Category Archives: Science & Technology

Faith inspires Muslim veterinarian’s compassion for animals

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BIHAR / Chicago, U.S.A :

“If you try to understand what Islam is and what Islam teaches, it’s just the opposite of what you hear in the media,” said Dr. Zia Usman, owner of Rogers Park Animal Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Zia Usman is a rarity within the U.S. veterinary profession.

Not only does the Indian-born and -trained veterinarian own a companion animal practice on Chicago’s North Side, Dr. Usman is also a Muslim. 

Such a combination is unusual among first-generation immigrants who are followers of Islam, according to Dr. Usman’s colleague, Riaz H. Siddiqi, a professor at Truman College in Chicago and president of the Muslim VMA.

The association believes approximately 500 Muslim veterinarians are in the United States. Dr. Siddiqi thinks most of them are employed in academia, research, industry, or government, where they are likely to be inspectors in slaughterhouses. Few Muslim veterinarians in the United States work with pets, he said, but this is more a matter of economics, not any Islamic taboo.

“Many of us who come here, we have families, and we’re in a hurry to find a job quickly, and we don’t have the time or money to go through the certification process,” Dr. Siddiqi explained.

Growing up in India, Dr. Usman was expected to become a physician like his father, yet his “heart was inclined toward animals,” he said, so he enrolled at the Ranchi College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry in Bihar.

Two years after graduating in 1970, Dr. Usman immigrated to America. His first job was as a laboratory animal technician at the University of Illinois Biological Resources Laboratory in Chicago.

In time, Dr. Usman passed the AVMA Educational Commission on Foreign Veterinary Graduates certification program, became assistant director of laboratory animal resources at Northwestern University College of Medicine, and got his veterinary license. In 1992, he left laboratory animal medicine to open a private practice in Chicago, allowing him to work with pets and educate the public about Islam.

The Muslim community is well-established in Chicago, but Sept. 11 raised its visibility and put Islam in a negative light. “Now people know more about Muslims and Islam, and, unfortunately, they’re not knowing in the proper way,” Dr. Usman said. The media portrays Muslims as terrorists when “it’s just the opposite,” he said.

Muslims understand why Islam is one of the world’s fastest-growing religions, according to Dr. Usman. Islam, he said, is a peaceful religion that details man’s obligations to animals, especially the slaughter of food animals. Muslims are admonished not to slaughter an animal in front of other animals, for instance, and to end an animal’s life quickly and with as little pain as possible. There are even instructions on how a Muslim is to hunt humanely. “Every step of the way, we have religious guidance,” Dr. Siddiqi noted.

A common misconception is that Muslims shun dogs as unclean animals. Neither Dr. Usman nor Dr. Siddiqi is an Islamic scholar, but they say their faith does not prohibit Muslims from dog ownership. In fact, Dr. Usman owned a German Shepherd Dog as a teenager. “That was my baby,” he recalled. “I would take care of him and cook for him.”

Dr. Usman cited a popular account in the Hadith—a collection of narratives based on the words and deeds of the prophet Muhammad and, in addition to the Quran, one of Islam’s primary sources for instruction. According to the story, a man took pity on a thirsty dog by giving it water from a shoe. “Allah approved of his deed and made him to enter Paradise,” the story goes.

When Dr. Usman came to America, he didn’t know what to expect. So in 1999 he helped found the Muslim VMA to give Muslim veterinarians coming to the United States information he didn’t have. In addition to providing career advice, the association helps Muslims find halal food, that is, sources providing food that complies with Islamic dietary laws. The Muslim VMA wants to eventually start its own halal certification program.

Dr. Siddiqi said the association is planning to hold a meeting in Chicago of Muslim veterinarians and is hoping to network with human physicians to strengthen efforts at preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases.

source: http://www.avma.org / AVMA / Home>> JAVMA News / February 10th, 2010 / by R Scott Nolen / February 01st, 2010

Aligarh Muslim University senior professor dies of Covid

COVID 19 - Fatalities, Education, Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , , , , ,

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

The incident takes the number of serving and retired faculty members who have died because of Covid or Covid-like symptoms to at least 39.

