Monthly Archives: June 2018

3-day seminar on Indo-Iranian Persian Literature begins at KU

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

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar

A three-day international seminar on Indo-Iranian Persian Literature organised by the Department of Persian began at the University of Kashmir in the auditorium of Ibn e Khuldun Alama Iqbal library on Thursday.

The theme of the seminar is “emergence of moral and ethical values in Indo-Iranian Persian literature and its relevance in modern times”.

The scholars and professors from different countries of the world have taken part in the 3-day seminar to present their research papers and to share their experiences with the students, various scholars and professors from the different states and different universities including Delhi, Lucknow has also participated.

The seminar was started with the recitation of Holy Quran by Dr Shanawazz shah followed by the naat by Syeda Mysooma.

Vice Chancellor Prof Khurshid Iqbal Andrabi presided over the seminar, addressed the guests and welcomed them with his warm speech.

In his presidential address, Prof Andrabi said that morals are the basic requirement of an individual, and is very fascinated by the beautiful culture, language of Iran.

Dr Jehangir Iqbal, Coordinator, Department of Persian, underlined the aims and objectives of the seminar and also highlighted the achievements of the department over the years.

Prof Shaief Hussain Qasmi delivered the keynote address.

Dr Ali Raza Ghazvey, Director literary Innovative center Academy of Art Tehran, Iran said: “it seems that we have entered a little Iran with the same culture that we are sharing with each other and the effect of Awraadi Fatah by Mir Syed Ali Hamadani ( rah) has kept the lost glory intact.”

Another guest and professor from the University of Kabul Afghanistan while presenting his research paper and sharing his experience with the students present there said: “we must look to the Persian language, not as an option but we must take it as the objective.”

Meanwhile, Arif Ayoubi who is a chairman Fakhhur Din Ali Ahmad committee said that the best students and scholars will be awarded the gold medals and some cash where they also would be helped and guided in future.

Now the next 2 days of the international seminar will be dedicated to the students and scholars from various faculties and universities to present their papers during these 2 days.

source: http://www.kashmirlife.net / Kashmir Life / Home> Kashmir Latest News / by KL News Network / June 21st, 2018

The teens who are all set to shine in Russia

Education, Sports, World Opinion, , , ,

Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :

Amreen Taj, Vishnu R., Sandeep Akash P., Anitha Raju (trainer) and Manasa Yadav K. will be taking part in the Football for Hope Festival 2018 in Russia.
Amreen Taj, Vishnu R., Sandeep Akash P., Anitha Raju (trainer) and Manasa Yadav K. will be taking part in the Football for Hope Festival 2018 in Russia.

Four children from underprivileged communities have been selected to participate in the FIFA Football Fest

When 16-year-old Sandeep Akash, a resident of Byatarayanapura, told his mother that he had been selected to travel to Russia to play football and watch the FIFA World Cup, his mother dismissed it as a tall tale. She asked him not waste her time with silly jokes. It was only after his trainer called and assured his parents that their son had been selected to play football in Russia were they convinced.

Sandeep will be travelling to Russia along with three other teenagers — Amreen Taj, Manasa Yadav K. and Vishnu R. — to take part in the ‘Football For Hope Festival 2018’, an official event of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

He is the first person in his family to be travelling abroad. His father, a painter by profession, encouraged him to pursue his interest in sports, but never thought that his son’s hobby would turn out to be this eventful.

The festival brings together children from various communities across the world, with a focus on social development. Around 48 teams will be participating in the programme from June 25 to July 5. Children will get to play football with their peers from various countries and will also attend leadership programmes. They will also get to watch one of the ongoing World Cup matches.

Sandeep and his friends, who were part of the NGO Dream A Dream’s after-school life skills programme, were chosen as delegates. They are the first in their families to get the opportunity to travel abroad. While Amreen and Vishnu’s fathers work as mechanics, Manasa’s father works as a driver.

The NGO is one of the two organisations selected from India by FIFA to take part in the event.

