Sunday, November 20, 2016

A seminar held at JBAS college on "Muslim Personal Law in the Present Context" on 19/11/2016

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/reforming-islam-possible-if-ulema-is-taken-on-board/article9366315.ece

"Reforming Islam possible if ulama is taken on board"

Faizan Mustafa, the Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR University of Law, Hyderabad, said on Saturday that since the Quran is a source of law — and not the law itself — it offers the possibility of liberal interpretations by the Ulema, thereby providing scope for reform.

Professor Mustafa was speaking at a national seminar on ‘Muslim Personal Law in the Present Context’, organised at the JBAS College for Women, Teynampet. The programme was organised by the Southern India Education Trust, the Islamic Forum for the Promotion of Moderate Thought and Majlis Legal Centre for Women & Children. “If something is based on human speculation, there are chances of providing it a liberal interpretation. There are chances of making it consistent with constitutional morality and constitutional doctrines of equality,” said Prof. Mustafa.

Several speakers at the event pointed out that the Quran does not describe triple talaq, but a three-step process that involves reconciliation efforts. Divorce, if given, will take up to a year.

Triple talaq issue

Prof. Mustafa went on to say that even if the Supreme Court holds an instance of divorce through triple talaq invalid, whereas the Ulema and the families concerned consider it valid, it will not serve the purpose. “That’s why, for any reform in personal law, we need to take the Ulema on board. We have to tell the Ulema that they have the power to give liberal interpretations (of the Quran),” he said.

Speakers at the event included Justice Akbar Ali, Retired Judge of the Madras HC, Magsaysay Award winner Mr. T.M. Krishna; novelist Ms. Salma, Prince of Arcot Nawab Mohammad Abdul Ali, Mr. A. Faizur Rahman, Secretary General of Islamic Forum and I.S. Parveen Sultana, Assistant Professor at JBAS College. Flavia Agnes, Director of Majlis, said that the Hindu code bills have led to the institutionalisation of brahmanical rituals like the kanyadaan, which can be imposed on other Hindu castes. She asserted that the Uniform Civil Code (UCC)will not end social evils, adding that Muslim women should be able to approach the courts to fight for their rights.

N. Ram, Chairman of Kasturi and Sons Ltd., said the Muslim community should not fall into the trap set up by the Hindu Right. “ No government, no political party, no coalition will be able to push it through. It is just impossible because it divides society so badly,” he said.



Former West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi said that those who say that triple talaq is wrong should have moral authority and those who want justice must come with clean hands. “Those who want the UCC do not want equality in life. They want to needle the Muslim community. Love of cow is not the reason for their call against beef; it is the desire to needle those who eat beef. Love of gender equality is not the reason for those who are vociferous against triple talaq,” he said.

(Courtesy: The Hindu dated 20th November 2016) 

Monday, November 14, 2016

A gentleman par excellence Ambi Iyer is no more

AMBI IYER IS NO MORE

A gentleman par excellence who was affectionately called by one and all as Ambi Iyer of Messrs. V. Sreenivas & Co. in the leather business circle of Periamet and elsewhere is alas no more. 

When I received this sad message today (14.11.2016), his qualities of head and heart came to my mind. He was a very noble soul. He was a friend and well-wisher of all. He followed a high standard of morality in business. He served the All India Skin & Hide Tanners and Merchants Association (AISHTMA) in many capacities for many years. He was also connected with many other associations and institutes. He was a good friend of many tanners and exporters of that time.

Some years ago when I heard that Shri Ambi Iyer was bidding goodbye to everything he possessed and everyone he was so closely associated with and loved in the family to surrender himself at the feet of God it was a big surprise to people like me who knew him well as it is not an easy task, it is also not a Himalayan task, but it is an impossible task for a rich person of his calibre and category. But he did it for the reason best known to him. Perhaps a stage came in his life when he saw nothing attracting him except the divine beauty. It is a rare phenomenon. The world is very mysterious. Concepts, outlooks, principles, ideologies – everything differs from time to time and person to person whatever may be his or her faith.

It is learnt that in the Mutts he was associated with he was educating and helping people in many ways. He led a life in close contact with the Creator and His creations and attained eternity. 

May his soul rest in peace.

