Despite the bifurcation of the state, the software exports from the city are likely to touch Rs 64,000 crore during the current financial year 2014-15.
Hyderabad is the second largest software exporting city in the country after Bengaluru, and is forecast to grow by 13 per cent over last year.
Addressing the media on the sidelines of the announcement of the 23rd edition of the annual summit and awards of the Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA) here on Friday, Telangana IT, Electronics and Communications Secretary Harpreet Singh said that during 2013-14, the software exports from Hyderabad stood at Rs 57,000 crore.
“This year, we will be touching Rs 63,000 crore-Rs 64,000 crore in total IT exports, if 13 per cent growth rates happens,” he added. It is estimated that about 3.2 lakh people are working in the IT sector. “We expect another 20,000 employees to be added, taking the figure to 3.4 lakh during this fiscal,” the official said.
The HYSEA is holding its annual summit on March 11 and March 12 here. Elaborating on the initiatives taken by the Telangana government to promote the sector, Singh said, “We are setting up T-Hub, the country’s biggest technology incubation centre, which will facilitate start-ups to grow. This start-up system will see good number of IT companies originating from Hyderabad,” the official said.
Promoting skill
“We are trying to promote skill development to enhance the employability of students who are graduating from the engineering colleges here. We are looking at making graduates industry-ready,” he said adding “we are working with Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU) to produce a curriculum in sync with the industry.”
Referring to the proposed Information Technology and Investment Region (ITIR) project in Hyderabad, Singh said, “ITIR is in the planning stage. We are planning to have better infrastructure than Cyberabad. We are in the process of getting a consultant.”
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Business / DHNS – Hyderabad / February 13th, 2015
Stack them, put them alongside or line them up in a row – Safeducate’s mobile school concept uses re-cycled freight containers to erect schools overnight in the rural belts of the country. Divya Jain, CEO of Safeducate (the education and learning arm of logistics firm Safexpress), says, “It’s like Lego blocks. You can add space or remove, depending on the need of the area.” Showing us pictures of the said containers, she tells us that a school could vary from a single classroom to six containers. To begin with, their first container school set up on their own piece of land, commissioned two weeks ago in Ambala, will have 189 logistics students, who are all over 18 years old.
In the box
“Learning logistics is difficult in a closed environment. But with these movable classrooms we can take the students as close to their working environment as possible,” says Jain, adding that this idea came to them two and a half years ago. “Since then, we’ve done extensive research on cooling methods, insulations and checked the containers for life, rusting, etc. They have been checked though seasons to see how they withstand the elements,” Jain adds about the background work that has gone into ensuring that these ISI certified containers are safe for their students. “This is just our first draft and we are looking at making them even more self-reliant with solar panels,” she says, pointing out that this will especially be handy when setting up in rural places that have minimal access to electricity. Other points that work in favour of these 40-foot containers is that they can be turned into classrooms, labs, libraries or even toilets or bedrooms and require an investment of as low as `8 lakhs.
While these container schools will initially be set up in around 20 places like Bihar, Agra, Hyderabad and Chennai (in two months, we’re told), Jain is confident that it is the answer to setting up schools in rural areas. Given that they are already converted into offices and hotels outside the country, it might not be long before we come up with many more uses for them. “We see these being used as schools for children and even as hospitals – especially on highways, where emergency services are poor,” Jain concludes.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / July 09th, 2015
A view of JNAFAU cillege of fine arts at Masabtank which is celebrating 75 years . Photo: G. Ramakrishna
To mark the 75 years of JNAFAU, the department of painting is coming up with an all-women show of its former students titled ‘Viewpoint’
Hyderabad :
Come next week, the painting department of the Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University (JNAFAU) College of Fine Arts in Masab Tank will step into realms of history for celebrating womanhood with an art show by its former women students covering seven decades. The occasion is 75 years celebration of the college and the department headed by Priti Samyukta deemed to bring together all the works of women artists starting from 1942. The idea was conceived by Priti to let the young students understand and see the works of its alumni. But why only women artists? “This is a patriarchal society and women artists often go unnoticed. In fact, women artists have to put in extra effort to be noticed and recognised,” points out Priti and adds, “We are saluting all those women, those unsung heroes who strived hard to make a mark. And, the way the artists have evolved is tremendous with new mediums, thoughts and styles keeping up with the trends.”
