Category Archives: Records, All

New Guiness record set for non-stop joke narration

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports

BSNL employee Nanduri Prabhaakar being greeted on completing 48-hour non-stop joke narration marathon at the office of the GM BSNL in Visakhapatnam on Monday. /  Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Forsaking sleep for two consecutive nights to achieve the distinction of having surpassed a 20-year-old Guinness World Record for non-stop narration of jokes and in the process bring fame to his employer BSNL, Nanduri Prabhaakar talked away for 50 hours.

Starting on Saturday at 11:24 a.m. the BSNL employee and head of the Visakha Humour Club started narrating humorous anecdotes in Telugu from lives of famous personalities and those recorded in the works of famous writers. He made a very smooth transition from one anecdote to another without fumbling for words or thoughts.

Most of us cannot speak for five minutes. Imagine talking for 50 hours that too keeping track of what he is saying, and not being disturbed by the noise around him, BSNL General Manager (Consumer Fixed Access) Y V Sastry said putting the effort in perspective. He spoke during a break taken to mark the completion of 48 hours of narration.

Prabhaakar was felicitated by Government Whip Dronamraju Srinivas, General Manager (CFA), Deputy General Manager (Admin) R Harimohan, DGM (Finance) Y Srirama Murthy, writer Kasi Viswanath and patron of Omkar and Lions School for the Deaf Kasim Mehdi during the break taken after completion of 48 hours of Joke Marathon.

Prabhaakar finally concluded his marathon after 50 hours. The Guinness World Record for non-stop joke narration was set in 1992 in the US and has not been broken. He will submit the records of this performance, conducted according to the guidelines prescribed by the Guinness Book, in his bid to enter the record book.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / December 11th, 2012

Koneru Humpy felicitates Priyanka and her coach

Records, All, Sports

Former mayor T. Venkateswara Rao presenting a cheque for Rs. 25,000 donated by Grandmaster Koneru Humpy to world under-10 girls chess champion N. Priyanka in Vijayawada on Sunday./ Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu /

It was a poignant moment for chess lovers on Sunday as women’s World No. 2 Koneru Humpy felicitated the world Under-10 girls’ champion Nutakki Priyanka at her residence for her title triumph recently at the world championship in Slovenia.

The Grandmaster also presented a cheque of Rs.25,000 to the little girl as a token of appreciation.

“I became world Under-10 champion in 1997 and after a gap of 15 years another girl (Priyanka) won the coveted trophy from Vijayawada and it is a feat to be celebrated,” said Padma Shri and Arjuna awardee Humpy. City’s first mayor T. Venkateswara Rao, who was also present, honoured Priyanka’s coach Bobba with a shawl. The former chess administrator played a crucial role in shaping the fledging chess career of the ‘little champ’.

Koneru Ashok, coach-cum-father of Humpy, hailed the role of Bobba and felt that Priyanka possessed the wherewithal to garner more laurels in the game of sixty-four squares.

“It was Bobba who taught the rudiments of chess to Grand Master Pendyala Harikrishna,” he added.

Bobba said that Priyanka would take part in the Asian schools chess championship to be held at New Delhi from December 12 to 19. “The tournament will be held in age categories of 9, 11, 13, 16 and 17 and she will take part in the Under-11 category. She needs to deploy new openings and sharpen her middle and end games. Later she will take part in FIDE-norm tournament at Chennai,” he added.

Krishna District Olympic Association secretary K.P. Rao said that Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh has sent a proposal to Chef Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to grant a cash award of Rs.10 lakh to Priyanka. Priyanka’s parents N. Radhakrishna and Durga Devi also took part in the felicitation function.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / December 10th, 2012

Asian Eye Banks Awards L V Prasad Eye Institute’s Dr. Gullapalli Rao for Pioneering Contributions

Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad , India, Dec 05, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) :

The Association of Eye Banks of Asia (AEBA), an umbrella organization for major Asian eye banks and eye banking organizations, presented its inaugural award for “pioneering contributions to eye banking in Asia” to Dr. Gullapalli N Rao, Founder-Chair of L V Prasad Eye Institute here. The award was presented at the 3rd Asia Cornea Society Biennial Scientific Meeting held in Manila, November 27 to 29.

