Monthly Archives: December 2013

Researchers claim development of diabetic-friendly rice varieties

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology
Vice-Chancellor of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University A. Padma Raju addressing farmers and rice millers in Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district on Saturday. / Photo A.V.G .Prasad / The Hindu
Vice-Chancellor of Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University A. Padma Raju addressing farmers and rice millers in Tadepalligudem in West Godavari district on Saturday. / Photo A.V.G .Prasad / The Hindu

Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University takes up research on developing the new varieties

Acharya N.G. Ranga Agriculture University has taken up research on development of diabetic-friendly rice varieties in collaboration with private industries, University Vice-Chancellor Alluri Padma Raju disclosed here on Saturday.

Mr. Raju was speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a meeting of rice millers, peasant representatives and agricultural scientists conducted by the Agricultural Research Station (ARS) at Maruteru for popularising new paddy varieties.

“Scientists are on the job of building glycemic indices (GIs) with the data on how much carbohydrates in each existing rice variety raises a person’s blood glucose levels after consuming the particular variety,” he said. As of now, 40 rice varieties were available with the researchers and 14 of them were found to be having anti-diabetic properties. Of them, BPT-5204, popularly known as Samba Masuri, was found to be more friendlier to diabetics, Mr. Raju explained.

The research strategies involved collection of anti-diabetic genes from different varieties and introduced them in the select varieties by way of selective breeding through the marker identification method.

Diabetes was fast spreading and people even below 30 years were falling prey to the disease, of late. The breakthrough, if achieved in the on-going research, would be a boon for the people prone to diabetics caused by food habits, among others, in a country where rice consumption accounted for more than 80 per cent, he hoped.

The Samba Masuri was identified as an ideal variety for projection as more diabetic friendly given its ‘admirable’ strains such as easy to cook and preservation without becoming stale for a long time after cooking and non-sticky in nature, Mr. Raju said.

The V-C informed that the gale-resistant paddy varieties, need of the hour in the cyclone-prone Godavari delta region, were likely to be released in April next, facilitating sowing for the next kharif. The research had been in progress for the last 4-5 years and it was currently under trial in different stages, he added. If these new breeds hit the markets, the paddy growers would be relieved of the miseries caused by the predominant variety of Swarna in view of its susceptibility to lodging at times of cyclones, he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by  G Nagarajan / Tadepalligudem (West Godavari Dist.), December 22nd, 2013

RINL to focus on capturing steel demand in western India

Business & Economy

Visakhapatnam :

Considering the genuine demand and differential market dynamics, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) is focusing its marketing activities in western region of the country, said RINL chairman-cum-managing director A P Choudhary.

Addressing the customers of the region in Mumbai, Choudhary said that the twin factors of discipline and commitment on part of the customers of the region had compelled RINL to look westward and enhance its marketing activities in that part of the country.

The customers of western region are exceptionally loyal and aggressively confident in their business with RINL, which is why RINL sees better growth prospects in the future here, Choudhury said in a press release issued by RINL.

According to the RINL CMD, considering the possibility of growth in infrastructure, real estate and manufacturing sectors, steel demand is estimated to rise to 300 million tons in the country by 2025. RINL’s strength will be the volume of steel it produces, which will go up to 7 million tonnes when production from its expansion units stabilizes. By 2020, RINL has an ambitious plan of producing 20 million tonnes per annum and playing a key role in the infrastructural development of the country.

Addressing the western region customers, RINL’s director (commercial) T K Chand said that steel demand is picking up internationally, with the demand firming up in USA and Europe. Pointing out that India sees a better role for itself in the international markets once the steel demand grows globally, he said in India steel demand is showing signs of improvement and will improve further in the last quarter of this year, resulting in a spurt in steel demand soon.

Assuring the best services from RINL through adoption of modern innovative technologies and customer centric attitudes, he said importance is being given to branding the products and opening new outlets in various cities.

Earlier customers from different locations of western India, while interacting with the RINL CMD, stressed on availability of more volume of products and requirements of various new grades of steel items. Choudhary assured them that RINL would soon meet their demand once materials from their expanded units start rolling out.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Western Region / TNN / December 08th, 2013

Visakhapatnam Port sets all-time ore pellet loading record

Business & Economy, Records, All

Visakhapatnam Port has established an all-time record in loading iron ore pellets in a day.

According to a press release, a quantity of 27,199 tonnes, with a hook output of 2,267 tonnes, of iron ore pellets, on account of Brahmani River Pellets Ltd, was loaded onto the vessel m.v. MANDARIN CROWN on November 20 at West Quay-4 berth, surpassing the previous best loading of 26,001 tonnes on August 24.

