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
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
Dr Hina Qasim Foplinkar, daughter of an ST bus driver, completed BHMS, served as an excise inspector and fought a legal battle before securing her police selection in Maharashtra
Mumbai :
Dr Hina Qasim Foplinkar, who began her education at an Urdu-medium school in the small Konkan village of Sai, has been selected for the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police/Assistant Commissioner of Police after clearing the Maharashtra Public Service Commission examination.
The daughter of a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation bus driver, Foplinkar first became a doctor, then spent nearly seven years working as an inspector in the Maharashtra Excise Department before clearing the MPSC examination. She is currently undergoing training at the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik.
Foplinkar completed her early education at RZP Urdu School in Sai. She then studied at Advocate Haroon Solkar High School in Sai, where she completed Class 10, followed by Class 12 in science at SS High School and Junior College in Morbe.
She completed her BHMS in 2014 and became a doctor.
Speaking to Urdu daily Inquilab, Foplinkar said her teachers in Sai and Morbe played an important role in her educational journey by guiding her and encouraging her to pursue higher education.
“During my BHMS studies in Kharghar, I learnt about government jobs and competitive examinations,” she said.
After completing her graduation, Foplinkar worked for a year at different hospitals. During this period, she came across an advertisement for a free competitive examination preparation programme run by Savitribai Phule Pune University.
She cleared the entrance examination and was subsequently provided free accommodation and preparation facilities for around two years. She said this period helped her prepare for competitive examinations.
“During this period, I successfully cleared all the stages of the examination for Excise Inspector,” she said.
Nearly Seven Years in the Excise Department
Foplinkar joined the Maharashtra government’s Excise Department as an inspector in 2018. During her nearly seven years in the department, she served in areas including Andheri, Matunga and Chembur.
Despite having a government job, she continued preparing for further competitive examinations.
“I had a feeling that I had to do more. I continued my studies while performing my government duties,” she told Inquilab.
Her attempt to move into the state police service, however, did not come without setbacks.
Foplinkar appeared for the MPSC examination in 2023 and cleared all three stages but did not succeed at the medical stage and therefore could not secure a place in the final merit list.
She appeared again in 2024 and cleared the examination, but her name was again absent from the final list. She then challenged the matter through legal proceedings.
According to Foplinkar, she spent eight months pursuing the case before the decision was made in her favour.
“I had to fight a legal battle for eight months for my right. You have to raise your voice against injustice within the system and within the prescribed legal framework. It is not an easy task. In the end, the decision came in my favour,” she said.
Parents’ Sacrifices
Foplinkar has attributed her success to the sacrifices and support of her parents.
Her father worked as an ST bus driver but later decided to go to Kuwait to provide better educational opportunities to his two daughters. He worked as a driver for a private company there for around 10 years.
“My parents’ sacrifices are part of my success. Their prayers and hard work are the reason I have reached this position today,” Foplinkar said.
Her career has also drawn attention because of her educational background. She studied in an Urdu-medium school in Sai before pursuing science education, completing BHMS, entering government service and later clearing the state civil services examination.
Foplinkar’s journey is being seen as an example for students studying through Urdu, particularly those from smaller towns and villages.
She believes Urdu does not prevent a student from achieving professional success, provided students continue to acquire knowledge and skills and prepare themselves for competitive examinations and new opportunities.
Her progression from an Urdu-medium school in a small Konkan village to the medical profession, the Excise Department and now police service has made her an example of perseverance for students, particularly Muslim girls pursuing higher education.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslims / by Clarion India Team/ August 25th, 2026
The star raider has cleared many hurdles and come a long way since taking to kabaddi when he was about 14; irrespective of the hardships, the sport has been a constant.
Inamdar on cloud nine after going all the way at the Asian Games. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
There was a moment in the second half of the Asian Games kabaddi gold-medal match against Iran when Aslam Inamdar made a daring raid deep into the opposition half.
His teammate Pawan Sehrawat groaned inwardly as he did so. India’s lead was narrow. Iran was still in the contest. It was a risk that could have gone badly wrong. “It was a bad decision,” Pawan would say later. But Inamdar made the dash count, securing two touches and emerging unscathed. The points brought India closer to victory. “It was a wrong move, but ant bhala toh sab bhala (if the end is good, it’s all worth it),” Inamdar said after the match.
He grinned when he recalled the sequence later. It had been a tough decision to make. Wasn’t he worried when he made that move? What would have happened if it had gone wrong? “Bhai, I’ve gone through things you wouldn’t even imagine. This is nothing,” he said.
That, in many ways, is the story of Aslam Inamdar.
There was a time when, as a 14-year-old, he travelled across Maharashtra in search of kabaddi tournaments without even having enough money for a train ticket. He slept under train seats, survived on stale vada pav or whatever food was available at tournaments. He sometimes stuffed leftover food which often spilled into his bag. “If there was work to be done, I did it. I’ve cleaned toilets. I’ve sold juice and made tea. I’ve worked in fields. If there was a kabaddi tournament to play, I found a way to get there.”
In Nagoya on Saturday, Inamdar stood on the mat as India beat Iran to win the men’s kabaddi gold. It is his second Asian Games gold medal. The distance between those two versions of Inamdar is difficult even for him to comprehend.
“It still feels like a dream to me,” he said. “I often think about how someone who didn’t even have food at home holds two international medals.”
The medals are the latest chapter in a journey that began at Takli Bhan in Maharashtra’s Ahilyanagar district, where Inamdar grew up as one of five children.
His father passed away when he was young, leaving his mother to raise the family. She worked in other homes, doing household chores and washing utensils, to keep the family going. Later, his elder brother Waseem joined the police force and took responsibility, including helping arrange the marriages of their two sisters.
Money was scarce. Inamdar remembers growing up in a house without proper flooring or roof. There were times when even food was difficult to come by.
So, he learnt early that work meant survival. At 11 or 12, he collected discarded bottles and sold them to scrap dealers to buy food. Later, he worked at tea stalls and juice bars, washed utensils, cleaned washrooms and worked in farm fields. He admits he stole sometimes. “It was just to fill my stomach. I faced many hard situations without letting them break me,” he said.
Through all of it, there was one constant: kabaddi. Waseem was a well-known player across several districts while senior player Rahul Bhor also inspired him. Inamdar wanted to establish his own identity. “No matter how long I worked during the day or night, I always went to the ground to train,” the raider said.
Inamdar… a special talent | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Kabaddi was a sport he could afford. It required little equipment, and the village ground was enough. For a boy with very little money, it offered something priceless: a chance. By the time he was 14 or 15, Inamdar was travelling alone to tournaments to compete in the 50kg and 55kg categories. He earned between ₹200 and ₹500 a match.
The money was little, but it mattered. It bought him meals when he might otherwise have gone hungry. More importantly, it kept him moving from one tournament to the next.
