Tag Archives: Indian Muslims Positive Story

Breathing life into Jharkhand

Ranchi, JHARKHAND:

With a resolute commitment to saving lives, Excise Commissioner Faiz AQ Ahmed Mumtaz embarks on a mission to bridge the gap between life and death CPR interventions, reports Mukesh Ranjan.

Mumtaz, spurred by a conversation with his wife, Dr. Hena Shadiyah, embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between life and death by ensuring timely CPR interventions.
Mumtaz, spurred by a conversation with his wife, Dr. Hena Shadiyah, embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between life and death by ensuring timely CPR interventions. (Photo | Express)

Jharkhand :

In a bold and unprecedented move, the Excise Department of Jharkhand has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at equipping individuals across various sectors with the life-saving skills of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Spearheaded by the visionary Excise Commissioner, Faiz AQ Ahmed Mumtaz, this initiative has birthed an army of over 10,000 first responders, poised to become beacons of hope in times of crisis across the state.

CPR, a vital technique employed during emergencies such as cardiac arrests or instances of respiratory distress, has long been recognition for its potential to double or even triple the chances of survival when administered promptly by trained individuals. The significance of CPR was recently underscored by a remarkable incident involving an elderly woman in Chhattisgarh, who defied death’s grip and regained consciousness upon her arrival in Bihar after a journey fraught with peril.

Mumtaz, spurred by a conversation with his wife, Dr. Hena Shadiyah, embarked on a mission to bridge the gap between life and death by ensuring timely CPR interventions. Recognizing the dire need for widespread awareness, Mumtaz initiated CPR sessions within the Excise Department, igniting a flame that spread rapidly across district offices, bars, and clubs. This initiative operates on a shoestring budget, requiring only minimal resources and a mere 1-1.5 hours per training session .

Mumtaz’s vision extends beyond mere training; he envisions a ripple effect where trained individuals become instructors, multiplying the impact of CPR expertise exponentially. Transitioning to his new role as Horticulture Director, Mumtaz is determined to ingrain CPR education into the fabric of Jharkhand’s society.

Medical professionals echo Mumtaz’s sentiment, acknowledging CPR as a fundamental aspect of health awareness. Dr. DP Singh, a general physician, commends Mumtaz’s initiative, recognising its potential to salvage countless lives lost to ignorance and apathy. Dr. Danish Ejaz, another medical expert, emphasises the critical role of CPR in augmenting survival chances during cardiac emergencies.

Testimonials from establishments like The Ruin House and Swarnrekha Bar and Restaurant in Ranchi attest to the transformative power of CPR training, empowering employees to act decisively in the face of adversity.

Sikandar Rajwar, owner of Swarnrekha Bar and Restaurant, praises Mumtaz’s efforts, affirming that his staff are now equipped to handle any cardiac emergency with aplomb.

Ripple effect

Recognizing the urgent need for widespread awareness, Mumtaz initiated CPR sessions within the Excise Department. This initiative operates on a shoestring budget, requiring only minimal resources and a mere 1-1.5 hours per training session. He envisions a ripple effect where trained individuals become instructors, multiplying the impact of CPR expertise.

source:h http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Mukesh Ranjan / March 24th, 2024

Professor Badiur Rahman – An Exemplary Personality

Hooghly / Kolkata, WEST BENGAL:

Professor Badiur Rahman, former Head of the Department of Arabic and Persian, University of Calcutta, a well-known educationist, celebrated writer, accomplished journalist, prominent Islamic scholar and a beloved teacher passed away in Kolkata on September 19, 2023.

He was scion of an illustrious and religious family of district Hooghly of West Bengal. His father Abdur Rahman was also an MBBS and associated with Tablighi Jamat.

He got his basic education at Darul Uloom Pandua, Hooghly, West Bengal. Thereafter, he did Alim in 1967 and Fazil in 1969 respectively from Madrasa Alia, Calcutta. He derived considerable benefits from a galaxy of eminent Islamic scholars over there. Especially, he achieved immense academic gains from noted Islamic scholars like Maulana Abu Mahfuz Karim Masumi and Maulana Rahatullah Azhari. After that, he did his B.A. (Hons) in 1974 and M.A. in 1976 respectively from University of Calcutta. He also did L.L.B and Ph.D therefrom.

