Khaleequr Rahman: The nation celebrates the 66th birthday of Sonia j...

Khaleequr Rahman: The nation celebrates the 66th birthday of Sonia j...: Mohd.Khaleequr Rahman and Mrs.Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpat, New Delhi December 9 is an important day in the history of Indian politic...

The nation celebrates the 66th birthday of Sonia ji

Mohd.Khaleequr Rahman and Mrs.Sonia Gandhi at 10, Janpat, New Delhi

December 9 is an important day in the history of Indian politics. This is the birthday of our beloved selfless leader Mrs.Sonia Gandhi's birthday and today she celebrates her 66th birthday and the entire nation in one voice salutes her for her sacrifice for the country and the nation and prays for her long life and wishes her a very happy Birthday.  Mrs Sonia Gandhi was born on 9 December 1946 in Italin City Barsano. She has two sisters who now live in Barsano. Sonia Gandhi belongs to a Roman Catholic family. In 1964 she took admission in Cambridge School of Language where she met Rajiv Gandhi. In 1968 she married Rajiv Gandhi. After Rajiv’s death she became the member of CPP in 1997. She became president of the Congress in 1998. In 1999 she was elected an MP from Amethi. She was elected again in 2004 and 2009 from Raibareilly.

She became the best choice of Rajeev Gandhi, who hailed from the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, the best known family of India. They were married in 1968. After the tragic death of her husband Sonia ji led a life of recluse for more than six years. But congressmen looking for a charismatic personality to lead the party ultimately succeeded to bring her into active politics and she became the president of All India Congress, incidentally fifth from the Nehru family, other four being Mr.Moti Lal Nehru, Jawhar Lal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. In no time she became dual chief of the Indian National Congress party and its parliamentary party and thus emulated her husband, her Mother-in-law, Grandfather-in-law, Rajiv ji, Indira ji and Nehru ji who all held the two posts during their career.

Grand performance and miraculous achievement by the congress party were the result of Herculian efforts of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi in the Election campaigning. Having witnessed the hondurous murder of her mother-in-law Mrs. Indira Gandhi and then loss of her husband Rajivv Gandhi and after a democracy of a decade she stepped forward to handle the reins of congress party. Her Road shows extending over every nook and corner of the country from Shri Nagar to Kanya Kumari, from Kutch to Assam rejuvenated the congress party. Her efforts accompanied by her diplomatic moves to form pre-poll alliances steered her way to a comfortable majority in the Lok Sabha. With the spirit of the aforesaid messages, leaders of 19 non-N.D.A parties gathered at 10, Janpath, the residence of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi on the evening of May 16, 2004 and unanimously elected her their leader and asked her to form Government.

Cumulatively, the parties that represented at the said meeting accounted for 322 M.Ps. far above the required magic number of 272 needed for simple majority. This was the outcome of the flexibility which she has shown in forging alliances and accommodating different parties throughout the Campaign. With promises of support from other parties the support for Sonia Gandhi led Govt. was bound to be in the range of 350, approximately two thirds majority.

But a silent and dramatic revolution was in waiting for the country. Indian masses who were forced by the political scenario during the last decades equate policies with greed and governance with graft witnessed a unique selfless act of renunciation by the leading politician of the day accompanied by ascension to the office of Prime Minister of the most squeak clean person ever to have entered into the political arena.

By refusing the Prime Minister’s chair Mrs. Sonia Gandhi has shown the nation that she is the true successor of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and that she has acquired the spirit of patriotism of which her father-in-law Feroz Gandhi and her grand father-in law Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru both are outstanding examples in the history of freedom movement of India alongwith Moulana Mohd.Ali Jouhar and Moulana Abul Kalam Azad. The impact of this silent revolution can be easily seen. Pre-poll allies of the congress have sunk their difference and reservation and backed Sonia Gandhi. They did sop first to accept her as their Prime Minister and again to accept her choice of Dr. Man Mohan Singh in her place.

The issue of Indian origin or Italian origin also seems to have been settled for ever. Sonia Gandhi has proved beyond all doubts that one does not become INDIAN solely by birth. Indianness can be earned and acquired by following Indian culture and traditions. It needs love and selfless commitment and the strength of will to put the interest of the country above one’s own. Sonia Gandhi’s renunciation and self denial has left the opposition without any agenda. Sonia Gandhi’s unprecedented move has touched India and more so Hindu India at a much deeper level because the ideals of selfness and renunciation that guided her action are embedded in the core of Hindu religion.

Mrs.Sonia Gandhi announced in the Central Hall of Parliament that in obeyance of the dictates of her inner voice (conscience) she was not accepting the leadership of the house. Thus, by following the dictates of her conscience Sonia Gandhi, knowingly or unknowing has shown her faith in one of the strongest pillars of democracy. By doing so she has also exposed the hollowness of the intolerance of her opponents who were advocating about her foreign origin. By a single historic action Sonia Gandhi has reminded the Indian masses where the true strength of sacrifice

Khaleequr Rahman: Government wins FDI in retail war in Parliament

Khaleequr Rahman: Government wins FDI in retail war in Parliament: The ruling UPA government got a much-needed boost as it won the vote in the Rajya Sabha on foreign direct investment (FDI) in re...

Government wins FDI in retail war in Parliament

The ruling UPA government got a much-needed boost as it won the vote in the Rajya Sabha on foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail, paving the way for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to press ahead with more reforms, including freeing up a cash-strapped insurance sector.

Getting support once again from the combination of Mulayam Singh Yadav's Samajwadi Party (SP) and Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), the government won the day in the Rajya Sabha by 14 votes.

In the house, the opposition-backed motion got 109 votes and the government 123 votes. One member, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, was away playing a match against England in Kolkata.

While the Rajya Sabha vote was symbolic, the government's victory is a boost for its push to implement an economic reform agenda that is seen as crucial to reviving growth and reducing a bloated fiscal deficit.

Minutes before the voting process began, the SP walked out of the house with its nine MPs, bailing out the ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA) -- as it had Wednesday when the Lok Sabha voted on the issue.

On Thursday, day one of the debate on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, Mayawati had said in the house that 15 MPs from her party would be voting with the government.

Both the BSP and SP support the government from outside.

