Rising Beyond the Ceiling - Assam & North East

INVITING NOMINATIONS - RISING BEYOND THE CEILING

100 Inspiring Muslim Women from North-East

Rising Beyond The Ceiling (RBTC) is a global initiative to shine a spotlight on achievements and contributions of Muslim women of India, both in the country and in countries around the world.

The North-East RBTC 100 Women Inspirations List seeks to recognize Muslim women from Northeast states of India who have made their mark in different professions and are contributing to nation building in a variety of ways . The 100 stories will capture the resilience, challenges and t experiences.

RBTC 100 Honorees profiles will serve as an inspiration and role model for the next generation of women, in northeast, across India and the world.

Nomination Criteria: Stereotype shattering stories of 100 Inspiring Muslim Women from North East

Nominations of inspiring Indian Muslim women from North East states of India are invited. The women can be professionals in any of the categories - academicians, doctors, lawyers, authors, poets, painters, scientists, researchers, corporate and international development professionals, entrepreneurs, economists, journalists or any innovative field.

Criteria for RBTC 100 Northeast Inspirations (1) Women professionals who belong to any of the states of Northeast India. (2) They can be based and working in any part of India but grew up and belong to Northeast (3) They have studied at an Indian educational institution in Northeast - school/college but can be based anywhere in the country (4) They can be from any profession or field of work; (5) They have made their mark in their chosen field and their story if inspiring for the next generation of women (6) They identify themselves as Muslim (7) Can be of any age above 21 years and are living.

Mail with brief 250 word summary profile, links and photo to risingbeyondtheceiling@gmail.com

RBTC North East : Nominations of Inspiring Muslim Women ( alphabetical order)

Leadership in Administration

RBTC North East Nominee. FARDINA ADIL. IRS, Indian Revenue Service. PCCOT. Mumbai. First Muslim woman from Northeast to clear UPSC . Hometown: Hatigaon, Guwahati, Assam,

Fardina, a former student of Disneyland School and Cotton College of Guwahati, informed the audience that she cleared the IAS in her first attempt and with about 8 months of preparation putting in about six hours every day. She said, she depended on newspapers and Wikipedia for gathering knowledge about new topics and never referred to any guide books.It tool 66 years after independence for Assam to produce the first Muslim woman IAS officer – Umme Fardina Adil. She encouraged the aspiring candidates for developing a politically neutral view and showing an aptitude for analytical dissection of the subject in question. She also asked the young generation to be socially committed, stressing that this attitude would see them through in any interview.
References/Links

RBTC Northeast Nominee. MARIA TANIM. Assam Civil Services. 2016 Assam Civil Services Exam Topper. Hometown: Hailakandi District. Assam

The story of the Assam Civil Services Exam 2016 topper Maria Tanim is no different from the “flight of the Phoenix.” She had appeared for the ACS exam in 2014 and when the results were out, she found that she failed to qualify for it just for one mark. She was utterly disappointed and demotivated to the extent that she decided not to sit for the same again. It was only her parent’s persuasion that motivated to make another try in 2016 and lo, she came out topper of about 100 aspirants who made it to the finals. This was narrated by Maria at a felicitation programme that was hosted by Smartcoach in Guwahati on Sunday.
“I am an ordinary girl and there’s noting special about me. I love cooking and am a fan of Salman Khan,” said Maria while interacting with the young crowd that had come to greet her on her outstanding success. Maria traces her roots in Hailakandi District of Assam, had her early education at Kendriya Vidyalaya Silchar, and her post graduate degree in biotechnology from Amity University Noida. She had her grooming for the competitive exams done at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Coaching Centre, USTM and another small stint of coaching with Smartcoach.
Her father Kutub Uddin Barbhuiya is a retired block development officer and mother Ismatara Barbhuiya a retired teacher. Maria had her early education at Kendriya Vidyalaya Silchar, and her post graduate degree in biotechnology from Amity University Noida.
References/Sourceshttps://muslimmirror.com/eng/women-achievers-of-barak-valley-join-marias-felicitation-at-smartcoach-in-guwahati/https://nenow.in/north-east-news/assam/acs-topper-maria-tamim-to-guide-civil-service-aspirants-of-barak-valley.html

RBTC Northeast Nominee. MEHBOOBA BEGUM Joint Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Legislative Department. Dispur, Assam, Photo to be added.

Mrs. Mehbooba BegumJoint Secretary to the Govt. of Assam,(Grade-II of Assam Legal Service),Legislative Department.Address: E-Block, 2nd Floor, Assam Secretariat, Dispur, Assam, 781006.
References/Sourceshttps://legislative.assam.gov.in/about-us/detail/key-officials-22https://judicial.assam.gov.in/sites/default/files/swf_utility_folder/departments/judicial_uneecopscloud_com_oid_3/menu/document/notificaton_regarding_nominated_as_nodal_officer.pdf

Impassioned Authors and Poets

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. ELI AHMED , Writer, script writer, director, lyricist, costume designer, actress and a social activist. Padmashri Awardee. Hometown: Assam.