Professor Badiur Rahman was an institution in himself. He was a familiar figure among the intellectual circles throughout India. Due to his extraordinary knowledge and being a paragon of morality, he carved a niche in the temple of fame. He had a say at the University of Calcutta. Despite being an Islamic scholar, he considerably impressed all faculty members, including VCs of University of Calcutta. Because of his profound knowledge of different languages, noble qualities and sublime norms everyone held him in high esteem.

Visiting Professor of Alia University, Kolkata, Dr. Rahman was also on the Senate and Syndicate of Calcutta University and Ph.D. Communities, Calcutta University and Alia University. He was also Ex-Chairman of PG Board of Studies in Arabic, Calcutta University, and U.G.B.O.S in Arabic, Kalyani University.

My acquaintance with Professor Badiur Rahman
I think it was during the summer of 2009 when I first met him. The meet was actually regarding my Ph.D admission at University of Calcutta. Dr. Masihur Rahman, now professor at Alia University, Kolkata introduced me to him. Since then till his last breath, I remained in touch with him. I am fortunate enough to have done my Ph.D. under his supervision and guidance. He always treated me like his brother. Whenever I met him, I gained immense inspiration from him. Despite being a celebrated scholar, he was devoid of arrogance.

As a Teacher
Professor Badiur Rahman started his teaching career as a lecturer at the University of Calcutta in 1983 and retired in 2016. Even after his retirement, he kept on teaching as a visiting faculty in the University of Calcutta and Alia University, Kolkata. He always proved himself as a selfless and dedicated teacher. He was an embodiment of all sublime qualities and virtues necessary for a good teacher. His method of teaching was unprecedented. It was his sword which he wielded so effectively that very few persons could match him. During lectures he pointed out such subtle points as students could not help without being impressed with him. He left an indelible mark in the domain of the teaching profession.

Undoubtedly, he was a beloved teacher. He was fondly described as B.R. Sir by his students. Scores of students quenched their thirst for knowledge from him. His talk was very touching. He met everyone cheerfully. His deep knowledge of comparative studies made him popular among his contemporaries. His learning was varied and profound. His personality was many-sided and balanced.

Right from the beginning, he was laborious and punctual. He was a man of transparent heart. No doubt, his extraordinary scholarship and erudition brought him wide reputation and fame. His main mission was to spread education. He left a galaxy of pupils behind him who impart education and work in various fields in and out of India. In fact, it is an everlasting tribute to him.

Dr. Badiur Rahman and Dr. Taha Husayn
Dr. Rahman was an ardent admirer of Dr. Taha Husayn. He had vast knowledge about Dr. Taha. He did not only study all his books but he digested them. He also wrote a book titled, “Essays On Dr. Taha Husayn” published by Mazhar Education and Welfare Society, Malda.

Maulana Alauddin Nadwi, Head of the Department of Arabic, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow wrote in the Preface of the said book, “To a great extent Dr. Badiur Rahman tried to introduce Dr. Taha Husayn in the Introduction to his book. The author regards Dr. Taha as a born critic. He presented Taha’s thoughts in a lucid way. To clear his viewpoints, he propounded various references from Dr. Taha’s books. Besides, he holds Taha as a moderate critic to the core.”

He had also done several research works on the first Nobel Laurate in the Arabic language Dr. Naguib Mahfouz.

Dr. Badiur Rahman and Rabindra Nath Tagore

Like Dr. Taha, Dr. Rahman was also a fan of Rabindranath Tagore. He wrote various articles and short stories on Tagore’s life and works in Arabic. And thus he introduced him in the Arabic World.

It should be noted that Dr. Rahman participated in different national and international seminars and exhibited his scholarly caliber there.

Because of his outstanding and remarkable services to the Arabic language and literature, he was conferred the President Award in 2018.

