Category Archives: Business & Economy

TU 142 Aircraft Museum inaugurated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion
Boost to tourism: President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries after the inauguration of TU-142 Aircraft Museum in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam
Boost to tourism: President Ram Nath Kovind and other dignitaries after the inauguration of TU-142 Aircraft Museum in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

The attraction in Vizag is the first of its kind with a walk-through for visitors

President Ram Nath Kovind on Thursday inaugurated the TU 142 Aircraft Museum, the first such museum in the country, on the Beach Road here in the presence of Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He later went through the cockpit, machinery, bombs and gunner compartments of the aircraft.

Mr. Naidu presented TU 142 souvenirs and Pedana “kalamkari kanduva” to the President.

Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of ENC Karambir Singh, Lok Sabha members K. Haribabu and Muttamsetti Srinivasa Rao, Ministers Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu and N. Chinarajappa, ZP chairperson Lalam Bhavani, Port Trust Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Mukesh Kumar Meena and VUDA Vice-Chairman P. Basanth Kumar, MLAs and MLCs participated.

The museum is the first of its kind with a walk-through for visitors. The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) oversaw the execution of the ₹14-crore project comprising the museum complex, TU flight simulator, an audio-visual room and souvenir shop. The project, seen as a major tourist attraction with the Submarine Museum across the road, is funded by the AP Tourism. The VUDA will run the museum, set up on one acre of the Andhra University, in coordination with the Navy and the A.P. Tourism. The decommissioned TU 142 was flown in from the Arakkonam base of the Navy, dismantled, transported and reassembled into the museum.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – December 08th, 2017

Vizag Fest to begin tomorrow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Vizag Fest chairman K.V. Ramana, right, and secretary A. Aja Sarma releasing a pamphlet on the festival in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
Vizag Fest chairman K.V. Ramana, right, and secretary A. Aja Sarma releasing a pamphlet on the festival in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

A series of programmes are lined up for the 10-day event

With a promise to combine entertainment and knowledge, Vizag Fest 2017, comprising book exhibition, literary talks, short film shows and science and technology, will begin at AU Engineering College grounds on Friday. There is no entry fee.

“The ten-day fest, being organised in association with the Department of Culture of Andhra Pradesh, intends to provide wholesome entertainment and relief to citizens caught in mechanical life,” fest secretary A. Aja Sarma said.

HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao will inaugurate the festival. The Youth Festival will be inaugurated by Minister for Sports and Youth Kollu Ravindra on December 2.

Festival chairman and former Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University K.V. Ramana on Wednesday released the catchy theme song of the festival. The song was written by Jana Vignana Vedika State president Challa Ravi Kumar and sung by R. Rajesh.

Mr. Ramana recalled that when K.V. Gopala Swamy was the registrar of Andhra University, youth festival and drama festival were organised coinciding with the convocation. Vizag Fest was registered as a permanent trust. While other cities had exhibition grounds, Visakhapatnam lacked a permanent ground, he pointed out.

Focus on youth

The focus is on women, youth and children and as many as 2000 youth would be made part of the science exhibition displaying 100 projects. “To make the experience total, we dropped a proposal to hold the short film show at a separate auditorium and got a mini theatre ready to screen 70 films,” he said. Telugu Short Film Association honorary president and actor L.B. Sriram would participate in it. Cartoon and photo exhibitions and food stalls would also be part of the fest.

The first fest in 2015 was a big success and even top officials appreciated it and wanted it to be organised again, Mr. Sarma said.

A total of 200 cultural programmes would be organised.

Literary talks, release of books would be organised at Gurajada Sahitya Vedika.

At the book exhibition to be organised by Andhra University, Vignan University, Visakha Book Festival and Vizag Fest, 100 stalls would be set up.

Mr. Sarma said every day film personalities would address meetings and the stress was not on glamour. On the inaugural day, writer Suddala Ashok Teja would attend the programme. Chandra Bose, Goreti Venkanna, C. Uma Maheswara Rao, R.P. Patnaik and others would part in the fest.

