They cannot hear the cheers of the crowd, nor can they speak to express their excitement. But at the Raigad Global Cup Taekwondo Championship 2026, their actions spoke louder than any words.
Four students from Hyderabad’s ‘Ideal School for the Disabled’ have become the talk of the town after bagging Gold Medals and proving that physical challenges are no match for nerves of steel.
In a sport like Taekwondo, where split-second cues and coaches’ shouts are vital, these four youngsters – Muhammad Abrar (Class 7), Sd Maaz (Class 6), Ayaan (Class 7), and Sayyida Nurjahan (Class 9) – played a different game.
Since they couldn’t hear the referee or their coach, they trained themselves to read the “body language” of their opponents. By watching the eyes and the slight movement of the feet, they predicted attacks and countered with lightning speed. Their focus was so intense that even the loudest cheers in the stadium couldn’t distract them.
The Ideal School, which provides free education and medical aid to hearing-impaired and mentally challenged children, was buzzing with joy. School Secretary Naveed-ur-Rahman and IICD Chairman Dr. Mubashir Ahmed expressed immense pride in the students’ success.
“We aim to show the world that these children are second to none,” the School Secretary noted, visibly moved by the achievement. “Our mission is to find the hidden star in every child.”
Trained by their dedicated coach, Mr. Irfan, the golden quartet has now qualified for the International Championship.
“Disability is only in the body, not in the spirit,” says Coach Irfan. “These kids from Hyderabad have worked harder than anyone I know. I am confident they will make India proud on the global stage next.”
From the streets of Hyderabad to the podium in Karjat, the journey of Abrar, Maaz, Ayaan, and Nurjahan is a reminder that when you have the will to win, silence isn’t a weakness; it’s your greatest strength.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Sports / by Muhammad Mujahid / January 14th, 2026
In an era where healthcare inflation often renders specialised therapy a luxury, the Ideal Information Centre for Disabled (IICD) has emerged as a beacon of hope for the underprivileged. In a landmark decision that is set to redefine social welfare in the city, the organisation has announced that it will provide its entire gamut of world-class services for children with physical and mental challenges completely free of charge.
The initiative, aptly titled ‘Abhayahastham’ (a hand of protection), seeks to ensure that no child is denied a shot at a dignified life due to their parents’ financial incapacity.
For many families, navigating the world of “special needs” is a double-edged sword – emotional trauma compounded by the staggering costs of corporate-style therapies. Recognising this, IICD, under the stewardship of General Secretary Naveedur Rahman, has opened its doors to provide a 360-degree support system at zero cost.
“Disability is a physical constraint, not a limitation of talent,” said Mr. Rahman. “Our mission is to ensure that a lack of resources never stands in the way of a child’s progress. We want to provide every child with the platform they need to shine on the global stage.”
The centre’s “Zero-Fee” model does not compromise on quality. The facility offers a comprehensive suite of services that rivals top-tier corporate hospitals:
Clinical Excellence: Access to Occupational, Physical, Behavioural, and Speech therapies supervised by seasoned experts.
Inclusive Education: A dedicated wing offering free schooling from Nursery to Grade 10 for hearing-impaired students.
Vocational Empowerment: Specialised job-oriented training programmes designed specifically to integrate visually impaired students into the mainstream workforce.
Advanced Diagnostics: High-end Audiology services for hearing assessments and treatments.
While the infrastructure and expertise are in place, the challenge remains in reaching the last mile. The IICD management has urged the public to act as catalysts for change. In a society where many specially-abled children remain confined to the shadows of poverty, sharing a simple contact number could be the first step toward a child’s transformation.
Those seeking support or wishing to refer a child in need can reach out to the IICD helpline at 9014234933.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Healthcare> Latest News / by Mujahid. Md / January 10th, 2026
Eluru hosts grand leadership conference, unit recognised as ‘Emerging Unit’ for 2025 performance.
