Category Archives: NRI’s / PIO’s

Prominent Jeddah-Based Indian Community Leader Mir Gazanfar Ali Razvi (Zaki) Honoured with Duggar Da Sammaan 2026

Community Involvement / Social Issues, COVID 19 - Community of Soldiers, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR / Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA :

Jammu :

From representing India on the football field to supporting distressed expatriate workers and building bridges between Indian and Saudi business communities, Mir Gazanfar Ali Razvi, popularly known as Zaki, has spent decades turning community service into a sustained commitment.

In recognition of his humanitarian work and contribution to India-Saudi relations, he has been honoured with the Duggar Da Sammaan 2026 by GHRT International.

The honour recognises Zaki’s longstanding service to the Indian diaspora in Saudi Arabia, particularly his efforts to assist vulnerable workers and promote community welfare irrespective of region, religion, caste or creed.

Zaki moved to Saudi Arabia in 1995 after an early sporting career that saw him represent India in football and participate in the prestigious Santosh Trophy during the 1989–90 season. His experience in team sport later found a different expression in his community work, where collaboration, perseverance and service became defining features of his public life.

For more than three decades, he has been involved in initiatives supporting Indian workers facing hardship. During the implementation of Saudi Arabia’s Nitaqat-related amnesty programme, he worked on the ground to assist distressed expatriates, organising job fairs and helping arrange food, clothing and other essential support in coordination with community organisations and the Consulate General of India in Jeddah.

His humanitarian work has also extended to some of the most difficult moments faced by expatriate families. He has assisted in the legal repatriation of stranded workers and helped coordinate the transportation of the mortal remains of Indian nationals to India, providing practical support to families during periods of grief.

Zaki has also placed considerable emphasis on the younger generation of Indians living in the Kingdom. He has supported higher-education and career guidance initiatives, health-awareness programmes, sporting tournaments and cultural activities designed to encourage young expatriates to remain connected with their heritage while building their futures in Saudi Arabia.

His contribution extends beyond community welfare to economic engagement. As former General Secretary of the Saudi Indian Business Network (SIBN), Zaki worked to strengthen interaction between Indian and Saudi business communities. His tenure included efforts associated with Memoranda of Understanding signed with the Vibrant Goa Foundation and the Trade Promotion Council of India in 2019.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also contributed to efforts supporting the supply of oxygen cylinders to India during a period of critical need. He has additionally received a letter of appreciation from the Millet India Initiative for his efforts to promote Indian millets in Saudi Arabia.

The Duggar Da Sammaan 2026 adds another milestone to a journey that has brought together sport, humanitarian service, community development and economic cooperation.

For Zaki, the recognition reflects decades of engagement with people and institutions across the Indian diaspora and his continued efforts to strengthen the bonds between India and Saudi Arabia.

source: http://www.yahind.com / YaHind / Home> India / by YaHind Team / September 30th, 2026

Mahtab Qadr, the Versatile Artist of Urdu Poetry, Prose and Journalism, Passes Away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Jeddah, SAUDI ARABIA / Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

OBITUARY

Bengaluru :

Hundreds of thousands of Urdu lovers across the world are mourning the passing of Syed Sarfaraz Ali, widely known by his pen name Mahtab Qadr, a versatile poet, prose writer and journalist who selflessly dedicated over five decades of his life to protecting and promoting Urdu in the Arabian desert.

Mahtab Qadr breathed his last in Hyderabad, the city of his birth, on Friday. He had come from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — where he spent most of his life in the service of Urdu — for a knee surgery. He passed away before the procedure could be performed.

He was 70.

According to family sources, he will be laid to rest in Hyderabad on Saturday afternoon. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.

Born in 1956, Mahtab Qadr earned his Master’s in Library Science from Osmania University. He served as a medical librarian at King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah for nearly three decades.

A multifaceted literary personality, Qadr was a distinguished poet, prose writer, sketch writer, translator, organiser and travelogue writer. He was also the founder of “Urdu Gulbun,” an active literary forum in Jeddah.

