Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar sworn in as first Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court

Leaders, Records, All

The AP High Court, temporarily being housed at Chief Minister’s camp office in Vijayawada was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

AP and Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and CM N Chandrababu Naidu greet chief justice of AP high court Praveen Kumar after the swearing-in ceremony of high court judges in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)
AP and Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and CM N Chandrababu Naidu greet chief justice of AP high court Praveen Kumar after the swearing-in ceremony of high court judges in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)

Vijayawada :

Marking a historic day in the annals of Judiciary in Andhra Pradesh, Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court in Vijayawada by Governor ESL Narasimhan on Tuesday. Thirteen other judges were also administered the oath of office on the occasion.

Later, the AP High Court, temporarily being housed at Chief Minister’s camp office in Vijayawada was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of AP High Court Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar observed that with limited resources available at this stage and with some teething problems likely to come up during functioning of the High Court, which everyone has to face. “With your cooperation, we will march ahead. Our aim would be to take this institution to such heights that it would proud off in years to come,” he said.

He said Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi sent a note of appreciation lauding the efforts of Justice NV Ramana in establishing of High Court in Andhra Pradesh. On the occasion, he lauded the efforts and vision of Chief Minister for the new capital city, where Justice City will be coming up, which will be the ultimate seat of High Court in the state.

Justice Praveen Kumar on the occasion noted that that ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort but where he stands at the times of challenge and controversy. “Now is the time to deliver and now is the time to act,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described it as a historical occasion and urged the Judges of High Court and other legal functionaries to bear with the inconvenience for some time as the transit High Court building in Amaravati will be ready in another three weeks. He observed that with shifting of High Court, the physical transfer of institutions has completed.

“We have to cooperate and strive together to make Andhra Pradesh High Court, the youngest High Court in the country, best in the Country,” he said. The Chief Minister also praised the efforts of officials for reading the temporary accommodation for the High Court in short time of four-five days.

Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana said the new transit High Court building will be ready by January 21 and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi will participate in its inauguration. He described the High Court of Andhra Pradesh functioning from Vijayawada today as a momentous occasion.

He recalled the comments of Justice Koda Subba Rao during the inaugural of High Court of Andhra at Guntur on July 5, 1954, and stressed the need of everyone to raise up to the occasion and prove them qualified to enhance the image of the High Court.

Key points:

  • Judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court sworn in on January 1
  • Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar (Chief Justice)
  • Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti
  • Justice Akula Venkata Sesha Sai
  • Justice Mandatha Seetharama Murti
  • Justice Upmaka Durga Prasad Rao
  • Justice Talluri Sunil Chowdaryu
  • Justice Mallavolu Satyanarayana Murthy
  • Justice Gudiseva Shyam Prasad

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 01st, 2019

Vizag attracted attention ofglobal fintech community

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
A file photo of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia at the Vizag Fintech Festival in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: arranged pic
A file photo of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia at the Vizag Fintech Festival in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: arranged pic

‘Promotional campaigns have evoked positive response’

Visakhapatnam, the largest IT hub of Andhra Pradesh, has attracted the attention of global fintech community with the campaigns launched by the Fintech Valley Vizag, an initiative of the AP Electronics and IT Agency (APEITA), getting encouraging response.

Fintech leaders from Silicon Valley, Las Vegas, New York, London, Tel Aviv, Singapore and Hong Kong have evinced interest for developing Visakhapatnam into a world-class fintech hub.

Big players

WHub, which plays a key role in strengthening the startup ecosystem in Hong Kong, signed an MoU with the State to provide access to the startups in Visakhapatnam to their area for acceleration and exploring market opportunities.

SOSA, an Israel-based organisation that promotes innovation centres, also came forward to partner with the AP Innovation Society to spread innovation culture across the State. After an overwhelming response to the Global Fintech Festival and One Million Dollar Startup Challenge instituted by the State government in October, 75 firms, a majority of whom are based in the global fintech destinations such as Silicon Valley, promised to invest ₹500 crore in the next three years.

Representatives from 40 countries attended the festival, where the world’s first humanoid robot, Sophia, was the cynosure of all eyes.

Among the big-ticket projects that started operations during 2018 were Conduent, a $5 billion U.S. company, and asset management firm Franklin Templeton.

Federal Bank, Paytm and other fintech institutes also launched their operations.

“We have been successful in branding Visakhapatnam as a fintech destination, and after a series of events such as Spring Fest, AgTech Summit addressed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and launching of first Million Dollar Startup Challenge, Visakhapatnam has become the talking point,” J.A. Chowdary, Special Chief Secretary and IT Adviser to Chief Minister, said. While the layout for IT city in an area of 400 to 450 acres at Kapuluppada has been completed, the first Millennium Tower, with 1.5 lakh sft and plug-and-play facility, at a cost of ₹85 crore is ready for inauguration at Rushikonda.Mr. Chowdary said: “Now, everyone wants to see and explore the opportunities in business as the tech-savvy government here also offers lot of business to startups.” He pointed out the good work done by Zebi Al Chain in creating registry for Amaravati land records and guest arrival at star hotels in Visakhapatnam using blockchain technology and artificial intelligence.

In Software Technology Parks of India’s BPO Promotion Scheme, A.P. has become No. 1 in bagging seats, with Visakhapatnam getting the highest number of seats.

The city is already home to several BPOs like HSBC, Patra India, WNS, Concentrix, and big firms like Conduent and Miracle Software are investing a lot in new facilities. “We have got sanction for 12,000 seats in A.P., with highest number in city-based BPOs. This will lead to creation of 42,000 jobs in two to three years,” STPI Joint Director M.P. Dubey said.

