Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Kerala mosque celebrates 18th century Hindu martyr

November 15, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issuesmpositiveone@gmail.com

Malappuram :

At a time when the country witnesses cases of religious intolerance, this mosque in Malappuram continues to be as an epitome of communal harmony. Kunhelu, a Hindu martyr was buried at Valiyangadi Jumammasjid here centuries ago. The mosque continues the tradition of offering special prayers at his grave even today.

Kunhelu, locally revered as a legendary figure, is believed to have lost his life along with 43 Muslim warriors in a battle against the erstwhile Zamorin (ruler) of Kozhikode 290 years ago. As per historical evidence and Malappuram Kissa Mala written by poet Moyinkutty Vaidyar, 44 ‘shuhadakkal’ (martyrs) died fighting the army led by Varakkal Para Nambi, the minister of Zamorin over an issue of tax collection.

Kunhelu, who belonged to thattan (goldsmith) community, joined his Muslim friends under the leadership of Alimarakkar. Muslims were forced to flee the region when the mosque was set ablaze by Nambi. Later, the issue was resolved and Nambi himself took the effort of rebuilding the mosque and brought many Muslim families back to Malappuram. The mosque evolved over the years to become a major religious centre in Malappuram Town.

Descendants of Kunhelu are invited during prayer meetings and annual aadu nercha (goat sacrifice) held in memory of the martyrs at the mosque. “The family members are invited to prayer meetings. During the nercha held in the Arabic month of Sha’ban, cheerni (sweet) is prepared and distributed among the public,” said Manukuttan, a teacher, who belongs to the family of Kunhelu.

Sayed Muthukkoya Thangal, khazi of Malappuram, said the tradition showcased the unity among Hindus and Muslims. Historian K K N Kuruppu said people cutting across communal differences had joined hands in fighting for a common cause centuries ago. “As there are no inscriptions or documents citing the names of the martyrs, historians depend on legends and ballads,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> National> India / by T.P. Nijeeesh, TNN / November 03rd, 2015

IUML may choose Rubeena or Sabeena

November 13, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is likely to choose between Rubeena and Sabeena Mansoor as their chairperson candidate for the Feroke municipality, where the post is reserved for women. Party sources told The Hindu that Ms. Rubeena with her earlier experience as a member in the erstwhile Feroke panchayat stood a better chance over Ms. Sabeena, who is a fresher to the local body.

However, IUML district general secretary M.A. Razaque said the party leadership was yet to take a decision on the chairperson candidate for the municipality. “We have a few good candidates to be considered for the post. A final decision on it will be taken shortly,” he said.

Ms. Rubeena was elected to the newly upgraded municipality from the Muthuvattupara division while Ms. Sabeena was elected from Kottapadam division 7 of the municipality for a relatively better margin. “Both are eligible for the post. However, the mantle is likely to fall on Ms. Rubeena,” said a party source on condition of anonymity.

The UDF has won 17 and the LDF 18 divisions in the municipality. However, it is the two UDF rebels, who also won from different divisions, to decide the fate of the municipality in favour of the UDF. According to the UDF leaders from the municipality, the front had already reached a consensus on receiving the support of the rebel candidates.

“After all, they won not with the rival front’s votes,” said P. Asif, an IUML leader from the municipality.

With the UDF set to garner the support of the rebels, Feroke’s rule is almost sure to be in the hands of the UDF. The Bharatiya Janatha Party has also won one division in the municipality. However, both the fronts have made it clear that they won’t accept the BJP support in any case. Nor the party is likely to offer their support to any.

With the support of rebels, UDF is likely to rule Feroke municipality

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kozhikode / by Staff Reporter / Kozhikode – November 12th, 2015

Maulana Abul Kalam’s birth anniversary celebrated

November 13, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

The foundations of secularism in the country were laid by the Congress Party and that Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, a freedom fighter was an important functionary in the party, said speakers at the Gandhi Bhavan.

Among those who participated in the 127th birth anniversary celebrations of Azad, who served as All India Congress Committee President at a young age, spoke volumes of how much the Congress believed in and propagated secularism, said Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee Working President Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka. He added that if secularism were alive and healthy today in the country it was only because of the Congress.

Among others present and who addressed the moderate gathering were Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Mohd. Ali Shabbir and AICC spokesperson Madhu Yashki and former MP Mallu Ravi.

