Monthly Archives: April 2015

A true gentleman

Dr. Gorur Harinath
Dr. Gorur Harinath

Dr. Gorur Harinath, former chairman of Cricket New South Wales, recalls his interactions with Richie Bernaud

Sydney Cricket Ground may not be the same again, especially after the PASSING away of one of its greatest sons, the legendary Richie Benaud. And, this is the feeling not just of the millions of cricket fans but also for someone like Dr. Gorur Harinath, the gentleman who studied in Aliya High School in Hyderabad and completed Medicine in Osmania University before settling ‘Down Under’ in 1977. For, Dr. Harinath also happened to be the chairman of Cricket New South Wales and happens to be the only Indian-origin cricket administrator in Australia who had regular interactions with the great Benaud.

SCG’s 100th TEST match
Dr. Harinath, more popular in Australian cricketing circles as Dr. Harry, had a unique experience when the SCG hosted its 100th test match — interestingly against India in 2012. This match also featured the elegant VVS Laxman, manager N. Shivlal Yadav and left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha. “I was always a huge follower of RB (as Richie was affectionately called by his friends) since my childhood days. I met him in the corridors of SCG numerous times in my role as the Chairman of CNSW,” recalls Dr. Harinath. “He (Richie Benaud) was always a pleasant, courteous and wonderful PERSONALITY to talk to. He loved the game so much and that talk rarely veered away from the game,” he explains. “In fact, the memories of RB walking through the corridors into the commentary box will forever be etched in my memory. He would be immaculately dressed in pastel colours suit and matching tie. He was an ornament for the game,” recalls the former NSW boss.

Revealing the other side of Richie Benaud, the Hyderabadi says that the former always wanted Australia to win. “But, above all, he longed to see the game to be a winner. I have never heard him utter even a single foul WORD. He was so respectful and a man of few words once he is out the commentary box,” Dr. Harinath recalls. “No wonder he added so much colour to the ambience right through his career as a player and then as a commentator,” he added.

“His death is one of the saddest days to the entire cricketing FRATERNITY, not just to Australia. I feel sad for his wife Daphne. If Sir Donald Bradman was the God of Cricket, RB was not far behind. A great cricketer, an equally great commentator who never took sides and to cap it all a perfect gentleman. He was a true legend of the game and I shall cherish his memories for ever,” concluded Dr. Harinath.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / April 15th, 2015

Doon’s bonds with Hyderabad

The Nizam was one of the principal donors to the school prior to Independence, and it continues to have a house named after the city

One Prime Minister, several Chief Ministers and prominent politicians, exponents in art, drama, film and literature, sporting icons and top bureaucrats and militarymen – The Doon School has all of them and more on its list of alumni.

Interestingly, the prestigious Dehradun-based school has a Hyderabad connection. The Nizam was one of the principal donors to the school prior to Independence, and the school continues to have one its houses named after Hyderabad.

Students from Hyderabad were a prominent presence till the 1960s, while now the school has only a dozen students who hail from the city.

However, Doon is now trying to reconnect with students from the Telugu-speaking States. “We find that students from AP and Telangana flourish and thrive with us intellectually, creatively and sportingly and we want to further strengthen it,” the school’s headmaster Peter Mclaughlin told The Hindu .

Headmaster Peter Mclauchlin says the prestigious school is trying to reconnect to students from theTelugu-speaking States.– Photo: Special Arrangement
Headmaster Peter Mclauchlin says the prestigious school is trying to reconnect to students from theTelugu-speaking States.– Photo: Special Arrangement

Dr. Maclaughlin, who was in Hyderabad to speak to parents and students on the education Doon offered, said efforts had been made to make the school more democratic and meritocratic.

“The educational landscape is changing dramatically in India, and historic schools cannot sit on past glory. Such an attitude is a great enemy,” he said, revealing that school has students from diverse social and economic background.

To maintain such diversity, the school has consciously made efforts to admit meritorious children from economically backward sections of society. Around 40 per cent students get some scholarship, including a 100 per cent concession on fee. After the Central Government discontinued its scholarship scheme, it is the school’s alumni who are supporting such students.

‘An all-India school’

Dr. Maclaughlin reminds that India is fractured by regional, religious and ethnic mindset.

“They take pride in their identity, but are rooted to their Indianess. An all-India school like ours offers precisely such an atmosphere, where students thrive on learning from each other and respect other’s values.”

