Category Archives: Community Involvement / Social Issues

Azam’s wife, SP MP gave Rs 50 lakh for Shankaracharya’s gau shala

November 20, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow :

Amid the beef row and BJP’s allegations that Mohammad Azam Khan was spreading communal hatred, an upcoming gau shala (cow shelter) of Puri Shankaracharya Swami Adhokshjanand at Radha Rani kund in Mathura has got enormous help from the senior UP minister.

Azam Khan was also the chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the gau shala on April 5. Talking to TOI, Puri Shankaracharya termed Khan as an honest and noble person. He said Khan had asked his wife and Rajya Sabha MP Tazeen Fatima to give Rs 25 lakh for the construction of the gau shala from her MPLAD fund and the same had been done by SP’s Rajya Sabha member Chaudhary Munawwar Saleem.

The revelation comes days after te Shankaracharya gifted a cow to Azam. The Shankaracharya said that by this gesture Azam Khan had once again showed what Indian culture is all about. He added that while a good Muslim like Azam Khan had been caring for cows, there were instances where Hindus had not shown the respect the holy cow deserves.

Confirming giving Rs 25 lakh from the MPLAD fund, Chaudhary Munawwar Saleem told TOI that the main aim was to prove that the picture of communal tension being presented in the name of beef was not the correct one. “Gai aur Ganga itihaas mein bhi mahatpoorna hain aur siddhanth bhi hain (Both cow and the river Ganges are relevant in history as well as in principles of social life),” Chaudhary said.

Chaudhary pointed out that in the first cabinet meeting after the Akhilesh Yadav government was formed, Azam insisted on passing a resolution on banning slaughter houses and sending the same to the Centre. In the past three years, he had ensured that a slaughter house in Meerut was shut down. Chaudhary said Fatima had also given Rs 25 lakh from her MPLAD fund for the gau shala.

In the initial phase, the gau shala will house around 5,000 cows, the Shankaracharya said and added that of these, half would be of various varieties, which would help in increasing the number of good quality cows.

Hitting out at the saffron pariwar, the Shankaracharya said that after their government was formed, the BJP had forgotten “gai aur Gita”, but people like Azam Khan continue to show the affection for the cow.

To a question on his liking for Azam, the Shankaracharya said: “The seers and saints don’t rely on books and newspapers to make their opinion. We search for a human being among the people solely through spiritualism and Khan is one such human being who speaks truth which is bitter that leaves him at the receiving end.”

Azam Khan did not reply to several phone calls and SMSes from TOI.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Lucknow / by Rajiv Srivastava, TNN / November 20th, 2015

Bengaluru’s Jewish cemetery with a muslim caretaker shows that ancient conflicts have no meaning here

November 18, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bengaluru :

Located off the busy Mysore Road flyover, it is easy to miss the Jewish burial ground, unless you were looking for a bright green facade of the low-roofed house built there. The house has been home for Sheikh Rafiq and family for the last 24 years, since the time he agreed to take care of the graveyard for the Moses family, who have been custodians of the property since 1904.

A gift from Mysore Maharajah Krishnaraja Wadiyar to the family, this cemetery is among a handful of Jewish cemeteries in the country. (TOI photo)

A gift from Mysore Maharajah Krishnaraja Wadiyar to the family, this cemetery is among a handful of Jewish cemeteries in the country, and the only one of its kind in Bengaluru. “I am the third generation of the family taking care of the land and it is hallowed ground for us,” says Sidney Moses, a retired horse trainer.

The first grave to be laid here was of Subedar Major Samuel Moses Nagavkar (a Bene Israeli) in 1904, and six years later, his son Benjamin Abraham Nagavkar was buried here as well,” he says about the oldest graves in the cemetery. The 50 graves that quietly lie there make for an interesting exploration and there are stories to be shared like why it’s the resting spot for a Russian circus owner. “Mrs Isaaco who was proprietress of the famous Russian Circus died while she was in Bengaluru. Her burial here was quite unusual because the whole circus came and they even brought her favourite white horse for the final goodbye,” says Moses. Now, about the curious choice of employing a Muslim family to take care of these Jewish graves, Moses simply states, “My uncle (Maurice Moses) appointed him as the caretaker but there wasn’t any particular reason why he hired him. In fact, Rafiq volunteered for the job.” “He is very clean and has been taking very good care of the graveyard since he joined,” he adds. “The place was covered with weeds and there was a huge anthill when I first came here,” recalls Rafiq of the swathe of land that is well-tended today.

