Category Archives: Leaders

‘Lawyers need continuous study of latest rulings’

February 22, 2015Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

Kanpur :

Justice Mukhtar Ahmad of Allahabad High Court has asked young lawyers to study more in the interest of litigants. He was addressing a function organized by Kanpur Bar Association on Saturday.

Justice Ahmad, who was district judge of Kanpur, before his elevation, said that latest rulings and study of law would make new lawyers perfect legal practitioner. A deep study would clear the concept of law and help them to explain and interpret the law perfectly.

Justice Ahmad stated them to perform work honestly and bear the responsibility. “No work is small. Take all types of legal work and dispose of cases honestly. Law needs continuous study and citation of latest rulings,” he said. Recalling his tenure as district judge here, Justice Mukhtar said that lawyers had co-operated with him. Earlier, members of Kanpur Bar Association welcomed him by presenting bouquet and a memento.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / February 22nd, 2015

Offie who bowled over city of nizams

February 22, 2015Leaders, Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Not all players who have played cricket in the country can claim to have experienced the diverse ethos of two prominent centres of the game in the south -Madras and Hyderabad. V Ramnarayan belongs to this rare breed. Brought up in Madras, Ramnarayan’s professional commitments took him to Hyderabad. He went on to represent Hyderabad in the Ranji Trophy.

Hailing from a family with its share of cricketers, it didn’t take long for Ramnarayan to be smitten by the g ame. He grew up admiring of fspinner Jim Laker and R a m n a r ay a n too chose to take up the craft the illus trious Englishman excelled in. “By the time I was 16, I found a liking for it (offspin) and continued to pursue it,” says the 67-year-old.He recalls an incident where Venkatraman, physical director of Vivekananda College, overlooked him for the college team. “Later, when I did well against Vivekananda College while representing Presidency College, Venkatraman apologized for his error. It was a moment I will cherish.”

After honing his skills on the Madras league cricket circuit, Ramnarayan’s professional career took him to Andhra Pradesh where he joined SBI (State Bank of India) as a probationary officer in December 1970. He began playing cricket at the league level in Hyderabad and it didn’t take long for him to make a mark there. The prestigious Ranji Trophy soon beckoned, and Ramnarayan made his debut in 1975 against Kerala at Trivandrum.

“Playing zonal games in Hyderabad and that too alongside the likes of Abbas Ali Baig , Abid Ali , M A K Pataudi and M L Jaisimha prepared me to play at the Ranji level,” says Ramnarayan, whose figures in his debut match were an impressive 6-33.

Among the numerous incidents of his career, the legendary offie recounts the one featuring Tiger Pataudi with relish. “A day before Hyderabad’s Ranji game against Madras at Chepauk in 1975, one of the fans asked some uncomfortable questions to Tiger at our team hotel (Admiralty Hotel at Mandaveli). Tiger soon told skipper Jaisimha that he would open,” says Ramnarayan, who played 25 first class games for Hyderabad.

“The next morning,” he says, “Jaisimha had to persuade Tiger to bat at No 3.”

What followed was a vintage knock with Tiger notching up his highest Ranji score of 198. That also turned out to be his last innings at the MA Chirambaram stadium in Chepauk, remembers Ramnarayan.

“What was special about Tiger was his ability to take on challenges and come up trumps,” adds Ramnarayan.He may not have gone on to play at the highest level for the country, but Ramnarayan’s skills were considered good enough for him to make it to the list of probables for the national team’s tour of Australia in 1977-78.”I count on my blessings. To have played the game with some of the illustrious names in the Indian cricket is something that will alw ay s s t ay with me,” says the man, whose book Third Man: Recollections from a life in cricket was released recently.

After calling time on his career, Ramnarayan made a smooth transition into a career in writing. He went on to become an author of repute, and now edits Sruti, a well-known monthly magazine on the performing arts. But Ramnarayan has not cut himself from his beloved sport. He continues to be involved in the game by writing on it for various publications.

