Serials produced by Lucknow Doordarshan were considered to be the best. Our serials like ‘Neem Ka Ped’, ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’, ‘Bandhuji’, ‘Akkad Bakkad’ and ‘Hatimtai’ won national awards. ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’ was praised internationally as well.
It started with the beaming of Ustad Bismillah Khan’s shehnai recitation on November 27,1975. Doordarshan Lucknow begun operations at 22 Ashok Marg, with a temporary studio. Today, at 43, the television channel is going strong with programmes like ‘Namaste UP’, ‘Once more’ and ‘Krishi Darshan’ — all of which have good ratings.
“The building of Doordarshan studio at Ashok Marg is a witness to many historical programmes,” said senior programme executive and deputy director, Lucknow Doordarshan, AP Mishra.
“We can proudly say that serials produced by Lucknow Doordarshan were considered to be the best. Our serials like ‘Neem Ka Ped’, ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’, ‘Bandhuji’, ‘Akkad Bakkad’ and ‘Hatimtai’ won national awards. ‘Bibi Natiyon Wali’ was praised internationally as well,” he said.
Recalling the talent nurtured by the channel, Mishra said, “The old faces of Lucknow Doordarshan, such as Shobhna Jagdish (news reader) and Nirmala Kumari were very good singers. In fact, they were trained classical singers!”
“The popularity of veteran journalist and news reader Mohammed Noor Baksh and Naresh Srivastava was no less than that of cine stars of the eighties. Both of them are no more, but their legacy continues,” he added.
Former director Vilayat Jafri, who has worked with Lucknow Doordarshan and writtenthe serial ‘Neem Ka Ped’ for it, said, “I came from Delhi to Lucknow in 1986. In Delhi, I had made projects like ‘Bharat Ek Khoj’ (directed by Shyam Benegal) and ‘Tamas’ (by Govind Nihlani). In Lucknow, serials were not being made. I decided to do something for the city — something that could be remembered for long. I had written this story in 1956 (Neem Ka Ped), and decided to make a serial based on it.”
He said he contacted Dr Rahi Masoom Raza for working on the serial’s script and dialogues. “He (Raza) agreed. He wrote the dialogues without charging a single penny because the story was close to his heart — it was about a ‘zamindar’ (landowner) and his people . Dr Raza came from a family of zamindars of Ghazipur, so he was able to understand the subject better than others,” said Jafri.
However, Dr Raza died after writing 24 episodes of the serial. “After that, I decided to pen the dialogues for the next 34 episodes. Interestingly, no one noticed any difference in the writing style. People thought Dr Raza died after completing the serial,” he said.
Mishra said ‘Neem Ka Ped’ is a part of Doordarshan’s glorious past and is still one of the most watched serials ever. “All artists except two were from Lucknow. Doordarshan is still the best medium to promote local talent,” he said.
In the years gone by, Doordarshan went through its own journey of evolution. The channel, which started in black and white, became coloured on August 15, 1982, during the then Asian Games. The first coloured OB van, equipped with four coloured cameras, was introduced in 1987, during the Cricket World Cup (Reliance Cup).
“Today, despite stiff competition from private channels, ‘Namaste UP’ and ‘Once More’ by Lucknow Doordarshan are among top-rated programmes,” said Mishra, adding that DD had also succeeded in maintaining its unique identity, especially when it came to programmes that created awareness on culture, heritage, literature and knowledge.
“Programmes like ‘Vigyan Se Dhyan’ have recorded the highest number of hits on YouTube,” he said.
source: http://www.hindustantimes.com / Hindustan Times / Home> Lucknow / by Anupam Srivastava / Hindustan Times,Lucknow / November 28th, 2018
Dr Mubeena Ramza, head of Ansar-un-nissa’ a soio religious organisation (Photo: Auqib Javeed/ TwoCircles.net)
Dr Mubeena Ramzan of Kashmir created history earlier this month when she became the first Kashmiri woman to be enlisted among the 500 most influential personalities in the Muslim world. The list was released by The Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre, an independent research entity affiliated with the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought.
