Category Archives: Leaders

Women man Mathura power posts

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders

Mathura:

Woman power is riding high in the district. From wielding political power to holding administrative reins, women are, for the first time, manning the top political and administrative positions in the district.

While actor-turned-politician Hema Malini is at the helm as Mathura MLA, Maneesha Gupta is Nagar Palika chairman, B Chandrakala is district magistrate, Laxmi Singh is deputy inspector general (DIG) range and Manzil Saini is SSP. Adding more punch to that power list is Durga Shakti Nagpal, the IAS officer who made headlines for cracking down on illegal mining operations in Noida. Also, Preeti Priyadarshini, an IPS officer, recently joined as assistant superintendent (ASP).

Speaking to TOI, Hema Malini says, “This is a very good coincidence in Mathura and I am proud of it. I hope the lady officials continue to stay there for a long time, as a lot can be done collectively. We understand one another and feel the same about our responsibilities. Women are more serious about implementation of plans and ideas, and all of us share common perceptions. For two days, October 15 and 16, we are launching a cleanliness drive in Mathura and Vrindavan and all the women will take the lead.”

Nagpal feels women officials could serve as role models for other women. She said, “It’s a big responsibility since as role models we inspire women and children. The janata sees us and feels encouraged to support their daughters to study harder and reach higher levels. As officials, we women are proactive and positive, providing greater stability. We have to look after our homes, families and the people, so the warmth and affection obviously spreads.”

“We women officials keep meeting one another at various meetings. It’s a great feeling. We also interact with the MP, and discuss projects,” Nagpal says.

Nagar Palika chairman Maneesha Gupta says, “It’s a rare honour for the district. Women officials have an opportunity to show they are equal in all respects. We are capable and doing our best. We are more sensitive and respond to human feelings in a more positive manner.”

Senior activist-writer Ashok Bansal thinks there has been a qualitative change in style of governance and the corruption levels with women taking charge. On Rakshabandhan, Bansal recalls, district magistrate B Chandra Kala created a stir when she tied rakhies to journalists. Kala later also publicly touched a freedom fighter’s feet on Independence Day, “Problems persist, but generally it has been a welcome change,” Bansal says, adding that “dalaal politics is out, honesty is in” because of women officials. Social activist Uma Shankar Sharma concurs with Bansal on a positive change in governance.

District magistrate B Chandrakala says, “It’s just a coincidence, but as far as administrative governance is concerned, it is not important who is heading the department.” Public perception can of course be different, she said. However, Deepak Shastri, an NGO worker (name?), feels public perception matters as even symbolism is important in a democratic system.

Kamlesh Choudhary, a functionary of Mahila Morcha (the BJP’s women’s wing), says she is excited with the coincidence feels proud of the women officers. However, Sunil Sharma, a media person thinks it is too early to evaluate their performance.

Laxmi Gautam, an activist, says, “Women officials are undoubtedly more sensitive and efficient. They are good at solving problems.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / TNN / September 25th, 2014

When Wajid Ali’s mother went to meet the Queen

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

Lucknow :

After Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Lucknow lost his empire, his mother Janab-i’Aliyyah went all the way to England to meet the Queen and seek justice, but she failed in her mission as she got no audience.

History lovers in Lucknow will now have access to new insights into the life and times of the last Nawab of Oudh along with rare pictures and never-heard before information. Regarded by the East India Company as a debauched ruler who spent his time with ‘fiddlers, eunuchs and women’ instead of looking after the kingdom, Wajid Ali Shah has become the centrepiece of yet another historical book.

Written by British historian Rosie Llewellyn Jones, ‘The Last King in India’ talks, besides his mother’s failed overseas mission, about Begum Hazrat Mahal’s revolt in 1857.

Though most artifacts of historical importance were lost forever after the downfall, with painstaking efforts, they have re-surfaced to narrate the story of an era in which the Nawab created exquisite poetry, theatrical pieces, music and dance. In the well researched book, he comes across as a compassionate person towards his subjects. The magnificent Qaiserbagh built by him came to be known as one of the most elaborate palace complexes ever created.

