Category Archives: Business & Economy

Techie on Mission to Groom Student Entrepreneurs

Business & Economy

Vijayawada :

Global Business Incubator (GBI), an initiative by an engineer- turned-entrepreneurship campaigner, has embarked on inculcating the culture of entrepreneurship among the students of KL University (KLU), Guntur and Dhanekula Institute of Engineering and Technology (DIET), Vijayawada. GBI aims at fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among technology students.

Srinivas Gogineni, a biotech graduate from Vijayawada, who was trained in entrepreneurship in the US, set up the GBI in August, 2012 at DIET inspired by the invaluable experience he had acquired during his stay at the incubation centre in New York University (NYU).

“After completing B.Tech here, I went to the US for better prospects. But the NYU incubation centre has changed my mindset. Bruce Niswander, NYU professor inspired me to shift to entrepreneurship. As I had a liking for entrepreneurship, the switch was rewarding. Within a year of landing in the US, I was able to establish a technology company and made profit by selling it. That has prompted me to establish an incubation centre in Indian colleges which churn out so many talented students,” explains G Srinivas.

Srinivas was so excited about GBI that he flew back to his native place – Vijayawada – and started approaching colleges for support to establish incubation centre. After making rounds to various institutes, Srinivas was able to convince DIET management. Soon, KLU joined hands with GBI. While institutions provided infrastructure and financial support, GBI roped in with knowledge inputs.

“The first challenge we faced was getting technology students accustomed to the concept of entrepreneurship. As students started to know the importance of innovation, they came up with innovative projects using technology,” said Srinivas.

But for some teething problems, GBI was able to inspire students to come up with innovative technology. For instance, it runs a software services company Soft Landing which provides research and technology services to small foreign companies. About 15 students have been involved in this project.

“We used to spend a lot of time on the Facebook. For us, it was just a way of keeping in touch with friends and a favorite past time. But after attending entrepreneurship seminars conducted by GBI, we got to know the power of social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and the power of online presence. Along with five of my friends, I started ‘Soft puppy’, a digital marketing services firm, which manages online presence of companies and personalities. Now it’s not just entertaining but also educating to stay online. We also take up various technology education-related projects for schoolchildren which is very satisfying,” says Hanook, a second year BTech student at KLU.

With 300 students involved in various GBI activities, GBI has taken the first step in setting up incubators at Indian colleges.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by J Deepthi Nandan Reddy / May 16th, 2014

Mercedes Benz unveils the golden convoy in Hyderabad

Business & Economy

Mercedes-Benz, the most awarded luxury car brand in India, brought its golden car convoy to Hyderabad on May 17. The company has won as many as 16 awards last year which is higher than any other luxury car brand in India. This is truly a remarkable achievement and adding to the company’s objective of achieving “excellence” in 2014.

In order to have a grand celebration across India, the company has started a Golden Car Convoy of the award winning cars A-Class, B-Class, E-Class and GL-Class. This convoy will be covering 23 cities in a span of 45 days, marking a celebration event at every place.

MercedesHF30may2014

To commemorate the occasion, Mahavir Motors organised the event at its state-of -the-art showroom at Madhapur where the who’s who of the city were present. Yashwant Jhabak, Chairman Mahavir Group and Dinyar Marshal, Managing Director Mahavir Motors unveiled the golden convoy of cars in front of a large audience. The event also had Chandrasekar (Area Sales Manager – Mercedes Benz) and Amit Jain (Divisional Manager – Marketing, Mercedes Benz) in attendance.

During the event, Joe Koster from Hyderabad Western Music Foundation played some very entertaining Jazz numbers on the keyboard and saxophone.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / May 18th, 2014

Child Rights Body to Start Mother’s Milk Banks

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

Balala Hakkula Sangham, an organisation for the protection of child rights, has come with a first of its kind initiative to start a Mother’s Milk Bank, in association with Lotus Hospitals, to cater to the needs of orphaned infants. Infant mortality rate in Andhra Pradesh is 41 per 1,000 births in 2012 and most of the deaths are due to respiratory and diarrheal causes.

The main objectives of the initiative is to ensure that every baby born receives mother’s milk, to avoid bottled or animal formula milk and to provide ancillary support to breastfeeding. Donors of milk are tested for various diseases like Tuberculosis, HIV VDRL and Hepatitis before they make a contribution and will be screened by experts to rule out any virus or harmful bacteria. After a thorough screening procedure, the milk is donated to the needy children free of cost.

