Category Archives: World Opinion

City girl to represent country at UN Youth Assembly 2019

Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

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

Local hand in ISRO’s satellite success story

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Hyderabad firm manufactured fourth stage engines of PSLV

When Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully put Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits last month, joyous scenes were witnessed not only at Sriharikota but also at the city suburbs of Kandi in Sangareddy district.

Here, right opposite the IIT-Hyderabad, lies a nondescript firm, ASACO, which has been playing a significant role albeit in a low profile manner in several of the launches as they have mastered the manufacturing of complete integrated PS4 engines or the fourth stage engines of the PSLV under ISRO tutelage.

In fact, 13 minutes 26 seconds after the lift-off of the latest launch, Microsat-R was successfully injected into the intended orbit of 274 km. Soon after, the fourth stage or PS4 of PSLV was moved to a higher circular orbit of 453 km after two restarts to establish an orbital platform and Kalamsat-V2, the student payload is the first to use it, said Ajit Mohandas, joint managing director of ASACO.

“We are the only company in India manufacturing the complete integrated PS4 engines of PSLV and we have been doing all the engine chamber parts since 1986. ASACO has been the sole supplier of these engines from 2008 and also the ‘PS1 RCT Engines’ including assembly of the first stage roll control system,” says Ajit, alumnus of HPS-Begumpet and IIT-BHU.

His father and ASACO chairman K. Mohandas had established the company in 1969 having decided to take up the challenge of making critical engines for launch vehicles of ISRO based on designs submitted by the latter. The precision machine components are also applicable in fighter jets and naval ships besides launch vehicles.

Crucial function

In every PSLV launch, two of these fourth stage engines take the satellites into their final orbits. “Whether it was Chandryaan 1 module, Mangalyaan or the recent world record 104 satellite launch, PS4 Engines have the crucial function of delivering each and every one them into their initial orbits around the earth,” explains Ajit, in an exclusive interaction.

The same engines are now performing a unique function of serving as the orbital platform for the Kalamsat V2 for the brief period of 14.5 hours after deployment — time needed for Kalamsat V2 to perform its experiments — instead of ending up as space debris!

Sole supplier

“We are proud that the engine for which we have been a sole and dedicated supplier for decades continues to perform in versatile ways, thanks to ISRO’s ingenious ways of using them. We are grateful for the faith shown in our capabilities,” he says.

ASACO has aggressive growth plans and is “fully geared” up to take up more challenging work from ISRO, he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. Geetanath / Hyderabad – February 03rd, 2019

Foxconn to set up R and D centre for artificial intelligence in Hyderabad

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Hyderabad :  

In a major development that will place Hyderabad in an advantageous position in “smart manufacturing”,  the Taiwan-based Foxconn Technology Group has decided to set up an advanced Industrial Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Centre in Hyderabad. 

Foxconn Industrial Internet Company Limited (FII), a subsidiary of Foxconn Technology Group, has chosen Hyderabad to set up the  Advanced Industrial Artificial Intelligence Research and Development Centre in collaboration with the State Telangana.  This is Foxconn’s first centre in Industrial AI research outside Taiwan.

According to sources, the research and development platform would provide technological services and smart manufacturing solutions to Foxconn Group with a vision to integrate and incorporate cloud computing, mobile devices, IoT, big data, AI, network transmission, and automated robotics with 8K+5G, according to a release.Foxconn will set up this in collaboration with the academic and industrial ecosystem in India with Hyderabad as its base.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Business / by Express News Service / January 31st, 2019

Indo-German expertise for infertility treatment

Science & Technology, World Opinion

An Indo-German initiative of fertility specialists, Morpheus Kasturi International IVF Center, Secunderabad has recently unveiled its range of infertility treatments for couples. 

Hyderabad :

An Indo-German initiative of fertility specialists, Morpheus Kasturi International IVF Center, Secunderabad has recently unveiled its range of infertility treatments for couples. The procedures include IUI (Intrauterine insemination), ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) through treatments such as PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) for those with blocked ducts and TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction), for couples having low sperm count and TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) and MESA (Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) for those with no sperm cells in their sperm.

