Category Archives: Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Dr Nageshwar chased a killer, honored ‘Good Citizens Award’

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion
Allergy specialist Dr Nageshwar | File photo DC
Allergy specialist Dr Nageshwar | File photo DC

Dr Vyakarnam Nageshwar has been named for this year’s Good Citizens Award by the Cyberabad Police.

The allergy expert from Warangal won the salute because last week, he chased a truck driver from the National Highway down into the fields and handed him over to the Ghatkesar police. The driver had been speeding away after knocking down a kid, who was crossing a road in Nalgonda.

Even after bagging the honour, Dr Nageshwar doesn’t underplay the laxity showed by the cops. “I held the driver hostage for 40 minutes. I dialled the control room so many times. But every single time, I had to repeat myself. Then I called up the Cyberabad police commissioner and they sprang into action.”

But this isn’t the first time that the owner of Aswini Hospitals in Warangal rose up to the occasion. Or, yelled at the authorities.

In 2006, when 300 medical students of the Pondicherry Central University, including himself, were not issued certificates after seven months of their results, he shot a letter to then President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In two weeks, he got the certificate, had the Vice- Chancellor transferred and registrar sacked.

Four years later, he brought a Delhi-bound train to a halt mid-way. Because the AC in his bogey wasn’t working.

The 39-year-old, who also runs a clinic in Hyderabad and visits it every two weeks, has endless such tales to his credit. He says, “When we buy a car, we make every effort to keep it safe and running. Because we own it. Similarly, I am a citizen of India, I own my country. If there’s something wrong with my country, I will fight for it. Just saying ‘I love my nation’ isn’t enough.”

Besides honours from the state, Dr Nageshwar has also received a note of blessings sent personally by the Pope Benedict XVL from Vatican City for attending 5,000-plus cases of HIV+patients at St. Joseph’s Care Centre while he was still studying. He is also the first doctor in the state to enter the Guinness Book of Records for rendering medical services to 1.6 lakh patients for a philanthropic cause in the year 2009.

Quite naturally, political parties have been following his works. In the past, the vigilante doctor has had offers from many parties. But he’s refused them all. “I want people to know that power doesn’t come by joining a party. You can make a difference even as a common man,” says Dr Nageshwar.

source: http://www.decccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Crime / by DC / Barkha Kumari / March 25th, 2014

Hare Krishna Starts Free Food Service at SD Eye Hospital

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Hare Krishna Movement launched ‘Bhojanamrita’, a free lunch service, at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital at Mehdipatnam here on Saturday by serving free and nutritious lunch to around 100 attendants of in-patients.

The meal, to be served daily, consists of hot rice, curry, pickle, sambar and buttermilk. The service was launched by Bhojanamrita programme chief executive officer Lakshmi Kantha Dasa and others.

Dasa said that with the generous help of Sri Gulabrai Kantilal Agarwal they started the noble service of providing daily free lunch to in-patients’ attendants at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital. The service would be extended to other hospitals gradually very soon with generous help from donors and well-wishers, he said.

Hare Krishna Movement, Hyderabad is feeding currently around 90,000 school children and Anganwadis everyday as part of mid-day meal scheme of the government and, in partnership with GHMC, it launched Rs 5 per meal in the city.

The free food service, Bhojanamrita, is currently available at Indo- American Cancer Hospital (250), Niloufer Hospital for Women & Children (500), Mahavir Hospital & Research Centre (100),

District Govt Hospital, Mahbubnagar (400), District Govt Hospital, Nizamabad and Bodhan (500), Maternity Hospital, Sultan Bazar (250), King Koti Govt Hospital (100) and Osmania General Hospital, Afzalgunj (1,000).

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / March 23rd, 2014

30 knee replacements held at Srikara

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

Srikara Hospitals, Secunderabad claimed to have conducted 30 knee replacement surgeries on 20 patients on March 12. Of these 20 patients, 10 underwent replacement surgeries for both the knees while the remaining underwent surgeries for one knee each.

Knee replacement surgeon Dr. Akhil Dadi said the patients requested for surgeries on the day because it was an ‘auspicious’ day and fee was not charged.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / March 19th, 2014

Will to fight poverty: Hyderabad girl makes it to ‘Forbes 30 under 30 list’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion

ShvethaHF25mar2014

Hyderabad:

Twenty-six-year-old Svetha Janumpalli didn’t go to “Stanford or any of the big schools”. Neither was she born with a silver spoon. Her father from Jadcherla, a small town in Mahbubnagar district, went to the US on a scholarship while her mother, who’s from Gadwal, studied only till Class VI.

