Category Archives: Records, All

Police stations rich repository of freedom struggle

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

Allahabad :

The Allahabad Police records are a rich repository of British Raj history, dating back to 1896. The department has painstakingly compiled all records, including FIRs against martyrs and investigation sheets, along with the history of each and every case maintained by Britishers systematically in Conviction Registers (CRs).

SSP Deepak Kumar said, “Realizing historical value of British era records, we have written to the DGP to set up a special cell to maintain it. Records available with different police stations, including Colonelganj, Kotwali and Civil Lines, have been compiled with the help of historians.” He further said that they would consult Allahabad Museum officials after seeking seniors’ approval and suggestion.

Meanwhile, Regional Archive Office has already asked the district police authorities to hand over historical records for proper up keep.

Police have preserved all sheets related to cases registered in a CR with its serial number along with the name of the convict and the number of history-sheet, percentage and caste, place and date of conviction, offence category, punishment awarded, place of crime and remarks.

Apart from this, the records have other details like notes on crime in village with special references to fractions, land or water dispute, presence of criminal tribes or gang, occurrence of obstructions or damage to railway line within the village, special outbreak of crime in the village.

Records also revealed that the Britishers keenly compiled village-wise fractions, land or water disputes as well as damage to railway line within a village.

The police record of British era, including sheets on which cases under various sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) against martyrs were registered in Village Crime Notebook (VCN), too has been maintained.

Records revealed that the Village Crime Notebook, maintained by British between 1910 and 1947, has a mention of the case registered against martyr Chandra Shekhar Azad with Colonelganj police station under Section 307 of the IPC on February 27, 1931 (crime number 20\1931). The case was registered by Britishers against martyr Azad and one of his companion regarding Alfred Park firing incident, in which sub-inspector Rai Sahib Chaudhary Rishal Singh was the investigation officer.

However, the Britishers had not put any remark on the outcome of the case, whereas they had noted down the result of every case on the sheets.

“Since cases during the British rule were registered in Urdu, the department took assistance of Urdu translators to know about the particular cases registered against martyrs,” said the SSP adding, “These records were preserved technically and scientifically to prevent any further damage.”

As per available records, the first case with Colonelganj police station was registered in 1910 in Urdu under Section 457 of the IPC. The last case in same language was registered in 1949. Besides, Kotwali police too had recovered FIRs lodged in 1896.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / by Kapil Dixit, TNN / February 27th, 2015

Promising more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Cheering the teamSinger Kanika Kapoor
Cheering the teamSinger Kanika Kapoor

The winner of this year’s Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (Female), Kanika Kapoor has released her new single in collaboration with the Universal Music for the Indian Cricket team which is participating in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. Kanika has already created a niche for herself in the industry by belting out hits like “Baby doll”, “Pink lips”, “Lovely”, “Chittiyaan Kallaiyaan” and many more adding to her fame and glory. Besides the Filmfare award she has also won prestigious awards as the Best Female Playback Singer at StarGuild, StarDust for her song “Baby doll” and won the Most Entertaining Singer category at Big Star Entertainments Awards.

In an interview to The Hindu she talks about her new single, struggle, hit numbers among other things.

Tell us about your new upcoming venture with Universal Music.

This song is the Hindi version of the song “Heroes” which is originally made by Swedish DJ and music producer, Alesso. It is about encouraging the spirit of Indian cricket team and uniting every cricket fan to hoot for the ‘Heroes’ during this World Cup Season. I am pretty excited for this song because it brings out the essence of the cricket world cup and adds an energetic vibe to it.

How do you feel after singing so many hit numbers?

I believe success comes after a lot of hard work and patience. Even if you are graced with a lot talent, it does not mean you will be recognised as a singer at that very moment. Patience becomes vital during the low points of your life because it is your determination which bears the fruit in the end. I feel blessed to have an opportunity to express my talent at such a great platform and honoured to be the voice behind so many hits.

How did you start your struggle as a singer?

Being born and raised in Lucknow, I started studying classical music under Pandit Ganesh Prasad Mishra at the age of 12. After that I accompanied him when he performed at concerts all over India. During this time I did a stint with the All India Radio and then moved to the music industry. From my experience I can clearly tell that working for your passion is not merely a cakewalk. A lot of perseverance is required.

Do you believe in singing only one type of genre or more?

I clearly believe in singing different types of songs. I have sung many upbeat dance numbers but my latest song “Chhil Gaye Naina” from the film “NH10” is a sad song. I think all singers should explore their skills by singing songs of different genres so as to understand their strengths and weaknesses.

