Category Archives: Records, All

Andhra Pradesh shifts head offices of 14 departments to Vijayawada, Guntur

June 28, 2016About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

The shifting of the Andhra Pradesh administration to Amaravati crossed a major milestone on Monday with the opening of 14 departments in and around Vijayawada.

The offices of Directors and Commissioners and more than 1,000 employees have shifted from Hyderabad.

These are now located in Vijayawada and Guntur and a handful in Mangalagiri.

The new offices wore a festive look, with Ministers and officials opening them formally to the chanting of mantras and playing of nagaswaram.

Employees decorated their new offices with rangolis, and officials signed files with a smile. Staff already here welcomed their colleagues from Hyderabad with bouquets.

The head offices inaugurated in Vijayawada on Monday include: Anti-Corruption Bureau, Beverages Corporation, Rural Water Supply, Stamps and Registration, Panchayat Raj, Archaeology and Museums, Economics and Statistics, Higher (Collegiate) Education, Prohibition and Excise, Tribal Welfare and Women’s Empowerment Corporation, Planning Board and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh.

SC Finance Corporation was inaugurated in Guntur.

Officials enquired with the staff about the facilities being provided for the employees. Some officials were actively competing to meet the deadline set by the Chief Minister.

The government initially set June 15 as the deadline for the shifting and later pushed it to June 27. As the search for rented buildings took longer than anticipated, the government has allowed the process to take place by August.

Construction of the Interim Secretariat Complex (ISC) at Velagapudi in Guntur district gained pace after Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu wanted the government to fully function from there.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Rajulapudi Srinivas V. Raghavendra / Vijayawada – June 28th, 2016

Kalachakra museum turns into ‘Venuvanam’

June 28, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

The five gazebos that stand in the front yard of the Kalachakra museum have brought the much-need sheen to the place. —Photo: By Arrangement

Bodhi tree rehabilitated and large wall adorned with mural art

A bodhi tree, sapling of which was planted by the Dalai Lama who visited Amaravati town in 2006 to open Kalachakra, was almost dead six months ago.

“My first reaction was to dig a pit around the tree and water it. The area in front of the tree was being used for parking of vehicles with no respect for the place. The new project we designed was to close the place and develop a meditation area here. The tree has been rehabilitated and it looks very healthy, surrounded by eight granite pillars symbolising Ashtanga Margam, the eight-fold path in Buddhism,” said Amareswara Galla, Curator and International Heritage Advisor, Amaravati Ancient Town.

The long-neglected Kalachakra museum, proposed to be renamed as Amaravati Heritage Centre and Museum, is bursting with life. A large carving of the Dharma Chakra has been installed in front of the bodhi tree. Five gazebos have been constructed in front of the tree using traditional pentals representing Buddha’s first sermon to his five disciples after he attained enlightenment. The large wall has been transformed with mural art and the whole area has been aesthetically designed.

‘Venuvanam’, which was formally inaugurated by MLA K. Sridhar on Saturday, was the cynosure of all eyes.

International standards

Monks in maroon robes offered prayers at the tree during the inaugural.

The MLA said that though it was a small pilot project it had set the benchmark for international standards that would become the hallmark of the ancient Amaravati town.

The once-sleepy town is buzzing with activity with Tourism and other officials are set on the task of reviving the old world charm of the place that attracted Buddhists in a big way.

A heritage walk and a tourism circuit are among projects planned for this region.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – June 26th, 2016

Volvo opens India’s biggest car showroom in city

June 28, 2016Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Launch of hybrid car in India next month, says group Vice-President (Asia Pacific)

Here is another landmark for Vijayawada, the base capital of Andhra Pradesh. Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo opened its biggest car showroom-cum-service centre on the outskirts of the city on Monday.

The 26,000-sq. ft three-storey iconic building with Scandinavian ambience assumes significance as it was opened on the day when 15 government departments were shifted from Hyderabad to Vijayawada as part of the bifurcation exercise. The current growth and prospects in the region will work well for the company, according to Volvo officials.

Speaking after launching the showroom here, Volvo Cars Group Vice-President, Asia Pacific, Jari Kohonen, said the company was doing extremely well in India and looking at 20 to 25 per cent growth in sales this fiscal. “While continuing the existing models, we plan to launch the hybrid plug-in car next month in India. We also have plans to display the XS 90 hybrid car in Vijayawada soon,” Mr. Jari said.

