Category Archives: World Opinion

Timeless Tupolev: Soviet-era naval aircraft

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The Soviet-era naval aircraft is not just a museum piece, but remains a stellar example of a sturdy flying machine

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The TU 142 Aircraft Museum in Visakhapatnam narrates a tale of resilience, keeping the accolades earned by the Soviet-era flying machine fresh in memory. The long-range maritime patrol aircraft served the Navy for 29 years with a rare feat of 30,000 hours of accident-free flying at a time when the MiG-21s were earning the dubious distinction of flying coffins. Once the world’s heaviest and fastest flying turboprop aircraft, the Tupolev was part of major naval exercises and operations since its induction into the force in 1988.

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President Ram Nath Kovind opened the walk-through museum opposite the Kursura Submarine Museum — the irony that TU 142 once specialised in helping detect and destroy submarines is not lost on the naval personnel — on Beach Road in the city on December 7, 2017. It was thrown open to the public on December 28 that year.

Visakhapatnam , Andhra Pradesh : 16/09/2017: The Indian Navy's long range maritime patrol aircraft TU 142M getting finishing touches opposite to the Kursura Submarine museum on the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on September 16, 2017. The anti-submarine warfare plane is being converted into a museum at a cost of Rs 10 crore and will be thrown open to the public on World Tourism Day on September 27. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Visakhapatnam , Andhra Pradesh : 16/09/2017: The Indian Navy’s long range maritime patrol aircraft TU 142M getting finishing touches opposite to the Kursura Submarine museum on the Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on September 16, 2017. The anti-submarine warfare plane is being converted into a museum at a cost of Rs 10 crore and will be thrown open to the public on World Tourism Day on September 27. Photo: K.R. Deepak

The making of the museum was a year-long process. The decommissioned aircraft was flown in from INS Rajali, the naval air station in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu. After landing at the INS Dega airport, the aircraft was dismantled and its parts were transported by road on trailers and reassembled. A fibreglass wall was installed on the beach side to withstand windspeeds of up to 250 km. An audiovisual experience through an L-shaped tunnel takes the visitors to the aerobridge leading to the walk-through museum.

The museum has been drawing a sea of tourists. Curator Dileep Kumar says the highest number of visitors on a single day was 5,500 on January 15 this year. Over 6.81 lakh people visited it in 2018. Last December, there were 83,722 visitors.

(Text and Images by K.R. Deepak)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / February 10th, 2019

Cars turn canvas at Cartist Yatra

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Youngsters taking pictures with a vintage car at the second edition of the Cartist Yatra-2019 at Rajiv Smruti Bhavan in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
Youngsters taking pictures with a vintage car at the second edition of the Cartist Yatra-2019 at Rajiv Smruti Bhavan in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

Vintage cars, some dating back to 1929, are on show at the exhibition

Art and automobile come together to create stunning masterpieces at the Cartist Yatra-2019, where cars, some as old as 1929, serve as a canvas for masterful artwork.

The second edition of the Cartist Yatra is under way in the city, and is based on the theme of ‘Automobile History of India’. Exhibits include an array of locally built cars such as the earliest models of the Maruti 800, the much-loved Fiat 1100D (popularly known as the Premier Padmini), Hindustan Ambassador, and the showpiece of them all – a 1929 Chevrolet convertible.

All the 10 cars are parked near the Rajiv Smruti Bhavan and will be there till Sunday.

Long journey

“In its second year, Cartist Yatra is traveling to 21 cities, 12 States and 2 union territories with pit stops at 10 prime locations, covering a distance of 8,100 km in a span of 80 days to unite over a thousand artists from different cultures and backgrounds,” said Himanshu Jangid of Cartist Yatra.

“The journey began on January 9 in Jaipur, and so far the yatra has covered Gujarat, Goa and Karnataka. Our next stop will be in Bhubaneswar,” Mr. Jangid said.

“Normally, we see artists depicting their work on canvas or other mediums. At Cartist Yatra, a car or an automobile is the medium. Showcase your creativity on an automobile and it can be a scooter, bike or auto-rickshaw, said Mr. Jangid.