Known for her significant contribution to children’s and women’s literature, noted writer-activist Eli Ahmed is a Padma Shri awardee. An all-rounder from the North-eastern state of Assam, Ahmed is a renowned writer, script writer, director, lyricist, costume designer, actress and a social activist, to mention just a few among what she has done in her life. Her books include “Romanthan” and “Asom Jyoti” and have rose to critical acclaim. She is also the Editor, Publisher and Proprietor of “OraniI”, the only women magazine in Northeast since 1970. She is best known for her play “Ami abhinoy kora noi,” a drama based on physically handicapped children, child labour and child education.
Links/References:

Shattering Stereotypes in Uniform

RBTC Northeast Nominee. NAYAMA AHMED. Assistant Jailor, Tezpur Central Jail-cum-detention centre

Nayama Ahmed, assistant jailer of Tezpur Central Jail-cum-detention centre

References/Sourceshttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/tezpur-jail-official-to-set-up-clothes-bank-for-inmates/articleshow/55933107.cmshttps://twitter.com/nayamaahmed

Demonstrating Legal Acumen

RBTC Northeast Nominee.ANJUM ARA BEGUM. LL.M, PhD (Law), Human Rights Defender, Guwahati, . Assam

Anjuman Ara Begum, LL.M,Ph.D, is Human Rights Activist, Women Wrongs Activist, freelance journalist and blogger from North East India.LL.M, PhD (Law), Human Rights Defender, Freelance Journalist, Researcher, Academician
References/Sourceshttps://twitter.com/Anjuman396https://www.blogger.com/profile/17059054447513913687

RBTC Northeast Nominee. AMEERA YASMIN MAZUMDER. Assam Judicial Service, Judicial Magistrate First Class. Hometown: Jorhat, District. Assam

Ameera Yasmin Mazumder topped the list of successful candidates of the LL M examination of Gauhati University (2013),
References/Sourceshttps://muslimmirror.com/eng/women-achievers-of-barak-valley-join-marias-felicitation-at-smartcoach-in-guwahati/https://jorhatjudiciary.gov.in/judicial-officers.html

RBTC Northeast Nominee. MILI HUSSAIN Civil Judge ( Sr. Division) Cum Assistant Sessions Judge . Assam Judicial Service. Hometown: Jorhat, District. Assam

References/Sources
https://jorhatjudiciary.gov.in/judicial-officers.html

Professionals in Medicine/STEM

RBTC Northeast Nominee. NAZNIN YASMIN Scientist ISRO Headquarters, Andhra Pradesh. Hometown: Nagaon district Assam.

Nazneen Yasmin, who is from a middle-class family of central Assam’s Nagaon district joined the ISRO after cracking the toughest selection test two years ago. The young scientist has been involved in radar tracking in the launch department of ISRO for more than a year.
But the journey was not easy for Nazeen Yasmin. While she was on maternity leave for her firstborn about six months ago, she was recalled for crucial operations at least twice and she took her child along. Despite facing the challenges of married life and the post-pregnancy phase Nazeen was very passionate about the Chandrayyan-3. Many a time, Nazeen worked from home by keeping her baby in her lap.
Naznin Yasmin, daughter of Abul Kalam Azad and Manzila Begum of Maherpar near Juria in the remote Nagaon district received her appointment letter as a scientist at the ISRO headquarters in Swar Sriharikotha, Andhra Pradesh around two years back.
Naznin Yasmin received her primary education at Nuruddin Furkania JB School, Juria in Nagaon district in central Assam. She performed brilliant results in the matriculation or Class X final exam from Kadamani Town High School in 2007. She passed the Class XII exam from Alphabita Science Junior College in 2009 with letter marks in several subjects in the science stream. She later obtained her B.Tech in Electronics from NITS Mirza College, Guwahati in 2013 and her M.Tech in First Division from Tezpur University.
Along with working in various private scientific institutions, Nazneen passed the National Eligibility Examination under the University Grants Commission in 2018 and also qualified for the Junior Research Fellowship of the Government of India. Nazneen Yasmin, who had dreamed of becoming a scientist since childhood, said she was inspired by the success of India's first female astronaut Kalpana Chawla. She urges the younger generation not to think of themselves as weak and prepare themselves to get a place in the leading institutions of the country through hard work.
Also, Nazneen was inspired by the life and work of former President Dr. APJ Abbul Kalam, who came from a family with modest means, a family source said.
References/Sourceshttps://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/chandrayaan-success-assam-scientists-nazneen-yasmin-baharul-islam-shine-23526.html

RBTC Northeast Nominee. NAHID SURAIYA ISLAM, Senior Consultant, Neuro Psychology and Psychiatry. Hometown: Guwahati, Assam.

Dr. Nahid Islam, Consultant Psychiatrist, GNRC

References/Sourceshttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KBX8pa1_W4

RBTC Northeast Nominee. SHABNAM CHOUDHURY, Dental Surgeon, Hometown: Guwahati, Assam.

Dental Surgeon at Employee State Insurance Corporation( ESIC ). Dr Shabnam Choudhury is a dental surgeon by profession, a trained classical dancer and a painter by passion. An alumnus of Pine Mount School, Shillong, Lady Keane College, Shillong and Cotton College, she completed her dentistry from Rajiv Gandhi University Of Health Sciences, Karnataka. At present, she's working as a consultant Dental Surgeon at Employees State Insurance Coorporation Model Hospital, Beltola, Guwahati under Ministry of Labour and Coorporation (Government Of India) since 2009.She is always in the fore volunteering to contribute her knowledge and skills for the cause of others .She believes it would be her privilege if she can create more dental awareness among the masses as good oral hygiene leads to good overall health. She wants every child to keep smiling with a healthy pair of teeth.
References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/shabnam-choudhury-aa8690183/?originalSubdomain=inhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOK7JFqawCY

Creative Contributors to the Arts

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. BEGUM PARVEEN SULTANA, Classical Singer, Padma Bhushan 2014. Hometown: Nagaon, Assam

Begum Parveen Sultana (Assamese: বেগম পাৰৱীন চুলতানা; born May 1950) is an Indian Hindustani classical singer of the Patiala Gharana.[2] She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1976 and the Padma Bhushan in 2014 by the Government of India and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 1998.Begum Parveen Sultana received training from Acharya Chinmoy Lahiri, among others. Begum Parveen Sultana started her professional career with Abdul Majid's Assamese Film Morom Trishna. She has sung for Bollywood movies such as Gadar, Kudrat, Do Boond Pani, and Pakeezah, and several other Assamese films. Recently, she sang the theme song of Vikram Bhatt's 1920.[3] She also sang Humein Tumse Pyaar Kitna for the film Kudrat in 1981.
She has recorded for HMV, Polydor, Music India, Bharat Records, Auvidis, Magnasound, Sonodisc, and Amigo.
Links/References:

