Innovative Project ‘Masjid One’ to start on pilot basis
12 masjids of Dakshina Kannada district selected
Data collection to be completed within two months
Mangaluru, July 06: ‘Masjid One’, a major and innovative project aimed at building a network among all masjids in the country under one platform using technology to ensure the welfare of all Muslims, kicked off on pilot basis in Dakshina Kannada District.
For the effective implementation of the ‘Masjid One’, All India Muslim Development Board will be constituted in which, all noted personalities of the Muslim community including religious scholars, businessmen, politicians and heads of Muslim organisations of the country will be actively involved. The aim of the Masjid One is to ensure socio-economic and educational progress of the Muslim community. Promoters of Masjid One have told Varthabharati that heads of thousands of masjids of the country came forward to join hands with the platform in the last two years and this has boosted the scheme.
Total 12 masjids including Kallega Juma Masjid of Puttur taluk, Masjid ul Bilal of Budoli, Masjid Birrul Walidain of Farangipete in Bantwala taluk, Masjid ul Huda of Thokkottu, Masjid ul Anas bin Malik of Bengare, Shabiul Rasad Juma Masjid of Ganjimutt Narlapadavu, Tauhid Masjid of Mulki, Salam Masjid of Bajal, Salafi Masjid of Kudroli, Salafi Centre Masjid of Kankanady, Badriya Juma Masjid Muslim Jama'at of Krishnapur, Mohiuddin Juma Masjid of Chokkabettu in Mangaluru taluk are bringing under the Masjid One. It was already discussed in the Jamaat management committee meeting.
Speaking to Varthabharati, All India Muslim Development Board coordinator Muhammad Imtiyaz said that efforts were being made to collect the data of all Muslims coming under masjid or jamaat. But before collecting the data, the people who entrusted the responsibility would be given training on how to collect the data. Two months time was given to collect the data. Later, a convention of selected representatives would be convened in Bengaluru in October and discuss on the future course of action, he said.
As per the available data, it would require around Rs 21 lakh crore for the overall socio-economic and educational development of Muslims of the country. This amount could be collected from within the community as investment and there was no need to depend on others for it. In order to apprise the investors in the community, it was inevitable to conduct survey of the community. Presently, 12 masjids were selected in Dakshina Kannada district for this programme, but in future, other masjids would also be included, he said.
For the effective management of the collected data and their updation, Technology platform is developed by INDIANITI Global solutions private Ltd., Bengaluru.While collecting the data, priority would be given to collect the name, age, education, profession and others of each person in a family. Along with this, efforts would also be made to reach around 80 government programmes to the needy through Masjid One. Already, Ulemas and social, political leaders have extended their support for this scheme. Even the Wakf Board also responded positively. This platform would be an effective tool to connect other jamaats and discuss issues between them. It was also planned to constitute four sub-committees in each jamaat to implement the programmes effectively, he exuded confidence.
Imtiyaz also appealed the presidents, secretaries, Khateebs and members of all 12 masjids selected in the first phase to give the information about the families.
It is a very good project. Everyone needs to support this. Every Jamaat committee should survey all the families in its limit and document it in the computer system and must see that these schemes reaches to the eligible people. Very importantly, the problems of families living in the limit of jamat should be solved in the jamat limit only. Then only the goal can be achieved. That requires guidance from community loving organisations.
-B.A. Shakoor Haji, President, Kallega Juma Masjid, Puttur
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JioHotstar to invest Rs 4,000 crore for South Indian content push; unveils 25-title slate
Chennai (PTI): Streaming service JioHotstar on Tuesday announced that it will invest Rs 4,000 crore over the next five years to strengthen South India’s creative economy, unveiling a 25-title slate as part of a major push for regional content.
In one of the biggest announcements by an Indian streaming platform for the southern markets, the company showcased its “South Unbound” vision at a high-profile event here.
Sushant Sreeram, Head – SVOD Business & Chief Marketing Officer at JioStar, said the investment forms part of a broader collaboration with the Tamil Nadu government.
“Earlier today, JioHotstar formalised a Letter of Intent with the Government of Tamil Nadu in the presence of the Chief Minister M K Stalin. This outlines a shared commitment to invest in talent, expand infrastructure and build a future-ready creative economy from the South.
