Director of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) Dr. N. Bheerappa and senior faculty along with the top rank-holders of NEET-SS 2024. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Doctors from the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, have secured top positions in the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test Super Speciality (NEET SS) 2024. The institution has produced the national first rank holder for the second year in a row.
Dr. Zakir Hussain led the achievements this year by clinching the All India Rank 1.
In total, twelve doctors from NIMS secured top ranks, ensuring their admission into prestigious super-specialty programmes across the country.
Among the top scorers are Dr. Bhanuchand (Rank 9), Dr. Rohit (14), Dr. U. Soumya (21), Dr. Syed Khalilullah (43), Dr. Krishna Kishore Somani (50), Dr. V. Sai Spurthi (58), Dr. Dheeraj Anirudh (67), Dr. Amtul Rahim Suryam (361), Dr. P.S.N. Rajitha (420), and Dr. A.V.S. Srilekhya (456).
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / The Hindu Bureau / May 04th, 2025
Karna Kadur (left) and co-driver Musa Sherif with the Indu Chandhok Memorial South India Rally overall winners’ trophy. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Bengaluru’s reigning National champion Karna Kadur of Arka Motorsports won a round of the FIA-Asia Pacific Rally Championship after three years at the Madras International Circuit (MIC) here on Sunday.
It was a near-flawless drive in the Volkswagen Polo by the 36-year-old Kadur, who was greatly aided by his experienced co-driver Musa Sherif from Kasargod. The duo also clinched the crown in the first round of the Blueband Fmsci Indian National Championship, organised by the Madras Motor Sports Club (MMSC).
Kadur attributed his success to a judicial blend of caution and aggression. “After a long time, we had a trouble-free run. We had carefully planned our strategy, and it was executed flawlessly. We could have gone faster, but in view of the rising temperature, we had to exercise some caution. A few competitors suffered as they did not back off, and having seen this, I kept something in reserve in case I needed to push hard,” he said.
The results: Provisional final classification: FIA-APRC (Asia Cup):1. Kadur and Musa Sherif (Arka Motorsports) 2:03:44s; 2. Amittrajit Ghosh and Ashwin Naik (Arka) 2:04:35.8; 3. Harkrishan Wadia and Kunal Kashyap (Arka) 2:07:38.5.
Junior APRC: 1. Wadia and Kashyap 2:07:38.5; 2. Arnav Pratap Singh and N. Rohit (SNAP Racing) 2:09:25.9; 3. Abhin Rai and K.M. Moideen Jasheer (Pvt.) 2:10:16.9.
INRC Overall:1. Kadur and Sherif; 2. Ghosh and Naik; 3. Fabid Ahmer and Milen George (Chettinad Sporting) 2:06:9.5.
INRC1:1. Kadur and Sherif; 2. Ghosh and Naik; 3. Suhem Kabeer and Vinay Padmashali (Pvt.) 2:12:15.2.
INRC2: 1. Ahmer and George 2:06:9.5; 2. Wadia and Kashyap; 3. Pragathi Gowda and M. Chandramouli (Pvt.) 2:07:23.5.
INRC3: 1. Arnav Pratap Singh and N. Rohit (SNAP Racing) 2:09:25.9; 2. B. Vishak and Chiranth Jain (Chettinad Sporting) 2:09:27.4; 3. Rai and Jasheer (Pvt.) 2:10:16.9.
INRC 3T (Turbo): 1. C. Ramcharan and Vignesh Mahalingam (Falkon Motorsports) 3:15.3; 2. Naveen Puligilla and Santosh Ritchy Thomas (Pvt.) 2:28:34.9; 3. Jeet Jhabhak and V. Sekar (Pvt.) 2:59:9.9.
Women INRC: 1. Tarushi Vikram and Vybhav Mukund Rao (Chettinad Sporting) 2:17:7; 2. Phoebe Nongrum Dale and Nash Ross (Pvt.) 2:20:17.9; 3. Anushriya Gulati and Karan Aukta (Arka) 2:48:58.8.
Junior INRC: 1. Rai and Jasheer (Pvt.) 2:10:16.9; 2. Ajay Shankar and Venu Ramesh Kumar (Falkon) 2:11:47; 3. R.B. Kharbirymbai and C.P. Dhanush (Snap) 2:14:26.1.
