Pilot project of CFMS in Guntur, Chittoor

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

As part of efforts to leverage the advantages offered by the IT in governance, the State government has decided to operationalise a Comprehensive Financial Management System for establishing state of the IT applications for effective public financial management.

The CFMS is aimed at providing seamless and dynamic interface with all stakeholders and facilitate real time resources management both financial and human. The CFMS is expected to usher in automation of all government process relating to preparation of budget, release of funds, incurring of expenditure, processing of bills by officials concerned at district level and treasuries. It would also help in preparation of accounts, maintenance of employee data, employee attendance, leave position and other aspects.

New initiative

The new initiative will use the Commercial of the Shelf based SAP platform for complete integration of all the activities including budget, expenditure, human resources management systems, revenue, accounts, ways and means and debt management. Guntur and Chittoor districts had been selected for the implementation of the pilot project of the new initiative and the CFMS would cover budget, expenditure, receipt, account and human resource management aspects in the two districts.

Accordingly, it has been decided to identify “Power Users”, 30 members having computer knowledge, who would be trained as key users capable of acting as change agents. The power users would be trained extensively on the applications and they would, in turn, be deputed to train others. The training for first batch of officials involved in financial transactions and staff responsible for processing bills and receipts would be held in Guntur from Feb. 9 to 14 and for the second batch it would be from Feb. 23 to 28 in Tirupati.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by M. Rajeev / Vijayawada – February 04th, 2015

National award for Chittoor Çollector

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Chittoor Collector Siddarth Jain on Monday received the National Award for the successful implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), registering 99.88 per cent target in linkage of Aadhar for payment of wages to workers for the year 2013-14.

Mr. Jain received the award from the Union Minister for Rural Development Chowdary Birendra Singh at a function held at New Delhi.

The officials from the district water management agency (DWMA) were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / Chittoor – February 03rd, 2015

Jokes, skits enthral audience

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
K. Ranga Rao presenting skits as part of his endeavour to get into the Limca Book of Records in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. —Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
K. Ranga Rao presenting skits as part of his endeavour to get into the Limca Book of Records in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. —Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

What happens when you add zero between ‘padi’ (ten)? It becomes ‘pandi’ (pig). What do you call a ‘vantavadu’ these days in English? The answer is: husband. What follows after alphabet ‘T’? It is ‘biscuits’. The most sought-after word is — ‘free’.

Husband: Why did you stop the housemaid from work all of a sudden?

Wife: She started calling me akka !!

If Ravan becomes a singer, he doesn’t need a chorus.

Woman: Will you love me even after your marriage?

Man: Only if your husband permits.

Doling out a total of 37 jokes in one minute, Korukonda Ranga Rao, a foreman in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, completed his first mission of narrating ‘Most jokes told in one minute’ in his attempt to get into the Limca Book of Records at Vysakhi Jala Udyanavanam on Sunday.

Organised by the Laugthers Fun Club, the first event covered a wide range of topics.

After a break, Mr. Ranga Rao started off his 10-hour-long journey of solo performance of skits with uniform energy levels and perfect timing from 10.13 a.m. From lethargic employees to conversations between husband and wife, and how police personnel swing into action after they receive a complaint, the skits kept the viewers spellbound throughout the show. Sporting wigs, changing costumes, and donning about 40 roles in a split second, Mr. Ranga Rao treated the audience to a number of skits that lasted a few minutes each.

“I am very passionate about acting. It drives me to bring the best out of me. Apart from attempting to break the record, participating in such events helps me quench my thirst for acting,” he said.

AU Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju inaugurated the programme. VSP General Manager in-charge (Maintenance) O.R. Ramani, CID Inspector Nagesh Kumar, and joint secretary of the club P.K. Durgaprasad were among those present.

In an effort to enter the Limca Book of Records, VSP employee K. Ranga Rao narrates 37 jokes in one minute and begins his 10-hour solo performance of skits

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Staff Reporter / Visakhapatnam – February 02nd, 2015

A family carnival all the way

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
A group of friends poses for a selfie at the Disney Family Carnival in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.—Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
A group of friends poses for a selfie at the Disney Family Carnival in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.—Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

A group of girls was seen clicking selfies. Doting fathers took turns to take care of their children and mothers found the place quite warm as they could freak out for a while with their friends. Children were lost in their own sweet world of food, games, and loads of fun.

