Anantnag District / Kupwara District : JAMMU & KASHMIR :
Two out of 12 aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir who qualified for the UPSC Civil Services 2024 have followed their passion for “Yeh Dil Mange More” (My heart wants more) and improved their rankings in the administrative services for which they had already qualified.
The duo is Mohammad Muneeb Bhat from Anantnag district of South Kashmir (AIR 131) who is already serving the J&K government after clearing the JK Public Service Commission examination; and Mohammad Haris Mir, AIR 314 from Kupwara district of North Kashmir.
Haris Mir hit the All India rank of 345 in the UPSC Civil Services examinations of 2023 and has improved his rankings.
Interestingly, a woman – Iram Choudhary from Rajouri district of Jammu region – is the topper from the UT with AIR 40.
Mohammad Muneeb Bhat, son of the government teachers from Anantnag town of South Kashmir, had set his goal of joining the civil services while pursuing his Civil Engineering degree at the Lovely Professional University in Punjab.
He told Awaz-The Voice that he started preparing for the coveted UPSC exam soon after completing his Engineering degree. He took the exam in 2017. “The motivation for civil services came from those already qualified persons from J&K like Shah Faesal (2009) and Athar Aamir Khan (2016), though there has been a considerable number of UPSC qualifiers over the past about two decades.
“I continued to achieve the goal” till my success in the last attempt this year”, Bhat said. He stayed in Delhi to attend different institutions including the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) at the Jamia Millia Islamia.
While preparing for the UPSC examination, Mohamad Muneeb Bhat qualified for the J&K (UT) PSC examination in 2023 and was allocated the J&K Police Services. He is presently undergoing probation with the UT government.
His father, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat retired as a Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) last year, while his mother recently retired from service.
Mohammad Haris Mir qualified for the UPSC with AIR 345 last year but made yet another attempt to achieve a higher rank. He was allotted Revenue Services ((IRS) and is presently undergoing probation at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) in Nagpur.
“To achieve a higher rank, I prepared during my probation”, Mohammad Haris Mir told Awaz The Voice from Nagpur. “The motivation (to achieve a higher rank) was like any other aspirant and the hard work has been fruitful”, he said.
As it’s permitted, Haris took leave fromn the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, to prepare for the mains of the 2024 examinination and later joined the Uttarakhand, and took leave to prepare for mains of the Civil services 2024. He later joined NADT at Nagpur.
Mohammad Haris was also motivated by the success of senior bureaucrats like Shah Faesal and Athar Amir. He qualified for the UPSC on the first attempt last year.
Though his father is a doctor, Haris opted for the humanities. Hailing from a remote area of Handwara in the border district of Kupwara, Dr Mir had shifted to Srinagar as he was posted in the Oncology Department at the SKIMS Hospital, Soura in Srinagar.
After completing the XII examination, Haris, 26, joined the 5-year degree course in Law, B A, LL.B from the Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. Though Jamia Millia Islamia offers free coaching to students from minority communities for the UPSC examinations (Residential Coaching Academy) Haris preferred to prepare without joining coaching classes. “Soon after completing his Law degree, I began to prepare through self-study for the UPSC examination….it was a full year of studies involving hard work, which led me to clear the examination in the first attempt”, he told Awaz-the Voice
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ehsan Fazili, Srinagar / April 30th, 2025
The World Heritage City of Ahmedabad saw many revered men who silently documented the various tales the city’s monuments, structures and literature had to tell.
One such relentless pursuit was that of publisher, author and a keen student of the medieval history of Gujarat, Shahed Kalimi, who not just ran the nearly-century old Kalim Book Depot but also spent 20 years of voluntary service to set up the library at Sarkhej Roza.
A little over a month after he passed, Kalimi’s contributions to Ahmedabad’s heritage were remembered by academicians, renowned historians and heritage enthusiasts at a remembrance meeting organised in the city on Sunday.
Kalimi was the sole force behind revamping the library at one of the ASI-protected monuments of the Heritage City of Ahmedabad, Sarkhej Roza.
