Category Archives: Community Involvement / Social Issues

This young educator is breaking taboos around menstrual hygiene

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, FREE : Healthcare / Assistance, Useful / HEALTHCARE, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , ,

NEW DELHI :

Farheen Naaz (39), an experienced education professional, calls herself a “menstrual educator by passion.” | Picture by arrangement

The objective of Farheen Naaz’s organisation is to break the taboo that has been built around menstrual hygiene since ages and normalise period talk, which is frequently hushed by elders in most Indian households.

New Delhi :

During the first and second wave of Covid-19, Farheen Naaz was busy distributing relief kits to marginalized communities in New Delhi. The kits however, had only one sanitary napkin packet. One of the women told her there was more than one menstruator in her house. That interaction left her thinking how the menstruation needs were left unaddressed during the pandemic and in ordinary times.

Farheen (39), an experienced education professional, calls herself a “menstrual educator by passion.”

In September 2019, she started We The Change, a women-led Delhi-based not for profit, working towards creating awareness and inculcating correct knowledge about menstrual hygiene amongst the community, including members who do not menstruate. The organisation started with online sessions and talks, soon growing to conducting on-ground drives.

We The Change distributed more than 950 menstrual hygiene kits (containing 50 sanitary pads, 50 disposal bags, two cloth panties and a bar of soap) across India during the pandemic. They plan to double their target and reach out to 2000 menstruators pan India.

“The objective of our organisation is to break the taboo that has been built around it since ages and normalise period talk, which is frequently hushed by elders in most Indian households,” says Farheen. “While this might be a topic that might have been directed towards only adolescent menstruators over time, our organisation has decided to include families of the menstruators as well to create a comfortable and safe space for these conversations.”

Farheen says she realised the problems are far deeper than just not getting access to menstrual products. “Mothers and grandmothers are the main sources of information for many menstruators, and hence they do not get access to the kind of resources and information that they should get,” she says. “Shame makes many menstruators susceptible to harm because they learn taboos and misinformation.”

We The Change initiative has collaborated with Menstrupedia, an educational comic book on menstruation that is used in schools across the country for workshop and training purposes. | Photo by arrangement

Having worked in sectors focusing on institutional education, menstrual education, skill development and social work, she hopes she can bring a significant change in the society and smooth over the differences that exist between different genders, castes and socio-marginalised classes.

“We partner with and train local teachers so that students can come to them with their issues and get information from menstrual health-trained teachers,” she explains. 

We The Change initiative has collaborated with Menstrupedia, an educational comic book on menstruation that is used in schools across the country for workshop and training purposes.The plan is to buy and donate these books to menstruators pan-India, and use this material to train adolescents in menstrual health and menstrual waste management.

Sustainability in menstrual health and hygiene is often talked about. But a majority of women are unable to use sustainable menstrual products due to lack of resources such as clean water and the cost of  these products.

Farheen has come up with a menstrual waste-management project called the #ProjectRedWaste, which is specifically aimed at providing recycled paper bags with a red dot on them to menstruators to safely dispose of menstrual waste, such that sanitation workers also identify these and separately handle them.

Farheen says this work has helped her realise how fixing menstrual issues is central to breaking several societal barriers. A large part of her programme therefore involves education about menstruation, women empowerment, battling transphobia, and inculcating leadership amongst young menstruators. 


Suchitra is an independent journalist working on social justice, focusing primarily on gender justice. She tweets at @Suchitrawrites

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead Story / by Suchitra, TwoCircles.net / February 07th, 2022

Family from Mysuru village donates land to school

Agriculture (since June 07th, 2021), Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), ,

HD Kote Taluk (Mysuru District), KARNATAKA :

The land was handed to the Government Higher Primary School in Bachegowdanahalli, and registered in the name of the headmaster, who can utilise it to enable rural children avail education.

