Darul Uloom Deoband : Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi removed as Deoband Vice-Chancellor

Vastanvi axed as Darul V-C for praising Modi


Abantika GhoshAbantika Ghosh, TNN
Jul 24, 2011, 03.26PM IST

Darul Uloom DeobandGhulam Vastanvi removed as Deoband VC

See photoDEOBAND: His remarks about Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi finally cost Darul Uloom vice-chancellor Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi his job with the Islamic seminary's governing council Majlis-e-Shura sacking the cleric on Sunday.

The decision followed after Vastanvi refused to step down as he had initially promised in the February meeting of the council. Caretaker vice-chancellor Mufti Abul Qasim Nomani has now been made the new incumbent in the prestigious post ending seven months of drama over Vastanvi's comments that Muslims in Gujarat, like the state's other residents, had progressed under Modi's rule.

Vastanvi's remarks, first published in TOI, set off an uproar with his opponents closing ranks and his backers finding it difficult to support him despite the Gujarati cleric's clarifications.

Vastanvi went back on his promise on the ground that the inquiry report submitted by the three-member committee set up in February to examine allegations against him and also to probe those who fomented anti-Vastanvi protests was incomplete.

"The report failed to provide any insight into what or who was the trigger for the student unrest in Darul Uloom, so it is incomplete and I refused to quit on the basis of an incomplete report although I had said in February that I would quit irrespective of the contents of the report," Vastanvi said.

The sacked rector said the Shura passed a proposal to sack him by a vote of 8-4. "I am leaving Deoband for now but I continue to be a member of the Shura," Vastanvi said before leaving the sleepy Uttar Pradesh town which had a heavy police presence for the Shura meeting.

As Vastanvi's SUV left the guesthouse where the meeting was held, students from rooftops and on the streets cheered his removal. Some sections of the student community had been demanding his ouster vociferously.

Vastanvi had said in January that Muslims should move on from the Gujarat riots and the Modi government in Gujarat was doing a good job.

The inquiry report - which included clippings from TOI - gave Vastanvi a clean chit, admitted Shura member Abdul Alim Farooqui. "But he had promised he would quit so it was imperative that he did. That is why Shura decided to discontinue his services as the Mohtamim," Farooqui said. The cleric strongly opposed Vastanvi at the Shura meeting.

Vastanvi did suggest that politics and family interests might have played a role in his exit. Senior teacher Arshad Madani, who is Jamiat general secretary Mahmood Madani's uncle - the two are warring over control of the Jamiat and Deoband - has been active in the leadership tussle. So has Dhubri MP Badruddin Ajmal, a Shura member who has been one of Vastanvi's strongest supporters.

"I could have continued as Mohtamim but that would be detrimental to the interests of Darul Uloom as people with political leanings do not want me to work here. Darul Uloom is not the heirloom of some family. I have its best interests at heart so I do not want to be a roadblock in its progress," Vastanvi said.

Both the Madanis have been camping in Deoband. Ajmal though was one of the four who supported Vastanvi, the others including two members of the inquiry committee, Mufti Ismail and Mufti Ibrahim. Insiders said it was Mahmood Madani who finally swung things against Vastanvi. The proposal to sack Vastanvi was moved by acting VC Nomani.

Arshad has been one of the most strident critics of Vastanvi and it is said to be his opposition that was the primary reason for Vastanvi's woes. His position left Mahmood Madani with few options, locked as they are in a fight for control of the Jamiat.

Reiterating the impression that Vastanvi's fate had actually been sealed in the February Shura meeting itself when he had pleaded for an honourable exit and the inquiry committee was formed, Ismail said, "Our 15-page report was not considered at all. Why was the committee set up if Vastanvi's exit had been pre-planned?"

(Courtesy: The Times of India)

Maulana Ghulam Mohammed Vastanvi removed as Darul Uloom Chief

Vastanvi removed as Darul Uloom chief


Atiq Khan

Maulana Ghulam Mohammad Vastanvi was removed from the post of ‘Mohtamim' (Vice-Chancellor) of Darul Uloom, Deoband, on Sunday by the Majlis-e-Shoora, the powerful governing body of the institution.

The Maulana was voted out after he refused to step down, even as Shoora members insisted that he should stick to his February 23, 2011 statement that he would resign “irrespective of the findings of a probe committee.” But he maintained that the report was incomplete. The report of the three-member committee was submitted to the Shoora on Saturday.

Maulana Abul Qasim Nomani of Kanpur has been appointed the Vice-Chancellor.

The committee was formed on February 23, 2011, to investigate charges against Maulana Vastanvi, who had sparked a controversy by praising Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, after he took over on January 10, 2011, following the death of Maulana Marghoobur Rahman.

Maulana Vastanvi, an MBA and of Gujarat, had said at a function in his home State that like all other communities, Muslims too had progressed under the Narendra Modi rule, and that the Muslims should look beyond the post-Godhra communal riots and press ahead.

His statement was seen as an attempt at giving a clean chit to Mr. Modi. As violence broke out on the Darul Uloom campus and demands for his ouster became louder, he called for an emergency meeting of the Shoora for February 23, which set up the committee at his insistence.

The Shoora meeting on Saturday and Sunday was presided over by Maulana Ishtiyaq Ahmed of Bihar's Muzaffarpur.

Sources privy to the meeting said some Shoora members and Maulana Vastanvi exchanged sharp words after he refused to resign. “Aapko jo karna hai kijiye” (You can do whatever you want), he told them and left. He returned after 30 minutes and was told of the verdict. “Shoora ko yeh ikhtiyar hai jisko chaahe mohtamim banaye, jisko chaahe hataye” (The Majlis-e Shoora has the power to appoint Vice-Chancellor or remove him from the post), Maulana Nomani told The Hindu from Deoband on the phone.

