Category Archives: Community Involvement / Social Issues

Mirasis threatened by obsolescence

February 16, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issuesmpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow :

The predicament of the Mirasi community comprising Awadhi folk singers since ages is pathetic and they are bordering on extinction. Using the cultural platform at the on-going Lucknow Literary Festival, a group of five Mirasan’s hailing from Bada Gaon of Barabanki district who were invited to perform their local folkfare moaned that the government has never taken any concrete measures to save the traditional folklore of Awadh.

The musicians who were once considered an integral part of Awadh, invited to auspicious occasions like weddings, baby-shower, as well as during the mourning period of Muharram to recite soz, salam and nauhas (dirge) find no patrons in this day and age.

At present there are only around 15 mirasans left in Uttar Pradesh who despite all odds still practice the ancestral art of singing on different occasions when invited. Like every ethnic group Mirasis are a mix of Sunni and Shia sects and have their unique characteristics and social roles. They share common values as they are interrelated through marriages.

Rafia Khatoon, part of a group including four other females, said, “Our ancestors were pampered with sufficient clothing, food, residential facilities from the royal families of Awadh so the need for a permanent house was never felt but today we are struggling for survival and expect state government to recognize our talent and make arrangements for some kind of social security.”

She added that with no fixed allowance, housing or medical insurance or any kind of support from the government the community and the art may not sustain for long.

Blaming rapid advancement of technology in the field of entertainment and music industry marring the traditional roles played by Mirasans in nearly every house of Awadh, including both Muslim and Hindu families, another mirasan Firoza said, “It is difficult to generate income from our ancestral profession as now nobody invites us and our children have no option but to switch over to different professions.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Uzma Talha, TNN / February 15th, 2015

Mysuru City Civilian Rifle Association inaugurated

February 15, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Mysuru :

“One bullet is equal to one life,” said City Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem.

He was delivering his presidential address during the inaugural function of Mysuru City Civilian Rifle Association, a unit of Mysuru City Police, at City Armed Reserve Grounds premises here this morning.

Dr. Saleem said that one should know the proper usage and maintenance of rifles as in the past many people had lost their lives because of accidental firing while cleaning their rifles.

He said that one bullet is equal to one life as it can take the life of a person instantly.

Dr. Saleem, recalling his rifle training practice while undergoing Anti-terrorism training in America, said that in America, they first teach about the proper usage of Rifle and the safety of the person using the rifle and the people with him. Only when a person knows the right usage thoroughly, he is allowed to practice Rifle shooting there.

Earlier, K.B. Ganapathy, Editor-in-Chief, Star of Mysore, inaugurated the function by lighting the lamp.

In his inaugural address, he noted that many people had lost their lives due to firing of the Rifles accidentally.

He suggested the participants to never keep the rifles loaded at their homes as children may think that it is a toy and may accidentally trigger it.

Appreciating Dr. Saleem for his efforts in reducing the crime rates in city and for enforcing strict traffic rules, Ganapathy said, “Many Police Commissioners have served in Mysuru. However, four among them have made a difference to the city and one among them is Dr. Saleem.”

B. Shivanna, Deputy Commissioner of Police, CAR, Mysuru, who welcomed, noted that civilian rifle training was first started during II World War as there was a necessity of soldiers then. During II World War, civilians were trained in rifle shooting and were appointed into army those days, he added.

Shivanna said that more than 150 people from Mysuru have enrolled for the Rifle shooting training programme which will begin from tomorrow. In each batch, 40 members will be trained for one week.

Commandant of KARP Mounted Police Janardhan, DCPs Mahadevaiah and Rajanna, Mysuru City Civilian Rifle Association’s Joint Trustee Shivakumaraiah, Assistant Police Commissioner, City Armed Reserve, Mysuru and the Association’s Executive Committee Members Dr. Javeed Nayeem, Shreehari, Jainsingh Raj Purohit, Nabeel Mohammed, Den Thimmaiah, Prof. Shivaram Malavalli, Dr. Latha Muthanna, Rifle Training participants and others were present.

