In Fatima’s case, the SC drew a distinction between allegations of involvement and the degree of control attributed to her.
2020 northeast Delhi riots accused Gulfisha Fatima, right, meets her mother after her release from Tihar Jail, in New Delhi, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. PTI
Gulfisha Fatima, one of the accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case, walked out of Tihar Jail on Wednesday, hours after a Delhi court issued her release orders following bail granted by the Supreme Court, jail sources said.
Her release came after the trial court confirmed that all bail conditions laid down by the apex court had been met.
Earlier in the day, the court issued release orders for four of the five accused who were granted bail, after they furnished bail bonds of Rs 2 lakh each along with two local sureties.
The fifth accused, though granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday, did not appear before the trial court to furnish bail bonds. The remaining three accused are expected to be released once procedural formalities are completed.
Gulfisha Fatima, one of the accused in the 2020 northeast Delhi riots conspiracy case, walked out of Tihar Jail on Wednesday, hours after a Delhi court issued her release orders following bail granted by the Supreme Court, jail sources said.
Her release came after the trial court confirmed that all bail conditions laid down by the apex court had been met.
Earlier in the day, the court issued release orders for four of the five accused who were granted bail, after they furnished bail bonds of Rs 2 lakh each along with two local sureties.
The fifth accused, though granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday, did not appear before the trial court to furnish bail bonds. The remaining three accused are expected to be released once procedural formalities are completed.
The trial court passed the release orders after Delhi Police submitted verification reports of the sureties and documents. The court noted that all bail conditions had been complied with.
The Supreme Court, while hearing the matter on Monday, denied relief to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam, observing that a prima facie case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act was made out against them.
However, it granted bail to five accused, citing a hierarchy of participation in the alleged conspiracy.
In Fatima’s case, the Supreme Court drew a distinction between allegations of involvement and the degree of control attributed to her.
“The allegation that Gulfisha Fatima mobilised local women and coordinated protest-site logistics, though relevant to the prosecution’s case, does not presently disclose that she exercised independent command, resource control, or strategic oversight over multiple protest sites. The prosecution itself asserts that directions were conveyed to her by others higher in the asserted hierarchy. In these circumstances, this court finds that the level of attributed agency and control does not justify continued incarceration once the investigative purpose stands substantially fulfilled,” the bench said.
The apex court directed the trial court to expedite the bail process and imposed 11 conditions, making it clear that any misuse of liberty would lead to cancellation of bail.
The February 2020 riots in northeast Delhi erupted during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). The violence left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
Of the 20 accused named in the conspiracy case, two remain absconding.
The remaining 18 had applied for bail at different stages. Out of them, seven are still in prison — Salim Malik, Sharjeel Imam, Umar Khalid, former Aam Aadmi Party leader Tahir Hussain, Athar Khan, Tasleem Ahmed and Khalid Saifi.
source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph Online / The Telegraph Online, Web Desk & PTI / January 07th, 2026
The Madras High Court has invoked a famous Hadith of Prophet Muhammad on prompt and fair payment upon completion of work, while directing the Madurai Municipal Corporation to settle the long-pending professional fees claimed by its former lawyer. The judgment has come as a pleasant surprise in the present atmosphere of hostility towards Islam and Muslims.
While deciding the case on December 19, Justice G.R. Swaminathan at the High Court’s Madurai Bench referred to the prophetic saying – “Pay the worker before his sweat dries” – and observed that this principle was only a facet of fairness and was eminently applicable in labour jurisprudence. The court’s observations have upheld the truth and timelessness of Islamic principles of justice and fairness.
By citing Prophet Muhammad’s saying to stress the moral duty of employers to pay workers without delay, the Judge came to the aid of a lawyer struggling to recover his unpaid legal fees from the Municipal Corporation. The court observed that the principle of fairness should equally apply to labour and service jurisprudence.
Justice Swaminathan directed the Municipal Corporation to settle the lawyer’s fees and censured the practice of engaging advocates who charge a hefty sum for a single appearance in court, citing an instance when a senior counsel was paid Rs. 4 lakh per appearance. “The university, which is pleading that its financial situation is such that it is unable to pay the dues of its retired staff, has no difficulty in paying exorbitant fees to its counsel,” he said.
Additional Advocate Generals appeared even for small matters where their presence was not really required and where even a “novice of the government counsel could handle,” the court observed. “All this for a few pennies. Marking appearance is a matter of money. It is time an audit is undertaken regarding the payment of fees to the law officers,” the Judge noted.
