Veteran film producer Edida Nageshwara Rao (81) passed away at a private hospital in the city on Sunday. Nageshwara Rao, who was suffering from ill health for the past few days, breathed his last while undergoing treatment at Star Hospitals in the city.
Known for his commitment to aesthetic and cultural values, Nageswara Rao produces classics like Sagara Sangamam, Shankarabharanam, Swati Mutyam, Sitara, Apathbhandavudu, among others. He produced movies under the banner of Poornodaya Pictures and most of these movies were directed by director K Vishwanath.
Nageswara Rao was born in Kothapet of West Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh. Besides producing many movies he held important positions in film industry bodies like Producers Council, Nandi Awards Committee, among others. The mortal remains of Rao will be kept at his residence in Film Nagar till Monday afternoon and final rites will be performed in the evening.
Chief minister KCR and AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over Edida’s death.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / October 05th, 2015
The Telangana State Archaeology Department has taken up digitisation of negatives of old photographs in Hyderabad. Senior photographer of the department Narsing Rao engaged in the process.— Photo: Nagara Gopal
The department has already categorised 2,795 stampages from Telangana districts and their documentation is to be taken up soon.
The infant State of Telangana would soon have its exclusive centuries-old past documented. In a major initiative, the State Archaeology Department has decided to piece together bits and pieces dating back to centuries culled from different archaeological finds to reconstruct the history of Telangana.
Ancient writings from different locations across the ten districts of the State collected during epigraphy surveys were being categorised and coinages, stone and copper plate inscriptions and other sources would be put together for the purpose. Independent district-wise surveys too form part of the exercise to build local narratives of the past to arrive at the larger picture.
The department has already categorised 2,795 stampages (imprints of stone inscriptions) from the districts and their documentation is to be taken up soon. These orders inscribed in stone shed light on the ruler who installed them, the period and occasion.
“The inscriptions have the names of the rulers, their genealogy and occasion such as donation of land to temples and so on. By deciphering them, we intend to piece the history,” said P. Brahma Chari, Assistant Director of the State Archaeology Department.
Inscriptions from across the districts provide a peep into the past with details such as rulers of that period, historical and cultural aspects, disputes resolved, taxation, revenue collections and lakes developed.
The earliest collection of history in the form of inscriptions and coinage available with the department date back to the Satavahana dynasty (First and second century) found in Kotilingala in Karimnagar district.
“From Satavahana onwards, among other dynasties we have Andhra Ikshvakus, Vishnukundinas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakuta, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiya, Bahmani, Velama, Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rulers,” Mr. Brahma Chari said.
Epigraphical survey of all the 10 districts was already in progress and inscriptions from five districts of Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Karimnagar and Medak have been completed and details published.
Director of the Archaeology department Sunita M. Bhagwat said the project was aimed at building up an exclusive history of Telangana with information from historical and archaeological finds and epigraphical surveys.
“We want to piece together the rich cultural and historical past of the State through extensive study of the available stampages and other material,” she adds.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by T. Lalith Singh / Hyderabad – September 28th, 2015
IT minister KT Rama Rao flanked by state government advisor KV Ramanachary, TSTDC chairman P Ramulu and MD Christina Z Chongthu releasing a book on ‘Ancient Temples of Telangana’ on the occasion of World Tourism Day in Hyderabad on Sunday. | EXPRESS Photo
Hyderabad :
Coinciding with the World Tourism Day, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) entered the online market and launched Android-based mobile phone application and touch-screen kiosks to promote tourism destinations in the state.
The App acts as a virtual guide to users and provides detailed information on the transport, accommodation and history of any chosen place. Any mobile phone user can download this Android-based App free of cost.
The touch-screen kiosks, which will also serve a similar purpose, will be installed at railway stations, bus stations and airports for the benefit of travellers to guide them to the nearest tourist spots.
Information technology minister K T Rama Rao inaugurated the two facilities during World Tourism Day celebrations at Taramati Baradari in the city on Sunday.
