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The Urdu version of a book honouring the legacy of Muslim Vellori, a freedom fighter from Karnataka, was released at Apna Ghar, an orphanage at Bannimantap in Mysuru on Sunday. According to Vellori’s grand daughter Shakira Khanum, who was present on the occasion, Vellori was the founder of the Muslim Boys orphanage when it was first established on Kantharaj Urs Road in Mysuru in 1927. Born as Mohammed Abdul Wahid Khan in 1883 in Ganjam near Srirangapatna, he acquired the name Muslim Vellori as his childhood days were spent in an Islamic seminary in Vellore. Ms. Khanum, who is a professor of Hindi at Al Ameen College in Bengaluru, compiled the information for a book on the life of Muslim Vellori. While Abdul Hameed wrote the book in Urdu, the Kannada version was authored by Chand Pasha and the English version was translated by Daniya Ayath Khan, said Ms. Khanum. While the English version of the book was released by noted journalist P. Sainath on October 13, 2025, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had released the Kannada version of the book in Bengaluru on October 25. The Urdu version of the book on Vellori’s life history was released at a function in Mysuru on Sunday. Muslim Vellori passed away on October 30, 1977 and the last Sunday of October is observed as the founder’s day in the Muslim Boys Orphanage, said Ms. Khanum. She recalled that Vellori, who had associated himself with Mahatma Gandhi, was known for his fearless oratory skills. Vellori was an active participant in various anti-colonial movements including the Khilafat Movement inspiring many with his speeches and writings, according to a statement shared by the organisers. “Apart from his involvement in the freedom struggle, Vellori was committed to social service, particularly in the area of education and welfare. Vellori founded the Muslim Boy’s Orphanage in Mysore, which continues to provide shelter and education to underprivileged children. Ms. Khanum said Vellori had also served as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) during the tenure of Kengal Hanumanthaiah and even wrote Urdu text books for students.
