Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh BJP secretary Abhijat Mishra on Saturday organised the screening of the controversial film “The Kerala Story” for around 80 college girls in the city, a move criticised by opposition parties in the state.
The BJP leader booked an entire theatre for the screening and said the movie should be shown to young girls “to prevent them from love jihad”.
The film, starring Adah Sharma, revolves around a group of women in Kerala who are forced to convert and join the ISIS.
Mishra said the movie is based on true events and shows how gullible girls are manipulated and then converted.
“The message which I want to convey to these girls, through this movie, is that they need to be aware and should not fall in any kind of traps, and focus on their studies,” he said.
“Must watch ‘The Kerala Story’ to save lives of young girls. Parties supporting terrorists and love jihad and opposing The Kerala Story should be banned,” he tweeted in Hindi.
The Opposition, however, said the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using the platform of film-making to propagate its political ideas rather than educate the masses.
Ankita Awasthi, a student who watched the movie, said one should be aware and not fall prey to clandestine designs.
Pratima Ghosh, a teacher who accompanied the college-going girls to the screening, said after watching the movie, one expects that the girls will stay away from “bad people”.
Taking umbrage at the screening of the movie, Samajwadi party spokesperson Ameeque Jamei said the BJP should change its name to “Bhartiya Nazi Party” and the Information and Broadcasting ministry to “propaganda ministry”.
He also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is talking about a propaganda movie as he has nothing else to talk about.
“… this shows that the BJP is losing big time in (poll-bound) Karnataka,” Jamei said.
The hotly debated film on conversion is at the centre of national discourse with Modi crediting it for bringing out terror conspiracies and using it to attack the Congress during a rally in Karnataka on Friday.
In a rally in Ballari in poll-bound Karnataka, the prime minister had said, “Such a beautiful state of the country, where people are hardworking and talented. The Kerala Story’ film brings out terror conspiracies happening in that state.”
“It is unfortunate that Congress can be seen standing with this terror trend that is seeking to ruin the country. Congress is even indulging in backdoor political bargaining with people having terror inclinations. People of Karnataka should be cautious about Congress,” he added.
Congress spokesperson Anshu Awasthi said films are meant to educate people but the saffron party politicises every issue for its political benefits. “They are making such movies to propagate their political needs,” he said.
“These kinds of movies do not benefit anyone or the country. They do not solve the problem of unemployment or inflation. The BJP always uses these kinds of movies to distract people from real issues,” Awasthi added.
Hyderabad: In order to effectively guide selected pilgrims of Haj 2023, the Haj Committee of India organized a one-day online training program for Haj aspirants across the country. Apart from Telangana, Haj pilgrims from other states of the country participated in the program.
Telangana Haj Committee Chairman Mohammed Salim, Executive Officer B Shafiullah, and other officials participated in the online program at the Haj Committee office while representatives of district Haj societies participated online.
In the training program, the pilgrims are informed about the new changes regarding Haj by the Saudi government. It was emphasized that the pilgrims should be made aware of the precautionary measures and duties and rituals from arrival to departure.
Chief Executive Officer Haj Committee of India Mohammad Yaqoob Sheikh, Mufti Mohammad Manzoor Ziai, Charanpreet Singh Bakshi Joint Secretary Ministry of Minority Affairs, Shahid Alam Consul General Jeddah, Muhammad Hashim Consul Haj Jeddah and office bearers of Customs, Immigration and other departments participated in the meeting.
Chairman Haj Committee Mohammad Salim said that training camps will be organized in Telangana as usual. At the same time, selected Haj pilgrims from Telangana are facing problems as a result of the non-receipt of SMS related to important updates. Pilgrims have to rely on newspapers for important information.
The Haj Committee of India is sending necessary SMS timely, while no local system has been prepared by the State Haj Committee.
The Telangana Haj Committee should introduce an SMS system to keep the pilgrims informed about the training camps, payment of installments, commencement of Haj camp, and other information.
1.75 lakh pilgrims from India will perform Haj this time and extraordinary arrangements are being made by the Government of Saudi Arabia. Efforts are being made to keep the accommodation of Indian pilgrims close to Harmeen.
Hyderabad: Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Secunderabad on Tuesday organised an ‘Agnipath Outreach Program’ aimed at educating youth about the new addition of qualification criteria for the post of Agniveers.
People who have qualified for ITI in mechanical, electronic trades in addition to welder, refrigeration mechanic and others can now apply for the Agnipath scheme.
This will also fetch bonus marks during the selection process, said a press release.
1 EME Centre in Secunderabad in association with the Department of Employment & Training and National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), took the initiative to spread awareness of the Indian Army’s inclusion of technical qualifications in Agnipath scheme to various ITI technical training Institutes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Hyderabad: St Joseph’s degree and PG college organised a three day conference ‘International Conference on Sustainable Development Goals – opportunities, challenges, and future’.
The day 2 of the conference was a panel discussion on ‘Industry Evolution from 1.0 to 5.0’.
The importance of Industry 5.0, the changing landscape of business strategy and the skillsets required were discussed at the conference. Various research papers expanding upon Industry 5.0 were submitted by the participants.
