Category Archives: Environment Initiatives / Green Heroes (wef. June 10th, 2025)

Marziya Pathan breaks stereotypes to lead from the front

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Environment Initiatives / Green Heroes (wef. June 10th, 2025), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mumbra, MAHARASHTRA :

Marziya Shanu Pathan

In the bustling suburb of Mumbra, on the outskirts of Mumbai, a young Muslim woman is emerging as a fearless leader—breaking stereotypes, raising her voice for justice, and empowering her community through bold, grassroots activism.

“People often underestimate how critical basic amenities are,” she says. “But when citizens lack even clean streets or functioning drains, how can we talk about empowerment?”

Marziya Shanu Pathan is not just addressing civic issues—she’s rewriting the script for what political and social leadership can look like, especially for women in marginalized communities.

From an early age, Marziya has been at the forefront of local activism, particularly in areas where Muslim women have historically faced barriers to education, mobility, and leadership.

Marziya Shanu Pathan at a Public rally

Through perseverance and determination, she overcame those challenges, completed her education, and entered public life. Now, through her NGO, the MSP Care Foundation, Marziya is creating lasting impact, one initiative at a time.

Mumbra struggles with overpopulation, inadequate civic infrastructure, and limited access to basic services. Marziya works tirelessly to bring attention to these problems—rallying for better roads, clean water, improved sanitation, reliable healthcare, and quality education.

Through her Foundation, Marziya leads campaigns to clean drains, address waste management issues, and pressure local authorities to respond to citizens’ needs. She doesn’t just talk about change—she gets her hands dirty doing it.

In 2012, the world was shaken when Malala Yousafzai was shot for advocating girls’ education in Pakistan. That same year, in a quiet corner of India, 12-year-old Marziya Pathan led a march through the streets of Mumbra, demanding access to education for girls. That moment was a turning point—not just for her, but for many in her community.

Marziya Shanu Pathan at a Eye surgery camp organised by her Foundation

Since then, she has remained at the frontlines of social reform.

Marziya is the daughter of Ashraf (Shanu) Pathan, a dedicated regional politician in the Thane Municipal Corporation. The father-daughter duo has long worked to address the region’s pressing issues—from water shortages and garbage collection to healthcare and crimes against women.

But Marziya is not content to walk in her father’s footsteps—she’s paving her path. Her focus on youth engagement, women’s empowerment, and constitutional awareness has brought new energy to Mumbra’s civic landscape.

She organizes workshops in schools to educate students about their constitutional rights. She arranges monthly eye camps for senior citizens, ensuring access to free cataract surgeries for those who can’t afford them.

Marziya Shanu Pathan meeting common people during her campaign on civic issues

Two years ago, a video of Marziya managing traffic during Ramzan went viral. Wearing her hijab, she was seen directing traffic late into the night in the congested Mumbra-Kausa market.

“After Mohammad Ali Road, Mumbra hosts Maharashtra’s largest Ramzan market,” she explains. “Women come from far-off areas to shop. We, the women of Mumbra, took it upon ourselves to ensure their safety and convenience.”

That viral moment wasn’t just symbolic—it was transformative. It showcased a new kind of leadership: visible, grounded, and unafraid.

Marziya’s foray into politics is not about power—it’s about purpose. “When I talk to people or address their issues, I don’t just see myself as a politician. I see myself as a citizen standing up for others,” she says.

Marziya Shanu Pathan with Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Marziya initially aspired to be a government officer and moved to Pune to prepare for competitive examinations. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she returned to Mumbra where after watching her father serve during the crisis made her take up social work as full-time work.

She believes more women must enter politics—but acknowledges it’s not easy. “Patriarchy and rigid mindsets create obstacles. But women who persist, who claim their space, can change the narrative,” she says.

“I admire every woman who carves out her identity, no matter the field. It takes courage and resilience.”

Quoting the findings of the 2009 Sachar Committee Report, Marziya points out that Muslim neighborhoods remain critically underdeveloped. “Not much has changed since that report. It’s our responsibility to bring attention to these gaps,” she says.

Whether through organized protests, petitions, or direct engagement with officials, Marziya ensures that issues like education, sanitation, and women’s safety stay at the top of the agenda. Her efforts have already led to the resolution of several long-standing civic problems in Mumbra.

Though born into a politically active family, Marziya has never relied solely on that legacy. Instead, she has chosen the harder road—working alongside the people, from the ground up.

Marziya Shanu Pathan courting arrest

Her courage, vision, and consistent community engagement have made her a role model, especially for young Muslim women and girls.

Marziya Pathan is more than just an activist—she’s a symbol of what young leadership in India can look like: principled, people-first, and fearless. Through constitutional values, civic engagement, and community-led solutions, she is reshaping not just Mumbra, but the larger discourse around women’s rights, minority representation, and participatory democracy.

