Hyderabad boy Satya Nadella set to become Microsoft CEO

Business & Economy, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Nadella learnt technology at Microsoft, leadership at Begumpet school.

The third CEO in Microsoft’s 38-year-old history after Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer could be an India-born, two media reports said on Friday, citing sources familiar with the processes of selecting the new leader at the Redmond-based company.

If he is the chosen one, as Bloomberg was the first to report, Satya Nadella , a 22-year Microsoft veteran with leading roles in the Office and Bing search engine teams, will become the most powerful Indian-origin tech executive in the world.

Bloomberg also reported that the board was considering replacing Chairman Bill Gates with Microsoft’s lead Independent Director John Thompson.

People who know him well both professionally and personally say apart from his technological wizadry, what has struck them about Nadella is that he is a great team person. “Satya is extraordinarily humble and a great human being; so almost anybody who knows him has nice things to say about him. That is in contrast to many leaders today who have ‘sharp elbows’,” says Ravi Venkatesan, former chairman of Microsoft India.

The 46-year-old Nadella has not forgotten his roots and is connected deeply to Hyderabad where his parents (his father is a retired IAS officer) live. He and his wife did their schooling at the Hyderabad Public School in Begumpet and visit the city every year. In an earlier interview to an Indian publication, Nadella had talked about the leadership lessons he first learnt while playing for his school cricket team. Once when the team captain saw Nadella bowling quite ordinarily, he himself stepped in to give the team a much-needed breakthrough, and again threw the ball back to Nadella to bowl the next over.

“I will never forget that. What made him do that? Is this what they call leadership? These are the kind of questions I have since reflected on as I approach many of the things I do today leading teams,” Nadella had said.

Nadella, who has an engineering degree in electronics and communication from Manipal Institute of Technology, moved to the US where he earned a master of science degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin. He is also an MBA from the University of Chicago. He worked at Sun Microsystems before joining Microsoft in 1992. During these nearly 22 years, Nadella has held several positions, including senior VP of R&D for the online services division and VP of the Microsoft business division.

“He is one of the sharpest guys you will meet; he is very technical and very empathetic. He understands an exterior opinion which works in his favour as he is ready to learn from others,” says one of Nadella’s friends, requesting anonymity.

It is probably Nadella’s performance at the company that led to him being appointed as the head of one of the most key segments of the company — cloud and enterprise. According to several sources, Nadella was responsible for bringing the company’s database, Windows server and developer tools, to its Azure cloud.

Under his leadership, Microsoft’s cloud services’ revenue rose to $20.3 billion in June 2013 from $16.6 billion when he took over in 2011.

“He is an extremely well-rounded person; he has worked in the application business; he has worked in the Bing search business, led the server and tool business, and now he is in charge of all online and cloud engineering. More importantly, he is a strong technical person which is a good thing to lead a company like Microsoft,” says Venkatesan whose first engagement with Nadella happened when the latter was heading the Microsoft business division.

“Microsoft’s offerings have touched an entire generation of Indians, and it would be a moment of great pride for us to see an Indian take over such a prestigious post,” says Ravi Gururaj, chairman of Indian IT industry body Nasscom’s product council.

“I am sure it is his performance and delivery at the company that has brought him this far, and we wish him well.”

Microsoft is currently at a crucial point, as the company is moving away from its roots as a software-focused firm and moving towards hardware and internet-based services.

Experts say Nadella would certainly represent a conservative choice for Microsoft. He is a sharp, persuasive individual and can inject fresh life into Microsoft. But others say Nadella will not be the radical agent of change or the inspirational visionary that some investors and outsiders have been hoping for.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by Itika Sharma Punit & Bibhu Ranjan Mishra / Bangalore – February 01st, 2014

Hyderabad’s Night Bazaar to get a makeover

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Hyderabad :

The tourism department is mulling a slew of measures to resuscitate the Night Bazaar ( Shilpa Sandhya Vedika) at Shilparamam which has failed to attract denizens even after two years of operation.

According to official sources, the department is planning to improve footfalls and occupancy of stalls by keeping the bazaar open till 1 am on weekdays and 3 am on weekends, for which Cyberabad police has given its nod. Presently, the bazaar is officially slated to operate till 12 am on all days. However, many stalls close by 10 pm due to lack of patronage.

“The bazaar was set to remain open till 3 am when it was envisaged. However, it could not remain open as we did not get police clearance. Now the Cyberabad police have given its nod to keep it open till 3 am on weekends,” an official said, adding that a proposal for a police outpost was mooted and a place has already been earmarked by the tourism department.

