Category Archives: Business & Economy

RTC does it again

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All

Chittoor depot provides water cans in buses for commuters. Some of the Express and long route buses are already providing water during journey.

The Chittoor Depot-II of the APSRTC, which had hit the headlines for its humanitarian gesture of providing water cans in all its depot buses last year, is going to do it again this summer.

It all happened mid-summer last year when a passenger begged for water while breathing his last due to sunstroke in an RTC bus in Karimnagar . This tragic episode moved the Chittoor Depot-II manager, P. Gajalakshmi, who initiated immediate steps to arrange water cans in all the buses of the depot.

Starting with a few buses initially, the official quickly mustered the support of business and public groups in Chittoor, who came forward to sponsor the water cans in the buses. Soon, all the buses carried mineral water cans, much to the relief of passengers, particularly the aged and children on long distance journeys. The exercise continued till the summer ended. Ms. Gajalakshmi’s Samaritan gesture inspired many of her colleagues in the corporation elsewhere in the State, and they all followed suit.

Speaking to The Hindu, Ms Gajalakshmi said that this year, water cans would be made available in all the 103 buses of the depot. Some of the Express and long route buses are already providing water during journey . “A business establishment has come forward to sponsor the cans. However, we are having a mineral water plant in our depot, which has a 12,000 litre capacity tank. All the crew on the buses have been instructed to provide the water cans without fail,” she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Chittoor – April 03rd, 2014

Accendo Tech lines up 8 enterprise apps for launch

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Company has so far developed 15 mobile apps for sectors including healthcare, education, retail, and media and entertainment

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Accendo Technologies Private Limited, a Hyderabad-based startup predominantly focused on building mobile applications for enterprises, is lining up eight apps for various clients across the globe, said Diwakar Singh, vice-president (sales).

The company, floated in early 2012, has so far developed 15 mobile applications for sectors including healthcare , education, retail, and media  and entertainment .

“We are currently working on apps for events industry (registration management), one for the logistics industry, and one gym app for a Singapore client, which will provide virtual physical training sessions, tips after keying in weight and body mass index, and eventually creates curiosity to actually go and join a gym. We expect to deliver these apps to our clients within six months from now,” Singh told Business Standard on the sidelines of Nasscom Product Conclave 2014 in Hyderabad on Thursday.

The self-funded company currently employs 46 professional across its Hyderabad and Sydney offices.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Technology> Personal Technology> Mobile / by K Rajani Kanth / Hyderabad – April 03rd, 2014

Utthishta Yekum Fund to invest in 20 tech startups

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

The fund, which is a partner to Nasscom’s ’10, 000 Startups’ initiative, has so far received 1, 470 applications from various technology startups

Uttishta Yekum Fund , the debut seed fund from Hyderabad-based Utthishta Management Advisors LLP, is targeting to invest in at least 20 Indian technology startup companies every year, according to Mohsin Khan, general partner of the fund.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi)-registered alternative investment fund, with a fund size of Rs 70 crore, has so far invested in seven companies. These include New Delhi-based GreatWideOpen, an adventure travel company, and Claimback, which takes care of customer grievances against brands,  and Hyderabad-based happyweddings.com.

Utthishta Yekum, which writes the ‘first cheque’ of between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh for very very early-stage startups, has M Prabhakara Rao as its anchor investor with an already committed Rs 31-crore infusion into the fund. Rao is the chairman of Hyderabad-based Rs 5, 600-crore Nuziveedu Seeds Limited (NSL group), which has interests in agriculture, textiles, sugar and renewable energy.

“Our focus going forward will be on startups that are into mobility, software, analytics and cloud computing. And, we intend to invest in at least 20 such companies each year,” Khan told Business Standard on the sidelines of Nasscom Product Conclave 2014 here recently.

The fund, which is a partner to Nasscom’s ‘10, 000 Startups’ initiative, has so far received 1, 470 applications from various technology startups on its website.

According to P Rama Krishna, another general partner at Utthishta Yekum Fund, they typically pick up 10-15 per cent stake in very very early-stage startups in exchange of their investments.

