City carrom star pockets U.S. Open Grand Slam trophy

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
R.D. Dinesh Babu and his mother Bharani with the trophy at his residence in the city on Saturday.

Defeats 14-times U.S. champion R. Saravanan Babu in the final

Forty-three-year-old R.D. Dinesh Babu could not have presented a better gift to his ageing mother, Bharani, than the U.S. Open Grand Slam Carrom Championship trophy.

Dinesh, who won the 2016 edition held in the U.S., was not in the best frame of mind as his mother has been unwell.

But the Hyderabadi gave his best. He said his first phone call on winning the U.S. Open title to his mother was like an energy booster. And, understandably, her joy knew no bounds!

He defeated 14-times U.S. champion R. Saravanan Babu (25-10, 25-10) in the final.

“After the disappointment of losing in the semifinal from a winning position against Radhakrishnan in last year’s edition, I am glad I could pull it off this time around,” says Dinesh in a chat with The Hindu on his return.

“It was not easy to win the final as the opponent had the support of the local crowd and it was like India playing in Sharjah. I had to stay calm and focussed to get the better of him. He played much better than what the scoreline suggests,” says Dinesh.

“I never give up. Self-discipline and self-belief coupled with hard work are my strong points,” says the senior accountant in AG’s Office.

“And I owe a lot to my coach Madanraj sir and to all the fellow players and other officials,” he adds.

Dinesh, who lost to the then world champion Yogesh Pardesi in the 2008 Senior Nationals, is now offered to play in the North American Premier League that features six or eight teams with one foreign player permitted to play for them.

World championship
“My ultimate goal is to win the world championship next year. I know it will not be easy, but I will put in efforts needed to realise this goal,” signs off Dinesh, who dedicates this win to his family.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 10th, 2018

Solar panel maker to scale up operations in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology

Solar photovoltaic (PV) cell and module maker RenewSys India is planning to grow the capacity of its Hyderabad facility to 1 GW and establish a 500 MW plant near Mumbai, both by next year-end, with an investment of $25 million.

A part of $350 million Enpee Group, most of whose companies are based in Nigeria, the firm graduated from being a manufacturer of EVA backsheets used in solar panels to making solar cells and modules when it acquired the assets of Solar Semiconductor three years ago.

Briefing presspersons at the facility in Fab City on the outskirts of Hyderabad, RenewSys managing director Avinash Hiranandani said the company had acquired the assets, of the sick unit, in June 2015 for around ₹100 crore. With new machinery, the solar panel manufacturing capacity over time increased to the 400 MW. The facility also has 130 MW solar PV cell capacity.

Necessary equipment to add 300 MW of solar panels have arrived, he said, adding by next month the capacity would touch 700 MW. The company wanted to increase the capacity of the Hyderabad plant, located on 50 acres, to 1 GW by end of 2019.

On investments, he said $100 million has been made so far and the expansion proposed by next year would entail $5 million more. The investment on the plant proposed near Mumbai, on about 8 acres, is expected to $20 million. The capacity of the Bengaluru plant where encapsulants and backsheets are made is also to be increased, he added.

To queries, Mr. Hiranandani said profitability in solar panel business, in the face of intense competition from China, is possible only with scale of operations. In 2017-18, the RenewSys’ turnover was ₹256 crore, which the management is targeting to take to ₹600 crore this fiscal and over ₹1,500 crore in 2019-20.

The potential for growth was good, he said, pointing out that only 45% of India’s solar panel requirement is being met by domestic manufacturers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities > Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 14th,2018

IIIT-Hyderbad team develops software to detect fake news

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Ramachandran and his team aim to monetise the software in the future and equip media houses with the software so that fake news can be easily identified.

Hyderabad :

So, how do we combat fake news? In what seems to be a novel solution, the IIIT-Hyderabad has developed an artificial intelligence-based laboratory that is equipped to identify fake news by a single tap of the keyboard. Called the Fake-O-Metre, the software can determine whether the headline of an article,its link or content is fake within seconds.

“It uses a range of options to tell you how much of the content is fake,” says Vijayasaradhi, an MS student involved in development of the software. “You can enter multiple headlines at the same time and derive results at one go.” During a demo presentation, the software analysed a bunch of headlines and gave varying range of colour-coded answers.