Mallikarjunappa, CAR ACP, proposed a vote of thanks.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday, February 09th, 2015

Akhilesh honours 56 achievers with Yash Bharti

February 11, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Lucknow :

Classical singer Shubha Mudgal, Bollywood playback singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Kailash Kher, journalist Vinod Mehta, theatre artists Urmil Kumar Thapiyal, poet Khushbir Singh ‘Shaad’, kathak exponent Kum Kum Dhar, as well as actors Jimmy Shergill and Nawazuddin Siddiqui were among 56 achievers who on Monday received the Yash Bharti Award for 2013-14 & 2014-15 at a grand ceremony held at Ram Manohar Lohia Park.

The award, given by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, carried a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a citation and a shawl. The Yash Bharti Award is one of the highest state-level awards conferred for excellence in literature, fine arts, classical music, folk music and sports. The awards were instituted in 1994 by Mulayam Singh Yadav to honor achievers in different fields. Addressing the awardees, Akhilesh said, “As these awards are given to generate social awareness in the society, I consider each of the recipients ‘real’ ambassadors of Uttar Pradesh, representing the state across the globe.”

Among the awardees, bhajan maestro Anoop Jalota donated his award to a city-based trust to promote Bhagwad Gita through spiritual concert ‘Ram Bhi Rahim Bhi’. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui said his joy of receiving the award doubled as he also got a chance to visit the city which taught him the basics of acting and theatre at Bhartendu Natya Akademi

Kathak exponent Kumkum Dhar, said, “It certainly feels great when the government and people of your own state not only recognize your work but applaud you in such a grand way.” “Besides the support of my family, it is actually the blessings of my guru Lacchhu Maharaj that helped me sail through these 40 years of my career with such ease,” she added.

Renowned poet Khushbir Singh ‘Shaad’, who is currently settled in Punjab, expressed joy over receiving the award and said, “It is certainly a matter of pride for me that Lucknow still remembers me with the same love and affection.”

The other list of awardees include classical singer Rajan Saajan Mishra and Rita Ganguly, music composer Ravindra Jain, international level judo referee Munawar Anzar, educationist Jagdish Gandhi, Abhishek Yadav for special commando training, wrestler Aka Tomar, ghazal singer Rita Ganguly, lyricist Sameer, poet Bekal Utsahi, writer Maata Prasad Tripathi and Devi Prasad Pandey.

Along with these, two bravery awards were also conferred. While Resham Fatima was awarded Maharani Ahiliyabai Holkar Award, Seema Tiwari was given the Rani Laxmi Bai award.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / February 10th, 2015

Book explores the history of Nagore dargah

February 9, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

Chennai :

When the Tanjore king Achuthappa Naik (1560-1614) was bedridden after he suffered a paralytic stroke, many believed it was due to some black magic. The matter was informed to a visiting saint who eventually restored the king to health. Whether one believes in miracles or not, Nagore still thrives on it.

“Nagore is known for its religious harmony for more than 500 years. It is all because of the saint Qadir Wali who is enshrined there in a place widely known as Nagore dargah to which people of all religions throng with faith and problems. The miracle has been happening since 16th century and it still continues,” said A S Mohamed Rafee, author of the recently released book, “The Ocean of Miracles: Life of Qadir Wali”.

Qadir Wali travelled to many parts of the world and stayed in Mecca, Medina, Turkey and Palestine for many years before he came to Nagore where he lived for 28 years. “At a time when the world is facing serious threats in the name of religion, it’s remarkable that Nagore still survives on harmony, a reason why more sandal smeared heads are seen in the Sufi dargah. Wali served the people of all religions with his miraculous powers,” said Rafee, who is associate professor at the Mazharul Uloom College, Ambur.

Qadir Wali was born in 1504 in Manikkappur, a town established by Firoz Sha Tughluq in Uttar Pradesh, some 60 km from today’s Ayodhya. His parents, Hasan Guddus and Fatima, were descendants in the lineage of Prophet Muhammad and Abdul Qadir of Jilan, a great saint of the 12th century in Iraq.

