All posts by mpositiveone@gmail.com

Motivational Speaker Extraordinaire Saeed Ahmed Changes Lives of Depressed Individuals

Sholapur / Pune, MAHARASHTRA :

Meet the man who is on a mission. He even gave up his lucrative job to completely devote himself to this cause. His goal is to inspire the next generation to become responsible and productive citizens by raising their level of awareness about education. He has been crisscrossing the length and breadth of the country since 2006.

The man is Syed Saeed Ahmed, a distinguished motivational speaker with a multifaceted personality who inspires and motivates others and unearths their hidden potential. He has an amazing sense of spontaneity, an inquisitive mind, and a captivating personality.

Throughout India, he has conducted countless personality development programs for the student fraternity, diverse academic community stakeholders involved in the teaching-learning process, the corporate sector, workers in extremely stressful work environments, and the group of people who accept their fate as pseudo-failures.

Saeed Ahmed’s workshops are widely recognized for their great content and distinctive, compelling style of delivery.

Ranked as one of the leading motivational speakers in India, Saeed Ahmed’s workshops are widely recognized for their great content and distinctive, compelling style of delivery. His energizing classes are intuitive, inspiring participants to realize their full potential, release their innate energy, and develop a burning drive for achievement and personal excellence. They are intended to provide participants with a great deal of energy and vitality, enabling them to advance both personally and professionally.

His successful endeavors to bring back to life pseudo-failures, particularly those with low motivational factors and a criminal past, have grabbed significant media attention. The last few years have seen the frequent publication of pieces celebrating these accomplishments in prominent newspapers, and multiple news channels have aired his pre-recorded interviews on the subject.

Born in Sholapur, a textile town in Maharashtra, Saeed Ahmed did his schooling through the Urdu medium and graduated in geography and political science. He went on to pursue higher learning. After completing his studies in library and information science, he did his post-graduation in the Urdu literature from Shivaji University in Kolhapur. He started his career in a modest capacity as an assistant librarian at a reputable college in Pune.

His early and modest profession served as a palette for shaping him into a multifaceted personality, as he was surrounded by antique and modern books, newsletters, and printed reference material of inter-disciplinary content. Gradually and steadily, he began to embody the roles of an actor, director, dramatist, journalist, writer, peace activist promoting global fraternity, and, most recently, a student. He is currently pursuing a doctorate at Pune University on the extremely relevant subject of “Hindustani stage and tradition of Urdu drama in Maharashtra.”

He is an expert at improving life skills, including stress management, time management, positive thinking, emotion management (for overcoming fear, grief, sorrow, rage, boredom, etc.), and a number of other crucial areas that participants may reveal themselves in. The contents change based on the situation, the amount of time available for engagement, and the participants’ overall characteristics, expectations, and concerns.

The evolution of a nationally renowned motivational speaker can be summed up by examining the thirty years of his career. This shows how a person’s life experiences, some natural and some others artificially created, play a crucial role in shaping a flexible personality that can handle any circumstance with ease. What makes the one and only “Saeed Ahmed” is a combination of his varied experiences with controversial topics and his recording of the algorithms used to address them.

Having spent a significant portion of his career working for an organization, he has encountered the typical challenges that all workers face in today’s cutthroat and materialistic workplace. As he began his dazzling career, he experienced moments of rivalry, envy, and unpleasant camaraderie from coworkers, superiors, and even higher authorities. To nearly all of them, he answered with forbearance, patience, and strengthened willpower. In actuality, they functioned as an oven to solidify his supple clay and imparted to him free psychological counseling, stress management techniques, and elegant interpersonal interactions.

Saeed Ahmed is not just a motivator of the highest caliber; he is also an actor, director, writer, documentary filmmaker, and journalist.