Dr. Rao developed the first eye bank employing international standards in Asia at L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad in 1989, and it has become a major global resource center and Center of Excellence in eye banking. LVPEI’s Ramayamma International Eye Bank is now one of the world’s biggest eye banks, and LVPEI performs the highest number of corneal transplants of any center in the world. The Ramayamma International Eye Bank is also a major international training center for eye banking personnel and research.

Dr. Rao, who served on the Medical Advisory Board of the Eye Bank Association of America, played a major role in the creation of the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI), of which he is also the former president. Through its activities, EBAI stimulated the development of a world-class eye banking network in India and supported the development of many Asian eye banks.

Corneal transplantation, using healthy corneas donated by individuals at death, is the only way to rehabilitate the majority of those with corneal blindness. Because India has the world’s largest corneal blindness burden, a high-quality eye banking system is very important to restore vision to as many as possible so they can lead optimally productive lives.

About LVPEI’s Ramayamma International Eye Bank

LVPEI’s Ramayamma International Eye Bank (RIEB) is the largest provider of sight restoring corneas in India and a SightLife Center of Excellence in Eye Banking. Since its establishment in 1989, RIEB has greatly increased the collection of transplantable donor corneas and elevated eye banking performance standards in India, Asia and the developing world. As a leader in eye banking across Asia, RIEB has contributed significantly to the effective networking and proliferation of eye banks through promotion of community eye banking programs. REIB has harvested over 35,000 donor corneas, and transplanted over 17,000 of them to needy patients. RIEB also offers training to eye bank personnel.

About L V Prasad Eye Institute

The L V Prasad Eye Institute provides high-quality comprehensive eye care to all people; provides sight enhancement and rehabilitation services at the Institute and through its rural eye health network; offers professional ophthalmic training at all levels; and conducts cutting-edge eye care research. The Institute is a World Health Organization (WHO) Center for the Prevention of Blindness and a Global Resource Center for VISION 2020, a worldwide initiative for the elimination of avoidable blindness led by WHO and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

SOURCE: L V Prasad Eye Institute

source: http://www.marketwatch.com / Home> Press Release / December 05th, 2012

Researcher stumbles on anti-cancer molecule in marine sediment

Amazing Feats, Records, All, Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

When Dasari Venkata Ravi Kumar set out with the objective of discovering a compound with a broad spectrum of activity, he accidentally stumbled upon a novel compound belonging to the Actinomycate family that has the potential to make a huge impact in the fields of cancer and microbial research.

Strangely though, Ravi Kumar found this unique molecule in some marine sediment  barely a stone’s throw away from the place where he conducted his research-the Department of Chemical Engineering at Andhra University. Actinomycates are filamentous or rod shaped pathogenic microorganisms resembling bacteria and fungi that are found in soil. These nitrogen deleted compounds have anti-cancer and anti-microbial tendencies.

“The discovery of this bio-microorganism has opened the doors for cancer and microbial research. The potential is huge and Ravi Kumar would be remembered as the man who made it all possible,” observed Professor D Rami Reddy, Ravi Kumar’s mentor, guide and inspiration. Talking about his discovery, an elated Ravi Kumar said that the past one year had been one hell of a ride with three international publications-Journal on Microbial Research, Journal of Microbial and Bio-Chemical Research and Journal of Bio-Technology publishing his research paper on the discovery.

“It was a fascinating experience. I basically set out to discover greater potential in compounds and by accident discovered a novel compound that is as of now unheard of,” says Ravi Kumar, pointing out that the support of his department and guide enabled him to complete his PhD in just two and a half years.

Though upbeat about his success at such a young age, the 30-year-old Dr Ravi Kumar, who was pursued by several pharma companies, is currently employed with a Hyderabad-based pharma player and is now worried about getting his discovery patented.