“Since we invest at a very very early-stage, we hold on to them for at least five years for an exit. Of course, we do expect 18-19 per cent return on investment from them,” Krishna said, agreeing that purely product-focused companies in India where very less now.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by K Rajani Kanth / Hyderabad – April 07th, 2014

Auction halls survive digital age

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

The Taluk Office Street in Gandhinagar is dotted with quite a few auction halls, which offer dining tables, wardrobes, cots, office tables, etc

In this digital age, when things are bought and sold at the click of a mouse over Internet, Gandhinagar in Vijayawada is still preferred by many to buy or sell pre-owned furniture.

The Taluk Office Street in Gandhinagar is dotted with quite a few auction halls, which offer dining tables, wardrobes, cots, office tables, etc but not through the traditional way of auctions.

Generally, employees, who get transferred to other places or those who arrive in the city, visit these halls for furniture. Businessmen, who plan to set up new store or those, who wish to discard old furniture zero in on auction halls, explains A. Anil Kumar of Sri Saikrishna Auction Hall.

People walk into the outlets and check out for the desired dining table or cot and if they are convinced of the quality and price, a deal is struck, of course after a lot of bargaining. No guarantee is extended on the products, he adds.

But why are these outlets called auction halls? A few years ago, outlet owners used to conduct auctions every Sunday at 5 p.m. in their respective outlet premises. When two or more customers desire for a particular product, then an auction was conducted and the one, who bids the higher price used to get it, replies T. Purna of Sri Srinivasa Auction Hall.

With the government insisting on licences to conduct auctions, the practice was done away. But that has not stopped people from coming to the area, though the number is declining over the years for different reasons.

With showrooms offering EMI options, most people from middle income groups are opting to buy furniture from them. People from low income groups still visit these outlets as they are confident of getting quality products at affordable prices, he says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by S. Sandeep Kumar / Vijayawada – April 08th, 2014

British Airways’ dream launch

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
South Asia Regional Commercial Manager of British Airways Christopher Fordyce greets Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and wife Jaya Bachachan during the launch of the British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner service to Hyderabad on Monday. PHOTO: K_RAMESH BABU
South Asia Regional Commercial Manager of British Airways Christopher Fordyce greets Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and wife Jaya Bachachan during the launch of the British Airways Boeing 787 Dreamliner service to Hyderabad on Monday. PHOTO: K_RAMESH BABU

Boeing Dreamliner 787 to connect city with London. The Dreamliner landed at the Hyderabad International Airport from London early on Monday.

Coinciding with ‘Ugadi’, the British Airways launched the luxurious Boeing Dreamliner 787 connecting Hyderabad and London on Monday.

The Dreamliner landed at the Hyderabad International Airport from London early on Monday and the brand new aircraft was adorned with a plaque commemorating and honouring the Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachan.

“The collaboration signifies commitment, rich legacy and our success in the Indian market” said Christopher Fordyce, Regional Commercial Manager, British Airways, South Asia at a press conference here.

Enhanced comfort

Mr. Christopher said it was British Airways’ first Dreamliner to India, and customers travelling to and from Hyderabad will now get an opportunity to enjoy the all new luxurious and ultra-modern aircraft that promises enhanced comfort and reduced jet lag. He said more Indian film content is being added in all the British Airways aircrafts to India realising the huge market potential.

Mr. Christopher said India has emerged as the second largest market for the carrier after North America and has increased 40 per cent seats since last year. It has been operating in India for the last 85 years and as of now 48 flights are being operated per week connecting Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai to London. He said British Airways has no plans to enter into alliance with any Indian airlines as of now.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 01st, 2014

Game developer strikes it rich

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

 

Yogesh Boppana, a second year engineering student of GITAM University, who has developed two games so far and recently bagged a plum job offer from Canada-based Rockstar Games./ The Hindu
Yogesh Boppana, a second year engineering student of GITAM University, who has developed two games so far and recently bagged a plum job offer from Canada-based Rockstar Games./ The Hindu

Yogesh Boppana (19),a second year engineering student of GITAM, has bagged an annual package of $ 360,000 (Rs 2.2 crore) from Canada-based Rockstar Games

Playing games may be fun, but for some developing them gives a different kind of kick. At the age of 19, Yogesh Boppana has not only designed and developed two games and but also bagged a plum offer from Canada-based Rockstar Games with an annual pay package of $ 360,000 (Rs 2.2 crore).

