BY Mir Mohsin Ali

RIYADH — Osmania University Alumni Association, Riyadh (OUAAR), celebrated Telangana Engineers Day to mark the 140th birth anniversary of Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung Bahadur.

Nawab Ali Nawaz Jung was one of the most brilliant engineers of the erstwhile Hyderabad State who played an important role in agricultural and infrastructure development of the region. He was responsible for transforming semi-desert land of the Telangana state into rich agricultural land by undertaking a number of water harvesting projects for the purpose of irrigation.

During his tenure as the chief engineer of the state, Ali Nawaz launched and executed many prestigious projects, including Nizam Sagar Dam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Pocharam, Ali Sagar. He also designed the assembly building, Osmania General Hospital, Osmania Arts College and Hyderabad House in Delhi.

The contribution of Ali Nawaz in the development of Telangana region was forgotten by the successive government but the first chief minister of Telangana state recognized his services and announced to celebrate Telangana Engineers Day every year on July 11, which is the birth anniversary of Ali Nawaz Jung.

The OUAAR celebrated Telangana Engineers Day and paid rich tributes to Engineer Ali Nawaz Jung. On the occasion, OUAAR announced the formation of Telangana Engineers Forum, Saudi Arabia, with Engineer Mohammed Abdul Hameed as its president, Mohammed Mubin, general secretary, Abdullah Reddy Baddam, vice president Eastern Province, Mohammed Rafiuddin, vice president Western Province, Aliuddin Ahamad, vice president Central Province.

The first Ali Nawaz Jung award was presented to Engineer Mohammed Abdul Hameed by the chief guest Dr.Hifzur Rahman Azmi, first secretary, Embassy of India, Riyadh.

On this occasion Engr. Mohammed Abdul Hameed presented the slideshow comprising the contribution of engineer Ali Nawaz Jung.

Dr.Hifzur Rahman appreciated the efforts of Telangana engineers and advised the people from other states to follow the same. He said he was astonished to know about the contribution of Engineer Ali Nawaz Jung.

In his presidential address, architect Mohammed Abdul Rahman Saleem, patron of the OUAAR, announced the formation of Telangana Engineers forum Saudi Arabia. He also announced the inception of Ali Nawaz Jung memorial award which will be presented annually to an engineer from the state of Telangana in recognition his services in Saudi Arabia and back home.

Architect Mohammed Abdul Rahman Saleem announced that the OUAAR will sponsor two students every year for the preparations of the civil services examination. On behalf of the OUAAR, Engineer Aliuddin Ahmed took the responsibility to sponsor the students.

Mohammed Mubin, acting president of the OUAAR in his welcome address thanked Telangana Chief Minister Kalvakuntla Chandrashekhar Rao for recognizing the great son of the soil and announcing to celebrate Telangana Engineers Day on his birthday.

On this occasion Dr.Misbah Ul Arafin, Abdullah Reddy Baddam, Syed Zia Ul Rahman, Engineer Aliuddin Ahmed spoke about the services of Engineer Mohammed Abdul Hameed.

Taqiuddin Mir, conduct the proceedings Mohammed Farooqui Shabaz, general secretary proposed vote of thanks.

Earlier Hafiz Khaja Aleemuddin recited few verses of the holy Qur’an.