It is a new beginning for the 5-year old IIT-Hyderabad in the city with the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) nod for a joint project with Japan that aims at value addition for the young IIT.
The CCEA, which met on Thursday, approved the ‘collaboration of IIT, Hyderabad, and Japan’, to be executed via an Official Development Assistance loan from the Japanese government and the Union HRD ministry.
The project cost of Rs 1776.50 cr will be met through the ODA loan of Rs 1501.72 cr while the balance of Rs 274.77cr will be borne by grants from the ministry between 2013-14 and 2016-17.
The project is expected to enhance cooperation in the area of science and technology and human resource development. ‘’It is a great initiative and we are all extremely happy,” said Prof Uday B Desai, director of IIT Hyderabad. He further said that the project would add value through collaborative interactions between academics and with the industry of Japan and exchange of students and faculty. “We already have a faculty on exchange programme here. Now, we will have more of exchange of students and faculty apart from more collaboration in developing basic infrastructure, research equipment, joint projects and research,” he said.
The collaboration is an externally-aided Central sector project resulting from the broader Indo-Japan Collaboration and an agreement between the Indian prime minister and Japan for a Japanese loan to fund specific IIT-H projects.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / August 03rd, 2013
Four City designers are all set to wow the audience at Lakme Fashion Week with their weaves.
Hyderabad:
Last year, Gaurang Shah took his weaves to Lakme Fashion Week. Actor Kiran Kher was seen walking the ramp with him. Thereafter, whenever she wore a Gaurang Shah, it was marked easily. From a shopkeeper to a designer participating in Lakme Fashion Week, and now a recognised brand — Gaurang’s is quite a story.
Joining him this year are well-known City designers Shravan Kumar and Shilpa Reddy, who will be making the debut. Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festival 2013 (August 23-27) will see more from Hyderabad than ever before. There are four participants from Hyderabad — Anushree Reddy, Gaurang Shah, Shilpa Reddy and Shravan Kumar.
Although from Hyderabad, each of them has a unique signature style which the organisers of LFW are looking forward to. Gaurang and Shravan’s weaves are said to be extremely popular with buyers at LFW.
Hyderabad is far ahead than even Bangalore, standing fourth in terms of applications sent. “Hyderabad off-late has been a designer market,” says Saket Dhankar, Head of Fashion of IMG Reliance (Partner, LFW). Hyderabad has been increasingly active in the applicant-participant-buyer chain, and in two years, it is likely to make bigger news. “I think, in two years, Hyderabad will be No. 2 for LFW after Delhi and Mumbai. It might overtake Kolkata. These designers produce good work, are featured well on LFW, and also do commercially well. Even stores like Kimaya, Elahe are very popular among buyers,” he added.
“It is in sync with development in the City, which is becoming more cosmopolitan by the day. People from all walks of life are contributing. Besides, among all cities, Hyderabad has a huge cultural heritage, leaving us many undiscovered silhouettes, embroidery and architecture to draw inspiration from. I think the timing is just right,” says Shilpa Reddy on Hyderabad’s progress in fashion at a national level.
Shilpa, who established her flagship store in Hyderabad last year, has been invited to display on main stage arena. “I didn’t apply. They said I had a strong profile. I had no idea my work was being followed. LFW was not my plan for the next two years.” However, she is relieved she will have close friends like Shravan and Anushree. “I am going to feel at home there”.
Not able to disclose details, she told us this display, being her debut, will be dramatic. “It is scary but exciting. I want people to stop in awe and wonder about it. But I am prepared for criticism also,” she says excitedly.
source: http://www.postnoon.com / PostNoon / Home> City / by Kanchan Agarwal / July 31st, 2013
From winning the Gladrags Mrs Indian title in 2004 to writing fitness columns and her foray into designing clothes, Shilpa Reddy is a woman of many talents. The model turned fashion designer will be showcasing her new collection at the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive (LFW) 2013 for the very first time. Her collection which is inspired by the empowered women is different from her previous designs. “The collection is very different from what I have done till now. It is very strong and has a lot of structure to it. We are incorporating the elements of a woman who is fierce as well as nurturing, caring and loving,” says Shilpa Reddy.
