The diamond-studded golden crown made in Vijayawada for Penuganchiprolu Tirupatamma thalli in Krishna district / Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
Endowments Department yet to give clearance
Very soon Penuganchiprolu Tirupatamma thalli will have a diamond-studded golden crown. The presiding deity would be adorned with the crown after performing the necessary rituals. The endowments department officials at Hyderabad, however, are yet to give their clearance to take possession of the crown.
The then executive officer, Chandrasekhar Azad, conceived the idea of making a ‘vajra kireetam’ for the deity. The Endowments Department invited e-tenders to make the crown. For the first time, the Endowments Department involved a private organisation in making jewellery of a temple in the State.
The ‘kireetam’ is studded with 197.66 carat diamonds and 18 carat yellow metal has been used in making it. A three-member committee has to approve the crown. The committee would check whether the crown is made as per the design and specifications.
City-based Chandana Brothers, which emerged as successful bidder, manufactured the crown that weighs 2.256 kg. Initially it was planned to make the crown weighing 2 kg but the weight exceeded as it made in a dye casting method, said B. Srinivasa Rao of Chandana Brothers.
As many as 9,606 diamonds and numerous coloured stones were used in making the crown. The VS quality diamonds were used. The crown was certified by Mumbai-based Gemmological Institute of India, he explained. When contacted, Temple Executive Officer N. Vijay Kumar said that the crown costs more than Rs.1.5 crore. The temple would take possession of the crown as soon as Endowments Commissioner gives permission, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by G.V.R. Subba Rao / Penuganchiprolu (Krishna District) – July 20th, 2013
Programme to provide dedicated upgrade resources, services to customers around the world
Virtusa Corporation, a US -based IT consulting, technology implementation and application outsourcing services provider which has its global delivery centres at Hyderabad and Chennai in India, has partnered Pegasystems Inc to introduce its mega-partner upgrade innovation innovation centres.
The programme provides dedicated upgrade resources and services to customers around the world and helps organisations stay current on major Pega platform releases, providing expertise and best practices through teams devoted to operationalising the upgrade process.
As part of the initiative, Virtusa will be enabled to upgrade clients to the recently-introduced Pega 7 platform. Pegasystems is a Cambridge-based provider of business process management (BPM) and customer relationship management (CRM) solutions. The company recently expanded its Hyderabad facility to accommodate close to 250 people, taking its total employee count in India to 501.
“Pega 7 enables our clients to improve their customer experience and optimise business processes in ways previously not thought possible,” Frank Palermo, senior vice-president (technical solutions group), Virtusa, said in a press release on Monday. //
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by K. Rajani Kanth / Hyderabad – October 07th, 2013
Hyderabad airport FTZ had earlier signed Turbo Jet Engines as its maiden client
GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL) has signed a second client for the airport-based Free Trade Zone (FTZ) at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here.
SAS Applied Research & Lab Materials Private Limited, a supplier of rare and high end research chemicals along with equipment and consumables to Indian and multinational companies, will set up operations at the FTZ. SAS clients include Dr Reddy’s Lab, Biological E Ltd, E.I DuPont, United States Pharmacopeia, ITW Performers & Polymers, Syngenta Bio Sciences and Lupin Pharmaceuticals.
“The sign off with our second client at FTZ, reiterates the airport’s commitment and credibility in expanding business avenues and also the growth potential at RGIA.” GHIAL chief executive officer, SGK Kishore, stated in a press release.
The FTZ, which had earlier signed its maiden client, Turbo Jet Engines , has facilities ranging from servicing, distribution, trading and warehousing, and several other value additions, he said.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by Prashanth Reddy Chintala / Hyderabad – October 08th, 2013
The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) has announced that TES 2013 (TiE Entrepreneurial Summit), Asia’s largest and premier annual conference of the entrepreneurial ecosystem, would be held here Dec 18-20.
TES is a platform that brings together the entire ecosystem of entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, policy makers, thought leaders and other stake holders and acts as a catalyst to fast track ideas into action.
