Monthly Archives: March 2014

Hare Krishna Starts Free Food Service at SD Eye Hospital

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Hare Krishna Movement launched ‘Bhojanamrita’, a free lunch service, at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital at Mehdipatnam here on Saturday by serving free and nutritious lunch to around 100 attendants of in-patients.

The meal, to be served daily, consists of hot rice, curry, pickle, sambar and buttermilk. The service was launched by Bhojanamrita programme chief executive officer Lakshmi Kantha Dasa and others.

Dasa said that with the generous help of Sri Gulabrai Kantilal Agarwal they started the noble service of providing daily free lunch to in-patients’ attendants at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital. The service would be extended to other hospitals gradually very soon with generous help from donors and well-wishers, he said.

Hare Krishna Movement, Hyderabad is feeding currently around 90,000 school children and Anganwadis everyday as part of mid-day meal scheme of the government and, in partnership with GHMC, it launched Rs 5 per meal in the city.

The free food service, Bhojanamrita, is currently available at Indo- American Cancer Hospital (250), Niloufer Hospital for Women & Children (500), Mahavir Hospital & Research Centre (100),

District Govt Hospital, Mahbubnagar (400), District Govt Hospital, Nizamabad and Bodhan (500), Maternity Hospital, Sultan Bazar (250), King Koti Govt Hospital (100) and Osmania General Hospital, Afzalgunj (1,000).

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / March 23rd, 2014

College of Air Warfare signs MoU with Osmania University

Education

Hyderabad :

Indian Air Force’s College of Air Warfare (CAW) at Secunderabad has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Osmania University for conducting PhD courses for its officers.

The MoU, which aims at academic collaboration between both the institutions to enable IAF officers to enhance training prospects in the area of defence and strategic studies, was signed by varsity Registrar K.Pratap Reddy and the college’s deputy commandant, Air Commodore Neeraj Yadav, Saturday, said a defence statement

The training programmes being conducted at CAW aim at enhancing international strategic understanding of armed forces officers in various disciplines and application of the same to address various defence related issues pertaining to strategic planning.

A premier training institution of the IAF, CAW also conducts courses for the other two services as well as friendly foreign countries.

Osmania University is one of the oldest and largest institutions of higher learning in the country. The university was assessed by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) in 2008 and is accredited with the highest ‘A’ grade.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Education> News / IANS / March 22nd, 2014

30 knee replacements held at Srikara

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Srikara Hospitals, Secunderabad claimed to have conducted 30 knee replacement surgeries on 20 patients on March 12. Of these 20 patients, 10 underwent replacement surgeries for both the knees while the remaining underwent surgeries for one knee each.

Knee replacement surgeon Dr. Akhil Dadi said the patients requested for surgeries on the day because it was an ‘auspicious’ day and fee was not charged.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / March 19th, 2014

Osmania Medical College team wins Hyderabad round

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

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Hyderabad :

A team from the Osmania Medical College pipped five other short-listed teams at the regional round of Cerebrations, The Hindu Business Line Corporate Quiz 2014, held here on Tuesday.

The winning duo, brothers Syed Murtuza Hashmi and Syed Mustafa Hashmi, first and fourth-year students at the medical college, took early lead and managed to retain it, with the team from Reckitt Benckiser coming a close second and Sai Constructions at the third place.

Of the 20 teams that took part in the quiz, six were short-listed after they fielded a general elimination round of 25 questions.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News  / The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – March 18th, 2014

Music Through the Wind

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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Noted flautist Dr Jayaprada Ramamurthy gave a mesmerizing performance at the DST Auditorium at the University of Hyderabad (UoH) recently.  The concert titled ‘Melody of the Flute’ was able to captivate music lovers for over two hours.

Starting the kacheri with Ganesh Stuti, the flautist went on to play Raaga Hamsadhwani and Bhimpalas to absolute perfection, which got a thunderous applause from one and all.

This was followed by Raagas Vanaspati, Mishra Khamas, Ananda Bhairavi, Sindhubhairavi, Mishrayaman and Kuntalavarali with Sri Thyagaraya, Ramadas, Kanakadasa and Annamacharya kirtanas.

Those in the audience were treated to an euphonious evening of classical melodies. Other pieces included Raaga Ahirbhairav, Raaga Brindavansarang, Revathi and Madhyamavathi that saw the audience tapping their feet. Dr Jayaprada was accompanied by Dhanunjay on the violin, Mallikarjuna on the mridangam and Bhargavram on the ghatam.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features – Hyderabad / March 18th, 2014

NGA Human Resources to expand Hyderabad facility

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Tech focus Adel Al-Saleh (right), CEO, NGA Human Resources, and Mark Squiers, Senior Vice-President, address the media in Hyderabad on Tuesday. / - PV SIVAKUMAR / The Hindu
Tech focus Adel Al-Saleh (right), CEO, NGA Human Resources, and Mark Squiers, Senior Vice-President, address the media in Hyderabad on Tuesday. / – PV SIVAKUMAR / The Hindu

Hyderabad :

The UK-based NGA Human Resources will be expanding its global delivery centre here by adding 100 new employees.