“Getting the patent is on top of my list of priorities. Things have been good so far and we have already applied for a patent, the compound has to be put through more tests till it can be finally patented. Once that is done, I plan to do more research in anti-cancer and microbial fields,” said the scientist, who jokingly said that sometimes picking up sea shells on the sea shore does help.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> Science /  TNN / Visakhapatnam, November 29th, 2012

Two golds for Santosh Kumar

Records, All, Sports

Santosh Kumar of Visakhapatnam Port Trust won two golds-100m and 400m in the 35th all-India Major Ports athletic championships which commenced at the Port stadium here on Monday.

Alphonsa Royan of Chennai won the same events in the women’s section, while K. Vijaya Lakshmi of Visakhapatnam finished with three medals — 100m, 400m and high jump in the girls’ under-18 section.

N. Nishant and P. Nayana won two medals each in the boys’ under-18 and girls’ under-14 sections.

The meet was inaugurated by Deputy Chairman of VPT and president of Visakhapatnam Port Sports Council GVL Satya Kumar.

The results: Men: 100m: 1. Santosh Kumar (VPT), 2. R.K. Layak (Paradip), 3. Salva Kumar (Mumbai). 400m: 1. Santosh Kumar, 2. Layak, 3. K.J. Joyson (Cochin). High jump: 1. T.K. Barik (Paradip), 2. Sunil Kumar Naik (Mumbai). Shotput: 1. N. Syam Sundar (VPT), 2. S. Soosaimichael (Tuticorin), 3. Ch. Appala Raju (VPT). 1500m: 1. Jyoson, 2. Janak Roy (Paradip), 3. P. Pydiraju (VPT).

Women: 100m: 1. Alphonsa Royan (Chennai), 2. Swati R. Patil (Mumbai), 3. T.T. Jency (VPT).400m: 1. Alphonsa, 2. Swati, 3. Ujwala Nikalje (JNPT). High jump: 1. D. Florance (Chennai), 2. D. Aruna Jyothi (VPT), 3. Jency. Shotput: 1. V. Chitra (Chennai), 2. Sushmamatre (JNPT), 3. Florance Amstrin (Chennai).

First place winners only: Boys: Under-18 100m and 400m: N. Nishanth (VPT); Shotput:Shyam Ranjan Pal (Paradip). Under-16 100m: Rajat R. Mahadik (JNPT); 400m: Himansu Sekhar (Paradip); Shotput: R. Reven Castro (Tuticorin). Under-14 100m: Mosomu Dolai (Paradip).

Girls: Under-18 100m, 400m and 1500m: K. Vijayalakshmi (VPT). Under-16 100m: Shweta Tandel (JNPT), 400m: Pranita Tandel (JNPT); High jump: Pallavi Madhavi (JNPT). Under-14 100m and high jump: P. Nayana (VPT).

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Sport> Other Sports / Visakhapatnam, November 27th, 2012

Rising Stars of Don Bosco Academy Nalgonda

Education, Records, All

Five of Don Bosco high school, Nalgonda students procured a place for themselves in the under-16 state football and basketball teams. Sports Association of Nalgonda on 7th of November 2012 selected Boyapati Bala Shravan, a student from class 9 for basketball, M. Muneer and A. Srinivas of class 7 as well as V. Madhu and P. Sriram of class 8 for football respectively.

On this occasion Fr Gopu Anand, the director of the Academy said that the importance of sports and games is being increasingly recognized at the Academy, from both the educational and social points of view. He exhorted all the students, regardless of all backgrounds and works, to participate in games, and not merely watch matches occasionally to cheer up their favourite teams or attend the prize distribution functions at the end of a sports season.

Fr Balashowry, the principal of the College and Fr Bhaskar the headmaster of Don Bosco High School commended the students for their achievements and verbalized their opinions of Don Bosco’s acclaimed pedagogy and educative system which empowers a child in his or her integral growth.

source: http://www.DonBoscoHyderabad.org / Home / by K. Suresh, Teacher, Don Bosco High School / November 20th, 2012

Two prizes for Nalgonda in State science test

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Subramanyam of Prakasam district and K. Yeshwant of Nellore bagged the first prizes in Telugu and English respectively in the State-level science talent test conducted by the Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) at Nagarjunasagar on Friday. Seventy-five students from 16 districts took part.

