Urdu writer and Calligraphy expert M.A. Momin died in Hubballi on Sunday due to COVID-19 related complications. He was 72.
He frequently organised Urdu learning training courses for non-native Urdu speakers. He also conducted calligraphy training sessions for school and college students. He was an active member of Idara Farogh-e-Urdu Hubli, a literary organisation.
Momin was famous for his Nizamat or anchoring Urdu Shayari sessions across North Karnataka districts. He was a recipient of Karnataka Urdu Academy award.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – June 27th, 2021
Birur town (Kadur taluk-Chikkamagaluru District), KARNATAKA :
It became an abiding interest while studying Kannada at the pre-university level at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial College.
Shivamogga :
To D Ismail, the mastigallu (masti stone) is a fascinating storyteller. It talks about the history and the people as he peers into the inscrutable inscriptions whether it is in Modi lipi or Halegannada (ancient Kannada).
The epigraphist from Birur town in Chikkamagaluru district took a fancy to the knowledge hidden in stones, and is one among a small number of people who can understand ‘Modi lipi’, a cursive script used to write several languages, including Kannada. It is just like English running hand, he says. It became an abiding interest while studying Kannada at the pre-university level at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial College.
Ismail (63) says Modi lipi is a kind of early Kannada writing found from the times of Ashoka to the 18th century, which was used to record events and facts about emperors and their empires. In English, it is termed ‘cacography’, which according to the Kannada dictionary, means ‘illegible handwriting’, seen mostly in ancient stone inscriptions called mastigallu and veeragallu (hero stone).
Ismail is studying stone inscriptions to analyse their contents for anything related to astronomy and is compiling a research paper on the subject ‘Astronomy in Inscriptions’. Other issues that he is studying include natural calamities, music and life events, recorded in inscriptions to understand the culture of people going back to the Cholas, Gangas, Rashtrakutas and others who ruled South India.
The curiosity that drew him to these stones soon became his passion. “I studied various books related to Modi script, and under the guidance of epigraphist Shambhu Lingappa, I visited ancient sites in and around Birur, Kadur and Chikkamagaluru with him. I learned to read inscriptions in Modi script and also in Halegannada. I started reading books written by famous epigraphists like M M Kalburgi, Chidanandamurthy, A V Narasimhamurthy and others.”
Though Ismail could not pursue his education after pre-university, he never missed an opportunity to upgrade his Halegannada-related knowledge. Today, he is a well-known epigraphist who offers guidance to students of Kannada literature researching inscriptions and Halegannada in various universities. He has a rare collection of more than 5,000 books related to epigraphy, Halegannada, mastigallu and veeragallu.
He has written a book titled ‘Madhya Karnatakadalli Beeradevaru’ (still a manuscript) about Beeradevaru, a deity worshipped by the Kuruba community. The book throws light on the community, where they came from, and how they settled in Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru and Chitradurga districts. He has travelled the length and breadth of these districts to collect information and did a field survey for more than two years.
He suggests that people interested in inscriptions read the book ‘Kannada Lipiya Ugama Mathu Vikasa’ by A V Narasimhamurthy, and ‘Lipi, Lipikara, Lipi Vyavasaya’ by Shettar, for those who want to learn Halegannada.
Ismail is one of the four sons of E M Dastagir Saab and Razia Begum of Birur, who have had a grocery business at M G Circle in Birur town for many decades. Even today, Ismail is the one who opens the grocery shop in the morning and takes care of the business.
He has a rare collection of more than 5,000 books related to epigraphy, Halegannada, mastigallu and veeragallu.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Ramachandra V Gunari / Express News Service / June 27th, 2021
Former Karnataka Minority Welfare Haj & Wakf minister and ex-BJP leader Prof Mumtaz Ali Khan passed away at his residence in Bengaluru in the early hours on Monday due to illnesses associated with old age. He was 94 years of age.
Khan, a sociology professor, who had taught at the University of Agricultural Sciences here, had contested the assembly election on a BJP ticket, from Bengaluru’s Jayamahal constituency in 2004. Though he lost the election, he was made the Minister for Minority Affairs, Haj, and Wakf by chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.
After Yeddyurappa quit BJP to form his short-lived Karnataka Janata Party (KJP), Khan joined the new front, only to quit it and join back the saffron party.
In 2013, when BJP announced the then Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi as its Prime Ministerial candidate, Mumtaz Ali Khan joined the Congress party saying he was saddened by his party’s decision.
A self-avowed RSS admirer, Khan was the author of the book ‘Naa Kanda RSS’ (RSS which I have seen) in which he praised the leaders of the extremist outfit as nation builders and blamed the Congress party for allegedly misguiding Muslims towards it.
