Some shed silent tears; some broke down while a few wept openly. There were also signs of relief on their faces. Their ordeal had at last come to an end and they were happy about it. They are all victims of Avini, the tigress which struck terror in several villages of Yawatmal district in Maharashtra four years ago.

On Wednesday the next of kin of those killed by the man-eater and also those affected by it gathered at the Borati village in Ralegaon taluka to observe the fourth death anniversary of Avini. It was the same village where the tigress made her first kill. And incidentally it was the same place where she was shot dead by Asgar Ali, son of Hyderabad’s sharp shooter, Nawab Shafath Ali Khan, on November 2, 2018. Later the father-son duo became the target of a bitter trial and witch-hunting with activists dubbing them ‘trigger happy’ and dragging them to the court – although the operation was carried out on the orders of the Maharashtra government.

About 10,000 people turned up at the programme organised by the locals. Family members of the 13 persons mauled to death by the tigress were there. So were a good number of others who were affected by the terror created by the wild animal in 26 villages. As many as 76 Sarpanches from different villages like Borati, Swarkheda, Loni and Vedashi took part in the programme. The father-son duo, the chief guests, were given a rousing welcome and profusely garlanded by the villagers.

There was a carnival-like ambience in the tiny village. From 2016 to 2018 most of the surrounding hamlets experienced a virtual lockdown with Avni having a free run. All agricultural activities came to a grinding halt as none could dare to come out. People were afraid to even answer the call of nature for fear of the prowling tigress. So this event was an important occasion for the people after the pain and anguish they went through. Programme organisers, Arvind Futane and Ankush Muneshwar, distributed clothes to the affected families and also arranged lunch for all. Fourteen candles were lit as a mark of respect to the deceased.

Hyderabad sharpshooters being felicitated by the villagers.

Most of the affected persons turned emotional and couldn’t speak when given the mike. All they could mumble was a big ‘thank’ to Nawab Shafath Ali Khan and his son, Asgar Ali, for putting the tigress to sleep. “Otherwise we would be still living under fear’, said a villager whose wife, Mangala, was killed by Avni. The husband of Archana, who was killed by the elephant, Gajraj  brought to capture the tigress, also expressed his gratitude to the Hyderabad shikaris for ending Avini’s reign of terror.

Nawab Shafath Ali Khan unveiled the plaque containing names of the victims.

Nawab Shafath Ali Khan unveiled the plaque containing names of the victims. He urged the government to provide compensation of Rs. 1 crore to the next of kin of those killed and job to a family member. He asked the government to use the funds at the disposal of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) for erecting chain link fencing of core forest areas so that wild animals like tigers and leopards don’t spill over to human landscape. “Nearly 40 percent of tigers in India are outside the protected area”, he said.

In fact, the tiger is only the tip of the iceberg.  Wild boars and blue bulls (Nilgai) are a greater threat to agriculture farms. In Gujarat, Rajasthan, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra blue bulls are a bigger menace while in Telangana it is the wild boar which is giving sleepless nights to farmers. He wants wild boars to be translocated to fenced tiger reserves so that predators have enough prey to live off. “This is the only solution to the growing man- animal conflict”, says the sharpshooter.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in The Siasat Daily

Dated November 4,2022

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 No first day blues .. First day at school is a bit scary. Most children cry and creep reluctantly towards the school, unwilling to let go their doting parents. Some have to be dragged and some literally pushed into the outstretched hands of school ayahs and teachers.

It was a different scenario altogether with Khadija's first day at Success The School. No sobbing, no clutching to mother or father and no heel digging. She was all smiles and stepped happily into the 

school premises. As she climbed up to the first floor she threw a smile and waved her hand at us. In fact she was looking forward to this big day for many days. She was disappointed when opening of her UKG class was postponed twice from June 13 to 27. The previous night she went shopping for her school tiffin box, water bottle and shoes. Uniform will be supplied by school but it is not ready yet, we are told. Last one week has been a flurry of activity with Khadija getting ready with her school bag and books. She was ecstatic seeing her books getting covers and name stickers. Khadija was not a bundle of nerves as most kids are on the first day. On the contrary she was counting the days for her school reopening rather opening in her case.

