Saturday 1 December 2018

10-Mystic Crazy Love Quotes of Rumi Explained by By Kamaljeet Grewal (Part-3)

Rumi: Was a superstar of his and his poems were POP music of that  time. Admired loved and cherished in the East ever since and in the West and globally since the 1990s. Thirteenth Century mystic Rumi's  love poems has taken the world by storm.

Rumi -The great sufi Poet of mystic Love, of the 13th century has composed his mystic poems and prose works in Persian. Rumi was the most famous personality in the region and his fame and unique mystic poetic style full of Romance had already spread 3,000 miles away to India during his lifetime.
Translation is an art but to explain the poem in simple words, expressing what the poet wants to convey is a science.It is difficult to follow in depth the message and spirit of Rumi's poems, based only on translations.Kamal Jeet Grewal has filled this gap by explaining the real spirit of Rumi’s poem by her explanations. 
Here in this Blog: “ 10-Mystic Love quotes of Rumi Explained by By Kamaljeet Grewal”, I have selected Rumi’s ten couples –explained by Kamaljeet Grewal .Though she is not a Sufi scholar, she has elaborated Rumi's poems in graceful words that hit the hearts of its readers.
It's impossible today to imagine how popular poetry of Love with a mix of mystic was at the time of Rumi. It was the pop music of its time. Rumi is sometimes called the Master of Mystic Love because the Sufi path strives for ecstatic ego and annihilation in the fires of Divine Love.
His Sufi poems and works have the real essence of union with Beloved God, " the primal - The God", the concept of tauhid (Indivisible Oneness of God).
In his poems he added mystical references, direct emotional expressions, issues involving maturity and growth of the soul and even anecdotes about daily life.There are four major themes that run in his Sufi words: Heartache, Drunkenness, Disagreeable Lover and Aloneness.
(1)-I thought, "First I'll know you, then I'll die."
            He replied, “Whoever knows me never dies."
Explained by Kamal Jeet
Man works in a structured way with planning and organising each piece of work. 

There is always a 'first ' a 'second ' a ' third ' and yet a ' fourth ‘...And so on and so forth...
Even meeting God, he plans in steps and seriation!
But God's reply supersedes all His plans!

One who knows God...never dies...the soul lives on ...meeting God everyday ....in all his moments..as the man who has been successful in knowing God ..Sees Him in all His creations around him ...
 he no more remains a seeker ...he feels God in every atom around him ..
(2)-Love is when God says to you,
"I've created everything for you. "

And you say,
 "I have left everything for you."

Explained by Kamal Jeet
God has showered us with blessings ...that we can never count and thank Him for.

These things sometimes are so attractive that we get immersed in their beauty and take for granted and forget the Provider!

But a blessed soul is aware that all these are only second to The Beloved!
And he expresses this thought!
This soul stands delivered!!!!
Wish you dear friends...a pleasant evening..
(3)-Your Love has filled me with the madness 

no one could ever know.
Your gaze has enchanted my heart with a poem
no one could ever write. 

Explained by Kamal Jeet
The crescendo and ecstacy in Love reaches the peak ...and the outburst of the heart in Love expresses his uncontrollable feelings...

The 'madness ' in the Love of the Beloved surpasses all other madness...

One supposedly, piercing look from the Beloved
is likened to an intensely touching poetry ..that no Lover could ever have written !Magical is the Love of the Beloved!

Love is the most powerful emotion that captivates not only senses but heart and soul. Poetry is the spontaneous flow of emotions that love generates from eyes, captures the whole self and ultimately transformed into poetry.All the melodies , spiritual verses, are full of love . 
If one doesn't get mad in love that's is not love and if one writes poetry without love that can't touch the heart and soul. 
(4)-Nothing can nourish the soul 
but light.
Explained by Kamal Jeet
The Divine Light is the origin from where we have emerged...and that only nourishes the soul.... Nothing can substitute it.
The Divine Light is the origin from where we have emerged...and that only nourishes the soul.... Nothing can substitute it!
(5)-Do not ask what
Love can make or do...
Look at the colours
of the earth.

Explained by Kamal Jeet
The marvels of Love are indescribable..Unthinkable...Unimaginable..
What Love can do is unquestionable!