Given how little was known about the last Nawab of Awadh, the historian and author researched about Wajid Ali Shah from the original documents in Indian and British archives and through meetings with his descendants.

Several paintings and photographs have also been found. In one of the photographs Wajid Ali Shah is seen sitting with one of his 350 wives and a child on a couch. Although, almost every palace and structure along the banks of Hooghly river was either destroyed or auctioned by the British after his death in 1887, in order to eliminate any chances of a rebellion, his pictures still hang on the wall in Matiya Burj.

It is said that he had actually created a miniature Lucknow in Matiya Burj and transported its multi-faceted culture there.

At the release of her latest book, Jones said “I have always been a fan of Wajid Ali Shah. He was misunderstood by the British as he never wanted bloodshed in his kingdom and continued not to bow against them, much to their dismay. His love for poetry, art and dance is admirable and he was one of the greatest patrons of the cultural landscape.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / by Shefali Mehrotra, TNN / September 28th, 2014

First Muslim Woman to Enter Civil Services Awarded Padma

Leaders, Records, All

She broke the glass ceiling many a time, from being the first woman to enter any Class-I civil service to becoming the first IRS officer to be appointed as a UPSC member, to being the only woman to have worked in the Central Narcotics Department.

After donning multiple hats during her long career, it was another proud moment for Parveen Talha, when she was conferred the Padma Shri award on Saturday for her contribution to the Civil Services.

But the road to success wasn’t easy for Talha and her biggest hurdle was to overcome the anti-women mindset of her bosses at the initial stages of her career.

“It is indeed a proud moment for me but I am grateful to my bosses too. Though I had to initially deal with their anti-women mindset when I joined services 45 years ago, after a few years I was able to prove that I could handle the tricky jobs as efficiently as my male colleagues,” Talha told PTI.

70-year-old Talha joined the Indian Revenue Service (Customs and Central Excise) in 1969 where she worked for 35 years and was then picked up as a member of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in 2004.

“Once my bosses began to trust in my capabilities, I started getting challenging assignments including posting as Deputy Narcotics Commissioner in Uttar Pradesh,” she said.

“There was a large-scale leakage of opium going on in UP then. While I tried my best to play a stringent officer dealing with certain illegal channels, poppy cultivators were surprised too because they had never seen a woman at that level,” she added.

By halting for days in the cultivation areas and delving deep into the processes of poppy cultivation from sowing to lancing and harvesting, she gathered foolproof intelligence which was put to good use by her hand-picked preventive parties.

During her posting in UP and Bihar in 1990s, she attached illegally acquired property worth millions of rupees belonging to smugglers and drug traffickers, risking her life.

While she was posted as the Director General Training in 2002, Talha provided strategic vision to the Department of Customs and Central Excise in evolving comprehensive packages of programmers for technical capacity building of all cadres and service providers.

Talha, who was honoured with the President Award for “Specially Distinguished Record of Service” in 2000, also has a penchant for writing.

She has written ‘Fida-e-Lucknow’, a collection of 22 short stories, besides writing the script for the serial ‘Husn-e-Jana’ directed by Muzaffar Ali.

“I find there are stories in every nook and corner that are waiting to be told. So I will pursue my passion for writing now that I am a retired person,” she said.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> News / New Delhi – April 27th, 2014

Former Goa governor Fazal dies in UP at 92

Leaders

Panaji:

Former Goa governor Mohammed Fazal and economist passed away at his residence in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday. He was 92.

He was educated at the university of Allahabad and then at London school of economics. He was a senior member of the Planning Commission during 1980-85. In 1999, he was appointed governor of Goa and later as Maharashtra governor in 2002 and held the office till 2004.

Deputy chief minister and acting chief minster Francis D’Souza has expressed deep grief on the demise of Fazal.

In a condolence message, the D’Souza recalled his contribution to public life and prayed that the Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude.