He was connected to several prominent theaters in Lahore, Pakistan, as well as Prithvi (Mumbai), Nehru Centre (Mumbai), Rangshankara (Bangalore), Hamdard University, Delhi, Balgandharva (Pune), and Punjab Naat-shala (Amritsar). He performed widely for an Indian audience with these theater groups, and three of his shows, which were shown consecutively for three years in a row at the “World Performing and Visual Arts Festival” in Lahore, were acclaimed internationally (2004, 2005, 2006). These were “Naquab” by Rafi Peerzada, “Jis Lahore Naee Dekhya” by Dr. Asghar Wajahat, and “Portrait” by Ratnakar Matkari.

Prior to this, most of the plays he directed and performed across the country were “Dhilli Khaat” by Naseem Mannan, “Portrait” by Ratnakar Matkari, “Najat” by Abdul Wahab Lunje, “Nafrat ke Rang” by Kazi Mushtaque Ahmed, and a few plays he wrote himself, including “Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan (Founder of Aligarh Muslim University)”, “Toba Tek Singh,” a drama based on Saadat Hassan Monto, “Kahain Hai,” and “Dilli Ka Thagh” have received favorable reviews from critics and audiences alike. He made his acting debut as a character actor in the “Sunita” serial that was broadcast on Doordarshan. His drama “Sare Jahan Se Accha” had more than forty performances in Maharashtra.

An audio presentation in the form of an audio cassette, followed by audio CDs, and is currently in the process of creating a documentary directed, produced, and narrated by him about the life of Sir Sayyed Ahmed Khan. He also wrote the book “Sare Jahan Se Accha,” released by the Haji Ghulam Mohammed Azam Educational Trust, Pune.

In addition, he has contributed his expertise to the production of multiple documentaries for Pune-based organizations and cable networks.

Alongside his involvement in theater and the arts, he pursued a career as a professional journalist. From 1995 to 2001, he worked as a correspondent for Mumbai’s daily Inquilab and Munsif of Hyderabad and  Pune’s Urdu fortnightly Usool. He had also interviewed prominent figures.

When asked what inspired him to pursue a career in motivational speaking, he admitted with honesty that I was a shy boy in school with an inferiority complex who was accustomed to self-analysis.

Life is a “give and take” proposition, and the previous decades of my diverse work helped me learn enough to be ready for a “second innings” or platform change, in which I now hope to “give,” and in 2002, I made a lifestyle change, he said. In the year 2006, I left the well-secured job to venture into the turbulent waters of lending my ‘know-how’ for the personality development of all, he added.

About his experiences, he pointed out that materialism is prevalent in Muslim society, and there is a wrong notion prevailing in the society that education is for seeking a job. He stresses the need for “Taleem ke saath Tarbiat.”

Under his All India Educational Awareness 93-day tour, last year he traveled 10,000 km across the seven states and conducted 179 workshops in 134 cities. In the second part of the tour, starting on November 11, 2023, he will travel to 13 states.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Pride of the Nation / by Abdul Bari Masoud / November 01st, 2023

Former National Footballer Syed Ahmed Khan Passes Away at 64

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Hyderabad:

Former national footballer Syed Ahmed Khan passed away at the age of 64. He is survived by two daughters and a son.

Ahmed was a prominent player who represented the Police team for nearly three decades. His long career and consistent performance earned him respect in the football community. Teammates and officials remember him as a disciplined player who dedicated his life to the sport.

The Telangana Football Association expressed condolences to his family and acknowledged his contribution to the game. Football lovers in the region recalled his role in strengthening the Police team and inspiring younger players during his career.

His death is a significant loss for the local sporting fraternity. Community members paid tribute to his achievements and extended support to his family.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / September 01st, 2025

10 Muslim Faces in Indian Sports after Independence

INDIA :

Indian Muslim sportspersons

New Delhi :

After the partition and independence of India, the contribution of Muslim faces in Indian sports is a fascinating story. It also sends a clear message that, despite the communal division of the country, all avenues remained open for Muslims in India. The nation saluted talent, not religion. The contribution of Muslims in the field of sports should be the subject of a dedicated book.

However, in this article, we present the 10 most successful Muslim sportspersons of India.

Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan

Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan

Cricket, the most popular sport in the country, has a long list of Muslim players like Ghulam Ahmed, Salim Durani, Abbas Ali Baig, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, Farooq Engineer, Syed Abid Ali, Syed Mustafa Hussain, Syed Kirmani, Ghulam Ahmed Hassan, Mohammad Azharuddin, Arshad Ayub, Zaheer Khan, Syed Saba Karim, Mohammad Kaif, Irfan Pathan, Munaf Patel, Wasim Jaffer, Yusuf Pathan, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Sarfaraz Khan.

However, one of the initial cricketers, who happened to be a Muslim and shone like a star, was Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan, known as “Tiger Pataudi”. He became the youngest Test captain in the history of the game. He represented India in 46 Tests and scored 2793 runs.

In March 1962, he became the youngest Test captain at the age of 21 years and 77 days against the West Indies. His notable achievements include leading India to their first overseas Test match victory in New Zealand in 1968, which was also their first overseas Test series win.

Despite losing vision in his right eye in a car accident in England in 1961, Pataudi proved his mettle on the cricket field. Even today, Tiger Pataudi commands the same respect and popularity in Indian cricket as he did in the past.

Mohammad Azharuddin

Mohammad Azharuddin

Another Muslim cricketer, Mohammad Azharuddin, nicknamed “Indian cricket’s wonder boy,” earned this title right at the beginning of his Test career. In his debut series against England in 1984, he scored three consecutive centuries — a feat yet to be repeated.

Azharuddin played 99 Tests and 334 One Day Internationals for India. As captain, he led the team to victory in the 1990-91 and 1995 Asia Cups and reached the semi-finals of the 1996 Cricket World Cup. He captained India in three Cricket World Cups during the 1990s, which remains a record.

Syed Shahid Hakim

Syed Shahid Hakim receiving award from President Ram Nath Kovind

Once, India was a contender for the top slot in the World Cup Football and the Olympics. Though the situation has deteriorated, the list of Muslim footballers Taj Mohammad, Ahmed Khan, Yusuf Khan, B.P. Saleh, Syed Naeemuddin, Noor Mohammad, Rahmat, T. Abdur Rahman, Mohammad Habib, Mohammad Akbar, and Latifuddin come to the fore.

However, Syed Shahid Hakim comes across as one of the brightest and enduring football player of the post-independent India. He is son of Syed Abdul Rahim, who was once the coach of Indian Football team. A former Squadron Leader in the Indian Air Force, S.S. Hakim’s international career highlight was the 1960 Rome Olympics. Although India didn’t progress beyond the group stage, a 1-1 draw against France was nothing short of a feat.

Following in his father’s footsteps, Hakim turned to coaching and later served as an assistant coach of the Indian national team. He was also a FIFA referee and officiated in the 1988 AFC Asian Cup held in Qatar.

Mohammad Shahid

Mohammad Shahid

In Hockey, a sport once dominated by India, several Muslim players made a mark on the game, including Akhtar Hussain, Aslam Sher Khan, Mohammad Shahid, and Zafar Iqbal.

Among them, Mohammad Shahid from Banaras earned the most fame. His wizardry in the 1970s and 80s — marked by agility and magical dribbling — turned him into a star at a very young age.

He was part of the team that won gold at the 1980 Moscow Olympics, silver in the 1982 Asian Games, and bronze in the 1986 Asian Games. He also played in the 1981-82 World Cup, the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and the 1988 Seoul Games. He captained the Indian team during 1985-86 and announced his retirement from international hockey in January 1989.

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza is the only Indian woman to break into the top 100 in singles and later became World No. 1 in doubles in Tennis. She won six Grand Slam titles — three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles.

Between 2003 and her singles retirement in 2013, she won 43 titles and spent 91 weeks as World No. 1 in doubles. Sania also won 14 medals (including six golds) in the Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Afro-Asian Games. In 2007, she achieved her career-high singles ranking of 27, the highest ever for an Indian woman. In April 2015, she became the World No. 1 in WTA doubles rankings — the first Indian to reach the top.

Syed Modi

Syed Modi

In Badminton, Syed Modi has been the most successful and popular Muslim player. He is regarded as one of the most successful Indian badminton players, winning the National Championship eight consecutive times from 1980 to 1987 — a historic feat.