“The Shoora's decision to remove Maulana Vastanvi was taken after he refused to quit and backed out of his statement that he would resign irrespective of the findings of the committee,” he said. Interestingly, Maulana Nomani was a member of the probe committee.

In fact, it was at the February 23, 2011 meeting that he was supposed to have resigned. “When the members present at meeting asked the Maulana to submit his resignation, he refused, insisting on the constitution of an investigation committee and saying he would wait for the panel's report,” said Maulana Nomani. Maulana Vastanvi had said whether the report went in his favour or against him, he would resign, Maulana Nomani recalled.

The committee's findings were based on evidence in the form of newspaper interviews of Maulana Vastanvi, pro-Vastanvi statements and anti-Vastanvi opinion. It also recorded the Maulana's statement. “The committee did not give any opinion, but left it to the Shoora to decide on Maulana Vastanvi's fate,” Maulana Nomani said.

(Courtesy: The Hindu)

"I am not going to any court. I accept the Shoora's decision," says Maulana Vastanvi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Terror Act in Mumbai is an Attack Against Our Nation

 

Press release

 

The Terror Act in Mumbai is an Attack Against Our Nation

AUDF president, Maul. Badruddin Ajmal

 

Mumbai, 14 July: "It is an act of terror, it is highly deplorable and a crime against humanity. No sane society would tolerate such repeated havoc on human life and property let alone any     religion." These were the reactions of Maulana Badruddin Ajmal, Lok Sabha MP and president of All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), following serial bomb blasts in Indian's financial capital Mumbai last evening. The triple blasts in south and central parts of the city have succumbed 22 innocent lives and wounded around 150 common people on Wednesday between 6:45 to 7 pm was the third successive serial blast from 1993 and latest major terror strike against the city after 26/11 of 2008.

 

'Terrorism is a worldwide contagious ailment; it directly or indirectly affects all nations and every individual. The world has to face it with required sanity, unity and resolute strategy. The terror attacks in New Your, London and Mumbai must be taken equally by the world community. And similarly bomb blasts in Varanasi, Makkah Masjid, Malegaon and Mumbai must be viewed by the investigating and law enforcement agencies of India as just attacks against our nation.' "There must be zero tolerance for any kind of terrorism from any group or nation and the perpetrators must be brought to justice sooner than later" said Maulana Badruddin Ajmal.

 

Expressing their anguish over the dastardly serial blasts in Mumbai, Tarun Rathi AIUDF Mumbai Pradesh president and M. Burhanuddin Qasmi, AIUDF Maharashtra spokesperson, explicitly condemned the deplorable terror act and offered condolence to the families of those lost their lives or are injured laying in the hospital. They also appealed to the youths of Mumbai especially AIUDF youths to rush to the hospitals and donate blood where needed.

         

Maulana Ajmal who is also the president of Assam State Jamiat Ulama-e Hind said that the obvious target of such attacks is to instigate chaos in the country, create mistrust among friendly neighbours and ultimately weaken our nation. It is the duty of government of India to catch-hold of the real culprits, expose them and severely punish them. He strongly cautioned the Mumbai Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the national media not to hurry towards any conclusion while identifying the criminals. Sometimes mere speculation and unhealthy discussions from media makes thing tougher for the government and agencies to do their work properly, he said.

 

AUDF president Maulana Ajmal also appealed to the Mumbaikers and the nation to maintain peace and harmony. He said, "It is our country and we all have a responsibility to defeat this anti national menace unitedly". He advised people to 'remain watchful, maintain peace and calm in all circumstances'. Shab-e Barat (the night of luck) is on this Sunday (17 July), Muslim should pray for the nation's unity and safety, Maulana Ajmal said.

 

--END—

 

Issued for immediate publication in print and electronic media by

M. Burhanuddin Qasmi

Spokesperson: All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF)

Patliputra Nagar, Oshiwara, Jogeshwari (West), Mumbai - 102

manager@markazulmaarif.org (Mob: 09820760545)

 

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SORCERY: Is it not a fraud on gullible Muslims to amass wealth?

SORCERY: Is it not a fraud on gullible Muslims to amass wealth? 



By V.M. Khaleelur Rahman


Chennai based Sana Nursary and Primary School celebrated its anniversary on 24th January 2010 and its boys and girls proved their mettle by enacting different programmes in English, Arabic and Urdu which were very much appreciated by people gathered there in good numbers. Maulana Mohammed Kaleem Siddiqui sahib was the Chief Guest. I heard his speech carefully and had an interview with him later. As his views are thought provoking, I want to share them with you. He said inter alia:


"A Muslim is bound to possess a thirst for knowledge and acquire it in different sciences including medicine, engineering, astronomy etc. There were great Muslim scientists in the past. The holy Quran asks us to research what is in the earth and on the skies - Tafakkaru fissamawati wal arz. Even learning a language different from ones mother tongue such as English which was neglected and its learning was considered Haraam on patriotic grounds when Muslims were involved in the freedom struggle is necessary now. It is very unfortunate that Muslim community is educationally and economically backward........" The Maulana exhorted the students and the people to seek more and more knowledge packed education. Asked if getting higher education is not necessary for women as sermoned by some ulema, he retorted that getting no education is haraam as it is against the Islamic diktat of "talabul ilmi fareezatun ala kulli Muslimin wa Muslimatin" ( Seeking knowledge is mandatory for all Muslims - men and women).


As regards "baddua" (cursing), he said that it is not permitted and our Pesh Imams should be careful about it. There is no permission in Islam to curse anybody. Sometimes we see our pesh Imams cursing in words like "allahumma shaththith shamlahum, allahumma dammir deyarahum". This is not correct. I have asked many to refrain from doing so."


