Tag Archives: Muslims of Bhopal

Affan Khan helped 200 Imams run businesses

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal , MADHYA PRADESH:

Mohammad Affan Khan (Facebook)

New Delhi :

Mohammad Affan Khan of Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has helped over 200 Imams, who are in charge of mosques and not paid well, to start their small businesses to supplement their incomes and live with dignity.

Speaking with Awaz-the Voice Mohammad Affan said to begin with he contacted the Imams of Bhopal and nearby areas to understand their conditions. His friends also came forward to join this mission.

They contacted the Imams of different mosques to gather information about their financial status and to their shock found out that most of them lived in poverty and some young people were even contemplating contemplating leaving their job that otherwise is socially prestigious.

“We heard them and realized why many young Imams were leaving their jobs. After that, we complied the statistics.”

He discussed it with his group of friends and everyone agreed that the Imams should run shops in neighbourhoods so that they can make money by selling stuff.

“We started by giving Rs.10,000 to each Imam. In the first instance, five Imams were assisted to start general stores in their localities. “We asked the Imams to experiment by starting their business and leave everything to Allah.”

Affan Khan sent a message of his intent to his relatives and friends and requested them to help with Zakat as the financially weak imams were eligible to receive it.

“I wrote to them that if everyone helps the mission could be extended and the lives of many could change. This will also solve the problem of imparting religious education to the children, who feared their Imam would run away leaving them in the lurch.

“As we traveled further down the road, we realized that not every Imam can run a grocery store as many areas have already such stores. This is the reason that other Imams were taught skills for starting a source of livelihood.”

Some of the Imams were helped to open tailoring shops, some opened four mills. Some of them started selling clothes, while some started making metal pots.

Affan Khan said he and his team didn’t expect this mission to be so successful.

In a year, the group has helped some 200 Imam start and run their businesses.

Later the Association of Muslim Professionals joined in this mission enabling Affan and his friends to help more Imams. The AMP joined in the campaign in a big way as it counseled the Imams to upscale their businesses.

It is worth noting that these stores gradually increased the volumes of their business as locals wanted to buy from their Imam and asked them to stock everything.

This made them do brisk business and today they have helped Imams in opening 222 shops.

source: http://www.awazthevoice.in / Awaz, The Voice / Home> Stories / April 13th, 2024

Boeing announces winners of 8th national aeromodelling competition

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Education, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Science & Technology, Transport, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH:

Winners of the 2023 Boeing National Aeromodelling Competition. 39 finalists from 12 teams were selected for the finale, which was held at R.V. College of Engineering in Bengaluru.

Bengaluru:

This year’s competition attracted close to 2,200 students across India.

Boeing announced the winners of the 8th annual Boeing National Aeromodelling Competition in India, on May 3.

This year’s competition attracted close to 2,200 students across India, and saw a two-fold increase in participation across zonal and national rounds. 39 finalists from 12 teams were selected for the finale, held at R.V. College of Engineering in Bengaluru.

Arshad Khan (right) from Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal won the 2023 Boeing National Aeromodelling Competition. The finale was held in Bengaluru

Arshad Khan from Rabindranath Tagore University, Bhopal was declared winner of the competition.

Sharanya Acharya Nishmithe, Aman Kumar Srivastav and Gagan G. Nayak from Nitte Mahalinga Adyanthaya Memorial Institute of Technology (NMAMIT), Nitte, Karnataka bagged the second spot

Divyamshu, Rathan Raj K. Nancy and Anantha Krishna, also from NMAMIT-Nitte, took the third spot.

The zonal rounds of the competition were held at IIT Kanpur, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Madras. The top three teams from each zone then travelled to Bengaluru for the finale.

The competition started as an annual event in 2013 to provide a nationwide platform for students who have a keen interest in aerospace engineering and related fields. The competition allows them to demonstrate their skills and creativity in designing, building, and flying fixed-wing aircraft models of different types and sizes.

Salil Gupte, president, Boeing India, said, “This national aeromodelling competition provides an excellent platform for young aviation and technology enthusiasts to present their creativity, and engineering and design skills. It is a testament to our commitment to encourage engineering talent to pursue careers in aerospace and defence in India.”

