It is estimated that 1300 durga puja were offered in delhi
30 tonnes of toxic elements go into yamuna due to idol immersion every wear says a 2008 study
In kolkata and Mumbai, many organizers of durga puja and ganesha festivals started immersing idols in artificial ponds to spare the rivers and the sea.
Time for delhi too...before yamuna becomes history......
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Eid shopping spree in Delhi
Jamia Nagar is dazzling with lights. Roads are lined with kurtas, as shopkeepers try to lure customers. Hawkers are busy selling vermicelli and dry fruits. Markets here have been hit by a heavy rush of customers who are on a buying spree as the festival of Eid is barely a week away.
The majority of the shoppers are women who are busy buying special utensils and ingredients like dry fruits to make Eid's Dastarkhawan, a sheet where food is spread, impressive. In contrast, male customers are flocking to the kurta pajama, sherwani and kolhapuri chappal shops.
Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals for Muslims that marks the end of Ramzan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "charity"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
The other shopping hubs are also bustling with enthusiastic people buying things.
Sarojini Nagar in South Delhi is one such market that is teeming with shoppers.
"It's like a battle won, if you get to choose your stuff and buy it. I came here (Sarojini Nagar ) at around 10 a.m. and it has been more than four hours, but I have not been able to complete my shopping because the sales guys are so busy and the shops are so crowded that you have to wait at least 20 minutes for your turn." Shaqib Jamal, a shopper who came to buy clothes for his family, told IANS.
"During Eid it's obvious that the crowds are at its peak and we make full efforts to utilise this opportunity and touch maximum sales every day and we get incentives for it," Rajesh, a salesman in Sarojini Nagar, said.
Shop owners in South Extension have also expressed their delight at the increase in customers visiting their stores.
"There has been a great increase in customers in the last five days especially looking for kurtas and pyajamas to wear on Eid and the customers are ranging from 20 to 45 years of age. Silk kurtas are more in fashion this time," Prabhjeet Singh, owner of the show room Kurta Palace in South Extension, told IANS. Singh expected a further increase in customers.
Elahana Moora, store manager at Globus in South Extension, says: "We have seen a substantial increase in the number of customers in all ranges of products from clothing to households goods and feel it is all because of the festivals."
Courtesy:Nabeel A.Khan, IANS
The majority of the shoppers are women who are busy buying special utensils and ingredients like dry fruits to make Eid's Dastarkhawan, a sheet where food is spread, impressive. In contrast, male customers are flocking to the kurta pajama, sherwani and kolhapuri chappal shops.
Eid or Eid-ul-Fitr is one of the most important festivals for Muslims that marks the end of Ramzan, the Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", while Fitr means "charity"; and so the holiday symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period. It is celebrated on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal.
The other shopping hubs are also bustling with enthusiastic people buying things.
Sarojini Nagar in South Delhi is one such market that is teeming with shoppers.
"It's like a battle won, if you get to choose your stuff and buy it. I came here (Sarojini Nagar ) at around 10 a.m. and it has been more than four hours, but I have not been able to complete my shopping because the sales guys are so busy and the shops are so crowded that you have to wait at least 20 minutes for your turn." Shaqib Jamal, a shopper who came to buy clothes for his family, told IANS.
"During Eid it's obvious that the crowds are at its peak and we make full efforts to utilise this opportunity and touch maximum sales every day and we get incentives for it," Rajesh, a salesman in Sarojini Nagar, said.
Shop owners in South Extension have also expressed their delight at the increase in customers visiting their stores.
"There has been a great increase in customers in the last five days especially looking for kurtas and pyajamas to wear on Eid and the customers are ranging from 20 to 45 years of age. Silk kurtas are more in fashion this time," Prabhjeet Singh, owner of the show room Kurta Palace in South Extension, told IANS. Singh expected a further increase in customers.
Elahana Moora, store manager at Globus in South Extension, says: "We have seen a substantial increase in the number of customers in all ranges of products from clothing to households goods and feel it is all because of the festivals."