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. RAHAM CHENI, Award winning Artisan Weaver, Hometown: Barkhetri Assam

Raham Cheni, a Muslim weaver from Assam had lost everything including her house to the rage of the Brahmaputra River 37 years ago. aham Cheni weaves traditional Assamese clothes and gamoshas. She weaves 6 meters of clothes daily. She also weaves Khadi clothes.
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission selected her as a special guest for the Independence Day parade in New Delhi on August 15. She represented the Khadi sector in the parade.She also received the Best Artisan Award from the Khadi Board in 2021-22.“Raham Cheni has become an inspiration for many weavers for her brave battle with life. Despite losing everything in flood and erosion she never gave up weaving. She is a role of positive energy in life for others
It was in 1986, that a stoic Raham Cheni saw her house and her everything being swallowed by the surging Brahmaputra. She remained calm, composed, and determined to continue her struggle. In a few years, she became economically self-sufficient by weaving clothes. She rose to become the provider for her family as her husband had no work after his agricultural land was washed away by the river in Mukalmua in western Assam’s Nalbari district.
After the floods, Raham Cheni and her family shifted to Narayanpur in the same district. My husband lost his agricultural land in erosion. We were left with nothing and had to start from scratch. Though my husband started working as a daily wage earner, he hardly earned enough to support our family of two sons and a daughter. So, I had to shoulder the responsibility.” She started working as a weaver with the Barkhetri Development Committee. Every year her income started rising,” Raham Cheni told Awaz-The Voice Assam. She lost her husband eight years ago which meant more responsibility for this 59 year woman.
Links/References:

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. KISMET BANO, established her own theatre troupe ‘Wings Theatre’ (cultural group)in Guwahati with a view to using theatre in education to children, working for spastic girls

Kismat Bano established her own theatre troupe ‘Wings Theatre’ (cultural group)in Guwahati with a view to using theatre in education to children, working for spastic girls in association with Sishu Sarothi, India, conducting theatre performance-oriented workshops for orphan and indigenous girls in rural areas, and working with the blind children of Guwahati in promoting theatre among differently abled children.
A performer in front and behind the scenes, Kismat Bano is among this year’s recipients of the ‘Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar’ Award 2020 in the field of theatre and acting. A forerunner as Northeast’s pride last month, Sunday Shillong unravels Bano’s individualistic path as a creative artist in her performative journey.
stage prodigy from Guwahati, Kismat Bano, has gone beyond the call of duty and done what perhaps no artist of her age has so far done in Assam. She has got a mini theatre hall built atop their residential house at Dhirenpara in the city, most of the funds coming from her regular savings, and her army contractor father Liaquat Ali contributing the rest. This mini theatre hall, with a capacity of 75, will enable her to train the neighbourhood children in the art of acting on one hand and arrange plays to be staged here, on the other hand, from time to time to promote theatre and theatre awareness in the city. The mini theatre hall will be inaugurated on Tuesday, March 6, during which two plays, ‘Bidhyabalan’ (Assamese) directed by Naren Patgiri and ‘Bade Bhaisahab’ (Hindi) directed by Dilip Khanal will be staged.
It may be mentioned here thatKismat Banoreceived the ‘Young Talents Artistes Award’ for the year 2016-2017 from the hands of PB Acharya, Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, at a colourful function that was hosted at the Raj Bhawan in Itanagar in July last year. The annual award was announced by the selection committee of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) under the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India.
Kismat Bano, who earlier received a scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India, has in recent years performed in major drama festivals across the country as well as abroad. Two of her most recent plays staged in Guwahati and other cities of the country, ‘Helen’ and ‘Bano’, not only received appreciation from the theatre loving crowd everywhere but also critical approval from the press.
Kismat Bano, at a very young age, has already acted in over 25 plays in different languages- including Assamese and Hindi and these plays have been staged in many major cities of the country. To mention some of these plays: Aakaash, Madyhyabartini, Jatra, The lesson, Komala Kuwori, Helen, and Puhor. She has participated in different top drama events and festivals such as Bharat Rang Mahotsav, Nandikar, EZCC, Sangeet Natak Academy, Prithvi, Nehru Centre, PDA festivals, Kalakshetra Chennai, Octave festival (Goa and Rajasthan) and at Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival etc.
Links/References:https://muslimmirror.com/eng/stage-prodigy-kismat-bano-gets-mini-theatre-built-city-kids/https://theshillongtimes.com/2022/12/11/star-performer-one-take-at-a-time/

Change Makers in Social Development

RBTC North East Nominee. MANJUWARA MULLAH. Social Activist Hometown: Barpeta, Assam

Manjuwara Mullah from Assam’s riverine sandbank who is leading Muslim women to social, financial empowerment. Manjuwara Mullah from the north-eastern state of Assam is a social activist whose initiative Amrapari has changed the lives of many women in the poorest region of Assam.
As a woman social activist Manjuwara Mullah from Barpeta district’s Rupakuchi village in the north-eastern state of Assam would get anxious when distress phone calls from numerous women from the Char areas would pour in seeking her help to get their male family members back home during the Covid-19 lockdown. She faced twin problems — getting the sole breadwinners of the families back home and ensure income for these people so that the impoverished families can sustain the pandemic as well as the economic hardship.
The people of the riverine sandbanks, known as Char areas in Assam, are one of the poorest in the state, have the highest illiteracy rates, a fewer number of landholders and very limited source of income. This crisis, along with the devastating yearly floods force massive labour migration from Char areas of the state to southern Indian states where they work as daily wagers.
For 36-year-old Mullah facilitating the process of getting the migrant labourers back home was an immensely difficult job, and as the migrant labourers took the uphill task of travelling thousands of kilometres to their homes, she started to focus on the women members of the migrants’ families and how they could be engaged in something that earns them money to fend for their families.
Being an activist and with academic exposure to the workings of non-profit organizations, Mullah incorporated her learnings from the sector to form a collective called Amrapari, which eventually turned into a non-profit organization, intending to employ the organic and traditional knowledge of the women from Char areas to provide them financial independence.
References/Links

RBTC North East Nominee. NAZNEEN KHAN SHAH, Counselor-Mentor-Teacher, Bengaluru, Hometown: Guwahati, Assam. Click side arrow for profile details.

