Latest news with #Amir
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
From injury in landmine blast to Para World Cup gold: Armyman-turned-marksman Amir Ahmed Bhat's journey
John Muhammad Bhat still remembers the fateful day when he got the call from the Indian Army officers about his younger brother, Amir Ahmad Bhat, an army rifleman and sniper, getting injured in a landmine blast during a special operation near the Line of Control (LOC) in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir. On Saturday, as 30-year-old Amir won the gold medal in the P3-Mixed 25m Pistol category at the World Shooting Para Sport (WSPS) World Cup in Changwon, Korea, the Bhat family felt a sense of vindication; for Amir had fulfilled his purpose of making his country proud, one way or another. 'Right from Amir joining the Indian Army to the day he suffered the injury to today, Amir has always wanted to make India proud and that's what he has done again. Even when he got injured during the special operations, he would tell us, 'It's allah's will and he surely will have some plans for me to serve my country.' Like always, he would be the happiest to watch the Indian anthem play and the Indian flag rise at the shooting range today and that's what he will share with us,' John told The Indian Express. Father Abdul too shares his joy, 'We feel very happy when Amir wins a medal for India. First Amir had done the Indian Army proud and now he is doing India proud.' The Bhats have been small-time farmers, apart from working as daily-wage labourers, for generations at the village of Damhal, nine kms from Anantnag, the district headquarters. With his father working as a plumber in the village to support the family, a young Amir, along with his elder brother, would work in loading and unloading of stones at the local stone market, earning Rs 300-400 daily. 'Our father always taught us that no work is small or big. As young kids, we would also see encounters or gunfights apart from search operations happening in or around villages often during 2006-2010 but then we knew we cannot let these things disturb us and the only way we could improve our lives was by working to support our father,' John remembers. It was in 2012 that a young Amir would enlist for an Indian Army recruitment rally in Anantnag. 'Amir always wanted to be an Indian Air Force Pilot. But we had no means to support the coaching. He failed his maths exams in 12th and when one of our relatives scolded him, he went to another relative's home to spend the night. The next day, he enlisted in the Indian Army recruitment rally in Anantnag and later cleared all the tests,' elder brother John says. With him being enlisted in Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry 15th battalion, Amir would spend the next six years making his way to the Special Operations Ghatak Platoon of the battalion, with which, in March 2018, he was part of the special operation that saw him lose the heel (calcaneus) and the adjoining Talus bone in his left leg in the landmine blast. 'When we met the Commanding Officer of his unit, he told me that Amir had walked 15 kms from the place of the landmine blast on his own to where the rescue unit was placed. The next six months we spent time in Army Hospitals in Udhampur as well RR Hospital in Delhi before Co.l Pawan Sharma did multiple surgeries on his leg. 18 units of blood were transfused during the surgeries and it was Amir's willpower which saw him recover and he always talked about rejoining his unit and not sitting idle at home,' John recalls. With him making full recovery by 2020, Amir rejoined his unit as a trainer before his Commanding officer recommended him to train at the Army Marksman Unit in Mhow in 2021. While the then Naib Subedar opted to train in 50m rifle prone events initially, he soon started training in pistol events and won his first para nationals medal in the form of a silver in the 2022 para nationals. 'With him being a special forces sniper, Amir always had the shooting IQ. While each armyman lives by the motto one shot one kill, precision shooting is different. We had to make him understand the technicalities of precision shooting apart from making his body adjust to shooting for 3-4 hours, aiming again and again. We worked on his body posture and strengthening the core to handle the balance while shooting sitting,' remembers coach Subedar Major Rajesh Kumar of AMU. In 2023, Amir won the bronze in 50m pistol SH1 category in WSPS World Cup in Korea before winning a silver in 25m Pistol SH1 in the next world cup in Croatia before he sealed his spot in the Indian Para Shooting team for Paris Paralympics post the Paralympics trials in May last year. While Amir missed advancing to the final in Paris, he won the gold with a score of 24 in Saturday's final after topping the qualification with a score of 582. 'Amir's strength has always been his sharp shooting skills and the way he adjusted his body and mind to shoot in precision shooting,' says national para shooting pistol coach Subash Rana. 