Monthly Archives: April 2018

Srikanth on top of the world

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Srikanth thus became only the second Indian after Saina Nehwal, who had occupied the women’s top spot in 2015, to achieve the feat.

K. Srikanth always let his racquet do the talking. Even for all those who are regular to Gopi Academy where the champion shuttler puts in that extra effort to become a better player, he acknowledges the presence of visitors with a smile and gets back to business.

One needs to probe him to get replies since Srikanth is not one of who loves to engage in long conversations.

So, after the 25-year-old scaled the summit of the world men’s singles rankings on Thursday, he just looked at it as just another achievement, gently reminding that he had bigger goals to chase, including the Olympics gold.

“I always believed that if you are consistent in any sport, these things (rankings) automatically will fall in place. Honestly, I never chased them, but was fully aware that if you keep winning titles, you are bound to be there at the top,” said Srikanth.

“To be the No. 1 now after being ranked No. 338 about six years ago is a fabulous journey,” he said.

Inspiration

“Yes, being World No.1 is something which not everyone is able to achieve. That way it will remain one of the special moments of my career and can only be a huge inspiration for better deeds,” said Srikanth, who has had a dream run in the recent past.

He won four Super Series titles and guided India to the team gold in the on-going Commonwealth Games. “Well, my immediate goal is to win the singles gold at the CWG,” he added.

“The ranking is definitely a big load off my shoulders as many people have been asking me about this wherever I go. So, it’s a big relief,” he added.

“This is a big year for Indian badminton and I would be glad to be part of anything that will bring name and fame for us. In the process, winning gold in the Asian Games and the World championship are something which should make anyone proud,” said the 2016 Rio Olympics quarterfinalist.

“I dedicate this feat to my parents, coach Gopi (Chand) Sir, my physio Kiran and all the support staff at the academy and all those who always backed my abilities right through my career,” said Srikanth.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / New Delhi – April 12th, 2018

Nellore doctor gets award

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

‘Complications will arise if it is not tackled early’

Many children suffering from insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes eventually end up falling ill due to several other diseases such as thyroid and celiac intestinal illness which become complicated due to lack of awareness and timely treatment.

Out of 100 juvenile diabetics, nearly 50 of them are falling ill due to other common diseases affecting intestines and glands.

M.V. Rammohan, Endocrinologist, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore, says that nearly 40 % out of these 50 children are suffering from thyroid while another 20 % from celiac.

Early diagnosis and treatment of these other diseases in such children have helped in enhancing their quality of life. As their disease is genetic in nature, they have to manage and live with these conditions for a lifetime, he said.

Constant care

In recognition of this outstanding research work, Dr. Rammohan received the Halmessy Trust award from the World Endocrine Society at an international conference held in Chicago recently.

He has done extensive research on type 1 diabetes among children for whom consistent care and continuous treatment is required throughout their life. As they are vulnerable to other diseases, the related treatments should be taken without wasting time.

The World Endocrine Society encourages treatments for diabetes related disorders in various communities in a bid to take forward research in these areas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Nellore – April 05th, 2018

Sunday samaritans run an anti-hunger project

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Resources of Free Materials
Street saviours: Members of the ‘Railway Team-Food for Poor’ distributing food packets to the destitute near the Vizianagaram railway station.
Street saviours: Members of the ‘Railway Team-Food for Poor’ distributing food packets to the destitute near the Vizianagaram railway station.

A.P. government employee starts a project to feed the poor, and draws a team of 130 volunteers

For government employees, Sunday is a time to relax and spend time with family members, but not for Visakh C.

Even before dawn breaks in Vizianagaram, this government employee gets busy with cooking. He finishes well ahead of the lunch hour, packs the food in packets and sets out on his mission: to distribute them among the destitute, including persons with mental disabilities.

Started in Kerala

“I prepare food for 50 people every Sunday. It gives me satisfaction. I started the initiative, along with my wife Vaishnavi when I was in Kerala. She taught me to easily prepare food for a big group,” Mr. Visakh said.

What he started solo has become a movement now, as 130 railways employees have joined hands to use their free time to feed orphans and run a dedicated team called ‘Railway Team-Food for Poor.’