He also pointed out to a question that putting hurdles in the way of good things being done (as was done in the case of Dr. Zakir Naik's Peace programme in Chennai) is against the letter and spirit of Islam. Difference of opinions can be discussed and sorted out and enmity should not be created among people. He honestly feels that there is no issue which cannot be solved by discussion in the light of the Quran and Ahaadeeth.


All the above and some other issues he discussed were appealing to me except his views on sorcery (sahar, jadoo tona ). A man approached the Maulana with his son and said that "some sorcerer has made his son ill mentally with the result that he behaves differently nowadays and puts us to troubles". The Maulana advised him to do some isthighfar like saying Subhanallah 100 times daily in the morning and evening. I asked him if any sorcerer can harm anybody without any contact just by reciting something or doing things, his hesitant reply was almost in the affirmative. This surprised me. I said if harming others is possible for the sorcerers, there will not be any direct attacks between one country and another and rulers like Bush and Saddam could have sought the help of sorcerers to finish or harm each other. The Maulana had no clear answer. Can anybody throw light on this vital subject and explain why people like me cannot reject the theory of sorcery as practiced now as absurd and fraud on the gullible people and nothing but exploitation to amass wealth

"AMBUR OPEN 2 " LEATHER EXHIBITION 9TH AND 10TH JULY 2011

IMPORTANCE OF “AMBUR OPEN” EXHIBITION AND TAMIL NADU LEATHER INDUSTRY


V.M. KHALEELUR RAHMAN

A glittering “Ambur Open” exhibition of footwear components, accessories and finished leather being held jointly by Indian Shoe Federation (ISF) and Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA) annually at the Rs.11.5 crore architecturally well designed, fully air-conditioned and highly modern structure Ambur Trade Centre established by Ambur Economic Development Organisation Ltd. (AEDOL) is assuming great importance and becoming more and more popular among the people connected with the leather and leather products industry. After conducting their first ever exhibition successfully at the Ambur Trade Centre during its inauguration last year, the two associations are organizing their second exhibition “Ambur Open 2” on 9th and 10th of July 2011. It is learnt that the exhibition is fully booked as it is conducted at Ambur, a great internationally well known hub for leather and leather products.

Ambur is the industrial belt of many modern tanneries and well established leading footwear factories from where world’s renowned leather dealers and shoe giants like Fretz Men, Florsheim, Lumberjack, Gabor, Clarks, Hugo Boss and others source their requirements. Some of the reputed and modern shoe manufacturing units at Ambur are: N.M. Zackria & CO., T. Abdul Wahid & Co., Farida Shoes Pvt. Ltd, Althaf Shoes Pvt. Ltd, Florind Shoes Pvt. Ltd. and many more. Interested people can ascertain the names of many other leading Ambur based shoe manufacturing units from associations like Indian Shoe Federation (website: www. Indianshoefederation.in).

INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH OF AMBUR

According to Ambur Economic Development Organisation Ltd. (AEDOL), in Ambur there are 43 export oriented tanneries and shoe units that employ about 25,000 workers. The annual turnover of these units amount to Rs. 900 crore and the export turnover is about Rs. 750 crore.

There are 36 leather finishing units (raw to finishing) with 2000 workers and 24 raw to wet blue/EI processing units with 1200 workers. Apart from these there are 25 shoe uppers making units with 2000 workers and 15 leather dry finishing units with 400 workers. There are also 96 tiny shoe units with 1000 workers.

The total operating units are about 207 with 31600 workers and their annual turnover is around Rs.1047 crore with export turnover of Rs. 770 crore.
* Scale of investment: Rs. 1000 crore.

* Information relating to output during the last 3 years:

The present level domestic and export sales are about Rs.277 and Rs.770 crore respectively. The expected output after proposed intervention is about Rs.500 crore for domestic and about Rs.2500 crore for export. Thus the total sales at the present level is about 1047 crore and the expected sales after the proposed intervention is Rs.3000 crore.

The cluster is the largest leather cluster in TamilNadu.10% of leather exports and 25% of shoe exports of the country originate from Ambur. 2 CETPs and 24 ETPs function efficiently for effluent treatment here.

Employment:

Present level is 31,600 people of whom more than 50% are women from families below the poverty line and after proposed intervention it is expected to rise to 45,000 people.

INDUSTRIAL STRENGH OF VANIYAMBADI

The Aedol further says that the tanning industry in Vaniyambadi took roots on the River Palar about two hundred years ago. The decision to set-up tanneries in Vaniyambadi was more of a natural selection process - it had ample supplies of good quality water that was required for the tanning process and the manufactured product used tannins extracted from wattle bark and myrobalam nuts. The product came to be famously known as East India tanned leather (E. I. Tanned Leather, in local parlance) that was much sought after by the auction houses in England and the tanners specialized in producing the same from sheepskins. This semi-finished product was the basis on which fine leather goods were manufactured in the factories of England & Europe.

One remarkable feature of the tanning industry in Vaniyambadi was the convergence of the greater part of the raw and salted sheepskins - sold by merchants and traders from every nook and corner of India - to the tanneries located here on the banks of the River Palar. Inspite of the geographical stretch of the country and the logistics involved in hauling this semi-perishable raw material in bullock-carts, trucks and trains, the capacity of the tanners in Vaniyambadi to magnetically draw from this huge resource bank should not be missed. The dominance of the tanning industry in the sheepskin sector continues as a tradition even after two hundred years of operation.



