Monthly Archives: September 2012

4,000 Kuchipudi dancers to attempt Guinness record

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Anand Kuchibhotla (centre), founder and chairman of Silicon Andhra, releasing a poster of International Kuchipudi Dance Convention in Vijayawada on Friday. / Photo: CH. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

An attempt will be made to set a new Guinness record at the upcoming third International Kuchipudi Dance Convention, announced the Silicon Andhra Founder-Chairman Kuchibotla Anand.

At a meeting to release the official poster for the convention on Friday, he said that around 4,000 dancers would dance for “Brahmanjali and Dasavatara Sabdam” to create a new world record. This time the event would be held from December 23 to 25 in Hyderabad and the theme of the convention would be “Yuvatha Kuchipudi habitha!” (Youth is the Future of Kuchipudi), he said.

The main aim of these conventions is to promote Kuchipudi form of dance and provide a livelihood to the dancers and gurus, said Mr. Anand. More than 6,000 dancers from India as well as other countries like Italy, Ukraine and Russia would be attending this convention, he said.

The convention would be inaugurated on December 23 and there will be lecture demonstrations, workshops, research paper presentation and performances till December 24, said Mr. Anand. The highlight of the convention would be on December 25 when dancers from the Maha Brunda Natyam would try to set a new record, he added.

GUIDELINES

All the participants and delegates should register their names by paying a registration fee of Rs.600 on or before October 30 and Rs.700 on or before November 30 by Demand Draft drawn in favour of “Siliconandhra” payable at Hyderabad. The registration fee will allow delegates to attend all three days of the convention, receive a copy of souvenir and meals (breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner). Traditional Kuchipudi costume/make-up is compulsory for all participants of “Maha Brunda Natyam” and they should make their own arrangements. The participants should practise the dances made available on DVD/VCD and website: www.kuchipudi.siliconandhra.org. For further details contact Phone- 9866001119, 9989295939.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News>  Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / September 22nd, 2012

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated across Andhra with gaiety

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Vinayaka Chavithi was celebrated with devotion and gaiety across Andhra Pradesh today.

People thronged temples to offer prayers to Lord Ganesh and performed Vinayaka Chavithi Vratham to the idols installed at homes.

Lakhs of Ganesh idols were installed in residential colonies across the state which will be worshipped for nine days.

A huge Vinayaka idol, said to be 58 ft tall, was installed at Khairatabad here with a ‘laddu’ weighing 3,500 kilograms. It has been the tradition for many years that a tall idol is installed at Khairatabad.

Governor E S L Narasimhan and several political leaders offered prayers to the Khairatabad deity.

With various government agencies and NGOs and media organisations undertaking a massive campaign to use eco-friendly Ganesh idols, the use of clay idols has increased manifold this year.

Ganesh Chaturthi was also celebrated in offices of ruling Congress, main opposition Telugu Desam and other parties.

In Rajahmundhry, over 500 Ganesh idols of various sizes were installed across the city and a large number of devotees were seen queueing up for darshan at the famous Vinayaka Temple at Iyannavelli near here.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> General News / Press Trust of India / Hyderabad, September 19th, 2012

Biodiversity quiz for school students

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Andhra Pradesh Forest Academy will organise a state-level biodiversity quiz for school students of classes VIII to XII.

Quiz will be held at Hyderabad Public School on September 22 at 3 p.m. and will have three levels of screening. Preliminary round will be conducted through a written test and the top 10 teams would go to the next round. The second round will involve quizzing by a renowned wildlife conservationist and five teams will be shortlisted for the final round.

Winners will be decided in the final round on Sept 23. Cash prizes will be given to top three teams (Rs 5000, Rs 3000 and Rs 2000 respectively).

Schools can send nominations of student for the quiz. Each school can nominate two teams.

Participants should report at the venue in their school uniforms along with ID cards. Any clarifications can be known from Forest Academy deputy director BV Rao on 9440816287 or 040-23097163.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> South> Southern News> Hyderabad / The New Indian Express, Express News Service / September 20th, 2012

Saina as thrilled at Sindhu’s showing as her Rs.40 crore deal

Business & Economy, Sports

New Delhi, Sep 19 (IANS)

London Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal is as delighted at her Andhra colleague Pusarla Venkata Sindhu’s “brilliant showing” in the Chinese Masters Super Series as she is at inking a Rs.40 crore three-year deal with a sports management company.

