UOH Dispatch Vol.8 | Issue13 | Pages8

UOH DISPATCH A LAB PUBLICATION OF DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION, UNIVERSITY OF HYDERABAD

October 2015, For internal circulation only

Volume 8, Issue 13, Pages 8

More Inside...

KHADI ON REVIVAL PATH - Page 2

NO DIGNITY EVEN AFTER DEATH - Page 3

GADDAR UP CLOSE

KABADDI BACK IN ACTION -Page 7

-Page 5

Campus turns red fortress Keerthana B.

Against Sexual Harassment (GSCASH). Aritraa Saha was elected unopposed as the Masters representative in GS-CASH. Majority of councillors were also elected from the winning alliance. In the overall outcome ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) came second and UDA (United Democratic Alliance) third.

The polling was held on the 8th of October with booths set up in the different departments.

The process went smoothly and peacefully. The polling precentage was 79% with 3825 of 4800.

Counting took place at Ambedkar Auditorium and the results were announced around 7:30 pm on 9th October. Jubilant celebrations carried out by the students of the winning organizations marked the conclusion of the polls. The Telangana State SFI unit congratulated the winners. The UDA was the winner last year.

Students’ Union Election 2015 in University of Hyderabad reached its finale with the panel comprising Students Federation of India (SFI), Dalit Students’ Union (DSU), Telangana Students’ Front (TSF) and Telangana Vidyarthi Vedika (TVV) coming to power. The alliance swept all the positions in the Students’ Union.

With a margin of 339 votes Zuhail K.P. emerged victorious to the post of the President while Raju Kumar Sahu won the post of General Secretary with a lead of 190 votes. Others in the panel are M. Venkatesh (Vice President) N. Siva Durga Rao (Joint Secretary) Chiluka Srilatha (Cultural Secretary) and P. Sandeep Kumar (Sports Secretary). Aleena Sebastian (Ph.D) and Sana Fatima (CIS) were elected to the Gender Sensitisation – Committee

Students’ Union: 2015 - ’16

ZUHAIL KP President

MUDAVATH VENKATESH Vice President

RAJU KUMAR SAHU General Secretary

N SIVA DURGA RAO Joint Secretary

CHILUKA SRILATHA Cultural Secretary

P SANDEEP KUMAR Sport Secretary

SANA FATHIMA Gs-Cash (CIS)

Aritraa Saha Gs-Cash (Masters)

Ready to take on the world Shaima Mansoor

“The destiny of India will be scripted by transformed minds which have to break free from the old molds and charter new, trial blazing courses,” asserted E.S.L. Narasimhan, Hon’ble Governor of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and Chief Rector of the University, in his address at the XVII Convocation Ceremony of University of Hyderabad at Shilpakala Vedika on 1st October.

Narasimhan, who was the chief guest, gave away the gold medals to the meritorious students while Dr. C. Rangarajan, Chancellor of the University, administered the oath to the 1491 new graduates.

Governor in his address, stressed on the role of the educational istitutions in harvesting and encouraging young minds

Photo credit: Sudha Singh to be productive and innovative.

Professor Appa Rao Podile, ViceChancellor, UoH, added that the

University is now among the top 3.8% institutions providing higher education worldwide as per a

study done by Centre for World University Rankings (CWUR).

He urged the out going batch to

ALEENA SEBASTIAN Gs-Cash (Ph.D)

keep up to the standard and reputation of this premier institution.

In spite of the controversy over a rigid dress code which was later withdrawn, students came mostly dressed in traditional attires. Accompanied by their friends and family the young faces gleamed with joy and pride.

One of the estatic graduates, Sandeep Sahu, a gold medallist from the Department of Theatre Arts shared his feelings. “Coming from an inartistic background, I still find it hard to believe that I could be part of this University and its theatre department. I am grateful to my parents, professors and friends who have supported me throughout.” he said.

The convocation proceedings were webcast live for the third successive year on the university website.

UOH DISPATCH

CITY ROUND-UP

OCTOBER 2015

The month of harmony and festivities

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he city celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi last month. Hussain Sagar became a scene of awe when the gigantic Khairatabad Ganesh idol was immersed in the presence of innumerable devotees. The entire city was decorated with Ganesha idols and colourful lightings, giving the air an energy of festivity. The 11 day long festival came to a finale with vibrant processions from various parts of the city to the lakes for immersion.

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he Annual Feast of Mother Mary took place at The Church of our Lady of Health, Khairatabad, last month. The nine-day long Special Novena Prayers, which began with the hoisting of the flag of Mother Mary on 29th August, came to a grand conclusion with a huge feast and car procession carrying the beautiful statue of Mother Mary. The State RTC operated special buses from all major terminals to the shrine.

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id al-Adha was celebrated on 25th September with great fervour to commemorate the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim to sacrifice his son for Allah. Muslims from around the city poured into mosques and eid gahs to attend the sermon and prayers. Families got together to share sacrificial meat and also distributed it among the poor to ensure that even those with limited means enjoyed the festivities.

