Hamidullah Shariff who translated the Qur’an into Telugu in 1985 died recently in his home town in a village in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh.
Hamidullah Sharif is well versed in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, Telugu and English languages and is considered a scholar particularly of Arabic, Urdu and Telugu.
The Telugu translation of Qur’an is named or titled Divya Qur’an.
He was also a member of Andhra Pradesh’s Jamat-e Islami Hind Majlis-e Shoora.
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette / Home> Community News> Obituaries / May 02nd, 2026
The AIMIM won 33 seats in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 21 in Malegaon, 15 in Amravati, 13 in Nanded, 10 in Dhule, eight in Solapur, six in Mumbai, five in Thane, two in Jalgaon, and one in Chandrapur.
Asaduddin Owaisi / PTI
Asaduddin Owaisi’s door-to-door campaign and the sting of narrow defeats in previous polls energized the workers of All India Majlis E Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) in the Maharashtra civic elections, resulting in the party winning 114 seats across the state, its leader Shareque Naqshbandi said on Friday.
The AIMIM won 33 seats in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, 21 in Malegaon, 15 in Amravati, 13 in Nanded, 10 in Dhule, eight in Solapur, six in Mumbai, five in Thane, two in Jalgaon, and one in Chandrapur.
Winning 80 seats in earlier civic polls gave the party an idea of the temperament of the urban voter, which also helped, Naqshbandi told PTI.
“Initially, AIMIM faced a challenge from its own people over candidature in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Later, the presence of Asaduddin Owaisi and his rallies in potent pockets resulted in AIMIM winning 33 out of 37 seats we contested here. We have bagged wins from Mumbai to Chandrapur this time,” he said.
Owaisi dedicated more time to the campaign compared to 2015 and managed to overcome dissidence by speaking to disgruntled leaders and convincing nearly 70 percent of them, Naqshbandi said.
“The rest had already moved ahead by joining other political parties. We brought these people together and this got converted into votes. There were divisions among the opposition parties, which proved to be an opportunity to us. Moreover Asaduddin Owaisi went door to door in the areas where we were contesting. He pointed out local civic issues in smaller rallies which appealed to the voter,” he added.
Narrow losses, like the one faced by Imtiaz Jaleel in the 2024 assembly elections from Aurangabad East, had hurt workers who put in extra efforts, Naqshbandi said.
Speaking on the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar civic poll results, former MP Jaleel said the BJP was fighting with the aim of ending the Shiv Sena here.
“The BJP had money and resources but they had a target to end Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. They severed the alliance at the last moment and achieved their target. Now Shiv Sena is behind us here. They have 4-5 MLAs, one MP and a minister here. But they could do nothing and people have answered them through votes,” he told reporters.
The people of the city have stood with AIMIM for the past 12 years, resulting in 33 wins, Jaleel added.
“We are the second biggest party in the city after BJP. We have given candidature to the ordinary people here and they have won here. This is a tight slap to those political parties who gave candidature to their relatives. While the opposition called AIMIM communal, we made people from the Hindu community win seats,” he said.
source: http://www.telegraphonline.com / The Telegraph Online / Home> India / by The Telegraph Online Web Desk & PTI / January 16th, 2026
The Azim Premji Foundation on Thursday announced the Azim Premji Scholarship for up to 2.5 lakh girl students from government schools across 18 States for pursuing higher education.
A scholarship of ₹30,000 will be given annually to girl students who have passed their 10th and 12th examinations in government schools and have received admission in a bona fide higher education institution (HEI). These bona fide HEIs will include all government HEIs and selective private HEIs as well. The ₹30,000 scholarship will continue for the duration of the girl’s college/university programme, so long as the girl successfully continues in the programme.
“There is no additional criteria or eligibility for the candidates. We are not conducting any exams or checking the financial backgrounds of the students,” said Anurag Behar, the Chief Executive Officer of the Azim Premji Foundation.
He stated the reason for such a type of screening was that more than 90% of government school children come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The scholarship aims to ease some of the financial burdens of girl students pursuing a higher education, rather than focus on too many checklists or screening processes.
He also noted that while primary school admissions for girls were almost equal to those of boys, higher education admission numbers showed a lesser percentage of girls. “Tuition fees are often waived off or given at a discount for girls from disadvantaged financial backgrounds. But additional expenses like commute, clothes, books etc discourage them from pursuing their higher education,” he explained.
A pilot test of the ‘Azim Premji Scholarship’ was launched in 2024-25 across certain districts of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand, where over 25,000 girls were selected for the scholarship. For the academic year of 2025-26, the scholarship has officially been launched across 18 States, some of which include Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, Tripura, Odisha, and Mizoram.
