In a significant achievement, Professor (Dr.) Muhammad Mumtaz Ali, hailing from Hyderabad, India, has been honored with Malaysia’s National Book Award for the third time. Currently teaching at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) in Kuala Lumpur, Prof. Ali was recognized for his outstanding contribution through his latest work, “Islamic Research: Theory, Methodology, and Thesis Writing,” published in 2022.
pix: amazon.in
The prestigious National Book Award 2023 and Certificate for the year 2023 were presented to Prof. Ali in a grand ceremony held on December 22, 2023. The certificate carries the signatures of Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Minister Dato Seri Zambry Abdul Qadir.
Born in Hyderabad in 1955, Prof. Ali holds a doctorate in philosophy in Islamic studies from Aligarh Muslim University. He began his academic journey by completing his master’s degree in Islamic studies at Aligarh Muslim University and a bachelor’s degree in modern western political thought from Osmania University.
Joining IIUM in 1987 as an assistant professor, Prof. Ali has been a dedicated member of the university ever since. Currently, he leads the Abdulhamid Abusulayman Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences in the Department of Usul al-Din and Comparative Religion.
His award-winning book, “Islamic Research: Theory, Methodology, and Thesis Writing,” advocates for the transcendence of Islamic research beyond religious topics, emphasizing its relevance to all aspects of life and society. The book distinguishes Islamic research from conventional methods, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive theory and methodology.
Prof. Ali’s contributions extend to various branches of Islamic theology, including developmental studies, modernization, epistemological and methodological studies, critical thinking, philosophy of science, and modernity. His books, especially those on the Islamization of Knowledge, are widely regarded as bestsellers on campus.
In 2014, Prof. Ali received the National Book Award for his book, ‘Issues in Islamization of Human Knowledge: Civilization Building Discourse of Contemporary Muslim Thinkers.’ His consistent recognition reflects his commitment to advancing Islamic research and knowledge.
source: http://www.islamicvoice.com / Islamic Voice / Home> National News and Affairs / pix of book added – amazon.in / by Islamic Voice / February 24th, 2024.
Professor Dr. Zeenat Kausar breathed her last at 12:10 am on March 16, returning to her Creator. She had served for a long time at the International Islamic University Malaysia. Her death is not only a loss for academic circles but also a great loss for the entire Muslim Ummah.
Dr. Zeenat Kausar taught at the International Islamic University Malaysia, in the Department of Political Science from 1990 to 2006 and later taught at Qatar University, in the Department of International Affairs from 2007-2009.
A leading figure in faith-based women’s intellectual struggle, Dr. Zeenat Kausar completed her Master’s degree in 1986 and her PhD in 1991 from Aligarh Muslim University. At international conferences, she frequently spoke as a keynote speaker, presenting Islam and its perspectives on women in a highly effective and engaging manner, leaving a strong impression even on people of other faiths. Her book, Islamic Feminism: A Critique (Islam Vs Feminism: Emancipation, Liberation and the Development of Women) is widely known.
She had deep interest and expertise in various academic fields, including Islamic and Western political thought, feminism and its Islamic critique, modernity, development studies, and globalisation.
Professor Zeenat Kausar used to contribute her thought-provoking articles to Radiance Viewsweekly, especially when the magazine requested her to write articles for its Special issues.
Her recently completed book is about Dr. Wan Azizah, the wife of Malaysia’s Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. She had also requested Dato Iqbal to arrange a meeting with the Prime Minister’s wife. In this book, Dr. Wan Azizah’s personality is portrayed in detail – as a homemaker, a mother, a party leader, a political activist who helped realise the dreams of her imprisoned husband (when Anwar Ibrahim was Deputy Prime Minister), and a woman of struggle. Sadly, she passed away before her wish to meet Dr. Wan Azizah could be fulfilled.
Professor Dr. Tamim Usama mentioned that Dr. Zeenat was writing a detailed article on “Women’s Empowerment in Islam.”
The distinguished scholar’s husband, Professor Muhammad Mumtaz Ali, is himself a prominent scholar associated with the Department of Revealed Knowledge at the International Islamic University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. When her body was placed in the room and colleagues stood around her, Professor Dr. Mumtaz Ali, spoke emotionally. He said: “It had not even been a month since our marriage. We were standing at a railway station. I had to leave for a training camp organised by the Jamaat. I told my wife, Dr. Zeenat: From this station, two trains are departing in different directions. One goes towards our home, and the other is the one I must take for social and missionary work. You may board whichever train you prefer.”