To see what Love can do ...it is enough to look around to see what the Love of God for His creation has done!

If that is what Love can do ...why shirk away from Love...or shy away from it ...or even stop the flow of this emotion!

It is this Love of God for us...that turns buds to fragrant blossoms ...that sprinkles the dew on each blade of grass ...that brings the string of raindrops racing down ...that brightens the sky with the rainbow ...that sprinkles the twinkling stars in the night sky ...
Spread your Love for God and mankind !
See the magic that you can create!
(6)-You smell...
...like Love.
Explained by Kamal Jeet
Love has an intoxicating fragrance!
It fills the heart, mind, and body with an essence divine !
Spread Love..
It's the perfume, which when sprinkled, can charge the environment with positivity!!!
(7)-I can sense Your
presence in my heart
although You belong
to the whole world.

Explained by Kamal Jeet
The Beloved is Omnipresent...
In our conversation to Him...one feels that He is only listening to him...little realising that each one feels similar as The Beloved listens to each one of us...

Similarly Lord Krishna gave the same feeling to each of His seekers.

It is said that each 'gopi' felt that Lord Krishna was solely dancing with her...in the Raas Lila..

He belonged to the whole world...That was His Magnanimity...

Thousands flock to the temples, mosques, gurdwaras and churches...and in prayer each seeker feels His presence within...

The Beloved belongs to everyone as much as each one belongs to Him...
(8)-What is the heart?
...A flower opening..
Explained by Kamal Jeet
Man is sent to the earth with a pure and fresh heart...the function being to Love..

to be compassionate ...to nurture positive emotions ...to pour out generosity...to shower kindness .....

Rumi calls the heart a flower...Which is to open layer after layer...Blossoming and spreading its fragrance around...

A question to ask ourselves...Am I allowing the heart to carry out the functions that God intended it to???
Food for thought!
(9) She breathes into my ear...
until my soul takes on her fragrance.
She is the soul of my soul. 
Explained by Kamal Jeet
Another one of deep lines of Rumi...
He takes a peep deeper than a normal one ..
He calls on the soul of the soul...
The soul of the soul whispers Love into its ears..and fill the soul with a divine fragrance ..
Meaning that the Soul is a living spirit ...and like a human lives and breathes because of the soul present in him .Similarly the soul's soul keeps it alive ..
In these lines Rumi treats the soul as a complete entity within itself..
(10)--Do not worry if all the candles
in the world flicker and die..
..We have the spark
that starts the fire.
Explained by Kamal Jeet
Rumi expresses hopefulness even in the most hopeless situation.
As worldly possessions have an expiry date ...they may get exhausted and become extinct!

But there is no need to worry...Because the spark of the Beloved is inexhaustible...it never has an end!
As the Guru Granth Sahib describes it as
'ANAHAD' .that which has no end!
Kamaljeet Grewal



Tuesday 27 November 2018

One Day Road Trip to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam And Ethipothala Waterfalls from Hyderabad: A Tranquil Sojourn

There are many points for a one day road trips from Hyderabad that can be enjoyed.Being an Engineer and a nature lover, I decided to visit Nagarjuna Sagar Dam in District Nalgonda and Ethipothala Waterfalls. Nagarjuna Sagar is one of the largest masonry dams in the world and supplies water and electricity to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Well that final Sunday came; let the adventure to find some space for ourselves. We started around 8:00 am in the morning from Hyderabad and reached there by 12:30 pm, driving slowly and enjoying the scenery on the way, stopping at places taking pictures and a cup of cutting teas. However, roads of AP are good, that is what I realized in this trip. Even this interior road, where both side it was shrubs for long way. Rest is the story, how we chalked a route for the trip.
The total distance between Hyderabad and Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is about 180 KM and can be covered easily in 4-5 hours depending on traffic conditions. Unfortunately, there are not many choices to stay and foodings around Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. We entered in APTDC Haritha Vijay Vihar resort campus, to refresh and stayed there about half an hour. Behind the reception was a breathtaking view of the huge lake formed due to the dam. Serene, peaceful, extremely quiet.
It has huge lawns, playing area, gym, pool etc, and on first looks appears a great place to stay.The amazing sunrise and sunset from the hotel with the reflections in water and fog slowly rising to make the view mysterious, can be enjoyed. We were short of time to watch this amazing sun rise and sun set.I noticed and clicked pictures of some Green Bee-eaters, Sunbirds, and Indian Silverbills right in the garden of the hotel.

