Two sisters of Telangana Minority Residential College in Uppal, Hyderabad, were awarded gold medals and silver medals in Delhi. Nargis Sultana daughter of Mohammed Abdul Saleem scored 95 per cent and was awarded gold medal while her sister Nafees Sultana scored 93 per cent in 12th grade and bagged a silver medal. Nargis wants to be a doctor and is preparing for NEET. Nafees is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in Telangana.
The awards were presented at the 32nd Convention of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) in New Delhi.
Hyderabad: Two sisters of Telangana Minority Residential College in Uppal, Hyderabad, were awarded gold medals and silver medals in Delhi. Nargis Sultana daughter of Mohammed Abdul Saleem scored 95 per cent and was awarded gold medal while her sister Nafees Sultana scored 93 per cent in 12th grade and bagged a silver medal. Nargis wants to be a doctor and is preparing for NEET. Nafees is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy in Telangana.
The awards were presented at the 32nd Convention of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin (AFMI) in New Delhi.
Founded in Detroit, United States in 1989, AFMI recognises the country’s top student achievers. It has recognised over 4,000 students so far from over 400 districts in India.
source: http://www.munsifdaily.com / The Munsif Daily / Home> Education / by Rasia Hashmi / January 02nd, 2023
Tiny-tots and teenager students alike of Al-Asr Academia, Bhopal won the hearts of the audience by their immaculate performances on the stage with highest levels of diligence and determination to pass on a kaleidoscopic spectacle to the audience.
The program displayed immense talent of the students showcasing perfect amalgam of academic excellence and Divine values as the spectators, mostly parents and handful of dignitaries, remained glued in their seats while warming the cockles of their heart.
The occasion was when the Al-Asr Academia celebrated its 6th Annual Function with great fervour and enthusiasm on 25th December, 2022 at the new Ravindra Bhawan Auditorium near Polytechnic Square here.
The Guests of Honour on the occasion included: Maulana Mohammad Abid Khan Mazahari, Ustad Hadith & Fiqh, Masjid Tarjum-e-wali; Maulana Mohammad Yousuf Siddiqui Nadwi, Ustad, Darul Uloom, Allama Abdul Hai Hasani, Bhopal; Janab Dr. Mohammad Shahid, Maqami Ameer, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Bhopal and Maulana Mohammad Umar (Libya), Assistant Professor, Govt. Unani Medical College, Bhopal.
The opening of the programme was initiated with welcoming of guests & parents by the ever enthusiastic nursery children who presented a beautiful Welcome Nasheed honouring the presence of the audience.
A series of exotic talents presented themselves with notable efforts depicting the school’s unflinching efforts to cater to the holistic development of a child’s personality. The unmatchable confidences with which the students faced the audience and performed brilliantly on stage have brought glory to the school.
The audience was taken by awe after witnessing the perfect combination of fluent English, Hindi, Arabic and Urdu speakers who ranged from Nursery to Class 9 students proving how meticulously their teachers work on their diction.
The students presented themselves by reminding from the latest world happening like FIFA World Cup 2022in Qatar to the he ever motivating sayings of the last prophet requiring mankind to follow righteous path and supplications to bring peace and prosperity in one’s life. Baby Aafiyah Ather Khan (Grade 9 Student) delivered a speech on the topic “The Status of Women in Islam” while Master Yusuf Mohammed Khan (Grade 6 Student) presented a song“Wavin’ Flag” which was originally sung by K’naan reflecting the African struggle for freedom. All these performances left an impeccable and everlasting impression on the audience.
Director of Al-Asr Academia Ather Khan spoke on the journey of the school from its inception to its extreme recognition as a distinguished school catering to educating children and preparing them to succeed in both the worlds. He announced the achievements of the students in various disciplines.
Eminent dignitaries congratulated Ather Khan on achieving this difficult task of carrying a perfect blend of education for both the worlds with and spoke accolades about the notable performances of the students in the function.