Among the variety of Volvo models, luxury SUVs are the most-sought-after cars in India, according to Tom Von Bonsdorff, Managing Director, Volvo Auto India.

“Luxury SUVs would largely help us in achieving our targets here. They are most popular,” said Mr. Tom. The company claims to have 20 per cent market share in the cars segment in the State.

Prospective customers from Amaravati

While the brand has good patronage, especially from customers in Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Kakinada and other places, new enquiries are coming from Vijayawada and Amaravati, says Manoj Krishna, dealer principal, Volvo Vijayawada. “There is a lot of interest visible in Vijayawada and surrounds, especially from the Amaravati capital region where a lot of disposable incomes are seen. We are currently selling 100 cars per annum and we expect to double the number in the coming two years,” Mr. Manoj said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – June 28th, 2016

Historic building at Tanuku on the brink

June 25, 2016Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, Alladmin

Symbol of neglect:A view of the building that was constructed by Yerramilli Ramanatham. —Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar

Greats such as Gandhi and Kanchi Paramacharya had stayed there for a while

Sri Yerramilli Ramanatham building, which had virtually become a second home for freedom fighters during the struggle for independence, is on the verge of collapse. The building has become an outlet for drainage water of an adjacent building housing a bank. With people relieving themselves, it presents a revolting sight.

Yerrammili Ramanatham, a follower of the Mahatma, had constructed the building with the intention of providing free meal to freedom fighters. When Gandhiji visited Tanuku on April 27, 1929, during a campaign to boycott foreign clothes and wear khadi ones only, Ramanatham urged him to stay in the building to which the latter readily agreed. During his visit, Gandhiji formally launched the common meal initiative. “The Mahatma again visited the building on December 26, 1933, and asked us to launch the Harijan movement,” said Konda Venkatappaiah, also a freedom fighter, in one of his books. Ramanatham, who was given the title of “karmayogi,” got an opportunity to provide accommodation to the Kanchi Paramacharya in 1938. The seer stayed for three days in the building with his entire “parivaram” and other paraphernalia, a devotee said.

Freedom fighters from the Godavari districts and north Andhra, including Konda Venkatappaiah, Mangipudi Purushothama Sarma, Mudiganti Jagganna Sastry, Bandha Viyyanna, and Sanivarapu Subbarao, would regularly meet in the building and discuss strategies.

But unfortunately, after the country gained Independence, the sacrifices made by Ramanatham and his family were forgotten.

“Ramanatham’s son Narasimha Rao, a Sarvodaya worker, was asked to write a book on Alluri Seetharama Raju’s life and his wife Parameswari also undertook some research,” said Vadrevu Sundarrao, a lecturer at the SCIM Government Degree College here.

He said it was unfortunate that successive governments had neglected such a great building.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / B.V.S. Bhaskar / Tanaku (West Godavari) – June 24th, 2016

City singer figures in ‘wonder’ book, gives father the credit

June 23, 2016Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinionadmin

Visakhapatnam :

WHAT could be the best gift a man could get on the Father’s day when his son has attempted to enter Limca Book of records, India Book of Records and has received an approval to enter the Wonder Book of Records.

Composer and non-stop performer of 20 patriotic songs in 20 languages, including Nepali, English, French and German, in 65 minutes, Sri Tarak dedicated this achievement to his dad, on the occasion of the Father’s Day on Sunday.

The singer is a music and short film director, Big FM’s Vizag Idol 2013, promotional singer of Telugu movies like Baahubali, Temper and Nannaku Prematho, performed for events like Visakha Utsav and winner of 14 Inter-college singers championship. Passionate about singing from childhood, Sri Tarak aspires for an Oscar.

The hall echoed with melodious numbers like “My India so beautiful.. My India so strong.. My India so Virtuous…Calls to her sons.” The duration of each song ranged from 3 to 5 minutes. The patriotic numbers composed and sung by him swayed the audience.