Several speakers extolled the virtues of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and underscored for the youth of today to take him an inspiration and take the country and the Congress Party forward.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Suresh Krishnamoorthy / Hyderabad – November 12th, 2015

World Urdu Day observed

November 12, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

The All India Urdu Development Organisation has observed World Urdu Day to mark the birth anniversary celebration of noted Urdu writer Sir Mohammad Iqbal, at Iqra Public School in Yadgir recently.

Rafiq Soudagar, district president of the organisation, who presided over the function, said young writers should be encouraged to write Urdu poems.

He told youths to follow Iqbal, who was one of the most significant Urdu writers in the country, and write extensively.

Other speakers

Akbar Sagari, Principal of the Iqra Institution, and Urdu writers Sabir Faqruddin and Fazal Afzal also spoke. Journalist Syed Sajid Hayat, teachers, students and others were present.

A book – Mehrab-e-Shab Se Giri Roshni – written by Sabier Faqruddin was released at the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Correspondent / Yadgir – November 12th, 2015

Tipu Sultan Jayanti celebrated in Bhatkal with great fervor

November 12, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bhatkal:

The Bhatkal town administration on Wednesday celebrated the birth anniversary of Tipu Sultan at Public Chabutra, near old Bus stand, in which hundreds of people were attended.

The program commenced with the Karnataka song sung by the students of New English School. Assistant commissioner of Bhatkal Chidanand Vatare lit candles and begins the program. Tahsildar V.N Bhadkar welcomed the dignitaries and the audience present in the function. Tipu Jayanti prizes were distributed for the winning students in cultural programmes.

Speaking as a Chief guest, Maulana Ilyas Nadvi, Author of a book on Tipu Sulthan and lecturer of history at Jamia Islamia, Bhatkal, briefly explained about the history of Tipu Sultan and his great achievements against the Britishers. He said that Bhatkal should host a huge program in the upcoming years on Tipu Jayanti as his grand mother and second wife were from a Nawayath community. He has built various Mosques and temples in and around Bhatkal. He added that Britishers have injected poison of hatred against Tipu Sultan among our non Muslim brothers, as a result they are opposing this celebration.

He requested the BEO of Bhatkal to organize an exhibition on Tipu sultan in school and colleges ahead of Tipu Jayanti every year to educate the people about the achievement and noble works as a brave soldier.

Imtiyaz Ahmed Khan, lecturer of Anjuman PU College speaking on the occasion said they have to join hands with people of other religions to promote this culture. He said that Tipu must not be associated with his religion as he never discriminated between religions. People of different religions mourned on the death of Tipu as he loved his people. He finally thanked State govt for upholding the dignity of Tipu and organising celebration on his Birth Anniversary.

Tipu Sultan’s bravity and audacity were narrated by the general secretary of Majlis-e-Islah o Tanzeem Mohiuddin Altaf Kharuri.

Vice president of Majlise islah o tanzeem Inayatullah Shahbandri, Siddique Meeran, Taluk panchayat officer C.T Naik amongst others were present.

source: http://www.sahilonline.org / SahilOnline / Home> Coastal News / source: S.O. News Service / by I.G. Bhatkal / Wednesday – November 11th, 2015

PM celebrates Diwali with troops; pays tribute to Abdul Hamid

November 11, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issuesmpositiveone@gmail.com

For the second successive year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Diwali with troops today, saying the world looks at India with respect because of their valour and “character”, in comments that come against the backdrop of protests by several veterans over OROP.

He visited the Dograi War Memorial in Khasa in Amritsar and placed wreath at the venue of one of the toughest battles fought and won by Indian forces on September 22, 1965.
He also laid a wreath at the Asal Uttar Memorial near Valtoha on the Amritsar-Khem Karan road in Punjab and at the tomb of Company Quartermaster Havildar Abdul Hamid, A Param Vir Chakra recipient.

Modi noted that during the Asal Uttar battle in 1965, Hamid single handedly destroyed 3 enemy tanks and helped stop their offensive, in spite of being mortally wounded.

“Paying homage to CQMH Abdul Hamid. He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his gallantry,” Modi later tweeted.

Asal Uttar Memorial marks the Battle of Asal Uttar, which was one of the largest tank battles fought within Indian territory in 1965.

“Our forces captured/destroyed over 90 enemy tanks by the end of the Battle of Asal Uttar…During this battle CQMH Abdul Hamid single handedly destroyed three enemy tanks & helped stop their offensive, inspite of being mortally wounded,” Modi said in his tweets.

