Category Archives: Science & Technology

Meet Hamid Farooqui, the software engineer who created 3rd largest survey company in the world

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Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA / Virginia, U.S.A :

Mumbai based Hamid Farooqui , is a serial entrepreneur who is the CEO of a fast growing SaaS (Software as a Service) company called SoGoSurvey that he co-founded in 2012. SoGoSurvey offers powerful, user-friendly, and affordable online survey software. SoGoSurvey is changing how feedback is collected in a secure, collaborative setting, and moving forward the process of understanding the feedback gathered from customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

Hamid started his tech career as a geeky programmer during the dot com boom and has expertise in all its related technologies, from Software as a Service (SaaS), cloud computing and mobile applications. He was an early member of the technology team that designed, built, and launched Oracle’s e-Travel’s corporate travel tool using C++ and the then brand-new WAP.

In recognition of his strong performance and technology management skills, Hamid rose through successive promotions to serve as the division’s Director of Engineering. After e-Travel was acquired by Amadeus, Hamid led the integration of two complex technology platforms in both the U.S. and Europe.

Hamid is co-founder, CTO of K12Insight, which offers cloud-based solutions to enhance communication between educators and community members. K12Insight’s tools are helping school leaders build stronger relationships among parents, teachers, students, and staff. He also co-founded India’s most successful consumer review site mouthshut.com, considered a pioneer of the Internet revolution in India.

Hamid is a frequent speaker at technology conferences and startup events. Among his favorite topics are the startup scene in emerging markets and the future of autonomous cars.

Besides technology, Hamid is very actively involved in philanthropic work. He and his family runs and funds a school for poor children in a remote part of India, where more than 500 children study for free.

Hamid earned an engineering degree from Bombay University in India and a Master’s degree in Computer Science from State University of New York, Binghamton.  

Mr. Farooqui believes that Indian organizations just like their global counterparts need a strong survey tool in order to understand the pulse of their audience. Companies have to ensure that they know their customers so they can rectify or retain the quality of services or products. Also, for retention of employees, companies must conduct Employee Satisfaction Survey that helps in creating a suitable work environment that meets and exceeds their expectations.

About SogoSurvey:

When it came to online survey software, users have had two difficult options:

  • the affordable, low-end, low-power solution, and
  • the more powerful solution that breaks the bank

This world has just been disrupted: you can now have really powerful, highly user-friendly online survey software at a super-low cost. And it comes with training and support that existing customers are raving about. We’re changing not just how you collect feedback in a secure, collaborative setting, but also how you fundamentally view feedback from customers, employees and other stakeholders. Our solution is easy for the beginner and powerful for the expert.

SoGoSurvey is a software company which provides one of the best enterprise feedback system/ survey tool as SaaS model. SoGoSurvey was founded by Hamid Farooqui and Suhail Farooqui in beta/stealth mode in 2012. The company came out in its full existence in the year 2013. It is a USA based company with the offices in India and UAE.  Target market for SoGoSurvey is all small, medium and large businesses who need to conduct different types of surveys such as Employee satisfaction Survey, Customer Satisfaction Survey, Employee Engagement Survey and others.

Marketing Strategy of SogoSurvey is to have an awesome product and website which is appealing to the user. They also offer a free version of our tool so that users who want to use the tool for basic purpose can also access the same. The freemium model gives the access to a great amount of people who turn into loyal users eventually.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim> Positive Story> Sci-Tech> Youth / by Muslim Mirror Special Correspondent / January 04th, 2019

Book Excerpt: Barsa By Kadeeja Mumtas

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Kattoor (Thrissur District),KERALA:

Khadija Mumtaz - Wikipedia

Barsa, written by Kadeeja Mumtas, is the first Malayalam novel to be set in Saudi Arabia and as its introduction states, is a record of “a woman’s scrutiny of Islamic scriptures and Muslim life”.

Barsa, as its introduction states, is the first Malayalam novel to be set in Saudi Arabia. Written by Kadeeja Mumtas and translated into English by K M Sherrif, the book acts as a record of “a woman’s scrutiny of Islamic scriptures and Muslim life”. 