Rama Rao advised the TSTDC to explore new trends in tourism promotion such as palace tourism and theme park tourism. “The weekend culture is a developing trend in cities like Hyderabad. It is a good opportunity for the tourism sector to cash in on the growing demand for children’s parks and theme-based restaurants in the city.” He also suggested to TSTDC to develop adventure sports destinations near Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, the TSTDC has announced new initiatives to develop unexplored tourist destinations in the state. Corporation chairman Pervaram Ramulu said that the government was planning to develop theme- based tourism circuits to connect multiple tourist spots under a single package.
An integrated eco-tourism circuit in Mahbubnagar district has been announced recently. A tribal tourism circuit in Warangal district with eight destinations was being developed with an investment of Rs 96.01 crore, he said. On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, the TSTDC presented awards to best performing restaurants, tour operators and guides. ‘One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities’ has been chosen as the theme for Tourism Day celebrations this year. According to a recent report by the United Nations, the global tourism market will have 1.80 billion (100.80 crore) tourists.
To enhance its share in the country’s tourism revenue, the TSTDC is planning to spend Rs 600 crore with a target to develop the tourism spots to global standards.
Tourism secretary B Venkatesham, advisor to the state government KV Ramanachary, TSTDC managing director Christina Z Chongthu and director of archaeology Sunita Bhagawat were also present at the event.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / September 28th, 2015
A bi-monthly photo magazine presents stories from the city.
There is no dearth of magazines on photography, particularly those that teach amateurs the nuances of photography. But where would you look if you want stories from the city presented visually? Online photo forums perhaps? Photographer Kishor Krishnamoorthi sensed a vacuum in print and the result is Concorde, a bi-monthly city-based magazine that presents photo stories.
The first issue focussed on Chai and the second, with the subtitle Metrostruction, focuses on people who are part of the metro rail project, buildings razed to the ground and people displaced by the metro rail. The first issue, Chai, has photographs shot by Aditya Mopur, Akhil Tandulwadikar, Kishor Krishnamoorthi and Vishnu Oi. The pages narrate the unifying nature of chai across social strata — from GHMC workers in Secunderabad enjoying a chai break to green tea in a mug in a corporate boardroom. A doctor sips chai during a break from an operation in Apollo Hospital; a youngster stays glued to his laptop screen as he awaits his cuppa at Starbucks; and Irani chai and samosa do the rounds in Café Azad-e-Hind at RTC Cross Roads.
The magazine keeps text to a minimum. “The idea is to let the photographs speak for themselves and not have captions that say more than what’s necessary,” says Aditya Mopur.
Metrostruction presents snapshots of buildings in different stages of demolition photographed by Kishor while Suri Vasireddy vividly brings to focus stories of displacement — a few people from the vast workforce employed for the metro rail work who’ve moved to Hyderabad from other cities, and people whose shops have been razed or earmarked for demolition.
Concorde is available through concordezine.com
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad – September 27th, 2015
The Buddhist Stupa in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district.—Photo: Thakur Ajay Pal Singh
The Buddhist Stupa dating back to 2nd century BC and one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes located in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district lies neglected for several decades due to lethargy on the part of the government.
The Archaeology Department had discovered the heritage structure in 1975 along the shores of a picturesque rivulet on the outskirts of Dhulikatta village. Barring the discovery of this early Buddhist stupa, the authorities have failed to take up any measures for the development and protection of the heritage site for the promotion of tourism.
In spite of several pleas by the historians and others, the authorities failed to provide road facilities to the ancient protected monumental structure. It is barely 33 km distance from the district headquarters, but still reaching the Stupa is a herculean task due to non-availability of road.
Due to non-availability of security at this structure, the miscreants had damaged the ancient monument and stolen away the antique veneer slabs and other panels and bricks. There were also incidents of miscreants digging the structure in search of treasure hunt. Literally, there is not even a sign board educating the people about the importance of ancient structure to attract tourists.
This Buddhist Stupa was constructed on a mound with light weight bricks. It is embellished with sculpted veneer slabs and beautifully carved limestone slabs. It is stated that site had attained importance as it was constructed with 47 slabs to enhance the dome with the Stupa.