Well constructed and structured combined with fabrics which are fluid, flowy and feminine comprise the collection. “We have used silhouettes which are out of the box,” explains Shilpa. The collection which promises a country-centric theme includes Indian clothes with a festive look in bright hues with lots of embroidery in gold.
The designer admits LFW happened sooner than she had expected. “I was confident that LFW will happen eventually but not so soon. But then Lakme felt I had a good profile and a strong portfolio behind me so I thought might as well showcase my collection this season,”explains Shilpa who will exhibit her collection at the main showcase arena. Shilpa Reddy is one of the four designers from the city who will participate at LFW. “The fact that four designers will represent Hyderabad at LFW itself says that Hyderabadi fashion is evolving at a good pace. There is a boom of fashion designers in the city now,” adds Shilpa.
One must-have this season for a woman’s wardrobe according to the designer is a jacket. “A well-fitted jacket is a must have in the wardrobe as it can transform anything you wear whether it’s a sari or a simple dress. It makes the whole outfit look glamorous, modern and stylish.” When asked about advice for aspiring fashion designers, she says, “When people are able to identify the designer just by looking at his or her designs, that means you have won the battle.”
Another designer who will be making his debut at the LFW is Shravan Kumar who is no stranger to the arena. The designer who has been in the fashion circuit for over 20 years now will showcase his collection which takes traditional handlooms to the next level. “The collection will showcase an Indo-Russian look with cropped jackets, handprints over khadi, silver Banarasi zaris. It is all about Indian textiles,” says Shravan. The designer is also known to encourage artisans and weavers of AP through a society which provides employment opportunities to widows and weavers in the village of Allavaram.
Shravan also feels strongly about research and development. “Every motif, every design is well researched, down to the last detail,” says Shravan who is currently working on his India International Jewellery Week collection. “The collection is titled ‘Voyage of Saklara’ inspired by the Deccan plateau where both genders wear jewellery.”
The Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2013 will be held from August 23 to 27 in Mumbai.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Kota Saumya / ENS – Hyderabad / August 01st, 2013
Veteran stevedore from the city G. Pattabhi Ramayya has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fifth South East Cargo and Logistics Awards-2013.
The award for excellence in cargo and logistics sector was presented to him in Chennai recently by Exim India Shipping Times in Chennai in recognition of his contribution to the shipping industry for over five decades.
He joined his ancestral business firm A.V. Bhanoji Row Garuda Pattabhi Ramayya & Co, agents for major shipping lines, in 1959.
Mr. Ramayya, who is now the chairman emeritus of the shipping firm, earned distinction in establishing rightful share of cargoes for Indian shipping lines even though the British lines were dominating almost having a monopoly in the city. He is fortunate in having the privilege of working under shipping stalwarts of Indian ship owners mainly of Scindias and Shipping Corporation of India.
He served as a trustee of Visakhapatnam Port and director of Dock Labour Board for nearly a decade representing Indian National Ship Owners’ Association. His firm today extends its services in the city as well as ports at Kakinada, Krishnapatnam, Dhamara, Gopalpur and Paradip.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – August 01st, 2013
Javeed Khan, a multi-tasker, who works as a Home Guard, auto driver and Haleem server. He does all this just to earn enough to give a decent education to his four children. / Photo: Mohammed Yousuf / The Hindu
A traffic cop, an auto driver and a haleem supplier all rolled into one, Javeed Khan slogs most part of the day to give a decent education to his four children
Cop by day, auto driver in the afternoon and haleem supplier by night. That’s Javeed Khan for you. A multitasker, Khan dons many hats – all to keep the wolf away. He slogs most part of the day and night just to give a decent education to his four children.