The average volume of milk taken is between 50-150 ml. “Experts say on an average, lactating women can produce 600 ml milk per day and 300 ml should be sufficient for their little ones. The minimum requirement for children without a feeding mother is 150 ml per day,” said Balala Hakkula Sangham general secretary P Anuradha Rao. For women who donate their milk, it helps them too as it would increase prolactin levels, preventings benign tumors in them.

The contributed milk is refrigerated and transferred to the bank in large containers. Later, it is pasteurised at 62.5 degree centigrade for 30 minutes, which preserves the milk from 80 percent of immunological factors, destroying pathogens, including HIV virus.

The pasteurised milk can be stored for six months, in the freezer for 48 hours, and six to eight hours at room temparature. The milk will be donated on first come first served basis.

Campaigning for donors will begin on the International Day for Protection of Children on June 1. Mother’s Milk Banks will come into operation from the first week of August, which is the International Breast Feed Week.

Breast milk contains various proteins and enzymes such as Immunoglobulins, Lysosomes and Lymphocytes that kill bacterial cells and increase immunity.

“Breast milk is every child’s right. Unfortunately there are instances where a child is deprived of this valuable right. In such a circumstance, the child can still be fed with breast milk through the breast milk banks,” Anuradha Rao said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sameera Jonnalagadda / May 26th, 2014

Ahead of split, Andhra Pradesh secretariat to observe zero week

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Business & Economy, Records, All, Uncategorized

 

Andhra Pradesh secretariat (Photo: DC archives)
Andhra Pradesh secretariat (Photo: DC archives)

Hyderabad:

For the first time ever, the state administration will come to a standstill for a one week from Sunday till June 1 as the staff will observe “zero week” in the run-up to bifurcation on June 2. The entire machinery will be engaged in running the “trail run administration” of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

This is to gear up the bureaucracy to work in both the new states from June 2. Employees who were allotted on provisional basis have to report to their respective state offices.

Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan had directed the administration to halt all transactions from May 25 to June 1 at the Secretariat. Accordingly, there will be no clearance of files or payment of bills.

Employees and officials allotted to Telangana have to work from A,B,C and D blocks and those allotted to Andhra Pradesh from H,J,K,L blocks.

Meanwhile, it was a “double bonanza” for about 14 lakh state employees and pensioners as they received salaries and pensions of two months, ahead of bifurcation. They were paid for April on May 2 and for May on Saturday. The amount disbursed for May was calculated till June 1. From June 2, all staff and pensioners will be paid from their respective governments.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / L. Venkat Ram Reddy / May 25th, 2014

RGUKT students for space conference in USA

Business & Economy, Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The contingent of 32 students of Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technologies (RGUKT) who won prizes in the NASA Ames Space Settlement Design Contest 2014 will be participating in the 33rd NSS International Space Development Conference in Los Angeles, scheduled to be held from May 14 to 18.

The State Bank of Hyderabad and the State Bank of India have come forward to provide sponsorship to the tune of Rs.30 lakh and Rs. 5 lakh respectively to fund the participation of the students. The university is also providing partial support, said R.V.Raja Kumar, Vice- Chancellor, RGUKT.

Prof. Kumar said that RUGKT students have been participating in this global competition for the last three years. This year they have won prizes for all the 19 projects done by them. “We are proud of our students for the recognition they got. They get a chance to interact with space scientists of high reputation from different countries.”

The NASA Ames Space Settlement Contest is an annual contest, which invites students from around the world, to design permanent orbital settlements in space, not on any planet or moon, and the best designs are awarded prizes.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – May 13th, 2014

Double Decker Train Begins Maiden Journey

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology
Passengers travelling in the air-conditioned double-decker train on its inaugural run from Kacheguda in Hyderabad to Guntur on Tuesday | EXPRESS PHOTO
Passengers travelling in the air-conditioned double-decker train on its inaugural run from Kacheguda in Hyderabad to Guntur on Tuesday | EXPRESS PHOTO

For about 500 rail passengers who travelled from Kacheguda to Guntur on Tuesday morning turned out to bememorable and joyous occasion when they travelled in the first ever double decker train which was flagged off from Kacheguda on Tuesday.

South Central Railway added another milestone in its eventful journey, when the first-ever double decker train on its network began its run at 5:30 am from Kacheguda to Guntur on its maiden trip. The  AC coach train, powered by two generator cars, was a feast to the eye with its bright yellow and red colour.