For instance, for the headline “The State is going to polls on December 7” it will give a green bar with a value below 30 per cent. “If it’s below 30 per cent, it means that the content is true. Similarly, if the value is above 60 per cent and the bar is red then it means that it is a fake content.” But how does the AI work? Vijayasaradhi added: “We collected around 10,000 potential fake news statements and fed it to the machine. This is like teaching by example. Now the AI will try to find a pattern from the 10,000 and try to determine whether the input that is being fed is fake or not.”

J Ramachandran, CEO of Gramener technologies and the industry expert for the AI lab at IIIT, said: “We are aiming to make this technology available in regional languages. For that we have introduced similar Fake-O-Metre in Spanish and Chinese on an experimental basis. “One of the most important requirement in doing a vernacular-specific fake news buster is that you need data. Since it is artificial intelligence, data has to be fed to churn out results. The software has to learn from the fed data as to what constitutes, or what words usually frame fake news in regional languages.”

For collecting this data Ramachandran is looking towards Facebook, Twitter and other social media. “Hate speech is prevalent on Twitter. So one can find specific hate speech by using that hashtag, which can later be culled to form data,” added Vijayasaradhi. Ramachandran and his team aim to monetise the software in the future and equip media houses with the software so that fake news can be easily identified.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Aihik Sur / Express News Service / November 13th, 2018

Aurobindo Pharma to acquire R&D assets of Australian firm

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Aurobindo Pharma on Monday said it is acquiring a product under development and related research and development (R&D) assets from Advent Pharmaceuticals Pty Ltd of Australia.

The $12.5 million acquisition will lead to enhancement of R&D capabilities in complex speciality generics, the company said in a regulatory filing.

The acquisition, providing an opportunity to acquire assets that would be used for speciality generics business, is to be undertaken through AuroScience Pty Ltd, Melbourne, a wholly owned subsidiary of Aurobindo Pharma USA Inc.

Advent Pharmaceuticals is into the business of R&D in complex speciality generics. According to the Australian firm’s website, the company was founded in 2001 with the aim of developing generic inhalation products for global markets.

With regard to turnover of the target entity, Aurobindo Pharma said certain R&D assets were being acquired and “no revenues [were] generated during the 12 months ended September since it is engaged in R&D activity.” No sales were expected in the first 12 months of the acquisition, the filing said.

The transaction is expected to be completed by January 2019.

Besides the acquisition, Aurobindo Pharma also announced results for the quarter ended September, a period that saw it clocking a consolidated net profit of ₹.611.44 crore. This was a decline of 21.70% compared to the ₹780.97 crore registered during the year earlier period.

Total income of the company increased by 7.45% to ₹4,777.66 crore (₹4,446.16 crore). Total expenditure was ₹3,964.20 crore (₹3,468.36 crore). The Board of Directors also approved an interim dividend of 125% or ₹1.25 per equity share (of ₹ 1 each), the company said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 13th, 2018

Saving an ancient art form from extinction

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Senior artistes and State government come together to train youth to save Oggudolu and Oggukatha

In order to preserve the ancient art of Oggukatha and Oggudolu, a traditional folk form of singing and dancing with drums, the Telangana State Language and Culture Department, in association with the district Oggubeerla Artists’ Welfare Association, has embarked upon an ambitious task of teaching the Oggudolu art to the younger generation.

With senior Oggudolu artistes unable to perform due to old age and the younger generation not keen on pursuing it, the government and the district Oggudolu artistes have launched a 19-day training programme for youngsters to preserve the age-old folk music form to entertain people. Training is being imparted at the Sri Beerappa temple on the outskirts of the town amid serene atmosphere.

Ancient art form
Oggudolu training is being provided by Erla Mahipal, an Oggudolu artiste and native of Tadijerri village of Gangadhara mandal. An MBA graduate, he had left his call centre job to take up the art as his profession and teach the art form to the younger generation in the district.

Earlier, Oggudolu artistes confined themselves to storytelling about the Hindu gods Mallanna, Yellamma and Beerappa etc. Now, they have changed the format, adding dance performance for entertainment of the audience, says Mr. Mahipal. “We have added adugulu and dharuvulu (steps and beats) to traditional drum beats and performing 32 varieties of drum beats and dance forms including acrobatics, sivathandavam, teenmaar, paanchpataka, omkaram, kolatam, etc,” he said.

New elements
During the training, the drum beaters are being trained in rhythmic beating and dancing to attract the audience, he said and added that they were also training the students on formation of pyramids and beating drums. Further, tips are given to the trainees on the importance of storytelling to captivate the audience.

