Enso Wellness – A Platform for Mental and Emotional Health of Bangalore has been awarded the best online platform by International Business Awards 2022-2023.
Mental and emotional health needs and deserves more and more recognition in today’s era to remove the stigma attached to it, says Arouba Kabir Founder, Enso Wellness.
Born in Kashmir, Arouba Kabir setup her organisation in Gurgaon in 2015 with an aim to spread more awareness and become a one-stop solution for those who have been struggling with the issues and challenges of emotional and mental health.
“Pandemic changed the definition and made it globally possible for people to ask for help by using online platforms keeping their identity anonymous as reaching out to a mental health professional is still a stigma,” Arouba said.
Her organization is known for hosting many online series- like Stand up to Stigma, One-minute Mental Health, Ask the Doctor with eminent personalities from across the globe and conducts various online and offline workshops for Kashmiris in the last five years.
“Mental health is as important as physical health-one definitely impacts the other. We need to start talking about mental health as we do talk about physical health and make it normal for people to reach out for help when they need it.”
“And if you want to see the change, we have to be the change, so talking about your emotions, challenges, struggles and visiting a professional definitely does help make it normal,” she said.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by ATV, posted by Nakul Shivani / December 13th, 2022
Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar Saturday held a condolence meeting at the Medical Education Unit (MEU) to pay tribute to Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain Naqashbandi, Ex-Principal, Dean, GMC Srinagar who passed away early morning on Saturday.
As per a statement issued here, the meeting was attended by faculty members, administrative staff, medical superintendents, and paramedical staff, all of whom came together to mourn the loss of a respected figure in the medical community. Prof. Ashiq Hussain Naqashbandi did his MBBS and M.S. (General Surgery) from Government Medical College, Srinagar and then completed his super-specialization (MCh) in Cardio-vascular Thorasic Surgery (CVTS) from CMC Vellore. He was amongst the first few CVTS surgeons of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prof. (Dr.) Ashiq Hussain Naqashbandi joined as a faculty member in Government Medical College, Srinagar in 1981 and became Head of the Department, Surgery. In February 2005 he was appointed as Principal/Dean, GMC, Sgr. and continued till May, 2006.
While paying rich tributes to Prof. Naqashbandi, Principal/Dean (Dr.) Iffat Hassan highlighted his significant impact on the institution and the medical field. Dr. Iffat’s words reflected the esteem in which Prof. Naqashbandi was held by his peers and students.
Prof. Dr. Iqbal Saleem, Head of the Department Surgery expressed his heartfelt condolences and reminisced about Prof. Naqashbandi’s dedication to his work and his mentorship.
Prof. Sabiya Majeed, Head of the Department of Biochemistry, and Prof. Dr. Afroz Khan also paid tribute to his legacy, emphasizing the lasting impact of his work on the medical community. Various other faculty members also spoke on the occasion and paid rich tributes to the departed soul.
As a mark of respect, the attendees observed two minutes of silence to honour Prof. Naqashbandi’s memory. This moment of reflection allowed everyone to pay their respects and reflect on the contributions of the departed soul. The meeting extended its deepest sympathies to the bereaved family of Prof. Naqashbandi during this difficult time.
source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home> City / by RK News / September 14th, 2025
Chocolate is a universal favourite. Associated with love, health, and romance, the fanciful food has also created a cottage industry across the country with the makers using social media to innovate and sell handmade chocolates all over.
Chocolate also caught the imagination of Kashmir’s Ifshana Feroz, an MSc student living in srinagar, who is a self-taught chocolate maker and prides in being called Kashmir’s first floral chocolate maker.
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She sells her chocolates through her popular Instagram page, “Choco Charms”, which has more than 12 thousand followers. If you are a regular on Instagram, you must have seen her page named Choco Charms. She is known for her unique floral customized chocolates, nut-stuffed chocolate dates, coconut truffles, and more.
“Chocolates have a magical way of winning hearts over. They are not only delicious, but are also universally loved by both children and adults. Whether you choose to give them to your furry cousin or your closest friend, these sweet gifts are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone’s face,” she told Awaz-The Voice.
Ifshana’s handmade Eid hampers that featured three delightful varieties of chocolates – dark, milk, and white – were sold like hot cakes. “And for those who love chocolates with a little crunch, we have added premium dry fruits to them. The box also includes chocolate-coated dates and coconut truffles, ensuring a varied and delightful chocolate experience,” she said.
Inspired by her mother, she was interested in innovating recipes since the age of 9. When she started, she was struggling with many things, but she felt comfortable making recipes and working with the ingredients.