From the export of tanned sheepskins, the industry moved with the times and the recommendations of the E N Murthy & Seetharamiah Committees in graduating to manufacture finished leathers and products. The stress of each of the Committees was value-addition. In the first stage, the tanners in Vaniyambadi moved from E. I. tanned leathers to crust leathers and thereon to finished leathers. In the second stage, traditional tanners and young-blood entrepreneurs switched to the manufacture of leather products like garments, small leather goods and gloves.

In the beginning, this metamorphosis from traditional tanning to product manufacturing consumed almost two decades of time but the third decade has brought in greater consolidation, finer workmanship and the ability to survive in a competitive world.

There are 140 tanneries in Vaniyambadi, primarily a tannery town which is located at a distance of 20 km. from Ambur.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE LEATHER INDUSTRY IN TAMIL NADU

Leather industry in Tamil Nadu is considered to be very ancient and some say it is of more than two centuries old. The art of tanning of hides and skins is prevalent here since time immemorial. Once it was done in primitive tanning methods and passed on with some improvements from generation to generation.

After Independence, the leather industry has made a rapid technical and technological advancement, thanks to the efforts of tanners, technical know-how of the Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) and well chalked out policies of the governments in the state and at the centre based on the recommendations of the Seetharamiah Committee report. Many people established modern tanneries and started doing high quality finished leather meant for shoes, garments, goods, upholstery etc. Many modern units also came up for shoes, garments and goods. All these show that a tremendous industrial development has taken place within a period of about 30 years. No doubt, our country is very much on the forward march....

AISHTMA:

The All India Skin and Hide Tanners and Merchants Association is a 92 years old apex body and various district and regional associations are affiliated to it. Both the central and state governments have recognised it and consult on all policy matters such as labour, taxation etc. It is also in the service of tanners in importing and supplying tanning materials like wattle extract to them. It is also associated with many national and international trade and industry organisations. It celebrated its platinum jubilee in a grand manner in the year 1994. The present President and Hony. Secretary are Mr. M. Rafeeque Ahmed and Mr. Mohan M. Sreenivas respectively.

TAMIL NADU IN THE FOREFRONT

According to Aishtma, Tamil Nadu is in the forefront in leather with an annual production of more than 1.2 billion sq. ft. of finished leather. It is about 60% share in total finished leather production of our country and 45% share in total export from India. There are about 750 tanneries in Tamil Nadu and the raw material processed per day is 500-1000 tons and annual turnover more than Rs.10,000 crore, number of operational CETPs is 16 catering to 630 tanneries, number of ETPs is 94 and there are more than 56 RO plants in Tamil Nadu. No tannery operates without access to any Effluent Treatment Plant and 100% connectivity to pollution control devices is a speciality of Tamil Nadu.

There are 497 leather products units in Tamil Nadu producing about 59 million pairs of full shoes, 27 million pairs of shoe uppers, 7.1 million pieces of leather garments and 29.5 million pieces of leather goods. The quality of various leathers being produced here is of high standard and comparable with that of any advanced country. Consequently the state of Tamil Nadu once popular for E.I. Tanned hides and skins throughout the world particularly in countries like the U.S.A., the U.K., Italy, West Germany, France, Japan etc. is now popular for leather and leather products in these and many other countries. While Chennai, Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Pernambut, Ranipet, Trichy, Erode and Dindigul are the main centres for leather, Chennai, Ambur and Ranipet are the major hub for leather products such as leather shoes, garments and goods. Our country has earned laurels as a good and reliable supplier of leather and leather products in the world market. Interested persons can contact the following association which is, as said earlier, an apex body of different district and regional associations:

The All India Skin and Hide Tanners and Merchants Association, “Leather Centre”, 43/53, Raja Muthiah Road, Periamet, Chennai – 600 003 (India)

Telephone: 0091-44-25610636, 25615247 Fax: 0091-44-25615292

E-mail: aishtma@vsnl.com and assn@aishtma.com

Website: http://www.aishtma.com

DINDIGUL, THRICY AND ERODE

Dindigul is still a well known centre as before for E.I. tanned goat and sheep skins as most of the tanners here are addicted to doing only this popular item due to various reasons. There are very few tanners in the chrome tanning and no tanner seems to be producing finished leather here. A tanner who has inherited this trade from his forefathers told me that the present situation is not conducive for switch over to anything like full chrome, semi chrome or finished leather. The association also does not permit it as pollution is involved. Other problems such as labour and water are also there. The progressive policy of the government has not changed this tanning centre much.

While the leather industry has suffered, textile industry has made a good development here in Dindigul. It is said that there are more than 250 spinning mills here.

Other popular centres are Trichy and Erode. There are many tanneries in Trichy where mostly high standard E.I. tanned goat skins are produced and in the Erode tanneries wet blue cow hides are the main items done. Only very few tanners do some other leather items.

PERNAMBUT

This small town has about 35 tanneries where mostly items like buffalo hides and soul leathers are made for local supplies. Some are also exporting these items. Some shoe factories have also been established here. They are mostly doing job works. Much development is not seen here as perhaps there is nobody to guide them for adopting modern approaches for finance and industrial developments.

CHENNAI

There are quite a large number of tanneries and leather goods, shoe and garment factories in different parts of Chennai mainly at Pallavaram and Madhavaram where different items of leather and leather products are made and supplied to national and international customers. There are so many highly modern units where high quality leather and leather products are made and exported.

AMBUR AND VANIYAMBADI

In Ambur, a well known centre for leather, there are quite a large number of tanneries where E.I. tanned goat and sheep skins, S/C and F/C finished leather etc. are produced. Some of the tanneries are very big and modern with all necessary machinery and infrastructure where high class finished leathers meant for shoes, garments and goods are produced and exported. Importers in different countries have close links with Ambur based tanners and exporters and do big contracts as goat and cow leathers are available in plenty here with international standards. There are very few sheep tanners here. This town has also made a name for its well equipped and well infrastructured modern shoe factories where high standard world class foot wears are made and exported to many countries including the U.S.A, U.K, Italy, Germany, Portugal, Switzerland and Spain.

