Category Archives: Karnataka (under research project)

A New Chapter in Value-Based Education: Mansoora PU College Opens in Hassan

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Karnataka (under research project)

Hassan, KARNATAKA :

In the gently rolling landscape of Karnataka’s Hassan district, a new academic chapter is being added to a legacy that is already four decades old. With the launch of Mansoora PU College at Alur, an institution long associated with school-level education is extending its vision to the crucial pre-university stage, responding to a growing demand for integrated, value-oriented higher secondary education in the region.

Located on a sprawling campus off the Bengaluru–Mangaluru highway, the new PU college is part of the educational ecosystem nurtured by The Mansoora School, which itself grew out of an initiative started nearly 40 years ago by Jamaat-e-Islami Karnataka circles. What began as the Islamia Arabic College and later evolved into an English-medium school up to Class 10 has now expanded to include pre-university education under the Mansoora name.

Speaking about the motivation behind the expansion, Dr. Taha Mateen, Vice-Chairman – Mansoora Educational Trust, explains that the move was shaped by both continuity and necessity. Many students completing their secondary education were seeking PU colleges that combined academic rigour, competitive exam preparation, and an environment aligned with their cultural and ethical values. “The idea was not just to add another college,” he notes, “but to create a protected, focused academic space where students can prepare seriously for their future.”

Academic Focus with Competitive Readiness
Mansoora PU College opens admissions for the 2026–27 academic year with science and commerce streams that reflect current aspirations among students and parents. The college offers PCMB, PCMC, and EBAC combinations, along with integrated coaching for national and state-level competitive examinations such as NEET, JEE, and KCET. This integrated model aims to reduce the burden of parallel coaching by aligning board curriculum with entrance exam preparation.

Faculty recruitment has been positioned as a cornerstone of the project. According to the management, experienced and well-qualified teachers have been brought in, with special attention to mentoring students who may need additional academic support. There is also a stated emphasis on encouraging girls’ participation in science streams, an area where access and retention often remain challenges in semi-rural regions.

Campus Life and Infrastructure
One of the distinguishing features of the new PU college is its fully residential model, with separate hostels and facilities for boys and girls. The girls’ campus includes a residential hostel, exclusive mess, separate classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, play areas, and a dedicated namaz hall. Facilities for boys similarly include residential hostels, a masjid, science and computer labs, library, playfields, and a football ground.

The wider campus, described as lush and peaceful, is equipped with CCTV surveillance, first-aid and doctor visit facilities, and structured recreational spaces. The intention, Dr. Mateen explains, is to offer an environment that is academically focused while being insulated from distractions associated with excessive device use and unsupervised digital exposure.

Education with Ethical Grounding
What sets Mansoora apart, its trustees argue, is the attempt to integrate modern education with ethical and religious grounding. Alongside regular academics, the broader Mansoora educational framework includes Deeniyath education, Quranic studies with tajweed, memorisation of daily duas, and structured Islamic studies from the middle grades onward. While the PU college itself focuses primarily on board and competitive curricula, it functions within this larger institutional ethos.

Sports and physical education also form part of campus life, with facilities for football, volleyball, karate, skating, and indoor games, reflecting an understanding that academic excellence is closely tied to physical and mental well-being.

Independence and Institutional Identity
Interestingly, despite informal support and goodwill from well-known coaching ecosystems, the management has consciously chosen to retain an independent identity. Dr. Mateen points out that the decision to operate under the Mansoora name, without external branding, was deliberate. “We felt the institution has its own credibility and history. We wanted to build on that legacy rather than borrow another’s,” he says.

Access, Fees, and Outreach
The college has announced a structured and relatively moderate tuition fee, with early-bird concessions and additional scholarships for meritorious students. Separate hostel fees apply. Admissions are currently open, with limited seats, and the management encourages interested families to visit the campus, interact with faculty, and assess the facilities firsthand.

Situated in Alur, around 200 kilometres from Bengaluru and well connected to Mangaluru, Mansoora PU College positions itself as a regional hub for students seeking a blend of academic ambition, residential discipline, and value-based education.