The government had already won a vote on retail reform in the Lok Sabha two days earlier. The policy will allow global retailers such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc to set up shop in the country's $450 billion retail sector, and is aimed at drawing more overseas investment and taming inflation.

Although both votes were non-binding, defeat would have piled pressure on PM to roll back the measure.

Moreover, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), having seen its motion to block retail reform defeated, is likely to obstruct moves to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector. The BJP wants a 26 percent cap set on investment, against the government's proposed 49 percent.

"We will oppose any move by the government against the recommendations of the standing committee on finance which has said it should be 26 percent," Prakash Javdekar, a BJP leader and spokesman for the party, told Reuters on Friday.

Money has flowed into India's capital markets since, and Goldman Sachs last week upgraded India's outlook, but formidable hurdles remain to get the economy back on track.

India's economy is set to grow at its slowest pace in a decade in this fiscal year, and the government's overspend on subsidies on fuel and food has prompted global ratings agencies to warn of a downgrade.

FDI win is rejection of politics of BJP: Kamal Nath

The government Friday termed its winning of the FDI vote in the Rajya Sabha as a "rejection of the politics of the BJP".

"It is a rejection of the politics of the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party), I wish they were better losers," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters outside Parliament House minutes after the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government won the vote in the upper house. 

Asked how the Congress managed to work the numbers in its favour in the upper house where it is in a minority, Kamal Nath said: "The content (of the issue) was political political parties decided in our favour."

"I appealed to parties to recognise the BJP's political agenda and vote accordingly, and they did that," he added.

Khaleequr Rahman: Free speech: Only an act in India?

Khaleequr Rahman: Free speech: Only an act in India?: The story of two college-going girls being arrested for an innocuous post depicts an intolerant India and a dangerous trend. Shah...

Free speech: Only an act in India?

The story of two college-going girls being arrested for an innocuous post depicts an intolerant India and a dangerous trend.

Shaheen Dhada and Renu Srinivasan, the two arrested girls

Slightly overcome by sentiment, one is reminded of iconic American singer Johnny Cash's famous line: 'I don't know where we went wrong...'

Doubtlessly, millions of netizens in India too would today be identifying with Cash's emotion even as the story of two college-going girls being arrested for an innocuous Facebook post dominated news headlines across the print and electronic media. Almost thumbing their noses at the rights provided to Indian citizens under the nation's sacred Constitution, Mumbai police had on Monday arrested two girls.

Shaheen Dhada was held for posting a Facebook comment that questioned the logic behind shutting down an entire city in the wake of a Bal Thackery’s death. She had written: 'People like Thackeray are born and die daily and one should not observe a bandh for that. We should remember Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev, two martyrs of India's independence struggle.'

Her friend, Renu Srinivasan, was arrested for merely 'liking' the Facebook update.

Bizarre? Well, welcome to 21st century India, the global powerhouse in information technology and the land of astonishingly inflexible I-T laws. It is only here that one can be arrested, no matter how young or harmless one is, for as insignificant a thing as questioning something that does not really make sense.

And we take pride in calling ourselves the world's largest democracy!

The arrest of the two girls - who were later granted bail following nationwide furore and outrage over the 'illegal' confinement - also brings into sharp focus the Section 66 of the amended Information Technology Act.

This almost Draconian law states that transmission of any text, audio or video that is offensive or has a menacing character can land a sender in jail. The punishment will also be attracted if the content is false and has been transmitted for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger or insult.

Nowhere have any clear definitions of these purportedly offensive words been given, leaving everything wide open to contrasting interpretations.

The girl who posted the post got her Facebook account deactivated for fear of a further backlash from the Shiv Sainiks. She and her friend both apologised profusely, regretting the incident and saying that Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray was a great man.

However, they also wonder what wrong, or crime, did they actually commit. 

This sets a bad, and dangerous, precedent and shows India in poor light in the world. Such instances demonstrate that despite its 'unity in diversity' slogans and 'tolerance towards all' axioms and 'fastest growing economy' claims, India largely remains shackled to archaic beliefs and dogmas and one has to think twice before expressing one's view on any eminent personality, irrespective of how innocent the opinion might be.

The two girls who were arrested were told by the Mumbai police that they had 'hurt religious sentiments'. We already know what the girl had posted: one wonders how in the world can it be construed as something that hurts religious sentiments.

The scared girls say they have apologised for their actions because they fear for their and their families' safety and hurting someone was not their intention.

These should not be the words of a fearless 21-year-old girl who posted what she thought was the correct thing to do. But what other alternative does the poor girl have when a violent mob of vandals attacks and ransacks her uncle's orthopaedic clinic in Mumbai, causing damages over Rs 2 million. 

The police action of arresting the girls and the goons' violent act were criticised profusely and under heavy pressure, the girls were granted bail. A probe too has been ordered into the arrest, but will that be enough to heal the scars on a young mind? 

We are taught to be fearless and say the right thing. We have been told that free speech is our fundamental right. Wonder if these are just plain words, or is their import more significant: something on which the foundations of this nation were laid.

Such incidents tend to shake up our belief systems and question all that we learnt about our democratic values.

Meanwhile, Union Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal -- who is the main architect of the I-T Act that has been giving Indian netizens ulcers -- termed the arrests of the two girls 'illegal' and said that the cops had acted in haste and were wrong in detaining the girls. Minister of State for IT and Telecommunications Mr.Milind Deora slammed the Mumbai police for acting in haste for arresting two girls for their facebook post. Mr.Deora said that the question isn’t about amending 66A of the IT (Information Technology) Act, its about preventing misuse by the police, who clearly acted in haste and applied wrong section of IPC and the IT Act. This was written by Mr.Deora on his social networking site Twitter. The statements of people like Mr.Sibal and Mr.Deora do make us feel that we have the right people sitting at the right place but they need to change the wrong people from the right place.

Be that as it may, even as cyberspace and right-minded people criticise this abhorrent act, Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut has said that his party supports the arrest of the two young women. 

"We support the police's action," Sanjay Raut said, adding, "the Facebook comments could have led to a law and order situation."

A global PR campaign to sell India as a tourist destination to foreigners has the tagline 'Incredible India'. But lately India hardly appears to be incredible; it seems to be metamorphosing into an intolerant entity.

