Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Secunderabad sailor wins Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

Secunderabad sailor wins Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.

The INSV Tarini team with (inset)Lieutenant Commander Aishwarya Boddapati during their 254-day voyage circumventing the globe | Express

Hyderabad :

Secunderabad-based Navy sailor Lt Commander Aishwarya Boddapati who, along with five other Navy women, became the first to circumnavigate the world on a shipping vessel, was surprised when she learnt that she had won the Tenzing Norgay Award for Adventure.

“I couldn’t believe it. This is the highest award for adventure in the country,” a jubilant Boddapati told Express on Tuesday. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports informed the Lieutenant and the five other Naval officers via email late on Monday night. She is set to receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind on September 25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

She said, “The expedition was a gruelling challenge for all of us. It was never done before by women and we were given extensive physical, psychological and emotional training for six months before embarking upon the mission.”

She considers the Pacific Ocean to be the most gruelling part of her journey that spanned 254 days. “Even though we chose to circumnavigate around the world during the summer season, the average temperature in the Pacific Region was -six degree Celsius,” Bodapatti said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New IndianExpress / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Aihik Sur, Express News Service / September 19th, 2018

Thinking caps on, students present out-of-the-box ideas

Young innovators share 175 ideas at Startup India boot camp

There has been overwhelming response to the Startup India Telangana Yatra with students sharing 175 ideas at the boot camp organised at the Jyothismathi Institute of Technology and Sciences (JITS) on Monday.

To promote entrepreneurship in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, Telangana State Innovation Cell launched the Startup India Telangana Yatra to bring budding entrepreneurs together to brainstorm and present their ideas. JITS was selected as the nodal centre for the programme.

The boot camp witnessed the participation of over 400 students from various engineering colleges such as JNTU Kondagattu and Manthani, NIT-Warangal, SR Engineering College and KITS-Huzurabad, apart from schools like Sidhartha High School in Karimnagar town. Among them, 175 students shared their ideas and innovations.

Of those, the best ideas would make it to the grand finale at JNTU-Hyderabad. The winners would be attached to seven incubators in the State and provided all assistance to start their business. On this occasion, the students of JITS have exhibited their innovations and won accolades.

A working model on prevention of accidents on ghat roads in the wake of Kondagattu bus mishap was appreciated by visitors. Third year civil engineering students S. Ashritha, E. Sucharitha and A. Laxmi Prasanna designed the model by erecting roller barricades, which would prevent vehicles from plunging into the gorge.

Startup India Telangana representatives Radhika Meenakshi Shankar, Nikitha Rupasri, Amith Sharanya, Spoorthi, Major Sunil Shetty, Tarun, Raj Janagam and Swetha clarified doubts raised by the students about startup ideas and innovations. JITS chairman J. Sagar Rao, director K. Venkat Rao and principal G. Laxminarayana were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 25th, 2018

Hyderabad Metro Rail is now second largest metro network in country

An image of the Hyderabad metro rail in the L.B Nagar-Ameerpet Metro stretch. | Photo Credit: Photo: G. Ramakrishna

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan flagged off the metro train from the Ameerpet metro interchange station towards L.B.Nagar in the city suburb just after noon on Monday.

With the opening of this 16 km stretch, the entire Corridor One of Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project of 29 km from Miyapur to L.B.Nagar has been completed.

It will be the first corridor to be completed in all respects and has been opened to general public by evening. Construction is underway in two other routes: Corridor Two – Jubilee Bus Station to Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station (Imlibun)/Falaknuma – 15 km and Corridor Three – Nagole to HiTec City/Raidurg – 28 km. Altogether 72 km of elevated metro line is being built in three dense traffic corridors of the capital.

Last November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had opened the inaugural 30 km metro line of Nagole-Ameerpet-Miyapur in the presence of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and others. It covered parts of Corridor Three – Nagole to Ameerpet (17 km) and Corridor One – Miyapur to Ameerpet (13 km).

More than a lakh passengers have been riding on the trains and it is expected to double now.