Ahmed Elsherbini, managing director, Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center, and chief engineer, Boeing India, said, “Aeromodelling competition plays a crucial role in the aerospace sector. It brings fresh perspectives, new ideas, and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking. With the aerospace industry constantly evolving, student innovation can be a driving force in the development of new technologies and sustainable solutions.”

Over the years, Boeing has strategically invested in developing talent for the aerospace sector in India.

Its programs, including Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD) Program, the Boeing HorizonX India Innovation Challenge, and the Accelerated Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) Apprenticeship program, have all helped empower entrepreneurs and contributed to building a skilled frontline workforce for India.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by The Hindu Bureau / May 03rd, 2023

After halt of 2 years, country’s largest Islamic congregation commences in Bhopal

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Events, Exhibitions, Conferences (wef. Nov 18th, 2021), Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

Picture of the Alami Tablighi Ijmeta held in 2019. | Picture: Tablighi News 365

Held for the first time in 1948, the Bhopal Ijtema is known for its massive participation of people and for promotion of peace and inclusivity.

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) :

The Alami Tabhligi Ijtema, an annual Islamic congregation held every year in Madhya Pradesh commenced today in the outskirts of the capital Bhopal. The four-day religious event is the third-largest Islamic congregation globally. The first such congregation was held 73 years ago. The event is taking place after two years of halt caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The congregation is not only popular for being the largest religious gathering in India but is also well known for the promotion of peace and inclusivity. 

For the first time, international participants will not be in attendance at the congregation. 

According to a report in Dainik Bhaskar, the congregation will be held on 300 acres of land. “20,000 volunteers will handle management. More than 17,000 taps are installed for ablution only. 7 crore litres of water will be consumed every day for drinking, ablution, and cleansing. Non-veg food is banned due to Lumpi Virus. There will be 45 parking slots and 7000 dustbins. 5000 volunteers will take care of the cleaning. 5 fire brigades and 6 fire bullets will be present there. 2000 policemen will manage security and 500 will handle the traffic management. There will be 3 hospitals of 10 beds each as well,” the report said. 

History of the congregation
Shams Ur Rehman Alavi, a prominent journalist and former editor with Hindustan Times told TwoCircles.net that even though this grand congregation of Muslims is a purely religious event but in Bhopal, it means much more. “It has a unique relationship with the city and its inhabitants irrespective of their beliefs. Come winter and there is a buzz about the dates of Ijtima. Though such gatherings are now held in different cities across the country, the Ijtima here has an altogether different ‘connect’ with the people,” he said. 

Shams Ur Rehman Alavi said that after the independence of the country, the first congregation was held in Bhopal in 1948 at Masjid Shakoor Khan. 

It is said that the first congregation was a small gathering. Later, it was shifted to Taajul Masajid and became a big event. In 2002, it was shifted to outside the city in Eintkhedi as the gathering had become too big by then with a participation of 5 lakh people. Today, nearly 1.5 people congregate at the event. “People still get nostalgic when it was held in Tajul Masajid for over half a century. In those days, the temporary market that came to be associated with the gathering gave the congregation another meaning for Bhopalites,” Shams Ur Rehman Alavi said. 

Preparations run for months
The preparations for the congregation began several months ago. Many youths from the nearby areas volunteer to help with the preparations. “This is farmland. It is very difficult to clean it and make it suitable for the congregation. We made drainage to discharge water from the farms with the help of a generator to dry the land sooner,” Abuzer, a volunteer, told TwoCircles.net. 

Abuzer said all volunteer work is done by Muslims. “People willingly come here and do labour without demanding charges. We do it for the sake of Allah,” he said. 

Atiq Ul Islam is a member of the organizing team that is looking after the preparations. He told TwoCircles.net that the 300 acres of farmland where the congregation is taking place is lent free by locals, which include both Muslims and non-Muslims. 

“Non-Muslims have never refused to lend their lands to this congregation. We organize this Ijtima to please God and send a message to the world to follow God’s commandments which is to do good and refrain from evil,” Atiq Ul Islam said. 

He said that the congregation is held to send a message of peace. “Every faithful attends this Ijtima,” he said. 

Atiq Ul Islam informed that Muslim volunteers also take responsibility for security and traffic management. “The administration plays a supporting role by keeping an overall eye on things. Rest everything is managed by our volunteers,” he said. 