Sabitha, the protagonist of the novel, after moving to Saudi Arabia, starts questioning every aspect of her every day life – including religion.


The novel traces her personal journey as she is caught amidst culture, religion, and personal agency, and struggles to assert her own identity.

One hot afternoon, Rasheed and Sabitha first stepped out like refugees on the large expanse of land surrounding the grand mosque which housed the holy Ka’aba. Other travellers who knew their way hurriedly moved on while the two of them stood hesitantly at the crossroads, unsure of their next step. The coppery glare of the sun sat on their heads like the legs of a giant spider.

Rasheed glanced at Sabitha. He could sense her discomfort in the headscarf and the abaya, looking like a lawyer’s coat, which the Malayali workers at the airport had helped her buy. But he thought that even in those uncomfortable clothes, Doctor Prabhakaran’s niece, with her wheatish complexion, had a particular charm. He wanted to tell her this with a little smile, but with his tongue stuck to the roof of his dry mouth. He just couldn’t do it, which was a pity. If he had, maybe the wrinkles on her forehead would have lost at least one crease.

A yellow taxi backed up and stopped near them. Th e face of a man with a shabby headdress clamped down by a black ring came into view, and an arm jerked out of the window at the driver’s seat. “Fain aabga ruh?” Rasheed guessed he was asking where they wanted to go and replied, “Mudeeriya Musthashfa”—the Health Directorate. He had gleaned the Arabic expression from the conversation he had had in halting English with the Palestinian doctor they had met at the airport emergency service. He had seen Sabitha too write it down in her diary.

“Ta’al ”—come. Th e driver opened the car doors and invited them in. As he could not understand the driver’s sarcastic remark, directed obviously at his fairly large suitcase, Rasheed, with some embarrassment, chose to put it on his lap as he sat down and leaned back comfortably.

As the car sped at breakneck speed, Sabitha felt a tremor run through her, but she suppressed it immediately. She felt helpless at having to depend on a complete stranger, an Arab driver whose language she did not know. But she was also reassured by Rasheed’s presence. They had reached this far, trusting strangers, many of whose languages they did not know.

As they boarded the Saudi Airlines flight to Riyadh from Mumbai, Thambi, the man from their ticketing agents Ajanta Travels, had said reassuringly, “The flight will take about four and a half hours. Someone from the Ministry will be waiting to receive you. There is nothing to worry about, Riyadh is a nice city. Okay then, happy journey!”

From the moment Thambi, with that characteristic city dweller’s way of waving goodbye had raised his hands and walked away, Rasheed and Sabitha had taken comfort in each other’s presence. They could make this journey together only because of their decision to stick to each other, come what may. At the interview in Mumbai, it was Sabitha who was selected first, as a lady gynaecologist. The interview for ophthalmologists had not yet been conducted and, as there were a large number of applicants, Rasheed was not too hopeful of getting in. When she was asked to sign the contract, Sabitha hesitated, “I will sign only if my husband too is selected.” She had by then realised that lady gynaecologists were much in demand. “You sign; even if he is not selected, he can come with you on a family visa and then try for a job there.”

The man at Ajanta Travels, a go-getter, tried to hustle her. “No, I am not that keen to go to the Gulf to work. I will go only if he also gets a job there.” Her stubbornness paid off . An interview was fixed for Rasheed as a special case.

Excerpted with permission from Barsa, by Kadeeja Mumtas, Yoda Press. You can buy this book at 20% off at the FII-Yoda Press Winter Book Sale on 21st and 22nd December 2018 in New Delhi. For more details, check out the sale page.

source: http://www.feminisminindia.com / Feminism In India – FII / Home> Culture> Books / by FII Team / December 21st, 2018

Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain: scientist who changed the course of TB diagnosis in India

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Gaya, BIHAR:

Prof Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain

Prof Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain’s scientific research has changed the complicated regimen for the diagnosis of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis and the Indian Basmati getting its patent and trademark in the UK in the fight against the Pakistani variant. This Bihar-born scientists’ findings have saved patients suffering from Drug-Resistant TB money and time and helped the Indian government and farmers earn through exports of the Basmati.

