Rising Beyond The Ceiling

2025 RBTC 100 Karnataka

Inviting Nominations

Rising Beyond The Ceiling Karnataka 2025 is for release on Karnataka Day 1st November 2025

[Updated 19 May 2025- 37 nominations ]

We are inviting nominations for our Rising Beyond The Ceiling 2025 List of Inspiring Muslim Women from the State of Karnataka. For more details you can reach out to our RBTC Karnataka State Coordinator, Ms. Sabiha Zubair. Nominations can be sent in any of our various professional categories with a brief 250 word profiles and photo to our Coordinator on her email sabihazubair1912@gmail.com or to risingbeyondtheceiling@gmail.com latest by 31st August 2025. The list of 100 Inspiring Muslim Women of Karnataka 2025 is for release on Karnartaka Day 1st November 2025 at Bengaluru. The last day for receipt of nominations is 31st August 2025.

The Rising Beyond The Ceiling (RBTC) professional categories include the following -[1] Shattering stereotypes in Uniform, [2] Achieving Academic Excellence [3] Administering Quality Education [4] Inspirations from Politics [5] Leadership in Administration [6] Professionals in Science and Medicine [7] Demonstrating Legal Acumen [8] Creative Contributors to the Arts [9] Taking Entrepreneurship Forward [10] Making an Impact through Media [11] Change Makers in Social Development [12] Impassioned Authors and Poets [13] Shining in Sports [14] Strides in Corporate Sector [15] Under 30 Youth Achievers.

For more information on our 2022 RBTC 100 list of Inspiring Muslim Women from Karnataka check out our link:

https://www.inspiringindianmuslimwomen.org/karnataka-rbtc-100

Our publication is also available on Amazon at : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BHV9JCDB

For your free gift copy of the RBTC 100 Karnataka E-book write to risingbeyondtheceiling@gmail.com

SABIHA ZUBAIR State Coordinator, RBTC Karnataka. Vice Principal and Head of the Department of Urdu, Abbas Khan College for Women, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profiles details.

Prof. Sabiha Zubair was born and brought up in Bombay. Her education started at Bombay Girl’s high school and Sophia college Bombay. She is a four-time Gold medalists from Bombay University, where she did a Masters in Urdu & Persian. All through her student days, she was recognized for her communication skills. In addition to the college stage, she was very often on All India Radio Bombay. She was on BBC Urdu during the year 1986-87 time. Prof. Sabiha has a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher Education from the Bombay University. After marriage she moved to Bengaluru in 1982. In time, she got accustomed to the Dakani dialect of Urdu that is most popular in Bengaluru. She has been a familiar face on ETV Urdu, Salar Digital and a voice on All India Radio Bengaluru. Sabiha also found a place in Bengaluru Theatre, where she has participated in many features and programs with the Kathputhli Theatre group. Once Sabiha’s was seen introducing “Zikr-eGhalib” in December 2021. When talking with her it is hard to gauge whether she is a more passionate teacher or Media person. More than 300 Radio and Television shows to her credit, Sabiha revives the works of stalwarts of Urdu using her creativity. The documentary on Faiz Ahmad Faiz is one such example. She has published one book “Badile - Nakhawsta”. Other publications are underway. In addition to her literary pursuits, Sabiha is also an ardent social worker especially focusing on education for women.
You can reach out to Sabiha on her email ID at sabihazubair1912@gmail.com
References:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoA6MSIShCshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BB8cZ3TNHQhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPdFUfe0vckhttps://youtu.be/ySn1YNT4cHQ

ZOYA NAYARA FATEHALLY Leadership Team Member, RBTC Karnataka. Former Squad group Leader/Technical Manager with Nokia Systems. Bengaluru.

Zoya Nayara Fatehally has worked since 2008 with Nokia Systems and Networks (formerly Alcatel Lucent India Ltd) at Bengaluru. She served as a Squad group Leader/Technical Manager. Earlier Zoya has worked at the Centre for Development of Telematics starting 1985, contributing to the telecom revolution of India – active member of the engineering team the PBX, RAX, MAX – not only design, test and field support but also taking the equipment to external laboratories for certifications. In 2000, she joined Velankini Information systems as the Quality and Product manager. Took the company from ad-hoc to ISO 9001 certified in record time. Next, Zoya became a part of the Indigenous hand-held computer team at Picopeta Simputers Pvt. Ltd. Successfully productised the Simputer in her role was the technical liaison between the tiny Academics’ led company and the India giant Bharat Electronics Ltd. Following this, was Indian start-up – MobiApps Pvt. Ltd., developing tracking products.
Born in 1960, Zoya completed her schooling and joined Aligarh Muslim University as an Engineering student. Completed Bachelor’s and Masters in Engineering from the Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology of AMU. Zoya is also PMP (Project Management Professional) certified. Zoya developed a deep interest in horse riding. At age 10, she joined the AMU Riding club and continued to be an enthusiastic and able horse rider , winning a National Tent Pegging prize and eventually, after being champion and Runners Up in the open competition at the club, went on to be the first (& perhaps only) woman captain of AMU Riding Club.
Links/References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoya-fatehally-8a4ba3/?originalSubdomain=in

AYESHA MASOOD Leadership Team Member, RBTC Karnataka. Co-founder and Trustee of Oasis International School Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profiles details.

Ayesha Masood is the co-founder and Trustee of Oasis International School Bengaluru. She is a graduate from Mount Carmel College Bengaluru (Integrated Home Science). In addition to English, Hindi, Kannada, Ayesha is also proficient in Urdu and to some extent in Arabic. One day she took her niece for admission to a school and was told to “take your children to your own institutions. If you don’t have a good enough school, start one!” This was what triggered her to think about starting a path-breaking school, which would be inclusive and needs-blind. Ayesha started with a Montessori for a single digit number of children in the green room of one public building. The IGCSE curriculum was chosen and the school kept growing and moved from one house-turned-school to another, until they were spread across three such buildings and then it was time. Her seed funding for building and campus came from the students giving a returnable loan! Of course, there were other fund raiser activities too. Ayesha initiated the development of an Educational Organization Management System (EOMS] to earn the ISO 21000 certification for the school. Now, about 24 years down the line, the school is a Cambridge accredited co-educational Institution with nearly 1000 students & a cupboard overflowing with Trophies and Prize cups. Ayesha also has more than 25 years experience with NGO’s, helping uplift and develop children through education, vocational training and healthcare.
You can reach out to Ayesha on his email ID at ayeshamasood@oasisintschool.org
References/Sources
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-masood-aba69544/?originalSubdomain=in• http://www.oasisintschool.net/

AIMAN ANSARI Analyst, RBTC Karnataka [ profile to be added]

Add updated profile

Shattering Stereotypes in Uniform (in alphabetical order)

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, HANIYA HANEEF, Commercial Pilot, Mangalore. Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

Captain Haniya Haneef Born on 2nd June 2001 in Kundapura Karnataka. Haniya did her initial schooling at Indian High School UAE, moved to India and completed 10th from Lourdes Central School and then completed 12th from Mahesh PU College Mangalore. Her passion for flying grew over the years of growing up in the UAE, air travel was the most exciting part of the entire trip for Haniya. Passion kept growing over the years, and her parents supported her in achieving her dream. Coming from a small Muslim Community it was a tough decision for her parents to stand against all odds and support her. She’s grateful to her parents for being there for her and helping her achieve her dream
After 12th she joined Orient Flights Aviation Academy Mysore for commercial pilot training. Among the many challenges faced by her CoVid and occasional extreme bad weather stand out as the major ones. These were directly obstructing her completion of practical training and flying. On completion of 200 hours of flying, after 3 years of training, Haniya obtained a commercial pilot license in 2024. She travelled to the UAE for a type rating on the Airbus a320. Presently Haniya is working for Indigo Airlines, a reputed commercial airline, in India. Within a short time, she has been felicitated by various groups and organizations including Muslim Central Committee.
References:• https://www.udayavani.com/english-news/mangaluru-21-year-old-hania-hanif-earns-pilots-wings• https://youtu.be/S1YP0Pnc1wk?si=KBdd23krRug9Iz_X• https://thehindustangazette.com/latest-news/captain-hania-haneef-made-her-dream-of-becoming-a-pilot-come-true-13936

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, HUDA MASROOR, Airline Pilot, First Officer at Indigo Airlines. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Huda Masroor is a proud daughter of Bangalore and a trailblazer in the aviation world as an Airline Pilot. Born and raised in Bangalore, she completed my schooling at Carmel Convent School and her pre-university education at RV PU College. Her passion for flying started as a child during her school days which led her to become an IndiGo Cadet Pilot in 2019. She underwent rigorous training, earning my Commercial Pilot License (CPL) at 43 Air School in South Africa, followed by her conversion training at GATI in Bhubaneshwar and she further went on to do her Airbus A320 Type Rating from AATC in Bangkok to get into an airline. In 2023, she achieved her dream of joining IndiGo Airlines as a First Officer, flying the Airbus A320. As a role model for young girls, she is passionate about inspiring others to pursue their ambitions and never give up on their dreams.