Start ups: making Khadi on a revival path an impact Shahamat Hussain Shared economy is one of the the San Francisco-headquartered ideas that is changing the world. mobile app based transportation Shared economy is also known as system, launched in 2013.The peer economy which can be un- most recent entry into shared derstood as a set of practices that economy was in March 2015, allow individuals and companies when Ola (previously Ola cabs), to share access to products, ser- launched its app for personal vices and experiences through transportation and is now India’s technology and innovations. It second biggest taxi cab aggregais a class of economic arrange- tor. Sharingdais.com is another ments; participants share access online platform for peer-to-peer to products and services, instead sharing. The company has been of individual ownership. conceptualized and promoted by In a couna group of IIM In a country like try like India, graduates with where internet a dream of conIndia, where interenabled smart necting every net enabled smart household through phone users are growing, sharing economy. phone users are shared econoLaunched in July growing, shared my will open 2014, the website doors for new economy will open has four categoopportunities. ries- book sharing, doors for new Looking at the food sharing, and kind of develskill sharing and opportunities. opers behind peer-to-peer serthis kind of a business model, the vices. The platform gives an opprimary progress is the changing portunity to become either a protechnology, which, with new in- vider or a seeker of goods, skills novative technology allows us to & services. connect with people and discover The benefits of being part of things to share. Secondly, the shift this economy saves money, enin paradigm which is character- vironment as it supports sustainized by openness, humanness and ability and the access to goods the need to stay connected. Third and services that are not available is the economic reality which otherwise in consumer culture. brought home environmental There is criticism about shared pressures like the population economy especially in India. growth, limited natural resources Broadly, digital trust or online and growing awareness of the ef- reputation, growing private ownfects of climate change after the ership in India due to increase 2008 financial breakdown. in income, taxes, licensing, geoSharing brings two changes; a graphical restriction, protection reduction of resource consump- of consumers’ interests. India tion and it allows access to re- is now concentrating on online sources. The first experience of websites and this makes e-comsharing economy in India started merce players give awesome ofwith business models like Uber, fers to bring in more buyers.

Photo credit: Google images T. Takuangla Jamir The wave of handloom and khadi promotion in the country this year has taken a different course from past years. The first National Handloom Day was observed on 7th August. Khadi sales have doubled and there is a lot of enthusiasm seen in its promotion across the country.

National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Hyderabad, which has always worked on handloom and khadi promotion have put in more efforts this time. “We are happy that National Handloom day is observed. We hope that big companies would join in its promotion as ‘Fabindia’ stands alone for now” says A. Ra-

jyalakshmi, Assistant Professor, and Student Development Activity Coordinator NIFT. She adds that Khadi, as a fabric is natural and definitely gives a positive aura when one wears it. The design students have cluster programmes as part of their academics. The students go, identify and code the cluster. They have visited places in the states of Andhra & Telangana like Mangalagiri, Venkatagiri and Warangal Dhuri, which are known for their handloom work. The students are encouraged by the institution to work on handlooms as a strategy to promote it. As part of their graduation it is compulsory for

Khadi, as a fabric is natural and definitely gives a positive aura when one wears it.”

- A. Rajyalakshmi Assistant Professor, NIFT

the students to organize a hand loom fashion show to showcase and promote their innovations.

The board is currently planning on encouraging students to wear Khadi once a week and take oath to promote Khadi. The students are encouraged by the institution to work on handloom as a strategy to promote it. They also conduct various kinds of shows and competitions to showcase their handloom innovations. NIFT Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Weavers Service Centre celebrated the National Handloom Day, where Textile Minister Santosh Gangawar inaugurated the event.

Around 650 weavers from different regions participated and displayed their work. This step to promote Khadi is not only a revival of handloom, but also a relief for the handloom workers community, which was at the point of stagnation.

UOH DISPATCH

CITY ROUND-UP

OCTOBER 2015

Festivity concerns come to the fore

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Ankitha Naishadham

The BOD (Biochemical Oxygen Demand) level in Hussian Sagar has gone up from 34 mg/l to 57 mg/l. BOD is a measure of quantity of oxygen used by organisms to decompose matter. This number goes to prove that the pollution has gone from bad to worse in Hussain Sagar. This year around 21,600 idols of more than one meter length, width, hieght were immersed in Hussain Sagar alone when compared to last year’s figure of 40,000. The big idols of Kahairtabad , Balapur only add to the chaos. To facilitate distribution of idols which come for immersion, the officials have identified 23 other lakes in the surrounding areas of Hyderabad.

Countering this move, ecologists in the city predict that in the coming five years, these identified lakes will also turn into another Hussain Sagar.

Teams from Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority departments extricate idols debris every year after the ‘ Maha Ganpati’ of Khairtabad is immersed. This year, the authorities removed 4,990 tonnes of idol debris and cleared as many as 20,000 me-

Photo credit: Google images dium sized idols from the lake.

Specialised equipment had to be pressed into service for this purpose; besides 2,000 workers of HMDA and GHMC along with NGO volunteers were engaged.

Telangana State Pollution

The large idols are removed from Hussain Sagar soon after the immersion but the pigments present in the paints harm the quality of water.”

- N. Raveendhar, Environmental Scientist

Control Board (TSPCB) Senior Environmental Scientist, N. Raveendhar said, “Kaolin which is also called white clay along with paper and gum is used to make 5ft Ganesh idol. When these idols are immersed in the water they break open and increase the alkalinity of water which alters the pH value adding carbonates, bicarbonates and sulphates disturbing the ecology of the lake.”

Removing these small idols from Hussain Sagar becomes a tedious task for the GHMC officials.

However N.Raveendhar said,

“The large idols are removed from Hussain Sagar soon after the immersion but the heavy metals present in the pigments used in the paints harm the quality of water”.

Chemicals such as lead, copper, manganese, nickel, cobalt, chromium mercury, cadmium are used in the paints. Over a period of time these metal particles getdisintegrated and accumulate in the water. These sediments disturb the quality and ecology of the lake.

To promote traditional practices and make available clay idols several voluntary organisations

came forward to distribute free clay idols across the city this year.

Speaking on this, N.Raveendhar said, “TSPCB believes in our traditional use of clay idol. We initially thought of distributing 20,000 idols but raised our numbers to 1.7 lakh due to the good response from public.” Similarly several NGOs distributed lakhs of clay idols and Society for Awareness and Vision, SAVE an NGO which has been working for this cause since 16 years distributed five lakh idols at their premises in Indira Park.

