Monthly Archives: October 2012

Pranab Mukherjee invited to launch Telugu meet

An assortment of Telugu literature, culture, dance, drama and music besides lip-smacking cuisine is being laid for the fourth World Telugu Conference to be held at Tirupati from December 27 to 29.

President Pranab Mukherjee has been invited to inaugurate the mega Telugu meet on December 27 while several top dignitaries would grace the occasion.

About 3000 delegates, including 1,000 NRIs, are expected to attend the mega meet to be held on a 99 acre site in Tirupati. About 200 NRIs have already registered their names so far and more are expected to do so in the next couple of days.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, who is personally supervising the arrangements, has asked the department of culture to ensure foolproof arrangements for the meet. The state government has earmarked Rs. 25 crore for the meet.

Culture secretary G. Balaramaiah said the department has sought entries for the theme song for the WTC from poets and others and the selected song would be given a cash prize of Rs. 25,000.

Similarly, entries have also been invited for dozen more songs wherein the best ones will get Rs. 5,000 each. The department has set November 15 as the deadline for all entries.

Noted Telugu scholars from India and abroad, besides all the 23 districts in the state, besides Telugus living in Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka, New Delhi and Maharashtra and other places would be invited for the WTC. Some of the non-Telugus who have made a mark in Telugu literature from United States, Russia, Japan and other countries are also being invited, Mr Balaramaiah said.

“It will be one of the best conferences to be held in the state. We are leaving nothing to chance,” the culture secretary said.

Culture director Kavitha Prasad, AP State Cultural Council chairman Ramanamurthy and adviser to state government on culture K.V. Ramanachary were present.

Dr Kavitha Prasad said the WTC would focus on promotion of Telugu language, literature, and culture in the state, India and abroad, usage of Telugu in internet, communication in government offices and other places, protection of Telugu arts and culture among others.

source: http://www.asianage.com / Home> Metros> Hyderabad / DC, October 21st, 2012

Shilparamam laps up Conference of Parties windfall

Hyderabad:

The biggest beneficiary of the recently concluded Conference of Parties (CoP-11) could have been Shilparamam, the traditional crafts village located at a stone’s throw away from the event’s venue in  Hitex. According to officials, the place saw an increase in footfall during the event which ended on October 19. Records reveal that around 3,000 foreign delegates had visited the crafts park in the last two weeks.

In view of the biodiversity meet, which lasted 19 days, more than 400 additional stalls were set up in the bazaar and stall-owners reported almost a 20% jump in business. “Some of the stall-owners have made profits ranging anywhere between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakhs, thanks to the various delegates of the biodiversity meet,” said a Shilparamam official.

The night bazaar at Shilparamam, which had received a lukewarm response ever since it was inaugurated in February this year, also came alive with several delegates thronging the stalls after the daily wrap up. The bazaar was kept open till 1am during CoP-11. Various programmes organised on the eve of the biodiversity meet also helped draw local visitors to the village, officials said. To the officials’ surprise, around 14,000 visitors made it to the bazaar over the last weekend.

GS Rao, Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Shilparamam, said, “In connection with CoP-11, we had organised close to 44 cultural programmes at the bazaar. That apart, we had also planted 24,700 plants. We had in fact, set up close to 50 stalls highlighting the importance of the biodiversity of the region.”

Officials said that, thanks to the meet, the infrastructure at the bazaar had been improved. “We have also added a cultural centre at the bazaar,” Rao said. Authorities have decided to continue the cultural programmes and plan to run the additional stalls till December.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / October 22nd, 2012

294 stadiums in Andhra Pradesh to have malls

It pays to have a sports-loving Chief Minister. N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, a cricket enthusiast, has approved a mega sports infrastructure development scheme for the state costing Rs. 200 crore.

The government will build sports stadiums in each of the 294 Assembly constituencies in a phased manner to give a fillip to all forms of sport. Shops will be built within the complex and given on lease/rent on the lines of the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad.

