Category Archives: Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Anti-liquor activist Dubagunta Rosamma no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

RosammaANDHRA08aug2016

Nellore :

Anti-arrack movement leader responsible for imposing total ban on liquor, Vardhineni Rosamma (93) popularly known as Dubagunta Rosamma, passed away  in Dubagunta village of Kaligri mandal, about 90 km from here on Sunday morning.

According to her family, she breathed her last around 3.30 AM on Sunday at her residence in Dubagunta village. Rosamma’s family has been living as agricultural labourers in the village. She is survived by two sons V Srinivasulu, and V Yddukondalu, and a daughter K Padmaja. Her last rights are expected to be held on Monday in Dubagunta village.

Nellore MP M Rajamohan Reddy, Udayagiri MLA B Venkata Rama Rao, former Udayagiri MLA M Chandrasekhar Reddy, MLCs V Balasubrahmanyam, S Chandra Mohan Reddy, CPM senior leader Jakka Venkaiah and others condoled her death.

Unlettered woman who made history

Vardhineni Rosamma, born in 1923 in Juvvaladinne village, married Kondaiah Naidu of Dubagunta village and settled as a agricultural labourer. Rosamma, who was an unlettered woman, was inspired by literacy movement, during the regime of Collector M Raju in 1990s. Later, she joined the Anti-Arrack Movement in 1991, with the inspiration of a book called ‘Mahila Meluko’ written by Vitavu Balasubrahmanyam. She intensified the movement by making ‘Dubagunta village the focus.’

All political parties except Congress, non-governmental organisations and social activists extended support, and joined the anti-arrack movement, which led to its ban by the late CM N T Rama Rao.

After winning polls, NTR  signed on the dotted line to ban liquor in the State.  AP had a golden era for two-and-a-half years during the regime of NTR and crime rate drastically came down following ban on liquor. N Chandrababu Naidu, who assumed office after NTR, lifted the ban. Rosamma’s last days were bad. The government, allotted  her four acres of land in Dubagunta village and a plot at Kavali outskirts, forcibly grabbed it by saying that she had no pattas.

Even APSRTC’s free pass was cancelled few years ago. After losing both kidneys, she travelled to Kanuparthipadu village to meet Chief Minister Naidu. She was not allowed to meet the CM, and was mercilessly necked out from the venue by calling her mad. However, philanthropists donated some money for her health and she died undergoing dialysis at her village on Sunday.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 08th, 2016

‘ICU on Wheels’ launched by Apollo

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology
ACP K Prabhakar flagging-off ‘ ICU on Wheels’ ambulance at Apollo Hospitals as regional CEO Dr Sandeep looks on in Visakhapatnam on Friday
ACP K Prabhakar flagging-off ‘ ICU on Wheels’ ambulance at Apollo Hospitals as regional CEO Dr Sandeep looks on in Visakhapatnam on Friday

Visakhapatnam :

Apollo Hospitals have launched five ‘ICU on Wheels’ ambulances, the first of their kind in the state, on Friday. The GPS-enabled (Geopositioning system) was flagged off by ACP (traffic) Prabhakar.

People can call the ambulance by dialing 1066. High-end medical equipment including provision for ventilator, defibrillator and spine boards are provided in the ambulance to serve critically ill patients..

The ambulances are placed in different parts of the city and during any medical emergency, the ambulance nearest to the patient’s location will be alerted by the control room in the hospital and using the GPS system that ambulance will reach the patient. Depending on the type of emergency, the patient will be shifted to either of the Apollo Hospitals located at Arilova and Ramnagar.

“Most of the trauma deaths occur while the patient is en route to the hospital and thus timely intervention is required. An ambulance in the nearest location during the ‘golden hour’, with all the required facilities would be a life-saver. The transit time can be utilised for the emergency treatment inside the ambulance,” said Dr Ranjith Kumar, specialist in emergency medicine at Apollo Hospital.

“The launch of International standard Trauma care services would help providing fast services under one roof for cases of cardiac attacks, brain strokes, head injuries, poisoning and accidents,” said, Sandeep C, regional CEO, Apollo Hospitals.

“An awareness program on the ambulances will be organised for policemen by the Apollo hospitals later this month,” the CEO added.

To clear any traffic obstruction for the ambulance to commute faster, a green channel concept for emergency vehicles will be launched shortly,” said the ACP.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express ./ Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 06th, 2016

First woman goods train guard makes maiden trip

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All
UH Lakshmi going on her maiden trip as Goods Guard from Visakhapatnam. / Photo: By Special Arangement
UH Lakshmi going on her maiden trip as Goods Guard from Visakhapatnam. /
Photo: By Special Arangement

U.H. Lakshmi has made history by becoming the first woman goods train guard in Waltair Division.

