Award for efficiency: Irrigation and Marketing Minister T. Harish Rao opening the Sadhimoota scheme at agriculture marketyard in Nizamabad on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: K_V_RAMANA
Marketyard received the e-NAM award from Prime Minister
Irrigation and Marketing Minister T. Harish Rao said the Nizamabad Marketyard ranked number one in the country by extending the best and prompt services to farmers. It received the best e-NAM award from the Prime Minister for its performance, he said here on Tuesday.
After laying the foundation for Karmika Bhavan and opening Sadhimoota (lunch) scheme at agriculture marketyard he told farmers that the TRS government had aimed at providing total assurance to farmers by completing irrigation projects and strengthening the marketing system.
He said e-NAM made the trading system transparent and weighing produce easy. Over 70,000 turmeric bags could be weighed in a single day and be traded nationwide with the help of the system. It was possible with the concerted efforts of all the people, he said adding that no other marketyard had a rest house for women.
“I am very happy to launch the Sadhimoota scheme which provides lunch for just ₹5 to farmers. We need to satiate the hunger of farmers who provide food to all. The district will become green with crops all through the year if the ongoing projects are completed,” he added.
Mr. Harish Rao said that allotment of ₹12,000 crore in the budget for the welfare of farmers was an indication to say that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao was committed to the cause of their welfare. The ₹5 lakh insurance for every farmer would be a great support to their families. Being jealous of various welfare schemes introduced for farmers and quick completion of irrigation projects the Congress party was trying to stall them, he alleged.
The Minister assured all possible help from the Government to the oustees of Manchippa Reservoir, whose storage capacity is being increased to 3.5 tmcf. He said red jowar was purchased with ₹100 crore and blackgram, redgram and bengalgram was procured spending ₹14 crore.
Member of Parliament K. Kavitha, MLAs B. Ganesh Gupta, B. Govardhan, A. Jeevan Reddy, MLC V.G. Goud, mayor Akula Sujatha, market committee chairperson K. Divya, Collector M. Ram Mohan Rao and joint collector A. Ravinder Reddy were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Nizambad – April 11th, 2018
Chanda Bai ka Bageecha, the funerary garden built by Mah Laqa Bai for her mother. | Photo Credit: @SERISH NANISETTI
Poet’s 250th birth anniversary passes without celebration
April 7 marked the 250th birth anniversary of poet Mah Laqa Bai Chanda, who has left a lasting impression on Hyderabad and its environs with her social and cultural contributions. However, the event passed without any celebrations.
In the lanes of Moula Ali leading to the hill shrine, there are many blank faces about Mah Laqa Bai Chanda. Only a few older residents call the funerary garden built by Mah Laqa Bai for her mother remember it as Chanda Bai ka Bageecha. Restored with funding from the US Ambassadors’ Fund for Cultural Preservation in 2010, the small masjid is the only facility that is used by locals for prayers. “Tourists come here to see and ask various questions about the tank, the well and the garden. Many people come to photograph the place,” informed the caretaker of the garden.
“In the true sense, Hyderabad has not really appreciated her daughter. Her contribution was immense. It is on record that she gave away ₹1 crore for educating the girl child. Many of her properties have been taken over and razed. Nobody remembers her jagir in Nampally. But there is fantastic response to the play Mah Laqa Bai Chanda wherever we stage it in the country. That shows her appeal. Unfortunately, Hyderabad has forgotten her,” says director Vinay Varma of Sutradhar wryly.
“We are planning an event woven around Mah Laqa Bai Chanda to mark the 100th anniversary of Osmania University. It was her jagir where the university today stands. She is a role model for women empowerment as she wrote poetry and at the same time, stood on par with the ruling elite,” said Anuradha Reddy of Indian National Trust for Cultural Heritage.
Chanda Bai was treated on par with noblemen as she counted the who’s who from the Nizam’s court among her admirers. If Nizam Ali Khan elevated her rank to one where kettledrums were beaten to mark her entry, the prime minister Mir Alum wrote poetry in her honour.
