Category Archives: Amazing Feats

Rajinikanth, Sania, Priyanka Chopra honoured with Padma awards

April 14, 2016Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, SportsPadma Award to Sania Mirza, Padma Bhushan Sania Mirza, Sania Mirza, Tennis Player Sania Mirzampositiveone@gmail.com

Actor Rajinikanth flanked by Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra and Tennis player Sania Mirza, who were the recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan Awards respectively during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 12,2016. Photo : R. V. Moorthy

56 eminent persons were honoured with Padma awards on Tuesday.

Superstar Rajinikanth, tennis icon Sania Mirza, former U.S. Ambassador Robert D Blackwill and actor Priyanka Chopra were among the 56 eminent persons who were honoured with Padma awards on Tuesday.

Former DRDO chief V K Aatre, chief editor of Telugu daily Eenadu Ramoji Rao, philanthropist and educationist Indu Jain, chairman of Maruti Suzuki India R C Bhargava, singer Udit Narayan, eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam were also honoured with the Padma awards by President Pranab Mukherjee at the Civil Investiture Ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Rajinikanth, Aatre, Rao, renowned vocalist Girija Devi, chairperson of Cancer Institute, Chennai V Shanta were given Padma Vibhushan. Looking dapper in a beige churidar kurta teamed with a grey Nehru jacket, Rajinikanth was accompanied by his wife Latha Rajinikanth.

New Delhi, 12/04/2016: President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Vibhushan Award to South Indian Film Actor Rajinikanth during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 12,2016. Photo : R. V. Moorthy

Priyanka Chopra, who was awarded the Padma Shri, especially flew down to India from her “Baywatch” shoot in Los Angeles to receive the honour.

“This is the best award I have ever received. Thank you so much. I am grateful,” she told reporters here.

The “Jai Gangajaal” star looked elegant in a lemon yellow saree as she received the honour.

New Delhi, 12/04/2016: President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Shri Award to Film Actress Priyanka Chopra during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 12,2016. Photo : R. V. Moorth

Sania Mirza, who was awarded the Padma Bhushan, is the fourth Indian tennis player to receive the Padma Bhushan. Vijay Amritraj, Ramanathan Krishnan and doubles legend Leander Paes had earlier been honoured with both Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Sania was conferred with Padma Shri in 2006.

New Delhi, 12/04/2016: President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Bhushan Award to Tennis Player Sania Mirza during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 12,2016. Photo : R. V. Moorthy

“Humbled. Honoured. And truly thankful .. #PadmaBhushan,” Sania tweeted later.

Bhargava, Jain, Blackwill, Narayan, Manipuri playwright Heisnam Kanhailal, noted Telugu and Hindi litterateur Yarlagadda Lakshmi Prasad, teacher of Vedanta Dayananda Saraswati (posthumous), leading sculptor Ram Vanji Sutar, Indologist N S Ramanuja Tatacharya and International head of Chinmaya Mission Swami Tejomayananda were honoured with Padma Bhushan.

New Delhi, 12/04/2016: President Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Padma Bhushan Award to Playback Singer Udit Narayan Jha during the Civil Investiture Ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on April 12,2016. Photo : R. V. Moorthy

Nikam, former President of Editors Guild of India Dhirendra Nath Bezboruah, renowned novelist from Karnataka S L Bhyrappa, Puducherry-based social worker Madeleine Herman de Blic, president of Bodo Sahitya Sabha Kameswar Brahma were among the 40 eminent persons who were given the Padma Shri.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> PTI – IANS / New Delhi – April 12th, 2016

India recalls Hazrat Mahal’s role in freedom struggle

April 7, 2016Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World OpinionBegum Hazrat Mahal, Begum of Awadh, Brijis Qadra, First Wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, Nawab Wajid Ali Shahmpositiveone@gmail.com

Uttar Pradesh (India) / Kathmandu (Nepal) :

Kathmandu : (PTI)

Recalling Begum’s contributions towards the freedom movement of India, India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae laid a wreath on her tomb to commemorate her 137th death anniversary here.

“We must remember her with great honour as she has been a source of inspiration for us all,” Rae said.

Begum of Awadh and the first wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, who was one of the heroes of freedom struggle of 1857, died on April 7, 1879 during her refuge in Nepal.

Noting that Mahal was one of the freedom fighters of the first freedom movement of India, Rae said she had always been remembered for her contributions in India’s freedom struggle.

He also offered to provide necessary assistance to protect and preserve one and a half century old Hazrat Mahal tomb located in the heart of Kathmandu.

