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
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
Puppy love: The park for canines has been established by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation on 1.3 acres of land
Hyderabad’s first-ever exclusive pet park will soon be filled with joyous bow-wows much to the delight of pet owners.
The park for canines, touted as the first such in the country, may be inaugurated in a week’s time.
It has been established by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on 1.3 acres of land, which is a former dump yard.
Features galore
The brainchild of the Commissioner, West Zone, GHMC, D. Hari Chandana, the park has many enabling features for the physically challenged.
A walking track wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair, ramp accesses to every nook, and accessible lawns are a few among them.
“There is a cafeteria with menu in Braille script, and variety of dog food,” says Ms. Chandana.
“We are also planning to install sign boards in Braille,” she adds.
Ms. Chandana says the thought of an exclusive pet park germinated in her mind when a few differently-abled pet parents and NGOs approached her sometime ago.
Unlimited fun is in the offing for the pooch too, what with pet play equipment, splash pools, and separate play areas for small and big canines.
Films to be screened
Short films spreading awareness among pet owners may be screened at the amphitheatre, and dog trainers will be available on order.
“The amphitheatre may be used to celebrate pets’ birthdays, for hosting vaccination drives on World Zoonosis Day, or to conduct dog shows,” says the Deputy Director (Veterinary) Abdul Wakeel.
Vaccination mandatory
The idea is to make the park a venue for regular vaccinations, and also issuing pet licences or licences for setting up private pet clinics.
Vaccination is mandatory for dogs entering the park, says Mr. Wakeel.
A total ₹1.1 crore has been spent on the park to equip it with state-of-the-art equipment.
The plan is to maintain them through private partnership. Tenders have been called for this.
Entry is not free for random curs though. Each pet will be charged ₹10 per visit.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad/ by Swathi Vadlamudi / Hyderabad – September 15th, 2018
Indian Concrete Institute- UltraTech awards ceremony in the city.
Metro rail MD receives award from former T.N. Governor K. Rosaiah
The Hyderabad Metro Rail Project was awarded the ‘Outstanding Concrete Structure for Infrastructure’ from Indian Concrete Institute- UltraTech Awards-2018, at a ceremony held here on Saturday. HMR MD N.V.S. Reddy received the award from former A.P. Chief Minister and ex-Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah.
L&T Metro Rail-Hyderabad Project Director M.P. Naidu also received the Outstanding Concrete Structure-Infrastructure (Project Concessionaires & Designers) and (Architects Award) on behalf of the company.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Chennai / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – September 10th, 2018
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
The Telangana Road Transport Corporation bagged three awards at the fourth edition of the Ashok Leyland and Abhibus India Bus Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The corporation received top awards for Leadership Award in Bus Transport – Strengthening of TSRTC, Excellence in Environmental Initiative – Usage of Alternate Fuels and runner-up for Top Bus Driver award.
Malaysia government’s Tourism Director-General Datuk Seri Mirza Mohammad Taiyba presented the awards. Chief Traffic Manager B. Ravinder and other officials received the awards on behalf of the RTC.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – July 07th, 2018
Paintings are believed to be from the Chalcolithic (copper age)
Hyderabad :
In a rare find, rock art with sexual scenes were discovered on a hill at Timmareddypalli in Kondapaka village of Siddipet district. The paintings of people dancing and animals are believed to be from the Chalcolithic (copper age). This is the third place in Telangana where lovemaking scenes from an early age were found, after Mattamralla Tanda and Yadaram.
“The rock art site has been discovered east of Timmareddypalli on a hill called Edaragutta. It is located 200 feet above ground where a cave is located nearby the hill. We found around 30 Reddish paintings on the rock canvas. Some of the painting are monkeys, genitals of wild buffalo, an old couple getting ready for hunting, sun, demanding people, a serpent with fangs and a fox. The lovemaking scenes of a couple were also among the paintings,” Historian Sriramoju Haragopal of Telangana Jagruti told TOI.