In July 27, 1799, after a triumphant return from the win against Tipu Sultan, Mir Alum organised a splendid party at his mansion. Here, Chanda Bai was the key performer as the British diplomat John Malcolm watched. “The Court of Hyderabad is altered, and the dance and the song no longer prevail. A moody, melancholy sovereign, degraded and dejected nobles, and the impoverished retainers of a fallen Court offer no field for the genius of Chanda; but even yet, changed as she is by eighteen years, she maintains considerable influence, and has the lion’s share of all that is spent in dissipation,” wrote John Malcolm, who was acquainted with Chanda Bai from his earlier stint as a British diplomat. Chanda presented a copy of her collected poems to Malcolm which is now in the British Library.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Serish Nanisetti / Hyderabad – April 07th, 2018
Vemuri V.S. Prasad holds the record for most full contact elbow strikes in one minute and most full contact knee strikes in three minutes.
Police officer Vemuri Prasad going from strength to strength
At 49, Vemuri V.S. Prasad is another Hyderabadi who has developed a fascination for Guiness World Records in taekwondo. This Senior Intelligence Officer in the Directorate of GST Intelligence (DGGI, Hyderabad) has set two new world records this year, which were ratified recently. He holds the record for most full contact elbow strikes in one minute (176) and most full contact knee strikes in three minutes (180).
Interestingly, Prasad, who is also an avid wildlife photographer, already has three World Records to his name, with the record for most full contact kicks in one hour by a team (20,494 in 2012), most full contact kicks in one hour by a team (37,161 in 2013) and largest taekwondo display with 979 participants (in 2014). He has never really dreamt it big in the sport – like chasing a medal in the Olympics.
“I have been into taekwondo for more than 25 years now. Thanks to grand master Jayanth Reddy, I am still able to pursue my passion at an age when many start thinking of post-retirement plans,” he says.
A black belt (dan-3), Prasad takes pride that his passion for the sport can be termed as an addiction.
Mr. Prasad is a silver medallist in the 2014 Senior National Open Club taekwondo championship (78-84 kg) in Delhi and has also won gold in successive years in the Karate Nationals between 1994-2000. What keeps him motivated to keep going? “It is just my passion for the sport. It gives me all the will power I look for in any aspect of life,” says the soft-spoken police officer.
Standing at an imposing 6’ 3”, he now aims to set a few more world records like most split kicks in one minute (current record is 30) and in spiderman knuckle push-ups (current record is 56 per minute).
“Yes, I am preparing for the international taekwondo champonship this year, but only to have a critical evaluation of where I stand among the best and not to prove a point or two,” he said, signing off the other ‘V.V.S.’ from the City.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – April 05th, 2018
The sculpture showing Kakatiya warrior queen Rudrama Devi in combat with her subordinate chief Kayastha King Ambadeva.
It provides crucial information on the death of warrior queen
A sculptural slab carved in granite that has a life-size portrait of Kakatiya warrior queen Rudrama Devi was discovered by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the sanctum sanctorum of Trikuta temple at Bekkallu village in Siddipet district.
Stating that the discovery has unravelled the mystery of her death, the officials said Rudrama Devi was killed during a war by her own subordinate chief Kayastha King Ambadeva somewhere near Warangal.
During an extensive exploration survey to ascertain the antiquity and architectural ascendancy of ancient shrines that flourished under the celebrated regime of Kakatiyas (11th to 13th century) in both the Telugu States, D. Kanna Babu, Superintending Archaeologist, Temple Survey Project (Southern Region), ASI Chennai, discovered the sculptural slab in which the portrait of Rudrama Devi is carved, a week ago.