Oggukatha is still popular in rural areas. Mr. Mahipal says they were invited to perform in functions and during a death in the villages. Moreover, with elections round the corner, Oggudolu artistes are in much demand. “Politicians hire us for taking out rallies and during the electioneering, to add glam to the campaigning,” he said.

The executive-turned artiste said he would continue training the younger generation on a regular basis to protect the ancient art from extinction.

Response from the younger lot, including school and college students, is encouraging as they are showing interest in learning Oggudolu performance. Mahesh, a trainee, said it is helpful as they are learning different forms of drum beats and dance to entertain people.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by K.M. Dayashankar / Karimnagar – November 12th, 2018

A perfect place to tinker, innovate

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology
A model on display at the Hyderabad edition of Maker Faire, at Hitex on Friday.

Three-day Maker Faire begins at Hitex

Hyderabad got its first taste of Maker Faire on Friday as dozens of innovators trooped into a hangar at Hitex to showcase their effort. The three-day event aims at helping create an environment of innovation, tinkering, hacking and creating.

“Curiosity and innovation are innate part of childhood when children take apart toys and dolls. But somehow, it gets lost in the chase for marks, exams and competition. Only now we are realising the importance of innovation,” said Jayesh Ranjan, IT Secretary, Government of Telangana, in his keynote address.

“The last decade and a half has seen transformative ideas. We need to create an ecosystem of innovation. We have lot of problems and we need a pool of brilliant solutions,” said Mr. Ranjan.

On the first day, one section of the event resembled a science fair put up by students. “This is a device that can be used by visually-impaired. The frequency of vibration changes when the object gets closer,” said Soumyadeep Sahu, who promised adding more features to his device once his 12th class exams get over.

There were a number of such innovative ideas using proximity sensors, light sensor, movement detectors and even weather monitors. Unfortunately, most of the sensors, IOT devices and chips were off-the-shelf imported stuff. “Our education system with its focus on marks stamps out any leaning towards innovation. We need problem-solving mindset. We now have 5,400 tinkering labs and hopefully, they will bring about a change in the mindset of people,” said Ramanan Ramanathan, the mission director of Atal Innovation Mission.

The event is a brainchild of Sujai Karampuri of T-Works. “In 2014 at San Mateo in the U.S., I attended a Maker Faire and thought why not in Hyderabad. Here it is. We want to create a one-stop prototyping facility at T-Works,” said Mr. Karampuri. The event would go on till Sunday, 8 p.m. and entry is free.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 09th, 2018

Legendary Telugu wordsmith Kapilavai Lingamurthy passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Kapilavai Lingamurthy, Telangana literary giant of our times, passed away due to illness here on Tuesday.

Hyderabad :

Kapilavai Lingamurthy, Telangana literary giant of our times, passed away due to illness here on Tuesday. He was 90. A renowned poet, prosaist, astrologer, historian and teacher—all moulded into one— Lingamurthy was a gifted man hailing from a rather backward Palamuru district.

He was born on March 31, 1928, in Jinukunta in Balmuru mandal in the then Achampet Taluk of Mahbubnagar district. Lingamurthy joined as a Telugu pandit in a school in Nagarkurnool and later joined as history lecturer in Sri Venkateswara Oriental College in Palem before retiring in 1983.

While continuing in the government service, he exhibited many talents in various literary aspects including Satakams, Dwipada Natakams, legends associated with prominent places and children’s literature. He also commented on the old literature written on the ancient palmyra leaves. An expert in the toughest literary methods of Telugu like­—chita padi, chitra bandhamu—several of his works were published by Telugu University and TTD. At least 25 of his written works still remain unpublished.

Interestingly, as many as six persons got honorary doctorates from various university for researching on Lingamurthy’s works. Lingamurthy was a prominent writer and researcher in Telugu and his services continued to be in demand three decades after his retirement. He got various awards and was felicitated by Chief Ministers NT Rama Rao and YS Rajasekhara Reddy as well.

Lingamurthy graduated from Osmania University-Hyderabad with a Master of Arts in Telugu literature. Well-versed in both Telugu poetry and prose he has written more than 100 books in the Telugu language.
Among his books, the most popular are: Arya Satakam, Srimath Pratapagiri Khandam, Someswara Kshetra Mahatyam, Padya Katha Parimalamu, Palamoor zilla Devalayalu, Salagrama Sastram, Sri Rudradhyayamu and many more. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao condoled the death of Lingamurthy. The literary world lost a towering personality, he said in a message.

