To keep alive the memories of actor Cochin Haneefa, the Cochin Haneefa Foundation is organising a major cricket tournament – Cochin Haneefa Cup. The Cochin Haneefa Memorial Tournament, which will be a cinema cricket championship, will be held at TCC cricket ground, Tripunithura.
The championship which will begin on April 12 will continue till April 23. The game will be played in the Twenty20 format on a knock-out basis. About 16 teams representing various strata of the film fraternity including directors, music directors, editors, production controllers, dancers, make up artists, production boys, singers, press clubs and different media organisations are expected to take part in the tournament.
The champions will get an ever-rolling trophy along with cash award of `1,00,000 while the runners up will get trophy and `50,000. Those who become the second runners up will get `25,000 and trophy. In addition to this there are awards for Man of the Match, Man of the Series, Best Batsman, Best bowler and best catch.
Actor Mammootty will be the chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony. The inauguration on April 12 will be attended by Fefka president Sibi Malayil, Fefka directors union president Kaml, All India Film Employees Confederation general secretary B Unnikrishnan, Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA) general secretaries Siddique and G S Vijayan, writers union general secretary A K Sajan, Renji Panikar and Tambi Kannanthanam.
The Cochin Haneefa Foundation was formed by the friends and family members of the actor, as part of an attempt to keep the memories of Cochin Haneefa alive, said Foundation officials Fasil Mohammed, V C Noushad, Vinod Vijayan and Collins Leophin at a press conference in Kochi.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service – Kochi / April 07th, 2014
Alternative form of medicine with Chinese origins gets its own association for promotion
Cupping therapy, an alternative form of medicine with Chinese origins, is trying to find its space in the city. The International Cupping Association of India was officially inaugurated on Tuesday, and Dr Badruzzama Nadeem, a practising Unani physician who is the moving force behind it, has plans to take it to Chennai, Bhubaneswar, and Patna by the end of next month.
Cupping is an ancient practice where heated cup-like devices are used to create suctions on the skin. These suctions are believed by practitioners to not only detox the body but also help relieve pain in the spinal cord, neck, and shoulder region.
Dr Nadeem explained, “When suction is applied, blood from a radius of three centimetres from where the cup is placed is sucked into the bump.” Practitioners believe that ‘impure blood’ gets collected in one place and blood circulation gets better once the cup is released. They also hold that the method detoxifies the body.
Cupping can be broadly classified into two types — dry and wet. While dry cupping is practised using suction cups made of silicone, rubber, or fibre where the air is sucked out, wet cupping follows the same process except for the little incision made in the bump for ‘impure blood’ to trickle out — a procedure known as controlled bleeding.
A third form of cupping is fire cupping. Here, a cotton ball is soaked in 70 percent alcohol which is then held by a pair of forceps and lit. The lit cotton ball is then placed into the cup and removed as soon as it is placed. Practitioners say the process removes oxygen from inside the cup. It is then placed on the skin quickly to create a small amount of suction as the hot air inside the cup cools.
Dr. Nadeem founded the association, which was inaugurated by Health Minister UT Khader, in a bid to increase awareness. “At the moment there are not more than 65 practitioners in Bangalore,” he said.
INEXPENSIVE, AND HOT
Cupping as an alternate form of therapy is yet to catch on in Bangalore, despite being inexpensive. Treatments can rangeanywhere from Rs 100 to Rs 500 for dry cupping. “Since wet cupping requires experts, it can range from Rs 200 to Rs 1,500. At the moment we get six to seven patients a day, most of them due to word of mouth,” explained Dr Nadeem.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Tapasya Mitra Mazumder, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / August 20th, 2014
The aircraft lands on a narrow piece of land that leads straight to a valley. And that valley was where an ill-fated aircraft had crashed a few years ago. That is all I could think of during my descent into Mangalore. I held onto to the sides of the chair and hoped that I would live. It was a smooth landing and for once I was grateful for that sharp brake. Once out of the airport, I caught a cab and headed out to the hotel.
But I wasn’t ready for what was coming next. On steep roads, swirling down the hill was like going down a softie curl. And then my first glimpse of the glimmering city. It looked beautiful.. laid out in front of me like a carpet of twinkling lights. I passed by a group of people – a large family with adults and children. I wondered what they were doing so far from the city at 9.30 pm, and then I saw a plane in the distance. It made sense. With heads lifted and upturned faces, they watched the flight come closer and got their fix of the day.
And that got me thinking about Mangalore. In my first 30 minutes here, I had moved from extreme fear to delight to warm-fuzziness. It had a small-town quality that made me wish for more.
