Monthly Archives: November 2017

President confers awards on Dangal’s Zaira, Super 30’s Anand Kumar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

President Ram Nath Kovind presenting silver medal to actor Zaira Wasim during National Child Awards function
President Ram Nath Kovind presenting silver medal to actor Zaira Wasim during National Child Awards function

New Delhi :

President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday presented the National Child Awards at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of Children’s Day.

This year’s recipients included Super 30’s Anand Kumar and actress Zaira Wasim of Dangal and Secret Superstar fame. At the ceremony Dr Virendra Kumar, minister of state for women and child development, was also present.

This year the National Child Award was given to 16 children out of which one was presented with gold medal and 15 were given silver medal. The National Award for Child Welfare was conferred on three individuals and five institutions.

The Rajiv Gandhi Manav Seva Award for outstanding contribution towards service of children was conferred on three individuals. Speaking on the occasion, the President said, “By awarding kids, we recognise and encourage their talent and potential for nation building.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> India News / TNN / November 15th, 2017

Doctors Association Kashmir felicitated for its philanthropic work during ‘2016 uprising’

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) was felicitated at Infotel Awards 2017 at Tagore Hall during a function held on Sunday. The award was given in recognition to the philanthropic work done by DAK during 2016 summer uprising wherein a group of six doctors namely Dr Mir Mushtaq, Dr Yasir Wani, Dr Masood Rashid, Dr Ijtaba Shafi, Dr Masood ul Hassan & Dr Zahid Nasti worked day in and day out and collected Rs 17 lakh which were utilised for the pellet victims in terms of medicines and surgical equipments.

A spokesperson of the DAK said that the award was given by MoS Health & Medical Education Asiea Naqash in presence of MLA Rafiabad Yawar Mir and Abbas Wani, MLA Gulmarg.

On behalf of DAK the award was received by Dr Arshad Hussain Trag (Joint Secretary, DAK).

President DAK, Dr Suhail Naik also received appreciation award in the said function for elevating the Paediatric health care at Sub District Hospital(SDH), Sopore.

President DAK Dr Suhail Naik has expressed his gratitude to the organizers and has assured that DAK will be continuing social work endeavors under various programmes.

source: http://www.kashmirlife.net / Kashmir Life / Home> Latest News / by KL News Network / November 13th, 2017

Memory of a SUFI SAINT

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion, , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

The view from outside | Photo Credit: Serish Nanisetti
The view from outside | Photo Credit: Serish Nanisetti

Mir Mahmood’s dargah comes alive during the Urs

It is an unmissable green dome that can be seen for miles around in the Rajendranagar area. Overlooking the massive Mir Alam Tank, built on the edge of the hillock now called MM Pahadi or Mir Mahmood ki Pahadi, is the dome of Sufi saint Mir Mahmood. “Mir Mahmood saheb came from Iraq. He came during the rule of Abdullah Qutb Shah and settled down here. When the king was constructing other buildings, Mir Mahmood paid double the wages to pregnant women and more people liked to work here. He lit a torch in the lake to carry on the building activity in the night,” says a caretaker.

According to historians, Syed Shah Emaduddin Mohammed hailed from Najf in present day Iraq and migrated to Bidar along with 50 other Sufis. Here, he came into the influence of Moulana Syed Shamsuddin Hussaini who inducted him to the Nimatullahi order and asked him to move to Hyderabad. He reached here during the reign of Abdullah Qutb Shah and stayed at the hillock overlooking the lake. The people started calling him Mir Mahmood Saheb. Within a few years, he started constructing his own tomb and on the other side of the lake, the new king Abul Hasan Tana Shah began constructing the dome of his spiritual master Shah Raju Qattal II. The workers and people knew that a miracle was taking place as the labourers were paid higher wages though the there was no known source of income for the Sufi who spent most his time in a trance like state. Now, the dome of Shah Raju is visible from Mir Mahmood’s dargah and Mir Mahmood’s dargah is visible from Shah Raju’s tomb in Misrigunj. But while Mir Mahmood’s dargah has a coat of green that shimmers in the sunlight, Shah Raju’s tomb is a dull grey requiring maintenance.

Mir Mahmood lived only on the hillock and never went to see any other place though the Charminar was very much visible from where he lived. He passed away two years after Hyderabad was conquered by Aurangzeb.

