times in just 60 seconds, breaking the previous record set by the kickboxer and martial artist Pavel Trusov from Slovakia. His official count was 334.With over eight years of experience in Kung Fu and four in boxing, landing punches is already Rafhan’s cup of tea. 

“My friends noticed how fast I can punch. When I strike, I barely observe my speed, so they took a video and showed me. I heard about full extension punching from them,” says Rafhan. Before applying for the record, Rafhan recorded a 15-second video where he threw over 100 punches in a single go. “That is when we realised that I could break the world record,” he adds.

A professional fitness coach, Rafhan also bagged the India Book of Records five months ago for punching 414 times. A full-extension punch is when you extend your fist and retract it back fully. Keeping the pace and the power of punches intact for a whole minute, right from the beginning till the end was vital for claiming the record, says Rafhan. “There is no specific training for full extension punching.

Along with my daily workout sessions, I used to spare some time to practice it, especially to keep the pace and the power steady. My KungFu master Hamsakoya guided me,” he says. He practised for a month for the record. “Every time I throw a full extension punch, I make sure to not stop until the timer hits one minute,” says Rafhan.

Breath control is yet another important factor to consider while doing full extension punching exercises. “I have been practising breathing exercises, and meditation too. It wasn’t hard for me to achieve ample breath control as I have been exercising since school days,” says Rafhan.

On September 11, at Kozhikode Indoor Stadium, Rafhan set the world record in the presence of Ahmed Devarkovil, Minister of Ports; O Rajagopal, president of District Sports Council; Dr Beena Philip, Kozhikode Mayor; Thottathil Raveendran MLA, and boxing coaches Ramesh Kumar and Rajesh T.


For Rafhan, setting a new world record isn’t the ultimate goal. He aims to throw the most number of punches in a second next and thereby break his idol Bruce Lee’s previous record — nine punches in a second.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Mahima Anna Jacob, Express News Service / September 21st, 2021

SIO Releases ‘Dictionary Of Mappila Martyrs’, After ICHR’s Removal Of Names

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, Videos, World Opinion

KERALA :

The 221 pages book released by SIO briefly introduces all the 387 Mappula leaders who fought British and Hindu feudal lords.

Following the Indian Council of Historical Research’s (ICHR) decision to remove the names of Mappila or Moplah leaders from the ‘Dictionary of Martyrs: India’s Freedom Struggle 1857-1947‘, the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) Kerala unit released the ‘Dictionary Of Mappila Martyrs’ compiling the names of all the 387 martyrs.

The book “Dictionary of Mappila Martyrs” was handed over by Amjad Ali E M, State President of SIO Kerala to Alavi Kakkadan, a prominent historian and chairman of Variyamkunnath Kunjahammad Haji Foundation of India. Abdul Hakeem Nadwi, State secretary of Jama’athe Islami Kerala, Rashad V P, State secretary of SIO Kerala, and Sahel Bas Joint Secretary of SIO Malappuram were present at the launch of the event at Press Club Malappuram on Monday.

Amjad Ali EM said that the Malabar Uprising of 1921, which is described by historians as the first mass-scale uprising against the British in southern India, discomforts Hindutva politics and therefore the dictionary released by the governing Sangh Parivar can’t include Malabar martyrs.

A three-member panel, which reviewed the entries in the fifth volume of the Dictionary of Martyrs: India’s Freedom Struggle 1857-1947, brought out by the ICHR, recommended the deletion of the names of Mappila martyrs, saying that the 1921 uprising against the British was never part of the independence struggle but a fundamentalist movement focused on religious conversion.

This came close on the heels after former BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav said the Moplah uprising was one of the “first manifestations of the Taliban mindset in India“.

“The greatness of Variyan Kunnathu and Ali Musliyar lies in not getting into the good list of Sangh Parivar. And history will remember them for getting omitted from Sangh distorted history, therefore, to mention the names of the Mappila martyrs who were cut off by the ICHR is to express a strong stand against the Hindutva regime,” Amjad Ali said. Alavi Kakkadan, Abdul Hakeem Nadwi, Rashad V P, and Sahel Bas also expressed their opinions in the meet.