Mohammed Rakib hands over land documents to the Bachegowdanahalli government school authorities at the registration office in HD Kote

Mysuru : 

At a time when the hijab row has engulfed most districts of the state, a Muslim family from a remote village in HD Kote taluk of Mysuru district has donated 2.5 acres of their land to a government school in a bid to promote education.

Fulfilling the dream of their late father Mohammed Jafar, a resident of Marchalli village, who had pledged to donate a piece of land for serving the educational needs of children in the neighbouring villages and improving literacy rate, his children have now donated 2.5 acres, valued at over Rs 50 lakh, for the purpose.

The land was handed to the Government Higher Primary School in Bachegowdanahalli, and registered in the name of the headmaster, who can utilise it to enable rural children avail education. Speaking to TNIE, Jafar’s son Mohammed Rakib said, “My ‘Ayya’ (father) had pledged to donate a plot of land to the school, to ensure that no one is deprived of education and help improve the literacy rate in the region.

We are six siblings — four brothers and two sisters. We had a discussion and decided to give away 2.5 acres as per the wishes of our late father, and we got the land registered in favour of the school on February 15.”

The family, which is into agriculture, owns over 12 acres of land in the village and has donated 2.5 acres of it. Their hope that if there is any dearth of classrooms, new ones can be built on the donated land, or the latter can also be turned into a playground for children, or used for other development activities.

Expressing happiness over the gesture, HD Kote Block Education Officer Chandrakanth said, “The donated land can be utilised to help develop the school and also for the construction of new classrooms, if required, in future. This gesture of the family is exemplary and will motivate others to help.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Karthik KK, Express News Service / Februrary 18th, 2022

The Art Of ‘Chaapa’, The Unique Wedding Couture Of Bihari Muslims

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Videos, , , , ,

BIHAR :

Chaapa continues to remain popular among the Bihari Muslim families both nationally and internationally and even today, Bihari Muslims around the world opt for chaapa clothes for their children’s weddings.

Models Nandini (left) and Kajal (right) sport traditional Chaapa sarees with a modern twist. Outlook Photos/Tribhuvan Tiwari

India, with its diverse cultures and traditions, has a rich heritage of indigenous fashion. With global trends taking over markets, many of these traditional and unique styles of couture and dressing are fading out of fashion. Tucked in the heart of Bihar’s Patna, however,  are the ‘Chaapa’ dresses of Bihari Muslims, a style of clothing that have withstood the test of time and the onslaught of mass production.

Chaapa is a traditional Bihari bridal dress made with silver block print. This dress was specially designed to be worn by the bride on the day of Nikah (wedding). No Bihari Muslim nikah ceremony is complete without the chaapa.

The word chaapa came from chaap (which means print in English) and the history of this traditional dress can be traced back to the nineteenth century where Francis Buchanan in a journal mentioned the chaapa clothes and their significant demand among the Muslim Bihari families in 1811 – 1812.

Earlier chaapa was fabricated in the entire Bihar but today due to the cultural influence, the chaapa style has become confined to Patna, Bihar Sharif and Gaya.

Initially, chaapa was available only in two colours, red and green. But currently, they are available in other colours such as yellow, blue, violet, pink etc.

Chaapa continues to remain popular among the Bihari Muslim families both nationally and internationally and even today, Bihari Muslims around the world opt for chaapa clothes for their children’s weddings.

(Md Umar Ashraf, a civil engineer by education who later pursued a masters in journalism, is the founder of www.heritagetimes.in, a website dedicated to bringing out the lesser-known facts of Indian history. He has served in the capacity of historian for several museums undertaken by the Ministry of Culture as well as projects under NBT. Several newspapers and portals have covered his impact on popular history.)

