Monthly Archives: February 2019

Rs 70-lakh US grant for conservation of tombs in Hyderabad

February 22, 2019Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Travel & Tourism, World OpinionQutb Shahi, Qutb Shahi Tombsmpositiveone@gmail.com

TELANGANA :

It is the second time that the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant, a US Department of State initiative, is being awarded to the Qutb Shahi tombs.

Hyderabad :

The US Ambassador to India Kenneth I Juster, who was in the city on Thursday, announced a grant of over Rs 70 lakh towards conservation of the 17th-century tombs of Taramati and Premamati, located within the Qutb Shahi tombs complex.

It is the second time that the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant, a US Department of State initiative, is being awarded to the Qutb Shahi tombs.

The grant is awarded to the Aga Khan foundation, which is in the process of restoring the tomb complex. The previous grant, awarded in 2014, supported the documentation of archaeological finds at the Qutb Shahi tombs complex. Earlier in 2009, the program supported restoration at the garden tomb of Mah Laqa Bai at Moula Ali.

Stating he was pleased to announce, Juster said the present grant was only “just one in a long line of projects that we have proudly supported across India. “Through these efforts, we seek to demonstrate the enduring respect of the United States for other cultures and our commitment to conserving the architectural wonders of humanity,” he said.

The restoration’s primary aims will be to conserve the final resting places of famed dancers Taramati and Premamati, and restore the tombs to their original grandeur. CEO of Aga Khan Trust for Culture Ratish Nanda said the conservation works have commenced with structural repairs, and will require careful removal of 20th century cement, with use of lime plaster applied by master-craftsmen to restore the authenticity of the structures.”

Photo exhibition of US Consulate at RGIA
As the US Consulate in city celebrates its 10th anniversary, the US Mission has partnered with RGIA to launch a photo exhibition chronicling the Consulate’s activities over the past decade. On hand to launch the exhibition were US Ambassador to India Kenneth I. Juster; CEO of GMR Hyderabad International Airport SGK Kishore and US Consul General in Hyderabad Katherine Hadda. The Consulate in Hyderabad has curated this selection of 30 photographs after evaluating thousands of photos for inclusion.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / February 22nd, 2019

Badminton Junior: Samiya Farooqui to lead Girls team, Maisnam Luwang to lead boys

February 21, 2019Leaders, Sports, World OpinionMohammed Imaduddin Farooqui, Mubeena Sultana Farooqui, Samiya Farooqui - Indian Badminton Player, Samiya Farooqui - Shuttler, Samiya Imad Farooqui, Samiya Imad Farooqui - Badminton - Telangana, Samiya Imad Farooqui - Badminton Player - Indian Team, Samiya Imad Farooqui - Captain - Indian Girls Team (Junior) 2019, Samiya Imad Farooqui - Gold Medallist - U-15 Asian Junior Championship 2017, Samiya Imad Farooqui - Shuttler - Hyderabadmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Selected for Dutch Junior International and the German Junior

Harpal Singh Bedi / New Delhi :

Manipur’s Maisnam Meiraba Luwang and Samiya Imad Farooqui will spearhead 20-member Indian junior badminton team’s challenge at the Dutch Junior International from February 27 to March 3 and the German Junior from March 7-10

Manipur”s Luwang earned the distinction to lead the boys’ singles challenge by virtue of the 1192 points that he amassed following his title wins at the All-India Junior Ranking Badminton Tournaments in Vijayawada and Bangalore.

The girls’ team captain Samiya Imad Farooqui , a former 2017 U-15 Asian Junior Championships gold medallist., has 1125 points to her credit in the ranking tournaments.

The Badminton Association of India (BAI) considered the cumulative ranking points from the three All India Junior Ranking tournaments held in Vijayawada, Bangalore and Jaipur in January..

While Meiraba topped the chart in the boys’ singles section, the others joining him are Andhra Pradesh’s Sai Charan Koya, Priyanshu Rajawat of Dhar in Madhya Pradesh and Sathish Kumar from Coimbatore.

