Azharuddin boosts Toronto fundraiser

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's

Mohd Azharuddin and Iftekhar Shareef at Toronto event

Toronto:
Mohammad Azharuddin attracted a large number of Hyderabadi community members in Toronto on a recent visit. He was invited as the chief guest for a fundraiser event to support Peace Services, a welfare organization for elders and youths.
Azharuddin proved that he was still the magnet for overseas Indian community as more than 200 people attended the Peace Services fundraiser at Shingar Banquet Hall, Brampton, Ontario. Almost everyone was keen to meet Azharuddin on one to one basis. Azharuddin was accompanied by Iftekhar Shareef, the FIA trustee and a Chicago community activist.
The Indian Hyderabadi community in Toronto extended warm greetings to Azharuddin and Shareef. The fundraiser event was organized by members of Peace Services (Prevention of Elder Abuse and Community Education Services). Moiz Khan, President, Peace Services received the guests and spoke about the activities of Peace Services.
He informed that since 2007 Peace Services is catering to welfare programs for seniors and new immigrants. Welfare programs included free computer classes, health awareness seminars for elders and spoken English classes for all.
However, the organization focused on welfare of elders; help provide food and shelter to neglected elders and educate their young family members about the importance of elders.
Iftekhar Shareef expressed his excitement at meeting the Indian Hyderabadi community in Toronto. He said when members of Peace Services approached him to get Azharuddin for the event; he could not refuse in view of the noble cause undertaken by the organization. Azharuddin also emphasized that he could not refuse to Iftekhar Shareef, though it was time for hectic political activities in India. He, however remarked that Canada was always a tough ground for him, but the event offered an opportunity to meet old schoolmates and friends from Hyderabad. As the fundraiser event concluded, there was a beeline of Azharuddin fans eager to see him and have a photograph with him.

source: http://www.indiapost.com / Home> Community Post / July 29th, 2012

Helping change the world

Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Dr Sandeep Kishore is an everyday guy. Except for the fact that the Hyderabadi has been profiled by Scientific American as one of the nine leading global leaders, alongside former American President Jimmy Carter, himself a Nobel Prize winner (Peace, 2002). So, how did a guy who calls Mehdipatnam home get elevated to such an elite club? Here’s the story of dedication, ambition and a plan for the entire world.

Tell us about your Hyderabad connection..
My parents, Dr Anand Kishore and Dr Lakshmi Kishore are from Mehdipatnam. They studied at Osmania University’s Medical College. When I visited, I gave lectures at the OU and government schools.

What’s your big idea?
For the past three years, I’ve been building a community of youth — now 1100 from 80 countries — to change the course of health in this century.

We are currently focusing on the determinants of the health issues accompanying urbanisation and industrialisation — tobacco, poor diets, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. The Young Professionals Chronic Disease Network has organised 15 “glocal” youth communities to petition for societal change.

What was the most difficult part of completing a PhD?
A PhD is tough work as you must deal with failure… lots of it. Ninety-nine per cent of your experiments don’t work. But you must persevere. You must keep thinking differently. As Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

What plans do you have for India?
I plan to complete my medical training to become a doctor. The biggest challenge I see are that of chronic diseases. Issues such as depression, diabetes, cancer, heart disease are difficult to tackle — and they strike at how we live, age, work and play. In the Indian context, there is much work to be done on developing a strong system of public health to prevent (rather than just cure) by focusing on the “causes of the causes”. I want to participate in the re-imagining of India.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Tabloid> Glam Sham / by Babli Yadav, DC / August 03rd, 2012

London Olympics: Parupalli Kashyap and Saina Nehwal make history

Records, All, Sports

Parupalli Kashyap and Saina Nehwal.

Parupalli Kashyap created history as he became the first Indian male badminton player to enter the quarter-finals at the Olympics.

