Category Archives: Records, All

E. Godavari achieves milestone

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology
Shining example: Chief Minister says it will now be replicated in other districts of the State. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
Shining example: Chief Minister says it will now be replicated in other districts of the State. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

CM to declare it the first district with 100% LED street lights in country

East Godavari district of the State has achieved the milestone of being the first LED street lighting district in the country.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will declare it tentatively on April 24 on the occasion of Panchayat Raj Divas. By installing around 3.1 lakh LED street lights in the rural areas of the district, around 34 Million Units (MUs) of energy could be saved annually.

Andhra Pradesh has been identified as the best State in the country in implementation of energy efficiency and conservation programmes by the World Bank.

Role model

In a tele-conference with Minister for IT and Panchayat Raj Nara Lokesh and Principal Secretary Jawahar Reddy, Mr. Naidu said the State’s quest to enhance people’s quality of life in cities as well as villages had made it a role model for others.

‘Happy lives’

Mr. Naidu appreciated the Minister’s efforts with the support of the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) in completing the street-lighting project in a record period of over five months and said it will now be replicated in other districts across the State by installing 28 lakh to 30 lakh LED lights which would save around 333 MUs of energy annually.

“My idea is to pay equal attention to basic amenities for the people in urban as well as rural segments like water, roads, housing and street-lighting. I want people of the State to lead happy lives,” he said.

Mr. Lokesh said of the total number of 50 lakh LED street lights installed across the country, Andhra Pradesh’s share was 11.61 lakh street lights, covering 20 % of the total number, leaving behind big States like Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu. He said coordination between many wings of the government had resulted in the achievement.

He asked Mr. Jawahar Reddy to prepare a comprehensive report on the overall impact of LED street lighting programme in East Godavari comparing it with other rural areas across the globe.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – April 16th, 2018

Vizag’s East Point Golf Club is a golfer’s paradise

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Sports
Women playing golf at the 134-year-old East Point Golf Club, which will be upgraded to Category A to host international tournaments | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK
Women playing golf at the 134-year-old East Point Golf Club, which will be upgraded to Category A to host international tournaments | Photo Credit: K_R_DEEPAK

The 134-year-old golf club may soon be hosting international and national level golf tournaments

If you are an ardent golfer, you’ll probably find the idea of vacationing and golfing at the same time, extremely enticing. With a perfect blend of salubrious climate, invigorating natural beauty and a top-notch golf course that is on the way of a makeover, Vizag has a symphony that not many places can offer for a golf holiday. This uniqueness of the place is now being tapped to put Vizag in the top of the international golfing map.

Nestled amid lush hills with a green carpet of grass all around, the 134-year-old East Point Golf Club (EPGC) may soon be hosting international and national level golf tournaments. Plans are afoot to turn the 100-acre 18-hole golf course at Mudasarlova to category-A course. “An additional land of 12.72 acres adjoining the existing land was given to EPGC by the government recently. We are planning to redesign the golf course to category-A from its present category-B status,” says T S Varma, secretary of East Point Golf Club says.

With an aim to put Visakhapatnam on the global golf tourism map, EPGC is also in talks with AP Tourism to host a tournament for golfers from Singapore. “We have reached out to the AP Tourism Department to showcase Vizag as a golf tourism destination. There are plans to host a golf tournament for a group of 50-100 golfers from Singapore and showcase the best of AP Tourism to international travellers,” says Varma.

History

The club was started around 1884 primarily for the relaxation of the British, a purely white man’s domain. Originally, the golf course was located in the area where the VUDA Park and The Park stand today. It moved to its present location at Mudasarlova in 1964, thanks to the efforts of Raja PV Gajapathi Raju of Vizianagaram and other avid golfers then.

Over the years, with some efforts, golfing in the city received an accelerated push; as a result, today the club has 1,100 members out of which 300 are active golfers. “In today’s high work pressure life, the game is a great de-stresser and soothes your frazzled nerves,” say the golfers. On April 1, EPGC hosted its annual award ceremony ‘Captain’s Nite’. “This is one event in the calendar of the club that every golfer in the city looks forward to. Apart from a golf tournament on March 31 and April 1, the winners of the 12 tournaments held over the year were honoured and awarded on that day in front of the entire golfing fraternity,” Varma says. ‘Captain’s Nite’ saw a host of glittering events like performances by popular drummers groups and a dance group apart from other cultural events.

