Hyderabadi Cultural Association of Greater New York

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

HYDERBADIS ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR

HYDERBADIS ALWAYS HAVE A GREAT SENSE OF HUMOR

It all started out in Old City in the early sixties (1962) when common Hyderabadis were still adjusting to the political and geographical changes after the painful partition of the country followed by Police action on Hyderabad State, few enthusiastic youngsters with a sense of humor rose from such situation to form a group, which they named Zinda Dilane Hyderabad. The aim of the group is to promote and propagate humor, says the authors of Shugoofa magazine on their website.

Tragedy and comedy are tightly connected. There is nothing more freeing than talking about a heavy subject only to lighten the mood with some laughter. The humor culture gets evolved to bring people together, or to bring perspective to serious topics, and to expose deep truths.

The Padma Shri award recipient Hyderabadi humorist and literary figure Mr. Mujtaba Hussain was quoted in a blog saying “Hyderabadi humor has evolved over the years and despite passage of time still has that spark”. “Humor grew in Hyderabad as a fine art” he added.

The Hindu news paper writes “Mr. Hussain’s writings open up the lips and the heart and at the same time show the pearls and the soul. At a time when the Urdu language has few takers, Mr. Hussain has revived interest in it through his satirical writings. The simple but literary touch in his works comes as a breath of fresh air. “His humour is laced with a bitter truth which only a honest person can perceive,” says his daughter, Rashida Samdani. Those who have read his “Apni Yad Mein” composition will know. It is a masterpiece of self obituary wherein the author highlights his own follies while taking pot-shots at life.

The Hyderabadi humor is authentic, light-hearted and "Zarra Hatke". What's interesting is that most people speak it without knowing that it is a language which has a rather rich history. There is a popular story floating on internet of an Hyderabadi born auto driver, Mallana Anna, who spoke Hyderabadi Hindi without knowing what it's really called, “Isko kya bolte? Yeh to Hindiich hai?”. “Isme sab mixing hai. Hindi hai, Urdu hai, Telugu hai. Ye mast hai. Hau idhar sab longan yeich bolte”.

Apart from a few individual efforts to promote humor through media, there are no concrete efforts to improve and develop Hyderabadi humor. The veteran journalist and the author of the book Mehmood: Man of Many Moods writes “Intelligent comedy in Hindi films began only in the sixties and at the peak of this new comedy stood Mehmood”. His versatile style and Hyderabadi humor is fondly remembered in the filmi world.

In 80’s Hamed Kamal and Subhani took Hyderabadi humor and comedy to new

heights as they completed 5,000 live shows around the globe, with the title of Dedh-Matwale.

The movie Angrez released in 2005 directed by Kuntaa Nikkil was a trend-setter in that, it was one of the first to effectively and humorously, portrayed the dialect of the Old City, Hyderabad and the Hyderabadi style. After the success of Angrez another blog buster movie “Hyderabad Nawabs” hit the Indian cinema.

“Whatte Fun”.....to have fun I have to ask you get involved in HCA activities and editorial release. Involvement is HCA’s theme this year.

Help us revive the Humor of Hyderabad.

Promoting Talent and Hyderabadi Humorist:

Mr. Hussain Baqueri: Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation announces new President

Mr. Hussain Baqueri: Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation announces new President.

Mr. Hussain Baqueri knows how to make a statement -will show you how to dress with distinction, as the board of the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation (NDMF), a pre-eminent non-profit that strives to improve and upgrade cancer treatment and care in India announced its new President.

Taking over the New York based charitable organization, Hussain said in a statement that as President he looks forward to working towards fulfilling the dreams and aims of the foundation started in 1981. To accomplish that, he sought the continued support of the NDMF board and the community at large.

NDMF was established in 1981 in memory of cine star Nargis Dutt who died of cancer, by her husband Sunil Dutt, actor-director-turned-politician. Over the last 33 years, NDMF has completed 56 projects in India valued at more than $5 million.

On January 01, 2015 Mr. Baqueri will take over as the President of the Hyderabadi Cultural Assocaition. “The Hyderabadi community (HCA) is proud of you” said Mr. Quddus Mohammed, President of HCA as he congratulates Mr. Baqueri for this prestigious position.

