Monthly Archives: July 2014

Young sailors bring glory to the city

The Yatch Club of Hyderabad members Rishab Prabhakar, Shivaram, Nikhil, Rajnikant, Yacht Club of Hyderabad president Suheim Sheik with Laser Yatch in Hyderabad. Photo: By Arrangement. / The Hindu
The Yatch Club of Hyderabad members Rishab Prabhakar, Shivaram, Nikhil, Rajnikant, Yacht Club of Hyderabad president Suheim Sheik with Laser Yatch in Hyderabad. Photo: By Arrangement. / The Hindu

The fact that some boys are from the economically underprivileged section shows that the sport is gradually losing its elite tag. Suheim Sheik, president of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad, has been coaching schoolchildren, some of who come from poor families and these boys seem have taken to the sport like a duck to water.

Although Hyderabad is located far away from the coastline, thanks to the presence of the Hussainsagar lake, the city has produced several talented sailors who have fetched medals for India in international competitions.

The most noteworthy among them are Arjuna awardees – C.S Pradipak and Rajesh Choudhary (originally from Bihar but learnt sailing on the Hussainsagar waters), and A.A. Basith, who represented India at the Munich Olympics.

Fortunately the flow of talent still continues and now there are a bunch of youngsters who are looking to follow in the footsteps of these achievers. The fact that some of the boys are from the economically underprivileged section of society shows that the sport is gradually losing its elite tag.

Suheim Sheik, president of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad, has been coaching schoolchildren, some of who come from poor families and these boys seem have taken to the sport like a duck to water.

Nikhil Kumar, whose mother is in the fish selling business, showed so much promise that he was sent for an advanced level coaching course conducted by Polish coach Marek Nostitz Kackowski in Hong Kong.

Ragi Rajnikanth is another young lad with tremendous potential. He has bagged the bronze in Topper class national championships twice. “Hussainsagar lake is a very good sailing venue in many ways,” says Lt. Col. M.P. Jaggi (retd), a former sailor.

“The lake has the requisite length and breadth to lay a full sized course. Two internationals were conducted here – the Four Square International in 1990 and the Asia Pacific Laser Regatta in 1991. Moreover, it is located in the middle of the city, which means less hassle in the transportation of boats, sailors and maintenance crew. Also, it allows more people to view the events. All these factors give Hyderabad an advantage and we are hopeful that this city will produce more top level sailors,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Abijit Sen Gupta / Hyderabad – July 18th, 2014

Taking a tough stand

V.S. Hari Krishna, winner of the youth boys title at the recent St. Paul's Stag TT Academy state ranking tournament. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
V.S. Hari Krishna, winner of the youth boys title at the recent St. Paul’s Stag TT Academy state ranking tournament. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Playing with senior players has helped paddler Hari Krishna chalk up victories

V.S. Hari Krishna preferred to punch above his weight right from an early age. Unlike several children who fake their dates of birth to play against younger rivals, he showed a penchant to take on tougher, if not older, opponents.

Such an approach stood him in good stead as the 14-year-old, who should be playing in the junior category, clinched the youth boys (under 21 years) title of the St. Paul’s Stag Table Tennis Academy state ranking tournament recently. All those training sessions at the aforementioned academy with former international G. Jitender and Shreyas Jagirdar, another senior player, had paid off.

Hari attributes his recent success to the 45-day national camp held at Lucknow in summer, where he learnt new techniques from the German coach Peter Angel. “This outing gave me a lot of experience and confidence,” says the youngster.

Setting out in the sport as an eight-year-old, the class X student of Gitanjali Devashray built up an impressive body of achievement. In March, he clinched a bronze double in the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Global Junior Circuit tournament at Panaji, Goa. After claiming the cadet singles bronze, he joined hands with another Hyderabad lad, Snehit Fidel Rohit, to corner the doubles bronze.

“It was a dream come true to wear India colours and play before the home crowd,” the teenager said of the Goa experience. Hari finished fifth in the Table Tennis Federation of India’s (TTFI) 2013 sub-junior boys rankings. In the singles of the said section, he claimed bronze at the National ranking championship at Ajmer in December last year.

