Category Archives: World Opinion

At 60, they ran 7 half-marathons, across 7 continents, in 7 days!

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Adventure enthusiasts Krishna Prasad Chigurupati and Uma Chigurupati ran 148 km and spent 59 hours flying 38,000 km for the competition.– Photo: Nagara Gopal
Adventure enthusiasts Krishna Prasad Chigurupati and Uma Chigurupati ran 148 km and spent 59 hours flying 38,000 km for the competition.– Photo: Nagara Gopal

Hyderabadi couple Chigurupati Krishna Prasad and Uma are the world’s first to have successfully completed the World Marathon Challenge 2015

At 60, an average Indian might fancy the idea of running after their grandchildren, not sprinting across Antarctica and Australia in a week! That is just what Hyderabadi Chigurupati Krishna Prasad, a successful entrepreneur, and his wife Uma did.

The couple are the world’s first to have successfully completed the World Marathon Challenge 2015, where participants have to cover seven half-marathons across seven continents in seven days. Uma is also the first female to have achieved the milestone.

The duo ran 148 km and spent 59 hours flying 38,000 km for the competition, which began on January 17 in Antarctica and covered Chile in South America, Miami in North America, Madrid in Europe, Morocco in Africa, Dubai in Asia and finally Sydney on January 24. More commendable is the fact that the average age of the participants in the competition was around 35.

From running faster in the glaciers of Antarctica, where temperatures recorded – 20°C, to escaping frost bites, to braving winds of 55 kmph the very next day in Chile, the couple have adventurous tales aplenty to share. “We had to run through tracks, woods and then a harbour in Australia. I lost my way in the woods and was clueless, but managed to complete the race,” said Uma at a felicitation programme organised for the couple on Saturday.

“It was a physically and mentally exhausting challen-ge, running from airports to run sites and back to airports. In all, we slept only two nigh-ts on proper beds,” she added.

While Uma wants to encourage running, Mr. Prasad’s has another aim. “I had signed up for Richard Branson’s space mission and hope to be on the spacecraft soon.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rahul Devulapalli / Hyderabad – February 01st, 2015

Adopt Lake and Name it after You: Government Tells NRIs

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nri's / PIO's, Records, All, World Opinion

HarishRaoTELANGANA22dec2014

Hyderabad :

Contribute for the development or restoration of a lake and get it named after your or your dear ones. This is the method to be adopted by the state government to get participation from the people, particularly non-resident Indians of Telangana origin, in the development of lakes in the state.

As multitude of people joined their hands in achieving statehood for Telangana, the state government now wants to involve the same collective energy to realise its proposed goal of golden Telangana.

To restore minor irrigation and to restore lakes in Telangana, the government wants NRIs to chip in for this ambitious project. Irrigation minister T Harish Rao drafted an open letter to NRIs persuading them to adopt lakes and to extend an helping hand in sprucing up the local water bodies.

The minister claimed that already three NRIs had promised to take part in ‘Mission Kakatiya’ project slated to begin in January.

Hailing the efforts of NRIs in achieving Telangana, the minister said the Telangana expatriate community had played a vital role in mobilising support for Telangana cause worldwide.

“Despite staying away from the homeland, you are emotionally connected to the region. The people of Telangana acknowledge how you had longed for a separate state,” he said in his letter addressed to NRIs.

In realisation of the promises, made during the Telangana movement, the state government felt that restoration of lakes is an important programme which can contribute to the holistic development of the Telangana’s countryside, he pointed out.

Recognising the contributions made by the Kakatiya rulers, he said chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao christened the project asw ‘Mission Kakatiya’.

The minister urged the NRIs to take part in the restoration of lakes in their native villages. Based on the name proposed by the donor, the restored lake would get its new name, he said.

“If you wish the lake to get your father’s or mother’s name or perhaps your name, the government will approve that name officially,” he told them and added that organisations can also chip in for the cause.

He informed that he would conduct a tele-conference with NRIs in January to drum up support for the flagship project of the TRS government.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / December 22nd, 2014

SoI Plans Digi Maps Better than Google’s

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

It will not be too long when using digital maps becomes part of daily life. Web-based maps will become an integral part while carrying out daily activities like buying a home, travelling and shopping.

Though maps have been in use for many years, with the advent of ‘Google maps’ people have got a taste of usage of maps in daily life. Already, many youngsters have got accustomed to using Google navigation app while driving.

“Though extremely useful Google map provides just a very minute part of the basic information needed for people. Even more complex and useful information can be presented in the form of maps,” SV Singh, director of Survey of India (SoI), Hyderabad, said on the sidelines of the 34th annual Congress of Indian National Cartographic Association (INCA) here on Tuesday.

