Saba recalled her father’s lessons in composure, fairness and thoughtful speech.
Saif Ali Khan and Saba share a bond rooted in family and memories. IANS
Dubai:
Saba Pataudi, sister of Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan, has opened up about her responsibility for managing the Pataudi family’s legacy, revealing that her late father, former Indian cricket captain Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, entrusted her with the role.
Saba, the daughter of actor Sharmila Tagore and the late Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, oversees responsibilities connected to the family’s Bhopal estate and the Auqaf-e-Shahi trust. The family’s legacy has been estimated at more than Rs 10 billion.
In an interview, Saba explained that her father played a defining role in preparing her for the responsibility.
“Abba left that to me,” she said, reflecting on the trust her father placed in her and the lessons she continues to draw from him.
Lessons from her father
Saba recalled how her father taught her to remain composed, treat people fairly and choose her words carefully. She said those principles continue to guide her approach to managing the family’s affairs.
She also described her father as someone she continues to turn to spiritually, even after his death. His guidance, she said, helped her understand the responsibilities associated with the family’s heritage.
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, popularly known as Tiger Pataudi, was one of India’s prominent cricketers and captained the national team. His marriage to Sharmila Tagore brought together two well-known families from Indian sport and cinema.
What does the family legacy involve?
Saba’s responsibilities extend beyond the management of a family estate. As the mutawalli of the Auqaf-e-Shahi trust, she oversees the trust’s properties and charitable responsibilities.
These include mosques and other properties linked to the family’s historical ties to Bhopal, as well as facilities for pilgrims visiting Makkah and Medina.
The reported valuation of more than Rs 10 billion relates to the wider family legacy and should not be interpreted as Saba’s personal wealth. Her role involves stewardship and management of the trust’s assets and responsibilities.
Saba has also discussed plans for initiatives benefiting women and girls, including a girls’ school and a hospital for women, subject to the resolution of pending legal matters involving family property.
A responsibility entrusted by her father
Saba’s reflections offer a glimpse into a side of the Pataudi family that extends beyond celebrity and cricket. While Saif Ali Khan and Soha Ali Khan are widely recognised for their careers in the entertainment industry, Saba has taken on responsibilities associated with preserving the family’s historical and charitable legacy.
For her, the role is closely tied to her father’s confidence in her abilities and the values he instilled in her. She continues to regard those lessons as central to carrying forward the responsibilities he entrusted to her.
source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Gulf News / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / by Devadasan K P, Chief Visual Editor / October 14th, 2026
Wani, historically known as Wun, is an old town of the Vidarbha region whose history reflects the changing political boundaries of central India. At different times, the Wani area was connected with the Nizam’s dominions, while the neighbouring Chandrapur region was historically associated with the Gond rulers. To the east and south lay territories of the erstwhile Hyderabad State, including the area that subsequently became Adilabad district and is today part of Telangana.
Wani’s political identity changed with successive territorial reorganisations. The area was once associated with the Nizam of Hyderabad. After independence, it came under the larger Central Provinces and Berar/Madhya Pradesh administrative framework before becoming part of Maharashtra when the state was formed in 1960.
This layered history is important in understanding the social background of Dr Abdul Razzaq Ahmed, a prominent Muslim of Wani. His family belonged to an established local community whose standing was associated with both landholding and professional achievement. Dr Abdul Razzaq Ahmed was a dermatologist, while later generations entered administration, medicine, and law.
Today, Dr A. Razzaque Ahmed, MD, DSc, is internationally recognised as a dermatologist, immunologist and academic physician, and as a pioneer in autoimmune blistering diseases. He has served as Professor of Dermatology and Director of the Centre for Blistering Diseases at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He is associated with the Ibn Sina Professorship. His career has brought together clinical medicine, molecular immunology, laboratory research, therapeutic innovation, teaching and philanthropy.
Yet his significance lies not simply in professional distinction. His life represents the transformation of education into knowledge, knowledge into healing, and achievement into service.
Roots, Education and the Making of a Cosmopolitan Mind
Dr Ahmad spent his early childhood in Wani in a house built by his great-grandfather around 1875. He was the son of Salam Ahmed and Begum Noor Jehan and grew up in a family that regarded education and social advancement as important instruments of human development.
That ethos subsequently found institutional expression through the Begum Noor Jehan Salam Ahmed Trust in Yavatmal district. Under Begum Noor Jehan’s leadership, the Trust established educational institutions including the Sunrise English Medium Convent, Wani; the Noor Jahan Begum Salam Ahmed Arts and Commerce College, Wani; and the Noor Jahan Begum Salam Ahmed Women’s College of Law.
The women’s law college was particularly significant, reflecting a deliberate commitment to giving women access to professional education, legal knowledge and greater independence. The family tradition therefore gave education a meaning larger than individual advancement: it expanded opportunity and enabled others to participate more fully in society. That principle would later find expression in Dr Ahmad’s own teaching and philanthropy.
His early education exposed him to unusually diverse intellectual and cultural environments. Until the age of seven, he studied at a convent run by French nuns and later attended a Jesuit Catholic boarding school in Nagpur.
At fifteen, an American Field Service International Scholarship took him to Le Mars, Iowa, where he lived with the Thompson family, attended the local high school and studied at Westmar College. The experience gave a young student from central India an early encounter with American society and education, broadening his intellectual horizons.
Returning to India, he pursued pre-medical studies at Nagpur University before entering the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi. At AIIMS, he distinguished himself academically, standing first in many classes and receiving the Gold Medal as the outstanding graduate of his cohort. The movement from Wani to Nagpur and from Nagpur to AIIMS marked the first major stage in a life that would repeatedly cross geographical and intellectual boundaries.
After completing his medical education, Dr Ahmad moved to the United States for specialist training. He trained in Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, Dermatology at the University at Buffalo and Clinical Immunology at the University of California, Los Angeles, where he subsequently joined the faculty.
His growing interest in the molecular basis of disease led him to Harvard, where he pursued advanced research in molecular immunology and earned a Doctor of Science degree. His investigations attracted National Institutes of Health support and developed into the Ahmed Laboratory, which remained NIH-funded for more than two decades.
