Tamkeen Fatima, currently pursuing M. Tech. in Computer Science and Engineering in the second year at the department of Computer Engineering, Z.H. College of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University has qualified the UGC-NET (JRF) examination, 2024, with an All India rank 2 (99.9933 percentile) in her first attempt.
She completed her B.Tech. from AMU in 2023 with 9.703 CPI and has been a consistent recipient of merit scholarships from class X onwards, including UP STSE, University Merit Financial Award (AMU), and GATE scholarship.
During her B.Tech., Fatima participated in research internship programmes at ISRO, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada (Mitacs GRI), and The Fields Institute, Toronto, Canada (Fields Undergraduate Summer Research Programme).
She has also published a research paper in ACM Conference Proceedings.
source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University / Home> AMU News / by Public Relations Office (headline edited) / November 05th, 2024
“I have decided to renounce my showbiz lifestyle, repent before Allah, and seek his forgiveness”, wrote Sahar Afsha in her Instagram note.
Sahar Afsha/Instagram
Popular Bhojpuri actress Sahar Afsha recently announced that she has decided to quit the showbiz industry to follow the religious path of Islam. She isn’t the first actress to take such a step as Lock Upp contestant Sana Khan and Dangal star Zaira Wasim also decided to leave the entertainment industry for Islam.
Taking to her Instagram on September 22, Sahar penned a long note that read, “Dear Brothers and Sisters, in the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful, I want to let you know that I have chosen to leave Showbiz and will no longer be involved. I want to live my future life in accordance with Islamic teachings and with Allah’s blessings.”
She continued, “I’m grateful to my fans for bestowing upon me many blessings, including fame, honor, and fortune. I had not even pictured this life in my childhood. I stumbled into this industry just by chance and kept on growing. But now I have decided to renounce my Showbiz lifestyle, repent before Allah, and seek His forgiveness. I intend to live my next life according to the commands and preachings of Allah.”
Concluding her note, the actress wrote, “Hence, I request everyone to pray that Allah accepts my repentance, blesses me with the strength to live in line with my resolve to spend my life upholding the laws of my Creator and serving mankind, and gives me the perseverance to do so. And I hope that I will be remembered not for my past life but for the life to come.”
Sana Khan also reacted to her note and commented, “MashAllah my sister so happy for you. May Allah give u isteqamah in every step of your life. May you inspire everyone around you and become zariya e khair for mankind.”
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> English> Entertainment / by DNA Web Team / edited by Aman Wadhwa / October 08th, 2022
Ideal Indian School (IIS) alumna Sahar Abdul Gafoor has achieved first rank and gold medal at Lovely Professional University (LPU) in Delhi, India, by securing the highest marks ever in Clinical Psychology (96%) for her post graduation.
Daughter of Abdul Gafoor and Sunitha Hameed from Kodungallur, Kerala, Sahar topped the Gulf region and all of India with 100% marks in Psychology in the CBSE Senior Secondary Examination, and won an award from the Council of CBSE Affiliated Schools in the Gulf.
Later, she graduated with high distinction in Psychology from Maharaja’s Women’s College, Thiruvananthapuram, and also completed training at Oolampaara Government Mental Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.
The IIS management, principal, teachers, and students have congratulated Sahar.
Her next goal is to pursue a Psy.D. Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
source: http;//www.gulf-times.com / Gulf Times / Home> Community> Education / October 26th, 2024
At the age of 18, this Khammam athlete is running, not only for medals but also to help her family escape poverty.
18-year-old Sk Afreen
Khammam:
At an age when most young adults are just beginning to explore their independence and dreams, 18-year-old Sk Afreen from Khammam is racing ahead — not just to win medals but to support her family. A cheetah on the track, this second-year BA student has set her sights on using her athletic talent to help her family break free from the clutches of poverty.
She primarily competes in the 200- and 400-metre sprints and the triple jump categories. For the 18-year-old, it all began when her father, Raheem, took her to the Sardar Patel Stadium in the city about four years ago. Afreen was mesmerised by the sight of young girls exercising, training and speaking to the coaches. Soon after, she enrolled in an athletics programme under local coach Md Ghouse.