AS Saiyed, President of the Sarkhej Roza Committee, narrated Kalimi’s two decades of voluntary contribution at the Sarkhej Roza and lauded him for his dedication and perseverance. “Kalimi was instrumental in reviving the library at the Sarkhej Roza and setting up a publishing department at the Roza through which many books were translated and published under the aegis of the Sarkhej Roza Committee,” Saiyed said.
During his lifetime, Kalimi had translated nearly 50 books from Urdu, Persian and Arabic, into Gujarati, in a bid to bring forth the little pieces of history about Gujarat to the people here.
In fact, two of his last books – A Bird’s Eye View of Sarkhej Roza and Yaad-e-Ayyam, were released during the remembrance meet.
“Kalimi’s sole aim was to bring forth anecdotes of Gujarat’s history to the state. Being an ardent reader of history himself, he translated many books written about Gujarat and its history, Persian and Arabic to Gujarati. He has translated close to 50 works by now about various aspects of Ahmedabad and Gujarat which the state would have otherwise lost,” said Professor MH Bombaywala, curator and founder, Peer Mohammad Shah Library, one of the oldest in Ahmedabad who was present at the meeting.
Being an ardent enthusiast of medieval history of Gujarat, Kalimi turned his place of work – the Kalim Book Depot – around by diligently sourcing, procuring, even translating if needed to make history books available to people here.
Students of History and even architecture and design often frequented his book store, which was once upon a time, a fulcrum for intellectuals to gather and discuss new, radical ideas through expressions of poetry and Shayari.
The Kalim Book Depot will be a century old in 2026 and till date is known for rare books. “We have retailed the Urdu versions of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita to people. Father used to procure a series of Urdu books from warehouses of libraries, book exhibitions, flea markets including the Gujari Bazar and wherever he travelled and patiently sorted them, to find the right kind of books for history students and later translate them,” said Mushir Kalimi, Shahed’s son.
“Father’s interest was not in the business but instead in letting the younger generation read and delve into the history about Gujarat to the people of Gujarat by translating works of authors from Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages. Therefore, if he realised someone’s interest in books, he would gift them a second book for free besides the ones they’ve bought,” said Mushir.
Kalimi was working on one of his last books just before he passed — Makbaras and Masjids of Ahmedabad. Mushir along with members of the Sarkhej Roza Committee are working towards publishing the book which will soon be out.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Ahmedabad News / by Niyati Parikh / TNN / March 28th, 2022
The inauguration of BRITFORT Academy’s Mangalore branch, in collaboration with Ace Foundation, was held on 18th April at the Kankanady Gate Building, Kankanady Bypass Road. The event marked a significant milestone in expanding quality English language education and study abroad services in the coastal region.
BRITFORT Academy is widely recognised for its excellence in Spoken English and Communicative English courses, along with its expert coaching for international English language exams such as IELTS, OET, and PTE. With a growing network of centers across India, BRITFORT continues to empower students with global opportunities through language proficiency and academic support.
The ceremony was formally inaugurated by Noushad, CEO of BRITFORT Academy, who delivered an inspiring keynote address. He shared the remarkable growth of the academy, noting that over 25,000 students have been successfully trained through their programs. The Mangalore branch represents the 16th center in their journey of expansion and the fourth in Karnataka, reinforcing their commitment to making quality education accessible across regions.
Abubacker, President of Ace Foundation, presided over the function and emphasized the importance of collaborations that empower youth through quality education and skill-building initiatives.
The event was further graced by Dr. R.G. D’Souza, Dean of the Engineering Department at Yenepoya University, who attended as the Chief Guest. B.S. Mohd. Basheer, President of Jamiyyatul Falah (Mangalore Corporation Unit), and Anwar Sadath, Managing Director of Hana Beverages Pvt. Ltd., were the Guests of Honour. All dignitaries expressed their appreciation for the initiative and their confidence in the academy’s positive impact on the region’s youth.
Nazeer Ahmed, Director of Ace IAS Academy, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of enhancing language skills for academic and professional growth. The program concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Imthiaz Khateeb, Secretary of Ace Foundation, expressing gratitude to all guests and participants for their support. The event was compered by Rafik Master.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / April 2Oth, 2025
Kooli Village (Ranebennur, Haveri District), KARNATAKA :
Abu Saliya Khan
Mangaluru/Ranebennur:
Abu Saliya Khan, a former student of Ace IAS Academy in Mangaluru, has cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination with an All India Rank (AIR) of 588, bringing pride to the academy and his hometown of Ranebennur in Karnataka’s Haveri district.
