Tag Archives: Muslims of Delhi

Umair Manzar recalls days he was teaching Urdu to Rekhta Founder Saraf

Agriculture (since June 07th, 2021), Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Founder of the Rekhta Foundation Sanjeev Saraf (left) with Dr Umair Manzar

“Umair Manzar was the first to join me in my journey of Rekhta,” said Sanjeev Saraf, the founder of the Rekhta Foundation. He said this before a smaller audience at the launch of the first Jashn-e-Rekhta, the festival of literature and performing arts in 2012.

The festival has become a major annual cultural event in Delhi, and the Rekhta Foundation portal is a key resource for Urdu language and literature and a peg for the online and offline community of Urdu literature lovers.

This year the three-day Jashn-e-Rekhta is being held in Delhi from December 13.

Saraf said Umair was his first Urdu teacher. He was the one who proposed the name Rekhta for the website and became the first member of the online community of Urdu aficionados on Rekhta Foundation.

Stage for artists to perform in Jashn-e-Rekhta

Today, Dr. Umair Manzar is an Assistant Professor in the Urdu Department of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Lucknow Campus When Awaz-the Voice contacted him, he was surprised at his name being mentioned by Safar.

Awaz-The Voice contacted Umair Mazhar on the phone. He came across as a simple and humble person not too keen to take credit for his key role in setting up Rekhta.

After initial reluctance, Umair Manzar agreed to share his interaction with Sanjeev Saraf.

Manzar’s version of the initial days of Rekhta threw up many more characters in this journey. He says many other people also played their part in helping Sanjeev Saraf concretize what was his passion for the language.

Umair Manzar said that he met Saraf during the 2010 spring.”Summer had not started.”

One day Vice Chancellor Jamia Millia Islamia Najeeb Jung called Urdu’s Head of Department Professor Khalid Mahmood and asked him to send a tutor to a particular person to teach Urdu. At that time, Umair was teaching at the university. His HOD gave him a piece of paper with a name and a telephone number scribbled on it and asked him to contact him.

“The name was Sanjeev Saraf. I called that number, we fixed a time for the tuition class.”

Jashn-e-Rekhta festival

“The first time I met him at his home. I had no idea who he was. Yet I found him a serious person; there was a certain calm in his way of speaking.”

“I liked him instantly as he spoke candidly. After a few meetings, he told me that he was very fond of Urdu and wanted to learn it.

“He especially wanted to understand poetry. In a few meetings, I realized that apart from learning the language, he was also interested in creating an Urdu website. He has nursed a dream of starting an Urdu website for many years,” Manzar said

Sanjeev Saraf seemed to be learning the language out of love for it. He also thought Urdu could become a bridge among diverse people of India who loved the language.

He thought the website of this idea could increase their love for Urdu. Thousands of people want to learn the language because of its poetry. However, there is no one to help them. Sanjeev Saraf had faced this problem and therefore empathized with others. He had the resources, including time to learn Urdu. However, everyone could not do it.

Manzar told Awaz that he soon realized Sanjeev Saraf wanted to do something beyond learning Urdu.

After a few days, he said, “Every person needs a teacher; my website can fulfill the needs of all such people.”

Manzar said, “This got me thinking seriously about this issue. By now I was visiting the Noida office of Mr Saraf. One day he said that we can start Urdu work in a part of that office.”

Umair Manzar also did not realize that he had become a part of the initiative to establish a website that would help Urdu lovers all over the world and bind them in a community.”

He also realized that he was dealing with a passionate lover of Urdu and not a mere learner. 

A bookshop in Jashn-e-rekhta

One day Safar spoke formally to him. We decided to discuss it in detail.

And finally one day Sanjeev Saraf asked him to start work on the website,

The first name for the website he suggested was Kavita. This was already bought by someone. The same was the case with many other titles. “I also felt if we had to buy the already registered name for the website, the prices were ridiculously high.”

He suggested ‘Rekhta’ to Sanjeev Saraf. ”He asked me its meaning. When I explained it to him he was happy. Soon we registered rekhta.org as the domain name. I remember he liked the harmony of the words. He was sitting with us during the entire process of registration online.”

Thereafter the work on the website started and many targets were achieved before the scheduled time. This was the journey of paper preparation for the Rekhta Foundation.”

Umair Manzar says he had met Sanjeev Saraf with the sole purpose of teaching him the language but he got involved in his mission.

When asked about the preparations after naming, Umair Manzar said, “After the name was decided, work on the website started. In the summer of 2011, I officially launched the website. The first step was to choose poems of classical poets and the unanimous choice was Mirza Ghalib.”

The selection of contemporary poets started from Jamia Millia Islamia and other libraries. Their compositions were recorded. Saraf hired composers and they worked out of the Noida office. It started slowly and then it gained momentum.”

Umair Manzar said, he also contacted Professor Ahmed Mahfooz and Professor Abdul Rashid for their suggestions and advice.”I also arranged a meeting of both gentlemen with Sanjeev Saraf and this meeting lasted for several hours.”

Saraf expressed his intentions and ambitions; the professors also gave their input and suggestions. “Sanjeev Saraf noted every suggestion and tip the two learned professors  offered.”

Prof. Rashid suggested that the way to preserve old books was to scan them and upload them on the website.

Umair Manzar says,” One day when I went to the office, Sanjeev Saraf announced the (scanning) machine had arrived. “Now you people bring the books. The scanning process will begin.”

This was a challenge to all of us. Initially, we tried to upload only selected and important books on the website. Later this also opened a new possibility.

A poster of Jashn-e-Rekhta

Umair Manzar says that initially, people like Rehman Farooqi, Prof. Shamim Hanafi, and Prof. Walwasa ignored the website as another wannabe.

