Category Archives: Community Involvement / Social Issues

Alumni of a government school in Kodagu reunite to renovate the age-old institution

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Suntikoppa (Kodagu District), KARNATAKA :

Funds adding to over Rs 10 lakh are being collected to enable the renovation and revival process of the school building.

The institution did not even record a centenary celebration due to financial issues. However, the alumni of the institution became active recently and are now involved in the revival process of the institution.

Madikeri :

As several government schools are struggling to see the light of the day due to non-maintenance, an alumni association of a government school in Kodagu is striving towards renovating the institution.

Funds adding to over Rs 10 lakh are being collected to enable the renovation and revival process of the school building.

The Suntikoppa Government Primary School, established 108 years ago, has educated lakhs of students. The institution was expanded with high school education 44 years ago. However, the lack of funds for development works had remained a challenge.

The institution did not even record a centenary celebration due to financial issues. However, the alumni of the institution became active recently and are now involved in the revival process of the institution.

Recently, a group of alumni organised a reunion event as a Guru Vandhana programme, which witnessed participation from the former teaching staff.

The Alumni Association was launched as plans took shape to renovate the school building, which is in a vulnerable condition.

Funds adding up to Rs 10 lakh were collected by the alumni association. The school classrooms are being renovated and upgraded even as the alumni will initiate plans to increase admissions to the institution.

Key alumni members KH Sharif, Harish, Anil Kumar, C Mahendra, Razak, Abdul Aziz, Arun Kumar, Dhanu Kaverappa, Vincent, Shashikumar, and Kamalahasan, alongside local donors from Suntikoppa and neighbouring areas, have committed themselves to elevating the school’s standards to match private institutions.

The alumni association has members from all walks of life, some who have reached reputable posts following their primary education at the institution. “We cannot be more grateful to the alumni for taking up the renovation project,” shared Geetha, headmistress of the government school.

“This renovation represents our modest contribution to the institution that shaped our lives. Some of our alumni have become High Court judges, and under their guidance, along with support from other alumni, we are undertaking this renovation. We are ensuring minimal disruption to current students’ education,” shared RH Sharif, the VP of the alumni association.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Express News Service / June 04th, 2025

Anjum Parwez appointed CM’s new ACS as L K Atheeq steps down

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

L K Atheeq (left) and Anjum Parwez

Bengaluru : 

L K Atheeq, a trusted aide of chief minister Siddaramaiah and a 1991-batch IAS officer, has resigned from his post as Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) to the chief minister. He was serving on a contract basis after his superannuation on January 31.

Anjum Parwez, a 1994-batch IAS officer and currently the ACS in the rural development and panchayat raj department, has been appointed as his successor in the chief minister’s office.

Atheeq will continue as chairperson of Bengaluru Business Corridor Ltd, the special purpose vehicle for the Peripheral Ring Road project. Sources indicate he stepped down to spend time with family and pursue personal interests, including motorcycling and poetry. 

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories> Karnataka / by Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru / June 05th, 2025

Mujeeb Syed QSM honored by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan NZ

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

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / Auckland, NEW ZEALAND :

This recognition reaffirms Mujeeb Syed’s role as an inspiring leader in New Zealand’s multicultural landscape.

  Mujeeb Syed QSM

In a significant acknowledgment of his efforts to preserve linguistic and cultural heritage, journalist Mujeeb Syed—recipient of the Queen’s Service Medal (QSM)—was honored by Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan New Zealand for his outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Urdu language.

At a recent ceremony, Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan NZ presented Syed with a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing his “Service to Heritage Language – Urdu.” The accolade celebrates his dedication to championing Urdu across communities in New Zealand, especially in Auckland.

Syed has long been a key figure in community media and cultural initiatives. Through organizing literary events, promoting Urdu education, and engaging diaspora communities via journalism and storytelling, he has played a pivotal role in preserving Urdu as a living, vibrant expression of South Asian identity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, an internationally respected institution promoting Indian culture and values, noted Syed’s commitment as exemplary. Attendees at the event praised his ability to unite generations and strengthen cultural bonds through language.

