Dutch love for Andhra Pradesh’s Kalamkari

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

They have been learning the famous Kalamkari from the artisans of this small village.

Artists from Netherlands trying their hand at Kalamkari at Pedana in Krishna district. (DC)
Artists from Netherlands trying their hand at Kalamkari at Pedana in Krishna district. (DC)

Vijayawada:

Four artists from the Netherlands who are trying to trace the roots of textile works that are on the display at the famous Rijksmuseum of Amsterdam have reached a nondescript village, Pedana in Krishna district.

They have been learning the famous Kalamkari from the artisans of this small village.

The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands and contains a beautiful old collection of ‘sits’, the Dutch word for Kalamkari textiles. These four artists work in the education department of the Rijksmuseum.

“Our history says the Kalamkari artwork reached Rijksmuseum in the 17th century from this small village. Those days the Dutch settlers brought Kalamkari to the Netherlands from Andhra Pradesh. The Kalamkari used to be expensive and exclusive and not everyone used to possess them since they come by boat. Now we want to know the art for ourselves and came here,” Irma Anne De Bruijne, heads of the arts programme at Rijksmuseum told this newspaper..

“We were welcomed in this little paradise. It is very important that they make textiles in the traditional, sustainable and slow process with the use of organic cotton and natural colours and of course the technique of block printing by hand,” said Anita Manshanden, another artist with the group.

The Dutch artists were bowled over by the talent of the artisans as well as the hospitality extended to them.

“The most important motivation of the Pitchuka family is to maintain and pass this heritage on to the next generation and keep the art alive. The third generation, Pitchuka Varun, is into this traditional art, following his grandfather Pitchuka Veera Subbaiah who is the founder of Kalamkari art in Pedana and father Pitchuka Srinivas,” said team member Elma Van Imhoff

They said Kalamkari contained a great number of techniques and complex processes built up during seven generations of craftsmanship.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by SNV Sudhir / January 08th, 2019

Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates Andhra Pradesh’s seventh airport at Orvakallu

Business & Economy, Records, All

Developed on a 1,010 acre site at a cost of Rs 110 crore, the Orvakallu airport has a 2000-metre runway with four aprons for parking of aircraft.

Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu (File | PTI)
Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu (File | PTI)

Amaravati :

Andhra Pradesh’s seventh airport at Orvakallu near Kurnool city was Tuesday inaugurated by chief minister N Chandrababu Nadu, setting the stage for transforming the region into a more developed area.

The airport has been categorized as ‘3C’ and is capable of handling turboprop aircraft like ATR-72 and Bombardier Q-400.

Developed on a 1,010 acre site at a cost of Rs 110 crore, the Orvakallu airport has a 2000-metre runway with four aprons for parking of aircraft, according to Principal Secretary (Infrastructure and Investment) Ajay Jain.

The Chief Minister said the aviation sector was a key driver of the states economic growth and has the potential to generate jobs even in the backward regions like Rayalaseema and north coastal Andhra.

“Airports could act as growth hubs by providing air connectivity throughout the state and drive the growth of manufacturing sector, tourism and other commercial activities,” Naidu said.

The Orvakallu airport would go a long way in transforming Kurnool and other Rayalaseema districts into more developed areas, he said.

While Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Vijayawada and Tirupati are major airports in Andhra Pradesh, Kadapa, Puttaparthi (not a commercial airport yet) and Orvakallu in Kurnool district are the smaller ones.

Flight services from Orvakallu airport are expected to begin from April.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by PTI / January 08th, 2019

GI tag fails to bring cheer to Venkatagiri weavers

Business & Economy, Records, All
The GI-tagged saris on display at the ongoing National Expo in Nellore.
The GI-tagged saris on display at the ongoing National Expo in Nellore.

‘Powerlooms are pushing us out of business’

Weavers in Venkatagiri, wedded for centuries to their craft, are slowly leaving a profession that was once patronised by kings and queens.

From a glorious past, the weaving community in the area has now been reduced to looking for unskilled jobs in order to survive, despite their exquisite saris getting a Geographical Indication tag.

