Nina Davuluri, who was crowned Miss America 2014, credits her Indian roots and culture for having won the coveted beauty title, The Hindu reported.
Davuluri, on her recent visit to Vijayawada to meet her extended relatives, said: “The fact that I am rooted in Indian culture helped me win Miss America pageant.”
She added: “My last visit to Vijayawada city was in 2009. The city has changed a lot but people are the same, warm and affectionate.”
As a child, Davuluri learned classical dancing in Vijayawada. The dusky beauty also revealed that she would not join the entertainment industry like other Indian beauty queens, but would keep herself “engaged in service to society, especially in the field of women empowerment.” — SG
source: http://www.saudigazette.com / Saudi Gazette / Home> Life / New York – Monday, December 29th, 2014
Hero statue being moved to Kanaparthis Museum from Ongole on Monday. Photo: Kommuri Srinivas
Three antique idols and a hero stone belonging to the medieval period have been unearthed, according to State Archaeology department in-charge Assistant Director T. John Kamalakar.
While the hero stone and Narasimha swamy idol were unearthed from the Fort Street here, the idols of Parvathi and Parameswara were recovered from a site near the RISE College on the city outskirts.
“The idols belonged to 12th or 13th century,” John Kamalakar told The Hindu.
They would be preserved for posterity at the State Archaeological Museum, named after Prakasam Pantulu at Kanaparthi.
”The department proposes to develop the museum further with the 14th Finance Commission grants,” he said.
A caretaker of the archaeological resources, G.V. Subba Rao said the artefacts at the museum provided a lot of information about, among other dynasties, the Satavahanas, Eastern Chalukyas, Sangamas and Cholas. “It is for the first time, antique idols are unearthed in the city,” said researchers Jyothi Chandramouli and M.V.S. Sastry.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by S. Murali / Ongole – December 30th, 2014
Sai Vatsalya Mokka, a student from the city, secured a record score of 99.93 percentile in the recently declared 2014 CAT-IIM results.
Sai Vatsalya had earlier completed his B. Tech from IIT Guwahati in mechanical engineering. He had also excelled in studies by obtaining good ranks in ICSE, IIT JEE and Mathematics Olympiad. He holds the National Talent Scholarship of Merit from the Government of India.
He aspires to study at IIT Ahmedabad. His father M. Jagannadha Rao is a professor of Geology in Andhra University and mother Santhi Priya is a Chief Specialist at the Visakha Steel General Hospital.
Andhra University Vice Chancellor G.S.N. Raju and others congratulated the boy on his achievement.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – December 29th, 2014
Former students of Fort Catholic Girls High School celebrating their reunion on the school campus in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Old students of 1977-2013 batches of Fort Catholic Girls High School meet for the first time to raise funds for the Hudhud-hit institution. For many, it was the perfect moment to rejoice as the event brought the old friends from different parts of the globe together, including the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.
A group of women were busy posing for selfies with the newly-designed cut-out that had a faceless image of a schoolgirl. Peals of laughter echoed at the venue as friends met to make merry after a long time.
There was excitement in the air as old pals, from 1977 to 2013 batches, met at Fort Catholic Girls High School to celebrate their reunion for the first time. Apparently, what united them after such a long time was their love for the school. “We came to know that some of the classrooms have become roofless post the cyclone Hudhud that damaged the city beyond its recognition. The reunion has been organised to raise funds and bring the 162-year-old school back to its feet,” says Lakshmi Kamal, who belonged to the 1995 batch.
For many, it was the perfect moment to rejoice as the event brought the old friends from different parts of the globe together, including the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.
“In 1977, the scenario was entirely different. We were adept at giving the students their space and be strict when it comes to studies,” says Rupali Banerjee, a retired geography teacher. What was initially a five-member group has now grown up to a network of 216 members.
“We have been in touch with each other through Facebook and WhatsApp. This is a result of our two-month hard work,” say Beena, Neelima, and P. Anuradha.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam – December 27th, 2014
A new kimberlite pipe has been discovered in the 2,300 sq. km. Kalyandurg’s cluster of Anantapur district, and is named KL-7, and is the seventh such in the area, reports say. The pipe may be a possible diamond bearing kimberlite pipe.