“We selected children with great potential who lacked avenues to exhibit their capabilities. We have been helping them work on their nutrition and fitness after the selection was done. For the last four months, the children have been practising for at least three hours every day, making time for football in their school schedule,” said Anitha Raju, trainer for the children and employee of Dream A Dream. These four children were shortlisted from 2,200 candidates across 28 schools in the city.

To play football was a big step for Amreen. “Usually, girls are not encouraged to take up a sport like football. Initially, everyone was sceptical. But after watching me, my brother and sister are very proud of me. I want to help more girls in my community take up this sport,” she said.

According to Sucheta Bhat, CEO of Dream A Dream, the football match that the children will be playing will have a set of unconventional rules (which the children themselves will come up with), with the primary aim of building leadership and cooperation. “This is the second consecutive time that our organisation has been selected,” she said.

All the four children said they want to pursue football training as a career and help more children from local communities realise their potential.

“It’s not only about the game. I have benefited by improving my communication skills and overall discipline,” said Vishnu.

Manasa said that she has gained focus in life. “Earlier, I used to be lazy. I see a huge transformation in myself. I want to pass on the benefit to more youngsters,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / June 20th, 2018

Chitrapriya Singh becomes the fbb Campus Princess 2018 from Lucknow

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

Lucknow, UTTAR PRADESH :

A fashion show was recently organized by a private institut of fashion designing at Paryatan Bhavan.

Organized by the second year students of the institute, the show had Yamaha Fascino Miss Diva 2016 Miss Universe India Roshmitha Harimurthy, and actor and Lucknowite Mohit Kesarwani as showstoppers for the evening.

SP Singh, vice-chancellor of Lucknow University and Anis Ansari were the chief guests of the event which had Madrid as its theme.

(L) Aqsa Fatima (C) Sudhanshu (R) Uzma Rehan (BCCL
(L) Aqsa Fatima (C) Sudhanshu (R) Uzma Rehan (BCCL

The Best Designer award went to Hafza Abdul while Aqsa Fatima bagged the Miss College award.

(L) Chitrapriya Singh (R) Mohit Kesarwani (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)
(L) Chitrapriya Singh (R) Mohit Kesarwani (BCCL/ Vishnu Jaiswal)

However, the highlight of the event was the fbb Campus Princess 2018 auditions in which Chitrapriya Singh was adjudged the winner. Being gratified as the finalist of the fbb Campus Princess pageant, Chitrapriya will get an opportunity to get groomed and participate in the Miss India organisation’s national beauty pageants.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Lucknow News / TNN / June 20th, 2018

Three Pakistanis get Indian citizenship

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

Nizamabad, TELANGANA :

Revenue Divisional Officer T. Vinod Kumar handing over Indian citizenship documents to Sanan, Ruman and Saif at his office in Nizamabad on Tuesday.
Revenue Divisional Officer T. Vinod Kumar handing over Indian citizenship documents to Sanan, Ruman and Saif at his office in Nizamabad on Tuesday.

The brothers, born to Indian mother and Pakistani father, applied for citizenship eight years back

Three Pakistani nationals – Mohammed Sanan, 29, his younger brothers Ruman, 27, and Saif, 25, were granted Indian citizenship by the Government of India. Revenue Divisional Officer T. Vinod Kumar handed over the citizenship copies to them in the presence of their mother Faiz Unnisa here on Tuesday.

After the perusal of their applications for citizenship, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued orders.

The orders were issued under Section 5(1)f of Citizenship Act-1955 on April 24 approving their appeal. The citizenship document copies No:243; 244; and 245 subsequently were sent to the district authorities.

They had applied for citizenship some eight years ago.

Ms. Faiz, daughter of late Hafeez Abdul Rehman and Samdani Begum, married Mohammed Abdul Nadeem Javed of Bahawalpur in Punjab province of Pakistan in 1988. After marriage, she moved to Pakistan, but did not give up her Indian citizenship. All her three sons were born there. After divorcing her Pakistani husband in 2004, she moved to Nizamabad along with her three sons and they have been staying here on a long term visa (LTV).

