Monthly Archives: August 2014

ANU Registrar to bring out journal on Fourth World Literature

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, World Opinion

 

P. Rajasekhar Registrar, Acharya Nagarjuna University. / Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar
P. Rajasekhar Registrar, Acharya Nagarjuna University. / Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar

A senior professor of English at Acharya Nagarjuna University, P. Rajasekhar, is shortly bringing out a peer reviewed international bi-annual journal on ‘The Cultural and Literary Nationalism of Fourth World.’ The journal has been registered with publication number —ISSN: 2349- 3039

The journal, a first-of-its-kind on Fourth World Literatures, is the culmination of the scholarly and consistent efforts of Professor Rajasekhar in conducting two significant global seminars on Fourth World Literatures during 2009 and 2012.

Popular native and aboriginal academicians and writers like Jay Hansford Vest (USA), Ernie Blackmore ( Australia), Cynthia Wesley Esquimoux (Canada), Lee Maracle ( Canada), Bruce Pascoe ( Australia), Charles Robertson (US), Jo-Ann Episkenew (Canada), Mark Anderson (Canada) and Hone Sadler (New Zealand) would be on the editorial board.

“The objective of the journal is to promote cultural and nationalism of Fourth World Literatures across the world. We are inviting scholarly responses on pertinent social, cultural and literary aspects of the Fourth World,” said Dr. Rajasekhar, who as the Registrar of the University finds time to guide research scholars and bring out publications.

Journals run by the individuals have set new parameters for the discourse of criticism. For instance, T.S. Eliot’s ‘The Criterion’ , F. R. Leavis’s ‘Scrutiny’ & Ezra Pound’s journal have been popular literary journals run by individuals. Dr. Rajasekhar hopes that this journal on Fourth World Literature would be on the lines of Yale Review, Harvard Review, Southern review and The Atlantic.

Dr. Rajasekhar said that scholarly articles about the contemporary issues of Fourth World Literatures are invited for publication. The details of the journals can be had from: www. Fouthworldlitt.in. The articles should be sent to: derrida.derrida@gmail.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / Staff Reporter / Guntur – August 07th, 2014

SPA Vijayawada is Centre for Excellence in Spatial Governance

Education

The School of Planning & Architecture (SPA) at Nidamanur, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh is all set to be recognised as Centre for Excellence in Spatial Governance (CoEiSG). Ministry of Urban Development has decided to grant the honour to the institute for its expertise in land and space use planning.

SPA Vijayawada is working on one Spatial Governance Strategy (SGS) research project called ‘Urban Vision 2050 of Andhra Pradesh. The planning and architecture institute is already regarded as a key player in urban and regional planning in the state of AP. Asian Development Bank recently awarded it a study on ‘Future Urbanisation of East Coast Economic Corridor’. Getting the status CoEiSG will facilitate SPA students in taking up more live projects.

Andhra Pradesh will benefit from addition of the prestigious national institution in its kitty post bifurcation of the state. Besides, 600 SPA students have taken up projects in planning and architecture, urban and regional planning, environmental planning and sustainable architecture in regions like Vijayawada, Guntur, and Tenali region for their case studies which will prove to be of immense help later. Findings of students’ studies are expected to be published by December 2014.

Maharashtra government has also requested SPA Vijayawada to prepare a regional plan for Kolhapur. Other significant projects of the institute include the documentation of rural and urban housing typology for Andhra and parts of Orissa as per the mandate of Urban Development Ministry. The documentation is to be done on the basis of architecture and building materials used locally.

SPA will also set up a Design Centre too in association with IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi and National Institute of Design. This Design Centre will focus on designs unique to this area and will start with arts such as block printing and toy making.

source: http://www.prepsure.com / PrepSure / Home> News / by Rruchi Shrimali / August 07th, 2014

Devout Turn to ‘Lord of Seven Weeks’ for Wish-Fulfilment

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Vadapalli (East Godavari):
Come Saturday the tiny village of Vadapalli in Atreyapuram mandal of the district transforms itself into a beehive of activity with about 30,000 devotees turning up for the darshan of Lord Venakateswara Swamy at temple of ‘God of Seven Weeks’.

