Monthly Archives: November 2014

How Begum Hazrat Mahal got her share of fame

November 14, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow :

Begum Hazrat Mahal’s wouldn’t have been an inspiring tale of patriotism had it not been for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Royal Family of Avadh is in possession of testimony written by Begum’s descendant Prince Anjum Qader.

Great grandson of Begum Hazrat Mahal, Kaukab Qader was present at function to honour martyrs of 1857 revolution in Lucknow and was saddened that the contribution of his ancestor was second to none, yet she was ignored. He and his younger brother Anjum decided to meet Pandit Nehru. In Anjum’s own confession written two years after Pandit Nehru’s death, “I prepared a memorandum and, picking up our youngest brother Nayyer from Aligarh Muslim University, we arrived in New Delhi on August 15, 1957.”

Their claim to the 1857 legacy made news and attracted the PM’s attention. Anjum was bowled over by Nehru’s ‘disarming charm’. All praises for the Queen of Oudh, he inquired about her grave so that something to perpetuate her memory there could be done. In response, Anjum said it was government’s duty to search for it and honour the Begum’s final resting place. Jawaharlal Nehru frankly admitted the lapse and promised to do the needful.”

The 10-minute appointment lasted for an hour and ended with the family providing the PM some reference material. Two months later, Indian government informed the family that the Begum’s grave was found in Kathmandu city and Indian Embassy in Nepal was taking care of it.

On May 9, 1958, Indian government announced state recognition for 1857 Freedom Struggle leaders including Begum Hazrat Mahal. UP government too promised a memorial. “Although we are not aware of the happenings behind the scenes, Mr. Nehru’s hand could easily be felt in the changed attitude,” Anjum writes. Soon after, the famous Victoria Park in Lucknow was renamed after the nawab begum who never gave in to British. Months later, Nehru held his public meeting in the same park.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda, TNN / November 13th, 2014

Birding session marks birth anniversary of Salim Ali

November 14, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Green Products, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bird watchers at the Government Botanical Garden in Udhagamandalam on Wednesday. - PHOTO: M. SATHYAMOORTHY / The Hindu — Bird watchers at the Government Botanical Garden in Udhagamandalam on Wednesday. – PHOTO: M. SATHYAMOORTHY / The Hindu

As many as 25 species spotted at Government Botanical Garden

Spread over 55 acres and dotted with hundreds of trees and flower beds apart from many ponds, the Government Botanical Garden here played host to a birding session organised by the Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association on Wednesday to commemorate the 118th birth anniversary of Salim Ali, the father of ornithology.

With the undulating venue and the occasion complementing each other, members of the association and students of Wildlife Biology in the Government Arts College returned with the satisfaction of having spotted birds belonging to about 25 species.

Pointing out that the most prized sighting of the day was a Kashmir Fly Catcher, the association’s executive committee member K.Vijay told The Hindu that the migratory bird from the Himalayas, which has been classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, could not be seen here last year.

Pointing out that its presence now signifies the commencement of the migratory season, he said that among the other birds spotted were the Grey Wag Tail, the Black and Grey Fly Catcher, the Common Hawk-Cuckoo, Pond Heron, Great Pit and the Nilgiri Blue Robbin.

Responding to a query, Mr.Vijay said that the botanical garden with its wild fruits and flowers is an ideal bird habitat.

Birding destination

Expressing the view that it can be promoted as a responsible birding destination, he said that the authorities concerned should regulate the activity and restrict it to one or two days a week. Stating that birding is a very effective stress buster, he said that it also encourages people to walk. Volunteers including students of Wildlife Biology should be engaged to create awareness among tourists about the role of birds in protecting the ecology.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Coimbatore / by D. RadhaKrishnan / Udhagamandalam – November 13th, 2014

Belagavi swimmers shine at national event

November 14, 2014Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

They bagged 19 medals, including eight gold, in National Paralympic Swimming Championship

The city’s swimmers bagged 19 medals, including eight gold and nine silver, at the recently concluded 14th National Paralympic Swimming Championship.

More than 400 swimmers from across India participated in the event and Karnataka bagged the third runners-up trophy.

According to swimming coach Umesh Kalghatgi here on Thursday, Sridhar Malagi won gold medals in 100m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, and a silver medal in 4x100m freestyle relay.

Raghvendra Anavekar won two gold medals in 200m individual medley and 100m butterfly, two silver medals in 100m backstroke and 100m freestyle and a bronze medal in 4x100m freestyle relay.

