Vandalism in the name of development
I was introduced to this photo taken by Khanpride by Jami Sirhandi.
His plea was to stand up to the ‘development mafia’ and stop this vandalism.
Across Pakistan, rampant and unplanned urbanisation is taking its toll on green spaces and the trees. As it is our forest cover has denuded to alarming proportions; and now we are creating urban wastelands of dubious impact in the name of development.
The image on the right, again shows how trees have vanished and there has been no re-plantation despite the usual lip-service that is paid on these occasions.
Saving trees is not just a romantic notion: it is vital to our future and involves the right of our next generations to survive on this planet.
Stand up and be counted, as they say…
All My Posts, Blog Babble, Environment, Globalization, On Pakistan, Photo stories, Random musings
This is all that they name as the reqiurement of the growing population. They will have to pay for the destuction of the nature. If they cut off the trees, they should also plant new ones that grow with years and compensate for this. Greenery is very essential but there is no realization for it.
Thank you for posting this, there’s so little awareness otherwise on how development is being used to screw up the environment and us.
PS: Raza Sb, youre sounding like Cowasjee
Shez ji – what can I say and not sure if that is a compliment
Pak Spectator: you are right about the need to re-plant the trees and finding practical solutions but why are we so insensitive to the environment, aesthetics and heritage. More and more trees are being cut in all cities and towns of Pakistan – only to be replaced with palm trees imported from abroad and to make Pakistan look like Dubai!
At least in Pakistan there is probably some amount of guilt and thus a need to hide or not own up to this irresponsible act of destruction. In my country, not only do we cut down trees and impose on other natural habitats, but we do it with ease and a near elan! We fill up and level a lake,construct urban monstrosities on that land, and then name the urban complex “Hidden Lake Apartments”! Another instance: we cut down a birch wood forest, level out the land, and construct a large mall there and call it “The Birchwood Commons”! Now what do you make of that!!!
I am surprised by looking at the pictures. I remember the first time I went to Karachi in the start of 90s and there were green trees everywhere still. But now when I go there I feel there is something missing.
I think along wit economics, the absence of greenery, traffic and pollution are one of the major factors that cause frustration and affect life negatively.
I personally believe that one of the prime reasons for this kind of insenstivity is beacuse of privatisation and the irresponsibilty of the government(s) to control the private sector. I mean if yout ry to oipen a small educaional institute, they drive you nuts! yet, when you feel like making a new housing society or a shopping mall and if you’re rich enough with all required contacts, you can build ten schemes if you want to! this is total injustice. There was a time when parking at PTV station [lahore] was a very shady place, however, some minister or president had to come and there was a rumor that a bomb has been planted in the woods, that person ordered all the trees to be chpped, now that place looks like a grave yard! I havn’t seen the shady parking, but I can well imagine how beutiful it might have been. The most laughable matter is that thanks to westernization, people prefer spending thousands of rupees on lights to decorate their exterior than for trees! You’d hardly find a single plant INSIDE a house. Due to inflation, lawns now look like farms where they try to grow as many vegetables as possible and who craes for trees………………………………….???
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THE GLORIOUS PAST OF TELANGANA
People take great pride in being Hyderabadi. Though! It has come to mean has changed over time. The distinctness of Telugu-Urdu mixed language, culture, manners, cuisine, etc made the province a special place of peace and prosperity. No doubt the Hyderabadi’s are irrelevantly labeled as Nawabi cultured and Nawabi thoughts. Irrespective of cast and creed, it is because in the past, India had had no native state as rich, potent and extensive as Hyderabad, which was about the size of the United Kingdom and bigger than France. One will be rather astonished, the Nizam state was so rich that then Indian [Hindustani] currency was consequently as poor as Nizams 16-00 {Halee Rupyyah}was equaled to Hindustani Rupees 100/00
One of the living legends of the glorious past of Hyderabad is 95 years old Moughal Princes Begum Sahiba Laila Ummahani to whom I [ Nawabzada Shajee Nawab] have the honor of being her direct descendant and fourth son of the royal family; Her highness renowned and distinguished contribution to the Hindu-Muslim United culture of Telangana cause is unraveled.
