The office of Honorary Consulate General of Republic of Korea was inaugurated in Hyderabad on Friday evening by the ambassador Shin Bong Kil.
Suresh Chukkapalli, a well-known businessman, has been appointed the first Honorary Consul General in Hyderabad.
“Hyderabad has a small community of Korean nationals. But we sense a high potential for better ties between the two nations and this is a step in that direction,” said Mr. Kil on the occasion.
A cultural centre was also inaugurated on the same premises in Filmnagar. “Interested citizens can come and learn Korean language here. We will be asking for a Korean teacher to be deputed here. There are plans for promoting cultural exchange programmes,” informed Mr. Kil.
The Honorary Consulate General Office, located in Film Nagar (Korea House, No. 64, Road No. 14, phone: 23999999/ 24999999), heads a subdivision of the Consulate General office in Mumbai to protect and provide assistance to Korean nationals in Telangana and facilitate trade relations by liasioning between this State and the Republic of Korea.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 21st, 2018
13th century inscription deciphered in Sayampeta Haveli
A Telugu calender year by name Nandidhata Samvatsara, which was celebrated by Telugu speaking people during the Kakatiya dynasty Rudra Deva’s reign (AD 1158 – 1195) was recently discovered by Archaeological Survey of India.
Archaeologists managed to decipher an inscription found on a slab fixed to a wall in a temple at Sayampeta Haveli in Geesukonda mandal of Warangal district.
D. Kanna Babu, superintending archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, Chennai, said in inscription, quite surprisingly, they found the name of an ancient Telugu cyclic year Nandidhata Samvatsara. He said people are unaware of this year, either in the traditional list of 60 Telugu calendar years or in lithic records of historical times. “Somehow, the name is missing from the list of traditional years of Telugu calender. We are examining if it matches with another name in the present calender with the help of astronomical texts,” he said.
As part of the Temple Survey Project, the ASI officials visited the ancient Panchalaraya Swamy temple, which was constructed in the Kakatiya era and discovered the damaged inscription on the rear wall of sanctum sanctorum, he said. Elucidating further details, Mr. Babu said that the inscription spanned six lines and was probably written in 13th century Telugu script.
Badly damaged
“For the past few decades, the the temple is annually treated with thick coating of lime wash in an effort to beautify it. We stumbled upon this piece without knowing its historical importance and ultimately, caused damage to the epigraph,” he said.
Mr. Babu said the epigraph states that Rudra Deva provided a perpetual lamp, along with other gifts, to the presiding deity in this temple on Mangalavara (Tuesday), the twelfth day of Bhadrapada masa during the year Saka 1116, equivalent to Nandidhata Samvatsara, (corresponding to AD 1194) in memory of his father Prolaraju.
The archaeologist added that another inscription was discovered at Trikuta temple in Jangaon recently, which also pertained to Rudra Deva.
A total of 19 epigraphs of Rudra Deva have been discovered so far.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Abhinay Deshpande / Hyderabad – April 19th, 2018
PathLabs chairman and managing director G.V. Prasad with his son Rakshith starting their 17,000-km bike ride to London from Hyderabad on Thursday.
Father and son duo to ride through two continents and 16 countries in 55 days
A city-based father and son duo embarked on a 55-day-long road trip to London on Thursday.
PathCare Labs chairman and managing director G.V. Prasad along with his younger son, Rakshith, a medical student, commenced their expedition on two bikes, and would cover 17,000 km passing through two continents and 16 countries on the historical silk route.
Dr. Prasad gave voice to his passion to ride two-wheelers on national and international roads three years ago and has so far covered over 96,697 km. He is an active member of Harley Davidson Bikers’ Group and owns 10 super bikes.
“For me, riding is freedom of joy and living the dreams,” Dr. Prasad said.
Mr. Rakshith, who was inspired by his father, said bike-riding taught him discipline, tolerance, sharing, bonding and leadership.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – April 19th, 2018
Two Icrisat scientists were selected for the institute’s highest award for research, its governing board announced on Tuesday. Dr Mamta Sharma and Dr Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur are joint recipients of the Doreen Margaret Mashler Award, 2018, for significant work in their respective research fields at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT).