The event culminated with flashing display of Unity in the form of song “One Big Family” cheering the audience and invoking a sense of brotherhood and communal harmony.
source: http://www.indiatomorrow.net / India Tomorrow / Home> Education / by Pervez Bari / January 11th, 2023
A parallel literary conference was held in Bengaluru on January 8, 2023, in response to the alleged exclusion of Muslim writers from the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana organised by the Kannada Sahitya Parishat, a non-profit organisation, funded by the Karnataka government.
Activists and writers in Karnataka expressed their disappointment at the lack of diversity at the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, leading a group of them to organise a more inclusive event, the ‘Jana Sahitya Sammelana’. Banu Mushtaq and Dr. Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy were the chief guests at the Jana Sahitya Sammelana.
Dalit writer and Sahitya Akademi award winner Mudnakudu Chinnaswamy highlighted the threat of the imposition of Hindi on classical languages such as Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, and Odia. He also spoke about the attempts to erase Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy, and the exclusion of Muslims from every sphere of public life. “The exclusion of Muslim writers from the literary fest in Haveri was part of a wider agenda of pushing out Muslims from the mainstream,” he said.
Purushottama Bilimale, a prominent Kannada scholar, criticised Kannada writers and representative organisations for their lack of action in addressing the various crises facing the Kannada language and the state of Karnataka. Bilimale specifically mentioned the attacks on syncretic culture as a crisis that needs attention. He pointed out the lack of proper platforms for discussing these issues and expressed disappointment towards the Kannada Sahitya Sammelana for not addressing them. He suggests the organization of conventions like the Janasahitya Sammelana in various regions of the state of Karnataka to help address these issues.
The conference featured poetry, speeches, and panel discussions that focused on resistance and inclusion.
The Jana Sahitya Sammelana was put together by members of various organisations such as Samudaya, Democratic Youth Federation of India, AIDWA, Dalita Sangharsha Samiti, Ondede, Journalist Study Centre, and many others. Actors and activists like Prakash Raj and Dr. Akkai Padmashali were also present as guests and speakers at the conference. The conference was held at the Alumni Hall of the University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering.
source: http://www.thecognate.com / The Cognate / Home> News / by The Cognate News Desk / January 12th, 2023
Portrait of Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika. Credit: wikipedia
Many people know about Lachit Barphukan – the Ahom general – who led the Ahom army against the invading Mughals forces and defeated them in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671.
But very few know about Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, who fought alongside Lachit Barphukan in the famous Battle of Saraighat.
Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, a 17th century Ahom army warrior, is believed to be instrumental in turning the tide in favour of the Ahoms in the Battle of Saraighat.
The Battle of Saraighat was a naval battle fought in 1671 between the Mughal Empire (led by Ram Singh I) and the Ahom Kingdom (led by Lachit Borphukan) on the Brahmaputra River at Saraighat, now in Guwahati, Assam.
Although weaker, the Ahom Army defeated the Mughal Army by massive army, clever diplomatic negotiations to buy time, guerrilla tactics, psychological warfare, military intelligence and by exploiting the sole weakness of the Mughal forces—its navy.
The Battle of Saraighat was the last battle in the last major attempt by the Mughals to extend their empire into Assam.
Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, was a 17th-century warrior who fought against the Mughals for the Ahom kingdom.
He was born in an Assamese Muslim family at Dhekerigaon village near Garhgaon in Assam.
LEGEND
The legend around his origins states that there was once a tiger that had entered his village and Ismail Siddique, who was unarmed, killed the tiger barehanded.
The news of this valour reached then King of the Ahom kingdom – Chakradhwaj Singha – who then called young Ismail Siddique to his court to display his strength.
The Ahom King was impressed by the show of strength and appointed Ismail as a Hazarika, an Ahom office in charge of 1000 paiks.
This event marked the beginning of the legend of the brave Bagh (Tiger in Assamese language) Hazarika that culminated in his acts of bravery during Battle of Saraighat.