Professionals in Science & Medicine

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, AISHA SIDHICK. Senior Scientist at ISRO. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

SKY IS NOT THE LIMIT
Aisha Sidhick is a Senior Scientist at Indian Space Research organisation (ISRO). She is a part of ISRO from past 23 years actively contributing to various spacecraft & launch vehicle missions. An Electronics Engineer by profession, she was responsible for design & development of advanced & miniature sensors for various projects of ISRO viz. re-usable launch vehicles, Mars orbiter & Chandrayaan missions. Currently she leads a team for sensor design, development and indigenisation of various types of imported sensors. She also holds the responsibility of Deputy Project Director for the Gaganyaan mission & Deputy Project Director for New Generation Launch Vehicles. For her outstanding contribution towards ISRO’s prestigious missions, she was awarded with Astronautical Society of India – Young scientist award for the year 2006 & ISRO Young scientist award for the year 2013.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee. LULU MAHSOOD, Professor in Anesthesiology, Click side arrow for profile details.

Championing Safer Healthcare
Dr Lulu Sherif Mahmood [MBBS, MD, DNB, CHSE, CHSE-A, MSc (HSP), FAIMER Fellow (IPE)], is a Professor in Anaesthesiology and heads the Simulation and Skill Centre at Father Muller Medical College, India. She was born in Calicut, Kerala and completed her High school in Cannanore from Chinmaya Vidyalaya. She then moved on to Karnataka to complete her medical undergraduate degree from JJMMC, Davangere, followed by a postgraduate degree in Anaesthesiology from Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore. She has lived in Mangalore since 2002 with her family.
Dr. Lulu was entrusted to set up a skill lab in her institute and that was the beginning of her career shift to a Healthcare Simulation Educator. She completed her medical education fellowship at the Manipal FAIMER International Institute for Leadership in Interprofessional Education and Research and got her Masters in Healthcare Simulation and Patient Safety from University of Galway, Ireland along with various other international certifications to support her career as a Teaching Faculty. She is certified as an Advanced Healthcare Simulation Educator from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare and has served as a member of the certification subcommittee of the Society since then. She was the first to conduct a Simulation project during her Medical Education fellowship at the Manipal FAIMER International Institute for Leadership in Interprofessional Education and Research and later has been Adjunct Faculty to guide simulation projects every year since. She was also part of the first cohort of the International Healthcare Simulation Certificate course in Boston. Dr. Lulu conceptualised the pioneering Skill and Simulation Based National conference for all health profession educators titled SKILL EDUCON for two seasons and set a brand name and benchmark for inclusivity and competency based academic event within the national medical education network. She volunteers as Educational Consultant, Advisory Member, Research Doctoral Committee Member and Resource Person at International, National and State Universities, Societies, Committees, NGOs and other administrative and academic government and private forums. Her special interest lies in emphasising the need for Interprofessional education and in situ hospital-based simulation and scenario training for improving patient safety and quality of healthcare.
Dr. Mahsood's awards include Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Society for Healthcare Simulation (SHS) at (SIMULCON) at GSL, Rajahmundry on November 2024.; Best Alumni Award for her outstanding professional achievements and her contributions to her Alma mater, Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore on March 29th, 2025.
References:

RBTC Karnataka Nominee MAHAJABEEN MADRAKAR, Head of the Department of Dermatology, SR Patil Medical College and Founder of NGO Madarkar. Click side arrow for profile details.

Dr. Mahajabeen Madarkar was born into a middle-class family in Rampur near Sindagi taluk, a small town situated in the Bijapur district of Karnataka in the year 1987. Her father served in government, while her mother dedicated herself to homemaking. At the age of three, Mahajabeen contracted Polio, resulting in the loss of mobility in her lower body. Thanks to timely assistance under the Sarvashikshana Abhiyan by the government, Mahajabeen was able to commence her education at the age of six.
The teachers were caring and she turned out to be a good learner. Remarkably, until the seventh grade, Mahajabeen navigated her academic journey without the aid of crutches or a wheelchair. From class 8 to 10, the journey to D N Durbar School was about 15 kilometers long and needed a bus that was not very regular. Despite these challenges, Mahajabeen pursued self-directed homeschooling and emerged as the top performer in her class 10 Board examinations, achieving an impressive aggregate score of 92%.
Her desire to study science was met with obstacles – the local PU College refused her admission due to “physical disability”. Mahajabeen joined the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (Hubli). Soon after the 1st year, she underwent surgery for her legs making her miss 3 months of college. Rather than drop a year, Mahajabeen wrote the exams taking morning 3rd year and afternoon 2nd year papers, and completed MBBS in the required duration with an aggregate first class.
She went on to get through the PG CET and joined the Father Muller Medical College, Mangalore. She completed her MD (Dermatology). Dr. Mahajabeen has served as Assistant Professor in the BVV Sangha's HSK Medical College and Hospital. Currently, she is Head of the Department of Dermatology in the SR Patil Medical College. She also practices at the Madarkar Hospital.
She also oversees an NGO named Madarkar, dedicated to providing free consultations and, wherever feasible, treatment to individuals with physical disabilities. She is expanding the NGO's mission to encompass care for the elderly. Primarily funded through her resources, the Trust aims to alleviate the hardships experienced by individuals, inspired by her personal journey and her family's challengesDr. Mahajabeen has received several awards including the Karnataka State Achiever's Award in 2014 from the Government of Karnataka, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field of dermatology. Bharari Award from the renowned NGO for disabled individuals, "Helpers of Handicapped," located in Maharashtra.

Strides in Corporate Sector

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, AATHIKA IFTHIKHAR. Chartered Accountant. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Aathika Ifthikhar pursued her C.A under the guidance and encouragement of her father, Late. Ismail Sulaiman, who was a Chartered Accountant practising in Chennai. She then completed her articleship training under his firm ‘Ismail & Co.’ Unfortunately, before she could attempt her C. A final examination, Mr. Ismail Sulaiman passed away, in early 1989. This, whilst she was expecting. Later that year she attempted her examinations and passed them in her first attempt. She took the onus of reviving Ismail & Co. on herself - Carrying her maiden name in the name of the firm and carrying on the legacy.
Among many students under her guidance, she has also been a role model for her son to act in her footsteps qualify as a Chartered Accountant, who currently works as a Senior Manager with Pricewaterhouse Coopers. She is a fellow member of the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) and presently carries 35 years of professional experience, practising in Bangalore. She excels in & has a vast knowledge of Finance, Accounts, Taxation, Project Planning and Statutory Auditing, including Bank Audits. She advises clients on taxation/legal matters, company formation and associated secretarial services. Also, gives expert advice on compliance requirements and is an advisor to her clients on their financial health.
She caters to a vast clientele, however being one of the very few Lady C.A’s present, her clientele includes a lot of women who feel comfortable discussing their financial health and seeking her counsel. Social service comes naturally to her and through her years of professional relationship building has lent a helping hand to those in need of medical and educational support. She follows to date her school motto “Agi quod agis” (Do well in all that you do). Aathika is now a Grandmother of three little girls and has found in them her favourite passtime.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, HUDA JAFFER, Director SELCO, Sustainable Energy Solution Provider. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Huda Jaffer is a Designer with a keen interest in user-centric design, specifically in the sustainability and developmental area. She has a Bachelor’s in Design from Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology, Bangalore and a Master’s of Science in Engineering and Business (Integrated Design and Management) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge. She is one of the key contributors at the SELCO Foundation, now a pioneer in the field of building Ecosystem for sustainable energy access for the poor
As part of a project on vegetable cart for street vendors, Huda spent three weeks selling vegetables and fruits with her. This specific project reinforced her conviction in the bottom-up approach and the importance of understanding the users. This also led to one of her designs, in the study lights for children living in climate vulnerable areas and street vending carts with Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in Gujarat. Huda received a full scholarship from Good Energies Foundation for her Masters in 2016. Her thesis entitled “Lifecycle Analysis of Solar Panels in Development Countries” was targeted towards impact investors and philanthropists who invest in rural electrification programs for remote areas, to know more about the social costs and implications beyond the technical, environmental and financial aspects.
Huda has authored and coauthored numerous articles and book chapters. She is on the board of Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF), Sahas (an Indian Not-for-Profit for Circular Economy) and Atal Incubation Center-SELCO (A Centre for North-East Indian climate innovators and entrepreneurs), Co-Chair for the Start-up20 Sustainability Task-force by Niti Aayog, India’s engagement group as the presidency for advising the G 20 agenda on building an inclusive start-up ecosystem. Currently, Huda anchors a team of 220 individuals primarily working across technology innovation and scaling programs. She hopes to continue to integrate climate resilient technologies within local and regional ecosystems in challenging terrains across India and Sub-Saharan Africa.
References:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/huda-jaffer-11b002b9?originalSubdomain=in
https://idm.mit.edu/student/huda-jaffer/
https://idronline.org/contributor/huda-jaffer/
https://idronline.org/article/climate-emergency/how-decentralised-solar-energy-can-boost-public-healthcare/
https://www.architectmagazine.com/awards/r-d-awards/award-re-lamp-lighting-system_o
https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/978-1-80071-845-620231005/full/html?skipTracking=true
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/356281734_Sustainable_energy_management_in_the_health_sector