The devout believe that the Lord grants their wishes if they make seven ‘pradakshinams’ around the temple on seven Saturdays and that its result can be felt after completion of the fourth ‘pradakshinam’.

‘Kalyanotsavams’ are being performed on all days except Saturdays. As many as 5,000 devotees will have ‘anna prasadam’ Saturday. Scores of villagers do perform voluntary service like regulating the queue lines, distributing ‘prasadam’, providing drinking water, cleaning the temple, etc., every Saturday.

The villagers feel that it is an opportunity given to them by the Lord to serve his devotees. A week-long festival of ‘Kalyanam’ and ‘Tirtham’ on ‘Chaitra Sudda Padyami’ is an important event performed at the temple.

Lord Venkateswara Swamy is a ‘Swayambhu’ on red sandalwood. Legend has it that once many sages visited Lord Vishnu in Vaikuntam and asked him to protect ‘dharma’ on the earth.

He assured them to appear on sandalwood in river Gowthami. Later, the villagers found a sandal box in the river, took it to the village and opened it to find the Lord on red sandalwood.

Sage Narada constructed the temple after performing a ‘yagna’ and the rituals performed by Vaikhanasa Brahmins and Sri Vaishnava Acharyas. Raja of Peddapuram Vatsavasi Timmagajapathi Maha Raju donated the land in 1759. Temple trust board chairman T Subba Raju said, ”Lord Venakateswara has given us an opportunity to work for him.” The temple will be developed and better amenities would be provided for the devotees soon. Speaking to TNIE, temple executive officer PVVS Kameswara Rao said that plans were afoot to construct an ‘annadanam’ complex at an estimated cost of `70 lakh. Proposals were sent to the endowments commissioner in this regard.

He further said that ‘Srivari Seva’ badges would be given to the villagers who work at the temple voluntarily Saturdays. The number of devotees is increasing by the day.  Daily ‘annadanam’ programme would be launched soon, he said and disclosed that the annual income of the temple stood at about `1 crore.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by S S Chary / August 01st, 2014

Bowling has many takers in Guntur

Sports
The Hindu Youngsters test their skills at the bowling alley at Splitz Strikezz in Guntur on Saturday./ Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu
The Hindu Youngsters test their skills at the bowling alley at Splitz Strikezz in Guntur on Saturday./ Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu

Bowling in Guntur! Well, one has to believe that big time entertainment has finally arrived in town.

For youngsters who are starved of weekend entertainment, a new gaming zone, Splitz and Strikezz, located on the fourth floor of Grand Fortune Mall opposite NTR Stadium is the new destination.

The state-of-the-art air-conditioned gaming zone developed on 4,000 square foot has a four lane bowling alley, the first-of-its kind in the town, a gaming arcade, consisting of Xbox and kinect lounge, and a food court.

“The bowling alley is the most sought-after place for youngsters to hang out. Each game has 20 throw-ins and boys and girls simply love it. We have developed a 50-metre bowling alley on par with international standards of Ten Pin bowling,” says Sasikanth Reddy, game zone manager.

Developed by Vishnu, the latest gaming zone was recently inaugurated by Minister for Agriculture Prathipati Pulla Rao and Guntur West MLA Modugula Venugopala Reddy.Youngsters have a unique feeling of cosmic bowling in the alley dotted with neon lights.

“The demand for bowling alley goes up during weekends. We allow pre-bookings during weekdays,” Mr. Reddy says. Apart from games, youngsters have plenty of choices. They can hang out in party space and can lounge in the Xbox and kinetic lounge.

“We are keen on bringing top-class entertainment to Guntur. We will further develop the gaming zone to include games for kids and make this as a complete family entertainment zone,” Mr. Reddy adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – August 03rd, 2014

‘Stamp’ of recognition for rare collection

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
One of the collections of G. Sri Ramarao -- A special gold foil Russian stamp with sand embedded on it. (Right) The philatelist.
One of the collections of G. Sri Ramarao — A special gold foil Russian stamp with sand embedded on it. (Right) The philatelist.

Driven by a passion to share his knowledge and collection with as many as possible, city- based philatelist Commander (retired) G. Sri Ramarao has been participating in philatelic exhibitions where his painstaking collection has drawn accolades.

