Category Archives: Leaders

LU to honour famous alumni on foundation day

Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders

Lucknow :

Lucknow University’s 94th foundation day on November 25 will be homecoming for its alumni. To mark the day, LU alumni society will felicitate illustrious alumni who have made a mark in their life and brought laurels to their alma mater. Jharkhand Governor Syed Ali Naqi is likely to be conferred with the lifetime achievement award. Naqi completed his MA from LU.

Those who will be felicitated this year include Khan Masood Ahmed, the vice-chancellor of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Urdu, Arabi-Farsi University, DJ Narain, the director of Film and Television Institute of India, SWA Naqvi, the director of the National Institute of Oceanography, Rachna Govil, the executive director of Sports Authority of India and NK Verma, the managing director of ONGC Videsh Ltd, Justice Ashwani Kumar Singh, judge, Lucknoew bench of Allahabad High Court.

Masood Ahmed did his BSc (statistics, mathematics and physics) from Lucknow University in 1971 and then MA in economics with advanced statistics and econometrics in 1973.

A 1990 batch of Indian Information Service, DJ Narain is an alumnus of IIT-Kanpur. He was a lecturer of monetary economics at Lucknow University.

Working on the biogeochemistry of the oceans, Naqvi did his BSc in physics, chemistry and mathematics from LU in 1972 and then MSc with specialization in physical chemistry in 1974.

NK Verma joined ONGC in 1980 after completing MSc in applied geology from LU. In 1986, he obtained an MTech degree in petroleum exploration from Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad.

Justice Ashwani Kumar Singh graduated in law from LU in 1978. He was enrolled as an advocate in December 1979 and he practiced mainly on criminal side at Lucknow bench of Allahabad High Court. He took oath as a permanent judge in December 2010.

Established in 1920, LU is one of the oldest universities in the state. In the past, the university has honoured some distinguished alumni such as Justice AS Anand, former Chief Justice of India, senior journalist Vinod Mehta, former Union ministers NKP Salve and Harish Rawat and renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Padma Shri Dr Naresh Trehan.


Rajnath to grace occasion

Union home minister Rajnath Singh will grace Lucknow University’s convocation scheduled on January 19. The home ministry has accepted university’s invitation. The university’s degree committee has proposed four names for honoris causa. The names include Chief Justice, Allahabad High Court, Dhananjaya Y Chadrachud; film actor Amitabh Bachchan; singer Anup Jalota and IAS of Gujarat cadre Jayanti Ravi. The committee will finalise one out of these four names.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 18th, 2014

Prez’s doc recalls days at GSVM

Amazing Feats, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

An alumnus of Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial Medical College, Padma Shri Dr Mohsin Wali needs no introduction.

He has the distinction of serving three presidents, including Pranab Mukherjee, as physician.

At the age of 33, he became the youngest ever physician to the then president R Venkataraman and later Shankar Dayal Sharma.

Besides, he was also appointed to serve the family of former president Zakir Hussain. He was in the city to deliver a talk in the national conference — Wellness Con-2014 – organized by CSJM University’s Institute of Health Sciences on Saturday. Later, he spoke at length with TOI about his days spent in the city, his selection as President’s physician in 1990 and his experiences in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. “In 1990, I was working with Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in Delhi. One day hospital CMS called me to inform that he has recommended my name as physician to the then President Venkataraman.

I was shocked. But the biggest surprise was my appointment for the same.

Even my wife Naaz did not believe me and said that I cannot be appointed to such a high post and I merely said that it is an exception,” said Dr M Wali with a broad smile on his face.

During interview, the then president Venkatraman asked him as to how would he treat him and Dr Wali replied, “Sir, I will treat you like any other patient while maintaining dignity for you in my heart.”

This clinched his selection, added Dr Wali, who also had to appear before another president Shankar Dayal Sharma for an interview before been appointed as his physician.

Dr Wali also claimed that he took care of medical problems of former prime minister VP Singh for 15 years.

Recalling his days at GSVM Medical College, Dr Wali said, “I used to stay in room number 108 on the third floor. I was interested in surgery so I used to lurk around operation theatres even at 2am. My sincerity attracted the attention of my seniors and I got a chance to get involved in operations despite being a third year MBBS student.” His hard work earned him seniors’ respect and he was allotted a hostel room with PG students despite pursuing MBBS (graduation course).

Dr Wali is the first doctor in his family. “My maternal uncle motivated me into becoming a doctor,” he said.

