Category Archives: Records, All

Vizag’s Scenic Erra Matti Dibbalu Now Declared a Geo-heritage Site

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion

ErraMattiANDHRA25jul2014

Visakhapatnam :

The Geological survey of India has declared the Port City’s famous ‘Erra Matti Dibbalu’ (Red sand dunes), situated between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam, as one of the geo-heritage sites in the country, D Rajasekhar Reddy, advisor of Geo-heritage cell of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), revealed here Wednesday.

With the picturesque place being one of the major tourist attractions in the area and a popular picnic spot, it is now going to be protected and preserved as a heritage site.

Speaking to mediamen, Rajasekhar said that the Erra Matti Dibbalu being official ly recognised by the GSI as a geological spot will increase the significance of the site globally.

He also said that conservationists can push the government for the protection of the site to bring unlawful activities and other mass events to an end. Rajasekhar felt that there is a need for a special ministry to ensure better progress in recognising more geo-heritage sites in the country.

GSI has recognised just 30 sites so far of which three are from the state. The Erra Matti Dibbalu site in Visakhapatnam are a rare scientific paleo coastal red sand dunes, which contain mesolithic and neolithic materials in it, a first in the country.

How geo-heritage site tag helps

Places identified as Geo-heritage sites are natural features on the Earth that hold significant cultural or scenic value. Geo-heritage or conservation involves the identification and preservation of such areas.

GSI would take over Erra Matti Dibbalu and take maeasures for its conservation.

Central funding would be sought for the maintenance and preservation of Geo-heritage sites.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 24th, 2014

Book plumbs new facets of Andhra Pradesh’s history

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All

Hyderabad :

The objective of writing history of Andhra Pradesh, covering coastal Andhra, Rayalaseema and Telangana, without seeking government help is “to keep it scientific, secular and free from any bias,” said veteran historian V Ramakrishna on Friday.

He was speaking at a function organized to release the fifth volume of the comprehensive history of Andhra Pradesh. The volume was released by governor E L S Narasimhan who said that the Andhra Pradesh History Congress, which was formed in 1976 and whose members have compiled the voluminous data, should take some help to facilitate its work. “Do not oblige anybody, but do take help because it is a gigantic task and the need of the hour,” he said.

Ramakrishna, who is popularly known as VRK, said that it was in 1998 that the APHC decided to compile and publish the comprehensive History and Culture of Andhra Pradesh in eight volumes which, with time, have been expanded into nine volumes.

The need for the series was felt because no connected, authenticated, chronologically arranged narrative from an inter-disciplinary perspective, incorporating the latest data, is available today. “Writing micro history is difficult. The content of each chapter is verified at various levels for its authenticity. I want to pay tribute to the contributing historians because they have written, not for money, but their dedication towards the cause of history,” he informed the audience.

The members of the editorial board of the history series include K S Kameswara Rao, A Satyanarayan and G Venkata Ramayya while the general editor is V Ramakrishna. The fifth volume has been edited by R Soma Reddy.

According to speakers at the function, the present volume is on Late Medieval Andhra Pradesh covering the period between 1324 and 1724, a period that witnessed the rise of larger regional state powers such as the kingdom of Vijayanagara and the Bahmanis.

Consequent upon the constant flux of people of different languages, faiths, cultures and professions and the establishment of foreign settlements, a liberal spirit of tolerance developed, which was furthered by the prevalence of Sufi and Bhakti cults. One of the most significant features of the times was the evolution of composite Dakhni Deccani culture, along with the rise of the Deccani Urdu language.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / July 19th, 2014

‘89 historic, heritage places identified in Kadapa district’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
INTACH honorary advisor and former MLA P. Subba Reddy releasing a book 'Gandikota Charitra' written by Tavva Obul Reddy. Photo: By Arrangement
INTACH honorary advisor and former MLA P. Subba Reddy releasing a book ‘Gandikota Charitra’ written by Tavva Obul Reddy. Photo: By Arrangement

INTACH convenor S. Elias Reddy says proposals are forwarded to INTACH central office in New Delhi for development of 43 heritage places in Kadapa district

Eighty nine places of historic, spiritual, religious and heritage importance were identified in Kadapa district and proposals were forwarded to INTACH central office in New Delhi for development of 43 such places, district INTACH convenor S. Elias Reddy said.

