On I-Day, Taj Mahal makes debut on Twitter

M Tariq Khan, Hindustan Times, Lucknow

| 

Updated: Aug 16, 2015 07:43 IST

Now you can share your fond memories at the historic Taj Mahal by tweeting to the handle @Taj Mahal. (PTI Photo)

Taj Mahal, the monument of love in Agra, made its debut on Twitter on Saturday to become the first wonder of the world to mark its presence on the social networking site.
 
Uttar Pradesh chief minister Akhilesh Yadav launched the official handle @Taj Mahalon the occasion of Independence Day in Lucknow. The first tweet from the handle was a picture of the chief minister with his wife and member of Parliament from Kannauj Dimple Yadav and son Arjun sitting on a bench with the monument in the background.

The 17th-century mausoleum, which was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, already has more than 2000 followers with people tweeting their photographs with the Taj Mahal with MyTajMemory hashtag.

"The new handle of the monument would enable tourists to share and broadcast their experiences during their visit," said an official.

Twitter India wanted the official launch ceremony at the Taj Mahal on the eve of Independence Day but was denied permission by the Archaeological Survey of India citing security issues.

In June, the Taj Mahal also became the first monument in India to offer free wi-fi service to tourists.

Not 'practical' for four men to rape woman, says Mulayam

 HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times, Lucknow

| 

Updated: Aug 19, 2015 18:02 IST

Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has triggered a fresh row with his remarks on rape, saying that it is not “possible” for four men to sexually assault the same woman.

Yadav, who sparked outrage last year by describing rapists as boys who make “mistakes”, made the comments while addressing an official event in Lucknow on Tuesday.

“Is it even possible that four men can rape a woman? It’s not even practical. Now they will say somebody was watching, someone was there. If there are four brothers, they name all of them,” Yadav said in footage aired on TV news channels.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said he had knowledge of “many false cases of rape”. He added: “One man commits the rape and four men are named (in the case). I know of such cases.”

“Didn’t the same thing happen in Badaun? And what happened when the CBI investigated? The CBI said it was all false,” he said, referring to the case of two cousins, aged 14 and 15, who were allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Badaun district.

The bodies of the two girls were found hanging from a tree a day after they went missing. The incident triggered outrage and drew widespread condemnation. UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon cited the case at an event marking the International Day to End Violence Against Women.

Mulayam’s comments drew flak from several quarters with prominent activists criticising his alleged insensitivity towards women. “There is a deep contrast between the Samajwadi Party’s gender sensitive attitude being highlighted through policies and party head Mulayam’s mindset. Such comments only highlight his insensitivity towards women victims and his sympathy for criminals,” said Roop Rekha Verma, former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University.

Madhu Garg, state president of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, highlighted a gang rape charge against the nephew of an SP member. “The case involved six men—five of whom have been convicted. It seems the SP supremo himself promotes such acts,” she said.

Yadav also said some people are being on giving “negative publicity” to Uttar Pradesh. “Remember, if you tell a lie a hundred times, it becomes the truth. There are powers spreading canards about you,” he added. “Uttar Pradesh’s population is 21 crore while that of (BJP-ruled) Madhya Pradesh is 6 crore. In Madhya Pradesh the percentage of rape cases is 9.8 while in Uttar Pradesh it is 2%. In Rajasthan – also ruled by the BJP – it is 7%. Don't even ask about Delhi, I live there and know what happens. So, if there is one place with the lowest number of rapes, it is Uttar Pradesh,” he said. While campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls in April last year, Yadav had triggered outrage when he said it was unfair to award the death penalty to rapists.

“Rape ke liye phaansi dena ghalat hai, ladkon se ghalti ho jaati hai, hum satta mein aaye to kanoon mein badlav karenge (Giving death sentence for rape is not right, boys make mistakes, there will be changes to the law if we come to power),” he told a rally in Moradabad.

He had further said that boys and girls fall in love but part ways due to differences. "When their friendship ends, the girl complains she has been raped." Mulayam's remarks had come amidst a controversy over women's security against the backdrop of the December 16, 2012 gang-rape of a paramedical student in Delhi. The government had amended the Indian Penal Code in 2013 to give the death penalty to rapists.

Yadav, who sparked outrage last year by describing rapists as boys who make “mistakes”, made the comments while addressing an official event in Lucknow on Tuesday.

“Is it even possible that four men can rape a woman? It’s not even practical. Now they will say somebody was watching, someone was there. If there are four brothers, they name all of them,” Yadav said in footage aired on TV news channels.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said he had knowledge of “many false cases of rape”. He added: “One man commits the rape and four men are named (in the case). I know of such cases.”

“Didn’t the same thing happen in Badaun? And what happened when the CBI investigated? The CBI said it was all false,” he said, referring to the case of two cousins, aged 14 and 15, who were allegedly gang-raped and murdered in Badaun district.

The bodies of the two girls were found hanging from a tree a day after they went missing. The incident triggered outrage and drew widespread condemnation. UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon cited the case at an event marking the International Day to End Violence Against Women.