The railway officials, M. Kanakaraju, N. Jayasankar, A. Omkar Murthy, S. Dixit, and others, chalk out the action plan a week ahead.

Blood donation

Apart from distribution of food packets, the team also extends a helping hand to the needy in many other ways — be it supply of blankets to the people who sleep rough, on the pavement, setting up water purifiers at orphanages and so on. The team members also donate blood to patients in need. They maintain a WhatsApp group to ensure a quick response when patients need blood urgently.

“I never thought that my initiative would get such support from many top officials and colleagues. Their active participation is motivating many to come forward and spare their free time for charitable activities,” said Mr. Visakh.

Mr. Kanakaraju said that the association now was planning to extend health care support to the needy.

Every Sunday, the inmates of many orphanages and old-age homes eagerly wait for the team, as the members arrive to share happiness and offer some hours of companionship, apart from food packets.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Srinivasa Rao / Vizianagaram – April 2th, 2018

SCR GM to receive award

Business & Economy, Records, All

South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Vinod Kumar Yadav has been selected for the ‘Best Transformation Initiative Award’. The award has been introduced for the first time in Indian Railways.

Function in Bhopal

Mr. Yadav will receive the prestigious award at the 63th Railway Week National Awards function to be held in Bhopal on April 15, according to a release.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – April 07th, 2018

Megalithic burial site in a state of neglect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All
The megalithic burial site at Venkatapuram near Tirupati, with a mobile tower in the background. | Photo Credit: A_D_RANGARAJAN
The megalithic burial site at Venkatapuram near Tirupati, with a mobile tower in the background. | Photo Credit: A_D_RANGARAJAN

‘One of the six finds in Karakambadi region already lost to a mobile tower’

For many, it is just an uninhabited waste land abutting the Tirupati-Kadapa national highway and the Renigunta-Kadapa railway line. Not many know that this piece of land on the outskirts of Tirupati is actually a treasure trove of knowledge that has the potential to open new vistas in archaeological research.

Located in the little-known Venkatapuram village tucked between Chengareddypalle and Karakambadi, it is a megalithic burial site believed to date back to 500-300 B.C. The region is full of history and is an indicator to the likely presence of prehistoric human civilisation.

The burial of corpses by megalithic people bears a distinct signature. Some used cairn packing (pouring heap of pebbles over the tomb), some drew anthropomorphic figures on the tombstone and some had a Dolmen’s chamber with a capstone. However, what one finds in Venkatapuram is a ‘stone circle’, that is, a circle formed by placing boulders around the grave.

According to V. Ramabrahmam, an assistant professor of history and archaeology at Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, megalithic people believed in life after death and that the soul would travel to other worlds. Hence they kept food items and tools inside the chamber for use by the dead person.

Plenty of evidences

Chittoor district has wide presence of megalithic culture. In fact, this particular area bounded by Karakambadi, Mallemadugu, Vedallacheruvu and Rallakaluva has a rich history. M.L.K. Murthy, a professor of archeology, was the first to report Rallakaluva as an Upper Paleolithic site, nearly five decades back.

Around 300 megalithic burial sites have been identified so far across Chittoor district, 210 of them by Prof. Ramabrahmam himself. Many of them are in a state of disarray and some have already vanished.

“The granite hunters are the first to eye them, followed by land encroachers and infrastructure developers,” says Challa Sivakumar, a conservation activist and founder of Archeology Research Group (ARG), which strives to create awareness on heritage.

“There is evidence of existence of earlier historic man in this area, established by continuation of culture, which needs to be preserved,” Mr. Sivakumar told The Hindu.

Prof. Ramabrahmam and Mr. Sivakumar stumbled upon this site by chance when they made a visit along with a research scholar J. Narayana some time back.

Of the six burials, there are only five today and the ‘missing’ one has been replaced by a newly-erected mobile tower.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by A.D. Rangarajan / Tirupati – April 09th, 2018

Tirupati-born ‘Miss Karnataka’ now eyes ‘Miss India’ crown

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Bhavana Durgam with her family members at their house in Tirupati. | Photo Credit: K_V_PoornachandraKumar
Bhavana Durgam with her family members at their house in Tirupati. | Photo Credit: K_V_PoornachandraKumar

Say her purpose is to help raise funds to improve schools

She was totally unprepared and was not expecting the crown, but the pleasant touch of serendipity propelled 21-year-old Bhavana Durgam to the summit of ‘Miss Karnataka 2018’ beauty pageant. Buoyed by the result, she has now set her eyes on bagging the ‘Miss India’ title.

