The Wildlife And Nature Conservation Trust (WNCT), Ooty

July 26, 2017Community Involvement / Social Issues, Green ProductsSadiq Ali, Sadiq Ali - NGO - WNCT, Sadiq Ali - Ooty, Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trustmpositiveone@gmail.com

Ooty, TAMIL NADU :

Sadiq Ali’s fascination for animals began in childhood and became his life’s mission. Ali, who was born in 1966 near Chennai, belonged to a family in the leather business. As a result, he often saw taxidermists and tanners visiting his house to meet his grandfather. He also had the opportunity to interact with Irulas (a local tribe) who lived nearby.

From them, he learnt to handle snakes at a very young age. Not surprisingly, he graduated as a leather technology professional, and moved to Ooty in 1991 after which he began taking more interest in conservation-related activities. In 2012, he decided to dedicate his life to the conservation and protection of wildlife and founded the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust (WNCT).

WNCT’s mission statement is, “We have not inherited the earth and her wild heritage from our forefathers, but borrowed it from our future generations. Hence it is the duty of all citizens to protect the last few remaining forests of this country.”

The Ooty-based NGO works in the Western Ghats, one of the largest forest areas in south India. With several rivers and streams originating from the Nilgiris, this is a vital watershed for south India. The region is also home to around 6,000 elephants and many other critically-endangered species of flora and fauna.

As in other parts of the country, these forests face direct and indirect threats from humans. Encroachment of forest land by the land mafia is on the rise. So is pollution caused by garbage dumped into rivers and forest land. Poaching of wildlife has severely affected the populations of many species. Sand and granite mining and other construction activities continue unabated. The forest is becoming increasingly fragmented leading to man-animal conflict. WNCT is actively addressing all of these issues.

Though WNCT is a young organisation, its founder Ali has been involved in rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in the Nilgiri biosphere for over a decade. WNCT helps bridge the divide among stakeholders like the Forest Department, local communities and the general public. It also supports the Forest Department through capacity-building initiatives such as camps and seminars. WNCT runs a round-the-clock rescue team, which helps concerned authorities mitigate conflict scenarios. They have carried out scores of successful rescue and rehabilitation missions.

“We have an effective team of members that quickly responds to calls regarding wild animals entering human habitations or in distress. They are well trained to handle such situations and there are many instances when government authorities and local communities take help from us to resolve conflict situations,” says Ali.

WNCT believes in an inclusive working style, actively engaging with stakeholders and enforcement authorities. They have a network of informers and volunteers who watch for illegal wildlife activities. They are also actively involved in seizing wild animals in illegal possession and highlighting such cases. These animals are released into their natural habitats after requisite medical treatment.

WNCT understands that investing in conservation-awareness drives for the younger generation and local communities are vital for a secure future. They impart conservation awareness to students and local communities whenever an opportunity arises. They feel that more people should be empowered in conservation activities.

“We work extensively with colleges and educational institutions to make young minds understand the importance of protecting nature. Conservation requires a lot of passion, love, experience and resources and we would like to work with like-minded NGOs to further the cause,” says Ali.

WNCT needs a SUV which will help their rescue team reach inaccessible locations faster. Contact them if you know someone planning to sell their SUV or would like to donate one. If anyone wishes to volunteer or share information about the illegal trade or captivity of wildlife, they can email WNCT on info@wnct.in.

Wildlife and Nature Conservation Trust
No. 97, 2^nd Floor (Ooty Coffee House Building), Commercial Road
Ooty – 643001, Tamil Nadu, India.
Tel.: +91 96550 23288
For more information, visit: www.wnct.in

Author: Anirudh C. Nair

First appeared in: Sanctuary Asia, Vol. XXXIII No. 5, October 2013.

source: http://www.sanctuaryasia.in / Sanctuary Asia / Home> Resources/ NGO Profies / by Anirudh C Nair / Volume XXXIII No.5, October 2013

Valpoi gets new deputy chairperson

July 19, 2017Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersAkhtar Shaha, Councillor Akhtar Shaha, Councillor Parveen Khan, Parvin Shaikh, Parvin Shaikh-Chairperson-Valpoi Municipality, Sayyed Sarfaraj, Sayyed Sarfaraj-Deputy Chairperson Valpoi Municipality, Shehnij Shaikhmpositiveone@gmail.com

Valpoi, GOA :

Bicholim:

Sayyed Sarfaraj has been elected as the new deputy chairperson of Valpoi municipal council (VMC), the polls for which were held on Wednesday. The post had fallen vacant after former sarpanch Shehnij Shaikh resigned on June 12.

