Category Archives: Leaders

Putting Vizag on the global map

Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
V.Vijay Kumar Raju
V.Vijay Kumar Raju

Our focus will be on curbing diabetes, says Lions Club Director

For the first time in the history of Lions Clubs, a city-based person has been elected as the international director to head its global vision and projects. V. Vijay Kumar Raju has catapulted Visakhapatnam to the international map after he was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 99 th International Convention held in Fukuoka, Japan, recently.

An active member of the Visakhapatnam Samarasya Lions Club of District 316 A since 1996, he has held many offices within the association. Mr. Raju is the first from coastal AP and second from the State to be a part of the Board of Lions Clubs International. He has also served the Indian Air Force and is presently running nine educational institutions and three private firms. Mr. Raju, who will be in-charge of the LCI’s operations, finance and audit committee, will oversee the organisation’s activities and projects in 64 countries.

During his visit to the city, he explained to The Hindu about the organisation’s mission and future projects during the centennial celebrations of service of Lions Club International.

Our mission

“From a global perspective, our focus will be on curbing diabetes. India will be one of the major areas of work for LCI in this aspect. Our mission is to also address areas like cancer, environment, vision and relieving hunger through sustained activities, projects and expansion works,” said Mr. Raju, also a recipient of the Gallantry Award from the President of India. Talking about the organisation’s projects in the region, Mr. Raju said a dialysis centre was coming up on the outskirts of Vijayawada at a cost of Rs. 7 crore. This apart, the organisation is also looking for a land in Visakhapatnam to set up a dialysis centre for which it has approached VUDA. Similar centres will come up in Srikakulam and West Godavari districts, he said. “We are also upgrading the Lions Cancer Hospital at Seethammadhara with an additional outlay of Rs. 20 crore to include state-of-art equipment and amenities,” Mr. Raju added.

Among its other major projects, a comprehensive eye care hospital is coming up at Salur, which will cater to the neighbouring States of Chhattisgarh and Odisha as well. “The project is being developed at the cost of Rs 1.5 crore and the Outpatient Department will be operational in a month’s time. We intend to make it a state-of-the-art facility along the lines of Shankar Netralaya in Chennai,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – July 07th, 2016

Alluri Jayanthi celebrated as state fest for the first time

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Visakhapatnam:

The 119th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju, the martyred nationalist and freedom fighter who had waged a guerrilla war against the British in Visakha Agency, was celebrated in a grand manner here on Monday. A number of district administration officials and state ministers as well as Union civil aviation minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju took part in the celebrations across the district. The main celebrations were held at Pandrangi village near Visakhapatnam, where the freedom fighter was born.

During a public meet in Pandrangi, the Union minister observed that Sitarama Raju had fought the British till his last breath. Later, local school children performed a ballet portraying the life and struggle of the freedom fighter. The state ministers and district officials also visited the house where Sitarama Raju was born.

Meanwhile, state information and public relations minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy along with Vizag MP K Hari Babu, zilla parishad chairperson Lalam Bhavani and all the district officials paid tributes to the great revolutionary and observed that it was one of the most glorious struggles for India’s freedom.

However, members of the Alluri Walkers Association led by M Suresh Babu and Ommi Appa Rao accused the state government of denying livelihood to tribal people and other weaker sections of society and said it was not appropriate for them to celebrate the birth anniversary of a freedom fighter, who had laid down his life fighting for the rights of the weaker sections of society.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / July 05th, 2015

Historic building at Tanuku on the brink

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
Symbol of neglect:A view of the building that was constructed by Yerramilli Ramanatham. —Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar
Symbol of neglect:A view of the building that was constructed by Yerramilli Ramanatham. —Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar

Greats such as Gandhi and Kanchi Paramacharya had stayed there for a while

Sri Yerramilli Ramanatham building, which had virtually become a second home for freedom fighters during the struggle for independence, is on the verge of collapse. The building has become an outlet for drainage water of an adjacent building housing a bank. With people relieving themselves, it presents a revolting sight.

Yerrammili Ramanatham, a follower of the Mahatma, had constructed the building with the intention of providing free meal to freedom fighters. When Gandhiji visited Tanuku on April 27, 1929, during a campaign to boycott foreign clothes and wear khadi ones only, Ramanatham urged him to stay in the building to which the latter readily agreed. During his visit, Gandhiji formally launched the common meal initiative. “The Mahatma again visited the building on December 26, 1933, and asked us to launch the Harijan movement,” said Konda Venkatappaiah, also a freedom fighter, in one of his books. Ramanatham, who was given the title of “karmayogi,” got an opportunity to provide accommodation to the Kanchi Paramacharya in 1938. The seer stayed for three days in the building with his entire “parivaram” and other paraphernalia, a devotee said.