“The power looms, with their mass-produced saris that come at half the price, have pushed us out of business. The pure cotton sari with elaborate zari work used to sell like hot cakes in the past. Not anymore,” lament weavers in Bangarupeta. Only elderly weavers are still in the profession, making lightweight cotton saris.

Staying afloat

Some young weavers are trying to improvise in order to stay afloat, and are relying on silk weaving as they can get decent returns as the cost of the sari goes up. Depending on the intricate work, a hand-woven sari can fetch anywhere between ₹4,000 to ₹25,000 with the entire family working for five days to make one sari.

“We are capable of making saris that will cost ₹1 lakh apiece for weddings and other special occasions. However, we begin work on such saris only after getting an advance payment,” S. Nagendra tells The Hindu. “We do our best to survive in this profession, such as learning Jacquard weaves,” Nagendra adds.

Weavers in the region have tied up with leading boutiques in Hyderabad and other cities to market their specially-woven saris with elaborate designs within the country and abroad.

Support sought

The weavers say they need more support from the government for their eco-friendly products as several schemes launched by the Union and State governments have failed to reach them in the past. Direct deposit of subsidy to their individual bank accounts would go a long way, the weavers say.

Presently, the weavers get ₹1,000 subsidy on silk yarns worth ₹25,000 per ‘Maggam’. The weavers want the subsidy to be enhanced to at least ₹2,000.

More expos should be organised in cities and towns all through the year to eliminate middlemen, and a special drive to promote saris and dress material made out of organic cotton can go a long way in improving the fortunes of the handwoven cloth makers, the weavers suggest.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Nellore – January 05th, 2019

Guntur: Exporters, tobacco ryots get awards

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All

The board funded a research project for use of solar energy to cure tobacco crop by CTRI at a cost of Rs 35 lakh. 

Guntur :

The Tobacco Board has announced awards to best growers, exporters, traders, and best employees as part its 42nd Formation Day celebrations at Guntur.

Addressing a gathering on Friday, board executive director and chairperson K Sunitha said natural farming way in Flue Cured Verona (FCV) tobacco cultivation was taken up for sustainable tobacco production in the current season. Land has been taken by the board to conduct trials, he added.

The board launched massive campaign for control of pesticides and its residues on the plant to ensure pure tobacco without non-tobacco related material (NTRM), pesticide residues to improve production integrity, she added. The board funded a research project for use of solar energy to cure tobacco crop by CTRI at a cost of Rs 35 lakh.

Sunitha said, “Tobacco Board’s Growers’ Welfare Scheme is an initiative aimed for welfare of tobacco growers and their family members. Under the scheme, the board has created a Tobacco Board’s Growers’ welfare fund.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 06th, 2019

Polavaram project in Guinness World Records for concrete pouring

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The concrete was poured for 24 hours from 8 am on Saturday in the spill channel of the national project.

A view of Polavaram project. (Photo | EPS/P Ravindrababu)
A view of Polavaram project. (Photo | EPS/P Ravindrababu)

Vijayawada :

The attempt by Navayuga Engineering Company Ltd (NECL), the contracting agency executing the major works of the Polavaram Project, to create two world records — most concrete continuously poured in 24 hours and the largest continuous concrete pour — has successfully ended on Monday with the firm pouring 32,100 cubic meters of concrete.

The concrete was poured for 24 hours from 8 am on Sunday in the spill channel of the national project. The adjudicators of the Guinness World Records will formally make an announcement of the same shortly. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will receive the memento of the feat at 2.30 pm.

Even though the firm had initially planned to pour 28,000 cubic meters of concrete in 24 hours, it achieved its target by 5 am on Monday by pouring 28,357 cubic meters. In the subsequent three hours, it poured 3,700 cubic meters more. The current record is held by a Dubai-based contracting group which poured 21,580 cu m of concrete in about 35 hours.

“We are evaluating the log sheets of the concrete poured, which were entered on an hourly basis, besides examining the drone and CCTV camera footage. We will make one announcement by 10/11 am and the other will be announced at 1.30/2 pm,” the official adjudicator of the Guinness World Records, Rishi Nathan, explained. A team of 24 members is working to adjudicate the feat achieved by the NECL.

