JEDDAH — The drama Civilized Beggars, which was the most talked about during and after the India Festival 2013 held by India Forum at IISJ Auditorium last week, was recognized for its social message by various organizations. In a special awards night, prizes were presented to all the teachers and the IISJ girls' students, who took part in the drama that was showcased during the Andhra Pradesh day of the two-weeklong fest here. The drama took issue with the ills that dowry brings to families and society, and what best way to do away with this scourge. M.K. Quraishi, head of Chancery, Consulate General of India and Prabhat K. Jain, Consul (Labor) presented the shields and prizes to writer Ishratunnisa, and director Asfia Hussaini Quraishi and Jain said the topic chosen was so appealing and the presentation heart touching that it should be staged again in order for this social message to be conveyed to as wide an audience as possible. Hasan Bayazid, convener of United AP Forum, announced that the Consulate General office, as well as, India Forum has consented to stage the drama again soon. The girls recited some of the cryptic dialogues while receiving the awards. Among them were Farah Shafiullah, Imran Syeda, Noora Rizwan, Fareeha Almas, Roman Asawari, Asma Imtiyaz, Sidder Maliha, Nazneen Ibrahim, Sana Faiyaz Ahmed, Zehra Yousuf and Syed Rumina Zareen. Syed Khaja Viqaruddin, president of Twin Cities Welfare Association, hailed the girl artists for their performance and termed them assets to the community. He said it was the moral obligation of the community to encourage these girls and teachers who showcase such talents. Aleem Khan Falaki, President Socio Reforms Society, shed light on the bane of the dowry system in India and said hardly 10-15 percent people are financially well off who can bear the burden of the dowry, but the rest are on the verge of economic disaster due to the increasing dowry demands.
People spend their whole life working to pay off the dowry, while saving nothing for their old age. Also with the focus on paying their daughter's dowry, they fail to help their sons to grow in business. The system makes them give their hard-earned savings to the grooms of their daughters and they and their other family members are then forced to live an appalling life thereafter. The sons who could be supported in their businesses are compelled to look for jobs. As a result, the whole community is living hand to mouth. He called for a "boycott of such marriages where the dowry is exchanged and where the dinner expenses are imposed on the parents." He emphasized that those who do not boycott such marriages but still want to get rid of the dowry system are fooling themselves. It is hypocritical to condemn the dowry system on one hand and then participate in such ceremonies. Mementos were presented by Dr. Syed Ali Mahmood, Shameem Kausar, Zaki Ghazanfar, Razaq Mohiuddin, Mudassar Bukhari and Aijaz Ahmed Khan. Earlier, young children amused the audience with a humorous presentation. Hadia M. Siddiqui presented the Raichuri's humorous poetry "Chammak Chhakka", and Syed Kausar Ali presented "Announcement in Hyderabadi Airlines before take off." Masood Siddiqui impressed with Sulaiman Khateeb's poem "Raste," and Yousufuddin Amjad entertained the audience with "Kaun Banega Sau Pati' — an interesting quiz contest and concept. Razzak Mohiuddin presented a vote of thanks.