Steel City Shipping Services was the stevedore and Chowgule Brothers Pvt. Ltd the steamer agent of the vessel.

source: http://www.steelguru.com / Steel Guru / Home> News / source – Exim News Service (www.logisticguru.in) / Saturday – December 07th, 2013

Popular Telugu film comedian Dharmavarapu Subramanyam is no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hyderabad :

Popular Telugu film actor, comedian and television personality Dharmavarapu Subramanyam passed away here on Saturday. He was 53. The actor died at his residence at P&T colony at Dilsukhnagar. The actor hailed from Komminenivari Palem, Ballikuruva mandal in Prakasam district. The last rites of the actor are expected to be performed at his native place in Prakasam district.

It is learnt that Dharmavarapu Subramanyam was suffering from a liver disorder and had been hospitalized for some time. He died at his residence after having been discharged from the hospital some days ago. As he was not keeping well, he kept to his house in recent times.

Subramanyam had made his mark on television with the programme ‘Adando brahma’ which was a huge hit on Doordarshan. He subsequently made his entry into tinsel town with the film ‘Jayambu Nischayambu Ra’. He even directed a film titled ‘Thokaleni Pitta’.

In recent times, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam kept television audience engaged with his satirical programme on a Telugu channel. He acted in more than 80 films till date. His films include ‘Shadow’. ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Businessman’, ‘Dookudu’, ‘Kathi Kantha Rao’, ‘Mahesh Kaleja’, ‘Darling’, ‘Chirutha’, ‘Varsham’ and ‘Simhadri’.

With the death of Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, the Telugu film industry has lost a comedian whose satirical dialogues regaled audience. Film industry personalities have expressed shock at the passing away of a talent artiste.

It was only recently that another comedy actor AVS and Srihari died leaving the industry in a state of shock. And now the death of Dharmavarapu Subramanyam has come as another shock. On coming to know about his death, film personalities started coming to the residence of the actor.

Though Dharmavarapu Subramanyam had made it big in the film industry, he chose not to move to Filmnagar or Jubilee Hills area and continued to live in his Dilsukhnagar house.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Film Industry / by Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / December 08th, 2013

Reacting in time on sea crucial: official

Education, Science & Technology
Director of Centreal Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training R.C. Sinha and his colleagues of CIFNET Visakhapatnam at the conclusion of training programme for inspectors of Marine Police of the State in Visakhapatnam on Friday. / Photo: C. V. Subramanyam / The Hindu
Director of Centreal Institute of Fisheries Nautical & Engineering Training R.C. Sinha and his colleagues of CIFNET Visakhapatnam at the conclusion of training programme for inspectors of Marine Police of the State in Visakhapatnam on Friday. / Photo: C. V. Subramanyam / The Hindu

Marine Police undergo training in vessel navigation

Sea conditions change drastically but the training provided to senior officers -Inspectors – of the AP Marine Police by the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training (CIFNET) would keep them in good stead and help tackle the difficult conditions, CIFNET Director R.C. Sinha said at the valedictory function of the training programme here on Friday.

Maintaining security was one aspect and reacting in time on the sea was another. Sea was not like a road on which one could stop or start easily and this required the right people with good training, Mr. Sinha told the police officers. Everyone in the Marine Police must be on the sea for at least 10 days in a month, he said.

Referring to the Marine Police, he suggested that some of its boats could be kept with CIFNET by turns for maintenance and training since maintenance was a difficult job.

Fifteen Inspectors of the Marine Police from different police stations along the AP coast received certificates after completing their short-term training programme on vessel navigation and engineering.

Surveyor in-charge cum DDG (tech) of Mercantile Marine Department Jayant Mukhopadhaya wanted the Marine Police to also take up protection of marine life as they were also responsible for taking action against polluting vessels.

Chief Technical Officer of Coast Guard Commandant Manish Bahl professional excellence was required more while discharging duty on the sea. Head of Office of CIFNET’s Visakhapatnam unit A.K. Choudhury said this was one of the best courses designed by his organisation and set a benchmark. Home Guards and some constable attended the training in the first batch. The present batch of police officers evinced keen interest and came up with good queries, he said.

Deputy Superintendent of Police of Marine Police K.V.R. Prasad said 15 Marine Police stations became operational from October last year and the force has now 500 personnel drawn from the civil police. Retired Navy and Coast Guard personnel were recruited as the crew and IG of Marine Police Srinivasa Reddy was planning to take in CIFNET trained youngsters, Mr. Prasad said.

He also said some of the Home Guards trained in the earlier batch had recently caught Sri Lankan fishermen along with their boat off AP coast for illegally entering the Indian waters.

One of the trainees Rudrasekhar said the training helped them understand more about navigation and marine engineering.

