Dum-ke-Roat is the dish of the month. It sells like hot cakes during Muharram with people of all faiths rooting for it.


What Haleem is to Ramzan, Dum-ke-Roat is to Muharram. While the syrupy dish did the vanishing act thanks to the initial lockdown, what will be the fate of Roat now. As Muharram, the month of mourning, has set in bakers and restaurants in the city are pinning their hopes on the flat bread to see them through.

Dum-ke-Roat is the dish of the month. It sells like hot cakes during Muharram with people of all faiths rooting for it. With the general slowdown in business due to the pandemic, Roat makers are unsure how the crispy cake will move this season. Moreover, absence of air flights and difficulty in interstate transport is expected to impact the sales. Nevertheless bakers expect Roat to bring in the moolah even if it doesn’t see the usual feverish sales.
Some bakeries plan to sell Roat as an immunity booster by adding a generous dose of dry fruits. As it is Roat contains almonds, cashew nuts, pista and saffron. “We will add more dry fruits by way of health benefits”, says Pista House proprietor Abdul Majeed.

Whatever be its religious significance, the foodies swamp the market to lay hands on the sweet-baked delicacy with the advent of Muharram. Huge rush is seen at bakeries like Subhan Bakery, Karachi, Pista House, Rose and Needs.

Legend has it that the 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan, once offered Roat to the Nala-e-Mubarak Alam near Charminar for the safety and well-being of his grandson, Mukarram Jah Bahadur. And the practice continues till date. Members of the Shia community and also others take vows for the protection of their wards and offer Roat. But over the years it has become a special dish of Muharram with people eagerly looking forward to the seasonal flavour.

Crunchy outside and soft inside, Roat has a mix of ingredients like wheat flour, sooji, vegetable oils, sugar, honey, clarified butter, salt, cardamom and milk products apart from dry fruits. The art of baking involves striking a fine balance between time, temperature and ingredients “Getting the ingredients in the right proportion and then baking them properly till the brownish tinge appears is important”, says Syed Irfan of Subhan Bakery.

While Roats are up for grabs from day one, demand peaks on Youm-e-Ashoora, the 10th of Muharram. Some households make their own Roats with varying degree of success. “I follow a good recipe and bake Roats at home and they are as good as the ones available in the market”, says Afreen, a housewife.

This time the Roats have gone pricey with a kilogram of cookies coming in the range of Rs 600 to Rs 700. But when it comes to a crunchy bite price hardly matters.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today 

Dated August 26,2020

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Hyderabad may miss the historic Bibi-ka-Alam procession this Muharram. Chances of the juloos being taken out on the 10th of Muharram (August 30) have dimmed with the High Court dismissing a writ petition on Wednesday seeking permission.

The Bibi-ka-Alam procession has a long tradition stretched over 400 years. Right from the Quli Qutb Shahi days the city is witness to the Shia community taking out the Bibi-ka-Alam on a caparisoned elephant every year to mark the ‘Youm-e-Ashoora’. This year on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Telangana Government has denied permission to the procession while issuing guidelines to be followed during observation of the ‘Majlis’ in Ashoorkhanas. At a recent meeting held with the Shia leaders, the Minority Welfare Minister, Koppula Eshwar, wanted the Bibi-ka-Alam to be carried in a vehicle instead of the traditional elephant as it attracts huge gatherings.

Not agreeing with his views, M/s Fatima Seva Dal Society filed a writ petition in the High Court seeking permission for taking out the procession on an elephant while maintaining the social distancing norms. However, the Court dismissed the petition today without granting any relief. Instead it wanted the petitioners to follow the guidelines issued by the government. This has put a question mark on the Bibi-ka-Alam procession. “We will discuss the matter and see what can be done”, remarked Hasanuddin Aijaz, Mujawar, Bibi-ka-Alawa.

During the last four centuries the annual Muharram procession was never missed. Even when the city was under curfew the procession was allowed. “Government ought to permit the juloos as it has a long tradition. Moreover, not just shias but people belonging to different faiths also participate in it”, said Syed Hamed Hussain Jaffery, President, Telangana Shia Youth Conference.

The Bibi-ka-Alam procession, which marks the culmination of mourning by the Shia community, attracts people cutting across religion and caste. To the cries of ‘Ya Hussain’, the procession starts from Bibi ka Alawa in Dabeerpura and winds its way to the Masjide Ilahi at Chadarghat. Devotees flock the procession route and offer ‘dhatti’ to the Alam. But this time round the pandemic appears to have halted the procession in its tracks.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated August 26,2020

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In the last couple of months the city has seen half a dozen mushairas, literary meets and book release taking place on Zoom and Google Meet platforms

When was the last time you heard a round of applause and shouts of wah-wahs? Maybe some six months back. The corona pandemic has rung down curtains on every activity, including mushairas. The poetic soirees are now back after a long break- albeit in a different form. You can now pursue your passion and slake your literary thirst online. Yes, break into laughter and call for an encore from the comfort of your house.