A defining feature of his career was integrating laboratory science with clinical medicine. Disease encountered in the clinic generated scientific questions; laboratory research sought their answers; and those discoveries returned to patients through improved diagnosis and treatment.
From Molecular Discovery to a New Paradigm of Care
Dr Ahmad became an international authority on autoimmune blistering diseases, particularly pemphigus and mucous membrane pemphigoid. These rare disorders can be debilitating, disfiguring and, in severe cases, life-threatening.
His research examined the immunological and genetic mechanisms underlying these diseases. Among his key contributions was identifying associations between specific HLA-DQB1 genes and pemphigus in different populations. He reported the association of HLA-DQB10402 with Jewish pemphigus patients and HLA-DQB10501 with non-Jewish patients. Studies of relatives helped demonstrate that low titres of pemphigus autoantibodies could occur without full clinical disease. He also distinguished pathogenic from non-pathogenic autoantibodies, demonstrating the pathogenic significance of IgG4 and the non-pathogenic character of IgG1 in pemphigus.
His investigations involving patients from Northwestern Iran and comparisons with Ashkenazi Jewish patients in the United States and Israel revealed striking genetic homology. They contributed to wider research concerning the population history of Ashkenazi Jews.
His molecular research extended to mucous membrane pemphigoid. He identified alpha-6 integrin as a putative antigen in oral pemphigoid and beta-4 integrin in disease involving other mucosal sites, identified epitopes on these molecules and investigated their role experimentally in animal models and tissue cultures. These studies helped shift the field from clinical description towards molecular understanding.
But Dr Ahmad’s contribution did not end with discovery. He sought to create a system that could translate scientific knowledge directly into comprehensive patient care. In Boston, he established the Centre for Blistering Diseases, bringing together specialists in oral medicine, ophthalmology, ENT, gastroenterology, urology, gynaecology, proctology, internal medicine, nutrition and clinical psychology.
The multidisciplinary model reflected the nature of the diseases themselves, which can affect several organs and mucosal surfaces. Rather than leaving patients to navigate separate specialities, the Centre organised care around the patient’s complexity.
His commitment to patients extended beyond medical treatment. In 1993, he established the Boston Blistering Diseases Support Group, recognising that people living with rare and potentially life-threatening disorders also require emotional support, information and a community of shared experience. The model was subsequently emulated elsewhere, including by the International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation.
Transforming Treatment and Restoring Lives
One of Dr Ahmad’s most consequential contributions was his pioneering work with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) in autoimmune blistering diseases.
Severe disease had traditionally been treated with corticosteroids and other immunosuppressive drugs, which could themselves produce serious complications. Dr Ahmad developed and refined IVIg protocols that enabled some patients to achieve prolonged remission and, in certain cases, discontinue conventional therapy.
He also addressed access. Because IVIg is expensive, he presented clinical and pharmacoeconomic evidence involving 160 patients to Medicare authorities. The resulting policy permitting Medicare coverage for IVIg in blistering diseases helped broaden access, and private insurers later adopted similar policies.
His work with rituximab marked another major therapeutic advance. In collaboration with Harvard oncologists, he developed a protocol combining rituximab and IVIg that targeted the B-cell mechanisms involved in autoimmune disease. The results were reported in the New England Journal of Medicine, with subsequent long-term follow-up demonstrating sustained disease control in treated patients.
Some patients achieved exceptionally prolonged remission without continuing therapy, in some cases for more than 20 years. His continuing research has examined whether successful treatment can restore immune balance rather than merely suppress disease. Long-term follow-up of patients with pemphigus treated with IVIg contributed to this emerging understanding, with findings reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2024.
His work has also addressed ocular cicatricial pemphigoid, a rare autoimmune disease capable of causing progressive scarring and irreversible blindness. Research into its mechanisms helped establish therapeutic approaches involving IVIg and subsequently rituximab combined with IVIg.
The significance of such work extends beyond disease control. Preventing blindness preserves independence, employment, family life and human dignity. It exemplifies a broader principle in Dr Ahmad’s career: the ultimate measure of medical success is not simply suppressing disease but restoring a patient’s capacity to live a meaningful life.
This philosophy also shaped the institutions he built. He developed an outpatient infusion model that enabled patients to receive sophisticated intravenous therapies without prolonged conventional hospitalisation, attracting patients from across the United States and other countries.
As a teacher and mentor, he has influenced generations of medical and dental students, residents and researchers. Many former trainees subsequently became professors and departmental leaders. He has lectured internationally for decades and served as a visiting professor at universities worldwide. His influence has therefore travelled not only through publications and therapies but through the people he taught.
The breadth of his contribution has been recognised through numerous professional honours, including the William Gies Award, the Walter F. Lever Award, lifetime achievement and research contribution awards, and international awards for excellence. The International Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Foundation honoured him as Physician of the Year, and he has also received India’s Charaka Award. In 1999, the Governor of Massachusetts and the Massachusetts House of Representatives separately recognised his contribution to the Commonwealth’s citizens.
Science, Faith and the Larger Meaning of Service
Another dimension of Dr Ahmad’s life is his religious commitment. During his extensive international travels, he has repeatedly visited Makkah and performed more than one hundred Umrahs. His scientific and spiritual commitments have existed alongside one another. Scientific inquiry seeks to understand disease; faith provides a framework of gratitude, humility and responsibility.
That sense of responsibility has also shaped his philanthropy. In addition to the educational legacy of the Begum Noor Jehan Salam Ahmed Trust, Dr Ahmad has devoted substantial resources to educating disadvantaged young people, particularly women, supporting higher education, professional training, books, computers, transport and leadership development.
The results have reportedly reached thousands of students, with women beneficiaries entering the judiciary, public prosecution and legal practice. The objective is therefore not simply charitable relief but the creation of durable opportunities through education.
Dr Abdul Razzaque Ahmad’s life is not merely a story of migration from India to America or advancement from a small town to elite academic institutions. It is a story of continuity through transformation.