Probably the first column about Rekhta was written by Professor Vasa, Vice President of the Urdu Academy. He also gave Rekhta an award for the promotion of Urdu.

Umair Manzar joined Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Urdu University as an assistant in the early days of Rekhta.

Initially, the Rekhta Foundation was recruited only on the recommendation of a group of like-minded people like Professor Ahmed Mahfooz, Professor Abdul Rashid, and Umair Manzar.

Abdul Rashid, who is from Delhi, had done his research on dictionaries. This year the Ghalib Institute is giving him its prestigious literary and research award. Professor Ahmed Mahfooz is the HOD Urdu Department of Jamia Milia Islamia. He is an expert on poetry.

Professor Abdul Rashid and Dr. Amir Manzar are among the people who have been actively associated with the Rekhta Foundation since its inception.

Dr. Umair Manzar and Prof. Abdul Rashid were included in this team to scan books from Raja Mahmoodabad library and make them part of e-books.

Similarly, access to some private libraries and some important books was very active. Along with them, Professor Abdul Rashid and Dr. Umair Manzar have played a role.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Mansooruddin Faridi, New Delhi / December 12th, 2024

Remembering the person behind the first Republic Day of India

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Badruddin Tyabji, the grandson of freedom fighter and third Congress President by the same name, was entrusted with arrangements for the inaugural Republic Day celebrations in 1950.

HISTORIC: National Stadium during the first Republic Day Parade. Old Fort is also visible

Every year on January 26, the Tyabji family sit together in their posh West End Colony house (near Vasant Vihar) to watch the Republic Day Parade which holds special significance for them.  

Their late patriarch Badruddin Tyabji, a 1936 batch Punjab cadre Indian Civil Service officer, was responsible for looking after the arrangements of January 26, 1950 functions: first at the President House and later at Irwin Stadium (now Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium). 

Tyabji’s painter wife Surayya Tyabji made the prototype of the Tri-colour on paper based on which the flag of cloth for Republic Day was made in Connaught Place.

“Just a couple of weeks before the first Republic Day, Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru entrusted me to look after the arrangements of the January 26 functions,” Tyabji told this writer in his south Delhi house in 1994. 

He was also member secretary of the Constituent Assembly.  

“I was called by Pt. Nehru and he gave me the huge responsibility for the historic day. I used to live at Sujan Singh Park during those days.” 

From that day onwards, the tall and gracious Tyabji moved from the President House (now Rashtrapati Bhavan) to Irwin Stadium several times a day to finalise the arrangements as time was running out for the big day.

HAPPY FAMILY: The Tyabji clan including Laila Tyabji (centre, front row), who is a social worker, designer, writer and crafts activist

The big day for which Tyabji had worked so hard was also hectic for Rajendra Prasad, the soon-to-be first President of independent India. He marked the momentous occasion with a visit to Raj Ghat to pay homage to Gandhiji. He remained there for around 15 minutes. 

But before the would-be President of India could get to the President House, C Rajagopalachari, the Governor General of India, had already reached there. The latter used to live in the double-storeyed bungalow at the then 10, Hastings Road, which was later renamed after him as Rajaji Marg. Edwin Lutyens, the chief architect of New Delhi, also lived in the bungalow, and so did Pranab Kumar Mukherjee, who also lived in that house after demitting his office of President of India.

“Dr Rajendra Prasad was sworn in as the country’s first President at around 9 am by the Governor General of India, C. Rajagopalachari. Rajvanshi Devi, his wife, and other family members were also there. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by over 500 guests, who had assembled inside the Durbar Hall. President Sukarno of Indonesia and several members of the Diplomatic Corps, members of the Constituent Assembly and prominent citizens had graced the occasion. The President was dressed in black achkan, white churidar and a white Gandhi cap. Pandit Nehru and his other Cabinet colleagues were sworn in soon after Rajendra Prasad,” recalled Tyabji, who was named after his grandfather, the third President of Indian National Congress. 

Immediately after returning from Raj Ghat, Rajendra Prasad was sworn in. The Chief Justice of India, Sir Hiralal Kania, read the oath of office in Hindi. President Prasad repeated it sentence by sentence. 

“The outgoing Governor General, C. Rajagopalachari; our first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, beaming with pride and joy; the Deputy Prime Minister, Sardar Patel; cabinet ministers, judges of the Supreme Court and the Auditor-General of India, were present in the hall to witness the historic moment of India’s history. Pandit Nehru and his other cabinet colleagues were sworn in soon after.”

The national emblem of Ashoka Pillar with three lions was placed in the Durbar Hall for the first time near the throne where the British Viceroys used to sit. 

A smiling statue of Lord Buddha was also placed behind the throne for the first time. Rajendra Prasad, the President, who greeted the large gathering smilingly with folded hands, made a short speech in Hindi and English, stating that it was a memorable day in our annals. 

“Let us begin by offering our thanks to the Almighty Power who has enabled us to see this day; to the Father of the Nation who showed us and to the world at large his infallible method of Satyagraha, and led us on along it to freedom and to the numberless men and women, whose suffering and sacrifice have rendered the attainment of independence and establishment of this sovereign democratic Republic possible.”

The birth of the Republic was celebrated by the masses in the Capital through Prabhat Pheries (early morning movement of people singing patriotic songs). Outside the Durbar Hall, there were unforgettable scenes of jubilation. Large crowd of men, women and children had assembled in the forecourt of President House. 

People raised slogans of Gandhiji-ki-jai and Vande Mataram. 