Coming to the rescue of the Municipal Corporation’s former standing counsel P. Thirumalai who sought a direction to the civic body to pay Rs. 13.05 lakh due for him as fee for representing it in numerous cases, Justice Swaminathan said: “Pay the worker before his sweat dries is an instruction attributed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).”
“This principle is only a facet of fairness and is eminently applicable in labour jurisprudence. It can also be invoked in the case at hand,” the judgement stated, while making it clear that timely payment is not just a legal requirement but also a matter of basic justice.
The Prophet’s famous saying has been narrated as a Hadith from Abdullah bin Umar, saying: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Give the worker his wages before his sweat dries.” (Sunan Ibn Majah). The command to give wages before the sweat dries is a metaphor. It is a form of excellence to pay someone before they finish the job and it becomes an injustice if one does not pay them after they complete the job.
The writ petition was filed by the standing counsel for Madurai City Municipal Corporation for over 14 years from 1992 to 2006. He had represented the Corporation in the Madurai district courts. His grievance was that the Corporation had not settled his fee bills. Hence, he filed a writ in 2006 seeking the payment.
According to the petitioner, the Corporation had to pay him Rs. 14.07 lakh, but it paid only Rs. 1.02 lakh and a balance of Rs. 13.05 lakh remained to be paid. The petitioner had appeared in 818 cases, the Judge noted, and recorded submissions that the lawyer was in penurious circumstances and unable to even afford the cost of obtaining certified copies.
The court directed the Legal Services Authority attached to the Madurai district court to verify the list of cases, obtain certified copies and provide them to the petitioner within two months.
Upon submission of the verified fee bills, the Municipal corporation was directed to settle the bills within a further two months without interest.
While upholding the Islamic principles of justice, the judgment has also sent a strong message to government bodies and public institutions on the need to treat legal professionals fairly, ensure prompt payment for services rendered, and review excessive spending on senior counsels, especially when ordinary matters can be handled by junior or regular government advocates.
Ironically, a Muslim Traffic Sub-Inspector, Afaq Khan, in Uttara Pradesh’s Kannauj was recently sent to the Police Lines as a punishment after being removed from active duty, following an event in which he referred to Prophet Muhmmad while addressing the students at a college on the issue of girls’ safety. Khan cited the Prophet’s saying: “A home in which a daughter is born is blessed with mercy.”
After a video of the programme went viral on social media platforms, members of Hindu right-wing organisations – Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal – objected to it and filed a complaint, alleging that Khan was imparting religious teachings while in uniform. Subsequently, the Kannauj Superintendent of Police placed Khan on line duty.
In a state where the police personnel have been seen showering flowers during the Kanwar Yatra, and where the Sambhal Circle Officer Anuj Chaudhary was seen participating in a religious programme carrying a mace, Khan was removed from active duty as a punishment. On the other hand, the Madras High Court has invoked the Prophet’s saying in the case involving payment of wages.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Economy> India Tomorrow Correspondent / December 23rd, 2025
Uttar Pradesh has emerged as the top-performing state in the country in the digital registration of Waqf properties on the Centre’s ‘Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency and Development (UMEED)’ portal, completing the process for 92,832 properties within the stipulated timeframe, the state government said.
The Union Ministry of Minority Affairs had on June 6, 2025, directed all states to ensure online registration of Waqf properties on the UMEED portal by December 5, 2025. Although the deadline was later extended by six months, Uttar Pradesh completed the exercise well ahead of schedule.
According to official data, the registered properties include 86,347 Sunni Waqf properties and 6,485 Shia Waqf properties, making Uttar Pradesh the largest contributor nationwide to the portal.
State officials said extensive awareness campaigns and sustained administrative support played a key role in ensuring timely compliance by Mutawallis, or managers of Waqf properties, across districts.
District-wise figures show Lucknow leading in the registration of Shia Waqf properties with 625 entries, followed by Amroha with 539 and Meerut with 533. In the Sunni Waqf category, Barabanki topped the list with 4,940 registered properties, followed by Sitapur and Azamgarh. Bijnor, Moradabad, Saharanpur, Meerut and Jaunpur were also among the leading districts.
Officials said the digital registration drive is expected to enhance transparency in the management of Waqf properties, curb misuse and aid in their protection and development.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> National-World / by Daijiworld Media Network – Lucknow / December 14th, 2025
The historic Jama Masjid in Sukhana village reopened for prayers after remaining closed since the Partition of 1947. The mosque stood unused for seventy eight years and fell into disrepair during this period. Its small brick walls weakened and decorative dome work suffered damage after decades without regular worship.
