Monthly Archives: May 2017

A tribute to Hyderabad braves

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World Opinion, , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / NEW DELHI :

Lastng legacyTeen Murti memorial in New Delhi, The Second Lancers WW-I memorial in the cityVV Krishnan, KVS GiriV_V_Krishnan
Lastng legacyTeen Murti memorial in New Delhi, The Second Lancers WW-I memorial in the cityVV Krishnan, KVS GiriV_V_Krishnan

A relook at the legacy of the Teen Murti Memorial in Delhi which has a Hyderabad connect

The Teen Murti Memorial in New Delhi is set to be renamed again. What was Imperial Cavalry Brigade Memorial and became Teen Murti Memorial after Independence, is to be renamed Teen Murti Haifa Chowk timed with the first ever visit of an Indian Prime Minister to Israel. The tinkering with the name of a war memorial will not change the glorious memory and the gallantry of Indian soldiers.

Hyderabad House is a well known landmark in New Delhi and is a venue for the reception of foreign dignitaries. The Teen Murti memorial’s link to Hyderabad is less well known. But as the roundabout with three lancers wearing pugrees and khaki shorts grabs the nation’s attention due to yet another renaming row, it is time to remember the legacy of the memorial and its Hyderabad connect.

Just outside the Jamali Kunta darwaza of Golconda in Hyderabad is the area known as Second Lancers. Dotted with low squat houses painted white — some with extensions and some in the same state they were constructed — it has a few houses that still bear the names of the original allotees. While most of the men with Jamadar, Dafadar honorofics are no longer alive, the houses currently occupied by their children and grandchildren still carry their nameplates. These were some of the soldiers who saw action in France and later in Egypt and what was Palestine. The lancers from Hyderabad were the first to sail and were part of the 15th Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade along with lancers drawn from Jodhpur and Mysore princely states. The Teen Murti celebrates the bravery of soldiers from these three princely states.

To call them brave would be an understatement. The great war’s first mechanised weapon was the machine gun that shot out hundreds of bullets in an arc. The lancers from Hyderabad and the other princely states armed with just lances and light weapons were no match for the rat-rat-rat of the machine gun that mowed down anything that moved. But these men stood up, fought and won. One of the most impressive victory was at Haifa on September 23, 1918 and for this the residents of the city still celebrate Haifa Day organised by Indian embassy.

It was not easy to rouse Hyderabad soldiers to fight someone else’s war after crossing the sea. Before the war, the Nizam Osman Ali Khan had to issue a firman informing his soldiers that it is okay for them to fight against fellow Muslims of the Ottoman empire. The port city of Haifa was the key entrepot for the Allied war machine. Years later, the British withdrew from the city leaving the Jews and Arabs to fight it out. The Jews, using a three-pronged attack, captured the city on April 24 in 1948 as the Arabs left their ancient homeland.

Interestingly, while the Teen Murti memorial is in the news, the actual war memorial built for the soldiers who fought for the British in the first World War remains neglected and unseen amidst bushes and brambles in the cantonment area near Second Lancers area in Hyderabad.

Memorable designs

Teen Murti House in New Delhi was designed by Edwin Lutyens, while the Teen Murti Memorial was designed by Leonard Jennings. The one accessible war memorial in Hyderabad, the EME War Memorial in Secunderabad,was designed by Eric Marrett.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Serish Nanisetti / May 08th, 2017

Latest crop at Mango Man’s nursery christened ‘Yogi’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Products, , ,

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

HajiKalimullahMPOs07may2017

Lucknow :

Yogi  mango is latest product from the laboratory of UP’s Mango Man. Three years after Haji Kalimullah  christened a mango after PM Narendra Modi he has now named another after UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath. The 74-year old Padmashri recipient, Haji Kalimullah is excited about the new variety in his orchard in Malihabad, about 30kms from Lucknow.

It’s the first time the variety named by him has not been developed by the man himself, rather, has grown naturally in his orchard. In all likelihood, it appears to be a cross of another naturally developed variety, ‘Karela’ and Dussehri.

