Telangana Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy launched the initiative by issuing 100 ‘Body Worn Cameras’ to the front line officers.
Picture for representational purpose only.
Ensuring a people-friendly approach by enforcing officers towards traffic violators, the Hyderabad Traffic Police (HTP) today launched ‘Body Worn Cameras’ for the first time in the country.
Telangana Home Minister Nayini Narasimha Reddy, who launched the initiative by issuing 100 ‘Body Worn Cameras’ to the front line officers said this is for the first in the country that traffic officers will be equipped with such an equipment.
This initiative is in the direction of developing friendly policing in Hyderabad and the use of technology will improve transparency and accountability in Traffic Management, the Minister said, adding after formation of Telangana state last year there have been marked changes in the police system.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Jitender said this project was started on a pilot basis in August last year by issuing four ‘Body Worn Cameras’ to the traffic officers. After successful implementation, 100 new ‘Body Worn Cameras’ have been acquired by the Hyderabad Traffic Police to monitor the Traffic Enforcement system, he said.
Elaborating on ‘Body Worn Cameras’, the top traffic cop said it is user friendly, having stud moving clip for wearing on the body and simple one click record. Citizens, when caught for any traffic violations by traffic cops can notice the recording on the front facing LCD screen.
Protected files and encrypted log of events makes it free from manipulations, Jitender said, adding this will enable socially desirable behaviour by traffic officers and public during their interactions. In the conventional practice of enforcement, there were many incidents of arguments, assaults and misbehaving between the commuters and cops.
Subsequently, on the other end, there was no evidence on record to establish the guilt (of violators) and it badly ruined the image of traffic cops, he said. The new system will help in improving discipline among the public as well as the police personnel, he said. Hyderabad Police Commissioner M Mahender Reddy also spoke.
source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> News> India> Andhra Pradesh / by PTI / Hyderabad – August 14th, 2015
B. Venkataramana Chary, who sculpted the statue of Telangana Thalli, being felicitated by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao at Golconda Fort on Saturday.– Photo: By Arrangment
The cultural richness of Telangana was on display at the official Independence Day celebrations on the lawns of Rani Mahal inside Golconda fort.
Troupes from various parts of Telangana, colourfully dressed in different attire, stood atop the remains and attracted the gathering. They were also seen performing before and after Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao’s speech.
Mr. Rao gave away mementos to a select few who were honoured on the occasion. They included B. Venkataramana Chary, who sculpted the statue of Telangana Thalli for installation at the office of Telangana Rashtra Samithi, but gained wide currency subsequently, so much so that it has come to be recognised by all Telangana-based organisations.
Mr. Chary told media persons that he drew inspiration from Mr. Rao’s words questioning the existence of Telugu Thalli in Telangana. He was motivated to design the embodiment of a traditional woman belonging to Telangana.
The picture did not impress Mr. Rao as it lacked devotional appeal in the sense of Bharat Maata. Hence, he redesigned the model with a crown on the head and Batukamma in the left hand and maize corn in the right hand.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – August 16th, 2015
Saina Nehwal may have lost the world championship final to Carolina Marin on Sunday, but the champion shuttler from the city scaled the summit in world rankings in women’s singles.
The latest rankings will be officially released on Monday and ironically Marin, the reigning World No.1, loses that privilege despite being crowned world champion for the second time. “It was a great match and the Spanish girl played better. Yes it would have been great if Saina had won the gold,” Saina’s father Harvir Singh remarked immediately after the final.
“But, I am glad she has shown the others what the Indians can achieve in women’s badminton,” he said. “The best part is that Saina’s medal haul is complete now having won the silver, again the first ever by an Indian in a world championship,” the proud father pointed out.
Making a critical analysis of where she went wrong in the final on Sunday, Dr. Harvir felt she was good on either flanks but need to shore up her game when she plays standing in the centre for she seems to be struggling to get the space for those quick returns.
