Monthly Archives: August 2019

An association of Indian Muslims

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinion, , , , , ,

AUSTRALIA :

A new organisation seeks to represent Indian Muslims, as well as help dispel the negative stereotyping about their community

On 16 July, the Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA) held its inaugural Eid function at the Himalaya Restaurant in South Granville. The hugely successful event provided an opportunity for Indian Muslims to connect with Indians from other religions.

The evening was attended by Dr A.S. Nakadar (founder of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin), Rajeev Kumar (Vice Consul CGI), Peter Doukas (Chair, Ethnic Community Council NSW) and Julia Finn (Member for Granville) amongst other dignitaries.

The soon-to-be launched ICSOA aims to promote a positive image of Indian Muslims and help them integrate into mainstream society. Indian Link scratched the surface to find out more from the President of the society Mr Abbas Raza Alvi.

A well-known community leader, poet and businessman, Mr Alvi began by summing up the need for such an organisation:

“For the last 30 years, we’ve felt that the participation of Indian Muslims in the mainstream society has been limited. Most Indian Muslims are highly educated professionals, but due to a lack of networking and proper representation, they are not being recognised and celebrated as they should be. After lengthy discussions with the Indian High Commission and the Consul General, we finally came to the conclusion that Indian Muslims needed a special representation in Australian society. There was a need for a platform to allow them to participate and integrate like other Indians.”

In the wake of the hysteria against Muslims being kicked up by public figures like Pauline Hanson and Sonia Kruger, Mr Alvi feels that ICSOA has suddenly become the need of the hour. He realises the urgency to dispel the negative stereotype by integrating and showing the world that Muslims are a peace-loving people.

Touching briefly on the issue, he said, “Pauline Hanson must understand the effect of her provocative comments on the Australian economy. She has a history of inciting racial hatred; initially she targeted Indigenous Australians, then Chinese and Indian origin Australians, and now Muslims. Her comments can have a negative impact on Australian jobs, businesses and families. Australia currently exports $15 billion worth of goods to parts of the Muslim world. Include in that the exports to India and China and this figure may exceed $120 billion.”

On a lighter note he added, “I do suggest that PH (Pauline Hanson) should neutralise herself to the value of seven. (pH for pure water, H2O) is 7). Continuously spreading hatred through racist comments towards ethnic communities will not benefit any Australian and this includes those who have voted for her.”

There are around 5000 Indian Muslim families in Australia, but Mr Alvi feels, “Even though there are several small Indian Muslim organisations, their overall participation is rather small. When Muslims are not seen playing a role in society it creates disharmony and unbalance. India can never be properly represented in Australia until Indian Muslims are included in its representation.”

HIGHLIGHTING SOME OF THE MAIN GOALS OF ICSOA, MR ALVI EXPLAINED, “OUR AIMS WOULD BE TO HELP INDIAN MUSLIMS IN ISSUES AFFECTING THEIR DAILY LIVES LIKE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY WELFARE, MENTORING AND SUPPORT FOR NEW MIGRANTS.”

In addition, the organisation would work towards the integration of Indian Muslims within their own community, with other Indians and with the wider Australian society. “We will send our representatives to attend functions arranged by other organisations and invite them to ours in order to share and learn and work together for the welfare of all Indians.”

Programs will include working towards better recognition of the Urdu language, promoting creative talents within the community, supporting high achieving students, encouraging women in their goals and working with Aboriginal people to create artworks that depicts both cultures.

Another issue that concerns Mr Alvi is the demise of Indian cultural values in Australia. “I grew up with Hindus, Sikhs and Christians all living side by side in India. I don’t remember calling them by name, they were either mama, chacha, taya or dada. When we misbehaved, our parents weren’t the only ones to discipline us. If the neighbours got to know they would chastise us before them. That’s the Indian culture I love, but sadly when we come here, we get so busy trying to make a living, educating the kids, building a house, that the only spare time is either spent in home maintenance or religion. This is creating an isolation and disconnect with our Indian culture and is the cause of major problems and stress not just for Indian Muslims but for all Indians. Being religious is good, but the community connection is important for people to thrive and be happy. So, we want to bring back the integration, community feel and brotherhood we were used to in India and we want to promote peace.”