This sums up the scene at the Disney Family Carnival held at The Park Hotel on Sunday evening.

Hosted by the Creative Plus Entertainment Network, along with a group of likeminded people, the event whipped up a magic show, contests like kids fancy dress, family fashion parade, and Disney parade clubbed with heart-pounding music.

The carnival provided an avenue for all age groups to meet and make merry.

“It is a nice way to relax and unwind before we start our week ahead. Being part of the carnival helps us de-stress to a great extent,” says Pratyusha, a final year BBM student.

Children queued up at the makeshift stalls to pick up their favourite flavour of ice golas . Some of the counters were dishing out pastas topped with broccoli and cheese to suit the taste of the younger crowd.

Mothers who turned up in large numbers felt that the platform helped them meet their friends.

“It is a rare opportunity for us to meet at a common place as we are tangled in our world of responsibilities. With a bunch of games to keep the kids occupied and food counters to fill our appetite, the venue has turned out to be quite refreshing for all of us,” says Abha Goel, who came along with her group of friends.

The carnival roped in families from across communities.

“The idea is to bring in innovative elements to engage people of all age groups and involve them in a row of fun-filled activities,” says Naresh Agarwal, one of the organisers.

Participants find innovative activities a perfect way to unwind

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam – February 02nd, 2015

First bootcamp held for startups

Business & Economy
Minister for IT Palle Raghunath Reddy handing over a memorandum of understanding to a group of young entrepreneurs at the first bootcamp at the Sunrise Startup Village in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. -Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam
Minister for IT Palle Raghunath Reddy handing over a memorandum of understanding to a group of young entrepreneurs at the first bootcamp at the Sunrise Startup Village in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. -Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Sunrise Startup Village, first in Andhra Pradesh, was kicked off on Thursday with MobMe of Kochi Startup Village organising a bootcamp for hundreds of college students.

As a first step, MobMe selected 50 startups for grooming. Memoranda of understanding were signed on the first day with five youngsters. The agreements were distributed by Minister for IT Palle Raghunatha Reddy at a function organised at the Incubation Tower built by APIIC at Rushikonda IT Special Economic Zone in the presence of Minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Vizag MP K. Haribabu, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Ajay Sawhney, IT Advisor J. Satyanarayana and Kochi Start-up Village CEO Pranav Kumar.

Describing the launching of start-up village as a red letter day in the history of the State, Mr. Raghunatha Reddy said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was credited with launching IT, Electronic and Innovation and Start-up Policy to encourage entrepreneurship and investors.

He said they were doling out Rs.60,000 concession towards land cost for every job created, 25 per cent discount in power tariff to all and 50 per cent for SC, ST and women entrepreneurs. He said they would develop an IT Investment Region in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and Anantapur, 10 IT hubs and 20 Electronic Manufacturing Clusters.

Stating that they had created 50,000 square ft. of space for incubators in Visakhapatnam, 25,000 at Kakinada and 10,000 at Tirupati, Mr. Reddy said “Hyderabad is capital of Telangana and Chandrababu Naidu has become the capital of AP as investors during his overseas trips have come forward with proposals to invest in the State.”

Mr. Satyanarayana said 500 startups would start by December 2015 as the government had created seed capital of Rs.100 crore to fund the incubators.

ITIR will be developed in Vizag, Tirupati and Anantapur, says IT Minister

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – January 30th, 2015

Oasis of enchanting beauty

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature
Fishermen casting their nets in the river; Tourist boat approaching the shore. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Fishermen casting their nets in the river; Tourist boat approaching the shore. Photo: K.R. Deepak

Papikondalu (Papi Hills) takes travellers through a canopy of greens covered by tropical and deciduous rain forests

Silence whispers through the Eastern Ghats of Papikondalu (Papi Hills) as the boat wobbles along the riverbed. An oasis of enchanting beauty and tranquillity, Papikondalu takes travellers through a canopy of greens covered by tropical and deciduous rain forests. Here, one can forget all their worries and just sink in the peaceful arms of nature.

Running through Khammam, East Godavari and West Godavari districts, Papikondalu can be reached via the river way through Rajahmundry. Boats dock every day on the banks of the Godavari to ferry tourists to the Papi Hills.

