A survey covering more than 30 colleges across seven districts linked with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University shows a significant rise in female Muslim students
New Delhi :
The number of Muslim girls pursuing higher education in Kanpur and nearby districts in Uttar Pradesh has increased significantly over the past five years, according to a survey conducted by a senior academic. The study shows that the share of Muslim female students in colleges has risen from around five per cent in 2021 to more than 21 per cent during the current admission process.
The survey was prepared by Prof B D Pandey, a senior teacher at PPN College and president of the Kanpur University Teachers’ Association (KUTA). The study was based on admission data collected from more than 30 colleges spread across seven districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The colleges included in the survey are located in Kanpur Nagar, Kanpur Dehat, Unnao, Kannauj, Farrukhabad, Etawah and Auraiya. All these colleges are affiliated with Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur.
Prof Pandey said the data was collected from admission coordinators appointed in different colleges during the ongoing admission process. The survey looked at students enrolling in undergraduate courses such as Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) and other professional programmes.
According to the findings, Muslim girls accounted for around five per cent of female students enrolled in colleges in 2021. This figure increased to nearly 12 per cent in 2023 and has now crossed 21 per cent during the latest admission cycle.
The rise indicates a growing interest among Muslim families in sending their daughters for higher education. The survey also highlights that many of these students come from economically weaker sections of society.
Prof Pandey said one of the notable findings was that a large number of Muslim girls entering higher education belong to families with limited financial resources. In many such families, sons are also present, but instead of continuing studies after school, they often move towards employment or skill-based work.
“Many Muslim girls who are entering graduation and postgraduate courses belong to families where their brothers have studied only up to high school or intermediate level and then started working according to their skills,” Prof Pandey said.
The data suggests a changing attitude among some Muslim families towards women’s education. While economic challenges continue to remain a concern, more families are now supporting their daughters’ efforts to continue their studies beyond school.
The increase has been visible across different courses, including traditional degree programmes and professional courses. Teachers associated with these colleges believe that awareness about education, career opportunities and financial independence may be among the reasons behind the rise.
The trend also reflects a wider change in the participation of women from minority communities in higher education. More young women are seeking college education to improve their career opportunities and become financially independent.
Prof Pandey said the increase in Muslim girls’ admissions is a positive development and shows that educational aspirations among families are changing.
The survey, however, does not represent all colleges across Uttar Pradesh or the entire Muslim community. It is based only on admission figures from selected colleges affiliated with CSJMU.
Education experts say that continued support through scholarships, better awareness programmes and improved access to colleges will be important to maintain this growth.
The increasing presence of Muslim girls in colleges in the Kanpur region shows a gradual shift in educational choices, with more young women from the community moving towards higher education despite economic and social challenges.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Big Story> India>Indian Muslims / by Mohammad Alamullah / August 04th, 2026
EVERY year on August 15, India’s Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi. It was at this same fort, in 1945, that Major General Shah Nawaz Khan stood trial for waging war against the British Empire. A Muslim officer in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army, he had led troops into battle against colonial forces across Southeast Asia, been captured, and was sentenced to death. His court-martial, alongside Colonel Prem Kumar Sehgal and Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon, provoked mass protests across the country and became one of the final catalysts for British withdrawal from India. The slogan that echoed through the streets of Delhi became a rallying cry of the independence movement: “Lal Qile se aayi awaaz, Sehgal, Dhillon aur Shah Nawaz.”
After his release, Shah Nawaz Khan chose the path of non-violence at Mahatma Gandhi’s urging, joined the Indian National Congress, and went on to serve as a Union Minister for over two decades. He represented Meerut in Parliament through four terms, held portfolios ranging from Agriculture to Petroleum, and chaired the commission that investigated the circumstances of Netaji Bose’s death. He was buried near the Red Fort with full state honours in 1983.
Beyond politics, Shah Nawaz Khan was connected to one of India’s most recognizable families. The Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan’s father, Mir Taj Mohammed Khan, was his cousin and migrated from Pakistan to India alongside him after Partition.
