A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. But how many will measure up on this yardstick? Not many. Leaders are good at selling pretty radical ideas but when it comes to action they fail to walk the talk.

Majlis leader, Asaduddin Owaisi, is in the news these days for just this. Controversy is nothing new to him or his party. They court it at the drop of a hat. But this time round the Hyderabad MP is at the receiving end - not from his opponents but well wishers. He is being targeted - nay lampooned by his admirers for not living up to his own words.

Ever since the betrothal ceremony of his daughter on March 24 he is being trolled for tossing austerity to the winds, a virtue he passionately advocated. Many of his ardent fans couldn't believe the pictures of the grand ceremony that went viral on the social media. Is it the same Asad bhai who pleads with the community to adhere to Shariah and perform marriages in the simplest way possible  - devoid of pomp and pageantry?

Management is doing things right while leadership is doing the right things. Is it too much to expect one to practice what one preaches? Many would think the Majlis leader is being unnecessarily pilloried for indulging in a bit of extravagance befitting his stature. After all he has not committed any cardinal sin by spending his own money. But that's exactly what has shocked many Muslims who took his speeches on austerity in marriages literally. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion.

Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and action. Mr. Owaisi appears to have slipped up on this. He has a pan Indian image of being an outspoken leader who stands up to the Muslim-baiters and matches them word to word in TV debates. The community looks up to him as a protector and follower of Shariah in letter and spirit. Sporting a beard, complete with cap, sherwani-pyjama, the bespectacled Lincoln's Inn educated barrister, fluent in English and Urdu, familiar with the rough and tumble of politics and the nitty-gritty of Shariah principles is what a demoralised and dispirited Muslim community badly needs and craves for. Now this contrasting image of a leader who is behaving like any other affluent politician with utter disregard to what he says and does has not gone down well with the people, especially those with a conscience.

The lavish party thrown by him for the engagement ceremony of his daughter evokes the grandeur of the Nizams. The sumptuous spread, the elegant cutlery, the tastefully decorated stage, trolleys laden with exotic perfume vials - and to top it all the rhythmic Arabic daf - is a big letdown, something not expected from a leading member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board. When juxtaposed with follow-the-Shariah message Owaisi sahib is trying to send through the 'Islahe Muashra' campaign, the whole thing appears a cruel joke. Even in his election speeches the Naqeeb-e-Millat squeezes in a bit of advice to the community to adhere to Shariah. No wonder many people, even hardcore Majlis fans, are unable to digest this yawning gap between precept and practice.

Many have taken to the social media to express their angst and disappointment. Twitterdom is awash with sarcastic remarks slamming the qaid for his hypocrisy. Some have cited the example of the marriage of  former Pakistan President, General Ziaul Haq's daughter in an incredibly simple way. People are left to see the glaring difference and draw their own inferences. Mr. Owaisi  commands mass following and therefore the lapse on his part is all the more agonizing.

This, of course, doesn't take away the many good aspects of this dynamic leader who never hesitates to call a spade a spade. But the dichotomy sticks out like a sore thumb. Mr. Owaisi ought to take the criticism in good spirit. A good leader should be ready to take a little more than his share of the blame, and a little less than his share of credit.

Khugar-e-Hamd Se Thoda Sa Gila Bhi Sun Le

(From lips accustomed to praise hear these words in blame of you)

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

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For the first time ever, students of government school are selected to visit NASA

Stars in their eyes: Students from Hyderabad who will be visiting NASA; receive orientation

They are on cloud nine. And justifiably so. They have earned a visit to National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the prestigious space exploration agency in USA . When they land at the NASA headquarters in Washington in May, they would have rewritten history by representing a government school. The little scholars would also be breaking the glass ceiling for being the first generation learners from indigent families to make it to NASA.

