Picture perfect: Ramulu on his famous ride which was also featured in Andala Rakshasi
Hyderabad:
It’s not a Ferrari but it will stop traffic wherever it goes. In the spotlight is a Luna moped, one that is more than 25 years old. Surprised? Once you read what Chandrasekhar Singh discovered you’ll never see the old-fashion Luna in the same light. Chandrasekhar Singh, an employee of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development and a photographer by passion, spotted a unique ride on the busy roads of Koti recently.
“The incident took place on Sunday. The Luna passed me in busy traffic and I was very curious when I saw it. I overtook the vehicle and stopped it. Ramulu, the rider, was patient and answered my questions with a smile,” says Chandrasekhar. “It was amazing to meet Ramulu and his old Luna moped which he has owned for more than 25 years. There were such fine detailing and intricate art work. I could see an eagle, a cow, a lion, a deer, few bells and even an antique mirror on the vehicle,” he says.
Ramulu, who runs a small shop selling puja related items, has spent more than Rs 15,000 on the moped, which had originally cost around `2,000 according to Chandrasekhar. “He even used 9 kg pure brass. He has changed and covered almost every part with brass,” he adds.
When on the road, the moped always manages to turn heads. “You just can’t miss it. In a conversation with Ramulu, I discovered that the bike was even featured in the Tollywood movie Andala Rakshasi. So, he does admit that he owns a celebrity figure,” says Chandrasekhar.
source: http://www.decccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> LifeStyle> Offbeat / DC / Anisha Dhiman / August 12th, 2014
Volunteers collect old newspapers from an apartment in the city; (below) volunteers attend to a young orphan child
Hyderabad :
We don’t often pay attention to things we have already used. Take newspapers for instance, once we have read them, they bear no value to us any longer. As a result, newspapers are used for multifarious purposes – they are found in wardrobes, kitchen sinks, bathrooms, tea stalls and are used to clean up dirt or dropped food. However, Joy of Sharing Society, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) in the city has taken an initiative to collect old newspapers to raise funds for orphan children. “Instead of money, we have decided to take old newspapers from the people and use those funds to help children by buying them food, clothes, etc. Normally, most people just throw away newspapers or use them for various purposes. But by donating their old newspapers, they will be making a huge difference,” says Raghuvir Reddy, founder of the organisation.
Started in 2013, Joy of sharing society was founded by a group of individuals – Ramakrishna,Hariom Pandey, Roy Debashis, Pavan Yadav, Pramod and Praveen — who have the passion and determination to serve the society. Their active members include students, working professionals and senior citizens. Speaking on behalf of the organisation, Raghuvir says, “There are so many NGOs today that we dint want to be like just another organisation. We want to teach people compassion and would like to create a new generation, where people know the importance of sharing.”
Though they indulge in several charitable activities, their main focus is on helping orphan children. “90 per cent of our work revolves around helping orphan children. We work together with other NGOs to make sure the orphans feel loved and valued. It’s important for them to receive love and support, or they will rebel. Lack of love can make misdirect them,” he explains.
Joy of Sharing Society, which has over 60 volunteers from across the country conducts several events on a regular basis. “It was important for us to not be just another NGO so we decided to help out other existing NGOs and work towards a common cause. For instance, last year we decided to collect old clothes from people and then we gave those clothes to an NGO which specialises in recycling clothes. Later, we gave new clothes to the children,” Reddy informs.
In the past, they have conducted several initiative, including blanket donation to homeless people and blood donation camps for Thalassemia kids, apart from celebrating festivals with the children and taking them on tours. “Children suffering from Thalassemia require blood every three weeks. When we found out that there are several children who suffer from the disease, we conducted several blood donation camps to help them out. Apart from that, our intention is to make them feel special and loved so we share happy occasions with them like Diwali, etc,” explains Reddy.
Next on their agenda is to celebrate Independence day with the orphan kids for which they are organising scrap collection drive in order to raise funds. “We will sell all the old newspapers to raise funds to celebrate Independence Day and other events with the children. On August 15, we will be conducting a food donation camp for orphan kids. We have also planned to take them on an trip in September,” he informs.
Reddy, who has been involved in charity work for several years, feels youngsters must be encouraged to work towards the society. “Our commitment towards the children is permanent. Whenever we go to see them, their faces light up and they’re bursting with happiness. Nothing can replace that feeling – that motivates us to work harder for their cause,” shares Reddy. “We want to work with anyone possible and with other NGOs – together we can make a difference,” he adds on philosophical note.
If you want to participate in this donation drive and would like to donate old newspapers, you can send an email to joyofsharing.kids@gmail.com.