Indian badminton has become synonymous with Saina Nehwal, but Kashyap too has caught the eye in London, and on Wednesday, he defeated Sri Lankan Niluka Karunaratne 21-14, 15-21, 21-9.

Later in the day, Saina too made it to the quarter-finals of the women’s singles, with a 21-14, 21-16 victory over Jie Yao.

The world No.5 tired out the Chinese-born Dutch by engaging her in rallies and executed her strokes with perfection in a 40-minute match.

After two easy matches in the group stages, it was a good workout for the 22-year-old, who will take on two-time All England champion Tine Baun of Denmark. Baun progressed after her opponent, Sayaka Sato of Japan, retired.

Before Kashyap, the best performance from an Indian man came at Barcelona 1992, when Dipankar Bhattacharya made it to the pre-quarter finals.

“I cannot express how happy I am,” said the 25-year-old Kashyap at the Wembley Arena.

“It was a very tough match, tougher than what the scores suggest. I am happy that I was able to keep my concentration and focus. I never imagined I would be in the quarter-finals of the Olympics. I am still hoping my parents will be able to come and see me play as they are waiting for their visas.”

Interestingly, Kashyap is not too bothered even as he plays World No.1 Lee Chong Wei (Malaysia) next. “Right now I am not bothered about my opponent. It is the quarter-final of the Olympics and things get much tougher from now on,” he added.

In the first game, it was Niluka who raced to a 7-4 lead with some stinging smashes and delectable drops. Thereafter, Kashyap came into his own with powerful smashes to level the score at 9-all before jumping to a 17-11 lead. He eventually won the game 21-14.

In the second game, Niluka did not give up. Realising that the Indian played at a fast pace, Niluka slowed down the game by engaging the Indian in long rallies.

That resulted in Kashyap making unforced errors. Though the Hyderabadi managed to save eight game points, he went on to lose the game 15-21.

There was no mistaking Kashyap’s superiority in the decider. He stepped up the pace with some scorching smashes and was the master at the net. He opened up an 8-3 lead and then sealed victory at 21-9.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / Home> Sports> Olympics 2012> Latest News- London Olympics 2012 / by S. Kannan / London, August 02nd, 2012

SBI loans for entrepreneurs

Business & Economy

JRD Tata Best Entrepreneur award being presented to Bharat Biotech International Ltd. Chairman and Managing Director Krishna M. Ella in Vijayawada on Monday. /  Photo: Raju V. / The Hindu

State Bank of India will sanction loans for deserving entrepreneurs, promised the Assistant General Manager of the Bank S. Jayarami Reddy on Monday.

State Bank of India will sanction loans for deserving entrepreneurs promised the Assistant General Manager of the Bank S. Jayarami Reddy on Monday.

Speaking at the “J.R.D. Tata Memorial Lecture” organised by the J.R.D. Tata Industrial Estate Association in Vijayawada he said that South Indians were generally service oriented and do not take the risks of investing in a business. He opined that it was time this changed and that people take inspiration from persons like J.R.D. Tata, start a business and in turn provide employment to many others. The programme conducted to celebrate the 108 Birth Anniversary of J.R.D. Tata, started off with an address by the Chairman P. Ravi Kumar. He gave a brief introduction of the Association, started in the year 1999, it has 3,000 members at present. He announced that they had applied for Rs.7.7 crore which they plan to utilize for social welfare activities like drains, roads betterment etc.

Former Andhra Pradesh State Minister for Agriculture Vadde Sobhanadreeswara Rao, Chief Guest for the programme spoke on this occasion.

