Sir Syed Day - A Retrospection

I feel sad to say that my first attendance at 'Sir Syed Day' (in UAE) after leaving AMU was an utter disappointment. For me it's a day to remember the great soul and find ways to fulfill his dream of Muslim upliftment.

I absolutely adore Azharuddin for what he achieved on the cricket pitch, but why do we need to invite him when there are some very senior and highly influential Aligs already working in UAE.

We desperately need to change this image of 'Sir Syed Day' as a 'Sir Syed Dinner.' Also, where is the need to host dinner in a 5 star hotel! I think the whole purpose is killed by this dinner.

If my voice can reach anywhere I've the following humble suggestions-

1 Sir Syed Day should have a Q&A with a senior working representative from AMU on the ways to improve the working of the university.

2 There should be a small form for the people attending where they should give their suggestions and the ways they can contribute to the university.

3 The representative should share important figures like the number of campus selections and the students making it to the civil services.

4 The platform should also serve as a means to help our brothers and sisters looking for a job or accomodation. I know some people may laugh but it's a serious issue for an expat anywhere.

5 I know the event is very well organised and covered by the press in Saudi Arabia but it isn't in UAE. There should be a press release. At least those who are unable to make it know what all they missed. Indirectly it would serve to build the AMU brand which has been hit hard.

6 People should be felicitated on the basis of their contributions (beyond money, although money is important though) to the alma mater. Those providing books to the library or supporting poor students deserve more.

7 Every year there should be a mention of some prominent Aligs who made the university proud with their achievements. A brief about their life and if possible a video message from them. This should be the common factor in all the different chapters of the event across the globe.

8 There are better fillers than the archaic jokes cracked during the recent event in UAE.

That's all I can think as of now. The bottom line is, it has to be a serious business if we want to restore the high standards of this great university.

I love my university and feel sad when I see the current state of affairs.

How to Win Friends & Influence People

'How to win friends & influence people' by Dale Carnegie is an exercise in effective public relations. Carnegie used to conduct educational courses for business and professional people. The book being reviewed is a result of his own search for a "practical, working handbook on human relations."

The book relies on real world stories, which the reader can instantly relate to. Some of the ideas and suggestions may seem natural, but the way Carnegie puts them encourages you to give it a second shot. Mind you the book was published (in 1937) when not even my father was born. The author must have influnced many other authors during all these years.

Carnegie has neatly divided his book into four broad sections viz., fundamental techniques in handling people, six ways to make people like you, how to win people to your way of thinking and how to change people without giving offense or arousing resentment. The author borrows from several others well reputed books on the same subject, and put it to good use.

To me the book is also a collection of some memorable quotes. I found these worth mentioning-

* Every act you ever performed since the day you were born was performed because you wanted something.
* Your smile is a messenger of your good will.
* The life of many a person could probably changed if only someone would make him feel important.
* Nine times out of ten, an argument ends with each of the contestants more firmly convinced than ever that he is absolutely right.

Dale Carnegie book is pure library material. It's a good read for all those who find difficulty in dealing with people. Follow the rules and you, too, would be a winner.

"The politics of hatred never succeeds"

What an irony that the statement above, if you believe it, is coming from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray. Isn't he the same man whose party people beat up north Indians on the streets of Mumbai some time back! Now his men have beaten a SP legislator inside the state assembly for taking oath in Hindi.

What angers me is when such politicians are questioned about their ways they'll mention excesses in some other Indian states. The militancy in Kashmir or Assam can never justify violence in any part of India.

I guess Maharashtra has resigned itself to the kind of politics that Bal Thackeray started. Raj carries on the same legacy.

Just wonder what would happen if the other 27 Indian states follow suit. May be Raj Thackeray has some answers!

