Tag Archives: Muslims of Uttar Pradesh

Drove an Uber in Delhi, rower Salman Khan now has an Asian Games medal

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Pure Dhingar (Amethi District), UTTAR PRADESH :


Salman Khan used to drive a cab in New Delhi, now he has a medal at the Asian Games. Alongside Satnam Singh, Salman won India’s first ever bronze medal in the men’s double sculls on Thursday, September 24.

Salman Khan (left) and Satnam Singh (right) win India’s first ever bronze medal in double sculls at the Asian Games. (PTI Photo)

Indian rowers Satnam Singh and Salman Khan won bronze in the men’s double sculls at the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya on Thursday, September 24, securing India’s first-ever medal in the event. The Indian pair clocked 6:13.25 in the final to finish behind China’s Yi Xudi and Yide Nie, who won gold, and Uzbekistan’s Pavel Sorin and Mekhrojbek Mamatkulov, who took silver.

Satnam and Salman were firmly in medal contention for much of the race, staying second at the 500m, 1000m and 1500m marks. They were eventually overtaken in the closing stages, slipping to third in the final 500m, but held on to secure the bronze.

For Salman, the medal marks his first podium finish at the Asian Games and another major step in a rowing career that began only after he joined the Indian Army. Before he found his way into the sport, Salman was driving an Uber in Delhi to support his family.

WHO IS SALMAN KHAN?

Salman Khan was born in Pure Dhingai in Uttar Pradesh’s Amethi district and grew up as the eldest of four brothers and two sisters. His father, Mohd Kasim Khan, worked in truck-body construction in Tauru, Haryana, where Salman completed his schooling.

His life changed when his father died of dengue when Salman was 18.

With the responsibility of supporting his younger siblings falling on him, his plans of joining the Indian Army were put on hold. Salman instead moved towards earning a living, driving an Uber cab in Delhi and working day and night to help support his family.

His Army dream eventually returned.

A friend pointed out that Salman’s height and physical build could make him suitable for the armed forces. He handed the cab over to another driver and spent four months preparing for recruitment before clearing the recruitment rally, medical and written examinations.

Salman joined the Bombay Engineer Group in Pune on September 25, 2018.

It was after joining the Army that he was introduced to rowing.

Coaches Satywan, Satish Siraat and Prabhat Mishra noticed his physical attributes and encouraged him to try the sport. Salman was initially reluctant, as rowing was not something he had planned to pursue. But his coaches persisted and eventually put him into the boat.

His first inter-centre regatta brought a silver medal, giving him confidence to continue. He went on to win medals at battalion and inter-centre competitions before clearing the ergometer benchmarks in 2021 and earning selection for the Army Rowing Node at CME Pune.

Training alongside some of India’s leading rowers helped Salman see rowing as more than something he had been encouraged to try.

He twice came close to quitting the sport, but his coaches convinced him to continue. Senior coach Kudrat Ali and Training Officer Major Nagendra Hooda were among those who guided the next stage of his development.

The results soon began to reflect that progress.

Salman won gold at the 36th National Games in Gujarat in 2022 and also claimed gold at the 5th Indoor National Championship that year. In 2023, he won silver at the Senior National Championships and gold at the Open Sprint National Championships.

He also represented India at the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne in 2023.

Salman was inducted into the Target Olympic Podium Scheme in 2023, receiving Rs 4,09,100 in support under TOPS. He also received Rs 12,16,589 under the Annual Calendar for Training and Competition programme.

He won gold at the 37th National Games in Goa later that year before claiming gold at the Asian Rowing Cup in 2024. The result also earned him a promotion to the rank of Naib Subedar in the Indian Army.

His international record continued to grow, with silver medals at the Australian Rowing Championships in Tasmania and the Asian Rowing Championships in Vietnam in 2025. He also won gold at the 38th National Games in Uttarakhand and the 42nd Senior National Rowing Championships in Bhopal that year.

The Asian Games medal was the next significant addition to that record.

India’s bronze winning team in men’s double sculls at the Asian Games 2026. (PTI Photo)

WHO IS SATNAM SINGH?

Salman’s partner in the historic bronze, Satnam Singh, also arrived at rowing after starting out in another sport.

Satnam was a national-level handball player before switching to rowing in 2018. Olympian Swarn Singh Virk recognised his physical potential and encouraged him to take up the sport.