Afreen’s determination and hard work have already led her to notable achievements. She recently secured second place in the Telangana South Zone Athletics Championship, held at the Regional Sports Hostel Stadium in Karimnagar from October 30 to November 1.
She also took second place in the 10th Telangana State Junior Athletics Championships in the 400- and 200-metre races, held at Osmania University in Hyderabad on September 19 and 20. Furthermore, she achieved third place in the Junior National Athletics Championships at Nagarjuna University in Guntur, held from October 17-19. Earlier, she also claimed third place in the Telangana State Youth 400-metre Athletics Championship, held at JN Stadium in Hanamkonda from October 6-7.
Despite her achievements, Afreen’s journey has been far from easy. Her father, Raheem, works as a home guard in the Khammam police department, with his entire family relying on his salary. Supporting Afreen’s athletic needs has placed a financial strain on him. “We’re facing hardships in providing her equipment,” Raheem shared, mentioning that he recently purchased a pair of shoes for Rs 12,000, half his monthly income.
“If someone could help us, it would make a big difference,” he added, hopeful for donors who might support his daughter’s aspirations.
Khammam police chief Sunil Dutt felicitates SK Afreen after her recent performances across southern India
Coach Ghouse praised Afreen’s potential, stating, “She is talented and competes with dedication. She has a bright future if she continues like this.”
‘I want to represent India’
Speaking to TNIE, Afreen shares, “Athletics is more than a passion; it’s my lifeline.”
The starting blocks and finish lines represent steps toward a future where her family no longer struggles, she elaborates.
Afreen credits her success to her coach and her family’s support. “My goal is to represent India, secure a government job and support my family,” she says.
In recognition of her achievements, Khammam Commissioner of Police (CP) Sunil Dutt recently felicitated her at his office, commending her resilience and determination.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by B Satyanarayana Reddy / November 03rd, 2024
Rashid un-Nisa’s life and work continue to inspire, reminding us of the importance of education and the courage to advocate for change in the face of resistance.
Representative image of girl students. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Rashid un-Nisa, India’s first female Urdu novelist, wrote Islah-un-Nisa, advocating for women’s education and reform. Born in 1855 in Patna, she was also a champion of girls’ education, founding Bihar’s first girls’ school. Her novel, published in 1894, addressed social issues and encouraged women to seek education. Rashid un-Nisa’s pioneering efforts in literature and education have left a lasting legacy, inspiring generations of women and contributing significantly to India’s literary and social history.
The premise of Islah-un-Nisa is something like this: “I am aware of the fact that there are many problems in our Muslim families. I also want to remove these problems. But instead of giving any sermons for this, I have chosen an interesting way to do this work the way of writing a novel.”
Early life and family background
Rashid un-Nisa, also known as Rashidatun Nisa or Raseedan Bibi, was born in 1855 in Patna, Bihar, into a scholarly family. Her father, Shamsul Ulama Syed Waheeduddin Khan Bahadur, was a prominent Islamic scholar. Growing up in a rich intellectual environment, Rashid un-Nisa received her education at home through private tutoring. Though formal schooling for girls was rare, her intellectual curiosity was nurtured in this setting.
Her marriage to Maulvi Mohammad Yahya, a lawyer, introduced her to progressive literature, particularly Mirat-ul-Uroos by deputy Nazir Ahmad, which deeply influenced her views on women’s education and reform.
Islah-un-Nisa: Breaking new ground
Rashid un-Nisa began writing her most famous work, Islah-un-Nisa, around 1868, though it took over a decade to publish due to challenges as a female writer in a male-dominated field. With the help of her nephew, Mohammad Suleman, the novel was finally published in 1881. Its significance as the first Urdu novel written by an Indian woman cannot be overstated.
The novel advocates for women’s self-improvement through education and moral upliftment, tackling issues such as superstitions, societal constraints, and regressive customs. It promoted the empowerment of women and their active participation in social reform, much like the themes Rashid un-Nisa had encountered in Mirat-ul-Uroos.