S. Nazneen Shah Khan: Counselor-Mentor-Teacher, originally from Assam. An alumna of St Mary's Girls High School and Handique Girls' College, Guwahati University, Assam. Did BSc with Chemistry Honors and MA in History from Aligarh Muslim University. Current City: Bangalore.
As a Defence Officer's spouse, she fulfilled her duties as expected. Taught in schools, whenever possible, in the various postings all over India. After finally settling in Bangalore, she worked in the Medical Transcription industry as an Executive in Transcription Proofreading. But, her main calling was in helping people in distress. This, she had realized when she got involved in the Air Force Ladies Club's programme of visiting terminally-ill patients in the R&R Armed Forces Hospital in New Delhi.
With this compelling drive, she equipped herself with Diplomas in Counselling Skills, in Students Counselling and Certifications in Art Therapy, Grief, Trauma and Palliative Counselling and in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. She is also a Certified Gatekeeper in Suicide Prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences( NIMHANS). For more than a decade she has been associated with various counselling centres as a Mentor & Volunteer: Banjara Academy, Medico- Pastoral Sahai Suicide Prevention Helpline. Currently, associated with the Arpita Helpline for Suicide Prevention as a Senior Counselor; she has helped many people in distress resolve their psychological issues. The Helpline daily receives calls for help from all over the world. Handled tense situations where individuals on the verge of suicide, would call the Helpline as the last cry for help. It takes gentle, skilful and patient counseling to calm down and stop a distraught individual from ending his or her life. People with various other psychological issues also reach out for help. It gives her immense satisfaction to know that she has been able to make some positive impact in people's lives.
References/Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nazneen-shah-khan-94578256/

RBTC North East Nominee. SAYERA RAHMAN, Founder, Prerona, the Spastic Society of Jorhat, Assam. Click side arrow for profile details.

Prerona, the Spastic Society of Jorhat, situated at Cinnamara on the southern fringes of the town, is dedicated to providing education to children with various types of disability and facilitating the rehabilitation of physically challenged persons from all walks of life.
Prerona is the Brain child of Sayera Rahman whose second child Zafri Nawaz is afflicted with cerebral palsy. Set up in 1992 on a 12-katha plot of land, the institution is affiliated to Indian Institute of Cerebral Palsy, Kolkata (Spastic Society of Eastern India).
References/Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sayera-rahman-2a572030/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Northeast Nominee. TAHMINA LASKAR, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Delhi. Hometown: Assam

Tahmina Laskar works for Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (International NGO) as a Programme Officer in Delhi. Her job profile includes research oriented writing, networking and managing programmes related to the mandate of the NGO. She is a freelance writer and contributes for web portals like Caravan Daily and Kohram.
She also writes occasionally for magazines like Muslim Today and The Companion. An avid reader she has keen interest in poetry and literature and loves Urdu poetry in particular. She is a multilingual person who is fluent in five languages and loves social interaction which is not merely empty rhetoric but leads to meaningful action.
Tahmina is from Assam and is a law post graduate. She is also a Governing Council Member of the Association of Muslim Professionals.
Links/References:https://ampindia.org/AMP_4th_Governing_Council

RBTC North East Nominee. HASINA KHARBHIH Founder Impulse NGO Netwok Impulse Social Enterprise Ashoka Fellow| Aspen Fellow| Shillong, Meghalaya.

Founder Impulse NGO Netwok @ImpulseNGO| Impulse Social Enterprise @impulse_Empower | Ashoka Fellow| Aspen Fellow|
References/Linkshttps://www.hasinakharbhih.com/about-me/

Making an Impact through Media

RBTC Northeast Nominee. AFRIDA HUSSAIN Deputy Editor, Northeast Bureau. India Today, Hajo,. Assam

Earlier programme head of Radio Mirchi, North East,
References/Sources

https://www.linkedin.com/in/afrida-hussain-94904633/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Northeast Nominee. TINAT ATIFA MASOOD. Podcast host, Blogger. Writer. Naari Shakti Award in 2018, Guwahati. Assam

Tinat Atifa Masood is a writer by choice, an actor for fun and a lover and a dreamer by default. She is a socio-political activist, producer-director, poet, blogger, a singing enthusiast, with over 30 years of compering behind her. Awarded as the Youth ICON of India 2013, the Naari Shakti Award in 2018, and the ICONIC Woman by Women Economic Forum in 2019, she is proud to have carried the mantle as the President for 2016-17 for Rotary Club of Guwahati, the second woman to lead the oldest club!
References/Sources

Taking Entrepreneurship Forward

RBTC Northeast Nominee. NELLIE AHMED TANWEER. Founder & Managing Trustee., Maria's Public School.