After a dignified ceremony was held at the President House, the scene shifted to Irwin Stadium. The new President travelled to the stadium in a horse-drawn carriage and Delhi’s roads were lined up with enthusiastic crowd standing along the five-mile route with the Tri-colour in their hands. A huge crowd greeted the President’s entourage when it reached the vicinity of Connaught Place. And when the first President of India reached the stadium, he was welcomed with a booming 31-gun salute. 

According to Tyabji, “Rajendra Prasad made a brief speech at the stadium. Later, students from various schools of the Capital presented cultural programmes.” 

Old timers still recall that there were very few policemen guarding the VIPs inside the stadium. After the programme, the leaders mingled with the people. Nehru was mobbed by his admirers. He spent a good 20 minutes with them. 

Tyabji, who could not sleep for several days ahead of the big occasion, was there managing the affairs carefully with his colleagues. Following very cold weather days in Delhi, brilliant sunshine greeted the Capital on January 26, 1950. 

It was India’s defining moment, the day India truly freed itself from the shackles of colonialism to become a Republic. A truly sovereign state. 

The talk of the first Republic Day cannot be complete without discussing the role of Tyabji’s wife, Surayya, in the making of the first Tri-colour.  

According to Tyabji, “Once the Constituent Assembly finalised our Tri-colour with Ashok Dharma Chakra inside the flag, I was asked to furnish the model of Tri-colour on both paper and cloth.” 

Without wasting any time, Badruddin Tyabji went straight to his Sujan Singh Park residence and asked his wife Surayya to make the Tri-colour on paper. She did not disappoint her husband. Once she made it on paper, Tyabji carried the design to the now defunct SC Tailors at Regal building of Connaught Place and asked them to make the Tri-colour in cloth. The rest, as they say, is history.

After retirement from government service, Tyabji also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University in the 1960s. 

He finally settled in Delhi and passed away in 1999. His wife, Suraiya, had died before him.

During one of our meetings, Tyabji had told me that when he came to Delhi from Hyderabad to appear for ICS examination, he was staying in Daryaganj. 

He used to take a tonga to reach Metcalfe House in Civil Lines to appear for his examinations. 

“Delhi was a very small city then. Except for old Delhi and villages, there was not much here. New Delhi was coming up,” he had said. 

When India was divided on the basis of religion in 1947, he was perhaps one of the only two Muslim ICS officers who opted to stay in India instead of accepting Islamic Pakistan.

OFFICER RANK: Badruddin Tyabji was a 1936-batch ICS officer of Punjab cadre. His wife, Surayya was a painter

Tyabji’s first son, Hindal Ahmad, was an IAS officer. He passed away last year. 

Tyabji’s daughter, Laila Tyabji is a noted social worker, designer, writer and crafts activist. She is one of the founders of Dastkar, a Delhi-based non-governmental organisation working for the revival of traditional crafts in India. 

Like in the past, the Tyabji family would watch the annual parade this year too. After all, they are the true and proud first family of India’s Republic Day. Yet, they are so self-effacing.

source: http://www.thepatriot.in / The Patriot / Home> Cover Story / by Vivek Shukla / January 26th, 2024

Jamia Hamdard established the Asian Federation of Societies for Alternatives to Animal Experiments

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Green Products, Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi :Prof

The valedictory function of the 4th Asian Congress for Alternatives to Animal Experiments held at Jamia Hamdard Convention Centre where Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard was the Chief Guest of the programme.

Organizing secretary Prof. S. Raisuddin informed that this congress is being held for the first time in India. During this congress the founding members of the society and representatives from India, China, Japan, and South Korea signed a joint declaration to establish the Asian Federation of Societies for Alternatives to Animal Experiments (AFSAAE).

Well-wishers from societies working for alternatives from America, Europe, and Sri Lanka also wished good link to the foundation. All the representatives were felicitated by the Organizing Secretary. Prof. Y.K. Gupta and Dr. M. A. Akbarsha graced the occasion as Guest of Honour.

Prof. Y. K. Gupta urged the scientists to understand the pain of Animals while using them for scientific experiments.

Dr. Akbarsha announced the next meeting to be held at Hyderabad. Prof. Raisuddin presented a detailed report of 3 days deliberations during the conference. He also announced various awards for best presentations by young scientists. Dr. Christian Pellevoisin, Scientific Director, MatTek & CEO Urbilateria France sponsored best poster presentation awards and cash prizes to the budding scientists. Dr. Kristie Sullivan, Vice President, Education and Outreach, Institute for In Vitro Sciences, USA and Prof Winfried Neuhaus, member of the Austrian Commission for Animal Experimentation also appreciated the successful organization of the Congress.

Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor congratulated the Organising committee members for the successful organisation of the conference. He appreciated the patronage of Janab Hammad Ahmed, Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard and financial support of Hamdard National Foundation along with other funding agencies for enabling Jamia Hamdard to develop alternative models of animal experiments.

Programme ended with vote of thanks by the Organising Secretary and National Anthem.

source: http://www.taasir.com / Taasir.com / Home> Education / by Taasir News Network / December 15th, 2024

Lest We Forget Kargil War Hero Vir Chakra Captain Haneefuddin!

Amazing Feats, Bravery Awards, Citations, Commendations etc (since April 14th, 2024), Leaders, Martyrs of the Nation, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Pakistan’s misadventure in Kargil will be remembered not only for the convincing win of the brave Indian army but also for some of the heroes who sacrificed their lives for our dear motherland. Prominent among those heroes was a 25-year young Captain Haneefuddin of 11 Rajputana Rifles who led from the front and made the ultimate sacrifice. Martyr Vir Chakra Captain Haneefuddin had to be from the Dilwalon ki Dilli! Truly, he had a large heart for he volunteered to command an operation to capture a post which would give a vantage position to observe the enemy’s movements.