Safa Maheen (std IX), Syed Ibrahim Ali, Muskan Tabassum, Feroz Ahmed (std VIII), Mahveen Mohammadi and Mohd Feroz Hussain (std VII) of Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS) are besides themselves with joy as they eagerly look forward to the D-Day. Their project ‘TMREIS Fusion L5’ for colonisation of space has got the NASA nod and an invitation to take part in the International Space Development Conference (ISDC) to be held at Los Angeles from May 24 to 27.

“While students of corporate schools have taken part in this annual event, it is the first time that students of a government school have been selected by NASA,” says Raghunandan Kumar, founder secretary, Planetary Society of India. He is instrumental in igniting students’ interest in space science through star gazing sessions. For the last three months his organisation is holding astronomy classes in all the 40 TMR schools in Hyderabad.

Why should we think of space habitats at all? “In the event of apocalyptic events like catastrophes, asteroid strikes, climate change and epidemics, survival on earth will become impossible,” the students voice the concerns of noted cosmologist, Stephen Hawking, who strongly advocated terraforming.

The students know all about the experts views on Martian colony and the efforts to design possible habitat prototypes. “But the timeline and the cost of turning Mars into greener and habitable are prohibitive. The best option is aiming for Lagrangian point 5 (L5) which is stable and considered best for space settlement,” says Ibrahim Ali.

Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning. These students never tired of poking and prying with purpose. And this has paid off with their concept paper on building a self-reliant colony in space complete with design, material required, timeline (25 to 60 years) getting approved in the NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest. Now they have to make a poster presentation and scientifically explain their concept at the ISDC.

Interestingly, all the six students hail from poor families and have not seen any city beyond Hyderabad. They are naturally excited at the thought of flying to US, something they had never imagined, even in their wildest dreams. “My parents are very happy at this development,” says Tabassum, whose father is a car driver at Siddipet.

TMREIS secretary, B Shafiullah, is keen that the students put their best foot forward. He has requisitioned the services of Sadia Alauddin, academic consultant, to brush up the students on social graces and the right etiquette. “Look into the eye and introduce yourself,” she advises youngsters while giving tips on the right body language and handshake etiquette. Befitting the high profile event, the young students are being outfitted in suitable suits and blazers.

The students are likely to meet Buzz Aldrin, the second to set foot on Moon. The American is expected to attend the ISDC along with many well known persons, including Frank Drake, who propounded the Drake equation, Kathryn D Sullivan, former NASA astronaut, and Jeff Bezos, technology entrepreneur.

TMREIS authorities are also going in for an exclusive Robotics lab in Hyderabad in association with Lego Innovation Lab, Singapore, to provide a unique environment to enrich the learning process. Students are gearing up to display their skills in the upcoming Robotics League at Singapore.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated March 28,2018

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One’s lonely, two’s company and three’s a crowd. But we were slightly more than a cricket team. Seventeen in all—from infants to adolescents and adults. We were saddled with heavy baggage too, 22 items to be precise. In other words the whole thing was the opposite of less-luggage-more-comfort principle.

It was August 2006 when we set out from Anantapur on the golden triangle circuit—Delhi, Jaipur, Agra and Ajmer. We had undertaken the first trip in 1983 with char aadmi, char bacche, char saman. And this became a sort of chant in the family like the famous sea song. Fifteen men on the Dead Man’s Chest. Again in 1985 we retraced our steps with more numbers. A perfect recipe for disaster one would think. But it wasn’t.

In a pleasure trip the more the merrier is the thumb rule. A journey is best measured in terms of the bonhomie it creates rather than in miles. And it was a memorable one—with fun, action and drama.
Travel by train is a front-row ticket to entertainment. It’s an opportunity to see nature and life in varied hues. The rhythm of the train is music to ears, especially when it trundles over bridges and culverts. Beautiful vistas and lush fields flash by while jerks and jolts break the train of thought. The slowdowns and the bursts of speed are such fun. So is the call of the vendors—thanda pani, cool drinks, biscuits, chips. Travel is often an educative experience—a reminder that life is just a journey and not the destination. Most importantly it creates a better you as it takes you out of your comfort zone.

