Category Archives: Community Involvement / Social Issues

Mayor Majid Hussain to quit today

March 12, 2014Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, UncategorizedMajid Hussain, Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM), Mayor Mohd Majid Hussain, Mohd Majid Hussainmpositiveone@gmail.com

Hyderabad :

Mayor Mohd Majid Hussain will resign on Friday ending his over two-year term at the helm of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

His party Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (MIM) has asked him totender his resignation from the post on Thursday. MIM is likely to field him in one of the Assembly constituencies in the city.

“My party has directed me to resign from the post on Thursday. Abiding by the decision of the party, I am resigning on Friday. My party will take a decision on utilizing my services,” Majid Hussain told TOI on Thursday.

Majid Hussain took over the reins of the GHMC on January 3, 2012 as part of the power-sharing agreement between MIM and Congress in 2009 soon after the civic body elections.

As part of the agreement, of the five-year term, the mayor post goes to a Congress candidate for the first two years followed by that of MIM for the next two years. The last year should go to a Congress candidate. Likewise, the deputy mayor post would go to the other party during that period. Congress mayor Banda Karthika Reddy had served as the mayor for the first two years and subsequently MIM corporator from Ahmed Nagar, Mohd Majid Hussain, took over the reins in January, 2012 and has completed his two-year term on January 3.

Though in the last one year the mayor post should have gone to the Congress, the party has not been claiming it for various reasons mainly keeping in view the likely tie-up with the MIM in the general elections. Since Congress was not coming forward, Majid Hussain continued in the post.

By pulling out from the mayor post, MIM is likely to snap its ties with the Congress in the upcoming Lok Sabha, Assembly and GHMC elections to be held this year.

With the resignation of Majid Hussain, Congress has to announce its mayor candidate. Several corporators, including deputy mayor G Raj Kumar, floor leader Diddi Rambabu, Bowenpally corporator Narasimha Yadav and others are eyeing the post.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by TNN / March 07th, 2014

Express reporter bags award for TB reporting

March 12, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social IssuesZubeda Hamid, Zubeda Hamid Journalist, Zubeda Hamid Winner REACH-Lily Media Awardsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Chennai :

Express reporter Zubeda Hamid on Friday received the REACH-Lily Media Award for best TB reporting 2009-10 for an article on DOTS providers. The award carries a citation and a cash component of Rs 30,000.

The award was presented as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations of REACH (Resource Groupfor Education and Advocacy for Community Health), an NGO. REACH works on spreading awareness on TB control. In the last 10 years, the NGO has sensitized and roped in 5,000 patients, 5,000 doctors, 500 local pharmacists and 1 lakh students into its programmes.

Zubeda’s article, which appeared in The New Indian Express on March 28, 2009, World Tuberculosis Day, focussed on the contribution of community volunteers to the TB control programmes as the DOTS (Directly Observed Treatment, short course) providers are the real backbone of the programme but are hardly in the limelight.

The other best entry award went to Kounteya Sinha of The Times of India, New Delhi, for his article on the stigma faced by female TB patients. A special citation was given to Ramya Kannan of The Hindu, in recognition of her focussed efforts to highlight issues related to MDR-TB.

Recognising the efforts of journalism students, five media students from Mount Carmel College in Bangalore and one from the Asian College of Journalism were given cash prizes.

The jury comprised Dr LS Chauhan, deputy director general (TB), GOI, Dr PR Narayanan, former director, TB Research Centre, Dr Arjun Rajagopal, president, REACH, Dr Nevin Wilson, director, The Union, South East Asia and Dr Jaya Shreedhar, technical health advisor, Internews Network.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Chennai / by Express News Service / February 20th, 2010

UP govt appoints Rizwan Ahmed as new DGP

March 12, 2014Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersIslam Ahmed, Javed Usmani, Rizwan Ahmad, Rizwan Ahmad - DG of Uttar Pradesh, Rizwan Ahmad - Director General Police U.P., UP Chief Secretary Javed Usmanimpositiveone@gmail.com

Rizwan Ahmad takes charge as the new DGP of Uttar Pradesh, replacing Devraj Nagar (left) who retired on Wednesday. / PTI / The Hindu

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has appointed Rizwan Ahmed as the new Director General of Police. An 1978 batch IPS officer, Mr. Ahmed, who assumed office on Tuesday, will hold the top police post in the State for 59 days as he is due to retire on February 28, 2014.

Mr. Ahmed becomes only the second Muslim, after Islam Ahmed served as the IG Police in 1971 ( the State police chief then was known as IG Police), to have become the UP police chief. Significantly, the Chief Secretary of the State is also a Muslim (Javed Usmani ), which meant that for the first time in Uttar Pradesh the top two administrative and police officials are from the minority community.

Mr. Ahmed, who, prior to assuming the new charge, was the DG, Government Railway Police (GRP), was made to supersede four police officers of the 1977 batch — Vinod Kumar Singh, Arun KumarGupta, Brij Lal and Suvrat Tripathi. Mr. Ahmed’s name was being mentioned in the police circles as the next DGP after Devraj Nagar’s retirement on December 31, 2013. Since, the Chief Secretary was also a Muslim it was said that the Government may avoid making a Muslim the UP police chief.

