Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy releasing a book titled “Loyalty & Legacy: 45 Years with Congress Party” chronicling the political journey of Congress veteran Mohammed Ali Shabbir, in Hyderabad on Sunday.
Hyderabad :
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, on Sunday, released a book titled “Loyalty & Legacy: 45 Years with Congress Party” on the enduring political journey of senior Congress leader and Telangana Government Adviser Mohammed Ali Shabbir.
The book is a detailed chronicle of Mr. Shabbir’s life in politics, spanning more than four decades in which he remained loyal to the Congress party. It narrates how he began his journey as a Youth Congress leader and NSUI activist inspired by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Mr. Shabbir served at various levels from municipal councillor to APCC vice-president and convener of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC), to Minister, legislator, Opposition leader, and finally as a government Adviser.
His career has been closely linked with the leadership of the Gandhi family. He served as a Minister twice, under three Chief Ministers. The book records how, in just 58 days after returning to power in 2004, the Congress government issued an order granting 5% reservation for Muslims, and later readjusted to 4% after judicial scrutiny.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Telangana / by The Hindu Bureau / August 24th, 2025
‘Ironman of India’ Sabir Ali, who won the decathlon gold at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo, passed away.
Ali won eight consecutive Open National titles in the gruelling event between 1979 and 1985. The Railways star was unbeatable at the Inter-State meets too – he represented Haryana — which he won twice in 1979 and 1981. His pet event was the javelin throw. Ali won a bronze and silver at the World Railway meets in 1981 and ’85 and was honoured with the Arjuna Award in 1981. Ali, who grew up in Delhi, is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
‘Ironman of India’ Sabir Ali, who won the decathlon gold at the 1981 Asian Athletics Championships in Tokyo, passed away. He was 67. Ali, who retired from Railways, won the title in the Japanese capital with a tally of 7,253 points beating Japan’s Nobuya Saito (7,078) and China’s Zu Qilin (7,074). He also won two silver medals at the South Asian Federation Games held in Kathmandu and Dhaka.
What is Decathlon :
Decathlon is a combined athletic event consisting of 10 track and field disciplines. Under this, various competitions are held over two days, including the 100-meter race, long jump, shot put, high jump, and 400 meters on the first day, while the 110-meter hurdle race, discus throw, pole vault, javelin throw, and 1,500 meters on the second day
source: http://www.currentaffairs.adda247.com / Adda 247 Current Affairs / by Sumit Arora (and edited – What is Decathalon) / January 27th, 2023
Fighting poverty, lack of resources, and endless struggles of his youth, this young man has won several national and international medals
Mumbai :
Usman Ansari’s journey from a Morland Road slum in Mumbai to the Indian Navy is a story of courage and determination. Once a boy without proper shoes for training, he is now a celebrated boxer with national and international medals to his name.
Ansari, who studied at Madanpura’s Mohammad Umar Rajab Municipal Urdu School, developed a strong interest in boxing from a very young age. His school coach, Raghunath Daune, immediately recognised his talent and trained him with dedication.
Speaking to Clarion India, Ansari recalled, “I didn’t even have proper shoes for boxing practice. But I never gave up. My passion kept me moving forward.”
Ansari’s first big break came in 2016, when he participated in the National Boxing Championship in Varanasi. His performance earned him a silver medal in the finals, a feat that encouraged him to aim higher.
In 2017, at the national competition in Daman, he won a gold medal and brought pride to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The corporation recognised his achievement and honoured him.
By 2021, Ansari had moved beyond national competitions. In Europe, he represented India in an international boxing tournament, where he won silver in the finals. Over the years, he has won four gold, one silver, and three bronze medals across national and international events.
Coming from a poor family, Ansari often struggled with basic necessities. He could not afford the special diet or training kits that many boxers depend on. What carried him through was his determination and the guidance of his coach.
In 2024, his career took a major turn when the Indian Navy recruited him to play for their team. At that time, he was still in Class XII. Though he wished to pursue higher education, preparing for Navy exams left him unable to enroll in college.
Now serving aboard INS Mumbai, Ansari sees his position in the Navy as both a source of financial stability and professional growth.
“If I were not a boxer, I would never have reached the Navy,” he said. “Sports changed my life. It gave me respect, good health, and a job. The Navy gave me better facilities for training.”
Ansari’s ultimate dream is to represent the Indian Navy and the country in the Olympic Games. His training schedule is intense — practicing two sessions daily, each lasting three hours.
“Now I want to bring an Olympic medal for my country,” he said with determination. “That is why I give all my time and energy to boxing.”