A meritorious student since school days, he cleared medical entrance exams of Agra and AMU medical colleges too but opted for GSVM for his MBBS and MD courses.

Dr Wali has been discharging his service since June 1980 and is known for working beyond the call of duty. He also treats staff of the Rashtrapati Bhawan which he is not entitled to. “I treat them because they come to me. That’s my duty and I cannot run away from it,” said Dr Wali.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Abhinav Malhotra / November 17th, 2014

How Begum Hazrat Mahal got her share of fame

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Travel

Lucknow :

Begum Hazrat Mahal’s wouldn’t have been an inspiring tale of patriotism had it not been for Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. The Royal Family of Avadh is in possession of testimony written by Begum’s descendant Prince Anjum Qader.

Great grandson of Begum Hazrat Mahal, Kaukab Qader was present at function to honour martyrs of 1857 revolution in Lucknow and was saddened that the contribution of his ancestor was second to none, yet she was ignored. He and his younger brother Anjum decided to meet Pandit Nehru. In Anjum’s own confession written two years after Pandit Nehru’s death, “I prepared a memorandum and, picking up our youngest brother Nayyer from Aligarh Muslim University, we arrived in New Delhi on August 15, 1957.”

Their claim to the 1857 legacy made news and attracted the PM’s attention. Anjum was bowled over by Nehru’s ‘disarming charm’. All praises for the Queen of Oudh, he inquired about her grave so that something to perpetuate her memory there could be done. In response, Anjum said it was government’s duty to search for it and honour the Begum’s final resting place. Jawaharlal Nehru frankly admitted the lapse and promised to do the needful.”

The 10-minute appointment lasted for an hour and ended with the family providing the PM some reference material. Two months later, Indian government informed the family that the Begum’s grave was found in Kathmandu city and Indian Embassy in Nepal was taking care of it.

On May 9, 1958, Indian government announced state recognition for 1857 Freedom Struggle leaders including Begum Hazrat Mahal. UP government too promised a memorial. “Although we are not aware of the happenings behind the scenes, Mr. Nehru’s hand could easily be felt in the changed attitude,” Anjum writes. Soon after, the famous Victoria Park in Lucknow was renamed after the nawab begum who never gave in to British. Months later, Nehru held his public meeting in the same park.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Shailvee Sharda, TNN / November 13th, 2014

No remains of house where Nehru was born

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Allahabad:

House number 77 in Meerganj locality, where India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was born in 1889, doesn’t exist. The rented accommodation was demolished in 1931 by the then municipality as part of its development drive, much after the Nehru family moved out. Its exact location is now unknown.

There is still a house bearing number 77 in the area but as per records, address was re-allotted after the demolition drive. Now, what remains is a rare photograph of the house taken by Baldev Ram Dave, the then chairman, Improvement Trust (now Allahabad Development Authority). It was taken before the building was getting demolished. The photograph was later gifted to late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in early 1980s by his family members.

“Original caption of the photograph mentioned the location, longitude and latitude of the house, also stating that Jawaharlal Nehru was born in the only room on the upper floor of the house before sunset. Now, the caption has been changed,” a senior member of the family, who do not wished to be named, said.

Jawaharlal was around three years old when his father Motilal Nehru moved out to a posh location at 9, Elgin Road in Civil Lines. After gaining success in the legal profession, Motilal shifted to a big bungalow, now known as Swaraj Bhawan, in Colonelganj area in 1899.

“On the suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi, the bungalow was dedicated to All India Congress Committee in 1930. Motilal Nehru had by then, built a new two-storied building adjacent to Swaraj Bhawan and had named it Anand Bhawan. He shifted to Anand Bhawan in 1928, which is now a museum,” SP Mal, assistant director, Anand Bhawan Museum, said.

He added: “Swaraj Bhawan was the residence of the son of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University. He sold it to SN Pandey, who later passed it on to Raja Jai Kisen Das in 1894. Motilal Nehru, then purchased it for Rs 20,000. Swaraj Bhawan served as the headquarters of the freedom struggle activities till Independence.”

Anand Bhawan and Allahabad Museum have exhibited a replica of the two-storied 77 Meerganj. Old timers claimed that it was a red-light area then. When business started flourishing in the area, the area became a hub of flesh trade.

