City based dentist A Sridhar Reddy who bagged the Indian Dental Oscar, at a press conference in Vijayawada on Monday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
The award conceived by FemDent magazine to promote excellence in Dentistry. The Dr Sridhar International Dental Hospital was also conferred the Clinic of the Year award.
City-based dentist A. Sridhar Reddy has bagged the FemDent Outstanding Dentist of the Year award.
The award conceived by FemDent magazine to promote excellence in Dentistry is known among dentists as the “Indian Dental Oscar”.
The award was presented to Dr Sridhar Reddy by Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Arun Jamkar at a function held in Mumbai on Sunday. This is the second consecutive year that Dr Sridhar Reddy bagged the Outstanding Dentist Award.
FemDent gives awards to dentists and institutions of dentistry in several categories like clinic of the year, new practice, clinical team, clinic interiors, smile centre, dental website, dental lab, corporate dental chain, entrepreneur dentist, specialist dentist, techno-savvy dentist, student and dental talent of the year.
The Dr Sridhar International Dental Hospital was also conferred the Clinic of the Year award. The process of evaluation was done through several inspections conducted over a period of three months, Dr Sridhar Reddy said. He is the recipient of several awards and medals from the State government, district administration and other organisations.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Corrrespondent / Vijayawada – December 16th, 2014
Minister for Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy paying tributes to Bapu at the statue of the film-maker and writer after unveiling his statue in Narsapur in West Godavari district on Monday. Photo: AVG Prasad / The Hindu
Legendary film maker Sattiraju Lakshminarayana, popularly known as Bapu, found an enviable place as a son of the soil in Narsapur, his birthplace in West Godavari district, on his birth anniversary four months after his demise.
A bronze statue of Bapu was unveiled by Palle Raghunadha Reddy, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Telugu Language and Culture, on the banks of the picturesque Vasistha river which too found a prime place in the Bapu’s films. Different walks of people joined the occasion and paid him floral tributes in their own way.
Minister for Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy taking a look at the paintings of Bapu on show after unveiling his statue in Narsapur in West Godavari district on Monday. Photo AVG Prasad / The Hindu
A statue committee involving intelligentsia, writers and artistes from the town was constituted to raise funds for unveiling of the statue, a creation of a woman sculptor from Tadepalligudem. NRIs, public representatives and philanthropists from in and around the town contributed their mite for the statue installation. A group of painters brought the caricature works of Bapu into the form of painting works which were on show at an exhibition organised on the occasion. Songs competitions with the songs in the Bapu films and drawing competitions with his cartoons and paintings as the theme were held for students in the run up to the jayanti celebrations.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Nagaraja / Narsapur (West Godavari Dist.) – December 15th, 2014
On the eve of Christmas, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is organizing a high-tea for the Christian community in Guntur. Normally, this event takes place in Hyderabad, but in tune with Chandrababu Naidu’s approach of hosting all official events in Andhra Pradesh, the first Christmas high-tea is being organized in Guntur, the district which is going to be the seat of power, said social welfare minister Ravela Kishore Babu.
“The who’s who of the Christian community from the town will be invited to the event that begins at 6 pm in a function hall. Later, the chief minister will address a gathering of the community in the local stadium,” Kishore Babu said.
Similar events in the districts are to be organized by collectors across the state.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 16th, 2014
The journey of The Miss Vizag contest has not only grown bigger with time, it has also brought about a change in social perception
Over the past 50 years, the official Miss India contest has given wings to the dreams of many women and the slew of Miss World and Miss Universe titles in the later years only added more sheen to the glamour. All along these years, the beauty world was witnessing yet another metamorphosis which resulted in similar events mushrooming across the country’s smaller cities.
The long journey of The Miss Vizag contest has not only grown bigger with time, it has also brought about a change in social perception of the beauty world and provided a platform to many girls from middle-class families, lifting their dreams to the next level. For majority of the participants, the contest had been their first tryst with the fashion world. While a few made it big, for others it was like a sweet and short moment of glory that will be cherished for years to come.
