Sania volleys into academy glory

Leaders, Sports
Sania with her father Imran Mirza at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy at Murtuzaguda in Hyderabad on Saturday. / Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Sania with her father Imran Mirza at the Sania Mirza Tennis Academy at Murtuzaguda in Hyderabad on Saturday. / Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

 

‘ I want this Academy to be the hub of tennis not just in Hyderabad but in all of Asia’, says the two-time Grand Slam winner.

It’s all love-all serve at Sania Mirza Tennis Academy. And to the delight of the first batch of young talent which assembled to get a feel of the Academy before its formal inauguration at the end of next month, India’s best-ever women’s tennis player Sania Mirza donned the role of a coach, albeit briefly.

“Oh! It is a wonderful feeling to share whatever you know about the game and the thoughts and experiences having played with the best across the world,” exclaimed 26-year-old Sania in an exclusive chat with The Hindu after a stint with the ‘future’ star players.

“I want this Academy to be the hub of tennis activity not just in Hyderabad but for the entire sub-Continent and Asia,” says the excited champion who redefined the levels of excellence in tennis by an Indian woman player.

For the love of sport

“I keep telling parents that let the kids play the sport for the love of it and enjoy. If one starts playing it with an eye on the fame and name, then things might go awry, however talented one is. The passion has to be complemented with hard work, commitment,” reminds Sania.

Dream project

“It is great to see kids turn up at this Academy, which has been my dream project for so long. Honestly, when we started off, we never expected it to turn out to be of this scale,” says Sania about the project which has nine synthetic courts right now.

Everything is in place for the formal inauguration and there were quite a few players like Amreen, Sharmeen, Adam and Ganesh, who were trying to master the nuances of the sport.

“Essentially, this Academy caters to each category of players from under-14 to under-50 years differently. Since we have nine courts, time slots will not be a factor and the players should really enjoy the whole ambience,” says the two-time Grand Slam winner about the Academy, located at Murtuzaguda – a 20-minute drive from the posh Jubilee Hills locality.

“Yes, we are waiting for a couple of foreign coaches (some Hyderabad-based coaches are already on the job) before we make the formal launch of the Academy,” insists Imran Mirza, father-cum-mentor of the ace tennis player.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / March 31t, 2013

Nuzvid ‘chinna rasaalu’ flooding the market in Vijayawada

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nature
Enticing:Chinna Rasalu being sold in Vijayawada.— PHOTO: V. RAJU / The Hindu
Enticing:Chinna Rasalu being sold in Vijayawada.— PHOTO: V. RAJU / The Hindu

With harvesting of Nuzvid ‘chinna rasaalu’, a mango variety, starting this week, the fruit has begun to arrive in the city. Barely two-days after the summer fruits’ arrival in the market, people scurried to get a taste of the fruit despite the skyrocketing prices. Tempted after spotting the yellow fruit on their way home, many of the people are found skipping their traditional obligation of waiting till Ugadi to taste mango. “Seeing the Nuzvid Rasaalu on the busy road junctions is something exciting. We are also fortunate to get this variety of rasaalu, for which people across the State and parts of India are crazy,” said a Bengali Jayanthi Karki, who settled down in Vijayawada. Farmers and petty fruit vendors believe that early flowering of rasaalu variety was the reason for their early ripening.

Besides the local vendors, many others are coming to the city all the way from Nuzvid, Railway Koduru, Agiripalli, Nunna and few parts in Nuzvid mandal. Instead of depending on local fruit market, G. Saikumar, who belongs to Agiripalli village in Nuzvid mandal, purchased bags of rasaalu at Nuzvid and transported them to the city for sale. “As the demand from public is unprecedented, many seasonal fruit vendors like me have come down to Vijayawada expecting good returns. Chances of the prices coming down are very less till other mango varieties arrive in the market,” said Mr. Siva Kumar.

Price

Based on the size of the fruit, the price of chinna rasalu is ranging between Rs. 200 and Rs. 400 a dozen. Largely, the fruit vendors are tapping the seasonal demand from the public by making availability of the mangos on footpaths and busy junctions in the city. However there is no chance for customers to choose as only ‘chinna rasaalu’ are available in the market.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Vijayawada, March 25th, 2013

NATA Investment Seminar

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Nri's / Pio's

NATA Workshop Promotes Financial Investing and Retirement Planning Seminar

Atlanta (March 23, 2013):

North American Telugu Association (NATA) organized a free workshop on Financial Investing and Retirement Planning on March 23rd in Alpharetta, GA. In the spirit of looking ahead, NATA leaders Dr Prem Reddy and Dr Malla Reddy and President Dr. Sanjeeva Reddy and other leaders, felt it prudent to facilitate discussions on these important areas to all members of our Indian community.

