Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group and Patron of Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF), has been conferred the distinguished “Global Visionary NRI Award” by Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF) – UAE. The award was presented by Naseer Ahmed, Member of the Legislative Council and Political Secretary to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, India, during a grand event held at Thumbay Medicity, Ajman.
The “Global Visionary NRI Award” is a recognition of Dr. Moideen’s unparalleled contributions to global healthcare, education, and innovation. A celebrated entrepreneur and philanthropist, Dr. Moideen has successfully transformed Thumbay Group into a global brand, driving growth through innovation and serving as a beacon of inspiration for Non-Resident Indians worldwide, a press statement from Thumbay Group added.
Speaking at the ceremony, Naseer Ahmed commended Dr. Moideen’s visionary leadership and his efforts in building Thumbay Medicity as a hub of excellence in healthcare, education, and research. The event also featured a visit by Naseesr Ahmed to Thumbay Medicity, where he witnessed the state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge advancements that have placed it on the global map.
Dr. Thumbay Moideen, upon receiving the award, expressed his gratitude to Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF) for this recognition and reaffirmed his commitment to fostering innovation, global citizenship, and community welfare.
“This award is a testament to our collective efforts in making a positive impact globally. I dedicate this honor to my incredible team, whose unwavering dedication has been the cornerstone of our success,” said Dr. Moideen during his acceptance speech.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Press Release / January 20th, 2025
Mir was among 139 Padma awardees announced on Saturday, making him one of only two Padma Shri awardees from Jammu and Kashmir this year
Farooq Ahmad Mir’s 60 years of artistry earn Padma Shri
Srinagar :
In a heartfelt tribute to the art of craftsmanship, Farooq Ahmad Mir, a master shawl weaver from Srinagar, was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award on January 25. At 73 years old, Mir embodies the spirit of dedication, having devoted over six decades to a craft that intertwines patience with artistry.
Mir was among 139 Padma awardees announced on Saturday, making him one of only two Padma Shri awardees from Jammu and Kashmir this year.
Starting his journey at the tender age of 10, Mir’s story resonates through generations. “Pashmina artisans require patience, much like education. It teaches us about the intricate nuances of our craft,” he reflects, drawing parallels between learning and weaving. Hailing from a lineage of artisans, Mir has not only preserved but revitalised the Kani shawl tradition, once favored by Mughal, Afghan, Sikh, and Dogra rulers.
Mir’s influence extends beyond his family; he has painstakingly taught the art of Kani shawl weaving to over many individuals in Srinagar’s old city.
“In a world where modern careers are alluring, many aspiring artisans are deterred by societal perceptions and a lack of patience for traditional craft,” he notes. Yet, Mir’s commitment to his heritage has inspired not only his children, skilled weavers in their own right, but countless young men and women in his community.
“Your work should speak for itself,” Mir shares humbly when asked about his relative anonymity in a world that often celebrates flashy accolades over dedication. His contributions, however, haven’t gone unnoticed. He has received multiple national and state awards, including recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.
The exquisite Kani shawls, woven using cane needles rather than shuttles, can take between four to eighteen months to create. However, the beauty of this art form is in jeopardy. As younger generations lean towards more modern occupations, the skills required to produce these heirlooms risk fading away. Mir’s tireless efforts aim to ensure this heritage is not lost.
Born into a weaver’s family in Srinagar, Mir’s start was modest. Despite barriers to formal education, he channeled his passion into honing his skills, becoming one of the finest artisans in Kashmir. Alongside his successful weaving career, he managed to educate his siblings and inspire a new wave of artisans dedicated to preserving Kani shawl weaving.
In an age driven by industrialisation, the importance of handmade products is gaining renewed appreciation globally. Mir stands as a pioneer in safeguarding this cultural legacy, instilling pride in his craft and ensuring its continuation across generations. His handcrafted Kani shawls have not only found a place in the hearts of locals but also captured the attention of international clientele, including the Ambani family and major corporations like Tata and Aditya Birla Group.
