Monthly Archives: March 2014

Can Kaif relive Lord’s magic in Phulpur ?

March 17, 2014Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, SportsCricketer, Mohammed Kaif, Mohammed Kaif - Indian Team Cricketer, Mohammed Kaif- UP Cricketermpositiveone@gmail.com

It was a mammoth task: England had set India a target of 326 at Lord’s in the July 2002NatWest final. In those pre-T 20 days, teams seldom piled up such huge scores, forget chasing them. India, after a robust start, lost five wickets in five overs. Mohammed Kaif came in at no 7, when India were 5 for 146. What happened after that is history. Kaif went on to become the man of the match, hitting an unbeaten 87 off 75 balls, and steering India to a famous victory that most now remember as the match where skipper Sourav Ganguly took off his blue jersey and did a victory dance.

Twelve years later, Kaif has another big challenge. He is the Congress candidate from Phulpur in Allahabad, a onetime Congressbastion from where Jawaharlal Nehru, and then his sister, Vijaylakshmi Pandit, contested. But the last time Congress won there was in 1984. Kaif is pitted against BSP’s Kapil Muni Karwariya, the sitting MP, and SP’s Dharma Raj Patel. BJP is yet to announce its candidate.

“I realize it is a Herculean task,” says 33-year-old Kaif, who is from Allahabad. “I am a newcomer to politics. But as an internationalcricketer, I am ready to take up the challenge and give it my best shot.”

A couple of weeks back, he was in a mall in Delhi and bumped into Rahul Gandhi. “He asked me if I was interested in contesting. He told me that more and more youngsters need to join politics from all walks of life. He inspired me to take up the challenge… I agreed to his offer,” says Kaif.

His cricket career was going nowhere. He was dropped from Team India in 2006. He was playing domestic cricket and IPL matches, but this seasos, he was ignored at the IPL auctions.

But he knew people in the Congress inner circle like Union minister Rajiv Shukla. Besides, he “met Rahulji whenever he came to watch our matches”. “I am no stranger to the party,” he says.

Kaif is married to Noida-based journalist Pooja and has a two-year-old son. “Our family has been a very liberal, sporting family. My father Tarif played first-class cricket for UP and Railways. So did my brother Saif. We have always been told to respect all religions and cultures. Besides, onsports fields only your performances and behaviour matter, not your religion or caste.” UP politics, though, is another story.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Specials / by Santosh Suri , TNN / March 17th, 2014

Jaffer Sharief should build a second line leadership: Arshad

March 17, 2014Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersC K Jaffer Sharief, Congress Veteran C K Jaffer Sharief, Jaffer Sharief, Karnataka Youth Congress President, Karnataka Youth Congress President Rizwan Arshad, Rizwan Arshadmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bangalore :

Hailing from an ordinary background, who caught the eye of AICC president Rahul Gandhi, state youth Congress president Rizwan Arshad has the responsibility of wresting the seat held by BJP since 2004 and also prove to the state Congress leadership that winnability exists among the youngsters too.

Was it a sportive gesture on Congress veteran C K Jaffer Sharief to sulk and plan to quit the party, when he failed to get the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha ticket?

He is a senior and aged leader, I would not like to comment on whether it was sportive or not. But the duty of every senior political leader is to develop a second and third line leadership. Today its time Sharief also develops a second level leadership. I am sure he will fulfill this duty of giving an opportunity to the next generation.

With all Muslim legislators and leaders in the party petitioning the Congress high command in favour of former MP C K Jaffer Sharief, how do you plan to win them now?

The Congress party does not function on what a single community says. My candidature was recommended by chief minister Siddaramaiah and KPCC president G Parameshwara. I have met senior leaders in my party to seek their support. There’s a big generational change happening under AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who wants to provide opportunities to the youth hailing from ordinary background.

Bangalore Central has been having candidates across parties, who were senior in age, as an younster, how will you connect with voters?

Bangalore Central is a constituency with youngsters. Of the 17.96 lakh voters here, 45% are under 35 years. And when I meet the seniors they have been saying that they wanted a young candidate to contest.

What are the major issues to be tackled in Bangalore Central ?

This is a constituency, which is the heart line of Bangalore as we have the Whitefield IT corridor. Its one of the oldest and attracts the maximum traffic with people criss-crosing from various points. For the last five to seven years there has bee no special focus on central part of Bangalore, which we need to prepare for futue challenges. Reason: Bangalore is going to compete with citiesoverseas. For this purpose CM Siddaramaiah constituted the Vision Group.