His story traces an arc from armed resistance to democratic nation-building, from a death sentence in a colonial courtroom to the highest levels of Indian government.
Early Life and Military Career
General Shah Nawaz Khan was born on 24 January 1914 in the village of Matur, in the Rawalpindi District of British India (now in Pakistan). His father, Lieutenant Sardar Tikka Khan, served for nearly three decades in the British Indian Army with the 58th Vaughan’s Rifles (Frontier Force), instilling in him an early exposure to military life.
After completing his early education, Shah Nawaz Khan went on to study at the Prince of Wales Royal Indian Military College in Dehradun, one of the premier institutions established to train future military leaders in colonial India.
From Prisoner of War to Leader of the Indian National Army
In 1940, Shah Nawaz Khan was commissioned as an officer in the British Indian Army. In December 1941, as part of the Second World War, Japanese forces launched a major offensive against Singapore, and the British deployed nearly 60,000 Indian soldiers, including Captain Shah Nawaz Khan.
The British forces were ultimately defeated, and Khan, along with thousands of other soldiers, was taken prisoner of war. During his captivity, he came into contact with Indian nationalists and revolutionaries aligned with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Deeply influenced by their vision of an independent India, he joined the Azad Hind Fauj, also known as the Indian National Army (INA), and rapidly rose to positions of leadership.
Role in the Freedom Struggle
Recognized for his leadership abilities, Shah Nawaz Khan was inducted into the cabinet of the Indian National Army’s (INA) Provisional Government of Free India. Between 1942 and 1945, the Azad Hind Fauj engaged British forces across Southeast Asia and, for a period, established control over large stretches of territory during its campaign against colonial rule.
In December 1944, he was appointed commander of the INA detachment stationed in Mandalay, Burma (now Myanmar). Owing to the close trust placed in him by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, he was later selected to lead the Subhas Brigade—a special unit formed from elite INA soldiers.
During military operations in Burma in 1945, General Shah Nawaz Khan and several of his comrades were arrested by British forces. The INA’s senior leadership at the time included Major General Shah Nawaz Khan, Colonel Prem Kumar Sehgal, and Colonel Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon. In 1946, all three were put on trial for mutiny at the Red Fort in Delhi.
These trials ignited widespread public protests across India and became a turning point in the independence movement, significantly intensifying popular resistance to British rule. Facing overwhelming public pressure, the British government was ultimately compelled to release Shah Nawaz Khan and his associates. During this period, he remained in contact with leading figures of the national movement, including Mahatma Gandhi, and was defended in court by Jawaharlal Nehru.
Gandhi’s Colonel of Non-Violence
General Shah Nawaz Khan was regarded as one of Mahatma Gandhi’s close associates, a relationship reflected in Gandhi’s letters and public speeches, in which he frequently referred to him by name. Their association symbolized the bridge between armed resistance and the philosophy of non-violence that shaped India’s independence movement.
On the occasion of the 50th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Shah Nawaz Khan declared, “While living outside India, we fought for our country’s freedom with arms; now we shall serve India through non-violence.” Mahatma Gandhi echoed this sentiment while addressing members of the Indian National Army in Madras on 22 January 1946 and later reiterated it during his prayer meeting in Mumbai on 18 February 1946.
Contemporary records further document their close interaction. According to a report in the Bombay Chronicle dated 13 March 1946, Shah Nawaz Khan met Gandhi at Birla Bhavan in Delhi on 12 March, where the two held discussions for nearly ninety minutes. On 22 March 1946, Gandhi visited a military camp in Aravalli Kanchan, Maharashtra, and once again mentioned Shah Nawaz Khan while addressing the soldiers. Their engagement continued through personal meetings as well as an exchange of letters, many of which survive as historical evidence of their dialogue.