He told Awaz-the Voice in an interview that the government of India has taken at least two major policy decisions based on his research. “One decision was that previously the testing of tuberculosis (TB) was based upon antibody-antigen reaction. So, the antibody formed was based on the antigen of a bacterial protein, and the sequence (genetic) used was mostly European or American isolates. 

“When I did sequencing in India, I found out that the Indian variant is completely different. Therefore, the test could give false positives or negatives…. I published this finding and had a meeting with the DG of ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) and recommended that the tests based on foreign kits be banned and that made a big impact.” 

The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Shri to Prof. Seyed E. Hasnain, renowned biologist, at an Investiture Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on March 29, 2006.

Padma Shri recipient Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain said. E. Hasnain was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the highest Civilian decoration of Germany in 2014. Nature, a famous scientific journal, reported on his receiving the award, “With the Order of Merit, he joins the league of outstanding personalities from various fields including Nobel laureate biologist Paul Herman Muller, former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone and music conductor John Crosby.” 

In 2006, he received Padma Shri in recognition of his scientific work. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize (1995) and J. C. Bose Fellowship (2006), two of the most prestigious Indian Awards in the field of science have also come his way apart from numerous other decorations.

Hasnain was born in Gaya, Bihar in 1954. He was born seven years after India had attained independence. At that time Bihar was not the most developed of the Indian states. Hasnain’s father was a college lecturer and he nursed a dream of studying abroad. He studied at the Nazareth Academy, an expensive school in the town. It’s said that almost 20% of his father’s salary would go into children’s school fees. 

He did his M.Sc. from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi. However, though he was selected for his post-graduation studies by Harvard University, for some reason he could not join.

In 1981, Hasnain moved to Canada as a Post-doctoral Fellow (PDF). He worked in Canada and the USA for the next six years. At this stage, his father asked him to return home to serve his country and people. He was advised by many people that he must try to get his green card before moving back to India. 


Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain with Dr Venky Ramakrishna, Nobel Prize Winner and President of Royal Society, UK, in Cambridge

In 1987, he joined the National Institute of Immunology (NII) as a scientist. Hasnain says, “I thought that after getting a green card, I would have a fall-back and a plan B. I did not want a plan B. My plan was the only plan A. I will work in India and do something good in India.”

Hasnain broke the convention by not continuing the research he was doing abroad. He started afresh and soon made a name for himself in research of baculoviruses. He established a baculovirus insect cell expression system (BEVS) for the first time in India and used this to express foreign genes and also to ask fundamental questions concerning gene expression in BEVS. The idea was to make India a scientific power.

Hasnain says that when his career was at the peak with research on baculovirus one day, Dr. Sandeep Basu, the then director of NII, asked him, “Seyed, you are publishing in good journals, it is fine, but how does humanity benefit? What is India gaining out of it? How are the common men benefiting from your papers? Doing research is good but do something which will benefit the common man.” 

This was the turning point in Hasnain’s life and career. He says “I decided to do something where I can do direct application.” He started his research on tuberculosis. 

Seyed Ehtesham Hasnain at the Global Health Conference organized by the German National Academy of Sciences, Leopoldina, Halle, Germany

Hasnain initiated studies on molecular epidemiology and genetics of multi-drug resistant (MDR) M. tuberculosis (M.tb). He says, “second important observation that was published, again the first time in the world. We used to test TB for drug resistance. The bacteria was tested against each drug. I showed with my study that if the bacteria are resistant to one drug then it will be resistant to almost all other drugs. I established the correlation and proposed that you don’t need to do multi-drug resistance testing for all the drugs. Just test one drug rifampicin and if it is confirmed then 95%-99% of drugs will be resisted by the bacteria. That has become a standard treatment all over the world. He is still working on developing cheaper methods of diagnosing TB.

In 1999 Hasnain was invited as the first director of the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), Hyderabad. It was based on his work on Indian Basmati Rice DNA fingerprinting that India won the Patent case against Pakistan enabling the export of the Indian Basmati to the UK. This prevented a major economic loss to India. Subsequently, the Ministry of Commerce established the CDFD-APEDA Basmati DNA Analysis Centre, where all Basmati exports are certified. 