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, KAUSER KHAN, Corporate Trainer. Founder Protocol Institute, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Kauser Khan, a distinguished figure in the field of corporate training. From an early age, Mrs. Khan recognized the critical role of self-confidence in personal and professional success. Having experienced a stammer during her childhood, she deeply understood how a lack of confidence could impact individuals. This personal challenge drove her to develop strategies for building self-assurance and to help others trust in their own potential. Her training offers customized programs focusing on appearance, behavior, and communication to enhance professional and executive presence. These high-impact programs have been highly valued and made mandatory in organizations such as Robert Bosch, Accenture, Mercedes Benz, SAP India, IFB, Syngene, and Biocon International, among others Mrs. Khan’s commitment to enhancing individual and corporate growth through her training programs reflects her deep dedication to empowering others. Her achievements underscore her impact on the field and her role as a leader in fostering self-confidence and professional development.
Her contributions to corporate training and personal development have been widely acknowledged. She is a prolific columnist with features in Deccan Herald, Outlook Magazine, Times of India, Deccan Chronicles, DNA Magazine, Women Planet, and Deccan Herald. Some of her recognitions include the following: • National Award for Excellence in Corporate Training, presented by the Hon’ble Ministry of Education, 2017• Recognized as an "Influential Business Leader" at the GTF Women Excellence Summit, 2022• Featured in FORBES India as an "Inspirational Woman Entrepreneur," 2021• Awarded the National Excellence Award for India’s Best Corporate Coach and Image Stylist, 2019• Honored with the India-International Achievers’ Award for Customer Satisfaction, 2017• Recipient of the Global Achievers Awards in the Best Entrepreneur Category, 2017• Acknowledged with the International Rotary Award for Vocational Training, 2017• Awarded the TATA Startup Awards, 2010• Received Phenomenal Learning Experience (PLE) recognition from Accenture
Kauser is married to Mr. Jameel Ahmed Khan and has two sons: Mr. Omar Ahmed Khan, an accomplished entrepreneur, and Mr. Usman Ahmed Khan, who has embraced his mother's legacy by joining her institute, Protocol, as a celebrated trainer.
References:• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kauser-khan-82350315/• https://www.forbesindia.com/article/brand-connect/kauser-khan-an-inspirational-woman-entrepreneur-in-india/65111/1• https://hr.siliconindia.com/vendor/protocol-building-your-confidence-cid-2900.html• https://protocol.org.in/about-us/

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, RUMIA TAHZEEN, Automation Solution Architect, Nokia, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

From Turbo Encoding to Telecom Automation
Rumia Tahzeen was born in Chikmagalur and came to Bangalore for education. She proudly recalls that her school St. Theresa, Chamrajapet had the famed Shakuntala Devi as an alumni. Whether this contributed to her interest or not, but she turned out to be exceptionally interested in Maths and Physics.
Rumia had a family supportive of education both for girls and boys. She was a rank holder at Christ college, Bangalore for her Pre-university years and then went to PES Institute of Technology for her rank and scholarship speckled Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunication Engineering. Although Rumia’s first preference was Aeronautical Engineering but she had to settle for Telecommunications. One of her favourite memories is of an internship at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) & of her final year project on Turbo encoding, conducted in collaboration with ISRO at the CORI lab. PESIT contributed to the communication system used in PISat (PESIT Imaging Satellite), which was launched by ISRO on September 26, 2016.
Ms. Tahseen got interested enough in this field to start work in the market leader company – Alcatel Lucent that went on to become a part of the other Telecom giant Nokia. At present Rumia is part of Network Infrastructure team as an Automation Solution Architect at Nokia, Bangalore. Her work has given her opportunities to travel to Australia, Canada and the Middle East. She has a 2-year-old daughter. It helps that she has very understanding and supportive in-laws too.
Rumia uses opportunities to encourage young people around her to pursue education so that they can take informed decisions and find their calling. She believes that is a better motivation compared to just earning money. Her charity involves providing monetary support too.Rumia also indulges in Trousseau packaging as a hobby.
References:

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SEEMA SUBHAN, Loco Pilot at Namma Metro. Click side arrow for profile details.

From Engineer to Loco Pilot
Seema Subhan was born and brought up in Bengaluru. She started her schooling in St.Lourdes English School Mattikere , went to Malleshwaram Ladies Association High School later did her Diploma in Government Polytechnic for Women Bengaluru and completed her Bachelor of Engineering from University Vishweshwaraiah College of Engineering (UVCE).
Seema's father hails from Chitradurga and came to study and make a living in Bangalore. He studied Correspondence courses and got himself a degree and then a job at the famous Mysore Lamps. Unfortunately, Mysore Lamps had to close down. He got deployed to BMTC – from where he retired in 2023. Her mother , a housewife is from Bengaluru . The impact of being taken care of by the Public sector company, was immense on both Seema’s parents. Seema’s elder sister chose to study Engineering and works at Infosys. Seema found this profession very attractive and wanted to follow suit. During her Diploma at Government Women’s Polytechnic, encouraged by her parents and college mates she joined NCC. She completed her NCC training and got the 'B' and 'C' certificates from No.2 KAR AIR SQN(T) NCC UNIT. This stood her in good stead and she made it to the University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) using the quota of 6 seats reserved for deserving NCC students. Within the NCC quota, seat allocation depends on the participation in various Camps along with DCET merit. She gained the seat through merit. Seema Graduated from UVCE (Electronics and Communication) in 2013.
When it came time to start her career, Seema got placed in Ericsson India and Genpact Headstrong Capital Markets. Ericsson’s offer was on hold and she joined Genpact Headstrong Capital Markets in 2013. She worked there for 3 years and inspired by her friends and family, started applying for Public Sector and Government positions that would not take her away from her family in Bangalore. Meanwhile, she got married in 2014. In 2016, Seema got through in the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) selection. Everyone was happy. This was culturally very different from the Private sector life but it was an emerging enterprise so there was hope and she started as a Loco pilot. She underwent 6 months of technical training and then got the Competency certificate (similar to a driving License). In 2017 May Seema made her first independent trip. Currently she works in all shifts A,B,C as per Roster protocol. She covers the Green line. She needs to report to the Crew Control office where she takes a Biometric & Alcohol test & then logs in and go for long trips with a break of 25 to 30 minutes or so. Average drive is about 200 Km. 8 hours per day.
Working for 8 years, Seema, with her Engineering background, has learnt troubleshooting of the train, incident handling, train rescue and emergency evacuation of passengers during emergencies. She is mostly appreciated for incident handling.On Jan 20, 2025 she was the loco pilot that averted the Jalahalli suicide case. Saved his life by applying emergency brakes. Seema won the award Best train operator for that month. She had won this award earlier in 2018.
References:

Shining in Sports

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, AMREEN. Hammer Throw National Champion. Mangalore. Click side arrow for profile details.

Amreen is a National Level Athlete (Hammer Throw). Amreen was born in Mudbidri, Mangalore. She went to the Higher primary Jatana School, Jain High school and Jain Pre-University College. She has a B.Com from Shri Dhavala College, Mudbidri.
Amreen cheerfully recalls how destiny took her towards sports. She had just finished High school and with home food and not much activity had become a plump youngster. During this time, the Netball team needed players and some friends approached her. Her parents looked at this as an opportunity to become fit and get some outdoor time. One look at her and the Netball coach rejected her, advising her to go meet another coach. This was her lucky moment. The Fitness coach suggested that she fetch a hammer and throw it as far as possible. Her effort gave the coach confidence that she had potential. Both the coaches Mr. Mohd. Harris and Mr Naveen worked with her so consistently and with such dedication that in the first year, Amreen qualified for the Nationals. She participated in Kerala and this was the beginning of her sports career. These coaches remain her mentors, sponsors and father figures. Her gratitude for them is immense and forever. Her family have been supportive and encouraging despite pressures from the community. Her good friend remarked about her action during the hammer throw with ridicule, and then when she won medals and prizes the same friend came around and appreciated her and their friendship continued.
As a graduate with National level sports records, Amreen got a Central Government Income Tax Department position in Mangalore city. She balances her sports and means of livelihood well. She cleared one promotion qualifying examination and is preparing for the next one simultaneously preparing for the State level Senior Athletes meet (Karnataka).

