Rural SP J Satyanarayana on Wednesday received the national award for effectively implementing the anti-tobacco campaign in the district during 2011-12.
Union department of public health and family welfare had instituted the awards in various categories such as best district, best village and best school. Satyanarayana received the award from family welfare commissioner Poonam Malakondaiah and Secunderabad legislator Jayasudha at a function held in Hyderabad. Satyanarayana said the district had been selected for the award due to the police initiative in launching a crackdown on smokers in public places.
The union government had banned smoking in public places keeping in view the health of the general public , following which the district police had booked around 36,000 cases in the last one year and collected around Rs 18 lakh as fine.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / April 04th, 2013
Union minister for tourism K. Chiranjeevi, centre, introduces CM Kiran Kumar Reddy, left, to Taleb Rifai, the secretary-general of UNWTO. —Deepak Deshpande.
Hyderabad:
Acknowledging the immense potential for growth in the tourism sector, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy said Hyderabad is “the best city to hold international conferences” Union minister for tourism K. Chiranjeevi, meanwhile added that the huge demand for tourism must be met in a sustainable way.
They were speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the twin conferences — The 25th joint meeting of the UNWTO commissions for East Asia and Pacific, as well as South Asia and the UNWTO conference on Sustainable Tourism Development — that began in the city on Friday. The conference is expected identify key areas for triggering massive tourism growth for Andhra Pradesh.
“The year 2012 was a historical year which saw 1035 million people crossing international borders. While the tourism sector saw a growth of 4 per cent, the Asian region saw a growth of 7 per cent and accounted for 25 per cent of the total world traffic,” said secretary-general of UNWTO Taleb Rifai.
The official predicted a growth of 3.5 to 4 per cent for the tourism sector worldwide and a growth of 54 per cent for the Asian region.
“Such a huge activity leaves imprints and that is the biggest challenge in front of us. More growth must mean more sustainability,” he added.
Chiranjeevi also said that India is one of the first countries to have developed guidelines for sustainable tourism and hotel classification that encourage eco-friendly practices.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Politics / DC / by Amrita Didyala / Saturday, Hyderabad – April 13th, 2013
Hyatt Hotels and Resorts has announced the re-branding of Ista Hyderabad to Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli, as of April 1, 2013.
Located in Gachibowli, the hotel is located 20 minutes from the international airport.
Hyatt Hyderabad Gachibowli features166 rooms, that include nine suites, fitted with poolside or garden views.Spread over 16 acres, the hotel is set amongst beautifully landscaped gardens, complete with foliage, natural rock formations and water bodies.
Luxury rooms offer a spacious outdoor private balcony while suites are expansive with a private garden area, separate meeting area and a pantry.
The hotel’s award winning all-day dining restaurant, “Collage” offers international cuisine with buffet options. The Lounge Bar is set with a waterfall in the background and is the ideal place for an informal meeting, afternoon tea or a post dinner drink to the music of a live pianist.Deori offers elements of traditional Andhra cuisine and the age-old Nizamigharana food, all presented in a contemporary setting. With live stage performances by the in-house Ghazal player, it offers a true “Nawaabi” experience.
The hotel also has a Spa and Fitness Center, with six beautifully appointed treatment rooms, a hair salon, luxurious eucalyptus steam and sauna facilities and a whirlpool and a fitness centre equipped with modern cardio and resistance machines and a temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool.
Reservations may be made by visiting www.hyatt.com or by calling on 040 48481234.For anymore information visit hyderabad.hyatthotels.hyatt.com.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / Express Features – Hyderabad / April 03rd, 2013
A discernible Telugu foot-print now being seen in across the world is a continuation the trend witnessed since 2nd century B.C. when sea-faring people looked for greener pastures in Southeast Asian countries, says Adapa Satyanarayana, Chair, Diaspora studies, Goa University.
Inaugurating a two-day national seminar on “Migration movements and Indian Diaspora in Modern period” at the Acharya Nagarjuna University Ongole campus on Wednesday, he said “Telugu people by nature are most mobile. Knowledge workers from Andhra Pradesh have now become part of the international community, making their presence felt among Asian Indians in the United States among other countries”.
Acharya Nagarjuna University Rector Prof. Y.P. Rama Subbaiah presides over a seminar on Diasporic history in Ongole on Wednesday.— Photo: Kommuri Srinivas / The Hindu
“After brain drain, now the country is witnessing “brain gain” with a number of Telugu associations abroad sending millions of dollars for community oriented development projects such as education, public health, giving a new meaning to global-local interface in the era of expanding Globalisation.
If late 19th century, world capitalism facilitated migration of south Indian labour to the Southeast Asian countries, the late 20th century globalisation provided immense opportunities for unskilled labourers in West Asia in the wake of oil boom.