Unlike other communities like the Vokkaligas and Lingayats, why has the Muslim community not been able to project a single leader pan parties?

Its a very sensitive question. Among other communities, if they have singular leaders, the Muslim community cuts across parties to vote. The reason is for a Lok Sabha poll not more than two Muslims get the ticket and in assembly elections about 20-25 candidates. In the rest of the Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies the Muslims vote for candidates of other communities. Therefore no Muslim leader can say he owns the community.

Having contested two elections for the youth Congress polls, how does it feel to be catapulted into a Lok Sabha election?

Both are tough. In the youth Congress polls, we need to convince the youngsters to become members. Then these members have to become delegates who become the electoral college. Its a tedious process. In the assembly or Lok Sabha elections the voters’ list will be ready and we have a defined boundary. Huge manpower is required and you need to convince the people to vote for you.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Specials / by Naheed Ataulla, TNN / March 17th, 2014

Aziz Ansari takes fans’ help for upcoming book

March 17, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, NRI's / PIO'sAziz Ansari, Indo-American comedian Aziz Ansari, New Book 'Modern Romantics'.mpositiveone@gmail.com

London :

Indo-American comedian Aziz Ansari has turned to his fans online for tips on relationship as a part of research for his new book, ‘Modern Romantics’.

The 31-year-old, best known for his role in hit TV series ‘Parks and Recreation’, created a forum on a social networking site Reddit where he posted questions about love, reported Contactmusic.

“Please do not mistake anything you read here as professional advice. Any and all stories posted here may be used in my book on modern romance,” he said.

The forum includes questions such as “Does social media/online world make it harder to be a faithful person in a relationship?” and “Do you find yourself more susceptible to flirtations than before?”

Ansari made a lucrative deal with publisher Penguin Press to pen a book about the perils of dating in the modern age and is expecting to get good help out of his research from this online forum.

‘Modern Romance’ is due to hit shelves in September 2015.

———PTI

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> NRIs corner / Friday – March 14th, 2014

The hunt continues

March 17, 2014SportsAbdul Bari Wahab, Coach Women’s Cricket Team Hyderabad, Spinner Gouher Sultanampositiveone@gmail.com

Triumphs of Indian women cricketers inspires Abdul Bari Wahab to work with renewed zeal.

tips from the proSravanthi Naidu with her coach Abdul Bari Wahab / Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Far away from the madding crowds, for him the hunt continues — the unbridled passion to look for genuine talent in women’s cricket, groom it into performing individuals. Well, this has been the story of Abdul Bari Wahab, coach to the women’s cricket team of Hyderabad since 2009.

“For me, helping these girls is a passion. And, I am really happy with the way they have performing in the last few years,” says a visibly content Wahab even as he basks in the wonderful achievement of his trainee and left-arm spinner Sravanthi Naidu, who took four for nine against Bangladesh in the T-20 international in Dhaka a couple of days ago.

“Sravanthi has the talent but it was difficult for me to get her motivated given the fact that she is making her third comeback into the Indian team after her Test debut in 2005, and that too at the age of 27,” explains Wahab, who was himself a cricketer of repute. Interestingly, the Indian team now in Bangladesh has six members from the city in different capacities – captain Mithali Raj, coach Purnima Rau, spinners Gouher Sultana and Sravanthi Naidu, manager Nandlal Vidya Yadav and video analyst Aarti Nalge.

“Cricket has changed a lot though the basics remain the same. There was an aura when we played and perhaps it was because of the fact that the best of Indian cricketers made it a point to play in all important domestic events including Moin-ud-Dowla Gold Cup, which was invariably the season opener,” feels Wahab. He has a special place in the Moin-ud-Dowla history for taking the first hat-trick in its history when he sent back the likes of Ajit Wadekar, Hanumanth Singh and Amber Roy.

“That is history. Right now, I am more focussed on helping women’s cricketers. Yes, it is a bit painful that there are no regular tournaments in the city. Yet the fact that we continue to produce winning performances at the zonal and the national level is a tribute to the grit, talent and determination of these girls,” insists the untiring coach.

What keep you going? “I can’t stay away from the nets even for a single day. Somehow, I have this passion which motivates me on and on. Yes, there were times when I pondered whether it was worth putting all these efforts. But, every time the girls come back with honours, I work with rejuvenated zeal,” says Wahab, who owes a lot of his cricketing career to former Test star and now BCCI vice-president N. Shivlal Yadav.