“Cartist Yatra is an art event aimed at unifying people belonging to the art fraternity, as well as bridging the gap between society and artists,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – February 09th, 2019

Action plan to bring back lost glory of Rajamahendravaram

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

Rajamahendravaram known as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its old traditions, culture and practices.

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Rajamahendravaram :

Rajamahendravaram known as the cultural capital of Andhra Pradesh. It is known for its old traditions, culture and practices. The Rajamahendravaram Municipal Corporation (RMC) is taking steps to restore the past glory of the city and develop it as a tourist destination.

The civic body has prepared a plan with an estimated amount of `40 crore to protect Rajamahendravarm’s cultural heritage.  of the historical town, named after Raja Raja Narendra around 1,000 years ago. They planned to develop the old municipal corporation building as a monument and museum. This building was constructed during the British period. In this process, Kambala cheruvu and Dr AB Nageswara Rao parks have been developed by providing infrastructure facilities like walking track, play area for children and gymnasium among others.

As per the information provided by municipal authorities, Kotipalli area, visited by Mahatma Gandhi on April 6 in 1921, and Devi Chowk which was called as Lantern street. People used lanterns to decorate the street to welcome Vizianagara Kings and hence the name for the area.

Havelock Bridge

The construction of this bridge started on November 11, 1897 and opened for traffic on August 30 in 1900. The bridge was named after Sir AE Havelock, the then Governor of Madras. As it  passed more than 100 years, this bridge named was decommissioned in 1997. This bridge was being converted as a walking track across Godavari river

Town Hall

This is a cultural centre of yesteryears built by great social reformer Kandukuri Veeresalingam in 1891. He fought for widow remarriage and education for women. He was considered as the father of renaissance in Andhra. The Town Hall is now in bad condition and the District Collector has sanctioned `65 lakh for renovation so that it can be used to hold cultural events. These apart, there are many places worth a visit, including Kotilingala Ghat, ISKCON temple, Damerla Rama Rao Art Gallery, Rallabandi Subbarao Museum, Pushkar Ghat and the like.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / February 06th, 2019

GMC’s Class of 1958 meets again in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Veteran doctors at a reunion in Vijayawada on Saturday.
Veteran doctors at a reunion in Vijayawada on Saturday.

The 1958 batch of the Guntur Medical College (GMC) met for a fond reunion at the Haritha Berm Park here on Saturday.

There were 120 students in the batch, but only 50 of them could make it for the batch reunion. Dr. Janardhana Reddy, a surgeon in the U.S. and Mangaraju, an orthopaedician also settled in the U.S,, flew to India just to attend the gathering. Vijayawada-based ENT surgeon C.V. Ramana Rao and Guntur physician K. Vasudeva Rao welcomed their classmates.

“Initially, we used to meet every year and then the meetings were held once in two years because some of the batchmates migrated to other countries,” Dr. Ramana Rao said. The batch will meet again in two years, Dr. Ramana Rao said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – February 01st, 2019

Brazil offers technology to preserve Ongole breed of cattle

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
A Brazilian delegation calls on former YSRCP Chief Whip in Parliament Y.V. Subba Reddy in Ongole. | Photo Credit: KommuriSrinivas
A Brazilian delegation calls on former YSRCP Chief Whip in Parliament Y.V. Subba Reddy in Ongole. | Photo Credit: KommuriSrinivas

EMBRAPA delegation visits some of the farms in Ongole

Brazilian Agriculture Research Corporation (EMBRAPA) has offered to provide technical support to preserve the Ongole breed of cattle fast becoming extinct in its original breeding land between Gundalakamma and Musi rivers in Prakasam district.

While the number of pure breed of Ongole cattle was declining at an alarming rate, the Bos Indicus thrived in the South American country.

An EMBRAPA delegation visited some of the farms in Ongole on Sunday on the eve of Sankranti festival following an invitation from former Ongole MP Y.V. Subba Reddy. The delegation comprising Jose Ribamar F. Marques, Tarcisio Da Cruz Mesquita and Guilherme Minssen told reporters that Ongole breed of cows in Brazil yielded about 30 litres of milk on an average.

