Monthly Archives: March 2014

Jayalalithaa’s schoolmate Badar Sayeed quits AIADMK and joins AAP

March 6, 2014Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersAIADMK, Badar Sayeed, ex MLA, Lawyer, Tamil Nadumpositiveone@gmail.com

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa’s school friend Badar Sayeed has quit the AIADMK and joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

Sayeed, 67, was an MLA from Triplicane constituency in Chennai from 2006 to 2011 while the party was in the Opposition.

“Sayeed formally joined our party in the presence of Tamil Nadu state convenor Christina Samy on Wednesday. The party welcomes her wholeheartedly,” said M. Lenin, AAP’s media in-charge, told Indiatoday.in.

He said it is up to the party to field her in the Lok Sabha elections.

Sayeed was feeling sidelined and aloof in the AIADMK for quite some time, more so after Jayalalithaa came back to power in May 2011.

But her decision has surprised the AIADMK and political observers.

“I joined the AAP for personal reasons. I can’t reveal what these reasons are. There are no political reasons. Whether I will contest or not can’t be revealed now,” Sayeed told Indiatoday.in.

A leading lawyer in the Madras High Court, the 67-year-old is known for her outspokenness and boldness.

Six months ago, she filed a petition in the Madras High Court challenging the authority of Muslim qazis to grant ‘talaq’ (divorce).

She challenged the practice quoting Indian law and scriptures and said qazis granting divorce is illegal and anti-Islam and prayed the court to ban the practice.

The case is pending.

Sayeed was two years senior to Jayalalithaa in the Chennai’s Church Park Convent school.

She has a son and a daughter and her husband is a neurosurgeon in Chennai.

Political observers are surprised by Sayeed’s move.

Only on rare occasions have AIADMK leaders quit the party, especially when Jayalalithaa is in power.

“It is surprising. Jayalaltihaa has an iron grip over the party. People are afraid about even thinking of deserting. If this trend continues, it will be good not only for the AIADMK, which lacks even basic rights of dissent but also for democracy and Tamil Nadu politics,” said V. Durai Kannan, a senior journalist and political observer.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / Home> India> South / by R. Ramashuramanian, Chennai / March 06th, 2014

JK Govt should enhance retirement age of doctors: Azad

March 5, 2014Business & Economy, Science & TechnologyGhulam Nabi Azad, Union Health & Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azadmpositiveone@gmail.com

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today asked the Jammu and Kashmir government to raise the retirement age of doctors so that the health sector did not suffer for want of adequate staff.

Azad said this after inaugurating a 220-bed Super Speciality Hospital besides launching Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK), Project Swasthya Slate and 102-J&K Referral Service under National Rural Health Mission here.

Regarding 102 referral service, he asked the state health minister to bring the remaining sanctioned 200 ambulances at the earliest.

Accompanied by Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, Azad said Jammu and Kashmir was the first state to get the Project Swasthya Slate to cover most difficult areas.

Spelling out achievements of the Centre and state governments, Azad said, “We have not only given new dimensions to health sector but all the development fields have witnessed a discernible change during the past 4 to 5 years.”

Azad said one more medical college has been sanctioned for Rajouri, thus raising the total number of newly sanctioned medical colleges to five.

He said the government has given nod to establish 75 cancer institutions in the country compared to only one such centre in the last 65 years.

He said the UPA government extended massive financial and moral support to all the states without any political, social or religious consideration.

Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah extended gratitude to the Centre for giving special consideration to development of J&K in view of its tough terrain and hoped it will continue to do so in future also.

He also thanked Azad for transforming the healthcare profile of the state.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Jammu- March 03rd, 2014

Geeta Kapoor & Ahmad Khan back with DID L’il Masters Season 3

March 5, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainmentmpositiveone@gmail.com

After DID Dance Ka Tashan , the hit jodi of Master Geeta Kapoor and Ahmad Khan is all set to make a comeback in the third edition of DID L’il Masters.

Starting March 1st 2014, DID L’il Masters will have the duo judge the l’il powerhouse of talents showcasing their prowess as dancers. Following the stupendous success of the first and second Zee TV announces the third installment of this spectacular show that has established, once and for all, that it is the children of this country who are the real ‘Dance ke Baap’!

Said everybody’s favourite Geeta ma, “Every season of DID has been special in different ways and L’il Masters particularly has been very satisfying in terms of creativity as well as ratings. Watching the lil kids of our country grow as dancers and performers is extremely gratifying. Their energy and enthusiasm is infectious. Like all others, we’re certain even this season is going to another memorable and exciting journey.”

Said Ahmad, “Dance India Dance has always been close to my heart. I was to be a part of the very first season of the show but it didn’t work out due to prior commitments. I love kids so there was no chance of me declining the offer. I love to be associated with DID since it is such a huge brand. Dance reality shows, especially DID really promote talented kids and give a push to their careers. What I especially love about DID is that it doesn’t just promote the contestants on the show till they win but even long after the show is over, it gives them careers and continues to push them till the end.”