I Love You Mom

Safar Ab Jitna Baaqi Hain

Boht sardi he --- mamma
abhi kuch dayr
mera hath mat chhore(n)!

zmastaa(n) ki hawa se kapkapaata
mere seene se laga
tu keh raha tha!

ziyada din nahi guzre
k meri goad ki garmi
tujhe aaraam deti thi
galay me mere, baahe(n) daal kar tu is tarha sota
k aksar sari sari raat meri
aik karwat me guzar jaati !

mere daaman ko pakre
ghar me titlee ki tarah se ghoomta rehta
magar phir jald hi tujh ko
parindo(n) or phoolo(n)
or phir ham-jholiyo(n) k paas se aesa bulaava aagaya
jis ko paa kar
meri ungli chura kar
tu hujoom-e-rang me khushbu ki surat mil gaya tha
phir is k baad khaabo(n) se bhara bastaa liye
school ki janib rawaana ho gaya tu
jahan phir rang or phir hafr or phir hindse
or sau tarha k khel tere muntazir the
dil lubhaate the
tere ustaad mujh se moa'tabar the
dost mujh se khoob-tar the
mujhe maloom hain
main tujh se peeche reh gaii hun
safar ab jitna baqi hain
wo bas paspaaii ka hi reh gaya hain
teri dunya me ab har pal
naye logon ki aamad hain
main be-had khaamushi se
unki jaghe(n) khaali karte jaa rahi hun
tera chehra nikharta ja raha hain
me pas-manzar me hoti jaa rahi hun

ziyada din na guzre(n) ge
mere haatho(n) ki ye dheemi haraarat
tujhe kafi nahi hogi
koi khush-lams dast-e-yaasmee(n) aa kar
gulaabi rang hiddat
tere haatho(n) me samo dega
mera dil tujh ko kho de ga
main baaqi umr
tera raasta takti rahun gi
main maa(n) hun
or meri qismat judaai hain

(Parveen Shakir - Famous Pakistani Urdu Poetess)

As much as I wanted to I didn't translate it into English. The beauty lies in its language.

Disgraceful!

"This is the reason why parents don't want their children to pursue sports as a career in this country. This is why India figures nowhere in sports."---PT Usha, India's greatest female athelete.

EVERYBODY salutes the rising sun! Not even India's most famous sprinter can deny this sad, but true, fact. Her recent treatment at the Bhopal atheletics meet in Madhya Pradesh is a testimony to it.

Isn't she the same woman who is popularly called the queen of Indian track and field, and won 4 golds and 1 silver for her country at the 10th Asian Games in 1986! Her 11 medals at the Asian Games and 101 international medals make her a national treasure.

Alas! My country reserves the best of treatment to our cricketers who have won us just one world cup (50 overs) and that too in 1983. I can imagine the plight of others who are no PT Usha.

What discimination!

Guzishta Lucknow

THE first name that comes up whenever a book reference is needed on the city of Lucknow is "Guzishta Lucknow." The book is a detailed historical account of the Lucknow society during the Nawabi rule by Maulana Abdul Halim Sharar. Maulana Sharar took out several magazines during his lifetime, his most famous being 'Dilgudaaz Lucknow' [ENG: Beloved Lucknow.] In that magazine Sharar wrote a series on Lucknow by the name of "Hindostan me mashriqi tamaddun ka akhri namoona" [Lucknow : The Last Phase Of An Oriental Culture.] It ran for years and was warmly received. The same was later turned into 'Guzishta Lucknow' the book.

Sharar's Urdu is reminiscent of a glorious past. A past where city of Lucknow reached its zenith in terms of its rich traditions and culture. To read Guzishta Lucknow is like walking through a city which slowly but surely outshined its elder brother - Delhi. The Nawabi patronage to arts and the difficult affairs at the Moghul Capital, Delhi, brought Lucknow into prominence. This was also the time when Persian reigned supreme at the court of Awadh. Not surprising as the Nawabs came from Iran.

The book gives you an insight into the daily lives of the Nawabs and the commoners of the city. The author has managed to capture even minor details like how the paan (beetle leaf served as a breath freshener) was served during social gatherings in his account of history.

Guzishta Lucknow is filled with countless lesser known facts and fascinating stories about yesteryear's Lucknow. The author tells us that it was actually Faizabad (a city close to Lucknow) where the Nawabi rule originated and initially flourished. Most of today's so called old city areas came up during the period of Nawab Asafi-ud-daulah. His son's Wazir Ali Khan's wedding had 1200 elephants, and the bridegroom dress was studded with Rupees 2 million worth of precious stones. Nawab Sa'adat Ali Khan was responsible for the establishment of many old markets such as Sa'adatganj, Rakaabganj, Maulviganj, Golaganj and Rastogi mohalla. He also built Motimahal. Nawab Ghayasuddin Haider started the practice of animal fighting in Lucknow. His wife on the other hand pioneered numerous new and controversial Shia practices. A cook named Muhamdoo in the period of Nawab Nasir-ud-din Haider invented the sheermaal (a popular orange coloured local bread). Nawab Amjad Ali Shah established Hazratganj and connected Lucknow and Kanpur with a road link. During his tenure, his minister Amin-ud-daulah inhabited Aminabad. Nawab Wajid Ali Shah never danced in his life as many believe.