And where the thought of living adjacent to a cemetery is enough to spook most of us, for Rafiq and his family it’s just part of life. “My son was four years old when we moved here and he has practically grown up playing here,” says Rafiq of his son, Sheikh Rizwan, who helps his father in the cemetery’s upkeep today. “Sleeping here in the night doesn’t scare us. In fact, it is very peaceful here,” says Rafiq who views his unusual job as a blessing. “It is a noble job to take care of the dead,” he says before shrugging off the ‘religion’ angle with a mere, “we all pray to the same god and in death, we are all equal.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / Mahalakshmi P, TNN / November 14th, 2015

Seeding of Aadhaar numbers with NPR begins in city

November 17, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Mysuru :

With enumerators collecting Aadhaar numbers from Mayor B.L. Bhyrappa and Deputy Mayor Vanitha Prasanna from their respective residences, the process of updating and revising the National Population Register (NPR) with Aadhaar numbers, a project launched by the Directorate of Census Operations as per 2011 census, began in the city yesterday.

M.H.R. Khasimi, Deputy Director, Directorate of Census Operations, Bengaluru, led enumerators to the residences of Bhyrappa and Vanitha Prasanna and collected their Aadhaar numbers to launch the project.

Elaborating on the scheme, Khasimi said that updated NPR will be the mother database, thereby becoming the source of identification of individuals to avail benefits of various government schemes and programmes.

It is said that Mysuru City Corporation (MCC), which has identified 1,643 enumeration blocks, has roped in 548 enumerators for the purpose. These enumerators will visit every household and cross check the information already available in the register like names of family members, parents, date of birth, present address among others.

In case of corrections, the changes will be effected. During the course, the enumerators will collect information of the households not covered during the first phase of the drive when general details were collected, said MCC in-Charge Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) M.J. Roopa.

The MCC is tasked with the job in the city limits while the District Administration will take up the work in rural parts and the drive is expected to be completed before December, 2015. The NPR will be updated regularly in future by integrating details related to birth, death and marriage, it is said.

It is learnt that the Central Government, which has already created a NPR of the usual residents during first phase of the 2011 census as a first step towards creation of National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC), is now updating the database and seeding Aadhaar numbers to weed out illegal occupants, if any, to provide various benefits, it is learnt.

The residents are informed to be ready with their Aadhaar cards or acknowledgements issued by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). In cases of others, who do not possess the card, the authorities have requested citizens to co-operate by giving accurate and complete information to enumerators.

About NPR: The Government of India has created National Population Register (NPR) of ‘usual residents’ in the country during the I phase of the 2011 Census as a first step towards creation of National Register of Indian Citizens (NRIC).

The legal basis of NPR is the Citizenship Act, 1955 and Citizenship Rules, 2003.

The electronic database — National Register of Usual Residents (NRUR) — of more than 119 crore usual residents of the country had already been created under NPR in English as well as in the regional languages. The field work for updating of NPR database and seeding of Aadhaar in NPR database will be for a period of one month in the State.

The NPR database would be updated regularly in future by integrating it with birth, death and marriage registration.

Database: The updated NPR would be the mother database, thereby becoming the source of identification of individuals for various government schemes/programmes, a press release said here.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – November 16th, 2015

Media, friends throng Muslim teacher’s house in Alwar after Modi’s remarks

November 15, 2015Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

[UK Parliamentarians and Lords calls on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi after his address, at Wembley Stadium, in London on November 13, 2015.]