Hailing from Kooli village in Ranebennur taluk, Abu Saliya completed his primary education in a Kannada-medium school before joining RTS College, Ranebennur for his pre-university education in 2014. He later pursued his B.Sc in Agriculture at Shivamogga, graduating in 2019. His journey toward UPSC preparation took a significant turn when he shifted to Mangaluru and enrolled at the Ace IAS Academy for intensive training.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati, Abu Saliya credited his success to the foundation laid during his training at the Ace IAS Academy. “It was here in Mangaluru that I got my basics right. The environment at Ace helped me understand the significance of public service and mentally prepared me for this long journey,” he said.
After his training in Mangaluru, he moved to Delhi and continued his preparation at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy. His perseverance paid off in his fourth attempt. He had earlier cleared the prelims in 2023, which gave him a renewed sense of hope and motivation to make one final attempt, resulting in this year’s success.
Coming from a modest background, Abu Saliya’s story is an inspiration to many. His father, the late Hussain Khan Kulkarni, was a bus conductor with NWKRTC and passed away earlier last year. His mother, Arshad Banu, is a homemaker. Despite financial and emotional hardships, the family stood by his side as he pursued his dream of joining the civil services.
On being asked about his preferred service, Abu Saliya shared that while he had aspired to join the Indian Administrative Service or Indian Police Service, he now expects to be allotted the Indian Revenue Service based on his rank. He also revealed that he had been attempting to qualify for the Indian Forest Services.
Reacting to the news of his success, he said, “My family is overjoyed. These are the moments that come once in a lifetime. There was a time I had almost decided to give up and pursue a career in agriculture. But after clearing the prelims in 2023, I decided to try again—and I’m glad I did.”
His success has been hailed by many in Mangaluru’s civil service aspirant community, with Ace IAS Academy calling it a proud moment for the institution.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / April 24th, 2025
Farkhanda Qureshi of Balaghat, Madya Pradesh, outside UPSC office in Delhi
Farkhanda Qureshi was in her eighth grade when she saw district Collector B. Chandrasekharan son a local Television channel. This visual ignited a dream in her mind; she too wanted to become a civil servant. Today this Muslim woman from from Balaghat, a small town of Madhya Pradesh, has realized her dream which she nurtured over the years with passion, hard work, overcoming failures and perseverance.
Farkhanda Qureshi has secured 67th rank in the UPSC 2024 Civil Services Examination and would soon join the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy for Administration, Dehradun, for training to become an Indian civil servant.
“I had decided that one day I will also become a collector and work for society.” She credits her success in her fourth attempt to her family’s support.
She started preparing for UPSC in 2021. Despite failures, she did not give up. She says, “My parents did not let me break down; they motivated me and told me that I will get success one day. Had they not supported me, I would have probably given up in the first or second attempt,” she told the told media persons.
Farkhanda believes that for a tough exam like UPSC, studying for 18 hours is not necessary, but consistency and strategy are. “I studied for 6 to 8 hours every day, but I studied every day. Old year papers, standard books, current affairs and newspapers were an important part of my preparation.”
Farkhanda Qureshi flanked by her parents Nikhat Anjum and Abdul Malik Qureshi
Farkhanda, who completed her 10th from St. Mary’s School and 12th from Methodist Mission, says, “Being from a small town like Balaghat has never been my weakness. I believe that if the youth here get the right direction and resources, they can make a name for themselves across the country.”
Farkhanda considers her father Abdul Malik Qureshi, who is a lawyer, and her mother Nikhat Anjum Qureshi, a homemaker, her heroes and credits her success to them.
Her father said, “Today people recognize me by my daughter’s name, nothing can give me greater happiness than this.”
There is a festive atmosphere in the area, the collector congratulated Farkhanda and and wished her a bright future. The local mosque committee (Anjuman( also felicitated her and called her inspiration for the Muslim youth.
Out of the 1,009 candidates recommended by UPSC this year, 26 are Muslims, though none made it to the Top 25.