Fmsci Gypsy Challenge: 1. Sanjay Agarwal and Dheeraj Manae (Pvt.) 2:22:23; 2. Kariappa Mekerira and Supreeth Sagar (Pvt.) 2:24:49.7; 3. Pankaj Dutt and Jibran Ahmed (Pvt.) 2:33:15.9.
Fmsci Classic Challenge: 1. Pramod Raman and K.V. Dheeraj (Pvt.) 2:21:1; 2. Siddhartha Santhosh and Sawan Satyanarayan (Pvt.) 2:22:13.6; 3. P. Satish P and S. Dinesh (Pvt.) 2:31:54.8.
In 2000, Rabiya was diagnosed with cancer, which she later overcame, after which she returned to social work.
In 2022, she was honoured with the Padma Shri for social work. (File Photo)
K V Rabiya, known for her prominent role in Kerala’s adult literacy programme, died at her home in Malappuram on Sunday. She was 59.
A native of Vellikakkad in Malappuram district, Rabiya fought against heavy odds and personal tragedies, right from childhood, to work relentlessly for the betterment of the differently abled and inspired thousands of women to enter the world of letters.
In 2022, she was honoured with Padma Shri for social work.
While still a school student, Rabiya contracted polio at the age of 12, which would eventually leave her paraplegic. Despite this, she completed her schooling and joined a college. However, she could not complete the degree course.
Rabiya then turned to books, reading everything from science to literature. Wheelchair-bound by then, Rabiya also started taking tuition classes for local children at a nominal fee.
It was by chance that Rabiya became a part of Kerala’s literacy movement, which began in the late 1980s. A college degree was a must for a literacy instructor. However, an instructor, who could not continue with the programme, sought Rabiya’s help. This marked the birth of a social worker and the beginning of her legacy.
She started teaching literacy classes in June 1990, and local elderly women and housewives were her students. She worked to convince women from orthodox families about the importance of education, and told them inspiring stories of world leaders and social reformers to get them interested in her classes.
When her number of students started swelling, Rabiya became a full-time literacy instructor. Later, she also established a library for women and became instrumental in the development of her locality, which did not have basic facilities such as roads and electricity, telephone, and water connections.
She eventually launched a voluntary organisation named Chalanam (movement), which also spearheaded literary programmes.
Her intervention was not limited to literacy alone. She started six schools for children with special needs and trained and empowered more than 250 women through a small-scale manufacturing unit. She was also at the forefront of the movement to create awareness against dowry and superstition. In later years, she was also actively involved in the e-literacy programme, Akshaya, in Malappuram.
In 2000, Rabiya was diagnosed with cancer, which she later overcame, after which she returned to social work.
In her autobiography, Swapnangalkku Chirakukalundu (Dreams Have Wings), Rabiya told the story of her inspiring life and how she chased her dreams. She also authored four other books, including the memoir, Mouna Nombarangal (Silent Pains). A documentary was also made on her life, titled Rabiya Moves.
She received several honours, including the Kannagi Devi Stree Shakti Puraskar, instituted by the Child Welfare Department of the Union government, in 2000. She also won the Youth Volunteer against Poverty award, jointly instituted by the Union Youth Affairs Ministry and the United Nations Development Programme.
source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by Shaju Philip, Thiruvananthapuram / May 05th, 2025
The two-day ‘Beary’s Festival 2025’ was inaugurated by Skill Development Corporation President Kantha Nayak at the Karavali Utsava ground by the Karnataka Bearys Social and Cultural Forum on Saturday.
The festival includes a job fest which has attracted more than national and international 100 companies and more than 5,000 job applicants. Educational and career counseling sessions, medical check-up and blood donation camps, business meets, food fests, competitions, discussions on various issues, sessions for the benefit of youth and cultural events are also organized as a part of the festival.
Kantha Nayak, who addressed the gathering, called upon unemployed people to make the best use of the job fair as it would also make the organizers’ efforts worthwhile and advised the candidates who fail to get job not to be disappointed. She explained that it was important for candidates to hone their skills, along with gaining education, as it helps in job-hunting.
Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Mullai Muhilan lauded the efforts of the organizers for holding the festival aiming for communal harmony.
Pastor of Bejai Church Rev. Fr. Norman D’Souza spoke on the occasion and wished well for the festival.
Entrepreneur and TK Group member Umar TK was honoured with the ‘Motivational Award’.