She said; “I realised that the photos of my customised floral chocolates were getting a good response from fellow Instagrammers, people outside of my immediate circle. So I started investing more time into styling and customising, and, making chocolates beautiful.
“Later, I streamlined my content and posted more chocolates. That’s how I built it from scratch. More people started following me for the pictures of chocolates and started ordering. I had always dreamt of starting my own business. When I got the opportunity to start my own business, I invested the tuition fees that I earned from teaching students.
“For me, making chocolate is magical! It helps me relax and explore my creativity. And that’s one thing about it, I always say – it’s so fascinating how you turn chocolate into something so beautiful,” she said.
Recently Ifshana started making customised chocolates. This was an instant and a huge hit. It has been more than five months that she is overwhelmed by the demand for these through social media.
Ifshana said that she wants people not to always be looking for jobs and gain some skills. ”A person should focus on himself and acquire some kind of skill.”
“Unlike the chocolates available in the market, our products are always fat-free and low-sugar,” he said. Featuring luscious coverture chocolate dates filled with nut stuffing, complemented by a velvety hazelnut center and a chocolaty exterior.
Ifshana Feroz’s story is not just the success of a chocolate chef, but it is also a symbol of the growing wave of youth entrepreneurship in the Kashmir Valley. From a sensitive region like the valley, where challenges are often high, it is inspiring to see a young woman turn her passion into a business and make a mark with a brand like “Choco Charms”.
This example shows that Kashmiri youth are now moving away from traditional paths and becoming self-reliant in creative fields and contributing towards economic development. Many youths like Ifshana are creating new opportunities for self-employment with the help of their skills and digital platforms, which is a sign of positive change in the socio-economic scenario of the valley.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemaker / by Onika Maheshwari, New Delhi / July 07th, 2025
Toiyeb has been officially recognized as the State Topper of Jammu & Kashmir, with his name listed on the JEE website’s official state toppers list.
Kashmir’s first-ever historic feat: RISE student secures All India Rank 152 in JEE Main 2025
Srinagar :
In a monumental academic breakthrough for Jammu & Kashmir, Toiyeb Ashiq, a student of RISE, has scripted history by securing All India Rank 152 in JEE Main 2025. This is the highest rank ever achieved by any student from Kashmir in the prestigious national-level engineering entrance exam — a moment of immense pride for the region and a landmark achievement in Kashmir’s academic journey.
In addition to his outstanding overall rank, Toiyeb has been officially recognized as the State Topper of Jammu & Kashmir, with his name listed on the JEE website’s official state toppers list. What makes this feat even more remarkable is that he also scored a perfect 100 out of 100 in Mathematics, a testament to his exceptional analytical skills and deep conceptual understanding. This likely places him among the top scorers in the subject across the entire country.
Toiyeb’s journey with RISE began in Class 10, when he joined the institute’s intensive three-year program. His academic brilliance shone through early on when he emerged as the CBSE Class 10 Board Topper in 2023. Since then, he has shown unwavering commitment to academic excellence, combining intelligence with hard work, and ambition with humility.
RISEis an educational institution based in Srinagar with a mission to uplift the academic aspirations of Kashmiri youth founded by three IITians Mubeen Masudi, Imbesat Ahmad and Salman Shahid. What started as a modest initiative has now become a powerhouse of talent development — producing IITians, doctors, and scholars. RISE has played a pivotal role in transforming the academic landscape of the Valley by providing top-quality coaching, mentorship, and exposure to national-level opportunities.
Despite the overwhelming praise and admiration pouring in, Toiyeb remains remarkably grounded and laser-focused on his next goal. “I am happy, but this is just a step,” he said modestly after the results. “My full focus is on the JEE Advanced exam coming next month.”
His mentors at RISE believe that this is just the beginning of his journey.
Salman Shahid, Co-founder of RISE, and a graduate from IIT Kharagpur said, “Toiyeb’s achievement is not just a rank — it is a message to every student in Kashmir that with hard work, the right guidance, and belief in yourself, nothing is impossible. He represents the future we believe in: brilliant, hardworking Kashmiri youth reaching the highest levels of academic success. This is a historic moment not just for RISE, but for the entire Valley.”