Professor Mohammad Nasiruddin, 55, from the department of pharmacology died on Sunday / File picture

A senior professor of Aligarh Muslim University has succumbed to the coronavirus disease at the varsity’s Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, according to officials, taking the number of serving and retired faculty members who have died because of Covid or Covid-like symptoms to at least 39. 

Professor Mohammad Nasiruddin, 55, from the department of pharmacology died on Sunday.

Professor Shahid Ali Siddiqui, principal of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, said Nasiruddin had tested positive for Covid-19 and had been admitted to the hospital two weeks ago.

Students of the AMU have submitted a memorandum to vice-chancellor Tariq Mansoor urging him to set up separate vaccination centres on campus for university staff and students.

At least 18 serving and 21 retired AMU faculty members have died of Covid or Covid-like symptoms.

On Sunday evening, AMU students took out a candle march in memory of the serving and retired faculty members.

AMU proctor professor Wasim Khan told reporters on Sunday “according to available information, none of the AMU teachers who lost their lives to Covid-19 had been vaccinated”. He said the authorities would consider the students’ demand for separate vaccination centres for them and university staff. 

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> India / by PTI, Aligarh / May 18th, 2021

Shahid Jameel quits as head of virus genome sequencing group

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Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Virologist Shahid Jameel. File   | Photo Credit: Eswarraj R

The eminent virologist did not give any reasons for his departure

Shahid Jameel, eminent virologist and head of the advisory group to the Indian SARS-COV-2 Genomics Consortia (Insacog), resigned from his post on Friday.

Dr. Jameel confirmed to The Hindu that he’d quit but did not give any reasons for his departure.

Multiple scientists who are part of Insacog — a group of 10 laboratories across the country, tasked with tracking evolving variants of the coronavirus — told The Hindu that Dr. Jameel’s decision appeared to be sudden as he hadn’t communicated reasons for his resignation to consortium members but one of them cited “government pressure” as a potential reason.

Dr. Jameel, who is Director, Trivedi School of Biosciences at Ashoka University has been critical of aspects of the government’s handling of the pandemic.

On May 13, in an invited opinion piece for the New York Times, Dr. Jameel summarised India’s response to the multiple waves and the uneven vaccination rollout and concluded by saying “scientists were facing stubborn resistance to evidence-based policy-making. On April 30, over 800 Indian scientists appealed to the Prime Minister, demanding access to the data that could help them further study, predict and curb this virus. Decision-making based on data is yet another casualty, as the pandemic in India has spun out of control. The human cost we are enduring will leave a permanent scar.”

The Insacog, setup in December, faced initial challenges with funds and equipment but since March has considerably accelerated sequencing samples from all over the country for variants. It has been tracking international variants of concern as well as discovered the so called ‘Indian variant ‘ (B.1.617) that is believed to be instrumental in India’s devastating second wave.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Jacob Kohsy / New Delhi – May 16th, 2021

Volunteers from around the world rally to help tackle COVID-19 in Karnataka

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KARNATAKA :

People wait outside an oxygen production unit at Peenya Industrial Area in Bengaluru, after many hospitals ran out of oxygen and beds with ventilators. File photo for representation.   | Photo Credit: K. Murali Kumar

Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute 1992 batch doctors liaise with volunteer groups to offer services

Doctors living across the world — all alumni of the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) from the 1992 batch — have now banded together with a coalition of volunteer groups to offer end-to-end COVID-19 management for patients in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru.

While the Karnataka COVID-19 Volunteers Team (KCVT), with over 500 members, has set up a helpline (080-47166115) which counsels patients, refers them to doctors for tele-consultation, helps in home management and to find hospital beds, Mercy Mission is operating two COVID-19 care centres and has a tie-up with the HBS Hospital in Shivajinagar for critical care. While the helpline and tele-consultation with doctors is available for patients across the State, other on ground facilities are in the city.

“There are over 50 doctors, most of them from BMCRI 1992 batch, and many living in the U.S. and the U.K., who are offering free tele-consultation for COVID-19 patients. I have been doing this for a week now. Most cases are manageable at home. What patients need is guidance and some confidence,” said Umesh Nareppa, a senior cardiac surgeon at Vikram Hospital in the city, and an BMCRI 1992 batch alumnus.