Hasnain also served as Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad (2005-11), and Vice Chancellor of Hamdard University and is currently A National Science Chair of SERB, at the Department of Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology at IIT-Delhi. 

Hasnain Mantra is: “Nothing is a substitute for hard work.”  

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Saquib Salim / November 03rd, 2023

AMU satellite project named after Sir Syed Ahmad Khan gets IN-SPACe nod

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Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH:

The “SS AMU SAT” is a Nanosatellite Project which began in November 2021 under the AMU Robo Club.

AMU satellite project named after Sir Syed Ahmad Khan gets IN-SPACe nod

Aligarh Muslim University: 

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), working under the Department of Space, Government of India, has approved the proposal for development of “SS AMU SAT” – Aligarh Muslim University’s first satellite programme.

The leading university’s first satellite programme is to be named after its founder Sir Syed Ahmad Khan.

About SS AMU Sat

The “SS AMU SAT” is a Nanosatellite Project which began in November 2021 under the AMU Robo Club. The satellite is a 3U CubeSat with multiple objectives which include the study of economic growth in India’s poorest districts using satellite imagery and implementation of an in-house developed image compression technology for a faster multimedia transmission.

In addition to this, the satellite will also test various satellite sub-systems that have been built in-house.

SS AMU Sat Team

The project was submitted to IN-SPACe in January 2023, for approval, registration, frequency allocation and launch of SS AMU SAT.

In September 2023, the Student Satellite Committee, chaired by Dr. P K Jain, Director (PMAD), IN-SPACe, reviewed the design and approved the proposal with a condition that AMU will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with IN-SPACe for all activities from the development of the SS AMU SAT to its launch into the Lower Earth Orbit.

The project is headed by Prof. Ekram Khan, Chairman, Department of Electronics Engineering, under the leadership of Prof. M.M. Sufiyan Beg, Principal, Zakir Husain College of Engineering and Technology.

The students’ team which is involved in the development of the project, is led by Ms Poorti Varshney and mentored by Dr. C. A. Prabhakar (Former Project Director, ISRO) and Er. Faraz Ahmad (A 2013 batch alumnus). The project has received technical support from AMU alumni working with ISRO and several industrial experts across the globe.

The team of students comprises Kulsum Ilyas, Anant Agarwal, Tarun Singh, Rabiya, Mohammad Ali, Ilma Shah, Ahsan Waseem, Azhan Kamil, Tanu Attri, Mohd. Arquam, Kanuj Chitranshu, Munira Sultan, Atifa Saeed, Kanika, Asif Ali, Syed Muhammad Suhaib, Azam, Gulam Fareed, Samad, Varun Yadav, Mudassir Ali, Tehreem Fatima, Tarannum Zafar, Yashra, Mansha and Binish Kashif

The project is tentatively scheduled to be launched in 6 months.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by ummid.com news network / October 28th, 2023

India’s Millet Man Dr Khadar Vali says eating coarse grains is way to healthy life

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Purdadtoor Town (Kadapa District), ANDHRA PRADESH:

Dr Khadar Vali, the Millet man of India
Dr Khadar Vali, the Millet man of India

Coarse grains or millets are ancient foods which contain key nutrients like vitamins, zinc, beta-carotene, and magnesium. These foods keep blood sugar under control and reduce obesity. If one eats healthy food one can simply avoid disease and medicines.

This is the message from India’s leading agronomist Dr. Khadar Vali, who is also called the Millet man of India.

Dr. Vali is an independent scientist and food expert. He has brought back five species of millet that had disappeared from the world. Today, at 66 years of age, Vali is one of the leading proponents of millet cultivation in the world. He has made world realize the importance of grains.

Millets are available not only in India but everywhere in the world. These are known by different names in each country. To date, people around the world have eaten 200 different types of whole grains.

It’s important to note that the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets at the insistence of India.

Khadar Vali says that the cultivation of millets can solve problems of soil erosion and irrigation also. The food we eat creates an imbalance in blood glucose levels. It makes people sick. But all this can be avoided if we use coarse grains. If you eat millet, you never need medicine.