The list named Dr. Mubeena from North Kashmir’s Sopore as one among the world’s most influential persons. Dr Mubeena heads the women-only socio-religious organization ‘Ansar-un-Nissa’ and is the Rector of ‘Jamia Islamia Mahdul Muslimat’, which has its branches in Sopore (Baramulla), Baghat (Srinagar) and Sumbal (Bandipora) under the aegis of a registered public trust namely ‘Mahdul Muslimat Educational Trust’ in Kashmir. Dr Mubeena travels extensively across the valley for women’s rights and ensure that women suffering from domestic violence are provided “a vent”. In an exclusive interview with TwoCircles.net, Dr Mubeena talks about her activism, journey and her views regarding role of women in conflict-torn state.
Here are the experts
Could you please tell us a little about yourself?
I was born in Sopore of District Baramulla and had my initial schooling from Islamia High School, Sopore where we were taught Islamiyat, Arabic and Hindi, which broadened our thought process.
Students of the madarsa run by Dr. Mubeena (Photo: Auqib Javeed/ TwoCircles.net)
After pursuing Bachelor’s degree in Islamic Studies, Education, Political Science and Philosophy from Islamia College, Sopore. After that, I completed my B.Ed, Masters degree and Research from University of Kashmir (KU). During my Research in Kashmir University, I had specialised in Islamic Law, Jurisprudence (Fiqh) and Orientalism.
Besides all this, I had learned Islamic Sciences from Hazrat Mufti Muzaffar Hussain Qasimi Sahab, Head Mufti, Darul-ul-Uloom Sopore.
When did the idea of setting up your own institute for women come to your mind and why?
As a scholar, my research on Kashmiri Society and its social evils had made me realise that I must play an active part in mitigating the crisis. The very idea motivated me to quit lectureship in a B.Ed college in Kupwara and started Jamia Islamia Mahdul Muslimat under the aegis of Mahdul Muslimat Educational Trust in 2002, from a rented building in Sopore and took us eight years to purchase a land and built a proper girls-only seminary-cum-skill school there.
The objective was to inculcate education with Islamic integration and impart skills among women. We started another branch in Baghat area of Srinagar city and recently, opened another campus at Sumbal-Hajin area of Bandipora district.
What do you teach to your students?
Jamia Islamia Mahdul Muslimat is a seminary-style girls only institute where besides teaching of religious text we impart worldly education also. But main thrust is on religious scriptures like Quranic exegesis, science of Hadith, Jurisprudence and History.
We also teach languages viz, Arabic, English, Urdu and train them in the field of Computers, Cutting & Designing skills to help them become competent and self-reliant.
Tell us about this institute and your journey with it?
We empower our students through education and skills, which boosts their confidence to face different realities of life. I believe that training a girl on these parameters was not possible by mere religious sermons, debates, seminars, etc.
We had to upgrade our religious syllabus on modern lines to make our girl students relevant to the contemporary society. We believe in natural upbringing of students, especially girl. We understand it well that apart from education and shelter, orphans also need motherly love and care. While we try to provide that, we also counsel and guide them regarding their future. This is what our Institute Jamia Islamia Mahdul Muslimat provides.
In 2013, we called a meet of women from different walks of the life-around 100 of them-in Sopore where we decided to have some welfare initiatives among women. And as a result, in March 2014, we floated “Ansar-un-Nissa”, a women welfare body which provides a helping hand to the needy, would-be brides, widows, orphans, and also establishes vocational training centres.
What challenges do you face during your activism in a society that can be patriarchal?
When it comes to a woman who observes Hijab, challenges are tremendous. Women now-a-days is sandwiched between two extremes – Religious and Western. A man is called qawwam in Quran, which means head / protector / sustainers of the family but this status has been misused by some by enslaving women.
I was opposed by so-called Moulvis for starting girls only seminary style institute (Madrassa) as it was in their mind how come a female run a Madrassa. But Alhamdulillah, now their perception has changed as we are successfully running three branches now.
The need of the hour is to have a very balanced approach where woman and man both would take care of their roles and responsibilities. Men and Women are equal, but not similar.
Reportedly, you were associated with Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM) of Aasiya Andrabi and later on due to some differences you left from the organisation. What were the differences?