More complex information like knowing about density of forest cover, availability of water bodies, population density, sex ratio, agriculture potential, literacy levels, among others can all be depicted through maps.

“Survey of India prepares maps in various categories. Sensing the curiosity among public, half of SoI maps were made available for public on www.surveykshan.gov.in,” Singh said. The fact that there are more than hundred thematic maps, tells how a vast range of information can be compiled and presented through maps.

“SoI has launched a virtual reference system (VRS) through which the whole of India will be mapped for serving as a reference and navigation tool. It will be more accurate than Google navigation as points on Google are away at a distance of 15 metres while points in VRS system will be away by just half metre,” explained Swarna Subba Rao, surveyor-general of India.

Virtual reference system is being taken up with an outlay of `12,000 crore and using GPS.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by J. Deepti Nandan Reddy / December 17th, 2014

Telangana IT Minister Addresses Investors’ Meet in Dubai

Business & Economy, Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Telangana IT Minister K T Rama Rao today explained new industrial policy and various “advantages” associated with investing in the state at the ‘investors meet’ held in Dubai.

Rama Rao, who is leading a state delegation, addressed over 100 investors at the event organised by FICCI in cooperation with the India Business and Professional Council (IBPC), Dubai and Consulate of India in Dubai.

“At the meet, new industrial policy was explained. The special advantages like abundant land availability, fast track clearances, additional incentives that are offered in Telangana were discussed in detail,” a state government release said here.

Many of the investors showed “tremendous interest” in investing in Telangana, it said.

“Most of them have interest in sectors like textiles, food processing, mineral-based industries, biotechnology and other general engineering. A few investors have also shown interest in infrastructure development in industrial parks and industrial townships,” the release said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by PTI / December 15th, 2014

ICRISAT Director-General William D Dar to Retire on Dec 31

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Sangareddy :

Dr William D Dar, Director General, Hyderabad-based International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is relinquishing his post on 31 December 2014 after an unprecedented three, five-year terms. Dr Dar is leaving behind a legacy of benefiting millions of marginal farmers in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and other dryland regions of the world.

“After 15 years, we have completely transformed ICRISAT into one of the best international agricultural research for development (AR4D) centres in terms of innovative and inclusive research programmes, scientific excellence, impact on smallholder farmers, and financial health and stability,” said Dr Dar who assumed the institute’s top position in 2000.

Through his strong and transformative leadership and astute governance, Dr Dar has quadrupled the income and investments poured into ICRISAT by development partners, from US$ 22 million in 2000 to US$ 85 million as of 2014.

This financial stability has brought improved capacity and high morale among scientists and staff over the years, translated into unprecedented achievements in the institute’s AR4D programmes, and the corresponding impacts on food security and poverty reduction goals.

Over the decades, ICRISAT has grown into a pipeline of innovations and impacts that are changing the lives of the dryland poor on a large scale, showing high returns on social investment. In a 2014 ex-post impact assessment study of ICRISAT’s highly successful breakthrough innovations called ‘Jewels of ICRISAT’ – a return on investment of US$70 on average for each dollar invested in AR4D, and an internal rate of return of 35 per cent was generated. These outstanding economic rates of return to investment illustrate ICRISAT’s core science and impacts.

Restoring strong relations with countries that host ICRISAT in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, and forging strategic public-private-people partnerships worldwide, the institute was able to broaden its donor base and to mobilise new resources that are fully compatible with the public-goods orientation of ICRISAT and the CGIAR. ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR Consortium.

Today, ICRISAT’s three top donors, outside the CGIAR system, are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, India (the largest of any CGIAR host country), and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Gates Foundation is funding three of the institute’s major AR4D initiatives: the HOPE project (Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement of Sorghum and Millets); the Tropical Legumes II (TL-II) project; and the Village Dynamics in Southeast Asia (VDSA).

With the innovative AR4D programmes and the culture of scientific excellence that Dr Dar introduced, ICRISAT continues to attract much-needed investments into the development of climate-smart and sustainable crop cultivation and technologies of the institute’s mandate crops – chickpea, pigeonpea, groundnut, sorghum and pearl millet – crops that are farmed by millions of smallholder farm families in the drylands of the world.

ICRISAT-DirectorTELANGANA16dec2014

The ICRISAT Governing Board has appointed Dr David Bergvinson as the next Director General of ICRISAT for a five-year term, effective January 01, 2015 to move the institute further in generating and sharing cutting-edge global scientific innovations, and bring about genuine pro-poor growth and inclusive market-oriented development in the drylands.

A Philippine national, he is set to return to his country to share his management and technical experience and knowledge with Filipino farmers particularly in transforming rain-fed and unproductive farmlands into productive, sustainable and climate-smart farms through an agri-based social movement called Inang Lupa (Motherland).

