No effort will be spared to promote Brand Vizag, says Purandeswari

Business & Economy

Union Minister D. Purandeswari interacting with investors at a meeting in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. Photo: K.R. Deepak

‘Pursuing demand for formation of separate railway zone’

Union Minister of State for Industry & Commerce D. Purandeswari on Wednesday said she had been working relentlessly to promote Brand Vizag so as to make it an ideal destination for investments in the industries, tourism, health, education, and other sectors.

She was speaking during an interaction with industrialists here at Hotel Four Points by Sheraton organised by a group of entrepreneurs.

Stating that as per her pre-poll promise, she had been pursuing the demand for formation of a separate railway zone with headquarters in the city. “If the Railway Board is averse to formation of new zone, let the Waltair division be merged with the South Central Railway,” she said.

Recalling her talks with Railway Minister P.K. Bansal and Minister of State K. Suryaprakash Reddy, Ms. Purandeswari said she had strongly opposed the reported bid to shift the proposed location of Railway Wagon Maintenance factory from Duvvada to Odisha. She shot off a letter to Mr. Bansal and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to register her protest against “step-motherly” treatment being meted out to Visakhapatnam.

Ms. Purandeswari said she had demanded introduction of direct trains to Chennai and Varanasi from the city.

Advocating integrated development of the city and its periphery, she said a study was being conducted by IIT-Delhi to find out ways and means for planned development of Visakhapatnam as an international city.

On the demand for relaxation of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) to pave way for investments in hotels and health resorts all along the coast, the Union Minister said she would pursue the matter with the authorities concerned. The Minister said once financial closure was achieved, NHAI would convert highway roads inside the city into six lanes at a cost of Rs. 863 crore with several underpasses and flyovers.

She said the city needed several multi-level parking complexes. Underlining the potential to put Visakhapatnam on world tourism map, she said temple tourism, health tourism, as well as leisure tourism could be promoted in a big way.

She said the Centre would release Rs.50 crore for developing the beach road from the city to Bhimili as a tourist corridor.

Rushikonda IT Park Association president P. Vishnu Kumar Raju presided and vice-president O. Naresh Kumar welcomed.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / February 21st, 2013

Nizam’s classic Napier cars park at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Napier cars of VI Nizam Mir Mahboob Ali Khan on display at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad.

The Napier cars were earlier showcased at the Cartier ‘Travel with Style’ Concours D’elegance 2013, a vintage car exhibition, held in Mumbai.

With five such cars, the Nizam of Hyderabad was the single largest owner of Napier cars in India.

The seating of the car is arranged in such a way that the occupants faced the Nizam, who took a central seat in the car.

Napier cars of the Nizam are being moved during a display at Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / Agencies / February 20th, 2013

Where leisure meets its destiny

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Given the mounting concerns over safety in public places, Shilparamam has stepped up its security apparatus with the installation of CCTV cameras to keep an eye on the sprawling campus.

One of the popular leisure and shopping destinations in the city, Shilparamam, spread across 65 acres, is visited by thousands every day including tourists from other States. Hosting art and cultural activities, it is also a major attraction for foreign tourists visiting the city.

Strict monitoring

“Already, eight CCTV cameras have been installed at vantage points, and more will be added. As of now, we are able to monitor key points including an uninterrupted vigil of the entrance,” says G.N. Rao, Special Officer, Shilparamam. The strength of security staff has also been raised for more visible presence, he adds.

Nearly 100 sentry guards have been deployed at different areas including the recently opened Night Bazar. Conceived and developed as an art and crafts village with facilities to host cultural events, Shilparamam has nearly 300 artisans from across the country setting up stalls with their goods throughout the year.

On special occasions such as Sankranti, Navaratri and New Year’s eve, the number of artisans swells to nearly 700. “Shilparamam complex has also turned into a much favoured destination for cultural activities, and more than 475 different cultural events were hosted last year,” says Mr. Rao.

A recent addition to the campus is the Sculpture Park where sculptors from across the country participate in a camp and engage themselves in the creation of works of art. Along with a few old ones, a total of 80 sculptures have been put on display at Shilparamam. Meanwhile, the authorities are planning to expand the concept of Shilparamam to other parts of the Andhra Pradesh including a centre at Bhadrachalam.