Wani provided the beginning; Nagpur broadened the horizon; AIIMS supplied an exceptional medical foundation; Pittsburgh, Buffalo and UCLA provided specialist training; Harvard deepened his scientific inquiry; and Boston became the centre from which his clinical and research contributions reached the wider world.
The ancestral house in Wani and the laboratories, clinics and lecture halls of Boston may appear to belong to different worlds. In his life they form a single continuum. The family gave him an inheritance of education and responsibility. He transformed that inheritance into scientific discovery and clinical innovation, and then extended its benefits through teaching, patient care and philanthropy.
His legacy is therefore measured not only by publications, professorships and awards, but by what those achievements enabled: patients who obtained relief, individuals protected from irreversible disability, students who gained educational opportunities, physicians shaped by his mentorship, and a field of medicine advanced by his research.
The distance from Wani to Boston is considerable. The distance his ideas travelled is greater still. A journey that began in the hinterland of India entered the global corridors of academia. Its deepest destination, however, was neither fame nor distinction, but service—to the patient seeking relief, the student seeking opportunity, the scientist seeking truth, and society seeking a more humane future.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror /Home>Personalities> Positive Story / by Moin Qazi / October 10th, 2026
In a workspace near the Budhi Jagulai temple in Odisha’s Kendrapara district, 26 women divide tasks with quiet efficiency. One stitches the body of a shopping bag, another attaches the handles and a third applies the finishing touches. Bringing them all together is Israt Jahan, a 50-year-old woman whose path into earning a livelihood began with loss.
After the death of her husband Zakir Hussain Khan, a well-known local sportsman and journalist, Israt stepped outside her home to support her family. She drew on sewing skills that dated back to 1985, took up wool craft, embroidery and stitching, and eventually built something larger than she had imagined.
In 2019, she formed the Swadhin Producer Group. The COVID-19 pandemic halted work for two years, but when the women decided to resume, they pooled their personal savings and collected Rs 18,000 to restart without any initial government assistance. They shifted to jute work in 2022, drawn to the material’s biodegradable nature and the growing demand for plastic-free alternatives in a district already known for jute cultivation.
“We chose jute because it is environment-friendly,” said group secretary Rajida Khanam.
The group’s product range now includes handbags, shopping bags, bottle carriers, office and laptop bags, lunch bags, files, folders, sitting mats and letter holders. Fabric is sourced from Cuttack and, when demand rises, from Kolkata. Priced from Rs 150 per bag, each piece takes a skilled member around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
Members earn between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000 a month. The group’s annual income stands at Rs 5 lakh to Rs 7 lakh. A one-time government startup grant of Rs 2.04 lakh helped them purchase eight machines, including an embroidery machine and electronic sewing units. No further financial grant has followed.
The group also receives bulk orders for files and folders used in agriculture, horticulture and block-level training programmes, sometimes running into thousands of pieces. Most retail sales take place at fairs.
For member Subhasini Swain, the venture offers something beyond income. “Besides learning and earning happening together, the Hindu-Muslim companionship here is the best part,” she said.
Kendrapara Collector Raghuram R. Iyer said the administration would ask Mission Shakti’s district programme manager to examine the group’s marketing needs and arrange additional credit support if required.
Israt’s own hope is straightforward. “The women want to contribute to their children’s education and support their families. If our message reaches the government, we would like some additional help,” she said.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Markers of Excellence> Social Service> Personality / by Radiance News Bureau / October 06th, 2026
Hyderabad, TELANGANA / Birmingham, UNITED KINGDOM :
The Hyderabad-origin doctor’s three-decade pursuit of better diabetes care and fairer health outcomes earns him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Hyderabad :
The news arrived with all the ceremony one would expect of a royal honour. For Prof Wasim Hanif, however, it also prompted a journey in the opposite direction — back to Hyderabad.
Back to St. George’s Grammar School. Back to Gandhi Medical College. Back to the city where medicine first became more than a profession and where a young student began imagining a life in healthcare.
This month, Prof Hanif was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List 2026 for services to diabetes care and tackling health inequalities. In Britain, the award recognises a career spent shaping policy, advancing research and advocating for patients often overlooked by healthcare systems.
In Hyderabad, the news was received somewhat differently. Here, the honour belongs as much to memory as achievement.
Hanif grew up in a Hyderabad that was very different from the technology hub it would later become. His father served as General Manager of the Azam Jahi Mills at Gunfoundry, one of the institutions that formed part of the city’s industrial landscape. Education was valued, ambition was encouraged and, like many Hyderabadi families of the period, the expectation was simple: work hard, study harder.
Medicine became his path, first in Hyderabad’s classrooms and later in hospitals thousands of miles away. At Gandhi Medical College, Hanif belonged to a generation of students who viewed medicine not merely as a profession but as a public service. The crowded wards, demanding schedules, and constant interaction with patients offered lessons that would remain with him long after he left the city.
When he moved to the United Kingdom in 1995, he joined a long line of Indian doctors seeking advanced training and professional opportunities abroad. Over time, one question increasingly shaped his career: why do some communities experience significantly poorer health outcomes than others?
For Prof Hanif, diabetes was never simply a disease measured through blood sugar levels or laboratory reports. It was also a lens through which broader questions about society could be examined. Why were certain ethnic groups more vulnerable? Why did some communities have less access to healthcare? Why did outcomes differ so sharply between populations living in the same country?
These questions would come to define much of his professional life.
Today, he serves as a professor of diabetes and endocrinology at University Hospitals Birmingham and Clinical Advisor to Diabetes UK. His expertise has taken him far beyond hospital clinics and lecture halls. He has advised the World Health Organisation (WHO), the European Union and the UK Parliament on issues relating to diabetes, obesity, ethnicity and public health.
Yet colleagues often describe him as someone who has remained grounded in the realities of patient care. Behind the research papers, policy recommendations and leadership positions lies the daily work of listening to patients and understanding the circumstances that shape their health.
