Monthly Archives: November 2014

Acubiz, a perfect platform for students

Students participating in ‘Acubiz 2014’ at Roots, Somajiguda in Hyderabad on Friday, Organised by The Hindu, in association with Roots International School of Business and Management. Phjoto: Nagara Gopal
Students participating in ‘Acubiz 2014’ at Roots, Somajiguda in Hyderabad on Friday, Organised by The Hindu, in association with Roots International School of Business and Management. Phjoto: Nagara Gopal

The two-day AcuBiz-2014, organised by The Hindu and Roots, an international school of business and management, provided the right platform for students from various institutions to showcase their talents in a variety of events.

The event was inaugurated by Roots chairman B.P. Padala who asked the students to utilise the opportunities waiting for them in the business world.

Competitions like these hone students’ skills and shape them to face the tough world outside, he said. The mock stock exchange received tremendous response as students proved their business skills investing and drawing profit. Business quiz proved how smart the students were and the keen interest they showed in the world of business. Students from more than 25 colleges participated.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2014

Journalists Sinha, Amar Elected to IJU

Hyderabad :

Photo-journalist SN Sinha and senior journalist Devulapalli Amar have been elected unopposed as president and secretary-general of the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) for a second term.

Sinha worked for Hindustan Times at Delhi and has a career spanning over three decades. He is currently freelancing and teaching photojournalism. He is also a member of the Press Council of India.

Hyderabad-based journalist Amar worked with several print and electronic media. He also served as chairman of AP Press Academy during 2005-10.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / November 22nd, 2014

Tale of Fading Glory

FakhrUlMulkMPOs25nov2014

Hyderabad :

Once a minister in Nizam’s court and a ‘shaukeen-mijaaz’, legend goes that he wore clothes European that were laundered in Paris, ate only European food, threw lavish parties, ‘Umrah-e-Uzaam’ nawab Fakhr-ul-mulk hadn’t wished to live longer to see his small kingdom being swept away by the winds of development, corruption and encroachment. The remnants of the more-than-century-old monument, peeping out from a corner at SR Nagar, tells the story of grandeur and splendour the Nawab was once known for.

Now a private property, as claimed by the great grandson of the aristocrat, the monument has tombs of Fakhr-ul-mulk, his wife, their five sons and other numerous descendants. “Until 1970, we received jaagir from the government to maintain the tomb. But when it stopped, shops and houses started cropping up on the property,” said Mir Sarfaraz Hussain, the great grand son of the nawab and a retired commissioner of commercial tax.

ZananaMPOs25nov2014

Recently the ‘zannana’ or female entrance of the tomb was obstructed when a mulgi was set up along boundary wall of the structure. “We even approached the GHMC commissoner but nothing has come of it,” rues the Sarfaraz Hussain.

Not just encroachment, but in last 100 years, the industrial development and urbanisation tanned down its shine. The structure has endured traffic pollution for decades. With the metro rail passing through the area, the existential troubles have only increased for the the nawab’s tomb. “When the area fell under HMR plan, they negotiated with the encroachers and paid them. If taken away, we fear the beauty of the tomb be lost as it will be further sandwiched in the dust of developing the transport system,” points out the Mir Amanath Hussain, the great great grand of Fakhr-ul-Mulk and adds that the matter is pending in the court at the moment.

Erected on two acres out of the total four acres and 27 guntas estate, the tomb is a pagan symbol of tomb architecture in Hyderabad. It is also marked as the last major monument to be constructed in the Qutub Shahi revival style of architecture. Constructed with stone, lime stone and sand, it is quite modest but imposing at the same time.

The tomb that was awarded the Intach Heritage award in 2011 for being instrumental in the evolution of tomb architecture in Hyderabad, with its creaking iron gate, wild overgrowth, broken fountain, rumbling pool, unkept pathway — are all the tell-tale signs of sheer negligence. It’s ironic that the sixth generation of the family hardly has any knowledge of their glorious past or of the majestic stone structure in which they are associated with.

“Yearly we spend a lot of money on the upkeeping of the tomb but as you can see its not enough. What’s more is that no one takes interest in the upkeep of the place,” rues Sarfaraz Hussain and adds “when family is apathetic towards our ancestors, there is no surprise if the administration takes no heed of our pleas.” While fighting many legal battles, the retired government employee is also battling his relatives to set up a private committee to look after the upkeep of the structure.