“Without a moment’s hesitation, she said: I will travel with you on the train that is going for the work of faith and Dawah.”
He further added: “From that day on, throughout our 46 years of married life, she remained my support and strength. Her thoughts and writings were a source of awakening for society. She was a practical example of the freedom that Islam envisions for women. She always had a thirst for knowledge, read extensively, and expressed her ideas in very simple language. As a wife, as the mother of my children, and as a thinker beneficial to society, she lived a meaningful life. I request all of you to pray for her success in the Hereafter.”
Thus, Dr. Mumtaz Ali concluded his brief yet deeply moving words about his wife, Professor Dr. Zeenat Kausar.
May Almighty Allah accept her good deeds and grant her the highest place in Jannat al-Firdaus. Aameen.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Obiturary / by Radiance News Bureau / March 17th, 2026
Yunus Sayyad receiving the award for his book ‘Inuchi Goshta
The conferring of the prestigious ‘Lakshmibai Tilak Award’ by the Maharashtra Government on ‘Inuchi Goshta‘ (The Story of Inu) is a tribute to its author, Yunus Sayyad, for his resilience in fighting a slew of diseases, including cancer, and sharing his experience with public through the book.
Yunus Sayyad was pursuing his Master’s degree at Fergusson College when he was diagnosed with blood cancer.
For the next year, he underwent treatment at Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Hospital. During that time, he had to battle 13 different diseases. Twice, his health deteriorated to the point of hopelessness. Friends who saw him in the ICU thought it would be their last meeting.
However, today, Yunus has dodged death and become a ray of hope for thousands of patients. His book ‘Inuchi Goshta‘ (The Story of Inu) is the story of his struggle with diseases.
Yunus Sayyad receiving the award
A visibly happy Yunus Sayyad told Awaz-the Voice, “When the award was announced, I was doing cancer awareness work in the Konkan region—in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, and Raigad. At one place, I was conducting a session for medical officers and primary health centre staff on palliative care centres on the care of cancer patients. Coincidentally, I was in a village very close to Lakshmibai Tilak’s village, and the award is also in her name. It was a great coincidence that I was doing cancer awareness work, which is the exact subject of my book.”
Yunus faced many difficulties while undergoing cancer treatment. Common patients have no information about things, such as the cost of treatment, proper diet, precautions during chemotherapy, and scientific methods of drinking water. Often, many things can be learned only through experience.
Yunus says, “I found solutions myself to all the problems I faced. With the thought that my journey and experiences should benefit other patients, I started writing a diary.” This diary was later transformed into a book. Since Yunus’s nickname is ‘Inu’, the book was named ‘Inuchi Goshta‘, and its tagline was kept as ‘Ajun Mi Jivant Ahe‘ (I am still alive).
Yunus’s mother had never seen the world outside her village till her son was diagnosed with cancer. For Yunus’s treatment, she rented a room in a slum area in Mumbai and lived there.
Yunus says, “My mother’s struggle was bigger than mine. She endured the heat of Mumbai, the environment there, and the constant physical strain caused by my illness for a year.”
Yunus Sayyad with his family
While bedridden and undergoing treatment for cancer, Yunus diligently wrote down memories from his childhood in a diary.
The book ‘Inuchi Goshta‘ is not just confined to cancer patients. Reading the story of a young man who fought and survived 13 diseases in a year is inspiring many ordinary people as well. The Maharashtra State Board of Literature and Culture selected this book from among 80 books.
Receiving a state award for an autobiography in the adult literature category at the age of just 26 makes Yunus the youngest literary awardee this year. He achieved this success purely on the strength of his experience, without previous inclination to writing.
Yunus said, “My book was published at the end of 2024. After publication, it received the ‘Navlekhak‘ (New Author) award from the Pune Book Festival. After that, the book was read by many cancer patients. Most importantly, on Cancer Day last year, I was invited as a guest to Tata Memorial Hospital, the very hospital where I was treated, and an informal launch of the book took place there too.”
Yunus also founded an NGO named ‘Aarambh‘. He says, “It’s wrong to think that our life is over after cancer. Modern medical science has good options like immunotherapy and targeted therapy.”
He also made a video on the treatment process at the Tata Hospital, which was watched by thousands of people. Many of them contacted him, and he helped 2500 patients get admitted into hospitals for treatment.
