Finally, Araku gears up for annual fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Visakhapatnam :

Preparations are on in full swing for the three-day Araku Utsav slated to be held between November 28 and 30, 2013, but the departments concerned are apprehensive of inclement weather playing spoilsport. Last year, the fest had to be canceled due to the strike by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) staff in October.

Araku Utsav, an annual affair, is organised by the department of tourism, Vizag, in collaboration with APTDC. Bhimashankar Rao, GM, APTDC, said, “Tourist inflow is slowly bouncing back to normalcy and we expect a good turnout at the festival provided the weather remains good. Unlike last year, when the festival was marred by staff strike, this time there’s no such problem. Hopefully, it won’t rain.”

Stating that the tourism department expects a tourist inflow of 3,000 to 4,000 at the festival this time, district tourism officer (DTO) S D Anita said the fest will be held at the Araku Tribal Museum premises. “A variety of tribal dances will be showcased, including those of the Banjaras from Nalgonda, Kummakoya from Khammam, Garagalu from East Godavari and Sambalpudi from Odisha. There will also be a photo exhibition depicting the tribal ways of life. Special counters to showcase the innovative methods they use to store seeds and their ways of organic farming are being put up ,” she explained.

While APTDC has already sanctioned Rs 10 lakh for the festival, the department is seeking another Rs 2 lakh, she said, expressing hope that the rains don’t spoil the mood of the entire fest.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Aptdc / TNN / November 24th, 2013

Young entrepreneurs line up with ideas at Startup weekend

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

The fourth Startup Weekend event in the city saw hearty participation from first-time entrepreneurs who slogged it out to turn an idea into a prototype within 54 hours.

Startup Weekend is a Seattle based non-profit organization which conducts this event once every year. Participants pitch business ideas on Friday and develop a working prototype or a presentation over the weekend. Besides Hyderabad, the event takes places in Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.

This year, the event saw nearly 50 ideas being floated by the 60 people who attended it. Of these, 11 ideas were selected for further development. The teams were mentored by venture capitalists and successful entrepreneurs in their bid to prepare a prototype for a presentation before the panel of judges on Sunday.

A few ideas that were selected for implementation include Teleport – a product that helps share environment with others through Google Glass, ThenWat – a web platform that can provide the sentiment of a text, Green Shopping – that avoids paper bills by making a digital bill, and Panic Controller – a device that can broadcast panic messages meant for safety of children and women.

Evan Luthra, whose team is working on Teleport, said that there are only five applications for Glass available and their idea taps a huge market potential. “Our application can capture pictures through Glass when the eye winks and also capture a degree panorama to share the environment of the wearer with rest of the world,” Luthra said

Though most paranoramaticipants were in the 20-25 age bracket, the event also saw younger people pitch their ideas. Sixteen-year-old B Vivek Kiran, who pitched two ideas, said the event “is an ideal platform to start out early”. His ideas included a banking application and a website that would help school and college students procure electronic components in a short time.

One of the organizers, Rahul Sanghi, said that the event has witnessed better participation this time. “We are seeing more participants hang around to develop a prototype and convince the judges. This is positive for the spirit of entrepreneurship ,” he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Google Glass / TNN / November 24th, 2013

“Visakhapatnam port mechanisation will bring about a lot of change”

Business & Economy, Science & Technology
A cargo handling at night at Visakhapatnam Port./ Photo: K.R. Deepak / The Hindu
A cargo handling at night at Visakhapatnam Port./ Photo: K.R. Deepak / The Hindu

‘We are gearing up to overcome its shortcomings’

Admitting that there was delay in initiating measures to face challenges posed by ultra modern ports coming in its neighbourhood during pre-2008, Visakhapatnam Port Trust Deputy Chairman G.V.L. Satya Kumar said massive mechanisation was under way to put the port back on the track.

In an exclusive interview to The Hindu on Saturday, he said two deep draft private ports – Gangavaram, 10 km. south of Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, between Chennai and Kakinada with Cape class vessel handling facilities were commissioned during late 2008.

This threatened the hitherto sway of Visakhapatnam Port in the vast hinterland, he pointed out.

The single buoy mooring (SBM) by IOC at Paradip and augmentation of deep sea port at Kakinada ensured faster discharge of cargo making a dent on the performance of Visakhapatnam Port.

The commissioning of Dhamra and impending start of Gopalpur has aggravated the challenge ahead for VPT.

Mr. Satya Kumar said with already lost time, with superior capability ports having sprung up in the vicinity, Visakhapatnam Port pursued the modernisation initiatives with utmost vigour using the instruments of Public Private Partnership Policy Guidelines of 2008.