Saina, who has taken a break after the London Games, sounded quite excited about Sindhu’s showing. She sees it as giant leap forward for Indian badminton.

“Sindhu played brilliantly at Changzhou last week to beat London  gold medallist Li Xuerui and I believe it is a clear sign of the upward movement in Indian badminton,” Saina told IANS from Hyderabad.

“I hope my medal will inspire more and more people and also popularise the sport even more in the country.”

The 22-year-old Saina will be back competing in three weeks from now when she plays in the Denmark Open Premier Super Series (Oct 16-21) and then in the French Open Super Series (Oct 23-28).

“I just needed some time out. I had been playing continuously right up to the Olympics as I really wanted to win the medal. I was so tired I badly needed a break,” said the Hyderabadi, who is back training fully.

“I am training like I used to earlier; seven hours a day. I am trying to get back my speed and momentum and with time I will get better.”

What did she do during the break?

“Not much. I was quite busy with all those felicitations and attending functions. I was in Tirupati over the weekend on a thanksgiving trip. What all I achieved in life is all thanks to the God.”

She also utilised the time in tying up some of her long-pending endorsements, the biggest being the Rs 40-crore deal with Rhiti Sports Management Company, which also markets India’s cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

“Before the Olympics I was busy with the tournaments and practice. And now I have been spending time with functions and felicitations. However, I started training last week and I will be back for Denmark and French Open next month.”

As for her sudden spurt in endorsements after London, she says it’s a good deal.

She has nine brands going and her new management company is negotiating with three more corporates for her to endorse.

“Yeah it is a good deal, the management company I believe got three-four endorsement offers but I actually have to hear from them about the products I am going to endorse.

“Frankly, the offers started coming even before the Olympics through the Deccan Chronicle which was managing my affairs, but at that time I just wanted to concentrate on the London Games, so I refused them. I did not even know about the products I was to endorse as I refused them blindly without looking at them.”

Back to badminton, Saina had an excellent chance of adding another Super Series title had she not pulled out of the ongoing Japan Open as the Chinese players cried off saying the political situation in Japan was not conducive to playing in the tournament.

Saina was quick to say that she would have preferred to win a tournament with all the top Chinese playing than without them.

“I’d rather win a tournament with top Chinese players playing than without them. I have played against them in the past and beaten most of them,” said the World No.4.

Asked what’s going to be her next target, now that she has won an Olympic medal, she said: “I don’t fix targets. Yes, I wanted to win an Olympic medal and I now have one. Perhaps, I would like to change the hue of the medal next time around in Rio. But that is a long way off and I can’t say what will happen in the next four years.”

What about a World Championship medal, after all it’s a major prize?

“I am not really after it, but a top-three position there would be great. I want to go slow and take match-by-match,” added Saina, who these days is also promoting badminton in her own way.

source: http://www.newstrackindia.com / Home> Others / IANS / New Delhi, Sports / Wednesday, September 19th, 2012

Hyderabad: Single-seater aircraft for just Rs 1 lakh

Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

Hyderabad:

Students of mechanical engineering at the Lords Institute of Engineering and Technology have designed and fabricated an aircraft that can be used for commuting within the city, in what is called an effort to solve traffic problems in the city. Made with a budget of about Rs 1 lakh, the single-seater can take off with a short run up of about 100 meters at a cruising speed of 50 to 60 kmph and fly at an altitude of 1000 ft.

The aircraft has a fuel efficiency of around 25 km/litres and can fly at a moderate speed of above 100 kmph. Research is on to further modify the aircraft and make it commercially viable for production.

The aircraft has been developed under the guidance of Dr. Mohd Masood and has been solely developed in the college campus. The project is part of a series of projects planned to solve the day to day problems of citizens of the country.

Students of the Lords Institute of Engineering and Technology have designed and fabricated  the aircraft.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> South> Hyderabad / IBN Hyderabad / The New Indian Express / September 17th, 2012

Hyderabad boys design their own car, win race

Education, Sports

Hyderabad:

Ever wanted to race like Lewis Hamilton? The very sound of the engines, vrooming in and fading like a missile, sets the adrenaline pumping. Now, imagine designing your own car and hitting the track in top gear on a racing circuit. That was exactly what 25 boys from Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology (MJCET) have done and how. Racing at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), Noida with 65 other teams in their own car, the engineering students came out with flying colours, winning the first prize at the SUPRA INDIA 2012 competition held between Sept 6 and 9 and conducted by the Society of Automotive Engineers India.