Yes, I was associated with the organisation till 2004. Later on the differences grew with the organization for it being more into political spectrum. I left the organization as I wanted to do activism on academic parameters and started academic activism among women folk.
Do you think there are need for more Muslim women scholars in Kashmir?
Obviously, yes. In the rest of the Muslim world, we have good number of women Islamic Scholars but in Kashmir we are lacking them. We need more and more women scholars in Kashmir in order to educate common women-folk.
You must be knowing that in Ottomans Empire, 40% of contribution to Bait-al-Mal (House of money) was by the women and the oldest degree-granting university in the world i.e., Al-Qarawiyyin University was founded by Fatima al-Fihri, a women.
Women have been the pioneers of the education from the beginning of the Muslim society which is evident from the fact that a great major of Ahadiths (sayings of the Prophet, saws) are quoted by none other than his wife, Hazart Ayesha Siddiqa (r.a).
You have conducted various religious gatherings in different parts of the valley.
What draws you to that endeavour?
There are many issues related to women where she needs to be educated in right perspective. People often gossip about four wives, but no one thinks about having four daughters. Even a mother’s face turn pale now-a-days on the birth of a girl child.
The experiences which I gained after travelling throughout the Valley and beyond it for conduct of various religious gatherings are quite astonishing and still prevalent in this century. Most of the daughters and sisters are being debarred from the property / inheritance while Islam and Islamic law have given them a Right to Inheritance. Remarriage, Widow Marriage is still considered something evil in this Kashmir.
Daughters, Sisters, Wives are being forced to work outside for earnings and height of the things are that now-a-days it is difficult for an unemployed girl to get a suitable match as most mothers prefer to have employed daughter-in-law.
The hadiths of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) about raising girls are beautiful and amazing. Girl children come with great rewards and blessings. If you offer care, love, support and education to your girl child, Paradise awaits you.
At a time when baby girls were deemed a source of shame, even buried alive, the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) came to rectify this grave wrong. The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said: If anyone has a female child, and does not bury her alive, or slight her, or prefer his male children to her, Allah will bring him into Paradise. (Ahmad). On one other occasion, The Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) said, “Whoever supports two girls till they attain maturity, he and I will come on the Day of Resurrection (close to each other) like this –The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) joined his fingers to illustrate closeness.” (Muslim)
These are just examples of how Islam cared for the girl children. The care mentioned in these hadiths and others is comprehensive. It covers the girls’ physical, emotional and mental needs. Such is the care and affection that our daughters deserve. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commands us to be loving, patient and supportive parents.
You were recently listed as one among the most influential 500 personalities in the Muslim world. Do you have any comments on your selection?
I came to know through my husband about it and I believe that real action and delight comes from helping your people grow. But yes, if your welfare activism is being recognised in any way, it does boost you.
Do you have any personal Muslim women heroes you would like to mention?
Not Hero, but inspiration. Maryam Jameela is one in this regard. She was brought up in a modern society but did not get getting influenced by it. On the contrary, she was able to influence and inspire people with her thought. Yvonne Ridley is other one.
Dr. Mubeena Ramza with her students at the convocation in Srinnagar (Photo: Auqib Javeed/ TwoCircles.net)
Do you have any messages for young Kashmiri Women?
As Muslims, they should believe that their rights, duties and status are justified. They don’t need any westerner or any ragtag activist to tell them their rights as a woman. Those who are rallying behind it are knowingly and unknowingly attempting to overlook the dignified status and rights given to women by their religion.
Islam invites you to a mission based on obedience to Allah and Islam addresses person’s spirit, emotions, belief, etc. West is dragging women from homes, only to fulfil economic and materialistic objectives. It’s intended to commercialize things but Islam gives dignity and status while addressing the soul.
There are some jobs in the field of Education and Health and other suitable fields, where women have a primary role. However, in choosing any job, your home should be your preference. Your family should not suffer at the cost of earning. People in Kashmir nowadays prefer earnings over other things which need to be discouraged.
