Ban fails to stop cockfights during Sankranti in south

gulfnews.com

Practice thrives due to political patronage

• IANS
• Published: 00:00 January 16, 2012
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• Image Credit: EPA
• A man attempts to catch a bull during the bull-taming festival of Jallikattu at Devanapuri village, 500km south of Chennai, yesterday. This sport is a part of the harvest festival Pongal.

Hyderabad: For people in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Sankranti is incomplete without cockfights and, like in the past, a ban could not prevent them from betting millions of rupees on it this time either.

Leading the violation of the ban were powerful politicians of all hues, who consider cockfights a part of the culture of the coastal Andhra region. The participants included film personalities and businessmen.

State legislators were not only invitees at several cockfights, but at least six of them even inaugurated the "gambling sport". Officially banned cockfights continue to thrive, with people's representatives at district and village levels themselves organising it in many villages.

Killing fields

An estimated Rs5 billion (Dh346.95 million) changed hands as thousands of people watched the cockfights in the villages of East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts. The fights continue during three-day celebrations, which began on Saturday.

The fights between the specially bred and trained cocks are organised in fields as thousands watch them. Three- to four-inch knives are attached to the cocks' legs, and the fight continues till the death of one of the two birds in each round.

Though police deny permission for the fights, organisers always have the last laugh, thanks to the support from ministers and legislators. A state minister intervened when police refused permission for a fight in East Godavari district.

Vanga Geetha, a member of the assembly from the same district, openly criticised police action against cockfights in a village in her Pitapuram constituency.

Cultural event

Ruling Congress party legislator Jogi Ramesh inaugurated the cockfight in Gudur village Krishna district. Opposition Telugu Desam Party (TDP) legislator J. Venkataramana launched the fight at Chintapadu village in the same district.

Such fights are common in almost every village in the Konaseema region of coastal Andhra. Every year, police seize cocks and money in different places, but it continues to thrive.

The legislators say since the cockfights are part of the culture, they have to respect people's sentiments to get votes.

Politicians, businessmen and landlords in luxury cars with heavily-tinted windscreens secretly visit the villages to watch the fights and bet money.

While the Konaseema region is the hub of cockfights, it is also spreading to other parts of the state as indicated by the seizure of cocks by police.

Police on the outskirts of Hyderabad raided two places where the fight was organised. They arrested 25 people, seized 16 birds and Rs50,000.

http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/ban-fails-to-stop-cockfights-during-sankranti-in-south-1.966377

Who said bullfight is cruel? Go to hell, it’s our tradition

G Pramod Kumar Jan 12, 2012

With the Madras High Court lifting the ban on Jallikattu, the Indian equivalent of the Spanish bullfight, the Pongal festival in southern districts of Tamil Nadu will yet again see the adrenalin-high rage between bulls and men.

Without the scary spectacle of roaring bulls, which tear through a sizeable band of youth, Pongal is incomplete in the southern districts. It also brings hundreds of local people and foreign tourists to places such as Madurai, Pudukkottai and Ramanathapuram.

The most famous of them all is the Aranganallur Jallikattu, which is legendary in terms of its following and stature. The winners, both the bulls and the men, win fabulous prices and become part of the local folklore, at least for a year. Hundreds get hurt and some even killed.

For the same reasons, the Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday had informed the Madras High Court, at its bench in Madurai, that if it is not permitted there will be violence in the state.

Yet again, animal activists including Bollywood actor John Abraham are let down and the local organisers have won, deepening the debate between tradition and law on unacceptable social practices.

For the supporters of Jallikattu, it is an essential part of their centuries old culture and rural social life. It is also their way of paying obeisance to the bulls, which are integral to their life as farmers. They say all the allegations by the activists are baseless and that the bulls are reared at great cost and care, and revered through the sport.

Although the advocates of the practice say the bulls are not harmed, the way they are intoxicated and driven into a desperate rage by applying chilli powder or sniff powder in their eyes inflict tremendous pain on them. In addition, the men who try to tame them mount on them, sometimes several of them at a time, which also hurt them.

The tamers also get seriously hurt. Every year, several casualties, sometimes even deaths, are reported. The horns of the bulls are so sharpened that even a mild brush with them can cause grievous hurt. In the last two decades, about 200 people have been reportedly killed.

With animal activists crying hoarse, the organisers and local people taking it as an issue of cultural pride, and the helpless state governments taking a populist stand year after year, this brutal sport, which is inconsistent with the times we live in, is likely to continue. The ban by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the feeble attempts by the state government, the relentless campaign by animal activists or the interventions of the courts do not seem to address the tricky cultural argument. If one agrees for the sport because it had been practised for hundreds of years, many barbaric traditional practices, such as child marriage, that have been outlawed in the country can be justified as well.