The 221 pages book released by SIO briefly introduces all the 387 Mappula leaders who fought British and Hindu feudal lords.

Was The Moplah Uprising Part Of Indian Freedom Struggle And Was It Anti-Hindu? / video source: thecognate.com

source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / September 14th, 2021

Press Club of India Remembers Maulvi Baqar — India’s ‘First Martyr Journalist’

Amazing Feats, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

DELHI :

Masoom Muradabadi’s book was launched at the Press Club on Thursday by eminent journalists

The event was organised to launch the Hindi translation of journalist Masoom Muradabadi’s book on Maulvi Baqar.

New Delhi :

The Press Club of India on Thursday held a seminar to commemorate the death anniversary of Maulvi Mohammad Baqar, the first journalist who was executed by the British following the rebellion of 1857.

A Hindi translation of the book titled ‘1857 Ki Kranti Aur Urdu Patrkarita’ (The Revolution of 1957 and Urdu Journalism) authored by journalist Masoom Muradabadi was released at the seminar.

It chronicles the life of Baqar as a journalist and freedom fighter. Moreover, two journalists — Swati Mathur, a reporter with The Times of India, and Shams Tabrez Qasmi, the editor of popular news portal Millat Times — were also felicitated with an award named after Baqar.

A number of veteran journalists and writers spoke on the occasion paying tributes to the ‘first martyr journalist’. They described Baqar as an icon of Hindu-Muslim unity whose ideals are increasingly relevant in the present times.”

“Maulvi Muhammad Baqir was one of the great journalists who preferred martyrdom to collaboration with Britishers.” A U Asif, a senior journalist and member of Press Club’s managing committee, said. “He is the ideal and role model for the new generation of journalists.

Satish Jacob, a BBC veteran, said Baqar was a journalist who sacrificed his life for the sake of the nation. He described him a proponent of Hindu-Muslim unity.

Jacob said he is proud of the fact that he hails from old Delhi which gave birth to a person like Baqar. He said that Baqar had started an Imam Barah in the Kashmere gate area which is still functioning. The Imam Barah was built with the expressed goal of communal harmony, he added.

Noted journalist Meem Afzal, who has been a member of Parliament and India’s ambassador in four countries, lashed out at the current government for communal divide and accused it of obliterating the contributions of people like Baqar. He said that Baqar used his pen to fight for the idea of India.

Maroof Raza, another journalist, appealed for steps to find the original source and preserve the archives of ‘Delhi Urdu Akhbar’, the newspaper Baqar used to publish.

Jai Shanakar Gupta, senior journalist and a member of the Press Council of India, urged the government to get copies of the newspaper that Baqar edited from Britain where they are lying in a museum.

SQR Ilyas, journalist and president of the Welfare Party of India, said that the sacrifice of Baqar should inspire the present-day journalists to speak truth to power. He lauded the Press Club for commemorating Baqar.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Syed Aijaz Aslam, editor of Radiance Viewsweekly.

Mathur and Qasmi expressed their gratitude to the Press Club for felicitating them with the award. “This recognition in the form of an award in Maulvi Baqar’s name is a big thing for me, ” said Mathur.

Qasmi credited his whole team of Millat Times for the work that earned him the award.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion / Home> Editor’ Pick / by Zafar Aafaq, Clarion India / September 16th, 2021

Indian-origin neurosurgeon helps save Israeli twins conjoined at head

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jammu & Kashmir, INDIA / London, UNITED KINGDOM (UK):

A Kashmir-born Muslim doctor scrubbed up alongside an Israeli team to help a Jewish family was a reminder of the universal nature of medicine: Dr. Noor Ul Owase Jeelani.

Indian-origin neurosurgeon helps save Israeli twins conjoined at head

Jerusalem: 

A world-renowned Indian-origin pediatric neurosurgeon in the UK has helped a group of Israeli doctors to successfully operate on a pair of twins conjoined at the head, with the babies now likely to lead normal lives, a media report here said.