At Gandhi’s urging, following the dissolution of the Indian National Army in 1946, Shah Nawaz Khan joined the Indian National Congress. Later that year, he worked in Bihar to assist victims of communal violence, alongside Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He remained in the region during this period of unrest, and was present at the funeral of Professor Abdul Bari, who was assassinated in Bihar in March 1947.
Gandhi repeatedly acknowledged and praised Shah Nawaz Khan’s relief and peace-building efforts in Bihar during 1947. He spoke at length about Khan’s work during his prayer meetings on 29 April and 1 May 1947, and earlier, on 15 April 1947, the two were together at Gandhi’s camp in Patna. During one such conversation, Gandhi expressed his faith in him, saying: “I have great hopes for you. I wish to make you a complete soldier of non-violent weapons. You became a colonel under Netaji; in the same way, I want to make you a colonel of non-violence.”
Political Life After Independence
Even after India achieved independence in 1947, Shah Nawaz Khan continued to work in Masurhi, Bihar, focusing on relief and rehabilitation efforts. In a letter dated 7 October 1947, Mahatma Gandhi wrote to him: “Dear General Shah Nawaz, If the work you are doing there does not go to the dogs in your absence, you may leave it to go to the Punjab-Pakistan.” Despite this, Shah Nawaz Khan chose not to return to his ancestral home in what had become Pakistan; instead, his family migrated to India.
Shah Nawaz Khan entered electoral politics in independent India and was elected to the first Lok Sabha (India’s lower house of Parliament) in 1952 from Meerut, representing the Indian National Congress. He went on to win the same constituency in 1957, 1962, and 1971. Over the course of his political career, he served as a Union Minister for a total of 23 years.
Beginning in 1952, he served as Parliamentary Secretary and later as Deputy Minister for Railways. From 1957 to 1964, he held the portfolio of Food and Agriculture. He was again appointed Minister of Agriculture in 1965, followed by his tenure as Minister of Labour, Employment, and Rehabilitation in 1966. Between 1971 and 1975, he served as Minister for Petroleum and Chemicals, as well as Agriculture and Irrigation. From 1975 to 1977, he additionally served as Chairman of the Food Corporation of India while continuing as Union Minister for Agriculture and Irrigation.
In 1956, the Government of India constituted a commission to examine the circumstances surrounding the death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Shah Nawaz Khan was appointed chairman of this commission, underscoring the trust placed in him by the national leadership. He also authored a memoir on the Indian National Army and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, regarded as an important firsthand account of the INA movement.
Representing the Meerut constituency for decades, Shah Nawaz Khan played a stabilizing role in public life, and the city remained free of major communal disturbances during his tenure. From 1977 to 1983, he served as the national in-charge of the Congress Seva Dal, the party’s volunteer organization. He remained associated with the Indian National Congress until the end of his life, continuing his commitment to public service and national unity.
General Shah Nawaz Khan passed away on 9 December 1983 while still serving the Indian National Congress. His life—spanning armed resistance, political leadership, and a steadfast commitment to unity and nation-building—remains a powerful testament to the ideals of freedom, sacrifice, and service. He is remembered not only as a soldier and statesman, but as a figure whose legacy continues to inspire generations in independent India and beyond.
— IAMC
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> Opinion / by Afroz Alam Sahil / August 08th, 2026
Two residents of the Department of Community Medicine, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), received Session Best Awards at the 12th International Conference on Public Health (ICOPH) 2026, held in Bali, Indonesia. The residents participated in the conference virtually.
Dr. Syed Sohaib Hashmi, Senior Resident, received the award for his presentation, Immune Status and Its Clinico-Epidemiological Correlates Among Adults Living with HIV, conducted under the guidance of Prof. Mohammad Athar Ansari. The study examined immune status among adults living with HIV and factors influencing immune recovery.