Dr. Maclaughlin felt students from southern India gravitate more towards science and math, while those from the north have interests in commerce and economics. Southern students also show a keen interest in creative arts like music and dance. They are more focussed too, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by R. Ravikanth Reddy / Hyderabad – April 06th, 2015

Veteran lawyer still going strong at 90

P.V. Raj Ganesh took to writing at the age of 85 and published two works on Western and Indian philosophies.–Photo: K.V. RAMANA.
P.V. Raj Ganesh took to writing at the age of 85 and published two works on Western and Indian philosophies.–Photo: K.V. RAMANA.

He has proved that age is no bar to do greater things if one has the will and dedication. He has even overcome physical debility and excelled at writing at an advanced age when most members of his peer group are suffering from various ailments. One of the most senior lawyers in the Nizamabad bar, Penumarthi Venkata Raj Ganesh, fondly called “peddayana” (elderly man) by his juniors and admirers, he took to writing at the age of 85 and published two works on Western and Indian philosophies. Though he attained the age of 90 this year, he intends to publish two more books, “Some Miscellaneous Concepts and Subjects” and “How India Attained the Name of Bharat.” In the first book he discusses at length whether god, soul and rebirth exist. “The manuscripts are ready and I will publish them as soon as possible. I am neither a writer nor a poet. I have got down to this business only to tell something to society,” says Mr. Raj Ganesh with all humility.

Stickler for ethics

Born in Machilipatnam to P.V. Narasimham and Jogamma on July 10, 1925, he completed his education and law in his home town. Seeing an advertisement in a newspaper he had come to Nizamabad to join the Collector’s office as a second grade clerk in 1949. Within two years he left the job and started legal practice at the district court. In his long legal career he had seen so many ups and downs, but never lost heart. Strictly abiding by professional ethics he helped many poor people without charging them anything. He gave up legal practice after 55 years only due to hearing impairment. Though he was not interested in politics some friends and fellow lawyers elected him district president of the Janata Party after the Emergency. During the Emergency he was sent to jail for a few days for his outspokenness and critical comments against Indira Gandhi.

He also got elected as an independent member of the municipal council defeating then chairman and ex-MLA Kishan Das in the 1970s. The council honoured him with the “elderly man” award. Mr. Raj Ganesh is a keen observer of everything and is also an ardent reader of The Hindu for over 60 years now.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Ram Mohan / Nizamabad – April 06th, 2015

Rs 100-cr Fund:A Lifeline to Startups in Hyd

Hyderabad :

The government of Telangana’s proposed Rs 100 crore fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative, is likely to give fillip to startups in the city, say industry experts. There are 1,000 to 1,500 startups in the city, over 200 of them in the IT sector, followed by those in other sectors like pharma, retail and agriculture.

While there are several angel investors offering financial support and technical guidance for entrepreneurs, they come in only after the startup venture reaches a certain stage. “The need of the hour is seed funding. Startups need capital and mentoring in the first 12 months of their venture after which angel investors take over,” said Ramesh Loganathan, president of Hysea and MD of Progress Software.

Typically, seed funding involves providing capital assistance ranging between Rs 5 and 50 lakh, where angel investments are between Rs 75 lakh and Rs 3 crore.

“The proposed Rs 100-crore fund can either emulate the Central Government’s Department of Science & Technology (DST) model, which offers soft loans and grants to potential ventures or the government can tie up with a few venture capitalists and co-invest in startups,” said Bipin Chandra Pendyala, secretary of Hysea and director of iKeva. According to Ramesh, currently, there’s absolutely no support, either financial or technical, for startups in the seed stage. “Every firm needs mentoring and capital in the first few months after starting the venture. That’s lacking and we have suggested to the government to consider bridging this gap,” he said.

While incubators like the T-Hub, also provided by the state government, give startups access to infrastructure like systems and servers, they will still need capital to hire a team and grow.

“Compared to mature markets like the Silicon Valley, seed capital for startups in India is in a nascent stage. This is a first state-level initiative and once operationalised, will help several upcoming ventures,” explained Bipin. The government, according to sources, is evaluating the business model and it is expected that the proposed investment framework will be operational in the next three or four months.