“The discovery of the portrait sculpture is a first of its kind that displays a fierce fighting scene between Rudrama Devi and Ambadeva and it stands as a supporting evidence to the recent findings in Telangana,” Mr. Babu said. He said the uniqueness of the sculpture was that it vividly shows Rudrama Devi (A.D. 1262-1289) as a commanding and imperial personality with characteristic gesticulations of a ferocious warrior. “It might answer all the questions and doubts that the historians and archaeologists had about her death since decades. Thanks to the unknown sculptor who left a credible source for us to reconstruct the life history of the queen, particularly her end,” he said.
He said the sculptured panel in a rectangular frame superbly represents the imperial personality of Rudrama Devi who is riding a horse with a sword in her right hand while her left hand holds the reigns.
Describing the sculpture, Mr. Babu said the queen’s arms and wrists are embellished with warrior shields. “She is wearing robes of a male warrior with a waist belt and has her left leg over the hanging pedal while a shield is securing her chest,” he explained.
Ambadeva, the rebellion sub-ordinate chief, is in his war robes with a tightly-fixed lower garment, a waist belt and arm guards.
“He escaped the blows of Rudrama Devi and overpowered the horse and harmed it. The horse falls on its face and Rudrama Devi is surprised of his sudden action of rebel. Finally, Ambadeva kills her and she attains viraswargam,” he said.
The patron and artisan who carved the sculpture acted with far-sightedness who thought that these would serve as commemorative visual aids on Rudrama Devi for her successive generations, he said and added that the queen’s domestic help must have carved the sculpture.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Abhinay Deshpande / Hyderabad – April 08th, 2018
Publishes paper on endangered languages, giving insight into Walmiki and Malhar
A linguistics professor at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) has claimed to have discovered two languages spoken in a few pockets of Odisha and areas bordering Andhra Pradesh.
Panchanan Mohanty, former dean of UoH’s School of Humanities, published a paper in the proceedings of the XX Annual Conference of the Foundation for Endangered Languages, U.K. giving an insight into the two languages. One of them is Walmiki, spoken in Koraput district of Odisha and bordering districts of Andhra Pradesh, and the other, Malhar spoken in a remote, isolated hamlet located 165 km from Bhubaneswar.
Prof. Mohanty claims that Walmiki does not belong to a particular family of languages and its name is also interesting and indicative because the speech community claims descent from the great Indian saint-poet Valmiki. Malhar is spoken by a community consisting of about 75 people, including children, he adds.
“Fortunately, most of them are very fluent in this language because they live isolated from the Odia-speaking neighbours and survive on daily labour and collections from the nearby forest,” he points out.
He says preliminary data collected clearly shows that Malhar belongs to the North Dravidian subgroup of the Dravidian family of languages and has close affinity with the other North Dravidian languages like Malto and Kurux spoken in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar.
“The team is trying to find if there are other speakers of Malhar in any of the nearby places apart from documenting both the languages before they become extinct,” he said in a statement from the UoH.
Prof. Mohanty is also the president of Linguistic Society of India and coordinator of the Centre for Endangered Languages and Mother Tongue Studies, UoH.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 07th, 2018
Solar energy solutions provider Freyr Energy has completed 640 KW solar rooftop projects in Manipur.
Announcing this, a release from the Hyderabad-based firm on Wednesday said the list of projects include off-grid 100 KW battery-powered systems. The inverter maximises solar power generation and helps stabilise power from the grid. It also has the functionality to smartly optimise and export solar power when the cost of grid power is at its highest, and draws power when it is low. The system helps withstand power fluctuations and guarantees power round the clock and can also be monitored remotely, the company said.
Co-Founder and Managing Director of Freyr Energy Saurabh Marda said the projects were completed within the stipulated timeline of six months. The projects include four 100 KW system each in City Convention Centre, Interstate Bus Terminus, National Sports Academy Hostel in Imphal and at the Central Agricultural University. The project supports the Khwairamband Bazaar through a 50 KW system, which is incidentally, the world’s only all-women marketplace and one of Imphal’s main tourist attractions. The systems were installed at various government buildings after the company bagged the tender from the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency, the release said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 05th, 2018
Prabhdeep Singh, originally from Chandigarh, and with work experience in Hyderabad, Antoine Poirson of France, and Jose Leon, a Costa Rican – OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
A trio of MBAs launches a service that’s taking patients and their families across State borders.