Dr. Mohammad Bilal, Junior Resident-3, received the second Session Best Award for his presentation, Weight Gain and MUAC Recovery Following Nutrition Education of Primary Caregivers in Moderately Malnourished Children Aged 6–59 Months: A Community-Based Quasi-Experimental Study from North India, under the guidance of Dr. Ali Jafar Abedi. The study evaluated the impact of nutrition education of primary caregivers on weight gain and mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) recovery among moderately malnourished children.
Prof. Uzma Eram, Chairperson, Department of Community Medicine, along with Prof. Saira Mehnaz and other senior faculty members, congratulated the residents and appreciated their contribution to public health research and academic excellence.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / August 12th, 2026
An Inspiring Journey of IIT Bombay Professor Dr. Azizuddin Khan from a Small Town in Bahraich to Global Recognition in Science and Research
In a landmark achievement for Indian Science and Research, Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan, eminent Psychologist, Neuroscientist and Psychophysiologist at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), has been recommended for the prestigious J.C. Bose Fellowship (ANRF J.C. Bose Grant).
The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) recommended the honour in recognition of Dr. Azizuddin Khan’s outstanding scientific research, innovation and contributions aimed at improving human well-being in August 2026.
The J.C. Bose Fellowship is one of India’s prestigious recognitions for active senior scientists and engineers who have made outstanding contributions to science, engineering, medicine and related fields. The fellowship provides research support to enable distinguished scientists to continue advanced research and mentor the next generation of researchers.
From a Small Town to IIT
Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan hails from Mahinpurwa, a small town in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. After completing his early education at a local inter college, he chose psychology as his field of study despite family expectations.
He secured first position in his undergraduate studies at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) & subsequently completed his M.A. in Clinical Psychology. He later earned his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from IIT Kanpur, which laid the foundation for his distinguished research career.
Distinguished Research at IIT Bombay
Prof. Khan has been associated with IIT Bombay for nearly two decades and currently serves as an India Value Chair Professor. He is among the leading researchers associated with the Psychophysiology Laboratory.
He is also associated with important research initiatives including the Sunita Sanghi Centre for Ageing & Neurodegenerative Diseases (SCAN), Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH) and the IIT Bombay-FedEx ALFA Centre.
He has played an important role in developing an advanced Psychophysiology Laboratory at IIT Bombay, where researchers use technologies such as EEG, Eye Tracking, Event-Related Potentials (ERP), Neurofeedback and other modern neuroscientific techniques to study the human brain, cognition and behaviour.
Diverse and Human-Centred Research
Prof. Khan’s research is closely connected with real-life human challenges. His major areas of research include:
Dyslexia and Reading Disorders
Autism and ADHD
Memory and Prospective Memory
Attention, cognition and brain processes
Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
Psychological stress and depression
Brain activity during Urdu, Hindi and bilingual reading
Urdu script and its processing in the human brain
Artificial Intelligence and mental health
Human psychology under extreme environmental conditions
Through his multidisciplinary research, he has contributed significantly to the fields of psychology, psychophysiology and neuroscience.
Technology-Based Research for Dyslexia
One of the most significant areas of Prof. Khan’s research is dyslexia. He has contributed to the development of ‘Brainu’, a screening application designed to facilitate the early identification of children who may have reading difficulties.
The application uses engaging, game-based activities to assess certain reading-related abilities and help identify children who may require further assessment or support.
He has also worked on innovative Haptic Belt/Bracelet technology, which uses specific vibrations to help children recognise and experience the correct sounds associated with letters and words.
Such technology has the potential to support children learning Urdu, Hindi, Marathi, Arabic and English, particularly those experiencing difficulties in reading and phonological processing.
Pioneering Research on the Urdu Script
Another distinctive area of Prof. Khan’s research is the neural processing of the Urdu script. His research examines how the human brain processes Urdu text written from right to left while simultaneously dealing with numbers written from left to right.
Using Eye Tracking and EEG technologies, he has investigated the cognitive and neural processes involved in Urdu and bilingual reading. His work has contributed to the scientific understanding of how multilingual readers process different writing systems.