It was quite early days of Kargil war when there was hardly any information available about the enemy troops. A company of 11 Rajputana Rifles was deployed in Operation Thunderbolt on June 6th, 1999 led by Captain Haneefuddin. It was at an altitude of 18,000 feet in the Turtuk region. The Mission: To capture a position in the region which would facilitate the Indian army to monitor the movements of the enemy troops better. The capture of this position would give the troops a strategic advantage in those early stages of the war. Captain Haneef volunteered for this Operation Thunderbolt as it was his ingrained in his nature to lead from the front. He set off for the vital operation with one junior commissioned officer and three other ranks. They made significant strides on the nights of 4th and 5th June 1999. They captured nearby positions. They captured the adjacent position and set out their advance on 6th June 1999 to capture the position they desired. They were undaunted by an altitude of 18,500 feet and extremely cold temperatures. They were however spotted by the enemy and fired upon. A firefight followed, against an enemy equipped with heavy artillery.

Captain Haneefuddin was concerned about the safety of his team more than himself. He took up a position and fearlessly showered bullets on the enemy. In the exchange of bullets, he was severely injured. But he kept engaging the cunning enemy, until his boys were safe from the enemy fire. Unfortunately, he ran out of ammunition and he was shot from all directions. He succumbed to his injuries, just 200 meters from the position they valiantly set out to capture. He displayed extraordinary valor in the face of the enemy and cared more about his team’s safety than his own. Captain Haneefuddin attained martyrdom at the young age of 25. It was exactly two years after he was commissioned in the army. But his body could not be retrieved due to heavy firing till a brave Colonel Bhatia and his illustrious team set out to retrieve the body. It was on 18th  July, 43 days after Haneef’s martyrdom, Captain S K Dhiman, Major Sanjay Vishwas Rao, Lieutenant Ashish Bhalla, Havaldar Surinder and Rifleman Dharam Vir volunteered for the task.

Col. Bhatia and his team carefully negotiated the deadly precipices. The team managed to locate the brave heroes Haneef and Parvesh. They extricated the frozen bodies. Dragging them behind the boulders, the team carried the fallen heroes on their backs. They walk quietly through the night, reaching Zangpal by early morning. A helicopter carried the bodies away as the brave Colonel Bhatia watched the body bags with moist eyes for one last time.

Vir Chakra Captain Haneefuddin’s mother Hema Aziz had paid tribute to her martyr son thus:  “As a soldier, Capt Haneef served his country with pride and dedication. “There cannot be a greater statement on his valor than his death which came while fighting the enemy.” Later, a subsector in the battle zone was named as Subsector Captain Haneefuddin.

It is interesting to note that Captain Haneefuddin had gone to fight for 11 Rajputana Rifles whose war cry is ‘Raja Ram Chandra ki Jai’. Twenty years later, in February 2020, in Captain Haneefuddin’s hometown – Delhi, a similar war cry —  Jai Sri Ram was used by the rioters who looted, raped, killed innocents, destroyed 11 mosques and burnt down the copies of the Holy Quran, according to the just released report of the Delhi Minorities Commission. Those who carried out this pogram do not have guts to go to the borders and fight the enemies Pakistan and China. Instead, they choose our own citizens!

Where have the Dilwallas disappeared from Dilli?  Lest we forget Kargil War Hero Vir Chakra Captain Haneefuddin and other heroes!

source: http://www.beyondheadlines.in / Beyond Headlines / Home> Lead / by Dr Ahmed Mohiuddin Siddiqui / July 27th, 2024

IICC Election: I would try to spread the message of peace through this Centre, says presidential candidate Dr. Majid Talikoti

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Dr. Majid Ahmed Talikoti, a renowned oncosurgeon, announced his candidacy for the presidency of the India Islamic Cultural Centre (IICC) during a press conference at Hotel Riverview in Jamia Nagar, New Delhi.

Dr. Talikoti highlighted his diverse interactions with people from various walks of life as a key factor in his decision to engage with IICC. “As a surgeon, I interacted with people from different walks of life, and I know how to deal and serve people. That’s why I decided to engage myself with IICC,” he stated.

Dr. Talikoti, who is well-regarded in the medical community, aims to showcase IICC as a beacon of Islamic heritage and culture. He emphasized the peaceful nature of Islam and the importance of promoting this message through IICC. “Given a chance, I will try to showcase IICC as a prominent center of Islamic heritage and culture. Islam is a religion of peace, and I would try my best to send the message of peace through this Centre. We are supposed to welcome our non-Muslim brothers on Eid and join them on Diwali,” Dr. Talikoti said.

Dr. Talikoti outlined his vision for IICC, focusing on maintaining a non-political, brotherly atmosphere during the election and beyond. He stressed the importance of adhering to IICC’s aims and objectives, which include fostering youth empowerment and initiating interfaith dialogues to bridge community gaps. “We will not fight this election as a political battle, but in a brotherly manner in a very congenial atmosphere and try to keep the center away from politics, following the aims and objectives of IICC. We will develop IICC as a center of empowerment for youths and start interfaith dialogues to bridge the gap between communities,” he asserted.

With the support of former IICC president Sirajuddin Quraishi, Dr. Talikoti’s campaign has garnered significant attention. He is also the convener of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an RSS-affiliated organization formed in 2002 to facilitate dialogue with the Muslim community.

Established in 1981, IICC is a premier institution in New Delhi dedicated to promoting and preserving Islamic culture and heritage. It aims to foster cultural exchange, interfaith dialogue, and communal harmony through various educational, social, and cultural programs.