Under his tenure as the minority affairs minister, the government launched several schemes to provide financial assistance to minority students pursuing UPSC exams and provided overseas scholarships.
Khan and his family were running a free-school for the last three decades from his pension money and personal sources in memory of his late son.
Prof. Mumtaz Ali Khan is survived by his wife, one son, one daughter.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / June 07th, 2021
A doting father and husband, a selfless community worker, our dear friend, and a beautiful human being,” is how one message circulating on social media remembers Tippu Adam Khan, a 42-year-old man who volunteered to help many people in different ways during this pandemic. He succumbed to COVID-19 on Friday. Tippu, a former Vice President at J.P. Morgan played an immense role as a community worker leaving a lasting impact on his family, friends, and even on people who had never met him.
Tippu, along with his friends, had set up ‘Oxygen Helpline‘, a volunteer network to help procure and supply oxygen cylinders for free to people in need across the city.
Humer Khan, who started ‘Oxygen Helpline’ with Tippu Adam Khan says they started the service after he saw the crippling health situation in the city and people dying due to shortage of oxygen supply.
The group has helped more than 500 people across the city so far to procure oxygen cylinders, besides educating people and rendering other assistance to patients.
“Tippu bhai was an inspiration to work with. He worked day and night to help people get oxygen cylinders. He had no fixed timings. You could find him on a call with volunteers at 3 in the night trying to procure cylinders. I have not seen another person like him,” he said.
Mohammed Kaif, co-founder of the NGO Small Appeal, and a friend of Tippu says, he was a relentless and an altruistic individual. Days before he was tested positive for COVID, Tippu had arranged for 9000 masks and dispatched them to Lakshadweep. “When he got to know that there was a rise in Covid cases in the islands, and there was a lack of essential medical supply. He jumped right into it and formed a team to procure medical supplies. He got in touch with people in each island in Lakshadweep to try to understand the needs of people there”.
But friends and associates of Tippu say his work goes beyond providing relief during the pandemic.
Abdullah Raj, a revert and a friend describes Tippu as a genuinely loving person, who was passionate about spreading the message of Islam to the world. “He would talk endlessly about Islam to people trying to clear their misconceptions about the faith”.
Raj said Tippu even left his job as a vice president at J.P. Morgan because it wasn’t complying with Islam, which prohibits interest-based banking. “He was committed to Islam, even at the cost of personal loss,” he said.
In an online condolence meet that was organized in Tippu’s memory on Friday by his friend Imtiaz Chowdhry, more than a hundred people gathered to share their memories of him. One friend Aslam, shared an incident of how Tippu had arranged for monthly groceries for a few widows when he heard that they had no one to support them. Aslam said the families wept when they heard of Tippu’s passing away.
From his children’s school teachers to colleagues, there were tens of people who shared their stories of how Tippu had touched their lives and had helped people. One friend mentioned that he was the grandson of Muslim Vellori (Mohammed Abdul Wahid Khan), a freedom fighter, and a prominent social activist of his time, who took part in many anti-colonial struggles and was jailed several times.
The meeting that was started at 11 pm went on till 2 am. His friends said they had to organize another online meeting the next day to accommodate those who couldn’t attend due to Zoom’s participant limitations.
Tippu was admitted to the city’s Shifa Hospital on June 8th, his brother Tippu Ahmed Khan said. But within days, his condition started worsening and his oxygen level started fluctuating. But even in the hospital bed, Tippu did not stop going out of his to help people in need.
“He was texting and calling people to arrange for oxygen cylinders for other patients when his own health was fast deteriorating,” his brother said.
He was put on ventilator on Friday and he passed away in the evening.
Ameen-E-Mudassar, a Covid warrior who started the Covid Helpline Bangalore website said, in his last message to him, Tippu said that he wanted to start a school, as he had seen many people unable to afford school fees during the pandemic.
“If I come back alive, I want you to work with me on a plan for a school,” he had messaged Ameen. He never came back.
For Tippu’s friends, his silent efforts to help people, without letting anyone know about it is an inspiration they say they would carry forward for the rest of their lives. In the online condolence meeting, one constant statement everyone made about him was how despite knowing him for years there were facets of his life they were not aware of. He had touched the lives of many people in so many ways.
His friends are now planning to bring up a biography of Tippu, highlighting his life and contributions. “It will serve as an inspiration to friends and family and it will serve as a memory to his young children on what a selfless and beautiful man their father was,” said Ameen.
