Tag Archives: Muslim Scientists of India

Dr. Riaz Ahmad of AMU gets Young Scientist Award

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

pix source: amu.ac.in

Aligarh:

The Council of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh honoured Dr. Riaz Ahmad, Lecturer at Department of Zoology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), with ‘Young Scientist Award’ yesterday. The award has been given to Dr. Ahmad in recognition of his contributions in the area of Biochemical and Molecular Genetics. Besides cash prize of Rs. 25,000/, award carries a certificate, memento and a shawl.

The award was presented to Dr. Riaz Ahmad by Mr. Abdul Mannan, the State Minister for Science and Technology at the Vigyan Samaroh at Sir C.V. Raman Auditorium in Lucknow.

Dr. Ahmad is also a recipient of prestigious Dr. D. S. Kothari Post Doctoral Fellowship from UGC, Young Scientist Project of DST and Scientist of the Year Award-2009 given by the National Environmental Science Academy.

He has a number of research papers to his name published in various scientific journals of national and international repute.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by TCN News / March 30th, 2010

Dr Ufana Riaz of JMI bags young scientist award

DELHI :

Hyderabad:

Jamia Millia Islamia Assistant Professor at Department of Chemistry, Dr. Ufana Riaz has been awarded “Sir CV Raman Young Scientist Award 2021” along with cash money of Rs 25,000 in recognition of her outstanding contribution in the field of Materials Chemistry by the St. Peters Institute of Higher Education and Research, Avadi Chennai. The award and citation were presented to her at the 12th convocation of the Institute.

Dr. Ufana Riaz has published more than 140 research papers in the field of conducting polymers, co-authored 3 books and 25 book chapters. Her research work has been published in renowned and highly reputed international journals.

Dr Riaz holds membership of the prestigious National Academy of Science (NASI) Allahabad, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) and Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). 

Dr. Ufana Riaz has been the recipient of the International Research Excellence Award in Green Chemistry by Center for Professional Advancement and Continuing Education (CPACE), Senior Scientist Award by Environment & Social Development Association (ESDA), Green Technology Innovation Award by National Environmental Science Academy (NESA), National Education Excellence Award in Materials Chemistry by International Multidisciplinary Research Foundation (IMRF), and Outstanding Performance Award by Novel Research foundation.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by Mohammed Hussain Ahmed / February 05th, 2022

Dr. Tamanna Jahangir gets Young Scientist Award

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Lucknow:

The Council of Science and Technology, Uttar Pradesh honored Dr. Tamanna Jahangir, from Jamia Hamdard, currently working as Assistant Professor at Jazan University, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with ‘Young Scientist Award’ on Jan. 29th 2011.

The award has been given to Dr. Tamanna Jahangir in recognition of her contributions in the area of Cancer Chemoprevention Toxicology. Besides cash prize of Rs. 25,000/ award carries a certificate, memento and a shawl.

The award was received by her Father Mr. Mohd. Jahangir presented by Mr. Abdul Mannan, the State Cabinet Minister for Science and Technology at the Vigyan Samaroh at Sir C.V. Raman Auditorium in Lucknow.

Dr. Tamanna Jahangir is also a recipient of prestigious DST fast track Young Scientist Award and Young Scientist Award at TOXCON 2010 given by the Slovak Toxicological Society (SETOX), Slovakia.

She has a number of research papers to her name published in various scientific journals of national and international repute.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by TCN Staff Reporter, TwoCircles.net / February 01st, 2011

Young Botanist from Bengal beats poverty to bag young scientist award

Joygram Village (North 24 Parganas District), WEST BENGAL :

Kutubuddin Ali Molla in research lab

Kolkata:

A young researcher from West Bengal beat poverty to bag the Young Scientist Award 2013-14 of India. The Young Botanist Kutubuddin Ali Molla, who hails from a very poor family in North 24 Parganas district received the honour for his research on “Development of Transgenic Rice Plants for Sheath Blight Resistance”.