Dr Mamta Sharma specializes in epidemiology of plant diseases and pathogens, focusing on disease-resistant breeding in chickpea and pigeonpea, two of ICRISAT’s mandate crops. In 2017, she led the team that developed the Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) method to identify a pathogen affecting chickpea and over 500 crops globally. She also established the Center of Excellence on Climate Change Research for Plant Protection to address effects of climate change on insect-pests and diseases.
Dr Sharma’s LAMP method has helped researchers in breeding programs across the globe understand the mechanism of inheritance of resistance.
Dr Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur led an international, multiinstitutional effort, for innovative biotechnology solutions to combat aflatoxin in groundnut using a ‘double-defense’ approach. These include engineering groundnuts to stop Aspergillus flavus ungus by production of small proteins called defensins. In the second approach, the synthesis of aflatoxin by the fungus was shut down using gene-silencing RNA molecules. This breakthrough resulted in resistance to fungal infection as well as remarkably low levels of aflatoxin contamination.
Dr Bhatnagar-Mathur also worked towards successful isolation and characterization of the gene responsible for cytoplasmic male sterility in pigeonpea. As a result, ICRISAT filed its first ever patent in 2016-17. It holds great potential to induce and control male sterility in other crop species, providing male sterile lines for developing scalable hybrid systems.
The award, which includes a plaque and a citation, will be presented during the ICRISAT Governing Board meeting later this year.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hyderabad News / by Sushil Rao / TNN / April 18th, 2018
Women’s singles gold medallist Saina Nehwal of India poses with her medal and Borobi plush doll. | Photo Credit: REUTERS
Saina Nehwal won a second Commonwealth Games women’s singles title in style at the Carrara Sports arena here on Sunday.
The former World No. 1 displayed sheer determination and was aggressive all through as she put to shade the challenge from compatriot and current World No. 3 P.V. Sindhu at 21-18, 23-21 in 56 minutes to grab the gold medal, a feat she first achieved in New Delhi 2010.
However, K. Srikanth could not celebrate his ascent to World No. 1 ranking with a gold medal as he had to be content with the silver after going down to the legendary Lee Chong Wei 19-21, 21-14, 21-4.
Early lead
Saina took to an early lead and built upon it to outfox her rival. The first set saw Saina take a 9-4 lead, paralysing Sindhu at the net and coming up with deafening smashes. It was soon 20-14 and though Sindhu showed signs of revival, she couldn’t salvage the set.
In the second, Sindhu was her usual self and even threatened to take the match into the decider. Sindhu was ahead for most part, but Saina never allowed her to widen the gap before levelling at 20-all.
A tired Saina hung on bravely, overcoming Sindhu who saved one match-point before returning a smash wide. Saina instantly threw her hands up in the air in exultation.
“I will really put this along with my Olympic medal and my World No. 1 ranking. It’s a very emotional moment. I have been waiting for that one great victory after the disappointing loss in Rio 2016 where I had to retire because of my injury and had to go through surgery on my right knee,” said Saina.
On the other hand, Sindhu was happy that it was an all-India final, “The prospect itself was exciting and it is nice that it came true. The second was anyone’s set. I thought I could win it, but it was not to be. However, it is a good game overall and I am happy I tried my best.”
Srikanth began with a sequence of unforced errors and was down 0-5 before rallying his way ahead to eventually take the first set at 21-19. But the Indian was unable to keep up the momentum as he committed silly mistakes to go down without much fight.
Reflecting on the match, the Indian said: “When you are playing against such a great player, you have to be at your best, throughout the match. I started well by taking the first set but I made too many mistakes in my defence in the second and third. I gave him that early lead which I should have avoided.”
Satwik-Chirag bag silver
It was also a silvery finish for Satwik Rankireddy and Chirag Chandrasekhar Shetty in the men’s doubles, as they lost to England’s Marcus Ellis and Chris Langridge 21-13, 21-16.
Satwik, in partnership with Ashwini Ponnappa, had lost the mixed doubles bronze medal match on Saturday to Malaysia’s Chan Peng Soon and Guo Liu Ying 21-19, 21-19, and not as reported in these columns on Sunday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by A. Vinod / Gold Coast – April 15th, 2018
A 7-year-old boy from Hyderabad scaled the highest peak in Africa, Uhuru peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Samanyu Pothuraju, along with his coach, unfurled the Tricolor at a height of 5,895 meters above the sea level on April 2.