The colour scheme and interiors are a departure from the convention to give aesthetic appeal and added comfort.

The train chugged off from Kacheguda, with the senior most employee of the station, M.Abdul Rahman, working in the electrical department waving the green flag for the loco pilot to start.

The passengers were busy taking their ‘selfies’ on the smart phones to cherish this journey. For the children, it was an interesting interlude as they ran through the passage of the coaches, shuffling between various decks.

‘’We are thrilled to travel in the double decker train and will cherish this proud moment for long and even clicked our photographs in the train,’’ Lakshmi of Guntur, who came to city to attend a function, said.

“Several years ago we used to travel in double decker buses on city roads and now travelling in double decker train is exciting. Railways should extend more and more such double decker trains on other important routes where the demand is heavy,’’ Venkat from Hyderabad said.

For two loco pilots of Guntur division, SK Karimulla and Y Ramakrishna (assistant loco pilot) who steered the train, it was a proud moment of their career as they received accolades from all the passengers and the onlookers.

Kacheguda-Guntur AC bi-weekly double decker superfast express will depart from Kacheguda at 05:30 am every Tuesday and Friday and arrive in Guntur at 10:40 am.

In the return direction, it will depart from Guntur at 12:45 pm every Tuesday and Friday and arrive in Kacheguda at 05:55 pm.

Sec’bad-Kakinada Spl Train on May 16

Hyderabad: The South Central Railway will run two special trains between Secunderabad and Kakinada Town to clear extra rush of passengers. Secunderabad-Kakinada Town special train will depart from Secunderabad at 09:45 pm on May 16 (Friday) and arrive in Kakinada Town at 09:35 am the next day. In the opposite direction, the special train will depart from Kakinada Town at 10 pm on May 15 (Thursday) and arrive in Secunderabad at 10:55 am the next day.  Enroute, these trains will stop at Nalgonda, Miryalguda, Nadikudi, Guntur, Vijayawada, Gudivada, Kaikalur, Akividu, Bhimavaram Town, Tanuku, Nidadavolu, Rajahmundry and Samalkot stations in both the directions. Advance Reservations will open at 8 am on Wednesday.

Sec’bad-Hubli Spl Trains to Run till June 29

Hyderabad: To clear extra rush of passengers during summer season, tri-weekly special train currently running between Secunderabad and Hubli has been extended  to run till June 29. Secunderabad-Hubli tri-weekly special train will depart from Secunderabad at 4:00 pm on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays from May 18 to June 29 and arrive in Hubli at 07:50 a.m. the next day. In the return direction, it will depart from Hubli at 08:50 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from May 17 to June  28 and arrive in Secunderabad at 11:45 am the next day. Enroute, these trains will stop at Begumpet, Lingampally, Vikarabad, Tandur, Sedam, Chittapur, Wadi, Shahabad, Gulburga, Ganagapur, Hotgi, Indi Rd, Bijapur, Bagevadi Rd, Almatti, Bagalkot, Badami, Hole Alur, Gadag and Annigeri stations in both the directions.

Kacheguda, Tirupati train to  be Flagged Off Today

This brand new double decker train will chug its way out to another popular destination, Tirupati, from Kacheguda on Wednesday. Kacheguda-Tirupati bi-weekly double decker superfast express will depart from Kacheguda at 06:45 am every Wednesday and Saturday and arrive in Tirupati at 06:15 pm In the return direction, it will depart from Tirupati at 05:45 am every Thursday and Sunday and arrive in Kacheguda at 05:15 pm

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / May 14th, 2014

Visual way to combating social evils

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Science & Technology
A. Ramadevi, Officer on Special Duty, Law and Order, Rajahmundry showing her short-film on Nirbhaya Act on her Tab. / Photo: BVS Bhaskar / The Hindu
A. Ramadevi, Officer on Special Duty, Law and Order, Rajahmundry showing her short-film on Nirbhaya Act on her Tab. / Photo: BVS Bhaskar / The Hindu

Rama Devi chooses the visual medium to educate and enlighten unlettered masses

Visual storytelling is an ancient art. Visuals help us tell stories with impact. A. Rama Devi, Officer on Special Duty, Law and Order and Traffic (Additional SP rank), Rajahmundry, chose this powerful medium to educate and enlighten the unlettered masses on social evils.

A native of the Andhra region, the women police officer has gained prominence in Warangal district for her prudent approach to issues.