Addressing the troops in Khasa, he said, “I have come to celebrate Diwali with you. I am happy to get this opportunity..”

Hailing the soldiers, the Prime Minister said, “It is because of your valour, dedication and dreams that the whole world looks at India with respect. It is not only because of the uniform but character of the armed forces.”

He said India holds its head high in the comity of nations because the generations of leaders in the armed forces nurtured the forces.

“I congratulate those who have provided leadership over several years to the armed forces,” Modi said.

His tributes to the “character” of armed forces come against the backdrop of protests by a section of ex-servicemen over the “dilution” of ‘One Rank, One Pension’. Several war veterans have returned their medals as part of their protest.

Later, he tweeted, “I spent time with our soldiers and we had a wonderful conversation.”
This is the second successive Diwali that Modi spent with troops since becoming the Prime Minister. Last year on Diwali, he had paid a surprise visit to Siachen, the highest battleground in the world, to spend time with the troops.

Earlier in the day, he tweeted, “Today on the auspicious occasion of Diwali, I am visiting the border areas to spend time with our Jawans.”

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi also paid a visit to the Barki Memorial in Ferozepur, which was constructed in 1969 to commemorate the soldiers of the 7 Infantry Division killed in 1965 India-Pakistan War.

The memorial has a pillar in the centre, a Patton tank and a Barki milestone on the south along with a water fountain at its north. The 27-feet high pillar is built of red and white sandstone.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> National / by PTI / Amritsar , November 11th, 2015

Various Organisations in City Celebrate Tipu Jayanti

November 10, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

At Bengaluru: The 266th birth anniversary of ‘Tiger of Mysore’ Hazrath Tipu Sultan was celebrated at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru this morning by the Minority Welfare Department and Directorate of Minorities, Government of Karnataka. Chief Minister Siddharamaiah inaugurated the celebrations by offering floral tributes to the portrait of Tipu Sultan. Those present on the occasion included Vatal Nagaraj, Kannada activist; C.M. Ibrahim, Deputy Chairman, State Planning Commission; K. Rehaman Khan, former Union Minister; R. Roshan Baig, Minister for Information and Public Relations; Dr. Qamar Ul Islam, Minister for Minorities Welfare; Dr. M. Veerappa Moily, former Union Minister; K.J. George, Bengaluru Development Minister; Dr. H.C Mahadevappa, PWD Minister; Dr. B. Sheikh Ali, former VC of Mangalore and Goa Universities and Dr. Girish Karnad, litterateur.

Mysuru :

With the Mysuru district administration deciding to celebrate Tipu birth anniversary tomorrow, various organisations celebrated Tipu Jayanti in a grand manner here this morning.

Members and office-bearers of Rajya Dravida Maha Sabha (RDMS) celebrated Tipu Jayanti by taking out a procession from Meelad Park on Ashoka Road to Thataiah Park near City Bus Stand.

The procession, which passed through Meena Bazaar Road, Mission Hospital Circle, Sawday Road, Govt. Ayurveda Hospital Circle, Sayyaji Rao road and K.R. Circle, culminated at Thataiah Park. The procession later left for Srirangapatna.

RDMS State President Srinivas, Secretary Shanthamma, Legal Advisor Lokesh, Taluk President Syed Saleem, City President Sardar Ahmed, Md. Jaffar and others took part in the procession.

Mysore City Congress Minority Department celebrated Tipu Jayanti at Kolar Bara Imam Shaadi Mahal on Ashoka Road in city by distributing sweets, bursting crackers and taking out bike and auto rickshaw rallies in city.

City Congress President C. Dasegowda, former MLC Muktarunnisa Begum, Corporators Suhail Baig and Rajalakshmi Shivanna, former Corporators Shivanna and Syed Noorulla, former Mysore City Congress Minority Department President Allah Baksh, Secretary of Muslim Girls Orphanage Abdul Azeez Chand, General Secretary of Tanzeem Ahle Sunnath-wo-Jamath Jameel Ahmed Ashrafi, Asif and others took part in the celebrations.

After taking part in the celebrations in city, the members of various organisations left for Srirangapatna to take part in the rally organised by Hazarath Tipu Sultan Wakf Estate Chairman Tanveer Sait at 2 pm today.