Significantly, Wahab is more or less confined to coaching the State team and never gets the opportunity to work with the Indian team despite all his experience and proven expertise. “I don’t want to comment on things on which I don’t have any control. I am ready to accept any challenge and work with all sincerity. Right now, I am entrusted the job of Hyderabad women’s cricket and I am happy playing my bit in this regard,: he says with his typical no-nonsense attitude.

Not surprisingly, Wahab is hoping for Indian team to pull off a special performance in the T-20 World Cup in Bangladesh to give women’s cricket the much desired fillip in the days to come.

V. V. SUBRAHMANYAM

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / March 17th, 2014

My Real Life Hero : Masarat Daud (DO NOT JUDGE A BOOK BY THIS COVER)

March 16, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, World OpinionMasarat Daudmpositiveone@gmail.com

I have been pretty good about posting one of these every two weeks. I wanted to do Masarat this week because she is speaking at TED (March 15 – 28 ) on Thursday, March 20, 2014, 5:00pm-6:45pm PST.

When I first met Masarat, I was told (by Masarat) that I judged by what I saw. In fairness (to me), we did not have any interaction. She joined my place of work just as I was leaving to set up my own company. I think if I had spoken to her, I would have known the person I know (and adore) today. (Masarat, am I being sycophantic enough?)

Masarat is a maverick on so many levels: as a woman/girl, as a muslim woman, as a muslim woman from rural Rajasthan in India, as a muslim woman IN A BURQA from rural Rajasthan growing up in Dubai and NOW living in UK. She breaks all the stereotypes you have in your head about these women. You just have to meet her once to know that. She does not broadcast about the work she does – she just does it. Her feet are firmly grounded, and she has a wicked sense of humour. I love her, in awe of her, and inspired by her. Like all my heroes, I sent her the same questions and here are her responses.

What inspires you?

This is a difficult question to answer. Inspiration comes to me in the most random, fleeting moments. These days, I am moved by a heightened sense of moralobligation. I feel that it does not leave me with much choice than to do what I am doing.

But on a larger level, I am inspired by good people. I have a deep respect for regular humans and their capacity to be good in challenging circumstances. In the middle of a communal riot victims’ camp, while walking around and talking to people about their conditions, almost everyone whose camp I passed, invited me to have tea or dinner—plain, boiled rice. I think these acts inspire me because they give me hope which we all desperately need these days! Plus, they push me to be closer to earth.

Who is your hero? Why?

Another tough question! I have many people who I admire for many different qualities. My hero is everyone who has fought the norm and created a different/better life for themselves. People who could stand up for what they believed was right; people who do not moan and whine that Life gave them a rotten deal. Whether it was my father who fought his society by educating himself and us; whether it is Person X [someone I know] who fought her deep pain to love us untainted, unconditional; whether it is people who I know are struggling personally but don’t lose themselves to bitterness and grudge…just so many.

If you had a choice of becoming one of your (all time – dead or alive; real or fiction) favourite character, who would it be and why?

I wouldn’t want to BE one of the people I know personally, simply because if I were them…then I would not experience them in my life the way I have. So I will have to choose outside: I think Sir Syed! A man who was way ahead of his time—in terms of thought process, passion and action. You can read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syed_Ahmad_Khan

When are you happiest?

I am particularly happy when:

– When I am in my village

– When I am surrounded by my family (anywhere in the world)

– When I am doing something meaningful

What pisses you off most?

Hypocrisy (religious and other), Ego, Lies, Anchovies and capers in my food

What is your most embarrassing moment?

I think I got over this long time back. I can hardly remember any but maybe ages ago, when I turned up to school in two different shoes: one with heel and the other one flat

What would you describe as your most sublime experience?

In Berlin, at a random small Italian restaurant, eating the juiciest, more incredible tomato I had ever eaten. AND.

In Muzaffarnagar, hearing Urdu being spoken among regular people. You can then really understand why language is so important in shaping us as sensitive, respectful humans.

If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it?

Money is useless if it cannot allow me to make others happy. I know myself—I will give it to whoever has a more life-changing need than I. If something remains, I am booking travel tickets immediately!

Enjoy getting to know this amazing woman if you haven’t already and connect with her in the links below.