Above all, he was a fellow traveller on the delicate and rugged path of journalism. When the Jeddah-based English daily Saudi Gazette launched its Urdu supplement, Mahtab Qadr was part of its editorial team.

A native of the Deccan, with its fertile literary and cultural traditions, Qadr’s own thought and craft reflected the same depth and diversity. At a time when Urdu faces growing challenges in India, he kept the lamp of word and pen alight, working tirelessly for its promotion.

His published works include poetry and prose collections Chhaon-e-Sahra, Sabz Sahra and Nazriat-e-Mahtab, and the travelogue Awargi Thodi Si.

There is a distinct movement in Qadr’s writings; they break stagnation. His poetry and prose are marked by a freshness and energy that grips the reader. His style was unconventional — he moved off the beaten track to explore new subjects and ideas. While his poetry carries a note of romanticism, it also reflects a deep insight into social issues. His literary sketches reveal a subtle understanding of human psychology and nature.

His contribution was not limited to his own writings. Through Urdu Gulbun, he provided a vital platform in Jeddah for Urdu lovers, where literary gatherings were held and emerging writers found encouragement and expression. His journalistic writings for the Urdu supplement of the Saudi Gazette were both thought-provoking and instrumental in promoting the language.

His travelogue Awargi Thodi Si is a testament to his love for travel and his keen powers of observation. Narrated with simplicity and fluency, it transports the reader to the places he describes, making his prose accessible to readers from all walks of life.

In his passing, Urdu has lost a sincere and tireless servant whose writings compelled readers to think and sought social change through literature.

_______________

Syed Athar Hasnain Rizvi is a senior journalist. He was associated with the National Herald in New Delhi and the Saudi Gazette in Jeddah. He can be contacted at: sahrizvi35@yahoo.com

source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick>Personalities / by Syed Athar Hasnain Rizvi / September 25th, 2026

Tonse Sheikh Budan Basha Saheb passes away

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Karavali, KARNATAKA :

Tonse Sheikh Budan Basha Saheb

Udupi:

Senior social worker and entrepreneur Tonse Sheikh Budan Basha Saheb passed away on Wednesday. He was 89 years old.

Born at Tonse Bengre on November 6, 1937, he began his professional career at the Karkala Munsiff Court. In 1971, he moved to Doha, Qatar, where he worked in the commercial sector. He served as the general manager of Mars Trading Company for around 30 years.

He returned to Udupi and settled there in 2001. He served as the president of the Udupi Wakf Board for around nine years. He also served as the president of Udupi Jamia Masjid for several years. He had several agency and distribution businesses in Udupi and also served as the president of Mars Traders.

Budan Basha Saheb was a former president of KMCA Qatar and a former vice-president of Tulu Koota Qatar. He was actively involved in several Indian organisations and forums in Qatar.

He is survived by two sons, three daughters, relatives and a large number of well-wishers.

The burial and last rites were performed at Tonse Khadimi Masjid after Isha prayers on Wednesday.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / September 10th, 2026

Aim India Forum team meets Indian Consul General in Dubai

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Uttara Kannada, KARNATAKA / Dubai, U.A.E :

Dubai:

A delegation of the Aim India Forum (AIF), led by Founder President Shaikh Muzaffer, held an introductory meeting with Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India to Dubai and the Northern Emirates, at the Consulate General of India in Dubai.

Muzaffer was accompanied by AIF Convener Mohammed Azeem, Vice President Mohammed Niyaz, Secretary of Community Welfare Ismail and Coordinator of Community Welfare Jangam Balakrishna.

The meeting focused on introducing the forum’s objectives and ongoing community initiatives and discussing ways to strengthen support for Indians living across the UAE.

Key issues discussed included the welfare of blue-collar workers, labour awareness, community awareness programmes, assistance to distressed Indians and initiatives for the wider Indian community.