Freedom fighters from the Godavari districts and north Andhra, including Konda Venkatappaiah, Mangipudi Purushothama Sarma, Mudiganti Jagganna Sastry, Bandha Viyyanna, and Sanivarapu Subbarao, would regularly meet in the building and discuss strategies.

But unfortunately, after the country gained Independence, the sacrifices made by Ramanatham and his family were forgotten.

“Ramanatham’s son Narasimha Rao, a Sarvodaya worker, was asked to write a book on Alluri Seetharama Raju’s life and his wife Parameswari also undertook some research,” said Vadrevu Sundarrao, a lecturer at the SCIM Government Degree College here.

He said it was unfortunate that successive governments had neglected such a great building.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / B.V.S. Bhaskar / Tanaku (West Godavari) – June 24th, 2016

This Telugu man wants to make madison as no.1 small city in America

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

HanuANDHRA31may2016

Hyderabad  :

From Karlapalem to Madison, his journey as a leader is awe inspiring. Whether it is at college or job or business or now in American leadership, Hanu has always been in the forefront and proved that integrity and honesty pay off. As Hanu Karlapalem gets busy with his work for the upcoming polls, he gets talking.

“Madison, Alabama is my home. I have been living here for more than 16 years, the longest I ever lived in any city. This city gave me so much. Now it is my turn to give back”, says Hanu who clarifies his intentions to not politicise his leadership.

“I am not a politician, but I am a visionary and a leader.  I do not want any political affiliations for now.  So, my choice is to be the CEO of the city and work towards its betterment. Thus, I decided to run for the office of Mayor and serve the people of Madison, Alabama to create positive long term sustainable results”, says Hanu, who hails from a Karlapalem, Guntur district.

“Karlapalem is my last name too. We are six siblings and our parents made sure we had quality education. My father was well respected as a principal, mathematics teacher, farmer and investor”, he adds.

Hanu is a graduate of Delhi College of Engineering and pursued MS in University of Alabama, Hunstville. After his graduation and before moving to the USA, Hanu established a business in air ionisation and air purification systems, industrial and commercial lighting and oil reclamation in Hyderabad during early 90s. “I lived in Hyderabad until I moved to the USA. I had branches of my business in Visakhapatnam too. But I had to wind up everything as my wife and I decided to move to the USA”.

“Even before I moved to the US, one of my dreams was to study at a university in the US and receive a Master’s degree. I can happily say that I achieved that dream through my wife, Vidya’s support.

“We have been married for 21 years. We have no children, but we devote as much time as possible in supporting many causes that help under-privileged children. She works for a global company and is my pillar in this journey”.

Currently he is busy with informal personal meetings. “We attend Yard sales, events and interact with the public and tell them about my campaigns. People have started recognising me and often tell me that they see my signboards. We also have social media activities where we interact with the citizens. I have campaign staff who work for me,” he adds.

When asked about his motivation to become a leader, “In my fifth grade, I stood first in my class. My father appreciated me. But he said something that still motivates me. He told me that, I am a topper in just Karlapalem. Once, I step out of this village, I will see more competition and more responsibility. Winning outside is also essential. These words still remind me the high standards that my father set for my life,” he reminisces.

About his political journey, Hanu agrees that it is not easy for an Indian American to run for office and be at the forefront of the US politics. “I must say, I have been getting a lot of support and encouragement from people of Madison. That is my driving force”, he adds.

Hanu’s vision for Madison is to become the ‘Number one Small City in America’ that boasts vibrant economy, fosters small businesses and innovation, creates business and job opportunities, and provides high quality education. “My plan is to provide VALUE (Vision, Accountability, Leadership, Unity, and Ethics) and put the city on the path to become number one Small City in America. I am proposing Start Up Madison (SUM),  transparency portal with open data policy for open government, Vision Board, Veterans Support Board etc,” shares Hanu.

“More than me, I think Vidya is sacrificing a lot to support me in the election process. I have to sacrifice my business income, but if I am elected I will receive salary as the Mayor who is considered as a full time CEO of the city,” he adds. Hanu is confident that if he is elected, he will be a proactive, communicative, innovative and inclusive Mayor that people will appreciate.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Swathi Sririam / May 31st, 2016

Rich tributes paid to Sir Arthur Cotton

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Science & Technology, World Opinion
IN REMEMBRANCE: Lieutenant Murthy Jasti of River Bay Resorts performing Abhishekam to the statue of Sir Arthur Cotton on the occasion of his birth anniversary in Rajahmundry on Friday.
IN REMEMBRANCE: Lieutenant Murthy Jasti of River Bay Resorts performing Abhishekam to the statue of Sir Arthur Cotton on the occasion of his birth anniversary in Rajahmundry on Friday.