Farooq Ahmad Mir’s journey exemplifies resilience and dedication. As an unsung hero of the Kani shawl tradition, he reminds us that true artistry thrives in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to emerge into the light.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Mussarat Islam in a tweet on social media extended heartfelt congratulations to Farooq Ahmad Mir on being awarded #PadmaShri 2025 for his significant contributions to Kani Shawl weaving and the preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage.
source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir / Home> Business / by Mukeet Akmali (headline edited) / January 26th, 2025
The success story of a villager in Bihar reflects the transformative power of education. secured a prestigious position at Google with an impressive annual package of ₹39 lakh
Jalwara, BIHAR :
Zoriz Ahmed, a bright student from Rahmani30 educational movement started in Bihar state’s capital city of Patna, has recently achieved a remarkable milestone. After completing his engineering degree at IIT Delhi, Zoriz secured a prestigious position at Google with an impressive annual package of ₹39 lakh. His journey, marked by perseverance and dedication, has become a beacon of hope for others.
Hailing from Jalwara, a small village in Darbhanga, Zoriz’s path to success was anything but easy. The QT assembly constituency, where his village is located, has historically struggled with low educational attainment. Despite these challenges, Zoriz’s parents, Shakeel Ahmed and his wife, a homemaker, prioritised their son’s education. Shakeel rented a room in Darbhanga to ensure Zoriz had better schooling.
Zoriz’s aptitude for mathematics and problem-solving became apparent early on, and in 2019, he was selected for Rahmani30, the institution focused on preparing underprivileged students for the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (JEE).
At Rahmani30, Zoriz found the environment that would shape his future. “The teachers at Rahmani30 were exceptional, but what truly set it apart was the combination of a disciplined, religious atmosphere and a laser-sharp focus on academic excellence,” Zoriz shared. The institution’s rigorous training, combined with its focus on values, helped Zoriz hone both his technical skills and personal growth, ultimately leading him to IIT Delhi.
Zoriz’s family faced constant financial difficulties. “There were times when we struggled to make ends meet, but my father never let me feel the burden. His sacrifices and unwavering belief in my potential kept me going,” Zoriz recalled. Despite these hardships, he remained committed to his education, believing that challenges foster growth. “The darkest moments of the night come just before the dawn,” he said, quoting a Chinese proverb that mirrors his journey.
Now, Zoriz stands at the threshold of a new chapter with Google, where he will work with an annual package of ₹39 lakh. “It’s not just about succeeding academically,” Zoriz emphasised. “Education shapes us into better individuals and that is the true measure of success.”
His success is not only a reflection of his academic excellence but also of his values, discipline, and hard work. “The teachers, the values, the hard work — it all comes together to shape the person you become,” Zoriz said.
Zoriz’s journey reminds us of the power of education and perseverance. He encourages others, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, to remain dedicated to their goals. “If I can make it, so can others. The road may be tough, but it’s worth every bit of effort,” he said.
Zoriz’s success highlights the critical role of institutions like Rahmani30 in shaping the futures of talented youth from underserved communities. “Rahmani30 allowed me to realise my potential. Without it, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said, emphasising the importance of mentorship and access to quality education.
Zoriz Ahmed’s story is a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of perseverance. His success is not just his own; it is a symbol of the potential that lies within every young mind, regardless of background.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Featured> India> Indian Muslim / by Team Clarion / December 26th, 2024
Chakla Village (Bongaigaon District)ASSAM / London, U.K :
Elias Hossen Ansari in London
A madrassa student has smashed the myth about education in Islamic seminaries. Elias Hossen Ansari of village Chakla in the Bongaigaon district has secured his dream job; he has been appointed a paralegal officer at an Oyini firm in London, United Kingdom.
Elias Hossen Ansari comes from a financially poor family. His parents sent him to a small madrasa in the nearby Bajali district from where he completed his Hifz (Quranic study) course followed by the Maulana course.
As luck would have it, the Ajmal Foundation picked him up in Hojai for regular academic studies. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM), Meghalaya close to Guwahati, and later a Master of Laws degree from Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. Elias excelled in all the examinations he wrote.
Elias Hossen Ansari (Center) with classmates at the USTM
However, Elias did not end his higher education with Jamia Milia. He explored chances of securing a legal job in London, the city of his dreams. To raise money for his education, Elias taught religious prayers (Tarawih) at the Station Mosque in Rangia near Guwahati every year during the month of Ramazan. This also helped him revise his leaning at Madrassa.
“Besides, I believe that the Almighty has always guided me to the right path in pursuing my dreams because I have always served Him the way He has commanded,” Ansari told Awaz – The Voice joining in from London on an internet conversation.
Ansari shifted to London nearly two years ago to pursue higher studies in international law and has since been also performing as an imam leading the Friday congregation and other prayers in local mosques along with his studies.
