Category Archives: Education

Paralysed by bullet, Kashmir man overcomes disablity to teach differently-abled children

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

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Though Javed Ahmad Tak was confined to the bed for years after getting injured in a militant attack, he is now teaching hundreds of disabled kids to tackle life’s challenges.

Javed Ahmad Tak’s school is currently teaching 120 differently-abled students. (Photo| EPS)

Jammu & Kashmir :

Javed Ahmad Tak’s life took a dramatic turn in 1997. Hit by a bullet during a militant attack, he was confined to the bed for years first and now to a wheelchair. But Tak, now (45), has taken his disability head-on and has created opportunities for others like him. Today, he is a role model for many differently- abled people.

On the night of March 21-22, 1997, 21-year-old Tak was injured in firing at his uncle’s house at Bijbehara in Anantnag. “The gunmen had come to attack my cousin who was the block president of the National Conference. I tried to save his life and suffered a bullet injury,” recalls Tak. The bullet caused severe damage to his spinal cord, kidney,  pancre a s and intestines.

Tak, a BSc final year student  at that time, remained hospitalised for about an year. After being discharged in February 1998, he remained bedridden for the next three years. “While being confined to bed, I would hear noises of young boys playing outside my home. In June 2000, I told my mother that I don’t want to sit idle and want to teach these young boys for free,” Tak said.

“I taught 80-90 boys for the next four years. After free coaching, I also started a book bank at my home to help boys and girls from poor families,” says Tak. He also started a uniform and school bag bank for those who could not afford them.

Wheelchair-bound, Tak was not content and wanted to do something for the specially- abled children. He asked his friends and relatives to find out disabled children in his locality and adjoining areas. In 2006, Tak started the Zeba Apa Institute for Specially-abled children.

He also continued his studies and completed his Masters in Social Work from the University of Kashmir in 2007. “Some of the children had mental disorders and their plight was miserable. A few of them were blind and some were hearing-disabled,” Tak said. The government had sanctioned Rs 75,000 ex-gratia to him in 1999 even though he had spent lakhs on his treatment.

“I took the money which helped me to start the school in rented accommodation. I hired a few trained teachers to teach disabled children,” Tak said.

The school was meant for primary students but later it extended up to 8th standard. About 120 differently-abled students currently study in the school which has 25 staff members, including 10 trained teachers.

The teachers use a variety of methods to teach different types of disabled students. Tak also has a teacher from Kerala, who is a special educator and speech therapist. “He helps us frame syllabus for different kinds of disabled children. He also trains the teachers,” he said.

The school does not have any fixed fee system and it is for parents to decide how much they can afford. “Some parents pay normal charges, some meagre and some don’t pay at all,” Tak says. With no help from the government, the school runs on donations from the public, NGOs and civil society groups. The school now has its building. “We constructed the building with the financial support of locals and NGOs,” Tak said.

The school has a good academic record. One of the visually impaired girl students, Zakiya Manzoor, is doing her BA from Delhi University. Another visually impaired Saima Hussain is a junior artist at J&K Cultural Academy. The students have also excelled in sports. They are also being trained in extra-curricular activities. Some have participated in national- level sports competitions and won medals.

Tak says if he had a better transport facility, the school would have over 200 students. The school has purchased two buses on loan for ferrying students, but that’s not enough. There are cases where parents of children have hired accommodation near the school.

Tak hopes to expand the school to the higher secondary level so that it can cater to all disabled children of the four districts in south Kashmir. “I also plan to set up a hostel for students so that those living in far-off places can live here and avail of education facilities.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> The Sunday Standard / by Fayaz Wani / March 28th, 2021

New Assam plant species may aid anti-cancer battle

Education, Science & Technology, , , ,

Guwahati, ASSAM :

Members of this group have a secondary metabolite used in colon cancer: Expert

Researchers of western Assam’s Bodoland University have recorded a new plant species that may go a long way in fighting cancer.

The species, named Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala, has been found at 675 metres above mean sea level in central Assam’s Dima Hasao district. It has been classified under the Rubiaceae family of flowering plants, to which the plant yielding coffee belongs.

Recurvipetala means petals curved back.

The finding was published in the March 2021 issue of the Nordic Journal of Botany.

