Churmujroo Village (Beerwah, Budgam), JAMMU & KASHMIR :
Photo Credit: X.Com
Budgam/Dehradun :
In a historic moment for Jammu and Kashmir, Lubna Naseer, a young Taekwondo athlete from Churmujura village in Beerwah, Budgam, has clinched the first-ever gold medal for the Union Territory at the 4th Cadet & Junior National Taekwondo Championship 2025, held in Dehradun, reported the Brighter Kashmir.
Representing the Khelo India Taekwondo Centre under the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, Lubna showcased an exceptional performance, defeating top contenders from Gujarat, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh. In the finals, she delivered a clean sweep against Haryana, securing a flawless victory that highlighted her dominance on the national stage.
Lubna’s journey to the top was anything but easy. Battling a recent injury, she continued training under the dedicated mentorship of her coach, Rohit Sharma. Her perseverance and resilience have earned her praise from sports officials and admiration from across the region.
“This gold medal is not just mine—it belongs to my coach, my parents, my school, and the entire Jammu and Kashmir,” Lubna said, dedicating her win to everyone who supported her.
Looking ahead, the young athlete now aims to represent India in the Asian Games, the World Junior Championships, and eventually, the Olympics. Lubna has also appealed for enhanced sports infrastructure in Budgam, urging authorities to invest in the potential of Kashmiri youth.
Her victory not only marks a personal achievement but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in the Valley. Lubna Naseer is now a beacon of hope and pride for Jammu and Kashmir, symbolizing what determination and support can achieve.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / June 12th, 2025
Barakah NEET Academy, a Mangaluru-based coaching institution, has announced that all 32 students from its first batch have cleared the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) this year.
According to the academy, 25% of the students have qualified for government MBBS seats, while others have secured eligibility for courses like BDS, BAMS, and other medical programs.
Kausar, a student of the academy, scored 502 marks and emerged as the batch topper. In total, eight students have scored above 460 marks, qualifying for government medical colleges.
The institution, which offers residential NEET coaching along with an Islamic learning environment, said it aims to support students with focused academic guidance and preparation for medical entrance exams.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / June 15th, 2025
The Movement for Peace & Justice (MPJ) Telangana has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting justice and rehabilitation by providing monetary and legal assistance to first-time Muslim offenders seeking bail across various jails in Telangana. In the year 2024–2025 alone, MPJ facilitated the release of 57 such prisoners.
The organisation, which has consistently worked to aid the underprivileged segments of society, specifically limits its legal and financial support to individuals charged for the first time with non-heinous crimes. Those involved in grave offenses such as rape, murder, or digital financial frauds are excluded from MPJ’s assistance programs, irrespective of their first-time offender status.
In addition to helping individuals secure bail, MPJ Telangana previously extended support to prisoners who had completed their sentences but remained behind bars due to an inability to pay court-imposed penalties.
Beyond legal aid, MPJ Telangana has also taken several humanitarian steps. The organisation distributed general knowledge books, Islamic literature in Urdu and Telugu, stationery, and sports items to inmates. Notably, educational materials were also provided for children living with their incarcerated mothers at the Chanchalguda Special Prison for Women.
Expanding its outreach, MPJ Telangana provided general aid to 121 underprivileged families, educational support to children of 41 daily wage laborers, and medical aid to 59 impoverished families in the state.
MPJ Telangana continues to serve as a vital support system for the marginalized, promoting both justice and rehabilitation with dignity and compassion.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Reliance News Bureau / June 11th, 2025
In 2007, Farah Usmani was working at the United Nations headquarters in New York when she made a pivotal decision that sparked a movement aimed at empowering women worldwide through financial independence.
Dr. Usmani, a physician from Uttar Pradesh, relocated to the city six years ago for work. During her search for a rental apartment, she discovered that New York’s rental prices were soaring and becoming unaffordable. After doing some quick calculations, she opted for a low-interest mortgage from the UN Federal Credit Union to purchase an apartment. She ended up buying a two-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, with a monthly mortgage payment that was only slightly higher than the rent she would have paid.