This is for the first time that Dr. Noor Ul Owase Jeelani, who was born in Kashmir and works at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital, agreed to carry out such a surgery outside the UK when contacted by doctors at Israel’s Soroka hospital, according to a report in The Times of Israel (TOI).

He and his colleague, Professor David Dunway, are globally seen as experts on such cases.

Jeelani said, “from a doctor’s point of view, we’re all one” and that medicine transcends all divisions.

“He said that the fact that a Kashmir-born Muslim doctor scrubbed up alongside an Israeli team to help a Jewish family was a reminder of the universal nature of medicine,” the report quoted him as saying.

“It was a fantastic family that we helped,” Jeelani said, adding, as I’ve said all my life, all children are the same, whatever colour or religion”.

“The distinctions are man-made. A child is a child. From a doctor’s point of view, we’re all one,” he emphasised.

The doctor found the family’s delight at the success of the operation “deeply moving”.

“There was this very special moment when the parents were just over the moon. I have never in my life seen a person smile, cry, be happy, and be relieved at the same time. The mother simply couldn’t believe it, we had to pull up a chair to help her to calm down,” Jeelani told the news portal.

Jeelani is said to have also worked for months on the surgery of the Israeli twins.

“We’ve been involved right from the start, talking to the team in Israel and planning it with them over a period of six months,” he said.

“This latest surgery fulfills a key objective of our charity, namely, to empower local teams abroad to undertake this complex work, successfully utilising our experience, knowledge, and skills gained over the past 15 years with our previous four sets of twins,” the neurosurgeon stressed.

It is also a major achievement for the medical team at Israel’s Soroka hospital that managed this complex operation despite having never performed such a surgery.

It involved complicated on-the-spot decisions regarding which blood vessel to give to which twin, and assessing in real-time the impact that immediate decisions were having on the functioning of the brains, the report said.

Jeelani has performed four other such surgeries on twins who were conjoined at the head with fused skulls, intertwined brains, and shared blood vessels.

His involvement with conjoined twins started in 2017 when a neurosurgeon from Peshawar, Pakistan, asked him to operate on identical conjoined twins, Safa and Marwa, born three months earlier to a woman from rural northern Pakistan.

He raised the money for the surgery from a Pakistani oil trader called Murtaza Lakhani and, with Dunaway, successfully performed the operation after hundreds of hours of preparation.

Following the success, he went on to establish Gemini Untwined, a nonprofit organisation, to plan and perform such operations, the report said.

source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> World / by PTI / September 13th, 2021

Kerala nurses win National Florence Nightingale Award for their selfless service

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KERALA / ALL INDIA :

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Florence Nightingale Award 2020 to 51 nurses across the country.

For representational purposes (Photo | Prasant Madugula, EPS)

Thiruvananthapuram :

President Ram Nath Kovind presented the National Florence Nightingale Award 2020 to 51 nurses across the country. Adhering to Covid protocols, the presentation of the awards was held as a virtual ceremony. 

Two nurses from Kerala, nursing superintendent at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital P Geetha and nursing officer at Community Health Centre at Androth Island in Lakshadweep – Muhammed Asif, were honoured with the meritorious services award for nursing professionals in the country.

The annual award was instituted by the Union Health ministry in 1973. 

The winners were awarded Rs 50,000 as cash prize, a certificate, a citation and a medal.

The ceremony was organised at the Thiruvananthapuram National Informatics Centre in the city.

Nursing Council Registrar Dr Saleena Shah and Dr P S Sona, who is the state coordinator of the award committee, attended the event.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Express News Service / September 17th, 2021

Kerala Boy to Play Alongside Neymar Jr in Qatar After Winning Online Talent Hunt

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Pazhayangadi (Kannur) KERALA / KUWAIT :

The Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five is counted among the largest amateur football tournaments in the world.