When she was posted as Sub-Divisional Police Officer at Mahabubabad in Warangal district towards the end of 2011, she decided to take up issues related to the welfare of women in Lambada thandas (hamlets). “There were a total of 696 Lambada thandas under the purview of 10 police stations which were under my jurisdiction. Almost 98 per cent of them were unlettered and so, the level of awareness about key issues was very low,” she recalls.

To drive home her point effectively, she used the visual media as a tool and made a short film, Chaitanyam, which portrays a fierce fight against brewing of gudumba (illicit liquor). Several youngsters joined hands to promote the short film.

Chaitanyam also brings to the fore other existing practices like chewing of tobacco and child labour.

“I wrote the script and directed the film and gave it a voice. For camera, editing and acting, I used local talent,” she says. The first CD of the film was released by then SP Rajesh Kumar Singh.

When ‘Nirbhaya Act’ came into force following the Delhi rape incident, Ms. Ramadevi came up with yet another short film to enlighten the public on the clauses of the Act, explaining in detail each Section of the IPC relating to rape, attempt to rape and molestation. Her work was widely appreciated.

“My 10-year stint as Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) has helped me understand issues quickly and respond to them immediately,” she says.

Ms. Ramadevei passed Group-2 exams in 1996 and was appointed MPDO. She won the best MPDO award continuously for 10 years. A native of Srikakulam, she is also a postgraduate.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by  B.V.S. Bhaskar / Rajahmundry – May 13th, 2014

Now, get info on farm tech

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

The Karimnagar District Cooperative Central Bank’s Farmers’ Development Centre would provide inputs on technology, weather, crop variants and fertilisers to spur productivity

In a bid to create awareness on farming techniques and to increase productivity, the Karimnagar District Cooperative Central Bank (DCCB) on Sunday launched Farmers Development Centre, a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country.

The FDC, launched in association with Nabard and e-fresh portal, would enlighten farmers about the latest farming technology and methods for increasing yield, DCCB chairman K. Ravinder Rao told reporters. It would also conduct soil and water testing and give appropriate suggestions to farmers on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and crops.

It would also sell the latest variety of seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and other agriculture tools etc. The FDC would educate the farmers about the need for developing vermin compost. They would also remove middlemen and ensure that farmers have direct linkage with the market so as to get better prices for their produce. The FDC would also provide weather forecast for farmers. Similar FDCs were being planned at Jagtial and Sircilla town, DCCB authorities said.

On the go

In order to ensure that the latest agricultural developments reach the grassroots-level farmers, the DCCB had also decided to launch ‘208 Rythu Ratham’. The specially-designed vehicle contains all information on the FDC and also facilities for the conduct of soil and water testing in the fields. It would also contain audio-video equipment for educating farmers on the latest farm technologies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Karimnagar – May 12th, 2014

Krishi Parivartan Yatra: Agro-tech and business opportunity for farmers

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, Uncategorized

Sangareddy :

The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) on Sunday kick started Krishi Parivartan Yatra, hosting the first of five agro-tech and business opportunities expos scheduled to take place in five cities in India.

Krishi Parivartan Yatra or a journey of agricultural transformation takes 50 farmers and entrepreneurs, who are beneficiaries of the World Bank-funded National Agriculture Innovation Project (NAIP) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), on a five-city tour to share new technologies and agri-ventures with fellow farmers.

The activity is being organized by NAIP to promote cross learning and sharing of success stories among farmers across the country, so as to strengthen agribusiness and boost the transformation of Indian agriculture. It will conclude and culminate into the Agri-Innovation Conclave in New Delhi on May 18.

The first expo held at ICRISAT showcased the best of enterprises developed through NAIP initiatives. The activity included parallel sessions and discussions where the NAIP farmer beneficiaries shared their success stories with about 200 farmers and entrepreneurs and promoted the tremendous potential in agribusiness. The train journey was then flagged from ICRISAT’s global headquarters in Hyderabad for the five-city tour after the day-long activity.

“Innovation in agriculture is widely considered as the key to achieve food security. To actualize this vast untapped potential of Indian agriculture, this Krishi Parivartan Yatra is being organized to bring to the fore, the unlimited opportunities that agriculture and agribusiness offer,” said Dr D Rama Rao, national director, NAIP at the inaugural session of the Yatra.