As a Writer
Dr. Rahman was a prolific writer. He wrote several books on different subjects. Some of his major publications are:

  • History of Arabic Literature (Pre-Islamic Period)
  • Textbook for B.A. Arabic (Hons.) Calcutta University
  • Textbook for B.A. General, Calcutta University
  • Essays On Dr. Taha Husayn

Besides, he had 31 research articles in Arabic, English, Urdu and Bengali published in different literary journals. He had earned distinction in Belles Letters, short stories, poetry in English, Arabic and Bengali. He had long experience of research guidance in Arabic. He had examined about 26 theses and 15 M.Phil dissertations of various universitas of India and abroad.

Truly speaking, the comprehensive knowledge and intellectual brilliance of Dr. Rahman had been acknowledged by his contemporaries.

Describing his yeomen services, Professor Mohammad Noman Khan, former Head of the Department of Arabic Delhi University stated that the passing away of Dr. Badiur Rahman was a personal loss to him. He played a leading role in spreading the Arabic language in West Bengal. He gave new impetus to the students of W.B.

Professor Sanaullah Nadwi, Head of the Department of Arabic said, “Dr. Badiur Rahman was a highly qualified person and he was an emblem of morality. Everyone who observed him very closely would testify it. He also described his outstanding contribution in the field of education.

Similarly, Professor Ashfaq Ahmad Nadwi Head of the Department of Arabic Banaras Hindu University stated that Almighty Allah bestowed upon him different qualities. His personality was a marvellous amalgamation of teacher, writer and guide par excellence. Besides, he was a righteous, God-fearing and pious personality.

Dr. Rahman’s death caused a great vacuum. His myriad contributions to promotion and propagation of the Arabic language and literature will always be remembered. He is survived by his wife.

Thousands of his admirers thronged to attend the last rite of the departed soul. He was buried at Ghobra-1 Graveyard, of Park Circus Kolkata. May Allah adorn his grave with luminosity and refulgence and grant peace to his soul. Aameen!

[The writer is Faculty Member, Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Dr. Obaidur Rahman Nadwi / Radiance News Bureau / September 24th, 2023

UP Government confers Yash Bharti award to 46 people, list includes nine Muslims

UTTAR PRADESH:

Lucknow:

Uttar Pradesh’s highest honour Yash Bharti award was given to 46 personalities on Monday. Among them, nine Muslims were conferred the award by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav in presence of Mulayam Singh Yadav. The award is given annually by Culture Department of UP government.

Yash Bharti comes with a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, citation and a shawl. The awardees are also eligible for a monthly pension of Rs 50,000 for their life.

Yash Bharti award were constituted in 1994 by the then CM Mulayam Singh Yadav but were discontinued between 2007 and 2012 by Mayawati. It has since been revived by CM Akhilesh Yadav.

1. Ustad Ghulam Mustafa Khan
Classical singing
Born- 3 march 1931, Badaun

Belong to Rampur Sahaswa Gharana in classical singing. Conferred honorary citizenship of Baltimore and Maryland in 1986. Padamshri in 1991, Sangeet Natak Academy Award in 2003, Padam Bhushan in 2006 and Rashtriya Tansen Award in 2008.

2. Professor Irfan Habib
Historian
Born-12, August 1931 in Baroda.
D.Phil from Oxford

Chairman, Indian Council of Historical Research 1987-93, 1993-96. Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in 1968-70, D.Lit from BHU (2008), Vishwa Bharti (2008), Kalyani Vishwavidyalaya (2009), North Bengal University (1990) and Ravindra Bharti University (1989). Padam Shree in 2005.

3. Dr Nahid Abedi
Sanskrit literature and philoshophy
Born—12 February 1961, Mirzapur
D. Lit from Lucknow University in 2009. Padam Shree awardee.
Several books and papers published in Sanskrit.

4. Iqbal Ahmed Siddiqui
Ghazal singer
Born—November 9, Allahabad

Performed at All India Radio and Doordarshan. Released 17 cassettes. Sang one song in film Rama O Rama.

