Category Archives: Business & Economy

GHMC to Train 500 Poor Women Cab Drivers

January 15, 2014Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Featuresadmin

To empower and generate employment for poor and marginalised women, the GHMC has decided to provide training to 500 women as cab drivers soon.

GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar will convene a meeting on December 26 with a motor driving school, Raksha Motor Driving School, which provides training for women in driving taxis.

GHMC officials of Urban Community Development (UCD) wing told Express that a good number of applications have been received by the GHMC in the last few days.

The proposed training would be provided to the candidates till they become proficient in driving.

Women who applied for cab training will be handpicked from poor and marginalised sections of the society to enable them to earn their livelihood. Most number of applications have been received from the Central Zone followed by East Zone and South Zone. About a dozen women also hold driving licenses. Besides technical training, the module also focuses on personal grooming, honing language skills and developing a feeling of empowerment among the women of marginalised sections.

Even in technical training the women would be acquainted with the mechanism of a car and taught to change flat tyres and fix minor problems, officials said.

GHMC will make efforts for their placements in companies, call centres, other government departments that require women cab drivers. .

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by S. Bachan Jeet Singh – Hyderabad / December 25th, 2013

Hotels wooing Vizagites with beach parties

January 13, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economyadmin

Visakhapatanam :

What can be more fun for Vizagites than ushering in the New Year on the beach to the sway of salsa beats in true Latin American style? With the city bouncing back to normalcy after the prolonged Samaikyandhra agitation, denizens are willing to give troubling division thoughts a rest and are gearing up to welcome 2014 with full gusto and city hotels are going all out to woo revellers with an entertaining mix of dance, music and food under the stars on the beaches.

This is proving to be a big hit with several Vizagites, especially the family crowd, who have preferred to stay put in the city during the New Year instead of venturing out of station as winter holidays have been curtailed by many educational institutions to make up for lost classes during the Samaikyandhra agitation.

While Park Hotel is organizing its ‘Sin City’ bash, featuring South American dancers, DJ and gourmet delights, on the beach, Palm Beach Hotel is organizing open air sea deck events. “We have decided to transform the beach into a dance floor this year. There will be salsa, pole dance apart from Bollywood dancer Hema Panchali’s troupe that will keep the audience enthralled,” said Park Hotel’s PR department official Vindhya Singh, pointing out that the response was better than last year.

In fact so good is the demand for New Year bashes that Palm Beach Hotel claims that most of its event packages are almost sold out. The hotel’s spokesperson Ravi Shankar said, “We have DJ Suman and a live band playing on the sea deck. Despite the steep price tags of up to Rs 3500 per head, the bookings have been selling like hot cakes.” While the Novotel Varun Beach is not really taking its patrons to the beach, it is making sure that they get a feel of being on the beach by organizing a `Dance by the Bay’ do at the Pool Deck replete with DJ, live singers and international artistes apart from ‘Fiesta Mexicana’ fest that will feature Russian dancers and a Bollywood troupe. And despite the steep pricing ranging from Rs 5,500-8,500 per couple enthusiastic Vizagites are lapping it up, claimed Varun Mehrotra, director (sales and marketing), Novotel Hotel.

At Waves, the Four Points by Sheraton night club, a DJ night will be the focal point of New Year’s eve, while at Sea Green, a fashion show along with DJ performances is on the menu. And even the strict deadline of 1 am laid down by the police for all public events has not deterred the organisers or the revelers.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Troupe / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / December 31st, 2013

Ladyfish raises hopes of scientists, Krishna district farmers

January 12, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Natureadmin

Sillago Sihama brackish water fish being cultivated in Krishna district./ Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

CMFRI ties up with Nagayalanka-based farmer to cultivate it

The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute’s (CMFRI) project of cultivating Sillago sihama, knows as ‘Ladyfish’, in Nagayalanka of Krishna district is raising the hopes of scientists and farmers to tap the potential of the huge market for the fish in Indian metros.

At a time when shrimp cultivation is becoming less lucrative, the brackish water Ladyfish is likely to woo aquaculture farmers in the Krishna-Godavari delta.

This is the first project of the CMFRI in the country to test the possibility and survival of the brackish water fish with a view to cultivating it in other parts of India, particularly Karnataka.

