At the Constitution Club of India in New Delhi, a convocation ceremony organized by Webbic University, Ghana, West Africa.
During this ceremony, many individuals from the country were honored with Honorary Doctorate Degree for their social work and talents. The degrees were conferred by Chancellor Dr. Felix Ofosu in recognition of their achievements.
In the event, Artist Ammar Abdi from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was honored with an honorary Doctorate Degree by the International University, Webbic University, Ghana, West Africa, for his talent.
Ammar started his career at a very young age. He has also been honored with many awards in the past, including the Exclusive Talent Award by Exclusive World Records.
His family is happy to receive this honor.
During this time, many other prominent individuals were also awarded honorary doctorates. Among them were Member of Uttar Pradesh Minorities Commission, Haider Abbas Chand; Senior Journalist and JCI President, Anurag Saxena; Operation Head of Exclusive World Records, Pankaj Khatwan; and Assistant Director of MSME, UP, Harish Yadav.
Perinthalmanna(Malappuram) KERALA / Edinburgh, SCOTLAND :
Malayali scholar Mahmood Kooria has been awarded the prestigious Rs 84 lakh Infosys Science Prize for his groundbreaking research on Islam and the Indian Ocean region. The award recognises his exceptional contribution to the study of history, culture, and Islamic law.
Dr mahmood kooria (file image)
Professor Mahmood Kooria, a distinguished academic from Kerala, has been awarded the prestigious Infosys Science Prize 2024 for his groundbreaking contributions to the study of Muslims in the Indian Ocean region, including Kerala. The award, which recognises excellence in scientific and social research, honours Kooria’s work in humanities and social sciences.
A landmark achievement for Kerala
Kooria, a native of Perinthalmanna in Malappuram, is currently a professor at the University of Edinburgh. At just 36 years old, he is the youngest recipient of the Infosys Science Prize.
The award acknowledges his extensive research on the history of sailing across the Indian Ocean and his unique approach to studying the history of Kerala from a global perspective.
In a statement to Mathrubhumi, Kooria expressed joy and surprise, saying, “this is totally unexpected, and I am very happy. This award is a recognition for ocean studies and Kerala studies.”
Prize details and award ceremony
The Infosys Science Prize includes a gold medal, a citation, and a cash award of USD 1 lakh (approximately Rs 84 lakh). The award will be presented to Kooria at a special ceremony in Bengaluru on January 11, 2025.
Focus on Indian Ocean history and Kerala’s role
Kooria’s work offers fresh insights into the history of the Indian Ocean region, particularly focusing on Kerala’s crucial role in global trade, cultural exchanges, and the development of Islamic law. His research delves into how the legal traditions of various religious communities shaped the political, cultural, and economic transformations across the Indian Ocean coast.
Professor Kooria’s research also explores the historical role of animals such as elephants, horses, and donkeys in shaping key events, including the Malabar Rebellion. His innovative approach to integrating animals into historical narratives is a notable contribution to contemporary academic thought.
Kooria’s work on this subject was published in Mathrubhumi Weekly and later compiled into a book by Mathrubhumi Books.
A leading scholar of Islamic Studies in the Indian Ocean
Kooria is widely regarded as one of the leading scholars of Islamic discourse in the Indian Ocean region. His research highlights the critical role of Islamic law in influencing the region’s political, cultural and economic exchanges. His work also covers the broader impact of Islamic legal traditions on the development of diverse communities along the Indian Ocean littoral, including the cultural and commercial interactions between different religious groups.
Earlier, Kooria was awarded the National Research Fellowship by the Dutch government, worth Rs 2 crore.
Recognition from Infosys Science Foundation
The Infosys Science Foundation, which recognises exceptional contributions in science and research, announced the winners in a statement led by President Kris Gopalakrishnan and Trustees N. R. Narayana Murthy, K. Dinesh, Dr. Pratima Murthy, Mohandas Pai, S. D. Shibulal, and others.
source: http://www.english.mathrubhumi.com / Mathrubhumi.com / Home> News> Kerala / November 15th, 2024
On November 10, the 274th (or 273rd) birthday of Tipu Sultan was celebrated peacefully in his erstwhile capital, Srirangapatna, amid heavy security.