Governor Mridula Sinha, has expressed deep grief over the sad demise of Mohammed Fazal, former governor of Goa and Maharashtra.

The governor has conveyed her heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.

Condoling the death of Fazal, the Goa Pradesh Congress committee in a statement said, “It was an honour to have known such a great person as he served Goa with utmost dignity,” adding that, “our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family”.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Hoem> City> Goa / TNN / September 05th, 2014

Kathak doyen’s abode housed in hellish neglect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Lucknow :

The house in which founder of Kathak Kendra of UP and winner President’s award Pandit Lachchhu Maharaj was born lies in a state of shocking neglect. Famous as Kalka Bindadin Maharaj ji ki Dyodi (Jhaulal ka Pul), the house where the legendary Kathak dancer and choreographer was born is in a miserable state, though the government once promised to turn it into a museum.

He hailed from an illustrious family of Kathak exponents in Lucknow (1907-1978), recipient of the prestigious President’s and Sangeet Natak Akademi award Lachhu Maharaj and also the founder director of the Kathak Kendra of Uttar Pradesh, the government of Uttar Pradesh has done absolutely nothing to keep his memories alive. Even the promise of turning his house into a museum made by the state government remains unfulfilled.

Kathak doyen’s nephew Pandit Birju Maharaj too said he had been trying hard to get the house converted into a tourist place but so far he has only received false promises from the parties in power.

“This year, I have requested the Chief Minister to consider with priority the proposal of preserving the house as a museum. I hope some positive results come out soon,” said Pandit Birju Maharaj.

Lachhu Maharaj’s first disciple in Lucknow, Kumkum Adarsh, a popular city-based Kathak dancer and the maestro’s niece Rameshwari Mishra too have been championing the cause. Speaking to TOI, Rameshwari Mishra, who lives in another portion of the same house, said “It gives me immense pain to see the pathetic condition of the house of the legendary artiste who contributed so much to the field of Awadh’s culture.”

She said around 15 years back, during its previous regime, Samajwadi Party mooted the idea of creating a museum in his name but nothing has been done so far.

“If you visit the government flat of Gulistan colony in which Lachchhu Maharaj breathed his last, you will find a rusted ‘sarkari taala’ on the door,” she added.

Kumkum Adarsh, who has been organising an award function in memory of her favorite mentor on his birth anniversary September 1 since 1998, feels her ustad has not been given the recognition he deserved in his home state.

“I am disappointed that no one has actually done anything to keep his memories alive and the pitiable state of the portion of the house he was born and lived in shows the government’s callous attitude,” she rued.

Besides his family and disciples, city-based historian Yogesh Pravin and short-story writer Aisha Siddiqui are also of the view that it is high time people came forward and took up the issue. “Even today there are hundreds of fans of Lachchhu Maharaj across the globe. I still recall how students who came from all over the country would say ‘hum maharaj ji ki dyodi ko choomna chahte hain”, said Yogesh Pravin. “The government must preserve the memories of legendary artists not only as a form of honour to the person but also so that the future generation remains attached to the city’s rich culture and heritage,” said Aisha Siddiqui.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / by Uzma Talha, TNN / September 01st, 2014

Ram Temple movement leader and Yogi Adityanath’s guru Avaidyanath passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

SUMMARY
Former BJP MP Mahant Avaidyanath, who was one of the leading lights of the Ram Temple movement in Ayodhya, died
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Former BJP MP Mahant Avaidyanath, who was one of the leading lights of the Ram Temple movement in Ayodhya, died following prolonged illness in Gorakhpur Friday. He was also the former chief priest of Gorakhnath Temple and guru of BJP’s firebrand leader and Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath.

Avaidyanath (95) was admitted to Medanta Hospital, Gurgaon, three months ago and was on ventilator for the past few days. He was moved to Guru Gorakhnath Hospital on the temple campus in Gorakhpur by an air-ambulance Friday evening. He died around 9 pm.

Adityanath accompanied Avaidyanath from Gurgaon to Gorakhpur.