Historically, relations between the Andhra coast and Burma (Swarnabhoomi), go back to a couple of centuries before the birth of Christ. The sea-faring Telugus immigrated to various countries in Southeast Asia even during the age of the early Kalingas and Ikshavakus.
During the colonial period emigration to Burma was an “established custom” and “a lucrative occupation”, particularly for the lower caste persons of the northern coastal Andhra districts. “Kulim region in West Malaysia was known as “little Anakapalli”, he added.
Delivering the keynote address, Ratan Lal Hangloo, , Department of History, University of Hyderabad, said the Indian diaspora preserved and protected the Indian culture generation and after generation despite great difficulties.
Presiding, ANU Rector Y.P.Rama Subbaiah and
ANU Ongole campus Special Officer G. Raja Mohan Rao spoke.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Ongole, April 04th, 2013
The Centre has approved around Rs 90 crore for development of two mega tourism circuits in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
While Rs 43.87 crore was sanctioned by the tourism ministry for the development of Solapur mega circuit in Maharashtra, Rs 45.88 crore has been approved for construction of Vishakapatnam-Bheemunipatnam beach corridor mega circuit in Andhra Pradesh, officials said.
The Maharashtra project involved development of tourism facilities at Pandharpur, Akkalkot, Solapur and Tuljapur.
The Maharashtra government will set up a monitoring committee headed by Principal Secretary (state tourism) to monitor the project and submit the report to Tourism Ministry on regular basis.
The Solapur project is expected to be commissioned within 36 months.
The Andhra project involves development of tourism facilities at Bheemunipatnam, Erramattidibbalu, Kailashgiri, Mangamaripeta Beach, R K Beach, Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, Rushikonda, Bhavikonda and beautification of beach corridor circuit.
The project to be executed by the state tourism corporation is expected to be commissioned within 18 months.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / New Delhi, April 02nd, 2013
The Visakhapatnam-Bheemili beach road winding its way along foothills, close to coast | CH Kodandaramaiah
Come May 2015, tourists at Visakhapatnam can sunbathe on the decks at Rushikonda or Bheemili beach. They can also go yachting, play beach volleyball on the sands or just go on a nice long ride on the 30 km stretch of the beach road between RK beach and Bheemili, if the plans of the tourism department are anything to go by.
With the Central government releasing the first instalment of Rs 3.2 crore for the Visakhapatnam-Bheemili Beach Corridor Circuit (VBBCC) project, several tourism spots along the beach road are all set to get a major facelift. The Rs 45.88 crore project is also set to give a major boost to tourism in the City of Destiny. Union minister of state for tourism K Chiranjeevi is expected to lay the foundation stone for the project shortly.
With Central assistance, the government will develop RK Beach, Kailasagiri, Rushikonda beach, Bavikonda, Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, Erramatti Dibbalu, Mangamaripeta, Bheemili village and other important spots along the coast.
The proposed project is aimed at developing the beach road at specific nodes and encourage tourism-related activities that help in future development of the beach road.
Over 50 percent of these funds (Rs 24 crore) will be used for the beautification of the beach corridor with softscapes, a new landscaping scheme, to ensure more consistent streetscape image, with a mix of indigenous and exotic trees of coastal character, apart from signages, parking lots, approach roads and other amenities. Pedestrian sidewalks and beach sidewalks are also part of the project.
Further, the tourism authorities are planning to create a signature image for the RK beach, which will define the beach promenade with the incorporation of viewing decks, picnic areas, landscaping, special lighting and water features, besides linking the existing and new recreational public gathering spaces served by adjacent public parking.
Meditation decks, jogging tracks and pathways, plazas, sculpture court and other facilities will be developed along the RK beach with about Rs 7.9 crore to attract tourists.
At Rushikonda, sunbathing decks, Beach-side Bazaar with local fishermen art and crafts, and a plaza, will be the notable developments to come up, while water sports such as yachting, boat rides, kayaking, beach volleyball, surfing, windsurfing and para-sailing activities will be developed at Rushikonda.
At Bheemili, the existing dockyard is proposed to be redeveloped and enhanced aesthetically to attract tourists. The dock area will be paved with eco-friendly materials, with landscaping, lighting and illumination.
Indira Gandhi Zoo Park also will get softscaping for an area of 20,000 sq m, apart from the much-awaited battery-operated cars/eco-friendly modes of transport for visitors within the zoo. Places like Erramatti Dibbalu will have more approach roads with seating areas, footpaths and also watchtowers. Tourists can also enjoy a view of the city and the sea from watch towers atop Kailasagiri, Thotlakonda and other hills.
Speaking to Express, tourism information officer SD Anitha said the project work will commence soon after laying of the foundation stone.