Retired Superintendent of Police and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee GA Bava made the inaugural address. Moulana SB Mohamman Darimi offered dua for the programme. UT Farzana welcomed the gathering and Rafique Master was the Master of Ceremony.
State Cashew Development Board President Mamatha Gatti, NRI Forum Vice-president Dr. Arati Krishna, Presidency Group of Institutions Bengaluru Vice-chairman Suhail Ahmed, Presidency Group of Institutions Director Kausar Nisar Ahmed, Entrepreneurs Mustafa Bharat, Zakaria Jokatte, Sharief Whitestone, UT Ifthikar and UT Zulfikar Ali, SCDCC Bank Chairman Dr MN Rajendra Kumar, Nasir Luckystar, Musabba Beary, Mustafa Sullia, KM Aboobakar Siddiq, Sheik Irfani, Congress leaders KK Shahul Hamid, Padmaraj R and Pradeep D’Souza and Iqbal Parliya were among those who attended the inaugural event.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / April 19th, 2025
With over 4,000 manuscripts and 25,000 books, Hazrat Pir Mohammad Shah Library is a sanctuary of knowledge and wisdom.
Stepping into the Hazrat Pir Mohammad Shah Library, the oldest library of the city, feels like entering a secret realm concealed within the narrow lanes of Pankora Naka, Ahmedabad. This hidden sanctuary of wisdom resides within the majestic tomb-shrine complex dedicated to the esteemed Pir Muhammad Shah.
The library’s journey commenced over 250 years ago when Pir Mohammad Shah and his devoted disciples gathered a humble collection of 300 manuscripts. Now, this literary haven proudly safeguards an expansive repertoire of over 4,000 manuscripts, establishing its position as such largest collection in Western India. Moreover, it boasts an impressive assortment of over 25,000 books.
About Mohammad Shah
Let us delve deeper into the enigmatic figure of Mohammad Shah, the driving force behind the library. Born in Bijapur in 1688 AD, he embarked on a transformative journey to Mecca, where he immersed himself in the teachings of practical Sufism.
Eventually, he settled in Ahmedabad in 1711, where he would offer his daily prayers in the Jama Masjid and rest in the humble hut of a benevolent elderly woman. It is in this very location that the awe-inspiring mausoleum-mosque-library complex now stands.
A treasure trove of manuscripts and books
During his lifetime, Pir Muhammad Shah, along with his devoted disciples, amassed a treasure trove of manuscripts and books, encompassing a wealth of academic and spiritual wisdom. This invaluable collection finds its residence in the esteemed “kutubkhana”. The Pir himself was a gifted bilingual poet, penning abundant verses in Persian and Dakhani.
Today, the library stands as a testament to its illustrious past, harboring more than 4,000 manuscripts—the largest collection in Western India, alongside a rich trove of over 25,000 books. Its extensive catalog covers diverse subjects such as spirituality, Quran Knowledge, music, literature, history, geography, language, astronomy, astrology, agriculture, and more.
Within its hallowed halls, one can explore literature in Urdu, Gujarati, Arabi, Parsi, Hindi, and English. The library features a special chamber dedicated to ancient manuscripts, some dating back 800 years, as well as a display of Hazrat Pir Mohammad Shah’s personal belongings, carefully encased in glass to ensure their preservation.
Translations of sacred texts and unique manuscripts
The library’s treasures extend beyond its own collection, offering translations of sacred texts such as the Bible, Rigveda, and Geeta. Visitors are also privileged to behold unique manuscripts, including a handwritten Quran by the illustrious Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
This historic repository not only embodies a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and heritage but also exudes an aura of serenity and tranquility. Explore the mosque, wander through the tranquil courtyard, lose yourself in the pages of ancient tomes, marvel at rare manuscripts, and surrender to the enchantment of bygone era. A captivating journey back in time awaits within these hallowed walls.
source: http://www.knocksense.com / Knock Sense / Home> Ahmedabad / by Zeal Jani / June 27th, 2023
Anantnag District / Kupwara District : JAMMU & KASHMIR :
Two out of 12 aspirants from Jammu and Kashmir who qualified for the UPSC Civil Services 2024 have followed their passion for “Yeh Dil Mange More” (My heart wants more) and improved their rankings in the administrative services for which they had already qualified.