In the absence of any other nomination, Sarfaraj was elected unanimously.

Shripad Arlekar was the presiding officer for the polls, while chairperson Parvin Shaikh, and councillors Akhtar Shaha, Ramdas Shirodkar, Anil Katkar, Parveen Khan, Anjali Chari, Shehnij Shaikh were among those present.

Sarfaraj said he will work with others under the guidance of health minister Vishwajit Rane.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Goa News / TNN / July 07th, 2017

Meet Saad Nasser, 14-year Old Start-up Founder Building World’s First Autonomous Truck

July 19, 2017Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Leaders, Science & Technology, Transport, World OpinionCo-Founder Ati Motors, Saad Nasser, Saad Nasser - Bengaluru, World's First Autonomous Truckmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Co-founder of Ati Motors, Saad Nasser hopes to release his first autonomous goods vehicle prototype in the next 2 years

14-year old Saad Nasser's start-up is building an autonomous goods vehicle — 14-year old Saad Nasser’s start-up is building an autonomous goods vehicle

Saad Nasser, all of 14 years old, is no ordinary teen. Having read books on Java before the age of 5 and learnt C++ programming by the age of 7, Saad is a self-taught child prodigy with a lot to talk about. Saad is the co-founder of an autonomous vehicle start-up called Ati Motors, based out of Bangalore and is aiming to build the world’s first autonomous goods vehicle. But there is one more twist to this. This will be not like your regular goods vehicle but designed to offer the maneuverability of a two wheeler vehicle in order to run it on hilly areas apart from campuses.

Saad has been a winner at the Intel IRIS Science Fair 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016. His project on tiled processors won him the Sam Pitroda Award for Research and Creativeness as the best project of the fair.

BOOM caught up with Saad at the NASSCOM India Leadership Forum where we spoke to him about his entrepreneurial journey at such a young age.

source: http://www.boomlive.in / Boom / Home> Uncategorized / by Jency Jacob / February 24th, 2017

Firdaus Kayamkhani wins Gold in National Swimming competition

July 19, 2017SportsFirdaus Kayamkhani, Firdaus Kayamkhani-Rajasthan Swimming, Fiza Kayamkhanimpositiveone@gmail.com

Shahpura, Bhilwara (Udaipur), RAJASTHAN :

Firdaus from Shahpura, Bhilwara(Udaipur) brought home the long awaited medal in swimming. The region waited for 10 long years to make its name in swimming.

On Wednesday, Firdaus won a Silver and continuing in the 44^th National Swimming Competition on Thursday, she bagged a Gold in Pune in 400 metre individual medley event. She is the first one to win a Gold medal in any National Event from Shahpura region. She completed the event in 5.31.18 minutes and grabbed the Gold.

She also won a Bronze in 100 metre Butterfly stroke on Thursday. This way she became the recipient of 3 medals in swimming. President of Swimming association Anil Vyas and Secretary Chandragupt Singh Chauhan announced a reward of 1.51 lakh for Firdaus.

Firdaus has won a total of 55 gold in various competitions in the country including Junior Swimming Competition of Pune. She has even represented Rajasthan in Indian Olympics in Tiruvanthapuram. Firdaus’s younger sister Fiza has also represented in National games 5 times inspired by elder sister.

