Treat for Rosarians

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Rose lovers have another reason to celebrate as the The Indian Rose Federation and Hyderabad Rose Society together are organising 3rd World Federation of Rose Societies Regional Convention in the city. During the event, around 800 varieties of roses will be displayed. The purpose of the convention is to inform people about the wide varieties of roses available in the country, informs Ahmed Alam Khan, President of Indian Rose Federation. “This is the first time such convention will be held in India,” he adds.

Rosarians from around the country will be presenting the flowers they grow in their convention. “A competition will be held where they will be judged on the quality of their flowers. Apart from the competition, technical sessions will be held at the convention where they will be informed about how to good quality roses, increase their shelf life, etc,” he says. Ikebana, Japanese pattern of arranging flowers will also be taught during the convention.

The theme of the convention is ‘New Light on the Old World of Roses’. “Around 98 per cent of roses exported in the world is by Israel. But India also has the potential to have good market in exporting roses. Through this convention, we aim to encourage the rosarians to develop good quality of roses. People from the city are encouraged to visit the show to gain more knowledge about roses at the event.

The event will be held from November 29 to December 2 at HICC between 11 am to 5 pm.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features / November 14th, 2014

DLRL’s 53rd Annual Day Celebrated

Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

The city-based Defence Electronics Research Laboratory (DLRL) on Wednesday commemorated its 53rd annual day on Wednesday. The state-of-the-art labs deliver with electronics warfare (EW) systems to the armed forces.

SP Dash, scientist and director, DLRL, recalled the achievements of the laboratory in delivering the state-of-the-art EW systems to the armed forces, and congratulated the employees for their contribution.

Jitender, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who was the chief guest, said that everybody should have passion to achieve the desired goals so that the country will march ahead.

The director presented mementos to employees who completed 20 years of service and also gave away DRDO Laboratory Awards-2014 to individuals and team members who excelled in their technical contributions. Meritorious sportspersons, who brought laurels to the laboratory, were honoured on the occasion.

The event was marked with cultural performances by the employees and their families. Girls from Vaidehi Ashram, Saidabad, performed a dance recital.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 20th, 2014

Palair has all the makings of a hub

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
A fisherman throwing a net in pursuit of fishing near Palair in Khammam District. Photo: G.N. Rao / The Hindu
A fisherman throwing a net in pursuit of fishing near Palair in Khammam District. Photo: G.N. Rao / The Hindu

Telangana government plans to make it a centre of cage fish culture. There are around 14,000 members enrolled in as many as 184 fishermen cooperative societies in the district.

The Palair balancing reservoir, a major hub of freshwater fish and prawn culture in Kusumanchi mandal, is likely to turn into a centre of cage fish culture if the plans of the Telangana government to give a major thrust to fish culture in the new State are any indication.

Thanks to its abundant water resources, the district earned a niche for itself in fish and prawn production in the entire region.

According to sources, the fish production and fresh water prawn production in the district is estimated to be over 16,000 MT and 500 MT respectively.

There are around 14,000 members enrolled in as many as 184 fishermen cooperative societies in the district.

Apart from feeding the ayacut under the Nagarjunasagar left canal system, the Palair balancing reservoir is also catering to drinking water needs of Khammam town.

The reservoir is also serving as a sole source of livelihood for over 1,000 fishermen of Kusumanchi and its adjoining mandals.

A total of 15 members of the Palair based fishermen societies have been selected for an exposure visit to Jharkhand to study the cage fish culture.

The Fisheries Department has selected them for the tour to familiarise them with the cage fish culture method being followed by the local fishermen at Chandil reservoir in Jharkhand.

Minister for Fisheries Pocharam Srinivas Reddy and Minister for Finance E Rajender have recently visited the Chandil reservoir to study the feasibility of promoting the cage fish culture in Telangana.

A 15-member team of fishermen headed by a Fisheries Development Officer will tour Jharkhand for three-days from November 21 as part of an exposure visit to explore the possibilities of adopting the cage fish culture in the district, said V Srinivas, Assistant Director, Fisheries, Khammam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by P. Sridhar / Khammam – November 20th, 2014

Telangana Doc Elected President of AMASI

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Founder-president C Palanivela (left) presenting a badge to Dr Suresh Chandra, who has been elected president of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India, at a function held in Dubai.
Founder-president C Palanivela (left) presenting a badge to Dr Suresh Chandra, who has been elected president of the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India, at a function held in Dubai.

Hyderabad :

Eminent city-based doctor Dr Suresh Chandra Hari was elected president of The Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India at a special conference held in Dubai on Sunday.