Local residents said the structure survived due to the care of a Sikh couple, Nirmal Singh and his wife Kamaljeet Kaur. The couple cleaned the premises and ensured basic upkeep over the years. Their efforts prevented further damage and kept the site intact until restoration began.
Members of the Muslim community from Raikot and Noorpura supported the revival work. Kareef Fukran Ahmed of Ahmedgarh led sustained efforts to restore the mosque. The Gram Panchayat and the mosque management committee organised a special religious programme to mark the reopening.
Punjab Shahi Imam Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Usman Ludhianvi attended the event along with MLA Hakam Singh Thekedar and Punjab Waqf Board senior member Advocate Abdul Qadir. Speakers highlighted shared responsibility in protecting places of worship. They stressed respect for faith and social harmony.
The Muslim community honoured Nirmal Singh and Kamaljeet Kaur for their long service to the mosque. The Shahi Imam said religion guides people toward humanity and unity. He praised the couple for preserving a religious heritage site through personal commitment.
Maulvi Muhammad Mursaleen of Madrasa Bassian conducted proceedings. Several Muslim and Sikh leaders joined the programme, including Qari Mohammad Sadiq Yazdani, Hafiz Mohammad Ashraf, Babbu Khan Raikot, Sarpanch Manjeet Singh, former Sarpanch Ujagar Singh, and Panch Sukhdev Singh.
Speakers urged continued cooperation and respect among communities.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / December 13th, 2025
Uzma Naheed, a director of Iqra Education Foundation, Mumbai, has been awarded by Times Foundation in recognition of her exemplary work in the field of education and women’s economic development.
Naheed has conducted Teachers Training programmes in 18 cities in India and in two cities in Bangladesh. These programmes help teachers adopt modern teaching techniques being used in the West. These programmes were basically been designed by Iqra Education Foundation for Muslim children living in pluralistic societies.
Naheed has also conducted inter-faith dialogue seminars under the auspices of Times Foundation and World Conference for Religion & Peace, New York.
She has designed and developed 20 short-duration technical courses for economically poor Muslim women to set up their own home-based businesses.
Naheed, who is grand-daughter of Maulana Qari Taiyyib and daughter of Maulana Salim Qasimi of Deoband, is active in the Indian Muslim women issues and was intrumental in the passage of the model Nikahnama by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. Her drafts were rejected or deferred many times but she did not give up. Finally the draft was accepted during the last conference at Bhopal.
source: http://www.milligazette.com / The Milli Gazette Online / Home> Awards / by The Milli Gazette Online / Print edition January 2004
Minority Affairs Minister K Rahman Khan with Uzma Naheed, Member, All India Muslim Personal Law Board at three day interational conference on status of Muslim women in Indian sub-continent at Maulana Azad National Urdu University in Hyderabad on March 8, 2013.
The National Federation of Girls Islamic Organisation (NFGIO) has announced its newly elected Federal Committee. Adv. Sumaiya Roshan, from Tamil Nadu, has been re-elected as President, marking a continuation of her leadership in advancing the organisation’s mission.
The GIO has a legacy spanning four decades, focusing on the overall development of Muslim women and their education, leadership, and social contribution across the nation. The newly elected Federal Committee brings together a dynamic team of accomplished individuals from across the country, ensuring representation and inclusivity in its leadership.
The Vice President, Afeefa Tahniyath from Andhra Pradesh, and General Secretary, Anamtha Dildar Ahmed from Maharashtra South, will lead key efforts in expanding the organisation’s outreach. The Secretaries include Fehmeeda Ilyas Qureshi (Gujarat), Maseera Firdous (Telangana), Fathima Noureen (Kerala), Momina Affaf Taiyebati (UP East) and Safeeda Hussain (Kerala).
Adv. Sumaiya Roshan said, “The NFGIO was founded to recognise the potential of young Muslim women in India and to guide them toward excellence in all areas of life, empowering them to shape the future and drive meaningful societal progress.”
The election was conducted under the guidance of Syed Sadatullah Husaini, President Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, at JIH headquarters here.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / December 10th, 2024
On a quiet October morning in Delhi, when most people begin their day scrolling through screens, Dr. Istikhar Ali adjusted his helmet, whispered a small prayer, and kick-started a motorcycle that would soon become a moving classroom, a counselling room, a travelling research lab – and sometimes, a silent companion.
