Karimi Library Mumbai Restores Rare Urdu and Persian Translations of Hindu Scriptures

Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Uniquely Indian - Inter Faith (wef. February 08th, 2023), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Mumbai:

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

Al Muzain chief Bajpe Zakria meets, congratulates new Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia

Business & Economy, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , ,

KARNATAKA / Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA :

Riyadh:

Bajpe Zakria, founder of the prestigious Al Muzain company, along with his son Zahid Zakria, Managing Director of Dune & Tides, met and congratulated Vipul Kumar, IFS, who recently assumed charge as India’s new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

During the meeting at the Embassy of India in Riyadh on Tuesday (August 25), Bajpe Zakria presented a bouquet to Ambassador Vipul Kumar and held detailed discussions on strengthening India-Saudi Arabia economic relations, with a focus on trade, investment, education, industry and other areas of mutual interest.

Bajpe Zakria said that the discussions provided a positive platform to further strengthen the long-standing partnership between India and Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Vipul Kumar had previously served as India’s Ambassador to the UAE and Qatar, where he also maintained a cordial relationship with Bajpe Zakria.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / August 26th, 2026

Lucknow Author Sumbul Siddiqui Earns Book of World Records Entry for Her Book on Adopted Children’s Rights

Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Women/Girls(since May26-2021)

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

Lucknow:

A 28-year-old Muslim author from Lucknow has earned a place in the Book of World Records for her book advocating equal rights for adopted children. Sumbul Siddiqui received her official certificate on August 8 for her book “Echoes of Resilience,” a work she began writing nearly a decade ago.

The book carries a clear social message: when a family adopts a child, that child deserves the same love, care, and equal rights as a biological child. Sumbul draws on her own life to make this case. At the age of 23, she discovered that she was herself an adopted child. By that time, both her parents had already passed away.

She says the love and belonging her parents gave her throughout her life became the foundation of her writing. She wanted to put that experience into words and share it with the world. Her parents never treated her differently, and she believes every adopted child deserves the same treatment.

Sumbul has authored two books so far. “Echoes of Resilience” took her roughly ten years to complete. She works independently in Lucknow and received her entire education in the city. Despite facing considerable personal challenges over the years, she did not step back from her goals.

She grew up with a childhood dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant. Alongside that, she always had a deep interest in reading and writing. That passion eventually led her to write her first book, though she never anticipated the recognition it would bring her.

Through her achievement, Sumbul wants to send a clear message to society. She urges families who adopt children to treat them without any discrimination and to give them the same rights and affection they give their biological children. For her, adoption is not simply about giving a child a home. It is about giving that child a complete sense of belonging.

At 28, Sumbul’s recognition in the Book of World Records marks a milestone she takes pride in, one that validates ten years of dedicated work and personal courage.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Latest News> Pride of the Nation> Markers of Excellence> Report / by Radiance News Bureau / August 29th, 2026

HWF Launches ‘LEAD 100’ to Nurture Ethical and Socially Responsible Leaders for India’s Future

Uncategorized,

NEW DELHI :

New Delhi :

The Human Welfare Foundation (HWF) has launched LEAD 100 — Leadership Excellence for Advancement and Development, a flagship national initiative aimed at identifying and nurturing exceptionally talented students from underprivileged Muslim and backward communities and preparing them for leadership roles in various sectors.

The programme was officially launched here in the national capital by Siraj Hussain (Retd. IAS), Chairman, Human Welfare Foundation; Syed Sadatullah Husaini, Former Trustee, HWF; T. Arifali, Chairman, Vision 2026; Mohd. Jafar, Vice Chairman, HWF; M. Sajid, General Secretary, HWF; Dr. SQR Ilyas, Dr. Hasan Raza and Mujtaba Farooq, Trustees of HWF; and P. K. Noufal, CEO, HWF.

Under the ambitious initiative, HWF plans to identify 100 exceptionally talented students over the first five years, selecting 20 students every year. The programme is designed to provide sustained educational and developmental support to the selected students, beginning after Class X and continuing through higher secondary, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral education, at least up to the PhD level and, where feasible, beyond.

As part of the programme, selected students will undergo residential education in Delhi during Classes XI and XII. They will receive comprehensive academic support, financial assistance, personalised mentoring and career guidance, along with exposure to premier educational institutions and opportunities.

The initiative, however, goes beyond conventional academic scholarships. LEAD 100 seeks to develop students as future leaders by placing emphasis on critical thinking, communication skills, character development, ethical values and social responsibility.

