Dr. Mirza Vaseem, Veterinarian at Bandipur National Tiger Reserve, has been selected for the prestigious ‘Gaj Gaurav’ Award for his outstanding service in wildlife conservation.
The award is presented by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Project Tiger and Elephant Division on the occasion of World Elephant Day to honour frontline workers in wildlife conservation.
“This is for the first time that an Officer from Karnataka is receiving this award which is encouraging,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF-Wildlife) Subhash K. Malkhede.
In February 2023, Dr. Mirza Vaseem had put in a lot of efforts to save the life of an elephant which was electrocuted and recognising his service, Additional PCCF Kumar Pushkar had nominated the name of Dr. Mirza Vaseem for the award.
World Elephant Day will be celebrated on Aug. 12 at Angul in Mahanadi Elephant Reserve at Odisha.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 14th, 2023
Maintaining that former Vice-Chancellor of Goa and Mangalore Universities Prof. B. Sheik Ali was a highly talented scholar and a renowned historian, Rajyotsava awardee Dr. Maher Mansur said that Prof.Ali severely opposed the partition of the country during the freedom struggle.
He was speaking after inaugurating the one-day seminar on “Prof. B. Sheik Ali Hayath Aur Khidmaath – His life and views” organised at Kaveri auditorium in KSOU premises on Hunsur road here recently.
Maintaining that Prof.Sheik Ali strongly opposed the partition of the country at the end of British rule, Dr. Mansur said that Prof.Ali was well-versed in languages such as Urdu, Kannada, Hindi and English and has 55 works to his credit.
Highlighting the contributions of the former VC to the growth and promotion of Urdu language, he said that his (Ali) work ‘British rule in Mysore Kingdom’ has documented many important happenings then. Noting that the erstwhile Mysore Maharajas had lauded the knowledge of Prof.Ali, he said that the late VC, after his return from England, scripted 12 books in Urdu.
KSOU Finance Officer Khader Pasha, in his address, said that Prof.Ali had great concerns for education of poor Muslims and established educational institutions at Ghousianagar and other parts of the city. Prof.Ali had contributed a lot for the language when he served in the Department of Urdu, University of Mysore, he added.
KSOU Dean Prof. N. Lakshmi too spoke. KSOU Vice-Chancellor Dr. Sharanappa V. Halse, Registrar Prof. K.N. Murthy, Urdu Department Dean Prof. Ramanath Naidu, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. K.B. Praveen, Dr. M.D. Nasrulla Khan, Dr. Syed Ishrath Fatima and others were present at the seminar.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / July 17th, 2023
Kodagu Model School, promoted by Sri Kavery Kodava Association – Mysuru East, Vidyashankara Layout, has secured hundred percent results in the SSLC Exams for the academic year 2022-23.
Muhammed S. Shiraazuddin has topped Kodagu Model School with 598 marks out of 625 (95.68%).
Other students are: M.P. Nivedha – 594 (95.04%); Bhavish K. Gowda – 538 (86.08%); P. Prem Sagar – 533 (85.28%); S. Lohith Raje Urs – 530 (84.8%); H.U. Thejas Gowda – 525 (84%); R. Preethika – 519 (83.04%); N. Sanjana – 508 (81.28%); S. Preetham Raj – 507 (81.12%); R. Bindu – 501 (80.16%); N.S. Nandish – 493 (78.88%); M.U. Anirudh – 488 (78.08%); D. Adithya – 478 (76.48%); H. Kiran – 462 (73.92%); S. Purushotham – 447 (71.52%); D.M. Nithish Gowda – 438 (70.08%); M. Tejas – 396 (63.36%); M. Harshavardhan – 375 (60%); P. Yadunandan – 362 (57.92%).
BVB School
The students of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) School in Vijayanagar, Mysuru, too have excelled in SSLC and the School has secured 100 percent results.
Out of the 161 students who had appeared, 124 have passed with distinction and the rest 37 in first class.
Nishhat Afza, Founder and Director of Curiocity — School of Creative Art and Design, N.R. Mohalla, Mysuru, has bagged first prize in the ornamental terrace garden and 1st prize in waterfalls for the 5th consecutive year in the Dasara Home Garden contest organised by the Horticulture Department.
An active member of Srushti Bonsai Club, she has also participated in women empowerment and other social activities. Besides, she helps people with landscaping and waterfall designing.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> Photo News / October 07th, 2022
The SSLC students of Al-Kareem School, Rajivnagar, who secured more than 500 marks in board exams, were felicitated by former MLA Vasu and ex-Mayor Pushpalatha Jagannath recently.