Also a fan of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr is a huge inspiration to Shahzad. (Image Credits: Instagram/iamshahzad10)
Also a fan of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr is a huge inspiration to Shahzad. (Image Credits: Instagram/iamshahzad10)

A teenager from Kerala qualified in an online talent hunt that got hundreds of entries from all over the world.

The boy was handpicked as one of the seven freestyle footballers in the show dubbed as 2021 Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five. Shahzad Mohammed Rafi, a boy from Pazhayangadi, Kannur, made his state proud by achieving the feat. The 17-year-old will play alongside Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr in a global five-a-side event to be held in Qatar.

The PSG footballer was a part of the committee comprising the seven panelists that examined 60-second videos of footballing talent shared by interested contestants on Instagram. They were supposed to upload a clip showcasing their skills with the hashtag: #OutPlayThemAll. Shahzad is one of the two qualified from India in the upcoming championship. The Red Bull Neymar Jr’s Five is counted among the largest amateur football tournaments in the world.

The candidates had to be evaluated under multiple level screenings based on their performance. Shahzad participated in the last year’s edition but did not qualify at the national level. A class 12 student of Wadihuda Higher Secondary School, he is born to Muhammad Rafi and Sherifa Rafi. Shahzad showed interest in football since he was in class 6. As his family is settled in Kuwait, he is listed as an entry from there.

Abhinash Shanmugamfrom Bengaluru also secured a place in the final. Jaimy Schallenbergh (Belgium), Simon Gustavo (Brazil), Leon Gillies Mannes (Norway), Giorgio Montalti (Italy), and Stanley Godian (Nigeria) are the other freestylers selected by Neymar Jr.

Shahzad told Onmanorama that he is eager to meet and play alongside Neymar Jr. Also a fan of Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar Jr is a huge inspiration to Shahzad. A few years ago, a chance meeting with French freestyler Sean Garnier became the turning point for the boy. The event with Neymar Jr is likely to be held in December or early next year.

source: http://www.news18.com / News 18 / Home> News> Buzz / September 09th, 2021

Fathima Benazir – Science – A game changer for Covid testing

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, Videos, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Quick Facts

  • 42-year-old Fathima Benazir, a molecular biologist has come up with a new non-toxic used to test for viruses in labs
  • The new dye, derived from natural ingredients, can be handled without gloves and could revolutionise the field of DNA testing 
  • Dye prices have skyrocketed after the pandemic and a 500 ul vial is enough for 10,000 RT-PCR tests

A new discovery could revolutionise DNA testing, which has become so important after the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Even more remarkably, that breakthrough was made in a kitchen by a researcher whose love of science prompted her to tread the unbeaten path.

With the eruption of Covid-19, the number of RT-PCR tests, regarded as the “gold” standard of testing) have skyrocketed. But with the increased demand for such tests there are also increased lab and environment hazards. This is because the fluorescent (or fluorophore) dyes used in the testing of nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, are often heavily toxic to lab staff and pose a serious problem when it comes to disposal.

A new non-toxic fluorescent dye invented by a Bengaluru-based scientist could potentially revolutionise how this testing is done in the near future.

Fathima Benazir, 42, a molecular biologist by training, always knew that she wanted to be a scientist, but that it was ultimately a failure to get into an MBBS programme (by a 2% margin), which pushed her towards biotechnology.

Click here to Vote for your favourite changemaker

source: http://www.deccanherald.com /(www.21in21.deccanherald.com/fathima.benazir / Home> Change Makers / 2021

Tokyo Paralympics: Sakina Khatun finishes 5th in women’s powerlifting final

Amazing Feats, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

India’s only woman powerlifter at Tokyo Paralympics, Sakina Khatun finishes in fifth position in the final of the women’s 50kg powerlifting.