New stadia will boost all sports

The state government has sanctioned Rs. 200 crore for construction of the sports stadiums subject to government land being provided for the purpose to the Sports Authority of AP.

Each of the indoor and outdoor stadiums will cost Rs. 2.10 crore and Rs. 2.42 crore respectively.

Keen to develop sports ever since he took over the reins of the state, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy recently announced the formation of sports authorities at village and mandal level.

“Government, in a step towards development of sports, has taken a policy decision to go for construction of a sports stadium in each of its Assembly constituencies in a phased manner,” said secretary youth advancement, tourism and culture (sports) secretary Luv Agarwal.

The government’s approval came after the SAAP MD submitted a detailed proposal with an action plan, estimates and design of the sports infrastructure to be developed by the SAAP in the state.
All the popular major outdoor and indoor sports / games will be accommodated.

The outdoor stadiums will have facilities for athletics (200-metre track), cricket, basketball, football, volleyball, tennis, kabaddi and kho-kho.

The indoor stadiums will be for badminton, table tennis, carom, chess, and gymnastics with a multipurpose gym.

In order to provide a source of revenue to the stadiums to meet their maintenance costs, shops will be constructed within the complex and given on lease/rent on the lines of the Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad.

source: http://www.asianage.com / Home> Metros> Hyderabad /by C.R. Gowri Shanker, DC, Hyderabad / October 2oth, 2012

Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital undertakes various cancer awareness programmes in Hyderabad

Marking the breast cancer awareness day, the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Hyderabad has embarked up on various cancer awareness programmes in the state.

As part of this initiative the Indo-American Cancer Hospital has been organizing various programmes like Breast Cancer Awareness Walk, Cancer Awareness Programme and a Free Cancer Screening Camp in the city.

Initially to mark the Breast Cancer day on October 18, the hospital had organized Cancer Awareness Walk from Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital to the KBR Park Junction in Jubilee Hills. The programme was flagged off by City police commissioner Anurag Sharma.

In tune with its vision the institute is not only merely involved in treating the patients but it is also taking up programmes towards prevention of the dreaded disease. As part of this, the hospital is organising various programmes that are aimed at understanding the basis of disease and creating awareness among general population about cancer and possible causative agents and practices.

A part from serving the poor patients from all parts of the country, the Basavatarakam Indo-American institute has also taken up research initiatives in the filed of oncology. The R&D wing of BIACH & RI has been in the forefront in conducting research pertaining to cancer and its allied activities and is being recognized as one of the premier R&D centres in the country.

Recognizing the efforts of the R&D wing for the first time ICMR, New Delhi has sanctioned a three-year grant for research project tilted ‘Combinatorial Approaches to Elevate Levels of Intra – Cellular Ceramide in Drug Resistant Head and Neck Cancer Cells.”

“The project aims to understand underlying mechanisms of major pathways which are targets for almost all the anti-cancer treatment strategies, excepting surgery. The pathway that is targeted in the research study may also potentially important in developing drug resistance. The expected outcome of the project might help in developing specific and effective anti-cancer treatment modalities with less side-effect,” informed a source.

It is expected that the new research study taken up by the R&D wing will bring in possible new treatment strategy as it involves bioactive molecules that are present in human body and are thus less likely to have harmful side-effects. The institute has no fund crunch at present. The R&D wing’s another proposal on stem-cell therapeutics has also been approved by the funding agencies. Overall, the Indo-American institute has been doing remarkably well and has even attracted research fellows from reputed national agencies like CSIR and ICMR.

source: http://www.pharmabiz.com / Home> News> Hospitals & Clinics / PharmaBiz.com’s Bureau / Hyderabad, Saturday, October 20th, 2012

Thread BARE


Gaurang Shah

Gaurang Shah was lured by the weft and the warp long before the fashion industry turned its spotlight on handlooms

Revival is a word one often comes across in the fashion industry, in the context of ancient crafts, techniques and weaves. “It’s an overrated term,” laughs Gaurang Shah, the man who has been working with weavers for a decade. “When my brother and I were growing up, we didn’t know big words like ‘revival’. We grew up seeing our mom wearing the best of handlooms — Kanchi cottons, Bengal saris with kantha work, khadi and Uppada — and were drawn to textures born from the loom. Nine years ago when I thought of sourcing and selling saris, I could only think of handlooms,” he explains. Gaurang today liaises with weavers in 200 looms he established in villages in the outskirts of the city.