The young scientist was felicitated on February 7, 2014 at Jammu University by Vice President of India Hamid Ansari with a cheque of Rs 25000 and an Award Certificate in the field of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences.

Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir Omar Abdullah and Governor of Jammu Kashmir N N Vhora, Former CM of J&K Dr. Farooq Abdullah were also present in this award ceremony.

Kutubuddin is currently posted as a scientist trainee at National Academy of Agricultural Research Management in Hyderabad.

Originally from a remote village of Joygram in North 24 Parganas, Kutubuddin Ali Molla, his father Illias Molla is a farmer and Grandfather Nasim Molla was a Maulana and social worker.

With only three Bighaa of agricultural land in a joint family, Illias Molla was not able to fulfill all the needs of the family; his eldest brother Yusuf Molla, however, financially supported his bright nephew in times of economic-crunch.

Kutubuddin Ali Molla taking award from VP Hamid Ansari at Jammu University.

As a young boy, he Kutubuddin also helped his father in the agricultural fields and learnt several things about paddy cultivation that developed his interest for becoming an agricultural scientist. Stricken by poverty, his father told him, he will not stop him from studying, but he is not in a condition to financially support him and hence he would need to manage the expenses from somewhere.

After completing his senior secondary from Joygram JN High School, Kutub took admission at City College in Kolkata in B.Sc (Honours) in Botany. As the college was about 60 KM from his village, he shifted to a hostel near the college on a nominal fees of Rs 50.

Kutub is very grateful to his Professor in college Dr Argha Hait, who helped in several ways. After graduating with first class, he took admission for post-graduation in Calcutta University, which he completed with first class and ranked third.

All these while, he gave private tuitions to support the expenses of his study and staying in Kolkata. Meanwhile, he also cleared the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), GATE, ICAR (NET) and ARS tests.

Kutubuddin Ali Molla

He took admission in Phd under the Dr Karabi Dutta in 2009 in Plant Molecular Biology and Plant Biotechnology. He did his PhD research (PhD award still awaited) on transgenic rice and published a research article in a Research Journal of the British Society on `Molecular Plant Pathology’ in 2013 that attracted the attention of the agricultural scientists in the country.

He then participated in All India Young Scientist Award Competition and was selected for the Best Young Scientist Award of India in the field of agriculture for 2013-14.

Speaking to TCN over phone from Hyderabad, Kutubuddin thanked the Almighty Allah for the honour and hoped that his research in agricultural yields good result in paddy cultivation.

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by Zaidul Haque, TwoCircles.net / March 19th, 2014

I became a scientist because of Fatima Sheikh

UTTAR PRADESH :

Doodle of Fatima Sheikh issued by Google

It was a cold day in February 2016. A woman from a small town of Uttar Pradesh received her Ph.D. at the 63rd Annual Convocation of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Aligarh. She was the first from her clan to have taken admission to AMU in 2003. Her parents never attended college; her four brothers took up family businesses at a younger age. The woman in the discussion is me. I am Mahino Fatima, a Muslim girl from a backward caste who became a scientist against all odds.

pix: heritagetimes.in / Dr. Mahino Fatima

Friends, relatives, and peers celebrated my becoming a scientist as a consequence of my hard work and perseverance. In my heart of hearts, I knew this day has not come only because of me; I was grateful for the privilege of education that I was born with.

Most importantly, I should not forget Fatima Sheikh. If not for her, I would never have become a scientist. Lakhs of women who are successful because of education would have remained illiterate but for Fatima Sheikh’s pioneering work.

How can I, a woman, forget that my foremothers were not allowed to learn how to write? How can I, a backward caste woman, forget that my forefathers were not allowed to receive an education? Today, when we look at our curriculum, we find that women scientists, economists, philosophers, and intellectuals are negligible in comparison to men. Famous philosopher, Jaques Derrida, once remarked that no woman was a philosopher. His observation was true, but he did not delve into the reason. How can a woman become a philosopher when men for centuries controlled the development of her intellectual capacities in the name of culture? 