The book is a slow read specially through the end and lacks continuity. This could have been avoided if the magazine articles were better edited and adopted. Also, the author's uninhibited love for Lucknow makes him a little biased towards Delhi in his account.

If you are from Lucknow or if history interests you then Guzishta Lucknow would be an enjoyable read. Lucknow has rarely been portrayed this lovingly.

The Metro Comes to Dubai

TOMORROW Dubai would take another giant leap with the opening of the Dubai Metro. The world's second longest fully automated rail service may finally resolve Dubai traffic woes during peak hours. For the visitors to Dubai it would be a smooth and fun ride.

More than anything else the Metro will give the Dubai residents a chance to admire their city from some new windows. The view from the Sheikh Zayed track would be definitely exciting!

The five-car trains are designed to carry around 650 passengers. In addition the trains will have three classes viz., Gold, Women and Children, and Silver. The average speed of the trains will be around 45 kmph.

Safety is of prime importance in such projects and Dubai Metro is no exception. It's designed to meet international safety standards. Some 3000 CCTV cameras are installed at stations and inside the trains to ensure safety of the passengers.

Bharat Ratna for Dilip Kumar

AFTER recently watching Sanghursh I could not but admire Dilip Kumar's acting abilities. More so as the film boasts two other acting greats - Balraaj Sahni and Sanjeev Kumar.

For someone who has grown up watching Amitabh Bachchan's films Dilip Kumar was a star from an older generation. I still remember the fights we had in the family over who was better - Amitabh Bachchan or Dilip Kumar. My father's generation used to dote on Yusuf saheb and we on Mr Bachchan.

During my school days I bought Amitabh Bachchan's biography. It mentioned Dilip Kumar as his favourite actor and my long standing bias towards Yusuf saheb lessened. I started watching his films.

Gradually I realised that Dilip Kumar was more than an actor - he was an institution! His methodical approach to acting made the craft look different.

The language his character speaks fluently in 'Ganga Jamuna' (a local dialect from the rural north of India) was something of a first in a mainstream Hindi movie. 'Ram Aur Shyam' can rightly be called the mother, or rather the father, of all twins-separated-at-birth Hindi films.

Dilip Kumar shared screen space with almost all the greats of Indian cinema and somehow always stood out. Perhaps the biggest testimony to his acting skills is the fact that he won his first Filfare Best Actor Award in 1954 (the same year it was incorporated) for 'Daag' and his last Filmfare Best Actor nomination for 'Saudagar' in 1992. During the years in between he managed to win 8 Filmfare Best Actor trophies, a record he still holds.

Dilip Kumar was always a big star but the actor in him was even bigger. Today Dilip Kumar is a role model for all those who dream of a acting career in Mumbai.

Apart from movies Yusuf saheb did his bit for the upliftment of Urdu language. His own chaste urdu leaves one wanting for more. He has been working tirelessly all his life towards the betterment of Indo-Pak relations. He is also known for his charity work.

Honouring such rare individuals is natural. Dilip Kumar has touched enough lives in India and abroad with his work to deserve India's highest honour. He is already a jewel of India, only the citation has to come from the Government of India.

Awards & Honours

* National Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)
* Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award (B.F.J.A. Awards, 2005)
* Nishan-e-Pakistan (1997)
* NTR National Award (1997)
* Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1994)
* Fimfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1994)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Shakti, 1983)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Ram Aur Shayam, 1968)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Leader, 1965)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Kohinoor, 1961)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Naya Daur, 1958)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Devdas, 1957)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Azaad, 1956)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Daag, 1954)

Join in the facebook campaign to honour Dilip Kumar with Bharat Ratna: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128792135718&ref=mf