Eluru:
A grand state-level leadership meeting of the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), Andhra Pradesh Zone, was held here on January 10 and 11. The two-day conference brought together state leaders and representatives from across Andhra Pradesh to review organisational activities and chart a clear roadmap for future initiatives.
During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on SIO’s educational, social, and student development programmes implemented across the state. The leadership also reviewed the performance of various units for the year 2025, assessing their contribution to organisational growth, student empowerment, and community engagement.
For its consistent and dynamic work across multiple fronts, the Yerragondapalem Unit was selected as the “SIO Emerging Unit – Performance Award” winner. The unit was specially recognised for its efforts in promoting academic awareness among students, addressing student rights, organising social service activities, conducting leadership training camps, and expanding membership at the grassroots level.
The prestigious award was presented to the unit representatives by state leader Aamir Fahed and State General Secretary Hafeez. Speaking on the occasion, SIO leaders emphasised that the organisation’s core objective is to nurture moral values, educational consciousness, and social responsibility among students. They reiterated that SIO remains committed to shaping students into responsible and socially aware citizens.
The state-level meet also focused on future strategies, including planned movements on student issues, protection of educational rights, leadership development, and programmes aimed at strengthening social harmony. Leaders noted that the recognition of the Yerragondapalem Unit would serve as an inspiration and benchmark for other units across the state.
The award stands as a testament to the unit’s dedication and as a motivating milestone in SIO Andhra Pradesh’s ongoing mission of student empowerment and societal development.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / January 11th, 2026
Tehmina Punvani (second from left) with Salman Khurshid and Manish Tewari releasing the Book
Tehmina Punvani offered a rare glimpse into her grandmother’s life. Her grandmother, Begum Qudsia Rasul, was no ordinary woman; she was the only Muslim woman in the Constituent Assembly that drafted India’s Constitution in 1949.
The occasion was the launch of Begum Qudsia Rasul’s book, 24 years after her death.
Tehmina Punvani, a lawyer, is the daughter of Begum Qudsia’s daughter.
Speaking at the book launch in Delhi, Tehmina said, “For the world, she was a fearless political figure, but for me, she was my Ammijan, gentle, grounded and unwavering in her integrity.”
Punvani recalled the period when a fatwa was issued against Rasool for entering public life. While the family felt fear, Rasul was composed.
“If my conscience is clear, no decree can frighten me,’ she would say,” Punvani recounted, drawing applause from the audience.
The book, Begum Qudsia Rasul – The Remarkable Life Of The Only Muslim Woman In the Constituent Assembly, is a relaunch of her autobiography “From Purdah to Parliament: The Memoirs of a Muslim Woman in Indian Politics” on the life and political legacy of this remarkable Muslim woman leader of India.
The Book Begum Qudsia Rasul – The Remarkable Life Of The Only Muslim Woman In the Constituent Assembly
The event brought together journalists, lawyers, and political leaders to revisit the contributions of a woman forgotten in mainstream historical narratives.
Moderated by journalist Nidhi Razdan, the panel featured Salman Khurshid, Indira Jaising, Manish Tewari, and senior lawyer Tehmina Punvani.
Begum Qudsia Rasul, born in 1909, was the only Muslim woman in India’s Constituent Assembly. A trailblazing politician, she opposed religious reservations, championed minority rights, and promoted women’s hockey.
Elected to the Rajya Sabha and Uttar Pradesh Assembly, she received the Padma Bhushan in 2000.
Besides being the only Muslim woman in the 1946 Constituent Assembly, she fought for minority equality and opposed religious reservations.
Qudsia Begum was also elected to the UP Assembly, Rajya Sabha and served as a minister.
She is credited with promoting women’s hockey, and a Hockey Cup is named after her. She was a trailblazing woman for giving up purdah. Besides her autobiography, she has authored a travelogue, Our Bapu, a book on Mahatama Gandhi and Hayat-e-Qudsi, about Bhopal’s Begums.