On January 23, he joined as a paralegal officer at Barristers and Solicitors Legal Firm and AA Homes and Housing Ltd in London on a salary that his peers back home can only dream of. His annual emolument comes to around ₹37 lakh Indian Rupees.
“I’m happy that my prayers have been answered! My job here will be to assist the barristers, and solicitors, and other seniors in drafting and pursuing various legal matters, including those of immigration, visa, and a lot of other things … Migrating to England is not so easy for someone like me who hails from a middle-class family, because the cost of living here is exceptionally high. I’ve never left any stone unturned to find sponsorship for my stay in the UK which is very essential, and finally, I’ve got a permanent sponsorship by the grace of God,” a beaming Ansari said.
Elias Hossen Ansari being felicitated on Independence Day at USTM
Asked if his initial madrasa education posed any hurdle in chasing his dream, Ansari said: “Not at all. Nowhere, neither in my own country India, nor abroad. I’ve travelled to around 20 countries on study tours, and I’ve never come across anything as such … I am grateful to the makers of our Constitution where Articles 29 and 30 guarantee freedom of education of one’s own choice even for minorities. Here, in London also, I face no hurdle in offering five times Salah a day reciting the Holy Quran, or following my religious commandments. What I’ve seen in my life is that everyone is free to follow his/her faith. In this respect, India is the greatest country as far as peaceful coexistence is concerned.”
He also said that he does not believe in the narrative that madrassas are breeding grounds for fundamentalism or radicalism. “Religious educational institutions are no different from modern educational institutions, except that there are few extra subjects in religious studies which help in holistic development of students. And, no religion teaches hatred or violence. Religion always teaches love and compassion. So, I don’t believe in such negative narratives,” Ansari said, adding that there happen to be moles in every beautiful thing, but that should not be generalized.
Elias Hossen Ansari during his Madrassa days
About his life’s struggles to pursue such higher education, Ansari said: “I am grateful to many people, including (chairman of Ajmal Foundation Badruddin) Ajmal Saheb, (USTM Chancellor) Mahbubul Hoque Sir, (USTM academician) Baharul Islam Sir and many others whom I can’t name because they don’t want me to name them in public, but have helped me a lot. It would not have been possible for me to dream so high without their benevolence. I’m always grateful to all who have helped me so selflessly. Besides, I believe in the philosophy of greats like Napoleon Bonaparte and Dr APJ Abdul Kalam that everything can be achieved through hard work and perseverance, which helped me a lot.”
This is not the end of Ansari’s dream though. He has even higher dreams – to serve the people among whom he grew up. “Everybody asks me the same question; will you ever return to India or Assam? I’ll return and I nurture a hope to serve my people back home. I want education to spread in our country. I want to set up accessible and affordable schools and colleges in my country. I want colleges and universities in every town and district of our country. I’ll certainly go back and work for the people of my land,” he said.
Asked what he would like to suggest to the younger generation to pursue difficult dreams like himself, Ansari said: “The only way to success is hard work and burning midnight’s oil. Read the biographies and autobiographies of great people, you can draw all the inspiration. All the great people, including Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, and others have worked exceptionally hard to be such great leaders. Everything is possible if you persevere to achieve it and keep focus.”
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Imtiaz Ahmed, Guwahati / January 27th, 2025
Established in 1932, the South Mumbai-based organisation continues to serve humanity with dedication and inclusivity
Mumbai :
The Muslim Ambulance Society, a renowned medical and social service organisation based in South Mumbai, has completed 93 years of unwavering dedication to the welfare of people, irrespective of religion or caste. Established on 24th July 1932, the organisation has evolved from a small shop on Chakla Street, Muhammad Ali Road, into a respected pillar of support for those in need.
To commemorate this milestone, a grand function was organised on Friday (January 24) at the Islam Gymkhana in Marine Lines.
Dr Abdul Rauf Samar, President of the Muslim Ambulance Society, highlighted the organisation’s rich history and core objectives, emphasising its inclusive approach. “The society aims to provide social and medical services to the poor and the needy regardless of religion and caste. A clear example of this was in the early days when a fellow countryman injured during Ganpati immersion was transported to the hospital by one of our ambulances,” he shared.
The society has also been instrumental during emergencies, including epidemics and communal riots. “We have consistently provided aid without discrimination, setting an example of humanity and service,” Dr Samar added.