He also won a gold medal in men’s singles at the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games and international titles such as the Austria International (1983 & 1984) and the USSR International (1985). In 1988, Syed Modi was tragically shot dead in Lucknow.

Nikhat Zareen

Nikhat Zareen

Nikhat Zareen is the shining star of Indian women’s Boxing. Nikhat became a boxing sensation after winning gold at the 2011 Women’s Junior and Youth World Boxing Championships. She won silver at the 2019 Asian Championships in Bangkok, gold at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul, and gold at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

In 2023, she won another gold at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi, becoming only the second Indian woman to achieve the feat twice. She also won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou and secured a quota for India at the Paris Olympics, where she reached the Round of 16 in 2024.

Shama Parveen

Shama Parveen

Indian men and women have dominated Kabaddi in the world. Among Muslim women, the most prominent name Kabaddi layer is Shama Parveen from Bihar, who began her career in 2008.

She has won several honors at different levels. She was part of the Indian team that won gold at the 2017 Asian Kabaddi Championship.

Nasreen Sheikh

Nasreen Sheikh

Nasreen Sheikh of Delhi captained the Indian women’s kho-kho team and became the second player in this sport to receive the Arjuna Award. She led the Indian women’s team in the South Asian Games, where India won gold. She was also part of the Indian team that won the inaugural Kho-Kho World Cup held in January 2025 in New Delhi.

India defeated South Korea, Iran, and Malaysia in the group stage, beat Bangladesh in the quarterfinals, South Africa in the semifinals, and thrashed Nepal 78-40 in the final. For her performance, she was awarded the

Alisha Abdullah

Alisha Abdullah

In Motorsports, Alisha Abdullah stands out among women. Alisha, known as India’s fastest car racer and the country’s first female bike racing champion, was born in Chennai in 1989. She was passionate about racing from a young age. In 2004, she ranked among the top five in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship. With her father’s support, she transitioned from car to bike racing.

However, after a serious accident in 2010 while riding a bike, she returned to car racing. She is the first female motorsports star in the country to receive a Presidential Award.

In Motorsports, Alisha Abdullah stands out among women. Alisha, known as India’s fastest car racer and the country’s first female bike racing champion, was born in Chennai in 1989. She was passionate about racing from a young age. In 2004, she ranked among the top five in the JK Tyre National Racing Championship. With her father’s support, she transitioned from car to bike racing.

However, after a serious accident in 2010 while riding a bike, she returned to car racing. She is the first female motorsports star in the country to receive a Presidential Award.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemakers / by Aasha Khosa, ATV / August 06th, 2025

Syed Shahid Hakim, a Rome 1960 Olympian, dies at 82

Hyerabad, TELANGANA / Kalaburagi (formerly Gulbarga), KARNATAKA :

A former footballer and a veteran sports administrator, Hakim suffered a stroke and was being treated at a hospital in Gulbarga.

picture: SAI / Hakim received the Dhyan Chand award in 2017

Former Indian footballer and Olympian Syed Shahid Hakim passed away at the age of 82 in Gulbarga, Karnataka, on Sunday morning.

SS Hakim, who represented India at the 1960 Rome Olympics, was being treated at a hospital after suffering a stroke two days back.

“He suffered a cardiac arrest at 8 AM today and passed away at 8:30 AM,” Sadia Syeda, wife of Hakim, told Sportstar.

SS Hakim played an integral role for the development of football in India both as a footballer and a coach. He was awarded the Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games in 2017.

Born in Hyderabad, SS Hakim was the son of legendary coach Syed Abdul Rahim, who guided India to two Asian Games gold medals and the semi-final of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics

During his playing days, SS Hakim won the Santosh Trophy in 1960 while plying his trade for Services football team and continued to play till 1966. He also played for City College Old Boys and Indian Air Force at club level.

The highlight of SS Hakim’s international career was the 1960 Rome Olympics. The Hyderabadi was a member of the Indian team, coached by his father.

India failed to make it past the group stages at Rome but famously held France to a 1-1 draw.