In her quiet determination and bold action, Marziya proves that true leadership starts not in offices or headlines—but in the streets, schools, and hearts of the people.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Bhakti Chalak / July 09th, 2025

Amidst Manipur Turmoil, ‘Green Hero’ Anees Ahmed Plants Hope with One Lakh Trees

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Environment Initiatives / Green Heroes (wef. June 10th, 2025), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bualjang Hills, MANIPUR :

Three decades of selfless environmental work in the lush hills of the North East have become a beacon of inspiration in the region

New Delhi :

While Manipur continues to recover from the scars of communal violence, a quiet yet powerful story of hope has emerged from the lush hills of the North East. Anees Ahmed, a humble resident of the Bualjang Hills, has become a beacon of inspiration in the region, earning the title of ‘Green Hero’ for planting over one lakh trees in the past three decades.

At a time when the world races towards rapid modernisation and faces the harsh realities of climate change, Anees has chosen a different path, one rooted in soil, seeds, and selflessness.

Born and raised in the Bualjang Hills, often referred to as the jewel of the North East, Anees developed a fascination with nature from a young age. “I was always curious about trees, plants, and the mysteries of the forest,” he said.

Now in his fifties, Anees has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to greening his surroundings — not for fame or money, but for the pure love of nature. With no external support, no government grants, and without access to advanced facilities such as greenhouses or water tanks, he continues to nurture thousands of saplings from his modest home nursery.

Remarkably, Anees funds his entire campaign from his own pocket. He uses traditional, eco-friendly methods to collect seeds and cultivate saplings. “Each seed I plant, I treat it like a child. I make sure it grows strong,” he explained.

His nursery has produced and planted more than one lakh trees, while over 40,000 saplings have been distributed free of cost to individuals, schools, and village groups across the region. “What I do may seem small, but if many of us do it together, it becomes big,” he said with a smile.

From remote hilly terrains to urban public spaces, Anees’s green footprint can be found in every corner of Manipur. His plantations dot school campuses, roadsides, cremation grounds, and local parks. “In the early days, I focused on neglected public spaces like crematoriums and roadside areas,” he shared.

Over the years, he has also organised numerous plantation drives, particularly involving children and villagers. “I believe educating the next generation is the key. Once they start loving trees, they will protect them for life.”

Anees’s methods are as grounded as his values. Instead of relying on expensive tools or technologies, he uses simple techniques like seed balls — a method of enclosing seeds in a mixture of clay and compost, which are then scattered across barren areas to encourage natural growth.

“These methods are cheap, effective, and easy for anyone to follow,” he noted. “You don’t need to be rich or educated to plant a tree. You just need care.”

In a state often marred by ethnic tensions and civil unrest, Anees’s story offers an alternative narrative — one of unity, peace, and environmental stewardship. While violence has driven many to leave or take sides, Anees chose to stay rooted, literally and metaphorically.

“The hills are my home, and I owe something to them,” he said. “No matter how dark things get, nature always offers a path forward.”

Initially a lone effort, Anees’s campaign has gradually evolved into a small but growing movement. Inspired by his unwavering commitment, many locals have joined hands with him in recent years.

“His work gives us pride,” said Lalramsanga, a school teacher in Imphal. “He’s not doing this for publicity. He’s doing it for the earth, for our children.”

Another supporter, college student Anjali Devi, echoed the sentiment. “He made us realise that saving the environment isn’t someone else’s job — it’s ours too.”

Manipur’s ecology is under increasing pressure due to rampant development, illegal logging, and shifting cultivation practices. Environmental experts have long warned of the long-term consequences of deforestation in the region — including loss of biodiversity, increased landslides, and depletion of water sources.

In this context, Anees’s decades-long dedication to reforestation is not just admirable — it’s vital.

“His work shows how grassroots efforts can counterbalance environmental damage,” said Professor T. Indumati, an environmentalist from Manipur University. “We need more people like him.”

Anees’s mission is guided by a simple yet powerful motto: ‘Green Earth for Better Tomorrow.’ It’s a vision that goes beyond trees — it’s about fostering a culture of care, sustainability, and hope in a troubled world.

“The earth gives us everything. Isn’t it our duty to give something back?” Anees asks.

His answer comes not in words but in leaves, roots, and branches — in the quiet forests he has brought back to life with his bare hands.

As Manipur heals and rebuilds, the work of people like Anees serves as a reminder that peace and progress are not always forged in grand gestures or political speeches. Sometimes, they grow silently — in the shade of a sapling, nurtured by one man’s faith in the future.

His story speaks to people far beyond his village, offering a model of sustainable activism that resonates globally. At a time when climate anxiety is on the rise and ecological despair is mounting, Anees Ahmed stands as a symbol of what one determined individual can achieve.

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Indian Muslims / by Mohammed Bin Ismail / May 28th, 2025