The only welcome relief is that of late, there are stringent conditions imposed on the oraganisers of the event and the district collectors are held responsible. Unlike in the past, only those cleared by the authorities can jump into the “ring” of loose soil to tame the bulls. Medical examinations, close scrutiny of the preparations of the event and the on-site behaviour are also closely monitored. Similarly, the bulls cannot be intoxicated or tortured to run amuck. The collectors also have to file an affidavit after the events. But animal rights activists say there is still a lot that goes unnoticed and only an outright ban can stop the barbarism.

http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5791319656418401904#editor/target=post;postID=1392356732247345617

Bogota mayor takes stance against bull fighting

Colombia Reports

COLOMBIA NEWS, SPORTS, CULTURE AND TRAVEL

Friday 13 January 2012 15:23

TONY PETERS

Bogota Mayor Gustavo Petro has taken a stance against bull fighting in the Colombian capital by stating City Hall will not provide any financial support for bull fighting events, Colombian media reported Friday.

"There will not be a single peso spent on this type of event," said the mayor. The top city official also said that neither he nor anyone from his office will make use of the City Hall seating box at the Plaza de Toros de Santamaria.

"In the electoral campaign we said that it does not seem right that Bogota puts on show about death and consequently we have decided not to make use of the box in the Plaza de Toros," said Petro.

The Governor of Antioquia, Sergio Fajardo has taken a similar position as Petro. He announced that he will not support the bullfighting season in Medellin, according to weekly Semana.


http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/21516-bogota-mayor-takes-stance-against-bull-fighting.html

Jallikattu: tradition first, safety next

                                                          

MADURAI, January 15, 2012

Pride, belief, fear keep ancient ritual alive

From rustic fears that failure to hold the annual bull-taming sport will incur divine wrath and cause an epidemic in the village to the obvious pride in participating in it, ‘jallikattu' has come to stay as part of the tradition and culture of rural Tamil Nadu.

Seen as mere baiting of bulls and display of cruelty by animal rights activists, but venerated by villagers as a symbol of antiquity and the martial tradition of Tamils, ‘jallikattu' evokes varying reactions from different sections of society. It is part of the three-day celebrations of Pongal, the harvest festival of the Tamil people.

Download the high resolution graphic (pdf) here

In most villages in the southern districts, bull taming is conducted on the second and third days of Pongal. Palamedu and Alanganallur villages near Madurai become the centres of attraction as tens of thousands of people gather to watch the spectacle of bulls from all over Tamil Nadu, numbering close to 1000, being unleashed in the arena to test the taming skills of the fighters.

Historical references show that ‘jallikattu,' known in ancient times as ‘Yeru thazhuvuthal,' was popular among warriors during the Tamil classical period. The term ‘jallikattu,' comes from Tamil terms ‘salli kaasu' (coins) and ‘kattu' (a package) tied to the horns of bulls as prize money. Later, in the colonial period, this term changed to ‘jallikattu.'

A well-preserved seal found at Mohenjodaro in the 1930s is available at the Delhi Museum, which depicts the bull fighting practice prevalent during the Indus Valley Civilization (The Hindu, January 3, 2008).

In ‘jallikattu,' all that the fighters have to do is to pounce on the running bull, try to hold on to its hump and move along with the animal without falling or getting hurt. It requires quick reflexes and a fleet foot to tame the recalcitrant bull, which will try to get away, shake off the fighter and, at times, stamp or gore the fallen participants.

In Palamedu village, ‘jallikattu' will be held on January 16 by a committee called the Mahalingasamy Grama Podhu Madam, established in 1972. It consists of 11 members belonging to different caste groups. To avoid a confrontation, the first bull to run down the long lane is the Mahalingasamy Madathu Podhu Kaalai. The first respect in terms of caste goes to the Palamedu East Street Manja Malai Kaalai (bull) belonging to Dalits (Devendra Kula Vellalars); then North Street Ayyanar Kaalai; South Street Pattallamman Koil Kaalai and 24 Manai Telugu Chetty Pattu Satha Koil Kaalai in that order.

There are some myths associated with ‘jallikattu.' Most bull owners name their animal after the gods associated with their lineage. Some believe that if they fail to take the bull to the Vaadi Vaasal (entry point to the fighting area) it will harm the family.