“This slightly higher expenditure (along with a down payment) would enable me to own an asset, and not fritter away my money on rent. It was such a wise decision. Today, 15 years later, I am on track to be a mortgage-free homeowner,” Usmani shared with the Morning Star newspaper. This experience inspired her to launch a campaign aimed at educating women around the globe about the importance of financial freedom and empowering themselves through financial independence.
Today Dr. Farah Usmani is an international health, gender and development expert based in New York.
Dr. Farah Usmani with her husband Javed Usmani
Dr. Usmani is also the first Muslim woman from India to work with the United Nations International Civil Service at Director Level. She is the recipient of the 2021 Mahatma Award for Social Impact for her work with women, girls, and minorities.
She has 25 years of experience working with the United Nations International Civil Service with UNFPA, focusing on women and girls and their reproductive health and rights.
Carrying forward her mission to empower women, Dr. Usmani is the Global Vice President of SAFAR Foundation,(Supporting Action for Advancement and Rights), a philanthropic organization focused on uplifting marginalized women and girls.
She is the Founder of “Rising Beyond The Ceiling”, a global initiative supported by SAFAR to shine a spotlight on Muslim women of India and contribute towards changing their stereotypical narrative.
The organization has published its first volume on Muslim women from Uttar Pradesh and is working on the rest of the Indian states.
Farah has received several awards and recognitions including the British Council and the Joint-Japan World Bank Merit Fellowships.
Dr. Farah Usmani
At the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), Dr. Usmani played a pivotal role in policy, planning, technical leadership, and health services across more than 50 countries, working on the rights of women and girls. She became the first Indian Muslim woman to reach the Director level in the UN’s International Civil Service in New York.
She noticed that Muslim women were often boxed into stereotypical roles on every platform. Farah made it her mission to break that mold.
“Why are our stories limited to the veil and the home?”
Inspired by this question, Dr. Farah Usmani launched Rising Beyond the Ceiling a global initiative that highlights the achievements of Indian Muslim women, brings their hidden stories to light, and challenges societal stereotypes.
This initiative didn’t stay confined to books or speeches it became a movement. A beacon of hope for every woman in a small town who dreams of a bigger world.
Dr. Usmani believes that money is not just a necessity it is power. She says, “Instead of being afraid of money, we need to befriend it.” Her husband taught her: money that doesn’t generate returns slowly vanishes. And that’s where her journey into financial literacy began.She started investing in tax-free savings, fixed deposits, and NRE (Non-Resident External) deposits. Today, her daughter Saba is also a real estate investor in Manhattan. This is not just a financial legacy it is an intellectual one, building a story of empowerment across generations.
Dr. Usmani has received numerous accolades, including Merit Fellowships from the World Bank and the British Council, and the Mahatma Award in 2021. She has worked globally for the rights of women, minorities, and marginalized girls.
She also serves as the Global Vice President of SAFAR Supporting Action for Advancement and Rights a philanthropic organization focused on uplifting marginalized women and girls.Breaking many gender barriers at different stages in her life, she has the distinction of being the first woman student to top the merit list in the pre-medical examination of the Aligarh Muslim University, where she completed her medical training.
She is the recipient of the 2021 Mahatma Award for Social Impact for her work with women, girls, and minorities.
Farah Usmani comes from a middle-class Muslim Family in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
She holds a Master’s in Health Policy, Planning & Financing given by the London School of Economics & London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine & a M.D. in Obstetrics & Gynecology from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Aligarh India. She has certifications in leadership and organizational management from Cornell University, Cranfield School of Management, Stanford University & the American Management Association, New York.
Farah is married to Jawed Usmani, an Indian civil servant, who rose to the position of Chief secretary of the Uttar Pradesh government. They have two children Faraz Usmani and Sabah Usmani.
Dr. Usmani says, “The coins our mothers and grandmothers hid in their mattresses were not just savings they were their attempt at independence.