In girls’ singles, Farooqui is joined by Gayatri Gopichand, Nashik girl Smit Toshniwal and Amolika Singh hailing from Uttar Pradesh.

The winner of each leg gets 500 while the runner-up bags 425. The rest of the points bifurcation are semi-finals (350), quarter-finals (275) and pre-quarter-finals (192).

Ishaan Bhatnagar and Edwin Joy will be leading India’s challenge in the boys’ doubles section.Treesa Jolly and Varshini VS will be the ones to watch in girls’ doubles while the in-form Navaneeth Bokka and Sahithi Bandi, who swept the three ranking events, will be India’s top team in mixed doubles.

The Dutch and the German Junior belong to the Junior International Grand Prix category.

Last year India won the boys’ doubles silver medal at the Dutch Junior when the talented duo of Krishna Prasad Garaga and Dhruv Kapila finished as the runners-up.

The squad

Boys : Maisnam Meiraba (AAI), Sai Charan Koya (AP), Priyanshu Rajawat (MP), Sathish Kur K (TN)

Girls : Samiya Imad Farooqui , Gayatri Gopichand Pullela (TS), Smit Toshniwal (MAH), Amolika Singh (UP)

Doubles

Boys: Ishaan Bhatnagar (CG), Edwin Joy (KER), Navaneeth Bokka , Vishnuvardhan Goud Panjala (TS)

Girls : Treesa Jolly (KER), Varshini VS (TN), Kavya Gupta (DLI), Khushi Gupta (DLI)

Mixed Doubles: Navaneeth Bokka , Sahithi Bandi (TS), Edwin Joy,feesah Sara Siraj (KER)

source: http://www.theindianawaaz.com / The Indian Awaaz / Home / by Indian Awaaz / February 21st, 2019

IAS officer adopts daughters of two Pulwama attack martyrs

February 21, 2019Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersCRPF - Ratan Kumar Thakur, CRPF - Sanjay Kumar Sinha, Inayat Khan, Inayat Khan - District Magistrate - Sheikhpura - Bihar, Inayat Khan - IAS Officer, Ms. Inayat Khan - IAS Officer - Bihar, Pulwama Martyrsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Agra, UTTAR PRADESH / Sheikhpura, BIHAR :

In the biggest terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir since Uri (2016), 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were martyred at Pulwana on February 14 when a suicide bomber drove an SUV packed with over 300 kg worth of explosives into a CRPF bus. Terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad claimed responsibility for the dastardly attack.

As the nation grieves for the families of the martyred soldiers, it has united to do their bit to support them.

Now, Inayat Khan, an IAS officer in Bihar has set an example by adopting daughters of two martyrs. She will bear the educational expenses and other costs of Ratan Kumar Thakur and Sanjay Kumar Sinha’s daughters throughout their lives.
“I have directed officials to open an account to raise funds for families of two victims. Whatever amount will be collected by March 10, we will divide and give it to their families. I want to appeal to the people to contribute as much as you can so that we can stand by their families at a time when they need our support,” Inayat told a news agency.
The Bihar cadre 2012 batch IAS officer will also donate two days’ salary to the families of the two martyrs.

Earlier, Khan, along with the District Magistrate staff, had paid tribute to CRPF jawans martyred in the Pulwama terror attack by observing a minute’s silence on February 16.

source: http://www.femina.in / Femina / Home> Achievers / by Femina / February 19th, 2019

Wreath laying ceremony of Martyr HC Abdul Rashid held

February 20, 2019Community Involvement / Social IssuesAbdul Rashid, Abdul Rashid - Head Constable - J & K Police - Indian Martyr, Abid Rashid Shah, Abid Rashid Shah - DC Srinagar, Hafsa Rashid, Haseeb Mughal, Haseeb Mughal - CAPF - SSP Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain, Imtiyaz Hussain - SSP Security, Indian Martyr Head Constable Abdul Rashid, Martyr Abdul Rashid, Mehrooz Rashid, Zulfikar Hasan, Zulfikar Hasan - IGP Ops - CRPFmpositiveone@gmail.com

Taghdar, Kupwara District – JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Srinagar :

To pay honour and respect to Martyr Head Constable Abdul Rashid, resident of Tanghdar District Kupwara, who attained martyrdom on Monday, while fighting terrorists at Pulwama, a wreath laying ceremony was held at the District Police Lines, Srinagar.