You can also visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ JoyofSharing.Kids
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Suhas Yellapantula / August 12th, 2014
Debut director Challa Srikanth seeks crowd funding for his indie film on friendship and black magic.
Crowd funding may be a buzzword among indie filmmakers in the Hindi film industry, but a rarity in Telugu. Debutant director Challa Srikanth is taking the crowd funding route to make his film, The Book. Srikanth has earlier co-written Chandamama Kathalu, worked as production designer for Case no. 666 and helped in the pre-production stage of Minugurulu. “I also made a short film called Song of Life, focusing on romance and friendship in college days,” says Srikanth.
The Book is a story of friends caught in the grip of black magic, a tale of love, lust and power. Srikanth has uploaded half of the script online for people to read and then pool in money for the film. “My friend Rohit Mishra, an NIT alumnus from Jaipur, wrote the first draft and I worked on the second,” says Srikanth, who graduated from the Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad. “Even when I joined college, I knew I’d someday turn to filmmaking,” he says.
A story of friends and black magic maybe a path less explored in Telugu cinema but Srikanth is hopeful it will find takers. “Look at the Kannada film industry. Their films aren’t great to speak of. But suddenly, there was the much-acclaimed Lucia which was a game changer. Our industry is way better and I am sure people will like the script and donate,” he says.
Srikanth is looking at a budget of Rs. 60 lakh, of which Rs. 40 lakh will be used for making the film and the remaining for promotions. “The English script is in place, I will be working on writing it in Telugu and we plan to shoot by February 2015,” he says.
He doesn’t feel insecure for making half his script available in the public domain. “The next half holds the crux of the story, so I am sure no one can steal my idea. I haven’t revealed much,” he says.
Poster of the movie ‘The Book’
The Book is a story inspired by Nahush ka Patan by Maithili Sharan Gupt. The film will be shot by cinematographer G. Kamalakar, who has worked on documentaries and assisted in Anukokunda Oka Roju, Shock and Vikramarkudu. Lavanya Krishna, who worked on the recent film Ulavacharu Biryani, will edit the film.
For more details of the crowd funded film, visit www.thebookmoviezone.com
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad – August 11th, 2014
The Telangana government appointed Ahmed Nadeem as the chairman and managing director of Telangana Transco. Ahmed Nadeem, a 1997 batch IAS officer, will have the full additional charge of Transco. He is currently serving as the commissioner of prohibition and excise.
He will replace Syed Ali Murtaza Rizvi, who has been placed at the disposal of the Government of India for appointment as director in the Cabinet Secretariat under the central staffing scheme, for a period of five years, on Central Deputation.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / August 11th, 2014
Desai Handing over certificates to IIT Hyderabad’s students at their third convocation ceremony at Kandi in Medak. / The Hindu
Polio-afflicted Kiran Kumar not only gets his B.Tech from IIT-H but also lands a lucrative job with global software giant Microsoft
He was not even a gold medalist, but the spotlight was clearly on 23-year-old Kiran Kumar, when he was handed over his degree out of the 200-plus students who received them on Friday at the Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad (IIT-H).
He is an example of how physical disability is not a hindrance to fulfil dreams. And Kiran’s hard work has pulled-off, for the B.Tech graduate in computer science, was hired by software giant Microsoft a month ago.
“Teachers and my friends were very helpful, and the director of the institution was also very supportive,” beamed Kiran, who hails from Srikakulam district in AP. Having completed his intermediate in the International Institute of Technology, Nuzvid, this son of a bus conductor bagged a scholarship in IIT-H, which lessened the financial burden for him, as he had taken a loan to pursue his education.
“I have two sisters who are 17 and 21. So, now I am also supporting my family, apart from paying back the bank loan I took for my studies,” he said. Kiran also thanked U. B. Desai, Director, IIT-H, and his professors for being accommodative during his course. “My classes were shifted to the ground floor, and my hostel room was also on the same level. Not only that, my teachers would let me finish my work on the laptop, and would check it there itself,” explained the youngster, who suffers from polio, and requires a wheelchair to move around. But his disability is anything but a hindrance, as he said that he was able to enjoy every part of his four years at IIT-H.
“Whenever my friends went out, they would take me around, ensuring that I never skipped any enjoyment. Plus, I had an uncle who stayed with me, to take care of me,” he said, enjoying the limelight.
source: http;//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Yunus Y. Lasania / Hyderabad – August 10th, 2014
Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Telangana State president M Sarita Reddy (left) and other members at a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday. | NEERAJ MURALI
Hyderabad :
It is only 67 days since the new state of Telangana has been formed. With every other field in the state rapidly working towards development, an all-women organisation called ‘Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Telangana State (ALETS)’, was launched on Saturday by a group of successful entrepreneurs in the state to empower women.