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, built across the Krishna River is considered one of largest dams built in the recent times in Asia. As the tallest masonry dam, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is also the pride of India. The project has catchment area of roughly 215000 sq.km. The project also boasts of the largest canal system network in India.
Walking on the damn is banned for security reasons. However, there is a jetty which you can take to nearby island and see the museum.

The mighty dam was completed in the year 1969 and has a majestic height of 124 meters. It is 1 km long, and has 26 crest gates. The dam can store upto 11, 472 million cubic meters of water in the reservoir.
The project commenced in February 1956 and after a brief gap, due to lack of modern equipment it was constructed with stone rather than concrete. The dam was completed fully in 1972 once the crest gates were installed.
The dam has two canals, the left and right canals that supply water from the reservoir. The dam is also one of the earliest projects built in post independence India for irrigation and hydro-electricity generation. Exclusively for the purpose of tourism, a lake developed behind the dam, which boasts of its status as the third largest man-made lake anywhere in the world.

Ethipothala Waterfalls

Waterfalls are synonymous with Liril Girl Karen Lunel, who changed the way we take a bath under the waterfalls or dream about it.For decades, people have associated with the iconic advertisement Liril soap with a fresh-looking, lively bikini-clad girl under a waterfall. Even the tune “laa-la la la laa’ became a familiar ring with viewers of that period.Unusual as it is to hear of waterfalls named after soaps.Ethipothala Waterfalls is not such glamorous .Actually it is very tough to take a bath under a waterfall with all the algae, leeches, slippery and sharp rocks and a thousand bystanders watching you. Ethipothala Waterfall is a great place for mild trekking and camping along with refreshing nature sightseeing.After spending some time watching the serene beauty of River Krishna and game of water birds, sky left behind by the sun, we embarked on our next destination, at a distance of 14 km from Nagarjuna Sagar, Ethipothala waterfalls. The striking falls on River Chandravanka (a tributary of River Krishna), towards the down flow of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.It is one of the prime places to visit in Nagarjuna Sagar and also one of the top Tourist places in Telangana.

Ethipothala waterfall is formed by the mountain stream which falls from a height of approximately 70 feet into a lagoon. Three streams namely Nakka Vagu, Tummala Vagu and Chandravanka Vagu combine to form this waterfall. The name Ethipothala has been derived from the Sanskrit word 'Etitaposthal' meaning the place for penance.
It is believed that saints have performed rigorous penance at this place. The caves nearby also attest their presence at this place. The melody of waterfalls did ring in our ears.There were lot of monkeys  to disturb, so be sure you do not carry food items carelessly in your hand.
Now it was time to return back, the Sun was shining low on sky line. While returning Hyderabad, We stopped on road by side of Nagarjuna Sagar dam, to get a perfect view of the river Krishna flowing below us and various types of birds playing their own games in the water

We could see the circular coracle boats used by fisherman from a distance as the evening approached fast.As expected the afterglow post the sunset showed us wonderful hues of color leaving us spellbound. After spending some time watching the sky left behind by the sun, we embarked on our destination back.
However we have experienced nature has its ways of helping you out often when you travel or probably life in general. During the return we were awestruck by the sunset happening right in front of the road hiding beyond the horizon till we reach further towards it only to see it hide again. 

The return journey was tiring; taking couple of breaks on the way back with cutting tea and potato chips mainly to remove the fatigue that comes along a long road trip.Entered in Hyderabad at 9.30pm.It was too late to cook dinner at home, so we took packed Biryani from a hotel. Here it ends; one Day Road Trip to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and Ethipothala Waterfalls from Hyderabad.My camera was full of memories.

We reached back little late but were pretty satisfied with our road trip.All in all, a great road trip, and some good clicks, what else do you need? 
 Written, photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram.