“Hazrat Mahal has been a symbol of age old tie between Nepal and India,” Rae said.

Begum fiercely fought the British East India Company during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58, with the help of her commander Raja Jailal Singh. When her forces regained power of Lucknow for a brief stint, her son Brijis Qadra was declared ruler of Awadh.

When the forces under the command of the British re-captured Lucknow and most of Awadh, she was forced to retreat. She then took refuge in Kathmandu along with 10-year-old Qadr and some other loyal supporters.

Begum’s rebellion was ignited by the demolition of temples and mosques by the East India Company to make way for roads.

source: http://www.ptinews.com / Press Trust of India (PTI) / Home> International / by Shrish B Pradhan / Kathmandu – PTI, April 07th, 2016

India recalls Begum Hazrat Mahal’s contribution to freedom struggle

April 7, 2016Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World OpinionBegum Hazrat Mahal, Begum of Awadh, Brijis Qadra, First wife of Nawad Wajid Ali Shahmpositiveone@gmail.com

Uttar Pradesh (India) / Kathmandu (Nepal) :

Begum Hazrat Mahal was one of the freedom fighters of the first freedom movement of India, Rae said she had always been remembered for her contributions in India’s freedom struggle.

Kathmandu :

India today said Begum Hazrat Mahal, who had rebelled against British colonial rule in the country in 1857-58, will always be remembered for her contribution in India’s freedom struggle and described her as a “source of inspiration”. Recalling Begum’s contributions towards the freedom movement of India, India’s Ambassador to Nepal Ranjit Rae laid a wreath on her tomb to commemorate her 137th death anniversary here.

“We must remember her with great honour as she has been a source of inspiration for us all,” Rae said. Begum of Awadh and the first wife of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah, who was one of the heroes of freedom struggle of 1857, died on April 7, 1879 during her refuge in Nepal. Noting that Mahal was one of the freedom fighters of the first freedom movement of India, Rae said she had always been remembered for her contributions in India’s freedom struggle.

He also offered to provide necessary assistance to protect and preserve one and a half century old Hazrat Mahal tomb located in the heart of Kathmandu. “Hazrat Mahal has been a symbol of age old tie between Nepal and India,” Rae said. Begum fiercely fought the British East India Company during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58, with the help of her commander Raja Jailal Singh.

When her forces regained power of Lucknow for a brief stint, her son Brijis Qadra was declared ruler of Awadh. When the forces under the command of the British re-captured Lucknow and most of Awadh, she was forced to retreat. She then took refuge in Kathmandu along with 10-year-old Qadr and some other loyal supporters. Begum’s rebellion was ignited by the demolition of temples and mosques by the East India Company to make way for roads.

source: http://www.india.com / India.com / Home> News> World / by Wires English / April 07th, 2016

Indian student wins Noor Inayat Khan Prize

March 20, 2016Amazing Feats, Education, NRI's / PIO's, World OpinionFirst Noor Inayat Khan Prize 2016, Noor Inayat, Noor Inayat Khan, Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust., The Spy Princessmpositiveone@gmail.com

Geetakshi Arora, a PG student of the South Asia Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, won the £1,000 prize.

An Indian student is the winner of the first Noor Inayat Khan Prize for 2016, the London-based Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust announced on Saturday.

Geetakshi Arora, a post-graduate student of the South Asia Institute at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, won the prize — which consists of £1,000 and a certificate — for her dissertation on “Goddess Myths in Graphic Novels: Reimagining Indian Feminity”.

The Trust awards the annual prize to a post-graduate student from SOAS, University of London, working in the area of gender studies and South Asian history.

Ms. Arora said that she was “humbled” by the award. “Noor has always inspired me to stand up for the values of peace, education and respect for all individuals irrespective of race, gender and religion. I will always try to live up to her legacy,” she told The Hindu.

Noor's bust in Gordon Square, London. / The Hindu — Noor’s bust in Gordon Square, London.
/ The Hindu

Of Indian descent, Noor Inayat was a secret agent in the Second World War, who was sent to Nazi-occupied Paris in 1943 from where she worked as a wireless operative sending intelligence reports to the Allies. Though betrayed to the Gestapo, tortured and ultimately killed at the Dachau concentration camp, she defied her captors to the very end.

“We hope the annual award keeps the memory of Noor Inayat Khan alive in the student community. We felt that SOAS was the natural choice to locate this prize given its long tradition of promoting South Asian culture and history” said Shrabani Basu, founder and chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust, and author of the biography of Noor Inayat, The Spy Princess.