While biryani might be their culinary delight, it is mushairas that Hyderabadis eagerly look forward to. For many it is the adabi mehfils that bring the evenings alive. In normal times not a day passes without a mushaira, a kavi sammelan or a book release function being held in Hyderabad. But today Urdu Hall and Urdu Maskan, the hubs of literary pursuits, wear a deserted look. Thankfully the scene has now shifted from in-person events to online shows. In the last couple of months the city has seen half a dozen mushairas, literary meets and book release programmes taking place on Zoom and Google Meet platforms.

“The best thing is participants are not confined to just Hyderabad alone. People from different parts of the country and even abroad are taking part in the online events. There is nothing like a virtual session to reach out to a large audience”, says Javeed Kamal, an Urdu scholar and writer. The whole thing started after the death of noted satirist, Mujtaba Hussain, in May. In view of the lockdown a proper tribute could not be paid to this Padma Shri awardee.

However, his diehard fans like Prof Baig Ehsas, Dr Humaira Sayeed and Dr Gul Rana decided to host an online programme titled ‘Mujtaba Hussain Ki Yaad Mein’ for a whole month from June 22 to July 22 every night at 8 pm. Academics, writers and scholars from all over India and even from the US, Canada, the UK and Dubai took part in the programme and expressed their views on the great humourist.

Encouraged by the global response, an online ‘Mazahiya Mushaira’ was organised last month which attracted poets such as Ahmed Alvi, Dr Nashtar Amrohi, Waheed Pasha, Pankaj Prasun from across India. The virtual poetic concerts are proving a big hit with people of all age groups, particularly youngsters. “This is just the beginning and more such programmes are in the offing”, says Dr Humaira, who successfully hosted a mushaira from the Government Degree College for Women, Sangareddy, where she works.

Now Sahitya Academy awardee Prof Baig Ehsas has come up with a weekly online programme- Bazgasht. In this programme works of well-known writers and poets are read out followed by a detailed analysis and discussion. The pandemic may have disrupted the literary scene, but Urdu lovers have gone digital to stay connected.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated August 17,2020

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Noted poet, Rahat Indori, who passed away on August 11th, was a show stealer at mushairas. People just hung around to listen to him whatever the time of the night. Of course he was the last shayer to come on to the stage and recite his poems. Concert organisers knew if he was invited earlier none in the audience would remain to hear other poets.

A live wire performer, Rahat Indori was equally popular among people of all age groups. His reputation knew no bounds and he was a big draw abroad. Mushairas were considered incomplete without his presence. Essentially a poet of love, he captured the romantic sentiments with a touch of finesse. He excelled in all genres of Urdu poetry be it nazm, ghazal or qat’a. Rahat Indori also penned iconic lyrics for a few Hindi movies. What was unique about him was his unique style of recital. His poetry was straight from the heart and no wonder it left the audience asking for more. Sample these verses:

Kis ne dastak di a dil par, kaun hai

Aap to andar hain, bahar kaun hai

Razz jo kutch ho isharon mein bata bhi dena

Haat jab usse milana to daba bhi dena

Kabhi dimag, kabhi dil, kabhi nazar mein raho

Ye sab tumahre hi ghar hain, kishi bhi ghar mein raho

A peoples poet, Rahat Indori was alive to the day to day happenings. Nothing escaped his keen observation. Social injustice, political doublespeak, plight of marginalised sections – everything figured in his poetry. In recent times he turned to poetry of protest and wrote against the controversial CAA/NRC. On the eve of the Republic Day this year, the celebrated poet came to Hyderabad and took part in a mushaira organised by the Alliance Against CAA and NRC. He recited his hugely popular ghazal and received standing ovation for this verse:

Sabhi ka khoon shamil hai yehan ki mitti mein

Kisi ke baap ka Hindustan thodi hai

What endears Rahat Indori to the people is his fearless and outspoken way of saying things. His poetry was vibrant and reflected the everyday concerns of the common man. Interestingly, he himself twitted about his testing positive for Covid-19 and hoped to defeat the disease. But fate willed otherwise. That he did not fear death was clear from his own verses which he wrote some time back. He said:

A saneh to kisi din guzarne wala tha

Mai bach bhi jata to ek roz marne wala tha

In another couplet he says how death turned him a zamindar.

Do gaz sahi magar ye meri milkiat to hai

Aye maut tu ne mujh ko zamindar kar diya

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated August 12,2020

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You can find him at the crack of dawn at the Public Gardens. Come hail or thunderstorm he is there, walking steadily to become one with nature. For the last four decades he has incorporated walking into his daily routine. But these past few months, Ghulam Yezdani has not been able to carry out his favourite morning exercise. He is not alone to miss this early morning workout.