The path was neither smooth nor uninterrupted. In 2014, while India competed at the Asian Games, Inamdar was at home nursing a fractured leg and following kabaddi on television. His life at the time seemed a world away from an international career. “I was just watching kabaddi on TV. But I believe God’s plans are always better. My hard work never stopped.”
He kept working. Eventually, the Pro Kabaddi League changed the scale of his life.
In his first season, he earned ₹8 lakh. For someone who had once struggled to put food on the table, the money was almost incomprehensible. “Eight lakh felt like eight crore to me,” he said.
He did not forget where he had come from. With his first major earnings, he bought a gold necklace for his mother. Kabaddi had given him something that had once seemed almost impossible: financial security, recognition and a career. He went on to captain Puneri Paltan and establish himself as one of India’s leading players.
Then came the international medals. Inamdar won his first Asian Games gold in Hangzhou. Three years later in Nagoya, he has another. And once again, the final was against Iran — the one opponent which has consistently pushed India hardest at the Asian Games. “Iran is generally the most challenging opponent for us,” Inamdar said. “It has a strong defence and has very experienced players like Fazel Atrachali, who played in his fifth Asian Games.”
For Inamdar, beating such a formidable opponent made the gold more meaningful. “A tough challenge makes winning the gold medal feel even more rewarding.”
But for Inamdar, the significance of the medal lies beyond the result. It is the culmination of a journey that began when he was a boy travelling across Maharashtra for a few hundred rupees, when he collected scrap bottles for food and worked whatever jobs he could find before heading to the kabaddi ground.
Today, he tries to pass on that experience to younger players.
At his training ground in Thane, he speaks to juniors, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, about his own journey. He wants them to understand that difficult circumstances do not have to determine where they end up. “I want young, underprivileged players to dream big and aim to achieve even more than I have. I want them to know that whatever happens, they shouldn’t stop working hard. They shouldn’t stop believing,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports / by Jonathan Selvaraj / September 28th, 2026
Berar (During British in Hyderabad), now in MAHARASHTRA :
Nizam Osman Ali Khan of Hyderabad and Berar, Himayat Ali Khan the Prince of Berar listening to a presentation
The universal ideals of Islam found a distinctive expression in the historic region of Berar, where the faith spread not only through political authority but also through the influence of scholars, Sufis, jurists, poets, educators and public servants. Over the centuries, Berar became a centre of Islamic learning, Urdu and Persian literature, social reform and public service, producing generations whose lives reflected the Qur’anic ideals of knowledge, justice, compassion and service to humanity.
Situated in the heart of the Deccan, Berar emerged as a meeting ground of diverse cultures and traditions. Mosques, madrasas, khanqahs, libraries and charitable institutions shaped both the religious and intellectual life of society. Islamic scholarship developed in dialogue with local cultural currents, creating a rich and distinctive regional heritage.
The Muslims of Berar were notable not merely for their attachment to religious tradition but for their active engagement with the wider world. They served as judges, administrators, teachers, physicians, lawyers, bankers, writers, journalists, freedom fighters and philanthropists, contributing significantly to the social and cultural development of the region. Their achievements demonstrate that Islam, when lived in its authentic spirit, inspires excellence in every sphere of human endeavour.
Unlike historical accounts that focus mainly on rulers and political events, this work highlights individuals whose enduring influence arose from scholarship, moral leadership and public service. Some belonged to the medieval period, when Islam was taking firm root in the Deccan through scholars and Sufi saints; others flourished under the Bahmani, Imad Shahi, Mughal and Hyderabad administrations; many emerged during the colonial era and in independent India, responding creatively to changing social and educational challenges.
Their fields of achievement varied greatly, yet they were united by common values: knowledge as a sacred trust, integrity as the foundation of leadership, and service to humanity as an expression of faith. Whether they taught in madrasas, administered public institutions, wrote poetry, healed the sick, established schools or worked quietly for community welfare, each contributed in some measure to the intellectual and moral life of Berar.
The spread of Islam in Berar was gradual and deeply connected to institutions of learning and public welfare. From the fourteenth century onward, the growth of towns, educational centres and religious institutions transformed the region into an active participant in the intellectual currents of the medieval Deccan. Persian scholarship flourished for centuries, later enriched by the development of Urdu literature, poetry and historical writing.
Equally important were the contributions of ordinary men and women whose names seldom appear in conventional histories. Teachers in village maktabs, imams guiding local congregations, merchants supporting charitable works and families nurturing learning within the home collectively sustained the spiritual and cultural life of the community. Their quiet efforts formed the unseen foundation upon which more celebrated achievements were built.
The personalities presented in the following pages represent only a small cross-section of this rich inheritance. Some attained national prominence, while others exercised influence within local communities. Together they illustrate how Islamic values were translated into scholarship, public service, literature, education, jurisprudence, spirituality and community leadership across successive generations.
This section is therefore more than a collection of biographies. It is a tribute to a civilisational tradition that flourished in Berar and formed an integral part of India’s composite cultural heritage. In remembering these distinguished men and women, we preserve not merely their personal achievements but also the ideals they embodied—faith enlightened by reason, learning tempered by humility, and devotion expressed through selfless service to society. Their legacy continues to inspire future generations and deserves an honoured place in the history of both Berar and Indian Islam.
The Modern Legacy
Berar’s rich intellectual traditions continued into the modern era through its judicial lineages, literary circles, educational institutions, and public service. Madrasas, mosques, khanqahs, libraries, and scholarly households remained the custodians of an intellectual culture that regarded knowledge as an amanah—a sacred trust to be exercised with integrity, wisdom, and responsibility for the common good.
Across the Bahmani, Imad Shahi, Mughal, and Asaf Jahi periods, the Qazis of Berar successfully adapted to changing political systems without compromising the ethical foundations of their office. Their authority rested not upon political power but upon scholarship, moral integrity, and the confidence of the communities they served. This remarkable continuity enabled the House of Qazis to maintain its influence even as successive dynasties transformed the Deccan’s administrative landscape.
With the advent of modern India, this legacy assumed new forms. Descendants of Berar’s scholarly traditions emerged as judges, advocates, parliamentarians, educationists, scientists, physicians, administrators, industrialists, writers, entrepreneurs, and spiritual leaders. While their professional pursuits diversified, they remained united by a shared commitment to justice, learning, ethical leadership, and public service. In doing so, they demonstrated how a centuries-old culture of scholarship could flourish within the institutions of a democratic nation.
Foremost among these distinguished personalities stands Justice Mohammad Hidayatullah (1905–1992), one of the greatest jurists produced by the erstwhile Central Provinces and Berar. Educated at Morris College, Nagpur, before proceeding to Trinity College, Cambridge, and Lincoln’s Inn, he returned to practise at the High Court of the Central Provinces and Berar. His brilliant legal career included serving as Advocate General, Judge, and Chief Justice of the Nagpur High Court before his elevation to the Supreme Court of India in 1958. In 1968, he became India’s first Muslim Chief Justice. He subsequently served the nation with distinction as Acting President of India and later as Vice President of India, embodying the highest ideals of constitutionalism, judicial independence, and public service.