Indian Muslim Women who feature in the list of Rising Beyond the Ceiling
The “The time has come for women to see money not as shame, but as strength.”
Her mindset, her struggles, her smile they are a source of inspiration for every woman who dreams of flying in an open sky, not a cage.
Dr. Farah Usmani’s story reads like a novel with trials, a determined heroine, a journey of transformation, and a path toward the light.
It teaches us that with courage, even the walls of a house can become the rooftop of the world’s tallest building.
Because when a woman shapes her identity by herself, she doesn’t just create a path for herself but for every generation that follows.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories> The Changemakers / by Onika Maheshwari, New Delhi / June 02nd, 2025
The Waqf Amendment Act 2025, recently passed by the Government of India, has stirred a wave of public discourse. Promising to regulate and modernize the administration of waqfproperties across the country, the law is being introduced as a means to improve transparency and benefit marginalized communities, especially Muslim women.
However, in this swirl of policy language, governance reform, and bureaucratic oversight, we must not forget a foundational truth: Muslim women have always been central to the waqftradition—not as passive recipients, but as active architects of community transformation.
Waqf as a Tool of Empowerment—Before the State Claimed It
Before governments created waqf boards, before institutional frameworks shaped their regulation, and long before women were officially recognized in policy narratives, Muslim women in India were shaping societies through charitable endowments.
They:
• Founded schools and madrasas for girls and boys alike
• Donated lands and properties for the construction of mosques, shrines, and Sufi lodges
• Built hospitals, water fountains, and orphanages
• Funded scholarships, welfare kitchens, and even public rest-houses for travelers.
This was not mere charity—it was strategic social intervention, embedded in Islamic ethics and guided by a vision of communal upliftment.
👑 Queens of Waqf: A Glimpse into Heroines of Charity and Community Leadership
🏛️ Razia Sultana (1205–1240, Delhi)
India’s only woman Sultan, Razia established educational and civic institutions supported by state waqf. Her leadership emphasized justice, learning, and infrastructure.
🏛️ Jahanara Begum (1614–1681, Delhi)
Daughter of Shah Jahan, she created waqf endowments for Sufi shrines, caravanserais, and public gardens. Her waqf documents are among the earliest female-authored ones preserved in India.
🏛️ Roshanara Begum (1617–1671, Delhi)
Sister to Jahanara, she built Roshanara Garden and a Sufi lodge. She maintained religious institutions through royal waqf.
🏛️ Sultan Jahan Begum (1858–1930, Bhopal)
The last Begum of Bhopal, she modernized education, built hospitals, supported madrasas, and legally registered many waqf properties to support her reforms.
🏛️ Begum Hazrat Mahal (1820–1879, Lucknow)
Regent of Awadh, she protected the city’s religious institutions and supported waqf-based welfare during the 1857 Rebellion.
🏛️ Khair-un-Nissa Begum (18th c., Hyderabad)
Established Khairtabad Mosque and other public works through her waqf. One of the early noblewomen to invest in education and water supply systems.
A visionary educationist, she established the Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ School using her own resources and informal waqf practices. A true reformer of women’s rights.
Urdu novelist and educationist who established the Safdariya Girls School through personal endowment. One of India’s earliest women school founders.
🏛️ Princess Durru Shehvar (1914–2006, Hyderabad)
Ottoman princess and daughter-in-law of the Nizam. Founded the Durru Shehvar Hospital, a major maternity and child-care waqf.
🏛️ Princess Niloufer (1916–1989, Hyderabad)
Ottoman royal by birth and philanthropist. Established Niloufer Hospital for women and children in response to maternal health tragedies.
🏛️ Dr. Uzma Naheed (Contemporary, Mumbai)
Thinker and leader who founded the IQRA International Women’s Alliance. Created vocational and educational centers for women through charitable trusts and waqf-like models.
🏛️ Begum Abadi Bano (Bi Amma) (1850–1924)
Mother of freedom fighters Maulana Mohammad Ali and Shaukat Ali, she supported the Khilafat movement and women’s education through charity and informal waqf support.
