Cultural evening livens up Deccan expats in Jubail

Indian expatriates from the south Indian city of Hyderabad came together for a colorful cultural evening at the Safco Beach Camp in Jubail Industrial City recently. The program, organized by Hyderabad Deccan Connections (HDC), was attended among others by a number of prominent Saudis and Indians including Khaled Matlagaitu, Syed Hameed, Aleem Khan Falaki, Mirza Zaheer Baig, Meraj A. Ansari and Mohammed Abdulsattar. HDC President Syed Waheed Lateef welcomed the delegates and highlighted the significance of bringing people together and celebrating happy moments and interacting with fellow Deccanites. He introduced the newly elected executive committee of the forum that included Mohammed Abdulsattar (executive vice president), Mohammed Turab Ali (vice president, finance), Mohammed Zahooruddin (vice president, public relations), Osman Yousuf (vice president, technical), Mohammed Mansoor Khan (vice president, logistics) and Ateequr Rahman (general secretary). There was an interesting and interactive quiz on Hyderabad and its historic origins. It was based on some very thought-provoking and interesting questions. Quizmasters Mohammed Abdulsattar and Osman Yousuf won huge applause for their meticulous quizzing skills. In line with its tradition, HDC presented awards in two categories. Syed Anas Najeeb and Syed Huzaifa Najeeb received the “Gem of Deccan” awards for memorizing the Holy Qur’an in a record time, while Mohammed Faraz Ali and G. Veena received the prestigious awards for scoring highest marks in Class XII at the International English School-Jubail. The “Pride of Deccan” awards were presented to Syed Lutfullah Hussaini and Mohammed Mumtaz Ali Akram for their professional achievements and valuable contribution to society. The highlight of the program was the mushaira that was conducted by Nayeem Javed. It included Shiraz Mahdi Zia, Rafeeq Akolvi and Aleem Khan Falaki. The poets enthralled the audience with their sometimes serious and sometimes humorous couplets and anecdotes. Earlier, Falaki made a passionate presentation against the widespread social evil of dowry. He called on everyone to join hands with his Socio-Reforms Society in eradicating it. IIS-Jubail schoolchildren Abdulsalaam, Mohammed Haneef, Abdulmomin Zubair and Abdul Saboor Zubair presented a skit in the inimitable Deccani accent. Norah Abdulhaleem and Sarah Abdulhaleem presented another interesting skit revolving around a hilarious conversation between a daughter-in-law and a mother-in-law. Arab news