The game is rapidly shedding its ‘elitist’ tag and India is seen as an affordable golfing destination. “We do have a lot of potential for golf tourism in the country, though a lot needs to be done. At our East Point Golf Club, for instance, facilities like rooms for golfers to stay and convention centre are needed. But we are facing challenges with funding at present,” Varma says.

Way of life

Over the years, golfing has become a way of life for many in the city and also moved from being a man’s domain to include a vibrant team of women golfers. “I learnt the rules of golf even before I started playing as I would accompany my husband to the golf course and watch them play,” says Hajra Saleh. She was one of the first women to join EPGC back in 2003. “Those were the days when we didn’t have a practice range and the golf course was a huge patch of brown, unlike the rolling greens that exist now,” she recollects. Today, she has not only mastered the game, but also won several tournaments. Others like Sajeeda Kalagara feel that the game is therapeutic. “Just by simply looking at the golf course you feel so relaxed! You can socialise on golf courses and now we have a Whatsapp group of women golfers who meet regularly and play,” she adds.

There are many youngsters of the EPGC family who today are playing at the South Zone level. For instance, Sriya along with Prisha and Prabhav are selected to participate at the South Zone tournament of Indian Golf Union to be held shortly in Coimbatore. According to golf pundits, the game instils self-discipline, upright manners and an important set of values within children and hence is being seen as an effective way to boost emotional intelligence. “Golfing is addictive for everyone! Once you experience a day in the green grass surrounding the hills around the East Point Golf Club, it’s a feeling that is sure to linger longer than expected!” exclaims Hajra.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Society> History & Culture / by Nivedita Ganguly / April 06th, 2018

A shero shows the way with a vision!

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, World Opinion
A file photo of the students of Dwarakamaye School participating in yoga competition in Vizianagaram. | Photo Credit: arrangement
A file photo of the students of Dwarakamaye School participating in yoga competition in Vizianagaram. | Photo Credit: arrangement

Mother of a visually and mentally-challenged boy is hope for the differently-abled

“I am blind, but trained,” is a famous dialogue from a recent Telugu movie, Raja The Great. Raviteja, the hero, played the role of a visually challenged, but a multi-talented person proving that the visually impaired are second to none. However, there are little heroes unfettered by their visual impairment and excelling in their chosen areas, and they can be found in a quiet institution here — studying in Dwarakamayee School for the Visually Impaired, founded by M. Asha Jyothi.

They are competing with students without any impairment and winning prizes and awards in areas such as quiz, essay- writing, dance, music, sports, yoga, fashion shows, etc., leaving everyone stunned, including VIPs, when they come to attend the school’s cultural programmes. S. Parameswara Rao stood first in ‘Paaduta Teeyaga’, a popular singing competition aired by a Telugu channel.

Now, he is globetrotting, including the U.K., to give musical performances with top singers. He had passed his 10th class from the school in 2017, and is pursuing Intermediate in Visakhapatnam.

Another student, P. Ganesh, who did his 10th class in 2017, won the first prize continuously in the State-level chess competitions organised for the differently-abled. He is now pursuing Intermediate privately under the supervision of the school.

Dwarakamaye’s students also got prizes in the fashion, fancy dress, and mime shows organised by the government’s Youth Services Department as part of the Yuva Mahotsav in December last year.

Such has been their overall performance that Dwarakamaye got the State’s Best Visually Impaired School for the year 2017.

Six visually challenged children had passed 10th class examination with a 9.2 grade in 2017, considered good for normal students too.

Turning point

Ms. Jyothi’s smile belies a double tragedy — her visually and mentally challenged son Hari Smaran. Parenting became a major challenge with little improvement in his health. She could not find a proper school for the visually and mentally challenged children in Vizianagaram. To exacerbate, the only school with little infrastructure was also shifted to Bhimili, near Visakhapatnam, souring her dream to ensure normalcy to her child.

But Ms. Jyothi turned her frustration into a challenge and established the school in year 2013 in Poolbaugh Road of Vizianagaram.

