It doesn't cost a bomb.And all it takes is a split second.Yet most of us are stingy about it. We would rather put up a stiff upper lip than trouble the corners of our mouth. There is no greater miser than one who cant even  smile-teeth and  all.
A symbol of friendship and peace.it is difficult to fully comprehend the cascading effect of a smile. It can brighten a gloomy day, calm ruffled nerves,comfort grieving souls and patch up invisible wounds. You think changing the world is a tall order? Just flash a smile and see how easy it is.The power of a smile is too often underestimated. A kind word, a caring touch and a warm smile can do a world of good.And it has the potential to turn a life around.
        Smile anyway.Smile even when yon don't feel like it.Dare to smile in the face of adversity-even when tears are blurring your vision.Smile and do random acts of  kindness.This is the only way not to get lost in this chaotic world. Smiling at your brother's face is an act of charity, say scholars.So are enjoining good and forbidding evil, giving directions to a lost traveler and removing obstacles from the path. Medically too, a smile packs immense benefits.It releases stress, relaxes facial muscles,lifts a bad mood  and changes brain chemistry. Fake a smile  if you cant make it.
  The other day I was with my dentist friend, Dr B Chandraakaanth.A poster at his clinic in Mahavir Hospital caught my attention.It says,"Most Smiles are started by  another smile.Let's spread it".How true it is.It has a chain reaction.You smile and the other person smiles back.You scowl and you get the same in return.
     Some persons have a perpetual Smile playing around their lips,no matter what the situation is.Patients come to Dr Chandraakaanth in extreme pain and the first thing he does is to grin from ear to ear.This has an anesthetic effect.The pain does a vanishing act.There are some who are dour-faced at home but in office greet everyone with 'good morning'. Charity begins at home.So should good demeanor.
There is no carefree person in the world.Only some are better at hiding troubles.But it is also true that shared joy is double joy and shared sorrow is half sorrow.So why not smile ou way through life?
In the New Year, lets resolve to keep an animated face always. Let's resolve to be the reason for someone's smile.All it takes is a jiffy. And the waves of happiness it spreads might just change a life.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated December 27,2017.

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The famous 101 dining hall at Falaknuma Palace will seat Ivanka Trump and Narendra Modi this time

The bigger the better. This seemed to be the guiding principle of the Nizams. If Purani Haveli boasts of the world’s largest wardrobe, the Falaknuma Palace has something equally big to brag about. It has the world’s longest ever dining table. Hold your breath – it can seat 101 persons at a time. No need to raise your eye-brows, after all anything is possible with the Nizams.

The dining hall is the most talked about room in the palace. The sixth Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, used to sit right in the middle of the rosewood carved dining table while playing host to visiting dignitaries.

Now this magnificent dining hall is set to play host to delegates of Global Entrepreneurs Summit 2017, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and US President’s daughter, Ivanka Trumpthis week. For the delegates, as well as Ivanka, this is bound to be a memorable experience, one they will cherish forever.

Past and present

A notable feature of the dining room is its acoustic system which helped the Nizam pick up even whispers. The grand room hall boasts of sophisticated wood interiors, ornate crystal chandeliers and tableware of gold plates and crystal glasses. Time was when an English organist entertained the guests at dinner on the lines of the bagpiper who played music for the guests of Queen Victoria.

Falaknuma, meaning ‘Mirror of the sky’, is the last word on eastern opulence. Nawab Vikar-ul-Umra, then prime minister of Hyderabad, took 10 years to build it in 1893 and 22 years to deck it up. More than a century later, the Taj group took another decade to bring the palace back to its original shape. Now it forms an exceptional addition to the Taj’s collection of palace hotels.

For ordinary mortals now it is possible to savour a day in the life of the Nizam. Of course one has to cough up jaw dropping tariff to relish experience extraordinaire. Painstaking restoration has given a new lease of life to the Falaknuma palace. Princes Esra, the former wife of Prince Mukarram Jah, who played a key role in capturing a slice of royalty, legend and romance.

Spectacular view

Situated 3 km from Charminar atop a hillock 200 ft high, it provides a panoramic view of the entire city. The opulent interiors of Falaknuma which holds one spellbound. Ornate inlaid furniture, rich hand-crafted tapestries, intricate frescoes, Venetian chandeliers – all lend a fairytale charm to it. The staircase leading to the upper floor is a marvel with carved balustrades supporting marble figurines with candelabra. The Jade room, Darbar hall with parquet flooring and walnut wood furniture, library, billiards room, Hookah room and Jiva spa are simply out of the world. One can also see the Nizam's study with the wooden carved writing table and the revolving Victorian chair.

There is an interesting tale of how the sixth Nizam came to occupy the palace. Having heard about the magnificent palace, he got himself invited for a dinner there. When the Nizam expressed his fascination for it, Vikar-ul-Umra was left with no choice but to honour the wishes of the ruler. He simply walked out leaving the palace and everything it contained to Mahboob Ali Khan.

Big mystery

Another version has it that Vikar-ul-Umra did not gift the palace but offered it in lieu of the four million he owed to the Nizam. Whatever, the splendid palace, which combines Italian and Tudor architecture, did not auger well for its builder. The Italian architect died while boarding a ship in Bombay. Vikar-ul-Umra, who constructed the palace, could live here for barely five years before he handed it over to the Nizam. Later he was poisoned to death in a hunting camp, it is said.

Mahboob Ali Khan himself suffered a concussion on the head when he fell while rocking in a chair in the Falaknuma verandah. He slipped into a coma and breathed his last ten days later. The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, who succeeded his father, did not occupy the palace out of superstition and used it as a guest house.

The scorpion-like shape of the palace with two stings spreading to the north as wings is believed to have brought misery to its occupants.

Traditional ambience and modern trappings leave visitors gasping for more. Seeing is believing.

-J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu,

Dated 27 of November, 2017.

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A trial run of the Metro on the Miyapur stretch.

Put the clock back by a century and you will find a leisurely and laid back lifestyle in Hyderabad. The now crowded roads had a deserted look about them. People mostly trekked on foot while the well-off travelled in transport which is out of fashion now.