Jamia Millia Islamia’s research scholar, Dr. Uzma Azhar, comments on the novel, stating, “Islah un Nisa is the first novel in Urdu literature authored by a woman (1881). Rashid un Nisa came from an educated family of Azeemabad (now Patna, in Bihar) and later started a girls’ school as well.
Titled “Islah” meaning “to rectify/reform”, and “un Nisa” of women, it conveys ways through which a woman could improve herself. She has advised women on broad mindedness, importance of education against ignorance and has also tried to talk about the lives of literate women of that era through her story.
The main story of Bismillah is followed by further similar short stories. She has given delightfully detailed descriptions of the various traditions around marriage, pregnancy, birth of a child in simplified common language interspersed with local regional songs, making this book an interesting historical document.”
The novel’s appeal stretched beyond its time, with later editions being released in 1968, 2001, and 2006, highlighting its enduring influence in India and Pakistan.
Social reformer: Championing girls’ education in Bihar
Rashid un-Nisa didn’t limit her reformist spirit to literature; she founded the first girls’ school in Bihar, a revolutionary step at a time when educating girls was controversial. The colonial administration even recognised her efforts, with Lady Stephenson, wife of the lieutenant governor, personally praising her work during a school visit.
Her educational philosophy was grounded in the belief that women’s education could transform not only their own lives but also the wider society. By ensuring access to education, Rashid un-Nisa opened new avenues for countless women, many of whom went on to contribute significantly to education and reform.
Educational Philosophy and Social Impact
Rashid un-Nisa’s educational vision was deeply embedded in her literary work. Islah-un-Nisa reflects her belief that intellectual and moral growth were essential for women. Her protagonist, Bismillah, navigates societal challenges, embodying the values of enlightenment and self-improvement. Through conversations between her characters, Rashid un-Nisa critiques harmful customs and superstitions, urging women to rise above them.
Senior journalist and well-known historian Shams Ur Rehman Alavi notes, “Islah un Nisa, gave message to women to shun regressive cultural practices that were a burden on them, and instead, aim at achieving excellence in all fields.
Through conversation of characters, she emphasised that it’s not just about ability to read and write, but learning and expertise in all spheres, which was the need of the hour for women. It must be remembered that it was a period, when all the social reformers were not so enthusiastic about women’s rights and adequate priority was not given to women’s higher education, as some of them still felt that basic literacy was enough, so that a woman could communicate through letters with husband in case he is away or be able teach own children a bit.
Sample this from a paragraph in the novel: Mir Waaez’ wife says, ‘Beti is mein bhalaa kya buraai hai [What’s wrong with this]’ and Karim-un-Nisa replies, ‘Aap badi hain, aap ki baaton ka jawab dena be-adabi hai magar….be-adabi maauf ho….ye rasm buri hai...[You are elder and it is disrespectful for me to speak but I need to say that this custom is bad’.
The writer shows her disgust towards superstitions also that are continued in the name of ‘tradition’ and disses fake healers as well as those who are obsessed with spreading fear about apparitions and paranormal. On one hand, language and Urdu idioms heard in households of the era, keep the reader fixated, the unique description of the rituals that brought financial burden on households and forced families into debt, was clearly aimed at discouraging the practice of going to money-lenders and falling in this trap, which affected the families.“
The novel blends traditional and progressive values, challenging superstitions while depicting modern aspirations. It offers a vivid portrayal of customs like marriage and childbirth, making it not only a piece of literature but also a historical document of women’s lives at the time.
Legacy
Rashid un-Nisa passed away in 1929, but her contributions to literature and social reform endure. She is remembered not only as the first Urdu woman novelist but also as a pioneer of women’s education in India. Her novel Islah-un-Nisa remains a powerful reminder of the struggle for women’s rights and education during an era resistant to change.
Her school continues to inspire generations, and her work has been reprinted several times, testifying to her lasting influence. As Dr. Uzma Azhar reflects, “Islah-un-Nisa offers delightfully detailed descriptions of the various traditions around marriage and other social practices, making it an interesting historical document.”
Rashid un-Nisa’s life and work continue to inspire, reminding us of the importance of education and the courage to advocate for change in the face of resistance.