He further introduced other key officials of the society, including Vice President Anwar Pashuri, Honorary Secretary Tanveer Hawa, Honorary Treasurer Iqbal Mauledina, and Ibrahim Kolsawala. Together, they carry forward the vision of the society’s founders: Ibrahim Haroon, Ayub Haroon, Noor Muhammad Dhyan, Muhammad Hussain Samar, Akbar Ali Khan, and Abdul Rahim Bachuseth.
The society’s impact is not confined to Mumbai. “Apart from Mumbai, our branches are also providing medical services in other provinces of the country. A new branch is set to open on Duncan Road in South Mumbai,” Dr Samar announced.
Highlighting their ongoing efforts, he said, “Since 1973, we have provided free treatment to TB patients. We also arrange free vaccinations for children under our supervision. These initiatives have been possible due to the generous support of philanthropists, and we hope to continue serving humanity with the same dedication in the future.”
The Muslim Ambulance Society’s 93-year journey of compassion and service stands as a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives and their ability to uplift society at large. The event aimed to celebrate this legacy while inspiring future generations to continue the noble mission.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslim / by Team Clarion / January 26th, 2025
Beating all odds, the girl with a humble background secures a position in the top 10 of the Madhya Pradesh State Public Service Commission MPPSC exam
New Delhi :
In a remarkable achievement, Ramsha Ansari has made it to the top 10 in the Madhya Pradesh State Public Service Commission (MPPSC) exam, securing sixth position with a score of 878 out of 1575 marks. This accomplishment not only marks a significant milestone in her life but also serves as an inspiration for Muslim girls and women, breaking barriers and challenging the belief that higher education is out of their reach.
Ramsha, who hails from an ordinary family in Bhopal, will soon contribute to law and order in the state as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). “It is a matter of great pride and responsibility. I’m excited to serve my state and work for justice,” she said during a conversation with the media at her residence.
Ramsha’s success is a beacon of hope for many young Muslim girls, who often face societal and familial pressures limiting their opportunities in education. “We need to invest in education the most,” Ramsha emphasised. “It is the only weapon with which we can uplift our families, society, and country.”
Belonging to a family with limited financial resources, Ramsha’s journey is one of determination and perseverance. Her father, Ashraf Ansari, is a retired clerk from the Agriculture Department, while her mother, Sanjeeda Ansari, is a homemaker. Despite financial challenges, her family always emphasised the importance of education. “The support of my family has been invaluable,” Ramsha said, adding that her elder sister, who is a chartered accountant, has been a major source of inspiration for her.
Ramsha began her journey toward civil services after completing her BA in Economics Honours from Excellence College, Bhopal. She later completed an MA in History through distance learning at IGNOU and cleared the UGC-NET-JRF exam. Initially, Ramsha focused on preparing for the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams but later shifted her focus to the MPPSC after facing setbacks.
Her journey wasn’t without obstacles. “I attempted the MPPSC exam multiple times. I cleared the preliminary and main exams twice but couldn’t get selected due to the interview scores. However, I never gave up,” Ramsha shared. It was after seven years and four attempts that she finally achieved her dream.
When asked about the time commitment needed for such an exam, Ramsha advised that aspiring candidates must dedicate 8 to 10 hours of study every day. “While the exact duration depends on personal ability and guidance, if you prepare with full focus for 2 to 3 years, it should be sufficient. But even if you don’t succeed initially, you must keep going with double the effort,” she stressed.
Apart from her studies, Ramsha also helped prepare students for the MPPSC exam at a coaching institute in Bhopal. “The positive environment created by my teachers, family, and even my students was a constant source of motivation,” she said.
Ramsha’s message to the Muslim community, especially to girls, is simple but powerful: “Education is the key to change. It can better not only our lives but also the lives of others around us. I urge Muslim youth and girls to aim for civil services. We must be a part of the progress of our nation.”
Ramsha Ansari’s success story is a testimony to the resilience and the transformative power of education. Through her achievements, she has not only changed her own life but has become a role model for many girls who now dare to dream big.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslim / by Clarion India / January 24th, 2025
The Islamic scholar and former Dean, Faculty of Theology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Professor M Saud Alam Qasmi, has been conferred with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Jamitul Hidayah, Jaipur.
