Legislature buildings in Hyderabad sorely need repairs

C R Gowri Shanker

Rs 2 crore allotted, but there seems to be no outcome.

 Wires crisscross the historic Legislature buildings. (Photo: GANDHI)

Hyderabad: They are part of Hyderabad’s architectural splendour and the seats of power. But long neglect of the 103-year-old Nizam-era Town Hall that hosts the Legislative Assembly and the adjacent Jubilee Hall that houses the Legislative Council, is a serious cause for concern.

The Legislature session is on and security is impregnable. However, there is also the grim spectacle of peeled, damaged walls, damaged pillars, dirty roofs, dangling wires, dusty windows, dust-filled, blackened chandeliers, worn out window sun films, dirty sheds, terrace covers full of dry leaves and dirt.
The roads and buildings department maintains the buildings, for which Rs 2 crore is given annually.

“You see the roof. They laid a tar carpet to prevent water leakage. The maintenance is bad though there is huge staff and no dearth of funds. They focus on the ministers’ chambers, not on the outside structures,” an official lamented.

Another official was satisfied with the contention that the building structures are strong and there was no threat to their safety, whatsoever.

While the interiors of the Council and the Assembly, the chambers of the Speaker and Chairman, the offices of the Chief Minister and the ministers as also the rooms of the CMO officials are well-maintained, the sight of the building as such is awful.

At the entrance to the Council, there are two blackened, once-beautiful marble statues fighting dust. Adjacent are two damaged pillars and a dirty junction box. Two beautiful statues are turning black here, and bird droppings can be seen on the seat of coronation of the Nizam. There are loose wires, AC boxes, despoiling the beauty of the once-awesome palace.

Jubilee Hall, a royal palace built in 1913 by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan, is an architectural masterpiece. It’s located in the sprawling green lawns of the Public Garden. Bagh-e-Aam. The silver jubilee coronation of Nizam was held here in 1937, and hence the name.

On the grand occasion, the Nizam reportedly received gifts and mementos together valued (then) at $1,000,000.

The royal works and paintings from the Durbar Hall still adorn the building. The elegant building in Indo-Persian style has a small but high stage in the centre for the throne of Nizam in the shape of ‘Dastar’ (Crown) of the Nizam.

On bifurcation of the state, the old Legislative Council building and the old Assembly hall (a heritage structure) were allocated to the AP Legislature. Not in use, they are under lock and key of the AP government.

The huge rectangular hall of the Jubilee Hall served as the state’s Legislative Council for 27 years, before the Telangana Council moved to its present building where state functions and banquets were held. Grills and other fixtures were set up in a visually unpleasant manner, as they do not blend well with the architecture of the buildings.

The imposing Assembly building, completed in 1913, was the Town Hall in the Old Hyderabad State. The citizens of Hyderabad raised money to build it to mark the 40th birthday of Nizam Mahboob Ali Khan in 1905. This architectural design was done by specially-commissioned architects from Rajasthan.

The Nizam had been impressed by the beautiful palaces there, and called these men in. This blend of Rajasthani and Persian architecture gave a special charm to the buildings which housed the erstwhile 295-seat AP Assembly.

New buildings have been added for the Assembly complex to accommodate the legislative offices of ministers and political parties. M Channa Reddy, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, laid the foundation stone on March 19, 1980, and the works were completed during the tenure of Speaker G. Narayana Rao.

Then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi inaugurated it on August 3, 1985. A 22-foot tall, Rs 55 lakh bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi was installed later; on August 15, 1998.

Wanton neglect: Kishan Reddy

BJP floor leader in the Assembly G. Kishan Reddy has expressed anguish over the poor maintenance of the Assembly and Council buildings.

“The old Assembly building is a heritage structure. You can see the dirty windows, roofs, damaged walls and dangling wires. This is nothing but wanton destruction of the heritage structures. There is absolutely no shortage of funds or staff. This is criminal neglect,” he felt.

Showing the dusty windows and the pathway arch at the entrance to the assembly buildings that are covered with leaves, he said staff shortage is not an issue.

“What’s shocking is the exteriors are not cleaned even when the assembly and legislative council are in session. We are law- makers, but we sit in the dirty premises. The R and B Department should clean the premises and undertake necessary repairs,” he told Deccan Chronicle.
A TRS MLA said, “It’s badly maintained. I agree. I will bring it to the notice of the authorities.”