The duo is Mohammad Muneeb Bhat from Anantnag district of South Kashmir (AIR 131) who is already serving the J&K government after clearing the JK Public Service Commission examination; and Mohammad Haris Mir, AIR 314 from Kupwara district of North Kashmir.
Haris Mir hit the All India rank of 345 in the UPSC Civil Services examinations of 2023 and has improved his rankings.
Interestingly, a woman – Iram Choudhary from Rajouri district of Jammu region – is the topper from the UT with AIR 40.
Mohammad Muneeb Bhat, son of the government teachers from Anantnag town of South Kashmir, had set his goal of joining the civil services while pursuing his Civil Engineering degree at the Lovely Professional University in Punjab.
He told Awaz-The Voice that he started preparing for the coveted UPSC exam soon after completing his Engineering degree. He took the exam in 2017. “The motivation for civil services came from those already qualified persons from J&K like Shah Faesal (2009) and Athar Aamir Khan (2016), though there has been a considerable number of UPSC qualifiers over the past about two decades.
“I continued to achieve the goal” till my success in the last attempt this year”, Bhat said. He stayed in Delhi to attend different institutions including the Residential Coaching Academy (RCA) at the Jamia Millia Islamia.
While preparing for the UPSC examination, Mohamad Muneeb Bhat qualified for the J&K (UT) PSC examination in 2023 and was allocated the J&K Police Services. He is presently undergoing probation with the UT government.
His father, Mohammad Ashraf Bhat retired as a Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) last year, while his mother recently retired from service.
Mohammad Haris Mir qualified for the UPSC with AIR 345 last year but made yet another attempt to achieve a higher rank. He was allotted Revenue Services ((IRS) and is presently undergoing probation at the National Academy of Direct Taxes (NADT) in Nagpur.
“To achieve a higher rank, I prepared during my probation”, Mohammad Haris Mir told Awaz The Voice from Nagpur. “The motivation (to achieve a higher rank) was like any other aspirant and the hard work has been fruitful”, he said.
As it’s permitted, Haris took leave fromn the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA), Mussoorie, to prepare for the mains of the 2024 examinination and later joined the Uttarakhand, and took leave to prepare for mains of the Civil services 2024. He later joined NADT at Nagpur.
Mohammad Haris was also motivated by the success of senior bureaucrats like Shah Faesal and Athar Amir. He qualified for the UPSC on the first attempt last year.
Though his father is a doctor, Haris opted for the humanities. Hailing from a remote area of Handwara in the border district of Kupwara, Dr Mir had shifted to Srinagar as he was posted in the Oncology Department at the SKIMS Hospital, Soura in Srinagar.
After completing the XII examination, Haris, 26, joined the 5-year degree course in Law, B A, LL.B from the Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi. Though Jamia Millia Islamia offers free coaching to students from minority communities for the UPSC examinations (Residential Coaching Academy) Haris preferred to prepare without joining coaching classes. “Soon after completing his Law degree, I began to prepare through self-study for the UPSC examination….it was a full year of studies involving hard work, which led me to clear the examination in the first attempt”, he told Awaz-the Voice
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ehsan Fazili, Srinagar / April 30th, 2025
The World Heritage City of Ahmedabad saw many revered men who silently documented the various tales the city’s monuments, structures and literature had to tell.
One such relentless pursuit was that of publisher, author and a keen student of the medieval history of Gujarat, Shahed Kalimi, who not just ran the nearly-century old Kalim Book Depot but also spent 20 years of voluntary service to set up the library at Sarkhej Roza.
A little over a month after he passed, Kalimi’s contributions to Ahmedabad’s heritage were remembered by academicians, renowned historians and heritage enthusiasts at a remembrance meeting organised in the city on Sunday.
Kalimi was the sole force behind revamping the library at one of the ASI-protected monuments of the Heritage City of Ahmedabad, Sarkhej Roza.
AS Saiyed, President of the Sarkhej Roza Committee, narrated Kalimi’s two decades of voluntary contribution at the Sarkhej Roza and lauded him for his dedication and perseverance. “Kalimi was instrumental in reviving the library at the Sarkhej Roza and setting up a publishing department at the Roza through which many books were translated and published under the aegis of the Sarkhej Roza Committee,” Saiyed said.
During his lifetime, Kalimi had translated nearly 50 books from Urdu, Persian and Arabic, into Gujarati, in a bid to bring forth the little pieces of history about Gujarat to the people here.