No, there were no taxis to be flagged down. For the ordinary mortals bullock carts and cycles were the much sought after means of transport. Those who could afford chose to move in hand-pulled rickshaws and ‘Shikram’ (horse drawn carriage). The well-heeled had their own horses or elephants to ride. For the modest ladies who observed ‘purdah’ (veil) closed door palanquins were the obvious choice.

Gone are the days when traffic used to crawl at a snail’s pace. Now the city boasts of a transport which is as fast it could get. From palanquins to elevated rail, the wheel has come full circle in the nawabi shahr. The Hyderabad Metro Rail, which is all set to roll out two days from now, promises to transport people faster, safer and in real time. At every 90 seconds, a train will stream in to take you to your destination in a hassle-free manner.

One of the most vibrant cities, Hyderabad is faced with urbanisation blues – traffic congestion, public safety and health hazards. Dynamic changes in lifestyles make these challenges even more daunting. The Transit Oriented Development by the HMRL seeks to provide a one-stop-solution to all these issues. Besides providing a world class transport, the Metro stations will be the hub of activity where commuters can shop for their day to day requirements. The idea is to reduce avoidable motor trips so that one gets more time to spend with family.

The HMRL is creating a total of 6 lakh sft of retail space at 66 Metro stations. This apart 14 malls are proposed along the Metro corridor. For the business community it is a windfall with the number of footfalls going to increase.

Comparisons are odious. But a hark back to the past is necessary to trace the history of transportation in the city. The nobles and royalty of course had much better means of transport. The Salar Jungs, who were Prime Ministers of Hyderabad, had richly decorated Sedon chairs with inscribed monograms. One could see pictures of the closed door palanquins and Sedon chairs of Nawab Munirul Mulk and Mukhtarul Mulk in Salar Jung Museum.

Bullock carts and cars riding side by side on a dirt road in the 1930s

The 6th Nizam, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan, used to travel in an elaborate carriage drawn by four horses. Sir Viqar ul Umra, who constructed the picturesque Falaknuma Palace, also rode in Baggi Chaukrad (four horse carriage) while some nobles used different types of conveyance. Elegant and graceful in appearance, these symbols of royalty smacked of power and pelf.

They may be passé, but the renovated buggies still draw sighs of ecstasy at Chowmahalla Palace. In sparkling hues of white and yellow, the buggies which once carried the Nizam and his consorts are now available for lesser mortals to ride at Chowmahalla Palace. The royal buggies meant for ladies were simply cute. They were mostly 12-seater carriages with sliding window panes and vents for air circulation.

The ‘Shikar’ buggy was simply great. It had three doors and was accessed by a ladder. The Nizam used it for hunting. It had an emergency exit at the rear and a secret chamber inside. This was intended for a quick exit in case of an animal attack.

Not just carriages, Hyderabad also had its share of elegant cars. The 6th Nizam had a passion for the best of the cars. The first ever Rolls Royce (1912) in India belonged to him. The royal automobiles also include 1904 Napiers, Wolseley, Fiat, Packard, Ford, Buick, Harley Davidson motor bike. What is unique about these cars is that they were made to order for the then wealthiest man in the world.

The Nizam, who presided over the largest princely State in India, had his own railway system connecting Hyderabad with the rest of British India in 1874. His Highness the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway (NGSR) managed the railway services. In 1951 the NGSR was nationalised and merged into Indian Railways.

To supplement the railway services in Hyderabad city and suburbs, the Nizam State Railways introduced bus services in 1932. The initial fleet comprised of just 27 buses over 280 route miles. Hyderabad’s brush with aviation occurred in 1911 when Baron De Cater, a Belgian pilot, landed the first plane on Parade Ground. It was more a demonstration flight. But it was not until 1932 that some flying activity started when the Deccan Aero Club was established by Babar Mirza and P.M. Reddy.

Transport in Hyderabad got a flying start when the first air show was hosted in 1937 by the Hyderabad State Aero Club. It was just a static air show but it caught the imagination of Hyderabadis, including the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan. His daughter-in-law, Princess Durr-e-Shehwar, laid the foundation for the Begumpet terminal building the same year. “The functioning of the railways, roadways and airways under a single department was unique in the world”, says noted historian, M.A. Nayeem.

 A rickshaw puller in the old city which are often used for carrying goods and materials by shopkeepers..

Hyderabad is changing and changing fast. Chaos could be another name for it. The burgeoning traffic tells on the nerves. The crisscrossing flyovers across the city are already bursting at the seams. The old city appears an oasis in the concrete jungle, but for how long? Of late, the purana shahr too is trying to shed its laid back attitude. Times are sure a-changing.

From palanquins to Multi Modal Transport System (MMTS), transportation has seen a sea change in Hyderabad. Now comes the Metro to address the chaotic traffic problem. It promises to transform Hyderabad into one of the most preferred global cities, a cherished dream of Chief Minister, K. Chandrashekar Rao.

The project works, which commenced in 2012, progressed in fits and starts thanks to the innumerable challenges – mostly non-engineering. One can’t help being envious of NVS Reddy, managing director, HMRL, who took the bull by the horns. “People called me mad and wondered how could the Metro train be taken through the congested roads of Hyderabad. With patience and perseverance we have overcome all the problems”, says a beaming Reddy.

He credits KCR and the Municipal Administration Minister, K.T. Rama Rao, for extending all the support. The Metro is now taken as an opportunity to redesign and rejuvenate the urban space. By using just 8 ft of central median, HMRL has built two tracks (up and down lines) to transport 60,000 passengers per hour in each direction. Put in other words, it means each track is equivalent to 7 bus lanes and 24 car lanes in terms of capacity. There is a station at an average distance of 1 km – 66 in all – spanning 72 km in the three high density traffic corridors.

The greatest advantage is the speed. As against the average vehicular speed of 8 kmph, the Metro rail is capable of a maximum speed of 80 kmph. But it will plying at an average speed of 34 kmph, adhering to the international standard.

Cars are the Johnny-come-latelies of cities which are primarily meant for people. HMRL plans to restore them to pedestrians, cyclists and others. It is trying to enforce a new normal where road users are respected and protected.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 26,2017.

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A favourite with tourists and locals alike, the bakery is set to 

get a makeover complimenting Charminar. 

Photo PV Sivakumar

An oasis near a monument. That’s what it is. A perfect place for a tourist to unwind after a tiring day. Nimrah Cafe and Bakery is where most tourists visiting Charminar would like to sip the authentic Irani chai along with crunchy Osmania biscuits.