From our leaders fuming at the slightest provocation to khap panchayats doling out punishment to those who dare go against their 'rules', India is in danger of slowly turning to a regressive state.

Why does the Pakistan cricket team that will soon tour India to play three ODIs and two T20 games have to wait for clearance from religious fanatics? Why does someone get arrested merely for jotting their thoughts on Facebook?

Threats like this are a grave danger to India as a few self-appointed moral guardians seek to stifle our freedom and have taken it upon themselves to correct all that is 'not correct' in their antiquated books. Trends like these if not nipped in the bud will not only embarrass at the global high table that we aspire to sit at, but also push us to the brink of a Talibanised society.

And we will not be remembered for being the largest democracy but as the largest anarchy in the world.

Courtest Anirban Choudhury

Khaleequr Rahman: Sonia Gandhi ji asks partymen to work together for...

Khaleequr Rahman: Sonia Gandhi ji asks partymen to work together for...: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Smt.Sonia Gandhi and Shri Rahul Gandhi Congress president Smt.Sonia Gandhi made it plain and simpl...

Sonia Gandhi ji asks partymen to work together for 2014 elections

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Smt.Sonia Gandhi and Shri Rahul Gandhi

Congress president Smt.Sonia Gandhi made it plain and simple to leaders and ministers that they will have to work in cohesion if the party has to retain power in the next general elections scheduled in 2014 but not ruled out next year. "With 18 months left for the next general election, both the government and the party will have to work cohesively together to secure a renewed mandate," Mrs.Gandhi said in her concluding remarks at the party's review-cum-strategy meeting held in this Haryana town bordering the national capital.

Billed as an informal 'Samvad Baithak' (brainstorming session), the meeting discussed ways to create better synergy between the Congress and the United Progressive Alliance government, particularly in the months ahead of the 2014 general elections. 

The meeting was attended by 66 people, including ministers and Congress Working Committee members.

To facilitate better coordination in the party for various activities, a coordination panel with three specific groups have been formed and will be announced shortly. Mrs.Gandhi also said that the party and the government needed to do much more so that benefit of the various flagship social welfare programmes reached the poor and the needy. Earlier, Mrs.Gandhi asked all ministers to get cracking on fulfilling the promises made in the 2009 manifesto.

"Those of you who are in the government should get down to implementing the work left from the promises made in the 2009 manifesto," Mrs.Gandhi said.  "Sometimes, party leaders are dissatisfied as the ministers do not pay attention to their concerns and suggestions," said Mrs.Gandhi.  "There should be a continuous dialogue between party leaders and those in the government." She asked ministers to spend more time at party offices and at party events whenever they travelled to a state, especially those ruled by the opposition.

Mrs.Gandhi did not mention foreign equity in retail but said the government had to take some difficult decisions recently and this must be explained to the people. She also urged the party and the government to rebut false charges being levelled by the opposition. 

Shri Dig Vijaya Singh ji is the only leader in the Congress party who has exposed Anna and the Kejriwal besides exposing the RSS and the BJP.

Khaleequr Rahman: Mohammed Azharuddin thanks Almighty Allah for the ...

Khaleequr Rahman: Mohammed Azharuddin thanks Almighty Allah for the ...: Mohammed Azharuddin celebrating the AP High Court's Verdict with his brother in law Mohammed Khaleequr Rahman and his staff at his offic...

Khaleequr Rahman: Mohammed Azharuddin celebrating the AP High Court'...

Khaleequr Rahman: Mohammed Azharuddin celebrating the AP High Court'...: Mohammed Azharuddin celebrating the AP High Court's Verdict with his brother in law Mohammed Khaleequr Rahman and his staff at his offic...

Mohammed Azharuddin thanks Almighty Allah for the court Verdict

Mohammed Azharuddin celebrating the AP High Court's Verdict with his brother in law Mohammed Khaleequr Rahman and his staff at his official residence in New Delhi

As the Andhra Pradesh High Court Thursday overturned the life ban imposed on him by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin humbly said he was grateful to the board for whatever cricket he played.

Azharuddin said he always believed in the "almighty Allah" and his conscience was clear during his 12-year long battle to clear his name of the match-fixing charges.

"I am grateful to the Indian cricket board for whatever cricket I have played. It is all because of them. I had no complaints against the board during my playing career. I have got a lot in life from cricket," Azharuddin told reporters at his official residence here.

Azharuddin said he was never hurt with the BCCI's action. "I was never hurt with their action. That was their line of thinking. I can't blame them for that," he said.

Azharudding said he was looking forward to work with the BCCI to develop Indian cricket.
"I am open to working with the BCCI. But it is up to them," he said.

Azharuddin, now a Congress MP from Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, said he played the game honestly and was a relieved man as the court struck down the BCCI's ban as "illegal". The BCCI Dec 5, 2000, banned Azharuddin and Delhi cricketer Ajay Sharma for life from playing professional cricket on charges of match-fixing.

"I have always played the game honestly and with command. Today I am a relieved man after what I have suffered for the last 12 years. I fought this battle for so long with patience. It has been a tough battle and I am grateful to everyone who has supported me during this difficult period."

As soon as the news broke out, Congress party workers and fans burst crackers at his residence near Lodhi Gardens. Amidst the huge media presence, party colleagues and friends came with bouquets to congratulate him. It was certainly early Diwali at C-1/12, Lodhi Garden.

But amidst the celebrations and cracker fire, Azharuddin remembered his younger son Ayazuddin and his nephew Ajmal, who died last year in a road accident.

"The last year has been very tough. Today I want to be happy with my elder son Abbas. I wish the judgment had come a bit early, I celebrated the news with my brother in law Khaleeq who was with me when I got a call from my advocate informing that the AP High Court has set aside the ban imposed by BCCI and termed it as illegal. We thanked Allah for this verdict and then I remembered my grand father Mohd.Vajehuddin. The first call I made was to my father and mother and then I spoke to my son Abbas and my sisters and brothers and the near and dear ones" he said.