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> National / by Md. Umar Ashraf / November 11th, 2022

Preserving Persian Epigraphic Heritage

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

The earliest Persian and Arabic inscriptions are seen on the tombstones and walls in the olden graveyards of Kashmir

The historic tombs of the most famous Shahmiri period sultans and nobles, which included Sultan Sikander and Sultan Zain ul Abideen are also in this historic cemetery. [Tomb of Zain ul Abideen in Srinagar’s old city–Representational Image]File/ GK

With the establishment of Muslim sultanate in Kashmir, in late fourteenth century, the Sanskrit language and Sharda alphabet were also taken over by Persian and Arabic alphabet. The tradition of Sharda epigraphic culture also declined considerably and it gave way to Persian and Arabic inscriptions.

The earliest Persian and Arabic inscription are seen on the tomb stones and walls, in the olden graveyards, Khanqahs and mosques of Kashmir. Number of such inscriptions are documented in my book titled, Kashmir inscriptions of Kashmir, which was published in the year 2013 by Gulshan Books, Srinagar.

Persian inscription on a stone slab at the historic graveyard of Khanqah-e-mu’llah old Srinagar.

Epigraphs of royal graveyard at Mazari Kalan

Mazari Kalan popularly known to public as “Mazari Shiekh Bahau-ud-Din Ganj Baksh (RA)” lies in the foot of Kohi Maran to the west of Malkah. The history of the Mazar reveals that the site originally was proposed by Zain-ul-Abideen Badshah in 1421 AD for housing the only burial of her beloved wife called Ashama Bibi who belonged to a noble family of Bahaqi lineage. But when Sheikh Baha-ud-Din (RA), the reputed saint and Murshid of the Sultan left for heavenly abode in December 11, 1439 AD, he was laid to rest in this proposed site. Over the resting-place a shrine was also then erected.

Stone inscription in a dilapidated condition

The shrine looks to have been renovated, but it has lost most of its interesting architectural features. Adjacent to the shrine is seen the grave of a poet, Mir Illahi, who is saidto be the court poet of the Budshah. A beautiful inscription bearing few lines of his lyric is erected over the grave.

The grave of Asaha Bibi lies near the gate of the Mazar. The other burials it houses of the reputed saints and nobles of their times include; the grave of Solman, Sayyied Habib Shah Kashani, Moullana Mohammed Anie, Baba Qayim, Khwaja Mohammed Kakroo, Moullana Mohammed Balkhji, Sheikh Mohammed Trabali, Mulla Sarf-ud-Din Farhat, Mulla Nurullah Kath, Molvi Amir-ud-Din, Molvi Qulam-ud-Din Jami, Sayyied Mohammed Kermaniand others.

These all graves are very old and are crowned with gravestones, which are brilliantly carved in beautiful Arabic and Persian inscriptions.

Epigraphs of royal graveyard at Zain kadal

The royal graveyard of Zainkadal, locally called Mazari Salateen, enshrines the final resting places of Shahmeri Sultans. The historic tombs of the most famous Shahmiri period sultans and nobles, which included Sultan Sikander and Sultan Zain ul Abideen are also in this historic cemetery.

The tomb of Mirza Haider Dauglat, who administrated Kashmir as a Mughal governor for about 11 years during 1540-1552 AD, is also found in this historic graveyard.

There is a brilliant epigraph in Persian characters laid over his grave which is believed to have been installed by Moorcraft a British traveler during his vest of Kashmir in 19th century.

Persians inscription stone slab on the tomb of Mirza Haider Daughlat, Zainakadal Srinagar.

Zaindeep Epigraph

Persian stone inscription of Zain ul Abideen, SPS Museum Srinagar

Although there is no evidence of any standing Budshah’s Palace found anywhere in Kashmir valley but there is a magnificent stones slab inscription housed in the SPS museum at Lalmandi Srinagar which the experts claim provides vital information about Zaindeep, one of the famous Palaces of the Budshah’s period. Experts claim that this stone slab inscription, besides other details, has also provided the date of construction of this highest palace.

This inscription is Persian Nashk style. It is learnt that the inscription way back has been recovered from the Zianlank island of world famous Wullar lake in Bandipura district and later was shifted to this museum for its proper preservation. The inscription gives AH 841 as the date of construction of this world famous Zaindeep.

