Category Archives: Records, All

Lactalis acquires Hyderabad-based Tirumala Milk

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

World’s largest dairy player Groupe Lactalis SA has acquired Tirumala Milk Products Private Limited.

According to a statement by Tirumala, the transaction marks France-based Lactalis’ entry into India .

The deal to buy out 100 per cent stake in Tirumala was reportedly closed at USD 275 million (Rs 1,750 crore)

Lactalis Group Communication Director Michel Nalet said the deal was officially finalised yesterday, but no amount regarding the deal was disclosed either in India or France.

“For Lactalis, this first acquisition in India is an important step for us and due to the quality of the business model developed by the previous share holders, we believe that it will be a very good platform to develop the business in India,” Nalet told PTI in an email reply.

Tirumala Co-Founder and Managing Director D Brahmanandam said his company has emerged as a leader in the private sector dairy market in South India.

“We are extremely happy to have partnered with Carlyle, who provided numerous value creation activities and acted as a catalyst in the growth of the company over the past few years. Tirumala is the partner of choice for Lactalis, and is well poised to emerge as a national brand with market leadership position,” Brahmanandam said.

Tirumala is the second largest private dairy company in South India.

Barclays was the sole financial advisor to Tirumala. J Sagar Associates was the legal advisor to Tirumala. Rothschild was the sole financial advisor to Lactalis. Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co was the legal advisor to Lactalis.

Founded in 1996 by D Brahmanandam, B Brahma Naidu, B Nageswara Rao, Dr N Venkata Rao and R Satyanarayana, Tirumala raised equity investment in 2010 from First Carlyle Ventures III and First Carlyle Growth VII, affiliates of The Carlyle Group (Carlyle), a global alternative asset manager.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – January 08th, 2014

Suven gets 3 product patents in Australia, Sri Lanka, South Korea

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Suven Life said granted claims of patent include class of selective 5-HT compounds discovered by Suven

SuvenHF24jan2014

Suven Life Sciences Limited, a Hyderabad-based biopharmaceutical company, has received a product patent each from Australia, Sri Lanka and South Korea corresponding to the new chemical entities for the treatment of neuro-degenerative and psychiatric disorders.

These patents are valid till 2029.

In a filing to the BSE on Thursday, Suven Life said the granted claims of the patent included the class of selective 5-HT compounds discovered by Suven and were being developed as therapeutic agents and were used in the treatment of cognitive impairment associated with neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s and Parkinson’s as well as psychiatric ones like Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia.

With these new parents, Suven has 16 granted patents from Australia, nine from Sri Lanka and 12 from South Korea. These granted patents are the exclusive intellectual property of Suven. Products out of these innovations might be out-licensed at various phases of clinical development like at Phase-I and Phase-II, the company said.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by K. Rajani Kanth / Hyderabad – January 09th, 2014

Hyderabad doctor develops ‘Scrape Cytology’, new medical procedure, to detect spine disorders

Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad based doctor Dr Naresh Babu from Mediciti Hospital has devised a new medical procedure called ‘Scrape Cytology’ to detect and diagnose spine related problems. Unlike existing procedures the ‘Scrape Cytology’ technique can detect spine related problems in just eight minutes.

Dr Naresh Babu a spine surgeon in Mediciti Hospital has spent two years doing rigorous research on about 40 patients and had finally come out with an innovative and novel medical procedure Scrape Cytology. This new technique will help diagnose spinal disorders 30 per cent more accurately than the current tools available.

Reckoned for his contributions in the field of medicine, Dr Babu had recently been honoured by the Indian Orthopaedic Association with the prestigious SP Mandal Gold Medal. His work has also been accepted for publication in the North American Spine Surgeons’ Association’s The Spine Journal.

Elaborating about on the impact the Scrape Cytology can create in the near future, Dr Naresh said. “In coming years, it will become the “gold standard” for all the surgeons. That’s because it saves time and energy to detect the real problem. And, it doesn’t require additional infrastructure to set up, just a few glass slides.”

According to the doctor the scrape technology is very much useful in fast identifying problems like lesion, tumours and fractures inside the spine. As per the traditional practice doctors need to take a sample tissue from the bone and send it for testing. But that sample tissue may not be representative of the problem tissue. So, it has to be repeated four to five times for before achieving an accurate result.