Asked who all from the cricket fraternity supported him during the last 12 years, Azharuddin said: "I always got support from Raj Singh Dungarpur, Kapil paaji and Kamal Morarka." When the BCCI banned him, Azharuddin was left stranded on 99 Tests. Asked if he regrets not having completed 100 Test matches, Azharuddin said: "I think I was probably destined to play 99 Test matches, hence played that many. I believe what has to happen, will happen." Azharuddin, however, regretted not having scored more than 22 Test centuries. "I have 22 centuries. I think the way I started with three consecutive centuries, I should have got around 27-28 centuries. But I have no regrets. I led the team for nine years with success. That is how life is," he said. The former India captain also thanked the Congress party for its support. "I am grateful to the party for the support. Three years ago when I decided to join politics, they always believed in me. I didn't know abc of elections but the party stood by me during the tough time," he said.

Azharuddin had challenged the Indian cricket board's decision in the Hyderabad civil court, which upheld the ban. He then moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court against the lower court's order. His lawyers argued that the BCCI imposed the ban without any evidence. Azharuddin, one of India's most successful captains, played 99 Tests and scored 6,215 runs during his career. He also played 334 One-Day Internationals scoring 9,378 runs in his 15-year international career.

Courtesy: News Agency

Khaleequr Rahman: A Tribute to the Great son of India Moulana Abul K...

Khaleequr Rahman: A Tribute to the Great son of India Moulana Abul K...: Maulana Azad was born in Mecca on 11 Nov 1888 and died in New Delhi on 22 Feb 1958. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad ranks among the top build...

A Tribute to the Great son of India Moulana Abul Kalam Azad

Maulana Azad was born in Mecca on 11 Nov 1888 and died in New Delhi on 22 Feb 1958.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad ranks among the top builders of modern India and among the top freedom fighters, who dedicated his entire life to liberate India from the British colonial rule. Much has been written about this legend among Indians of his century. He was not only enlightened, erudite, wise and humble, he was also a man who often led from the front and set personal examples for others. Much has been written about Azad in the last six decades. Today let us explore how some top Indian leaders viewed him, and what were his own views.

How Others Viewed Moulana Azad:

Mahatma Gandhi: "Maulana Azad is the most forceful, truthful, and fearless satyagrahi and fighter against oppression and injustice that I have come across".

Jawaharlal Nehru: "Though I am grateful to all my companions, I would like to mention especially Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, whose erudition has delighted me incredibly, and has sometimes overwhelmed me. In Azad along with the good qualities of the past, the graciousness, the deep learning and tolerance, there is a strange and unique mixture of the urges of today and the modern outlook".

"Maulana Azad was a very special representative in a high degree, of the great composite culture which has gradually grown in India. He represented the synthesis of various cultures which had flown in and lost themselves in the ocean of Indian life and humanity, affecting and changing them and being changed themselves by them. In that sense, I can hardly conceive of any other person who can replace him, because the age which produced him is past."

Moulana Azad's Own Views:

"I am a Muslim and profoundly conscious of the fact that I have inherited Islam's glorious tradition of the last fourteen hundred years. I am not prepared to loose even a small part of that legacy. The history and teachings of Islam, its arts and letters, its culture and civilization are part of my wealth and it is my duty to cherish and guard them. But, with all these feelings, I have another equally deep realization, born out of my life's experience which is strengthened and not hindered by the Islamic spirit. I am equally proud of the fact that I am an Indian, an essential part of the indivisible unity of the Indian nationhood, a vital factor in its total makeup, without which this noble edifice will remain incomplete."

" If the whole world is our country and is to be honored, the dust of India has the first place. If all mankind are our brothers, then the Indians have the first place."

"Not only is our national freedom impossible without Hindu-Muslim unity, we also can not create without it, the primary principles of humanity. If an angel were to tell me: 'Discard Hindu-Muslim unity and within 24 hours I will give freedom to India' I would prefer Hindu-Muslim unity. For the delay in the attainment of freedom will be a loss to India alone, but if the Hindu-Muslim unity disappears, that will be a loss to the whole humanity."

"It was India's historic destiny that many human races, cultures, and religions should flow to her, and that many a caravan should find rest here... One of the last of these caravans was that of the followers of Islam. This came here and settled for good. In India everything bears the stamp of the joint endeavors of the Hindus and Muslims. Our languages were different, but we grew to use a common language. Our manners and customs were dissimilar, but they produced a new synthesis. No fantasy or artificial scheming to separate and divide us can break this unity."

Khaleequr Rahman: Indian Youth Congress - A Dream Fulfilled but the ...

Khaleequr Rahman: Indian Youth Congress - A Dream Fulfilled but the ...: A Day To Celebrate For the Indian Youth Congress Five years ago, a dream was born. It was a dream to empower the youth of India and ...

Indian Youth Congress - A Dream Fulfilled but the Journey Continues

A Day To Celebrate For the Indian Youth Congress

Five years ago, a dream was born. It was a dream to empower the youth of India and open to them the doors of the world’s largest youth organisation, make them leaders and allow them to elect their own leaders. It was a revolutionary thought, and the man at the helm of it was Rahul Gandhi ji.

It was October 2007,  only a month ago, Rahul ji had been inducted into the AICC as a General Secretary, and given the responsibility, like his father before him, of being the in charge of Congress Party’s  two main frontal wings – the Youth Congress and the NSUI.

In his first meeting with the National Executive, Rahul ji articulated the idea that the doors of the Youth Congress and the NSUI, hitherto only ajar, with entry primarily limited to those either with political backgrounds of their own or with connections to those with such a background, should be wide open for all.

The idea to open the doors of the organisation and change its prevailing membership structure – where you could become a member only if you knew an active member – to one, where literally “one should just be able to send a postcard to get membership” was a breath of fresh air, as was the thought that henceforth positions would not be given, but had to be earned through fighting organization elections.

Rahul ji’s third idea was to strictly enforce the age limit of the organisations. While there was initial apprehension as to how this entire system would work, along with some level of insecurity for the incumbent office bearers –“humara kya hoga?”, the entire IYC and NSUI team put their heart and soul into the process, and the IYC and NSUI transformation process began to take shape.

With a core team from both the organisations piloting the endeavour, gradually the 6 pillars of the transformation process were identified – Membership, Elections, Training, Programs, Performance Measurement  and Code of Conduct.