Fest members N. Ramanachalam, A. Ramakrishna, K. Subhashini, Yellaji, P.V. Gopala Rao, Dandu Nageswara Rao and B.B. Ganesh were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / November 30th, 2017

Andhra Pradesh: Farmers export plant material

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Nature, World Opinion

Local farmers get direct export orders from agents in the Gulf

The farmers export tall plants which grow to a height ranging from four to eight feet and aged two years and above by placing them in cocoa peat, to bring down the weight of the plant. (Representational Image)
The farmers export tall plants which grow to a height ranging from four to eight feet and aged two years and above by placing them in cocoa peat, to bring down the weight of the plant. (Representational Image)

Rajahmundry:

Given the huge demand for ornamental, fruit and ‘avenue’ plants from Kadiam nurseries in the Gulf, nursery farmers have exported plant material worth over $1.5 lakh to Dubai, Singapore and other countries in the current fiscal year, so far. Fruit plants like mango, ‘sapota’, guava, jackfruit, orange, ‘nerudu’, and ornamental plants like several varieties of colourful croton and ‘avenue’ plants like ashoka, kanuga, coconut, palm and others are being raised in plant nurseries located in several villages in Kadiam mandal in East Godavari. These plants are in huge demand in several Gulf countries. Local farmers get direct export orders from agents in the Gulf.

The farmers export tall plants which grow to a height ranging from four to eight feet and aged two years and above by placing them in cocoa peat, to bring down the weight of the plant. The farmers transport the plants in big refrigerated containers on trucks to the sea ports located either in Visakhapatnam or Chennai to export to the Gulf in cargo vessels. The plants can survive for a period ranging from 15 to 20 days in these refrigerated containers.

Horticulture authorities say that the quantum of export of plants to foreign countries from Kadiam nurseries is 0.5 per cent of the total potential and underlines the importance of enhance it to at least 10 per cent, so that local farmers benefit. The authorities also feel the need to tap the plant market in the US, as there has been no export business carried out here by Indian farmers. They say that the plant quarantine is imperative to create an export market.

This is mainly because no plant with pesticide residue will be accepted abroad. In addition, the plant must be ‘whole’, meaning its stem, branches and leaves must be healthy. They must also be free of diseases and pests and show no signs of this, in the form of scars. At present, the authorities are depending upon analysis of plant material at the Horticulture Research Station.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by Sampat G. Samaritan, Deccan Chronicle / November 27th, 2017

International air cargo complex opened in Vizag

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
In big league: P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju loading cargo onto a scanner at the international air cargo complex on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam
In big league: P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju loading cargo onto a scanner at the international air cargo complex on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

We have achieved turnaround in the aviation sector, says Ashok Gajapathi Raju

Union Civil Aviation Minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju on Tuesday said the Central government had reshaped the ecosystem to make the aviation sector in the country the third largest market in the world by bringing about a remarkable improvement in its ranking.

Mr. Gajapathi Raju was speaking after inaugurating the international air cargo complex here in the presence of Visakhapatnam MP K. Haribabu, CEO and Executive Director of GSEC (O&M agency) Samir Mankad, CMD Rakesh Shah, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of AP Trade Promotion Corporation (APTPC) M. Sadhu Sundar and Director of Visakhapatnam International Airport G. Prakash Reddy.

“Before the NDA formed the government, it was ranked 13th from the bottom. During 70 years after Independence, only 71 airports had scheduled flights. We have created 80 airports in past three and a half years improving the connectivity,” he said. A long-awaited demand, the complex is spread over 674.64 square metres at the old terminal with facilities such as cold room for pharmaceutical and perishable products, strong room for valuable cargo, X-ray machine, explosive trace detector (ETD), CCTV cameras, material handling, and fire-fighting infrastructure. The complex is fully compliant with Customs as well as the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

The facility is expected to give a boost to export of pharmaceuticals, seafood, garments and metallurgical products. Initially, the complex will handle five tonnes per day.

The Minister said their focus was on improving rural connectivity and offering the luxury of flying from one place to another to all sections of society.

