Maharashtra’s delicacies right here in Hyderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

People from Maharashtra have always had a strong bond with Hyderabad city.

Hyderabad :

People from Maharashtra have always had a strong bond with Hyderabad city. A significant portion of the state was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad state, and over centuries many people from these areas had migrated to Hyderabad in search of livelihood. The Kacheguda and Sultan Bazar area of the city still has a large number of Marathis, many of whom are third generation residents of the city.

However, it is surprising that there are very few places serving Maharashtrian food in twin cities. There was a Marathi mess at Kachiguda offering meals but it had closed down a few years ago. To fill in this void, Marathi Katta, a 20-seater restaurant offering traditional Marathi food has opened at Bade Chowdi, Ramkote just about a year back. The restaurant is a brainchild of Vishal Phadke and Ambarish Lahankar, whose families had migrated to Hyderabad years ago from Ratnagiri and Marathwada respectively.

They realized that basic Marathi dishes like misal pav, sabudana vada and sabudana khichdi are not available anywhere in the city, and decided to set up a place offering basic Marathi food. The restaurant is located inside a lane at Bade Chowdi, one of the trading centres of the city. While Ambarish’s wife takes care of the kitchen, Vishal looks after the service, and Ambarish concentrates of publicity and marketing. Over time, the menu was expanded to include a large number of Maharashtrian delicacies are available here like Poha, Vada Pav, and Kanda Bhaji.

The typical masalas are brought from different places in Maharashtra. To give an example the Misal Pav masala is brought from Kolhapur. Ambarish mentioned that the recipe of Misal Pav differs from place to place, for example in Pune it is slightly sweet while in Kolhapur it is very spicy. Thalipeeth, the signature delicacy prepared from jowar, wheat flour and besan is another popular dish here which can be savoured with curd or chutney. Pitla Bhakri, the combination of jowar roti and besan ki sabji is a good choice for lunch. On weekends delicacies like Varlela Wangi (stuffed eggplants), Nagpur style Dal Chawal with a typical garlic flavour, and Katachi Amti, a rasam like sweetish dish from Western Marathwada are available. If you wish to taste the Maharashtra style Khichdi you need to drop in on Wednesday.

The desserts include Shrikhand and Puran Poli as well as Aamrakhand during the mango season. In the initial days, the restaurant used to attract mostly Marathis, but Ambarish proudly states that now a significant portion of their customers are from other states. They do put up stalls in various government fairs in the city, and the publicity from these have resulted in people coming from distant areas in the weekend to try out their Marathi food. Ingredients are sometimes a concern, Vishal rues the fact that the quality of pavs available in Hyderabad is not as good as Mumbai. The plans for the future include the introduction of many more dishes as the Maharashtrian cuisine is really vast with variations in every region of the state. Also, since many first-generation migrants for Maharashtra are based in the IT corridor, a branch of the restaurant is planned in Cyberabad in not too distant future.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sabyasachi Roy Chaudhuri / Express News Service / February 16th, 2019

Finally, a book on the beauty of Warangal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Travel

Sadhana Ramchander and Lakshmi Prabhala with their book ‘Orugallu to Warangal: Journeys across Time’   | Photo Credit:  Sanjay Borra

‘Orugallu to Warangal’ is a keen and enthusiastic documentation by Lakshmi Prabhala and Sadhana Ramchander

It was in 2006 when Lakshmi Prabhala, then an IT employee commented on a blog posted by Sadhana Ramchander that led to an unexpected friendship. Lakshmi recalls, “It was a post on Bathukamma, about which not much was known then. I asked her if I could tag along with her on her future visits and that’s how we became acquainted with each other.” The association became professional with the release of their book on Hyderabad (Hyd and Seek) in 2015. The duo have recently finished their second book, Orugallu to Warangal: Journeys across Time, which pays an ode to the city and captures succinctly, its rich history, architecture, customs and festivals.

While Sadhana was born and educated in Warangal,, Lakshmi took only one prior trip to the city. Sadhana says, “I’ve lived there for 18 years but at that age you want to see the world. You don’t want to see the world around you. On our school excursions, we went to Ramappa Temple or the Pakhal lake. This book is a discovery even for someone who grew up there.”

The twosome made around 12 trips over the past three years to document the city and the labour of their love is a rich layered book, with spell binding photographs and a thorough documentation of the city and its rich heritage. The idea to document Warangal, Sadhana says came from tourist booklets found in cities abroad. “When you travel, even small cities have dedicated books which present them so beautifully. In India, we are bursting at the seams with history and information but lack the skill to package it well.” she smiles. Lakshmi adds, “Telangana is still a new state and there is a lot of curiosity about it. This is our contribution to India’s youngest state. The fact that there is no book on Warangal added to the interest.”