Iram Choudhary (Rank 40) and Farkhanda Qureshi (Rank 67) are the highest-ranking Muslim candidates in the merit list. A total of 97 Muslim candidates were selected for the interview stage, and the success rate stands at 2.57%, lower than previous years.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Abdul Wasim Ansari, Balaghat, Bhopal (name error edited) / April 26th, 2025
As Muslims all over the country are protesting against the Pahalgam carnage by the Pakistan-backed terrorists killing 27 persons, including a local ponywallah, Sameer Ahmed Siddiqui, a well-known IAS coaching Academy head, has proposed that the community should raise the “world’s largest anti-terror fund” to deal with aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
This fund, he said, would help the survivours and dependents of the victims of terrorism.
Sameer Ahmed Siddiqui, who is also emerging as a new age social thinker, says if 20 lakh Indian Muslims contribute Rs 100 each, a huge fund can be created. This fund can be used to provide financial assistance to the families killed in the Pahalgam attack for ‘seven generations’.
Sameer’s idea is similar to that of Kolkata’s Wali Rahmani, who established a state-of-the-art school for Rs 12 crore through similar small financial contributions.
Siddiqui’s idea is that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, must take the initiative for this fund. He says Abdullah must take the lead since Kashmir has been associated with terrorism and negative images for a long time. He said, “It’s time to associate Kashmir with a positive and historical record as well.”
He says, “At a place where innocent people have been killed after asking about their religion and attempts have been made to dishonour the Kalma, the world’s biggest anti-terror fund should be created on the call of the people there. This will not only change the face of Kashmir but will also send a strong message in favour of humanity.”
Sameer Ahmed Siddiqui presented his proposal on his YouTube channel ‘Team Sameer Siddiqui’ six days ago. The video has gone viral on social media, and the people are appreciating it as an ‘eye-opening initiative’.
A family mourning the loss of their kin in the Pahalgam terrorist strike
The viewers have posted the following comments on the video:
“Sir, I salute your thinking. What you have said is very important in today’s time.”
“Distance from education is our failure today, scholars like you are our hope.”
“Subhan Allah! With what deep thinking you have given such a big message.”
Some of the reactions in the comments sections are as follows:
“How deeply you have explained a big thing.”
“The strongest answer is – unity and education.”
Sameer Ahmed Siddiqui is a reputed IAS coach and a business analyst. He has experience in the information technology and service industry. He is adept at operations management, communication, leadership and data analysis.
A graduate of Aligarh Muslim University, Sameer is currently the head of General Studies at M Puri IAS Institute, New Delhi. This institute is one of the top civil service training institutes in the country, from where the highest selection rate has been achieved in IAS, IPS, and Group-A services.
His books, especially the book on “Internal Security and Bilateral Relations”, are highly popular among competitive students.
Sameer advocates change in education in accordance with the needs of the future, and preparing the new generation for the era of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Robotics. He is also famous for beautifully combining the principles of traditional and modern science.
His lectures and analyses have been viewed and shared by millions of people on YouTube and other internet platforms.
If the Muslims of India unite and adopt this plan and the people of Kashmir take the initiative, then not only will the suffering families get support, but a new message will also be sent to the whole world – that the unity of humanity is much stronger than the hatred of terrorism.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Malick Asghar Hashmi, New Delhi / April 28th, 2025
At a landmark one-day national history conference, prominent scholars, professors, and historians Sunday gathered to commemorate the unparalleled contributions of Muslims to India’s cultural and civilizational fabric. Titled “Delhi: Crucible of Indo-Islamic Synthesis in Medieval India,” the conference was hosted by the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Hamdard University, in collaboration with the Institute of Study and Research Delhi (ISRD), New Delhi.
Held at the Hamdard Convention Centre, Jamia Hamdard, the conference aimed to explore the profound impact of Islamic heritage on shaping medieval Indian culture, society, and governance, with a special emphasis on Delhi as the epicenter of this cultural convergence.
