Monthly Archives: September 2015

It’s raining investments for Telangana

Business & Economy, World Opinion
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a meeting with K.V Kamath, president, and Xian Zhu, vice-president, of New Development Bank Shanghai, in China on Thursday. --Photo: By Arrangement
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at a meeting with K.V Kamath, president, and Xian Zhu, vice-president, of New Development Bank Shanghai, in China on Thursday. –Photo: By Arrangement

Celkon and Makeno sign MoU in the presence of KCR to invest $ 20 million dollars for setting up TV unit in Hyderabad

Celkon and Makeno have signed a memorandum of understanding with the Telangana government in the presence of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Shanghai in China on Thursday to invest $ 20 million for setting up a LED TV unit in Hyderabad.

Two more Chinese companies in cell phone components and headphones have also come forward to invest in Hyderabad, a release said.

KCR travels in high speed train

Earlier in the morning, the Chief Minister and his delegation in China reached Shanghai from Dalian after attending World Economic Forum meeting. They travelled by Maglev high speed train which moves at 300 kms per hour while travelling to Shanghai, a global financial hub on China’s central coast.

Later, Mr. Rao addressed a meeting organised by Confederation of Indian Industry and the Telangana government where the MoU was signed. Shanghai Electric Corporation vice-president Shao whose company was a $ 40 billion entity met Mr. Rao.

The company expressed interest in setting up manufacturing and supply units of high powered pumps and electrical equipment in Hyderabad. Mr. Rao welcomed the company and requested its team to visit Telangana.

At the CII meeting, Mr. Rao addressed 65 Chinese entrepreneurs and companies. He explained the availability of land bank, hassle free permissions to set up industries and zero corruption in the entire process. Many industrialists expressed desire to invest in Telangana.

Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao also met K.V Kamath, president, and Xian Zhu vice-president of New Development Bank of Shanghai and sought their help in funding urban development projects.

Their 40 minute meeting was interesting and the response of the bank officials was positive, said a press release.

The bank of Shanghai is a new enterprise in the process of formulating funding policies. It focuses on infrastructure development in developing countries.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – September 11th, 2015

She cabs arrive in Telangana for women safety

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Travel

Hyderabad :

In another step to make travelling safe for women, the Telangana transport department on Tuesday launched She Cabs, a taxi service provided by women for women. Male customers will be ferried only if at least a woman passenger accompanies them.

Transport minister P Mahender Reddy launched 10 She Cabs taxis. The transport department helped the women get finance and buy the vehicles, Maruti Swift Dzire cars, at subsidised rate. Till now, 18 applicants were approved for She Cabs.

“The She Cab tax service has been launched keeping in view the safety of women commuters. The driver will be a female. Male passengers can ride provided at least one female accompanies them. Only male passenger will not be allowed,” transport commissioner Sandeep Sultania said.

The cars were fitted with security features like panic button, GPS and connected to police control room through GPS.

“Women development and child welfare department has provided 35% subsidy for the 10 vehicles under She Cab scheme and also released 10% margin money (Rs 82,500) per candidate,” the officials said.

The government would not fix tariff and it would be left to the She Cab operators to decide for themselves. Though the transport department initially planned to run the She Cabs, especially for woman employees working in the IT corridor and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), the response from the applicants to operate the woman-only taxi service on these sectors was poor.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / September 09th, 2015

J. Manjula Appointed as DRDO’s First Woman Director General

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) today said it has got its first woman Director General with the appointment of J Manjula as Director General, Electronics & Communication Systems cluster.

She has assumed charge from distinguished scientist and Director General Dr K D Nayak, who was holding Additional charge as Director General Electronic & Communication Systems, DRDO said in a release.

Manjula has the honour of being the first woman Director General of DRDO cluster. She has been leading Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), an establishment of DRDO, as a Director since July 2014, it said.

Manjula is an alumna of Osmania University and a practising electronics and communications engineer.

DRDO said she has served in Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, for more than 26 years in the area of Integrated Electronic Warfare.