Historically Mangalore is grand, Tipu Sultan had been here. It has had an important place in history. But what had happened to it now? Was it just another mid-sized city, now? I didn’t associate it with the grandeur of a big city or a city that had dynasties fighting for it. I associated Mangalore with crime and communal tensions, and that was all I knew about it. But surely Mangalore is much more than that.
The next morning, with just four hours before I made my way to Kasargode, the actual destination of the holiday, plans had to be remade. Maps were scrutinised and the reception lady thoroughly grilled. The plan was finalised- the day would include Sultan Battery, the College Chapel, the Mangaladevi temple and a stop at Ideal Cafe since everyone was raving about it.
The driver of my car was not from Mangalore. He had no clue where Sultan Battery was. He tried asking local people who didn’t seem to be very clear either, but were aggravated that I did not know how to pronounce the word ‘battery.’
Then Google Maps came to the rescue. On the way, Mangalore refused to let me get surly by tempting me with vistas of green spaces and simple but beautiful houses.
Sultan Battery is situated on a bend along a river as it snakes through to the sea. It seemed to have a very strategic position, overlooking both sides of the river. Built by Tipu Sultan, this was a watch-tower to see if anyone was crossing the river and coming over with dark intentions.
Built with black basalt rocks, with viewing holes lining the entire wall, the structure seemed almost too simple in today’s complex understanding of war and defence. But then you put on the perspective of more than 200 years ago, and it seems that the location was indeed perfect for the purpose.
With every dynasty’s uprise, there is growth and also destruction of legacies. Legend has it that the rocks used to build this watchtower could have come from places of worship though no one knows for sure.
There were a few ships next to the river and we decided to go and take a look. It was a ship-building yard. It took them three months of hard work to make just one ship and then she took off, to prove herself worthy of the toil.
I watched the imposing Vajralaxmi enter the water for the first time in awe. Though there were some other ships too that looked gorgeous. Funnily these ships looked battle weary even though they were all brand new. These were meant to serve as fishing trawlers and were not built to be gleaming and swanky.
I left Sultan Battery and made my way to the College Chapel. Again, no one knew where it was, and even Google seemed flummoxed this time.
It took me around 20 minutes to find a person who could give me directions. Important note to self: don’t call a chapel just a ‘chapel’, when it’s called ‘College Chapel’.
I got to go on a lovely personal tour courtesy the person-in-charge. The entire place is painted beautifully, and when I say entire… I mean every inch! What looks like marble at first glance is not, it’s art. What seems like a painting on a curtain and hanging on the wall, is also a painting. The illusions go on and on.
It was time for lunch and stomachs were grumbling all around. And so the next destination was Ideal Cafe! The food was okay, nothing exceptional but it was definitely the coolest restaurant in Mangalore and everyone with some time to spare seemed to be there.
The filter coffee that everyone praised was not that great. It had a rough, burnt taste with some of the coffee residue at the base. They say that’s how Turkish coffee tastes, so there might be some who like it.
But if you are someone with a sweet tooth, skip a meal to just have ice-cream at Ideal Café. It was simply fabulous.
The last stop in Mangalore was the Mangaladevi temple. This is the temple that Mangalore is named after, so it had to be seen. A large temple, it was quiet and peaceful all the more as it was shut for the afternoon. We weren’t allowed inside as the Gods were sleeping and so we were asked not to disturb them.
Mangalore was quaint. A neat and clean city that still seems enveloped in the past and happily so, given the rapidly changing face of every city in the country. I wouldn’t say it surprised me, but it didn’t disappoint. It was small, roads were relatively peaceful and the streets were still lined with houses exuding old-world charm.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Mangalore / by Bhavani Blogs / August 21st, 2014
Sayed Nazim, son of Abdul Basheer, resident of Ghousia Nagar in city, has been appointed as President for Narasimharaja Assembly Branch for Human Rights & Corruption Eradication Forum, HQ Delhi.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> In Brief / August 16th, 2014
In a thrilling discovery for lovers of Urdu poetry, the original manuscript of famous poet Mirza Ghalib’s verses has miraculously survived after being reported missing and presumed destroyed almost 50 years ago.
Penned in 1821 by Mirza Asadullah Khan Ghalib, the original manuscript — Nuskha-e-Hameediya — survived after being reported missing during the 1940s’ India — Pakistan division.
Commissioned by Nawab Faujdar Mohammad Khan and penned by calligrapher Hafiz Mueenuddin, the manuscript features some of the most authentic and beautiful Urdu poetry ever written.
After years of believing that the manuscript was missing and accepting doctored and amended versions of this work as ‘authentic’, Urdu poetry lovers can finally see the genius of Ghalib as it was originally intended.