For many young Indian Muslims, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, Ansari’s rise is a symbol of hope. From a childhood in a crowded slum to the decks of INS Mumbai, he proves that hard work can overcome poverty and prejudice.
Coach Raghunath Daune proudly said, “From the first day, I knew Usman had talent. He never allowed his poverty to become an excuse. I believe he will bring India an Olympic medal.”
Ansari continues to inspire not only his community but the entire nation, showing how perseverance and passion can turn a struggling child into a symbol of national pride.
source: http://www.clarionindia.net / Clarion India / Home> Editor’s Pick> India> Indian Muslim / by Team Clarion / September 25th, 2025
Safia Akhtar was a brilliant writer, poet, author, teacher, critic, and connoisseur of Urdu literature, who remains underrated.
If you know who Safia Akhtar is you would probably know her as Javed and Salman Akhtar’s mother, Jan Nisar Akhtar’s wife, or Asrar-ul-Haq, better known as Majaz Lakhnawi’s sister but Safia was quite the personality herself. She was a brilliant writer, poet, author, teacher, critic, and connoisseur of Urdu literature.
The best of Safia Akhtar’s work includes the letters that she wrote to her husband while they were apart. Her letters which were written over a period of nine years were published after her death by her husband as “Hurf-e-Ashna” and “Zer-e-lab” translating to “familiar words” and “below the lips” respectively. Safia Akhtar also wrote, “Andaz-e-Nazar” (The way to look at it) which is a collection of short essays.
Safia’s sister Hamida Salim was also a talented writer having authored many books like “Hum Saath the”(We were together) which gives an account of the lives of the siblings. Javed Akhtar, her son who lost Safia only when he was eight years old calls his mother a “nayaab aurat” during her time.
She set foot into education and pursued it at a time when women were rarely given the choice or opportunity to do so. Safia Akhtar chose her life partner, she worked and financially supported her family as well as her husband who was in another state, looking for work. To top it all off, she also took care of her two sons.
Safia Siraj-ul-Haq was born in Rudauli, Uttar Pradesh. Safia was an educated Muslim woman, one of the first of her time, in the 1940s. As Javed Akhtar recalls, his Nana (maternal grandfather) mentioned to him that someone once visiting couldn’t locate their house and asked for directions to the house of the girl who graduated and was easily guided to Safia Akhtar’s place.
Safia’s primary education took place at home where her father, Chowdhary Seraj-ul-Haq, taught her English, Urdu, and Farsi. Her brother, Majaz, assisted her with mathematics and she was tutored in the Quran by a female teacher. Owing to her father’s transfer, who was a law graduate, a door opened for Safia Akhtar and her siblings for further education. She was admitted to Karamat Hussain Muslim Girls college in the fourth grade. However, soon after, her father was transferred again from Agra, where Safia was studying living at a hostel, to Aligarh.
Safia Akhtar then started studying at Abdullah College and excelled in her academics. After completing high school, she had to wait a year for the B.A. classes to start in the girls’ college. Safia stayed in a hostel during her B.A. and after completing it, worked as a supervisor of a training program with her teachers as they were amazed by Safia’s caliber. After completing her undergraduate course, she studied further and got a Master’s degree in education from Aligarh Muslim University.
Safia grew up imbibing a progressive ideology. She set foot into education and pursued it at a time when women were rarely given the choice or opportunity to do so. Safia Akhtar chose her life partner, she worked and financially supported her family as well as her husband who was in another state, looking for work. To top it all off, she also took care of her two sons. Safia’s brother and husband were also part of the progressive writers’ movement at the time.
pix: lucknowobserver.com
Safia and Jan Nisar Akhtar
Jan Nisar Akhtar, the famous poet and Bollywood lyricist was a friend of Safia Akhtar’s brother Majaz and also the cousin of Salma, her roommate while she was staying in the hostel in Aligarh. Salma recounts Jan Nisar coming to the girls’ college randomly to meet Safia and introducing himself as a friend of her brother’s. Safia fell in love at first sight. However, the love seemed to be one-sided as Jan Nisar did not get in touch with her for quite a while and this disheartened Safia.
After some time passed, Jan Nisar wrote to Safia about his work, interests and disinterests, and himself. Soon after, Safia’s family received a marriage proposal from Jan Nisar’s side. As the culture still prevails, the girl’s family did a background check on Jan Nisar and his family. Salma, his cousin, testified for Jan Nisar’s family (even though she wasn’t too well informed about them) that they had a legacy of poets; his father Muztar Khairabadi was a well-known shayar of the time.
