Relic of a bygone era

February 10, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, World OpinionDr.M.A.Ansar, First Congress Member of Parliament from Tiruchi 1957, M.K.Abdul Salaam, M.K.M.Abdul Hakeem, M.K.M.Ibrahim, M.K.Maaligai, M.K.Mohamed Ibrahim Ravuthar, M.K.Mohamed Yusuf Ravuthar, M.Kasiappa Ravuthar, Najma Begum, Prince of Tiruchi, Prince of Trichy, Rokkiyya Bimpositiveone@gmail.com

Tiruchi, TAMIL NADU :

A view of the M.K. Maaligai in Khajamalai, Tiruchi. Photos:A. Muralitharan

Behind the façade of this heritage residence in Tiruchi lies the story of its enterprising owner, M.K. Mohamed Ibrahim Ravuthar.

It is an arresting sight on the Race Course Road in Tiruchi. A stately home, complete with gabled roofs and stained glass windows peeks out demurely from behind black granite walls, willing you to stop and take a closer look.

“It’s a unique building just like the man who built it,” says Dr. M.A. Ansar, describing the mini 11-roomed palace and his grandfather M.K. Mohamed Ibrahim Ravuthar in one breath.

Built in 1928, the M.K. Bungalow was actually the main home in a complex of four residences in this quiet nook off the Race Course Road in Khajamalai. It resembles a structure straight out of a Jane Austen novel, especially when you walk through the green corridor (an iron trellis walkway that is still covered with the ‘December Poo’ or Philippine Violet vines planted by the patriarch) to reach the main entrance.

A trellis 'green corridor' leads up to the bungalow. Photo: A. Muralitharan — A trellis ‘green corridor’ leads up to the bungalow. Photo: A. Muralitharan

The garden is overgrown, and the annexes that once housed a live-in washerman, stables for horses and cattle, huge bathrooms and an elaborate pantry and storehouse, clearly have seen better days. Even so, when Mrs. Najma Begum, the current resident of the house and one of M.K.M. Ibrahim’s granddaughters, opens the main door, it is possible to see flashes of another, more flamboyant world that once existed here.

“When Thatha was alive, this house used to be called ‘M.K. Maaligai’ (Palace), today I can hear people calling it the ‘Pei (Ghost) Bungalow,’ when they walk past on the other side of the walls,” says Mrs. Najma.

Keeranur tiles brighten up the interior of the M.K. Maaligai. Photo: A. Muralitharan

As room leads to room, each with Keeranur floor tiles and wide windows fitted with cooling coloured glass, the other tales about the house are dusted off and narrated too.

Tales of how chandeliers with red glass and gold paintwork imported from Austria used to adorn the halls. Records that were played on a Polyphon, a coin-operated music box which played metal discs measuring 195/8 inches in diameter, for dance parties hosted for British guests. And how a fountain and a ‘chaukhandi’ (gazebo) used to be star attraction of the garden.

The M.K. Maaligai was the entertainment venue not just for M.K.M Ibrahim’s friends and business acquaintances, but also guests of the State from Britain. On average, some 15-20 people would gather for the daily repasts, made with the finest of produce sourced from nearby towns.

Elaborate decorative work done on the verandah's eaves and railings. Photo: A. Muralitharan — Elaborate decorative work done on the verandah’s eaves and railings. Photo: A. Muralitharan

As the tour continues, up an imported cast-iron spiral staircase (one of two), to the first floor where the master suite looks out on a large decoratively gabled verandah, it becomes clear that this house was meant to be a personal work of art.

Hands-on leader

“My grandfather used to be known as the ‘Prince of Tiruchi’ for his lavish lifestyle,” says Dr. Ansar, whose late father M.K. Abdul Salam was the eldest son of M.K.M. Ibrahim. “Though he didn’t have much education, he used speak English fluently because of his close association with the British. He was among the invitees to a special assembly to commemorate the coronation of King George VI in May 1937.”

Born in 1885, M.K.M. Ibrahim was the second son of M. Kasiappa Ravuthar, a wealthy businessman and landowner who migrated to Tiruchi from Ettayapuram, Tirunelveli district (see related story on Page 4).