Today, he says, more than 85 per cent of them are living normal lives.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Bhatki Chalak, Pune / March 10th, 2026
Bhatkal (Uttara Kannada District / Karavali , KARNATAKA :
The Editor of Naqsh-e-Nawayath, Mohammed Abdul Aleem Qasmi
The association of Bhatkal with the Arab world goes back to over a thousand years and this coastal town in Uttara Kannada takes immense pride in it. From clothes, perfumes to streets named after Arab cities, the Arab influence is visible. But one of the most enriching experiences of this tradition is the language of Nawayathi, which is a mix of Persian, Urdu, Arabic, Marathi and Konkani. The language is almost exclusive to Bhatkal, with only a few villages outside the town speaking this language. In the sixth of the nine-part series, Amit Kumar talks about the origins, history and legacy of Nawayathi and how it seeks to survive in the modern age.
“No matter where we go, we can identify our people. All it takes is a few words of Nawayathi,” says Maulavi Abdul Aleem Qasmi, the owner and editor of Naqsh-e-Nawayath, the only Nawayathi newspaper published in India. The 73-year-old resident of Bhatkal has been running the newspaper, published fortnightly, for the past 41 years, first as the owner and then as the editor after the demise of its founding editor Syed Abdul Rahim Irshad in 1996, after which the newspaper shifted from Mumbai to Bhatkal. Now run from an old building in Dubai market in Bhatkal, the fortnightly newspaper remains an important face of the language and the efforts to safeguard it. In fact, it is with a glint in his eye that Qasmi points out that even after all these changes, the newspaper, which has 16 pages, still sells about 3,000 copies per issue. About 80% of the copies are sent via post to its readers while the remaining are bought in the city. “The numbers have remained consistent and that makes me happy. The entire paper is proofread and published by two people,” he adds.
Bhatkalis offer a number of perspectives to now Nawayathi came into being. According to Qasmi, it is an amalgamation of nine languages (naw/nav=nine, ayath=language), although he is unable to suggest all the nine languages from which the language originated. In its current form, the language is closest to Konkani. Qasmi says that when the Arab traders came to India, a number of them settled here in Bhatkal due to its favourable climate and location. The descendants of these Arabs would later be identified as Nawayath.
The office of Naqsh-e-Nawayath, the only Nawyathi newspaper of India
While the language itself owed its roots to a number of languages, from the very beginning it used the Persian script. His newspaper, which once focussed on the most important news from the region, made the shift to more feature-based items over the past decade. “With the advent of the internet and the emergence of local websites and news channels, there was little for us in the form of news. So we now focus on Islamic teaching, columns from our readers and obituaries and marriages. In fact, now the obituaries and marriages sections are the main USP of our newspaper,” he adds.
Persian, Nawayathi and Urdu: How written documents evolved in Bhatkal
According to Maulana Abdul Aziz Kaziya, an expert on Nawayathi and a member of Nawayath Mehfil, an organisation which is working to restore the glory of the language, Nawayathi was not initially used in a written form. “Up to the 17th century, almost all our records and written material remained in Persian even though Nawayathi was the spoken language. It was only around the end of 17th century that the language began to be used in written form too in the Persian script. I have seen documents, contracts and official letters written from that period in Nawayathi,” he says. But with the 20th century, a new challenge faced the Bhatkalis. “When the Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen was established in 1919, they were faced with a decision,” says Kaziya. “They wanted to create an education system that would help students equip themselves with the modern world while retaining the core Islamic principles. So, they chose Urdu over Nawayathi and since then Urdu has become the de facto language of education here,” he adds. While it proved to be a positive for students, it nevertheless relegated Nawayathi to the status of a “home” language, Kaziya adds. “Even today, almost all families speak Nawayathi at home and amongst each other. But it was never, and is unlikely, to be taught in schools,” he says.
Mohammed Zubair Jukaku, who has written the first Nawayathi book on Grammar and a dictionary.
Scholars, poems and the future of the language
Aikage Sayyano-Khalabe Ismail (18th century): Nawayathi Dua
The original song has 143 verses. Here are the first ten.