Jaipur:

Imran Khan, a maths teacher in a government school in Alwar district, still can not believe that Prime MInister Narendra Modi mentioned his name during his speech at London’s Wembley stadium.

“It still is like a dream… PM mentioning my name is unbelievable….When PM was delivering his speech I was half asleep. I do not have a TV in my house. I came to know only after my friends and well-wishers started to call me.

“To confirm this, I watched the prime minister’s speech on YouTube….watched it again and again to confirm….reconfirm it…he was mentioning me,” Imran Khan told IANS on the phone on Saturday, a day after Modi’s address.

“You will not believe that since yesterday evening I have not been able to eat food….there are media persons….my friends….my relatives calling up….coming to meet me….absolutely no food since yesterday evening,” said a happy Imran.

“I made a small effort and it has been praised by the PM…..it feels great…really very great,” he said.

Modi, during his speech, said: “In Rajasthan’s Alwar there is a man called Imran Khan. He has made 50 mobile apps. And Alwar’s Imran Khan dedicated those apps to the students for free.”

“My India is in that Imran Khan from Alwar,” Modi said.

The 37-year-old teaches maths in a government school in Alwar district.

Imran has so far developed 52 education-oriented mobile applications since 2012.

“I do not have any background in computer technology but I had a computer in my house and I used to devote lot of time on it developing websites and other things. When I met the then district collector of my area he told me to develop apps as he said that future will belong to mobile apps. After reading some books that had chapters on apps, I started to develop mobile apps and since 2012 I have developed 52,” he said.

“My mobile apps have been downloaded by over 30 lakh users so far,” Imran claimed, adding that he considers the general science in hindi app as his completely “different” kind of one.

[Anil Sharma can be contacted at anil.s@ians.in]

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by Anil Sharma, IANS / Saturday – November 14th, 2015

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

Playing politics over Tipu dangerous, says scion

November 13, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Kolkata :

Shahzada Anwar Ali Shah, great great grandson of Tipu Sultan, on Wednesday lashed out against BJP and other Sangh affiliates for distorting history by portraying the Eighteenth century monarch as “most intolerant” and a “tyrant”.

He also accused right wing forces of diluting Tipu’s identity as an Indian icon, who was “one of country’s first freedom fighters”. “BJP and other Sangh affiliates are playing politics of religion over Tipu Sultan, which is very dangerous,” warned Shah.

Speaking to TOI from his haveli in Tollygunge, he said, “Shaheed Tipu Sultan was one of the first freedom fighters of the country and was martyred while fighting the British. This makes him a national icon.

But concerted efforts are being made by a big section to dilute his identity by communalising his legacy in order to alienate him from the people of this country.” Shah said the Karnataka government had invited him for the celebrations but he could not go due to ill health.

Hasnain Imam, a city-based political scientist, said: “The idea of right-wing groups seems to weave a narrative around Tipu Sultan’s legacy of another Muslim ruler who was intolerant, bigoted and who plundered temples. The objective is to reinvent him as an intolerant king to help them shift the attention from the debate over its own intolerant nature.”

Tipu Sultan’s supporters credit him for financing temples and inventing unique techniques of warfare against the British. They view him as a patriot. Right wing forces accuse him of forced conversions and large-scale temple destruction in southern Karnataka and northern Kerala.

But historians have said there is no evidence of this. “Tipu Sultan is as much an Indian icon as Gandhi and Tagore. Such intolerance towards his legacy will only give the country a bad name in international communities,” said Shah.

Descendants of Tipu Sultan have been staying in Kolkata since 1806, when the British kept them under house arrest in Tollygunge.

Shah’s great grandfather Gholam Mohammed, who was shifted to Kolkata from Vellore Fort, purchased several properties in the city. He built mosques (Tipu Sultan Mosque in Esplanade and Shaheed Tipu Sultan Shahi Mosque in Tollygunge), hospitals and educational institutions.

Some of the landmarks here belong to Prince Ghulam Mohammed Waqf Estate, of which Anwar is the mutwalli in the city.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Kolkata / by Zeeshan Javed, TNN / November 12th, 2015