With Monday’s opening of another metro stretch, the Hyderabad Metro Rail will be covering 46 km and has become the second largest metro rail network in the country after New Delhi, announced Minister for Municipal Administration K.T. Rama Rao during a presentation made to the Governor at the terminal station of L.B. Nagar.

It is also the world’s largest public-private partnership project. The Government spent close to ₹3,000 crore for land acquisition, road widening and shift of utilities, while L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad (L&TMRH) invested more than ₹12,000 crore. The Central Government too chipped in with Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of ₹1,458 crore. The entire work has been estimated to cost up to ₹14,132 crore.

The Minister said HMR was also taking care of improving ground level infrastructure all along the metro corridors like designer footpaths, drains and signages while barricading is being taken up underneath stations to prevent spillover of passengers onto the main road. Skywalks are in the offing and all metro stations could be used as road crossovers. Frequency of trains is about 7-8 minutes and first train chugs in at 6.30 a.m. and last train 10.30 p.m.

First and last mile connectivity is being provided through bicycles, bikes and taxis. Soon electric charging points will be provided for bringing in electric vehicles into its fold, he added. The Governor commended the project and requested the citizens to make use of the facility for the sake of personal health and environment. He called for speedy induction of smart card/smart phone ticket facility and opening of HiTec City line by Dec.15.

Mr. Narasimhan after travelling from Ameerpet to L.B.Nagar, got down at Khairatabad and cycled towards Raj Bhavan along with other senior officials. Mayor B. Rammohan, Chief Secretary S.K. Joshi, HMR MD N.V.S. Reddy, L&TMRH CEO & MD K.V.B. Reddy and others were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. Geetanath / Hyderabad – September 24th, 2018

Yesteryear sportspersons wallow in nostalgia

Sportspersons from the city being honoured at an event on Saturday.

Football legends and athletes felicitated by Ethic Sports Foundation
It was an evening when some of the football legends from the city went down memory lane while reflecting on the state of the sport.

On Saturday, Ethic Sports Foundation felicitated some of the finest sportspersons from the city, under the banner of ‘City of Heroes’, which also saw a sprinkling of outstanding women athletes like 2004 Athens Olympian J.J. Shobha, Arjuna Awardee and volleyballer Mulini Reddy and quite a few kabaddi players.

The objective of the event was to honour these stars of yesteryears and also remember the contribution of legendary football coach S.A. Rahim, who scripted India’s golden era in football.

Some of the speakers included sports historian and commentator Novy Kapadia, former sports scribe N. Ganesan, Olympians T. Balaram, M.S.S. Hameed, D.M.K. Afzal, S.S. Hakeem, son of late S.A. Rahim, renowned badminton coach and Dronacharya S.M. Arif, former SAI boxing coach Emani Chiranjeevi, hockey Olympians N. Mukesh Kumar and Edwards Alloysius, former India football captain Victor Amalraj, Mohd Habib, Shabbir Ali, rowing coach and Dronacharya Ismail Baig, Arjuna Awardee Mir Khasim Ali.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary to Telangana Government, was the chief guest.

To inspire youth

Kailash Nath Yadav, MD of Ethic Sports Foundation, said they hosted the event to inspire youth by showcasing the diverse nature of sports in Hyderabad along with highlighting the efforts of the greats like S.A. Rahim.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – September 15th, 2018

City girl achieves another high in mountaineering

Jaahnavi Sriperambaduru holding the tricolour after conquering the virgin peak in Stok Ranges in Ladakh region.

Scales a virgin peak in Stok Ranges and names it after her family

For teenager Jaahnavi Sriperambaduru, it has been a unique experience of naming a summit ‘Mt. Sriperambuduru’, which is in the Stok Ranges of the Himalayas in Ladakh region on Monday.

Receiving technical support from Ladakh Mitra and guide Narbu Sherpa with Jimmy as partner, 16-year-old Jaahnavi, who was recently invited by Ladakh Mitra, achieved what is said to be another first in the adventure sport. Ladakh Mitra is one of the authorised trek operators who manage the whole of Stok Ranges.