Sahil Razvi is an author and research scholar specialising in Sufism and history. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. For inquiries, you can email him at [email protected].
source: http://www/thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Culture / by Sahil Rizvi / October 13th, 2024
Remembering the prolific Urdu writer from Lucknow whose novels and short stories were full of insights about the lives and concerns of women.
Photo: Mehru Jafar/WFS
The prolific Urdu writer, Begum Masroor Jahan, quietly slipped into literary immortality in her beloved Lucknow on September 22 at the age of 81. Though she left behind an astonishing legacy of some 65 best-selling novels and more than 500 short-stories, the news of the passing of this titan did not even make it to the leading Urdu publications of India, what to speak of English and other languages.
Masroor Jahan belonged to that remarkable generation of Urdu women writers, born between 1925 and 1940, which includes novelists Nisar Aziz Butt, Altaf Fatima, Jilani Bano and Khalida Husain; and the short story writer Wajida Tabassum. With her passing, only two living representatives of that generation remain – Butt from Pakistan and Bano from India.
Born on July 8, 1938 in an educated and literary household in Lucknow, Masroor Jahan’s father, Sheikh Hussein Khayal Lakhnavi, was considered a good poet. Her paternal grandfather, Sheikh Mehdi Hasan Nasiri Lakhnavi, also had a collection of poems to his credit and was the author and translator of many books. Masroor Jahan had a passion for reading stories from an early age.
Her first short-story ‘Woh Kon Thi?’ (Who Was She?) was published in the Qaumi Aavaaz from Lucknow in 1960. Just two years later, she published her first novel Faisla (Decision). She began writing under the pen-name of Masroor Khayal – among others – which she later changed to Masroor Jahan at the advice of her publisher.
From her paternal side, her milieu was feudal, while her father was a teacher and the domestic atmosphere was middle-class. She was married at the tender age of 16 to Syed Murtaza Ali Khan, a nawab. Due to this background, her short-stories portray the minds and matters of all these three classes.
She claimed that whatever she wrote was given to her by her personal experience and observation, and was not fictitious. In a few instances, she even mentioned the real names of people living with her in her novels and when asked about this, pat came the response that she did not fear those folks ever going to court.
Her writings were popular with not only older homemakers but also students. Her stories published in the Urdu journals Beesveen Sadddi and Hareem had a seminal role in the upbringing of Lucknow’s middle-class young women. One of the standards of literary success is also that they be read and liked by every class of society. In that respect, many of her novels went into multiple editions.
Though Masroor Jahan’s forte was the novel, she turned her attention to short stories in the later years of her life and it can be said that the real form of her art is manifested in these tales. The simplicity of her story, the popular manner of writing and easy imagination were the qualities that distinguished her from her contemporaries, including her fellow-Lakhnavi, Naiyer Masud, who passed away in 2017, and Altaf Fatima, who hailed from Lucknow and died in Lahore last year.
Masroor Jahan belongs to the pantheon of female writers like Rashid Jahan, Ismat Chughtai, Quratulain Hyder, Hajra Masroor, Khadija Mastoor, Razia Sajjad Zaheer, Sarla Devi, Saleha Abid Hussain, Bano Qudsia, Jamila Hashmi, Zaheda Hina and Jilani Bano who drew attention to the woman who is present somewhere in society in some form through their short-stories and novels. She witnessed the era of the Progressive Movement as well as that of modernism, post-modernism and other trends in literature, but did not attach herself to any movement or trend.
But while presenting them, she did not adopt the conservative manner particular to some female fiction writers; neither did she adopt the kind of boldness which tramples upon cultural values in the heat of realism.
Whether her topics consist of middle-class or lower-class women, or the Anjuman Aras being nourished in high palaces, or the educated woman of the new society, she always maintained a cautious manner in the presentation of these matters and problems, especially when it came to sexual and psychological tension. She was acutely aware of how the decline of feudalism – when the life of Muslim households of northern India scattered owing to economic and moral decline – made women the ‘altar’ of the false honour of men. She created her stories by making women the subject through small incidents and characters.