Almighty Allah says in the Qur’an …..“For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women, for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and women who give in charity, for men and women who fast, for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah’s praise, for them has Allah prepared forgiveness and great reward” (Al-Ahzab 33:35)
source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Indian Muslim> Lead Story> Women / by Auqib Javeed, Twocircles.net / November 30th, 2018
Former Indian cricket captain and former MP from Moradabad, Mohd. Azharuddin has been appointed as the working president of Telanagana Pradesh Congress Committee.
He will be the fourth working president and appointed ahead of the Telangana Assembly elections. However, he is associated with the party’s ongoing electoral campaign.
Mr. Azharuddin, who is keen on contesting from Secunderabad Parliamentary constituency, said if the party wishes he won’t mind contesting from any other constituency in Telangana.
Speaking to media in Hyderabad after his appointment, Mr. Azaharuddin demanded an apology from Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao for “intimidating” a person who questioned him on the unfulfilled promise of 12% reservations to Muslims. He said Mr. Rao should have answered the question instead of intimidating the person who posed it.
Mr. Azharuddin said he was not here to “get something from politics but give back something to the society” after playing cricket for the country for a long time.
Mr. Azharuddin predicted that the People’s front of Congress, TTDP, CPU and Telamgana Jana Samithi will romp home easily and asked people to vote for the alliance.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by R. Ravikanth Reddy / Hyderabad – November 30th, 2018
Deepthi Sashidharan and Usha Bala Krishnan releasing a book on Nizam’s jewellery at Chowmohalla Palace on Thursday. | Photo Credit: G_RAMAKRISHNA
Treasures of the Deccan – Jewels of the Nizam released
Princess Esra lent a royal touch to the release of the Treasures of the Deccan – Jewels of the Nizam in Hyderabad’s Chowmahalla Palace on Thursday evening. “I can imagine Alexander Jacob walk into this very same Chowmahalla Palace holding in his hand the 184.5 carat diamond and climb the stairs to meet the Sixth Nizam Mahbub Ali Khan,” said Usha Bala Krishnan, who has co-authored the two-volume work with Deepthi Sashidharan.
The book documents the fabulous collection of the Nizam’s Jewellery, some of which is currently locked up in vaults of banks, while other pieces are in private collections.
The authors made a short presentation about how the book has evolved.
“Earlier, I worked on the Jewels of the Nizam which was more in the nature of a catalogue.
Launching this book in Hyderabad is special, as the jewellery has a special, almost metaphysical, connection to this place,” said Ms. Krishnan who is a well-known historian of jewellery and was commissioned by the Central Government before the jewels of Nizam were put on display in Hyderabad’s Salar Jung Museum in 2001.
“Matching some of the black-and-white photographs with the jewellery that the royalty was wearing at that time was an a-ha moment.
We discovered the jewels in private collection as well as what is known as Nizam’s Jewellery,” said Deepthi Sasidharan who trawled through a vast collection photographs to bring alive the story of Nizam’s jewellery.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 30th, 2018
The first and second runners-up received Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.
Winners of the grand finale of the Startup Yatra with Kerala Startup Mission CEO Saji Gopinath in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday | Express
Thiruvananthapuram :
Final year Mechanical Diploma Polytechnic student Arunima CR from Wayanad, who developed a solid waste cleaner that helps clean up water bodies sans manpower, bagged the Best Womenpreneur Award at the grand finale of the ‘Startup Yatra’ held at Technopark on Tuesday.
According to Arunima of Government Polytechnic College, Meenangadi, who won the award that carries a cash award of Rs 75,000, “Solid waste cleaner can also clean drains and remove solid waste from water sources, including streams, rivers and ponds. Significantly, it can avoid the workers’ direct contact with waste materials.”
The event marked the conclusion of the state-wide initiative by the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM) to nurture aspiring entrepreneurs in Kerala’s tier 2 and 3 cities and help them realise their startup dreams. An Android app developed by Rashida V P from Kasargod for farmers in agriculture sector emerged the first runner-up. Andrea Antony from Kottayam won the second runner-up for her idea Min_Rov (Mind Rover), a concept for functioning a brain-control wheelchair.
The first and second runners-up received Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000 respectively.
Around 80 innovative ideas were pitched in the finale by as many as 180 participants and 20 ideas notched-up honours. Heroes of the eight boot camps held in various districts were given a cash award of Rs 50,000 each.