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SOHA SADIQ, International Tennis. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Karnataka Tennis player with International rankings
Soha Sadiq is an international level Tennis player from Bangalore. Born in 1998, her family runs a small-scale Business. Soha earned a BCom. from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore in 2021 having started in 2016 – the college allowed Soha to take extra time to complete the course, while still playing Tennis. Her Tennis journey started with her father‘s dream of becoming an athlete. He was not supported by his family ostensibly because he was the oldest son of the family supposed to earn money and take care of the family, but he had had a dream.
Soha still remembers the day her father came to school and took her away early to play Tennis. 9-year-old Soha did not even know what Tennis was. She had never seen anyone play the game before except sometimes on TV. However, her father’s gesture excited Soha. On her very first day, she fell in love with the game. According to Soha “now, it is a part of who I am”. It has taken some discipline and tenacity. Soha would start at 5 & go to train and thereafter directly to school. School let her off early to go for afternoon training. After coming home, she had to complete Arabic lessons and homework before turning in.
Both her parents were strongly supportive and soon she was spotted by the owners of Centre of Sports Excellence Dravid Padukone Academy, Shama & Vivek who sponsered her. Without their support, Soha finds it hard to imagine how things would have gone. She is very grateful to her mentor, Jorge pinilla Hernandez and her coaches - Rituplawan Gogoi and Andrés Ramírez. In December, 2018 Soha won the state team tennis gold medal. She is the winner of Doubles in the $15,000 women’s ITF Tennis Tournament, Nagpur 2022 A 2023 runner up in Doubles $15,000 Woman Tennis tournament, ITF Ahmedabad. Soha has an international ranking in both singles and doubles and is continuing her practice of 6 to 7 hours a day at the Academy, traveling 44 Km for this. Her readiness regime includes half a day of “recovery” that comprises rejuvenation activities like ice bath, sauna, massages and the like. She plays on both clay and Hard courts.
References:

https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/soha-sadiq/800402261/ind/wt/S/overview/
https://www.wtatennis.com/players/323672/soha-sadiq

Taking Entrepreneurship forward

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, ASMA M. HOMBAL. Entreprenuer Farmer. Badami, Bagalkot, Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

Asma M. Hombal is a Bachelor degree holder from Chalachgudda village from Badami, Bagalkot district. Unlike the other graduates, after completing her graduation, Asma turned towards agriculture. Her family was cultivating betelvine since ages. Asma initially added banana and coconut to the farm diversity after studying the local market. Betelvine is one of the most important commercial crops of Karnataka. Once planted, plants will yield quality leaves for more than 30 years, with proper care. On an average, each plant bears around 18000 leaves in one year out of which, around 6000 leaves can be harvested per annum. She is cultivating betelvine in 3 acres of land earning profit of 36,000 per month. The other major crop is banana. Two acres of cultivation fetches a profit of Rs 50,000. G9 and Rajapuri banana varieties are cultivated. The yield of Rajapuri banana is less but it fetches higher price, and G9 yields more. In one acre, she is cultivating vegetable. After growing for certain period, the vegetable plots are auctioned. In one acre of land, she grows cowpea earning around Rs. 15,000 profit per season and providing biomass to soil and fodder to animals. She has 200 coconut plants along the bunds earning a profit of Rs 50,000/month. Milea dubia, drumstick, neem trees are the long-term investments for future income. Live fencing secures crops and also act as source of fodder. Guava, curry leaf and lemon plants serve the dual purpose of home consumption and additional income.Livestock unit ensures manure requirement, meets family nutrition and regular income of Rs 30,000 per month. Her joint family of six members works together, thus saving cost on labour. Without middlemen, direct marketing of produce has given them better price.
Asma is in continuous touch with ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bagalkot and Horticulture Department officials for getting guidance from time to time. She feels working jointly, judicious use of water, studying the market and planning accordingly and direct marketing are the secrets of success in agriculture. Her lawyer husband supports in procurement of inputs. They have one borewell to support the entire 10-acre farm.
References:https://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/women-and-agriculture/inspiring-stories-of-progressive-women-farmers/a-successful-betel-vine-cultivator

RBTC Karnataka Nominee MIZNA ALIMA. Founder DIZZY India. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

BREAKING BARRIERS, CHASING DREAMS
Mizna Alima was born on February 17, 2000, in Mangalore. A trailblazer in her community, she became a Chartered Accountant in November 2024, breaking barriers and redefining expectations for women in her field. Her journey is one of perseverance, ambition, and resilience. Mizna began her education at The Yenepoya School and later attended St. Agnes PU College, excelling academically and actively participating in debates, elocution, swimming, and athletics. At just 10 years old, she was introduced to Chartered Accountancy, sparking a passion that shaped her career aspirations. Determined to balance her rigorous CA studies with academics, she pursued a Bachelor of Commerce degree at St. Aloysius Evening College, managing daylong CA preparation alongside evening classes. Her dedication led her to become the first woman in her family to earn a college degree and achieve the prestigious CA qualification. Her success stands as a testament to the power of discipline and determination, proving that women can pursue ambitious goals just as fearlessly as their male counterparts. Now a newly qualified Chartered Accountant, Mizna is exploring professional opportunities to create a meaningful impact. She co-founded *DIZZY*, an entrepreneurial venture providing integrated financial and digital marketing services to startups, helping young businesses turn ideas into success stories. Mizna Alima’s story is one of resilience, ambition, and a vision for a future where gender is never a barrier to achievement.
References:

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SHENAZ KHALEELI. Co-Founder, CEO & Technical Director, PharmaLeaf India Pvt Ltd, . Click side arrow for profile details.

Shenaz Khaleeli was born into a conservative business family from Gujrat. She went to St. Joseph High School. Bandra Mumbai (1970-1980). The typical girl child of her family would stay home, study locally, and then get married, the boys would study and pursue career paths of their choice. They would drive cars and even leave the city or country if needed. Shenaz was not accepting of this gender bias. It was always Shenaz’s dream to be a part of the Healthcare industry. She tried the MBBS path, however constraint of having to study in her home city, made her explore other options. She enrolled in C.U Shah College of Pharmacy (Mumbai) which was acceptable to her family, being an all-girls college for her Bachelors in Pharmacy (1983-1986). Later she completed her Masters in Pharmaceutics from Kundanani College of Pharmacy (Mumbai) (1993-1995) and PhD in Pharmacology from Al Ameen College of Pharmacy (Bangalore) (1999-2007), alongside working in the Pharma industry in Mumbai and Bangalore. Almost by chance, she secured her first job as “Scientific Manager” (1988-1994) at Themis Chemicals (now Pharmaceuticals). This was the beginning of a long career over 3 decades in the Pharma Industry with Indian, Multinational & Lifesciences Companies, including Astra Zeneca etc.
The exciting teenage memory of earning from her confectionery eventually caught up with her. She stepped out as an independent entrepreneur in the niche space of “Biopharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs and Quality Compliance”. The company PharmaLeaf India Pvt Ltd and its CSR initiative “Zun Foundation” was founded in 2006. Her husband, from a business background came to support her as Co-Founder & COO.
Shenaz is passionate about training NexGen as a “Global Regulatory Practitioner (GRP)”. She collaborates with Academia as the industry guide to over 50 MPharm and even a few PhD students. She is the recipient of several awards including the Business Women of the Year from PharmaLeader, under the Ministry of commerce and Pharmexcil for ongoing contribution in International Regulatory Affairs (6th. Annual Awards 2012) and the *Woman Entrepreneur Award from Maeshaat, a platform focusing on minorities business & economy (2013)
References

RBTC Karnataka Nominee,SHUAIBA RAHAMAN, Founder WorldTouch Global Sourcing. Click side arrow for profile details.