Fund raising

The doctors abroad have also raised funds to the tune of around ₹2 crore and sent 250 oxygen concentrators to the city for patients who need them during home isolation.

Another BMCRI alumnus, H.V. Vasu, who is coordinating the KCVT, said the helpline also has over 100 trained counsellors and will follow patients through the entire course of the infection, advising them with course of treatment, diet, tele-consultation with doctors and try to organise oxygen, hospital beds, if need be. “We have helped book more than 200 beds in the last few days, all through diligent follow-up with the civic body,” he said.

Meanwhile, the KCVT and BMC-92 have partnered with Mercy Mission, another network of NGOs is also running helplines organising oxygen, beds, food and even cremating COVID-19 patients, and for hospital infrastructure. “We have a tie-up with Al Ameen Hospital and HBS Hospital, both in Shivajinagar. While we refer mild to moderate patients to Al Ameen Hospital, we are partnering with HBS for critical care. Mercy Mission is also looking at partnering with CSI hospital, also in the same area, for which talks are in initial stages. Meanwhile, Mercy Mission has partnered with a hospital in Hassan,” said Ali Shariff, who is coordinating these efforts. Patients who need hospital care are being referred to these hospitals.

Mercy Mission is also looking to reactivate the over 40 on ground triaging centres it operated last year in the city’s slums, with focus on vaccination this time. “There is vaccine hesitancy in the slums and we need to send in motivators who have earlier worked in these slums to get people to take the jab. Vaccine coverage is inequitable and low in these pockets. Once we are assured of vaccine supply, we will begin these centres, where we will also take up triaging for COVID-19 cases,” said Mr. Shariff.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by K.V. Aditya Bharadwaj / Bengaluru – May 16th, 2021

100-oxygenated-bed facility at Haj Bhavan inaugurated

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Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

A 100-oxygenated-bed facility was inaugurated at Haj Bhavan COVID-19 Care Centre in Bengaluru on Saturday.   | Photo Credit: Murali Kumar K

8 doctors, 12 nurses, 12 housekeeping staff, data operator posted at the CCC

As many as 100 of the 400 beds at the COVID-19 Care Centre (CCC) in Haj Bhavan in Bengaluru have been converted to oxygenated beds. The facility was inaugurated by Minister for Revenue R. Ashok on Saturday. The Minister told reporters that in the second phase, 50 beds each would be converted to ICU and HDU beds.

According to a press release, 8 doctors, 12 nurses, 12 housekeeping staff and a data operator have been posted at the CCC, which is also a triaging centre. For emergency purposes, 2 ambulances are on standby.

Mr. Ashok said that to mitigate the oxygen shortage supply in the city, all CCCs have been equipped with oxygenated beds. Over 800 oxygen concentrators have been delivered to the CCCs apart from ‘Oxybuses’ to support patients. “Every day, we are striving to increase 100 oxygen beds. This will cut down the oxygen problem in the city,” he said.

CCC with 46 oxygenated beds

A COVID-19 Care Centre with 46 oxygenated beds has been established at the Kempegowda Community Hall, near Nandini Layout, in Mahalakshmi Layout Assembly constituency. The facility, which is also a triage centre, was inaugurated by Union Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Minister for Excise K. Gopalaiah on Saturday.

Mr. Gowda said the CCC will be operational from Sunday. Three oxygen mobile vans have been making the rounds of the constituency to provide oxygen to patients in critical need, he said and added that a systematic plan is in place to contain COVID-19 in the city.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / May 16th, 2021

CPM candidate-Kolkata doctor, who conducts dialysis for Rs 50, is a 7-time plasma donor

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Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

Fuad Halim, doctor & son of ex-Bengal Speaker Hashim Abdul Halim, had drawn attention last year for providing dialysis services to the poor during last year’s Covid lockdown.

Doctor and CPM candidate Fuad Halim has donated plasma seven times in the past seven months, since recovering from Covid in August last year | Twitter | @fuadhalim

Kolkata: 

A year ago, Dr Fuad Halim gained recognition and got appreciation for providing dialysis services to patients dependent upon it, at a time when the nation-wide Covid lockdown was making access to healthcare difficult for non-Covid patients.

He charges just Rs 50 for the procedure that usually costs anything between Rs 1,200 and Rs 2,000 at most hospitals. His patients, both Covid-positive and non-Covid, are mostly from the economically weaker sections of society.