The duo worked intermittently on the project, juggling it with their professions (Lakshmi is a popular photographer/writer in the city while Sadhana has been running her own publishing support service for 25 years now) writing and shooting pictures for the book. Both the writers are full of stories of Warangal and their travels. Lakshmi says, “The thrill of discovery was exhilarating. The Devuni Gutta temple near Warangal was a miniature Angkor Wat Temple with carvings from the 6th century. I was astounded when I saw it. There were some similarities with Hyderabad too — the landscapes, the rocks and lakes.” Sadhana says that these places were off the track which made their journeys exciting, “Pandavula Guttalu, was a great discovery. In fact, it came to light only in 2006-07 and is full of rocks, caves and pre-historic paintings. The Lakhnavaram forests were full of Naxals, so a lot of these places didn’t see any visitors for decades. Even my relatives and friends who grew up in Warangal were stunned at our finds.”

The book details many visual and performing arts which are still a part of day to day life in the villages surrounding Warangal. From Perini Tandavam (a Kakatiyan era temple dance form), Mandhechu Kathalu (storytelling) to Oggudolu (an energetic folk worship form), the book captures the images and the stories of these art forms succinctly. Lakshmi exclaims, “I got to see so many different facets of the city. For example, I never knew Chindu Yakshagaanam was prevalent in Telangana as I had only read about it being performed in Karnataka. It’s a unique system in which one community depends on the other. Artistes who are patronised by a particular community perform for the entire night for a week for them. It was a surreal experience – away from the technological marvels of the 21st century.”

Climbing hills with strangers, travelling endlessly and taking innumerable notes/images were a part and parcel of their journey. For Sadhana whose mother, Jaya Rao wrote a chapter (Warangal: Then and Now), it was a homecoming of sorts. She adds, “My 83-year old mother was excited about her journeys. She is Warangal’s first woman lawyer and went to the city as a young bride. So, she would add her recollections of the places and was overjoyed when we found new things.” Like in any collaboration, the duo had their share of disagreements. They went through 15 covers and finally decided on a collage as they felt no one picture could capture the essence of the book . Dexterous weaving in the different facets of a city, this book easily juggles Warangal’s past with its present, its arts with its architecture and its festivals with its folklore making it a compendium of sorts, of one of Telangana’s oldest cities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Books> Authors / by Mallik Thatipalli / February 12th, 2019

Robots welcome guests at this new eatery in Hyderabad

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This is not the first such restaurant in the country to have a robot on its staff. The first eatery namely ‘Robot’ was opened in Chennai during November 2017 and started with a team of four ‘AI waiter


‘ROBO KITCHEN’ – The Robot Themed Restaurant first time in Hyderabad, Which Robots serves food to the costumers table from Kitchen what they ordered has been opened at jubliee hills in Hyderabad. (Express|S Senbagapandiyan)

Hyderabad :

The newly-launched Robo Kitchen in Hyderabad is the first-of-its-kind restaurant where customers are greeted by robots. 

“The main attraction of our newly-opened restaurant is that robots will serve food to customers,” Robo Kitchen’s owner Manikanth told ANI.

“We have named the robots as Beauty Serving Robots. So far, we have been receiving great response from the customers, especially from old aged people as they are enjoying a whole new experience as robots are serving food to them.”Robo Kitchen provides a tab on every table for the customer’s comfort. “Guests can easily place an order from their table, which will be received by the chefs working in the kitchen. The food ordering process will complete in the span of two to five minutes,” said Manikanth. The aim is to provide a holistic and pleasing experience to the customers, especially families. The robots need three hours charging to work throughout the day.

“At present, we have four robots. We are in the process of updating their programming so that they can interact with the customers,” stated Manikanth.

This is not the first such restaurant in the country to have a robot on its staff. The first eatery namely ‘Robot’ was opened in Chennai during November 2017 and started with a team of four ‘AI waiters.’ 

A few days ago, Chennai’s Porur also got a smart restaurant where robots not only serve as waiters but also interact with customers in English and Tamil.The eatery located at Mugilivakkam Porur has a team of seven robots designed in blue and white. They welcome customers and serve meals with exotic drinks on tables.A female robot at the reception gives a response to customers’ queries and guides them about their table numbers. The restaurant serves Indo-Asian cuisines. Each robot in the eatery costs about Rs 5 lakh. The hotel staff has been trained and is in touch with manufacturers to tackle any emergency.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by ANI / February 09th, 2019

Powering through challenges to reach a unique half-century

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TS-Transco chairman and managing director completes 50 years of service in power utilities today

Putting in 50 years of service in a public sector organisation with an unblemished record all along is no mean task, more so when 27 years out of that are spent in holding key executive positions in power utilities that are directly linked to almost every household.