A day before he left for Dubai to participate in Numaish 2012 with his line Ardhangini featuring Kalamkari on Kanjeevarams, Gaurang says, “I’ve always been doing this — egging on my weavers to develop new and intricate patterns and challenging them with new textures. Now that I’ve participated in Lakme Fashion Week twice and the Lavera section of Berlin Fashion Week, people notice me more.”

A 30-second video shot by artist Laxman Aelay gives us a glimpse of the process of Jamdhani work on khadi. Gaurang is excited about showing this video and his line Ardhangini in Dubai. “Prominent Indian designers like Masaba Gupta and duo Shivan and Narresh are taking part in Numaish 2012. And I am told the audience predominantly consist of Indians, which is why I am confident of Ardhangini,” says Gaurang.

The designer has slightly tweaked the Ardhangini collection he showed early this year at Lakme Fashion Week to include Kota ghagras teamed with bandhini dupattas, garments with straight cuts with kalamkari work and saris. Gaurang is relatively a late bloomer in fashion week circuits, but he’s been in the field of handlooms for 13 years. The business that comes from his family store Indian Emporium remains his core strength while fashion weeks give him the added spotlight. “I’ve had loyal clientele for years. Some people have a tendency to go to designers in the spot light. Even they have returned to me after these fashion weeks. I guess the glamour quotient helps,” he laughs.

In 1962, his father established the store at Basheerbagh. “My brother and I used to go to the store after school and help dad with the stocks and manage the store. We got used to looking at fabrics, colours and textures. Apart from saris, we became famous as a matching centre for blouses. Those days, you didn’t have too many fabrics — only two by two and cotton,” he says.

Years later, when they moved to Begumpet and Gaurang and his brother joined the business, Gaurang introduced hand woven saris. “After my graduation, I studied interior designing for a couple of years. So I didn’t have formal training in fashion. I was interested in handlooms and didn’t know where to start,” he confesses.

He remembered the enviable collection of saris his mom had and set out to source the best. “I liked the Kanchi cotton saris with silk borders stocked at Usha’s store in Chennai, bought some of the saris and stocked a limited collection in our store,” he says. One thing led to another, as Gaurang got introduced to weavers who deal with Uppada, Kota and khadi through some of his loyal customers and friends. “I persuaded the weavers to give me something different. For example, I like the Mughal buttis of Agra and asked one of the weavers to replicate the pattern. I began drawing and sketching patterns for weavers, went to the looms and learnt the limitations under which they work and why they are reluctant to change,” he says. Gaurang could work around limitations but not the reluctance to change. “I don’t work with weavers who refuse to change with the times. There are occasions when a few weavers have sold off my designs elsewhere and I got to know later through my clients. At one point, in the fag end of 2009, I thought of closing down all this sari business,” he recalls.

Around that time, he met up with his friends in Mumbai. “One of my friends focussed on Maheshwari and another on printed Tussars in Pune and so on. As a group we used to hold annual exhibitions of woven saris in Mumbai and Delhi. We were bored with these exhibitions and the tedious process of carrying the load from one city to another. We thought of opening a permanent store for handlooms. We established Vaya (which means weaver) and Mumbai has been a receptive market for handlooms,” says Gaurang.

This made Gaurang reconsider his decision to stop working with weavers. “I had sold all my pending stock and wanted new designs and weaves,” he says. With the help of his master weaver, he reached out to more weavers and established looms. Apart from sourcing from weavers in different parts of the country, Gaurang helped set up 200 looms in the outskirts of Hyderabad, in which Uppadas, khadi, Banaras and Kota saris are woven.