Mr Alvi took great pains to stress that ICSOA is not a religious organisation but an organisation to promote the Indian Muslim culture, language, food and traditions in order to help them integrate in the mainstream society.

To get the ball rolling, ICSOA has contacted individual organisations to form an ad hoc board which will represent Indian Muslims from all corners. The board is ironing out the finer details, compiling a database, advertising, initiating coordination in other cities and getting the website and logo in place before the formal launch. Mr Alvi informed that there will be a membership but the fee will be nominal. “We want every single Indian Muslim to join ICSOA.”

On the question of funding, he advised, “ICSOA will be self-funded by the large Indian Muslim business and professional community.”

The immense support for ICSOA was apparent at the Eid function where the expected turnout of 150 guests ballooned to over 250 attendees. Mr Alvi is optimistic about the future of the organisation, remarking, “Since ICSOA is a need based organisation with an experienced leadership I foresee it growing rapidly in future.”

ICSOA can be contacted via email on contact@icsoa.org.au

source: http://www.indianlink.com.au / Indian Link / Home> News / by Farzana Ahmed / August 11th, 2016

Delhi Urdu scholars awarded

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Leaders, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

NEW DELHI  :

Professor Sharib Rudaulvi was awarded the All India Bahadur Shah Zafar Award

[Manish Sisodia, who is also the Minister of Art, Culture and Languages, appealed to the writers to create more literature to inculcate the feelings of communal harmony and patriotism. (Photo: IANS/Twitter)]
[Manish Sisodia, who is also the Minister of Art, Culture and Languages, appealed to the writers to create more literature to inculcate the feelings of communal harmony and patriotism. (Photo: IANS/Twitter)]
New Delhi:

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday conferred the annual awards to Urdu scholars for their contribution to Urdu literature.

Sisodia, who is also the Minister of Art, Culture and Languages, appealed to the writers to create more literature to inculcate the feelings of communal harmony and patriotism.

He congratulated the Urdu scholars and said it is the writers and thinkers, who ensure change and bring about ‘inqlab’ in the society through their creative writings with the “power of the pen”.

Professor Sharib Rudaulvi was awarded the All India Bahadur Shah Zafar Award.

“Hailing from Lucknow, Rudaulvi is a prominent critic and poet. He started his career as an Urdu faculty member at Dayal Singh College of Delhi University. In 1990, he joined Jawaharlal Nehru University as a Reader in 1990 from where he retired in 2000. He started his career as a poet, but he later turned towards criticism with greater attention,” the government said in a statement.

Ghazal singer-brothers Ustad Ahmad Hussain and Mohammed Hussain were given All India Award for Promotion of Urdu Language and Literature.

“Ahmed and Mohammed Hussain are two brothers who sing classical ghazals. Born in Rajasthan as sons of the famous Ghazal and ‘Thumri’ singer Ustad Afzal Hussain, the two touch genres like Indian classical music and ‘Bhajan’ as well as ‘Ghazal’. They started their singing career in 1958. They have uniqueness as they always sing the ‘ghazals’ together,” the statement said.

The award for Urdu poetry was given to G.R. Kanwal, who has published five anthologies of self-composed Urdu poetry.

Professor Atiqullah was awarded Pt. Brij Mohan Dattaria Kaifi Award.

“Atiqullah is a noted Urdu Critic and author of numerous books. He was also a professor at Delhi Univerisity.”

Ghazal singer Radhika Chopra received the award for ‘ghazal’ singing, the statement added.

The Deputy Chief Minister released and uncovered a book of Urdu pronunciation “Talaffuz” written by Shakeel Hasan Shamshi.

Delhi’s Urdu Academy, since its inception in May, 1981, has been conducting various educational, cultural and literary activities for the promotion, propagation and development of Urdu language, literature and composite lingual culture.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by IANS / August 20th, 2019

Allauddin of CSJMU in Kanpur make Guinness World Record by continuously reading for 27 hours

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

Kanpur, UTTAR PRADESH :

A student from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur created a world record for continuously reading books for 27 hours and five minutes.
A student from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur created a world record for continuously reading books for 27 hours and five minutes.