Palamedu panchayat president C. Narayanasamy says ‘jallikattu' is organised for divine purposes. “If we do not conduct ‘jallikattu' the village is in danger of being affected by an epidemic.” Palamedu, on the day of ‘jallikattu,' wears a festive look and the villagers in and around get an opportunity to have their own small stalls, which sells food items ranging from beef, chicken and pig fry to sugarcane juice and ‘jigarthanda'. It provides a chance for visitors and tourists to get a feel of rural life.

At Alanganallur, one can see posters put up in remembrance of “fallen heroes” who died fighting the bulls. Villagers still remember Hundial alias Senthil who was gored to death by a bull while fighting it at the Alanganallur event in 2005. 

He was just 20. His brother Ravi, 18, when asked about the loss of his brother, says it was not a loss as he died a brave man. However, Ravi avoids participating in ‘jallikattu.'

Ayyur Ayothee (43), a bull fighter, who has participated in events across the State and won prizes said: “Injuries are what you get at the end of the day and nothing else. But still ‘jallikattu' should be conducted and it lies with the individual whether to participate in it or not.”

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article2801743.ece?homepage=true

Keywords: Jallikattu, bull-taming sport, Alanganallur jallikattu

INDIAN HAJ ASPIRANTS CAN WALK INTO PASSPORT SEVA KENDRA SERVICE, SUBMIT APPLICATIONS

With the Haj Committee insisting on holding valid international passport before applying for Haj pilgrimage this year, the regional passport office (RPO), Chennai, has facilitated Haj aspirants

by allowing them to walk in at any of the passport seva kendras (PSKs).

“The passport office has instructed people to generate a registration number online. Later, they can walk into a PSK and submit the applications,” said A. Aboobucker, vice chairman, Haj Committee of India.

While the RPO had provided eight months valid passports for the selected Haj pilgrims last year, the Haj committee now wants applicants to hold a valid passport even before applying.

The schedule for 2012 Haj pilgrimage has been finalised and according to Mr Aboobucker, the committee will start receiving applications in March and after drawing of lots, the final list of pilgrims will be released by April end. The first special flight carrying Haj pilgrims is expected to leave India on September 19.

“We are grateful to chief minister J. Jayalalithaa for increasing the fund to `20 lakh from `10 lakh for the state Haj Committee to meet the expenses.

Similarly, we request her to allocate a piece of land to build a Haj House in Chennai,” said Mr Aboobucker.

Noting that all major cities in the country have government-owned Haj Houses, he said the one present in Chennai and used by Haj pilgrims is an NGO-owned building.

“She can even give us land belonging to the Wakf Board. We will construct the building with our own funds,” he said.

He also noted that 5,000 people visited Haj from Tamil Nadu in 2011 after the chief minister intervened and helped increase the state quota by 11 per cent.

Al-Haj.A.ABOOBUCKER.MBA,
V. CHAIRMAN HAJ COMMITTEE OF INDIA.
CHAIRMAN TAMIL NADU STATE HAJJ COMMITTEE.  
CHAIRMAN PRESIDENT GROUP & HOTEL PRESIDENT.CHENNAI-600004. INDIA.
+9198410-32211(Mobile) +9144-28472211(Office) +9144-28471166(fax)+9198840-22416(PA)

 

FREE INDIA IS BORN :FIRST PRESIDENT OF INDIA RAJAN BABU'S ASSURANCE TO MINORITIES

A.M.E.S COLLEGE OF EDUCATION:SECOND GRADUATION DAY

By Shafee Ahmed Ko

Amidst the elite of the audience, with standing ovation, Ambur Mazhar Uloom College paraded the successful out going B.Ed graduates in their colourful academic attire. Out of 96 successful candidates, 71 women came out with flying colours, and 25 men scored the card. Candidates were drawn from Muslim, Hindus, Christians societies, is point to consider that AMES considers all equal in education to in secular India. The event took place on Thursday 29^th December 2011 at Ambur, Vellore District, and Tamil Nadu.

As a co-educational Institute (in teachers’ training only), Mazhar Uloom College is none other than on in the care and management of Ambur Muslim Educational Association (AMEA). The celebration is the Second formal “Educational Ceremony” (Convocation) conferring degrees to those passing out graduates in B.Ed. course.