Akram Ahmed Khan is a resident of Bhopal who has been attending the congregation since childhood. For many years, he has volunteered at the event.  

Akram said that the congregation has a cross-functional team that has a dedicated system including a security team, transportation and commute team, road management (traffic management) team, parking team, and emergency and procurement (medical team). “The management skills I learned here have helped me in my professional life as well,” Akram Ahmed said. 

For effective disposal of waste, the management collaborates with Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC). For its zero-waste, the congregation has earned laurels.

Huneza Khan is a student and a budding journalist from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. She tweets  @KhanHuneza

source: http://www.twocircles.net / TwoCircles.net / Home> Lead Story / by Huneza Khan, TwoCircles.net / November 18th, 2022

Bhopal-based scientist Javed Khilji proves base of Relativity is Shaky in latest research

Amazing Feats, Education, Inventions, Innovations (wef. Nov 30th, 2021), Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

Javed Khilji

Relative Motion is redefined; New Transformation Laws Determined.

Bhopal:

Bhopal-based Scientist Mohammad Javed Khilji making forays into established scientific theories to make amends has made the latest breakthrough which reveals that the relative motion violates conservation laws of Kinetic Energy.

Javed Khilji, an independent researcher dedicated to original researches, is working on yet another concept of Relativity to find out if the constancy of speed of light is region-dependent in interstellar distances. He has to his credit of having challenged Einstein’s Relativity Theory in the past more than a decade ago. He has been placed in the list of IBC (International Biographical Centre, Cambridge) top 100 scientists (2014).

The BP International published Javed’s latest research paper in the most recent book titled as: “New Trends in Physical Science Research Vol.7” (https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/ntpsr/v7/3262A) in July 2022 as the 13th chapter of the book which is headlined as: “jk Transformation Laws of coordinates and composition of velocities”. The paper cracked the case of experimental verification that shows the existing relative motion is the serious violation of laws of conservation of kinetic energy. The author claims his defined relative motion in the book chapter is found to be correct to the degree of millionth part of decimal accuracy.

While the author’s published paper “Modified Transformation Laws of Coordinates and Composition of Velocities”, in International Journal of Advanced Astronomy in 2017 (doi:10.14419/ijaa.v5i1.7385) was selected as a book chapter by BP international. However, the credit of experimental proof goes to book chapter and not to the published paper. The book chapter is intended for researchers, students and scientists to provide a right direction of the future researches in real time because Galilean, Lorentz or post Lorentz researches in transformation laws have existed in relative motion based researches.

In fact, Javed had re-defined relative motion in 2011 in his research paper “Intrinsic Laws of Motion are Invariant” published in Physics Essays (DOI: 10.4006/1.3660803). Then the author was trying to add relativistic framework to his core concept which was kinematic based research paper titled “Modified Field Theory” published after a year-long review in 2004 in a peer reviewed US-based International Journal of Theoretics in its vol. 6-6. Therein, he made corrections to Einstein’s mass velocity relation resolving infinity that occurs at c (the light of speed). The outcome was transformation of matter into energetic photon at c, but not infinity.

Change dynamics of modern science

Javed Khilji’s Transformation laws will change the dynamics of the modern science. Sir Galileo, the pioneer of modern relativity in 1600, later in his honour (in 1800) Galilean equations were determined, but soon after in 1899 Lorentz revolutionized the Transformation laws which are still valid today. However, Javed after re-defining the relative motion determined his own transformation laws in 2017 in his research paper, which now is a book chapter. So, he is making his own legacy of both of relative motion and of transformation laws. It is his solo efforts without any national, international, NGO or institutional support. He is not financially sound but is determined to pursue his passion for research.

It must be noted that Javed Khilji’s achievements are of no mean nature but nation’s assets which should not go abegging. So, NGOs, TFIR and Azeem Premji Research Foundation should come forward to support him. He should be awarded with some suitable national award prior he is awarded by international community.