“Both the Union minister for tourism and state tourism minister are keen on the development of the Beach Corridor. Hence, we expect no further delays. The government will provide land free of cost and no private land will be acquired for the project, she said
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by PS Dileep & S Bachan jeet Singh – Hyderabad/Visakhapatnam / April 03rd, 2013
A section of the Unani Hospital that underwent renovation work using traditional building materials. – Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
A Grade II heritage structure, the Government Nizamia Tibbi College and Hospital near the Charminar is getting a much-needed facelift after years of neglect and damage
Finally it is getting the much needed facelift.
Situated bang opposite the historic Charminar, the condition of the Government Nizamia Tibbi College and Hospital is not much different. But now this Grade II heritage structure is getting the attention it deserves. A team of skilled labours are busy trying to undo years of neglect and damage.
Renovation work in progress on the Unani Hospital in Old City. – Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
The A.P. Health, Medical Housing and Health Infrastructure Development Corporation has stepped in to restore the pristine glory of this stately structure built in 1938 by the seventh Nizam. Right now, exterior of the building where plaster has peeled off at several places with vegetal growth sprouting all over is being attended to. Repair of the dome, scrubbing and scrapping of the top surface and re-plastering with ‘shivara’ rendering is proposed.
Before undertaking the work, photographic, architectural and material documentation of the Unani hospital was done. The material documentation was intended to find out the original and traditional material used in construction of the building.
A chemical test carried out showed lime mortar as the basic material used in construction of the edifice, according to Suryanarayana Murthy, heritage architecture. The same material is now being used in right proportion along with jaggery liquid, gallnut, egg white and aloe vera gum. The workers have been trained in preparation of the construction material, he said.
Originally, renovation of the Unani hospital building was linked with the Charminar Pedestrianisation Project but later the Department of Heath has taken over the works. The conservation plan has been approved by the Heritage Conservation Committee and the works are expected to be completed by December end.
The other day Majlis floor leader Akbaruddin Owaisi visited the Unani Hospital and reviewed the progress of the work.
He favoured adoption of a comprehensive approach for conservation of the Unani hospital building in its totality. If necessary, funds from other departments should be tapped to improve the surroundings around the hospital. He suggested laying of pathways within and outside the hospital, remodelling of drainage line, horticulture and lighting work to be taken up.
The GHMC has a budget of Rs. 5 crore for heritage buildings and this could be tapped for the Unani hospital restoration, Mayor Majid Hussain said.
source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / April 02nd, 2013
The Mons Raymond’s obelisk tomb near Malakpet. — Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Rubble and high growth of weeds and bushes indicate lack of maintenance for Monsieur Raymond’s tomb
The towering obelisk on the Asmangadh hill has been an epitome of communal harmony in a very unique way. Even after 200-odd years of its construction, local Muslims remember to pay homage at the tombstone every Id-ul-Fitr. Hindus do it seven days after the festival by lighting camphor and offering flowers. Irony is that the tomb holds the remains of a person who belonged to neither of the two religions!
Monsieur Raymond, referred to fondly as Moosa Ram by Hindus and Moosa Rahim by Muslims, was in fact a Christian, and a French general in Nizam’s military. He was the person behind the setting up of Gunfoundry, the factory where cannon balls were produced during Nizam’s time. Needless to say, the area Moosarambagh derived its name from the general’s popularity among the local people.
No signboards
However, all that remained the glory of the bygone era, and his tomb, a site of archaeological significance, lies in utter neglect now. Visitors face difficulty in even locating the seven-acre tomb complex, as no signboard can be found on the Moosarambagh main road, to direct the tourists. The only signpost, scraped and fading, could be found at the start of the lane which ends at the rusted iron gate leading into the complex.
“There were two signboards earlier, one of them on the main road. But GHMC removed both during its road widening drive, and they have not been reinstalled,” says S. Narender, the security guard.
Once inside the complex, visitors would be greeted to rubble, and high growth of weeds and bushes, indicating lack of maintenance. Narender goes inside a small room, probably meant to be information counter, and carries out a sheet-metal plaque, where the story of Monsieur Raymond is inscribed. That is the mode adapted by the Archaeology Department for dissemination of tourist information!
The pavilion where devotees offer their homage was reconstructed ten years ago, after a portion collapsed due to heavy rain in 2001. Since its restoration, the pavilion has not been repainted even once. Plants bordering the complex have dried up, and dry leaves lay scattered everywhere around.
While the general’s pet dog and horse were buried in the same place, and mentioned in the literature about the location, the dog’s grave lies hidden behind undergrowth. Security is lax, as the solar fencing erected over the compound wall remains dysfunctional, and needs repairs.
