Two Indian families bag 'Distinguished Family' award in Dubai

March 23, 2016

Dubai: "My father's motto in life has always stuck with me. He used to say: 'only givers get'. By that, he meant if you give back to people, your life will be enriched."

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Speaking to media following the announcement of winners of the Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum Awards for Distinguished Academic Performance, Dr Sangeeth Ibrahim, winner of the 'Distinguished Family Award' - one of only five families awarded (two Indian and three Arab) - said he accounts for only one quarter of the deserving win. "My wife, Dr Sunayna Iqbal, my 15-year-old son, Amaan Iqbal Ibrahim and my 8-year-old daughter Jehan Ibrahim are behind the winning of this award."

His family was one of the 248 students, teachers and educators awarded for contributions towards education. Co-founder of Dubai-based NGO 'Destination Success UAE', Indian expatriates Ibrahim and Iqbal founded the online support system back in 2013.

Described as a "unique platform that connects students, parents and teachers, to facilitate dialogues, and induce creative tensions," Ibrahim said the key to better learning is collaboration.

"With the right motivation and support, children will be more inclined to do well at school. We need to teach them how to revise, how to listen."

Ibrahim and his wife have been teaching in schools across the UAE for more than 12 years, free of charge. If a student is having difficulties or is struggling in class, a school will schedule a session with the duo, who will then come in and teach the troubled student.

"Looking at the academic scenario here, only about five per cent of students do really well, and a lot do just average. We think with the right support kids can do better. It is a question of will and skill," he said.

Ibrahim and Iqbal were nominated for the award by Our Own English High School, Sharjah (Boys), and supported by Our Own English High Schhol, Sharjah (Girls).

"Both of us are trainers and both of us want to give back to society. I think that's why we were nominated for this award."

Giving up many weekends to work with struggling students, the duo - who both received PhD's last year - said they will continue their efforts towards better education.

"When I found out we won, I shouted out of joy. I even took today off to celebrate with my three winners.

The Ibrahims won a prize money of Dh35,000 and were one of two Indian families to win after a gap of several years. The second winner, Vinodkumar Palayil Bhaskaran Pillai - nominated by The Millennium School Dubai - could not be reached on Tuesday.

Though Ibrahim said he will plan a little family vacation with the winning, the majority will be donated to the UK charity 'Dig A Well'.

"It costs Dh700 to dig a well and each one helps support about 4 to 5 families. That is where a lot of the money will go."

Happy, honoured

Vinod Kumar Pillai, his wife Dr Sreelekha, and children, 17-year old Vimal V. Pillai and 13-year old Namitha Pillai are excited, too, for they too have won the Distinguished Family Award. Speaking to media of their family win, Dr Sreelekha said it was mainly down to the efforts of her children.

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"In 2013 my son won the student award and in 2015 my daughter won the student award, too."

Describing the moment she found out her family were winners, Dr Sreelekha said she felt "happy and honoured".

"We do a lot of social awareness work. We are working parents but we ensure our children know how important community work is."

Regularly volunteering with Dubai Cares, Manzil Centre and Emirates Environment Group, Dr Sreelekha said her children will continue to make her proud.

"With the winning money ... we will put it towards our children's future education fund."

A total of 248 out of 375 students, teachers and educators won prize money in the 18th edition of the awards - an increase of two per cent compared to 2015.

The majority of the winners came from the Sharjah Education Zone, with 67 winners from 97 applicants. Dubai Education Zone and Knowledge and Human Development Authority had 60 winners, Abu Dhabi 40, Ajman eight and Umm Al Quwain two.

The majority of the winners (204) were students who applied for the distinguished student category.

Other categories included distinguished university student, with 17 winners; distinguished teacher with nine winners; distinguished counselor with one winner; best implemented project with three winners; best scientific innovation with two winners; distinguished school with one winner; and institutions that support education with three winners. The winners will be honoured in an award ceremony on April 20.

Comments

Advisor
 - 
Thursday, 24 Mar 2016

Cheddis should learn an act of human being...