The selection process will consist of a three-tier system comprising an admission test, an interview and a two-day residential camp. According to the programme’s objectives, the process has been designed to assess not only academic ability but also leadership potential, aptitude, character, commitment and the capacity to make a meaningful contribution to society.

The selected students will be prepared for leadership opportunities in six key areas — Public Policy, Law, Corporate Management, Social Enterprise, Technology and Civil Services. Through sustained mentoring, capacity building and exposure to intellectual and professional opportunities, the programme aims to help participants develop the skills and confidence required to excel in their chosen fields.

The initiative is based on the idea that identifying talent at an early stage and providing continuous support can help overcome financial and social barriers that often prevent talented students from reaching their full potential. Rather than limiting support to a particular stage of education, LEAD 100 proposes to accompany students throughout their academic journey and into their professional careers.

The HWF said the programme envisions creating a generation of ethical, competent, confident and socially committed leaders who can contribute meaningfully to India and respond to emerging social and national challenges.

The long-term objective of LEAD 100 is to establish a strong national talent pipeline by combining educational opportunity with leadership development. The initiative seeks to produce professionals who can combine excellence with integrity, leadership with social responsibility, and ambition with a commitment to the larger public good.

With its focus on sustained mentoring and leadership preparation, LEAD 100 represents an effort to move beyond short-term educational assistance towards a long-term model of talent development and nation-building.

source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> News> Society / by India Tomorrow / August 31st, 2026

Simab Khan’s rise from a notorious slum to becoming a civil servant

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :

Mohammad Simab Khan, IAS, District Youth Officer, Dubhri, Assam

Muhammad Simab Khan, who grew up amid the slums and congested lanes of Mumbai’s Govandi where crime and drug usage are common among the youth, overcame formidable hardships to clear the gruelling UPSC examination. Today, posted as a District Youth Officer in Assam’s Dhubri district, he hopes his journey will inspire young people from his community.

Speaking to Awaz-The Voice, Simab said he comes from a modest family. His father was a carpenter and his mother is a homemaker. Despite financial constraints, his parents ensured that their children received a good education. Simab studied at New Model English High School in Chembur before graduating in Microbiology and Biochemistry from K. J. Somaiya College.

According to Simab, a lack of awareness and proper guidance often discourages Muslim youth from appearing for the UPSC examination. After graduation, he could have taken .

Simab Khan during a conference in New Delhi

When he began preparing for the UPSC, Simab did not have a peer group of fellow aspirants around him. He enrolled in a foundation course at Pursue IAS in Dadar and then began his serious preparation.

The journey was far from easy. “This exam is not just a test of your knowledge, it’s also of your character, mental strength, and faith,” he said.

Over six to eight years of preparation, Simab experienced repeated setbacks and moments of anxiety. On one occasion, he missed success by just 0.66 marks.

Seven years ago, during the early years of his struggle, he lost his father, the strongest pillar of support in his life. The loss made him consider giving up his UPSC preparation, but his self-belief helped him regain his resolve.

Simab continued to revise his strategy, which he considers essential for adapting to the demands of the examination. He cleared the preliminary examination on his third attempt and subsequently joined residential coaching at Mumbai’s Haj House, which he credits with significantly helping him prepare for the Mains.

For his fifth attempt, he moved to Delhi for a few months to prepare for the Mains and personal interview.

Simab Khan receiving an honour

While EdTech platforms have made UPSC preparation more accessible, Simab points out that resources such as test series can still be expensive. He was fortunate to receive access to free test series at the Haj House. He also acknowledges the contribution of organisations such as the Zakat Foundation in supporting promising students.

Simab is encouraged by the growing number of residential coaching institutes opening across the country and providing free education to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

He urges Muslim youth to view competitive examinations not merely as a route to a government job, but as an opportunity to participate in the country’s decision-making process. When he qualified the UPSC civil services in 2023, after training her was appointed a District Youth Officer under the Ministry of Youth Affairs in 2025.

His family and neighbourhood back home, celebrated each moment of his success by distributing sweets.

Moving from Govandi to Assam’s Dhubri district was an entirely new experience for Simab. However, he sees it as one of the great rewards of public service, giving him an opportunity to understand India’s diversity at close quarters.

He says the youth of Dhubri are highly talented and believes the government’s ‘Mera Yuva Bharat’ (MY Bharat) initiative can provide them with a larger platform to realise their potential.