On the other hand, productivity had declined to less than five litres per Ongole cow in Prakasam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh /  by Special Correspondent / Ongole – January 14th, 2019

ASI faces flak as encroachments creep up around ancient Dutch Armoury

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
A cattle shed that has been built on the prohibited area of the Dutch Armoury at Bandarkota in Machilipatnam in Krishna district.
A cattle shed that has been built on the prohibited area of the Dutch Armoury at Bandarkota in Machilipatnam in Krishna district.

Excavation, construction activities in full swing on Nizam Hospital premises

Uninterrupted excavations being conducted by locals in the prohibited areas around the ancient Dutch Armoury here are posing a grave risk to the safety of the protected monument, with the Archaeological Survey of India reportedly remaining a mute spectator.

Earlier, locals bulldozed a brick wall of the old building (known locally as Nizam Hospital, according to ASI) located within the prohibited area of 100 metres from the armoury.

Illegal structures

Since last December, a cattle shed was built in the prohibited area by taking up excavation work and erecting iron poles. Plans were afoot to bulldoze another wall of the roof-less building by erecting wooden poles to build another structure.

Attempt by locals to demolish a wall in the protected area was stopped after the police intervened in 2016.

Speaking to The Hindu, ASI (Amaravati circle) Conservation Assistant Venkata Satyanarayana Murthy said, “The activities of excavation and construction of the shed have been taken up by a private party within a distance of 50 metres from the existing Dutch armoury which is under our conservation. The family that engaged in disturbing the area and the old building (Nizam hospital) did not seek permission from ASI to take up any such activity in the protected area.”

“No person, other than an archaeological officer, shall carry out any construction in any prohibited area (100 metres from the border of the protected monument,” says The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2010.

Communication gap

Mr. Satyanarayana Murthy said that the Machilipatnam civic body has been instructed to stop the work in the protected area.

However, when contacted by The Hindu, Machilipatnam Municipal Commissioner P.J. Sampath Kumar confirmed that he did not receive any such communication from the ASI regarding the issue till Saturday (January 12).

A three-acre site on the campus of the old building (Nizam Hospital) has been cleared by the locals for construction activity within the prohibited area in the absence of the conservation measures by the ASI.

The Monument Assistants deployed at the Dutch armoury have reportedly been threatened by the private party, restricting them from entering the premises of the protected area when they tried to stop the excavation work, they said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh /  by Appala Naidu Tippana / Bandarkota(Krishna) – January 13th, 2019

Dutch love for Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

They have been learning the famous Kalamkari from the artisans of this small village.

Artists from Netherlands trying their hand at Kalamkari at Pedana in Krishna district. (DC)
Artists from Netherlands trying their hand at Kalamkari at Pedana in Krishna district. (DC)

Vijayawada:

Four artists from the Netherlands who are trying to trace the roots of textile works that are on the display at the famous Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam have reached a nondescript village, Pedana in Krishna district.

They have been learning the famous Kalamkari from the artisans of this small village.

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and contains a beautiful old collection of ‘sits’, the Dutch word for Kalamkari textiles. These four artists work in the education department of the Rijksmuseum.

“Our history says the Kalamkari artwork reached Rijksmuseum in the 17th century from this small village. Those days the Dutch settlers brought Kalamkari to the Netherlands from Andhra Pradesh. The Kalamkari used to be expensive and exclusive and not everyone used to possess them since they come by boat. Now we want to know the art for ourselves and came here,” Irma Anne De Bruijne, heads of the arts programme at Rijksmuseum told this newspaper..

“We were welcomed in this little paradise. It is very important that they make textiles in the traditional, sustainable and slow process with the use of organic cotton and natural colours and of course the technique of block printing by hand,” said Anita Manshanden, another artist with the group.

The Dutch artists were bowled over by the talent of the artisans as well as the hospitality extended to them.

