Monthly Archives: August 2014

Babu Seeks NGO Support for Development of AP

Nellore :

Lauding Union Urban development minister M Venkaiah Naidu for his initiation in expanding the services of Swarna Bharath Trust (SBT) to various sectors, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called upon Non-Governmental Organisations like SBT to come forward for extending support to the government and be part of the development as it will be a mammoth task for the government to overcome the problems on its own.

Addressing a meeting while participating in the 13th anniversary of SBT established by Venkaiah Naidu’s daughter Deepa Venkat at Venkatachalam on Sunday, CM said that the NGO concept is already existing in foreign countries and millionaires and several organisations are spending 60 per cent of their earnings for social service.

He recalled that 13 years ago when the SBT was established in a small remote village Venkatachalam, he never expected that it would grow to such an extent. At present, the SBT is playing a crucial role in eradicating rural poverty by introducing several employment generation concepts including Internet technology, training programmes for farmers over the latest technologies.

Chandrababu Naidu said that it is a proud moment for him to participate in the SBT anniversary and expressed his surprise over the success of government concepts like Palle Pilustondi, Polam Pilustondi, Pedarikam Gelupu and others being effectively implemented by the SBT under different names.

The CM said that it is possible for him to make AP as one of the 10 developed states in the country, despite several hurdles from all fronts.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 25th, 2014

Two Docu Flicks to be Screened From Tomorrow

Visakhapatnam  :

Documentary film fans can have a visual treat at Visakhapatnam Public Library where two documentary movies will be screened Saturday and Sunday. While one documentary picturises the brutalities of Israel in Palestine, the other flick attempts to create awareness on global warming. The screening is open to all.

The Human Rights Forum (HRF) will be screening a documentary on Palestine by well-known journalist, writer and film-maker John Pilger on Saturday evening. The 50-minute-long film will begin at 6 pm. On Sunday, the Vizag Film Society and Environmental Film Society will screen the documentary ‘An Inconvenient Truth’, a 2006 Academy Award winner based on global warming.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 29th, 2014

A.P. Telecom wins kabaddi tourney

Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Players in action in the final match of the 14th All India BSNL Kabaddi tournament in Vijayawada on Friday. _ PHOTO: V_RAJU. / The Hindu
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Players in action in the final match of the 14th All India BSNL Kabaddi tournament in Vijayawada on Friday. _ PHOTO: V_RAJU. / The Hindu

A.P. Telecom team beats Karnataka team with a margin of 48-25. Both Haryana and Rajasthan were declared joint third place in the three-day tournament in which seven teams took part.

Amidst bursting of crackers and warm round of applause, host Andhra Pradesh telecom won the prestigious 14th all India Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited kabaddi tournament by defeating Karnataka 48-25 at Railway Stadium here on Friday.

The one-sided final, which was dominated by A.P., saw the host finishing the first half breather at 22-13. AP team posted four lonas, one in the first half and three in the second. It maintained the nine-point lead in the second half and emerged winners to pocket Rs. 50,000. Karnataka carried home Rs. 20,000.

Both Haryana and Rajasthan were declared joint third place in the three-day tournament in which seven teams took part.

“A.P. team excelled both in offence and defence,” observed N. Arjun Rao, Sports Welfare Officer, and Vijayawada Division, who represented Indian in kabaddi in the 90s. Chief Referee S. Yadav appreciated the teams taking part in a sportive spirit by following the rules and regulations.

Speaking at the prize distribution function, Vijayawada Municipal Commissioner C. Harikiran lauded the efforts of A.P. telecom in hosting the national event and pointed out the importance of indulging sports and games to stay fit and healthy.

The organising committee gave away mementoes to all the technical staff and team management for their support for conducting the tournament in a successful manner.

A.P. telecom senior General Manager V. Sundar and several officials from the telecom sector attended the valedictory function.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – August 23rd, 2014

Pedana’s Kalamkari Art Set to Come in Charming Linen Avatar

Deputy director of Weavers Service Centre Vishesh Nautiyal displaying the Kalamkari design printed on the linen bed sheet at the Centre in Vijayawada on Tuesday | Express Photo
Deputy director of Weavers Service Centre Vishesh Nautiyal displaying the Kalamkari design printed on the linen bed sheet at the Centre in Vijayawada on Tuesday | Express Photo

Vijayawada :

Kalamkari, the art of fabric printing which has won the hearts of people for generations for its unique patterns and colour combinations on cotton fabrics, has now found a new canvas –  the linen cloth.