His destination? Unknown.
His purpose? Crystal clear.
He wanted to take the conversation about mental health to places where such conversations were never held before.
This is the story of a young public-health scholar who turned India’s highways into corridors of compassion, its villages into forums of reflection, and its communities into partners in healing.
A Beginning Rooted in Delhi, Inspired by JNU
My first conversation with him began on a nostalgic note – about Delhi.
“I stayed four years in Delhi and visited JNU several times,” I told him.
He smiled and replied, “Strange… you came so close, but destiny didn’t let us meet. Maybe it waited for this moment.”
From there, he unfolded his journey – from his early education, his family’s values, to the rigorous intellectual environment of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where his academic foundation in public health took shape. JNU not only gave him knowledge; it gave him a lens to look at human suffering not as isolated incidents, but as products of social, economic, and political realities. His research, activism, and writing reflect this lens deeply.
In his widely-read Scroll article, “Weary, Wary and Alone: From Delhi to Kerala, the Mental Distress Indians Struggle With” he documents the harsh truths he encountered during earlier travels: loneliness, anxiety, financial uncertainty, and the silent emotional burdens people carry across India.
In 26 days, he spoke to hundreds – students, farmers, teachers, journalists – each revealing how deeply mental suffering is woven into everyday life.
India, after all, is a country where, one in every seven Indians suffers from a mental health condition, over 200 million people face mental-health related distress, and close to 90% receive no treatment or support (NIMHANS & WHO reports).
Against this backdrop, one young man decided to ride, literally, into the heart of the problem.
The Ride Begins (Delhi to Kerala — 3,500 km of Listening, Healing, and Hope)
On 10 October 2025 – World Mental Health Day, Dr. Istikhar Ali began a 3,500 km solo motorcycle journey titled, “Ride for Mental Health: Beyond the Stigma.”
Supported by Snehi India and fuelled by nothing but conviction, he had no fixed plan – only a direction, and a determination to reach people who do not visit clinics, do not read scholarly journals, but silently battle overwhelming emotional storms.
Every village, every town, every stop became a lesson in lived experience. Where formal institutions build walls, he created bridges – conducting, 10+ public sessions, 30+ group discussions, hundreds of one-to-one conversations, workshops in universities and NGOs, corner meetings in markets, talks in madrasas, community centres and mosques and media interviews across states.
What makes his journey unique is that it wasn’t a mental-health “campaign”. It was a human campaign. He listened more than he spoke. He observed before he intervened. He met people where they were, not where textbooks expect them to be. And sometimes, the roads listened to him too.
A Day with Him: My Encounter in South Goa
When I met him in South Goa, he had just completed a long stretch from Ratnagiri. Dusty, exhausted, carrying nothing but essentials on his bike, he still greeted me with an unmistakable warmth. We spent hours discussing his work, his fears, his determination.
At one point he said: “Azhar Bhai, I started this journey without any detailed plan. But at every turn, God opened a door. And today, He brought me to you before I move from Madgaon towards Udupi.”
His humility was striking. At a time when the world is becoming increasingly self-obsessed and digitally distracted, here was a man riding across states not for adventure but for others.
His mission is a reminder that:
Mental health is not an individual struggle.
It is shaped by society, economy, politics, faith, family, and culture.
Healing requires communities, not just clinics.
If he can bring even 1% improvement in awareness among the millions struggling silently, it will be a monumental contribution. Great reformers and thinkers across history started with small circles that eventually created waves. His work stands in that lineage – contemporary, deeply relevant, and urgently needed.
Stories from the Road – Where Pain Meets Courage
Across his ride, he encountered:
A college student in Udaipur hiding panic attacks from his family,
A migrant worker in Ankleshwar battling depression after job loss,
A young girl in Goa openly speaking about anxiety for the first time,
A madrasa student in Malappuram sharing the emotional pressure of expectations, and
A group of activists in Kerala discussing burnout and resilience.
Each conversation re-affirmed what he often says: “Mental health is not a private burden; it’s a public responsibility.”
Ending Where Faith and Learning Meet
Dr. Istikhar chose Wadihuda Institute of Research and Advanced Studies in Kannur as his final stop – not for symbolism, but for a deeper message. Malappuram is a place where faith meets social service, education meets responsibility, and spirituality meets community welfare. He believes mental-health awareness must be integrated with ta’leem (education), tarbiyya (character development) and dawah (community engagement).