At the time of writing this two industrialists come to my mind who were instrumental for the industrial development here. If I remember correct while the late Anaikar Abdul Shukoor sahib started doing finished leather silently before the government introduced its progressive policy, the late T. Abdul Wahid sahib was also a pioneer in following the government policy and asking tanners to do it for their better prospects in the industrial arena. The latter had to face even criticism for his well intentioned actions. But now the leather industry realises their importance and their foresight.

Another centre famous for the leather industry is Vaniyambadi. Here again there are quite a large number of tanneries where items such as E.I. tanned goat and sheep skins, S/C and F/C finished leathers are made, locally supplied and exported. There are also innumerable job tanners here. It is the best place for dealing in sheep items. We can say that it is the leather tanning centre with the largest number of tanneries in Tamil Nadu. No other centre has as many tanneries as Vaniyambadi does.

Vaniyambadi is just about 30 minutes drive from Ambur. While there are more tanneries in Vaniyambadi, there are more shoe units in Ambur which are supplying to the best shoe companies abroad. These two neighbouring centres are playing an important role in the development of the leather industry in the country.

RANIPET

Ranipet has a large concentration of tanneries like Ambur, Vaniyambadi and Chennai processing hides and skins from raw to finish. Various descriptions of leather such as lining, upper and suede leathers are made here for supply to national and international customers. There are also some job tanneries here. Besides these, there are many highly sophisticated and modern units where world class shoes, garments and leather goods are made and exported. SIPCOT industrial complex is also here. It is yet another well known place for leather and leather products in the world market.

The Ambur Open exhibition is sure to bring in the desired results and promote strong bonds among its participants and business visitors. There are also indications of this fair becoming a fascinating annual international event as this part of the country is the backbone of the Indian leather industry.

(Indian Leather, July 2011)

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EXPORTERS FACE A CHALLENGING LEATHER MARKET

EXPORTERS FACE A CHALLENGING LEATHER MARKET


V.M. Khaleelur Rahman

The leather market continues to be firm with more demand and less supply. Exporters of leather and leather products are finding it difficult to cover their requirements of raw, wet blue and tanned hides and skins due to short supply and high prices. They have to book in advance for their needs of these items with suppliers. In leather centres like Chennai, Vaniyambadi, Ambur, Erode, Dindigul etc. high prices are quoted by tanners for their tanned and wet blue hides and skins as there is abnormal price rise in raw hides and skins everywhere in the country.

It is learnt that many leading shoe manufacturers are in Erode showing interest for wet blue cow hides. Good business is taking place. Wet blue cow hides 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grades are sold at around Rs.47, 42, 34 and 27 per sq. ft respectively. These prices are just an indication. Prices may differ depending on the quality and selection of tanners. Many exporters of leather and leather products have to depend on imports also for their requirements particularly in higher selections even though here again prices are not attractive.

In the Chennai leather market, there is good demand for tanned and wet blue goat skins. Tanners are able to sell their 3/5 and 4/7 sq. ft. ABC grade of Grain, Suede and Lining selections at around Rs.60, 54 and 30/- per sq. ft. respectively. There are also reports of business in 4/7 All Suedes at around Rs.48/- per sq. ft. and E.I. tanned Rejections at around Rs.25/- per sq. ft. As availability of these items is limited, they are sold even before their arrival from the tanneries on certain conditions. The present situation is something unprecedented in the history of the leather industry. It has landed many exporters in trouble according to many sources. There are also reports of delayed shipments due to non availability of raw hides and skins at the right time. Many tanners say that suppliers of raw hides and skins are reaping the maximum benefit in the present market.

Overseas customers show interest for various items of leather meant for shoes and garments but workable prices are not available to exporters here. The quotations of exporters are almost as follows at present.

Size and Material Substance Selection Price US $ per sq. ft. C&F

3/5 sq. ft. Goat Upper Leather 0.6/0.8 mm ABC – D – E 2.25 – 1.60 – 1.50

3/5 or 4/7 sq. ft. Goat Suede Leather 0.6/0.8 mm ABC – D – E 2.00 – 1.50 – 1.40

4/7 sq. ft. Goat Lining Leather 0.5/0.7 mm TR-1/2/3 1.35/1.25/1.15

6/9 sq. ft. Goat Milled Leather 0.7/0.9 mm ABCD 2.10

AMBUR OPEN 2 EXHIBITION: 9th and 10th JULY 2011

Indian Shoe Federation (ISF) and Indian Footwear Components Manufacturers Association (IFCOMA) will be arranging their second edition AMBUR 2 exhibition of footwear components, accessories and finished leather on 9th and 10th July 2011 at Ambur Trade Centre in Ambur which is the leading cluster for export of finished leather, shoe uppers and full shoes. This cluster enjoys a good reputation for quality and delivery in the international market. Many leading international companies cover their requirements from the Ambur cluster which comprises of Ambur, Vaniyambadi, Pernambut, Vellore and Ranipet industrial belts. Their first exhibition held last year at the time of inauguration of the Ambur Trade Centre was highly successful. This time it is expected to be doubly successful bringing in the desired results for the development of the leather and leather products industry in the country.

The exhibition offers tremendous business opportunities for the participants and visitors. The exhibition is fully booked. Most of the leading tanners and manufacturers of footwear components and accessories will be displaying their products enabling leather product manufacturers in the country to source quality leathers and other materials from the quality conscious and reliable people.

The exhibition avenue, the newly constructed modern Ambur Trade Centre on the M.C. Road, is very near to the Ambur railway station and bus stand and convenient to all.