Twitter: @Masarat

Blog link http://ruralspirit.wordpress.com

source: http://www.mita56.wordpress.com / Home> MIta’s Views / by Mita Srinivasan / March 16th, 2014

Mughal Emperors eyes medical tourists from Iraq

March 16, 2014Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Science & Technology, Travel & Tourism, World OpinionAbdul Qadir Gilani, Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, Mughal Emperors Logistics Private Ltd, Yakub Habeebudin Tucympositiveone@gmail.com

The company is promoted by Yakub Habeebudin Tucy, the great grandson of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar.

Hyderabad-based Mughal Emperors Logistics Private Ltd is reaching out to Iraqi nationals interested in medical tourism in India.

The company, which is promoted by Yakub Habeebudin Tucy, the great grandson of last Mughal Emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar, said it was also looking at Jordan and Palestine.

According to Tucy, the potential medical tourists from Iraq to India is 800-900 every year. While a less severe medical therapy costs around Rs 60,000 in Iraq, in India it costs Rs 15,000-20,000. The cities mostly preferred for therapies are Mumbai, Chennai and Hyderabad.

On average, a medical tourist from Iraq stays for 20-25 days in India, while in some cases it’s around 60 days.

On the total Indians visiting Iraq annually, Tucy said more than 16,000 visit places of religious interest including the shrines of Abdul Qadir Gilani in Baghdad, Imam Hussain in Karbala and Imam Ali in Najaf. Some Indians also throng the ruins of Babylonia on the River Tigris.

Mughal Logistics is ferrying a batch comprising 100-120 individuals every two months to these holyplaces for the Muslim community.

It runs a seven and eight-day package for Indians travelling to Iraq, priced at Rs 65,000 and Rs 75,000 respectively.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Hyderabad – March 05th, 2014

Confirmed: Sporting Goa’s Adil Khan close to making Mohun Bagan switch

March 14, 2014SportsAdil Ahmed Khan, Adil Ahmed Khan - Footballer, Adil Khan, Adil Khan - Footballer, Goan Footballer Adil Khanmpositiveone@gmail.com

The versatile player is all set to take the plunge to play for Karim Bencherifa’s side in the next I-League season…

Sporting Clube de Goa’s defensive midfielder Adil Ahmed Khan has agreed a year long deal to play for Mohun Bagan in the next I-League season 2013-14, GOAL™ can reveal.

The 24-year-old had joined the ranks of the Flaming Oranje, where he eventually featured in the top flight of Indian football under his former Sesa FA coach Vishwas Gaonkar, who was at Sporting Goa at the time, in the year 2007.

It was understood that the Maroon and Green were interested in acquiring the services of Khan three years ago, which was when current Bagan head coach Karim Bencherifa was at the helm of the Kolkata outfit before the Moroccan had joined Salgaocar FC.

“It was too early for me that time (to join Mohun Bagan),” revealed Adil Khan.

The former India U-23 however did take the time to recognise where his roots lie. “Sesa FA gave birth to me and Sporting [Clube de Goa] gave me the stage,” he told GOAL™.

Now that Mohun Bagan have successfully beaten the odds to stay in the first division after their points weredocked following the Kolkata derby fiasco against East Bengal, Khan also hopes that he will win his first major title with the Mariners next season.

“It’s really good to see the way Mohun Bagan fought back (in the relegation battle) from zero points to the 10 wins [and seven draws]. They (Bagan) were championship contenders if nothing had happened against East Bengal,” he said.

“Hopefully it will happen (Mohun Bagan win the I-League) next year when I am with the club,” Khan signed off optimistically.

source: http://www.goal.com / Goal.com / Home / by Anselm Noronha / Photo by Mango Peel / May 03rd, 013

Adil Khan, Syed Ghouse elected to Hyderabad Union of Journalists posts

March 14, 2014Arts, Culture & EntertainmentAdil Ahmed Khan, Adil Ahmed Khan of Etemaad, Maxim News, Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin, Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin Editormpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

Adil Ahmed Khan of Etemaad has been elected as Treasurer and Syed Ghouse Mohiuddin Editor, Maxim News and www.indtoday.com has been re-elected as Co-Option Member of Hyderabad Union of Journalists.

The HUJ is the district unit of Telangana Union of Working Journalists, according to a press release. (INN)

source: http://www.newswala.com / NewsWala / Home> Hyderabad News / March 11th, 2014