'Training under foreign coach Pavel Smirnov and along with Gurpreet Singh (a Rio Olympian) has also made him a more technically stronger shooter and this gold will further motivate him,' said Col Naren Babu, CO, Army Marksman Unit, Mhow. Nitin Sharma is an Assistant Editor with the sports team of The Indian Express. Based out of Chandigarh, Nitin works with the print sports desk while also breaking news stories for the online sports team. A Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award recipient for the year 2017 for his story 'Harmans of Moga', Nitin has also been a two-time recipient of the UNFPA-supported Laadli Media Awards for Gender Sensitivity for the years 2022 and 2023 respectively. Nitin mainly covers Olympics sports disciplines with his main interests in shooting, boxing, wrestling, athletics and much more. The last 17 years with The Indian Express has seen him unearthing stories across India from as far as Andaman and Nicobar to the North East. Nitin also covers cricket apart from women's cricket with a keen interest. Nitin has covered events like the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2016 T20 World Cup and the 2017 AIBA World Youth Boxing Championships. An alumnus of School of Communication Studies, Panjab University, from where he completed his Masters in Mass Communications degree, Nitin has been an avid quizzer too. A Guru Nanak Dev University Colour holder, Nitin's interest in quizzing began in the town of Talwara Township, a small town near the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. When not reporting, Nitin's interests lie in discovering new treks in the mountains or spending time near the river Beas at his hometown. ... Read More
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Straits Times
Fruits left for elephants along Malaysian highway puts motorists at risk, says patrol volunteer
Videos of an elephant pressing her head against the side of the lorry as if to free her lifeless juvenile from under the vehicle tugged at the heartstrings of many. PHOTOS: MOHD AMIR FAIZAL/FACEBOOK, SCREENGRAB FROM BULETIN MALAYSIA/FACEBOOK Fruits left by wildlife lovers along a highway that is known for elephant encounters in Malaysia may put motorists at risk, a highway patrol volunteer has said. According to Sungai Petani response team volunteer Mohd Amir Faizal, his team has discovered several piles of fruit on the East-West Highway since May 11, the day when a bereft elephant made news for refusing to leave her dead calf that had been run over by a lorry on the same road. Videos of the elephant pressing her head against the side of the lorry as if to free her lifeless juvenile from under the vehicle tugged at the heartstrings of many in Malaysia, at a time when Mother's Day was celebrated around the country. The area around the 123km highway, which links Gerik in Perak to Jeli in Kelantan, is a natural habitat for wild animals such as elephants, bears, Malayan tigers, leopards and tapirs. Mr Amir said he was once contacted by a non-governmental organisation that asked about placing fruits along the highway, which he had warned against, reported Malaysia's state news agency B ernama on May 28 . 'I warned them against it, but judging from the photographic evidence we've received, it appears the warning was ignored,' he said. 'Volunteers have observed these fruit piles being placed at night in at least three locations - near Titi Gajah, the JRTB Construction Memorial, and close to the Jeli district in Kelantan.' On Mr Amir's Facebook page, he explained that once the elephants start taking food from the roadside, they may get used to it and wait by the road for food to come. He added that the elephants would become angry when they are not fed, and what they could do out of frustration may prompt motorists to demand the authorities to take action against the animals. In his latest post on May 28, Mr Amir said: 'Don't let anyone lose their life because of our actions.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New Straits Times
4 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Penang Rapid On-Demand expands van-bus service in seven zones
GEORGE TOWN: Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus) will expand its Rapid Penang On-Demand service through a three-month Proof of Concept (POC) phase starting May 31, involving seven zones. Prasarana Malaysia Bhd group chief operating officer (operations) Amir Hamdan said his party identified the seven zones based on local demand, population density and the need to improve connectivity with existing bus route service coverage. He said the first zone, the Alma zone, will be equipped with four vans to connect passengers with existing bus routes such as (No.) 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 801 (Penang Sentral – Nibong Tebal) and 802 (Bukit Mertajam – Nibong Tebal). "Next, the BM (Bukit Mertajam) City zone will operate with three vans in the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) town centre, which provides a solution for first and last mile access as well as through better interconnection with the existing bus network. "This involves routes 606 (Bukit Mertajam – Kepala Batas), 701 (Bukit Mertajam – Penang Sentral), 702 (Bukit Mertajam – Penang Sentral), 707 (Bukit Mertajam – Taman Pelangi), 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 709 (Penang Sentral – Machang Bubuk), 802 (Bukit Mertajam – Nibong Tebal) and CT14 (Bukit Mertajam – Komtar)," he said in a statement today. Amir said the Bayan Baru zone would involve three vans to provide access to existing bus services including routes 301 (Weld Quay – Relau), 302 (Weld Quay – Batu Maung), 303 (Weld Quay – Bukit Gedung), 304 (Gurney Promenade – Bukit Gedung), 306 (Hospital – Penang International Airport), 308 (Sungai Nibong – Gertak Sanggul), 401 (Weld Quay – Teluk Kumbar), 401E (Weld Quay – Balik Pulau) and CT13 (Bayan Baru – Seberang Jaya). In addition, he said two vans for the Bertam zone would connect commuters with routes 601 (Penang Sentral – Kepala Batas), 606 (Bukit Mertajam – Kepala Batas) and 610 (Kepala Batas – Tasek Gelugor) to reduce waiting times for these routes. "The Balik Pulau zone will also have two vans for the first and last mile access with existing bus routes, namely routes 401E (Balik Pulau – Weld Quay), 403 (Balik Pulau – Pulau Betong), 404 (Balik Pulau – Pantai Acheh) and 502 (Genting Town, Balik Pulau – Weld Quay). "The Transkrian or Nibong Tebal zone also involves two vans that will operate specifically in the Transkrian area to connect communities with the Rapid Penang bus service network, while three vans will be for the Batu Kawan zone, which is an industrial, commercial and new residential hub that does not yet have a public transport network around it," he said. Amir said throughout the POC period, Rapid Bus will monitor demand and usage patterns to ensure that the service is relevant to meet needs while implementing improvements based on evaluation results and passenger feedback. As of mid-May, the service had been operating in six zones involving 31 vans with an average daily rate of 1,828 people, thus showing good acceptance among commuters. – Bernama