The AIF delegation also stressed the need to create greater awareness among Indian nationals about their rights and responsibilities, government services, legal procedures and available support mechanisms.

Speaking during the meeting, Shaikh Muzaffer said, “We don’t want to be another organization that comes to the Consulate with problems; we want to come with solutions.”

He said the forum’s vision was to ensure that the Indian community becomes the most informed and updated community in the UAE. This includes greater awareness about labour rights, government services, legal procedures, safety, financial literacy and other issues affecting Indian nationals.

Muzaffer also appreciated the leadership of Consul General Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, describing him as an energetic, dynamic and passionate leader with an interest in understanding community issues and engaging with different stakeholders.

He expressed confidence that further opportunities would emerge to strengthen community outreach and welfare initiatives under Reddy’s leadership.

The AIF team conveyed its willingness to work with the Consulate General of India and other relevant authorities on initiatives aimed at supporting Indian nationals in the UAE.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their commitment to continued engagement and cooperation on the welfare, awareness and empowerment of the Indian community.

The forum reiterated its guiding principle: From Problems to Solutions — From Awareness to Empowerment.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Gulf / by Vartha Bharati / August 22nd, 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

Mumbai Founder Sarah Sham Lost Clients to Protect Her Team’s Evenings. She Has No Regrets

Business & Economy, NRI's / PIO's, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA / Dubai, U.A.E :

Mumbai:

Sarah Sham, a fourth-generation Muslim entrepreneur from Mumbai and co-founder of Dubai-based luxury interior design firm Jea, has sparked widespread praise after sharing how she enforces strict work-life boundaries at her company, even at the cost of losing clients.

Sham, whose family business Essajees traces its roots back 130 years to her great-grandfather Abdul Kadir Essajee Sham, a trader of fine Iranian art tapestries, took to LinkedIn to outline the firm rules she applies across her design operations spanning 18 cities.

“We start at nine and close by six, five days a week. No weekend calls. No Sunday deadlines,” she wrote. “When a project runs behind, I hire another designer instead of asking my team to give up their weekend.”

Sham, a graduate of Art History from Duke and Oxford universities, admitted she once believed that good design required working through the night. Over time, she changed her approach after noticing that the best creative output came from well-rested designers, not exhausted ones.

“I started comparing creativity to a well instead of a tap,” she wrote. “Push too hard without rest, and it runs dry, no matter how skilled the person is.”

She acknowledged that the policy carried a real financial cost. Several clients left her firm in favour of teams willing to answer calls on weekends or work late nights. Sham chose to let them go rather than compromise her team’s working conditions.

“A tired designer does not run out of ideas all at once. The work slowly gets less interesting, and nobody notices until a client points it out,” she added.

Sham comes from a storied Muslim business family. Her ancestor Abdul Kadir Essajee Sham opened his Mumbai store in 1890, building a clientele that included Maharajas and royal families from India, Qatar, the UAE, Oman, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Today, Essajees serves a new generation of buyers including venture capitalists, consultants and young couples.

Her LinkedIn post drew strong responses from professionals across industries. Many praised her for holding firm on boundaries when revenue was on the line, calling her approach a model for sustainable creative work.

Sham co-founded Jea after serving as principal designer at Essajees Atelier for 12 years, carrying forward a family legacy built on craftsmanship, honesty and respect for the people behind the work.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Features / by Radiance News Bureau / August 11th, 2026

Dr. Thumbay Moideen announces ₹1.5 crore scholarship for MD education to deserving student

Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, SCHOLARSHIPS, World Opinion, ,

Karavali, KARNATAKA / Dubai, Ajman, U.A.E :

Thumbay Group Founder President receives Global Leadership Award

Mangaluru :

Thumbay Group Founder President Dr. Thumbay Moideen has offered a scholarship of ₹1.5 crore to a deserving and meritorious student to pursue an MD degree under the Thumbay International Pathway Programme (TIPP).