The following information’s are from the part of her beautiful memories and forgotten lure of Hyderabadi culture, based on her remembrance. The purpose of this article is to give a few insinuation to the young Telanganites of their glorious past, because, it is observed that mindset of new generation is anomalous about Nizam of Hyderabad. There is a lot of bitterness driven primarily by ignorance regarding the Nizam of Hyderabad, and the Telanganites and their past by The Andhrawala’s to spread the seeds of hatred among the communities. Though it is a very emotive issue, much like many Telanganites think. By most accounts, “His Exalted Highness” the Nizam of Hyderabad was a benevolent ruler who promoted education, science and development. He spent about one-tenth of his Principality’s budget on education, and even made primary education compulsory and free for the poor. In his 37-year rule, Hyderabad witnessed the introduction of electricity, railways, roads, irrigation projects and sweet water resources for his people, and many more important developments were carried out during his tenure. Among His contributions are; Universities – Apart from Osmania He also Helped Aligarh Muslim University and Banaras Hindu University. Many other Institutions Hospital for Poor (Osmania Hospital the first free Hospital for poor in the world by Osman Ali Pasha 7th Nizam) Reservoir: Husain Sager lake (now AP government has made it sewerage tank of the City) which was once supplied drinking water to Secundrabad. Himmayat Sager and Gandipet built in 1910 still used for drinking purpose. The High Court, Assembly of AP. Osmania Library is now turned as rubbish mangligio. Hundreds of other Buildings were used and destroyed by the present AP government which was the heritage of our culture. Railways and Roads Infrastructure were used for more than 50 Years before upgrading it
1. Nizams dominion and his various engagements are not familiar to the new generation, a number of brilliant Hindu’s from Madras, Mysore and Bengal were employed, acquired very important posts. One among them was Babu Madhusudhan Chaterjee. He was the MINT MASTER of Nizams mint, for Osmania sikka [Coins]. He was a highly competent authority and was very close advisor to the Nizam
The annexation of Hyderabad by military action in 1948 was swift and efficient bustle. Nizam’s troops led by General Aidroos, who in fact expressed his grave concerned, pounded no words in saying that how imprudent it was, to join hands with ill-equipped ‘Razakar’s, their batons, swords, and ancient guns that too were in no condition to put up any bit of resistance, and fight against the Massive Indian Army. One must understand the difficult history and the consequences the Telangana faced. The Muslim claims that there was a legitimate question of the choice left for Nizam had had, He was guaranteed through historic treatises with the Crown, and the Standstill Agreement signed with the newly formed Indian Union and Agreement signed by the Nizam, He was allowed to take time to think, and decide independently of what course of action to be taken. This included, to be remained an independent state or not accede to the Indian Union.
It is said, that Valla Bhai Patel was a visionary and indeed was an iron man of India. Nizam was mere the ruler of princely state of Hyderabad while Patel was part of the ruling clique of the country who had just attained independence. Both did their own calculations. Nizam tried to keep Hyderabad as an independent state while Patel’s job was to unify India. Patel tried his intelligence and played every trick, and then in Nehru’s absence launched Operation Polo, while Nizam strategically failed to garner material and men to support him in time of war. The ill equipped army with non regular’s Razakars [Volunteers] was never any match for the well trained and equipped Indian army; as a result Nizam lost the battle, mandatory surrendered to Indian army. Politically he lost on the chessboard of politics, and could not defend his nation, as it was his by right to fight, it is not an act of treason or swindle. And at the conclusion neither of them was wrong, one was not wrong for defending his kingdom and the other was not wrong with the intension and vision of unifying India. Patel was an agile mind, gigantic visionary, who left no stone unturned to unite India, which none of his contemporaries would have ever been able to achieve in such a mere little time, and was no comparison with his counterpart. Had it not been for Patel, we would not have seen a united India.