This achievement is not only a personal milestone for Toiyeb, but a defining moment for the entire education community in Jammu & Kashmir. It signals a shift — from limited access and opportunity to national-level competitiveness and success.
source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir / Home> Education / by GK Web Desk / April 19th, 2025
Mir was among 139 Padma awardees announced on Saturday, making him one of only two Padma Shri awardees from Jammu and Kashmir this year
Farooq Ahmad Mir’s 60 years of artistry earn Padma Shri
Srinagar :
In a heartfelt tribute to the art of craftsmanship, Farooq Ahmad Mir, a master shawl weaver from Srinagar, was conferred the prestigious Padma Shri award on January 25. At 73 years old, Mir embodies the spirit of dedication, having devoted over six decades to a craft that intertwines patience with artistry.
Mir was among 139 Padma awardees announced on Saturday, making him one of only two Padma Shri awardees from Jammu and Kashmir this year.
Starting his journey at the tender age of 10, Mir’s story resonates through generations. “Pashmina artisans require patience, much like education. It teaches us about the intricate nuances of our craft,” he reflects, drawing parallels between learning and weaving. Hailing from a lineage of artisans, Mir has not only preserved but revitalised the Kani shawl tradition, once favored by Mughal, Afghan, Sikh, and Dogra rulers.
Mir’s influence extends beyond his family; he has painstakingly taught the art of Kani shawl weaving to over many individuals in Srinagar’s old city.
“In a world where modern careers are alluring, many aspiring artisans are deterred by societal perceptions and a lack of patience for traditional craft,” he notes. Yet, Mir’s commitment to his heritage has inspired not only his children, skilled weavers in their own right, but countless young men and women in his community.
“Your work should speak for itself,” Mir shares humbly when asked about his relative anonymity in a world that often celebrates flashy accolades over dedication. His contributions, however, haven’t gone unnoticed. He has received multiple national and state awards, including recognition from Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself.
The exquisite Kani shawls, woven using cane needles rather than shuttles, can take between four to eighteen months to create. However, the beauty of this art form is in jeopardy. As younger generations lean towards more modern occupations, the skills required to produce these heirlooms risk fading away. Mir’s tireless efforts aim to ensure this heritage is not lost.
Born into a weaver’s family in Srinagar, Mir’s start was modest. Despite barriers to formal education, he channeled his passion into honing his skills, becoming one of the finest artisans in Kashmir. Alongside his successful weaving career, he managed to educate his siblings and inspire a new wave of artisans dedicated to preserving Kani shawl weaving.
In an age driven by industrialisation, the importance of handmade products is gaining renewed appreciation globally. Mir stands as a pioneer in safeguarding this cultural legacy, instilling pride in his craft and ensuring its continuation across generations. His handcrafted Kani shawls have not only found a place in the hearts of locals but also captured the attention of international clientele, including the Ambani family and major corporations like Tata and Aditya Birla Group.
Farooq Ahmad Mir’s journey exemplifies resilience and dedication. As an unsung hero of the Kani shawl tradition, he reminds us that true artistry thrives in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to emerge into the light.
Director Handicrafts and Handloom, Mussarat Islam in a tweet on social media extended heartfelt congratulations to Farooq Ahmad Mir on being awarded #PadmaShri 2025 for his significant contributions to Kani Shawl weaving and the preservation of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage.
source: http://www.greaterkashmir.com / Greater Kashmir / Home> Business / by Mukeet Akmali (headline edited) / January 26th, 2025
Sheikh Yameen, and Zubair Bhat, Co Founders of Zubair Curve Electrics at Shark Tank India- 4 Show
Two young Kashmiri men’s startup of providing eco-friendly urban transportation solutions may not have won them funding from the judges of Shark Tank India-4, a business reality show on Sony Television, but it won their immense admiration and exposed their successful business model to a larger world.
Sheikh Yameen, and Zubair Bhat, co-founders of Curve Electrics, got many heads nodding in appreciation when they said at the show in two years, their startup has helped environment by saving 145 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.
The mission Curve Electrics, launched in the summer of 2023, began with 50 e-bikes in Srinagar from 11 docking stations, in collaboration with the Srinagar Smart City Limited (SSCL). The number of e bikes has since grown up to 150 in Srinagar.
They also provides these services In the neighbouring Ganderbal district’s Central University of Kashmir (CUK), and the Hindu shrine of Mata Kheer Bhawani, Tulamulla.
“We have already completed 55,000 rides, 720,000 km and have saved 145 metric tonnes of carbon emissions….it is equivalent to the planting of 7200 trees”, during the last one and a half years, said Sheikh Yameen, Managing Director of Curve Electrics.
At the show, Sheikh Yameen, and Zubair Bhat said though at present their operations are limited to Kashmir Valley, they wanted to expand operations to other mountain towns such as Shimla and Mussoorie.