Courtesy:Nabeel A.Khan, IANS
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Recession times
Great monetarist economist Milton Friedman was of the opinion that the central bank could always deal with deflationary problems by dropping money from a helicopter. However, in the real world, not everyone is underneath the helicopter when it makes the drop. In fact, it is likely that the helicopter pilot will hover over friends and relatives when dropping the money. And even if the pilot is completely non-corrupt, the crowd on the ground will always assume that there is some hidden and partisan plan.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
In the lap of nature
Few pics from konkan valley during my journey back to kerala by train:
http://s614.photobucket.com/albums/tt229/shuhaibim/From%20KonKan%20Valley/
http://s614.photobucket.com/albums/tt229/shuhaibim/From%20KonKan%20Valley/
A Community Marriage in Disguise of a Village Festival
It represented all the perfect mix of a village festival. Children, woman and the aged came together inside the simple pandal that has been erected. The signs of joy were represented in the eyes of each and everyone gathered there. It seemed they have regained some thing which has been lost from them. The festive mood was reflected in each and every pious mind there.
The above incident is from babuwan, patteruva villages in supol and areria district of Bihar. It was the village which has been washed away in the terrific flood of August, 2008 due to collapse of Kosi dam in Nepal.
They were striving to establish the chains of life that has been lost in the midnight flood that devastated their life. Many lost their lives, houses were razed down to earth, cattle population and agricultural fields were totally devastated, Whole set of families were in refugee camps….After long eight months of refugee life, they returned back to their village. Erstwhile agricultural fields were now rivers, houses as shallow pits; the atmosphere is charged with memories of kith and kins, relatives, cattle which was once their livelihood….. Yes, the festive like mood which now arise was due to the community marriage that was being arranged there. They found it as an opportunity to forget the past memories.
The happiness reflected in the eyes of Nayyirussaman sahib. He was leading the flood relief activities in the state. His face reflected the satisfaction he has gained by working for reconstruction of the villages. He lead the activities involving maintenance of over five hundred houses, digging of three hundred tube wells, providing employment assistance to three hundred people, reconstruction of schools and mosques. His team also distributed clothes to during Ramadan, Eid and Dussehra. They distributed blankets to five thousand persons. They are still continuing their activities by providing assistance to marriages and treatments. Construction of thousand houses will begin soon.
The incident was so co-incidental. Ashraf sahib, owner of A.R.H in Ernakulam, kerala says “daughter’s marriage has been fixed. Wish to assist one or two poor girls also to get married on that occasion.” I said “there many people working to help girls from poor families to get married. If you wish to do anything in this regard, it should be in the flood devastated regions of Bihar”. He accepted the suggestion with happiness. The reply from Nayyirussaman sahib on this regard was a surprise, “after the calamity, hundreds of marriages have been cancelled here. Even the pre scheduled ones are difficult to conduct.” Here on, things moved in no time. Arrangement was made for the marriage of 65 couples from villages of supol and areria. Arrangements were done in two locations.
While we reached these villages on February 12th, the scenes were surprising. The land which was transformed in to a river by the flood reflected a perfect village festival. Two locations had one pandal each, a marriage kuthuba, one marriage for each of the selected village. Respective Imam of every village led the procedures. Food was also arranged for those invitees of bride and groom. Elderly people of the respective villages, B.D.O and police inspector were special guests, Ashraf sahib and his wife, his brother in law Musthafa and wife, me and wife were as external guests. Towards meeting expenses of dress and mehar, the organizers gave five thousand rupees each.
Nayyirussaman sahib conveyed an interesting fact. Out of the five thousand rupees granted to each, most of them bought cattle by spending around Rs 2500- 3000 !. Some of the grooms were wearing already used and old clothes. To represent their marriage costume, they wore skull cap and shawl only. From each family we allowed 10 guests.
The simplicity and village life dignity were clearly illustrated here. Moreover, the complete absence of any extravaganza and simplicity shown are beyond our imagination. Ashraf sahib, whose wish was to sponsor two marriages, is happy for sponsoring sixty five marriages.
Mufti Hazrath Imam Salafi of Nepal addressed the marriage kutuba. He reminded of duties of a husband and wife and glory of family relationship.
There were many enquiries to Nayyirussaman sahib on when would the next be held. He turned on to the audience and addressed: “shortly we will arrange a community marriage for hundred pairs”. Many interested parties have approached him to join in that. “When we conduct marriages for two pairs with ten thousand rupee, as a source of livelihood, a goat or cow also reaches that family.” Mr. Musthafa exclaimed.
The experience in Kosi was big enough to open the eyes of Muslim youth who spent millions on marriages alone.
(The above experience is during the visit conducted by Prof. Siddique Hassan, Vice-President, Jamat-e- Islami Hind and others)
The above incident is from babuwan, patteruva villages in supol and areria district of Bihar. It was the village which has been washed away in the terrific flood of August, 2008 due to collapse of Kosi dam in Nepal.