Hyderabad was a multi-cultural piece of land, consisting, Hindu institutions, Islamic institutions, Gurudwara sahib’s, magnificent temples, churches, Parsee temple [Ramnager Hyderabad] and magnificent Masjid’s
Eids, Sankrati [known as Til sankhrath] Holee, and Dasera, Moharam [Peerla Panduga], Shiv-ratri, Eid-e-nov rouz, Bonalu, Christ-mass, and Good Friday were the national festivals of Hyderabad. The Moharam and Bonalu were the main attraction of all the festivals. Processions with the bejeweled elephants were the core attraction for the Telanganites Hyderabad.
They Hindu Yadav’s community use to carry out bejeweled Bibi ka Alum which incur on 10th Moharam (Peerla Panduga) every year, and till date, no other community other than Yadav’s carries 12 Alums ahead of Bibi ka Alum’s Bejeweled elephant. It is also Hick hock story narrated by the old folks (elders) that before the dooms day, unintentionally, the Yadav community will not be performing their rituals of Bibi Ka alum.
Peerla Panduga [Bibi Ka Alum] is the existing witnessed of multi cultural ethics and ethnics of Telanganites. The Nazur and Nazrana to the Alum was presented at Dar us shifa by then Prime Minister of Nizam state Maharaja Krishnan Prasad, Jagirdars, Nawabs, Raja’s use to garland the Alum individually, the tradition is currently replaced by the MP or MLA. The Peerla Punduga is existed and organized in almost all the district of Telangana, is a reminder, importance of brotherhood, religious unionism of different religious and communities.
Like Bibi Ka Alum, same kinds of presentations were adorned at the Bonalu Panduga irrespective of caste and creed. The exquisitely decorated elephants and ghatams of Mahankali temples of Lal Darwaza, Uppuguda, Gowlipura, Alijah Kotla, Murad Mahal, Mir Alam Mandi, Sultan Shahi’s Jagadamba temple, Bela Muthyalamma temple’s and Akkanna Madanna temple of Hari Bowli, Kashi Vishvanath temple of Shah ali Bunda, Jagadamba temple of Sultanshahi, Mysamma temple’s of Shalibanda, Alijah Kotla and Gowlipura, and Sultanshahi, Darbar Mysamma of Aliabad and Mutyalamma temple of Chandulal Baradari, were carried out on bejeweled decorated elephants led by Prime minister Maharaja Krishan Prasad, Raja Bujrang Prasad, Raja Rae Rumba, Raja Kishwari lal, Raj Chandu Lal, were peaceful processions led by caparisoned elephant belonging to Akkanna Madanna temple of Hari Bowli, these elephants were granted munsub [Salary]by the nizam. Nizam also constructed the Chandrayan gutta Minder from his serfekas mubarak. [Nizams treasury]
Nizam also attributed 30 acre’s land for the Parsi fire temple at Parsigutta Ramnager. The Parsi temples of Secundrabad are the living example of Nizams broad religious-spectrum.
St. Joseph Church, St. Xavior, St. Peter churches of Secundrabad and Holy Merry church of gun foundry, Methodist church of Abids were constructed by the Christian community along with Nizams grants. The Narayanguda, Chikadapally trinity churches are also accommodated the grants of Nizam. Cavalry Barracks of Secundrabad is the sign of Christians dominated Nizams army.
By his privy purses, he constructed Ameerpet gurudwara saheb and contributed a large amount on the construction of Gowlipura Gurudwara Saheb and Gurudwara saheb of Afzal gunj, Nanded was the hub and most important place of Gurudwara saheb’s during the Nizam’s tenure. Nizam personally attended Grunth saheb ceremony at Nanded in 1934. The Yellow turban Sikh’s are the living leegendry and identity of Sikh regiment of Nizam State.