She assumed charge by taking her first trip from the marshalling yard here to Rayagada in Odisha. Ms. Lakshmi was appointed a trains clerk in Waltair Division on compassionate grounds in 2011 after the death of her husband.

She qualified for the post of goods guard after passing the departmental examination and later underwent training at the Zonal Railway Institute at Sini in Jharkhand from November, 2015, according to Senior Divisional Commercial Manager M. Yelvender Yadav.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – August 05th, 2016

From barren fields to hallowed turf

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Sports, World Opinion

RajaniANDHRA27jul2016

When she chose to wield the hockey stick more than a decade ago, her parents reposed confidence in E. Rajani. Now, they are eager to see her strike gold at Rio as the goalkeeper of the Indian women’s hockey team.

It’s life as usual for Ramanachari and Tulasi even as their daughter Rajani chases glory at Rio. —PHOTO: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR
It’s life as usual for Ramanachari and Tulasi even as their daughter Rajani chases glory at Rio. —PHOTO: K.V. POORNACHANDRA KUMAR

Even after their daughter started making a career in hockey, it’s life as usual for carpenter E. Ramanachari and his wife Tulasi, who grazes cows, in Yanamalavaripalle village of Chittoor district. Ramanachari’s education ended in class five and Tulasi never went to school, but that did not deter them from envisaging a career in sport for their child.

Rajani herself hadn’t any sporting aspirations in primary school, but things changed when she joined class eight at Zilla Parishat High School in Nerabailu.

The tall girl was initially picked for volleyball, but physical education trainer D. Venkat Raju found her agility and endurance suitable for hockey.

He got barren paddy fields levelled. Rajani and her friends walked along the field-bunds for 3km to practice. In fact, this nondescript school has sent 14 students to many national sporting events. And now, Rajani has raised the bar, scaling international heights.

Identifying her potential, Andhra Hockey Association secretary A.P.K. Reddy brought her out of the village to the Hockey Academy sub-centre here and later to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Hyderabad, exposing her to international events in New Zealand, Japan, China, Korea, Argentina, Australia, the Netherlands and Malaysia. She also bagged the ‘Best Goalkeeper Award’ at an event in Japan in 2013.

“She last visited us ten months ago and we hope to see her back soon with a gold medal,” says her mother, brimming with confidence.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by A.D. Rangarajan / Tirupati – July 27th, 2016

Vizag gets marine commandos’ base , INS Karna to be set up at Bhimili

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All

Visakhapatnam:

In yet another feather in the cap of the Port City, Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba on Tuesday commissioned INSA Karna, the only base of the marine commandos in the country. Until now, Vizag had a marine commando unit as do naval establishments across the country. Now, with the establishment of the base, all marine commandos will have to come to INS Karna for training.

The marine commando unit in Vizag got upgraded to a base after the Centre recently sanctioned 25 officers, 320 sailors and 12 civilians, thus enabling the unit to be converted into a base. With a foresight to conduct special missions in maritime domain, the Indian Navy founded the Indian Marine special Force (IMSF) which was rechristened as the Marine Commando Force (MCF), popularly known as Marcos.

Marine commandos carry out conventional maritime operations, hostages rescue, piracy mission, counter terrorism and disaster management operations. The members of this force are capable of undertaking missions in support of conventional operations and also provide the answer to expanding asymmetric threats now. The main role of the unit is to conduct maritime military operations that originate from sea or coastline.

While commissioning INS Karna, Lanba said Marcos have established themselves as special operations force of international repute in a short span and have won well-deserved gallantry awards for their acts of courage and valour.

INS Karna is located on the premises of INS Kalinga near Bhimili. “The commissioning of INS Karna has added a new base to the special forces of the Indian Navy as they are deployed to safeguard our nation’s vast maritime interests,” said Admiral Lanba.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / July 13th, 2016

Woman biker’s solo effort to cover 1,700 km

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports
Woman biker Vaishali More, who will embark on a solo ride covering three states of AP, Telangana and Maharashtra for a social cause, in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.— Photo: K.R. Deepak
Woman biker Vaishali More, who will embark on a solo ride covering three states of AP, Telangana and Maharashtra for a social cause, in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.— Photo: K.R. Deepak

Biking for me is a symbol of empowerment and liberty, says Vaishali More

With the wind slicing through her hair, riding across the three states of AP, Telangana, and Maharashtra and a passion to conquer the roads, 48-year-old Vaishali More is all set to embark on her first solo motorcycle ride from Visakhapatnam to Shirdi on Wednesday morning.

Purpose

Terming it as a “dream ride where the journey is the destination”, the woman biker from the Port City spoke to The Hindu about the purpose behind the ride and what biking means to her ahead of her journey.