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Media Release
February 4,2020

On the occasion of 71st Republic Day of India, Qatar Indian Social Forum (QISF), Karnataka State organized a blood donation camp in Doha Qatar, in association with Hamad Medical Corporation on 31st January 2020, Friday.

At first, QISF Karnataka State Vice President, Ziaul Huq welcomed the guests, dignitaries and blood donors.

The Blood Donation Camp was inaugurated by ICC President Mr. Manikantan A P who was the Chief guest. In his inaugural speech, he emphasized that, Service to humanity is service to God. By donating the blood, not only we save the lives, but we get blessings also. He also said that punctuality is the key factor in these type of events and should be incorporated by all of us.

QISF Central Committee President, Sayeed Komachi highlighted the necessity and importance of donating the blood and assured QISF a socio cultural organization will always be ready for this noble cause.

Dr. Vishwantha Kini, a well known Radiologist in HMC motivated the donors.

The camp was started at    7.00 A M and ended at 5.30 PM in which 146 people donated the blood out of 185 people registered.

SKMWA President Abdul Majeed and Dr. Haroon from Asian Medical Centre, who were also the Guests in the programme praised the initiative and efforts of QISF. 

QISF Central Committee Vice President Salam Kunnamal, General Secretary Basheer Ahmed, Northern States President Fasiuddin, QISF State and Branch Committee members Lathif Madikeri, Zakariya Pandeshwar, Saleem Bangadi, Mujeebulla Khan, Nayeem Belapu, Ibrahim UB, Toufeeq, Anwar Angargundy, Rizwan Kalladka, Asif Bannur, Imtiyaz Karnad, Jaleel Kalladka, Haneef Montepadav, Rafiq Uppinangady and other members were present during the programme.

The program was presided and concluded by QISF Karnataka State President Nazeer Pasha.

Comments

Fasi
 - 
Thursday, 6 Feb 2020

Great job, this will save many lives. Hats off to QISF for this wonderful event on the occasion of Rebulic Day celebration. 

Zameer
 - 
Wednesday, 5 Feb 2020

Well done qisf...again u did a great work by collecting blood to serve humanity...qosf is a second word for humanity!!

Hassan
 - 
Wednesday, 5 Feb 2020

 

Masha Allah. Good Job done by QISF

 

 

 

 

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Shodhan Prasad
August 7,2020

Dubai, Aug 7: ‘Nama Tuluve’ Purushotham Salian, a staunch stalwart who always supported humanity and a strong pillar for Tuluvas in Dubai, passed away August, 4 at Al Tawam Hospital Al Ain. He was suffering from cancer and was admitted to Al Tawam Hospital Al Ain some time ago. He was on the last stage of illness which was not detected earlier.

His funeral last rites were conducted on Thursday August 7 at Jebel Ali cemetery in Hindu rites with a few of his family members present. Due to Covid pandemic, neither his body was able to be flown back to hometown nor could his two children come down to attend the funeral. However, it was said that his wish was to be cremated here in Dubai which unknowingly sometime back he whispered to one of his friends.

Purushotham had few years ago, survived a heart attack and fought back his life, though it had a minor paralytic effect on him. Even though, till recently he used to do his day-to-day work normally. He was a hard working personality and owned a readymade garment shop in Ajman and Dubai mostly taking care of clients with requirement of uniforms and coveralls. His dedication towards work was always appreciated by his clients who used to get their things delivered on time always.

He was never a publicity person and was helping the poor and needy in whatever ways he could silently. He strongly supported the community and was associated with Nama Tuluveru and Billawa community with commitment. He used to voluntarily come forward for the ground work of various functions of the community and used to be there until it was done perfectly.

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Media Release
February 7,2020

Global Toastmasters Club conducted Youth Leadership Program (GTC YLP– 2020), which  culminated with an extraordinary show at the Grand Finale in Puli Restaurant, Jubail, Saudi Arabia on Friday, January 31, 2020.