(A weekly column on famous sportspersons whose first playing field was Chennai and its neighbourhood)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Prasad S, TNN / February 14th, 2015

Ready for a Blast from the Past? Royal Collectible Goes Under the Hammer Today

February 21, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bengaluru :

A letter penned by Sri Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV of the Mysore royal family, bearing the royal coat of arms in gold glitter, will be the cynosure of all eyes in the city on Saturday as it goes on auction.

The auction is being organised by Marudhar Arts, a licensed auctioneer, as part of the ongoing National Numismatic Exhibition. The “extremely rare” collectible is pegged at a base price of `25,000. It was sent by the ‘Philosopher King’ to Maharaja Sir Bhanwar Pal Deo Bahadur of Karauli (Rajasthan) on October 14, 1917.

The letter is a response to King Bahadur’s letter, which had lauded Wadiyar for conducting the Dasara festival in an excellent manner. Wadiyar’s letter runs thus: “My dear Maharaja Saheb, I thank Your Highness most sincerely for your congratulations to me on my Dasara festival and I hope, as you do, that it may prove an augury of the complete victory of the British Arms. With all good wishes for the health of Your Highness and your family. Your Highness’s sincere friend, Krishnaraja Wadiyar.”

Wadiyar ruled the princely state of Mysore from 1894 till his death in 1940. His rule was billed as `Rama Rajya’ by Mahatma Gandhi and the state was described as the ‘Model State’ by the British.

When asked about the price the letter is expected to sell at, Archie Manu, co-director at Marudhar Arts, did not give an exact figure but expressed optimism that it would fetch a high amount. He explained that the base price was fixed at `25,000 because it was the sum paid to the collector (name withheld) who had sold Marudhar Arts the letter. His father and co-director Rajendra Manu was more forthcoming. “We already have internet bidders showing interest (to pay) up to `40,000. I am confident of it (highest bid) crossing `1 lakh.”

The auction will be held between 5 pm and 8 pm on Saturday at The Bell Hotel and Convention Centre. The letter is likely to come up for bidding around 7.30 pm, Manu added. Three photos signed by Wadiyar too will be auctioned.

A novel aspect of this auction is the real-time audio and video bidding that will happen simultaneously on the website www.maruuction.com. “This is the first time in Asia this has been done in a numismatic auction,” Manu claimed.

Coin Fetches `6.25L

One gold and one silver coin (sold as one lot) belonging to the reign of Mubarak Shah, fetched the highest price of `6.25 lakh at the expo on Friday. It was among the 348 coins auctioned. It was bought by a North Indian bidder, said Manu. The same dye has been used on both coins and this is something very unique as usually, different dyes are used, Manu told Express. The base price quoted was `6 lakh.

The coins have a quotation from the Quran on the reverse. Another lot, of one gold and one silver coin from the Sultanate era, fetched `4.25 lakh.

“This pair is exceedingly rare and was being offered on auction for the first time ever,” said Archie Manu. The day’s auctioning was described as “good and satisfactory”.

On day two (Saturday), 579 coins will be up for bidding in two auctions.

three-day National Numismatic Exhibition Opens

The interest shown by the country’s youth in numismatics (study or collection of currency) is heartening, said Jan Lingen, regional secretary (Europe) of the Oriental Numismatic Society of London, on Friday.

Delivering the inaugural address at the three-day National Numismatic Exhibition at The Bell Hotel and Convention Centre, Lingen said every coin tells a story of its own. Lingen, who was born in the Netherlands, is known across the globe for his passion for Indian coins, and has written extensively on the subject.

Rezwan Razack, chairman of the Indian chapter of the International Bank Note Society, said the expo offers a platform for coin dealers and collectors from across the country. Overall, 76 numismatic dealers are taking part in the expo. Among the unique pieces on display are two lithographs on the city’s past, including the 1794 piece ‘The East View of Bangalore with Cypress Garden’.