GREEN INITIATIVE

IT sector shows the way with ‘Car-Free Thursdays’ Sunderlal Raja As a solution to the increasing traffic and its adverse effects on the atmosphere, Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA), on 6th August, started ‘Car-Free-Thursday’ initiative in the IT hub of the city, comprising Hitech City, Madhapur and Gachibowli. In six weeks, the initiative has started showing very impressive results. The number of public transport patrons has gone up and the rate of traffic and air pollution has come down.

As per the latest figures, almost 10,000 vehicles are off the road every Thursday. This has not only resulted in a low traf-

fic during the peak times but also helped in saving one lakh litres of fuel. Another highlight of this initiative is that the emission of greenhouse gases has been reduced by around 273 tonnes. Even though it began as a voluntary initiative, the participation has been overwhelming. “I have been avoiding my car for the past six Thursdays.

I thought that it will take me more time to reach office, it was not the case… well by being part of this I am able to do at least something to decrease the pollution,” says Anand C.P, who is working in Hitech City.

He also added that he and some of his friends have decided to avail public transport or car pooling whenever possible.

The‘Car-Free-Thursday’ initiative has been supported by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC), which has added additional 50 to 70 buses to the IT Hub area during 8 am to 11 am and 5pm to 8pm. This move by TSRTC has resulted in increase in the number of commuters on Thursdays by 11,000. Though it seemed as an impossible task at first, the figures prove that changes can be brought if citizens come to-

gether. “We now have concrete evidence that such an initiative is immensely doable, brings enormous benefits, and, in the end, is a cool and fun thing to be a part of.” said Jayesh Ranjan, Secretary, Department of Information & Technology, Electronics and Communication (ITE&C), Government of Telangana.

HYSEA has the support of over 1000 firms in the sector and also the assistance of various NGOs. Other than public transport, the organizers advice the participants in the initiative to use MMTS services and share auto for those coming from dis-

tant places and propose the use of cycles for those who reside nearby.

Organizers have joined hands with ‘Cykul’, a group that provides cycles for riding, as part of this initiative. They also encourage pooling of car and bike by the employees in the IT hub.

World Car Free day on 22nd September was also observed by the members of ‘Car-FreeThursdays’. Following the huge success of this initiative, Gurgaon and Bengaluru, the other IT hubs of the nation, are also planning to observe ‘Car-FreeThursdays’ to promote the idea.

UOH DISPATCH

UOH DISPATCH

‘POLITI-VISM’

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PERSPECTIVES

OCTOBER 2015

hough Hyderabad is a city of dreams for the youth it’s not only about fun and frolic.

They have raised their voice against different socio-political malfunctions. The dynamic student politics in some of the most eminent institutions located in the city, like the English and Foreign Language University, Osmania University and University of Hyderabad reflects the same spirit.While it is usual for student political organizations to fight for their rights coming under the premises of their own university, raising voice against the unethical practices happening outside the boundaries of the campus is what gives their politics a touch of activism. The activities carried out in solidarity of FTII protest is an example of this. The recent protest against police intervention that happened in University of Hyderabad where they successfully minimized the interference in the campus and compelled the administration to drop the idea of having a police station in the campus also exemplifies this. The fact that they were able to identify the issue and channelize it into a proper protest shows their heightened consciousness and social sensitivity. The series of agitation that were carried on by the students in EFLU like Occupy library and Cross dressing campaigning against the gender biased decisions taken by the administration also stands out as a representation of strong ethical awareness. The historical role played by the students of Osmania University in the Telangana movement remains a milestone in the involvement and passion the students’ political organizations has ever shown.There is another side of the story as well. The history of students’ political in Hyderabad, like rest of the country is marked with instances of corruption, severe violence and even bloodshed. But it is slowly emerging out from this violent past and is converging to an activist mode where their intellect and sensitivity are polished. In order to have a strong opinion on issues pertaining to different aspects of the country the young minds need to involve themselves in healthy political thinking and imbibe the right spirit.

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‘MODI’-FIED SMART CITIES

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ore than 35 percent of India lives in urban areas, not counting the floating population, and the figure is expected to increase drastically in the near future. Social scientists argue that the country desperately needs new cities to curb urban growth. Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised in the runup to the 2014 elections pomised that he will initiate steps to solve urban problems by building 100 smart cities in India.

In a recent note, the Ministry of Urban Development stressed that the scheme will promote not only satellite towns but also modernise existing cities. It will support a broad range of projects related to education, healthcare, and entertainment, facilities for the poor, governance and institutional modification. In a way, the smart (intelligent) city idea guarantees employment opportunities and an unparallel high quality of life to urban inhabitants. At least on paper, it is a great relief to the urban poor as they are denied access to basic amenities such as electricity, safe health and water.

Modi hopes that after the government intervention, private companies will invest in the smart revolution. Chief Ministers of many states, particularly of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, have started rolling out red carpets for corporate players to invest and develop infrastructure and create employment opportunities. However, critics are of the opinion that the idea of ‘smart cities’ in reality exclude the marginalised sections as they are governed by corporate entities that would min-

imise or undermine the local laws and governments.

Structural adjustment programmes and neoliberal policy minimised state control over market economy in India. The neoliberal policy encouraged publicprivate partnership towards urban India. As an intended consequence, there has been pumping of heavy capital in urban India

There is a need to develop infrastructure facilitates in all corners of the city, particularly slums. Also we have to rethink and revise the idea of smart city concept in Indian context. and created “Gated Communities”, “SEZs” (Special Economic Zones) and now the idea of smart city is just to bourgeoisie the urban middle class.