The date of his birth is disputed – there is little agreement on whether it is November 10, November 20, or December 1, or whether that event happened in 1750 or 1751. (File photo)
This past Sunday, November 10, the 274th (or 273rd) birthday of Tipu Sultan was celebrated peacefully in his erstwhile capital, Srirangapatna, amid heavy security. The security was necessary because Tipu has become, in recent years, a polarizing and politicised figure, with successive state governments casting him alternately as monster and Messiah. Even the date of his birth is disputed – there is little agreement on whether it is November 10, November 20, or December 1, or whether that event happened in 1750 or 1751.
Be that as it may, one well-documented fact about Tipu is that he commissioned, around 1795, the famous Tipu’s Tiger, a mechanical automaton built by local craftsmen using local materials, possibly with inputs from French engineers. It featured a painted wooden tiger mauling a man who, judging from his costume, was decidedly European. The hollow toy housed various mechanisms that were worked by the turning of a crank handle. Each time it was turned, one of the man’s arms moved up, seemingly in a (futile) bid for self-defence, while the bellows inside pushed air out of the man’s throat and several openings in the tiger’s head, producing what sounded like a wail of distress from the man alongside a growl from the tiger. Symbolic of the self-styled Tiger of Mysore, the tiger was as large as life; the hapless European just a little smaller.
Tipu’s Tiger may well have been a product of Tipu’s fancy, meant to inspire him after his defeat in the Third Anglo-Mysore War in 1792, following which he not only lost half his kingdom but was obliged to give up two of his sons as hostages to Lord Cornwallis. But there is a popular theory that the visual of the tiger attacking the soldier was based on a real incident that happened later the same year.
On 21 December 1792, so the story goes, the goodly ship Shaw Ardaseer, bound for Madras, stopped to take on cargo at Sagar Island, situated at the mouth of the Hooghly in Calcutta, at the point where the Ganga meets the Bay of Bengal. On the ship was 17-year-old Hector Sutherland Munro, a ‘cadet for Madras’ who had only arrived in India on the 8th of November. Along with his fellow cadets, young Hector went ashore to try his luck at hunting deer, but was unsuccessful. The party had just sat down at the edge of the jungle to eat a meal when they heard, in the words of eyewitness Capt Henry Conran, ‘a roar like thunder,’ and saw ‘an immense royal tiger spring on the unfortunate Munro.’ In a moment, continues Conran, Munro’s head ‘was in the beast’s mouth,’ and it had raced into the jungle, carrying Munro with it. Conran and the others shot at the tiger and killed it, but Munro could not be saved.
Conran’s sensational prose, and the fact that young Munro was the son of the celebrated General Sir Hector Munro, the hero of the Battle of Buxar (1764) and the capture of Pondicherry (1778), and one of the main players in the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780) against Tipu‘s father Hyder Ali, ensured that the story went viral in England, perhaps even inspiring William Blake’s famous 1793 poem ‘The Tyger.’ Given that his sons were being held in Calcutta at the time, the story almost certainly also reached Tipu. In the aftermath of the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War, in which Tipu was killed, Tipu’s Tiger, which had little intrinsic but much emblematic value, was carried back to England in triumph, and installed, in July 1808, in East India House on Leadenhall Street.
Today, Tipu’s Tiger sits behind glass at the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London, where it has long been, according to the museum’s website, ‘one of the V&A’s most popular exhibits.’
(Roopa Pai is a writer who has carried on a longtime love affair with her hometown Bengaluru)
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home / by Roopa Pai / November 12th, 2024
Saba did her MSc in Wildlife Sciences at AMU, earning a gold medal. She moved to the United States with her husband, who is a computer engineer
Ghaziabad :
Saba Haider, a former student of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and a native of Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh, has achieved a significant victory in the recent DuPage County Board election in the United States. Standing as a Democratic Party candidate, she won by a margin of over 8,000 votes against Republican candidate Patricia Petty Goston, sparking celebrations in her hometown. Friends, family, and well-wishers are visiting her parents’ home here to congratulate them on this remarkable achievement.
