The Hindu : FEATURES / METRO PLUS : Everybody loves this organic makaan

The Hindu : FEATURES / METRO PLUS : Everybody loves this organic makaan

Khaleequr Rahman with Imam-e-Kaaba Fazilaul Sheikh Abdur Rahman Al Sudais

Khaleequr Rahman with the Imam of Grand Mosque Mecca Abdur Rahman Al Sudais

Khaleequr Rahman seeing off Imam-e-Kaaba in New Delhi

Khaleequr Rahman: Khaleequr Rahman: The Ban on Azhar should be Lifted

Khaleequr Rahman: Khaleequr Rahman: The Ban Azhar should be Lifted: "Khaleequr Rahman: The Ban Azhar should be Lifted: 'Many of us are aware of the match fixing scandal that plunged the cricket world into cris..."

Khaleequr Rahman: The Ban Azhar should be Lifted

Khaleequr Rahman: The Ban Azhar should be Lifted: "Many of us are aware of the match fixing scandal that plunged the cricket world into crisis in 2000. The conversations between the former S..."

The Ban Azhar should be Lifted

Many of us are aware of the match fixing scandal that plunged the cricket world into crisis in 2000. The conversations between the former South African captain Hansie Cronje and other bookies were recorded by the Delhi police and the fans wondered as if they were watching  something like WWF. There was some period of lull for the game. It was alleged that it was Hansie Cronje who first named the former Indian captain Azharuddin as the one who introduced him to somebody by name MK . Azhar then received a life ban from the Indian cricket board BCCI after a biased investigation that spread over a long duration. It looked as if that investigation was meant to frame Azhar. Now when the match fixing scandal engulfed the entire cricket world,  is it justifiable that only Azhar in the world of cricket still serves a life ban? If you go through the rest of the content in this blog and trust the contents, then you will surely accept that a gross injustice had been meted out to Azhar.

 

There were match fixing allegations earlier as well. Manoj Prabhakar said that one senior player in the Indian team has offered him money asking to perform badly in a tournament in Sri Lanka. After months of suspicion, he charged one of India's super stars Kapil Dev. However no one took the charge seriously. It was later proved that Manoj Prabhakar himself had links with the bookies and hence banned for 5 years.

 

Mark Waugh, Shane Warne and Tim May had alleged that Salim Malik had offered money to play badly in a test match in Pakistan in 1994. Later the links of Mark Waugh and Shane Warne with bookies were proven. They were fined by the Australian cricket board after an internal enquiry proved that they had accepted bribe to give weather report. After that no one else talked about these two cricketers. But does the Australian board want all of us to believe that there are fools in this world to give thousands of dollars just to ask for a weather report? Are they not aware that there are certain websites that give weather report for any place in the world? What about the common sense of the ICC and other cricket boards? Have they believed this news on face value? May be the two Australians worked as weather men before getting into cricket. Or do they have extra respect for only Australians? When the Indian board has considered lifting the ban on Azhar, ICC objected the idea. Why did ICC not question the Australian board? Also what about the South Africans Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje? Do we all accept that only Azharuddin is among so many cricketers in the world deserve life ban? Even the other Indian cricketers got away with a ban for small duration.

 

I am not against the other people being back in action. But why is there only one victim among so many in the world. If an investigation happened at the central level through only one agency for all the players in the world we can accept that the investigations are genuine. It seems that the investigations were tough only in India and the rest of the countries protected their players. Applying simple logic will say that just one or two persons cannot run a scandal that engulfed the entire world cricket. Also he has been now out of action for at least 10 years. Is it not sufficient? All others on whom there were charges are back into the profession either as players or as commentators or something else related to the game itself. Why was the law tough only against one person? Where are the cricket fans who take to streets when India loses the game? When your passion for the game made you burn effigies of the players when India did not do well, when you were able to make the players Gods when India won, you should equally remember a player who has made a significant contribution to the Indian cricket.

 

We should remember that he was one of the best fielders that India has ever had.  His captaincy record in one day cricket is among the best. How can anyone forget the way he launched himself into the game when he scored 3 centuries in his first 3 test matches against England. The record is still intact in world cricket. Who in today's cricket is as fit as Azhar was at 46 years of age. Where is the passion in today's players to be as fit as Azhar? I hope the ban on him will be lifted and also hope to see him active on cricket platform either as a coach or in any other capacity. Are the ICC and the BCCI hearing? What is the message that BCI is trying to send across to the people of the country. Sharad Pawar should wake up and take an immediate decision and announce the lifting of the ban.