Since India’s rural economy is weakened with the implications of LPG (Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization), particularly in the neo-liberal era, the poor people from rural areas have started migrating to cities in search of livelihood opportunities. There has been uneven growth of urbanization and slums in cities with no basic amenities.

There is a need to develop infrastructure facilitates in all corners of the city, particularly slums.

There is a need to rethink and revise the idea of smart city concept in Indian context. The Modi government is aiming to build smart cities in select areas on a similar pattern. It is a dangerous thing to universalise smart cities!

The policy making should not homogenise aspects of social life by imposing hegemony of the ruling class, including spatial environs, in a country as diverse as India.

Apart from economy there is a need to study the smart cities concept through social and ecological concerns. Just pumping money without people’s involvement will not yield any results.

The government should focus on strengthening local councils, by allowing them in decision making and giving them powers to reduce corruption.

When everybody gets an adequate shelter, a toilet in every home, a footpath on every street, a bus route on major road, a proper sanitation with drinking water facility, an uninterrupted supply of electricity and employment opportunities for skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled labour force, then one would feel that’s a smart city.

Without addressing these concerns the expensive pipe dream of smart city would lead to another real estate ventures. It further perpetuates unequal distribution of resources between rich and poor. major centres needing an overhaul in India.

-- P.Raghavendra, Ph.D. Department of Sociology University of Hyderabad

INFUSING LIFE BACK INTO WATER BODIES

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he beautiful and serene Ameenpur lakes, known for their rich flora and fauna is on the brink of extinction due to reasons such as littering of plastic, pollution, encroachment, destruction of its catchment, etc.

The Telangana State Special Protection Force (TSSPF) along with some members of the Hyderabad Birding Pals and Friends of Flora and Fauna Society cleaned the Peddacheruvu, Kothacheruvu and Bandam Kommu Cheruvu, over the last two months with the objective to enhance their beauty and attract more fauna.

The inauguration of the Tree Plantation scheme to launch the Manohara Ameenpur programme by the Telangana Irrigation Minister Mr. T. Harish Rao at the Peddacheruvu, Ameenpur on September 6, 2015, was a major step in the protection and conservation of Lake System comprising 13 lakes.

The ecological conservation initiative has been taken to rejuvenate the lake system. Five clean up drives mounted by the TSSPF and the two volunteer groups has transformed into a massive campaign with

local residents evincing interest in protecting the water bodies.

The Ameenpur Lake and the surrounding small lakes have the potential to be transformed into a Heritage Biodiversity Park, through conservation and rejuvenation. While the Ameenpur Lake is near the TSSPF Training Academy in the Patencheru Mandal of Medak district the vast lake system is spread wider, it consists of many other water bodies like Bandamkommu, Kummari Kunta etc. All these water-bodies are linked to each other. The primary purpose of these water bodies are to serve as sources of irrigation and drinking. Other uses include fisheries and washing of clothes. The TSSPF, following the clean up drives,

permitted the District Collectors of Medak and Ranga Reddy districts to adopt the lakes for the ecological conservation of the lake system . Volunteers of the TSSPF were supported by the GHMC, Collector and District Magistrate, Medak, District Police, Medak and the Gram Panchayat, Ameenpur during the cleanup drive. The Ameenpur lakes are among the few water bodies left in the State of Telangana and is known as Birding Paradise of Telangana. They are home to around 171 species like Desert Wheatear, Greater Flamingos, White Wagtail. The lake also has wide variety of fishes, amphibians and reptiles such as Checkered Keelbacks, Russell Viper and some species of fishes and snakes in the water sheet and the trees and shrubs in its environs spread over 100 acres. Besides birds, there are around eight species of snakes that include Cobras and the Rat Snake. The biodiversity of the lake also includes a wide variety of insects, butterflies and other reptiles such as Oriental Garden Lizard. The Telangana State Biodiversity Board is taking all necessary steps for declaring it as a Biological Heritage Site.

-- Tejdeep Kaur Menon IPS Director General, Telangana State Special Protection Force

THE TEAM: Editors: Keerthana B, Shahamat Hussain

Chief of Bureau: Digavalli Pavan News Editor: Ch.Sandeep Manohar Chief Reporter: T. Takuangla Jamir Design Editor: Sunderlal Raja Reporters: Shaima Mansoor, Lalrindiki Sailo, L. Rucilli, Akbarkhan, Siddharth Suresh, Ankitha Naishadham, Avipsha Sengupta

Printed and published by the Head of the Department, Dept. Of Communication, Sarojini Naidu School of Arts and Communication, University of Hyderabad.

We appreciate participation from all the deapartments. Mail us: uohdispatch2014@gmail.com

UOH DISPATCH

PERSPECTIVES

OCTOBER 2015

5

INTERVIEW

Naxalism is not the only alternative: Gaddar Digavalli Pavan

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elangana has a stunning historical record of youth participation in social revolutions.

Around 600 students gave their lives in the Telangana agitation and we still lose them in the name of naxalism and counter insurgency creating friction in the civil society. The famous Telugu revolutionary singer Gaddar whose voice has a great influence amongst the youth of Telangana, shared his views with Dispatch.

Are the universities in Hyderabad becoming targets for Maoist cadre recruitments?

Honestly, I don’t know. Maoist party is a secret party. It’s not possible for a common man to know about their operations.

In between Maoists and police forces, are the youth in Telangana targeted?

The future belongs to the youth and they are fighting for their opportunities. Encounter of youngsters creates white terror amongst them.

Is naxalism the only alternative for youth?