In an exclusive conversation, Saba’s father, Ali Haider, shared insights into her background. Originally from Aurangabad in Bulandshahr, he moved to Ghaziabad for work, where he raised his family. Saba, known for her academic prowess from a young age, completed her intermediate from Holy Child School in Ghaziabad and earned a BSc from Ram Chameli Chadha College. Later, she pursued an MSc in Wildlife Sciences at AMU, earning a gold medal for her outstanding performance. After her marriage, Saba moved to the United States with her husband, who is a computer engineer.
Ali Haider emphasised that Saba’s interest in social service and politics began early in life. In the US, she initially taught yoga and soon became actively involved in community services. Her engagement in local governance led her to run for a school board position, although she narrowly missed victory in that earlier attempt. Despite setbacks, she remained determined, embodying the family’s philosophy of resilience and perseverance.
Saba’s mother, Meh Jabin Haider, expressed her pride in Saba’s determination. “We always taught her that one should never give up,” she said. “When faced with setbacks, it’s important to continue pushing forward.” Reflecting on her previous loss in a close race, Meh Jabin emphasised that Saba’s unwavering dedication and perseverance finally led to success in this election.
In a competitive race with a total of 70,109 votes cast in DuPage County, Saba Haider garnered 39,365 votes, while her opponent received 30,844 votes. Saba’s victory margin of 8,541 votes stands as a testament to her popularity and commitment to the community she now serves.
Saba’s win brings a sense of pride not only to her family and Ghaziabad but also to Aligarh Muslim University, where she built the academic foundation that has supported her remarkable journey. Her parents are hopeful that her success will inspire more young women to pursue their aspirations and make a positive impact both at home and abroad.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Indian Muslim> Women> World / by Clarion India / November 08th, 2024
Prof Farhan Ahmad Khan, Department of Pharmacology, JN Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University has been granted a certificate of registration by the UK Intellectual Property Office for a novel design of an innovative device that enables early diagnosis of rare genetic disorders in children.
He said that the design paves the way for understanding and solving some of the difficult challenges in medical science today. The device, when ready to use, will help in the management of rare pediatric genetic disorders.
Prof. Syed Ziaur Rahman, Chairman, Department of Pharmacology, congratulated Prof. Khan on the registration of the design of his device, adding that it is a proud moment for the department and the university.
source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University / Home> AMU News / by Public Relations Office (headline edited) / October 25th, 2024
The research group has won an award worth Rs 20 lakh from Switzerland based world reputed company Typhoon HIL.
Jamia faculty receives award from Swiss company for smart solar inverter model
New Delhi:
In-charge of the Advance Power Electronics Research Laboratory, Department of Electrical Engineering, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), Dr. Ahteshamul Haque and his research group has won an award worth Rs. 20 Lakhs from Switzerland based world reputed company Typhoon HIL.
The research group comprising of students from B.Tech, M.Tech and PhD headed by Dr. Ahteshamul Haque has developed a model for Smart Solar Inverters with its control and submitted it for evaluation in a competition organised by Typhoon HIL.
Teams from various continents participated in this world level competition named ’10 for 10 Programme’.
Prof. Z. A. Jaffery, Head of Department, Department of Electrical Engineering, JMI encouraged the research group to take part in this world level competition, said a statement from Jamia.
In award, Dr. Haque and his research group got a powerful machine for research worth Rs.20 lakh.
Name of the machine is HIL-402 real time simulator, which is used in power electronics, microgrid and renewable energy applications.
Jamia Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Najma Akhtar, expressed her happiness on this achievement and congratulated Prof. Z. A. Jaffery, Dr. Haque and his team for taking university to new heights in the field of research and recognition by world reputed organizations.