The ‘Communist doctor’, who is a politician too and is also contesting the ongoing West Bengal assembly polls, is continuing the dialysis services at his small clinic near Park Street in south Kolkata.

In the last seven months, however, Halim has also helped Covid patients in a different way — by donating plasma multiple times.

Speaking to ThePrint, Halim said he had tested positive for Covid in July last year, and spent two weeks in a hospital ICU, battling for life. Having fully recovered in August, he donated plasma for the first time in September, said the doctor.

Plasma is a component of the human blood that carries antibodies, and it is believed that plasma therapy can be effective in Covid treatment if it is used after checking for neutralising antibodies. Plasma can be donated  within a gap of 15 days, and the donor can start giving plasma a month after recovering from Covid.

In the last seven months, Halim, 50, claims to have donated plasma seven times.

He is yet to get vaccinated against Covid — anyone who receives the dose cannot donate plasma for 28 days from the date of vaccination.

Son of late Hashim Abdul Halim, who had been Bengal’s longest serving legislative assembly Speaker, Fuad Halim is contesting the Bengal assembly polls as a candidate of the Sanjukta Morcha, an alliance of Congress, CPI(M) and new entrant Indian Secular Front, from south Kolkata’s Ballygunge constituency.

Halim wasn’t, however, seen holding big rallies. His campaign was more focussed on creating Covid awareness. The doctor-turned-politician claimed that his party opted for smaller rallies and concentrated on virtual campaigns.

‘Will continue donating plasma as long as health parameters permit’

“There are two aspects to my life — one of a politician and the other of a doctor. But there is an underlying similarity that bind the two. I became a politician to serve people and as a doctor I am medically trained to do certain specialised things for people. I will continue donating (Plasma) as long as my health parameters permit,” Halim told ThePrint.

According to Halim, an individual can donate plasma if the count of antibodies in the body match a certain level and his other medical parameters are complementary. “My antibody count is very high as of now. And I am still eligible for donation. I donated recently on Friday. I will need another 14 days to donate again, if my health parameters allow me to,” said the doctor-politician who donates his plasma at the Calcutta Medical College.

Plasma can be preserved for at least a year under ideal conditions and a packet of 500 ml plasma can save even two to three lives, he added.

Prasun Bhattacharya, head of Calcutta Medical College, said: “Dr Fuad Halim has donated plasma seven times, which is very rare and unique. Anybody with a high antibody count can donate plasma, but seven times is a very big number. He had very high number of antibody count, that is why we took his plasma. He has saved many lives.”

Dr Indranil Biswas, former medical superintendent and vice-principal of Calcutta Medical College, said, “It is difficult for anyone to donate plasma seven times. It depends on the immunoglobulin (antibody) a person has.”

Halim said he will go in for vaccination only when he is no longer able to donate plasma. “A second Covid wave has hit the country. People who were infected on and after 1 March, will only be eligible to donate from May. That is the protocol. Meanwhile, the need for plasma donors has skyrocketed. If I can save some lives, I will be happy to continue donating,” he added.

With a surge in Covid infections, his three-member team of doctors at his dialysis unit now first screen the patients for Covid. If anyone tests positive, they are admitted to MR Bangur Hospital, a government Covid-treatment facility. After two weeks of the detection of infection, his team starts with the patient’s dialysis.

Halim had contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Diamond Harbour on a CPI(M) ticket. He finished a distant third with less than 1 lakh votes, while the winner, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee, got nearly 8 lakh votes.

(Edited by Poulomi Banerjee)

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by Madhuparna Das / April 28th, 2021

Dr Shafeeque Ahmed Ansari – Mentor of Budding Scientists laid to rest in Malegaon

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Malegaon (Nashik District), MAHARASHTRA / NEW DELHI :

Dr Shafeeque Ahmed Ansari of Jamia Millia Islamia

Dr Shafeeq Ansari had died while working for Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi at around 12:45 pm Friday.

Malegaon: 

With tearful eyes, Dr Shafeeque Ahmed Ansari was laid to rest at Bada Qabaristan in Malegaon a little before sunset on Saturday April 24, 2021. He was 54.