They were striving to establish the chains of life that has been lost in the midnight flood that devastated their life. Many lost their lives, houses were razed down to earth, cattle population and agricultural fields were totally devastated, Whole set of families were in refugee camps….After long eight months of refugee life, they returned back to their village. Erstwhile agricultural fields were now rivers, houses as shallow pits; the atmosphere is charged with memories of kith and kins, relatives, cattle which was once their livelihood….. Yes, the festive like mood which now arise was due to the community marriage that was being arranged there. They found it as an opportunity to forget the past memories.
The happiness reflected in the eyes of Nayyirussaman sahib. He was leading the flood relief activities in the state. His face reflected the satisfaction he has gained by working for reconstruction of the villages. He lead the activities involving maintenance of over five hundred houses, digging of three hundred tube wells, providing employment assistance to three hundred people, reconstruction of schools and mosques. His team also distributed clothes to during Ramadan, Eid and Dussehra. They distributed blankets to five thousand persons. They are still continuing their activities by providing assistance to marriages and treatments. Construction of thousand houses will begin soon.
The incident was so co-incidental. Ashraf sahib, owner of A.R.H in Ernakulam, kerala says “daughter’s marriage has been fixed. Wish to assist one or two poor girls also to get married on that occasion.” I said “there many people working to help girls from poor families to get married. If you wish to do anything in this regard, it should be in the flood devastated regions of Bihar”. He accepted the suggestion with happiness. The reply from Nayyirussaman sahib on this regard was a surprise, “after the calamity, hundreds of marriages have been cancelled here. Even the pre scheduled ones are difficult to conduct.” Here on, things moved in no time. Arrangement was made for the marriage of 65 couples from villages of supol and areria. Arrangements were done in two locations.
While we reached these villages on February 12th, the scenes were surprising. The land which was transformed in to a river by the flood reflected a perfect village festival. Two locations had one pandal each, a marriage kuthuba, one marriage for each of the selected village. Respective Imam of every village led the procedures. Food was also arranged for those invitees of bride and groom. Elderly people of the respective villages, B.D.O and police inspector were special guests, Ashraf sahib and his wife, his brother in law Musthafa and wife, me and wife were as external guests. Towards meeting expenses of dress and mehar, the organizers gave five thousand rupees each.
Nayyirussaman sahib conveyed an interesting fact. Out of the five thousand rupees granted to each, most of them bought cattle by spending around Rs 2500- 3000 !. Some of the grooms were wearing already used and old clothes. To represent their marriage costume, they wore skull cap and shawl only. From each family we allowed 10 guests.
The simplicity and village life dignity were clearly illustrated here. Moreover, the complete absence of any extravaganza and simplicity shown are beyond our imagination. Ashraf sahib, whose wish was to sponsor two marriages, is happy for sponsoring sixty five marriages.
Mufti Hazrath Imam Salafi of Nepal addressed the marriage kutuba. He reminded of duties of a husband and wife and glory of family relationship.
There were many enquiries to Nayyirussaman sahib on when would the next be held. He turned on to the audience and addressed: “shortly we will arrange a community marriage for hundred pairs”. Many interested parties have approached him to join in that. “When we conduct marriages for two pairs with ten thousand rupee, as a source of livelihood, a goat or cow also reaches that family.” Mr. Musthafa exclaimed.
The experience in Kosi was big enough to open the eyes of Muslim youth who spent millions on marriages alone.
(The above experience is during the visit conducted by Prof. Siddique Hassan, Vice-President, Jamat-e- Islami Hind and others)
Friday, July 17, 2009
When it rained here.....awesome
Delhi- Jaipur Express way Toll Gate
When it rained at Guragaon, on 15th July, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
A tale of two encounters: Dehradun and Batla House
Manish Sethi and Adeel Mehdi
Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Group extends its heart-felt condolences to the family of Ranbir Singh, the youth who was killed in a police encounter in Dehradun last week. This encounter again brings to the fore the trigger happy ways of the Indian police who kill and torture for medals and promotions. We demand exemplary punishment for the guilty policemen.
