‘Rudhramadevi’ shooting starts in Warangal

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

The shooting muhurtha of India’s first historical stereoscopic 3d movie ‘Rudramadevi’ has been done in Warangal thousand pillars temple at 12.22 hrs on 14th February. Anushka  plays the title role and Rana  plays the character of Chalukya Veerabhadra in this film.

Gunasekhar is directing and producing the film under Guna team works banner. ‘Maestro’ Ilayaraja is the music director.

Gunasekhar says, “The Muhurtha shot has been shot on Siva Linga that has been self formed 900 years ago. There is nothing better to start than at the thousand pillar temple which has standout as a testimony to Kakathiya’s grandeur. Inaddition today is a very prosperous day (Panchami) on which over 1,50,000 marriages are being done. So we have started today. The regular shooting of the film starts in April at the huge sets designed by ‘Padmasri’ Thota Tharani. There are many great actors in this film in which Anushka  is acting as Rudramadevi and Rana  as Chalukya Veerabhadra. The test shoot with the 3d cameras has been already done in Germany. Technically, this movie will be of international standards. Foreign technicians are working for Visual effects. I am very happy at my dream of making Rudramadevi coming true. This first historical stereoscopic 3d movie in India definitely allures”.

Anushka  says,” I was very motivated and decided to do the movie when Gunasekhar told me this story. Characters like this come very rarely. I have been taking training in horse riding and sword fighting for this character.This character becomes a milestone in my career. My dream of working with Gunasekhar has come true with this film”.

Rana  says,” I really love historical movies. I regularly practice dialogues in them. I have been very lucky to get Chalukya Veerabhadra’s character in this movie. I am very happy working with Gunasekhar. This will be a prestigious project for me as an actor”.

Art: ‘Padma sri’ Thota tharani, Cinematography: Ajay Vincent, Fights: Ram-Laxman, VFX Supervisor: Kamal Kannan(Prasad VFX), Costumes designer : Neetha Lallu (‘Jodha Akbar’ fame), Music: ‘Maestro’ Ilayaraja ,Story- Screenplay-Direction-Producer: Guna Sekhar.

source: http://www.indiaglitz.com / Home> Channels> Telugu / Thursday, February 14th, 2013

Hyderabad is the world’s second most affordable office market: Survey

Business & Economy

Bangalore :

Hyderabad is the world’s second most affordable office market after  Surabaya in Indonesia , according to a survey, while Chennai and  Pune are at fifth and sixth positions, reinforcing India’s reputation as among the cheapest destinations for foreign firms to set up operations.

“Tier II cities in China and India continue to dominate the list of top-10 most affordable markets globally,” said a survey by consultancy firm DTZ, which measured occupancy costs per workstation in 126 business districts across 49 countries in 2012.

“2012 has seen office space absorption rates across Indian cities drop by a fifth. We expect the office space absorption to be stable in the current year, driven by signs of overall improvement in global and domestic economies. Rentals are also expected to appreciate across the country,” said Rohit Kumar , head of research at DTZ India.

According to the survey, it costs companies between $2,620 (about Rs 1.41 lakh) and $9,810 (Rs 5.27 lakh) per annum per employee in the top six Indian cities to set up operations, compared with $23,500 (Rs 12.63 lakh) per workstation in London West End .

China’s  Chongqing and Nanjing , followed by Cancun  in  Mexico , also figure among the ten most affordable markets. As per the report, a majority of markets in North Asia  and India saw a 2-10 per cent rise in occupancy costs. This has forced occupiers in many markets to increasingly consider secondary space, particularly where prime space is limited to cut cost.

The total commercial office space absorption for the quarter ended December 2012 was 6.8 million sq ft, a decrease of 19 per cent compared with the previous year. Vacancies across cities are expected to rise in 2013, except Bangalore, a recent report by DTZ India  said.

“Companies continue to consolidate and relocate to less premium locations. Many firms are now looking to cut real estate  costs, which comprises 22-27 per cent of the total operational expenditure, the second biggest component after human resource,” said Sridhar Raghavendra , founder of  FM Zone India , a real estate and facility management firm.

source: http://www.articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com / Home> News> Realty Trends> Policy> Office Space / by Sobia Khan, ET / February 14th, 2013

Tennis stars jubilant over their new-set goal

Business & Economy, Sports

Tennis star Sania Mirza seen with Stephenie Mattek-Sands at the former’s Academy that is coming up in Hyderabad. / Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

The two Grand Slam winners will be back where they simply love to be – on the tennis court. For India’s Sania Mirza and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) will join hands after a brief respite from the hectic schedule to achieve their new-set goal – to be the World No.1 women’s doubles pair. And, if the mood and the bonhomie between the two is any indication during their visit to Sania Mirza Tennis Academy that is fast nearing completion in Murtuzaguda in Hyderabad, then they clearly mean business.

