Monthly Archives: July 2014

Classrooms getting smart

July 20, 2014Education, Science & Technologyadmin

The concept of digital classrooms to make learning experience more interactive is fast gaining acceptance

In a small classroom of Vizianagaram, students sit together learning how to carry out the heart dissection of a frog. But there are no messy hands or students feeling uncomfortable due to the elaborate process and strong chemical odour. They watch the entire procedure on the screen in their digital classrooms.

The concept of learning is fast going through a metamorphosis with schools adopting the latest technologies to make the learning experience more interactive.

Cashing in on this trend, digital classroom service providers like Educomp Solutions, Pearson Education Service, and Tata Interactive Systems (TIS) are expanding their presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities of India to provide such services.

City schools too have embraced the evolving learning methods by introducing learning modules for digital classroom aids.

At a conference here organised by Educomp, many school representatives turned up to know more about the offerings, and inculcate the digital methods of learning.

According to the digital classroom service providers, nearly 10 schools in the city have already adopted technologies for e-learning.

With a market size of digital classrooms estimated to be over Rs. 3,000 crore, service providers are looking at this segment with added vigour and tapping into southern cities such as Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada to widen their reach.

Recently, Educomp launched its ‘SmartSchool’ concept in the region, going a step forward from their ‘Smartclass’ product.

“The idea of ‘SmartSchool’ is to transform the whole school by providing digital contents, laboratories, and learning modules, and also digital assessment tools and other digitised procedural elements like report card generation and attendance monitoring through advanced technology,” said Rohit Malik, Regional CEO, Educomp.

The company has tied-up with five schools in the city for its SmartSchool product.

The digital classroom aids allow teachers to use interactive multimedia content to supplement the standard textbook-and-blackboard approach.

The schools normally pay a monthly fee per class over a contract period to the digital classroom service providers. In turn, the school passes on the cost as a monthly fee increase of Rs. 150 to Rs. 200 per student.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – July 15th, 2014

Hindupur to House NACEN

July 18, 2014Business & Economy, Educationadmin

Hyderabad :

Hindupur in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh will now house the prestigious National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN) where the probationary Indian Revenue Service (IRS) will be imparted training.

It will be the second NACEN in the country and the first in South India. At present, NACEN is located at Faridabad in Haryana, which is also the regional training centre of the the World Customs Organisation for the South-Asia region.

According to officials at NACEN, a proposal was mooted some time back for establishing another NACEN as extension of the existing one keeping in view the future requirements. Given the area constraints for such a premier academy of national importance, the officers of the Ministry of Finance were scouting for the right place.

They had zeroed in on Hindupur in Anantapur districts of AP, where large tracts of land of some 200 acres at a stretch were available. Further, the area is also in close proximity to one of the metros – Benguluru.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / July 11th, 2014

Contest for Students on Ideas for AP Growth

July 18, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Educationadmin

Vijayawada :

Global Business Incubator (GBI) and Usha Rama Engineering College will conduct ‘Engineer Seemandhra into Swarnandhra’, a competition for engineering students, fresh engineering graduates and students who have appeared for EAMCET or ECET.

Students should present their concepts on how to develop AP in various fields, post-bifurcation the state is left with many problems.

Students can present their concepts relating to various fields like IT, infrastructure, power, health and pharma, explaining how their ideas can make a change and how they can contribute to the state’s development.

Each student will be given 10 minutes to present their ideas. Selected concepts will be given financial and research assistance for converting them into practical solutions. A total of 10 projects will be selected.

‘Engineer Swarnandhra into Seemandhra’ will be held on July 19 at Usha Rama Engineering College Campus, Telaprolu, near Gannavaram in Krishna district. Interested students can contact M Ram Mohan, assistant professor, at 94400 95992, email: sacontest@usharama.com

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 12th, 2014

Mridangam maestro to be honoured

July 17, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham is to receive Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award and title “Mridanga Kala Siromani’ at Thalavadyotsav- at Bangalore Gayana Samaja on July 13

Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham is to receive Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award and title “Mridanga Kala Siromani’ at Thalavadyotsav-2014 (the 33rd annual percussive arts festival and music conference) at Bangalore Gayana Samaja on K.R. Road in Bangalore on July 13. Percussive Arts Centre is organising the programme.