Tehmina said that despite her political stature, Rasul stayed close to the grassroots. “She met women daily, listened to their concerns, and worked for them without fanfare. Activism, for her, was a duty, not an identity.”
Other speakers highlighted Rasul’s exceptional resilience in an era when Muslim women faced social barriers.
Former Union Minister Salman Khurshid explained that Qudsia had won from a general seat to the United Province Assembly despite many technical hurdles. “It was an extraordinary act of courage,” he said.
Congress MP Manish Tewari underlined the democratic significance of her public life: “Her presence in the Constituent Assembly reflected India’s openness at a time of enormous political and social turbulence.”
Noted lawyer Indira Jaising praised Rasul’s moral clarity and empathetic leadership, calling her “a rare combination of conviction and humility.”
Speakers were unanimous in calling for acknowledging Begum Qudsia Rasul’s contributions and a prominent place for her in India’s political history.
Rolli Books has published this book.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home / by Aasha Khosa, ATV / December 11th, 2025
The historic Jama Masjid in Sukhana village reopened for prayers after remaining closed since the Partition of 1947. The mosque stood unused for seventy eight years and fell into disrepair during this period. Its small brick walls weakened and decorative dome work suffered damage after decades without regular worship.
Local residents said the structure survived due to the care of a Sikh couple, Nirmal Singh and his wife Kamaljeet Kaur. The couple cleaned the premises and ensured basic upkeep over the years. Their efforts prevented further damage and kept the site intact until restoration began.
Members of the Muslim community from Raikot and Noorpura supported the revival work. Kareef Fukran Ahmed of Ahmedgarh led sustained efforts to restore the mosque. The Gram Panchayat and the mosque management committee organised a special religious programme to mark the reopening.
Punjab Shahi Imam Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Usman Ludhianvi attended the event along with MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar and Punjab Waqf Board senior member Advocate Abdul Qadir. Speakers highlighted shared responsibility in protecting places of worship. They stressed respect for faith and social harmony.
The Muslim community honoured Nirmal Singh and Kamaljeet Kaur for their long service to the mosque. The Shahi Imam said religion guides people toward humanity and unity. He praised the couple for preserving a religious heritage site through personal commitment.
Maulvi Muhammad Mursaleen of Madrasa Bassian conducted proceedings. Several Muslim and Sikh leaders joined the programme, including Qari Mohammad Sadiq Yazdani, Hafiz Mohammad Ashraf, Babbu Khan Raikot, Sarpanch Manjeet Singh, former Sarpanch Ujagar Singh, and Panch Sukhdev Singh.
Speakers urged continued cooperation and respect among communities.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / December 13th, 2025
Uzma Naheed, a director of Iqra Education Foundation, Mumbai, has been awarded by Times Foundation in recognition of her exemplary work in the field of education and women’s economic development.
Naheed has conducted Teachers Training programmes in 18 cities in India and in two cities in Bangladesh. These programmes help teachers adopt modern teaching techniques being used in the West. These programmes were basically been designed by Iqra Education Foundation for Muslim children living in pluralistic societies.
Naheed has also conducted inter-faith dialogue seminars under the auspices of Times Foundation and World Conference for Religion & Peace, New York.
She has designed and developed 20 short-duration technical courses for economically poor Muslim women to set up their own home-based businesses.
Naheed, who is grand-daughter of Maulana Qari Taiyyib and daughter of Maulana Salim Qasimi of Deoband, is active in the Indian Muslim women issues and was intrumental in the passage of the model Nikahnama by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. Her drafts were rejected or deferred many times but she did not give up. Finally the draft was accepted during the last conference at Bhopal.
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette Online / Home> Awards / by The Milli Gazette Online / Print edition January 2004
In 1936 he joined Indore Fine Art College where he trained under Devlalikar Sahab. Later he switched to Mumbai where he took admission in the JJ School of Art. The rest is history.