Firdaus wishes to win Gold for the country in International level Swimming competitions. Additional Chief Secretary Youth and Sports affairs J C Mohanty congratulated Firdaus over telcon. He said that Firdaus has increased Rajasthan’s honour in the field of swimming. He added that girls are nowhere behind in winning honours for their country.

source: http://www.udaipurtimes.com / Udaipur Times.com / Home> News> Beyond Udaipur / by Monika S /July 07th, 2017

Renowned Shooters : The story of road to glory by the Shooting Stars of Gulbarga

July 19, 2017SportsAbbas Khan, Abdul Majid Maniyar, Md. Shakir M.A.T, Mirza Faiz Baig, Mirza Faiz Tashkent, Sajid Mat, Shakir MATmpositiveone@gmail.com

Gulbarga, KARNATAKA :

Yesterday We did a Story of the renowned shooters. Today we present in front of you the follow up story of how these boys shot down the road to glory (and renowned shooters position) DeccanDigest wishes them Goodluck for their future endeavors.

Sajid Mat: The All India GV Mavlankar Gold Medalist, Mr Sajid became First Renowned shooter of Gulbarga and Hk region in Small bore and big bore event. He Scored 599.7/654* In All India National shooting Championship competition pune to become a renowned Shooter.

Abbas Khan : Abbas Khan scored 606.3/654* in 60th All India National Shooting Championship Competition In .22lr Small bore event Pune to became a Renowned shooter. And Qualified for Selection trails.

Abdul Majid : Abdul Majid Maniyar scored 604.5/654* In 60th All India National shooting Championship competition Pune and became a Renowned shooter.

Mirza Faiz Tashkent: Mirza Faiz Baig (Tashkent ) Scored 598.6/654* In 60th All India National shooting Championship competition Pune and Became a Renowned Shooter.

Shakir Mat: Md Shakir M.A.T Scored 584.8/654* in All India National shooting Championship competition Pune and became a renowned Shooter.

source: http://www.deccandigest.com / Deccan Digest / Home> News / by Deccan Digest / Gulbarga – December 23rd, 2016

Srinagar girl plays Aamir’s daughter in ‘Dangal’

July 19, 2017Arts, Culture & Entertainment, EducationZaira Wasim, Zaira Wasim - Dangalmpositiveone@gmail.com

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Zaira Wasim seems intelligent beyond years. The 15-year-old student of a missionary school in Srinagar owes her new-found confidence to her recent acting stint in Bollywood. She plays the wrestler daughter of actor Aamir Khan in his upcoming movie ‘Dangal’.

Zaira is back in Srinagar after six months in Mumbai, playing the childhood of Geeta Phogat, the Commonwealth gold medallist wrestler.(HT Photo)

Zaira Wasim seems intelligent beyond years. The 15-year-old student of a missionary school in Srinagar owes her new-found confidence to her recent acting stint in Bollywood. She plays the wrestler daughter of actor Aamir Khan in his upcoming movie ‘Dangal’.

Zaira is back in Srinagar after six months in Mumbai, playing the childhood of Geeta Phogat, the Commonwealth gold medallist wrestler. Phogat is the first woman wrestler from India to have won the gold in the 55 kg freestyle category at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. Aamir plays wrestler Mahavir Singh Phogat, who trained his two daughters in the sport.

“The experience has been life-changing,” Zaira says. “I was a normal teenager with a lot of anxiety but have been able to overcome that in the past six months,” she tells Hindustan Times.

Daughter of a banker father and a teacher mother, she was selected from among hundreds of girls who auditioned for the role. Zaira was spotted by the casting crew as she had featured in an advertisement for a cell phone. “I got a call for the role in April. It was a big decision for the family as Bollywood is not really looked up to in our society,” she says.

After initial resistance from her family, it was her aunt who supported her decision. “She asked my parents to give me a chance to realise my dreams,” she adds. “Like other Kashmiri parents, mine were concerned about what people would say. But my aunt handled the situation well.”

The decision did have its fallout, though. “A lot was said about me in the social media. But Aamir Khan and the rest of the crew supported me,” she says. “Eventually, I learnt not to pay attention to negativity,” she adds. “I realised you are as good as your thoughts and there was nothing I was ashamed of. I want to tell people that it’s a beautiful role about dignity and empowerment of women,” she adds.

The role required hours of rigorous training in wrestling, body-building and swimming. “I suffered injuries and the one in my shoulder was nasty. But I learnt to bear the pain,” she says. The only thing she regrets is cutting her long hair for the role.