Hyderabad: Dr BR Ambedkar Open University (BRAOU), Department of Arts on Friday organised a language and literature forum webinar on “Mother Tongue and Importance of Urdu” at the university campus.
Prof Aziz Bano, Dean of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) was the chief guest at the webinar. She said that the mother tongue plays an important role in the development of human society. “Rich traditional language of Urdu is an integral part of the complex literary history of the Indian subcontinent,” she added.
Prof K Seetharama Rao, the BRAOU vice-chancellor, said that there are different cultures in the country and even though the languages are different, writers of all languages need to work to create awareness among the people.
“The Urdu Literature Forum will introduce students that contributed to literary works,” and expressed hope that the university would become more useful to Urdu students and research scholars.
KULGAM, MARCH 08: In connection with Army Recruitment Rally, 2023 under Agniveer, the Army Recruitment Office (ARO) Srinagar today conducted a daylong awareness camp on Agniveer scheme at Rest house Chawalgam, here.
Speaking on the occasion, Army Recruiting Officer, Colonel G. Suresh said that the aim of organising the camp is to raise awareness among the aspirants of the district about the benefits of recruitment in the Army and the procedure to apply.
He interacted with the aspirants and students who came from various areas of the district and also heard their views and other questions.
While briefing the participants about the age limit Colonel Suresh informed that aspirants in the age group of 17 to 21 years can get themselves registered on the website and get first hand appraisal of the process of applying through online mode.
He said that students of 10+2, Graduates, Government ITIs, Private Institutions and Polytechnics can also apply online and register themselves for the said Army Requirement Rally 2023.
Aspirants were given complete awareness through a powerpoint presentation about the registration process and other rules related to Army Recruitment Rally 2023.
Tehsildar Headquarter Kulgam and other officers besides aspirants from across Kulgam district participated in this awareness camp.
SHOPIAN, FEBRUARY 04: Army Recruitment Officer (ARO), Srinagar today conducted a daylong Awareness Camp on Agniveer scheme at Imtiyaz Memorial Govt.Degree College, Shopian for Army Recruitment Rally, 2023.
Speaking on the occasion, Army Recruiting Officer, Colonel Suresh said that the aim of organising the camp is to aware the aspirants of the district about the benefits of recruitment in the Army and the procedure to apply.
He interacted with the aspirants and students who came from various areas of the district and also heard their views and other questions put forth by the aspirants.
He further stated that aspirants of age group of 17 to 21 years can get themselves registered on the website and get first hand appraisal of the process of applying through online mode. He said that students of 10+ 2, Graduates, Government ITIs, Private Institutions and Polytechnics can also apply online and register themselves for the said Army Requirement Rally 2023.
Aspirants were given complete awareness through a powerpoint presentation about the registration process and other rules related to Army Recruitment Rally 2023.
Principal, IMGDC, Prof.Bashir Ahmad Dar, Faculty Members of College, ITI Shopian besides a large number of students and local aspirants participated in this awareness camp.
New Delhi: Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi, organised a two-day National Conference on “Indian Muslims and Plural Society” in hybrid mode from February 15 – 16.
Inaugural session
The inaugural session commenced with Prof Haseena Hashia, Assistant Secretary General, IOS, welcoming the guests and participants.
Prof M.H Qureshi, an eminent Geographer, talked about India witnessing numerous migrations over the last several centuries. “We have Nordics, Mediterranean, and Mongols—people from Central Asia, Persia and even Arabs who arrived in India through its southern-western coastal region. Therefore, India has immense diversity, he said.
He said that the Arabs came to the Kerala coast and brought many traditions that became part and parcel of India.
Professor Mehrajuddin Mir, former Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir, said that the concept of pluralism was how to live together, tolerate others’ thoughts and ideas, and even understand opponents’ miseries for solutions to live in diversity. All religions have various sects, and thus, their practices differ. The conflicts are, therefore, intra-religious, interreligious and social, he noted.
Professor Mir quoted Indian Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, who recently spoke about how one Imam and one Pundit shaped his career to understand brotherhood and oneness.
Professor Akhtarul Wasey, former President, Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in his presidential address, said that Muslims came to India as traders and invaders. But once they came here, they delved into the culture and traditions of India and became one who enriched the nation to encourage pluralism. Muslims have contributed to India’s prosperity.
He said that how Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam became a global personality of Indian origin—a Muslim. The country couldn’t think of its missile programme without his theoretical contributions, he said.
Technical Session I
The 1st Technical Session began with the theme, “Genesis of Pluralism in India.” Professor Arshi Khan, Department of Political Science, AMU, Aligarh, as Moderator & Chairperson.
Dr. Ram Puniyani, Human Rights Activist and Writer, said, “There is a misconception in the country, especially against Muslims.” The alliance of civilizations defines plurality. Religions don’t have any nationality. They are universal. The Kings in India, whether Muslim or Hindu, ruled the nation for centuries with people of different faiths as their core governance teams. There was nothing like Muslim Kings or Hindu kings then, he explained.