It may be pointed out here that the researcher had contacted Central government in 2007 but there was no response from the government side which upset him. However, he praises the present setup as in 2018 when he had an invitation to present his work in Istanbul, in an international conference on relativity. Then he had written to Prime Minister Office (PMO), seeking financial support for to and fro and stay expenses in Istanbul. He had then received prompt reply saying that his case has been referred to the Chief Secretary of Govt. of Madhya Pradesh. However, as then the state assembly elections were on, his application could not see light of the day and his visit to Istanbul did not materialize.

Meanwhile, Javed’s work received the maiden recognition in the year 2004 when two of his research papers “Multi Foci Closed Curves” and “Modified Field Theory” were published in the peer reviewed journal “International Journal of Theoretics”. The first paper relates to discovery of unique curves with non-collinear foci and relative focal distances finding their similarity to curve like ellipse with all mechanical justifications. His study underlines significance in Nuclear, Space and Bio-Science. His other paper has brought about a conceptual change in Special Relativity.

Media coverage

Meanwhile, media coverage at local and national level attracted Saudi Arabia’s International newspaper Arab News, which flashed the news “Indian Scientist Challenges Einstein’s Relativity Theory” in its 11th January, 2006 edition.

While contemporary Jiwaji University Vice Chancellor and nominee for the Noble prize in 1997 on Condensed matter physics, Prof. Satya Prakash had commented that Javed Khilji presented Einstein’s mass velocity relation in a very interesting way and attempted to explain two converse processes simultaneously within a process. Prof. Zafar Ahsan, contemporary Head of Mathematics Department of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), recipient of International Einstein Award 2011 has appreciated author’s work in “Intrinsic Laws of Motion are Invariant”.

Experimental verification in the book chapter further strengthens the line of thought that Javed adopted since 2004. The new findings supports the growth in mass of the object at higher velocities but rejects infinity to occur at c (light-speed) instead it shows transformation of matter into energetic photons giving a clue to the birth of gamma rays of different wavelengths and also of GRBs (Gamma Ray Bursts).

New concept

A new concept of flexible acceleration at light-speed tells us why light ray show wave like property, existing concept of zero acceleration makes the ray as a rigid rod, which cannot exhibit reflection, refraction, interference, scattering, dispersion and deviation etc.

Now, few words about the author Mohammad Javed Khilji who has made the above break-though. He shifted to Bhopal from Gwalior two years back. He is an independent researcher with Masters Degrees in Computer Science and Physics. He is engaged in fundamental and original research work in the field of Relativity and Geometry leading to bring about a conceptual change in the basic researches available hitherto.

source: http://www.muslimmirror.com / Muslim Mirror / Home> Sci-Tech / by Pervez Bari / September 14th, 2022

Bhopal: Dr. Zaheer-ul-Islam, a pioneer in sex reassignment surgery, dies

Science & Technology, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

People bade a tearful adieu to Bhopal’s first plastic surgeon Dr. Zaheer-ul-Islam when he passed away here on Wednesday last.

Bhopal: 

People bade a tearful adieu to Bhopal’s first plastic surgeon Dr. Zaheer-ul-Islam when he passed away here on Wednesday last. He was in his late eighties. He is survived by his wife and a large number of relatives and friends to mourn his loss.

Dr. Zaheer-ul-Islam was laid to rest in the graveyard near Bhopal Talkies late in the evening after his Namaz-e-Janaza was performed in the courtyard of historic Sufiya Masjid.

Hundreds of people of Bhopal expressed their heartfelt tributes to him. He was known for his work as well as his cheerful behaviour and smiling face.

Education and Career

Dr Zaheer took his MBBS degree from Indore Medical College and did specialisation in Plastic Surgery from Patna Medical College.

In the cases of plastic surgery, 40 years ago, when different types of techniques were not available, in that era, the record of successful operation of big plastic surgeries remained in the name of Dr. Zaheer.

Pioneer in sex reassignment surgery

He was a pioneer and credited with Madhya Pradesh’s first sex reassignment surgery which was the biggest achievement of his life.

In 1977 he performed a surgery to change the sex of a girl to make her a boy. He changed the gender of a girl named Munnibai to Munnalal.

In the history of plastic surgery, Dr. Zaheer, who was honoured with many conferences and awards at international level, was also called abroad.

Dr. Zaheer served in Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital associated to Gandhi Medical College (GMC), for nearly 30 years. Along with this, he also taught at GMC. From there he took voluntary retirement.