His work has been particularly influential in drawing attention to the disproportionate burden of diabetes among South Asian and minority ethnic communities. Long before health inequality became a widely discussed public issue, Hanif was highlighting the social, cultural and economic factors that influence health outcomes.
Reflecting on the honour, Prof Hanif responded with characteristic humility.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this award. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a desire to improve the lives of people living with diabetes and to address the inequalities that continue to affect health outcomes across our society.”
The award, he emphasised, belongs to many others as well.
“This recognition reflects the dedication and support of the many colleagues, students, researchers and healthcare professionals I have had the privilege to work with. While this is a tremendous personal honour to my family and me, it is also recognition of the importance of continuing our efforts to deliver fairer, more inclusive healthcare.”
Today, Prof Hanif’s influence extends across some of Britain’s most respected medical institutions. He is President-elect of the British Medical Association, Trustee of Diabetes UK, Non-Executive Director of the BMJ, Chair of the Association for the Study of Obesity UK and Trustee of the South Asian Health Foundation.
Taken together, the appointments speak to the esteem in which he is held within British medicine. Yet honours and titles tell only part of the story. The larger story is about persistence — about a doctor who spent three decades asking difficult questions about fairness in healthcare and working to find practical answers.
For Hyderabad, the recognition carries a special resonance. The city has produced generations of doctors who have built distinguished careers across the world. Prof Wasim Hanif now joins a long list of Hyderabadis whose contributions have transcended national boundaries while remaining rooted in the values and education that shaped their early lives.
The OBE marks a significant milestone. But perhaps its deeper significance lies elsewhere.
It recognises the idea that medicine is not only about treating disease. At its best, it is also about reducing barriers, widening access and ensuring that those most vulnerable are not left behind.
That conviction has guided Wasim Hanif from the classrooms of Hyderabad to the highest levels of British healthcare. The honour may have been announced in London, but its roots lie elsewhere – in the classrooms of St George’s Grammar School, the wards of Gandhi Medical College and a Hyderabad upbringing that first shaped a young doctor’s understanding of service.
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Syed Khaled Shahbaaz is a Hyderabad-based journalist and author of the best-selling coffee-table book ‘The Kohinoors: Distinguished Personalities of Hyderabad.’ He may be reached at syedkhaledshahbaaz@gmail.com.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick>India> Indian Muslim / by Syed Khalid Shahbaaz / June 18th, 2026
Islamic scholar, renowned social worker and senior leader of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, K.K. Mammunni Maulavi Sahab (may Allah have mercy on him), passed away at his residence in Shantapuram at the age of 82. His death marks the passing of a multifaceted personality who devoted his entire life to the service of knowledge and faith, the promotion of education, social welfare, and support for the deprived and vulnerable sections of society. His life was a journey of knowledge, action, service and selflessness, whose imprint will long be felt across various religious, educational and charitable fields.
In his practical life, he discharged a range of religious and educational responsibilities with great sincerity and dedication. He taught at Kariyad Madrasa, served as Imam of Chavakkad Muthuvattur Mahall, and also served as Principal of Muvattupuzha Madrasatul Banat. However, the scope of his activities was not confined merely to teaching and institutional duties – a large part of his life was spent in building, nurturing and developing educational, religious and charitable institutions that became a source of support for the needy members of society. He had a deep and long-standing association with numerous orphanages and welfare institutions established in Kerala and elsewhere, playing a prominent role in their patronage and development, and helping strengthen them into centres that continue, even today, to serve the weak, the destitute and the deprived. His contributions were also notable in mosque construction, the development of educational institutions, the provision of basic amenities, and various social welfare projects. Thus, his personality was not merely that of a religious scholar or teacher, but that of a quiet servant who devoted his energies to the building and welfare of society.
K.K. Mammunni Maulavi was born in 1944 in Mulliyakkurishi, Malappuram district. His father was Kalakkanthal Mohammed and his mother Kadan Thodi Mariyakutty. He studied at Shantapuram Islamia College from 1955 to 1965, obtaining his FD and B.Sc. degrees. He later channelled the training gained from this education into a practical life devoted to the service of religion and humanity. He is survived by his wife, Khadija, and his children namely Hafsa, Naseema, Sajida, Najmunnisa, Nazira, Mubaraka, Yasir, Abdur Rab and Bilal.
The legacy of his life lies in the prayers of countless people and in the institutions whose construction and development benefited from his labour, sincerity and time. His departure is undoubtedly a void, but his scholarly, religious, educational and charitable services will keep his memory alive in the days to come.
Tahreek-Related Services
Mammunni Maulavi Sahab served for a long period as a member of the Kerala Shura and the All India Representative Council of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. He was Secretary of the Perinthalmanna Islamic Mission Trust, Assistant Qazi of Shantapuram Mahal, and also served as Principal of the Islamia College at Vadanapally Orphanage.
He played an important role in launching and publishing the children’s magazine Malar Vadi and served as its publisher for a long time.
He also held administrative responsibilities on the committees of numerous institutions, including Shantapuram Islamia College, Vadanapally Orphanage, Pathiripala Mount Sinai, Perumpalav Ansar institutions, and the Azhikode Islamic Educational Complex.
He served as chairman of several institutions, including the Pathiripala Bait-ush-Shariqa al-Khairi Trust, the Perumpalav Ansari Charitable Trust, the Vadanapally Orphanage Committee, Kechery Al-Islah, the Azhikode Islamic Educational Complex, Peringadi Al-Falah, and Thavoor Hira English School.
He also played a significant role in extending the welfare activities of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind beyond Kerala. As Vice-Chairman of the Vision 2026 project, he toured underdeveloped regions of India and played a key role in launching educational and welfare initiatives there.
From 1977, he served for ten years as Zonal Nazim (organiser) of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, during which time the districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Idukki, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Palakkad fell under his charge. This long list is not merely a record of positions and responsibilities, but reflects that a large part of his life was spent in collective and constructive work.
