OLD CITY WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY 2015 05 NIZAMIA HOSPITAL REPAIR WORKS AT SNAIL’S PACE Only the outer portion of the hospital has been completed Back in 2012 (left), present day (right). Photos: Hrudayanand TP VENU I t is three years since the restoration works of the Nizamia General Hospital started but the project is moving at snail’s pace. In the initial period if it was the delay in the release of funds by the Andhra Pradesh Health and Medical Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation (APHMIDC), the agency responsible for the restoration and monitoring of the 1938 constructed hospital, now, after bifurcation of the state, the release of funds us yet again the reason for the delay. The outer works of the hospital is almost complete but the work inside the hospital is yet to be 60 per cent of the work has been completed. If the government releases the funds, the remaining work can be completed. The silver lining is that the domes that were in bad shape have been repaired. - Mohammed Rafi Ahmed, superintendent, Nizamia General Hospital 2-day Quran recital competition from Jan 24 OUR BUREAU S harafiyah Qirat Academy is organising the 3rd Annual Qirat Competition on January 24 and 25 at Officer’s Mess, Akber Bagh, Malakpet. The event aims to inculcate the habit of reading the Quran among children in the manner taught by the prophet (S.A.W). Over 280 students from across Telangana would participate in the programme. Interested schools, colleges and Madaaris have been adviced to register their names for competitions. The registration for girls will be conducted from 8 am to 10 am on January 24. Registration for boys will Members of Sharafiyah Qirat Academy addressing the conference take place from 8 am to 10 am the next day. A panel of six international Qaris would judge the competition. The top three participants would receive a cash reward of Rs 10,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively. Boys would be judged in the age group of 7-15, men in 16-35 age group while there is age limit for women. completed. The total cost of the project is Rs 4.2 crore of which Rs 3 crore was released. There is another Rs 1.2 crore that is yet to be released. In the last few months, work almost came to a standstill for want of funds. The contractor has been complaining that post bifurcation of the state, there has been a delay. The project cost may be escalated if there is more delay. Work on the outer walls such as plastering has been done but the plaster work in some areas remains and the inner areas in the hospital would need a lot of time. The hospital with its IndoSaracenic architectural style complements the iconic Charminar which is opposite the hospital. Social consciousness through a play and mime OUR BUREAU C OVA-Koshish Theatre Group is presenting two plays titled ‘Kachre Wale Pe Tax –Kali Yug Ki Kahani’ and Mime on National Integration in collaboration with the Exhibition Club of Hyderabad on Thursday from 7.30 pm at Exhibition Club, Exhibition Grounds. The play, directed by Dr Gopikrishna, is a lighthearted take on the heavy but invisible burdens placed on the poor and privileges given to the rich by a deceptive system of taxation. A Kachrawala surviving on selling garbage elevates the audience to an understanding of the bitter reality of the society: labour and monetary contributions of the poor. National Integration, directed by Dr Gopikrishna, is a short mime on conflicts arising out of claims of superiority of one’s own religion and a unique approach to their resolution. No word spoken, but the message transcends a thousand volumes.