The number of professionals working in the facility would be increased from present 400 to 500 by 2015 which could involve an investment of about half-a-million pounds, its Group Chief Executive Officer Adel Al-Saleh told newspersons here on Tuesday.

NGA HR had invested about Rs 58 crore in Hyderabad since 2005 and was committed to invest more in the days to come, he added.

“Hyderabad is a unique centre for us in view of its focus on technology. It is supporting us in application maintenance and all our own/client and third party capabilities are being built here. It has also has significant testing capabilities,’’ Saleh said.

The next stage of growth for the one billion dollar company would be driven by Indian customers. “Till now, multinational company with Indian operations have been our clients. We will be focussing on companies headquartered in India going forward,” he added.

NGA HR has seven global delivery centres including two in India in Hyderabad and Kochi. The Kochi centre, with 1,050 employees now and mainly focuses call-centre related works while Hyderabad facility focus on hi-tech operations.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by G. Naga Sridhar / Hyderabad – March 18th, 2014

‘Utilise garbage to generate electricity’

Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Science & Technology

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A.P.J. Abdul Kalam asks people to take pledge to protect at least one water body in their lifetime

The enormous quantities of conventional waste generated in the country like garbage and fly ash, which is the result of India’s rapid growth story, should be utilised to restore environment rather than deteriorate it, observed former President of India A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

“Effluents are released from millions of households; mounting garbage is a rich source of energy as the municipal waste can be used to generate electricity. The TIFAC (Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council) could convert garbage to fuel. India needs thousands of such power plants in small towns to generate electricity from garbage,” he said.

Mr. Kalam was addressing a gathering on Friday at a two-day national seminar on “100 years of Activated Sludge Process and its application to industrial wastewaters and CETP’s in India”. The seminar is being organised by Jeedimetla Effluent Treatment limited (JETL) in collaboration with Indian Environment Association on the occasion of silver jubilee of JETL.

No toxics in fly ash

Elaborating on the usage of fly ash, he said, “The dumping of fly ash should be avoided and there should be 100 per cent utilisation. Toxicology reports have said there is no toxic in the fly ash, but only nutrients.

Fly ash can be used in green building materials and this can also create employment. It can also be used as manure by the farmers.”

He appealed to each one of the audience to take a pledge to protect at least one water body in their lifetime.

He also appreciated the efforts of the JETL in effectively treating effluent waste.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – March 29th, 2014

Shivlal has quite a few firsts to be proud of

Sports

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At 57, Nandlal Shivlal Yadav has every reason to smile at his critics! For, he is now, literally, the ‘in-charge president’ (in his capacity as the senior-most vice-president from South Zone) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) taking care of day-to-day affairs while batting great Sunil Gavaskar as the BCCI interim president will look after the IPL-7 subjects after the Supreme Court orders on Friday. “It is a huge responsibility and I will try my best to live up to the expectations,” says Shivlal.

The previous highest post held by a Hyderabadi was by late Ghulam Ahmed as secretary of BCCI and Dr. M.V. Sridhar, GM (operations) BCCI. For this genteel Hyderabadi, there are quite a few firsts to be proud of. He happens to be the first player-president of the all-powerful BCCI, the first Hyderabadi to hold that prestigious post. Interestingly, the HCA here has an in-charge secretary in S. Venkateswaran even as his ‘mentor’ Shivlal is all set to hold the reins of BCCI till September this year.

Former India left-arm spinner and now Hyderabad coach Sunil B. Joshi puts it aptly: “When a cricketer becomes the president of BCCI, it always gives the cricketing fraternity a special feeling. I am sure Shiv bhai will do a great job given his experience and expertise.” A protégé of former HCA secretary and president M. Ranga Reddy, it was during Shivlal’s secretaryship the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium has come up. And with it, no doubt, large-scale allegations of misappropriation of funds too. In fact, an ACB enquiry is on and taking a final shape too. For the record, this very knowledgeable Hyderabadi was the EC member of the HCA between 1990-92, joint secretary from 1992-2000 and then secretary from 2000-08 and since then till now he continues to be the Vice-president.