Among the other contenders for the top office were the DG, Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) Ranjan Dwivedi, an IPS officer of the 1979 batch, another officer of the 1979 batch, A.L. Banerjee, presently the Director (Vigilance) and the DG (Police Housing Corporation) Arun Kumar Gupta.

That Mr. Ahmed will indeed be the next DGP was known at a tea party hosted by the outgoing police chief, Devraj Nagar on Tuesday. Mr. Nagar, was earlier in the day given the ceremonial send off. Present in the tea party were the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary (Home) Anil Kumar Gupta. The new DGP assumed charge at around 7 p.m. on Tuesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Other States / by Atiq Khan / Lucknow – January 01st, 2014

J&K woman IAS wants to serve state

March 12, 2014Community Involvement / Social Issues, Education, LeadersFirst Kashmiri Muslim Girl IAS, First Mjuslim Girl from Kashmir to clear IAS, Khalid Iqbal Bari, Ovessa Iqbal, Ovessa Iqbal - First Muslim Girl from Kashmir to clear IAS, Sameena Iqbal, Shah Faisal, Syed Abdul Bari, Syed Sibtul Ainmpositiveone@gmail.com

Ovessa Iqbal With her maternal uncle Syed Sibtul Ain at her residence in Srinagar. PHOTOGRAPH: JAVAID BHATT

Ovessa Iqbal, the first Muslim girl from Jammu and Kashmir to clear the Indian Administrative Services examination has come a long way from the sleepy village of Chachoot in Leh. 25-year-old Ovessa started her journey with the help and encouragement of her elder sister Sameena Iqbal, a history lecturer at Women’s College, Srinagar. Ovessa completed her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Chandigarh.

Sameena believes Ovessa’s determination helped her clear the IAS in her third attempt. Ovessa recently cleared the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) examination too. Brimming with confidence she says that the government should set up some mechanism in all the three regions of J&K for students to receive the required education to clear such examinations. Six students from the state have cleared the examinations this year.

Last year Shah Faisal of Kashmir topped the IAS resulted. Faisal has been allotted the J&K cadre.

Talking to this newspaper Ovessa said that her parents wanted her to pursue MBA, but “I wanted to try my luck for IAS.” Ovessa said that she did not join any coaching institute. But Ovessa is broken by the sudden death of her mother Khalida, who died in an accident in Hyderabad recently. “I would have really enjoyed my success with my mother,” she said. “I want to serve the needy and help the exploited lot in J&K which was what my mother dreamt I would do,” Ovessa added.

Ovessa Iqbal’s great grand parents had migrated from Kadikadal area of Srinagar to Leh, Ladakh. Her great grandfather was the first Mirwaiz of Leh. Her maternal side is also from the Kashmir valley as her late mother Khalida Iqbal Bari was the daughter of Syed Abdul Bari of Buchpora, Srinagar.

Ovessa Iqbal would love to be in Kashmir as she considers the valley to be her second home.

Ovessa is firm that she will serve the people of J&K especially women. “I would love to see the end of women’s exploitation. I pray to God to allow me to make some difference,” Ovessa said.

Ovessa lamented that despite having huge potential J&K students were not getting proper coaching and guidance required to appear for such competitive examinations.

The J&K government has not been able to provide proper coaching centres to the students competing for various examinations. For the last few years a small voluntary group known as the Initiative for Competition Promotion in JK (ICPJK) has trained some students for such exams. This voluntary organisation is run by IPS officer Abdul Gani Mir who is the DIG (central) in J&K.

source: http://www.sunday-guardian.com / The Sunday Guardian / Home> News / by Noor-Ul-Qamrain / May 15th, 2011

Karim Khan’s biography released

March 11, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Books (incl.Biographies - w.e.f.01 jan 2018 ), Community Involvement / Social Issues, Karnataka (under research project)Book-Kannadada Santa Karim Khan Jeevana Charitre, Karim Khan, Karim Khan Kannada Scholar, Karin Khan Kannada Folk Poet, Karnatakampositiveone@gmail.com

(From left) D. Boralingaiah, Vice-Chancellor, Kannada University, Hampi; A.J. Sadashiva, former judge, Karnataka High Court; and K.R. Sandhya Reddy, writer, releasing a book on Karim Khan in Bangalore on Monday. / Photo: K. Murali Kumar

‘Kannadada Santa Karim Khan Jeevana Charitre’ is written by the late D. Lingaiah

A biography on the late Kannada folk poet and scholar Karim Khan will provide an account of the entire 20th century, H.C. Boralingaiah, Vice-Chancellor, Kannada University, Hampi, has said.

He was speaking at the release of Karim Khan’s biography Kannadada SantaKarim Khan Jeevana Charitre at Kannada Sahitya Parishat on Monday.

Mr. Boralingaiah said the story of Karim Khan, a Gandhian, was also the story of the creative success of the Gandhian path before Independence.