Mulayam’s comments drew flak from several quarters with prominent activists criticising his alleged insensitivity towards women. “There is a deep contrast between the Samajwadi Party’s gender sensitive attitude being highlighted through policies and party head Mulayam’s mindset. Such comments only highlight his insensitivity towards women victims and his sympathy for criminals,” said Roop Rekha Verma, former vice-chancellor of Lucknow University.

Madhu Garg, state president of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, highlighted a gang rape charge against the nephew of an SP member. “The case involved six men—five of whom have been convicted. It seems the SP supremo himself promotes such acts,” she said.

Yadav also said some people are being on giving “negative publicity” to Uttar Pradesh. “Remember, if you tell a lie a hundred times, it becomes the truth. There are powers spreading canards about you,” he added. “Uttar Pradesh’s population is 21 crore while that of (BJP-ruled) Madhya Pradesh is 6 crore. In Madhya Pradesh the percentage of rape cases is 9.8 while in Uttar Pradesh it is 2%. In Rajasthan – also ruled by the BJP – it is 7%. Don't even ask about Delhi, I live there and know what happens. So, if there is one place with the lowest number of rapes, it is Uttar Pradesh,” he said. While campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls in April last year, Yadav had triggered outrage when he said it was unfair to award the death penalty to rapists.

“Rape ke liye phaansi dena ghalat hai, ladkon se ghalti ho jaati hai, hum satta mein aaye to kanoon mein badlav karenge (Giving death sentence for rape is not right, boys make mistakes, there will be changes to the law if we come to power),” he told a rally in Moradabad.

He had further said that boys and girls fall in love but part ways due to differences. "When their friendship ends, the girl complains she has been raped." Mulayam's remarks had come amidst a controversy over women's security against the backdrop of the December 16, 2012 gang-rape of a paramedical student in Delhi. The government had amended the Indian Penal Code in 2013 to give the death penalty to rapists.

The big jolt

• 28 Apr 2015
• Hindustan Times (Lucknow)
• M Tariq Khan tariq.khan@hindustantimes.com

Is your dream home a high-risk zone?

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FIND OUT HOW Before buying a high-rise apartment you can get the building blueprint checked by an expert to ascertain whether earthquake-resistant elements have been incorporated or not

LUCKNOW: One stroke of nature’s fury has made life of most residents of high-rise apartments in the upscale suburbs of Lucknow tense, if not edgy for the past couple of days. Jolted and shaken by one of the strongest quakes in recent memory, the slightest of quiver beneath the feet now sends them rushing out of their homes like a cat on a hot tin roof.

DEEPAK GUPTA/HTSeveral people living in high-rise apartments have vacated their homes for 72 hours apprehending more aftershocks in the city.

Those living in single-storey old houses still prefer to spend most part of the day as well as night out in the open, especially parks and memorials.

“I got late night calls from our horticulture and maintenance officials on Sunday asking whether they should leave the lights on and gates unlocked as people were queuing up in droves outside parks and memorials,” said Seema Singh, additional secretary, LDA.

This brings us back to the moot question: With high-rises becoming the trend of the day, how do buyers check that the edifices in which they are booking their dream homes are earthquake-proof.

“There is no such thing as ‘earthquake proof ’ as no building can be entirely safe from quakes. The actual term to be used is ‘earthquake resistant,’ which implies minimum damage to life and property in the event of an earthquake,” says SS Dalal, a senior town planner.

Geographically, Lucknow – which figures under the less quake prone zone III - seems to be much better placed on the country’s seismic map than most other cities. “I am sure after the devastation we have seen in Kathmandu and the resultant renewed awareness among property buyers, developers firms would start advertising soon that their project comply with an earthquake-resistant design,” says Ravi Jain, another town planner.

But then how can one very verify the authenticity of such claims by project developers?

Says Jain, “The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) lays down different criteria for dif ferent earthquake prone zones in the country. Registered structural engineers give projects a ‘structure certificate’, copies of which are given to the buyers also at the time of booking.”

They (buyers) can also get the building blueprint checked by an expert whether earthquake resistant elements (in the foundation, depth of the project, reinforcement of walls, plinth beams etc.) have been incorporated or not, he said.

The Uttar Pradesh Government came out of its self-induced slumber and realised the importance of having structural engineers on-board in development authorities and government housing agencies when an earthquake of similar intensity (7.7) hit Gujarat on Republic Day in 2001 killing thousands.

The then principle secretary in-charge of the housing and urban development department PL Punia issued a slew of directives to make builders of high-rises followed the quakeresistant-code.