A poet and aerial photographer too

Apart from this he was a multifarious personality with a poetic blood flowing in his veins. He paid poetic tributes to his near and dear ones who departed this world by composing “Qata’t” which was published in Nadeem, an Urdu daily newspaper. Just 24 hours before he went to eternal sleep he recited the last “Qat’a’” of his life in a video recording saying:

“Mere janaze pe pura shahar tha sharik; ek tum nahin the jiska mujh ko intezar tha”.

He was also an expert aerial photographer with a passion to document the evolving city of lakes.

GMC golden jubilee celebrations were held in 2005. Dr. Zaheer was scriptwriter for the documentary ‘Down the memory lane’. For the poet it came naturally. His passion for aerial photography made him many friends and some dubbed him as ‘would be pilot’.

Dr. Zaheer’s aerial photography of Bhopal dates before the age of the internet and satellite imagery. He welcomed anyone who wanted to use his pictures for publication. As early in 2000, Dr Zaheer digitized his collection for preservation. He also was one of the first to use videos in medical conferences for demonstration.

According to GMC’s Assistant Professor Dr. S. K. Patne plastic surgeon Dr. Zahir was one of our favourite teachers in the medical college and was the first to showcase aerial photographs of the GMC campus, proving college building was designed in shape of medical cross from the top.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> Inda / by Pervez Bari / July 30th, 2022

AIMIM wins Local Polls in Khandwa, plays spoiler for Cong in Burhanpur

Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hyderabad, TELANGANA / MADHYA PRADESH :

Making entry in Madhya Pradesh (MP) politics, Asauddin Owaisi’s AIMIM won local elections in Khandwa and played a spoiler for Congress in Burhanpur Mayor Elections 2022

Bhopal : 

Making entry in Madhya Pradesh (MP) politics, Asauddin Owaisi’s AIMIM won local elections in Khandwa and played a spoiler for Congress in Burhanpur Mayor Elections 2022, results of which were announced Sunday.

Khandwa and Burhanpur both have considerable population of Muslims. Khandwa was recently in news for the exodus of migrant labourers for lack of jobs.

The AIMIM candidate, Shakira Bilal, won the election from ward number 14 of the Khandwa Municipal Corporation by defeating her nearest Congress rival Noorjahan Begum by a margin of 285 votes.

Besides fielding its nominee Kaniz Fatima for Khandwa Mayor Election 2022, the AIMIM had fielded candidates in 10 wards of the Khandwa Civic Body that has a total of 50 seats.

Burhanpur Mayor Election Result

In Burhanpur Mayor Elections, AIMIM candidate polled a total of 10,274 votes – a huge number if compared with the margin of 542 votes by which the BJP Mayoral candidate defeated her nearest rival of Congress.

Madhuri Patel got a total of 52,823 whereas Shahnaaz Bano of Congress got 52, 281 votes in Burhanpur Mayor elections 2022.

AAP Debut in MP

Meanwhile, the debutant Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also made its entry in Madhya Pradesh politics after winning mayoral post of Singrauli Municipal Corporation, the district which is filled with coal mining and also called – ‘energy capital of India’.

AAP candidate Rani Agrawal has won the election for mayoral post against BJP’s Chandra Prakash Vishwakarma.

Polling was held for mayoral posts in 11 municipal corporations, including Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Singrauli, Chhindwara, Khandwa, Burhanpur and Ujjain. A total of 101 candidates are fighting for the mayoral posts.

The counting of votes for the second phase of the MP municipal elections will be held on July 20.

source: http://www.ummid.com / Ummid.com / Home> India / by Ummid.com with input from Agencies / Jujly 17th, 2022

My Story: ‘Worked For 3 Yrs As Milkman With A Dream To Feature On Magazine Cover’

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, NRI's / PIO's, Sports, , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH / Dubai, UAE :

Yasir Khan, a farmer’s son, is now a personal fitness trainer, transformation expert, and fitness model in Dubai. Since childhood, he struggled with financial constraints and used to sell milk on the streets to make ends meet.

Picture Credit: Yasir Khan

I was born in a family of a farmer and a librarian in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. In the first 13 years of my life, I lived in a Madrasas over my father’s instruction because he didn’t have enough money working as a working farmer to give me a quality life at home. When I turned 14, I returned to my home in Bhopal, where the economic conditions were still bad. To make ends meet, I started selling milk on the streets through which I used to earn Rs 40 per day and worked at a bookstall.