“This is a new species to plant science and may be a potential anticancer research candidate. All members of this group have a secondary metabolite called Camptothecin used in colon cancer,” Sanjib Baruah, assistant professor of Bodoland University’s Department of Botany said.

He co-authored the study with research scholars Birina Bhuyan of Bodoland University and Selim Mehmud of Guwahati’s Cotton University.

“It is now our turn to find the Camptothecin content occurring in this novel species. There is a possibility to cultivate this species as a promising medicinal plant for the northeast, but its agrotechnology is not known,” Dr. Baruah told The Hindu.

The researchers had spent a few months in the hilly areas of Jatinga and Haflong in Dima Hasao district to locate a few plants on a wooded mound. “The new species is restricted to this area where it grows in moist shady places,” he said.

Ophiorrhiza is a predominantly herbaceous genus distributed from eastern India to the West Pacific from South China to northern Australia. According to the World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, 2017, it is a notably species-rich and taxonomically complicated genus with about 318 species worldwide.

In India, 47 species and nine varieties have been recorded and among them 21 species and one variety are from the northeast.

The Ophiorrhiza recurvipetala is a perennial herb with a maximum height of 60 cm and is branched. It yields a creamy white flower.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Rahul Kamakar / Guwahati – March 19th, 2021

Aqsa sets example for aspiring football players

Education, Sports, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Valpoi Village (Sattari Taluka), GOA :

Despite all odds, an 18 year old girl from Goa has set an example for many aspiring girls who want to be a sport person. The girl is Aqsa Altaf Sayed who has been selected in the women’s football team of Goa prestigious FC Goa (football club Goa). She hails from a remote village in Goa but her steely resolve brings out her talents to the fore.

If you have the courage and that spark to achieve your goals, you can get it in any way that is a message from the success of Aqsa.  She was born in Valpoi village of Sattari Taluka (North Goa). She will play in the Goa Football Association’s “Vedanta Women’s League” starting next month.

It is worth to mention here that after commencement of High Profile ISL (Indian Super League) the FC Goa club has earned many accolades and admirers in the global football buff fraternity.

Speaking with Muslim Mirror, Aqsa says that she loved to bounce around the ball since she was a kid but her journey began from 6th grade when she used to play for her school at taluka level while getting her routine practice from the GFDC (Goa football development council).

Aqsa dreams to be part of India’s national women’s football team and to represent India at international events. She also wants to continue being into the track of her passion by picking up to be a football coach in the future. She further wants to coach and motivate little girls to play football.

Her elder brother is an inspiring personality for her who is a good soccer player of soccer.  She used to watch him while he was playing football. “My motivation was my hard work, sacrifices and my prayers”.

“ Much credit also goes to my parents and my brother without whom I would have never made this journey successful. I feel blessed to get such supportive people in my life,” Aqsa adds.

Head Master of Unity High school, Valpoi Ashraf Ali Khan said he is proud of Aqsa who brought laurels to her alma mater

I am elated to know that our ex student Aqsa Sayed has been selected to play for FC goa. In fact, she had shown great interest in sports activities during her school days besides, doing her level best in her studies, Khan said.

“I am sure that she will be an asset to the team she will play for India in the near future, we wish her all the very best”.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Sobiya Inamdar / March 15th, 2021

Zameer Pasha proved how government servant can also serve as social activist

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

Magadi / Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Bengaluru: 

Former IAS officer Syed Zameer Pasha died in Bengaluru late in the evening on Wednesday (December 2) after ailing for some time. He was 68.

He had retired as Secretary of the Department of Public Administration and Reforms (DPAR) and had simultaneously held the post of the Secretary of the Department of Minority Affairs in Government of Karnataka.

A social worker, an educational activist and of late an office-bearer in the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Pasha had unsuccessfully fought Assembly election in 2018 for the Kolar seat, 70 kms east of Bengaluru. He was one among the first batch of degree awardees in 1970 from the Bengaluru’s Al-Ameen College of Arts, Science and Commerce set up by leaders like Mumtaz Ahmed Khan, Rahman Khan and Begum Abbasiya Mecci. He later took LLB and LLM degrees and appeared for the Karnataka Civil Services examination and became a Karnataka Administrative Services (KAS) officer. He was conferred IAS ten years before retirement on the basis of seniority.

