Dr. Abdul Salam Mohammed, the pioneering CEO of Markaz Knowledge City in Kerala, India, has been awarded the prestigious WWMI Global Excellence Award in Resource Recovery for his transformative work in sustainable rural development. The honour, presented by Commissioner Sharon Waller of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, recognised Dr. Mohammed’s success in converting a once-neglected rural hamlet into India’s leading model urban eco-system.
The award was announced during an international conference hosted by the World Water Management Institute (WWMI) at the University of Illinois, where Dr. Mohammed’s project was lauded as a “roadmap for the world.” His work has not only garnered global attention but also earned national recognition, with Markaz Knowledge City receiving the 2025 Sustainable Green Smart City Award from the Government of India. Additionally, the project’s case study was presented at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva during the 22nd International Conference on Sustainable Development.
Under Dr. Mohammed’s leadership, the once-barren land has been revitalised into a vibrant, eco-smart township powered by solar energy, featuring integrated rainwater harvesting, zero-waste management, and green mobility solutions. “We prove that villages can lead India’s green revolution,” Dr. Mohammed declared upon receiving the award.
A Global Movement Begins: The Rural Development Alliance
Building on this success, WWMI has launched the Rural Development Alliance (RDA), a global initiative aimed at transforming impoverished villages into self-sustaining “smart villages.” The program will initially focus on three pilot locations—two in India (Pedda Karampalli and Puthuppadi) and one in Thailand (Na Phiang)—with Dr. Mohammed leading the Kerala project.
“Why should villagers live with disease and pollution while cities have all the technology?” asked Sam Pappu, President of WWMI. “We’re connecting these communities to simple, scalable solutions—clean water, waste management, and renewable energy—on their own terms.”
In Puthuppadi, Kerala, Dr. Mohammed will implement innovative waste and water management systems, replicating the success of Markaz Knowledge City. Meanwhile, Pedda Karampalli will receive sanitation upgrades to protect drinking water, and Na Phiang, Thailand, will adopt eco-friendly farming solutions to combat pollution.
Sunnyvale, Texas: A Meeting of Sustainable Minds
Just days before receiving the WWMI award, Dr. Mohammed visited Sunnyvale, Texas, a town celebrated for its eco-conscious urban planning, to exchange ideas with Mayor Saji George. The two leaders, both former scientists (Dr. Mohammed at ISRO, Mayor George in aerospace engineering), discussed strategies for sustainable governance, revenue generation, and community-focused development.
“Sunnyvale’s commitment to putting people and the planet first, even at the cost of lucrative projects, is truly inspiring,” Dr. Mohammed remarked. His own Markaz Knowledge City, designed for a similar population size, mirrors Sunnyvale’s ethos, integrating UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its framework.
A Scientist with a Mission
Dr. Mohammed’s journey—from a humble village upbringing to advising global sustainability projects in India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar—exemplifies his unwavering commitment to social and environmental progress. A lifelong admirer of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, he has dedicated his career to tackling poverty, education gaps, and water scarcity through science and innovation.
Now, as he leads the Rural Development Alliance and expands his eco-smart model, Dr. Mohammed’s vision is clear: “Rural communities don’t need charity—they need opportunity. And sustainability is that opportunity.”
With Markaz Knowledge City serving as a global benchmark, and the RDA poised to replicate its success worldwide, Dr. Abdul Salam Mohammed is proving that the future of development lies not in sprawling metropolises, but in empowered, green villages.
New Delhi : The Commonwealth Legal Education Association (CLEA) and the Hamdard Institute of Legal Studies & Research (HILSR), Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University), have officially entered into a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28th May 2025.
The MoU was signed at the official residence of the Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Patron of CLEA, located at 19, Akbar Road, New Delhi. The formal ceremony commenced at 6:00 P.M. in the esteemed presence of key representatives from both institutions, reaffirming their mutual commitment to strengthening legal education, collaborative research, and global academic engagement.
The signing ceremony was graced by Prof. (Dr.) S. Sivakumar, President of CLEA; Ms. Ruchi Sharma D, Joint General Secretary, CLEA; and Dr. Vikram Singh Arya, Secretary, CLEA-Asia, representing the Commonwealth Legal Education Association. Representing Jamia Hamdard were Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor; Prof. Saleena Kuzhuppil Basheer, Dean of the Hamdard Institute of Legal Studies & Research; and Dr. Sarfaraz Ahsan, Registrar (Officiating) of the University.
The MoU sets the groundwork for academic exchanges, joint conferences, faculty development programs, collaborative research, and other capacity-building initiatives. Both CLEA and HILSR emphasized that this alliance will significantly contribute to nurturing legal scholarship, policy research, and international cooperation in legal studies.
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Surya Kant, Chief Patron of CLEA, remarked: “This partnership embodies our collective resolve to advance legal education and justice across the Commonwealth. By synergizing expertise and resources, we empower future jurists to champion equitable legal systems globally.”
Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor of Jamia Hamdard, added: “We are proud to join hands with CLEA in this meaningful collaboration. It is an important step towards building bridges in legal education across the Commonwealth.