The biographical sketches that follow present some of the most eminent representatives of Berar’s modern legacy. Though drawn from diverse professions and walks of life, each reflects the enduring values that have characterised the region’s intellectual and spiritual heritage: scholarship, integrity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to serving humanity.
Kazi Syed Karimuddin belonged to the distinguished Qazi family of Berar, a lineage renowned for its contributions to Islamic jurisprudence, education, and public service. A respected lawyer, parliamentarian, and statesman, he combined professional distinction with an unwavering commitment to constitutional values. As an active member of the Constituent Assembly of India, he made thoughtful and principled interventions in the framing of the Constitution, particularly in defence of civil liberties, minority rights, and the guarantees of equality, freedom, and the rule of law that now form the bedrock of the Republic. Through his legal practice, public service, and constitutional vision, he strengthened the Qazi family’s enduring reputation for scholarship, integrity, and enlightened leadership while promoting education, communal harmony, and ethical public life.
Kazi Syed Ghiyasuddin belonged to the eminent hereditary Qazi family of Berar, renowned for its legacy of judicial scholarship and public leadership. A distinguished statesman of Maharashtra, he served as a Cabinet Minister for over a decade during the tenure of Chief Minister Y. B. Chavan. He later held several key portfolios in the State Government, exemplifying the family’s enduring tradition of service, integrity, and administrative excellence.
Justice Mohd. Mujibuddin Qazi served with distinction as a Judge of the Bombay High Court, being appointed an Additional Judge in September 1981 and confirmed as a permanent Judge in December 1982. Widely admired for his judicial scholarship, integrity, fairness, and balanced judgments, he retired in February 1992 after a distinguished career devoted to the administration of justice. Following his retirement, he served as Chairman of the Maharashtra Administrative Tribunal and later as Chairman of the Anjuman Hami-E-Islam Trust, continuing his distinguished contribution to public life and educational administration.
Justice Mohd. Arifur Rahman Khan was a distinguished member of the higher judiciary whose career was marked by scholarship, integrity, and judicial independence. Through his service on the Bench, he upheld constitutional values and the rule of law while contributing significantly to the administration of justice. His achievements reflect Berar’s enduring legacy of legal excellence.
Justice Zaka Azizul HaqHaq is a distinguished former Judge of the Bombay High Court, serving principally at the Nagpur Bench. Elevated to the Additional Judge rank in 2013 and later confirmed as a permanent Judge, he became widely respected for his judicial scholarship and integrity. Following his retirement, he was designated a Senior Advocate by the Supreme Court of India. He was appointed sole Administrator of the Anjuman Hami-E-Islam Trust, one of Nagpur’s foremost educational institutions, where he has continued to render distinguished service in educational administration and public life.
Dr Syed Mahmood Hussain (S. M. H.) Khatib was an eminent zoologist, pioneering entomologist, and former Head of the Department of Zoology at the Institute of Science, Nagpur. His outstanding research advanced entomological studies in Central India and inspired generations of scientists. Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University perpetuates his memory through the Dr S. M. H. Khatib Memorial Gold Medal and the S. M. H. Khatib Memorial Entomology Research Forum.
Dr Fauzia Khan traces her lineage to the Naqshbandi spiritual tradition through her father, Dr Zafar Naqshbandi, a distinguished physician of Aurangabad. She is a prominent politician from Maharashtra and an advocate of women’s empowerment, education, and public welfare. She made history as the first Muslim woman to serve as a Minister in the Maharashtra Government, holding the portfolios of Education, Health, and Women & Child Development. A former Member of the Rajya Sabha, she has devoted her public life to advancing inclusive governance, social justice, and the welfare of women and marginalised communities.
Qazi Syed Sirajuddin belonged to the distinguished hereditary lineage of the Qazis of Berar. He was a scion of the historic Qazi family of Kalamb, whose judicial and religious authority extended over several generations. Associated with the honorary office traditionally held by the family, he upheld its long-established reputation for integrity, scholarship, and public service. Through his standing within the community, he helped preserve the prestige of an institution that had long served Berar as a guardian of justice, Islamic learning, and moral leadership, while sustaining the family’s enduring legacy of civic responsibility.
Manzoor Hussain Shor (1916–1991) was a distinguished Urdu poet born in Amravati, Berar, where he first established his literary reputation. Following the Partition of India, he migrated to Pakistan and became a respected poet, critic, academic and teacher, later serving at the University of Karachi. His landmark poetry collection, Nabz-e-Dauran (1959), established him as a leading voice of modern Urdu nazm, while subsequent works further enhanced his literary stature. His poetry combined classical elegance with modern sensibilities, preserving the rich literary heritage of Berar while making a lasting contribution to Urdu literature across the subcontinent.
Dr Syed Naimuddin was an eminent scholar of Urdu and Persian who served with distinction as Professor, Head of the Department, and later Principal of the Government Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, Amravati. His pioneering research in Persian and Indo-Turkish literary studies earned international recognition, and one of his scholarly works was published by the Government of Turkey—a rare honour reflecting the global appreciation of his academic contributions. Through his teaching, research, and literary scholarship, he made a lasting contribution to the advancement of Urdu and Persian studies in India.
Dr Syed Rafiuddin Qadri was a distinguished scholar of Arabic and Islamic Studies, renowned for his profound erudition and lifelong dedication to higher learning. A recipient of the President’s Award for Arabic, he earned national recognition for his outstanding contribution to Arabic language and Islamic scholarship. He was also the son-in-law of the revered Sufi saint, Peer Nahe Miyan of Bhopal, reflecting his close association with a distinguished spiritual lineage alongside his own remarkable academic achievements.
Wajida Tabassum was an acclaimed Urdu novelist and short-story writer born in Amravati, Berar. Later associated with Hyderabad, she emerged as one of the most distinctive voices in modern Urdu fiction. Renowned for her bold narrative style and unflinching portrayal of Hyderabadi aristocratic society, gender relations and social change, her works challenged conventional norms and secured her a prominent place in twentieth-century Urdu literature.
Manzar Bhopali (Syed Ali Raza) was born in Amravati, Berar, and is one of the most celebrated contemporary Urdu poets of India. Widely admired for his powerful recitation and lyrical expression, he has represented Urdu poetry at prestigious national and international mushairas. His poetry, rooted in classical tradition yet responsive to contemporary concerns, has earned him recognition across the Urdu-speaking world.
Qaisar Amravatwi was a distinguished Urdu poet and writer born in Amravati, Berar. A respected representative of the classical literary tradition, he contributed significantly to the development of Urdu poetry through his refined diction, literary scholarship and elegant style. His writings enriched the cultural life of Berar and secured him a lasting place among the region’s notable literary figures.