The other prize winners were Yesasvi (Kadapa) and Nandakumar (Nalgonda) in Telugu, and Rajesh (Nalgonda) and Vijaysai (West Godavari) in English.

K. Sripraja of Nellore and N. Ajita Reddy (Krishna) won the first and second prizes respectively in the display of science exhibits.

Dr. P. Rama Rao, State JVV president, gave away the prizes that included laptop , tablet and cell phone . Chandana Chakravarty, formerly of the CCMB, and Krishna, a professor from the University of Hyderabad, were among those present, along with JVV leaders Dr. Brahma Reddy and N. Bheemarjun Reddy.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Hindu’s Correspondent / Nalgonda, November 17th, 2012

10 lakh sanctioned for Ashoor Khana restoration

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

Hyderabad:

Funds for restoration and renovation of the Badeshahi Ashoor Khana have been going back and forth between the Department of Archeology and Museums (DAM) and the government with precious little work being done. It was in early September that Dam was sanctioned Rs 21 lakh for restoring the Shiite place of worship to former glory but only Rs 6 lakh was used and the rest returned. With the month of Muharram round the corner, the Dam has now been sanctioned another Rs 10 lakh for restoration work of the structure.

It was during the Conference of Parties in September that the state government had sanctioned Rs 21 lakh for sprucing up the place in view of visits by delegates. Describing the sanctioning of funds as a result of ‘urgency’, Dam officials said that they had acted on orders from the government and hadn’t called tenders due to unavailability of time and awarded contacts only on nomination basis. “Around Rs 1.29 crore was sanctioned for Paigah Tombs, Saidanima’s Tomb and the State Museum a chunk of which has been returned. We were asked to submit bills and return the remainder of the sanctioned amount,” said a Dam official requesting anonymity. With Muharram scheduled to be observed from November 16, around Rs 10 lakh has been sanctioned for renovation of the Ashoor Khana Khurd, popularly known as the mini-Ashoor khana, where the alam (standard) will be kept. The wooden roof is being restored with teak wood beams. A team of four carpenters and four masons has already started work.

“The roof is being restored to what it was when the Ashoor Khana was built more than 400 years ago. Work will be completed before Muharram,” said GV Rama Krishna Rao, director, Dam.However, Ashoor khana officials were quick to point out that Icomos team member Chehryar Adil had expressed displeasure at the decaying place of worship and questioned why the structure wasn’t renovated. They said that around 2 lakh devotees cutting across faiths and sects visit the Ashoor Khana in the first ten 10 days of Muharram.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / November 09th, 2012

At 69, he still ‘shuttles’ between home and stadium

Leaders, Records, All, Sports

Hyderabad:

At 69, Syed Mohammed Arif still nourishes the dream of producing a world badminton champion from India. In fact, he came closer last year when his ward Jwala Gutta collected bronze in women’s doubles at the world meet.

Undying passion for the game, tireless unselfish work, unmatchable commitment which helps him defy the age and the abundance of talent prompted the government to honour this age-old worse with the prestigious Padma Shri award four days from his 69th birthday (Jan 29).

Smiling effervescently as usual at his ancestral home located in the bylanes of old city, Arif said that he is excited to be honoured by the government. Awards are not new to him. He was honoured with the Dronacharya in 2000 and had also received a meritorious certificate award from the Badminton World Federation. But the former chief coach of Indian badminton, who played a great role in shaping up the careers of Pullela Gopichand and Jwala Gutta, is still yearning for more.

“I was very excited but not surprised. I know my name has been recommended a couple of months back. I am a firm believer of God almighty and have immense faith in the belief that when the time comes nothing can stop us from being honoured or rewarded,” Arif said, adding that this award motivates him to do more for the sport.

“I want to do more for the game of badminton. I want to produce a world badminton champion. Hopefully, I would realise that dream soon,” he added.