With overwhelming response at the auditions from genuinely gifted children across the cities and awe-inspiring dance acts by the little powerhouses of talent, the show is back once again with twice the fun than before. DID L’il Masters aims to open avenues for talented children who dream of becoming the biggest child dancing star. The first season winner Jitumoni, not only bagged the coveted prize of the ‘Golden Super Wings’ but was flooded with offers to perform both within the country and globally as well. Season two winner, Faisal Khan’s dancing abilities was appreciated by one and all and he has now bagged a show as lead actor as well.

DID Li’l Masters features only India’s best child dancers vying for the ultimate recognition – The Golden Super Wings! If you thought season one and two were terrific, just wait till you see the latest edition of the show!

I was scared of judging: Choreographer Ahmad Khan

March 5, 2014Arts, Culture & EntertainmentAhmad Khan, Choreographer Ahmad Khanmpositiveone@gmail.com

Choreographer Ahmad Khan, who is set to judge dance reality show ” Dance India Dance Little Masters season 3″, says initially he wasn’t comfortable with the idea of judging a show.

Ahmad, who has dabbled with acting and direction, besides choreography, is co-judging it with veteran Geeta Kapoor.

“Everything else came with time, but I was always scared about judging (a show). Zee TV had asked me earlier also but I was a little scared. But when I reached the sets, I told Geeta I will do everything with heart and you handle if something goes wrong. And she did that very well,” Ahmad said here at the launch of the show.

“Dance India Dance Little Masters season 3” starts March 1 and it will be aired Saturday and Sunday on Zee TV at 9 p.m.

Ahmad says that as the auditions progressed, he realised that judging is about being yourself.

“During auditions I learned that you don’t have to learn anything when you judge a show. You have to be yourself. I was told that they give you a script and they prompt you. But that doesn’t happen,” Ahmad said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Entertainment> Hindi> TV / by IANS / February 11th, 2014

Rashid prevails in play-off, wins maiden Asian Tour title

March 5, 2014Sports, World OpinionIndian golfer Rashid Khan, Rashid Khan, Rashid Khan Golf Playermpositiveone@gmail.com

Rashid Khan. —Photo: Shiv Kumar Pushpakar / The Hindu

Displaying nerves of steel, Rashid Khan fired three successive birdies, including one in the play-off against Bangladesh’s Siddikur Rahman, to win the $300,000 SAIL-SBI golf title at the Delhi Golf Club course here on Saturday.

Trailing by a stroke with just two holes remaining, Rashid played aggressively for a birdie-birdie finish to tie with Siddikur. On the first playoff hole, Rashid tapped in for birdie after Siddikur missed his birdie-putt.

The triumph, worth $54,000, was Rashid’s first on the Asian Tour.

Last year, this local pro lost the playoff to Anirban Lahiri but went on to top the domestic tour’s Order of Merit.

Rashid carded a one-under 71, his worst of the week, for an aggregate of 18-under 270, a tally that Siddikur managed following a 69 that came after three successive scores of 67.

On a day when Rashid played 29 holes, including 11 of the third round, Siddikur did not take long to stake his claim to the title. Starting the fourth round two strokes behind, Siddikur bridged the gap with an eagle on the opening hole. Though Rashid twice surged ahead, Siddikur soon caught up.

Rashid eventually trailed following a bogey on the 13th and a steady Siddikur stayed ahead until a dramatic birdie from the local pro set up a thrilling finish.

In Rashid’s words, “on the 17th, I actually hit a bad shot, but I don’t know how my ball pitched over the bunker and rolled to one-and-a-half feet to the flag… It was really lucky.”

Both players birdied the 18th to force the playoff. Rashid’s three-wood approach shot from 269 yards set up the birdie before Siddikur missed his birdie from 15 feet.

This breakthrough victory on the Asian Tour earned Rashid an exemption from playing qualifiers in the continent until the end of 2015.

Siddikur, winner of the prestigious Indian Open here in November last year, did not sound too disappointed.

“It was a good play-off. I played my game but, maybe, I should have played the driver. I had used the three-wood in the first four rounds and made birdie every day. But it wasn’t the case in the play-off.”