Padma Shree Mecca Rafeeque Ahmed, President, FICCI, Tamil Nadu Chamber, presided the function, recognising full worth of the passing candidates, knowing that 71 percentage of women’s success in their educational skills, expressed his warm approval of admiration saying, “Among the noblest of the profession, I personally believe, teaching a profession which imparts knowledge to others, is the far noblest one. Your   job has not ceased to a final point with this graduation degrees in your hands, what you have now, is a specific role and responsibility before you, in turn it is you in turn have to make many more of your future disciples as brilliant as a glittering diamond.” Mr.Rafeeque Ahmed further said, “You have a task before you have which require diligent performance, showingcare and conscientiousness in your work or duties”

Naththarsa Sayeed, Correspondent, Secretary of AMES, and Meddaykar Kaleemaullah Joint Secretary both presided the event.Mr.Sathya Nagendiran, Principal honoured the guests by welcome address and presented the Annual Report. Former Principal Dr.Nisar Ahmed presented the farewell address. Maddaykar Nazer Mohammad, Correspondent; Dr.Mohammad Aadil,Principal Mazhar-ul-Ullom College,Professors Akbar Sayeed,Meera Mohiyadeen, and Vellore District Librarian Rajagopal participated in this education ceremony. The Mazharul Uloom College has introduced M.Com in Bank Management with Computer Application.


The College has now around 900 students and offers several undergraduate courses along with M.Sc (computer science). In a novel experiment, the MU College has been providing free coaching for girl students to appear for B.Com and BCA courses at Hasnat-e-Jaria Girls High School in the tiny leather town during the last nine years. It has enabled almost 900 girls to acquire B.Com degree from open universities and distance learning institutes. More information can be had from:

http://www.mucollege.amburnet.com/Management.html

Short profile of Ambur Muslim Educational Society(AMES)

 (AMES).Thadey T.Abdullah Sahib, talked as “Sir Syed Ahmed Khan of Ambur,( the uncle of  Thady Abdul Wahid,  was a Member of Third Lok Sabha representing Vellore Parliamentary Constituency of erstwhile Madras State during 1962-67.) In December 16, 1905 Mazhar Uloom was established in a secular perception under aegis of Ambur Muslim Educational Society.

AMES celebrated its Centenary Celebration on Monday 4^th Sept  2006,at Ambur, and  then the His Excellency A.P.J.Abdul Kalam,President of India was the Chief Guest, and Mazhar-ul-Uloom Higher Secondary School found its platinum Jubilee Celebration. AMES has a full fledged college, Women’s Higher Secondary School, Primary Schools, Vocational training Schools.

WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012.

WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012.

AMITY INDIA

Cuddalore town suffers brunt of ‘Thane’ cyclone

Submitted by admin7 on 30 December 2011 - 3:15pm

• India News
 
• Indian Muslim

By Shafee Ahmed Ko, for TwoCircles.net,

Chennai: The woeful cry from the rich and the poor is one and all one can hear now in Cuddalore as severe cyclonic storm named “Thane” crossed the coastal fishing town of Tamil Nadu Friday morning leaving 5 persons dead (official count) and hundreds of homes destroyed.

Five persons reportedly died in Cuddalore in incidents of wall collapse and electrocution while one person died in house collapse in Puducherry.

Having heard the predictions from Chennai Meteorological department, on Thursday this correspondent contacted Mr. Kamaluddin, President of FeMWAS (Federation of Muslim Women Aid Society) in Cuddalore and learnt that the situation was very bad, and Mr. Kamaluddin asked TCN to pray Allah. He was contacted repeatedly from Friday morning but the line was not accessible. Then one Mr. Younus was contacted in Cuddalore to get more information about the devastation.

The town of Cuddalore district, situated near Pondicherry, has a sizeable Muslim population.

Mr. Younus informed that hundreds of poor people have been rendered homeless and are sheltered in camps, schools, and marriage halls. They are served with packets of food from Thursday night. The cyclone could not cause many casualties as the residents had vacated their home after the warning from the government dept.

The cyclone hit Cuddalore and its adjoining districts and caused a land fall between Cuddalore and Pondicherry, the Union Territory, early this morning. The cyclone which crossed Cuddalore with wind speed of 120 km per hour severely damaged the town and the district. The waves rising above 40 ft the sea level and heavy torrential rain water inundated Cuddalore town and suburban areas besides damaging crops worth several crores of rupees. Paddy field and banana groves have been totally uprooted. Several uprooted sturdy trees are now lying across the main roads obstructing traffic with electric lamp posts fallen, speaking of the volume of the destruction. Cuddalore is almost cut off from the district. The torrential rain and the wind are still nonstop, and people are warned not come out.

There are reports of people being electrocuted by fallen live wires, and houses damaged by fallen trees. Most of the trains departing from Chennai to South are either delayed or cancelled. Air traffic from Chennai is also hit.

The impact of the wind has been so severe that one of the cargo ships anchored at deep sea off Chennai bay, is washed ashore to Chennai Marina Beach near “Anna Samadhi”, the Tomb of Annadurai, and the first Chief Minister of DMK party.

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