Civil & Police Officers led by Advisor to Governor K. Vijay Kumar, DGP J&K Police Dilbag Singh, IGP Ops CRPF Zulfikar Hassan, IGP Kashmir S.P Pani and DC Srinagar Abid Rashid Shah laid floral wreaths on the mortal remains and paid rich tributes to the martyr for the supreme sacrifice made in the line of duty.

Among others who paid floral tributes to the martyr included senior officers of CAPF, SSP Srinagar Haseeb Mughal, SSP Security Imtiyaz Hussain, besides a number of Jawans of the district police and other forces.

Martyr Abdul Rashid’s family is survived by wife, two minor daughters Hafsa Rashid and Mehrooz Rashid and an unemployed brother.

source: http://www.news.statetimes.in / State Times / Home> News > Jammu & Kashmir> Kashmir / by State Times News / February 18th, 2019

Amit, Nikhat strike gold at Strandja Memorial Boxing

February 20, 2019Sports, World OpinionMohammed Ali Qamar, Mohammed Ali Qamar- India's Chief Coach for Women Boxers', Mohammed Ali Qamar-Arjuna Awardee, Nikhat Zareen, Nikhat Zareen - Boxer, Nikhat Zareen - Boxer - Telangana, Nikhat Zareen - Gold Medallist Winner - Strandja Memorial Tournament - Sofia - Bulgaria, Nikhat Zareen - Indian Woman Boxer, Nikhat Zareen - Junior World Champion - Boxingmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Nikhat Zareen and Meena Kumari Devi became the first set of Indian women boxers to notch up gold medals at the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Nikhat Zareen claimed a 5-0 win in the 51kg category finals against Filipino Irish Magno. - PHOTO: JSW SPORTS — Nikhat Zareen claimed a 5-0 win in the 51kg category finals against Filipino Irish Magno. – PHOTO: JSW SPORTS

Asian Games gold-medallist Amit Panghal (49kg) on Tuesday claimed a second successive gold at the Strandja Memorial Tournament, in which India’s women boxers also scripted history with a couple of maiden top finishes in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Armyman from Haryana pulled off a dominating 5-0 triumph over Kazakhstan’s Temirtas Zhussupov, who was left with a bleeding forehead at the end of the final bout.

Former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen and Meena Kumari Devi became the first set of Indian women boxers to notch up gold medals at the prestigious tournament, which is into its 70th edition.

In all, India signed off with three gold, a silver, and three bronze medals in this edition of the event, which marks the beginning of the European boxing calendar.

Zareen, a multiple-time national medallist, claimed a 5-0 win in the 51kg category finals against Filipino Irish Magno, while Devi got the better of Aira Villegas 3-2, also from the Philippines, in the bantamweight (54kg) summit clash.

The previous best by an Indian woman boxer at the event was the silver won by the legendary M.C. Mary Kom last year.

“I dedicate this medal to the martyrs of the Pulwama terror attack. It was a very sad day for us as a country,” Zareen told PTI over the phone from Sofia referring to last week’s terror attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

However, Manju Rani (48kg) settled for a silver after going down to another Filipino in Josie Gabuco in a split 2-3 verdict.

In a commanding performance, Zareen out-maneuvered Magno with a rock solid defence. Although the bout seemed closer than the final score-line, Zareen pulled it off by denying her rival a clear shot.

“My entire thought process in the bout was to never give up. My opponent had beaten Pinki Jangra in the first round and I just wanted to prove that I could get the better of her,” Zareen said.