Reverse migration

With the IT Association of AP (ITAAP) launching a fresh drive, there is reverse migration. “Our aim is to overcome shortage of experienced manpower, mostly local talent. This has started bearing fruit,” ITAAP State president R.L. Narayana said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – December 31st, 2018

Three-day Visakha Utsav gets off to a colourful start

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Festive fervour: Folk artists participating in a rally on the inaugural day of the Visakha Utsav, on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Friday. (Right) Thaikkudam Bridge troupe performs on Beach Road. | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK
Festive fervour: Folk artists participating in a rally on the inaugural day of the Visakha Utsav, on Beach Road in Visakhapatnam on Friday. (Right) Thaikkudam Bridge troupe performs on Beach Road. | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK

Students and NCC cadets steal the show in the inaugural programme at RK Beach; entertainment zone with giant wheel, play activities for kids also organised

The three-day annual festival, Visakha Utsav-2018m got to a colourful start here on Friday, with a carnival. It was the students of various colleges and schools and NCC cadets, who stole the show in the carnival, which was the main event in the inaugural programme, at RK Beach.

The carnival began with the performance of girls from Sea Cadet Corps (SCC), followed by the Naval Band. A large number of students from around 30 schools, entertained the crowd with their myriad performances. The carnival, marched from Andhra University Convention Centre to the main venue at RK Beach. Students from DAV School, Visakha Valley school, Sri Chaitanya Techno, Sri Krishna Grammar School and many others took part, carrying placards ‘We love Vizag’.

A number of students donning, traditional attire came up with folk dances such as ‘Puli Veshalu’. Many spectators were seen clicking selfies with the performers, as they marched down the road. The NCC students who marched down the road humming ‘Left-Right-Left, Ek-Do-Ek’ along with the ENC band, caught the imagination of the spectators.

Athletes from the District Sports Authority, representing various teams such as hockey, football, basketball, archery, cycling and boxing were also part of the contingent.

ENC pepped up the show with an air operational display by its Chetak Helicopter near the shores. The marching contingent was followed by tableau representing various government departments.

Food stalls

“The carnival was amazing. The best thing in it was that the local students were given the opportunity to perform. We really liked the way schoolchildren performed various folk dances with flair,” said M. Manasi, an employee in a private firm, who came to see the carnival with her children.

A number of lip-smacking food stalls serving fast foods like chat, pani poori, samosas, rolls, ice creams, biryanis, special delicacies of the State like Athreyapuram Pootharekulu, Madugula Halwa, and many others were arranged on the shore. Entertainment zone with giant wheel, play activities for kids were also organised .

Despite the carnival was liked by many, the fun of it was dampened when many had to face the traffic snarl that began around 4 p.m. A number of areas such as Siripuram Junction, AIR Junction, Jagannadha swamy temple area, witnessed traffic jams. Vehicles were restricted from Park Hotel Junction to Naval Coastal Battery.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Visakhapatnam – December 29th, 2018

Foundation for secretariat complex laid in Amaravati

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
New beginnings: Chandrababu Naidu laying the raft foundation for the Secretariat and HoD office complex. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
New beginnings: Chandrababu Naidu laying the raft foundation for the Secretariat and HoD office complex. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu set the ball rolling for the construction of the permanent Secretariat and Heads of Departments complex by laying the raft foundation at Kondamarajupalem on Thursday.

The event marks a major milestone in the capital city project a few months ahead of the general elections. The complex, designed for four towers of 40 floors each and another with 50 floors, will be the first permanent structure in the administrative city in 1,375 acres.

A massive 57,000 cubic metres of concrete will go into the foundation for the towers, the tallest of which will rise 225 m. The uniqueness of the foundation is the that entire volume of 11,000 cubic meters of concrete per raft would be poured non-stop for 72 hours. A raft foundation comprises large concrete slabs evenly spread under the entire buildings against the conventional strip and trench footings. The project cost is estimated at ₹3,500 crore and is being implemented by L&T, the Shapoorji Pallonji Group and the Nagarjuna Construction Company.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Thullur (Guntur District) / December 28th, 2018

First dragon boat race on Krishna on January 13, 14

Records, All, Sports
Set for a splash: A grooming session will be offered by SAAP coaches for the boat race at the Nagayalanka ghat in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU
Set for a splash: A grooming session will be offered by SAAP coaches for the boat race at the Nagayalanka ghat in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU

Boats from Indore are on display at Nagayalanka ghat

The State government in collaboration with the local communities is gearing up for the maiden dragon boat race on River Krishna at Nagayalanka ghat in the district on January 13 and 14.

The professional dragon boats have been imported from Indore in Madhya Pradesh and a total of seven boats are available for the race. The Nagayalanka Swachh Bharat Society (NSBS), the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) and the Department of Tourism are playing the prime role in organising the race, marking Sankranti celebrations.

Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad told The Hindu that preparations were in full swing for the boat race.

“The Dragon Boat Federation of India has confirmed the participation of their two teams in the race, encouraging participation of more teams from local communities,” NSBS president G. Sudheer told The Hindu.

An intensive campaign has been launched by the organisers, creating awareness about the race and a grooming session being offered by SAAP coaches.

Traditional boat race

On the other hand, a traditional boat race will also be conducted simultaneously, encouraging the local people.

The dragon boats are on display at the Nagayalanka ghat to promote the water sport.

In 2016, dragon boat race was held on Ulsoor Lake in Bangalore and in Andhra Pradesh this will be the first such race.

NSBS volunteers Mandava Balavardhana Rao, S. Krishna Prasad and T. Raghu Sekhar are making preparations for the venue, campaign and facilities required for the race at the ghat.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Appala Naidu Tippana / Nagayalanka (Krishna) – December 25th, 2018