A Home Guard bearing number 3024, Khan is attached to the Saifabad traffic police station. Like all Home Guards he gets paid a pittance of Rs. 200 a day. There is no weekly off, no medical facility – nothing. No work no pay – that’s the rule. The monthly earnings are hardly sufficient to run the house, forget educating children. But Khan and his wife are determined to give their children a good education no matter how much they have to struggle. So Khan has decided to sweat it out. He can be found regulating traffic at the Iqbal Minar in Saifabad from 8 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Thereafter, he drives an auto till late in the night. And during Ramzan he has been working at a haleem joint at Patharghatti. “I earn Rs. 200 per day serving haleem. After Ramzan, I will go back to driving auto which fetches me an equal amount after paying the auto rent and meeting the petrol charges,” says Khan.
THOUGH HE HAS STUDIED UP TO INTERMEDIATE, HE WANTS HIS CHILDREN TO BE WELL EDUCATED. YET, PAYING THE COLLEGE FEE OF HIS DAUGHTER WHICH COMES TO RS. 18,000 PER ANNUM HAS BECOME A TASK. IT IS HIS ARDENT WISH TO GET REGULARISED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHERE HE IS WORKING SINCE 2000. “NOW I AM 41 AND NOT ELIGIBLE TO WRITE THE EXAM,” HE RUES.
KHAN IS ALL PRAISE FOR HIS FORMER BOSS AND ADDITIONAL COMMISSIONER OF POLICE (TRAFFIC) C.V. ANAND FOR PROVIDING MASKS, GOGGLES, REFLECTING JACKETS AND KIT BAGS TO TRAFFIC COPS. FOR YOU, WITH YOU – ALWAYS. HOPE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ABIDES BY ITS OWN ASSERTION AT LEAST IN THE CASE OF ITS WORKFORCE.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by J.S. Ifthekhar / Hyderabad – August 08th, 2013
Tulasi Chaitanya, a member of the Indian team which won the relay gold in the World Police Games swimming championship in Belfast, seen with his mentor Rajiv Trivedi, Additional DGP (Sports). / The Hindu
Tulasi Chaitanya joined the A.P. Police as a constable only a year ago, but he has now become the toast of the entire sports fraternity by creating history of sorts: becoming the first-ever swimmer from the State to win an international medal.
As a member of the Indian team, Chaitanya bagged the 4 x 50m freestyle relay gold in the World Police Games held in Belfast.
Significantly, Chaitanya, stationed in Vijayawada, will feature in five more individual events and is expected to surprise many with a couple of stand-out performances, says Rajiv Trivedi, Additional DGP (Sports).
Thanks to the initiative of the A.P. Police top brass, Chaitanya had a training stint at the famous Basavanagudi Swimming Pool in Bangalore under the tutelage of head coach Pradeep Kumar.
This is the same national coach who saw many teenagers from Karnataka win gold in the recent Junior National Aquatics at Gachibowli.
Chaitanya’s performance was no surprise to many who followed his career-graph, as only recently he won two gold and a silver in the All India Police Games held in Guwahati, following which V. Dinesh Reddy, Director-General of Police, gave him an out-of-turn promotion as head constable.
Incidentally, Chaitanya is also the first swimmer to be picked from the State for the World Police Games. He also holds the world record timing of 12 hours and 31 minutes for crossing Palk Strait (30-km distance between Sri Lanka and India).
“We are grateful to the government for supporting sportspersons like Tulasi with special grants. We are also trying out similar options in other disciplines where there is a potential to win medals at the highest level. Our goal is to see that one from our department wins a medal in the 2016 Olympics in Rio,” he says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – August 04th, 2013
Off the hook: Fisherwomen sorting their catch at the Fishing Harbour in Visakhapatnam. / Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
In the midst of all the negativism that has become the order of the day a visit to the rural areas in Andhra Pradesh can be an inspiring experience. Recently, I visited the fisherwomen community, who have organised themselves into a federation called Godavari Mahasamakhya in East Godavari district. I expected a meeting with a group of noisy, bustling women, the kind I used to frequently interact with in the coastal areas during my days in Ongole and Nellore 30 years back.