Avaidyanath was elected MLA from Maniram Assembly segment five times – 1962, 1967, 1969, 1974 and 1977. He was elected Lok Sabha member from Gorakhpur as an Independent candidate in 1970 and won again in 1989 as candidate of Hindu Mahasabha. He was elected MP from the same seat in 1991 and 1996 as BJP nominee.

Adityanath took deekhsha from Avaidyanath in February 1994 who declared him as his successor.

Adityanath, too, won from Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat for five consecutive terms.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the death of Avaidyanath, saying “he will be remembered for his patriotic zeal and determined efforts to serve society”.

“Saddened over the demise of Mahant Avaidyanath ji. He will be remembered for his patriotic zeal and determined efforts to serve society,” the Prime Minister said.

BJP state president Laxmikant Bajpai and general secretary (organisation) Sunil Bansal, too, expressed grief over Avaidyanath’s demise.

BJP spokesperson of Gorakhpur region Satyendra Sinha said the party has cancelled the two-day training camp of party workers of Gorakhpur region that was scheduled to begin in Kushi Nagar Saturday.

Satyendra said Avaidyanath’s body would be placed in the temple for public to pay tributes on Saturday.He will be buried on the temple campus Sunday according to the rituals of Sant Samaj.

source: http://www.financialexpress.com / The Financial Express / Home> Miscellaneous / Express News Service – Lucknow / September 13th, 2014

G.B. Pant University honors U.S. Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui

Agriculture, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, today honored its former student, United States Chief Agricultural Negotiator Ambassador Islam A. Siddiqui, with an honorary degree of Doctor of Science. The degree was conferred upon Ambassador Siddiqui in recognition of his contributions to agricultural research and development, as well as agricultural trade policy development and his work’s influence on world agriculture.

“I feel humbled and honored at the same time to be receiving this honorary degree of Doctor of Science. Thousands of agricultural scientists, engineers, and veterinarians graduating from Pantnagar and sister universities provided the foot soldiers to make the Green Revolution a reality. This massive technology transfer of modern agricultural practices – combining education, research, and extension — turned India from a net food importing country to a food exporting nation. As a student of the first batch of this great institution when it opened its doors 51 years ago, I had not imagined in my wildest dreams that one day I would receive this prestigious award.”

Ambassador Siddiqui was born in Haldwani, Uttar Pradesh and attended G.B. Pant University before taking a scholarship at the University of Illinois in the United States. Throughout his career, he has advocated for international cooperation, technology transfer, capacity building, and new technology development to achieve food security in the 21st century.

source: http://www.newdelhi.usembassy.gov / Embassy of the United States, New Delhi, India / Home> News & Events> Press Releases / New Delhi – May 20th, 2011

Mohani Tea shows how to crack distribution network in remote areas

Business & Economy, Leaders

When Ramesh Chand Agarwal went for a holiday to Darjeeling after his graduation little did he know that it would decide the course of his future. As he visited the tea plantations in North Bengal and saw tea auctions in the open market, he felt that this was going to be his calling. Ramesh instantly bought a small consignment of tea to test out his potential and there has been no looking back since.

mohaniLUCKNOW31aug2014
Initially Ramesh was just testing the waters by being involved in trading operations for bulk tea. But then one incident changed his perspective. Ramesh shares, “It so happened that once while I was sitting with a retailer of loose tea a customer came complaining about the quality of tea and wanted to return what she had bought from the retailer a few days back. That was the flash point for me and I made up my mind to launch my own packet tea with affordable pricing and good, consistent quality that will reach small villages where large packers like Brooke Bond or Lipton did not reach.” With the help of his three brothers, Ramesh got into the production of tea under his own brand, Mohani Tea, to solve the problem of people in remote areas.


How it works
Though tea is a seasonal product, people consume it throughout the year. From procuring the samples from different states, including Assam, North Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala to getting out the final product is nothing less than a Herculean task. Once they procure samples from different agents, it goes through a standard and blind calibration check, after which they place their order. The entire product from different agents is then brought to their facility at Kanpur where it is again tested and processed. At present, they have a team of experts which oversees the entire supply chain and delivers the product within three months.