My English was not good, and because of this reason, I would take out dictionary books from the bookstall to read and learn. It was the same place I first saw the Men’s Health magazine, which attracted me way too much. Since then, I have always had a dream to feature on the cover of this book because seeing a dream won’t cost a penny. Desperately, I wanted to check my potential, and then I shifted to Mumbai, where I sold tea to manage survival.

‘My Time Came’

A time came when I started working at a gym as a helper. Almost for four years, I worked as a helper and trained myself in my free time. Then I was promoted to the junior trainer post, which eventually motivated me to do much more. A year later, I was promoted to the head trainer post and trained myself enough to participate in any modelling shoot or competition. Around that time, I learned that Men’s Health magazine was looking for gym trainers to feature on its cover. I went to Delhi and auditioned for the cover page. It was a massive success as I was featured in the magazine. I kickstarted my career in fitness and modelling since then with consistent dedication and effort.

After a five-year continued effort, I earned a handsome amount of money and decided to shift to Dubai, UAE. It was a new place with new people around me. I opened a gym and struggled to get people on board. For the same, I used to distribute pamphlets and advertising bills on the corner of roads. After four months, I got my first client, and since then, my business has been unstoppable. I repaid all my parents’ debt and even gifted them a car, bringing immense happiness to their faces. It was a long journey but worth it.

source: http://www.thelogicalindian.com / The Logical Indian / Home / by Writer Ronit Kumar Singh, Madhya Pradesh / July 13th, 2022

The nightmare that was Indian fielding, and how Pataudi changed it

Amazing Feats, Sports, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH / NEW DELHI :

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma during fielding practice. File | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Watching Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli chase everything and catch everything today, it might be difficult to believe that India began as a team that chased reluctantly and caught by accident.

On a tour of Pakistan, Lala Amarnath, who was there as a media expert introduced me to Gul Mohammed, who had played eight times for India before migrating to Pakistan and playing there. “Greatest fielder,” said Amarnath in the manner he was famous for, leaving it to the listener to fill in the details.

In the years that Indian fielders dropped catches merrily and often let the ball slip through to the boundary, it was not difficult to earn that sobriquet. Perhaps there was one adequate fielder in every generation, and he automatically qualified as the greatest.

I didn’t tell Amarnath that, of course. I was young, on my first full tour and there was something about Amarnath — India’s first Test centurion and first captain of independent India — that kept such responses in check.

In India’s first-ever Test at Lord’s, Lall Singh, probably the only Test cricketer to be born in Malaysia, ran out Frank Woolley to reduce England to 19 for three on the first morning. In later years, Vinoo Mankad was a fine fielder off his own bowling, and Hemu Adhikari earned a reputation as a top class cover point. But it wasn’t until Tiger Pataudi — among the greatest cover points in the game — that India began to pay attention to this aspect of the game.

Trend-setter

“He was doing in the 1960s what modern fielders do as a matter of course now,” according to Sunil Gavaskar. In South Africa, Colin Bland, who many consider the greatest cover fielder ever, told me that Pataudi might have been better than Jonty Rhodes “because his anticipation was superior”.

“I am fanatical in my demands for keen fielding,” Pataudi wrote. He told his team in England, “Although I want to see a smart turnout when we leave the pavilion, once the match starts I want to see a lot of grubby knees…if it takes four or five days to get your flannels cleaned, blame the laundries. I am prepared to put up with a scruffy looking team, but I will never permit scruffy fielding.”

The philosophy percolated down. Pataudi’s boys Ajit Wadekar, Eknath Solkar, Abid Ali, Venkatraghavan, Sunil Gavaskar all played key roles as fielders in India’s maiden series wins in the West Indies and England, although he was no longer captain by then.

Attitude issues

Fielding and fitness began to be taken seriously by a team that had got off on the wrong foot thanks to the attitude of the Maharajahs who played the key roles in the early years and probably believed that running was beneath them. They were perhaps irritated too by the fact they couldn’t ask their retinue of servants to do the job instead.