Help came in from her brother, K. Narayana, a hardware engineer in Bengaluru, and husband M. Ravi Kumar, a builder in Vizianagaram.

However, it was not a smooth journey. The family could generate ₹10 lakh initially for establishment of the school. It needs ₹1.6 lakh per month for its maintenance, including payment of salaries to 10 teachers and three other staff. In spite of many difficulties, she did not lose confidence. Her willpower and talent of the children caught the attention of many philanthropists to extend help to the institution. Though the donations were insufficient, they boosted Ms. Jyothi’s morale in making the institution the best one among the schools run for special kids in Andhra Pradesh, though she herself is a college dropout.

Aiming big

Currently, 50 special children are studying from classes 1 to 10 in the school. Around 10 well-trained teachers are taking special care for their overall development.

“My only aim is to create awareness among people that the visually challenged can also lead a happy life if they are given proper support at the right age. Parents should not feel disappointed about their deformity. They can also do wonders when trained and motivated,” she told The Hindu. Ms. Jyothis’s aim is to establish Intermediate and degree colleges exclusively for visually challenged.

She was bestowed with many awards for her relentless work for the last five years, including the Youth Icon award and Visista Seva Pratibha Puraskaram from Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8, 2017.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K. Srinivasa Rao / Vizianagaram – April 13th, 2018

Srikanth on top of the world

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Srikanth thus became only the second Indian after Saina Nehwal, who had occupied the women’s top spot in 2015, to achieve the feat.

K. Srikanth always let his racquet do the talking. Even for all those who are regular to Gopi Academy where the champion shuttler puts in that extra effort to become a better player, he acknowledges the presence of visitors with a smile and gets back to business.

One needs to probe him to get replies since Srikanth is not one of who loves to engage in long conversations.

So, after the 25-year-old scaled the summit of the world men’s singles rankings on Thursday, he just looked at it as just another achievement, gently reminding that he had bigger goals to chase, including the Olympics gold.

“I always believed that if you are consistent in any sport, these things (rankings) automatically will fall in place. Honestly, I never chased them, but was fully aware that if you keep winning titles, you are bound to be there at the top,” said Srikanth.

“To be the No. 1 now after being ranked No. 338 about six years ago is a fabulous journey,” he said.

Inspiration

“Yes, being World No.1 is something which not everyone is able to achieve. That way it will remain one of the special moments of my career and can only be a huge inspiration for better deeds,” said Srikanth, who has had a dream run in the recent past.

He won four Super Series titles and guided India to the team gold in the on-going Commonwealth Games. “Well, my immediate goal is to win the singles gold at the CWG,” he added.

“The ranking is definitely a big load off my shoulders as many people have been asking me about this wherever I go. So, it’s a big relief,” he added.

“This is a big year for Indian badminton and I would be glad to be part of anything that will bring name and fame for us. In the process, winning gold in the Asian Games and the World championship are something which should make anyone proud,” said the 2016 Rio Olympics quarterfinalist.

“I dedicate this feat to my parents, coach Gopi (Chand) Sir, my physio Kiran and all the support staff at the academy and all those who always backed my abilities right through my career,” said Srikanth.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / New Delhi – April 12th, 2018

Nellore doctor gets award

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

‘Complications will arise if it is not tackled early’

Many children suffering from insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes eventually end up falling ill due to several other diseases such as thyroid and celiac intestinal illness which become complicated due to lack of awareness and timely treatment.

Out of 100 juvenile diabetics, nearly 50 of them are falling ill due to other common diseases affecting intestines and glands.

M.V. Rammohan, Endocrinologist, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore, says that nearly 40 % out of these 50 children are suffering from thyroid while another 20 % from celiac.

Early diagnosis and treatment of these other diseases in such children have helped in enhancing their quality of life. As their disease is genetic in nature, they have to manage and live with these conditions for a lifetime, he said.

Constant care

In recognition of this outstanding research work, Dr. Rammohan received the Halmessy Trust award from the World Endocrine Society at an international conference held in Chicago recently.

He has done extensive research on type 1 diabetes among children for whom consistent care and continuous treatment is required throughout their life. As they are vulnerable to other diseases, the related treatments should be taken without wasting time.