The theme for TES 2013, ‘Yes, You Can! Dream-Think-Achieve’, was launched by Srini Raju, Chair of the conference and Managing Director of investment firm Peepul Capital.
“This year’s theme is symbolic of what every enterprise is all about – never give up and pursue the dream. We are excited to bring TES for the first time to Hyderabad ,” said Murali Bukkapatnam, president TiE Hyderabad.
Bukkapatnam is also the managing director and CEO of getdomestichelp.com.
“Such global event will provide an opportunity to entrepreneurs to explore more growth possibilities for their business through networking.
“It will also help budding entrepreneurs to overcome the challenges in funding and incubation,” said Ananth Rao, convener TES and managing director- Focus Ventures.
This summit might lead to attracting investors to consider Andhra Pradesh and India as the prime geographies for their business expansion plan, he added
TiE was founded in 1992 in Silicon Valley by a group of successful entrepreneurs, corporate executives, and senior professionals, with an aim to foster entrepreneurship globally through mentoring, networking and education.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-IANS> Business-Economy / IANS / Hyderabad – October 09th, 2013
The Telugu film industry, the second largest in India after Bollywood, has bolstered its defences against pirated content, by entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
The MoU envisages waging a joint war against video piracy, apart from exchanging best practices. It may be recalled that the Andhra Pradesh Film Chamber of Commerce (APFCC) was the first in the country to set up an Anti-Video Piracy Cell (AVPC) in 2005 with the State Government’s support.
With the onset of online piracy, the AVPC began monitoring internet activity 24/7. The anti-piracy body has achieved moderate success, with professionals tracking content including new film songs and the like and cracking the pirates using Internet Protocol numbers.
The MPAA’s six member companies include Paramount Pictures Corporation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Twentieth Century Fox film Corporation, Universal City Studios, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and Warner Bros. Entertainment. The APFCC’s MoU was achieved through MPAA’s Indian arm, the Motion Picture Distributors Association (India) with the objective of protecting content and intellectual property.
At an interactive session, Michael D. Robinson, Executive Vice-President, Contention Protection and Chief of Operations of the MPAA and Edward B. Neubronner, Vice-President and Regional Operations Officer, Asia-Pacific for the Motion Picture Association International underscored the need for cooperation across the borders of the East and West.
They recalled a U.S. – India Business Council/Ernst & Young 2008 report on ‘the Effects of Counterfeiting and Piracy on India’s Entertainment Industry’ and said the Indian film industry had lost U.S. $ 959 million in revenue and 5,71,896 jobs due to piracy.
The APFCC was represented by its President, D. Suresh Babu and producer Allu Arvind, while Chairman of the AVPC’s Governing Council, Rajkumar made a presentation on anti-piracy activities here, outlining the way forward and strategies to be adopted in the global war against piracy.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Cinema Plus / by Suresh Krishnamoorthy / Hyderabad – March 23rd, 2013
The Hyderabad Metro Rail coach./ Photo: P.V. Sivakumar /
Trains to run from a central monitoring system
Hyderabad :
L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd today put on display the first rail coach it received from the Hyundai-Rotem consortium.
It announced that the elevated rail system would be fully managed remotely. These trains will be driverless and run from a central control system. And the ‘driver’ in the metro train coach will only help facilitate entry and exit of passengers and ensure their safety.
This coach is part of the large order the metro project placed on the consortium for supply of rail coaches for the 72-km elevated metro rail project being developed by L&T.
The coach was formally unveiled here today by the State Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, in the presence of officials of L&T and metro rail officials.
Reddy described the Rs 14,300-crore project as the largest public-private partnership project in the country which has potential to transform Hyderabad into a megapolis.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, with L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail Chief Executive and Managing Director, V.B. Gadgil, and Managing Director, N.V.S. Reddy, in the newly unveiled Hyderabad Metro Rail coach./ Photo: P.V. Sivakumar
Once completed, this will be a jewel in the crown of Hyderabad along with Outer Ring Road and other infrastructure being developed in the fourth largest and fifth populous city.
