A senior journalist and advocate Thotla Venkatnarayana (63) passed away in Melbourne city in Australia on Wednesday. He is survived by wife Gouri and sons Prem Chand and Stalin.
Having recovered from a brief illness, Mr. Venkatnarayana left from here for Australia along with his wife, daughter-in-law and grandson on May 14. He worked as a senior reporter with Prajashakti and Vaartha . He edited a bi-monthly titled Legal Reporter for a couple of years and also practiced law in local courts. He was also active in the Human Rights Forum. Journalists, advocates, friends and relatives mourned his death and expressed heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family. Venkatanarayana’s funeral will be held in Australia on May 27, according to family sources.
He worked as a reporter with Prajashakti and Vaartha and edited a bi-monthly
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Nizamabad – May 26th, 2016
The KBR Park is known for its bio-diversity and wildlife. Spread over 400 acres, it is a virtual forest in the midst of a burgeoning metropolis, home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna. It is a part of Hyderabad’s over 400-year-old heritage – which includes gardens, lakes and its cosmopolitan culture.
Originally known as Chiran Palace, the park was the residence of Prince Mukarram Jah and was later rechristened after former chief minister Kasu Brahmananda Reddy after its acquisition under the Urban Land Ceiling Act.
Till the late 1990s, I remember, the KBR Park was surrounded by a nine-kilometre compound wall. This wall was demolished when the then TDP government in united AP began road widening around the park, and NTR Trust Bhavan and a cancer hospital of NTR family came up nearby.
This was the first blow dealt to the park, a mini-Deccan ecosystem.
It is true that the city has grown manifold in the last six decades.
As an economic hub, Hyderabad has great potential to become a global city. It needs a massive step-up in its civic infrastructure to cater to the burgeoning population. An upgradation of road network and better traffic management are key elements of de velopment plans envisaged for this sprawling city .
For this, government has drawn up the Strategic Road Development Program to meet the longterm needs of the city.
However, while taking up these works, the government has to ensure that the eco-system of KBR Park remains unaffected as it is the city’s natural heritage.True, development of civic infrastructure is the need of the hour.
But equally imperative is the preservation of this natural habitat in the midst of urban sprawl.I would urge the authorities to ensure that the eco-system of this natural heritage be preserved, not harmed in any way .
Without eating into land spaces of the park, the authorities need to work out alternative proposals for the six multi-level grade separators to be constructed at six junctions around KBR Park.
Already , disappearance of gardens and lakes from this city over the decades has turned it into a tropical hotbed. Every successive summer seems to make the city hotter with soaring temperatures.
We definitely need better roads and junctions and traffic management but not at the cost of our natural, cultural and architectural heritage. KBR Park and all other green spaces in the city must be preserved to make Hyderabad a liveable city again.
(The author is MIM president and Lok Sabha MP)
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / Asaduddin Owaisi / May 26th, 2016
After being ranked among the best universities in the country, the University of Hyderabad (UoH) here on Wednesday was placed among the most productive organisations involved in artificial intelligence research in India by a UK-based journal.
According to the study published in Science & Technology Libraries Journal, United Kingdom, UoH has been ranked 7th among 160 organisations, as most-productive organisation involved in artificial intelligence research in India.
The top 20 most productive organisations involved in artificial intelligence research in India published 53 or more papers each and contributed 2,219 papers. The average citation per paper achieved by the total papers of these 20 organisations was 4.68, and eight organisations achieved a higher average citation per paper ratio than the group average.
The institutions listed include Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras (10.21); Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata (9.97); IIT, Mumbai (8.44); IIT, Roorkee (7.36); IIT Delhi (6.38); International Business Machines (5.84); UoH (5.36); and PSG College of Technology (4.84).
Also, Dr Alok Singh, Associate Professor in the School of Computer and Information Sciences at UoH, has been ranked 12th among top 15 most productive researchers in artificial intelligence research in India.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / May 26th, 2016
The students of Ordinance Factory government High School are also known for their discipline are participation in social activities. All this was possible only because of the initiative taken by the school principal, Sangareddy mandal in-charge education officer, M Venkatesham and IIT Hyderabad, ordinance factory management’s efforts. IIT students have been teaching Maths and English to the students since 2013.