The World Endocrine Society encourages treatments for diabetes related disorders in various communities in a bid to take forward research in these areas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Nellore – April 05th, 2018

SCR GM to receive award

Business & Economy, Records, All

South Central Railway (SCR) General Manager Vinod Kumar Yadav has been selected for the ‘Best Transformation Initiative Award’. The award has been introduced for the first time in Indian Railways.

Function in Bhopal

Mr. Yadav will receive the prestigious award at the 63th Railway Week National Awards function to be held in Bhopal on April 15, according to a release.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – April 07th, 2018

Megalithic burial site in a state of neglect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All
The megalithic burial site at Venkatapuram near Tirupati, with a mobile tower in the background. | Photo Credit: A_D_RANGARAJAN
The megalithic burial site at Venkatapuram near Tirupati, with a mobile tower in the background. | Photo Credit: A_D_RANGARAJAN

‘One of the six finds in Karakambadi region already lost to a mobile tower’

For many, it is just an uninhabited waste land abutting the Tirupati-Kadapa national highway and the Renigunta-Kadapa railway line. Not many know that this piece of land on the outskirts of Tirupati is actually a treasure trove of knowledge that has the potential to open new vistas in archaeological research.

Located in the little-known Venkatapuram village tucked between Chengareddypalle and Karakambadi, it is a megalithic burial site believed to date back to 500-300 B.C. The region is full of history and is an indicator to the likely presence of prehistoric human civilisation.

The burial of corpses by megalithic people bears a distinct signature. Some used cairn packing (pouring heap of pebbles over the tomb), some drew anthropomorphic figures on the tombstone and some had a Dolmen’s chamber with a capstone. However, what one finds in Venkatapuram is a ‘stone circle’, that is, a circle formed by placing boulders around the grave.

According to V. Ramabrahmam, an assistant professor of history and archaeology at Yogi Vemana University, Kadapa, megalithic people believed in life after death and that the soul would travel to other worlds. Hence they kept food items and tools inside the chamber for use by the dead person.

Plenty of evidences

Chittoor district has wide presence of megalithic culture. In fact, this particular area bounded by Karakambadi, Mallemadugu, Vedallacheruvu and Rallakaluva has a rich history. M.L.K. Murthy, a professor of archeology, was the first to report Rallakaluva as an Upper Paleolithic site, nearly five decades back.

Around 300 megalithic burial sites have been identified so far across Chittoor district, 210 of them by Prof. Ramabrahmam himself. Many of them are in a state of disarray and some have already vanished.

“The granite hunters are the first to eye them, followed by land encroachers and infrastructure developers,” says Challa Sivakumar, a conservation activist and founder of Archeology Research Group (ARG), which strives to create awareness on heritage.

“There is evidence of existence of earlier historic man in this area, established by continuation of culture, which needs to be preserved,” Mr. Sivakumar told The Hindu.

Prof. Ramabrahmam and Mr. Sivakumar stumbled upon this site by chance when they made a visit along with a research scholar J. Narayana some time back.

Of the six burials, there are only five today and the ‘missing’ one has been replaced by a newly-erected mobile tower.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by A.D. Rangarajan / Tirupati – April 09th, 2018

Tirupati-born ‘Miss Karnataka’ now eyes ‘Miss India’ crown

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Bhavana Durgam with her family members at their house in Tirupati. | Photo Credit: K_V_PoornachandraKumar
Bhavana Durgam with her family members at their house in Tirupati. | Photo Credit: K_V_PoornachandraKumar

Say her purpose is to help raise funds to improve schools

She was totally unprepared and was not expecting the crown, but the pleasant touch of serendipity propelled 21-year-old Bhavana Durgam to the summit of ‘Miss Karnataka 2018’ beauty pageant. Buoyed by the result, she has now set her eyes on bagging the ‘Miss India’ title.

Born in Tirupati, Bhavana had her nursery schooling here before moving to Bengaluru along with her parents Durgam Prabhakara Reddy and Krishnaveni. She finished her schooling in Baldwin Girls High School as is now studying Medical Electronics Engineering at BMS College of Engineering, Basavanagudi.