The winners included :
Devi V S (Thiruvananthapuram), Jithin J (Kollam), Thomas Syriac (Kottayam), Sachu Sivaram S (Ernakulam), Varsha J (Thrissur), Mohammed Shaheer (Kozhikode), Aneesh (Wayanad) and Harris (Kasargod).
Other awards:
Best Technology Startup: Winner Amal C Saji (Ernakulam), First Runner-Up-Rahul KS (Ernakulam), and Second Runner-Up Annie Sam Varghese (Thiruvananthapuram); Best Social Startup: Winner – Risvan Ahammed K (Kasargod), First Runner-Up – Ushanandini (Ernakulam), and Second Runner-Up- Nowrin N (Thiruvananthapuram); Best Sustainability Startup: Winner- Kevin R (Kottayam), First Runner-Up – Amaljith S B (Thiruvananthapuram), and Second Runner-Up – Ragesh (Kottayam).
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Express News Services / November 28th, 2018
Wipro Limited Chairman Azim Premji receives the highest French civilian distinction, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour), from Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler, in Bengaluru on Thursday.
Azim Premji, philanthropist and Chairman of Wipro Limited, on Wednesday received the highest French civilian distinction, Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour) from Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler.
Speaking on the occasion at the Wipro campus, Ziegler said the award was bestowed on Azim Premji for his outstanding contribution to developing the information technology industry in India.
“Also, for his economic outreach in France, and his laudable contribution to society as a philanthropist through the Azim Premji Foundation and Azim Premji University,” he said.
TheLegion d’Honneur , instituted in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte, is the highest civilian award given by the French Republic for outstanding service to France, regardless of the nationality of the recipients.
The President of the French Republic is the Grand Master of the Order of the Legion of Honour.
In his acceptance speech, Premji said he is extremely honoured by the award bestowed on me. “The vibrancy of the French democracy and its diversity is an inspiration to all across the world,” he said.
Wipro’s association with France spans over 15 years and the company enjoys a close relationship with several French organizations. Nearly 65% of Wipro’s employees in France are locals.
France is a key market for Wipro and the company is committed to continues investments there. Large French digital companies already have a strong footprint in India, employing over 1.3 lakh people at their R&D centres and facilities.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business> Business News / by N.V. Vijayakumar / DH News Service, Bengaluru / November 28th, 2018
Former President of Mauritius Ameenah Gurib-Fakim tells Asmita Sarkar that there are no two ways forward than making women and minorities part of the progress
She holds many mantles — politician, the first woman President of Mauritius and a biodiversity scientist. Not only that, she is also a proponent of cultural diversity and creating entrepreneurial opportunities for women in Africa. Social media- savvy and with a clear voice, she pushes for saving the planet and its biodiversity.
What is the way forward in Asia and Africa to empower women and other minority sections?
No team can win a football match by leaving 52 per cent of the team on the bench. Women, minorities must all come together with their talents and change their way of doing things. Our diversity is our strength. When it comes to minorities, I am reminded of the words of a great statesman Pierre Trudeau. He stated and I quote, “A just society will be one in which the rights of minorities will be safe from the whims of intolerant majorities”. Countries that have valued immigrants, like the United States, are a classic example. Most of the big brands in the US have emerged from the contribution of immigrants.
As a scientist and politician, how did you envision your expertise in changing the world around you?
Countries need to be technically-driven and this is where scientists have a key role to play in shaping the destiny of their respective countries provided the leadership takes heed. Again those countries that have recognised this technical vision have emerged strong.
Countries need strong institutions and strong leadership to emerge and science and technology are powerful tools. For the first time in 2015, even institutions like the United Nations (UN) have recognised this in the crafting of the UN Sustainable Development Goal’s.
Can you tell us about your link to India?
I am a fourth generation Indian from the diaspora. My forebears came from Ghazipur area in Uttar Pradesh. They left in 1862 to come to Mauritius to work the land and never returned.
Going forward, do you think that conversations around biodiversity have become confined to conservation alone?
May be the conversation has been skewed towards conservation but it is an equally laudable exercise, and one that we cannot shy away from.