Research in Antarctica
Prof. Khan has also participated in India’s Antarctic research programme, where he studied human psychology under extremely cold and isolated environmental conditions.
His research examined aspects such as memory, mental health, emotional well-being and behavioural changes among people living and working in extreme environments. He has also undertaken research related to self-awareness in penguins, attracting attention within the scientific community.
Representing India on the Global Research Platform
Prof. Khan has represented India at numerous international academic and scientific forums. He has presented his research in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Finland, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries.
His academic contribution includes more than 200 research publications, several international book chapters, patents and research projects. He has also guided numerous Ph.D. scholars, many of whom are today working as professors and researchers at leading IITs, NITs and universities in India and abroad.
An Inspiring Message for Young Students
According to Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan, success depends not merely on intelligence but on hard work, curiosity, perseverance, patience and a continuous desire to learn.
His own journey demonstrates that a student from a small town can achieve global recognition through education, determination and sustained research.
A Matter of Pride for the Nation
The recommendation of Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan for the J.C. Bose Fellowship is not only a personal achievement but also a matter of pride for the Indian scientific community, IIT Bombay, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and the residents of Bahraich.
His continuing work in psychology, neuroscience, education, mental health and artificial intelligence is expected to open new avenues of research and contribute to improving the lives of children, students and society at large.
[The writer, Akhlaq Shaikh, is a Career Counsellor, Mumbai. He alsow writes for Urdu Daily Inquilab.]
source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by Akhlaque (Akhlaq) Shaikh / August 18th, 2026
At 25, Zaid Khan is already running a business worth an estimated Rs 5 crore while pursuing his MBA at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore. The founder of Zedital Media Private Limited, a branding and media company, Khan recently shared his entrepreneurial story on The Crore Club podcast, hosted by Shreya Hegde.
His classmates at IIM Bangalore are preparing for annual job packages of Rs 25 to 40 lakh. Khan, by contrast, already leads a company offering Online Reputation Management, Content Distribution Management, and LinkedIn Profile Amplification Management services.
For students hoping to launch their own ventures, Khan offered two clear pieces of advice. The first is to start selling something, no matter how small. “Start selling something, whether it is a skill, a piece of advice, or any service, even if it is just for Rs 100 or Rs 200. It helps build confidence,” he said. The second is to build a strong online presence. “Content is the digital currency. Build your online presence because that is what creates opportunities,” he added.
Khan grew up in a middle-class family where conventional careers were strongly encouraged. “Everyone told me to become a doctor. The second option was engineering,” he recalled. During Class 12, he faced pressure to prepare for the NEET medical entrance examination. He chose a different path instead.
He began working with YouTube creators and took up freelance projects. A turning point came when he secured a freelancing assignment with a California-based influencer, earning Rs 1.24 lakh, his largest payment at the time. That experience convinced him a career outside traditional professions was possible.
Khan later completed a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Journalism at Graphic Era Hill University between 2019 and 2022 before joining IIM Bangalore’s Business Administration programme in September 2024.
His recognitions include Youngest Entrepreneur of Uttarakhand, Innovative Entrepreneur 2024, and Trailblazer in Digital Marketing Solutions.
His journey demonstrates that starting early, gaining real-world experience, and consistently building a digital identity can open professional doors well before graduation.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News /Home> Features> Pride of the Nation>Markers of Excellence/ by Radiance News Bureau / July 29th,2026
What is the true measure of a life well-lived? In an era obsessed with global mobility and material acquisition, the life of Dr. Muhammad Qutbuddin offers a compelling counter-narrative. An internationally acclaimed psychiatrist, academician, and philanthropist, Dr. Qutbuddin has spent more than 40 years in the United States, navigating the highest echelons of Western medicine. Yet, the glittering lights of America have done nothing to dim his devotion to his birthplace, Narayanpet. While his clinical practice operates within the high-tech medical landscapes of the West, his heart remains firmly tethered to the soil of Telangana.