Notable achievements of ICRISAT  1.The formulation of a new, more dynamic institutional strategy known as Inclusive Market-Oriented Development (IMOD) which shifted ICRISAT’s focus towards enabling poor farmers to harness markets for poverty escape

2.Establishment of Centres of Excellence for genomics, transgenic research, climate change research for plant protection, and information and communications technology (ICT) innovations for agriculture

3.An inclusive and technology-based entrepreneurship and agribusiness strategy – the Agribusiness and Innovation Platform – through public-private partnerships to bring science-based technologies and products to the market for the benefit of marginal farmers

4.Scaling out a sustainable natural resource management model called Bhoochetana (land rejuvenation), which uses soil analysis as an entry point, that has brought prosperity to resource-poor farmers in India

5.Establishment of the ICRISAT Development Centre (IDC) to undertake large-scale uptake of science-based technologies for the benefit of marginal farmers

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / December 15th, 2014

Indian Soldiers of World War I Remembered

Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

Diplomats of France, Germany, Britain and Turkey along with Telangana representative BV Papa Rao (centre) paying homage to Indian soldiers of World War I memorial monument in Hyderabad on Friday | a suresh kumar
Diplomats of France, Germany, Britain and Turkey along with Telangana representative BV Papa Rao (centre) paying homage to Indian soldiers of World War I memorial monument in Hyderabad on Friday | a suresh kumar

Hyderabad :

After 100 years of the first World War, Hyderabad hosted a rare moment where the diplomats from the belligerent countries of the historic war came together on a single platform to pay homage to the Indian soldiers who died fighting the war.

France and Britain together fought against Germany in World War-I. In fact they were rivals in the second World War as well.

The diplomats of the all three countries along with the Consul General of Turkey, shook hands with each other on the same stage and prayed for the world peace here on Friday.

This took place at the ‘World War-I monument’ at Chaderghat during the Commemoration Day of the Indian soldiers who died fighting the first World War. The historic monument which is located right next to the victory ground at Chaderghat was built in 1920 by the locals in the memory of Indian soldiers. Recalling the sacrifice of the soldiers, Andrew McAllister, the British deputy high commissioner in Hyderabad said, “We can’t forget the sacrifice they made in the war. This is a great opportunity for all of us to recall our past and build a bright future.” He also highlighted the role of Hyderabad in the World War. “Many soldiers from the Nizam’s Army fought in the war. In fact the Begumpet Airport played a key role as the air base for British empire during the war,” he added.

Achim Fabig, the Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany described the meet as a symbol of peaceful world today. “Once our countries fought against each other, but now we all are here and we all want the world to be peaceful” he said. Talking about current diplomatic relations, he said, now all the countries are making efforts to build friendly relationships with each other and it is indeed a good sign.

This commemoration meet was organised by the INTACH, Hyderabad chapter in collaboration with the Alliance Francaise, Hyderabad. “This monument has a great history and it needs to be recognised. This the reason we organised the event,” said P Anuradha Reddy, convenor, ITACH Hyderabad. Eric Lavertu, Consul General of France and Merad Omerogul, Consul General of Turkey were also present at the event.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / December 13th, 2014

Nikhat Zareen is brand ambassador of Nizamabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Boxer Nikhat Zareen displays the gold medal which she won in the Golden Gloves international youth women boxing meet held in Serbia in July. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Boxer Nikhat Zareen displays the gold medal which she won in the Golden Gloves international youth women boxing meet held in Serbia in July. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

To create awareness on road safety among people, international boxer Nikhat Zareen has been appointed brand ambassador by district Collector D. Ronald Ross, according to Deputy Transport Commissioner G.C. Rajatnam.

Henceforth, Ms. Zareena will take part in all programmes conducted by the transport authorities to impart education on road safety and measures to be taken to avoid accidents among students and general public.

Thus Nizamabad district became the lone district in the State to have had a brand ambassador on road safety.

As part of creating more awareness on the subject, some more celebrities are likely to be declared brand ambassadors, said Mr. Rajaratnam.

He also said all taxi cabs, maxi cabs, Toofan vehicles and autorickshaws must follow the RTA conditions and get permission from the said authority besides having driving licence and owner identity card in the vehicles. That apart, only those vehicles which secure permission will ply as taxis and must be parked at the taxi stand and if any private vehicle is parked at the earmarked place, penalty will be imposed on the owners, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad – December 13th, 2014

ICRISAT research yields rich dividends

Science & Technology, World Opinion

ICRISAT Director General William D Darfelicitated by Former DG at 42nd Annual Celabrations at Patancheru in Medak. Photo: Mohd Arif / The Hindu
ICRISAT Director General William D Darfelicitated by Former DG at 42nd Annual Celabrations at Patancheru in Medak. Photo: Mohd Arif / The Hindu

The research taken up in the past four decades in the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) under Agriculture Research for Development (AR4D) in this mandal headquarters town has transformed thousands of lives in dry-lands in Asia and Africa.