🏛️ Begum Qudsia Aizaz Rasul (1909–2001)
Only Muslim woman member of the Indian Constituent Assembly. Promoted educational waqfs and women’s legal rights in independent India.
🏛️ Hamida Habibullah (1916–2018, Lucknow)
Educator, politician, and philanthropist who helped establish Talimgah-e-Niswan, a leading girls’ school, partially supported by endowments and community waqf models.
🏛️ Tayyaba Begum (early 1900s, Hyderabad)
Co-founder of Anjuman-e-Khawateen-e-Deccan, she organized women’s welfare through educational trusts and neighborhood charities alongside Sughra Humayun Mirza.
These women are not anomalies in history. They are evidence of a forgotten mainstream—a rich legacy of Muslim women using waqf, education, and philanthropy to shape the public sphere.
What the Law Misses
The 2025 Amendment claims to create better access for women and transparency in waqfgovernance. Yet, many community members raise concerns about:
• Increased government control over waqf boards
• Reduced autonomy of local Muslim stakeholders
• Weak representation of women in decision-making roles
If reform is truly meant to benefit women, it must not just focus on current access. It must honor and preserve the legacy of those women who built the system through vision, sacrifice, and faith.
Reclaiming the Narrative
As students of history and as researchers in the contributions of Muslim women across disciplines—al-Muhaddithat, scholars, judges, educators, warriors, nurses, and philanthropists—we find it essential to reclaim and highlight this tradition in the current discourse.
This document delves into the intersections of gender, history, law, and social development, spotlighting women’s roles in charitable work and community building through waqf and related institutions.
Our goal is not just to preserve history, but to activate it: to inspire current and future generations to recognize the power of service, leadership, and waqf in reshaping communities. The struggle for recognition today stands on the shoulders of those who built with purpose and gave with dignity.
Conclusion: From Past to Future
Muslim women in India have been pioneers of welfare through the waqf system for centuries. Their work wasn’t performed for applause or public acclaim. It was done with quiet resolve, deep faith, and a vision for lasting impact.
As new policies reshape the landscape of waqf, let us not merely react—we must respond with wisdom, rooted in history and hope. Let the legacy of women like Razia, Jahanara, Durru Shehvar, Niloufer, Sughra, and Uzma guide us in reimagining waqf as a tool not only for preservation—but for progressive, inclusive development.
The author is a Social Worker, Student of History and Educator
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Education> Positive Story> Waqf> Women / by M A Lateef Atear / June 04th, 2025
In the serene, mountainous terrain of Bhalesa in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district, where life flows gently with nature, a remarkable tale of faith and perseverance has emerged — one that is touching hearts across the country, reported the Chenab Times.
Mavish Arif, a 16-year-old Class 10 student from the remote village of Batara Gawalo, has achieved an extraordinary spiritual milestone: she has handwritten the entire Quran Sharif. What makes her achievement even more awe-inspiring is that Mavish was born deaf and mute.
In a world consumed by distractions and noise, Mavish’s silent journey of devotion speaks volumes. Over a span of nine months, without any formal guidance or assistance, she meticulously copied the Quran from start to finish, line by line, in the solitude of her home. Her determination, fueled by a deep spiritual purpose, astonished not only her family but the entire region.
Her parents, emotional and proud, shared how she immersed herself in this divine task, refusing help — not out of pride, but from an unwavering sense of purpose. Her days were spent absorbed in transcription, her hands speaking the language her voice could not.
This self-motivated act of worship, especially by a differently-abled young girl, has been hailed as unprecedented by local educators and scholars. Her school, Government Girls Higher Secondary School in Gandoh, has quietly supported her, and its principal, Mr. Ajeet Singh, expressed deep admiration:
“Mavish may be unable to speak, but her actions have roared louder than words. She has become a role model not just for students but for our entire community.”
The villagers of Bhalesa are united in pride and joy. Elders, neighbours, and teachers alike see her as a symbol of unwavering focus in a world that too often celebrates superficiality.