The audience of over 150 people from various walks of life gathered at the “Taste of India” banquet hall in Alpharetta by 6 PM, to be greeted with melodious music and soothing melodies from Venkat Chennubhotla & Bhanusri Vavilikolanu. The social hour that followed, helped the audience to interact with each other and network actively. The mood was upbeat and the spirits high as the tone was set for an open and informative discussion on the key areas of investing and asset planning.

NATA RVP Ravi Kandimalla welcomed the gathering and talked about NATA organisation, NATA leadership of Dr. Prem Reddy, Dr Pailla Malla Reddy, President Dr Sanjeev Reddy and the activities taken up by NATA in service of Telugu community in US and India. He requested everyone to join as NATA members and support the high ideals and lofty goals of NATA. Srini Vangimalla, NATA 2014 Convention Coordinator introduced the first guest speaker, Rajesh Jyotishi from Shalin Financial Services. Rajesh Jyotishi talked about Retirement Planning, Estate Planning and Insurance Planning. The informative discussion helped everyone to understand the options to safe guard one’s income and to utilize the legal process to establish a safe process to pass on the assets to the children and dependents. NATA 2014 Convention Co-Convenor Satyanarayana Reddy, introduced the second speaker Tom Singh from BoA Merrill Lynch. Tom presented a thought-provoking discussion on financial investments and investment outlook for 2013.

The guest speakers were felicitated by NATA BOD & Convener Bala Indurti, and other NATA team members including Srini Vangimalla (Ccordinator), Satyanarayana Reddy (Co-Convener), Ravi Kandimalla (RVP), Ramesh Chaparala & Goutham Goli (Core Committee members).

Speaking on the occassion Bala Indurti greeted and thanked the audience for their active participation. NATA is committed to providing an opportunity for all people to safeguard their family’s interests. Only then the global community will be able to spread out and take care of others. The vision and objectives of Dr Prem Reddy and Dr Malla Reddy can only be met when willing hands and hearts unite in a spirit of progressive thinking and careful planning. He lauded the speakers for laying the groundwork for a fruitful discussion. A special mention was made for the tremendous enthusiasm and support from the community in Atlanta for making every event from NATA a memorable one. So far, NATA has been blessed to enjoy a lot of goodwill and participation from the telugu community for it’s stellar list of events that include: NATA day charity golf, Sai Health Fair, Ghantasala Program, Gurjada Swarnotsvalu, Amutha varshini Annual day cultural event & the current Investment Planning seminar.

Bala also took the opportunity to share a few important chair & Co-chair positions for upcoming NATA convention to be held in GWCC, Atlanta on July 4th,5th, 6th of 2014.
Ramana Reddy Doddla (Food Committee Chair),
Dilip Reddy Tunki (Venue Chair),
Venkat Chennubhotla (Cultural Chair),
Madhav Durbha (Literary Chair),
Raghu Kotha (Souvenir Chair),
Phani Dokka (Co-Chair Cultural & Literary),
Ram Durvasula & Neelima Gaddamanugu (Co-Chair Cultural),
Gireesh Reddy Meka (Registration Chair),
Srenivas Reddy Kotlure & Ram Maddi (Ch-Chair Registration),
Guru Paradarami (Stalls Chair),
Hari Pothukuchi (Program Guide),
Vijay Gandapodi (Decorations Coordinator) ,
Siva Gaddamanugu (Web committee Chair),
Kiran Reddy Kandula (Publicity Chair)