They also spoke about do business in college campuses across the country. They have shortlisted 1,400 campuses where they can expand their business. The entrepreneurs said that they have devised their bikes, and these are available through a mobile application and the users are not asked for seudirty deposits.
Yameen said, “Shark Tank India gave us an incredible platform to share our dream of revolutionizing urban mobility. Coming from Srinagar, this journey represents not just Curve Electric, but the untapped potential of Kashmiri youth. We’re excited for what lies ahead”
Sheikh Yameen and his friend, Mohsin Bashir are the co-founders of this startup. Yameen had completed his MBA in Finance and Marketing from The University of Kashmir, while his friend Mohsin Bashir was studying Management in the US.
The two pitched their sustainable e-bike service Curve Electric to the panel of ‘sharks’, which included Anupam Mittal, Vineeta Singh, Aman Gupta, Peyush Bansal, and newcomer Kunal Bahl.
Peyush was “very impressed” by the entrepreneurs’ ability to erase all the onboarding issues that customers might have. Vineeta explained, “There is a little complexity here. There is a lot of dependence on governments, and from what I’ve seen in all the other companies, the setting that you have to do with governments and local bodies, becomes a make-or-break situation. Your expansion will not depend on your ambition; it will depend on where you get the local support”.
Yameen nodded in agreement, and said that they haven’t had any losses yet, and have raised a round of investment already, valuing their company at Rs 8.5 crore.
Each of them backed out of the deal, but Peyush bid the founders farewell at a positive note. Addressing Yameen, he said, “It’s like looking at a mirror, you are me. You are saying everything I would have said 10 years back. The detailed customer-focused obsession you have, I have not seen in Shark Tank in four years.” In the end, the two entrepreneurs walked away with no deal, but loads of positive wishes.
Curve Electric’s pitch stood out not just for its business potential but also for the pride it brought to Kashmir. The team’s efforts reflect the entrepreneurial energy brewing in the Valley, proving that innovation knows no boundaries, Sheikh Yameen observed.
He said that the overwhelming response from the sharks and viewers alike has bolstered Curve Electric’s vision and opened doors for new opportunities. By fusing modern solutions with the rich cultural backdrop of Kashmir, the startup is paving the way for a cleaner and more sustainable future, leaving an indelible mark on India’s entrepreneurial landscape.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ehsan Fazili, Srinagar / January 11th, 2025
Wahdina Village / Sringar, KASHMIR / JAMMU & KASHMIR :
Muzaffar Hussain Baig at his home
Muzaffar Hussain Baig is among nine top Indian legal luminaries who also took to politics. He figures in the book Courting Politics by Shweta Bansal, along with other well-known legal bigwigs like Ram Jethmalani, Shanti Bhushan, P Chidambaram, Kapil Sibal, Arun Jaitley, Salman Khurshid, Ravi Shankar Prasad, and Abhishek Manu Singhvi.
Baig, a recipient of Padma Bhushan (2020), who held several top positions in the government – Advocate General of J&K, Deputy Chief Minister, Law Minister, a member of Lok sabha – has risen in life wading through extremely difficult circumstances and yet never allowed anything do diminish his thirst for knowledge and limit his genius.
Having studied Law at the Harvard in the USA after graduating from the Delhi University’s School of Law, he also practiced in the US and Supreme Court of India before shifting to Kashmir. He was keen to make a difference to society and contested Lok Sabha elections as an independent candidate. However, with the onset of the Pakistan-backed insurgency in Kashmir in the summer of 1989, Baig jettisoned his dream of pursuing a political career.
Muzaffar Hussain Baig
Baig is credited with drafting the anti-defection law of the J&K and his legal genius is reflected through the important cases he won in the Supreme Court of India and the J&K High Court.
Baig, 78, was born as the second of eight siblings in Wahdina village near Baramulla in North Kashmir. Though the family had a rich and royal legacy, he lived a life of penury. Baig speaks of he footing two km distance to school barefoot.
At the school, he was seen as a determined and hard-working student. One of his teachers Mohammad Maqbool Shah encouraged him to participate in activities like drama and speech making. Baig also taught to younger students in the school.
He learned the English alphabet in his 6th standard as was the norm those days. Soon, he started speaking in the English language with a “thick Kashmiri accent”. He topped the Board examination of the State in the 8th standard (Middle).
He shifted to Baramulla town,15 km away from home, to study further.
There was no stopping for this genius from then onwards till he joined Delhi University for his LLB and topped the examination. He then joined Harvard, USA, for higher studies and again topped the examination.