There are no two opinions about morning walking being a blessing for the whole day. But ever since the corona pandemic broke out, morning walkers have been halted in their tracks. All the green spaces in the city are now out of bounds for them. While other activities are gradually being resumed after the lockdown, morning walks and gyms still remain prohibited. “Walking offers immense health benefits and to stop it at this juncture is difficult to understand”, says Mr. Yezdani, chairman, Public Garden Walkers’ Association.

The oldest park in Hyderabad, Public Gardens sees nearly 2000 footfalls in normal times. People of all age groups come here regularly for walking since its vast expanse of greenery offers fresh breath of air. But for the last five months authorities have stopped joggers and morning walkers stating that it would be difficult to maintain social distancing. “When physical distancing can be maintained in other walks of life why can’t it be done during walking”, wonders Mr. Yezdani.

The senior advocate, who is 90 plus, ascribes his good health to regular walking and swimming. For the last two and half decades he has also been organising health lectures for the morning walkers on first Sunday of every month. Doctors and health experts speak on different aspects of wellbeing and offer tips. But even these lectures, which could have been of immense help to people in these trouble times, are not taking place now.

Morning walkers want the government to allow regular walking in all the parks since this exercise is good not just for body but soul as well. Besides warding off heart diseases, walking lowers blood pressure and lightens the mood. “We will ensure that social distancing is maintained while walking”, says Mr. Yezdani.

So why not resume the most ancient and still the best of modern exercises?

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated July 26,2020

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Family isn’t always blood. It’s people who stick around you in tough times. The corona pandemic is proving this time and again. Such is the scare that even blood relations are playing safe when their dear ones die and it is left to utter strangers to perform the last rites.

The other day an ex-serviceman died at a hospital in Golconda. But none of the family members came forward to take away the body. The city based NGO, Helping Hand Foundation, rushed its ambulance to the hospital when it received a call from the desperate family to arrange for disposal of the body. But shockingly there were none from the bereaved family of the ex-service man at the hospital.

“When contacted on the phone, the family members told our volunteers to take the body to the graveyard and that they would join us there. We took the body to the Balapur graveyard reserved for Covid related deaths. But here again no one came despite several calls. After waiting for two hours we buried the body”, said Mujtaba Hasan Askari of HHF.

This is not an isolated case of families abandoning their loved ones who fall prey to corona. Even those dying of other causes are also facing this boycott by family members. A man in his mid-50s who died last week at Vijayanagar Colony was cremated after 24 hours as there was none to take responsibility. It was only after the son of the deceased, who lives in Dubai, telephoned to the HHF that things started moving. “The apartment owner did not allow us to enter the premises and it was only after the intervention of the police that he relented. The body was ultimately cremated at the Alwal shamshanghat”, Mr. Askari said.

The HHF, which has launched a dedicated last rites service for Covid and non-Covid victims, has disposed of at least 25 bodies during the last one month. The idea is to ensure a dignified farewell to the deceased when relatives and neighbours are showing indifference and hostility to the departed souls. Whoever the deceased may be, the HHF is taking care to provide the funeral services as per his/her faith.

Six brand new Tata Winger ambulances with state-of-the-art features have been launched in the city at a cost of Rs. 16.5 lakh. These ambulances are available round the clock to provide transportation from hospital to home and from home to the graveyard, crematorium or cemetery. They are equipped with collapsible stretchers, plastic sheets to cover the stretcher and adhere to highest sanitation standards as per the Central government guidelines. Moreover, the ambulances are connected with GPS and are monitored through a dedicated helpline – 9603540864/ 8977898706.

“In case of Muslim covid deaths, the body is given ghusul as per pandemic guidelines, transported to the graveyard for namaz-e-janaza”, says Fareed Faheem, who looks after logistics at HHF.

All the drivers and helpers have been trained in emergency medical operations and provided PPEs, disinfectant sprayers, garbage bags for disposal of linen , PPEs, water cans, soaps. To ensure safety, the ambulances are fumigated after every trip.

On Saturday the HHF came to the rescue of a transgender, a Covid victim, admitted to the Gandhi Hospital. She was told by doctors to drink hot water but with her meagre finances she couldn’t afford a flask. “When we learnt about her problem, we rushed a volunteer with a flask. This simple act brought cheer to the patient”, Mr. Askari said.

Families who have availed the HHF services are a relieved lot. Apart from ensuring that the deceased are given a dignified farewell, the distressed families are not fleeced in any way. Those who can afford are charged just Rs. 3000 and not exceeding Rs.5000 depending on the distance. However, in case of the poor even this amount is waived off. “This is such a relief since some ambulance services in the city are charging anywhere between Rs. 15000 to Rs. 25,000 just to transport the body”, says Mr. Faheem.

Sometimes those abandoned by near ones are dear to remote ones.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated August 2,2020

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