Aikage Sayyano, mege sangta Allahche Pashi, Taufiq Mangta… Toge naito amige kiwro, Tekage waknuk napawe Iwro Toge postolo amchoge dhani Teka nai zodo upawanit koni Manat mokhat aslale to Zane Techege mazuk na-hale pane Izanak suzanak techege niamato Inwa gawrwa techege sifato Inauche gaurauche tekachge sazawar Techege athwen inauta janawar Mohammed nabiyacho karage wakan Allahge rakhnit tumchige Iman Gosacho mogyo amchege wari Yeko zan nahi techege pari Taikage fetaules amcher rabban Aplege kudrat ko karuk bayan Jibreel yawn teikage Sangile, Qur’an ghewn teicharge diwile
Translation: Listen, friends (female) I am going to tell you; I am going to pray to Allah for prosperity He is the master, we are the slaves; Words are not sufficient to praise him. He looks after us, he is our Lord; None is born equal to him. Whatever is in the mind and mouth (lips) he knows; Without his knowledge, the leaf does not move. His bounties are bestowed upon the small as well as the great; His attributes are to be found in both the rich and the poor. He is the only one fit to be praised and respected; His praises are sung by animals. Sing the praises of Prophet Muhammad; Allah will safeguard your faith. The Friend of God is unto us; There is no one like him. God sent him unto us; In order to reveal to us his Power. Gabriel came and revealed to him; He gave the Qur’an to him.
(From The Nawayaths of Kanara: Victor D’Souza, 1955)
These lines are still taught to many children in Bhatkal as a dua (prayer). Nawayathi has been blessed with a number of eminent authors: Sairul Nisa, Maulud Nanna, Garvo Vakhan and Kaile Bayan among others, but you would struggle to find their books in Bhatkal today. The former editor of Naqsh-e-Nawayath, Syed Abdul Rahim Irshad is regarded by many as the most prominent author/contributor Nawayathi, and his book Faal-e-Sakhan is regarded as the first attempt to go beyond Islamic teachings/writings in Nawayathi and delve into the realm of imagination and poetry. However, you would be hard pressed to find a copy of even this book in Bhatkal.
A manuscript of Nawayathi text preserved in the Nawayath Mehfil’s office.
While the language flourishes in the spoken form, it is clear that the same cannot be said of its written form and the literary works. According to Qasmi, the preference for Urdu and Arabic over Nawayathi has in some ways, negatively impacted the local language. “I doubt if the present generation has read much in Nawayathi since the local schools and madrasas give preference to Urdu, English and Kannada,” he adds.
In light of the decline in the status of Nawayathi, a committee called Nawayath Mehfil was formed about 12 years ago. Mohammed Zubair Jakaku, joint secretary of the Mehfil, has written four books in Nawayathi, including the language’s first-ever dictionary and a grammar book, says that there is an attempt to revitalise books written in Nawayathi, and that they are republishing old authors to ensure that these treasures are not lost forever.
A bunch of new books published in the Nawayathi language
The committee is working on reviving old Nawayathi texts along with working on a translation of Quran to Nawayathi. “We have Quran in 55 languages in our museum and I believe that a copy of the Nawayathi Quran will be a welcome addition to the same. This language is distinctly unique and a matter of pride for us. I hope we do justice to it,” says Qasmi. For now, the language looks safe in the hands of Bhatkalis and in a city that has been given undue attention for all the wrong reasons, it acts as a glue that keeps the society together.
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles / Home>News / by TCN staff / January 24th, 2017
An overflowing audience of the young and the very old at the Press club of India, New Delhi, on Tuesday witnessed the release of a book on Umar Khalid, a JNU scholar now in jail these last six years.
The book titled Umar Khalid and His World: An Anthology, published by Three Essays Collective, is edited by Anirban Bhattacharya, Banojyotsna Lahiri, and Shuddhabrata Sengupta.
It is an anthology of writings by and about the incarcerated activist, featuring contributions from various public figures, intellectuals, and friends. The anthology is curated by researcher/activist Anirban Bhattacharya, writer and activist Banojyotsna Lahiri (who is also Umar Khalid’s partner), and artist/writer Shuddhabrata Sengupta.
The book features letters, essays, and reflections, including writings from Umar Khalid himself, along with contributions from Romila Thapar, Ramachandra Guha, Anand Teltumbde, and Kunal Kamra. It highlights themes of resistance, the injustice of prolonged detention, and the political atmosphere in India.
source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Review Article> Book Release> Focus / by Radiance News Bureau / February 17th, 2026
Major Maroof Raza (retd), a respected voice in India’s strategic circles, passed away today, February 27, following a prolonged battle with cancer.
Major Raza, 67, who breathed his last in Gurugram, was an Army officer with ground experience in tackling counter insurgency in the north-east. After leaving the Army, he blossomed as a military historian, a respected strategic affairs commentator and authored several books on Pakistan and China.