He says it’s a misconception that coarse grains are food for animals and birds. He says these are super foods that can prevent disease as these contain fiber that cleanses the body. These grains protect the human race and other species. Millets are food for the whole planet.

Fox millet or Bajra

Dr Khadar Vali hails from Purdadtoor town in the Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh. He has been working for 20 years to revive Sridhanialu, an Indian concept about food habits that are in sync with the nature and the human body.

Earlier, he worked in a good position in the USA. Dr Vali is a post-graduate from the Regional Institute of Education, Mysore, and did his PhD on Steroids from the Indian Institute of Sciences, Bengaluru.

Vali did his postdoctoral research on a fellowship in Environmental Science from the United States. His research focused on the inactivation of deadly chemicals such as Agent Orange and dioxins. His research came at a time when food was becoming increasingly commercialized.

Around 1986-87, Dr. Khadar Vali raised the issue of food-related consequences in society when he came across a case of a girl who started menstruating at the age of 6. He decided to return to his country.

He returned to India in 1997 and worked hard to revive five different varieties of millets in Mysore that were rapidly disappearing. More than two decades later, India’s ‘Milletman’ Dr. Khadar Vali was awarded the Padma Shri on the occasion of the 74th Republic Day celebrations.

awazurdu

Dr. Khadar Vali says that millet has long been part of the mainstream diet but over the past 75 years, corporations marketing rice and wheat have Institutions subjected them to “systematic destruction”.

He has told the world about the benefits of coarse grains along with the negative effects of other grains from his long research on millet. Some points of his research are as follows. His research on food grains has led him to categorized them as negative, neutral, and positive.

Negative: These Grains cause diseases and include paddy rice and wheat. The fiber content of these grains is below 2 percent.

Neutral: Grains don’t cause new diseases, however, can’t help to cure health disorders and diseases. These are jawar, bajra, finger millet, proso millet, etc which carry fiber content from 3 to 6 percent.

Positive: Grains, which help to cure health diseases and disorders. These are Foxtail millets, Barnyard millets, Browntop millets, Little millets, and Kodo millets; which have fiber content from 8 to 12 percent. He named these millets Siri Dhanyaalu. Siri means wealth, which is indirectly health. .

Based on Dr. Khadar Vali’s research and findings, below are the diseases and disorders cured by the positive millets (Siri Dhanyaalu)

 1. Foxtail Millet Rice: nervous system, psychological disorders, arthritis, Parkinson’s, epilepsy

 2. Kodo Millet Rice: blood impurities, anemia, weak immunity, diabetes, constipation, insomnia

 3. Barnyard Millet Rice: liver, kidney, excess bad cholesterol, endocrine glands

 4. Little Millet Rice: uterus, PCOD, male and female infertility

 5. Browntop Millet Rice: digestive system, arthritis, hypertension, thyroid, eye, obesity

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given the name Shree Anna to coarse grains.

The year 2023 was declared by the United Nations as the International Year of Coarse Grains, after which the Grammy Award-winning Indian-American singer Fallo prepared a song, saluting the efforts of Prime Minister Modi.

In one of his tweets, Fallow mentioned the Prime Minister’s support in producing the song. This song has been prepared with the aim of promoting coarse grains and helping farmers to cultivate them and encouraging efforts to eradicate hunger from the world.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Mansooruddin Faridi / October 07th, 2023

Meet Dr Shaikh Muna Afroz; India’s first female Muslim Gastroenterologists surgeon

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Aurangabad, MAHARASHTRA:

truth. on Instagram: "⚡INSPIRING: Success comes to those who believe in hard work, and this expression applies to Dr Shaikh Muna Afroz, who is about to attend the All India Institute of
pix: instagram.com /thetruth.india

Success comes to those who believe in hard work and this sentence fits the case of Dr Shaikh Muna Afroz, who is all set to join the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and probably become the first Muslim female Gastroenterologist (GI) surgeon in India.


In a message to the youth, Dr Muna says, “Perseverance and determination are the keys to success. I have experienced that my consistent efforts have enabled me to surmount every obstacle on my path to success.” Intending to become an academic surgeon, she struck an optimum balance between patient care, teaching, and research. She has authored more than five indexed research publications.