The poor students are being taught in centralised air-conditioned classes in IIT campus. Two to four special classes are being conducted for students in a month and PG students are taking the classes for the students.
In 2013, 20 students appeared for exams and 19 of them passed. After this, the school management and IIT students aimed for 100 per cent pass result.
They started concentrating on the weak students and started special classes. As a result, students achieved 100 per cent results in 2014, 2015 and created a record in the district.
IIT students teach the students in their campus and also last year in ordinance factory high school for 50 days which was organised by Alfa India Limited industry and Alfa India management took care of refreshments for the children.
Training was free of cost and also included students of Indrakaran and Eddumailaram high school students. Currently, special classes are being conducted for Class IX students at IIT Kandi campus and also in ordinance factory temporary college.
This time classes for ordinance factory high school students were held in Gitam University Hyderabad campus also.
School principal and in-charge MEO Venkateshwarlu says that by conducting special classes to students in these prestigious universities and colleges, the confidence level of the students will increase and they will see a new atmosphere which helps them in confidence building. These students also excel in social activities too.
Even as the government postponed the programme due to severe heat wave, the students and teachers of this school planted 150 saplings, that has changed the face of the school. The factory management, as appreciation allotted two acres of land. Students had adopted the plants and are also taking care of them.
The teachers of this school Rama Devi and Sujatha are encouraging the students and moving forward with them.
Locals said that ordinance factory government high school stand as role models for not just the students, but also other school teachers.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by P. Krishna / Express News Service / May 26th, 2016
After landing at Chicago airport on US soil, to a rousing welcome from non-resident Indians hailing from Telangana, Information Technology Minister K. T. Rama Rao on Tuesday launched into several meetings with VIPs including heads of companies.
In a busy schedule, he met Governor of Indiana, Mike Pence, Deputy Governor of Illinois, Trey Childress, and Consul-General of India, Dr. Ausaf Sayeed. He discussed potential areas of collaboration and cooperation between Illinois state and Telangana and outlined the salient features of the industrial policy of fledging State of India, including TSiPASS, the single window approval system.
Mr. Rao elaborated on investment opportunities in the information technology and communication, pharma and allied sectors. Mr. Trey was said to have expressed the interest of Illinois State to partner with Telangana on innovation. Also saying that he had heard a lot about the T-Hub, India’s biggest technology incubator, he said Chicago and Hyderabad shared a strong bond.
The Consul-General hosted a dinner at Chicago in honour of Mr. Rama Rao and the visiting delegation, after which the Minister held a series of meetings with heads of companies. Those he met included Chairman of the Redberry Corporation, Deepak Kanat, President of Abaris Capital Advisors, Omer Ahmed, Chairman, Genesis Pharmaceuticals, Monif Matouk and CEO of Safye Holdings Afi Hasan.
A press release said Eclat Health Solutions, a digital healthcare company, had come forward to invest US $ 15 million in Telangana, generating employment to about 1,000 people.
Several MoU were signed with representatives of these companies, in the presence of the Minister. Mr. Rama Rao also met Governor of Indiana, Mr. Mike Pence at Indianapolis later, also attending the Indianapolis-Hyderabad Sister Cities Committee meeting where he addressed a 500-strong gathering of NRIs hailing from Telangana.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – May 25th, 2016
Doodi Bhadraiah of Koya tribe during a training session at Bhongir Rock Climbing School in Nalgonda district of Telangana. Photo: Special Arrangement
Woman police officer among those who scaled the Everest.
A woman working as Additional Superintendent of Police in Adilabad of Telangana, G.R. Radhika, a member of the Koya tribe, Doodi Bhadraiah hailing from Kothapally of East Godavari district in Andhra Pradesh, were among five persons who scaled Mount Everest on Friday morning.
