Category Archives: Records, All

Hussain proves yet again he has a nose for the keyboard

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
Mohammed Khurshid Hussain currently holds the world record for typing A to Z on a keyboard in 3.43 seconds. - Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
Mohammed Khurshid Hussain currently holds the world record for typing A to Z on a keyboard in 3.43 seconds. – Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

The youngster types a sentence using his nose in 47.44 seconds, more than half-a-minute faster than the current world record

Mohammed Khurshid Hussain, who holds the Guinness World Records for typing the English language alphabet in 3.43 seconds on a keyboard, attempted to break the record for typing a 103-word sentence in the shortest time, with his nose, here on Thursday.

It was Mr. Hussain’s second attempt to break the world record for typing the sentence ‘Guinness World Records have challenged me to type this sentence using my nose in the fastest time’ with his nose.

According to the Guinness website, the current record holder is an Indian named Neeta, who achieved the feat in one minute and 33 seconds at Guinness World Records Pavilion in Global Village, Dubai, UAE, on November 16, 2008.

Mr. Hussain’s clock stopped at 47.44 seconds when he finished typing the sentence with his nose, more than half-a-minute faster than the current world record.

“This is my second attempt to break the record. A few months ago, I typed the sentence with my nose in 54 seconds, for which I am yet to receive the certificate,” he said.

Mr. Hussain currently holds the world record for typing A to Z on a keyboard in 3.43 seconds.

The feat was achieved on February 2, 2012, according to the Guinness website. He performed the feat in the presence of S. M. Arif, Padmashree and Dronacharya awardee; Mohteshyam Ali, silver medallist at the Mr. World body building championship; Naina Jaiswal, an international table tennis player; and Iftekhar Shareef, who acted as witnesses for the record-breaking attempt.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – February 27th, 2014

Making light of his lightless days

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Sports

 

Irfan Bin Hamed Al Hamoomi, the visually-challenged judoka from Hydeabad, who has been selected to represent India in the Junior world games (Paralympic) in Hungary, seen with his coach and mentor M. A. Aziz. PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU / The Hindu
Irfan Bin Hamed Al Hamoomi, the visually-challenged judoka from Hydeabad, who has been selected to represent India in the Junior world games (Paralympic) in Hungary, seen with his coach and mentor M. A. Aziz. PHOTO: K. RAMESH BABU / The Hindu

Irfan Bin Hamed Al Hamoomi is the only person from the State to compete at the ongoing Junior European and Junior World Games competitions in Hungary

He cannot see the world like us, but Irfan Bin Hamed Al Hamoomi, 20, is sure to make the world sit up and watch his exploits in judo.

The local boy is the only person from the State (among five from India) to be selected to represent the country at the ongoing Junior European and Junior World Games competitions in Hungary. The 90-per cent visually challenged student of Chanchalguda Junior College says his career took a turn for the good after meeting M. A. Aziz, former national champion, and a jury member in the 2012 London Paralympics.

“Things changed for the good after I met him, as I was facing difficult times,” Irfan says, even as he traces his humble origins. His father Irfan Hamoomi supports the family selling onion and garlic.

The boy’s career took off when he won gold in the 55-kg category in the Lucknow nationals for the visually challenged (Andhra Pradesh won the overall championship for the first time with six gold, three silver and two bronze).

Irfan is confident of doing well in Hungary where judokas from 35 countries are expected to vie for top honours.

“I don’t think of my handicap at all. I am just enjoying the sport,” says the youngster. Irfan trains with 20 others at the Quli Qutub Shah Stadium on a wrestling mat (not a judo mat), showcasing his indefatigable spirit to keep improving despite all odds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – December 05th, 2013

AP govt unveils policy for life sciences sector

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

The Andhra Pradesh government today unveiled an exclusive policy for the life sciences sector aiming at USD 13.5 billion market by 2019 with an emphasis on biotechnology, medical devices, bio-services, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

“This policy will lead to Rs 20,000 crore of new investment and skilled employment opportunity to 50,000 people besides augmenting exports to Rs 60,000 crore by 2019,” the policy that was unveiled during the inaugural session of ‘BioAsia-2014’ said.

The major initiative of the policy is to declare lifesciences sector as an industrial category with a set of steps that will ease compliance of procedures through single window system and provides power at industrial tariff which are hitherto being levied commercial tariff.

Providing uninterrupted power supply for life saving drugs is also one of the steps in the policy, it said.

As a part of infrastructure development, the policy envisages certain projects which are critical for the development of the sector under PPP mode such as Vivarium, vaccine testing facility, animal quarantine and bio-security facility, medical devices park, dedicated life sciences clusters in the form of Genome Valley, parks and institutions, it further said.