‘Wonder boy’

Moin Junnedi, who has earned the nickname ‘wonder boy’ for defying all physical challenges because of more than 200 fractures he has had, won two gold medals in 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke.

Amol Kamble secured four silver medals in 50m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m breaststroke and 50m butterfly.

Swatik Patil bagged two silver medals in 50m backstroke and 50m breaststroke, and a bronze in 50m freestyle.

The competitions were conducted by the Paralympic Association of Madhya Pradesh and Shishukunj International School, Indore, under the aegis of the Paralympic Swimming Federation of India.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Vijaykumar Patil / Belagavi – November 14th, 2014

Murshidabad to get heritage hotels

November 13, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Kolkata :

Murshidabad, 250 kilometres north of Kolkata and the erstwhile capital of undivided Bengal, offers an unparalleled treasure-trove of heritage to tourists, both domestic and international. But, thanks to years of neglect and indifference, the majestic buildings are falling apart and the art, crafts and cuisines of the past are fading into oblivion.

The Murshidabad Heritage Development Society (MHDS), which has launched the revival project for Murshidabad through conservation of buildings, running of museums of family heirlooms, exhibitions of lost arts and crafts, cuisines, handloom and textile, have now planned to initiate the next level of heritage campaigns — converting some of the palatial buildings into heritage hotelsto attract tourists and generate a tourism-centric industry.

MHDS, along with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), on the occasion of World Heritage Week will hold a seminar at Palladian in Kolkata on November 22 to create awareness about the rich and vibrant heritage of Bengal encompassing architecture, arts and history and build a learning bridge between our past, present and future.

But, if you think that Murshidabad is only a hub of the Nawabi heritage, you should look beyond. Along with Nawabi culture, a powerful stream of rich traders and bankers, mostly from Rajasthan, had made its mark here. More than 400 years ago, they came, settled, prospered, built mansions, places of worships and even schools and colleges. They were known as ‘Sheherwali’. “We have identified 97 such heritage buildings with fascinating architecture and historical importance,” said Sandip Nowlakha, founder secretary of MHDS.

Murshidabad cuisine in general, or ‘Sheherwali’ cuisine in particular, is one such fascinating aspect of the heritage. “The love for food, especially all things sweet, is an apt description of any ‘Sheherwali’ cuisine. Food features prominently in the community, having evolved passionately through centuries of their existence in Bengal. ‘Sheherwali’ cuisine is possibly the finest vegetarian spread one can find, even in modern times,” said Siddharth Dudhoria, the founder president of MHDS.

The symposium aims at fine-tuning the heritage-tourism model being developed by the MHDS. It would put together experts across the country and bring forth some successful models. “Heritage can be a great revenue earner. Unless we drive this point home, we cannot make younger generation understand the value of our heritage. Several heritage buildings at places like Azimgunj, Ziagunj, Lalgola, Kathgola can be heritage hotels offering finest heritage experiences. Once heritage generates revenue and employment, the care for it would reach the zenith,” said Pradeep Chopra, president of MHDS.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kolkata / TNN / November 12th, 2014

Services of Abul Kalam Azad recalled

November 12, 2014Education, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Yogi Vemana University Vice-Chancellor B. Syamasundar and faculty members paying tributes to Abul Kalam Azad in Kadapa on Tuesday. / Photo: By Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The invaluable contribution of India’s first Education Minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad for expansion of reach of education to masses and improvement of its quality was recalled on the occasion of his birth anniversary on Tuesday.

Participating in the National Education Day observed in this connection, educationists and other dignitaries paid rich tributes to the man who played an instrumental role in the establishment of the University Grants Commission and the Indian Institutes of Technology. Addressing the faculty and students of Sri Padmavati Mahila Viswa Vidyalayam (SPMVV) at Tirupati, School Guru Eduserve’s Project Manager Prabhakaran predicted a rise in number of courses offered online and said that the online mode of education would facilitate expansion of learning to the grass-root level rather than the face-to-face mode of instruction. The programme was held by SPMVV’s Department of Communication and Journalism.

In a separate event, the members of Muslim Joint Action Committee (MJAC) paid homage to Maulana Abul Kalam Mr. Azad and recollected his contributions to the country. Yogi Vemana University (YVU) Vice-Chancellor B. Syamasundar garlanded Mr. Azad’s portrait in a function held at Kadapa. On the occasion, Mr. Syamasundar pointed out that Azad had rightly accorded more priority to education policy than the industrial policy. YVU Registrar C. Sambasiva Reddy said Azad had strove for national integration and tolerance to all religions. Coordinator of History and Archaeology Ramabrahmam explained Mr. Azad’s role in the independence movement and his support to reservations.