KAPILAVAI LINGAMURTHY’S WORKS
Satakamulu – 8
Dwipada Kavyalu – 6
Samkeerthanalu – 3
Charitralu – 6
Kshetra Aavirbhava
Charitralu – 8
Udaharanalu – 4
Sampaaditaalu and Parishkrutaalu – 18
Unpublished – 28

The master and his works
An expert in the toughest literary methods of Telugu like­—chita padi, chitra bandhamu—several of his works were published by Telugu University and TTD, 25 of his written works still remain unpublished.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / Hyderabad – November 07th, 2018

Two worlds, one voice

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / PIO's, World Opinion

Manisha Eerabathini glides across the beautiful location in her new music video in which she sings the cover of Sada Nannu from Mahanati.

Hyderabad :

Manisha Eerabathini glides across the beautiful location in her new music video in which she sings the cover of Sada Nannu from Mahanati. Released on Sunday, the video has already garnered over two lakh views. It also features Manisha matching the beat with her Bharatanatyam moves. Yes, the US-born young woman is adept at Carnatic and Bharatanatyam as well. Here’s what we find about her ever-juggling life.

Born and raised in California, singer Manisha Erabathini found home when she followed her calling and moved to India four years ago. However, the shift only enhanced her opportunities and led to her traveling back and forth but this time for work. Popular for not just her Telugu chartbusters, but also her mashups online, Manisha is growing in leaps and bounds and is putting that to use for the Telugu music-lovers here and abroad. Though she now calls Hyderabad home, she travels across the country often for the demand she has garnered as a performer.

For someone who grew up in the States to change their lifestyle, career and home suddenly is jarring. Manisha says that was exactly how she felt. “I actually felt a bit of an identity crisis when I moved here. Now I am familiar and accustomed to the Indian lifestyle and culture but I also grew up amidst the western culture. Both these worlds are two ends of the spectrum and despite both of them being a part of me I wasn’t able to put them together and see myself as a whole. As time passed I got comfortable with both these sides of me and learnt to be open to and accept the differences of these cultures that inhabit me,” she explains.

Manisha’s popularity shot up with the 2017 hit, Arere Yekkada from the film Nenu Local which topped the charts in the Telugu states. Although she was exposed to the playback arena since her stint in the reality show Paadutha Teeyaga, it was only after years of hard work that she found a footing. Once she made a name, offers to perform for a live audience grew. “Whether it is here in Hyderabad or in a small-town in Andhra or in the USA, the Telugu audience find a certain appeal towards live music concerts,” she says. The kind of songs that the audience may expect from me might differ in India and the US. For instance, the people in the US attend these concerts as a weekend soiree and want to unwind and relax. So they prefer soothing music, not necessarily melodies but the usual favourites. Audience here on the other hand are there to have a good time. They prefer peppy numbers, the hits; and sing and dance along with you. The energies are different in both the countries but the love for music is the same,” adds the young singer.

Manisha observes that most people who have settled in the States try their best to hold on to their roots and do everything they can to stay connected to home. “As I was growing up, learning Bharatanatyam, Carnatic music or speaking Telugu were all a part of the household. It wasn’t uncommon with the other Indian families that we were friends with. This is their way of making sure their culture isn’t lost despite being miles away from home,” she says.

Preferences of the audiences doesn’t only differ in genre she admits. “Western music is predominantly independent while here it relies heavily on cinema. When I perform for the audience abroad I keep in mind that there is a mix of youngsters, children and first generation NRIs. So I ensure that I drop some English pop or mashups into the set as well so that the younger ones aren’t bored to have been dragged down to watch a Telugu music concert,” she quips.

Event organisers flock to book her dates to perform abroad, particularly the Telugu associations who bring the community together. Having traveled to the US thrice in just one month for singing gigs, Manisha makes an interesting observation. “NRIs here want to hang on to the culture and what reminds them of home which is why these concerts and even festivals are celebrated in grandeur. There are millions of Telugu people in the USA and to keep them entertained with anything that is close to home has opened up opportunities for many artists and there is certainly more where that came from,” she says signing off.

— Srividya Palaparthi / srividya.palaparthi@newindianexpress.com / @PSrividya53

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Srividya Palaparthi / Expres News Service / November 27th, 2018