What’s a tour sans excitement! And there was plenty when my son went missing in the tourist rush at Delhi’s Jama Masjid. As everyone searched frantically, he emerged coolly much to our relief. Early in the day there was a scare at the A P Bhavan where we stayed. My nephew was placing luggage in the lift when suddenly its doors closed. Given the heightened security, everyone panicked on finding only baggage in the lift when it touched down.

But they were relieved when we rushed and were explained about the situation. The most thrilling time was when my brother was virtually gheraoed by beggars at the Ajmer Dargah as he started giving away alms. He had to be whisked away with the mendicants in hot pursuit.
The return trip proved more exciting as the vehicle taking us to the railway station broke down. Somehow we reached just in time to catch the train. A photo finish. Some journeys begin with the impossible and turn into unforgettable.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated March 23,2018

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Faiz Ahmed Faiz: The Renowned Writer and Poet

There are times when one feels down in the dumps. What lifts the spirits then is not wine, the bottled poetry, but the real one. Trust Faiz Ahmed Faiz to articulate your feelings when overwhelmed by emotions.

Sometimes pain and suffering defies expression. Turn to pensive lyricism and the anguish finds a voice. One of the greatest poets of the subcontinent, Faiz's shayeri gives articulation to the inner turmoil. To all those who loved and lost, suffered and survived, Faiz holds a beacon of hope. His poetry has immense relevance in the present times when curbs are sought to be put on the freedom of expression. Faiz says:


Mata-e-loh-o-qalam chin gayi to Kya ghum hai
Ke khun-e-dil main dubo li hai ungliyan main ne
Zaban pe muhar lagi hai to kya ke rakh di hai
Har ek halqa-e-zanjeer main zuban main ne


If they snatch my ink and pen, I have no complaint
For I have dipped my fingers in the blood of my heart
What if they seal my lips
In every ring of manacle I have secreted my voice



In the present strife-torn age, Faiz remains immensely relevant and popular on both sides of the border. This is primarily due to the fact that his poetry is timeless and reverberates with pathos of the period. Injustice, poverty, oppression and exploitation figures in his poetry. If you want to wage a lyrical war against bias, inequality, socio-political discrimination, Faiz comes handy. His poetry puts things in perspective whatever be the situation and succeeds in bringing unity and focus to a cause. "He had a profound understanding of human existence and this is reflected in his shayeri", says Dr. Syed Taqi Abedi, who has authored two books on the celebrated bard.



Poet, editor and rights activist, Faiz blazed a new trail of love and revolution. One can detect the diction of Ghalib and Iqbal in his nazms and ghazals, the two important genres of Urdu poetry, he excelled in. The quantum of his work is not much, just 1800 couplets written in a span of five decades. Yet each of his verse has an enduring appeal to it. A Communist, he was adept at mixing lyricism with political comment. The poem Subhe-e-Azadi penned in the wake of the partition remains a masterpiece. Though it primarily mirrors the dashed hopes of people who looked forward to change after the end of British raj, one can relate to it whenever dreams crash and promises remain unfulfilled .



Ye daagh daagh ujala, ye shab-gazida sahar
Wo intizar tha jis ka ye wo sahar to nahin
Ye wo sahar to nahin jis ki aarzu le kar
Chale the yaar ki mil jaegi kahin na kahin


This stained light, this night-bitten dawn
This is not that long awaited daybreak
This is not the dawn in whose longing
We set out believing we would find



"There are few persons with whose name their countries are known. Faiz has this distinction in Pakistan", says Dr. Abedi, the Hyderabad born Canadian physician, who was in the city recently for release of a book.

The relevance of Faiz is all the more today with liberty at stake and human rights violations becoming the order of the day. Be it Syria, Palestine or other trouble spots the philosophy of  resistance and ideology of action and idealism advocated by him helps in galvanising support and lifting spirits. Even now his moving verses succeed in exposing grim truths and raising consciousness.

