Monthly Archives: November 2014

Mauritius prez honours BHU’s Bhojpuri centre

Education, World Opinion

Varanasi :

The Bhojpuri Study Centre of Banaras Hindu University was awarded with ‘Vishwa Bhojpuri Samman’ by the president of Mauritius Rajkeswur Purryag at International Bhojpuri Mahotsava organised in Mauritius from October 29 to November 5.

The coordinator of Bhojpuri Study Centre Professor Sadanand Shahi said the award was given to BHU centre for its outstanding contribution for the promotion of Bhojpuri language and literature. After returning from Mauritius, Shahi said the BHU delegation also discussed the issue of establishment of ‘Bohojpuri Diaspora Centre’ at BHU with the President of Mauritius and other leaders.

He further added that during the festival it was unanimously decided that the next International Bhojpuri Festival and Conference will be held at BHU. The event was also attended by Foreign minister Sushma Swaraj, UP speaker Mata Prasad Pandey and minister Ambika Chowdhary. Scholars from India, Fiji, New Zealand, USA and other nations also participated in the fest.

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

Kathkram honours Nasera Sharma with annual award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Lucknow:

Felicitating renowned Hindi writer Nasera Sharma under the aegis of ‘Anand Sagar Smriti Kathakram Samman’ for year 2014, the Hindi literary festival ‘Kathakram’ brought together readers, writers and critics on one stage. The 22nd edition of the annual event with its 19th consecutive stop-over at Lucknow, commenced with a discussion on ‘Lekhak, pathak aur aalochak: Sehmati/Asehmati ke aadhar va aayaam’ (Writer, reader and critic: The basis and scope of agreement/ disagreement).

Receiving the award, Nasera Sharma informed the audience about her love for the Hindi language over Persian and Arabic that were taught extensively at her school and home. “I would never understand the Arabic verses taught at school and so would write in Hindi, which was more than a sin for my classmates to see. Perhaps, I was born to extend the due to Hindi literature from my family of Urdu and Arabic laureates,” she said. While she was guided by Premchand’s son Sripath Rai to keep introducing Urdu words in Hindi literature for the fear of their fading out, Sharma pointed out at the amalgamation of cultures and languages which was well received earlier.

Commenting on the role of readers as well as critics to the writer, eminent Hindi writer Dr Giriraj Kishore said, “The reader in ancient times had no voice abiding by what was taught to him. In today’s time too the reader is not very confident and shies from opining. It becomes the author’s responsibility to connect the reader with literature.”

The discussion held an imperative stance on need for critics to read varied literature available and compare different types so as to be aware of the good and bad. The critic should also be aware of the circumstances and sensibilities of an event or a character in the way it is dealt with.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 16th, 2014

Canberra designer, buried in Lucknow, cited at G20

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

Brisbane/Lucknow:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday shared with his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott and US President Barack Obama the fascinating story of an American architect who had an emotional link with their countries.

The discussion among the leaders who met for the G20 summit here centered around Walter Burley Griffin, the well-known American landscape architect who designed Australian capital Canberra and who is buried in Lucknow.

Around 15 students from department of landscape, University of Western Australia will do a joint studio with second year Master of Architecture (M Arch) students of faculty of architecture (affiliated to UP Technical University) for the design of a memorial for Australian architect Griffin on the banks of river Gomti.

Christopher Vernon of the Australian delegation had earlier told TOI, “Griffin died in Lucknow on February 11, 1937 at the age of 61 years. He was buried here. Griffin and his wife Marion in their memoirs talked about walking on the banks of Gomti and so we thought it would be appropriate to have a memorial there.”

Griffin’s house in Butler Palace was destroyed. The only place which still exists is his house in New Hyderabad.

The prime minister shared with Abbott and Obama the fascinating story of Griffin, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted. A couple of photos of the three leaders engaged in the discussion were posted on the spokesperson’s Twitter account. A photo of the final resting place of Griffin at Lucknow Christian Cemetry was also among them.

He is known for designing Canberra, Australia’s capital city and has been credited with the development of the L-shaped floor plan, the carport and an innovative use of reinforced concrete.