Speaking with ANI, the boy said, “The day was rainy and the road was full of stones. I got afraid, I had leg pains, but I took rest and completed it. I like snow a lot and that is the reason I went to Mt. Kilimanjaro. Pawan Kalyan is my favourite hero, my mom promised me that she will make me meet him if I try the world record, now am eagerly waiting to meet him. I will go to Australia peak in next month ending and want to make a record.”
Pothuraju was accompanied by his mother Lavanya, coach Thammineni Bharath, a fellow mountaineer Shangabandi Srujana, and another woman, all hailed from Hyderabad. A local doctor from Tanzania also accompanied them.
Pothuraju’s mother said “I am really very happy as my son tried to achieve a world record. After reaching there, I stopped in my halfway because of my health condition but my son didn’t quit unless until he reaches the destination. I was very much tensed and worried as there were different climate conditions. Our next target is Australia, 10 peaks in May ending and that will also be the record of my son.”
The trek began on March 29 when the team started from the base point. It took about five days for the team to reach the peak.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hyderabad News / ANI / April 16th, 2018
‘He highlighted injustices done to State in irrigation sector’
The Telangana government has decided to name the Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme after R. Vidyasagar Rao, a well-known personality in the field of irrigation, who died after prolonged illness on April 29 last year.
Dindi project is meant for supplying drinking water and to meet the needs of irrigation in the fluoride and drought affected areas. According to officials, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao signed the file pertaining to the decision on Saturday. The State government has taken the decision ahead of the first death anniversary of the irrigation engineer.
The Chief Minister has instructed the Irrigation Department to call the Dindi project as R. Vidyasagar Rao Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme henceforth.
“Vidyasagar Rao highlighted the injustices done to Telangana in the irrigation sector. He communicated to people in simple language about the discrimination of Telangana region in irrigation sector and created awareness among them on complicated issues,” the Chief Minister said in a statement.
Apart from playing a key role in the movement for separate statehood to Telangana, late Vidyasagar Rao had created a wider debate on irrigation issues, the Chief Minister said adding that his life’s ambition was to provide safe drinking water to the fluoride-affected erstwhile Nalgonda district and provide irrigation facility to the arid lands in Telangana.
“We are making rapid strides in the irrigation sector in tune with the dreams of late Vidyasagar Rao and naming Dindi project in his native district after him will be a befitting tribute to the personality,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also sanctioned ₹1 crore for the renovation of Arvapalli Laxmi Narasimha Swamy temple in the reorganised Suryapet district as wished by Vidyasagar Rao during his last moments of life, the officials of CMO said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 14th, 2018
His mother is a vegetable cutter in the same mess he eats but that didn’t stop him from securing the second highest marks in MPC in Telangana this year.
Student of Narayana College, Hayatnagar, Venkata Sai Chandra with 991 marks is certainly an inspiration for those who come from underprivileged backgrounds to achieve against all odds. A student of Narayana College, Hayathnagar, he said seeing his mother working in the college mess was a big inspiration to study better rather than a let down, which many youngsters consider.
College principal Rama Rao said Sai Chandra was given free education and he proved his worth. Hailing from Mothe mandal near Suryapet, he is now waiting for IIT results and is confident of making it.
Narayana Educational Institutions have recorded highest pass percentage in both junior and senior Intermediate exams with as many as 8 students scoring the State highest mark of 467 in first year and 67 students securing 466 marks in the MPC stream.
In a statement here, director of the group Sharani Narayana said that in the second year exams 3 students scored 992 out of 1000 marks, six scored 991 while 20 students scored 990 marks. In the BPC stream 991 was the highest mark and 13 students scored marks above 988, she said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 13th, 2018
Srikanth thus became only the second Indian after Saina Nehwal, who had occupied the women’s top spot in 2015, to achieve the feat.
K. Srikanth always let his racquet do the talking. Even for all those who are regular to Gopi Academy where the champion shuttler puts in that extra effort to become a better player, he acknowledges the presence of visitors with a smile and gets back to business.
One needs to probe him to get replies since Srikanth is not one of who loves to engage in long conversations.
So, after the 25-year-old scaled the summit of the world men’s singles rankings on Thursday, he just looked at it as just another achievement, gently reminding that he had bigger goals to chase, including the Olympics gold.