While providing description of this stone slab inscription experts say that this inscription is in Persian characters and is divided in four panels. The first two lines mentions the majesty, strength and the name of the Palace as Zaindeep and also describes it as the world famous, while as the date of foundation in Muslim calendar is mentioned in the last two lines in Persian words, which is calculated as 841.

Inscription of the palace

Ene bakha chun faluk muhakum bad

Mashoor ba zain deep dar alam bad

Shah Zain ibad ke daru jashin kunand

Pai vasta Chun tareekh khurdesh kahrum bad.

84l the inscription dates to 841 AH.

(The fort built by Shah Zain ul Abieein is so high and strong as the sky; and it is famous by the name of Zain deep. The king was very happy and celebrated the event when this palace was built)

Broken Stone inscription at Mazare Salateen old Srinagar

Besides these royal graveyards, the other historic and royal graveyards also carried brilliant epigraphs either engraved on tomb stones or on stone walls, these included Mazari Kalan, Mazari Salateen, Mazari Khanqah Mu’llah, Mazari Madine Sahib, Mazari Malik Sahib, Mazari Safakadal, Mazari Malkah and Mazari Bijbehra,.

But these human records are not preserved anywhere in these historic cementers. These inscribed records have fallen prey to the unchecked weathering and human vandalism.

Most of their inscriptions have defaced and it is very difficult to identify and decipher their epigraphs; steps are required to be taken to conserve this unprotected and unconcerned epigraphic heritage.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are the personal opinions of the author.

The facts, analysis, assumptions and perspective appearing in the article do not reflect the views of GK

source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir / Home> Op-Ed / by Iqbal Ahmad / February 20th, 2022

Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia promoted as secretary of overseas Indian affairs

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , ,

Hyderabad, INDIA / Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA :

Dr. Ausaf Sayeed expected to accept his new assignment in New Delhi next month.

Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia promoted as secretary of overseas Indian affairs
Dr. Ausaf Sayeed

New Delhi: 

India’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Dr Ausaf Sayeed, has been appointed to a new position as secretary, overseas Indian affairs in the country’s Ministry of External Affairs.

He has been appointed as the Secretary, (consular, passport, visa and Overseas Indian affairs). He is expected to accept his new assignment in New Delhi next month. The name of his successor in Riyadh is yet to be announced, but as per reports, the selection process has begun.

In terms of the bureaucratic arrangement, the new post is a promotion because the post is several degrees higher than that of an ambassador. The appointment was approved by the Indian cabinet on Tuesday.

About Dr Ausaf Sayeed

Dr Ausaf Sayeed completed his three-year term in Saudi Arabia after being appointed ambassador to Saudi Arabia in March 2019.

Dr Ausaf Sayeed’s tenure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia first as a Consul General and as Ambassador has been exemplary in strengthening Indo-Saudi bilateral relations.

He belongs to a well-known educated family of Hyderabad. His father, Awaz Sayeed, was a well-known modern Urdu essayist and short-story writer. He has performed diplomatic services in Egypt, Qatar, Denmark, Yemen, Chicago and Shashail.

Dr Ausaf Sayeed is known for his love for the Urdu language and its propagation. Wherever he was posted, he always convened Urdu Mushairas and brought Indian diaspora on a single platform.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by News Desk / February 16th, 2022

Madrasa’s hospital a boon for a village near Ajmer

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, , , , , , ,

Oontra Village (Ajmer District), RAJASTHAN :

Dawat-ul-Haq Hospital established by a madrasa in Ajmer district’s Oontra village. | Photo Credit: de31hospital ANKITA

It is providing healthcare at nominal prices to people of all religion

Making a humble contribution to the institutional deliveries of women, a first-of-its-kind hospital established by a madrasa in Ajmer district’s Oontra village has started providing health services in a rural area which lacks basic medical facilities. The 40-bed hospital, built with zakat and other charity funds on the madrasa premises, was formally inaugurated on December 19.