Husain made portrait of his family members and clicked a photograph. | The Zafar Ansari museum of achieves
Indore (Madhya Pradesh):
Maqbool Fida Husain is too well known to need an introduction, and most people are also aware of his connection with Indore. However, not very commonly known is the fact that his penchant for drawing horses started when he was a young lad in Indore.
While talking to Free Press, historian Zafar Ansari said, “Husain lived in Indore at a very young age in Chhawni area near Chhawni Bohra Mosque. When Husain was a teenager his Nana (maternal grandfather), who worked as a timekeeper in the Malwa Mill, wanted to make him a draftsman, but Husain was not interested. At one point he went to a Madrasa for becoming Alim but not much came of it.
His grandfather also bought him a camera and he got trained under the renowned photographer Ramchandra Rao and Pratap Rao but Husain did not show much interest in that art form. He started his painting career in Kagzipura area where he used to make Bada ghoda and Chhota ghoda.
His love for painting horses started here and it remained throughout his life as a professional painter.”
In 1936 he joined Indore Fine Art College where he trained under Devlalikar Sahab. Later he switched to Mumbai where he took admission in the JJ School of Art. The rest is history.
source: http://www.freepressjournal.in / The Free Press Journal / Home> Indore / by Staff Reporter / June 09th, 2023
On a quiet October morning in Delhi, when most people begin their day scrolling through screens, Dr. Istikhar Ali adjusted his helmet, whispered a small prayer, and kick-started a motorcycle that would soon become a moving classroom, a counselling room, a travelling research lab – and sometimes, a silent companion.
His destination? Unknown.
His purpose? Crystal clear.
He wanted to take the conversation about mental health to places where such conversations were never held before.
This is the story of a young public-health scholar who turned India’s highways into corridors of compassion, its villages into forums of reflection, and its communities into partners in healing.
A Beginning Rooted in Delhi, Inspired by JNU
My first conversation with him began on a nostalgic note – about Delhi.
“I stayed four years in Delhi and visited JNU several times,” I told him.
He smiled and replied, “Strange… you came so close, but destiny didn’t let us meet. Maybe it waited for this moment.”
From there, he unfolded his journey – from his early education, his family’s values, to the rigorous intellectual environment of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where his academic foundation in public health took shape. JNU not only gave him knowledge; it gave him a lens to look at human suffering not as isolated incidents, but as products of social, economic, and political realities. His research, activism, and writing reflect this lens deeply.
In his widely-read Scroll article, “Weary, Wary and Alone: From Delhi to Kerala, the Mental Distress Indians Struggle With” he documents the harsh truths he encountered during earlier travels: loneliness, anxiety, financial uncertainty, and the silent emotional burdens people carry across India.
In 26 days, he spoke to hundreds – students, farmers, teachers, journalists – each revealing how deeply mental suffering is woven into everyday life.
India, after all, is a country where, one in every seven Indians suffers from a mental health condition, over 200 million people face mental-health related distress, and close to 90% receive no treatment or support (NIMHANS & WHO reports).
Against this backdrop, one young man decided to ride, literally, into the heart of the problem.
The Ride Begins (Delhi to Kerala — 3,500 km of Listening, Healing, and Hope)
On 10 October 2025 – World Mental Health Day, Dr. Istikhar Ali began a 3,500 km solo motorcycle journey titled, “Ride for Mental Health: Beyond the Stigma.”
Supported by Snehi India and fuelled by nothing but conviction, he had no fixed plan – only a direction, and a determination to reach people who do not visit clinics, do not read scholarly journals, but silently battle overwhelming emotional storms.
Every village, every town, every stop became a lesson in lived experience. Where formal institutions build walls, he created bridges – conducting, 10+ public sessions, 30+ group discussions, hundreds of one-to-one conversations, workshops in universities and NGOs, corner meetings in markets, talks in madrasas, community centres and mosques and media interviews across states.