However, for Devulapalli Prabhakar Rao, the chairman and managing director of TS-Genco and TS-Transco since the formation of Telangana State, it has been a smooth journey except for some “occupational hazards” linked to every responsibility.

He has been the Man Friday to Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao in tackling severe power shortage, one of the major fallouts of the bifurcation of combined Andhra Pradesh.

Efficiency in functioning of the power utilities of Telangana was under scrutiny of general public and also those in power from the day of State formation as it was one of the first challenges faced by the State government with farmers taking to the streets demanding supply of power to save the standing crops.

“We could overcome the problem and reached a position of supplying seven-hour power to the farm sector within six months with support of the government, particularly the Chief Minister,” says Mr. Prabhakar Rao recollecting the challenges he faced in the initial days of State formation what with 2,700 MW shortage of power compared to the demand.

“Industrialists taking to the streets, demanding adequate quality power supply was the position we inherited from combined AP,” he points out.

With a three-pronged strategy for overcoming the immediate power shortage with spot, short-term and medium-term power purchase linkages, improving the efficiency of power generation units of State utilities, and going for long-term power purchase agreements and capacity addition in power generation, the State overcame the problem of power shortage before the turn of one year.

“Power cuts were lifted for domestic, commercial and industrial sectors and nine-year supply was given to farm sector from November 20, 2014, itself. From January 1, 2018, Telangana became the first State in the country to provide uninterrupted free power supply to even the farm sector having over 23 lakh pump-sets,” Mr. Prabhakar Rao says, describing it one of the proud moments of his career.

Starting his career as a junior accounts officer on February 10, 1969, Mr. Prabhakar Rao became the financial adviser and chief controller of accounts in 1992 in the then AP State Electricity Board. He was elevated as board member (Accounts) in 1998 and it was, in fact, the first time when a non-IAS and non-engineering background official was given such an opportunity.

“My successful career of 50 years in the power utilities has been a possibility only with the support of all employees,” he says, adding that there were some minor aberrations when he had to quit first in 1991 and later in 2002 due to professional differences with his peers but it was thanks to the support the organisation as a team offered that helped him power ahead.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by B. Chandrasekhar / Hyderabad – February 09th, 2019

Collector turns brand ambassador promoting low-cost sanitary pads

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Over 90% women in the Peddapalli district now use pads, from a poor 11%

The newly formed Peddapalli district has emerged as the only district in Telangana State where over 90% of the women, including women Self-Help Group (SHG) members, girl students and others use sanitary napkins during their menstrual cycle.

Low-cost solution

Following reports about several women suffering from several health problems due to adoption of unhygienic methods during their menstrual cycle during the review meetings of health department, Collector A. Sri Devasena had pounced on the idea of production and distribution of low-cost sanitary napkins to all womenfolk in the district. So, she roped in women SHG Spoorthi and provided the necessary training and ensured a bank loan of Rs. 25 lakh under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Scheme. This was topped up with Rs. 5 lakh from the Zilla Samakhya to start their unit on September 14, 2018.

The 21-member Spoorthi SHG started producing ‘Sabala’ brand sanitary napkins (of the women for the women) in the district and marketed through SHG women and village organisations.

The product? Of international quality of different varieties and at just Rs. 3 per piece. Now, the SHG members have almost repaid the bank loans and are even making profits. They are also getting a monthly wage of Rs. 5,000 and above for each member.

Free of cost

Incidentally, Ms. Sri Devasena had acted as the brand ambassador for Sabala napkins and promoted its sales and usage by educating women and girls at all the meetings. In a novel promotion, the Collector took measures to distribute 15 lakh sanitary napkins free of cost initially to encourage women to use them. Talking to The Hindu on Saturday, Ms. Sri Devasena said during her initial survey it was found that not more than 11% of women were using sanitary napkins and majority leading an unhealthy lifestyle. After the introduction of Sabala sanitary napkins, usage had crossed 90% and they are planning to ensure the remaining 45-plus age group women also used sanitary napkins for good hygiene.

Spreading the market

“We are creating good hygiene among the womenfolk and providing entrepreneurship for the SHG women by making them self-reliant,” she said and added that the district administration was providing all the marketing support, training and conducted awareness camps about the usage of sanitary napkins. Next target? Plans to expand the market of Sabala napkins in the neighbouring districts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by K. M. Dayashankar / Peddapalli – February 09th, 2019

Sircilla: From a ghost town to a city bustling with life

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

The municipal park inaugurated by K. Taraka Rama Rao in Sircilla on Friday.  