Refusing to reveal the details, Ms. Faiz and her children immediately left the RDO chambers after receiving the citizenship documents.

According to sources, she, along with her children and her siblings, has been running a private school in the old city for several years now. Meanwhile, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists arrived at the RDO office to stage a protest against giving citizenship to the trio. Realising that they had already left, they called off the protest.

When contacted, District Collector M. Ram Mohan Rao said the Government of India granted the citizenship to the three Pakistani nationals only after being convinced that there will not be any law and order problem with them. “I hope there will not be any problem from them, and or to them from anyone. Anyway, I will take the issue to the notice of the Commissioner of Police as regards their protection,” he told The Hindu.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad , June 19th, 2018

Naqvi’s 116-year-old grandpa Zurriyat Hussain Kazmi dies

Leaders, , ,

Bareilly, UTTAR PRADESH :

Bareilly :

Zurriyat Hussain Kazmi, 116, one of the oldest citizens of the country, died on Sunday night.

After his condition deteriorated, Kazmi was rushed to a private hospital in Rampur Garden locality. He was, however, declared dead upon arrival by doctors.

Kazmi, maternal grandfather of Union minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, was fond of Samajwadi Party patron Mulayam Singh Yadav.
Born on January 1, 1902, Kazmi would say the secret of his long life was 10 kilometres of daily walk.
“He was not suffering from any illness. He died due to his long age,” said Azadar Hussain Kazmi, his youngest son and caretaker.
“My grandfather was a zamindar and had 2,000 bighas at Kulbhara village in Moradabad .

After my father joined British police in 1922, it disappointed my grandfather that his son was doing a job for Rs 10. Working under someone was not considered good then. My father later worked for Indian police. He met Mahatma Gandhi at Chowki Chauraha when the latter visited Bareilly during the struggle for independence,” said Azadar.

“Despite his long age, my father would cast his vote in every election. He believed that voting is an important right. He was fond of Mulayam and later became a fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ,” said Azadar.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Bareilly News / TNN / June 19th, 2018

Id gift for buddy trio’s business idea

Business & Economy, , , ,

Kolkata, WEST BENGAL :

(From left) Md Wasim Ali Ansari, Azhar Rabbani and Ayush Singh at The Kidopreneur Summit at Novotel on Saturday. Picture by Biswajit Kundu
(From left) Md Wasim Ali Ansari, Azhar Rabbani and Ayush Singh at The Kidopreneur Summit at Novotel on Saturday. Picture by Biswajit Kundu

Calcutta:

They gave Id celebrations at home a miss to pitch their business module before a roomful of entrepreneurs. Azhar Rabbani and Mohammad Wasim Ali Ansari, along with Ayush Singh, have devised a plan to provide easy accommodation to outstation students through an app.

The three friends beat six other teams to bag the first prize at The Kidoprenuer Summit, in association with The Telegraph, at Novotel on Saturday. Co-hosted by Sonali’s Cubo, Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce and Srei Infrastructure Finance, the one-of-its-kind conclave gave young entrepreneurs a chance to showcase their innovative business ideas.

The OFY (Only For You) Homes project hopes to address the accommodation problems that students of other cities face when they come to Calcutta to study. “More than 60 colleges in and around the city don’t offer hostel facilities and at any time around 30,000 students are looking for a place to stay,” said Ayush, 17, a student of Shree Jain Vidyalaya.

The boys plan to offer standardised paying guest accommodation and flats on rent through an app. “Students can rent a home for any period of time and also share it with a maximum of four roommates. We will offer packages. They can get food, Internet, electricity and other amenities at Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 a month,” said Azhar, 18, of Seth Anandram Jaipuria College.

College mate Wasim, 18, said the trio have been working out the logistics for the past three months. “We hope to launch the app by the year end. We are tying up with people who rent out rooms,” he said.

Yubasana Kapas, 14, of Gokhale Memorial Girls’ School won the third prize for her plan to showcase Bengal’s art and culture before foreign patrons.