Following retirement he joined the Congress Party and was appointed one of the vice presidents of the party. He even began to practice as a lawyer.

Pasha was born in Magadi, a small town in the backyard of Metropolitan Bengaluru and was engaged in educational upliftment of the townsfolk. Being one among the early students of Al-Ameen, he was inspired by the Al-Ameen movement and Dr. Mumtaz Ahmed Khan. Soon after leaving the college he founded Al-Falah Educational Trust in Magadi town which currently runs an English medium school (Winner’s International Academy), an upper primary school (Jawahar English School); Al-Falah PU College and a theological school (Taalimaat-e-Aamma Muhammadiya). During his tenure with the government, he handed over the management of the institutions to a group of Turkish students for a few years residing in India which vastly improved its infrastructure and academic standards. Several students of the school and the town have been taken on educational trip to Turkey during the recent years.

He began to interact with the community in Kolar while he was Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Kolar district during 1999-2001 and maintained regular contact thereafter advising the activists and organizations in the town.

He was under treatment for pancreatic cancer for the last four months. He leaves behind his wife and two daughters and a son. He was laid to rest this (Thursday) morning in Shantinagar graveyard.  

Known for his sincere social work, his death will be mourned by the community in Bangalore.

M A Siraj is senior journalist based in Bengaluru. He writes for several publications in the country.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Bangalore / by M.A. Siraj / December 03rd, 2020

Prophetic Medicine Council Launched To Promote The Practice And Organize Its Practitioners

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Green Products, Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, World Opinion, , , ,

KERALA :

Kerala-based Traditional Prophetic Medicine Association Trust (TPMAT) has launched the Supreme Twibb Council in order to promote Prophetic medicine or Tibb-e-Nabawi.

The initiative aims to provide a platform to doctors and physicians involved in Prophetic medicine and will also give training to those doctors who are interested in practising Tibb-e-Nabawi.

Dr Muhammed Gafoor Saquafi, the council’s president highlighted that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recognized Prophetic medicine as one of the alternative medicine as ordered by the ruling of the Supreme Court. TPMAT had filed a petition in the Supreme Court in this regard and after winning the case they decided to initiate Tibb Council.

“Moreover the Prophetic medicines institutes have received various orders from the Central Government in this connection. Based on this and Central Act1882, the TPMAT is registered and Supreme Twibb council is formed under it.

Advice and remedy given by Prophet Muhammad on the matters of health including sickness, hygiene, and treatment are called Prophetic medicine. These remedies are given by the Prophet, which is mentioned in the books of Hadith, and the writings were undertaken by non-physician scholars to collect and explicate these traditions.

In 2014, the Prophetic medicine was recognized as a complementary medicine senate via the Alma Atta Declaration of the World Health Organization. A letter of recognition and appreciation was also provided by the World Health Organization via the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Sidha and Homeopathy (AYUSH).

Prophetic medicine was enlisted as an alternate medicine by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2017 and gains the status of independent practice. This liberty to practice prophetic medicine was given by Supreme Court itself. There are many Prophetic Medicine institutions initiated at various locations of India.

The Court managed to draft bylaws of the Council in contrast with a pending petition given by TPMAT to the Supreme Court earlier, that constitute the legal part of the Prophetic medicine.

The council will also provide memberships to the scientific scholars and traditional scholars in different categories. Moreover national memberships will also be given for the structural expansion of the training institutes in the Country with a head-quarter in the national capital, Delhi.

source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by Ghazala Ahmad / March 13th, 2021

Sahidul Alom Memorial Award 2021 for Prof. Baharul Islam of IIM Kashipur

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Guwahati, ASSAM :

The 24th annual general meeting of the Minority Welfare Society (MWS) was held with a colourful programme on Sunday in Guwahati. The events which began in the morning consisted of a host of competitions for youngsters followed by deliberations by invited speakers. Annual awards were given away in the valedictory function held in the afternoon.

MWS is made up of more than 1,500 families residing mostly in and around Guwahati whose roots are in the Barak Valley region of Assam. The Society undertakes various welfare and motivational programmes throughout the year.