“Unlike the traditional procedure we have developed a method of minimally invasive spine surgery wherein we scrape the ‘problem tissue’ and identify it inside the operation theatre itself before sending it for biopsy in labs. It takes only eight minutes to ascertain if there are any defects in the spine,” explained Dr Naresh.

source: http://www.pharmabiz.com / PharmaBiz.com / Home> Top News> Hospitals &Clinics / by A. Raju – Hyderabad / Friday, January 10th, 2014

World’s Largest Integrated VRLA Plant Coming up at Chittoor

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Galla Jayadev, vice-chairman and managing director of Amara Raja Batteries performing puja at the inauguration of the company’s new plant at Nunegundlapalle near Chittoor on Sunday. His mother and mines minister Galla Aruna Kumari is also seen | EXPRESS PHOTO
Galla Jayadev, vice-chairman and managing director of Amara Raja Batteries performing puja at the inauguration of the company’s new plant at Nunegundlapalle near Chittoor on Sunday. His mother and mines minister Galla Aruna Kumari is also seen | EXPRESS PHOTO

Extending its business base in the district, Amara Raja Batteries Limited group, belonging to the Galla family, announced its expansion by launching the world’s largest integrated medium VRLA plant at Nunegundlapalli near Chittoor on Sunday.

The first factory in the 500 acre land, set up with an outlay of `350 crore, was inaugurated here on Sunday. With an employment generation capacity of 1,500 in the first plant, the plant can manufacture 3.5 million UPS batteries every year, ARBL managing director Galla Ramachandra Naidu said.

“The second plant is under construction and two more plants–one for tubular and other for plastic–will soon commence operations. The second unit, with an outlay of `350 crore, would provide jobs to another 1,500 people,” he said.

Emphasising that the company will focus on employment generation, Ramachandra Naidu said, “Chittoor is enveloped with barren hills. There is no agriculture and only industries here are dairy and poultry. For the economic growth of the district, industries are the only option and we are providing them.’’

Ramachandraiah Naidu said after the completion of all the plants, the company will provide jobs to as many as 20,000 persons.

Speaking on the occasion, ABRL vice-chairman and managing director Galla Jayadev said the UPS batteries cater to the need of industries and can be used domestically too.

He said Chittoor is a strategic location for development of industries. “Every one thinks that Chittoor is not viable as it is far off from the capital, Hyderabad. But, it is a strategic location as it is located three hours away from Chennai and Bangalore,’’ he said.

Jayadev said economic development will increase commercial activity at the place and also nearby towns. “Thanks to our Karakambadi plant, which is providing employment to 17,000 persons, the local economy increased by 30 per cent in Tirupati. Similarly, with a potential of 30,000 here, Chittoor town and nearby villages will develop,’’ he said.

On their future plans, Jayadev said though they have not yet finalised, they are going to invest in other districts including in coastal Andhra and Telangana.

District collector K Ramgopal, Putalapattu MLA Dr Ravi and others also took part.

Galla Aruna Praises YSR

Mines and geology minister Galla Aruna Kumari heaped praises on former chief minister late YS Rajasekhara Reddy. Speaking on the need of industrial development and his family’s contribution to it, Aruna Kumari said it was YSR who took an initiative in the industrial development of the district. “During talks Rajasekhara Reddy offered lands at three different places to us and we selected this one. It was like a forest then and a lot of effort has gone in transforming the area,” she said. Expressing her gratitude to YSR, she said her appreciation should not be politicised.

No to Division

“We are opposing bifurcation and we will continue to do it,’’ she said. Reacting on the reports of the chief minister likely to float a new party, Aruna Kumari said she was not aware of any such move.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service – Chittoor / January 20th, 2014

L.V. Prasad Eye Institute’s 100th centre at Araku

Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

L V Prasad Eye Institute as opened its (LVPEI) 100th vision centre for primary care at Araku village in Visakhapatnam district.

“With this, about 2000 villages in Andhra Pradesh will be provided high quality primary eye care,’’ the Hyderabad-based institute said in a release issued here on Saturday.

To serve the under-privileged communities and reach the unreached segment in the eye health, the Gullapalli Pratibha Rao International Centre for Advancement of Rural Eye Care (GPR ICARE), the public health component of LVPEI, has established a network of vision centres (primary centres) linked to Secondary Centres across rural and remote rural locations in the State.

With the Araku centre, LVPEI’s network of community eye care services now comprises 100 primary care vision centres and 11 secondary care service centres that have served nearly 2.5 million people thus far. These centres had screened close to 1.30 lakh people last year, about 70,000 of them school children.

The institute’s latest secondary centre was launched in Bellary, in the neighbouring state of Karnataka, and there were projects under way to expand the network into Odisha as well.