SS Hakim turned to coaching after his playing days, following the footsteps of his father.

A former assistant coach of the Indian national team, Hakim managed the Durand Cup-winning side of Mahindra and Mahindra in 1998 and also coached Salgoacar and Bengal Mumbai FC.

Along with coaching, the Hyderabadi was a FIFA referee and officiated at the 1988 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

A former squadron leader of the Indian Air Force, Hakim also held the role of Regional Director of Sports Authority of India, Kolkata.

Hakim ‘saab’, as he was fondly called, is survived by his wife and two daughters.

source: http://www.olympics.com / Olympics.com / Home / by Aarish Ansari / August 22nd, 2021

AIFF condoles the death of former India midfielder DMK Afzal

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

New Delhi :

The All India Football Federation condoled the death of former India midfielder DMK Afzal, who passed away, on Wednesday, May 7, 2025. Afzal is survived by his wife.

An excellent midfielder of his times, Afzal was a part of the gold medal-winning India team at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. Afzal has two appearances in the India shirt, making his debut against the Republic of Korea in the group stage of the 1962 Asiad.

Condoling Afzal’s death, AIFF President Shri Kalyan Chaubey said, “D.M.K. Afzal was a fine midfield maestro of his times, and served the beautiful game with the utmost passion and dedication. I extend my sincerest condolences to his family in this sorrowful hour.”

At the domestic front, Afzal has the distinction of winning the Santosh Trophy with Andhra Pradesh in 1965. With his club, Andhra Police, he won the Durand Cup (1961), Rovers Cup (1962, joint winners), and the DCM Trophy (1965).

He later moved to Kolkata with East Bengal, and won the Calcutta Football League (1966), IFA Shield (1966), Rovers Cup (1967), Durand Cup (1967), Sait Nagjee Trophy (1968), Kerala FA Shield (1968), and the Bordoloi Trophy (1968).

Faraz Ahmed Elected SIO Telangana President for 2025-26

TELANGANA :

Hyderabad:

The Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) Telangana conducted its elections for the term 2025-26 here Tuesday. Chaired by Dr. MKM Zafar, President of JIH Telangana, and Abdul Hafeez, National President of SIO India, the meeting elected Mohd Faraz Ahmed, a Political Science graduate from MANUU, as Zonal President for the term 2025-26. Faraz Ahmed has a notable record of service, having previously served as State Secretary, SIO Telangana, and Secretary SIO Nizamabad. His contributions to SIO’s organ, Rafeeq-e-Manzil, have also been widely recognised.

Mohd Hammaduddin, a student of M. Pharm, was appointed Zonal Secretary. He brings with him extensive experience, having served as President of SIO Hyderabad and as a member of ZAC.

The Zonal Advisory Council (ZAC) members for the 2025-26 are Ashfaq Ahmed, Dr. Osaid Waseem, Suhaib Ahmed Khan, Umar Shahroz, Adv. Ghiyasuddin, Musab Abdul Rahman, Sohail Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Hussain Shahbaz, Abdus Salam Shakir, Samaan Rafid, Qayamuddin, Abdul Khaliq Subhani, Faheemuddin Sufi, Faizan Khan, Azeem Khan, Faisal Khan, Fazl-ul-Bari Irfan.

These leaders took their oath of responsibility during the event, with Dr. MKM Zafar offering prayers for their success.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Report / December 04th, 2024

Ghulam Dastagir, the Unsung Hero of Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

FORGOTTEN HERO OF BHOPAL GAS LEAK TRAGEDY: The saviour Ghulam Dastagir, the Deputy Station Superintendent at Bhopal Railway Junction who saved thousands of lives on December 2 and 3 went unrecognised and was buried in the history.

Much has been said and written about the fateful Bhopal Gas Leak Tragedy in 1984 that claimed around 5,479 lives while affecting over six lakh people with serious skin disorders. However, the saviour Ghulam Dastagir, Deputy Station Superintendent at Bhopal Railway Junction, who saved thousands of lives on December 2 and 3,1984 went unrecognised and was buried in history.