NATA team is also actively looking for interested members with appropriate fit and interest for chairing and volunteering for other committees. An announcement on these remaining key positions will be coming soon after member engagement.
Kiran Kandula , Sreenivas Reddy Kotlure & Gireesh Reddy Meka coordinated the membership online process and registered about 100 Life members. It is a well known fact that NATA Atlanta has always been in the forefront in membership recruitment and new member initiation drives. The year 2013 has only seen the group of dedicated NATA community grow in leaps and bounds.
NATA Community Services Co-Chair Venkat Reddy Mondeddu concluded the program with Vote of Thanks. Special thanks are due to Sridhar Reddy Vakiti (Video), Venkat Garidepalli (Photography), Jagadeesh Reddy Cheemarla (Food & Venue arrangements). Ramana Doddla and Jagadeesh Cheemarla went out of their way to ensure smooth food arrangements and guest sign-up coordination.Taste of India restaurant management provided an excellent venue and delicious food. Everyone felt that the evening was a time well spent and well invested.

source: http://www.nataus.org / NATA – North American Telugu Association / Home / March 26th, 2013

MakeMyTrip signs as principal sponsor for Sunrisers Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Sports

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Deep Kalra, Founder and CEO, MakeMyTrip.com (file photo) / The Hindu Business Line

New Delhi :

Online travel firm MakeMyTrip today said it has been signed up as the principal sponsor for IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad and will also launch a marketing campaign targeted at travellers and IPL fans in April 2013.

“We are delighted to partner with Sunrisers Hyderabad and reach out to millions of IPL fans through this association,” MakeMyTrip.com CEO & Founder Deep Kalra said in a statement.

Commenting on the duration of the contract, the company said the partnership as principal sponsor for the team is for a year with recurring clause.

“The IPL demonstrates the synergies of the twin passions of cricket and travel, with fans following their teams to match-venues across different parts of the country,” he added.

As part of the association MakeMyTrip will showcase the Sunrisers association through a TVC featuring the team’s players — Dale Steyn, Cameron White and Ishant Sharma.

The new campaign will be aired to coincide with the launch of the IPL 2013 that will be played between April 3 and May 26.

Commenting on the partnership, Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO K Shanmugam said: “We are confident that they (MakeMyTrip) will ably partner us in our journey of reinvention and quest for success.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News> Sports / by PTI / New Delhi, March 28th, 2013

Hyderabad on a platter

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

Rich, spicy and aromatic the Hyderabad cuisine is as famous as the city itself. A visit to Hyderabad is considered incomplete without treating oneself to the some Hyderabadi biryani. And so bringing some of the city’s authentic flavours for all to binge on is the 10-day Hyderabad Food Festival at 36 Chhattees.

With a mix of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food to choose from, patrons can savour a host of dishes.

To start of with, the menu includes Marag and Tomato Shorba, Talawa Gosht, Hyderabadi Raan, Turki Kebab, Nizami Murgh Tikka and Lalmirch Paneer Tikka.

Main course includes favourites like Dum ka Murgh, Machi Mahekali, Nizami Handi, Dum ka Baingan, Tamate ka Kut, Kaddu Dalcha, Subz Dum Biryani and Kache Gosht ka Biryani.

No meal is ever complete without desserts and typical Hyderabadi choices of Qubani Ka Meetha, Double ka Meetha and Sheer Kurma will complete your gastronomic experience. The food fest will go on till April 5 and is open for lunch and dinner, from 12:30 to 3:30 pm and 7 to 11:30 pm respectively.

For reservations or more information, contact 90007 72005 or 040 6459 000.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features – Hyderabad / March 28th, 2013

Ezeego1 opens franchise office in Hyderabad

Business & Economy

Online travel search site, Ezeego1.com has opened a franchise office in Hyderabad, its third in South India, according to a company release. The other two franchises were opened in Munnar and Chennai in January this year. The franchise is in the name of Mahathe Sai Associates and will be managed by Pranathi and  Suman Tadakamadla.

The store will provide travel services like flight tickets, hotel accommodation, car rentals, holiday packages, rail, cruise, bus, sightseeing, visa and insurance that are offered on the website. Speaking on the launch, Neelu Singh, COO, Ezeego1.com, said, “We are proud to mark our entry in a market like Hyderabad which has gained major impetus especially in outbound travel and has seen a lot of demand for unique destinations. Our franchise will be an extension of our website for those customers who still prefer the traditional way of booking tickets and holiday packages at a retail outlet and for those who are not net savvy.”

Ezeego1.com will provide the franchisee with an on-going marketing, technical and store development support.

source: http://www.travelbizmonitor.com / Home / by TBM staff – Mumbai / Thursday, March 28th, 2013

Hyderabad’s pink lake to be colourless soon

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The Noor Mohammed Kunta (NMK) near Kattedan Industrial Estate (KIE) in Rajendranagar, which earned its sobriquet of the pink lake of Hyderabad due to its pinkish hue caused by industrial pollution, will have clear water by the end of 2015.