When the opportunity came calling early this year for the ‘Miss Karnataka’ pageant, Bhavana entered the arena untrained, but her typical composure, relaxation techniques practised at home, training in basics of Carnatic music and relaxed communication with peers helped her score brownie points. At 5’10”, Bhavana had never worn high-heeled shoes, but started using one for the first time since it is a primary accessory for ramp walkers. She has also started doing basic make-up and hair-do on her own, which is a prerequisite for the aspirants.

Actress Rakul Preet Singh is providing guidance and tips to the contestants from the five southern States.

Speaking to The Hindu, Bhavana recalled her interaction with children in her immediate neighbourhood. “My friends and I teach underprivileged students under the innovative ‘I teach’ concept,” she said. Her altruistic attitude paid dividends, as Bhavana was selected as the ‘Miss Goodness’ ambassador in a sub-contest held during the pageant. She has acted in a TV commercial with actress Sneha, besides in advertisements for Bengaluru Football Club and a drug company. Her younger brother Bhargava Durgam, an upcoming cricket player, is equally prominent through his leading TV commercials.

With keen focus now on ‘Miss India’ event scheduled during May 21 – June 23 at Mumbai, Bhavana spends half a day at her college and the other half for practice. She is confident that her purpose will ensure her win. “If I win, I will use my brand to help raise funds to improve State-funded schools, not only in Karnataka, but across India,” she signs off.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by A. D. Rangarajan / Tirupati – April 05th, 2018

Venkat Rahul Ragala adds 4th gold to India’s weightlifting haul at CWG

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

Venkat Rahul Ragala became the fourth Indian weightlifter to claim a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games , coming out trumps in a tense contest here on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

The Indian was locked in a close battle with Samoa’s Don Opeloge, who ended with a total of 331kg (151kg+180kg).

Both the lifters opted for 191kg as their final clean and jerk lift and both of them failed but Rahul clinched the top prize owing to Opeloge’s failed second attempt at a 188kg lift.

Had Opologe managed a good final lift, Rahul would have ended with a silver as he had already fouled his third attempt.

In the Commonwealth Championships last year, Rahul had lifted a total of 351kg (156kg+195kg).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sport / PTI / Gold Coast – April 07th, 2018

Anatomy and history of a 200-year-old Ivory skeleton

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam
The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

A rare masterpiece from Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, it’s now the prized possession of the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College

A rare ivory skeleton, the bones of which have been carved to clockwork precision on the lines of the human skeleton, is the cherished treasure at the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College (AMC) here.

The ivory skeleton, 5’6” in height and weighing 231 lbs (104.78 kg), reflects the ingenuity of the sculptor, who had carved it more than two centuries ago. It was procured from the famous Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, which was under the patronage of Rajah Serfoji (1798-1832). The skeleton is said to have been made between 1805 and 1810. Dr. R. Krishna Rau, a Professor in the Department of Anatomy between 1929 and 1946, who was instrumental in setting up the museum, had bought the ivory skeleton and a rosewood skeleton for a sum of ₹75. The 18th century skeleton has been drawing appreciation of not only experts in the medical field, but also the general public during exhibitions.

“The British are said to have paid ₹5 lakh to display it during an exhibition in London in 1970. The skeleton was taken in a specially made coffin and returned after about a week,” Dr. Ashalatha, Head of the Department of Anatomy, told The Hindu.

Mortem and taboo

“In those days, there were several taboos in handling human bodies and skeletons, and Dr. Krishna Rau was said to have stayed back in the department for a few days on the arrival of the skeletons. Even today, some anatomy professors do not tell their family members that they handle dead bodies,” says Dr. K. Lakshmi Kumari, an Associate Professor of Anatomy. “The ivory skeleton is a masterpiece and is said to be one among the few in the world. No wonder, it was taken by ship all the way to London for display at an exhibition there. The ivory and rosewood skeletons are displayed at exhibitions, organised on special occasions,” says Dr. P.V. Sudhakar, Principal of AMC.

The museum signifies the efforts and dedication of the illustrious teachers, professors and HODs, particularly of AMC during the early days.

Prof. F.J. Anderson, who as Principal of AMC, gave full freedom to Dr. Krishna Rau in securing the unique collections.

The department was named after Dr. Krishna Rau on January 24, 1984 honouring his efforts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – April 06th, 2018