Ghulam Dastagir’s case isn’t an isolated one as thousands of Muslim freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the cause of Indian freedom struggle were more often than not either concealed or forgotten by the Union Government on one pretext or the other. This scribe flipped through the pages of history to zero in on the world’s deadliest industrial tragedy which sent shockwaves among the people across the globe.

Even after four decades after the Union Carbide Factory gas leak episode, the scars still remain in the hearts of the victim families.  What is irking is the fact that a memorial erected at Bhopal Railway Junction for 23 railway men, who lost their lives while rescuing people, have been inscribed but there is hardly any mention about Ghulam Dastagir who played a pivotal role in the rescue operations on the dreadful day.

Sources from various news portals revealed that a deadly gas leak from the Union Carbide factory engulfed the Bhopal city, killing thousands and injuring many more. Amidst the chaos and panic, one man acted swiftly and bravely to save lives: Gulam Dastagir, Deputy Station Superintendent at Bhopal Railway Junction. Few people know that during the Bhopal gas tragedy, a heroic stationmaster risked his own life to save others. But for him the causalities in the catastrophe would have been much higher.

On the fateful night of December 2, 1984, Ghulam Dastagir found himself in the midst of routine paperwork. Little did he know that this night would forever alter the course of his life. As the Bombay-Gorakhpur Express was due to arrive, Dastagir’s routine took a drastic turn when he sensed something was amiss. His swift action would soon prove to be the difference between life and death for many. Upon stepping out of his office, Dastagir experienced burning eyes and a bitter throat – a tell-tale sign that something was terribly wrong. Shockingly, he discovered the lifeless form of Dhurva, the station superintendent, in his cabin. Acting swiftly, Dastagir communicated with nearby stations to halt incoming trains, potentially saving countless lives. Despite the looming danger, he ordered the immediate departure of the Gorakhpur-bound train, ensuring the safety of its passengers.

As the deadly gas claimed the lives of 23 station staff members, including Dastagir’s own son, he and his team worked tirelessly to manage the crisis. Despite struggling to breathe, Dastagir remained composed, coordinating medical help, and providing a ray of hope in the face of impending doom. The station became a scene of chaos as large crowds desperately sought escape from the poisonous air, and Dastagir’s leadership became a beacon of strength.

While Dastagir’s selfless actions spared countless lives, the tragedy took a heavy toll on him personally. The toxic gas led to health issues, with a lump forming in his throat, and subsequent years were marked by frequent hospital visits. The heavy personal cost included the loss of his son to the gas and another developing a permanent skin infection. Despite the challenges, Dastagir continued to exhibit resilience until his demise in 2003.

At Bhopal Junction, a memorial stands in honour of 23 railway personnel who lost their lives on that tragic night. Unfortunately, Ghulam Dastagir’s name doesn’t grace the memorial, as his demise occurred nearly two decades later. However, during those critical hours in December 1984, Dastagir exemplified the truth in Gerard Way’s famous quote, proving that heroes emerge from ordinary people who rise to extraordinary challenges.

Meanwhile, Netflix’s series, “The Railway Men” made headlines based on the Bhopal gas tragedy of 1984. Amidst the widespread acclaim for the show, this review reflects on one of the unsung heroes of that tragic night – the deputy station master of Bhopal railway station, Ghulam Dastagir. His extraordinary actions saved lives and offered a glimmer of hope in the face of an unimaginable disaster.

Shadab Dastagir, youngest son of late Dastagir, while speaking to a media in 2023, said that his father’s heroic role in the entire episode on Bhopal Railway Junction on the night intervening December 2 and 3, 1984, has mainly remained unsung.

“Little official acknowledgment and appreciation came his way in these four decades. And now when an OTT series has been made on the episode, it is upsetting that we were never consulted about the actual happenings,” he told The Week.

“I have watched the teaser and the official trailer and I can make out that the character being portrayed by Kay Kay Menon is based upon my father. But then we are highly apprehensive as to how much close to truth the character has been made,” Shadab, who is into the family business of chemicals and fertilisers, said.