Boorha Eucalyptus. Photo: Rekha
Masroor Jahan also wrote romantic stories like the classic Boorha Eucalyptus (The Aged Eucalyptus) from her eponymous collection published in 1982, as well as stories where a helpless woman is hung on the cross of relationships. Then there are women who are the epitome of love and loyalty at one place, but at other places, create problems in others’ lives.
Many novels and short-stories have been written on the debauchery of nawabs and landlords. Wajida Tabassum had become famous at one time for writing such stories. Masroor Jahan too wrote many stories on this topic. But where she made the sexual waywardness of the nawabs her theme, she also presented the positive traits of their character.
In the character of begums too she tried to present every aspect of their life. These stories of a particular milieu express the solitudes and splendours of this culture, whose traces have themselves now become legend.
‘Kunji’ is a classic story of this milieu. Kunji was an extremely beautiful young dancer. Audiences were enthralled by his performances in the nautankis where he presented his dance. People of the highest rank were devoted to his coquetry and beauty. Nawab Zeeshan lost his heart to Kunji. He arranged for the whole nautanki troupe to stay near his harem and gave a beautifully decorated room attached to his bed-chamber to Kunji. In his love for the male dancer, he even forgot the beauty of his begum Anjuman Ara.
Anjuman Ara was amazed at what had happened to the nawab. She was also embarrassed thinking that her rival was not some woman, but a man. Indeed, she herself liked Kunji’s dance; but found her husband’s attachment to him obnoxious. One day when the nawab was off visiting the nearby village, she went to Kunji’s room. The dancer was bewildered by the unexpected sight of a beautiful woman in front of him. ‘I am Anjuman Ara, the begum of Nawab Zeeshan’, she says.
She looks around the room, which had feminine dresses and other articles of feminine adornment everywhere. But the beautiful youth sitting in front of her bore no relation to femininity. His long black hair appeared artificial. She tells him with great gravity that she liked his dance. Despite this praise, Kunji begins to consider himself inferior in front of her. He is also embarrassed listening to praise from her mouth; and he did not have the courage too to look towards her. Firstly, it was the awe of beauty and then that aspect of ridicule in her praise of him which he felt. Despite primping and preening for several hours, he could not compete with this beauty and femininity. People kept encouraging his coquetry now but real beauty was present before him. For the first time in his life, Kunji’s heart beat in a different manner.
He looked at Anjuman Ara with eager eyes. She too was looking in his direction. Their eyes met and lowered. Anjuman Ara’s beauty and femininity had brought to life a man whom the praise and admiration of others had patted to sleep. Anjuman Ara was stupefied reading the message of yearning in his eyes; and worried too. She immediately got up to leave. Kunji too regained consciousness, and said slowly, ‘You’re leaving so soon.’ Anjuman Ara replied, ‘Yes. The nawab will be here soon and then you too will have to change your appearance.’ When Nawab Zeeshan stepped into Kunji’s room upon his return, he saw that instead of the preening dancer he sought, a man was sitting there; and there was a heap of hair before him.
At the point where Masroor Jahan ends the story, looking at Anjuman Ara and Kunji one by one, the reader feels that he has seen with his own eyes how one beauty gives birth to another. Had she wanted, she could have presented Kunji like Ismat Chughtai’s ‘Lihaaf’ (indeed she cited Ismat Chughtai as an early influence and had attempted to make her female characters bolder after the latter’s advice). The nawab of Lihaaf too was happier with boys and left his Begun Jan. But Masroor Jahan did not let Anjuman Ara become Begum Jan. For her, homosexuality was not the refuge Chughtai hinted at for her protagonist.
Unlike ‘Lihaaf’, with which the former was often compared to, Kunji was based on a real-life character. In an interview conducted just five months before her death, Masroor Jahan named Kunji as her favourite real-life character from her stories.
The short-stories of Masroor Jahan with their absent and present realities are those milestones of her creative journey which will not be easily forgotten. About her own stories, she used to say, ‘Actually life is not unidirectional, it has a thousand aspects; and every aspect is a complete world in itself. The fiction writer is a pulse-reader of life. It is her duty to present every aspect of life in its proper context.’