Gaurang feels Hyderabad is the best place to be for a designer. “Customers always want something new, so you are on your toes trying to innovate with the weaves,” he says.

The saris from these looms had the edge over others with the weavers willing to do intricate Jamdhani work on khadi and Kota. Gaurang felt the need to broaden his base and applied to the Lakme Fashion Week, only to be rejected twice. “Handlooms are what I believe in and I wasn’t willing to budge. The third time, I got a slot for a small show. The second time around, it was a larger show where I featured Ardhangini and I managed to get Kirron Kher as the showstopper,” he says.

Kirron Kher displays a creation by Gaurang Shah. Photo:PTI

If the first collection for Lakme was dominated by tones of white, he explored the other end of the spectrum with bright vermillion and yellow hues in Ardhangini. “The collection was a hit. Even today people call and ask for the sari worn by Kirron Kher,” says Gaurang. The designer has no qualms in accepting that lobbying is an integral part of fashion weeks. He was awarded the best designer for Indian textiles and also participated in Lavera section of Berlin Fashion Week. “This posed new challenges. I had to design western silhouettes. We designed jump suits, off-shoulder dresses and anarkalis in khadi with Jamdhani work in floral patterns,” he says.

After creating high-end khadi saris with Jamdhani, he is now focusing on Jamdhani on Kota saris. “You get six yards of fabric and the possibilities are limitless,” he smiles.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Life & Style> Fashion / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo /  Hyderabad, October 19th, 2012

Canada, UK are ‘Dodo Award’ winners

Hyderabad, OCT. 17:

The ‘Dodo Awards’ are perhaps akin to the ignominous (Ig) nobel prizes in the field of conserving biodiversity.

The winners this year are Canada and the UK. In a show that attracted attention, the CBD Alliance, a loose network of activists and representatives of NGOs, social movements and indigenous people’s organisations, announced the award winners.China, Brazil and Paraguay were declared runner up.

The ‘Dodo Awards’, are conferred on those governments, who have failed to evolve, and whose actions at the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) are contributing to, rather than preventing, biodiversity loss, the Alliance members told newspersons at the ongoing global summit. Dodo is a bird that has gone extinct. It has contributed to the phrase, as dead as a dodo. Canada is the clear leader, for breaching the moratorium on ocean fertilisation and geo-engineering adopted by the CBD in 2008 and 2010, said Silvia Ribero of the ETC Group.

Canada was also selected for its strong stance on biofuels. The country insisted that the CBD is not the place to discuss food security, and so the impacts of biofuel expansion on food should not be considered, said Helena Paul of EcoNexus.

The UK on the other hand is busy behind the scenes blocking attempts in the EU and the CBD to adopt a precautionary approach to synthetic biology, and establish or maintain moratoria, she said. The UK Government is busy commodifying biodiversity and the functions of ecosystems by developing biodiversity offsets.

Does the UK hope that biodiversity offsets and other financial mechanisms will replace the financial commitments that industrialised countries urgently need to make to the global effort to stem biodiversity loss?, the Alliance members questioned.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com /  Home> Industry & Economy / by Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad, October 17th, 2012

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

Hyderabad Sikhs committed for greening Gurdwaras and Nagar Kirtans

Hyderabad, India (October 16, 2012):

According to a press statement dated: October 15, 2012 released by the EcoSikh, an NGO, the Sikh Educational Society and Sikhs in Hyderabad gave a warm welcome to EcoSikh, to receive EcoSikh’s environmental vision. Executive members from over 18 Gurdwaras and Social Sikh organizations joined this meeting at Hotel Katriya, Hyderabad today.