In his acceptance remarks, Syed said, “This honor is not just for me, but for every individual who believes in the power of language as a vessel of identity and expression. Urdu is a language of love, poetry, and deep heritage. I am humbled to play a small part in keeping it alive.”

This recognition reaffirms Mujeeb Syed’s role as an inspiring leader in New Zealand’s multicultural landscape, highlighting the vital importance of heritage languages in fostering social and cultural richness.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> NRI’s Corner / May 21st, 2025

Kolkata young Muslim girl proves pen is mightier than sword, wins global honour

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL / New York (U.S.A) :

A 23-year-old Sarah Aziz from Kolkata won the prestigious UK’s The Press Award for investigative reporting. Armed with BA English, she is pursuing her Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in the US. Interestingly, she started filing stories even while doing her UG in Kolkata during 2023. Her in-depth report on Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh for Voice of America (The American Multimedia Broadcasting Network) fetched her the highly commended “Young Journalist of The Year Award”.

Be bold, be curious, and be unyielding in your pursuit of the untold stories. Yes, this applies to 23-year-old Sarah Aziz from Kolkata in West Bengal, who had put up a brave face to report from the field about the inhuman treatment meted out to Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh for Voice of America, part of American Multimedia Broadcasting Network. This, in fact, fetched her the “Young Journalist of the Year” this year.

Armed with BA English from Loreto College in Kolkata, she is now pursuing her Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in the US. Interestingly, she started filing stories as a freelancer even while doing her UG in Kolkata during 2023. To top it all, she has been a contributing reporter for The Guardian, The Telegraph (UK), South China Morning Post (SCMP) and The Christian Science Monitor besides others.

In November 2024, Aziz published an investigative report in The Telegraph (UK), exposing the truth behind the “mysterious” death of a Rohingya child who had been detained by the Indian government in New Delhi. The multimedia report not only delved into the medical negligence and abuse faced by the child in detention, but also revealed the wider pattern of the mass arbitrary detention and torture of Rohingya Muslims seeking refuge in India.

Earlier in the same year, Aziz had exposed the hidden scandal of rape and sexual abuse faced by incarcerated women in India, particularly in West Bengal. The investigative report, published in The Guardian, laid bare the tactics used by authorities to cover up crimes against some of the most vulnerable women in the country.

Aziz has extensively covered the persecution faced by Rohingya Muslims in India and Bangladesh for multiple international news outlets like The South China Morning Post, Voice of America and The Guardian. Her investigative breaking news reporting on the 2025 Bangladesh student protests was published in The Times (UK).

On cloud nine, Sarah Aziz is reported to have said, “My interests lie in investigative reporting on human rights issues of national and global importance. Some beats I have covered extensively are women’s health, the Rohingya refugee crisis, human trafficking and Indigenous affairs both in India and the U.S. It’s a great honour to receive the Highly Commended “Young Journalist of the Year” instituted by The Press Awards (2025) and the Thomson Foundation.

Sarah Aziz dedicated this award to her dad Sheik Azizur Rahman and her seventh grade English teacher who motivated her to be what she is now. She will be graduating from Columbia University with an MS in Journalism in August 2025.  Glad to learn that Sarah Aziz is a poet, translator, and artist based in Kolkata, India. In 2021, her translation of Bangladeshi activist and author Pinaki Bhattacharya’s “History of Bengal: from Ancient to British Rule” got published receiving rave reviews.

Established in 1962 by The People and World’s Press News, the first award ceremony for the then-named Hannen Swaffer Awards, named after journalist Hannen Swaffer, was held in 1963. This got transformed from British Press Awards to The Press Awards which is being given under the aegis of Haymarket Media Group on behalf of the News Media Association.