Miss Vizag 2014 Shobhana Guddela. Photo: K.R. Deepak
For Shobhana Guddela, who bagged the title of Miss Vizag 2014, the month-long experience of being a part of the contest brought about a life-changing phase. “My life has become very hectic all of sudden. People are recognising me on the streets,” says a euphoric Shobhana.
While she is enjoying all the attention and limelight now, she does miss the carefree days when she could ride her two-wheeler in the busy city roads without being noticed by the public. “Just the other day, I was returning back in an auto-rickshaw when a group of people started calling out ‘Miss Vizag’ loudly on the road. And many started taking pictures! It is all a different experience for me. Now even to step out to the neighbouring store, my parents have to come along with me,” says Sobhana, who completed his graduation from Pydah College of Engineering.
She quickly adds, “But my first priority is my higher studies. I want to pursue MS in Construction Management.” While she prepares to apply for higher studies abroad for the fall season next year, Shobhana says she is open to exploring modelling assignments and film offers as and when the “right opportunity” comes. “I got two film offers but I haven’t committed myself to any project yet. My parents are looking at all the offers and I will go by whatever they suggest,” says the 22-year-old, who is now working on her fitness levels and joined Zumba classes to be in shape.
First runner-up Laxmi Bharadwaj. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Life may have shifted gears for Laxmi Bharadwaj, the first runner-up of Miss Vizag 2014, but she still wants to take it slow and tread carefully even as she explores her dreams in the tinseltown. The day after the grand finale of the beauty pageant, Laxmi signed her first film offer. Reluctant to divulge further details, the former air hostess says that the film is a romantic flick with a tinge of horror.
“The experience at the beauty pageant has helped me in a big way personally. My family is very happy and they now have the confidence in me and know that my film dreams are finally coming true,” says Laxmi. Cautious not to get lost in the mirage of all the sudden attention and celebrations, Laxmi says these are just the initial days. “I want to have a long innings. And for that I need to make a strong foundation by honing by acting skills and maintaining the fitness levels. I have no background of acting, so I have to take training for the basics,” says Laxmi, who has joined a short course in acting before she starts shooting for her first film early next year. This weekend, Laxmi will be on her way to Hyderabad to meet the crew of another film project.
Second runner -up Suryamayee. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Suryamayee Mohapatra’s phone keeps ringing these days. “I get so many calls from relatives, friends and Odiya and Telugu filmmakers! It’s like a dream for me,” says the 19-year-old. “But I am sure of one thing,” she pauses and adds, “I don’t want to get into films. The modelling world is where I think I will do well.” The stage and the lights were not new to Suryamayee. Being a trained Odissi dancer for over five years, she had given performances at the national level. Ask her what made her participate in the beauty contest, pat comes the reply, “I knew I had a good stage presence and once I was in it, I was confident of making it to the finals at least,” says Suryamayee. Studies remain her top priority as she gets ready to appear for the medical entrances next year. But doesn’t she miss all the glitter of the beauty pageant now that it’s over?
“Oh yes! I had put in so much effort to present my best. That peacock attire I wore during the final rounds of the contest, that one was designed by my sister. We both were so much involved that she made sure I never repeated a hairstyle! I miss the days now,” adds Suryamayee.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Fashion / by Nivedita Ganguly / December 10th, 2014
The fire services department will be Andhra Pradesh’s first department to move out of Hyderabad. The newly-built complex of the AP fire services will be inaugurated by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Friday.
The new fire services headquarters has been built near the police control room in the city. Although the complex was initially designed to locate regional offices, it was later decided to make it the headquarters of the fire department after the bifurcation of the state. The new complex will house nearly 50 officials of various cadres, from director-general of fire services to field officers. The complex also has space for parking six fire-fighting vehicles.
Fire services DG Nanduri Sambasiva Rao said the work on the complex was completed in a record six months time. The DG, along with district collector M Raghunandan Rao and DCP Taqseer Iqbal visited the complex and inspected the arrangements for the CM’s visit late on Thursday night. Naidu will visit the Ungutur assembly constituency in West Godavari district in the morning and will reach Vijayawada by evening.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 12th, 2014
Dr. Pinnamaneni and Seethadevi Foundation organisers C. Nageswara Rao and Sudha, briefing media on 24th Annual Awards Function in Vijayawada on Thursday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
Dr. Pinnamaneni and Seethadevi Foundation, established in 1989, will present the 24 Annual Awards to educationist and social entrepreneur Achyuta Samanta and the Rural Development Trust.