Influenced by the Chicago-based Prairie School, Griffin developed a unique modern style. He worked in partnership with his wife Marion Mahony Griffin.

In 28 years they designed over 350 buildings, landscape and urban-design projects as well as designing construction materials, interiors, furniture and other household items.

Through their contacts during their time at the Greater Sydney Development Association, Griffin won a contract in 1935 to design the library at the University of Lucknow in Lucknow.

Although he had planned to stay in India only to complete the drawings for the library, he soon received more than 40 commissions, including the University of Lucknow Student Union building; a museum and library for the Raja of Mahmudabad; a zenana (women’s quarters) for the Raja of Jahangirabad; Pioneer Press building, a bank, municipal offices, many private houses, and a memorial to King George V.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Lucknow / TNN / November 16th, 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

16 new awards for Hindi promotion in UP

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Lucknow:

The state government on Wednesday constituted 16 new awards in the name of renowned writers and poets including Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Bhartendu Harishchandra for promoting Hindi among the state employees.

A decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Akhilesh Yadav. The awards will be given by Hindi Sahitya Parishad, an institution of the Hindi department, to writers and poets who are working with the state government.

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

Rowing championship infuses life into Gomti

Sports

Lucknow :

The ailing Gomti will have a healthy flow at least for next four days, thanks to the national junior rowing championship which began in the city on Wednesday.

To maintain a suitable water level for the sporting event, the state irrigation department has released additional 100 cusecs water into the river. The current level of the river, which varies from eight to nine feet between right and left banks, has considerably gone up after release of 100 cusecs water. It will also reduce pollution in the river water.

The rowing competition could not have taken place unless extra water was pumped into the river, which has only 40% of its ecological flow.

Officials said 100 cusecs water is more than sufficient to maintain the water level for the four-day national event which will conclude on Saturday. “We will ensure that the level is maintained throughout the event,” said executive engineer, Sharda canal, Roop Singh Yadav.

“The volume means not only will the river sufficiently regain its ecological flow but will also have extra level of water needed for the sport,” said assistant professor, school for environmental sciences, Baba Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Venkatesh Dutta.

Officials in UP Pollution Control Board (UPPCB) said a healthy river should have Dissolved Oxygen (DO) not less than 4 mg/litre. The Gomti, at several points between Gaughat and Gomti barrage, has no or very low level of DO. “100 cusecs mean the level of DO will increase by an average 1 mg/litre,” said regional officer, UPPCB, Kuldeep Mishra.

A healthy river should not have more than 3mg/litre of Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD). High count of bacteria in the Gomti water sucks more oxygen and that increases BOD in the river water to 18 to 20 mg/litre at several points, mainly in downstream.

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

No remains of house where Nehru was born

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

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

City’s ‘Zuckerbergs’ build shoe networking website

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Agra :

A group of youngsters from disparate fields like Economic Honours, graphic designing and creative writing, have come together and built perhaps the first social network website for shoe makers.

The website, called ‘Shoekonnect’, has put these six 20-somethings into the limelight as just 28 days after being set up, it has amassed more than 150 subscribers from around the world, including Patrick De Muynck from Polimoda Fashion School in Italy.

Visibly excited about their new project, one of the youngsters, Siddharth Vig said, “India ranks second in the world in terms of footwear volume produced and the footwear sector is one of the highest foreign exchange earners. Lack of innovation and communication in the industry actually served as the inspiration for our venture. ShoeKonnect will enhance the connections between the business houses of this industry and make communication among them barrier free.”

ShoeKonnect is actually a part of the parent organization, called BizCrum, which provides a platform for businesses of all kinds to create a social network of their own.

Chaitanya Rathi, another member of the group, said, “We gave our idea a concrete form through ShoeKonnect – the footwear industry’s own social network that promotes communication among footwear businesses. To emulate this idea in other industries, BizCrum was conceived.”

The journey began when the two friends, Siddharth and Chaitanya, pursuing Economics Honours from Delhi University during their last semester in January, hit upon the idea to start something of their own with a view to bring value to businesses around them.

Siddharth (21), hails from Agra, and had always imagined doing something for the city’s shoe manufacturing industry, while Chaitanya, comes from a business family. The youngsters brainstormed and came to the conclusion that technology could help revive local businesses and make them flourish, maybe even on a global scale.