“My father moved to the US in the ’70s, but the department he was studying in closed down; so he set up a repair business to earn a living. My mother used to work for an insurance company, and when my father’s profits were negative, my mother supported the family. We are three sisters and I was pretty young at that time. But we used to joke that we would get new jeans only during holidays,” says Svetha, who was born in the US.

Mentioned in the annual lists of ‘Forbes 30 under 30’ social entrepreneurs, PartyCorps, Changemakers and the Clinton Global Initiative (2012), here is Svetha, years later, heading an organisation that the international press states is the “the world’s favourite anti-poverty device”.

And that device, where one “can save a child for the cost of a pair of shoe” is called New Incentives. Founded by Svetha at 23, it is a non-profit organisation dedicated to Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) — poor women are given money to visit HIV clinics or children are given money to go to schools.
As an experiment, Svetha moved to Nigeria two weeks back to prove that this model can work in a country that needs it the most. More than three million people living in Nigeria are affected with AIDS and one out of three mothers transmits this virus to their child. “So I am here for a year. And if the model works successfully, it will be easier to replicate it in other countries, including India.”
Svetha had set up the organisation in San Francisco after graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2008. Till date, her organisation has been able to help around 400 mothers and their families and she hopes to take the number to 1000. “There are   free clinics in Nigeria, but when the time spent by a woman at a clinic results in her losing money, why would she come to the clinic? And that’s where the CCT model helps.”
Svetha travelled to India with her mother frequently till 2009, and it was during one of these visits that she came across drastic poverty levels. “The idea to start New Incentives came after the realisation that there are many in India who have resources and if divided well, they can be used to help the poor.” She had tested the pilot projects in a few villages in Andhra Pradesh.
Svetha is not sure where she will be heading to after Nigeria. “My fiancé is from Nepal and he might want to stay there after marriage. I love India and San Francisco, so I am not sure where I’ll be staying next”.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / by Anusha Dhiman / March 22nd, 2014

NATS vows to nurture Telugu children in US into world leaders

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, World Opinion
North America Telugu Society president Gangadhar Desu talking to The Hindu in Vijayawada on Tuesday. / Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
North America Telugu Society president Gangadhar Desu talking to The Hindu in Vijayawada on Tuesday. / Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

We are bringing out a series of books in English on Telugu people, culture, says its president

There is no dearth of role models for them. Telugu children living in North America have success stories like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Global coordinator of Lead India 2020 Hari Krishna Eppanapally, elected representatives like Upendra J.Chivukula, deputy speaker of New Jersey Assembly and Katragadda Aruna Miller, member of the Maryland House of Delegates, to look up to.

And lucky for them there is the North America Telugu Society (NATS) to nurture them into ‘world leaders’. The society has taken up career assistance programmes for Telugu youth.

NATS is now inviting not only successful Telugus, but successful Indians, to deliver talks. The society is also bringing out a series of books in English on Telugu people, their culture and history to take the initiative forward.

The person behind the initiative is none other than the Vijayawada-born Gangadhar Desu, the CEO of Neighbour Care chain of pharmacy stores who has been elected president of NATS for the next two years. Mr. Gangadhar did his schooling in SKPPV Hindu High School, One Town, and intermediate in K.B.N.College. He did his B.Pharma in Manipal College of Pharmacy and M.Pharma in Long Island, New York. “Satya Nadella is a couple of years senior to me,” he said recalling life on the campus.

Starting his career as a pharmacist Mr. Gangadhar, with a licence to work in any of the North Eastern States of the United States became the head of the Mergers and Acquisitions of Eckerds pharmacy in a short time. He then quit and started his own chain of pharmacy stores.

Diverse cultures

“The Telugu children here are exposed to diverse cultures, but it will be difficult for them to be world leaders unless they learn about their own roots,” Mr. Gangadhar said. The society took over 400 teachers from Andhra Pradesh to the United States to train children in various performance arts last year.

Mr. Gangadhar has high hopes for the Indian children of North America. “Five per cent of the Fortune 500 companies are run by Indians today. This will increase to 10 per cent by 2020. Indians were doing extremely well in politics too.