In our society, men would not let women learn the art of writing for the fear that if literate these women would communicate to ‘lovers’ through letters. Bibi Ashraf, a late 19th-century educationist, recalled how she was not allowed to learn reading and writing like male members of her family. She secretly learned to write. The secret came out when during the revolt of 1857; she had to write a letter to her father and uncle. Instead of receiving accolades, she was abhorred by men in her family. Her uncle was furious and made her take an oath that she would never write a letter to a man. Similar was the story of Rassundari Devi, who secretly learned writing by stealing books from her son. How do we expect women scientists in such a society? Still, a large section of our society would not let women study more than what is needed in the ‘marriage market’.

In this society, Fatima Sheikh, along with Savitribai Phule, started a school for girls in 1848. Yes, 1848. 26 years before Sheikh Abdullah, who later founded a women’s college at Aligarh, and 32 years before Begum Rukaiya Sakhawat, doyen of women education, were born, Fatima had started a girls’ school and taught herself. Today, that small classroom of 9 girls has prepared lakhs of educated women. 

Today women are asking for gender parity in opportunities and pay scales. Thanks to Fatima, women today are educated to understand their worth and assert their rights. 

Fatima was a pioneer; she was followed by Begum Rukaiya, Begum Wahid, Muhammadi Begum. A revolution starts with an idea. Fatima’s was the idea that put women of India in general and Muslim women in particular, on the march to empowerment through education.

Today, I thank Fatima for making me a scientist. Nobody knows how many bright women before 1848 had been deprived of education and were not allowed to dream of becoming a scientist. But, we surely know that after 1848, women have slowly entered different fields through education and are today competing with men to have their rightful place in the books, laboratories, and society.  

(Author is a neurobiologist with her major research on depression and Alzheimer’s)

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Mahino Fatima / Saquib Salim / January 09th, 2022

The Changemakers: 10 stars of Rajasthan who have made society proud

RAJASTHAN :

Changemakers of Rajasthan

Jaipur :

Rajasthan is known for its sandy deserts, historical monuments, especially forts, vibrant culture, and above all, its brave people, some of whom are inspiring others and changing society for the better. Under our series ‘The Changemakers’, Awaz-The Voice, brings you ten such personalities of Rajasthan, who have done extraordinary and pioneering work. Batool Begum: A living legacy of musical heritage.

Batool Begum: Woman who took traditional music to the world

One name that resonates in the streets of Jaipur is that of Batool Begum. Born in Kerap village of Nagaur district, Rajasthan, this extraordinary singer is a living legacy of Indian classical music. Batool developed a deep passion for music in her childhood. Despite facing social and economic challenges, she continued her singing.

Her melodious voice and her passion for music not only earned her recognition as an artist but also proved that talent can break all barriers. Her art is a source of inspiration for her community and the entire Rajasthan.

Abdul Salam Johar: A lac bangle maker who received global recognition

The vibrant spirit of India’s Pink City, Jaipur, doesn’t only emanate from its colours and people but also from the traditional handicrafts that are made and sold here. Bangles worth lakhs are made in these streets, which are a symbol of the traditional beauty and hard work of thousands of its people.

Abdul Salam Johar is one such artist who not only preserved the traditional art of the State but also brought about a social change in a major way. Coming from the Manihar community, Johar was born in a family with little means, but his dreams were extraordinary. Seeing the struggles of his grandfather Hafiz Mohammad Ismail and parents Haji Abdul Aziz and Hajjan Qamar Jahan, he made hard work, dedication, and social service the main mantra of his life.

He began his journey from his ancestral shop ‘Indian Kangan and Colour Store’ located in Tripolia Bazaar of Jaipur, and today his wares are being sold under brands ‘Johar Design’, ‘Johar King’ and ‘Indian Crafts’ in the global markets. He is not only a successful entrepreneur, but also a social reformer who took his community and traditional art to new heights.