The highlight of Sunday’s programme was the presentation of Annual Sahidul Alom Choudhury Memorial Award 2021to Dr KM Baharul Islam, who was born in Karimganj District of Assam, now serving as Professor & Chairperson of the Centre for Public Policy and Government at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Kashipur, Uttarakhand. He served as the Dean (Academics) during 2019-2021 at the same Institute. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland in 2020. The award consisting of a plaque, memento, and cash component of Rs 25,000 was handed over to him by Abdus Sattar Choudhury and Abdul Karim Choudhury, President and General Secretary respectively of MWS. Dr Islam donated the entire cash amount back to MWS to be used for various welfare activities undertaken by the Society.

In his acceptance speech, Dr Islam paid profound tribute to his father, late Fakhrul Islam, Principal Lala Rural College Hailakandi Assam who was also a Deputy Minister (in charge of education) in the Govt of Assam. He said, “My father taught me about plain living and high thinking because of which I have been able to reach a respectable position in life where I am placed today.” Dr Islam mentioned that he founded the PFI Foundation in memory of his late father and this foundation is now accredited by the United Nations.

The eighth edition of “Barak”, the annual publication of MWS, was released on the occasion by dignitaries present on the dais. The magazine consisting of well researched articles supplemented by rare documents and photographs was edited by Jiya-ud-Din Choudhury and designed by Abul Hussain Choudhury.

The annual report of MWS that was presented at the meeting highlighted the aggregate channelising of zakat and relief funds amounting to Rs 1.87 lakh to the deserving poor and the needy in the society. Rs 63,000 was handed over to poor patients for their medical treatment. MWS also made a donation of Rs 50,000 to “Assam Arogya Nidhi” for the Covid19 Pandemic. In addition, MWS extended loans of over Rs 3 lakh to 190 small entrepreneurs under the “Quomrul Hoque Memorial Endowment” programme supported by the ERD Foundation.

Dignitaries gave away the prizes to winners of various competitions and meritorious students at the end of the programme. The General Secretary announced that MWS will now take up the publication of the updated directory of its members for which help and cooperation was sought from all present.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Muslim Mirror, Special Correspondent / March 01st, 2021

Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar for Hafiz Karnataki

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , ,

Shikaripur (Shivamogga District), KARNATAKA :

Hafiz Karnataki of Shikaripur in Shivamogga. 

The Urdu writer was chosen for his work Fakr-E-Watan

Shikaripur-based Urdu writer Hafiz Karnataki has been chosen for Sahitya Akademi’s Bal Sahitya Puraskar of 2020. He received the award for his book Fakr-E-Watan, a work on freedom fighters of India.

Mr. Karnataki, 57, began his literary career as a poet in the 1980s and later turned towards writing for children. So far, he has brought out 94 books. He has translated many vacahanas of Basavanna and Akkamahadevi and writings of Kuvempu into Urdu.

Born into a family of teachers, he developed an interest in literature at a young age. He became a teacher at a government primary school in 1987 and worked at different places before resigning from the job in 2006.

Now he looks after his educational institution, which provides education to 3,000 girls at Shikaripura. He also worked as chairman of Karnataka Urdu Academy. A couple of students have done PhDs on his literature. Considering his contribution to the field of literature, Gulbarga University honoured him with an honorary doctorate in 2013.

After the Sahitya Akademi announced the award on Friday, he received calls from different parts of the country congratulating him. “I am getting congratulatory messages from many people. First among those called me were the scholars who did study my literature for PhD,” he told The Hindu on the phone.

Mr. Karnataki wants to hit a century by bringing out six more books soon, as he has already published 94 works. “Children of the present generation are more intelligent than me. I wish to write for them on values they have to inculcate at a young age,” he said. The award carries a cash prize of ₹50,000, besides a memento.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hassan – March 14th, 2021

Fatima Jaffar of ‘Ibn Al-Hytham Islamic School’ is the topper of CBSC 12th in Bahrain

Education, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , ,

KERALA / BAHRAIN :

Fatima Jaffar of Ibn Al-Hytham Islamic School   has secured 98 % marks in the senior secondary examinations beating all the students enrolled in CBSE-affiliated schools in Bahrain. She has scored 100% in Economics, 99% in Business Studies, 99% in Information Practices, 97% in English and 95% in Accountancy.