Historians say that the Archaeology authorities had discovered other relics such as gateways built with light weight bricks, mahastupa, chatra, residential houses, wells, bangle pieces, ivory combs, gold objects, punch-marked coins, beads, coins of Romans and Satavahanas and seals. Majority of relics were shifted to the present Andhra Pradesh State Museum and only a few antiques lie in the Karimnagar museum.
AD (Archaeology) Premsagar told The Hindu on Tuesday that the Telangana State government was planning to develop Buddhist circuit covering Dhulikatta and other ancient Buddhist structures located in Nalgonda district which will also promote tourism.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 23rd, 2015
Adilabad Additional SP G R Radhika atop Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Jammu and Kashmir along with her fellow mountaineers
Hyderabad :
Battling all odds, including high winds, hostile climate, sub zero temperature, deep and treacherous crevices and roughly half the oxygen content in the air, a woman police officer has conquered 7,077 metres high Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Kashmir recently. G R Radhika, working as additional superintendent of police (Admin) in Adilabad district, achieved the rare feat, on September 7 to become the first woman police officer to conquer Mount Kun.
The Additional SP, Adilabad, G R Radhika, who climbed 7,077 meters peak of Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Kashmir on September 7.
Radhika, a lecturer-turned-police officer, had attended a special training programme on mountaineering, organised by former additional director general of police (ADGP), Rajiv Trivedi, who is now principal secretary for Home in Telangana. Mount Kun had a special place in Radhika’s mind and she had dreamt of climbing the snow-clad peak umpteen times. After much efforts Radhika tasted success in her second attempt.
“I felt on top of the world, when I reached the peak. It was a challenging task, but once I got there I felt sky is not the limit if we have the determination. I was part of an eight-member team including foreigners, that reached the top of the peak on September 7. I would like to thank all my colleagues in Telangana Police, particularly Rajiv Trivedi who facilitated me to get trained in mountaineering. It was an unforgettable moment,” said Radhika, while sharing her moments of glory and joy standing atop the peak. The Nun and Kun are the highest twin peaks in the Zanskar Range.
Now that she has conquered Mount Kun, Radhika now aspires to reach the summit of Mount Everest. “I will start preparing to climb Everest and will undergo training for the same. Mountaineering is not an easy task. Climbing Mount Kun itself was a tough task. We reached Kargil on August 23. From there, we started climbing under the guidance of an Indian Air Force officer who is an expert in mountaineering. Finally, we reached the peak at 7,077 metres Kun on September 7,” Radhika reminisced.
Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Sharma congratulated Radhika stating that the personnel of state police department have been excelling in the national sports arena and the achievement of Radhika has added glory to the state police.
The woman police officer is also a philanthropist. Adilabad SP Tarun Joshi and Radhika have adopted villages as part of Telangana government’s pet scheme Grama Jyothi. While the SP adopted Devapur in Talamadugu mandal, ASP G R Radhika adopted Ponnari in Tamsi mandal.
Principal secretary Rajiv Trivedi told Express that he had recommended Radhika for the basic mountaineering course at Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last year when he was additional DGP, Sports.
After the course, Radhika went on a week-long expedition to Golep Kangri peak to test her skills and successfully scaled the peak, which is 5,980 metres high. “If Radhika thinks she is equipped, she must scale Mount Everest,” Trivedi opined.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), TSSP, who is in-charge of Sports, V V Srinivasa Rao said that the police department would provide equipment for trekking to Radhika who currently hires the equipment by spending Rs 30,000 to 40,000 for few days.
Extending financial help to Radhika, the police department would sanction special causal leave to the police officer for her mountaineering venture.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Mouli Mareedu / September 14th, 2015
Madhvika showing her Guinness record certificate in Karimnagar on Wednesday.-Photo: By arrangement.
Child prodigy Peeka Madhvika, who entered the Limca Book of Records for chiselling 12 Lord Ganesh idols on eight centimetre chalk-piece in 60 seconds, had recorded her name in the Guinness Book of World Record also.