Three students – Kaushik Sardar, Shane Romel Kujur and Gaurav Bordoloi – from National Institute of Technology, Durgapur, bagged the second prize for Pedals Go, an app-based rental plan for bicycles.

“The event has brought three generations of entrepreneurs on one platform,” said Vayjayanti Pugalia, who curated the event.

The summit saw young entrepreneurs from across the country exchange notes with business stalwarts from the city and share their stories and challenges.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com / The Telegraph,Calcutta,India / Home> Calcutta / by Chandreyee  Ghose (additional reporting by Samabrita Sen) / June 17th, 2018

8 months into politics, AMU alumnus wrests sole zilla parishad seat for Left in Bengal

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

Goalpokhar (North Dinajpur District) , WEST BENGAL :

The Urdu teacher at Dharmapur High School at Goalpokhar in Bengal’s North Dinajpur district won from Belon in Goalpokhar 2 block.

Md Shahid Siddiquee joined politics eight months ago after he was inspired by Forward Bloc MLA from Chakulia in North Dinajpur district, Ali Imran Ramz.(HT Photo)
Md Shahid Siddiquee joined politics eight months ago after he was inspired by Forward Bloc MLA from Chakulia in North Dinajpur district, Ali Imran Ramz.(HT Photo)

Eight months ago, Md Shahid Siddiquee,32, a former student of Aligarh Muslim University, was a newcomer in All India Forward Bloc, a partner in Bengal’s Left coalition.

When results to the polls in the state’s three-tier panchayats were released, Siddiquee emerged as winner of the sole zilla parishad (district council) seat for the Marxists who were facing rout.

The Urdu teacher at Dharmapur High School at Goalpokhar in Bengal’s North Dinajpur district won from Belon in Goalpokhar 2 block. This is the Left’s only zilla parishad seat out of 825 (only 622 saw contest) in Bengal. Siddiquee defeated veteran Trinamool Congress leader Abdul Ghani by 1,156 votes.

Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India and Revolutionary Socialist Party, the three other big constituents of the 10-party Left Front, could not win any seat in the highest tier of the panchayats.

Interestingly, Siddiquee is not even known to many of the top Left leaders in these parties. He will be introduced to them at a meeting of the Left Front leaders on May 26.

Siddiquee joined politics eight months ago after he was inspired by Ali Imran Ramz, Forward Bloc MLA from Chakulia in North Dinajpur district. Ramz is the second youngest MLA in the Bengal assembly.

“I was always a Forward Bloc supporter but it was Ramz who inspired me to join active politics. He also inspired me to contest. The credit for my victory goes to him,” said Siddiquee.

“Had Trinamool supporters not resorted to violence at eight booths our margin would have been higher. But I am sure many Trinamool supporters also voted for me,” he added.

Ramz claimed that Siddiquee’s victory has proved that Left Front can put up a fight against Trinamool if it keeps in touch with people at the grassroots. “From the very beginning I was against seat adjustment with any party outside the Left Front. In North Dinajpur, Forward Bloc contested on its own. I am grateful to our voters,” said Ramz.

CPI(M) Politburo member and MP from Raigunj in North Dinajpur, MP Salim, said the Left would have done much better in the north Bengal region had Trinamool not resorted to violence.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Cities> Kolkata / by HT Correspondent / May 22nd, 2018

Madras Inherited to unravel city’s architectural treasures

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

Chennai, TAMIL NADU :

One of the projects taken up by the Triple O Studio
One of the projects taken up by the Triple O Studio

Any mention of Chennai’s architectural marvels instantly brings to mind large, red public structures built in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. But, there is more to the city’s architectural history in its residential areas.

Madras Inherited, an initiative of a group of architects and volunteers, aims to unravel these hidden architectural gems through heritage walks and document the fast disappearing residential structures in the city.

Spearheaded by Triple O Studio, an architectural firm, Madras Inherited will focus on small residential buildings across the city that have gone unnoticed unlike public heritage structures. While Chennai has some of the finest Indo-Saracenic structures, it is also a confluence of many intriguing architectural styles that the group will research and map through a series of walks.