Discussions would begin in the morning and carry on till late into the evening. Every single point, every single clause was intensely debated. Consequently, drafts were prepared and submitted to the National Executives of the organisations for feedback. It was a thoroughly democratic process, and finally around September 2008, the structure was ready and Punjab was chosen as the first state to have open membership and organizational elections.

The results were amazing, to say the least. While the previous membership drive in Punjab in 2006-7 had seen membership of only around 30, 000, this time the figure went up to 3 lakhs. The youth of Punjab came out in hordes to support the process and hailed the new system and Rahul ji’s vision. Ravneet Singh Bittu created history by becoming the first elected Youth Congress president in the country.  The successful completion of the membership and election process in Punjab convinced even the naysayers that change was possible, and the team put in even greater effort to fine tune and improve the process as we went along.

With time, the election juggernaut moved to Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Tripura and then more and more states across the country. With every election there were new learnings and modifications. For example, after Punjab, it was felt that the traditional Block, district, State model was not working well, so the Youth Congress election model was changed to Assembly, Lok Sabha and State.  Gradually, we moved even further down to the Wards and the Panchayats and today, the Youth Congress is the only organisation to have teams even down to the Booth level.

Other changes have also taken place. While initially, only three positions – President, Vice President and General Secretary were contested for, today, we have expanded the team and also have elected Secretaries in the committees. The Youth Congress elections are also unique for ensuring that every section of society – women, SC/ST, minorities – are adequately represented in the committees through due reservation of positions.

This is a unique endeavour to bring all sections of the society into the political ‘mainstream’, something that no other organisation in this country can replicate.

The Indian Youth Congress membership and election process has brought about a new vibrancy within the organization. The Youth Congress members today come from every corner of the country, and from different walks of life, from newspaper vendors to IT professionals. Apart from membership and internal elections, other pillars of our transformation process are a comprehensive training regime right down to Assembly and Panchayat level and a detailed program calendar.

For the first time, a process of performance measurement called ‘Pehchaan’ and a scientific unit management system to measure performances of individuals and committees have been conceived of and initiated. A code of conduct and disciplinary mechanism has been put into place which is followed by all elected office bearers.

Participation of women in the process has been a real game changer. Initially, in many cases, the women who got elected did not participate. In the last two years, we have seen a number of women, initially reserved and subdued, really come into their own and begin to assert themselves.

Today, having completed the election cycle in all states (with Nagaland and Sikkim due to complete in the next few days), we are justifiably proud of ourselves. At the same time, we realise that this is not the time to rest on our laurels, but to pledge to work even harder and strengthen the organization.

And as Robert Frost said:

The woods are lovely dark and deep
But I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep

Inputs from YUVA

Khaleequr Rahman: Andhra Pradesh Citizens Grievances Redessal Bureau...

Khaleequr Rahman: Andhra Pradesh Citizens Grievances Redessal Bureau...: Mohammed Haseebullah addressing the august gathering I am really delighted to write a bolg about an NGO which aims at resolving the co...

Andhra Pradesh Citizens Grievances Redessal Bureau (APCGRB)

Mohammed Haseebullah addressing the august gathering

I am really delighted to write a bolg about an NGO which aims at resolving the common man's issues either with government or with private bodies. This is the first time that I have seen that the experts from Judiciary, Legislature and Executive have come together on a single platform to further this cause and reach out to the people who have been suffering for their voice not being heard. But now if you have any Grievance, I can say that the experts are here to help you.

The Andhra Pradesh Citizens Grievances Redressal Bureau was launched in Hyderabad on Sept 22, 2012 which is headed by an eminent personality Dr.Mohammed Haseebullah. The other eminent personalities include former DGP and the former CVC Chairman Shri H.J.Dora, IPS, Former DGP AP Shri P. Ramulu IPS, Justice Gulam Mohammed Rtd High Court Judge AP, Justice E.Ismail, Capt Kaleem, upcoming brilliant youngster Baber Zaman and other intellectuals and expers from various fields.

The Vision of the organisation is to ensure social justice by sensitizing all sections of the society and empowering the marginalized and poor citizens.

 

The Aims and objectives are very exhaustive and covers almost everything one can think of:

1. CGRB will provide a platform to the deprived and underprivileged masses to voice their grievances and to bridge the gap between deprivation and jut demands.

 2. Intervention and assistance in cases of social injustices by legal means and representation to the concerned bodies.

 3. Promoting communal harmony and creating an awareness of socio-economic diversity and conflicts among the ignorant masses.

 4. Representation to various government and quasi government bodies on behalf of the underprivileged to ensure that they as stake holders in development programs get their share of equitable justice.

 5. Assistance in getting proportionate share in government floated aid schemes in education, health, employment and social welfare.

 6. Creating an awareness of importance of being a responsible citizen to live in peace and harmony and to contribute towards making AP an ideal state to live.

 7. Creating awareness against women abuse, child labor and child abuse. Taking up complaints of domestic violence, child abuse etc and representing them to respective bodies.

 8. To assist and represent the underprivileged to get their due share in development programs as stake holders.

 9. Run a campaign among the citizens as to their fundamental duties as responsible citizens.

 10. The CGRB will act as a liaison between Government / quasi government bodies and the masses at large to disseminate information and create awareness and the rights and duties of the common citizen of this country.

 

CITIZEN’S GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL BUREAU (CGRB)

Preamble:

 The marginalization, exploitation and disenchantment of the millions of poor people is leading towards social and political conflicts. The need of the hour is to create awareness among the underprivileged that they are the stake holders in all development programs by Government and quasi government organization. The need is to provide the unde...

rprivileged a platform to voice their concern and grievance and resolve the conflict for creating harmony, peace and social justice.

Vision:

 To ensure social justice by sensitizing all sections of the society and empowering the marginalized and poor citizens by assisting them in resolving issues and grievances against Government and private bodies.

Nature of the organization:

A voluntary non profit organization with the sole aim and purpose of assisting and empowering the underprivileged and ignorant masses through legal and civil approach. The organization will make no distinction in caste, creed, religion or socio-political affiliation of the citizen approaching them for help.

Composition:

 The organization will have senior serving and retired government officers, leading lawyers, educationists, community leaders, social workers of repute and social/judicial activities.

The organization will have two tiers of office bearers.