Taking over his father’s kerosene dealership and leather tanneries after his elder brother Yusuf died, Ibrahim diversified the family business rapidly, branching out into petrol supply (he owned 18 petrol stations in his heyday), bus transport, and construction, besides starting a third tannery near Hyderabad.

The family made the Palakkarai area in Tiruchi its base.

The contracting projects that his M.K. Constructions company is associated with are still in use – the Erode Railway Junction, a part of Erskine’s Hospital Madurai (now renamed Government Rajaji Hospital), the Kakinada port (Andhra Pradesh), Chikmaglur Railway Station (Karnataka) and Railway staff quarters in Dindigul, besides a number of highways.

He also built a four-storey building in Chennai, close to the harbour, between Angapannaickan Street and Moore Street, where the leather from his tanneries used to be transported to by coal-fuelled lorries, and then exported to Britain.

Despite not being a part of the Independence movement, Ibrahim commanded a lot of popular support in Tiruchi. He served the city as its Municipality Vice-Chairman from 1925-28 and as Chairman from 1928-31.

He was a close friend of veteran freedom fighter P. Rathinavel Thevar, and co-operated with him on numerous occasions to preserve communal harmony in the city.

Known as a hands-on leader who once paid Municipality workers their salaries from his own funds, he donated the land for Ibrahim Park on West Boulevard Road on the condition that it would be put to public use.

He owned homes similar to M.K. Maaligai in Dindigul, Kodaikanal and Courtallam, which became summertime resorts for the family.

A poignant reminder

“The bungalow was still under construction when there was an epidemic of cholera or typhoid in the inner city areas in the late 1920s,” recalls Dr. Ansar. “Thatha decided to shift the entire family to this place from Palakkarai.”

Despite the love with which he built the residential complex, M.K.M Ibrahim was able to spend only around two to three years there, as he passed away at the age of 55 years on December 2, 1940 due to a heart ailment.

“It is astonishing to see how much this person achieved in a short period of 20-25 years,” says Dr. Ansar, whose father grew up in the complex of four residences along with his siblings. “He was inspired by the things he saw and people he met on his travels, and always tried to recreate the best of it for himself.”

Following the partition of his properties, the M.K. Maaligai was bequeathed to his second son M.K.M. Abdul Hakeem in 1949, whose children still maintain ownership of the heritage building.

After a brief spell as a student’s hostel, the M.K. Maaligai is now back to its original role as a family home.

“We clean it out for family functions, and whitewash it sometimes,” says Mrs. Najma Begum, who stays alone on the ground floor of the vast house.

“Even though it needs a lot of effort to maintain, we’d rather not demolish it. This residence is tied to many people’s lives.”

***

Snippets from an eventful life

M.K.M. Ibrahim fell in love with Rukkaiyya Bi when he saw her coming from the Madrassa (Islamic school) while he was working in Palakkarai. She was 9, he was 15. They married two years later, despite initial parental disapproval. They went on to have three sons and two daughters.

Tiruchi observed an unofficial day of mourning when M.K.M. Ibrahim died on December 2, 1940. Shops were closed as the public thronged to catch a sight of the cortege that was taken out from the family home in Palakkarai, through Main Bazaar to Rock Fort, NSB Road, and Main Guard Gate and to the burial ground just a few yards away from where the procession started in Palakkarai.

In the middle of the four homes that he built around the M.K. Maaligai, M.K. Ibrahim had left space for a tennis court that was never completed. The yard has since been sold to a scrap merchant.

His eldest son M.K.M. Abdul Salam showed an aptitude for public office, and was the first Congress Member of Parliament from Tiruchi in 1957.

***

Founding father

It is easy to see where M.K.M. Ibrahim got his penchant for largesse and flamboyance from. His father, M. Kasiappa (a merging of ‘Kasim’ and ‘Appa’), Ravuthar was an businessman who made his fortune in the early 19th century after migrating to Tiruchi from Ettayapuram.

He was the kerosene agent for Tiruchi and Thanjavur districts, and owned residential properties in the city centre called ‘stores’. The ‘Kasiappa Ravuthar Store’ was one such property near the Rock Fort area.