Nagore dargah was built on land donated by king Achuthappa Naik. Many important parts of the dargah were built by the generous donation of non-Muslims, a reason cited why it’s a symbol of religious harmony. “The dargah has five minarets and the tallest one is called Periya Minar. It is 131 feet high with ten storeys. It was built by king Pratap Sing of Tanjore (1739-17633) after his wish for a son was fulfilled by praying to Wali 200 years after his passing away. The Peer Mandapam was built by the Dutch.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of Ibdia / Home> City> Chennai / by M T Saju, TNN / February 09th, 2015

29 from State get police medals

February 8, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Twenty-four police personnel and five Home Guards have been selected for the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of Republic Day. The awards will be presented during the Republic Day parade held at the Manekshaw Parade ground here on Monday.

N. Shivakumar (Inspector-General of Police, Police Headquarters, Bengaluru); C.H. Pratap Reddy (Inspector-General of Police, Internal Security Division, Bengaluru); Babu Rajendra Prasad (Deputy Commissioner of Police – Bengaluru Traffic East) and D. Narayanaswamy (Superintendent of Police, Lokayukta, Ramanagaram) have been selected for the President’s Police Medal for distinguished service.

H.T. Duggappa (Superintendent of Police, State Intelligence, Bengaluru); R. Lakshman (Additional Superintendent of Police, Tumakuru); M.I. Jameel (Additional Superintendent of Police, Kolar); C.N. Janardhan (Deputy Superintendent of Police, CID, Bengaluru); M. Vijayakumar (Deputy Superintendent of Police, Central Zone, Bengaluru); H.N. Venkatesh Prasanna (Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mangaluru); D.D. Malagi (Deputy Superintendent of Police, Hospet Subdivision, Ballari); S. Babushankar (police inspector –Wireless Control Room, Bengaluru); Mohammed Mohsin (police inspector, Wireless Control Room, Kalaburagi); B. Bhojaraju (assistant sub-inspector, City Armed Reserve, Headquarters, Bengaluru); S.M. Raghavendra Rao (assistant sub-inspector, Wireless, DGP Control Room, Bengaluru); M. Narayanaswamy (assistant reserve sub-inspector, Munirabad); N. Ramanna (assistant sub-inspector, Special Branch, Mandya); V. Kariyanna (head constable, City Crime Records Bureau, Bengaluru); Ananda K. Deshpande (head constable, Hubballi-Dharwad); V. Narayanappa (head constable, State Intelligence, Bengaluru); D. Mahadevaiah (head constable, 3rd Bn., KSRP, Bengaluru); P.M. Ravindra (head constable, 5th Bn., KSRP, Mysuru); N.U. Aiyyanna (head constable, 5th Bn., KSRP, Mysuru), and Shivappa A. Nilankar (head constable, Kalaburagi) have been selected for Police Medal for meritorious service.

Home Guards and Civil Defence

While L. Lakshminara-simha (Second-in-command, Home Guards, Ballari district) has been selected for the Distinguished Medal, Shivakumar (instructor, Home Guards and Civil Defence Academy, Bengaluru), Chaluva Shetty (head constable, Home Guards and Civil Defence Academy, Bengaluru), Shivanna (driver, Home Guards, Hassan) and M.S. Sharieff, (Divisional Warden, Civil Defence, Bengaluru) have been selected for the Meritorious Medal.

The awards will be presented at Manekshaw Parade ground today

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – January 26th, 2015

Salma Ansari: Forthright in thoughts and expressions

February 8, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Media commentators have often called her a woman with her own mind. For, Salma Ansari, wife of Vice President Hamid Ansari, is unmindful of political correctness, protocol strictness and insubstantial refinement.

Clear and forthright, both in her thoughts and expressions, Mrs Ansari carries her heart on her sleeve, belying her age and status.

This suits her calling in life. Running a charity educational chain in the slums and villages of Aligarh, it helps being devoid of protocol barriers. Al-Noor, the trust which runs the three schools, is the proverbial light which has penetrated the darkness in many a life.

