It was executed in all government high schools in the district to improve pass percentage of students in SCC examinations.
Jagtial :
Jagtial Collector A Sharath has been selected for the ‘Indian Express Excellence in Good Governance’ award. It will be presented to him on February 28. The collector has bagged the award for his initiative ‘UTTEJAM – Igniting the Minds of Students, Teachers and Parents’.
It was executed in all government high schools in the district to improve pass percentage of students in SCC examinations.
Before UTTEJAM, the overall pass percentage was only 60-65; the ratio for girls was worse. Now, within just three years since the initiative was introduced, the figure has increased to 97.56 per cent.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / February 27th, 2019
TRS MP K. Kavitha will be the main speaker at Global Compact Network India (GCNI)’s ‘Gender Equality Summit 2019’ in New Delhi on March 1. The GCNI is the local arm of United Nation’s Global Compact.
Ms. Kavitha will speak on ‘Preparing women for the future of work’. She was chosen for her passion to accelerate efforts to achieve sustainable development goals, especially gender equality in India, a press release informed.
The highlights of the summit include a thought leadership piece that will be brought out in collaboration with GCNI’s knowledge partner, Deloitte, on preparing women for the fourth industrial revolution and presenting the second best practices awards on gender equality in India.
Preparing blueprint
Chief executive officers, chief human resource officers, chief sustainability officers, policy makers, CSR practitioners, and members of civil society organisations and NGOs will attend the event to prepare a blueprint for the road ahead.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 16th, 2019
A formerly rare variety of cucumber which was grown at Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s farmhouse at Erravalli in Gajwel district has taken Karimnagar by storm.
KCR keera dosa sells at `40 per kg in Karimnagar| Express
Karimnagar :
A formerly rare variety of cucumber which was grown at Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s farmhouse at Erravalli in Gajwel district has taken Karimnagar by storm. The rather unremarkable vegetable christened KCR keera dosa by the local populace has now become a staple in every household here, with people preferring the chief minister’s namesake to the local variety which is at least 25 per cent cheaper
The local variety costs Rs 30 a kilo, while KCR keera dosa has a going rate of Rs 40 per kg. Sriramula Srinivas, a vegetable vendor, said he sells over 1 quintal of KCR keera dosa everyday. “KCR keera dosa is very tasty and does not have seeds, so people prefer this to the local fare,” he explained. What’s more, locals just don’t seem to be getting enough of the cucumber, with the vegetable being brought in from other districts as well.
“It is certainly good. We like it. I think it will become popular across the State soon,” T Laxmi, a homemaker, told Express while purchasing the cucumber from a market here.Its popularity is such that farmers are now importing seeds from the Netherlands where the vegetable grows in large numbers. Orders can be placed online — a pack of 1,000 seeds costs Rs 8,500.
And it’s healthy too!
KCR keera dosa has higher water content than the local variety and is much softer. It’s free of seeds, more or less uniform in size and doesn’t taste bitter like the local fare at times does. However, the variety can be grown only in poly houses, not farms.
Locals ditch homegrown variety for KCR keera
The vegetable christened KCR keera dosa by the local populace has now become a staple in every household in Karimnagar, with people preferring KCR keera to the local variety which is at least 25 per cent cheaper
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Naveen Kumar Tallam / Express News Service / February 15th, 2019
TS-Transco chairman and managing director completes 50 years of service in power utilities today
Putting in 50 years of service in a public sector organisation with an unblemished record all along is no mean task, more so when 27 years out of that are spent in holding key executive positions in power utilities that are directly linked to almost every household.
However, for Devulapalli Prabhakar Rao, the chairman and managing director of TS-Genco and TS-Transco since the formation of Telangana State, it has been a smooth journey except for some “occupational hazards” linked to every responsibility.
He has been the Man Friday to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in tackling severe power shortage, one of the major fallouts of the bifurcation of combined Andhra Pradesh.
Efficiency in functioning of the power utilities of Telangana was under scrutiny of general public and also those in power from the day of State formation as it was one of the first challenges faced by the State government with farmers taking to the streets demanding supply of power to save the standing crops.