In this first conflict, the Mughal forces were well entrenched on the hills of the north bank of the Brahmaputra river with a chain of huge cannons.
Bagh Hazarika suggested a plan on how to disable the Mughal guns to Ahom General Lachit Barphukan, royal minister Atan Burhagohain and other generals.
Impressed by the plan, they entrusted Bagh Hazarika with command to lead the operation.
That night an advance party led by Bagh Hazarika along with a few soldiers crossed the Brahmaputra by boat and landed on the northern bank of the river and laid in wait for the right moment.
While the Mughal soldiers were busy saying their Fajr or dawn prayers, Bagh Hazarika and his soldiers climbed the high embankments and poured water into the Mughal cannons, rendering them useless.
Later, the Ahom army announced their advance by blowing the trumpets. In response, the Mughal soldiers rushed to their posts and tried to fire the cannons at the advancing Ahom forces.
But, the wet cannons would not work. The Ahom forces used their cannons to the full strength and the Ahom army landed safely on the north bank and attacked ferociously as the Mughal soldiers retreated helplessly.
This victory proved the courage and valour of Bagh Hazarika beyond any doubt and he was felicitated by the Ahom King.
Bagh Hazarika thus went down in the annals of Assam history as a highly skilled front ranking military officer.
RECENT CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING BAGH HAZARIKA
A controversy erupted recently in Assam surrounding legendary Ahom warrior Bagh Hazarika.
A major controversy erupted in Assam following tagging of Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, as a “fictional character” by chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Ismail Siddique, popularly known as Bagh Hazarika, was a 17th century Ahom army warrior, who fought the Mughals alongside Lachit Barphukan in the famous Battle of Saraighat.
Ismail Siddique alias Bagh Hazarika is believed to be was the second in command to Ahom general Lachit Barphukan in the Battle of Saraighat.
Recently, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing a state convention of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in Guwahati, said that Bagh Hazarika was a “fictional character”.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had claimed that there was no authentic information about Bagh Hazarika in the history books.
“Our history teachers have never questioned this narrative,” Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said while saying that a narrative had been created about him (Bagh Hazarika).
Slamming the Assam chief minister over his statement on Bagh Hazarika, several Assam Muslim intellectuals and scholars rejected the CM’s “interpretation of history”.
“We reject the chief minister’s interpretation of history about one of Assam’s illustrious sons with a communal overtone,” a statement issued by 10 Assamese Muslim intellectuals and scholars said.
“If there is any confusion about Bagh Hazarika, the government should constitute a committee of historians under a university in Assam to find out whether he existed or not,” the statement said.
The 10 include professors Abu Nasser Syed Ahmed and Poynuruddin Ahmed, former Minister Samsul Huda, political activist Mehdi Alam Bora, and Kazi Nekib Ahmed and Mushtaq Golam Osmani of the Bagh Hazarika Research Forum.
Recently, the Tai Ahom Yuva Parishad (TAYP) had warned Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma against distortion of Ahom history.
In a statement, TAYP president Vijay Rajkonwar urged the Assam chief minister to refrain from distorting the history of Ahoms.
“Avoid the thought of distorting the history of the Ahoms. This history is thousands of years old and written history. Mahavir Lachit Borphukan cannot be made a Hindu hero even if you try a thousand times,” the TAYP president said.
“Lachit Borphukan is an Ahom and Assamese hero, he is not a religious warrior. We don’t even allow it to happen,” Rajkonwar added.
In his address at the ABVP conference, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had said that the name of Ahom King Chakradhar Singh carries the identity of Hindus.
Reacting to the Assam chief minister’s comments that there is no authentic information in history about the presence of Bagh Hazarika, Rajkonwar said whether he was a part of the battle of Saraighat or not, Tai script will tell.
“The chief minister or anyone else cannot keep saying it,” he added.