The cricket historian Edward Docker summed up the early Indian approach thus: “The deep field couldn’t be relied upon to walk in with the bowler. Fieldsmen failed to anticipate the ball. Or overran it. Or used their feet to stop it. The catching was poor, the throwing abominable…”

Writing in the 1940s, the journalist Berry Sarbadhikary said, “Although homilies on the need for first-class fielding are indulged in freely by men in authority, it is the same persons who take the least notice of fielding ability when it comes to the actual selection…”

Watching Ravindra Jadeja, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli chase everything and catch everything today, it might be difficult to believe that India began as a team that chased reluctantly and caught by accident.

Emergence of fielding stars

Pataudi’s example and attitude changed all that. Brijesh Patel, who began his first class career in 1969-70 was still cutting off boundaries and cover drives nearly two decades later by which time India’s finest all round fielder had emerged. This was Mohammad Azharuddin, as spectacular in the slips as he was in the outfield, his lithe form adding grace to his movements.

By then Kapil Dev had already exhibited his natural athleticism — he was a superb catcher at gully, but was needed to patrol the outfield where his casual throws to the top of the stumps were a treat.

India’s stock grew in white ball cricket, and a bunch of fielders helped make that happen: Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Mohammed Kaif.

Today it is no longer necessary to ‘hide’ a fielder, as India were once forced to do when players were important for one or two of three skills, or when they were chosen for reasons other than cricket.

The flat-footed was stationed in the slips with the prayer that no snick would go to him; or at mid-on hoping that an on-drive might fortuitously be stopped by a boot or a knee.

The story of Indian fielding is the evolution from ten passengers (usually) in a team to none at all. The Maharajkumar of Vizianagaram, who led on a tour of England, would not recognise this team.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Between Wickets / by Suresh Menon / June 08th, 2022

There’s a museum in the corridors of Jehan Numa Palace

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, Museums, Libraries (wef. April 16th, 2022), Royal Families, PreIndependence -Descendants (wef. Jan 02nd,2022), Travel & Tourism, Women/Girls(since May26-2021), , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

The New Museum

Tall marble pillars frame photos, automobiles and more, as the Bhopal royals open up their past at the Jehan Numa Palace Hotel

Over the years, the Jehan Numa Palace in Bhopal — built on the slopes of the Shyamla Hills in 1890 by General Obaidullah Khan, commander-in-chief of the Bhopal State Force, and the second son of Nawab Sultan Jehan Begum — has worn many garbs.

The white marble edifice, which melds British Colonial, Italian Renaissance and Classical Greek architectural styles with facets of Art Deco, was constructed as the general’s office, and then used as his sons’ secretariat. After Independence, it became a government hostel, and later, the offices of the Geological Survey of India.

In 1983, after restoring the five-acre property, the general’s grandsons reopened it as a heritage hotel — its colonnaded corridors showcasing sepia-toned portraits, and the interiors housing rooms, four restaurants, two bars and a spa. Now, the pandemic has given it another facet: a museum, which came together almost like a “jigsaw puzzle”, says Faiz Rashid, director of the Jehan Numa Group of Hotels and a member of the Bhopal royal family.

Faiz Rashid

A colonnaded showcase

“[Over the last 20-odd months] we tried to come up with innovative ways to nurture hospitality. Because of the time on hand, we started looking at family archives and thought why not share the legacy with the world,” says Rashid. He tells me about putting together memorabilia: artefacts, attire, “lovely letters in Urdu” written to his great grandfather, documents, “invoices of the cars the royal family bought [like a Ford Phantom and a customised Bentley]” — all of which are now on show at the hotel.

“General Obaidullah Khan accompanied his mother, the last begum, on her foreign trips. He was inspired by different architectural styles, and the display is a pictorial history of the hotel’s evolution from the time it was built in the 19th century,” he says.

The corridors along the central courtyard, with its famed 100-year-old mango tree, were chosen as the ideal backdrop for the display. I take a virtual tour of the elegantly-framed archives, arranged in clusters on the walls of the chequered black-and-white marble and granite corridors, zooming into the photographs, and taking in glimpses of the life and times of a pre-Independence royalty that was progressive and involved, wealthy but not flamboyant, stylish but never garish.