(Indian Leather, June 2011)

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Muslim Women are in miserable condition: Uzma Naheed

 

Muslim women in India are in miserable condition: Uzma Naheed

Submitted by admin on 25 June 2009 - 9:03am

• Articles
• Indian Muslim
• Women

By Md. Ali, TwoCircles.net

Uzma Naheed comes from a family of the founders of Darul Uloom Deoband. She is a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) and has been working for the upliftment of the Muslim women in India and abroad.

Though she comes from the religious establishment she is very critical of religious establishment for keep Muslims in intellectually and socially miserable condition.

In a candid interview with TwoCircles.net she talked about the situation of Muslim women in India, her work with IQRA, and the launch of IQRA International Women's Alliance (IIWA).

Her background:

Uzma Nahid comes from a family of the founders of University of Deoband. Her father Moulana Ahmad Salim Qasmi is the vice chancellor of the Darul Uloom Deoband Waqf.

Moulana Qasim Nanutwi the founder of the Darul Uloom Deoband was her grand grand father. The very famous Vice Chancellor of the Darul Uloom deoband, Qari Tayyab was her grand father.She was born in 1960 in Deoband. She completed her graduation from Aligarh Muslim University and did her masters in Islamic studies from Deoband itself.

On the situation of Muslim women in India:

She considered the situation of Muslim women in India as "miserable".
"We have visited all the states in India and we found Muslim women in miserable condition. I can feel their plight very well. They are neither opinion maker nor the decision maker. The most unfortunate thing is that they are not able to realize their loss. They don't know what kind of status they have got from Quran and the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)."

She came down heavily upon the men folk of the Muslim community. She pointed out that "the most tragic thing is that Muslim women have accepted happily and internalized the kinds of roles their men want them to live with. They are told that this is what they are made to do and which they should be happy doing"
She said the situation has gone so bad that they have surrendered their rights to men. "You go and ask any women be it a simple women or any Aalima about the concept of Talaq in Islam. They will simply tell you that it is the right of men. They don't have any idea whether even they have got some rights or not."
She criticized men for confining their women folks to only the household works and for making her feel that she is doing every thing. She said that it is not always the case that women are happy doing the household work. They can not be happy as such only by doing the household chores because this is what they do usually.

Apart from that she questions that if a woman doesn't want to do the household work does Islam compel her to do all the things which are otherwise portrayed as her aim of life?

She said categorically that there is no legal sanctity through which the Muslim men can justify the roles they have provided to the women.

Uzma Naheed speaking to TwoCircles.net

MR. M.F. HUSAIN IS NO MORE

http://in.news.yahoo.com/mf-husain-passes-away-in-london.html

MF Husain, India's best known contemporary painter, has died in London. India should grieve for two reasons. At 95, he was active and had lots of painting left in him. And he died in exile, unhappy with the way his home country had treated him.


Husain had been in exile since 2006, when he was attacked by rightist groups angry with his portrayal of Hindu deities. Last year, he was offered Qatari citizenship. But his heart remained in India, and in interviews, spoke fondly of what this country meant to him.

PHOTOS: LEGEND CALLED MF HUSAIN

CNN-IBN reported from London that he was admitted only two days ago for fluid retention in his lungs, and but had otherwise been"in fairly good health".

Arun Vadhera, a friend who visited him at Royal Brompton Hospital yesterday, said he had been cheerful, talking about eating out at a restaurant soon after his discharge. "He really really missed India a lot," he told a TV channel.

He popularized modern art in India, painter S G Vasudev told a Bangalore news channel.

Satya Sai Baba : An Insider's narration

http://www.hindu.com/op/2011/05/29/stories/2011052954661400.htm


Sai Baba: an insider's account


G. VENKATARAMAN

In his article (Open Page, May 15, 2011) P. M. Bhargava sought to evaluate ‘objectively and unemotionally,' the life and legacy of Sathya Sai Baba. Like the writer, I too come from a scientific background with, however, one important difference, namely that I have spent the last 18 years in Baba's ashram, following my retirement in 1992. Thus my response is based on personal knowledge.

Mr. Bhargava ascribes five reasons for Baba's ‘rise to fame,' as he puts it. Three of these are connected with religion and the issue of miracles, subjects on which people tend to have sharply divided opinions, to which of course they are perfectly entitled; I shall therefore not discuss them. The last two concern first, the succour and peace that people who came to Baba sought and, secondly, his charitable works “like opening hospitals and providing potable water to villagers.” These are what I wish to comment on.

Let me start with the last mentioned, which is summarily dismissed by Mr. Bhargava in exactly 36 words with the condescending remark that “there are innumerable people in the country who engage in such acts to avoid undue attention focussed on their ill-gotten wealth. Accounting of his enormous wealth has never been transparent.”

This is a sweeping comment made without offering a single piece of evidence concerning (a) ‘ill-gotten wealth' (b) ‘enormous wealth' and (c) the charge of lack of transparency. Frankly, I am stunned.

Going further into these unsubstantiated allegations — for they are nothing more than that — let us start with the issue of transparency. Baba executed all his projects via Trusts set up according to due process. Every single paisa spent on every single project came out of donations received by these Trusts via cheques and drafts from people all over the world. Some directly paid their contribution to the branch of the SBI located in the ashram; at no time was any cash received by the Trust. All accounts have always been and continue to be regularly audited and statements concerning these are furnished to all authorities concerned as required by law, including the Income-Tax Commissioner. Where foreign donations are concerned, explicit permission of the Home Ministry has been obtained to receive them and every year, full particulars are furnished in the prescribed format. It is worth adding that lately, the Home Ministry has tightened regulations across the board in view of concerns about terrorism.