Exemplary educationalist cum leader, who has single-handedly spearheaded Maria’s Public School as the founder and Managing Trustee – Mrs. Nellie Ahmed Tanweer, is that personality who involves herself rigorously in enabling a free atmosphere of creativity and fun, all thanks to her tremendous zeal and energy towards creating better tomorrows.
Having founded the school in the year 1988, and considering the then educational landscape, Mrs. Nellie always believed in ‘beyond the classroom’ teaching-learning and still continues to do so, even though the school has grown manifold from being just a Montessori setup to a senior secondary school today. Also, bringing in all the required amenities to support the school, in turn, giving a strong foundation for young learners to flourish in all walks of life, Mrs. Nellie’s hard work and dedication has resulted in her serving 2000+ children, catering to their needs and demands, and their educational needs.
Operating as a firm administrator, a strict disciplinarian, a grand matriarch, and at the same time a compassionate caregiver, she along with the whole management of Maria’s School, welcome and adapt to the new changes and norms, trying their best to kindle ‘thinking ability’ in the students of the school. Furthermore, being the prime facilitator of maintaining the educational quality year after year, Mrs. Nellie not only excels as an expert captain of the team called Maria’s High School but also, gives back to society through Community Outreach Programs, aimed towards helping children from underprivileged & marginalized sections of society.
References/Sourceshttps://theacademicinsights.com/mrs-nellie-ahmed-tanweer-an-art-of-leadership/
http://mariaspublicschool.org/news/founders-day-2021-celebrated/

RBTC Northeast Nominee. TAANISH INAM. Wine Entrepreneur. Guwahati, Assam

Taanishi is a young entrepreneur from Assam who is making a name for herself by running a wine making business where she concocts the most mouth-watering wines using local fruits. Taanishi says that she fist began flirting with the idea of making wine when extra fruits she would buy for her household would end up rotting. "I first started with grapes, and the first thing I had to figure out was how I could utilize seasonal fruits. That is how it all started. Now, I make wine using a wide variety of fruits", she told Inside Northeast.
She then would go on to utilize the highly potent bhoot jolokia (the ghost chili). "I used to make a special wine with local bananas and I was wondering what I could add to give it a unique flavor I then ended up using the ghost chili...that is how this concoction came to be. It is the most beautiful wine, the ghost chili kicks in at the very end", she says, the excitement palpable in her voice.
Speaking about the taboo associated with wine in Islam, she said that she had never faced any problems in this profession despite being a Muslim woman. "Nobody challenged me, since I have always been associated with food. People loved the wine. In fact, the alcohol in the wine can be eliminated by making the wine 'finer'. I consider it fermented fruit juice. Moreover, I use everything organic", she says.
Taanishi has also been trying to impart her knowledge to the young up-and-comers in the field of entrepreneurship and has also delivered classes at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship (IIE) located in Guwahati.
"There is an actual possibility of turning this into a feasible profession, the Northeast has a wide variety of fruits, just imagine the endless possibilities!", she says.Taanishi Inam is the Director of NECHRI. Also, she is known as the Kitchen Queen for her exotic creations.
References/Sources

RBTC Northeast Nominee. RUNA RAFIQUE. Livestock Farmer. Founder, Saraighat Farm. Kamrup district , Assam.

Runa Rafique, a mother of two decided to forsake a cushy job as the senior manager in an Assam Government enterprise and turned an entrepreneur two years ago. She set up a firm, ‘Blue Planet Amalgamated,’ in partnership with her brother, Nozoom Rahman Hazarika. Under this banner, she set up her poultry farm, ‘Saraighat Farm’ at Athiaboi village in Kamrup district.
Runa hails from a middle-class Muslim family of Dibrugarh. Her husband, Rahul Mahanta, associate professor of Physics in the Cotton University of Assam, is supportive of her work. She says, “Had it not been the support of my husband I could not have come so far. The family support is very important for a woman entrepreneur.” “The beauty of entrepreneurship is freedom. The freedom which allows you to look into possibilities,” says Runa. She followed the scientific method of vaccination, medication, the feed and gradually equipped herself with the technical skills.n 2020, Runa diversified her business and moved on to livestock farming. Runa’s business ideas are distinctive. Today ‘Saraighat Farm’ caters to fresh meat. She has also started selling antibiotics-free chicken. She is further planning to process, brand, and supply Pati duck, an indigenous breed of Assam, and local chicken.
“My identity as a woman and a Muslim remains. Having said that, I want to add that the challenges I faced weren’t unique to womanhood or my Muslim faith. I faced the similar problems that every entrepreneur does,” she says. She never faced any hindrance because of her gender or religion and she attributes this to the secular nature of the Assamese society. Runa believes the region has a huge potential for livestock farming provided the right ecosystem is created. The government must pay attention to this field.
References/Sources

https://www.awazthevoice.in/women-news/runa-rafique-promotes-ne-s-indigenous-meats-through-business-10121.html

RBTC Northeast Nominee. RESHMA N.C. SHAH Education Consultant/ Founder 'Creativity@work'/Teacher Training/Life Skills, Guwahati, Assam.

Education Consultant/ Founder 'Creativity@work'/Teacher Training/Life Skills Coach/Creative Writing Faculty @NIFT, Bengaluru, Student & Parent Development/Early Childhood Education
References/Sources
https://assamtribune.com/book-launch-at-ne-writers-forum?infinitescroll=1https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshma-n-c-shah-5224131b/

Shining in Sports

RBTC Northeast Nominee. TAYBUN NISHA Former Discuss throw national champion.Tayabun, the first Assamese woman athlete to represent India in several international events, Hometown: Assam

Former national discus throw champion Tayabun Nisha felt heavy at the burden of an almost weightless finger ring of her friend Julekha, lost way back in 1967 at their Dhai Ali Girls’ High School in Assam’s Sivasagar.The second Yamin Hazarika Woman of Substance Award 2016 was presented to Tayabun Nisha, former athlete of Assam who represented India in the 1982 Asian Games.
https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/8308/Second-Yamin-Hazarika-Award-Goes-to-Athlete-Tayabun-Nisha?infinitescroll=1
Links/References:https://www.mpositive.in/tag/positive-stories-of-muslim-women-of-assam/https://www.thecitizen.in/index.php/en/NewsDetail/index/3/8308/Second-Yamin-Hazarika-Award-Goes-to-Athlete-Tayabun-Nisha?infinitescroll=1
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Prasanta Mazumdar / Express News Service / March 24th, 2023

RBTC Northeast Nominee. NILUFER AHMED Gold medal in the 60-65 kg category at the 44th National Arm-Wrestling Championship Hometown: Assam