Felicitations to former chief engineer and others mark his 206th birth anniversary

His contributions to the irrigation recalled

Documentary on Sir Arthur Cotton sought

Kakinada:

Rich tributes were paid to Sir Arthur Cotton at JNTU-Kakinada on Friday on the occasion of his 206th birth anniversary by Vice-Chancellor Allam Appa Rao and retired engineers of the Irrigation Department. Prof. Rao also felicitated former chief engineer (irrigation) A. Rameswara Rao and others who made valuable contributions to the irrigation engineering.

Relentless efforts

Addressing the gathering, Prof. Rao said India would not have witnessed the green revolution but for the relentless efforts of Sir Arthur Cotton to realise the full potential of the arable lands by building a network of canals and drains in major river basins. Unfortunately, Sir Arthur Cotton was identified with only the Godavari canal system and Dowleswaram barrage whereas he had played an instrumental role in the construction of the Ganges canal.

He had also envisaged the Gannavaram aqueduct and several other projects that helped farmers increase productivity by leaps and bounds.

Sir Arthur Cotton was basically a military man who had the penchant for engineering which eventually led him to design and execute some of the world’s best irrigation schemes in India. However, he did not get the due recognition in spite of his great accomplishments though his memories were relived every year on his birth and death days.

Prof. Rao suggested to the Civil Engineering Department to make out a documentary on Sir Arthur Cotton and make it an integral part of the irrigation engineering course planned to be offered in the varsity.

The innovative concepts of Sir Cotton have to be studied in detail and scrupulously followed upon to find new ways of augmenting the potential of India’s irrigation systems.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / May 16th, 2016

‘Telemedicine facility ready’

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Telemedicine facility is ready with Apollo Hospitals which is ready to put it in operation once the State Government sanctions it permission to construct a hospital in the Vijayawada-Amaravati area, said chairman of Apollo Hospitals Prathap C. Reddy.

“With Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu all set to provide bandwidth to homes, telemedicine connectivity is possible and people can be in constant touch with medical experts. We are ready and waiting for the nod from [the] Government on the site for hospital,” Dr. Reddy told The Hindu on Friday. The plan is to establish a 300-bed super speciality hospital with an investment of around Rs. 200 crore.

Apollo Hospitals have made the best use of IT and is the first to introduce telemedicine in the world, in 2003. Its hospitals are connected to 200 TV stations in 35 countries.

On the Government’s plan to engage specialists of corporate hospitals to perform surgeries at its hospitals on payment, Dr. Reddy said the specialists and hospitals were ready but the doctors would like the Government hospitals to follow the process and protocol of surgeries and treatment.

He said more cancer hospitals were needed as the disease was spreading. Holistic treatment is also needed since a cancer patient will be having other health problems. While 2000 high end radiation machines are needed in the country, only 200 are available, he noted. Seven out of the 60 hospitals of Apollo are having true beam cancer treatment equipment and nine more would be provided the equipment in two years. The Chennai hospital has Asia’s first Proton equipment, which costs Rs. 350 crore.

He has adopted 115 villages in his native mandal in Chittoor district and is taking care of health of their 69,000 inhabitants in all respects, Dr. Reddy said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / G. Narasimha Rao / Visakhapatnam – April 30th, 2016

Raghavendra gets a slot in athletics federation

Leaders, Sports
Akula Raghavendra
Akula Raghavendra

It was red letter in the history of Andhra Pradesh Athletic Association (APAA) as its general secretary Akula Raghavendra was elected as executive member of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) in the general elections held in New Delhi on Friday.

Mr. Raghavendra, the youngest member of the executive body, impressed the country’s athletic fraternity by hosting 2014 Junior National athletics championships in a befitting manner at Vijayawada, and later played a crucial role in Indian contingent performance at the recently-held Asian Indoor athletic meet at Doha as team Manager.

“His election to AFI will help Andhra Pradesh getting Indian camps and international athletics meets. Good days are ahead of us,” felt senior SAI athletic coach Vinayak Prasad.

APAA administrators Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Nageswara Rao, Krishna District Athletic Association administrators Ramesh Jain, N. N. Rao, District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna and others congratulated him.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – April 16th, 2016

Nori’s statue to be unveiled today

Education, Leaders, Science & Technology

The Forum For Better Bapatla is instal the statue of Padmabhushan Nori Gopalakrishnamurthy, a famous hydroelectric engineer, in Bapatla as a token of gratitude for him for bringing name and fame to the town. The statue will be unveiled at Patelnagar on Saturday by former dean, Acharya Nagarjuna Universuty, S.R Parimi. His son Kesav Nori and other guests will attend the function.