K Pradeep Chandra, principal secretary (industries), said that with initiatives mentioned in the policy, the state will become a major attraction for the life sciences industry in the coming years.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Hydreabad – February 17th, 2014

Teen fish-seller looks to conquer the waves

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports
Nikhil Kumar at his shop selling fish./ The Hindu
Nikhil Kumar at his shop selling fish./ The Hindu

Fifteen-year-old S. Nikhil Kumar, who took to sailing three years ago, is back from Hong Kong after a training stint under renowned Polish sailing coach Marek Nostitz Jackowski

Fifteen-year-old S. Nikhil Kumar has made rapid strides in the sport of sailing since he took it up about three years ago on the waters of the Hussainagar Lake. His family is in the business of selling fish and when he is not studying or sailing his boat, he too puts in his share of handling the household chores which includes selling fish.

Recently Nikhil had the privilege, along with a few other boys from India, to go to Hong Kong to attend a sailing course conducted by Marek Nostitz Jackowski, the well-known Polish sailing coach based there.

Marek had come to Hyderabad a few months ago following an invitation by Suheim Sheikh, founder of the Yacht Club of Hyderabad. On that occasion Nikhil’s skills in handling his craft had caught the eye of this experienced coach.

Marek had asked Nikhil to come over to Hong Kong for further coaching and recently Nikhil managed to make the trip.

The training was provided free by the coach and YCH paid other expenses. It turned out to be a very exciting and valuable experience for this young lad from Hyderabad.

“Marek sir provided me with very good advice. I was among a group of 16 sailors from different countries. Our coach put us through some tough sailing exercises on the water. Every day we trained for about seven hours. The way he trained us was an eye opener to me in many ways. After my trip, I can truly say that I have emerged a far better sailor and I am sure I will do even better in the days to come,” says Nikhil.

Nikhil Kumar during a sailing session. / The Hindu
Nikhil Kumar during a sailing session. / The Hindu

High on confidence

“Sailing in the sea was quite a different experience from sailing on the Hussainsagar Lake which is an inland venue. Coping with wind speeds, changes and shifts and also handling boats under simulated competitions gave me a lot of confidence in my own abilities. Now I am sure I will do well in the national meets that I am planning to take part in, during the coming year,” Nikhil says.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Abhijit Sen Gupta / Hyderabad – November 20th, 2013

CITY MUSINGS : Naye Masjid a point of confluence in Machilipatnam

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
A view of Naye Maszid at Rajpet in Machilipatnam. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
A view of Naye Maszid at Rajpet in Machilipatnam. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

Renovation of the architectural beauty of 1920s is now under way

Idyllic living conditions help peaceful existence of people from different religious practices in Rajpeta area. This peaceful atmosphere of co-existence justifies it to be called ‘Jewel by the sea’ in the port town.

Renovation of Naye Masjid, an architectural beauty of 1920s, is now underway and it is bound to become the most sought-after location for the people in the town in the coming years. Naye Masjid, with two minars, each standing 108 feet tall, has been the sole sacred place for the estimated 700 families belonging to Muslim Sunni sect.

An integral part

Every resident from five streets around it – Rajpeta, Nooruddinpeta, Varregudem, Pathullahbad and the National College Street – need to pass in front of the Masjid everyday as part of their routine. Having a look at the Masjid has become an integral part of the people’s daily lives, irrespective of their religious practices.

“Construction of Masula’s one of the multi-speciality hospitals is on in our area. People from the entire town will appreciate the beauty of the Masjid when they visit the hospital after it goes functional,” feel the Rajpeta residents. The proud locals claim that renowned educational institutions such as The National College and Krishna University were situated in its vicinity.

The Committee Secretary Sheik Hussain with his son. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
The Committee Secretary Sheik Hussain with his son. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

“Muslim families in Rajpeta area contribute funds for completion of the ongoing beautification and renovation works of the Naye Masjid. However, people from all other religions take pride in having such a structure,” Naye Maszid Committee Secretary Sheik Hussain told The Hindu.

This landmark construction is visible from majority of the areas in the district headquarters town.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada> City Musings  / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – February 17th, 2014

BS Southern Region corporate quiz: Hyderabad team comes first

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

It was after six challenging rounds and after 35-40 questions that the Sai Mitra Constructions team from Hyderabad won the trophy as well as a gift cheque of Rs 25,000 in the Business Standard Quiz : Southern Region Finals.

The quiz was held on Saturday at Vels University in Chennai. The main sponsor was global watch brand Victorinox and Vels University was the associate sponsor with Coca-Cola being the beverage partner. Hair and beauty salon chain Naturals, silk saree manufacturer and retailer RmKV and Cookie Man were the gift sponsors.