Mission7Summit
Jaahnavi was invited to guide their clients and also be a part of her training for her Mission7Summit to Mt. Aconcagua in South America coming December and Mt. Everest in Asia in April 2019. Scaling the virgin peak in the Stok Ranges has been on the wish list of this young mountaineer.

Local tradition
And, Jaahnavi did not disappoint any as she and her team reached the summit at 11.00 a.m. on Monday and hoisted the Indian national flag. They also followed a local tradition of worshipping the mountain with incense sticks and special prayer flags blessed by the monks.

With this feat, Jaahnavi has become the youngest Indian girl ever to climb a virgin peak and name it after her family too!

“I would like to thank all the supporters and motivators who have been supporting, directly or indirectly, my mission. I would especially like to thank T-Sports Hub for encouraging me as I embark on my future trips to make the country and Telangana proud,” she signs off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – September 06th, 2018

From Everest with Love, a climbing experience

Mountaineer Neelima Pudota at book release function.

Mithali Raj’s book Unguarded soon

Neelima Pudota, the first woman from Hyderabad to climb Mount Everest launched her book ‘From Everest with Love’ in an event at Dr.Y.S.R. National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, Gachibowli recently.

Neelima, who penned her experience of scaling the peak in her book said it consisted of letters she wrote to her mother from the Everest. The objective behind compiling the letters into a book and publishing it is to share her experience with everyone, she said. The book would give the readers a virtual climb of the mountain, she said.

Mithali Raj, Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket team, released the book along with former MD and Vice Chairman of SAAP G. Rekha Rani. The SAAP had supported Neelima’s expedition to the Mount Everest.

Neelima’s mountaineering equipment on display got a lot of curious audience followed by a book signing session by the author.

The book is available for purchase on Amazon.in and Flipkart. Mithali Raj whose book ‘Unguarded’ due for release in October, shared her own journey.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – July 11th, 2018

In the business of serving others

The association set up by M Saibabu feeding at least 10 persons daily since 2014

This 26-year-old youth, Maddukuri Saibabu, has set an example for peer group and students with his active and regular participation in social service, which fetched him two best youth awards at the district level and one best youth award at the State level. He has also secured the best achievement award.

Recognizing his services, Nehru Yuva Kendra of the Union Ministry of Youth Services presented the awards to him. Born into a farmer’s family (his father is Govind Rao and mother Vijayalaxmi), in Dharmaram (B) of Dichpally mandal, he, along with a few friends, established a social service organisation, Induru Yuvatha Association (IYA) immediately after his Intermediate education in 2011.

The immediate motive behind floating the organisation was to help his friend Laxman, who had suffered a serious health problem owing to failure of both kidneys. Then, he conducted a two-day cultural event at Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium here and raised ₹28,000, which was given to Laxman, who belonged to Nyalkal village, for his treatment. However, Laxaman passed away in 2012.

From then, Saibabu has never looked back and has been continuing his activities of feeding the poor and roadside beggars, conducting funeral to unclaimed bodies, organising health camps and Swachh Bharath camps. One member of his association gives food packets containing two curries and curd to at least 10 destitute persons in the Gouthamnagar, Kanteswar and railway station areas every day. They have been doing it since 2014.

The association members, who adopted Borgam village located just outside the town, embarked on the Swachh Bharath with a missionary zeal on May 1. Since then, they have been spending a few hours every day for clearing clogged drains, washing toilets at schools, and removing garbage and bushes.

They are also holding camps to enlighten children and illiterate persons on the importance of cleaning hands for keeping health. “To date, we have completed 80 hours in the implementation of the Swachh Bharath and our mission will come to an end by July 25. By then, the village will have become spick and span. We will conduct the same programme elsewhere later,” said Saibabu, who did his Bachelor of Physiotherapy with the financial support of Mandava Nalini Devi, wife of former Minister Mandava Venkateswar Rao.