Dr Muna has presented her research papers at numerous conferences and won many accolades. Her inspiration is her grandfather, who is a General Surgeon and has been serving the community since 1967.


Dr Afroz hails from Maharashtra’s Aurangabad and bagged the All India Rank (AIR) third in MCh GI-HPB Surgery in the INI-SS 2023 and she also secured an All India Rank (AIR) – 10 for the Minimal Invasive Surgery Fellowship in 2021.

Prior to it, she aced CET-UG by securing the 93rd rank and completed her MBBS in 2017 from GMC Aurangabad.


In 2022, she acquired the Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) in Edinburgh, UK. Having cleared the licensing examination from Dubai Health Authority (UAE) in 2022, Dr Muna is currently licensed to practice medicine in India, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.

This report is filed by ANI news service.

source: http://www.thenewsmill.com / The News Mill / Home / by ANI / pix: edited / June 04th, 2023

Jamia alumnus and Okhla resident Umar shines at ‘BS2023 Competition’, Tongji University, Shanghai

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Okhla, DELHI:

Jamia alumnus and Okhla resident Umar shines at Shanghai event

Jamia Millia Islamia alumnus and Okhla resident, Mohd Umar, shines at the BS2023 competition at Shanghai.

Son of Professor Asif Zameer and Gauhar Asif, he is a resident of Nazir Apartment in Okhla.

Four students from India – Arjita Gupta, Debanjana Das, Mohammed Umar, and Mohi Saxena – participated in the event.

Of the 19 entries received from the USA, Australia, China, Africa, and other European countries, the CEPT team from Ahmedabad, conducted an in-depth performance analysis of the Students’ Activity Centre (SAC) at Tongji University, Shanghai, China and brought home the trophy.

This year’s competition programme aims to design and optimise a nearly net zero carbon emission building by computer simulation, it said.

source: http://www.theokhlatimes.com / The Okhla Times / Home> JMI/EDU / by the okhla times (headline edited)/ September 15th, 2023

18-year-old Kerala’s 1st DGCA-licensed woman drone pilot

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Malappuram, KERALA:

It was her father, who after recognising the immense potential of drones in surveying, encouraged Rinsha to learn the skill.

Rinsha flying a drone

Kasargod: 

There are many 18-year-olds who decide to take a break just after finishing higher secondary education and before taking up higher studies. And of them, most opt to spend their time relaxing. However, Rinsha Pattakal of Malappuram is built differently. Unlike many of her peers, the 18-year-old decided to use her free time to learn a skill. And in doing so, she created history.

Thanks to her dedication, Rinsha became the first woman from the state to receive a licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for flying drones weighing up to 25kg. It was while she was waiting for admission to BTech in Civil Engineering that Rinsha decided to take up drone flying lessons. 

The rigorous training she underwent at ASAP Kerala Community Skill Park in Kasaragod, the sole DGCA-approved drone-flying training centre in Kerala, paved the way for her historic achievement. Rinsha also credits Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Systems Pvt Ltd, an organisation in Ernakulam that provides training to aspiring drone pilots in collaboration with ASAP, for her success. 

It was her father, who after recognising the immense potential of drones in surveying, encouraged Rinsha to learn the skill. The sole woman student in the ASAP’s first-ever drone flying training batch, Rinsha has set a shining example for young women across the country with her achievement.

The comprehensive 96-hour executive programme in small-category drone piloting, which also includes a five-day DGCA Licensing training, can be successfully completed within 16 days.  The course includes specialised training in 3D mapping, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) survey, UAV assembly and programming, and aerial cinematography, equipping students with a wide range of skills to excel in the dynamic drone industry. “Drones are revolutionising various fields and have diverse uses such as aerial surveillance, rescue operations, traffic monitoring, weather monitoring, firefighting, drone photography, videography, agriculture, and delivery services,” Rinsha said.