Others who were part of the expedition were a Maharashtra cadre Indian Police Service officer, Suhail Sharma, Karnataka cadre Indian Forest Service officer S. Prabhakaran and a native of Tamil Nadu working in Dubai for Emerson Climate Technologies, Balan Sivaraman. Regrettably, an amputee from Maharashtra, Ashok Munne returned from the summit camp set up at a height of 8.500 meters. He could not claim the distinction because returned due to bad weather.
One-year training The expedition led by the founder of the Bhongir Rock Climbing School in the district, Shekharbabu Bachenapally, comprised a doctor and eight Sherpas for logistic assistance till the summit camp. In a Facebook chat with The Hindu, Mr. Shekharbabu said the victory came after an arduous year-long training at the School.
Describing their adventure, he said the team had left for Nepal from Hyderabad on April 7 and after the paperwork that included getting a Chinese visa, flew to Lhasa on April 13. With the help of the Sherpas and the doctor, they trekked up to reach an altitude of 5,200 meters on April 18 and 19, coping with low oxygen levels and the cold weather conditions. April 20 saw them reaching the North Base Camp of Mount Everest and acclimatising themselves further, upto 6,200 metres. Then began the march towards the Advance Base Camp, on what is described as the ‘Miracle Highway’ on April 27.
Red letter day Mr. Shekharbabu said on May 3, they climbed a 500 metre high, ice wall and returned to the North Base Camp, after which ascended another 300 meters and came to the Advance Base Camp. May 19, saw them ascending on the last leg, the final climb and they scaled the world’s tallest peak on Friday morning.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – May 21st, 2016
Forty doctors from community centres with little access to modern medical care for heart attack victims were trained at a two-day conference organised by city-based FACTS Foundation & Citizens’ Hospital in collaboration with Mayo Clinic, USA.
Titled “Cardio Vascular Update”, participants were explained about the different treatment modalities to be adopted for patients suffering from various cardiac ailments with evidence based medical practices.
They were imparted training by senior faculty members from Mayo Clinic namely Gregory W Barsness, Hari P Chaliki and Sudhir S Kushwaha.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / May 22nd, 2016
A box of apple ber produced at Dammapet mandal in Khammam which will be sent to Hyderabad where there is a heavy demand for the fruit | express photo
Khammam :
To reduce dependency on cotton crop cultivation, the horticulture department is introducing and providing a 60 per cent subsidy on a new fruit crop Apple Ber (Jujube Berry), for the benefit of farmers in the district.
Horticulture department officials are planning to take up Apple Ber plantation in 50 acres on an experimental basis and will increase the cultivable area, based on farmers’ response. The fruit is in huge demand in the local market, and also in Hyderabad. At present, traders are importing Apple Ber from Maharashtra.
Assistant director of Horticulture department K Suryanarayana said Apple Ber plantation is a commercial crop and would benefit farmers. He added that some farmers have already planted 10 acres of the crop in Dammapet mandal of the district.
“We are encouraging farmers to cultivate Apple Ber fruit crop as it will offer more benefits than a cotton crop and consume less water,” he said.
The horticulture department is also encouraging farmers to grow vegetable crops, whose cultivation is going on in 3,000 acres in the district. The department is further aiming to cross the 10,000-acre mark by motivating farmers.
Horticulture officials are providing 50 pc subsidy on seeds to cultivate vegetables in the district, said AD Suryanarayana.
All about Apple Ber
Red soil suitable for cultivation, consumes less water Already being cultivated in outskirts of Hyderabad, Mahbubnagar, Medak, Warangal and is now being introduced in Khammam
Rs 1 to Rs 1.5 lakh is what farmers can earn from a single acre of the fruit by investing upto a maximum of Rs 60,000 160 saplings are needed for raising a plantation in an acre Rs 30 each is the price at which the horticulture department is distributing the plant for whereas it is being sold at Rs 70 to Rs 80 in the open market 20 years is the crop life of Apple Ber and it starts bearing fruit from the second year
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by B Satyanarayana Reddy / May 21st, 2016
Hyderabadi filmmaker Raja Pothineni is on a roll. His 15-minute short film, 60 Eight, premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, to “an overwhelming response”. “I am absolutely stoked. I worked hard for this, and to be rewarded this way feels great,” enthuses Raja.