Dr. Harvir Singh said that Saina is a vastly improved player after moving to Vimal Kumar in Bengaluru. “She had to go there for better prospects as she needed isolated and focussed training. “It’s like changing the school for your kids and Saina went to Vimal with the consent of Gopi bhayya,” he said. “Yes Saina will continue to train in Bengaluru as this is the crucial year of Olympics preparations.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 17th, 2015
Salama, a four-and-half-year-old girl from Hyderabad, became the first girl in the country to receive a cadaver paediatric liver transplant.
A team of transplant surgeons led by Manish C Agarwal at Apollo Hospitals, perfomed a paediatric liver transplant surgery on Salama, who was suffering from a rare liver disease called Ornithine Transcarbamylase (OCT), due to which liver lacks enzymes required for processing proteins. Due to the problem the child could not eat foods like chocolates or milk.
Upasana Kamineni with a four-yr-old girl, who underwent a complex paediatric liver transplant suugery, at a media conference in Hyderabad on Wednesday | A SURESH KUMAR
“Till her second year she was fine but problem started two years ago, when she was two-and-half years. When we consulted doctors we were told that liver transplant is the only option for her problem,” Mohammed Mujeeb, father of Salama, said. They had to wait for more than two years as it was highly difficult to get a liver donor for a child.
“Doing a liver transplant for a kid is highly complicated as we need liver only from a child. If there is no suitable donor in the family then a child donor has to be found, if not a split liver trasnplant, where an adult liver from a brain dead person is divided into two small parts and one is transplanted in a child. Surgeons need to be highly cautious while performing the surgery as body parts of kids will be about 25 percent of the size of elders’ organs,” said Manish, chief transplant surgeon.
In Salama’s case as there were no suitable donors in the family she was put on cadaver organ waiting list under Jeevandan, Telangana’s cadaver organ transplantation programme.
The long painful wait for Salama ended when liver transplanation was performed on her in July third week, following organ donation from a brain dead child.
“This is the first cadaver liver transplant for a child in India, and though it’s an achievement for us, the real credit goes to the cadaver organ donor kid, because of which the organ transplantation was possible.
A multidispcliary approach involving surgeons, doctors and support staff from various specilaistaions is needed for performing a pediatric liver tranpslantion. The surgey which was very complex but has been so succesful that Salama was moved out of the ICU in just three days and discharged after 12 post operative care,” Manish said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / August 13th, 2015
V. Shobhha Prasad, MD of Walden, in Hyderabad on Monday. Photo: G. Ramakrishna
A look back into one of the city’s favourite book shops as it celebrates its Silver Jubilee.
After just relishing Henry David Thoreau’s ‘Walden’ as part of Literature syllabus in college, a book store with that name was suffice to lure me inside, 25 years ago. A ‘supermarket kind of feel’ where you touch, feel and browse a book as you walk along the aisles before you pick up your favourite was a unique experience. That stretch of road connecting Begumpet and Punjagutta was thinly populated and almost had nil traffic then. There was no reason for people to meander into that road… yes, maybe for a cheese tart at Bakers Inn down the road, just that. But that made little difference to us as we started our long association with this newly found hangout place.
Twenty five years down the line, with a second branch at Banjara Hills, Walden is still a favourite and a quick one-stop shop for son’s stationery needs or to pick up the latest bestseller.
Choosing a last-minute gift item to grabbing a tub of moisturiser on your way to the bill counter was all part of the Walden shopping.
John Siddham, a Hyderabadi who now lives in Melbourne, makes it a part of his itinerary every time he visits Hyderabad. He confesses that it usually takes three to four visits each trip to satisfy his appetite.
“It is an enticing place; one easily loses sense of time conveniently wandering through the aisles of books ranging from diverse topics.
The fact that they cater for all ages has worked for us as family,” he says and adds, “The usual regret is at the airport check-in when we end up with excess baggage of books. But, hey, books in our bookshelf has been a talking point with most of our visitors.”
One of the exciting events that youngsters remember at Walden are the pre-dawn launch of Harry Potter books. Much as it gave a whole new fillip to the reading habits of a new generation, the experience gave much to remember for a long time.
Recollecting the experience of coming all the way from Miyapur at 5 a.m. with her sister, Swetha Sidotam says, “I think it was in 2005 and I had come to collect the 5th part of the Harry Potter series. It was kind of self reward for me for getting into JNTU for architecture. We reached the store around 6 a.m. and were welcomed by the smiling staff. Since I had pre-booked my copy I was handed over my book in an attractive carry bag. It was an exciting memory.”