“In today’s time, when goals are often fleeting and attention is short-lived, this girl’s devotion is a lesson in spiritual resilience for all of us,” shared one elder.
Despite limited resources and geographical isolation, Mavish’s story radiates with spiritual brilliance and personal triumph. Her journey is not just a personal achievement, but a beacon of hope and inspiration for the entire nation.
Without uttering a word, Mavish Arif has etched a legacy — not just on paper, but deep in the hearts of everyone who learns of her devotion. Her story is one of faith, fortitude, and the silent strength of a pure soul on a sacred mission.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / June 06th, 2025
Muslim women-folk with a major chunk of them being home-makers showed keen interest to take up the Afzal-Ul-Ulama degree examinations conducted by the Madras University at The New College premises. Interestingly, this year 93 students from Coimbatore Sundarapuram based Advanced Institute for Modern and Moral Science (AIMMS) wrote their exams with zeal and confidence.
“All I want is education and I am not afraid of no one.” So said Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, UN Messenger of Peace and co-founder of the Malala Fund, who is credited to be the youngest education campaigner to address the UN Youth Assembly when she was just 16 years old. No doubt, this had a great impact among the Muslim women across the globe to continue their education breaking the taboo and gender bias.
Taking a cue from “Rabbi Zidni Ilma” which is a powerful Quranic Dua from Surah Taha Verse 114 which means “O My Lord! Increase my knowledge”, the Coimbatore Sundarapuram based Advanced Institute for Modern and Moral Science (AIMMS) under the able guidance of noted Holy Quran researcher, writer, orator and publisher Haji Dr Ameer Althaf, about 93 Muslim women aged between 19 and 55 enthusiastically wrote Afzal-Ul-Ulama examinations with confidence.
With a sharp increase this year (last year 85 students), it only proves to show the awareness among the Muslim women to get educated. About 850 students drawn from different corners of the State (last year 827) took up the exams conducted by the Madras University at The New College premises. All credit goes to AIMMS, the maiden Muslim women community college in Tamil Nadu established in 2005 with the sole objective of helping Muslim women mostly home-makers from lower echelons of the society to pursue their education with the support of their family.
From a humble beginning, AIMMS grew from strength to strength to become one of the much sought-after institutes by Muslim women. As to the revelation of the first word “Iqra” in the Holy Quran meaning ‘To Read’, AIMMS left no stone unturned to impart education to women using modern methods in tune with the emerging trend keeping in view of technological development.
Notably, the Institute is located in a good environment equipped with all latest facilities including powerpoint presentation, modernised Arabic computer lab besides scope for doing MA, MPhil and PhD in Arabic while exempting the women from poor family background from paying fees.
Yet another redeeming feature is guest lectures by experts and resource persons giving useful tips to the students in getting their varied skills honed. Thanks to the wholehearted support extended by the AIMMS trustees.
In today’s globalised world, knowing multiple languages can significantly boost one’s career prospects. And one language that stands out for its potential to expand job opportunities is Arabic since it offers a plethora of opportunities right from becoming an Arabic teacher, translator, software pro, Medical Tourism, Language adviser, Editor, E-publishing, Journalism, Multi Media, Advertisement and Data Collection.
It may be noted that the Arabic language is among the oldest and most spoken in the world, serving as a cornerstone of cultural and historical identity across many nations. It is spoken by more than 550 million people and is the official Arabic language in 25 odd countries, mostly in the Middle East and North Africa. To top it all, Arabic is one among the six languages – English, Chinese, Russian, French and Spanish to be recognised by the UN as the official language.