Referring to Chief Minister’s comments about Lachit Borphukan going to Kamakhya temple to offer prayers, the TAYP president said, “Ahoms are allowed to go anywhere. They eat all types of food. There is no restriction in Ahom tradition and beliefs. The Ahoms worship nature and their ancestors.”
source: http://www.nenow.in / NorthEast Now / Home> Assam / by NE Now News / January 12th, 2023
Tipu descendant Rahimunissa and husband Mansoor Ali (second and third from left)
Bengaluru:
In the backdrop of the dissolution of the Tipu Sultan Waqf Estate (TSWE) which was chaired by Congress MLA Tanveer Sait, descendants of Tipu Sultan suggested that the new committee should rehabilitate all of them using revenue generated from said properties.
They added that they should especially get some monetary benefit from the properties for essential matters like health care and education. They also demanded establishment of a library and a research centre, which would deal with Tipu’s history.
They also said that historical structures could do with better upkeep, for which at least four of them be made members of the new committee when it is formed. Mansoor Ali, who is married to Rahimunissa, a descendant of the 18th century sultan from one of his younger sons, said that he was thankful to the Waqf Tribunal for its judgement, which was favourable to them. “We will approach the government and demand rehabilitation of the entire family,” he said.
“Instead of asking votes in the name of Tipu Sultan, at least give minimum help by way of medical and educational help to the family of Tipu Sultan who are in difficulty. We are not demanding palaces, nor are we demanding properties.
We are saying that we be included in the managing committee, which deals with the upkeep of places like Masjide-Aalaa and religious activities,” he added. Mansoor said that the earlier committee hadn’t been following waqf by-laws. “We had approached the High Court who referred the matter to the Waqf Tribunal. In 2021, Rahimunissa told the court that the committee (TSWE) has not been made according to the by-laws.
As per the rules, the committee should not have a chairman for more than two terms. It ought not to have two vice chairmen. The Secretary should be an ex-official. There should be an audit report every 11 months. There should be a meeting every month because they are heritage properties. There should have been a research centre and a library.
“Despite these deficiencies, he (Sait) used his political influence, as an MLA, as a Waqf Board member to violate by-laws and misused his power. However, we got justice from the judiciary. When he claimed that we were not real descendants, we produced documents to prove that as well,” he said.
source: http://www.newstrailindia.com / News Trail / Home / by NT Correspondent / January 14th, 2023
Everything begins with an idea. But sometimes a moment of indifference could be the trigger. It was so in the case of Zulfequar Hussain, former Director of Bombay Mercantile Cooperative Bank. One day he was sitting in his office in Aurangabad and a dilapidated house collapsed right in front of his eyes in Loha Bazar, Chowk area. Those present there were touched by the tragedy which claimed the lives of two earning members and left their five children to fend for themselves. More than the misfortune, what troubled Hussain was the crass indifference of people who merely expressed sympathy and left. He was moved in a different way and wanted to do something for the bereaved children beyond lip sympathy.
Zulfequar Hussain
And the idea of Faiz-e-Aam Trust took birth. Soon poor and destitute found in it a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on. That was the year 1982. Two years later the Trust opened its branch in Hyderabad. There has been no turning back since then. As the name suggests, its ‘faiz’ (munificence) has spread far and wide to all and sundry.
As he looks back on Faiz’s journey in the last four decades, Iftekhar Husain Fida Ali, Hon. Secretary of its Hyderabad branch, is pleased with the work done and the achievements made. But he doesn’t want to rest on laurels. “I have miles to go before I sleep,” he repeats a line from a famous poem.
Iftekhar Husain, Faiz-e Aam Secretary
On Monday evening Husain will take a walk down the memory lane at the programme being organised at the Salar Jung Museum and outline the vision statement for the coming years. The Faiz teams, both in Aurangabad and Hyderabad, have their job cut out: create more opportunities for students who have the calibre to study but can’t afford the expenses, render medicare to more underprivileged persons and rehabilitate the lower strata of society by helping them set up small businesses.