Known for his analytical mind he connected the gap between military doctrine and public understanding of military jargon. His work was a ‘bridge’ between academia and the rugged realities of the battlefield. “Maroof had great confidence and oratory skills, the transition towards being a strategic commentator was natural for him,” says Maj Gen Jagatbir Singh (retd), a long-standing friend of Major Raza.
Born into a military family — his father was Brigadier MM Raza from the Grenadiers regiment. Schooled at Mayo College, Ajmer, Major Raza graduated in history honors from the St Stephen’s College, New Delhi.
He joined the Army and was commissioned into the 6th battalion of the Grenadiers regiment and later the battalion was converted into 14 Mechanized Infantry. In his early days, he had extensive involvement in counter-insurgency (CI) operations, in the north -east. He later served as instructor at the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun, from where had passed out in December 1980.
Major Raza resigned from his commission to pursue a career in strategic studies and media and did his Master’s in War Studies from King’s College, London, and did an MPhil in International Relations from Cambridge University.
Around the same time 24×7 news channels were holding daily shows in the evening and Raza became a household name providing the “soldier’s perspective” on national security issues. His ability to explain the nuances of the Line of Control (LoC) with Pakistan or the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China was his forte.
His major published books include: Low Intensity Conflicts (1995); Wars and No Peace Over Kashmir (1996); Kashmir’s Untold Story: Declassified (2019); Contested Lands: India, China and the Boundary Dispute (2021).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Maroof Raza made a rich contribution to the world of journalism. He enriched public discourse with his nuanced understanding of defense, national security as well as strategic affairs. Pained by his passing.
source: http://www.theindianpanorama.news / The Indian Panorama / Home> United Nations / February 27th, 2026
The half-baked propaganda of communal forces against the Tiger of Mysore is trying to divide communities
THE Tiger of Mysore (Sher-e-Mysore) Tipu Sultan often finds space in sections of the media, especially in Karnataka. There have been occasions of State-sponsored celebrations of his birth anniversary and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regularly creates obstacles to these celebrations, resulting in unnecessary ruckus. This time around, Tipu Sultan is in the news from Malegaon in Maharashtra.
The newly elected deputy mayor of Malegaon Shan-e-Hind Nihal Ahmad, put up the portrait of Tipu Sultan in her office, upsetting the Shinde group’s Shiv Sainiks and the BJP. These forces got the portrait removed with the intervention of the authorities. Some protests were also held.
Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Harshvardhan Sapkal got incensed and defended Tipu Sultan, claiming that the contribution of Tipu Sultan to Mysore is equivalent to that of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in Maharashtra.
But, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis did not like the idea of comparing Tipu Sultan and Shivaji Maharaj, as it was an insult to the latter. Following this absurd comment, the Congress office was pelted with stones by BJP workers and nearly seven people were injured in the ensuing mayhem.
The objection of the BJP to the statement from the Congress leader is that Tipu was a “mass murderer of Hindus” and he tried to convert Hindus to Islam. There are many other charges put against Tipu by Hindutva elements. Most of these try to project Tipu as anti-Hindu and a cruel king. This is far from the truth.
Lots of these myths are part of the communal narrative, accentuated by the British narratives, which are harsher against Tipu in particular. This is because he was one of the few rulers who fought against the British. Tipu had asked Nizam and the Peshwas to oppose the armies of the East India Company. He foresaw the dangers of British power entrenching in India.
Tipu’s administration was a mixed one, with many top officers being Hindus. Purnaiah served him as the Mir Miran (head of a department) and was crucial to his administration. Krishna Rao was his treasurer. Shamaiya Iyengar held a high-ranking ministerial position and Narsimha Iyengar held a position in the postal department. Tipu Sultan reportedly provided grants to the Sringeri Shankaracharya, including for the rebuilding of the temple and the installation of the Hindu goddess Sharada. He granted land and endowments to various temples throughout his kingdom. During his reign, the 10-day Dussehra celebrations were an integral part of the social life of Mysore.
In 1791, Maratha forces led by Raghunath Rao Patwardhan attacked and plundered the historic Sringeri Sharada Peetham, causing the Shankaracharya to flee. Upon learning of this, Tipu Sultan expressed deep anger, stating that those who committed such acts would face consequences, and promptly sent funds, gifts, and letters to restore the temple and reconsecrate the idol. The raid was part of the Third Anglo-Mysore War, during which Maratha forces caused significant destruction to the temple complex, including killing or wounding people and looting property.