Paying tributes to Mr. Azad at the Congress office, District Congress Committee president Shaik Nazeer Ahmed said Azad had strived for the poor, weaker and downtrodden sections.

At Chittoor, the district administration celebrated the birth anniversary of Azad in a grand manner with the participation of a big number of students, teachers and officials. Mayor Katari Anuradha flagged off the rally with about one thousand students at Gandhi Circle and it passed through arterial junctions culminating at Ambedkar Bhavan.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Andhra Pradesh Bureau / Tirupati-Kadapa-Chittoor, November 12th, 2014

3 Mysoreans among 15 Sports Persons to get Ekalavya Award today

November 12, 2014Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Four to get Life-Time Achievement Award; 10 to get ‘Karnataka Kreeda Ratna’

Bengaluru :

Three sports persons from Mysuru — P.U. Navaneetha (Junior India and National-level basketball player from DYES, Mysore and Teresian College, Mysore), V.R. Sanoj (Asian volleyball player and bronze medal winner in 2010 who hails from H.D. Kote Taluk) and N. Lokesh (Cyclist from Mysuru) — have been chosen for the Ekalavya Award for 2013. A total of 15 sports persons will receive the Ekalavya award today at Vidhana Soudha at 5.30 pm.

Mysore-born Vikas Gowda, silver medal winner in the Asian Games in discus throw will also get a cash prize of Rs.15 lakh. This was announced by Sports Minister Abhay Chandra Jain at a press conference here yesterday.

Four senior sportspersons will be honoured with Life-time Achievement Awards while ten athletes have been chosen for Karnataka Kreeda Ratna Award, instituted for the first time to boost rural sports.

Ekalavya Awardees: M. Arshad (Athletics), D. Guruprasad (Badminton), P.U. Navaneetha (Basketball), Shodhan Kumar Rai (body building), D. Yashas (Chess), N. Lokesh (Cycling), Vishal Kumar (football), K.M. Somanna (Hockey), B.R. Nikshep (Tennis), B. Anand Kumar (Para badminton), Akshatha Poojari (Powerlifting), P.N. Prakash (Shooting), Ashwin Menon (Swimming), V.R. Sanoj (Volleyball) and Prema Huchannavar (Wrestling). The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakh and a memento.

Life-time Achievement Awardees Boxing coach G. Manoharan, Mani (Kabaddi), Mohd. Dadapeer (football) and M. Sumitra Kumar (bodybuilding). The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh and a memento.

In addition to the above mentioned awards, the Minister also announced the Karnataka Kreeda Ratna, an award instituted to honour the achievements of sports personalities in rural sports.

Karnataka Kreeda Ratna Awardees: Santosh Naik (Atya patya), A.R. Shruthi (Ball badminton), Kumar S. Jagadeva, K.H. Vinay Kumar (kho-kho), Y. Maruti (Mallakhamb), M. Ishwarya (Mud wrestling), Mohd. Aquib (Throwball), Palimaru Devendra (Kambala), Gopal Kharvi (swimming with his feet tied) and S.C. Nagendra Swamy (Jala stambhana). The award includes a cash prize of Rs. 1 lakh and a memento.

Govt. cash awards for medallists

Medallists from the Asian Games and the Asian Para Games stand to earn unprecedented rewards on the occasion. Gold, silver and bronze medallists will be presented cash awards of Rs. 25, 15 and 8 lakh respectively, the sums hiked after long-standing demands from athletes.

For the paralympic athletes, brought on par with the able-bodied for the first time, this represents a bonanza, with their awards previously being Rs.5, 3, and 1.5 lakh.

Ten medallists from the Asian Games and five from the Asian Para Games are on the list, with the total prize money nearing Rs. 3 crore.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Thursday, November 06th, 2014

A memorial for Turkish martyrs

November 11, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bellary has come to acquire, in the recent years, a pleasing monument in memory of Turkish Prisoners of War (PoW) of the First World War (1914-18).

For nearly a century, hundreds of Turkish prisoners who were brought here in 1918, from the Suez Canal war zone by the British, have rested in the soil of Bellary Cantonment area. Thanks to the interest shown by the Turkish Embassy in Delhi, the
Turkish Martyrs Graveyard stands here now, commemorating their sacrifice for the nation, ten thousand miles away from their motherland.

The memorial raised over nearly two-acre site next to the Bellary Airport, and in the vicinity of Visveswaraiah Institute of Medical Science (VIMS), has a spiral column made in stone over a rectangular platform. Flags of Turkey and India flutter over high masts near the column. The memorial has been aesthetically landscaped with a number of fountains, trees, flower-beds and grass courts, lending it great charm.