The panel of coordinators were Narender Goud, India chief co-ordinator of Genius Book of Records and Wonder Book of Records, Swarna Sree, chief co-ordinator of Wonder Book of Records (Telangana and Andhra Pradesh), N Shilpa, chief co-ordinator of Golden Star World Record Forum (AP) and Siva Prasad, chief co-ordinator of World Records. Appreciating the efforts and the dream of Tarak, Narender Goud said: “There is no one in the world who holds a record to sing continuously in different languages. Tarak has made us and his parents proud and I wish him to fly high to attain his goals.”

Tarak who turned emotional after being approved by Wonder Book of Records, said,

“My parents, teachers and God are my inspiration and whatever I achieve in life is for them. This is my first step and I would strive hard to fulfil my dreams and make my parents proud.” The CD of all his composed songs was released by minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Sunday.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / June 20th, 2016

Blindness not a hurdle to hyperthymestic girl

June 21, 2016Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, Alladmin

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

APGB bags awards

June 18, 2016Business & Economy, Records, Alladmin

Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank has received SKOCH Order of Merit as well as Inclusive India Finance India Award during 2015-16, bank chairman D. Sampath Kumar Chary said on Friday.

The bank received SKOCH Order of Merit for successfully implementing financial inclusion and covering 1,899 villages allotted to it and bagged the Inclusive Finance India Award for use and implementation of information technology in spreading financial inclusion

Releasing the financial results for 2015-16 to the media at Kadapa, Mr. Sampath Kumar Chary said APGB transacted a total business of Rs.17,838 crore as on March 31, 2016, with a quantum jump of Rs. 2,703 crore over the corresponding period last year.

Deposit level

The deposit level reached Rs. 9,595 crore, a quantum jump of Rs. 1,782 crore over the previous year, registering a growth rate of 22.80 per cent.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Kurnool – June 18th, 2016

India’s first mangrove centre to be set up in Vizag

June 17, 2016Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, Alladmin

Visakhapatnam:

Around 100 acres of land has been identified by the district administration at Yerrakonda near Simhachalam for setting up India’s first exclusive Centre for Mangroves and Coastal Ecology under the Institute of Forest Biodiversity which is under the aegis of the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE).

Vizag district collector N Yuvaraj said the foundation stone would soon be laid at the site. It would be a centre dedicated to study and research on mangroves ecosystem. “Considering that mangroves have been fast depleting due to shore-based development, the Vishakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) would take up professional regeneration and replantation of mangroves in 50-acres of area within the port at its own expenditure,” said VPT chairman M T Krishna Babu.

Both the district collector and VPT chairman were speaking at the inaugural of the second national seminar on conservation, restoration and sustainable management of mangrove forests in India, hosted by the Institute of Forest Biodiversity (IFB), Hyderabad, being held in the Port City from June 15-16.Mangroves are trees that grow in coastal saline or brackish water in estuarine environment, where marshy soil conditions prevail.

The district collector further said, “The Kerala model of identifying, notifying and conserving mangroves should be replicated in the rest of India. As a case study, AP forest department should also study it and begin the conservation work from Vizag. The district administration would provide all support.”
VPT chairman Krishna Babu said there’s a need for a systematic action plan to improve the biodiversity index of various places, especially with respect to the native species. “Awareness generation should be through introduction about biodiversity in school curriculum, organising field trips and quiz and so on. When it comes to mangroves, around 100 years ago, Vizag was full of it. But now, most of it has been lost.

Mangroves ecosystem support many species to thrive, absorb carbon dioxide and help tackle beach erosion. As a first step towards conservation, we need to identify and notify the mangrove patches on government lands (irrespective of their being patta lands) as reserve forests and conserve them. Also, since VPT has been held responsible for disappearance of mangroves due to our shore-based development works, we will therefore regenerate 50 acres of mangroves in our land with our own expenditure and take technical support from the scientists of the forest institutes concerned.”

At his welcome address, GRS Reddy, director, Institute of Forest Biodiversity, thanked the district administration for allotment of 100-acre land to set up the mangroves research institute and said, “Considering the ecological importance of mangroves and the need for their conservation, an institute exclusively for research on mangroves is needed in Vizag. Work would begin this year and the foundation stone laying may happen by this month-end.”

