Daily Archives: October 13, 2014

ASI to dig out Deccani Gardens at Naya Qila

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Hyderabad :

In a move that could shed more light on the important historical aspects of Naya Qila heritage complex, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has started excavating the site of what was once the Qutub Shahi Gardens.

Reliable sources from the Archaeological Survey of India told TOI that officials of the Hyderabad Circle of the archaeological juggernaut conducted an inspection of the heritage precinct last week. The land is currently in possession of the tourism department and its private partner, the Hyderabad Golf Association, the sources said.

“We have received orders from the director general of the ASI in New Delhi to begin work. The intention is to expose the Qutub Shahi Gardens, also known as Deccani Gardens. Further, there has been a long-pending demand from the activists for us to begin work,” said an ASI official who did not wish to be identified.

The ASI plans to drain the land parcel of the sewage water that has been accumulated over the years. Further, the vegetation and the debris on the heritage land would be also cleared as part of the plan.

“A report by eminent historian Ghulam Yazdani explains the presence of Qutub Shahi Gardens. We are hopeful that the results will be seen within a week of the excavation,” said ASI superintending archaeologist R Krishnaiah.

Rumours about the ASI unearthing a treasure chest began spreading early last week. The ASI, on the other hand, was swift enough to deny these claims.

“There is no treasure. The land was tilled by farmers until a few years ago. All these reports are baseless,” an ASI official said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / October 06th, 2014

Medicinal Plants Expo Goes Viral

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Karimnagar :

The students of Government Upper Primary School, Ramakrishna Colony, Timmapur have attracted national and international attention with a social media post about their exhibition on medicinal plants, ‘Mana Mokkalu – Mana Avushadalu’ (Our plants – our medicines).

Their post evoked good response with a number of likes and comments, said Kola Ramachandra Reddy, school headmaster.Non-resident Indians also responded, appreciating their team work as a inspiration for many. They complimented the students for their efforts.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / October 13th, 2014

C.V. Nagaraj: the man behind the ‘game’

Sports
National tennis champions J. Vishnuvardhan, Suresh Krishna, Saketh Myneni and coach C. V. Nagaraj at a training session in Hyderabad. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
National tennis champions J. Vishnuvardhan, Suresh Krishna, Saketh Myneni and coach C. V. Nagaraj at a training session in Hyderabad. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam
/ The Hindu

He keeps churning out success stories in Indian men’s tennis with ease. Far from the madding crowd, the 53-year-old Canjeevaran Venkatrao Nagaraj has been training and grooming tennis talent with such diligence that he is now the rare record-holder of producing four Davis Cuppers (Susheel Narla, Punna Vishal, J. Vishnuvardhan and Saketh Myneni), Asian Games mixed doubles gold medallist (Saketh) and five senior national champions besides others.

Yet, like all those who stay away from the media glare and are more focussed on the job at hand, Nagaraj too is a victim of a typical syndrome in the State capital where the powers-that-be are immediately hooked on to the coaches of high-profile stars but fail to take a conservative look at gentlemen such as this untiring tennis coach.

The latest triumph of Vishnuvardhan as national tennis champion in Delhi last Friday is another reminder that the assembly line of champions has not dried up.

And this remarkable story of triumph over adversity has been unfolding daily at the School of Power Tennis Academy at RRC (Secunderabad).

Nagaraj insists that there is no bigger joy for him than seeing his student win a national title. “That is the biggest motivating factor. It is a different issue that I am not getting the kind of recognition that may be due to me. But again, I am too small to run around to garner support in the corridors of power,” says the coach, who quit his HAL job 23 years ago to take up tennis coaching.

All that Nagaraj got in terms of recognition was the relatively obscure Farkunda Ali Khan Award, given by the AP Lawn Tennis Association, for the best coach. The big question remains – doesn’t he deserve more especially when some coaches were given huge cash incentives by the Telangana State government?

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 12th, 2014