The Hindu Indians are being wooed by both the Republicans and the Democrats. Tulasi Gabbard of Samoan origin made news when she took oath on the Bhagvad Gita. Tulasi, who grew up in a multi-cultural, multi-religious household is a practising Hindu and yet another role model for the children, Mr. Gangadhar said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – March 13th, 2014

It is all of women and for women

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features
Women leaders from various walks of life celebrating International Women's Day by cutting a cake in Vijayawada on Saturday. (Right) Students of Samana Institute for Design Studies walk the ramp showcasing their work. / Photos: V. Raju / The Hindu
Women leaders from various walks of life celebrating International Women’s Day by cutting a cake in Vijayawada on Saturday. (Right) Students of Samana Institute for Design Studies walk the ramp showcasing their work. / Photos: V. Raju / The Hindu

The Hindu, in association with SIDS, creates a platform to felicitate women achievers

A strong woman isn’t afraid of anything but a woman of strength shows courage in the midst of her fear.

A select group of women present at the auditorium of Samana Institute for Design Studies (SIDS) on Saturday was an enchanting mix of the two. Women from various walks of life gathered, greeted and celebrated a day that belonged to them — International Women’s Day.

The city reverberated with slogans of women’s empowerment as leading women from different fields took centre stage voicing concern over the abuse heaped on the fairer sex, raising their voice against perennial injustice to their less privileged sisters and inspiring scores of others to bring to the fore their inner strength to achieve success in life.

The Hindu, in association with SIDS, created a platform to felicitate women achievers on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Assistant Director of All-India Radio, Vijayawada, M. Krishna Kumari, underscored the need for women to inculcate resilience and fighting spirit to overcome the hazards lurking around every nook and cranny.

She evoked ‘true fighters’ like Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani school girl who stood up to the Taliban and defended her right to education, Laxmi, the acid attack victim who won the International Women of Courage award for successfully leading the campaign against acid attacks on women in India and the 2012 Delhi gang rape victim Nirbhaya and said the trio had inspired women suffering abuse in silence, across the world.

Woman entrepreneur Jogulamba said women were internally very strong besides being good multi-taskers.

Bhakti Manihara of SKCV Trust said girls must draw inspiration from Jhansi Lakshmi Bai who never gave up her fight despite a series of defeats.

Radha Rani of RR Sports urged women to form a collective force to reckon with. Former Mayor Mallika Begum mooted an all-women’s ‘Mahila Party’ to fight the coming elections.

Other speakers urged the students to work hard to scale great heights in life but without drifting from their rich culture. The felicitations were sprinkled with intermittent rounds of ramp walk by SIDS students who showcased their designs.

There was unanimity on the contention that the strength of women comes from the fact that psychology cannot explain. “Men can be analysed, women merely adored,” a speaker said amidst loud round of applause. SIDS Managing Partner and CEO Samana Moosavi said gifted with both beauty and brains, a woman could achieve success in any given field provided she is determined to.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – March 09th, 2104

Hyderabad Municipal Corporation launches Rs 5 meal scheme

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Hyderabad :

The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) on Sunday launched a pilot centre of a scheme which would provide subsidized hot and hygienic meals to the poor for Rs 5 at Nampally Sarai.

GHMC, which plans to feed 15,000 people a day, will set up 50 such centres, each equipped to serve 300 persons.

The actual cost of the meal would be Rs 20. GHMC will bear the balance cost.

To start with, GHMC has partnered with Akshaya Patra Foundation, run by Hare Krishna Movement, which will prepare the food.

The vegetarian meal of rice, dal/sambar, sabji and pickle shall be served on first-come-first-serve basis in paper plates during 12 noon to 1 pm.

The civic body has earmarked Rs 11 crore for this in its 2014-15 budget.

GHMC commissioner Somesh Kumar said that intended beneficiaries were the migrant workerswho can not pay Rs 40-50 that a meal costs in hotels.

“I have seen many poor people at labour addas. I come from such a social background and worked with NGOs and I felt this is an opportune time,” the commissioner said when asked about the inspiration for the scheme.

As the trial run started today in collaboration with Akshaya Patra Foundation, whether it will be a single implementing agency which will prepare the food or multiple agencies will be decided in future.

Other pilot centres will come up at Koti, Chintalbasthi and Mehdipatnam, Kumar said, adding, “We will study and try to understand the issues that crop up, before feeding 15,000 people.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by PTI / March 02nd, 2014

LVPEI plans exclusive website for visually challenged

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

Will act as single platform for stakeholders to understand and exchange information about upbringing of children with vision challenges.

Eye image via Shutterstock
Eye image via Shutterstock

The rehabilitation team of Hyderabad-based not-for-profit eye care institution, LV Prasad Eye Institute (PVPEI), is contemplating developing an exclusive website for persons with visually impairment.

Apart from visually impaired , the website would also benefit those who work closely with visually impaired such as their family members, acquaintances, and professionals handling persons with vision disability, as also persons with additional disabilities.