Hindu, Muslim Sikh, Christian, Parsee, Ka-yusth, were the buds of this lovely regime, that was a model and symbol of peace & friendship, religious tolerance and love and prosperity to all. The impartial Hyderabadi’s has never considered that it would get hatred in exchange from the Andhrite. The country and its rulers never made a fraction of difference between Muslims & non-Muslims.
The present day generation may not be familiar that Swami Vivekananda’s visited Nizam state [Hyderabad city] on February 10, 1893, and stayed in the Royal guest house as the first VIP. From the erstwhile pre-independent HINDUSTAN
On February 13th 1893 before leaving for Chicago, He addressed the Nizams parliament on common religious factors. More than 500 prominent dignitaries welcomed him at the Railway station, including powerful Nobles, Jagirdars and Nawab’s,and most powerful of all Nawab Sikandar Jung a prominent noble auspiciously garlanded him at the railway station. Swamiji addressed a public meeting at famous Mehaboob College secundrabad the next day. In his eloquent speech, he not only spoke on Hinduism but also contributed a large enthusiasm towards Islam, and Christianity giving an excellent exposition of their tenets. Maharaja Sir Krishan Prasad, the then Prime Minister of Nizam state, was so impressed by his lectures that he offered to meet all expenses of his to and fro travel. The offered was followed by a large number of Muslim Nawabs also. They offered financial assistance for his trip to USA but his esteemed Swamiji politely declined to accept it. Only saying {Very many thanks for the kind generosity] Swamiji greatly appreciated the generosity offered by the Hyderabadi Hindu’s and Muslims. He visited Mecca Masjid, Charminar, falaknuma palace, historic Golconda fort, Salarjung palace, the tomb of Baba Sharfuddin, [Pahadi shareef] Chandrayangutta Mandir, Mata ki Khidki temples, and also visited St.Jeoseph Church of Secundrabad. All sections of society gave him stimulating receptions at all these places; it was a unique event in the history of Nizam state. Swamiji’s addressed numerous public meetings. His marvelous and eloquent English and mastery grasp of the subject brought him consent praise from people of all religious personalities.
The well known photographer Raja Deen Dayal [Secundrabad] is the living legend for the entire Nizam regime‘s photographs and the royal families like Maharaja Krishan Prasad, Maharaja Mahboob Prasad, Raja Ray Venkatarama Reddy “Kotwal” Raja Rammu Prasad, there are more than ten thousand photograph of Raja, Maharaja’s, Jagirdars, and nawab’s of different caliber with his studio in Secundrabad. Among the most noted and competent is Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur for his erudite services and his resources, constructions of irrigation projects, sweet water Dam’s like Nagarjuna sager, Nizam-sager, Ali-sager, Hussain-sager, Osman-sager, Himayath-sager, and so of Khan Badur Nawab Tipu Khan who saved the lives of scores of Dhobee’s[ cloth washer] that were washed away regularly while crossing the river, by constructing a bridge over Musi river at the sangum which is known as TIPU KHAN BRIDGE. [Here it would be healthier to mention that Khan Bahadur Nawab Tippu Khan is my great grand-father.]
Nizam’s army was consist of 1st Hyderabad Infantry , 2nd Sikh Infantry, Sikh regiment, 1st Lancers and 5th Infantry ,Chawoosh of Barkas, 03 Cavalry barracks of Christian and Hindu’s mix regiment, Deccan infantry of Maratha’s, regiment, Pathan and Pakhtoons, and mixed infantries. The previous one company of Kumaonis, the company of Jats/Sikh’s, the company of mixed community and the company of Ahirs were merged and were declared only his remained strength at the time of Police action.
The most important of all the gratitude’s to Nizam, due to his impartial attitude, after the fall of his governance, The He received the ceremonial post of Rajpramukh in 1950, but He resigned from this office when the states were re-organized in 1956 on linguistic basis and large parts of Hyderabad state went to Maharashtra [Bombay state] against the Fazle Ali commissions report and the merger of Andhra with Telangana
[The remaining story of Nizam unique way of collection will be released soon]Insha-Allah
NAWABZADA SHAJEE NAWAB