Kanpur | Jagran Trending Desk:

A student from Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur created a world record for continuously reading books for 27 hours and five minutes. His feat was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records on Monday.

The 22-year-old boy, Allauddin, broke the previous record of continuous reading for 24 hours which was held by Yatish Chandra Shukla of Lakhimpur Kheri, who achieved this feat two years back.

His teacher, Dilip Gangwar, who helped him achieving this milestone said that the executive officers of the Guinness Book told him that he could break the earlier record if he could read for 24 hours and five minutes, but Allauddin said he would continuously read for 27 hours.

The Gangwar coaching made subsequent arrangements for Allauddin and a judge Mahesh Vishnoi, from Guinness Book of World Record was assigned to monitor the reading feat.

According to the rules to set this record, Allauddin could only take breaks of 30 seconds to sip water or to take some edibles and he would not be allowed to go to the washroom during the reading time.

Allauddin, standing firm on his desire to break the record started reading at 10 am on Sunday and finished on Monday. He took less than three breaks of less than 30 seconds to sip small quantities of water, said Dilip Gangwar.

Several eminent people, including former union minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal, MLC Arun Pathak and Satish Nigam witnessed the challenging task.

source: http://www.english.jagran.com / Jagran English / Home> English News> Trending / posted by Talib Khan / August 27th, 2019

Ultra, SPO killed in Baramulla gunfight

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

Baramulla, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Police officers carry the coffin of SPO Bilal Ahmad in Baramulla. PTI
Police officers carry the coffin of SPO Bilal Ahmad in Baramulla. PTI

Srinagar :

In the first encounter between militants and security forces in Kashmir since the restrictions were imposed on August 5, a militant and a policeman were killed and a police officer injured while no major law and order situation was reported on Wednesday.

The encounter took place in Ganai Mohalla of Baramulla town in north Kashmir which concluded early this morning, DIG Police, Central Kashmir, VK Virdi said at media briefing here this evening. The militant has been identified as Momin Gojri of the Lashkar-e-Toiba. An SPO, Bilal Ahmad, was also killed in the encounter while SI Amardep Parihar was injured, who is undergoing treatment.

The police had declared Baramulla as a militant-free town in January this year.

“No major law and order situation was reported from any part of the Valley today while relaxations were further eased in many areas,” the DIG said. There were some minor incidents of stone pelting in some areas, he said, and added that the situation was being monitored closely by the authorities at the ground level.

A law and order situation was reported from the Telbal area on the outskirts of Srinagar late last night and dealt, he said.

On the functioning of other facilities, Director of Information, J&K Government, Syed Sehrish Asghar said all hospitals, banks, ATMs and healthcare services were functioning normally in the Jammu region as there were adequate stocks of medicines and other supplies.

In view of the upcoming harvest season, the preparations for transportation of horticulture produce were reviewed at the Kashmir Divisional level, she said.

She urged people not to believe in rumours about unavailability of transport facilities.

source: http://www.tribuneindia.com / Tribune India / Home> J &K / by Ehsan Fazili / Tribune News Service / Srinagar, August 21st, 2019

Humanity First : In Kodagu, a Hindu and Muslim donate 1.5 acres land to flood victims

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project), , , ,

Kondangeri ( Kodagu ), KARNATAKA :

While Haji gave the land for the new houses, Lokesh pledged his for an accessible road that can be built towards the plot.

HajiMPOs29aug2019

In the face of terrible tragedy, the only glimmer of hope is often people coming together in solidarity and healing each other with love. Placing humanity ahead of religious differences, a Muslim man and his Hindu counterpart from Kodagu district have united to donate over 1.5 acres of agricultural land for the rehabilitation of flood victims.

According to Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies Kanmani Joy, the recent rains accompanied by flood in the Kodagu region have washed away over 5000 homes in several villages close to the Kaveri river, including Kondangeri.

It was then that 55-year-old Abdulla Haji came forward with an offer to part with 1.5 acres of his 6-acre agricultural land and donate it to the Kondangeri Masjid Committee, so that the government can put it to use.