Recently, Dr. Haque has also received R&D project grant under Ministry of Human Resource Development’s SPARC scheme.
source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Education> Delhi / by NDTV Education Team / April 22nd, 2019
The Karnataka Government on Wednesday named Dr. Thumbay Moideen, son of prominent community leader late B. Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, among the recipients of this year’s Karnataka State Rajyotsava Award. A prominent alumnus of St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru, Dr. Moideen has earned widespread recognition in the UAE and beyond for his contributions to higher education and healthcare.
Dr. Moideen founded the THUMBAY Group in 1997, a diversified international conglomerate that has since expanded into health education, healthcare services, and medical research. In 1998, he became the first Indian invited by the rulers of Ajman to establish a medical college in the UAE. This institution has now grown into a university with its own network of hospitals, clinics, medical centers, and pharmacies throughout the country.
Dr. Moideen has been featured in respected publications, including Forbes Middle East and Arabian Business. His achievements have also been recognized with an Honorary Fellowship from the International Medical Sciences Academy (IMSA) and an honorary doctorate from Amity University.
The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, also known as the Rajyotsava Prashasti, is the second highest civilian honor in Karnataka, India. The award is given annually to recognize citizens of Karnataka and others who have contributed to the state in various fields: Arts, Education, Industry, Literature, Science, Sports, Medicine, Social Service, and Public Affairs.
The award is presented on November 1, the day of the state’s establishment, which is celebrated as Kannada Rajyotsava.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karnataka / by Vartha Bharati / October 30th, 2024
Begum Gulbadan’s Humayun-nama, a remarkable chronicle of early Mughal life in India is the only work written by a woman in Muslim courts of Ottoman, Turkey, Iran and India.
An early Mughal princess
The Vagabond Princess by Professor Ruby Lal is a captivating historical biography of an early Mughal princess. Even though this is a work of meticulous historical research, it is an adventure tale and a travel narrative with a female protagonist which provides as much entertainment as any work of fiction. The real wonder of this book is that it’s a true account of a real woman, Gulbadan Begum, who lived from 1523 to 1603.
The author Dr. Ruby Lal is a Professor of South Asian history at Emory University in Atlanta who wrote The Astonishing Reign of Nur Jahan (2018)which was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist.
While her previous book concentrated on a later Mughal queen who was as powerful as her husband the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, this work focuses on an early Mughal princess whose contribution is not so much to statecraft but to memorializing through her writing the formative years of the Mughal Empire in India.
The life of Gulbadan
As the title suggests, Gulbadan’s life was one of astonishing journeys that very few others had undertaken in the sixteenth century. She was a beloved daughter of Emperor Babar, the founder of the Mughal dynasty in India. At the age of six, she undertook an arduous journey with her Mughal relatives from Kabul in Afghanistan to Agra, where her father had established his new capital. This journey took her across the Khyber Pass, a treacherous mountainous gap that allowed an entry point into India.
Once in Agra, she reunites with her beloved father and grows up in the new country of Hindustan, amid a plethora of languages, her native Turkish, Persian, and the emerging mixed tongue of Hindavi in India. Even when it seems there is a modicum of stability, her father Babar’s life is suddenly cut short when he prays for the survival of his son and heir Humayun and participates in a ritual where he barters a part of his own life to save his son.
The untimely death of Babar is a shock for Gulbadan, but even more disconcerting are the rebellions by various half-brothers who periodically betray their allegiance to Humayun, her half-brother who ascends the throne.
A Mughal dynasty
Humayun’s reign becomes even more tenuous when he faces military challenges led by the Afghan ruler of Bihar, Sher Shah Suri, who defeats Humayun in Chausa in 1539 and Kanauj in 1540, forcing him into exile in Afghanistan. These changing vicissitudes of the Mughal dynasty force Gulbadan into a peripatetic existence moving back to Kabul and then returning again to Hindustan after Humayun recaptures Agra. During the years of his exile from India, Gulbadan witnesses Humayun’s marriage to his favorite wife Hamida who gives birth to their future heir Akbar, and who also becomes a close friend of Gulbadan.