If statistics are something to go by, Faiz has impressive numbers of providing succour and relief to the needy: 10,000 plus education beneficiaries and 8000 plus medical beneficiaries. The Zulfeqar Husain Memorial Hospital at Kagzipura in Aurangabad has treated 3.80 lakh patients at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. This selfless service has drawn the appreciation of one and all, including Mother Teresa, the famed nun known for her charitable work.
Unlike other welfare organisations, Faiz doesn’t believe in merely adopting a child. It goes a step ahead and ensures that other children in the family are also taken care of so that the entire family is uplifted economically. Its volunteers look out for deserving destitute in vulnerable areas who want to study but have no means to do so. Over the years it has transformed the lives of many poor children by providing assistance for education and now they are in a position to help others. Helping others grow is the secret of Faiz’s growth.
On the education front Faiz has done extremely well. It has spent a total of Rs. 8.78 crore to help 3341 students from 1982 to 2022. Of these the female beneficiaries account for 2,080. This apart, Faiz has churned out more than 3000 nurses in partnership with the Bibi Amena Hospital in Hyderabad. Each one of them was provided with financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month. In association with other charitable trusts too, Faiz has been extending aid to families based on their needs.
This is not all. Faiz has also helped many realise their dreams. Take the case of Mohammed Yousuf, a polio affected boy from the old city of Hyderabad. To his misfortune a pair of crutches became an inseparable part of his body. But his fortune turned for the better when he came into contact with Husain and the late Abid Ali Khan, the founder Editor of Siasat. Looking at his interest in education, they extended financial assistance. He passed B.E (Electronics and Communications) in the first division. Faiz helped him fulfil his American dream too. Yousuf landed a job in General Motors and did extremely well. Now he has set up the Equally Able Foundation in the US and helps differently able persons. In 2019 he spent more than Rs. 2.40 lakh through his Foundation on 101 students back home.
Mohd Yousuf, the polio affected boy, now helping others
Likewise, Syed Hasan of Mir Alam Tank and his sister, Saba Begum, have realised their dream of becoming doctors. Faiz adopted him right from the first standard and funded his education till he completed his MBBS. Now he is working in the Owaisi Hospital as a doctor in General Medicine. His sister too has cleared MBBS with the financial assistance of Faiz. “Now I want to do my bit for the community and guide others”, says a grateful Dr Hasan.
The case of Mohd Jameel Husain’s children is also quite interesting. Faiz adopted all his 12 children and helped them come up in life. The eldest daughter, Ayesha Jabeen, has completed MBBS and is pursuing M.D while her younger sister, Atufa Jabeen, has passed out B Pharmacy. The other siblings Adeeba Jabeen, Aafiya Jabeen, Arshiya Jabeen, Mohd Muzammil are all pursuing different courses. They couldn’t have come this far without the timely help rendered by Faiz.
In the same way, Faiz has helped the children of Mahmooda, a widow, who was struggling to raise her children through tailoring. Besides extending financial assistance towards ration, house rent and medical treatment, Faiz adopted her three children – Syeda Fayeq, Syeda Asma and Syeda Tabassum. While the first one is pursuing B.Ed, the second one has completed B.Sc and the third sibling is doing B. Pharma.
Another major thrust area of Faiz is imparting technical skills through its four Skill Development Centres in the old city. Through the Ayesha Effendi and Siasat centres computer skills are being imparted to the students.
Apart from education and medical care, Faiz has been helping out people in association with the Siasat Daily. The Kapda Bank set up by them has benefitted more than 50,000 persons. Similarly the two organisations have rendered help to Delhi riot victims and rehabilitated the affected families thanks to the generous contribution received from donors. While the COVID pandemic and the resultant lockdown left thousands of people sick, unemployed and struggling, Faiz pitched in to render relief. It fed more than 7000 families at a whopping cost of Rs. 24 lakh.