Sculpture park

“At Bhadrachalam, we are working on a sculpture park and given the mythological appeal of the place, the idea is to base it on the Ramayana theme,” he says. The locations where the much-admired Shilparamam centres have been set up or are under development include Kadapa, Tirupati, Pulivendula, Visakhapatnam, Puttaparthi and Kakinada.

“On an average, a total of 22.5 lakh persons visit these centres every year,” Mr. Rao adds.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by T. Lalith Singh / February 20th, 2013

Best time for office in Hyderabad is, now!

Business & Economy

With the sluggish economy and political uncertainty, Hyderabad’s office space rentals have declined by a whopping 22 per cent in 2012, making it the cheapest city among India’s top eight cities. It is also the second cheapest in the world. So, it’s the best time to buy office space as this scenario is not expected to stay longer.

“In the next five years, Hyderabad is expected to witness office space supply of 25 million square feet. Out of which approximately 22 million square feet is expected to be in demand immediately. Demand is driven by the increase in sectors like engineering, professional services and technical services in the city,” said Sanjay Dutt, executive managing director, South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield.

Among three prime locations for offices, central business district, which comprises SP Road, Raj Bhawan Road, Panjagutta and Somajiguda, are expected to see decline in rentals as more and more offices shift to cheaper locations in the peripheral business district like Hitec City, Madhapur, Gachibowli and Kondapur. “CBD saw a sharp drop of 22 per cent during October to December period because developers were trying to lease the limited available stock at competitive prices.

Also, with most companies trying to be cost-conscious in the backdrop of moderating economic growth and increasing costs, Hyderabad appears to be the best place as it offers the most affordable office space in India. According to another real estate research firm Jones Lang LaSalle, Hyderabad’s costliest place — Banjara Hills — has a rental tag of Rs 50 to Rs 60 per sft compared `75 for SB Road of similar category in Pune.

The city also has excellent infrastructure, which is key for a good standard of living. “A number of factors will act as catalyst for the growth,” explained Sanjay Dutt.

According to him, “The leasing activity in Hyderabad is likely to gain momentum in the next 6-9 months with improvement in economic conditions and market sentiments and continued demand from IT and ITeS sector.”

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / by DDC, S. Umamahesh / February 17th, 2013

S.D. Eye Hospital gets new equipment

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

State-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital has installed a mechanised laundry system worth Rs. 16.4 lakh to ensure supply of clean linen throughout the year for its surgeons. The hospital is also set to receive medical equipment worth Rs. 6 crore so as to enable high-end services.

The shortage of clean linen to take up surgeries and other infrastructure frailties at the hospital were highlighted in these columns recently.

Hospital Superintendent P.V. Nanda Kumar said infrastructure weaknesses were being addressed in a big way.

“With the addition of the new equipment and mechanised laundry, things will start looking up at the hospital,” he said.

Relief for patients

Till recently, hospital doctors were forced to send patients to outside facilities for diagnostic and surgical services. The hospital would also be able to offer medical services to diabetic patients.

“Diabetic retinopathy is a common condition. Now, we will not have to send such patients outside. We are acquiring Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), which is required to take high-resolution images of retina to detect such ailments,” Dr. Nanda Kumar said.

Already, the hospital has received medial equipment worth Rs. 1 crore including a viterctomy machine for surgeries, slit lamps for eye inspection, microscopes, special lenses and green laser for surgeries.

“These are high-end equipment, needed for complicated surgeries. We used to refer patients to private hospitals to avail such services,” the Superintendent pointed out.

Additional equipment like three phaco-machines for cataract surgeries, special scanning machines, high-end powerful microscopes including an OCT are being procured. The new equipment is likely to be made operational in another month, he said.

The hospital surgeons are capable of performing high-end surgeries to treat near and far sightedness.

“For such surgeries, we are waiting for a Lasik machine,” Dr. Kumar said, hopeful of obtaining it at the earliest.

 

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home>  National> Andhra Pradesh / by M. Sai Gopal / February 15th, 2013

APCOST to organise contests for teachers and students

Education, Science & Technology

The Andhra Pradesh Council of Science and Technology (APCOST), Government of Andhra Pradesh, will organise competitions for students and teachers on February 26 and 27, in connection with the National Science Day. Students of classes 8, 9, and 10 are eligible to participate in the contest.