The move quickly developed into a career.

Hailing from Punjab’s Mansa district, Satnam represented India at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, where he finished eighth in the men’s pair. He later established himself among India’s leading rowers and won the men’s single sculls title at the 40th Senior National Rowing Championships, becoming the first Indian Navy rower to win the event.

Satnam’s first Asian Games medal came at Hangzhou in 2023, when he was part of India’s men’s quadruple sculls crew that won bronze.

He added more international success in 2025, winning gold in the men’s quadruple sculls at the Asian Rowing Championships in Vietnam. He also won silver in the indoor Asian Championships in the men’s double sculls.

The pairing with Salman at Aichi-Nagoya came after India’s rowing team underwent a late reshuffle.

Satnam and Salman had initially been part of the men’s quadruple sculls crew but were moved into the double sculls, while other rowers were shifted between events. The changes came just days before the rowing competition and led to frustration among members of the Indian team.

The two adapted quickly to their new combination.

On Thursday, they stayed in the medal positions throughout most of the final before securing bronze in 6:13.25. For Satnam, it was another Asian Games medal. For Salman, it was the first. And for Indian rowing, it was a historic first in the men’s double sculls.

source: http://www.indiatody.in / India Today / Home> Sports> Asian Games / by India Today Sports Desk – Kingshuk Kusari / September 24th, 2026

Asian Games 2026: Mairaj Ahmad Khan makes big statement after India’s historic skeet medal haul

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Khurja, UTTAR PRADESH :

Veteran shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan said India’s three skeet bronze medals at the Asian Games 2026 are a big boost for the LA Olympics, but felt the men’s team could have won gold.

Indian shooter Mairaj Ahmad Khan said India’s three skeet medals at the Asian Games 2026 are a good step towards the Los Angeles Olympics, but the team could have done better. India won bronze in all three skeet team events at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. It was a historic first for Indian skeet.

Historic bronze for the men’s team

Mairaj Ahmad Khan won his first Asian Games medal, a bronze, as part of the men’s skeet team with Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Bhavtegh Singh Gill. The team defeated Kazakhstan in a shoot-off with a score of 346 points. Mairaj returned to the Games in 2026 after competing in 2006, 2010 and 2014.

He has won three World Cup gold medals in New Delhi (2021), Changwon (2022) and Cairo (2023), along with a silver in Rio (2016) and a bronze in Cairo (2021). At the Asian Championships, he has one gold, two silver and three bronze medals. Speaking about the bronze, Mairaj told TimesofIndia.com from Japan, “Aur achha ho sakta tha. We could have won a gold medal. The stage was set, but no problem, next time.” He also spoke about his individual event. He said he felt tired. “In the individual event, hunger was not there. I think I was a little tired. I was relaxed, mentally tired, overworked. Maybe the calendar is so busy,” he said.

Women’s and mixed teams also won bronze

India’s women’s skeet team, comprising Raiza Dhillon, Parinaaz Dhaliwal and Maheshwari Chauhan, won a bronze medal, marking the country’s first-ever Asian Games medal in this category. Additionally, Anantjeet and Parinaaz secured another bronze in the mixed team event, achieving medals in all three skeet team events within two days. 

Focus on LA Olympics

Mairaj said he is proud of Anantjeet and Parinaaz. “I am really proud of the way Anant and Parinaaz have performed. We are building a team together for the LA Olympics,” he said. Mairaj said his journey is not over. “I will not stop. Ever since I picked up the gun, I have felt that I could have done better. I have made some mistakes. The fight is on for the LA Olympics. Gold was the dream and it will remain the dream,” he said.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Latest News>Sports / by Anishka Pandey / September 24th, 2026

Shahnavaz Khan wins bronze medal in long jump in World Athletics U-20 Championships 2026

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Madhaipur Village (Pratapganj District), UTTAR PRADESH :

Shahnavaz Khan is now the first Indian man to win a long jump medal at the World Athletics U-20 Championships; Shaili Singh had won silver in women’s long jump in 2021.

File – Shahnavaz Khan in action during qualification at the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Shahnavaz Khan bagged the bronze medal in the men’s long jump event in the World Athletics U-20 Championships 2026 in Oregon on Saturday.

Shahnavaz Khan bagged the bronze medal in the men’s long jump event in the World Athletics U-20 Championships 2026 in Oregon on Saturday.

