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

This worker lifts the lives of the poor

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features
Real needs: Hamali maistry Lakshminarayana distributes clothes to residents of Kuppam.
Real needs: Hamali maistry Lakshminarayana distributes clothes to residents of Kuppam.

Lakshminarayana collects old clothes and books for needy families in Kuppam

When Lakshminarayana saw the difficulties of many poor families, he decided to shift some of their burden on to his own shoulders. A load-carrying hamali worker in Kuppam, he is the go-to man at Muniyappa tea stall for poor families who cannot afford clothes, books, shoes and stationery for students when the academic year arrives.

Some people ask him for rice and provisions too, while others just want blessings on their children’s birthday. The hamalis’ charitable activity extends to payment of fees for students and even the passport application fee for youth seeking jobs abroad.

The worker, who hails from Shantipuram mandal of Kuppam Assembly constituency, is not literate. He has been pursuing social service along with his wife and children since they moved to Kuppam two decades ago in search of livelihood. His life as a hamali worker began at the Kuppam bus station. Over time he became maistry (leader).

The sight of two girls in tattered clothes loitering at the bus station two decades ago was the turning point for him. The children’s mother was dead and their alcohol-addicted father had deserted them. His first move was to get new clothes for them and send them to school, involving their relatives.

No cash donations

He put together essentials for migrant workers, needy families at Shikari colony and people abandoned at the bus station and elsewhere. But donations in cash are not accepted.

He also got a donation of ₹50,000 from the Hamali Union and presented it to Kuppam MLA and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to build Amaravati.

Recently, the hamali got praise, when he collected blankets, clothes and rice bags for the Charity Wall area of the police at the District Hospital in Chittoor.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Umashanker / Chitoor – April 04th, 2018

Kalamkari art museum comes up at Pedana

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
Visitors at the Kalamkari art museum at Pedana in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU
Visitors at the Kalamkari art museum at Pedana in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU

It has three galleries; traces link with Dutch and British

Former Union Minister for Textiles K. Sambasiva Rao and Professor N. Sridharan, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Kalamkari art museum’ here. The museum, developed by Pedana-based Pitchuka Srinivas and his son Varun Kumar, traces the history of the art and displays the process of extraction of natural colours from various sources. The museum has three galleries — wooden blocks, natural colours and history — which establish the connection with the Dutch and the British.

President of India award recipient K. Gangadhar inaugurated the history gallery in which the “Tree of Life” design was on display along with the other older works done in Machilipatnam and Pedana. The art has been flourishing in Pedana since the 1970s having been introduced by Pitchuka Veera Subbaiah. Machilipatnam was known for the art before that.

Give up chemicals

Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Sambasiva Rao appealed to the production units to give up the practice of using chemicals and use the natural colours. “The units need to understand the demand for the products across the globe and attempt to explore the market instead of killing it with unnatural practices,” he said.

He lauded the efforts of Mr. Srinivas in developing the museum. Professor Sridharan opined that the museum would serve as an education centre of Kalamkari and was arguably the country’s first one dedicated to the art. Mr. Sridharan played an instrumental role in developing the museum by extending academic and research support to the artisans.

“The idea of coming up with the exclusive museum has been realised now. It is a result of my serious effort to keep it alive in its true format,” said Mr. Srinivas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Pedana (Krishna)  – March 31st, 2018

Guntur doctor wins Natgeo award for physical therapy app

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports, World Opinion
Asha J Gummadi
Asha J Gummadi

Therax Portal helps physiotherapists to share home exercise programmes with patients

A neuro physical therapist from Guntur has won the National Geographic Chasing Genius Challenge in the U.S. for designing a web/mobile application that helps patients with home exercise programmes in their native language.

Dr. Asha’s web application — Therax Portal — is now helping physiotherapists to prescribe, customise and share home exercise programmes with their patients in their native language.

Thousands of people living in rural areas across the world now use the app to get access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises. In places where there is no internet facility, people are taking printouts of the programmes. “People in rural areas are forced to travel long distances to get quality treatment, and by using the application, they can do the exercises at home. The exercises can be modified by their physiotherapists during check-ups. I have watched my grandparents struggle to get access to effective rehabilitation as they were living in rural areas in India,” Dr. Asha said.

The Natgeo challenge is part of a marketing strategy to popularise a television series — Genius — and rewards innovative ideas. Participants have to create a one-minute video about an idea they had to solve a problem using wireless connectivity. Over 1,050 entries competed for the award, and of them, 10 ideas were considered for final round held in March and the winner was chosen based on votes through social media platforms such as Facebook.

Dr. Asha entered the competition with an idea, “Empowering Telerehabilitation with digital connectivity”, and stood out as the winner. She is at present residing at Philadelphia in the U.S. where she works at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. Daughter of former principal of Government College for Women, Guntur, Gummadi Narayana Rao, Dr. Asha graduated from Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, and later moved to the U.S. to pursue Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – April 01st, 2018

CM releases book on Andhra cuisine

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu releasing the coffee table book at his residence on Friday. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu releasing the coffee table book at his residence on Friday. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

Appreciates efforts in organising cookery contests

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Friday released a coffee table book on the 50 best dishes and recipes of Andhra Pradesh, a marketing initiative of The Hindu in association the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department. Mr. Naidu appreciated the effort that has gone into the series of cookery contests in the 13 districts and the grand finale in Vijayawada on Wednesday.

Visual documentation

He wanted The Hindu and the Tourism Department to collaborate in promoting tourism spots, art and crafts and dance traditions of Andhra Pradesh.

Parkala Prabhakar, Adviser, Communications, Government of Andhra Pradesh was present.

A hard cover, the 115 pages of the coffee table book, “50 Reasons Why the World Will Remember AP Forever”, is a visual documentation of an amazing array of Andhra cuisine that comes in categories of snacks, main course, accompaniments and desserts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent/ Vijayawada – March 31st, 2018