Tipu Sultan, who frequently interacted with the Sringeri Jagadguru and addressed him with high respect, immediately ordered the Mysore administration to assist in the restoration, demonstrating his patronage of certain Hindu institutions. Evidence of this restoration is found in several letters in Kannada, preserved in the Sringeri monastery records, where Tipu requested the Jagadguru to pray for the prosperity of his kingdom.
Tipu Sultan was a staunch opponent of the British. There is an accusation against him that he persecuted some Hindu and Christian communities. The reason for this persecution, however, was purely political, not religious. About these persecutions, historian Kate Brittlebank says that “This was not a religious policy but one of chastisement”. The communities targeted by him were seen as disloyal to the State.
The communities Tipu targeted did not belong only to the Hindu stream. He also acted against some Muslim communities, like the Mahdavis. The reason was that these communities were supporting the British and were employed as horsemen in the East India Company’s armies. Another historian, Susan Bayly, says that Tipu Sultan’s attack on Hindus and Christians outside his state is to be seen on political grounds, as at the same time he had developed close relations with these communities within Mysore.
Sarfaraz Shaikh, in his book Sultan-E-Khudad has reproduced the ‘Manifesto of Tipu Sultan’ in which he declares that he would not discriminate on religious grounds and would protect his empire until his last breath. He had a great interest in rocket technology. This finds appreciative mention in Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s book, Wings of Fire.
It is interesting to note that in the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh’s series for children on Indian history, they had published a book on Tipu in the 1970s. BJP’s Yeddyurappa had adorned Tipu’s headgear to solicit votes in the 2010 elections in Karnataka. Then President, Ramnath Kovind, sent a eulogising message on the occasion of Tipu Jayanti (2017). He has an RSS background. He praised Tipu by saying that “Tipu Sultan died a heroic death fighting the British. He was also a pioneer in the development and use of Mysore rockets in warfare.” Tipu – along with Rani Laxmi Bai – are also depicted as freedom fighters through drawings in Part XVI (page 144) of the original, hand-written and illustrated copy of the Indian Constitution.
Due to his policies, Tipu was popular among the people of Mysore. There are many folk songs, sung in villages, praising him. It is for this reason that one of our greatest playwrights, Girish Karnad, said that had Tipu been a Hindu, he would have the same status that Shivaji Maharaj has in Maharashtra. This is very close to what Sapkal stated, nothing extra.
This whole incident of opposing the portrait of Tipu in the Deputy Mayors’ office is one more instance of communal forces latching on to divisive politics. Kings should not be seen just by their religion; their policies towards people of different religions and people’s welfare should be the major criterion for evaluating them. Tipu stands very tall in this scale of religious tolerance. The half-baked propaganda of the communal forces is trying to divide communities.
A major tribute to Tipu was paid by Subhash Chandra Bose. He adopted Tipu’s ‘springing tiger’ as the insignia of Azad Hind Fauj, which fought against the British. The major contribution of Tipu was to forewarn the Indian rulers about the advancing threat of the East India Company, the British. It was for this that he bravely fought against the British and laid down his life in the fourth Anglo-Mysore War. The communal forces who are out to demonise Tipu belong to the ideology that did not even lift a little finger against the British rule.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Opinion / by Prof Ram Punyani / February 18th, 2026
Jubuni Village (Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum District), WEST BENGAL :
Feroza Begum
Firoza Begum’s language of protest against the harsh realities of rural India, gender inequality, and family adversity is a strong statement. The poet and writer in her, though, has emerged from a phase of struggle.
She was born into a respectable family in Jubuni village of Rampurhat subdivision of Birbhum district, West Bengal. Her parents, Abdul Hakim Mallick and Arestun Bibi, faced poverty, disease, and social uncertainty, due to which her childhood was difficult.
The struggle for survival of her family and relatives during the terrible smallpox epidemic influenced and triggered a humanitarian spirit in her.
In her childhood, when women’s education was neglected in rural society, she completed her schooling. She broke many social barriers. The discrimination and neglect she faced while in school ignited the spirit of rebellion in her, which, in due course, made the language of her writing sharp, protestant and sensitive.
Feroza Begum with an award
In 1974, she married Nurul Haque Mallick, a science-minded teacher. With her husband’s liberal attitude and inspiration, she managed to balance both her family life and pursuit of literature. She made sure her four daughters got educated and financially independent, self-reliant. Although her husband’s death in 2016 left a deep void in her life, she did not stop pursuing literature.