Exploration activity involving aerial surveys and remote sensing, and other analysis in the area was undertaken by experts from National Mineral Development Corporation (NMCD) and Hyderabad based National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), after having renewed their prospecting license, reports add.
According to scientists, the discovery unfolded when subsequent drilling was performed at a suspected kimberlite region, revealing the kimberlite pipe near Budik-onda in Anantapur district.
The scientists are further considering a further course of action to undertake additional explorations, reports add.
source: http://www.diamondworld.net / Diamond World / Home> News / by Diamond World News Service / December 26th, 2014 / Ref. 10976
KSG Chandra Sekhar (right) and B Abhiram | Express Photo
Rajahmundry :
Two students of the historical city proved their mettle in the national-level ‘Code To Learn Competition-2014’ conducted by Google recently. Google engineers judged the project submissions made across the country. The students were selected as part of 10 finalists at the national level in seventh and eighth classes category.
Two projects designed by students of Sri Gowthami School KSG Chandra Sekhar and B Abhiram were selected in the competition. The two students designed the projects under the scratch category. Google is conducting the ‘Code to Learn Contest’ from 2013, to make programming fun and easy to learn for schoolchildren in India. It has been designed to encourage school students to exhibit their creativity using scratch,
APP inventor, java script, python programming languages in creating interactive stories, animations, games, music and art creations.
School correspondent SR Kumar said the management was implementing scratch programme in the school from 2012 and congratulated the winning students.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / December 20th, 2014
City based dentist A Sridhar Reddy who bagged the Indian Dental Oscar, at a press conference in Vijayawada on Monday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
The award conceived by FemDent magazine to promote excellence in Dentistry. The Dr Sridhar International Dental Hospital was also conferred the Clinic of the Year award.
City-based dentist A. Sridhar Reddy has bagged the FemDent Outstanding Dentist of the Year award.
The award conceived by FemDent magazine to promote excellence in Dentistry is known among dentists as the “Indian Dental Oscar”.
The award was presented to Dr Sridhar Reddy by Maharashtra University of Health Sciences Vice-Chancellor Arun Jamkar at a function held in Mumbai on Sunday. This is the second consecutive year that Dr Sridhar Reddy bagged the Outstanding Dentist Award.
FemDent gives awards to dentists and institutions of dentistry in several categories like clinic of the year, new practice, clinical team, clinic interiors, smile centre, dental website, dental lab, corporate dental chain, entrepreneur dentist, specialist dentist, techno-savvy dentist, student and dental talent of the year.
The Dr Sridhar International Dental Hospital was also conferred the Clinic of the Year award. The process of evaluation was done through several inspections conducted over a period of three months, Dr Sridhar Reddy said. He is the recipient of several awards and medals from the State government, district administration and other organisations.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Corrrespondent / Vijayawada – December 16th, 2014
The journey of The Miss Vizag contest has not only grown bigger with time, it has also brought about a change in social perception
Over the past 50 years, the official Miss India contest has given wings to the dreams of many women and the slew of Miss World and Miss Universe titles in the later years only added more sheen to the glamour. All along these years, the beauty world was witnessing yet another metamorphosis which resulted in similar events mushrooming across the country’s smaller cities.
The long journey of The Miss Vizag contest has not only grown bigger with time, it has also brought about a change in social perception of the beauty world and provided a platform to many girls from middle-class families, lifting their dreams to the next level. For majority of the participants, the contest had been their first tryst with the fashion world. While a few made it big, for others it was like a sweet and short moment of glory that will be cherished for years to come.
Miss Vizag 2014 Shobhana Guddela. Photo: K.R. Deepak
For Shobhana Guddela, who bagged the title of Miss Vizag 2014, the month-long experience of being a part of the contest brought about a life-changing phase. “My life has become very hectic all of sudden. People are recognising me on the streets,” says a euphoric Shobhana.
While she is enjoying all the attention and limelight now, she does miss the carefree days when she could ride her two-wheeler in the busy city roads without being noticed by the public. “Just the other day, I was returning back in an auto-rickshaw when a group of people started calling out ‘Miss Vizag’ loudly on the road. And many started taking pictures! It is all a different experience for me. Now even to step out to the neighbouring store, my parents have to come along with me,” says Sobhana, who completed his graduation from Pydah College of Engineering.