From letters to thoroughbreds

The family took the help of Joe Alvarez, the well-known jazz singer who has written a coffee-table book on Bhopal, to curate the memorabilia.

“We divided them into nine subjects, starting with the four begums, the last nawab, dignitary visits, nawabi sports and the outdoors, and such,” says Alvarez, who has also generated a voice-over, and added a QR code to enable a Walk-In Museum audio guide.

The track at the Jehan Numa Palace Hotel

He expounds about the images of a thriving stud farm, something that continues till date (a trotting track set up when the hotel opened gives visitors a peek into the royal family’s passion for breeding thoroughbreds), of custom-built automobiles, branded guns and weapons, and official visits by dignitaries.

The begum’s photo from the archives

“The nawab begums of Bhopal were very dynamic and built the city differently from male rulers. They focussed on all areas, from education to women’s empowerment. We realised so much of their contribution — like building hospitals, enhancing the railways, opening schools — while putting this together,” shares Rashid, adding that, in 1889, Shah Jehan Begum funded the construction of Britain’s first purpose-built mosque at Woking. The collection is still evolving as more memorabilia makes its way to them slowly, from the extended family. A plan to restore and display the wedding dresses of the begums is also in the pipeline.

The museum is open to all. Rooms at the hotel are from ₹8,000 onwards. Details: jehannuma.com

Bori Safari Lodge

Spot the tiger at Bori Safari Lodge

Another post-pandemic hospitality initiative is Bori Safari Lodge, an eight-room wildlife camp started by Rashid’s brother, Aly, in the Satpura Forest. “When we started the Reni Pani Jungle Lodge [a two-and-a-half hour drive away] in 2009, it was about experiencing the diversity of the forest, with river safaris, walking trails and birding. With the Bori, the tiger comes centre stage,” says the trained naturalist, who has partnered with the state tourism department.

Aly is a trained naturalist

A tiger relocation programme successfully initiated four years ago has revitalised the habitat and the local population. “The tigers have not only flourished, but have actively begun mating.” Aly — who has great memories of spending his childhood in the forests — also leads expeditions to spot snow leopards in Ladakh and seek out the red panda in the Northeast. “This [project] is a means to conserve the landscape. The alternate income for the locals will recharge the community, support conservation, and will help wildlife be seen as an asset.”

From ₹25,000 onwards (all inclusive)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment> Art> Weekend Travel Special 2022 / by Priyadershini S / April 15th, 2022

Muslim man jumps under moving train to rescue woman, Twitter reacts

Amazing Feats, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Transport, , , , , , ,

Bhopal, MADHYA PRADESH :

In a video of the incident, Mehboob can be seen holding the woman’s head down to prevent it from hitting anything protruding from the undercarriage.

Muslim man jumps under moving train to rescue woman fallen on tracks

Bhopal: 

In an act of tremendous courage a 37-year-old Muslim man jumped in front of a moving goods train to save a woman who had fallen on the railway track in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhopal, an official said on Saturday.

While the incident took place on February 5, a video of the occurrence went viral on social media on Friday, garnering praise from all quarters.

______

________

The incident took place in Barkhedi around 8 pm on February 5, when Mohammed Mehboob, a carpenter, was walking near the scene after offering namaz.

A woman in her 20s carrying a backpack was crossing the railway track at the time when a goods train started approaching, said Shoaib Hashmi, a friend of Mehboob told PTI on Saturday.

The woman got scared and tripped on the tracks and could not get up and move away from the train’s path, he said.

When onlookers started shouting in panic, Mehboob acted on impulse and jumped on the track and ran up to the woman, dragged her to the middle of the trackbed, and kept her from lifting her head as the train passed over them, Hashmi said.

People kept cautioning the duo to stay down till at least 28 wagons on the train passed over them, he added.

After the near-death experience, the woman broke down in tears and hugged her father and brother who had not crossed the railway track with her at the time, Hashmi said.

In a video of the incident, Mehboob can be seen holding the woman’s head down to prevent it from hitting anything protruding from the undercarriage.

Ever since the video went viral on social media, people have been flocking Mehboob’s home in Ashok Vihar Bank Colony, Aishbag to congratulate him.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> News> India / by Syeda Faiza Kazim , the News Desk / February 12th, 2022