For young aspirants who are considering giving up their dreams because of a lack of resources, Simab has a message:“I know that the challenges standing before you might seem very big right now, and you might feel completely helpless. But do not lose courage, because the night is darkest just before the dawn. If you keep walking with resilience, success will definitely find its way to you.”

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Muhammad Uwais Siddiqui, Mumbai / August 30th, 2026

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

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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

All India Unani Tibbi Congress Tamil Nadu Reorganised, Dr. Raziuddin Ahmed Elected State President

Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

TAMILNADU :

Chennai:

The All India Unani Tibbi Congress (AIUTC) Tamil Nadu has announced its reorganisation with the aim of making the organisation more active. Professor Mushtaq Ahmed expressed happiness while approving all the elected office-bearers of the AIUTC Tamil Nadu, and hoped that the current team would carry out its duties well, keeping in view the aims and objectives of the Tibbi Congress.

It may be noted that, apart from Dr. Raziuddin Ahmed as State President and Dr. S.K.L. Hamiduddin as General Secretary of the AIUTC Tamil Nadu, Dr. Rafiuddin was elected Vice President, Hakim Nasiruddin Ahmed as Provincial Convener, and Dr. Imtiaz Basha as Secretary.

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

Highland Islamic Forum elects Rizwan Pandeshwar as new president

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

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA :

Rizwan Pandeshwar

Mangaluru:

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Highland Islamic Forum (HIF) was held at the organisation’s head office in Mangaluru, marking the completion of Adil Parvez’s three-year term as president and the election of a new leadership team.

Members actively participated in the AGM, with voting held as part of the leadership election process.

Janab Mohammed Kunhi attended the programme as the guest speaker. Br. Shuhaib, former president of the HIF Qatar Wing, was also present.

During the meeting, members appreciated Adil Parvez for his leadership and contributions to the organisation during his three-year tenure.

Following the voting, Rizwan Pandeshwar was elected as the new president of the Highland Islamic Forum, while Bilal Raif was selected as secretary.

Members expressed confidence in the new leadership and wished them a successful tenure.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of unity, cooperation and collective responsibility in strengthening the organisation and continuing its community-oriented activities.

The AGM concluded with members pledging their support to the new leadership and expressing their commitment to taking the Highland Islamic Forum forward with renewed energy and dedication.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / August 24th, 2026

Prestige International School & Pre-University College receives Karnataka Educational Award

Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project), , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mangaluru, KARNATAKA :

Mangaluru:

Prestige International School & Pre-University College, Mangaluru, has been honoured with the Best Innovative and Creative Institution of the Year award at the Karnataka Educational Awards 2026.

The award recognises the institution’s efforts in promoting innovation, creativity and excellence in education.

The institution described the recognition as a proud milestone in its journey of providing quality education and shaping the future of students.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / August 25th, 2026

Hubballi students win two State-level Verbattle titles

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

Hubballi, KARNATAKA :

Students of Sanskaar International School have, in all, secured three positions at the State-level debate and public speaking competition.

Students of Sanskaar International School, Hubballi, who have secured three titles at Verbattle Karnataka 2026, a State-level debate and public speaking competition for school students. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Students of Sanskaar International School, Hubballi, have secured three titles at Verbattle Karnataka 2026, a State-level debate and public speaking competition for school students.

In an event which saw participation from across Karnataka, including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, two teams from Sanskaar secured the first position, while another team finished as second runner-up, a release from the school said.

The winners received trophies and cash prizes.

In the Beginner Debate category for Classes 3 to 6, Class 6 students Anay Abhijit Joshi and Rukhaiya Khuram Khatib won the first position.

In the Beginner Speech category, Class 4 student Nivaan Nagaraj Naik secured the first position and in the Kannada Junior Debate category for Classes 7 to 10, Class 9 students Sakshi Shashikant Grampurohit and Vinuta Vijanagouda Patil secured the second runner-up position.

In all, 33 students from Sanskaar were selected at the preliminary rounds in Hubballi and those who qualified progressed to the State-level competition in Bengaluru where they competed with students from across the State.

The winning students were welcomed by the school band and felicitated by founder-chairman of the school Mahendra Singhi and faculty members.

All the students who participated in the competition and those who advanced to the Bengaluru rounds were honoured.

“These achievements demonstrate the confidence of our students to express their ideas, defend their views with reason and, equally importantly, respect a different point of view. We are proud that our students have represented Hubballi and North Karnataka on such a competitive State-level platform,” Mr. Singhi said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by The Hindu Bureau / August 25th, 2026