The department also appointed an officer on special duty (OSD) to manage daily affairs of the bazaar. An order that was released earlier this week said that the officer has been entrusted with the responsibility for transforming the bazaar into a “happening place.” “Plans are being drawn up to improve arrivals at the bazaar in a couple of months,” said V Madhusudan, who was appointed as OSD at the night bazaar.

It was also learnt that the tourism department plans to organize cultural programmes to attract crowds, largely from the IT hubs of Madhapur, Gachibowli and surrounding areas.

Officials added that tenders for several stalls will be recalled in the coming days as many bidders backed out due to lack of demand for the stalls. There are 100 stalls, organized in four theme-based categories which largely deal in apparel, handicrafts and food services. Sources said as food stalls account for the maximum number of unoccupied stalls, efforts are on to renegotiate terms with existing bidders. The bazaar was planned in 2006 with an outlay of Rs 11 crore but took nearly five years to be completed at a cost of Rs 25 crore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 01st, 2014

Vizag zoo to get country’s first wild dog breeding centre

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Records, All

DholeHF19feb2014

Dholes are classified as an endangered species by the IUCN

In about two to three months’ time, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) will be the first zoo in the country to have a conservation breeding centre for the endangered wild dog or ‘dhole.’

Selected by the Central Zoo Authority to carry out this project at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, the zoo authorities have earmarked an area on the premises for the centre.

Rise in numbers

After a series of successful in-breeding of wild dogs in the zoo, its population witnessed a massive increase within the protected area from just two to 22, the highest number of wild dogs in captivity in the country, according to current records.

Recently, two more litter of wild dogs were spotted at the wild dog enclosure, which is now being monitored to prevent disturbances. However, the number and gender of the litter are yet to be ascertained.

Similar in-breeding of wild dogs was carried out in zoos in Chennai and Mysore without much success.

Classified as endangered by the IUCN, wild dogs or ‘dholes’ are dwindling in numbers due to habitat loss, depletion of prey base, and destruction of forest corridors leading to fights with other predators and diseases from domestic and feral dogs.

Genetic profiling

The conservation centre in IGZP is expected to help in recovering the population of the endangered animals.

“To start with, a genetic profiling of the existing animals in the zoo will be done. Once the strong genes among them are identified, the conservation breeding process will be started through a series of measured steps.

The idea is to re-introduce the species in the wild later,” IGZP curator G. Ramalingam told The Hindu.

“Tenders have been called for the project. We have also issued circulars to hire a biologist for the project, which will be finalised soon,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home > News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – February 19th, 2014

Veteran CPI leader and champion of land struggles passes away

Leaders, Records, All
Former three-time MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Former three-time MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Govinda Rao, in the time of undivided Communist Party of India, was actively involved in several land agitations conducted in the plain and Agency areas of the then combined Visakhapatnam district.

Former MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad on Tuesday, was leader of many successful struggles the party launched in this area in the past.

Govinda Rao belonged to the time of undivided Communist Party of India and was actively involved in several land agitations conducted in the plain and Agency areas of the then combined Visakhapatnam district (comprising of the present north coastal Andhra districts). He got nearly 2,000 acres distributed to poor farmers in Cheedika and Rebaka villages in Chintapalli mandal and Kesavaram in Payakaraopeta mandal and led agitations for distribution of mokasa lands in Seetakandi and Nimmagedda areas in Golugonda mandal. His work among the poor helped him to get elected three times form Anakapalle Assembly constituency in 1962, 1967 and 1978. During the agitation for establishing steel plant at Visakhapatnam he resigned as MLA at the party’s direction. Born in Visakhapatnam, Govinda Rao actively participated in students agitations while studying at M.R. College, Vizianagaram. He was arrested and imprisoned at Bellary jail during Quit India movement.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – February 19th, 2014

Satya Nadella: Hyderabad’s eagle takes flight

Business & Economy, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad Public School. Located on Begumpet Road in Hyderabad, this is the school Satya Nadella, the newly appointed CEO of Microsoft, attended. The school’s emblem is an eagle and it prods its students to think of themselves as eagles and aim to soar high.

By winning the top job at IT behemoth Microsoft, Nadella has more than lived up to the school’s expectations. Nadella’s parents, who live in Hyderabad now, though palpably happy, did not wish to comment on the achievement. His father B. N. Yugandhar, a retired civil servant, confined himself to a “thank you.”

Those who have known the family attribute a lot of Nadella’s success to his upbringing. He grew up in an environment grounded in reality. C. Parthasarathy, Chairman, Karvy Consultants, who knows the family well, says: “This is really a proud moment, which is what all will say. But what is remarkable about this family is its high level of integrity, intellect and belief in hard work.”

