Development !!

Any change in the earlier state of the events is called 'development' in Journalism. Journalists and people associate with media, especially of electronic media, always chase every little development in any news matter.

But when it becomes the slogan of a political party fighting for the biggest post of the political hierarchy it sounds interesting. Perhaps they may have their own definition of development. Any way with journalistic perspective change in the political leadership in the country is the latest development.

As the whole process of political campaigning took place with the help of media this time we will look at it with the journalistic perspective. The biggest development that has happened during past some weeks is the change of guards at centre with congress routing out miserably and Narendra Modi capturing the highest post with considerable majority to BJP in parliament.

If we randomly look at the developments post Modi government sworn in we can surely witness some 'flammable' statements of the party leaders. The party which was campaigning with a slogan of development suddenly shifted its attention towards the sensitive issues of Article 370, Common Civil Code and other such things.
Soon after Modi took the charge his party leader released a statement questioning the status of Article 370 which drew several favored and opposing voices across the nation. People of the country were not expecting this to happen at this point of time. People voted BJP for its promises of 'development' but not for such sensitive statements to create the flutter in the tranquility in the nation.

We will not comment on the necessity and revoking of Article 370 but we surely say that people of India are bothered more about their livelihood matters dealing with Gas subsidy, Petroleum prices, taxes and other such matters. It seems that government is trying to divert the attention of the people.

And that has happened indeed! Amid the Media frenzy about the Article 370 the central government made a decision to bring FDI in defence thus taking U turn from its previous stand on FDI. The party which was against FDI before election and moreover which protested, agitated and motivated people against FDI has come up with its latest definition of FDI. So kindly note this was the latest development took place amid the 'hangama' of other sensitive issues of 370 and CCC. 

Nizamia Hospital Hyderabad

The 80 year old Nizamia Tibbi Hospital and College building, popularly known as Government Unani Hospital, is now in an appalling condition as the renovation works came to a grinding halt in midway causing inconvenience to patients and medical staff.

The renovation and restoration work that was started a year ago is being held up for last five months by the construction company citing the fund crunch and delay in fund release from the concerned authorities. 

The immediate effect of this is visible as the number of patients visiting the hospital has come down. Especially the number of in-patients came down for past several months. The hospital provides Unani method of treatment for diseases related to ophthalmic, ENT, dental and others. It is specially preferred for the paralytic health issues as the hospital has the oldest method of treatment for it. The superintendent of the hospital Mohammed Rafi Ahmed said that the number of patients has decreased and consequently the amount for medicinal purchase also came down considerably.

Elaborating on the issue, he said that the usual number of out-patients was from 300 to 700 per day at the hospital. Sometimes the number of patients may reach to 1,000 or 1,200 per day, he added. He lamented that the patient foot fall decreased considerably due to the inconveniences in the hospital with construction and renovation going on for last one and a half year. So is the case of in-patients here. He said that the authorities reduced the amount allocated for the purchase of prepared medicine from the Government Unani Pharmacy to only one lakh that was used to be Rs 3 lakh earlier.

An attendant of a patient at the hospital Syed Mohsin expressed his anguish over the authoritarian apathy in the hospital. He said, “The scaffold will surely detract the patients coming for treatment and we don’t see a hospital atmosphere here.” The A P Health, Medical Housing and Heal Infrastructure Development Corporation (APHMIDC) had started the restoration work here somewhere in April 2013 and work was scheduled to be completed by December 2013. Government sanctioned Rs 3 crore among the total allocated budget of Rs 4.2 crore for restoration work. The restoration work was outsourced to a city-based company. 

Until December last year, the work was going on smoothly but later it was stopped after remaining Rs 1.2 crore budget was reportedly stuck.
Sources reveal that the contractor who took up the restoration work at the hospital left the work incomplete after running pillar to post for procuring the remaining due fund. APHMIDC officials were not available to comment. The Hospital was established in 1938 by the seventh Nizam Mir Osman Ali Khan with his personal fund for the benefit of general public.

Democracy on the Brink !!

Democracy was only the way that guaranteed the basic rights to downtrodden, cornered, marginalized and vulnerable communities in this country for a long time. But now, when the people who always stood against the democratic values of the Nation are in power using 'Democracy' as their tool.

The spectacular win of the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies in the general elections this time would obviously a cause of worry and horror for many such communities.Though the vote share of BJP is only 31 percent but the seats they won are enough to show off their 'muscle power' in politics.

Calling it a heavy mandate all the BJP leaders are seem to be on cloud nine but a larger group of the country comprising of vulnerable communities is worried a lot. Especially after having seen what happened in Gujrat in 2002 and Odisha (Kandhamal Massacre) in 2008 these communities are in fear of vengeance across the country.

When we look at the history of these forces they were always against the democratic process in India and democratic credentials of Indian Constitution. Oftenly they express their wish to abolish the Constitution and to form a uniform civil code in a country where nothing is uniform for even 25 Kilo Metres.

What happens next is the big question that every one is asking and trying to analyse what actually meant by 'Acche Din' (Good Days). At the same time every one is looking at the 'bright future' that was promised by the Modi and his party before elections. People still dont understand that 'Acche Din' for whome. With the past of rioting, anti establishment activities, under cover terrorism and dividing the people on the basis of religion, eating habbits, attires and other such things; fears loom over the future of our Democracy.