With seven awarded and two in the process of finalisation under PPP, the port will increase its current capacity from 62 to 112 million tonne by 2014-15, he said.

Coal handling facility

He said the commissioning of 10 million tonne mechanised coal handling facility in the Outer Harbour in April was the first in the port sector under the new PPP guidelines.

Other projects awarded so far include EQ-10 for liquid cargo other than POL, EQ-1 for imported coal, EQ-1A for export of coastal coal, EQ-7 for fertilizer, WQ-6 for other bulk and Ore Handling Plant (OHP) for iron ore. Essar Ports has been selected for Rs.845-crore modernisation of OHP and the price bid of Visakha Container Terminal for Rs.633-crore extension of container terminal is at present under evaluation.

VPT is taking up construction of new berths at WQ-7/8 with internal accruals. Except EQ-7 fertilizer mechanisation awarded to Alba and OHP to Essar, all other PPP projects are in advanced stage of completion. Mr. Satya Kumar said by December-end, they were confident of all three coal streams would be fully mechanised viz. Visakhapatnam General Cargo Berth Private Ltd (Vedanta berth), EQ-1 and EQ-1A along with EQ-10 for liquid cargo and WQ-6 for other dry bulk.

To a question, he admitted that the decommissioning of three existing berths in the Inner Harbour had caused some dislocation and pointed out that it was being compensated to some extent through monitoring and optimisation of existing resources.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – November 25th, 2013

TASL seeks approval to expand chopper facility at Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), which has a chopper cabin manufacturing facility in an SEZ owned by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Ltd here, sought government’s approval to expand its facility to manufacture additional defence-related products.

TAShf04dec2013

The Board of Approvals under the Ministry of Commerce which has gone through the request made by the Tatas advised the Department of Commerce to obtain the views of the Ministries of Home and Defence before granting the permission for product expansion.

“The Board noted that the unit has sought approval for additional products relating to defence. The Board, after deliberations decided that the views of M/o Defence and M/o Home Affairs be obtained by DoC and the matter be processed further on file by DoC after taking into account the comments so received,” the minutes of the BoA meeting held on November 8, said.

TASL, a fully-owned subsidiary of TATA Sons, has been set to address the business areas of Defence, Aerospace, Aero- Structures and Homeland Security.

In June 2009, Sikorsky and TASL entered into an agreement for production of S-92 helicopter cabins in India, and in November of the same year, Sikorsky and TASL entered into a joint-venture for production of more than 5,000 detailed aerospace components in India.

TASL requested the BoA for manufacturing and export of additional products with regard of aerostructures, equipment, systems and propulsion systems, for military aircraft (both fixed with and rotary aircraft) and military helicopters.TASL, a fully-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, has been set to address the business areas of Defence, Aerospace, Aero- Structures and Homeland Security.

In June 2009, Sikorsky and TASL entered into an agreement for production of S-92 helicopter cabins in India, and in November of the same year, Sikorsky and TASL entered into a joint-venture for production of more than 5,000 detailed aerospace components in India.

TASL requested the BoA for manufacturing and export of additional products with regard of aerostructures, equipment, systems and propulsion systems, for military aircraft (both fixed with and rotary aircraft) and military helicopters.

The JV of TASL and Sikorsky recently announced that its S-92 helicopter cabin production has become 100 per cent indigenous. The JV also said it completed another significant milestone in October by producing its 50th S-92 helicopter cabin. The TASL facility now has the capacity to produce up to four cabins a month and is responsible for future design modifications.

source: http://www.zeenews.india.com / ZEEBIZ.com / Home> Business> Companies / by PTI / November 19th, 2013

Tally Solutions ties up with Osmania University

Education, Science & Technology

Bangalore :

Tally Solutions has tied up with Osmania University to provide vocational training to students through distance education.

As part of the collaboration, students undergoing the programme will be offered a month of training, for which all the learning material will be provided by Tally, according to a company statement.

Further, Osmania University will award them with a certificate on successful completion of the course. The plan is to extend this programme to more number of colleges in and around Hyderabad under Osmania University, the statement added.

Shoaib Ahmed, President, Tally Solutions, said: “We strongly believe that providing the right vocational training will go a long way in addressing the unemployability crisis that the country is facing. Students have to be skilled enough to sustain in this competitive industry.”

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / BusinessLine / Home> Industry> Info-Tech / by The Hindu Bureau / Bangalore – November 20th, 2013

Rahul lifts State’s glory to greater heights

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Ragala Venkat Rahul / The Hindu
Ragala Venkat Rahul / The Hindu

Ragala Venkata Rahul wins two gold medals at the Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Penang

Ragala Venkata Rahul, 17, lived up to the expectations with yet another impressive performance, winning two gold medals in the youth and junior categories at the ongoing Commonwealth Youth and Junior Weightlifting Championship in Penang (Malaysia) on Friday afternoon.

