Desai Handing over certificates to IIT Hyderabad’s students at their third convocation ceremony at Kandi in Medak. / The Hindu
Polio-afflicted Kiran Kumar not only gets his B.Tech from IIT-H but also lands a lucrative job with global software giant Microsoft
He was not even a gold medalist, but the spotlight was clearly on 23-year-old Kiran Kumar, when he was handed over his degree out of the 200-plus students who received them on Friday at the Indian Institute of Technology – Hyderabad (IIT-H).
He is an example of how physical disability is not a hindrance to fulfil dreams. And Kiran’s hard work has pulled-off, for the B.Tech graduate in computer science, was hired by software giant Microsoft a month ago.
“Teachers and my friends were very helpful, and the director of the institution was also very supportive,” beamed Kiran, who hails from Srikakulam district in AP. Having completed his intermediate in the International Institute of Technology, Nuzvid, this son of a bus conductor bagged a scholarship in IIT-H, which lessened the financial burden for him, as he had taken a loan to pursue his education.
“I have two sisters who are 17 and 21. So, now I am also supporting my family, apart from paying back the bank loan I took for my studies,” he said. Kiran also thanked U. B. Desai, Director, IIT-H, and his professors for being accommodative during his course. “My classes were shifted to the ground floor, and my hostel room was also on the same level. Not only that, my teachers would let me finish my work on the laptop, and would check it there itself,” explained the youngster, who suffers from polio, and requires a wheelchair to move around. But his disability is anything but a hindrance, as he said that he was able to enjoy every part of his four years at IIT-H.
“Whenever my friends went out, they would take me around, ensuring that I never skipped any enjoyment. Plus, I had an uncle who stayed with me, to take care of me,” he said, enjoying the limelight.
source: http;//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Yunus Y. Lasania / Hyderabad – August 10th, 2014
Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Telangana State president M Sarita Reddy (left) and other members at a press conference in Hyderabad on Saturday. | NEERAJ MURALI
Hyderabad :
It is only 67 days since the new state of Telangana has been formed. With every other field in the state rapidly working towards development, an all-women organisation called ‘Association of Lady Entrepreneurs of Telangana State (ALETS)’, was launched on Saturday by a group of successful entrepreneurs in the state to empower women.
Some of the main objectives of the organisation are to educate women to come forward and become entrepreneurs in various fields, improve socio-economic aspects of women in urban and rural areas.
“Women, especially those in rural areas, are very industrious and have a lot of ideas. We will go and give them guidance in business planning, capacity building, marketing awareness through linkages,” said M Sarita Reddy, founder-president of ALETS.
“When we use the word start-up, the first thing that comes to mind is money. However, we feel counselling is more important,” she said. Apart from helping women establish their own start-ups, the association also assists them in conducting various exhibitions to showcase their talents.
Sarita remarked, “We will also establish different incubation centres for women entrepreneurs in the future. Formation of Telangana is a sixty year old dream. Women are the foundation of developing State. Hence, there is a need for a common platform to empower women in the state.”
“While many students are graduating from engineering and other degree colleges these days, it is impossible for all of them to get jobs. Therefore, entrepreneurship is one of the most affordable options for the pass-outs who have great ideas in mind,” she opined.
“It is indeed a matter of pride that Telangana women have taken the initiative in entrepreneurship,” said K Sudhir Reddy, president of Telangana Industrialists Welfare Association.
“There are hardly any women entrepreneurs in the state today. If one has to go with the numbers, the total percentage of women entrepreneurs in the state today is a mere three,” Sudhir Reddy said.
“For a country to develop, women are more important. I believe they have better understanding skills and work towards development of the state,” he added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / August 10th, 2014
(From left) India’s Commonwealth Games 2014 badminton medallists Ashwini Ponnappa & Jwala Gutta (silver), Parupalli Kashyap (gold), RMV Gurusaidutt (bronze) and PV Sindhu (bronze) in Glasgow on Sunday | pti
Hyderabad :
The colour made the difference. Otherwise, the medals tally was the same. In the 2010 Delhi Games, India had won four medals. So too in Glasgow.
It was two gold, one silver and one bronze in Delhi. However, Indian shuttlers could bag only one gold, one silver and two bronze medals this time.