Perhaps the last of the practitioners of classical Urdu poetry, Faiz wrote with intensity on the agony and struggles of common man. In every poem, even the romantic ones, he expands the conventional thematic expectations to include, societal wrongs, political and social issues. A champion of humanism, he takes on oppressive regimes in his famous poem Hum Dekhenge. In the immortal lines of Bol  he goads the exploited to rise and speak the truth.

Bol, ke lab azad hain tere
Bol, zubaan ab tak teri hai
Tera sutwaan jism hai tera
Bol, ke jaan ab tak teri hai


Speak out, your words are free
Speak up, your tongue is still your own
Your body remains yours
Speak out, your life is still your own

The poetry of Faiz, according to Abedi, gives hope and encouragement. He explains the hard realities of life with evocative metaphors and traditional tropes of romantic poetry. Sample this verse where Faiz bolsters spirits and urges the struggler not to give up.

Dil na-umeed to nahin, nakam hi to hai
Lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai         


Not hopeless, the heart has only lost
Long is the evening of grief, but it's evening only  

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated March 15,2018

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What’s all this fuss about Women’s Day? It was a simple question our maidservant asked the other day. But it left me groping for an answer. It is the celebration of women’s emancipation and achievements, I explained after pondering a while. She gave a sneering look which seemed to say don’t-give-me-that-crap.
“How does it affect my life. I have to slog anyway,” she remarked laying bare the bitter truth.

Sridevi hogged all the glory even in death but for ordinary mortals it is not the case. No one would give a damn if a woman is molested or has acid poured on her in broad daylight. Can we feign ignorance? Yet we allow the charade to continue year after year. Our capacity for self-deception knows no limits. For many women, the glitzy celebrations in their name smack of bitter irony and black humour. It’s nice to be the cynosure of the world, corner all the glory and attention for a day. And thereafter get back to the humdrum of life—a life of prejudice and gender bias. Isn’t it sheer hypocrisy to celebrate womanhood on a particular day and deny the fair sex a fair deal the rest of the year?

It’s a travesty of truth, a farce. The celebrations are a painful reminder of the fact that the situation of women is still pitiable. When it’s March 8, the whole world suddenly wakes up to the importance of females. Programmes are organised, renewed commitment to women’s empowerment is made. Politicians, of course, do not miss the opportunity to reel out the schemes meant for their uplift. Not that the status of women has not improved since 1909 when the first Women’s Day was celebrated. But equality, dignity and non-discrimination still remain a mirage.

Nirbhaya paid a heavy price as she dared to exercise her right to travel freely while Malala was shot for supporting women’s education. Even as I write, scores of women across the country might be falling victim to abuse and gender-based violence. Aren’t the celebrations downright mockery?

Women just want to be respected and recognized for what they are. But we tend to gloss over their contributions and deny their intellect. Rather they are credited with instinct and intuition. Far from being a simple chore, the running of home is the bedrock of functional society. Yet the work put in by homemakers seldom gets its due. Success is a relative term and one can be successful even without a bank balance.
Step beyond gender, love the individual.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated March 13,2018

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Jumerat Bazaar, a mecca for shoppers looking for bargain deals

Neither the swank malls nor the glittering markets have robbed it of its charm. It not only survives the onslaught of bricks-and-mortar stores but sees more footfalls week after week. That is Jumerat Bazaar for you. This open-to-sky weekly shanty provides an experience which even big shopping malls with their easy-to-access locations, pleasing ambience and clever marketing fail to offer. The colours, sounds, smells and sights one gets here is totally earthy, something the anchor stores couldn’t match. Even those who love the convenience of online shopping don’t mind taking the trouble to visit Jumerat Bazaar which comes alive every Thursday.

You can shop here for anything and everything. And at prices which are jaw -dropping. All one requires are good bargaining skills. This is the primary reason why people come here as they can quote the lowest price without batting an eyelid. From screwdriver and spare parts to clothes, household appliances, TVs and even mobiles-everything is available here. Imagine a formal shirt for just Rs 60, a jeans for Rs 100, kids cycle for Rs 800, travel bags, antiques, music systems, hardware items-all at throwaway prices. You can’t get things anymore cheaper.