Shattering the Vernacular Glass Ceiling
Long before he became the Director and Chief Psychiatrist at Star Psychiatric Services in Indiana, or taught the next generation of doctors as a professor at the University of Missouri, Dr. Qutbuddin was a young boy in Narayanpet, studying entirely in the Urdu medium from Class 1 to 11.
Dr. Muhammad Qutbuddin (R) with former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam
In today’s socio-educational climate, where vernacular schooling is often unjustly equated with limited horizons, Dr. Qutbuddin’s trajectory is a masterclass in resilience. Instead of letting language be a barrier, he turned it into a bridge, mastering five languages – Urdu, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Marathi – during his childhood. He independently conquered English by devouring international periodicals like The Herald and Reader’s Digest.
His academic brilliance eventually earned him a highly competitive merit seat at the prestigious Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad for his MBBS and MD. He then transitioned to the United States for advanced training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, later earning a Ph.D., bridging Western Medicine and Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation, an institution affiliated with Oxford University.
Confidant to a King
Among the many extraordinary chapters of his life is a deep, 27-year friendship with the legendary heavyweight boxing champion and civil rights icon, Muhammad Ali. Dr. Qutbuddin was not merely a casual acquaintance to ‘The Greatest’; he was a trusted personal advisor and confidant. Together, they walked through international philanthropic missions and social reform programmes across the United States, bound by a shared, fierce commitment to human equality, dignity, and social justice.
Healing the Homeland
Despite his high-profile life in the American Midwest, Dr. Qutbuddin never turned his back on the community that raised him. He was a critical, quiet catalyst in the socio-political movement that successfully advocated for Narayanpet to be recognised as a distinct district. Utilising his intellectual standing, he actively engaged with senior state leadership to bring vital development to the region, including a state-of-the-art medical college.
His philanthropy rejects the temporary band-aid of charity in favour of institutionalised empowerment. In honour of his lineage, he established the ‘Noor Jahan Library’ (named after his mother) and the ‘Muhammad Qasim Library’ (named after his grandfather), which fund free computer literacy centres and academic competitions for rural youth. Furthermore, he regularly returns to hold medical camps, providing free, specialised psychiatric evaluations and modern pharmaceutical supplies to impoverished communities that would otherwise suffer in silence.
The Clinical Lens on Gen-Z
As a seasoned clinician, Dr. Qutbuddin views the modern digital landscape with deep professional alarm. He writes extensively on the psychological warfare facing today’s youth, warning against the twin epidemics of internet addiction and substance abuse. From a strict neurological standpoint, he notes that persistent exposure to explicit digital content and excessive screen time fundamentally alters basic brain chemistry, weakening cognitive systems and eroding long-term willpower.
Similarly, he views the rising crisis of drug abuse not just as a social vice, but as a severe neurotoxic emergency that shatters families and robs the younger generation of their immense potential. To offer practical interventions, his organisation, American Youth for Positive Living, works globally with adolescents. Through structured mentorship, digital fasting, and goal-setting, he helps teenagers build the moral resilience and psychological armour needed to navigate the modern world.
A Dastarkhwan in the West: Foundations on the Floor
Walk into the private domain of this global medical expert, and you will not find the cold detachment of luxury. Despite his affluence, Dr. Qutbuddin maintains an unyielding adherence to simplicity. Rejecting the formal distance of modern dining, his family continues the sacred custom of sitting together on the floor around a traditional dastarkhwan (cloth-spread) to share meals. For him, this is not just a habit; it is a profound cultural anchor. It ensures that while his mind touches the peak of global achievement, his feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
In an age characterised by rapid cultural erosion and individualistic detachment, Dr. Qutbuddin stands as an inspiring testament to an eternal truth: true success is not measured by how far you travel, but by what you give back to the soil that nurtured you. He remains a living, breathing bridge between two worlds – proof that you can embrace global knowledge without ever losing your local soul.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Pride of the Nation> Personality / by Mujahid Md / June 08th, 2026
Awais Ahmed, a young entrepreneur from Aldur in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district, has emerged as one of India’s leading figures in the private space sector after his company, Pixxel Space Technologies, became the first Indian space start-up to secure a NASA contract for supplying hyperspectral Earth observation data.