“We have a system in place in which no building plan of a high rise gets cleared till the builder furnishes a certificate from a structural engineer incorporating all safety norms,” says LDA vice chairman Satyendra Singh when contacted by Hindustan Times. He said directives had been issued to all zonal engineers to do a recheck on all high-rises and ensure that no laxity was allowed and the building code was strictly being enforced.

zafar sareshwala

• 20 Feb 2015
• Hindustan Times (Lucknow)
• M Tariq Khan
• tariq.khan@hindustantimes.com

Muslims must not harbour permanent grudge: Sareshwala

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THOSE WHO CRITICIZE ME ARE FOOLS AND NOT MUSLIM INTELLECTUALS AS YOU GUYS MAKE THEM OUT. MAULANA RABEY WAS THE ONLY CLERIC WHO USED TO FEEL HAPPY WHENEVER I MET MODI.
ZAFAR SARESHWALA, chancellor

LUCKNOW: He has been variously called an ‘opportunist’, a backroom boy and even a modern Mir Jafar (traitor) by a section of the Muslims for his proximity to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

But the PM’s most high-profile Muslim aide Zafar Sareshwala says his meetings with Modi had the approval of All India Muslim Personal Law Board president Maulana Rabey Hasani Nadwi.

Appointed chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) in January, this year, Sareshwala was in Lucknow on Thursday to meet the AIMPLB president at Nadwa College when Hindustan Times caught with him.

“I have come here scouting for land to set up a proper campus in Lucknow for MANUU, whose regional centre has been running for quite some time in Aliganj,” he told HT after coming out of his meeting with the Nadwa rector.

“Those who criticize me are fools and not Muslim intellectuals as you guys make them out. Maulana Rabey was the only cleric who used to feel happy whenever I met Modi. Since I was born here I always come and discuss issues with him,” he said.

Muslims would have to shun this mindset and attitude of harboring a permanent grudge and loathing for a political party, he said while urging Muslims to adopt what he calls his own Gujarat model.

“We had set two conditions to the Gujarat government. You don’t put spoke into our wheel and we want only logistic support from you (Gujarat government),” he reveals.

On setting up a proper campus for the Urdu University in state capital, Sareshwala said several ‘madarsas’ had approached him and offered land.

“We are looking for 20-25-acres within a radius of 20-kilometer from the main city. I have seen two or three sites but nothing is final as yet,” he said.

On being asked whether he would be approaching the state government also for the land like other universities, the MANNU chancellor said they had no such intention as of now.

“Let’s see, we may seek logistics support from them at a later stage like seeking of approval for the university but as of now we are relying on our Islamic finance model for the project,” he said.

Gujarat, he said, had only two Muslim schools till 2002.

“The last Muslim school was set up in 1947. No Muslim educational institution was established in last 60-years. Allahamdullilah, today, we have more than 40 Muslim schools in Gujarat,” he said.

Sareshwala said Islamic finance was a two trillion dollar industry today and they would be utilizing their resources for brand building.

UP Governor for change in Academic Regalia

M Tariq Khan

tariq.khan@hindustantimes.com

Lucknow, January 05

Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik wants a change in academic regalia worn by scholars at convocations while receiving their university degrees. In a meeting with the vice chancellors of all Uttar Pradesh Universities, Naik asked them to introduce uniformity not merely in the dress code but also in the functions, which are held at such convocations.

He recallied how he was unable to put the medal round the neck of a receiving scholar at the latter’s request during a recent convocation because of the traditional cap worn by scholars at the graduation ceremonies.  " I have also noticed that some universities hold extravagant convocations. This should be discouraged. Such events should be simple and have uniformity all over the State," he said. Expressing concern over the declining standards of education, Naik, suggested incentives and institution of ‘Chancellor Award’' to inculcate and encourage a healthy competition and foment quality higher education on the lines of Visitors Award set up by the Central Government.

Pointing out at the poor state and level of education being imparted in Indian educational institutions, the UP Governor lamented that none of the total 700 universities in the country figured in the existing list of top 200 educational institutions of the world. “The top 100 Indian institutions, according to one survey, has 70 universities under public sector and 30 in private sector. Only two out of the total 62 universities/institutions (the SGPGI on 26 and Chaudhary Charan Singh University, Meerut on 66 position) have made it to the list,” he said. Urging the VCs to utilize various University Grants Commission (UGC) programmes, Naik emphasized the need for their regular appraisal by National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC). “As of now only Bundelkhand, Jhansi and Sampoornand Sanskrit University of Varanasi fulfill these norms,” he said adding that similar assessment for medical, technical and agriculture universities was equally important.

On the basis of his interaction with the VCs of various universities, Naik said had drafted a nine-point agenda for discussion at the meeting. This included timely completion of academic year, holding of students union election under a democratic set up, review of examination and evaluation system, uniformity in convocations, speedy disposal of representations received against university orders, setting the age limit and qualifications of a VC as per UGC norms and establishing a better coordination and cooperation in the functioning.   

He asked the VCs to categories their pending demands and problems into two – those pending with his secretariat and those pending with the State Government level – to ensure their speedy disposal. “I have drawn the attention of the chief minister towards the problems that have been brought to me my notice. He has assured me of their expeditious disposal. The State Medical Education and Agriculture Education Departments have informed me about the steps taken by them relating to the SGPGI and Banda Agriculture University and I am sure they would do the same on other pending issues,” he said.