“We could overcome the problem and reached a position of supplying seven-hour power to the farm sector within six months with support of the government, particularly the Chief Minister,” says Mr. Prabhakar Rao recollecting the challenges he faced in the initial days of State formation what with 2,700 MW shortage of power compared to the demand.
“Industrialists taking to the streets, demanding adequate quality power supply was the position we inherited from combined AP,” he points out.
With a three-pronged strategy for overcoming the immediate power shortage with spot, short-term and medium-term power purchase linkages, improving the efficiency of power generation units of State utilities, and going for long-term power purchase agreements and capacity addition in power generation, the State overcame the problem of power shortage before the turn of one year.
“Power cuts were lifted for domestic, commercial and industrial sectors and nine-year supply was given to farm sector from November 20, 2014, itself. From January 1, 2018, Telangana became the first State in the country to provide uninterrupted free power supply to even the farm sector having over 23 lakh pump-sets,” Mr. Prabhakar Rao says, describing it one of the proud moments of his career.
Starting his career as a junior accounts officer on February 10, 1969, Mr. Prabhakar Rao became the financial adviser and chief controller of accounts in 1992 in the then AP State Electricity Board. He was elevated as board member (Accounts) in 1998 and it was, in fact, the first time when a non-IAS and non-engineering background official was given such an opportunity.
“My successful career of 50 years in the power utilities has been a possibility only with the support of all employees,” he says, adding that there were some minor aberrations when he had to quit first in 1991 and later in 2002 due to professional differences with his peers but it was thanks to the support the organisation as a team offered that helped him power ahead.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by B. Chandrasekhar / Hyderabad – February 09th, 2019
Over 90% women in the Peddapalli district now use pads, from a poor 11%
The newly formed Peddapalli district has emerged as the only district in Telangana State where over 90% of the women, including women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, girl students and others use sanitary napkins during their menstrual cycle.
Low-cost solution
Following reports about several women suffering from several health problems due to adoption of unhygienic methods during their menstrual cycle during the review meetings of health department, Collector A. Sri Devasena had pounced on the idea of production and distribution of low-cost sanitary napkins to all womenfolk in the district. So, she roped in women SHG Spoorthi and provided the necessary training and ensured a bank loan of Rs. 25 lakh under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Scheme. This was topped up with Rs. 5 lakh from the Zilla Samakhya to start their unit on September 14, 2018.
The 21-member Spoorthi SHG started producing ‘Sabala’ brand sanitary napkins (of the women for the women) in the district and marketed through SHG women and village organisations.
The product? Of international quality of different varieties and at just Rs. 3 per piece. Now, the SHG members have almost repaid the bank loans and are even making profits. They are also getting a monthly wage of Rs. 5,000 and above for each member.
Free of cost
Incidentally, Ms. Sri Devasena had acted as the brand ambassador for Sabala napkins and promoted its sales and usage by educating women and girls at all the meetings. In a novel promotion, the Collector took measures to distribute 15 lakh sanitary napkins free of cost initially to encourage women to use them. Talking to The Hindu on Saturday, Ms. Sri Devasena said during her initial survey it was found that not more than 11% of women were using sanitary napkins and majority leading an unhealthy lifestyle. After the introduction of Sabala sanitary napkins, usage had crossed 90% and they are planning to ensure the remaining 45-plus age group women also used sanitary napkins for good hygiene.
Spreading the market
“We are creating good hygiene among the womenfolk and providing entrepreneurship for the SHG women by making them self-reliant,” she said and added that the district administration was providing all the marketing support, training and conducted awareness camps about the usage of sanitary napkins. Next target? Plans to expand the market of Sabala napkins in the neighbouring districts.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by K. M. Dayashankar / Peddapalli – February 09th, 2019
Air Commodore NN Reddy presenting an award to a cadet at a function in the city on Tuesday.