This is now India’s third medal of the championships, following silvers from Ashish Yadav (javelin) and Basant Kumar Meghwal (high jump).

Shahnavaz is also the first Indian man to win a long jump medal at the World Athletics U-20 Championships; Shaili Singh had won silver in women’s long jump in 2021.

The bronze, though, might feel like a missed opportunity for Shahnavaz, whose best leap on Saturday (7.84m) was significantly shorter than his personal best (8.30m).

Similarly, R.C. Jithin Arjunan, the other Indian finalist in Oregon, too failed to get close to his personal best (8.12m), as he finished eighth with a best jump of 7.59m

Daniele Leonardo Inzoli of Italy won gold with a 7.97m leap. Silver medallist Australia’s Mason McGroder came agonisingly close to winning the championship, when he touched 7.96m (personal best) with his last jump.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / Sportstar / Home> Athletics / by Team Sportstar / August 09th, 2026

Sir Syed Fazl Ali marked boundaries of Indian states

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BIHAR / UTTAR PRADESH :

Sir Syed Fazl Ali

It is a commonly held notion that the states of India are natural units, each a homeland of a particular language and culture that existed long before 1947. The formal recognition of these states after India became a Republic was nothing but natural.

A Slice of History

History shows that the political boundaries most Indians live inside today were drawn by a three-member commission that submitted its report on 30 September 1955. This means that the line that separates a Kannadiga from a Malayali or a Bihari from a Bengali was an innovation.

Till then, India had simply carried forward former British provinces, princely states and centrally administered territories, classified under a four-tier system of Part A, B, C, and D states inherited from the Government of India Act of 1935. It was Sir Syed Fazl Ali, a judge from Benares (Varanasi), who led the work to define the boundaries of Indian states,

Born on 19 September 1886 in Varanasi to Saiyid Nazir Ali, Fazl Ali belonged to a family of lawyers, with roots in Bihar. He studied at Muir Central College, Allahabad (now Prayagraj), and at the Middle Temple, London.

Oner his return to India, in 1912, set up practice in the district courts of Chapra, Bihar, arguing criminal cases before subordinate judges. This apprenticeship carried him to the Patna High Court in April 1928, with a deputation to settle labour disputes at the Tata steel works in Jamshedpur.

He was knighted in the New Year Honours of 1941, became acting Chief Justice of Patna in 1938 and permanent Chief Justice in January 1943.

Fazl Ali also chaired the inquiry into the Royal Indian Naval Mutiny of February 1946, one of the last rebellions against the British Empire in India. Later he sat on the Calcutta Disturbances Enquiry Commission, investigating the killings during the partition.

Fazl Ali was elevated to the Federal Court in June 1947. In three months and an Independent India, he went as India’s delegate to the second session of the United Nations General Assembly, where he was elected chairman of its Fifth Committee. In 1950, he became one of the eight judges of the Supreme Court of India. He was also the first Muslim to sit on that bench.

One of his dissenting notes as a Supreme Court judge made history. Indian Parliament had passed the Preventive Detention Act of 1950, allowing the state to jail a person without trial. In A.K. Gopalan versus State of Madras, decided on 19 May 1950, Chief Justice Harilal Kania led the majority in holding that a citizen could be stripped of his liberty by any procedure Parliament chose to enact, however unfair, so long as it was called law.

Two of the six judges who disagreed were Fazl Ali. Fazl Ali held that the procedure established by law had to rest on four elementary principles, which he summed up in a single line: “the right to be heard before one is condemned.” It took twenty-eight years and the government’s arbitrary seizure of a young woman’s passport, without explanation, for the Supreme Court to agree with him.

In Maneka Gandhi versus Union of India in 1978, the Court finally read fairness back into Article 21, and nearly every later right to dignity, privacy and due process in India has been built on that foundation. In fact, less than two years after Gopalan, Fazl Ali had already sat with the majority in the State of West Bengal versus Anwar Ali Sarkar, striking down a law that let the government to select certain cases for trial in Special Courts, bypassing ordinary procedures.

The Court held that such discretionary power violated Article 14 of the Constitution, as it allowed arbitrary and unequal treatment of similar offences. Indian courts still apply the test of reasonable classification under Article 14 that this judgment helped establish.

In 1952, Potti Sreeramulu fasted for a separate Telugu state. He died in the process, and there was unrest in the region. This forced Jawaharlal Nehru’s government to concede to reorganisation of India along linguistic lines.

