Kallu Chidambaram dies at 70: Telugu celebs, fans mourn comedian’s death

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Kallu Chidambaram / Twitter
Kallu Chidambaram / Twitter

Telugu comedian Kallu Chidambaram died at a private hospital in Visakhapatnam on Monday. The 70-year-old actor was reportedly suffering from age-related illness.

Reports suggest that Kallu Chidambaram was admitted to the Care Hospital a few months ago. He was being treated for breathing problems and was on a ventilator for over two months. He breathed his last, while undergoing treatment at the private hospital.

“He was undergoing treatment for some old age related ailments at Care Hospital, where he passed away this morning,” a source told IANS.

Born in Akkayapalem on 10 October, 1945, Kallu Chidambaram began working at Visakhapatnam port. Later, he became a stage artist and used to organise stage shows. He debuted in films with 1988 Telugu film “Kallu”. He won the Nandi Award for his wonderful performance in the film.

Kolluru Chidambaram was his original name, but his screen name was changed to Kallu Chidambaram following the success of “Kallu”.

He acted in about 300 films in his career spanning two and half decades. He was last seen in the movie “Sri Sai Sankalpam” in 2013. “Chanti”, “Govinda Govinda”, “Ammoru” and “Pelli Pandiri” are some of his popular films.

Directors such as EVV Satyanarayana, SV Krishna Reddy and Relangi Narasimha Rao considered him as the first choice for exclusive comic roles in their films. In 1995, Telugu socio fantasy film named “Ammoru” directed by Kodi Ramakrishna bought Kallu Chidambaram good fame for his critically acclaimed performance in the movie.

His sudden death has saddened many in the Telugu film industry, who are yet to recover from the shock over the demise of Mada Venkateswara Rao, who passed away last Wednesday. Some stars and fans took to their Twitter pages to share their shock.

source: http://www.ibtimes.com / International Business Times / Home> News> Entertainment> Tollywood / by Shekhar H Hooli / October 19th, 2015

Telugu man to contest Swiss Federal elections

Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

Telugu man, Aditya Yellepeddi, with origins from Guntur-Krishna districts is contesting the Federal Elections of Switzerland to be held there on Sunday (Monday in India).

Mr Aditya’s parents are both from Guntur (Brodipet and Arundelpet). His father, a doctorate from IIT Madras, moved to Switzerland and Aditya was born there.

“Several of relatives still live in Vijayawada, Guntur and Hyderabad. There may be a relationship with Ms Padmasree Warrior, who shares the family name,” Mr Aditya said.

He is contesting for the National Council, equivalent to our Lok Sabha, as a candidate of the Centrist Democratic Party (PDC/CVP).

Born and brought up in the country he studied in Switzerland and USA (MIT). He is being officially endorsed by the State Chamber of Commerce (CVCI) and the Swiss Bankers Association as an ambassador for a strong economy. After his education in the USA, Mr Aditya worked for a while in Luxemburg with various health care and financial companies.

He is currently working at an international Investment Group based in Geneva with various interests in healthcare, IT and consumer products. “I regularly come to India (Hyderabad) to meet executives and officials and engage in discussions to promote the local/regional/state economy,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Venkataramana Rao / Vijayawada – October 18th, 2015

Arthroscopic Surgery Performed by Vizag Steel Docs

Amazing Feats, Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

In a rare achievement, the doctors of Vizag Steel General Hospital have performed arthroscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) without opening the joint to fix fractures within the knee joints (Tibial Eminence Fractures) on two patients. G Venkateswara Rao, a senior most surgeon in the field of arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine at the hospital, led this technically demanding and challenging task.

In a release, Venkateswara Rao said that some fractures within the joints are treated by putting a plaster cast or through surgery carried out by opening the entire joint through incisions which are 10-15 cm long. However, Venkateswara Rao used the state-of-the-art arthroscopic equipment, and performed the ‘ACL Avulsion fixation and ACL pull out repair’ with 3-4 stab incisions of less than 5 mm. “Special Titanium screws and suture material were employed to prevent complications such as stiffness and infection,” he said.

The convalescence period of the two patients was reduced to two weeks each as against two months under the general method. Venkateswara Rao said such advanced methods could be adopted due to the state-of-the-art equipment available at Vizag Steel General Hospital. On the occasion, the officials of Vizag Steel expressed happiness at the success of this advanced operation technique.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / October 15th, 2015

The village owes much to a commander

Historical Links, Pre-Independence
Work in progress for the foundation stone laying ceremony at Uddandarayunipalem in Guntur district on Wednesday. - Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu
Work in progress for the foundation stone laying ceremony at Uddandarayunipalem in Guntur district on Wednesday. – Photo: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu

Like several other villages of Thullur mandal, the history of the village dates back to the reign of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya.

This sleepy village was little known to outsiders till the government decided to construct the capital city here. It also received an honourable distinction when the government decided to lay the foundation stone for Amaravati here.

Like several other villages of Thullur mandal, the history of the village dates back to the reign of Vijayanagara emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya. According to legend, Sri Krishnadevarya halted at Thullur on his way to invade Kondapalli Khilla in Krishna district as river Krishna was flowing furiously. His army commander Uddandarayudu also halted here. The village got its name after the emperor’s commander.

CapitalchartANDHRA150ct2015

Prof. Yarlagadda Balagangadhara Rao, in his book Navyandhra Rajadhani Prantha Gramala Charitra, argues that king Kotaketaraju of the Dhurjaya dynasty and ruler of Dharanikota built the village in memory of his father Uddandarayudu. The term ‘Uddanda’ means capable or robust.