NMK is the first and only lake in the country to have been identified for cleanup by the World Bank-assisted project on ‘Capacity Building and Industrial Pollution Management Project’ by the Ministry of Environment and Forests and approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in 2010. The consortium of Witteveen+Bos, Tauw, COWI A/S and Kadam Environmental Consultants under the name of Pollution Control Board Consultants (PCBC) will implement the 32-month pilot project.

The NMK has been dead since years due to heavy inflow of industrial wastes. Representing the consortium of consultants, M Van der Wijk Marten from Nederlands on Tuesday expressed his confidence in the speedy completion of the project.

Speaking to reporters about the remediation process, he said, “First, all highly toxic sediments would be dredged out, dewatered and contained within tubes of geo-textile. According to tests, the tubes a containment efficiency which is well above 99.5 per cent and a life-span of minimum 100 years.”

Adding more, he said these tubes would be made into a bund-like fencing around the lake over which greenery could be developed. The bottom of the lake will be covered with a clean layer of sand. To prevent further inflow of pollutants, the existing Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP), which was started in 2009, would be upgraded to deal with industrial waste treatment.

In Katedan Industrial Estate (KIE), about 3,500 m3 of temporarily stored waste will be collected and disposed to an off-site landfill for Municipal Solid Waste. As a remediation measure, construction of a sediment trap was also recommended at the inlet of drains from KIE to the NMK.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / March 27th, 2013

Guntur nun Glowrey on way to sainthood

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

GunturNunHF29mar2013

Hyderabad: 

The first nun-doctor missionary, who spent her life in India, mostly in Guntur and Bengaluru serving poor patients, will take her first step to sainthood on Wednesday.

The Vatican gave the nod for Sister Dr Mary Glowrey, an Australian of Irish origin, to be declared ‘Servant of God in India’, the first step to become a Catholic saint. The announcement of her declaration as Servant of God will be made by Bishop Gali Bali of Guntur diocese at a ‘chrism mass’ on Wednesday.

Dr Glowrey first landed in Guntur in 1920 at the age of 33. She came as a missionary of the Society of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and ran a dispensary which turned into St Joseph’s Hospital.

Director-general of the Catholic Health Associat-ion of India, Dr Tomi Tho-mas, says, “Sister Glowrey founded the Catholic Health Association of India in 1943 which now has 3,500 health care institutions in the country and is the largest NGO in the health sector. She was born in Victoria in 1887 and studied medicine and worked at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital and Saint Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne and also had a private practice.”

Bishop Gali Bali called her a “special creation of God and a great soul who embraced the whole world”. She left her lucrative career as an ENT specialist after she chanced on a pamphlet in 1915 about the appalling infant mortality rate in India. It changed the direction of her life.

“Pope Pius XI later bestowed a special blessing on her medical work and, as Sister Mary of the Sacred Heart, she became the first nun-doctor missionary. At Guntur, she trained local women to be pharmacists, nurses and midwives. She often travelled to visit the sick and dying in remote villages. She also used Indian traditional medicine,” the Bishop said.

My Jesus, I love you, were her last words

The people of Guntur were thrilled on hearing the news that Sister Glowrey will be declared ‘Servant of God in India’, the first step to become a Catholic saint.

Elizabeth, 65, of Amaravathi Road, Guntur, said, “I was brought up by Sr Glowrey. I cannot forget her love and affection. She used to be a very caring person for the poor and a devout Christian.”

Sister Victoria who had worked at St Joseph’s said, “It is a great honour for St Joseph’s General Hospital at Guntur as its founder is in the process of canonisation. She converted a small dispensary into a huge hospital which today is serving the poor and the needy.”

Dr Glowrey died on May 5, 1957. Her last words are said to be, “Jesus, Mary and Joseph” and “My Jesus, I love you”.

She spent her last days in Bengaluru and her vision led to the establishment of one of the best Indian medical colleges, St John’s Medical College.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / by U. Sudhakar Reddy / March 27th, 2013

Tribal fete in Agency

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

TribalHF29mar2013

Picture for representational purpose only. / Deccan Chronicle

Rajahmundry:

In a bid to promote tourism and facilitate exchange of culture and traditions between tribals and people from plain areas, the East Godavari administration is organising a three-day tribal festival called ‘Manyam Jatara Choodimi’ on the premises of Government Junior College grounds at Rampachodavaram from March 29 to 31.