Mr. Haribabu in his remarks recalled how the airport was developed in phases and mentioned that the work on six parking bays was almost complete and once they were open for night-time parking of aircraft, the operators could introduce late night and early morning flights to various destinations.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – November 22nd, 2017

CANEUS International to set up space science and research center in Andhra Pradesh

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

SpaceANDHRA18nov2017

Hyderabad :

CANEUS International, involved in satellite and space technology has signed a tripartite agreement with the Andhra Pradesh Economic Development Board (APEDB) and the Andhra Pradesh State Skills Development Corporation (APSSDC) to establish a Center of Excellence on Space Sciences and Technologies for Development (CoE4SSTD) in Hindpur, Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh.

This MoU was signed by Milind Pimprikar, Chairman, CANEUS and J Krishna Kishore, CEO, APEDB in the presence of Chief Guest Simonetta Di Pippo, Director, UNOOSA (United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs) an Italian astro-physicist with over 30 years of expertise in aerospace affairs and senior officials of ISRO in Bengaluru.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) had in fact named an asteroid 20887 “dipippo” after Pippo recognizing her contribution to space exploration.

The CoE4SSTD is expected to help build capacities and capabilities in space science and research. Andhra Pradesh will partner, collaborate and assist the CoE4SSTD and help align the state with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

It will be developed over a 60 acres of land in Hindupur, and create opportunities for 500 highly skilled direct jobs and over 1000 indirect jobs in AP and will provide the much needed fillip for the aerospace and defense ecosystem in Anantapur. It is likely to be completed by the end of 2018. Anantapur has already seen Kia motors, BEL and other major investments

CANEUS International, a non-profit organisation of professionals involved in public private partenrhsips in aeronautics, space and defence recently set up a facility for manufacturing small satellites in Nagpur.

Krishna Kishore, CEO, APEDB said, “’Fostering such collaborations remains a key focus for Andhra Pradesh. This Centre of Excellence will also build deep industry-relevant capabilities and develop a pipeline of talent to support our growing aerospace industry and create an excellent ecosystem for turning Anantapur as a manufacturing hub.”

Milind Pimprikar, Chairman, CANEUS said “This knowledge-intensive space industry is an exciting niche opportunity for Andhra Pradesh and the state has the potential to create valuable technology-based careers for those focusing on emerging technologies for solving problems while ushering in Industry 4.0.”

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by M. Somasekhar / November 17th, 2017

A techie’s tryst with mangrove crab

Agriculture, Business & Economy, World Opinion
Pirati Kanumuru with a wild crab at his pond near Konduru village in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_ APPALA NAIDU
Pirati Kanumuru with a wild crab at his pond near Konduru village in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_ APPALA NAIDU

Reaping profits with export to China

A young Hyderabad-based techie, Pirati Kanumuru, has tapped potential of mangrove crab (Scylla serrata) cultivation in the artificial ponds near Konduru mandal headquarters in Krishna district. Mr. Kanumuru was born in Konduru mandal.

Managing to collect above 6,500 mangrove crabs from the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary and other mangrove patches in Krishna and Guntur districts for every 90 days, the techie is reaping profits by exporting them to Singapore and China. The Yanadi tribal families collect the crab from the mangrove forest.

Fattening technology

“I have recently held talks with middlemen to export the wild crab to a few South Asian countries. The talks are in a crucial stage now,” Mr. Kanumuru told The Hindu. Beginning with a pilot project testing the survival and feasibility to cultivate the wild crab in the artificial ponds in 2015, Mr. Kanumuru had spread the wild crab cultivation in the six acres now.

The growth of the wild crab being collected from the mangrove forest is fast. The crab would gain weight of up to two kilograms within the three months in the crab fattening technology. In the fattening technology, the crab is left to grow in the floating cage.

“In the international market, a kilogram live crab fetches ₹1,000 to ₹1,200. The profit on each crab for each cultivation season (three-months) is clearly double in the existing market prices,” added Mr. Kanumuru. The techie had installed Closed Circuit cameras covering all the ponds here, inspecting the groundwork and day-to-day developments through online from Hyderabad. The crab fattening technology enables to go for any inter-crop in the same pond as the cages with crab are required to float on the pond. “The existing United Nation’s guidelines will not encourage the mass collection of the wild crab (Scylla serrata) from the mangrove crab, citing a threat to the brackishwater species. There is a need to develop hatcheries to encourage the crab cultivation,” said Mr. Kanumuru.