Each air-conditioned coach will have capacity to seat about 330 people and a train of six coaches is expected to carry about 2,000 passengers. While these trains have capability to manage a top speed of 80 km per hour, the average speed is likely to be 38-40 km per hour. Initially, 171 coaches for 57 trains will be supplied by Hyundai-Rotem and the rest in a phased manner, N.V.S.Reddy, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Ltd, said.
Initially, it is proposed to run each train with three coaches and later this will be ramped up to six coaches for one train. The gap between each train will be 90 seconds. All the trains will have CCTV cameras inside and outside the cars. There will be mobile and laptop charging sockets inside the cars. The supply of coaches will be in a phased manner as the project is ready for commissioning.
First phase will be operational by March –April 2015.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Logistics / by The Hindu Bureau rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in / Hyderabad – October 02nd, 2013
The key to V Raghunathan’s happiness lies in his lock collection. In the last 30 years, he has gathered over 700 kinds from across the country. The fascination began back in 1984 when Hyderabad-based Raghunathan went to Kashmir. “Our guest house had an unusual old lock. I exchanged it with the caretaker,” he says. Since then he has been hooked—lock, stock and barrel, forever searching for more exotic locks.
“Collecting locks is a passion. I just love them and will travel any distance to procure one. I used to visit the flea markets in Ahmedabad to add to my collection. It is great fun deciphering some of them. I have seen locks, which would need more than one individual to open them,” says Raghunathan, CEO of GMR Group’s Varalakshmi Foundation.
There is a staggering range of shapes and sizes in the collection. Padlocks, chest locks, door locks, trick locks. He has locks in shapes of fruits, revolvers, buckets, pots, plants, scorpions, camels, lions, horses, cows, dogs and even cats.
And there are other unusual locks as well. For instance, a lock for which a key has to be inserted inside another key to open it. Then there is a rare lock from Aligarh. A fascinating one is a copper combination lock, which has a number of discs. Each disc carries an Arabic inscription— either a letter or a phrase. It appears that any combination of the discs yields an Arabic couplet and one particular couplet opens the lock. What is striking about this lock is that all the combinations of letters end up forming a verse from the Koran.
Raghunathan has also written a book about his lifelong passion—Locks Mahabharata Mathematics. The book mixes Draupadi, a lock with five keys or Jarasandha— who could be split apart but whose two halves could never be kept separate—split locks and symmetries. He has linked all of these characters and their life with math.
Divided into 10 chapters, Locks Mahabharata Mathematics has stories ranging from that of Draupadi, to Yudhishthira’s gamble, to Shukrayacharya and Kacha. Keeping them company are chancy locks, interacting keys and binary stars.
“Locks have been part of my life for nearly as long as I have been married, some 30 years. Though I am not a mathematician by a far shot, I am deeply interested in the subject. And finally, I am as well read on the Mahabharata as any reasonably educated Indian. So it was only a matter of time before the three overlapped somewhere,” says Raghunathan.
“It was while reading a story about how Draupadi came to acquire five husbands that it struck me that she wasn’t unlike one of the locks in my collection— one that needed five keys to open it. From there the leap to the world of polynomials, especially the quintics—equations of fifth degree—which have five solutions, was merely a logical one,” he points out.
At a literal level, the book provides a contemporary take on the Mahabharata stories for the younger generation. It also presents mathematics in a far more interesting light than a standard text.
“The book brings the lock-making craft of highly skilled artisans of a bygone India to the present generation. Perhaps the book provides enough fodder to engage both the right and left sides of the brain,” he laughs.
LOCKED IN
● There is a staggering range of sizes in the collection. They range from one that weighs no more than 5 grams to one that weighs 30 kg. The longest is over 3.5 ft in length while the smallest is about half a centimetre.
● He has locks from Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Kashmir and West Bengal.