The government of Andhra Pradesh too has announced a similar Rs 100-crore fund for startups but there too the framework is yet to get operationalised. Hyderabad is home to over 1,400 IT and ITeS companies, and the state government has fixed an ambitious target of software exports to the tune of Rs 70,000 crore in FY15, up from Rs 57,000 crore in FY13. Meanwhile, the first phase of T-Hub will be ready in the next two months and will house 700 to 800 startups and will be scaled up to 1,500 or more later.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Sunitha Natti / April 02nd, 2015

‘My mother had already taught me to win’

Actor-producer Dia Mirza posing with members of the FICCI Ladies Organisation in Hyderabad on Saturday.– Photo: K. Ramesh Babu
Actor-producer Dia Mirza posing with members of the FICCI Ladies Organisation in Hyderabad on Saturday.– Photo: K. Ramesh Babu

Former MissAsia-Pacific Dia Mirza says she did not have to put in more effort at the contest as her parents had already instilled in her wherewithal to win

When a teenaged Dia Mirza first stepped into the world of beauty pageants by participating in the ‘Miss Asia-Pacific’ contest, she did not enrol with an intention to win. It was only later that she realised that her parents had already prepared her for what she would go through in the event.

“I remember crying a lot. I had written a long letter to my mother on how she had taught me most of the things I was preparing for the programme in Mumbai. All the girls there had come with an ambition to win, but I did not go there to win, but it was very interesting,” explained Ms. Mirza while interacting with members of the FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) here on Saturday afternoon.

Dwelling on her Indo-German background, Ms. Mirza mentioned how a 10-day part-time job at the age of 16 led to her first job. “Dr. Neeraj’s Multi Media Studio, which had hired me to work at their kiosk at Walden for those 10 days, had later offered me a full-time job, because they liked my work,” she said.

Ms. Mirza also mentioned how stressed she was during the ‘Miss Asia-Pacific’ competition, which was held in Manila, Philippines in 2000.

“I realised for the first time I was afraid, I could not let my country down,” she stated, and added that apart from acting and producing movies, working with terminally-ill children helped her. “The thing about them is that they don’t whine and ask ‘why me’,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Yunus Y Lasania / Hyderabad – March 29th, 2015

Telangana govt to fund Old City woman’s pilot training

Hyderabad :

The Telangana government is all set to give wings to a girl from the Old City. Poised for flight, Salwa Fatima, who is the first pilot from purana shahar, will be given Rs 35.5 lakh so as to enable her to soar the skies, this time, in a multi-engine aircraft.

Highly placed sources told STOI on Saturday that the chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has sanctioned the funds. A government order (GO) will be issued to the effect next week.

“Taking a keen interest, the CM has treated the case of Salwa Fatima as a “special case,” said Syed Omar Jaleel , special secretary, minorities welfare department. Describing Salwa as a “young girl who shows immense promise”, he added, “The funds will be released in two instalments. They will be given directly to the aviation school where Salwa will be studying. The GO will be released soon.” There exists a precedent of the government granting aid to an individual – to a boy from the SC community, Jaleel observed.

Thanks to the large heartedness of philanthropists, family and her own unbending resolve, Salwa, who already has a commercial pilot license to fly a single engine aircraft, has already clocked over 200 hours of flying. And as a logical conclusion, she wants to upgrade her flying skills to multi-engine aircraft. “In order to do this, I will have to take two courses: the multiengine rating and a specialisation course called type rating. For the former, I will need to have 15 hours of flying in a multiengine aircraft and 10 hours of simulation. The latter will enable me to fly an airbus,” she says. She is still unaware of the CM giving his assent to the release of funds.

The girl, who is a healthy blend of the traditional and the modern, says that she has shortlisted the GMR Aviation Academy and the Telangana State Aviation Academy as her preferred flying schools. “Both courses put together will entail expenses of around Rs 35 lakh,” she says.

Positive about support from her in-laws, she continues, “My husband and in-laws are in fact supportive of my aspirations. There is a tradition of women working here. In fact, my parents wanted me to go to a family which encourages me to work.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Syed Mohammed, TNN / March 22nd, 2015

This Love has no Boundary

DrGuravaTELANGANA05apr20145

What began as a meeting between the two turned into a love story after years. She was famous, daughter of then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Bhavanam Venkatram, whereas he comes from a middle-class background.