In December 1953, Ali Fazl Ali, then Governor of Odisha, was asked to head a commission with the historian-diplomat K.M. Panikkar and the veteran liberal parliamentarian H.N. Kunzru as members for the purpose. For almost two years they toured the country, took evidence region by region and read memoranda from parties, princes and peasants. They weighed every demand against four tests – national unity and security, linguistic and cultural homogeneity, financial and administrative viability, and the welfare of the people in each proposed state.

The Commission submitted its report on 30 September 1955. The report said that it was guided by the principle that “the unity of India must be regarded as the paramount consideration,” and refused to accept one language, one state as an absolute rule.

Not every line the commission drew was viable. For example, it kept Maharashtra and Gujarat together as a bilingual Bombay state. The plan was not acceptable to both Marathi and Gujarati speakers, and the state was split into Maharashtra and Gujarat in 1960.

The commission had recommended 16 states and three union territories as against the final Reorganisation Act of November 1956 going for 14 states and six UTs. However, the template was intact. Punjab and Haryana followed it in 1966. Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand followed it in 2000. Telangana followed it in 2014. Every one of these reorganisations has worked within the same administrative and legal vocabulary that Fazl Ali’s commission wrote, that a community’s claim to its own language and government must be weighed against, never simply surrendered to, the unity and coherence of the nation.

Fazl Ali spent his last years as Governor of Assam, working to bring the Naga hills into the administrative mainstream. He opened a college at Mokokchung, Nagaland that still bears his name.

Fazl Ali’s son, Syed Murtaza Fazl Ali, became Chief Justice of the Jammu and Kashmir High Court and, in 1975, a judge of the very Supreme Court his father had helped inaugurate. Sir Syed Fazl Ali was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1956. He died in office on 22 August 1959.

Sir Syed Fazl Ali led no mass movement. But every time an Indian under arrest demands to know the grounds, every time a citizen calls a law arbitrary before a court, and every time someone crosses from one state into another without a thought for how that border came to sit exactly there, they are repeating an argument first made by a Varanasi-born Bihari judge.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Saquib Salim / September 11th, 2026

Eight women honoured at Dr Rama Saharia Memorial Awards

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Noida, UTTAR PRADESH :

Noida :

Eight women from Assam, Jharkhand, Gujarat and Punjab were honoured at the third Dr Rama Saharia Memorial Awards Ceremony, organised by the MBKM Foundation at the NEA Auditorium here on Sunday. The Foundation is headed by Prof Pradeep Mathur, an author and a veteran journalist.

The awards recognised outstanding contributions in journalism, higher education, social service, performing arts, disability empowerment and other fields. A notable feature of this year’s ceremony was the diversity of the recipients, who came from Hindu, Sikh, Christian and Muslim communities.

The awardees had overcome social and economic hardships, as well as family-related challenges, to establish themselves in their respective professions. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to women from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Dr Rama Saharia Memorial Media Award was presented to Naina Gautam, a journalist and sustainability communicator, for her work in raising awareness about climate change, the environment and health.

Prof. Manjinder Kaur received the Dr Rama Saharia Memorial Award for Higher Education in recognition of her long-standing contribution to education and teaching.

The Dr Rama Saharia Memorial Social Service Award was conferred on Urmal Munjwani for her contribution to yoga, wellness and holistic health.

Garima Joshi was honoured with the Dr Rama Saharia Memorial Award for Performing Arts and Standout Skills for her contribution to the performing arts.

The Dr Rama Saharia Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sukhdeep Kaur for her selfless service towards the empowerment of persons with disabilities. Her work spans education, sports, rights advocacy and the creation of inclusive opportunities.

Atlanta Mahanta received an award for her contribution to multimedia journalism, academic communication and visual storytelling.

Aayushi Karanwal was honoured for establishing her identity in body positivity, modelling, public relations and image management while overcoming personal and professional challenges.

The Chairman’s Special Award for Social Service was presented to Tabassum Khan for more than two decades of work in women’s and children’s welfare, maternal health, nutrition, sanitation and health awareness.

Former Union Minister of State for Home Subodh Kant Sahay was the chief guest. Eminent politicians Harkesh Bahadur and Anil Shastri were also present. The function was presided over by former Secretary-General of the Rajya Sabha Dr Yogendra Narayan.