Coins from the Mughal, the Hindu Medieval and the Sultanate eras, old tokens, medals and paper money are on display. The expo is open from 10 am to 6 pm and entry is free.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by S. Lalitha / February 21st, 2015

Indian-American Rashad Hussain appointed as the Special Envoy and Coordinator for Strategic Counter-terrorism Communications

February 21, 2015Amazing Feats, Leaders, NRI's / PIO's, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Indian-American Rashad Hussain has been appointed as the Special Envoy and Coordinator for Strategic Counter-terrorism Communications.

According to the state department of US, the appointment will expand the global engagement and partnerships of the US in order to counter violent extremism.

Hussain is currently the US special envoy to Organization for Islamic Countries (OIC).

The 37-year-old will also serve as the Coordinator of the Centre for Strategic Counter-terrorism Communications to coordinate, orient and inform the government wide strategic communications which are focused on violent extremists and terrorist organizations.

ABOUT RASHAD HUSSAIN:

Hussain has completed his bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He holds a Masters degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Harvard University
He has received Juris Doctoral from Yale Law School and has served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal
He has worked as a legislative assistant for the House Judiciary Committee and reviewed the USA Patriot Act
In January 2009, Hussain was appointed as the Deputy Associate Counsel to US President Barack Obama, whose role was to focus on national security, new media and science and technology issues
Before he joined the White House, Rashad Hussain, a Hafiz of holy Quran, was a member of legal staff for the Presidential Transition Team.
Earlier, he has also served as Trial Attorney at the US Department of Justice
In January 2013, he received the Distinguished Honor Award for outstanding service to the agencies of the US Government which has marked national or international significance

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> Current Affairs> News Digest> Story / New Delhi – February 19th, 2015

Municipal Corporation to light up memorial of 257 freedom fighters

February 18, 2015Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World Opinionmpositiveone@gmail.com

Bareilly :

The Bareilly Municipal Corporation is all set to light up the memorial of 257 freedom fighters who laid down their lives during the country’s first war of independence in 1857.

The tower built in their memory is situated in the compound housing the office of divisional commissioner.

Though the memorial was built in 2006, there are no lights at the venue, plunging the place into darkness after evening hours.

The municipal authorities will install high mast lights around the memorial so that the venue is well lit and easily visible to commuters on the road running in front of the park during late evening hours.

After divisional commissioner Pradyuman Yadav took over as Bareilly commissioner, he asked municipal authorities to light up the park where the memorial is situated

“It was disappointing to learn that the tower built in the memory of 257 freedom fighters is lying in darkness. A majority of the locals are unaware about the importance and historical significance of this place,” said Sheeldhar Yadav, municipal commissioner.

Teams of municipal corporation visited the park where the memorial tower is situated on Sunday to survey the area. “We will install white or cream-colour high mast lights around the memorial so that it is able to grab the attraction of commuters moving on the opposite side of roads,” said the commissioner, adding that the work will be completed in the next 10 days.

Explaining the significance of this memorial, Yadav said these 257 freedom fighters were hanged to death on the branches of the banyan tree situated next to tower. During the first revolt of Independence against the British, Bareilly was the headquarter of Rohilkhand region, which included districts of Bareilly, Moradabad, Badaun, Pilibhit, Bijnor, Rampur and Shahjahanpur. On May 31, 1857, the freedom fighters killed British officials, including the principal of Bareilly College, during the revolt.

After their victory, the freedom fighters had made Khan Bahadur Khan, who was the grandson of Hafiz Rehmat Khan, the ruler of Rohilkhand region. Khan formed his own government and ruled the region till May 5, 1858. However, on the morning of May 5, the army of British forces gheraoed the city from all four corners. The British forces defeated the freedom fighters the next day by bombarding the city.

“Khan, along with his trustworthy 257 sepoys, fled to Nepal but British forces, with the help of Nepalese, captured them,” said Abhay Singh, associate professor, department of ancient history and culture at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (MJP) Rohilkhand University.