                                                                            V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

Thursday, November 3, 2016

CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET - NOVEMBER 2016

CHENNAI LEATHER MARKET

V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

Activities in the Chennai leather market remain almost unchanged. Local tanners find it difficult to sell their E. I. Tanned and Wet Blue goat and sheep skins at workable prices. Even in cow and buffalo hides market is almost slow.  It is learnt that only some selected items of higher selections are on the move and not lower selections. There are only a few exporters of leather and leather products in the market covering their requirements. Tanners say that they are not able to get reasonable prices.  As demand is limited they have no option but to dispose of their items at lower prices.

All Suede and better lining leathers are the items for which exporters of leather and leather products, who have export orders, show interest. Prices fetched are around Rs.48 and 44 per sq. ft. respectively

QUOTATIONS OF TANNERS ARE AS FOLLOWS FOR TANNED GOAT SKINS:

Grain Selection:

4/7 sq. Run Rs.75 and V/IF/LIF combined Rs.60 per sq. ft.
5/8 sq. ft. Run Rs.80 and V/IF/LIF combined Rs.65 per sq. ft.

Suede Selection:

3/6 sq. ft. All Suede Rs.46 per sq. ft.
5/8 sq. ft. All Suede Rs.48 per sq. ft.

Lining Selection

5/7 sq. ft. Better Lining Rs.44 per sq. ft.

Heel Grip:

4/6 sq. ft. Rs.30 per sq. ft.
5/8 sq. ft. Rs.32 per sq. ft.

Mesh:

4/7 sq. ft. Rs.28 per sq. ft.

Rejection:

4 sq. ft. and up Rs.22 per sq. ft.

Langda:

3 sq. ft. and up Rs. 14 per sq. ft.

Although prices of raw skins are lower, it is not workable for tanners because selections are not good and tanning charges are high at around Rs.15 per sq. ft.

EXPORT ORDERS

It is learnt that some reputed exporters of finished leathers are able to get export orders. But there is no report of any big volume of business.  European as well as Far East customers are slow in their operations. Indian exporters are endeavouring their best to market their goods as much as possible.
Different leather associations such as All India Skin & Hide Tanners & Merchants Association (AISHTMA) and the Council for Leather Exports are engaged in finding ways and means to improve the market conditions.

As far as leather products are concerned, activities are seen in footwear factories. Here again it seems orders are limited.

EXPORTERS OFFER AS FOLLOWS:

F/C sheep leather

All Suede 4/7 sq. ft. JY 200 and 5/7 sq. ft. JY 210 per sq. ft. C&F
Rejection Suede 4/7 sq. ft. JY 110 and 5/7 sq. ft. JY 120 per sq. ft. C&F

                                      S/C OR F/C GOAT LEATHERS
Material
Size/sq. ft.
Substance
Selection
Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Goat upper leather
 4/7
0.6/0.8 mm
ABC/DE
2.00/1.50
Goat milled leather
4/7
0.6/0.8 mm
TR-1/TR-2/TR-3
1.60/1.50/1.40
Goat suede leather
4/7
5/8
0.6/0.8 mm
0.6/0.8 mm
All Suede
1.90
2.00
Goat lining leather

4/7
0.5/0.7 mm
TR-1/2/3 combined
1.50
6/9
0.6/0.8 mm
TR-1/2/3
Combined
1.60
                                                       
                                   F/C SHEEP LEATHERS
Material
Size/sq.ft.
Substance
Selection
Price US$ per sq. ft. C&F
Sheep Cabretta leather
4/7
0.6/0.8 mm
ABC
2.00
Sheep Cabretta leather
6/9
0.8/1.00 mm
ABC
2.10
Sheep lining leather
4/7
5/9
0.5/0.7 mm
0.6/0.8 mm
TR-1/2/3
TR-1/2/3
1.50
1.60

10TH EDITION OF “MEET AT AGRA 2016”

Now the attention of the Indian leather industry is on the “Meet at Agra 2016” leather, footwear and technology fair being held from 12th to 14th November 2016 at BSNL Ground, Mall Road, Agra. It is one of the important fairs of our country, attracting Indian and overseas exhibitors and providing good business opportunity to component manufacturers and to the suppliers of finished leather and footwear machinery. This Meet is arranged by the Agra Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Chamber (AFMEC). No doubt it is going to be a grand show.

 (Writer’s e-mail id: vmk1234@yahoo.com)