Zaira is all praise for her co-star. “The first day of shooting wasn’t difficult as I had met Khan before. The day I met him first, he never had the air of a star and made me comfortable.”

Having resumed her studies now, the class 10 student says, “I take life as it comes. If another film offer comes my way and doesn’t affect my studies I will take it up.”

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / by Toufiq Rashid, Hindustant Times / December 08th, 2015

Repackaging 1,000-yr-old ideas to revive a system of medicine

July 14, 2017Community Involvement / Social Issues, Science & TechnologyAleem Faizee, Dr.Yusuf Ansari, Dr.Yusuf Ansari -Unani Doctor, Dr.Yusuf Ansari-Malegaon, Dr.Zubaida Ansarimpositiveone@gmail.com

Malegaon (Mumbai) , MAHARASHTRA :

The system’s beginnings can be traced to the teachings of ancient Greek physicians like Hippocrates, and its principle revolves around strengthening the ‘Quwwat-e-Mudabbira-e-Badan’ (immunity).

Dr Yusuf Ansari has authored over two dozen books which are used by Unani and MBBS students across India. Mayur Bargaje

The Unani system of medicine, which was introduced by the Arabs and Persians sometime in the 11th century, is said to be dying a slow death. Though India is still one of the leading countries in Unani medicine today, with the largest number of educational, research and healthcare institutions, the number of Unani practitioners here is far less than what it was in the past. In Maharashtra, a doctor has been making efforts to make Unani medicine system more relevant and accessible in contemporary India. Dr Yusuf Ansari, a 62-year-old resident of Malegaon, has authored over two dozen books in the past two decades which are used by Unani students across the country. The books are based on the Unani medical curricula laid down by the government, but some of them, like the ones on physiology, surgery and pathology, are also referred by MBBS students.

The system’s beginnings can be traced to the teachings of ancient Greek physicians like Hippocrates, and its principle revolves around strengthening the ‘Quwwat-e-Mudabbira-e-Badan’ (immunity). The foremost book on Unani — ‘The Canon of Medicine’ — was written by Avicenna in the ninth century. While Avicenna’s works were followed by other writers as well, the content and language of these books made them a bit difficult for students to follow. “All these books are scholarly pieces, but seeing that many students found these books a little difficult to follow, I attempted to write a book which would be in tune with the contemporary times and would be lucid and understandable for students as well,” said Ansari.

Ansari’s first attempt was a book called ‘Tahafuzz-e-Tibb’, or preventive and social medicine. “The idea was to link the concept of Unani medicine with contemporary medical problems. I wrote the book to make this effective medical form understandable and more relevant. The book, however, was published only in 1996 after which I was asked to write more on the subject,” said Ansari.

Interestingly, Ansari’s primary degree has not been in Unani medicine. Coming from a very humble background, Ansari gained an MA in English, and for a time used to work for Rs 20 per week. He eventually joined a Unani college as an English language teacher to make ends meet. It was only in his 30s that Ansari’s interest in Unani medicine peaked and he decided to pursue a degree in it at the same college where he taught English.

Apart from Unani medicine, Ansari also writes in various science journals on subjects such as electronics and information technology. Ansari believes that education is the only way to empower communities in the country. His son Mohammad is the first IITian to emerge out of Malegaon. His sister Dr Zubaida Ansari was the first female scientist from Malegaon and is now a part of Jamia Millia Islamia’s Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences. His nephew Aleem Faizee runs a popular community website in Malegaon. “Today, this medicinal system is suffering because it is seen to be associated with a certain community. My attempts have been to ensure that people open their minds and see things for what they are really worth,” says Ansari.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by Zeeshan Shaikh , Malegaon / July 10th, 2017

How An Act Of Kindness By An Indian-Origin Muslim Helped A Man To Become Top Jurist In South Africa

July 13, 2017Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, World OpinionSuleman Bux, Suleman Bux - South Africampositiveone@gmail.com

SOUTH AFRICA :

An Indian-origin shopkeeper based in South Africa became an overnight sensation after the new deputy chief justice recalled his generosity over four decades ago when he was looking for a loan to fund his studies.