Tahaer Zoyab, architect and co-founder of Madras Inherited, said a project to document the old houses of Mylapore came as an eye-opener to the vanishing heritage in the city. “The character of the interior lanes is fast changing and we wanted to share the stories with people before residential buildings disappear and also document the rich legacy,” he said.

The team has so far documented architectural designs of about 50 houses in Mylapore. “We have traces of Neoclassical, Gothic and Art Deco styles in structures across the city. We can still find traditional vernacular architecture in some of the Agraharam houses of Mylapore, Tiruvanmiyur and Triplicane,” he said.

Classic example

George Town, one of the older settlements in the city, presents a classic example of a confluence of different styles. Dare House in Parrys Corner, for instance, is designed in the Art Deco style in which there is an emphasis on vertical lines and the distinct design of a ‘sunburst jaali’ for ventilation, Mr. Zoyab pointed out.

Such intricate details imbibed in residential and private building architecture will be documented and shared with heritage enthusiasts in the city. Madras Inherited will focus on cultural tourism and heritage education and management through a series of interactive events like photo walks in historical areas. The initiative will be launched on June 16 with a walk through the lanes of Royapettah, where participants will get to decode the architectural history of the area. The walk that starts at 6.30 a.m. will cost adults Rs. 700 and students Rs. 450. Participants get to take home a bag of custom-made souvenirs, ranging from coasters to bookmarks.

The locality has a range of styles from Agraharam houses, traces of Gothic design and Islamic-style houses. The proceeds from these walks will be used to fund the mapping and documentation of city’s heritage structures. There are plans to expand to areas like Periamet, Vepery and George Town after September.

For details on the walk, send an e-mail to mail@madrasinherited.in or contact +91-8939135048.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by K. Lakshmi / Chennai – June 15th, 2018

Madin grounds witness mega prayer meet

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

Malappuram, KERALA :

Sunni believers from different parts of the State attend an annual mega prayer gathering organised by the Madin Academy in Malappuram on Monday.
Sunni believers from different parts of the State attend an annual mega prayer gathering organised by the Madin Academy in Malappuram on Monday.

Thousands of Sunni believers from different parts of the State attended an annual mega prayer gathering organised by the Madin Academy here on Monday night.

Although the organisers had cut down the size of the programme by shifting the stage into the Madin Grand Mosque and reducing the publicity for the event in view of the Nipah virus scare, there was no decrease in the turnout of the orthodox Sunnis who reached the Swalat Nagar for the blessings of Lailathul Qadr. Lailathul Qadr or “the night of decree” is the holiest night of the year for Muslims across the world.

According to the Koran, Lailathul Qadr is “better than a thousand months”. In his special message to the people, Madin Academy chairman Sayed Ibrahim Khaleel Bukhari Thangal exhorted the mahals and the community to give extra stress on cleanliness and hygiene.

All India Jamiyyathul Ulama general secretary Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musliar inaugurated the function. Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama president E. Sulaiman Musliar presided. Mr. Bukhari led various prayers such as Thouba, Tahleel and Swalat.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter / Malappuram – June 12th, 2018

‘Rising Kashmir’ editor Shujaat Bukhari shot dead by gunmen in Srinagar: Police

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, , , ,

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Shujaat Bukhari was leaving his office in Press Enclave in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk when he was shot at. He is in a critical condition, police said.

Shujaat Bukhaari is the editor of newspaper Rising Kashmir. (Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shujaat Bukhari)
Shujaat Bukhaari is the editor of newspaper Rising Kashmir. (Picture courtesy: Twitter/Shujaat Bukhari)

Veteran journalist and Rising Kashmir editor Shujaat Bukhari was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside his office in the heart of this Jammu and Kashmir capital, police officials said on Thursday.

Bukhari, who was leaving his office in Press Enclave in the city centre Lal Chowk for an iftar party when he was shot, officials said.

The two policemen who were guarding him are also injured, they added.

source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> India / by PTI, Srinagar / June 14th, 2018