Some of the main objectives of the organisation are to educate women to come forward and become entrepreneurs in various fields, improve socio-economic aspects of women in urban and rural areas.
“Women, especially those in rural areas, are very industrious and have a lot of ideas. We will go and give them guidance in business planning, capacity building, marketing awareness through linkages,” said M Sarita Reddy, founder-president of ALETS.
“When we use the word start-up, the first thing that comes to mind is money. However, we feel counselling is more important,” she said. Apart from helping women establish their own start-ups, the association also assists them in conducting various exhibitions to showcase their talents.
Sarita remarked, “We will also establish different incubation centres for women entrepreneurs in the future. Formation of Telangana is a sixty year old dream. Women are the foundation of developing State. Hence, there is a need for a common platform to empower women in the state.”
“While many students are graduating from engineering and other degree colleges these days, it is impossible for all of them to get jobs. Therefore, entrepreneurship is one of the most affordable options for the pass-outs who have great ideas in mind,” she opined.
“It is indeed a matter of pride that Telangana women have taken the initiative in entrepreneurship,” said K Sudhir Reddy, president of Telangana Industrialists Welfare Association.
“There are hardly any women entrepreneurs in the state today. If one has to go with the numbers, the total percentage of women entrepreneurs in the state today is a mere three,” Sudhir Reddy said.
“For a country to develop, women are more important. I believe they have better understanding skills and work towards development of the state,” he added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / August 10th, 2014
(From left) India’s Commonwealth Games 2014 badminton medallists Ashwini Ponnappa & Jwala Gutta (silver), Parupalli Kashyap (gold), RMV Gurusaidutt (bronze) and PV Sindhu (bronze) in Glasgow on Sunday | pti
Hyderabad :
The colour made the difference. Otherwise, the medals tally was the same. In the 2010 Delhi Games, India had won four medals. So too in Glasgow.
It was two gold, one silver and one bronze in Delhi. However, Indian shuttlers could bag only one gold, one silver and two bronze medals this time.
However, there will be ifs and buts on India’s show. Surely, the last-minute withdrawal of Saina Nehwal cost India a gold medal. But there were hopes that if Saina was not there, then young world championship bronze medallist PV Sindhu had the chance to retain the gold for the country instead.
But Sindhu fell to Canadian Michelle Li in the semifinals to finally end up with a bronze medal in her maiden venture. However, Parupalli Kashyap’s long wait for a championship medal was finally over. “I feel very happy for this Hyderabadi boy. He has a good game but somehow falters at crucial times. But this time there was no stopping him. He deserves the gold,” said former international Sanjay Sharma, adding, “it was not his fault if Lee Chong Wei (World No 1) pulled out like Saina.”
But Sharma was not happy with the overall performance, particularly with India failing to win a medal in the team event. “It was the biggest disappointment. We don’t have depth in doubles unlike in the singles where there is some bench strength. If India has done well in the team events in the recent past, it is surely because of Jwala Gutta, who has been a force to reckon with in the doubles for India. She has done yeomen service as far as doubles is concerned for India. But then we can’t depend too much on her every time,” he said.
Former national coach Vimal Kumar, too, agreed that doubles is surely going to be the Achilles’ heel in any team event. “The singles in the recent past was not an issue but it is the doubles that is the biggest problem for India. Jwala and Ashwini (Ponnappa) have won laurels in women’s doubles but where are the men’s and mixed doubles combinations. It hurt India and will continue to do so in future tournaments. India has to do a lot of catching up to improve their doubles combination. I think the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has to give more emphasis to doubles by grooming young talent for future tournaments,” he opined.
Sharma said if India have to think of any team medal, then BAI should make concerted efforts to groom a strong doubles combination. “When we could not win any medal in CWG, which has more of a depleted field, then India stand no chance in Asian Games and other big events. It should start planning in the right earnest for the 2016 Rio Olympics,” he added.
The former doubles specialist said the CWG gold could propel Kashyap to greater heights. “It is a huge boost to Kashyap’s confidence. We could see a pumped up Kashyap in World Championships and Asian Games where the field is much stronger.”
Vimal feels that Kashyap is always a better player in individual events. “In team events, he is under some sort of pressure. But in individual events he plays more freely. He was impressive in the individual event and I liked the way he handled the pressure, specially in the semifinals and final.