Suleman Bux, 76, who at that time ran a small general store in Ixopo town, had forgotten about the young man with whom he had struck a deal to be a good student by giving him groceries for his family so that they could save what they would have spent on this for his studies.

Judge Raymond Zondo, 57, who has been recently appointed as the Deputy Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, recalled how he had sceptically approached Bux when he started his studies in 1981, unsure of whether he or anyone else would give a loan to a 20-year-old man.

Zondo approached Bux, without telling his family and helped him with groceries for his family.

Zondo’s emotional video at his installation to the second highest judicial post in the country recently went viral as he recalled Bux’s influence on his life, expressing a desire to meet him again after the fasting month of Ramadan was over.

Zondo met with Bux and his extended family to thank him personally. Bux shrugged off the huge media attention.

“He gave me a very nice watch, which was very generous. I was moved by the gesture,” Bux told local media, adding that he had not expected the issue to have received as much attention as it did.

After he began earning, Zondo tried to repay Bux but the shopkeeper, who is still running a wholesale store, told Zondo to rather finance some other young students.

“I helped him because it was the right thing to do. As a Muslim, helping others is important, but you do it because you want to, not because you want recognition and for everyone to know,” Bux added.

source: http://www.indiatimes.com / Indiatimes.com / Home> News> India / IndiaTimes / July 11th, 2017

Tiger hunter turns tiger rescuer

July 12, 2017Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, SportsAsghar Ali Khan, Nawab Shafat Ali Khan, Shafat Ali Khanmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabadi shooter Nawab Shafat Ali Khan | Photo Credit: aranged

Maharashtra :

‘Man-eater’ successfully tranquillised

Reputed hunter from the city, ‘Nawab’ Shafat Ali Khan, who used to be frequently embroiled in controversies by shooting down ‘man-eating’ tigers, has, for a change, successfully tranquillised female tiger in Maharashtra that had reportedly turned man-eater.

The three-year-old tigress was captured alive on Monday evening from the outlying territory of Tadoba National Park, near Halda village, Mr. Khan informed over phone.

The tigress, named C-1 by the Forest Department officials, was from the spill-over population of 40 adult tigers and 19 cubs that struggled for survival in the Brahmapuri Division outside the national park, thickly populated with human habitations and sparsely with prey base.

The young feline had killed two humans and injured four, besides lifting away countless cattle and goats between April and June. After it had reportedly killed a man on June 21 and partially ate his body, villagers became furious leading to her being declared a man-eater, and ordered to be shot down.

Attempts by veterinarians to tranquillise the big cat turned futile, and Mr. Khan was invited by the Maharashtra Government to hunt her down. “I had noticed that the tigress displayed abnormal behaviour. She would kill the cattle during daytime, and when resisted, attack the villagers,” Mr. Khan recalled. However, he decided to capture her alive, after noticing from camera traps that she was beautiful and young. His team, including son Asghar, faced tough opposition from the villagers who wanted her shot down.

“They even attacked us once, seeing the tranquilliser guns in our hands. We had to sit with them, and make them understand our efforts,” he said. The cattle kills became very frequent, but almost always, the tigress abandoned her kills scared by the attempts to chase her away.

“After a futile attempt at Padmapur village on July 4, she disappeared up to July 9, only to resurface near Halda village where she was conceived by her mother. Our task became very difficult as her mother and two sisters roamed in the five square kilometre vicinity,” Mr. Khan said.

Painstakingly, the stripes on the tigress’ body were memorised, and her presence was ascertained further through her odd tendencies of abandoning her kills.

“Monday afternoon, she killed a cow and ate five kilograms of meat. We set up a ‘machan’, tied the carcass with ropes and awaited her arrival. At 5.30 p.m., she came tearing out, lifted the carcass snapping the ropes, and almost galloped away, but not before I took a very fast shot. The dart went in her neck, and she fled dropping her kill,” Mr. Khan explained. She was noticed 200 meters away, captured and brought back to the Forest Department’s camp at Ekara village.

“I visited the tigress on Tuesday morning. She was in healthy condition,” Mr. Khan informed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Swathi Vadlamudi / Hyderabad – July 12th, 2017