“The most important motivation of the Pitchuka family is to maintain and pass this heritage on to the next generation and keep the art alive. The third generation, Pitchuka Varun, is into this traditional art, following his grandfather Pitchuka Veera Subbaiah who is the founder of Kalamkari art in Pedana and father Pitchuka Srinivas,” said team member Elma Van Imhoff

They said Kalamkari contained a great number of techniques and complex processes built up during seven generations of craftsmanship.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by SNV Sudhir / January 08th, 2019

Polavaram project in Guinness World Records for concrete pouring

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The concrete was poured for 24 hours from 8 am on Saturday in the spill channel of the national project.

A view of Polavaram project. (Photo | EPS/P Ravindrababu)
A view of Polavaram project. (Photo | EPS/P Ravindrababu)

Vijayawada :

The attempt by Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd (NECL), the contracting agency executing the major works of the Polavaram Project, to create two world records — most concrete continuously poured in 24 hours and the largest continuous concrete pour — has successfully ended on Monday with the firm pouring 32,100 cubic meters of concrete.

The concrete was poured for 24 hours from 8 am on Sunday in the spill channel of the national project. The adjudicators of the Guinness World Records will formally make an announcement of the same shortly. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will receive the memento of the feat at 2.30 pm.

Even though the firm had initially planned to pour 28,000 cubic meters of concrete in 24 hours, it achieved its target by 5 am on Monday by pouring 28,357 cubic meters. In the subsequent three hours, it poured 3,700 cubic meters more. The current record is held by a Dubai-based contracting group which poured 21,580 cu m of concrete in about 35 hours.

“We are evaluating the log sheets of the concrete poured, which were entered on an hourly basis, besides examining the drone and CCTV camera footage. We will make one announcement by 10/11 am and the other will be announced at 1.30/2 pm,” the official adjudicator of the Guinness World Records, Rishi Nathan, explained. A team of 24 members is working to adjudicate the feat achieved by the NECL.

The Managing Director of NECL, Chinta Sridhar, said that the firm engaged 20 agitator trucks, which delivered concrete from 10 batching plants using 90 concrete mixers. “It is a proud moment for us. But, more than anything, it is a morale boost for us as we are running against the time to complete this mega project, which would serve the entire State. The record is a significant step towards completing the project before the onset of monsoon this year,” he said.

It may be recalled that NECL was brought on board after the termination of the contract with Transstroy (India) Ltd last year. NECL had agreed to execute the project at old rates (2014 Standard Schedule Rates).

Sridhar further explained that the cofferdams in the upper stream and the lower stream will be ready by the month of May. Speaking to TNIE, the MD said, “We have already begun the upper cofferdam works. The designs for the lower cofferdam were submitted. We will have to do 1.1 crore units of concrete works and are aiming to complete them by May.”

Terming it as a historic day, Water Resources minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao credited Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for facilitating the environment to achieve the feat. “It is indeed a historic feat. Despite all the challenges, we have been able to ensure that the works are expedited. We will divert the water through gravity by June this year,” he added.

Buoyed by the success of the Monday’s record, the MD of NECL, C Sridhar, said that the firm was eyeing at outdoing itself with another record soon. “We plan to attempt another record by pouring 65,000 cu m to 70,000 cu m of concrete maybe in March. We will need a month’s preparation for it and hopefully achieve it,” Sridhar told TNI

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 07th, 2019

Indian-American teen on a mission to fight blindness

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli interacting with patients.
Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli interacting with patients.

‘The I Mission’ Sai Hitesh launched supports free screening camps and cataract surgeries for the poor

A 12th grader of Indian origin from the US (Portland, Oregon) is striving to make the world a better place for the visually-impaired through a non-profit that he launched while he was all of 14 years old.

Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli, whose parents migrated from Visakhapatnam to the U.S., flew to India with his parents for the Christmas holidays when he was 14 years old.

“When we were here, my parents would engage in social work at a blind school in Kakinada. It was then I realised I should also do my best to give something back to society, and do something for the underprivileged,” Sai Hitesh said.

After flying back to Portland, Sai Hitesh organised a ‘cultural night’ and raised $4,200, which he used to float his non-profit called ‘The I Mission’.