What makes his journey unique is that it wasn’t a mental-health “campaign”. It was a human campaign. He listened more than he spoke. He observed before he intervened. He met people where they were, not where textbooks expect them to be. And sometimes, the roads listened to him too.
A Day with Him: My Encounter in South Goa
When I met him in South Goa, he had just completed a long stretch from Ratnagiri. Dusty, exhausted, carrying nothing but essentials on his bike, he still greeted me with an unmistakable warmth. We spent hours discussing his work, his fears, his determination.
At one point he said: “Azhar Bhai, I started this journey without any detailed plan. But at every turn, God opened a door. And today, He brought me to you before I move from Madgaon towards Udupi.”
His humility was striking. At a time when the world is becoming increasingly self-obsessed and digitally distracted, here was a man riding across states not for adventure but for others.
His mission is a reminder that:
Mental health is not an individual struggle.
It is shaped by society, economy, politics, faith, family, and culture.
Healing requires communities, not just clinics.
If he can bring even 1% improvement in awareness among the millions struggling silently, it will be a monumental contribution. Great reformers and thinkers across history started with small circles that eventually created waves. His work stands in that lineage – contemporary, deeply relevant, and urgently needed.
Stories from the Road – Where Pain Meets Courage
Across his ride, he encountered:
A college student in Udaipur hiding panic attacks from his family,
A migrant worker in Ankleshwar battling depression after job loss,
A young girl in Goa openly speaking about anxiety for the first time,
A madrasa student in Malappuram sharing the emotional pressure of expectations, and
A group of activists in Kerala discussing burnout and resilience.
Each conversation re-affirmed what he often says: “Mental health is not a private burden; it’s a public responsibility.”
Ending Where Faith and Learning Meet
Dr. Istikhar chose Wadihuda Institute of Research and Advanced Studies in Kannur as his final stop – not for symbolism, but for a deeper message. Malappuram is a place where faith meets social service, education meets responsibility, and spirituality meets community welfare. He believes mental-health awareness must be integrated with ta’leem (education), tarbiyya (character development) and dawah (community engagement).
His concluding session, “Mental Health Beyond Silence and Survival: Faith, Education and Community Resilience,” aims to bring together students, scholars, educators and community leaders to build a culture of emotional support and resilience.
A Scholar, A Listener, A Traveller – But Above All, A Servant of Humanity
Dr. Istikhar Ali is a rare combination:
A public health scholar trained at JNU,
A DAAD Fellow with international exposure,
A grassroots listener who sits with people on sidewalks,
A writer whose words reflect lived struggle, and
A traveller who rides not for thrill but for purpose.
He is not simply creating awareness; he is creating a movement. In an era of self-promotion, he chooses selfless service. In a time of noise, he chooses conversations that matter. In a society crushed by unspoken mental suffering, he chooses courage – both his and others’. His journey teaches us that healing is not always found in hospitals. Sometimes, it begins on dusty roads, under bus shelters, in chai shops, in classrooms, in mosques, in marketplaces, and in the hearts of people who finally feel heard.
The Road Ahead
When he concluded his ride in Kerala, his mission didn’t end; it expanded. He plans to compile a publication and visual report from the stories collected, build alliances with educational institutions, create youth-led support networks, train community volunteers, continue travelling across new states and to develop research documenting the social roots of mental distress.
Every revolution starts with a single step. He started with a motorcycle engine roaring in Delhi. Dr. Istikhar Ali is not merely riding a bike across India. He is riding across stigma, across silence, across fear – to build a more compassionate society.
His journey is a reminder that the greatest service to God is service to His people, and that mental health is not a luxury; it’s an essential human right.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features> Focus / by Syed Azharuddin / Radiance News Bureau / November 17th, 2025
Archeological Survey of India says the monument, which residents claim is the Akbarabadi Mosque demolished by the British in 1857, is definitely a ‘contemporary’ of the 17th century Red Fort.