“I enjoy playing with her. Honestly, the chemistry is excellent for we not just partners on the court but even off it maintain a great relationship,” insists the 26-year-old Sania, the only Indian woman player to win two Grand Slam titles, in a chat at the Academy.

Clearly floored by the magnificent Academy that is coming up, with nine synthetic courts to start with and three more clay courts in the future plans, Bethanie, the 2012 Australian Open mixed doubles title-winner, reciprocates to the feelings of her partner.

“Somehow, I am at home playing with her. Mind you, she is a terrific fighter, never gives up easily. This is the beauty of her game,” points out the 27-year-old American.

Well, that the two enjoyed a special bonding was clearly evident when Bethanie and her husband Justin Sands stayed at Sania’s place, went around the city and even had a glance of the famous Hyderabadi’s Ristretto that is coming up in the posh locality of Jubilee Hills in Hyderabad.

“I would love to see you stay here for a longer duration,” was the gentle request of Sania to her partner which had the latter acknowledge it with all warmth.

“Sure. I love this Academy. A perfect setting for any tennis player and surely would like to spend more time on the court very soon,” Bethanie said even while being inquisitive about the future plans of Sania on the Academy which also include floodlighting in the next phase.

Coming back to the more serious business of WTA Tour, Bethanie believes that Sania has lot more tennis left in doubles right now.

“Our dream is to win a Grand Slam title. Once we do that, we will set new goals to chase,” says the smiling American.

“We know it is a very highly competitive and demanding circuit. But we are preparing with all seriousness to make a huge impact on the tennis world,” says the champion duo.

For his part, Imran Mirza, father of Sania Mirza, says that the Academy will be functional in an informal manner when he is planning to have kids to train on these new courts next month itself to give them a feel of what it is all about. “In all probability, the Academy will be operational in all aspects by April this year,” he says.

By all means, it is obvious that the Mirzas are keen to see that Sania Mirza Tennis Academy will be the final destination of training for the young talent. “The whole idea is to give back something to the sport which made me what I am. And being familiar with the travails in moulding raw talent, we are keen to see that the youngsters don’t suffer for want of that,” says Sania.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / February 14th, 2013

Wedding bells to ring loud on Feb. 14 and 15

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Marriage halls in Tirumala, Annavaram booked 90 days in advance

Maghamasam is an auspicious month for marriages, according to the Telugu almanac. Most of the marriages are performed this month.

Generally, there are five or six auspicious dates in the month. But this year, there are only a few muhurthams. More than one lakh bridegrooms in the State will tie the knot on February 14 and 15. Venue being the main problem, marriage halls in Tirupati, Tirumala and Annavaram were booked 90 days in advance. “We booked a marriage hall and accommodation for my daughter about five months ago,” said P. Satyanarayana, who is settled in the US and is performing the marriage in Annavaram. There is a heavy demand for purohits also. “I have asked my son, who is a software engineer in Hyderabad, to come here and take up seven marriages,” said Subrahmanya Sastry of Amalapuram.

Mudham beginning on February 17 and lasting till May 1 is treated as inauspicious for performing any function. Hence, the mad rush for Wednesday and Thursday, according to V. Srirama Ravikumar Sarma, a priest from Eluru.

“I have seven marriage invitations to attend on a single day,” said Kolli Satyavardhan Rao, a jewellery trader of Eluru. There is heavy demand for band troupes too.

Cooks, flower decorators, ‘pelli mandapam’ setters, videographers and material owners are having a field day.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by B.V.S. Bhaskar and G. Nagaraja / Rajahmundry -/Eluru, February 13th, 2013

Chiranjeevi wants Nizam jewels housed in Hyderabad

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

Hyderabad:

Union tourism minister K. Chiranjeevi is keen to have the famous jewellery of the Nizams displayed in a museum in Hyderabad.

The fabulous jewellery, rated among the world’s priceless collections, was purchased by the Central government in 1995 for Rs 217 crore (the value would be 10 times more now) after long negotiations between the trustees and government.

The jewellery is currently stashed away in the RBI vaults, after it was exhibited a few times, because the Centre is undecided over where to display it.

Sources said Chiranjeevi plans to meet the PM and the CM to push for Hyderabad’s claim to host the collection.