“He has grown up in an environment where these attributes would have been re-emphasised from time to time,” adds Parthasarathy. “I think that helped him in his career. Parthasarthy is also closely associated with Hyderabad Public School and has been on its governing board.

Officials at Microsoft India were tight-lipped about the development. But they will all listen avidly when Nadella makes his address to Microsoft employees later today.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> Business> India / by E. Kumar Sharma, New Delhi / February 04th, 2014

Cancer Crusaders to Hold World-class Golf Tournament on February 15,16

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Sports

Cancer Crusaders of CURE Foundation here are organising a world-class golf tournament on February 15 and 16. The event titled ‘Cancer Crusaders Invitation Cup-2014’, the third biennial edition, fund raiser and awareness initiative, will take place at Hyderabad Golf Club. This was announced by Tennis ace Sania Mirza on Sunday, who believed that a gentle stroke to hit a golf ball so that it rolls down into the hole across the green could make some difference to a few cancer patients.

Tennis star Sania Mirza tries her hand at Golf at the launch of the Cancer Crusade Invitation Cup in Hyderabad on Sunday | Neeraj Murali
Tennis star Sania Mirza tries her hand at Golf at the launch of the Cancer Crusade Invitation Cup in Hyderabad on Sunday | Neeraj Murali

Participants have to pay Rs 2,000 which goes towards charity. Around 200 golfers will participate in the tournament. According to Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, founder-CURE foundation and director, Apollo Cancer hospital, the event intends to raise money and spread cancer awareness through excessive participation from ace golfers, outstanding sports persons, celebrities and opinion leaders. ‘’Our objective is to create a consistent annual charity golf tournament, fun and fulfilling day of social service,” he said.

Celebrity Golf Playoffs: The celebrity golf playoff, to be hosted on February 16, is a custom designed format that will last about one hour and is designed to entertain and give celebrities an opportunity to take a shot at the game. Fashion designer Asmita Marwa, Classical dancer Ananda Shankar Jayant, entrepreneur Pinky Reddy, badminton ace Saina Nehwal, Kuchipudi dancer Deepika Reddy, Indian women’s cricket team captain Mithali Raj and badminton star Jwala Gutta are expected to take part.

The tournament format named Stableford will have each player given a ball with her name written on it. Each participant has to put the ball to a designated hole on ‘putting greens’. All have to reach close to the hole. The last one is eliminated in each round. There will be different holes for different rounds and the distance to the hole is increased for each round to make it difficult for players.

Asadullah Pasha, captain, Hyderabad Gold Association; Bathanie Mattek, Tennis player; Venu Vinod, MD, Cybercity Builders & Developers pvt ltd; Nadir Chinoy, CEO, Inline 4 Motors Pvt Ltd attended the press meet.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / February 03rd, 2014

Harlan Opens Hyderabad Hub

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

United States

Indianapolis, Ind.-based Harlan Laboratories, a contract research organization and provider of animals for testing, has announced its first research breeding facility in India in Hyderabad’s Genome Valley Alexandria Technology Park.

“Harlan supplies research models to more than 60 percent of the Indian research market and has a large concentration of customers in the Hyderabad-Bangalore region,” said Harlan global VP of business development Stuart Frith. Added VP of global commercial operations Joe Meyer, “Having a physical presence in the region will yield numerous benefits to our customers, including having access to a consistent supply of high-quality models and improved animal welfare.”

source: http://www.indiawest.com / IndiaWest / Home> News> Business> United States / by Richard Springer, Staff Reporter / February 02nd, 2014

Looking into minds wired differently

Science & Technology

This professor and medical superintendent of the Visakhapatnam-based Government Hospital for Mental Care (GHMC) has just become the first psychiatrist from Andhra Pradesh to be elected general secretary of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS). In an interview with Sulogna Mehtaof TOI, Dr N N Raju throws light on the new Mental Healthcare Bill under consideration, the debatable issue of Electro-Convulsive Therapy, medical opinion about homosexuality which can have a bearing on the future of Article 377 that criminalizes homosexuality, and the societal and lifestyle changes triggering psychiatric ailments.

What are the highlights of the new Mental Healthcare Bill under consideration?

