Monthly Archives: July 2014

Mukkur Swamy’s 70 birth anniversary celebrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Sri Swathi Narasimha Maha Yagna Trust members conducted a puja on Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar Swamy’s 70th birth anniversary at Sri Mukkur Swamy Yagna Vatika at Mattapalli in Nalgonda district on Saturday. / Photo: S. Sandeep Kumar / The Hindu
Sri Swathi Narasimha Maha Yagna Trust members conducted a puja on Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar Swamy’s 70th birth anniversary at Sri Mukkur Swamy Yagna Vatika at Mattapalli in Nalgonda district on Saturday. / Photo: S. Sandeep Kumar / The Hindu

He is known for performing over 100 Sri Swathi Narasimha ‘Mahayagnams’ at various Lakshmi Narasimha temples across the country

The serene ambience at the centuries-old Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Maha Kshetra at Mattapalli on the banks of the Krishna came alive on Saturday with the celebrations of Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar’s 70th birth anniversary. Large number of devotees, including those from United States, Dubai and Australia, participated in the celebrations.

Mukkur Swamy is known for performing over 100 Sri Swathi Narasimha ‘Mahayagnams’ at various Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetras (temples) across the country. Mattapalli Kshetra at Huzurnagar in Nalgonda district is significant as Mukkur Swamy conducted several yagnams here.

Swamiji’s birthday is celebrated on Purvashada Nakshatra of Ashada month every year. The festivities commenced 11 months ago with the recitation of Kanninun Siruthambhu (Divya Prabandham) verses 32,000 times. A team of six Ghanapatis recited the verses from Krishnayajurveda in ‘Ghana’ form for 30 days commencing on June 13 at the temple, says Challapalli Venkata Subrahmanya Ghanapati, who led the team.  Coinciding with the completion of the recitation of 32,000 verses on Saturday, 32 Nrusimha stambhas (pillars) with carvings depicting different forms of the Lord will be installed around Sri Mukkur Swamy Yagna Vatika on the temple premises. Each pillar is about eight feet in height and was specially made in Tirupati. Special pujas were performed by M.L. Srinivasan, son of Mukkur Swamy and chairman of Sri Swathi Narasimha Maha Yagna Trust.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by S. Sandeep Kumar / Mattapalli (Nalgonda Dt.) – July 13th, 2014

Rotary to Adopt Two Schools, Villages

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

Visakhapatnam :

The Rotary Club-Visakha Port City is planning to adopt two government schools and two villages with a view to provide safe drinking water, school benches, blackboards and better sanitation facilities for the year 2014-15. The Club is also contemplating encouraging Rotaract Clubs in colleges and Interact Clubs in schools.

Club city president PLK Murthy, past district governor D Varada Reddy, secretary R Ramakrishna Rao, past president KSMK Murthy and Rotary Blood Bank vice-chairman K Srinivasa Reddy unveiled the Rotary Club-Visakha Port City action plan for the year 2014-15 here Saturday. A meeting in this connection was held Friday night on the Club premises.

Speaking on this year’s Rotary International Presidents’ theme, ‘Light up Rotary’, Varada Reddy gave a clarion call to the Rotarians to light a candle to serve the society and light up the entire world.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 13th, 2014

Freedom fighter passes away

Leaders

Freedom fighter and atheist leader Kodali Kamalamma, died at her native village Inkollu in Prakasam district on Friday.

Her body, wrapped in the Tricolour, was brought to the Atheist Centre, Vijayawada, in the evening. Later, as per her wish, her eyes were donated to the Swetcha Gora Eye Bank in city and body was handed over to Pinnamaneni Siddhartha Medical College at Gannavaram.

The centenarian played a major role in 1930 salt satyagraha along with Durgabai Deshmukh and spent three years in jail. She created a commotion in the prison by hoisting the Indian National Flag which she had managed to make on her own and hoisted it atop a tree. This was in response to Gandhiji’s slogan of ‘Purna Swaraj’.

In 1930s, she came in contact with social reformer Gora in the city and influenced by him, she started Gora Nastika Mitra Mandali at Inkollu.

“Kamalamma was an exceptionally bold woman,” recalls G. Vijayam of the Atheist Centre, Vijayawada.

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

Runner Feted on Qualifying for CWG

Sports

Vijayawada :

Andhra Pradesh Athletic Association (APAA) felicitated runner M Manikandaraj, who has been selected for 20th Commonwealth Games to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23 to August 3, at Indira Gandhi Municipal stadium Wednesday.

CBR sports academy chairman CBR Prasad presented `1 lakh to Manikandaraj and hoped for his success in the competition.