On March 25, 1860, Khan was sentenced in the district jail of Bareilly, but 257 freedom fighters, who fought with him, were hanged to death with rope on the branches of the banyan tree in the presence of locals. The state government had constructed the tower next to the banyan tree in 2006 in memory of these freedom fighters.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bareilly / by Priyangi Agarwal, TNN / February 16th, 2015

CORRIDORS OF POWER – People queue up to see Abdul Kalam

February 18, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Science & Technologympositiveone@gmail.com

When he visited his friend in Madurai, people waited patiently to cheer him and lined up on the road when he left

Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is known for visiting Madurai with a packed schedule as he goes about attending functions at schools, colleges and hospitals in and around the district. And his two-day visit to the Temple city on Friday and Saturday was no exception. Yet, the octogenarian found time to pay a visit to his former ISRO colleague D. Narayanamoorthy’s modest house at Vishwanathapuram fourth street in the city and spent almost an hour enquiring about the health of the former’s 94-year-old father N. Devarajan, who had been suffering from age-related ailments. Though the police had cordoned off the entire locality and prevented vehicular movement, a large number of people gathered outside the house to take a glimpse of the former President. Mr. Kalam entered the house at around 9.20 p.m. and emerged out only at 10.15 p.m. but the crowd waited patiently to cheer him with loud roars, whistles and claps. Then the people lined up on both sides of the road as his convoy passed through with Mr. Kalam waving to the crowd enthusiastically from the brightly lit backseat of an Ambassador car. Mr. Devarajan’s other son D. Sachidanandam said that Mr. Kalam had a great regard and admiration for his father, a retired BSNL engineer. “This is his second visit to our house. Though we did not inform anybody about the visit, people gathered up on seeing the presence of huge posse of policemen and the mobile metal detectors that were placed in our house.”

Media persons who had assembled for a press briefing by the Collector and District Election Officer in Tiruchi last week were surprised when V.Manoharan, who was shifted as the Returning Officer and Revenue Divisional Officer of Srirangam ahead of the by-election, walked in for a brief and informal interaction. The previous evening, the Election Commission had appointed T.G.Vinay, an IAS officer, in his place. With a disarming smile and folded hands, Mr.Manoharan told the reporters that he just wanted to thank all the reporters for their cooperation and coverage of the by-election related news. “I am moving out now, but wish to thank you all. I have no complaints,” he said, without any hint of rancour.

Sticklers for rules in the University of Madras may regret the resignation of the Head of the Department of Management Studies, a member of the university Syndicate a fortnight ago.

The professor, who turned 60 some months ago, was to retire in June as is the University norm. One of the few Syndicate members who ensured that laws and rules governing the university were followed in letter and spirit, he was respected for his knowledge of the statutes.

In the past several years he along with another senior professor questioned the University’s decisions to appoint heads of departments. With another Syndicate election coming up in a few weeks the University circles wonder if the associations will nominate persons who will take forward his legacy of checking violations.

( Mohammed Imranullah S, S. Ganesan, Syed Muthahar Saqaf )

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Tamil Nadu / February 16th, 2015

Pathan brothers steal the show

February 18, 2015Leaders, Sportsmpositiveone@gmail.com

Cricketer Irfan Pathan engaging with fans during the Ranji Trophy match in Mysuru on Saturday.— Photo: M.A. Sriram

It may have been Karnataka’s home match, but it was two opposition players who stole the show at the Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar Ground here.

During the four-day Ranji Trophy cricket fixture between Karnataka and Baroda, the Pathan brothers — Irfan and Yusuf — proved to be a huge hit.

The crowd could not get enough of the international cricketers, and their vocal support was appreciated by the duo, who took numerous selfies with the fans.

Irfan even engaged in some casual banter with spectators while fielding at mid-on.

“You guys will not win,” yelled one fan, on Saturday, the final day of the drawn encounter. Irfan shrugged, as if to say that the result was not a foregone conclusion yet. “Don’t worry, Karnataka will not win either,” came another quip from the stands, and this time, Irfan responded with a chuckle and a thumbs-up sign.