How do you plan to connect with your fans this year?

Right now I am going to be entertaining the crowd of Delhi University in the month of March. I am looking forward to make the youth dance to my beats at different colleges and lighten the evenings.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Friday Review / by Yukti Gaur / February 27th, 2015

Trophies galore at flower show finale

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Travel

Lucknow :

As many as 107 running trophies and cups as prizes were presented to winners of the two-day-long fruits, vegetables and flower show, which concluded at Raj Bhavan on Sunday.

The show comprised a total of 1,004 participants along with more than 4,000 exhibits.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor Ram Naik said the texture and aroma of flowers are a treat to the eyes, while vegetables are a foodie’s delight. Governor also appreciated vegetables grown as potted plants and said based on this experience and technique, it could be replicated on a wider scale.

The kitchen garden of Swati Singh, a resident of Vikramaditya Marg, won as many as 16 prizes. This year’s theme for the kitchen garden was ‘Sankalp’.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / February 23rd, 2015

Mean machines deck up city roads at vintage car rally in Kanpur

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

The car rally witnessed participation from Kanpur as well as Lucknow and Allahabad.

Juhi poses with her Hillman vinatge car
Juhi poses with her Hillman vinatge car

The 9th annual vintage car rally organised by the Vintage and Classic Car Club of Cawnpore on Sunday was a big success from the word go. Vintage cars, bikes and even scooters lined up early in the morning at the Green Park Stadium with proud owners from Allahabad and Lucknow also participating in the event. “This vintage car rally is very popular among vintage vehicle owners and its popularity can be judged by the fact that we have participants from outside the city also showing their vehicles,” said Tariq Ibrahim, the president of the club. The rally was flagged off by ADM Avinash Singh and normal traffic on the road, from the stadium till Mall Road, came to a halt as people stood and looked in awe at the Rolls Royce, Austin, Morris Cowley and Hillmans drive past.
A few of the cars that have made history were also part of the rally including a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Convertible Sports, owned by Yasser Ibrahim, is the winner of the 1st Formula One Race that took place in Spain in 1913.

Visitors at the rally were given much gyaan of the technical specifications of the vehicles by their respective owners.

Also finding an enviable spot at the rally was a Rolls Royce Double Limousine Silver Ghost 1913 and Rolls Royce Silver Ghost convertible sports of 1913 owned by Yasser Ibrahim. “The Rolls Royce Silver Ghost Convertible Sports has features like 7500 CC engine, four-gears, semi-automatic transmission with cruise control. My great-great grandfather Hafiz Halim Saheb bought it from London in the year 1913. I am the fifth generation driving this car. We sent this car to England to the Rolls Royce company last year, for its restoration. These cars are one of their own kinds in the world. I feel so proud when people driving fancy modern cars on the roads, stop and inquire about my old beauties,” said Ibrahim.

Vintage two-wheelers attracted just as much attention at the rally as did the four wheelers. Ruchika showed off her Lambretta 1945 scooter while TS Johar displayed his vintage BSA motorcycle. Tahir’s 1945 manufactured Ford Jeep had many automobile enthusiasts lining up to see the vehicle. But the biggest draw at the rally was businessman Shahid Mirza’s Ford Anglia manufactured in 1938 which was also used in the film Gadar-Ek Prem Katha.

We spotted Juhi Nigam, Umama, Kajri and Saif displaying their vintage cars. “I have brought my Hillman and two other vintage cars for the rally. These were owned by my grandparents and we are carrying forward the family tradition of maintaining them,” said Juhi. Dr Aditya Mohan Jain and wife Neeta also participated in rally along with three of their Morris cars.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / by Sumit Jha, TNN / February 21st, 2015

Scot’s search for his roots

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Nicholas Graves looking at one of the photos inside the carriage used by the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways at Lallaguda on Tuesday.– Photo: By Arrangement
Nicholas Graves looking at one of the photos inside the carriage used by the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways at Lallaguda on Tuesday.– Photo: By Arrangement

With just pension saving details dating to the era of last Nizam, Scottish national Nicholas Graves embarked on a search for his maternal ancestors at Lallaguda Railway Carriage Workshop.

On Tuesday, Mr. Graves looked for anything that could reveal information about his great grandfather from his maternal side, James Theodre, who worked for the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways (NSGR) as a loco fitter in 1932 at Lallaguda.

Mr. Graves has his ancestor’s pension saving details, couple of photographs of his maternal grandmother and grandfather who were married at a church in Lucknow, along with their marriage certificate.