Among the many beneficiaries is also Syeda Salwa Fatima, the first woman pilot from Hyderabad. Her success shows how Faiz and Siasat Daily gave her not just the wings but also the landing gear. As its motto goes, Faiz believes in helping the helpless.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by JS Ifthekhar / December 25th, 2022
There might be numerous people grieving the passing away of Nawab Mir Barakat Ali Khan who is popularly known as Mukarram Jah Bahadur. But I know at least one person, Shahid Husain Zuberi who is weeping inconsolably since the news of the death of Prince Mukarram Jah hit him in the early hours of Sunday.
Jah had passed away at around 10-30 pm in Istanbul on Saturday night.
Royals usually have loyal followers. They incidentally also have more turncoats that change colours according to changing times. Shahid Hussain represents the first category with élan.
He left his formal association with the Prince in 1989 after serving him for 20 long years in various capacities. People close to Hussain said that he has been living off and on in a mood of melancholy since then. He remembers Jah.
That is true because when I phoned him on Sunday he said in a choked voice, “Ayoob Ali Khan Saheb, I have become a yateem (orphan) today.”
He added, “I would do anything for Sarkar anytime he asks me. I have always said this.”
His overwhelming attachment to the Prince is spread all over the pages of the Auraq e Maazi (Pages from the Past) which he wrote in Urdu and published in 2019. The book was released at the Salar Jung Museum Hall which was overflowing with people. He has almost finished working on the English version of this book which he plans to publish soon.
Shahid Hussain was only 23 (now he is 76) when he joined the service of Jah. Over the years, Jah noticing his dedication and work, began giving him more responsibilities and finally made him his GPA or General Power of Attorney.
Perhaps Hussain is the only person who has not made any money illegally while working with Jah.
Husain met Jah in 1961 when he was only 14. That was a brief encounter but it never left his memory. He never thought that he would be joining his service formally eight years later.
The last time Hussain met Jah was at the inaugural ceremony of the Falaknuma Palace Hotel. The palace is still the property of Jah that has been given on lease to the Taj Group of Hotels.
Jah loved Hyderabad because it was Hyderabad that had given him the lineage and the status. He treated his elders like Basalat Jah Bahadur and Hashim Jah Bahadur with respect they deserved as seniors in the family. He also cared about members of his entourage with care and affection. At the same time, he never allowed anybody to take liberties with him while in his presence. He maintained a dignified distance with all. That had put everybody his The passing away of Nawab Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1967, Hyderabad turned out to be a “massive problem” for him.The government would hunt and haunt him for taxes that he had never dreamt of and bother him for small things. He had to give away a large portion of the King Kothi Palace in lieu of the reported taxes to the government.
The government is now running a ramshackle hospital from there.
Besides the government numerous cases were filed against him by the members of the Nizam’s family and few others. Soon he realized that he has lost the ability to make a difference between a foe and a well-wisher within the family.
In spite of these difficulties, he managed to get his tax slate cleaned up by 1989.
Husain believes that Jah loved Hyderabad and its people. At one time when he was in Hyderabad communal riots broke out. Following that a delegation came to him for help for the affected Muslims. He told that delegation politely that Hindus and Muslims are equal in his eyes. If they are addressing to him as the Eighth Nizam, they should seek help for both affected parties. But if they wish to seek assistance only for the Muslims they should address him as Barakat Ali Khan, not the Nizam. The delegation went away disappointed.
The Prince moved to Australia within four years of becoming the Seventh Nizam. He had bought huge track of land there and became involved in sheep farming. He met Helen Simmons in Australia. He has a son with her who is variously called Azam Jah and Alexander Jah.
“I was not present in any of his weddings,” declares Husain.
Husain said that Jah took interest in the affairs of the city and established Princess Esra Hopital, Princess Durru Shehvar Hospital. He gave the land for these hospitals and also extended financial assistance.
There is also another college in the name of his daughter Shahkyar which is run by the Anwarul Uloom Educational Society.
Jah also gave away a portion of his land for the expansion of road near Makkah Masjid and Charminar.
Finally he established Mukarram Jah School in 1987 over eight acre land in Purani Haveli, the old quarters of Hyderabad. The school campus hosts five buildings with 15-18 classrooms each.