“I love playing at Mysuru. I have been here before. The fans here are unbelievable, and both Yusuf and I have a terrific time every time we come here. We feel that it is our duty to at least say hi to the hundreds of people who call out our names,” Irfan said, after the match on Saturday.

He added that the groundsmen had done a tremendous job in keeping the outfield lush, green and smooth.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Ashwin Achal / Mysuru – January 25th, 2015

More between the covers

February 17, 2015Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leadersmpositiveone@gmail.com

M.A. Sikandar / Special Arrangement / The Hindu

National Book Trust Director M.A. Sikandar on his concerns for the book fair

The New Delhi World Book Fair, to be held at Pragati Maidan from February 14 to 22, will be all about inclusiveness as for the first time lesser known literary figures from the North East of the country will be acknowledged for giving a glimpse into the cultural heritage and rich diversity of the states known as the Seven Sisters. Their books will be displayed in a special theme pavilion of the exhibition ground.

National Book Trust Director M.A. Sikandar has gone out of his way to accommodate the genuine concerns of North Easterners. As a result, the book fair’s theme programme titled “Suryodaya: Emerging Voices from Northeast India” will see books by Sanjay Hazarika, also participating in a panel discussion, and by literary figures like Sanjeeb Kakoty, Mitra Phuken and Arup Kumar Dutta at Hall No. 7.

“When I took over the reigns of NBT in 2012, we selected cinema as the theme. It was followed by tribal literature, children’s literature and now literature from the North East. There are prolific writers who have produced work in different languages. The time has come to acknowledge these writings and showcase them to an international audience. Former militant Hemanta Jamatia, now a folk singer, will be in conversation with Utpal Borpujari,” says Sikandar.

Sikandar informs us that NBT has opened two centres in Guwahati and Agartala to promote the book reading habit in the remotest regions of Assam and Tripura respectively. “Whenever book fairs are held in these States, schools shut down and children accompanied by their teachers come from far and wide. In the years to come, the North East, with a sizeable urban, educated population, would become the most literate State. There is a direct link between literature and education. Tripura has become the number one literary State.”

The NBT director feels that the decision to highlight the literature from these states would eventually help in integrating the entire North East with the rest of the country as people would be acclimatised with the rich culture, traditions and history of the region.

As for choosing South Korea as the focus country, he says, “This move would open business opportunities for Indian publishers. Or else, like other years, European publishers would have struck deals with their Korean counterparts. Now Korean publishers do not have to go to the London Book Fair and the Frankfurt Book Fair. Consequently, publishers and authors would get royalties and Korean publishers would sign translation rights.”

About 200 books, contemporary literature, comics and children’s books, authored by well known as well as new Korean authors will be available.

The WBF does not provide facilities like snack bars or cafés inside the auditoriums. Even the infrastructure at Pragati Maidan, which is fit for hosting melas rather than exhibitions, dies not match world-class book fairs held in cities like London, Frankfurt and Seoul.

“We do not know. The ITPO (Indian Trade Promotion Organisation) is planning this event and is our co-organiser. Not even a big auditorium, where the opening ceremony can be held with all invitees in attendance, exists at the moment at Pragati Maidan. Last year, the audience was sitting under the open sky and it started pouring. Due to lack of infrastructure, business generation is not on the expected lines. We are not able to attract leading foreign authors to the fair and even lose out on translations of famous English books into Indian languages.”

Sikandar says modernisation of infrastructure needs to be carried out in right earnest at Pragati Maidan. “We cannot have such a venue in Greater Noida or in the NCR.”

This time round, NBT has appointed a committee to catch hold of exhibitors, including foreign participants, who are selling the remaindered books.

As China will be the guest of honour nation next year, a five-member Chinese delegation will be discussing the next edition, to be held in January 2016, says the director.

“Since last year, I was keen to change the month, because November is the time of examination fever for school students. To strengthen our age-old storytelling traditions, puppeteers from Iran have been invited. When Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India last September, I had the good fortune of signing an MoU with the Chinese Minister to have China as guest of honour country at World Book Fair-2016.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Madhur Tankha / February 13th, 2015