The zeal to excel through education among the Muslim women is definitely a welcome sign at a time when many success stories were pouring in from several quarters with the first Muslim female to become IAS officer in Maharashtra after clearing the civil services in AIR 142 this year while not to speak of S Ajeetha Begum from Coimbatore who made headlines after cracking civil services to become IPS (2008 batch). Age is never a barrier to those who have the will to learn at any stage. AIMMS women-folk have proved this through dedication and determination.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Features> Report / by M Rafi Ahmed / May 07th, 2025
In a celebration of academic excellence and community empowerment, The Siasat Daily hosted a grand felicitation ceremony to honour 373 Intermediate BiPC students who scored above 90% in their board examinations. The event, held at the Siasat Auditorium on Tuesday, is part of a larger educational upliftment initiative spearheaded by Congress MLC Amer Ali Khan.
Addressing the packed hall, Amer Ali Khan declared, “This is not just a function—it is a movement. A campaign to build an atmosphere of academic pride and ambition among Muslim youth.” His powerful words echoed the core message of the ceremony: education is the most effective tool to uplift India’s Muslim community and ensure a dignified future.
Over 1,500 students had responded to an open call, out of which 373 were selected for recognition. Notably, 43 top performers scoring between 99% and 99.6% were awarded cash prizes, certificates, medals, and boAt smartwatches under the tagline “Smart Watches for Smart Students.” An additional 204 students scoring above 95% also received smartwatches as a token of encouragement.
The students were honoured in the following score brackets:
43 students with 99% and above
97 students with 98% and above
49 students with 97% and above
36 students with 96% and above
33 students with 95% and above
27 students with 94% and above
29 students with 93% and above
19 students with 92% and above
98 students with 91% and above
19 students with 90%
Speaking with heartfelt emotion, Amer Ali Khan reminded students of their heritage: “Knowledge is noor (light), and hard work is ibaadat (worship). With Allah’s help, even the impossible becomes possible.” He urged them to emulate Islamic historical figures such as Muhammad bin Qasim, Salahuddin Ayyubi, and Imam Bukhari, who once were students and later transformed the world through their knowledge and leadership.
The event emphasized the importance of both male and female education. Faiz-e-Aam Trust Secretary Iftekhar Hussain passionately appealed to parents to support their daughters’ education. “Girls often outperform boys. We must break the practice of marrying them off immediately after exams,” he said.
The ceremony began with the recitation of the Quran and concluded with the distribution of awards. Despite his busy schedule, Amer Ali Khan remained present throughout, personally honouring each student and motivating their families.
Other dignitaries present included Asghar Ali Khan, M.A. Hameed (Career Counselor), Zahed Farooqui (Director, Siasat Hub), N. Snehith, and Sai Sree (Managers). The event proceedings were conducted by senior journalist Mohammed Riyaz Ahmed.
With applause reverberating through the auditorium, the atmosphere brimmed with pride, inspiration, and a strong sense of community direction. The initiative reinforced the idea that education is not just a means to employment, but a path to dignity, empowerment, and leadership.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News>Markers of Excellence / by Radiance News Bureau / June 06th, 2025
As hundreds of students fail to secure MBBS seats through merit or management quotas, Shaheen Group of Institutions has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Medical Social Institute of Tajikistan, under which 500 students will be able to pursue MBBS degrees at the institute.
As part of the collaboration, the Ambassador of Tajikistan to India, along with the Cultural Ambassador and other diplomatic representatives, visited the Shaheen Campus. Dr Zainab, the Tajikistan coordinator, assured that full security is provided to international students there.
Dr Abdul Qadeer, Chairman of the Shaheen Group of Institutions, explained that this agreement offers such students a chance to fulfill their dream of becoming doctors.
He further stated that students can complete the entire six-year MBBS course, including hostel accommodation and Indian food, for just Rs 32 lakh.
Dr Qadeer shared that the course fee can be paid in easy installments. The registration fee is Rs 49,500, and registrations will remain open until the end of June. The Rs 32 lakh package also includes insurance coverage.