Organised in memory of Dr Rama Saharia, the awards aim to recognise individuals who have made noteworthy contributions to society and nation-building. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of women working across diverse fields and highlighted the importance of inclusive opportunities for all.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by India Tomorrow / September 08th, 2026

Four Muslims among 48 recipients of National Teachers Award 2026

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INDIA :

New Delhi :

When President Droupadi Murmu conferred the National Teachers Awards, 2026, on 48 teachers from across India, on Saturday, the recipients included four Muslims, who had instilled values and teachings in the minds of their pupils beyond the classroom.

The recipients of the award included Mohammad Zafar Alam from Odisha, who is credited with transforming the lives of the tribal children in a state where hunger and deprivation was once identified with the life of the indigenous people.

The other awardees are Dr Iftikhar Khan, from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh; Mohammad Ayaz Raina, from Rajouri, (J&K); and Mohammad Mustafa Kamal, from Kargil, Ladakh.

The awardees were selected from 27 states, seven Union Territories and six institutions under the Central Government. The list comprises 26 men and 22 women. The award is presented annually to teachers who have made outstanding contributions to school education and brought positive changes to the lives of students.

Mohammad Zafar Alam

Mohammad Zafar Alam, Principal of Eklavya Model Residential School Karanjia in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha, has been honoured for his contribution to providing quality education to tribal children in remote area.

Mohammad Zafar Alam (In blue jacket) at the annual day function of school

The school, located at Banuria (Tato), operates under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. The residential and co-educational school was established in 2017-18 for Classes 6 to 12. It has around 410 students and an overall capacity of approximately 480.

Under Alam’s leadership, the institution seeks to prepare Scheduled Tribe students not only for school examinations but also for admission to higher and professional educational institutions and future employment opportunities.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools were established to address the shortage of quality educational opportunities in remote tribal areas. They have been developed broadly along the lines of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, with an emphasis on educational standards, residential facilities and competitive opportunities for tribal students.

The National Teachers Award to Alam therefore also draws attention to the important role of educators working in remote tribal regions, where access to quality education can have a transformative impact on the lives of young people.

Dr Iftikhar Khan

For 25 years, Dr Iftikhar Khan, an art teacher at Government Inter College, Ballia, has been providing free art education to poor and underprivileged children at his home.

The initiative began in 2000, when Dr Iftikhar recognised that talented children from economically weaker families in Ballia had limited opportunities to receive formal training in fine arts or prepare for entrance examinations to leading institutions.

Alongside his regular teaching responsibilities, he began conducting free classes at home every Sunday. His students have come not only from Ballia but also from Gorakhpur, Mau and neighbouring Bihar.

He also organises special painting workshops during the summer holidays, providing children with regular practice and individual guidance. His training goes beyond basic painting: he prepares students for admission to higher educational institutions in the field of fine arts.

Dr Iftikhar Khan with his students

More than 200 students have progressed to higher education and careers in fine arts under his guidance. Some are now working with leading companies in India, while others are promoting Indian art abroad.

One of them is Ballia’s Neeraj Singh, who developed an interest in painting after seeing an exhibition by Dr Iftikhar at the Dadri fair in 2007. When Neeraj expressed his desire to learn, Dr Iftikhar trained him without charging a fee.

Neeraj subsequently secured admission to the Faculty of Visual Arts at Banaras Hindu University on his first attempt and completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. He later obtained a diploma in Production Design from the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune, and went on to work as a production designer on several films.

According to Neeraj, Dr Iftikhar’s guidance changed the course of his life. Had he not encountered the teacher at the exhibition, he believes he might never have pursued fine arts.

Dr Iftikhar’s philosophy is simple: talent should not be limited by a person’s financial circumstances. What matters is recognising that talent and giving it the right direction.

His commitment to this principle is reflected in an unusual practice. When the parents of one of his students insisted on giving him guru dakshina, he declined money and instead asked them to plant a tree.

Since then, he has encouraged students who wish to offer him a gift to plant a tree in a public place and care for it until it grows. For him, a student’s contribution to society is the finest gift a teacher can receive.

Mohammad Ayaz Raina

Mohammad Ayaz Raina, a Botany lecturer at Government Higher Secondary School Dalhori in Rajouri district on the Line of control in J&K, has spent 13 years in the education sector, combining classroom teaching with student guidance, educational activities and innovative methods, including the use of technology.

