Book on life of M Ahmed AK launched in Mangaluru
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Mangaluru: The biography of M Ahmed AK, Founder Chairman of the AK Group of Companies, titled Unshakable, was launched at a grand ceremony held at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre, Mangaluru, on Friday.
The event was presided over by Dr. Y Abdulla Kunhi, Chancellor of Yenepoya University, and attended by several dignitaries, family members, and well-wishers. The programme began with an opening address and welcome note by Dr. Prashant, Partner of AK Ahmed.
Granddaughters of the late Ahmed AK, Khatija Fathima AK and Ayesha Fathima, paid heartfelt tributes to their grandfather, recalling his vision, simplicity, and commitment to values.
Dr. Abdulla Kunhi, along with other guests, officially launched the book Unshakable, which chronicles the life and achievements of Ahmed AK.
In his keynote address, author Dr. Syed Habeeb shared emotional insights into the making of the book. “Only those who have lost parents can truly understand the pain of losing a parent,” he said, adding that everyone he spoke to during the writing process broke down while sharing memories. He described how his father’s humility and simplicity left a deep mark on him and said the six months spent working on the book had changed his outlook on life.
Dr. Santosh Soans, Former President of the National Indian Academy of Paediatrics, said he saw reflections of Ahmed AK in his children and family members. “He was a hero to everyone who knew him,” he said.
Jagmohan Singh, Managing Director of Kalyan Industries, recalled meeting Ahmed AK at the age of 18, soon after losing his own father. “He encouraged me and supported me throughout. Despite his success, I never saw arrogance in him,” he said.
Dr. Mohammed Ismail Hejamady, Chairman of the Kanachur Health Science Advisory Council, remembered Ahmed AK as a man of “discipline, humanity, and humility” who always spoke only what was necessary.
Bharat Dhirajlal of Rainbow Industries, Mangaluru, described him as a simple, god-fearing and hardworking man, while P H Rane, former Inspector General of Police, Karnataka, said Ahmed AK was “a self-made man who believed in work is worship, a good leader and a great human being.”
Tiwari, President of the All India Plywood Manufacturers Association, said Ahmed AK always believed in taking everyone along on the path to success and was never selfish about achievements.
Usthad Muhammad Kunhi, Manager of Shanthi Prakashana, urged the gathering to draw inspiration from the life and principles of Ahmed AK.
Delivering the presidential address, Dr. Abdulla Kunhi shared his personal association with Ahmed AK, calling him a disciplined and principled individual who guided newcomers in the industry and helped them grow. He extended his wishes to the family and urged them to carry forward the legacy left behind by Ahmed AK.
Moulana Thayyib and Ibrahim Padimonika were present on stage along with other dignitaries, including Ziyad K S, Director of Prestige Group, Kannur; Praveen Madan, Partner of Vishwanath and Sons, New Delhi; Abdul Rauf, former football player, Mangalore Sporting Club; Abdul Razak Tanirbavi, Managing Director of Akolite Industrial Systems Pvt. Ltd.; Hassainar A K of AK Sons; P M Kunhi Bava, coffee planter; and others.
The event concluded with a dua by E P Abdul Azeez Maulvi, Khateeb of Masjidunnoor, Mangaluru.
Ahmed AK’s sons AK Niyaz, AK Noushad, AK Nazim, and AK Sajid along with partners Dr. Prashant and Anil Kumar, and sons-in-law Haneef P S and Ar. Mohammed Nisar, were also present on the occasion.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Shahan Ahmed AK, grandson of Ahmed AK.
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Ex-PM Devegowda warns opposition of electoral losses if they continue to allege 'vote chori'
New Delhi (PTI): Former Prime Minister H D Devegowda on Monday said the Opposition parties would "suffer" if they continue to raise allegations of "vote chori" and create suspicion in the minds of voters by blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government.
Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Rajya Sabha, he criticised the Opposition for making a mockery about the Prime Minister "in the streets and on the public platform".
"This (India) is a very big country. A large country. Congress may be in three states. Remember my friends please, by using the words 'vote chori' you are going to suffer in the coming days. You are not going to win the battle," Devegowda said, referring to the Opposition members.
He asked what the Opposition is going to earn by "blaming Narendra Modi's leadership and creating a suspicion in the mind of the voters" through the claims of "vote chori".
"What has happened to their minds? Let them rectify," Devegowda said.
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The former prime minister said that during his over seven decades of public life, he has never raised such issues of vote theft despite facing defeat in elections.
He also cited a letter written by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru regarding inclusion of "18,000 votes" (voters) in Kerala.
"Why I am telling this (because) during the Nehru period also, there were certain lapses in the electoral system," said Devegowda, who was the prime minister between June 1, 1996 and April 21, 1997.
He said that the Congress party faced defeat in the recent Bihar elections despite raising the issues of mistakes in the electoral rolls.
"What happened after that even after so much review (of voters list). Think (for) yourself! You got six MLAs," the senior Janata Dal (Secular) leader said.
Devegowda questioned the Opposition as to why they want to make allegations against the prime minister on the issue of the voters list?
"Election Commission is there. Supreme Court is there. The Election Commission has given direction to all the state units to rectify all these things," he said.
Devegowda said people of the country have full confidence in Narendra Modi's government and it will come back to power after the next Lok Sabha elections as well.
K R Suresh Reddy, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) party's Rajya Sabha member from Telangana, said that electoral reforms are the backbone for a healthy democracy.
He said a large and diverse nation like Indi needs clean electoral rolls.
Asserting that strict re-verification should not become a mechanism for exclusion, Reddy said no eligible voter should lose their right to vote simply because accessing paperwork is difficult.
He said while the concern definitely is on the voters' exclusion, "we should also be equally concerned about the percentage of voting."
"What is happening in voting today? Once the election ends, the drama begins. The biggest challenge that the Indian democracy has been facing in spite of two major Constitutional amendments has been the anti-defection. Anti-defection is the name of the game today, especially in smaller states, especially where the legislatures are small in number," Reddy said.
The senior BRS leader suggested creation of a parliamentary committee "which would constantly look into the defection" and "ways and means to cutting that".
AIADMK's M Thambidurai raised the issues related to election campaigning.
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"Election campaigns are one of the important election processes. In that, political parties must be given the proper chance to campaign," he said and cited problems faced by his party in Tamil Nadu in this regard.
Thambidurai said political parties were facing hardships in Tamil Nadu to conduct public meetings and to express their views to the public.
YSRCP's Yerram Venkata Subba Reddy stressed on bringing electoral reforms at both the state and national levels.
He also suggested replacing Electronic Voting Machines with paper ballots in all future elections.
"EVM may be efficient but can't be trusted. Paper ballot may not be efficient but can be trusted. You need trust in democracy," Reddy added.