The winning team bagged Rs 25,000 and the first and second runners-up, both from Infosys, received Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000, respectively.

Naveen Kumar and Phani Mahesh, the duo from Sai Mitra, said they faced a tough fight from the first runner-up team, comprising Vivek Venkatesan and Senthil Kumar P K from Infosys.

In total, 82 teams from 61 colleges and 21 companies, from the four southern states have participated in the quiz. Each team had two representatives.

The participants included an interesting mix of educational institutes such as the Indian Institutes of Management -(Trichy and its Chennai campus; Kozhikode), Indian Institute of Technology (Chennai), Great Lakes, Bharathidasan Institute of Management, SRM, Veltech, and LIBA, among others, and corporates such as Infosys, TCS, Caterpillar, India Cements, HSBC, ICICI Bank and Indian Overseas Bank.

Quizmaster Gaurav Sri Krishna, who is the leader for Asia-Pacific, India and MEA (Middle East and Africa) region in TCS, was at his best as he challenged the teams with the best of his questions, said one of the participants.

One question that stumped all the finalists was: As an individual contributor, to whom can one submit a BION and what does it mean? While nobody on the stage answered it, one of the participants off-stage came up with the right answer: It is a Believe It Or Not (BION) story sent to Ripley Entertainment Inc. The staff at Ripley’s world headquarters is always searching for new stories of the odd and unusual. Every day, they receive dozens of phone calls, hundreds of posted letters and thousands of emails from people with incredible stories of outlandish feats, amazing works of art, or unexplainable phenomena. It is owned by the Jim Pattison Group, which is Canada’s largest privately-held company.

The first runners-up team from Infosys said it was a googly with a simple answer while they were suspecting it as something associated with the digital currency, bitcoin.

The winning team said that all the questions were impressive and of good quality. “We have been waiting for the Southern Quiz to happen from the time we heard about the BS Quiz which was held in Mumbai,” said Kumar of Sai Mitra.

The quizmaster said the teams were very good and experienced, which could be seen from their performance.

He added the tough question according to him was: This company in the early 1900s undertook every imaginable means of unfair competition, in all probability including physically assaulting competitors’ employees. Its field force consisted of Knockout Salesmen who fanned across the US selling machines that were copies of competitors’ machines, but did not work. Finally in 1913 its top executives were indicted for violating the Sherman Antitrust Act and were sentenced.

However, before he could finish reading the question, which appeared on the screen, the winner team came up with the answer: National Cash Register (NCR). The quizmaster explained that its founder John H Patterson and Thomas J Watson (Sr) who was the sales head were two of two-dozen executives of the company who were indicted and sentenced to a year in jail.

K Sekhar, vice-chancellor of Vels University, said the event has improved in several notches and it was evident from the performance of the teams. “Seeing the corporate participants contesting in the event would also motivate our students to come,” he said. R Mathialagan, registrar of the university, added: “This gives us a good platform to connect with the corporates.”

The second edition of Business Standard quiz is one of the largest quiz competitions held in this part of the country. The first edition was held in Chennai last year in association with Vels University.

In this year’s quiz, 82 teams representing various colleges from all disciplines and corporates from the four southern states participated. Participants travelled from various corners of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Around 300 students from the Vels Institute of Business Administration, Vels University and faculties from other colleges have witnessed the Quiz.

Business Standard also conducts written rounds of BS Quiz in various colleges across all disciplines.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Current Affairs> News> National / by BS Reporter / Chennai – February 17th, 2014

Triple gold for star lifter Rahul

Records, All, Sports
Ragala Venkat Rahul
Ragala Venkat Rahul

Wins three medals in the 77 kg category in the Youth National Championship in Guwahati; creditable performance by AP lifters

Ragala Venkata Rahul, the 17-year-old weightlifter from Andhra Pradesh Sports School, ensured that the year 2013 ended on a high for him on the personal front, when he won three gold medals in the 77 kg category in the Youth National Championship in Guwahati.

For someone who was adjudged ‘best weightlifter’ in the recent Commonwealth Championship in Penang, it may not be a big surprise when this Andhra boy has achieved a similar feat in this National also in the youth category. Earlier, B. Vishnuvardhan settled for two silver medals and a bronze in the 94 kg category with a combined effort of 252 kg (111+141).

For the record, visually-challenged Parapati Ramesh had already stunned the critics with a silver medal in the 50-kg category to become the first-ever visually-challenged from the State to win a medal in an open national.