“It started eight years ago when I developed interest in my ancestry. Researching my paternal ancestry, I have been able to track it back to four centuries. But I know very little about my maternal side,” Mr. Graves said during his tour of the workshop.

His ancestor James Theodre was born in India in 1897. The pension book with Mr. Graves shows that James earned Rs. 52 in 1932. His daughter and Mr. Graves’s maternal grandmother, Phyllis Margret Champion, was also born in India and later married an army man from England in Lucknow.

“After they got married in 1938, there is no record of my maternal grandparents visiting India or any clues about their parents, including James Theodre,” he said, pointing to an incomplete family tree he has put together.

Mr. Graves’s grandparents died when he was a child and there isn’t much he knows of them.

His mother and his aunt could only offer him the artefacts he has with him. But he knows it’s not much to go on.

His resolve to uncover his ancestry was motivated by Londoner Duncan Hart, who posted a video detailing his visit to Hyderabad to learn about his grandfather’s past more than two years ago. Though he did not meet Mr. Hart’s success at the workshop on Tuesday, Mr. Graves is optimistic.

Should he decide to persist with his search, Mr. Graves’s next stop would be St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Lucknow, where he hopes to get details about his grandfather and grandmother, which would later help build a bigger picture of his maternal ancestry.

Nicholas Graves, a Scottish national, is in the city in search of his maternal ancestor who worked for the Nizam State Guaranteed Railways in 1932 at Lallaguda

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rohit P S / Hyderabad – February 18th, 2015

Municipal Corporation to light up memorial of 257 freedom fighters

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion

Bareilly :

The Bareilly Municipal Corporation is all set to light up the memorial of 257 freedom fighters who laid down their lives during the country’s first war of independence in 1857.

The tower built in their memory is situated in the compound housing the office of divisional commissioner.

Though the memorial was built in 2006, there are no lights at the venue, plunging the place into darkness after evening hours.

The municipal authorities will install high mast lights around the memorial so that the venue is well lit and easily visible to commuters on the road running in front of the park during late evening hours.

After divisional commissioner Pradyuman Yadav took over as Bareilly commissioner, he asked municipal authorities to light up the park where the memorial is situated

“It was disappointing to learn that the tower built in the memory of 257 freedom fighters is lying in darkness. A majority of the locals are unaware about the importance and historical significance of this place,” said Sheeldhar Yadav, municipal commissioner.

Teams of municipal corporation visited the park where the memorial tower is situated on Sunday to survey the area. “We will install white or cream-colour high mast lights around the memorial so that it is able to grab the attraction of commuters moving on the opposite side of roads,” said the commissioner, adding that the work will be completed in the next 10 days.

Explaining the significance of this memorial, Yadav said these 257 freedom fighters were hanged to death on the branches of the banyan tree situated next to tower. During the first revolt of Independence against the British, Bareilly was the headquarter of Rohilkhand region, which included districts of Bareilly, Moradabad, Badaun, Pilibhit, Bijnor, Rampur and Shahjahanpur. On May 31, 1857, the freedom fighters killed British officials, including the principal of Bareilly College, during the revolt.

After their victory, the freedom fighters had made Khan Bahadur Khan, who was the grandson of Hafiz Rehmat Khan, the ruler of Rohilkhand region. Khan formed his own government and ruled the region till May 5, 1858. However, on the morning of May 5, the army of British forces gheraoed the city from all four corners. The British forces defeated the freedom fighters the next day by bombarding the city.

“Khan, along with his trustworthy 257 sepoys, fled to Nepal but British forces, with the help of Nepalese, captured them,” said Abhay Singh, associate professor, department of ancient history and culture at Mahatma Jyotiba Phule (MJP) Rohilkhand University.

On March 25, 1860, Khan was sentenced in the district jail of Bareilly, but 257 freedom fighters, who fought with him, were hanged to death with rope on the branches of the banyan tree in the presence of locals. The state government had constructed the tower next to the banyan tree in 2006 in memory of these freedom fighters.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bareilly / by Priyangi Agarwal, TNN / February 16th, 2015

Azamgarh boy to get Chancellor Gold Medal

Education, Records, All

The IXth Convocation of UP Rajarshi Tandon Open University would be held at Pt Madan Mohan Malviya convocation ground of Phaphamau campus on Saturday.

Vice-chancellor Prof M P Dubey said that governor and chancellor of the University Ram Naik would preside over the convocation. The convocation address would be delivered by Indian Space Research Organization’s Professor YS Rajan.

