Haleem-Hyderabad's taste for Ramadan

When we walk through the streets of Hyderabad, It always gives an enchanting feeling. The blend of cities old and new varieties ranging from bazaars, palaces, forts, minarets to the new hi-tech buildings, flyovers, stadiums, malls, etc, is the beauty of the twin cities. The cuisine of Hyderabad, add up to the delight of visitors. A variety of tastes, starting from the famous Hyderabad biriyani to the special fruit biscuits of Karachi bakery, make the mind full of food lovers. And when we are down the streets, during the holy month of Ramadan, our eyes will catch the sight of colourful line up of sign boards, with display of special dish, which we haven’t met throughout the year. And when we reach to it, a delightful smell from a big pot, and the sight of a hot dish welcome us, it’s “Haleem”- Hyderabad’s unique special dish for Ramadan. Each and every corner of the city is piled up with the shops, selling this delicious food. Cities star restaurants to the small vendors equally enjoy in the making and selling of this dish.

Haleem is made from meat, along with ghee, a variety of spices and dry fruits. This semi-liquid food is enjoyed by the people mainly after Iftar (breaking of the fast). While majority take it as a secondary food, some who cannot compromise with its taste, take as much to fill their stomach. It is made on large scale, in big pots with specially designed fire place. And the work over it starts from morning and is ready to serve by the time of Iftar. The line up in front of shops after sunset shows the peoples response to its taste. Moreover, it provides much satisfaction after a day’s fasting. Haleem is also prepared in households for Iftar. During the season, variety of competitions is organized like eating Haleem and preparing it.

The origin of Haleem in Hyderabad has many opinions. Mainly it is believed to have reached from Persia, during the period of Nizam, along with many other dishes like the Iranian tea. However Haleem is unique to Hyderabad in India. Now its sale has been extended to Mumbai and Bangalore airports. Old city-the Charminar area is best place to have Haleem in the city. There is large number of vendors selling it there. King Koti is another area which lines up with a number of Haleem shops. The desire of the city’s residents for this delicious dish has made the season a hub for the vendors. The immigrants of the city, from various parts of India and other countries, have it, first for curiosity and then, caught with its taste. If you are in the city during Ramadan, then don’t miss the taste of Haleem.

Kashmir-clouds of violence again

For the last two months Kashmir witnessed one of the furious clashes in recent years. The tension raised between the locals and the security forces has led to the loss of several lives and loss of property worth millions. The situation in Kashmir now is one which needs immediate attention and a permanent solution. The Atmosphere of the valley has been in a disturbed condition after the Omar Abdullah government took over the power. Many protests and demonstrations were held in different parts of the valley in response to fake encounters and killings, like the Shopian case. These incidents has led the state to an explosive stage, which has been triggered in this June, with the death of a school boy, Tufail Mattoo, hit by a teargas shell in Srinagar. This teargas shell was shot in order to suppress a rally organized to protest against the fake encounter at Machhil in April, this year, which killed 3 youths. After the death of Tufail, the current mass upsurge reached its peak level, with continuing violence and many killed in firing by security forces. The violence continued and spread all over and the number of people killed in firing and in police custody increased. For the last two months more than fifty youths were killed in the violence lead to destruction of mass property, government vehicles and offices. As the entire area is under curfew, the shops remained closed; people are suffering without the availability of food and other necessities. Schools, Colleges, Offices, Business centers all remain closed in the valley. This time the violence had spread almost entirely, from cities to towns to villages and is seen the active participation of women, children and youth, who are battling with the police with stones, neglecting the wide torture and response with guns.


The situation in Kashmir has become to such a disturbing situation because of the failure of state and central governments to win faith in the people. The government hasn’t learned any lessons from the uncontrolled activities of the armed forces across the country, and especially in the states of Kashmir and Manipur, were the deadly ASFPA exist. This act is actually a ‘license to kill’. The failure of the government to control this killings, has lead the situation worse. The responsible officers of the incidents are free from law despite the clear evidences against them. And there is no sign of warning or not at all a condemning word from the authorities in these incidents. This silence has now leaded to the breaking silence by the public in Kashmir. If any action has been taken in the Machhil case, the current upsurge would not have happened. But the gentlemen were busy with Commonwealth games. In a country were a question is raised in the parliament, when a cricketer is not selected to the national team, notorious killing of its citizens by its own forces are not at all discussed. And the Indian armed forces, whether it is paramilitary, civil police or the military, is (in) famous for its notorious, unfriendly behavior, from the colonial period itself.