First Tier: An advisory board which will be the supreme core body of the organization who will advise and monitor the second tier of office bearers.

Second Tier: An operational/ working board consisting of executive secretary, other functionaries for the day to day operation of the bureau.

 

I congratulate the entire team of APCGRB for this great initiatve.
 

Khaleequr Rahman: Col Syed Amiruddin saheb R.A....we will miss you a...

Khaleequr Rahman: Col Syed Amiruddin saheb R.A....we will miss you a...: Col. Syed Amiruddin R.A.   Colonel Amiruddin Sahib RA the Amir of Canada, passed away at the age of 99 in Toronto (Innaa Lillahi Wa...

Col Syed Amiruddin saheb R.A....we will miss you always

Col. Syed Amiruddin R.A.

 

Colonel Amiruddin Sahib RA the Amir of Canada, passed away at the age of 99 in Toronto (Innaa Lillahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Rajioon). He converted over 5500 people to Islam and said he stopped counting to maintain his sincerity. He was a man of complete sincerity, a shining light in these dark times. For over 55 years of his life he traveled more than 72 countries, spending whatever he earned in his life in the path of Allah .He practice was to go in the path of Allah for about 8 months in a year and spends 4 months with his family.

Colonel Amiruddin Sahab RA born to a Scottish lady, Ella Allen later to become Halima Farid ud-Din, who converted to Islam when she was 16 years old after dreaming of the Kaaba. she married Nawab Farid ud-Din Khan a descendent of the prophet SAW two years later while he was in Scotland.

in 1967, Colonel Amiruddin Sahab RA was permitted to enter the lower inner sanctum behind the auspicious golden gate and visit the tomb of the Prophet SAW where he says, he heard the Prophet SAW reply to his salaam, which caused him to fall unconscious. He was also instrumental in bringing Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah to Hyderabad, India.

He was initiated into the Naqshbandi tariqat by the Muhaddith of Deccan Syed Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi RA and also on the hands of Moulana Yusuf Kandhalvi RA. He moved on foot through jungles of Africa, in the heat of Arabia and the bitter cold of Europe to spread Islam. In one of his banyans he states; "It was the time when there was tension in south Africa between whites and blacks, jamat were not given permission to enter. Hazrat Moulana Yusuf RA asked Colonel Amiruddin Sahab RA " you are Colonel and u must find a way to enter into Africa". A plan was made, they walked the jungles of Africa for around 4000 km in the path of Allah and it took 7 months . Only two days had passed that police caught them and put the jamat in jail. People came to know that a jamat has come from India and were bringing meals to prison. The meals were so much that they were distributed in prison and many of the prisoners accepted Islam by seeing the atmosphere in jail and preaching's of the jamat.

Since Colonel sab was a white man they requested him to leave Africa but he replied "we want to meet our brothers here." He was then questioned by the leading officer for the reason of coming to Africa, he took out a pen and paper and the wrote six points of tabligh and said "we have come to learn this."

I had the honor and the privilege of spending a lot of time with him. The last time I met him was during his last visit to India in 2005. May Allah swt grant him the highest place in Jannah and give patience to his family members to withstand this great loss. His death is a great loss to the entire humanity not only just the community.

Khaleequr Rahman: Youth Against Speed…reveals about Mysore Road Acci...

Khaleequr Rahman: Youth Against Speed…reveals about Mysore Road Acci...: In less than six months, over five dozen vehicle users were killed and about 500 have sustained injuries in the city. The rise in number...

Youth Against Speed…reveals about Mysore Road Accidents

In less than six months, over five dozen vehicle users were killed and about 500 have sustained injuries in the city. The rise in number of accidents seems to have forced traffic cops to put their thinking cap on. They are preparing a report on road accidents and its causes seeking for a solution.

Surprisingly, the district road safety committee which was supposed to look into the issue seems to have taken it lightly. The committee comprising district officers and deputy commissioner as its head has not met since few years. It is the duty of committee to prevent road accidents and save precious lives in its jurisdiction and its focused areas include - preventive measures, surveillance and detection and enforcement measures. But in the recent past no meeting has been conducted to look into the issue.

Previous year city traffic police had taken credit for the decrease in road accidents in Mysore. Officers had claimed due to their efforts of educating vehicles users fatal accidents had come down to 113 in 2011 from 140 in 2010. But in the first six months, this year, about 63 deaths have been reported. About 46 people were killed in road accidents in the last three months, which is alarming.

Police attribute the increase in accidents, in majority of the cases is due to driver's negligence coupled with poor infrastructure and road engineering. The highest number of accidents has happened on a segment of National Highway 212 (Mysore-Nanjangud road) coming under the city police jurisdiction, according police study. On an average every year 20 accidents and four deaths have taken place between Bandiplaya and Gun House circle, a segment of NH 212. This year, about six deaths have been reported. The latest was on Thursday. A person who was admitted for injuries sustained in a road accident on NH 212, two days back, died on Thursday, a traffic police officer said.

Poor road condition, lighting and narrowness of the highway have all contributed to the accidents on the NH. Volume of the traffic is increased on the stretch over the years. The officer says the accidents cannot be prevented unless the stretch is widened and illuminate properly. He says it requires involvement of officers from various departments to take up road safety measures and it will be easy for the committee, headed by DC, to initiate measures on this score. But regrettably, the committee has not met since few years.

When contacted Deputy Commissioner P S Vastrad claimed a meeting on road safety was held previous month and soon he would convene a meeting with officers concerned to discuss about it. He, however, said highway developmental project is in the final stage.

Year: deaths

2010: 140

2011: 113

2012 (Till date): 63

Request the youngsters to be careful and alert while you are on your bike and no doubt the Speed Thrills but it also Kills....

Khaleequr Rahman: Youth Against Speed – Reveals astonishing facts ab...

Khaleequr Rahman: Youth Against Speed – Reveals astonishing facts ab...: Mohd.Khaleequr Rahman educating the youth against the evils ofspeed Statistics recently released by the National Crime Records Bur...

Youth Against Speed – Reveals astonishing facts about Accidents in Mumbai

Mohd.Khaleequr Rahman educating the youth against the evils ofspeed

Statistics recently released by the National Crime Records Bureau reveal that almost 41,000 people in the 15-29 age group lost their lives in India in road accidents in 2010. Deaths in the 30-44 age group were higher at 47,000.

