Monthly Archives: February 2013

S.D. Eye Hospital gets new equipment

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

State-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital has installed a mechanised laundry system worth Rs. 16.4 lakh to ensure supply of clean linen throughout the year for its surgeons. The hospital is also set to receive medical equipment worth Rs. 6 crore so as to enable high-end services.

The shortage of clean linen to take up surgeries and other infrastructure frailties at the hospital were highlighted in these columns recently.

Hospital Superintendent P.V. Nanda Kumar said infrastructure weaknesses were being addressed in a big way.

“With the addition of the new equipment and mechanised laundry, things will start looking up at the hospital,” he said.

Relief for patients

Till recently, hospital doctors were forced to send patients to outside facilities for diagnostic and surgical services. The hospital would also be able to offer medical services to diabetic patients.

“Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition. Now, we will not have to send such patients outside. We are acquiring Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which is required to take high-resolution images of retina to detect such ailments,” Dr. Nanda Kumar said.

Already, the hospital has received medial equipment worth Rs. 1 crore including a viterctomy machine for surgeries, slit lamps for eye inspection, microscopes, special lenses and green laser for surgeries.

“These are high-end equipment, needed for complicated surgeries. We used to refer patients to private hospitals to avail such services,” the Superintendent pointed out.

Additional equipment like three phaco-machines for cataract surgeries, special scanning machines, high-end powerful microscopes including an OCT are being procured. The new equipment is likely to be made operational in another month, he said.

The hospital surgeons are capable of performing high-end surgeries to treat near and far sightedness.

“For such surgeries, we are waiting for a Lasik machine,” Dr. Kumar said, hopeful of obtaining it at the earliest.

 

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home>  National> Andhra Pradesh / by M. Sai Gopal / February 15th, 2013

APCOST to organise contests for teachers and students

Education, Science & Technology

The Andhra Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (APCOST), Government of Andhra Pradesh, will organise competitions for students and teachers on February 26 and 27, in connection with the National Science Day. Students of classes 8, 9, and 10 are eligible to participate in the contest.

In the first category, one student can display the project along with a teacher on February 26, and in second category, one teacher can exhibit his/her project the next day.

There is no fee. Interested students and teachers can register their names by February 20, by calling 0866-2414161 during working hours, or by sending e-mail toapcost_vijayawada@yahoo.comorapcost_regionalsciencecentre_vja@ yahoo.com, said APCOST in-charge officer J. Dilleswara Rao.

Only three projects will be allowed from one institution. Three prizes would be awarded for each category (for students and teachers separately).

Prizes would be distributed at a function on February 27, Mr. Rao said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada, February 16th, 2013

Biggest cancer registry in Hyderabad soon

Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

In a significant move that could open doors to effective cancer control strategies, the city is all set to have its own population-based cancer registry by the end of this year, which will help authorities find out more about the lifestyle disease.

While oncologists say that cancer of the head and neck, stomach, cervical and breasts are the most common, there is no centralized data available for evaluation by researchers. Andhra Pradesh  accounts for an estimated 1.2 lakh new cancer cases out of 12 lakh cases every year in India.

So far, all metros including Delhi and Mumbai, and even Thiruvananthapuram and almost all northeastern states have population-based cancer registries. “The cancer registry of Greater Hyderabad will be one of the biggest area-wise as it will cover adjacent municipalities as well unlike other registries,” said Dr D Raghunadha Rao, professor of medical oncology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences  (Nims). Dr Rao said that Nims will maintain the population-based cancer registry for Greater Hyderabad.

The decision follows the Indian Council of Medical Research’s nod to start a population-based cancer registry. Authorities plan to start operations after funds are released. “It is a Government of India project and will begin this year,” Dr Rao maintained.

As per the proposed estimates, the teaching hospital will require Rs 30-35 lakh annually to maintain the registry of demographic information, medical history, diagnostic findings, cancer therapy and follow-up details of cancer patients from Hyderabad. The data will be used to evaluate quality of life, calculate survival rates, analyze referral pattern, and evaluate efficacy of treatment modalities.

Experts said that knowing patterns of cancer across the country would provide important leads in undertaking research to know the cause of the disease, in targeting cancer control measures and in examining clinical outcomes.

Currently, there are 27 population-based cancer registries in India. While all metros are covered except Hyderabad, other registries are in Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram and in almost all northerneastern states among others.