Hatchery in Bapatla

The State government with the support of the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Aquaculture has proposed to set up a wild crab hatchery in Bapatla in Guntur district. In 2014, the Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai, has introduced the crab fattening technology in Sorlagondi forest in Krishna district, involving the Yanadi tribal families those engaged in the collection of the wild crab from the mangrove cover.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Koduru (Krishna) , October 30th, 2017

Andhra Pradesh Farmers Fly To Singapore, Hotels And Food On Government

Agriculture, Business & Economy, World Opinion

Officials say the farmers are expected to learn from Singapore how to invest the funds they have earned in exchange for their land, “so that Amravati can become another Singapore”.

The first batch of farmers left this morning for the airport in a bus flagged off by CM Naidu.

Hyderabad :

Cash-strapped Andhra Pradesh is sending over 100 farmers to Singapore so they can see how the land bought from them will be used for the development of new capital Amravati, and also how they can invest their new-found wealth.

These are farmers who signed off their land to the Capital Region Development Authority for the building of Amravati after Andhra Pradesh lost Hyderabad to new state Telangana after bifurcation. Around 26,000 farmers gave up around 33,000 acres of land.

Sources say the government, in partnership with Singapore, has put up Rs. 40 lakh for the tour plan, hotels and food while the farmers, wealthier after being compensated for their land, are paying for the ticket.

The first batch of 34 farmers, selected through a draw of lots, left this morning for the airport in a bus flagged off by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. “These farmers have created a world record by making a success of land pooling. They should learn how Singapore has developed and their best practices,” Mr Naidu said.

There will be four batches and a total of 123 farmers will tour Singapore. Many have never gone abroad and were full of doubts.

K Adilakshmi from Tullur, who had given five acres of land, said she is happy that farmers are being made partners in the region that originally belonged to them. “I am sure we will learn a lot from Singapore,” she said.

Officials say the farmers are expected to learn from Singapore how to invest the funds they have earned in exchange for their land, “so that Amravati can become another Singapore”.

Critics say while thousands of farmers gave up their land, only those seen to be close to the ruling party were shortlisted for the foreign trip.

A consortium of Singapore firms, Surbana Jurong, is the lead consultant for building Amravati in 20 years at a cost of Rs. 55,000 crore.

The farmers’ group is expected to visit Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities and the Singapore Art Museum. There will also be a session on construction laws for apartments.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> Andhra Pradesh> Sections / by Uma Sudhir / October 31st, 2017

Kondapalli toys set for revamp, Andhra Pradesh government invites ideas for new design

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

There are only about 56 families engaged in the craft at Kondapalli at present, and only five families that make the iconic bullock cart.

A Kondapalli bullock cart.
A Kondapalli bullock cart.

Kondapalli Bommalu, the traditional craft of making wooden figurines and toys in Kondapalli of Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, is set for a makeover.

The brightly coloured miniature bullock cart, which is usually gifted by Andhra Pradesh CMs and government officials to visiting dignitaries and foreign guests, will now be a “moving” one. The state government has called for designs from artisans of the small community that makes these handicrafts to develop a “moving” Kondapalli bullock cart, General Administration Secretary N Srikant said. The government has also announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for the winning design.

Officials said that given the tough competition from cheaper Chinese toys, declining popularity of motionless toys, and shrinking number of families involved in Kondapalli Bommalu, the state government has decided to preserve this craft and save the artisans from penury by asking them to redesign models and make them more marketable.

Kondapalli toys are made by a community of artisans with centuries-old techniques. Their ancestors migrated from Rajasthan over 400 years ago and settled at Kondapalli, 40 km from Vijayawada, where they used soft white sandalwood from nearby forests to make the figurines.