Nilufar Ahmed, a 2nd-semester student of the Bachelor of Computer Application (CT&IS) programme at Assam down town University, scripted history when she emerged victorious with the Gold medal in the 60-65 kg category at the 44th National Arm-Wrestling Championship held in Jammu & Kashmir. The Championship was organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Arm Wrestling Association. It was held between August 18 – 22 at Ganderbal, J&K.
She also secured the “Champion of the Champions” title in the All-Women’s category at the same event and is, therefore, attained the undisputed No. 1position among all women players of all categories.
The Assam Women’s team was adjudged the best team at this event.
Earlier this year, she participated in the district-level and state-level Arm Wrestling Championships held in Bihdia and Nagaon respectively, where she bagged the Gold in both these events. These victories paved the way for her entry into the National Championships this year.
Before Nilufar ventured into arm wrestling, she was a proficient taekwondo player but had to withdraw due to some injuries. Her entry into the arm wrestling sport has been quite a recent phenomenon and it has been just a few months since she first started practicing the sport on a whim.
Her coach Mr. Debajit Sharma, who is a popular figure in the sport of arm wrestling introduced her to the sport of arm wrestling and trained her. With sheer hard work and a Never Say Die attitude, she has been able to conquer her fears and emerge victorious.
She is the daughter of Mustaque Ahmed and Safia Begum of Guwahati, who are very supportive of her sporting aspirations.
Nilufar is now preparing to achieve greater heights by practicing for forthcoming arm wrestling championships in the international arena.

Links/References:https://www.mpositive.in/tag/positive-stories-of-muslim-women-of-assam/source: http://www.skilloutlook.com / Skill Outlook (text) / Home> Top News / by Skill Outlook (headline edited) / September 03rd, 2022 / pix: Twitter@NorthEastToday

Inspirations in Politics

Ms Afia Ahmad was the first Muslim lady member of the Assam Assembly. She was elected to the state legislature from Jamunamukh legislative Assembly on a Congress ticket in 1962. Late Ms Sayeda Anwara Taimur was the second Muslim woman legislator of the Assam legislative body. She became the first lady chief minister of Assam on 6 December 1980.

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. GUL AKHTARA BEGUM, Politician. Elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in 2011 . Hometown: Chapar, Assam

Gul Akhtara Begum is an Indian politician. In 2011 she was elected as MLA of Bilasipara East Vidhan Sabha Constituency in Assam Legislative Assembly.[1][2][3] She was an All India United Democratic Front politician. She joined Indian National Congress in 2016.[4]Studies at Cotton College Guahati
References/Links

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. HOSENARA ISLAM, Politician. Elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly from Mankachar in the 2001. PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

In the recently concluded Assam Assembly election in 2001 , Ms Hussainara Islam has won the Assembly election from Mankalhar legislative Assembly constituency on the Nationalists Congress Party ticket . Husnewara Islam, widow of Zahirul Islam contesting from Mankachar constituency and representing Nationalist Congress Party (NCP)
References/Links

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. SHARIFA BEGUM , Politician Elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in the 2001. Hometown: Rupohihat Assam. PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

Sharifa Begum, daughter of Dr. Muhammed Idris who was the Congress MLA in Rupohihat and Bhing constituency in 1972-1978, 1983, 1985. Except Sharifa Begum, all Muslim women were from elite Assamese Muslim family and Sharifaa is the first female Muslim MLA representing the Bengali speaking Muslims of Assam.
Links/References:https://indiaminorities.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/muslim-women-have-no-place-in-assam-state%E2%80%99s-politics/

RBTC Assam/North East Nominee. NAZNIN FAROOQUI , Politician Elected to the Assam Legislative Assembly in the 2001. Hometown: Rupohihat Assam. PHOTO NOT AVAILABLE

Naznin Farooqui whom Congress nominated twice in 1991 and 1998 Nagaon parliamentary 1998, in Assam assembly election in 1996. She failed to win these years though in 2006 she became a member of Rajyasabha.

Links/References:https://indiaminorities.wordpress.com/2011/04/04/muslim-women-have-no-place-in-assam-state%E2%80%99s-politics/

Strides in Business/Private Sector

RBTC Northeast Nominee. SHIRIN LATIF. Life Coach and promoter of ‘Gorgeous You’ campaign. Hometown: Guwahati, Assam.

Shirin was the interior design consultant at Vivanta by Taj here prior to its opening. She has worked in that capacity for many international hotel brands.
Life coach and interior designer Shirin Latif has embarked on a campaign to convey the stories of 100 empowered women from different walks of life to the world.
"My campaign #GorgeousYou features gorgeous women from all walks of life. They are like anyone but have stories to tell, stories that are touching and provide us with a lot of learning. They make us realise how important is the synchronicity of the inner and outer beauty to achieve self-confidence, self-reflection, self-esteem and happiness. These stories are of utmost importance to the community, providing inspiration to those who require it," said Shirin, who shuttles between Mumbai and Guwahati. Stories of more than 15 women from the Northeast, including seven from Assam, have been included in the campaign.
"It all started when realisation dawned on me that life is superficial. I was redesigning the presidential suite at Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok with the brief that I change everything as then American President Barack Obama was going to stay and would not like to share the things that his predecessor George W. Bush had used on his stay. Everything was torn down and remodelled. There was no concern for the money spent. In contrast, another section struggles to eat one square meal. I decided to give back something to society and this is my first endeavour towards women's empowerment," said Shirin.
References/Sources

https://www.telegraphindia.com/north-east/campaign-light-on-stories-of-women/cid/1454019

RBTC Northeast Nominee. REHANA CHUDHURY. Managing Partner, Foresight India Communication; Guwahati, Assam.

References/Sources

RBTC Northeast Nominee. DILUWARA BEGUM CHOWDHURY Business woman/independent politician. Hometown: Hojai, Assam.