The application process for 2025-26 will start in September 2025. Students can apply online. The scholarship program is a ₹2,250 crore commitment across three years by the foundation, and is likely to be expanded to cover the entire country in coming years.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by The Hindu Bureau / May 16th, 2025
The Foundation has set a target of spending ₹4,000 crore over the next five years to build and operate a 1,000-bed charitable super-speciality and multi-organ transplant hospital in Bengaluru.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah with Anurag Beharm, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation, at a ceremony in Bengaluru on Saturday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Azim Premji Foundation has set a target of spending ₹4,000 crore over the next five years to build and operate a new 1,000-bed charitable super-speciality and multi-organ transplant hospital in Bengaluru.
The hospital will come up on 10 acres within the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases campus in Bengaluru, which the government has agreed to lease to the Foundation for 99 years, he announced on Saturday after the Medical Education Department and the Foundation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction and management of the facility.
Mr. Siddaramaiah said the State was grateful to the Foundation and to Azim Premji ‘for undertaking this noble initiative’, and for deciding to run the facility free of cost. The Foundation will invest ₹1,000 crore on building the hospital and more over the years to run the facility, he said.
Over the last 25 years, the Foundation has supported teacher training, contributed ₹1,500 crore to the government’s egg distribution scheme in schools in 2024, and extended annual scholarships of ₹30,000 each to students from government colleges under the Deepika scheme, the Chief Minister added.
Public systems key
Anurag Behar, CEO, Azim Premji Foundation, emphasised the importance of strengthening public systems, saying private initiatives cannot compensate for weak public infrastructure.
“The foundation believes that public systems are central to a good society. Our commitment is to work with the government to strengthen them,” he said, pointing out that healthcare begins with ASHA workers, primary health centres, and preventive work in communities. “Hospitals are critical, but the first goal must be to prevent people from falling ill,” he said.
Mr. Behar praised Karnataka as ‘one of the three most proactive States’ the Foundation works with. He noted that the Foundation’s 25-year engagement in Karnataka has shown progress most visibly in grassroots work in, among other places, Surpur and Sindagi.
Transplant hub
Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash R. Patil said the proposed hospital will provide transplant services across multiple organs, with 70% of procedures free of cost and the remaining 30% at minimal rates on the lines of the autonomous Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research and the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.
He said more than 5,000 patients in Karnataka are currently awaiting kidney transplant, and over 1,000 require liver transplant.
Dr. Patil added that the project aligns with the government’s larger roadmap to strengthen tertiary healthcare. “We have set a target of establishing one medical college, one super-speciality hospital, one trauma centre, and one cancer hospital in every district,” he said.
At present, Karnataka has 22 government medical colleges, 10 super-speciality hospitals, eight trauma centres, and eight cancer centres, and is ‘halfway through’ with the plan. He said the State intends to transition towards a universal health coverage model, as in the UK, in the coming decade.
This article has been updated to rectify a factual error
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India>Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / January 18th, 2026
Rufaida College of Nursing, Jamia Hamdard organised its Induction Programme for M.Sc. Nursing, B.Sc. (Hons.) Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, and DGNM First-year students on November 24 at the Convention Centre, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi. A total of 176 students participated in the programme.
The Chief Guest for the programme was Mrs. Bholi Ahluwalia, Chairperson, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi. The Guest of Honour was Dr. Achala, Assistant Director General (Nursing), DGHS, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
The inaugural ceremony commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by Imam Sahib of Rabia Mosque, followed by the Hamdard Tarana presented by the nursing students.
In her welcome address, Prof. Veena Sharma, Dean-cum-Principal, Rufaida College of Nursing, School of Nursing Education & Research, greeted the newly admitted students and paid homage to the university’s founder, Late Hakeem Abdul Hameed. She highlighted the college’s remarkable achievements, strong national ranking, and consistent 100% placement record. She encouraged students to make full use of academic and professional opportunities available at Jamia Hamdard.
In her address, Mrs. Ahluwalia praised the students for choosing a profession rooted in service and emphasised the vital, compassionate role nurses play in healthcare.
Dr. Achala congratulated the new batch and described the induction as the beginning of a transformative journey. She urged students to remain engaged academically and participate actively in extracurricular activities.
In his presidential address, Prof. (Dr.) M. Afshar Alam, Vice Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard, welcomed the students to the NAAC “A+” accredited university. He highlighted the rigorous curriculum and dedicated faculty at Rufaida College of Nursing, reminding students that university life fosters critical thinking, compassion, discipline, and leadership.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms. Jamal Fatima Hashmi, Assistant Professor, followed by the national anthem.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / November 24th, 2025
The Federation of Minorities Educational Institutions (FMEI), Bangalore Chapter, successfully organised the School Leaders Award Conference 2026 on January 17 at Bearys Suhardha Bhavan here. The conference witnessed the participation of over 150 management leaders and eminent educationists representing Muslim educational institutions across Bengaluru.