After the idea was conceived, the duo met Siddharth Rastogi, a 22-year-old graphic designer and technology enthusiast. The team started forming. Next, they met fashion-forward Charuka Arora from Agra and researcher and creative writer Aditya Madhusudhan from Kota. The five of them began the process of setting up Bizcrum – Agra’s first B2B tech startup.

But they still needed an entrepreneur, someone who could give direction to the process. That is how they met Sumat Nanda in Agra after interviewing countless number of technological entrepreneurs. Work on Bizcrum then started.

Siddharth said Sumat was the one who came up with the concept of ‘ShoeKonnect’. It gave a face to Bizcrum, telling the world what this network was all about, he added.

ShoeKonnect aims to bring together component suppliers, footwear manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers on a single platform. This will not only help exchange ideas and innovations in shoe-making but also make trade smoother as it allows a manufacturer from India to get in touch with his counterpart in other countries.

The team spoke to over 200 footwear business owners as a part of their research, understanding their needs, designing rough mockups of their platform and building strategies around the business model. They worked through their final exams and were able to concentrate on this venture when their college ended in June. “For the next two months, all of us slogged hard, conducting field studies, meetings and even taking up odd jobs to meet costs,” Siddharth added.

Once the groundwork was laid, the team found that spreading awareness about the venture was even tougher than setting it up. But they managed to come out with flying colours. They divided the work among themselves and made sure that every aspect was taken care of.

Acknowledging the role of those who helped them, Siddharth said, “The whole endeavor couldn’t have been possible without the help of seniors such as Rakshit Tandon (cyber security expert), GP Sharma, Ravi Saini and Rittwick Visen, the creative team of – Rishav Kumar, Varun Gupta and several bright student interns. It is thanks to them that we have 150+ members associated with shoekonnect in the past 28 days. Among the 150 members, 20 are from other countries.”

Appreciating the initiative, Pooran Dawar, chairman of Dawar Group (leading Indian footwear manufacturer) and AFMEC (Agra footwear manufacturers and exporters chamber), said, “These kids are doing extremely well. As a shoe manufacturer, I felt the need for something like Shoekonnect. It will surely take India’s shoe industry to the next level.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Agra / by Ishita Mishra, TNN / November 10th, 2014

IIT-K celebrates 55th foundation day

Education

Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IIT-K), which completed its 55 years of existence on Sunday, celebrated its foundation day. The celebrations witnessed the participation of faculty members, students and alumni of the institute.

On this occasion, the institute administration felicitated its alumni by giving them `Distinguished alumnus award’. While Dipankar Das Sharma of 1977 batch was present to receive the `Distinguished alumnus award’, Jayadev Misra of 1969 batch and Vijay Kumar of 1983 batch were not present. The awards were presented by Prof Indranil Manna, director of the institute and Prof M Anandkrishnan, chairman, Board of Governors, IIT-Kanpur.

The `Distinguished alumnus award’ is the highest award instituted by the board of governors of the institute for its alumni in recognition of their outstanding achievements.

Dr RK Sachan, registrar, IIT-Kanpur informed that the foundation day celebration programmes were held in three sections. He said that the programme began with a lecture delivered by Prof Baldev Raj, director, National Institute of Advanced Studies, who was the chief guest on the occasion. This was followed by distribution of Institute Fellow Award. The three personalities given this award were Prof SG Dhande, former director of IIT, Kanpur, Prof TVS Rammohan Rao, ex-faculty of IIT-K and Prof M Satyamurthy, director, IISER, Mohali. Prof Dhande was not present in the function.

The students present during the celebrations enjoyed every moment of the event. A group of students performed a band on the dias in the main auditorium. The programme ended with the singing of the National Anthem.

Later, Prof I Manna, director of the institute while talking to newspersons said that the institute had planned to celebrate the foundation day on a much bigger scale. “We took a decision to invite school students on the campus on the foundation day and show them the technological advancements and research work done by the institute. But all this will be done in the next foundation day function”.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kanpur / TNN / November 03rd, 2014