“Remember, in terms of standard of the game, CWG is not of high quality as there are no Chinese, Indonesians, Danes or Japanese players. But this win came at the right time. He will have a much tougher time at the Worlds and Asian Games,” said the former chief national coach.
Sindhu, according to Sharma and Vimal, faltered. “It is a good learning experience for Sindhu. But I thought she had a good chance to win a gold medal but then she failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity,’’ said Sharma, who is now a TV commentator on the game.
Vimal felt Sindhu has to improve her defence. “I think it is time she should depend on instructions. She should make the match analysis by herself and improve on her defence. She need to have more variations in her game,” said the present Prakash Padokone Badminton Academy coach.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by N. Jagannath Das / August 05th, 2014
File Photo of Yendala Soundarya, international hockey player. Photo: K.V. Ramana / The Hindu
“Can anyone help me please?” This exasperated appeal from international hockey player Yendala Soundarya might well sum up how the less privileged and those not good at projecting themselves suffer for want of help from the powers-that-be.
The 25-year-old hockey player, silver medallist in the 2009 Senior Asia Cup, is the only international women’s hockey player now from Telangana, hailing from Nizamabad. She also won a silver in the Asian championship, representing India in the Women’s World Cup.
Her fervent appeal came on a day when Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced a cash incentive of Rs. 50 lakh for the World women’s junior boxing champion, Nikhat Zareen, also from Nizamabad. Apparently, he was not briefed about this outstanding hockey player!
The failure of Soundarya’s parents, who happen to be daily wage earners, to project their daughter’s achievements, is proving costly.
“Please tell me how I can get some help from the government. It has been a struggle right through and it really hurts that no one is there to take up my cause,” said Soundarya from the national camp in an exclusive chat with The Hindu.
Soundarya, gold medallist in the 2008 Japan international tournament (under-18), is not bothered as to what others got. “I am more concerned about myself. Will I get any incentive at all is the big question,” says the star forward, who is preparing for next month’s Asian Games.
“It makes me wonder as to why I pursued the sport when there is no system in place to get due recognition,” she complains. When contacted, a senior sports authority official, wishing to remain anonymous, said the gaffe was the result of the lack of a clear-cut sports policy especially with regard to cash incentives.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 08th, 2014
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: PTI/File)
Hyderabad:
IIT-Hyderabad will be encouraging its graduates to take up entrepreneurship and will also be helping them establish companies.
IIT-Hyderabad has jointly set up five incubators in IT, manufacturing and various other sectors and these incubators will focus on startups.
On Friday, IIT-Hyderabad celebrated its third annual convocation. A total of 266 students passed out. R. Seshasayee, executive vice-chairman of Ashok Leyland, was the chief guest.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Education / Manoj. C / August 09th, 2014
Athletes from Telangana R. M. V. Guru Sai Dutt, Gagan Narang, Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap, Gutta Jwala, P. V. Sindhu and India’s chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopi Chand meet Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao at Secretariat in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced cash incentives of Rs. 50 lakh each for the gold medallists, Rs. 25 lakh each for silver medallists and Rs. 15 lakh for bronze medallists in the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Badminton coaches Pullela Gopichand and S.M. Arif will also get Rs. 50 lakh each for their contribution to the success story. It was a pleasant surprise for all the CWG medallists when they met the Chief Minister at his chambers in the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Sports City
The Chief Minister also told the delegates that the government would develop an excellent Sports City around Hyderabad shortly. “Design and development of the Sports City should be planned by using the local Telangana talent. The facility will also host national and international events once in two months,” he said.
Mr. Rao accepted a suggestion to allot the existing sports infrastructure to talented sportspersons to develop academies. He promised to give a new direction to sports by ensuring that all deserving players get the desired support on all fronts. “We will take every step to make Hyderabad the final destination for sports,” he said.
CWG gold medallist Parupally Kashyap, silver medallist Jwala Gutta, bronze medallists P.V. Sindhu, R.M.V. Guru Sai Dutt (all from badminton), Gagan Narang (silver & bronze in shooting), gymnast Aruna Reddy (no medal) were among those present along with India’s chief national coach Pullela Gopichand and champion Saina Nehwal.
Later, Gutta Jwala said that the Chief Minister was very positive during his interaction and promised to extend all support to the sports fraternity. She also welcomed the appointment of tennis star Sania Mirza as brand ambassador of Telangana.
“I see nothing wrong in this. I am really proud that a woman sportsperson from Hyderabad has been chosen as one,” she said. Jwala Gutta was also game to meet A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and would not say ‘no’ if offered the brand ambassador role.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – August 06th, 2014
