Monthly Archives: February 2017

Skaters from Telangana reap medals

Bright future: Asian Games bronze medallist Anup Kumar Yama with the skaters from Telangana who won six gold, 10 silver, and four bronze medals at the Senior National Roller-Skating Championship in Noida.

They earn eligibility for final screening for world championship to be held in China

Skaters from Telangana have done it again, reaping a rich haul of six gold, 10 silver, and four bronze medals in the just-concluded Senior National Roller-Skating Championship in Noida.

Above all, the gold medallists — Veda Dundigalla, Vaibhav Bhamidipati (gold in pair and solo dance events), Vanshika Konanki, Kanti Sree and Juhith Chalamacharla — have earned the eligibility for final screening scheduled in May for the world championship to be held in China this August. For silver and bronze medallists like Kairavi Falguni Thakkar, Manish Sivakumar, Eluri Krishna Sai Rahul, Nihal Kopparthi, Gokul Sivakumar and others, it’s a sign of better things to come.

With the two-time bronze medallist in 2010 Asian Games and arguably the India’s best skater now, Anup Kumar Yama, donning the coach’s role, the young talent can bank on his experience and gain the desired confidence to dream big.

Rigorous training

Following the Sport Authority of Telangana starting the first, full-length rink at Gymkhana Ground at Secunderabad, Yama had the liberty to train these skaters not just at his own Yama Skating Academy at Marredpally (which is one-third of the stipulated size of the rink) but also at the new venue to ensure that the results are there for all to see.

Yama, the Arjuna awardee, points out that what separates his training methods from the others is that it’s mandatory for parents to accompany their children for daily practice sessions as they are also given a feel of what it means to mould raw talent into champion performers. “Right now, about 100 skaters are being trained by me. And I am glad at the kind of support the SATS is extending and I am sure we will produce world championship medallists soon,” says Yama.

Interestingly, fitness specialist Senthil monitors not just the physical aspects of the skaters but also the diet that they follow to keep them competition-fit at the highest level.

“Yes, it will not be a bad idea if the rink is covered with a roofing so that the facility can be put to optimum use in all seasons,” Yama feels.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu ‘/ Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 19th, 2017

When helping hands joined together

Against odds: Jamuna (seated) with the winners and runners-up in the AITA Talent Series tournament at ASCI in the city on Sunday. | Photo Credit: VVS

A sporting gesture to the needy! Well, this has been the motto of Sun-Jay Tennis Academy on the ASCI premises, almost every week when Sanjay Kumar organises tournaments at different levels and in different age groups.

And, so when he conducted the AITA Talent Series tournament for under-14 years at Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Sanjay Kumar made it a point to present a purse of about ₹40,000 to a physically challenged woman, Jamuna, whose nervous system crippled a few years ago — rendering her jobless and left to herself.

The money was pooled by the tennis coach, players’ parents and well-wishers and it was a touching gesture which may inspire some of the corporate groups to take up the much-publicised social responsibility in a big way.

“Jamuna, who came to know about our charity work, approached us through another person and when we heard about her plight, we decided to help her. I am really grateful to all those who responded so well to help her,” says Sanjay, one of the most dedicated tennis coaches in the city.

Ms. Jamuna is expected to undergo a major operation for which about ₹ 1 lakh is needed.

“In fact, my Academy players and parents have also been to Mantralayam when it was flood-affected and donated about ₹ 1.5 lakh worth material to the needy people. We always believe charity begins at home and we try our best to contribute in our own way back to the society,” says Sanjay.

ASCI Administrative Officer Mary Elliott, who gave away the prizes, lauded the efforts of Sanjay as a tennis coach but also providing the human touch to his efforts. “We are glad that such noble gestures are taking place on our premises,” she said amid applause from the small but caring gathering.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V.Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 19th, 2017

Visionary of a different league

Hyderabad :

She looks closely into the mirror and applies her favourite kajal and tells us how she adores defining her eyes. She glides into the kitchen effortlessly to prepare masala puffed rice and asks us if we like it spicy or bland. All of these activities with a contagious smile on her face. What’s so different about her, you ask? Well, her personality can effortlessly make us realise, how disability is just in our head. Surbhi Mudgal, the free-spirited, independent girl, who lost her vision to brain fever in her middle school, is now a pioneering software developer and a blazing beauty pageant participant. Above all this vivacious girl who lives in Ameerpet is one who despises taking anyone’s help in her activities.