Born in Tirupati, Bhavana had her nursery schooling here before moving to Bengaluru along with her parents Durgam Prabhakara Reddy and Krishnaveni. She finished her schooling in Baldwin Girls High School as is now studying Medical Electronics Engineering at BMS College of Engineering, Basavanagudi.

When the opportunity came calling early this year for the ‘Miss Karnataka’ pageant, Bhavana entered the arena untrained, but her typical composure, relaxation techniques practised at home, training in basics of Carnatic music and relaxed communication with peers helped her score brownie points. At 5’10”, Bhavana had never worn high-heeled shoes, but started using one for the first time since it is a primary accessory for ramp walkers. She has also started doing basic make-up and hair-do on her own, which is a prerequisite for the aspirants.

Actress Rakul Preet Singh is providing guidance and tips to the contestants from the five southern States.

Speaking to The Hindu, Bhavana recalled her interaction with children in her immediate neighbourhood. “My friends and I teach underprivileged students under the innovative ‘I teach’ concept,” she said. Her altruistic attitude paid dividends, as Bhavana was selected as the ‘Miss Goodness’ ambassador in a sub-contest held during the pageant. She has acted in a TV commercial with actress Sneha, besides in advertisements for Bengaluru Football Club and a drug company. Her younger brother Bhargava Durgam, an upcoming cricket player, is equally prominent through his leading TV commercials.

With keen focus now on ‘Miss India’ event scheduled during May 21 – June 23 at Mumbai, Bhavana spends half a day at her college and the other half for practice. She is confident that her purpose will ensure her win. “If I win, I will use my brand to help raise funds to improve State-funded schools, not only in Karnataka, but across India,” she signs off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by A. D. Rangarajan / Tirupati – April 05th, 2018

Venkat Rahul Ragala adds 4th gold to India’s weightlifting haul at CWG

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

Venkat Rahul Ragala became the fourth Indian weightlifter to claim a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games , coming out trumps in a tense contest here on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

The Indian was locked in a close battle with Samoa’s Don Opeloge, who ended with a total of 331kg (151kg+180kg).

Both the lifters opted for 191kg as their final clean and jerk lift and both of them failed but Rahul clinched the top prize owing to Opeloge’s failed second attempt at a 188kg lift.

Had Opologe managed a good final lift, Rahul would have ended with a silver as he had already fouled his third attempt.

In the Commonwealth Championships last year, Rahul had lifted a total of 351kg (156kg+195kg).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sport / PTI / Gold Coast – April 07th, 2018

Anatomy and history of a 200-year-old Ivory skeleton

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam
The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

A rare masterpiece from Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, it’s now the prized possession of the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College

A rare ivory skeleton, the bones of which have been carved to clockwork precision on the lines of the human skeleton, is the cherished treasure at the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College (AMC) here.

The ivory skeleton, 5’6” in height and weighing 231 lbs (104.78 kg), reflects the ingenuity of the sculptor, who had carved it more than two centuries ago. It was procured from the famous Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, which was under the patronage of Rajah Serfoji (1798-1832). The skeleton is said to have been made between 1805 and 1810. Dr. R. Krishna Rau, a Professor in the Department of Anatomy between 1929 and 1946, who was instrumental in setting up the museum, had bought the ivory skeleton and a rosewood skeleton for a sum of ₹75. The 18th century skeleton has been drawing appreciation of not only experts in the medical field, but also the general public during exhibitions.

“The British are said to have paid ₹5 lakh to display it during an exhibition in London in 1970. The skeleton was taken in a specially made coffin and returned after about a week,” Dr. Ashalatha, Head of the Department of Anatomy, told The Hindu.