● The lock with five keys is from Rajasthan.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Magazine / by Swati Sharma / October 13th, 2013
Nikhat Zareen is only 17… but she has decided to brave it out in boxing. V.V. Subrahmanyam profiles the teen.
VISAKHAPATNAM(ANDHRA PRADESH)01-10-2013: Nikhat Zareen, a trainee of SAI Sports Training Centre, Visakhapatnam, who won silver medal in the 54kg category of women’s Youth World championship in Bulgaria on Sunday, at the Port stadium, Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.—photo: C_V_SUBRAHMANYAM
Exploring new frontiers! Well, the 17-year-old Nikhat Zareen, from Nizamabad district has decided to enter the boxing ring, which only a few girls have dared to from Andhra. And, not surprisingly, the five-time World champion Mary Kom is her inspiration.
What is significant is that this Intermediate second year student of New Kakatiya College (but now in the Indian camp in Vizag under the tutelage of Dronacharya I. Venkateswara Rao), is charting out her own world of achievements.
First spotted by SAAP (Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh) boxing coach Omkar Yadav, Zareen had shown abundant promise very early and to all those who followed her career it was not surprising that she won the 2011 Turkey World junior boxing gold (flyweight) after being adjudged the ‘Best Boxer’ in the Erode Nationals. And, as if to prove that it was no flash in the pan, this highly talented boxer has recently won a highly creditable silver (bantamweight) in the World Youth championship in Bulgaria.
It was never easy for Zareen to keep moving ahead even as her father, Mohammad Jameel Ahmed (a real estate agent), faced some embarrassing questions from his own community.
“That was really tough. But, once we decided that we should make it big in the world of sport and that too in boxing, there was no looking back,” Zareen had said once. Regarding the World Youth championship final against Chinese boxer Yunzi Yuan, Zareen recalls, “Well, after the semi-final win against another world junior champion, my confidence was on a high. But I must admit in the final, I was up against someone who was really good and superior to me.”
Former national coach Emani Chiranjeevi who had a close look at Zareen a couple of years ago did feel that this Andhra girl had the potential to go a long way. “When you look at a boxer, the intensity in the eyes is one of the defining factors whether one can be good in the ring or not. There was a lot of hunger for success in her eyes and her hand-eye coordination is God’s gift to her,” the famous coach, who guided the destinies of at least four Olympians from India, said.
HYDERABAD, ANDHRA PRADESH, 04-10-2013: Nikhat Zareen, who won the silver in the recent World Youth women’s boxing championship in Bulgaria recently, seen with her father Md Jameel Ahmed in Hyderabad on Friday. PHOTO: V_V_SUBRAHMANYAM
And, once Zareen enrolled with the reputed SAI coach Venkateswara Rao, there was no looking back.
Clearly buoyed by her impressive outing in Bulgaria, Zareen now looks far ahead. “It may sound odd but I am determined to win an Olympic medal in the 2016 Games in Rio. And God willing, nothing less than gold,” emphasises the athlete-turned boxer.
Zareen’s father continues to be her friend and guide. He keeps a tab on her diet and even makes it a point to watch the training sessions, making critical analysis whenever he finds time.
Not content with her silver, this champion boxer’s immediate goal is to win gold in the coming Youth Olympics in China.
By all means, her splendid achievements mean that the Andhra Pradesh ‘Women Force’ in the world of sport is not confined only to the likes of Sania, Saina, Humpy and Harika.
“Yes, it is a great feeling when people start recognising you. Definitely things change a lot when you keep winning important events. I sincerely wish that I live up to the expectations,” she says to a query.