In fact, two of his last books – A Bird’s Eye View of Sarkhej Roza and Yaad-e-Ayyam, were released during the remembrance meet.
“Kalimi’s sole aim was to bring forth anecdotes of Gujarat’s history to the state. Being an ardent reader of history himself, he translated many books written about Gujarat and its history, Persian and Arabic to Gujarati. He has translated close to 50 works by now about various aspects of Ahmedabad and Gujarat which the state would have otherwise lost,” said Professor MH Bombaywala, curator and founder, Peer Mohammad Shah Library, one of the oldest in Ahmedabad who was present at the meeting.
Being an ardent enthusiast of medieval history of Gujarat, Kalimi turned his place of work – the Kalim Book Depot – around by diligently sourcing, procuring, even translating if needed to make history books available to people here.
Students of History and even architecture and design often frequented his book store, which was once upon a time, a fulcrum for intellectuals to gather and discuss new, radical ideas through expressions of poetry and Shayari.
The Kalim Book Depot will be a century old in 2026 and till date is known for rare books. “We have retailed the Urdu versions of Ramayana, Mahabharata and the Bhagavad Gita to people. Father used to procure a series of Urdu books from warehouses of libraries, book exhibitions, flea markets including the Gujari Bazar and wherever he travelled and patiently sorted them, to find the right kind of books for history students and later translate them,” said Mushir Kalimi, Shahed’s son.
“Father’s interest was not in the business but instead in letting the younger generation read and delve into the history about Gujarat to the people of Gujarat by translating works of authors from Persian, Arabic and Urdu languages. Therefore, if he realised someone’s interest in books, he would gift them a second book for free besides the ones they’ve bought,” said Mushir.
Kalimi was working on one of his last books just before he passed — Makbaras and Masjids of Ahmedabad. Mushir along with members of the Sarkhej Roza Committee are working towards publishing the book which will soon be out.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Ahmedabad News / by Niyati Parikh / TNN / March 28th, 2022
The inauguration of BRITFORT Academy’s Mangalore branch, in collaboration with Ace Foundation, was held on 18th April at the Kankanady Gate Building, Kankanady Bypass Road. The event marked a significant milestone in expanding quality English language education and study abroad services in the coastal region.
BRITFORT Academy is widely recognised for its excellence in Spoken English and Communicative English courses, along with its expert coaching for international English language exams such as IELTS, OET, and PTE. With a growing network of centers across India, BRITFORT continues to empower students with global opportunities through language proficiency and academic support.
The ceremony was formally inaugurated by Noushad, CEO of BRITFORT Academy, who delivered an inspiring keynote address. He shared the remarkable growth of the academy, noting that over 25,000 students have been successfully trained through their programs. The Mangalore branch represents the 16th center in their journey of expansion and the fourth in Karnataka, reinforcing their commitment to making quality education accessible across regions.
Abubacker, President of Ace Foundation, presided over the function and emphasized the importance of collaborations that empower youth through quality education and skill-building initiatives.
The event was further graced by Dr. R.G. D’Souza, Dean of the Engineering Department at Yenepoya University, who attended as the Chief Guest. B.S. Mohd. Basheer, President of Jamiyyatul Falah (Mangalore Corporation Unit), and Anwar Sadath, Managing Director of Hana Beverages Pvt. Ltd., were the Guests of Honour. All dignitaries expressed their appreciation for the initiative and their confidence in the academy’s positive impact on the region’s youth.
Nazeer Ahmed, Director of Ace IAS Academy, welcomed the gathering and highlighted the significance of enhancing language skills for academic and professional growth. The program concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Imthiaz Khateeb, Secretary of Ace Foundation, expressing gratitude to all guests and participants for their support. The event was compered by Rafik Master.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / April 2Oth, 2025
Kooli Village (Ranebennur, Haveri District), KARNATAKA :
Abu Saliya Khan
Mangaluru/Ranebennur:
Abu Saliya Khan, a former student of Ace IAS Academy in Mangaluru, has cleared the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination with an All India Rank (AIR) of 588, bringing pride to the academy and his hometown of Ranebennur in Karnataka’s Haveri district.