“When a person sees the people around him suffering so much, it is only natural that he would go and help others. Although I’m a not a rich farmer, I’m in a position to help them. I hope that the bereaved people get some strength from God to overcome their losses and grief,” Haji said.

As per Haji’s proposal, the land is suitable for building permanent houses for the flood victims. But while the Masjid committee was considering the housing proposal, they soon realised that the construction site will face the problem of an inaccessible road.

“But without any hesitation, another Kondangeri resident, Lokesh, approached the Masjid committee and pledged that the Masjid may attach his part of land to the charitable cause and lay down a road towards the residential project,” said Yusuf Haji, President of Kondangeri Muslim Jamath.

According to the Masjid authorities, most of the flood victims are labourers who’ve lost whatever little they had.

“Almost all the flood victims whose houses have been destroyed are labourers from coffee plantations. They had to forcibly leave their homes as the water level rose and in the process, they also lost their possession and valuables along with their home,” said Yusuf.

While government authorities are engaged in the rehabilitation process, there is a lack of temporary relief centres built by the government at Kondangeri village. Hundreds of victims, including women and children, irrespective of their religious beliefs, have taken shelter in relief centres at the Kondangeri Masjid while mourning their losses.

“Haji was thoroughly involved in serving the needy at the Masjid when they had started coming to this shelter. We think he was overwhelmed by their losses and felt that it was necessary to look into providing the people with long-term solutions,” Yusuf said.

This duo’s decision was hailed by the local authorities who confided that the district was facing a shortage of land to rehabilitate the victims of floods and landslides.

“There is already an ongoing process undertaken by the district administration to identify government land that has been encroached by a few agriculturists. The process of its recovery will commence. In the meanwhile, the generosity of people like Lokesh and Haji is really commendable,” Assistant Commissioner T Javare Gowda said.

This is not the first time that ordinary people in the flood and landslide prone coffee belt have rushed to help others. Last year, Abdul Latif of Suntikoppa had come forward and donated 2 acres of his estate land for the rehabilitation of victims.

Story by Story Infinity  (Subs and Scribes Media Ventures LLP.)

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Karnataka Rains 2019 / by Mubarak / August 20th, 2019

Khaja Moinuddin’s no-frills cooking on ‘Nawab’s Kitchen’ helps feed orphans

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, FREE : Food, Videos, , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Khaja01MPOs29aug2019

Cooking demo videos galore, but Khaja Moinuddin’s popular no-frills videos serve to fill hungry orphans as well

If you are able to look away from Khaja Moinuddin’s ear-to-ear grin, you will notice a 40 kilogram-capacity degcha or a handi that is either resting over a bed of embers or bubbling with food in the heat of a wood fire. His kitchen is always outdoors; Moinuddin is either cooking in the open under the sky or, during the summer months, under the shade of a tree. His smile remains intact, no matter where.

Moinuddin’s cooking is on a big scale, similar to his boundless smile. And if you are one of those who gets sucked into the web of cooking demo video feeds, then you are sure to have come across his.

If Moinuddin’s name doesn’t strike a bell, the YouTube channel Nawab’s Kitchen sure will. Popular as one of the viral content creators from Hyderabad, the chef is almost always cooking to be able to feed 40 people. The cooked food is distributed in orphanages and their staff, as well as among people who stop by and wait patiently to watch him cook.

“I always cook extra and never come back with leftovers. Once we are done cooking, everyone in and around the area where we cook is free to join us to eat. Initially we would pack the cooked food in boxes and distribute it, then we thought we would feel even better if we are able to serve the people directly,” says Moinuddin.

Khaja02MPOs29aug2019

And who is the ‘we’ he is referring to? Moinuddin clarifies he might be the face of Nawab’s Kitchen, but there are two others who work equally hard to put every video on YouTube. “My colleagues-turned-friends Srinath Reddy and Bhagat Reddy are with me in this. We conceptualised Nawab’s Kitchen (NK) together,” smiles Moinuddin.