The cancer incidence in Hyderabad is so far not known and experts said that this is where the registry’s role comes into play. The registries in other metros have revealed some interesting details in the recent past such as the drop in cervical cancer  incidence in urban areas in Mumbai, Chennai as well as Thiruvananthapuram. Also, Bangalore-based National Cancer Registry found that 90% of the cancer hospitals do not follow up on patients.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Bushra Baseerat, TNN / February 18th, 2013

Golden oldies take trip down memory lane

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Records, All

Students of the 1953 batch of Keshava Memorial High School with their family members on Sunday. / Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Reunion meet of 1953 batch students held at Keshav Memorial High School

It was a Sunday, but the atmosphere at Keshav Memorial High School in Narayanguda was lively. Looking at a decades-old photograph hung in a hall, a group of elderly people tried to identify themselves, their best friends and teachers.

Childhood memories

Cracking jokes at each other, they recollected their childhood memories and enquired about their well being. This was the scene at “Sneha Sashtipoorti”, a reunion meet of 1953 students’ batch of Keshav Memorial High School. “It’s been 60 years since we were in school and that’s the reason, we named it as Sneha Sashtipoorti,” said Veturi Yoganandam, convenor of the programme. Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao was chief guest for the event. “Age is just a number. Even today, I still want to act in movies and dance. These programmes remind me of my childhood and its memories. Meeting old friends rejuvenates us,” was the veteran actor’s message.

Though most of them in the batch were aged between 67 and 70 years, their zeal to organise the programme was quite spirited. It took days of planning, gathering information and addresses, communication etc but ultimately it paid off as 40 out of 70 students turned up for the event, claimed Mr. Yoganandam. “We have lot of memories associated with this school. Like most students, we too used to bunk classes and watched English movies in Deepak Mahal talkies. Of course, later we were punished,” laughs S. Prahalada Kumar, a retired JNTU professor.

As a mark of recognition and love for their teachers, they felicitated mathematics teacher Bhujanga Rao and social teacher Venkateshwar Rao. “Our teachers used to punish us, but it was out of love and affection. They always strived for overall development of students. Besides academics, they stressed on moral and physical education,” says Chandramohan, a businessman. “We used to play lot of football, volleyball and other games in the school and feel sorry for the present generation students as they lack sufficient playgrounds and quality education,” he adds.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / February 18th, 2013

Goldplus opens showroom in Warangal

Business & Economy
Hyderabad , FEB. 15:

Goldplus, a Tata Group business, today inaugurated a newer and bigger showroom in Warangal. The retail store will house an extensive range of pure gold, diamond, diamantine and precious stones collections to give customers a more elaborate and enhanced shopping experience.

The showroom was inaugurated by Subramaniam S., Chief Finance Officer, Titan Industries Ltd. Goldplus stores offers exchange option, gold purity checks – ‘Karatmeter’, jewellery service.

Goldplus also offers gold investments schemes such as Goldplus future jewellery purchase scheme and Goldplus future scheme.

Goldplus caters to consumers in semi-urban and rural India with a chain of 31 retail stores spread across four states. Jewellery is made at its manufacturing facility at Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry> Marketing / by the Hindu’s Bureau / Hyderabad, February 15th, 2013

Honours for Hyderabad, heartbreak for NFC

Sports

Nagpur :

When  Hyderabad Globe Football Club  did the three cheers to celebrate, acknowledge and appreciate the presence of a huge turnout at the Military Ground in Kamptee on Friday, they were joined by a couple of hundred of their supporters. It was such a day, when the semi professional outfit from Andhra Pradesh, established in 1962, dominated the proceedings to capture their 9th All-India crown on the trot.

In a high quality final, full of thrill and drama, Hyderabad took Nagpur FC in their strides to snatch a thrilling 1-0 triumph to lift the Haji Majeed Ahmed Majju Seth All-India Gold Cup Football Trophy.

The presence of almost 7,000-strong crowd may have set the competitive juices flowing in both camps as the summit clash between two of the professional outfits witnessed a fast paced and attacking football.

With four Nigerain players in their roster, the Hyderabad FC, appearing in red and black outfit, clearly had the upper hand against NFC men donning orange and whites. However, a rock-solid defense by the rivals and some of their own misfortune kept them away from scoring. They depended far too much on their two Nigerian strikers in  Mohammad Yousuf  and John Tebo as Hyderabad missed almost seven goal scoring opportunities which kept the first half goalless.

Replacing their fourth Nigerian, Mike, with Mohammad Mustafa in the 58th minute, however, did the trick for Wahab Ansari’s boys. No sooner than the 24-year-old Mustafa entered the field, he seized Hyderabad’s first big opportunity. Displaying his athletic skills, Mustafa dribbled the ball past a couple of NFC defenders to feed a lovely through pass to Sayed Nasar. The timing of the pass was so perfect that Nasar was required to just tap the ball past the NFC custodian which he did without fuss. Nasar placed the ball to the right corner of the net from the centre. The match winning goal came in the 63rd minute.