Idara Dawat-ul-Haq, which has started the hospital to cater to the needs of rural population, has been imparting religious education since 1998 and had registered itself with the State government’s Education Department for running multiple schools in 2009-10. One of the schools has since been upgraded to senior secondary level.

The Islamic seminary boasts of a strength of 4,600 students, including girlsThe hospital is the latest addition to the institution’s work for benefiting the villagers.

Idara Dawat-ul-Haq’s head Maulana Mohammed Ayub Qasmi told The Hindu that the initiative for institutional deliveries in the hospital had turned out to be a blessing for the women in the region, who were deprived of medical care during pregnancy and childbirth in the absence of an adequate health infrastructure. The hospital has conducted half-a-dozen institutional deliveries within its first two weeks.

The hospital, which also holds the distinction of being the first medical facility established by a madrasa in Rajasthan, has set an example of communal harmony, as it offers health care at nominal prices to the people belonging to all religions, castes and creed. The emergency, ambulance and medical store facilities are available round the clock.

With a population of 6,000, Oontra, situated 26 km away from Ajmer, has a primary health centre that only refers the patients to bigger hospitals in the nearby Kishangarh town and the district headquarter. The Dawat-ul-Haq hospital, which has installed 16 of the 40 sanctioned beds, has two full time doctors, including a gynaecologist, eight nursing personnel and other paramedical staff.

Anshu Shiv Kumar of Kaipara village, who was advised a Caesarean delivery by the doctors in Ajmer, was the second to undergo normal delivery in the hospital. Shareefa Khatoon of Oontra village said her grandson was born here with full medical care and her daughter-in-law was doing fine.

Kirti Mehta, Nursing Officer in Ajmer’s Jawaharlal Nehru Government Hospital, who has been instrumental in planning and executing the medical facility project at the seminary, said it would help reduce the high infant and maternal mortality rates in the region.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Other States / by Mohammed Iqbal / Oontra (Ajmer), January 01st, 2022

Hyderabad: Burqa-clad women are the heroes in this boxing academy

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Sports, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad :

Considered to be one of the academy’s finest students, Amena (name changed) makes it a point to train at least for three hours a day. A burqa-clad woman, she resolved to break the shackles of the oppression that is often wrongly associated with the piece of clothing. She is 39-year-old and one of the fifteen women in this boxing school between the ages of 35-50.

Surprisingly enough, both Amena and her 15-year-old son Uzair train together. “The duo gives each other a good fight in the boxing ring,” said their coach Shaikh Aijaz Ahmed.

A national-level gold medalist himself, Aijaz Ahmed set up Golconda Boxing Academy in 2002 at Owaisi playground, Golconda and has been giving free coaching to all. “I believe that women must train for boxing, as it is best for self-defence. I am glad that more women are willing to learn boxing at my academy,” he said.

As many as 150 students are enrolled in the academy as of now. Of them, there are children, young girls and married women.

35-year-old Naseema Begum believes ‘hijab’ is not an excuse to quit learning new things. “It is all about dedication and enthusiasm for learning and productivity,” Begum says. “Even if we don’t participate in any tournaments, it at least keeps us healthy and fit,” said 41-year-old Najma Sultana, who trains with her 6-year-old granddaughter.

Many women prefer to take these classes as a break from their routine and also because the classes are given for free.

Young girls between the ages of 13 – 20, seen in a headscarf, give a tough fight to the boys. Many of them are very keen on taking boxing as their career ahead too. One of them is Afsha Shah, a 14-year-old, who is already making a mark. She took part in the national and state-level games and won prizes. “At times these girls give a tough time to me as well,” Ahmed laughs, saying it also builds their character.

youtube.com / The Siasat Daily

It was Ahmed’s grandfather Subedar Major Shaik Ahmed inspired him to continue the tradition. “My grandfather dreamt of these changes in the community. He was a great boxer and even served the Army. My father Shaik Abdul Gani, participated in national-level tournaments before he retired from the army in 1980. He set up this Golconda Boxing Association in 1990,” Ahmed added.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by Nihad Amin edited by Sruthi Vibhavan / January 21st, 2021

Can you guess what this journalist’s day job is?