A pleasant surprise for all of us. To share her excitement, I along with Arshad, were at the school at 8.06 a.m. I liked the school at the first sight. It is a 5-storeyed brand new building with well decorated reception and class rooms. Khadija came with Nikhat and Darwesh at the right time, 8.30 a.m. Her grandmother also joined later. We decided to be there as the first day is more important than the Graduation Day. The timings are 8.30 am to 11 am for the first two days. Time to rise Time for school Open your eyes Khadija was woken up around 7 am in the morning today. Her dress had been pressed and bag packed last night itself. In fact for the last one week it has been early to bed and early to rise - to get her adjusted to the new life cycle.

After initial refusal parents were later allowed to see the classrooms. We found Khadija sharing the bench with two other kids. She was cool and composed. But seeing other children crying, she also started sobbing. Nikhat and Darwesh rushed to her side and comforted her. Then she took out her notebook and started writing. Myself and Arshad left after a while but Nikhat stayed till 11 a.m when Khadija's class was let off. Khadija regained her composure after sometime. She even recited the 'Johnny Johnny' rhyme. Overall she is happy with her first day at school. The countdown has just begun for the start of something new in life. Education, as Yeats said, is not filling of a pail but lighting of a fire. So have an exciting time ahead. Believe in yourself my princess. Have a blast. Never stop learning.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Dated June 27,2022

 

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 What’s funny about doctors? If you do a double take at this question, it’s understandable. Doctors are a dour bore lot. There is nothing funny about them, although they routinely prescribe laughter as the best medicine. But one thing is for sure. There is no dearth of amusing jokes about them. Sample this: A worried patient tells the doctor about his legs breaking in two places. And pat comes the reply – quit going to those places.

But why that grim expression on the face? The reason perhaps could be that they are busy taking care of someone else’s life. Whatever – one don’t have to be serious all the time. A bit of humour thrown into the doctor-patient communication can have a positive impact. It will relieve stress while establishing trust. For that a doctor doesn’t have to put a red clown nose. Infusing humour in treatment will do a world of good and may sometimes change the clinical outcome as well.

There are quite a few doctors who employ humour as a strategy as they think it has a big part in patient recovery. But there are very few of them who are humour writers as well. Dr. Abid Moiz, who wields the stethoscope and also pen with equal felicity, has come up with a book in Urdu which tells about doctors who have made a mark in humour and satire writing.

The book titled – Hansi, Tanzo Mizah Aur Doctor – is a real eye-opener. It tells how humour results in laughter and laughter leads to happiness and together they provide immense benefits. Moiz, who has written ten mizahiya (humorous ) books, draws a fine line between tanz (satire) and mizah (humour). “While one tickles, the other prickles”, he says.

But in Urdu literature both are used simultaneously. Writers ensure that mizah takes the sting out of tanz. But the present stressed-filled life has robbed people of their sense of humour also. Social media posts show how people simply mention LOL (laugh out loud) at the end of a joke or funny write-up instead of having a hearty laughter.

While half of the book consists of humorous articles written by Moiz, the other half has the writings of doctors from across the sub-continent. There are funny write-ups of 16 doctors of different disciplines. Some of them are: Taher Quraishi, Iqbal Hashmani, Syed Abdul Mannan, Shafiqur Rahman, Mirza Kaleemullah Baig, Afsar Armoori, Rashid Fareedi, Mohsin Maghyana, Abid Ali, Mohd Younus Bhut, Mansoor Ahmed Bawaja, Yousuf Samra, Mohd Khalid Abdul Samee, Nazr Imam and Mohd Mohsin.

Most of the doctor-writers have narrated the experiences they have had during the course of their practice, dealing with patients of different age groups and temperament while some have tried their hand at totally different subjects. Some doctors take recourse to humour while discussing medical conditions, treatment and tests. They try to see everything from a humorous point of view, even the way the patients relate their ailments. Dr. Abdul Manan’s article ‘Naaz Uthane Ko Hum Rahgaye Mareezon Ke’ makes for a good read. So is the article of Younus Bhat – Buzrug Paalna. They incorporate humour into their personal anecdotes and infuse comedy in every line.

Dr. Moiz deserves congratulations for bringing out the hidden talent of doctors. Otherwise one tends to believe that the health care providers are good at writing mere prescriptions which none can read.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today

Dated July 01,2022

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 Though he was 84 years old, age sat lightly on him as far as his passion for writing goes. A voracious reader, he authored more than 25 books on various aspects of Mughal administration, Qutb Shahi and Asif Jahi dynasties.

