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