Nearly 12,500 students, who cleared examinations of December 2013 and June 2014 would be awarded degrees and diplomas at the convocation. Besides, 18 brilliant students would be felicitated with gold medals. The Chancellor Gold Medal has been bagged by MSc (Bio-Chemistry) student Brijbhan Yadav of Azamgarh who topped the December 2013-June 2014 examination and scored highest marks (82.08%) among all undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Other recipients of the University Gold Medal for PG course include Yadvendra Saroj, Bechan Chauhan, Vinit Kumar, Seema Kashyap, Sadhana Pandey and Brijbhan Yadav. UG students include Anamika Yadav, Kirti Gupta, Mohammad Wasim Sidhhiqui, Bhawna Sharma, Angad Kumar Yadav and Neha Verma.

Prof Dubey also said that donor gold medals would also be awarded to Kirti Srivastava, Seema Kashyap, Pooja Jaiswal, Kirti Gupta and Richa Tiwari.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Allahabad / TNN / February 12th, 2015

Akhilesh honours 56 achievers with Yash Bharti

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Lucknow :

Classical singer Shubha Mudgal, Bollywood playback singers Rekha Bhardwaj and Kailash Kher, journalist Vinod Mehta, theatre artists Urmil Kumar Thapiyal, poet Khushbir Singh ‘Shaad’, kathak exponent Kum Kum Dhar, as well as actors Jimmy Shergill and Nawazuddin Siddiqui were among 56 achievers who on Monday received the Yash Bharti Award for 2013-14 & 2014-15 at a grand ceremony held at Ram Manohar Lohia Park.

The award, given by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, carried a cash prize of Rs 11 lakh, a citation and a shawl. The Yash Bharti Award is one of the highest state-level awards conferred for excellence in literature, fine arts, classical music, folk music and sports. The awards were instituted in 1994 by Mulayam Singh Yadav to honor achievers in different fields. Addressing the awardees, Akhilesh said, “As these awards are given to generate social awareness in the society, I consider each of the recipients ‘real’ ambassadors of Uttar Pradesh, representing the state across the globe.”

Among the awardees, bhajan maestro Anoop Jalota donated his award to a city-based trust to promote Bhagwad Gita through spiritual concert ‘Ram Bhi Rahim Bhi’. Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui said his joy of receiving the award doubled as he also got a chance to visit the city which taught him the basics of acting and theatre at Bhartendu Natya Akademi

Kathak exponent Kumkum Dhar, said, “It certainly feels great when the government and people of your own state not only recognize your work but applaud you in such a grand way.” “Besides the support of my family, it is actually the blessings of my guru Lacchhu Maharaj that helped me sail through these 40 years of my career with such ease,” she added.

Renowned poet Khushbir Singh ‘Shaad’, who is currently settled in Punjab, expressed joy over receiving the award and said, “It is certainly a matter of pride for me that Lucknow still remembers me with the same love and affection.”

The other list of awardees include classical singer Rajan Saajan Mishra and Rita Ganguly, music composer Ravindra Jain, international level judo referee Munawar Anzar, educationist Jagdish Gandhi, Abhishek Yadav for special commando training, wrestler Aka Tomar, ghazal singer Rita Ganguly, lyricist Sameer, poet Bekal Utsahi, writer Maata Prasad Tripathi and Devi Prasad Pandey.

Along with these, two bravery awards were also conferred. While Resham Fatima was awarded Maharani Ahiliyabai Holkar Award, Seema Tiwari was given the Rani Laxmi Bai award.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / February 10th, 2015

Book explores the history of Nagore dargah

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Chennai :

When the Tanjore king Achuthappa Naik (1560-1614) was bedridden after he suffered a paralytic stroke, many believed it was due to some black magic. The matter was informed to a visiting saint who eventually restored the king to health. Whether one believes in miracles or not, Nagore still thrives on it.

“Nagore is known for its religious harmony for more than 500 years. It is all because of the saint Qadir Wali who is enshrined there in a place widely known as Nagore dargah to which people of all religions throng with faith and problems. The miracle has been happening since 16th century and it still continues,” said A S Mohamed Rafee, author of the recently released book, “The Ocean of Miracles: Life of Qadir Wali”.

Qadir Wali travelled to many parts of the world and stayed in Mecca, Medina, Turkey and Palestine for many years before he came to Nagore where he lived for 28 years. “At a time when the world is facing serious threats in the name of religion, it’s remarkable that Nagore still survives on harmony, a reason why more sandal smeared heads are seen in the Sufi dargah. Wali served the people of all religions with his miraculous powers,” said Rafee, who is associate professor at the Mazharul Uloom College, Ambur.