“Biking for me is a symbol of empowerment and liberty and this journey marks the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I have always wanted to ride solo and this will be the first experience for me,” said the passionate biker, who started her biking adventures when she was in college.

Her ride is being supported by city based organisation Rohit Memorial Trust. Vaishali will cover the distance of around 1,700 km in five days, making pit stops at Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Solapur and Pune before ending her journey in Shirdi.

Armed with safety gears, a helmet clasped over her hair, sporting a riding jacket that will guard her back, shoulder and elbow and skid proof boots, she will make her first stop at Vijayawada on Wednesday night.

During her journey, she will be meeting organisations such as Rotary Clubs and biking groups to share her experiences and discuss various social issues concerning women.

Prelude

“This journey is a prelude to the cross country solo bike ride that I am planning next year in association with Rohit Memorial Trust as part of a project on women empowerment under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The aim is to cover eight to 10 smart cities and reach out to women to spread awareness on a series of issues like domestic violence and menstrual hygiene,” said Vaishali.

In Hyderabad, the biker will be meeting members of Wanderers, a biking community and woman biker Sana Iqbal.

At Pune, three women bikers from the local chapter of the Bikerni group will accompany her till Shirdi in their quest to overturn widely held stereotypes such as riding being a gendered hobby.

“Biking for me is meditative. My bike is like an extension of my personality. I know every pulse of it,” says Vaishali while describing her association with her 220 CC Bajaj Avenger Cruise bike that she fondly calls as ‘Ellie’ – a short form of the French word Esprit Libre meaning free spirit.

She will make pit stops at Vijayawada, Hyderabad, Solapur and Pune before ending her journey in Shirdi.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – July 13th, 2016

Putting Vizag on the global map

Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
V.Vijay Kumar Raju
V.Vijay Kumar Raju

Our focus will be on curbing diabetes, says Lions Club Director

For the first time in the history of Lions Clubs, a city-based person has been elected as the international director to head its global vision and projects. V. Vijay Kumar Raju has catapulted Visakhapatnam to the international map after he was elected to serve a two-year term as a director of Lions Clubs International at the association’s 99 th International Convention held in Fukuoka, Japan, recently.

An active member of the Visakhapatnam Samarasya Lions Club of District 316 A since 1996, he has held many offices within the association. Mr. Raju is the first from coastal AP and second from the State to be a part of the Board of Lions Clubs International. He has also served the Indian Air Force and is presently running nine educational institutions and three private firms. Mr. Raju, who will be in-charge of the LCI’s operations, finance and audit committee, will oversee the organisation’s activities and projects in 64 countries.

During his visit to the city, he explained to The Hindu about the organisation’s mission and future projects during the centennial celebrations of service of Lions Club International.

Our mission

“From a global perspective, our focus will be on curbing diabetes. India will be one of the major areas of work for LCI in this aspect. Our mission is to also address areas like cancer, environment, vision and relieving hunger through sustained activities, projects and expansion works,” said Mr. Raju, also a recipient of the Gallantry Award from the President of India. Talking about the organisation’s projects in the region, Mr. Raju said a dialysis centre was coming up on the outskirts of Vijayawada at a cost of Rs. 7 crore. This apart, the organisation is also looking for a land in Visakhapatnam to set up a dialysis centre for which it has approached VUDA. Similar centres will come up in Srikakulam and West Godavari districts, he said. “We are also upgrading the Lions Cancer Hospital at Seethammadhara with an additional outlay of Rs. 20 crore to include state-of-art equipment and amenities,” Mr. Raju added.

Among its other major projects, a comprehensive eye care hospital is coming up at Salur, which will cater to the neighbouring States of Chhattisgarh and Odisha as well. “The project is being developed at the cost of Rs 1.5 crore and the Outpatient Department will be operational in a month’s time. We intend to make it a state-of-the-art facility along the lines of Shankar Netralaya in Chennai,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – July 07th, 2016

‘Meals on Wheels’ for the needy

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

In a step towards providing free meals to the needy, Vizag Smiles, an NGO that donates clothes, books and other essential commodities to the slum dwellers and the down-trodden, ventured into a new line ‘Free Meals on Wheels’.

It was flagged off by the Commissioner of Police T. Yoganand on Thursday. A customised van that has been moving to various slum areas to donate bags of clothes and other need-based stuff to the residents will now head towards a new direction.

Run by the US-based NRI Raghu Pokala, the initiative aims at catering to homeless or needy people located across the city who cannot afford two square meals a day. As part of the inaugural day, the bus headed to Dwarakanagar, Convent junction and near railway station to serve meals to 75 people.