What were the lessons from Bulgaria? “The final itself was a reminder that at this level, merely attacking all out will not yield results. For, in that final, the Chinese girl’s defence was too good. So, there is always scope to keep learning and improving fast,” she signs off.
source: http://www.sportstaronnet.com / SportStar, from the Publishers of The Hindu / Home> Boxing/Focus / Vol.36, No.42 – Oct 19th, 2013
Indian tennis player Sania Mirza (L), actress Diana Hayden (C) and badminton player Saina Nehwal during the IPL-6 match between Sunrisers Hyderabad’s and Pune Warriors in Hyderabad./ Photo: PTI
Though it was not a jam-packed stadium that greeted Sunrisers Hyderabad and Pune Warriors India playing their 2013 IPL opener at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here on Friday night, the glamour element was very much evident even as the crowds had fun soaking in the atmosphere.
Former Miss World Diana Hayden was seen chatting away with badminton champ Saina Nehwal and tennis star Sania Mirza. It was indeed a treat for the crowds to watch two aces in the company of a beauty queen!
Sania supporting Warriors
Sania Mirza, brand ambassador for Sahara India, was there to support the Pune Warriors. “Sunrisers’ captain Kumar Sangakkara is a classy batsman and a wonderful captain. I wish the home team the best of luck. But I am here to support Warriors which has my very good friend Yuvraj Singh,” she said.
Getting down to business
V.V.S. Laxman, donning the role of mentor, was taking the throw-ins from former Pakistan fast bowling great and now bowling coach of Sunrisers Waqar Younis, to give some catching practice to local boy G.H. Vihari, Cameron White and Parthiv Patel. Former India captain and mentor Krishnamachari Srikkanth was also seen chatting with the players trying to making them comfortable.
Then, there was South African speedster Dale Steyn and the tall Ishant Sharma, who were focused on bowling, indicating that they clearly meant business.
‘White Lightning’ in action
Not far away, from the Sunrisers camp was another South African fast bowling great Allan Donald. Nicknamed ‘White Lightning’ in his playing days for his torrid pace, Donald was seen chatting animatedly with the Pune Warriors lads in his new role as bowling coach for Warriors.
Huge roar for Yuvi
The 2011 World Cup player of the series and the one who has fond memories of this venue, Yuvraj Singh, too looked in his elements. Returning to the ground where he hit a double century in his first four-day match after battling cancer, he seemed to be ready for the big challenge. Yuvi was moved by the huge roar from the crowd when he was shown on the giant screen. “I am happy to be back here, which has always been a lucky ground for me,” he said.
With weather God being kind over the last two days, the match was off to prompt start thanks to the wonderful job done by the ground staff led by chief curator Y. L. Chandrasekhar.
The copy has been corrected for typographical error
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Suhrahmanyam / April 05th, 2013
Andhra Cricket Association secretary Gokaraju Gangaraju announcing the names of ACA members who made it to cricket board’s various sub committees in Vijayawada on Monday. / Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu
Vizag to host India-West Indies ODI in November
Andhra Cricket Association has succeeded in getting plump postings for its members and nod for a couple of other demands in return for supporting former Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) chief N. Srinivasan during his re-election as board’s president on Sunday.
For the first time 11 persons of the 60-year-old association found their way into BCCI sub committees.
Leading the list is ACA secretary Gokaraju Ganga Raju, who will be chairman of the Finance Committee and ex-officio member of IPL Governing Council.
Association chief D.V.Subba Rao will be member of the constitution review committee.
Test status
The board, at the 84th AGM promised to depute a team to review the facilities for one final time at Dr.YSR ACA–VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam before awarding the Test status.
“In one month we will get the much elusive Test status. In fact we should have got it (status) four years ago,” said the ACA secretary here on Monday.
He said India-West Indies One Day International will be held in Visakhapatnam in November, commemorating the diamond jubilee celebrations of the ACA.
Women’s Academy
The board has adopted the Andhra Women’s Cricket Academy run by the ACA at JKC Grounds at Guntur and from now on it will be called – BCCI Women’s Academy. “Our Guntur academy will be the hub of the Indian women’s cricketing activities,” Mr. Raju added.The ACA secretary said former India stumper and ACA director M.S.K. Prasad will get into the National junior selection committee next year when the South Zone representative K. Jayaram (Kerala) completes his term.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – October 01st, 2013