As Karnataka’s educational landscape continues to diversify, the launch of Mansoora PU College reflects a broader trend: institutions rooted in community histories adapting to contemporary educational demands, while attempting to hold on to the principles that defined their beginnings.

Further details can be obtained from: https://puc.mansoora.in/

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Features> Focus> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / January 14th, 2026

Noor Aisha Awarded Doctorate Degree

Education, Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysore:

Noor Aisha has been awarded a Doctorate degree in Bio chemistry, marking a significant milestone in her academic and professional journey. The achievement has been widely welcomed by academic circles, social activists, and well-wishers who see it as a moment of pride and inspiration, particularly for young women aspiring to higher education.

According to the details, Noor Aisha is the first Muslim girl to secure a doctorate degree in Science Stream of Mysore University after several years.

Noor Aisha has remained actively engaged in academic and intellectual pursuits from an early age. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a keen interest in learning, research. Colleagues and mentors describe her as hardworking, disciplined, and deeply committed to academic excellence.

Speaking on the occasion, her parent Mohammed Ali and Noor Jahan expressed happiness over her success, stating that the achievement is not only a personal accomplishment but also a source of motivation for many students, especially women, who face social and economic challenges in pursuing higher education. They emphasized that Noor Aisha’s journey highlights the importance of perseverance, determination, and family support in achieving academic goals.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Education> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / January 12th, 2026

Zikra Urooj and Bushra Kaousar Win Prestigious Gold Medals

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysore:

Academic excellence, perseverance, and family support came together at the 106th Annual Convocation of the University of Mysore, where Zikra Urooj emerged as the topper in MSc Genetics and was awarded the prestigious HA Ranganath Gold Medal for securing the highest marks in her discipline.

Zikra Urooj, a student of the Department of Studies in Genetics and Genomics, has brought pride to her family and the institution through her remarkable academic performance. Her achievement stands as a testament to the transformative power of education, particularly for students from modest backgrounds who aspire to excel in higher studies.

A Journey Rooted in Discipline and Determination

Hailing from a humble family, Zikra is the daughter of Hafiz Jameel Ahmed, a respected religious scholar who teaches the Holy Quran and leads special prayers during the month of Ramadan. Despite limited means, her father placed strong emphasis on education, ensuring that his daughter had access to quality higher learning.

Zikra’s success reflects a balanced upbringing that combined faith, discipline, and academic rigor. Her journey underscores how consistent guidance at home and a strong work ethic can help students overcome challenges and reach the highest levels of academic achievement.

Recognition at the 106th Convocation

The gold medal was presented to Zikra Urooj during the University of Mysore’s 106th Annual Convocation, a significant academic event attended by dignitaries, faculty members, students, and parents. The HA Ranganath Gold Medal is one of the university’s most sought-after honours, awarded only to students who demonstrate exceptional academic merit.

University officials praised her performance, noting that such achievements enhance the reputation of the institution and inspire future students to pursue excellence in scientific research and higher education.

Bushra Kausar Shines in Commerce Faculty

The convocation ceremony also witnessed outstanding achievements in the undergraduate segment. Bushra Kausar, hailing from Hassan, topped the Commerce faculty at the undergraduate level by securing three gold medals in BCom.

She was awarded the Shri Krishna Rajendra MMils Ltd. Mysore Gold Medal, Shrimati Padma Narayan Memorial Gold Medal, and the Principal SR Mandre Gold Medal. The awards were presented by the Governor and Chancellor of the University, Tawarchand Gehlot, in recognition of her exceptional academic performance.

Gratitude to Teachers and Parents

Bushra Kausar attributed her success to the unwavering support of her teachers and the encouragement of her parents, Mohammed Ghouse and Salma Parveen. She emphasized that constant motivation at home and academic guidance from faculty members played a crucial role in shaping her educational journey.

Inspiring Academic Excellence

The achievements of Zikra Urooj and Bushra Kausar highlight the University of Mysore’s continued commitment to nurturing talent across disciplines. Their success stories serve as an inspiration for students, particularly young women, to pursue higher education and strive for excellence despite social or economic constraints.