But, the plain fact that Shivlal continues to be the ‘king maker’ in HCA to any group vying to grab power is a tribute to his efficacy in holding his flock together “He has the uncanny knack to be a decisive factor in any election,” feels former secretary D. S. Chalapathi. Interestingly, Shivlal made his Test debut under Sunil Gavaskar’s captaincy.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – March 28th, 2014

Hyderabad at LFW-SR-2014

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Ileana D’Cruz showcasing Anushree Reddy's work at Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2014. / Photo: PTI / The Hindu
Ileana D’Cruz showcasing Anushree Reddy’s work at Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2014. / Photo: PTI / The Hindu

An ode to the flower

Asmita Marwa took a departure from having actresses as showstoppers and instead roped in the spunky hairstylist Adhuna Akhtar who walked down the ramp in salmon pink net palazzo with pin detailing and satin silk cropped shirt. Asmita’s collection, titled Sensaina Tsuyo. The designer used Chanderi, Banaras and khadi for garments that were both structured like kimonos yet flowy. The colours ranged from pastels to earthy tones, were designed for resort wear, and included Chanderi shimmer palazzo and brown batik kimono wrap top, off-white khadi kimono cropped top with back slit, ecru long kurta shirt, white balloon skirt with shimmer sun and baby pink net jumbled sequins dress. The collection had something for men as well in the form of jersey samurai pants worn with Chanderi dip-dyed shirts and voile short sleeved kurtas teamed with black denims.

Ileana walks for Anushree Reddy

Anushree Reddy continued to explore the pastel palette this season as well, with her new collection at Lakme Fashion Week Summer Resort 2014. The show began with singer Shibani Kashyap wearing a pink-white salwar with gold and silver appliqués designed by Anushree and ended with showstopper Ileana D’Cruz in a cream lehenga and peach-toned blouse with sequins and embroidery. The collection, titled The Tale of a Bow, used fabrics such as malkha, chanderi, kota, tulle, mulmul and satin and the garments included cropped blouses, lehengas, anarkalis, dresses, gowns, pants and cover-ups.

Mysterious bride

Who would have thought Kirron Kher could pull off a coy bride act with élan? The veteran actress did just that, while walking the ramp for Hyderabad designer Gaurang Shah’s collection ‘Chandbali’ at Lakmé Fashion Week. Gaurang’s show had music by Ashok Gurjale and the collection combined patterns of antique odhnas from Akbarnama with khadi, and presented a new take on bridal wear. Motifs like gow-mata, chand-suraj, Buddha-pada were combined with Chandbali-like embroidery. The designer used deep, vibrant hues and the silhouettes represented the jama, achkans, angarkha, sadri, shaluka, floor-length kalidaar and lehenga with assi kalis.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Fashion / PTI /  Hyderabad – March 17th, 2014

A shoe to help do away with the white stick

Education, Science & Technology
Visakhapatnam: 15/03/2014: I. Krishna Sai, a student of third year Industrial Engineering of GITAM University, explaining about his innovation of a shoe with sensors to visually challenged people in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, March 15, 2014. ---/ The Hindu
Visakhapatnam: 15/03/2014: I. Krishna Sai, a student of third year Industrial Engineering of GITAM University, explaining about his innovation of a shoe with sensors to visually challenged people in Visakhapatnam on Saturday, March 15, 2014. —/ The Hindu

Visually challenged individuals may soon be able to enjoy a free-spirited walk without having to rely on the white stick if a young inventor’s patent for a shoe with sensors gets accepted. Krishna Sai Inkoolu, third year student of Industrial Engineering at GITAM University, has designed a shoe which has a sensor range of 2 cm to 3.5 m. The sensor detects presence of any obstacle in front of the shoe and alerts the user by giving a tap. “The sensor is placed at the weld point of the shoe, which identifies the obstacle and gives a tap on the arch of the shoe,” says Sai, who worked on the project for two years before applying for patent at Controller General of Patents Designs and Trademarks.

First of its kind

A similar concept was designed by Secunderabad-based Ducere Technologies called ‘Lechal’, a brand of interactive footwear, that uses a smartphone GPS (global positional system) app. But Sai claims that the use of micro-electronics and sensors in designing a shoe is a first of its kind.

With the help of micro-electronics, the entire circuit is placed in the shoe socket, which has a connection with the weld point where the sensor is placed. The shoe works on a rechargeable battery and in this case, there is no need to use a smartphone. But while a white stick can seldom go wrong, what if the sensor fails? How will the visually challenged individual cope in such a situation? Sai has an answer to that. “No product is 100 per cent fool proof. And in this case it is particularly critical to know if the shoe sensor has stopped working. I have embedded a mistake-proofing device in the shoe to detect any errors. If the sensor fails, it will give alarm sounds to alert the wearer,” says Sai.

The idea to design a shoe for the visually challenged first occurred to Sai during his first year engineering course while he was working on a project on a shoe that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy and has a capacity to recharge cell phones while walking. “After working on the technical part for six months, I realised that a shoe can be designed with simple modifications using the same principles,” he adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – March 17th, 2014