Now this culinary experience is set to double with the tea shop going in for a makeover. Very soon it will have a heritage look , matching the bygone aura of the iconic monument. Customers will get a traditional farshi salam from waiters dressed in period costumes – complete with sherwani and Rumi topi. This is not all. Visitors can look forward to relishing their favourite chai-biscuit seated on decorated wooden furniture.


Nimrah plans to recreate an ambience which will transport one to the Asaf Jahi period. “We want to be in sync with the prevailing ambience all around,” says Abood Aslam, the dynamic proprietor of Nimrah.

Photo : PV Sivakumar

Hotels are dime a dozen in and around Charminar. But Nimrah remains a big draw with locals as also tourists although there is nothing glitzy or attractive about it. In fact the place is too crowded and one has to jostle for space. What draws people here is the unique brand of Irani chai and biscuits – the piece de resistance of Nimrah. The footfalls have increased over the years and this small cafe has become so popular that it now forms part of the tourist itinerary – Charminar, Chowmohalla, Makkah Masjid and Nimrah.

Heritage brands have a growing cachet with tourists, particularly the foreigners. And it is this appeal that Aslam wants to encash. Plans are afoot to redo the tone and decor of the interiors in tune with the pale yellow colour of Charminar so that those having tea and snacks here can have the feeling of doing so in the monument itself.

Not a business management student nor even properly educated, yet Aslam knows how to be a flamingo in a flock of pigeons. He ensures that his hotel exudes a warm hospitality. He chats with utter strangers and makes them feel at home. The same cordiality is extended to the employees. He regards them as ‘team members’ and not workers. “Nimrah is my school. I learnt to speak English, Telugu and the art of making friends here”, he says proudly.

No wonder the US Consul General, Katherine Hadda, found Nimrah a warm and welcome place when she dropped in here on April 13. “These are the best biscuits I have had in Hyderabad. The Charminar is outside, but you are a landmark too!”, she wrote in the visitor’s book.

Irani chai and biscuits is a speciality of Nimrah. So is the case with the other three hotels managed by the family – Awami Hotel and Al Quba in Sultan Shahi and the famous Niloufer hotel in Red Hills. Interestingly, the biscuits are not cooked over gas or electric stove. They are baked the traditional way over firewood. “This is the secret of the lip-smacking taste”, remarks Aslam admitting that the process is slow and time consuming. Another unique thing about Nimrah is that all food items made here are vegetarian.

As he is busy fine tuning plans for giving heritage look to Nimrah, he has also set eyes on opening its branches in other metros like Mumbai and Bangalore.

Hospitality is love in action. You can have dollops of it at Nimrah.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 26,2017

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HMR, the flagship infrastructure venture of the Telangana government, promises to make travel a pleasant experience.

Sometimes, your only available transportation is a leap of faith. Yet one would like to give one more try to the intermittent RTC buses knowing full well the risks involved. After what seems an eternity and a nail biting suspense, it finally swims into view. But all hopes of making it to your destination in time are dashed as only the bravehearts manage to cling on to the overcrowded bus.

Those who commute by public transport will agree that waiting for a bus is the worst kind of experience, especially in urban areas when you are in a tearing hurry. It’s like sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you anywhere.

Hopefully, all this will change for the good. The Metro rail getting ready to roll out this month-end promises to take urban transportation to a new level. Hyderabadis will be able to reach their destinations in time without fuming and fretting. And most importantly, the hassles of travelling in buses packed like sardines will be a thing of the past.

Determined leadership

The Charminar Pedestrianisation Project and the Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) conceived in the undivided State are intended to address the problem of burgeoning traffic as the two projects were hanging fire for years. But after the TRS government assumed office things started looking up for them. The managements and the leadership are doing things in the right thing. This is clear from the way a determined TRS government has pushed through the project in the last three years despite several hiccups and hurdles.

Touted as the world’s largest Metro Rail Project in PPP mode, the flagship infrastructure venture of the Telangana government promises to make travel a pleasant experience. There are about 200 urban Mass Rapid Transit  systems across the world but most of them are capital intensive and built by government utilising the taxpayers’ money. However, HMR chose not to follow the rut but break new ground. Experts think Hyderabad Metro will be a game changer in the way Railways design infrastructure projects in future. For the first time, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) technology has been introduced in the HMR. What it means is that the technology makes it possible to run the trains with a headway of 90 seconds during peak hours besides providing critical safety features like collision avoidance and overspeed protection. The CBTC ensures highest level of monitoring, controlling and command. Other safety aspects like automatic train supervision, automatic train control and automatic train operation are built into the system. The Hyderabad Metro also boasts of advanced braking system in the rolling stock, enabling 35 per cent power regeneration which feeds backs into the system. All this helps reduce the carbon footprint.

Best betMetro rail system is considered the best bet to mitigate air and sound pollution, decongest traffic, overcome commute delays apart from being energy efficient, while catering to a very high peak hour per direction passenger traffic. Realising these benefits, many European and Asian cities went for this model as early as the 1980s.

Though ambitious in scope the project, however, has not been swift in execution. Right from the word go it has faced many challenges, mostly non-engineering. It is mainly land acquisition blues that delayed the project. Handling different interest groups, tackling sensitive structures, environmental issues, political interference and convincing people to part with their properties is nothing short of a Herculean task. So far the HMR authorities have acquired about 2,500 properties across the three traffic-dense corridors but not before winning protracted legal battles. Several rounds of negotiations, appeals and persuasions have gone in to get the ‘Right of way’ for the development of the project. Sultan Bazar proved to be a tougher nut to crack with the traders refusing to hand over their properties. In fact, the HMR managing director, NVS Reddy, had to face the ire of the traders, suffer gharaos, agitations and demonstrations.

Exemplary achievement

Elevated metro systems are difficult to execute, especially in areas which are already dense and built up. But HMRL has pulled off a near impossible feat accomplishing a complex project through the highly congested roads of Hyderabad. No wonder it  bagged the Global Engineering Project of the year award in 2013 by the sixth Global Infrastructure Leadership Forum in New York.

