25 Myanmarese Muslims seek refuge in Hyderabad

July 31, 2012

Bangladesh

Hyderabad, July 31: Persecuted in their own country, a group of 25 Muslims from Myanmar have reached Hyderabad to take refuge here.

The group, fled Myanmar to escape ethnic violence in Rakhine state, have taken shelter at a 'dargah' at Balapur in the old city and were waiting to be recognized as refugees by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Confederation of Voluntary Organisations (COVA), which works with UNHRC, said it would help the refugees in acquiring the refugee status from the UN body's office in New Delhi.

COVA executive director Mazhar Hussain told IANS that the group has joined 100 to 125 Myanmarese refugees who have been living in Hyderabad for the last two years.

"Most of the refugees already living here work as daily labourers," said Hussain. The city has about 500 refugees from eight countries. COVA works among refugees to address their legal problems, sensitise police towards the rights of refugees and provide medical assistance.

However, the arrival of the latest group of Myanmar has attracted attention in view of the situation prevailing in that country.

Muslim organizations and individuals are competing with each other to express solidarity and help Rohingyas, as the Muslims from Myanmar are called.

Safa Baitulmal, a Muslim socio-religious group, was first to reach Balapur with food, clothes and other essential items. "We are trying to see that they get some employment and don't become beggars," Safa Baitulmal president Gyas Ahmed Rashadi told IANS.

He, however, said after providing relief during last couple of days, they stopped the work in view of the police objections over some issue. The organization will resume the assistance after the group gets refugee status.

Zahid Ali Khan, editor of Urdu daily 'Siasat', visited the refugees and participated in the Iftar with them. He distributed ration among the families and assured all possible assistance to them.

Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM), the powerful Muslim political party in Hyderabad, has also come forward with a helping hand. MIM legislator Ahmed Balala met the refugees and assured all help on behalf of the party.

The refugees alleged that Buddhist groups were butchering Muslims for refusing to renounce Islam. The eight families fled Rakhine state to reach Bangladesh and via West Bengal arrived in Hyderabad.

The United Nations and the Amnesty International have already voiced concern over reports of killings of Rohingya people by both Buddhists and the security forces.

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Agencies
February 25,2020

Agra, Feb 25: The architectural grandeur of 17th century Taj Mahal and the story of its construction by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan left US President Donald Trump "impressed" during his visit to the famed mausoleum, according to the guide who accompanied him.

Nitin Kumar, an Agra-based guide, said the first word the president said after laying his eyes on the marble marvel was "incredible".

He and First Lady Melania Trump visited on Monday the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, the second stop on his little less than 36-hour-long trip of India, and marvelled at the Mughal-era mausoleum built as a monument of love.

After Dwight David Eisenhower (1959) and Bill Clinton (2000), he became the third US president to visit the architectural icon.

"I told them the story of the Taj Mahal, the construction, and the story behind it. President Trump got very emotional after knowing the story of Shah Jahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal. How he was kept under house arrest by his own son Aurangzeb, and buried here at Taj, next to Mumtaz's grave, after his death," Kumar told reporters.

The couple was left speechless on the first sight of the monument, and showed interest when they were told about the history and architecture of the dome, and the design details, Kumar said.

"Melania Trump asked about the mud-pack treatment and was amazed when she got to know the details of the process," he said.

One of the most photographed sites in the world, it is always high on the itinerary of head of states visiting India.

The monument was built over a period of nearly 20 years by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife after her death in 1631.

"The Taj Mahal inspires awe, a timeless testament to the rich and diverse beauty of Indian Culture!' Thank You, India," the US President and First Lady jointly wrote in the visitors' book before signing it.

According to Mohammed Zafar, who lives close to Taj Mahal complex, Nitin has been conducting guided tours for many years. "He was selected for this VVIP visit," he said.

"Many people were taking selfies with him, after the end of the visit. So, many media persons interacted with him. He has got some instant fame of sorts," Zafar said.

Authorities at Archaeological Survey of India had "advanced the dates" for mud-pack treatment for the graves of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal at Taj Mahal in view of the US President Trump's visit to Taj, a senior official had earlier said.

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News Network
April 24,2020

Kochi, Apr 24: The central government on Thursday submitted a statement in the Kerala High Court on the three petitions challenging the contract between Kerala government and US-based data analytics company Sprinklr.

Assistant Solicitor General P Vijayakumar filed the statement on behalf of the central government, which is the second respondent in the case.

The statement said that the contract between the Kerala government and Sprinklr dilutes the rights of the people. It stated the contract does not specify the amount of compensation that individuals should receive in case of breach of privacy or misuse of information.

It also said that it was not clear whether the information was collected and handed over to the data analytics firm with full consent of the patients (suspected and otherwise).

''It is always preferable to utilise the services available in the government sector for sharing sensitive data required for analytical purposes.

The Government of India has introduced the 'Aarogya Setu' application for collection of health data and about seven crore Indian citizens have already downloaded the same. All the state governments are advised to promote the said application for fighting the pandemic," the statement said.

It was further submitted that the "Government of India with the support of NIC is capable of providing all the requirements relating to data storage, processing and application which are being offered the third respondent, if a request to that effect comes from the state government."

Kerala Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and BJP state president K Surendran had earlier approached the Kerala High Court seeking cancellation of the state government's agreement with Sprinklr for processing of data related to COVID-19 patients.

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News Network
June 5,2020

New Delhi, Jun 5: Shares of Reliance Industries on Friday gained over 2 per cent to hit their one-year high level after the company announced sale of 1.85 per cent stake in its digital unit, Jio Platforms, to Abu Dhabi-based sovereign investor Mubadala.

On BSE, the heavyweight stock jumped 2.38 per cent to Rs 1,617.70 -- its 52-week high.

It surged 2.41 per cent to its one-year high of Rs 1,618 on NSE.

Earlier in the day, Reliance Industries announced the sale of 1.85 per cent stake in its digital unit to Mubadala for Rs 9,093.60 crore, the sixth deal in as many weeks that will inject a combined Rs 87,655.35 crore in the oil-to-telecom conglomerate to help it pare debt.

"Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) will invest Rs 9,093.60 crore in Jio Platforms at an equity value of Rs 4.91 lakh crore and an enterprise value of Rs 5.16 lakh crore," the company said in a statement.

With this investment, Jio Platforms has raised Rs 87,655.35 crore from leading global technology and growth investors including Facebook, Silver Lake, Vista Equity Partners, General Atlantic, KKR and Mubadala in less than six weeks.

Jio Platforms, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd, is a next-generation technology company.

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