Among the 65 novels she wrote, the social realist Nai Basti (New Colony) is of special interest. Published in 1982, this was topically different from all her novels. Indeed, to my knowledge, this is the first Urdu novel where the problems of nameless city settlements – which are called ‘illegal’ – have been narrated. Premchand had made the rural poor the subject of his novels, but in this novel are the urban disadvantaged, who have their own problems and life – and values that are being trampled on.
I got acquainted with Masroor Jahan barely a month ago when I read Shafey Kidwai’s lucid review of her two recent collections of short-stories namely Naql-e- Makaani (Migration) and ‘Khuvaab der Khuvaab Safar (A Journey Dream After Dream) in the Friday Review of The Hindu.
From there, I sought out the January/February issue of the monthly Chahaar-Su, issued from Rawalpindi, which was dedicated to Masroor Jahan and consists of an excellent and quite revealing interview of the writer with the editor Gulzar Javed. These readings also sent me down memory lane to my maiden visit to Lucknow back in 2014 when I was invited to the Lucknow Literature Festival.
It was there too that I made the acquaintance of the lovely and erudite Saira Mujtaba; I sadly do not recall any conversations we might have had with regard to her late grandmother, Masroor Jahan. Now when I think about that visit, I am disconsolate because I know I should have been spending time with the living monuments of Lucknow like Begum Masroor Jahan and Naiyer Masud, rather than admiring the dead buildings of that city. That regret will always be mine!
Masroor Jahan’s quintessential short-story The Aged Eucalyptus talks about the eponymous tree which is a witness to the eras, revolutions, stories and secrets of the haveli where it had stood so proudly for decades in addition to being the recipient of the imprinted affections of the doomed love affair of the two main protagonists, Maliha and Ahmer.
Later on, the aged eucalyptus would provide solace to Maliha as she held it to console herself in her lover’s absence. The story ends with the uprooting of the aged eucalyptus in a storm overnight.
I would like to think that the aged, kind, empathetic eucalyptus was not only a metaphor for the doomed love affair in the story itself but for Masroor Jahan’s own life, patiently accumulating the various sorrows of her life, in which she had to contend with the early deaths of her brother and her son, as well as another brother who went missing in 1973 but never returned (her 1980 novel Shahvar is dedicated to him), and which she never spoke of.
The aged eucalyptus for me also reflects not the physical passing on of Masroor Jahan, but the uprooting of a whole way of life and a system of thinking and feeling which was Lakhnavi culture.
It is now up to her younger successors like Anees Ashfaq and indeed Saira Mujtaba (to whom Masroor Jahan’s last volume of stories Khuvaab Dar Khuvaab Safar is co-dedicated and who is currently translating a collection of her grandmother’s short stories into English) to pen the dirge of Lucknow in our own time.
Raza Naeem is a Pakistani social scientist, book critic and award-winning translator and dramatic reader currently based in Lahore, where he is also the President of the Progressive Writers Association. He can be reached at: (email protected).
source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Books / by Raza Naeem / October 07th, 2019
Since its founding in 2019, the Women Education and Empowerment Trust (TWEET) has empowered 8,257 women and now aims to reach 50,000 more in the next three years. TWEET also announced plans to host a National Women NGOs Conclave in April 2025 to foster capacity building, collaboration, and effective resource utilisation.
At a press conference held here Sunday, TWEET’s Chairperson, Rahamathunnissa A. shared the organisation’s vision to promote social and economic empowerment of women, enabling them to lead dignified lives with equal participation in society. She emphasised TWEET’s mission to support women in need, tackle the root causes of women’s issues, and offer comprehensive support through multifaceted initiatives.
A five-year progress report was also presented, with highlights of the programmes and areas where women have benefited under TWEET’s initiatives.
Educational Empowerment:
TWEET believes that education is the foundation of empowerment. The organisation offers merit-based scholarships for girls to pursue higher education at prestigious institutions domestically and abroad. The one-year campaign “Freedom from Illiteracy” from August 2022 to July 2023 mobilised educated women to teach non-literate women nationwide, extending literacy to underserved communities.