Dr Shafeeq Ansari had died while working for Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi at around 12:45 pm Friday after cardiac arrest. He is survived by ailing mother, wife and two adopted children.

Professor Shafeeq Ansari was originally from Malegaon and had to fight acute poverty to reach to the position he held when he breathed his last.

“Educational Journey”

Dr Shafeeque did his schooling from Malegaon before graduating from MSG College, Malegaon. Later he moved to Pune University Physics Department where he did his MSc, Mphil and PhD.

He completed his PhD in 1998-99 on Semiconductor thin films. He joined post-doctoral position at Chonbuk National University Jeonju South Korea. After that he moved to JAIST Khanazawa in Japan as JSPS fellow.

Four years later, he moved back to Chonbuk as “Brain Pool Scientist” – one of the Falgship Korean national program on Science at that time. He spent another three years as scientist then moved to Najran University in Saudi Arabia.

After a brief stay at Najran University, Dr Shafeeque Ansari moved to Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi as Associate Professor in 2008-2009 where his wife Prof. Zubaida was also a Senior Faculty in the same discipline.

At Jamia Millia Islamia, Dr Shafeeq played a key role is shaping the “Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences (CIRBSc)”. He later became its Director, working on this post from November 2016 to November 2019.

“A Brilliant Scientist”

Prof. Shafeeque was a brilliant scientist, great administrator and man of principles. He trained tens of researchers during his career from 2002-2021.

He played a key and instrumental role in elevating the ranking of Jamia Millia Islamia from 72 to 12 as Director of Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) where he invested a huge effort to put data into prospective.

Dr Shafeeque Ansari also worked as Coordinator Institute of Eminence and Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence(PURSE) run by Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt of India at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi. He was also In-charge of the Central Instrumentation Facility of the Jamia.

Prof. Shafeeq was humble, affectionate human being, great mentor, great character, and a great and amazing personality. He was a great mentor for young students in Korea and Japan, and remained close to their heart till his death. He played crucial role in shaping his students as young researcher.

The contribution of Dr Shafeeq in Science and bringing motivation, especially among Indian Muslims, will be remembered forever.

May Almighty enlighten his grave and grant him Jannatul Firdous. Amen

[The co-writer of this obituary, Dr. Ahsanulhaq Qureshi, hails from Kashmir and is a student of Dr Shafeeque. Dr Qureshi is currently working as Sr. Professor in Abu Dhabi.]

source: http://www.ummid.com /Ummid.com / Home> Obituray / by Dr Ahsanulhaq Qureshi and Zohair M Safwan, ummid.com / April 25th, 2021

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil donates AED1 million to ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign

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KERALA / U.A.E :

pix: vpshealth.com

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, Chairman and Managing Director of VPS Healthcare, donated AED1 million to the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign, the first humanitarian campaign of its kind in the Arab world to provide food parcels for disadvantaged individuals and families across 30 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America this Ramadan.

Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil’s contribution is part of the large response from companies, businessmen and community members in the UAE and abroad in support of the campaign, which was announced by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

Given the influx of donations, from philanthropist individuals and companies, the ‘100 Million Meals’ campaign fully achieved its goal of 100 million meals within 10 days of its launch.

Dr. Vayalil said, “At VPS Healthcare, we are proud and privileged to be a part of this distinguished programme. It is in line with our motto to giving back to society and helping the needy.”

The 100 Million Meals campaign is managed by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives, in cooperation with the UN World Food Programme, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Humanitarian and Charity Establishment, Food Banking Regional Network, and local food banks and humanitarian and charity institutions in beneficiary countries.

Donations to the campaign can be made on www.100millionmeals.ae, by contacting the campaign call centre on the toll-free number 8004999, via the designated bank account through Dubai Islamic Bank (AE08 0240 0015 2097 7815 201), and by sending the word “وجبة” in Arabic or “Meal” in English by SMS on specified numbers via the Du or Etisalat networks in the UAE.

source: http://www.wam.ae / Home> Emirates> English / April 24th, 2021

PEOPLE: Dr. Eijaz Ahmed Bhat Makes J&K Proud With Young Scientist Award

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion, , ,

Kenihama Village (Budgam District) , JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Dr. Eijaz Ahmed Bhat has been conferred with International Scientist Award (Young Scientist Award) at the 11th International Scientist Awards-2020 for Engineering, Science and Medicine held by VDGOOD TECHNOLOGY FACTORY.