The awards would be presented to the recipients at a function to be held at Siddhartha Academy, on December 16 at 6.30 p.m, said foundation organisers Dr. Chadalavada Nageswara Rao and Dr. Sudha.
Speaking to the newsmen here on Thursday, Mr. Nageswara Rao said the Visista Puraskar would be presented to Dr. Achyuta Samanta, who dedicated his life for the uplift of tribal children by providing free education in Odisha.
The recipient will speak on the topic, ‘Service with Human Touch’ on the occasion, he said.
Dr. Sudha said the Graama Pragathi Puraskaram would be presented to Rural Development Trust which started a scheme ‘Intintiko Seva Hundi’ in Ananthapur district, and Udyana Rytula Sahakara Sangham and Chaitanya Rytu Mithra Group of Chaldiganipalli village in Chittoor district.
Dr. Pinnamaneni Trust presented awards to many eminent persons in literacy, tradition and arts, social service, health, science and other fields in the last two decades. All are invited for the awards function, said Dr. Nageswara Rao.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – December 12th, 2014
School children participating in Balostav-14 celebrations organised by the Vijayawada Children’s Schools and Tutorials Association in Vijayawada on Thursday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
The three-day Balotsav-2014 organised by the Vijayawada Children’s Schools and Tutorials Association has began on a grand note at Andhra Loyola College here.
Students from over 100 schools took part in a series of competitions, leaving everyone spellbound with their mesmerising performances. “We have organised contests for students under the baby-juniors category on Thursday while other competitions will be held under the sub-juniors, juniors and seniors’ category on Friday and Saturday,” said association secretary M. Srihari Rao.
He said that competitions such as musical chairs, ball collection, memory test, drawing, handwriting, rhymes, classical dances and solo performances were conducted on the first day. The association has been organising these events for the last three years. “Every year, we make preparations from November 14 to hold the programme on a splendid manner,” he said.
Participating as a chief guest, Vijayawada (East) MLA Gadde Rammohan advised the organisers to conduct similar programme covering all the students across the State. “These events will enable parents to encourage their children to actively take part in extra-curricular activities,” he said. Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao and Vijayawada (Central) MLA Bonda Umamaheswara Rao will attend the valedictory ceremony to be held on Saturday.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – December 12th, 2014
As Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to build a world class capital city, many infrastructure companies from Canada, who have expertise in the field, are keen to participate in upcoming projects in the state, especially in the capital region, Vijayawada
Describing trade relations between India and Canada, Canadian consul general Sydney Frank shares his vision in expanding trade ties between India and Canada, in an exclusive interview with Sai Durga Gona.
Q. How was the bilateral trade between India and Canada?
At present the trade between India and Canada is 5.8 billion dollars and the aim is to increase it to 15 billion dollars by 2015. We will soon implement the signed agreement ‘CEPA’ (Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement) and talks are going on for another trade agreement ‘FIPA’ (Foreign investment promotion and protection agreement). Engineering products were 43 per cent of the current Indian exports to Canada. Canada has eight trade and investment centres in India.
Q. What are the new trade plans in the Andhra Pradesh?
Well, yesterday I met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and discussed the plans. We are very much looking forward to link up with the companies in AP and to promote Canada. The Canadian pensions fund is already spending `1.5 billion especially to develop the infrastructure in India. Already many leading Canadian firms have expressed their willingness to offer their expertise in infrastructure, metro rail, logistics, engineering, real estate and other sectors and building smart towns and cities in Andhra Pradesh, especially in Vijayawada as the state already chalking out plans to build a world class capital in this region.
Q. What kind of support we can expect from Canada for Indian students?
The education sector had witnessed a four-fold increase in number of Indians studying in Canada during the last six years. We are planning to make tie-ups with the educational institutions in India, especially in AP, by providing opportunities for the students to study half of their higher studies in Canada like what we are implementing in Hyderabad and nealy 400 Canadian institutions are setting up facilities for students in India.