Tokyo Paralympics: Sakina Khatun finishes 5th in women's powerlifting final
Para Powerlifter Sakina Khatun / thebridge.in

Indian para powerlifter Sakina Katun finishes fifth in the women’s 50kg powerlifting event on Friday at the Tokyo Paralympics. Participating in her maiden Paralympic Games, Sakina lifted 90kg in her first attempt, followed by an unsuccessful lift of 93kg in second. In her third attempt, Sakina successfully lifted 93 kg to finish 5th. Egyptian Reha Ahmed a best of 120kg to win the gold medal, followed by China’s Hu Dandan, who lifted 112kg to win the silver medal and Great Britain’s Olivia Broome lifted 107kg to win the bronze medal.

Sakina made the country proud by winning a silver in the Para Powerlifting World Cup in Dubai in the up to 45kg category with a lift of 80kg. Sakina Khatun is the only female para-athlete in Indian history to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games. Hailing from Bengaluru, Sakina’s father worked as a marginal farmer and her family faced many financial problems. Despite all of this, Sakina survived Polio as a child and she had to undergo four surgeries to survive the deadly disease.

source: http://www.thebridge.in / The Bridge / Home> Tokyo 2020 Paralympics / by The Bridge Desk / August 27th, 2021

Rejimol: The Muslim woman who is a role model in Kerala’s Kannur

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Transport, Travel & Tourism, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , ,

Kannur District, KERALA :

Rejimol, 46, is known as “Thatha”, or elder sister, by everyone in and around her hometown

Thiruvananthapuram: 

A burqa-clad, highly-religious woman in Kerala’s Kannur district has become a role model for women and youngsters for her entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic activities.

Rejimol, 46, is known as “Thatha”, or elder sister, by everyone in and around her hometown. She is not a teacher, doctor, advocate, or social worker, but exemplifies courage, determination, and a kind heart while being owner – and worker – of a private bus service.

She, and her husband Mohammed, bought a bus for plying in Kannur, and while several people joined as attendants, all used to leave after serving for one or two months. This led to the determined Rejimol taking up the job by herself, while her husband became the driver and her son, Ajuwad who has completed his plus 2, the conductor for collecting money.

In Kerala, private buses have an attendant who rings the bell after people enter and exit at their respective stops. It has been a male bastion, as the job also involves cleaning the bus after the daily trips as well as changing tyres as and when they puncture, as also guiding the driver while overtaking a vehicle or when negotiating a curve.

All these jobs are now taken up solely by Rejimol, who has become a role model for women and youngsters alike by the determination, grit, and love for the job that she had shown.

“This is a job like any other job and when people first found a burqa-clad woman entering a male bastion, they were surprised. Some were laughing and I asked them whether they were insulting me, they said no and that they were just surprised and were full of respect and admiration for me. This made me carry on and I now have the courage and strength to face the society and life during any upside or downside,” Rejimol told IANS.

She said that life has been tough during Covid-19 times but in all, her life has been good and she used to save money for her pilgrimages to Makkah, and has done the Hajj as also the Umrah.

She said that daily she saves a portion of her income to be distributed to orphanages, adding that she was also supporting two orphanages. Rejimol also said that she intervenes in any social issue at her neighbourhood and also helps people as much as she can.

She said that she has allowed her daughter to study as much she can before giving her off in marriage.

“Education is important and marriage can come after that,” she maintains.

Her stand is in contrast to the prevailing situation in certain villages of Kerala where Muslim girls are being married off at an early age. However, signs of changes are slowly being seen in the community with more and more Muslim girls studying hard and coming up in academics and entering prestigious institutions like AIIMS, IITs and even qualifying for Civil services. However, there is still a trend of marrying off the girls at a tender age and Rejimol is strongly opposed to this.

Rejimol’s daughter, Ajinas A.M. is a PhD scholar doing her research in political science at the prestigious Karyavattam Campus of Kerala University. She did her Masters in political science from Central University of Puducherry.

The highly-determined woman entrepreneur maintains:

“Life is woven around love and without love and mutual help, nobody can survive and my policy is to love everyone and support everyone in whatever means we can. Women must be hard-working and not sit idle at home but chip in for the support of the family.”

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India> Life & Style / by IANS / September 05th, 2021