Mentioning that the ‘Meals on wheels’ was an extension of ‘Donation on wheels’, Mr. Raghu confirmed that it will be held twice a week as of now. Depending on the donors, the number of meals will go up. Those who are interested to contribute to the cause either in the form of donation or volunteering can contact: 7306700700 or log on to vizagsmiles.com

Shortly, the NGO plans to roll out ‘Skills on wheels’ programme where computer skills and spoken English classes, among other lessons will be imparted to persons from economically weaker sections.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / Staff Reporter / Visakhapatnam – July 08th, 2016

Alluri Jayanthi celebrated as state fest for the first time

Amazing Feats, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All

Visakhapatnam:

The 119th birth anniversary of Alluri Sitarama Raju, the martyred nationalist and freedom fighter who had waged a guerrilla war against the British in Visakha Agency, was celebrated in a grand manner here on Monday. A number of district administration officials and state ministers as well as Union civil aviation minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju took part in the celebrations across the district. The main celebrations were held at Pandrangi village near Visakhapatnam, where the freedom fighter was born.

During a public meet in Pandrangi, the Union minister observed that Sitarama Raju had fought the British till his last breath. Later, local school children performed a ballet portraying the life and struggle of the freedom fighter. The state ministers and district officials also visited the house where Sitarama Raju was born.

Meanwhile, state information and public relations minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy along with Vizag MP K Hari Babu, zilla parishad chairperson Lalam Bhavani and all the district officials paid tributes to the great revolutionary and observed that it was one of the most glorious struggles for India’s freedom.

However, members of the Alluri Walkers Association led by M Suresh Babu and Ommi Appa Rao accused the state government of denying livelihood to tribal people and other weaker sections of society and said it was not appropriate for them to celebrate the birth anniversary of a freedom fighter, who had laid down his life fighting for the rights of the weaker sections of society.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / July 05th, 2015

Blindness not a hurdle to hyperthymestic girl

Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All
Rachika Nagamani
Rachika Nagamani

Nagamani hopes of regaining vision and fighting for women’s rights

For 19-year-old Rachika Nagamani of nondescript Rallabudugu village of Shantipuram mandal of Kuppam Assembly constituency, blindness is no impediment. Having lost her vision in a road mishap at the age of 8, the girl could overcome the handicap in no time, mastering the Braille script. Now pursuing B.A. Final year, she is preparing for Lawcet-2017 also.

On a rainy evening in 2005, Nagamani was returning home from school by cycle. The cycle of her senior hit her while overtaking and Nagamani fell down and a sharp iron object pierced her forehead. Two hours later, her parents returning from field work, found her unconscious on the roadside and took her to a hospital. She was discharged after first aid and sutures on the wound. Initially, she faced problems related to vision, and gradually lost sight over two years.

Her parents – Radhakrishna and Anasuya – eking out livelihood as farm labourers took her to various hospitals in Bengaluru, Chennai and Tirupati, but in vain. Poverty also became a big hurdle to the couple to bear medical expenses. Despite penury and loss of vision, Nagamani pursued her schooling at Navajeevan School for the Blind in Tirupati and mastered the Braille script in no time.

Nerve damaged

On the advice of some teachers, the parents took the girl to Sankara Netralaya in Chennai when she was in her eighth standard. After thorough diagnosis, the doctors informed the parents that there was a possibility of her regaining her sight with surgery. As per medical opinion, the period of possible surgery was framed in 2019, by which time the girl’s tender optical nerves will gain rigidity. In the diagnosis, it was observed that some vital nerve connecting the eyeballs with brain was damaged when she met with the accident.

With hope of regaining vision, Nagamani concentrated on studies, passing X class and Intermediate with 86% and 75% respectively. In view of her condition, she opted for Arts group in B.A.

As she grew up, Nagamani’s inborn talents surged ahead. Since her childhood, Nagamani developed strong liking for singing, poetry and story-writing. She has a flawless memory. Her poetry and short stories depict various themes, including the importance of parents, social responsibility and family relationships and atrocities against women. Moreover, she learnt classical music, giving performances all over the district.

Eidetic memory

Nagamani has turned out to be a synonym for hyperthymesia. Her eidetic memory is such that she is a favorite to the teaching faculty and students as well at her degree college in Tirupati. Though a student, Nagamani is also a teacher to more than 100 blind students of her college. She remembers every detail as if she has seen it. The highlight is that she is capable of remembering phone numbers without maintaining any diary.

When contacted by The Hindu , Nagamani said that she was sick with the ever-exploding news of atrocities against women. “My ambition is to study law and to contribute my ideas to jurisprudence, particularly to protect women and their rights in society. Whether I may regain my vision or not, I feel blindness has proved a boon to me. Hellen Keller is my inspiration.”

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Umashanker / Chitoor – June 21st, 2016