The institute also has advanced techniques like Intracytoplasmic Morphologically Selected Sperm Injection (IMSI), which enables to select the best shape and size sperms for injecting into the egg; Laser Assisted Hatching (LAH), for thinning of the thicker than the usual egg covering, to ease hatching of the embryo and Zona Birefringence, for selection of better oocytes resulting in good quality embryos.

Core Fertility Specialist Dr Kalpana said, “The key to improving success rate in IVF treatment is appropriate diagnosis and fertility specialist’s expertise to determine the apt treatment option for the patient.” “We are confident of replicating the care and success rate being achieved at our facilities in Germany and across India, which will set a benchmark for others,” said Dr Ulrich Gohring, Principal, IVF University of Tubingen, Germany.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / January 14th, 2019

ASI, GHMC, State unite to secure World Heritage tag for Golconda

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion

GHMC is also expected to take up the tricky task of removing wild vegetation in and around the monuments.


The Golconda Fort. (Photo | File/EPS)

Hyderabad :

After more than one unsuccessful attempts to secure the World Heritage Site tag for Golconda Fort and the Qutub Shahi tombs owing to the massive encroachments around the monuments, the State government has now directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to recover the lost lands in the site’s vicinity, to improve sanitation, and to take up other beautification works.

In a stake holders’ meeting convened earlier this week by Chief Secretary SK Joshi—attended by GHMC, ASI, officials of the District Collectorate, State Government and police — the municipal body was directed to remove ‘a few encroachments’ on Murda Darwaza, GHMC Central Zone Commissioner Musharraf Faruqui told Express.  

Faruqui, who attended the stake holders’ meeting, said, “Our people (at GHMC) have visited the Murda Darwaza area and a survey has been undertaken. Once we get an idea of the number of people who stay there, the kind of livelihood they have and put an estimate into the cost, we will come up with an appropriate rehabilitation programme. In the coming week, along with ASI officials, a final survey will be undertaken.”

GHMC is also expected to take up the tricky task of removing wild vegetation in and around the monuments. “You simply can’t uproot the vegetation because it might cause damage to the monument. It has to be chemically treated before being removed,” Faruqui said, adding that the work will be done under supervision of an ASI-appointed expert.

Water stagnation is the other major focus area, instructed the Chief Secretary, which includes identifying and clearing water stagnation points in the entire fort perimeter. Places like the Darwazas where locals dump garbage and debris, have been identified. Speaking to Express, Director of Department of Archaeology & Museums N R Visalatchy said, “Works to clear the moat where locals dump debris have already started.”

The District Collectorate will assist in taking up surveys and settling land disputes while police will help in maintaining law and order.Officials expect all works to be completed before September which is when officials of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre will visit the city for inspection.

Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs are part of the ‘Monuments of the Deccan Sultanate’ nomination for World Heritage Site tag made by the central government in 2014. Apart from the two Qutub Shahi monuments from the State, the nominations include Bahmani monuments at Gulbarga in Karnataka, Barid Shahi monuments in Bidar, Karnataka, and Adil Shahi monuments at Bijapur, Karnataka.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Aihik Sur / Express News Service / January 12th, 2019

The jewel in the bibliophile’s collection

Amazing Feats, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

Prof. G. Rameshwaram showing a rare naturopathy book that is a century old.

Passionate about naturopathy, Prof. G. Rameswaram has collected many books

Here is a professor whose passion for collection of books now made him peerless. Among his collection is a century-old handwritten book.

Meet Prof. G. Rameswaram who is passionate about naturopathy, the ancient Indian system of medicine. He visited places across the country collecting books on the system over the decades and built a good library of rare books. His single great collection is a manuscript of 54 pages titled, How I found Nature Cure, by American doctor Henry Lindlahar.

The book is A4-size, lined with blue pencil, and written in cursive style.

The book was released in 1918 and is priced at 13 cents. “It was printed by Nature Cure Publishing House, Chicago, Illinois. Perhaps they have written more copies by hand and hence priced it at 13 cents,” Prof Rameswaram told The Hindu.