5. Anwar Jalalpuri
Urdu poetry and writing
Born—6 July 1947

Several awards on Urdu poetry like UP Gaurav Samman, Mati Ratan Samman, Iftikhar-e-Meer Samman etc.

6. Dr Nawaz Deobandi
Poet and educationist
Born—16 July 1956, Saharanpur

Chairman, UP State Urdu Academy. Established Rafiqul Mulk Mulayam Singh Yadav Urdu IAS Study Center in Lucknow. Several awards like Kaifi Azmi award, Dushyant award, Rotary award etc.

7. Aleemullah Siddiqui
Artist
Born—10 June 1953, Lucknow

Artist using stem of wheat plant, painting on cloth etc. Acted in play Dilli Ka Akhirir Mushaira and Main Urdu Hoon.

8. Imran Khan alias Imran Pratapgarhi
Literature
Born—6 August 1987 Pratapgarh.

Internationally acclaimed poet and attended Mushairas in Oman, Bahrain, Dubai, Sharjah etc. Received Urdu Academy award in Saudi Arab, Red Cross Society Orissa’s Vishist Vidyarthi award and Sadbhavna award by Maharashtra Municipal Corporation.

9. Wazeer Ahmed Khan
Chess
Born—4 February 1947, Rampur

Participated in Chess National B competition in 1972, 1980, 1995, 1999, 2004 and 2008. UP Champion in 2004-2005. First prize in Asian Senior competition in Iran in 2015.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Arts-Culture / by TCN Staff Reporter / March 22nd, 2016

Imran Siddiqui honoured with Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2018

TELANGANA:

Mumbai:

Imran Siddiqui of the Wildlife Conservation Society – India has been honoured with the prestigious Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2018.

Imran Siddiqui has come a long way from raising and selling poultry to fund his wildlife obsession.

He is now on the Telangana State Board for Wildlife and works as an external expert for tiger monitoring in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He is also the Assistant Director for Conservation Science at WCS-India, and the co-founder of the Hyderabad Tiger Conservation Society (HyTiCoS).

As his life and work reveal, Imran has no respect for man-made boundaries, much like the wildlife he’s so obsessed with. Traversing the rugged landscapes of Kawal, Amrabad and Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserves and the Gundlabramheswaram Sanctuary, he works in tandem with state forest departments and local communities. His work covers 10,000 sq km of wilderness in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with his crew comprising over 35 field staff, 300 volunteers and hundreds of supporters.

Taking a cue from the success of WCS-India in Karnataka and extending it to the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, he leads scientific surveys on prey analysis and occupancy surveys on mammals.

He also helps in management planning, engages in snare removal drives, initiates voluntary relocation programmes for forest dwellers, facilitates capacity building workshops for the forest department and influences policy through public interest litigations, high-level committees, community engagement, strong advocacy and creating political will on wildlife.

His efforts have resulted in the speedy disbursal of compensation, besides the initiation of relocation of landless tribals who live within the two tiger reserves of Kawal and Amrabad.

Imran is also largely credited for the declaration of the Kawal Tiger Reserve (where he conducted the fieldwork for his Masters dissertation). For this he had to lobby relentlessly at the political level as well as work tirelessly on the ground to counter misinformation spread by vested interests, and finally win the support of local communities.

A tenacious man on the field and a convincing man in the boardroom, Imran Siddiqui is in no small way responsible for the revival of tigers in this vast but obscure landscape.

The Sanctuary Wildlife Service Award 2018 is a testimony of his untiring efforts to save wildlife and wild places.

source: http://www.india.wcs.org / WCS – Wildlife Conservation Society / Home>News> Current Articles>Archive / by WCS India / December 07th, 2018

Adv. Raees Ahmed, Others Honoured with Watan Ke Ratan Award 2024

NEW DELHI:

Ashfaq, Bismil wanted discrimination-free democratic country: Qamar Agha

New Delhi :

WNI Media Group organized a conference on Role of Media in Ensuring Social Unity in the memory of great freedom fighters Shaheed Ashfaqullah Khan and Ram Prasad Bismil at the Press Club of India here. A large number of dignitaries as well as renowned journalists, social workers and lawyers participated in the conference.