Since 1992, Firoza Begum has been regularly writing poems, songs and essays. Her writings have been published in various literary magazines of Murshidabad, Rampurhat and Kolkata, Pragati, Trinayani, Kalam, Bhabbana, Sangbad Darpan, Roddur, Arpan, etc.
Besides, she is also a regular participant in the radio and television programs and has received recognition beyond her hometown and community.
The poetry collection “Nayantara” published in 2010) and “Aparajita” published in 2014) clearly reflect the struggle of women, the adversities of life, and the human spirit.
She proofread and published the book, despite illness and limitations, and it reflected her perseverance.
Firoza Begum has received several honours and awards in recognition of her contribution to literary endeavours.
The reception by the Bhabna O Anubhavber Dana newspaper of Rampurhat, the Rokeya Award from the Roddur newspaper, certificates from various radio stations in Kolkata and Baharampur, the Ambedkar Shilpi Ratna Award from New Barrackpore, and the recent “Best Bengali” award from the Asha Foundation are important recognitions of her literary and humanitarian activities.
The life of poet Firoza Begum is not just the autobiography of a writer, it is a courageous document of a struggling woman. Her pen still bears witness to the fact that even in the deep darkness of adversity, education, humanity and literature are capable of illuminating the path of humanity.
source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / by Dev Kishore Chakraborty / February 03rd, 2026
The Banyan tree on which the execution took place. Photo: Ghulam Ahmad Raza
During the 1857 revolt against British rule, Jharkhand too witnessed armed resistance. The rebellion had spread across regions including Ranchi, Hazaribagh, Ramgarh, Palamu and Singhbhum. In the dense forested border areas of Ranchi and Hazaribagh, the rebel forces were led by Shaheed Sheikh Bhikhari Ansari and Tikait Umrao Singh. From the dense jungles of the Chuttu Palu valley, their army fought British troops and prevented Ranchi from falling under colonial control. Both leaders were captured by the British forces on January 6, 1858 and were publicly executed by hanging on January 8, 1858, in the same Chuttu Palu valley.
The banyan tree on which they were hanged still stands today. The Jharkhand government has developed the surrounding area as a martyr memorial with the stated aim of preserving history and keeping alive the legacy of the region’s sites of resistance. Yet even today, many residents of the Chuttu Palu village where the memorial stands remain unaware of who these martyrs were.
Fifty-eight-year-old Nirmal Kumar, who works as a stone breaker near the memorial, often rests inside the premises during breaks. He says he has been coming here since childhood. Despite this, he is unaware of the historical significance of the site and does not recognise the names of Sheikh Bhikhari Ansari or Tikait Umrao Singh.
“I only know that blankets are distributed here every year on January 8,” he said. On the martyrdom anniversary, social workers and officials visit the site to pay tribute and distribute essentials among the poor.
Sanjay Munda, a resident of Chuttu Palu village, said that even today, most villagers do not know about the martyrs or the memorial’s history. “Members of the surrounding Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Scheduled Caste (SC) communities refer to the site in the local language as Fasiyahi Bar (tree where the hanging took place). Most people do not know about the 1857 revolt or the sacrifice of Sheikh Bhikhari and Tikait Umrao Singh,” he told Maktoob.
Despite the lack of awareness, locals often bow their heads in respect when passing the site.
The memory of these two revolutionaries who laid down their lives fighting British rule is slowly fading. Their history has largely been reduced to government files and digital web pages. On martyrdom days, ministers, officials and locals pay tributes, but beyond symbolic gestures, little is done. While the Jharkhand government has taken some steps to acknowledge them, no substantial initiative has been taken by the central government to formally recognise or honour their contributions.
Dr Muzaffar Hussain, researcher and author of Jharkhand ki Muslim Vibhutiyaan, says Muslim, SC and Adivasi martyrs have not received the recognition they deserve. “Jharkhand has produced many revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for India’s freedom, but recognition has been limited largely to Birsa Munda only,” he said.
He points out that the 1857 revolt took place nearly 40 years before Birsa Munda’s Ulgulan (revolt). “Names like Nadir Ali, Imam Ali, Jatra Tana Bhagat, Sidhu–Kanhu, Phulo–Jhano, Nilambar–Pitambar, Sohbat Miyan, Chandan Miyan, Jaggu Miyan and Najahat Hussain are a part of Jharkhand’s resistance history during the 1857 revolt, yet they remain largely forgotten.”
