Meet three Jamia Millia Islamia students who played significant roles in Chandrayaan-3's success
Amit, Kashif, and Areeb joined ISRO in 2021
New Delhi: Three former students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) played a significant role in India's historic Chandrayaan-3 lunar mission, conducted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The alumni, namely Amit Kumar Bhardwaj, Mohd Kashif, and Areeb Ahmad, were part of the team behind this monumental achievement.
JMI expressed its delight at the contribution of its alumni and emphasized the sense of pride it brings to the university community. "With this historic success, India has become the first country to land near the Moon’s South Pole," said the JMI administration.
All three individuals—Amit Kumar Bhardwaj, Mohd Kashif, and Areeb Ahmad—were students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at JMI. They completed their B.Tech degrees in 2019.
The JMI administration revealed that Amit, Kashif, and Areeb successfully cleared ISRO’s Centralised Recruitment Board-2019 Exam for the position of Scientist/Engineer. The results were announced by ISRO in September 2021, with Kashif securing the top rank in the exam. All three were selected for the role of Scientist/Engineer ‘SC’-Mechanical (Post No. BE002).
Expressing her joy, JMI Vice Chancellor Prof. Najma Akhtar congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the mission's success. She remarked that the students' involvement in this historic mission is a moment of national celebration and pride for the university. Prof. Akhtar highlighted that these alumni have become role models for current students and their achievements will inspire others to strive for excellence.
The university organized special arrangements for live telecasts of the soft landing of Chandrayaan-3's Vikram Lander on campus.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