Senior journalists Rahul Dev, Qamar Agha, TV9 Bharatvarsh anchor Sumera Khan, India Today journalist Milan Sharma jointly honored Delhi Minority Commission Advisory Committee former member and Advocate Raees Ahmed with the ‘Watan Ke Ratan’ Award for 2024 for his social and legal services.

Qamar Agha said Ashfaq and Bismil wanted a non-partisan and democratic country. Journalist Rahul Dev said given the current situation that the disease will have to be talked about only then treatment will be possible.

Milan Sharma said hatred spread in the society will be cured through joint efforts. While, Sumera Khan termed the efforts of the Forum as a commendable step.

Advocate Raees Ahmed said that it is important to maintain our mutual brotherhood and unity strongly. We should try to remove misunderstandings and dispute, for which we need to take the help of mutual dialogue, only then society will be free from hatred.

Senior journalist Mohammad Ahmed convened the program.

Professor Farhat Basir, Dr. Zubaidur Rahman alias Babban Mian, Jamal Ahmed Alig, Firoz Ghazi, Neha Garg, Muhammad Akbar, Syed Muhammad Mujahid Hussain, Muhammad Ramish, Asad Sabri, Advocate Anwar Hussain Saifi, Mirza Anwarulhaq Baig, Hunaiza Khan, Jyoti Yadav, Dr. Syed Muhammad Asdar Ali, Shahid Ansari, Vipul, Muhammad Ali, Arshita, Asrar Ahmed, Iqrar Ahmed, Bhavana Yadav, Vakil Aslam (Supreme Court), Haji Zahoor Ataichi Wale, Nisar Ahmed, Nawab Akhtar, Shahnawaz Badar Qasmi, Dawood Bhai Shaikh, Shadab Ahmed Patrika, Aqeel Salmani, Archana Gaod and others were also honored with the Watan Ke Ratna Award- 2024.

Aslam Ahmed Advocate of Supreme Court on record extended vote of thanks.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards / by Radiance News Bureau / by Shakilur Rahman / January 15th, 2024

UP 10th Result 2020: Alisha Ansari, Arshad Iqbal, Arshima Sheikh among Top Ten

Lucknow / Kanpur, UTTAR PRADESH:

A total of 33 students from various districts of Uttar Pradesh have found their place in the Class Xth 2020 list of top ten.

Uttar Pradesh 10th Result 2020: 

Three Muslim students – Alisha Ansari, Arshad Iqbal and Arshima Sheikh, have cracked the 2020 UP Matric High School Class 10 exam 2020 and have been included in the list of Top Ten.

A total of 33 students have found their place in the 2020 list of top ten. While Alisha Ansari secured 9th rank, Arshad Iqbal and Arshima Sheikh have bagged the 10th rank in Uttar Pradesh Class 10 Merit List 2020.

Alisha Ansari Mohd Rizwan Fazli of Bal Nikunj Inter College Lucknow has got 564 marks (94%) out of the total 600 marks and jointly shared the 9th rank with five other students

Arshad Iqbal Iqbal Hussain of PT RN MHSS Shahjahanpur and Arshima Sheikh Aftab Ahmad of St Xaviers School Kanpur have got 563 marks (93.83%) and secured the 10th rank with 02 other students.

Uttar Pradesh Class 10 result was Uttar Pradesh Madhyamik Shiksha Parishad (UPMSP) Saturday at 12:30 pm by Dy CM and UP Education Minister Dinesh Sharma.

The overall pass percentage of Uttar Pradesh board Class 10 this year is 83.31 percent – an improvement by more than 3% as compared to last year. In 2019, the overall pass percentage was 80.07%.

Riya Jain Bharat Bhushan of Shri Ram SM Inter College Bagpat has topped the Uttar Pradesh board in 2020 High School or Class 10 (UPMSP Class X) exam result of which is declared today.

Ria Jain has secured 96.67 percent marks to secure the 1st position in the 2020 Merit List.