The man who wrote history all his life became part of history himself. A chronicler par excellence and the last word on Deccan history particularly, Dr. M.A Nayeem's death brings the curtain down on the finest of historians who are methodical in narrative and meticulous in research. As a historian, he was a breed apart. Whatever he wrote, he backed it with archival records, maps, and archaeological and architectural data. He undertook long journeys all over the Deccan to collect minute details. No wonder his books fill not just the lacuna in history but recaptures the sublime spirit of life and times bygone.

Though he was 84 years old, age sat lightly on him as far as his passion for writing goes. A voracious reader, he authored more than 25 books on various aspects of Mughal administration, Qutb Shahi and Asif Jahi dynasties. He single-handedly managed the whole thing – writing, proofreading, taking pictures, and publishing the books. Nayeem was a ready-reckoner of sorts. And he came in handy for press men to check historical details and dates.

Unfortunately, Nayeem was a loner most of his life. With his doctor wife, Fouzia Nayeem, having predeceased him some two decades ago, he lived all by himself in his well-furnished house in AC Guards. His three sons are all abroad and come home once a year for their mother's death anniversary. A stickler for discipline, Nayeem was regular in his prayers and indulged in minimalist foods that are simple but wholesome. But he had an insatiable appetite for books.

Having done his postgraduation in History from Aligarh Muslim University and Ph.D and D. Litt in History from the University of Poona, Nayeem worked as a research officer at the Andhra Pradesh State Archives. While in service, he compiled and edited two volumes of Mughal documents and catalogue of Aurangzeb's reign. They contain English translations of nearly 6,000 Persian documents. He was a member of the editorial board of Islamic Culture and co-editor of Modern Deccan History sponsored by the government of Andhra Pradesh. He also edited Itihas, the Archives' journal, including the special issue on temples of Andhra Pradesh.

In his illustrious career spanning three decades, Nayeem published six books on Arabian history while working at the department of archaeology and museology, College of Arts, King Saud University, Riyadh. His book, Hyderabad Philatelic History, won gold medals at Delhi, Tokyo, Paris, Norway, London, and Melbourne. The book on The Heritage of the Bahmanis and the Baridis of the Deccan published in 2012 marked the completion of the heritage series – The Splendour of Hyderabad, The Heritage of Qutb Shahis of Golconda and Hyderabad, The Heritage of the Adil Shahis of Bijapur, and The Royal Palaces of the Nizam. He also published Miniature Paintings of Nizam Ali Khan Asaf Jah II. One can glean the life and times of contemporary Deccan from these paintings. In the book Safavid Iran and the Deccan Sultanates, he brought out the diplomatic and cultural relations between them.

For connoisseurs of history, these volumes are a treasure trove of information. They cover 600 years of the medieval Deccan and give a peep into the socio, economic, cultural, art, architecture, religion, numismatics, and foreign relations with west Asia. In recognition of his contributions, a book on Nayeem was brought out by friends and admirers to mark his 77th year. Those who knew Nayeem expected him to come up with yet another book. But he surprised everyone with his untimely death. Well, one can't live on forever but one can leave behind something that will. Nayeem has done just that with his innumerable books. 

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated June 14,2022

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Cheers to a new year. But for Hyderabadis there is a spoiler alert. They will be ushering in the new dawn sans the Numaish. The eagerly looked forward to trade fair is likely to take a bow this year. Thanks to the COVID pandemic, the 81st edition of the All India Industrial Exhibition is being deferred this time. As a measure of abundant caution, the Exhibition Society has decided against organising the trade carnival beginning January 1.

"The exhibition is only postponed and not cancelled. It may be held sometime during the year", said Minister for Medical and Health, Eatala Rajender, who is also the President of the Exhibition Society. For the first time in 72 years the exhibition will not commence on January 1. In Hyderabad one can't think of the new year without the Numaish. The 46-day carnival has become an integral part of Hyderabad tradition. It is a record of sorts that the show is going on for the last 80 years without a pause. But this time round, there will be a break with the past.

