Newsletter
NEWSLETTER OF HDFC (APRIL 2014)
Adab arz hai,
HDFC is proud to present the first edition of its newsletter. HDFC will periodically send out an email newsletter to share updates and articles of interest with Hyderabadis. If you would like to receive the newsletter, please visit the HDFC website newsletter page to sign up and view archived issues. The newsletter among other things will give an overview of upcoming events and things to look forward in the coming months.
We, Canadians of Hyderabadi origin, are inheritors of a glorious past marked by communal harmony, artistic innovation, linguistic dynamism and cultural vibrancy unparalleled anywhere else in the world. It is a legacy of which anyone could be proud of. It is this unique heritage which we want to maintain in our adopted homeland and pass it on to our next generations.
HDFC thank all its supporters for their continued support and we welcome their feedback.
Hamara Hyderabad
The 7th Nizam, Mir Osman Ali Khan was born in 1886 and became ruler at the age of twenty-five on his father’s demise in 1911. The era of modern development in the state began thereafter. He announced that he would be a caring and just ruler.
He issued the Nizam’s Asafia creed stating, ‘Whatever be the religion of my house and my own personal beliefs, I am, as a ruler, the follower of another religion as well, which must be characterized as “love towards all” because under me live people of different communities, and the protection of their houses of worship has for long been part of the constitution of my state. I do not desire therefore, to injure with narrow-mindedness the susceptibilities of any community or faith, or to distort the practice of my religion in such a manner as to earn the title of a bigot.
After the state was merged with the Indian Union in 1949 and Andhra Pradesh formed in 1956, the city of Hyderabad was retained as the state capital. Fortunately, the special ethos or soul of the city also remained intact. It was just a few years ago that the previous chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, at a public function, stated that for many decades Hyderabad had been well known abroad because of the achievements of Mir Osman Ali Khan, the seventh Nizam and last ruler of Hyderabad. It was also known in India as a premier state with its own airline, an excellent railway, and good roads throughout the kingdom, which was about the size of France. In the first half of the last century, Hyderabad had established centres of excellence that were outstanding for the period.
In recent years not only major government institutions, but business houses too have been established, increasingly so since Hyderabad now has its own Cyberabad. The influx of people from all over India continues. Hyderabadis still retain their composite culture and cosmopolitan outlook with warmth of hospitality.
Hyderabadis love to eat, indeed, almost live to eat. Most conversations seem to end with a discussion on food! In restaurants all over town or even if one is walking down a street at dusk, one gets the aroma of saffron and cardamom from a hot ‘kachi biryani’ of fine rice and succulent meat, of which it is said that once eaten it will draw you back to the city for more! Hyderabad food has its own character depicting its composite culture.
To spend time in Hyderabad now is to relive an age gone by. Hyderabad is much more than a picture post card setting. A city of subtle contrasts every way you look at it. What I like the best about Hyderabad, is the way the past and present co-exist here. The palatial buildings and slums, the wealth and poverty co-exist. There is a distinct change in the life style of the people. The yuppie culture and the western culture are in, Hyderabadi culture is fading and traditional outfits are out!!! (except in some traditional functions). The Muslim ethos, so characteristics of Hyderabad has given way to the Andhra culture and the Deccani Urdu has been mostly replaced by Telugu. The once Hyderabad which was known for its Tehzib, Domes and Minarets, has now become “Cyberabad” an investor’s paradise land in the field of Real Estate, Information Technology, bio-technology, education etc.
HDFC Upcoming Events:
Family picnic and BBQ in August 2014 (Date and Place to be announced)
Mehfil-e-Ghazal & Annual Dinner on September 12, 2014. Details to be announced later
This Poem Speaks the Truth about Today’s Hyderabad.
WOH HYDERABAD KI SARZAMEEN KAHAN HAI ?
Lehje me woh nafaasat, woh rang o bu kahan hai ?
Woh dil fareb baatein, woh guftagu kahan hai ?
Tha jispe naaz humko, woh Hyderabadian ab kahan hai ?
Woh khusbuon ke railey, dilkash haseen mele,
Dil ki jawaan tarangein, woh khwaishein umangein,
Jaise baras rahi ho, ras rang ki phuwaarein,
Ab tak basi hain dil mein, Laad Bazar ki bahaarein.
Ab bhi hai Gulzar Houz, lekin tha ek zamaana,
Jab Adrak ke Panje aur Abid pai Ded Mathwale ki hoti thi Mehfilen
Cigarette ka dhuan tha, jaise har fikr ka badal tha,
Ab tak yaad hai dil mein, uss maahaul kia dilkash tha.
Yeh Abids yun toh ab bhi, chaahat hai Hyderabad ki,
Badli hui si lekin, rangat hai Hyderabad ki,
Andaaz woh nahin hain, adaab wo nahin hain,
Aankhen wahi hain, lekin ab khwab wo nahin hain.
Ikhlaas ki woh Pathergattii, veeraan ho gayi hai,
Is bheed me sheher ki, pehchaan kho gayi hai,
Tehzeeb mukhtalif hai, maahaul bhi juda hai,
Ab kaise keh dein hum par Hyderabad fida hai.
PHOOLOON KI MAHEQ BAN KE BIKHER JAAYEGI URDU
YEH WAHEM HAI AI DOST KE MAR JAAYEGI URDU