Abhimanyu Verma Ramhut Verma of Shri Sai Inter College Barabanki came 2nd with 95.83% marks and Yogesh Rajendra Pratap Singh of Sadhbhavna Inter College Barabanki came 3rd with 95.33%.

“All toppers will get laptops and cash rewards”, Dy CM Dinesh Sharma and UP Education Minister said while declaring the result.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by Ummid.com News Network / June 27th, 2023

My Dubai Rent: Indian couple swap Abu Dhabi for Jumeirah Garden City

Dubai, U.A.E:

Siddiqui Masroor Azar and his family have lived in their Dh85,000 apartment for two years.

Siddiqui Azar and wife Nikhar Khan live in a two-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Garden City with their two-year-old daughter. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
Siddiqui Azar and wife Nikhar Khan live in a two-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Garden City with their two-year-old daughter. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National

My Dubai Rent takes you inside a reader’s home to have a look at what they get for their money, how much they pay and asks them what they like and don’t like.

Two years ago tourism boss Siddiqui Masroor Azar decided to swap his Abu Dhabi apartment for Dubai life.

The Indian citizen, who works as a lead data scientist at a bank, pays Dh85,000 ($23,140) for a two-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Garden City, which he shares with his wife, Nikhar Khan, who owns a tourism company, and their two-year-old daughter.

The couple also run a YouTube channel, Indians Abroad, which they launched during the Covid-19 pandemic, that shares guides to Dubai with their followers.

They speak openly about the cost of living in the emirate, as well as the rules and regulations around visa applications.

One of their videos, in which they share a six-day itinerary for Dubai, as well as the most affordable places to eat and visit, has already garnered more than 1.2 million reviews.

Here, the 36-year-olds invited The National to take a tour of their property to show us why Dubai is the city for them.

What can you tell us about your apartment?

It’s a two-bedroom apartment that has a living room and a kitchen.

It’s around 1,500 square feet.

The building also has a rooftop pool, where we have great views of the Burj Khalifa.

Where did you live before?

This is our fourth apartment since we moved to the UAE in 2016.

Our first apartment was in the Al Nahda area in Dubai.

Then we moved to Abu Dhabi for work and rented an apartment in Al Nahyan.

Two years ago, we returned to Dubai.

Why did you choose this district?

We came back to Dubai because my office moved from Abu Dhabi to Dubai.

The best thing about Jumeirah Garden City is that I don’t get stuck in traffic.

My office is in Jaddaf, so it’s only a 10-minute drive from our apartment.

What kind of facilities do you have around you?
We are in the middle of everything.

It takes us around 10 minutes to reach several places including the Dubai Mall, Old Dubai where they have all the restaurants we love, and La Mer Beach.

The Museum of the Future is also two minutes away.

The best thing about Jumeirah is that during winter time we can take our two-year-old daughter to Satwa Park, and it’s about a 10-minute walk.

We also have a pharmacy and supermarket nearby.

The couple brought their blue sofa to Dubai from their Abu Dhabi apartment. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The couple brought their blue sofa to Dubai from their Abu Dhabi apartment. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Is it a sociable neighbourhood?
It’s a bit difficult to make friends since we live in a city and everyone is busy with their own lives.

We do have a few friends but it’s hard to catch up. If you have time, you can make friends.

How have you made your house a home and personalised it?
Before furnishing our apartment, we watched a lot of YouTube videos and explored many websites to find what suited us best.

We brought our blue sofa from our previous apartment as we love how bright and joyful it looks.

We also bought a wooden dining table, as well as plants to put in the living room as it adds a sense of cosiness to the apartment.

Any features you would change?
The view from our balcony could have been better. Unfortunately it’s obstructed by surrounding buildings.

Do you think living here delivers good value for money?
The rent is high everywhere in Dubai.

Location-wise it’s great because it’s close to all the places that we like to visit, so it makes it worth it.

If you compare our apartment to others that are older, you’ll understand that it’s completely reasonable for its price.

Do you plan to stay in the property?