“I know there is someone sitting there, but I can’t figure out if it is guy or girl,” she says in the most unapologetic and unsympathetic tone, leaving us inspired within seconds of the meet.

Now, she is all set to inspire others too as she has been chosen to part of Mumbai photographer Somsubhro Sarkaar’s photo exhibition titled ‘My Identity My Pride where he is featuring 51 inspiring women achievers across the country. She shows off her one-minute video where she says how people with vision often fail to see the real world.

Surbhi was in eighth grade when the ruthless brain fever affected her optical nerves. She gradually lost her sight. “I am an independent girl now. My journey included depression, societal struggle and a lot more but I have battled them enough that they don’t bother me any more. Despite being challenged, I do everything and I am proud of it,” she smiles.

Her fashion quotient is impeccable. Ask her if she enjoys shopping, she jumps from the couch and says, “I love shopping at the malls. It is comfortable and I get assistance as well from the people there. I pick on their brain until they give what I want. I even write appreciation letters to them so that they will help me when I visit again. Sometimes I don’t get good assistance. They will just tell me it’s blue or pink, they don’t tell me it is indigo, turquoise or navy blue. I question them incessantly. If I like something and don’t buy, it haunts me badly. I immediately take an auto or cab and rush to buy it. There were some embarrassing situations when I picked up wrong ones, but after I got back home, my mother was proud of my choice. I prefer going alone for shopping,” she shares.

How does she commute? “I trust the cab or auto drivers. I have a good orientation about the places I frequent, since I didn’t have this challenge from the beginning. ,” she informs in a determined tone.

Doesn’t she have trust issues? Surabhi quips, “If I don’t trust, I should lock up myself within these four walls. I have no other option, but to trust them. In any case, who is safe? Are you safe? No one is. Even you are vulnerable,”Elaborating about her her job, “I am an app tester with a software company in Hyderabad. I test MS products using screen readers where the system reads out about the image. We work to make the apps friendly for people who have challenges. For example, it the screen reader says image, what will the challenged understand? So we navigate in a way that it is comprehensible. Instead of image, it will read out girl in the garden,” she explains.

“I have taken basic training on how to screen read from LV Prasad after being rejected 10 times. It was tough for me to prove my strength as people would ask me “You are blind, what will you work.” But I managed to get a placement from LV Prasad. The nature of job is on par with other jobs, it cannot be written off,” she narrates.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Purnima Sriram Iyer / Express News Service / February 17th, 2017

Radio Kisan Diwas celebrated at AIR

or farmers: Visitors taking a look at old radio sets at the AIR office in Adilabad on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: S. HARPAL SINGH;S. HARPAL SINGH – S_ HARPAL SINGH

All India Radio, Adilabad, celebrated Radio Kisan Diwas on Wednesday, the date on which it started the ‘Kisan Vani’ programme. Agriculture came to be the central theme of the programme, and its manifestation in local ethos was showcased as part of the celebration.

While the Adivasi Thotti troupe of Pendur Tukaramsang a Gondi folk song in which gods order a Gond king to cultivate millets, the local Burrakatha troupe sang songs related to agriculture.

Telangana Grameena Bank, Adilabad, regional manager P.R.V. Ramchander Rao spoke about his experiences. The AIR felicitated progressive farmers, including those who take up organic farming, from Adilabad and neighbouring districts. The farmers too spoke about their experiences.

Millet food prepared by Ram Babu of Hyderabad and the exhibition of old radio sets, however, became the centre of attraction. Mr. Babu is an expert in millet food and its correlation with Ayurveda and the human body.