Diluwara Begum Chowdhury is a resident of Doboka Town in Hojai district of Assam. She is 41 years old. She is married to Imdad Ali. She is a businesswoman by profession.She is Class X (Matric) pass from Doboka Higher Secondary School, Assam in 1999.She is contesting the 2021 Assam Assembly Election from Jamunamukh constituency as an Independent candidate.
References/Sources
https://www.sentinelassam.com/assam-election-2021/candidates/phase2/diluwara-begum-chowdhury-from-jamunamukh-early-life-controversy-political-career-530473

Academic Achievers

RBTC Northeast Nominee. Dr. SABRINA IQBAL SIRCAR, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam.

Dr. Sabrina Iqbal Sircar, is a feminist, educator, writer, editor and public speaker. Presently, she is Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Cotton University, Guwahati, as well as P.G. Course co-ordinator KKHSOU, and Assistant Editor, Studies in Society and Polity (SSP), Brahmaputra Institute of Research and Development, Guwahati.
Dr. Sircar has had a brilliant academic record throughout and has been a topper from her Higher Secondary till her Masters. In her Higher Secondary, she had the All India second highest in Political Science, and was the Northeast topper in the arts stream. She was awarded the CBSE Certificate for outstanding academic performance. She completed her higher studies from Ladies Shriram College for Women, New Delhi and Cotton College, Guwahati. She held the first class and second position in her graduation and was the Gold Medalist, (first class, first position) in her Masters in Political Science.
She has done her PhD from Gauhati University and her thesis is entitled – The Muslim Family in an emerging Urban Space : A Study of Axomiya Muslims. She is working on women’s issues and is particularly trying to develop the school of Islamic Feminism. Her research papers have appeared in widely acclaimed International Journals and she also writes to raise awareness about women’s rights and to reaffirm their position in society.
Dr. Sircar has been making presentations on issues of women, Islam, and Axomiya Muslims, in a number of seminars and conferences throughout the country. She feels strongly about stereotyping of any kind and is working particularly on the lines of ‘ungendering’ society.
She has also spoken at prestigious gatherings both academic and otherwise, and has shared her ideas and knowledge on various issues. She was also a part of the discussions conducted by the World Bank Group, on the last 13th of February (2018) at OKD, on investment potential and shared prosperity in north-east India. She was also one of the speakers at the the 2nd North East India , Women’s Peace Congregation, organised by the Control Arms Foundation of India, European Union and Welt Hunger Hilfe, at the Kalakshetra Auditorium, Guwahati, India.
Dr. Sircar’s writings try to give voice to the peripheral and voiceless and she has attempted to highlight the identity of Axomiya Muslims and Axomiya Muslim women in particular. She had also been an avid debater during her student days and had won many national debate championships. She is also associated with various organizations and is a life member of the Indian Association of Women’s Studies and is a part of the core group of the Brahmaputra Institute of Research and Development, Guwahati. Dr. Sircar has been a part of three books on her subject till now; apart from this she has more than 80 published pieces in national and regional newspapers to her credit. She is eager and excited to work and develop the issues of identity, women and Axomiya Muslims in her coming ventures.
References/Sources
https://www.wef.org.in/sabrina-iqbal-sircar/https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sabrina-iqbal-sircar-5410a520/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Northeast Nominee. SWABERA ISLAM, Professor at Royal Global University, Guwahati, Assam.

Professor & Head of Department, Economics , Assam Royal Global University
(1) More than 30 years of teaching economics to UG and PG and MBA students;(2) Retired as Principal of K.C. Das commerce College,(3) Served as Officer-on-Special-Duty at the Assam Womenâ€™sâ€™ University, Jorhat For two years.(4) Present occupation – Professor and HOD of Economics Department at the Assam Royal Global University.(5) Other experiencesâ€”Attended three international conferences & many National level conferences, workshops & Seminars(6) Other academic experience:–Organized National level Workshops & National level Conferences at KC Das Commerce College(7) Publications â€“ two books and research papers in several journals.(8) Other activities â€“ Member of NGOs such as (1) â€˜Matriâ€™ and (2) Centre for Humanistic Development.â€™(9) Guest faculty in Don Bosco University and subject expert in interviews of different Government selection committees.

References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/swabera-islam-952b931b3/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Northeast Nominee. FARDDINA HUSSAIN Assistant Professor. Gauhati University, Hajo, Assam.

MA (Gauhati) PhD (Gauhati)
Gender Studies, Film Studies and Media Studies, Indian Writing in English, Speculative Fiction, Poetry, Travel Writing
Department of EnglishGauhati University, Guwahati, 781014Email: fardinah[at]gauhati[dot]ac[dot]in
References/Sourceshttps://gauhati.ac.in/member/arts/english/farddina-hussainhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/fardina-hussain-9b490365/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Northeast Nominee. AMINA AHMED, Assistant Professor, Royal Global University. Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur

Research Scholar, Lokopriya Gopinath Bordoloi Regional Institute of Mental Health, Tezpur
References/Sourceshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amina-ahmed-186a42180/?originalSubdomain=in

RBTC Northeast Nominee. Dr. ASMAN ARA BEGUM, Vice Principal , Kharupetia College, Darrang Hometown: Darrang, Assam.

Dr. Asman Ara Begum, M.A., Ph.D, Vice Principal of Kharupetia College , one of the premier institutions of higher education in Darrang District.
References/Sourceshttps://kharupetiacollege.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/final-23-07-2021_compressed.pdf

Rising Stars: Under 30 Achievers

RBTC Northeast Nominee. SALMA HUSAIN. Lawyer, TAN YOUTH Icon 2016. Hometown: Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam.