They were from three continents and they met at a business school in France. Their idea: simplified medical transport as easy as ride-hailing for patients and caregivers. Prabhdeep Singh, originally from Chandigarh, and with work experience in Hyderabad, Antoine Poirson from France, and Jose Leon from Costa Rica, came up with StanPlus.
The year-old Hyderabad start-up opened with an offer to send an ambulance in under 15 minutes.
It got the most unusual requests. An ailing man was transported from Hyderabad to Guwahati – a 2,500 km drive –after his doctors informed his family that he was at the end of his life and suggested he be taken to his native place. The patient’s son turned to StanPlus and was even prepared to face a crisis en route. Mr. Singh, the CEO, says, “We arranged for an ambulance equipped with a body freezer and two drivers. Luckily, the person reached home alive.”
It recently ferried a four-hour-old baby from Hyderabad to Vizianagaram, a distance of 700 km. The vehicle had an incubator and a facility for light therapy. “A few days back, a lady gave birth to twins in an ambulance .”
The idea originated when Mr. Poirson, working with an energy major in Rajasthan, saw his colleague die in an accident because no ambulance was nearby. Mr. Singh, with his healthcare stint, saw the demand for a responsive ambulance service. The company is plugged into real-time live tracking, aided by a call centre. “We are not in the pay of hospitals, so the patient takes the call. The option is to go to the nearest hospital and charge per km,” he says. Hyderabad also has the emergency-only “108” ambulances. Only 20% of ambulance calls are emergencies, says Mr. Singh, who runs 300 vehicles.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Serish Nanisetti / Hyderabad – April 04th, 2018
Students of Kakatiya Institute of Technology and Science (KITS) here have brought laurels to the college by winning awards from IT giant TCS.
Institute director Y. Manohar said Sai Pranitha Kanthala, a B. Tech student, bagged the TCS Best Student award while Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) student Saivishnu Varma Kalidindi and his team won TCS Best Project award for 2016-17.
V. Rajanna, vice-president and regional head of TCS-Hyderbad, gave away the awards comprising a gold medal, a certificate and a cash prize of ₹10,000.
The award presentation ceremony was held at the TCS Synergy Park Campus in Hyderabad on March 29.
The award-winning project was titled ‘Eye Monitored Wheelchair Control’, crafted by ECE students of the institute.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Warangal – Urban Dt., – April 03rd, 2018
Rahul Chakravarthy, a city-based businessman, who works in the field of education content, has been selected to train a team of students that would represent India at the International Mathematical Olympiad.
The training camp, run by Homi Bhaha Centre for Science Education, is running a training camp in Mumbai from April 18 to May 16, for which a faculty team is being put together.
Mr. Chakravarthy has been selected as one of the faculty members.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> City> Hyderabad / April 04th, 2018
The Sikh community not only has a glorious present in Telangana, making successful strides in every sphere, but it also has a rich history, writes Kota Saumya
Come April, the streets of Ameerpet will come alive with the sounds of nagar keertans, prabhat pheris in the wee hours of the morning, and a fascinating display of gatka by Sikh youngsters. Thousands of Sikhs will come together for the festival of Vaisakhi at the Gurudwara Sahib in Ameerpet which celebrates it on a large scale.
This year, Vaisakhi falls on April 14 and the office of the Prabhandhak Committee of Ameerpet Gurudwara is abuzz with activity. There is constant ebb and flow of people as its president, Sardar Bhagender Singh tells us about the history of the Sikh community, and how they came to Hyderabad during the Nizam’s time. The story goes that, around 1832 AD, the Nizam of Hyderabad was facing trouble from Jagirdars who were not paying revenue. Upon the advice of his Prime Minister, Chandulal, he wrote to Maharaja Ranjeet Singh, governing the North-West province for help. “Along with the letter, the Nizam also sent a beautiful canopy (chandni) embedded with precious stones, gems and diamonds to the king,” explains Bhagender Singh.