Abdul Latif ‘Arco’: A confluence of business and social service

Abdul Latif, who lives in Chini ki Burj in the capital Jaipur, and is known as ‘Arko’ in Rajasthan, is one such special personality. Born in a small village of Chomu in 1946, Abdul Latif’s father, Rahmatullah, and mother, Hafijan, taught him hard work, honesty, and the passion to help people, which became the basis of his life.

His company, Abdul Razzaq & Company (ARCO), is today a big name for social service along with electric motors, fans, and coolers. Apart from this, his hotel, ARCO Palace, is a symbol of his hard work and foresight. Abdul Latif’s story is not just of a businessman, but of a person who chose to work as a changemaker by combining his business and social responsibilities.

Qazi Nishat Hussain: A new voice breaking stereotypes

The voice rising from a small office located in the narrow streets of Johri Bazaar in Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is today inspiring society to change. This voice is of Nishat Hussain, Rajasthan’s first Muslim female Qazi, social worker, and a strong advocate of the rights of Muslim women.

Her life journey is an example of courage, struggle, and change, which not only made thousands of women aware but also gave them a new direction to live.

Born in Sitabari Mohalla of Karauli district, Nishat’s childhood was spent in an environment of communal harmony. His family was the only Muslim family in the neighbourhood. There were three temples in front of her house. She says, “We did not know who was a Hindu and who was a Muslim.” In a backward area like Karauli, where girls’ education was not given importance, Nishat created history. She became the first Muslim girl in the district to pass the tenth standard, that too as the only Muslim student among 1200 girls. Today, she has become a torchbearer of the rights of Muslim women.

Captain Mirza Mohtasim Baig and Ruby Khan: An Inspiring couple in social service

An inspirational couple, Captain Mirza Mohtasim Baig and his wife Ruby Khan, hail from Jaipur. Captain Mirza is the first Muslim pilot of Rajasthan and has been operating national and international flights for the last 25 years. At the same time, his wife Ruby is an active social worker and politician.

Both believe that if one wants to bring change in society, then he has to take the initiative. Together, they had organised medical camps, documentation camps, free ration distribution, and offered financial help to families in the marriage of their daughters. The couple is an epitome of change brought about by spirited people.

Dr. Arif Khan: The village scientist who created history

Thirty-four years ago, a child was born in the small village of Masani in the Hanumangarh district of Rajasthan. Today, he is Dr. Arif Khan, a scientist who has brought laurels to India. In his village, most of the people toiled in the fields. His father, Advocate Farid Khan, wanted his son to become a doctor. His mother and grandfather also had the same dream. But there were few schools in Masani, and the path to making dreams come true was difficult. Still, Arif had a passion to do something extraordinary in his life.

With his hard work and dedication, he became a bio-scientist and brought glory to his family and village. His research on milk and food products brought a wave of change. His story proves that if the intentions are strong, then even a boy from a small village can become a scientist and make the country feel proud.

Mainuna Nargis: First Shia Muslim woman in art conservation

In a vast country like India, art conservation is important since it not only preserves history but also connects future generations to our heritage.  Mainuna Nargis, the country’s first and so far the only Shia Muslim woman art conservator, does the same work. Born in Bahjoi, a small town in Moradabad district of Uttar Pradesh, Maimuna’s childhood was ordinary, but her dreams were extraordinary. Rajasthan has now become Mainuna’s second home.

Her father, a Policeman in UP, always encouraged her. After studying Fine Arts from Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), she did a diploma in Museology, which became the most decisive turning point in her life. Maimuna’s story is not just of professional success, but a story of passion, struggle, and self-confidence, which revived the broken pieces of history.

Yoga Guru Naeem Khan: Global journey from music to yoga

The life journey of Yoga Guru Naeem Khan, who rose from the streets of Jodhpur, the cultural capital of Rajasthan, to spread his spiritual aura on international platforms, is a unique example. He rose from a common man to a global yoga guru and presented yoga as a universal energy beyond religion, culture, and boundaries.