Navigating through the meandering river trails, through which the Godavari penetrates to find its way to the east after several twists and turns, one can spot colonies of migratory birds perched on the banks of the river. For tourists and birders, the best time to visit the place is between November and March. Here, it is the locals who double up as guides providing excellent information about the place, its significance and the flora and fauna. The locals and tribal communities have a way of life – simple, sorted and a rhythmic pattern. When there, do taste their local cuisine like bamboo chicken or a special fish curry with a flavour unique to the local communities living there.

Fisherman fishing on waters. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Fisherman fishing on waters. Photo: K.R. Deepak

While there are many private tour operators, last year Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) started a new package with the Vizag – Papikondalu road-cum-river cruise that would take the tourists through a quick tour of the picturesque hills and temples along the river. The places covered include Gandipochamma temple, Devipatnam, Papikondalu, and Perantalapalli temple.

During the monsoons, high water levels submerge half of the Papi Hills which makes it inaccessible for tourists.

A photographer’s delight, the place today faces the threat of submersion once the irrigation project Polavaram is implemented. Locals and tour operators fear that once the dam is ready, Papikondalu may be reduced to a beautiful memory.

The best way to reach Papikondalu is to get to Rajahmundry and hire boat to reach the Papi Hills. There are AC and non-AC boats and the boat ride can take anywhere between four to six hours.

Tribals in their traditional gear regaling tourists in the backdrop of the picturesque Papikondalu Hills. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Tribals in their traditional gear regaling tourists in the backdrop of the picturesque Papikondalu Hills. Photo: K.R. Deepak

For stay options, you can explore the tented accommodations which the locals give on hire to tourists. Tents are available on the flat bed of sand as well as on the elevated hilly side overlooking the river. While the stay arrangements are basic, the beauty of the place surrounded by Eastern Ghats and the pristine tribal life are sure to caress away the fatigue of the busy urban life.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Nivedita Ganguly /January 30th, 2015

Arasavilli All Set for Sapthami Celebrations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Srikakulam :

With one more day left for the renowned Ratha Sapthami celebrations, the Endowments department and temple officials at Arasavilli Sri Suryanarayana Swami temple are making all out efforts to ensure that adequate facilities are made available to the devotees. The devotees won’t face the difficulties they had undergone last year, the officials promised.

The celebrations will begin after 12 am on Monday with Suprabhata seva, early morning puja and Mahabhishekam (consecrated bathing of the Deity) with milk. The abhishekams with milk  would continue from 1 am till daybreak. The Nijarupa darshan of the deity would start from daybreak and end at 4 pm. The devotees will have darshan of the Deity decorated with flowers after that. All through the day there would be mega pujas, Dwadasa harathi and mega food offerings to the deity. Everything is of mega size for the Sun God on that day. The celebrations would conclude with Ekanta seva at 9 pm.

It is believed that having darshan of the Sun deity on the Ratha Sapthami day would free the devotees from illness, sorrows and poverty.

According to the Puranas, there would not be another birth for the devotee who has darshan of the Sun deity on that day.

Large barricades have been placed around the temple as well as Indra temple tank. Separate queue lines have also been also arranged for special darshan, normal darshan and Abhisekham. Strict bandobust will be there at the tonsure centre and holy bathing tank.

Executive officer Pushpanadam said that the Abhisekham ticket had been priced at Rs 216 and special darshan ticket at Rs 100 which would be sold only from 11 pm on Sunday. No other tickets would be on sale, the EO clarified. Temple Prasadam can be obtained from the Endowments counters.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 25th, 2015

Smart wards: Nellore woos industrialists

Business & Economy

NelloreANDHRA27jan2015

Mayor looks for support from NGOs, NRIs for city’s growth

In the past two decades, Nellore has witnessed vibrant industrial growth, thanks to the establishment of several special economic zones, a deep-water port and thermal power stations in the district.

Though the city has grown by leaps and bounds, financial constraints have been a constant concern.

The municipal corporation is now a cash-strapped body and is looking for means to take up development projects.

Interestingly, the ‘smart ward’ concept has come as a boon for the corporation. Mayor Sk. Abdul Aziz has seized the opportunity by seeking support from various sections for developing the city with their active participation.

He is keen to take help from big industrialists from the city who have settled elsewhere. He has also proposed to rope them in for development of facilities through adoption of various wards.