Economic Empowerment:
To promote economic independence, TWEET supports small business ventures such as boutiques, tiffin services, and cosmetic shops, as well as home-based businesses like detergent units.
TWEET’s support has empowered many women to become self-sufficient, enabling them to start sustainable businesses. Moreover, training sessions equip women with skills to establish their own start-ups, creating additional income for their families.
Emotional and Financial Support to Widows:
Recognising the challenges faced by women who have lost their spouses, TWEET provides counselling and financial support, ensuring they can live dignified lives.
Mahila Help Desk
This initiative empowers women by raising awareness about various government welfare schemes and guiding them to access these benefits. This programme helps women achieve financial stability by utilising government support for their livelihoods, paving the way toward a dignified and self-sufficient life.
Life Skills and Safety Programmes:
Collaborating with Special Police Unit for Women and Children, Delhi Police, TWEET conducted self-defence training programmes for girls and women. Through sensitisation initiatives, TWEET raises awareness about women’s rights and social issues, including domestic violence, empowering women to advocate for themselves and their communities.
TWEET provides internship opportunities for female students from diverse disciplines and has also established a hostel to support both students and working women.
The press meet was also addressed by TWEET General Secretary Shaista Rafat, and Treasurer Dr. Sharnas Muthu.
TWEET also announced the unanimous election of the following trustees as office-bearers for the next three-year term.
Chairperson: Rahamathunnissa A, an educationist, writer, and trainer Vice Chairperson: Zeba Zaferali Baig, a social worker and counselling expert General Secretary: Shaista Rafat, an expert in grassroots development Secretary: Rajeena Beegum, an educationist and social worker Treasurer: Dr. Sharnas Muthu, specializing in psycho-social and legal support
The extended team includes Khalida Parveen, a social worker; Dr. Jueria Reemi, a healthcare specialist, and Fakhira Atheeqe, a social entrepreneur working with women and children with special needs.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / October 27th, 2024
Experience gained in theatre teaches more than Ph.D which leads one to the path of righteousness and for actors it is important to be humble as arrogance will lead to their down fall, said senior theatre actor Julekha Begum, in city yesterday.
She was speaking at the monthly interaction programme Maatina Mane, organised by Rangayana at Bhoomigeetha. “An artiste must live the character on stage withstanding hunger and struggle. It is also important to note that artistes do not belong to any caste, creed or religion. They will have to face problems that come in their way and every house must have an artiste,” said Julekha Begum remembering her struggling days when she faced difficulties to provide education to her children.
Speaking on the occasion, Rangayana Director Satish Tiptur said that arts, which are on the verge of extinction and stories that are stored in the minds of artistes should be a part of the syllabus.
“The interaction programme has been organised to identify and recognise the real stakeholders of art and to bring out various art forms that have been neglected over the past decades,” he said.
Earlier, the programme was inaugurated by playwright Kotiganahalli Ramaiah.
Writer Abdul Rashid coordinated the event. Department of Kannada and Culture Joint Director V.N. Mallikarjun and Rangayana Deputy Director M.D. Sudarshan were present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / October 27th, 2024
Marzia Pathan, spokesperson of the NCP Students’ Wing
A young woman wearing a hijab is directing traffic on the streets of Mumbra, a muslim majority area Mumbai and a video of this scene posted on social media makes her a social media sensation two years ago. During Ramadan, this young woman and her friends manage traffic late into the night, even till 2 AM, in Mumbra.
She is Marzia Shanu Pathan, a social worker from Mumbara, Mumbai, maharashtra.
Through her social work, Marzia is always in the spotlight. She voices concerns for underprivileged and minority groups and. Recently she was appointed as the National Working President of the Nationalist Student Congress, an affiliate of the National Congress Party faction led by Sharad Pawar’s faction.
Marzia Patan being falicitated by NCP chief Sharad Pawar
Marzia received her appointment letter from Sharad Pawar, the party’s National President, and Jitendra Awhad, the party’s National General Secretary.