Commenting on the occasion, Gullapalli N Rao, Founder and Chair – LVPEI said: “ICARE aspires to evolve into a highly efficient eye health care service delivery component for LVPEI as we step into another year.”

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National / by The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – January 05th, 2014

RTC Bags Awards

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

The APSRTC has bagged the All State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU) awards under three categories for 2011-12 and 2012-13.

The corporation has achieved the highest fuel efficiency (5.23 km/litre of diesel)in mofussil services in 2011-12. It also achieved the best road safety record (0.1066 per lakh km). It has got the Union transport minister’s trophy for safety for the fourth time.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / January 08th, 2014

Facelift to monuments of neglect

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
Gandhi Memorial Stupa atop Gandhi Hill in Vijayawada. / Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu
Gandhi Memorial Stupa atop Gandhi Hill in Vijayawada. / Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu

Tourism authorities equipped with funds to upgrade local properties

After a prolonged lull in activity, the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is finally all set to switch to action mode in Vijayawada region.

Most part of the year that just passed by was about ‘all-promises-no-implementation’. But the tourism authorities are now equipped with funds to upgrade, augment and enhance local properties awaiting their attention.

The Tourism Corporation has its hands full with works related to development of scenic spots like the Gandhi Hill, the picturesque Bhavani Island on River Krishna and the historic Kondapalli Fort near Vijayawada.

Gandhi Hill

Gandhi Hill, the first Gandhi memorial with seven stupas in the country was constructed on this hill at a height of 500 ft. The project was unveiled by the then President of India Zakir Hussain on October 6 in 1968. Regardless of its great significance that reflects in the Gandhi Memorial library and a sound and light show on Mahatma Gandhi’s life the place has, besides a planetarium and a toy train, the structure is reduced to a monument of neglect over the years.

To reclaim its glory, the APTDC plans to spend funds to the tune of Rs. 3 crore. The works it proposes to take up include modernisation of the toy train which is currently in a dilapidated state, re-laying of the road that goes up the hill, renovation of the library and the museum and add new features besides illuminating the place.

“We will soon call tenders for taking up works worth Rs. 75 lakhs at Kondapalli Fort. The walls that have collapsed will be reconstructed and other demolished structured will be restored,” says Babu Prakash, Executive Engineer of the engineering wing of APTDC. The fort is located on the west of the Kondapalli village and was built by Prolaya Vema Reddy of Kondaveedu in the 14 century. What was initially a pleasure place and a business centre later served as a military fortification and the British placed a strong garrison here.

At Bhavani Island, the long-pending amphitheatre works have been completed at a cost of Rs. 56 lakh while the jetty is being repaired at a cost of Rs. 14 lakh.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – January 12th, 2014

Donkey milk sells at Rs 2,000 per litre!

Business & Economy, Nature, Records, All

Visakhapatnam :

Donkeys may be the butt of jokes but the nutritional quality of donkey milk seems to be no laughing matter. After all it was said to be the secret of Egyptian princess Cleopatra’s glowing beauty.

And now, despite the bifurcation trouble brewing in the state, a group of nomads from the north Telangana region have arrived in north coastal Andhra with a herd of donkeys and are doing brisk business selling donkey milk that they claim has medicinal value for newborn babies.

(G Lingamma, a woman spotted…)
(G Lingamma, a woman spotted…)

G Lingamma, a woman spotted with a pair of donkeys and surrounded by milk buyers at Sivajipalem in the city on Thursday, said a group of 20 people comprising four families had arrived in the district few days ago from Mancherial town in Adilabad district of Telangana along with 15 pairs of donkeys to sell donkey’s milk that is believed to be a remedy for curing asthma and any respiratory problems in newborns.

“We are selling a cup (25 ml) of fresh donkey milk for Rs 200. If anybody wants it in bulk we can sell it for Rs 2000 per litre. Despite the steep prices, people who believe in donkey milk therapy are buying it without trying to bargain. Each one of us is currently able to earn nearly Rs 700-800 per day by selling the milk in the city. We had come here last year too and after completing our tour of Vizag city we will go to Vijayawada,” Lingamma said.

Meanwhile, housewife K Satyavathi, who bought 75 ml milk from Lingamma, said they used to buy donkey milk from Salur in Vizianagaram district. “My daughter recently gave birth to a baby boy. I was very happy when I heard that the donkey milk seller is roaming in our street. It’ good for my grandson’s health as feeding donkey milk to a newborn is nothing but administering good ayurveda medicine,” Satyavathi explained.