In a significant move, Shaheen Group and its medical partners will provide FMGE (Foreign Medical Graduate Examination) coaching from the first day of the MBBS course. This ensures that students are well-prepared to obtain a license for medical practice after graduation. For more information, visit: www.msitshaheen.com.
source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by The Hans India / June 02nd, 2025
A 23-year-old Sarah Aziz from Kolkata won the prestigious UK’s The Press Award for investigative reporting. Armed with BA English, she is pursuing her Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in the US. Interestingly, she started filing stories even while doing her UG in Kolkata during 2023. Her in-depth report on Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh for Voice of America (The American Multimedia Broadcasting Network) fetched her the highly commended “Young Journalist of The Year Award”.
Be bold, be curious, and be unyielding in your pursuit of the untold stories. Yes, this applies to 23-year-old Sarah Aziz from Kolkata in West Bengal, who had put up a brave face to report from the field about the inhuman treatment meted out to Rohingya Muslim refugees in Bangladesh for Voice of America, part of American Multimedia Broadcasting Network. This, in fact, fetched her the “Young Journalist of the Year” this year.
Armed with BA English from Loreto College in Kolkata, she is now pursuing her Master of Science in Journalism at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York in the US. Interestingly, she started filing stories as a freelancer even while doing her UG in Kolkata during 2023. To top it all, she has been a contributing reporter for The Guardian, The Telegraph (UK), South China Morning Post (SCMP) and The Christian Science Monitor besides others.
In November 2024, Aziz published an investigative report in The Telegraph (UK), exposing the truth behind the “mysterious” death of a Rohingya child who had been detained by the Indian government in New Delhi. The multimedia report not only delved into the medical negligence and abuse faced by the child in detention, but also revealed the wider pattern of the mass arbitrary detention and torture of Rohingya Muslims seeking refuge in India.
Earlier in the same year, Aziz had exposed the hidden scandal of rape and sexual abuse faced by incarcerated women in India, particularly in West Bengal. The investigative report, published in The Guardian, laid bare the tactics used by authorities to cover up crimes against some of the most vulnerable women in the country.
Aziz has extensively covered the persecution faced by Rohingya Muslims in India and Bangladesh for multiple international news outlets like The South China Morning Post, Voice of America and The Guardian. Her investigative breaking news reporting on the 2025 Bangladesh student protests was published in The Times (UK).
On cloud nine, Sarah Aziz is reported to have said, “My interests lie in investigative reporting on human rights issues of national and global importance. Some beats I have covered extensively are women’s health, the Rohingya refugee crisis, human trafficking and Indigenous affairs both in India and the U.S. It’s a great honour to receive the Highly Commended “Young Journalist of the Year” instituted by The Press Awards (2025) and the Thomson Foundation.
Sarah Aziz dedicated this award to her dad Sheik Azizur Rahman and her seventh grade English teacher who motivated her to be what she is now. She will be graduating from Columbia University with an MS in Journalism in August 2025. Glad to learn that Sarah Aziz is a poet, translator, and artist based in Kolkata, India. In 2021, her translation of Bangladeshi activist and author Pinaki Bhattacharya’s “History of Bengal: from Ancient to British Rule” got published receiving rave reviews.
Established in 1962 by The People and World’s Press News, the first award ceremony for the then-named Hannen Swaffer Awards, named after journalist Hannen Swaffer, was held in 1963. This got transformed from British Press Awards to The Press Awards which is being given under the aegis of Haymarket Media Group on behalf of the News Media Association.
Some of the categories include Business and Finance Journalist of the Year, Campaign of the Year, Cartoonist of the Year, Columnist of the Year, Critic of the Year, Environment Journalist of the Year, Excellence in Diversity Award, Feature Writer of the Year, Foreign Reporter of the Year, Front Page of the Year, Health Journalist of the Year, Interviewer of the Year, Investigation of the Year, News Podcast of the Year, News Website of the Year, Newspaper of the Year, Photographer of the Year, Political Journalist of the Year, Science and Technology Journalist of the Year, Scoop of the Year, Specialist journalist of the Year, Supplement of the Year, The Hugh McIlvanney Award for Sports Journalist of the Year, Travel Journalist of the Year, and Young Journalist of the Year.
[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation / by M Rafi Ahmed / May 31st, 2025