A special award “J.R.D. Tata Best Entrepreneur Award” was given to the Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Limited Krishna M.Ella on this occasion. He gave a special lecture where he emphasized the importance and need for more entrepreneurs in India.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff  Reporter> July 31st, 2012

Katrina Kaif unveils new collection at Gitanjali Jewels – Punjagutta showroom

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Katrina Kaif, the queen of Bollywood visited Gitanjali Jewels, Punjagutta showroom to unveil the new wedding collection by Nakshatra. Present at the occasion was the Channel partner (Somajiuda) – Mr. Prem Agarwal along with Mr. Karthikeyan Vishnu (VP – Gitanjali Jewellery Retail Ltd).
Gitanjali Jewels Somajiguda showroom showcases the newly launched Nakshatra wedding jewellery collection keeping in mind the upcoming Wedding and festive season.  This collection would be available in all of its 75 showrooms spread across India.
The Showroom also showcases designs and collections that are modern yet contemporary and very elegant, something that would appeal to women of all age groups.
Commenting on the occassion, Bollywood diva & brand ambassador of Nakshatra, Katrina Kaif said, ‘The journey with Gitanjali as a brand ambassador of Nak shatra has been a wonderful experience and I am glad to be here today to unveil the wedding collection by Nakshatra in the city of royalty.
Product range and designs has been the strength of Gitanjali Jewels which offers over 50,000 designs through its vast network of 75 showrooms across India.
Gitanjali Jewels – Somajiguda showroom has completed almost 2 years of serving Hyderabad Nawab  customers with an extensive range of products that are personifications of elegance and grandeur; designed to celebrate the enigma of a woman.
Gitanjali Jewels focuses on Quality, Purity, Variety and Exceptional Customer Service which enhances the jewellery buying experience for the customers. The authenticity of the products is ensured with third party certifications (IGI certification for diamond jewellery and BIS 916 Hallmark for goldjewellery), a result of which the Hyderabadis have been comin g back for more.
Gitanjali Group is th e world’s largest integrated branded jewellery manufacturer-retailer with an annual turnover of over USD 2.5 billion.
The Group pioneered jewellery retail revolution in India by launching Gili way back in 1994. Gitanjali today owns and distributes eight out of the top ten jewellery brands in the country including Gili, Nakshatra, Asmi, D’damas, Sangini, Diya, Nizam & Parineeta.
At an International level, Gitanjali enjoys direct access to the US retail market through 110 high end stores under Samuels Jewelers Inc. which is a specialty retail chain in the US. acquired by the group in 2006.
Some of the famous Gitanjali Brands are endorsed by renowned celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Bipasha Basu, Sonakshi Sinha and Anushka Sharma to name a few.
Today the Group’s activities are spread across the entire value chai n from rough diamond sourcing, cutting, polishing and distribution, and jewellery manufacture, to jewellery branding and retail, as well as global lifestyle brands, in India and abroad.
source: http://www.DiamondNe.ws / Home> Company News / by Pauline / July 31st, 2012

 

Eptisa has been awarded their first project in India

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

The project consists in performing a safety audit for the Hyderabad Metro

Eptisa (in consortium with Info Trans Engineers Pvt. Ltd.) was awarded with their first contract in India consists in carrying out a “Safety Audit for the Hyderabad Metro”. The project was financed by the “Hyberabad Metro Rail Limited” for a budget of 12.954.684 INR (Indian Rupees), equivalent to 184.479,22 Euros.

Hyderabad, the capital city of the Andhra Pradesh state, has one of the fastest growing metros in India. The strategic geographical location of this multilingual cosmopolitan city as well as the pro-active policies of the state government are making of Hyberabad an attractive destination and a flourishing centre for trade and commerce. However without a comfortable and efficient public transportation system, traffic and transportation in Hyderabad become a matter of concern.

The existing public transport in the city is mainly constituted by buses, which are run by Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC). The rapid growth of the city, rising income levels and lack of a good public transport system have resulted in a huge increase in the number of private vehicles, with subsequent consequences such as frequent traffic jams and high pollution levels in the city.

Based on the figures from the Traffic and Transportation surveys carried out by various agencies, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has approved the development of the Hyderabad Metro Rail (MRTS) in three high density traffic corridors covering over 71 km:

  • Corridor I: Miyapur – LB Nagar : 28.87kms; 27 stations.
  • Corridor II: JBS – Falaknuma : 14.78 kms; 16 stations.
  • Corridor III: Nagole – Shilparamam : 27.51 kms; 23 stations.