Naeem Khan was born in a family where music was in every breath. His grandfather, Ustad Umardin Khan, was the court musician of the Jodhpur royal family, while his maternal uncle was Padma Bhushan-awarded Sarod player Ustad Sultan Khan. However, with changing times, that traditional flame of music started to fade. Naeem and his brother got involved in business, but yoga gave Naeem a new direction, and he took it to a global platform.

Syed Anwar Shah: A man who introduced girls to education

Thirty years ago, a dream was born in a small room in Jaipur, which has today become the light of education for thousands of girls. This is the story of Syed Anwar Shah, whom people fondly call Master Anwar Shah. He not only dreamt of his daughter’s education, but also made it a means of progress for the daughters of society.

Today his educational institution, Al-Jamia-tul Alia, is spreading the message of knowledge and Islamic ethics not only in Jaipur, but also in the whole of India and abroad. After completing his M.A. in Public Administration from Rajasthan University in 1980, he dedicated his entire life to the welfare of society and the service of education. In 1995, when his daughter Alia was born, he decided to set up an institution for the education of girls, which would impart both worldly and divine teachings.

Today, his effort has become a boon for thousands of families.

Padma Shri Shakir Ali: Patron of Miniature Painting

It’s no exaggeration to say that Jaipur is the art capital of Rajasthan. And in the field of miniature painting, the name of Syed Shakir Ali comes to the fore spontaneously. This genre of painting is an identity of the state of Rajasthan. 

Padma Shri awardee Syed Shakir Ali is not only a great practitioner of this art, but he is also the guardian of that heritage, which is an integral part of the cultural identity of Rajasthan. Born in 1956 in Jalesar village of Uttar Pradesh, Shakir Ali’s family soon settled in Jaipur, where his art got a new direction. 

Today, he has given recognition to this traditional art of Rajasthan not only in India but also on international platforms.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemakers / by Aasha Khosa, ATV / September 14th, 2025

AMU’s Dr Hamid Ashraf Bags Prestigious A.R. Seth Award for Research on Gestational Diabetes

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Dr Hamid Ashraf receives the Prestigious A.R. Seth Award for Research on Gestational Diabetes at the 54th Annual Conference of the Endocrine Society of India (ESI), held in Kolkata

Aligarh:

Dr Hamid Ashraf, a distinguished faculty member at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has been honoured with the prestigious A.R. Seth Award at the 54th Annual Conference of the Endocrine Society of India (ESI), held in Kolkata.

The A.R. Seth Award, among the highest recognitions in Indian endocrinology, is conferred annually on researchers and clinicians for outstanding contributions to the understanding and treatment of hormonal and metabolic disorders.

Dr. Ashraf received the award for his pioneering research on maternal health, particularly on identifying early metabolic markers of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). His study revealed an alarming trend of dysglycemia in over 40 percent of pregnant women in the region, highlighting the urgent need for reliable predictive markers to ensure early detection and better fetomaternal outcomes.

“This recognition is not mine alone but belongs to the entire team that made this research possible,” Dr. Ashraf said, acknowledging the support of colleagues from the Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Pediatrics at AMU, along with the contributions of students and patients who participated in the study.

Experts at the conference lauded his findings as a significant step in addressing one of India’s most pressing public health challenges.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards / by Radiance News Bureau / September 10th, 2025

Ather Siddiqi: Journey as a Zoologist, Scholar, and Urdu Literary Maestro

Sahranpur, UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Ather Siddiqi was a researcher of eminence in his field and his research has been nationally and internationally recognised in the scientific world.

Professor Ather H. Siddiqi was born on December 29, 1931, in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He attained his early education at the Govt. High School, Saharanpur and obtained the degrees of B.Sc. (1950) and M.Sc. (1953) from A.M.U. Topping the university in Science and Zoology, he received two gold medals. He did his PhD in 1956 under the supervision of Professor Babar Mirza from Aligarh Muslim University.