While conferring the award, the Rector of Jamia, Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi, praised Professor Qasmi as a distinguished scholar and lauded his books as a “treasury of India.” He urged young scholars to draw inspiration from Professor Qasmi’s academic legacy.
Editor of Tahzeebul Akhlaq, Professor Qasmi has authored 40 books and 400 articles in English, Urdu, and Arabic.
A celebrated orator, he has held several prestigious roles at AMU and is associated with numerous academic institutions and editorial boards.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards>Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / January 28th, 2025
Human trafficking is the illegal process of moving or luring a person from one place to another using deception, threats, pressure, duress, or other abusive means for financial gain. Most of them trafficking children are pushed into the sex trade.
Fifteen years before, she was a victim of human trafficking. Today, leaving her past behind, Naseema Gain, 28, has rescued more than 4,000 women from the flesh trade and is helping them lead a normal life, reports Awaz The Voice.
“It was 2009. I remember there was a Puja function at my school on that day. I was happy. I have known him since childhood, as his uncle lived in our village. I and my friend happily sat in his car when he offered to drop us at our place. Little did I know this incident was going to change my life. When I regained consciousness, we found ourselves at an unfamiliar place. I had no idea where I was.” The 13-year-old Naseema Gain had no idea that she had landed in the net of human traffickers.
Born in Maslandpur, West Bengal, Naseema Gain had a happy childhood till an acquaintance kidnapped her on the pretext of offering her a ride to school.
Fortunately, she was released after 10 months. However, she faced a bigger tragedy on her return home when she found people looked at her and treated her differently. Due to prejudices, people didn’t treat her as a victim.
Naseema didn’t give up. Today she is helping hundreds of girls who are victims of human trafficking by rescuing and rehabilitating them.
Narrating the incident of her kidnapping, Naseema says, “He asked me and one of my friends if we would like to go home in his car. There was also another person in the car. Not knowing his intentions, we happily sat in the car. He took us to a deserted place and dropped us saying that he would return after some time.
“After a while, a person came in another car and said that he would drop us home. It was dark, so we accepted his offer least knowing that this lift would turn was going to change our lives.”
They sold Naseema and her friend in Bihar. On her life in a brothel, Naseema says, “They taught us to dance and sing. If anyone did not obey them, they were beaten, tortured, and made to starve. We had lost all hope of returning home.”
She says violence, torture, and starvation were routine punishments for the inmates of a brothel. One day Naseema and her friend were sold as maids. This gave them a chance to escape.
Naseema worked as a house help for a professor. “Slowly I started following their language. One day I told him about my story of being kidnapped and sold and asked him to help me return to my home. I somehow managed to gather the courage to tell this to him.”
She also told the professor that if he didn’t help them and sent them back to the agency, the girls would face torture and be resold.
The professor asked her to provide him contact number of her home. Naseema didn’t remember hers but her friend had memorised her telephone number. The kind-hearted professor called the number and both the girls were rescued with the help of the police.
However, before the police and the parents could reach Naseema and the other girl, the trafficker came to know about this. He called the Professor who shifted them to different secret locations for safety. After tracking them for several weeks, Naseema and her friend were finally freed after 10 months.
Naseema says, “It still feels surreal to be rescued and taken home. I had lost all hope, but our and the police’s efforts would be successful. I am very grateful to those professors.”
Her family was happy at her rescue and return home but the villagers were not ready to accept her.
“This is the sad truth of our society. I was a victim of circumstances, and yet had to face ostracism.” She adds, “Parents would tell their children not to speak with us,” she says.
She said, “We were not allowed to go to school because the school refused to admit us.”
“Ten months of torture and then this kind of treatment from society alienated me. I didn’t leave my house for the next five years,” she says, “Even after coming out of the quagmire of human trafficking, I was saddened by the ostracism by society.”
Naseema’s parents contacted an NGO which was into counselling of human trafficking survivors. Naseema says that counselling gave her a lot of strength. She was convinced that she could only counsel those who had survived this inhuman quagmire. She contacted girls and women who had been rescued from human traffickers and brothels and helped them.
Naseema says, “I have tried to build a life with whatever I have. Call it courage, hope, or luck. That is why I dare to help others. To help more girls like me, I started working with ‘Utthan Collective’, an organisation that provides training, counselling, and support to girls and victims.
She says victims like her are treated like criminals even after their rescue. She wants to create a new identity for all such victims.