Concurring with Satyavathi’s statement, a senior ayurveda doctor, V Suseela, from Sri Ayurveda Health Centre Srinagar, said that donkey milk is the best medicine for newborns suffering from asthma, tuberculosis and throat infections. Explaining its medicinal value, V Venkateswara Rao, joint director, department of animal husbandry, Visakhapatnam district, said that though donkey milk is similar to human breast milk, it is relatively poor in protein and fat but rich in lactose.

“It has been used since ancient times to battle asthma and respiratory allergies and is fed to babies aged between 6-8 months for good health. The milk also enjoys a good demand in metros like Bangalore and Chennai. It also helps skin become smooth and glowing and is used in cosmetic products. It is no coincidence that Cleopatra used to bathe daily in donkey’s milk and 700 donkeys were milked everyday just for her,” Venkateswara Rao said. According to him, donkey milk is very famous in European countries and cheese made from donkey milk is the world’s costliest dairy product.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City>Visakhapatnam> Asthama / by  V. Kamalakara Rao, TNN / December 28th, 2013

Kalamkari union gets licence to procure black jaggery

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All
Members of Kalamkari Artisans’ Union, Pedana, receiving permanent trade licence to procure and transport black jaggery, from Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao in Machilipatnam. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Members of Kalamkari Artisans’ Union, Pedana, receiving permanent trade licence to procure and transport black jaggery, from Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao in Machilipatnam. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu

The Hindu reported the woes of the Kalamkari artisans due to lack of the jaggery

Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao on Monday handed over the permanent trade licence, issued by Commercial Tax department, for procurement, transport and sale of black jaggery, to the Kalamkari Artisans’ Union members at the Collectorate here.

The registered licence number was VJ2/0173/7851 (as per the AP Value Added Tax Act 2005) was officially sanctioned on December 17, based on the recommendations of the Excise Superintendent K. Pradeep Rao.

Amicable solution

In response to the woes of the Kalamkari industry due to scarcity of black jaggery, both the district Collector and Excise official found an amicable solution to encourage the rural industry. The Hindu reportet the woes of the Kalamkari artisans and the officials reacted positively to that. Excise Superintendent K. Pradeep Rao told The Hindu that the Kalamkari union deserved the licence as it was found to be of great necessity for supply of black jaggery. “There is no hesitation to act against the members of the KAU if violation of the licence in any manner is found. We will keep vigil on illegal transportation of jaggery, even within the limits of the Kalamkari industry,” he added.

KAU president Y.V. Malleswara Rao and other members thanked the authorities concerned.

The artisans are now being allowed to procure and transport the black jaggery from Chittoor and Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam district.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – December 31st, 2013

VCTPL lands Vizag container terminal project

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

Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) has approved issuing a letter of award to Visakha Container Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (VCTPL) for extension of existing container terminal at a cost of Rs.633 crore.

The proposal was okayed by the board of trustees, which met here on Friday. Kolkata Port Trust Chairman R. P. S. Kahlon, who is holding additional charge as Chairman of VPT, presided over the meeting.

VCTPL, a joint venture of DP World and United Liners Agencies of India (Private) Ltd., had developed the existing container terminal a decade ago under the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model. It had handled 2.47 lakh twenty-foot equivalent units in the last fiscal. Once the new container terminal is extended, it will increase the capacity by 0.5 million TEU. It is envisaged to increase the length of the all-weather terminal to 850 metres to handle bigger size vessels.

The letter of award is likely to be issued on Monday, VPT sources told The Hindu.

VPT accepted the VCTPL’s revised offer of 11.44 per cent of gross revenue share from the new project for which the concession agreement for 30 years will be signed in the New Year. The project will be taken up under develop, build, fund, operate and transfer (DBFOT) model.

The tender committee set up by VPT under the chairmanship of Chief Engineer Ramachandra Rao opened the price bid on November 18. VCTPL had emerged as the only qualified bidder to submit price bid. VCTPL, which was also the single largest bidder earlier, was not considered by the port for offering just 10 per cent of gross revenue share.

The board subsequently asked all the seven qualified bidders, including VCTPL, Adani, Simplex, Welspun and Leighton, to submit fresh bids.

“We are delighted at the Friday’s decision to issue letter of award in our favour. It will help VPT in facing competition thrown up in handling container cargo by the Krishnapatnam and Dhamra Ports,” CEO of VCTPL Capt. Sriram Ravi Chander said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Business> Industry / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – December 27th, 2013