Armed struggle is not the only alternative. Gun for gun is not the solution. At this moment, I urge the civil society to prepare for a traditional revolution but not armed revolution.

What do you mean by traditional revolution?

From rural to urban, our life is tied with the market. The helplessness created due to exploita-

the state. The state’s decision making is the violation of Constitution. Here, state is arresting people, and itself carrying investigation at its convenience, and implementing punishments within the frame works of constitution. I strongly oppose this.

tion by the capitalist market has made them habituated to a consumer life which tends to turn them into hopeless individuals.

They need to emancipate collectively to fight and set themselves free from this market.

How will you build such a revolution?

Pens. We fight with our pens and songs. Students should build mass movements and participate in traditional revolution.

What does the civil society need to understand from Vivek Kodamagundla, a law student dropout and Sruthi, an engineering graduate, who were killed in encounter in Telangana?

We need peace. In the formation of Telangana, students were not properly channelized. This is a mistake. They failed to line up their demands of leadership,

Capturing life through lens

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career in photography or in any creative field for that matter is more like self-exploration. You work as per your needs. You try to push your limits and create a name.

You never know what you want to become until you come across something inspirational which makes you think. And when you decide you get confused.

How to start? Where to Start? How to learn? Well, there are many universities offering long term as well as diploma courses in photography.

They teach you the basics of photography and give you a glimpse about the professional world and then you’re on your own. Start taking pictures and analyze other photographers’ work. Know the techniques of composition and understand the lighting and how to use your camera under different lighting conditions. Understand your camera and know the details and variants perfectly. Theory can give you an idea about what it is,

but only when you practice you learn. It might take time but you will evolve as a photographer.

To pursue a career in photography, there are different genres available today like fashion, wedding, travel and lifestyle, nature, fine art. The problem new photographers usually face is getting recognition.

It needs your time, money and skill to reach to a point where your name starts getting work for you.

You need to market yourself with your ability to speak, gather people, build a network and enhance your photography skills.

But what is important is that your work should speak for yourself.

Create a style of your own and try to improve and enhance it. Work for various organizations and magazines and individuals.

Conduct workshops and exhibitions.

Always remember that the reason for your success is none but you.

-- Kaleem Taj Shaik Freelance Photographer

access to resources and opportunities. This created friction between the society and their paths. Torturing them to death is a serious violation of human rights and the Indian Constitution. Civil society should fight against these undemocratic practices.

What is your opinion about the role of human rights and civil organizations in such contexts?

They should become the seeds, plant themselves among people and should build mass movements. Sitting and condemning attacks or crying on situations doesn’t make any sense and cannot bring any change.

Activism should be in their life, but not as a profession.

What is your take on the farmer suicides in Telangana?

A farmer is a producer. They produce food. But now, the pro-

ducer is being forced to becomejust a consumer. With this transformation, the farmer is left with no option but to end his life. The sons and daughters of soil must stand up and raise their voice to build a peaceful social revolution.

What are the strategies ad -opted by the government in combating Maoist violence?

Both state and central governments are implementing the same policies. They are not initiating anything to address naxal issues. Counter insurgency operations are political decisions.

Governments are linked up with capitalist economies. They don’t like any conflict in their development model. They will simply kill even if they sense an air of radicalism.

Are you saying that State is making these decisions?

This is the confrontation of

Would you like to give a call to the naxals to join social life and prepare the civil society in building traditional revolution?

Yes. No one wants to live in forest. They were forcibly thrown into forests. In the mainstream society, there are not only physical encounters. They are not allowing any meetings, cultural programmes at public spaces. The attacks were made by curbing ideological voices.

What is in your opinion, is media’s role in bringing peace to this conflict?

The journalists who are in between the age of 18 to 35 are becoming dry these days. It is hard to make them understand the issues in depth. They should communicate the ideologies and principles to the society in a responsible way with a proper research.

What do you think can bring peace and save the young lives of Telangana?

We are still alive. The battle is not over yet. It is still there but not war. We may lose. But, we need to communicate why we lost and need to think about how to rebuild the revolution with new design.

Is sports just an appendix?

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hysical education and sports are two distinct not provide reservations in admissions for sports things in their concept and approach. Physi- persons. It is also astonishing to know that some cal education envisages the all-round devel- universities believe that the entry of sports persons opment of an individual whereas sports is a general may spoil the academic environment. How whimway to achieve the same with more of recreation. sical does this argument seems?

It aims to bring constructive changes in humans If we look at Harvard University, which has world through physical exercises and famous scientists to its credit, also activities. Hence, it may be regularly sends top sportsperSports in Indian developmental, adaptive, corsons for the Olympics. There are university system rective etc.

Olympic medallist teachers in that Government bodies, which university. The US sports culture are viewed as an make rules, need to bring is mainly built on the University appendix and not esteem and prestige to the sports of that country, whereas physical education and sports as an essential organ the university sports in India are to make these professions atvery feeble. We cannot even think tractive for bright individuals of winning Olympic medals reguand this is the need of the hour for India, which larly especially in some sports like Athletics. is plagued by diseases. Policy makers should first In India, a physical educationists and a sports try to understand the curricular contents of physi- coaches are unable to say with dignity that they cal education before taking decisions on the issues belong to the profession of physical education and relating to it. Students should be given opportunity sports. Such is the pathetic state and during Olymto know what is true physical education and sports, pics, we curse ourselves and try to pre-empt with instead of just participation. Sports competitions very effective measures to enhance the status of like Olympics etc. are started with the noble aim of physical education and sports which would never making changes in human beings and not simply as happen. And the result is very conspicuous; India is competitions. at the pinnacle of degenerative diseases compared There must be see-saw change in the attitude of to any country in this world. governments and people, and should move towards -- Dr. K. V. Raj Shekhar mass participation of sports. Sports in Indian uniAssistant Director, Physical Education, versity system are viewed as an appendix and not University of Hyderabad as an essential organ. Most of the universities do

UOH DISPATCH

CRIME

OCTOBER 2015

6

ILLEGAL TRADE

No dignity, even after death Digavalli Pavan

Government hospital mortuaries in Hyderabad, especially the Osmania General Hospital have become the hub for illegal trade in dead bodies to the private medical colleges across India. Authorities of various departments like Public Health, Municipal Corporation and Medical Officials in hospitals are allegedly involved. The negligence of the police officials towards this issue raises questions of their connivance as well.