Besides that he had nearly 500 acres of agricultural lands near Samayapuram and Maruthur.

Kasiappa Ravuthar built two tanneries, one for goatskin and another for buffalo skin which used to be sent to Chennai and then exported to England, in the 1880s. Since the British didn’t allow outside sales, the leather used to be auctioned in England, and the money would be sent back to him in India.

As an expression of gratitude for recovering from a severe skin abscess on his back, Kasiappa Ravuthar dedicated a gold ‘kalasam’ to the main stupi (pillar) of the Nagore Dargah weighing 1,000 sovereigns, that stayed intact until it was knocked down by cyclonic winds in 1958.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Nahla Nainar / November 13th, 2015

Iconic monument gets hi-tech ‘birthday gift’

February 10, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel & TourismCharminar, Mohammed Qutb Shah, Tarike Farishta, Tuzuke Qutbshahi, Villages of Chichilammpositiveone@gmail.com

The high definition closed circuit cameras in front of Charminar.- Photo. K.V.S. Giri

Two lamp posts with HD CCTV cameras planted near Charminar as it completes 425 years

The iconic Charminar got a birthday gift from the police in the year when it completes 425 years. Two lamp posts with CCTV cameras have been planted firmly in line with the view from Mecca Masjid. It is exactly in the line of sight where people take photographs of the monument with the full height of minars in view.

Now, whoever takes a selfie will have a lamp post poking out of the head. “We have installed these HD CCTV cameras as part of the city-wide security upgradation,” informed a police official.

Ironically, it was on February 8, 1591 after 2 p.m. that the foundation of Hyderabad was laid. So, a celebration should have been in order as the city completes 425 years of being a magnet to people from across the world.

“On an auspicious day when the moon was in the constellation of Leo and Jupiter in its own mansion and all the stars were favorable, the foundation of Hyderabad was laid,” are the words in Tarikhe Farishta , which gives a brief history of the foundation of Hyderabad.

“This constellation position occurred in 1591 according to my calculations based on astrological information. Coincidentally after 2 p.m. on February 8, 1591, the moon entered Leo and Jupiter was in Visakha. Mansion usually refers to lunar position or nakshatra. Jupiter rules visakha nakshatra,” informed Anurag Sharma, who does astrology consultancy and research.

According to the history of Qutb Shahi dynasty in Tuzuke Qutbshahi , the foundation of Hyderabad was laid on October 30, 1590 the first day of Muharram, to mark the end of a cholera epidemic. The villagers of Chichilam got together and planted a tazia (a wooden flag appearing like a palm) in the middle of the road that connected the Golconda fort to the port of Machilipatnam. Once the plague subsided in October, at the end of the rainy season, the relieved king built the monument to mark the occasion and also as a marker of the four cardinal points of the city. The building was supposed to work like a charm and the inner arches of monument are capped by images of ferocious rats with gargantuan teeth. The building was completed in 1597.

Today, the Charminar is a centrally protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and no construction or defacement is allowed within 100-metres of the monument.

Asked about the cameras within 100 feet of the monument, an ASI official said: Security concerns are paramount and whatever the police are doing is for the good of the society.”

So, whether the city officials celebrate or not, the prayer of Mohammed Qutb Shah when he laid the foundation of the city has come true: “Oh Allah! bestow unto this city peace and prosperity. Let millions of men of all castes, creeds and religions make it their abode, like fish in the water.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / Serish Nanisetti / Hyderabad – February 10th, 2016

Chennai-based Kids Win Medals, Set Records in Archery Events

February 10, 2016Amazing Feats, SportsKarate Instructor, Member Tamil Nadu Archery Association, Shihan Hussainimpositiveone@gmail.com

Chennai :

Two-year-old Aradhya Vedwan and 6-year-old Anoop Skanda, both residents of Chennai, have created unique records in the realm of children in sports. The former has been titled the world’s youngest archer, and was awarded Bronze for ‘Recurve Archery’ at the under-10 category. The latter won gold in the complex ‘Compound Archery’ category, making him the youngest in the world to hold the type of bow at any recognised event. They returned home after bagging medals at the National level archery competition conducted by the Archery Association of India at Vishakapatnam last week.