Obliged by the beautiful canopy, King Ranjeet Singh sent a 14,000-strong army led by Risaldars (chieftain) to Hyderabad.
Their ordinance was — “It is the duty of the Sikhs to give protection to anyone, who comes for protection.” The soldier’s wages were to be paid by the Punjab treasury. The forces carrying the 14 Nishans (holy flags) were placed at the Sikh Chawniat, Attapur, and the place came to be called Barambala. “Later, the Sikh forces were absorbed into the City Police. Most members of the community are self-employed now and run small-time businesses, factories or work in the IT industry or part of the defence forces,” adds Bhagender Singh.
Oldest gurudwara
Today, the Sikh Chawni is known as Maharaja Ranjeet Singh Nagar which is home to some 1,200 Sikh families. Tucked away in a quiet lane of the area is the historic Gurudwara Sahib Barambala constructed in Kishanbagh in 1832 AD.
Recently, a new gurudwara, said to be the largest in the State, was inaugurated in January, next to the almost 150-year-old gurudwara. At a time, it can seat some 5,000 to 6,000 devotees at its langar hall. One interesting aspect of this place is old religious texts, marriage invitations with Gurubani are cremated here.
“Old and damaged copies of the Holy Book, Guru Granth Sahib, are given a ritualistic cremation at the Guru Granth Bhavan known as Angeetha Sahib. We do this for two days once in a year,” says Harbans Singh, chairman, Sikh Chawniat, whose family lineage goes back to the Risala force.
The old gurudwara constructed during the Nizam’s time, seen in the background is the newly-built gurudwara.— Photo: Surya Sridhar
Core philosophy
Philanthropy is ingrained in the Sikh community for whom seva and simran (service and meditation) are sacrosanct. A monotheistic religion founded by Guru Nanak Dev around the 15th century, the word Sikh originates from the Sanskrit word, ‘shishya’ meaning disciple. Sikhism is based on the spiritual teachings of Guru Nanak and the nine Sikh Gurus who succeeded him. “The tenth guru, Guru Gobind Singh, named the holy scripture, Guru Granth Sahib as his successor ending the line of human gurus. The scripture is the eternal religious and spiritual guide for Sikhs and is considered a living Guru,” says Gyani Jagdev Singh, head granthi, Gurudwara Sahib, Secunderabad.
Guru Nanak Dev travelled far and wide to pilgrimage centres, propagating his beliefs and teachings which became the guiding principles of the Sikh religion. His successors, the nine Gurus, are: Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan, Guru Hargobind, Guru Har Rai, Guru Har Krishan, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh.
Devotees offer their prayers in front of the Guru Granth Sahib at the Secunderabad gurudwara. — Photo: Surya Sridhar
In service to humanity
During the Mughal conquest, the Kashmiri Pandits went to the ninth Guru, Tegh Bahadur, to safeguard the Hindu community from forcible conversion. “Guru Tegh Bahadur said, ‘If they can convert me from Sikhism, then the entire community will convert. He went to the Red Fort, where he was martyred. The forcible conversion stopped then,” says Bhagender Singh. Subsequently, Guru Gobind Singh called a congregation and told them that he wanted a community distinctive from others and asked for volunteers willing to give their heads. The five volunteers who sacrificed themselves and were reborn were called Panj Pyaare.
It led to the formation of the ‘Khalsa’ (pure) and a code of conduct for Sikhs. The code being they keep five items —kesh (uncut hair), kangha (comb), kada (steel bracelet), kirpan (a small dagger) and kacchera (shorts) on their person at all time. “They are also prohibited from cutting their hair, consuming Halal meat, committing adultery, and consuming tobacco and liquor,” explains Sardar Harbans Singh of Sikh Chawniat.