Hyderabad born Baqueri began his career as a commercial pilot. Immigrating to the US in 1977 he acquired an MBA in Finance & International Business from University of Pennsylvania. Currently, he is the Vice President of Client Services for North and South America at Jet Aviation, a General Dynamics company which manages aviation assets globally. He also runs several small businesses including Sir Speedy Printing & Marketing Services in Plainview, NY.

Mr. Hussain Baqueri was born in Hyderabad, India. He received his B.Sc. and M.B.A. Degrees from Osmania University and graduated from the Andhra Pradesh Flying Club with a Commercial Pilot and Flight Instructor licenses. After immigrating to the USA in 1977, he attended Spartan University of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma to convert his aeronautical licenses.

Mr. Baqueri is well known as a community leader who charitably donates his time and efforts to many local organizations. He is affiliated with several charities and networking groups across the Tri State area. While in India, he was an active member of the Interact and Rotaract Clubs (the Young Rotarians) helping the poor in the slums of Hyderabad. He is very passionate about mentoring the young people, who he believes are the future of our community.

Some of the organizations that he represents include : The Nargis Dutt Memorial Foundation, Hyderabad Cultural Association, The Rotary Club of Hicksville South, The Huntington Kiwanis Club, The Chambers of Commerce of Plainview, Hicksville, Melville and Huntington, The National Business Aircraft Association, The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, SANA, to name a few.

Always on the go, he is a man of many talents who always strives to be the best. He has been awarded several public service citations from local government agencies and a Paul Harris Fellow Award from Rotary International. He received India Association of Long Island Pioneer Award 2013 Excellence in Aviation Leadership and 2012 Business Leadership award by the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Baqueri is married to Noor, his wife of 35 years, and has two wonderful children – Sarah and Ali and now a beautiful granddaughter Zayna. Sarah has a Law Degree from Hofstra University while Ali studied Aircraft Maintenance Engineering at Vaughn College of Aeronautics. Together they operate the family business Sir Speedy of Plainview, New York.

Friday, May 9, 2014

A Moment of Pride for New York's Hyderabadis

A Moment of Pride for New York's Hyderabadis

Proud Rotarians join the celebration

Dressed elegantly in black suit, crisp white shirt and black bow-tie Mr. Quddus Mohammed, the founder and Charter President of the Hyderabadi Cultural Association gracefully walked to Addressing the audience after receiving the prestigious 2014 Humanitarian award of the Francis Logan Jr. Foundation. The ceremony was held on May 7^th at Crest Hollow Country Club, New York as several Hyderabadi’s and Rotarians join him in support.

Mr. Quddus is also the current President and a founding member of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South. In June 2014, he will assume his new role at Rotary as the Assistant Governor. “A superior leader is a person who can bring ordinary people together to achieve extraordinary results," He is also appointed as a Board of Trustee for the Charter Community School, New York.

Mr. Quddus was born in Hyderabad, India. Growing up in a middle-class family, he was taught to be humble and thus it cultivated a simple but strong character-rich inner core and pioneering leadership. “Despite triumphs and temptations, I am a simple man with a simple mind. There absolutely nothing special about me” he says in his speech to over 120 guest who attended the award ceremony.

Just after graduating in Finance he set out to make a difference in his life. He started his career in 1981 as a junior accountant with a UK based construction firm and in 1985 stepped up as an investment analyst in the reserve management department of a monetary authority in the Middle East until he immigrated to the USA in 1997.

He currently resides in Bethpage, New York and has been working as a successful investment professional in New York consulting for some of the world’s largest institutional investors, plan sponsors and SWF’s for their global investment needs.

Mr. Quddus is giving back by immersing himself in various social causes including the promotion of education among the youth and professional community, helping the disabled and hundreds of families in need.

In 2011, under the umbrella of the Rotary Club of Hicksville South, he founded a popular and the fastest growing community based Literacy Program called ROTA-PAAL. The program has helped hundreds on Long Islanders improve their professional and life skills in a variety of faculties. “It is being a partner, you become a leader” says Mr. Quddus as he speaks to the press on the launch of the Rotary Literacy Program.

In September 2011 Mr. Quddus was awarded by the Rotary District for his excellence in service and in September 2013 the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce honored him with 2013 Community Service Award. In addition to this he received several recognitions from local, state and county in appreciation for his service. The 2014 Annual Awards of the Francis J. Logan Foundation is yet another feather in his cap.