In July, scientists of the CMFRI Mangalore Research Centre collaborated with Nagayalanka-based farmer T. Raghu Sekhar after he had collected over 20,000 Sillago sihama seed from the mangrove forest in Nagayalanka.

“I rejected the scientists’ request to hand over the seed to them. Instead, I sought their support and guidance to cultivate the fish in my own pond and they agreed,” said Mr. Sekhar.

Considering the cultivation of the fish in the two-acre pond at Pedakammavaripalem in Nagayalanka mandal, the scientists began their project and achieved favourable results.

Survival rate

“Survival rate of the fish is good when compared with other brackish water species. If each fish records a growth of not less than 100 grams, it would be a huge success and lucrative on the marketing front.

“We will then replicate the cultivation to parts of Karnataka,” a scientist of the research station told The Hindu over phone.

Demand

The fish has a great demand in Indian metros, apart from the local market. “The success of the project will help tap and meet the demand for the fish in our country in the coming years,” the scientist has said.

“By mid-December, the weight of each fish reached 50 grams. It is likely to grow to the targeted weight – 100 grams – by harvest time. Being blessed with mangrove forests that are rich fish seed banks, cultivation of Sillago sihama is likely to be seen as an alternative to the Vannamei shrimp in the Krishna-Godavari delta,” Mr. Sekhar said.

According to local communities, the availability of the Sillago sihama seed is particularly abundant in the mangrove forest, adjacent to the point where the river merges into the sea.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Nagayalanka – January 02nd, 2014

Mytrah Energy adds 150 MW wind power capacity in 3 States

January 11, 2014Business & Economy, Science & Technologyadmin

Hyderabad :

Mytrah Energy Ltd has added wind power generation capacity of about 150 MW in three southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

This has increased its installed wind power generation capacity from 309.9 MW to 459.9 MW.

The wind power generation company based in Hyderabad and listed on the Alternative Investment Market of (AIM) of London Stock Exchange is implementing wind farms with total capacity of 238.2 MW at three locations at Burugula (37.4 MW) in Andhra Pradesh, Savalsang (100.3 MW) in Karnataka and Vagrarai (100.5 MW) in Tamil Nadu.

The company has commissioned the additional capacity at these sites. All the three projects are being commissioned on a rolling basis with the stabilisation process being conducted throughout the first quarter of 2014. With the completion of these three projects, the installed capacity of Mytrah Energy will go up from 309.9 MW now to 548.1 MW.

According to the company listing in the AIM, the entire new capacity will be able to capture the benefit of 2014 wind season.

Burugula and Savlsang are Mytrah’s first two self-development projects constructed on the company’s land with Gamesa. This provides the company with diversification when combined with its turnkey agreement with Suzlon.

The other project in Tamil Nadu at Vagarai is another self-development project with Regen and will be Mytrah’s first project where the output will be sold under third-party sale agreements.

Vagarai is expected to be one of the Group’s highest performing sites with an expected plant load factor of 31 per cent.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by V. Rishi Kumar rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in / Hyderabad – December 25th, 2013

Donkey milk sells at Rs 2,000 per litre!

January 10, 2014Business & Economy, Nature, Records, Alladmin

Visakhapatnam :

Donkeys may be the butt of jokes but the nutritional quality of donkey milk seems to be no laughing matter. After all it was said to be the secret of Egyptian princess Cleopatra’s glowing beauty.

And now, despite the bifurcation trouble brewing in the state, a group of nomads from the north Telangana region have arrived in north coastal Andhra with a herd of donkeys and are doing brisk business selling donkey milk that they claim has medicinal value for newborn babies.

G Lingamma, a woman spotted with a pair of donkeys and surrounded by milk buyers at Sivajipalem in the city on Thursday, said a group of 20 people comprising four families had arrived in the district few days ago from Mancherial town in Adilabad district of Telangana along with 15 pairs of donkeys to sell donkey’s milk that is believed to be a remedy for curing asthma and any respiratory problems in newborns.

“We are selling a cup (25 ml) of fresh donkey milk for Rs 200. If anybody wants it in bulk we can sell it for Rs 2000 per litre. Despite the steep prices, people who believe in donkey milk therapy are buying it without trying to bargain. Each one of us is currently able to earn nearly Rs 700-800 per day by selling the milk in the city. We had come here last year too and after completing our tour of Vizag city we will go to Vijayawada,” Lingamma said.