The two young awardees and record-setters were felicitated at their Archery training institute run by Shihan Hussaini. “Its not everyday when your student makes you so proud. That too children at such a tender age picking up an art like archery, its the best moment for a teacher like me,” he said at a press meet on Saturday at his ‘Dojo’ (institute).

6 YEAR OLD ANOOP SKANDA WAS AWARDED A GOLD MEDAL BY THE ARCHERY ASSOCIATION OF INDIA, DURING THE PRESS MEET ORGANISED BY SHIHAN HUSSAINI. EXPRESS/ MARTIN LOUIS. AMRUTHA STORY.

The two archers both skilfully demonstrated their shooting techniques with their respective bows, to the watching audience after being felicitated along with their parents who have also been training alongside them. “One parent is expected to train alongside the child, to act as a parent coach. It becomes like an addiction even for us,” says Ashwin Kumar, father of Anoop.

The class one student showed-off his skill in handling the complex and hefty ‘compound’ bow which his master declared has “never been held by a 6-year-old anywhere in the world. He even practices for 15 hours a day,” say his proud parents, who accompany him from Valasaravakkam to Besant Nagar for classes.

The other star of the show, Aradhya had picked up a plastic bow and arrow when she was just a year old – “there was no looking back after that,” say her mother Abhilasha, and father Kuldeep, national-level archers themselves. “She’s a very young child, so we didn’t know if she would listen if we told her to shoot. But upon seeing the crowd, she took aim and shot it right at the target,” said Hussaini.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Tamil Nadu / by Express News Service / February 07th, 2016

A protégé’s success at CWG, propels the mentor to hunt for more talents

February 10, 2016SportsKarate Instructor, Member Tamil Nadu Archery Association, Shihan Hussainimpositiveone@gmail.com

About eight years ago, a young man from a village in Dharmapuri district set out to Chennai to meet Shihan Hussaini. He had seen the flamboyant karate master talking about archery on television. It had set off a spark in him and he wanted to become a champion archer like Limba Ram- though till that point of time he had not touched a bow or arrow in his life. In Chennai, Shihan agreed to train him free of cost in his archery academy, and later, noting his extraordinary talent advised him to join the army to receive advanced training.

Shihan’s protégé has done him proud. After winning a gold in the Asian Championship last year, he bagged a silver medal in the team event at the recent Commonwealth Games in New Delhi. At 28 years of age, C Srither, is now eyeing a gold medal at next year’s World Championship.

But for Shihan (left), Commonwealth Games silver medallist in archery, Srither (right), would not have scaled the heights he has reached now

Spurred on by Srither’s success, Shihan – who is also an official at the Tamil Nadu Archery Association – has now embarked on a project to create more archery champions from Tamil Nadu. He calls it, Mission Olympics – 2016. “We are planning to conduct a free 2-day archery workshop in all the districts to identify talents to be trained for winning a medal in the 2016 Olympics,” he says.

Shihan, 52, is a popular karate instructor in Chennai. He has also been an actor, artist, and at one time even headed a private security bureau. He has trained thousands in karate, many of whom have received black belt. He shot into limelight in the early 1990s when he created a bizarre feat to grab the attention of the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for donating land for his karate school. He had 100 cars run over his right hand, and then smashed 5000 tiles and 1000 bricks with the same hand before sketching Jayalalithaa’s portrait with the blood that flowed from his hand.

He had run into trouble with the earlier DMK regime (1996-2001), when police raided his home and seized many articles including the Jayalalithaa portrait – which till date remains untraced. He was once arrested in New Delhi on charges of travelling on a forged passport, and had to spend a few weeks at Tihar jail. “I have been acquitted in all the cases that were registered against me and today I am a free man,” he says.

Shihan attributes his travails to the general perception that he is a Jayalalithaa man, hinting at political vendetta. “It’s a wrong perception. I don’t belong to any party and I have met Jayalalithaa only twice in my life,” he says.