His concluding session, “Mental Health Beyond Silence and Survival: Faith, Education and Community Resilience,” aims to bring together students, scholars, educators and community leaders to build a culture of emotional support and resilience.
A Scholar, A Listener, A Traveller – But Above All, A Servant of Humanity
Dr. Istikhar Ali is a rare combination:
A public health scholar trained at JNU,
A DAAD Fellow with international exposure,
A grassroots listener who sits with people on sidewalks,
A writer whose words reflect lived struggle, and
A traveller who rides not for thrill but for purpose.
He is not simply creating awareness; he is creating a movement. In an era of self-promotion, he chooses selfless service. In a time of noise, he chooses conversations that matter. In a society crushed by unspoken mental suffering, he chooses courage – both his and others’. His journey teaches us that healing is not always found in hospitals. Sometimes, it begins on dusty roads, under bus shelters, in chai shops, in classrooms, in mosques, in marketplaces, and in the hearts of people who finally feel heard.
The Road Ahead
When he concluded his ride in Kerala, his mission didn’t end; it expanded. He plans to compile a publication and visual report from the stories collected, build alliances with educational institutions, create youth-led support networks, train community volunteers, continue travelling across new states and to develop research documenting the social roots of mental distress.
Every revolution starts with a single step. He started with a motorcycle engine roaring in Delhi. Dr. Istikhar Ali is not merely riding a bike across India. He is riding across stigma, across silence, across fear – to build a more compassionate society.
His journey is a reminder that the greatest service to God is service to His people, and that mental health is not a luxury; it’s an essential human right.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features> Focus / by Syed Azharuddin / Radiance News Bureau / November 17th, 2025
In a landmark action ensuring communal harmony, the 125-year-old Mehdi Bagh-Chimthanawala dispute between two breakaway Shia Dawoodi Jamaats in Nagpur, which had dragged through courts for decades, has finally been resolved peacefully through mediation by the Maharashtra State Minorities Commission.
The century-old conflict, rooted in religious succession and property issues, was settled in just 14 days, marking one of the swiftest and most historic arbitrations in the history of Maharashtra. The Commission’s chairperson, Pyare Khan, who enjoys the rank of the Minister of State, played a pivotal role in brokering peace between the two warring sects.
The case had a long judicial history and it was argued by some of India’s most renowned lawyers and heard by eminent judges. Interestingly, it reached a conclusion in only two hearings before Khan, who persuaded both the parties to arrive at an amicable understanding. The final order, based on a settlement deed signed on January 21, 2025, was officially issued on November 11, 2025.
The roots of the Mehdi Bagh-Chimthanawala conflict trace back to 1840, following the death of Syedna Badruddin Saheb, the 46th Dai of the Dawoodi Bohra sect. Disagreement over his successor led to the formation of two factions, known as Atba-e-Malak Jamaat and Mehdi Bagh Institution, by Maulana Malak Saheb and his followers in Nagpur in 1891.
After Maulana Malak Saheb’s death in 1899, the institution split into Mehdi Bagh and Chimthanawala groups. The Mehdi Bagh sect recognised Maulana Badruddin Ghulam Husain Malak Saheb as its spiritual head, while the Chimthanawala group followed Maulana Abdul Qadir Chimthanawala. Over time, disputes over religious leadership, property ownership, and financial control escalated, with both sides accusing each other of mismanagement, religious misconduct, and inciting communal tension.
The contested property, estimated to be worth over Rs. 4,000 crore, became the focal point of multiple lawsuits across decades in the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. The dispute witnessed some of India’s most eminent advocates representing both camps. On behalf of the Mehdi Bagh group, legal stalwarts such as Fali Nariman, Kapil Sibal, P. Chidambaram, Uday Lalit, K.K. Venugopal, Gopal Subramanium, and others appeared. Representing the Chimthanawala faction were Soli Sorabjee, Andhyarujina, C. Sundaram, and Rohinton Nariman, among several others.
Under the agreement reached through the Commission’s mediation, the property listed under Special Civil Suit No. 143/1967 was declared as Mehdi Bagh Waqf, to be administered by Maulana Amiruddin Malak Saheb. Maulana Abde Ali Chimthanawala will manage the Dawoodi Atba-e-Malak Wakf, Atba-e-Humayun, and Baitul Aman trusts.
While both sects agreed not to interfere in each other’s religious affairs, all pending litigations across the country will be withdrawn by mutual consent. Declaring the settlement as a “historic milestone in communal harmony,” Khan said this was not just the end of a legal dispute but a triumph of peace and understanding.