But the couple believed they are destined to love each other forever and Dr Gurava Reddy smiles and sings, “Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se, Ajnabee Ban Jaye Ham Dono…”

DrGurava02TELANGANA05apr20145


The beginning of true love story

“I remember the day I first saw her at her house, when I came to Hyderabad from Bapatla to receive my scholarship. It feels like just yesterday. It was in 1975. When I came to Hyderabad again in 1979, that is when my sister-in-law coveyed her feelings for me. It was love. Initially, I was scared, because there is a lot of disparity between us. But looking at her simplicity and her down-to-earth attitude, I also started liking her,” says the orthopaedic and chief joint replacement surgeon Dr Gurava Reddy.
Staying apart

For couples, who get along very well and love one another, everything conspires so that they cannot stay away from one another for long. These two doctors too truly could not bear to be apart. During their courtship period, Dr Gurava wrote countless letters to Bhavani. “We dated for almost seven years before marriage. That time we didn’t have telephone for communication. So, I wrote a letter every day for almost a year when I was in Delhi,” recalls Gurava Reddy.


Support from family

Luckily for them, their families were very supportive. “I loved him, I was sure of that then. I wanted to marry him and live happily ever after. I wrote a letter to my father and explained to him. And since we were relatives (my aunt and his uncle were married), our families accepted us and got us married,” shares Bhavani.

Poles apart

There’s no denying it: all couples fight. “We do fight but it is very minimal now. We are more mature. We do agree that arguments and fights are going to happen considering we are two different personalities but its important how we deal with it. If she is angry, it shows on her face. And I take the initiative to pacify her. We can’t be not talking to each other for more than 24 hours,” says Gurava Reddy adding, “I love to be in the company of 100 people and for her even two is a crowd.”

Partners, who work in similar jobs are more likely to work long hours and be more committed to their profession, but in case of Gurava Reddy and Bhavani, they think that working together can enhance mutual understanding of working conditions and bring a balance in their work-life. “She is my soul and being in the same professions its makes our work easier. She understands and can empathise with me. It is attractive to come home to someone who is the head of the household. I fail to understand, how on earth can someone live alone,” he says.

Keeping the flame alive

Does love lose its intensity with time? “I don’t think it does, or at least it doesn’t have to. We have been married for 30 years, and we still love each other intensely. It is more exciting, passionate and fulfilling all the time,” feels Gurava.

The couple believes the secret to their long married life is kindness, love and tolerance. “It is a beautiful feeling and we still feel for each other. Marriage is not an event, it is an institution, a process, and we need to nurture it on a regular basis to keep the fire alive. For instance, Bhavani knows that I love piano and for a very long time I was trying to learn but could not due to my busy schedule. So, this Valentine’s Day she got me a tutor. These small things make a lot of difference in relationship,” he says. Adding to this Bhavani says, “We are very romantic. We have had some wonderful holidays. Dr Gurava would often surprise me. For instance, the time when he gifted me an exclusive tennis court. I would love to fall in love with the same person again.”

Meaning of marriage

The couple have two children — 27 year-old son Adarsh, an orthopaedic surgeon and 23-year-old Kavaya. They have been happily married to each other for the last 30 years.

“Today, after so many year of togetherness I can tell you that he is the most romantic person in the world,” she says adding, “If either of us ever reach home early, we feel lonely and start enquiring about the other. Filling the loneliness, completing each other – that is what means to be husband and wife for us.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Swati Sharma / April 04th, 2015

A shot at the peak

ShekharBapuTELANGANA04apr2015

Bachinepally Shekhar Babu, a mountaineer from Nalgonda district and a recipient of the Tensing Norgay National Adventure Award, will lead an international team to Mount Everest.

Mr. Babu will leave from here on April 5 along with his team.

Members

Members of his team will include Mala Honnetti, a 62-year-old from Karnataka, Saurabh Aggrawal, 26-year-old from Delhi, Bharath Kumar, a 26-year-old from Andhra Pradesh, Bimla Negi Deoskar, a 48-year-old from Maharashtra, three mountaineers from UK and Denmark, an expedition doctor, Dr. Anup Kulkarni and four Sherpas.

Three expeditions

Mr. Babu, who also coaches Poorna Malavath, the youngest female to climb Mt. Everest, has led three expeditions to the peak previously.

He is expected to return to Hyderabad by June 5, after completing the expedition, a press release said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – April 03rd, 2015