The Weavers Service Centre (WSC), which is instrumental in the adaptation of the age-old art, is all set to come up with a range of linen dress and other materials bearing beautiful Kalamkari designs.

The WSC, attached to the Ministry of Textiles, works for the development of handlooms. It has come up with the idea of printing Kalamkari designs on linen cloth primarily to take the art to new destinations and thus increase its market.

The WSC has roped in Jaya Shree Textiles of the Aditya Birla group and Pichuka Srinivas, a renowned Kalamkari printer from Pedana in Krishna district, in its efforts to give a new thrust to the old art.

“The WSC aims at developing new products and designs in the handloom sector. In the process, various ideas are tried out in designing patterns and evolving different colour and fabric combinations. In this case, we have tried to introduce linen fabric to Kalamkari printers who are traditionally habituated to printing on cotton cloth,” says Vishesh Nautiyal, deputy director of WSC, which comes under the office of development commissioner (Handlooms).

The samples have been satisfactory and the finished products will be exported to Europe soon as linen adorned with traditional Indian designs has generated a lot of interest there, he says.

Pichuka Srinivas, who has been exporting Kalamkari clothes to Europe and US for over a decade now, opines Kalamkari art on linen will create fresh appeal for the product.

“Our aim is to introduce a new fabric to Pedana Kalamkari artisans and provide them an alternative to the cotton fabric to experiment and explore their creative talents,” he says.

The linen fabric for now is being procured from the Jaya Shree Textiles in Chennai. However, two new looms are being set up at Pedana by Srinivas to weave the linen fabric locally.

The WSC is providing the know-how and other technical support to the artisans.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by J DeepthiMandan Reddy / August 27th, 2014

Tinsel town beckons

Amala Chebolu. - Photo: K.R. Deepak / The Hindu
Amala Chebolu. – Photo: K.R. Deepak / The Hindu

With her title song in Maaya striking a chord with the audience, this engineering grad from the city hopes to make it big in the Telugu film industry. Her title song ‘Kalayedo Nijamedo’ in Maaya has been received well by the audience.

An engineering graduate in Information Technology aims at making her presence felt both as software professional and singer.

Meet Amala Chebolu, a native of Visakhapatnam, who has completed her B.Tech in GITAM this year. She is all set to make it big as a playback singer in the Telugu film industry.

While hunting for a job in the software industry, she happened to get an opportunity to lend her voice to the title song in the recent Telugu flickMaaya, directed by Neelakanta.

Being a classical singer all through her life, singing happens to be her first passion. She has been trained in the art since she was six years old.

“I feel I am fortunate to have such supporting parents — Saraswathi Chebolu, a vocalist, and Gopalakrishna Murthy, who works as HoD in Economics at B.V.K. Degree College — who helped me realise my dreams in all aspects,” she says. Apart from her parents, Amala owes her success to her mentor.

“My mother is my first guru in music. Later, I was fine-tuned by well-known vocalist Pantula Rama. I was able to focus on my studies and singing and strike a perfect balance between the two important facets of my life,” she says.

Her title song ‘Kalayedo Nijamedo’ in Maaya has been received well by the audience.

Speaking about her growing popularity, the up-and-coming singer says, “I acted and sang in one of the short films, ‘By Unknown’, just for fun. But, I have never imagined it would provide me a platform to get offers for singing in movies.”

About the competition, Amala says, “Singing is not about competing with one another. It is all about how well you perform, keeping your passion alive. Drawing inspiration from legendary Carnatic vocalist M.S. Subbulakshmi and singer Chitra, I am sure to unravel a new path in playback singing.”

source: http;//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam – August 21st, 2014

Police medal for two north Andhra officers

Visakhapatnam  :

Two police officers from North Coastal Andhra region  Police Training College (PTC) principal ET Srinivas and city harbour police station inspector D Rajeswara Rao will be receiving the Indian Police Medal (IPM) from Andhra Pradesh chief minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu on Independence Day on Friday at Kurnool.

The additional SP rank officer ET Srinivas has received around 143 departmental awards and rewards so far.

He has been working as the principal of PTC Viziangaram since 2011 after he was promoted to additional SP rank.

City-based inspector D Rajeswara Rao, a native of Tallavalasa in Julumuru mandal of Srikakulam district, played a key role in bringing down the accident rate to 38% while he was serving as a traffic inspector in the East traffic circle in the city.