A Journey to Purposeful Enterprise
Shuaiba was in her early 20’s when she returned with an MBA from Monash University, Austria in 2002. Armed with a degree focusing on International Business, she was eager to put it to practical use. Her family leather business contacts in New Zealand requested some import of Possum yarn (there was a glut) into India as a business proposal. This was the starting point of Shuaiba’s entrepreneurship journey. She travelled with her father to Ludhiana – home of knitwear in India. The traders and knitwear manufacturers showed less interest in Possum yarn but requested Shuaiba to help them in sourcing some other yarn from China and Korea. Shuaiba took up their request and travelled to both China and Korea. There she was able to connect with some suppliers and she started work as a sourcing expert. She had to go through pamphlets, lists, directories and send out cold emails asking for both exporter suppliers from China, Korea and import clients from India. She travelled to several centres of knitwear and Upholstery manufacturing in order to establish a working base. Today, Shuaiba is looking to expand her portfolio to include textiles. Her work spans the international market including Europe.
Since about 2007, Shuaiba got interested in the social issues around her. It started with volunteering for NGOs and spanned Consultancy, advisory roles and near-full time pro-bono assignments, e.g. 12 years at Akshara Foundation. Her main work has been in the area of Fund raising, Communications, Strategy and defining and streamlining processes. She also advised the Community college “Concerns Universe Foundation” on skill building and long-term vision.
Looking back to her childhood and youth, she finds that her parents were broad minded and supportive for both her and her brother alike. She did not have to deal with gender bias at home. She went to Baldwins Girls High school and then Mount Carmel College.She believes that her diverse career experiences and the people she met along the way have shaped her into the person she is today, providing her with invaluable skills, that the more conventional paths may not have offered.
References:

Making an impact through Media

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, AYESHA KHANUM, Chairperson Karnataka Media Academy, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Ayesha Khanum, a seasoned broadcast journalist and mass media expert, has been named the first female chairperson of the Karnataka Media Academy. With an illustrious 26-year career, Ayesha has held pivotal roles, including Chief Correspondent-South at Doordarshan’s 24x7 National News Channel (DD News), where she excelled in government communication and live event coverage. Her previous positions include Regional News Correspondent at Star News, Principal Correspondent at Aaj Tak, and Reporter at The Asian Age.
Ayesha’s extensive career includes significant coverage of critical events such as the Sri Lankan conflict, India’s moon missions, and major political developments across 11 Indian states. She has reported from international events like the G20 Summit and the BRICS summit and accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi on official visits abroad. Her fearless reporting includes coverage of the Telangana agitation and post-war Sri Lanka, notably as part of the first Indian team to visit the LTTE headquarters. Her achievements are recognised by prestigious awards, including the Indira Gandhi Award and the Karnataka Media Academy Award for her contributions to journalism. Additionally, she has received the Tippu Sultan Award and the Best Reporter of the Year award from the Bangalore Press Club.
Ayesha’s professional growth includes training with BBC and CNN, and she has been an influential voice as Secretary of the Press Club of Bangalore, a Nominated Member of the Karnataka Media Academy, and on the Boards of Studies at Bangalore University and CMR University. Ayesha holds a post-graduation in Mass Communication and a Bachelor of Science from Bangalore University, reflecting her deep media expertise and passion for travel, writing, poetry, and photography. Her new role as chairperson marks a significant milestone in her distinguished career.
References• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayesha-khanum-61ab4567/?originalSubdomain=in• https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/ayesha-khanum-to-head-k-taka-media-academy-3100767• https://youtu.be/EzRCql83cqk?si=LcRm47g3n9Aq22IF

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, NAHEED ATAULLA, Independent Journalist. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Naheed Ataulla is a journalist based in Bengaluru. A post-graduate in Mass Communication from Bangalore University, Naheed started her career by interning at the `Southern Speaker', the first English Eveninger, published by the Salar Group. She later worked for a few years the Daily Salar. As English language was her strength, she joined The Times of India, Bengaluru, and rose from the ranks of a Reporter to being the Political Editor of the organisation until she superannuated in 2019. Presently, Naheed is an independent journalist contributing to leading English news portals such as The News Minute, The Quint, the National Herald, Money Control and is also the Editorial Advisor to the Salar Group of Publications.
Reporting on political developments is her forte, which continues till now. Naheed is a recipient of the Karnataka Rajyotsava award in 2011, besides awards from the Karnataka Media Academy in 2001 and the Press Club of Bangalore in 2016Naheed credits her success in the field to her parents who backed her to the hilt. Her father M.A. Ataulla, who was the first industrial Psychologist in South India and mother, a teacher, believed that education gives economic independence and confidence to a woman.
Naheed had not planned to make journalism her career and wanted to follow in her father's footsteps by taking up Psychology after graduation. But when she topped in the entrance test for the Mass Communications course, she opted to continue there. Her interest in keeping up to date with current affairs made her opt for a Reporter's career. Over a period of time, she honed her skills in the field to become a political journalist, which she continues to do till this day.
References:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/naheed-ataulla-0912b0190/
https://www.thenewsminute.com/author-articles/Naheed--Ataulla
https://www.thequint.com/author/1542994/naheed-ataulla
https://www.nationalheraldindia.com/author/1631928/naheed-ataulla

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SUMMIYA YASMEEN. Co-founder & Managing Editor EducationWorld, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

CHAMPIONING CHANGE IN CLASSROOMS
Summiya was born and brought up in Bangalore. She is an alumna of St. Francis Xaviers Girls High School, Bengaluru (1992); Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru (1997) and the Asian College of Journalism (1998). After her internship in The Times of India, Summiya had the option of pursuing mainstream journalism. However, the superficial reporting on education in the mainstream media, as well as some global predictions that India would soon be home to the largest illiterate population, drove Summiya to choose development journalism in particular education journalism. Along with a like-minded journalist, Summiya co-founded EducationWorld – The Human Development Magazine in 1999 with the mission statement to “build the pressure of public opinion to make education the #1 item on the national agenda”.
Looking back, Summiya believes that the relentless focus on education issues, especially early childhood education (EW hosted the 1st International conference on early childhood education (ECE) in 2010 in Mumbai), has borne fruit in that the NEP 2020 has formally integrated ECE into elementary education. Another major milestone achievement is the introduction of the EW India School Rankings in 2007 which has since evolved into the world’s largest schools ranking survey rating and ranking over 4,000 schools across the country under 14 parameters of education excellence. She believes the widely respected EW rankings have motivated school managements to strive for all-round excellence and benchmark themselves with globally respected schools.
For the past almost quarter century, she has told the stories of thousands of dedicated educationists, philanthropists, teachers, edupreneurs and voluntary services groups (NGOs) working unsung to upgrade Indian education. Summiya is also co-founder and managing editor of ParentsWorld – India’s pioneer parenting magazine – launched in 2016 with the objective of offering parents aid and advice to enable them to nurture and prepare children for the complex challenges of the 21st century. Summiya also has 3 books to her credit101 Great Universities of the World; 17 Great Legacy Schools of India and 21 Leaders Transforming Indian Education. She serves on the Advisory Council of the Association of Indian Principals.
References:• https://www.linkedin.com/in/summiya-yasmeen-6a5164b/• https://www.educationworld.in/• https://indianprincipals.com/advisory-council/• https://indiamags.com/category/parenting-magazines?srsltid=AfmBOoo8N96A4pjGYm1VKPidVNmf0IrQ-urdeKBS_teHafOxHmSTigIG

Change Makers in Social Development

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, AYSHA, Ambulance Driver, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

A LIFELINE OF COMPASSION
Aysha was born in Kundapur and grew up with three brothers and a sister. She did not have the opportunity for formal schooling but was determined to build a better future. In 1995, after moving to Karkala with her husband, she sought work to support her family. She took on any available job at a local hospital, starting as a cleaner and peon. Through sheer dedication, she secured a permanent role and has worked there for over 18 years. Her turning point came in 1998 when, during a driver shortage, she volunteered to transport a patient. Encouraged by the hospital management, she took a bank loan and started an ambulance service. She selflessly transported patients, deceased individuals, and those suffering from mental health issues. What began with one ambulance has now grown into a fleet of four.
Aysha’s compassion extended beyond her ambulance service. In 2015, she rescued a destitute woman and provided her shelter. This act of kindness led to the creation of Suraksha, a home that now shelters 80 people, including seven school-going children. Despite challenges, she continues her mission, working tirelessly to care for the abandoned and mentally ill. Now nearly 50, Aysha remains a beacon of hope, with her daughters supporting her in this extraordinary journey of service.
References• https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1109467• https://www.facebook.com/surakshavraddhashrama?mibextid=ZbWKwL• https://youtu.be/4zNSL-c82M8?si=5lvCCxC6beJbd4ge

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, BALKHEES BANO, Social Activist, Shimoga, Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

CHAMPIONING EDUCATION & EQUALITY
Balkhees Banu is a dynamic leader, educator, and social activist who has dedicated her life to empowering marginalized communities, particularly women and minorities. Born and raised in Bhadravathi Taluk, Shimoga District, she pursued her education in government institutions before earning a Bachelor of Education from the National College of Education, Shimoga. Her journey into politics was not by choice but by necessity. After starting her career as a teacher, her unwavering commitment to social justice led the people of Bhadravathi to push her toward politics. In 1987, she was elected to the Zilla Parishad, securing the highest number of votes in Karnataka. As the Education Subcommittee Chairperson, she launched a movement for girls' education, establishing thousands of schools and advocating for the appointment of 2,800 Urdu teachers and 2,000 Kannada teachers in Karnataka’s Urdu schools.
In 1992, Balkhees became Karnataka’s first female Zilla Panchayat President, focusing on rural development, sanitation, and water supply. Her efforts in Swachh Bharat (Nirmal Karnataka) made her district a model for cleanliness and infrastructure. Recognizing her work, the government sent her to the United States in 1996 to study primary education reforms. As Chairperson of the Karnataka State Minority Commission (2014), she fought for scholarships for girls, established Maulana Azad schools, and secured judicial powers for the commission. Today, she remains actively engaged with state leaders, advocating for minority rights and women’s empowerment.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SARVATH ADIL KHAN. Founder of Learning Point Foundation, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