The school is run by Mukarram Jah Trust for Education and Learning. Faiz Khan, a member of the Paigah family, is an active member of its managing committee.
Husain left his job with the Prince in 1989. Husain had some difference of the opinion with the other associates of the Prince who wished to sell his properties.
Husain expressed deep feelings about the departed soul and believed that God would be granting him place in paradise.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by Mir Ayoob Ali Khan / January 16th, 2023
“Nizam Mir Barkat Ali Khan Siddiqi Mukarram Jah, Asaf Jah VIII or simply Prince Mukarram Jah Bahadur was really an exceptional person, my special brother. At his best he had a very sharp mind, an exceptional memory and the powers of concentration.
“We were at a social function, possibly a dinner at a marriage with musicians playing and people dinning at their tables and others dancing on the floor. It was crowded and noisy. Seated at our table my special brother reached into a pocket inside his jacket, took out a bunch of plain foolscap paper and started writing. He hardly took time to pause and think, and with total concentration filled several sheets completely undistracted by the hubbub around us.
Exclusive to Siasat.com
“When he had finished and put the papers away I asked my special brother what he had been writing; he said: It was a report I had to compile, and it has to be in tomorrow. When I asked him how he wrote the report without notes or back-up papers, he just tapped the side of his head, meaning all he needed was in his memory.
“My brother was the second best extemporary speaker I ever heard, and I have had listened to many off the cuff speeches in my time, and by the best of them, from Pandit ji and Mrs. Gandhi downwards. He would sometimes take a pre-prepared speech to a function, but he often set it aside and talked from the heart, winning the rapt attention and the appreciation of his audience.
Full Mir Barkat Ali Khan Mukarram Jah Asaf Jah VIIIs Coronation Gaddi Nashini Ceremony (Complete)
“More often my brother spoke without any prepared speech and he enjoyed it, and so did the listeners. I was sitting next to him on the podium once and while an earlier speaker was ploughing through his material, my brother seemed to pick up on something just said and lent towards me and asked: what is a good word for citizen in Urdu, and I said, ‘shehri’.
“When he was asked to address the gathering my brother stood and delivered a ringing speech, totally off the cuff, on the rights of a shehri and his obligations and duties responsibilities that got a standing cheer when he finished. “So who was the best extemporary speaker I ever heard? Our grandfather. But he and my brother were both exceptional.
“My brother was also an exceptional engineer. He could and did build vehicles entirely from the drawings/diagrams in his head. He could fix any machine and get it working better than before. However, his was a gift to be exercised as a one-off each time…it had to be something new he created or a new, difficult mechanical problem that he would solve. It did not interest him to put his gift to work in a systematic manufacturing way or on commercial lines.
(Left)Muffakham Jah and Mukarram Jah
“And my brother was an exceptional gymnast. We see the young people now-a-days on the television doing those fantastic leaps and turns and summersaults at the Olympics; well I saw it all seventy years ago being performed just as well by my special brother.
“At school he was the captain of the gym team as he was at Cambridge University, getting a half blue for it. Only a half, as athletics was then considered a minor sport.
“After Cambridge my special brother attended Sandhurst, the British military academy, and graduated with honours and was offered a commission in the Royal Engineers of the British Army. He did not accept that and returned to Hyderabad as our grandfather wanted him at home.
“But then Pandit ji wanted him in New Delhi, and kept him as a guest in his own home for months and took him with him to functions and other events. He wanted to groom my brother and wanted the country to benefit from his services. Pandit ji suggested to my special brother that he should start by joining the Indian Foreign Service, hinting that he would soon be invited to take the post of an Ambassador in a suitable country.
“I am not sure why that offer did not get taken up. I think our grandfather, again, said that my brother should stay close to home. By then my grandfather must have been feeling his age, and wished my brother to be prepared for future responsibilities in Hyderabad.