Far from being a simple mass transit facility, the Hyderabad Metro is an effort to redesign, rejuvenate and transform the nawabi shahr into a friendly green city. The first phase of the Rs 14,132-crore project, stretched across 29 km, is scheduled to be commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi this month-end.


A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars, it’s where the rich ride public transport. One hopes these words of Petro Gustavo, former Mayor of Bogota, Colombia, come true in Hyderabad.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 16,2017

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On field(clockwise) Officer trainees try their hand at cooking; Bisma Qazi from Srinagar; Rippan Dullet and Manjeet Phetoya  

Trainee officers take a break to indulge in some non-academic activity

Very soon they will be at the nerve centre of administration and calling shots. But last weekend they were at everyone’s beck and call — cooking, taking orders and serving food. For a change, officer trainees of All India services donned aprons and chef hats to whip up a tantalising fare. Taking a break from their overloaded schedule, they tried their hand at cooking and enjoyed camaraderie.

The normally didactic precincts of Dr MCR HRD Institute of Telangana wore a cheerful look. There was a nip in the air and melodies of yesteryear wafted around - papa kehte hain bada naam karega. The open lawns behind the administrative block became the place to cook, create and celebrate. Officer trainees, who are otherwise busy with lectures and debates, grappled with cookers, tongs, rolling pins and frying pans. They mixed craftsmanship with creativity.

As part of the 92nd Foundation Course, the All India Services and Central Civil Services officers are equipped with life skills to face complex challenges. Management calls for multifaceted skills. “Learning to connect with people and understanding their requirements is all part of group dynamics,” says Anitha Balakrishna, Course Coordinator and Joint Director General, Dr MCR HRD Institute. Cooking seems quite apt to practice this. The idea is to build a culture of collaboration, engagement and empowerment.

Cooking is the art of adjustment. The young recruits, 207 in all, rose to the occasion. They formed into groups, decided the menu and divided work among themselves. “I am not good at cooking but I can sell things. So I took up marketing of the food coupons,” says a vivacious Bisma Qazi of Srinagar. She has opted for Indian Police Service and will be the second Muslim woman to join the force in J&K.

Rippan Dullet of Haryana (Indian Postal Service) and Manjeet Phetoya of Punjab (Indian Trade Service) made three varieties of parathas — aloo, paneer and onion — with the ease of a pro. “I have learnt it at home,” remarks a beaming Dullet frying the parathas on a big pan. Their group member, Ganesh Kumar from Kerala, came up with Puttu rice, the popular breakfast dish of his state besides chicken and chana gravy.

“This is a new experience and very satisfying. We come to know the food habits of different states. The biggest advantage is the team spirit it develops,” says Abhishek Agarwal (IPS) of Chattisgarh.

Most of the recruits who were cooking for the first time avoided attempting fancy or complicated dishes. Cooking is an art that depends more on instinct rather than exact measurement. These recruits proved they had it aplenty.

Each group was given a budget of Rs. 3000 to buy the raw material. They are expected to sell the dish and make a profit. The sale proceeds go for charity.

Not just food there were a variety of sports to play. Some recruits organised games like blow the candle, bucket challenge, dare to tear, play and gulp a plate of halwa.


“The kind of game one chooses to play helps in understanding the psychology of that person,” says Satyam Kumar of Bihar who has opted for Indian Forest Service. The trainee officers have a tough mandate of grounding the government schemes. Group dynamics is what comes handy in taking the right decisions, overcoming prejudices and built-in biases. The fete was memorable take away from the Foundation Course.

-J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu,

Dated 13 of November, 2017.

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With subjects becoming more contemporary, Mushairas in the city appeal to larger audience

Think of mushaira and what comes to mind is poetry of passion, anguish and unrequited love. A mushaira devoid of amorous references is simply unthinkable. But of late poets are talking about the problems of the common man rather than simply singing paeans of gul-o-bulbul (rose and nightingale),dilbar-o-raqeeb (beloved and rival), saqi-o-jaam (wine pourer and goblet). These days mushairas reflect socially relevant themes, mirroring the plight of common man.

The mushaira organised last week by the All India Muslim Educational Society (AIMES) was one such. It chose to avoid the beaten track. Poets gave vent to the sufferings of the people in their verses and focused on the current turmoil in society. The controversy surrounding the Taj Mahal, rising communalism, the art of double speak and education dominated the mushaira.

Gesue yar ka bal kya jane

Kaisi hoti hai ghazal kya jane

Jiski Mumtaz hi nahin koyee

Wo bhala Taj Mahal kya jane

Hyderabad poet, Sardar Saleem, drew huge applause for this ghazal. Nobody missed the subtle reference to the Taj Mahal and the raging controversy over it. There was demand for an encore and Saleem obliged the gathering by repeating the lines. His shayeri on man’s duplicity was also a big hit. Sample this verse:

Maar kar ek dusre ka haq

Log chidyon ko dana dalte hain

Muhib Kausar of Gulbarga also established an immediate connect with the audience when he recited verses about doubts being raised on the loyalty of Muslims to the country.

Hamare khoon main shamil hai surqi sarfroshon ki

Watan pe jaan dete hain, baghawat hum nahin karte

Kausar’s veiled attack on the Sangh Parivar drew acclaim when he referred to the ‘saffron politics’ thus:

Badi makkar hai wo zafrani rang ki billi

Main sidhi rah chalta hoon, wo rasta kat deti hai

Ajab kirdare gulshan hai ke ab mousame gul main

Hawa bhi sazishi hai, sabz patta kat deti hai

What added to the appeal of the mushaira was its venue - the picturesque Chowmahalla Palace. The moonlit Khilwat Mubarak, which formed the backdrop for the concert, was the perfect setting. The royal ambience and the pleasant evening brought out the best in the poets. Delegates who had come to the AIMES conference on ‘Educate 2 elevate’ from different parts of the country thoroughly enjoyed the programme . Former minister, Asif Pasha, who hosted the conference squeezed in the mushaira as well to regale the delegates. Poets like Johar Kanpuri, Charan Singh Bashar, Nusrat Mehdi, Afsar Deccani, Aslam Chisti, Nadeem Shad, Suleman Khumar lived up to the expectations.