The discovery of the original manuscript has sparked celebrations in the creative community, especially the researchers on the works of Mirza Ghailb, many of whom are thrilled that the doctored and amended texts will not go down in history as the definitive poems.
The manuscript was the first of the nine known manuscripts of the ‘Divans of Ghalib’, commissioned when Ghalib was just 24 years of age. Accounts from scholars and publishers say the original manuscript contained almost 1,800 verses, nearly twice the number of verses that were published in the “authorised” version in 1941. While writing, Ghalib did not find the omitted verses fit for publication, but true poetry lovers were ever keen to read the missing text.
In 1969, Professor Hamid Ahmad Khan wrote that he examined the manuscript in 1938, but did not keep extensive notes on his thoughts regarding the omitted piece, later going on to publish a ‘corrected’ version of the poems.
By the time the corrected version of the poems had been released, the actual manuscript had disappeared, presumed missing or possibly destroyed during the India — Pakistan division back in 1947. With no original text as evidence, readers had to accept that Professor Khan’s version as authentic.
Husaini Arts online art gallery and museum takes the credit for the find.
“This is indeed an incredible find and we are extremely thrilled that we now get to read the original manuscript, which is almost 200 years old. Urdu poetry lovers everywhere will be rejoicing at this news that the original text can now be added to the canon of work Mirza Ghalib worked on. The original Nuskha-e-Hameediya is about to be brought to light, and all those who love Urdu poetry are about to see the true, authentic text that Ghalib first intended to be read by the elite in the 19th century,” a Husaini Arts spokesperson told Gulf News.
Ghalib, born Mirza Asadullah Baig Khan on December 27, 1797, was the pre-eminent Indian Urdu and Persian poet during the last years of the Mughal empire. He used pen-names of Ghalib and Asad. During his lifetime, the Mughals were eclipsed and displaced by the British and finally deposed following the defeat of the Indian rebellion of 1857, events that he wrote of.
Most notably, he wrote several ghazals during his lifetime, which have since been interpreted and sung in many different ways by different people. Ghalib, the last great poet of the Mughal era, is considered to be one of the most popular and influential poets of the Urdu language. Today Ghalib remains popular not only in India and Pakistan but also among diaspora communities around the world.
source: http://www.gulfnews.com / Gulf News / Home> News> World> India / by Karuna Madan, Correspondent / August 18th, 2014
Eminent academician Faizan Mustafa, who is senior vice-president of city-based NGO Rural Litigation Entitlement Kendra, has been conferred with this year’s prestigious SAARC Best Law Teacher Award.
In a unanimous decision the high-powered jury conferred this award on Mustafa, according to a press statement released by the NGO here today.
The award which carries Rs 1 lakh in cash, a citation and a plaque would be given to Mustafa by the Union Law Minister in Delhi on September 6, in the presence of eminent professors of law, judges and eminent lawyers, it said.
Earlier awardees include leading jurists N R Madhav Menon, Ranbir Singh, G V Ajjappa, V S Mani, Prof. Laxminath and Prof. Mizanur Rehman of Bangladesh’s Dhaka University.
Mustafa is Aligarh Muslim University’s Law Faculty member and is widely respected for his passion for teaching. He introduced several courses such as Intellectual Property Rights, International Human Rights Law and Tourism Laws at AMU.
At NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad where he is presently working as Vice-Chancellor, he designed and taught new courses like Diversity Management Law, Comparative Strict Liability Law, Multiculturalism & Minority Rights.
He is the only academic who has been nominated as member of the National Legal Services Authority, which is headed by the Chief Justice of India.
He is member of several Executive Councils, Academic Councils and General Councils of various universities. He has been member of several search committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors.
Noted rights activist Avadhash Kaushal who heads the NGO has suggested that the Uttarakhand government should utilise the services of Mustafa in planning the proposed National Law University of Uttarakhand.
source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> News / Dehradun – August 19th, 2014
Rehan Yar Khan is one of India’s most prolific angel investors . Known as the trend spotter and an entrepreneur himself (founder of Flora2000.com), Rehan Yar Khan started investing back in 2007-08. He was one of the earliest investors in companies like Druva and Ola Cabs that have gone on to raise more than $100 million together. Rehan has more than 20 investments and now, he has raised the first formal fund of INR 300 cores- Orios Venture Partners (read our interview with Rehan back in 2012). Work has been on with respect to the Orios Venture Fund for close to an year now.