However, the manner in which the Indian State and the mainstream political parties have responded to the encounter in Dehradun is in striking contrast to the reaction to the shooting down of two young men in Batla House in Delhi last September. Both encounters were followed by mass anger and upsurge which spilled onto the streets of the capital cities of Uttarakhand and the country. While the `secular' Congress has put its weight behind the agitation in Uttrakhand, joining the peoples' demand for fair probe and crying foul over human rights violation, the BJP not to be left behind in the Human Rights race sent its emissary in the form of BJP President's and Ghaziabad MP's son to the family of the slain youth to reassure them that the probe into the encounter would be fair and independent, without the involvement of the accused Dehradun Police. A CB-CID enquiry has already been ordered and all police men involved in the shootout have been charged for murder.
Recall now the jingoist hysteria created by Congress and BJP alike, aided by a section of pliant media, in which all calls for independent and impartial enquiry in the Batla House encounter were branded as unpatriotic and downright insulting of the bravery of Special Cell cops. The Congress, which today preens on the retrieval of its minority vote, persistently bulldozed all demands for a probe into the Batla House `encounter'. So much so, that even the simple, procedural requirement for a magisterial enquiry was subverted through the Lieutenant Governor, who refused to grant permission for an enquiry on flimsy grounds. The post mortem reports of the deceased—the killed boys as well as Inspector Sharma—have been accorded the status of State secret.
So, what could be the reason for this speedy demonstration of justice for Ranbir Singh, and the obstinate refusal to concede to the widespread demand for an enquiry into the killings of Atif Ameen and Mohammad Sajid? Except that Atif and Sajid fall in that unfortunate category of `encounterables'— those whose killings can be justified, explained, and remain unmourned by our society and polity. It is all right to snuff out the lives of young men as long as they are drawn from a certain demographic and reside in areas identified as ghettoes. What we are being told here is that Atifs and Sajids cannot claim the framework of democratic rights—the only framework that they must exist in is that of national security.
JTSG reiterates its demand for a judicial probe into the Batla House incident, and the application of the same standards of justice for Atif and Sajid as those applied in the unfortunate and tragic case of Ranbir Singh.
(The authors teach at Jamia Millia Islamia, and are attached to Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Group)
Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Group extends its heart-felt condolences to the family of Ranbir Singh, the youth who was killed in a police encounter in Dehradun last week. This encounter again brings to the fore the trigger happy ways of the Indian police who kill and torture for medals and promotions. We demand exemplary punishment for the guilty policemen.
However, the manner in which the Indian State and the mainstream political parties have responded to the encounter in Dehradun is in striking contrast to the reaction to the shooting down of two young men in Batla House in Delhi last September. Both encounters were followed by mass anger and upsurge which spilled onto the streets of the capital cities of Uttarakhand and the country. While the `secular' Congress has put its weight behind the agitation in Uttrakhand, joining the peoples' demand for fair probe and crying foul over human rights violation, the BJP not to be left behind in the Human Rights race sent its emissary in the form of BJP President's and Ghaziabad MP's son to the family of the slain youth to reassure them that the probe into the encounter would be fair and independent, without the involvement of the accused Dehradun Police. A CB-CID enquiry has already been ordered and all police men involved in the shootout have been charged for murder.
Recall now the jingoist hysteria created by Congress and BJP alike, aided by a section of pliant media, in which all calls for independent and impartial enquiry in the Batla House encounter were branded as unpatriotic and downright insulting of the bravery of Special Cell cops. The Congress, which today preens on the retrieval of its minority vote, persistently bulldozed all demands for a probe into the Batla House `encounter'. So much so, that even the simple, procedural requirement for a magisterial enquiry was subverted through the Lieutenant Governor, who refused to grant permission for an enquiry on flimsy grounds. The post mortem reports of the deceased—the killed boys as well as Inspector Sharma—have been accorded the status of State secret.
So, what could be the reason for this speedy demonstration of justice for Ranbir Singh, and the obstinate refusal to concede to the widespread demand for an enquiry into the killings of Atif Ameen and Mohammad Sajid? Except that Atif and Sajid fall in that unfortunate category of `encounterables'— those whose killings can be justified, explained, and remain unmourned by our society and polity. It is all right to snuff out the lives of young men as long as they are drawn from a certain demographic and reside in areas identified as ghettoes. What we are being told here is that Atifs and Sajids cannot claim the framework of democratic rights—the only framework that they must exist in is that of national security.
JTSG reiterates its demand for a judicial probe into the Batla House incident, and the application of the same standards of justice for Atif and Sajid as those applied in the unfortunate and tragic case of Ranbir Singh.
(The authors teach at Jamia Millia Islamia, and are attached to Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Group)
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