However, there will be ifs and buts on India’s show. Surely, the last-minute withdrawal of Saina Nehwal cost India a gold medal. But there were hopes that if Saina was not there, then young world championship bronze medallist PV Sindhu had the chance to retain the gold for the country instead.
But Sindhu fell to Canadian Michelle Li in the semifinals to finally end up with a bronze medal in her maiden venture. However, Parupalli Kashyap’s long wait for a championship medal was finally over. “I feel very happy for this Hyderabadi boy. He has a good game but somehow falters at crucial times. But this time there was no stopping him. He deserves the gold,” said former international Sanjay Sharma, adding, “it was not his fault if Lee Chong Wei (World No 1) pulled out like Saina.”
But Sharma was not happy with the overall performance, particularly with India failing to win a medal in the team event. “It was the biggest disappointment. We don’t have depth in doubles unlike in the singles where there is some bench strength. If India has done well in the team events in the recent past, it is surely because of Jwala Gutta, who has been a force to reckon with in the doubles for India. She has done yeomen service as far as doubles is concerned for India. But then we can’t depend too much on her every time,” he said.
Former national coach Vimal Kumar, too, agreed that doubles is surely going to be the Achilles’ heel in any team event. “The singles in the recent past was not an issue but it is the doubles that is the biggest problem for India. Jwala and Ashwini (Ponnappa) have won laurels in women’s doubles but where are the men’s and mixed doubles combinations. It hurt India and will continue to do so in future tournaments. India has to do a lot of catching up to improve their doubles combination. I think the Badminton Association of India (BAI) has to give more emphasis to doubles by grooming young talent for future tournaments,” he opined.
Sharma said if India have to think of any team medal, then BAI should make concerted efforts to groom a strong doubles combination. “When we could not win any medal in CWG, which has more of a depleted field, then India stand no chance in Asian Games and other big events. It should start planning in the right earnest for the 2016 Rio Olympics,” he added.
The former doubles specialist said the CWG gold could propel Kashyap to greater heights. “It is a huge boost to Kashyap’s confidence. We could see a pumped up Kashyap in World Championships and Asian Games where the field is much stronger.”
Vimal feels that Kashyap is always a better player in individual events. “In team events, he is under some sort of pressure. But in individual events he plays more freely. He was impressive in the individual event and I liked the way he handled the pressure, specially in the semifinals and final.
“Remember, in terms of standard of the game, CWG is not of high quality as there are no Chinese, Indonesians, Danes or Japanese players. But this win came at the right time. He will have a much tougher time at the Worlds and Asian Games,” said the former chief national coach.
Sindhu, according to Sharma and Vimal, faltered. “It is a good learning experience for Sindhu. But I thought she had a good chance to win a gold medal but then she failed to capitalize on the golden opportunity,’’ said Sharma, who is now a TV commentator on the game.
Vimal felt Sindhu has to improve her defence. “I think it is time she should depend on instructions. She should make the match analysis by herself and improve on her defence. She need to have more variations in her game,” said the present Prakash Padokone Badminton Academy coach.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport / by N. Jagannath Das / August 05th, 2014
File Photo of Yendala Soundarya, international hockey player. Photo: K.V. Ramana / The Hindu
“Can anyone help me please?” This exasperated appeal from international hockey player Yendala Soundarya might well sum up how the less privileged and those not good at projecting themselves suffer for want of help from the powers-that-be.
The 25-year-old hockey player, silver medallist in the 2009 Senior Asia Cup, is the only international women’s hockey player now from Telangana, hailing from Nizamabad. She also won a silver in the Asian championship, representing India in the Women’s World Cup.
Her fervent appeal came on a day when Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced a cash incentive of Rs. 50 lakh for the World women’s junior boxing champion, Nikhat Zareen, also from Nizamabad. Apparently, he was not briefed about this outstanding hockey player!
The failure of Soundarya’s parents, who happen to be daily wage earners, to project their daughter’s achievements, is proving costly.
“Please tell me how I can get some help from the government. It has been a struggle right through and it really hurts that no one is there to take up my cause,” said Soundarya from the national camp in an exclusive chat with The Hindu.