She has designed and realised fast signal acquisition receivers, high power RF systems, responsive jammers, controller software etc for various systems inducted in Army, Navy, Air Force and Paramilitary, it added.

Manjula is a recipient of DRDO award for ‘Performance Excellence’ and ‘Scientist of the Year 2011’.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home> Magazine / Bengaluru – September 09th, 2015

French touch to Hyderabad metro stations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
Indo-French Architecture students at the tomb of the French general in Nizam's army, Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, in Hyderabad on Monday.— PHOTO: Mohammed Yousuf
Indo-French Architecture students at the tomb of the French general in Nizam’s army, Michel Joachim Marie Raymond, in Hyderabad on Monday.— PHOTO: Mohammed Yousuf

A group of architecture students, professors from Bordeaux, France along with students from Hyderabad are collaborating for a week to come up with ideas to develop the two metro rail stations.

The obelisk of Monsieur Raymond at Moosarambagh, the reputed French general in the Nizam’s military, which still evokes awe among the visitors, is set to receive a fresh lease of life from a French connection.

The Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) authorities are now leveraging French artistic and architectural flair to develop Raymond’s tomb into a heritage precinct and also the upcoming Moosarambagh and New Market metro stations.

A group of architecture students, professors from Bordeaux, France along with students from Hyderabad are collaborating for a week to come up with ideas to develop the two metro rails stations as heritage tourism points. The French architectural talent will also provide inputs and conceptualise development of the Raymond’s tomb, around the metro stations.

“The common theme that I have found between Hyderabad and Bordeaux is the passion that people have for their respective cities. They ask us the same tough questions on how to develop the city and at the same time keep its historical flavour alive. It is a stimulating and challenging work and hopefully we should be able to come up with something tangible in a week,” says architect and professor, Ecole D’Architecture De Bordeaux, J. Kent Fitzsimons.

Close to 13 students from France and 47 from architecture colleges in Hyderabad are taking part in this project, being supported by the Architecture and Design Foundation (India), Alliance Francaise and HMR. Based on the innovative ideas coming out of the collaboration, Telangana State Government and HMR will develop these two stations and Raymond’s tomb into a heritage precinct.

“This is a good way to integrate heritage and conservation values of Hyderabad with metro rail routes. This will go a long way in spreading awareness and re-energising public spaces, especially in places that have historical value,” says senior architect P. Venu Gopal, who will be the guide for the students.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by M. Sai Gopal / Hyderabad – September 08th, 2015

‘We badly need a couple of rinks of international standard’

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Recognition from the government has come only now, thanks to the Arjuna Award, says Anup Kumar Yama.– File Photo
Recognition from the government has come only now, thanks to the Arjuna Award, says Anup Kumar Yama.– File Photo

For more than two decades, he has been into a sport which was invariably treated with disdain by the powers that be.

The 31-year-old skater’s record speaks for itself – winner of the 2013 World championship gold, two bronze medals in the 2010 Asian Games, the first-ever Indian to win a medal (bronze) in the 2012 World championship in inline artistic category and most recently, the prestigious Arjuna Award (only the second roller-skater ever to get this).

In an interview with V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM , Anup Kumar Yama talks about his passion for roller-skating.

How did it feel to receive the Arjuna Award after having missed out on it last year?

Well, it is a simple case of better late than never. I’m glad that I am in the elite group of outstanding sportspersons who got this prestigious Award.

What does this Award mean to you and to the sport?

Personally, it definitely has an aura and a huge sense of pride too. For the sport, I just hope it gets the desired fillip. Except for one rink at Indira Park, the couple of other rinks are makeshift ones wherein even now, hundreds of youngsters try to hone their skills. We badly need a couple of rinks of international standard in the city to start with.

How difficult is it for a skater to be a champion compared to the more glamorous sports?

Yes, you have to be lucky to have parents like mine (Veeresh Yama and Jaya Yama) who have to constantly keep the morale of the kid high, irrespective of the results. The kid should enjoy the sport, basically. Not think of laurels and the consequences when one is just starting out.