Moinuddin has over 10 years of working experience in regional TV channels as a producer. His friends and partners Srinath and Bhagat who prefer to work behind the scenes are experienced at working in the video editing department. Having known each other for a good number of years, the three decided to quit their jobs and start a YouTube channel that will engage, educate and be on a neutral topic like food. “There are very few people who don’t pause while scrolling, to watch a video on how a certain dish is being cooked. Especially if it is an dish Indian, and been shot to show the richness of rustic regional cuisine,” adds Moinuddin.

NK’s no-frill videos and a relaxed explanation of the ingredients and cooking process, wins him fans on his YouTube channel. His recipes are easy and simple to follow. “However, we choose a venue to cook that is close to some orphanage so that we can share the food with them. When we set out to put together NK we wanted to do social service through what we were gaining,” adds Moinuddin.

None of the three friends are trained chefs, they function with the knowledge and experience that comes with observing their families cook. Moinuddin adds, “My nani was an excellent cook, when I was in Tenali with her while doing my graduation, I learnt her style of cooking.”

For dishes like pizza and cakes, Moinuddin equips himself by learning online. “When we reach the gates of the orphanages, the smile and love with which the children greets us, banishes the day’s stress. The love and appreciation they show towards us makes us wonder where the children get their wisdom from,” says Moinuddin. NK regularly visits about 15 orphanages to share their food.

What is Nawab Kitchen’s signature dish? “My mutton biryani has a lot of fans,” he laughs.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style>Food / by Prabalika M. Borah / August 20th, 2019

KLETU students shine in Aero Design event

Amazing Feats, Education, Karnataka (under research project), Science & Technology,

KARNATAKA :

The AeroKLE team with their working models. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The AeroKLE team with their working models. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

They come first in regular class and third in micro class in national tournament

AeroKLE, a team of 17 students of KLE Technological University (KLETU), has secured the top place, in the regular class, at the national-level SAE India Aero Design 2019 competition held in Tamil Nadu.

In the recent competition, organised by SRM Institute of Science and Technology, they also secured the third rank in the micro class. As many as 146 teams from across the country took part in the competition.

The team comprised Vineet Anand Bedarman (captain), Amit Allimatti, Sayyed Ahmed Zuhair, Rohit Anvekar, Rahul Pattar, Shridhar Hadimani, Om Prakash Patel, Yajnesh Poojari, Koustubh Annigeri, Sujay C, Nilesh Bandekar, Mallikarjun Pattanshetty, Yeshwanth Kumar, Ajey Joshi, Alex Steven Dharmdas, Calvin Lobo, and G.V. Srikar.

The team was guided by Head of School of Mechanical Engineering, KLETU, B.B. Kotturshettar; Head of Centre of Material Sciences Nagaraj Banapurmath, and faculty coordinator G.M. Hiremath.

They were involved in designing and testing different prototypes in Hubballi.

They also optimised the final aircraft designs and submitted the technical design report at the event.

The report too was praised by judges and was has adjudged the ‘best technical design report’ at the event.

The students have bagged a purse of ₹1.35 lakh.

At the contest, the regular class demanded the highest payload to be lifted, whereas the micro class demanded the highest payload fraction.

The teams had to conform to the mechanical and electrical limitations as prescribed by Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), India.

Experts from the Indian Space and Research Organisation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and National Aerospace Laboratories were the judges for the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Hubballi – August 02nd, 2019

Being Bohra in Chennai

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, , , , , ,

Chennai, TAMIL NADU :

With their presence in the city for over 200 years, more than 1,800 families have found a home here. A walk through George Town reveals the community’s rich cultural stories.

Photos: Ashwin Prasath
Photos: Ashwin Prasath

Chennai :

Their favourite food is not biryani and they wear burqas in hot pink, forest green, bright blue and every colour one can imagine, except black. Meet the Bohras, a sect of the Shia Muslims whose history in Chennai dates back to more than 200 years.