Soundarya, gold medallist in the 2008 Japan international tournament (under-18), is not bothered as to what others got. “I am more concerned about myself. Will I get any incentive at all is the big question,” says the star forward, who is preparing for next month’s Asian Games.
“It makes me wonder as to why I pursued the sport when there is no system in place to get due recognition,” she complains. When contacted, a senior sports authority official, wishing to remain anonymous, said the gaffe was the result of the lack of a clear-cut sports policy especially with regard to cash incentives.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 08th, 2014
Picture used for representational purpose. (Photo: PTI/File)
Hyderabad:
IIT-Hyderabad will be encouraging its graduates to take up entrepreneurship and will also be helping them establish companies.
IIT-Hyderabad has jointly set up five incubators in IT, manufacturing and various other sectors and these incubators will focus on startups.
On Friday, IIT-Hyderabad celebrated its third annual convocation. A total of 266 students passed out. R. Seshasayee, executive vice-chairman of Ashok Leyland, was the chief guest.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Education / Manoj. C / August 09th, 2014
Athletes from Telangana R. M. V. Guru Sai Dutt, Gagan Narang, Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap, Gutta Jwala, P. V. Sindhu and India’s chief national badminton coach Pullela Gopi Chand meet Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhara Rao at Secretariat in Hyderabad on Wednesday. Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao announced cash incentives of Rs. 50 lakh each for the gold medallists, Rs. 25 lakh each for silver medallists and Rs. 15 lakh for bronze medallists in the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Badminton coaches Pullela Gopichand and S.M. Arif will also get Rs. 50 lakh each for their contribution to the success story. It was a pleasant surprise for all the CWG medallists when they met the Chief Minister at his chambers in the Secretariat on Wednesday.
Sports City
The Chief Minister also told the delegates that the government would develop an excellent Sports City around Hyderabad shortly. “Design and development of the Sports City should be planned by using the local Telangana talent. The facility will also host national and international events once in two months,” he said.
Mr. Rao accepted a suggestion to allot the existing sports infrastructure to talented sportspersons to develop academies. He promised to give a new direction to sports by ensuring that all deserving players get the desired support on all fronts. “We will take every step to make Hyderabad the final destination for sports,” he said.
CWG gold medallist Parupally Kashyap, silver medallist Jwala Gutta, bronze medallists P.V. Sindhu, R.M.V. Guru Sai Dutt (all from badminton), Gagan Narang (silver & bronze in shooting), gymnast Aruna Reddy (no medal) were among those present along with India’s chief national coach Pullela Gopichand and champion Saina Nehwal.
Later, Gutta Jwala said that the Chief Minister was very positive during his interaction and promised to extend all support to the sports fraternity. She also welcomed the appointment of tennis star Sania Mirza as brand ambassador of Telangana.
“I see nothing wrong in this. I am really proud that a woman sportsperson from Hyderabad has been chosen as one,” she said. Jwala Gutta was also game to meet A.P. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and would not say ‘no’ if offered the brand ambassador role.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – August 06th, 2014
A decade after a strong pitch was made to shift the Nizam’s jewels worth millions of dollars to Hyderabad, they are still in the custody of the National Museum, Delhi and safe in the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India.
Hyderabad :
A decade after a strong pitch was made to shift the Nizam’s jewels worth millions of dollars to Hyderabad, they are still in the custody of the National Museum, Delhi and safe in the vaults of the Reserve Bank of India.
From 12 April to 27 July 2014, some of the jewels were displayed for the first time outside the country at the State Museum of Moscow, Kremlin.
For permanent display of the jewellery in Hyderabad, the state government even offered to look at different places in the city for a decision to be taken on where the permanent museum could be located. One was a building at the public gardens, another place that was considered was said to be on Road no. 3, Banjara Hills which was, however, ruled out due to security considerations, and another proposal was to buy land behind the museum where a building could be constructed for the permanent display of the jewels.
One location that was felt appropriate was the Dewan Devdi, where the Quli Qutub Shah Urban Development Authority (QQSUDA) office is located. Sources said there was, however, one hitch. The state government wanted the centre to pay for the land and premises. The union ministry of culture outrightly dismissed the idea. Since then, the proposal, which was at least being considered, has been in a limbo.