M Vedakumar, a former core committee member of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and the President of Forum for Better Hyderabad opines that retaining the rights of the heritage structure and its precinct by the private parties is justified. “The Government should, however, take into account the condition of the structure and provide assistance for its maintenance,” he said.

He feels that there is a need for a heritage cell to look into all the matter pertaining to the upkeeping of heritage structures. And rightly so, for one doesn’t know how many of the 156 heritage sites will exist for our grandchildren to see.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sadaf Aman / November 25th, 2014

Fifty years on, Noshir stills swings his arm

Former Hyderabad off-spinner Noshir Mehta, who completed a rare record of competing in the HCA League for the 50th consecutive year, at the cake-cutting ceremony with his wife Yasmin on Sunday. - Photo: V. V. Subrahmanyam
Former Hyderabad off-spinner Noshir Mehta, who completed a rare record of competing in the HCA League for the 50th consecutive year, at the cake-cutting ceremony with his wife Yasmin on Sunday. – Photo: V. V. Subrahmanyam

Sixty-six-year-old former Hyderabad Ranji spinner Noshir Mehta took the field in the HCA League on Sunday, 50 years after he first did so in 1964. Like most old-timers, the Lal Bahadur Stadium was the hunting ground for this gentleman cricketer whose favourite was Salim Durrani. He fondly recalls how he clean-bowled the great Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad in a Ranji game.

Noshir Mehta is back at Gymkhana Grounds where he first played for SUCC in the HCA League – exactly 50 years ago. And, when this 66-year-old former Hyderabad Ranji off-spinner played for Roshanara against Hyderabad Panthers in the A-Division league match on Sunday, he set a rare record of longevity.

Sunday morning was a sentimental journey, with old-timers B. Mohan, Maheshwar Singh, N. Prahlad, Jyothi Prasad, Vijaya Paul, Abdul Bari Wahab, his mentor P.R. Man Singh, India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha and former Davis Cupper S.P. Misra in attendance.

“The passion for the sport keeps me going and I will continue to play as long as I retain it,” says Mehta, who took 146 Ranji wickets between 1967 and 1977, playing mostly under the legendary M.L. Jaisimha.

Like most old-timers, the Lal Bahadur Stadium was the hunting ground for this gentleman cricketer whose favourite was Salim Durrani. He fondly recalls how he clean-bowled the great Sunil Gavaskar and Ashok Mankad in a Ranji game.

“Yes, it was a pity that my career ran parallel to the likes of the great Prasanna, whom I believe to be the best ever off-spinner, and Venkataraghavan. But, still the fact that I played with them along with Chandra for South Zone was itself a major achievement and a great experience,” he recalls with a big smile.

Some of Mehta’s most memorable feats include his personal best six-wicket haul against Tamil Nadu in Ranji Trophy in 1970, a record second-wicket partnership with Maheshwar Singh of about 480 in the Behraum-ud-Dowla Cup for State Bank of Hyderabad, the highest individual score of 55 not out in the then highly-popular single-wicket tournament, the next-best being Budi Kunderan (48) and Jaisimha (45).

“It has been a wonderful journey so far. Yes, the biggest regret is that I never got a chance to play for India. Perhaps, it is destiny’s call that I had to be content with only first-class cricket,” a philosophical Mehta said.

“And, this long journey is possible because of my parents (his father S. R. Mehta himself was an outstanding cricketer) and my wife Yasmin. They make me enjoy the game with the same passion even now,” he says.

Noshir signs off with a tinge of disgust at the falling standards of the HCA Leagues now. “I can tell you that 99 per cent of the current Hyderabad Ranji Trophy would not have got selected for the then prestigious Zonals itself, leave alone for the State,” he concluded.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 23rd, 2014

Balachander Anirudh: He could be the next big thing from Hyderabad

Balachander Anirudh, who was adjudged 'Best Under-19 Cricketer' by the BCCI for the 2013-14 season, at St. John's Cricket Foundation. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Balachander Anirudh, who was adjudged ‘Best Under-19 Cricketer’ by the BCCI for the 2013-14 season, at St. John’s Cricket Foundation. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Immensely talented southpaw Balachander Anirudh promises much, but will he don the India colours?

The BCCI giving away the award for the ‘Best Under-19 Cricketer (2013-14)’ to Balachander Anirudh is just another reminder of the immense potential this young Hyderabadi has.

In fact, the gifted southpaw could well don India colours, going by Anirudh’s phenomenal record of 903 runs from seven matches in the All-India Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19), that included three centuries and three 50s.