He also mentioned that the family had already sold out the copyright of a script on Dastagir’s life and work – based on narration by his father himself during his lifetime – to a production house called Small Box Media. The Mumbai-based production house was planning a full-length movie based on the script when YRF cut in with the miniseries.

A forgotten hero whose sense of duty and commitment saved countless lives, Dastagir’s story deserves to be recognised and remembered by his fellow countrymen.

[The author is former Indian Express and Deccan Chronicle chief]

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Social Service / by M Rafi Ahmed / September 02nd, 2025

Kargil MMA players win 3 national medals, coach Mahdi upbeat

Kargil, LADAKH :

Coach Mahdi Nasiri (In the center) flanked by Murtaza Ali Khuddam, Ali Akbar and Mohammed Hasnain.

Ladakh, now the Union Territory, has registered its name on the national stage for reasons other than the Kashmir conflict and continued Line of Actual Control (LAC) standoff with China. A three-member team from the UT has gained the third position at the National Mixed Martial Arts Championship held in Mumbai this week. The team won a total of four medals — one gold, one silver, and two bronzes.

Murtaza Ali Khuddam has won the Gold Medal in the 79 kg category by knocking down his opponent in the 1st round of the final match. Other medalists are Ali Akbar and Mohammed Hasnain.

Their success is due to their grit, determination, and willpower. This reporter spoke with the Gold medalist Murtaza Ali Khuddam and his coach Mahdi Nasiri on their journey.

The Winners and the coach with their trophy and medals

Nasiri and Khuddam hail from the Kargil district. Mahdi said that he has been a UFC Mixed Martial Arts fighter for long and now coaches and mentors youth who are attracted to the sport. “I developed a passion for this game by watching and reading about international stars and started to self-train in my teenage years. Slowly, I gained confidence and got in touch with known sportsmen of my region.

“They were impressed with my skills and coached me further. Then, on someone’s advice, I went to Iran and spent five years learning and participating in various competitions there,” said Nasiri.

He added that when Bollywood personalities, Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty, organised Super Fight League in 2012, he participated in it and won a gold medal. “Besides, I also won medals in some other events, but my life didn’t change as this sport is not widely played and promoted in India. Plus, the required facilities are scarce. I used to practice alone in a makeshift arena and by watching videos. There was no support from the government or a private organisation. Yes, some individuals used to lend support,” said Mahdi.

The winning team being received at Airport

Mahdi shared with us some videos that showed him practicing and training in a makeshift arena covered with polyethylene sheets to secure players against cold.

Mahdi has become a professional coach. “I hope our performance in MMAFI would improve things. It has already caught the attention of the government.

“Lieutenant Governor RK Mathur in a tweet has appreciated the team for the brilliant performance, particularly of Murtaza Ali Khuddam. Local federation for MMA too is upbeat and would help in uplifting the game and lives of players,” said Mahdi.

Murtaza Ali Khuddam, the gold-medallist, and star of the tournament said, “We grew up watching international star Khabib and Mahdi Bhai playing this very difficult sport. They have been our inspiration. Whatever know about fighting, I have learned from Mahdi Bhai, whether it is elbow strike, ground, and pound, back control, armbar, sprawl, etc.

The team waiting to fly – at the airport

“We had nothing in the name of facilities except a makeshift arena but, we had a lot of determination to prove our mettle. We knew that once we make our mark, our path will be illuminated. See, today as we returned to our hometown, around 200 vehicles had come to receive us. We hope this euphoria will earn attention for MMA in our country too,” Khuddam said.

He also said that for becoming an MMA fighter, the most important is physical strength. “I had built that by following a certain diet regime suggested by Mahdi Bhai,” he said.

The Mixed Martial Arts championship was organised by the Mixed Martial Arts Federation of India (MMAFI).