EcoSikh India Manager, Ravneet Pal Singh gave a presentation on the concept of Greening of Sikh Gurdwaras and Sikh traditions, which was very well received and appreciated by the passionate Sikh leaders of the city. He said that “Gurdwaras are our house of learning and sharing values, our Gurus have blessed us with the most valued lessons of protecting our nature. All what we preach and practice at our Gurdwaras becomes mandatory for us to follow at our homes and life. Let’s us practice Gurbani for welfare of the living planet, earth.”

It was a remarkable effort by the city Sikhs who took this great opportunity to assemble when Sikh delegation from EcoSikh, Sri Hazur Sahib, Nanded, SGPC, and WWF Punjab were there to attend to the XI CBD by UNO.

DP Singh Chawla, from Takhat Sri Hazur Sahib motivated the South Indian Sikh Community to commit to EcoSikh cause, he promised them all for full support. He added that, “We should all commit for planned Sikh Environment Day celebrations on March 14 every year and prepare our kids to come up for the planet’s well being.”

The Deputy Director of Alliance of Religions and Conservation (ARC), UK was also present in the congregation. She shared how the world is looking forward to every faith to come forward and to lead in their way of religious beliefs to counter the global warming, and making their religious ceremonies and traditions more environmentally friendly. “We know the Sikh communities’ utmost dedication from the history of Sikhs who fought for UK during the II world war, and now the world has high hopes from Sikhs to contribute for wellbeing of earth and its environment.”

S. Roop Singh from SGPC inspired the Sikhs with sharing their environment initiatives and the best practices by the committee in Amritsar, he also said,”A Sikh is duty bound to protect environment and making his religious and social practices in harmony with nature.”

During the commitments and pledge session the Sikhs from Hyderabad announced that they will take ample steps to share the EcoSikh vision by showing EcoSikh Video with the sangat in all the Gurdwaras for awareness, making their nagar kirtans Green and celebrating Sikh Environment Day every March 14. They also shown curiosity in the immense use of ‘Environment Notice Board’ in raising funds for their major environment projects in their Gurdwara buildings in the coming times.

This short notice congregation was well coordinated by EcoSikh Hyderabad Coordinator, Swaran Singh who is a software engineer and prominent sewadar in the community and has a wonderful passion for Gurbani and environment.

source: http://www.sikhsiyasat.net / Home> General News / by Jaspal Singh / October 16th, 2012

Urdu University’s seminar on “Writings of women and Writings on women in Urdu” today

Hyderabad, October 16:

Centre for Urdu language, Literature and Culture of Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad is organizing a two day national seminar on “Writings of women and writings on women in Urdu” on 16th and 17th October. The seminar will be held at 10 a.m. at the Auditorium of Dept. of Distance Education of Urdu University at its campus at Gachi Bowli, Hyderabad. Padmashree Jeelani Bano, a well known Urdu fiction writer will be the chief guest. Prof. Mohammed Miyan, Vice Chancellor of Urdu University will preside over the seminar. Prof Shahnaz Nabi, Head of the Dept., of Urdu of Kolkatta University will deliver key note address. Ms. Jeelani Bano and other participants will presents their papers.

The topic of the second session is “Concept of Woman in folk literature and Dakhani Urdu literature”. It will be presided over by Prof. Syeda Jaffer and Prof. Fatima Parveen (former Heads of the Dept. of Urdu of Osmania University).

The third session would be presided over by Prof. Ashraf Rafi, former Head of the Dept., of Urdu of Osmania University and Dr. Rakshanda Jaleel.

A cultural programme is organized at 6.30 p.m. today which includes Mushaira of the Urdu poetesses and a short story recitation session.

In the programme on the second day of the seminar (i.e. 17th October) fourth session will be held on “Urdu Fiction and Feminism”. It will be presided over by Ms. Tarannum Riya and Dr. Haleema Firdaus.

Dr. Arjumand Ara and Prof. Rehana Sultana, Head of Dept., of Women’s Studies of Urdu University will preside over the fifth session.