Others seen are ex-Corporator Suhail Baig, social worker Tousif Chandan, Founder of Al-Kareem School Alhaj Hussaini Baig, School Chairman Kaleemulla Baig and Head Mistress Yasmeen Sultana.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> PhotoNews / August 30th, 2022
“I believe deep down in my heart that the great reality of spiritual revelation given to humanity by the Prophet (blessed be His name) is an infinitely greater thing than any sectarian difference (Shia & Sunni) imposed upon it by subsequent human feeling and by lesser vision than his of the inner realities from which the external life of humanity has developed.” Mirza Ismail, a Shia Muslim by faith, who was the Prime Minister of Mysore had spoken these words at the inauguration of Jamia Mosque, a Sunni mosque, in Bengaluru on 30 May 1941.
Jamia Masjid, Bengaluru
Mirza Ismail remained one of the most important politicians in India as he held the position of Prime Minister (PM) of the second wealthiest state, Mysore, from 1926 to 1941 after which he became PM of Jaipur and Hyderabad.
A Shia by his faith whose foreparents had migrated from Iran and stayed in India, Ismail remained committed to the unity of humans. He believed that Shia and Sunni, Hindu and Muslim, or any caste difference among humans could not stop them from living together harmoniously.
Ismail inaugurated the mosque at Bangalore, which was one of the most important cities in Mysore state, as his last public ceremony in the capacity of the PM of Mysore after resigning from the post. On the occasion he noted, “I am particularly happy that this function, which is the last of my period of service as Dewan of Mysore, gave me the opportunity of expressing an ideal of my life which has been foremost in the past and will remain foremost in the future.”
What was the ideal Ismail talking about? Making a mosque or something else?
The ideal he was talking about was the unity of Shia and Sunni as one Muslim community. He told the people gathered there that the non-Muslims observing this ceremony would not think much about it. In their view a Muslim had come to lay the foundation stone of a mosque of his fellow Muslims. “But to you”, Ismail argued, “fellow-Musalmans, it is not so simple. You know that in the historical development of Islam I belong to a section of the organised expression of the Faith that for centuries has been in sharp opposition to the section to which you, who are going to build this mosque, belong.” He expressed satisfaction that Sunnis had invited him for this event. He told the people that since its very inception he had taken “the greatest possible interest” in this mosque where Sunni Muslims would pray in the manner they wanted.
Ismail went on to tell the people;
“At the centre of Islam is the teaching and practice of brotherhood. You would have been false to the truth of life if, because I am a Shia by birth, you had not invited me to this function, and I would have been equally false to the brotherhood of Islam if, because you are Sunnis, I had not accepted your invitation. Our differences are transient, even trivial, in comparison with the spiritual reality which these differences tend to obscure and weaken.”
Ismail went on to state that love and peace are the essence of Islam and Muslims should stop fighting among themselves as well as with their coreligionists in the country. The mosque is one of the most important mosques in Bengaluru today.
(Author is a neurobiologist with a keen interest in history, society and culture of India)
source: http://www.heritagetimes.in / Heritate Times / Home> Featured Posts> Heritage> Leaders / by Mahino Fatima / March 08th, 2022
42-year-old Rahmathulla passes exam in fourth attempt, says it is one of the happiest moments of his life.
Rahmathulla with his son Mohammed Faraan (Express Photo)
After 28 years and three failed attempts, 42-year-old Rahmathulla finally achieved his lifelong dream of clearing his Class X exams when the results were declared in Karnataka and he learnt that he had passed with 333 marks. What made the accomplishment sweeter was that he shared the achievement with his son Mohammed Faraan, who scored 98 per cent.
“My father always insisted that I study and pass the 10th standard…which I did not do. But now, after nearly 30 years, I have achieved this only because of my son,” said a teary-eyed Rahmathulla, crediting son Faraan for his success.
A Mysuru resident who works in a cloth merchant’s shop, Rahmathulla said that clearing his Class X exams was one of the happiest moments of his life. “I come from a poor family but despite this, my father always asked me to study and at least pass 10th standard. However, I did not pay any heed to his words and started working as our family was not in a position to afford to feed us,” he said.
After his first attempt in 1994, Rahmathulla decided to give the exams another shot in 2004. “I felt I should give it a try but I only ended up securing 82 marks. Then, last year when the state government announced that they would pass all candidates, my son forced me to appear again. I did, but again I failed as I was able to score only 316 marks,” he said.
After his first attempt in 1994, Rahmathulla decided to give the exams another shot in 2004. (Express photo)
It was then that Faraan stepped up and refused to let his father give up his dream. “I had given up and thought I would not appear for the examination again, but my son did not leave me. He said he would train me to at least pass by attending a few questions and writing less. He used to teach me after I returned home after work. I managed to secure 333 marks to pass the examination. This was really one of the biggest moments of my life,” said Rahmathulla.