An Active Life
Mammunni Maulavi Sahab is no longer in this world, but the memories of his simple life, tranquil personality and selfless service will remain forever in the hearts of those whose lives he helped, in one way or another, to succeed. The most prominent aspect of his personality was his calm temperament. A faint smile on his face, gentleness in conversation, and simplicity in manner were part of his identity. There was a quiet energy within him that never sought to draw attention to itself, yet it never failed to impress those around him. He was among those whose lives are recognised more by action than by claims.
Mammunni Maulavi Sahab had devoted his life to a greater purpose rather than to personal comfort and ease. After 1965, his working life remained continuously tied to religious, educational and social activities. Alongside his participation in the various works of the Islamic movement, he also played a major role in advancing its educational activities. His association with institutions working for orphans, the needy and the destitute remained strong throughout. His services were also notable in the construction and expansion of mosques and in shaping religious and social life. For him, service was not merely an activity but a way of life. As such, there was no place in his life for self-promotion or display. He did not merely speak of simplicity as a virtue, simplicity was an essential part of his life. Travelling by train and bus, riding a motorcycle from place to place when necessary, and constantly travelling to reach people, were part of his routine, for his priority was never comfort, but the achievement of his purpose.
Mammunni Maulavi Sahab was among those who valued purpose over publicity. He never sought crowds or praise, yet the large number of people who gathered on the final journey of his life reflects how service rendered quietly can still leave a deep impression on people’s hearts. People arrived from different parts of the country for his funeral prayer in Shantapuram. Young children and teachers attended; elderly men and women arrived; and even the sick, despite their frailty, participated in the funeral. Ordinary people from various parts of northern and southern Kerala travelled long distances to reach Shantapuram for one last glimpse of their beloved.
The funeral prayers began around 1:30 in the afternoon and continued without a break until 9:30 at night. T. Arifali, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, led the final funeral prayer.
Even then, the mosque remained full of people. Large numbers remained near the grave after the prayer as well, reciting tasbeeh, praying, and staying on for a long while, as though everyone wanted a little more time to bid farewell to a life that had touched them at some point.
A significant feature of Mammunni Maulavi Sahab’s life was his connection across generations and social groups. From children to the elderly, from teachers to ordinary workers, and from religious to social circles, many found in him an elder and compassionate guide from whom they sought advice, encouragement and direction. To some he was a teacher, to others a leader, to others a counsellor, and to others simply an elder whose very presence brought comfort. Perhaps this is why the impact of his passing was not confined to his immediate family or associates, but was felt by a much wider circle.
Family’s Sacrifices
Behind every great collective service lie sacrifices that never come to public attention. Mammunni Maulavi Sahab’s life was no exception. His wife spent years enduring his busy life, constant travel, and social and religious responsibilities with patience and fortitude. His children, too, came to see their father not merely as a family member, but as someone fulfilling a broader social responsibility. Those who devote a large part of their lives to collective service are accompanied, in that journey, by the quiet sacrifices of their families. In this sense, a significant part of Mammunni Maulavi Sahab’s legacy also belongs to the sacrifices of his wife, children and family.
The earth has now taken Mammunni Maulavi Sahab into itself, but his simple way of life, constant travel, selfless service, and his manner of instilling hope amid difficult circumstances will remain in the hearts of those who knew him. His life stood as an example that the building of society is not always achieved through grand slogans or prominent positions; sometimes, a quiet, simple and steadfast person can leave an impact across generations. Perhaps the truest description of Mammunni Maulavi Sahab’s life is that he lived less for himself and more for others. Such a life comes to an end physically, but its effects remain among those who found light, encouragement or support in it. May Allah Almighty forgive Mammunni Maulavi Sahab, grant him a place in His mercy, accept his religious, educational and social services, and make the sacrifices offered by his family throughout this long journey a source of reward for them as well.
[The writer is Secretary Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Kerala]
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Markers of Excellence> Personality> Obituary / by Shihab Pookkottur / October 05th, 2026
A special ceremony was held at the Trinity College in Dublin, to honour all the recipients. Khalid was represented by his father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas.
Umar Khalid is seen speaking at a demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, in this file image dated March 3, 2020. Photo: PTI/File.
New Delhi:
Activist Umar Khalid who has been jailed since the last six years has won the 2026 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk.
“Umar Khalid is the 2026 Asia winner of the Front Line Defenders Award. To those who try to silence his work, he is seen as an “enemy of the state’’ and an “anti-national”, but to others, he is a national hero, a voice of the people, and a human rights defender. For the last six years, Umar Khalid has been shackled behind bars for his leadership in the peaceful and democratic civil movement against the unconstitutional and anti-Muslim amendments to India’s citizenship laws,” Front Line Defenders said in a statement on Thursday (October 8).
Khalid has continued to be lodged in jail ever since Delhi Police Special Cell arrested him as a ‘key conspirator’ in the 2020 Delhi riots case on September 14, 2020. He is charged with Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), sedition and 18 other sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder and attempt to murder. A student activist at the time of his arrest, Khalid had played a key role in organising anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protests in 2019-2020.
The Front Line Defenders statement noted how the CAA impacts India’s Muslim population and how Khalid spoke against this grave injustice.
“The law, which accompanied an increasingly hostile climate of growing Hindu nationalism, threatens to disproportionately strip Muslims of documentation and legal status. Umar Khalid, with a steady trajectory defending students’, minorities’ and citizens’ rights, is seen as one of the key voices speaking out against this injustice. Several major international human rights organisations, as well as the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, have highlighted the illegality of his arrest and detention,” said the statement.
The five winners of the 2026 Front Line Defenders Award for Human Rights Defenders at Risk pictured at Trinity College in Dublin, where a special ceremony was held in to honor them.
A recently freed anti-death penalty campaigner from Iran, a feminist pro-participatory democracy… pic.twitter.com/2D9BjFg2bs
Apart from Khalid, the other winners are: Laurinda Manuel Gouveia (Angola) for Africa, Adda Vyctoria Caetano (Brazil) for the Americas, Ljiljana Nešić (Serbia) for Europe and Central Asia and Ahmadreza Haeri (Iran) for Middle East and North Africa.
