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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