Challenges
Like any consumer facing product they had to face huge challenges when it came to distribution. Rural population was a big market but reaching them was a challenge. Ramesh says, “As we started our backyard operation to produce packet tea in Kanpur, we realized that distribution and reaching to far flung areas in UP was a huge challenge that we had not anticipated. Being a new brand, it was difficult to find distributors. Everyone wanted credit. Off-take was low so shopkeepers did not have much confidence in the product. However, persistence and perseverance finally paid off and Mohani Tea started gaining acceptance with consumers in smaller towns.”

What had been their biggest challenge slowly became their strength. They have overcome most competition from other local players as well. Ramesh adds, “There are a number of regional players in the market who either dominate a small area, or number of districts and often compete on pricing and schemes. Since our key focus is villages, small towns and suburban area, we are not directly competing with large national players like Unilever or Tata. But the regional and local competition is very intense. There are no technology entry barriers as such and it is primarily the strength of distribution, branding, trust of the consumers and supply chain that give us the competitive edge over other players.”


Future
At present, Ramesh claims to have achieved around five percent market share in North India, primarily in UP, MP, Punjab, J&K, Bihar and Jharkhand. Looking at the future, Ramesh says he is looking forward to reach at least Rs 1000 crore in turnover from their current turnover of around Rs 300 crore in the next five years.

source: http://www.yourstory.com / Your Story / Home> Yourstory.com / Aditya Bhushan Dwivedi / August 29th, 2014

Tributes paid to Shehnai maestro

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Varanasi:

Rich tributes were paid to Shehnai maestro Bharat Ratna Late Ustad Bismmillah Khan on his 8th death anniversary observed at Dargah-e-Fatman on Thursday.

A music lover and a fan of Ustad, Narendra Gupta from Delhi, paid tributes to him by reading Sunderkand of Ramcharitmanas and Hanuman Chalisa beside his grave. Gupta visits the city every year on birth and death anniversary of Ustad. Some music lovers also paid a musical tribute to him on the occasion.

They were disappointed to see that the grave of Ustad could not take a shape of a maqbara yet, and a music academy after his name also seemed to be a distant dream. A series of promises were made by the government after the death of Shehnai maestro but none of them have been fulfilled yet.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Varanasi / TNN / August 22nd, 2014

AMU Professor Gets SAARC Best Law Teacher Award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Records, All

Eminent academician Faizan Mustafa, who is senior vice-president of city-based NGO Rural Litigation Entitlement Kendra, has been conferred with this year’s prestigious SAARC Best Law Teacher Award.

In a unanimous decision the high-powered jury conferred this award on Mustafa, according to a press statement released by the NGO here today.

The award which carries Rs 1 lakh in cash, a citation and a plaque would be given to Mustafa by the Union Law Minister in Delhi on September 6, in the presence of eminent professors of law, judges and eminent lawyers, it said.

Earlier awardees include leading jurists N R Madhav Menon, Ranbir Singh, G V Ajjappa, V S Mani, Prof. Laxminath and Prof. Mizanur Rehman of Bangladesh’s Dhaka University.

Mustafa is Aligarh Muslim University’s Law Faculty member and is widely respected for his passion for teaching. He introduced several courses such as Intellectual Property Rights, International Human Rights Law and Tourism Laws at AMU.

At NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad where he is presently working as Vice-Chancellor, he designed and taught new courses like Diversity Management Law, Comparative Strict Liability Law, Multiculturalism & Minority Rights.

He is the only academic who has been nominated as member of the National Legal Services Authority, which is headed by the Chief Justice of India.

He is member of several Executive Councils, Academic Councils and General Councils of various universities. He has been member of several search committees for the appointment of Vice-Chancellors.

Noted rights activist Avadhash Kaushal who heads the NGO has suggested that the Uttarakhand government should utilise the services of Mustafa in planning the proposed National Law University of Uttarakhand.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> News / Dehradun – August 19th, 2014