The authorities are planning to organise a series of cultural programmes depicting the tribal customs, practices, traditions and culture. The tribals will perform their traditional dances and also render songs.

As the tribals celebrate after harvesting traditional crops, the authorities are making arrangements to accommodate such celebrations also during the festival.

Rampachodavaram sub-collector Gandham Chandrudu told newsmen here on Tuesday that the district administration in association with department of tourism and Integrated Tribal Development Agency is organising the tribal festival which is first of its kind in the agency areas in the state.

He said that that state government had sanctioned Rs 15 lakh to organise the festival. The arrangements are being made in agency for the tribal festival similar to those made during the conduct of beach festival ‘Sagara Sambaralu’ recently at Kakinada beach.

As many as 30 stalls are going to be set up with 15 of commercial nature while 15 from various departments. A book exhibition with the display of titles of prominent writers from agency areas and a photo exhibition depicting the important tourist and religious places will also be set up.

The visitors will be taken to the tourist attractions in the agency. The authorities are organising gaming zones for the kids at the festival.

A replica of Annavaram temple of Satyanarayana Swamy will be set up and the devotees will be given ‘prasadam’ free of cost.

To oversee the arrangements, a district-level committee headed by collector Neethu Kumari Prasad and 11 sub-committees are set up. Tribals from neighbouring agency areas in West Godavari and Khammam are also invited to take part in the festivities.

Meanwhile, Collector Neethu Kumari Prasad reviewed the arrangements with the officials at Kakinada.

source:  http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / March 27th, 2013

Circle of life

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

model1HF28mar2013

Model Reha Sukheja sports jewellery designed by Suhani Pittie at Lakme Fashion Week Summer / Resort 2013.

Suhani Pittie talks about her fascination for medieval art and paying and ode to Sun God

When she designed a collection called ‘Grunge Begum’ a few seasons ago, those who knew Suhani Pittie understood that she was the Begum, living the life of a modernist and at the same time imbibing the essence of the 200-year-old Pittie mansion in Begum Bazaar. Combining traditional and modern sensibilities has been her forte and with her new collection, Dances With The Earth, Suhani goes a notch higher.

“I have been researching parallel lifestyles or tribal lifestyles for a year and a half. When I started reading, I didn’t know it would all lead to a jewellery collection,” Suhani says, speaking to us a day after showcasing her work at Lakme Fashion Week Summer/Resort 2013.

Suhani uses motifs of the rising sun, chakra, sun rays and the moon in earrings, neckpieces, arm bands, circular bangles, anklets and pendants. “The tribals, be it Aborigines in Australia, Dongrias in Orissa or the Navajos in America are in sync with the earth and comfortable in their old world set up. They worship the tree and are not hungry for a better lifestyle. Their dance forms are circular and there’s a reason behind the colours they use and the jewellery they wear,” says Suhani.

Using copper, one of the first metals used by humans, she dedicates this collection to the spirit of the tribals living in tune with Nature. Dances With The Earth has circular bangles with leaves, sun and moon patterns; anklets with leaves; multiple chakra motifs on pendants; earrings and cord cuff with the rising sun motif; peacock earrings; armbands with sun and moon patterns and the bird crown cord bracelet among other pieces. All of these in some way represent the ‘circle of life’.

Eight months of research on tribal jewellery were followed by three months of production at her workshop, involving 100 to 120 craftsmen. “A new girl in the factory, impressed by the surface ornamentation way we were working on the pieces, asked me how long the show would be. She was surprised when I told her the duration of our show at Fashion Week would be only 5 min 45 seconds,” laughs Suhani.

The last few years have seen Suhani grow from strength to strength. She figured in the World Gold Council’s list of top 10 most inventive and ingenious jewellery designers of the world and was the only Indian jewellery designer to showcase her work at the Miami Fashion Week. With her new collection, she seems to be taking the next step in experimentation. “As a designer, I feel I’ve matured with this collection. There’s a lot of depth and we are proud of the textures on the surface,” says Suhani.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Features> Metro Plus> Fashion / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / Hyderabad, March 26th, 2013