The 28-year-old founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Bengaluru-based company attributes his journey to a childhood shaped by curiosity, encouragement from his parents and a lifelong fascination with space science.
Growing up in Aldur, Awais spent hours reading children’s science encyclopaedias on planets, nebulae, black holes and the solar system. His father, Nadeem Ahmed, who runs a pharmacy in the town, regularly bought him science books from local libraries and bookshops. His mother, Ghazala Tashfeen, also encouraged him to pursue the subject that interested him most.
After completing his schooling in Aldur and Sangameshwar Pete, he moved to Mangaluru for pre-university education before joining BITS Pilani, Rajasthan, where he studied mathematics and manufacturing engineering. During his engineering years, he participated in a student satellite programme alongside ISRO scientists, an experience that deepened his interest in satellite technology.
A defining moment came in 2017 when Awais led Hyperloop India at the SpaceX Hyperloop Competition in Los Angeles. The team qualified among the finalists and presented its project before visiting SpaceX facilities. Meeting Elon Musk and witnessing private space innovation strengthened his resolve to build a career in space technology.
Before completing his degree in 2019, Awais founded Pixxel Space Technologies. The company has launched nine hyperspectral satellites, including six in 2025. The satellites collect detailed Earth observation data that supports agriculture, environmental monitoring, energy and natural resource management through advanced imaging technology.
Awais said the company has raised ₹960 crore from investors. He credited policy support for private participation in India’s space sector for helping young companies grow. Today, Pixxel employs 275 people, with most of its workforce based in India and others working in the United States and Europe.
His father recalled the family’s sacrifices to support his education, including taking education loans and pledging gold. He said watching his son’s dedication and achievements has filled the family with pride. Awais, who is now married to a doctor, continues to pursue his goal of building space technology that serves humanity while contributing to India’s growing presence in the global space industry.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Personality> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / July 20th, 2026
For thousands of visitors who gather along the waterfront near the Gateway of India, Mohammad Nazim Shaikh is an ordinary pav seller. For people caught in the powerful tides of the Arabian Sea, he has become a lifesaver whose courage has saved hundreds of lives over the past three decades.
Nazim, 51, spends his mornings selling pav in Colaba to support his family. Once his work ends around noon, his attention shifts to the sea. Whenever the tide rises, he remains alert, watching tourists and local visitors who often venture dangerously close to the water. According to Nazim, many people underestimate the force of the waves until it is too late.
He says he began rescuing people at the age of 16 and has continued the mission ever since. Over the years, he estimates that he has saved more than 300 people from drowning and recovered between 25 and 30 bodies, most of them men. His long experience has exposed him to accidents during festivals, risky behaviour by thrill-seekers and emergency situations requiring immediate action.
One of his most memorable rescues took place in 1996 when he swam across floodwaters during high tide, an effort that earned him recognition as “Best Swimmer.” In 2022, he rescued two men during the Ganpati immersion celebrations, adding another chapter to his long record of service. He also assisted rescue operations following the 2003 Gateway blast by helping recover bodies from the site.
People working around the Gateway of India describe Nazim as the first person they contact whenever someone falls into the sea. Hawkers, photographers and local workers say he responds immediately, often reaching the victim before emergency services arrive. Many believe his presence has prevented numerous tragedies at one of Mumbai’s busiest tourist destinations.
Despite his decades of public service, Nazim says he has received little official recognition. He revealed that he had written to the Prime Minister and Maharashtra Chief Minister seeking acknowledgement of his work, although no formal action followed. Adding to his disappointment, many certificates and newspaper clippings documenting his rescues were lost during renovations at his home.