Ather Siddiqi joined the Department of Zoology as a lecturer in 1953. After three years, he joined Purdue University, USA and completed another doctorate in 1958. He became a reader in 1961 and was appointed as a professor in 1977. Prof. Siddiqi also taught at universities in Nigeria and Libya and returned to India in 1980. He served as the Chairman of the Department of Zoology (1985-88) and as the President of the Indian Society for Parasitology. He also served as the Dean of the Faculty of Life Science in 1988-89, finally retiring from his services in 1994.

His scientific work on helminth taxonomy was published by the New York Academy of Sciences in the form of an exhaustive monograph. Despite that, he received his basic training in classical zoology in the early sixties. Later on, he switched to experimental work in parasitology. Ather Siddiqi was a researcher of eminence in his field and his research is nationally and internationally recognised in the scientific world.

Siddiqi’s Immersion in Urdu Writing

Apart from research articles, his popular writing in Urdu started in the 1980s. His first article in Urdu appeared on the life and scientific contribution of his mentor Professor Babar Mirza in the Quarterly “Fikr-o-Nazar” (January 1987). He published two articles in the early years of “Tehzib-ul-Akhlaq”, Aligarh: ‘Ilm-ul-Hayatiat ke Isatiza se Khitab’ (December 1987), ‘Mohammad Babar Mirza-Apnay Chaman ka Aik Deedawar’ (August 1989).

After his retirement in 1994, he devoted himself completely to Urdu writing. His lengthy article, ‘Mashriq say bezar na Maghrib say Hazar Kar’ narrateing the scientific and cultural activities of European countries was serialised in January 2005-June 2006 issues of “Tehzib-ul-Akhlaq”.

Similarly, his Urdu travelogue ‘Saat Haftay Inglistan Main’ (Seven Weeks in England) was published in the June and July 2006 issues of “Tehzib-ul-Akhlaq”. It carried interesting information regarding the scientific and cultural development of England.

His article based on his visit to Spain ‘Undlus Ka Shandaar Mazi’ (The Bright Past of Spain) discussed the scientific and cultural development of medieval Spain.

Ather Siddiqi along with Syed Zillur Rahman, contributed a chapter, ‘Aligarh Muslim University: Development and Progress of Science Teaching and Research, 1877-1947’ in Science and Modern India: An Institutional History, c. 1784-1947 (ed. Uma Das Gupta), Centre for Studies in Civilisation published in 1999.

A Glimpse into his Published Works

He is regularly contributing a literary column ‘Hairat Sarai Ke Kahania’ to “Tehzib-ul-Akhlaq” which consists of the translation of interesting short stories taken from the internet.

Recently, his popular science articles ‘Parasitism: Aik Dilchasp Tareeq Zindagi’ (Parasitism is an Interesting Way of Life) and ‘Yek khuliya Tufailiati Beenariyan’ (Unicell parasitic diseases) appeared in the February 2022 and February 2023 issue, respectively, of the Urdu monthly ‘Aajkal’, Delhi.

After retirement, Ather Siddiqi devoted himself to Urdu writing and authored, translated and edited dozens of books. The names of some of his books are: ‘Kiya aur meri Hayat Kiya’, ‘Lizzat Aabla Pai’, ‘Nishat Aabla Pai’, ‘Hairat Sarai ke Kahaniyan’ (Vol. 1, 2, 3, 4). In 2022, he published “Rah wa Rasam Aashnai”, his last book. He also rendered Retd IAS officer Musa Raza’s book, “Land of Regrets: Kashmir”, in Urdu as “Kashmir Sarzamin Pashemani”.

Ather Siddiqi was one of the best teachers, an internationally acclaimed Zoologist, and a passionate Urdu writer. And above all, he was a wonderful human being. He passed away on 8th November, 2023, in Delhi at the age of 92 years due to old age illness.