Hyderabad received prize money of Rs 51,000 lakhs along with a trophy from the chief guest Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA, while the runners-up, NFC, picked up Rs 31,000 cash and a trophy. Former minister Anees Ahmed presided over the concluding function.

Delighted with the triumph, Hyderabad skipper Alamdar Raza in a chat with TOI said, “Total team effort helped us win our 9th All-India crown in succession. Expectations were high for so naturally we were under pressure. But the way all our players held their positions enabled us to lift the cup. I would also like to appreciate the huge turnout in Kamptee. Having played many championships, this is for the first time in my life that I have seen such a disciplined public.”

Individual prizes

Player of the tournament: B Shashank (Hyderabad)
Player of the final: Sayed Nasar (Hyderabad)
Best goalkeeper: Mohammad Asif (Hyderabad)
Best midfielder: Tabrez Junaidi (NFC)
Best defender: Ibrahim Khan (NFC)
Best Forward: Aafaque Amir (Range Police)

Upcoming players in the tournament: Arbaz Raza (Eleven Star); Sharique Nadeem, Saquib Anwar (both Young Iqbal); Asheer Akthar (Rabbani Club)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> Football /by Amit Sampat, TNN / February 16th, 2013

‘Rudhramadevi’ shooting starts in Warangal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

The shooting muhurtha of India’s first historical stereoscopic 3d movie ‘Rudramadevi’ has been done in Warangal thousand pillars temple at 12.22 hrs on 14th February. Anushka  plays the title role and Rana  plays the character of Chalukya Veerabhadra in this film.

Gunasekhar is directing and producing the film under Guna team works banner. ‘Maestro’ Ilayaraja is the music director.

Gunasekhar says, “The Muhurtha shot has been shot on Siva Linga that has been self formed 900 years ago. There is nothing better to start than at the thousand pillar temple which has standout as a testimony to Kakathiya’s grandeur. Inaddition today is a very prosperous day (Panchami) on which over 1,50,000 marriages are being done. So we have started today. The regular shooting of the film starts in April at the huge sets designed by ‘Padmasri’ Thota Tharani. There are many great actors in this film in which Anushka  is acting as Rudramadevi and Rana  as Chalukya Veerabhadra. The test shoot with the 3d cameras has been already done in Germany. Technically, this movie will be of international standards. Foreign technicians are working for Visual effects. I am very happy at my dream of making Rudramadevi coming true. This first historical stereoscopic 3d movie in India definitely allures”.

Anushka  says,” I was very motivated and decided to do the movie when Gunasekhar told me this story. Characters like this come very rarely. I have been taking training in horse riding and sword fighting for this character.This character becomes a milestone in my career. My dream of working with Gunasekhar has come true with this film”.

Rana  says,” I really love historical movies. I regularly practice dialogues in them. I have been very lucky to get Chalukya Veerabhadra’s character in this movie. I am very happy working with Gunasekhar. This will be a prestigious project for me as an actor”.

Art: ‘Padma sri’ Thota tharani, Cinematography: Ajay Vincent, Fights: Ram-Laxman, VFX Supervisor: Kamal Kannan(Prasad VFX), Costumes designer : Neetha Lallu (‘Jodha Akbar’ fame), Music: ‘Maestro’ Ilayaraja ,Story- Screenplay-Direction-Producer: Guna Sekhar.

source: http://www.indiaglitz.com / Home> Channels> Telugu / Thursday, February 14th, 2013

Hyderabad is the world’s second most affordable office market: Survey

Business & Economy

Bangalore :

Hyderabad is the world’s second most affordable office market after  Surabaya in Indonesia , according to a survey, while Chennai and  Pune are at fifth and sixth positions, reinforcing India’s reputation as among the cheapest destinations for foreign firms to set up operations.

“Tier II cities in China and India continue to dominate the list of top-10 most affordable markets globally,” said a survey by consultancy firm DTZ, which measured occupancy costs per workstation in 126 business districts across 49 countries in 2012.

“2012 has seen office space absorption rates across Indian cities drop by a fifth. We expect the office space absorption to be stable in the current year, driven by signs of overall improvement in global and domestic economies. Rentals are also expected to appreciate across the country,” said Rohit Kumar , head of research at DTZ India.

According to the survey, it costs companies between $2,620 (about Rs 1.41 lakh) and $9,810 (Rs 5.27 lakh) per annum per employee in the top six Indian cities to set up operations, compared with $23,500 (Rs 12.63 lakh) per workstation in London West End .

China’s  Chongqing and Nanjing , followed by Cancun  in  Mexico , also figure among the ten most affordable markets. As per the report, a majority of markets in North Asia  and India saw a 2-10 per cent rise in occupancy costs. This has forced occupiers in many markets to increasingly consider secondary space, particularly where prime space is limited to cut cost.