Meanwhile, housewife K Satyavathi, who bought 75 ml milk from Lingamma, said they used to buy donkey milk from Salur in Vizianagaram district. “My daughter recently gave birth to a baby boy. I was very happy when I heard that the donkey milk seller is roaming in our street. It’ good for my grandson’s health as feeding donkey milk to a newborn is nothing but administering good ayurveda medicine,” Satyavathi explained.

Concurring with Satyavathi’s statement, a senior ayurveda doctor, V Suseela, from Sri Ayurveda Health Centre Srinagar, said that donkey milk is the best medicine for newborns suffering from asthma, tuberculosis and throat infections. Explaining its medicinal value, V Venkateswara Rao, joint director, department of animal husbandry, Visakhapatnam district, said that though donkey milk is similar to human breast milk, it is relatively poor in protein and fat but rich in lactose.

“It has been used since ancient times to battle asthma and respiratory allergies and is fed to babies aged between 6-8 months for good health. The milk also enjoys a good demand in metros like Bangalore and Chennai. It also helps skin become smooth and glowing and is used in cosmetic products. It is no coincidence that Cleopatra used to bathe daily in donkey’s milk and 700 donkeys were milked everyday just for her,” Venkateswara Rao said. According to him, donkey milk is very famous in European countries and cheese made from donkey milk is the world’s costliest dairy product.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City>Visakhapatnam> Asthama / by V. Kamalakara Rao, TNN / December 28th, 2013

Kalamkari union gets licence to procure black jaggery

January 9, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Members of Kalamkari Artisans’ Union, Pedana, receiving permanent trade licence to procure and transport black jaggery, from Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao in Machilipatnam. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

The Hindu reported the woes of the Kalamkari artisans due to lack of the jaggery

Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao on Monday handed over the permanent trade licence, issued by Commercial Tax department, for procurement, transport and sale of black jaggery, to the Kalamkari Artisans’ Union members at the Collectorate here.

The registered licence number was VJ2/0173/7851 (as per the AP Value Added Tax Act 2005) was officially sanctioned on December 17, based on the recommendations of the Excise Superintendent K. Pradeep Rao.

Amicable solution

In response to the woes of the Kalamkari industry due to scarcity of black jaggery, both the district Collector and Excise official found an amicable solution to encourage the rural industry. The Hindu reportet the woes of the Kalamkari artisans and the officials reacted positively to that. Excise Superintendent K. Pradeep Rao told The Hindu that the Kalamkari union deserved the licence as it was found to be of great necessity for supply of black jaggery. “There is no hesitation to act against the members of the KAU if violation of the licence in any manner is found. We will keep vigil on illegal transportation of jaggery, even within the limits of the Kalamkari industry,” he added.

KAU president Y.V. Malleswara Rao and other members thanked the authorities concerned.

The artisans are now being allowed to procure and transport the black jaggery from Chittoor and Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam district.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – December 31st, 2013

Project Anantha launched

January 9, 2014Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technologyadmin

Anantapur:

Revenue minister N. Raghuveera Reddy on Thursday launched ‘Project Anantha’, an innovative project with five year-plan, with an estimate of Rs 7676 crore at Rythu Bazaar here on Thursday.

The project was designed to take all available measures to overcome severe drought situation in the district as Anantapur is located in rain-shadow region, made permanently drought with second lowest rainfall district in the country.

Raghuveera Reddy had inaugurated the Project Anantha office at Rythu Bazaar premises on the occasion.

Speaking at the programme, the revenue minister said that this was the first ever project designed in the country allocating separate budget in the five year plan from 2013-14 to 2017-18 based on the recommendations of ICAR committee report.

“The ICAR committee had studied all the relevant concerns and issues of agriculture and allied sectors in detail made an assessment of natural resource base, crops, livelyhood opportunities available in the district in a scientific way,” he recalled.

Referring to introduction of all sectors in the Project, Raghuveera Reddy observed that techno-development action research project leveraging specific agriculture, sericulture and dairy technologies for result oriented development.

Revenue minister also said Project Anantha collaborated with ICAR and universities of agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry departments for its implementation.

“The Project requires Rs 7676 crores of which Rs 3550.078 crores from various departmental resources, subsidy, beneficiary contribution. And intends to mobilise an amount of Rs 836 crore through banks,” he said.