"This death rate reveals two things: one the youth love to speed and they form a majority in our country," said a doctor who deals with trauma care in a public hospital. Indeed, the 15-29 age group accounts for almost 50% of the population.

In accordance with this age profile, it is not surprising that their popular mode of transport—the two-wheeler—accounts for maximum number of deaths in Mumbai: 139 of the 782 deaths in the city last year were due to two-wheelers. Cars, which do not account for the majority of the city's total transport grid, claimed 105 lives in the same period.

"In Mumbai, 98% of the population walks on the roads even if they have a personal vehicle—be it a bike or a car—at home. Roads are thus the chosen path of the people," said Badami. Yet, he added, pedestrians are the most vulnerable to road accidents. In Mumbai, the figure stood at 292 pedestrian deaths last year. Nationally, 9.1% of the victims are pedestrians.

The World Bank started a safe road initiative last year, stating that India accounted for 15% of the world's road fatalities even though it has just 1% of the world's motor vehicles.

The need to check road accidents cannot be underlined enough. As Bangalore-based NIMHANS' head of epidemiology, Dr G Gururaj, has pointed out in his report for the World Bank that the people most affected by road accidents are in their most productive years. Accidents disable them, robbing them of their productivity. Their deaths emotionally cripple the family.

Experts underline the need for better planned roads. "If cars are driven at 50 kmph, there is an 80% chance of a fatal accident on collision. If the speed is reduced to 30%, the fatality rate comes down by 20%," says Badami. IIT's Mohan recommends separation of traffic on arterial roads and clear and continuous pedestrian paths on all arterial roads. "Planners must design roads not for cars but for the many people who walk on it," says the planner.

 

Khaleequr Rahman: Indians want OBAMA again in 2012

Khaleequr Rahman: Indians want OBAMA again in 2012: President Obama with Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh When Barack Obama proclaimed, "I'm asking you to believe. Not just in my ability to bri...

Khaleequr Rahman: KTT felicitates CBSE Grade XII Toppers of IIS Jedd...

Khaleequr Rahman: KTT felicitates CBSE Grade XII Toppers of IIS Jedd...: I am excited to write about the Khak-e-Taiba Trust's function held in Jeddah to felicitate the CBSE Grade XII toppers. Khak-e-Taiba Trus...

Khaleequr Rahman: Khak-e-Taiba Trust Jeddah welcomes Ramzan Kareem i...

Khaleequr Rahman: Khak-e-Taiba Trust Jeddah welcomes Ramzan Kareem i...: A grand function to advent of Holy Month of Ramadan named’’ Esteqbal-e-Ramadan’’ was successfully held by Khak-E-Taiba-Trust a Jeddah-base...

Khaleequr Rahman: KTT felicitates CBSE Grade XII Toppers of IIS Jedd...

Khaleequr Rahman: KTT felicitates CBSE Grade XII Toppers of IIS Jedd...: I am excited to write about the Khak-e-Taiba Trust's function held in Jeddah to felicitate the CBSE Grade XII toppers. Khak-e-Taiba Trus...

Khaleequr Rahman: Khak-e-Taiba Trust Jeddah welcomes Ramzan Kareem i...

Khaleequr Rahman: Khak-e-Taiba Trust Jeddah welcomes Ramzan Kareem i...: A grand function to advent of Holy Month of Ramadan named’’ Esteqbal-e-Ramadan’’ was successfully held by Khak-E-Taiba-Trust a Jeddah-base...

Khak-e-Taiba Trust Jeddah welcomes Ramzan Kareem in a Grand way

A grand function to advent of Holy Month of Ramadan named’’ Esteqbal-e-Ramadan’’ was successfully held by Khak-E-Taiba-Trust a Jeddah-base educational and social organization on Sunday 15^th of July, 2012 at local restaurant Jeddah.

While delivering his speech as Chief-Guest of the event Mr. Tariq Mishkhash, the Editor-in-Chief of Urdu and Malayalam News dailies said that he did not come to speak upon the importance of Ramadan, as according to him “it will not be appropriate to speak in front of the great scholars and muftis who have better knowledge and can enlighten the Ramadan topic in a more specific manner”.

Mishkhash spoke only about the KTT role in the community. In his brief speech, he reminded the audience, that it’s not the first time that he is at KTT function, nor would it be the last time. “I will always be available whenever KTT needs my services as I attached great importance to this forum because of its crucial role played for the betterment of the community and I really applaud its missions”, Mishkhash added.

 Program started with the recitation of Verses from the Holy Qur’an, followed by Nath-e-Shareef (S.A.S.) and Khak-E-Taiba Trust Tarana by Kids Wing. President Mr. Aijaz Ahmed Khan said in his Welcome address”“Fasting dawn-to-dusk makes one understand the pangs of hunger which the poor undergo almost every day. Fasting creates a sense of love and responsibility towards the poor and makes us humane and caring” the President added. He said Muslims consider the Holy Month as a blessing for a number of reasons. The most important reasons are: fasting, prayers, charity and revelation of the Holy Qur’an.

Siadath Ali Khan the forum ex-president and Mohammed Shameem Kausar the Overseas Trustee and Patron also spoke on the occasion. Both these senior officials highlighted the role and activities of the KTT and said that the forum always stood the test-of-time and remained in the forefront in imparting quality education by supporting the educational cause here and back-home in India.

KTT director for education and Islamic affairs, Aleem Khan Falaki, delivered an outstanding report on the activities of the trust.  He said KTT, which started on a very modest footing in the past two decades, have slowly risen to be a force-to-reckon-with and have inspired others to follow-suit. “Our mission is clear and we ought to reach the downtrodden and the underprivileged section of the society through imparting quality education which is the biggest asset that can be induced among the less fortunate ones” Falaki added.  He felt that the real essence of charity is to remove or at-least minimize the disparities among the ‘haves’ and ‘haves-not’ and therefore he said education is the prime focus of the trust to raise the standards of living among the below-poverty-line section of the community.