He bagged a gold medal at the recently concluded APEX 2014 philatelic exhibition organised by the Department of Posts at Vijayawada. Incidentally his wife Rama Lakshmi won a large silver medal at the same expo.

G. Sri Ramarao / PHOTOS: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM.
G. Sri Ramarao / PHOTOS: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM.

His passion for music, which was revived after he retired from the Indian Navy, set him on the path of collecting stamps on anything and everything related to music. He has collected gramophone record stamps, CD stamps, stamps on musicians from across the world. To top his collection on music is his collection of stamped covers with post mark from post offices named after musicians.

“There is so much interest in philately abroad and in fact a postmaster of one of the post offices named after a famed musician not only stamped my cover but also wrote a letter explaining how and why it was named so,” Cdr Ramarao said. In contrast the Philatelic Bureau in Mumbai was tardy in sending the details of releases.

“There is a need to create awareness about philately in India,” he said.

Many were not aware of the fact that the special stamps like batik, embroidery, or made with lace are proper stamps that can be used as postage.

Limca Book of Records has recognised four of the stamp collections of Cdr Ramarao and he has received certificates for two and other the other two are being sent.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by G. S. Subrahmanyam / Visakhapatnam – August 05th, 2014

City man scales two mountains

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion

KhasimRazaMPOs10aug2014

Khasim Raza conquers Mt. Elbrus, wants to climb all ‘Seven Summits’ by 2017. Though the ascent to the base camp which is at an elevation of 10,000 ft by chairlift is easy, it took nine days for his five-member team and guide to scale the mountain.

Vijayawada-born Khasim Raza made big news in the city when he climbed the Khilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Now he is back in the limelight by conquering Mt. Elbrus the highest mountain in Europe. He plans to climb all ‘Seven Summits’ of the world by 2017.

It is the dream of every mountaineer to climb all seven mountains on the list. Mount Everest is the highest peak with an elevation of 29,020 feet. It is followed by Aconcagua (22,838 ft), McKinley (20,322 ft), Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft), Elbrus (18,510 ft), Vinson (16,050), Puncak Jaya (16,050 ft) and Kosciuszko (7,310). (The names of eight mountains are listed because there are two different lists of the Seven Summits. Mountaineer Bass lists Kosciuszko in his list, but mountaineer Messner lists Puncak Jaya in his list.)

Mr Raza did his schooling in N.S.M. Public School here and went on to become a British citizen.

He now operates with Dubai has his base. His father, owner of Metro Opticals in Gandhi Nagar, is one of the first opticians of the town. Mr Raza’s sights are trained next on Aconcagua, the second highest peak in the list, located in South America.

“Every mountain teaches you something. Kili (the affectionate way he refers to the mountain) taught me how to deal with wind speeds and high altitude, Elbrus taught me about cold. It is all snow and ice there,” he said.

Though the ascent to the base camp which is at an elevation of 10,000 ft by chairlift is easy, it took nine days for his five-member team and guide to scale the mountain. “We lived in accommodation that is similar to a container used for shipping goods. Every alternate day we went out on acclimatisation climbs. Unlike in Kili, the gradients on Elbrus are very steep,” he said. He says the view from the mountain slopes were really breathtaking.

Besides mountaineering, Mr Raza is every inch an adventure junkie. Just a couple of months ago he and some friends went on a cross-country cycling expedition in Cyprus. “I want to share my experiences to inspire youngsters to become more adventures and pursue challenges,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by G. Venkataramana Rao / Vijayawada – August 09th, 2014

Muvvala Perumallu Remembered

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All

Vijayawada :

People are not following the democratic centralism concept, which is leading to several problems in the society. Instead of values and human relations, the importance is being given to money and position, Andhra Pradesh High court justice B Chandra Kumar has said.

Delivering the memorial speech of Muvvala Perumallu organised by Jayanth Publications and Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) on the occasion of his birth anniversary here Saturday, Chandra Kumar said that Perumallu worked hard for the welfare of the society through his publications and stands as the inspiration for future generations.

Senior journalist and editor of a vernacular daily C Raghavachari said that though most of his publications were criticised by many, he always tried to reflect the truth through his publications.