Senior Police Inspector Pramod Bhovte of Colaba Police acknowledged Nazim’s contribution, describing him as an active and dependable lifeguard whose assistance has proved invaluable in numerous rescue operations. Police officials said they remain grateful for his commitment and bravery.
Nazim remains humble about his role. He says he does not fear the sea and believes God has given him the strength to help others. While crowds continue to gather along Mumbai’s famous waterfront every day, the city’s quiet guardian stands ready whenever another life needs saving.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Pride of the Nation> Markers of Excellence> Personality> Social Service> Report / by Radiance News Bureau/ July 08th, 2026
Riyazuddin Mansouri is a Living Example of Love, Harmony and Human Service in an Atmosphere of Hatred: Salimullah Khan
New Delhi:
Following the tragic fire incident at a hotel in Malviya Nagar, a delegation from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Delhi visited the site to assess the situation and express solidarity with those affected. The delegation was led by Mohammad Salimullah Khan, Ameer-e-Halqa, JIH Delhi. The delegation also included Kamal Ahmed (Convenor, Sadbhavna Group, NFC and Zakir Nagar), Saquib Yaseen (Karkun, JIH Hauz Rani), Sajid Umair (Nazim, South Delhi District, JIH), and Mohammad Naushad Khan (Sub-Editor, Radiance Viewsweekly).
The delegation inspected the site of the tragedy and met Riyazuddin Mansouri, appreciating his extraordinary courage, compassion, and commitment to saving lives. On behalf of JIH Delhi, he was presented with a special award of ₹1 lakh in recognition of his exemplary humanitarian service.
It is noteworthy that when the fire broke out and several people were trapped inside the hotel, desperately calling for help from windows and rooftops, Riyazuddin Mansouri, who owns a mattress shop nearby, displayed remarkable presence of mind and bravery. He immediately spread all the mattresses from his shop across the road and, with the help of his family members and associates, encouraged those trapped inside to jump onto them in order to escape the flames. His timely intervention helped save the lives of approximately 14-15 people.
Speaking on the occasion, Mohammad Salimullah Khan said that Riyazuddin Mansouri had demonstrated that in times of crisis, barriers of religion, caste, and community become meaningless, and that humanity and compassion remain the true identity of a person. He observed that at a time when forces of hatred, division, and social discord are attempting to weaken the fabric of society, individuals like Riyazuddin Mansouri emerge as shining examples of India’s composite culture, communal harmony, and shared human values.
He further noted that Riyazuddin Mansouri did not hesitate despite the financial loss involved, laying out mattresses worth nearly ₹2 lakh and risking his own safety to protect others. Such selflessness, sacrifice, and dedication to humanity, he said, represent the highest ideals of public service and deserve widespread recognition.
Members of the delegation also described Mansouri’s actions as exemplary and inspiring. They stated that such individuals strengthen the values of love, mutual trust, and social harmony within society. The award presented by JIH Delhi, they said, is not only a recognition of one individual’s courage but also a tribute to the spirit of humanity itself.
The delegation expressed hope that Mansouri’s noble act would inspire future generations and contribute to the promotion of compassion, brotherhood, mutual respect, and humanitarian values throughout society.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / June 06th, 2026
Dr. Hamid Ashraf, Associate Professor and former Director, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Diabetes and Endocrinology, Aligarh Muslim University, has been honoured with the Best Innovation in Diabetes Care award at the annual conference of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI).
The award was presented by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science and Technology, Government of India during a ceremony held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi.
Dr. Ashraf got the recognition for his ground-breaking research on “Machine Learning Techniques for Diabetes Detection Using Iris and Conjunctival Images.” He said that this innovative approach leverages artificial intelligence to enhance early diagnosis and management of diabetes by analysing subtle ocular changes linked to the disease.
He expressed gratitude to his co-investigators Dr. Nadeem Akhtar and Mr. Ehtesham Sana from Department of Computer Engineering, AMU for their contribution.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News /Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Radiance News Bureau / November 22nd, 2022