Born in Bapatla on February 16, 1910, Nori studied in Bapatla Board School and secured first rank in SSLC examination in 1924. Later he joined Guindy College of Engineering,Madras from where he graduated in Civil Engineering in 1930. In 1931, he joined the prestigious Indian Service of Engineers.

Starting his career as assistant engineer in Solapur district, Maharashtra, he worked in various capacities as Chairman, Bhakra Nangal Management Board, Managing Director of Water and Power Consultancy Organisation, Chairman, Bombay Metropolitan Region Development Authority.

He was president of Central Board of Irrigation and Power during 1967-68 and authored number of technical papers which won him awards.

Mr. Gopalakrishnamurthy is instrumental in setting up Koyna Hydoelectric Project in Maharashtra and served as chairman of Bhakra Nangal Project. He received Padmasri in 1963 and Padmabhushan in 1972 from Government of India.

During second world war, he designed and constructed aerodromes at Pune and Belgaum as well as Noval Engineering Centre at Lonovala.

He served as chairman of Indo-Bangladesh Joint River Commission and Vice-Chairman of International Congress of Large Dams.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Bapatla – April 02nd, 2016

P. Susheela enters Guinness World Records

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
Veteran playback singer P. Susheela. File photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu
Veteran playback singer P. Susheela. File photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu

‘The queen of melodies’ has been officially credited by Guinness Book of Records for singing 17, 695 songs in 12 Indian languages.

Renowned playback singer P. Susheela Mohan, who has won many awards and earned accolades in a career spanning five decades, has added two more to her awards cabinet.

She has now been recognised by both the Guinness Book of World Records and Asia Book of Records for singing most number of songs in Indian languages. The usually reticent singer met journalists in Chennai on Tuesday to celebrate her new award.

While Guinness Book of Records has officially credited her for singing 17, 695 songs (solo, duet and chorus backed songs) in twelve Indian languages, Asia Book of Records has recognised her for singing close to 17, 330 songs.

Speaking about the awards, P. Susheela reminded everyone present that the adjudicators had only considered songs she had song from 1960s. “Please remember that I started singing from 1951,” she said.

None of this would have been possible without the work of her fans, who, by setting up psusheela.org, painstakingly catalogued the songs that she has sung over the last few decades and sent it to the adjudicators of the award.

Reflecting on the recognition, the singer said that she views it as an acknowledgement of her hard work. “There is a lot of hard work that has gone behind this achievement. Today, with so many television channels and newspapers, a talented singer can shine through quickly. But when I was singing, it was very slow and I had work my way up , step by step,” she said.

Crediting her husband for her success, she said that her husband, a doctor, was a corner stone in her life. “He fell in love with my voice and sacrificed his life so that I have a great career in playback singing,” she said.

She was candid in her response when asked why she had never considered a career in acting. “I was offered a chance to act by several directors, but I refused saying that I wouldn’t want to act even if I was paid a crore,” she said, adding, “My heart was in music.”

When asked why she is not singing anymore, the singer said that she would love to sing in movies if someone offered a good song. When she was nudged by journalists to sing her favourite song, she ended the press conference by singing Ennai pada sonnal, enna paada thondrum from Pudhiya Paravai, a hit song of 1964.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment / by Udhav Naig / Chennai – March 29th, 2016

Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Visakhapatnam:

Pusapati Ananda gajapathi Raju, the eldest son of the last Rajah of Vizianagaram, PVG Raju, and hereditary trustee of 108 temples, including the Simhachalam Devasthanam and the MANSAS Trust, Pusapati Ananda Gajapathi Raju (65) died of respiratory problems at a hospital here on Saturday. The head of the royal Pusapati clan, Ananda Gajapathi Raju also served as former state health and education minister and was also elected twice to the Lok Sabha from Vizianagaram constituency.

An MA in economics from Columbia University, Ananda also worked as an journalist with a leading national daily from the south. He is the elder brother of Union civil aviation minister P Ashok Gajapathi Raju. He is survived by his wife and two daughters. His body was taken to Bungalow-7 in Vizianagaram soon after he passed away and the last rites were performed at the cremation grounds in Vizianagaram at 4.30 pm by Ashok Gajapathi Raju.

An avid reader and collector of books, Ananda Gajapathi Raju was considered one of the shining stars in AP politics. However, he invested all his efforts into turning MANSAS into a motivated and well-organised institution.

“His presence will be sorely missed by us all. He was a visionary who turned MANSAS into a proactive organisation and somebody who believed in selfless service,” said one of the members of his extended family.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / March 27th, 2016