Hari, who took over from Dr Palanivelu, will hold the office for a term of two years. He is the first Telangana surgeon to become national president of this prestigious association whose primary objective is to bring advanced laparoscopic surgical treatment all over India. Earlier. in 2007, he was elected secretary of AMASI which has 7,200 members.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 17th, 2014

KCR Announces Four Telangana State Icons

About Telangana, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

KCRiconsTELANGANA18nov2014

Hyderabad :

Chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao on Monday announced Telangana’s four new state icons. They are: the State Animal — ‘Jinka’ (Deer); the State Bird — ‘Palapitta’ (Indian Roller or Blue Jay); the State Flower — ‘Tangedu’ (Tanner’s Cassia); and, the State Tree — ‘Jammi Chettu’ (Prosopis Cineraria).

These icons reflect the culture and tradition of Telangana state and three of them — ‘Tangedu’ flowers, Blue Jay and ‘Jammi Chettu’ — are associated with the popular festivals of Batukamma and Dasara.

While ‘Tangedu’ flowers are used in Batukammas, spotting the Blue Jay on Dasara is considered a good omen and people worship ‘Jammi Chettu’ on that day.

As for the deer, it is present in almost all the districts of Telangana. Though there were numerous proposals from various people for being chosen as the state icons, the chief minister finally zeroed in on these four icons. However, he did not name the official fruit, song, dance and sport of the state

Every state needs to have its own icons, more so a new state like Telangana. While three of the Telangana icons are different from those of the AP, the state bird – ‘Palapitta’ – is common to both the states.

While the icons of the undivided AP were selected keeping Seemandhra in mind, Rao opted for four separate icons to represent Telangana culture and tradition. KCR, who announced his decision on the symbols at a meeting with the officials, explained thus:

‘Jinka’: “Deer is deeply associated with Indian history and a reference to this graceful animal was there in the great epic Ramayana. It can survive in the smallest forests also. It reflects the mindset of the people of Telangana as it is very sensitive and innocent”.

‘Palapitta’: “Lord Rama spotted the ‘Palapitta’ before invading Lanka and vanquished Ravana. ‘Palapitta’ has been chosen to put Telangana on the path of victory”.

‘Jammi Chettu’: “Pandavas had vanquished a large army of Kauravas only after performing worshipping the ‘Jammi Chettu’. They had hidden their weapons on a ‘Jammi Chettu’ when they had been forced into exile in the forests. Now, Telangana requires the blessings of the ‘Jammi Chettu’.

‘Tangedu’ Flower: ‘Tangedu’ flower which is used during the ‘Batukamma’ festival by women folk is the most appropriate choice as the state flower.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / November 18th, 2014

Telangana gets its first International Master

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
M. Chakravarthy Reddy of Telangana State won the Asian youth (under-18) open category chess title. / by Special Arrangement
M. Chakravarthy Reddy of Telangana State won the Asian youth (under-18) open category chess title. / by Special Arrangement

M. Chakravarthi Reddy wins Asian Youth Chess Championship U-18 open category title in Delhi

M. Chakravarthi Reddy is all set to become the first-ever, ‘original’ International Master from the newly-formed Telangana State after winning the Asian Youth Chess Championship under-18 open category title in Delhi.

It’s a highly remarkable achievement by the first year student of CBIT in ECE, considering the fact that the first ever IM from the then united Andhra Pradesh was Lanka Ravi way back in 1987 amongst the very few from this part of the country.

It was an event, which was clearly dominated by Indians who won three gold, five silver and two bronze besides, the overall championship.

A proud father, Venkat Reddy, who is an agriculturist hailing from Halia mandal near Nagarjunasagar in Nalgonda district, says that his son started playing chess from class 6 onwards.

Coached by Shiva Kumar and C.R.G. Krishna, this happens to be the first major win for Chakravarthy as his only other big achievements were gold, silver and bronze in the last three editions of the National School Games.

New rules
Because of the change in rules in awarding the IM title, the FIDE will now confer it to the continental champion directly unlike in the past when a player has to complete three IM norms despite winning these kind of events.

The new rule clearly states that on a title gained by achieving a certain place or result in a tournament — winning or achieving with a result of 50 per cent, the respective national federation in Chakravarthi’s case, AICF, will have to send the application and confirmation by the qualification commission, the title will be awarded automatically.

Mosadeghpur Masoud of Iran and Serikbay Chingiz of Kazakhstan settled for silver and bronze respectively in the U-18 Open category.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 16th, 2014

KCR hails Saina’s title win

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Badminton player Saina Nehwal. / PTI
Badminton player Saina Nehwal. / PTI

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has complimented ace shuttler Saina Nehwal on her winning the China Open Series women’s singles badminton title on Sunday.

In a statement, Mr. Rao said it was third title of the season for Ms. Saina, who is settled in Hyderabad, and second super series title. The sportspersons of Hyderabad are an inspiration to Telangana State which is trying to overcome all adversities to be in the forefront of progress, he said.