Toastmaster Mohammed Abul Khasim, who hails from Karnataka, Gulbarga was the Chief Coordinator for this Youth leadership program YLP, In this 10 weeks intensively focused program, the young future Leaders in the age group 13 to 15 were given quality coaching on Public Speaking, Listening, Writing, Evaluating and Life Skills, under the able guidance of Chief Coordinator.

The keynote speaker at the event was well-known veteran distinguish Toastmaster Dr R J George who motivated everyone to speak the language of love, removing all boundaries and barriers and invest on spending quality time together.

The performances of Youth Leaders were extraordinary and flawless and it was witness by top prominent figures of Jubail toastmaster fraternity likes of DTM Jamil Akhter,TM Nasiruddin Ansari, DTM Oomen Thomas, MTM Sair Oomen, DTM Hareesh, TM Amitab Serna, DTM Kotesh, MTM Shanti Rekha, DTM Suresh Kumar, TM Imtiyaz Khan, TM Asif Ali khan, MTM Farha Naved,TM Naved Hussain, Madam Sheeba, Dr Saleem Khan,TM Ashik Nazeer and TM Suhail Rais Khan. GTC YLP team thanks the Guest of Honor Mr. Abdul Majeed the Managing Director of Universal Inspection Company for sparing the valuable time as one of the sponsor of the event.

The Chief Guest at the Finale was Toastmasters District 79 Club Growth Director DTM Rami Jawad, laud the efforts of GTC for community service and urged all students to take full advantage of such chances as they present life changing opportunities, Division Direct ‘L” DTM Sadagopan address the audience and District PQD DTM Madhusha Grace the occasion. 

During the span of 10 weeks, more than 40 senior member of Jubail Toastmasters fraternity contributed to the success of this program as one to one mentors, Workshop Presenters and Assistant Coordinators. DTM Uzma Siddiqui, DTM Aziz Ahmed Siddiqui, DTM Safare Mohammed, DTM N V Arasu and DTM Jeyasankar and DTM Asif Ali Siddiqui, led the team of Toastmasters as overall Program Advisors, MTM Samina Mazher was chief judge for the event.

The grand finale saw four absorbing contests in Table Topics, Evaluation Speech, International Speech and Debate conducted by YL Ayesha Safare, YL Sai Pranav, YL Mohammed Saad and YL Fawaz Kannan respectively and YL Jaweriya conducted the banner parade.
Maliaka Maryam won the first prize in International Speech, while the second and third were earned by Mohammed Saad and Mohammed Umair. The Table topic contest was won by Ahmed Khan, where Jayveer Prajapati and Fawaz Kannan stood second and third respectively.

Sreena Nanda Kumar won evaluation Speech Contest, while Mohammed Sufyan and Sai Pranav stood second and third respectively. In Debate contest the team speaking against the topic represented by Hasib Javid, Muzaffer Shaik and Nabil Bin Tasnim stood first and runner team was represented by Sarah Nasir, Fathima Badruddin and Shanum Rabia . Hasib Javid was declared the best debate speaker.

The first term President Sarah Nasir and second term President Mohammed Ahmed Khan started the program with their presidential addresses after the Surah recitation by Nabil BinTasnim. YL Jumana Jaffer & YL Arman Raiq Siraj hosted the finale as Master of ceremonies. Immedate past Youth leaders and assistance Coordinators and workshop presenters Jaweriya Mariyam and Ayesha Safare conducted the award ceremony, while DTM Safare Mohammed handled contest operations.

Global Toastmasters President DTM Khalid Siddiqui and YLP Chief Coordinator TM Mohammed Abul Khasim thanked all Youth Leaders, Parents Sponsors and Toastmasters for their contribution in making the program successful. 

Past President of Global TMC, past Area63 Governor and first ever Joint Division E & L conference chairman Mangalorean DTM Shameer Ahmed Kudroli congratulated the Chief Coordinator Mohammed Abul Khasim for the effort and dedication to make the event a grand success and his journey to accomplish the DTM title soon.

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