EDUCATION FOR EMPOWERMENT
Sarvath Adil Khan is an educationist and social reformer committed to empowering marginalized communities through education. With a strong academic background, she holds a B.A. in English, a B.Ed. in English and Psychology, and an M.A. in Psychology. Currently, she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, further deepening her expertise in the field of learning and development. Her journey in education began with a deep-rooted passion for teaching and language training. After completing an English and Teaching Trainer Course from Cambridge, she worked as a trainer at the institution for a year. Her dedication to shaping young minds led her to serve as a Head Mistress, where she gained valuable experience in academic leadership. However, her vision extended beyond conventional education, driving her to establish the Learning Point Foundation in Bangalore. Through this initiative, Sarvath has provided education and vocational training to some of society’s most vulnerable individuals, including school dropouts and victims of abuse. Under her leadership, thousands of students have completed their education and gained meaningful employment. She believes that education is not just a means of acquiring knowledge but a powerful tool for restoring dignity and independence. Her relentless efforts continue to transform lives, ensuring that learning remains an accessible and life-changing opportunity for all.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SHABANA RIHAN NAWAB. Founder Tarbiyat-ul-Banath , Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Mrs. Shabana Rihan Nawab is a mentor to hundreds of women living in the urban slums of Namma Bengaluru. With a vision of creating safe spaces for underprivileged women, she founded Tarbiyat-ul-Banath, a learning center in Rajendranagar, Bengaluru, under the patronage of her mother, Mrs. Mumtaz Begum Nawab. Through this initiative, she not only facilitates skill development but also provides financial aid to those in need. Her journey of service began in her early 20s, driven by a commitment to uplift and empower women. A firm believer in the philosophy, “Empowered women empower the world,” she has spearheaded numerous programs through Emmar Charitable Trust, focusing on education and vocational training. Over the years, her work has expanded to include monthly pensions for senior citizens, widows, orphans, and individuals with disabilities. She also organizes free meal distribution at NIMHANS and Jayadeva hospitals, serving over 500 people five days a week, and provides free hearse van services to ensure dignified last rites. Additionally, she has made education more accessible by offering free K-12 schooling and professional courses like Nursing and Teaching, while also supporting young women by organizing weddings for those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her efforts are inclusive, extending to people of all religions, castes, and communities.
As a dedicated educationist and Founding Trustee of Sherwood High, Mrs. Nawab continuously strives to adapt to the evolving education landscape. Her vision for the future is to create lasting opportunities for women and children, leaving behind a legacy of service.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, THABASSUM, Founder, SnehaDeep- Supporting HIV positive children. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Thabassum was born in a less affluent family of 5 sisters and a brother. She was exceptionally good in studies at the Green View High School and did very well in Class 10 – topping her class. She was not able to continue higher studies and needed to take financial help to complete her PUC at Besant College, Mangalore. Soon there was a proposal for her marriage. Coming from a backward area (Konaje), Thabassum and agreed to be married when she was just short of 18 years old. Her home life was not easy. Some incidents like her son’s arm fracture made her acutely aware of her complete helplessness and she decided to take some steps in order to have at least a minimum financial independence. She started working in an office. While she was going through her share of difficulties, a good friend of hers lost her husband to AIDS. The friend and her daughter had to face a lot of societal exclusion and trauma and soon even the friend passed away leaving her daughter in Thabassum’s care. Even though the daughter was not HIV positive, she was not accepted by society. Thabassum helped her and thus started her work towards HIV positive children.
SnehaDeep was started in 2010-11 in her own home with one child to look after. Since then, in more than a decade, there have been more than 50 children who were cared for, nurtured, married off or buried. The work Thabassum does is filled with tremendous emotional stress. The children are abandoned by their families and she has to take care of their last rites irrespective of varied rituals. Over and above, is the difficulty in getting funding, premises as well as staff for her work. There is still a stigma associated with HIV which she has face frequently in different forms. There were silver linings to the dark clouds looming over her. Generous donors came forward to keep SnehaDeep going. Some regular and some sporadic. There is also some state scheme fund available on a per child basis for the children under 18 years of age. On the personal front, even her family supports her in the best way possible. With all of this, Thabassum is managing a Tailoring shop, SnehaDeep and continually striving for the betterment of the children under her care.
For her service to the children, Ms. Thabassum has been recognized and awarded:

2011 - District Rajyotsava Award
2012 – Aparna Award 2017 - Swabhiman Award
2018 - Digvijay women Award
2020 - Press Club award
2023 - Deccan Herald changes Award
Coastal Karnataka Mother Theresa Award,
Super Guru Award, Miland Award
Sulthan gold &diamonds Nari Shakti award on women's day 2023 and still counting

Administering Quality Education

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, BENAZIR BEG. Founder Secretary, Raza Excellent English Schools, Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

RESCUE. REFORM. REBUILD
Benazir Baig grew up in Agra in an Air Force household – disciplined and secular. She completed high school from Vimanapura High School in 1989 & PUC from Hasanath college. BA in Hindi from Andhra University in 1994. MA in Hindi, Bangalore University in 1996. Moving to Bangalore in her teenage was a culture shock. Their neighborhood was conservative and almost homogenous. Looking around she was horrified to see bonded child labor, rampant patriarchy and very little awareness of education and opportunities. She set about changing as much of this as she could. She would rescue bonded children, get their mothers to buy in to the concept of education and then skill the mothers to earn enough to make child’s education a reality. A few mothers and their children joined her cause. The locals were threatened & showed resentment in many ways. Meanwhile, Benazir completed her PhD in Education from Einstein International University in 2013.
With help from like-minded people and NGOs, Benazir started an NGO (Raza Education and Social Welfare Society) to help children facing different oppressive situations. It was a small start in half a building. Her students were most often those who could not have joined other schools for some reason – poverty, mental or physical deficiencies or sometimes juvenile criminal backgrounds. Her father, as well as her husband, were very supportive and stood by her every step of the way. They bought the other half of the building and on request from the then tenant, agreed to wait for 2 months until he found another shed to house his wares. Instead of vacating, in a few months, he served a court notice that he did not agree to evict the premises. Benazir and her husband faced the court case for almost a year to no avail. Then Benazir adopted the Gandhigiri that had been shown in a popular Hindi movie to successfully get possession of her property. All the techniques of peaceful dharna, flowers and the use of media were used. This made Benazir very famous – even BBC and some Japanese media came to learn more about her and her work. Before the building could be completed Benazir lost her supportive husband to CoVid19. At present, the 7-floor school “Raza Excellent English Schools” educates children to be good citizens of the world. There is also a NIOS section and a skill center for mothers. It is not just a school; it is Benazir’s change monument—a new mindset and stepping stone for women, children, and society.
References

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, HUSNA FATIMA RAHAMAN, Founder of Larkspur Educational Trust, Administering Quality Education. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

CHAMPIONING INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
Husna Fatima Rahaman, founder of Larkspur Educational Trust, established the institution in 2004 to support children with learning disabilities. Her journey began when her daughter, diagnosed with dyslexia at age 8, struggled with conventional schooling. Unable to find a suitable educational environment, Husna created Larkspur—a place where children could learn at their own pace, free from exam pressures, while also engaging in creative activities like baking, art, and embroidery. Two decades later, Husna’s efforts have transformed the lives of over 1,000 students, many of whom have pursued higher education and meaningful careers. Her daughter graduated with a degree in hospitality from Christ University and became a pâtisserie chef. As a Special Educator and Counsellor, Husna emphasizes holistic development, balancing academic and emotional well-being. Larkspur now offers a flexible OBE (Open Basic Education) program aligned with NCERT, providing international-standard homeschooling for students who need an alternative to traditional schooling. In 2025, Husna is set to launch a free Masjid schooling initiative for school dropouts (ages 6–14) at Bismillah Nagar Masjid. Her dedication to accessible, inclusive education continues to empower young learners, ensuring they grow into confident, capable individuals.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee MUNIRA AKHTAR,. Educationist. Founder Montessorians United, Bengaluru (Click side arrow for profile details.