Senior Instructors H. Bisoyi and S.B. Rangari and Instructor M. Rangaraju also spoke about the training programme.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakahapatnam – December 07th, 2013

They Said What? Mirza on Men

Sports, World Opinion
Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

“When I was growing up I would go to tennis and people would come up to my parents and they would ridicule them and say she’s a girl from Hyderabad, you think she is going to play Wimbledon? But obviously my parents didn’t care.”— Sania Mirza, to NDTV , while discussing the high rate of female infanticide in her native India.

Mirza, now 27, is the best female player India has ever produced. She was ranked as high as No. 27 in singles (one career WTA title) and No. 7 in doubles. She’s the first Indian woman to have won a Grand Slam title (mixed doubles, at the Australian and French Opens). She’s also been relatively flamboyant and outspoken for a young Muslim lady from India.

She made her comments above during an interview in which one of the topics was the high rate of female infanticide in India—according to the United Nations, 12 million girls were aborted in India in the past two years, often because they were viewed as potential financial burdens.

Mirza went on to say, “For everything we achieve, why do we need a guy? . . . it’s our responsibility to try and educate people in India that having a girl is plus not a minus.”

Whatever the intent, her comment about not needing “a guy” surely got some people’s noses out of joint. But it wouldn’t be the first time her independent thoughts and actions stirred controversy.

In 2005, a Muslim scholar issued a fatwa regarding the skimpy tennis clothing Mirza (and all her peers) wear, saying it was not suited to Islam. She also faced prosecution under India’s Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act a few years ago, when she was photographed at the Hopman Cup resting her feet—and showing their soles—above an Indian flag. Her comments on safe sex once created a stir (she clarified her stance when the controversy erupted).

In fact, the collision of values was so strong at times that Mirza declared in 2008 that she would stop appearing in tournaments in India. If nothing else, security officials probably heaved a great sigh of relief; this was, after all, a Muslim woman who had played mixed doubles with a Jew, Shahar Peer. (Mirza returned to competition in India in 2010.)

India has provided tennis with a host of interesting characters, starting with Ramanathan Krishnan. He was a two-time Wimbledon semifinalist (1960 and ’61), and his son, Ramesh, was an ATP staple and three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist in the 1980s. Vijay Amritraj (who had two brothers who also played professionally) won 16 singles titles and posted a career-high ranking of No. 16 in 1980. Then there’s pugnacious doubles genius Leander Paes, an eight-time Grand Slam men’s doubles winner.

All of them, and others, were more successful than Mirza. But none have been as colorful or controversial. Even Mirza’s wedding in 2010 caused a national uproar when it was confirmed shortly before her great day that her fiancé (Shoaib Malik) was already married. Malik obtained a divorce and wed Mirza five days later.

Like the lady said, who needs guys?

source: http://www.tennis.com / Tennis / Home> Pro Game> Commentary / by Peter Bodo / Friday – December 06th, 2013

Hyderabad lad wins hackathon

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

 Hyderabad :

Rayaprolu Krishnachaitanya of Hyderabad emerged winner in the all-India EMC Defenders League that tested 4,000 contestants nationwide for their cyber security skills.

Krishnachaitanya, an ethical hacker, walked away with a prize of Rs 5 lakh, beating about 30 short-listed participants.

“After three weeks of intense online challenges, the event culminated in a faceoff. The 30 finalists were a mix of experienced developers and students from the industry. All the finalists received an iPad Mini tablet each,” an EMC statement said. Krishnachaitanya has worked as a vulnerability research analyst.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Info-Tech / by The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – December 06th, 2013

Vakalapudi gearing up for ‘beach festival’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
First round of the festival was a grand success, says District collector Neetu Prasad / The Hindu
First round of the festival was a grand success, says District collector Neetu Prasad / The Hindu

Collector holds review meet on the three-day celebrations

East Godavari district administration is making arrangements for the celebration of three-day ‘beach festival’ at Vakalapudi beach for the second consecutive year from January 10.

Addressing a review meeting with the officials of various departments here on Wednesday, Collector Neetu Prasad said that the State government allocated Rs.12 lakh for the last festival, while the sponsors had come out with another Rs. 40 lakh. She said that efforts were on to get more funds from the government for this year event as the first round of beach festival was a grand success.

Recalling the traffic congestion on the Beach Road during the last festival, the Collector asked the police to identify alternative routes to avoid traffic jams.

Different committees were appointed to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival and the convener of each committee was directly answerable to the Collector. Similarly, a sponsors’ meet would be conducted in which the hoteliers and tour operators would be invited. Ms. Neetu asked the officials to arrange a photo exhibition that would depict the places of importance in the district.

She also suggested arrangement of stalls in the exhibition by the government departments.