What personal struggles did you face while growing up which you wish girls in your country don’t have to anymore?
When I was growing up, I had a set of challenges like girls were forever being denied education. That is no longer the case in my country although I am aware that this still happens in many other countries.
Girls in science were a rarity but is now becoming more common. So hopefully with more role models, it will ease the way for many more to join the efforts for encouraging girls and women in both leadership and power.
What is the way forward for Asia to transition from emerging economies to developed ones without damaging the environment?
Asia is fast emerging but the leadership will have to acknowledge that development must rhyme with sustainability. It is in their interest for their survival, for the prosperity of its people and long term future of their countries.
(The leader will be at the 10th edition of TEDxGateway on December 2 at the DOME @ NSCI Mumbai)
source: http://www.dailypioneer.com / The Pioneer / Home> Vivacity / by Asmita Sarkar / November 27th, 2018
Former Director General Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM) Dr Mohammed Khalid Siddiqui has been selected for Life Time Achievement Award on the occasion of World Urdu Day. World Urdu day is celebrated every year on November 9 on the occasion of the birth anniversary of the poet of the east Dr Allama Iqbal by Urdu Development Organisation and United Muslim of India.
This year the function will be held at Ghalib Academy. The programme will be presided over by veteran journalist Jalaluddin Aslam.
National convener World Urdu Day Dr Syed Ahmed Khan told that those who have been selected for the award are Dr Azizullah Sheerani for Munshi Prem Chand Award for constructive literature, Moin Shadab Delhi for Hafeez Meerathi Award for poetry, Dr Razaur Rahman Aakif Sumbhuli for Maulana Ismail Meerathi award for children’s literature and Dr Imran Andaleeb for Qazi Adeel Abbasi award for literature.
source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> India> News / by Rasia Hashmi / September 24th, 2018
Alipura Village (near Gauribidanaur &, Bengaluru, KARNATAKA :
It was the most uplifting experience of their lives. Two young Muslim couples from Alipura village near Gauribidanur in Karnataka got married in a helicopter yesterday, thereby creating a first of sorts. “It was a combination of the two best experiences of my life: getting married and flying in the air,” said Zameen Abbas, one of the two bridegrooms, after he returned to the ground. The two teenage brides had to content themselves with just watching the whole show from terra firma.
Alipura is actually a small village with a large Muslim population. Most of its residents had never even seen a flying vehicle of any kind, even at election time when politicians like S Bangarappa zip around merrily in choppers. So the drama unfolding before their eyes brought out a record turnout from all the surrounding areas, and gave captain Jayanth Pooviah a few unpleasant moments as he tried to navigate around spectators.
The whole project was thought up by Abbas’s elder brother Kareem, a chilly wholesaler of Alipura. Kareem’s grandfather had had an elephant brought into Alipura for his wedding half a century ago, and had been known ever since as ‘Aane Sahibru’ (lord of the elephants.)
The story goes, in the village, that so many other young bridegrooms demanded the same pachyderm procession for their weddings that the original elephant, which Kareem’s grandfather had brought from Mysore, permanently made its home in Alipura!
Kareem himself had an elephant procession to mark his marriage some time ago. However, he decided that it was time his family created history again, and so he came up with this novel idea to mark the joint celebration of the marriages of his brother and sister. He approached Deccan Aviation, an aircraft charter firm in Bangalore that frequently advertises its availability for offbeat uses of this kind.
“When he first came to me some months ago, I thought that he was playing a practical joke on me,” says Vijay Athreye, general manager of Deccan Aviation. “Still, I told him to pick a Sunday as we are a little freer on that day and could offer him a better price. Sure enough, he came back a fortnight ago with a serious offer and the marriage date of December 13. Our rate per hour is over Rs 50,000. But when we realised that he genuinely could not afford that price, we cut our rates down by almost half.”
Kareem finally got himself a deal at Rs 30,000 for what took almost two hours. He was to report at the Jakkur helipad of Deccan Aviation before 1500 hours on Sunday, December 13, ready for take-off.