COVAan NGO is doing a great job

COVA (Confederation of Voluntary Associations) is an NGO based in Hyderabad headed by dynamic and dashing Dr.Mazhar Hussain.

COVA  is a national network of voluntary organizations in India dedicated to the issues of social harmony, peace and justice.  The prime focus of COVA is on citizenship rights and on perspective building for harmony and peace in South Asia. Through direct programmes and by networking with other CSOs, COVA organises perspective building activities and programs, carries out campaigns, and conducts research for influencing diverse sections of civil society and the state apparatus to adopt inclusive, secular and egalitarian outlook and policies that would foster rights and secure justice and peace for all. The most important criterion for membership to an organisation in COVA is that it should work across communities.

Initiated in 1994, COVA has since promoted several organizations, trusts and networks across India, designed to bring together different communities to facilitate integrated development and harmonious society through cooperation and joint initiatives. Some such successful strategies include promotion of responsible citizenship, community advocacy, inter-faith dialogue, economic empowerment of women, personality development and livelihood guidance for youth, street theatre, and educational inputs to children and riot control measures and management of natural and man-made disasters. The beneficiaries of the developmental and awareness initiatives more often than not enlist with COVA as peace volunteers.

COVA directly works with the slum communities in the old city of Hyderabad through different programmes catering to women, youth and children. COVA-Kasturba Gandhi Peace Centers now work in Hyderabad, and Jammu & Kashmir to address issues related to women’s rights in these regions and to propagate values of peace and harmonious coexistence.

Peace Alliance Partners (PAP) perspective building programme of COVA seeks to counter overt and covert communal biases within individuals and organizations and trains peace activists on conflict transformation. The National Campaign for Right To Basic Services (RTBS) has been launched to secure from the government the provision of water, sanitation, health, education and housing for all citizens as a constitutional right. The Citizens’ Assertion Campaign goes beyond voter awareness programmes and encourages citizens to set the political agenda for their constituencies - and subsequently for the whole country- that could secure inclusiveness, equality and development for all.  .

In alliance with a number of national and international organisations COVA seeks to promote peace and cooperation in the Sub-continent and across the globe, through campaigns like the Indo-Pak Joint Signature Campaign against Terrorism and War that concluded in February 2009.

COVA is an active member of Pakistan India People’s Forum for Peace and Democracy (PIPFPD), CNDP, VANI and Credibility Alliance, and is represented on the Joint Machinery, Planning Commission, Government of India, and GO-NGO Coordination Committee set up by the Government of Andhra Pradesh amongst many other such national and international bodies.

COVA is in the process of setting up an International Center for Applied Peace Studies (ICAPS) and a Centre for People’s Foreign Policy in SAARC Countries.

I wish COVA all the very best in their efforts and assure that we are with you in your endeavors.

Khaleequr Rahman: Mohammed Azharuddin-One of All time greatest India...

Khaleequr Rahman: Mohammed Azharuddin-One of All time greatest India...: "Mohammad Azharuddin is among the wrold's favorite cricketer of all time. I followed Mohammad Azharuddin keenly since the initial ..."

Mohammed Azharuddin-One of All time greatest Indian Cricketers

Mohammad Azharuddin is among the wrold's favorite cricketer of all time. I followed Mohammad Azharuddin keenly since the initial years of his illustrious career. There are quite a few cricketers I regard highly, but it is Azharuddin I liked the most.

The first thing I would like to write about Mohammad Azharuddin is his selflessness. Mohammad Azharuddin is one of few Indian cricketers who did not play for records. Some of the so called legends always play for their records. Azhar always kept the interest of team above his own records. He never bothered about records and fittingly played 99 test. He does not need 100th test match under his belt to prove his credentials. It was sad to see the career of a selfless cricketer end abruptly and unceremoniously in the backdrop of match fixing charges.

In my opinion, Mohammad Azharuddin as a cricketer was a blend of hard work and genius. He made a fairytale debut to his test career. He captured the imagination and fascination of the cricketing world when he scored three consecutive hundreds on his debut.

Mohammad Azharuddin was the best or among the best in every department. He was the best batsman in the Indian batting line-up across all formats of the game. In fact Azharuddin was one of the leading batsmen in the world during first part of his career. People may argue that Sunil Gavaskar was better than Azharuddin. Azhar was ahead of Sunil Gavaskar. In later years, Sachin joined Azhar as the best batsman in the Indian team, and later as an opener Sachin became the most productive batsman of the Indian team.