The election campaign for the governing body of IICC has officially commenced, with candidates contesting for posts of president, vice president, and members of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and Executive Committee (EC) promising significant shifts in the center’s functioning. The election is scheduled for August 13th.

Among the other presidential candidates are ex-cabinet minister Salman Khurshid, retired IRS officer Abrar Ahmad, former bureaucrat Afzal Amanullah, businessman and philanthropist Waseem Ghazi, businessman M. Asif Habib, and BJP activist Suhail Hindustani. Each candidate brings unique perspectives and visions, making this election a pivotal moment for IICC’s future.

Interestingly, Dr. Majid Talikoti’s panel includes Kaleemul Hafeez, who is contesting for the post of vice president. Until recently Hafeez has been a sharp critic of Serajuddin Quraishi, the former IICC president, who is also running for membership on the Board of Trustees (BoT)

Md Irshad Ahmad Advocate, Supreme Court of India & Former President, AMUOBA-DELHI is also contesting for BoT from this panel.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslim / by Special Correspondent / June 25th, 2024

The Maulana Who Defeated the BJP in Uttar Pradesh’s Rampur

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rampur, UTTAR PRADESH :

Mohibbullah Nadvi’s nomination by the SP and his road to victory in the general elections were peppered with confusion and drama. He was not the party’s first choice candidate and filed his papers at the last hour on the final day of nomination on March 27.

Mohibbullah ‘Nadvi’. Photo: Omar Rashid

New Delhi: 

Mohibbullah ‘Nadvi’ took 19 years – and a detour through his home town, Rampur in Uttar Pradesh – to traverse the roughly 25-30-metre-wide tarmac separating Indian parliament from the mosque where he leads prayers as an imam. Surprising everyone, the Samajwadi Party nominated the 48 year old as its Lok Sabha candidate in Rampur; and, battling several odds, Nadvi came through, defeating the Bharatiya Janata Party by over 87,000 votes.

It is a little past noon and the sun is blazing down on Parliament Street, where the Jama Masjid is located in the capital. Nadvi has been its imam since 2005. With a small group of associates, he is seated in his office, still receiving congratulatory phone calls.

Nadvi was one of the five Muslims who were elected as MPs from UP this time. Six had contested. Nadvi hoped that now that the Opposition had performed better, taking the BJP head-on on issues of livelihood, the question of the worryingly low Muslim representation may be addressed better. But it should not be seen solely through the lens of numbers, he said.

“Our political representation should not be seen in terms of quantity but quality…even if there is one person, who is good, 100% faithful to the community, understands Islamic things and sentiments of Muslims, and raises their questions correctly,” Nadvi told The Wire. Muslims in India were not asking the government for anything beyond the rights the Constitution promises all citizens, he added.

Nadvi’s nomination by the SP and his road to victory in the general elections were peppered with confusion and drama. He was not the party’s first choice candidate and filed his papers at the last hour on the final day of nomination on March 27. Nadvi’s nomination also caught several party leaders by surprise as he did not have a political background. Fielding a Delhi-based maulana from a communally-sensitive constituency marred by internal divisions in the SP did not seem like a clever decision to many.

Though he had met SP president Akhilesh Yadav once when the latter was chief minister in 2012, the breakthrough came when they spoke in Lucknow in January this year. According to a source, Nadvi, who harboured electoral ambitions, had gone to Lucknow to invite Yadav to an event of Muslim leaders in Delhi. In Lucknow, Nadvi came in touch with Uday Pratap Singh, former MP and a close associate of Akhilesh’s and his late father Mulayam Singh Yadav’s, and also met Shafiqur Rehman Barq, former MP, with whom he already shared a good connection. Barq, a Turki Muslim like Nadvi, pitched for the maulana. That would be Barq’s last visit to the SP office as he died a month later, aged 93.

Mohibbullah ‘Nadvi’. Photo: Omar Rashid

Akhilesh did not promise Nadvi the ticket right away, but kept him on stand-by as an alternative, if needed. As nomination day approached, the SP was caught in a mini-crisis as it failed to zero down on candidates in two important and winnable seats, Rampur and Moradabad, both with a record of electing Muslims. Much of this had to do with the stubbornness of senior leader Azam Khan in having his say in candidate selection in his bastion.

On March 22, Akhilesh visited the Sitapur jail to meet Khan, who is incarcerated there, to discuss the candidates in Rampur and adjoining seats. Khan, who has faced the endless wrath of the Yogi Adityanath government, apparently proposed that either Akhilesh contest himself from Rampur or nominate one of his family members. This did not sound feasible to the party.

According to sources, the party asked several leaders to contest from Rampur but Saleem Shervani (ex-MP from Budaun), Kamal Akhtar (former minister) and S.T. Hasan (elected Moradabad MP in 2019) all rejected the proposal. Nobody wanted to encroach on Khan’s territory.

The SP’s top leadership wondered if it would be feasible to field Tez Pratap Singh Yadav, Akhilesh’s nephew and former MP, from Rampur but apparently the idea was turned down by Akhilesh’s uncle Ramgopal Yadav, the party’s national general secretary.

Only a day was left for the nomination and the SP was without an official candidate. A disaster was on the cards.

A similar situation prevailed in neighbouring Moradabad, where two candidates of the SP, sitting MP Hasan and former MLA Ruchi Veera, a close associate of Khan’s, both filed nominations, confusing the rank and file of the party. To Hasan’s dismay, Veera even received the party’s authorisation letter as its official candidate. He was obviously not happy.

In Rampur, too, the matter got out of hand after Asim Raja, an aide of Khan’s, filed his nomination while claiming to be the SP’s candidate. Raja, who had lost the Rampur seat in a by-poll in 2022, even led the Khan camp to declare a boycott of the 2024 election as Akhilesh had not paid heed to their request of contesting himself.