By all means, it has been a creditable performance by the weightlifters from Andhra Pradesh in the Youth category as the girls Deexitha won three silver (53 kg), Sindhu three bronze (58 kg) and M Ooha Sai three bronze (69 kg +). This feat also enabled the State team to finish second overall in the girls section.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – December 26th, 2013

Book on legends, anecdotes of Hyderabad launched

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

Hyderabad :

‘Lengendotes of Hyderabad,’ authored by noted expert on history and culture of Hyderabad Narendra Luther, was launched in the in the presence of historians, academics, artists and heritage activists on Thursday. The book is a collection of legends and anecdotes which the author terms ‘Legendotes.’ The articles, based on documentary evidence, interviews and personal experiences, try to capture the 400 years of history and socio-cultural developments of the that symbolizes tolerance and love.

Historian Aloka Prasher Sen, dean, School of Social Science at UoH, who did not approve of some of the footnotes in the book since they are based on personal interviews and not hard scientific evidence, said that the bits and pieces of history that are found beyond the gamut of concrete proof too should be acknowledged as credible source. Speaking as the chief guest at the function, she said Luther’s book has been published at a time when there is serious debate over the inclusion of oral history and other sources as essential elements in history writing.

She was of the opinion that Luther’s book falls in the category of such historical narratives that provide a context and explanation to events and developments in given periods of time. Luther conceded that he is not a historian in the traditional sense of the term. “I do what I like best-to capture moments in their true spirit,” he said.

The book contains tales of about 70 legends, anecdotes and personal accounts beginning from the beautiful rocks of the Deccan plateau to Bhagamati, to the developments during the era of Nizams and beyond.

The continuation of evolution and fusion of cultures even captures the glimpses of modern times when T Anjaiah or N T Rama Rao ruled as chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / January 31st, 2014

Vizag zoo to get country’s first wild dog breeding centre

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Records, All

DholeHF19feb2014

Dholes are classified as an endangered species by the IUCN

In about two to three months’ time, the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) will be the first zoo in the country to have a conservation breeding centre for the endangered wild dog or ‘dhole.’

Selected by the Central Zoo Authority to carry out this project at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, the zoo authorities have earmarked an area on the premises for the centre.

Rise in numbers

After a series of successful in-breeding of wild dogs in the zoo, its population witnessed a massive increase within the protected area from just two to 22, the highest number of wild dogs in captivity in the country, according to current records.

Recently, two more litter of wild dogs were spotted at the wild dog enclosure, which is now being monitored to prevent disturbances. However, the number and gender of the litter are yet to be ascertained.

Similar in-breeding of wild dogs was carried out in zoos in Chennai and Mysore without much success.

Classified as endangered by the IUCN, wild dogs or ‘dholes’ are dwindling in numbers due to habitat loss, depletion of prey base, and destruction of forest corridors leading to fights with other predators and diseases from domestic and feral dogs.

Genetic profiling

The conservation centre in IGZP is expected to help in recovering the population of the endangered animals.

“To start with, a genetic profiling of the existing animals in the zoo will be done. Once the strong genes among them are identified, the conservation breeding process will be started through a series of measured steps.

The idea is to re-introduce the species in the wild later,” IGZP curator G. Ramalingam told The Hindu.

“Tenders have been called for the project. We have also issued circulars to hire a biologist for the project, which will be finalised soon,” he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home > News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Nivedita Ganguly / Visakhapatnam – February 19th, 2014

Veteran CPI leader and champion of land struggles passes away

Leaders, Records, All
Former three-time MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Former three-time MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Govinda Rao, in the time of undivided Communist Party of India, was actively involved in several land agitations conducted in the plain and Agency areas of the then combined Visakhapatnam district.

Former MLA of Anakapalle and veteran leader of CPI K. Govinda Rao, who passed away in Hyderabad on Tuesday, was leader of many successful struggles the party launched in this area in the past.

Govinda Rao belonged to the time of undivided Communist Party of India and was actively involved in several land agitations conducted in the plain and Agency areas of the then combined Visakhapatnam district (comprising of the present north coastal Andhra districts). He got nearly 2,000 acres distributed to poor farmers in Cheedika and Rebaka villages in Chintapalli mandal and Kesavaram in Payakaraopeta mandal and led agitations for distribution of mokasa lands in Seetakandi and Nimmagedda areas in Golugonda mandal. His work among the poor helped him to get elected three times form Anakapalle Assembly constituency in 1962, 1967 and 1978. During the agitation for establishing steel plant at Visakhapatnam he resigned as MLA at the party’s direction. Born in Visakhapatnam, Govinda Rao actively participated in students agitations while studying at M.R. College, Vizianagaram. He was arrested and imprisoned at Bellary jail during Quit India movement.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – February 19th, 2014