He observed that calling Indian cultures as Hindu is a bigoted idea. Leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad brought secular spirits into the country. We have Sufi and Bhakti traditions that describe the morality of religions and humanity in India.
Professor Mohammad Sohrab, MMA Jauhar Academy of International Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, described pluralism as a definition both from a conceptual and theoretical perspective. Primarily a religious and moral philosophy, pluralism was the acceptance of diversity. It is more than tolerance of differences. The conception of ‘We’ was essential to assess pluralism through organic social bonding. Pluralism in the Islamic context of acceptance and the country’s scenario today should be understood in the context of how the nation’s spirit developed in Madinah during the time of the Prophet, he elaborated.
He said that pluralism demands that your neighbour be considered an asset, not a liability. Diversity with pluralism creates resilience, but diversity without pluralism brings disaster, he concluded.
Gurtej Singh, IAS, Chandigarh, spoke about how India’s constitutional and political federalism paved the way for the constitution. The atrocities against Sikhs and their resistance were part of history, he said. The examples of pluralism can be understood from the Guru Granth of Sikh religion.
His book Sikh and Indian Civilization sheds light on how Sikhs were projected during partition.
Sanjay K. Rai, a social activist from Lucknow, mentioned that “diversity doesn’t accept dictators.” He highlighted the importance of multicultural societies. Linguistic Pluralism was the need of the hour in today’s context. Societies with pluralism also impact by technological growth. Communities can’t be defined through one particular race or culture. He felt that there can’t be nation-building and growth without taking Muslims along who constitute 15-20% population in India. The One Nation, One Culture concept can only work in some countries. One can’t find books on Hitler in Germany today. Mussolini’s home has been destroyed in his country as people don’t want him to be remembered. It symbolizes how those going against pluralism perish from the leaflets of history, he concluded.
Mr. Gurdeep Singh, a Sikh leader from Bhatinda, Punjab, stressed that it was high time to focus on the future, in view of the experiences of the past and present to grow in a plural society. Mistakes could be there in the past, but remembering those only won’t solve the purpose. It will hinder progress. He warned that today’s rulers in India were breaking the very ascent of Indian culture and unity.
He said that when Kashmiri Muslims are tortured, others in the country feel their pain.
Dr. Lubna Naaz from the Department of Islamic Studies, Women’s College, AMU, spoke on “An Islamic Perspective on Peaceful Coexistence.”
Technical Session-II
Focused on the theme, Role of Islam to Strengthen Pluralism in India, the Technical Session II started under the Chairperson, Professor M. Ishaque from the Department of Islamic Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.
Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani, Former General Secretary, All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat, Delhi, highlighted that two things are required to be properly understood: the Creator, and the Creator’s motive. He said that Sufis always made one feel the independence to think and lead life. Islam always propagates the rights of neighbours, relatives and much more. Sufi Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti wore similar dresses like Indian Sadhus to ascertain people of his time, irrespective of their religious faiths, connected with him.
He said that Swami Dayanand and Raja Ram Mohan Roy kept Hindu philosophy out of their movements but promoted social reforms in the societies applicable to all faiths for social betterment. “Faith is vital, like Allah’s mercy, unlike social practices that change with time,” he said. India’s beauty was in its diversity of religious thoughts. In pre-Islam Arab tribes kept fighting for generations on a single issue of their forefathers, but the scenario has changed. Islam accepts variety in pluralism, from religious to traditional to social practices. Islam as a religion must not change its basic principles. It is a Sanatan religion with firm principles, he concluded.
Prof Faheem Akhtar Nadvi, Head of the Department of Islamic Studies, MANUU, Hyderabad, emphasized that the role of Islam in strengthening pluralism in India is vital. Pluralism is a society where people of all religions reside and respect each other. India is one of the best examples where pluralism has stayed for centuries. He emphasized that India will grow only when pluralism is projected in practice.
SHOPIAN, FEBRUARY 23: Under ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’, the Horticulture Planning & Marketing (HP&M) Department Shopian today organized 6th awareness programme on Prime Minister’s Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM-FME) scheme in Block Hermain of the district.
A large gathering of potential entrepreneurs of the block participated in the event.
Area Marketing Officer Shopian along with his field staff, District Horticulture Officer Shopian, representative from Lead District bank, experts from Agriculture department Shopian, District Project Manager, NRLM Shopian and District Resource Person PM-FME scheme Shopian attended the programme.
Area Marketing Officer, who is also District Nodal officer (DNO) for the scheme addressed the gathering and presented an overview and potential scope of the scheme in the district.
He informed that the Scheme offers 35% credit linked capital subsidy with a maximum ceiling of Rs. 10 lakhs and Rs. 40,000 seed capital per member for SHGs and Producer Cooperatives with support for Branding and Marketing of the processed product.
The audience was urged to come forward and reap the benefits of the scheme. Expressing the desire, some potential entrepreneurs were on spot registered for the scheme.
Experts from Agriculture, Horticulture, District Project Manager, NRLM Shopian and District Resource Person PMFME Scheme Shopian also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the role of their respective departments in the implementation of the said scheme in the district.