      Assembly buildings

 Below: Inside Assembly building

Jubilee Hall/Legislative Council

Dec 30, 2016

DNA study into Telangana origin begins

C R Gowri Shanker

CCMB given skeletal remains of humans from Megalithic period.

  This is the first time that DNA studies will be conducted to ascertain the origins and other historical details o  of civilisation in Telangana state. (Representational Image)

Hyderabad: Six DNA samples of human skeletal remains from the Megalithic period found in excavations in Piklihal, Raichur district of Karnataka (1954), Yeleshwaram, Nalgonda district (1960) and Pedda Marur, Mahbubnagar (1978) were handed over by the Department of Archaeology and Museums to the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology for detailed studies and DNA analysis.

This is the first time that DNA studies will be conducted to ascertain the origins and other historical details of civilisation in Telangana state.

The objective of the study is to ascertain the ancient population and human settlements in present-day Telangana state, create an individual-wise inventory of skeletal material, and give preliminary observations of the incidence of palaeopathological lesions and anomalies, interpret results in a bio-cultural perspective, trace disease process, human details and other aspects of life in ancient times.

The State Archaeology department on Thursday signed MoUs with CCMB for scientific research and with Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, one of the top institutions in the world for training archaeologists.

The MoUs were signed by tourism secretary B. Venkatesam, director of archaeology and museums N.R. Visalatchy, CCMB director Rakesh K. Mishra, Deccan College Vice-Chancellor Prof. Vasant S. Shinde, and CCMB senior principal scientist Thangaraj.

“Telangana is the youngest state in the country, but has the oldest civilisation — over 10,000 years old or more. Excavations of a recent megalithic burial site in Pullurubanda in Siddipet district brought to light skeletal remains. It is absolutely necessary to trace the genetic background of the people who inhabited the region. Bone samples were sent to CCMB that will help ascertain patterns of genetic diversity in ancient human beings and connect them with the present population structure etc. We entered into the MoU to carry out demographical and other studies of the proto historic period in Telangana,” Mr Venkatesam said.

Prof. Vasant Shinde said iron was developed in the country in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh way back in 1000 BC.

“Korean scientists thought they were pioneers, first to develop and later China but studies proved them wrong. We are undertaking similar studies in Telangana too which is a potential region for historical studies,” Prof. Shinde said

Mr Mishra said the country, which has the oldest population in the world, now has technology to throw some light on it and reconstruct the past through DNA.

Tourism Secretary B Venkatesham handing over six samples of human skeletal collection from Megalithic and historic period found in Telangana and Raichur in Karnataka for DNA studies to  CCMB Principal Scientist Thangaraj.

(From left) Director of Archaeology and Museums N R Visalatchy,   Deccan College Post Graduate and Research Institute, Pune Vice Chancellor Prof Vasant S Shinde, CCMB Director Rakesh K Mishra are seen.

Dec 30, 2016

HYDERABAD CITY CHURCHES RICH IN HISTORY

                   

 Tracing the evolution of city     churches

The twin cities, gearing up for Christmas, have some of the finest churches with historical and architectural importance, including a little known church in Jahanuma in the Old City that dates back to the 16th century.

The original structure of the over 400-year-old Our Lady of Sorrows Church has been replaced by a new one, and includes a memorial, in the 17-acre St Marks Boys Town School premises, it has a cherished history.

The late Archbishop Mark Gopu gave this property to the Brothers of St Gabriel in 1955 who started an orphanage and constructed a church in the place of the old shrine in 1970. It has a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, brought to India by Portuguese missionaries.

Going by historical evidence, the oldest church in Hyderabad was built by the French Army, while another one was built in the same period by the Portuguese army what is now Subhash Road near Mahankali Temple, in the premises of St Antony’s Girls High School, Secunderabad, according to Fr Aloysius Ephrem Raju Alex of St Joseph’s Cathedral, Abids.

Another little known church is the St. Thomas Church in the congested Kutbiguda, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazaar, which was reportedly constructed in 1800 AD. 

“This is the second oldest church in Hyderabad and the first to house a cemetery. The area was then called Chader-ghat,” said parish priest Richard John.