A campaign by the Noor Trust resulted in the unveiling by Princess Anne in 2012 of a bust of Noor Inayat in Gordon Square, a tranquil lung space close to a cluster of institutions including SOAS.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> International / by Parvathi Menon / London – March 19th, 2016

Around the country in a solar car

March 7, 2016Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green ProductsManufacturer of Solar Car, Salim Pasha, Syed Sajjan Ahmedmpositiveone@gmail.com

COIMBATORE, 16/02/2012: Syed Sajjad Ahmed (left), a businessman dealing with electrical accessories in Bangalore, with his relative on a solar car in Coimbatore on February 16, 2012 as part of his tour of South India for 1,000 km to generate awareness among the people on pollution and corruption. Photo: M. Periasamy / The Hindu

Syed Sajjan Ahmed travels 3,000 km in self-built four-wheeler.

Bengaluru , KARNATAKA :

Sixty-three-year-old Syed Sajjan Ahmed arrived in Bangalore in a self-developed solar electric-powered car to cover 3,000 km from Bangalore to Delhi to participate in the first India International Science Festival (IISF).

It took Syed 30 days to cover the arduous journey, which included crossing the Vindhyas. Born in Kolar, 70 km from Bangalore, the standard XII dropout began his career as a fruit vendor and went on to set up a shop for electronics repair.

His work included assembly of electronic goods, starting off with transistors, tape recorders and television sets and antennae. Later, he moved on to computers, before attempting to realise his childhood dream to do something for society.

“I had to leave school when I was 15 to start earning for my family. But the fire to create something that would be of use to humanity kept burning within me,” he says.

The break came in 2002. “I told myself that I am 50 now, and I must do something before I become too old and infirm.”

Ahmed started by modifying a two-wheeler to run on electric power, and then a three-wheeler, and later a four-wheeler.

He bagged the Karnataka government’s award for environment protection, instituted in honour of former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, in 2006, for his innovation. Ahmed says that the modified car is equipped with a set of five solar panels, each with a capacity of 100 watts.

The power generated by the panels propels the machine through a bank of six batteries, each with a capacity of 12 volts and 100 amps. He takes pride that his small car withstood the test of the 3,000-km trek. “There were times when we thought we would not be able to take the steep climbs on the ghat roads. But, it crossed all the hurdles without much trouble,” he adds.

Ahmed says he has travelled 1.1 lakh km in his four-wheeler across the country so far. He is accompanied by a cousin, Salim Pasha, who travels in a regular car alongside. Both started their journey to Delhi from Raj Bhavan in Bangalore on November 1.

Ahmed, who says his vehicle costs around one lakh rupees at present, would further be driving from Delhi to Dr. Kalam’s hometown of Rameshwaram. “I wanted to make this journey an adventure; I have driven this vehicle for 10 years and hope to keep it going,” he says. He will then return to Bangalore via Kanyakumari.

“Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is my inspiration. Through my journey, I want to inspire and educate the public, especially students, about Dr Kalam’s Vision 2020 for uplifting the country,” he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / IANS / December 08th, 2015

Belagavi’s superbike tops India Bike Week

February 28, 2016Amazing Feats, Science & Technology, SportsBelagavi, Belagavi MLA(North) Firoz Sait, Faizal Sait, Legacy Custom Motorcycle, MLA Firoz Sait, Reza Hussain, Superbike Immortale, Winner of 1st prize at India Bike Weekmpositiveone@gmail.com

Belagavi, KARNATAKA :

Belagavi :

City-based Legacy Custom Motorcycle has brought huge laurels to Belagavi by winning first prize for its superbike Immortale, in India Bike Week held recently at Goa. Immortale has been designed and built in Belagavi.

The motorcycle is conceptualized by Faizal Sait, the son of Belagavi (North) MLA Firoz Sait. MLA Sait unveiled the bike in Belagavi for public view on Thursday evening in a small programme. Motorcycle has won appreciation and prize for its design in Bike Build Off segment.

Around 30 bike builders from across the India had submitted applications to showcase their bike design in which five designs were adjudged as Best Bike Design of the year. Legacy Custom Motorcycle lifted the trophy by winning among the shortlisted five designs. Before it, the bike had gone into two days of toughest test monitored by Hyderabad-based top biker Reza Hussain, machine expert Anand Belerao, Pune based Auto car magazine editor Kartikeya and Arjun Raina of Dehradun.