Prasad urged children to take Manikandaraj as inspiration and excel in sports. He urged parents not to restrict children to studies but also encourage them in sports. Manikandaraj is working as TTE in South Central Railway, Vijayawada. He got many medals in national and international competitions. In the Commonwealth Games ‘14, he will represent India in 4×100 metres relay and 100 metres individuals.

Vijayawada Central MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao, ANU physical education director Y Kishore, Krishna District Sports Development officer P Rama Krishna, C Channel MD and APAA vice-president TV Ramesh and APAA general secretary A Raghavendra were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 10th, 2014

Raparla Vinod Chowdary: Artist returns to his roots

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Artist Raparla Vinod Chowdary (Photo: DC)
Artist Raparla Vinod Chowdary (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad:

Following the state’s bifurcation, contemporary artist Raparla Vinod Chowdary has started a fully equipped art studio in Guntur city.

“The regional feelings of Telangana and Andhra are giving rise to differences within the Telugu community, which is forcing many AP artists to think twice about staying in Hyderabad. With Telangana artists forming their own association, the atmosphere is no longer conducive for contemporary artists to work together,” says the 43-year-old Vinod, who feels that an artist has no region or religion. Like Vinod, about 20 renowned AP artists from Hyderabad are also planning to shift to Guntur, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and other areas, which will promote art in the residuary state.

“My parents admitted me in a convent in Guntur at the age of 12 but I would bunk classes and paint signboards etc. Later, our family shifted to Miryalaguda but my mindset failed to change. Vexed with my behaviour, my family returned to Guntur and sent me to a signboard artist,” he says. “Initially, I was inspired by greenery and I learnt landscape painting from various artists. In 1988, following the craze of the Tollywood industry, I went to Chennai where I worked as a layout artist and cine poster designer. But commercial painting became a threat to my art and passion so I later shifted to Hyderabad,” adds the artist.

His passion for art did not please his parents who got him married to a girl who was his relative. However, their viewpoints regarding art did not match and they divorced within six months. “I have decided not to get married and will be dedicating the rest of my life to the promotion of art. I have trained nearly 20 artists in the past five years and am planning to start an art academy in Guntur to promote art among youngsters,” he says. Recently, during the oath-taking ceremony of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Vinod had presented the CM with his portrait.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Books/Art / DC / Md. Ilyas / July 07th, 2014

Karthik conquers Glasgow, clinches gold

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Sports, World Opinion
K.V.K. Karthik / The Hindu
K.V.K. Karthik / The Hindu

For 27-year-old K.V.K. Karthik, a city chess player down with a peculiar orthopaedic complication, the sojourn to Scotland ended in a memorable fashion, as he went on to win the gold medal in the physically challenged segment of the Commonwealth chess championship that concluded in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Karthik hauled five points out of nine rounds and finished top of the heap. In the open category, he finished at 40 among 152 players participated from the world over.

The 11-day tournament, jointly organised by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and Commonwealth Chess Association, witnessed top Grand Masters and International Masters taking part from 24 countries. “More than 11 GMs and 11 IMs vied for honours,” said Sk. Khasim, Karthik’s coach who accompanied his ward.

Khasim said his ward played against Australians, Scots and fellow-Indians in the allotted nine rounds. “He defeated Dishan Baura of India in the first round and later tamed Scots like Andrew Burnett, Robert O’Brien and Ian Robertson. He drew with Clement Streeves and Andrew Green to finish with five points. Karthik is a victim of failed nervous system that resulted in blurred vision (right eye) and his head hardly stays on the shoulders – wobbling continuously – owing to detachment of an optical nerve.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by  J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – July 10th, 2014

Vijayawada to host aquaculture exhibition

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Nearly 20,000 delegates from India and abroad are expected to participate in the three-day exhibition to be organised by Mpeda

The third edition of ‘Aqua Aquaria India ‘, the biennial aquaculture  exhibition organised by Marine Products Export Development Authority (Mpeda ) will be held from February 20-22 next year at the Andhra Loyola College Campus in Vijayawada.

The event was proposed to have 300 stalls to showcase various production and harvest technologies, machinery and accessories in export oriented aquaculture as well as ornamental fisheries sectors. Nearly 20,000 delegates from India and abroad are expected to participate in the exhibition. The early bird scheme for exhibitors for registering at concessional rates closes on November 30, 2014.

It is befitting to organise the show in Andhra Pradesh considering its reputation as the largest producer of shrimp by aquaculture. Besides, the region also produces large quantities of fish from its fresh water resources, and is emerging as a potential area of development for ornamental fishes, said Mpeda.