The violence is in a mass scale, without any leadership, so the usual method of arresting the leaders will not work. Since the time limit for a political solution is almost over, now the step taken by the government is to push more troops, or the army itself to suppress the violence. How long the violence can be suppressed with boots and guns. More troops means more killing and more violence. The usual policies are difficult to work this time.


Here the immediate package is the involvement of the Prime minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh in Kashmir. The people protesting can only be calmed by winning their faith over the government. PM should listen to the grievances of Kashmiris .He should admit the mistakes and apologize in the death of innocent people and try to provide justice to the people of Kashmir. This will be the last chance, if the centre fails this time, we cannot predict the result of the next explosion from the valley. Surely it will be uncontrollable.

Beautiful game in Rainbow land

Football is the most popular game in the world. Wherever it is played, this beautiful game attracts the hearts of millions. Lakhs of players and thousands of clubs in constitute the world football. No other game reaches nearby this in popularity. It is the great passion of this game which leads the people to its way.

And what will happen when the world’s greatest football event is with us. World cup football is the most awaited sports event. It is the end of waiting for many years. Winners waiting to prove it again and losers for winning what they lost last time. For the fans it is a waiting for beautiful matches in national colours. Since the lights of Berlin Olympic stadium were off four years ago they were counting down for the lights to be on at Johannesburg. Qualifying matches, losses, confusions, winning, and all added up to excitement. With analysis, calculations, betting and all fans celebrated the count down period.

This time world cup had founded a new arena. The coronation of football kings will be in the Dark Continent- The home of wild and beautiful power football which conquered the world by last two decades, Africans dream has come true. They love football than any thing. They forget the civil wars, bloodsheds, Famine, Poverty for their favorite game. From Abedi Pele, Rodger Milla, George Viya, Kanu, Ballumi, Diyouf etc., to Drogba, Essien, Eto’o, McCarthy ,… African football had grown a lot. And they are expecting more this time, the show off their own teams, at home. Can they create History? Asia proved it when they were the hosts. And why can’t Africa?

Before the kick off the most asked question is always-Who will be the winner? And who all has the chance for lifting the cup. Fans support their teams the best with all favorable calculations and assumptions. -Argentina, Brazil, Spain, England, Portugal, Germany are in the hotlist of predictors. With each team and its supporters the football mania continues…

Latin America-the song of football
When we check the world cup history, from 1962 onwards we can see a rotation going on in winning the title. Cup goes to Latin America and Europe alternatively. What force is making this perfect rotation? Last time it was the chance of Europe, and before semis itself all the other continents were out of the race. Is there anything true in it? If this continues again, then this time it is to Latin America. And who will win for them? There is only two teams to win for them-The all-time football favorites-Brazil and Argentina. Majority of football fans around the world are with either of these teams.
Brazil is a team always favorites. No words are needed to introduce them. Just that name is enough for canaries. All teams want to beat them. And they want to win always; nothing less than cup is enough for them. How are the chances of Brazil? They are in good form now, won Confederation cup last year. This time Brazil has a young squad with a super coach campaigning for the seventh title. If they are in full swing no other choice will be there for the title. If kaka, Robinho, fabiano trio can be the successors of “Ro-Ro-Ri” trio of 2002 then Yellow will bloom again.
Argentina is never far behind. They have been waiting for 24 years for a cup win. Each time they come with much expectation and somewhere they miss it. This time the man who had won for them in 1986- Diego Maradona is preparing the team for an end to the long drought of titles. Can they fulfill that dream with world footballer Messi or will it be another tragedy? Argentina is a super team, and if they click the dream will surely come true in Africa.
Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile are the other teams from Latin America. Paraguay is in good form, and they are having a golden opportunity in the first round, with an easy grouping, they are predicted to be the runners-up of the group. If Chile can overcome Swiss and Honduras, they will be heading to pre-quarters, to meet Brazil there. Uruguay’s chances in group-A, with France, Mexico and the hosts, South Africa is not predicted.