Monday 19 November 2018

AMU Students Union Installation Ceremony 2018: In Lense Of Engr Maqbool Akram

AMU Students Union results were declared early in the morning of of 4th November 2018.The winning candidates were eagerly waiting for installation Ceremony.Their wings were ready to fly in much awaited dream land ,the Union Hall.
12 November was the date fixed for Installation Ceremony.This function held in Athletic ground of AMU Aligarh in a huge pandal. Previously it was announced to be held in Kennedy Auditorium, but in a very short notice the venue was changed.

Installation ceremony of Union 2018 was presided by Aligarh Muslim University, Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor. Professor Zaheeru-d-din (Chief Election Officer) and Professor Nafees Ahmad (Hon. Secretory of Students Union) was also present. The programme was conducted by Dr Shariq Aqil.
The newly elected office bearers of Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union-2018 are Mohammad Salman Imtiyaz (President), Hamza Sufyan (Vice President) and Huzaifa Amir (Hon Secretary) with ten Cabinet members:
Maryam Batool, Ferdaus Ahmed Barbhuiya, Syed Shahrukh Hussain, Gawtham K, Nishant Bhardwaj, Naved Alam, Fahd Ayub Zinjani, Moin Uddin, Fakhara Khan and Hasan Mustafa took charge in the installation ceremony presided by Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor.

It is special to mention that: Salman Imtiaz new elected President of Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union hails from Aligarh and is a student of Ph.D. (JRF Qualified) Social Work. It is after 44 years that someone from Aligarh has been elected as president.
Dr Shariq Aqil started installation ceremony by calling one by one the name of 10 winning Cabinet members to take their seats, It first started by Senior Cabinet Syed Shahrukh Hussain ,followed by other cabinet members.After it Huzaifa Amir (Hon) Secretary, Hamza Sufiyan (Vice President) and last name called was Mohammad Salman Imtiyaz (President).
 The entry of three chair persons of AMU Students union,Secretary,Vice President and President in installation place always remain as a “Hero’s Entry”:They use to enter sitting over shoulders of their supporters ,in a gracefull style waiving hand in “Salam” ,style.
Vice Chancellor Dr. Tariq Mansoor honored them with garlands and offered the traditional gown to wear.As per tradition of AMU Students Union ,the defeated chair candidates were called first to share their “Man ki baat” with audience and management.
During the installation ceremony of  Students union 

2018, two groups were clashed.

Zaid Sherwani’s (defeated candidate) lukewarm speech was being held at the post of Vice President. In his speech, he was telling himself innocence by mentioning the riot and controversy that happened with the doctors of JN Medical College. Meanwhile, a ruckus started in the back of the students audience gallery. Even before people understand something, they got clashed between two factions. Chairs started moving on each other. The situation of rumors and panic emerged in Pandal.
Angry Vice Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor left the stage and moved back to the green room behind. A young man was injured due to the chair.He was sent to J.N Medical College for treatment. Some senior students and members of the proctorial team sitting in the pandals started intervening. 
Sonaveer Singh, the defeated candidate was summoned as vice-president when the atmosphere was peaceful. Once they started speaking, a ruckus started again. Stopping Sonveer's speech, the student union's newly elected president Salman Imtiaz and student leader Alauddin reached the mic, and appealed to students to maintain peace. 

Speaker Salman Imtiaz explained to the students that some people want to disturb the program. Action must be taken against them. Trying to defame the Union. Those who have tried to interrupt the program will see them later.
After the atmosphere was restored in Pandal Sonveer Singh and then Yasin Ghazi was invited for the speech. Yasin Ghazi says that until the Vice Chancellor does not come, the students will not be addressed. After that the Vice Chancellor was called on the stage. Seeing the look of the installation ceremony it became clear that the time to come is not easy for the union.
All the defeated student leaders were united looking against the newly elected office-bearers and cabinet members of the union. It was also a matter of fact that the student leaders, protesting against the newly elected union, accused former MLA Haji Zamirullah, for casting President Salman Imtiaz to contest elections and made it clear that if the President invited someone in the campus then he would not tolerate. 
However, later, President Salman Imtiaz gave a reprieve to the opposition student leaders. Showing photos of Alauddin on mobile, he said that these people welcome Haji zamirullah and ask for money. I'll open all poles later. He dismissed the allegations made by anti-student leaders in the end.
However, later, President Salman Imtiaz gave a reprieve to the opposition student leaders. Showing photos of Alauddin on mobile, he said that these people welcome Haji zamirullah and ask for money. I'll open all poles later. He dismissed the allegations made by anti-student leaders in the end.
After speeches by defeating chair persons, the winning chair persons were called to address the gathering.
(1) Secretary Huzaifa Aamir: Said that those who used to be grateful to the British now question over our patriotism and faithfulness towards country. Trying to erase us by changing the names of the cities . He appealed to the students to write on social media who gave the country Taj Mahal and Qutub Minar.He attacked govt ,whether the place from where you deliver speech belongs to your fore fathers.
Ask the Muslims, who understand the two-city urban areas, from where they work, did he bring his father-in-law? In 1857 we had exhibited corpses and asked us today what we gave to country. Aamir said that for the last 70 years, there are two parties in the country.