Priti Samyukta, Head of the Department of painting at JNAFAU college of fine arts Photo: G. Ramakrishna
The show titled ‘Viewpoint’ and to be held at Nehru Art Gallery inside the college premises features artworks by women who are practising artists, women who shifted gears, students-turned-teachers, recent pass outs and artists, who killed their interest in art due to different reasons. Priti, a former student from the college says she hit upon the idea in January. “As an in-charge, I wanted to take the department to another level. This is an indirect way of teaching the students. We initially thought of holding the show in March to coincide with Women’s Day but the work was exhaustive and required more co-ordination. Since the College completed 75 years, the display found an ideal reason,” she smiles.
The work involved constant co-ordination with women artists spread out across the country and even abroad. While thanking artists who parted with their works, Priti mentions about all her colleagues in the department who played a major role. “I am excited as this is my baby but everyone is taking care of it,” laughs Priti.
The title was chosen to give a different perspective to the exhibition. “The title is secular and women’s views are not always heard or part of any conversation,” she says.
Overall, 43 artists are participating starting from Freny Behmanshaw from the ’42 batch. “Freny mam was also the first woman teacher of the college and is currently in Bengaluru.
A painting by artist Kavita Deuskar
Kavita Deuskar and Anjani Reddy are also student-turned-teachers and even headed the department, whose works will be showcased. Lydia Victor, who lives in the US sent her work through a print,” explains Priti.
A painting by Anjani Reddy of the 1971 branch
Pointing towards a canvas, Priti says, “This is Hoor Girglani, a ’75 batch student’s work done in egg tempera. Many artists do not work in this medium now.”
A painting by Hoor Girglani of the 1975 branch
The fascinating feature of the exhibition is that students featured are from every decade since ’42. Besides Priti’s work, the display includes works of old students like Kusum Viswanath, Laxmi Reddy and Padma Reddy and the young clan is represented by Priyanka Aeley, Afza Tamkanath, Vineela, and Annapurna. “We have tried to represent as many students as we can,” says Priti.
Kavita Deuskar, a former head of the department remembers her student days. “We were taught a lot of techniques by our teachers. Freni mam’s (Freny Behmanshaw) uniqueness was her beautiful drawings and she would work in water colours. The depth in leaves, petals and flowers had a different feel,” she states.
On a parting note, Priti, who is curating the show says, “I feel privileged and honoured to be able to bring across the works of such wonderful artists on a single platform. The show to begin by next week will continue at Nehru Art Gallery, JNAFU, for 20 days.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Society / by Neeraja Murthy / July 09th, 2015
Rockwell Industries MD Ashok K.Gupta & M.Anand, Principal Counseller, IGBC Accredited Professional, displaying the Platinum rating shield in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: N. Ravi Kumar / The Hindu
This is the first factory in all of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to achieve the Platinum rating, declared M. Anand, Principal Counsellor and IGBC-accredited professional.
Cold chain equipment manufacturer Rockwell Industries’ new facility in Medchal, near Hyderabad, has achieved platinum rating standards of IGBC (Indian Green Building Council) for factory buildings.
The parameters for which it got the highest rating certification range from energy and water consumption, green energy generation, providing green landscape to using re-used materials.
This is the first factory in all of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to achieve the Platinum rating, declared M. Anand, Principal Counsellor and IGBC-accredited professional at the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, who was associated with the project.
Senior executives of Rockwell, led by Managing Director Ashok K. Gupta, at a press meet here on Wednesday, said that the facility was the first in its category across the country to receive the Platinum rating. “The new facility of Rockwell proves that factory buildings in Indian sub-continent can be made green by carefully working during design and construction stages,” explained Mr.Gupta.