City Police wings on vigil in city

Following untoward incidents in Kodagu this morning, the city Police wings such as City Armed Reserve (CAR) Police, Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), Mounted Police and other Police wings led by City Police Commissioner B. Dayanand, DCPs Dr. H.T. Shekar and N.D. Birje, all ACPs, Inspectors, SIs and staff of all Police Stations in city are patrolling the city to prevent any untoward incidents here.

Tight Police security has been provided in area such as Mandi Mohalla, N.R. Mohalla, Rajivnagar, Shanthinagar, Beedi Colony, Udayagiri, Gandhinagar, Sunnadakeri, Bannimantap, Tilaknagar and Gayatripuram in city. Garuda jeeps and Cheetah vehicles have been pressed into service to keep an eye on mischief mongers.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / March 10th, 2015

The lady with a legacy

November 10, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Freedom Fighters (under research project), Karnataka (under research project), Leaders, Sports, Travel & TourismA K Mehkri, AK Mehkri, AK Mehkri - Superintendent Engineer - Shimsa HydroElectric Station - Mysore, Dr M S Mehkri, Dr MS Mehkri, Dr MS Mehkri - Founder - Bangalore Medical College, Freedom Fighter of Karnataka, Indian Muslim Freedom Fighter, Indian Muslims, Javeed Mehkri, Junaid Mehkri, Karnataka Muslims, M E Mehkri - Freedom Fighter of India, ME Mehkri, MG Mehkri - Private Secretary - Yuvaraja of Mysore, Muslims of Bangalore, Muslims of India, Muslims of Karnatakampositiveone@gmail.com

As a young boy, Javeed Mehkri would watch his father spend hours with his favourite car — a 1950 model of Morris Oxford, better known in India as the Hindustan 14. Javeed not only learnt about the car and its mechanics but thoroughly enjoyed the drive in it to and from school.

The passion for the Morris Oxford is living on through four generations with Javeed now transferring the ownership of the car to his 22-year-old son Junaid Mehkri. Junaid shares as much passion for the classic beauty as his father.

The car has an interesting history to it and Javeed gets nostalgic when he settles down to talk about it. Javeed says, “My grandfather, AK Mehkri, purchased it. He was working as the superintendent of engineering in the Shimsha hydro-electric station in the erstwhile princely state of Mysore. The car was initially registered and used in Mysore for three years, after which my great grandfather moved to Bengaluru. The car has been with us since,” explains Javeed.

Almost every member of the Mehkri family has driven the car. Those who revelled at its wheel include MG Mehkri, private secretary to the Yuvaraja of Mysore; Dr MS Mehkri, founder of the Bangalore Medical College; and ME Mehkri, a freedom fighter and a well-known philanthropist. “In fact, the landmark, Mehkri Circle, is named after ME Mehkri,” adds Javeed.

Decades after, the car has been restored with some of its parts being replaced and brought to perfect working condition. “The car was taken care of by Rasheed Mehkri, my late uncle. Rasheed passed away in 2013 and wasn’t there to see the car in running condition,” says Javeed.

However, he admits that the biggest challenge, is to maintain the car. “Spare parts for the American-made vintage and classic cars are available online but you will never find perfect spares for British classic vehicles in India. I got some of the parts replicated here but again you have to personally supervise it to make sure you are not taken for a ride. It is an expensive and time-consuming process to maintain these cars,” he says.

Javeed says among those who were drawn to his car was former prime minister of Nepal, Tulsi Giri. “There’s a church just opposite our house and he used to visit the church whenever he was in the City. Once, he saw the car parked outside my house and he asked me why I didn’t do anything to get it back on the roads. When he returned six months later, he again asked me the same question. I got the same advice from my cousin Sajjad. All this hastened the restoration process,” adds Javeed.

Among Javeed’s prized possession is also a 1960 model Lambretta Scooter — his father’s first purchase. “My father rode it and I used to go to college on it. Now, my youngest son Uzair gets dropped by the scooter once in a while,” he says. Like other youngsters of their age — Junaid and Uzair — love swanky cars but they value their two prized possessions more.

The Morris Oxford has been a regular at Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club rally for the last two years. And Javeed loves basking in all the adulation the car draws. “It was during one of the rallies that a lady in a car stopped beside us. She asked me: ‘How old is she?’ I said 65. She smiled and said: ‘She’s my age’. Total strangers admire and compliment me on the car,” he narrates.

(Javeed can be reached on Javeedmehkri@hotmail.com)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Nina C. George / DHNS – Bengaluru , November 10th, 2015