Did you get recognition for all your feats?

If you look at my own career, I have taken part in many Asian and World Championships and won a gold in the latter too. But recognition from the Government has come only now, thanks to this Arjuna Award. Even in terms of financial support, the whole perspective has to change. For instance, I got cash incentives only for the two Asiad bronze medals I won and nothing for all the other achievements. This is sad and you can imagine the plight of the average middle-class athlete.

If you are given the option, what will be the first move to popularise the sport?

It is time we focus on creating an indoor stadium in Secunderabad where none exists right now. This is sad, considering the rich sporting history of this part of the State capital. If you remember, I started skating in the corridors of the then MCH office corridors.

What is next for you?

I sincerely believe that this Arjuna Award should spur me to win gold again for India in the next week’s World Championship. I am targeting the Winter Olympics Ice Figure Skating 2018.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / September 08th, 2015

FINAL JOURNEY – With no vultures, a Parsis ritual on the brink

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

TowerofSilenceTELAN07sept2015

Parsis forced to make do with solar-powered machines.

Unlike in other religions where a deceased person’s body is cremated or buried, when a Parsi dies, his or her body is left in the ‘Tower of Silence’ for vultures. Though there are two such ‘towers’ in Hyderabad, it has been more than 20 years since a vulture swooped down on a dead body, as the scavenging birds have almost become extinct in the city and its surrounding areas.

Due to the disappearance of vultures, members of the Parsi community have installed solar concentrators as an alternative. The machines desiccate the bodies, though perhaps not as quickly as the scavenging birds. “The panels rotate in accordance with the Sun,” said Jahangir Bisney, a chartered accountant and trustee of the Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad.

SolarPanelsTELAN07sept2015

The solar panels, which run on small motors, work in accordance with Zoroastrian teachings, which consider dead bodies impure. Burning a corpse is also not allowed, as it would contaminate fire, which Parsis worship. “In Hyderabad, except during the monsoon season, there is good heat. It is basically like a sky burial,” mentioned Mr. Bisney, whose Trust manages the ‘Tower of Silence’ at Zamistanpur.

However, over the last few years, some Parsis have also been cremating their dead family members, instead of keeping their bodies at the ‘Tower of Silence’. “Some cremate bodies in the Hindu burial grounds, or opt for the new electrical or bio-gas crematoriums,” mentioned Ahmad (name changed). He, however, added that not following the ‘tradition’ is not seen kindly by some members.

“We offer prayers called ‘Arangah’, meaning rest in peace, for the deceased for four continuous days. When a person is cremated or buried in a city where there is a Tower of Silence, prayers are not offered for him, as it is considered taboo,” explained Mr. Bisney.

The Tower of Silence is situated in a complex called ‘Doongerwadi’, which is derived from the word Doonger, meaning mountain. “In Iran, centuries ago, the structure was built at an elevated place, and not near any habitation,” said Mr. Bisney

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by Yunus Y. Lasania / September 07th, 2015

Going professional

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features
HYDERABAD,TELANGANA,23/08/2015: Cobber Shanker (Right corner), with his family, and a photo of him, both in his house at L. B. Nagar in Hyderabad on Sunday. --Photo:Special Arrangements
HYDERABAD,TELANGANA,23/08/2015: Cobber Shanker (Right corner), with his family, and a photo of him, both in his house at L. B. Nagar in Hyderabad on Sunday. –Photo:Special Arrangements

Cobbler P. Shanker and his son are planning to market their skills through Facebook and are hoping that their business will take off soon.

Discarding old shoes after they are worn out is one thing, but having to discard those that are slightly damaged is another, especially if they are branded or expensive. And chances are that even showrooms where they are bought from may not be able to fix them.

That’s where P. Vijay and his father P. Shanker come in. Calling themselves professional cobblers, Mr. Shanker claims that he can repair any damaged shoe, especially branded ones.