What I saw was a stunning transformation. Fisherwomen, wearing a blue sari uniform, neatly combed hair and giving Power Point presentations on the various activities under implementation by their organisation!
Starting from 2005, 20,150 fisherwomen of 72 villages have been so far organised into 1,744 self help groups (SHG) as a part of the State’s Indira Kranthi Padhakam programme. An SHG typically consists of 10 women. All the SHGs then join to form a village organisation (VOs) where decisions are taken on their lending policies, repayment systems, etc. Representatives of the VOs then confederate into Mandal Samakhya (consisting of about 20 villages), which then send their representatives to constitute the district level Samakhya. In this case, the fisherwomen organised their own apex body.
The entry point for forming groups is mutual lending — taking loans to address their various needs and prompt repayment. This activity has not only enriched them in the process but also released them from the clutches of money lenders who have had a vice like grip on the fisher folk community, keeping them in perpetual poverty.
A woman described how they lived their life on chance — the daily yield and sale of fish would determine their evening meal. Most often, money lenders would lie in wait for the boat to grab the fish in repayment of their loan. Children did not go to school, had no clothes. From then, she now has apucca house, owns five to 10 acres of land, one son studying to be a doctor, another an engineer and she is busy learning Hindi to train women of the northern States on SHG organisation.
The women contribute, save and borrow from the banks to lend for a portfolio of activities. They levy their own rates of interest. Currently, their project value is about Rs. 48 crore, with higher savings than borrowings. Their repayment rate is 97 per cent. Besides, economic activities have been taken up where over 7,000 women have helped their husbands set up electrical shops, carpentry units, buy land, etc.; they also have their own self-funded activities such as each member contributing two kg of rice every month for giving five kg to the most vulnerable among them; providing pension of Rs. 200 and if the pensioner dies, providing Rs. 3,000 for the funeral; pooling Re. 1 per month for helping someone in dire condition; providing scholarships to their children studying professional courses.
What I have seen is really revolutionary. But at the other end was also clearly visible the ugly face of capitalist exploitation. A retail chain giant has destroyed the livelihood of the fishermen in four villages that I visited and in return given them a marriage hall belying all the promises of skill building, alternate employment, etc. While fishermen sit idling on the platform that not long ago was a bustling scene of marketing fish, I wondered why and how governments repeatedly renege on their commitment towards inclusive development. For the billions of rupees that the country and the retail giant are getting from the gas, how much would it have cost them to rehabilitate those few families on inland fisheries and developing fish ponds? Clearly sharing is something that the rich and the educated have to learn from these women who may be illiterate and poor but certainly have better values of care and concern.
(The writer is former Secretary, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by K Sujatha Rao / July 30th, 2013
Professor Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice chancellor of UoH and Dr C H Hanumantha Rao, chancellor (left) of UoH in conversation with awardees Dr Kalpana Kannabiran and Prof Vamsi Vakulabharanam. | EPS
At a time when the parameters of justice are being questioned by the masses and the marginalised assert their identity, the symptomatic study of Indian society is a revelation.
Felicitated with the first Amartya Sen Award instituted by Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), sociologist Dr Kalpana Kannabiran and economist Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam presented their perspectives at the University of Hyderabad (UoH).
Hailing from the city, both were chosen along with four others across the country for the prestigious award. During a felicitation ceremony organised by UoH, Dr Kalpana Kannabiran spoke about understanding structural violence, the social foundations of non discrimination, and questions of constitutionalism and social justice in India. She was awarded in recognition of her study in the field of sociology of justice, especially in the context of gender and of the marginalised.
“The vast available literature across social sciences focuses on inequality without making a mention of discrimination, which is an active obstruction from attainment of equality,” said the director of Council for Social Development and co-founder of Asmita Resource Centre for Women.
A former sociology professor at NALSAR university of Law, she also pointed out the role of disability as providing foundation for discrimination.