Because of this, the dead bodies remain untraceable for the claimants. These are well hatched situations created by habitual offenders which include the network comprising of mortuary employees to government officials. The process of establishing identity is an excruciating process due to illtreatment of hospital auhorities.

The manner in which dead bodies are dealt with is unethical, against the law and violation of human rights. The body of a person found dead under suspicious circumstances is to be taken to mortuary for postmortem under police scrutiny only after filling an FIR under sections 174 and 176 as per Criminal Procedure Code. Every mortuary has a capacity to hold about 50 to 75 bodies for preservation in freezers for 72 hours after postmortem as per rule.

These 72 hours are the time available to identify the body through various means and inform the relatives concerned so that they can claim it.

If the body still remains unclaimed, then the police and hospital officials must hand it over to public health department for funeral rites.

According to Satya Hari-

private medical colleges on payment of Rs.15000 per dead body.

Later the G.O. was revised in favor of the private medical colleges. “After this G.O, the mafia generated huge business over dead bodies compounding the woes of the relatives,” said Dr. Rao. Graveyards and crematoriums are maintained by private groups with a challan price unaffordable for the poor. This has created a situation where many families are leaving their deceased at mortuaries. These bodies are like bonus to the mafia for the lack of claimants.

Bodies that have undergone surgery cannot be sold. Only good condition bodies are required. A female dead body comands up to Rs. 15 lakhs in a season of scarcity.”

- Dr. K.R.Rao, Founder, Satya Harischandra Foundation schandra Foundation (SHF), an NGO working for unclaimed and unidentified bodies, in spite of all these laws, the bodies were kept hidden in a separate room without filing any case and post mortem for the sake of trading.

PILED UP: “In this room, we could see bulks of bodies placed one on the other in an inhumane manner. Most of these bodies were mutilated or did not have the internal organs. These are cash pots for the mafia”, said Vijay, an SHF volunteer.Despite several attempts, police officials

refused to respond on this issue.

Dr. K.R.Rao, Founder, SHF says, “Bodies that have undergone surgery cannot be sold. Only good condition bodies are required. A female dead body comands up to Rs. 15 lakhs.”“If they come across any unclaimed or unidentified body to be that of a destitute, then the miscreants inject four litres of glycerene and morphylene solution into the body to preserve it for more than a year without decomposition”, he added.

HUGE DEMAND: Privatization of medical education has

led to a large number of private medical colleges and that has increased the demand for dead bodies for various purposes. The grwoing demand for medical pruposes fulling the illegal trade.

In 1997, Government of Andhra Pradesh issued a Government Order(G.O), which provides the unclaimed dead bodies in government hospitals to the Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, on request and payment of Rs.4000.

After the needs of government colleges are fulfilled, the surplus cadavers are handed over to

DIGNIFIED DISPOSAL: According to Indian constitution, Article 21 provides protection of life and personal liberty. This right also extends to the dignified disposal of the dead body.

“To meet the requirement of medical colleges, we can go for synthetic dead bodies which can even breathe and pump blood.

Virtual dissection using videos with 3D technology can also be implemented. These methods are already in use in China and other countries.” says Dr. Sree Bhushan Raju, Head, Dept of Nephrology, NIMS. “I don’t understand, for them is this not an issue of violating human rights? Why are they not responding? We need to understand this issue in depth”, said Dr. Rao. “The government has the responsibility to dispose dead bodies in a dignified manner. I feel the dead bodies too have rights, as they cannot speak out about the violations perpetrated on them.

Civil society and government need to take care of their rights,” said S. Jeevan Kumar of Human Rights Forum. This issue is a social evil that has to be addressed at the earliest.

Un-recognized varsities leave students in a fix Ch. Sandeep Manohar The Engineering students from Hyderabad are already in a wretched condition due to the havoc created by the private engineering colleges. Apparently now it’s the turn of medical colleges to rub salt to the wounds. Prist University in Tamil Nadu, has allegedly failed to get UGC recognition, after having conducted medical entrance exams in Hyderabad.

P.Madhusudan Reddy, President of Government Junior Lecturer’s Association, said that on April 23rd this year, Prist University had conducted the medical entrance exam for more than one lakh students, charging

They would have waited till they have received the recognition approval from the UGC. What spurred them to conduct the exam so early?”

- P. Madhusudhan Reddy President, Government Junior Lecturer’s Association

Rs. 600 each. “The University made around Rupees six crore and most of the students who had taken the exam were from Narayana Institutions. Shockingly the university is in the black list of UGC,” said Mr. Reddy.

In 2009, Tandon committee

was set up by the Human Resource Development Ministry to examine the institutions whose performance was not at par. A total of 41 institutions were blacklisted and eight universities were declared ‘unworthy’ of the deemed tag..

Although there was no official confirmation regarding the eight varsities on the chopping block, Prist University, is one among the varsities whose name is doing the rounds with other varsities the case of which arepending in the Supreme Court.

On this matter Reddy said,“It claims itself as a deemed university. I have no issues with that.