Cultural performances would be arranged on all the three days for providing entertainment to the audience, she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Kakinada – December 12th, 2013

GRAB YOUR GRUB : Breaking bread

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

From artisan breads to scones, pastries, sandwiches and pastas, Griffin has something in store for everyone

Fancy some sourdough bread or maybe some ciabatta? You could try Griffin- The Artisan Bread Store in Madhapur, which promises to dish out fresh breads of various kinds. Fairly new, this store was the brain child of Mohd. Mujahid, who wanted to give the city a taste of different breads. The store, which is already a hit with the expat crowd in the area, also offers a variety of short eats for gastronomes.

The little bread store-cum-café has an interesting array of baked goodies that are perfect for those long conversations over a cup of coffee. You could take your pick from their cookies, scones, donuts, croissants, muffins, cheesecakes or tarts. Priced at around Rs. 50 each, they hardly burn a hole in your pocket.

Griffin can also be a pit-stop for a quick lunch or casual dinner with its selection of pizzas, sandwiches and pastas. You could choose from their delicious pastas in an array of sauces like arrabiata, pesto, alfredo or a juicy sandwich with some smoked or grilled meat or roasted veggies of your choice. You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. “I started this store mainly so I could introduce people to different varieties of breads. The idea behind serving sandwiches in different kinds of breads is to give our clients an idea of the kinds of breads we offer and how they can use them in different ways,” says Mujahid.

The café section of this bread store is also a good place to spend an afternoon just reading or browsing the internet with a free wi-fi connection available to patrons. For the coffee lovers there are a variety of coffees to choose from while those watching their weight can pick a salad of their choice.

Griffin also has a bread shelf with different breads like sourdough, ciabatta, bagels and baguettes among others that you can choose from. The breads that are baked in two batches a day are brought in from the Griffin factory in Shamshabad. “We want to keep the products as fresh as possible,” explains Mujahid. The breads like the items on the menu are priced affordably with a whole wheat bread costing as less as Rs.50, while a sourdough could go up to Rs.100 The ciabatta and panini cost around Rs. 30, while a Scottish Bap comes for around Rs. 20.

 

Griffin – The Artisan Bread Store

Where: Kavuri Hills, Phase-1, Madhapur

When: 7.30 a.m. to 11p.m.

Contact: 040-30512844 ext:454

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Food / by Ranjani Rajendra / Hyderabad – December 12th, 2013

Visakhapatnam lawyers’ commemorate original craftsman of the Indian Constitution

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Visakhapatnam :

With the state bifurcation issue prompting a demand for constitutional amendment, civil servant, diplomat and statesman Sir Benegal Narsing Rau, who made the first draft of the Indian Constitution, was commemorated by the city lawyers on his 60th death anniversary (November 30). Besides being the Prime Minister of Jammu & Kashmir princely state in British India, Rau was also a permanent judge of UN International Court of Justice.

The lawyers spoke about the constitutional functionalist who worked in the erstwhile Madras presidency, of which Vizag was a part, and was the key person behind drafting India’s Constitution besides BR Ambedkar and others.

Speaking at a meeting organised by the Forum of Legal Professionals (FLP) to mark the 60 death anniversary of the chief adviser to the Constituent Assembly, Prof Y Satyanarayana, director, Gitam Law University, said, “The Constitution of India is a unique document because of the craftsmanship of B N Rau and the vision of B R Ambedkar in securing social justice.”

“The services of B N Rau in drafting the Indian constitution and his sense of erudition were appreciated by India’s first president Babu Rajendra Prasad. Dr Ambedkar had also given the credit of drafting the constitution to B N Rau,” he added.

Speaking on the need for constitutional reforms, Dr Y Satyanarayana said that the process of bifurcation is still in its infancy and nothing much has been done and any unlawful action on the part of the central government would be struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional and illegal.

Presiding over the function, senior advocate and president of FLP Kuppili Muralidhar said, public audit and accountability is a must to ensure transparency in the political system. “The office of comptroller and auditor general must have fixed tenure of five years and age of retirement must be 65 years and states must also have auditor general on the lines of CAG,” he said.

Principal senior civil judge and secretary, district legal service authority, T Venugopal Rao stressed the need for creating legal awareness and said that regular laws, which are useful in day-to-day life must be assimilated by everyone. “The Constitution of India has unique features and credit for preparing such a great piece of document that has stood the test of time goes to the makers of Constitution like Sir B N Rau who as adviser to Constituent Assembly gave sound suggestions to make the Constitution a living document. Free legal aid to the poor under article 39A under, which the legal services authority is provided, freedom of speech and expression is enshrined under the Constitution is the result of efforts of the founding fathers of the our Constitution,” said Venugopal Rao.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Death Anniversary / TNN / December 01st, 2013