A special ceremony was held at the Trinity College in Dublin, to honour all the recipients. Khalid was represented by his father, Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas.
On September 20, the Delhi high court had denied bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam – also jailed for more than six years – in the 2020 Northeast Delhi riots larger conspiracy case.
Khalid was lasted granted a three-day interim bail by the Delhi high court on May 22 for meeting his mother who underwent a surgery after a trial court had on May 19 denied him relief that he had sought to attend rituals after the death of his uncle and to attend to his mother before and after a surgery on June 2.
source: http://www.thewire.in / The Wire / Home> Rights / by The Wire Staff / October 09th, 2026
It will gradually be screened across 20 schools in Bengaluru, including government schools, under Project SAFE (Student Advocacy for Emotional Well-being).
Imaan Zara Khan during the screening of her film Unspoken in Bengaluru.(Photo | EPS)
Bengaluru :
Young people are often encouraged to speak up when they are struggling, but what happens when they cannot find the words to express what they feel? And when they do speak, will the people around them listen without dismissing their concerns?
These questions form the premise of Unspoken, a youth-led film written and directed by 16-year-old filmmaker and researcher Imaan Zara Khan. The film follows four teenagers from different backgrounds who face emotional struggles they find difficult to articulate, highlighting the need for safer spaces where young people can acknowledge their distress and seek support.
Ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the film was screened in Bengaluru on Friday as part of an initiative to take conversations on student mental health beyond awareness campaigns. It will gradually be screened across 20 schools in Bengaluru, including government schools, under Project SAFE (Student Advocacy for Emotional Well-being).
The initiative also includes the development of a mental health first-aid programme intended to help teachers and students recognise signs of distress and respond appropriately.
“I think everyone tells young people to speak up, but they do not realise that sometimes there are no words to express what they are going through. Even if they find the courage to speak, are the people around them willing to listen, or will they dismiss them?” Imaan said.
The film follows four teenagers whose circumstances could hardly be more different. One is a popular social media influencer struggling with body image and self-confidence.
Imaan with the cast and crew of the film(Photo | EPS)
No hero moments: Film tackles ‘Unspoken’ mental health struggles of youth
Another is a boy from a middle-class family in Lucknow who wants to pursue art but faces expectations of conventional masculinity. A young aspiring runner from Assam grapples with the economic realities that make pursuing his ambitions difficult, while a girl at a boarding school struggles with loneliness and parental expectations. Their experiences differ, but their inability to express what they are going through connects them.
Imaan said she wanted the characters to resemble authentic students rather than portrayals of clinical diagnoses. The film does not offer dramatic turning points or easy resolutions to their problems. Instead, it seeks to create a moment of recognition for viewers who may see their own experiences reflected in the characters.
“I do not want there to be a big, dramatic hero moment. I want there to be a small moment of recognition. We need to create an environment where people can speak up and understand what they are going through without having to figure everything out by themselves,” she said.
The idea for the film emerged from observations of her peers and cousins. As she researched the subject further, Imaan said she became increasingly concerned about the stigma surrounding mental health and the social consequences young people often associate with seeking help.
Her work involved both primary and secondary research, including conversations with her parents and a survey of around 750 students on their mental health experiences. Imaan chose filmmaking as a medium because she believes personal stories can make emotional struggles easier to recognise than statistics alone. “Data does not really change behaviour. Stories do. The impact stories can have in driving change is different from a statistic that someone reads once or twice and then forgets,” she said.
Through the school screenings, Imaan hopes to study the impact of storytelling as an intervention within school mental health systems and use the findings to develop a framework for student well-being. Project SAFE brings together the film, discussions and the proposed mental health first-aid programme.
The latter is aimed at helping students and teachers identify signs of distress, understand how to respond and support peers who may be struggling.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Karnataka / by Gayathri M Kurup / October 11th, 2026
Highland Islamic Forum (HIF INDIA) inaugurated its new Seva Kendra and launched its official website at a programme held at the HIF Auditorium on Friday evening. The programme began with Qirat by Ahil Farooq, followed by an address by chief guest Mohammed Kunhi. Explaining the services offered by the Seva Kendra, Rafil Ahmed said the centre would help people access various government services and welfare schemes. These include assistance with Voter ID, PAN card, Aadhaar updates, Senior Citizen cards, Ayushman cards, scholarships, Gruha Jyothi, Gruha Lakshmi, and income and caste certificates.
People seeking assistance can contact the Seva Kendra at +91 98450 81312. Website to showcase HIF’s charitable work Shaz Rasheed, convenor of the programme, introduced HIF INDIA’s new website, www.hif.org.in, developed by Nexhala Solutions LLP. The website brings together information about the organisation’s various social welfare and charitable initiatives, including house construction for needy families, care for orphans, assistance to masjids, provision of clean drinking water and medical support.
Describing the website as a platform for “Shopping for the Aakhirah”, Shaz Rasheed explained that it would allow people to choose projects they wished to support, understand how their contributions would be used and make donations online. The platform offers multiple payment options, including UPI and bank transfers, and provides receipts for donations. It is available in English, Kannada and Hindi.
The guests jointly inaugurated the Seva Kendra and launched the website during the programme.
Mementos presented to contributors HIF President Rizwan Pandeshwar, Mr. Nazeer from the Minority Department and Rafeeq Master of Namma Nadu Okkuta also addressed the gathering.
The Khatheeb Ustad of Masjid Ul Ehsan was among those present.
During the event, HIF presented mementos to Namma Nadu Okkuta in recognition of its role in training the Seva Kendra staff, and to Nexhala Solutions LLP for developing the website. A memento was also presented to Mr. Nazeer in appreciation of his guidance and assistance regarding scholarships and other government welfare benefits.
Bilal Raif hosted the programme and delivered the vote of thanks.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / October 10th, 2026
The two-day conference concludes with a renewed emphasis on education, character building, responsible teaching, women’s empowerment and collective community responsibility
Bhopal :
Women teachers and educationists from different parts of India deliberated on education, character building, emotional well-being, women’s empowerment and the challenges facing the next generation at a conference in Mumbai recently.