Qadir Wali was born in 1504 in Manikkappur, a town established by Firoz Sha Tughluq in Uttar Pradesh, some 60 km from today’s Ayodhya. His parents, Hasan Guddus and Fatima, were descendants in the lineage of Prophet Muhammad and Abdul Qadir of Jilan, a great saint of the 12th century in Iraq.

Nagore dargah was built on land donated by king Achuthappa Naik. Many important parts of the dargah were built by the generous donation of non-Muslims, a reason cited why it’s a symbol of religious harmony. “The dargah has five minarets and the tallest one is called Periya Minar. It is 131 feet high with ten storeys. It was built by king Pratap Sing of Tanjore (1739-17633) after his wish for a son was fulfilled by praying to Wali 200 years after his passing away. The Peer Mandapam was built by the Dutch.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of Ibdia / Home> City> Chennai / by M T Saju, TNN / February 09th, 2015

Varanasi’s Gulabi meenakari awaits GI tag for revival

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

Varanasi:

Gulabi meenakari or pink enameling of Banaras, a unique art form of the city, is likely to join the coveted Geographical Indication (GI) club by April after being notified under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Rules, 2002 through Geographical Indications Journal issue dated November 21, 2014.

The famed Banarasi brocade and silk sari and Bhadohi carpet have obtained GI tag earlier. Another product of Varanasi, glass beads, is also likely to get GI certification along with Gulabi meenakari.

A flourishing and prosperous industry till a century ago, meenakari is confined to a few artisans today who are struggling to keep alive this art of colouring or decorating a metal surface by attaching or fusing pieces of different mineral substances over it. “It is considered as the most alluring and technical of all metal decorations. Earlier, Banarasi Gulabi Meenakari was done on gold but now we use other metals like silver and copper,” said meenakari artisan Kunj Behari Singh, who was awarded Ram Manohar Lohia Vishisth Pradeshik Puraskar at Lucknow for his mastery over the craft.

Singh, a resident of Lalghat, is also the secretary of Sahbhagi Welfare Samittee that applied for GI registry for GI tag in January 2013. “We are in this field for generations. In the past, the city had over 250 artisans of this craft but today only 50-60 people are engaged in it,” he lamented.

“Escalating cost of gold and silver has diminished its demand. We are hopeful that it will thrive after getting GI tag for its uniqueness,” he said adding, “I hope that the GI tag, a sort of intellectual property right, will go a long way in promoting this art form.”

According to specification given in GI notification, Banaras gulabi meenakari is basically an ancient form of art in India that has been praised since its introduction for the superb designs and combination of colours. It is characterized by pink strokes on white enamel. Unlike the vibrant enamelling in red, green and blue of Jaipur and Delhi, where the white enamel is left stark, the Varanasi craftsmen delicately add pink to the predominant white enamel. The motifs have been lotus blooms and buds. It is said to have been introduced in Varanasi by Persian enamellists who had come to India in early 17th century at the peak of Mughal court.

“The artisans are called meenakars. It is a unique craft in which meenakars make items like religious figures of gods and goddesses on silver and gold sheet, various types of traditional ornaments and decorative items, motifs, including flowers and birds and animals on gold and silver metal. The specialty is artistic quality. It is remembered by people for having a significant taste for design and fashion, which means something special for them. The colours used in the Banaras Gulabi Meenakari are predominately natural and leadless dyes,” an artisan informed.

Human Welfare Association, an NGO, is also facilitating the art to get GI tag. “The process of getting GI registration is in final stage. This tag will be a proof of uniqueness of Banaras Gulabi Meenakari,” said HWA director Rajani Kant.

Rai Krishnadas, founder director of Barat Kala Bhawan of Banaras Hindu University, had also written that Banaras stands next to Jaipur in the art of enamelling and the nature of Banaras pink is similar to Jaipur red. In 19th century and early 20th century, pink enamel was famous throughout the country and was much sought after by princes and the aristocracy, he said.

Unlike the red enamel of Jaipur, which has still maintained the high quality and fine workmanship of the 19th century, the pink enamel of Banaras was short-lived. It ended here in the first quarter of 20th century when its last hereditary master Babbu Singh passed away in 1923. After a gap of about half a century, there has been a revival of pink enamelling in Banaras, chiefly as a trade to meet the demands of tourists and of women, who have taken to old jewellery more as a fashion than out of love for its charm and grace. National Museum of India, New Delhi and Bharat Kala Bhawan have collections of this art.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Time of India / Home> City> Varanasi / by Binay Singh, TNN / January 31st, 2015