“The Yogi mango is slender, elongated and beautiful and you won’t stop marvelling when you see it,” said Kalimullah. But the hybrid’s parent is not know even to him. “Some people visited my orchard recently and while they were looking around they asked about these four five different-looking mangoes on a tree. I said the variety might have developed naturally and they suggested to name it after Yogiji and I did,” he said.

This time, however, Kalimullah has named the variety a little earlier than usual. On all other occasions on which he developed a new variety, he waited for the fruit to ripen to know its taste and smell.
“I am still not sure how this mango is going to taste as it is green and the same can be said about how it would smell. But I hope it will taste good as it is a hybrid of Dussehri,” he said, adding that it will take about a month for the fruit to ripen.

Meanwhile, the tree bearing Modi mango has some fruits on it this year too. “Modi mango is exceptional in taste and very nice to look at,” said Kalimullah. It’s a hybrid of Kolkata’s Husn-e-Aara and Lucknow’s Dussehri. No wonder, the fruit has acquired distinct streaks of crimson like Husn-e-ara and elongation of Dussehri.

Kalimullah’s technique is different when it comes to developing a new variety. “I cross flowers, develop a fruit and then sow its seeds because every seed is different and that is how the best variety develops,” he said.

It’s anything but easy. About 99% experiments have gone waste. The few that survived brought the man recognition. He has named the hybrid of Khasul Khaas and Chausa weighing up to 1 kg after Sachin Tendulkar. He has also named one variety named after Aishwarya.

source:  http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Lucknow News / TNN / May 07th, 2017

MLA spends birthday at goshala

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , , ,

Tumukuru, KARNATAKA :

n solidarityCongress MLA for Tumakuru City Rafiq Ahmed distributing fodder to farmers at a goshala at Thovinakere in Tumakuru districton Friday.
n solidarityCongress MLA for Tumakuru City Rafiq Ahmed distributing fodder to farmers at a goshala at Thovinakere in Tumakuru districton Friday.

‘I wanted to do my bit to mitigate the woes of cattle and farmers’

In the midst of reports of right-wing cow vigilante groups attacking minorities in different parts of the State and the country, Rafiq Ahmed, Congress MLA for Tumakuru City, chose to celebrate his 50th birthday in a goshala by feeding cattle.

While his birthday celebration could be seen as a symbolic repartee to right-wing groups stereotyping minority community leaders, the thrust of his effort, he said, was to show solidarity with farmers struggling to cope with drought.

“I wanted to celebrate my birthday in a simple way. The region is reeling under the worst drought in 45 years, and I wanted to do my bit to mitigate the woes of cattle and farmers,” said Dr. Ahmed.

He was joined by his wife, Aisha Sultana, and workers from his party as he donated 12 tonnes of fodder, which will be used to feed the cattle in the goshala at Thovinakere. He also distributed fodder to farmers who had brought their cattle to the shelter.

Shankrappa, a farmer from Soorenahalli in Koratagere taluk, said, “We are happy that he has travelled here from the city and chose to spend his birthday with us … The crisis has resulted in a shortage of fodder and food.” Mr. Shankrappa was forced to bring four buffaloes to the shelter as his three acres of land has gone barren.

“This shelter has saved us and our cattle. Otherwise, more than half the farmers in nearby villages would be forced to sell their cattle to slaughterhouses,” he said.

Dr. Ahmed announced financial assistance for the family of farmer Kaavalappa who had allegedly committed suicide because of mounting loans.

The goshala on Friday saw more than 2,000 cows and buffaloes brought by around 1,500 farmers who have been struggling to feed the animals because of their financial situation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by S. Bhuvaneshwari / Tumakuru – May 06th, 2017

Himachal IAS-IPS couple to ‘adopt’ martyr Paramjit Singh’s daughter

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , ,

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Kullu DC Yunus Khan with his SP wife Anjum Ara and son
Kullu DC Yunus Khan with his SP wife Anjum Ara and son

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • The couple have offered to bear the child’s expenses from school till marriage, to ensure a good future for her
  • The child will continue to stay with her family and the IAS-IPS couple will meet her from time to time to know about her problems and solve them
  • It is difficult to assuage the pain of the martyr’s family, but they are trying to share the
  • ____________________________________________________________________

 

Shimla :

A Himachal-based couple has decided to ‘adopt’ the 12-year-old daughter of an Army jawan, who was beheaded by Pakistan in the Poonch district  of Jammu and Kashmir on May 1. They have offered to bear the child’s expenses from school till marriage, to ensure a good future for her.