The Bill appears to be more complex. Under this, even general hospitals will have to take permission of a mental health review commission (MHRC) to treat physical ailments of patients displaying psychological abnormality. Earlier, psychiatrists used to decide on admission of a patient in the mental hospital under the instruction of a magistrate. As per the new Bill, a five-member MHRC, comprising just a single psychiatrist, judicial members, counsellors and psychologists, will decide and can override the sole psychiatrist. There’s also provision of advanced directive, whereby a person can give directions to the commission on the mode of treatment he or she would like to undergo if they become mentally ill in future. Decriminalizing suicide is a good move. However, the Bill is mum on who will finance the various programmes — states or Centre. Changes in administration of Electro-Convulsive Therapy (ECT) or shock treatment are other areas it addresses.

Should ECT be banned for minors and be administered only under general anesthesia as the new bill suggests?

It’s a non-scientific decision to ban ECT for those below 18 years as the efficacy and safety of the 80-year-old practice has been proved even on children. Also, as per the new Bill, ECT has to be administered only under general anesthesia, which would increase the financial burden on the government as well as enhance the risk factor. There’s already a severe dearth of anesthetists in India. Also, without anesthesia, the mortality risk was just one in one lakh patients, while under anesthesia it will go up to one in 10,000.

Is homosexuality a disease or criminal offence?

Homosexuality is a grey area, entailing confusion and complexity, and black and white comments can’t be made on it. Globally doctors are divided on whether to label it normal or a deviation from the norm as genetics, environment and peer pressure contribute to it. However, homosexuals are not criminals, even though legally or morally they are considered wrongdoers. As of now, the IPS, consisting of around 5,000 registered psychiatrists, is working on finding out the majority opinion among psychiatrists regarding the classification and management of homosexuality.

What does forensic psychiatry entail?

Forensic psychiatry entails criminal and civil responsibilities. For instance, if a person with a mental illness commits a crime he can’t always escape the law citing the illness as a ground. He can be exempted from punishment only if he commits the crime without knowing what he was doing and without realizing the consequences of his act at the time of committing it. Civil responsibility refers to the capacity of such a patient to stand witness at a trial or write a ‘will’.

Are criminal minds wired differently?

It’s said that those displaying anti-social behaviour have a different brain structure and different kinds of neuro-chemicals work in the brain. Genetic predisposition also plays a role. However positron emission tomography (PET) scan done on criminals have been inconclusive and is still under research.

Why are mental ailments and juvenile crimes increasing in India?

Stress and lifestyle related diseases have gone up and as a result depression too. Breakdown of joint families and the lack of a trustworthy support mechanism along with lack of value education have aggravated problems, including anti-social behaviour among youngsters due to unfiltered exposure to internet and television.

Have social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter brought people closer or isolated them even more?

Online posts are more often not the true reflections of the feelings of individuals as people put up lot of inhibitions and pretences in the virtual world. True emotional exchange can take place only with real people and not on FB. It rather isolates people and the forced display of private emotions gives rise to depression in some or enhances the propensity to commit crimes, especially among youngsters.

Unlike abroad, a visit to a shrink or mental hospital is still stigmatized in India. Why?

The stigma is more to do with literacy and financial status of the individual. In India, mental ailments are associated with possession of evil or the consequence of sin or a curse due to illiteracy and hence stigma is more.

What will be your focus as IPS general secretary?

We will urge the government to focus on proper implementation of the National Mental Health Programme so that it benefits the grassroots. We are trying to convince the Medical Council of India to include psychiatry as a major academic subject in MBBS as it is currently clubbed with ‘medicine’. With one-third of physical ailments coming to general hospitals actually associated with some kind of psychiatric or psychological complications, general physicians or doctors of other disciplines also need to be trained in certain basic aspects of psychiatry. We are also trying to get mental ailments covered under some insurance scheme as well.

What is needed for the overall improvement of GHMC? Does Andhra require more mental hospitals in addition to the existing two in Vizag and Hyderabad?

We need medicines and manpower. The dearth of manpower, especially class IV staff and paramedics, is a serious cause of concern at GHMC. We would also need anesthetics facility if ECT under general anesthesia is made mandatory and new equipment like magnetic electro-therapy can be introduced in the government set-up. Rather than spending crores of rupees on new hospitals, the existing medical colleges and area hospitals should be strengthened in the districts with good infrastructure and manpower to treat mental disorders.

What about controversies surrounding clinical trials at GHMC?

Clinical trials are a must for any drug. There are guidelines but they should be more well-defined. Besides consent from legally acceptable relatives, the patient should be able to certify after understanding the nuances of the clinical trial and only then it should be conducted on him/her. Right now, no trials are underway at GHMC or the mental hospital in Hyderabad. Due to internal politics in government hospitals, such controversies and allegations are usually made.

What are the medical advancements in the treatment of severe psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia, bipolarism and acute depression?