She quickly adds, “But my first priority is my higher studies. I want to pursue MS in Construction Management.” While she prepares to apply for higher studies abroad for the fall season next year, Shobhana says she is open to exploring modelling assignments and film offers as and when the “right opportunity” comes. “I got two film offers but I haven’t committed myself to any project yet. My parents are looking at all the offers and I will go by whatever they suggest,” says the 22-year-old, who is now working on her fitness levels and joined Zumba classes to be in shape.
First runner-up Laxmi Bharadwaj. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Life may have shifted gears for Laxmi Bharadwaj, the first runner-up of Miss Vizag 2014, but she still wants to take it slow and tread carefully even as she explores her dreams in the tinseltown. The day after the grand finale of the beauty pageant, Laxmi signed her first film offer. Reluctant to divulge further details, the former air hostess says that the film is a romantic flick with a tinge of horror.
“The experience at the beauty pageant has helped me in a big way personally. My family is very happy and they now have the confidence in me and know that my film dreams are finally coming true,” says Laxmi. Cautious not to get lost in the mirage of all the sudden attention and celebrations, Laxmi says these are just the initial days. “I want to have a long innings. And for that I need to make a strong foundation by honing by acting skills and maintaining the fitness levels. I have no background of acting, so I have to take training for the basics,” says Laxmi, who has joined a short course in acting before she starts shooting for her first film early next year. This weekend, Laxmi will be on her way to Hyderabad to meet the crew of another film project.
Second runner -up Suryamayee. Photo: K.R. Deepak
Suryamayee Mohapatra’s phone keeps ringing these days. “I get so many calls from relatives, friends and Odiya and Telugu filmmakers! It’s like a dream for me,” says the 19-year-old. “But I am sure of one thing,” she pauses and adds, “I don’t want to get into films. The modelling world is where I think I will do well.” The stage and the lights were not new to Suryamayee. Being a trained Odissi dancer for over five years, she had given performances at the national level. Ask her what made her participate in the beauty contest, pat comes the reply, “I knew I had a good stage presence and once I was in it, I was confident of making it to the finals at least,” says Suryamayee. Studies remain her top priority as she gets ready to appear for the medical entrances next year. But doesn’t she miss all the glitter of the beauty pageant now that it’s over?
“Oh yes! I had put in so much effort to present my best. That peacock attire I wore during the final rounds of the contest, that one was designed by my sister. We both were so much involved that she made sure I never repeated a hairstyle! I miss the days now,” adds Suryamayee.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Fashion / by Nivedita Ganguly / December 10th, 2014
The fire services department will be Andhra Pradesh’s first department to move out of Hyderabad. The newly-built complex of the AP fire services will be inaugurated by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu here on Friday.
The new fire services headquarters has been built near the police control room in the city. Although the complex was initially designed to locate regional offices, it was later decided to make it the headquarters of the fire department after the bifurcation of the state. The new complex will house nearly 50 officials of various cadres, from director-general of fire services to field officers. The complex also has space for parking six fire-fighting vehicles.
Fire services DG Nanduri Sambasiva Rao said the work on the complex was completed in a record six months time. The DG, along with district collector M Raghunandan Rao and DCP Taqseer Iqbal visited the complex and inspected the arrangements for the CM’s visit late on Thursday night. Naidu will visit the Ungutur assembly constituency in West Godavari district in the morning and will reach Vijayawada by evening.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 12th, 2014
MAJOR LEAP: Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma inspecting a guard of honour before commissioning INS Shakti (in the background) in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. — Photo: K. R. Deepak
INS Circars, the first Naval establishment in Visakhapatnam, is celebrating its Platinum Jubilee on Friday.
The British had identified Visakhapatnam as an important convoy assembly point for military operation in 1923. However, it was on this day 75 years ago, a small Naval Base was commissioned on December 12, 1939. To cater to the need for expansion, the base was formally established as HMIS Circars on April 12, 1942, according to an official release.
The origin of the name ‘Circars’ relates to the Nizam of Hyderabad, who had ruled this land. The first Naval establishment of the Eastern Seaboard was therefore aptly named ‘Circars’, a befitting title to the Depot Ship.
Commodore K.P. Gopal Rao, MVC, VSM (Retd.), former Commanding Officer INS Circars from January 3, 1974 to January 16, 1976, would be the chief guest at the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – December 12th, 2014