As part of this project Eptisa will undertake the safety audit of the designs and drawings, the Design Basis Reports (DBRs) and other documents prepared by the concessionaire, L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Ltd (L&TMRHL) and various consultants on safety aspects including the elevated viaduct (flyover-like structure accommodating the tracks), the rail alignment, stations and other elevated structures of the metro rail system.

source: http://www.eptisa.com / Home> News / July 26th, 2012

JSW Cement sets up new slag cement plant, India

Business & Economy

JSW Cement has established a 5Mta slag cement plant at Nandyal in Kurnool district, the slag for which is supplied by the company’s steel plant in Karnataka.

RC Sodani, CEO and director of JSW Cement told Business Line India that at the product is being sold at a slightly lower price than OPC, stating: “Our cement unit is in production or the past six months and the market response has been very encouraging so far.”

Currently the company sells slag cement in the southern states and parts of Maharashtra but is planning on exploring other markets in due course, according to Mr Sodani.

On the costing side, he said: “Without compromising on quality, we sell our cement at a slightly lesser cost, INR5 less for a bag than for ordinary cement. We are sure it will make inroads into the market.”

JSW Cement has two smaller cement units in Karnataka with a total capacity of 5.2Mt and has ambitious future expansion plans. Mr Sodani states: “We have plans to take it [capacity] up to 20Mta by 2020 at an additional investment of INR5000 crore.” Units are expected to be set up in Rajasthan, West Bengal and Karnataka.

source: http://www.cement.com / Home> News / ICR Newsroom / July 30th, 2012

It’s rush hour in old city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Ramzan shopping and poor traffic management are making traversing the Charminar area a nightmare. Lack of planning by GHMC in executing the Pedestrianisation Project is only adding to the woes of pedestrians and motorists.

The rush of shoppers increases almost three-fold in the first three weeks of Ramzan on more than 1 km stretch between Madina and Shalibanda via Charminar. On the last three days of the fasting month this stretch is closed for vehicular traffic at night as thousands visit these markets for Id shopping. “In the first place the GHMC has inflicted a devastating impact on our business by senseless erection of boulders as part of the pedestrianisation project. To add to it, traffic cops allow carts on the road. We are having a tough time,” says Rahul Agarwal, a jeweller.

“Though traffic and police authorities are aware of the difficult situation during Ramzan, no plan to ease the traffic congestion has been made. It takes more than half an hour to cross Charminar from Afzal-gunj during this season which normally takes only a few minutes when there is no traffic,” says Faheem from Shalibanda. “Ramzan has just started, after the first week of August when people will have received their salaries and will have money to spend, the number of shoppers will increase,” says another shopkeeper Abbas Mehdi. Alternative parking arrangements would have eased traffic congestion at Charminar, especially during the Ramzan season.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Hyderabad / DC, Hyderabad / July 30th, 2012

 

Indigenous sports too need to be encouraged: Nadendla Manohar

Sports

Speaker Nadendla Manohar (third from left), Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal (second from left), international TT player Spoorthy (extreme left), and archer Jyothi Surekha releasing copies of redesigned Sportstar in Vijayawada on Wednesday. / Photo: ch. Vijaya Bhaskar

Assembly Speaker appreciates the contemporary design of Sportstar

In a country where cricket is religion, there is a need to focus on other sports too so that a large number of up-and-coming sportspersons could bring laurels in Olympics and other events, Speaker Nadendla Manohar has said.

Formally launching the redesigned Sportstar at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium here on Wednesday along with Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, he said: “Before the advent of televisions, the inspiring stories of great sporting personalities did help me and many others. Even today I look forward to the arrival of every new issue of Sportstar.” Mr. Manohar appreciated the new design of the magazine, which, he said, was contemporary.