The success of women players in particular would inspire and infuse confidence among girls of Telangana in different walks of life, he hoped.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / Hyderabad – November 17th, 2014

Farming has a different meaning for him

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
K Srinivas with vegetables at his leased farm at Kavalmpet in Medak. Photo: Mohd. Arif / The Hindu
K Srinivas with vegetables at his leased farm at Kavalmpet in Medak. Photo: Mohd. Arif / The Hindu

Tenant farmer Katakam Srinivas, who is making profits in farming, treats crops like new born babies that have to be nurtured with love and care

For this tenant farmer, agriculture has a different meaning. “Plants are like new born babies and farmers have to nurture them with love and care,” says Katakam Srinivas, a farmer who had migrated from Kadiyam in East Godavari district to Medak in search of greener pastures about a decade ago.

Well, he seems to have found the greener pastures, as he has been successful in making profits out of farming, quite a rarity these days. But it didn’t happen in a day or a year. It took him over a decade of hard labour which finally has made him a happy farmer.

His day begins at 4.30 in the morning and ends late in the evening. And if it’s the harvesting season, the working hours stretches even further. At 10 in the morning, he is usually seen supervising the sale of vegetables like snake gourd and bottle gourd. And his two sons – Jeevan Phani Kumar and Ganapati – assist him and see to the finer aspects of growing vegetables.

Srinivas along with his sons Jeevan Phani Kumar and Ganapathi at his leased farm at Kavalmpet in Medak. Photo: Mohd. Arif / The Hindu
Srinivas along with his sons Jeevan Phani Kumar and Ganapathi at his leased farm at Kavalmpet in Medak. Photo: Mohd. Arif / The Hindu

Mr. Srinivas came to Medak in search of a job in a private factory, but failed to get one. After working as a daily labourer for some time, he approached some locals for help. As he had prior experience in cultivation, he was asked to take up farming and that changed his life for better. Now, he cultivates about 30 acres of land as a tenant farmer and has a dozen labourers to assist him. “I also have cattle to take care of. After supplying milk to the canteen of a local factory, I go to the farm,” says Mr. Srinivas. He is also into banana cultivation this year. “If the weather conditions are good, banana is one of the best crops that generate good revenue. We got saplings from East Godavari where banana crop is largely cultivated,” he says.

His belief that Mother Earth never deceives farmers only if they care for the crop they grow has yielded him good result. He suggests the other farmers to take up multi-cropping instead of a single one as it is profitable.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by R. Avadhani / Kavalampet (Medak Dist). / November 13th, 2014

TDF Atlanta chapter inaugurated

Business & Economy, Nri's / PIO's, World Opinion

The Telangana Development Forum has started its Atlanta chapter to make its activities more inclusive in order to contribute to the development of Telangana State.

Telangana Development Forum, vying for its fair share of visibility among the Telugus in the USA, is gaining momentum overseas what with the new executive, under Vishweshwar Kalavala’s leadership, giving wings to various city chapters in USA.

Bharath Naravetla, who was elected for the TDF USA Board of Trustees (BOTs) recently from Atlanta, took the initiative and made the first meeting of Telanganites a huge success in Atlanta.

The attendance of 70 people represented a balanced diversity of age groups, professions, and places they came from back home and was a good mix of local organisations ATA, NATA, TANA and others.

The TDF Atlanta Advisory Panel comprising Narender Reddy Ganta, T. Ramchander Reddy, Mohan Reddy KomatiReddy, Laxma Reddy Paripati, Rathnaker Elugunti, Sathyanarayan Reddy Thangirala, Dr. Sreenivas Gangasani, Srijan Joginpally, Kiran Pasham, Vivek Reddy Edula, Upender Kadire and Goutam Goli was also announced on the occasion.

The members present and the advisory panel provided their inputs for the development of Telangana and announced an action plan of TDF Atlanta to work in tandem with the local organizations to develop Telangana region and promote Telangana culture in USA, said the TDF Media Chair, Santosh Reddy Kakulavaram.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 14th, 2014

Sreeja gets a call for national duty

Sports
Akula Sreeja
Akula Sreeja

The 15-year-old will represent India at the prestigious Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championship in Shanghai later this month.

Gifted table tennis player Akula Sreeja, a product of the Global Table Tennis Academy here, has been named to represent India in the prestigious Wisdom 2014 World Junior Championship, which will be held in Shanghai from November 30 to December 7.

The 15-year-old champion youngster happens to be the sole representative from Telangana to be selected for the event, which is said to be the third-biggest after Olympics and the World Championship. Sreeja’s parents A. Praveenand A. Sai Sudha were delighted at the news and hoped their daughter would continue to surprise many.

Coached by Somnath Gosh, Sreeja’s selection got a boost when she recently won the National Ranking (East Zone) Table Tennis Championships in Durgapur. Other girls in the Indian team include Ayhika Mukharjee (West Bengal), Shruti Vijay Amrute (Maharashtra) and Riti Shankar (New Delhi).

“Playing on any big stage gives players like me a very good exposure,” said Sreeja.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – November 12th, 2014