“The Bohra community originated in Yemen and later spread to India and Pakistan. In India, they primarily settled in Gujarat before spreading out to different cities. So, we have Gujarati influence on our food, language and traditions. We speak Gujarati with references from Persian and Arabic,” said Tasneem Kutubuddin dressed in a dark pink burqa or rida, their traditional costume. She was leading a heritage walk — Understanding the Bohras in the city — on Sunday at George Town.While women wear ridas that cover their head and body but not their faces,  Bohra men wear a three-piece white outfit and white cap called a topi with gold embroidery.

Bohri02CF27aug2019

Migrating to Chennai
Mulla Jafferji Ibne Mulla Ismailji was the first Bohra to come to Chennai. He travelled till Arcot in 1790 via the Malabar coast to join his uncle in the bangle business. He later migrated to Chennai in 1793 and set up a garment business in George Town.

“Whenever Bohras migrate to a city, if they are the first ones from their community there, they buy a land for cemetery and prayer. Also, each prayer area has a community hall attached to it where we all dine together. So, this was the first piece of land brought by a Bohra in Chennai,” said Tasneem pointing towards the Mohammedi Masjid in Angappa Naicken Street at George Town.

Chennai has three Dawoodi Bohra mosques — Mohammedi Masjid, Saifee mosque in Moore street, Mannady and the third one at Basin bridge.  Today, more than 1,800 Bohra families are living in the city and are primarily settled in Madhavaram, Royapuram and George Town. The Dawoodi Bohras are followers of the 27th Dai or high priest and can be found in about 40 countries around the world. They have separate administration offices in each city.

The MSB Matriculation Higher Secondary School at Thiruvalluvar Nagar in George Town is set up especially for the children of Bohra community. According to Tasneem, the school follows the Tamil Nadu State Board syllabus along with a Siyat Islamia curriculum.

“About 800-odd children study in this school. For the kids from the community who are studying in other schools, MSB offers a weekend programme to educate them on the history of the community and Quran,” she said.

Communal dining
Food plays an integral part of a Bohra’s daily life. Eating from a thal is a tradition that still continues in many families. A thali is a large round metal plate, around which the family sits, helping themselves from the same plate, course-by-course, during every meal of the day. A lot of their dishes are influenced from the Gujarati cuisine.

Apart from non-vegetarian dishes like pulao and kebab, the cuisine boasts some unique vegetarian dishes including a cold baingan bharta made with curd and spring onion, sev ni tarkari in which bhel puri sev is cooked with onions, and their quintessential dal chawal palida, a combination of rice and dal served with a flavourful concoction of drumsticks, bottle gourd and kokum.

Unfortunately, the Bohra community does not have many restaurants serving the savoury dishes. But, to try their traditional sweets, head to Mannady Street to find sweet shops maintained by Bohris including Hatimy’s and Alambaradar.

Try some of their heady sweet treats like malida (a sweet made with wheat and jaggery), lacchka (a cracked wheat halwa, usually made on first day of the year of Bohra calendar), kalamro (a yogurt based rice pudding) and the famous malai khaja which is also called Bohri puff pastry.

An interesting concept among the Bohras are the community kitchens that are attached to the masjid. “The concept is similar to the dabbawalas in Mumbai. Food gets prepared early in the morning, packed in boxes and numbered. People collect their boxes and replace it with an empty box for the next meal. One needs to pay a nominal amount. Usually, the well-to-do families pay for four to five people, so that the poor can get food for free,” said Tasneem.

The concept of community kitchen began around five years ago when their religious head, Syedna Dr Mufaddal Saifuddin said that women must be freed from the kitchen. So, this kitchen makes lunch for the entire Dawoodi Bohra community across Chennai, every day. The rule is applied across every city and every country.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by K V Navya / Express News Service / August 26th, 2019

Rare honour for Hyderabad’s wildlife photographer

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion, , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA :

Ismail01MPOs27aug2019

Hyderabad’s Ismail Sheriff only lensman to be invited to conference on snow leopards in Kazakhstan

For city-based wildlife photographer Ismail Sheriff, known for capturing the elusive snow leopards on camera, it was a rare honour to be invited as the only lensman to a recent conference on conservation of snow leopards in Kazakhstan.

The conference attended by delegates from 12 countries including Russia, India, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Mongolia, focussed on initiating various measures to increase the population of snow leopards.