Dr Bano Sartaj was born in Pandharkawada, Yavatmal district of erstwhile Berar. Dr Bano Sartaj is a distinguished fiction writer, humorist, translator and educator. Former Principal of Lal Bahadur Shastri College of Education, Bilaspur, she has made significant contributions to Hindi and Urdu children’s literature. Through her creative writings and academic engagement, she has enriched literary culture while promoting education and imagination among younger generations.
Dr Syed Firozuddin Qadri was a distinguished scholar of Islamic thought and Urdu literature. His doctoral research on Shah Waliullah Dehlawi made a significant contribution to the understanding of one of the greatest reformers, theologians, and intellectual figures of eighteenth-century India. Through his teaching, research, and scholarly writings, he enriched the fields of Islamic studies and Urdu scholarship while upholding Berar’s enduring tradition of learning and intellectual inquiry.
Syed Saulat Hussain Kazi served with distinction as a District Judge and earned widespread respect for his impartiality, legal scholarship, and administrative ability. Though descended from the Khateeb family, Saulat Husain retained the title of Kazi because his branch held the hereditary Qaziat of Anjangaon. Besides his public standing, he was an accomplished writer and reciter of devotional na’ats, earning admiration for his literary and religious contributions. He was an accomplished mystic poet whose writings reflected spiritual insight and literary refinement. His wife, Mrs Surayya Saulat, was a poet whose literary talent found expression in a published collection of poetry.
Shaukat Husain Khateeb e belonged to the distinguished Khateeb family of Ellichpur (Achalpur), a lineage closely associated through matrimonial ties with several eminent Kazi families of Berar. He served as Assistant Director of Education in the erstwhile Hyderabad State under the Nizam.
Dr G. S. Khwaja, a native of Patur, Akola district, is an eminent historian, epigraphist, scholar of Arabic and Persian inscriptions, medieval numismatics, Islamic calligraphy, and architecture.After completing his postgraduate studies in Arabic and Persian literature and journalism, he obtained his Ph.D. from Nagpur University. Retired s Director, Epigraphy, in 2016.A recognised khattat (calligrapher) and scholar of Indian Islamic heritage, he authored important works including Mashaheer-i-Berar Biographies (2005), which preserves the memory of distinguished personalities associated with Berar’s historical and cultural tradition.
Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas, son of Late Syed Akhtar Husain, represents the contemporary intellectual and public leadership tradition of Berar.He obtained his Ph.D. in Chemistry from Nagpur University in 1983, after completing his M.Sc. and B.Sc. from Nagpur institutions.Alongside his academic background, he has contributed to journalism, public affairs, and social issues. He was associated with the founding of the Welfare Party of India in 2011 and serves as its National President.He has also been associated with the All India Muslim Personal Law Board as a senior member and spokesperson, contributing to public discourse through writing, lectures, and organisational work.
Khan Mohammad Azhar Hussain was a distinguished public figure from Akola who served as a Minister in the Government of Maharashtra and represented the Akola Assembly constituency in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Known for his integrity and commitment to public welfare, he worked for educational advancement, minority welfare and regional development. His enduring association with educational institutions and community service earned him wide respect in Berar’s public life.
Dr Mirza Rafi Ahmad Baig, affectionately known as “Mirza Express,” spent much of his later life in Amravati, from where he captivated audiences across Maharashtra through more than 6,000 performances. His residence, aptly named Mirza Express, became a landmark for admirers of his wit, Varhadi humour, poetry and literary brilliance. Through his unique blend of satire, storytelling and cultural insight, he emerged as one of the finest ambassadors of Varhadi literature and Berar’s rich literary heritage.
Dr Humayun Athar Khatib is a distinguished ophthalmic surgeon from Berar who has earned international recognition for excellence in eye care. After advanced specialist training in Edinburgh, Scotland, he served with distinction in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where his clinical expertise and compassionate service won wide professional respect. His outstanding contributions to ophthalmology have enhanced the reputation of Berar’s medical fraternity both in the Middle East and internationally.
Hamid Husain Khateeb was a distinguished Islamic scholar, accomplished orator, and prolific writer who served as the All-India Secretary of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. Widely admired for his eloquence, intellectual depth, and leadership, he made significant contributions to Islamic thought and public discourse. Through his scholarship and organisational work, he promoted religious education, moral reform, and social awareness.
Sulaiman Khateeb was the foremost exponent of Dakhani Urdu poetry and was celebrated as the Badshah-e-Mizahiya Shayari. Through humour, satire, and vivid portrayals of everyday Deccan life, he elevated Dakhani into a respected literary medium while preserving its distinctive language, culture, and enduring literary heritage.
Ahmad Husain (Talegaon)was remembered as a prominent literary and political figure. His family’s enduring commitment to scholarship is reflected in later generations, including his grandson SQRIlyas, a noted authority on Muslim Personal Law and a prominent member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.
Nawab Anees Ahmad Khan graduated in Commerce from Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. A distinguished philanthropist, educationist, and community leader, he devoted his life to the advancement of education and public welfare in Berar. He rendered valuable service as a member of the Maharashtra State Urdu Academy, the Berar Muslim Education Society, and the Vidarbha Youth Welfare Society.
Shafaqat Husain Kazi He was a distinguished public servant who served as the Honorary Magistrate of Anjangaon during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Renowned for his exceptional command of English, sound administrative acumen, and unimpeachable integrity, he enjoyed widespread respect among both the public and the civil administration. His career reflected the ideals of justice, enlightened leadership, and civic responsibility, leaving behind a legacy of public service that continued to inspire subsequent generations of the Kazi family.
Khan Bahadur Azmat Husain Khateeb was a distinguished religious scholar and public figure whose learning, integrity, and service earned him the prestigious title of Khan Bahadur. As Khatib of the historic Jama Masjid of Ellichpur, he played a pivotal role in preserving the region’s rich Islamic scholarly tradition while promoting education, religious instruction, and community welfare. Revered for his eloquence, moral leadership, and commitment to public service, he remains one of the most respected figures in the intellectual and religious history of Berar.
Syed Zulfiquar Hussain Khatib was the son of Syed Azmat Hussain Khatib and Mohammadi Begum. After obtaining his LL.B. from Aligarh Muslim University, he devoted himself to legal practice, public service, and the preservation of the distinguished religious and educational traditions associated with the historic Jama Masjid of Achalpur.
Zehra Begum Khatib received her education at home, when formal schooling for girls was uncommon. A gifted Urdu and Persian poet, her literary works were deeply rooted in classical Islamic learning, ethical values and traditional literary culture. Her poems became for her the primary medium of communication. Alongside her devotion to family life, she actively encouraged education, particularly for girls. She is remembered for her literary refinement, cultural influence, and enlightened vision, which harmonised religious learning with intellectual cultivation. She rendered her poems in a mellifluous tone.