Three more students from the Department of Urdu secured gold medal they are; Sumaiya Begum Mysore, Nazmi from Kerala and Mufti Mokhtar Husain from Mandya.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features / by Radiance News Bureau / January 08th, 2026

Entrepreneur Aahil Ayaz on his pickleball project

Karnataka (under research project), Sports

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

A glimpse into how Aahil Ayaz channelled his experiences in tennis and pickleball to start a business

At an age when most youngsters are busy with studies and video games, 17-year-old Aahil Ayaz has chartered a new course to merge his sporting talent with business.

Ayaz began his journey as a successful tennis player at 15, and won the gold in the world pickleball championship India series held recently. 

He was not only a semifinalist at the ITF Under-18 Tennis Championship, but also represented Karnataka in the national pickleball tournament, before transitioning to coaching. He recognised the potential for pickleball and saw an opportunity to combine his passion with promotion of this emerging sport.

He founded Stryde Sports to make pickleball a community event in all corners of Bengaluru.

At Stryde Sports, Ayaz not only organised pickleball events, but also offered coaching services and his efforts found support from the World Pickleball Association.

Talking about his foray into the business side of sports, Aahil says, ”I noticed pickleball’s fast growth and a gap in quality events for its community. I wanted to bridge that gap and that is how Stryde Sports started. The idea was simple: create high-quality, community-driven tournaments that elevate the experience for players.”

While many may see their lack of experience as a deterrent, Aahil says he always believed age was never a defining factor for anything. “Coming from a sports background, discipline and competition were already part of my mindset. I realised early on that I wanted to build something that created opportunities for others too. That drive pushed me to start young and keep executing instead of waiting for the right time.”

“Sports taught me discipline, focus, and resilience — qualities that shaped how I approach business today. Coaching tennis and mentoring over 100 students, helped me see the bigger picture of leadership, teamwork, and impact beyond personal performance.”

And while all this may seem quite overwhelming for most, let alone a teenager, Aahil says this is just the beginning. “We are building a platform where young founders can pitch their ideas where successful entrepreneurs invest, mentor, and back new visionaries. Talent is everywhere; it just needs the right stage. This isn’t a project. It’s a movement.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Kalyan Ashok / December 25th, 2025

Azizuddin Aziz Belgaumi (رحمہ اللہ): A Voice of Love, Light, and Prophetic Praise Falls Silent

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Education, Karnataka (under research project), , , , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

The Urdu literary world mourns the demise of one of its gentle giants, Azizuddin Aziz Belgaumi, the celebrated Na’at poet, ghazal writer, teacher, and literary guide, who returned to his Lord on the morning of Friday, November 28, shortly after the Fajr prayer in Bengaluru.

Azizuddin Aziz was not merely a poet; he was a custodian of spiritual emotion, a voice that blended devotion, beauty, and sincerity in every syllable.

He was renowned for his Na’ats – soulful, tender, and overflowing with love for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. His unique style of recitation, coupled with his soothing voice, made his poetry beloved among Urdu lovers across the region and beyond.

His iconic Na’ats, including:

  • اہلِ ستم کے پتھر کھا کر گل برسانے والے ہم
  • دعوتِ ہدایت کی ایک حسیں شفق لے کر میرے مصطفیٰ آئے

had gone viral among Urdu audiences, each line steeped in deep reverence and spiritual longing.

On his final night in this world, he once again recited “Dawat-e-Hidayat ki ek haseen shafaq lekar mere Mustafa aaye” on special request at a mushaira organized by Idara-e-Adab-e-Islami Hind, Karnataka. The audience responded with extraordinary affection, as if witnessing a sacred farewell.

By the next morning, he left this world – a departure many lovingly regard as a sign of divine acceptance.

Azizuddin Aziz’s published works reflect his emotional depth and mastery of language. His poetry collections include:

  • حرف و صوت
  • سکون کے لمحوں کی تازگی
  • دل کے دامن پر
  • نقد و انتقاد
  • زنجیرِ دست و پا
  • ذکر میرے حبیب کا

These works capture the freshness of spiritual experience, the fragrance of emotion, and the honesty of a heart in constant remembrance.