 
As a tribute to Naib Subedar Paramjit Singh ‘s sacrifice, Kullu deputy commissioner Yunus Khan  and his wife Anjum Ara, an IPS officer, have decided to take care of his daughter, Khushdeep Kaur. “Khushdeep will continue to stay with her family. We will be paying for all her expenses and meeting her from time to time to know about her problems and solve them. If she wants to become an IAS or IPS officer or choose some other career, we are there to help,” said Ara, SP of Solan district.

Yunus said it is difficult to assuage the pain of the martyr’s family, but they are trying to share their grief. “By ensuring good education to his daughter, we are doing our duty as responsible citizens,” he said. Yunus said that it is up to Khushdeep whether she wants to continue studying at her village school or join some other school. “We would be there for her throughout her life to help her in making decisions,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Shimla News / TNN / May 05th, 2017

Clearing the rural hurdle to reach the top

Education, , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Ranjeev Acharya, TSREI Secretary Seshe Kumari with the state toppers of Intermediate hailing from residential schools
Principal Secretary, Higher Education, Ranjeev Acharya, TSREI Secretary Seshe Kumari with the state toppers of Intermediate hailing from residential schools

TSRJC students figure in the top 10

They come from financially and socially poor backgrounds, but their faith in the government residential school system paid rich dividends. And it was no mean achievement figuring in the top 10 ranks in the Intermediate examinations this year, studying in a remote village far away from the hustle and bustle of town life.

Five students from the Telangana State Residential Junior College, Sarvail in Yadadri district, figured in the top 10 in the Intermediate examinations this year, an achievement that went unnoticed in the publicity blitzkrieg of private colleges. However, the government recognised their performance and felicitated them with laptops worth ₹ 45,000 each.

The laptops were presented by Deputy Chief Minister Kadiyam Srihari at the Secretariat and he said it showcased the power of government institutions and the potential they have in throwing up State rankers. The awardees included Ch. Saicharan, State 2nd ranker in MPC; D. Ahmed Waseem, who got 9th rank, P. Vasantha Reddy and J. Bharathu Kumar, who secured 10th rank and D. Nipun Rai, who was at 4th place in the BiPC stream.

The students met the Prinicpal Secretary, Higher Education, Ranjeev Acharya, who said it was a commendable achievement and lauded the efforts of the teachers who made it possible.

The TSREI Secretary, Seshu Kumari, explained the effort that went into identifying good teachers and providing them with the right atmosphere to excel. “We want to take TSRJC, Sarvail, on par with the erstwhile APRJC, Nagarjunsagar, which was the first option of all State SSC toppers.

The achievers were elated that they were getting recognised on a par with private college students, who generally hog the limelight during the results period. “Commitment from teachers and their focussed guidance coupled with our hardwork is the reason for the success,” they said in unison.

TSRJC Sarvail Principal Surender Reddy said that all these students also secured good marks and ranks in the JEE Main. They would surely clear the JEE Advanced to get into the top IITs, he added. Mr. Reddy said that 14 students from the TSRJC Sarvail, 7 from TSRJC, Hasanparthy and one each from TSRJC L.B. Nagar and Nagaram qualified for the JEE Advanced.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by P. Ravikanth Reddy / Hyderabad – May 04th, 2017

Newsmakers Achievers’ Awards: OneIndia special correspondent adjudged ‘best journalist’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment,

Mumbai :

It was a proud moment for OneIndia as our special correspondent Vicky Nanjappa bagged the award of ‘best journalist (digital)’ at the Eighth Edition of Newsmakers Achievers’ Awards. The event was held in Mumbai on May 1. Unlike any, the event this year was dedicated to the acid attack victims. Vicky Nanjappa was recognised for his contribution to the field of journalism in the last 18 years. Achievers from various fields like education, art, science, politics etc were also recognised and awarded on World Labour Day.