Making a difference

“We are keen to take the support of a cross-section of society in this endeavour. NRIs and non-governmental organisations should also play an active role in this. With their help, we are sure of making a difference here,” Mr. Aziz said. During his visit to Hyderabad recently, Mr. Aziz had taken up the matter with the TDP leadership.

The possibility of taking wider support from various stake holders rather than simply relying on Janmabhoomi committees for ushering in development under the smart ward concept also came up for discussion then.

According to Mr. Aziz, Janmabhoomi committees will certainly be there, but they will be more effective if industrialists and NRIs are roped in and their active support taken for the process.

Nellore, a vibrant city located close to the Andhra Pradesh-Tamil Nadu border, has come to be the fifth largest city in the State after Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur and Tirupati.

According to the 2011 Census, the population of the city was 5 lakh. With the merger of surrounding village panchayats, it crossed 6 lakh.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Ravikiran / Nellore – January 26th, 2015

She cherishes R Day moments

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Krishna District Revenue Officer A. Prabhavathi hoisting the national flag at Machilipatnam on Monday.— photo: by arrangement
Krishna District Revenue Officer A. Prabhavathi hoisting the national flag at Machilipatnam on Monday.— photo: by arrangement

Krishna District Revenue Officer A. Prabhavathi became the first woman officer from the State services to hoist the national flag since Independence in the history of Krishna district. Ms. Prabhavathi got the rare opportunity to hoist the tri-colour national flag at the 66th Republic Day celebrations in the absence of Krishna district Magistrate and Collector Babu.A, who accompanied Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan in Vijayawada.

“I cherish the memory of participating in the 66th Republic Day celebrations. This is the proudest moment in my twenty-years of service in the State revenue department,” Ms. Prabhavathi told The Hindu . “Each aspect of the celebrations including receiving guard of honour by police and delivering Republic Day speech are memorable,” she added.

Addressing the gathering at the Police Parade Grounds here, Ms. Prabhavathi announced that everything was in place for construction of bio-toilets as a pilot project in Krishna district, using the bio-digester concept of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. On K.L. Rao Sagar project at Pulichintala on Krishna river, she assured of releasing irrigation water by June in order to meet irrigation needs in the kharif season. She also promised to place stringent measures to curb infant mortality rate and school drop-out rate in Krishna district. Accompanied by senior police personnel, she interacted with women and differently challenged persons on their issues and livelihood options. Above 450 persons belonging to government departments, NGOs and others fields were presented with ‘Best Performance’ awards, following cultural performances by the students.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – January 27th, 2015

Man attempts to create record by standing still for 36 hours

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
STILL AS STONE: Akshintha La Se Shu Babu has already entered the Limca Book of Records
STILL AS STONE: Akshintha La Se Shu Babu has already entered the Limca Book of Records

Madurai :

On Monday, people attending the Republic Day celebrations at NMSS Vellaichamy Nadar College were surprised to find what was, at first glance, a brand new statue of Mahatma Gandhi. Till Sunday evening, no such statue had been spotted on the premises, and many believed that an Aluminium structure had been mounted for the special occasion.

In fact, the Gandhi ‘statue’ was Akshinthala Seshu Babu, a 44-year-old man from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, who is attempting to set a new record by standing still for at least 36 hours at a stretch. Dressing in Bapu’s attire, Seshu Babu began his stillness feat at 10.30 am on Monday here, and is aiming to continue in the pose till 10.30 pm on Tuesday.

Sesha Babu, who began standing still in public in 1993, when he stood motionless for four hours at a function in Vijayawada, has already entered the Limca Book of Records and has won several competitions. With the latest stunt, he is hoping to break his own record of 35 hours which again, he performed dressed as the Mahatma.

According to Sesha Babu, standing still is not as easy task. It requires painful preparation, and being a regular yoga practitioner has helped him a lot, he said. Moreover, he tried to keep his physique fit by running and cycling, he said.

He had been fascinated by Gandhi since childhood, Babu added, and the objective of his performance was to demonstrate the principles of Gandhi to the nation’s youth, which he hoped might influence them to fight the evils in the society in a non-violent way.

“Most people know about Gandhi but remain ignorant of the principles he stood for. Since there is a lot of violence in the world today, I want to create this record and spread the message of living in harmony,” he said.

Besides, the performance would also demonstrate the importance of leading a healthy life, he said, without which such a feat would be impossible to achieve.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / January 27th, 2015