As part of the introducing the project, 14 villages of 14 Assembly segments have been selected for pilot project and later extended to all the villages, he said, adding that the Project Anantha programme should have no link with the elections and politics as all representatives and leaders sought district should overcome drought situation.

He expressed confidence the new project with all allied sectors would certainly uplift farmers of Anantapur.

MP Ananta Venkatarami Reddy, MLAs Madhusudhan Guptha, B.K. Parthasarathi, Abdul Ghani and B. Gurunath Reddy, collector D.S. Lokesh Kumar, Project Anantha Chairman Chandramouli were among participated in the programme.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / January 03rd, 2014

VCTPL lands Vizag container terminal project

January 9, 2014Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinionadmin

Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has approved issuing a letter of award to Visakha Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (VCTPL) for extension of existing container terminal at a cost of Rs.633 crore.

The proposal was okayed by the board of trustees, which met here on Friday. Kolkata Port Trust Chairman R. P. S. Kahlon, who is holding additional charge as Chairman of VPT, presided over the meeting.

VCTPL, a joint venture of DP World and United Liners Agencies of India (Private) Ltd., had developed the existing container terminal a decade ago under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. It had handled 2.47 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units in the last fiscal. Once the new container terminal is extended, it will increase the capacity by 0.5 million TEU. It is envisaged to increase the length of the all-weather terminal to 850 metres to handle bigger size vessels.

The letter of award is likely to be issued on Monday, VPT sources told The Hindu.

VPT accepted the VCTPL’s revised offer of 11.44 per cent of gross revenue share from the new project for which the concession agreement for 30 years will be signed in the New Year. The project will be taken up under develop, build, fund, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model.

The tender committee set up by VPT under the chairmanship of Chief Engineer Ramachandra Rao opened the price bid on November 18. VCTPL had emerged as the only qualified bidder to submit price bid. VCTPL, which was also the single largest bidder earlier, was not considered by the port for offering just 10 per cent of gross revenue share.

The board subsequently asked all the seven qualified bidders, including VCTPL, Adani, Simplex, Welspun and Leighton, to submit fresh bids.

“We are delighted at the Friday’s decision to issue letter of award in our favour. It will help VPT in facing competition thrown up in handling container cargo by the Krishnapatnam and Dhamra Ports,” CEO of VCTPL Capt. Sriram Ravi Chander said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business> Industry / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – December 27th, 2013

V’wada Turns Online Trading Hub

January 6, 2014Business & Economy, Science & Technologyadmin

The online trading platform is very helpful to investors and traders and Vijayawada city is fast emerging as a hub of it, Nitin Kamath, founder and chief executive officer of Wealth Aura Trade Solutions Private Limited, has said. Inaugurating the ‘Zerodha’ online trading centre at Benz Circle here Thursday, he said ‘Zerodha’ was a revolutionary trading platform providing traders a free trade zone and this is the second office after Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh.

He opined that in South India, Andhra Pradesh is the biggest market for online trading and has more potential due to continuous trading activities.

Nitin said that Zerodha traders have to pay a simple fixed amount of `20 as transaction fee.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service – Vijayawada / December 27th, 2013

LG unveils curved OLED TV in Hyderabad

January 5, 2014Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

Hyderabad :

LG Electronics today unveiled curved OLED TV priced at Rs 9,99,000 at a store in Hyderabad.

OLED refers to organic light emitting diode. The first LG 55-inch curved OLED TV features an ergonomic design with full cinema 3D support. The thin display TV removes the problem of screen-edge visual distortion and detail loss.

Rajneesh Sharma, Regional Manager, Andhra Pradesh, LG India, in a statement said: “India is a strategic market for LG and we are the first company to launch the curved series in this market. The unique curved design will provide consumers with an ultimate viewing experience.”

“Home entertainment is fuelled by constant change and growth with new products. LG India will strengthen the product portfolio further with new launches. Our target is to capture 30 per cent market share in flat panels by the end of next year,” Rajneesh Sharma said.

The curved TV features unique 4-colour pixel technology and a 4.3 mm thin display. The 4-colour pixel technology adds a white sub-pixel to the conventional red, green and blue pixels.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by R. Rishi Kumar / Hyderabad – December 24th, 2013

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