“You will find all over the world that there is an inbuilt desire in the minds of people to join politics, not to become Government functionaries but to secure some change for the society”, Muzaffar Hussain Baig told Awaz-The Voice at his residence, overlooking Dal Lake in Srinagar.
The Cover of the Book Courting Politics
He said, “I wanted to see the welfare of people…. had this desire to represent society. I did not even charge anything from my clients for whom it was unaffordable”, he said. “Politics, for me, was not just a profession but a mission to represent my society”.
Baig’s maiden attempt in politics, and as a distinguished lawyer having practiced in the US and Supreme Court of India, brought him to the notice of several political leaders including the then Congress leader and a former Minister, Abdul Ghani Lone, and the National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and also former union Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Lone had later constituted the Peoples Conference in the 1970’s, after quitting Congress. “Abdul Ghani Lone, with the idea of some change in Jammu and Kashmir, had become important as a political leader”, with mass support in Kupwara. North Kashmir. Lone extended his support to Baig in a couple of subsequent Lok Sabha elections. Baramulla constituency, then comprising Baramulla district of the entire North Kashmir, now comprises three districts, Kupwara carved out in 1979 and Bandipore carved out in 2007.
Describing Abdul Ghani Lone a rebel, who was among several others after having been educated at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), Baig said that he (Lone) enquired “about my interest in politics. I was already contesting as an independent candidate, he assured me of his support in Kupwara”, he said.
Muzaffar Hussain Baig as a student in Harvard
Baig added that both of them almost belonged to a similar “deprived background”, and had to suffer together for many years. Abdul Ghani Lone represented his home constituency of Handwara in 1967, 1971 (Cong), 1977 (JP), and Karnah, 1983 (Peoples Conference) both constituencies in the Kupwara district. Things changed with the eruption of militancy late in 1989, leading to a political vacuum.
Having been at the forefront of political activities in Jammu and Kashmir since the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was launched by the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in 1999, Baig had “good relations” with top political figures including former PMs, Atal Behari Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh. He opines that Vajpayee was “extraordinarily intelligent” and Dr. Manmohan Singh was the most “humble and efficient person”.
Baig equally holds the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in high esteem for his sincerity and clarity of approach. “A Statesman thinks about the next generation and a politician thinks for next elections.’ he said.
On his experiences in the Lok Sabha as a PDP MP from Baramulla between 2014 and 2019, Baig lays importance on the “substance and sincerity in speech” adding that one has to say “things openly for the (welfare of) people”. He hailed the high political qualities of former union Ministers, Ms Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley.
Muzaffar Hussain Baig in his younger days
Given his distinguished legal background, Baig’s association was sought by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to frame the Constitution of a new political party, which later took the shape of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999. There was a need to float a new party while the Congress and National Conference were the only two national and regional level active political parties in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir. Mehbooba Mufti, elected from the home constituency of Beijbehara in Anantnag district in 1996, was the CLP leader in the State Assembly.
Apart from practicing in the US after his post-graduation in the Law, Baig, being a senior counsel practiced extensively in J&K High Court, Delhi High Court, and Supreme Court of India Some of the important cases he had dealt with include the case of Reliance Petrochemicals in the SC, while he was associated with Shardul and Pallavi Shroff & Co in Bombay.
The case about Compulsory Convertible Debentures was being opposed by the senior Advocate, Ram Jethmalani. Quoting a ruling from the House of Lords, London, Baig, appearing for Ambanis asserted on the plea that no person should appear in public in any case while it is sub-juidice. The verdict was in favor of his plea, while the senior lawyer, Ram Jethmalani withdrew from the case. The legal luminaries present included N A Palkivala, Fali S Nariman, and Soli Sorabji.
He soon returned to Kashmir and decided to contest the elections as an independent to “work for the welfare” of the people. In J&K he is known for the Anti-Defection Law, following the new government formation by G M Shah in July 1984. A close associate of Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah and his son-in-law, G M Shah formed the Government after some of the NC MLAs defected to him from the Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah. Shah was the J&K Chief Minister from 1984 to November 1986, before Farooq Abdullah again took over after the Rajiv-Farooq Accord.
On the personal front, Baig got married to Safina in 2007, who is the first elected woman Chairperson of the J&K Haj Committee and also the DDC Chairperson of Baramulla.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Story / by Ehsan Fazili, Srinagar / August 23rd, 2024
Rukhsar Sayeed wishes to see a lot more young Kashmiri girls and boys in MasterChef India.