The valedictory session will be held at the Auditorium of Center for Professional Development of Urdu Medium Teachers of the Urdu University at 3 p.m. tomorrow. Ms. Udesh Rani Bawa, of Dept. of Urdu of National Council for Educational Research and Training will be the guest of honour. Prof. Mohammed Miyan, Vice Chancellor of Maulana Azad National Urdu University will preside over the valedictory function.

Prof. Khalid Sayeed, Organizing Secretary of the seminar and incharge Director of Centre for Urdu Language, Literature and Culture of Maulana Azad National Urdu University will present the report of the seminar.

source: http://www.siasat.com / The Siasat Daily / Home> Hyderabad / Tuesday, October 16th, 2012

US FDA may inspect Dr Reddy’s Mexico facility this month

Hyderabad:

American drug regulator US FDA, which issued an import alert on products made in the Mexico unit of India’s Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, may visit the facility for an inspection later this month, the company said.

In a statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission of USA, DRL said it believes that the Detention without Physical Examination (DWPE) alert issued by USFDA is of a temporary nature and that it is not expected to have a material long term effect on the company’s Mexican operations.

“The company is working collaboratively with the USFDA to resolve the matters contained in the warning letter, and has been informed of an inspection by the USFDA of its Mexico facility during the last week of March 2012,” the SEC filing said.

“Nonetheless, the company cannot be assured that satisfying the USFDA’s concerns will not take longer than currently anticipated or that the USFDA will not request additional corrective actions that would result in the DWPE remaining in effect longer than currently anticipated,” the filing added.

In November 2010, USFDA inspected the company’s Mexican facility and issued audit observations relating to the process for manufacture of Active Pharma Ingredients (API) and steroids, to which DRL responded by agreeing to implement certain corrective actions.

On June 3 last year, the company received a warning letter from the US regulator seeking further clarifications and corrective actions on some of the prior audit observations to which the company had previously responded.

On June 28, USFDA posted an import alert, or DWPE, on its Web site for certain specified products made at the facility.

The Mexico facility produces intermediates, API and steroids.

It is thus unable to export some API and steroids to its US customers.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Companies / by PTI / Hyderabad, March 20th, 2012

Old Hyderabad abuzz with Dasara sales

Hyderabad:

With Dasara just around the corner, shoppers from across the twin cities as well as surrounding districts are thronging the textile markets of Madina in large numbers to make retail and wholesale purchases. In fact, some traders here claim that Dasara sales are better compared to their Eid sales in August this year.

During the last two years or so, the markets here had reported poor business due to Telangana agitation and recurrent bandhs. However, this year traders are content. Mohammed Kareem, a trader on the Patthergatti stretch says that most of the dealers started preparations last month to avoid last minute uncertainties. He said that the Dasara merchandise arrived about a fortnight ago and the demand for kanchi silk saris and the new varieties of dress materials is on the rise this season.

A little ahead in Sultan Bazaar and  Badi Chowdi area,  Arun Ganatra , who has a chain of five stores said, “Festive shopping began last week. While sales are average now, we are hopeful of good business in the days to come. Badi Chowdi market is famous for salwar sets and saris. Celebrity outfits are also available here.” He added that people from all over the twin cities come here for the wide and unique variety of clothes the shops offer. Old City traders say that the markets in Madina are the oldest textile hubs in the twin cities. With Dasara celebrated on a large scale in the Telangana region, the demand for clothes is big. Not just denizens but wholesalers and retailers from the city and other parts of the state rely on this market to get the best deals. Mehfooz Ahmed, president, Old City Traders Association, says, “This is twin city’s main market as everything is available. The pricing is reasonable and it has a lot to offer the customers,” said Ahmed. He also said that compared to last season, the customer flow has improved considerably, as the city is largely peaceful this time. For jewellery and other accessories, Laad Bazaar remains the most preferred destination, he added.

However, the daily four-hour long power shutdowns and the 10 pm deadline imposed by the police have come as a bane during this festive season, traders concede. While the rise in diesel prices among other commodities have led to a marginal rise in the prices, but it is no deterrent for buyers, traders say.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / October 15th, 2012