“If my brother inherited the gift of making extemporary speeches from our grandfather, he must have inherited his gift of making people laugh from our father. They both had the gift of making people double up with laughter and of telling humorous anecdotes as only the exceptionally gifted story tellers could.
“They could make you laugh till the tears rolled down your cheeks.
“Now again, tears, but for My special brother.
May God grant him eternal peace.”
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Featured News / by Muffakham Jah, Special Contributor / January 17th, 2023
He was officially called the Prince of Hyderabad until 1971.
File photo
Hyderabad:
Nizam Mir Barkat Ali Khan Siddiqi Mukarram Jah, Asaf Jah VIII, the grandson of Hyderabad’s last Nizam Osman Ali Khan passed away last night at 10:30 pm in Istanbul, Turkey.
As per his desire of being laid to rest in his homeland, his children are scheduled to travel to Hyderabad with the mortal remains of the late Nizam on Tuesday.
On arrival, the body will be taken to The Chowmahalla Palace and after completing the required rituals the burial will take place at the Asaf Jahi family tombs.
Apart from the titular Nizam of Hyderabad since the death of his grandfather in 1967, he was the chairperson of Nizam’s Charitable Trust and Mukarram Jah Trust for Education & Learning (MJTEL).
Born to Azam Jah and Princess Duru Shehvar
He was born to Azam Jah, son of Mir Osman Ali Khan, and Princess Duru Shehvar, daughter of the last Sultan of Turkey (Ottoman Empire) Sultan Abdul Mejid II on October 6, 1933.
After completing his initial studies at the Doon School in Dehradun, he studied at Harrow and Peterhouse, Cambridge. He also studied at the London School of Economics and at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
Until the 1980s, he was the richest person in India.
Eighth Nizam of Hyderabad
On June 14, 1954, Mir Osman Ali Khan designated him as the successor designate. His succession was recognized in principle by the Government of India. He was officially called the Prince of Hyderabad until 1971 when the titles and the privy purses were abolished by the Indian Union.
Prince Mukarram Jah first married Princess Esra of Turkey with whom he has two children—Prince Azmat Ali Khan and Princess Shehkyar. He later married Ms Helen Simmons of Australia with whom he has one son Prince Alexander Azam Khan. He too is said to be living in London. Still later he married Manolya Onur with whom he has a daughter Niloufer. His fourth wife is Jamila Boularous. Their daughter is Zairin Unnisa Begum.
In Hyderabad, he has many properties including Falaknuma Palace, Khilwat Palace, King Koti and Chiran Palace.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> Hyderabad / by Sameer Khan / January 15th, 2023
Meer Ashar Qureshi, a 27-year-old fitness trainer from the city, topped the Men’s Classic Physique Championship in Delhi and ‘Mr Karnataka Men’s Champion’ held this year by Musclemania. As many as 45 contestants from across the world participated in the championship, and Ashar defeated them all “in style”. It is not always that people with career passion achieve their goals in life.
But ‘Namma Bengaluru Huduga’ has learned what it really takes to be a successful trainer. The gymnast completed his Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Ramaiah institute of Management while excelling in his fitness career. At the age of 15, he not only represented India at the International Karate Championship in Sri Lanka, but also won the competition.
“After winning the competition in Sri Lanka, I decided to pursue a career in fitness. My family has been very supportive, and my father keeps me inspired,” Ashar told News Trail.
Ashar underwent several certification programmes including those offered by the National Academy of Wellness, the Diploma in Fitness and American Counselling on Exercise (ACE) before registering for the Musclemania competition in 2022. With a belief that fitness goes beyond physical transformation, the muscleman has also trained and transformed over 600 people across the world over a span of eight years.
As a coach, he works on bringing out the hidden potential in his clients. Ashar has now been selected for the Asian Division competition. “I am extremely happy about my achievements. I’m keen and preparing myself with the hope of representing my country in the next competition,” he said.
source: http://www.newstrailindia.com / NewsTrail / Home / by Hameed Ashrafi, NT / December 28th, 2022