“I used to mend shoes for Bata. I would repair at least five to 15 pairs a day. They would tell customers that their damaged shoes were sent to the ‘company’ for repair. I was that ‘company’,” laughs the 70-year-old cobbler.

Vijay is now set to change how people look at those who mend shoes, claiming that he and his father can repair almost any shoe.

“A lot of times, people just discard branded shoes, even if they can be repaired. Showrooms may not do it. We even get the material on our own and deliver finished goods to the customers,” he says.

As a test, this reporter gave Vijay a pair of two-year-old Red Tape shoes, with completely worn out soles and inner leather. In fact, before giving it to him, the showroom where the shoes were bought from and a few other stores refused to fix the pair, stating that the soles were not replaceable.

However, Mr. Shanker proved them wrong, bringing back the pair to life, by making a new pair of soles and fitting them perfectly.

“I had to cut out new soles from a sheet of rubber. We ourselves purchase material required for our work. That was how we worked for a few Bata stores, earning Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 10,000 a month,” recalls Mr. Shanker.

However, a few years ago, he stopped taking orders and branched out on his own.

After working for an Army battalion in Mehdiptnam garrison for some months, he shifted operations to his own house in L.B. Nagar. Vijay now plans to market his father’s skills to get more business by starting a Facebook page.

“I will leave my MNC job once this takes off,” he quips. He can be contacted on 97009 90160 and 84639 76778.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Yunus Y. Lasania / Hyderabad – September 06th, 2015

Mahindra Group to Expand Tractor Unit in Zaheerabad

Business & Economy

Hyderabad :

Mahindra Group has plans to expand their existing tractor manufacturing unit in Zaheerabad and also planning to provide electrical vehicles to ferry passengers of Metro Rail stations to different destinations in the city.

The representatives of six companies of Mahindra and Mahindra group called on IT minister K T Rama Rao and industries minister Jupally Krishna Rao here on Thursday.

The representatives of Mahindra group discussed with the ministers on the expansion plans of their group companies.

When Rama Rao called on Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra in Mumbai in the first week of August, Anand assured that he would send a team from his company to study the expansion plans and new investments.

At Thursday’s meeting, the representatives explained their expansion plans in motors, IT, infrastructure, aerospace and defence sector.

Mahindra group has decided to supply vehicles for the GHMC for lifting garbage.

They also explained their plans to provide electrical vehicles to transport passengers of Metro Rail stations to other places in the city.

The Mahindra group also hinted that they would further expand their tractor manufacturing plant in Zaheerabad.

When the representatives explained that their group was also involved in construction of weaker section houses, Rama Rao wanted them to give their plans in the proposed two-bed room flats taken up by the state government.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / September 04th, 2015

KCR Greets Sania for Khel Ratna

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Lawn Tennis player Sania Mirza | (File/PTI)
Lawn Tennis player Sania Mirza | (File/PTI)

Hyderabad :

Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Saturday congratulated Hyderabad- based Indian lawn tennis player Sania Mirza for receiving Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

The Chief Minister wished her all the best, expressed the hope that in future she would get many more such awards nationally and internationally, an official release from the CMO said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / August 30th, 2015

Damodar Rao is Kakatiya Varsity’s English Dept HoD

Education, Leaders

Warangal :

Kendra Sahitya Akademi award winner and associate professor K Damodar Rao has been appointed as the head of English department at Kakatiya University (KU).

He is expected to hold the post till his retirement in January, 2017 and will head the department from August 31. Damodar Rao is a veteran educationalist and has won the prestigious Kendra Sahitya Akademi award for translation in 2008.

A well known critic and translator, Damodar has scribed 38 research articles and 10 books. Rao is a prolific translator, who has made Telugu literature available to English literati.

Under his guidance, 10 researchers have completed MPhil. He is also the joint editor of the university journal on English and Vivechana. As of now, Damodar Rao assists the vice-principal of the university and has previously held administrative positions such as director of CELT and varsity librarian successfully. Faculty, research scholars and students congratulated him on his success.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / August 30th, 2015