Rahul has won gold in the 77-kg category with a combined effort of 301 kg (140 in snatch and 160 in clean and jerk). The A.P. boy came up with similar efforts in both the categories to clinch the honours.

“I am delighted. My coaches are expecting better results after my recent performances in international meets. So, there was a little bit of pressure, but thanks to the support of the entire Indian contingent, I could pull of a gold medal,” says a beaming Rahul, a student of A.P. Sports School, Hakimpet.

Rahul looks at the latest gold as a “huge morale-booster” for the coming year in which some big events are lined up like the 2014 Asian Games.

“I hope to continue my good work till that mega event and come back home with a medal,” says the shy weightlifter.

“Competition is tough at this level, and it is never easy to win gold in any Asian meet, as every country looks to this event as a preparatory event for the major events ahead,” he says, thanking his mentor and secretary of A.P. Weightlifting Association Badeti Venkatramaiah (also in Penang as a technical official).

Rahul bagged a gold medal in the 77-kg category with a combined lift of 310 kg at the Asian Youth Games in Nanjing (China) after winning three gold in the Asian Youth Championship early this year. His other notable performances include two medals in the IWF Youth Boys World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, early this year.

A.P. Sports School weightlifting coach Surmise Achou Singh of Manipur, who fine-tuned Rahul’s raw talent in the company of his deputy Pachipala Manikyalu, is not surprised.

“Rahul is a potential medallist in the 2016 Rio Olympics. He has all the qualities to be a world-class weightlifter, and more exposure at the highest level will only help to improve his performances,” attests the 67-year-old proud coach.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 29th, 2013

Local boy Ahmed wins Asian silver, creates waves

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Mohammad Ahmed with the silver medal he won at the recent Asian Rowing Championship, at the Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Mohammad Ahmed with the silver medal he won at the recent Asian Rowing Championship, at the Hussainsagar in Hyderabad on Tuesday. — Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

After a silver at the Asian Rowing Championship – the latest addition to the many feathers in his cap, this 20-year-old has set his sights on greater glory

For a sport dominated by personnel from the Services, 20-year-old local boy Mohammed Ahmed has managed to surprise, and delight all. He is now virtually the non-playing captain of the coxed eights Indian rowing team.

His recent silver in the Asian Rowing Championship in China shone bright in his smile as he returned to the Hussainsagar on Tuesday.

The son of Mohammed Ismail, a meat-seller from Kavadiguda, Ahmed took to the sport after one of his routine trips to the lake along with his father three years ago. Dronacharya Ismail Baig suggested the boy take up rowing. What ensued was rowing’s gain.

Ahmed won gold in the Kolkata Senior Nationals in the coxed four event, bronze in the Hyderabad Nationals in the coxed eight team and later a silver in the Asian championship later on in Korea. All these vindicated the faith shown by Baig, the untiring coach who has been shaping the destiny of most rowers in Hyderabad for close to 13 years now.

“I am enjoying every moment. Thanks to Ismail sir, I can now dream big,” the shy youngster says, even as he proudly displays his medal to his famed coach.

What exactly is this young rower’s role in a coxed eights event?

“Well, he is like a guide, telling the teammates when to accelerate in the course, how the conditions are at a given time. Otherwise, the rowers will be busy unleashing their power to keep up the pace. It is a very demanding job. Though he doesn’t row, it requires high levels of focus,” Mr. Baig says.

Ahmed, who adores cricketer Virat Kohli (he even tries to sport a similar hairstyle), plays cricket and badminton to relax after hard work in the waters. A student of St. Antony’s High School, this shy rower was only recently drafted into the CRPF, and will be reporting for duty next week.

“My next big target is to win a medal in the next year’s Asian Games and then think about the Olympics. I owe everything to my coach sir and to the Federation officials for backing me up,” Ahmed signs off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 01st, 2013

Roti fest arrangements inspected by Anam Vivekananda Reddy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Women devotees exchange the rotis at Bara Shaheed Dargah at Nellore tank in Nellore city. — DC File photo.
Women devotees exchange the rotis at Bara Shaheed Dargah at Nellore tank in Nellore city. — DC File photo.

Nellore:

Nellore rural MLA Anam Vivekananda Reddy reviewed the ongoing arrangements for the world famous week-long Rottela Panduga (Roti festival) to be held at the sprawling premises of Bara Shahid Dargah on the banks of Nellore tank at Dargamitta in Nellore city on Friday.

With over five lakh devotees from across the globe expected to take part in the festivities the MLA inspected arrangements in terms of Q lines, water supply, sanitation and so on.