Fourteen-year-old Madhvika, who is studying eighth standard in a private school, is the daughter of Reserve Inspector Sashidhar, received the Guinness World Record certificate on Wednesday.
She had performed the record feat on November 24 last year for Guinness record. She had earlier entered several record books for her feat of chiselling out small Ganesh idols on chalk-piece. There were accolades from all sections of society for her achievement. She is ecstatic about her achievement saying that Guinness record is the ultimate.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 03rd, 2015
Adivasi farmers congratulating one another following a spell of rain at Mallapur in Adilabad district on Saturday.- Photo: S. Harpal Singh
Parts of Indervelli mandal received rainfall after a gap of 26 days
The pola festival, celebrated in Adilabad district on Saturday, brought joy to farmers in those pockets which had experienced a long, dry spell this monsoon. For example, parts of Indervelli mandal received rainfall on Saturday after a gap of 26 days.
Pola, which also marks the end of Shravan, is celebrated as a festival of thanksgiving to farm bullocks, which are decorated and taken around the local temple in the evening. The bullocks are fed with ‘naivedyam’ and worshipped on this day.
This time, just when the animals were to be taken for circumambulation around the temple, it started to rain. Instead of dampening the celebratory mood, the showers spread a wave of happiness among farmers.
The Gond farmers congratulated one another as is custom.
“Pola has brought us good luck,” is how the local sarpanch, Pusam Anand Rao, put it.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Adilabad – September 13th, 2015
The twin caves which were discovered at Gajubeda village in Nalgonda district . Photo : Singam Venkataramana
It is arguably the oldest in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
In a significant discovery, the Department of Archaeology and Museums has come across naturally formed ancient twin caves which pre-historic man could have made his habitation in Nalgonda district of Telangana on Thursday. According to experts in the Department of Archaeology, the 200-metre-deep caves, a rare find, are probably the oldest-ever discovered in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Local tribal leaders Lalu Nayak and Bikku Nayak informed archaeology officials about the caves at Gajubeda Tanda, a hamlet under Kacharajupally grama panchayat in Chandampet mandal. The place is just a couple of km from Nagarjunasagar backwaters and very close to Dindi rivulet.
Assistant Director at Archaeology and Museums P. Nagaraju told The Hindu that as of now they have found no archaeological evidences like paintings inside the cave.
The twin caves have 15-metre radius at the entry point but the size narrows down. One of the twin caves is 50 feet deep and the other 200 metres.
He had discussed the find with many experts who confirmed they had never found such massive naturally formed caves in the past. However, he observed that it needed to be studied further by experts. The Assistant Director along with District Tourism Officer M. Shivaji and K. Narasimhulu and others visited the place.
Tourism potential
Mr. Shivaji said that the place could be developed into a great adventure tourism spot. Since it was located very close to Nagarjunasagar, Krishna and Dindi rivers, the Tourism officer said they would include these caves in the proposed Devarakonda, Chandampet tourism circuit.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – September 12th, 2015
In another step to make travelling safe for women, the Telangana transport department on Tuesday launched She Cabs, a taxi service provided by women for women. Male customers will be ferried only if at least a woman passenger accompanies them.
Transport minister P Mahender Reddy launched 10 She Cabs taxis. The transport department helped the women get finance and buy the vehicles, Maruti Swift Dzire cars, at subsidised rate. Till now, 18 applicants were approved for She Cabs.
“The She Cab tax service has been launched keeping in view the safety of women commuters. The driver will be a female. Male passengers can ride provided at least one female accompanies them. Only male passenger will not be allowed,” transport commissioner Sandeep Sultania said.
The cars were fitted with security features like panic button, GPS and connected to police control room through GPS.
“Women development and child welfare department has provided 35% subsidy for the 10 vehicles under She Cab scheme and also released 10% margin money (Rs 82,500) per candidate,” the officials said.
The government would not fix tariff and it would be left to the She Cab operators to decide for themselves. Though the transport department initially planned to run the She Cabs, especially for woman employees working in the IT corridor and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), the response from the applicants to operate the woman-only taxi service on these sectors was poor.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / September 09th, 2015