Bughdadi Begum was a distinguished Urdu poetess from Berar whose literary talent earned her admiration in the region’s vibrant cultural circles. Her poetry, frequently recited at mushairas, was celebrated for its elegance, sensitivity and expressive beauty. Unlike poets whose writings centred on classical religious themes, her work explored the experiences, emotions and everyday concerns of ordinary life with remarkable grace and insight. She occupies a respected place in Berar’s rich Urdu literary tradition.
Syed Akram Husain Khatib studied under the Calcutta Board before pursuing higher education at Aligarh Muslim University. He served as Rationing Officer at Nagpur from 1945 to 1955 before assuming the hereditary office of Khatib of Ellichpur. Remembered for his generosity and compassion, he devoted his life to assisting students, patients, and families facing social and legal difficulties. His humility, scholarship, and spirit of public service earned him enduring respect throughout Berar.
Syed Abdur Rauf Shah was one of the foremost political leaders produced by Berar during the closing years of British rule. A Member of the Legislative Assembly in the Central Provinces and Provincial President of the All-India Muslim League, he worked closely with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in strengthening the League’s organisation. At the historic Lahore Session of March 1940, he emerged as one of the principal spokespeople of the Muslims of the Central Provinces in support of the Lahore Resolution. He also served as Salar-i-Ala (Supreme Commander) of the Muslim League National Guards in the region.
Sami Khatib was an eminent industrialist and philanthropist, and the founder of one of India’s leading pharmaceutical enterprises. Widely recognised as a pioneer of the Indian pharmaceutical industry, he received the prestigious Vijay Ratna Award in 1991. He subsequently served on the Government of India’s Drugs Advisory Committee (1996–1999). Through the Sinkhai Foundation and his long association with Anjuman-i-Islam, Maharashtra College, and Kamala Nehru College of Pharmacy, he rendered distinguished service to healthcare, higher education, and philanthropy.
Mohammad Mohibbul Haq was a distinguished parliamentarian of the Indian National Congress who represented the Akola Parliamentary Constituency in the Third Lok Sabha after his 1962 election. A respected public representative from Vidarbha, he actively participated in parliamentary affairs and consistently worked for the region’s political, educational, and economic development.
K. M. Asghar Husain represented Akola in the Fourth and Fifth Lok Sabhas as a distinguished parliamentarian of the Indian National Congress. Throughout his public life, he devoted himself to advancing Vidarbha, earning widespread respect for his integrity, accessibility, and steadfast commitment to democratic values.
Qazi Syed Shahabuddin obtained postgraduate qualifications in the humanities and law. He is remembered among the eminent personalities associated with Berar’s intellectual heritage for his contributions to education, scholarship, and community life. His career reflected the family’s enduring commitment to learning and public service.
Mohd Izhar Qazi is a distinguished human resource professional based in Mumbai. He has served as a trustee of one of India’s leading minority educational institutions and has actively contributed to educational administration, institutional development, and community service. His professional accomplishments demonstrate the Qazi family’s continued engagement with modern educational and social institutions.
Razia Sultana Ahmed was a distinguished educationist and social worker based in Mumbai. She was the first woman from Berar to obtain a postgraduate degree from Osmania University, Hyderabad. Throughout her career, she occupied leadership positions in several Muslim educational and social organisations, becoming a pioneer in promoting women’s education and social empowerment.
Khalida Sultana Qazi obtained her postgraduate degree in Philosophy from Osmania University. Widely respected as an authority on the philosophy and thought of Sir Muhammad Iqbal, she made significant contributions to the study of Islamic philosophy, comparative thought, and modern Muslim intellectual history through her scholarship and public lectures.
Dr Rana Noor Siddiqui is the founder of the Begum Noor Jehan Salam Ahmed Trust, based in Yavatmal district, an educational trust dedicated to the advancement of learning and women’s empowerment. Under her visionary leadership, the Trust has established and nurtured several educational institutions, beginning with the Sunrise English Medium Convent, Wani, followed by the Noor Jahan Begum Salam Ahmed Arts and Commerce College, Wani, and the Noor Jahan Begum Salam Ahmed Women’s College of Law, an exclusive institution devoted to women’s legal education.
Qazi Syed Moinuddin was a prominent advocate practising at Yavatmal. Widely respected for his integrity, legal scholarship, and public spirit, he enjoyed an excellent reputation within the legal fraternity. His distinguished professional career strengthened the longstanding association of the Qazi family with the administration of justice.
Prof. Mohd. Ahtemad Qazi devoted his academic career to the teaching of Zoology. An inspiring teacher and respected scholar, he earned the admiration of generations of students through his scholarship, dedication, and commitment to scientific education. His work exemplified the growing contribution of the Qazi family to higher education.
Prof. Syed Salahuddin Qazi was an accomplished teacher of Zoology at a leading college. Remembered for his commitment to scientific education and academic excellence, he inspired generations of students through his disciplined scholarship and devotion to teaching.
Prof. Syed Minhajuddin Qazi was a distinguished educationist and social figure of Nagpur. A respected Professor of Chemistry, he devoted his career to higher education while actively participating in educational, literary, and community initiatives. His influence extended far beyond the classroom through his mentorship of students and involvement in public life.
Qazi Syed Saifuddin graduated in Science from Aligarh Muslim University after securing a merit scholarship. Deeply committed to humanitarian service, he made his residence in Nagpur a welcoming home for students from Yavatmal and neighbouring districts pursuing higher education. His generosity and hospitality benefited countless young scholars.
Prof. Abrar Hussain Khatib earned a doctorate in Physics and taught at a leading college. Alongside his distinguished academic career, he served as the Khatib of Ellichpur, exemplifying the harmonious integration of religious scholarship with modern scientific education. He remains an outstanding example of intellectual versatility.
Syed Hishamuddin Khatib was a prominent political leader of Balapur. Serving for many years as President of the Municipal Council, he earned widespread respect for his civic leadership, administrative ability, and dedication to public welfare. His long public career contributed significantly to local self-government.
Syed Natiquddin Khatib represented Balapur in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly and also served as Chairman of the Municipal Council. His distinguished public career reflected his commitment to democratic governance, efficient administration, and community development, making him one of the region’s respected political leaders.
Syed Mukarram Husain Khateeb, currently serving his third consecutive unopposed term as President of the iconic, over-a-century-old Sadar Muslim Library, Nagpur, established in 1922, has also been deeply involved in strengthening school education and uplifting students from poor and working-class families, often extending financial assistance to deserving pupils. With a collection of more than 30,000 books in classical and modern languages, the Library has long been a distinguished centre for promoting Berar’s rich literary and cultural heritage.
Abdul Qadar Khatib was a distinguished educationist and scholar of Urdu, Arabic, and Persian. He taught these classical languages at a leading college in Vidarbha and inspired generations of students through his scholarship, simplicity, and devotion to learning. His intellectual legacy continued through his son, Dr Humayun Khatib, an internationally respected ophthalmic surgeon based in Edinburgh.