When come to the specifications of the motorcycle, Harley Davidson 883 iron has upgraded to 1250 CC engine in Immortale to meet extreme speed of bike. Girder suspension technique has been adopted in frontal suspension segment while rear suspension is fitted with Mono Shock placed to fit nicely under tail to provide sporty look. The bike has been built in FRP fibre to reduce weight of the body.

Failzal Sait said he spent about two and half months to prepare the design of Immortale, which is now receiving thousands of appreciation messages from bike lovers and riders across the country. Legacy Custom is the first firm to participate in India Bike Week from Belagavi and it’s first in Karnataka in fetching prestigious prize. “I and my team of Legacy Custom is not interested in manufacturing of motorcycles in large scale. But we do hand build bikes for close ones and for the bike enthusiasts,” Faizal said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bangalore / by Ravindra Uppar, TNN / February 25th, 2016

This Man Wants to Make Mysuru’s Ring Road Cooler

February 27, 2016Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social IssuesHyder Ali Khan, Mysurumpositiveone@gmail.com

Mysuru, KARNATAKA :

Mysuru :

Thandi Sadak in Haldwani, Uttarakahand, is famous for lush green trees and pleasant breeze.

Here, a man is on a mission to make the Ring Road as city’s Thandi Sadak.

It started with one Honge tree sapling at Idagh Maidan 16 years ago.

Now for Hyder Ali Khan of Kalyangiri, life’s sole aim is to plant maximum saplings. Khan has already created green canopy in several schools and public parks by planting nearly 2,500 saplings and is knocking at the doors of the government for help to increase green cover in the city. He plans to plant the saplings of certain selected trees on the stretch of the Ring Road beginning from the Mysuru-Bengaluru intersection.

In the initial stage, he wants to plant 925 saplings in the one-km stretch. He approached MUDA officials seeking support for his mission.

“A green canopy can be created on the highway which benefits motorists immensely. If I get permission from the government, I intend to plant wild Almond Trees (Kaddabadami) along the one-km stretch of the Ring Road. It takes four years to complete the project. If we can do this, Mysuru will become a role model for other cities and towns in the country,” he said.

“I had worked as fitter for 27 years. One day, when I got exhausted while riding my bike, I sat beneath a roadside tree and felt immensely relaxed and rejuvenated. It was then I decided to plant trees. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than planting trees,” he said.

He planted 313 saplings of Honge tree at the famous Idagh Maidan in the city, thereby creating a green canopy. Today 15,000 people can sit under the shade of the trees at the Maidan.

He has created such green pandals in several schools too.

“The Thandi Sadak of yesteryears had introduced in Mysuru by Wadiyars; a portion of which can still be seen inside zoo. We can convert the entire city into a green canopy and make the district more tourist-friendly, if we plant more trees,” he said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by K. Rathna / February 26th, 2016

In Kerala’s Kozhikode, hunt for a Chinese legend

February 22, 2016Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Travel & Tourism, World OpinionZheng He, Zhenghe International Peace Foundationmpositiveone@gmail.com

Kozhikode, KERALA :

More than 600 years after a seven-foot tall Chinese naval explorer touched the shores of Calicut (now Kozhikode), a bustling international port city in northern Kerala, an attempt to find his relics and perhaps his final burial place is in order in the state.

Last month, two professors, working in different countries, arrived in Kerala with the aim of finding more information about Zheng He, a fleet admiral of China’s early Ming dynasty and one of the world’s earliest navigators, much ahead of the likes of Christopher Columbus and Vasco da Gama. According to credible historical accounts, Zheng He, who had led seven naval expeditions in the Indian Ocean, was buried at sea off the coast of Calicut after he died of illness in the course of a voyage.

“We came to Kerala on January 7-9 to find information about relics and stories of Zheng He and his crew in Calicut. It was an official trip of Zhenghe International Peace Foundation,” said Shaojin Chai, a senior research fellow at the Ministry of Culture in UAE.

While history books are replete with the exploits of Columbus and Gama, not much is known about Zheng He, whose fleet was considered to be ten times bigger than his contemporaries. In fact, National Geographic magazine described the naval armada of Zheng He off the coast of Sri Lanka as a ‘massive shadow on the horizon’, that moved like a ‘floating city’ and stretched across miles and miles of the ocean.