The film, written, edited and directed by Raja, revolves around John, who spends 52 years in a state of comatose, after having survived a near-fatal car accident when he was eight years old, and wakes up at 60, after a meeting with his childhood friend Sarah.
“It took me a whole year to make this film. Since it begins in the 1960s, I had to do a lot of research to make the scenes look accurate. Even small things, like sourcing medical equipment from that time, took a lot of time and effort. I also held seven-eight casting sessions to finalise the cast, since I wanted the actresses who portray the different ages of Sarah to look similar,” recalls Raja, throwing light on the extensive pre-production work that went into making the film.
All the hard work seems worth it though when the feedback is so encouraging, reckons Raja. “people who’ve watched the film tell me they loved the authentic the story-telling and the depth of the characters. I’m not getting carried away though. I’ve got to move forward and outdo myself; there is no time to rest on laurels.”
The response is affirmation enough for what Raja wants his style of film-making to be. “Authenticity is what I want. I don’t like movies that are pushed down our throats; the ones where emotions are squeezed out of every scene. The Indian audience is exposed to a lot of mainstream cinema and they’re aware now when the acting is manipulative. Mine is a more minimalistic approach and I try to be as invisible as possible. I let the cast react naturally without pre-conceived notions. That allows space for the audience to interpret freely,” says the Telugu boy spent most of his childhood in Vijayawada.
So, does he plan to foray into Tollywood? “Of course! Tollywood is where my roots are. I am working on two Telugu scripts. Nani and Tamannah are my favourite actors. In fact, I’d love to work with Nani in the future. His acting is just effortless,” admits Raja, who also reserves special praise for his cousin, actor Ram Pothineni .
“We talk very often and give each other a lot of feedback. I loved his work in Nenu… Sailaja. He is always evolving as an actor, and has a maturity that belies his age. But that doesn’t come as a surprise; he was always a very dedicated person, right from childhood,” he says, signing off.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / Deepa Joseph, TNN / May 21st, 2016
Apple’s CEO Tim Cook (L) with Telangana CM K Chandra Sekhar Rao after inauguration of Apple’s development office in Hyderabad on Thursday. / PTI
Says this investment will accelerate Maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs.
Apple Inc on Thursday announced the opening of a new office here that will focus on development of Maps for its products including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch.
The Californian tech giant said in a statement that this investment will accelerate Maps development and create up to 4,000 jobs.
Mum on quantum of investment
The company, however, did not disclose the quantum of investment that it intends to invest on the facility.
“We are thrilled to open this new office in Hyderabad which will focus on Maps development,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said.
“The talent here in the local area is incredible and we are looking forward to expanding our relationships and introducing more universities and partners to our platforms as we scale our operations,” he said.
Updating, adding new features
Apple has been continually updating and adding new features to Maps including 3D views, the Flyover feature and tools to help customers find convenient places to shop, eat and explore nearby areas, the statement said.
With iOS 9 Apple added Transit, offering a combination of trains, subways, buses and walking, which is already available for more than 300 cities around the world.
The new facility, located on the Waverock campus, will provide a world-class, LEED-certified home for the expanding Maps team, it added.
Honoured, says KCR
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao has said the State is honoured that Apple chose Hyderabad as a home for its Maps development office.
“This will create thousands of jobs here and is a testament to our proactive approach, quality infrastructure and the excellent talent base we have in the region,” he said.
RMSI is a global IT services company providing GIS, modelling and analytics and software services.
‘One of the most innovative firms’
CEO of RMSI Anup Jindal said, “Apple is one of the most innovative companies in the world. We are very proud they chose us to partner with for this important project.”
“We are experts in geospatial data and we will be hiring thousands of people from the local area to support this effort,” Mr. Jindal said.
Apple supports over 6,40,000 iOS app developer jobs and other positions related to the iOS ecosystem across India, the statement said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / PTI / Hyderabad – May 19th, 2016