Azizuddin Aziz worked with Doordarshan Bangalore Urdu, where he interviewed prominent literary personalities. His conversations reflected both scholarship and humility, making him a respected voice representing Urdu culture on national media.

He served for a time as a teacher and later as the Principal of Zubaida College, Shikaripur, shaping young minds with the same warmth and refinement that characterised his poetry.

As an educator, he was loved for his gentle discipline, cultured manner, and his ability to ignite a love for language among students.

He also served as editor of several literary magazines, contributing significantly to Karnataka’s Urdu literary landscape. His editorial vision was marked by sincerity, high standards, and a deep respect for classical tradition.

Early on November 28, he experienced severe chest pain at his residence in Bengaluru. Despite attempts to rush him to the hospital, he breathed his last at home. He leaves behind his wife, three sons, two daughters, and a large community of admirers, students, and peers.

May Allah accept every word of love he wrote for His Beloved Prophet ﷺ. May He grant Azizuddin Aziz a lofty place in Jannat-ul-Firdous, and grant patience, strength, and peace to his grieving family. His voice has returned to silence – but his Na’ats will continue to illuminate gatherings, his ghazals will continue to warm hearts, and his legacy will remain a torch of devotion and grace.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. Most certainly we belong to Allah, and most certainly we will return to Him.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Obituary / by Radiance News Bureau / by Mohammed Talha Siddi Bapa / November 29th, 2025

10 Muslims who are redefining limits of human endeavour in Karnataka

Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

KARNATAKA :

Karnataka Changemakers

New Delhi :

From the tech labs of Bengaluru to the coffee plantations of Coorg, from the ancient ruins of Hampi to the bustling streets of Mysore, Karnataka exudes energy. This is where India’s IT revolution was born, where classical arts thrive alongside cutting-edge innovations, and where every district tells a story of transformation.

Many Kannadigas have built empires and earned acclaim—but some went further. They didn’t just succeed; they became the Changemakers—individuals who shattered barriers, rewrote destinies, and ignited revolutions that ripple far beyond their own lives. Here are ten personalities of Karnataka whose courage and vision are reshaping the future:

Rifah Taskeen

A 15-year-old firecracker from Mysore started racing at age three in a custom car built by her ex-racer father, Tajuddin. By five, she was driving Mysore to Bengaluru; by seven, she was drifting in school shows and stealing Republic Day parades.

Fighting red tape and disbelief, she stormed past every “too young” barrier to claim seven world records (Golden, Elite, High Range, India, Asia, Worldwide & Wonder Books), mastering bikes, JCBs, cranes, buses, tippers, road rollers, and even flying a plane at eight.

Mysore’s cleanliness ambassador for five years and tuberculosis state warrior for four, she’s also a state-level boxing medalist and karate fighter. She’s drifted for Rahul Gandhi, flown with Sonia Gandhi’s blessings, and left global crowds speechless.

Self-funded, unstoppable, and dreaming of IAS wings after SSLC, Rifah doesn’t just break records; she rewrites what “impossible” means. Age is just a number.

Mushtaq Ahmed

A Bengaluru-born visionary landed in Dubai when it was still sand dunes and a dream. For 41 years as head of Dubai Police photography (until 2018), the retired 1st Warrant Officer framed an entire nation’s rise—capturing the Burj Khalifa’s skeleton, the Kaaba from a crane, Sheikh Mohammed’s 1979 wedding, and sacred Medina in rare reverence.

From helicopter shots above a bridgeless Dubai to standing beside Sheikh Zayed and global icons like Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi, the 79-year-old chronicler turned fleeting moments into eternity. Honoured, hugged, and kissed on the forehead by Dubai Police upon retirement, Mushtaq’s lens didn’t just document history—it built it. His quiet mantra: “The best shot is yet to come.”