Passionate about game developing Boppana, second year engineering student of GITAM University, got initiated into the exciting world of gaming when he was in school. “I used to play all kinds of games and also keep a lookout for what’s the latest development in the gaming sector,” he says.

The young game developer’s first game was out when he was just 17 years old. Titled ‘Avoid Blades’ – it is a fun game suitable for any age group. “The game is simple and has unlimited levels in which the gamer has to protect rings from the blades to get the highest score,” he says. His second game ‘The Sky Fight’ was designed and developed in seven months.

Skill and creativity apart, game development has turned into serious business. Gaming across platforms (PC, mobile, social media, local networks) is set to grow exponentially over the next few years. India has 15 million social gamers at the moment and this is expected grow to 31.96 million by 2018, according to industry estimates.

Realising the potential of this growing sector, Boppana is now developing his third game which he says will be the “special highlight” of his works so far. A ‘story-based 3D game’, he plans to complete it by the fall of 2016. “The programming part is done but designing and developing the animation takes a lot of time. I am working on it now,” he adds.

Bopanna recently started his own enterprise called ‘YNations’ with a small young team. The team’s first project is on a unique product called ‘Digital Complaint Box’. “We have applied for patent for this. It is a gadget wherein complaints can be registered by the vocal medium as well,” says Bopanna.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – April 01st, 2014

New power plant in AP starts generation

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

The first unit of  Andhra Pradesh Government’s thermal power plant at Krishnapatnam in Nellore district has been synchronised with State power grid.

The first unit of Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station (2×800 MW) at Krishnapatnam has been synchronised with AP power grid, power generation entity Apgenco said in a statement today.

During the initial operation of about two hours, the unit reached a maximum load of 55.6 MW, generating about 0.086 million units (MU) of energy, it said.

“Generation of 38 MU/day can be realised after both the units are commissioned,” the company said.

BHEL  and  L&T were the major contractors for the coal-based power plant, while Navayuga Engineering Company took up seawater related works, the statement added.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – April 01st, 2014

From Araku, the aroma wafts across global frontiers

Business & Economy, World Opinion
Winners of best the Biodynamic Coffee Growing Villages interacting with Chief Sustainability Officer of the Naandi Foundation David Hogg at Gems of Araku Festival 2014 organised at Thuraiguda in Visakhapatnam district on Wednesday./ Photo: K. R. Deepak / The Hindu
Winners of best the Biodynamic Coffee Growing Villages interacting with Chief Sustainability Officer of the Naandi Foundation David Hogg at Gems of Araku Festival 2014 organised at Thuraiguda in Visakhapatnam district on Wednesday./ Photo: K. R. Deepak / The Hindu

Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan, among others, keen on a deal on the coffee of the valley

This scenic locale that is a popular tourist destination is on the international map for one more reason – coffee.

The coffee Arabica from Araku is set to sell at Rs. 450-500 per kilo. The premium coffee is grown by the 12,000 small and marginal tribal coffee farmers of the valley and the world’s coffee guzzling nations including Norway, South Korea, Switzerland, and Japan are keen on striking a deal on the produce this year.

Making the world know the existence of Araku Arabica and having it appreciated for its unique taste and flavour is the Araku Originals Limited floated by the Naandi Foundation. AOL is marketing the idea and the coffee by bringing in the discerning international buyers to the Araku Valley to see the cultivation and interact with the farmers.

On the other hand the international recognition has boosted the morale of the farmers who are taking pride in their produce and are willing to walk that extra mile to ensure quality.

What makes the coffee cultivated by the members of Small and Marginal Tribal Coffee Farmers Mutually Aided Cooperative Society in the Valley so unique is the biodynamic cultivation process that avoids use of chemicals, SAMTCFMACS president Killo Kondal Rao of Thuraiguda says.