“In an era of unbridled growth and development post-Independence, we have forgotten Gandhi and this book can be an excuse to introspect on the path we have taken,” he said.

Mr. Boralingaiah also recounted his interaction with Karim Khan when the two worked together at the Janapada Academy in the late 80s. “Despite the criticism he came under over his appointment to head the Academy at a ripe old age of 83, Karim Khan worked tirelessly for three years and did foundational work in the field of folk arts, along H. L. Nage Gowda, another scholar in the field,” Mr. Boralingaiah said.

A.J. Sadashiva, retired judge, Karnataka High Court, who inaugurated the function, said that in his limited interaction with him, Karim Khan came across as a polymath and a great humanitarian.

“He was a man who believed there was not much of a difference between man and God and if one strove hard, man could reach that holy state. His life was a journey in the direction,” he said.

The biography is written by the late D. Lingaiah. It is published by Godhooli publications.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore – March 11th, 2014

All-woman party offers 10% quota to men

March 10, 2014Community Involvement / Social Issues, LeadersAll-Women Political Party in India, Bharatiya Awam Party (Rashtriya), General Secretary, Najma Parveen, Najma Parveen President, Nazneen Ansari, Nazneen Ansari General Secretary, Presidentmpositiveone@gmail.com

Varanasi :

A group of enterprising women here has formed an all-woman political outfit – the Bharatiya Awam Party (Rashtriya). They want to “usher in change in the male-dominated political system”. Although the party will skip this year’s LS polls, it will field candidates in the next UP polls.

“We are working for women’s empowerment in all fields, including politics. Women make up half the country’s population, yet their representation on the national political spectrum is negligible,” Najma Parveen, president of the party that promises 10% quotas for men, says. So far over 35,000 women, mostly Muslims, have joined the party after it came into existence on January 23, 2013, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s birth anniversary. The poll panel registered it this January 9.

“Since most women are not members of a party, they are indifferent to political ideologies. Their voting choices are dominated by men in their families. We want to make them politically aware,” party general secretary Nazneen Ansari said.

Both young women at the helm of affairs have Master’s degrees in conflict management and development from Banaras Hindu University. “We are getting overwhelming response and have received over 50,000 receipts for primary membership,” Parveen said.

Unlike other political parties, the membership process of this party is rigorous. According to the office-bearers, membership is granted only after strict verification of the aspirant’s voter identity card. Each member is provided with a registration number. A data bank with details such as address, assembly constituency, parliamentary constituency and voter ID number of the member is prepared.

“We have received over 50,000 receipts of primary membership. But so far about 35,000 sisters have been granted membership after verification,” they said.

These numbers clearly suggest that the party is holding command over a significant number of committed voters who might become a subject of envy by other political parties. However, that is yet to be seen.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / by Binay Singh, TNN / March 08th, 2014

With sheer grit, Haseena moves on

March 10, 2014Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, World OpinionHaseena Hussain, Haseena Hussain of Bangalorempositiveone@gmail.com

Haseena Hussain./ File photo: K.Gopinathan / The Hindu

We want society to be humane to us: acid attack victim

Earlier this week, Laxmi, a victim of acid attack, was awarded the International Women of Courage Award by U.S.’s First Lady Michelle Obama for successfully leading the campaign against acid attacks on women in India.

The story of Haseena Hussain of Bangalore, who fought a long battle after an acid attack in 1999, is as inspiring as Laxmi’s.

Ms. Haseena was attacked with acid in 1999 by Joseph Rodriguez, her former employer, as she had not responded to the marriage proposal and had refused to stay back in his firm. Today, almost 15 years later, Ms. Haseena is the sole breadwinner of her family of four comprising her father, mother and grandmother.

Choosing not to be bogged down by 35 surgeriesand loss of vision in both eyes, besides constant “stares” and comments from relatives and acquaintances, she now works in a government office. When asked if she was offered the job by the government, an irked Ms. Haseena says: “I got this job on my own. I cleared several rounds of tests after undergoing computer training.”

Ms. Haseena hates re-living what she calls “sob story” and says that she hopes every acid attack victim is able to fight the odds and become independent. “As I was educated, I was able to secure a job. But acid victims, particularly in rural areas, may find it difficult to be independent. Most acid attack victims lose their vision. If the government provides jobs, they can remain independent.”

She adds categorically that she needs no sympathy. “We only want society to behumane to us.”

Besides the discrimination she faced in society, her family had a tough time mobilising resources for her surgeries and other medical aid. “My father had to sell our house and his entire bank balance was empty as we had to spend Rs. 15 lakh on my medical expenses.” Though the Supreme Court had directed all States to pay acid attack victims Rs. 3 lakh towards medical treatment and for after care rehabilitation, Ms. Haseena says it is inadequate.

It was nine years after the attack of Ms. Haseena that the accused was finally convicted, even as she struggled every minute of those years. “There is a need to have a fast track court for trying cases related to acid attack victims,” she says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Tanu Kulkarni / Bangalore – March 07th, 2014