Hyderabad’s flea market situated near Chudi Bazar in the Old City is a shopper’s Paradise. For off-the-shelf, rather off-the-kerb, shopping, there is nothing better than Jumerat Bazaar. It gets active at the crack of dawn on Thursdays and goes on upto 2 pm. Vendors arrange their merchandise in the open ground and as it gets filled, the goods spill onto both sides of the road right up to Muslimjung Pul. It is a win-win situation for both small-time vendors and customers with not-so-deep pockets.

“We pay just Rs 50 for occupying the space of a cot,” says Saleem who sells clothes here. The ground is auctioned by GHMC and the successful bidder collects rent from the traders. For small traders, who can’t afford permanent shops, this weekly market is a boon. If consumer behaviour is something to go by, people are comfortable shopping here. They don’t mind the din, dust and heat. People can be seen hanging out here for hours — haggling and exploring the bazaar.

Suddenly, a soothing voice rises above the hustle-bustle — neem ka thanda surma. With a box containing small vials perched atop a cycle, Sanjay Kumar Gupta is selling the khol. He is a permanent fixture at Jumerat Bazzar. “Earlier, my father used to sell surma and now I have taken over,” he says offering a 10 gm vial of Lasani surma for Rs 10.

While shopping, one can also grab a quick bite here. There are piping hot samosas, jilebi, pani-puri and fruit juices to satiate your hunger. Sometime back government toyed with the idea of providing amenities like drinking water, toilets, off–street parking under the Inclusive Heritage- Based City Development programme. But, nobody knows what happened to the plan. The lack of basic facilities, however, have not deterred people from visiting this chaotic weekly bazaar.

What is intriguing is that despite the growing mall shopping culture, Hyderabadis still prefer to make their purchases the traditional way. For many like Ramulamma, shopping at Jumerat Bazaar makes sense as bargaining prevails here. Moreover, the easy access, familiar ambience and price difference it offers makes the weekly shanty a big draw. But, the odds of going to Jumerat Bazaar for a particular thing and coming back with just that are pretty slim.


For some, shopping is the best medicine. And Thursdays are an ‘add to cart’ kinda day.

--J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated March 11,2018

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A science lab in a Madrasa is creating a buzz

There was a buzz around the Rahmani block at Al Mahadul Aaali Al Islami. Nothing unusual for a seminary where hundreds of students do research and specialise in Islamic sciences. But on this particular day, they were excited as they hung around this block; curious to see the new science lab being set up there.

Wondering what a science lab is doing in a madrasa? A glance at the history of Mahad which has completed 18 years will throw light. It is a seminary with a modern outlook. Here along with memorisation of Quran, fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Hadith, Tafseer, Arabic language and Seerat, its students also learn computer application, mathematics and sciences, as well as banking, finance and niceties of stock exchange. Mahad is also distinct from the typical seminaries in that sacred texts of other religions also find a place along with the Quran on the book shelves. Secular education is not a taboo as all that is ‘Ilm-e-Nafe’ (useful education) is welcome here.

Now Mahad has added another feather to its cap by opening a modern science lab. “Madrasa students should be conversant with the modern subjects to meet the present day challenges,” says Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rahmani, Rector of the seminary.

A strong votary of English and regional languages, the rector is known to come up with Islamic solutions to new age problems. The science lab, he feels, will equip the students with the latest knowledge in the shortest possible time. Apart from basic scientific information, it showcases the advances made by Muslim scholars in the field of astronomy, mathematics, geography, medicine and other sciences.