Scientists from Adilabad Agriculture Research Station, Kisan Vikas Kendra, District Agriculture Advisory, and Transfer of Technology Centre attended the programme. AIR Adilabad deputy director Sumanaspati Reddy and deputy director of Vijaya Dairy Madhusudan also participated.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Adilabad – February 15th, 2017

Celebrations at ISRO scientist’s home

A festive atmosphere prevailed at the residence of J. Sai Teja, a scientist/engineer of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in his native town of Kothagudem on Wednesday following the successful launch of 104 satellites on a single PSLV mission from the space centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.

Friends and relatives of Mr. Teja, who was reportedly part of the team involved in the record-breaking feat, conveyed their wishes to his parents Ravi Kumar and Sudharani over telephone.

“It is a proud moment for every Indian as the ISRO achieved the remarkable feat,” said Mr. Ravi Kumar.

‘Great honour’

When contacted, he told The Hindu that it was a matter of great honour that his son was part of the team involved in the mission.

Sai Teja pursued his B.Tech (avionics) from the Thiruvananthapuram-based Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology and joined the ISRO as a scientist/engineer in 2013.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Bhadradri – Kothagudem / February 16th, 2017

Connecting startups with mentors

Hyderabad :

Startupedia’17 is set to celebrate its fourth anniversary on February 16-17 at the IPE Shamirpet Campus. Startupedia’17 is hosted in association with SIDIBI, SECL, IDBI, Orient Cement, SBH, Hacco, HSES, INK& PAPER, TiE Hyderabad, Hyderabad Angels , 50K Ventures, CLOwork, Yourstory, The New Indian Express and Fever 94.3 FM. Over 250 teams from all over India have registered for this season.

This is a dedicated fully-mentored 37-hour programme where the participants are groomed to define, refine and execute their ideas into viable business, by startup gurus and industry experts. The day one of the programme is dedicated to mentoring and grooming; the second day participants will pitch their B-Plans in front of a jury comprising industry experts and prospective investors. The event is where mentors, investors and venture capitalists connect with each other. It will provide insights into entrepreneurial concerns by industry stalwarts and help in converting business ideas into a viable business plan. There will events to win cash prizes too.

Prof. R K Mishra, Director, IPE, conceptualised an Entrepreneurship Development Program, marking the silver jubilee of IPE in 2014 and launched Startupedia – A National Level Business Plan Pitch. This is a forum that provides an opportunity to startup enthusiasts, working professionals and students from across India to showcase their innovative ideas and launch their business plans.

The guest list includes Ramesh Loganathan, Professor IIITH and Innovation Outreach Head, Srini Chandupatla, Co-founder Manjeera Digital, Sanju Pillai, Founder and CEO, Movingdneedle, Tejaswini Yarlagadda, ED and Management Trustee, Mahalaxmi group and Sreedivya, Managing Director, Girls in Tech India.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / February 14th, 2017

First of its kind Buddha park in Telangana

The Buddhavanaman is first of its kind in the country with thematic segments depicting the major events in the life of Buddha.

The Buddhavanaman is first of its kind in the country with thematic segments depicting the major events in the life of Buddha and stories of his previous births. (Representational image)

Hyderabad:

Sriparvatarama or Buddhavanam, the prestigious Buddhist heritage theme park, is getting ready at Nagarjunasagar. The Buddhavanaman is first of its kind in the country with thematic segments depicting the major events in the life of Buddha and stories of his previous births. An Amaravati-style replica of Mahastupa with sculptural embellishments will be the main attraction at the park. “Nearly 75 per cent of the project is completed. It’s one of its kind in the country and has replicas of all Buddhist stupas. The state government has sanctioned `25 crore for the project,” said Mr Mallepally Laxmaiah, special officer, Buddhavanam Project.

The Telangana Tourism Develo-pment Corporation is developing Buddhavanam with financial assistance from the Centre for domestic and foreign tourists, especially tourists and pilgrims from Southeast Asian countries. The corporation acquired 274 acres on the left bank of the Krishna for the project. It has been divided into eight segments with an imposing entrance plaza.