Parents should not focus only on academics of their children and force them to pursue careers in engineering and medicine. Children should be encouraged to pursue sports too from a tender age. He appreciated the support being given to international TT player Karanam Spoorthy and archer Jyothi Surekha, who were on the dais. Addressing the large number of office-bearers of several sports associations and parents, Mr. Manohar asked them not to depend only on government funds. He wanted philanthropists to fund infrastructure needs locally. In addition to cricket, kabaddi, kho-kho and other indigenous sports should be encouraged, he felt. In the primary education sector, the investment in India was very meagre and the country stood 45 in the world according to a recent survey, he observed.

He promised to fulfil the government’s promise to support the Volga Archery Academy in Vijayawada to fulfil former coach Lenin’s dreams.

Mr. Rajagopal, a TT player himself, was reminded of his match with Spoorthy. Stating that he appreciated the quality of Sportstar, the MP said he never knew it was from The Hindu group. He lauded the quality posters that the magazine publishes, which inspire many youth.

He requested ACA secretary Gokaraju Gangaraju to spend some money in promoting other sports too, though something was being done now. The MP was appreciative of the efforts of archery coach Satyanarayana for his efforts.

The two young sportspersons thanked their coaches and the government for supporting them in their respective games and promised to bring laurels to Vijayawada and the country.

Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association secretary Punniah Chowdhary, Krishna District Olympic Association secretary K.P. Rao, Andhra Pradesh TT Association secretary S.M. Sultan, and the ACA secretary spoke on the occasion.

District Sports Development Officer P. Ramakrishna said there were many talented players in many disciplines in Vijayawada, which had emerged as a sporting hub.

Sportstar can focus on the local talent to give them encouragement, he opined.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / July 26th, 2012

Thyagaraja music fete from tomorrow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

‘Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani’ to be conferred on three musicians

Classical music/dance lovers are in for a visual and aural treat from July 29 (Sunday), when the 70th Sri Thyagaraja Annual Festival of Music and Dance will begin at Sri Thyagaraja Mandapam. Sri Venkateswara Vedic University Vice-Chancellor S.Sudarsana Sarma will inaugurate the programme, while TTD Chairman Kanumuri Bapi Raju and Executive Officer L.V. Subrahmanyam take part.

The 11-day event in the temple city will be a mix of concerts by some of the reputed as well as upcoming artistes from across the country. Reputed instrumentalists like T. N. Krishnan (violin), N. Ramani (flute), U. Srinivas (mandolin), Geetha Krishnamurthy (Veena), Jayanti Kumaresh (Veena) and vocalists Bombay Sisters, Charumathi Ramachandran, Panthula Rama, M. S. Sheela, T. M. Krishna etc. will perform on the occasion. “A total of 29 programmes by 32 artistes will be the highlight this year, while Kathak dance performance by Saptharshi Roy and ‘Harikatha’ by scholar Simhachala Sastri are expected to be different,” K. V. Ranganathan, executive chairman of Sri Thyagaraja Trust, said at a media conference here on Friday. He said plans were afoot to modify the hall into an all-encompassing air-conditioned auditorium to generate income for the trust.

Honorary title

This year, the honorary title ‘Sapthagiri Sangeetha Vidwanmani’ will be conferred on vocalist Malladi Suribabu, violinist T. Rukmini and Mridangam exponent Guruvayur Dorai. The honour includes draping of a silk shawl and presentation of a gold dollar, a memento and a citation. V. Shankar, president of Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts and Sangeetha Sabha, Mumbai, who is also the chief patron of Sri Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham, will present the awards.

General secretary Kanchi Raghuram, treasurer V. S. Narasimhachari, trustees Subrahmanyam Reddy, Venugopal Reddy, M. Dorai Raj, K. Vidyasagar and Sundarrami Reddy were present.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Tirupati, July 28th, 2012