Some of the categories include Business and Finance Journalist of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Cartoonist of the Year, Columnist of the Year, Critic of the Year, Environment Journalist of the Year, Excellence in Diversity Award, Feature Writer of the Year, Foreign Reporter of the Year, Front Page of the Year, Health Journalist of the Year, Interviewer of the Year, Investigation of the Year, News Podcast of the Year, News Website of the Year, Newspaper of the Year, Photographer of the Year, Political Journalist of the Year, Science and Technology Journalist of the Year, Scoop of the Year, Specialist journalist of the Year, Supplement of the Year, The Hugh McIlvanney Award for Sports Journalist of the Year, Travel Journalist of the Year, and Young Journalist of the Year.

[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation / by M Rafi Ahmed / May 31st, 2025

K.M. Azeem re-elected as President of SKMWA, Muscat for 2025–26

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, ,

KARNATAKA / Muscat, OMAN :

Muscat, Oman:

The newly elected office-bearers for the 2025–26 term include Niyaz Mohammed (Mangaluru) and Sameer Ahmed (Udupi) as Vice Presidents; Imran Manna (Udupi) as General Secretary; Irfan Ahmed (Udyavara) and S.F. Jasim (Kundapura) as Joint Secretaries; Abdul Ravoof (Udupi) as Treasurer; K.M. Akif (Karkala) as Assistant Treasurer; Mohammed Asif Gafur (Karkala) as Finance Secretary; and Munir Ahmed (Udupi) as Assistant Finance Secretary.

The proceedings began with the recitation of the Qur’an by Master Zaid Asif.

Sameer Ahmed presented the Annual Report for 2024, while the Annual Financial Report was audited and verified by SKMWA auditor Ashraf Ali.

The session concluded with a presidential address by K.M. Azeem, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Mohammed Asif Gafur.

The entire event was compered by Shahnawaz Rafiq of Ganjimutt.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / May 31st, 2025

Engineer by day, educator at night for young minds

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, SCHOLARSHIPS,

Dehri-On-Sone (Nabinagar, Aurangabad District), BIHAR :

Jameel Akhtar, an NTPC manager in Bihar, combines his professional career with a passion for education, founding a free school for underprivileged children, narrates Ramashankar

Bihar :  

Education is the best tool to change society and transform the lives of the poor.” So believes Jameel Akhtar, a deputy general manager at NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation), Nabinagar, in Bihar’s Aurangabad district.

For him, life is more than just about having a cushy job. An engineering graduate from Kanpur’s Harcourt Butler Technical University, Jameel landed a job in NTPC in 2001 and got his first posting in New Delhi. But his life took a turn after he was transferred to Nabinagar in 2014. “It was close to my maternal uncle’s house at Dehri-on-Sone, a place I used to visit as a child. So, I was familiar with the town,” he smiles.

Not long after settling down there, he decided to open a school for students belonging to underprivileged families in 2015. Without wasting any time, he rented and appointed teachers to that end nursery to class VII. And the school was filled with the hustle and bustle of children not long after it opened as word spread about free education.

“The number of students grew sharply as we did not charge a tuition fee. In fact, at Noble Public School, we even provided the pupils with books and the necessary educational material free of charge.” Today, the school has a strength of more than 550 students.

“We have a co-education set. Both girls and boys study here,” he shares, adding, “I bear all the expenses. We have 14 teachers. I pay their salaries. I also take care of all other costs involved in running the school. For me, it is an opportunity to serve humanity.”

Ask him if he faces any financial problems because of the initiative, and he shrugs with a smile, saying, “I don’t have any monetary constraints. I am a bachelor. And all members of my family are well-settled.” However, he does take some steps to minimise the expenses. The school authorities have been asked to contact book publishing houses directly to supply the educational material for the students.

It makes the cost of books much cheaper as they don’t have to pay commission to agents or local suppliers.

“The money we save is spent on the students’ welfare,” he reveals. Despite having a full-time job, he has a very hands-on approach towards the school. “Though we have quality teachers and experts at the school, I take personal care of the students,” he shares.

Remarkably, students from Hindu, Muslim and Christian families alike study there. “The school has set an example of communal harmony in the small town of Dehri-on-Sone,” Jameel grins. At his school, education is not merely limited to the academics. His educators lay special focus on the personality development of the students.