Of the two marble-dressed graves in the complex, the memorial plaque on one
of them records the name of the person buried as General Agha Pasha Abdussalam. He is said to have been a prince from the Ottoman ruling family of Turkey.

The plaque mentions his date of demise in Persian as 10th Rajab 1336, of the Islamic Hijri lunar year. It is just 100 lunar years since then as the new Islamic lunar year 1436 started on October 25, 2014. [Note: The lunar century is shorter than Gregorian century by three years.

According to the old-timers, there used to be hundreds of graves of Turkish
soldiers in the area till 1980s. But they vanished as granite slabs were pilfered away and other remains were erased during the expansion of the Bellary Aerodrome.

Haji Abdussalam, a businessman of the Cowl Bazaar, wrote to the Turkish
Embassy in Delhi about the derelict condition of the graves.

Later, former municipal councilor, Haji Adam, took up the case and supervised the construction of the memorial at the direction of the Turkish Embassy in consultation with the Bellary Deputy Commissioner who allocated the site for the memorial.

Historical records say that nearly 2,000 Turkish soldiers taken captive at the Suez Canal were brought to India and lodged at Thane in Maharashtra and the famous Allipuram Jail in Bellary. But it is a mystery as to how so many soldiers died in Bellary.

According to the management of a Muslim graveyard in Banhatti locality, 2.5 km south of the city centre, dozens of graves of Turkish soldiers could be spotted in the graveyard a decade or two ago.

But over a period, granite gravestones were stolen and since the land had to be used and reused, several of these graves have disappeared and only seven or eight of these Turkish graves could still be seen surviving with mortar pillar standing over them.

Satyanarayana Rao, a retired professor of the local Veerashaiva College, says, it is a puzzle as to how such mass graves came to be located in Bellary. According to him, in normal course, so many soldiers could not have died. He says some historical records attribute these to several prisoners being mowed down by a trigger-happy British officer (like General Dwyer in the Jallianwalla Bagh) when they went on a strike at a worksite and knelt while doing namaz. Another report, according to him, links the mass deaths to a plague but adds that the plague struck the area in 1934, while prisoners died in 1918.

Whatever may be the reason, the new Memorial is seen as a picturesque locale for the local folk who come visiting the memorial.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by M.A. Siraj / DHNS-Bangalore, November 11th, 2014

National Bird Watching Day attracts large crowds in Ramnagar

November 11, 2014Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Green Products, Leaders, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Ramnagar (Uttrakhand) :

Nature enthusiasts and students gathered at a barrage on the river Kosi in north India, observing migratory birds on the occasion of National Bird Watching Day, celebrated to mark the 116th birth anniversary of renowned biologist Salim Ali.

Armed with binoculars, notebooks, field guides and cameras, they stood at the edge of the reservoir, making a note of the resident and migratory species present at the site.

The bird watchers said that it was important to educate people about the importance of conserving the country’s diverse fauna.

“We brought a few children who study in a local school, so that they can make themselves aware of bird life. The message for the people of the country and people in the world is that we must keep (these birds) alive, so that we learn about them and protect them,” said a birder, Rohit Sati.

The waters of the reservoir had large numbers of Ruddy Shelducks and cormorants swimming, feeding and sunning themselves.

The reservoir at Ramnagar is close to India’s iconic Jim Corbett National Park, which is home to over 500 species of birds, a sizeable chunk of more than 1200 species found all over the country.

Winter sees many species of birds migrate from north and central Asia and other, colder parts of the world, as the birds breed and live in the more temperate climate of the Indian subcontinent.

The Director of the Rainbow Wildlife Awareness organisation, Rajesh Bhatt said that the reservoir itself played host to over 200 species of resident and migratory birds.

“The important birds here are the Ruddy Shelduck, the Ibisbill, wallcreeper, cormorant, garganey, pintail, Bar-headed Goose, which can be seen easily,” Bhatt said.

Born in 1896, Salim Ali, known as ‘the Bird Man of India’, made his name as one of the first Indian naturalists to conduct systematic surveys on birds. His field guides are used by many birdwatchers when they set out in pursuit of the hobby.

Ali, who died in 1987, is also credited with the creation and recognition of such biodiversity hubs as the Keoladeo National park in Rajasthan and the Silent Valley National park in Kerala. (ANI)

source: http://www.aninews.in / ANI News / Home> National / November 12th, 2014