According to a Press release issued by All India Muslim Women Association (AIMWA), the two-day conference (September 26-27) concluded with a renewed emphasis on education, character building, responsible teaching, women’s empowerment and collective community responsibility.
The gathering brought together participants from different backgrounds and regions and provided a platform for meaningful discussion on strengthening education, supporting teachers, empowering women and preparing the younger generation for the future.
The conference was organised around the broader message that teachers are influencers of a brighter future, with education, character building and value-based upbringing at the centre of the discussions.
The need for a Milli Educational Policy and an All India Muslim Education Board was also highlighted as part of efforts to address educational challenges.
The conference ended with a call for sustained educational efforts and greater collective responsibility towards building stronger communities and brighter generations.
The first day was dedicated exclusively to teachers and witnessed the participation of more than 600 teachers and educationists from different parts of the country. Delegates attended from Delhi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Nagpur, Bhiwandi, Kolkata, Midnapore, Nellore, Pune, Bhopal and several other parts of the country. The conference focused on the changing educational environment and the expanding responsibilities of teachers in shaping children, families and society.
The conference began with Mrs Waheeda Sayyid, Convener, and Adv Farhana Shah, who welcomed the participants and explained the objectives of the conference.
Mrs Waheeda Sayyid told the delegates that every person present was an asset to the community and that their participation was a sign that they had been chosen for an important service to the community.
She emphasised that teaching is not merely a job or profession, but can be an act of worship, as teachers impact lives and influence children in shaping a brighter future. She encouraged the participants to recognise the responsibility that comes with the teaching profession and to contribute meaningfully to the community.
Character Before Curriculum
The conference then moved to an educative session by Mrs Sobia Lule, a prominent educationist from Pune, who spoke about the role and responsibility of teachers.
Mrs Lule highlighted the importance of continuously improving and updating professional knowledge. She discussed the changing role of teachers and the challenges faced by teachers, students and parents. She covered workload and management, emotional and mental stress among educators and the importance of maintaining loyalty towards educational institutions.
The need to protect children from exploitation and harassment was also emphasised, along with the importance of learning from past mistakes and continuously improving educational practices.
Presidential Address
The conference was presided over by Dr Asma Zehra, President of the AIMWA, who stressed that education has the power to change the future of generations.
In her address, Dr Zehra said that the responsibility of teachers extends far beyond the classroom. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the character, confidence, values and future outlook of children.
She observed that the Muslim community is presently at a crossroads, with a significant percentage of youth facing illiteracy and the community confronting challenges related to the availability of primary and higher schools, shortage of qualified and trained teachers, inadequate infrastructure and changing government policies.
She emphasised that a huge responsibility rests on the educational class and intellectuals. Teachers, principals, management and educators must work in coordination and cooperation with parents and society to bring children into schools and ensure quality and standard education. She highlighted several concerns facing the educational sector, she stated.
Dr Zehra also laid emphasis on “Education for All”, along with various schemes and initiatives intended to increase enrolment and reduce dropout rates. She also highlighted concerns over increasing educational backwardness, illiteracy, poverty, economic difficulties and marginalisation within the Muslim community.
Working Muslim Women’s Challenges
The discussions also touched upon challenges faced by Muslim women at workplaces, particularly in relation to observing hijab and cultural identity.
Participants discussed the difficulties created by cultural and social pressures and emphasised the need to unite and seek practical solutions to these challenges.
The speakers observed that education has, in many areas, moved from being viewed primarily as a service sector towards a more commercial and business-oriented field, creating additional challenges for poor and marginalised sections seeking access to education.
Panel Discussion
A panel discussion brought together more than 25 educationists, teachers and principals to deliberate on the role of teachers and the challenges facing the education sector.
The panel discussed the importance of professional development and continuously updating teachers’ knowledge and skills. It also examined challenges faced by children, students and parents, including workload, management-related pressures and emotional and mental stress.
Connecting with the New Generation
Mrs Mamdooha Majid, Vice President, AIMWA, spoke about the importance of connecting with the new generation. She emphasised that age is not a barrier and that passion and commitment to meaningful community service matter the most.
She encouraged teachers to take responsibility for their respective localities and to serve their communities. She also highlighted the role of teachers in impacting lives and influencing children to build a brighter future.
The second day of the conference was divided into dedicated sessions for girls and women. The morning session was exclusively for girls, with more than 500 girls participating. The discussions focused on issues relevant to young women, including: Education, identity and purpose, character development, emotional well-being, responsible use of social media, confidence-building, and preparation for future roles in society
The session encouraged girls to develop confidence, character and a sense of responsibility while preparing themselves for meaningful roles in their families and society.
A panel discussion on “Challenges Our Youth Face Today” further provided an opportunity for young participants to reflect on contemporary challenges and discuss possible responses.
The discussions addressed parenting, social media etiquette, mental health solutions in Islam, family responsibilities, and the role of women in education and social reform.
The session also highlighted AIMWA’s programmes and its efforts towards women’s empowerment and community development.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick>India / by Parvez Bari / October 07th, 2026
Rajas Shaikh, ASI, Pune City Police, being felicitated by the DG, Maharashtra Police
On a dark night in a deserted, zero-network area of Bopdev Ghat in Maharashtra, a gang-rape was reported. The case shook the nation, and all attention turned to its investigation. It was a blind case, with the criminal having left no clues whatsoever.
Rajas Shaikh, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Pune City Police, was given the responsibility of finding the rapist.
The location had no mobile network and no CCTV cameras. The culprit had switched his and the victim’s phones to flight mode. Not a single clue was left for the police to begin the investigation.
Rajas Shaikh worked day and night, checking CCTV footage. In a blurred image, he spotted the logo of a hotel on the suspect’s T-shirt. Beginning with this small clue, he immediately located the hotel and interrogated its owner.
The owner recognised his employee, and the police took the culprit into custody. He confessed and also revealed the names of his two accomplices.