Aquaculture farmers and ornamental fish breeders, feed manufacturers, hatchery owners, machinery suppliers, exporters/importers, officials from fisheries institutions and state/central government departments, researchers, students and aquarium hobbyists in India and abroad are expected to participate in the fair as well as in the technical sessions.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Current Affairs> News> Et cetera / BS Reporter / Kochi – July 03rd, 2014

Expo on vexillology evokes interest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

The campus of St. John’s School was abuzz with a steady stream of students forming queues and walking past a delightful array of exhibits that raised their level of curiosity.

It was an exhibition of vexillology, the scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general, notaphily, the study and collection of paper money, numismatics, the study of collection of coins and philately, the study and collection of postal stamps.

The two-day event, organised as part of ‘No Teaching Only Learning’ slogan of the school management, raised a fair amount of curiosity and excitement among students. “The idea is to provide a platform to the students to get adequate exposure to a treasure trove of knowledge. Our endeavour has been to groom the students into rounded personalities by adopting a practical approach while imparting lessons in the classroom,” said T. Suman Thyagaraj, secretary and correspondent of the school.

The main exhibits included collection of rare coins, currency notes and stamps for 200 countries. Guitar-shaped coins of Somalia, gold foil currency of China and ancient currency of Russia (1898) were some of the highlights.

A vivid depiction of the evolution of Indian National Flag (1857 – 1947) was the cynosure of all eyes at the venue.

“I am sure by mere viewing these, one can feel a sense of patriotism. We intend to motivate the children, youth and the adults towards this hobby and flourish in life with glorious colours,” said Mr. Thyagaraj.

The school principal, staff and others participated.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Vijayawada / by P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – July 10th, 2014

Palle Raghunatha Reddy to showcase Seemandhra in UK, US

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Picture for representational purpose only (Photo: DC online)
Picture for representational purpose only (Photo: DC online)

Hyderabad:

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is planning an investor-friendly policy to woo information technology and other industries to invest in Andhra Pradesh.

IT minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy will lead a high-level delegation to the United States of America and United Kingdom to invite NRIs, IT and other companies to set up companies in AP.

The delegation will explain the benefits, tax concessions and other incentives the Centre  and the state will offer to investors.

“Every day, nearly 15 to 20 NRIs have been  showing interest in  investing here. They are requesting us to post details of incentives and special category status  that will be offered to investors on the Website. After finalising the new policy, we will upload all the details on our Website,” said  minister Mr Reddy.

Stating that he is likely to visit the US and UK shortly, the minister said he has already conducted  meetings  with nearly 250 national and international companies  eager to invest in residuary AP.

“As many as 17 companies have confirmed to invest. IT firms like Wipro, Tech Mahindra and Infosys are also  interest,” he said.

The state government has plans to develop an ITIR in Visakhapatnam, mega IT hubs in Vijayawada, Tirupati and Anantapur.

As decided so far, AP government will  provide a single-window facility for investors where in they can get  all relevant permissions for setting up industries, environmental clearances, building permissions, power and water connectivity and others.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / by M. Roushan Ali / July 09th, 2014

Ganta Promises Development Works at Manyam Veerudu’s Birthplace

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Visakhapatnam :

For the first time, the 117th birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter and ‘Manyam Veerudu’ Alluri Sita Rama Raju was celebrated as a state function with full honours at his native Pandrangi village in Padmanabham mandal of the district here Friday wherein human resource development minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Visakhapatnam MP Kambampati Hari Babu participated.

Ganta Srinivasa Rao told the youngsters to take inspiration from Alluri’s life, who fought for the nation and sacrificed his life in the freedom movement.

He promised to develop Pandrangi village and establish a museum dedicated to Sitaramaraju and his achievements in the area.

A park, an arch and a statue with `25 lakh besides a bridge will be constructed in the village shortly, he added.

He also insisted that people should celebrate Alluri’s birth anniversary every year and informed that the government would soon introduce his life story in the school syllabus.

District collector Solomon Arokiaraj, joint collector Pravin Kumar and revenue divisional officer Venkata Murali were present.

Meanwhile, Alluri’s birth anniversary was also celebrated by various organisations across the district with much pomp and show.

RINLexecutive director (works) incharge DN Rao paid tributes to the revolutionary by garlanding his statue at Ukkunagaram.

He recalled the sacrifices of Sitarama Raju to protect the tribal rights in the agency areas and his crusade against the British rule.

BJP leaders PV Narayana Rao and Appalakonda remembered the yeoman service rendered by Alluri at a gathering.

Alluri’s birth anniversary was also celebrated at Mrs AVN School, where he had pursued his primary education.

The school authorities paid homage to the freedom fighter and felt privileged to have been serving the school where Alluri had studied. College vice-principal JB Raju and staff were present.

Andhra University officials paid rich tributes to Alluri wherein vice-chancellor GSN Raju, rector EA Narayana, registrar K Rama Mohana Rao and professors took part.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 05th, 2014