Tuesday, January 30, 2018

Mr. K. T. R. the Telangana IT Minister

 With Mr. K. T. R. the Telangana IT Minister when he visited IIIT at  the THub. Mr. K. T. Rao is  a very savvy talker, an inspirational icon and one who leaves an impact  with his knowledge of Economic affairs and the prospects of using solar energy and information technology for the future of our country. What was very impressive was the fact that  he had returned at 3.30 this very  morning from Switzerland after  attending the World Economic Forum at Davos and now at 5.30in the evening there was not an iota of tiredness or strain and  he was an epitome of energy. Looking at Ministers like him who are so well educated, are good speakers, understand the issues and can project India to the world as a force to reckon with one feels very happy for the future of our country. Unfortunately, how many such young and energetic ministers do we really have  in all the parties is a big question mark. With Monica Reddy and Nagraj we invited him to the National Women's Summit being organised at Shipa Kala Vedika from 1st February to 3rd February. He said that he will not be able to come but he will see to it that his sister Kavita attends this Summit.






Friday, January 26, 2018

Republic day celebration at Guru Nanak High School

On 26th January, 2018, celebrated the  Republic day at Guru Nanak High School, Sikh Chawani at Bahadur Pura. As the country celebrated the Republic day with so much gaiety, pomp and show with a grand celebration at Delhi, I remember this celebration at Sikh Chawani. I had never been to this school and was surprised to know that during the British period the Sikhs were given a large amount of land at Bahadur Pura and now a group of very committed individual who form the Broad, run a school in its premises. The school had a good infrastructure, very airy rooms, and a beautiful playground some thing which is a rare commodity in many schools run by Government in Hyderabad. Most of the children were from nearby areas and they put up a beautiful cultural programme and there was a lot of enthusiasm among the teachers and the children.














Saturday, January 20, 2018

Ms. N. R. Visalatchy, the Director of Heritage Telengana and the Art and Archeological Museum

 With Ms. N. R. Visalatchy, the Director of Heritage Telengana and the Art and  Archeological Museum, Government of Telangana.



Friday, January 19, 2018

International Conference, Telangana through ages

 Spent two wonderful and fruitful days on 19th and 20th January at the International Conference, Telangana through ages. As I prepared my paper on the role of Temples and their contribution to agrarian development in Telengana, I realised that earlier we were all using the blanket term Andhra and assuming it covers Telengana too. For the first time as I shifted through the inscriptions of South India focusing on  Telengana region, I realised that a totally new picture emerged with regards to Telengana and its development as compared to the coastal regions. The Director Ms. Visalatchy, the Director of Heritage Telengana, had put her heart and soul into organising this and gave all the participants from abroad and different parts of India a glimpse into the heart and soul of Telengana with showcasing   its culture. Ms Vidya Shah rendered the poetry of Mahalakha Bai the famous courtesan of this region and also a well known scholar. It was interesting to see Adil shah's poetry beginning with a Ganesh stuti and Saraswati Vandana. Vidya Shah sang the ghazals from  Quli Qutub Shah. Sajjad Shahid an Encyclopedia on Deccani poetry and Rekhta added many interesting nuances to Dekkani contributions. Indeed two very well spent days that made me feel very happy that the heritage and culture of Telengana was highlighted so well with very good quality of papers, cultural performances and rendering of Dekkani Shero Saiyari.














Tuesday, January 16, 2018

National Conference on Equal opportunities-concept and practice

 On 16th January, 2018, presented a paper in  the National Conference on Equal opportunities-concept and practice. I focused on Gender and examined if this concept was a myth or reality in the economic scenario of our country. It was nice to meet Flavia Agnes, Meera Shenoy, Nazira Erum and Sangeeta Kamal from University of Massachusetts. It is always a pleasure going to Maulana Azad National Urdu University.  I met a very old  history  student of mine, Taha who is now teaching in the Centre for Social Exclusion and interacted with Shahida,the Head of Women's Education. I met many old old acquaintances and it is such a pleasure to see them  welcome you with great warmth. I was visiting this place after a long gap and could see a large number of new buildings come up and the University growing in infrastructure. An interesting Conference and lots of interaction were the highlights of the day., Professor Amir Ulla Khan who has recently joined as the Director of the Civil Service Coaching Academy had put in a lot of effort in getting people from different areas for this Conference.









Wednesday, January 10, 2018

National Women's summit

 I invite all friends, Colleagues and others interested in Women's issues to participate in the Summit on Women's lead development and submit papers. It is going to be a three days of discussion, films, competitions, cultural and folk events and talks by experts. About two thousand participants are expected. There are six themes to be chosen from. As of now only an abstract of 300words is to be submitted. The full paper  has to be brought on 1st while presentation. Those papers  that are found interesting and accepted by a panel of reviwers will be published in a book form. Please hurry and do not delay.