The letters give a glimpse of Safia’s immense love and optimism toward Jan Nisar. They also give an insight into episodes of her life events including her job, their two children Javed and Salman, her life at home, and towards the end, her suffering. These letters stand proof of what a literary genius Safia Akhtar was
Jan Nisar himself was well accomplished and was an Urdu literature lecturer in Gwalior. With no time wasted, Safia Akhtar’s parents sent their acceptance as they did not find any flaws as such in Jan Nisar. But to their disappointment, the Akhtars did not respond for a considerable amount of time.
This silence motivated Safia to take a rather valiant step. She poured her heart out to Jan Nisar in a letter and also enquired about the holdback from their side. Jan Nisar reverted with a confession about his feeling for another woman, his older, widowed relative who helped him during a rough patch after his first relationship came to an end. Safia appreciated Jan Nisar’s honesty. The proposal was re-established and the nikkah followed soon after, although there were some odd happenings during the time.
source: youtube.com / Letters Of Love & Loss | Jaan Nisar Akhtar Aur Safia Ke Khat | Rekhta Studio
In 1949, Jan Nisar switched cities from Bhopal to Bombay in the pursuit of becoming a lyricist in Bollywood. Safia Akhtar chose to stay back and continue with her teaching post at Hamidiya College, thus, supporting her husband money-wise and also rearing their two children. The distance between the two encouraged Safia to write letters to him.
She wrote to him consistently, multiple times a week in some instances. The letters give a glimpse of Safia’s immense love and optimism toward Jan Nisar. They also give an insight into episodes of her life events including her job, their two children Javed and Salman, her life at home, and towards the end, her suffering. These letters stand proof of what a literary genius Safia Akhtar was. Safiya suffered from an unconfirmed terminal illness (it was either blood cancer or skin cancer, not conclusive). Unfortunately, fate had other plans and Safia passed away prematurely in 1953 when she just was in her late 30s.
Without a doubt, Safia’s letters were and to this day are, a gem in Urdu literature. She expresses her feelings so very aesthetically and makes the most mundane of her daily tasks seem something literary and intriguing. About her letters being published, there seems to be a difference of opinion.
On one hand, there is the stance that the letters were something intimate, personal, and not meant to be out for the public. Salma, her roommate, calls it a “Dastan-e-Gham”, the saga of sorrows that she shared with her husband and would not want to be disclosed. While others appreciate the sheer brilliance of her words and feel lucky to have access to them.
source: http://www.feminisminindia.com / Feminism In India (FII) / Home> Culture> Books / by Tuba Chauhan / August 04th, 2022
During the First World War, Maulana Mahmood Hasan, and other Islamic scholars planned an armed attack on British India from the Afghanistan frontier. The ambitious plan did not succeed because of the changed geo-political scenario (defeat of Turkey and Germany) and the British getting hold of three silk letters, which gave away the whole planning. After this, 59 people were charged for waging the war against the crown. I am sharing the names of these 59 forgotten heroes of the Indian freedom struggle.
During the First World War, Maulana Mahmood Hasan, and other Islamic scholars planned an armed attack on British India from the Afghanistan frontier. The ambitious plan did not succeed because of the changed geo-political scenario (defeat of Turkey and Germany) and the British getting hold of three silk letters, which gave away the whole planning.
After this, 59 people were charged for waging the war against the crown. I am sharing the names of these 59 forgotten heroes of the Indian freedom struggle.
Silk Letter Movement : A freedom struggle woven in silk
Abdul Aziz Molvi, son of Haya Gul from Itman Zai, Peshawar
Abdul Bari B.A., son of Ghulam Jilani from Lyallpur
Abdul Hai Khwaja, son of Khwaja Abdur Rahman from Gurdaspur
Abdul Haq Shaikh alias Jeewan Das from Shahpur district. He was an official witness.
Abdul Haq Molvi from Rifah-e-Aam Press Lahore.
Abdul Majeed Khan, son of a Risaldar Manager from the 15th Cavalry Battalion of the army.
Abdullah Molvi, son of Nihal Khan from Sukkur district. He was an official witness.
Abdul Qadir B.A., son of Ahmad Deen from Lyallpur.
Abdur Rahim Sindhi Shaikh, son of Lala Bhagwan Das from Hyderabad, Sindh
Abdur Rahim Molvi, son of Rahim Bakhsh, Masjid Cheenian Wali, Lahore.
Abdur Rashid, a migrant student of Mardan and Lahore.
Abdur Razzaq Ansari Hakim, son of Abdur Rahman of Delhi.
Abdul Waahid, son of Siddiq Ahmad from Tanda, United Provinces.
