Sharjah: 'Indo-Arab Women Excellence' Award for Shabana Faizal at 'Come on Kerala' Conference
Sharjah, Feb. 17: Shafana Fazal, vice-chairperson of KEF Holdings and founder of Shabana and Faizal Foundation, has received 'Indo-Arab Women Excellence award' at India's largest commercial and cultural exhibition 'Come on Kerala,' organized by Gulf Madhyamam here.
Assistant Director General of Dubai Land Department Majida Ali Rashid, UAE's first female director Nayla Al Khaja, Dubai Tourism Director Sheikh Almatwa also received the award along with Shabana Faizal.
Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq) Executive Chairman Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Eastern Group MD. Firoz Meeran, Jaleel Trading MD Shamir K Mohammed, Madhyamam Editor O Abdur Rahman, Gulf Madhyamam Chief Editor VK Hamza Abbas were also present at the ceremony.
Prominent singer KS Chithra also performed at the event. This is the second edition of 'Come on Kerala' and the organizers estimate that there were about three lakh people who attended the conference and exhibition in three day.
About Shabana:
Hailing from the coastal city of Karnataka, Shabana Faizal is the daughter of prominent entrepreneur and well known social figure B Ahmed Haji Mohiudeen, Thumbay, she completed her Psychology degree from local St. Agnes College of Mangaluru, before marrying Faizal E. Kottikolan in 1995.
She began her career as the entrepreneur when she set up and managed Sophiya’s World, a luxury and special items Studio in 1995.
Shabana has been instrumental in the formation of The Faizal & Shabana Foundation, in line with her belief in social responsibility and the upliftment of the under-privileged in society.
Shabana looks after corporate operations at KEF Holdings, including HR, including administration, corporate communications, IT and legal operations.
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Justice Nagarathna dissents on SC collegium’s recommendation of Justice Pancholi
Dissent cites seniority concerns, Gujarat High Court’s over-representation
New Delhi: Supreme Court judge B.V. Nagarathna has recorded a dissent note against the collegium’s recommendation to elevate Patna High Court Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi to the apex court, The Indian Express reported.
The five-member collegium, comprising Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justices Surya Kant, Vikram Nath, J.K. Maheshwari, and Nagarathna, reached the decision with a 4–1 split. Justice Nagarathna, the lone woman on the bench, opposed Pancholi’s elevation, citing concerns over seniority and regional representation.
Justice Pancholi ranks 57th on the all-India seniority list of high court judges. Justice Nagarathna reportedly objected to the move, noting that it came less than three months after another judge from the Gujarat High Court, Justice N.V. Anjaria, was elevated to the Supreme Court. She argued that advancing Pancholi would bypass several senior judges and further increase Gujarat’s representation at the top court, while other high courts remain underrepresented.
Her dissenting note, according to reports, emphasized that such decisions could undermine the credibility of the collegium system and have long-term consequences for the administration of justice.
Justice Pancholi, who served nearly two decades in the Gujarat High Court, was transferred to Patna High Court in July 2023 and appointed its Chief Justice in July 2025. His elevation, along with that of Justice Anjaria, was intended to maintain Gujarat’s representation in the Supreme Court following the retirements of Justices M.R. Shah and Bela Trivedi earlier this year.
With a sanctioned strength of 34 judges, the Supreme Court follows criteria of seniority, merit, integrity, and regional balance in appointments. Justice Nagarathna’s dissent highlights ongoing debates about diversity and fairness in judicial elevations.