Most of the inscriptions, jali work and stucco work in the dargah have been erased over the years with layers of paint and repair work but the few remnants show that the tomb is a work of art. Inside the dome, there is a box with some prized relics, which is rarely opened. The real grave of the Sufi can be reached from the outside on the northern side at a lower level.

Just outside the entrance of the dargah is a small masjid where not more than five people can pray.

With land grants from kings and noblemen, the Dargah once had an estate of 600 acres. Now, much of it is occupied and the houses built on the southern slope have reached up to the hillock.

The Urs is celebrated on 13th Shaban which will be in April. During the Urs, the area comes alive as individuals and families jostle to touch the chadar and lay flowers on the grave of Mir Mahmood Saheb. Visitors who come to ask for dua and pray spend time in meditation in absolute calm. “People from across the region, Bidar and its surrounding areas, come here. Many of them stay here for three days participating in various activities and having food from the community kitchen. Even the lower levels of the hillock are occupied by visitors on those three days,” says Syed Afroze, who lives on the edge of the Mir Alam Tank.

The Mir Mahmood hillock is at an elevation of 530 metres above sea level. The Golconda fort is at an elevation of 539 metres. Even with construction of multi-storied housing and office blocks, most of the hillocks give a vantage point view of Golconda fort.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style / by Serish Nanisetti / November 13th, 2017

Doha: KMCA celebrates Karnataka Rajyotsava in grandeur, patriotic fervor

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, NRI's / PIO's, , , , , , , ,

KARNATAKA :

Doha, Qatar :

Karnataka Muslim Cultural Association (KMCA), celebrated the 62nd Karnataka Rajyotsava with full fanfare on November 10 at Indian Cultural Centre, Ashoka Hall. KMCA again presented a well-organized programme that was laced with entertainment, comedy, patriotic fervor and perfect blend of art and music.

The evening commenced with the Qiraat, recited by Faakhir Fayaz Ahmed and translated by Bilal Ahmed Assadi. Zakir Ahamed and Hasan Nihal, as the compere for the evening, explained the schedule of events and handed the stage over to standup comedian, Ajay Sarapure from Belagavi. Ajay, also known as Hasya Ratna, has been a student of Karnataka’s comedy king Gangavati Pranesh.

Young multi-talented Tejaswi Ananth stunned the audience by his mesmerizing LED poi acts, juggling and hand shadow act. His LED poi act was the highlight of the evening that received a thunderous applause, and at a mere 19 years of age, Tejaswi, is a true variety entertainer. His gimmicks and vibrant personality had the audience asking for more.

Jeevansab Walikar Binnala was the next performer of the evening. Jeevan Sab, also a standup comedian, famously known as Janapada Hasya Kalavida, from North Karnataka is a multi-talented artist. He started his performance with a melodious folk song and went on to entertain the audience with his comedy where he brought out the subtle day-to-day life experience in his own style.

KMCA should be lauded for recognizing upcoming talents from the native land and providing them an international platform for a larger exposure. KMCA has started a trend that they live up to, at every community event they conduct.

The guest of honour of the evening, Haji SM Rashid, chairman of SMR Builders and Promoters, had flown in from Mangaluru to be part of KMCA celebrations. During the formal function, he was escorted to the dais by president Abdulla Monu and vice-president Aisha Rafique.

The Chief Guest for the evening, Syed Abdul Hye, founder member of KMCA was escorted by general secretary Saquib Raza Khan. Living up to the Arabic culture, dates were presented to the chief guest and guest of honor. KMCA president Abdulla Monu welcomed all the dignitaries, members and all attendees to the event. He also explained the importance of Rajyotsava, an event that brings all the Kannadigas together with a bond of friendship and plays a significant role in rebuilding relationships and harmony within all.

Saquib Raza Khan read the profile of Haji SM Rashid, after which Haji SM Rashid was felicitated by the executive committee members of KMCA. Haji SM Rashid addressed the gathering and expressed his gratitude on being a part of this spectacular event.

Dignitaries from different Karnataka-based organizations namely, Ravi Shetty Sanjay Kudri, H K Madhu, Arvind Patil, Navaneet Shetty, Deepak Shetty, Nazeer Pasha, Anil Boloor, Nagesh Rao, Seetharam Shetty, Ramchandra Shetty, Subramanya, Mahesh Gowda, Iqbal Manna, Manjunath, Anil Boloor, Veeresh Mannangi, Ilyas Beary, Diwakar Poojary, Asmath Ali and Habibun Nabi were also present at the event.