Munira Akhtar's belief in Montessori education led her to earn a Diploma in Early Childhood Special Education (1997-98) while working as a Faculty Assistant at The Indian Montessori Training Centre (IMTC). Two years later, she completed a Diploma in Inclusive Education at KPAMRC, Bangalore, and served as an Advisory Board Member at IMTC for two years.
In 2000, Munira became Principal at Little Feat Montessori House of Children, where she worked for 13 years. She found that traditional Montessori techniques sometimes needed adaptation to meet all children's needs. By modifying Montessori materials, she achieved excellent results for specific students, demonstrating her dedication to addressing diverse learning needs.
In 2014, Munira founded Montessorians United (MU), a network of Montessori education experts aimed at democratizing quality education, especially in tier 2 and 3 cities in India and beyond. MU’s mission includes raising awareness of Montessori education and empowering young women by helping them gain employment in India and abroad.
Munira’s work has significantly impacted the establishment of Montessori Schools, including over 12 in Kerala and Karnataka. Her commitment to creating nurturing learning environments tailored to each child's needs is evident. Munira sums up her mission: “My strength lies in my passion for early childhood education and creating environments where each child can thrive. My goal is to spread awareness about early childhood education and support children in their formative years.”
References• https://www.linkedin.com/in/munira-akhtar-430b6928?originalSubdomain=in• https://youtube.com/@montessoriansunited4841?si=feb8QvJ5bVBGcho4\• https://www.facebook.com/share/sGDHb72X1TA286Wr/?mibextid=qi2Omg• https://montessoriansunited.blogspot.com\

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, NAFEESA AHMED, Director, Presidency Group of Schools. Click side arrow for profile details.

Leading with Legacy
Dr. Nafeesa Ahmed commenced her educational journey at the Presidency School RT Nagar and completed her senior secondary education with an ISC Arts at Sophia High School. She d holds a Bachelor’s in Business Management from Mount Carmel College and a Master’s in English from Bangalore University. She also pursued a B.Ed. degree from Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). Further advancing her education, she pursued an M.Sc. in International Management from Royal Holloway, University of London, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Education Management from Ecole Supérieure Robert De Sorbon (ESRDS) in France.
Dr. Nafeesa Ahmed has completed continuing education programs like HR Management and Analytics at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard Business School. Dr. Nafeesa Ahmed was conferred a Ph.D. in Education Management from Ecole Supérieure Robert De Sorbon (ESRDS), France, at the esteemed “House of Lords,” London.
A significant turning point in Dr. Nafeesa Ahmed’s career came when she was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Presidency Group of Schools. This role was both a major professional milestone and a profound acknowledgment of her ability to uphold and advance the legacy of educational excellence established by her father, Dr. Nissar Ahmed. It was required for her to transform from educator to a leader capable of inspiring and driving innovation across multiple institutions.
Awards & recognitions

Economic Times Power Icon Award,
Education Icon of the Year 2024 by Education Today,
Education Leader of the Year 2024-25 by Education World.
"The Most Visionary Leader Empowering the Educational Sector 2024" by CIO Times Magazine.
“Outstanding Performer” in Education and Leadership by Outlook Business Magazine.
In 2023, she was invited as an “Elite Speaker” at the ‘APAC 5th Global Education & Skill Conclave’, organized by APAC News Network.
'Spirit of Enterprise Award' at the Global Education Awards 2023,
'Education Icon of the Year 2021' by Education Today,
'Economic Times Power Icon Award for Exceptional Contribution in Education' in 2020.

References:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-nafeesa-ahmed-20646870/

Excellence in Academics

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, HALEEMA FIRDOUS, Urdu Scholar & Academic, Gulbarga, Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

Professor Haleema Firdous, is a celebrated Urdu writer and academic. Her educational journey began at GGHS Gulbarga, followed by a B.A. from V.G. Women’s College, Gulbarga, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Mysore University. Motivated by a deep love for Urdu literature, Prof. Firdous embarked on a teaching career in 1976 after being recruited by K.P.S.C. She faced the challenge of promoting Urdu in a predominantly non-Urdu speaking environment but overcame this by introducing engaging initiatives like quiz competitions and literary gatherings.
One of her career highlights was organizing a seminar on the preservation of the Urdu language at RC College of Commerce, where she served as the Secretary of the Language Club. As the Principal of Shantinagar First Grade College, she efficiently established a library and academic infrastructure despite limited resources.
Prof. Firdous, who was born on July 25, 1952, in Shakarnagar, Nizamabad, is the author of seven acclaimed books, including "Mashaallah" (1986), "Baher Kaif" (2002), and "Alfaz ki Duniya" (2008). Her work has earned her numerous awards, including four Karnataka Urdu Academy Awards, for "Baher Kaif" (2003), "Alfaz ki Duniya" (2008), and "ARJ" (2018). Additionally, she received the Shams Kalkattavi Award from the West Bengal Urdu Academy and the Bihar Urdu Academy Award for "ARJ" in 2018.
As the Founder President of Anjuman-e-Khush Dilan and Vice President of Mahfil-e-Nisa, Prof. Firdous continues to make significant contributions to Urdu literature.
References• https://www.rekhta.org/authors/halima-firdaus/all• https://www.facebook.com/share/p/v5LF9eL1H8L3zFd8/?mibextid=oFDknk• https://www.karnatakaurduacademy.com

Inspirations in Politics

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, NAFEESA TASLI, President Peruvayi Gram Panchayat Dakshina Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

Nafeesa Tasli, a resident of Peruvayi village in Vitla, Karnataka, at the age of thirty one only actively served as a member of the gram panchayat. During a categorical election, she was elected as the Vice President and was subsequently entrusted with the responsibility of overseeing the Swacha Vahini vehicle, aimed at promoting cleanliness and sanitation initiatives within the community. There was no one ready to drive that vehicle because it was a garbage collection vehicle. Having prior experience in driving, she decided to take it up herself. She got some training on how to drive that vehicle and started to collect garbage. Someone clicked her picture and it went viral, attracting both negative criticisms and some positive encouragement. Despite the mixed reactions, she persevered in her garbage collection efforts without receiving any assistance from others.
Nafeesa has a supportive family. Her husband works abroad and she has 3 children aged 11, 6 and 3 months old child. Due to her dedication to work, she was felicitated by then chief Minister Basavaraja Bommai during the World Youth Skills Day program.She later became president of the gram panchayat and started organizing camps as she wanted to serve and work for society. She has been facilitated and honored by Al Amin committee UAE.
References

Creative Contributors in Art

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, NISHA ABDULLAH, Artistic Director of Qabila and Founder Member of OffStream. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Born on the border of Pondicherry and Kerala, Nisha Abdullah was an infant when her family moved to Muscat. She had her early schooling there. Her childhood was comfortable and she had not quite made the connection between hard work and accomplishment. It was when Nisha moved to Kerala for Higher schooling, that she realized the value of efforts and went on to top her class 12 (PUC II) at the MES college Calicut in 2001. During this time in an all-girls convent, Nisha became aware of restrictions, boundaries and her discomfort at having her wings clipped. She also made many strong friendships and lifetime bonds.
After a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from St. Agnes College Manipal, Nisha was campus recruited to a corporate firm in Bangalore. Her early life working in the corporate world showed her how she could be good at her job, make money & yet long for something else. She was interested in Theatre and found the Bangalore Theatre community both welcoming and supportive. After dabbling as a novice, doing workshops, being mentored by masters of the field and trying her hand at various aspects of Theatre, Nisha found her niche as a performance story teller, playwright, and Artistic Director of Qabila, a theatre collective she founded in 2018.
With a very strong community connect, she is often found working to communicate issues of marginalized groups. She typically articulates the lesser-known point of view on matters of socio-political importance. She creates work that is rooted in the interplay of power-gaze-identity-belonging. Her work is both feminist and political. Her recent production “how long is February? a fantasy in three parts” has been showcased in Edinburgh Fringe festival 2023, the largest arts festival in the world. Her 2nd venture “Offstream” created in 2020, supports artists across arts practices who work with an anti-caste imagination. The collective works to build community about anti caste advocacy.Today Nisha is a part of active Theatre as well as Academia – teaching at both schools and universities of repute. She also supports community needs by enabling learning spaces for youth from marginalised communities, and also by fundraising to meet gaps in educational needs.
References

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisha-abdulla-782a1b1/?originalSubdomain=in
https://www.instagram.com/livesinthoughtbubbles/
https://qabila.in/
https://www.instagram.com/offstreamfishes/
https://www.goethe.de/ins/in/en/sta/ban/ueb/rex/exr/nis.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMb0xfDie1c&ab_channel=DramaSchoolMumbai

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SUHANA SYED, Playback Singer. Shivamogga, Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

Suhana was born in Sagar in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka. She studied at the Sagar Government School and college. She went on to obtain an MBA from Dayanand Sagar College. Her parents were both teachers in Government schools. Her first step into the public eye came with the Indian TV Music talent show, show Sa Re Ga Ma Pa. She emerged at number 7. Suhana went on to win the Saregamapa Championship 2021 as a team. This was telecast on Zee Kannada.
Suhana performs on stage, does TV shows, sings playback, and has released her albums too. She also tours as part of concert groups both inside India and abroad. Her interest in singing comes from listening to folk music during her childhood. This is one of the genres along with semi-classical that she has chosen as of now. She typically sings in Kannada but has also done some Hindi songs. Suhaana made her debut in Kannada films with the movie Statement. Since then, she has sung in many movies and made several albums. She was awarded the prestigious Sahitya Academy “Kengal Hanumanthaiah” award in the year 2018 and the Sagara Rathna Award in 2019 She has performed with other popular singers like Vijay Prakash, Arjun Janya, Rajesh Krishan, and others.
References:

Leadership in Administration

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, NOOR ZAHARA KHANUM, Chairperson Mangalore Urban Development Authority MUDA. Click side arrow for profile details.