Mal claimed that attempts were not made to build a memorial at the place probably because the area was congested. The locality never finds mentions in any function related to Nehru probably due to existence of red light area there. Even Congress workers refrain from mentioning anything about the place.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Vinod Khanal, TNN / November 12th, 2014

Nehru defied British, made salt at Allahabad

Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Allahabad :

Although much has been written and said about the famous Namak Satyagrah undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi, only a few would know that a similar disobedience movement was carried out by Jawaharlal Nehru at Sangam city way back on April 11, 1930.

When the movement was at its peak, Jawaharlal Nehru and his supporters had defied the British policy by making salt at the crossing of Hewitt Road and Crosthwaite Road (presently near Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Crossing) following which he was arrested for engaging in ‘illegal’ practice by the then British regime.

As per the then police and court papers, when the salt was measured it weighed around ‘one-fourth tola’ (around 2.75 gram). Nehru was arrested and produced before then city magistrate M S Sant, who ordered six months of rigorous imprisonment to him. The salt was kept with police till Independence and after it, when Nehru dedicated his ancestral house ‘Anand Bhawan’ to the nation, the salt was recovered and exhibited there for the visitors.

Regional archive officer Amit Agnihotri said, “As per the court judgement, Nehru was arrested and prosecuted under section 9 (c) of Indian Salt Act III of 1882 for abetting the manufacture of contraband salt on April 11 on open land near Crosthwaite Road.”

Further, when Nehru was informed of the charges and asked whether he pledge guilty or not guilty, he replied that he was not prepared to take any part in the trial.

Nehru even admitted in taking part in breaking the law, reveals the documents in possession with TOI.

Taking into evidence submitted by Naim-Ul-Haq, sub inspector of police who arrested Nehru, the city magistrate pronounced his order for six months of imprisonment.

After Independence, Anand Bhawan was dedicated to the nation and a trust, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Fund, was formed to look after it. Along with all the belongings of Gandhi-Nehru, the salt too was then recovered from police and given to supervisor of the building R N Gupta for exhibition.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Vinod Khanal, TNN / November 09th, 2014

Razzak elected chairman of UP Bar Council

Business & Economy, Leaders

Lucknow-based lawyer Abdul Razzak Khan was declared elected as chairman of the Bar Council of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday.

Razzak won unopposed as all the other contestants- Hari Shankar Singh, Anil Pratap Singh and Shree Nath Tripathi withdrew their nominations in his favour. All the 25 members of the Bar Council, who had to elect the chairman, were present at the headquarters of the Bar Council of UP at Thrornhill Road on Sunday.

Later, Khan promised to make all possible efforts to get welfare schemes for lawyers implemented. Outlinign his priorities, he said that first of all, he would persuade the state government to implement the insurance scheme worth Rs 5 lakh for the welfare of lawyers. Secondly, he assured to request the state government to implement the scheme of stipend to new lawyers.

He even warned the state government that if these two long standing demands were not fulfilled expeditiously, then he would lead the members on a dharna in front of chief minister’s residence on October 31, to pressurize the state government to provide all the necessary assistance to get these two welfare schemes for lawyers implemented.

He further promised to taken more steps for the welfare of lawyers after getting the aforesaid two demands implemented.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / October 12th, 2014

Freedom fighter Captain Abbas Ali dies

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Freedom fighter Captain Abbas Ali, 95, died of a heart attack around Saturday morning, at a hospital here.

Ali was a captain in the Indian National Army led by Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Later he joined the socialist movement and was a close associate of Ram Manohar Lohia.

He left party politics in 1988.

His son senior journalist Qurban Ali told IANS: “Captain Sahab was active till the last minute”

Abbas Ali was born in in 1920 Khurja, Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh. Early in life he was inspired by Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-IANS> Politics / IANS / Aligarh – October 11th, 2014

‘Fellow of Academy’ award to BHU prof in plastic surgery

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Varanasi:

Head of the department of plastic surgery, Institute of Medical Sciences of Banaras Hindu University, Prof V Bhattacharya was awarded with the ‘Fellow of Academy’ by National Academy of Medical Sciences for his immense contribution in the field of medicine along with the new inventions in plastic surgeries.

Every year, National Academy of Medical Sciences awards the diligent plastic surgeons for their contribution in the field of medicine and this year, Prof V Bhattacharya has been chosen and would be honoured at the 54th National Convention on October 18 in Hrishikesh.