Mr. Quddus is married to Seema Zaki, who is an accountant at Nassau County department of human services. The couple has a son Zoha Mohammed, a graduate from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor College of Engineering and a daughter Samreen Mohammed.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

YOUTUBE VIDEOS: PAYING TRIBUTES TO LATE DR. NAJMA SULTANA

HCA President Quddus Mohammed Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/SgAMxXqEYVw

Hussain Baqueri of HCA Paying Tributes and Closing the Memorial Meeting - http://youtu.be/RzlR82hhK6s

GOPIO President Ashook Ramsaran Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/ZdG-dVCuG3E

Safia Sultana Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/MELdXK_uf9I

Ayub Khan Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/Fx4MvZLQlMw

Rajender Dichapally Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/s_CEqbHHeOw

Javeed Mirza Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/lgGw7QgoQOw

Dr Kushalata Jayakar Ahmed Paying Tributes - http://youtu.be/jMmIml3EdLE

POSTEB BY: MR. KHURRAM AHMED ( A PROUD MEMBER OF THE HYDERABADI CULTURAL ASSOCIATION), NEW JERSEY

In honor of Dr. Najma Sultana and the work she did, and the work of all the leaders present during the memorial service held on Dec 8th, 2013.

The Baton

Passing of someone O so dear, is the hardest thing to bear
It shocks the self, and stuns the heart, puts one in deep despair

Time stands still, a bitter pill, an expression-less stare
No words need be said, it is so clear, how much you did love, did care

There is this thing, with sure knowledge, that I can try to say
Passing is a transference, and it is not just "gone away"

They still live, in our personalities, expressions, and our faces
They still live within our deepest dreams, just look, you will find traces

Among the slings and arrows of this life, that we just have to take
Passing of a really loved one, just really takes the cake

I have been through this, just twice before, and it will take time to heal
To put it all together, and to come to grips with all, right now, you feel

Ever since the first people, and on and on and on
I now see life as a relay race, with an eternal baton

They have run their lap, with patience, honor, grace and strength
This is the runner's lesson, whether second, third or n'th

Now in our loss and sadness, shocked and stunned we stand
look, look, my friend, that same baton is now within our hand!

Lets take it and run, go forward, with this hopeful baton
And honor all the runners, before us who have gone

For they know where we are, and are cheering us, from another place
They want us to run, just like them, with honor, patience, strength and grace

But proud we are, they run the race, that is never lost or never won
the years pass by, the runners change, but all proudly carry, this baton!

Khurram Ahmed

Mohibban-e-urdu Organization

Multiple Indian American Organizations Gather to Pay Special Tribute

PRESS RELEASE New York City

Multiple Indian American Organizations Gather to Pay Special Tribute

Dr. Najma Sultana

The leaders from several Indian American organizations came together in true secular spirit of unity and harmony, at a memorial meeting to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Dr. Najma Sultana on Sunday, December 8, 2013. The event organized jointly by HCA (Hyderabad Cultural Association) and GOPIO (Global Organization of People of Indian Origin) was uniquely a soul touching experience to the 100 or so attendees.

Dr. Najma Sultana, a respected and compassionate leader of several Indian American organizations in New York City passed away on November 27^th, 2013. She was a recipient of many honors for her service to India, Indian American community and humanity. She was appreciated and recognized by prominent people and organizations in USA. She received awards and recognition by many organizations like AAPI, AFMI, INOC, HCA, FIA, NFIA, GOPIO and more. She was one of the Founding Life Members of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), and most recently had been serving as co-chair of GOPIO Cultural Council. She was one of the first women to head American Federation of Muslims from India (AFMI). She played an important role in forming and running many organizations like Indian National Overseas Congress (INOC) and Hyderabad Cultural Association (HCA). Dr. Sultana led a delegation to Gujarat to help the victims of the riots in 2002, and always promoted and practiced Secularism.

Between the 20 speakers who took the stand, they described Dr. Najma Sultana as a vibrant, compassionate, beautiful, generous, passionate, caring, tireless, humanist and secularist leader who made a tremendous difference in her short span of life. Mr. Quddus Mohammed, President of the Hyderabadi Cultural Association has requested its board to establish an education scholarship fund and urged the audience to pledge their support as a tribute to Dr. Najma Sultana.

Multiple Indian American community groups came together to convey sympathy to her family on this great loss at her funeral service and Namaz Janaza held at Bayshore Mosque, and burial at Washington Memorial Park Cemetery on Friday, November 29, 2013.