A Hard Hindu and the Second Soft Hindus. One attacks from front, second attacks from rear. Uses religion to hide its shortcomings. 

During his address, Huzaifa Amir strongly attacked the Vice-Chancellor sitting on the platform. On the charge of moving back and forth against the district administration, the V C became angry and in the middle, struck Amir and said that you are lying.

Aamir also attacked the Vice-Chancellor on the grounds of land, appointment, enrollment and nomination etc. His hard speech was unbearable to university management, they took it bad.

(2)Vice President Hamza Sufiyan: said that efforts are being made to eradicate the names of Muslim cities. In such a situation, the war is raging. He said that he is not against any Hindi or Sanskrit. But if Urdu will not be talk in AMU, then what will be the point in B H U? The former Vice Chancellor wrote the sign boards of the campus in Hindi.
Such mistakes should be corrected. If there is no justice with the Urdu in AMU, then where will it be? He said that the falling Waqar of AMU should be saved and it should be brought to power. Whoever tries to overturn A M U's brothers, I will be tough against them. It is noteworthy that the anti-student leaders had alleged that they used stringent words with Vice President Hamza Sufiyan along with the students sitting on the Baba-e-Syed.

(3)Mohammad Salman Imtiaz, President: Said that we are Indian Muslims. Nobody has the right to question our patriotism. We will not even give proof to anyone. We showed our intention only at the time of partition.

Salman Imtiaz said that he would create a legal network. For this, law experts , like Ram jethmalani, M Katju and Faizan Mustafa assured their help. They have started the conversation. Together with them we will fight for the right. They will create a media network like Oxford, so that the matter of Union and AMU can be made globally. During his address, he raised problems related to AMU students and gave assurances to resolve it.
He also took strong exception to the anti-student leaders and said that he has a childhood relationship with son of Haji Zamirullah Khan. The union has not started working yet and people are accusing them of selling. The roots of the lobbying are thrown out, they are not being tolerated. My wife is questioned that I have contested for her appointment in the university.

For this, experts from law like Ram jethmalani, M Katju and Faizan Mustafa will get help. They have started the conversation. Together with them we will fight for the right. They will create a media network like Oxford, so that the matter of Union and AMU can be made globally. During his address, he raised problems related to AMU students and gave assurances to resolve it.

The accusers do brokerage and sell Shervani. Everyone knows who has cut off on Union Hall. He said that the people of the bargain will sherwani take off and returning to the union's work and returning the voice. Will open all the gates from tomorrow many doctors of J N Medical College practice private practice. Will not spare them.
Here,the Installation ceremony of AMU Students Union 2018 ended.Vice Chancellor Prof Tariq Mansoor announced that the classes of University and Schools will remain suspended on November 13’ 2018. The ceremony ended with University Tarana and National Anthem.

Dr Shariq Aqil asked the newly formed cabinet “first to go to AMU’S grand Masjid for two rekat namaz-e shukrana and offer fateha to Sir Syed Ahmad Khan”,the founder of AMU. Aligarh.



Here I am sharing a post published in Hindi Daily News Paper Amar Ujala ,in which Sri Sonveer Singh,the defeated Vice Presidential candidate.He has raised question over “Secularism in AMU Aligarh”.


Here I am ending this blog: “Installation Ceremony of AMU Students Union 2018: In Lense Of Engr Maqbool Akram”.

Written ,photographed and posted by Engr Maqbool Akram.