In India, the DGCA Drone Remote Pilot Certificate is now a mandatory requirement for operating drones. The course at ASAP Kerala offers in-depth knowledge of drone flying rules and regulations, ensuring responsible and safe operations. Aspiring pilots above 18 years of age, who have passed Class X and possess a valid passport, are eligible to enrol in the course.

ASAP officials said Rinsha’s achievement serves as an inspiration to all and showcases Kerala’s progressive spirit. “The accomplishment not only empowers women in the field of aviation but also propels the state towards embracing cutting-edge technologies,” said an official.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Pooja Nair / Express News Service / July 28th, 2023

Who Is Dr Faruk Gulam Patel? A Bus Conductor’s Son Who Once Worked In London Café, Today Owns Rs 2,500 Crore Business Empire

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Saladara Village (Bharuch) / Surat, GUJARAT :

Dr Faruk Gulam Patel is the Chairman and Managing Director of KP Group, one of the major players in the solar and wind power sector in India.

Who Is Dr Faruk Gulam Patel? A Bus Conductor's Son Who Once Worked In London Café, Today Owns Rs 2,500 Crore Business Empire
Having seen poverty closely, Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel moved to Mumbai at a younger age to help his family

A house is not built overnight just like success. One lesser-known aspect of success is the importance of failure. While success is often associated with achieving goals and attaining positive outcomes, failure plays a crucial role in the journey toward success. And failure is not always associated with the fall; it’s also associated with the struggles you face during your journey. One such inspiring story is Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel, Chairman and Managing Director of KP Group.

Dr. Patel often remains in the news for his trust in the India story and his latest tryst with headlines was due to him being conferred with an honorary doctorate by the American East Coast University for his work in the field of renewable energy.

Who Is Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel?

Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel, born on March 24, 1972, hails from Saladara Village in Bharuch. His parents, Gulam Patel and Rashidaben, raised him in a humble household.

In this lower-middle-class family, Dr. Patel’s father made a living as a bus conductor for Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC). Just like average Indian middle-class families, Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel did his primary schooling at Surat Municipal Corporation School in Kanbiwad Bhandri Moholla and later on shifted to VD Desai Vadiwala School also called Bhulka Bhavan on the advice of his teacher Shantaben.

Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel’s Struggle

Having seen poverty closely, Dr. Faruk Gulam Patel moved to Mumbai to help his family financially he began learning about import-exports along with working as an optician to earn extra money.

Later, he joined Manmade Textile Research Association in 1990 for experience and later started a business by joining Hafiz Brothers.

Then in 1991, he flew to England and started working in a café to support his family. But soon he started missing his motherland and wanted to do something for his country.

Dr. Faruk G. Patel’s Entrepreneurial Journey

After spending two years abroad, he flew back to Surat in 1993 and started carting business.

But being an ambitious person with a bigger vision in 1994, he started KP Group with a capital of Rs 1 lakh. It was the turning point of Dr. Patel’s journey.

Going ahead in 2001 he started KP Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. and marked his journey into Telecommunication Industry. Recognizing the future of communication and the increasing demand for communication towers, he made the strategic decision to expand his business across 16 states in India. Building on his visionary mindset, after years of success, he saw the importance of diversification and ventured into the renewable energy sector. 

In 2008, he founded KPI Green Energy, marking his entry into the solar power domain. Following that, in 2010, he further expanded his portfolio by establishing KP Energy, focusing on wind power projects. Taking his solar power aspirations forward, he initially procured 220 acres of land in Sudi, Bharuch, to develop a Solar Park. Over time, his vision expanded, and the group now possesses over 1500 acres of land; owns Gujarat’s largest private solar park, and has 2+GW of green energy portfolio. The KP Group today has a business empire of Rs 2,500 crore across India.

source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / Zee News / Home> News> Business> Success Story / by Zee News Bureau / July 07th, 2023

Winners of 3rd National NGO Awards . 86 NGOs & 100 Changemakers honoured with 3rd AMP National Awards for Social Excellence 2023!

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Leaders, Science & Technology, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Late Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, renowned Managing Editor, The Siasat Daily, for his immense contribution in the welfare of the people of the country, especially, States of A.P. & Telangana.