His close aide said Chiranjeevi wanted the jewellery to stay in Hyderabad since it belongs to the erstwhile rulers of the then Hyderabad State. “He will take up the issue with the state and Central government,” the aide said.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Politics / by C. R. Gowri Shanker / DC, February 14th, 2013

Mary Matha festival concludes

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Vijayawada Catholic Diocese in-charge Bishop Govind Joji addressing a prayer session organised as part of the valedictory of the Mary Matha festival at Gunadala in Vijayawada on Monday. /  Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu /

Vijayawada Catholic Diocese in-charge Bishop Govind Joji on Monday said Mother Mary is the Mother for not just Christians but she is the universal Mother. Addressing scores of devotees on the premises of Bishop Grassi High School at Gunadala at the valedictory session of the three-day Mary Mata festival, the Bishop underscored the significance of the Holy Cross. He said the Holy Cross was a powerful tool for every Christian and one must make effective use of it to ward off evil forces.

He said the house of every Christian was a church and presence of the Holy Cross in it would protect members of the household from all kinds of harm.

“Mary comes to us with the infinite love of a mother and moved by her extraordinary power of intercession through her Son Jesus. She is beautiful, triumphant, resplendent and merciful. She comes to us, surrounded by the celestial court, to untie the knots of our lives. Her love and the love of her Son for us is immense. The Mother wants us to discover this love that will dry the tears from our eyes,” he said.

Later, the holy mass was conducted by Bishop Joji, the Mary Matha Shrine Rector Fr. Chinnappa, Social Service Centre Director M. Prasad, Chancellor Fr. J. Johnraj and other pastors Fr. G. Vijay Kumar, Fr. P. Jaquim, Fr. P. J. Stephen, Fr. A.V. Jairaj, Fr. Lavu Jairaj, Fr. B. L. Francis and others.

Later, Bishop Joji and Fr. Cherian Kunnal were felicitated and students were given scholarships.

source:  http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / February 12th, 2013

Nellore rice, a rage among AP farmers

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Picture for representational purpose only.

Nellore:

A rice variety, NLR 34449 (Nellore Masoori), developed by NG Ranga Agriculture Research Station in Nellore and introduced in the market after successful trials a few years ago has become popular not only in AP but also in neighbouring Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

It is preferred because of high yields to the extent of three to five puttis (one putti is equal to 850 kg of paddy) an acre as against three puttis for other varieties. It is also blast resistant, non-lodging and suitab-le for machine harvesting. The size of the grain is thin and it is among the fine varieties in the market.

Interestingly, farmers of Nellore district are vary of this variety, especially developed for local climatic conditions, because rice traders and millers discourage them by offering meagre price, under the pretext that the quality is poor after cooking, though it was not true.

The traders prefer BPT 5204 (Bapatla) for reasons best known to them. It was alleged that they avoid 34449 because it is difficult to mix them with the low quality rice. Moreover, the traders offer Rs 13,000 to RS 14,000 for 34449 as against Rs 15,000 to Rs 16,000 for BPT 5204. The crop period is around 125 days for 34449 and it is suitable for both rabi and kharif as well as early kharif, said P. Ramesh Babu, principal scientist ARS, Nellore.

He said that there is also good demand for NLR 20084, popularly known as Nellore Molagolukulu variety developed by them. It is not cultivated much in Nellore district because traders and millers pay paltry sum for the crop.

Principal scientist (rice), Dr Y. Suryanarayana of Re-gional Agriculture Resea-rch Station, Maruteru in West Godavari district said that NLR 20084 (Molagolu-kulu) is being raised in large extents in the neighbouring Chittoor, Kadapa and Prakasam districts.

“Yields are very high for this 150-day-long crop and it is resistant to blast (aggitegulu), pests and lodging etc.,” he said and attributed the increasing price of rice in the market to reduction in area of cultivation from 40 lakh hecta-res to 30 lakh hectares. He said cultivation area has come down from 14 lakh hectares to eight lakh hectares during rabi.

Meanwhile, two new variety rice seed, NLR 3041 (Nellore Sona) and NLR 40024 in June last year have been attracting the attention of farmers because of encouraging results during trials. Nellore Sona is widely cultivated all along the north coastal AP due to its quality. NLR 40024 was developed exclusively for cultivation during summer, scientists of ARS said.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Pathri Rajasekhar / February 12th, 2013

Guntur student bags Institute of Chartered Accountants of India prize

Education, Records, All

Guntur :

A student of Guntur, M Vaishnavi, has been selected for the prestigious national award – Sultan Chand Memorial Prize, instituted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). Vaishnavi got the award for emerging topper in professional competence course (PCC) at national level. Vaishnavi is also proficient in nine Indian languages.