A wide array of research papers was presented under several sub-themes aligned with the central topic, including the Advent of Islam in North India , Educational Institutions and Knowledge Production, Indo-Islamic Architecture, Sufi Traditions and Sacred Spaces, Language and Literature, Music and Performing Arts Role in the Freedom Struggle, Calligraphy and Decorative Arts, Culinary Heritage and the Culture of Cuisine, Women’s Contributions, Science and Technology, Mughal Gardens and Economic and Administrative Innovations.
As a chief guest, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Syed Sadatullah Husaini emphasised that the Quran repeatedly encourages the study of history and historical events to extract lessons and guidance. “If lessons are taken from history, it becomes an asset,” he asserted, adding that history serves as a mirror of society.
Refuting the prevailing negative narratives surrounding Muslims in India, Husaini remarked, “Muslims are not outsiders or foreign invaders. They are developers, not destroyers; builders, not colonizers; inheritors, not intruders.” He highlighted how the Delhi Sultanate acted as a conduit, connecting India with the thriving global centers of knowledge in the Muslim world.
He cited the example of Sanskrit scholars and experts in numerics being recognized and honored in the court of the Abbasid Caliphate. The Arabs, he noted, never appropriated the intellectual achievements of Indian scholars but instead gave them due credit. “Muslim Sultanates helped disseminate India’s hidden treasures of knowledge across the globe,” he stated.
Husaini also praised the architectural marvels of the Delhi Sultanate, such as the Qutub Minar, calling them a testament to the era’s artistic grandeur. He emphasized that the most valuable contribution of Muslim rulers was the promotion of unity and human equality, bringing together people across religions, castes, and classes under a shared identity of humankind—a concept Allama Iqbal referred to as “Wahdat-e-Khaas Quwwat” (special power of unity).
Referencing Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, he recalled Azad’s fervent appeals to Muslims at the time of Partition to remain in India, invoking their emotional and civilizational connection to iconic Islamic monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Qutub Minar.
Dr. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard University, presided over the inaugural session. He provided a historical overview of Islamic rule in India, tracing it from Mohammad Ghori’s arrival in the 12th century to the British colonial era, covering the Slave, Khilji, Tughlaq, Sayyid, Lodhi, and Mughal dynasties.
He emphasized how Delhi became the nucleus of Indo-Islamic cultural fusion, with Central Asian and Persian architectural styles merging with indigenous Indian designs. This, he said, resulted in a unique Indo-Islamic architectural identity, visible in the city’s rich heritage.
Alam also elaborated on the contributions of the Islamic period in education, science, music, literature, governance, and social reform, asserting that this synthesis laid the foundation of what is now referred to as South Asian culture. “This fusion didn’t just shape Indian civilization—it gave it depth, diversity, and resilience,” he concluded.
Dr. Hafeezur Rahman, convenor of the Khusro Foundation and an expert in Urdu and Persian, delivered speech as a special guest. He reflected on historiography, distinguishing between pro-establishment and anti-establishment narratives, and praised Islam’s contribution to historical objectivity through the tradition of “Asma al-Rijal” (biographical evaluation of narrators).
He noted, “It is often said that the Mughals gifted India three unparalleled treasures: the Taj Mahal, Mirza Ghalib, and the Urdu language.” Rahman particularly celebrated the role of Sufi saints, especially Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and his disciple Ameer Khusrau, a 13th-century polymath and the founding father of the Urdu language. Khusrau, he said, was also a distinguished scholar in astrology, astronomy, and music.
Quoting Khusrau’s oft-repeated teaching from his spiritual mentor—”Agar duniya aap ke raste mein kaante bichhaye, to tum phool bichhao” (If the world throws thorns in your path, you lay down flowers)—he emphasized the Sufi message of love and resilience.
Dr. Hafeezur Rahman further illustrated how cultural synthesis led to creations like biryani and sherwani, both products of Indo-Islamic fusion. He expressed hope that the academic papers presented at the conference would become historical documents in their own right.
Dr. Fazlur Rahman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Islamic Studies, anchored the conference and gave a brief introduction to its aims.
ISRD Secretary and Organizer Asif Iqbal outlined five core objectives and sub-themes of the event. Asif Iqbal emphasized that civilizational interactions—such as those between Islam and Indian culture—often result in positive transformations. He stated that Muslims, while introducing new cultural and civilizational values to the subcontinent, also embraced indigenous practices. “This mutual exchange reshaped the cultural and intellectual landscape of the region,” he said.
