Monthly Archives: November 2015

Two universities celebrate Diwali the Dravidian way

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

On Diwali day, as most celebrated the festival with lit diyas and crackers, students of two State universities in Telangana held festivities of a different sort. Amidst fireworks, they mourned the death of Narakasura, whom they held in the esteem of a Dravidian king and nature lover.

In a reversal of traditional Diwali beliefs, students held that Naraka, the Asura killed on Diwali day, was not demonic as portrayed in the popular myth. According to an alternate lore, Narakasura was a Dravidian emperor who had ruled a massive kingdom that was destroyed in Aryan invasion.

Naraka, according to this interpretation is also believed to be of Dalit lineage thereby making mourning ceremonies of his death, the apt celebration on Diwali, at least for a section.

While the origin of the lore is not dated, a section of Adivasies and Dalits in Karimnagar and Khammam districts worship Narakasura, students who held the commemoration pointed out. As a reflection of this belief, in Osmania University (OU), Hyderabad and Kakatiya University (KU), Warangal, close to fifty students erected idols of Narakasura even as they sang songs to praise the king’s greatness.

Quoting the lore which is based on a re-reading of the popular Diwali myth, students held that Naraka was in fact a scholar who had held several scholastic sessions from time to time in his palace. “He was a nature lover, a son of the soil. His death has to be mourned and his life should be commemorated,” said Naliganti Sharath, a student who participated in commemorating the Asura’s death on OU campus. “My family always narrated stories of Narakasura as a celestial power which had saved children from deadly diseases. We do not celebrate Diwali,” said Rajesh, a student of Kakatiya University.

Interestingly, the students who held alternate Diwali celebrations under the banner of Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi Students Union of OU and KU had also held similar commemorations during Dasara. “Students have been commemorating Ravana during Dasara celebrations. These alternate festivities are meant to re-read popular histories and myths. Asuras are not considered evil by everyone as it is possible to read them as representatives of Dravida and Dalit culture,” said Prof. Kancha Ilaiah, former faculty member of Osmania University who participated in the festivities.

Most such readings are based on scholarship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar who had written extensively on re-reading history. While Osmania University has been witnessing alternate Narakasura commemoration day, for the past four years, it was the first time that Kakatiya University held such festivities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Nikhila Henry / Hyderabad – November 12th, 2015

TS Pavilion at IITF to Showcase State’s Cultural Heritage

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

Hyderabad :

The state government will put up Telangana Pavilion at India International Trade Fair, IITF-2015, in Delhi. Industries minister Jupally Krishna Rao will inaugurate it on November 14.

Krishna Rao held a meeting with officials of his department at the Secretariat here on Monday to discuss the state’s participation in IITF. It was decided at the meeting that Golconda and Yadadri would be the main theme of the Telangana stall.

Handlooms and handicrafts would be showcased in the pavilion. The Cheriyal scroll paintings, Pembarti sheet metal, Nirmal paintings, Dokra metal crafts, durries and carpets, silver Filigree, Bidri, Gadwal weaves, Pochampally Ikat sarees, batik and the tempting cuisine of Telangana will also be exhibited.

There will be cultural shows featuring Qawwali, Okkudolu and Jai Jai Ho, the Telangana ballet, which will be the main attraction at the fair. The logo has been shortlisted to Golconda.

All state government schemes, specially the Mission Kakatiya, Water Grid, Shaadi Mubarak and two-bedroom housing scheme, will be presented.

Business meetings with trade delegations are proposed to be conducted in coordination with FICCI/CII to promote the new industrial and investment policy of the state. Hyderabad Biryani and other snacks like Chekkinalu, Sarvapindi and Pachchi Pulusu will be served at the food stalls.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 03rd, 2015

T-Hub may prove a game changer

Business & Economy
Interiors of T-Hub in Hyderabad. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf / The Hindu
Interiors of T-Hub in Hyderabad. Photo: Mohammed Yousuf / The Hindu

When Kisshann P.S.V. set up his start-up in 2008 while doing B.Tech, he had no one to guide him about how to take it to the next level. “Now, there is everything, and all you need is an idea,” he said, standing outside the newly inaugurated T-Hub building on Thursday evening.

Like him, other start-ups from the city too shared the same problems of finding space, mentors and investors. “The best part about the T-Hub is that it’s like a family. To set up an office outside, I would need to spend about Rs.15,000 a month on rent. Here, I can just get a desk for Rs. 4,000,” pointed out Kisshann, who is the founder and CEO of Innovators of India, a company that provides college students technological support for their ideas.

Agreeing with him was M. Ram Manohar Sharma, co-founder and CEO of Visiram Solutions, an IT development firm. “Mentoring is very important for start-ups, especially guidance from experts. The T-Hub will help people like us get into a supportive eco-system,” he said. He too had a hard time finding space when he started his company a few years ago. “We could not find space in Hi-Tech City,” he recalled. Another co-founder of a start-up was Prashanth Vishwanatha, who started Hackmania Technology Pvt. Ltd, that finds solutions to IT-based problems. “I started my company with a laptop and T-Hub is one place in India for such companies to come together,” opined Prashanth, who passed out of CMR College of Engineering four months ago.

Prashanth too felt that many start-ups do not have any support, and was happy that the T-Hub will now provide the mentoring aspect that was missing. “Now these companies will have some light on them as well,” he mentioned, adding that his company was mentored by a retired major, who is also an investor. About 140-odd companies will be setting up shop in the T-Hub, and the building can house up to 800 of them, said Kisshann. Both he and Prashanth have taken up space in the newly set-up incubation centre.

The best part about the T-Hub is it’s like a family. To set up an office outside, I will have to spend about Rs.15,000 a month on rent. Here, I can just get a desk for Rs. 4,000

Kisshann

Founder and CEO, Innovators of India