But, when I questioned the university administration regarding their accreditation they said that it’s still in process. They would have waited till they received the recognition approval from the UGC. What made them to conduct the exam so early?”

Prist University counters all these allegations. M. Jawaharnath, Admissions in-charge of the Prist University says,“It’s not only our university that conducted the entrance exam, other institutions whose cases are still pending in the Supreme Court are also conducting the entrance exams”. K.V Srinivas who is also admissions in charge of the university claims, “Our university is recognized by the UGC.” While P. Srikanth, studying intermediate second year in Narayana Institute said that he was completely unaware of the university identity. “We are told by our institution to write the exam, but I didn’t know this breakneck attitude behind the University”, he added.

Contoversies are thick and the legal process is taking its own time while the future of the students are at stake.

UOH DISPATCH

7

GAME-ON

OCTOBER 2015

Kabaddi regains its lost glory

Recent makeover has helped one of India’s oldest sport to make a pitch for a spot in the big league Shaima Mansoor

Kabaddi, despite being one of the oldest indigenous sports in our country, has only recently cemented its place amongst the most watched sporting events in India thanks to the Pro Kabaddi League (PKL). Cutting across demographics, the first season has had a viewership of 435 million, second only to the wildly popular Indian Premier League, and has seen a 45% increase in television viewership during the second season. The exciting nature of the game and loud, menacing chants topped up with celebrity owners and sleek coverage on televisions have resulted in the revival of Kabaddi in many ways.

K. Jagdishwar Yadav, Secretary of the Telangana Kabaddi Association and the General Secretary of the Telangana Olympic Association feels that showcasing Kabaddi in a more contemporary format has generated renewed interest in a sport that was rarely followed on a competitive level, “Kabaddi has always enjoyed popularity in Telangana but the Pro Kabaddi League has definitely raised awareness and brought in more people. We get lot more enquiries now about the coaching camps, selections and so on.

Schools and colleges have also seen a considerable increase in participation.”

Pro Kabaddi League does not include women players yet but women of the city have been achieving milestones of their own, “Players from Hyderabad have always excelled. Indian Women’s Kabaddi team captain, Mamata

Pujari and one of the most talented team members, Tejaswini Bai V, both Arjuna awardees, are from Hyderabad. They are doing very well on the international level. In fact, there is no one else who can be compared to Mamata and Tejaswini, they are number 1 and two in the country now,” said Yadav. Mamata Pujari captained the women’s kabaddi team that grabbed the gold medal at the Asian Games last year.

The roaring success of the Pro Kabaddi League has reaped rewards for the players as well.

K. Jagmohan, Manager & Asst Coach of the Telugu Titans team is impressed with the way his team players have benefitted from PKL, “The League has really helped our players financially. Most of them come from middle or lower middle class families and due to the success of PKL, they have all gotten good jobs now. Banks, railways and other companies come to provide jobs as it also helps in advertising their department now that the players are famous.” He also finds a drastic improvement in their performances, “There used to be very few tournaments earlier, but now with more coaching camps to prepare for PKL, their fitness levels have increased considerably and has helped them perform more consistently. They know they have to be at their best for the tournament.” He added that the players have already started preparing for the next

OPENING NIGHT REACH Pro Kabaddi League On Star Sports 1 & Star Gold

FIFA World Cup

Source: TAM data

Indian Premier League

On Sony Six & Sony Aath

On Sony Max & Sony Six

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2.1

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season that is scheduled to start in January.

Telugu Titans finished third in the second season after failing to qualify for the semifinals in the inaugral season. Their home ground, Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, drew large crowds for their games.

Najah Sameen, an avid fan of the league, finds it ‘amazing’ to have a home team to cheer for even though all the players do not belong to Telan-

gana. “Since players are auctioned off, we have just one player, T Prasad, from Telangana playing for Telugu Titans. There are, of course, Hyderabadi players in other

teams. Gangadhari Mallesh plays for Jaipur Pink Panthers and a few others play for Bengaluru Bulls.

Nevertheless, it’s a lot of fun to watch Kabaddi, especially in this format.”

Million

Million

Million

Early birds: Walking their way to health and fitness Shaima Mansoor

While most people spend mornings on weekends by sleeping in late, members of the Public Garden Walkers’ Association (PGWA) are the early birds preying upon fresh air and exercise.

They also keep one Sunday aside every month to stay informed of the latest health issues and developments through an interactive session with some of the top doctors in the city.

The PGWA hosts health lectures by renowned doctors on the first Sunday of every month.

The series started on November 9, 1995, with a talk on ‘Walk & Vision’ by well known ophthalmologist, Dr. P. Siva Reddy, and is now in its 20th year without a break. The Association organized its 240th lecture on October

lectures delivered 4, the man responprior to it. Dr. sible for this initiaShakti Gupta, tive and continuous Medical Superineffort, Ghulam tendent, AIIMS, Yazdani, SenDelhi, was invited ior Advocate and to give a talk on Chairman of PGWA ‘Increase Public is content with Awareness & Rethe way the venshape to promote ture has sustained a Safer Healthcare for so long, “The System in India.’

PGWA is about The talks over the fifty years old and years have dealt this series started Dr C. Chandra Shekar, Sr Consultant, Peripheral Vascular with a variety of incidentally twenty Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals delivering a monthly lecture common health years back when from the city and suburban areas concerns from one of our walker also made it to these lectures”. hypertension, diabetes, cancer friends agreed to give a lecture.

In 2012, the 200th lecture was to other related topics such as I feel this humble beginning gradually developed into a fullcelebrated with the launch of laughter therapy and medical fledged beneficial regular afthe book ‘Health Spectrum’ that insurance. It has given the audifair as a number of non-walkers carried the gist of all the health ence an opportunity to ask que-

ries and clear their doubts without having to pay anything.