The scores:

Rashid Khan (61, 69, 69, 71), Siddikur Rahman (Ban) (67, 67, 67, 69) 270 (Rashid won on the first playoff hole); Rikard Karlberg (Swe) (71, 70, 67, 68) 276; Carlos Pigem (Esp) (69, 71, 69, 68), S.S.P. Chowrasia (68, 69, 72, 68), Martin Rominger (Sui) (72, 63, 70, 72) 277; Steve Lewton (Eng) (68, 70, 68, 72) 278; Abhijit Chadha (68, 73, 69, 69), Jyoti Randhawa (71, 69, 70, 69), Anirban Lahiri (70, 66, 69, 74) and Mithun Perera (Sri) (66, 68, 73, 72) 279.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports / by Special Correspondent / New Delhi – March 02nd, 2014

Let’s get this straight: Bhajji’s helping Parvez Rasool

March 5, 2014SportsIndian Cricketer, Kashmiri Cricketer, Parvez Rasoolmpositiveone@gmail.com

Rasool’s heart swells with pride when Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweets about him. If nothing, it motivates the star all-rounder.

Of late, Rasool has been trying to add a few more weapons in his armoury. A meeting with Harbhajan Singh helped him learn the “seedha”. Spinners love to turn the ball, but they often employ the ‘straighter one’. Rasool is happy he has learned it from the master. “Bhajji bhai taught me how to bowl a ‘seedha’ during the recent Irani Trophy game. Now, it’s up to me to master it,” he told dna on Saturday.

Harbhajan has rattled batsmen the world over with his straight ones. In fact, the delivery is often considered the most dangerous weapon of an off-spinner. “Bhajji bhai demonstrated the foot position along with the grip. I’ve been trying hard to master this delivery during practice sessions,” said Rasool, who is the first player from Kashmir to have made the Indian squad and played the IPL.

But Rasool is completely against the idea of changing his bowling action. In other words, he won’t do an R Ashwin! “Variations are important, but sticking to the basics is the key to success. I would not compromise with my action at any point. At the same time, I would like to have a few more variations up my sleeve,” he said.

Rasool, who is leading J&K in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, is enjoying that “extra attention”. “It’s obvious that I get more attention, especially from people from my state. And why not?” asks Rasool, adding, “It makes me even more determined to do well and become the first cricketer from my state to play for India. Insha’Allah (God-willing), I will be able to justify this faith.”

Rasool was recently snapped up by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 95 lakh and he is eagerly waiting to make his mark in the IPL. “Like any other player, I, too, was excited on the day of the auction but I could not watch it because I had a flight to catch. It was only when I landed in Bangalore for the Irani Cup tie that I realised I had been bought. I received a lot of congratulatory messages,” Rasool informed. In fact, his smile said it all.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Sport / by Chander Shekhar Luthra / Place:New Delhi, Agency:DNA / Sunday – March 02nd, 2014

Aamir Khan, Pappu Yadav to help Mountain Man’s family

March 5, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issuesmpositiveone@gmail.com

Days of abject poverty for Bhagirath Manjhi and Basanti Devi, son and daughter-in-law of a man who single-handedly carved out a road by cutting through a hill in Bihar, are likely to end soon.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan and Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav, former MP who was last year acquitted in the murder case relating to a CPI-M leader, have come forward to provide financial help to Bhagirath and Basanti.

Yadav has already provided Rs.1 lakh in cash to them and also promised to provide Rs.10,000 every month.

“We were pained after we came to know that Bhagirath and Basanti were living a life full of misery and decided to help them financially,” Yadav told IANS over telephone Monday.

He said monthly financial help would be provided to Bhagirath and Basanti by Maa Maati, the voluntary organisation of his wife Ranjita Ranjan, also a former MP.

Aamir Khan, who visited their village for his TV show “Satyamev Jayate” last week, is set to provide financial help to them.

Shafi Ahmad, state coordinator of Khan’s production house, said a team would visit the Dasrathnagar Dalit tola near Gahlaur in Gaya district, around 100 km from here, soon on behalf of Aamir Khan as he had requested that their requirements be looked after.

Khan, during his visit, also assured help to Bhagirath and Basanti.

Both of them told Khan that they have been left in the lurch, ignored by politicians and officials despite repeated assurances.

Basanti added that she, along with her husband, begs for money to conduct an annual ritual in the memory of Dasrath Manjhi.

Bhagirath and Basanti work in the village primary school as cooks for preparing the mid-day meal for children. Both of them are paid Rs.1,000 a month.

Dasrath Manjhi had single-handedly carved out a 360 feet long, 30 feet high and 30 feet wide passage by cutting through a hill near Gahlaur with a hammer and chisel, working day and night. He died in 2007 after a battle with cancer.

The hill was between Attari and Wazirgunj blocks in Gaya district. Thanks to Manjhi, the village blocks have been brought closer. Manjhi began his uphill work when his wife was injured and he had to take a detour around the mountains to reach the nearest hospital.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Entertainment / Agency : IANS / Tuesday – March 04th, 2014

Sada-e-Dilkusha of Iqbal’s Persian poems to be released on Saturday

March 5, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, EducationIqbal's Persian Poems, Muztar Majaz, Saad-e-Dilkusha, Syed Turabul Hasan, Urdu Poetmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

(Siasat News) Noted Urdu poet, Mr. Muztar Majaz has complied Sada-e-Dilkusha consisting of Iqbal’s Persian poems and translated them from Persian into Urdu.