Hailing from Kooli village in Ranebennur taluk, Abu Saliya completed his primary education in a Kannada-medium school before joining RTS College, Ranebennur for his pre-university education in 2014. He later pursued his B.Sc in Agriculture at Shivamogga, graduating in 2019. His journey toward UPSC preparation took a significant turn when he shifted to Mangaluru and enrolled at the Ace IAS Academy for intensive training.
Speaking to Vartha Bharati, Abu Saliya credited his success to the foundation laid during his training at the Ace IAS Academy. “It was here in Mangaluru that I got my basics right. The environment at Ace helped me understand the significance of public service and mentally prepared me for this long journey,” he said.
After his training in Mangaluru, he moved to Delhi and continued his preparation at Jamia Millia Islamia’s Residential Coaching Academy. His perseverance paid off in his fourth attempt. He had earlier cleared the prelims in 2023, which gave him a renewed sense of hope and motivation to make one final attempt, resulting in this year’s success.
Coming from a modest background, Abu Saliya’s story is an inspiration to many. His father, the late Hussain Khan Kulkarni, was a bus conductor with NWKRTC and passed away earlier last year. His mother, Arshad Banu, is a homemaker. Despite financial and emotional hardships, the family stood by his side as he pursued his dream of joining the civil services.
On being asked about his preferred service, Abu Saliya shared that while he had aspired to join the Indian Administrative Service or Indian Police Service, he now expects to be allotted the Indian Revenue Service based on his rank. He also revealed that he had been attempting to qualify for the Indian Forest Services.
Reacting to the news of his success, he said, “My family is overjoyed. These are the moments that come once in a lifetime. There was a time I had almost decided to give up and pursue a career in agriculture. But after clearing the prelims in 2023, I decided to try again—and I’m glad I did.”
His success has been hailed by many in Mangaluru’s civil service aspirant community, with Ace IAS Academy calling it a proud moment for the institution.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / April 24th, 2025
Farkhanda Qureshi of Balaghat, Madya Pradesh, outside UPSC office in Delhi
Farkhanda Qureshi was in her eighth grade when she saw district Collector B. Chandrasekharan son a local Television channel. This visual ignited a dream in her mind; she too wanted to become a civil servant. Today this Muslim woman from from Balaghat, a small town of Madhya Pradesh, has realized her dream which she nurtured over the years with passion, hard work, overcoming failures and perseverance.
Farkhanda Qureshi has secured 67th rank in the UPSC 2024 Civil Services Examination and would soon join the Lal Bahadur Shashtri National Academy for Administration, Dehradun, for training to become an Indian civil servant.
“I had decided that one day I will also become a collector and work for society.” She credits her success in her fourth attempt to her family’s support.
She started preparing for UPSC in 2021. Despite failures, she did not give up. She says, “My parents did not let me break down; they motivated me and told me that I will get success one day. Had they not supported me, I would have probably given up in the first or second attempt,” she told the told media persons.
Farkhanda believes that for a tough exam like UPSC, studying for 18 hours is not necessary, but consistency and strategy are. “I studied for 6 to 8 hours every day, but I studied every day. Old year papers, standard books, current affairs and newspapers were an important part of my preparation.”
Farkhanda Qureshi flanked by her parents Nikhat Anjum and Abdul Malik Qureshi
Farkhanda, who completed her 10th from St. Mary’s School and 12th from Methodist Mission, says, “Being from a small town like Balaghat has never been my weakness. I believe that if the youth here get the right direction and resources, they can make a name for themselves across the country.”
Farkhanda considers her father Abdul Malik Qureshi, who is a lawyer, and her mother Nikhat Anjum Qureshi, a homemaker, her heroes and credits her success to them.
Her father said, “Today people recognize me by my daughter’s name, nothing can give me greater happiness than this.”
There is a festive atmosphere in the area, the collector congratulated Farkhanda and and wished her a bright future. The local mosque committee (Anjuman( also felicitated her and called her inspiration for the Muslim youth.
Out of the 1,009 candidates recommended by UPSC this year, 26 are Muslims, though none made it to the Top 25.
Iram Choudhary (Rank 40) and Farkhanda Qureshi (Rank 67) are the highest-ranking Muslim candidates in the merit list. A total of 97 Muslim candidates were selected for the interview stage, and the success rate stands at 2.57%, lower than previous years.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Abdul Wasim Ansari, Balaghat, Bhopal (name error edited) / April 26th, 2025