“The audience benefitted from the advice and experience of eminent specialists and super specialists of allopathy, homeopathy, yoga and so on,” said Mr. Yazdani.

Prevention and awareness are clearly better than cure, “The talks are very informative and worthwhile. I have incorporated a lot of helpful tips in my life after hearing these lectures. It happens early in the morning on a Sunday but I make it a point to be there as it’s not everyday that you get a chance like this,” insists Sameeha Jameel, a nonmember but regular attendee.

The organizers hope more people will follow suit.

UOH DISPATCH

LIFESTYLE

OCTOBER 2015

Comic Con weekend rocks the city

Lalrindiki Sailo

A wide range of comics, chitra-katha,novels,graphics,me rchandise, toys, games, films and animation in the toys and game industry were displayed at Comic Con, the yearly comic-based convention held in Hyderabad on 12th and 13th September. The two day event was a treat to all the comic lovers.

Traditionally associated with Comic Con, several fans, both adults and children, participated in the cosplay which was one of India’s first events of this type.

Famous artists and writers, game developers, startups from India and abroad all turned up for the event. Kids dressed in their favourite comic hero’s attire like

Superman,Green Lantern, Spiderman etc, to developers launching their latest products, firms new games and authors with their latest comic works had gathered in Hyderabad for the two days.

The special guests in Comic Con Hyderabad were Matt Melvin, creator of Last nerds on earth, Tomoko Miya, professional cosplayer, Moe Tsurumi, spokesperson of the game Minecraft and Kevin Hamric, a senior director who had worked with series and movies like Naruto, Bleach, Deathnote, Dragon Ball Z etc.

Amongst all, Melvinn managed to grab maximum audience.

Triza, a student f r o m

St.Josephs College expressed her fondness for Comic Con, “Every year I wait for this time of the year. I love Comic Con. It is fun and exciting. I get to know more about my favourite comic characters. I have never missed it. I come every year and I will continue doing that.”

Another participant said, “This time Comic Con is fun. It is much better than earlier years. Besides the events, a food court is also organized.” When asked about their favourite section, Tanya an interior designer said, “For me it is the presence of renowned writers that make this event worthy.”

The organizing team said, “It’s nice to see people happy and that has always been our aim, Comic Con 2015 has been another succesful event, big thanks to all the participants.”

Comic Con India started

with relatively young minds who instead of going to foreign countries for comic convention decided to start one in their home country.

Their main goal has been to innovate new culture to bring the young energies together to celebrate their love for comics and popular culture.

Since its initiation it has emerged

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as one the most renowned comic event in the country.

As this comic based event is heading strong, the organisers hope to bring in more varieties.

Comic Con India holds the main edition at New Delhi and express editions at Mumbai and Bangalore annually. Hyderbad had its maiden edition on 21st and 22nd of September 2013.

Food, a click away Behind the glitz & glamour T Takuangla Jamir

E-commerce firms are fast gobbling up conventional platforms with their own menu to success. The food business is no exception. In Hyderabad, several online websites are rushing to supply food at your door steps on a click .

The city has seen the rise of many websites that offer food deliveries. The idea of having food delivered at your doorsteps is amazing.

Food sites like foodpanda, Eatz, Get Me Food, Swiggy, FAASOS are some favorable sites to order food.

They put up a list of restaurants available near your location or produce their own food. They might give you some discounts and you just have to select and order. “I use foodpanda a lot. I have placed order from Swiggy, they are like the blind escape when you don’t want to cook plus too lazy to go out,” says Ramya Vedicherla, who is pre-

Lalrindiki Sailo paring for her UPSC exams.

But sites like Kitchen’s Food and Hello Curry have taken the competition a notch higher. They deliver home cooked food at reasonable prices. Kitchen’s Food launched in June 2014 started as a food ordering website but later upgraded to serving a list of home cooked food items of different cuisines.

They have enrolled a number of chefs, and the website is used as their meeting space.

“Return on investment is extremely high and there are many advantages of e- commerce,” says Rishi Raj Singh, the owner of Kitchen’s Food. E-commerce is a fast growing industry; it is time and cost effective.

For a beginner, it is the right place to develop a brand.

The 1960’s saw the rise of modelling industry in different corners of the world. Models can be the most influential people in the world but behind the paparazzi and glamour that is showcased, there is a world less renowned and applauded.

The city of Hyderabad has its share of young men and women fighting through the odds to establish themselves in the world of glamour. Andy Pillai, a freelance model says, “The most challenging thing is that there is a lot of competition and less work, you also need to have loads of patience because you face lots of rejections before you get that one chance.”

While speaking to few models in Hyderabad, voices of hues and cries were vehemently heard.

“I once went through a dismal casting experience where I met a casting director who charged me a hefty amount. Later the casting director and the opportunity both turned out to be fake” said Sai Prasad Heerekar, Mr. Hyderabad 2013.

Actor and model Seema Choudhary reflected, “ We all love glamour, but the truth is that we do not have it all what

it takes to be a model. For me,the most and only challenging thing I have is my height ... I wish I was 6 feet tall.”

Despite all the obstacles there is the immortal zeal that keeps them going. Prabodh who is a model working from the city shared his views,“Challenges are part and parcel of life but what is important is to face them with

positive attitude, crack them and learn from them. For me life itself is a challenge and I love facing challenges because they help me recognize my hidden potential and have made me who I am today.”

Hyderabad is slowly becoming a hub for young and fresh aspirants attempting to make it big in the world of fashion and modelling.