“In a 2014 impact assessment study of ICRISAT’s highly successful breakthrough innovations – Jewels of ICRISAT- have yielded a return on investment of US$ 43 for every dollar invested with an internal rate of return of 41 percent. Average return on every dollar invested stood at US$ 70 if we include innovations spanning for four decades with an internal rate of 35 per cent return,” said William D. Dar, Director General, ICRISAT, while speaking to reporters here on Friday along with Deputy Director General C.L.L Gowda.

ICRISAT’s 42 anniversary celebrations concluded on Friday. The organisation also held a grand farewell function for Mr. Dar, who was retiring this month end and returning to Philippines . He has completed three five-years term as DG for ICIRSAT. Stating that they were able to improve the lives of lakhs of farmers from Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Mr. Dar said that the investments into ICIRSAT by development partners have increased from US$22 million in 2000 to US$85 million in 2014. ICRISAT’s three top donors include Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, United Nations Agency for International Development (USAID) and CGIAR, a consortium of global agricultural research.

To a question, Mr. Dar said that they had already held discussions with Andhra Pradesh Government which has promised to implement ‘Bhuchetana’. “We have asked the government to prepare preliminary section strategy based on which we will prepare translation of strategy into action plan,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Avadhani / Patancheru (Medak District) – December 13th, 2014

Hyderabadi chess player earns FIDE Trainer title

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Inaganti Amarnath (right), the FIDE arbiter from Hyderabad who officiated in the recent Chess Olympiad, seen with his favourite and former world champion Anatoly Karpov. - A file Photo.
Inaganti Amarnath (right), the FIDE arbiter from Hyderabad who officiated in the recent Chess Olympiad, seen with his favourite and former world champion Anatoly Karpov. – A file Photo.

He is out to challenge the best of the arbiters with his sheer passion and the keenness to keep increasing the vast base of chess knowledge. That is Inaganti Amarnath, who achieved a rare first for any chess player from both the Telugu-speaking States — Andhra Pradesh and Telangana — earning the FIDE Trainer title – a few weeks ago for you.

Inaganti Amarnath
Inaganti Amarnath

He and his brother Inaganti Ganesh set another record of sorts by being the first brother duo to officiate in the World Youth chess championship in South Africa. Amarnath, a physically challenged player, also provided a ‘silver’ lining by finishing second in the Commonwealth Championship (physically disabled category) in Glasgow (Scotland) three years ago in the 2011 World championship for disabled.

It fetched the 37-year-old a job in the South Central Railway. This time he became the only arbiter from Telangana to officiate in the Chess Olympiad (along with two other Indians – Anantharam and Gopa Kumar).

“It was a wonderful and unforgettable experience. A performance which also spurred me to do well in the Trainers’ Seminar in Norway where I earned the FIDE Trainer title,” says a delighted Amarnath, representing the All India Chess Federation (AICF). Though he managed to fund his own trip and is now hoping the Sports Authority of Telangana.

Amarnath has also been re-elected as the general secretary of the International Physically Disabled Chess Association during the Olympiad. “This provides me a rare platform to raise the issues faced by the physically challenged players and also find ways and means to resolve some of their pressing problems in pursuing their passion for chess,” he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – December 09th, 2014

Treat for Rosarians

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Rose lovers have another reason to celebrate as the The Indian Rose Federation and Hyderabad Rose Society together are organising 3rd World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Convention in the city. During the event, around 800 varieties of roses will be displayed. The purpose of the convention is to inform people about the wide varieties of roses available in the country, informs Ahmed Alam Khan, President of Indian Rose Federation. “This is the first time such convention will be held in India,” he adds.

Rosarians from around the country will be presenting the flowers they grow in their convention. “A competition will be held where they will be judged on the quality of their flowers. Apart from the competition, technical sessions will be held at the convention where they will be informed about how to good quality roses, increase their shelf life, etc,” he says. Ikebana, Japanese pattern of arranging flowers will also be taught during the convention.

The theme of the convention is ‘New Light on the Old World of Roses’. “Around 98 per cent of roses exported in the world is by Israel. But India also has the potential to have good market in exporting roses. Through this convention, we aim to encourage the rosarians to develop good quality of roses. People from the city are encouraged to visit the show to gain more knowledge about roses at the event.

The event will be held from November 29 to December 2 at HICC between 11 am to 5 pm.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / November 14th, 2014