While 30% of the fund was raised from institutional investors, majority 70% of the corpus has been raised from ultra high-networth individuals (UHNIs). Reports say that Khan who has personally contributed 5% of the corpus, and the promoters of a Delhi based listed auto manufacturer are said to be one of the anchors in the fund. The fund will be used to invest in Software Product companies. A majority of the total corpus will be set aside for later stage funding (series ‘A’ and ‘B’), while about 10-15 per cent will be reserved towards seed funding. “While we are not restricting to any segment, we see analytics, Big Data, software for mobile phones and new platforms to be promising,” Khan had mentioned in an interview.
Rehan has had many successful investments apart from Druva and Ola Cabs. There are companies like Jigsee (acquired), Sapience, Unbxd, Pretty Secrets, etc. in his portfolio. Khan says that Software products is 1% of our exports while the rest is services, but in the next 10 years products will be 10-20%, which will create some great companies. Orios will be investing INR 1-20 crores in a company and intends to stay invested for seven years or more. In our earlier interview, we asked Rehan about his advice to someone new who’s looking to pitch to him, here’s what he told us,
” It is very important that when you are going to a pitch event or for raising money, you should ideally study, like in college, or when you go for a job you should ideally study the employer you going to join. So when you go for raising funding, you should study the person you are raising funding from. You should study what works while raising funding, speak to a lot to other entrepreneurs, do a lot of research, attend few events and learn and go prepared. “
source: http://www.yourstory.com / Home> Inspire, Innovate, Ignite / by Jubin Mehta / August 19th, 2014
Jubin Mehta
Jubin is an old timer at YourStory. Deeply entrenched in the Indian startup ecosystem, he has written about more than 1000 startups. With an engineering background and a keen interest in data analysis, his passion for writing and entrepreneurship makes him a perfect match for Yourstory. He operates from the mountains in Dharamshala where he also runs a hackbase. He can be reached on Twitter @jub_in and on mail at jubin@yourstory.com
Former School Board Candidate Appointed to University System of Maryland (USM) Board of Regents Raaheela Ahmed breaks many “firsts” as she enters Student Regent Position Annapolis, MD, August 13, 2014: After nearly winning a bid for the Prince George’s County Board of Education, District 5 seat against former chairwoman Jeana Jacobs in 2012 (47%-53%), Raaheela Ahmed breaks ground as the first Muslim, the first South Asian, and likely the first home-grown Bowieite to serve in the role of Student Regent. She is one of a handful of women that have been selected for this honor in the history of the system.
The selection process involved several interviews with members from the University of Maryland, College Park, the University System of Maryland Student Council, the Chancellor of the USM, and the Governor’s Appointment Office. All in all, it took 10 months for the selection to be made (November 2013 to August 2014), an unusually long process for this position.
Her appointment was made through an emergency executive order due to a legality which states that the Governor cannot appoint individuals to state positions after the primary election, which was moved up from September to June this year. Hence, her term (which was supposed to begin July 1) will begin as soon as she is sworn-in this month. Raaheela is excited to be representing over 150,000 students in 12 institutions and 2 regional centers. Her focus for this year will be on college affordability, financial literacy and mental health issues.
Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed condolences on the death of veteran journalist Mohammad Vazeeruddin.
In a message, the Chief Minister described him as a senior and highly accomplished journalist. He said in his journalistic career of more than five decades, late Vazeeruddin worked for several newspapers and impressed many readers with his valuable contribution. (INN)
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Hyderabad / Tuesday – August 19th, 2014
Former MLC and senior Congress leader Yusuf Qureshi passed away here on Friday. He was 71.
Born on August 23, 1943, in a business family, Yusuf Qureshi joined the Congress the Congress party in 1969. He served as the Chairman of AP State Minorities Commission for three years from March 27, 2006. He was an Executive Member of APCC since 2001 till date. He also served as the General Secretary of APCC during 1982-84.
Yusuf Qureshi was member of AP Legislative Council from 1982-85 and was made the chairman of AP State Wakf Board during 1994-97. He extensive toured different countries including UK, USA, Afghanistan, Russia and Turkey. He was considered to be close to the Nehru-Gandhi family.
His wife Dr Saleha Qureshi is a distinguished Gynacologist and former Commissioner of Medical Services, Govt of AP. His son Imtiaz Qureshi is an entrepreneur and daughter Dr Seema, is a general physician practising in the USA.
Qureshi sahab was chairman minorities commission when Mecca masjid bomb blast took place and he was appointed by the most powerful chief minister Dr Ys Rajeshakar Reddy and he inquired and gave an antiGovt and anti police report which proved the more than 200 Muslims youths were held illegally by police and torcherd .
For the first time in Indian history Muslims youths were given compensation by governement and all this credit goes to Mr Qureshi in fact his report was instrumental in getting and now no Muslim boys are held illegally by police any more .
Prominent personalities visited the house to pay their last respects. (INN)
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Hyderabad / Friday – August 15th, 2014