The Chief Guest, Mr. Naseer Ahmed, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) and Political Advisor to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, lauded the role of private unaided schools in delivering quality education despite limited resources. He stated that the consistent performance of these institutions reflects their discipline, dedication, and strong educational commitment. Congratulating FMEI, he observed that collective organisation of Muslim educational institutions enhances their political and social influence.
Presiding over the conference, Mr. Syed Tanveer Ahmed, senior educationist, emphasised that a strong collective platform enables Muslim educational institutions to assert their concerns more effectively at policy and governance levels. He urged institutions to rise above sectarian differences and focus on academic excellence, institutional growth, collective welfare, and social responsibility.
Delivering the keynote address, Mr. Muhammad Asifuddin, General Secretary, FMEI Karnataka Chapter, stated that the primary objective of the conference was to recognise and encourage the valuable services of Muslim educational institutions through awards, motivating them towards further progress. On the occasion, school leaders were felicitated with awards presented by the distinguished guests.
A memorandum highlighting key demands was submitted by FMEI through Mr. Naseer Ahmed to the Departments of Education and Minority Welfare. The memorandum included demands such as relaxation in renewal of school recognition, simplification of Minority Status Certificate issuance, enhancement of the Pre-Matric Scholarship budget to over 1000 crore rupees in the 2026–27 financial year, allocation of government land and infrastructure grants for Muslim schools, doubling of budgets for Post-Matric and Overseas Education schemes, and direct online submission of applications for Madrasa Modernisation without intermediaries. Mr. Naseer Ahmed assured that he would take up these issues with the Chief Minister and concerned ministers. The memorandum was also released to the media.
Addressing the gathering, Maulana Dr. Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Imam and Khateeb of City Jamia Masjid, Bengaluru, stressed that Muslim educational institutions must integrate moral and religious education alongside modern academics. Dr. Belgami Mohammed Saad, President, Mansurah Educational and Welfare Trust, highlighted that a holistic institution is one that nurtures knowledge, Islamic values, and character simultaneously.
Dr. Mohammad Taha Mateen, Trustee, Taqwa Educational Trust, underscored the importance of strong collective platforms, noting that FMEI serves as a credible and effective organisation to address educational, social, and policy-related challenges faced by Muslim institutions.
During the academic session, Dr. Benazir delivered an insightful PowerPoint presentation titled “Connecting Schools with the Community,” underlining the crucial role of schools in holistic community development.
Prominent members of the organising committee present included Mr. Iqbal Ahmed (President, FMEI Bengaluru), Mr. Haroon Basha (Secretary, FMEI), Mr. Riyaz Ahmed Ron, Syed Basharat Ahmed, Mr. Aslam Hekkari (Udupi), Maulana Abdul Ghaffar Hamid Umri, Mr. Atiq Pasha H, Mrs. Reshma Iqbal, Syed Ejaz, Syed Munir, Mr. Zulfiqar Ahmed, Dr. Zohaib Javed Khan, Mohammad Altaf Ahmed, and Mr. Iftikhar Sharif, among others.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Fareeda Rahmatullah, expressing gratitude to the chief guest, dignitaries, delegates, education leaders, media professionals, and participants. The conference strongly reaffirmed that organised educational leadership is vital for social development and effective policy advocacy.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / January 18th, 2026
Behind the lively performance lies a powerful story of courage, hussain operates from a wheelchair, yet runs his business with independence, confidence and sharp skill.
Hussain
Hyderabad’s food culture has always been rich, vibrant and full of character. From royal biryanis steeped in history to late-night street snacks bursting with flavour, the city’s culinary identity is celebrated across India. Now, Hyderabad has another reason to feel proud as Hussain, famously known as “Fire Paan Wala” represented the city on the national stage through MasterChef India Season 9.
Hussain, the founder of the viral Hussain Paan Parlour, made a fiery impression during the auditions of MasterChef India 9, which premiered on January 5, 2026.
Hussain stunned judges Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar and Kunal Kapur with his unique preparation of a paan which he crafted using lit cloves and a specialised filling technique refined over years of practice.
When he served the flaming paan to chef Ranveer Brar himself, the studio watched in awe. As the flame flickered and aromas filled the air, Ranveer tasted the paan with a smile, praising its flavour, creativity and bold presentation. The judges applauded Hussain’s confidence and art.
Hussain is a world record holder for creating over 1,000 varieties of paan. His pan parlours are located in Tolichowki and Banjara Hills. People come not only to eat paan, but to watch a show unfold. He is frequently hired for weddings and special events, where his unique paan experience adds a touch of excitement.
Hussain’s signature fire paan, briefly set aflame before serving, turned a simple mouth freshener into a thrilling experience. What began as a small street-side business soon became a Hyderabad sensation, attracting locals, tourists and food vloggers alike.