The team from MJCET bagged the first prize in the marketing presentation (business plan) category winning a trophy and a cash prize of Rs 30,000. In all, 120 teams from across the country vied for honours and of them, 66 made it to the final round and of them, only 25 made it to the last leg. For the Hyderabad team, it was a new and exciting experience as they had never before reached this stage.

According to team leader, Mohammed Waseem, the self-designed vehicle was tested for three days on the track before the final race. Around 80 judges from the automobile industry inspected the vehicles for safety check, design evaluation, weight check, egress check, master switch test, noise level test, tilt test, fuel leakage test, brake test, acceleration test, skid pad test, etc. before they were allowed to participate in the final endurance event where the teams had to successfully complete four laps – a total of 22 kms. The Hyderabad team car’s engine had a 796cc Maruthi Suzuki 37 BHP engine. It crossed 110kmph at one point and maintained an average speed of 77 throughout the race.

imagine designing your own car and hitting the track in top gear on a racing circuit

The project, according to the mechanical engineering department of the college, was conceived in July 2011. Following that, the team had passed through the Virtual SUPRA competitions in January 2012 and the fabrication of vehicle started in early March this year. The team was headed by Mohd. Waseem – Captain and Ch. Abhilash – Vice Captain.

The car costs Rs 4 lakh (including engine and transmission) whereas the total cost of the project was about Rs 9.5 lakh, including the cost of car, registration, transportation and accommodation, informed officials. The team was sponsored by Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology, M/s Coastal Power Projects, Butta Group, DB Shapriya, and Reitz India Pvt. Ltd, under guidance of AS Reddy and Mohammed Viquar Mohiuddin, faculty advisors, SAEINDIA MJCET Chapter. It was also actively supported by Prof. S.Khadar Vali, Head of Mechanical Engineering Department and Dr. Basheer Ahmed, Principal MJCET

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> South> Hyderabad / IBN Hyderabad / The New Indian Express / September 17th, 2012

ISB competition for social entrepreneurship ideas

Business & Economy, Education
Indian School of Business students at the graduation ceremony in Gachibowli (file photo). — Photo: Nagara Gopal / Business Line
Hyderabad, SEPT 13:

Do you have an idea that has a potential to make a social impact? The Indian School of Business (ISB) has announced iDiya, a nationwide idea competition for working professionals who are interested in starting ventures with a potential to create a positive impact on society.

“The competition seeks to promote scalable and sustainable businesses in the fields of agri-business, health, education, energy, environment, women’s empowerment and disability,” an ISB statement said here on Thursday.

This year’s ISB iDiya Challenge is being organised by about 767 students of the Class of 2013 at the ISB.

The ISB has called for entries for the fourth ISB iDiya Challenge. Those who are interested can submit their ideas online at www.isb.edu/iDiya. The last date for submitting the applications is September 30.

iDiya, which was started in 2009 by students, is a platform for social entrepreneurs with venture capital funds and experts from different fields. This has caught the imagination of not only the students and professionals but also of institutions such as Nabard, Upaya, Social Ventures, Ckinetics and Villgro.

The total investment opportunity for the ideas selected through ISB iDiya this year has increased by four times to Rs 1.73 crore.

Winners in the last three years have been funded and mentored by some prominent names in the industry such as Acumen fund, Intellecap, Unitus capital, Grey Matters Capital, Mumbai Angels and Wadhwani Centre for Entrepreneurship Development at ISB.

Last year’s ISB iDiya Challenge winner was ‘SMV Wheels’, a venture based out of Varanasi that helps rickshaw pullers to fulfil their dreams to become self-employed.

kurmanath.kanchi@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Marketing / by K. V. Kurmanath / September 13th, 2012

Gadicherla award presented to former Andhra University professor

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Katragadda Venkateswarlu, former professor of politics, Andhra University, receiving the Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao award in Visakhapatnam on Friday. / Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Prof. Venkateswarlu earned his living through his contributions to The Hindu, Andhra Patrika and Vignana Chandrika Grandha Mandali.