Abul Kalam Azad Molvi, nickname Mohiuddin, son of Maulana Khairuddin from Calcutta
Abu Muhammad Ahmad Molvi alias Molvi Ahmad, son of Ghulam Hussain from Lahore and Chakwal
Ahmad Ali Molvi, son of Habibullah, from Gujranwala district. He was an official witness.
Ahmad Miyan Molvi, son of Abdullah Ansari from Ambetha, district Saharanpur (United Provinces). He was an official witness.
Allah Nawaz Khan, son of Khan Bahadur Rab Nawaz Khan honorary magistrate of Multan, Punjab
Anees Ahmad, B.A. Molvi, son of Idrees Ahmad, assistant secretary at Anglo-Oriental College Aligarh , United Provinces.
Ozair Gul Molvi, son of Shaheed Gul of Durgayee, Northwest Frontier.
Barkatullah Molvi Muhammad of Bhopal and Japan
Fatah Muhammad Sindhi from Rok, Sindh
Fazlul Hasan Molvi alias Hasrat Mohani from Aligarh .
Fazl Elahi Molvi, son of Meeran Bakhsh from Haripur, thana Wazirabad, district Gujranwala, Punjab.
Fazl Mahmood Molvi, son of Molvi Noor Muhammad from Charsadda, Northwest Frontier.
Fazl Rabbi Molvi from Peshawar.
Fazl Wahid Molvi, son of Faiz Ahmad, alias Haji Turangzai, from Northwest Frontier.
Habibullah Ghazi, the son of Ruhullah from Kakori, district Lucknow, United Province.
Hadi Hasan Syed, from Khan Jahanpur, district Muzaffar Nagar, United Province.
Hamdullah Molvi, son of Haji Sirajuddin from Panipat.
Hussain Ahmad Madani Molvi, son of Molvi Habibullah from Faizabad and Medina .
Ibrahim Sindhi, M.A. Shaikh, son of Abdullah from Karachi.
Kala Singh, a migrant from Ludhiana (Punjab)
Khan Muhammad Khan Haji from Peshawar. (died)
Khushi Muhammad, son of Jan Muhammad from Talauli, district Jalandhar, Punjab.
Mahendra Pratap Kunwar, son of late Raja Ghanshiam Singh from Mursan, United Province.
Mahmood Hasan Maulana, former head-teacher at Deoband Madrasa, United Province.
Matloobur Rahman Molvi of Deoband, an employee of the Agricultural Department, UP Govt.
Mohiuddin alias Barkat Ali Molvi from Kasur.
Mohiuddin Khan Molvi from Moradabad. (Qazi of Bhopal)
Muhammad Abdullah B.A., son of Shaikh Abdul Qadir, Secretary Mianwali District Board.
Muhammad Ali B.A. son of Abdul Qadir from Kasur.
Muhammad Ali Sindhi, the son of Habibullah from Gujranwala.
Muhammad Aslam Attar from Peshawar.
Muhammad Hasan B.A. from Lahore whose father was an employee in the Paisa newspaper.
Muhammad Hashim Molvi Syed from Kora, Jahanabad, Fatahpur.
Muhammad Masood Molvi, son of Mazhar Hussain from Deoband, United Province. (Official witness)
Muhammad Miyan Molvi, son of Molvi Abdullah Ansari from Ambetha, district Saharanpur, United Province.
Muhammad Mubeen Molvi, son of Muhammad Momin from Deoband. (Official witness)
Muhammad Murtuza Molvi Syed, son of Bunyad Ali from Bijnor, United Province. (Official witness)
Noorul Hasan Syed from Ratheri, district Muzaffar Nagar U.P.
Obaidullah Molvi alias Buta Singh from Sialkot, Punjab.
Sadruddin alias Dr. Abdul Karim Barlasi, son of Amir Ali of Banaras.
Saifur Rahman Molvi, son of Ghulam Khan from Peshawar district, Northwest Frontier.
Shah Bakhsh Haji, son of Imam Bakhsh Ansari from Hyderabad, Sindh.
Shah Nawaz Khan, son of Khan Bahadur Rab Nawaz Khan, honorary magistrate, Multan, Punjab.
Shujaullah, son of Habibullah from Lahore.
Wali Muhammad Molvi from Futuheewala, district Lahore.
Zahoor Muhammad Molvi from Roorkee, son of Inayatullah of Saharanpur.
source: http://www.heritagetimes.in / Heritage Times / Home / by Mahino Fatima / August 04th, 2024
The Social Work and Outreach Activities Club of Women’s College, Aligarh Muslim University held an inaugural talk and launched its membership programme.
