Mohammad Mansoor honoured with Hind Ratan Award
NRI Businessman honoured with the highest annual award by NRI Welfare Society of India
New Delhi : Mohammad Mansoor, founder of Exelon and Saara Group, was honoured Hind Ratan Award by the NRI Welfare Society of India at the 38th International Congress of NRIs on the eve of the 70th Republic Day in New Delhi. The congress is held annually in association with the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas celebrations.
Mansoor is among the pioneers who supported the sports and media initiatives in the Kingdom of Bahrain. He also introduced the first franchise based T20 Premier Cricket League, following the format of Indian Premier League, in the Kingdom of Bahrain under the patronage of Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa in 2018. The initiative was critically supported by the legends of the sport and Bollywood celebrities.
The initiatives by Mohammad Mansoor brought together leading investors, celebrities, members of the film fraternity and sports from India to support the initiatives by the Royal Family of Bahrain towards the growth of sports and media industry in the region. His presence and support towards Brave Combat Federation which is the fastest growing Mixed Martial Arts organisation in the world found by Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa and operated by Mohammed Shahid are also recognised among the global sports community.
One of the leading businessmen in Bahrain, Mansoor is the Chairman & CEO of SAARA Group, who heads a series of ventures and organisations spread across the domains of Information Technology, Energy, Media, Oil & Gas, Sports Initiatives, Seed Capital Investments, and Social Initiatives. Exelon is among his most ambitious initiatives which are spread across the Kingdom of Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India. Exelon serves SABIC & ARAMCO apart from bringing multiple investment initiatives to the Kingdom of Bahrain. This includes SMEXINDO and facilitating the development of projects leading to Garuda City from Indonesia and global initiatives. Mansoor is also a member of Bahrain India Society, patron of Bahrain Kannada Sangha and the patron of Indian Club, Bahrain.
“I am humbled by the love and recognition which is a pillar of strength to each of my initiatives. I firmly believe that it is the duty of expatriates as global citizens to support progressive initiatives in the region where they operate. This will have a significant impact on the way the world perceives India and Indians. I am honoured by the Hind Ratan Award from the NRI Welfare Society of India, and this motivates me to strengthen my initiatives in the region and towards multiple projects which will add value towards the NRI community in the region by being a part of multiple progressive initiatives by the Kingdom of Bahrain”, said Mohammad Mansoor.
Mohammad Mansoor represented the Indian business community in Bahrain by being one among the entourage of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during his official visit to India.
(With His Majesty KING HAMAD BIN ISA AL KHALIFA, King of Kingdom of Bahrain)
(Presenting the cricket bat to H.H. Shaikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Bahrain’s 1st Cricket Premier league)
(With Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Prime Minister of Bahrain)
(With Crown Prince H.H. Shaikh Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa)
(With Mohammad Shahid , CEO of Brave Combat Federation , and Mohammad Arayyed)
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