In a letter to Mattupalli Mohan, director of a local training institute, ICAI deputy secretary Mahendra Kumar said that Vaishnavi had been selected for the top prize as she was the 1st ranker at the All India level in the PCC-2012. The award will be presented to Vaishnavi at a function in Delhi in the third week of February.tnn Expressing happiness over a Guntur student hitting the headlines for yet another time by grabbing a prestigious award in the commerce stream, Mattupalli Mohan complimented the girl’s father Jagadeesh for braving all odds to see his daughter at the top.

Vaishnavi is eldest of Jagadeesh’s three daughters. “He came all the way from Behrampur in Odisha to Guntur to get her daughter admitted to the best training institute to realize her dream of becoming a chartered accountant

She has brought laurels to her parents and the institute by winning the prestigious prize even before clearing the final,” said a jubilant Mohan here on Saturday.

Jagadeesh of Behrampur in Odisa, is a vendor of computer peripherals and encouraged all the three daughters to pursue the courses of their interest. While Vaishnavi is doing CA in Guntur, his second daughter Vaishali joined medicine stream and the youngest daughter Vaisakhi is in her class IX. Meanwhile, the students of the training institute took out a bike rally in the city to celebrate Vaishnavi’s success in getting the award.

source: http://www.m.timesofindia.com  / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / February 10th, 2013

On a different court: Saina Nehwal joins AP govt’s ‘save power campaign’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Sports

Badminton superstar Saina Nehwal  might have done quite a few endorsements for commercial products; but for the first time, she is going to be a brand ambassador for the Andhra Pradesh government for a public cause.

The  ace shuttler  is going to campaign extensively for State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM), asking the people of all sections to take up energy saving measures so as to minimize power consumption in the wake of severe power crisis staring the state.

“We had a meeting Saina and her coach Pullela Gopichand, the erstwhile badminton star, a couple of days ago and explained the objectives our energy conservation mission. We gave a power point presentation on how the state has been facing an unprecedented power crisis. We explained them how the scarcity of the natural resources like coal, gas and water have led to the present situation of acute power shortage in the state and impact of energy conservation activities,” SECM chief executive officer A Chandrasekhara Reddy told Mail Today on Sunday.

Reddy said for the last few years, there has been indiscriminate use of power by the people, causing tremendous burden on the power utilities. As a result, there has been a huge gap between the demand and supply, as high as 71 million units per day, forcing the power utilities to go in for massive power cuts.

“Though AP’s installed capacity has also reached 16,500 MW, the utilities are not able to utilise even 10,000 MW of capacity due to severe scarcity of fuel, which ultimately warrants the state to go in for energy conservation and energy efficiency measures in a big way,” he said.

The SECM officials told Saina that if everyone in the state was actively involved in this energy conservation mission, the state is estimated to save about 15,000 MU of energy, worth of Rs.7,500 crore every year.

“They were very much impressed with our mission so much that they readily agreed to be part of the programme. And Saina came forward to be a brand ambassador for the government for this mission without charging a rupee, as it is a public cause,” the officials said.

“We will utilise the services of Saina in our promotional activities through short films and other publicity programmes. She agreed to give us time for our programmes whenever she finds time,” Reddy said.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / Home> India Today> Sports> Others Sports> Story / by A. Srinivasa Rao / Hyderabad, February 10th, 2013

Sarojini Pulla Reddy passes away at age 85

Leaders, Records, All

Hyderabad:

Veteran Congress leader and former minister Sarojini Pulla Reddy passed away in the early hours of Sunday at her Bowenpally residence. She was 85.

She was the first woman Mayor of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in 1965. She was also minister for municipal administrat-ion, information and public relations and women and child welfare in various ministries between 1978 and 1982.

Hyderabad’s first woman Mayor Sarojini Pulla Reddy dead

Veteran Congress leader and former minister Sarojini Pulla Reddy passed away early on Sunday at her Bowenpally residence. She was 85.

She was the first woman Mayor of the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation in 1965. She was also minister for municipal administration, information and public relations and women and child welfare in various ministries between 1978-82.

A loyalist of Indira Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, Sarojini Pulla Reddy had served the Congress in various posts. She was also a member of the Congress Working Committee, the highest policy-making body of the party in 2001. She was vice-president of the APCC for several years.

She got elected as an MLA twice from Malakpet Assembly segment in 1967 and 1972.

She became an MLC later. She married chief medical officer Pulla Reddy, who was employed in the South Central Railway in 1945. He passed away in 1970.

Sarojini Reddy was suffering from pancreatic cancer for some time.

Several leaders, including Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah, D.K. Samarasimha Reddy, Dr K. Kesava Rao and others, condoled her death.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Assembly Speaker Nadendla Manohar and many Congress leaders paid their respects at her Bowenpally residence in the Secunderabad Canton-ment area.

Her last rites were performed on Sunday evening at the old Bowenpally area.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / February 04th, 2013