In the first category, one student can display the project along with a teacher on February 26, and in second category, one teacher can exhibit his/her project the next day.

There is no fee. Interested students and teachers can register their names by February 20, by calling 0866-2414161 during working hours, or by sending e-mail toapcost_vijayawada@yahoo.comorapcost_regionalsciencecentre_vja@ yahoo.com, said APCOST in-charge officer J. Dilleswara Rao.

Only three projects will be allowed from one institution. Three prizes would be awarded for each category (for students and teachers separately).

Prizes would be distributed at a function on February 27, Mr. Rao said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada, February 16th, 2013

Biggest cancer registry in Hyderabad soon

Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

In a significant move that could open doors to effective cancer control strategies, the city is all set to have its own population-based cancer registry by the end of this year, which will help authorities find out more about the lifestyle disease.

While oncologists say that cancer of the head and neck, stomach, cervical and breasts are the most common, there is no centralized data available for evaluation by researchers. Andhra Pradesh  accounts for an estimated 1.2 lakh new cancer cases out of 12 lakh cases every year in India.

So far, all metros including Delhi and Mumbai, and even Thiruvananthapuram and almost all northeastern states have population-based cancer registries. “The cancer registry of Greater Hyderabad will be one of the biggest area-wise as it will cover adjacent municipalities as well unlike other registries,” said Dr D Raghunadha Rao, professor of medical oncology, Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences  (Nims). Dr Rao said that Nims will maintain the population-based cancer registry for Greater Hyderabad.

The decision follows the Indian Council of Medical Research’s nod to start a population-based cancer registry. Authorities plan to start operations after funds are released. “It is a Government of India project and will begin this year,” Dr Rao maintained.

As per the proposed estimates, the teaching hospital will require Rs 30-35 lakh annually to maintain the registry of demographic information, medical history, diagnostic findings, cancer therapy and follow-up details of cancer patients from Hyderabad. The data will be used to evaluate quality of life, calculate survival rates, analyze referral pattern, and evaluate efficacy of treatment modalities.

Experts said that knowing patterns of cancer across the country would provide important leads in undertaking research to know the cause of the disease, in targeting cancer control measures and in examining clinical outcomes.

Currently, there are 27 population-based cancer registries in India. While all metros are covered except Hyderabad, other registries are in Bhopal, Thiruvananthapuram and in almost all northerneastern states among others.

The cancer incidence in Hyderabad is so far not known and experts said that this is where the registry’s role comes into play. The registries in other metros have revealed some interesting details in the recent past such as the drop in cervical cancer  incidence in urban areas in Mumbai, Chennai as well as Thiruvananthapuram. Also, Bangalore-based National Cancer Registry found that 90% of the cancer hospitals do not follow up on patients.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Bushra Baseerat, TNN / February 18th, 2013

Golden oldies take trip down memory lane

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Records, All

Students of the 1953 batch of Keshava Memorial High School with their family members on Sunday. / Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

Reunion meet of 1953 batch students held at Keshav Memorial High School

It was a Sunday, but the atmosphere at Keshav Memorial High School in Narayanguda was lively. Looking at a decades-old photograph hung in a hall, a group of elderly people tried to identify themselves, their best friends and teachers.

Childhood memories

Cracking jokes at each other, they recollected their childhood memories and enquired about their well being. This was the scene at “Sneha Sashtipoorti”, a reunion meet of 1953 students’ batch of Keshav Memorial High School. “It’s been 60 years since we were in school and that’s the reason, we named it as Sneha Sashtipoorti,” said Veturi Yoganandam, convenor of the programme. Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao was chief guest for the event. “Age is just a number. Even today, I still want to act in movies and dance. These programmes remind me of my childhood and its memories. Meeting old friends rejuvenates us,” was the veteran actor’s message.

Though most of them in the batch were aged between 67 and 70 years, their zeal to organise the programme was quite spirited. It took days of planning, gathering information and addresses, communication etc but ultimately it paid off as 40 out of 70 students turned up for the event, claimed Mr. Yoganandam. “We have lot of memories associated with this school. Like most students, we too used to bunk classes and watched English movies in Deepak Mahal talkies. Of course, later we were punished,” laughs S. Prahalada Kumar, a retired JNTU professor.