Winners of 3rd AMP National Awards for Social Excellence (NASE) 2023 were announced, on the evening of Independence Day, 15th August 2023, in an eagerly awaited function graced by honourable guests and a large gathering of participants from across India. 

A memorable event to announce the awards and felicitate a few awardees present, was held at Hakeem Abdul Hameed Auditorium, Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi. 

86 National & State level NGOs were awarded with Best NGO Awards. 100 inspiring individuals were given Changemaker Awards. 

Following are the NGOs (in alphabetical order) who were given the Best NGO Award;

  1. Ajmal Foundation, Assam
  2. All India Educational Movement (AIEM), Delhi
  3. All India Payam E Insaniyat Forum, Uttar Pradesh
  4. Daya Rehabilitation Trust Thanal, Kerala
  5. Miles2Smile Foundation, Delhi
  6. Manappat Foundation, Kerala
  7. M S Education Academy, Telangana

Apart from NGOs, 100 individuals were honoured with the AMP NASE Change Maker Awards.

These are the individuals who went beyond their personal and social limitations and made a difference in the lives of the underprivileged. Some of the notable Change Makers who have been honoured are;

  1. Shams Ur Rehman Alavi
  2. Firdouse Qutb Wani
  3. Aqueel Khan
  4. Dr. Faruk G Patel
  5. Asad Ashraf
  6. Dr Sana Ali Khan
  7. Faiqa Saulat Khan
  8. Mohammad Anas

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Late Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, renowned Managing Editor, The Siasat Daily, for his immense contribution in the welfare of the people of the country, especially, States of A.P. & Telangana. 

The Omar Khatani Special Award was given to Business & Employment Bureau (BEB), Jamia Hamdard.

For more details of award list and certificate
www.ampindia.org/AMP_National_NGO_Award_2023

Shri Tariq Anwar, Former Minister of State, Agriculture & Food Processing, Govt. of India, was the Chief Guest at the event. He said “It should be appreciated that AMP has been working in areas of Education and Empowerment of those who have been left behind in comparison to other sections of the Society. In conjunction with politicians, the NGOs can help to bring a positive and significant change in the Society.”

Guest of Honor, Prof. Akhtarul Wasey, Former President, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, congratulated AMP for organising the event at Jamia Hamdard which has been at the forefront of Social Development and Education. He said, “Within 15 years AMP has done significant work for the development of the Community and has managed to successfully changed the taali & gaali culture to that of serving the Society.”

Aamir Edresy, President, AMP, presented the Keynote address, wherein he mentioned that AMP believes in Collaboration and since its inception has been working with multiple organisations. He mentioned that through its NGO Connect project, AMP is connected with social organisations in each District of India, through which it implements its social welfare projects and also helps in their capacity building. He further said that these Awards are a small way of appreciating their efforts and helping to motivate them to do better.

Dr. Shahid Akhtar, Professor, Jamia Millia Islamia & Member, National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions (NCMEI), Govt. of India, said “AMP deserves the appreciation for rewarding & motivating various organisation & individuals for their work. We will work together with AMP for guiding Minority Institutions to register with NCMEI so that they get the benefits of Government’s education policies.”
 
Farooq Siddiqui, AMP NGO Connect Project Head, hosted the event very successfully and announced the awards for various categories at the National & State level. While addressing the gathering he said “We have successfully reached out to 6000+ NGOs in a short span of  3 years and associated with them on multiple AMP projects. These include Job Fairs & Job Drives, National Talent Search (NTS), Career Guidance Seminars (CGS), IndiaZakat.com and others.”

Prof. Mohammad Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard welcomed the Guests and the participants.  Shaukat Mufti, Executive Secretary, Business & Employment Bureau (BEB), Jamia Hamdard, presented the vote of thanks.

The 9-member jury which selected the winners were led by A. R. Khan, Retd. IAS Officer & President A. R. Welfare Foundation and U. Nisar Ahmed, Retd. IPS Officer & Chairman National Centre for Research & Development. Mirza Mobin Beg, Sr. AMP Member was In-charge & Jury Co-ordinator for AMP NASE Awards 2023.

source: http://www.ampindia.org / Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP) /Home / August 15th, 2023