Akbar’s ascension to the throne marks a shift in Gulbadan’s personal life. In her early life, she had lived in gardens and tents and had traveled freely. With the growth in Akbar’s stature, Mughal women were consigned to the enclosed quarters of the harem in Fatehpur Sikri. While this was a mark of the rising prestige of Akbar, the Emperor, it was not a particularly pleasing option for his aunt, Gulbadan. Even though she is a mother and a senior advisory figure in the harem and also highly regarded by Emperor Akbar as a writer and memory keeper of her clan, she is increasingly restless by her confinement in middle age.
A pilgrimage to Mecca
Gulbadan successfully petitions Akbar to allow her to embark on a holy pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina with the women of the harem. This is a formidable journey, even with Akbar’s support. First, the Mughal contingent arrive in the port city of Surat where they wait for the Portuguese to approve their passage as they have a monopoly over shipping routes. After much negotiation, and payment of requisite fees, two Mughal ships set sail for the haj pilgrimage. Lal provides a detailed account of the journey across the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Red Sea to arrive at the port of Jeddah, from where the party travels to Mecca. At Mecca, they are able to complete all the rituals associated with the Haj including the lavish giving of alms to the poor. The party then proceeds to Medina and completes the rituals of worship particular to that city as well.
Gulbadan and her associates do not return to Hindustan after completing the Haj but stay on in one of the elite neighborhoods of Medina. After some time, they attract the criticism of the Ottoman Sultan Murad III, who issues orders of expulsion for Gulbadan and her group. Lal suggests that the lavish giving of alms, made possible by the immense wealth of Akbar and the Mughal Empire in a way threatened the sovereignty of the Ottoman Sultan.
The Humayun-nama
On her return journey by sea, Gulbadan faces being shipwrecked but escapes with her life and seeks refuge in Aden. Unlike Mecca, the authorities in Aden are not hospitable or courteous. She is relieved to return home where she commands the respect of men and women as someone who is a haji or who has accomplished one of the pillars of the Islamic faith: pilgrimage to the Prophet’s birthplace. Once settled in Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar commissions her to write a biographical sketch of Humayun. Gulbadan accomplishes this task with great finesse. Her book is an outstanding primary source document about the condition of life during the Mughal era in India.
The narrative begins with Lal’s examination of Gulbadan’s book Ahval- i- Humaun Badshah (Conditions in the Age of Humayun Badshah), at the British Museum in 1997. This is the only extant copy of this commissioned work that Gulbadan authored, but Lal soon realizes that the manuscript is incomplete, and it does not touch on her pilgrimage to Mecca or her life after the return. It is this gap that Lal seeks to fulfill in her research, trying to reconstruct events that happened during the pilgrimage including her group’s expulsion.
First female chronicler of Mughal life
As she recreates the life of Gulbadan, Lal reminds us that her work, popularly called Humayun-nama, is the only prose work written by a woman in Muslim courts including Ottoman, Turkey, Iran, and India. Gulbadan is a remarkable witness and chronicler of early Mughal life in India. Moreover, her life defies notions about women being constrained by Islamic institutions of purdah. Gulbadan did not accept the confinement of the harem and sought out travel to the holy cities of Arabia, appearing publicly to give alms to the poor.
Even upon her return she adopted the role of official historian and was not limited to traditional roles of wife and mother in the harem. At a time when the National Council for Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is reducing Mughal history content in school history textbooks in India, it is all the more important to continue bringing the lives of Mughal women to the attention of the world. Ruby Lal has succeeded in giving us a biography of an extraordinary life that women in the twenty-first century in India and the world can draw inspiration from.
The Vagabond Princess: The Great Adventures of Gulbadan by Ruby Lal Yale University Press, February 2024.
source: http://www.indiacurrents.com / India Currents / Home> Books> Culture / by Lopamudra Basu / April 10th, 2024
In honor of its achievement of over 90,000 deliveries, Thumbay University Hospital, UAE’s largest private academic hospital owned and managed by Thumbay Group, hosted a special event.
The festive occasion took place at the Thumbay Medicity (Al Jurf, Ajman), offering an evening filled with joy, laughter, and memorable experiences for the attendees present.