It was around 5 pm on March 26 that Nadvi received a call from the SP informing him that he would be the official candidate in Rampur. Along with his aides, he left for Rampur overnight. With the clock ticking, SP state president (and now MP) Naresh Uttam Patel along with a trusted lawyer boarded a chartered flight to deliver the Form AB to Nadvi, and in a change of tack, nominate the disgruntled Hasan as the official candidate in Moradabad by handing him the party’s authorisation letter. The flight landed on an airstrip in Mundha Pande, midway between Rampur and Moradabad, at around 11 am, sources said. Nadvi managed to file his nomination on time but Hasan could not receive the authorisation letter within the stipulated period. Their first priority was Rampur.

“It was a difficult time. We didn’t even have a back-up candidate. Time was running out,” Nadvi told The Wire, recalling the tense moments before his first-ever nomination. Later, Hasan in an interview to PTI alleged that some leaders had “conspired” to ensure that the party’s authorisation letter did not reach him on time.

After his nomination, Nadvi battled the ‘outsider’ tag, the internal opposition of the Khan camp, BJP’s communally-driven campaign and hostility from the administration. He brushed aside the outsider tag, underlining that he was born in a village, Razanagar, in Suar tehsil of Rampur. His uncle was a former pradhan. Nadvi, who owns 7.44 acres of inherited land in his village, completed his Quranic education or Hifz from Rampur city before spending time in a madrasa in Sambhal.

Following that, he went to Lucknow to pursue his higher education in Islamic studies from the renowned seminary Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, from where he got his title. Nadvi then went to Aligarh for further education but as he did not appreciate the heated political climate on campus, he instead enrolled in Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi and graduated from there in Arabic Honours. He went on to complete his MA in Islamic Studies and got a BEd from Al-Falah University. In 2005, he was appointed as an imam at the Parliament Street Mosque after clearing an interview. “I didn’t have much inclination towards politics earlier. But I did develop some interest as the people who offered namaz behind me included some very important political people,” said Nadvi, on being asked why he suddenly jumped from the pulpit to politics.

Given the mosque’s location, top Muslim politicians and officials come there to pray. Even the likes of Liaquat Ali Khan, Maulana Azad and Zakir Hussain, former president of India, prayed at the mosque or used to visit it, said Nadvi. Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi too have visited the mosque, whose compound houses an elegant white tomb of former president Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed. Nadvi, who took over prayers at the mosque at 29 years of age, was delighted to share that even former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had prayed behind him.

The maulana feels that Akhilesh took a “strong decision” by nominating him in Rampur, where he initially faced opposition from a section of party workers loyal to Khan.

“I faced some problems from our party friends who were unhappy. But I managed to tackle them beautifully. Credit to them, they also did not hype it so much, maybe due to public pressure or my acceptance in public,” said Nadvi. He feels his identity as an Islamic scholar and imam may have helped him win acceptance in his native land. “I have roots in Rampur. I want to take everyone forward and work on education and health,” he said.

While his nomination process was controversial, following his victory, too, Nadvi has garnered the headlines. He was trolled by supporters of Khan after he met the divisional commissioner of Moradabad, Aunjaneya Kumar Singh, who while serving as the district magistrate of Rampur had initiated a wave of action against Khan and his family members. Nadvi downplays the meeting. “I am a mazhabi alim. I don’t have negativity towards anyone,” he said, adding that he had met the official to discuss plans for the betterment of his constituency.

He also landed in a soup for his comments on the jailed Khan. When asked by reporters if he would visit the leader in jail, Nadvi said, “People are sent to jail for correction. Jail is a correctional facility and I can only pray for Azam Khan.”

Azam’s wife and former MP Tazeen Fatima lashed out at Nadvi for the comments. “He said that jail is a correction home. It seems like he had a deep experience of going to jail and he has been to jail,” she said.

Nadvi said his comments were misrepresented and exaggerated by the media. “I said that the jail is not heaven, that we would like to go there. We have our empathy for Azam sahab. What else can we do for him? The media gave it unnecessary hype,” said Nadvi. When I asked him if his relationship with Khan was fine, he took a long pause and before he could answer, an aide of his cried from the other end of the small room, “Abhi tak toh theek hai (So far, it’s fine)!”

Ruchi Veera, the newly elected Moradabad MP, visited Khan’s family following her win. She criticised Nadvi for his comments on Khan. “He should not forget that he won because of the party and Azam Khan sahab has made a lot of sacrifices for the party,” Veera said. She called him out for his “political immaturity”. “He’s not a political person. I don’t know how he got the ticket for the election and won.”

In Rampur, Nadvi not only saw off the challenge from the BJP but also ensured that the Muslim candidate of the Bahujan Samaj Party did not spoil his chances. The BSP candidate received 79,000-odd votes while he beat the BJP by over 87,000 votes. Had the election been conducted in a “fairer” manner, the margin would have been over one lakh to 1.5 lakh, said Nadvi, alleging that voting had been disturbed on 12 to 15 booths where the SP had a strong voter base.

Despite the BJP’s shrill anti-Muslim campaign, Nadvi says even Hindus voted for him, as he went to people with a “positive message”. “I spoke about education, health and employment. Who would the people choose? Someone who is abusing others or one who is asking them about their needs?” he asked. In an election where the BJP lost the election in the land of the Ram Mandir, a maulana scripted a successful political debut in a district bearing the name of the Hindu deity.

source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Reportage> Politics / by Omar Rashid / June 15th, 2024

All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (Registered) Elects New President in New Delhi

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi :

In a significant development aimed at revitalizing the activities of a prominent Muslim organization, the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (Registered) convened a General Body Meeting on June 9, 2024, at New Horizon School in the Hazrat Nizamuddin area. The primary agenda was to elect a new president and establish a new administrative framework.