While celebrating achievers from various fields, the Newsmakers Achievers’ Awards did its little for those in need. The highlight of the event was the financial assistance provided to children of sex workers apart from contributions to acid attack survivors. “I have undergone eight surgeries and two more will follow. I hope the accused should be awarded stringent punishment. Life is full of obstacles but one should struggle hard to overcome all obstacles,” said Aarti Thakur, a 27-year-old acid attack survivor.

Daultabi Khan, a 34-year-old victim of acid attack said, “I have to undergo huge hardships after the acid attack. I have lost vision in my one eye both my ears are deformed. I will utilise this money for treatment purpose.” Achievers of 2017 During the event, several persons from the media, academic and political sector were honoured including OneIndia’s Vicky Nanjappa for journalism. Pandit Birju Maharaj and Pradeep Welankar were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award while Diwakar Raote received the Best Politician Award.

Aasha Warriar was honoured with the Best Spiritual Leader award while Dr Mukesh Batra bagged the best doctor award. Dr Deepak Bhosale received the best Educationist award. Roxy Arora was honoured with the best Author award. Virag Gupta received the best lawyer award. Namrata Thakker was honoured with the Best Social Entrepreneur award.

Deep Haider received the Best Journalist (Editor) award. Rashid Hashmi was felicitated with the Best News Anchor award.

newsmakerawardKF03may2017

Varun Singh received the Best Journalist (Print) award. Anil Nagpal received the Best Photographer award. Nandita Venkatesan was felicitated with Best Writer/Reporter award.

Asha Mamedi bagged the Best Social Worker jury award. Sushant Divgikar was felicitated with Best VJ award. Siddharth Nigan received the Best Child Artist award. Meghna Malik was felicitated with the Best Actress award. Darshan Kumaar received the Best Actor award. Lubna Adams bagged the Best Fashion Choreographer award and Ssumier S. Pasricha received the Best Comedian award. Dolly Parekh was felicitated with Best Fashion Designer award.

Samidha Guru was honoured with the Best Marathi Actress award while Kishor Kadam bagged the Best Marathi Actor award.

“This year award function is special for us as we have tried to make a small difference in the lives of acid attack victims and sex workers daughters’ lives. By lending a helping hand to them we will rebuild their lives,” said Vaidehi Taman, Group Editor of NBC. OneIndia News

source: http://www.oneindia.com / OneIndia / Home> News> India / by Anusha Ravi / Wednesday – May 03rd, 2017

This record holder is not all hot air

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, World Opinion, , , , ,

Podanoor (Coimbatore), TAMIL NADU :

BaloonsMPOs03may2017

When was the last time you blew a balloon? Probably, when you were a child?

But, for 22-year-old N Sadham Hussain, son of a flower seller from Podanur, inflating balloons is the route to fame.

This engineering graduate has been in the news ever since he blew 500 balloons in a matter of 68 minutes at an event held in the city.

Hussain attempted a record in three categories- most balloons blown in a minute, most balloons blown in three minutes and the fastest time to blow 500 balloons. At the recent event, he managed to inflate 11 balloons in a minute, 29 balloons in 3 minutes and 500 balloons in 68 minutes.

“It all started in 2011 when I started doing a part-time job in balloon decorations. I was in charge of blowing balloons for birthday parties and private events. Later, I came forward to blow balloons at a symposium held at my college. (Dr NGP Institute of Technology) The pace at which I was blowing the balloons impressed a friend of mine, who later suggested that I could put the skill to good use.

That’s when I decided to give the records a shot.

Since then there has been no looking back. I blew 486 balloons in an hour at an event and that was considered a record. It’s been two years I completed my studies but I continue my passion for blowing balloons.”

Sadham now accompanies his brother in installing smart boards in schools. He already has his name etched in the Limca Book of World Records for blowing 486 balloons in one hour and 1,000 balloons in 147 minutes.

So, does he practice blowing balloons on a regular basis? “Not really! Since, I continue my job in balloon decorations and I get the opportunity to practice regularly. The only ritual I have been following from day one is to keep a glass of water and glucose next to me. You lose a lot of moisture when blowing a balloon and it’s imperative that you don’t feel tired while at it. You need a lot of stamina as well.”