Tazaiyun Oomer

Tazaiyun Oomer was 13 when she fought through a crowd in Parliament House and got Indira Gandhi’s autograph, an electric moment that taught her leadership has no gender.

From a Kutchi Memon girl helping in her father’s textile shop, she grew into Bengaluru’s quiet revolution. In 1999, she founded Humane Touch Trust: 100+ corrective surgeries for disabled children, Al-Azhar School, 1,750 dignified mass weddings, 2,000+ Muslim women turned entrepreneurs, and yearly scholarships lifting nearly 300 girls into tech careers.

Recipient of the Sulthan Nari Shakti and Karnataka’s Rising Beyond the Ceiling awards, she proved compassion can shatter centuries-old barriers. Where tradition once whispered “a woman’s place,” Tazaiyun built schools, businesses, and futures. Her mantra: “Change begins the moment you decide to act.”

Mohammed Ali Khalid

Mohammed Ali Khalid, India’s Bronze Wolf Award recipient —the highest global honour in Scouting—has lived the Scout promise for over four decades with breathtaking sacrifice and impact.

Mohammed Ali Khalid stands as one of India’s most influential Scout leaders, a visionary whose four decades of service have shaped millions of young lives. From volunteering at the 1980s National Jamboree to becoming Additional Chief National Commissioner of Bharat Scouts and Guides, he has built global partnerships, led landmark events like the 2017 National Jamboree and the 2022 International Cultural Jamboree, and strengthened Scouting across the Asia-Pacific Region. A strategic thinker behind Vision 2013 and a respected global diplomat, Khalid’s selfless leadership, mentorship, and bridge-building continue to inspire generations—earning him the Bronze Wolf and global admiration.

Architect of Vision 2013 for Asia-Pacific, broker of WOSM’s global fee consensus, founder of SAANSO, and mentor to countless young leaders, Khalid turned India into Scouting’s most connected powerhouse. At 70, he still pushes for 20% membership growth and 50% youth representation worldwide.

Rahmath Tarikere

Rahmath Tarikere, born in 1959 in Tarikere’s syncretic lanes, grew up where Hindus and Muslims shared the same street and stories. The 1992 Babri demolition jolted him into action: he left pure literary criticism to unearth Karnataka’s living pluralistic traditions—Sufi saints, Nathpanthis, Shakta poets, and folk Moharram rituals that united communities for centuries.

Author of 30 books—including four Karnataka Sahitya Academy winners and the 2010 Kendra Sahitya Akademi winner Kattiyanchina Daari—he returned the national award in 2015 protesting intolerance and the murder of M.M. Kalburgi. A humble professor who insists “I am not a changemaker,” Tarikere quietly weaves pluralism into Karnataka’s soul, proving unity is not uniformity but a vibrant mosaic of differences.

Khudsiya Nazeer

Khudsiya Nazeer, the “Iron Lady of India,” was born 1987 in Bangarpet and lost her wrestler father at two. Raised in a conservative Muslim family amid depression and mockery, she turned pain into power.

Post-Caesarean, she deadlifted 300 kg to set a world record (2022), then stormed the global stage: three golds at Asia Pacific Masters 2023 (South Korea), silver in Athens, golds in Commonwealth (Australia) and Germany. The first Indian Muslim woman to win international weightlifting medals, she lifts drug-free while working full-time at KSRTC.

From burqa-clad walks guarded by police to Harvard’s stage, Khudsiya proves motherhood multiplies strength. Her mantra: educate, play sport, write your own destiny. This Iron Lady doesn’t just break records; she shatters every ceiling for women.

Fouzia Tarannum

Fouzia Tarannum, 2015-batch IAS (AIR 31), cracked UPSC on her first attempt from Bengaluru’s public libraries—no coaching, pure grit. From IRS gold-medallist to Karnataka cadre, she turned arid Kalaburagi into a national millet powerhouse with “Kalaburagi Rotti,” empowered thousands of SHG women, lifted districts to top SSLC ranks, revived gram panchayat libraries, and delivered India’s cleanest electoral rolls—earning the President’s Best Electoral Practices Award in 2025.