“I was amazed that the place which boasted of a 135-year-old institution like Aligarh Muslim University, had in its backyard over 10,000 young children with no access to basic formal education,” says Mrs Ansari. “Govt schools were defunct. I knew there was something wrong, and things won’t change unless someone stepped forward to change them.”

From a rebellious student in the 1960s who once wanted to settle down in London, earn her living as a writer, stay single for life and keep dogs for company, it was indeed a long journey from Iraq to Aligarh.

“My father, who was posted in Iraq UN mission, realised that I was getting too westernised and romantic for Indian values. He sent me to a girls’ college in Aligarh to finish my studies and learn more about our culture; the only leeway I could get was opt for English literature,” says Mrs Ansari.

Aligarh was a shocking “gated community” for her. Mr Ansari persuaded her college principal to allow an elected students union. Here as the first elected president of the union, she encountered the injustices meted out to a woman in a conservative society.

“There were conflicts, sufferings and struggle. They pinched since I came from a different background. But I survived.” Marriage with Hamid Ansari, an IFS officer, took her all around the world. After retirement, Mr Ansari was offered the chair of vice chancellor in AMU in 2000. Life had come a full circle for Mrs Ansari.

A no less dramatic turn of events led to the formation of Al-Noor. “While in AMU, I joined a riding club. Of course, some people were scandalised. But as always, I barely cared. It was during one such impromptu riding sessions that I strode into a small hamlet off the campus. What I saw there hit me hard.

It was poverty at its worst. There was this young child, about two-year-old who was sipping sewage water. There was mud, grime and slush all around the area. I felt someone had punched in my stomach, and I was gasping for air.”Her coach comforted her by saying that ‘it will be over soon, people come, see this, feel bad, then get used to it’.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> Collections> Aligarh Muslim University / by Pankaj Molekhi, ET Bureau / May 02nd, 2010

Registration of Ownership is very important after selling the vehicle : Dr. Saleem

February 8, 2015Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Travel & Tourismmpositiveone@gmail.com

RTO Padma Prasad (fourth from right), his wife Shobha and BJP leader Yashaswini Somashekar are seen launching the logo of Mysore City (West) Used Car Dealers Association as City Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem, Industrialist B.K. Gangesh, Malnad Ali Shariff and others look on

Mysuru :

“Owners should ensure that the vehicle they have sold is registered in the name of the buyer. Just signing Forms 28 and 29 is not enough. If anything goes wrong, then the person under whose name the vehicle is registered will be held responsible,” said City Police Commissioner Dr. M.A. Saleem.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Mysore City (West) Used Car Dealers Association at a function organised at a private hotel at Yadavagiri in city on Saturday.

Citing examples, the Commissioner said that thirteen years after the death of former Minister Azeez Sait, he was issued a traffic violation notice last year. The notice was served based on the CCTV footage which showed his four wheeler violating traffic rules.

He said that Sait’s vehicle was sold without the vehicle being registered under the name of the new owner, hence the notice was issued.

Citing another example, Dr. Saleem said that a woman in Bengaluru was asked last week to pay fine for violating traffic rules in Mysuru, but the woman had lodged a complaint regarding her missing two-wheeler and added that the woman had received the notice as the vehicle was registered in her name.

Citing these examples, the Commissioner advised vehicle owners to exercise caution while selling their vehicles besides asking them to follow rules while selling their vehicle.

Dr. Saleem said that the Police were facing a lot of problem due to improper transfer of vehicles and added that in hit-and-run cases, when the cops contact the vehicle owner it leads them to the previous owner which is resulting in the actual victim’s family being not traced.

He further said that based on these incidents, the Police have decided to take a serious note of the problem and added that in future, the vehicle owner would be held responsible for any problem.

During the occasion, Association’s logo was launched and identity cards were distributed to the members of the Association.

BJP leader Yashaswini Somashekar, RTO Padma Prasad, Industrialist B.K. Gangesh, Malnad Ali Shariff, Association Vice-President Syed Riyaz, General Secretary B.S. Pradeep Kumar, Treasurer M. Satish, Organising Secretaries B. Suresh and Murugesh, Convener Ravindrakumar and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday, February 02nd, 2015