A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE AND IMPACT
Noor Zahara Khanum, a distinguished civil servant from Mysore, completed her schooling at St. Anne’s Girls' Convent and graduated from St. Philomena’s College. Coming from an agricultural family with limited financial resources, she was determined to build a career through merit. Aware that she had only one opportunity to succeed due to family constraints, she cleared the Karnataka Administrative Service (KAS) exam on her first attempt and was appointed as a Junior Scale Officer in 2012.
Ms. Khanum's dedication and efficiency led to key administrative roles, including Chief Administrative Officer at Raichur Medical College, where her service was widely recognized. This paved the way for her appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat in Raichur. Her contributions earned her recognition as one of Karnataka’s Power Women by the Lead India Foundation. Currently serving as the Chairman of the Mangalore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), Noor Zahara continues to play a vital role in governance and public service. Throughout her journey, she has been supported by her parents and husband, whose unwavering belief in her potential helped shape her success. Her career stands as a testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of perseverance in overcoming challenges.

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, ZAHERA NASEEM, Indian Administrative Service (2013) KAS (1998). Gulburga. Click side arrow for profile details.

WAEVER OF PROGRESS
Zehera Naseem, an IAS officer of the 2013 Karnataka cadre, has dedicated her career to innovation and public service. Born in Gulbarga (now Kalaburagi), Karnataka, Zehera completed her MSc in Environmental Biology as a gold medalist and earned an MPhil in Endocrinology from Gulbarga University. She hails from an academically accomplished family. Her father, Dr. M.P. Mulla, was a veterinary doctor, and her mother, Safiya Shameem, is a homemaker. Zehera, the youngest of three sisters, is married to Asad Ali Soherwardi, a businessman and LLB graduate. Starting her career as a KAS officer in 1998, Zehera became an IAS officer in 2013. Currently, as Managing Director of Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Ltd. (KSIC), she oversees the production and marketing of the renowned Mysore Silk. Since August 2023, she has introduced innovative designs, boosting KSIC profits to ₹65.74 crores in 2022-23 and ₹78.23 crores (provisional) in 2023-24.
In previous roles, Zehera served as CEO of Bidar during the COVID-19 second phase, focusing on upgrading schools and Anganwadi centers. As MD of KSRTC, she implemented fuel-saving measures, earning a national award. A member of the Board of Auqaf, Zehera continues to combine heritage preservation with modern governance, making a lasting impact on Karnataka's development.

Authors & Poets

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SHAMEEM SURAYYA. Educational Administrator & Writer. Kalaburgi, Karnataka. Click side arrow for profile details.

Dr. Shameem Surayya is an educational administrator and writer from Kalaburgi (formerly Gulbarga), North Karnataka, India. Born on December 5, 1949, she is the daughter of Mohammed Sulaiman Khateeb, a Deccani poet, and Rashida Begum. Shameem completed her schooling at Bi Bi Raza Girls High School, Gulbarga, before pursuing higher education in Hyderabad. She graduated with a B.A. from University College for Women, Hyderabad, in 1968 and later earned her B.Ed. and M.A. in Urdu from Karnataka University Dharwad. In 1993, she obtained a Ph.D. in Urdu from Gulbarga University.
Shameem began her career as a high school teacher at Khaja Education Society, Gulbarga, in 1970. Her dedication to teaching led to her appointment as the principal of Bi Bi Raza Degree College for Women, Gulbarga. This position provided her with opportunities to serve in various capacities, including as a member of the Academic Council, Senate, Syndicate, and Board of Studies at universities such as Karnataka University Dharwad, Gulbarga University, and Akka Mahdevi University for Women, Vijayapura.
During Shameem’s almost thirty years of service as the first principal of the college, she worked hard to persuade poor, uneducated, and conservative families to send their daughters for college education. With the support of the college management and the leadership of KBN Society’s president, Hazrath Sayyed Shah Mohammad Mohammadul Hussaini (RA), she introduced modern courses like computer science and biotechnology and established a Distance Study Center of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad, at the college. The center offered both undergraduate and postgraduate courses

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, SHAREEFA K., Kannada Poetess. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

K. Shareefa was born and brought up in Gulbarga. They were 5 sisters and 2 brothers in an Urdu-speaking and traditional neighborhood. Shareefa was attracted to Kannada mainly because of a childhood Kannada-speaking friend. Early in school life,she was faced with patriarchy that she resented. At class 7, she was told by her father that this was the end of her education because there is neither tradition nor need of educating daughters more than this. Shareefa did not accept this.
She used the home sewing machine to stitch clothes and earn enough to pay her fees for class 8 and went back to school after a year’s break. Soon after High School she enrolled at the typing institute and fast tracked to become a qualified typist. She went on to find herself a job at the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee(APMC) office via the Employment exchange. She managed the job while being a student of PUC 1st year. She recalls her routine of early morning typing and then 3 periods of college and back to APMC typing. Finishing her day with some work at the SFI office. She started writing her mind quite early and continually got involved with issues involving injustice and discrimination. One occasion she recalls traveling from Gulbarga to Bijapur to fight for a woman who had been attacked for watching a movie in the Cinema Hall. Shareefa had been deeply influenced by Akka Mahadevi’s writings on breaking the shackles of patriarchy and other set boundaries. This is seen in her life and writings.
She has served on selection committees for books, provided consultancy for the Karnataka Writers Association and been member of both Urdu and Kannada Sahitya Academy at different times in her long association with literature. She has been recognized by the literary communities of Nallur, Tumkur and by the state winning different awards and honors. The awards range from her specific work “Burqua Paradise” to life time achievement awards for her contribution to Kannada Literature. K. Shareefa is an active Kannada Poetess and writer participating in public events and promoting new thought and sensitivity through her works. She lives with her family in Bangalore.
Awards:• Attimbe Literary Award• Mallur Prasad Award – for lifetime Service• Anka Award for Service to Literature• Siddalinga Pattana• Honoree Award for Lifetime Service by Sahitya Academy• Veeche Prasanna Award• Dr. Geeta Desai Award bykarntaka Literary Association

Under 30 Achievers

RBTC Karnataka Nominee, ASMA BANU. Seven times gold medalist. Bengaluru. Click side arrow for profile details.

Asma Banu is the daughter of late Abdul Waheed retired Head master and mathematics teacher. She was born and bought up in Mulbagal Kolar district where her schooling and PU studies were done. Right from her childhoods he was passionate about science and mathematics subjects, knowing the physical phenomenon occurring in our surroundings and universe made her more curious about the subject. Her parents and teachers have been her strongest support and inspired her in every aspect.
Asma graduated from Government science college (Nrupatunga University) her combination of PME (Physics, mathematics, electronics) in the course led me a strong base for her higher studies. She pursued "Master's in Physics" from the Department of Physics, Jnana Bharathi campus Bangalore University. During the course, she had an opportunity to work in a project entitled "Synthesis and characterization of Aluminium doped tin oxide thin films" based on nano opto-electronics concept, this influenced her to go through the research program.
In addition, working in projects, attending workshops and visiting laboratories motivated her more towards research. Since then, every year has proven to be professionally more rewarding than its precedent. Recently on 17th of October 2023 Bangalore university 58th annual convocation was held and Asma was awarded with 7 gold medals and rank 1 for her performance in M.Sc. Physics. It was an immense honour to receive the award from Honourable Governor of Karnataka "Thawar Chand Gehlot" and in the presence of education minister and all other delegates. As of late 2023 she is a pursuing her PhD from department of physics Bangalore university Jnana Bharathi campus, under the guidance of Dr Basavaraj Angadi sir. Focusing on the subject of "nanotechnology and material science".

Rising Beyond The Ceiling is supported by SAFAR Foundation . SAFAR stands for Supporting Action For Advancement & Rights.

RBTC Karnataka Leadership Team

Dr. Farah K. Usmani, Founder & President, New York

Ms. SABIHA ZUBAIR State Coordinator, RBTC Karnataka

Ms. ZOYA FATEHALLY, Leadership Team Member, RBTC Karnataka

Ms. AIMAN ANSARI, Analyst, RBTC Karnataka

The photographs and text on this website has been provided by individual women honorees through interviews, emails, text as well as taken from the references and sources which are provided with the profiles. While the team have made every effort to provide accurate information at the time of publication, neither the editors or the RBTC assume any responsibilities for errors or changes that occur after publication or assume any responsibility for third party websites or their content. For more information contact risingbeyondtheceiling@gmail.com

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