There are only about 56 families engaged in the craft at Kondapalli at present, and only five families that make the iconic bullock cart. Five other families make the dancing doll, originally called Thanjavur Doll.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> India / by Express News Service / Hyderabad – October 24th, 2017

State-made drones set to make their bow soon

Business & Economy, Science & Technology
CEO of AP Innovation Society Valli Kumari Vatsavayi
CEO of AP Innovation Society Valli Kumari Vatsavayi

Soft launch in January, says innovation society CEO

After starting its office at the Sunrise Incubation Hub here recently for its ambitious unit, the AP Innovation Society is planning to roll out the first drone manufactured in the State from New Year.

“We have decided to undertake a soft launch in January as a prelude to the commercial launch in March,” APIS CEO Valli Kumari Vatsavayi told The Hindu on Wednesday. She said there was tremendous response to the drone manufacturing facility being developed in the city with patronage from the State government.

An investment of ₹1 crore would be made in the project during the first year of operation. The centre will produce drones costing ₹1 lakh depending on its configuration like lens, accessories and range of its operation.

Price advantage

Ms. Valli Kumari said they would manufacture 25 drones per month from March once the facility turned fully operational. “The drones produced here under the Make in Andhra Pradesh programme will cost less than the private manufacturers. We can make a normal drone for ₹1 lakh which costs ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh if sourced from a private manufacturer,” she said. As part of its resolve to promote innovation culture among youngsters, they would also have a R&D lab and reverse engineering lab. The prototypes would be put to commercial use through research by startups and innovators at the facility started at the Sunrise Incubation Hub.

Network of mentors

A network of mentors, including IITs and foreign institutes, had been developed to partner in the project. The government would procure the drones for land registry, soil mapping, police surveillance through various departments, she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – October 19th, 2017

The man behind the convocation gown

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
M.S.R. Murty showing the VIP robes ahead of the AU convocation, in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK
M.S.R. Murty showing the VIP robes ahead of the AU convocation, in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK

The octogenarian has been supplying the special garment since 1959

Year after year, M.S.R. Murty has been an integral part of the jubilation of scores of graduates who pass out on the convocation day wearing black ceremonial robes, flinging their black scholars’ hats into the air.

Since 1959, the 80-year-old has been supplying the black gowns for the convocation of the Andhra University and 50 other colleges in the districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.

Celebrity customers

From former President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to actors like ANR and Bhanumathi to former cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, several important personalities have worn the gowns made by Mr. Murty, a known name in the university and college circles of the city.

Ahead of the 83rd and 84th combined convocation of the University, the octogenarian is filled with nostalgia as he goes down the memory lane to share some priceless moments.

“In those days, AU convocation used to be a big affair and meticulously held every year on the second Saturday of December. We had a tailoring unit at our book store in the One Town area, where the black gown with golden border used to be stitched,” says Mr. Murty, who took over his father’s business in 1959. Till about a decade ago, the gowns used to be stitched at the tailoring unit in the city. However, a dwindling interest in tailoring business made it difficult for him to get the work done by local tailors.

He now gets the gowns made from a Chennai-based unit. This year, he is supplying as many as 1,100 gowns for the convocation.

The first film celebrity to don his gown was ANR when he was conferred the honorary doctorate degree of ‘Kalaprapoorna’ by the AU in the 70s. Later, it was during Indira Gandhi’s visit the tradition of the ceremonial gown was changed to silk scarves.

“That particular year, I was ready with gowns when hardly 20 days ahead of the convocation I was informed about the change. I had to rush to Mumbai to get the silk cloth for the scarves and managed to make 100 scarves in a span of a week’s time. Ms. Gandhi was very particular about protocol and there were elaborate arrangements and practice done to avoid any chance of even minor goof-ups. I made a special velvet scarf for Ms. Gandhi for the convocation where she was conferred D. Litt. ,” recollects Mr. Murty.

Age has certainly not withered him as he gets ready for Saturday’s convocation with two separate sets of gowns – the black ones for the graduates and the coloured ones for VIPs.

“The gowns are given on rent for ₹150 and I charge a caution deposit of ₹1,000 from each student, which is refunded once the gowns are returned,” says Mr. Murty, who also supplies gowns for convocation of other colleges and universities like GITAM University and Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University.

With his children settled in their respective careers, Mr. Murty continues his family business with diligence in his twilight years.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Nivedita Ganguly  / Visakhapatnam – July 27th, 2017