His contribution is particularly significant given the geographical challenges of Rajouri, a border district where many schools are located in hilly and remote areas. Limited infrastructure, connectivity and transportation can make teaching more difficult, yet Raina has remained committed to improving educational opportunities for his students.

His efforts have previously earned him several honours. He received the National Information and Communication Technology Award in 2017 and the Best Teacher Award of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in 2021. He has also received the Global Teacher Award 2021 and the Global Best Educational Poster Award 2020.

Mohammad Ayaz Raina with his students

These recognitions reflect his interest in combining conventional teaching with educational technology and creative approaches.

Raina described the National Teachers Award as a collective achievement rather than a personal accomplishment. He credited his students, fellow teachers, educational institutions, family members and others who supported him throughout his journey.

He said a teacher’s success is never the result of individual effort alone, but also reflects the hard work of students, the cooperation of colleagues and the support of family.

Mohammad Mustafa Kamal

Mohammad Mustafa Kamal, a resident of Wakha village in Kargil district, Ladakh, has been recognised for his contribution to education in one of the country’s most challenging geographical regions.

Kamal is posted at Middle School Lanakrchy Thang Sankoo. He also serves as District President of the General Line Teachers Forum, Kargil Ladakh.

In this capacity, he has played a role in popularising the Model School initiative through the teachers’ organisation.

Mohammad Mustafa Kamal (Right) in his school

His commitment to students became particularly visible during the Covid-19 pandemic, when conventional classroom teaching was disrupted. Kamal continued to support students through video and radio classes.

He currently serves as the Nodal Officer for Class 9 and Class 10 Tele and Radio Classes in the School Education Department, Kargil, in addition to his teaching responsibilities.

His educational services have previously been recognised with the Asian Education Award in 2020. He was also among three teachers from Kargil district nominated by the District Selection Committee for the National Award in 2020.

The school’s approach extends beyond academics. Sports, skill development and the preservation of local arts and culture form part of its educational programme, with the aim of developing students’ creative, physical and practical abilities alongside their academic skills.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Aasha Khosa / September 06th, 2026

From Father’s Blows to BJP’s Top Muslim Face: The Remarkable Rise of Kunwar Basit Ali

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Kaastha Village (Meerut), UTTAR PRADESH :

New Delhi:

When Kunwar Basit Ali decided to join the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2011, he did not face resistance from political opponents alone. His own father beat him with shoes and a stick. Fifteen years later, Basit Ali stands as the National President of BJP’s Minority Morcha, the party’s most prominent Muslim face at the national level.

Basit Ali grew up in Kaastha Baddha, a small village in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. His father, Hamid Ali, was the village head and an active member of the Bahujan Samaj Party. When a local newspaper reported that Basit had formally joined the BJP, his father read the news and flew into a rage. He beat his son with his shoes. That was only the beginning.

During the 2012 Uttar Pradesh assembly election campaign, Basit Ali was taking part in a road show with BJP leader Jai Pal Singh in the Kithore constituency. Both were standing on the same campaign vehicle when Hamid Ali spotted his son campaigning in the market. He pulled Basit off the vehicle and beat him with a stick in full public view.

Basit Ali fled the scene. Later that day, he returned home and told his father plainly that he would not leave the BJP under any circumstances. After that conversation, Hamid Ali never raised the matter again. He also quietly distanced himself from the BSP.

The hostility did not come from family alone. Muslim community members questioned his choice at every step. Relatives stayed silent. Neighbours watched with cold disapproval. Opposition parties labelled him and others like him a political shield. Yet Basit Ali continued to work at the grassroots level, going door to door, holding community gatherings, and connecting with ordinary people.

His organisational record is detailed. He started as a district co-media in-charge, then became the district president of the Minority Morcha in 2012. He also served as regional coordinator of the Muslim Rashtriya Manch. In 2014, he organised a special prayer programme in Meerut asking the Muslim community to support Narendra Modi’s prime ministerial campaign, which brought him wider attention. On the first day of BJP’s membership drive that same year, he enrolled more than 2,500 Muslims in Meerut alone.

The Uttar Pradesh government later appointed him as a member of the State Urdu Academy. He promoted yoga in madrasas and worked to extend government welfare schemes to underserved Muslim communities. He was subsequently appointed state president of UP’s BJP Minority Morcha.