Faraan, who secured 613 marks (100 marks in Mathematics, Hindi and Social Science), dreams of becoming a software engineer or scientist. “I have got admission to CPC Polytechnic College in Mysuru where I will pursue Diploma in Computer Sciences,” he said.
Speaking about Rahmathulla, Faraan said, “Today, passing 10th standard is the minimum criteria for anything. My father may have wanted to but did not get the guidance he needed. I made him enroll for the examination and when the examination neared, after his working hours, I used to teach him a bit. Along with that, I also studied. I am really happy that he was able to clear the exam.”
Asked if he now wants to pursue education, Rahmathulla said, “I am glad I completed 10th standard. Now, let my son decide.”
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Kiran Parashar, Bengaluru / May 25th, 2022
Artist Akmal Pasha of Rajivnagar and his 45-member team provide a magical touch
From skilfully made pots, carefully sculpted sandalwood miniatures to hand-woven sarees, Karnataka’s rich tradition of handicraft were on grand display at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi’s Rajpath on Jan. 26.
In fact, the Karnataka tableau stole the show with an eye-catching depiction of the land’s cultural icons. A massive Asiatic elephant sculpted out of Mysuru rosewood with ivory inlay carvings, impressive Bidriware, bronze statues and lacquerware toys from Channapatna were the highlights of the tableau which was based on the theme — ‘Karnataka: The Cradle of Traditional Handicrafts’.
The tableau also featured Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the acclaimed freedom fighter from Karnataka, who is also hailed as the ‘mother of traditional handicrafts in India’. She is seen offering ‘bagina’ that includes a sandal box, peacock shaped lamp pots, banana fibre bags from Sandur among others.
For the tableau to impress the guests and onlookers, the efforts of many artists have to be taken into account and this time, it is Akmal Pasha, a resident of Mysuru who displayed his talent in designing and giving a shape to the tableau. A resident of Rajivnagar in the city, Akmal Pasha is a retired employee of BEML.
Pasha has acquired the skills of an artist due to years of hard work. Under the guidance of Shashidhar Adapa, Art Director of Prathiroopi, Pasha has been designing tableaus for the Republic Day parades. Shashidhar Adapa was the Art Director for this year’s Karnataka tableau. A 45-member team functioned along with Akmal Pasha and the initial sketches were provided by Shashidhar Adapa that were brought to life by Pasha and team.
16 traditional handicraft products
The 45-feet long, 16-feet high and 14-feet wide tableau showcased 16 traditional handicraft products that have received the Geographical Indication tag. The coastal traditions of the State also found a place on the tableau in the form of Yakshagana models and bronze face masks used in ‘bhootha aradhane’ (devil worship).
A mammoth Mysuru elephant with rosewood inlay carvings led the tableau which also featured Ganjifa cards, Bronzeware, Kinhal toys, Kolhapuri slippers and Mysore traditional paintings. Various weaves were a part of this artistic presentation including the Navalgund Jamkhana, Gulledgud Khana, the Ilkal, Molakalmuru and Udupi sarees, Mysore Silk, along with traditional Kasuti and Sandur Lambani embroidery.
The central portion had a huge vase depicting Bidri carving and two large peacocks were placed behind. At the end of the central portion was a large installation of Hanuman depicting Kinhala artwork which was surrounded by Channapatna toys, lacquerware toys, Navalgund fabric and sandalwood carvings and terracotta articles.
From BEML to art
After completing his ITI in Hassan, Akmal Pasha got a job in KGF where he pursued his passion for art and drama. He worked backstage creating various artefacts and visual appeal objects that fit into the theme of the dramas. Later he was transferred to BEML and in 1991 he designed certain ‘Jumboo Savari’ tableaux. He did this task for 10 years and later joined Shashidhar Adapa’s team. In 2000, he visited New Delhi to prepare the Republic Day tableaux and has never looked back since then. Akmal Pasha is a constant feature in the nation’s capital when it comes to Karnataka tableaux. He has been awarded by the Karnataka Nataka Academy in 2013 and has also bagged CGK award in 2015.
Pasha has been designing Karnataka tableaux in Delhi for 13 years under the guidance of Adapa. This year, Pasha and team left Mysuru to New Delhi on Dec. 23 and worked tirelessly to make the culture tableaux a reality.
Commenting on the overall Karnataka tableau this year, Pasha said that the design will bag the best tableau award this year. Online voting is open till Jan. 31 and after that, the winner will be decided, he added.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles> Top Stories / by A Ganesh / January 30th, 2022