Mohammad Azharuddin was inarguably the greatest Indian fielder of his time and arguably the greatest Indian fielder of all time. He was supremely fit, and rarely let the ball go past him. His throw to the stump was impeccable and he hardly ever missed the target. I remember vividly him running out Salim Malik throwing the ball from the boundary as Salim Malik had slowed down approaching the wicket taking the second run. The two other cricketers who could match Azhar's skill as fielder are Mohammad Kaif and Yuvraj Singh. These two cricketers are as great fielders as was Azharuddin, but they cannot aim at stump as sharply as Azharuddin did. Mohammad Azharuddin was also sharp catcher in slips. People regards Rahul Dravid as the best slip fielder. But let me assure you, Dravid does not even come near Azharuddin in terms of fielding, including at slip.

Mohammad Azharuddin is inarguably one of the three greatest Indian captains of all time. In the recent times we have not seen or heard, of course Pataudi being the only exception, about a captain of Azhar's ability. It was Azhar's decision to promote Sachin to the opening slot and then persist with him as an opener that saw Sachin score those many one day hundreds. Before being promoted to the openings slot Sachin did not have a single hundred in one dayers in about 80 games. There are a couple of his decisions that comes to mind immediately. The one to get Sachin to bowl the last over of the famous match against South Africa when India narrowly won what was thought to be a lost cause is part of Indian cricket folklore. Probably, Dhoni is as good a captain as Azharuddin. I do not rate Sourav on par with Azharuddin as a captain. Sourav was hardly a good captain. It was the emergence of players like Sehwag and Zaheer Khan coupled with brilliance of some other players under Sourav saw Sourav succeed as captain. Moreover Sourav never won any major one day trophy. Azhar still has the distinction of winning most one day trophies for India. Sourav of course underachieved as a captain for the kind of talented players he had playing under him.

The only regret I have about Mohammad Azharuddin is that being such a great cricketer who gave so much to the Indian cricket, had to finish his career with 99 tests, again a rare distinction.

Khaleequr Rahman: Adil Mohd's Show on ETv Hum Badhenge Desh Badhega

Khaleequr Rahman: Adil Mohd's Show on ETv Hum Badhenge Desh Badhega: "Adil Mohd, a young and the dynamic man from the city of Hyderabad, an epitome of Ganga Jamani culture is out there making a ..."

Adil Mohd's Show on ETv Hum Badhenge Desh Badhega

Adil Mohd, a young and the dynamic man from the city of Hyderabad, an epitome of Ganga Jamani culture  is out there making a very sensible effort through his shows on ETv urdu titled as "Hum Badhenge Desh Badhenga" targetted mainly the youth of our country. Sometimes he is busy shooting Mahesh Bhatt in Mumbai and the next day you find him sitting in Chief Election Commissioner's home in Delhi interviewing him and no wonder we may soon find him sitting and chatting with the Prime Minister of our country Dr.Manmohan Singh on his show and next time he may be seen with our youth Icon Rahul Gandhi. He is there with a clear message that the change we desire is possible only with the concerted efforts, unity and the integrity. I am sure very soon he would be bringing on his show Youth Icons like Mohammed Azharuddin, Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan and the most wanted Salman Khan. And to top them all I would love to see our most admired icon Rahul Gandhi on Adil Mohd's show. These are the icons who have achieved success in their own fields with great amount of hard work and dedication. Nothing succeeds like success. Its a very old saying and our youth of the country is quite a brilliant lot today and they would surely like to see the Icons mentioned above.

Mr.Adil himself is a success story, a boy from Mehdipatnam born to the most humblest father Janab Inamul Haq saheb, Retd. Chief Engineer, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh and is now seen in more than 56 countries on his show but with a message, a message which can change the lives of our youth and a message which can create the fire and the desire in the hearts of our future leaders. I am amazed at the popularity of this show. People in the Western Parts of the UP, especially the rural India gathers at a place and make arrangements to watch this show live. HBDB is just not a mere TV show, its a movement.

Khaleequr Rahman: Chiranjeevi merges PRP into Congress

Khaleequr Rahman: Chiranjeevi merges PRP into Congress: "As has been predicted by the media and the people, Mr.Chiranjeevi has finally, after an hour long meeting Mrs.Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson ..."