Sircilla textile town metamorphoses with a make-over; weavers’ hands are full with government placing bulk orders

A few years ago Sircilla was synonymous with suicides, reporting the highest number of suicides by powerloom weavers in the unified Andhra Pradesh due to unemployment and mounting debts.

Now, it is the other way round. Weavers’ hands are full with work with the State government placing bulk orders for school uniforms, Bathukamma sarees, Ramzan and Christmas gifts, etc.

Besides, the womenfolk have shifted from rolling beedis – which fetched them a pittance – to working in the Apparel park producing garments for various branded companies.

Big face-lift

The tiny textile town with dingy looks was given a big face-lift by Sircilla legislator K. Taraka Rama Rao after its upgradation into district headquarters in the newly formed Rajanna-Sircilla district. Now, it has wide roads, traffic islands, municipal parks, saplings along the roads, beautified walls, and a mini-tankbund, etc. On Friday, Mr. Taraka Rama Rao, who’s also the TRS working president, participated in a series of developmental programmes in the town.

He had formally launched Akshayapatra, a scheme under which lunch is served at ₹5 to the citizens. He personally served food and partook with the general public. A modern Vaikuntadhamam (a crematorium) with all facilities in Nehrunagar was constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.4 crore. Similarly, he inaugurated a municipal park built at a cost of ₹80 lakh in Indiranagar, open gym at Shantinagar locality, and Ekalavya Community Hall.

He also distributed Sthree Nidhi tabs to 18 women of the Slum Level Federation and launched four battery-operated garbage collection vehicles for the municipality.

Incidentally, Rajanna-Sircilla district became the first in the integrated Karimnagar district to open a musical fountain at Bathukamma ghat in the town. Costing ₹60 lakh, it has become a special attraction.

TSCAB chairman K. Ravinder Rao, Collector P. Venkatram Reddy, Joint Collector Yasmeen Basha, Municipal chairperson S. Pavani and others were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Rajanna – Sircilla , February 09th, 2019

Driven by passion and perseverance

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Founded by Tarusha Saxena and Prashaant Sharma, the organisation reportedly involves local talent in their theatre performances showcasing empathetic themes.

Hyderabad :

Recently, audience at Ravindra Bharathi were spellbound by the play ‘Gagan Damama Bajyo’ written by the renowned actor-writer Piyush Mishra. The play revolved around the struggle of our freedom fighters. It was organised by ArtLife Events, a Hyderabad-based entertainment company that conducts theatre workshops, plays, music events and more.

Founded by Tarusha Saxena and Prashaant Sharma, the organisation reportedly involves local talent in their theatre performances showcasing empathetic themes. Their first event in the city was ‘Period’, held at Ravindra Bharathi in July 2017, an event that focussed on educating and breaking the stereotypes surrounding the concept of menstruation.

“When we first started, there was a lot of gap between the actors and the theatre groups. We worked towards bridging the gap and giving opportunities to the deserving”, said Tarusha. “In Hyderabad, we initially faced challenges in winning the confidence of artistes, but with time and results, we are now a well-trusted option”, she added.

Born and brought up in Hyderabad and having been in theatre for long, the other co-founder, Prashaant Sharma says, “The theatre market in Hyderabad was non-existent when we started our agency two years ago. It was only after we organised ‘Red Light Express’ held at N Convention in January 2018, a play performed by the daughters of sex workers in Mumbai that people began to sit up and take notice. The event got a huge response.”“Obstacles aren’t hard to face when one is driven by passion,” says Prashaant, before signing off.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by M V Srinath / Express News Service / February 06th, 2019

Honour for NCC contingent

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Air Commodore NN Reddy presenting an award to a cadet at a function in the city on Tuesday.  

The contingent of 116 cadets from Andhra Pradesh & Telangana NCC Directorate bagged the fifth position amongst the 17 directorates that participated in the Republic Day camp at New Delhi from January 1-30.

The contingent also got the following medals and trophies: All India best cadet senior division (Navy) 2nd position to Cadet B Shanmugam; All India best cadet junior division (Navy) 1st position to Cadet Shaun Jimmy and All India best girl cadet trophy in horse riding to Cadet PT Sri Rakshitha. Cadet Harshita Jain was adjudged the ‘Best NCC Cadet’ for 2018 and was presented the Col. Choudhary medal.