With Chinese paddler Zhang Jike for role model, Hari embarked on the table tennis journey under the tutelage of Maduri Venugopal and is currently coached by Ibrahim Khan and P. Nagender Reddy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by A. Joseph Anthony / Hyderabad – July 16th, 2014

Nuzvid veena maker bags best artisan award

Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Sheik Mabu Saheb, a renowned Nuzvid veena maker of Krishna district, has received the Best Artisan Award-2013 from the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited for his work – Veena with peacock design.

He bagged the award in the category of Veena Making in which artisans from Bobbili were also in the competition. Mr. Saheb had stolen the hearts of the jury members with his small size veena that produces vibrations and sound like any other professional-size veena. “The award is recognition to the art rather than an individual artiste. Despite having a great demand for veena from the world of Indian classical music, shortage of veena makers is still creating problems for the industry’s growth,” Mr. Saheb told The Hindu.

Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Handicrafts Department Assistant Director K.N. Murali Krishna said plans were afoot to use the services of Mr. Saheb in training youth in veena making and designing. In a guru-shishya parampara, Mr. Saheb learnt that art from his father Sheik Meera Saheb, one of the first generation veena makers alive. According to Mr. Mabu Saheb, there were only nine veena makers engaged in the profession, spreading the art.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by T. Appala Naida / Nuzvid – July 10th, 2014

Shabana Azmi launches website to honour father

Shabana Azmi. Photo: DC File photo.
Shabana Azmi. Photo: DC File photo.

Mumbai:

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi haslaunched a website dedicated to her poet father Kaifi Azmi. The audio-visual website hosts videos, poems, songs and gives an insight into the life of the late poet.

“Please check out official updated website of Kaifi Azmi,” Shabana posted on Twitter along with the link. Entitled as ‘Kaifi Azmi : A Rebellious Poet’, the website is divided into five sections — the legend, collection, tributes, Mijwan and press.

The legend section talks about the poet’s early life, achievements, his contribution to films and connection with Hyderabad.

The collection segment has the audio and video of all the famous ghazals, nazms and poems of him. ‘Mijwan’ throws light on Kaifi’s contribution to the tiny village in Azamgarh. It also shares many rare pictures of Shabana and her father.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Entertainment> Bollywood / PTI / July 16th, 2014

Urdu writer Sulekha Hussain dead

Urdu novelist Sulekha Hussain
Urdu novelist Sulekha Hussain

South Indian Urdu novelist Sulekha Hussain passed away at her residence at Vaduthala, near here, on Tuesday. She was 85. She is survived by a daughter.

Born in an affluent Katchi Memon family at Mattancherry in 1930, she lost her parents at a very young age and was brought up by her grandfather, Jani Sait, an Urdu poet. She did her primary education at the Mattancherry Asia Bahi madrasa and studied Urdu and Arabic.

It was with her husband’s patronage that she began writing. Sulekha penned 27 novels and many short stories, all in Urdu. Some of her novels, Rah AkeliDishvar Huva JeenaEk Khyab Hakhikhath, andMarla he Kali were widely read in several North Indian cities such as Lucknow, Allahabad, New Delhi and Pakistan. Her most famous novel, Tharikhion Ke Baad, was translated into Malayalam by K. Ravi Varma in the 1980s.

Considering her contributions to Urdu literature, she was nominated to the committee awarding fellowships in Urdu language by the Union Cultural Affairs Ministry in 2012. Her son, Faraqu, passed away in 2010.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Staff Reporter / Kochi – July 16th, 2014

Workshop on Architectural Solutions

SJCE Principal Dr. Shakeeb-Ur-Rehman is seen inaugurating the workshop at SJCE premises this morning as architects M.P. Nagaraju, Chandrashekar, Shashi Kumar look on.
SJCE Principal Dr. Shakeeb-Ur-Rehman is seen inaugurating the workshop at SJCE premises this morning as architects M.P. Nagaraju, Chandrashekar, Shashi Kumar look on.

Mysore :

Arklines Architecture and Interior Design Studio, Kuvempunagar, in association with Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering (SJCE) had organised a day-long workshop on architectural solutions for eco-habitat system at SJCE premises here today.