At 36, this quiet DC faced Islamophobic slurs yet answered only with work. Unfazed, empathetic, and fiercely people-centric, Fouzia proves bureaucracy can have a heart and a steel spine. She doesn’t shout change—she builds it, one roti, one vote, one woman at a time.

Zafer Mohiuddin

pix09

Zafer Mohiuddin, Raichur’s radio-struck boy who once ghostwrote love letters in school, turned a bus-ride compliment from R. Nagesh into a lifetime on stage. He quit UPSC and Air Force postings to found Kathputaliyaan Theatre Group (1988), wielding puppets and plays as weapons against taboo.

From translating Girish Karnad’s Tipu Sultan ke Khwaab (Theatre Olympics 2018) to shattering Urdu myths with Zaban Mili Hai Magar, his raw, Amitabh-like voice has roared in ten languages, narrated Swaraj Namah, and defended Urdu’s secular soul alongside Karnad.

In November 2025, Karnataka crowned him with the Rajyotsava Award—its highest honour—for four decades pulling society’s strings toward truth and harmony. The puppet master still refuses to cut his own.

Moulana Dr. Mohamed Maqsood Imran Rashadi

Moulana Dr. Mohamed Maqsood Imran Rashadi, Principal and Chief Imam of Bengaluru’s iconic Jamia Masjid, memorised the Quran in 18 months, earned a PhD in Urdu literature, and turned a struggling madrasa into a 100%-pass powerhouse for 400 underprivileged students.

From quietly removing provocative meat thrown to spark riots to defusing the 2025 “I Love Mohammed” banner crisis with one calm sermon, he prevents violence before it begins. He negotiates fair loudspeaker rules across faiths, hosts Hindu swamis for iftar, and, after the Pahalgam terror attack, thundered “Terror has no religion—we love Hindustan.”

A scholar who preaches in Tehran, meets Saudi royals, and still walks the KR Market uniting traders, Moulana Maqsood proves that unity is built by deeds, not banners. Bengaluru’s heartbeat of harmony beats in his voice.

Syed Nawaz Miftahi

Syed Nawaz Miftahi, fully sighted yet forever changed by the tear-filled Quranic recitations of blind children in Mumbai in 2011, vowed to become their light.

He mastered Braille, invented the “broken-rice touch” technique to awaken ageing fingers, and turned Sultan Shah Markaz, Madrasa-e-Noor (70 students), and daily phone classes into sanctuaries where the visually impaired recite flawless tajweed and complete multiple khatms every Ramazan.

From Hyderabad to Kashmir, his model now trains teachers who were once his students. In November 2025, he launched Umang Foundations—a residential beacon run by seven blind trustees and one fearless young sighted woman—where every visually impaired soul, of any faith, learns Quran, computers, and independence.

Nawaz doesn’t give sight; he proves the heart’s vision is brighter.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> The Changemakers of Karnataka / by ATV / posted by Aasha Khosa / November 22nd, 2025

A Farewell to an era and The Man in White!

Business & Economy, Karnataka (under research project), , , , , , , , , ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

In the passing away of Mr. Sadiq Ali, the proprietor of Ali Brothers, last week, our city has perhaps lost one of its most long-standing icons, because his shop is one of the few shops that have stood almost unchanged, over the longest period of time, in the front façade of our iconic Devaraja Market building.

Out of the nearly seventy business establishments that stand in that row, only about a dozen still stand unchanged and because of my own long-standing familiarity with that place, I can name almost all of them and in the right order too. And, if I have got my observations right, while all the good old, surviving shop owners that I knew of there, slowly stopped showing up at their shops over the years, with the passage of time and passing away of their own good health, Mr. Sadiq Ali was the only shop owner there, who was present in his shop every day, the longest.

He once told me how his father had first started the shop in Mercara and later established the present shop here as a branch and how the original one was wound up later, due to the difficulty the family faced in managing it.

Although I stopped visiting his shop many years ago because of the severe parking problem in the Devaraja Market area, I used to meet Mr. Sadiq Ali quite regularly at the meetings of the Alumni Association of the St. Philomena’s College where we both studied, although two full decades apart. He would never miss any of these meetings and over the past many years, he would be proudly introduced as the oldest alumnus showing up at them!