The scholarship was announced at the BCF Scholarship Distribution and Global Leadership Award 2026 ceremony held at Town Hall, Mangaluru, on Sunday. Dr. Moideen handed over the scholarship sanction letter for the Thumbay International Pathway Programme to a student.

The programme was held under the presidency of Dr. B.K. Yusuf, President of BCF UAE. Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister U.T. Khader inaugurated the programme and presented the Global Leadership Award for Quality and Innovation 2026 to Dr. Thumbay Moideen.

The event was jointly organised by the Bearys Cultural Forum (BCF), Dubai, and the Bearys Cultural Forum Trust, Mangaluru. Scholarships were distributed to students who had performed exceptionally well in the SSLC and PUC examinations. Free sewing machines were also distributed to women from economically weaker sections to support self-employment. An entrepreneurship seminar was also held as part of the programme.

The Global Leadership Award for Quality and Innovation is an honour presented to individuals who have achieved excellence at the global level through their vision and leadership. After receiving the award, Dr. Thumbay Moideen announced his decision to make the substantial contribution towards the MD education of a student.

Under the Thumbay International Pathway Programme, selected students will complete the first three years of their medical education at Gulf Medical University in Ajman. They will then complete the remaining three years at a partner medical university in Uzbekistan and obtain an MD degree.

Thumbay Group has launched the scholarship initiative with the aim of making medical education accessible to talented students facing financial difficulties.

source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / August 17th, 2026

THE ROOTED HEALER: How a Global Psychiatrist Keeps His Anchor in Telangana

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Narayanpet, TELANGANA / INDIANA, U.S.A :

What is the true measure of a life well-lived? In an era obsessed with global mobility and material acquisition, the life of Dr. Muhammad Qutbuddin offers a compelling counter-narrative. An internationally acclaimed psychiatrist, academician, and philanthropist, Dr. Qutbuddin has spent more than 40 years in the United States, navigating the highest echelons of Western medicine. Yet, the glittering lights of America have done nothing to dim his devotion to his birthplace, Narayanpet. While his clinical practice operates within the high-tech medical landscapes of the West, his heart remains firmly tethered to the soil of Telangana.

Shattering the Vernacular Glass Ceiling

Long before he became the Director and Chief Psychiatrist at Star Psychiatric Services in Indiana, or taught the next generation of doctors as a professor at the University of Missouri, Dr. Qutbuddin was a young boy in Narayanpet, studying entirely in the Urdu medium from Class 1 to 11.

Dr. Muhammad Qutbuddin (R) with former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam

In today’s socio-educational climate, where vernacular schooling is often unjustly equated with limited horizons, Dr. Qutbuddin’s trajectory is a masterclass in resilience. Instead of letting language be a barrier, he turned it into a bridge, mastering five languages – Urdu, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, and Marathi – during his childhood. He independently conquered English by devouring international periodicals like The Herald and Reader’s Digest.

His academic brilliance eventually earned him a highly competitive merit seat at the prestigious Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad for his MBBS and MD. He then transitioned to the United States for advanced training in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, later earning a Ph.D., bridging Western Medicine and Islamic Studies from the Graduate Theological Foundation, an institution affiliated with Oxford University.

Confidant to a King

Among the many extraordinary chapters of his life is a deep, 27-year friendship with the legendary heavyweight boxing champion and civil rights icon, Muhammad Ali. Dr. Qutbuddin was not merely a casual acquaintance to ‘The Greatest’; he was a trusted personal advisor and confidant. Together, they walked through international philanthropic missions and social reform programmes across the United States, bound by a shared, fierce commitment to human equality, dignity, and social justice.

Healing the Homeland

Despite his high-profile life in the American Midwest, Dr. Qutbuddin never turned his back on the community that raised him. He was a critical, quiet catalyst in the socio-political movement that successfully advocated for Narayanpet to be recognised as a distinct district. Utilising his intellectual standing, he actively engaged with senior state leadership to bring vital development to the region, including a state-of-the-art medical college.