However, he adds that blowing balloons is not a cakewalk while attempting a record. “The balloons diameter should be 20 cm after blowing it; you have to tie it up. Many a time I have burst a number of balloons during the process. I get extremely nervous then and lose out on time.

But, I carry on with the attempt as I have to finish inflating the maximum number of balloons at a particular time.”

The electrical engineering graduate aspires to set a world record in blowing balloons. “I want to set a world record and I am working hard towards it,” says Sadham, who is still hunting for a job that will help fulfill his dream.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Coimbatore News / by P. Sangeetha / TNN / April 30th, 2017

Who was Quaid-E-Millat ?

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, , , , , , , , , , ,

Chennai, TAMIL NADU / KERALA :

That was a question I was recently asked in connection with a reference I had made to Umda Bagh and its links with education in the city for nearly 125 years. Good question, and off I went ahunting for information.

Into the Umda Bagh campus moved c.1895 the Madrasa-I-Azam, the chief Muslim school in the South and which was established in 1849. This developed partially into a Government Muhammadan College with its own buildings in 1934.

In 1948, the College was reconstituted as the Government Arts College for Men. The College moved to Nandanam in 1972 and a women’s college opened in its stead in 1974. This was named the Quaid-E-Millat Government College for Women, leaving many a student puzzling over the prefixed name, which I’m told means ‘Leader of the Nation’.

A Tirunelveli Rowther, Mohammed Ismail went into business in the 1920s and became a leader in the worlds of leather and Madras commerce. That leadership led him into politics, in which he had shown interest from when, as a 13-year-old, he started in 1909 the Young Muslim Society in Tirunelveli.

Nine years later, he founded the Council of Islamic Scholars and joined the Indian Muslim League. In 1946, he led the League’s Madras unit in the Assembly elections and became Leader of the Opposition. He was also elected to the first Lok Sabha, which simultaneously served as the Indian Constituent Assembly. And, an intriguing election that year was as the founding President of the Madras State Mutton Dealers’ Association, which he remained till his death 26 years later.

When Pakistan was born in 1947, the Muslim League divided and an Indian Union Muslim League came into being. Mohammed Ismail was elected its first President. After serving in the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1958, he moved into Kerala politics with States’ Reorganisation in 1956. Leading the IUML, he won Lok Sabha seats in 1962, 1967 and 1971. He died a year after his last election, revered in both Tamil Nadu and Kerala as the Quaid-E-Millat, a leader who ensured communal harmony. Interestingly, his education had been in Hindu, Catholic and Protestant schools and colleges!

Perhaps the greatest tribute paid to him was by Congress Chief Minister M Bhaktavatsalam who, describing his dignified and conciliatory behaviour in the Legislature, said he was “a model for all Opposition leaders”.

The chronicler of Madras that is Chennai tells stories of people, places and events from the years gone by and, sometimes, from today

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Society> History & Culture / Madras Miscellany / by S. Muthiah / May 01st, 2017

Srinivas wears crown

Sports, , , ,

KARNATAKA :

Winners: Kempegowda prize winners Srinivas (centre) flanked by Atma Shri (left) and Sahida Begum. DH PHOTO
Winners: Kempegowda prize winners Srinivas (centre) flanked by Atma Shri (left) and Sahida Begum. DH PHOTO

Srinivas of Davanagere claimed the Kempegowda award for the best wrestler in the State-level competition organised by the Kannada Kala Jyoti Sangha on Sunday.

Srinivas emerged champion in the below-74kg category, defeating Maesa P of Bangalore University.

In the women’s section, Atma Shri of Alvas and Sahida Begum of Gadag were joint winners of the Kempegowda prize.

Sunday’s final results:

57kg: Ajaya M (Bangalore) bt Goutam N (Alvas).

61kgs: Vijay (Mangalore) bt Permi Raghavendara (Tumkur).

97kg: Shri Shaila Elasetty (KSP) bt Akshaya Kumar (Mysore).

Under-74kg: Srinivas (Davanagere) bt Maesa P (Bangalore University).

Women: 53kg: Sahana (Gadag) bt Shasikala (Hirahalla).

55kg: Harshita (Alvas) bt Shivani (Mysore).

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Bengaluru / DH News Service / Bengaluru – May 01st, 2017