Fatima, who originally belongs to Kerala in India, lives with her parents and siblings in Bahrain. She dreams of writing Civil Service exam as an attempt to make the world a better place.

Ibn Al-Hytham Islamic School

“It was a dream coming true,” Fatima said. She added she has been feeling extremely honoured as she has received words of appreciation from family members, teachers and friends.

‘We are providing quality education at the minimum charges, we have separate sections for boys and girls. Apart from theology we are teaching Urdu and Qirat to our students’  said Shakil Ahmad Azmi, chairman  of Ibn Al-Hytham Islamic School .

 “It gives immense pleasure to me and all other school staff that our student has achieved such a remarkable success. We all are proud of her” he added.

 “We have given the best result while we charge lowest fees. Our school is also apt at organising extra-curriculum activities”  said  Dr. Mohammad Tayyib , the principal of  Ibn Al-Hytham.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education / by Muslim Mirror Desk / July 18th, 2020

A prodigy undefeated in spirit

Amazing Feats, Education, Science & Technology, , , , , ,

Tiruchirapalli, TAMIL NADU :

N. Mohammad Afzal with his parents and younger brother Faazil.   | Photo Credit: M. Moorthy

N. Mohammad Afzal loves computers and cars, and thanks to his prodigious memory power, he is his family’s ready reckoner on anything from bank transactions to route maps.

“Even in our lowest moments, Afzal has had the most practical and sanguine attitude about his disability, and that has kept us motivated,” says his father Ahmed Nasir, a businessman based in the city.

Diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 7, Afzal slowly lost the use of his limbs, but remained active in academic pursuits. He passed his Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) Class 10 exams (written with the help of a scribe) with a total score of 419 in 2016 under the Samacheer Syllabus.

“I was unable to fulfil my dream of studying in NITT due to my personal circumstances, but my son is doing it,” says Mr. Nasir with pride. “While he has got admission to Civil Engineering in the first phase, we hope the authorities will consider him for Computer Science.”

Afzal also has his own YouTube channel, where he showcases his love for technology and gaming. He has taught himself to operate and assemble computer equipment, and prefers no special treatment when he is at home.

“We have adapted the design of our residence in Palpannai to allow him to move around in his wheelchair without assistance,” says his mother Shahida.

He is very excited to be part of a classroom after his many years of private study. And Afzal has just one response for those who may say hurtful things about him.

“I will simply ignore them,” he says with a smile.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities> Tiruchirapalli / by Nahla Nainar / Tiruchi – July 03rd, 2019

Book on Waqf Laws making waves internationally; Routledge published it from London and New York

Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad:

The book “Muslim Endowments Waqf Law and Judicial Response in India” authored by Dr. P.S. Munawar Hussain is making waves as renowned publisher Routledge from London and New York have published its international edition in December 2020. The book has found its place in around 70 libraries of universities and colleges of different countries around the world.

The author is a Joint Registrar of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad who has expertise in waqf affairs. India boasts of more than 6 lakh waqf properties but mostly is under adverse possession or is not used to its optimum potential.

The volume covers several jurisprudential and historical aspects of Waqf, which include Doctrines of Waqf; Essential Requisites of Waqf; Valid Objects of Waqf; Historical Account of Waqf; Emergence of Waqf Law in India; and Constitutional Validity of Waqf in India. The chapters then go on to discuss the Waqf Act 1995 and Waqf Amendment Act 2013. The legal perspectives of each Section of Waqf Act and its amendments are elucidated with references under Reflections. The case-law has been analysed and cited under each Section of Waqf Act, wherever applicable.

As per the information available on Worldcat.org, the book has found its place in around 70 libraries of universities and colleges of different countries around the world including Australia, Canada, U.K., USA, Mexico, Germany, Nigeria, Malta, etc., apart from the Gulf countries in just one month of its release.

The book will be of interest to scholars and researchers of law and legal studies. It will help practitioners of Law, the managers of Waqf Institutions and officials involved in Waqf Administration.

The Foreword is written by Justice L. Narasimha Reddy, Chairman Central Administrative Tribunal and Dr. Ausaf Sayeed, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. It is priced at 120 British Pounds.

The Publisher has placed the book in Theorising Education Series, because of its innovative work from a wide range of contexts and traditions.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Featured / by Special Correspondent / February 22nd, 2021