Interestingly, this is not the first time that the Numaish is not commencing on January 1. Way back during 1948 and 1949 also it couldn't be organised in the wake of the partition of the country. On a few other occasions too the exhibition had a delayed start in view of the curfew in the city. The Exhibition Society is expected to review the Covid situation after January 31 and take a decision. "We might start the show in March or April", the Minister remarked.

As of now the Covid situation has improved in Telangana with the cases and the death rate declining. There is no second wave in the State. But still the government doesn't want to take any chances since around 45,000 persons visit the exhibition on an average every day. Moreover traders from different parts of the country put up their stalls and stay here for 46 days. "The Exhibition Society is not a commercial organisation. We have to look after the welfare of everyone", Mr. Rajender said.

As per the Government of India norms which are in force till January 31, more than 200 persons should not congregate at one place. With the exhibition attracting huge rush, visitors and stall keepers cannot be exposed to risk, feels Dr. B. Prabha Shankar, Honorary Secretary, Exhibition Society. Besides being the cheapest entertainer, the annual exhibition also provides gainful employment to hundreds of persons every year. The proceeds of the Numaish come handy to finance and support 20 educational and voluntary institutions run by the Exhibition Society.

Started with just 50 stalls in 1938, the 'Numaish Masnuaat-e-Mulki' has grown beyond the wildest dreams of its founder, Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam. It has also grown in content and coverage to assume an all India stature. That it draws visitors by the thousands everyday despite the presence of so many shopping malls and multiplexes speaks of its popularity and durability.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in NewsMeter

Dated December 31,2020

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 For sometime Khan Athar was part of Abid Aur Dedh Matwale and Hangama, the comic shows of Hamid Kamal and Munawar Ali.

Those who wish to sing, always find an occasion. You can say this about Khan Athar, Hyderabad’s well-known singer, who passed away the other day. He had only one passion, singing. And he indulged in it till the very last. His ailing heart didn’t stop him from regaling audience with a beautiful ‘Naat’ at the Urdu Maskan just two days ago.

Not a day passed without some organisation or the other inviting him to sing. And Khan Athar wouldn’t refuse despite his failing health. For him anything better than singing was more singing. He just grew with it and dominated the cultural scene in Hyderabad for decades. An abashed fan of Mohd Rafi, he paid tributes to the maestro every year on July 31 by organising the ‘Yaad-e-Rafi’ show. Only this year he couldn’t hold the programme on account of the Covid pandemic.

He sang all types of songs – filmi numbers, geet and bhajans. But he is best known as a ghazal singer. He shot to fame through his stage performances and ghazal programmes on All India Radio. His larynx had an enormous range, depth and malleability. Khan Athar’s shows at Gandhi Bhavan and Ravindra Bharati were a sell out, offering entertainment with style and sparks. Those visiting the annual Numaish looked forward to his musical concerts.

For sometime Khan Athar was part of Abid Aur Dedh Matwale and Hangama, the comic shows of Hamid Kamal and Munawar Ali. He had a lucky break when film producer, Lekh Tandon, chose him to sing for the TV serial, Farman. Later he also sang for Jeelani Bano’s TV programme, Manzilen Pyar Ki. He gained international repute when he performed at Doha and Jeddah to mark the 400 years of Hyderabad formation. Not many know that Khan Athar also sang the mythological dance ballet, Sri Krishna Parijatam and Bhamsura, in Hindi.

He was a bubbly four year when he gave his first performance at the Nizam College. The silver cup bagged by him still occupies the pride of place at his home. It was his uncle, Mirza Ataullah Baig, who inspired him to sing. But his father was opposed to the idea of his son taking up singing as a career. However, Khan Athar was determined and created a niche for himself.

But later he learnt that organising musical shows was not a profitable venture. “You can’t live on wah-wahs alone” he used to say, his voice betraying a touch of bitterness. Nonetheless he gave break to upcoming singers in his Jawan Dil Cultural Troupe and at the same time advised them not to depend on art alone for survival.

