Category Archives: Education

Boy’s invention to be adopted by Civil Supplies Dept.

Paddy filling machines, if successful, to be installed at all procurement centres

A class VIII boy’s ingenious invention is set to be adopted by the Civil Supplies Department at its Paddy Procurement Centres (PPCs) on a pilot basis.

A prototype of a paddy filling machine, used to fill paddy into bags, would be adopted with minor tweaks and installed at select PPCs. If successful, they would be installed at all the centres across the State, Civil Supplies Commissioner Akun Sabharwal said in a statement here on Saturday.

Abhishek, studying in Zilla Parishad High School at Hanumajipet village in Vemulawada mandal of Rajanna-Sircilla district, has already received accolades and prizes for his invention at Inspire Science Exhibition at regional and national levels.

On Saturday, he met Mr. Sabharwal along with his parents Rajavva and Lakshmi Rajyam, and his school principal, and received a gift of ₹10,000 and a robot doll from the Commissioner.

Mr. Sabharwal said the machine, with a few changes, would be very useful for farmers. The machine’s capacity could be increased from 20 kilograms to 40-45 kg by increasing its width, he said. If successful, the machine would replace four workers.

Naming it Vari Abhishekam, Mr. Sabharwal directed the officials concerned to initiate the process of obtaining patent for the machine on behalf of the Telangana government. In another major initiative, the Civil Supplies Department would introduce e-weighing machines at warehouses with the capacity of five tonnes, starting from the coming rabi season. The department is aiming to implement the same State-wide starting from the next khariff.

The e-weighing machines would be installed at 170 warehouses across the State, to ensure that the commodities are supplied to fair price shop dealers with correct weight. Inspecting the performance of the machines at Met Weigh India Factory at Cherlapalli on Saturday, Mr. Sabharwal said the machines would be available at all the godowns by March 31.

The machines would be linked to the Command Control Centre at Civil Supplies Bhavan and also to the Mini Command Control Centres in the districts, where live weighing can be viewed.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 23rd, 2019

It’s destination NASA for 25 Paramita students

Selected for week-long tour after essay writing competition

Twenty-five students from the Paramita Heritage School have been selected for the international conference at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA, for seven days ithis May.

Go for Guru, NASA, Florida Institute of Technology and Astronaut Memorial Foundation had recently conducted essay writing competitions at the school after which 25 students were selected for an educational tour to NASA.

Of a total 5,000 students from across the country who took part in the competition, 470 were selected. Among them, 124 belong to Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including 25 from just one school, informed Paramita Educational Institutions chairman E. Prasada Rao here today.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – February 19th, 2019

City girl to represent country at UN Youth Assembly 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

The jewel in the bibliophile’s collection


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

Reddy College celebrates Diamond Jubilee

Raja Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy Women’s College, Narayanguda, kicked off its Diamond Jubilee celebrations on a high note at the college campus on Wednesday.

Hyderabad :

Raja Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy Women’s College, Narayanguda, kicked off its Diamond Jubilee celebrations on a high note at the college campus on Wednesday. The college stepped into its 60th year in 2014 but celebrations are underway now. The event began by paying homage to its founder, Sri Raja Bahadur Venkata Rama Reddy. Prof. K Muthyam Reddy read out the report.

Principal, Dr K Sarada spoke on the laurels achieved by the college. Chair of the program, Former Judge, High Court of AP, President of Hyderabad Mahila Vidya Sangham (HMVS) Justice, A. Gopal Reddy spoke about the marvelous journey of the college after the state bifurcation. Chief guest of the day Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, Governor of Maharastra, encouraged the students and staff to pursue their professional goals and not be deterred by difficult social, cultural or economic circumstances.

He delivered his message in Telugu, much to the delight of the audience. In his message he was proud to mention that as the Chancellor/Vice Chancellor of various universities in Maharashtra and Tamilnadu he was delighted to see the girl students outnumbered the boys in receiving the gold medals. Former principals of the college, senior most staff members both from teaching and non-teaching groups were felicitated.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / November 29th, 2018

Saving an ancient art form from extinction

Senior artistes and State government come together to train youth to save Oggudolu and Oggukatha

In order to preserve the ancient art of Oggukatha and Oggudolu, a traditional folk form of singing and dancing with drums, the Telangana State Language and Culture Department, in association with the district Oggubeerla Artists’ Welfare Association, has embarked upon an ambitious task of teaching the Oggudolu art to the younger generation.

With senior Oggudolu artistes unable to perform due to old age and the younger generation not keen on pursuing it, the government and the district Oggudolu artistes have launched a 19-day training programme for youngsters to preserve the age-old folk music form to entertain people. Training is being imparted at the Sri Beerappa temple on the outskirts of the town amid serene atmosphere.

Ancient art form
Oggudolu training is being provided by Erla Mahipal, an Oggudolu artiste and native of Tadijerri village of Gangadhara mandal. An MBA graduate, he had left his call centre job to take up the art as his profession and teach the art form to the younger generation in the district.