Since the first delivery in January 2003, Thumbay Healthcare has successfully conducted over 90,000 deliveries, significantly contributing to its growth and establishing itself as the UAE’s most sought-after family hospital for maternity care. The Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBG) department serves approximately 35,000 patients annually and is equipped with 10 state-of-theart labor and delivery rooms, a dedicated OBG emergency unit, and specialized operating theatres. Additionally, there is a postnatal ward with private rooms for new mothers, ensuring a comfortable and supportive environment during their recovery.
The event was graced by the presence of Chief Guest Dr. Thumbay Moideen, Founder President of Thumbay Group, along with Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of Thumbay Healthcare.
The celebration featured various activities designed to engage both children and adults. Highlights included balloon twisting, magic shows, face painting, and a best-dressed babies’ contest, with three winners announced. The event culminated in a cake-cutting ceremony that signified the growth and joy shared by infants and their families over the years.
Attendees also had the chance to participate in a raffle draw, with five winners receiving surprise gifts aimed at enhancing their parenting experience. A dedicated photo booth was available for families to create personalized keepsakes. Additionally, parents received vouchers for a health check-up valued at AED 3,499, available for AED 399, as well as a free dental consultation.
“As we commemorate the remarkable achievement of 90,000 deliveries within our hospital family, we recognize the profound honor of being part of these significant milestones in the lives of so many. It is a privilege to support the early development of each child, who represents the hope for a healthier and brighter future. Together with their families, we take pride in witnessing the growth, milestones, and vast potential that these new lives will contribute to our community. This milestone reaffirms our commitment to providing exceptional care and nurturing the next generation, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to thrive,” said Akbar Moideen Thumbay, Vice President of Thumbay Healthcare.
The hospital also offers an affordable maternity package, further enhancing its commitment to accessible and quality care for families. Maternity package at Thumbay University Hospital includes consultations with specialist gynecologists, free delivery booking, and antenatal classes. Priced at AED 5,499 for normal deliveries and AED 8,999 for C-section deliveries, the package is designed to diagnose, monitor, and prevent health issues, promoting healthier lifestyles for expectant mothers.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / October 16th, 2024
Nanzeen Rahman Zaffar at the World tennis Masters’ Tour in Portugal
A woman in her 40s; a homemaker, a doting mother, and an ideal daughter-in-law – Nazneen Rahman Zaffar of Guwahati is all this yet has a distinct identity. She is an international tennis player.
Nazneen proves that age is no bar to success She is a mother of two children manages her family well and is yet able to find the time and energy to excel in sports.
“I played sports in school but never got into sports professionally. In college, I was focused on studying. I started playing late in life after I got married.’ After 10 years of playing tennis, she took a break to care for her children and family.
“I started playing tennis in 2011 and the next year, I participated in the state-level tournaments. Tasting success, I was even more interested in playing, and later on, I trained well and played at the national level,” Zaffar told Awaz-The Voice.
Nazneen Zaffar playing tennis
Later Nazneen Zaffar finished among the top 10 at the ITF Masters.
She says her daughter encouraged and inspired her to play tennis. Her daughter is currently pursuing her higher studies at the A&M University in Texas.
“When I took my daughter Raina Zaffar to the stadium for tennis training, I too wanted to play. Some of my friends always told me that I played good tennis and I should continue. They told me that they wanted to see me at the international level in Indian colours. I thought; why not give it a try? I participated in the international games held by the All India Tennis Association in Haryana where I won my first trophy in the doubles event.”
Nazneer Zaffar with her trophis and receiving a trophy
Nazneen Zaffar won the All Assam CTC Mixed Doubles titles in 2023 and 2024, finished runner-up in World Masters Tournament 200 in Dubai in 2023, won titles in Masters Tournament 200 in Guwahati and in Darjeeling in 2023 and a Masters Tournament 100 in Gurugram in 2023.
She also won the doubles title in a Masters 400 in Thailand.
“I gradually started participating in more tournaments and my ranking improved. Then when India sent a women’s team for the World Championships, I was appointed its Captain.”