KMCA annual souvenir, the 5th edition of Pragati, was released on the occasion by the chief guest.

KMCA has been conferring special award every year, on people who are the silent heroes of the community. This year’s recipients were Cajetan Nery Alphonso, marketing manager of Ali bin Ali Group, Ligorio Francis Estrocio, employee of Ministry of Interior and Richard Jurnis. Their voluntary, selfless service to communities is praise worthy and inspiring. Executive committee members of KMCA honored them for their valuable contribution to the society. KMCA Excom and presidents of affiliated Karnataka Associations also honored the performing artistes. Ruksana Begum then rendered the vote of thanks.

Soon after, the stage was again set for the artistes to enthrall the audience. Jeewansab Walikar, the folk artist, sung a patriotic song in memory of Tipu Sultan as November 10 is also the birthday of the Tiger of Mysore – Tipu Sultan. The day is celebrated as Tipu Jayanti by the government of Karnataka.

The folk routine was again followed by another mesmerizing LED poi act by Tejaswi that had the crowd cheering with immense joy, on the images of Qatar and India, and various images of Tamim Al-Majd.

The magical part of the evening was Basavaraj Umarani from Belgaum. A Maths magician, he is renowned as the ‘Blind Walking Computer’. Completely blind since birth, Basavaraj has never glimpsed the external world, but his mind sees and interprets things that no normal person could ever perceive. He is gifted with a brain of unparalleled capacity, immense memory, unbelievable levels of perception, mathematical and analytical skills that could challenge the greatest brains in the country. His mind-blowing cricket commentary of a random match, and nine digit calculations carried out mentally, was the highlight of the evening. Interacting with the audience with his inspiring words, he quoted that nothing is impossible when the word itself states ‘I’m possible. His sheer talent, simplicity and words of immense wisdom received a standing ovation.

The final icing of the evening was yet again Tejaswi Ananth, who stunned the audience with the Hand Shadow Act and concluded the celebrations for the evening.

An evening that promised to deliver entertainment and lived up to its promise.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Media Release / Monday – November 13th, 2017

Youngest headmaster Babar Ali in Mysuru on November 14

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, , ,

Murshidabad,  WEST BENGAL :

Babar Ali
Babar Ali

The youngest headmaster Babar Ali will take part in a session, organised to mark Children’s Day by city-based Learners PU College in association with All India Corporate Council for Skill Development (AICCSD), at Kalamandira on November 14 at 5 pm.

Babar Ali, who was born in 1993, started his teaching career when he was nine-year-old and became headmaster in a school in West Bengal when he was 16. The biography of Ali has been included in the pre-university English textbook, published by Karnataka state government.

English teachers, students of class X and PUC can attend the event. Interested people can register by sending SMS along with the name to 99169 33202 or 99163 97939 or email to learnerspuc@gmail.com.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DH News Service / Mysuru / November 11th, 2017

Talat Mahmood’s melodies to be re-introduced

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, , , , , , , ,

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH / Mumbai (MAHARASHTRA) :

Talat Mahmood (Photo Credits: SNS)
Talat Mahmood (Photo Credits: SNS)

Legendary singer Talat Mahmood’s songs will be re-introduced to listeners in Delhi on Sunday (November 12). The melodies would come alive once again in the capital at a college of Delhi University.

Students from four Delhi University colleges will come together to sing Talat’s songs. Each student will be judged by music experts.

The curator of this grand event, Sahar Zaman who is Talat Mahmood’s grand niece is making sure to re-introduce the singer’s old melodies to the youth of today.

This special singing competition in memory of the legend will take place from 11am to 2pm at Sri Aurobindo College, Shivalik, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.

About Talat Mahmood

One of the most popular singers of the Indian film industry, known for his soft velvety voice Talat Mahmood was an Indian playback singer. He was a significant part of the Golden Era of the Indian music film industry and gave several memorable hits from the ‘40s – ‘60s. Known as the King of ghazals, he was the first to bring the genre of ghazals to mainstream music of the film industry. He tried his luck at acting, but later gave up for his career in singing. He has been a part of movies like Daak Babu, Waris, Ek Gaon ki Kahani and more.

