Bhatkal: Around 270 Class 10 students from five schools in Bhatkal participated in INF Launchpad 2025, a one-day career and leadership camp organised by the Indian Nawayath Forum (INF) on Thursday at Ameena Palace. The event aimed to guide students on career choices, scholarships, competitive exams, and essential life skills.

Through interactive sessions, multimedia presentations, and quizzes, the camp offered a lively and engaging learning experience. Every participant received a certificate of participation, adding to the sense of accomplishment among students.

The programme concluded with a valedictory ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Chief guest Mohammed Rafi Pasha, Deputy Commissioner of GST, Bengaluru, and author of several books on competitive examinations, praised INF for its commitment to nurturing young minds and assured continued support for similar student development initiatives.

Ameen-e-Mudassar, CEO of CIGMA and a leading career counsellor in Karnataka, commended the organisers for their meticulous planning and noted that the three months of preparation behind the camp reflected in its smooth execution.

Presiding over the event, INF President Aftab Husain Kola expressed concern over the low participation of Muslims in higher education, pointing out that they constitute only 6% of total enrolments and less than 3% among successful Civil Services candidates in 2024. “These numbers underline the urgent need for focused educational efforts,” he said.

Key sessions were led by Ameen-e-Mudassar, Suhail Babu, experiential educator and leadership facilitator from Tirur, Kerala, and Shamsuddin Usman Shaik, Taluk Minority Extension Officer, Bhatkal. All speakers appreciated INF’s initiative for blending learning with motivation.

The event began with a qiraat by Hafiz Mohammed Abyaan Akrami, followed by a welcome address by Mohammed Adil Nagarmath, INF General Secretary. Saalim Kola coordinated the event, with Tanveer Motiya serving as co-coordinator. A vote of thanks was proposed by Saalim Kola, marking the end of an inspiring day for Bhatkal’s young learners.

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Saharsa (PTI): More than 150 children were taken ill after allegedly consuming food that was part of the mid-day meal in a school in Bihar’s Saharsa district, a senior official said on Thursday.

The incident occurred at a middle school in Baluaha village of the district.

The official said that 115 children were undergoing treatment at the Sadar Hospital, while around 50 students were admitted to Mahishi Public Health Centre.

“We received information that several children fell ill after consuming the mid-day meal in Baluaha. The children were initially treated at the primary health centre, but later, many were referred to the Sadar Hospital,” Saharsa District Magistrate Deepesh Kumar told reporters.

“According to doctors, the health condition of the children has improved, but they will be kept under observation for some time. There is no need to panic. Some kids are having mild fever. They are being treated accordingly,” Kumar said.

Meanwhile, family members of some children claimed that a snake was found in the container in which cooked pulses was stored at the school.

Of the 545 students present in the school, 200 had already eaten their meals by the time the snake was spotted, and later complained of stomach ache and vomiting, they said.

Regarding the claims, the DM said food samples have been collected from the school.

“We will be able to comment on this only after the results of the tested samples arrive,” he said.