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...