“It was indeed an honour to be there. I am glad that my adventure in Kibber (Himachal Pradesh) where I first sighted a snow leopard five years ago and subsequent sightings of the magnificent species helped me come thus far,” he tells The Hindu.

Rare captures of the elusive snow leopards by City-based wildlife photographer Ismail Sheriff. PHOTO: Special Arrangement
Rare captures of the elusive snow leopards by City-based wildlife photographer Ismail Sheriff. PHOTO: Special Arrangement

Mr. Sheriff, 39, started off on the big cat trail nine years ago, mostly photographing Royal Bengal Tigers and gradually moved on to snow leopards.

“India has about 250 snow leopards and interestingly, there are no territories for them like tigers. They often travel across about 150-200 square km, transgressing even borders of a few countries,” says Mr. Sheriff, who is into fine arts printing apart from pursuing his passion in wildlife photography.

“Unlike spotting tigers in a reserve forest, this is a different ball game altogether because the biggest challenge comes from the freezing conditions. Often, we have to brave life-threatening landslides and avalanches. It was a spine-chilling experience for me,” he explains. “But, still these factors don’t deter me as anything related to a snow leopard gives me joy,” he adds.

The maximum snow leopards, Mr. Sheriff says, are in China — about 2,000 — and it is Kazakhstan’s national animal and hence, that country’s concern for conservation is pretty much understandable.

“Groups of wild dogs pose serious threat to the leopards, especially the cubs. They also deny food to the leopards by taking away their kill. And, then there is climate change which is making the snow leopards come closer to the human habitat,” he points out.

What are the corrective measures being planned? “It has been decided to have a four km grid with trap cameras to understand their behavioural pattern, density and prey base, and educate the locals about the importance of protecting them. We generally travel to the mountain ranges during winter and by the time we have the second edition of the conference in January 2020, we should have more practical solutions to ensure an increase in their numbers,” he concludes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 26th, 2019

Son-of-the-soil diplomat does nation proud

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Videos, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / New York, U.S.A :

Syed Akbaruddin
Syed Akbaruddin

Syed Akbaruddin’s friends describe him as a thorough professional

India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Syed Akbaruddin, won accolades from Twitteratti after he extended his ‘hand of friendship’ to Pakistani journalists and reportedly asserted at the U.N. Security Council’s closed consultation on Kashmir that Article 370 was an internal matter of the country. But unbeknownst to many, the suave diplomat has a strong Hyderabadi connection, including that of serving as joint secretary of Nizam College Students’ Union.

Those who have been acquainted with Mr. Akbaruddin describe him as ‘focussed’, ‘articulate’, ‘soft spoken’ and with ‘no enemies’.

“He was a degree student at the Nizam College from 1977 to 1980. His father S. Bashiruddin was head of the Department of Journalism from the early 70s to the mid-80s and then moved to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as its Vice-Chancellor. He also served as Ambassador to Qatar,” says his friend and journalist M. Somasekhar, who met the diplomat around six months ago. “He was active in student politics in the college and was very popular. He continues to be articulate and soft spoken.”

Mr. Akbaruddin’s school, Hyderabad Public School at Begumpet, tweeted its appreciation on Tuesday, “We are proud to recognize the man of the moment, Syed Akbaruddin who is the permanent representative of India at the United Nations, an alumnus of the HPS @IndiaUNNewYork @AkbaruddinIndia @UN #HPSBegumpet #HPS #Alumni #Hyderabad #Begumpet”.

Managing editor of Siasat Daily, Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, who was the diplomat’s junior in Nizam College, describes Mr. Akbaruddin as ‘truly secular’ and ‘highly efficient’ with a deep understanding of not just diplomatic issues, but also those connected to the culture of the country.

“We had organised an exhibition of Indian calligraphy exhibits in Delhi in 2013. It was there that he understood its potential and wanted to project it as India’s contribution to global Islamic culture. A thorough professional, one can never find him in controversies and has always maintained a clean record,” Mr. Khan says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Syed Mohammed / Hyderabad – August 22nd, 2019