“I always believed that if you are consistent in any sport, these things (rankings) automatically will fall in place. Honestly, I never chased them, but was fully aware that if you keep winning titles, you are bound to be there at the top,” said Srikanth.
“To be the No. 1 now after being ranked No. 338 about six years ago is a fabulous journey,” he said.
Inspiration
“Yes, being World No.1 is something which not everyone is able to achieve. That way it will remain one of the special moments of my career and can only be a huge inspiration for better deeds,” said Srikanth, who has had a dream run in the recent past.
He won four Super Series titles and guided India to the team gold in the on-going Commonwealth Games. “Well, my immediate goal is to win the singles gold at the CWG,” he added.
“The ranking is definitely a big load off my shoulders as many people have been asking me about this wherever I go. So, it’s a big relief,” he added.
“This is a big year for Indian badminton and I would be glad to be part of anything that will bring name and fame for us. In the process, winning gold in the Asian Games and the World championship are something which should make anyone proud,” said the 2016 Rio Olympics quarterfinalist.
“I dedicate this feat to my parents, coach Gopi (Chand) Sir, my physio Kiran and all the support staff at the academy and all those who always backed my abilities right through my career,” said Srikanth.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / New Delhi – April 12th, 2018
Hyderabad fest 2018 promises holistic appeal Photos: K.V.S. Giri, G Ramakrishna
The ten-day fest will present facets unique to the State across food, films, literature and art forms
Hyderabad is home to many a historical and cultural glory since centuries that it becomes imminent for us to refine the understanding of our roots from time to time- the first of its kind Hyderabad Fest 2018 that commences this weekend at NTR Stadium, Domalguda promises to do that in full jest. Fests surrounding culture are often individualistic in the city, be it music, dance, literature, films and beyond, but this one stands out for its attempt to bring all of it under one roof. Featuring theme-pavilions surrounding tourism, education, public sector undertaking, financial institutions, literature and specific sites catering to cultural performances besides short film fests, art and photography exhibitions, Hyderabad Fest 2018 has it all.
Spoorthi Progressive Society, spearheaded by its honorary chairman Chukka Ramaiah is behind this ten-day fest. One of its organising committee members A Nageswar Rao offers us a larger picture, “The aim behind the fest is to promote the culture of Telangana among its residents. Hyderabad presents itself with a manifold of cultures due to its diversity of religions, castes and rituals. The idea is also to let people know about the progress across different spheres in the State. The fest comprises many segments, also the focus is on public sector undertakings that have had a huge role to play in protecting the sovereignty of the country besides the financial support of the banks and other institutions.”
Cultural performances will be on at specific sites at the stadium everyday including a mixture of western, classical and folk forms. A science fair in memoriam of scientist Stephen Hawking is to be organised too, presenting the multifaceted advancements in the medical and the health sector over decades. As a special attraction commemorating the holiday season, the section ‘Balotsav’ targeted at children will see various workshops across arts, crafts, poetry and essay writing arenas. What’s a fest without food? A wide range of food courts sets it eye on the Telangana palette, with a special focus on pindi vantakalu.
In a bid to generate awareness on rights of women around the state, a stall ‘Sabala’ will feature many success stories of women and aspects that have lead to their progress in due course. A short film festival will celebrate the talents of budding, aspirant filmmakers across the state, the organisers have recently hosted a contest to shortlist the entries for the same. Film personalities including L B Sriram, Srikanth, Rajendra Prasad, Kasi Vishwanath will grace the fest.
As a mark of tribute to Charlie Chaplin on his birthday i.e. April 16, the organisers will screen his select films and host various events that throw light on facets that shaped the genius’ career. A photography exhibition featuring caricatures/portraits of Dasaradhi Rangacharya, C Narayana Reddy, Kaloji and other notable literary figures from Telangana promises to attract crowds. “The culture of Hyderabad has been confined to limited aspects, we want to do our bit to expand it. Having conducted similar fests in Visakhapatnam in 2015 and 2017, we’re sure about its success here too.”
(Hyderabad Fest 2018 commences at NTR Stadium on April 13, 5 pm and is on till April 22, 2 pm- 9 pm on weekdays, 12 pm- 9pm on weekends, Entry free)