Hussain is instantly recognisable, not just for his paan, but for his unique style. He dresses in shiny, eye-catching outfits, wears a chunky gold necklace and a large gold bracelet on one hand, and moves with the flair of a performer. As he prepares paan, he adds rhythm, small dance steps and dramatic hand gestures, transforming food service into street theatre. Long before television fame, he was already a star on Hyderabad’s roads.
Behind the lively performance lies a powerful story of courage. Hussain operates from a wheelchair, yet runs his business with independence, confidence and sharp skill. His physical limitation never became a reason to slow down. Instead, it became part of his strength.
Stepping from a busy paan counter into the intense MasterChef kitchen was a bold leap one that has earned him admiration across the country.
This season also features other inspiring differently-abled contestants, including Manisha Sharma, who uses cooking as therapy while living with secondary Parkinson’s disease, and Ratna Tamang, a Nepali chef who cooks despite losing both hands. Their journeys have turned MasterChef into a tribute to the human spirit.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Siasat.com> Entertainment / by Shefali Shivasharan / January 18th, 2026
Marziya Shanu Pathan, with her supporters after winning the BMC election
In a remarkable political debut, 24-year-old Marziya Shanu Pathan, representing the NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), has emerged victorious in the BMC elections from Ward 32, Mumbra. Her win not only marks a milestone for young women in politics but also highlights the growing influence of grassroots activists in local governance.
Marziya’s victory has drawn widespread attention, particularly on social media, where she became a viral figure during the campaign, often compared to other young political personalities such as Sahar Yunus Sheikh of the AIMIM. Known for her activism and social work, Marziya has spent years working with the MSPare Foundation, focusing on women’s empowerment, civic engagement, and community development in Mumbra. Her campaign, rooted in public outreach and advocacy, resonated strongly with local voters.
Adding a historic touch to the win, Marziya’s father, Ashraf “Shanu” Pathan, also secured his seat in the same election, creating a dual-family triumph that has captured the imagination of the community. The Pathans’ success reflects a blend of youthful energy and political experience, signalling a new wave of leadership in the region.
Political analysts say Marziya’s win challenges traditional stereotypes and demonstrates that young women from minority communities can not only compete but lead in local politics. Her election is being hailed as a step forward for representation and inclusive governance in the Mumbai civic landscape.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by Ashhar Alam / January 17th, 2026
Grand Mufti Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Muslyar with politician Ramesh Chennithala during the Kerala Yatra
New Delhi :
Kanthapuram A.P. Abubacker Musliyar, the Grand Mufti of Sunni Muslims of India, received the first Sree Narayana Guru Brotherhood Award, instituted by Swami Saswathikananda Cultural Centre, during the ongoing Kerala Yatra.
The 16-day Paamjam Insaniyat Kerala Yatra, is an ongoing state-wide campaign by the Kerala Muslim Jamaat to mark the centenary of the Sunni Jamiat Ulema.
The award was presented by SNDP Yogam former president Gokulam Gopalan, Yogam former board member Adv. S. Chandrasenan, and Saswathikananda Cultural Center director Adv. V.R. Anoop at the reception venue of Kerala Yatra at Kayamkulam.
— Sheikh Abubakr Ahmad الشيخ أبوبكر أحمد (@shkaboobacker) January 15, 2026
Advocate V. R. Anup is the director of Swami Saswatikananda Cultural Centre.
Addressing the ceremony, Gokulam Gopalan said that Sheikh Abubakar Ahmed is a leader who has promoted a specific development model. This model enables the empowerment of all communities and social progress. He said that Sheikh Abubakar Ahmed has rendered valuable services for the promotion of human values, brotherhood, peace and a prosperous society in the state.
CK Vidyasagar, Jury Chairman, said that Sheikh Abubakar Ahmed promoted fraternal coexistence with other communities in the light of the moral and jurisprudential principles of Islam.
He said that this role has strengthened Kerala’s tradition of social harmony.
Ramesh Chennithala posted images of Kerala Yatra by Jamaat on X:
Participated in the concluding ceremony of the Kerala Yatra led by the Indian Grand Mufti, the revered Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Muslyar as part of the centenary celebrations of Samastha Kerala Jamyathul Ulama.
Advocate V. R. Anoop said that the lofty ideals of Sree Narayan Guru’s philosophy are prominent in various communities. He said that constructive social engagement can bring about a meaningful change in Kerala.
Sheikh Abubakar Ahmed regretted that the boundary between communal identity and sectarianism was rapidly weakening. He said that sectarianism arises when religion is used for political gain.
He added that receiving the award named after Sree Narayan Guru further strengthens his sense of responsibility.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by Aasha Khosa / January 17th, 2026