A product of St. John’s Cricket Foundation, where the great V.V.S. Laxman also mastered the basics in his younger days, Anirudh is taking it one step at a time.

“First, I want to do well in the Ranji Trophy, if given the chance. Like anyone else, I too dream of playing for India one day,” says the B. Com student of SP College.

His parents – V. Balachander (a bank officer) and mother Girija – shifted to the city from Chennai when Anirudh was in Class III. After initial schooling at DAV Public School, he moved to St. Andrews School. John Manoj of St. John’s was his first coach and he never really looked back since.

“Earlier, I used to throw away my wicket playing rash strokes but thanks to Ashok Singh Sir (who also mentored VVS Laxman in his formative days) the focus was on concentration and fitness levels. I am glad the efforts paid off really well, because of which I could score a double century and two centuries in the Cooch Behar Trophy,” explains Anirudh.

This highly-rated young batting star admires Sri Lankan Kumara Sangakkara for he feels that his batting style is similar to the great cricketer.

“I have a long way to go. I would love to play at No. 3 and play a key role in the fortunes of whichever team I play,” signs off the young cricketer after another grinding session in the nets.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 23rd, 2014

Govt. urged to observe death anniversary of Rani Rudrama Devi

The restored inscription on the death of Rani Rudrama at Chandupatla village in Nalgonda district. Photo: Singam Venkataramana / The Hindu
The restored inscription on the death of Rani Rudrama at Chandupatla village in Nalgonda district. Photo: Singam Venkataramana / The Hindu

The historians, writers and people of Chandupatla village, where an inscription that confirmed the exact death date of great Kakatiya ruler Rani Rudrama Devi was found few years ago, have appealed to the Telangana government to organise the 725th death anniversary of Rani Rudrama Devi on November 27 at this village.

Until the inscription was found in 1994 at Chandupatla that confirmed the death date of Rudrama Devi as 1289 AD, November 27, there was no proof available on the death of the first Hindu woman emperor of India. According to historians, only Razia Sultana ruled parts of India from Delhi before Rudrama Devi.

Speaking to The Hindu, historian D. Suraya Kumar said that Rudrama Devi had initiated several welfare programmes like digging tanks for bringing many acres under cultivation, which was an inspiration for the Telangana government in restoring all the minor irrigation tanks.

Besides, the historian said that Rudrama Devi had also introduced several welfare programmes for the betterment of the life of her people while effectively confronting invading male warriors during her 30 years from 1259 to 1289.

He urged the Telangana government to make Rudrama Devi the symbol of women’s empowerment in Telangana.

He appealed to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao to organise the 725th death anniversary ceremony at Chandupatla.

Besides an inscription, there are historical statues of Lord Ganesha and a warrior riding on the back of a horse in the village.

The village tank, Rasamudram, built during the Kakatiya Samudram, also finds a mention in the inscription because the inscription was installed very close to the village tank by a soldier of Rudrama Devi’s army Puvvula Mummadi, who is believed to be a native of Chandupatla.

The inscription also says the Chief of Army of Rudrama Devi, Mallikarjuna Nayakudu, was killed on the same day, but there was no mention of the reason and the place of her death.

Noted poet, Venu Sankoju, urged the Chief Minister to observe the death anniversary, because her achievements were belittled by previous governments.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – November 20th, 2014

Farmers find a good alternative in Kasturi Benda

The cultivation of Kasturi Benda (Abelmoschus moschatus) medicinal plant is steadily gaining popularity among farmers, particularly those who are vexed with the monkey menace and ‘unviable conventional farming’.

Several enterprising farmers have been cultivating the medicinal herb in Kallur, Enkur and a few other mandals in the district over the last few years. Their commercially successful farming venture prompted other farmers to take up the cultivation of Kasturi Benda, the seed of which is used in the preparation of some traditional medicine and in the perfume industry.

N. Rama Krishna, a farmer of Botlakunta village in Konijerla mandal, switched over to Kasturi Benda cultivation in June this year, after suffering a series of losses in cotton cultivation due to drought-like conditions and the monkey menace.

“After my bitter experience with cotton and maize cultivation in the past, I cultivated Kasturi Benda in two acres under the guidance of a veteran farmer of Kallur mandal,” said Rama Krishna.

“Now, monkeys don’t venture into my field as they dislike eating this particular variety of medicinal herb,” he remarked, adding that he is expecting an average yield of 300 to 400 kg per acre.