We’ve been paying rent for years and we wanted to have our own apartment.

So last year we bought a two-bedroom apartment in Jumeirah Village Circle and we will be moving next year.

It took us around three years to save to buy the property but we’re excited.

source: http://www.thenationalnews.com / Th National / Home> Living in the UAE / by Eiman Alblooshi / October 08th, 2023

Meet Hyderabad photographer who can ‘read messages from clouds’

Hyderabad, TELANGANA:

Younus believes that clouds have strong messages related to nature, possible dangers, future developments, and love

'Messages from Clouds' captured by Hyderabad boy
Kohinoor diamond shaped cloud captured between minarets of Charminar

Clouds carry divine messages for humanity, believes Younus, a 27-year-old, photographer from Hyderabad who spends most of his time clicking the clouds in the sky and deciphering the messages therein.

Describing himself as a passionate nature lover, Younus has so far captured over 8,000 images of clouds, which hint at awareness messages related to nature, possible dangers, future developments, and love.

Coexistence

One such picture, he feels, narrates a tale of peaceful coexistence between humans and nature. When skygazers look at the picture, they immediately fall in love with it.

Fauna Fantasia: Peaceful coexistence between humans and nature

Mother bird and chick

Another image of clouds featuring a mother bird feeding her chick calls for the protection of birds and their safety. These birds, he said, largely contribute to the stability of the environment.

Mother bird and a chick

“Affection between a mother and child is displayed by clouds, giving a message to the world that nature must be protected the same way like mother protects a child,” said the photographer Younus.

Mother and child shaped among clouds

Kohinoor on Charminar

His another click, Kohinoor diamond-shaped cloud between the minarets of the historic Charminar, makes citizens recall the priced jewel that no longer belongs to Hyderabad. Today, it is a part of the crown jewels on display at the Tower of London.

Cloud in shape of Kohinoor Diamond

Global warming

A spaceship-like cloud reminds us of the existence of aliens in the universe

His another picture, shows an ape and a dragon formed by the clouds. “The flames coming out of the dragon’s mouth are relevant to the rising global warming,” lamented Younus.

Clouds shaping an ape and a howling dragon

“Crab and Bear are looking over the humans and motivating them to succeed,” explained the photographer.

Clouds in the shape of Crab and Bear

“Pterosaur, an extinct species of flying Dinosaur was captured above the fort of Bhongir, said Younus, adding that the sun, mountains and trees are permanent. However, many animals have become extinct and new animals have evolved.

“It reminds us that someday, the human race is also going to be extinct,” said Younus.

Huge cloud shaping the extinct pterosaurs, captured above the Bhongir fort
Clods depicting a lion, cat and a crocodile in discussion

Telangana shaped cloud

27-year-old Younus Farhaan started capturing cloud pictures in 2008. His hobby soon turned into a passion in 2013, when he captured a cloud in the shape of a Telangana geographic map. The state was formed the next year.

World cup victory

In 2011, he captured a cloud that formed the shape of the coveted Cricket World Cup trophy. Soon after, India won its second World Cup under the captainship of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Since then, cloud pictures by Younus have been displayed at multiple locations, within and outside Telangana.

Clouds call out for ‘protection of nature’

Younus believes that clouds have strong messages for humans. People must take time from their busy schedule and glance at nature for a few minutes.

Recently, his cloud pictures were displayed to 500 girl students at Safdaria Girls High School in the city.

The motive behind the exhibition was to link the students with nature. “Though the girls were aware that clouds make shapes, they were surprised to find out the messages they wave,” said the delighted photographer.

“Nature keeps evolving and keen observation can reveal the messages hidden in the clouds related to the changing environmental trends,” said Younus.

“People must be made aware that protecting nature is the duty of every human,” he said.

A few of his photos are currently on display at the cloud exhibition at Ravindra Bahrati. ‘Fauna Fantasia’, the exhibition was inaugurated on October 4.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Masrath Fatima / October 12th, 2023

The Awe-Inspiring Wildlife Drawings of Shaikh Zain ud-Din

Patna, BIHAR (BRITISH INDIA) :

An 18th-century album of India’s flora and fauna showcases the startling work of an overlooked master.