Tippu is survived by his wife and three children.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by Shaik Zakeer Hussain / June 20th, 2021
BJP leader and chairman of Karnataka Minorities Development Corporation Mukhtar Pathan’s son Imran Khan Pathan died in Belagavi on June 13.
He had recovered from COVID -19, but suffered from other complications, family sources said.
He was 27. He was the son in law of senior journalist Saleem Dharwadkar.
Imran Khan Pathan, an IT engineer, had returned to Belagavi a few months after his company allowed him to work from home. He had contracted the virus two weeks ago. He was admitted to a private hospital since then.
“He had recovered from COVID-19, but developed other complications. Efforts of doctors did not succeed in saving him,” family sources said.
The final rites were held in the Idgah burial ground on June 13.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – June 13th, 2021
Working for the last 13 years with BCC, Samsher has been picking up dead bodies of several persons and taking them to the graveyard till date for performing their last rites.
Nisar Ahmed Abdulgani Samsher
Belagavi :
Dedicated to his work, Nisar Ahmed Abdulgani Samsher, a driver of hearse van belonging to Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) has proved himself to be an outstanding Covid warrior by performing his work beyond his duties which can only be said for ‘humanity’.
Working for the last 13 years with BCC, Samsher has been picking up dead bodies of several persons and taking them to the graveyard till date for performing their last rites. But after the Covid – 19 pandemic commenced, his profession was a big challenge for him, which he accepted heartily.
Speaking to ‘The New Indian Express’, Samsher said that on an average he used to pick as many as 40 to 50 dead bodies per month located within BCC limits. But, he said that during Covid pandemic, he has been picking up more than 70 to 80 dead bodies per month. And many of them have died due to Covid, he said.The most tragic thing that comes after Covid is the question in the minds of relatives of the deceased which asks – ‘Who will perform the last rites of the Covid positive patient?’, said Samsher.
He said that he has seen several people refusing to receive the dead body of their relative because that deceased has died due to Covid. Following the same Samsher started taking the responsibility to perform the last rites of those persons who have died due to Covid as his or her relatives are denying to perform the last rites due to the same. Several people have paid him the required amount to perform the last rites of the deceased, who has died due to Covid which amounts about Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000 per body.
He has even collected the ashes of the cremated dead body from the graveyard and handed it over to the relatives of the deceased at their door steps on their request. Recalling an incident, Samsher said that an old woman died to Covid recently and she had no relative in Belagavi to perform her last rites. He said that there were two sons of the deceased who had died a couple of years ago and her only daughter was residing at Goa.
“The daughter of the deceased called me on my mobile phone and requested to perform the last rites of her mother. Following the same I performed the last rites of the old woman and managed to send the ashes packed in a box to her daughter at her Goa address. The expenses for performing the mentioned last rites was donated by a social worker,” he said. Samsher is working from 6 am to 8 pm per day and during the ongoing Covid pandemic he has been working in a very hectic schedule.
Due to the same, most of his senior officials attached to BCC have appreciated him and several organizations have felicitated him. When speaking to TNIE, Samsher was carrying three orphan dead bodies to the Sadashiv Nagar graveyard and all of them had died due to Covid. Samsher said that he feels happy to help people and the profession into which he is, is the best way to help them. ‘And for whatever good I do, there is a god to bless me, which is more than what earning matters to me,’ he concluded.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Tushar A Majukar / Express News Service / June 13th, 2021
Ishak Thumbe, who oversaw the entire operation, said the ambulance driver did not face any problems
KARNATAKA :
Aneef had left AJ Hospital at 10.40 am with the infant and the parents, who hail from Pavoor on the city’s outskirts, and reached their destination at 3.15 pm. Credit: Special Arrangement
In a bid to save the life of a 22-day-old, KMCC ambulance driver Aneef, yet again, covered over 350 km in over four hours and 30 minutes to reach Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in the Electronic City in Bengaluru.
Aneef had left AJ Hospital at 10.40 am with the infant and the parents, who hail from Pavoor on the city’s outskirts, and reached their destination at 3.15 pm.
Despite the lockdown, volunteers from SKSF, Dakshina Kannada district, MNG Foundation had positioned themselves at places vulnerable to accidents along the stretch and ensured that the ambulance reached the hospital within the golden hour.
Ishak Thumbe, who oversaw the entire operation, said the ambulance driver did not face any problems and was able to reach the hospital at 3.15 pm.
Aneef had in the past driven the ambulance in a similar way to admit babies at hospitals in Bengaluru on time.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State> Mangaluru / by Harsha, Mangaluru / June 11th, 2021
Prestigious American College of Cardiology, medical organization of America conferred an FACC degree on Dr Abdul Razak U K, cardiologist of Manipal Kasturba Hospital considering his valuable medical service.