Kashmir’s Rukhsar Sayeed.
A 34-year-old woman food entrepreneur has become the first contestant from Kashmir to participate in MasterChef India, a cooking reality show which is being broadcasted on SonyLIV.
Hailing from south Kashmir’s Pampore, where India’s 90 per cent saffron is cultivated, Rukhsar Sayeed has shown a tremendous culinary passion and determination by reaching among the top 12 contestants of the show.
“Breaking barriers and stereotypes I have finally made it to MasterChef India to fulfil my dream. I no doubt had culinary passion since I was a teenager, then the food-specialised education was also at my back but on top of all the support shown by my family was unwavering,” says Sayeed who is currently in Mumbai for the shooting of the show.”
Born and brought up in Srinagar’s Hyderpora, in the year 2010 Sayeed was watching the shows of MasterChef Australia from which she developed the culinary passion and decided to study food technology. “I am on the top of the world to see myself among the top 12 contestants of MasterChef India, the country’s favourite cooking reality show. I am really proud of where I am standing today. I am also overwhelmed to find the support of my family including my husband, parents and in-laws, ” Sayeed tells Moneycontrol.
Calling herself an avid foodie Sayeed has two children while her husband Saqib Javaid Qadri is an assistant executive engineer.
After completing B.Tech in food technology from Islamic University of Science and Technology, Awantipora Sayeed did M.Tech in food technology from Amity University and finally completed her PhD in food technology in 2020.
Sayeed has not only made J&K Union Territory proud by being selected to compete in the prestigious MasterChef India but also expressed her feelings through Kashmiri cuisine and eventually impressed the judges. “So far I had a roller-coaster ride with ups and downs in the kitchen like other contestants but I have made some very good dishes which impressed the judges sitting in the show. I am confident to become the winner of the show because for the first time Kashmiri food is being presented on a large platform. I am trying my best to innovate something with our Kashmiri food. For example, I made Rogan Josh, (mutton dish with red gravy) which apparently does not look Rogan Josh but it does taste like Rogan Josh.”
So far in 11 episodes Sayeed says she made mouth watering cuisines like Babri Boul Falouda (basil seeds drink) usually served during Ramadan in Kashmir, Kashmiri Dhaniwal Korma (lamb curry bursting with coriander) and Kashmiri Dodhe Aal (pumpkin chutney), mesmerizing the judges and celebrity chefs like Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar, and Pooja Dhingra.”
Her father M Sayeed Shah says, “It is a dream come true for the whole family. It is a great honour to see her in Masterchef India. I don’t have words to express my happiness. I wish a great future and good luck to my darling daughter.”
Her mother Naseema Kirmani while expressing her happiness says that she is the happiest person to see her daughter in MasterChef India and wishes her best of luck for the show.
Before reaching the MasterChef India show in 2019, Sayeed emerged as the first woman from the Valley to start a frozen food venture — Khalis Foods. “After doing my PhD I was not interested in conventional jobs and therefore I opened a startup to provide people with unadulterated snacks and other healthy foods mainly for children. I along with my six employees are operating from my home in Pampore.”
The young food technologist explains that she is getting to see some of the ingredients for the first time in her life. “I am using some ingredients which are new to me in various foods. For instance, I use some of the popular food ingredients from down south with Kashmiri food.”
Sayeed maintains that being a mother of two children the decision to become a part of Masterchef India show was not easy. “It was a big sacrifice to leave behind my two children at home and participate in the show in Mumbai. I miss my children a lot but I am confident that I will return home as the winner of the show.”
Before getting selected for Masterchef India, Sayeed had participated in the state-level culinary competition and bagged second position in the competition.
She had also served her homemade snacks at an exhibition held at Sheri Kashmir International Convention Centre (SKICC) Srinagar, tickling the taste buds of people around.
In June this year, Rukhsar went through a rigorous audition process before being among the 12 contestants.
For young techie, the MasterChef India journey is a stepping stone in realising her dream of setting up a culinary school in the Valley and creating a chain of restaurants to provide healthy food for the food lovers. “I hope this show can give me limelight and help to boost my food business venture, currently operating in Srinagar. I am also thinking of creating a chain of restaurants in the Valley to provide healthy dishes to people. As a food technologist I am fully conscious of the hazardous preservatives, taste enhancers and food colours that go into our daily food and which is why I lay emphasis on healthy, pure and safe food.”