Khuddam, who is the youngest of his three siblings, said he or the other MMA players from Kargil did not receive any support from the Ladakh Sports authorities. “But, we were not hopeless. Our medal-earning performance will pave the way for a better future. The government will wake up too,” he said.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by M Anas, New Delhi / December 25th, 2021

Dr. Tarana’s book on forgotten Rampur foods released

Rampur, UTTAR PRADESH :

New Delhi :

Away from the hustle and bustle of the national capital Delhi, the food lovers gathered in Delhi’s India International Center to discuss the food – delicacies, genres and history – all day. It was for the release of Dr. Tarana Hasan Khan’s book ‘Deg to Dastarkhwan: Stories and Recipes from Rampur.

In this era of pizza, burger, and fast foods, we seems to be forgetting traditions of the Shahi, Mughlai and old delicious food.

Dr. Tarana Hasan Khan is one of the few to write on Dastarkhwan – the Indian cusine. She is also cultural historian.

Dr. Tarana Hasan Khan and her book

Her other book is: The Begum and the Dastan.

Dr. Tarana says It took her three years to cover the forgotten recipes of Rampur for the book. There is a chapter on rice and spices in this book.

Famous food writer Pushpant Pant also participated in the book launch ceremony. The program started with welcome address by Swati Pal, Principal of Janki Devi Memorial College.

She also discussed the problems faced in writing the book on the ‘forgotten foods of Rampur’ were mentioned. Yusuf Saeed and Naseema Naqvi had a long conversation on this subject. This was followed by a discussion on the history of the foods between Dr. Tarana and Pushpant Pant.

Dr. Tarana specially thanked Pushpesh Pant for attending the program and joining the discussion on delicious food. He has written about Pushpent Pant by posting on Twitter:

This book has been published by Penguin.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by Aasha Khosa / October 31st, 2022

Remembering Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan

NEW DELHI :

His own beat: Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan

Much before I became an admirer of Ustad Zakir Hussain, I was a devoted fan of Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan. The reason was simple. Growing up in New Delhi, I had the chance to see the tabla maestro regularly when I was a teenager, often with luminaries like santoor monarch Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia and sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

After moving to Mumbai, I continued to attend Khan’s shows, and interacted with him twice as a music journalist. It came as a huge shock when he passed away on July 24, 2005, at the untimely age of 51, after a bout of hepatitis. Among classical music lovers, memories of Khan’s music remains fresh. Coming Wednesday, on his 14th death anniversary, Pancham Nishad is organising a tribute concert at the Veer Savarkar auditorium, Shivaji Park. It will feature vocalist Sanjeev Chimmalgi and tabla maestro Swapan Choudhuri, whose performance was a highlight of the Ustad Allarakha birth centenary celebrations on April 29.

I first heard Khan perform in 1977 when I was 14, at the Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi. He was accompanying Shivkumar Sharma on Raag Bhoopali. It was the first time I heard the santoor and the experience was magical. I didn’t understand the technicalities, but was totally enraptured. Both Sharma and Khan became my heroes. The same show also featured violinist N. Rajam and vocalists Rajan and Sajan Mishra, with different tabla accompanists. So imagine my joy. I told my parents to take me to more concerts, and very often, Khan would perform.

Senior aficionados often talked about Khan representing the Delhi gharana, and Hussain being associated with the Punjab school. It made no difference to me, until I started writing about them. I also had the good fortune of seeing tabla players like Kishen Maharaj, Anindo Chatterjee and Suresh Talwalkar perform.

My first meeting with Khan took place in the early 2000s, when he was to perform at the Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan at Nehru Centre, Worli. While the interview was formal, he was delighted to see an ardent admirer like me. “People normally try to find fault in my technique. You are different,” he had joked. The second encounter was at Sharma’s birthday celebrations in 2004. It was a select gathering of about 25 people. This was where I discovered what a fantastic mimic Khan actually was.

He narrated hilarious incidents about musicians. One of them was about a senior instrumentalist who was yelled at by an elderly foreign lady at the Amsterdam airport because he was humming the notes of Raag Bageshri a tad loudly.

When Sharma pointed out that he was mimicking those not present at the party, prompt came the reply, “If I mimic you, you won’t let me play at your shows. My career will finish,” stated Khan clearly.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Music / by Narendra Kusnur / July 18th, 2019