Earlier, Oggudolu artistes confined themselves to storytelling about the Hindu gods Mallanna, Yellamma and Beerappa etc. Now, they have changed the format, adding dance performance for entertainment of the audience, says Mr. Mahipal. “We have added adugulu and dharuvulu (steps and beats) to traditional drum beats and performing 32 varieties of drum beats and dance forms including acrobatics, sivathandavam, teenmaar, paanchpataka, omkaram, kolatam, etc,” he said.

New elements

During the training, the drum beaters are being trained in rhythmic beating and dancing to attract the audience, he said and added that they were also training the students on formation of pyramids and beating drums. Further, tips are given to the trainees on the importance of storytelling to captivate the audience.

Oggukatha is still popular in rural areas. Mr. Mahipal says they were invited to perform in functions and during a death in the villages. Moreover, with elections round the corner, Oggudolu artistes are in much demand. “Politicians hire us for taking out rallies and during the electioneering, to add glam to the campaigning,” he said.

The executive-turned artiste said he would continue training the younger generation on a regular basis to protect the ancient art from extinction.

Response from the younger lot, including school and college students, is encouraging as they are showing interest in learning Oggudolu performance. Mahesh, a trainee, said it is helpful as they are learning different forms of drum beats and dance to entertain people.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by K.M. Dayashankar / Karimnagar – November 12th, 2018

Legendary Telugu wordsmith Kapilavai Lingamurthy passes away

Kapilavai Lingamurthy, Telangana literary giant of our times, passed away due to illness here on Tuesday.

Hyderabad :

Kapilavai Lingamurthy, Telangana literary giant of our times, passed away due to illness here on Tuesday. He was 90. A renowned poet, prosaist, astrologer, historian and teacher—all moulded into one— Lingamurthy was a gifted man hailing from a rather backward Palamuru district.

He was born on March 31, 1928, in Jinukunta in Balmuru mandal in the then Achampet Taluk of Mahbubnagar district. Lingamurthy joined as a Telugu pandit in a school in Nagarkurnool and later joined as history lecturer in Sri Venkateswara Oriental College in Palem before retiring in 1983.

While continuing in the government service, he exhibited many talents in various literary aspects including Satakams, Dwipada Natakams, legends associated with prominent places and children’s literature. He also commented on the old literature written on the ancient palmyra leaves. An expert in the toughest literary methods of Telugu like­—chita padi, chitra bandhamu—several of his works were published by Telugu University and TTD. At least 25 of his written works still remain unpublished.

Interestingly, as many as six persons got honorary doctorates from various university for researching on Lingamurthy’s works. Lingamurthy was a prominent writer and researcher in Telugu and his services continued to be in demand three decades after his retirement. He got various awards and was felicitated by Chief Ministers NT Rama Rao and YS Rajasekhara Reddy as well.

Lingamurthy graduated from Osmania University-Hyderabad with a Master of Arts in Telugu literature. Well-versed in both Telugu poetry and prose he has written more than 100 books in the Telugu language.
Among his books, the most popular are: Arya Satakam, Srimath Pratapagiri Khandam, Someswara Kshetra Mahatyam, Padya Katha Parimalamu, Palamoor zilla Devalayalu, Salagrama Sastram, Sri Rudradhyayamu and many more. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao condoled the death of Lingamurthy. The literary world lost a towering personality, he said in a message.

KAPILAVAI LINGAMURTHY’S WORKS
Satakamulu – 8
Dwipada Kavyalu – 6
Samkeerthanalu – 3
Charitralu – 6
Kshetra Aavirbhava
Charitralu – 8
Udaharanalu – 4
Sampaaditaalu and Parishkrutaalu – 18
Unpublished – 28

The master and his works
An expert in the toughest literary methods of Telugu like­—chita padi, chitra bandhamu—several of his works were published by Telugu University and TTD, 25 of his written works still remain unpublished.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / Hyderabad – November 07th, 2018

Indian student’s algorithm helps in leading driver directly to empty parking spot

Sai Nikhil Reddy Mettupally at The University of Alabama in Huntsville has also won second prize at the 2018 Science and Technology Open House competition

An Indian student in the U.S. has created a space-detecting algorithm that can help tackle the problem of finding a parking spot by using big data analytics and save a person’s time and money.

Sai Nikhil Reddy Mettupally, a student at The University of Alabama in Huntsville, has also won second prize at the 2018 Science and Technology Open House competition for his creation.

According to a university presser, Mr. Sai’s creation relies on big data analytics and deep-learning techniques to lead drivers directly to an empty parking spot.

Big data analytics is a complex process of examining large and varied data sets to uncover information including hidden patterns, unknown correlations, market trends and customer preferences.

Mr. Sai conceived the idea shortly after the university transitioned to zone parking last fall.

“Finding a parking spot as soon as a person enters the parking lot is essential.”

What he needed was to find a way to identify empty spaces and then direct the driver to the location. But unlike other parking apps in the market, he wanted to develop one that didn’t rely on the purchase, installation, and maintenance of expensive in-ground sensors.