As the night grew cold, women poetesses, Shabeena Adeeb from Kanpur and Khushboo from Rampur , warmed up the mushaira with their moving shayeri.Sample this quatrain of Khushboo:

Tehzeeb ke kamre main rehti hoon mukffal main

Maghrib ke gulistan ki main sair nahi karti

Ajdad ne bakshi hai taleem mujhe aisi

Jis simt bade baithen main pair nahin karti

There was no dull moment in the mushaira which continued till the wee hours. And the Chowmahalla reverberated with cries of wah-wahs and mukarrar irshad.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated November 9,2017

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Dr. Mujeeb examining a patient. Photo: PV Siva Kumar

Why Hijama (cupping therapy) has become the go-to treatment for various disorders in the city

Bloodletting isn’t bad always. Sometimes it can be the important part of healing. More and more people are now turning to the ancient practice of shedding blood to regain health. Hijama or cupping therapy is becoming the preferred choice of Muslims in Hyderabad for treatment of various body disorders.

The Arabic word ‘Hijama’ means drawing out. It is also called cupping therapy because of the use of cups as therapeutic tools. The technique involves sucking out toxins from the body tissues. Part of the regimental therapy (Ilaj-bil-tadbeer), Unani scholars have been practicing leech therapy and Hijama in different countries. It is now recognised as an alternative medicine. This time tested holistic method is considered a vacuum cleaner for the body.

Walk into any Hijama camp and you find bare bodied men astride armless chairs. On their backs are placed small fibre cups where the toxic blood can be seen getting accumulated. Before that minor incisions are made on the surface of the skin with surgical blade and the blood that oozes out is collected in the cups.

“It is safe, non-invasive and economical way of curing and preventing diseases”, says Dr. M.A. Mujeeb who is practicing Hijama for the last nine years. He is a consultant at the Hannan Health Care Centre in Talab Katta.


The ultimate detox, people go for Hijama for both ‘cure and blessing’ since it is regarded as a Prophetic medicine. A range of ailments like blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint and muscle pain, digestive disorders, skin problems, Rheumatoid Arthritis, poor blood circulation, oedema are sought to be addressed through it. Women undergo the therapy for uterus disorders, menstrual problems, infertility and other such issues. “I feel much better after undergoing Hijama therapy”, says Mohd Khaleel, who is suffering from frozen shoulder.

A patient undergoing the Hijama treatment. Photo: PV Siva Kumar

Khwaja Siraj makes it a point to undergo Hijama therapy every three months to relieve his back pain. “It is very comforting and there are no side effects”, he says.

There are nearly 200 Hijama points in the body and the practitioners of the therapy decide where the cups have to be attached for drawing out the bad blood. “The pain is negligible and you can be active soon”, explains Dr. Mujeeb.

There are 15 Hijama centres in the city where separate camps are organised for men and women. Though it is performed round the week, the rush is more on certain days of the Islamic lunar month as these are considered ideal for Hijama.

As Hippocrates said healing is a matter of time, but sometimes it is also the matter of the right therapy.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated November 5,2017

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A new book on Deccan Sultanates and the Iranian connection

More than 400 years after it was built, Charminar continues to draw sighs of ecstasy from tourists and local visitors. But few know or care to find out the strong Iranian influence on it. Grand in conception and perfect in workmanship, the chef-d’oeuvre of the Qutb Shahi amazes visitors no end.

The Iranian element in the monuments left behind by the Qutb Shahi rulers is predominant. Be it Golconda Fort, Qutb Shahi domes or elevation of various structures the Persian traits are unmistakable. Hyderabad itself is modelled on the lines of Isfahan, the then Iranian capital. The layout plan of Golconda fort, construction of palaces, development of gardens, water works and concealed drainage system are all based on Iranian style. A great deal of scientific planning went into the construction of ‘Isfahani-i-Nou’ (new Isfahan) by Mir Momin Astrabadi to whom the job was entrusted by Sultan Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah.

One can find out all this and more from the new book written by well known historian, M A Nayeem. The book titled Safavid Iran and the Deccan Sultanates - Diplomatic and Cultural Relations offers an interesting glimpse into the profound Iranian influence on the art, architecture, life and culture of people of Deccan. The Iranian heritage, race and creed of the Qutb Shahi rulers and the nobility had a strong bearing not just on the daily life but court, administrative system, socio-economic conditions and the art and architecture that developed at Golconda and Hyderabad.

In fact this is the first such book which explores the Safavid Iran’s relations with the Deccan Sultanates of the Bhamnis, the Adil Shahis, the Qutb Shahis and the Nizam Shahis during the 16th and 17th century.

“The interesting part is that founders of the first three Deccan Sultanates were of Iranian origin and Shi'ihs. This is the vital link between the Safavid Iran and the Deccan Sultanates,” says Nayeem.

Having served as the Research Officer at the State Archives, he has a wealth of information about Deccan kingdoms. A prolific writer, he has authored more than 20 books, including six on the heritage series of Deccan and has acquired a reputation for embellishing his works with authentic details culled after meticulous research.

Nayeem lives up to his reputation in the latest book. He documents Iranian influences and impact on the Deccan Sultanates and its culture by 70 relevant illustrations which have survived for several hundred years. Nayeem takes pains to present Iran’s relations with five Deccan Sultanates beginning with Bahmani kingdom (1347-1538) and its offshoots Adil Shahi kingdom of Bijapur (1489-1686), Qutb Shahi kingdom of Golconda (1512-1687), Barid Shahi kingdom of Bidar (1538-1619) and Nizam Shahi kingdom of Ahmadnagar (1490-1536).

The book throws light upon political, diplomatic, commercial, socio-cultural and religious relations which, according to Nayeem, resulted in transformation of the Deccani-Muslim culture into Perso-Deccani civilisation.


Mohammad Haghbin Ghomi, Consul General, Islamic Republic of Iran at Hyderabad, released the book last weekend at Salar Jung Museum.

-J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu,

Dated 25 of October, 2017.

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The options in Chatta Bazar for calligraphic and decorative Urdu printing material are mind-boggling

Marriages are made in heaven. But the wedding cards are printed mostly in Chatta Bazar. No matrimonial ceremony in Hyderabad is complete without a visit to Patharghatti for the bridal trousseau and then to the nearby Chatta Bazar for selection of wedding invites. Though shops dealing in wedding cards are available elsewhere too, most families prefer to make a beeline to Chatta Bazar.