Kala Ratna Narasimham, who was at his residence on the Ring Road here told The Hinduon Thursday that he was born on November 14, 1931 in Bheemunipatnam in Visakhapatnam district to Venkatalakshmi and Lakshmana Swamy and had studied B.A. B.Sc. B. Ed and worked as a science teacher in B.P.M. High School here for 22 years. Later, he worked as a Mridangam staff artist in All India Radio, Visakhapatnam from 1975 to 1991, and as a Principal of Vignana Vihar, Gudilova from 1991-2013.

He would be leaving for Bangalore on Friday to deliver a lecture on four M’s – melody, mathematics, method and manipulation — on July 12.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Correspondent / Vizianagaram – July 12th, 2014

Girl Cured of Rare Disorder

July 17, 2014Records, All, Science & Technologyadmin

Vijayawada :

Doctors at VIMHANS (Vijayawada Institute of Mental Health, Neuro & Allied Sciences) cured a 10-year-old girl suffering from a rare psychological disorder.

At a press conference, director of Vimhans Indla Rama Subba Reddy said that Gayatri, a native of Thotagudem, West Godavari district, suffered from a rare disorder where she felt stones coming out of her eyes.

“No medical journal has ever mentioned about this problem. We observed the girl for four days and treated her with psychological counselling. She is fine now,” he said.

He added that there is no name for this kind of disorder in medical terms, and said that they treated the girl for free as she came from a poor financial background.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 12th, 2014

An eggsacting piece of art

July 16, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainmentadmin

Egg shell artist S. Durga Shankar with his creation in Visakhapatnam. - Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu — Egg shell artist S. Durga Shankar with his creation in Visakhapatnam. – Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Multi-cut egg artist Silaparasetty Durga Shankar creates a replica of the first locomotive that chugged out of Visakhapatnam on October 1, 1894. He has produced over 100 art works with egg shells. These include models of motorcycles, musical instruments, car and snake.

Though the Railway Budget – 2014 is a “big disappointment” for people of North Andhra and the Visakhapatnam region, a replica of a locomotive made by multi-cut egg artist Silaparasetty Durga Shankar is sure to become a big draw.

Shankar, hailing from the city, has been involved in the art since 2001.

He made the replica of the first locomotive that chugged out of Visakhapatnam on October 1, 1894. He used eight emu egg shells and four hen egg shells, ice-cream sticks, ball pen refills, and some fancy items to make the locomotive.

“I spent around Rs.8,000 for making the locomotive as the emu eggs are costly and, while cutting, many shells develop cracks and go waste. I used egg shell for the brake shoes, engine door, and caps. Some of the decorative items, shaping liquid and gumming material are expensive,” he says.

“I have learnt the art on my own during my spare time and perfected it over a period of time,” says Mr. Shankar, who works in a private firm.

He has produced over 100 art works with egg shells. These include models of motorcycles, musical instruments, car and snake.

A replica of the cricket World Cup grabbed the attention when he placed it on the Internet, and a model of ‘Eega’ (housefly), the popular Telugu film by Rajamouli, won the appreciation of the ace director himself.

He was invited to participate in the Poultry India Show organised at Hitex, Hyderabad, in 2012. He had designed the logo of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) with shells. His art works, displayed at the show, won the appreciation of visitors.

Shankar’s plea

Shankar’s father Harishandra Rao retired from the Railways as senior electrical lineman in 1998. Being the eldest son, he aspired to join the Railways and support the family. He had been appearing for the Railway Recruitment Board examinations, but luck had not favoured him so far.

“In 2012, I received the hall-ticket after the examination on June 10, thereby depriving me of a chance,” he says.

He hopes the Railways would provide him a chance to work as a multi-cut egg artist by giving him a suitable job.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – July 09th, 2014

Nuzvid veena maker bags best artisan award

July 16, 2014Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, Alladmin

Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Sheik Mabu Saheb, a renowned Nuzvid veena maker of Krishna district, has received the Best Artisan Award-2013 from the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited for his work – Veena with peacock design.

He bagged the award in the category of Veena Making in which artisans from Bobbili were also in the competition. Mr. Saheb had stolen the hearts of the jury members with his small size veena that produces vibrations and sound like any other professional-size veena. “The award is recognition to the art rather than an individual artiste. Despite having a great demand for veena from the world of Indian classical music, shortage of veena makers is still creating problems for the industry’s growth,” Mr. Saheb told The Hindu.