Father Solomon Thanugundla, a retired pastor, who wrote Structures of the Churches in AP, said, “In Hyderabad, the oldest church was built in Jahanuma for French troops in the 16th century. The St Mary’s Church, Secunderbad (1840), St Joseph’s Cathedral, Abids (1875), All Saints Church (1900), St Francis Xavier Church (1903) came up later.

The French and Portuguese troops were Catholics and built their own churches while Protestant churches came up during the British rule,” Father Solomon told this newspaper.

The history of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows at Jahanuma goes back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Nizam had his palace in the Old City. The Catholic officers were Portuguese and the French trained the Nizam’s Army.

“There is a story of how this shrine came into existence. A devoted French missionary priest lived in a cave on the Jahanuma hill, spending time in prayer, penance and fasting and performing miracles,” said Father Daniel and Brother George.

During a severe drought, the Nizam came to know about this priest, called him and asked him to pray for rain. He agreed but on the condition that the Nizam would provide a piece of land to build the church for Our Lady of Sorrows. The Nizam agreed. The priest fasted and prayed and there was heavy rain, he said. 

The Nizam kept his word and gave the priest a piece of land, where the first church in this part of the country was built.

In Secunderabad, the Church of St John the Baptist, was constructed in 1818 in what was then called Lancer Lines. The church, built in the Indo-European style in the shape of a crucifix, served the spiritual needs of British troops.

The lines from the Bible — “O Lord open Thou our lips / And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise” — is engraved on the steps leading to the Chancel.
Rev. Charles Wesley of the church said the pipe organ became an integral part of the church to enhance liturgical worship. The Holy Trinity church, All Saints church and St George’s church also have pipe organs.

St Joseph’s cathedral with its baroque architecture has five bells in an open tower which was installed in 1892.

 

The five bells flow the tradition of names and inscriptions. The bells are named after the Saints Peter, Joseph, Thomas and Francis Xavier. 

Inscribed with the words “Ora Pro Nobis” (Pray for us) and the date, the bells when rung in sequence chime to the tune of Ave Maria.

The clock on the tower of St Joseph’s Cathedral is over 100 years old and was gifted by the Nizam. Dr. Thumma Bala is the head of the Catholic community of the Telangana state region.

The All Saints Church located opposite Military Hospital, Trimulgherry, was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Fredrick Gell, the then Bishop of Madras Diocese of the Church of England, in 1860 AD. 

The church is a classical representation of Gothic architecture in all its grandeur and beauty. 

The majesty of the structure is brought out in its stately columns, splendid arches, massive buttresses and majestic spires, capped with a serrated bell tower.

The Medak Cathedral, the seat of the Church of South India in Medak, is known for its architectural splendor and majestic stained glass that was obtained from Italy, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Church of South India covers 4.5 lakh in the Telangana state is headed by His Grace Rt. Rev. A.C. Solomon Raj, the eighth Bishop of CSI (Church of South India) who was consecrated recently at Chennai.

In Telangana, Protestants outnumber Catholics.

Converts hide faith for quota

Christians in Telangana are largely concentrated in the undivided Ranga Reddy district, Hyderabad and Medak. 

According to the 2014 household survey conducted by the Telangana state government, Christians constituted 1,29,107 households, or 1.27 per cent of the population.

The undivided Ranga Reddy district had the highest 43,813 households, followed by Hyderabad 21,888 and and Medak 13,405 households.

A study conducted by the Centre for Policy Studies found conflicting population figures given by the government survey and Christian institutions as many converted Christians choose to hide the fact so as to continue enjoying the special privileges given to certain castes.

It found undivided Andhra Pradesh to be a special example of this fuzziness. 

The Christian population was rising consistently up to 1971, when it reached its peak value of 18.23 lakh in the then undivided state.

After 1971, the number began falling sharply, dropping to 14.33 lakh in 1981 and to 11.30 lakh in 2011.
The share of Christians in the total population had risen from 1.68 per cent in 1911 to 4.39 per cent in 1971; it dropped to 2.68 per cent in 1981 and came down to 1.34 per cent now, the report said.

“This sharp decline in the number of Christians in the Census is directly related to a corresponding rise in the number of Scheduled Castes. This can mean two things: Either, the converts to Christianity are choosing to deny it before the Census and other secular authorities; or, they have chosen to revert to their original faith.

The former seems more likely from the great divergence between the number of Christians counted by the Census and those estimated by the international church,” the report said.