The meeting was chaired by the former president, Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, and attended by 33 members from across India, alongside three additional invitees. Five members participated online via Zoom. The assembly unanimously elected Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan as the president for a two-year term.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Khan underscored the organization’s goal to rejuvenate the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (AIMMM) and reaffirm its role as a premier forum for Muslim organizations and institutions. He addressed the challenges that arose from previous leadership under Mr. Navaid Hamid, which led to internal discord and inactivity.

Dr. Khan recalled the resignation of the late Syed Shahabuddin from the executive committee due to the organization’s adverse direction under the new leadership. He criticized the expulsion of 70 key members and unconstitutional amendments to the organization’s constitution, which marginalized significant voices within the Majlis-e-Mushawarat.

He also mentioned that efforts to merge the Majlis-e-Mushawarat (registered) with the Navaid Hamid group would continue.

Resolutions Passed

Election Satisfaction: The assembly expressed satisfaction with recent general election results, noting a majority of secular votes and urging secular parties to unite for national progress.

Condemnation of Hate Politics: The organization condemned the rise in hate politics over the past decade and advocated for unity and resilience among Muslims against divisive tactics.

Condemnation of Gaza Attacks: The Majlis-e-Mushawarat condemned the ongoing Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, calling for global condemnation and support for Palestinian autonomy.

Addressing Muslim Marginalization: The body highlighted increased efforts to marginalize Muslims since 2014, urging the community to focus on education, trade, and legal recourse against injustices.

Notable attendees included Ms. Uzma Naheed from Mumbai, Muhammad Wazir Ansari (Rtd. IPS), Khawaja Muhammad Shahid (Rtd. IAS), and many other distinguished members and former officials from various parts of India. Some members participated online, including Munir Ahmad Khan from Indore and Dr. Obaid Iqbal Asim.

The meeting signifies a renewed effort to strengthen the organization’s influence and address key issues affecting the Muslim community in India.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / June 15th, 2024

Empowering Futures: The Role of Centre for Training and Academic Guidance (CTAG)

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Through its dedication, sensitivity, and comprehensive approach, CTAG empowers individuals from socio-economically weaker backgrounds to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

In the pursuit of a brighter future for all, particularly those from socio-economically weaker backgrounds, initiatives like the Centre for Training and Academic Guidance (CTAG) play a pivotal role. CTAG, a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Human Welfare Foundation, is dedicated to providing career counseling and guidance to students hailing from such backgrounds.

In this exclusive interview, Ayesha Sultana, Assistant Editor of Radiance and an educator and academician by profession, engages in a conversation with Faizy Rahman, a dynamic individual with a diverse educational background, holding a BTECH in Mechanical Engineering from DTU and an MA in Psychology from DU. Currently serving as the Centre In-Charge of CTAG, Mr. Rahman brings a unique blend of technical expertise and psychological insight to his role. With her keen interest in initiatives aimed at empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds, Ayesha delves into CTAG’s mission and impact through her insightful questions.

Q: Could you provide an overview of CTAG’s mission and objectives?

A: CTAG’s mission is to provide career counseling and guidance to students from socio-economically weaker sections of society. We aim to empower individuals with the knowledge and tools to make informed career decisions, thereby opening doors to brighter futures.

Q: What inspired the establishment of CTAG, and how does it aim to make a difference in the lives of its beneficiaries?

A: CTAG was established to address the barriers faced by students from disadvantaged backgrounds in accessing career guidance. By providing personalized guidance and support, we strive to empower our beneficiaries to pursue fulfilling career paths aligned with their interests and aptitudes.

Q: Can you elaborate on the services and programs offered by CTAG to achieve its objectives?

A: Certainly. CTAG offers a range of services including psychometric assessments, individual counseling sessions, group workshops, career awareness workshops, and scholarship support. Additionally, we provide training programs for teachers and counseling professionals to enhance their skills in guiding students effectively.

Q: How does CTAG ensure its guidance and assessments are culturally sensitive, particularly in states across North India?

A: Cultural sensitivity is integral to our approach at CTAG. We tailor our assessments and guidance to suit the cultural backgrounds of our students, ensuring that our services are relevant and effective. By understanding and respecting cultural nuances, we aim to build trust and rapport with our beneficiaries.

Q: What initiatives does CTAG undertake to engage with the community and raise awareness about career guidance?

A: CTAG actively engages with communities through outreach programs, workshops, and seminars to raise awareness about the importance of career guidance. We collaborate with local organizations, schools, and colleges to reach a wider audience and provide valuable insights into career options and opportunities.

Q: As CTAG expands its reach, what are some future goals and aspirations for the organization?

A: Our future goals include expanding our reach to underserved communities across India and enhancing the quality and accessibility of our services. We aim to leverage technology and innovation to reach more individuals and provide them with the guidance and support they need to pursue their aspirations.

Q: How does CTAG measure its impact and success in empowering individuals from socio-economically weaker backgrounds?

A: CTAG evaluates its impact through various metrics including the number of beneficiaries served, feedback from beneficiaries and their success stories, partnerships formed with educational institutions and community organizations, and post-counselling tracking of students. We continuously assess and refine our programs to ensure they effectively meet the needs of our beneficiaries.

Q: What kind of help do you provide after career guidance for placements?

A: We offer an Employability Enhancement Program which includes assistance on how to face an interview and writing CVs.

Q: What else does CTAG offer besides career guidance?