The workshop was attended by over 100 architects, designers and students.

Inaugurating the workshop, SJCE Principal Dr. Shakeeb-Ur-Rehman said that a serious thought should be given to check environmental pollution. He suggested to make use of the solar and wind power to its best, to tide over energy crisis. He added that the common man should be made aware of environmental protection and energy conservation. Arklines President and Architect S. Shashi Kumar, Architect Chandrashekar and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports General News  / July 10th, 2014

Two city boys for Homeless World Cup!

Simarpreet Singh and Tariq Ahmed from Hyderabad who have been selected to represent India in the World Cup football for Homeless to be played in Chile this October. PHOTO: V. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Simarpreet Singh and Tariq Ahmed from Hyderabad who have been selected to represent India in the World Cup football for Homeless to be played in Chile this October. PHOTO: V. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Soccer fever is reaching a climax in Brazil. But for two young footballers, Tariq and Simarpreet Singh from the city, it might just be the beginning of a journey to recognition. The two boys have been selected to represent India in the Homeless World Cup (for those who come from slums) in Chile in October.

“A World Cup is a World Cup. We are on cloud nine,” the delighted duo exclaimed. They are products of ‘Sports Coaching Foundation’ football camp where Hyderabad Sporting Club chief coach Mohd Saleh trains.

“This is a dream come true and we will try our best to make an impact in this event,” say the soccer duo. Nineteen-year-old Tariq is an engineering graduate from Hussaini Alam and Simarpreet is a commerce graduate from Zaranagar locality of Mehdipatnam. “This is nowhere near the real World Cup soccer but this is a sport that is played with great passion,” the duo says.

“These boys would not have made it to Chile but for the initiative of Kaarmic Education Services’ Dantu Kartik and Adithya Sanjay of Awakening Foundation who spotted talent and started grooming them. I am glad that Tariq and Simarpreet are from the SCF where they have been training under lights,” says a proud K. Sai Baba, general secretary of SCF.

SCF felicitated the duo.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – July 12th, 2014

Co-opted as Football Assn. governing Board Member

Mysore :

On the recommendation of Mysore District Football Association, Nisar Ahmed Shariff, Veteran Footballer and President, Mysore Muslims Football Club, has been co-opted as a member of the Governing Board of Karnataka State Football Association.

A decision to this effect was taken at the general body meeting of Mysore District Football Association held recently under the chairmanship of K.G. Subramanya Swamy at Hotel Chirag, Ittigegud here.

Haji Rasheed Ahmed, Hon. Secretary of the Association presented the annual report. L. Manjunah, Treasurer, presented the accounts. N.S. Ganesh proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News  / July 07th, 2014

Yawar Ali Shah hosts annual day bash for AMA Herbal staff in Lucknow

A lavish Annual Day party was organised for the entire staff of AMA Herbal in Lucknow on Tuesday . The directors of the company , along with their families and staff, got together to celebrate the occasion.

The evening began with a vote of thanks by Yawar Ali Shah, one of the directors, to all the employees who had helped achieve this success. Awards were given out to all those who had worked hard for this.

Yawar Ali Shah
Yawar Ali Shah

Amid applause and cheers, trophies were given to more than 35 employees of the company . While Anshul Shukla and Neeraj Choubey jointly won the award for Employee Of The Year, while Khalil Ahmed was felicitated for 40 years of continuous service.

Several more awards were announced for excellent performance in administration, production, marketing, etc.

AMA Herbal, is a world renowned company dealing in natural textile dyes and herbal colours, Telling us more about the company , Yawar Ali Shah said, “Our herbal products are the result of our dedicated research and development team, which is responsible for making eco-friendly products for consumers.

Our natural products with Bio Active ingredients are well recognized by dermatologists in India and the world. The credit for our success goes to our team and that is what we are celebrating today .”

The guests again erupted in cheers as the launch of four new products was announced at the party .