As a mark of recognition and love for their teachers, they felicitated mathematics teacher Bhujanga Rao and social teacher Venkateshwar Rao. “Our teachers used to punish us, but it was out of love and affection. They always strived for overall development of students. Besides academics, they stressed on moral and physical education,” says Chandramohan, a businessman. “We used to play lot of football, volleyball and other games in the school and feel sorry for the present generation students as they lack sufficient playgrounds and quality education,” he adds.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / February 18th, 2013

Goldplus opens showroom in Warangal

Business & Economy
Hyderabad , FEB. 15:

Goldplus, a Tata Group business, today inaugurated a newer and bigger showroom in Warangal. The retail store will house an extensive range of pure gold, diamond, diamantine and precious stones collections to give customers a more elaborate and enhanced shopping experience.

The showroom was inaugurated by Subramaniam S., Chief Finance Officer, Titan Industries Ltd. Goldplus stores offers exchange option, gold purity checks – ‘Karatmeter’, jewellery service.

Goldplus also offers gold investments schemes such as Goldplus future jewellery purchase scheme and Goldplus future scheme.

Goldplus caters to consumers in semi-urban and rural India with a chain of 31 retail stores spread across four states. Jewellery is made at its manufacturing facility at Hosur, Tamil Nadu.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry> Marketing / by the Hindu’s Bureau / Hyderabad, February 15th, 2013

Honours for Hyderabad, heartbreak for NFC

Sports

Nagpur :

When  Hyderabad Globe Football Club  did the three cheers to celebrate, acknowledge and appreciate the presence of a huge turnout at the Military Ground in Kamptee on Friday, they were joined by a couple of hundred of their supporters. It was such a day, when the semi professional outfit from Andhra Pradesh, established in 1962, dominated the proceedings to capture their 9th All-India crown on the trot.

In a high quality final, full of thrill and drama, Hyderabad took Nagpur FC in their strides to snatch a thrilling 1-0 triumph to lift the Haji Majeed Ahmed Majju Seth All-India Gold Cup Football Trophy.

The presence of almost 7,000-strong crowd may have set the competitive juices flowing in both camps as the summit clash between two of the professional outfits witnessed a fast paced and attacking football.

With four Nigerain players in their roster, the Hyderabad FC, appearing in red and black outfit, clearly had the upper hand against NFC men donning orange and whites. However, a rock-solid defense by the rivals and some of their own misfortune kept them away from scoring. They depended far too much on their two Nigerian strikers in  Mohammad Yousuf  and John Tebo as Hyderabad missed almost seven goal scoring opportunities which kept the first half goalless.

Replacing their fourth Nigerian, Mike, with Mohammad Mustafa in the 58th minute, however, did the trick for Wahab Ansari’s boys. No sooner than the 24-year-old Mustafa entered the field, he seized Hyderabad’s first big opportunity. Displaying his athletic skills, Mustafa dribbled the ball past a couple of NFC defenders to feed a lovely through pass to Sayed Nasar. The timing of the pass was so perfect that Nasar was required to just tap the ball past the NFC custodian which he did without fuss. Nasar placed the ball to the right corner of the net from the centre. The match winning goal came in the 63rd minute.

Hyderabad received prize money of Rs 51,000 lakhs along with a trophy from the chief guest Chandrashekhar Bawankule, MLA, while the runners-up, NFC, picked up Rs 31,000 cash and a trophy. Former minister Anees Ahmed presided over the concluding function.

Delighted with the triumph, Hyderabad skipper Alamdar Raza in a chat with TOI said, “Total team effort helped us win our 9th All-India crown in succession. Expectations were high for so naturally we were under pressure. But the way all our players held their positions enabled us to lift the cup. I would also like to appreciate the huge turnout in Kamptee. Having played many championships, this is for the first time in my life that I have seen such a disciplined public.”

Individual prizes

Player of the tournament: B Shashank (Hyderabad)
Player of the final: Sayed Nasar (Hyderabad)
Best goalkeeper: Mohammad Asif (Hyderabad)
Best midfielder: Tabrez Junaidi (NFC)
Best defender: Ibrahim Khan (NFC)
Best Forward: Aafaque Amir (Range Police)

Upcoming players in the tournament: Arbaz Raza (Eleven Star); Sharique Nadeem, Saquib Anwar (both Young Iqbal); Asheer Akthar (Rabbani Club)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Sports> Football /by Amit Sampat, TNN / February 16th, 2013