In 2019, Naseema co-founded the Indian Leadership Forum Against Trafficking (ILFAT) with similar anti-trafficking groups across the country. The organisation’s work spans across nine states and has given a new direction to the lives of more than 4500 victims.
She adds, “A person who has gone through such a situation needs a lot of care, love, and respect. In the process of trafficking, they have lost all their self-esteem. Often, society rejects them; in many cases, even their families disown them. We provide them with the necessary help and shelter.”
The organisation trains victims in various skill-based jobs and helps them earn a livelihood. “We reach out to victims and provide them with mental health support and counselling. Through outreach programmes, their trauma and grief connect. So, they don’t feel any loss there. This helps them move forward,” Naseema says.
About her work, Naseema says, “Many times different NGOs approach me and learn how ILFAT and Utthan work. This is a huge inspiration and victory for me.” She adds, “With the organisation, I want to create a safe environment for the victims, ensure that the culprits get proper punishment and all the surviving girls are rehabilitated.”
Naseema, along with her colleagues, helps improve the mental health of the girls who have been rescued from the quagmire of human trafficking, provides compensation, makes the girls aware of their skills, and nurtures them by giving them necessary training.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Mohammed Atherulla Shariff, Radiance News Bureau / January 28th, 2025
Students from the Department of Foreign Languages at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) secured top prizes in a national competition organised by the Department of German, University of Mumbai, under the theme “100 Years of Kafka.”
Ramsha Afzal, a Master’s student in German Studies, won first place in the Comic Strip category for her creative take on Kafka’s novella Die Verwandlung (The Metamorphosis), highlighting themes of alienation and transformation. Azhar Zia, a final-year undergraduate, clinched first prize in the Short Films category for his cinematic interpretation of Kafka’s narrative Gibs auf! (Give it Up!), reflecting a nuanced grasp of existential themes.
Professor Muhammad Azhar, Chairman of the Department, commended the students, stating, “These achievements showcase the academic excellence and creativity nurtured at AMU, reaffirming the importance of foreign language studies.”
Assistant Professor Syed Salman Abbas applauded the winners, emphasising their engagement with German literature and culture.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / January 23rd, 2025
Being a heritage site and a monumental garden, Roshanara Park is one of the many gardens Delhi boasts of. With the unmarked tomb of princess Roshan Ara Begum, her elegant palace, and a dense garden, the park narrates a beautiful tale of lost history
All photos: Ali Fraz Rezvi
Within a few kilometres from the Pul Bangash Metro Station, and quite near to Delhi University’s north campus, stands Roshan Ara Bagh – a Mughal monument dating back to the 17th century AD.
Named after Emperor Shah Jahan’s daughter Princess Roshan Ara Begum, the heritage site was once a palace and then turned into the princess’ tomb. It now serves as a garden under the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).
The heritage site spans over a large area of 8.5 acres. It houses an open gym, a playground, a garden and an ignored mausoleum, which is yet to be revamped as a world-class nursery by October 2022.
The last surviving memoirs, one being an unmarked grave, lies at the centre of the palace’s garden area. The architecture here is beseeching, with dilapidated walls and pillars, wooden doors and windows.
The tomb, where exists the unmarked grave of Roshan Ara Begum, has suffered the most with its marble jaalis crumbling from three sides and broken at the fourth. The marks of repairs by the ASI on the pillars and walls are nothing more than a cemented patch.
Along with the surviving parts of the palace which includes a bara-dari (a structure with twelve gates) and a well, there exists the last remains of a lake which covers around four acres inside the garden. The lake, enclosing the tomb, was initially a part of the palace of Roshan Ara Begum. But it has now dried up and turned into a garbage dump.
The 372-year-old structure with a garden of Mughal grandeur and architecture was commissioned by Padshah Begum – the First lady of the Mughal Empire in 1650 AD. It is used by the residents and the visitors till date.
Despite being in a distorted condition, the site is still magnificent and stands as a reminder of an ignored past.
The main entrance to the Roshan Ara Garden.
People chit-chatting after a long morning walk
The open gym in the park area.
A well from the past.
The bara-dari around the tomb often serves as a resting place for visitors in the daytime.
Remnants of the lake.
Structure that survives.
The last breaths of a breath-taking monument.
A man and a dog, on the two sides of the princess’ grave.
source: thepatriot.in / The Patriot / Home / by Ali Fraz Rezvi / All photos: Ali Fraz Rezvi / August 22nd, 2022