But the pro-Jayalalithaa label stuck harder on him early this year when Jayalalithaa gave Rs.2 lakhs to Srither for buying archery equipment responding to Shihan’s appeal. The Tamil Nadu government had ignored his pleas.

Meanwhile, Srither is grateful to the support he had received from Shihan. “He taught me the basics of archery,” he reminisces. In those days, Srither, who hails from a very poor family, used to sleep in the garage at Shihan’s house and train for hours daily in order to achieve his dream. As Shihan says, “Normally, one would get tired shooting for two or three hours. But he used to train from morning till evening.”

source: http://www.theweekendleader.com / The Weekend Leader / Home> Success /by P C Vinoj Kumar, Chennai / February 09th, 2016

Quaide Millath Documentary Film Released and Screened in Kuwait

February 6, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Community Involvement / Social Issues, Leaders, UncategorizedA K S Abdul Nazar, Aavanappada Aalunar, Aloor Sha Nawaas (Ilam Oodaga Pooraalee), Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society, Kuwait Kerala Muslim Cultural Committee, Kuwait Tamil Islamic Committee KTiC, Kuwait Tamizhosai Poet Association, M Muhammed Nizamudeen Baaqavee, M.S.Muhammad Meera Sha Fazil Baaqavee, Muhammad Ismail, Qaid-e-Millath Documentary Film, QaideeMillath, Quaid-e-Millat aka Muhammad Ismail, Tamil Nadu Islamic Student Association, Thaiman Kalaillakkiya Peravaimpositiveone@gmail.com

குவைத்தில்காயிதேமில்லத்ஆவணப்படவெளியீட்டுவிழாநிகழ்ச்சி

QuaideMillath Documentary Film Released and Screened in Kuwait

A special historic documentary film, explaining the chronicle, virtues of Marhoom Honorable QuaideMillathSaahib, was Launched in Kuwait on the cool pleasant evening of Thursday, 08.01.2015.

Muhammad Ismail(1896–1972) was an Indian politician belonging to the Indian Union Muslim League. He was a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, and a member of the Indian Parliament – both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. He was also a member of the Indian Constituent Assembly which framed the Indian Constitution. He is popularly known in his native states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala by the title “Quaid-e-Millat” (Leader of the Nation).

For More details please click: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muhammad_Ismail /http://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/முகம்மது_இசுமாயில்& http://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/മുഹമ്മദ്_ഇസ്മായിൽ

The program was initiated and well organized by the Kuwait Tamil Islamic Committee (K-Tic), whose executive members are key associates in forming QuaideMillath Forum in Kuwait and candid members of Indian Union Muslim League, Tamilnadu State.

This documentary movie, was published by Muslim League Publication, and was directed by Aloor Sha Nawaas, renowned as “Ilam Oodaga Pooraalee” (Young Media Gladiator)a title conferred by K-Tic during his first visit to Kuwait. He was further designated as “AavanappadaAalunar” (Biopic Commandant), in the Grand Seerathun-Nabi (sal.) Convention, held at Masjid Al Kabeer on 02.01.2015.

The documentary was screened at the “Sirajul Millath” hall at Rowdha. This event was presided by K-Tic President, Moulavee Al-Haaj M.S. MuhammadMeeraShaFazilBaaqavee, and anchored by K-Tic’s General Secretary Moulavee A.B. Khaleel Ahmed Baqqavee M.A., The program started with Qur’anic Recitation by K-Tic’s Vice-President MoulaveeM. MuhammedNizamudeenBaaqavee, welcome speech by K-Tic’s Deputy General Secretary Al-HaajA.K.S. Abdul Nazar.

The Key Note was delivered by the Director of the Film, Aloor Sha Nawaas, where he mentioned the struggle on making the movie, for the great leader, whose roots are lost or forgotten by the blooming generation.

He mentioned, this movie was created from zero to this level, so that it shall be an immense tribute to the noble leader – not only for Tamil speaking community nor only for Muslims but for whole regions and religion allover India.

The movie enlightened the strengthening of early Indian Union Muslim League, when QuaideMillath, joined and servedearnestly.