Photos of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Jahanuma, Old City of Hyderabad

                       

Replica of Our Lady of Sorrows Church 

 St. Louis DE Montfort (1673-1716) founder of the Monfortan religious family in the premises Our Lady of Sorrows Church.

            

 Old well in the premises of Our Lady of Sorrows Church

 The statue of Our Lady of Sorrows Church

 Our lady of Sorrows Church at Jahanuma 

 St. Louis DE Montfort (1673-1716) founder of the Monfortan religious family

Monument of Jahanuma in the premises of Our Lady of Sorrows Church at Jahanuma 

Present Church of St John's The Baptist, East Marredpally, Secunderabad

 Age old pix of Church of St John's The Baptist

 Majestic St Joseph's Cathedral at Gunfoundry, Abids, Hyderabad

 St Thomas Church, Kutbiguda, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad, the second oldest church in Hyderabad

    St Thomas Church 

St. Thomas Church, Kutbiguda (1800), The Church of St John’s The Baptist, Secunderabad (1818), are some of the oldest churches in the

City

 city city.

 An old photograph of the Church of St John the Baptist in Secunderabad

          

ASCI COMPLETES 60 ROYAL YEARS

 C R GOWRI SHANKER

December 19, 2016

The 111-year old palace that houses the Administrative Staff College of India, has a very interesting past.

Bella Vista on the junction of the roads leading to Raj Bhavan and Panjagutta was built by Muslehuddin Mohammed who was given the title of Hakim-ud-Dowla when he was the Chief Justice.

Hyderabad: Bella Vista (beautiful sight in French), the 111-year old palace that houses the Administra-tive Staff College of India, has a very interesting past.

Built in 1905 on 9.5 acres in Indo-European style by Muslehuddin Mohammed, the palace at that time overlooked the Hussainsagar and is located on the junction of the roads leading to Raj Bhavan and Punjagutta.

Muslehuddin Mohammed, bar-at-law, became Chief Justice of the High Court of Hyderabad and was given the title Hakim-ud-Dowla.
He lived there from 1905 to 1914 when he fell victim to plague at the age of 57. On his death in 1916, the family decided to sell the palace.

The Nizam purchased it, along with furniture, for Rs 60,000 in 1917.
Sir Ali Imam, who served as the Prime Minister of Hyderabad in 1919, occupied the palace and used the building next door “Lake View” guesthouse as his office.

In 1922, it was renovated and became the official residence of the Prince of Berar Azam Jah. The palace witnessed dramatic events that typified the royalty of yore — luxuries with “women swarming all around”, intrigues, failed coups, shattered dreams and a disgusted princess leaving the palace in a huff with her children in tow to England, according to ASCI records.

When Azam Jah occupied the refurbished building, it had two tennis courts, a regular swimming pool for his wife Princess Durru-shehvar and a “baby pool” for the Prince who had phobia for water!

While the pool and tennis courts remain intact, the baby pool made way for a library. Hostel buildings have come up a little away from the main building.

The Intach heritage award-winning two-storey building has semi-circular arches in perfect proportions. The interiors are still intact. It has parquet flooring in its major halls, which was earlier used as dance floors. One of them is now used as a dining hall and another, a lecture hall. The building, without any columns, stood on two-feet thick walls.

Another interesting feature of the campus is the air raid shelter with an underground passage from the Prince’s room to the exit gate. Photographs taken by Raja Deen Dayal adorn the corridors.
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan once visited the palace.

“It’s a magnificent palace. I came for training during 1956-57 when I was posted at Vizag. There were spicy stories of the bygone era. The staff wore Nizam insignia,” Mr Narendra Luther, former IAS officer and historian told DC.

Mr Luther said that during Azam Jah’s stay in the palace for over two decades “night was day and day was night. Revelries lasted the whole night.”

“Azam Jah got a monthly allowance of Rs 25,000 but his lavish life landed him in debts. He was eager to succeed the Nizam, and was frustrated as he couldn’t,” Mr Luther said.

He is rumoured to have resorted to even black magic against the Nizam. Osman Ali Khan was upset.

In 1964, when the Nizam fell ill, Azam Jah wrote to the Government of India to declare him the Nizam. Osman Ali Khan was furious and nominated his grandson Prince Muk-arram Jah as his heir.