This book will be released by Mr. Syed Turabul Hasan, IAS (Rtd) at Urdu Hall, Himayathnagar at 7 pm on Saturday 8th March.

Dr. Mohammed Ziauddin Ahmed Shakaib will preside over the function. Mr. Rahimuddin Kamal, Editor of Horizon English Daily will be the guest of honor for this function.

Prof. Fatima Begum, former Head of the Dept. of Urdu of O.U. and Mr. Syed Imtiyaz Uddin will express their opinions on the translated poems by Mr. Muztar Majaz. Mr. Ghulam Yazdani, President of Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu, A.P. will present welcome address.

Dr. Mohammed Shujath Ali Rashed, Deputy Director of Centre for Professional Development of Urdu Medium Teachers of Maulana Azad National Urdu University will conduct the meeting.

He has requested all the invitees, research scholars and Urdu lovers to attend the meeting.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Hyderabad / Tuesday – March 04th, 2014

Rashid reigns supreme

March 5, 2014Sports, World OpinionGolf, Indian Golfer, Indian golfer Rashid Khan, Rashid Khan, Rashid Khan Golf Playermpositiveone@gmail.com

Indian kickstarts season with thrilling play-off victory.

Rashid Khan launched his first full Asian Tour career with a thrilling victory in the season-opening SAIL-SBI Open as he edged out Bangladesh’s Siddikur in a play-off at the Delhi Golf Club here on Saturday.

Both players finished the regulation 72 holes 18-under par 270, six strokes ahead of Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg. Carlos Pigem of Spain, Swiss Martin Rominger and India’s SSP Chowrasia finished tied fourth.

In the first extra hole, Rashid went for an aggressive all-or-nothing approach shot from the fairway after to place the ball just 20-feet from the pin. He missed the eagle putt but still made a birdie.

Siddikur, on the other hand, took three shots to reach the green and could only make par after missing out on a 10-feet birdie putt. He carded three-under 69 in the final round.

“This is a special win for me because it came at my home course. I had lost last year. So it was really important,” said he 23-year-old Rashid, who managed a final round of 71.

“The way I played on the first day, I was confident but Siddikur played very well in last two days and at the end the title came in a play-off. I am happy,” Rashid, who became richer by $54,000, added.

He had lost to Anirban Lahiri in a play-off at the same event last year here playing on the PGTI card.

Two-time defending champion Lahiri, Asian tour winner Jyoti Randhawa, Abhijit Singh and Sri Lanka’s Mithun Perera signed off tied eighth at nine-under 279.
Starting the day under a laden sky on a chilly Saturday morning, Rashid finished the third round at three- under 69 to hang on to a two-stroke lead over Siddikur, who turned in a five-under 67 for the third successive time.

However, Rashid’s fortunes tumbled early in the fourth round as Siddikur caught up with the Indian at 17-under after firing an eagle on the first hole.

But Siddikur then stumbled on a bogey-birdie patch at the third and fourth holes as Rashid once again gained a one-stroke lead when he scored a birdie on the seventh hole. But a bogey on the ninth, meant the duo were once again on an even keel.

A 13th hole bogey by Rashid took Siddikur atop the leaderboard once again. But a lucky birdie at the 17th hole helped him to claw back as the duo birdied the 18th to take the match into the play-off.

“I want to thank my family and friends but special thanks to Ashok Kumar, who helped me change a few things in my swing and I really hit the ball well,” Rashid said.

The Delhi golfer lost a few play-offs in the past and he said he was happy he could pull off this time. “I played seven play offs in last 14 months and won only three.

Even the last event I lost in a play-off at BILT Open. So I was scared. It was 50-50 for me. With this victory, Rashid will receive a three-year exemption from Asian Tour and the Indian said it means a lot to him.

Leading scores (after 72 holes, Indians unless mentioned): 270: Rashid Khan (61, 69, 69, 71), Siddikur Rahman (Ban, 67, 67, 67, 69. Rashid wins via play-off. 276: Rikard Karlberg (Swe, 71, 70, 67, 68); 277: Carlos Pigem (Eng, 69, 71, 69, 68), SSP Chowrasia (68, 69, 72, 68), Martin Rominger (Sui, 72, 63, 70, 72); 278: Steve Lewton (Eng, 68, 70, 68, 72); 279: Abhijit Chadha (68, 73, 69, 69), Jyoti Randhawa (71, 69, 70, 69), Anirban Lahiri (70, 66, 69, 74), Mithun Perera (SL, 66, 68, 73, 72).

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / by PTI / New Delhi – March 01st, 2014