Turning now to hospitals, the writer seems to be unaware that Baba's Trust has set up two Super Speciality Hospitals that provide tertiary healthcare where, among other things, cardiac and neuro-surgery are routinely performed, absolutely free — this includes everything from the initial consultation, all diagnostic tests including MRI and CT scans, surgical procedure, stay in ICU and general ward, all medicines, physiotherapy (where required), food, etc. Almost invariably, the beneficiaries are poor people who come from all over India and Nepal and occasionally from elsewhere too. During the last (financial) year, over 25,000 people were treated as inpatients, the market value of the free service rendered being close to about Rs. 250 crores. Being a Trust activity, all accounts are audited as mandated and appropriate statements submitted to public authorities concerned. There is absolutely no question whatsoever of laundering of ‘ill-gotten wealth' as alleged; in fact, there is no such wealth and there never was any, period.

Passing mention must also be made of the drinking water project executed for the tribals of the East Godavari region for the simple reason that tribals of this country have a long history of being neglected. Many years ago, Baba travelled extensively in the East Godavari region, and when it became possible, he had the water project executed even though no one asked him to. That was just one of the many ways in which he offered succour to the poor, often without their having to come to him. He did the same following the massive floods in Orissa in September 2008, when thousands of poor villagers lost their homes. The moment he heard about their loss he had seven hundred houses built in three affected districts, swiftly, quietly and, as always, without fanfare.

(A physicist by training and profession, the writer served in BARC, Mumbai, IGCAR, Kalpakkam and the DRDO. After retirement, he took up teaching in the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (Deemed University) which he also served for one term as the Vice-Chancellor).

(Courtesy: The Hindu 29th May 2011)

AMBUR OPEN 2 : 9TH AND 10TH JULY 2011 AT AMBUR TRADE CENTRE

The "Ambur Open 2" leather and leather products exhibition will be held at Ambur Trade Centre. For details please see the following link:

http://ifcoma.org/newsbsm/AmburOpen2.asp

TAMIL NADU : COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

Council of Ministers
Selvi J Jayalalithaa

Chief Minister

Public, Indian Administrative Service, Indian Police Service, Indian Forest Service, General Administration, District Revenue Officers, Prevention of Corruption, Police, Home.


Thiru O. Panneerselvam

Minister for Finance Finance, Planning, Legislative Assembly, Elections and Passports.


Thiru K.A. Sengottaiyan

Minister for Agriculture Agriculture, Agricultural Engineering, Agro Service Cooperatives, Horticulture, Sugarcane Cess, Sugarcane Development and Waste Land Development.


Thiru. Natham R. Viswanathan

Minister for Electricity and Prohibition and Excise

Electricity,Non-Conventional Energy Development, Prohibition and Excise, Molasses.


Thiru K.P. Munusamy

Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development

Municipal Administration, Rural Development, Panchayats and Panchayat Unions, Poverty Alleviation Programmes, Rural Indebtedness, Urban and Rural Water Supply.


Thiru C. Shanmugavelu

Minister for Industries

Industries, Steel Control, Mines and Minerals, and Special Initiatives


Thiru R. Vaithilingam

Minister for Housing and Urban Development Housing, Rural Housing and Housing Development, Slum Clearance Board and Accommodation Control, Town Planning, Urban Development and Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority


Thiru Agri S.S Krishnamoorthy

Minister for Food Food, Civil Supplies, Consumer Protection and Price Control.


Thiru C. Karuppasamy

Minister for Animal Husbandry Animal Husbandry, Milk and Dairy Development.


Thiru P Palaniappan

Minister for Higher Education Higher Education including Technical Education, Electronics, Science and Technology.


Thiru C.Ve Shanumgam

Minister for School Education School Education and Archaeology


Thiru Sellur K Raju

Minister for Cooperation Cooperation, Statistics and Ex-Servicemen Welfare


Thiru K.T Pachamal

Minister for Forests Forests and Cinchona.


Thiru Edappadi K Palanisamy

Minister for Highways & Minor Ports Highways and Minor Ports.


Thiru S.P Shanmuganathan

Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments

Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE), Tamil Official Language and Tamil Culture.


Thiru K.V Ramalingam

Minister for Public Works Public Works , Irrigation including Minor Irrigation, Programme Works


Thiru S.P Velumani

Minister for Special Programme Implementation Implementation of Special Programmes including implemenation of the Election manifesto.


Thiru T.K.M Chinnayya

Minister for Backward Classes Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, Overseas Indians, Refugees & Evacuees.


Thiru M.C Sampath

Minister for Rural Industries Rural Industries including Cottage Industries, Small Industries.


Thiru P. Thangamani

Minister for Revenue

Revenue, District Revenue Establishment, Deputy Collectors, Weights and Measures, Debt Relief including legislation on Money lending, Chits, Registration of Companies.


Thiru G. Senthamizhan

Minister for Information Information and Publicity, Film Technology and Cinematograph Act, Stationery and Printing and Government Press.


Tmt S Gokula Indira

Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration Commercial Taxes, Registration and Stamp Act


Tmt Selvi Ramajayam

Minister for Social Welfare Social Welfare including Women's and Children's Welfare, Nutritious Noon Meal, Orphanages and Correctional Administration, Integrated Child Development and Beggar Homes, Welfare of the Differently abled and Social Reforms.


Thiru B.V Ramanaa

Minister for Handlooms and Textiles Handlooms and Textiles, Khadi and Village Industries Boad, Bhoothan and Gramadhan.


Thiru R.B Udhayakumar

Minister for Information Technology Information Technology


Thiru N Subramanian

Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare Adi Dravidar Welfare, Hill Tribes and Bonded Labour.