The total commercial office space absorption for the quarter ended December 2012 was 6.8 million sq ft, a decrease of 19 per cent compared with the previous year. Vacancies across cities are expected to rise in 2013, except Bangalore, a recent report by DTZ India  said.

“Companies continue to consolidate and relocate to less premium locations. Many firms are now looking to cut real estate  costs, which comprises 22-27 per cent of the total operational expenditure, the second biggest component after human resource,” said Sridhar Raghavendra , founder of  FM Zone India , a real estate and facility management firm.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / Home> News> Realty Trends> Policy> Office Space / by Sobia Khan, ET / February 14th, 2013

Tennis stars jubilant over their new-set goal

Business & Economy, Sports

Tennis star Sania Mirza seen with Stephenie Mattek-Sands at the former’s Academy that is coming up in Hyderabad. / Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

The two Grand Slam winners will be back where they simply love to be – on the tennis court. For India’s Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) will join hands after a brief respite from the hectic schedule to achieve their new-set goal – to be the World No.1 women’s doubles pair. And, if the mood and the bonhomie between the two is any indication during their visit to Sania Mirza Tennis Academy that is fast nearing completion in Murtuzaguda in Hyderabad, then they clearly mean business.

“I enjoy playing with her. Honestly, the chemistry is excellent for we not just partners on the court but even off it maintain a great relationship,” insists the 26-year-old Sania, the only Indian woman player to win two Grand Slam titles, in a chat at the Academy.

Clearly floored by the magnificent Academy that is coming up, with nine synthetic courts to start with and three more clay courts in the future plans, Bethanie, the 2012 Australian Open mixed doubles title-winner, reciprocates to the feelings of her partner.

“Somehow, I am at home playing with her. Mind you, she is a terrific fighter, never gives up easily. This is the beauty of her game,” points out the 27-year-old American.

Well, that the two enjoyed a special bonding was clearly evident when Bethanie and her husband Justin Sands stayed at Sania’s place, went around the city and even had a glance of the famous Hyderabadi’s Ristretto that is coming up in the posh locality of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

“I would love to see you stay here for a longer duration,” was the gentle request of Sania to her partner which had the latter acknowledge it with all warmth.

“Sure. I love this Academy. A perfect setting for any tennis player and surely would like to spend more time on the court very soon,” Bethanie said even while being inquisitive about the future plans of Sania on the Academy which also include floodlighting in the next phase.

Coming back to the more serious business of WTA Tour, Bethanie believes that Sania has lot more tennis left in doubles right now.

“Our dream is to win a Grand Slam title. Once we do that, we will set new goals to chase,” says the smiling American.

“We know it is a very highly competitive and demanding circuit. But we are preparing with all seriousness to make a huge impact on the tennis world,” says the champion duo.

For his part, Imran Mirza, father of Sania Mirza, says that the Academy will be functional in an informal manner when he is planning to have kids to train on these new courts next month itself to give them a feel of what it is all about. “In all probability, the Academy will be operational in all aspects by April this year,” he says.

By all means, it is obvious that the Mirzas are keen to see that Sania Mirza Tennis Academy will be the final destination of training for the young talent. “The whole idea is to give back something to the sport which made me what I am. And being familiar with the travails in moulding raw talent, we are keen to see that the youngsters don’t suffer for want of that,” says Sania.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / February 14th, 2013

Wedding bells to ring loud on Feb. 14 and 15

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Marriage halls in Tirumala, Annavaram booked 90 days in advance

Maghamasam is an auspicious month for marriages, according to the Telugu almanac. Most of the marriages are performed this month.

Generally, there are five or six auspicious dates in the month. But this year, there are only a few muhurthams. More than one lakh bridegrooms in the State will tie the knot on February 14 and 15. Venue being the main problem, marriage halls in Tirupati, Tirumala and Annavaram were booked 90 days in advance. “We booked a marriage hall and accommodation for my daughter about five months ago,” said P. Satyanarayana, who is settled in the US and is performing the marriage in Annavaram. There is a heavy demand for purohits also. “I have asked my son, who is a software engineer in Hyderabad, to come here and take up seven marriages,” said Subrahmanya Sastry of Amalapuram.

Mudham beginning on February 17 and lasting till May 1 is treated as inauspicious for performing any function. Hence, the mad rush for Wednesday and Thursday, according to V. Srirama Ravikumar Sarma, a priest from Eluru.

“I have seven marriage invitations to attend on a single day,” said Kolli Satyavardhan Rao, a jewellery trader of Eluru. There is heavy demand for band troupes too.

Cooks, flower decorators, ‘pelli mandapam’ setters, videographers and material owners are having a field day.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by B.V.S. Bhaskar and G. Nagaraja / Rajahmundry -/Eluru, February 13th, 2013