References:

 Tehzib-ul-Akhlaq, Aligarh (various issues)
 Science and Modern India: An Institutional History, c. 1784-1947 (ed. Uma Das Gupta), Centre for Studies in Civilisation, New Delhi, 1999.

source: http://www.heritagetimes.in / Heritage Times / Home / by Dr Asad Faisal Farooqui

AMU PMRF Scholar Mohd Zeeshan Named Among India’s Top 40 for Research Excellence

Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Mohd Zeeshan, a PMRF and doctoral researcher at Department of Chemistry, AMU, has earned national recognition as one of the Top 40 PMRF scholars across India for his exemplary contributions to cutting-edge research in CO₂ fixation

Aligarh:

Mohd Zeeshan, a Prime Minister’s Research Fellow (PMRF) and doctoral researcher at the Department of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has earned national recognition as one of the Top 40 PMRF scholars across India for his exemplary contributions to cutting-edge research in carbon dioxide (CO₂) fixation.

Zeeshan’s research is centred on the development of heteroatom-functionalised linkers and metal–organic framework (MOF)-based materials for CO₂ capture and wastewater remediation. The selection was based on the national impact of his work, which combines experimental innovation with real-world applicability, addressing pressing environmental challenges.

His research has been conducted under the mentorship of Dr. M. Shahid, a noted scientist with over 170 publications.

Zeeshan acknowledged the constant academic and moral support of Professor Zeba N. Siddiqui, Chairperson of the Department of Chemistry, who congratulated him on receiving this prestigious honour. He also thanked Professor Aasim Zafar, PMRF Coordinator at AMU, for his dedicated mentorship, proactive engagement, and seamless coordination.

Zeeshan has authored 13 peer-reviewed research papers published in leading international journals, including Dalton Transactions and CrystEngComm (Royal Society of Chemistry), and Coordination Chemistry Reviews (Elsevier), with impact factors reaching up to 20.3. He has also contributed two book chapters, holds a granted patent, and has received multiple accolades for best poster and oral presentations at national and international conferences.

In recognition of his achievements, Zeeshan has been invited by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, for a high-level interaction with senior officials, where he will represent AMU and share insights on enhancing the PMRF scheme.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / June 21st, 2025

Ruhul Amin Hazarika from Assam joins cancer detection research in Italy

Chenibari Village (Darang District) , ASSAM / ITALY :

Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika

A young scientist from a small village Chenibari in the Darang district of Assam has brought laurels to the country in global medical research. Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika has been appointed as a research scientist at the prestigious University of Calabria in Italy, where he will conduct research on cancer detection and diagnosis with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) and will assist in teaching.

Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika is the son of Bashiruddin Ahmed Hazarika and Rabia Khatun, residents of Chenibari village. He received his early education from local Assamese-medium government schools and after matriculation moved to Mangaldoi for further studies.

After passing 12th in Science from Mangaldoi Government Higher Secondary School, he obtained B.Tech, M.Tech, and PhD degrees from North Eastern Hills University (NEHU), Shillong. Due to his hard work and dedication, today he has secured such an achievement which is a matter of pride for the entire state and country.

His main area of research in Italy is to develop AI-based cancer detection systems. This technology can prove helpful in the early detection of cancer and can revolutionize medical science at the global level.

Dr Hazarika believes, “Medium of education and social status are not barriers if the hard work and dedication is genuine.”

He himself studied in Assamese medium government schools from primary to 12th standard and then achieved this position by obtaining a PhD from government universities.

After completing his education, Dr. Ruhul Amin worked as an Associate Professor at Manipal University, Bangalore, where, observing his research work and technical expertise, he received a research invitation from the Italian University.

This achievement of Dr. Hazarika is not just an inspirational message for his family or village but also for the students of Assam and India who dream of touching heights despite limited resources and difficult circumstances.

“With hard work and determination, any obstacle can be overcome. If I can do it, anyone can,” said Dr. Ruhul Amin Hazarika.

His achievement not only strengthens India’s role in the field of medicine and technology but also shows that boundaries cannot stop talent.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ashad Ali, Mangaldoi / April 2Oth, 2025