He added, “According to historian VV Krishna Shastry, the paintings depicting genitals belong to Chalcolithic age. The rare sexual scene paintings were earlier found in two more locations in Telangana. The rock paintings appear to be skilled. There are pictures with men holding the spare.”
In a separate finding, historians found cave Kondapapa too in which several pottery and beads of Satavahana era were found. Vemuganti Murali Krishna, another historian who was part of the team said, “A hillock is located near Kondapaka. It is called Mallanna Gutta. There are traces of prehistoric man living here. A Siva temple is located nearby. We found Sathavahana era potteries and beads in the nearby fields.”
Historians said the sites are located in between agriculture fields and asked the government to protect the sites by acquiring the land.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City News> Hyderabad News / by U. Sudhakar Reddy / TNN / July 02nd, 2018
Raj Gond villagers at the Rajul Pen puja community feasting at Chaupanguda in Kumram Bheem Asifabad district. | Photo Credit: S_HARPALSINGH
A celebration of their relationship with, and respect for nature
A quick glance at the Raj Gond Adivasis’ religious customs in the erstwhile united Adilabad district will reveal their symbiotic relationship with nature. In the context of Rajul Pen puja, or worship of the forest god, the annual loss to environment in the form of dwindled trees and pastures also gets quantified.
The informal discussions among the ethnic people attending this year’s Rajul Pen puja at Chaupanguda village in Kerameri mandal of Kumram Bheem Asifabad district on June 26 centered on the delay in cattle arriving at the venue of the event. “Loss of pastures forces our animals to venture farther in search of fodder,” pointed out Kathle Yadav Shau, an elder, as he explained the reasons for the delay. This festival takes place in the first half of Akadi month, which usually coincides with the second half of June. The Puja for which every village fixes its own date for celebration also kick-starts the year-long cultural festivals and religious events of the aboriginals. The puja involves community participation and feasting, starting five days after the new moon day or amavasya, falling in June, and continues till full moon day.
Man and nature
Only men of the village assemble at a spot in the nearby forest and worship Rajul Pen. The puja is a simple affair as the Devari or priest of the village offers nivodh or naivedyam — cooked from the foodgrains contributed by every family in the village — to the god which is embodied in the small ochre-smeared stones.
Also worshipped are the centuries-old bison horns used by local shepherds to keep their flock together and the axes they use to cut fodder. A goat or chicken is sacrificed as part of the puja.
The farm animals, as well as goat and sheep, which graze in the forests also form an important part of the worship. The nivodh is sprinkled on the animals assembled near the venue as forest god’s blessings.
“We are allowed to pluck teak and moduga (Butea monosperma) leaves only after the Rajul Pen puja is performed. It is a must for us to use the teak leaves as plates for feasting after the puja but the availability is slowly decreasing owing to loss of the species,” revealed Athram Barik Rao, headman or patel of Chaupanguda. “Plates made of these leaves were in use for centuries,” said Kathle Yadav Shau. “The leaves mature only at this time and hence the restriction of not taking them off trees before the puja,” he added.
Honouring herders
The most important aspect of the festival is the prominence given to the gaiki or cowherds, herre gollal or goatherds, and gollal or shepherds in the village. “These people graze our animals traditionally and are responsible for their safety, hence merit a pride of place in the celebrations,” pointed out Kursenga Dharma Rao, another elder.
“No one eats until the herders are fed on this day,” said Athram Telang Rao, to emphasise the herders’ importance. The herders take charge of their herds soon after the villagers end feasting for another important component of the festival — the Auswal Patt.
The Auswal Patt, or animal crossing has all the grazing animals in the village crossing a sacred line drawn by the village Devari close to the puja venue. “We believe that the animals crossing the sacred line will protect them from diseases,” asserted Athram Kusum Rao.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by S. Harpal Singh / Adilabad – June 29th, 2018
Archeologists have found a hand axe and hammer stone from a place just outside Hyderabad that they believe is from the stone age—the paleolithic era.
Stone age hammer discovered on the outskirts of Hyderabad at Athvelly in Medal district | Express photo
Hyderabad :
What do we know about Hyderabad’s or Telangana’s ancient history, beyond stories of Qutb Shahis, Nizams, Kakatiyas or Satavahanas? Maybe reports of megalithic burials from iron age being discovered in the State.