Riding his trusted blue and white Lambretta, he would be among the first persons to make an appearance at the auditorium and be among the last ones to leave, after shaking hands with all the others there. A most humble and soft-spoken man, he was so soft-spoken that you had to strive hard to hear him. But he stood out most for his two very unique attributes that remained unchanged, all through his life; his attire and his smile. He was always dressed in pristine white and he could never be seen without his disarming smile!

As far as I am concerned, I can safely say that I have known him all my life and I say this because my mother must have carried me in her arms into his shop while I was an infant, until I began to walk in there myself, holding her or my dad’s hand. That is how old my association is, with the man I’m writing about today. He was so close to our family that just a few months ago, he had come home to meet my mother and spend some time with her.

Ali Brothers was the place where we, like most other Mysoreans then, used to do almost all their shopping for soaps, toiletries, cosmetics, chocolates, greeting cards and some condiments too. Being an agent for vehicle insurance, until the advent of online insurance, Mr. Sadiq Ali was the man who used to manage all our vehicle insurance renewals.

He was so meticulous that he would maintain a record of the renewal dates of all his customers’ vehicles and he would call them up well in time, to seek their consent for renewal, which he would do and then personally deliver the policies to them.

Until a very similar store, Mohan Bhandar came on the scene across the road, in the year 1963, all the goodies, dear to my heart then, could only be found at Ali Brothers and nowhere else and these included Cadbury’s chocolates, Parry’s toffees, Kissan jams and tomato sauce, Polson’s butter, corn flakes  and most of all, the Planter’s and Cocktail brand of salted cashew-nuts that came in a sealed tin, that had to be opened with its own key, soldered on its top!

In a most interesting arrangement, this slotted key used to peel off a narrow band of metal from around the tin that would leave its top as a very useable lid after the can was opened.

We still have a couple of those cans lying around in our estate house, as relics and memories of the good old days, gone by. While my parents used to keep coins in one of them, in the other, I used to store my spare stock of the carefully selected, round pebbles for the omnipresent catapult, that I would always have around my neck. And mind you, at that time, this contraption was not just omnipresent but my most omnipotent weapon too!

At the end of the day, when it was time for me to be put to bed, my dad had to take it off my neck and place it under my pillow along with its red ammo bag, before tucking me in and beginning his reading of that day’s bedtime story, from my huge collection of Read Aloud series of story books,  which I have carefully preserved to this day!

It is a different matter that my state of wakefulness would never ever last through the full story, which invariably had to be continued the next day!

Falling asleep was so easy then, while I was a child and I often ponder over this blissful time, during the times when I lie tossing in my bed, on the few occasions when sleep eludes me now.

That is when I am reminded of Shakespeare who in Henry IV, says; O sleep, O gentle sleep, Nature’s soft nurse, how have I frightened thee, that thou no more will weigh my eyelids down and steep my senses in forgetfulness?

e-mail: kjnmysore@rediffmail.com

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Columns, Over a cup of evening Tea / by Dr K Javeed Nayeem MD / November 16th, 2025

MKF Museum of Art to host solo show by Shoeb Dastagir

Arts & Crafts / CraftsPersons (wef. January 14th, 2025), Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Karnataka (under research project), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

BAHRAIN / Bengaluru / Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

From A Dreamer’s World | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A brilliant blue fish glides in a patch of orange pumpkins, another lies still among lilac orchids hoping his camouflage allows him to blend in. These are a few finned beauties artist Shoeb Dastagir has depicted in his solo show A Dreamer’s World.

“I find fish quite calming and I can spend hours looking at them; that is why I began capturing them in my paintings,” says Shoeb, adding he spends a lot of time at the aquarium in Mysore Zoo. “I enjoy watching videos of aquatic life on my phone, too.”