A special series of singing competitions in the coming weeks will be organised by the team of “Talat Mahmood Today” at prominent Delhi University colleges and institutes in Delhi. The students will be singing old ghazals and filmi songs of Talat Mahmood. This is an ongoing competition stretched across 3 months up to January 2018. These will be judged by well known artists from the music industry. The winners will have a chance to share stage in the grand finale celebrations during the 3-day Jashn-e-Talat festival in February 2018. February 24th, 2018 is Talat Mahmood’s Birth Anniversary.

source: http://www.thestatesman.com / The Statesman  / Home> Entertainment> Music / by SNS Web, New Delhi / November 08th, 2017

Dr Lone gets Award of Excellence in Lucknow

Leaders, Science & Technology, ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Jammu :

Dr. Parveen Akhter Lone, Prof. & Head of the Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery, Indira Gandhi Government Dental College, Jammu has been conferred with Award of Excellence at Golden Jubilee Celebrations of King George Medical University, Lucknow .

Dr Lone is a distinction-holder and gold medalist during her BDS and was awarded with ‘Outstanding Student of BDS’ by International College of Dentists in 1991.
She has completed advanced course in trauma and attended various Workshops and conferences along with presentation of research papers & posters at national and international level.
She is also the Vice-President of J&K Chapter of the Association of Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgeons of India (AOMSI).

Recently, for her consecrated achievements in Dental field, she was awarded with Women Achievers Award – 2017 by Times of India Group.

source: http://www.dailyexcelsior.com / Daily Excelsior.com / Home / by Excelsior Correspondent / November 10th, 2017

Jain appointed Chairperson of JKSWRRA

Leaders, Science & Technology, , , , ,

JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Jammu  :

Government has appointed IAS officer Parmod Jain as Chairperson of Jammu and Kashmir State Water Resources Regulatory Authority (JKSWRRA).

 
The SRO-458 issued by the Government today reads: “In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 139 of the J&K Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, the Government hereby appoints the new Chairperson and Members of the J&K State Water Resources Regulatory Authority”.

 
Parmod Jain is presently Vice-Chairman and DG IMPA.

 
The members of the Authority are Kaneez Fatima, former Principal District and Sessions Judge, Ravi Magotra, former Director General Accounts and Treasuries and Ahmed Muzaffar Lankar, retired Executive Director Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation.

source:  http://www.dailyexcelsior.com / DailyExcelsior.com / Home / by Excelsior Correspondent / Jammu – October 27th, 2017

Why legends of Tipu Sultan live on in Calcutta

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World Opinion, , , , , , , , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

TipuMosqueKOLKATA08Mpos08nov2017

Tipu Sultan, the `Tiger of Mysore’, born Fateh Ali Sahab Tipu in 1750 at a place now part of Bengaluru, was never in Calcutta. But our city has two masjids in his name as descendants of his descendants live in our city. Last year, the government of Karnataka decided that November 10 will be annually celebrated as  Tipu Sultan Jayanti. This attracted foolish objections from those who never learned from history but want to rewrite it and rip up the country’s social fabric. As Stephen Hawking succinctly puts it, “We spend a great deal of time studying history , which, let’s face it, is mostly the history of stupidity.”Tipu Sultan, the powerful ruler in south India during the 18th century , when the British themselves were taking over India in their empire-building frenzy , was a formidable opponent to their imperialistic ambitions.Unfortunately , he died on the battle field in 1799, one of the first Indian rulers to do that. However, he had also signed a treaty with the British seven years earlier by which he ceded half his kingdom and unable to pay the colonists some `300 lakh, had to accept his two minor sons being exiled to Calcutta.Although they were returned to their family two years later, a `mutiny’ in 1806 resulted in the entire family and entourage of about 300 people literally being shipped off to Calcutta. This included Tipu’s 11th son, Prince Ghulam Mohammed Anwar Shah. Ghulam Mohammed is remembered today , if at all, by the name of the road that skirts around the Royal Calcutta Golf Club (RCGC) and arrives at the Golf Green area.

The family was settled in hutments on marshy tracts of land in Russapugla, the area which now houses Tollygunge Club and RCGC, initially liv ing in penurious conditions.However, Ghulam Mohammed Shah was enterprising. He scrounged and saved the stipend he received from the British and built up his finances through judicious investments, later acquiring the lands they were settled in and setting up the Prince Golam Mohammed Trust in 1872. He built the famous Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid located at the junction of Dharmatala Street and Chowringhee in honour of his father in 1832. A decade later he built the twin of that mosque in Tollygunge at the crossing of Prince Anwar Shah and Deshpran Sasmal Roads. The Trust started by him is considered to be one of the richest Muslim trusts in the country , their revenues earned mostly from the ownership of multiple properties stretching from south to central Calcutta. It is said the land on which the Lower Circular Road Christian cemetery is located was acquired from Tipu Sultan’s son in 1840.That explains the small mosque in an enclosed area at the rear of the cemetery .