House of power football-Europe
Europe is aiming a victory outside their continent for the first time and to keep the title with them itself. Out of the 13 teams from Europe England and Spain is at the height of expectations. Home for world’s best leagues these countries don’t have much to boast in international arena. European champions-Spain is predicted to be a new winner of FIFA world cup. They are having a good squad this time, which can compete with any other team in the world. England is also having a very good squad. Each time this is the situation with them, in 2002, 2006, 1990 all. But every time they fell over some hurdles. With Fabio Capello‘s tricks can they win a second title after 44 years.
Portugal is another hopeful team. Luis Figo’s successors were struggling in the qualifiers with superstar Cristiano, Deco, Carvalo, Nani, Etc,. Over the past years they had gained much fans and support, but present situation is tough for them. Even with star players, this team is not good as 2006 semi finalist team.
Traditional European power houses-Germany, Italy, France and Holland is also hoping for their favorite title. Germany has a good record in world cup history. Recently they had good results in Euro cup and Last world cups. But injury is the main problem they face which darkens their hopes. They had lost 5 key players including captain and playmaker Ballack and first goalkeeper Rene Adler. If the young squad under Philip Lahm can overcome these losses then Germany will be the real Germany again. Italy is the defending champions, but not in the favorites list. The old squad of 2006 cannot go further again. Their performance in Euro cup 2008 and Confederation cup 2009 doesn’t gave much expectation from the Azzuris. France is also in poor form. The runner-up of last time struggled in the qualifiers itself, and even loss to China in a recent friendly. They are having only the memories of the golden era. Frank Ribery is giving some hope for the French squad, but that is not enough here. Holland is also a team which ends up in the middle way always. If they can overcome that bad luck this time it will be the orange harvest in Africa.
The other teams from Europe-Slovenia, Serbia, Greece and Slovakia are not much considered; even for the second round. If Denmark continues the performance in qualifiers, then sure, they will be the dark horses. They are hoping that from group E, with Japan, Cameroon and Holland.

African dreams
With all these power houses existing, heart beats for some other colours. Yes, at their home, can the Africans be far behind. Ghana, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Cameroon and Algeria are handling the flag of Africa with the hosts-South Africa. If any of them can create history, it will be the biggest prize for them for hosting this mega event. With Super stars Drogbe, Appiah, Eto’o and all their teams are at the top of hopes, with the support of their own people. Grouping has given Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon chances to advance from first round.
Ivory Coast is with the giants and expecting to leave one of them in tears. South Africa’s hope from the first round is unpredictable from group A, with equal powers Uruguay and Mexico along with France.

North America-to prove there power
Among the teams from North America, USA and Mexico are in good form. USA will be advancing from group C. They had performed well in the confederation cup. Can they repeat the great upset of 1950 when they face England in their first match? Even not they can go to the next round beating Slovenia and Algeria in their present form. But in second round they may be facing Germany. Mexico is always a pre-quarter team. This time also they will be moving to their only. Honduras is not hoping much unless a good performance.

Asia-Oceania:Something special this time
The third world of football-Asia is in a different combination this time. There is no team from Middle East, but North Korea, who had qualified after 44 years. In 1966, their only appearance before, they created history by reaching the quarter, which was the best performance by an Asian team until 2002. South Korea and Australia is likely to advance from first round. Socceroos is considered as a danger by giants after their performance in the last world cup. South Korea is having a group to hope. If they can overcome Nigeria Red will roar again.
Japan had to do something special this time to succeed in the group stage. They are not considered much like last time.
The one and only team outside all this, New Zealand is trying to celebrate their surprise qualification. Luck was with them this time. Oceanic giants, Australia said goodbye to the confederation, and unlucky was with Bahrain again. If “All whites” do any thing in the tournament, then it will be another giant surprise.

Each world cup tournament had something special with it. Surprise winners, goals, upsets, new stars, etc,. At last one team will emerge as winners- Sometimes according to predictions, sometimes above all expectations. What surprise will be Africa having? We have to wait till July 11. Until that we have the beautiful game with us....