“This win is also my response to all those who doubt my ability. I am just emotionally overwhelmed right now,” added the 22-year-old, who was denied a trial before the Asian Games last year despite being fit.

Devi, who won a bronze medal in the previous edition of the prestigious tournament, bettered her podium performance with a gritty show against Villegas.

The Indian battled hard against her aggressive opponent and did well on the counter-attack to edge past the Filipino for a top finish.

On Monday, Pwilao Basumatari (64kg), Neeraj (60kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) had settled for bronze medals after losing their semi-final bouts.

“The key to this success has been stress management. It has been a conscious decision to keep the pressure off them and constantly remind them of their strengths,” said India’s chief coach for women, Mohammed Ali Qamar, who took over the top position only last month.

The country had won 11 medals at the 2018 edition, two of them gold, which was also the country’s best ever performance.

source: http://www.sportstar.thehindu.com / SportsStar / Home> Boxing / by PTI / New Delhi – February 19th, 2019

When Nizam came to rescue of Rabindranath Tagore

February 19, 2019Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leaders, World OpinionDonor to Shanktiniketan - Nizam Osman Ali Khan, Nizam Osman Ali Khanmpositiveone@gmail.com

HYDERABAD :

The correspondences between Tagore and Nizam date back 1927 when Tagore first wrote to the Nizam saying that he was sending his representative Kalimohan Ghose, to interview.

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. (File photo|EPS)

Hyderabad :

Nizam VII Osman Ali Khan Bahadur, who became the Rajpramukh on January 26, 68 years ago, was known not just for his riches but also for his philanthropy in the fields of education, science and development. What is less known is his contribution to the establishment of Rabindranath Tagore’s Shantinektan in West Bengal. Khan’s administration for several years funded the construction of hostels, library and the setting up of Urdu department in Shantiniketan.

The correspondences between Tagore and Nizam date back 1927 when Tagore first wrote to the Nizam saying that he was sending his representative Kalimohan Ghose, to interview.

A few months later in July, Tagore wrote another letter to the him, asking for a donation to collection of books and manuscripts at Visva Bharati University, which is a public central university located in Shantiniketan.

In the letter, Tagore, said that the ‘wonderful collection of books and manuscripts that belong to Visva Bharati awaits a suitable and permanent home”. He referred to the Nizam as a ‘patron of learning’ and requested him to come to Tagore’s ‘rescue’ by donating Rs 75,000 for the library building.

Fast forward to 1933. A more desperate and worn-out Tagore wrote to the Nizam again. He described how he was facing ‘large deficits’ and how his resources were completely exhausted. He proceeded to ask for a `1 lakh-donation for establishing a hostel in Shantiniketan. Both the requests of donations were accepted.
It was six years after Tagore’s death in 1941 that Visva Bharati officials again wrote to the Nizam asking for a donation. Anil Kumar Chanda, the then principal requested Rs 85,000 for setting up a Urdu Department. Sarojini Naidu was the Chancellor of the university at that time. It is unclear whether the donation was granted or not.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Aihik Sur / Express New Service / February 18th, 2019

Good old radios

February 17, 2019Arts, Culture & Entertainment, VideosAbuthahir M A, Abuthahir M A - Vintage Radio Collector, Abuthahir M A - Vintage Radio Collector - Coimbatore - Tamil Nadu - India, Abythahir M A - Collector of Radiosmpositiveone@gmail.com

Coimbatore, TAMIL NADU :

Abuthahir M A with his collection of vintage radios | Photo Credit: M.Periasamy

Abuthahir MA wants to share his love for vintage radios with the public and dreams of having them displayed in a museum

“Vintage products are all about the history that they have. I am glad that I can preserve some of it through my collection,” says Abuthahir M.A. He has recently exhibited his radios in the city as a part of the World Radio Day. The event was in association with The Rotary Club of Coimbatore, Cotton City. There were 100 or so familiar radio brands such as Murphy, Radiolla, Regentone, Zenith, Tata and Philips that he had collected in the last 28 years.