Addressing the INTACH meeting in the Sivalayam near Gandi waterworks here, Mr. Elias Reddy said INTACH would strive to preserve the culture and heritage in Kadapa district. Former MLC and INTACH honorary advisor P. Subba Reddy released a book ‘Gandikota Charitra’ written by Tavva Obul Reddy. He called for propagation of INTACH activities in the district.

Inscriptions dating back to 2,000 years surfaced in Vallur mandal, Vallur MPDO M. Suresh said and called for development of Pushpagiri Math and Indranatheswara temple. INTACH members Gangaiah and Ramachandra Reddy wanted forming of INTACH student clubs.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National / by M. V. Subrahmanyam / Kadapa – July 14th, 2014

Mridangam maestro to be honoured

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

 

Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham
Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham
Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham is to receive Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award and title “Mridanga Kala Siromani’ at Thalavadyotsav- at Bangalore Gayana Samaja on July 13

Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham is to receive Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award and title “Mridanga Kala Siromani’ at Thalavadyotsav-2014 (the 33rd annual percussive arts festival and music conference) at Bangalore Gayana Samaja on K.R. Road in Bangalore on July 13. Percussive Arts Centre is organising the programme.

Kala Ratna Narasimham, who was at his residence on the Ring Road here told The Hinduon Thursday that he was born on November 14, 1931 in Bheemunipatnam in Visakhapatnam district to Venkatalakshmi and Lakshmana Swamy and had studied B.A. B.Sc. B. Ed and worked as a science teacher in B.P.M. High School here for 22 years. Later, he worked as a Mridangam staff artist in All India Radio, Visakhapatnam from 1975 to 1991, and as a Principal of Vignana Vihar, Gudilova from 1991-2013.

He would be leaving for Bangalore on Friday to deliver a lecture on four M’s – melody, mathematics, method and manipulation — on July 12.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Correspondent / Vizianagaram – July 12th, 2014

Girl Cured of Rare Disorder

Records, All, Science & Technology

Vijayawada :

Doctors at VIMHANS (Vijayawada Institute of Mental Health, Neuro & Allied Sciences) cured a 10-year-old girl suffering from a rare psychological disorder.

At a press conference, director of Vimhans Indla Rama Subba Reddy said that Gayatri, a native of Thotagudem, West Godavari district, suffered from a rare disorder where she felt stones coming out of her eyes.

“No medical journal has ever mentioned about this problem. We observed the girl for four days and treated her with psychological counselling. She is fine now,” he said.

He added that there is no name for this kind of disorder in medical terms, and said that they treated the girl for free as she came from a poor financial background.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 12th, 2014

Nuzvid veena maker bags best artisan award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Sheik Mabu Saheb, a renowned Nuzvid veena maker of Krishna district, has received the Best Artisan Award-2013 from the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited for his work – Veena with peacock design.

He bagged the award in the category of Veena Making in which artisans from Bobbili were also in the competition. Mr. Saheb had stolen the hearts of the jury members with his small size veena that produces vibrations and sound like any other professional-size veena. “The award is recognition to the art rather than an individual artiste. Despite having a great demand for veena from the world of Indian classical music, shortage of veena makers is still creating problems for the industry’s growth,” Mr. Saheb told The Hindu.

Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Handicrafts Department Assistant Director K.N. Murali Krishna said plans were afoot to use the services of Mr. Saheb in training youth in veena making and designing. In a guru-shishya parampara, Mr. Saheb learnt that art from his father Sheik Meera Saheb, one of the first generation veena makers alive. According to Mr. Mabu Saheb, there were only nine veena makers engaged in the profession, spreading the art.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by T. Appala Naida / Nuzvid – July 10th, 2014

Bill on Polavaram project passed in LS amid protests

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Records, All
Polavaram project./ PTI photo
Polavaram project./ PTI photo

New Delhi:

A controversial bill which paves the way for the Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh by merging some villages and mandals of Telangana with Seemandhra was approved in the Lok Sabha today, amid stiff opposition from TRS, BJD and some other parties.

As soon as the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill seeking to replace an ordinance, and a statutory resolution disapproving it, was taken up, TRS members trooped into the Well and BJD members stood up in protest.

Over-ruling their objections, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan observed that it was not necessary to have separate discussion on the statutory resolution disapproving the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Ordinance that the bill seeks to replace and later on the bill, saying it had been done as per the practice of the House.

Maintaining that the bill was introduced after being referred to the relevant Standing Committee, Mahajan also said that interpretation of the law is the primary responsibility of the court of law.

She said her duty was to conduct the proceedings of the House in a proper manner as she ruled out the objections of members.