Set up at a cost of Rs.28 crore, the company has incurred an incremental eight per cent cost towards the green parameters. In less than two years, it could recover the cost, said Mr.Anand. Manufacturing operations at the 45,000 sq ft facility began about a year ago.
Counting the green initiatives, he said that Rockwell had set up a 100-kilowatt roof-top (on-site) solar PV and a 1.5 mw windmill (off-site renewable energy generation) in Madhya Pradesh.
Towards reducing energy consumption and costs measures such as reflective roof coating, minimising lighting energy consumption by maximising use of daylight, provision of efficient LED and CFL fixtures have been made. Ultra low flow flush fixtures and 100 per cent rain water harvesting are some other features of the new facility.
A release from Rockwell said that the company received the green rating certificate on Monday from Telangana IT and Panchayati Raj Minister K.T.Rama Rao during the launch of Swachh Digital Telangana programme.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by N. Ravi Kumar / Hyderabad – July 08th, 2015
A group of students showcased how the buzzwords ‘technology’ and ‘innovation’ can help provide effective and affordable healthcare in the country.
At the ‘ReDx: Engineering the Eye’ workshop, which was inaugurated on Sunday, engineering students collaborated with their mentors from the medical fraternity to exhibit unique alternatives as well as newer ideas in eye care. In the workshop organised by L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Camera Culture Group and MIT Media Lab, about five potential prototype models were on display.
One such model was JULIA (Just Use Logic in Imaging App), which was developed by a team of ten members selected from various institutes from across the country. “Autorefraction and Retinoscopy are the two methods used to detect refractive errors.
The equipment is expensive and the process is time consuming,” said Venu Madhav, IIIT student and member of the project.
“We have developed a device, which if manufactured on a large scale, costs only Rs.100 per piece. This can be operated even by an illiterate person and the test results can be known immediately. We tested this on 200 people and the difference of results of our device when compared with usual equipment was minor.”
Another tool called ‘visual field testing for babies’ is a first, according to those developing it. “Babies in the age group of three months to twelve months are checked for sight issues. There is no such testing for babies available now and this will help in early detection of Glaucoma and other eye ailments,” said Prem Nandini, mentor of the group.
Telangana IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, who inaugurated the workshop, assured that the State government would provide favourable conditions for entrepreneurs and suggested that students ‘Indianise’ their products for the benefit of society.
Gullapalli N. Rao, Founder-Chair, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, said that they aim to reach the most neglected citizens with the efforts.
In its third year, the programme saw about 100 participants.
The exhibits will be showcased for the next one week in Engineering Staff College of India in Gachibowli.
L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Camera Culture Group and MIT Media Lab organise ‘ReDx: Engineering the Eye’ workshop
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – July 07th, 2015
“Konjem konjem Telugu vastundi and thoda bahut Hindi bol leta hun,” says Benjamin E Cohen with a boyish grin. An associate professor in history at the University of Utah, Benjamin was on one of his yearly visits to the city. Also a research scholar, he was here to launch his second book, ‘In the Club’.
PIC: A RAdhakrishna
“People at the book launch said that my books and writings are ‘history, with a twist’. I like that. That is how my work is,” he says, with a wink.
Though it may seem quite natural for a history scholar to explore the history of clubs in a diverse country like India, the idea of dedicating a book that helps understand club culture is unconventional.
Benjamin explains, “I knew there were many old clubs across India and South Asia. I investigated whether or not any scholar had taken up their history – their whole history and not just one individual club. It turns out that there was a gap. I was interested in filling that gap.” He also shares his experience, “when you ask people if they know about the Secunderabad Club, they say yes. But if you ask them to elaborate, nobody will.”
The book takes a look at clubs in India, their role in building an associational life and a civil society in colonial India.
“It also talks about their role when India was transitioning from colonial rule to independence,” he elaborates.
His first book, ‘Kingship and Colonialism in India’s Deccan: 1850-1948’ was a fresh perspective on the relationship between the rulers and the ruled. Using archival material and not hearsay and rumour, Benjamin reconstructed the societal equations without any blinkers.