The spectators astonished and shed tears on watching the movie.

Executives of Indo-Kuwait Friendship Society, Kuwait Kerala Muslim Cultural Committee, ThaimanKalaiIlakkiyaPeravai, Kuwait Tamizhosai Poet Association, Islamic Guidance Centre andTamil Nadu Islamic Student Association witnessed and greeted the outcome & efforts on the documentary and each observer was presented with a DVD copy of the film.

Representatives of various Tamil Associations, businessmen, social workers, community activists, admired on the missioned by Honorable leader of QuaideMillath. The event concluded with vote of thanks and Dua’a by K-Tic’s Deputy Treasurer Al-Haaj H. Mohammed Nasar.

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Media & News Wing, Kuwait Tamil Islamic Committee (K-Tic), Kuwait.

Hotline / WhatsApp / Viber / Telegram / Mobile: (+965) 97 87 24 82 / Emails: q8_tic@yahoo.com / ktic1427@gmail.com / website: www.k-tic.com / Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/K-Tic-group -/ Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/q8tic – /Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/q8tic -/Ustream(Live): http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ktic-live -/YouTube : www.youtube.com/user/Ktic12

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source: http//www.indianfrontliners.com / Indian Frontliners.com / Home / Thursday – January 15th, 2015

Bags silver medal

February 5, 2016Sports, UncategorizedAll-India Inter-University Weight Lifting Champion, Mohamed Hussain, S.Mohamed Hussain, Silver Medallist, Tiruchi, Weight Liftermpositiveone@gmail.com

Tiruchirapalli, TAMIL NADU:

S. Mohamed Hussain, representing Anna University, won silver medal in the all-India inter-university weightlifting championship held in Guntur. Hussain, a final year MCA student of J.J. College of Engineering and Technology, Tiruchi, competed in the 62kg category and finished second with a total lift of 231 kg (102 kg in snatch and 129 kg in clean and jerk).

K. Ponnusamy, Chairman of the college, S. Sathiyamoorthy, Principal, K. Jayaraja, Director of Physical Education, and S. Chidambararajan, Assistant Physical Director, felicitated the youngster.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities. Tiruchirapalli / by Staff Reporter / Tiruchi – February 05th, 2016

Yaqoob Koyyar – The Legend in Mathematics

February 5, 2016Community Involvement / Social Issues, EducationMaths Lab, Maths Science Teachers Forum, MSTF, Naveed Ahmed Parvez, s, Shabana Sultana, Teacher, Yaqoob Koyyarmpositiveone@gmail.com

Dakshina Kannada Distirict, KARNATAKA :

He is probably the only teacher to set up a mathematics lab.

by Shabana Sultana

Nada (Bethangada Taluk), Dakshina Kannada District :

Most of the students find mathematics the toughest subject. But if a hard working teacher puts his efforts wholeheartedly in this subject, students can begin to see a bright future and show a keen interest in those head-spinning numbers and graphs. They will no more find mathematics a scary subject.

If a teacher decides to do something for the students without worrying about the hurdles coming in the way, success is sure to come to their doorstep.

Yaqoob Koyyar hails from a small village called Nada in Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district. He belongs to that rare breed of teachers who are always ready to solve any math problem. But that’s not what makes him truly rare. He has inculcated qualities like sound thinking, hard work, interest, appreciation and broadmindedness in his students as well. It seems he was born only to spread knowledge.

Nowadays, teachers have an attitude which belies the noble work they render. They think just being teachers makes them great. But Mr. Koyyar isn’t one of them. He works extra hours in the class to teach students the nuances of mathematics and channelize their creativity.

I got to know about Mr. Koyyar through a WhatsApp group called MSTF (Maths Science Teachers’ Forum) run by Mr. Naveed Ahmed Parvez, a high school teacher from Shimoga. This group introduced me to many a local legend in mathematics and science.

Mr. Koyyar’s parents believed his birth brought light in their lives. He studied primary education at the Belthangady government school. There was no Urdu-medium school nearby, so he studied in Kannada medium. He did his secondary education at Manjunatha High School in Dharmasthala. He went on to study Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.). He studied Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) at the Mangalore College of Teachers’ Education.