The 18t Gadicherla Award was presented to Katragadda Venkateswarlu, former professor of politics, Andhra University, in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Freedom fighter Gadicherla Harisarvottama Rao was one of the pioneers of library and adult education movements in the combined Madras State besides participating in struggles championing the cause of various sections of society.

Responding to the felicitations, Prof. Venkateswarlu spoke on the prolific contribution of Gadicherla and his close association with several intellectual giants of the time. He expressed his ardent wish to delve deep into the works of the first Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University C.R. Reddy and Gadicherla to throw light on their immense contribution. Gadicherla went through a difficult life right from childhood but remained upright and patriotic. For most part of his life he earned his living through his contributions to The Hindu, Andhra Patrika and Vignana Chandrika Grandha Mandali.

Andhra University in charge Vice-Chancellor George Victor paid glowing tributes to Gadicherla. He recalled the teaching of Prof. Venkateswarlu focussing on social issues and burning problems. MLC K.S. Lakshmana Rao described Prof. Venkateswarlu as one of the four pillars of the Politics Department when he was a student. Foundation president K.C. Kalkura wanted the books on Gadicherla to be prescribed for Intermediate and degree courses. Politics Professor E.A. Narayana and L.I.Sc. Head of the Department C. Sasikala spoke.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vishakhapatnam / by Staff Reporter / September 15th, 2012

ISRO to launch SARAL satellite on December 12

Science & Technology
Bangalore, SEPT 12:

Indo-French satellite “SARAL” would be launched onboard PSLV—C20 from the spaceport of Sriharikota on December 12, this year, Indian Space Research Organisation Chairman K Radhakrishnan said on Wednesday.

“PSLV-C20 will be assembled in about 25 days in Sriharikota and the satellite will be launched on December 12, 2012. As somebody said it’s 12—12—12 (launch date),” he said at the Bangalore Space Expo 2012 here.

Radhakrishnan also said the European space consortium Arianespace would launch India’s GSAT-10 communication satellite from Kourou in French Guiana at 2.30 AM (Indian time) on September 22.

ISRO officials said SARAL is a small satellite mission with payloads —— Argos and Altika —— from French space agency CNES for study of ocean parameters towards enhancing the understanding of the ocean state conditions which are otherwise not covered by the in-situ measurements.

The satellite has been built by ISRO, which would also take care of the launch services.

SARAL will provide data products to operational and research user communities, in support of marine meteorology and sea state forecasting; operational oceanography; seasonal forecasting; climate monitoring; ocean, earth system and climate research, the officials said.

Referring to the GSAT-10 communication satellite, Radhakrishnan said, “We are going to French Guiana for the launch because the satellite weighs 3.4 tonnes which cannot be lifted by any of our vehicles —— PSLV or GSLV.”

Officials said GSAT-10 would carry 30 transponders, including 12 in Ku band, along with a GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) payload. GSAT-10 is a Rs 750 crore mission, including launch services cost.

GSAT-10, which will have a minimum operational life of 15 years, is envisaged to augment the growing need for transponders and provide communication services and augment the existing ones.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News> Science / by PTI / Bangalore, September 12th, 2012

 

Hyderabad Angels invests Rs 2 crore in green company

Business & Economy
Hyderabad:
Hyderabad Angels, a network of angel investors, said on Friday it will invest Rs 2 crore in Green India Building Systems and Services Pvt. Ltd (GIBBS).
The investment is led by serial entrepreneur Sashi Reddi.
“GIBSS is the leader in green building systems with their USP (uniqueselling proposition) of pay-from-savings model,” Reddi said in astatement. “Coupled with the low payback periods, GIBSS’ state-of-the-art disruptive technologies have a huge market potential.”
Apart from infusing funds in GIBSS, Hyderabad Angels will also mentorthe company and fuel its “disproportionate business growth,” Reddisaid
GIBSS promotes the use of energy-efficient products and solutions inbuildings. Its portfolio comprises geothermal cooling systems, hotwater co-generation systems, lighting and indoor air quality systems.
source: http://www.livemint.com / Live Mint & Wall Street Journal / by Yogendra Kalavalapalli / Friday, February 24th, 2012