Benjamin is grateful to his friends and colleagues especially here in the city who have helped him draft the book. His biggest strength is his fluency to read, write and converse in Telugu, Hindi and Urdu. “I studied my languages first as a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. Then I had the opportunity to live and work in Hyderabad during my graduation. I took private lessons with both Telugu and Urdu teachers. I tried to keep up with the languages back in the states,” he shares and adds that his interest in the area began when he was a child. As the son of a political scientist who also specialised in South Asian studies, he first came to India in 1977.
“I lived in Vizag, Delhi and Mussourie. We spent a year in Hyderabad. My whole life, I have either come to India or grew up in a home that was steeped in either Indian or South Asian culture,” he recalls. He worked in Chicago for three years after that.
“I was tired of that life,” he admits, “What I really wanted to do was find out more about India and South Asia,” he shares. Ask him what he likes about India and he counter questions, “How can I begin to answer that question?” and adds, “India is both a very old civilisation also a very young democracy. I find that combination fascinating. India has more excitement in one block than America has in 10.”
That is why he enjoys coming to India and is glad to contribute to its rich and diverse history. He also has two interesting projects lined up.
“I am finishing a book on Nawab Mehdi Hasan Fateh Nawaz Jung who was a minister in Hyderabad from 1883 to 93. He came here from Lucknow to work in the Nizam’s government. He had a British wife and they ran into some trouble. It was a scandal and was on the front pages of all the newspapers,” he tells us.
Another is a long history of water in Telangana from the Kakatiya rule. “I am very excited about these projects,” he exclaims.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Rajitha S / June 19th, 2015
Littérateur and member of text book review committee, Sunkireddy Narayana Reddy said that they gave greater importance to Telangana history, literature, prominent places and persons in the revised text books.
Addressing a discussion organised by Jayamitra Sahitya Samskrutika Vedika and Department of Education on the revised school text books here on Sunday, Mr. Narayana Reddy, said that they have discussed thoroughly on each and every lesson that were to be included in the curriculum. and quality of content was improved.
Noted poet, Venu Sankoju presided over the discussion. M.V. Gona Reddy, Belli Yadaiah, Achuyutha Ramaiah and others were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Staff Reporter / Nalgonda – July 06th, 2015
They are the first women hockey players from AP and TS to join the Indian team, which qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Yendala Soundarya
Yendala Soundarya and Etimarpu Rajani scripted history by becoming the first-ever women hockey players from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to be members of the Indian team which qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Etimarpu Rajani
The last time India played in Olympics was in the 1980 edition when it was given a direct entry because of the boycott led by USA in the Moscow edition.
India made it to the next edition of Olympics (for the first time after 36 years) by virtue of defeating Japan 1-0 in the play-off match for the fifth place and both Ms. Soundarya and Ms. Rajani were part of the team in the World Cup semi-final league matches in Belgium.
Ms. Soundarya says she is delighted. “This is one of the finest moments in my career. We are all so happy that our biggest dream is coming true,” said both Ms.Soundarya and Ms. Rajani in a chat with The Hindu in Belgium.
For someone who took to hockey watching seniors and playing for India since 2006, the 25-year-old Ms. Soundarya was also a member of the Indian team, which won the silver in the Senior Asia Cup and the Champions Trophy.
Ms. Soundarya says that the team was confident in today’s crucial match. “Hats off to my teammate Rani Rampal; we emerged winner. And we are in celebratory mood right now,” she said in a voice choked with joy.
“I owe my success to my first coach Maqbool in Nizamabad and then to the SAI coaches, including Gloria, at the SAI Centre in Hyderabad, where I trained for five years,” the star player recalled. “Right now, no major event is scheduled and since we have qualified for the Olympics, some events may be lined up,” she said.
“I feel honoured to play for India, coming from a place like Nizamabad (she was a student of Modern Public School) which has no history of hockey players,” Ms. Soundarya exclaims.
Achievements not a surprise
SAI hockey coach P. Madhukaran, who was earlier the Indian women’s World Cup coach, recalls the abundance of talent these girls have shown in their formative years.