Her observations came following a point of order raised by Trinamool Congress member Saugata Roy and TRS member B Vinod Kumar insisting that the ordinance itself was “against the spirit of the Constitution”.

The TRS members also contended that the ordinance was unconstitutional as it had been brought about when the separate Telangana state had already been formed. Kumar claimed the President, before issuing the ordinance, had not elicited the views of the state legislature and wanted the government to defer bill.

BJD leader Bhratruhari Mahtab said his party was not against the project itself but “arbitrariness” with which the height of the dam was increased that would inundate 307 adivasi villages in Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

He suggested that the project’s design could be altered to ensure that tribals are not affected in any region and said the way things were turning out, there could be no alternative but to approach the courts.

source: http://www.beta.english.manoramonline.com / Manorama Online / Home> News> Nation / by Agencies / Friday – July 11th, 2014

13-year-old Andhra Pradesh girl to scale Stok Kangri

Amazing Feats, Education, Records, All, Sports
Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi
Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi

Visakhapatnam:

Thirteen-year-old Vizag girl Sriperambuduru Jaahnavi, an adventure enthusiast, is probably the first girl from Andhra Pradesh to attempt scaling Stok Kangri, which is 6,125 metres (20,080 feet) above sea level and the highest peak in the Stok range of Himalayas in the Ladakh region. She will start her journey from August 2.

Young Jaahnavi, who is trained in trekking, rafting, parasailing, hot-air ballooning, rock-climbing, always dreamt of a being a mountaineer inspired by Bachendri Pal and Malli Mastan Babu. The young girl has completed two high attitude treks — 16,000 feet Roopkund ranges in 2010 and  the 10,000 feet National Himalayan Trek in 201“Adventure involves risk but it is necessary for all-round growth and development. I don’t know the meaning of fear” said Jaahnavi, who completed the 15 most difficult treks across the country.

“Adventure involves risk but it is necessary for all-round growth and development. I don’t know the meaning of fear” said Jaahnavi, who completed the 15 most difficult treks across the country.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by DC Correspondent / July 15th, 2014

Now, a cow university for Guntur

Education, Nature, Records, All

Guntur :

After IIT, IIM and AIIMS, Andhra Pradesh is going to be feathered with a rare project.

A first-of-its-kind university dedicated to conserving cows is coming up in Guntur.

International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) has planned to set up a cow university near Kondaveedu where it is constructing a prestigious Krishna temple. The very idea behind the setting up of a cow university is to protect aging cows while providing employment to illiterate village youth.

“This is for the first time in the world that a university to teach how to earn while conserving disappearing cows is being set up,” Iskcon representative Ravindra Krishna told TOI.

He said that they would be launching a gosala (shelter for cows) costing Rs1 crore at Kondaveedu on July 13 and works for setting up the university would begin soon.

“Cow is a wonderful gift given by God to the humankind. It would keep helping us earn till its death,” he explained.

He also said that they would teach how to make medicines and other value addition products even from cowdung and the urine of an aged cow, adding that a youth could make at least Rs 30,000 per month if he could acquire 20 old cows which were being sent to slaughterhouses.

He said that Guntur district was chosen for the project because farmers here were using high quantities of pesticides causing severe damage to the health of humankind. He said that such pesticides could be replaced with bio-pests made of cow products.

Iskcon South India chief, Satyagopinath Das said that Puri Jagannath Rathyatra would be conducted in Guntur from Iskcon temple to Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram on July 14.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / by M N Samdani, TNN / July 12th, 2014

Visakhapatnam lad makes it to the list of top 10 innovators in India

Records, All, Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

Krishna Sai Inkoolu, an industrial engineering student of Gitam University, has been selected as one of the ‘Top 10 innovators of India’ in the India Innovation Growth Programme. The programme is a joint initiative of the Department of Science and Technology, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Stanford Graduate School of Business and the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas. Speaking to TOI, the engineering student said that the organisors of the programme have arranged business meetings with major footwear companies across the globe later this year in USA.

He has also been invited to visit Silicon Valley, California in September. In September last year TOI had reported about Inkoolu’s feat of designing a shoe for the blind equipped with an embedded electronic circuit that senses the existence of obstacles in its path and alerts the wearer.

The shoe was designed in such that an electrical signal transmits an impulse to the ankle of the visually impaired person if he or she is about to face an obstacle.

Also, the circuit, which is run by a small motor, gets recharged automatically when the person starts walking, ensuring that there is no need to change batteries to keep the motor going.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / June 3th, 2014