Prof V Bhattacharya is known for the invention of new technologies and contribution in the field of plastic and cosmetic surgeries and has also received various accolades like Kilner Prize, HariOm Ashram Award for his work and contribution in the field of medicine. For the holistic development of the world of medicine, he has also created two short films of which ‘Sushrut – The Father of Plastic Surgery’ holds a significant place on an international level.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / October 09th, 2014

Keeping alive the memory of Begum Akhtar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, Uncategorized
Begum Akhtar
Begum Akhtar

As the Centre rolled out a year-long commemoration of the birth centenary year of ghazal queen Begum Akhtar on Tuesday, the lament of her disciples and close confidantes is that Uttar Pradesh – the State where she was born and lies buried – has shown no interest in keeping her legacy alive.

Coins released
The official launch of the birth centenary commemoration with the release of commemorative coins at National Museum here saw another disciple Rita Ganguly enthral the houseful gathering with a rendition of her teacher’s aye mohabbat tere anjaam pe rona aaya…’’

But for recent efforts by individuals to salvage what remains of `Pasanda Bagh’ in Lucknow – where Begum Akhtar was buried in October 1974 – even her grave would have been lost to encroachers. Now, the space around her grave and that of her mother’s has been restored — courtesy a grant from the Department of Archaeology of the Government of India – and this evening resonated with the voice of Shubha Mudgal.

“But not many people will be able to attend Shubha’s musical offering as `Pasanda Bagh’ has shrunk to almost the size of a room where not more than 40 people can be accommodated. Our effort is to have an annual ‘Urs’ on her ‘barsi’ but we need a bigger venue so that the public can participate in larger numbers. But this is not something that the few of us can do on our own,’’ said Salim Kidwai, founder-member of Sadbhavna Trust.

“We maintain the mazaar from our own pocket,’’ Mr. Kidwai said; adding that successive Uttar Pradesh governments ignored efforts to get some local governmental support. “We are hoping that the State Government will at least include her mazaar in the tourism map as people have begun visiting it ever since we redid the place two years ago.”

Website soon
Vocalist Shanti Hiranand – a disciple of Begum Akhtar who along with Mr. Kidwai drove the effort to restore the mazaar — told The Hindu that one of the pressing tasks ahead is the setting up of a website on the ghazal queen who was equally accomplished in the `dadra’ and `thumri’ genres of Hindustani classical music. The website will be set up as part of a project of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts which will also organise a three-city showcase of Begum Akhtar as part of the commemoration.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by Anita Joshua / New Delhi, October 08th, 2014

This IAS officer actually practices what he preaches

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders
Ajai Shankar Pandey
Ajai Shankar Pandey

Dr. Ajai Shankar Pandey has been cleaning his office himself for years now. He believes that cleanliness and sanitation are not a one-time campaign

A placard outside his office reads: “Is kamre ki safai swayam mere dwara ki jaati hai, kripya isey unavashyak roop se ganda kar mere kaam ke bojh ko na badaye. (This room is cleaned by me. Kindly do not add to my work load by making it dirty.)

Meet IAS officer Dr. Ajai Shankar Pandey. He has been cleaning his office himself for years now. He believes that cleanliness and sanitation are not a one-time campaign and when Agra’s sweepers went on a strike, did not mind picking up the broom.

As the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ gains momentum, Dr. Pandey, of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, reaches his office before duty hours daily and cleans the area himself.

Posted at present as Additional Divisional Commissioner in Meerut, Dr. Pandey says, “Cleanliness is a daily routine. Today, everyone is taking part in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. We must remember that cleanliness and sanitation should be a habit. It should be a daily ritual. People must keep the city clean.”

“In India, we have this notion that cleaning is the job of a particular person and that we have got nothing to do with it. In our family system, too, we see women of the family doing all the cleaning, while men in the house never even sweep dust. This impression must go,” says Dr. Pandey.

A graduate in Modern History from Allahabad University, Dr. Pandey says he has always been sensitive towards cleanliness. When he joined office as Sub-Divisional Magistrate at Etmadpur near Agra he got the responsibility of the entire city.

“It began way back in 1994 when as SDM in Etmadpur, the sweepers went on a strike. The residents of the city came up to me as the entire city was full of filth. The demands of the sweepers could not be met immediately. So, I told the residents that I would pick up the broom and that they should also help me. The following day, we went about the city cleaning it of not some sham filth but nearly ten-day old rotting garbage. The city was clean. Seeing this, the sweepers called off their strike,” he shares.

He has also served as Municipal Commissioner of Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur and Kanpur. In all his offices, he took up the task of cleaning the premises.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Akanksha Jain / New Delhi – October 04th, 2014