“Our aim in developing the proposed website is to create a platform that eases access to information and knowledge related to a visually challenged person. We anticipate that this website will create a positive impact in enhancing the quality of life of a person with visual impairment, and will hopefully be an equaliser for them in the digital world,” Virender Sangwan, director (Srujana Centre for Innovation), LVPEI, said in a release on Monday.

The proposed website will act as a single platform for stakeholders to understand and exchange information about upbringing of children with vision challenges , early intervention, education, employment, low vision care, social benefits etc, both at the national and international arenas, the release said.

According to LVPEI, there are an estimated 246 million people with visual impairment globally,of whom 18 million are blind and 50 million have low vision due to untreatable eye diseases.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by BS Reporter / Hyderabad – February 28th, 2014

Women cabbies to make Hyderabad roads safe again

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Hyderabad :

On a day when Union finance minister  P Chidambaram announced the allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for empowerment of women in the country, Hyderabad is already on its way to reclaim the safety of its roads and make them more women-friendly.

Starting Tuesday, an only-women cab service, managed by women and ferrying only women passengers will ply in the city to make travelling a safer experience for city women. In two weeks, women drivers will also be seen ferrying techies from Hi-tec city in five all-new pink autos.

After weeks of training in driving, etiquette and martial arts, four women cab drivers are ready to take over the male-dominated public transport system of the city to begin with.

The ‘She’ cabs are similar to the existing radio cabs in the city with the added feature of GPS devices fitted in them. The tracking devices are connected to police stations across the city as an alarm system. “With the increasing number of cases of violence against women in the city, it is important to have an exclusive transport system for women. Despite the potential challenges I may face, it is a privilege for me to serve members of my community,” said 23-year-old Nagamani, one of the drivers of the ‘She’ cab.

The cabs and the autos are all part of a pilot project, with plans already afoot to start a fleet of cars and autos, manned by a call centre later this year.

The trained drivers are members of the AP Balala Hakkula Sangham, which has taken up this initiative.

In a similar move, an only for women auto service, identified by their women drivers and pink stickers on the body of the vehicles, will ply in and around Hi-tec city and Kukatpally areas. Women from auto driving unions and self-help groups were selected and then trained in driving, etiquette and even martial arts to prepare them for the task ahead.”It was a challenge to get women to come forward for the training programme, but now we are ready to roll out the first batch of all-women autos. We have specifically chosen the Hi tech city area because they need a woman-friendly transport system because of the number of working women professionals there,” said Suresh Raju, founder president of Vaada Foundation, which has initiated the ‘pink auto’ campaign.

As added safety measures, these autos have been provided with pepper spray cans as well as an SOS button that would connect them to the police in case of any emergency.

At a time when the city has been witnessing a spate of crimes against women, including the gangrape of a 23-year-old girl late last year, an exclusive transport system has been welcomed by Hyderabad’s women folk.

“I would definitely feel safer in an auto or cab driven by a woman, especially if it’s late in the day. Such endeavours are necessary and they need to be implemented on a larger scale,” said Harika Suri, who works at a research centre in Banjara Hills.

Isidore Philips, a women’s rights activist, said that such initiatives will help make the city’s public spaces safer for women. “Such initiatives are part of the larger picture of women empowerment as women are entering the male dominated space of public transport. At the same time, they are providing safer travel options, which the city really needs right now,” Philips said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by Ananya Banerjee, TNN / February 18th, 2014

Tribal girl fights her way back to school

Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Nizamabad :

A tribal girl, Danawat Nirmala,12, has finally succeeded in her battle to go to school. Nirmala had threatened her parents that she would commit suicide if she was not allowed to continue her studies.

Nirmala, who hails from Pallebogada thanda under Bollaram gram panchayat limits of Nagireddypet mandal in Nizamabad district studied up to Class IV. She was not allowed by her poor parents to study further and was asked to work in agricultural fields to supplement the family’s income.

However, Nirmala is now back in school with the help of officials of the National Child Labour Project. National Child Labour Project officials who found her working in agricultural fields on Thursday was told by the girl that she was not allowed to go to school. The officials then spoke to the girl’s parents and convinced them about the need to send their child to school.

NLCP project director P Sudhakar Rao said that the girl’s father Devuja initially refused to send Nirmala to school despite being threatened with a jail term under the child rights protection act. Devuja wanted officials to ensure that his son, Mohan passed the SSC examination. Mohan had failed public examination last year.

Nirmala then threatened to commit suicide following which Devuja finally agreed to allow her to study further. Nirmala attended school on Friday for the first time since the academic year began in June last year.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> India / TNN / February 01st, 2014