Salma Hussain, a 22-year-old lawyer in Assam, will join a team of young women, selected from across the world, for a peace-building initiative by a Washington-based institute. Hussain, who recently completed her studies from NERIM Law College here, is the only Indian in the eight-member team chosen for the programme by Andi Leadership Institute for Young Women,
While Salma is not concerned about awards and honours, they have been chasing her in recent years. In early 2016, she received the “Youth Leadership” & “TAN Youth Icon 2016” awards given by The Assam News. In the same year, she was the only one to be selected from the entire North East India for the prestigious summer internship with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Delhi. In 2018, she got the “Youth Peace Award 2017-18” given by the National Foundation of India at a function held at India Habitant Centre, New Delhi.
In November 2017, Salma was invited by ICFAI University in Agartala, Tripura to address the National Conference on “Rights of the Elderly Persons.” Addressing the audience, she had said, “Elders are not so much in need of food or money, which anyway could be made available to them. What they need most is affection, and we must supply this to them in abundance.” A senior bureaucrat who was in the audience was moved to tears. At the end of the deliberation, he came to Salma and proclaimed, “You are India’s Malala.” His words were prophetic, Salma is on the same track that propelled Malala to the international arena of action.
References/Sources

RBTC Northeast Nominee. SHAEEMA ZAMAN AHMED. Quantum physics researcher, PhD from Aarhus University, in Denmark. Hometown: Kamrup (Rural) district, Assam.

Shaeema Zaman Ahmed, a youngster from Guwahati, brought laurels to Assam and India for her visionary work on quantum physics research, for which she was awarded the PhD from Aarhus University, in Denmark, on June 28.
After her earlier schooling at Maria’s Public School, Guwahati, and her Masters in Physics from Delhi University, Shaeema was at the forefront of science outreach and astronomy education with Zlife Education in New Delhi.
Thereafter, she was offered a Marie Sklodowska-Curie PhD fellowship at Aarhus University, Denmark, and was part of the Quantum-enhanced Sensing via Quantum Control (QusCo) EU programme.
Her work focussed on investigating the use and impact of quantum games and simulation tools in quantum physics education, science outreach, and quantum control research.
She was part of the design process in Quantum Moves 2 and Lab Manager and simulation tools like the Quantum Composer.
Her research studies on these tools explored how simulations can improve student learning of quantum mechanics.
Additionally, her work also addressed the potential of a citizen science game as a method to crowdsource solutions to solve quantum control problems, and the impact of the use of simulations in quantum physics outreach training.
The work was carried out under the supervision of Prof Jacob Friis Sherson, and the external examiners were Prof Sabrina Maniscalco from the University of Turku, Finland and Prof Stefan Heusler from the University of Münster, Germany.
Shaeema is the daughter of Guwahati-based paediatrician, Dr Shabina Ahmed and anesthesiologist, Dr Khafiluzzaman Ahmed.
References/Sources

https://www.mpositive.in/tag/nellie-ahmed-tanweer-founder-director-maria-public-school-guwahati-assam/

RBTC Northeast Nominee. Add under 30 Rising Stars- Shorifa Yasmin, Nasrat Jahan

From Maryam Ajmal Women’s College of Science and Technology, Jirat Kataharpi qualified for JEE Advanced and she is studying at IIT Kharagpur. Shorifa Yasmin (2019), Khadiza Begum & Swopna Begum (2021) cracked IIT-JAM. Nasrat Jahan, Papri Bhadra, and Forida Begum qualified for GATE in the year 2021.

On conclusion of the felicitation programme, a studio recording of Maria’s story was done by Rezwana Parveez Bhuyan for sharing it with young IAS & ACS aspirants who missed the day’s event
References/Sourceshttps://www.awazthevoice.in/india-news/maulana-turned-politician-who-educates-and-empowers-muslim-girls-of-assam-21269.html

Past Inspirations

YAMIN HAZARIKA : Assam’s First Lady cop, A Single Mom to 2 Kids & Icon to Millions. (1950-1999)

Yamin Hazarika was an inspiration for many women who desired to break the glass ceiling and step out of the shell created by patriarchy. She overcame all the obstacles that came her way and became Assam's first woman police officer, a profession that is traditionally believed to be dominated by men. In addition to serving as a police officer, Yamin was also a single mother to two children - Huma and Vikram. She, however, died an early death due to cancer on July 24, 1999.Born in the late 1950s, Yamin was the second of five siblings. Her father, Sirajul Hussain Hazarika, served as a deputy excise commissioner in pre-independence Sylhet in Bangladesh. Her mother was Shameem Hazarika and they lived in the Lakhtokia area of Guwahati.
She had served the nation as DCP, Delhi Police and did a short stint with the UN Peacekeeping Force in Bosnia before she passed away at the young age of 43 in 1999.

References/Sources

SYEDA ANWARA TAIMUR. First Muslim woman Chief Minister of Assam . (24 November 1936 – 28 September 2020).

Syeda Anwara Taimur (24 November 1936 – 28 September 2020) was an Indian politician, who was the chief minister of the Indian state of Assam from 6 December 1980 to 30 June 1981.[1] She died in Australia on 28 September 2020.[2] She was a leader of the Indian National Congress party in Assam and a member of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).In the history of Assam, she was the only female and Muslim Chief Minister of the state.[3] She was Chief Minister of Assam from 6 December 1980 to 30 June 1981.[4][3] In Indian history also, Syeda Anwara Taimur was the first Muslim woman Chief Minister of any state.[5] Her term as chief minister ended when the state was put under President's rule for six months.
From 1983 to 1985 she was the PWD minister of the same state.[citation needed]
She was an elected member of the Assam Assembly (MLA) in 1972, 1978, 1983, and 1991. In 1988 she was nominated to the Indian Parliament (Rajya Sabha).[3][6] In 1991 she was appointed to the post of minister for agriculture in Assam.
Anwara joined All India United Democratic Front in 2011.[ Anwara is among the notable names not included in the final draft of 2018 National Register of Citizens (NRC), for which, she later clarified that her family members may not have applied to get her name included in the list.
References/Sourceshttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anwara_Taimur

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