Dr. Bhat was also conferred with Young Researcher Award 2020 for his work published in Nature Cell Research by the Institute of Scholars, Bangalore.

Dr. Eijaz Ahmed Bhat is currently working as Postdoctoral fellow in Life sciences Institute, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, China. He did his Masters in Biochemistry from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Department of Biochemistry. He then moved to South Korea for higher studies. He earned his PhD in Biochemistry from Yeungnam University, School of Natural Sciences, Department of Biochemistry, South Korea, in August 2018. Dr. Eijaz was awarded the Yeungnam University Post Graduate Scholarship. He has also served as a Vice president of Yeungnam University International Students Association (YUISA).

After completing his doctorate, Dr. Eijaz Ahmed Bhat joined as a postdoctoral research fellow in Zhejiang University, China, Life Sciences Institute, School of Medicine. His research interests include Study of proteins related to various signalling pathways, especially TRAF signaling; and Apoptosis, inflammation and other pathways. He also worked on very important membrane proteins in cell signalling and explored their molecular mechanism of action by using a powerful toll such as Cryo-EM or X-ray crystallography techniques.

Dr. Eijaz has more than 20 publications to his credit in International peer-reviewed journals having high impact factors like Nature Cell Research, Nature Cell Discovery, Scientific Reports, Frontiers in Microbiology, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, International Journal of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry etc. He serves as an editorial board member and reviewer of many reputed journals like Translational Oncology (Elsevier), Cancer Treatment and Communication (Elsevier), Biochemistry and Analytical Biochemistry etc.

He is serving as Brand Ambassador of Bentham science publishers in India since 2019.

Early Life and Education

Dr. Eijaz Ahmed Bhat was born and brought up in a small village Kenihama in Budgam district of Jammu & Kashmir. He began his early education at Government Middle School, Kenihama, where he spent four years. His better performance at the school prompted his teachers to advise his parents to send him in the private school called Bright Mission School in Kanipora, one of the leading private schools at that time. He continued to excel in academic and was attracted toward research.

Later, he joined the Government Higher Secondary School in Kanipora. He was considered one of the best students in his school as well as village. He topped in both 9th and 10th standard in his school, and was greatly praised by his for the success. After completing his 10th standard, he again joined a private school called Fayaz Education Higher Secondary School at Faiz Abad Nowgam. He got admission in medical subjects here. He also qualified the Jammu Kashmir Common Entrance Test held in 2007, but later on left it as his interest lay in research field.

Ejaz then decided to go for research in Biochemistry. He gave entrance test in Sri Pratap College, Srinagar (Kashmir Division), and was opted for biochemistry, chemistry and botany subjects in the college. He was considered one of the best students in his college. He profoundly remembers his teachers Mr. Bashir, Mr. Ejaz Rizvi and Dr. Manzoor Lone, who lovingly guided him in every way possible. Apart from studies, Ejaz also actively participated in sports activities, especially volleyball and cricket, in the college.

After completing graduation, he decided to do post-graduation study outside the state. It was quite challenging for him to get a seat in Department of Biochemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. He gave the national level entrance test and got selected achieving 14th rank in biochemistry department, which had only 18 seats.

During his post-graduation, Ejaz presented the seminar lectures on the topic Systemic Lupus Erythomatosis (SLE). He also presented the postal presentation on the topic of Alpha 2 Macroglobulin as a drug delivery system. He also represented AMU at many national level conferences and seminars.

At a time when people of Jammu & Kashmir are facing political challenges and being viewed with suspicion for no reasons, Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Bhat has indeed made the nation and his state proud by emerging as a role model and inspiration for the youth. We, at IndianMuslimObserver.com, heartily congratulate for making J&K and India proud. May he continue with his excelling spree in the future as well!

[Danish Ahmad Khan is Founder-Editor of India’s First Online Muslim Newspaper – IndianMuslimObserver.com. He can be reached at indianmuslimobserver@gmail.com]

source: http://www.indianmuslimobserver.com / Indian Muslim Observer / by Danish Ahmad Khan / February 05th, 2021