Hussain argues that the Jharkhand government must project its revolutionaries on a larger scale for the central government to take meaningful steps. “Even platforms like Google and Wikipedia carry very limited information about them,” he said.
He suggests state-funded research, naming welfare schemes and government buildings after revolutionaries and honouring their descendants are ways to restore their place in public memory.
Ruchi Kujur, an activist working on SC and ST rights and a member of the Jharkhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, said every state has its own history, and Jharkhand is rich with stories of courage and resistance. “The list of Adivasi and SC heroes is long,” she said.
“People need to be made aware of their ancestors’ sacrifices. When these revolutionaries are honoured, it inspires the younger generation to work for society and the nation.”
Situated amid a valley rich in natural beauty, the martyr memorial complex (Shaheed Sthal) has been developed with basic amenities. Yet, several factors discourage people from visiting the site, further deepening the lack of public awareness about the martyrs. Surrounded by dense forests and hills, the memorial lies in an isolated location, with no human habitation within a radius of nearly five kilometres. This isolation is a major reason why people hesitate to visit the site, either alone or with their families.
The premise includes resting sheds, benches and toilet facilities. However, due to poor maintenance, thick shrubs have grown across the complex. Lights installed in the area and doors of the toilets have reportedly been stolen. Although the police conduct patrols from time to time, the absence of adequate security continues to deter visitors.
Ghulam Ahmad Raza is a Jharkhand-based freelance journalist with over four years of experience. He has worked as a City Reporter with Pratah Awazand as aSub Editor with Prabhat Mantra. His reporting focuses on marginalised communities, forgotten histories and grassroots political narratives.
source: http://www.maktoobmedia.com / Maktoob Media / Home> East India / by Ghulam Ahmad Raza / January 29th, 2026
Kaprin Village (Shopian District), JAMMU & KASHMIR :
Shafi Shauq (Kashmiri poet and academic)
Srinagar :
Eminent Kashmiri scholar, poet, linguist and translator Prof Shafi Shauq has been named among the recipients of the Padma Shri Award 2026, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to education and literature. The award places Shauq at the forefront of this year’s honourees from Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, marking a major national acknowledgement of his lifelong work in preserving and enriching the Kashmiri language and its literary heritage.
Born in 1950 in Kaprin village of Shopian district, Shafi Shauq is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative voices in Kashmiri studies. Over a distinguished academic career spanning more than three decades at the University of Kashmir, he authored, edited and translated over 100 books across Kashmiri, Urdu, Hindi and English. His seminal works—including Keeshur Lugaat (Kashmiri Dictionary), Keeshryuk Grammar, and Kaeshir Zaban ti Adibuk Tawaariekh (History of the Kashmiri Language and Literature), are considered foundational texts and remain indispensable to scholars, students and researchers.
The Padma Shri citation recognises not only Shauq’s scholarly output but also his role as a cultural custodian who ensured that Kashmir’s rich Sufi, poetic and intellectual traditions reached both national and international audiences. His celebrated series The Best of Kashmiri Literature, featuring iconic mystic-poets such as Lal Ded and Nund Reshi, played a crucial role in preserving and popularising Kashmir’s spiritual and literary canon beyond linguistic boundaries.
Alongside Prof Shafi Shauq, the Government of India has also announced Brij Lal Bhat (Social Work, Jammu and Kashmir) and Dr Padma Gurmeet (Medicine, Ladakh) as Padma Shri awardees for 2026, recognising exemplary service in their respective fields. However, Shauq’s inclusion has drawn particular attention in literary and academic circles, being seen as a long-overdue national honour for a scholar who devoted his life to safeguarding the linguistic soul of Kashmir.
Social worker Brij Lal Bhat has been conferred the Padma Shri 2026 for his sustained and wide-ranging contributions to social service. Known for his grassroots engagement, Bhat has worked extensively to strengthen spiritual and community institutions through yoga shiksha shivirs, spiritual retreats and Bhandara Seva. He has actively promoted social cohesion and communal harmony by organising inclusive festivals and community programmes, while also contributing to rural development by reclaiming barren land for apple and walnut orchards. His work is widely recognised for combining social service with spiritual outreach and environmental stewardship.
In addition to Shauq and Bhat, Dr Padma Gurmeet of Ladakh has been named a Padma Shri awardee in the field of medicine, underscoring the diverse range of contributions from the region honoured in 2026.
source: http://www.kashmirlife.net / Kashmir Life / Home> Kashmir Latest News / by KL News Network / January 25th, 2026