"As part of this vision, JioHotstar will invest Rs 4,000 crore to nurture creators, strengthen the production ecosystem and build a pipeline of stories that are ready for India and ready for the world,” he said.
Calling South India the “heartbeat of Indian storytelling”, Sreeram said the investment signalled the platform’s long-term commitment to local creators.
"JioHotstar started as a dream — to build entertainment rooted in India’s storytelling heritage and powered by cutting-edge technology. The resplendent storytelling traditions of the South motivate us to keep championing authentic, rooted narratives while offering greater accessibility and choices for every viewer," he said.
The event was attended by Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, veteran actor and MP Kamal Haasan, senior state officials, and leading stars and filmmakers from across the southern industries.
Deputy CM Stalin said the partnership will generate “1,000 direct jobs and 15,000 indirect jobs”.
“Cinema in Tamil Nadu has always been a force for social change. OTT is not replacing cinema; it is expanding it. Today, a filmmaker in Madurai or Salem can upload a story and reach audiences across the world. The cultural and economic impact of this partnership will be massive," he added.
aasan said Indian media and entertainment was undergoing a fundamental transformation driven not by technology alone, but by the audience itself.
“We gather at a moment when India’s media and entertainment is not merely growing, it is transforming. For the first time, this shift is not driven by device or format, but by the audience itself,” he said, adding that storytelling today is “screen agnostic”.
“Regional is becoming the new national, and ethnic the new international. Stories born in Madurai, Malappuram or Machilipatnam are no longer regional cinema; they are national cultural events,” Haasan said, giving the example of movies such as “Kantara”, “Drishyam”, “Baahubali”, “Pushpa” and Tamil hits like “Vikram”.
The event was also attended by Mohanlal, Nagarjuna, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani, Aishwarya Rajesh and others -- along with directors Jeethu Joseph and Ahammed Khabeer
The streamer's ambitious content slate, unveiled as part of its “South Unbound” initiative, includes sequels to blockbuster franchises, new long-format shows, films, adaptations, and high-engagement reality formats.
The Tamil slate features a mix of returning favourites and new originals, led by "Bigg Boss Tamil", now hosted by Vijay Sethupathi, and "Good Wife S2", the legal drama starring Priyamani.
The lineup also includes "LBW – Love Beyond Wicket", a relationship drama; the family comedy "Cousins and Kalyanams"; the psychological drama "Resort"; and "Heartbeat S3", which brings back Anumol, Karthik Kumar and Deepa Balu.
Other Tamil offerings include "Lingam", an action-drama; "Love Always", a multigenerational love story; the marquee title "Kaattaan" starring Vijay Sethupathi and Milind Soman; and "Second Love", a non-fiction relationship series.
In Telugu, the platform returns with "Bigg Boss Telugu" hosted by Nagarjuna, alongside new originals such as "Moodu Lantharlu" starring Aishwarya Rajesh; the police procedural "Vikram on Duty"; "Varam", a mystical relationship drama; and the hit comedy-drama "Save The Tigers S3" with Chaitanya Krishna.
The slate further includes "Vishakha", the Telugu adaptation of "Aarya" led by Kajal Aggarwal; the relationship-based non-fiction format "Mad for Each Other"; and the Telugu debut of the iconic adventure franchise "Roadies".
From Malayalam, the platform brings back "Bigg Boss Malayalam" hosted by Mohanlal; "Kerala Crime Files S3" featuring Aju Varghese; the mystery drama "Secret Stories: Roslin"; "Anali", "1000 Babies S2" with Neena Gupta and Rahman; and the hard-hitting drama "Pharma" starring Nivin Pauly.
The Kannada lineup includes "Bigg Boss Kannada" hosted by Kichcha Sudeepa; "Batchmates", a nostalgic friendship drama; and the food-and-humour-based non-fiction series "Comedy Cooks".
Across languages, the platform also announced new films such as "Lucky The Superstar", featuring GV Prakash, Anaswara Rajan and Meghna Sumesh, and "Kenatha Kaanom", positioned as broad-appeal mainstream entertainers.