AMA is in the process of introducing the Vegetal Bio Hair Colour in the US market in the coming year along with promoting natural dyes and gulal, in the European market.
The company also has plans to expand in the domestic market with wellness clinics and more herbal products.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / July 10th, 2014

Seven, Including Five-yr-old,Selected for Bravery Awards

Abhaykrishnan, Akhil Biju, Girikrishna, Muneer Mohammed, Shalef Shaji, Subin Mathew and Yadukrishnan
Abhaykrishnan, Akhil Biju, Girikrishna, Muneer Mohammed, Shalef Shaji, Subin Mathew and Yadukrishnan

Thiruvananthapuram :

Seven boys, including a five-year-old who rescued his younger sister from drowning and a sixth standard student whose presence of mind saved the life of his ten-month-old brother, have been selected for the bravery awards instituted by the Kerala State Council for Child Welfare for the year 2013.

The winners are Muneer Mohammed, 14, of Manippuzha, Kottayam; Shalef Shaji, 9, of Panambukad, Ernakulam; Akhil Biju, 9, Subin Mathew, 10, and Yadukrishnan V S, 13 of Erumeli, Kottayam; Girikrishna, 5, of Kumarakom, Kottayam; and Abhaykrishnan, 11, of Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram. Social Justice Minister M K Muneer announced the winners here on Thursday.

Muneer Mohammed won the award for saving the life of Immanuel aka Appu, 72, who was grievously injured in a road accident on the Sabarimala route. When motorists ignored the accident victim, Muneer had run to the middle of the road, waved down a vehicle and rushed Immanuel to hospital. This tenth standard student of St Thomas High School, Erumeli, is the son of Mohammed and Aseena of Venkurinji Keecheri Purayidom, Manippuzha.

Shalef Shaji, a fourth standard student, was selected for the award for saving the life of Alna, the four-year-old daughter of Antony, Panambukad Veliyil, who fell into the backwater while playing with her friends. Shalef had jumped in and holding on to the ropes of a stake net, swum up to Alna and rescued her.

Abhaykrishnan, Akhil Biju, Girikrishna, Muneer Mohammed, Shalef Shaji, Subin Mathew and Yadukrishnan
Abhaykrishnan, Akhil Biju, Girikrishna, Muneer Mohammed, Shalef Shaji, Subin Mathew and Yadukrishnan

Shalef is a student of the St Joseph’s LP School, Panambukad.

Akhil Biju, Subin Mathew and Yadukrishnan V S saved Kalimuthu, 39, who got trapped in an eddy while bathing in the river.  Ten-year-old Akhil jumped in first, but he couldn’t get a hold on Kalimuthu. Yadu dived in next and they managed to reach the drowning man. Subin threw them a towel, and grabbing it, the boys managed a miraculous rescue. All three are sons of daily-wage labourers.

Akhil is the son of Biju and Lekha of Kannimala Puthuvelil and is a sixth standard student of St James UP School, Kannimala, Erumeli. Subin, who is his schoolmate, is the son of Mathew and Sheeba of Kattupurachakal House, Kannimala.  Yadukrishnan is the younger son of Sasidharan Nair and Sajini of Vattaparmbil House, and is a ninth standard student of St Joseph’s High School, Kannimala. He is also a recipient of the President’s award for bravery in 2013.

Girikrishna, aged 5, won the award for saving his four-year-old sister Gowri from drowning in a canal near their home. Although he could not swim, he jumped in and dragged young Gowri to the bank. Girikrishna is the son of Satheesh and Babitha of Peedikachira, Kumarakom. He is a first standard student of SKM Public School.

Abhaykrishnan of Kowdiar, Thiruvananthapuram, won the award for saving the life of his ten-month-old brother Adidev.

A huge tree had fallen on to their home in the heavy rain, and their mother, seeing the roof crashing down, tried to shield them with her body. But she collapsed, hit on the head by falling tiles and wood. Abhaykrishnan frantically dragged Adidev and sought cover under a cot.

All three were dragged out of the debris by the neighbours. Abhaykrishnan is the son of Sreenivasan, who is personal assistant to the Chief Secretary, and Sunanda. The award carries Rs 10,000 in cash, a plaque and certificate.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Service / July 11th, 2014