To help put his plan in action, Mr. Sai turned to Vineetha Menon, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science.

As the director of UAH’s Big Data Analytics Lab, Mr. Menon also had access to the high-performance computing power that Mr. Sai needed to create and train his machine-learning model, which relies on a robust parking-lot data set provided by the Federal University of Parana in Brazil.

Mr. Sai, who graduated in electronics and communications engineering from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, hopes to develop a parking-support mobile app—dubbed InstaPark—that can display the real-time grid layout of empty and occupied parking spots using the phone’s GPS.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sci-Tech> Technology / by PTI / Houston – October 31st, 2018

For producing dry fish of impeccable quality

An NIRDPR team demonstrating the working of solar-powered hybrid dehydrators to fisherwomen from Telangana at a workshop held on its campus in Hyderabad recently.

NIRDPR’s Rural Technology Park develops solar-powered dehydrators

The National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR)’s Rural Technology Park has developed solar-powered hybrid dehydrators to produce dry quality fish under hygienic conditions. This technology would help pack and seal fish in pouches, which is likely to fetch a better price for fishermen.

The institute and its technology partner have decided to train 4,000 fishermen from across the country in adopting modern technologies to improve catch and reduce wastage in collaboration with the National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB).

“We have also developed a fish bone separator keeping in view the demand for higher quantity of fish, which will increase productivity among fishermen community,” said NIRDPR Deputy Director Radhika Rastogi and NFDB Chief Executive I. Rani Kumudini on Friday.

About 150 fisherwomen from Telangana were trained during a one-day workshop-cum-demonstration held at the institute last week as part of ‘Rastriya Mahila Kisan Diwas’, supported by Commissioner of Fisheries C. Suvarna, they said.

RTP Project Director Ramesh Sakthivel urged the Fisheries Departments of all the States to take advantage of the training facilities available at the institute. The institute was also exploring options to conduct such trainings at different places to reach out to more people.

Technologies such as solar hybrid dehydrators, designed chilling chambers, freezers, mobile moped-mounted freezers and ice machines that are user-friendly, compact with high quality materials, and of low maintenance, have been developed at the RTP.

Leftover catch fish after selling can be stored in chilled chambers to avoid spoilage of fish, and can be transported to various destinations through moped mounted freezer.

Fisherwomen, who took part in the training programme, expressed keen interest in the newly-developed technologies and some fishermen societies have even agreed to install chilling chambers for preservation of fish, he claimed.

The RTP has, in fact, developed several new approaches for promoting hygienic ways of handling, preserving and drying fish, he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 26th, 2018

Sneaking into the Guinness Book in a Gandhi garb

School children dressed as Mahatma Gandhi gather in an attempt to qualify for the Guinness World Record, in Nalgonda on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Singam Venkataramana

5,500 students gather in a record-breaking bid in Nalgonda
Gandhi’s iconic garb — a loincloth, khadi shawl and a stick — to identify himself with the poor, is meant to teach students the simple way of life the Mahatma preached and practised.

But organisers of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi in Nalgonda, went a step further, to create a record, teaching schoolchildren Gandhi’s practices — truth and non-violence — in a demonstration.

Bare-chested, with bald head caps, round glasses, watercolour moustaches and sticks, thousands of students reached the N.G. College Grounds here, for what they were told will be, “a historic exercise”.

Record-breaker
Organising the ‘largest gathering of people dressed as Mohandas Gandhi’ in the town, members from the Gandhi Global Family and Gandhi Gyan Prathishtan said the event was breaking a Guinness world record, of 4,605 students dressed as Bal Gandhis in Bengaluru in 2015. An organiser announced that the official count for the record on Tuesday was 5,500 students, all between age six and 14. “This is not only an attempt to get into the Guinness World Records (GWR), but to tell students to walk in Gandhi ways,” chairman of GGF G. Rajender Reddy said. He later read the ‘Gandhi pledge’ to the gathering. While no one from from the Guinness World Records was present, the organisers were meticulous in hiring a lot of photographers, videographers and a drone camera to record the event.

No Gandhigiri this

However, for parents who were at the venue, organisers teaching the students ahimsa or non-violence and truth, through the event was just ‘going overboard’, and was aimed only for a record.

“Like all parents, I dropped my son in school at 7.30 a.m. Why should they stand in the sun for four hours, for a ten-minute song and video recording for their competition? How will this help them learn about Gandhi?” P. Vara Prasad, a parent questioned.

Another parent pointed that all the 5,500 students were photo and videographed individually, for evidence, with numbered tokens, and then allowed into enclosures, causing the delay. Many were seen holding umbrellas and water bottles for their children in the 35 degree Celsius temperature, and some feeding them. By the end of the programme at 12 noon, tens of students were down due to dizziness, and were helped by volunteers.

Speaking to The Hindu, a member from the GGF justified the waiting. “If they are unable to be like Gandhi for four hours, how will they serve the country in future?” he asked. He eventually expressed regrets for missing out on amenities for some students.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by B. Pradeep / Nalgonda – October 02nd, 2018