There’s focus now on genetic engineering to know the wiring of the brain. Magnetic electro therapy, where magnetic waves are passed through the brain instead of electric shocks, is another new area of treatment and is less damaging. Newer and advanced drugs with fewer side effects are also being introduced.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / February 03rd, 2014

Acres of Land Turns into Fish Ponds in Krishna District

Business & Economy

While the shrimp farming is shirking, fish farming is on the rise for the past three years in Krishna district.  Thousands of acres of paddy fields are turning into fish ponds in the delta region, especially the mandals located on the border of West Godavari district.

According to estimates, fish farming is being taken up in more than one lakh acres while the shrimp and prawn farming is limited to a mere 5,000 to 7,000 acres.

The officials records say that fish farming is done in 75,000 acres and shrimp farming in 5,000 acres.

It may be recalled that shrimp and prawn culture began way back in 1980 as the farmers preferred aquaculture to agriculture. They reaped huge profits in ‘dollars’ during 1999-2000.

As their fellow farmers made sudden fortune, several other farmers who were into agriculture also shifted to aquaculture and shrimp and prawn culture has leaped to nearly one lakh acres from 30,000 acres in 1999.

But they suffered a major loss as the tiger shrimp variety suffered virus attack in the following years and exports had fallen drastically.

At last, shrimp farming is being done in only 5,000 acres, and the farmers are also going for vannamei shrimp variety as it can survive the virus comparing to tiger variety. But the shrimp farmers have turned to fish cultivation instead of the shrimp as they had ready to use ponds.

According to a farmer, the fish cultivators, majority of them businessmen and local politicians, are now paying `50,000 to 75,000 rent for an acre of fish tank per year in the district and are getting `60,000 to `70,000 profit per year.

Bhupathi Raju, an aqua farmer from Nidamarru village of Kruthivennu mandal, said, “I had first taken up shrimp farming in 1982 and got good profits in the initial years. But later I had to suffer losses due to various reasons including virus attack. Slowly, I stopped it and started agriculture (paddy cultivation). But I started fish farming two years back as there was no water for paddy cultivation for Rabi crop for the past two years due to delta modernisation works.”

Another farmer, MV Subba Rao of Matlam village, who too suffered losses in shrimp farming, said that he had given his land for lease and added that he had applied for the registration of the fish ponds as the government had made it compulsory.

When contacted, assistant director of fisheries department, T Kalyanam, said, that as many as 4,989 farmers registered their tanks  by June 6, 2013. He also said that it was mandatory for the farmers to register their tanks with the government.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service – Vijayawada / February 03rd, 2014

Sembcorp To Buy 45% Stake In NCC-Gayatri Power Plant Project

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Singapore-based energy, water and marine group Sembcorp Industries has signed a conditional agreement to acquire 45 percent stake in NCC Power Projects (NCCPP), which is currently building a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Andhra Pradesh for a consideration of Rs.848 crore, reports said.

NCCPP is jointly owned by Gayatri Energy Ventures Ltd. (GEVPL) and NCC Infrastructure Holdings Ltd. (NCCIHL), a subsidiary of Indian conglomerate, NCC Ltd. (NCCL). Gayatri is Sembcorp’s project partner for another power plant in Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh.

Sembcorp Group President and CEO Tang Kin Fei said, “With our first power project in India progressing well and on track for completion this year, we are now pleased to embark on our second power plant investment there. This acquisition will provide the opportunity for Sembcorp to increase our foothold in India’s power market, where we see opportunities for our business to grow significantly in the years to come.”

Once the deal materializes, Sembcorp will hold 45 percent of NCCPP, while the remaining 55 percent will be held by NCCIHL.

NCCPP’s upcoming plant is located on a site adjacent to Thermal Powertech Corporation India Ltd. (TPCIL), Sembcorp’s first power plant investment in India.

Presently, the NCCPP project is around 30 percent completed and it is expected to come on-stream in early 2016. 

The project has also achieved financial closure, with 75 percent of the project cost funded through long-term limited recourse rupee-denominated project finance loans and the remainder funded by shareholders’ equity.

The project will be fuelled by both domestic and imported coal. It already received a Letter of Allocation for its domestic coal supply from Coal India.

The transaction is subject to the fulfilment of conditions, including approvals from the relevant authorities and the lenders.

Additional conditional agreements would also be entered into giving Sembcorp the right and obligation to take an incremental 20 percent stake in NCCPP and an incremental 16 percent stake in TPCIL respectively, subject to and upon the respective projects having obtained requisite formal approvals by relevant authorities in India.

by RTT Staff Writer

source: http://www.rttnews.com / RTT News / Home> Business> Indian News / February 03rd, 2014