His philanthropy rejects the temporary band-aid of charity in favour of institutionalised empowerment. In honour of his lineage, he established the ‘Noor Jahan Library’ (named after his mother) and the ‘Muhammad Qasim Library’ (named after his grandfather), which fund free computer literacy centres and academic competitions for rural youth. Furthermore, he regularly returns to hold medical camps, providing free, specialised psychiatric evaluations and modern pharmaceutical supplies to impoverished communities that would otherwise suffer in silence.

The Clinical Lens on Gen-Z

As a seasoned clinician, Dr. Qutbuddin views the modern digital landscape with deep professional alarm. He writes extensively on the psychological warfare facing today’s youth, warning against the twin epidemics of internet addiction and substance abuse. From a strict neurological standpoint, he notes that persistent exposure to explicit digital content and excessive screen time fundamentally alters basic brain chemistry, weakening cognitive systems and eroding long-term willpower.

Similarly, he views the rising crisis of drug abuse not just as a social vice, but as a severe neurotoxic emergency that shatters families and robs the younger generation of their immense potential. To offer practical interventions, his organisation, American Youth for Positive Living, works globally with adolescents. Through structured mentorship, digital fasting, and goal-setting, he helps teenagers build the moral resilience and psychological armour needed to navigate the modern world.

A Dastarkhwan in the West: Foundations on the Floor

Walk into the private domain of this global medical expert, and you will not find the cold detachment of luxury. Despite his affluence, Dr. Qutbuddin maintains an unyielding adherence to simplicity. Rejecting the formal distance of modern dining, his family continues the sacred custom of sitting together on the floor around a traditional dastarkhwan (cloth-spread) to share meals. For him, this is not just a habit; it is a profound cultural anchor. It ensures that while his mind touches the peak of global achievement, his feet remain firmly planted on the ground.

In an age characterised by rapid cultural erosion and individualistic detachment, Dr. Qutbuddin stands as an inspiring testament to an eternal truth: true success is not measured by how far you travel, but by what you give back to the soil that nurtured you. He remains a living, breathing bridge between two worlds – proof that you can embrace global knowledge without ever losing your local soul.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Focus> Pride of the Nation> Personality / by Mujahid Md / June 08th, 2026

Irfan Razack, Abdulla Monu Bag Karnataka Rajyotsava Awards 2024

Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, Science & Technology, Useful / HEALTHCARE, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

KARNATAKA :

Bengaluru:

The Karnataka Government has announced Irfan Razack, Chairman and Managing Director of Prestige Group, as one of the recipients of this year’s prestigious Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

The Karnataka Rajyotsava Award, the state’s second-highest civilian honour, celebrates individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Karnataka in fields such as arts, education, industry, literature, science, social service, sports, and public affairs. The award will be formally presented on November 1, Kannada Rajyotsava Day, which marks Karnataka’s formation as a state.

Irfan Razack, a prominent figure in the real estate and retail industry, has been recognised for his significant contributions to Karnataka’s growth and development through his work in the real estate sector.

With over 48 years of experience, Razack has led Prestige Group with a strong commitment to ethical business practices and a visionary approach to development. Under his guidance, Prestige Group has grown into a major player in the industry, with a reputation for excellence in real estate across India. Razack has received numerous awards and recognitions throughout his career, including the Fellowship of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (FRICS), the Real Estate Professional of the Year Award at the Real Estate Excellence Awards in 2008, and the prestigious Sir M. Visvesvaraya Memorial Award in 2015 for his contributions to Karnataka’s growth.

He has also been recognised for his exceptional leadership, being voted one of Asia’s Best CEOs in 2014 by Institutional Investor magazine and receiving ‘The World’s Greatest Leaders’ Award by Asia One in 2015-16. His achievements have placed him among India’s top builders and leaders. Besides his professional accomplishments, Razack is actively involved in numerous philanthropic and corporate social responsibility initiatives, supporting causes that benefit society at large.