Highlighting the objectives of the club, Prof. Shadab Bano drew the critical distinction between charity and social work, and stressed that receiving an education gives us a responsibility to share its benefits with others. She urged the students to view social work as a civic duty.
Prof. Nazura Usmani emphasized the importance of the disability support committee and discussed strategies to foster inclusivity and increase the representation of differently-abled students on campus. She stressed the need for disability sensitization among the student body to build a more understanding and accessible environment for everyone.
Dr. Eisha Rahman announced the club’s committees and introduced the coordinators; Prof. Nazura Usmani and Prof. Shadab Bano as Main Coordinators; Dr. Arshi Shoaib and Dr. Shagufta Munir for Remedial Classes for Abdullah School students; Dr. Shagufta Niyaz and Dr. Mahjabeen for Disability Support; Dr. Arshia Shafqat, Dr. Fozia Waheed, and Dr. Eisha Rahman for Tuitions for Non-Teaching Staff’s children; Dr. Heena Parveen and Dr. Eisha Rahman for Adult Education for Fourth Grade Employees; and Dr. Fozia Waheed, Dr. Mohd. Firoz Ahamed, Dr. Mahjabeen and Dr. Masudullah Khan for the Locality Cleanliness Drive.
Prof. Shadab Bano and Dr. Eisha Rahman addressed the queries of the participants, providing clarity on the club’s goals and activities. About 65 students registered themselves as the members of the club.
Dr. Mohd Firoz Ahamed concluded the event, encouraging students to join the club for bringing meaningful changes and making a positive impact on their community.
source: http://www.indiaeducationdiary.in / India Education Diary / Home> National News / by India Education Diary / November 07th, 2024
PB Ahmed Mudassar has been elected as the new President of the Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
The elections were held on Saturday, where businessman Ahmed Mudassar was chosen to lead the chamber. He had previously served as the Vice President during the last term.
source: http://www.english.varthabharati.in / Vartha Bharati / Home> Karavali / by Vartha Bharati / September 27th, 2025
Bomb Blast Acquit Turned Advocate Abdul Wahid Shaikh Awarded PhD at MGM University, Aurangabad
Advocate Abdul Wahid Shaikh, noted lawyer, prison rights activist, and the first person person acquitted in the 2006 Mumbai train blast case, was conferred with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree at MGM University, Aurangabad. The degree was presented by Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Vilas Sakpal during a formal convocation ceremony.
Dr. Shaikh’s doctoral research, titled “Prison Literature: Post-Independence”, brings focus to the writings emerging from Indian prisons, highlighting voices of resistance, resilience, and injustice. His work underscores how incarcerated individuals have shaped Urdu literature and contributed to broader narratives of social justice in post-independence India.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Shaikh said:“This PhD is not just an academic milestone, but a continuation of my struggle for prison justice. Prison literature is the voice of the silenced, the testimony of those behind bars, and a mirror to our society’s conscience.”
As General Secretary of the Innocence Network, Dr. Shaikh has long campaigned for the release of wrongfully imprisoned individuals and advocated for humane prison reforms. His latest academic achievement strengthens his commitment to legal activism and adds a scholarly dimension to his work.
Faculty members, scholars, students, and well-wishers attended the convocation, applauding Dr. Shaikh’s perseverance and his contribution at the crossroads of academia, activism, and law.
His achievement is a landmark—demonstrating how an exoneree can turn personal suffering into intellectual strength and contribute meaningfully to the pursuit of justice and the rights of the incarcerated.
source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Positive Story / by Muslim Mirror Special Correspondent / September 29th, 2025
Late Abdur Razzak Kalsekar, Chairman, Rasasi Group
Dubai/Mumbai:
Distinguished citizen, pioneer businessman and philanthropist, Haji Abdul Razak Kalsekar passed away on Monday at Dubai.
The well-known educationist and philanthropist who ran Kalsekar Trust, Kalsekar College and Kalsekar Hospital among many other charitable institutions. His special interest lay in the education sector and he had established many schools, colleges and orphanages.
“His philanthropy in India and West Asia will be remembered forever. He was very much concerned towards the upliftment of the downtrodden and empowerment of women.
Among his educational institutions, Kalsekar Girls Degree College for Women in Mumbra was established in order to provide quality education to girls. He was also very instrumental in setting up many hospitals, engineering, pharmacy and architecture colleges,” Aamir Edresy, president of the Association of Muslim Professionals, said.
Razzaq ran a perfume business in Dubai.
The AMP team offered deep condolences to his family and thousands of people, who considered him not just as an employer but also as a father and a guide.
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim / by TCN News / August 11th, 2015