It is fun to extrapolate that despite the political and social conflicts raging in the nation at that time, the Tipu Sultan Shahi Masjid, one of the lesser known heritage attractions of Calcutta, along with the Sacred Heart Church, a short walk down Dharmatala Street, as its contemporary neighbour, are rather obvious examples of this city’s plurality and cosmopolitan nature.Tollygunge, not yet known as Tollygunge, would be called that after Colonel William Tolly dredged the Gobindapur Creek in 1773 and reconnected Calcutta Port with the Matla and Bidyadhari rivers. He was also permitted to levy a tax on ships plying to and from today’s Bangladesh and built a market there, a ganj. The area was thereafter known as Tollygunge. In due course, Prince Ghulam became the owner of almost all the land.

The first hole of  Tolly Club’s golf links is named after Tipu Sultan and for someone who never even set foot in this city, his legacy here is quite something to wonder at. George Orwell said, “The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history .” Rewriting the history of a country to fit a particular political mould is an attempt to do exactly that and it shall fail because those doing so are in denial. Tipu Sultan was many things to many people. He was probably what many monarchs were at that time, benevolent and violent, fighting valiant battles to retain his lands and his people, harsh and despotic, heroic and innovative, patriotic and tyrannical, and a whole lot more. He, nevertheless, will be a significant character in our history, if for no other reason but that he was where he was, when he was.

One of the ways someone like Tipu Sultan will live on in history is because of music.He featured in folk songs of the period as he did in English ballads of the time. The English songs were of course all derogatory and cursed the Indians in various ways, while being full of self-praise and odes to British military valour.Perhaps there is still time for someone to do what Francis James Child did in the 1800s, collecting Scottish and English ballads and transcribing them to text and notation. The wealth of folk music in India would give us, what could only be an amazing take on the history of our country .

— PATRICK SL GHOSE

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Kolkata News / by Patrick SL Ghose / TNN / November 06th, 2017

Licence to quill

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

SabaKausarMPOs07nov2017

Saba Kausar has an eye for detail and we are taking the pun very literally here. The ophthalmologist has an inclination towards detailed, minute works and strives for perfection – a tendency which is seen in her profession as an eye specialist as well as her hobby of quilling.

“I was interested in arts and crafts since childhood but once I got into medical college in 2004, I stopped. I didn’t have time as I was concentrating on my studies. From the beginning of this year, when I finished my course and started working, I started devoting my spare time to this again,” she says.

From stuffed toys and handmade candles to quilling on plastic glasses and stitching – she has tried it all. “I think I got my interest in this field from my mother. She does a lot of embroidery and is a true perfectionist. I don’t think I have got her talent but I have tried to learn a few things from her,” says Saba, adding that the rest of her lessons were largely
by way of experimentation and watching YouTube videos.

Floral motifs are a recurring theme in her creations, many of which find their way into the hands of relatives and friends as gifts. “They love the fact that I spend so much time for them and make something that will reflect their likes and dislikes.

Out of all the things I have made so far, the nameplate that I made for my mother-in-law for her birthday remains my favourite. I was newly married and hadn’t started working yet. So I had time to sit and create something truly special and she loved it,” recalls Saba.

Time remains a constraint as she puts in many hours of work at the clinic every day but she still manages to find time to indulge in her passion and throw in an occasional visit to Raja Market as well.

“I get my raw materials from Raja Market. For me, that place is like heaven. You get anything and everything there, I feel so excited when I go there.”

For inspiration and feedback, Facebook is her go-to place. ” I am part of a group called ‘DIY Creations’ in Facebook. There, I put up pictures of my creations and also see what others are posting. There are many new and innovative things that people are trying and this inspires me. But my ideas are my own,” she says.

Saba plans to keep pursuing her interests even in future, both because she enjoys the pastime and because it acts like a stress buster for her, and wishes to display her works in a show or exhibition soon.

(Saba can be contacted on smanzar19@gmail.com)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / by Rajitha Menon / November 06th, 2017