Razak hails from Majoor, Kaup taluk, Udupi and is the son of Haji Bavu Beary and Nabisabi. He is the son-in-law of well-known social worker Haji K Aboobacker and resides in Udupi at present.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daiji World.com / Home> Mumbai / by Rons Bantwal, Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai (EP) / June 11th, 2021
In 1984, Dr Ismail started his first polyclinic in Karama, which soon became a familiar name for patients from South Asian communities in Dubai.
UAE resident Dr Ismail Kazia and his family are among the latest recipients of the coveted Golden Visa, thanks to his service in the field of medicine.
Hailing from Bhatkal, a coastal town in the state of Karnataka, India, Dr Ismail came to Dubai in 1982, at a time when only a few localities existed, together with a few hospitals and clinics. Karama has been his home ever since.
The doctor took up a post at an American clinic — but though he was “offered a good salary compared to other hospitals”, he said he soon realised there was a specific need for a clinic in Karama.
In 1984, he started the Dr Ismail Polyclinic in Karama, which soon became a familiar name for patients from the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Nepali community in Dubai.
“We are very blessed and thankful for the Golden Visa, which is valid till May 2031,” he said, adding, “A few doctors in my hospital have also been granted the visa for their service during the pandemic.”
Dr Ismail has four sons, all of whom have followed him into the medical profession to become doctors themselves.
The eldest, Dr Mohammed Dawood Kazia, holds a Doctorate of Medicine (DM) in Gastroenterology, while his second son, Dr Mohammed Nooh Kazia, works as an endodontist at their polyclinic in Karama.
The third son, Dr Sheesh Kazia, is presently working at Kanachur Medical College in Mangalore, Karnataka — while his younger brother, Dr Mohammed Yusha Kazia, completed his MBBS recently.
Dr Ismail also has a son-in-law, Dr Anas Mohtesham, who works at the Royal Wing of Rashid Hospital.
The oldest, Dr Dawood Kazia, said: “It’s a blessing to work here in Dubai. My brothers, who are presently in India, have also been granted Golden Visas by the authorities. My younger brother Dr Sheesh will also join us in the coming days. We thank the authorities for recognising the efforts of doctors.”
Dr Ismail now has a day surgical centre in Karama along with six polyclinics at various locations in Dubai. He also has clinics at labour camps in Al Quoz, Jebel Ali and Sonapur, which are dedicated to the treatment of labourers at minimal charges.
He has reportedly offered his services to people of over 80 nationalities, something he considers a bit of a personal achievement, given that there are over 200 nationalities residing in Dubai.
ayaz@khaleejtimes.com
source: http://www.khaleejtimes.com / Khaleej Times / Home> News / by SM Ayaz Zakir, Dubai / June 06th, 2021
As many as six graduates have volunteered to work with the MHV, attending calls and assisting the needy.
Vijayapura (Bijapur), KARNATAKA :
For representational purposes
Vijayapura :
A 33-year-old techie from Vijayapura has set up a 24X7 helpline to assist Covid-19 patients in finding beds, oxygen cylinders and medicines. Zahoor Kazi, who works as a software engineer at a private firm in Bengaluru, started ‘Mercy Helpline Vijayapura’ (MHV) on May 14 in collaboration with doctors, activists and other software engineers.
As many as 10 doctors, settled abroad (the USA, the UK and the Middle East) and in the state, have agreed to provide free tele-consultation to the patients, mainly for those in home isolation.As many as six graduates have volunteered to work with the MHV, attending calls and assisting the needy. The team has set up a helpline number — 7848025025.
The MHV works round-the-clock and, on an average, receives 30 calls each day from Vijayapura, Bagalkot and Belagavi. It also collaborates with at least five NGOs that help people by supporting them financially in paying hospital bills, supplying grocery kits, cremating unclaimed bodies of Covid victims and other help related to Covid and black fungus.
Speaking to TNIE, Zahroor Kazi, said, “Our main objective is to help the needy in such tough times. We are working in coordination with district officials. We are also creating awareness on Covid-19.” The MHV has so far helped at least 15 patients in getting oxygen beds and about 10 people in getting ventilators. Also, 10 patients have availed the free tele-consultation services.
“Most people who call us are from urban areas. We want to reach out to those in villages too as they have limited knowledge of the disease. Now, frequency of calls to MHV has reduced owing to a dip in cases,” Kazi added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Mahesh M Goudar / Express News Service / May 29th, 2021