The reason is not far to seek. There are nearly 300 shops on this stretch of road leading to the City Civil Courts and all of them specialise in composing and printing of Urdu, Arabic and English wedding cards. Over the last half a century, the bazaar has remained the one-stop shop for wedding invites. From simple to elegant designer cards — you can shop for wedding invitations of your choice and budget.

For traditional Islamic shaadi cards, Chatta Bazar remains the preferred destination especially for calligraphic and decorative Urdu printing. The shops here also provide relevant Quranic verses and Urdu couplets befitting the occasion thus adding to the sanctity of the occasion. “Whenever a marriage takes place in our family, we come here to shop for the wedding cards,” says Yunus Khan echoing the views of many. In fact many people from the nearby Telangana districts and Karnataka areas forming part of the erstwhile Nizam domain come to this place for printing Urdu wedding cards.

One of the oldest markets of Hyderabad, Chatta Bazar is close to the famed Dewan Devdi, once the residence of Salar Jungs. They owned a vast area surrounding the palace extending from Nayapul to Patherghatti on one side and up to Purani Haveli on the other side. The two gateways - one towards Chatta Bazar and another towards Patharghatti - still exist. “There were some printing presses those days here and the area was known as ‘Chapta Bazar’ but over the years the name has got corrupted to Chatta Bazar,” says historian, M A Qaiyum.

Whatever be the name, now it is a busy place with wedding card shops lining both sides of the road. The Aijaz printing press and Shamsul Islam press are the oldest ones dating back to more than 70 years. This place has seen the evolution of the wedding invitation cards printing from the complex lithographic to screen printing and the latest multi-colour digital offset. Shops here also print bill books, posters, aqeeqa cards, visiting cards, child naming ceremony cards apart from many little known Urdu weeklies, fortnightlies and monthlies. Chatta Bazar is also the place where one can get forms of any government department.

Simple yet classy, the sheer variety of wedding cards available at Chatta Bazar is mind-boggling. “One can buy cards here for as less as Rs. 800 per 100 to Rs. 10,000,” says Syed Riyaz Mohammed of Nice Cards and Printers.

Plush and rundown shops coexist cheek-by-jowl here. A typical shop is one under the arch leading to the court. Khaleel Ahmed, 60, is seen immersed in giving deft calligraphic strokes to a wedding card unmindful of the flow of traffic.

If you are planning a lifetime of togetherness, just drop in at Chatta Bazar. The wedding card crafted here might set the right tone for the marriage.

The area was known as ‘Chapta Bazar’ but over the years the name has got corrupted to 'Chatta Bazar'

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated October 4,2017.

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With the city celebrating Dasara and also observing Muharram, the mood is of joy and sorrow

What Dasara is to Mysore, Muharrum is to Hyderabad. While the former marks the triumph of good over evil, the latter is all about the victory of truth over falsehood. The commonalities don’t end here. Both festivals are a big draw with spectators thronging from different parts of the country to have a dekko. Interestingly, both events culminate in huge processions. Mysore sees the idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari taken out on an exquisitely decorated elephant while in Hyderabad the Bibi-ka-Alam is carried on a richly caparisoned pachyderm.

Joy and sorrow

The only difference is that while Dasara is celebrated with pomp and gusto, Muharrum is observed with solemnity and sombreness. With both the events coming in close proximity, the mood of joy and sorrow is palpable in Hyderabad. While the rest of the city throbs with gaiety, grief envelops parts of the Shia-dominated Old City.

Time flies, people change. But some things never change. Hyderabad sees the first month of Islamic calendar observed in the same sombre way year after year. A walk down Noorkhan Bazar, Yakhutpura, Dabeerpura, Itebar Chowk, Husaini Alam, Mandi Mir Alam, Moula Ali give out poignant vibes. It is black all the way — the mood, attire and the ambience. For the Shia sect, which is sizeable in Hyderabad, it is time for ‘ tark-e-lazzat ’ (abstinence) and a halt to culinary delights. No entertainment or celebrations. Television goes into hiding during the 68-day mourning period. Even young boys and girls are seen strictly adhering to the code.

Emotional high

As the sun sets, the Ashoorkhanas where the ‘Alams’ are installed, reverberate with unbridled emotion. The ‘zakareen’ (orators) recount in minute detail the events leading to the martyrdom of Hazrath Imam Husain, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam, and 72 others in the battle of Karbala in Iraq. The public grief seem to come in waves - ebbing and flowing - reducing the audience to tears. The gathering indulges in ‘azadari’ (mourning) and ‘seena-zani’ (chest beating) to cries of “Ya Husain”.

Badshahi Ashoorkhana, one of the oldest, built by the city founder, Mohammed Quli Qutb Shah, comes to life during Muharram. The latter used to visit this place and light 1000 candles everyday during the first ten days of Muharrum, it is said.

Food for the soul

Muharrum also sees evolution of fresh crop of ‘marsiyas’ (elegies) whose leitmotif is the tragedy of Karbala. Lamentations apart, there is a sweet side to the month of mourning. Come Muharram and Dum-ke-roat , the crunchy cookie, swamps the market. Bakeries like Subhan, Karachi, Pista House are flooded with customers seeking this sweet-baked treat which has a religious significance.

The seventh Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, is believed to have offered roat to the ‘Nala-e-Mubarak’ Alam near Charminar for the safety and well-being of his grandson, Mukarram Jah Bahadur. This practice continues till date and people who take a vow for the safety of their wards break the roat on the Alam and distribute it to others.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated September 29,2017.

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Writer Allama Aijaz Farruq pens a vibrant book on Hyderabad

 If you find history dull and dreary you are not to blame. The lacklustre context and narrative often is the culprit. But history can be fascinating to read, a page-turner in fact. The events of past, dates and names can have readers on the edge of their seat. A new book on Hyderabad promises to do just that. Its style, approach and literary prowess hooks you right from the word go.

The Muraqqa Hyderabad authored by renowned scholar, Allama Aijaz Farruq, comes as a breath of fresh air. It sets new benchmarks in presenting history in a manner which is both engaging and illuminating. The description is inventive and the language, gripping. There is a lyrical touch to the whole thing.