New Delhi : Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University), New Delhi, proudly participated in the nationwide youth pledge initiative, Yuva Shakti, Bharat Ki Shakti – One Youth, One Nation, One Resolve, organized under the leadership of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU) on May 28, 2025, at 11:00 A.M.
This landmark initiative, held simultaneously across five regions of India, united students in a moment of collective patriotism, civic consciousness, and national solidarity. At Jamia Hamdard, a significant number of students including NCC Cadets and NSS Volunteers came together to take the National Youth Pledge, resonating with the ideals of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and the inclusive vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji.
Representing the central region of the country, the students of Jamia Hamdard reaffirmed their commitment to national unity by enthusiastically participating in the pledge ceremony. This event transcended a mere ceremonial gesture, becoming a powerful expression of the resolve and aspirations of India’s youth. It underscored the belief that patriotism is a unifying force, shared equally across regions, institutions, and communities, and that the future of Bharat lies in the hands of its empowered youth.
The event commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a welcome address from Prof. Reshma Nasreen, Dean of Students’ Welfare, Jamia Hamdard.
The event at Jamia Hamdard was led by Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University. The proceedings began with a cultural invocation and the National Anthem, followed by the pledge. The event was graced by the Guest of Honours and eminent dignitaries including Dr. (Mrs.) Pankaj Mittal, Secretary General, AIU; Prof. (Dr.) Himani Sood, Pro-Chancellor, Chandigarh University; and Shri Chandan Choudhary, MLA, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi. All applauded the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat and lauded the enthusiastic participation of students, faculty, and staff at Jamia Hamdard’s special event, “Rashtra Pratham”.
In his address, Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam commended the national vision of Viksit Bharat under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji. He emphasized the importance of youth and women empowerment, lauding exemplary women leaders such as Col. Sofiia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh for their valiant roles in Operation Sindoor. Prof. Alam further highlighted the values of inclusivity, diversity, and unity, reiterating Jamia Hamdard’s commitment to nurturing responsible and visionary future leaders. He further said that we are proud to stand with AIU in shaping our nation’s youth as the conscience-keepers of Bharat.”
This pledge event served as a powerful symbol of unity in diversity and youth empowerment, resonating with the national call to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Jamia Hamdard extends its heartfelt appreciation to AIU for its visionary leadership and reiterates its unwavering dedication to cultivating youth who are prepared to serve and lead the nation with integrity and purpose.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Sarfaraz Ahsan, Registrar (Officiating), Jamia Hamdard with a message and mission- to empower our youth, to strengthen Bharat and to stand united in purpose and spirit.
BENGALURU, May 28, 2025 — M.A. Saleem, a seasoned IPS officer with over three decades of service, has been appointed Karnataka’s Director General & Inspector General of Police (DGIGP), succeeding Alok Mohan, the state’s longest-serving IPS officer, who retired this week.
Saleem, previously the Director General of Police for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Economic Offences, and Special Units, steps into the role with a formidable reputation. Dubbed “One-Way Saleem” for his transformative traffic reforms, he earned widespread acclaim for streamlining Karnataka’s chaotic road networks.
His investigative prowess shone in leading Special Investigation Teams (SITs) on high-stakes cases, including the multi-crore IMA Ponzi scam, the Bitcoin fraud, rape allegations against former MP Prajwal Revanna, the PSI recruitment scandal, and graft charges linked to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s Valmiki Development Board.
Known for his no-nonsense approach, Saleem is expected to bolster public safety, drive ongoing probes to conclusion, and introduce reforms to enhance police transparency and efficiency. “His track record speaks for itself,” a senior official said, noting Saleem’s appointment has sparked optimism within the force and among the public.
As Karnataka grapples with complex law-and-order challenges, Saleem’s leadership is poised to steer the state police toward greater accountability and public trust.
Hyderabad: Milla Magee, the stunning representative of England at the Miss World 2025 pageant, shocked the audience by announcing her withdrawal from the competition. In a tearful press conference, Magee revealed that she felt pressured to compromise her values and was treated like a “prostitute” by the organizers.
The 23-year-old beauty queen expressed her disappointment and frustration, stating that the pageant’s focus had shifted from celebrating women’s empowerment and talent to objectifying contestants. Magee emphasized that she had entered the competition to showcase her intellect, passion for social causes, and cultural exchange, but was instead expected to prioritize physical appearance and charm.
“They wanted me to wear revealing outfits, pose in ways that made me uncomfortable, and smile for the cameras without any genuine conversation,” Magee alleged. “It felt like they were more interested in selling a image than celebrating our achievements.”
Magee’s decision has sparked a heated debate about the pageant industry, with many supporters praising her courage and conviction. Social media is filled with hashtags #StandWithMilla and #PageantReform, as people demand greater respect and dignity for contestants.
The controversy surrounding Miss World 2025 has raised questions about the treatment of contestants and the true purpose of beauty pageants. Many are calling for a shift in focus towards empowering women and promoting inner beauty, rather than objectifying them for their physical appearance.
As Magee walked away from the competition, she declared, “I will not compromise my self-respect and integrity for anyone. It’s time for change, and I’m proud to be part of the conversation.”
Magee’s stance has inspired other contestants to speak out about their experiences, potentially marking a turning point in the pageant industry.