The aviation company promptly informed the local media, and even asked Kareem to accommodate a couple of television reporters on the helicopter, which was to fly almost empty to Alipura. An excited Kareem, turned out neatly in a shiny, new suit, clutching a plastic bag full of jasmines in his sweating hands, agreed readily.
A representative of the aviation company went to Alipura a few days earlier, marked out space for a helipad and had the area cleared by enthusiastic villagers. The local police were also informed, and asked to cordon off the helipad. As the chopper descended, Kareem scattered jasmines over the heads of the waiting marriage party and spectators. The helicopter came down with aplomb and was examined carefully by waiting villagers for a half hour as its engine had to cool off before the next flight. Rest time over, the maulvis, the two bridegrooms the fathers of the brides all crowded into the aircraft and took off into the air.
Pooviah circled the village carefully, in full view of the assembly, as the maulvis recited their prayers and conducted the wedding ceremony. “I could not really see what they were doing as I was too busy flying carefully,” he said later, talking to Rediff On The NeT. “I have flown a birthday party in the air some months ago, but this ceremony was so fascinating that it really took the cake!”
Wedding over, he circled the village a little more to allow the bridal party to enjoy the scenery and then brought them back to earth.
A grand wedding spread of biryani and sweets followed. “I have never seen anything like this,” remarked Abdul J, an elderly bystander. “How much did it all cost? Kareem told us that it was almost Rs 100,000.” Added another spectator: “Some more of us might like to repeat this exercise for weddings in our family, you see…”
A stony-faced Pooviah, who had already been sworn to secrecy by Kareem, made some non-committal noises. The women in purdah,who were clustered in a group nearby, took in the unfolding drama from a discreet distance, and the two brides refused to face the television cameras without their veils. The stuttering bridegrooms gasped out a few excited reactions. And then it was time to leave, at least for the two newly married couples and the helicopter.
The ecstatic couples boarded the craft along with aviation company Managing Director C R Gopinath and Pooviah. As they took the half hour trip back to Bangalore, Gopinath urged the veiled brides to look out of the chopper and see the passing scenery, a suggestion that they accepted with alacrity. It was over all too soon for them.
Pooviah gave them a further small aerial tour of the parts of the city close to Jakkur and then returned to his helipad. The young couples alighted quickly and were whisked into a waiting car, which took them off to spend their wedding night in a five-star hotel. However, when this Rediff On The NeT tried to contact them at the hotel later in the evening for a more leisurely chat, the hotel staff said that no such couples were registered with them!
Gopinath and Pooviah sat back in their comfortable office, sipping cups of hot sweet tea to make up for the wedding repast that they had had to forego, and talking to returning journalists, most of whom took local buses back to Bangalore.
The words of the modest, simply dressed Kareem, spoken a few hours earlier, still hung in the air. “Why should only the affluent jetsetters have experiences like this?” he had asked. “Ordinary people like us should also prove that it is possible for us to make our dreams come true.”
source: http://www.rediff.com / rediff.com / Home> News> Report / by M D Ritti – Bangalore / December 14th, 1998
Guma, North 24 Parganas, WEST BENGAL / Mumbai, MAHARASHTRA :
His popular songs include My Name is Lakhan, Mere Do Anmol Ratan and Aap Ke Aa Jane Se.
Mohammed Aziz/Facebook
Playback singer Mohammed Aziz died in Mumbai on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was 64.
The singer’s daughter Sana Aziz said he had collapsed at the Mumbai airport while returning from Kolkata where he had performed at a show, reported The Indian Express. He died at Mumbai’s Nanavati Hospital.
Aziz made his singing debut in Bengali film Jyoti. He got a big break when Anu Malik offered him the chance to sing a song for Mard (1985)starring Amitabh Bachchan.
Aziz had been a part of the music industry for over three decades and worked as a playback singer in Bollywood, Odia and Bengali movies. His popular songs include My Name is Lakhan, Mere Do Anmol Ratan, Aap Ke Aa Jane Se, Main Teri Mohabbat Main and Dil Le Gayi Teri Bindiya.
Aziz frequently worked with music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal, RD Burman, and Anu Malik.
source: http://www.scroll.in / Scroll.in / Home> The Latest> Passing On / by Scroll Staff / November 27th, 2018