He too has received nearly 60 departmental awards and rewards for his exemplary work.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times Of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / August 15th, 2014

ALC students shine at workshop

Students giving final touches to the clay model at a workshop in Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada. Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar. / The Hindu
Students giving final touches to the clay model at a workshop in Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada. Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar. / The Hindu

Students of Animation, Visual Effects and 3D Animation departments proved their talent in the Clay Model Workshop organised on Andhra Loyola College (ALC) campus on Thursday.

Many models including robots, buildings, animals and great personalities were made in the two-day workshop.  ALC vice-principal Fr. Rex Angelo, who visited the models, appealed to the youngsters to made use of the workshop to nurture their talent. Such programmes will provide a platform to showcase the talent of the young minds, said Mr. Angelo. Dassu Guru, sculptor in Guntur Medical College, who inaugurated the workshop, said that many opportunities are there for meritorious and talented students in the market. The clay model workshop will help students to hone their artistic skills. Animation Department faculty D. Praveen said nearly 90 students prepared different clay models. Faculty Ezra Sastry and Nagarani coordinated the programme.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities>Vijayawada / Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – August 16th, 2014

Naidu Unfurls the Tricolour at Kurnool

Kurnool :

Breaking away from tradition, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu unfurled the nation’s Tricolour at the APSP battalion in Kurnool, instead of Hyderabad, the joint capital of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

This is nearly after five decades that State level independence Day celebrations took place here. When Andhra State was created from Madras State, Kurnool was its Capital and I-Day was celebrated here till 1956.

Hoisting the flag, Naidu said that state level independence day would be organised in all districts by rotation so that people of all the districts would be part of the state level festivity.

Headquarters of all districts will be developed on par with capital city and he unveiled a programme of “unlimited development of Rayalaseema region.”

Naidu, recalling that the State they had inherited had a number of problems, chief among them  being financial, wanted people to work  hard to make the State prosper.

He said that he had fulfilled his poll promises which included loan waiver for farmers and DWCRA women, increases in pension amount to `1,000 for aged, `1,500 for the physically challenged, 24 hours power supply.

In an oblique reference to his Telangana counterpart K Chandrasekhar Rao, Naidu disapproved of his style of functioning. He said that Rao was creating new problems for Andhra Pradesh after bifurcation of the State.

He said that Rao was not forthcoming to sort out problems through dialogue. “We can solve problems if we sit together an talk in a friendly ambience. If we cannot find a solution we can approach the centre and if that too does not work out, there is always legal recourse,” he said. He said that there was a need to work with a spirit of coordination and maintain good relationship with neighbouring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and including Telangana.

He said his government would stand by Telugus as they fight for their rights in neighbouring Telangana, particularly in Hyderabad.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K Madhusudhakar / August 16th, 2014

Chess gold medallist calls on Naidu

Global chess Academy K.Venkata Krishna Karthik and his coach Shaik khasim met Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu at Hyderabad on Assembly premises. / The Hindu
Global chess Academy K.Venkata Krishna Karthik and his coach Shaik khasim met Chief Minister Nara Chandra Babu Naidu at Hyderabad on Assembly premises. / The Hindu

Commonwealth chess gold medallist under physically challenged category K.V. Krishna Karthik along with his coach Shaik Khasim of Global Chess Academy called on Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu at Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Mr. Naidu appreciated the medal-winning achievement of Mr. Karthik, who suffers from an acute orthopaedic disorder and assured all assistance to him in the future. Later, Mr. Khasim narrated Mr. Karthik’s on-board exploits at Glasgow to the Chief Minister and also explained him about his unflinching commitment towards promoting and playing chess, said a press release.

Mr. Khasim said that the Chief Minister had enquired about the support offered by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh and the benefits Mr. Karthik was getting from it. “We told him the fact that SAAP was not financially helping the physically challenged players for which he asked us to put a note with his personal secretary.”

Incidentally, Mr. Karthik is qualified to participate in the World Physically Challenged Chess Championship to be held in Serbia later this year.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – August 20th, 2014

AP Open Bridge Championship Gets Underway

Visakhapatnam :

A three-day Andhra Pradesh State Open Bridge Championship-2014 was inaugurated by RINL director (Personnel) GBS Prasad Saturday at the Ukkunagaram Club. The event is being organised by the Ukknagaram Club in association with the Visakhapatnam District Bridge Association and AP State Bridge Association.

The Ukkunagaram Club, with 1,600 members, is actively involved in organising major sports events. The AP State Open Bridge Championship commenced in 2009 with 30 participants.

As many as 250 participants from across the country are participating in the tournament.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 24th, 2014