Some of the Nizam’s jewels were displayed for the first time outside the country last month in the State Museum of Moscow, Kremlin. The centre had acquired the famed jewellery in 1995 after a protracted legal battle with the heirs of the Nizams. For the first time, the dazzling jewellery was displayed at the National Museum in 2001. The 173 set collection comprising 348 pieces was brought to Hyderabad and displayed at the Salar Jung Museum the same year. Subsequently, for the second time, the exhibition was organized from December 31, 2005 to October 2006. This exhibition was followed by another exhibition at the National Museum, Delhi.
In 1991, the entire jewellery was valued at $ 162 million by Sotheby’s. The jewellery included the third largest diamond in the world — the Jacob diamond.
When contacted, Salar Jung Museum director A Nagendar Reddy said the state government would have to take the initiative to bring the jewels to Hyderabad and talk to the centre about it. “Even if we had to organize an exhibition like we did two times in the past, it may not be possible at the Salar Jung Musem. The Eastern block where the jewellery exhibition was conducted now has many galleries where several artefacts are on display,” he said.
Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao who is showing interest in organizing the Independence Day celebrations at the centuries old Golconda fort may also have to think of bringing the Nizams jewels back to Hyderabad for permanent display.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / August 06th, 2014
Hyderabad-based biopharmaceutical company Suven Life Sciences Ltd on Wednesday said it has secured one patent each from Australia and Eurasia for its new chemical entities (NCEs). The NCEs will be used in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and these patents are valid through 2030 and 2029.
“The granted claims of the patents include the class of selective 5-HT compounds discovered by Suven that are being developed as therapeutic agents and are useful in the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Attention deficient hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), Huntington’s disease, Parkinson and Schizophrenia,” the company informed the bourses.
Commenting on the development, Suven chief executive officer Venkat Jasti, said, “We are very pleased by the grant of these patents to Suven for our pipeline of molecules in CNS arena that are being developed for cognitive disorders with high unmet medical need with huge market potential globally.”
With these new patents, Suven has a total of 18 granted patents from Australia and 12 product patents from Eurasia. “These granted patents are exclusive intellectual property of Suven and are achieved through the internal discovery research efforts. Products out of these inventions may be out-licensed at various phases of clinical development like at phase-I or phase-II,” the company statement said.
The company has twelve internally-discovered therapeutic drug candidates currently in pre-clinical stage of development targeting conditions such as ADHD, dementia, depression, Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and obesity.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / Swati Rathor, TNN / August 06th, 2014
A one-year-old child, born with only one eye, was implanted with an artificial eyeball in the second eye socket. This procedure made L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital the first in the country to implant an “Inflatable Orbital Tissue Expander.”
The implant allows the proper growth of skull bones around the eyeball and keeps the face from becoming distorted. Most of the children born with only one eye have asymmetrical facial bone growth.
This child was lucky as the mother was insistent and despite resistance from the family opted for the implant. This technology has been developed recently and 13 children in the US have got this implant.
Dr Tarjani Dave, consultant at L.V. Prasad Eye Hospital, said, “It’s an inflated silicon implant, which is filled with saline and as the child grows, the saline needs to refilled from time to time. So far, the reports from the US have been positive.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / August 06th, 2014
Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao inspects the Golconda Fort on Monday along with other officials. (Photo: DECCAN CHRONICLE)
Hyderabad:
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao will unfurl the national flag in the historic 15th century Golconda fort on Independence Day.
“I received tremendous response from people across Telangana, India and abroad over the proposal to have Independence Day celebrations at Golconda Fort. Henceforth Golconda, one of the icons of Telangana, will be the permanent venue for Independence day celebrations,” the Chief Minister told this newspaper on Monday. Mr Rao also plans to hold national celebrations at landmark places like forts in Telangana next year.
If he has his way, the Republic Day celebrations on January 26, 2015, may also be held in the Golconda Fort instead of the Parade Grounds in Secunderabad.
Mr Rao was inspired by the unfurling of the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi on Independence Day. “Selection of Golconda Fort is symbolic, a remembering of the past. It’s a re-glorification of TS. We have to showcase our priceless treasures like Golconda and other historical places in Telangana,” he said.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / C. R. Gowri Shanker / August 05th, 2014