Will there be repeat of Gujrat that was orchestrated to corner and suppress one particular community, completely destroying the morale of even a graceful life. Will there be repeat of Odisha (Kandhamal) burning several lives, just because they utilize the freedom of 'Propagation'.

In wake of a current 'Riots' and Clashes in Bijapur town of Karnataka where it immediately when Modi was taking oath as the Prime Minister of this country. The rally took out in the name of 'celebrations' turned into clashes resulting in curfew.

No doubt Congress paved the way for the route of secular parties, though they were just for namesake, there was some hope for the Democracy to survive and sustain. It was maintaining the life of Democracy over the years. Its just the beginning of a 'new era' in the democracy and let us see what happens in coming days. 

What My Eyes Observed

City Dogs

Moazzam Jahi Market

Metro Rail to overshadow historic MJ market

Mohammed Younus/Hyderabad : Perhaps this could be the last view of the landmark Moazzam Jahi Market as the view of the market’s front side would soon be blocked by the Metro Rail pillars to people coming from Begumbazar.Popularly known as a fruit market, Moazzam Jahi Market is not just a market but a landmark of the City. As the work on the first phase of the Metro Rail is going on at various points, it is also fading out the landmark views of different monumental buildings in the city.The market was constructed during the reign of the last Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan in 1935, and was named after his second son Moazzam Jah Bahadur. Originally meant to be a fruit market, it soon turned out to be a place where one could find just about anything - fruits, vegetables, flowers, groceries, earthen pots, arms and ammunitions, paan, ice-cream, dry fruits, hookahs and ittar - and buy them at wholesale prices.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) convener Anuradha Reddy expressed her sorrow at these developments despite efforts to stop defacement of archaeological monuments. She said, “In fact we have opposed every step of the government disfiguring such landmarks in the city, but our representations went in vain.”The consecutive governments right from the 70s have ruined many historic and landmark buildings and only tried to cash in on the real estate values of the city, she added. She said that another route could have been arranged for Metro Rail by avoiding the heritage corridor area of Hyderabad.Historian Abdul Qayyum said, “We are opposing the Metro pillars in front of any landmark building of the city. Not only Moazzam Jahi Market but the majestic view of the Assembly would also be lost forever due to these pillars.”He said that the government is unfortunately trying to erase the history of Hyderabad, which is popular across the world because of its rich heritage coupled with architectural splendour.

On the other hand, Metro Rail officials said that they were not disturbing any historic and archaeological structures. A representative of Hyderabad Metro Rail K Murli Mohan said that pillars were erected 60 to 100 ft away from any such structures coming in the way of Metro line. Moazzam Jahi market was considered the centre of city during the period of the Nizams and continues to be a nodal point for many processions like Bonalu and Ganesh festival. It is not only the fruit market, but a market that has been catering to many needs of a cross-section of the society.A fruit merchant on the market premises Abdul Kareem said, “The spot was chosen because it was in the heart of the city. It was built with the idea that people from every corner of the city could visit this market easily. More importantly, fruits of all kinds would be taken from this market for the royal families.”

My Story

Creativity is their livelihood

Mohammed Younus/ Hyderabad: It is not profession but passion that has been crafting their livelihood. They create different art samples and earn their bread. Students of Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) feel that creativity and passion towards art brought them to this domain. A considerable number of students have passed out from this college to settle as art directors, designers and other such professionals.

"Many students want to choose designing as their profession and are using their neurons to gain knowledge of designing"

“A particular design is required for any product to be introduced in a market and that can only be created by an artist,” says an enthusiastic Anish, student of Bachelor of Fine Arts. Many students want to choose designing as their profession and are using their neurons to gain knowledge of designing. Explaining about their profession, a student said that art was applied to every small concept of a design and thus products were made.

Another student from the college R Shravanti said that she had abandoned her thought to learn chartered accountancy and joined fine arts to nurture her instinct towards art. Aspiring to become a designer, she is hopeful of a good livelihood. “We can start our own business and opt for any corporate company. There are plenty of opportunities in designing,” she said. JNAFAU principal B Srinivas Reddy said that students join such courses with their interests as it was a creativity-driven profession. Elaborating about the courses in his college he said that there were five courses at graduation level - BFA Applied Art, Painting, Photography, Sculpture and Animation.

About new technology in art and design he said, “Fine arts are the result of thinking process of a person. Softwares are just tools to understand and ease the process.” However, he opined that there was a lack of awareness about art in India. A student Pawan Kumar said that he had joined Fine Arts to learn the basics and principles of different forms of art, despite having several years of experience in designing. He said that visual designing was a key factor in e-learning and only a good illustrator could create good moving graphics.

Applied Art department head Sundar Kumar said that BFA was a four-year integrated undergraduate programme during which a student learns basics of various fine arts. He said there were plenty of opportunities in painting, photography and other designing streams. About applied art he said, “Applying art for a purpose is learnt in this stream. Generally it is used in advertisements.” The University has been catering to the needs of art and design for several decades. Besides bachelor’s degree, post graduation in painting, photography and applied art is also made available. Around 600 undergraduates pass out every year from the college and PG courses record 70 pass outs per year.