D Jayaparasad, additional principal chief conservator of forests, IFB and organising secretary of the seminar stated that Vizag has been chosen for setting up the mangroves research institute as it’s situated in the middle of the eastern coast and there’s a vast stretch of mangroves (59 %) on the east coast with 44% being in the Sundarbans. An interesting talk on ‘Mission Mangroves’ was delivered by the guest of honour and district collector of Kannuar district P Bala Kiran. He deliberated on how 600 acres of land was surveyed and notified as mangroves reserve forest and how the remaining 1225 acres are being acquired from private parties so that the mangrove lands can be conserved.

Another speaker Surendra Kumar, IFS and director of Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore said India has around 4,640 square kilometre of mangrove area and recently 112 sq km were added. “Three districts have registered good growth including Krishna district, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Raigarh district, each adding around 15 sq kilometre mangroves. For better mangroves conservation, all stakeholders should be involved together,” he said.

The inaugural session was followed by technical session, where K Kathiresan, professor of Annamalai University delivered his keynote address on ‘Mangrove Forests in India: Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management’.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / Sulogna Mehta, TNN / June 16th, 2016

Peddapuram, Samalkot to become twin cities

May 19, 2016About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Records, Alladmin

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday said that Peddapuram and Samalkot would become twin cities of East Godavari district in the near future.

Inaugurating the centenary celebrations of the Peddapuram Municipality here, Mr. Naidu said that the town had vast potential for development, as it had better road connectivity, natural resources and industrial estates. “We are going to construct an indoor stadium and outdoor stadium here in an extent of 10 acres and lay a double road from Peddapuram to Samalkot with central lighting facility,” he said, adding that the bus stand and market were being swapped for better town planning.

“A new bus stand will be constructed in the present market. Similarly, the present bus stand will be turned into a market. The entire process will be completed within two months from now,” he said. Stating that the Government was keen on providing irrigation to all the areas and irrigate every acre of land, the Chief Minister said that special focus would be made on irrigation facilities to the upland areas. “Water facility to Peddapuram town will accelerate the industrial growth here,” he observed.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Naidu inaugurated Centenary Park, cement concrete roads in the town, besides laying foundation stones for the Kapu and BC welfare buildings to be constructed in Kakinada. Finance Minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu, Home Minister N. Chinna Rajappa, local elected representatives and officials were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Peddapuram (East Godavari) / May 19th, 2016

First Telugu to head All-India Carrom Federation

May 16, 2016Records, All, Sportsadmin

Proud moment:S. Madan Raj, the newly-elected treasurer of All-India Carrom Federation, seen with the federation’s new president Dr. Neeraj Sampathy, in Hyderabad on Sunday.– PHOTO: V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

In a rare show of unity in sporting circles, Andhra Carrom Association and Hyderabad Carrom Association join hands to ensure unanimous election for all posts

He was not born when the All-India Carrom Federation was formed back in 1956. But, 47-year-old Dr. Neeraj Sampathy has achieved the rare distinction of becoming the first-ever Telugu speaking official to head the national sports body, on Sunday.

Nothing could have been more symbolic than one of the founder-members of the AICF, 75-year-old omnipresent B.K. Haranath, ensuring that there are no more hiccups in handing over the baton to Dr. Sampathy, who himself is a passionate carom player besides being an enterprising president of Andhra Carrom Association.

Ironically, despite his vast experience and major contribution to promoting the sport, Mr. Haranath has never headed the AICF. In the new setup too, he was given the post of director (media), as he is known to be adept in handling the media.

And, in a rare show of unity in sporting circles, both Andhra Carrom Association and the Hyderabad Carrom Association joined hands as part of the process to ensure the unanimous election for all the posts at the AGM here. Consequently, S. Madan Raj, secretary of Hyderabad Carrom Association, will be the treasurer.

The new AICF chief says that every effort would be made to see that carrom, which is in Group C in terms of sports discipline priority list – both at the State and the Central-level, gains a place in Group A.

“The only way out is to popularise the sport hosting more events – national and international – to produce more champions,” Dr. Sampathy remarked. “With the School Games Federation of India already including carrom in its curriculum, we will try our best to see that it is introduced at the university level too,” he said.

We will try our best to introduce carom at the university level. Dr. Neeraj Sampathypresident, AICF

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – May 16th, 2016

Andhra Pradesh First

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