Jameel says he wants to make sure that his students don’t lag behind others in any field. For the purpose, personal monitoring is required, he said. Since the quality of education imparted at government schools across the country remains under a cloud, schools like the one set up by Jameel is a perfect proposition for parents who can’t afford the high fees of a public school.

“It’s a boon for children belonging to economically backward sections of the society as education is imparted here free of charge,” notes Girija Devi, former councillor of Ward No. 36 (Dehri-on-Sone). Teachers at the school, such as Aarti Kumari and Tabassum, exude hope that students of the school have a bright future.

Quality teaching and proper guidance will shape the career of students studying here, they firmly believe.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Ramashankar / May 25th, 2025

Nurses feted

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

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Picture shows Foundation President Rekha Srinivas, Nazarbad Nataraj, Mahadev, Ramesh Ramappa, Ravichandra and Sujatha along with the nurses.

City’s Sri Durga Foundation celebrated the birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale by felicitating nurses Rashmi, Rasheeda, Komala and Poornima during International Nurses Day function on May 12 at Jeevadhara Blood Bank.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Photo News / May 14th, 2025

‘Kolnad Friends’ organise blood donation camp in memory of Late Safwan Kolnad; 62 units collected

Community Involvement / Social Issues, FREE : Healthcare / Assistance, Karnataka (under research project), NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mulki Town ( Mangalore Taluk, Dakshina Kannada Distirct) , KARNATAKA / Dubai, U.A.E :

Mulki : 

A public blood donation camp was successfully organised on Sunday in memory of Safwan Kolnad, a 25-year-old youth who tragically passed away on May 10, 2025, due to sudden cardiac arrest in Dubai. The camp was held at Mahila Samudaya Bhavan, located near the Kolnad Government School, and was jointly conducted by Kolnad Friends Kolnad (R) and Blood Helpline Karnataka (R), in collaboration with Wenlock District Hospital, Mangalore.

The event began with a dua and blessings from Sharif Darimi Al-Haitami, Khatib of Shafi Juma Masjid, Kolnad. The program was presided over by Manjunath B.S., Circle Inspector of Mulki Police Station.

Dr. Ayisha Suhana, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Chief Eye Surgeon at Srinivas Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mukka, was the chief guest. In her address, she highlighted the critical importance of blood donation and how a single unit of blood can help save up to three lives. She also explained how regular blood donation contributes to better health by reducing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and certain cancers, while also controlling cholesterol, blood pressure, and iron levels. She advised donors to stay hydrated and avoid strenuous activity after donating blood.

As a tribute to the late Safwan Kolnad, Dr. Ayisha Suhana announced that she will perform five free cataract surgeries with premium intraocular lens implantation for underprivileged patients. She has conducted similar charitable surgeries in the past, in association with NGOs including the Naushad Haji Suralpady Memorial Charitable Trust (R).

This was the second blood donation camp organised by Kolnad Friends Kolnad (Reg) Charitable Trust, and a total of 62 units of blood were collected, including 52 male and 10 female donors.

The organisation continues to serve as a ray of hope for underprivileged patients, providing financial assistance for dialysis and cataract surgeries, and also supporting economically weaker students.

During the event, both Manjunath B.S. and Dr. Ayisha Suhana were felicitated by the organisers.

The program concluded with remarks from Yasir Arafat and a vote of thanks delivered by Abbas Ali.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / May 20th, 2025

1993 batch IPS Officer, Kannadiga M.A. Saleem is new DG-IGP of Karnataka

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

KARNATAKA :

1993 batch IPS Officer M.A. Saleem is new DGP of Karnataka | PC: @Gulbarga Ki Awaaz/FB

Bengaluru :

The Karnataka government on Wednesday issued orders appointing M.A. Saleem, a senior IPS officer from the 1993 batch, as the new Director General and Inspector General of Police (DG-IGP) of Karnataka. He replaces Dr. Alok Mohan, who retired from service today.