Barnama
4 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Penang Rapid On-Demand Expands Van-bus Service in Seven Zones From May 31
GEORGE TOWN, May 27 (Bernama) -- Rapid Bus Sdn Bhd (Rapid Bus) will expand its Rapid Penang On-Demand service through a three-month Proof of Concept (POC) phase starting May 31, involving seven zones. Prasarana Malaysia Berhad group chief operating officer (operations) Amir Hamdan said his party identified the seven zones based on local demand, population density and the need to improve connectivity with existing bus route service coverage. He stated that the first zone, the Alma zone, will be equipped with four vans to connect passengers with existing bus routes such as (No.) 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 801 (Penang Sentral – Nibong Tebal) and 802 (Bukit Mertajam – Nibong Tebal). 'Next, the BM (Bukit Mertajam) City zone will operate with three vans in the Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) town centre, which provides a solution for first and last mile access as well as through better interconnection with the existing bus network. 'This involves routes 606 (Bukit Mertajam – Kepala Batas), 701 (Bukit Mertajam – Penang Sentral), 702 (Bukit Mertajam – Penang Sentral), 707 (Bukit Mertajam – Taman Pelangi), 708 (Bukit Mertajam – Junjung), 709 (Penang Sentral – Machang Bubuk), 802 (Bukit Mertajam – Nibong Tebal) and CT14 (Bukit Mertajam – Komtar),' he said in a statement today. Amir said the Bayan Baru zone would involve three vans to provide access to existing bus services including routes 301 (Weld Quay – Relau), 302 (Weld Quay – Batu Maung), 303 (Weld Quay – Bukit Gedung), 304 (Gurney Promenade – Bukit Gedung), 306 (Hospital – Penang International Airport), 308 (Sungai Nibong – Gertak Sanggul), 401 (Weld Quay – Teluk Kumbar), 401E (Weld Quay – Balik Pulau) and CT13 (Bayan Baru – Seberang Jaya). In addition, he said two vans for the Bertam zone would connect commuters with routes 601 (Penang Sentral – Kepala Batas), 606 (Bukit Mertajam – Kepala Batas) and 610 (Kepala Batas – Tasek Gelugor) to reduce waiting times for these routes. "The Balik Pulau zone will also have two vans for the first and last mile access with existing bus routes, namely routes 401E (Balik Pulau – Weld Quay), 403 (Balik Pulau – Pulau Betong), 404 (Balik Pulau – Pantai Acheh) and 502 (Genting Town, Balik Pulau – Weld Quay). 'The Transkrian or Nibong Tebal zone also involves two vans that will operate specifically in the Transkrian area to connect communities with the Rapid Penang bus service network, while three vans will be for the Batu Kawan zone, which is an industrial, commercial and new residential hub that does not yet have a public transport network around it," he said.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Weighing machine makers from Gujarat and Assam wrestle for ‘Sumo' brand
AHMEDABAD: A city-based firm making electronic weighing scales is engaged in a legal dispute with a manufacturer from Assam regarding its rights to use the brand name 'Sumo' for its products. A local court here has temporarily restrained the Assam-based manufacturer from selling his weighing scales under the 'Sumo' brand. According to case details, Sumo Digital Incorporation filed a commercial suit in a city civil court in 2023 against Utolish Ali Amir from Assam, alleging infringement on its trademark rights. The Ahmedabad firm claimed that it was manufacturing and selling electronic weighing scales and weighbridges since 2002 under the brand name 'Sumo Digital', and it applied for trademark registration in 2003. Its trademark got registered only in Oct 2022. However, in 2021, the city firm obtained the copyright for its label in the same name. It alleged that Amir was using a deceptively similar trademark since 2022 for the same products, and it was affecting its business, as it has operations in Assam and Chhattisgarh as well. Amir was selling his electronic weighing scales under the name 'Sumo Pro Max', which created confusion among the consumers, it further stated. The firm urged the court to stop Amir from selling his products under the 'Sumo' brand. In Nov 2023, the commercial court passed an ex-parte order temporarily restraining Amir from using the word 'Sumo' for his products. Amir later objected to the filing of the suit in Ahmedabad's court, questioning the court's jurisdiction, but his application was turned down. Then, Amir filed another application and urged the court to vacate the interim injunction. Opposing the stay order, Amir's counsel argued that the word 'Sumo' was descriptive and it expresses the power of Japanese wrestlers. There are various registrations under the name 'Sumo' before the plaintiff got its trademark registered. After hearing the arguments, commercial court Judge P K Khubchandani last week rejected Amir's application and confirmed the stay till the pendency of the suit. The court stated, "Under the circumstances, plaintiff being the registered proprietor of the mark is entitled to all the protection available to a registered proprietor of the mark under the provisions of the Trademark Act."