Abdulla Monu Moideen, a well-known NRI entrepreneur and dedicated social worker, has been chosen to receive the prestigious Dakshina Kannada District Rajyotsava Award this year.

Recognised for his long-standing contributions to community service, Moideen has been actively involved in various social initiatives for over 30 years. Besides his social work, Moideen has been in the automobile business for 23 years. He is the founding president of South Kanara Muslim Association and currently serves as the president of Karnataka Cultural Association in Doha, Qatar.

He is also vice president at Tulu Koota in Doha and is actively involved with numerous other social organisations.

Dr. S.B. Naseer Abbas from Nelmangla near Bengaluru is selected for the Rajyotsava award for his services in the medical line.

Dr. Naseer is the first person to receive this prestigious award in Nelmangla taluka.

source: http://www.radiancenews.com / Radiance News / Home> Pride of the Nation> Awards> Latest News / by Mohammed Atherullah Shariff / November 01st, 2024

Meet Tahsin, Nishan, Indian origin footballers, to play in 2026 FIFA World Cup

Amazing Feats, NRI's / PIO's, Sports, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kannur, KERALA / Doha, QATAR :

India has not qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but two footballers – Tahsin and Nishan, are making the country proud as the countdown for the football mega event begins

Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid (L) and Nishan Velupillay

2026 FIFA World Cup: 

India has not qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but two footballers – Tahsin and Nishan, are making the country proud as the countdown for the football mega event begins.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a grand inauguration on June 11, 2026. Weeks before the inauguration of the football world cup, two footballers – Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid and Nishan Velupillay are adding to the football fever in India.

And the reason is their country of origin.

Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid and Nishan Velupillay both have their roots in India, and they will be playing the 2026 Football World Cup, though not for India but for the countries they are currently residing in.

Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid

19-year-old Tahsin Mohammed Jamshid is the first footballer of Indian-origin selected in Qatar’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Tahsin’s parents, Jamshid and Shaima, migrated from Kannur, Kerala in 1996 and settled in Doha, Qatar where Tahsin was born on June 16, 2006.

The winger, who is described as quick, direct, and impactful on the wings, came through Qatar’s Aspire Academy and plays for Al Duhail Sports Club.

Tahsin, who earlier represented Qatar at senior, U23, U20, and lower youth levels and is regarded as one of the country’s promising young talents, made his senior debut for Qatar in the World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan.

Tashin’s father Jamshid currently working as Accountant, is also a footballer and had played for University of Calicut, Kerala.

Nishan Velupillay

Nishan Velupillay (25) has been confirmed in the 26-member Australian squad for the 2026 football world cup.

The Melbourne Victory winger was born on May 7, 2001 in Melbourne, Australia. His father, Sasinath Velupillay, is Malaysian with Sri Lankan Tamil roots, and his mother, Gillian, is Anglo-Indian.

Nishan made his debut for Australia in 2024 and scored on his first appearance in the World Cup qualifier against China. Since then, he has become a regular part of the Australian national football team.

With his selection for the World Cup, Velupillay is set to become the first footballer of Tamil heritage to play at the football world cup.

“A Historic Moment”

Congress leader and MP Shashi Tharoor who posted the brief profile of the two footballers said their inclusion in the Qatar and Australian national teams are proud moment for India too.

“A historic moment for Indian football fans! As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, we will have two players of Indian heritage gracing the global stage”, Tharoor wrote on social media platform X.

“They follow in the footsteps of Vikash Dhorasoo, the elegant and creative midfielder whose forefathers hailed from Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh (migrating to Mauritius and later to France), who played for the French National Team in the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany, winning a runners-up medal”, Tharoor further wrote.

The 2026 edition of the World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams and three host countries. The United States will have 11 of the 16 hosts cities at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will also feature matches in Mexico and Canada.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be inaugurated on June 11, 2026 whereas the 2026 Football World Cup Final will be played on July 19, 2026.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> 2026 FIFA World Cup / by ummid.com news network / June 03rd, 2026