Generally, most Punjabi families go by the name Singh, but in actuality they should take the name only after being initiated into the faith in a ceremony called Amrit Sanchar or Khande di Pahul. “There is no timeline as to when it should be done. The child must understand the significance of the rite and be able to take care of the five items. It must be done at least before they marry. The initiated people are known as Amritdhari Sikhs,” says Sardar Bhagender Singh. After this, the men take the name ‘Singh’, while the women take ‘Kaur’.
Sacred scripture
A truly secular book, the Guru Granth Sahib is a unique amalgamation of compositions of not only the Sikh Gurus but also of saints such as Ravidas, Ramananda and Kabir. Written in the Gurumukhi script, the first scripture called Adi Granth was prepared by Guru Arjan, the fifth Sikh Guru. It later expanded into the Guru Granth Sahib. The compositions, called Gurbani, (Guru’s own words) are devotional hymns and prayers to the God, and propagate message of love, truth, humility, brotherhood, equality, service to others and purity of mind and soul. The hymns numbering 3,384 spread over 1,430 pages are arranged under different ragas known as shabad kirtan which are sung by ragi jathas (person who sings the hymns).
Granthi Gyani Jagdev Singh reads a passage from the holy book at Gurudwara Sahib, Secunderabad. — Photo: Surya Sridhar
Festivals galore
The Sikh community is a sizeable one in the city, so it’s a given that the festivals are also going to be equally grand in scale. A number of gurudwaras dot the city landscape, but those who hold a prominent position are the — Gurudwara Sahib, Barambala; Gurudwara Sahib, Secunderabad; Sri Guru Singh Sabha, Afzalganj; Central Gurudwara, Gowliguda; and Gurudwara Sahib, Ameerpet.
Traditionally, celebrations of any festival were observed by spending quality time with close relatives and friends at local gurudwara with shabad kirtans playing in the background. But, over the years, with influx of more and more Sikhs in the city, centralised celebrations of Vaisakhi, Guru Purab, Prakash Utsav, etc; have become a norm. To avoid a clash and through mutual understanding, each of these gurudwaras celebrate one festival on a large scale with the others observing it on a smaller level.
For instance, Vaisakhi, also known as the Khalsa Foundation Day, is celebrated by the Ameerpet Gurudwara with great fervour where ragi jathas and speakers from other cities are invited.
“The day begins with ardaas (prayer) at the gurudwara followed by nagar kirtan and a vishal deewan (mass congregation of Sikhs) which takes place at the Sri Guru Gobind Singhji playground,” says Bhagender Singh, president, Ameerpet Prabhandhak Committee.
Similarly, Guru Nanak Jayanti which falls on November 4 is observed by organising a procession from Secunderabad Gurudwara. “We carry the Guru Granth Sahib on a beautifully-decorated vehicle flanked by religious flag-bearers called Nishaan Sahebans. Children who have learnt gatka (martial arts) in the summer camps show their skill here as well,” explains Baldev Singh Bagga, president, Prabhandak Committee, Gurudwara Sahib Secunderabad.
Charity, their second nature
Patients undergo dailysis treatment at the Guru Nanak Medical Centre in Secunderabad. The treatment charges are kept nominal for those who can’t afford the procedure. — Photo: Surya Sridhar
Helping others through small acts of kindness like making sure the underprivileged get access to education, healthcare, and monetary support to widows is managed by the Prabhandhak Committee of the gurudwaras. The larger gurudwaras like those at Ameerpet and Secunderabad provide well-equipped rooms at nominal rates of Rs 300 and Rs 600, respectively, to anyone who is either in the city for work or medical reasons.