ISRD President Saleemullah Khan offered reflections on the ethical teachings of Prophet Muhammad, citing his instruction to Hazrat Ali to return belongings even to those who plotted to kill him during the Hijrah (migration to Madinah). He also quoted Urdu writer Rashidul Khairi, who praised the skills, cooperation, and intelligence of Delhi’s women during the medieval era.
Professor Arshad Hussain, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies at Jamia Hamdard, delivered the welcome address and warmly greeted all dignitaries and guests.
The day featured parallel academic sessions, with 50 research papers presented by scholars and students from institutions including Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU), National Institute of Technology (NIT), Delhi University, and Jamia Hamdard.
Sessions were chaired by eminent professors such as Prof. Obaidullah Fahad (AMU), Dr. Faizan Ahmed (National Archives of India), Dr. Mohiuddin Ghazi (former Dean, Al Jamia Al Islamia, Kerala), Prof. Azizuddin Husain, and Prof. Parvez Nazir. Guest speakers received mementoes, and research scholars were presented with certificates.
In the valedictory session, Prof. Mohammad Salim Engineer, retired professor from MNIT Jaipur, addressed emerging researchers, emphasizing key research ethics—many of which, he noted, align with Islamic principles. These include academic honesty, objectivity, peer review, and depth over volume. “There’s no shortcut to excellence,” he advised. “Hard work can even surpass intelligence.”
In light of the current communal atmosphere, he urged the Muslim community to take charge of creating history, not just recalling it.
Abdul Kalam, co-convenor of the event, delivered closing thanks, while Dr. Shadab Musa, Assistant Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, offered a speech reflecting on the present socio-political environment.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Breaking News> Education> National Interest / by Anwarulhaq Baig / April 21st, 2025
Do it again and again. Consistency makes the raindrops create holes in the rock. Whatever is difficult can be done easily with regular attendance, attention, and action. Perhaps imbibed by the words of Israelmore Ayivor, an inspirational writer, blogger and LifeSkills Entrepreneur, Adeeba Anam Ashfaque Ahmed from Yavatmal in Maharashtra created a record of sorts to become the first female Muslim IAS officer after successfully clearing the civil services with All India Rank 142.
The success saga of Adeeba only proves the awareness shown by Muslim girls to take up civil services exams breaking the barriers.
On cloud nine are Adeeba’s parents, relatives, friends and more particularly her teachers on seeing her victory after three failures. She came out with flying colours in her fourth attempt after getting the necessary guidance and coaching from Jamia Millia Residential Coaching Academy in Delhi.
Can’t imagine a girl hailing from a parched and drought-prone Yavatmal district bringing glory to her native. All because of her patience and consistency as to the quote of American business honcho Robert Kiyosaki – “Successful people don’t fear failure but understand that it’s necessary to learn and grow from.” It is learnt that Maharashtra hardly witnessed any female Muslim IAS officers in the last one decade or so.
Kudos to her dad Ashfaq Ahmed, an auto driver, who despite financial constraints strained his nerves to make his daughter’s civil service dream a reality. Of course, her mom and uncle were very supportive in ensuring she achieved her IAS after successive failures. Adeeba started her early education at Zafarnagar Zilla Parishad Urdu Primary School, where she studied from Class 1 to Class 7. Thereafter, she finished schooling from Class 8 to 10 at Zilla Parishad Government Girls High School. And she completed her 11th and 12th grades at Zilla Parishad Ex-Government College in Yavatmal.
Armed with BSc Mathematics from Inamdar Senior College in Pune, she joined a coaching academy in Pune to take UPSC foundation classes based on the advice of her maternal uncle Jan Nizamuddin Sahib, who works as secretary at Seva NGO.
She got interested after meeting a few IAS officers and was determined to become an IAS. The road to civil services wasn’t smooth for her as she faced many obstacles. However, she was firm and worked relentlessly to taste success.
Noteworthy to mention that her dad Ashfaq Ahmed dropped out of school after tenth standard due to family circumstances. But decided not to let her daughter face the same fate, left no stone unturned and encouraged Adeeba to do her UG. Right from her school days, she had a fascination for civil services inspired by the young IAS officers’ remarkable feat through newspapers. Since then, she has been working towards her civil service dream.
