Anjuman Taraqqi E Urdu's debate competition marks Badria Centenary celebrations in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Anjuman Taraqqi E Urdu, an NGO promoting the Urdu language in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts, organised a debate competition on 20th October at the Badria College campus as part of the Badria Centenary celebrations (1924–2024). The competition featured the Badria Centenary Urdu Debate Trophy.
The event, divided into morning and evening sessions, saw a debate competition in the morning followed by a trophy award ceremony. Chief Guest P.C. Hashir, Managing Director of Peecy Group of Companies and Correspondent of Badria Institution, alongside Keynote Speaker Abid Ulla Athahar Shimogavi, a retired principal and president of the State Organization, Secretary of Urdu Taraqqi Hind and H. M. Afroz Assadi, Managing Director of Northern Insurance LLC, Dubai, who sponsored the event, were present at the event Mumtaz Hussain, an NRI entrepreneur from Qatar, chaired the proceedings.
Both sessions commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran. In his address, P.C. Hashir highlighted the role of debates and educational activities in fostering intellectual growth among students, suggesting that such competitions could help shape future lawmakers. Keynote Speaker Abid Ulla Athahar stressed the importance of primary education in one’s mother tongue, citing the example of countries like Japan, Germany, and France, which educate children in their native languages. He noted that studying in the mother tongue allows for better comprehension compared to learning in foreign languages like English.
Mumtaz Hussain, an alumnus of Badria Institution, shared the brief history of the institution, founded in 1924 by Marhoom C. Mehmud as AL MADRASATHUL BADRIA, initially offering religious education to local children in Bunder and Kudroli. The relationship between Badria and the Urdu language is profound; it was the first school to offer Urdu studies in the undivided Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts since 1947. After C. Mehmud's passing, various presidents led the organization, with Marhoom Thumbe Ahmed Hajee serving the longest from 1975 to 2020. Hussain recounted that, in the past, students were required to speak Urdu within the institution or face punishment for using other languages.
The junior-level debate competition saw participation from seven higher primary schools in Dakshina Kannada. Mohammed Ghouse from Higher Primary School Kandatpalli won first place, with Rifa and Fathima Suzana from Government Urdu Higher Primary School, Kawalkatte (Bantwal Taluk), securing second and third places, respectively. At the senior level, five high schools from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts participated. Abdul Baari and Abdur Rahman from Thouheed English Medium High School, Gangolli, Udupi district, took first and second places, while Khadeejatul Farzana from Sayyed Madani Urdu High School, Ullal Taluk, D.K., came third.
The junior-level Badria Centenary Championship Trophy was awarded to Government Urdu Higher Primary School, Kawalkatte (Bantwal Taluk), and the senior trophy went to Thouheed English Medium High School, Gangolli, Udupi district. Twenty other participants received consolation certificates.
Five 10th standard students, Mohammed Meraj Khan, Fouzia Banu, Moulana Mohammed Uzaim, Sabiya Naaz, and Aysha Ruha were also felicitated for excelling in Urdu in the Karnataka State Board Examinations (2023–24).
The event began with a welcome address by Mohammed Hanif Master, Secretary of Anjuman. A.S. Madani, President of the organisation, outlined its objectives and future plans for promoting the Urdu language. Engineer Khaleel, Assistant Secretary, provided logistical support, and Rahmathulla, an active member of the Anjuman, gave the vote of thanks. The event was hosted by Badria alumnus and international emcee, Sahill Zahir.
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8 children between ages of 1 and 14 dead after mass shooting in Louisiana, police say
Shreveport(US) (AP): A gunman in Louisiana killed eight children in shootings at two different homes early Sunday in the nation's deadliest mass shooting in more than two years, police in Shreveport said.
The victims ranged in age from one to about 14 years old, said Shreveport police spokesperson Chris Bordelon. A total of 10 were shot and some of the children were related to the suspect, Bordelon said.
The gunman later died after a chase with officers who fired at the suspect, Bordelon said. The suspect stole a car while leaving the scene of the shootings and was followed by police, according to Bordelon.
Police did not release the name of the suspect but did say he was an adult male. The shootings were the result of a “domestic disturbance,” Bordelon said.
Officials said they were still gathering details at the crime scenes south of downtown Shreveport — the two homes and a third location.
“This is an extensive scene unlike anything most of us have ever seen,” he said.
It was the deadliest mass shooting in the US since eight people were killed in a Chicago suburb in January 2024, according to a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University.
At a news conference outside the residence where one of the shootings occurred, officials appeared stunned, requesting patience and prayers from the community as they sorted through multiple crime scenes.
“I just don't know what to say, my heart is just taken aback,” Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith said. “I cannot begin to imagine how such an event could occur.”
“This is a tragic situation — maybe the worst tragic situation we've ever had,” said Tom Arceneaux, mayor of the city in northwestern Louisiana with about 180,000 residents. “It's a terrible morning.”
Louisiana State Police say their detectives have been asked by Shreveport police to investigate. In a statement, state police say no officers were harmed in the shooting that involved an officer after a police pursuit into Bossier City on Sunday morning.
State police are asking anyone with pictures, video or information to share it with state police detectives.
Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry said in a statement that he and his wife were heartbroken. “We're deeply grateful to the law enforcement officers and first responders working tirelessly on the scene,” he added.