“Many parents of girls who come to the city for work stay here since they feel very secure. They stay till they find a permanent place. We also give accommodation for two months in exceptional cases. Many needy people who are relatives of patients at nearby hospitals also stay here,” states Baldev Singh Bagga who also serves as the chairman of the Guru Nanak Medical Centre near the Secunderabad Railway Station. The polyclinic and diagnostic centre provides free medical treatment to the needy from all communities. A similar clinic is being planned near the Ameerpet Gurudwara premises now.
“Over 36 patients come here for dialysis daily. Most of the patients get to know about the centre through word of mouth. We also provide free annual checkup for senior citizens twice a year,” adds Baldev Singh Bagga whose wife Jasbeer Kaur serves as the chairperson of the ladies wing of the gurudwara. Their son Dilpreet Singh owns the well-known Hotel Royal Reve in Secunderabad.
Match made in heaven
While arranged marriages are the norm in the community, these days, parents are also taking due note of their children’s wishes. A Sikh wedding is a simple affair, which begins with roka that happens a few days prior to the engagement ceremony, where parents of both bride and groom give their consent. Following a few more rituals near the wedding day, the groom’s family visits the bride’s side for the chunni chadana ceremony where they give the bride her wedding dress, jewellery, etc. Other ceremonies similar to a Hindu one are the vatnaa which is like the haldi ceremony.
Synonymous with the Sikh bride is the chooda, a set of 21 red-and-white bangles gifted to her by her maternal uncle. She also wears umbrella-shaped metallic ornaments called kalire attached to her bangles. “It is believed that if the kalire fall on the head of an unmarried girl, she will be the next person to get married,” adds Dr Meeta. After ceremonies such as Sehra bandi, milni, the actual wedding ceremony called Anand Karaj takes place at the gurudwara. The bride and groom sit side by side facing the Guru Granth Sahib, during which ardaas is offered by singing shabads. The granthi recites the four lavaa or stanzas from the book, and the couple slowly walks around the book clockwise after completion of first stanza, the same ritual is followed for the next three stanzas which are called lavaa pheras
Melange of cultures
(From Left) Harinder Singh, Akanshi Madan, Tanvir Meeta, Naunihal Singh and Samarth Singh. The family runs the well-known Tanvir hospital in the city.
Since many of the Sikh forces settled here, many married local girls leading to an intermingling of traditions and food. While the Dakhni Sikhs follow the same rituals and traditions as the Sikhs who came here later, the staple food in their households is a tad different. “Usually, roti is a staple but they also eat rice, there is a lot of Maa chole ki dal and tur dal in the diet. Chole bhature and paneer are also used extensively in dishes. These days, it’s become very cosmopolitan. We make dry fruit laddoos and kadha prasad (rava with ghee and sugar) at home on auspicious occasions or birthdays and marriages,” says Dr Meeta whose husband’s grandfather, Sardar Khem Singh, was a Risaldar and the first president of the Ameerpet Gurudwara.
A community which is self-sufficient to the nth degree and doesn’t turn away anyone from their door when they ask for help, it continues to astound others with its giving nature.
Langar
Anyone who has visited a gurudwara at least once can attest to the delicious and homely food served at the langar. At the Ameerpet gurudwara which serves langar to some 600 people during weekends, the menu comprises rotis, maa chole ki daal and salad. The food is prepared by kar sevaks (volunteers). Kar seva can be anything, from washing the vegetables, cooking the dal, making chappatis, serving the food or even washing used utensils or sweeping the hall.
“A lot of hostellers studying in nearby institutes tend to miss ghar ka khana and come here to have meals. On weekdays, we also serve full meals along with sweets like kheer. The idea is no one should leave here without a full stomach,” says Bhagender Singh. Caste, creed, financial status are done away with in a langar, where people from various communities or stratas of societies come and eat together. Devotees also sponsor the langar and have the option to decide what they want on the menu.
Kar sevaks serve food at the langar at Ameerpet gurudwara which sees close to 600 people eating the meals. — Photo: Hrudayanand
source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home / by Kota Soumya / April 01st, 2018