It is not often that one gets to read Urdu prose these days. Farruq’s style reminds one about the remarkable practitioners of the delicate art such as Ismat Chughtai, Jeelani Bano, Nazeer Ahmed Dehlivi, Sa’adat Hassan Manto. When the book was released recently, Farruq enthralled the audience with his speech, which was as eloquent as his writing. “I have not done any favour by writing this book. In fact I have tried to repay the debt I owe to this land where I am breathing for 75 years,” he remarked.

The Muraqqa Hyderabad published by the Telangana State Urdu Academy records the history of the city from 1518 to 1911. Farruq brings his amazing erudition, intelligence and insight of the times to make it extraordinary. The book takes the reader intellectually and emotionally into the past and deepens the understanding of history, society and the individuals.

He just doesn’t cobble together facts but interprets them, adding analysis and context. Of course he employs all the literary devices at his command to make the book highly readable. The style of writing shifts from conversational to descriptive, narrative and persuasive. An author is always a product of his times. Farruq, who was born in the culturally vibrant Hyderabad, is well versed with the royal etiquettes, palace intrigues, warts and all of the shahi khandan. Chapter after chapter bears out his keen sense for accuracy and detail. No, Farruq doesn’t merely writes about an event but fills it will sensory details.

As one reads the book historic characters of the past seem to come alive and converse with the reader. Printed on art paper with rare pictures, paintings and couplets, the 214-page book is a collector’s issue. It covers not just the historic events but also the culture of Hyderabad, its rich cuisine, costumes, jewellery, festivals and marriages. There is also a chapter on the famous Chloroform Commission and discovery of malaria parasite in Hyderabad.

History never really says goodbye. It tells “see you later”. Farruq also says the same. He promises to come back with a second volume covering the events right from 1948 till the formation of Telangana in 2014.

Sure, the more you know about the past, the better prepared you are for the future.

Farruq’s style reminds one about the remarkable practitioners of the delicate art such as Ismat Chughtai and Jeelani Bano.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated September 21,2017.

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There is only one pretty child in the world. And every mother has it. A child is God's opinion that the world should go on. Little babies are simply irresistible and defy definition. That's what I experienced when I became a grandpa two months ago. It was a momentous occasion, one I would cherish forever. It was as if I was living my own parenthood all over again. The moment Khadija came, the days became shorter, nights longer, clothes shabbier and the home happier than ever. I discovered one more thing: you can't buy happiness, it is born. The bundle of joy arrived early in the morning. Bleary-eyed, I rushed to the hospital as I got the glad tidings. Sugar, spice and all things nice. That's what came to my mind when I set eyes on the baby cuddling close to the mother.

Khadija immediately occupied a huge place in our hearts which we never knew was empty. The problem arose when she started crying a short while later throwing a challenge of sorts. My wife immediately rose to the occasion and started crooning  ''. Lo and behold the baby calmed down in no time. Most of us blindly ape the West. But when it comes to singing lullabies Indian moms are indigenous to the core. Lullabies are time-tested solutions for all baby problems. Generations of children have been nurtured on them. The mother gently rocks the baby in her arms while humming in soft low tone and it has a magical effect on the infant.

Children have an instant connect to soft rhythmic songs and modern research too supports this view. The motion caused by simultaneous rocking and singing has a soothing effect on infants. Besides lulling them to sleep, lullabies also help build an intimate bond between the mother and child.
Be it 'dhire se aajare akhiyan main or chanda mama door ke', there is no dearth of lullabies. But most moms prefer to sing bedtime lories hummed by their own mothers.

I am sure each region and family has its own set of popular jingles rendered by grandmas over the years. Singing lullabies comes naturally to women and they know how to switch over from one to another changing the tone and tenor to suit the mood of the baby. In Telangana homes many mothers rock their babies to sleep with lories like: ‘paon jahad machli paon jahad’ or ‘aage aage gaima dema tera duddoo’.

There is no way one can be a perfect mother but there are millions of ways to be a good one. What children need is your presence more than your presents.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The New Indian Express

Dated September 19,2017.

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And it flows A view of the Musi river from its banks Satish H, Mohammed Yousuf

   For most old-timers in Hyderabad, September is associated with the ill-famed flood of 1908

Come September

Everything wrong gonna be all right


Come September


Hyderabadis wouldn’t swing to this romantic number. They await the month’s advent with dread. For most, September is a ‘sitamgar’ that evokes memories of death and destruction 109 years ago. The havoc wrought by the floods of September 28, 1908 is still fresh in memory.

The great disaster has become a folklore now. The catastrophic events set in motion with a sharp shower and drizzle are recounted with all seriousness. And so is the role of the famous tamarind tree in the Osmania General Hospital premises that saved the lives of 150 persons. In fact this historic tree becomes the venue where concerned citizens gather year after year to recall the calamity and recite poetry that grew around it.

Recent torrential rains brought Mumbai, the maximum city, to its knees. Two years ago it was Chennai which faced the nature’s fury, recording its worst rainfall in over a hundred years. More than a century ago it was Hyderabad which battled the floods that changed the civic character of the city for ever. What stands out in all these calamities is the never-say-die spirit of the people. As the water receded and clouds cleared one is flooded with stories of grit and determination. Differences of religion, caste and language seemed to drift away in the swirling waters as utter strangers stood together and carried the burden of each other.

The great Musi floods left a trail of death and destruction. The river that meanders through the city was the cause for at least 12 such floods in the past. But the devastation caused in 1908 was unprecedented. The flood was the result of bursting of several irrigation tanks following an unusually heavy precipitation over an extensive area. According to the flood report prepared by Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, the rain 'descended in sheets, flooded the small tanks and overburdened their waste weirs'. In Kolsawadi alone about 2000 persons got washed away while an equal number perished in Ghansi Bazar. Many sought refuge atop the city wall near Petla Burj and the tamarind tree in OGH.

The sixth Nizam, Mir Mehboob Ali Khan, personally supervised the rescue operation and threw open the gates of the royal palaces for the flood victims. About six lakh persons were fed for several days, it is said.

But in the hindsight the historic deluge led to the planned development of Hyderabad and construction of its principle water sources - Osmansagar and Himayatsagar. After the flood there was a prolong drought, break out of plague and death of the sixth Nizam. Yet amidst these trying times, the Nizam government set up the ‘Aaraish-e-Balda’ (City Improvement Board) not just to rebuild the city but to embellish it.