The contingent of 116 cadets from Andhra Pradesh & Telangana NCC Directorate bagged the fifth position amongst the 17 directorates that participated in the Republic Day camp at New Delhi from January 1-30.
The contingent also got the following medals and trophies: All India best cadet senior division (Navy) 2nd position to Cadet B Shanmugam; All India best cadet junior division (Navy) 1st position to Cadet Shaun Jimmy and All India best girl cadet trophy in horse riding to Cadet PT Sri Rakshitha. Cadet Harshita Jain was adjudged the ‘Best NCC Cadet’ for 2018 and was presented the Col. Choudhary medal.
The contingent also bagged the runner up trophy in national integration awareness programme and Directorate General Horse Riding trophy. Air Commodore NN Reddy, deputy director general of NCC Directorate AP & TS, presented medals and trophies to the cadets on Tuesday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 06th, 2019
Later she got an opportunity to participate in Jagruthi Yatra, where she travelled around 8,000 km for 15 days across the country.
Hyderabad :
A Hyderabadi girl who has worked for empowering villagers into sustainable communities is all set to make her way to the United Nations Youth Assembly 2019 in New York University, New York City this month. Harshitha Chintam is a B.Tech graduate from Sree Nidhi Institute of Science and Technology, who later pursued MBA from Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and joined ITC as a Business excellence officer.
“I received a sapling as a token of appreciation from UNICEF during my school days for my charity work. That gave me the motivation to work for the betterment of the people” reminisces Harshitha. With the opportunity to work with SAFA, an organisation that works for the empowerment of women from urban slums, she realised the potential and the zeal residing within her. Harshitha worked in building up the brand image and attract more supporters for the cause.
Later she got an opportunity to participate in Jagruthi Yatra, where she travelled around 8,000 km for 15 days across the country. We reached out to rural areas across the country, from Kanyakumari, Dharmashala, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of North India, it was a great learning experience”, reflects upon her 15-day journey across the country, where she got an opportunity to interact with the President of India Ram Nath Kovind.
This journey sparked off her interest in the concept of sustainable cities and self-sufficiency and she worked with ‘Barefoot College’ in Tilonia district of Rajasthan, an NGO that empowers the rural residents. She worked in documented and published the teaching and training manuals of these model villages in making them self-sufficient and sustainable, which can be implemented anywhere in the world. Upon a friend’s suggestion, she applied for the United Nations Youth Assembly.
After thorough verification of the documentation and her works, followed by a few rounds of interviews, she got selected as the India representative for the UN Youth Assembly 2019, which is to be held from February 15-17. She will be talking about Sustainable development goals – ‘Sustainable cities and communities’.
“I want the voice to be heard and showcase the reality of the state of India, also learn from other leaders across the world, I look forward to more people to joining hands and work for the common good of the society,” says Harshitha. She is also an associate with Make A Wish Foundation.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Venu Srikanth, Express News Service / February 05th, 2019
Personality of the year healthcare award being presented to Gauthamadas Udipi at the Indywood medical excellence awards in HITEX. | Photo Credit: K.V.S. GIRI
Twenty five medical practitioners were awarded Indywood medical excellence awards, which was organised as part of Indywood film carnival-2018.
The awards are meant for felicitating healthcare practitioners and organisations who offer healthcare services to the society.
Dr. Gauthamadas Udipi, Professor of Psychiatry was awarded the personality of the year in health care sector, this year.
Indywood’s life time achievement award was given to Dr. Kamini Rao (Golden Pioneer In Gynaecology), Dr. Mohan (Specialist Care Diabetologist) and Padma Shree Dr. Ahmed Ali (Surgical Wizard Of Gastroenterology).
The awards were presented by Mohammed Ibrahim Al Qahtani who is with Saudi Armaco, Saudi Arabia and Ravindra Arora, president of Bharat Cine and TV writer & TV writer association. Mr. Arora is also a committee member of Dada Saheb Phalke Academy, Western India film producers association.
Other awards which were presented during the day were in two categories including medical excellence among individual and organisations of medical excellence.