Of late the master singer was upset at the dwindling patronage for ghazal singers although the government talked of promoting art and culture. He gave expression to his disappointment thus:

Kis ko ghazal sunayen ghazal aashna hai kaun

Shehre ghazal bata ke yehan reh gaya hai kaun

(To whom should ghazal be sung, who’s conversant

Oh city of ghazal tell who is left here)

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Telangana Today 

Dated December 15,2020

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 Even with designer abayas and hypermod cyber symbolism, the Pearl comes wrapped in the spirit of its purana sheher, like a warm cup of one-by-two chai with Osmania biscuits

Easy Like A Hyderabadi

Think of Hyderabad and what comes to mind is biriyani, sherwani and pareshani. While the first one continues to be a rage, the other one still marks sartorial excellence, although its use is on the wane. The third attribute sticks out like a sore thumb. However, Hyderabadis, as is their wont, take it in their stride. “Light ley le yaar”, is the spirit in which they try to blow away the worries.

Much water has flown down the Musi, now reduced to an open sewer dry most of the year. Today the city of domes and minarets boasts of structural and spatial expansion. A city of contrasts. The Orient and the Occident meet here. Historic and modern structures commingle while palatial buildings and slums exist cheek-by-jowl. But the buzzword of late is—raze the old and raise new edifices.

Nonetheless, the socio-cultural ethos survives. The Jhas and Jungs have yielded place to Raos and Reddys, yet the quintessential Hyderabadi remains the same—simple, accommodative and outgoing. Despite growing self-centeredness—a result of living in a global world—the human bond survives. The divide on religious lines is of recent origin. The Hyderabad of yore presented a successful example of pluralistic society with everyone taking part in the dominant public culture. Muharram is observed by Hindus as ‘Peerla panduga’ in Telangana, while Muslims join them in the Diwali festivities.

Rhythm Of Change

Hyderabad is in a flux today with its beat, tenor and character undergoing a shift. The pace of life has become fast thanks to the cluster of software giants and technological strides. And yet  I find life leisurely and laidback in parts of the city, particularly the purana sheher. Drop into any Irani hotel here and you can find people ordering one-by-two chai with Osmania biscuits, something hard to find elsewhere. Don’t be surprised if you are greeted with the usual honorific ‘hello boss’. For the office boss they use demag kharab—an euphemism for ‘idiot’. Where else can you find people getting annoyed for disturbing them at ‘subah subah’ when you call at 11 in the morning? And they haggle on prices, even after seeing a ‘fixed price’ board.

Deccani Diction

The two oddities Hyderabad is known for still remain—hau (yes) and nakko (no). The most popular joke is how once a person from Delhi asked a Deccani scholar the meaning of these words. The latter informed that  hau and nakko are used by illiterate persons. Upon this the other guy remarked, “Nawab sahib you surely are a highly educated man.” “Hau,” came the reply. If you think this is strange you are wrong. The cosmopolitan city throws up funny linguistic styles, a result of Telugu, Urdu and English words impacting each other. “Nuvvu gadi bhagainchukunta pote we will end up in hospital”. Howzzat?

Some things never change in Hyderabad. And that includes the incorrigible autowalas. Though taxi aggregators are giving them a run for their money, their fleecing ways have not gone. The kiraak autowalas remain a law unto themselves. Time was when hapless commuters could at least take comfort from the amusing verses painted on the back of the autos. But the mobile shayeri is on the wane now.  Most autos carry the line phir milenge—raising fears of a rerun.

Modishly Traditional

Of late, Hyderabad is witnessing a revolution in manners and morals. While the generation next tries to be flippant, turning their noses up at conventions, the oldies stick to the time-tested values religiously. Though westernwear and fashion have stolen a march over traditional apparel, the good old ‘burqa’ survives. On the contrary, it has reinvented itself. Young college girls can be seen making a fashion statement with designer abayas.

Even as it embraces modernity, Hyderabad retains its old world charm. Its cultural calendar is hectic. For the pop generation there is the upmarket HITEX  and Shilpa Kala Vedika to catch up with music and dance performances. For middle-aged Hyderabadis there are mushairas and kavi sammelans to regale in other parts of the city. A melting pot of art and culture for sure. Charminar at one end and the 10-storyed cylindrical cyber tower at the other. That sums up the exponential growth of the pearl city. If one exudes vintage charm, the other sports a chic, energetic and upscale look. It’s lovable, and liveable too. I wish Hyderabad was less chaotic and noisy.

J.S.Ifthekhar,

Hyderabad based journalist.

Article published in Outlook Magazine

Dated December 21,2020

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