Khaleequr Rahman: Rahul Gandhi a Youth Icon

Khaleequr Rahman: Rahul Gandhi a Youth Icon: "The name Gandhi has appeal, charishma, devotion, dedication, determination, spririt of sacrifice for the country and a will to fi..."

Khaleequr Rahman: Azharuddin M.P. emerging as the charismatic star c...

Khaleequr Rahman: Azharuddin M.P. emerging as the charismatic star c...: "Eversince Mohammed Azharuddin went to Moradabad(UP) to contest the Lok Sabha elections in March 2009, he announced his arrival in the U..."

Rahul Gandhi a Youth Icon

The name Gandhi has appeal, charishma, devotion, dedication, determination, spririt of sacrifice for the country and a will to fight and struggle to achieve a cause for freedom, be it from the Britishers or the dictators. One such Gandhi is none other than the Youth Icon Rahul Gandhi, the heir of the Gandhi family and the hope of the people of India. The spirit of sacrifice runs in his blood and the cause of freeing the oppressed occupies his thoughts and the love for the poor came in inheritance. What a profile this young man has got. He has got the terrific ability to connect with the common man of the country on one hand and the youth and the students on the other hand. Never have been after power like his mom,  illustrious and the most powerful lady in the Asia Mrs.Sonia Gandhi. The entire country is now looking upto Rahul Gandhi to rewrite the politics of India a new and the energetic India, an India free from the corruption. His tours to the universities are drawing huge response but the need is to have the efficient follow up post his visits. He is setting a new trend in the Indian poilitics and making the students the part of the process and bridging the gap between the old and the new generation. Bihar's election set back to congress need not be taken as an example because the dynamics of politics in Bihar is totally different and the congress has to pay the price for their closeness with Lalu prasad and Ram Vilas Paswan in the UPA governmet prior to 2009 Lok Sabha elections. It is a lesson for Congress and I am sure Rahul Gandhi would be working in UP learning from this experience, More than 75 percent of India is below the age group of 35 years and thats where Rahul Gandhi will be working as a catalyst to shift them into congress favour with his honesty, integrity and the concern for the youth and the elders.  All the best to Rahul Gandhi to acheive Mission 2012.

Azharuddin M.P. emerging as the charismatic star campaigner for Congress in UP

Eversince Mohammed Azharuddin went to Moradabad(UP) to contest the Lok Sabha elections in March 2009, he announced his arrival in the UP politics with his grand entry.  The roads were blocked, the terraces were full showring the petals of roses and falling on one another to have the glimpse of their hero whom they had seen bashing the opposition attack on the cricket field in his very own wristy style and here too he was using his wrist with the same magic to wave his fans cheering his entry into the UP politics. They started looking at Azharuddin as their hero and a messiah who could walk with them, talk with them and take them alongwith him to solve all their problems and as Azhar is known for his commitment and dedication, the people of Moradabad laid all their hopes on him and very soon this hero who not only rules their hearts but lives in it too dedicated himself for the cause of the poor, downtrodden and the minorities. After the elections, the Azhar's popularity as a politicain started growing in UP and the demand for Azhar's appearances in the election campaigns and the functions all across the UP started growing like his score board. He is infact is emerging as a very charismatic star campaigner for the Congress in UP after the youth Icon Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary AICC. The congress can really make use of Azharuddin in UP to cherish mission 2012. He is undoubtedly a great campaigner. Let us hope that the Congress takes full advantage of Azhar's ability to attract the masses. In politics, a true leader is one behind whom the masses are there.

Chiranjeevi merges PRP into Congress

As has been predicted by the media and the people, Mr.Chiranjeevi has finally, after an hour long meeting Mrs.Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson has announced the merger of his 30 months old party Praja Rajyam into Congress. The formal merger will happen on the Valentines day on Feb 14 in the presence of Shri Rahul Gandhi, General Secretary AICC. PRP presently has a strength of 17 MLA's in the AP Assembly. The merger would give strength to the state politics and hopefully should take out the state from the state of uncertainity and the political turmoil, Chiranjeevi is a very nice human being with a heart for the poor. It is now to be seen how Jagan Mohan Reddy would play his cards as he was claiming that he has the support of 52 MLAs. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his camp might be quite worried on this announcement and the new political development. The Congress has found in Chiranjeevi a new avatar who could lead the Congress party to the next elections and thereafter. I welcome the decision of Mr.Chiranjeevi and his team to merge his party with the Congress in the interest of the state.