Winners in the organisations category included Apollo Remote Healthcare Services for largest telemedicine network, Maa ENT Hospital, best ENT care hospital, Grewal Eye Institute as best hospital for opthalmic care, Aster MIMS for excellence in patient care, Fathima Healthcare Group in best overseas healthcare insurance firm and Sai life sciences limited for being leading organisation in integrated CRO.
At the event, Mr. Arora congratulated all award winners and requested them to continue their services in the health care segment, “for that is important to build a healthy India”.
Indywood also awarded media excellence awards-2018.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – December 05th, 2018
Born into a middle class family in Warangal, Vikranth completed his Masters in Computer Science at Texas A&M University, USA, and worked at APPLE Inc, ERCOT and At&t in the US.
Warangal Urban:
Vikranth Babu Samidla
With an intention to serve his motherland, he left a lucrative job in the US and returned to his hometown, Warangal. He has been actively involved in serving people through several voluntary organisations, while also working with a Hyderabad-based company. Now, he is contesting the election as an independent candidate from Warangal West Assembly constituency.
Meet Vikranth Babu Samidla, who is presently working as the IT head consultant with Apollo Sugar Clinics, Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad.
Born into a middle class family in Warangal, Vikranth completed his Masters in Computer Science at Texas A&M University, USA, and worked at APPLE Inc, ERCOT and At&t in the US. He also was a student leader of Indian student association, US, and worked with organisations like Young Pioneers of India, Helping Hands India and Youth for Swachh Warangal.
“During our public service programmes, some people asked me to join politics as it is a very good platform to reach out to much more people in need. Following their request, I decided to contest elections from Warangal West constituency. I am not bothered about the outcome of the election. Win or lose, I would like to serve the society,” Vikranth told Telangana Today.
A tech savvy, Vikranth is mainly depending on social media for his poll campaign and is hopeful that his thoughts would reach people effectively as majority of the people in the constituency are well educated. This apart, he hired an autorickshaw for campaigning in the streets.
“I would not like to spend more than Rs 10 lakh on the campaign,” he said, adding that he was against influencing voters by spending money.
“I don’t like to criticise any person or party to get votes. My campaign is based on promising voters how I would change the city and usher in development,” he added.
Vikranth, who got ‘slate’ as his election symbol, is stressing on the need to increase voting percentage in urban areas for the betterment of the society. He said that he would give high priority to health, education, and infrastructure development besides setting up skill development centres for students to get employment for them in multinational companies. He hoped that people would vote for him, if they really wanted a change both in the society and conventional politics where caste, creed, money and liquor are dominating. He also wished that more youth should enter the politics and serve the society.
source: http://www.telanganatoday.com / Telangana Today / Home> Telangana> Warangal Urban / by P. Laxma Reddy / Novmeber 28th, 2018
P. Raghu Ram, director of KIMS-Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases here, has been elected the president of Association of Surgeons of India (ASI), considered the largest surgeons’ organisation in the Asia Pacific region that represents the fraternity across India.
According to a press release, the election saw highest ever polling in the history of ASI elections. Dr. Raghu Ram, a Padma Shri and B.C. Roy national awardee, has become one of the youngest surgeons in the country to be elected to the post of president of the association.
Arvind Kumar, who acted as the chief election officer, declared the results on Friday after the counting process was completed at ASI headquarters in Chennai. Dr. Raghu Ram has polled 4,450 votes compared to 2,621 votes polled by the other contestant, Tamonas Chaudhuri, from Kolkata.
Established in 1938, the ASI is widely considered to be the “voice for surgery” in India. Started with 112 members, the association has grown into the largest surgical association in the Asia Pacific region and the second largest in the world after the American College of Surgeons.
Dr. Raghu Ram, the immediate past president of the Association of Breast Surgeons of India, has excelled all along in his surgical career spanning over 23 years. He is instrumental in implementing the South Asia’s largest population-based breast cancer screening programme in partnership with the governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh across 4,000 villages since 2012 and reaching out to over two lakh underprivileged women.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 16th, 2018