She took the first women’s tennis team to Portugal. “Most importantly, every player in our team was a mother. It’s nice to think that we have made a distinct identity after having children.”
Nazneen Zaffar with her husband Shahnawaz Zaffar.
Nazneen has broken the myth that it is difficult for women to maintain physical fitness after becoming mothers. Nazneen is an athlete and an active fitness influencer on social media as well.
“I think sports and physical education are always complementary. When I had to take my daughter to different places for sports, I had to take care of her body and fitness. Since it becomes too expensive to take a fitness coach with us every time, I studied how we can keep ourselves fit; and how a tennis player can take care of her fitness.”
“It becomes quite difficult for women of my age to keep fit after bearing children. Many women give up self-care. However, I believe that every woman should take care of herself, not just because she has to play sports, but for her physical and mental health. They must walk and do yoga. Muscle formation slows down in a woman after the age of 30. On the other hand, when the time of menopause comes at the age of 40, many hormonal imbalances occur.
Raina Zaffar in the tennis court (Left) Nazneen and his family in Tennis court
“We have to keep ourselves fit to deal with all these problems. There are so many women who after a certain age would say we can’t do this… we can’t do that. But I think there is no age to stop learning. Even a woman in her 80s and 90s can learn or do many things if she has the confidence and desire. When I started playing, there were very few women in Assam, but now many women have come out,” Nazneen said.
“I have been imparting free yoga training at the Khanapara ground. I believe apart from physical fitness, we must also focus on mental health. When we are mentally fit, we live happily and can also keep others happy; and deal with all the problems. When members of a family see this change in the woman, they too want to change,” the fitness influencer emphasized.
In many cases, a woman, especially a Muslim woman, finds going out a hassle. As a Muslim woman, Nazneen Zaffar has never encountered someone questioning or blocking her; rather she receives support from her family.
Nazneen Zaffar with the Indian team
“I get a lot of support from my family. My father supported me when I was young and later it was my husband Shahnawaz Zaffar. He is an NIS-accredited tennis coach. He guides me on many aspects of the game. Many women, especially Muslims, are reluctant to go out. I am very fortunate that my family supports me financially and mentally.”
Nazneen also links sports with religion and spiritualism. “I pray and fast regularly except sometimes when I am playing for competitions. When I have to go out for sports, I stay in a single room so that I can carry on with my religious activities smoothly. Religion helps us keep our bodies healthy. We fast for a month which is a very positive practice and this rule of fasting has many scientific implications for an athlete,” she said.
Since a player faces various situations during sports how can the player maintain mental stability to cope with good and bad situations are some difficult aspects of sports. Nazneen Zaffar, an athlete and fitness influencer, has done a course in sports psychology. Through this, she has been advising many players on how to keep their mental state stable.
“I did a course in sports psychology. Tennis is a very difficult game. There are many good and bad experiences. Since my daughter and son play along with me, I’ve done this course,” she said.
Nazneen with Bollywood actor Gul Panag
“I have been able to help my children stay mentally stable. I also advise many other players to stay strong. The course teaches how to deal with situations after losing a game or how to be determined. For instance, I have to decide the moment I enter the court that I have to win this game anyway, no matter who the competitor is. It helps me to keep up with the expectations of the audience,” she explained.
Of late Nazneen has been promoting a relatively new sport in Assam – pickleball.
“Pickleball is a fast-spreading sport in Assam. It is spreading rapidly in the US as well as in Asian countries. It is spreading in India as well. This game is simple and convenient. It has no hard and fast rules. It is a mixture of tennis, table tennis, badminton, etc, and can be played by people of all ages. It is a game where a polymer ball is played with a small paddle made of fiber, micro-fiber, and wood. We have brought this game to Assam. We recently demonstrated pickleball in several schools and IAS Colony and got a very good response.”
Pickleball has been launched in 23 states of India. In NCR, Delhi NCR, and Western India, new coaches are coming up and about 10,000 players have registered. An institute named Pickleball World Ranking was launched recently in Dubai.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Munni Begum, Guwahati / August 06th, 2024