After integration of Hyderabad with India in 1948, Azam Jah vacated the palace and it was converted into State Guest House in 1956.
ASCI provides the best Hyderabadi and continental dishes even today. It prepares its own bread, biscuits and ice creams. And it is the only administrative college with a bar attached.

   The garden court yard of ASCI

    ASCI lobby

    Prince with family

    Iluminated ASCI for Diamond jubilee 

Treasure-hunters plunder wonderful historic sites in Kollapur, Telangana

Telangana: Treasure-hunters plunder wonderful historic sites

C R GOWRI SHANKER

Dec 6, 2016

Mr Rajeev Mathew, a wildlife consultant who visited the fort, expressed anguish over its plight.

 There are beautiful granite structures and ancient idols at the site that need protection.

Hyderabad: Treasure hunters and vandals are destroying the age-old Bayyannagutta Kota near Kollapur in Nagarkurnool district.
Located about 16 km from Kollapur and 200 km from here, the hill top fort in Singoran of Pentlavalli mandal dates back to 5th and 6th century AD. 

The fort has a 20-feet Jain idol that is converted into a Hindu idol, broken granite walls, an idol of Lord Ganesh and granite gateways among others.

“The fort is crumbling by the day. There is largescale vandalism. Treasure hunters have dug all over. The government should immediately step in and protect the fort,” said Mr Aditya Laxman Rao, scion of the Jatprole Samasthan. 

He added, “Our ancestors ruled the place. It’s not just Bayyannagutta Kota; several forts and monuments are in ruins. A concerted effort is needed by one and all to protect our ancient monuments, history and culture. This place can be made a tourist attraction.” 

Asked if anything was found by treasure hunters, he said, “Not to my knowledge.” Mr Rajeev Mathew, a wildlife consultant who visited the fort, expressed anguish over its plight. 

“There are still beautiful granite structures besides two wells in the fort, broken pottery and granite remains. Such a historical place has to be protected and renovated,” he said. 

The undivided Mahbubnagar district and the newly carved out Jogulamba-Gadwal, Mahbubnagar, Wanaparthy and Nagarkurnool districts have historic significance. 

The region was at the core of the Satavahana dynasty from 221 BC to 218 AD. It was also part of the Chalukya dynasty from the 5th to the 11th century AD. Later it was part of the Golconda Kingdom from 1364 to 1512. 

In 1518 it came under control of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, which reigned until 1687. Mahbubnagar was part of Hyderabad state, ruled by Asaf Jahi kings, from 1724 to 1948.

INDYWOOD EXCELLENCE AWARD TO C R GOWRI SHANKER 2016

Media Awards | Hyderabad

Media Awards

Awarded to print and online media practitioners who have demonstrated excellence in providing ethical media solutions, products, and services to the entertainment industry.

 C R Gowri Shanker receiving  Indywood Media Excellence award instituted by Project Indywood for excellence in journalism at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad on September 24, 2016

Award winners with Telangana State Finance Secretary Navin Mittal

Winners	Country
1	Deccant Day	India
2	Timeout Entertainment	India
3	ANN	India
4	Press Club - Hyderabad	India
5	Deccan Chronicale	India
6	Express TV	India
7	Maa Hyderabad	India
8	Gulf Today	UAE
9	Business India	India
10	Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy	India
11	Press information Bureau	India
12	Film Flower Media Solution	India
13	Monica Broadcasting Pvt. Ltd	India
14	The Hyderabad Mirror	India
15	Metro India	India
16	Asian News Network	India
17	Indian Express	India
18	PC Mediaworks	India
19	PC Mediaworks	India
20	KPMG India Pvt. LTd	India
21	Globe Apex management Consultants	UAE & India
22	I Power Media	India
23	Telugu Online News Portal	India
24	All India Radio regional News unit	UAE & India
25	Freelance Journalist	India
26	Videovilla	India
27	Annapurna International School of film + Media	India
28	Institut Francais	India
29	Associated Broadcasting Company P Ltd	India
30	Shreya Broadcasting Pvt. Ltd.	India
31	Greenkeralanenews	India
32	Global Axis	India
33	Sakshi TV - Indira Television Limited	India
34	The Mathrubhumi Printing & Publishing Co Ltd.	India
35	Designer Publications kerala pvt. Ltd	India
36	MediaOne TV	India