Regarding her favourite food Sayeed names Hakh (collard green; the staple diet of Kashmir) and Wazwan, (Kashmir’s famous multi-course meal). “Every dish is special but I am in love with Kashmiri food, mainly Hakh especially prepared by my mother and Wazwan prepared by our amazing cook locally known as Waza. From the beginning of my childhood the dishes prepared by my mother in the kitchen have been unmatched.”
Sayeed wishes to see a lot more young Kashmiri girls and boys in MasterChef India. “Since I am the first Kashmiri woman who has reached the famous cooking reality show I would want more people from my homeland to come here and show their food skills.”
She also claims that despite facing criticism from the people in Kashmir she managed to participate in the show to represent the Kashmiri cuisine and culture to a larger audience.
source: http://www.moneycontrol.com / Money Control / Home> News> Trends> Lifestyle / by Irfan Amin Malik / November 05th, 2023
J-K’s Shaista Khan wins ‘Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar’ in 2022
New Delhi [India], (ANI):
‘Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar’, initiated in 2011 to promote language and literature, has served as an inspiration in the lives of youth in Jammu and Kashmir, leading to the rise of their interest in the Kashmiri language.
Sahitya Akademi New Delhi had started this award in 24 languages. Nine writers have received this award for the Kashmiri languages so far, according to a report.
The latest in the list is a Srinagar-based young writer Shaista Khan who won the award for her fictional collection “Brand Birs Peeth” in 2022.
“It has been observed that due to this award, other novice writers are also getting inspiration and they are getting interested in Kashmiri language and literature,” the report said.
According to the report, the previous recipients of this award in the field of fiction, poetry, and criticism in the Kashmiri language include Nishad Azam, Farooq Shaheen, Adil Mohiuddin, Nighat Sahiba, Diba Nazir, Sagar Nazir, Muzaffar Ahmad Pare, and Razi Tahir Baghat.
A young writer, Nisar Azam, was the first one to receive this award in 2011 for his poetry collection ‘Pathalej Zone Dars’.
Farooq Shaheen was awarded this award in the year 2012 for his literary criticism book “Gash Miller”. Adil Mohiuddin received this award for criticism in his book “Zol Dith Sardars” in 2016. Nighat Sahiba was awarded the Yuva Praskar in 2015 for her poetry collection “Zardpankh Dear” while Diba Nazir won the award for her fictional collection “Zarin Zhom” in 2018.
Sagar Nazir won the award for his poetry collection “Thar Anganch”. Awarded in 2019 for Uva Proscar while the 2020 Yuva Proscar was won by Muzaffar Ahmed Pray for his poetry collection “Wauch Baath” and the 2021 Uva Proscar recipient in the Kashmiri language is Razi Tahir Bhagat who received this honour for his fictional collection “Yela”. Awarded for “Ain Phath”, the report said.
A certificate of Rs 50,000 is given to writers up to 35 years of age in a grand ceremony.
“This is a welcome step by the Sahitya Akademi to encourage young writers. It gives more inspiration to the writers and encourages them to produce quality literature,” the report quoted researcher Mohammad Salim Salik as saying. (ANI)
This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by ANI / January 01st, 2023
Manzoor Wangnoo leading school Children during an environmental campaign in Srinagar
About two and a half years ago when Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, a prominent businessman of Kashmir was asked by the anchor during a television show that he must say in 20 seconds what inspired him to work for saving and restoring Kashmir’s water bodies, he replied “Ehsaas”.
His reply explained how realization and concern on seeing the water bodies of the Valley shrink and gets degraded due to human greed and official negligence became the key to his massive efforts to awaken the public and undertaking the work to restore the Lakes to health.
He remembers visiting the 1.6 km by 0.6 km Khushal Sar Lake located on Srinagar outskirts in February 2021 for the first time. “It was in bad shape, choked with solid waste and smelling foul”, he told Awaz-the Voice at his office in Kashmir Mahal Resorts in the Nishat area overlooking the Dal lake.
“When I told the residents that it needs efforts to clean up the lake, they laughed”, he said, as he was accompanied by his team of volunteers of the Nigeen Lake Conservation Organisation (NLCO), established in 2000. He remember his three counsins – Latief, Riyaz and Muzaffar also joining him from the beginning of his campaign.
NLCO started with cleaning up the Nigeen Lake, and is currently focused on Khushal Sar, Manzoor Wangnoo recalled the oft-quoted couplet from India’s 20th century famous Urdu poet, Majrooh Sultanpuri (Asrar-ul-Hassan Khan): Meein akela hi chalaa thaa janibe manzil magar’; Loag Saath aatey gaye aur karwaan banta gaya”.“That actually happened”, he said. The target of cleaning Khushal Sar was completed in 100 days under the “Mission Ehsaas” (phase 1), which began on February 21, 2021. With the help of SMC (Srinagar Municipal Corporation) and other agencies, NLCO removed “3000 truckloads of muck from the Lake till date”, Wangnoo said.