Anam Viveka called upon the officials to keep in view the last year’s heavy rush and ensure fool proof arrangements for the smooth conduct of the ongoing festivities.

Speaking to reporters on the arrangements, Anam Viveka said that the entire stretch, consisting of hundreds of acres had been cleaned and flattened for enabling devotees to exchange rotis as part of the celebrations.

The MLA added that necessary instructions have been given to the officials of the Nellore Municipal Corporation to keep a strict vigil on the Dargah surroundings till the completion of the festivities.

He added that in view of the increasing influx of dev-otees, works to provide long-term amenities to the devotees would be launched by the minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy on Saturday at a cost of Rs 11 crore.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / November 16th, 2013

Tuesday Pasta Mania launched at Testa Rossa Caffe outlets in Hyderabad

Business & Economy

Testa Rossa Caffe, which has two outlets in Hyderabad (at Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills) and a third in its twin city, Secunderabad, introduced Tuesday Pasta Mania. Patrons can walk in every Tuesday and sample an array of vegetarian pastas (priced at Rs 199 each) and non-vegetarian ones (priced at Rs 249).

The vegetarian pastas include Penne Arabiatta; Penne Panna e Funghi; Spaghetti Aglio e Olio Perperonicino; Fusilli Alfredo; Fusilli Panna e Noci, and Fusilli Marinara. The non-vegetarian ones include Penne Arabiatta e Pollo; Farfalle Polo e Funghi; Fusilli Alfredo e Pollo; Spaghetti Al Ajo Agnelo; Lasagna Pascalino, and Penne Alfredo e Pollo.

source: http://www.fnbnews.com / FnBnews.com / Home> WorldView> Top News / by FnB Bureau, Mumbai / Saturday – November 16th, 2013

Gir cow milk to reach Krishna District soon

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

G. Sudarshana Rao at his farm with Gir breed cows at Veerankilakulu in Krishna district./ Photo:V. Raju / The Hindu
G. Sudarshana Rao at his farm with Gir breed cows at Veerankilakulu in Krishna district./ Photo:V. Raju / The Hindu

‘Gir cow fed with a special feed can produce milk that has medicinal values’

Milk from Gir breed of cows that originally inhabited the Gir Forest in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, are here in Krishna District, thanks to the entrepreneur-turned-medico G. Sudarsana Rao, who has set up a dairy at Veerankilakulu village in Vuyyuru mandal.

In an exclusive chat with The Hindu, he said that the Gir breed of cows give milk that contains conjugated lineolic acid, which has been proved to be an anti-cancer compound.

The claim that Gir cow milk not only prevents but controls diabetes is not yet settled. As per ongoing research by Sai Butcha Rao, a research associate at International Livestock Research Institute, ICRISAT, Patancheru, if the Gir cow is fed with a special feed it could produce milk that has medicinal values to stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin and thereby control diabetes.

According to him, the mention of this breed was made in the Vedas and the Brazilians had taken thousands of cows of this breed to their country centuries ago from Gujarat.

Today, the breed is called Girolando in Brazil, he said. The breed is on the verge of extinction in its native country, he claims. “Today, there are about 15,000 of these cows left in Gujarat. And to save the breed the Gujarat Government has embarked on an ambitious breeding project at a cost of Rs.1,400 crore,” he added.

Dr. Sudarsana Rao said that the Gir cow milk was lighter compared to others, has high concentration of calcium, proteins and vitamins D and C and is sweet and tasteful.

To begin with, he has imported about 34 animals and aims to have a stock of 400 in a year. Terming the milk as ‘organic milk’ under the brand Ayush Organic Product, he said: “No milk is organic, but it becomes organic based on the organic feed that is fed to the cattle.”

No chemical used

The farm has a hydroponic machine that produces tailor-made green organic fodder. The imported machine can generate fodder from seeds such as barley or horseshoe gram in a controlled environment. For every 1.25 kg. of seed we can get green and highly nutrient organic fodder up to 8 to 10 kg. and the facility can be easily expanded depending on the requirement, he observed.

Dr Rao also pointed out that no chemical is used in the processing. “The milk that is extracted goes directly to the chilling machine and is chilled at 2 degrees and immediately packed and transported in insulated boxes, where the temperature is maintained at 3 degree Celsius,” he said.

According to him, the yield of the native breed is much less compared to the Holstein Friesian (HF) breed. Initially, the milk will be marketed in half and one-litre packets in Hyderabad and later sold at other major cities such as Vijayawada and Guntur through select outlets. The farm will be inaugurated by Animal Husbandry Director D. Venkateswarulu on Wednesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Sumit Bharracharjee / Vuyyuru – November 13th, 2013