“Every night, drunkards and anti-social elements climb over the walls from the other side, and create a ruckus in the tomb complex. Our sleep gets disturbed due to this,” a resident of the area informed.
source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Swathi V. /April 01st, 2013
The 125-foot tall Buddha statue getting ready at Amaravathi in Guntur | Ch Narayana Rao / The New Indian Express
The tourism authorities have taken all the necessary steps to complete the much-delayed Dhyana Buddha project and unveil the 125-foot tall Buddha statute during the three-day Buddha Jayanthi celebrations to be held from May 14 at Amaravathi in Guntur district.
Of the Rs 40 lakh sanctioned by the department in this connection, Rs 10 lakh has been released recently and the works are going on at a brisk pace, said AP Tourism divisional manager (Vijayawada) Juvvadi Raghupati Rao.
The Dhyana Buddha project was conceived and executed by Social Welfare joint director Regulla Mallikarjuna Rao in 2004 with the funding of Guntur district collector. But, the tourism department took it over in 2007. More than Rs 3 crore has already been spent on the project, say sources.
Meanwhile, the Buddha statue has been designed by incorporating features from all the 50 types of Buddhist sculptures seen at 145 major heritage sites across India. The essence of the Buddhist teachings found in 24 chapters and 424 stanzas have also been carved on 200 panels in the main hall of the Dhyana Mandiram. The Dalai Lama, who visited the place during Kalachakra in 2006, donated `30 lakh and promised to provide 300 volumes of Buddhist literature to develop the place as an international Buddhist study centre. He is likely to attend the Buddha Jayanthi celebrations at Amaravathi in May for the second time. Meanwhile, the tourism officials are also taking measures for completing the roof-level restaurant, Raghupathi Rao said.
The AP Tourism is also developing other tourist and pilgrim centres including Kondaveedu Fort (at a cost of `85 lakh), Vundavally Caves, Uuppaldu Bird Sanctuary (`15 lakh each) and Karampudi Veerla Gudi (the temple of warriors at `60 lakh), he added.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> State> Andhra Pradesh / by P Laxma Reddy / ENS – Vijayawada / April 01st, 2013
Usha Raghunathan at the Singhania store in Banjara Hills | A Suresh Kumar / Express
Dressed in a mustard and pink contrast border silk sari, accompanied with a patchwork choli and traditional jewellery, Usha Raghunathan comes across as any other South Indian mother. But, hang on, there’s more to her than just the looks. Despite the most popular celebrities from Bollywood and Tollywood flaunting her creations, she is as humble as one can get. “It feels very nice, when I see them wearing something that I have designed. I believe saris are the most feminine outfits ever. Though the girls in this generation say they can’t handle saris and are more comfortable in their jeans, there is something about this six-yard or the nine-yard beauty that can bring out the best in them,” she believes. In the city for her latest Ugadi collection, she says cotton is the flavour of the season. And, who can dispute her?
A flying start
Usha Raghunathan lost her mother at a very young age. Her father worked at the Air Force Civil Aviation, while her grandparents raised her. “It was because of my dad that I also wanted to learn flying. So, I got my license in 1956, which was quite something back then. Then, after I got married, my husband was also very supportive, so I was able to follow my dreams,” she recalls. Usha was then asked to write about her experiences of being a pilot, which was when she started writing. “I wrote a lot of radio scripts for the AIR,” she remembers. But, for the last 35 years, she has been completely involved in designing saris. “There were times when I would travel from Yercaud to Salem, sit with the weavers and get some saris custom-designed,” she reveals.
Cotton, silk and more
“I dream about saris and cholis. I have always loved Kanjeevaram, silk and cotton. I like anything that is traditional,” she admits. Being an ardent follower of Kanchi Paramacharya, who always insisted on cotton as silk led to killing of silk worms, Usha came up with her “Ahimsa saris” which are made of poly-cot fibre, which resembles silk. “Though it is very expensive, it is just like silk. Many people prefer buying these,” she observes. Usha is known for uplifting the traditional sari and putting it in context for the present generation. Her collections are often tagged as “trendsetters with a traditional touch.” And there’s no exaggeration in that.
Challenges faced by weavers
Talking about the plight of the weavers today, she says, “They have been facing a major challenge in making their products appealing to the current market. But, if you sit with them and ask them to make a few changes, they willingly do it. We need to now focus on making their products accessible to people. There are many who want to wear traditional saris.”
Clothes do not provoke
Disturbed by the recent rape incidents in the country, Usha says, “Women were more respected a few decades back. These days, we see young boys at 17 committing these crimes. And the kind of allegations they make about clothes provoking men is all rubbish. If a woman in a small skirt can get raped, women in saris have also been raped. It is the mindset of men that has to change. Clothes do not send out a message.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Kruthi Gonwar / ENS – Hyderabad / April 04th, 2013