Q. Have you made any plans for young entrepreneurs in Andhra Pradesh?
Well, we recently started a programme ‘Start-up Visa’ for the budding entrepreneurs throughout India. Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program is the first of its kind in the world. With the Start-Up Visa, Canada is targeting a new type of immigrant entrepreneur who has the potential to build innovative companies that can compete on a global scale and create jobs. What one should do is to get the idea accepted by any of the designated Canadian organisation in India.
Q. So, have you made deals with any of the companies in AP?
Not exactly, we already discussed with the Air Costa and also trying to collaborate with a few more companies in AP. Even they are showing interest to link up with Canadian companies, as it was proved that Canada is the best country to invest or to do business with in the top seven countries in the world. Many of the companies in India already linked up with Canadian companies, as we are best in refrigeration and preservation of food. Even our company ‘MCCAIN’ is well popular in India for frozen food.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / December 11th, 2014
Sheik Rabbani has restored 20 temples and constructed 15 new ones
Sculptor Sheik Rabbani and his team busy at work at Chaya Someshwara Swamy Temple, Panagal in Nalgonda district, Telangana, on Saturday.—Photo: Singam Venkataramana
Amid growing tension between the majority and minority communities, here is an example of perfect communal harmony with a 32-year-old Muslim man from Guntur embarking on the task of restoring historical and dilapidated Hindu temples in Telangana as well as Andhra Pradesh.
With a team of 40 workers, all of them Muslims, Sheik Rabbani of Turkapalem in Guntur is credited with restoring 20 historical temples in both the States and constructing 15 finest new rock-built temples. All this has been accomplished by Mr. Rabbani in the last 10 years.
Speaking to The Hindu , Mr. Rabbani said his great grand parents had learnt the art from some Tamil sculptors probably in the late 19th century.
“I grew up seeing my grandfather and father having mastered the art of sculpting rocks and stones and turning them into marvellous structures. All this was done to earn their livelihood. As my parents were not in a position to support my education, I dropped out of school in Class VII and started helping my father,” he said.
To hone his skills, Mr. Rabbani took the guidance of Murthy, a noted artisan of Guntur. Having learnt the finer aspects of sculpting, he started working in close association with the Archaeology Department to restore temples from 2003.
His work includes laying steps to the Bhongir Fort, restoration of Sri Lakshminarasimha Swamy temple, Palem, Sivalayam at Gudivada village, restoration of the boundary wall of Chaya Someswara Swamy temple, Panagal (all are located in Nalgonda), Madugula Sivalayam belonging to the Kakatiya dynasty and Boothpur Sivalayam (both are located in Mahabubnagar), a temple on Hemavathi fort in Anantapur, and Pushpagiri temple in Kadapa.
Monumental effort
Mr. Rabbani said he cherishes the construction of the Sri Kanyakaparameswari rock temple in Nagarkurnool as his best work among the 15 new temples he has built. “I always feel proud that I have also constructed the main arch of the High Court in Hyderabad and also worked on the Qutub Shahi tombs,” he said.
He says as both the Centre and the State government are keen on restoring heritage structures, he wants to undertake more works. “I will not only get recognition but also be able to provide employment to others,” he remarked. Technical Assistant at the Panagal Museum P. Nagaraju said Mr. Rabbani’s work was flawless.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – December 14th, 2014
Customers having a look at garments at the newly-launched Fabindia store in Vijayawada on Friday. / Photo: Ch Vijaya Bhaskar
Fabindia, an ethnic wear, skin and hair care retailer has unveiled its facility in the city.
Interacting with the mediapersons here, store owner Alekhya Nadendla claimed that the clothing line combines stylish cuts and designs with traditional hand block prints, embroideries and weaves from across the country.
Ms. Alekhya said efforts were on to open more outlets in Tier-II cities in Andhra Pradesh soon to cash in on the growing business avenues in the State after bifurcation. Focus was also laid on Visakhapatnam and Guntur, she added. Krishna District Freedom Fighters Association Secretary Vemulapally Vamana Rao inaugurated the outlet.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – December 13th, 2014