Later, Chandra Kumar unveiled the book, ‘Ekkadiki Prasthanam’ written by Brahma Reddy. Well known poet Manepalli Hrishi Kesava Rao, popularly known as Nagnamuni (one of the six ‘Digambara Kavulu’) was felicitated by Jayanth Publications directors Muvvala Subbaramaiah and Syama Sambhaiah on the occasion.

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

Free entry to children on Kursura anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology
File picture of visitors queuing up to see the Submarine Museum INS Kursura in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
File picture of visitors queuing up to see the Submarine Museum INS Kursura in Visakhapatnam. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Children below the age of 15 years will be provided free entry to the Kursura Submarine museum on Saturday to mark its 12th Anniversary.

VUDA Vice-Chairman M. V. Satyanarayana said children below 15 years or studying up to Class X in any school would be allowed to visit the museum without entry fee from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The submarine that made India proud in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war now stands tall at Ramakrishna Beach in Visakhapatnam.

The Soviet-built I-641 Submarine was decommissioned on February 28, 2001.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home>News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – August 09th, 2014

Pursue sports , students told

Sports
Municipal Commissioner Harikiran inaugurating the sub junior rapid chess tournament at Vijayawada on Sunday. / The Hindu
Municipal Commissioner Harikiran inaugurating the sub junior rapid chess tournament at Vijayawada on Sunday. / The Hindu

Municipal Commissioner Harikiran on Sunday exhorted parents to encourage their wards in taking up sports and games for the overall development of their personality

Speaking at the inaugural function of the sub junior rapid chess tournament, organised by Global Chess Academy at Fun Times here, he said top universities world-over preferred students with overall skills and sports and games played a crucial role in youngsters getting seats in prestigious educational institutions.

“It is imperative that students along with academics pursued their interests in sports, cultural and literary activities. Vijayawada has produced many talented sportspersons, and you should emulate them and bring laurels to the Andhra Pradesh and the country,” he added. As many as 77 players from the district took part in the event, which was held in six rounds. Fun Times secretary Ajit Babu said that the club was always at the forefront of organising sports events. “We are regularly conducting badminton and chess tournaments. We will continue to support chess in a big way,” he promised.

Global Chess Academy secretary Sk. Khasim, Fun Times treasurer Krishna Rao, committee member V. Sambasiva Rao and Fun Times chess coach Basheer were present in the inaugural function.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Vijayawada / by J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – August 04th, 2014

ACC cricketers ‘floored’ by Guntur academy

Sports, World Opinion
Players from Asian Cricket Council who will train at ACA Women's Cricket Academy at Guntur. Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu
Players from Asian Cricket Council who will train at ACA Women’s Cricket Academy at Guntur. Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu

Hong Kong cricketer Marico Hell was head over the heels at the facilities offered at ACA Women’s Academy at JKC College, Guntur, and felt that the ‘beautiful’ venue would be the safest for women to stay and play.

She was part of the 17-member Asian Cricket Council (ACC) team that had arrived from various Asian countries such as China, Nepal, Bhutan and Thailand and she will hone her skills till August 22 for her future endeavours.

“This camp is important for us, who had come from various countries of Asia, as it will help us forge an ever-lasting friendship. This also helps us learn the intricacies of team work,” Ms. Marico added.

ACC Development Officer and former India spinner Venkatapati Raju said that the camp was part of the preparation for the Incheon Asian Games. “Players are delighted to play as state-of-art facilities are offered to them. They will play four ODIs and six T-20 matches against Andhra team.”

ACA women’s Academy chairman Murali Mohan said that the academy was the vision of late ACA vice- president J. Narendranath, who had spruced up the academy with the help of ACA secretary Ganga Raju. “It is a fitting tribute to name the Perecherla playfield after J. Narendranath, who passed away recently,” he pointed out.

Ms. Maria Fahey, Head Coach, Women’s academy, said that it will be a fruitful experience for her to teach the nuances of the game to the budding ACC cricketers.

Mr. M.S.K. Prasad, Director, Cricketing Operations, ACA administrators K. Ramesh, Uma Maheswar Rao, Sitapati, C. R. Mohan and Bapuji were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / J. R. Sridharan  / Vijayawada – August 05th, 2014