He isn’t one who just eyes destiny and does nothing. He is one who can change the atmosphere.

Mathematics lab established by Yaqoob Koyyar in Nada, Belthangady taluk of Dakshina Kannada district

Mr. Koyyar was posted at a high school at his native village. He achieved a lot in his career as a teacher. His students still admire his dedication. He made all of them to think that mathematics is the easiest of all subjects.

He became a tree, giving the fruits and shadow of knowledge to all in this world of selfishness. He himself bore the scorching sun. He evaluated his students with different tests and exams. He would teach most of his students till midnight during exams. He demonstrated so many exercises to the students to make them fall in love with mathematics.

Later, he was transferred as assistant director of Akshara Dasoha (mid-day meal) scheme. There too, he his did duties sincerely. He is popular as the math and science resource person. He was honored by many organizations, too.

Mr. Koyyar used his knowledge and set up a wonderful mathematics lab for all the teaching community of Karnataka. I salute him for his dedication.

His children inherited the same qualities. His daughter scored 611 out of 625 marks in SSLC exams in 2015, with centum scores in Kannada and mathematics.

Computer is known as a multi-tasking and programming machine. I would like to compare Mr. Koyyar with a computer, because he is multi-faceted, hard working and dedicated to spread knowledge.

(The writer is a teacher in Bangalore. )

source: http://www.karnatakamuslims.com / Karnataka Muslims / Home> Districts> Dakshina Kannada / December 21st, 2015

Artists remember multi-talented Bhand Ghulam Ali Majboor

February 2, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainmentmpositiveone@gmail.com

Srinagar, JAMMU & KASHMIR :

Karam Buland, Khilat-e-Majboor award given to artists, culture activists and officials

Srinagar:

The artist community of Kashmir Saturday united for special performances to remember a talented folk artist Ghulam Ali Majboor and give ‘Khilat-e-Majboor’ awards named after him.

The event was organised by family, friends and artists of National Bhand Theater (NBT) Wathor to pay tribute to Majboor, who was popularly known as ‘Maagun’ (Multi-talented) of Kashmir’s Bhand Theater’.

Majboor was poet, writer, actor, director and folklorist and the founder of National Bhand Theater, well-known association of Bhand performers in Wathor village of central district Budgam.

The event, which starts at 2pm on Saturday, showcases a documentary on the life and times of late Majboor and special performance by musicians and actors of NBT.

On the occasion folk artists presented a satirical play ‘Kahan Gaav Yaad Thav’ written by Ghulam Ali Majboor. The play was directed by his student Shahjahan Bhagat.

The play depicts conflict and confusion in the Kashmiri society due to division among social and culture groups.

On the conclusion NBT also gave away Khilat-e-Majboor and Karam Buland awards to professionals for the promotion of art, culture and theater.

The Karam Buland award was given to artists associated with the Bhand Theater including Muhammad Maqbool Bhat, Abdul Hamid Bhagat, Manzoor-ul-Haq, Fayaz Ahmad Bhagat and Muhammad Ismail Bhat.

‘Khilat-e-Majboor’, which was constituted this year was conferred on well-known artists, culture activists and officials including a known theaterist Mushtaque Ali Ahmad, Academician and writer Dr Farooq Fayaz, Ex Additional Secretary Mehraj ud Din, former Director Doordarshan Dr Rafiq Masoodi, Editor Urdu Cultural Academy Ashraf Tak, Broadcaster and Playwright Nisar Naseem, Theater director Arshad Mushtaq, theater artist Ayash Arif, comedian Talha Jahangir, Dr Shabnum Rafiq, Gulzar Ahmad Ganai, Director Radio Kashmir Syed Humayun Qaiser, RTI activist turned politician Raja Muzaffar and writer Gulshan Badrani, Aijaz Ahmad Kakroo, Senior Superintendent of Police, Budgam, Fayaz Ahmad Lone.

source: http://www.risingkashmir.com / Rising Kashmir / Home / by Manzoor-ul-Hassan / Srinagar, February 01st, 2016