Set up at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh, the lab throws light on what is considered the ‘golden age’ of Islamic civilisation and the contributions made by scholars over a span of 1000 years which subsequently led to the European renaissance. Mahad has taken the services of Intellectual Learning Methodologies (ILM) Foundation and Catalyst, the Hyderabad-based social empowerment organisation, in setting up the lab. Many see the lab as an attempt to revive the holistic approach of the seminaries in the middle ages when ulemas also excelled in natural sciences and intellectual pursuits.

“The hands-on experience will open up new vistas of learning to madrasa students,” says MA Lateef Atear whose ILM Foundation is helping many private school set up such labs.

Scholars, who came from across the country for the two day programme that concluded on Sunday, were appreciative of the initiative taken by Mahad. In fact many are keen to replicate the Hyderabad model in their institutions. Working models of the solar system, human body parts, embryo system and astrolab are a big hit with the students.

“We will invite subject experts to explain the details to students on a regular basis. This way they will gain knowledge of the natural sciences,” says Omer Abideen of Mahad.


Besides providing an environment for interactive student engagement, models help in faster learning. Rahmani believes in the adage: I hear and I forget, I see and I remember. I do and I understand. He sees no conflict between religion and science; they are perfectly compatible with each other.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated March 7,2018

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Poets and relevance :An evening of poetry with a focus on daily happenings 

There was a hint of warmth in the air as winter was on its way out in the city. Anwarul Uloom college in Mallepally presented a spectacle that prompted not just students but everyone else to make a beeline to it. Women with babies in arm and men in night attire sauntered into its premises and stayed put till late in the night.

It was the second Nawab Shah Alam Khan mushaira that drew Urdu aficionados. The open ground in the college filled to capacity in no time and those who came late had to stand and witness the concert.

The mushaira was different in more ways than one. The verses recited here held a mirror to society with poets focussing on the political situation in the country.

Poets like Rahat Indori and Lata Haya were a big hit as they took on the powers that be in their characteristic way. The drama, style and flavour associated with them was in full display.

Kaun zalim hai yehan, zulm huva hai kis par

Kya khabar ayeegi akhbaar ko tai karna hai

Apne ghar main mujhe kya khana pakana hai

Ye mujh ko nahin, sarkar ko tai karna hai

Rahat Indori’s pun-laced verse on beef politics went down well with the audience and they demanded more of it. At this he punned on Gabbar Singh’s famous line from Sholay - jab tak tere pair chalenge tab tak uski saans chalegi. “As long as you respond I will keep reciting”, he remarked.

Baat mun ki khaen ya watan ki khaen

Jhoot bole to aawaz bhaari rakhaen

Aap ke pass choron ki fehrist hai

Sab par daste karam bari bari rakhaen

When Lata Haya took the mike there was an air of expectancy in the crowd. And the Mumbai-based poetess didn’t let down the people.

Bahut aasan hai nafrat, muhabbat karke dikhlao

Idhar dil udhar dunya, baghwat karke dikhlao

There was some comic relief when local shayar Waheed Pasha Qaudri took the stage. He regaled the audience with a parody of the famous Mohd Rafi song from Haqeeqat :

Kha chuke sari janta ka dhan sathiyo

Ab tumhare hawale watan sathiyo

He drew huge applause when he recited some verses interspersed with English words. Sample this:

Lagi dil pe goli slowly slowly

Wo I love you boli slowly slowly

Bahu aaee ghar main to ronuq bhi laee

Magar zahr gholi slowly slowly

Young poet, Iqbal Ashhar of Delhi, cast a spell with his poem Urdu hai mera nam. He spun a wonderful nazm using names of stalwarts of Urdu shayari.

Urdu hai mera naam main Khusro ki paheli

Mai Meer ki humraz hun Ghalib ki saheli

Other poets like Manzar Bhoopali, Abrar Kashif, Waseem Barelvi, Mohsin Jalgoni, Shahid Adili, Charan Singh and Ashok Sahil also won accolades from the audience.


Nawab Mahboob Alam Khan, the mushaira organiser, urged the generation next to keep the flame of Urdu burning by developing interest in the language.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated March 1,2018

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