The Managing Director of NECL, Chinta Sridhar, said that the firm engaged 20 agitator trucks, which delivered concrete from 10 batching plants using 90 concrete mixers. “It is a proud moment for us. But, more than anything, it is a morale boost for us as we are running against the time to complete this mega project, which would serve the entire State. The record is a significant step towards completing the project before the onset of monsoon this year,” he said.

It may be recalled that NECL was brought on board after the termination of the contract with Transstroy (India) Ltd last year. NECL had agreed to execute the project at old rates (2014 Standard Schedule Rates).

Sridhar further explained that the cofferdams in the upper stream and the lower stream will be ready by the month of May. Speaking to TNIE, the MD said, “We have already begun the upper cofferdam works. The designs for the lower cofferdam were submitted. We will have to do 1.1 crore units of concrete works and are aiming to complete them by May.”

Terming it as a historic day, Water Resources minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao credited Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for facilitating the environment to achieve the feat. “It is indeed a historic feat. Despite all the challenges, we have been able to ensure that the works are expedited. We will divert the water through gravity by June this year,” he added.

Buoyed by the success of the Monday’s record, the MD of NECL, C Sridhar, said that the firm was eyeing at outdoing itself with another record soon. “We plan to attempt another record by pouring 65,000 cu m to 70,000 cu m of concrete maybe in March. We will need a month’s preparation for it and hopefully achieve it,” Sridhar told TNI

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 07th, 2019

Indian-American teen on a mission to fight blindness

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli interacting with patients.
Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli interacting with patients.

‘The I Mission’ Sai Hitesh launched supports free screening camps and cataract surgeries for the poor

A 12th grader of Indian origin from the US (Portland, Oregon) is striving to make the world a better place for the visually-impaired through a non-profit that he launched while he was all of 14 years old.

Sai Hitesh Vavilapalli, whose parents migrated from Visakhapatnam to the U.S., flew to India with his parents for the Christmas holidays when he was 14 years old.

“When we were here, my parents would engage in social work at a blind school in Kakinada. It was then I realised I should also do my best to give something back to society, and do something for the underprivileged,” Sai Hitesh said.

After flying back to Portland, Sai Hitesh organised a ‘cultural night’ and raised $4,200, which he used to float his non-profit called ‘The I Mission’.

“Next December, we came back to Visakhapatnam, which is my parents’ hometown. We organised a couple of free eye camps in association with Sankar Foundation Eye Hospital, and performed about 500 free cataract surgeries for the poor,” Sai Hitesh said.

In the last three years, The I Mission has supported over 5,000 free eye screenings, 1,719 cataract surgeries, and 13 retinal detachment surgeries, besides adopting three blind schools in India.

“To fund the camps, we not only conduct cultural events but have also tied up with brands like Nike and Intel. We intend to approach some more corporate firms in the coming years,” the 17-year-old said.

Having started out on his philanthropic journey alone, Sai Hitesh now has a team of 11 like-minded classmates based in Portland.

Cyclone relief

Apart from organising free eye camps, The I Mission also supports victims of natural calamities such as hurricanes.

Recently, the team visited Mara and Mandasa villages in Srikakulam, which were ravaged by cyclone Titli, and provided succour to victims by giving one bag of rice, two garments and cooking utensils to each affected family. “We reached out to over 200 families in both the villages,” he said.

Future plans

Sai Hitesh, who aspires to become a doctor, said he is working with a professor as a research intern at Oregon Health Science University to find out a remedy for cataract and eye problems among the tribals in the Eastern Ghats of India.

Sai Hitesh says The I Mission team intends to take the non-profit to the next level by tying up with corporate brands and spreading its wings across the world.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Sumit Bhattarcharjee / Visakhapatnam – January 05th, 2019

Historic Masonic Temple celebrates 110th anniversary in New Year

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

Newly-elected body decides to allow people to have glimpse of antiques on the premises

Lodge Nicopolis No.81, which is generally known as Vizianagaram IV Masonic Temple, is going to get special attention in the New Year, thanks to the initiatives of newly-elected body for the preservation of its rich heritage and culture.