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

Chittorgarh City, RAJASTHAN :

Passionate for journalism, Najir couldn’t pursue a degree in it due to financial constraints. | Photo by arrangement

Najir Hussain wanted to be a journalist ever since he distributed newspapers for work but couldn’t pursue his dream due to financial constraints. His dream came true when Bahujan news outlet The Mooknayak began publishing his stories. 

New Delhi :

40-year-old Najir Hussain wakes up early in the morning and sends his three daughters to school, says bye to his wife, and sets up his vegetable shop in the Bichhor, Chittorgarh city in Rajasthan. Najir is a vegetable seller and a journalist. 

While selling vegetables, he picks up his cellphone and scrolls through messages from his editor Meena Kotwal assigning him a new story. He credits Kotwal for his position as a journalist today. “Without Meena and a Bahujan space like The Mooknayak, who would have given space to my words?”  Najir told TwoCircles.net.

Najir has done all of 20 reports for The Mooknayak  in the last six months. The journey of becoming a journalist was not easy. “I used to  distribute newspapers in my village. Un surkhiyon ke beech kabhi mera bhi naam hoga, maine sapne dekhta tha. (I used to dream of having my bylines in those newspapers),” Najir said.

Najir could not pursue a journalism course, or for that matter any course, due to financial and social constraints. Najir is from a Pasmanda Muslim community. He was married shortly after finishing school and has ever since been a breadwinner for his family. “I used to be very smart in school and secured 1st division in my 12th standard examinations,” he said. 

Ever since leaving school, Najir has been engaged in many casual odd jobs— motor mechanic, a newspaper distributor and now a vegetable seller. His life changed when with the access to social media, and his passion for journalism got rekindled.

“I started using social media around two years ago and saw so many vocal Muslims, Dalits, Bahujans and Adivasis. It greatly inspired me and made me think of the days when I thought I could become a journalist. I started reaching out to editors of progressive newsrooms,” Najir said.

Najir said nobody responded to him, considering he did not have a degree and had no prior experience in the field. However, in September 2021, Meena Kotwal, the founder of The Mooknayak, wrote back to him asking him to send some reports.

Najir Hussain from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan sells vegetables and is a journalist. | Photo by arrangement

Talking to TwoCircles.net, Kotwal said that Najir is passionate about journalism. 

“You won’t believe me, but the truth is that big privileged journalists have failed in front of Najir’s passion. He ran the shop all day long and started reporting many unreported or new incidents of atrocities from Rajasthan. This is what I have intended to do with The Mooknayak, and I am happy that someone as passionate as Najir helps me to pass the mic,” Kotwal  said. 

Najir would make many mistakes when he started and would get help from Meena. “She is such a patient editor,” he said.  

“Other contributors in The Mooknayak would help me out and although I got scolded sometimes, I am glad I learnt so much,” he said. 

Najir used to be scared of the police before becoming a journalist. His socio-marginalised identity as a Pasmanda Muslim affected how he felt around police personnel. Reading news about police brutality made this even more pressing. Being a journalist now has helped him become more confident.

A Twitter threadposted by Meena Kotwal about Najir’s story became viral.

Najir’s eldest daughter is in 9th grade and uses Instagram on her mother’s phone. One day, as she scrolled through her feed, she was excited to find her father’s photo in one of her friend’s posts.

Everyone in the village calls him “Mooknayak vala Najir”. 

“It makes me feel proud to be addressed like this. My family is supportive and appreciative of my work. My heart swells with pride every time my 13-year-old daughter calls me ‘Mooknayak vale papa.’ It is all because of Meena didi, and Bahujan newsrooms like this,” he said. excitedly. 