He reels off their names — bumblebee goby, oscars and arowanas, tiger fish, a Brunei beauty and a shark — and how they are all a part of this show. “I am a Piscean, so no matter how hard life gets, fish are a calming refuge for me,” says the artist. “Fish are always calm, going about their lives despite the confines of their surroundings.”

Shoeb Dastagir | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

He talks about his love for “sunny colours such as tangerine orange, avocado green, icy blue and buttery yellows”. All these hues and more are to be found in his works that exude a touch of whimsy and play out in a fantastical land where an astronaut steps around teacups, fish nestle between blue pea and pearls, and an old-model television sits atop a bouquet of yellow roses.

Though Shoeb draws his inspiration from the natural world, a lot of his art is birthed in his vivid imagination that fuel his compositions of poetry, prose and songs as well. According to his mother Ayesha Dastagir, all these creative interests lead Shoeb to produce bigger and detailed paintings. “One can see a lot of mystical characters apart from the animals and fish, of course. I believe it is his subconscious, sensitivity and imaginary fantasy world that combine to produce something new and different.”

Most of the works in A Dreamer’s World have been executed using pastels and watercolours on paper over the the greater part of a year. Though Shoeb used to paint with oils and canvas, this change in medium came about when he moved from Bengaluru to Mysore, and working on paper seemed a more viable option as space was a constraint at the new place.

From A Dreamer’s World | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The artist, who signs his works as Schoeb, his official name which is often misspelt, is currently working on a series of portraits.

The upcoming / current exhibition comprises 24 pieces on display apart from a few others which are a part of the series and are available for sale at the gallery.

A Dreamer’s world by Shoeb Dastagir will be on display at MKF Museum of Art, Bengaluru from November 8-19. Entry free, Mondays closed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Art / by Ruth Dhanraj / November 06th, 2025

Fruit vendor’s daughter wins gold medal at CUK

Amazing Feats, Education, Education - Gold Medallists, Toppers, Merits, Achievers (wef. June 12th, 2023), Karnataka (under research project), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Aland Town (Kalaburagi District), KARNATAKA :

Saniya Samreen receiving a Gold Medal from Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Chairperson of the Law Commission of India and former Judge of the Supreme Court, at the 9th Convocation of the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) held on Saturday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

Defying all odds, Saniya Samreen, daughter of a fruit vendor from Aland town in Kalaburagi district, bagged the Gold Medal in Master of Commerce (MCom) at the 9th convocation ceremony of the Central University of Karnataka (CUK) held on Saturday.

She received the medal from Justice Dinesh Maheshwari, Chairperson of the Law Commission of India and former Judge of the Supreme Court, in the presence of Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana, Registrar R.R. Biradar and Controller of Examinations Kota Sai Krishna, on Saturday.

Ms. Samreen, who completed her schooling and college education in Aland before joining CUK for her postgraduate studies, said that her achievement was a result of perseverance and family support. 

“All of my achievements are the result of hard work, dedication, and the unwavering support and guidance from my family and mentors,” she with gratitude during her interaction with media representatives on the sidelines of the convocation.

Her father, Mr. Shamu Bagwan, earns his livelihood as a fruit vendor, while her mother, Mrs. Raziya Begum, is a homemaker. “My parents’ constant belief in me has been the driving force behind my success,” Saniya added.

Saniya, who has also qualified both the Karnataka State Eligibility Test (KSET) and the National Eligibility Test (NET) for assistant professor, said she wishes to build her career in academia. 

“I aspire to contribute to the field of commerce through teaching and by shaping future professionals,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / November 08th, 2025

Winners in Throwball Tournament

Karnataka (under research project), Sports, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysore/Mysuru :

Boys team of Al-Kareem School won the Taluk-level U-17 Throwball Tournament for Boys organised at St. Philomena’s High School recently.

The team defeated Ramakrishna Ashram in the final match.

Members of the team included Mohammed Attaulla (Captain), Farhan Khan (Vice-Captain), Mohammed Junaid, Mohammed Nadeem, Afreed Ahmed Khan, SinnanShariff, Roshan Ali, Mohammed Toufiq, Zaid Ahmed and Zayan Ahmed.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / November 10th, 2025