A: CTAG also provides training for teachers and mentors, as well as one-day career guidance counselor workshops. Additionally, we offer a Career Guide Training Program for individuals interested in becoming professional career counselors. We also conduct a 5-day program for comprehensive guidance, annually.

Q: How can individuals access all the information provided by CTAG?

A: We have a career library and an updated website which provide information on various courses, admissions, university notifications, etc.

Individuals can access information through our website, www.ctag.in and/or contact us via WhatsApp at 72919 20374.

In a world where opportunities are often scarce, organizations like CTAG serve as beacons of hope, guiding individuals towards brighter futures. Through its dedication, sensitivity, and comprehensive approach, CTAG empowers individuals from socio-economically weaker backgrounds to pursue their dreams and aspirations. As it continues to expand its reach and impact, CTAG remains committed to shaping careers and transforming lives for the better.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Face to Face / by Ayesha Sultana, Radiance News Bureau / May 05th, 2024

Jamia Middle School’s Headmistress Nusrat Jahan Awarded ‘Best District Principal for Promoting STEM Excellence’ by Academic Council of the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF)

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI :

Nusrat Jahan, the headmistress of Jamia Middle School at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), has been honored with the Best District Principal Award for the academic session 2023-24 by the Academic Council of the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF).

This prestigious award recognizes her exemplary leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and innovative initiatives that have significantly enhanced scientific and mathematical aptitude among her students.

Under Jahan’s leadership, Jamia Middle School saw remarkable achievements, with 72 students earning Gold medals in the Olympiad during the 2023-2024 academic year.

The Science Olympiad Foundation, known for its dedication to promoting STEM education globally, acknowledged Jahan’s transformative initiatives and their positive impact on both students and faculty.

The award comes after a rigorous selection process, considering 79,400 schools from over 1,400 cities across 70 countries that participated in this year’s Olympiad examination. Jahan attributed this success to the collaborative efforts of the school’s dedicated teaching staff and the hard work of the students.

Prof Mohammad Shakeel, the officiating vice-chancellor of JMI, congratulated Jahan on her outstanding achievement and praised her relentless dedication to student success and school improvement. Jahan’s deep knowledge, leadership skills, and pleasant personality have been pivotal in driving the school’s achievements and earning this distinguished award.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation / by Radiance News Bureau (headline edited) / June 08th, 2024

Sana Khan has changed lives of 10,000 poor children through education

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jasola Village, NEW DELHI :

Sana Khan, founder Rahat Foundation receiving an award in Dubai

Sana Khan set up the Rahat Foundation on 26 February 2010 and during the 14 years of its existence in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Maharashtra it helps women school dropouts. 

Sitting in her modest office in Jasola village in south east Delhi, Sana Khan, 47, told Awaz-the Voice that presently her most important project is about getting the school dropouts to complete their education. She gets such women admitted to the Jamia’s openm school of National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS). 

Sana Khan says belueves that the right to education is universal and with this thought she has so far rehablitated 2,000 dropout children back into the educational mainstream.

Sana Khan not only sends the dropouts back to school but also takes the responsibility of imparting them skills and ensuring their job placements.

Her NGO teaches courses like digital marketing, fashion designing, etc. Interestingly, Rahat Foundation also managed to train 256 women drivers and helped them get licenses to drive.

Sana Khan says so far her NGO has employed about 10 thousand young men and women. They had acquired different skills at the classes of the Rahat Foundation. 

Of these, 6000 did learn digital marketing, and 4000 fashion designing . Sana Khan says she contacted the fashion designing industry located in Okhla Phase 2 in Delhi, while the digital marketing trainees gots jobs in the IT sector, call centers, Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, etc

Some beneficieries of Rahat Foundation

She also remains in touch with the companies where she enrolls the skilled young men and women of the Rahat Foundation for jobs.

Sana Khan said, “My father died when I was in my 8th class. I was 13 years old. I had two elder brothers and a mother in my house. I can’t even describe the financial difficulties we faced at that time. One day a person from an NGO touched our lives and everything started changing.”

“Back then I got support and today I am at the stage where I have created a successful world of my own. I always try to help others, ” she says.

Rahat Foundation takes utmost care of all their beneficiaries. It arranges their exam fees, books, etc. The NGO does occasional fundraising to meet its expenses.  

Sana Khan receiving an award

Sana Khan says she is careful in checking the genuineness of the beneficiery. She says there is a strict system of checking and whetting of a potential beneficiery. Rahat Foundation takens both boys and girls under its wings, she said.

Sana Khan has 70 people in her team who are divided into groups to form sub-units and working at the grass root in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra.

Sana Khan said that soon Rahat Foundation will set up its centers in Bangalore, Karnataka.

Sana Khan says that from time to time she organizes camps in which awareness about education is spread in society. So far, she has set up 500 to 600 campuses under the banner of Rahat Foundation.

Sana Khan receiving an award

Going down memory lane, Sana Khan said that when she did a mass communication course from South Delhi Polytechnic, New delhi in 2010, she also worked with the Sahara group of publications. 

“However, while working with the newspaper, my wish to help the needy kept over powering my mind and ultimately, I had laid the foundation of Rahat Foundation.”

Sana Khan says that today her NGO is well-known for its work and people do recognise her work. She said she received immense support from society during the Covid-19 pandemic when Rahat Foundation distributed blankets and dry rations to the people. It also ditributed school bags for children to keep their hopes alibe and essential medicines during that difficult phase.

Recently Sana Khan was honoured in Dubai, the UAE. She had already received several awards and honours from companies and forums in Bengaluru, and Delhi. 

Sana Khan is willing to help people who contact her on her  website and Facebook page. .

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Onika Maheshwari, New Delhi / May 04th, 2024