The eight segments are 1. Buddha Charitavanam 2. Bodhisattva (Jataka Park) 3 Dhyanavanam (meditation park), 4. Stupa park 5. Acharya Nagarjuna International Centre for Higher Buddhist learning 6. Krishna valley 7 Buddhism in Telugu States especially important stupas, sculptures, statues of philosophers and others in Telangana 8. Mahastupa which symbolically represent the Astangamarga propounded by Buddha, a replica of Amravati stupa.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / February 14th, 2017

Hyderabad origin doctor elected chair of AMPAC

The American Medical Association Political Action Committee (AMPAC), a bipartisan political action committee based in Washington D.C., has elected Hyderabad-born Vidya Kora, a general internist from Michigan, as its chair at its recent meeting.

Dr. Kora had studied at the Gandhi Medical College here. He currently serves as Indiana’s delegate to the American Medical Association.

Dr. Kora has been active in organised medicine for many years and he is the past president of the Indiana State Medical Association.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / by V. Geetanath / Hyderabad – February 13th, 2017

Padma awardee pledges Rs 50 lakh to Ibrahimpur

Dr. P Raghu Ram, Padma Shri awardee and Director of the KIMS – Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases, has pledged Rs. 50 lakh to Ibrahimpur in Siddpet mandal. The village was adopted by him and he participated in several programmes in the village.

Acting on an article in the media, which mentioned that although the Telangana government had launched the Grama Jyoti Project in 2015, only 30 per cent of villagers had been adopted so far, he decided to adopt the village. His parents — Dr Chalapathi Rao and Ushalakshmi — and wife, Dr. Vyjayanthi, were also involved in the initiative. The village has a population of around 1,000 people with 265 homes.

On Sunday, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao inaugurated the school dining room and digital study room built at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh. Also, foundation stone was laid for the modern crematorium being built at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.

“I have also agreed to build and stock a modern library at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh in addition to fully funding solar power for 25 houses in the village at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. I have pledged Rs. 10 lakh towards building shelter over an acre of land for sheep and cattle on the outskirts of the village,” said Dr Raghu Ram.

A health centre manned by an ANM that would provide basic healthcare in the village and conduct health camps to detect cancer were being planned simultaneously. In addition, efforts would be made to find employment for skilled jobless youth of the village.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Staff Reporter / Siddipet – February 12th, 2017

Hyderabad to host first Unani Day on Feb. 11

A premier institution of research in the country, the Central Research Institute of Unani Medicine (CRIUM), will host the celebrations of the first National Unani Day on February 11.

The day marks the birth centenary of Hakim Ajmal Khan, a noted freedom fighter, renowned Unani medical practitioner and educationist born in 1858. The celebrations will spill over to the next two days, with a national seminar on ‘Skin diseases & Cosmetology in Unani Medicine’ scheduled on February 12 and 13. This was announced by Director-General, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), Vaidya K.S. Dhiman here on Wednesday. On proposals by the Union Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH), the Government of India had recently decided to declare February 11, the birthday of Hakim Ajmal Khan, as the National Unani Day.

Asked about the relevance of the theme of skin diseases chosen for the seminar, he said for decades the facility in Hyderabad had done yeoman research on ‘Vitiligo’, also known as leucoderma, and has the distinction of treating the maximum number of patients from across the country with this particular condition.

Vitiligo is a chronic disorder that causes depigmentation of patches of skin. White patches can occur anywhere on the body and people usually are affected with multiple patches. In particular, the disease left lasting impressions on the minds of young women who felt they were scorned in society, said Prof. Dhiman.

The National Unani Day celebrations would be presided over by Union Ministers Shripad Yesso Naik (AYUSH) and B. Dattatreya (Labour), Deputy Chief Minister of Telangana Mohd. Mahmood Ali and Health Minister C. Laxma Reddy among others.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 09th, 2017