Arif, had, in fact retired from active coaching in 2004. But the great coach was forced out of retirement in 2006. Jwala Gutta and Chetan Anand requested Arif to come out of retirement and Jwala’s father Gutta Kranti managed to convince Arif through the then chairman of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh MS Raj Thakur.

“The SAAP chairman and my children (Jwala and others) requested me. How can I refuse them. Moreover, I realised that there are so many trainees who are in need of a coach. But I have enjoyed every moment after coming back. In fact it’s helping me to stay away from the doctor,” he said.

If there is one coach who is working for free it is Arif. The selfless man travels about 15 kilometres in the busy lanes of the city to train about 100-odd youngsters every day. Surprisingly, he doesn’t receive a single pie from any of them or from the government.

Chief coach of the Indian team, Pullela Gopichand said that Arif is the most deserving candidate for the award. “For the contribution he made to the sport of badminton and the way he put Andhra Pradesh on the national sports map he is the most deserving person to be honoured. We are all very happy for him,” Gopi said.

Jwala thinks Arif should have received this honour about ten years back. “I am very very happy for him. I think he should have got this award a decade back. He is largely responsible for shaping up my career and more importantly my personality. I think he’s the only coach who is working without receiving a single paisa or favour from anyone. Even now I fear him a lot,” Jwala said.

Arif in turn said that Jwala needs to be pushed hard and there is no one better than him to do that. “I think Jwala is a sort of player who needs to be pushed hard. Having trained her since her childhood there’s no better person than me to do that,” he said adding that Indian shuttlers have a good chance of winning medals at the Olympics.

“I think with a favourable draw our shuttlers have a good chance of winning medals in the 2012 London Olympic Games. Saina is playing well and our mixed doubles and women’s doubles teams are beating all the top teams. I am confident they will definitely win medals this time,” Arif said.

Crediting Gopichand for providing more international exposure to Indian shuttlers, Arif said he is expecting more from the present lot. “Never in the history of Indian sports, our shuttlers got so much of international exposure. But I am expecting more success from them. I know it would take some time from this batch to excel at international level,” he said.

The former NIS coach dedicated his award to his 90-year-old mother, wife and all his disciples who brought laurels to the state and the country.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Home> City> Hyderabad / by M Ratnakar, TNN / January 26th, 2012

Amateur lens-woman bags prize

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

The photograph of Uppalapadu Pelican Pond that won a prize for the theme “conservation of biodiversity”. / Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Many may call it beginner’s luck, but for Anasuya Paladugu it was a bolt from the blue. Being an amateur photographer, she never, even in her wildest dreams thought that she would win a prize in a State level photography competition on biodiversity. The contest was conducted on the sidelines of the World Biodiversity Convention held in Hyderabad.

For her, a doctor of medicine, photography is one of the few passionate hobbies she has. “Live and let live” is the caption of a colour photograph of various water birds preening their feathers on the iron stands erected by Forest Department in Uppalapadu sanctuary.

Consolation prize

Dr. Anasuya won a consolation prize in the category “Conservation of Biodiversity” piping several professionals who sent in their entries. Her entry was the best as the organisers chose not to award any of the top three prizes as none came close to the theme. But, the picture and caption submitted by Dr. Anasuya cannot be more appropriate to the category for all who know the story of Uppalapadu. Water birds including the gray pelicans that had vanished for a period from the Kolleru Lake flocked to one of the five drinking water tanks of the village.

Environmentalists, who knew the importance of these birds, prevailed upon the villagers to sacrifice one of the smaller water tanks for the avian flora.

In a couple of years Uppalapadu will become a very ‘important birding area’ with thousands of water birds coming and roosting there in different seasons. The spot is a unique birding area in the world, considering the high density of birds that are seen there.

Dr. Anasuya is now an inspiration to women who are interested in photography. “Photography improves your eye for detail.

Now I see things that I used to never notice before I began photography,” she said and added “I have learnt the photography is not just taking pictures of things you find beautiful or like. It is also about telling a story,” she said.

Though she is an amateur photographer she is thanks some freelance news photographers for their guidance in selecting and presenting photographs for the competition.

source: http://www.Hindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by G. Venkataramana / October 13th, 2012