She said that the disability mentioned in the constitution was social disability and not what it is today.
She also urged for debate on the concept of marital rape, which is not considered an offence under law and also questioned Andhra Pradesh (Telangana Areas) Eunuchs Act, 1919, which gives the power to arrest any man dressed in a women’s attire in public places.
In his address, Dr Vamsi Vakulabharanam, associate professor in School of Economics at UoH highlighted his research on inequality in the contemporary economies of India and China.
He shared his work on globalization and agrarian change in India with special reference to Telangana, and consumption and wealth inequality during the period of economic reforms.
He said capitalism sheds its institutional skin in this crisis prone system which every time comes out with a moulding process and grows a new structure
The award, carrying a citation and a cash award of `10 lakh each was presented earlier this year by Nobel laureate Amartya Sen at a ceremony in New Delhi on May 6.
Dr C H Hanumantha Rao, chancellor and Prof Ramakrishna Ramaswamy, vice-chancellor of UoH were present at the ceremony.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / July 31st, 2013
Students participating in the launch of the fifth iDiya Challenge Social venture Competition at the Indian School of Business in Hyderabad on Friday. | Neeraj Murali
The Indian School of Business (ISB) on Friday launched the fifth edition of iDiya – a social venture competition, which is an initiative by the prestigious school’s students. The annual competition, which is a national-level platform for budding entrepreneurs, promotes and funds innovative social venture ideas in India.
The social venture ideas might be in the areas of health, education, environment or women empowerment.
The chief guest, MN Rao, former MD and CEO of Tata Business Services Ltd, launched the registration process for the competition. He said that iDiya was a unique competition which would inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to address social issues through their business models.
The participants will be judged on the basis of innovativeness of the idea, the social problem the idea is addressing and the sustainability of the business model.
Background of the participants will also be considered. 125 teams participated in the competition last year.
The registration fees for the competition is Rs 1000. The last date for applying to the competition, which is open to all working professionals and early-stage entrepreneurs, is September 15. The top 10 shortlisted teams will get to attend a boot camp in which industry experts will educate the teams on creating a sustainable business
model which will help the underprivileged section of society and how to benefit from their business models. The teams can also meet venture capitalists in the boot camp.
The winners of the competition will get a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh, runner-ups will get Rs. 1 lakh and there are cash prizes for further runner-ups also. Apart from this, 50 selected teams will get feedback on their business models from industry experts.
Abdul Lateef, winner of the 3rd iDiya competition, whose Mobile Science Lab promotes science education among students of 8-12 grade said,”ISB and iDiya provided me with the network which is helping my business and have also mentored our business model for the past two years.”
Sanju Kumar, founder of Kisan School which provides farmers with critical information using mobile phone technology, said,”Though I knew what to do, I got to know about how to present a business model and shape its plan after attending iDiya’s boot camp”.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / July 27th, 2013
Gynaecologist Yarlagadda Sitaratnam being felicitated by members of Vijayawada Obstetric and Gynaecology Society in Vijayawada. / Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
Veteran gynaecologist of the city Yarlagadda Sitaratnam was felicitated by the Vijayawada Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (VOGS) here on Sunday. VOGS secretary Ch. Kavitha said that Dr Sitaratnam was the first gynaecologists to start practice here.
She began her practice in 1960 and established Jyothi Nursing Home 44 years ago. Dr Kavitha said that Dr Sitaratnam was born in 1934, did her MBBS in Guntur Medical College and DGO from the Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam. She was married to noted Andhra Loyola College physics lecturer Yarlagadda Rajagopala Rao. VOGS was organising an oration named after Dr Sitaratnam.
The oration would be delivered by Head of Obstetric Medicine, Fernandez Hospital, Hyderabad, Dr Tarakeswari.
She was going to speak on “Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.” VOGS president K.Gangadhara Rao said the association conducted the State conference of obstetrics and gynaecology in 2006.
It was conducting continuing medical education programmes for doctors.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – August 05th, 2013