Suchitra is an independent journalist working on social justice, focusing primarily on gender justice. She tweets at @Suchitrawrites

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead story / by Suchitra, TwoCircles.net / February 09th, 2022

Scholarships worth ₹1 cr. given to over 3,600 girls

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, SCHOLARSHIPS, Useful / SCHOLARSHIPS, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Seventeen-year-old Bushra Parveen, Rufiya K. and Mizba are happy that they can now realise their dreams of becoming professionals. These girls are among the 3,613 students who were awarded an educational scholarship by the Bazm-e-Niswan Charitable Trust in Bengaluru on Thursday. These girl students are happy that they can now pursue courses in medicine, engineering and accountancy, which they are aiming for.

The all-woman charitable trust distributed scholarships worth ₹1.32 crore to the 3,613 deserving girls from poorer sections of society. While 1,731 beneficiaries are PU students, 1,722 are pursuing undergraduate courses. As many as 65 are diploma students and 95 post-graduate students.

According to the organisers, the trust, which has been funding the education of poor girl students in 1971, has given scholarships to over 63,000 girls so far. These girls are now successfully qualified as teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, government officers, business women, engineers, journalists among other professions.

“The purpose is to encourage women from the deprived sections of the community to pursue higher studies. Eligibility for the scholarship is based on academic merit and economic need. Any girl wishing to apply must have scored an average of at least 50 per cent in her exams and must also have documents proving her financial status,” said Husna Sheriff, president of the trust.

“We received 4,505 online applications this year as against 3,200 last year. This 40% increase in the number of applications can be attributed to the fact that many students who had dropped out of their higher education in 2020, came back this year,” Ms Sheriff said.

Pointing out that lakhs of students dropped out of higher education during the pandemic, she said: “Realizing the dire need to support the poor and needy girls, we decided to go ahead with the scholarship program despite many uncertainties.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – February 10th, 2022

Hijab row: Mumbai MLA meets Mandya girl, gifts iPhone

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , ,

Mandya, KARNATAKA :

Bengaluru : 

Karnataka college girl Muskaan Khan who confronted a crowd by raising slogans of “Allah hu Akbar” during protests that broke out on hijab row, continues to be in news.

Congress MLA from Mumbai’s Bandra Zeeshan Siddique came all the way from Maharashtra on Friday and paid visit to Muskan’s residence in Mandya city. The MLA appreciated her “courage”, assured support and gifted her an iPhone and smart watch.

“I came from so far to meet the girl from our community who showed exemplary courage. I am happy for her courageous act,” he stated.

“Today whole of Karnataka, entire country is taking pride of her act. She has shown what is the real power of woman. After seeing her brave act, other women who are being pressurised, subjected to harassment and whoever is meted with injustice, they can also confront such acts,” he asserted.

Her act against those zaalims (cruel people) is commendable, he added.

“Wearing hijab is a constitutional right. One can wear clothes of her choice. You have problem with her hijab or with the fact that she is getting educated,” the Congress MLA said.

“There are crores of brothers behind Muskaan to protect her right of wearing hijab. I felt happy after meeting her family,” he added.

Muskaan Khan, the student of PES College of Arts, Science and Commerce in Mandya district was allegedly heckled by a group of students in the college premises for wearing ‘burka’. The group raised slogan of ‘Jai Sriram’ while surrounding and following her. Muskan confronted the crowd with slogan of ‘Allah hu Akbar’. The video is now viral on social media.

Later, she was safely escorted inside the classroom by authorities. Muskaan has later stated that she will abide by the court order and thanked college authorities.

Meanwhile, various Muslim organisations have announced cash reward for her act. Complaint has also been lodged in connection with announcing cash prize to Muskaan.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld / Home> Top Stories / by IANS /Bengaluru, February 11th, 2022