BJP National President Nitin Naveen has now elevated Basit Ali to the post of National President of the BJP Minority Morcha.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / August 27th, 2026

AMU Faculty of Medicine Mourns Demise of former Biochemistry faculty member – Dr Syed Wajid Ali Naqvi

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Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH :

Aligarh :

The Faculty of Medicine, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), condoled the demise of Dr. Syed Wajid Ali Naqvi, former faculty member of the Department of Biochemistry, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC), who passed away Sunday last.

Expressing a deep sense of grief at a condolence meeting of the staff and students of the Faculty of Medicine, the Dean, Prof. Mohammad Khalid conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Faculty members and students also prayed for eternal peace for the departed soul and strength and patience to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

A proud Aligarian, Dr. Naqvi had a close association with AMU spanning several decades. He joined the University as an undergraduate student in 1954 and obtained his B.Sc. in Biochemistry and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from AMU. He joined JNMC as a faculty member in 1965 and served until his retirement in 1996.

During his long association with the University, Dr. Naqvi held several academic and administrative responsibilities, including membership of the Academic Council, and served as Warden of Sir Syed Hall and Habib Hall, Acting Provost, Member of the Sports Council and President of the Gymnasium Club.

After his retirement from JNMC, he continued his academic association with medical education, serving on the faculty of ERA’s Lucknow Medical College & Hospital and Al Fateh Medical University, Tripoli, Libya.

The faculty members recalled Dr. Naqvi as a link between generations of Aligarians, having himself been an Aligarian and later becoming the father of four Aligarians. His long association with the University, both as a student and teacher, and his contributions to academic and residential life will be remembered with respect and affection.

source: http://www.amu.ac.in / Aligarh Muslim University / Home / by Public Relations Office / August 11th, 2026

AMU Professor Mohammad Mobin Receives Prestigious Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award

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Aligarh, UTTAR PRADESH / JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Aligarh :

Professor Mohammad Mobin, Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), has been conferred the prestigious Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award for 2025 by the Indian Chemical Society (ICS), recognising his contributions to research, development and innovation in Chemical Sciences and Engineering.

The honour marks a significant achievement in Professor Mobin’s academic career and reflects his sustained efforts towards advancing scientific research and translating innovation into meaningful technological and societal applications.

In a communication dated August 14, 2026, Prof. G. D. Yadav, President, Indian Chemical Society, conveyed the Society’s appreciation of Professor Mobin’s distinguished professional accomplishments, which have enhanced the stature of Chemical Sciences and Engineering and contributed to the advancement of Indian chemical and allied industries and society.

As part of the recognition, Professor Mobin has been invited to deliver the Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award Endowment Lecture at the 63rd Annual Convention of Chemists (ACC 2026) of the Indian Chemical Society from December 14–16 at Graphic Era University, Dehradun.

Professor Mobin is presently serving as Vice Chancellor of Cluster University of Srinagar on deputation from AMU. His academic and research contributions span Chemical Sciences and Engineering, with particular emphasis on Materials and Corrosion, research innovation and technological development.

The Indian Chemical Society, one of India’s leading professional bodies in chemical sciences, has played a vital role in promoting chemical research, technology and industry while fostering collaboration among academia, research institutions and industry.

The Professor B.P. Verma Memorial Award adds another distinguished recognition to Professor Mobin’s achievements and brings pride to AMU and the wider academic and scientific community.

source: http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in / India Education Diary / Home> Educational News> University News / by iednewsdesk / August 17th, 2026

Meet Dr. Azizuddin Khan: IIT Prof Recommended for J.C. Bose Fellowship

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Mahinpura (Bahraich District) UTTAR PRADESH / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

An Inspiring Journey of IIT Bombay Professor Dr. Azizuddin Khan from a Small Town in Bahraich to Global Recognition in Science and Research

In a landmark achievement for Indian Science and Research, Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan, eminent Psychologist, Neuroscientist and Psychophysiologist at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), has been recommended for the prestigious J.C. Bose Fellowship (ANRF J.C. Bose Grant).

The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) recommended the honour in recognition of Dr. Azizuddin Khan’s outstanding scientific research, innovation and contributions aimed at improving human well-being in August 2026. 

The J.C. Bose Fellowship is one of India’s prestigious recognitions for active senior scientists and engineers who have made outstanding contributions to science, engineering, medicine and related fields. The fellowship provides research support to enable distinguished scientists to continue advanced research and mentor the next generation of researchers.