Archaeologist D.N. Dimri(l) shows the artefacts unearthed from the site at Matia Mahal, Old Delhi.
Remains of a historical monument, unearthed a few steps from Jama Masjid, belong to the golden age of Mughal Empire.
Archeological Survey of India said the monument, which residents claim is the Akbarabadi Mosque demolished by the British in 1857, is definitely a “contemporary” of the 17th century Red Fort, though whether it was a mosque or not will be known only after a detailed survey of the area.
The site in Matia Mahal, near Daryaganj, has been drawing visitors in hordes since the past three weeks after the first proofs of the historical structure – pottery and carved stones – were discovered in the area.
On Wednesday, a 10 metre wide wall was discovered a few feet under the ground. Residents claimed the wall was a part of the boundary of the main prayer enclosure, supposed to be about 85 metre wide.
A sketch of the lost Akbarabadi Mosque. ASI officials said the discovery of the site is “indeed remarkable”.
“What we have here is a structure definitely of the time of the Red Fort. It is important due to its proximity both to the Jama Masjid and the Red Fort. The articles discovered from the site – Chinese porcelain, glaze pottery – belong to the period of the Mughals. What the structure exactly is will be known only after detailed survey,” superintending archaeologist Dr D.N. Dimri said.
But residents are confident that evidence of the structure being a mosque is present in the archives.
“We have maps clearly showing the structure of the Akbarabadi mosque in a book authored by the great scholar Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. There are illustrations of the mosque in the development plan of this area, issued by the Delhi government,” Matia Mahal MLA Shoaib Iqbal said.
source: http://www.indiatoday.in / India Today / Home> News> India> North / by Mail Today Bureau / published by AtMigration / July 07th, 2012
Binziya was forced to abandon her studies when her family arranged her marriage in 1997.
Malappuram :
Married off at 14, confined within domestic boundaries for decades, and once ashamed to admit she had studied only up to Class 9, a woman from Malappuram has now rewritten her destiny through education. After 29 years of marriage, Makkaraparambha native Binziya has emerged with a postgraduate degree in psychology, proving that dreams delayed are never dreams denied.
Binziya was forced to abandon her studies when her family arranged her marriage in 1997. One year later, she became a mother. As the eldest daughter-in-law in a large joint family, she was tasked with looking after her husband’s younger siblings and managing all household responsibilities.
“I was still a child. But I had to act like a grown woman because everyone expected me to be one,” she recalls. Education became a distant memory as cooking, cleaning and childcare took over her life. “There was no space for my wishes. My daughter and later my son became my world. But deep inside, I always missed learning.”
A turning point came when the family shifted to their own home. She came to know about the government’s literacy mission and decided to ask her husband if she could attempt the Class 10 equivalency examination. “My husband supported me without hesitation. When I passed with good marks, I cried. I felt alive again,” she says. She went on to complete her higher secondary education next before enrolling for a BA English programme through distance education in 2020.
But her heart was always set on psychology. “I have gone through many emotional struggles in life. Who understands pain better than a woman? I wanted to learn psychology so that I could help others like me,” she says.
The biggest driving force behind her educational pursuit was her own self-respect. “Whenever someone asked me how much I had studied, I felt ashamed to say Class 9. That shame pushed me to continue learning. I wanted to feel proud of myself,” she explains.
Her years of effort finally came to fruition as she completed her MA in psychology. Binziya says she hopes her story encourages other women who were denied opportunities. “There are many women like me in Malappuram who are married off too early and remain confined to their homes. I want them to know that education is still possible.”
She is also proud of the change within her own family. “My daughter completed her Plus-II before marriage. She has finished her degree and is preparing for postgraduate studies. It makes me happy that she will not have to carry the same regrets I once had.”
Binziya now dreams of becoming a practising psychologist and providing support to homemakers who struggle.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Kerala / by Lakshmi Athira / November 28th, 2025