Thiru V Senthil Balaji

Minister for Transport Transport, Nationalised Transport, Motor Vehicles Act.


Thiru N Mariyam Pichai

Minister for Environment Environment and Pollution Control, Minorities Welfare including Wakf.


Thiru K.A Jayapal

Minister for Fisheries Fisheries and Fisheries Development Corporation


Thiru E. Subaya

Minister for Law, Courts and Prisons Law, Courts and Prisons, Personnel and Administrative Reforms.


Thiru Budhichandhiran

Minister for Tourism Tourism, Tourism Development Corporation.


Thiru S.T Chellapandian

Minister for Labour Labour, Population, Employment and Training, Newsprint Control, Census and Urban and Rural Employment.


Dr. V.S Vijay

Minister for Health Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare.


Thiru N.R Sivapathi

Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Sports and Youth Welfare.

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World's Largest University Gives Saudi Women Hope for Change

http://arabnews.com/saudiarabia/article406052.ece

World's Largest University Gives Saudi Women Hope for Change

By SIRAJ WAHAB

Published in Arab News on Monday, May 16, 2011

Saudi women educators and professionals were upbeat about the opening on Sunday, May 15, of Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) in Riyadh and took it as a sign that women may start to assume a more active role in the Kingdom's development.

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah inaugurated the SR20 billion university, 25 km east of the Saudi capital, amid cheers of over 2,000 students and faculty members. With a capacity to enroll about 50,000 students, the PNU is the largest women-only university in the world and part of an ambitious education plan of the Saudi government. The university's residential area has about 1,400 villas and its massive hostel facilities to accommodate 12,000 students. The sprawling campus sits on a site that exceeds 800 hectares.

"I hope it will lead to a massive turnaround in the fortunes of Saudi women," said Dr. Aisha Almana, founder of Alkhobar's Mohammed Almana College of Health Sciences. "However, universities of the world are not known by their physical structure — they attain status and credibility by what they produce. I mean a university is known by the quality of its graduates. I hope the new university will be a trendsetter. We all know that women constitute 50 percent of the Saudi population. Recent statistics, at least those from University of Dammam, indicate that there are more women graduates than men. Meaning women are more aware of the need for education. They are equal partners in the development and progress of this great nation."

Almana said Saudi Arabia should concentrate on making its people productive. "Oil is here today, and it may not be here tomorrow. Look at Japan; they had no natural resources, but it is one of most robust economies in the world — just by the sheer power of their people. We should focus on investing in human capital. It is our people who will take us far. We should concentrate on creating excellent human resources. People are our greatest asset, and we should nurture them."

Jeddah broadcaster and newspaper columnist Samar Fatany said the new university should be a source of pride for the Kingdom.

"It has bright prospects," Fatany told Arab News. "It will be inspire the young generation of Saudi women. Hopefully it will bring in a new trend of positive thinking and produce a new group of educated women who will eventually assume leadership positions in their respective fields. We need such universities to help us excel. The new university will help our women to compete with the best women in the world and create healthy competition within the various universities in the Kingdom. It will raise the benchmark of education."

"First and foremost it indicates Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah's support for women," said writer and physician Dr. Samia Amoudi. "This is a big step in the empowerment of Saudi women. It is also significant that it is named after Princess Nora bint Abdulrahman who is the sister of the king. "For such a large, prestigious project to be named after a woman is an honor for all of us. It will have a great impact on society and how it perceives us women. I am very happy that our leadership is aware of our needs. They have placed their trust in us."

"Now it's the turn and the responsibility of the women of our Kingdom to ensure that this university attains a high rank in the world and the Middle East in particular," said Jubail teacher Huda Al-Shehri. "This university is the first of its kind dedicated exclusively to women. It offers courses that are not traditional or conventional in nature. These courses are more in line with the needs of the job market."

Almana agreed.

"It is my conviction that we should follow the India model. Immediately after attaining independence, the Indians concentrated on professional courses rather than humanities and arts," she said. "The recent turnaround in India is a result of that paradigm shift in education. I recently came back from Bangalore and saw the transformation myself. We should similarly focus on professional studies."

 

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INDIAN UNION MUSLIM LEAGUE MLAs IN KERALA

Please see the following link to know the details of the Indian Union Muslim League MLAs elected in the 13th April 2011 assembly electins in Kerala

http://www.indianunionmuslimleague.in/

Assam: Newly elected AIUDF MLAs

 

ASSAM : NEWLY ELECTED AIUDF MLAs

1. (Hafiz) Rafiqul Islam (Qasmi)------------------ Jania
2. Aminul Islam-----------------------------------Dhing
3. (Mufti) Abdur Rahman Ajmal------------------Salmara South
4. Sheikh Shah Alam --------.----------------- --Goalpara West
5. Jahan Uddin-----------------------------------Dhubri
6. Moin Uddin Ahmed---------------------------Jaleswar
7. Ali Hossain---------------------------------- -Sarukhetri

8. Abdur Rehman Khan--------------------------Barpeta
9. Monowar Hussain--------------------------- -Goalpara East
10. (Maulana) Ataur Rahman Mazarbhuiya-------Katigora
11. Hafiz Basir Ahmed Qasmi--------------------Bilasipara West
12. Gul Akhtara Begum--------------------------Bilasipara Eest

13. Abul Kalam Azad--------------------------- Bhabanipur
14. Sherman Ali Ahmed-------------------------Baghbar

15. Swapan Kar ------------------------------- Lumding
16. Mazibur Rahman----------------------------Rupohihat

17. Gopi Nath Das -----------------------------Boko
18. Mohammed Sirajuddin Ajmal---------------Jamunamukh

 

NB 17 of AIUDF Candidates were second

Total Candidates 75