Until now, Saleem was serving as the Director General of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

There had been speculation over who would succeed Dr. Alok Mohan, with two key contenders in the race — M.A. Saleem and Prashant Kumar Thakur, DGP of Fire and Emergency Services. Thakur, a 1992-batch officer, is senior to Saleem by one year.

Saleem will have a one-year tenure, retiring in June 2026.

A seasoned officer, Saleem is known for his strong administrative skills and has previously served in various key positions across the state, including as Bengaluru City’s Special Police Commissioner.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / May 21st, 2025

Guwahati teacher Saikh Md. Sabah Al-Ahmed’s on Kashmiri youth features in Penguin Book of Poems

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Guwahati, ASSAM :

Guwahati-based school teacher Saikh Md. Sabah Al-Ahmed

At a time when Pakistan’s sponsored terrorism in India has drawn global attention, a Guwahati-based school teacher Saikh Md. Sabah Al-Ahmed has tried to highlight the same issue through a different medium. His poetry “In the Valley of Red,” which talks about the loss of lives of Kashmiri youths, has featured in the Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City.

From Ghalib’s Delhi and Nissim Ezekiel’s Bombay to Agha Shahid Ali’s Srinagar and Kamala Das’s Calcutta, from Sarojini Naidu’s Hyderabad to Arundhathi Subramaniam’s Madras to Kynpham Sing Nongkynrih’s Shillong; The Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City takes readers on a spectacular poetic journey across 37 cities in India.

His anthology contains nearly 300 poems, some written in English, and those translated from 25 regional languages. This collection offers an immersive lyrical exploration of India’s urban landscape.

Sabah Ahmed with renowed author from Penduin Zubaan (Women) Preeti Gill

Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, Sabah Ahmed said his poem “In the Valley of Red” talks of the plight & irony of innocent Kashmiri youths who are brainwashed and taken to the other side of the border to become terrorists. He said these youth again come back to their home (Kashmir) to kill their people, and eventually they also get killed in the hands of security forces in different encounters.

“Through the poem, I try to capture the emotions of parents of these Kashmiri youths who eagerly wait for their sons to return home one day. But in the end, these parents have to receive their dead bodies. My poem tries to depict how a paradise (Kashmir) has been destroyed by Pakistan,” Sabah Ahmed said.    

Before the Penguin Book of Poems Sabah Ahmed poem on Kashmir was published in WITNESS: The Red River Book of Poetry of Dissent (2021), an anthology of “Poetry of Dissent from the Margins” as seen by Indian poets, edited by Nabina Das. Subsequently, it was also published in the London-based Joao-Roque Literary Journal on February 28, 2022, edited by British-Asian writer and editor Selma Carvalho.

Another poem of Sabah Ahmed on Guwahati Diaries has also been featured in the Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City. This poem highlights the situation of Guwahati during Covid-19 pandemic.

The Penguin Book of Poems on the Indian City is edited by Bilal Moin from Oxford University. The anthology is slated for release on May 30, 2025.

Sabah Ahmed, 50, who teaches social science in the prestigious Don Bosco School Pan Bazar in Guwahati, is popular among students, parents, and his peers for his affable nature.

“I scribbled a few lines, way back in 1988 or 1989, when I was in class 8 or 9. I felt like a 14-year-old while putting down my feelings on paper. The rest is this long journey since then. I was awarded the Reuel International Prize for Poetry in 2019 for the best upcoming poet from the North East. My poems were translated into Italian by Italian poet Giorgio Moio, based in Naples, Italy. My poems were also translated into Manipuri by veteran Manipuri critic Laishram Memo Singh,” Sabah Ahmed said.

Sabah Ahmed is very disturbed about the present situation in Kashmir. “Things were coming back to normal in Kashmir after decades. But the Pahalgam attack has finished everything. But I am still hopeful for better days in Kashmir. It will be the happiest moment in my life if my poem touches the Kashmiri youths and they quit the wrong path shown from the other side of the border,” he said.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Daulat Rahman, Guwahati (headline edited) / May 20th, 2025