Referring to Muhadis-e-Deccan School Misrigunj Hyderabad India, Falaki explained in detail the salient features of the school that it is on-par with the other missionary schools of Hyderabad. The school not only trains the young students but also runs two orientation programs for the parents – ‘Out-Reach Program’ that caters to the guardians on how to up-bring their offspring in a better way and thereby inculcates good manners. The other is for the ladies to undergo embroidery and other household tasks, which assist them to find better livelihoods.

Scholars like Moulana Hafiz Qasim Khan (Sher-e-Punjab) founder of Jamiah Anwar-Ul-Uloom Mohammad Gudgaon Punjab India, Professor Saud Alam Qasim Head of the Faculty of Islamic Studies Aligarh Muslim University and Al-Sheikh Mufti Mohammed Omer Nadawi Imam & Qateeb of Al Sulaimania Mosque Jeddah also shared their views and spoke in-depth on the importance of Ramadan the blessed month. They strongly advocated the need to promote virtues and good deeds amongst us and stressed the need to reach the needy of the needs, by contributing wholeheartedly. The scholars were of the opinion that the purpose of Zakath is to remove social and financial imbalances and help the poor stand on their legs.

Earlier audience responded well to the call to “sponsor-a-child” program by Siadath Ali Khan & Aleem Khan Falaki while addressing in this specially organized function. Imran Kausar Director KTT Computer Centre Jeddah presented a power point presentation about the Khak-E-Taiba Trust activities in Jeddah & three centers in Hyderabad India. Syed Khaja Viqaruddin the forum’s General Secretary & Siadath Ali Khan Ex-President of KTT had conducted the event with the time slots allotted as per the schedule, while KTT’s Vice President Syed Mudassir Ahmed Bukhari delivered vote-of-thanks at the end.

Due to technical snag, the pictures could not be published and would be uploaded soon here on this blog...pl watch out and sorry for the inconvenience

KTT felicitates CBSE Grade XII Toppers of IIS Jeddah

I am excited to write about the Khak-e-Taiba Trust's function held in Jeddah to felicitate the CBSE Grade XII toppers.

Khak-e-Taiba Trust, a Jeddah-based educational  & the community service organization, recently felicitated CBSE Grade XII Students of International Indian School Jeddah, for accomplishing cent-percent results in the current academic year 2011-12. The grand felicitation function, in which the students as well as the teaching faculty members & the principal Syed Masood Ahmed were honored with medals, credential certificates & plaque of appreciation, this function, was organized at the spacious premises of Indian Consulate Jeddah.

The chief guest on this unique occasion was none other than the Consul General of India, Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, who spoke in length about the importance of career building and the need for introspection among students and their guardians to see what is the best for their wards and endorse them in order to achieve new heights of success in their lives. Kidwai praised KTT for its role in promoting educational cause among the deprived section of the society with not only imparting quality education free-of-cost but also providing free course books, uniforms, bags and shoes etc. “It’s really noteworthy and I appreciate the organizing committee for their virtues and endeavors” remarked Kidwai.

General Secretary, Syed Khaja Viqaruddin who was the convener of the event welcomed all the participants. Making a fervent appeal with his soft-spoken speech, he said “No-doubt the students are the real beneficiary of such awards, but at the same time we recognize the role of the teachers & the principal with their hard-work & good-deeds shaped the students to accomplish this distinctive record for the school’s history”.

On this occasion the Consul for education and commercial, Shakeel Ahmed also praised KTT for organizing the literary function and said the forum has given a best direction for others to emulate. Elaborating his sentiments Shakeel Ahmed said, “in the past we used to see only a few students attaining merits, however due to tough challenges and an urge to do something great, have inspired every student, and so, now we see almost 90% of students getting distinction, this is indeed a healthy sign.” Ahmed felt.

The School Principal, Syed Masood Ahmed said, “of-course I appreciate every student who made the school management proud by their achievements, but this credit also goes to the teachers, who despite of huge strength of almost 40 students in each classes, could able to concentrate upon the students equally and this has proved by the pronouncement of results from the CBSE board this year”.

The KTT President, Aijaz Ahmed Khan stated that, “KTT always stood for the test-of-time and remained in the forefront for supporting the educational cause and this function has once again confirmed our commitments”. He further reminded about the recently concluded KTT elocution program in which more than 20 different schools of Jeddah participated and said, “this elocution program was conducted on the basis of a popular public demand, where many young-talent were enthusiastic and eager to share the dais with distinguish guests and thus KTT endowed the platform to them.” Khan added.

The overseas Trustee & Patron of the organization, Mohammad Shameem Kausar emphasized the need to take up Civil Services, as he believes that the minority community is lacking in this field. Undoubtedly, Shameem said, “Engineering, Medicine, ITs are good enough to find a better livelihood, but taking up the challenges of being an IAS, or IFS officers will certainly have the best charm in lives”.

The Hyderabad Board-of-Trustee for Khak-E-Taiba Trust, Dr. Mohammed Haseebullah while delivering his speech said, “each student should have the will-power to face the challenges of lives” and in this context, he referred to the Holy Qur’anic sayings that “Allah helps only those who help themselves”. Furthermore, Dr. Haseebullah congratulated the students, teachers and their proud parents for the excellent outcome and stressed the need to excel further and said “for you sky is the limit”.

Dr. Faiz Zain Al-Abideen, who said the importance of a teacher in molding the lives of their students, could not be denied.     In-fact, Dr. Faiz said “it’s the teacher who plays the major role in a student’s life, as he or she spent much of their time in schools rather than at home, so the teachers get the maximum time to polish a student and make them successful to come-up with flying colors” commented Dr. Faiz.  

Eng.Omar Abourdan who is the representative for the Chamber of Commerce & Industry Project at Makkah site shown happiness to be among the Indian students, teachers, parents and the Indian Consul General for this special occasion of the felicitation for their success. 

Earlier the Khak-E-Taiba Trust Jeddah youth-wing President, Syed Muzakkir Bukhari and his team presented the detail activities of the organization with Power Point presentation, the kids-wing of the organization recited the Khak-E-Taiba anthem with their sweet and impressive voices. At the end, the spokesman, Syed Mukassir Bukhari gave the vote of thanks.

The pictures of the function will be added soon. Due to technical problem, the pictures could not be uploaded. Sorry for the inconvenience.