“Our mission is to make smallholder farmers in the drylands prosperous, not just self-sufficient. And that is why we are engaged in promoting an inclusive and technology-based entrepreneurship and agribusiness program,” said Joanna Kane-Potaka, strategic communication and marketing director, representing ICRISAT director-general Dr William Dar.

“ICRISAT’s Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) Program has supported more than 200 agribusiness ventures and benefited over 500,000 farmers in Andhra Pradesh and neighboring states. We have identified and supported some very good innovative products and technologies and taken them to the market. The Krishi Parivartan Yatra supports our goal to bring together the best of agri-ventures and enterprises to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers,” said SM Karuppanchetty, chief operating officer, ICRISAT-ABI.

The Yatra journey, along with the just concluded Agri-Biz Idol Camps held in various cities between May 5 and 9 to reach out to the youth and start-up entrepreneurs, will both culminate in the Agri-Innovation Conclave from May 18 to 19 in New Delhi. The conclave aims to bring together agribusiness experts, professionals, and other stakeholders from across the country, on a common platform to share NAIP’s success and conceive path breaking ideas for strengthening the future of agribusiness in India.

NAIP-ICAR has embarked on this unique initiative to promote awareness on the potential opportunities in agri-business, nurture agri-innovators for future generations, and also to promote the various business incubation services offered by NAIP’s Business Planning and Development (BPD) units. The BPDs which primarily act as an agriculture incubation centers help start-ups or entrepreneurs foraying into agribusiness to flourish by providing comprehensive business solutions.

Over the last five years, 22 agribusiness incubators (BPDs) have been set up throughout India in agricultural universities and research institutes by NAIP-ICAR with support and mentoring by ICRISAT-ABI. The success has led to ICRISAT and ICAR sharing their expertise across the continents to Africa, to coordinate the setting up of food business incubators and food technology laboratories in 10 African countries.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Syed Akbar, TNN / May 11th, 2014

Move to Get More GI Products From Andhra Pradesh

Business & Economy, Records, All

With the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam successfully winning a case against a Chennai-based company, which was selling laddus in the name of ‘Tirupati laddu’, with the help of its geographical indication (GI) registration, the Andhra Pradesh Technology Development and Promotion Centre (APTDPC), which had helped TTD get the GI tag, has started training police personnel on the importance of GI and its legal aspects.

The Madras High Court has recently passed an ex parte interim injunction restraining a Chennai-based company from preparing, selling and making laddus available to the public in the name and style or anything deceptively similar to the Tirupati laddu.

APDTC is organising awareness lectures on GI tag at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy and the AP Police Academy.

“It has been seen that most of the police personnel are not aware of GI tags and how to deal with cases involving GI tag law violation. Hence we have taken the initiative to provide training to them,” APTDPC head Jyoti Kumar said, adding, “We are very much satisfied with the response  we have got from police personnel to our GI awareness programme and hope that they will cooperate with us in our mission.”

As GI cases have to be dealt with the judiciary, he said, there is also need to make the judiciary aware of the rules concerning the GI tag and the procedures involved in their allotment. “We feel that even the judiciary should be trained to deal with GI tag cases. As very few cases of GI violation are reported in the country, the judiciary is not fully aware of the laws governing such cases. Hence the need to make it aware of them.”

He said that APTDPC has been organising workshops for creating awareness among the people.

Jyoti Kumar said the Madras High Court’s judgment on Tirupati laddu could be the first of its kind in India, confirming the rights of a registered GI as against its unauthorised use by third parties. “This judgment has boosted our morale and will help us in our endeavour to bring more products under the GI tag. The order will also make GI tag holders aware of their rights,” he said.

GI Products

Karnataka, with 32 GI products topped the national list followed by Tamil Nadu (24), Andhra Pradesh (22) and Kerala (20). APTDPC has till now facilitated filing of 26 products from AP, of which 20 have obtained the GI tag. “We are currently studying 40 to 50 products from Andhra Pradesh, including Bandaru laddu and Nizamabad turmeric, for possible filing,” Jyoti Kumar said. Last year, APTDPC had sent Etikoppaka softwood-lacquer ware toys from Visakhapatnam district and Durgi stone works from Guntur district for GI registration, he said.

Geographical Indication Registration

GI is a sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. The use of a GI may act as a certification that the product possesses certain qualities, is made according to traditional methods, or enjoys a certain reputation, due to its geographical origin. The recognition on the markets of the names of these products allows the community of producers to invest in maintaining the specific qualities of the product on which the reputation is built.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Anil Kumar – Hyderabad / May 10th, 2014