Dr Naim Durdana Kazi was an eminent scholar of Urdu, Persian, and Arabic, holding Triple M.A. degrees, a PhD, and the traditional qualifications of Maulvi, Munshi, and Fazil. She served as Principal of Bapuji Aney Mahila Mahavidyalaya, Yavatmal, and was a member of the Boards of Studies of both Nagpur and Amravati Universities. Her research on Allama Rashidul Khairi and her contribution to Urdu scholarship earned her widespread academic respect.
Mardan Ali Khan was a distinguished jurist, Urdu poet, and public figure. A recipient of the Nagpur University Gold Medal in Urdu, presented by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, he began legal practice at Akola before serving as a Civil Judge and First Class Magistrate. Returning to the Bar in 1973, he authored the acclaimed ghazal collection Sarood-e-Rafta, leaving an enduring legacy in law, literature, and public service.
Dr. Mansha-ur-Rahman Khan was a distinguished Professor of Urdu, celebrated poet, literary critic, and scholar. Through his teaching, research, and creative writings, he made enduring contributions to the Urdu language and literature. Widely respected as a mentor and public intellectual, he enriched the literary and cultural heritage of Berar through his refined scholarship and poetic expression.
Syed Ejauddin Tariq Qazi is a distinguished civil engineer who graduated from the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal. He also obtained professional qualifications in accountancy in the United Kingdom and is presently settled in London. His successful international career reflects the continuing professional excellence and global outlook of the Qazi family.
THE ENDURING LEGACY OF BERAR
The history of Berar’s scholarly families is ultimately the history of ideas carried through generations. Kingdoms disappeared, political frontiers shifted, and administrative systems were repeatedly transformed, yet the ideals that sustained these families remained remarkably constant. Justice, learning, ethical leadership, and service to society continued to define their identity across nearly seven centuries.
The preservation of this legacy now assumes particular importance. Many manuscripts remain unpublished; family archives await systematic documentation; oral traditions risk disappearing as older generations pass away; and numerous scholars who contributed significantly to regional intellectual life remain absent from mainstream historical narratives. Recovering these forgotten histories is therefore not merely an academic exercise but an act of cultural preservation.
Future research must extend beyond biography to encompass the broader institutional history of Berar’s mosques, madrasas, khanqahs, libraries, schools, and courts. Such studies will reveal that the region’s intellectual life was sustained through networks of scholars whose influence extended across the Deccan, Central India, and beyond. Berar deserves recognition not merely as a geographical region but as one of India’s important centres of learning.
In remembering the Houses of Qazi, Khatib, and Qadri, we recover more than the history of distinguished lineages. We recover a vision of civilisation in which knowledge is inseparable from character, public office is inseparable from moral responsibility, and learning achieves its highest fulfilment in the service of humanity. That vision constitutes Berar’s enduring gift to India and secures its rightful place in the nation’s intellectual history.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Indian Muslims / by Moin Qazi / August 04th, 2026
A district-level Muslim Women’s Conference was held at Royal Palace, Yavatmal, under the Women’s Wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind (JIH), Yavatmal (North), drawing more than 3,000 women and girls from across the district. The conference was organised around the theme “Tum Se Hai Taameer-e-Ummat, Tum Se Hai Tehzeeb-e-Hayaat,” focusing on women’s role in family life, moral values and social responsibility.
In the run-up to the event, a district-wide quiz competition was held based on Hum Aisi Banein by Mael Khaerabadi, a book on the lives of the Sahabiyaat, the female companions of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Copies of the book were distributed to students in high schools and colleges across Yavatmal district, with the Girls Islamic Organisation (GIO) and the Women’s Wing coordinating the effort in towns and villages.
Winners across three categories received cash prizes totalling ₹30,000, along with mementos and certificates, presented during the conference.
The presidential address was delivered by Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi, State President of JIH Maharashtra, who spoke on the importance of prayer (Salah) as a pillar of Islamic life.
Other speakers included Prof. Mubashshira Firdaus Khan, Assistant National Secretary of the Women’s Wing; Nafisa Atiq, State Secretary of the Women’s Department, Vidarbha Region; Dr. Sabiha Khan, a member of JIH’s Representative Council; and Shameem Bano, District President of the Women’s Wing, Yavatmal. Dr. Rana Noor of Wani, a social worker and educationist involved in setting up the first women’s law college in the Vidarbha region, was also present.
Sessions covered topics including women’s role in building society, household financial management, and raising children with strong values. A separate session addressed the challenges young women face online, including social media platforms and artificial intelligence, and the need to navigate digital spaces responsibly.
The conference featured what organisers described as the first interactive panel discussion of its kind held exclusively for Muslim women on such a scale, facilitated by Dr. Uzma Shah of Wani. The panel discussed family and societal challenges and the multiple roles of Muslim women as students, mothers and community leaders, along with discussions on mental and spiritual well-being and parenting.
Children from the Children’s Islamic Organisation (CIO) performed the CIO Tarana, and the event was anchored by GIO members Aqsa Mirza and Fariha.
The concluding address was delivered by Maulana Ilyas Khan Falahi on the theme “O Daughters of Islam! You Are the Pride of the Ummah,” focusing on women’s character, values and responsibility in strengthening families and society. Organisers said the event, supported by the Yavatmal Volunteer Tehreeki Team, was conducted with discipline and coordination despite the large turnout.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / September 29th, 2026
Thikekarwadi Panchayat (Junnar Taluk, Pune District), MAHARASHTRA :
Aslam Shaikh in front of the Gram Panchayat office in Thikekarwadi
In 2021, Aslam Shaikh, a diploma holder in agriculture, took charge of the Thikekarwadi Gram Panchayat as Gram Sevak. His arrival accelerated the village’s development. During his tenure, the village won the first prize of Rs 1 crore across the entire country under the ‘Gram Urja Swaraj Visesh Panchayat Puraskar 2023’.
The award ceremony was organised at the Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. At this grand event, President Droupadi Murmu presented a certificate of honour, a memento, and a cheque of Rs 1 crore to Thikekarwadi’s Sarpanch Santosh Thikekar, Gram Sevak Aslam Shaikh, and Block Development Officer (BDO) Sharadchandra Mali.
When this trio returned to the village with this special honour, a historic victory celebration was held across Thikekarwadi with the sounds of traditional instruments, fireworks, and women’s singing troupes.
Thikekarwadi’s Sarpanch Santosh Thikekar said, “We have worked with Aslam Chacha for many years. He executes his work with absolute honesty. He was highly cooperative. We received excellent support from him.”
President Droupadi Murmu awarding Thikekarwadi’s Sarpanch Santosh Thikekar, Gram Sevak Aslam Shaikh,(Extreme right) and BDO Sharadchandra Mali.
Aslam Hussain Shaikh once cleaned the office of the Gram Panchayat of Thikekarwadi as a peon.
Aslam Hussain Shaikh hails from an ordinary family. He completed his schooling from a Zilla Parishad school in Narayangaon and Guruvarya Rajaram Parshuram Sabnis Vidyamandir.