From a Small Town to IIT

Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan hails from Mahinpurwa, a small town in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. After completing his early education at a local inter college, he chose psychology as his field of study despite family expectations.

He secured first position in his undergraduate studies at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) & subsequently completed his M.A. in Clinical Psychology. He later earned his Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from IIT Kanpur, which laid the foundation for his distinguished research career.

Distinguished Research at IIT Bombay

Prof. Khan has been associated with IIT Bombay for nearly two decades and currently serves as an India Value Chair Professor. He is among the leading researchers associated with the Psychophysiology Laboratory.

He is also associated with important research initiatives including the Sunita Sanghi Centre for Ageing & Neurodegenerative Diseases (SCAN), Koita Centre for Digital Health (KCDH) and the IIT Bombay-FedEx ALFA Centre.

He has played an important role in developing an advanced Psychophysiology Laboratory at IIT Bombay, where researchers use technologies such as EEG, Eye Tracking, Event-Related Potentials (ERP), Neurofeedback and other modern neuroscientific techniques to study the human brain, cognition and behaviour.

Diverse and Human-Centred Research

Prof. Khan’s research is closely connected with real-life human challenges. His major areas of research include:

  • Dyslexia and Reading Disorders
  • Autism and ADHD
  • Memory and Prospective Memory
  • Attention, cognition and brain processes
  • Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease
  • Psychological stress and depression
  • Brain activity during Urdu, Hindi and bilingual reading
  • Urdu script and its processing in the human brain
  • Artificial Intelligence and mental health
  • Human psychology under extreme environmental conditions

Through his multidisciplinary research, he has contributed significantly to the fields of psychology, psychophysiology and neuroscience. 

Technology-Based Research for Dyslexia

One of the most significant areas of Prof. Khan’s research is dyslexia. He has contributed to the development of ‘Brainu’, a screening application designed to facilitate the early identification of children who may have reading difficulties.

The application uses engaging, game-based activities to assess certain reading-related abilities and help identify children who may require further assessment or support.

He has also worked on innovative Haptic Belt/Bracelet technology, which uses specific vibrations to help children recognise and experience the correct sounds associated with letters and words.

Such technology has the potential to support children learning Urdu, Hindi, Marathi, Arabic and English, particularly those experiencing difficulties in reading and phonological processing.

Pioneering Research on the Urdu Script

Another distinctive area of Prof. Khan’s research is the neural processing of the Urdu script. His research examines how the human brain processes Urdu text written from right to left while simultaneously dealing with numbers written from left to right.

Using Eye Tracking and EEG technologies, he has investigated the cognitive and neural processes involved in Urdu and bilingual reading. His work has contributed to the scientific understanding of how multilingual readers process different writing systems. 

Research in Antarctica

Prof. Khan has also participated in India’s Antarctic research programme, where he studied human psychology under extremely cold and isolated environmental conditions.

His research examined aspects such as memory, mental health, emotional well-being and behavioural changes among people living and working in extreme environments. He has also undertaken research related to self-awareness in penguins, attracting attention within the scientific community.

Representing India on the Global Research Platform

Prof. Khan has represented India at numerous international academic and scientific forums. He has presented his research in countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, Australia, Finland, Spain, Italy, South Korea, Turkey, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and several other countries.

His academic contribution includes more than 200 research publications, several international book chapters, patents and research projects. He has also guided numerous Ph.D. scholars, many of whom are today working as professors and researchers at leading IITs, NITs and universities in India and abroad.

An Inspiring Message for Young Students

According to Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan, success depends not merely on intelligence but on hard work, curiosity, perseverance, patience and a continuous desire to learn. 

His own journey demonstrates that a student from a small town can achieve global recognition through education, determination and sustained research.

A Matter of Pride for the Nation

The recommendation of Prof. Dr. Azizuddin Khan for the J.C. Bose Fellowship is not only a personal achievement but also a matter of pride for the Indian scientific community, IIT Bombay, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and the residents of Bahraich.

His continuing work in psychology, neuroscience, education, mental health and artificial intelligence is expected to open new avenues of research and contribute to improving the lives of children, students and society at large.

[The writer, Akhlaq Shaikh, is a Career Counsellor, Mumbai. He alsow writes for Urdu Daily Inquilab.]

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Education & Career / by Akhlaque (Akhlaq) Shaikh / August 18th, 2026