“Next December, we came back to Visakhapatnam, which is my parents’ hometown. We organised a couple of free eye camps in association with Sankar Foundation Eye Hospital, and performed about 500 free cataract surgeries for the poor,” Sai Hitesh said.

In the last three years, The I Mission has supported over 5,000 free eye screenings, 1,719 cataract surgeries, and 13 retinal detachment surgeries, besides adopting three blind schools in India.

“To fund the camps, we not only conduct cultural events but have also tied up with brands like Nike and Intel. We intend to approach some more corporate firms in the coming years,” the 17-year-old said.

Having started out on his philanthropic journey alone, Sai Hitesh now has a team of 11 like-minded classmates based in Portland.

Cyclone relief

Apart from organising free eye camps, The I Mission also supports victims of natural calamities such as hurricanes.

Recently, the team visited Mara and Mandasa villages in Srikakulam, which were ravaged by cyclone Titli, and provided succour to victims by giving one bag of rice, two garments and cooking utensils to each affected family. “We reached out to over 200 families in both the villages,” he said.

Future plans

Sai Hitesh, who aspires to become a doctor, said he is working with a professor as a research intern at Oregon Health Science University to find out a remedy for cataract and eye problems among the tribals in the Eastern Ghats of India.

Sai Hitesh says The I Mission team intends to take the non-profit to the next level by tying up with corporate brands and spreading its wings across the world.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Sumit Bhattarcharjee / Visakhapatnam – January 05th, 2019

Historic Masonic Temple celebrates 110th anniversary in New Year

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

Newly-elected body decides to allow people to have glimpse of antiques on the premises

Lodge Nicopolis No.81, which is generally known as Vizianagaram IV Masonic Temple, is going to get special attention in the New Year, thanks to the initiatives of newly-elected body for the preservation of its rich heritage and culture.

The Nicopolis No.81 constructed in 1909 by the then Maharaja of Vizianagaram Princely State Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju-IV will celebrate its 110th anniversary in the New Year. The programmes have been planned throughout the year to create awareness about the greatness of the temple which was founded on October 1, 1909.

Poly clinic

As part of the celebration, the new team of the Masonic Temple decided to allow common people to have glimpse of antiques on the premises. An exclusive room for the display of antiques is being created, according to the Worshipful Master of the temple Motamarry Srinivas. The temple also decided to take up service activities such as running poly clinic to ensure medical assistance to poor people at very nominal charges. “Our temple was instrumental in establishment of Polytechnic College in Vizianagaram. It has allocated its prime land for the construction of APSRTC complex, adjacent to the building. We will continue to take more activities in the year 2019-20,” he added.

According to him, the then Raja Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju-IV insisted for the service activities after he was inspired by the activities of such Lodge located in Kolkata. The members of such Lodges were called as brothers. The head of the Lodge is called as Worshipful Master. After serving as a ‘brother’ in Kolkata Lodge, he bought a few acres of prime land from Thotapalem Zamindars. He obtained permission from Scotland for its establishment in Vizianagaram. After serving one year, Mr. Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju relinquished the post and allowed local dignitary C. Mangayya Naidu to take charge Worshipful Master. Only four members of Raja’s family headed the institution.

Former Union Minister of Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju served as Master in the year 1973 and year 2009 on the eve of centenary celebrations.

According to Past Master D.S. Raju, free masonry is directly descended from associations of operative masons who travelled through Europe, employing secrets and skills of their crafts. The cathedral builders of the Middle Ages started to accept others ‘entry into their profession and it led to establishment of Grand Lodges across the world. Masonic Lodge is the basic unit of all Grand Lodges.

“Although the movement started with different reasons, now its primary objective is to serve the society. Honesty in business, fairness in work, love for one another and reverence for the God are promoted through the temple. All these objectives are being fulfilled by Vizianagaram Masonic Temple,” Dr. Raju said. Another Past Master G. Shiva Kumar said that the temple was offering its premises for functions, marriages and other programmes at nominal charges as part of the serving the society.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K Srinivasa Rao / Vizianagaram – January 01st, 2019