I am also hopeful of an assured income of at least Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 1 lakh in view of a buy back arrangement with a Karnataka-based firm, he said.

“The Kasturi Benda seed is used in the preparation of traditional medicine for treating nervous disorders, including hysteria,” said J. Marianna, Horticultural Officer, Khammam.

The flowers, roots, leaves, stem and bark of the medicinal herb are also in high demand, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – November 19th, 2014

Treat for Rosarians

Hyderabad :

Rose lovers have another reason to celebrate as the The Indian Rose Federation and Hyderabad Rose Society together are organising 3rd World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Convention in the city. During the event, around 800 varieties of roses will be displayed. The purpose of the convention is to inform people about the wide varieties of roses available in the country, informs Ahmed Alam Khan, President of Indian Rose Federation. “This is the first time such convention will be held in India,” he adds.

Rosarians from around the country will be presenting the flowers they grow in their convention. “A competition will be held where they will be judged on the quality of their flowers. Apart from the competition, technical sessions will be held at the convention where they will be informed about how to good quality roses, increase their shelf life, etc,” he says. Ikebana, Japanese pattern of arranging flowers will also be taught during the convention.

The theme of the convention is ‘New Light on the Old World of Roses’. “Around 98 per cent of roses exported in the world is by Israel. But India also has the potential to have good market in exporting roses. Through this convention, we aim to encourage the rosarians to develop good quality of roses. People from the city are encouraged to visit the show to gain more knowledge about roses at the event.

The event will be held from November 29 to December 2 at HICC between 11 am to 5 pm.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / November 14th, 2014

DLRL’s 53rd Annual Day Celebrated

Hyderabad :

The city-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) on Wednesday commemorated its 53rd annual day on Wednesday. The state-of-the-art labs deliver with electronics warfare (EW) systems to the armed forces.

SP Dash, scientist and director, DLRL, recalled the achievements of the laboratory in delivering the state-of-the-art EW systems to the armed forces, and congratulated the employees for their contribution.

Jitender, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who was the chief guest, said that everybody should have passion to achieve the desired goals so that the country will march ahead.

The director presented mementos to employees who completed 20 years of service and also gave away DRDO Laboratory Awards-2014 to individuals and team members who excelled in their technical contributions. Meritorious sportspersons, who brought laurels to the laboratory, were honoured on the occasion.

The event was marked with cultural performances by the employees and their families. Girls from Vaidehi Ashram, Saidabad, performed a dance recital.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 20th, 2014

Palair has all the makings of a hub

A fisherman throwing a net in pursuit of fishing near Palair in Khammam District. Photo: G.N. Rao / The Hindu
A fisherman throwing a net in pursuit of fishing near Palair in Khammam District. Photo: G.N. Rao / The Hindu

Telangana government plans to make it a centre of cage fish culture. There are around 14,000 members enrolled in as many as 184 fishermen cooperative societies in the district.

The Palair balancing reservoir, a major hub of freshwater fish and prawn culture in Kusumanchi mandal, is likely to turn into a centre of cage fish culture if the plans of the Telangana government to give a major thrust to fish culture in the new State are any indication.

Thanks to its abundant water resources, the district earned a niche for itself in fish and prawn production in the entire region.

According to sources, the fish production and fresh water prawn production in the district is estimated to be over 16,000 MT and 500 MT respectively.

There are around 14,000 members enrolled in as many as 184 fishermen cooperative societies in the district.

Apart from feeding the ayacut under the Nagarjunasagar left canal system, the Palair balancing reservoir is also catering to drinking water needs of Khammam town.

The reservoir is also serving as a sole source of livelihood for over 1,000 fishermen of Kusumanchi and its adjoining mandals.

A total of 15 members of the Palair based fishermen societies have been selected for an exposure visit to Jharkhand to study the cage fish culture.

The Fisheries Department has selected them for the tour to familiarise them with the cage fish culture method being followed by the local fishermen at Chandil reservoir in Jharkhand.

Minister for Fisheries Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Minister for Finance E Rajender have recently visited the Chandil reservoir to study the feasibility of promoting the cage fish culture in Telangana.

A 15-member team of fishermen headed by a Fisheries Development Officer will tour Jharkhand for three-days from November 21 as part of an exposure visit to explore the possibilities of adopting the cage fish culture in the district, said V Srinivas, Assistant Director, Fisheries, Khammam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – November 20th, 2014