“The bitterness of 125 years has been replaced by brotherhood. The Maharashtra Minorities Commission has proven that any conflict can be resolved through dialogue and mutual respect,” Khan said. The resolution of the 125-year-old Mehdi Bagh-Chimthanawala dispute stands as a remarkable example of restorative justice and interfaith harmony, bringing closure to one of Nagpur’s and India’s oldest community conflicts.
The case reached the Commission after 73 members of the Mehdi Bagh institution filed a complaint against Abde Ali Chimthanawala and others, alleging violations of religious, financial, and personal rights. The first hearing took place on January 7, 2025, attended by representatives from both sides — four members from Mehdi Bagh and advocates R.S. Singh and Abdullah Khan representing the Chimthanawala group.
Following Khan’s suggestion to seek reconciliation, both parties returned on January 21, 2025, agreeing to a mutual settlement. The final order was officially issued on November 11, 2025, bringing closure to a dispute that had divided the Dawoodi Bohra community for more than a century.
Expressing satisfaction over the outcome, Sadique Razzak Chimthanawala, son of Maulana Abde Ali Saheb Chimthanawala, said: “We are content with the settlement deed and grateful that this long-standing dispute has ended peacefully.”
Afzal Mehdi, a member of the Mahdi Bagh legal team, echoed the sentiment, stating, “This is a historic day for both communities. Our relations with the Chimthanawala group have improved, and we are confident that such disputes will not arise again. We sincerely thank Minorities Commission chief Pyare Khan for his efforts.”
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> National Interest / by India Tomorrow Correspondent / November 29th, 2025
The device includes a ‘Help Me’ button that alerts the teacher whenever a student needs intervention, improving classroom management.
Mohammed Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti, Assistant Professor in the Department of EECE from GITAM Deemed to be University, has developed an embedded Braille Learning Assistant Embedded Kit (LAEK).Photo | G Satyanarayana
Visakhapatnam :
For many visually impaired children, the journey to literacy begins with the touch of a fingertip. But mastering Braille is often a slow and demanding process that requires constant one-on-one support from teachers, a challenge in schools where trained instructors are scarce and classrooms are full. For families living far from specialised schools, opportunities are even fewer, leaving children dependent on others for even the basics of reading and communication.
A faculty member at GITAM Deemed to be University, Visakhapatnam, is hoping to change that. Mohammed Khwaja Muinuddin Chisti, Assistant Professor in the Department of EECE, has developed an embedded Braille Learning Assistant Embedded Kit (LAEK), a simple, sensor-based device that allows visually impaired children to learn Braille independently, either at home or in school.
The device is a 3 × 2 hollow hemispherical Braille cell fitted with sensors that identify the dot patterns placed by the student. Once the pattern is detected, the system decodes it and provides audio feedback by announcing the corresponding letter, number or instruction. This makes it possible for students to practise and revise lessons without waiting for a teacher to guide every step. “In many schools, one teacher has to train 30 or 40 visually impaired children, and each child needs personal attention for Braille practice,” Chisti remarked, adding, “Many students hesitate to ask the same doubt again. I wanted to create something that lets them learn comfortably at their own pace.”
The device includes a ‘Help Me’ button that alerts the teacher whenever a student needs intervention, improving classroom management. The balls used to form patterns are designed to stay within reach even if dropped, and the device is chargeable, eliminating the difficulty of replacing batteries.
“The tool is also aimed at children who cannot attend blind schools due to distance or lack of accessibility. Parents can guide their child’s learning at home using the same pattern-based method followed in classrooms. Depending on the child’s learning ability, all basic Braille alphabets can be learnt within a few weeks,” Chisti stated.
Before developing this tool, Chisti created a ‘Walking Assistant’ device, a wearable tool that alerts visually impaired users about obstacles through vibrations and sound. His interactions with students and teachers during that project sparked the idea for a more focused educational device.
“When I visited blind schools to donate the walking aids, I saw the kind of effort teachers put in, and how much time it takes for each child to grasp Braille,” he said.
“I felt technology could ease that pressure and help children become confident, independent learners.”
The new learning assistant has been filed for patent registration. Chisti hopes to manufacture and distribute multiple units to blind schools using research grants and donor support.
Future upgrades may include computer vision and speech recognition to help students identify people around them and navigate with greater confidence.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by Usha Peri / November 30th, 2025