Wangnoo with local resident at Gilsur bridge
“Now this (Khushal Sar) is not a dustbin”, he said and appealed to the Government to provide a drainage system and demarcation on the lake peripheries. The traditional navigational route, Zadibal-Sazgaripora in the lake was restored in phase 2 of “Mission Ehsaas” last year. Wangnoo said that the lake was orphaned and had been neglected for the past 30 years.
Without the efforts of the Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA), which keeps Nallah Amir Khan clean, the restoration work of Khushal Sar and Gilsar would not have been possible, Manzoor Wangnoo said. The authorities have prevented solid waste from flowing into the twin water bodies. He also praised successive Divisional Commissioners for supporting his work.
He called for a “competent authority” to take responsibility of the lake’s conservation, though J&K Lake Conservation and Management Authority (LCMA) looks after Dal Lake. “It (Khushal Sar) needs complete attention”, Manzoor Wangnoo told Awaz-the Voice, as phase 3 of clearing the muck began earlier this year.
“The mission received an encouraging response”, Wangnoo said and referred to its mention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat last year. Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha also expressed his “gratitude” to Wangnoo at least on three occasions in the last two years. “The idea of cleaning the Khushal Sar was of a prominent businessman of Srinagar city, Manzoor Ahmad, and the cleaning process was started with the help of the administration coupled with the efforts of the locals. It is a great example of public participation,” Sinha commented on one occasion.
“People in the vicinity (of Khushal Sar) have started to realize the importance of the conservation of the water body. Administration lent its support for the cause, especially SMC has been there to collect the waste from day one”, he commented.
The restoration of choked Khushal Sar to its pristine glory is not the first venture undertaken by Manzoor Ahmad Wangnoo, who has established his business in carpet and Kashmir handicrafts over the last nearly five decades. The 70 years old businessman, who was educated at Tyndale Biscoe School and S P College, Srinagar, learned the trade from his father in his early childhood.
Wangnoo in his office
As a businessman over the decades, what concerned him was the need “to create awareness regarding environment and saving water bodies of Kashmir, endangered by pollution”. Thus, he constituted a local NGO, Nigeen Lake’s Conservation (NLCO) in 2000 for the restoration of water bodies. “I took the challenge to restore the glory of the lake with the active participation of peoples… it aims to save the (Nigeen) lake from becoming a cesspool”, he said.
“This is our (team’s) identity wherever we go with efforts of saving the environment”, the devout Muslim pointing towards his white round cap, commented. “NLCO has taken on the role of a watchdog organization, to check vandalism, create awareness about the importance of conservation of water bodies in particular and the environment in general”.
Speaking of challenges, Manzoor Wangnoo said “land mafia and encroachers tried their best to stop us. But when three people, administration and NGOs – join hands everything becomes possible.”
After several years there was a sea change in the Nigeen Lake as “the people became aware of the importance of the pollution-free lake”, he said. Wangnoo has also contributed to helping the 2005 quake-hit people of Uri and Tangdhar by constituting Kashmir Welfare Trust and in the education sector by setting up Bilaliya Educational Institute.
Educational Institute, Srinagar
Nigeen Lake is connected via a narrow strait flowing beneath the Ashai Bagh bridge on the Lal Chowk-Rainawari-Hazratbal road. It is further connected to Khushal Sar and Gilsar through Nallah Amir Khan.
While he was continuing with his mission “to help enrich the quality of life of the community and preserve ecological balance and heritage through a strong environment conscience”, the October 2005 earthquake posed another challenge to him.
With the support of the concerned persons to deliver, he initiated the relief measures in the quake-hit areas of North Kashmir, which led to the formation of Kashmir Welfare Trust (KWT), an NGO to undertake the relief operations. The KWT, which initiated with the adoption of 69 earthquake victims from Tangdhar in 2005 has set up the Bilaliya Educational Institute in Srinagar where 1900 boys and girls are today enrolled. Also, it’s one of the leading schools in Srinagar.
He proudly says that some of the students of the school have shown excellent results with scoring distinction in the board examinations.
It Trust has also contributed to the relief and rehabilitation of the 2014 floods in Kashmir.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz The Voice / Home> Stories / by Ehsan Fazili, Srinagar / June 26th, 2023