Handicrafts Department Assistant Director K.N. Murali Krishna said plans were afoot to use the services of Mr. Saheb in training youth in veena making and designing. In a guru-shishya parampara, Mr. Saheb learnt that art from his father Sheik Meera Saheb, one of the first generation veena makers alive. According to Mr. Mabu Saheb, there were only nine veena makers engaged in the profession, spreading the art.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by T. Appala Naida / Nuzvid – July 10th, 2014

Bill on Polavaram project passed in LS amid protests

July 15, 2014About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Records, Alladmin

New Delhi:

A controversial bill which paves the way for the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh by merging some villages and mandals of Telangana with Seemandhra was approved in the Lok Sabha today, amid stiff opposition from TRS, BJD and some other parties.

As soon as the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill seeking to replace an ordinance, and a statutory resolution disapproving it, was taken up, TRS members trooped into the Well and BJD members stood up in protest.

Over-ruling their objections, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan observed that it was not necessary to have separate discussion on the statutory resolution disapproving the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance that the bill seeks to replace and later on the bill, saying it had been done as per the practice of the House.

Maintaining that the bill was introduced after being referred to the relevant Standing Committee, Mahajan also said that interpretation of the law is the primary responsibility of the court of law.

She said her duty was to conduct the proceedings of the House in a proper manner as she ruled out the objections of members.

Her observations came following a point of order raised by Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy and TRS member B Vinod Kumar insisting that the ordinance itself was “against the spirit of the Constitution”.

The TRS members also contended that the ordinance was unconstitutional as it had been brought about when the separate Telangana state had already been formed. Kumar claimed the President, before issuing the ordinance, had not elicited the views of the state legislature and wanted the government to defer bill.

BJD leader Bhratruhari Mahtab said his party was not against the project itself but “arbitrariness” with which the height of the dam was increased that would inundate 307 adivasi villages in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

He suggested that the project’s design could be altered to ensure that tribals are not affected in any region and said the way things were turning out, there could be no alternative but to approach the courts.

source: http://www.beta.english.manoramonline.com / Manorama Online / Home> News> Nation / by Agencies / Friday – July 11th, 2014

13-year-old Andhra Pradesh girl to scale Stok Kangri

July 15, 2014Amazing Feats, Education, Records, All, Sportsadmin

Visakhapatnam:

Thirteen-year-old Vizag girl Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi, an adventure enthusiast, is probably the first girl from Andhra Pradesh to attempt scaling Stok Kangri, which is 6,125 metres (20,080 feet) above sea level and the highest peak in the Stok range of Himalayas in the Ladakh region. She will start her journey from August 2.

Young Jaahnavi, who is trained in trekking, rafting, parasailing, hot-air ballooning, rock-climbing, always dreamt of a being a mountaineer inspired by Bachendri Pal and Malli Mastan Babu. The young girl has completed two high attitude treks — 16,000 feet Roopkund ranges in 2010 and the 10,000 feet National Himalayan Trek in 201“Adventure involves risk but it is necessary for all-round growth and development. I don’t know the meaning of fear” said Jaahnavi, who completed the 15 most difficult treks across the country.

“Adventure involves risk but it is necessary for all-round growth and development. I don’t know the meaning of fear” said Jaahnavi, who completed the 15 most difficult treks across the country.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by DC Correspondent / July 15th, 2014

Now, a cow university for Guntur

July 15, 2014Education, Nature, Records, Alladmin

Guntur :

After IIT, IIM and AIIMS, Andhra Pradesh is going to be feathered with a rare project.

A first-of-its-kind university dedicated to conserving cows is coming up in Guntur.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has planned to set up a cow university near Kondaveedu where it is constructing a prestigious Krishna temple. The very idea behind the setting up of a cow university is to protect aging cows while providing employment to illiterate village youth.

“This is for the first time in the world that a university to teach how to earn while conserving disappearing cows is being set up,” Iskcon representative Ravindra Krishna told TOI.

He said that they would be launching a gosala (shelter for cows) costing Rs1 crore at Kondaveedu on July 13 and works for setting up the university would begin soon.

“Cow is a wonderful gift given by God to the humankind. It would keep helping us earn till its death,” he explained.

He also said that they would teach how to make medicines and other value addition products even from cowdung and the urine of an aged cow, adding that a youth could make at least Rs 30,000 per month if he could acquire 20 old cows which were being sent to slaughterhouses.

He said that Guntur district was chosen for the project because farmers here were using high quantities of pesticides causing severe damage to the health of humankind. He said that such pesticides could be replaced with bio-pests made of cow products.

Iskcon South India chief, Satyagopinath Das said that Puri Jagannath Rathyatra would be conducted in Guntur from Iskcon temple to Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram on July 14.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by M N Samdani, TNN / July 12th, 2014

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