“Radios always fascinated me. As a child, I listened to movie songs on my neighbour’s radio. My first job was in a radio servicing centre in Coimbatore. It was there that I learnt about its different parts and how it works.” He bought his first radio for ₹35 from a scrap dealer in 1990 . “It is a Jennith Ham Radio from the 1924-1936 period. It has a wooden body and vacuum tubes inside. The parts are made in America and England and it is the oldest in my collection.”

Scenes from the exhibition | Photo Credit: S.SIVA SARAVANAN

The 42-year- old has collected the radios from Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and West Bengal. “Earlier I used to ask the older people about the history of these radios. Now the information is easily available from the internet.” His most expensive acquisition is a Gerard’s Philips Radio (1956 model). “It weighs 70 kg and was for sale at a house in Namakkal in 1999. Just as I reached there, I found another man carrying it away in an auto! I was sad but my search for a similar radio continued and, nearly a year later, I found one at Thoothukudi. I bought it for ₹16000,” recalls Abuthahir.

His collection has radios from the 1930s to the 1990s. “I own 160 radios of which 50 work. I have rented a house to keep them. The radios are treated with pesticides once in a month and I make sure they are kept away from moisture.”

He also has a collection of coins, stamps and clocks, watches and wooden dolls. He has conducted 53 exhibitions of his collections in Tamil Nadu and in Puducherry. “I hope to conduct more such shows and spread awareness. My biggest dream is to build a public museum with my collection on display in Coimbatore.”

source: http://www.youtube.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style / by Susan Joe Philip / February 14th, 2019

News museum draws crowds

February 17, 2019Arts, Culture & EntertainmentA.P. Noushad, A.P. Noushad - Collector of Radios, A.P. Noushad - Journalist, A.P.Noushad - Journalist - Madhyamam - Kerala, Abdul Latheef Naha, Abdul Latheef Naha - Journalist, Abdul Latheef Naha - Journalist - Keralampositiveone@gmail.com

KERALA :

Students taking a look at the radios, phones and other mass communication tools on display at Government Higher Secondary School, Peruvalloor, on Wednesday

Malappuram :

Like many organisations across the globe, a village school in the district too celebrated World Radio Day on Wednesday, but with a difference.

An exhibition titled Newseum made the celebration unique by having a solid array of mass media related objectives, particularly radios, on display at Government Higher Secondary School, Peruvalloor.

Personal collection

What made the exhibition special was that it was a personal collection of a newspaper journalist: A.P. Noushad from Kannamangalam near Vengara. People who visited the Newseum stood in awe in front of the 50-odd radios, 300-odd cameras, 400-odd mobile phones, 1,000-odd newspapers, 10,000-odd magazines, and a wide variety of television sets, tape recorders, stamps, coins, books and antiques.

When the United Nations encouraged the World Radio Day of 2019 by recognising the power of the radio to promote dialogue, tolerance and peace, Mr. Noushad came forward to do his first mega exhibition of the radios and other articles he has passionately collected over the last two decades.

Curious students

For the curious students, there was a lot to learn from the large valve radios of yesteryear that required a licence to play. “A licence?” asked a curious student.

“Yes, a licence was needed to possess a radio transistor in the initial days,” explained a teacher to the students. Mr. Noushad had a penchant for mass communication and its tools even when he was at school.

“First I started collecting pictures of sports personalities, then stamps and coins, then newspapers, magazines, cameras, radios, mobile phones, typewriters, and so on. It was all for curiosity sake,” said Mr. Noushad. Mr. Noushad’s collection has treasures from imaging history.

So are the mobiles phones from the initial years of mobile telephony.

A journalist with the Madhyamam newspaper at Perinthalmanna, Mr. Noushad was overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response at the exhibition. Many were surprised by the portmanteau word Newseum.

“I chose the word on realising that I had procured enough for a school level news museum,” said Mr. Noushad.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Kerala / by Staff Reporter & Abdul Latheef Naha / Malappuram – February 13th, 2019