According to him, Henry Lindlahar (1862- 1924) was pioneer of Natural Therapeutics. A college was established on his name in America.

Prof. Rameswaram, who retired as professor of Public Administration from Kakatiya University recently, is working on Naturopathy for decades. He currently is senior research fellow of Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), New Delhi.

Spending his own resources, he built a exclusive library of Naturopathy for the benefit of students, research scholars and academics at his residence where accommodation for outstation visitors is free.

Among his collection include – a handwritten book on the life and works of Vegiraju Krishna of Prakruthi Ashramam, Bhimavaram, dated 1953.

“I have many magazines on Naturopathy that are no more in vogue. I collected in various languages – Telugu, Hindi, English, Tamil, Kannada and Marathi, and four rare books in Urdu as well,” he says.

Prof Rameswaram can be reached on 9885774967 or rameshwaramg@yahoo.

co.in.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Gollapudi Srinivas Rao / Warangal Urban Dt – December 24th, 2018

WFZO’s chooses Hyderabad as Asian regional office

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The World Free Zones Organisation, the global apex body of free zones or special SEZs, has chosen Hyderabad for establishing its Asian Regional Office.

Free zones are a class of special economic zones with liberalised tax laws, allowed by governments to encourage economic activities. A total of 3,500 free zones are spread across the globe, a press communiqué informed on Friday.

The new regional director of the organisation will be Srikanth Badiga, city-based realtor and chairperson of Indo-American Chamber of Commerce.

Mr. Srikanth said WFZO chose Hyderabad among many other trade centres in Asia because of a proactive government.

Principal Secretary, Industries, Jayesh Ranjan, attributed the choice to the investment-friendly environment, industrial-friendly ecosystem, proactive government policies, and good governance.

The Asian Regional headquarters will be declared open formally in the third week of December Srikanth Badiga added.

Registered and established in Geneva, Switzerland, WFZO has its global headquarters at Dubai.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 30th, 2018

K&M city souvenirs links landmarks and lives with love

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Travel, World Opinion

A city startup is designing merchandise that tell stories about urban culture, in an offbeat way

When Karthik was working in Malaysia, he was astounded at their collection of memorabilia. Apart from the ubiquitous keychains, magnets and ‘I love KL’ T-shirts, small tin cans on the shelf surprised him. “Tin mining is the oldest in Malaysia; so unless you know a lot about the country tin cans memorabilia didn’t quite make sense to me,” says Karthik.

Karthik Lakshmanan along with Madhusudhan Boga founded K&M city souvenirs to to promote Indian cities and their culture through what he calls their ‘kiraak’ designing. Currently they have over 100 products for five cities — Hyderabad, Amaravati, Chennai, Kerala and Bengaluru.

‘Landmarks, language and lives’ is their design motto.

Karthik explains that each magnet has four elements. For instance, a close observation of a Buddha statue magnet, shows the connect it has to the kings of that era. Other magnets chronicle the city’s evolution with iconic landmarks from different eras.

The concepts aim at ‘standing with an open heart’. “Before opening our mouths to speak, we should first open our hearts. The idea is for people to connect to places, its roots, culture. Some people take some time to do it, some connect instantly. That is where the cultural quotient helps; that’s where the real connection happens. Speaking hastily makes us judgemental; that’s where we begin making boundaries and go back with a very boxed idea of the place and people one visits,” says Karthik.

Their products come in various series. The Indulgence series includes T-shirts, magnets, button badges, name plates, home decor, books, luggage tags, key chains, mugs, and lapel pins. ‘Lite teesko’ (written in Telugu) is one of the messages on a T shirt.

___________________________________
– K&M city souvenirs have a separate set of collection for Andhra Pradesh, Bangalore, Chennai and Kerala.

– Their aim is to make collectibles for each Indian city. The numeric 29 in their website 29km indicates 29 Indian
states and KM stands for their company.