Mortem and taboo

“In those days, there were several taboos in handling human bodies and skeletons, and Dr. Krishna Rau was said to have stayed back in the department for a few days on the arrival of the skeletons. Even today, some anatomy professors do not tell their family members that they handle dead bodies,” says Dr. K. Lakshmi Kumari, an Associate Professor of Anatomy. “The ivory skeleton is a masterpiece and is said to be one among the few in the world. No wonder, it was taken by ship all the way to London for display at an exhibition there. The ivory and rosewood skeletons are displayed at exhibitions, organised on special occasions,” says Dr. P.V. Sudhakar, Principal of AMC.

The museum signifies the efforts and dedication of the illustrious teachers, professors and HODs, particularly of AMC during the early days.

Prof. F.J. Anderson, who as Principal of AMC, gave full freedom to Dr. Krishna Rau in securing the unique collections.

The department was named after Dr. Krishna Rau on January 24, 1984 honouring his efforts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – April 06th, 2018

Skater boys from Visakhapatnam to represent India in Cambodia

Sports

Visakhapatnam :

After receiving a bronze medal and making India proud in the Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, which was recently held in Hong Kong, city boy Priyam Tated and his brother Pratham Tated, both in class IX, have been selected by the Cambodia Ice Skating Federation  to participate and represent India in the Combodia National Figure Skating Championship, scheduled to be held from April 5-7 at Phnom Penh.

Participants from as many as 11 countries including Singapore, Malaysia , Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand and China will be participating in the international championship. Around seven skaters from India will be participating in different categories of the competition. Priyam and Pratham Tated will be participating in the Basic Novice B sub-junior category (13-15 years).

“Most of the skaters who perform at figure skating competitions prefer spins, jumps, lifts and spirals. To present a unique style, this year I will perform double axel and triple mape in the competition. There are a few technical elements that I always keep in mind while performing at national and international competitions”, gushed Priyam while speaking to TOI.

Secretary of Sivaji Park Skating rink Association, Mahendar Tated said that a special training session will be held in Malaysia from April 2-4 where coaches from Russia will train the skaters.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Visakhapatnam News / TNN / April 01st, 2018

CM opens Franklin Templeton Investments office in Vizag

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
N Chandrababu Naidu, CM, Andhra Pradesh (file photo). - REUTERS
N Chandrababu Naidu, CM, Andhra Pradesh (file photo). – REUTERS

Visakhapatnam :

The IT sector in Andhra Pradesh is gathering momentum and Visakhapatnam in particular is bound to emerge as a major fintech hub in the country, according to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

He was speaking here on Thursday after inaugurating the office of Franklin Templeton Investments here on Thursday.

He said it was a good sign for the city that a major company, a Fortune 500 company, like Franklin Investments had chosen to set up a centre in the city. “The company will invest Rs 450 crores here gradually on setting up the centre and provide 2,500 high-end jobs. Today it has opened the office,” he said. He recalled how the company had first set up the centre in Hyderabad in the united AP way back in 2002 and he expressed confidence that the Vizag centre would be even more successful than the one in Hyderabad.

Jennifer M Johnson, the president and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, said the company had immense faith in the Chief Minister “who is the key architect and visionary CM” who built up the IT sector in Hyderabad and is doing so now in Visakhapatnam. She expressed confidence that the Vizag centre would flourish. She also thanked Rajkumar Velagapudi, the president and CEO of Innova Solutions Inc., responsible for bringing Franklin Investments to Vizag.

State IT Minister N. Lokesh said it was a historic moment.

Conduent centre

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the centre of Conduent Inc. in the IT park at Rushikonda. The company will generate 5,000 jobs in the next two years and it will invest roughly Rs 650 crores.

The CM said he was trying to create the right eco system for IT companies to flourish in the city.

However, he lamented, some political parties were creating hurdles in the onward march of the State on the path of progress. He said unfortunately a hue and cry was being raised over the allotment of land on the beach road to Lu Lu group to build a world class convention centre and shopping mall. “Vizag needs such a convention centre. After all, it can only be built on land and not in the air,” he said, taking a dig at the political parties and others opposing the decision.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also participated in the second convocation ceremony of the IIM-Vizag where he exhorted the MBA graduates to become entrepreneurs instead of mere job-seekers.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by Ch. R.S. Sarma / Visakhapatnam – March 29th, 2018