“Their achievements are not a surprise to me given their commitment and sincerity to keep improving,” he says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – July 06th, 2015
Shop with fun: The Bethel Store. Photo: Special Arrangement
In a first of its kind in the country, St. Francis College sets up a retail store to be managed by students of Retail Management & IT course
For better learning experiences and prospects, students won’t settle for anything less than the best. The Department of B.Voc (Retail Management & IT) of St. Francis College for Women, Begumpet is attempting to provide just that, as it takes opportunity into a completely new, uncharted and exciting array.
Bethel Retail Store is a first of its kind in the country — a store for and by the students — aiming to to provide students with a hands-on experience of managing a retail store.
“The idea of the store stemmed from the need to provide students a way to implement classroom learning; industry assignments, projects, live research and internships are limited due to time and resource constraints. The course is a skill-based and focused on practical learning. So, it’s like a lab for the students to explore and be trained in,” shares Subi Verghese, Head of Department of B.Voc (RM & IT).
The store will showcase merchandise from various retailers for products ranging from textile, footwear, jewellery, books, cosmetics, handbags and designer wear. The present focus is on collaborating with small entrepreneurs, but could tie up with bigger brands in future. The format of the store will chang every month.
In running and managing the store, students will handle everything from promoting and marketing it to unpacking the products, setting up the display counters and shelves, selling to a customer, billing and handling cash operations of the store. Department faculty explains that they have set aside an hour in their timetable for skilling and students would handle the store in shifts.
“Industry retail experts will also train the students. The store isn’t expected to be a commercial establishment, but a platform to learn. A lot of initiative has been taken by the students themselves during the initial stages in terms of contacting people and implementing the idea. They’re thrilled about it,” adds Subi.
Mahati, a student shares her excitement: “At first we were sceptical of the idea and how we would go about it. But as it built up we realised it was an amazing opportunity. I’m expecting to learn more about aspects like how to visually market products.”
“This is something beyond what we’ve expected and we’re all eagerly waiting to start working at the store!” adds Usha, another student.
The store will be operational from mid-August, during the college hours. With the tagline “The Threshold of learning”, the store aspires to be that and more.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Sadiyah Y. Lasania / July 02nd, 2015
Dantulturi Sri Nikitha practising football on the school premises on Friday.– PHOTO: Mohd Arif
Dantulturi Sri Nikitha of Nyamatabad in Nyalakal mandal, who dropped out from school, has a reason to celebrate now. She has made it to the football training programme at New Jersey, USA.
Three years after she left the school for financial reasons, Magic Bus, a voluntary organisation working with children, recognised her talent in football and helped her hone her skills as a goal keeper.
Her parents Subba Raju and Vijaya Lakshmi, who are farm labourers, had plans of marrying her off once they get a suitable groom. It was at this juncture that Magic Bus recognised her talent and prodded her to pursue it with enthusiasm. She came to the limelight during one of the community sports events organised by the Magic Bus. “Thanks to Magic Bus which made all efforts to get her readmitted to school. They convinced her parents to do so. Without the organisation, Nikhita’s talent might not have gotten proper exposure,” says Shakeela, Principal, Navabharat High School, where Nikhita is studying at present. Under Nikhita’s leadership, the school football team won more than eight matches and also represented the school at the State-level last year.
“She was distraught when we refused to readmit her in the school. Some of our relatives are still against she going to the US as they think that it will be of no use for her. Only her uncle, Subrahmanyam Raju, supported us throughout,” says Nikhita’s parents. But nothing has deterred Nikhita from chasing her dream. Ask her about it and phat comes the answer: “I want to become a football player. To achieve that, I will do whatever that is needed to be done. But my family needs support too ,” says Nikhita, who is flying to New Jersey today to be trained by Sports Leadership Academy there.
With the help of Magic Bus, a voluntary organisation, a dropout from school has managed to go to the US for training in football
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by R. Avadhani / Mirajpur (Medak District) / July 04th, 2015