– Their poster collection of Idioms will be made for the south Indian states.
___________________________________

They plan to come up with a series with Exuberance (for art and crafts products) and Fantasy (kids products). “Once we build the connect then gaps and the borders between people, language and culture will reduce. This informs our vision: To make an impact in the world by making tools for the heart that celebrate our culture,” adds Karthik.

A lot of research goes into the design to make it fool-proof. Especially when history is involved and details like using the royalty like the Nizams; saying which, did you know the official shade of the Nizam kings was yellow?” points out Karthik.

This involves the partners touring the cities apart from reading up on that city’s history, people and culture. “A lot of information also comes from interacting with people . this way e also get a feel of the pulse, understand what is trending and will never fade. For instance the word ‘Nakko’. late actor Mehmood had popularised it so much that the moment someone from another city meets a Hyderabadi, they flaunt their ‘nakko’.

The K&M collection is available on www.29km.in.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Prabalika M. Borah / November 30th, 2018

4th edition of Indywood film carnival

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

Five thousand business delegates from across 100 countries to participate

The fourth edition of the Indywood Film Carnival will begin on Saturday at Hitex Convention Centre in Hyderabad, with its repertoire of national and international films.

The main attraction of the carnival will be the All Lights India International Film Festival which will feature films from various parts of the country in different languages. The festival sections include international competition and national competition.

The flagship event All Lights India International Film Festival will screen over 100 movies from nearly 50 countries, a press release said.

The carnival, a flagship venture of 10 billion USD project Indywood, will be one-stop platform for showcasing the latest technology and future possibilities in the entire spectrum of film making, skill development, pre-production, production, technical support, post-production, distribution, and marketing, it said.

Five thousand business delegates from across 100 countries are expected to be present in the carnival.

Indywood Billionaires Meet, Indywood Academy Awards, Indywood Telly Awards, Indywood Fashion Premier and All Lights India International Film Festival are the major attractions of IFC 2018.

Competitions will be held in 28 categories including advertisement/ promotional video, animation movie making, children’s short film, CSR movie making, DJ war, documentary film, drama, dubsmash, educational video, film quiz, group dance, model hunt, and others.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 30th, 2018

A life in images

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Prabhakar Kusuma

Remembering Prabhakar Kusuma, the Hyderabad photographer who was among 2018’s Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society (FRPS), UK

On Thursday, the Hyderabad photography community lost one of its unsung heroes — Prabhakar Kusuma. The 66-year-old reportedly passed away following a cardiac arrest. The soft-spoken photographer was a mentor for several budding photographers and a trusted friend to members of Telangana Photographic Society.

Prabhakar was selected as Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society (FRPS), UK, and one among the four people worldwide to be chosen in 2018. He was the only recipient from India this year. And, the last time a photographer from the Telugu-speaking states was bestowed with this honour was 31 years ago.

When we interviewed Prabhakar at his residence in Begumpet (published in The Hindu MetroPlus dated June 18, 2018), he reminisced anecdotes from his four decade long career in photography.

A photograph from Prabhakar Kusuma’s series on a home for destitutes in Warangal

He recalled going through a rough phase and buying eight 35mm films that were three years beyond expiry date since he couldn’t afford new ones. While the new films were priced at ₹200 each, the old ones came at ₹5 each. This was in 1993 when he wanted to shoot the inmates of a destitute home in Warangal. Twenty images that he selected from this series shot over eight months, fetched him the FRPS recognition 25 years later. Each of these images had a story to narrate and Prabhakar recalled vividly how he gained the confidence of inmates to be able to shoot them in their personal space.

A lambada woman

Prabhakar moved to Hyderabad in 1995 and to tide over financial needs, worked in the advertising industry. He simultaneously took up other photography assignments. Advertising was his bread and butter but photographing people and lifestyles was what he loved the most.

His interest in photography began in the 1970s, when as a school student he was introduced to dark room techniques. “I saw how images came into view and I knew this is what I wanted to do for a lifetime,” he told us.

‘The Destitute’ series was also showcased as part of Indian Photography Festival 2018 held in Hyderabad. Prabhakar was also a contributor to The Hindu and Business Line in the 90s.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / November 24th, 2018