The Nicopolis No.81 constructed in 1909 by the then Maharaja of Vizianagaram Princely State Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju-IV will celebrate its 110th anniversary in the New Year. The programmes have been planned throughout the year to create awareness about the greatness of the temple which was founded on October 1, 1909.

Poly clinic

As part of the celebration, the new team of the Masonic Temple decided to allow common people to have glimpse of antiques on the premises. An exclusive room for the display of antiques is being created, according to the Worshipful Master of the temple Motamarry Srinivas. The temple also decided to take up service activities such as running poly clinic to ensure medical assistance to poor people at very nominal charges. “Our temple was instrumental in establishment of Polytechnic College in Vizianagaram. It has allocated its prime land for the construction of APSRTC complex, adjacent to the building. We will continue to take more activities in the year 2019-20,” he added.

According to him, the then Raja Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju-IV insisted for the service activities after he was inspired by the activities of such Lodge located in Kolkata. The members of such Lodges were called as brothers. The head of the Lodge is called as Worshipful Master. After serving as a ‘brother’ in Kolkata Lodge, he bought a few acres of prime land from Thotapalem Zamindars. He obtained permission from Scotland for its establishment in Vizianagaram. After serving one year, Mr. Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju relinquished the post and allowed local dignitary C. Mangayya Naidu to take charge Worshipful Master. Only four members of Raja’s family headed the institution.

Former Union Minister of Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju served as Master in the year 1973 and year 2009 on the eve of centenary celebrations.

According to Past Master D.S. Raju, free masonry is directly descended from associations of operative masons who travelled through Europe, employing secrets and skills of their crafts. The cathedral builders of the Middle Ages started to accept others ‘entry into their profession and it led to establishment of Grand Lodges across the world. Masonic Lodge is the basic unit of all Grand Lodges.

“Although the movement started with different reasons, now its primary objective is to serve the society. Honesty in business, fairness in work, love for one another and reverence for the God are promoted through the temple. All these objectives are being fulfilled by Vizianagaram Masonic Temple,” Dr. Raju said. Another Past Master G. Shiva Kumar said that the temple was offering its premises for functions, marriages and other programmes at nominal charges as part of the serving the society.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K Srinivasa Rao / Vizianagaram – January 01st, 2019

Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar sworn in as first Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court

Leaders, Records, All

The AP High Court, temporarily being housed at Chief Minister’s camp office in Vijayawada was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

AP and Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and CM N Chandrababu Naidu greet chief justice of AP high court Praveen Kumar after the swearing-in ceremony of high court judges in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)
AP and Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and CM N Chandrababu Naidu greet chief justice of AP high court Praveen Kumar after the swearing-in ceremony of high court judges in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)

Vijayawada :

Marking a historic day in the annals of Judiciary in Andhra Pradesh, Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court in Vijayawada by Governor ESL Narasimhan on Tuesday. Thirteen other judges were also administered the oath of office on the occasion.

Later, the AP High Court, temporarily being housed at Chief Minister’s camp office in Vijayawada was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of AP High Court Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar observed that with limited resources available at this stage and with some teething problems likely to come up during functioning of the High Court, which everyone has to face. “With your cooperation, we will march ahead. Our aim would be to take this institution to such heights that it would proud off in years to come,” he said.

He said Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi sent a note of appreciation lauding the efforts of Justice NV Ramana in establishing of High Court in Andhra Pradesh. On the occasion, he lauded the efforts and vision of Chief Minister for the new capital city, where Justice City will be coming up, which will be the ultimate seat of High Court in the state.

Justice Praveen Kumar on the occasion noted that that ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort but where he stands at the times of challenge and controversy. “Now is the time to deliver and now is the time to act,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described it as a historical occasion and urged the Judges of High Court and other legal functionaries to bear with the inconvenience for some time as the transit High Court building in Amaravati will be ready in another three weeks. He observed that with shifting of High Court, the physical transfer of institutions has completed.

“We have to cooperate and strive together to make Andhra Pradesh High Court, the youngest High Court in the country, best in the Country,” he said. The Chief Minister also praised the efforts of officials for reading the temporary accommodation for the High Court in short time of four-five days.

Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana said the new transit High Court building will be ready by January 21 and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi will participate in its inauguration. He described the High Court of Andhra Pradesh functioning from Vijayawada today as a momentous occasion.

He recalled the comments of Justice Koda Subba Rao during the inaugural of High Court of Andhra at Guntur on July 5, 1954, and stressed the need of everyone to raise up to the occasion and prove them qualified to enhance the image of the High Court.

Key points:

  • Judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court sworn in on January 1
  • Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar (Chief Justice)
  • Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti
  • Justice Akula Venkata Sesha Sai
  • Justice Mandatha Seetharama Murti
  • Justice Upmaka Durga Prasad Rao
  • Justice Talluri Sunil Chowdaryu
  • Justice Mallavolu Satyanarayana Murthy
  • Justice Gudiseva Shyam Prasad

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 01st, 2019

Vizag attracted attention ofglobal fintech community

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
A file photo of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia at the Vizag Fintech Festival in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: arranged pic
A file photo of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia at the Vizag Fintech Festival in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: arranged pic

‘Promotional campaigns have evoked positive response’

Visakhapatnam, the largest IT hub of Andhra Pradesh, has attracted the attention of global fintech community with the campaigns launched by the Fintech Valley Vizag, an initiative of the AP Electronics and IT Agency (APEITA), getting encouraging response.

Fintech leaders from Silicon Valley, Las Vegas, New York, London, Tel Aviv, Singapore and Hong Kong have evinced interest for developing Visakhapatnam into a world-class fintech hub.

Big players

WHub, which plays a key role in strengthening the startup ecosystem in Hong Kong, signed an MoU with the State to provide access to the startups in Visakhapatnam to their area for acceleration and exploring market opportunities.

SOSA, an Israel-based organisation that promotes innovation centres, also came forward to partner with the AP Innovation Society to spread innovation culture across the State. After an overwhelming response to the Global Fintech Festival and One Million Dollar Startup Challenge instituted by the State government in October, 75 firms, a majority of whom are based in the global fintech destinations such as Silicon Valley, promised to invest ₹500 crore in the next three years.

Representatives from 40 countries attended the festival, where the world’s first humanoid robot, Sophia, was the cynosure of all eyes.

Among the big-ticket projects that started operations during 2018 were Conduent, a $5 billion U.S. company, and asset management firm Franklin Templeton.

Federal Bank, Paytm and other fintech institutes also launched their operations.

“We have been successful in branding Visakhapatnam as a fintech destination, and after a series of events such as Spring Fest, AgTech Summit addressed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and launching of first Million Dollar Startup Challenge, Visakhapatnam has become the talking point,” J.A. Chowdary, Special Chief Secretary and IT Adviser to Chief Minister, said. While the layout for IT city in an area of 400 to 450 acres at Kapuluppada has been completed, the first Millennium Tower, with 1.5 lakh sft and plug-and-play facility, at a cost of ₹85 crore is ready for inauguration at Rushikonda.Mr. Chowdary said: “Now, everyone wants to see and explore the opportunities in business as the tech-savvy government here also offers lot of business to startups.” He pointed out the good work done by Zebi Al Chain in creating registry for Amaravati land records and guest arrival at star hotels in Visakhapatnam using blockchain technology and artificial intelligence.

In Software Technology Parks of India’s BPO Promotion Scheme, A.P. has become No. 1 in bagging seats, with Visakhapatnam getting the highest number of seats.

The city is already home to several BPOs like HSBC, Patra India, WNS, Concentrix, and big firms like Conduent and Miracle Software are investing a lot in new facilities. “We have got sanction for 12,000 seats in A.P., with highest number in city-based BPOs. This will lead to creation of 42,000 jobs in two to three years,” STPI Joint Director M.P. Dubey said.

Reverse migration

With the IT Association of AP (ITAAP) launching a fresh drive, there is reverse migration. “Our aim is to overcome shortage of experienced manpower, mostly local talent. This has started bearing fruit,” ITAAP State president R.L. Narayana said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – December 31st, 2018