Competition

The Naandi Foundation, in association with the Mahindra & Mahindra, organised a competition — Gems of Araku 2014 — to recognise and award the best biodynamic farmer and the best biodynamic farming village.

The competition has been designed with an aim to encourage the farmers to adopt the best practices and maintain the quality that is sought after in the international markets, says Chief Sustainability Officer of Naandi Foundation David Hogg.

On Wednesday Rajeev Dubey of the Mahindra & Mahindra along with the CEO of Naandi Foundation in the presence of a number of international coffee buyers gave away the awards to the Best Biodynamic Farmer Janni Budho of Ganjaiguda village, runner-up G. Anantaram of K. Bodapat village; Best Biodynamic Village to K. Bodapat village and runner-up to Ganjaiguda village at a function organised at the Coffee Processing Unit of the SAMTCFMACS at Thuraiguda near here.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by G. S. Subrahmanyam / Araku Valley (Visakhapatnam District) – March 20th, 2014

SPDCL to be largest Discom in State

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

It is likely to be split into two companies post-bifurcation

The Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) is all set to become the largest power distribution company in the State, with the number of its operational circles touching eight as a consequence of the bifurcation, according to sources in the government.

A provision to this effect has been made in the A.P. Reorganisation Act, but SPDCL has not yet received guidelines on reassigning two Rayalaseema districts to it.

However, the company may be eventually split into two. One of them will have Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam and Nellore circles under it, and the other will have Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool.

At present, SPDCL manages Guntur, Kadapa, Nellore, Ongole, Tirupati and Vijayawada circles to which Anantapur and Kurnool (now in CPDCL) will be added as they come under Seemandhra. CPDCL will be left with Hyderabad, Mahabubnagar, Medak and Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy circles after the ‘reassignment’ (of Anantapur and Kurnool to SPDCL) is completed.

Except that the merger of Anantapur and Kurnool will expand the operational jurisdiction of SPDCL, it will be of no benefit as it does not involve creation of any additional infrastructure at the moment. However, there will be proportionate reallocation of manpower on the basis of numbers of operational circles and posts in the Southern and Central Discoms.

SPDCL currently caters to a population of more than 2.25 crore, and it has nearly 57.50 lakh domestic and 44 lakh non-domestic and commercial connections. The number of low tension services stands at about 71 lakh and high tension nearly 3,000. The existing State of Andhra Pradesh has four Discoms – SPDCL, CPDCL, NPDCL and EPDCL based in Tirupati, Hyderabad, Warangal and Visakhapatnam respectively. NPDCL covers Adilabad, Karimnagar, Kha-mmam, Nizamabad and Warangal circles and EPDCL caters to Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and East and West Godavari circles.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by V. Raghavendra / Vijayawada – March 20th, 2014

Tungabhadra ferry ride saves cost, time

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment
Self-driven boats ferrying people across Tungabhadra river near Kurnool. / The Hindu
Self-driven boats ferrying people across Tungabhadra river near Kurnool. / The Hindu

The driverless boat service across Tungabhadra River near Kurnool ferries around 2,000 people daily for a charge of Rs. 5 per head.

The residents of E. Tandrapadu, Pulatota, Gondiparla, Basavapuram, Bairapuram and Doddipadu arrive in the city every morning to attend to jobs or eke out a living as hawkers and vendors. Five families of traditional fishermen arranged the boat service. The boats are fastened to a rope so that basket boats do not drift away because of the current.

Majority of the commuters prefer a boat ride to save cost and travel time. By ferrying across the river, the public reach the city in 15 minutes while road journey for a distance of 15 km takes more than half an hour.

The commuters travel to the city for less than half the cost. A cash collection counter is established on the bank where a clerk allows riders into the boat after collecting Rs. 5 and after getting into the boat, one of the passengers rows it by pulling the rope.

The two-way boats transport nearly 40 passengers at a time. Most of the passengers said they were well-versed with driving the boat. However, the boat service is suspended during floods.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Kurnool – March 29th, 2014