The tragedy also led to emergence of some moving poetry. Nothing portrays the emotions and distress of the devastation like the ‘Rubai’ of Amjad Hyderabadi who lost his mother, wife and daughter in the flood. In the poem Qayamat-e-Soghra ( the minor doomsday) he wrote:

Jo hum ne saha hai na saha hoga kisi ne

Dekha hai jo kuch hum ne on dushman bhi na dekhe

Kuch ayese diye charqe sitamgar ne churke

Ek lakqt huye qalb o jigar ke kayee tukde

The same distress is captured by Hariram Sikhawat in his Lavni and Ammangi Venugopal in his poem Chettu Aatma Ghosha . The Centre for Deccan Studies want the entire Musi belt and the CIB office situated in the premises of the old Gandhi Medical College building at Basheerbagh to be declared as heritage monuments.

What calamities teach us is that sometimes you just have to pick yourself up and carry on. That’s what Hyderabadis did. Tough times don’t last, tough people do.


Rain nightmares

On August 24, 2000, Hyderabad received a record 24 cms of rain in 24 hours, turning the city into a lake. On September 21, 2016, a record 16.7 cms rain brought the city to a standstill.

- J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu

Dated September 13,2017.

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It’s time authorities wake up to set right the many clock towers in the city

No one is wrong all the time. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Who knows it better than tourists visiting Hyderabad. As they set out on a sightseeing trip they discover to their surprise time standing still at many places. Clocks at several busy intersections have stopped functioning even as the city is racing against time.

London’s Big Ben has fallen silent recently but in Hyderabad the clocks atop towers are either not working or simply broken down for quite some time. No one can turn the clock back but at least something can be done to wind them up. But there is no concern, much less efforts to revive them. The city of domes boasts of eight public clock towers but sadly none of them are in working mode now, except for the clocks on Charminar.

Clocks in the iconic monument keep ticking on all the four sides as it happens to be the city’s pride. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which maintains Charminar, ensures that the clocks function properly. But that is not the case with other clocks taken care of by the GHMC. In 2006 Secunderabad saw celebration of its 200 years of formation. The historic clock tower, now a heritage structure, built by then Resident, Sir Trevor John Chichele Plowden, became the centrepiece of the bicentenary bash. But today if you want to set your watch by the 110 year old clock you will be way off the mark.

Time doesn’t exist, clocks do. But in Hyderabad the opposite is true. Clocks which are meant to indicate the passing of time have broken down or simply missing. The graceful tower rising above the Moazzam Jahi Market cries for attention. Built by the City Improvement Board in 1935, the granite structure is listed as a grade II heritage building. But shockingly one sees gaping holes where clocks used to exist. “Parts of the clock keep falling at regular intervals but authorities are simply not bothered to repair,” rue shopkeepers.

The clock towers at Secunderabad, Monda Market, James Street, Sultan Bazar, Fateh Maidan, M J Market, Mahboob Chowk, Shyamlal Devdi and Chowmahalla Palace are historic in nature and reminiscent of a time when few could afford a wrist watch. Even home clocks were rare. These heritage clocks are mechanical and need regular servicing. Till a few years ago the Ramesh Watch Company used to maintain them for the civic body. But due to non payment of its bills, the company has pulled out of contract with the result the clocks are now stuck in a time warp.

“e are planning to call tenders for maintenance of the clocks since the rate quoted by the Ramesh Watch Company are too high,” says Srinivas Rao, Additional Chief City Planner, GHMC.

The erstwhile rulers built turret clocks as public amenity. The idea was to instil a sense of punctuality. Some individuals also built clocks atop their houses. The Shaymlal devdi on the Charminar-Shalibanda road is a case in point. Even the Afzal darwaza at the entrance of Nayapul had a clock on it. This gate was pulled down by the civic body in 1954 for smooth flow of traffic. But today the clock towers are reduced to being mere landmarks devoid of their specific purpose.


“It is a pity that the authorities are not able to maintain the historical clocks when so much is being spent for the development of the city,” says M A Qaiyum, noted historian.

-J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu,

Dated 7th of September, 2017.

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Positive step IFS officer Shafiullah

IFS officer Shafiullah sets a new benchmark for the minority residential schools in the state

They are as different as chalk and cheese — forestry and schools. For one who has spent years planting, managing and caring for forests, overseeing schools is a whole new ball game. But he has slipped into the new role quite effortlessly.

The Telangana Minority Residential schools have turned out to be a game changer. Long starved of quality education, schools in the government sector are now looking up, setting new benchmarks of excellence.

When Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao presented the excellence award to B Shafiullah, secretary, Telangana Minorities Residential Educational Institutions Society (TMREIS) recently, he was only giving credit where it is due. KCR's decision to take the young officer out of the woods to man his flagship programme has proved right. In a short span of two years, Shafiullah has given a whole new meaning and thrust to minority education in the region.

“It is all a team work. The credit goes to each and every officer," says a humble Shafiullah.

An IFS officer of 2003 batch, Shafiullah didn’t know what he was walking into when he was given additional charge of running the minority residential schools in January 2016. He started from scratch literally — creating TMREIS, framing its bye-laws, identifying buildings for schools, recruiting teaching and non-teaching staff. “I studied the social welfare hostels pattern but didn’t copy it as expectations and needs of minorities are totally different," he says.

Residential schools is a new concept for minorities and motivating parents to send their children, particularly girls, was the biggest challenge.

Shafiullah and his team employed all the tactics — they appealed, persuaded and cajoled parents. NGOs, community leaders, public representatives and even Masjid Imams were roped into the campaign.

Today a whopping 48,000 students are studying in 206 schools across the state. And the number is growing.

Interestingly, while Shafiullah is imparting education to minorities, his wife, Priyanka Verghese, is a campaigner for spreading greenery in the state. Also an IFS officer, she is OSD in CMO and in-charge of another dream project of KCR — Harita Haram. Shafiullah and Priyanka have two children — Rehan and Shireen.


Implementing major flagship programmes of the government, both have hectic schedules. But at the end of the day, they are satisfied with the nature of their work. Their mission: Leave it better than you found it.

-J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Hindu,

Dated 22nd of August, 2017.

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