In 1982, when he was in the eighth standard, his parents suddenly passed away. He was left to fend for himself. However, the villagers did not leave him alone.
The late Bhagubai Shelar, Bhamabai Walke, and their families took care of Aslam.
It was because of their support that Aslam could study up to the tenth standard. Throughout this journey, his sister, Babyjan Inamdar, also played the role of a parent for him.
After passing the tenth standard in 1984, Aslam started his career as a peon in the Warulwadi Gram Panchayat. It was Krushiratna awardee Anil Meher, who gave Aslam his first opportunity to work as a peon.
Even while working, Aslam never gave up his determination to study further. In the next two years, he completed his Agriculture Diploma with distinction from the Agriculture College in Manjari Farm. He also passed his 12th exams as an external student from Manchar College.
His first wife Shamim Shaikh, who passed away, and his second wife Biismillah Shaikh have played great roles in his life. Aslam Hussain Shaikh and Bismillah have a son named Sajid and a daughter named Mumtaz.
Thikekarwadi’s Sarpanch Santosh Thikekar, Gram Sevak Aslam Shaikh, and (BDO) Sharadchandra Mali at Vigyan Bhawan
Aslam Hussain Shaikh faced a rough patch in his life when, due to a freeze on appointments, Aslam could not get a government job.
Finally, in 1989, he was appointed as a clerk in the Narayangaon Gram Panchayat, where he worked till 2006.
In 2006, the Pune Zilla Parishad opened up contractual Gram Sevak recruitments through a 10 per cent quota for Gram Panchayat employees.
Based on his Agriculture Diploma, Aslam wrote the exam and scored the highest marks in Maharashtra. He was appointed as a Gram Sevak.
He left a remarkable imprint of his work in various Gram Panchayats in the Junnar taluka, including Aptale, Nirgude, Ambegavan, Rohokadi, and Thikekarwadi.
Aslam Shaikh and Sarpanch Santosh Thikekar worked together to turn this tiny village into a ‘smart village’. During his tenure, they executed several major developmental projects.
100% Use of Solar Energy: Special subsidies were secured for all families in the village to use solar energy. Today, 100% of the households in the village use solar water heaters for hot water.
Self-Generated Electricity: The village set up solar plants, biogas plants, and windmills to generate up to 10,000 watts of electricity, effectively bringing the village’s electricity bill down to zero.
Complete Measurement of Agricultural Land: Thikekarwadi possibly became the first village in Maharashtra to have all its agricultural land officially measured by the government.
100% Drip Irrigation: With the help of the agriculture department, all farmers in the village were motivated to use drip irrigation methods for 100 percent of their farming.
Soil Health Testing: To understand the deficiency of nutrients in the soil, a special soil testing initiative was launched in the village, the benefits of which farmers are reaping to this day.
Aslam Shaikh with his wife Bismillah Shaikh
Village Honoured with Over 45 Awards
Thanks to the precise planning of the Gram Panchayat, Thikekarwadi has received over 45 big and small awards to date. Under the ‘SantGadgebaba Gram Swachhata Abhiyan‘, the village won the first prize in the state of Maharashtra. Along with this, by winning the highly prestigious national-level ‘Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Spardha Puraskar’, this village became the number one Gram Panchayat in the country.
Aslam is as good a citizen as he is an honest worker. Expressing his concern over the current social climate, Aslam says, “There are very bizarre attempts being made right now to create social polarisation. The situation was not like this before. People used to live in harmony with each other. This harmony is the hallmark of our Narayangaon.”
Aslam further states, “I have been seeing this since childhood; till date, no incident causing religious tension has ever occurred here. We celebrate all festivals together joyfully. I have served as the secretary of the Mahasaroday Ganeshotsav Mandal for 10 years, and as its vice president for another 10 years.”
Summarising his entire journey, he gives one final, invaluable message. He says, “Our country will only progress if we all live united and with one heart. If we all stay united, our future is very bright.”
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Success-Story / by Bhakti Chalak / July 15th, 2026
Dr.Roshan Shaikh’s extraordinary journey from double amputation,a financially struggling family to becoming an MBBS doctor, MD Pathologist, motivational speaker, award-winning personality.
Dr. Roshan Sheikh is now the eminent name of the field of education and source of inspiration for thousands of students.She specially invited to Moulana Ajmal’s education institute,Assam, Shaheen group of Institutions, Bidar, Karnataka, Anjuman E Islam Mumbai ,and other dozens of prestigious institutes of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.
Born in Mumbai to a family where her father worked as a vegetable vendor, Roshan Jahan dreamed of becoming a doctor. Her life changed dramatically when she was in XIth grade a tragic train accident resulted in the amputation of both her legs. She remained bedridden for more than three months, but the tragedy could not break her determination.
Her mother, who had studied only up to the fourth standard, became her strongest pillar of support. She took Roshan to school in a wheelchair whenever practical classes and examinations required her presence. Despite severe physical and financial difficulties, Roshan completed Class 12 with impressive marks and secured third rank in the handicapped category in the state medical entrance examination.
However, her struggle continued when she was denied medical admission because her disability was assessed at 96 percent, while prevailing regulations restricted admission for candidates considered more than 70 per cent disabled. Determined to realise her dream, she approached the Bombay High Court in 2011 with the support of orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Sanjay Kotharia and advocate P.B. Patil, who fought her case without charging a fee. The court recognised her capabilities and allowed her to pursue medical education.
Roshan subsequently secured admission to KEM Medical College, Mumbai. Medical education was challenging, involving practical work, emergencies, movement between buildings and long working hours. Yet she completed her MBBS in 2016 and later earned her MD in Pathology in 2021 from Mumbai.
Several people also supported her during this journey. Congress MLA Amin Patel helped finance her medical education, while BJP MP Kirit Somaiya supported her when she faced difficulties in pursuing postgraduate studies. Her case also contributed to changes that enabled her to continue her higher medical education.
After completing her MD, Roshan worked as a Consultant Pathologist and Cytopathologist. On 28 October 2022 she married to Mumbai based Buisnessman Salman Abdul Latif and became mother in 2026.
She also became a motivational speaker, travelling to educational institutions in Maharashtra, Karnataka and other states and inspiring thousands of students with her life story. She is currently at home, taking care of her three-month-old baby girl, while remaining socially active and sharing her old and new posts and videos.
Her achievements have earned her several prestigious honours, including the Hindustan Times Women of the Year Award (2018) at the national level. Other recognitions include the Shoorveer Award, Bharat Prerna Award, Award for Bravery and Courage from the Bombay High Court, Inqulab Award, Galli News Griffin Award for Women Impact, Cavinkare Ability Award, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Award, Sahas Ability Award, Microsoft Bravery Award and SABAL Award from Tata, among others.
Her personal life has also entered a new chapter. Around three years ago, she married Mumbai-based handsome businessman Salman Abdul Latif. Despite her high level of disability, she successfully went through pregnancy and became a mother to a baby girl three months ago.