Having successfully delivered memories and good times to so many customers, Walden, despite a shrunken parking space, remains a booklovers’ paradise.
‘Walden will not be shut’
Frequent visits to a spacious book store in Chennai and his fondness for reading inspired Electrical Engineer professional V. Ram Prasad to start a book store in Hyderabad. A natural at designing, he personally monitored the entire décor of all his stores.
His wife Shobha Prasad who shares his passion for books, says, “We wanted to develop this concept where customers can select what they want while walking around the book shelves. Unlike in other shops where one has to ask for a specific book, here we gave options. A book lover can see what’s available and take his pick.”
Recollecting the journey of 25 years, Shobha says, “People were of the opinion that Hyderabad was not ready for such kind of an exclusive book store and added to that this area was so secluded. There were many apprehensions. But we went ahead and launched it and by God’s grace it clicked instantly with the customers.” And the name Walden? Whose choice was that? “My husband’s. He was a voracious reader and he particularly like this book by Henry David Throeau and decided to name after its title. Also, we wanted a name that people could pronounce,” she smiles.
The obvious challenge for Walden now is facing competition from online market. Agrees Shobha and emphasises the need to be choosy and careful about the selection of books.
“Apart from books we have expanded the space that has good mix of products as well. Stationery, gift articles and a few beauty products have always been an integral part of our store. Rare household articles that are latest addition also keep our customers happy,” smiles Shobha.
With popular book shops shutting down one by one, will Walden go the same way? “Walden will not be shut… never,” assures Shobha and informs about the third branch being opened in Gachibowli this month.
That’s some good news indeed, for book lovers!
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by S.B. Vijaya Mary / Hyderabad – August 03rd, 2015
Dr B Mahipal Reddy, chief scientist at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad has been honoured with the Bronze Medal of Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI) for his outstanding contribution in the field of chemical sciences. Sharing his happiness with Express, Reddy said, “The award is special as it is given exclusively for chemical research. I am very happy to get this award and to join the eminent list of people, who have already received it.”
Reddy has been selected for this prestigious honour for his more than two decades of research efforts in basic and applied science which resulted in development of new catalysts for air pollution control, bio-mass conversion to value-added products and conversion of greenhouse gases into useful chemicals etc.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / August 12th, 2015
Built in the year 1893, the Turner’s Choultry is a stone masonary building 90 feet long and 60 feet wide. It was originally a Chattram or a Traveller’s House built to provide temporary shelter to traders, pilgrims and other travellers visiting the city.
The building is an ashlar fine structure that was built at a cost of Rs 43,000, of which Rs 10,000 was paid by the Maharajah of Vizianagaram, Anand Gajapathi Raju, an equal sum was provided by the Gode family and the remaining was raised from the public.
The site on which the Choultry stands was originally the Enugu Thota (Elephant Lines) of the 104 Regiment and even today the stones to which the elephants were tied can be seen. Close to the Choultry is a huge water tank, next to the Police Barracks, where the elephants bathed.
Built in the name of former district collector, Henry Gribble Turner, the Choultry remained the property of the Visakhapatnam municipality till 1975, after which it passed into the hands of the endowments department.
The building boasts of 24 rooms and a living space, distributed over three courtyards. According to history buff BS Mahesh, the plan of the building is that of a traditional south Indian house with rooms and verandas all around a central courtyard.
“The beauty of the building lies in the simplicity of its plan and the manner in which space is used. The facade is of course beautiful with an arched doorway leading into the central courtyard and the stone pillars give it that imposing look,” said Mahesh. He further added that the tiles used for the roof were pot tiles, which were later replaced by Mangalore tiles.
Civil engineer Narayana Murthy said the structure was built on a raised plinth of more than four feet, which added to the majestic look. “The main structure is over 90 feet in length and 50 feet in breadth and is perfectly rectangular in shape. This apart there are bathrooms that extend the area of the structure. The dressed stone used to build the walls are all cut to the same shape and size and the mortar used to bind the stones is exactly the same in each and every bind. The construction is extremely precise and requires expert stone masonry skills. The thick stone walls built on the raised platform provide balance and strength to the building,” Murthy said.