In an interview to a local television channel, she is reported to have said that studying isn’t easy, especially for girls in patriarchal communities like Muslim, but her parents stood by her. She expressed her gratitude to mom, who extended support for her in her endeavours. The community was against girls pursuing higher studies, but her dad told her not to worry about society, and focus on her goal.
It is interesting to infer that she chose Urdu Literature as her optional subject despite having a science background. However, she displayed her prowess in clearing the civil services with confidence. A total of 32 candidates from Jamia Millia Islamia and 3 from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) have figured in the UPSC Civil Services 2024 Merit List. Of the 1009 candidates selected, only two Muslim candidates figured in the top 100.
She said that IAS is the first step to serve the society and added that her area of interest is to work for the underprivileged, more specifically girls. And she wanted to contribute to the education and health sector as a civil servant. Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) RCAs are renowned academies in the field of coaching students for Civil Services. They provide free coaching and training for preparing for the Civil Services Examination for candidates from SC, ST, Women, and Minority communities.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Markers of Excellence / by M Rafi Ahmed, Radiance News Bureau / April 28th, 2025
Every year, the Government of Maharashtra conducts a scholarship examination for students of Grade 5, in which lakhs of students from across the state participate. Recently, interim results of this exam were announced. In this examination, 48 students from Dr. Iqbal Urdu Primary School – a renowned and quality institution run by Al-Huda Social Welfare Society, Malegaon, District Nashik – participated. Out of these, 31 students achieved outstanding success.
Hafsa Saman Mohammad Mujahid secured 212 marks out of 300. Fatima Sitwat Azhar Hussain and Zobia Anam Mohammad Mujahid both secured 188 marks respectively, while Sheikh Umar Sheikh Sabir obtained 186 marks.
The school administration always strives not only to encourage students to participate in competitive exams but also to ensure their thorough preparation. For this purpose, the school arranges special classes throughout the year specifically for scholarship students, providing them with extensive practice.
Behind this success lies the significant role of competent and dedicated teachers. The school has expert teachers for this competitive scholarship activity, and the Headmaster is always ready to guide the students. In addition, the parents extended full support.
The institution’s President Dr. Ahmed Urooj, Vice President Khwaja Nizamuddin, Secretary Riyaz Khan, Headmaster Mohammad Ateeque ur Rahman, and the school staff congratulated the students and their parents and expressed their best wishes for great success in the future.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / April 26th, 2025
Syed Adil Hussain Shah, the sole breadwinner for his family, was among the 26 killed on Tuesday
Syed Adil Hussain Shah (Photo: Social media), security tightened in Pahalgam (Photo: Reuters)
Syed Adil Hussain Shah, a pony ride operator in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, reportedly lost his life while trying to protect a tourist during Tuesday’s terror attack that left 26 people dead. Shah attempted to wrest a rifle from one of the terrorists as gunfire erupted near the scenic Baisaran meadow.
Shah, who earned a living ferrying tourists on horseback from the car park to the meadow – accessible only on foot – was the only local civilian killed in the attack. According to an ANI report, eyewitnesses said the terrorists, before opening fire, asked victims their religion and made them recite Islamic verses, reportedly selecting targets based on their answers.
His brave act came as tourists scrambled to flee the ambush. Shah had reportedly tried to shield the tourist he had taken up the trail earlier that day.
The 32-year-old was the sole breadwinner for his family, which includes his ageing parents, wife, and children. His family is now shattered by both the emotional loss and the financial uncertainty that lies ahead.
His grieving mother, overwhelmed with sorrow, pleaded for justice, while his father, Syed Haider Shah, recounted the panic and heartbreak upon learning of his son’s fate.
“My son went to Pahalgam yesterday for work. Around 3 pm, we heard of the attack. We tried calling him, but his phone was off. It rang again around 4:40 pm, but no one answered. We rushed to the police station and were told he had been shot,” he told ANI.
Shah later succumbed to his injuries.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> India News / by Vasudha Mukherjee, New Delhi (headline edited) / April 23rd, 2025