Bird
Shaikh Zain ud-Din’s Brahminy Starling with Two Antheraea Moths, Caterpillar, and Cocoon on an Indian Jujube Tree was originally part of an album commissioned by his British patrons. © Minneapolis Institute of Art

In the late 1770s, a British colonial official named Sir Elijah Impey and his wife, Lady Mary, commissioned the Indian artist Shaikh Zain ud-Din to catalog a private menagerie, including various bird species, the couple had assembled at their home in Calcutta. Using paper and watercolors from England, Zain ud-Din, a Muslim from the city of Patna, modeled his work after English botanical illustration, but he also brought to the job his training in the ornate Mughal artistic tradition—and his own distinctive style. Today critics praise the quality of the colors and the composition, in which a bright, simple background offsets the keenly wrought details of plants and animals. “Everything is incredibly precise and beautifully observant,” says Xavier Bray, director of London’s Wallace Collection, which this month mounts the first UK exhibition of works by Indian artists commissioned by officers of the British East India Company.

The expat aristocrats who patronized Zain ud-Din and his fellow artists had been sent abroad to help manage their country’s growing empire, but once there many, like the Impeys, fell in love with the subcontinent, as well as its flora and fauna. “These paintings,” Bray says, “were made into albums to be leafed through back home, on a rainy day, drinking Earl Grey tea.”

History failed to record much about Zain ud-Din’s life beyond his watercolors for the Impeys. But the new show, which includes 99 paintings of nature studies, portraits and landscapes by 18 artists, makes an argument that he and his contemporaries should be recognized on their own merits, as some of India’s greatest painters. “Anything with a colonial air about it is now considered politically incorrect,” Bray says. “But what we’re trying to do is bring back these extraordinary artists who have been almost completely forgotten.”

Bat
A Great Indian Fruit Bat, or Flying Fox (pteropus giganteus), by Bhawani Das, Calcutta, c. 1778-1782. Courtesy Private Collection
2nd bird - Indian Roller
Indian Roller on Sandalwood Branch, by Shaikh Zain ud-Din, Impey Album, Calcutta, 1780. © Minneapolis Institute of Art
Stork
Asian Openbill Stork in a Landscape, by unknown artist, Lucknow, c. 1780. Courtesy Private Collection (Photo: Margaret Nimkin)
arum
Arum tortuosum (now Arisaema tortuosum, family Araceae), by Vishnupersaud, c. 1821. © The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

source: http://www.smithsonianmag.com / Smithsonian Magazine / Home> Arts & Culture / by Amy Crawford, Contributing Writer / December 2019

JNU Sociologist Imtiaz Ahmad Passes Away

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI:

Ahmad’s book, Caste and Social Stratification Among Muslims in India, is celebrated as pioneering work in the field. 

Imtiaz Ahmad (1940-2023). Photo: Twitter/@syedurahman

New Delhi: 

Imtiaz Ahmad, renowned scholar who taught political sociology at the Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, has died. He was 83.

Ahmad’s book, Caste and Social Stratification Among Muslims in India, is celebrated as pioneering work in the field.

Ahmad got his BA and MA degrees from the Lucknow University in 1958 and 1960 respectively. He started as a senior research analyst at the Institute of Economic Growth at the Delhi University in 1964 and two years later, became a lecturer in sociology in the same university.


After three years as visiting professor of anthropology at the University of Missouri in the US, Ahmad joined JNU as associate professor in political sociology in 1972. He became a professor in the department in 1983 and taught there for three decades.

Among his numerous publications are those which throw light on Muslim empowerment, minority rights, the role of education among Muslims, how Islamic ideologies mesh with social realities, how Muslim women are studied in India and communalism.

Ahmad also wrote critically on the Gujarat riots of 2002 in particular and communal politics in general. His work has been lauded as having shed light on the composite culture of India.

source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Education> Society / by The Wire Staff / June 19th, 2023