Even today, the Turner’s Choultry is abuzz with activity and usually hosts weddings, functions, book shows, exhibitions and religious festivals. The endowments department charges a nominal rent of Rs 300 for a small scale wedding at the venue.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / August 06th, 2015
The perennially drought-hit Mahbubnagar district could well turn out to be another Golconda, once famous as a city where diamonds were sold in heaps at roadside shops. The district, known for its large-scale annual migration of labour, is virtually sitting on diamond mines that could change the fortunes of the nascent Telangana state, experts say.
TOI Photo.
Researchers from the Centre of Exploration Geophysics, Osmania University, have identified as many as 21 new potential diamond zones in Mahbubnagar and villages abutting the border with Gulbarga and Raichur. Several places on the road between Mahbubnagar and Raichur are dotted with potential diamond zones. There have been several studies on the diamond potentiality of Mahbubnagar in the past, but this is the first time that about two dozen zones have been identified.
Earlier, scattered potential diamond locations were identified in the area between the Krishna and Bhima rivers, and the Krishna-Tungabhadra-Penna river zone. At least half a dozen government and commercial organizations are currently on a ‘diamond hunt’ in the district. The Geological Survey of India had found three diamond zones in the past.
Prof G Ramadass, who carried out aeromagnetic studies over an area of 1,999 sq km, said the potential diamond zones were buried 1.2 km down in the earth and more ground research may yield the precious stones.
“We have found kimberlite pipes at 21 places. Though not all kimberlite pipes bear diamonds, there have been instances where diamond zones were found in Mahbubnagar. We need to undertake further studies to explore the diamond-bearing potentiality of these places,” he added. Besides Ramadass, the OU team comprised M Preeti and A Subhash Babu.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / by Syed Akbar, TNN / August 10th, 2015
Three startups managed to impress investors at The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Hyderabad’s SmashUp event on Saturday, bagging investments worth Rs 15 lakh each. The startups are Carving Notions Technologies, which designs and assembles drones; SunwizTech India Pvt Ltd that designed a mobile app for car owners to locate the best place for getting their vehicles serviced; and driver solutions provider Driverr.
During the event, 10 startups with working prototypes pitched their business ideas to angel investors. These start-ups were given just five minutes to pitch to individual investors for a funding of Rs 15 lakh against 10% equity.
“TiE’s SmashUp event has been continuously nurturing early stage startups to move up the value chain. Through this platform, we aim to not only mentor these startups, but also connect them to the investor community. TiE Hyderabad will continue to bring together all stakeholders and play a proactive role in creating an inclusive ecosystem to promote the culture of entrepreneurship,” Rakesh Bhatia-TiE Hyderabad board member and event co-chair said.
The event witnessed a participation of around 300 people representing various stakeholders of the ecosystem, including startups and entrepreneurs.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / August 09th, 2015
Veteran Telugu playback singer V Ramakrishna, who was reportedly undergoing treatment for cancer for quite some time, breathed his last on Wednesday at his residence in Hyderabad. He was 68.
“He passed away late last night at his Venkatagiri Hills residence,” a family source told IANS.
Born in 1947, Mr Ramakrishna, who has nearly 5,000 songs to his credit, started his career as a singer at a very young age on popular show Yuva Vani on All India Radio.
Nephew of popular playback singer P Susheela, Mr Ramakrishna idolised legendary singer Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao.
In 1972, he made his singing debut with the Telugu song “Vayase Oka Poolathota” from “Vichitra Bandham”.
He went on to sing several chartbusters in films such as “Andala Ramudu”, “Sharada”, “Alluri Seetharama Raju”, “Muthyala Muggu” and “Amaradeepam”.
Mr Ramakrishna is survived his wife Jyothi, son Sai Kiran, a popular Telugu actor and daughter Lekha.
His last rites will be performed today.
source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Telangana> Section / by Indo-Asian News Services / July 16th, 2015