Zheng He, who is venerated almost like a God in several parts of China and has temples dedicated to him in Malaysia and Indonesia, was born in China’s Yunnan province in 1371. Born into a Muslim family, Zheng He was ritually castrated at the age of ten at the hands of an invading Ming army. But his life as a eunuch turned out for the better after he was sent to serve in the household of Zhu Di, who would later go on to become the Yongle Emperor. History says Zheng He was able to gain the trust of the emperor in a short period of time and convinced him to let him embark on naval trips that would extend China’s trade potential to Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the far-away Middle East.

Watch video

Zheng He’s first voyage, according to several accounts, began in the year 1405, sailing from China through Indonesia and Malaysia to finally end at Calicut via Cochin. His fleet was estimated to be more than 20,000 men travelling in more than 60 treasure ships – numbers described astonishing in most accounts. His subsequent trips took him as far as Iran and eastern Africa to the shores of Mogadishu.

For the Chinese explorer, Calicut, then a prosperous trading port that dealt extensively in eastern spices under the rule of the Zamorin, was an ideal base to conduct trade across the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.

“Chinese historian Ma Huan, Zheng He’s translator, described Calicut as very friendly, harmonious and a dynamic place where trading was fair and the Hindu king consulted with Muslim ministers to conduct state affairs,” said Professor Chai, who was accompanied to Kerala by Haiyun Ma, a professor at Frostburg State University, Maryland, US.

During their short visit, both professors visited a few mosques which had Chinese connections and inspected tombstones, but could not unearth any reliable clues that could point to Zheng He’s period.

However, CK Ramachandran, convenor of the Calicut Heritage Forum, dismissed claims that the Chinese naval commander had been buried under land.

“According to early Chinese traditions, a eunuch, after death, cannot go to heaven with a deformed body. That’s why he was ceremonially buried at sea,” said Ramachandran, who has meticulously collated several historian accounts of the Chinese in Kerala.

“I did visit Nanjing in China where a tomb has been erected in Zheng He’s memory. But it is more of a memorial. It is empty,” he added.

Nevertheless, undeterred, Professors Chai and Ma are planning to organise a conference next year in Kerala which would throw light on Zheng He’s exploits for which they have spoken to state government officials as well.

“Zheng He was considered one of the greatest statesmen and explorers in Chinese history and was our national pride for promoting peace and trade with other countries (sic),” said Prof Chai.

source: http://www.in.news.yahoo.com / by Vishnu Varma, The Indian Express / February 20th, 2016

Chennai-based Kids Win Medals, Set Records in Archery Events

February 10, 2016Amazing Feats, SportsKarate Instructor, Member Tamil Nadu Archery Association, Shihan Hussainimpositiveone@gmail.com

Chennai :

Two-year-old Aradhya Vedwan and 6-year-old Anoop Skanda, both residents of Chennai, have created unique records in the realm of children in sports. The former has been titled the world’s youngest archer, and was awarded Bronze for ‘Recurve Archery’ at the under-10 category. The latter won gold in the complex ‘Compound Archery’ category, making him the youngest in the world to hold the type of bow at any recognised event. They returned home after bagging medals at the National level archery competition conducted by the Archery Association of India at Vishakapatnam last week.

The two young awardees and record-setters were felicitated at their Archery training institute run by Shihan Hussaini. “Its not everyday when your student makes you so proud. That too children at such a tender age picking up an art like archery, its the best moment for a teacher like me,” he said at a press meet on Saturday at his ‘Dojo’ (institute).

6 YEAR OLD ANOOP SKANDA WAS AWARDED A GOLD MEDAL BY THE ARCHERY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA, DURING THE PRESS MEET ORGANISED BY SHIHAN HUSSAINI. EXPRESS/ MARTIN LOUIS. AMRUTHA STORY.

The two archers both skilfully demonstrated their shooting techniques with their respective bows, to the watching audience after being felicitated along with their parents who have also been training alongside them. “One parent is expected to train alongside the child, to act as a parent coach. It becomes like an addiction even for us,” says Ashwin Kumar, father of Anoop.

The class one student showed-off his skill in handling the complex and hefty ‘compound’ bow which his master declared has “never been held by a 6-year-old anywhere in the world. He even practices for 15 hours a day,” say his proud parents, who accompany him from Valasaravakkam to Besant Nagar for classes.

The other star of the show, Aradhya had picked up a plastic bow and arrow when she was just a year old – “there was no looking back after that,” say her mother Abhilasha, and father Kuldeep, national-level archers themselves. “She’s a very young child, so we didn’t know if she would listen if we told her to shoot. But upon seeing the crowd, she took aim and shot it right at the target,” said Hussaini.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / February 07th, 2016