Dr. Roshan Jahan Sheikh has transformed adversity into purpose. Her life stands as a powerful message that physical limitations need not limit human dreams, and that courage, education and determination can turn seemingly impossible goals into reality.
Speaking to Muslim Mirror Roshan says, “Life may knock you down and may even try to break you, but getting back on your feet is in your hands. If I can overcome such a great storm and become an MD doctor, then you too can fulfil every dream you have. Keep faith in Allah and move forward,” Dr. Roshan Jahan Jawwad Sheikh said.
She further advised people not to dwell on what they have lost or what they do not have. “Do not focus on what is gone or what you do not have. Instead, put all your strength into what remains and into what you can become,” she said.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Imran Inamdar / September 08th, 2026
Dr. Syed Abdullah (extreme right) and his team of heroes of the Asian Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
As devotees across the country were celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna in the early hours of Friday, nine newborn babies at a private hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar faced a terrifying fight for survival.
At around 2:30 a.m., a fire broke out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Asian Hospital in the Akashwani area on Jalna Road after an apparent short circuit in an air-conditioner. Within minutes, thick smoke filled the NICU and flames began spreading rapidly, trapping nine newborns inside.
Among them was a premature baby on a ventilator.
In those critical moments, Resident Medical Officer Dr Syed Abdullah and a team of nurses sprang into action. Risking their own lives, they carried the babies out of the smoke-filled NICU, one by one, and ensured that the critically ill infant continued receiving artificial ventilation during the rescue.
“The situation was very difficult. Initially, we thought there was a minor gas leak. But the moment a spark fell from the AC, we immediately tried to move the warmer aside, because the baby on the ventilator was right underneath it. That baby was very serious; it was a preterm baby,” Dr Abdullah recalled.
He said the situation deteriorated within seconds.
“We had just gone to move the warmer when the fire spread very rapidly. After that, the sisters immediately started picking up the babies and evacuating them. The baby on the ventilator had to be given artificial respiration through an Ambu bag. A nurse held one baby in her hand and also managed the other baby from the ventilator, while I was Ambu-bagging it. In this way, we safely evacuated all the babies.”
At one point, Dr Abdullah also attempted to pull the ventilator out of the danger zone. But the equipment was locked in place, while the flames continued to spread.
“After evacuating all the babies, I also wanted to save the ventilator, because a ventilator is a very expensive machine. So, I tried to pull the ventilator, but it was locked. The fire was continuously growing, and because of that, I had to leave the ventilator and rush to save another baby,” he said.
For the medical team, however, saving the babies was the only priority.
“I am happy that we succeeded in saving those babies. I never thought I would face such a situation in so few years of my service. By the grace and mercy of Allah, everything concluded safely and the condition of all the patients is now excellent and stable. All the babies have been safely shifted to Ghati and other hospitals,” Dr Abdullah said.
Nurses Turned Rescuers
The rescue was a collective effort. Nurses Kalpana Nalawade, Surekha Chavan (Mavshi), Rekha Ragade, Sandhya Jadhav and Archana Bhalerao joined Dr Abdullah in evacuating the newborns as smoke and flames spread through the NICU.
The warmer carrying the critically ill baby could not be moved because it was locked. With the fire intensifying, there was no time to wait. The nurses began lifting the babies in their arms and carrying them to safety.
For nurse Rekha Ragade, the incident remains etched in her memory.
“I was on duty as usual. I was checking what each baby needed; all this work was going on. Suddenly, I saw some colleagues running towards a corner of the NICU. What do I see? Smoke was coming out from there. By the time I saw it, a spark fell and the AC instantly caught fire,” she recalled.
For a moment, fear overwhelmed her. But the instinct to protect the newborns quickly took over.
“Seeing that sight, I too was scared for a moment, but I quickly composed myself and with the help of my colleagues, brought the children out. There was fear in my heart. My hands and legs had gone numb from panic. But we risked our lives and saved the lives of the babies,” she said.
Then came a deeply personal thought.
“I also have three children. As a mother, I only knew one thing: all those nine children are mine, and I have to get them out.”
58 Patients on the Floor
The fire broke out on a floor where 58 patients were present, including the nine newborns in the NICU, 36 patients in the general ward and 13 patients in special rooms.
The hospital alerted the fire brigade and police immediately. However, before emergency personnel arrived, doctors and nurses had already managed to bring the fire largely under control using fire extinguishers.
The nine newborns were subsequently shifted by ambulance to other hospitals for continued medical care. Four were admitted to Government Medical College and Hospital (Ghati), three to MGM Hospital, one to Muskaan Children’s Clinic in Azad Chowk and one to Day Care Hospital.
All nine babies are reported to be safe and in stable condition.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Fazal Pathan / September 07th, 2026
Inside a century-old building overlooking the streets of south Mumbai, a quiet effort is underway to save rare Persian and Urdu translations of Indian scriptures, the last surviving records of the country’s multi-cultural past.
The Karimi Library, housed within the 152-year-old Anjuman-I-Islam institute near the iconic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, has launched a restoration drive to rescue more than 32 sacred Hindu texts. These include the Mahabharat, Ramayan, Bhagavad Gita, and Shiv Puran, all printed between 1867 and 1896.
The library was established in 1898 after merchant Kazi Abdul Karimi Porbandari donated 4,500 valuable texts, and it was named after him. Padma Shri Dr Zahir Kazi, president of Anjuman-I-Islam, founded by Badruddin Tyabji in 1874, shared this history while speaking about the ongoing project.
The archive holds books, manuscripts, and newspapers in Sanskrit, English, Urdu, Persian, Marathi, Pashto, and Arabic, covering history, philosophy, theology, literature, and geography. It also features rare newspapers dating back to 1875, including the Jaipur Gazette, Ambala Gazette, and Cairo’s Al Kaira, alongside royal decrees from Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
“The books have become old and pages brittle. They need to be treated with special chemicals to weed out fungus and pests. Books that are not in good shape are pasted with special paper for preservation,” Kazi said.
A team of experts is handling the digitisation process, with pages being uploaded to Anjuman-I-Islam’s cloud account.
“These books reflect so much of tolerance. It is an eye-opener for Indians that the country’s heritage is very much there in this library,” Kazi said.
Library in-charge Mohammad Ghalib Mulla confirmed that more than 100,000 book pages and 70,000 pages from newspapers and periodicals have been digitised, leaving only 2,250 pages to complete the archiving project.
“The newspapers give details about the initial days of the freedom struggle, the social and political situation of those times, how journalism was, pro and anti-British,” Mulla said.
Several freedom fighters were part of Anjuman-I-Islam’s management, and the library witnessed many of their meetings, according to Kazi.
The library building is also undergoing renovation, with efforts to retain its original look and feel. “We intend to reopen the restored library by October 2, subject to completion of work. We also plan to host many national and international events in this library,” Kazi said.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Uncategorized / by Radiance News Bureau / August 31st, 2026