Marzia told Awaz-the Voice, Marathi, “This position comes with significant responsibility. I aim to work extensively for youth and students, especially in education. I intend to address the many issues students face.”
Marzia stated, “Due to financial hardships, students are facing numerous challenges these days. My focus will be on ensuring government scholarships reach them. Often, essential government schemes are announced for the needy sections, but due to administrative apathy or lack of awareness, many remain unaware of these schemes. I want to bridge the gap so no one is left out. Our country will progress only if today’s generation is educated. Therefore, resolving youth issues will remain my priority.”
While speaking about Marzia’s contributions, Jitendra Awhad once compared her to Malala Yousafzai, saying, “After the Taliban captured Pakistan’s Swat Valley, Malala fought for her right to education, even taking a bullet in 2012. Later, a protest for women’s education rights was organized in Mumbra, led by a young Marzia, just 10-12 years old then. Since that time, I’ve seen her work. I firmly believe this young woman is poised to lead not just Mumbra, but all of Maharashtra.”
Marzia Pathan with eye surgery patients
Marzia is known as a spirited young activist in Thane. She is the daughter of Ashraf Shanu Pathan, former Leader of the Opposition in the Thane Municipal Corporation.
This father-daughter duo has been working to address fundamental issues in Thane for years, from water and waste management to health and women’s safety.
Marzia’s activism has helped resolve various issues in Mumbra and Thane.Through her organization, MSP Care Foundation, Marzia began her social work journey. An educated leader, she actively represents student concerns to the administration. She also organizes awareness programs on the Constitution among students and youth.
Under her leadership, Mumbra hosts monthly eye-checkup camps for residents, where cataract surgeries are provided free of charge for senior citizens.
Marzia Pathan in her school
Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recommended halting funding for madrasas to the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories. They also proposed recording the attendance of children in these madrasas, which created a national uproar. However, the Supreme Court recently stayed NCPCR’s recommendation.
In response, Marzia made efforts at her level to prevent the discontinuation of madrasa education. Through videos, she passionately explained why funding and the traditional teaching methods in madrasas are essential, and her video went viral.
In the charged political climate of the Maharashtra Assembly elections, her appointment brings a significant boost to the party.
Marzia’s robust social work, dedication to following through on initiatives, strong grassroots connections, and social media presence will help expand the party’s organization and aid election campaigns. Wishing such a young, dynamic personality continued success in her social journey!
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Bhakti Chalak, Pune / November 02nd, 2024
Iqra Farooq Bhat, from Zakura, Srinagar, has secured the highest rank in the Kashmir region and the second rank overall in Jammu and Kashmir in the Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service examination.
Daughter of a tailor, Iqra invested three years in intensive self-study to prepare for this challenging exam. She shared her passion for making a positive impact, saying, “I have always wanted to reach a position where I can make a difference.”
Despite financial constraints, Iqra remained focused, proving that determination and self-guided learning can overcome obstacles. Unlike many who attended coaching centres, she chose to prepare independently through online resources.
“I didn’t opt for coaching and believe it’s unnecessary if you can effectively utilise the internet. It provided me with everything I needed,” she explained.
Iqra’s journey was challenging, especially due to her family’s limited finances. Her father, Farooq Ahmed, faced hardships at times, yet Iqra’s parents continually supported her.
“My mother and father never let me feel the weight of our financial struggles. Their belief in my potential kept me motivated,” she recalled.
After receiving her exam results, she expressed relief and gratitude: “I wasn’t sure I’d rank this high, but I’m thankful to Allah for this blessing.”
Ahmed said, “Every parent strives to do their best for their children. My daughter worked hard, and God has rewarded her.”
Iqra, who has been driven by a desire to help others since childhood, is committed to serving her community. “I want to support future aspirants and remind them not to lose hope. Even if they don’t qualify the first time, they can continue working hard,” she said.
She explained, “Coming from a humble background doesn’t mean you can’t dream big. You can succeed with the right resources. My family supported me financially, emotionally, and materially. Coaching can guide you, but ultimately, it’s your effort that matters.”
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / October 31st, 2024