Located on the banks of the Krishna, the village has certain unique features. It has the most fertile land and saline-free groundwater. B. Venkateswara Rao, a resident, says the groundwater in neighbouring villages is not as pure as the water available in Uddandarayunipalem. Moreover, the yield from agricultural fields in the village is quite high compared to the neighbouring villages.

Residents recall that the government had constructed a karakatta in 1950 following an agitation. The government began providing power supply in 1964 from Tadepalli. An acre used to cost Rs. 50,000 in 1990. It touched Rs. 9 lakh in 2006. Now an acre costs Rs. 2.30 crore.

Interestingly, the foundation stone for Amaravati will be laid in the field that once belonged to Jujala Chalapati Rao, a B. Tech graduate-turned farmer.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Nation> Andhra Pradesh / by G.V.R. Subba Rao / Uddandarayunipalem (Guntur Dt.) / October 15th, 2015

CM unveils Gurram Jashuva’s statue

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Vijayawada  :

Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu unveiled a bronze statue of late literary and Dalit icon Gurram Jashuva at Tummalapalli Kshetrayya Kalakshetram, here, on Monday. Later, Chandrababu participated in an event held at the convention centre, where he gave away Jashuva Memorial Awards.

At the event, Naidu lauded the services of Jashuva. The CM said that the poet was still remembered, which spoke volumes about his impact. “We will set up a chair named after Jashuva in Telugu University. We are also mulling ways to honour the poet in the upcoming capital region,” he added.

Dr Yendluri Sudhakar, K Sanjeeva Rao alias Sikhamani and S Sarajjyotsna Rani won the Jashuva Memorial Awards for their work in literature. As part of the award, they were also handed a prize money of Rs 10,000 each.

The CM said Jashuva would be remembered forever for his works done for the betterment of the backward classes. Naidu further said that students from backward classes are unpolished diamonds. “The results from the social welfare residential schools are inspiring. It gives us hope that children from backward classes can also compete with the children from corporate schools,” he said.

The CM predicted that in the future there would be just two classes – rich and poor. He promised that he and his government would do everything to alleviate poverty. “Apart from creating wealth, my focus is on making it reach the poor and backward classes. We are committed to improving living conditions and bringing an equilibrium in the economic status of all sections,” he stated.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Vijayawada / TNN / September 29th, 2015

2,000 Flaunt ‘Happy’ Knees after Joint Replacement

Science & Technology

Guntur :

At a time when patients afflicted with arthritis, particularly senior citizens, dread visualising their future, Guntur-based Sai Bhaskar Centre for Joint Replacement organised a mega event by congregating over 2,000 patients, who had undergone joint replacement surgeries in the hospital and now lead normal life.

Patients from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, who had recovered from arthritis, performed cat walk, and exhibited their skills in sports like shuttle, cricket and cycling, thus practically proving that they no longer suffer from joint pains.

Attending the programme, health minister Kamineni Srinivas felt that Guntur emerged as a joint replacement hub and the event organised by Dr. Busireddy Narendra Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Chief Orthopaedic Surgeon at Sai Bhaskhar Centre for Joint Replacement proved the same.

Expressing immense happiness over the senior citizens, who had undergone joint replacement surgeries, leading normal life independently, he congratulated the Sai Bhaskar hospital doctor B Narendra Reddy and his team on conducting such a large number of operations in both the states.

TRS floor leader in the Lok Sabha and Mahbubnagar MP Jitendar Reddy said the event proved that though the Telugu people split into states, the people of both the states are still together.

Agriculture minister Prathipati Pulla Rao, Narasaraopet MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao and TDP district president GV Anjineyulu appreciated the conduct of the programme on the eve of World Arthritis Day.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Busireddy Narendra Reddy has called upon his old patients, who found relief from arthritic problems, to celebrate the joy of fighting arthritis on the occasion of World Arthritis Day.

Saying that Guntur has emerged as the strong medical hub in recent years and the need of the hour is to let people know that there is life beyond arthritis, Dr Narendra Reddy said that BMR Sai Bhaskar Hospital has been playing a vital role in giving a facelift to the lives of arthritic patients for several years now.

Dr Narendra, who performed more than 3,000 replacement surgeries, maintained that nothing gives him more happiness than happy knees. “It is my extended family, rather I’d say it is my joint family” he added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / October 12th, 2015

Maruti Rao, Srihari receive Sahithi award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Veteran film actor and writer Gollapudi Maruti Rao and former Vice-Chancellor of Dravidian University Ravva Srihari received Mandali Venkata Krishnarao Sahithi award at a ceremony organised by the Krishna District Writers Association here on Saturday.

Assembly Deputy Speaker Mandali Buddha Prasad instituted the award. Poet and critic Vadrevu China Veera Bhadrudu got Aaluri Bairagi Sahithi award instituted by former Rajya Sabha member Yarlagadda Laxmiprasad while novelist and researcher in history and Telugu language and culture Turlapati Rajeswari and poet and critic Radheya received Guthikonda Subbarao Sahithi award.

The association has presented Pollavarapu Koteswararao award to novelists and storywriters D. Kameswari and Attada Apalla Naidu. Mukkamala Nagabushanam award was given to eminent journalist and former editor of vernacular Telugu daily Visaalandhra C. Raghavachari and senior journalist and former editor of Andhra Patrika Veeraji.

The association gave Rs.10,000 in cash, a citation and shawl to the award recipients after felicitating them. Mr. Buddha Prasad, who participated as a chief guest, appreciated the award recipients for their contribution in their respective fields. Recalling his association with the eminent personalities in the literary and cultural studies over decades, Mr. Maruti Rao advised upcoming writers to be careful with their works.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – October 11th, 2015