The contingent also bagged the runner up trophy in national integration awareness programme and Directorate General Horse Riding trophy. Air Commodore NN Reddy, deputy director general of NCC Directorate AP & TS, presented medals and trophies to the cadets on Tuesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – February 06th, 2019

City girl to represent country at UN Youth Assembly 2019

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Later she got an opportunity to participate in Jagruthi Yatra, where she travelled around 8,000 km for 15 days across the country.

Hyderabad :

A Hyderabadi girl who has worked for empowering villagers into sustainable communities is all set to make her way to the United Nations Youth Assembly 2019 in New York University, New York City this month. Harshitha Chintam is a B.Tech graduate from Sree Nidhi Institute of Science and Technology, who later pursued MBA from Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) and joined ITC as a Business excellence officer.

“I received a sapling as a token of appreciation from UNICEF during my school days for my charity work. That gave me the motivation to work for the betterment of the people” reminisces Harshitha. With the opportunity to work with SAFA, an organisation that works for the empowerment of women from urban slums, she realised the potential and the zeal residing within her. Harshitha worked in building up the brand image and attract more supporters for the cause.

Later she got an opportunity to participate in Jagruthi Yatra, where she travelled around 8,000 km for 15 days across the country. We reached out to rural areas across the country, from Kanyakumari, Dharmashala, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of North India, it was a great learning experience”, reflects upon her 15-day journey across the country, where she got an opportunity to interact with the President of India Ram Nath Kovind.

This journey sparked off her interest in the concept of sustainable cities and self-sufficiency and she worked with ‘Barefoot College’ in Tilonia district of Rajasthan, an NGO that empowers the rural residents. She worked in documented and published the teaching and training manuals of these model villages in making them self-sufficient and sustainable, which can be implemented anywhere in the world. Upon a friend’s suggestion, she applied for the United Nations Youth Assembly.

After thorough verification of the documentation and her works, followed by a few rounds of interviews, she got selected as the India representative for the UN Youth Assembly 2019, which is to be held from February 15-17. She will be talking about Sustainable development goals – ‘Sustainable cities and communities’.

“I want the voice to be heard and showcase the reality of the state of India, also learn from other leaders across the world, I look forward to more people to joining hands and work for the common good of the society,” says Harshitha. She is also an associate with Make A Wish Foundation.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Venu Srikanth, Express News Service / February 05th, 2019

Local hand in ISRO’s satellite success story

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Hyderabad firm manufactured fourth stage engines of PSLV

When Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C44) successfully put Microsat-R and Kalamsat-V2 satellites into their designated orbits last month, joyous scenes were witnessed not only at Sriharikota but also at the city suburbs of Kandi in Sangareddy district.

Here, right opposite the IIT-Hyderabad, lies a nondescript firm, ASACO, which has been playing a significant role albeit in a low profile manner in several of the launches as they have mastered the manufacturing of complete integrated PS4 engines or the fourth stage engines of the PSLV under ISRO tutelage.

In fact, 13 minutes 26 seconds after the lift-off of the latest launch, Microsat-R was successfully injected into the intended orbit of 274 km. Soon after, the fourth stage or PS4 of PSLV was moved to a higher circular orbit of 453 km after two restarts to establish an orbital platform and Kalamsat-V2, the student payload is the first to use it, said Ajit Mohandas, joint managing director of ASACO.

“We are the only company in India manufacturing the complete integrated PS4 engines of PSLV and we have been doing all the engine chamber parts since 1986. ASACO has been the sole supplier of these engines from 2008 and also the ‘PS1 RCT Engines’ including assembly of the first stage roll control system,” says Ajit, alumnus of HPS-Begumpet and IIT-BHU.

His father and ASACO chairman K. Mohandas had established the company in 1969 having decided to take up the challenge of making critical engines for launch vehicles of ISRO based on designs submitted by the latter. The precision machine components are also applicable in fighter jets and naval ships besides launch vehicles.

Crucial function

In every PSLV launch, two of these fourth stage engines take the satellites into their final orbits. “Whether it was Chandryaan 1 module, Mangalyaan or the recent world record 104 satellite launch, PS4 Engines have the crucial function of delivering each and every one them into their initial orbits around the earth,” explains Ajit, in an exclusive interaction.

The same engines are now performing a unique function of serving as the orbital platform for the Kalamsat V2 for the brief period of 14.5 hours after deployment — time needed for Kalamsat V2 to perform its experiments — instead of ending up as space debris!

Sole supplier

“We are proud that the engine for which we have been a sole and dedicated supplier for decades continues to perform in versatile ways, thanks to ISRO’s ingenious ways of using them. We are grateful for the faith shown in our capabilities,” he says.

ASACO has aggressive growth plans and is “fully geared” up to take up more challenging work from ISRO, he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. Geetanath / Hyderabad – February 03rd, 2019