The IYA consists of 38 members, almost all of them being artistes. They render cultural programmes at marriage and birthday functions and keep aside 5% of the remuneration for social service, said Saibabu.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by P. Ram Mohan / Nizamabad – July 08th, 2018

Book commemorating Hyderabad’s Kargil War hero released

The book was released jointly by Major General N Srinivas Rao, General Officer Commanding, Telangana Sub Area and Major Acharya’s daughter, Aparajita, who was born three months after his martyrdom.

Hyderabad:

A coffee table book commemorating the martyrdom of Major Padmapani Acharya, Hyderabad’s own Kargil War hero, was released at an event organised by Synchrony here on Friday.

The book was released jointly by Major General N Srinivas Rao, General Officer Commanding, Telangana Sub Area and Major Acharya’s daughter, Aparajita, who was born three months after his martyrdom.

Hailing from Hyderabad, Major Acharya who was commissioned into 2 Rajputana Rifles made the supreme sacrifice on June 28, 1999 while leading a platoon to capture Tololing through raining artillery shells from the enemy during the Kargil War. He was awarded the second highest Indian military honour, Maha Vir Chakra posthumously for his actions during the Kargil War.

“The book documents the collection of his letters to home, some photographs and a brief writeup on his life,” said Aparajita.

Major General Srinivas Rao said Major Acharya led his men through enemy fire and artillery shelling and made the supreme sacrifice to accomplish the mission assigned to him. “Major Acharya is not only a role model for the soldiers but also a role model for the nation,” he said.

The General Officer also complimented the efforts of Synchrony to reach out to Army veterans and serving soldiers as part of their diversity and inclusion initiatives which includes the Veterans Network. Anuradha Rao, wife of Major General Srinivas Rao inaugurated a conference hall named after Major Padmapani Acharya, MVC at Synchrony.

source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home / by Telangana Today / June 30th, 2018

Red Cross awards for promotion of blood donation

Governor E.S.L Narasimhan giving away the best motivator award to TNGOs Association district president A. Kishan at a function at Raj Bhavan in Hyderabad on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Arrangement

Governor presents award to TNGOs dist. president A. Kishan

The erstwhile united district secured two awards each for promotion of blood donation and conduct of blood donation camps under the aegis of the Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) for the year 2016-17.

Governor E.S.L. Narsimhan at a function held at Raj Bhavan on Thursday handed over the best motivator award to TNGOs’ Association district president Aluka Kishan and best blood donor award to Totla Rajeswar for Nizamabad district while to the Collector N. Satyanarayana and E.T. Rajashekar in Kamareddy district.

Mr. Kishan motivated the donors to contribute 1,000 units of blood to the IRCS blood bank while Mr. Rajeswar donated his rare group blood (AB negative) 50 times.

The Kamareddy Collector facilitated youth, NGOs and various volunteers for donating blood by conducting and addressing several meetings. Mr. Rajashekar donated blood for 91 times.

The Governor complimented and honoured them.

The Indian Red Cross Society district chairman N. Ramchander, secretary B. Anjaneyulu, treasurer K. Ravinder, State managing committee member T. Rajashekar were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad – June 15th, 2018

Keshav Rao Jadhav passes away

Keshav Rao Jadhav

He was active in 1969 Telangana movement

Noted socialist and a strong supporter of separate Telangana, Keshav Rao Jadhav, passed away at the age of 86 following brief illness. He is survived by wife and three daughters.

His third daughter, who is unmarried, performed the last rites at Amberpet crematorium.

Keshav Rao Jadhav, who retired as Professor in English Department of Osmania University, was the president of Osmania University Teachers Association. He was actively involved in the separate Telangana movement in 1969 and also associated with the People’s Union of Civil Liberties.

He stood for a dialogue with the Maoists to end violence. He worked closely with socialist leader Ram Manohar Lohia.

With breathing problem, he was shifted to a private hospital in Barkatpura on Friday where he breathed his last on Saturday.

Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and other leaders condoled his death

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – June 16th, 2018