But now, archeologists have found a hand axe and hammer stone from a place just outside Hyderabad that they believe is from the stone age—the paleolithic era. The tools, that were found at Athvelly which lies about 35 km away from the city in Medchal district, indicate that there’s much left to be explored about Telangana’s history.
The tools were found by E Sai Krishna of Hyderabad, a Ph.D scholar in Archaeology from Deccan College in Pune and an Assistant Archaeologist with Archaeological Survey of India(ASI) in the Amravati circle. Krishna showed his findings to Dr K Padayya, Emeritus Professor at Deccan College, a Padma Shri awardee and expert in Paleolithic and Neolithic cultures of the Deccan.
When contacted by Express, Dr Padayya said: “Findings of Krishna are actually stray discoveries as they do not belong to a regular site. However, it is an important beginning because these findings hint at fact that the area is rich in paleolithic archaeology. Speaking to Express, Krishna said, “I am interested to find out more about the prehistory of Hyderabad and surrounding districts.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. Nilesh, Express News Service / June 15th, 2018
This couple’s road trip across 19 countries proves that age is just a number.
Dr Rajesh Kadakia and Dr Darshana Kadakia
63-year-old Dr Rajesh Kadakia and his 60-year-old wife Dr Darshana Kadakia are poised to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for being the first couple to travel across the world in a modified Toyota SUV.
After having travelled 3,400 km, through 19 countries, in 62 days, they have finally arrived in Hyderabad on June 13 in their Land Cruiser.
“This has been an epic journey. People have travelled from Bangalore to London, and from London to Mumbai. But there is no record of anyone having travelled from California to India,” Dr Rajesh says.
The physician from California who has roots in Secunderabad calls his journey a “home run”. “For me to leave my home in the US and come to my mother’s home in Secunderabad is like hitting a home run,” he says.
An avid traveller from a young age, Dr Rajesh was deeply influenced by his uncle Kiran Modi, a regular participant in the Himalayan car rally. “Initially, I was his navigator until I managed to get involved with the Himalayan car rally myself,” he says. The couple left the comfort of their home in California to take on this “epic” adventure two months ago. Their unconventional travels took them to Russia, China, and Tibet, before bringing them to India. “We had to get visas, permits, and a host of other documentation, as well as prepare the vehicle to handle the journey,” they say.
Yet, the regulatory requirements of the countries that they passed through imposed a significant burden on them. “Crossing every border checkpoint was a challenge. In Russia, every single item in our car was taken out and thrown on the road. We underwent the same grilling at the entry and exit points of Mongolia,” Dr Rajesh says.
They chose not to publicise their trip due to security reasons. “Because of the geopolitical areas that we were passing through as American citizens, we avoided publicity,” he adds.
One of the biggest challenges they faced was travelling through high-altitude areas. “We had significant difficulty crossing high-altitude regions. We crossed the Mt Everest base camp, Kailash, Mansarovar, and Tung La Pass in Tibet. We had to travel through difficult conditions created by snow, mud, and dirt. The risk of engine failure and freezing to death were very real,” he says.
Being vegetarians didn’t make matters easier for them. But they still managed, somehow. “We had a tough time getting vegetarian food in Mongolia and China. Our pressure cooker and electric heater weren’t working in the high altitude — food just wasn’t getting cooked, so we had to survive on raw foods alone.”
Thankfully, being doctors, they were able to understand and treat their own altitude sickness. They remained in touch with their son throughout. “I have a government GPS system and cameras. We were communicating with our son in the US. He always had an idea of where we were, based on government satellites, which worked well even when we were without an internet connection,” he says.
Be it despite or because of the hardships that they had to face, the road trip seems to have made a lasting impact on the couple. “As far as we know, this is the first car to have left California and arrived in India with the flags of both countries on its bonnet,” Dr Rajesh says.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Viral and Trending / by Swati Sharma / June 14th, 2018