Recalling the successful investigation, Rajas Shaikh says, “When this investigation was completed, a very senior IPS-rank officer hugged me tightly and congratulated me. Senior officers usually don’t hug anyone, but that day I got the satisfaction that my work was truly valued.”
This complex case is among several such investigations that Rajas Shaikh has conducted during his 32 years of service. In recognition of his services, the Union Home Ministry recently honoured him with the ‘Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak’ (Medal for Most Excellent Service).
Speaking to ‘Awaz-The-Voice’, Rajas Shaikh said, “The other day a friend called and gave me the news of receiving the Government of India’s Ati Utkrisht Seva Padak. For two minutes, my heart was heavy, and tears welled up in my eyes. The hard work and service I have put in all these years had finally borne fruit.”
Rajas Shaikh joined the Pune City Police Force in 1995. A tremendous craze for the khaki uniform and a strong desire to do something impactful for society and the country while being in uniform drew him towards the police.
After graduation, he received a call from the Employment Exchange and decided to go for police recruitment. He was selected in his very first attempt.
Rajas is an athlete. He is a national-level volleyball player and has participated in long jump, high jump and triple jump.
His sports background came in handy in clearing the police entrance tests.
Initially, he worked as a helper in the storeroom and the reserve armoury section at Police Headquarters. He maintained records and handled the supply of weapons, ammunition and police uniforms for Pune city.
In 2002, he was transferred to the Traffic Branch. He was given responsibility for handling the then recently introduced prepaid auto-rickshaw service.
He also handled administrative work at the DCP office.
It was during Rajas Shaikh’s tenure at Wanowrie Police Station that his career in crime detection began. He says he was lucky to have good superiors as mentors who helped him in his journey as an ace investigator.
While at Wanowrie Police Station, he nabbed culprits in various crimes, including murder, burglary and kidnapping.
The most famous and challenging case among these was the triple murder committed by a man named Masalkar. He had brutally murdered his own mother, wife and little daughter. The media’s entire focus was on this case.
Everyone thought this man could not possibly be the culprit. But Rajas Shaikh’s sharp eyes caught his suspicious demeanour.
Speaking about this case, Rajas Shaikh said, ” Initially, my seniors said why I was interrogating a man who had just lost his mother, wife, and baby?’
But I had a strong suspicion inside. We interrogated him, and it was revealed that he had hatched this conspiracy to marry his girlfriend, and the court later convicted him of crimes of murdering the three.”
During his posting at Kondhwa Police Station, he was assigned a case involving the disappearance of a poor man’s child. According to the father’s statement, some individuals had stolen his baby. The notion that the police only work for rich people was proven wrong by Rajas Shaikh and his team.
Searching day and night, they tracked down the baby in just two days. The baby had been taken to beg at the large fair of Mhaskoba in Veer village of Pune district. The police went there, safely took custody of the baby and handed it over to the mother.
Speaking about that moment, Rajas says, “The way that mother held her baby and started crying, it was the most satisfying moment of my life. That satisfaction was far greater than the one after solving other cases.”
In December 2017, he started investigating two cases involving the theft of ATM machines from the same location.
His team tracked CCTV footage for nine days, from Pune to Kirloskarwadi in Sangli district. On the ninth day, they traced one suspect and arrested him in Osmanabad. After interrogation, they apprehended the other members of the gang from Belagavi on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border.
The gang had built a trolley, pulley and slider. They would extract the ATM machine with the pulley and slide it directly into the vehicle. The gang’s exposure led to the solving of 19 crimes in Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Osmanabad.
Later, after being transferred to the Crime Branch, while working in the Anti-Narcotics Cell, he busted MD drug and marijuana smugglers, exposing their massive network. He also put culprits involved in Nigerian frauds and ATM cloning behind bars.
Rajas Shaikh’s native village is Bhiwadi in Purandar taluka, famous for its rebellion against the British. Rajas Shaikh says, “There is a different kind of attitude in the soil of my Bhiwadi. Carrying that same attitude, I have fearlessly worked in the police department to date.”
Because of this very working style, retired senior officers used to affectionately call him ‘The Amitabh Bachchan of the Poor’. Not tolerating injustice oneself and not letting injustice happen to anyone else is a principle he has followed throughout his service, and he says he will continue to follow it throughout his life.
He has a set working style when inspecting a crime scene. He says, “If one goes to the crime scene and observes closely, a clue is 100% guaranteed to be found. If you grab onto that one thread and work, success is definitely achieved; this is my experience.”
Rajas Shaikh’s family was extremely poor. There were six brothers and sisters in the family. His parents worked as farm labourers but educated all their children. Today, all five of his brothers and sisters are graduates.
“My mother was illiterate, but she used to sit us down to study holding a stick. She used to say there is no salvation without education. The concept of parent-teacher meetings has come up now, but back then, whenever my mother came to the Saswad market every Monday, she would visit our school and ask the teachers about our progress.”
Rajas Shaikh lives in a joint family with his siblings. His wife, Najma, is a graduate of Wadia College. His elder daughter has done her B.Tech from MIT, while the younger daughter is in the 12th standard and she too wishes to become a police officer.
Rajas Shaikh has received more than 280 awards, including the Director General of Police’s ‘Quality Service Medal’ and two certificates of honour from the Chief Minister of Maharashtra.
He has also received the ‘Excellent Service Medal’ given for 15 to 25 years of unblemished service, and the Central Government’s ‘Most Excellent Service Medal’ given for service above 25 years.
On his work style, he says, “If people’s work is done according to the rules and with a smiling face, there is no stress at all. Everyone should always enjoy their work.”
Since police working hours are not fixed, their lifestyle can be stressful. But while balancing his job and health, Rajas takes care of his mental and physical well-being by eating only home-cooked food every day. He exercises, practises pranayama and meditates for 40–45 minutes every morning.
Giving valuable advice to the younger generation, Rajas concludes, “Set a goal and consistently keep trying towards it. Consistency and wholehearted efforts will definitely lead you to your goal.”
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Mizan / by Bhakti Chalak, Pune / September 21st, 2026
