Category Archives: World Opinion

Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram sitting on 14m ton of manganese!

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

Visakhapatnam  :

The stretch of Eastern Ghats in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh has nearly 14 million tons of manganese, according to research scholars from the department of Geology , Andhra University in Visakhapatnam.

One can find the ore in 22 metres depth from earth level in the district. As per industry sources, low quality manganese is priced around Rs 3,500 per ton whereas high quality is valued at Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000 per ton.

Though the quantity is very large, but the available mineral is low grade when compared with the mineral sources in other parts of the country, particularly Madhya Pradesh, said Gollamudi Veeraswamy , a research scholar.

He said that the mandals like Garividi, Garb ham, Kondakinguva in Ramabhadrapuram in the district are full of manganese ore mines.

“When the phosphorous content is high, then it can be considered as low grade. High grade manganese contains very less volume of the phosphorous, against its average value,” Veeraswamy said.

Speaking to TOI, Veeraswamy’s guide Prof Nageswara Rao said though it is a low grade ore, it can be developed into a high grade one by removing the phosphorous. While Madhya Pradesh’s manganese ore contains nearly 0.1% of phosphorous per 100 grams, the Vizianagaram district’s manganese ore contains nearly 0.4%. “We can use this manganese also as per our needs. The manganese is particularly useful for iron and steel production industries.

Vizianagaram is the only district in Andhra Pradesh that has manganese ores. Roughly there is a deposit of nearly 14 million tons of manganese in the district, and it was formed 40,000 years ago” Nageswara Rao said.

Nearly 10 kg of manganese is required for manufacturing one ton of steel.The mineral is also used for making bleaching powder, insecticides, paints, batteries and china-clay . India has the second-largest manganese ore reserve in the world, after Zimbambwe.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / V. Kamalakara Rao, TNN / December 14th, 2015

AP Vows to Bring Back Amaravati Artefacts from Brit Museum

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

Guntur  :

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu have promised to take measures for bringing back several precious artefacts and sculptures belonging to the ancient Amaravati from the British Museum in London.

“The Britishers not only looted our nation’s wealth, but also took away the artecrafts from the historic town of Amaravati. I have already consulted with the Chief Minister and took the issue to the notice of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi asking him to take necessary steps to bring back the artecrafts being displayed in the British Museum,” Venkaiah Naidu said.

The Union minister, along with the Chief Minister, launched the National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) scheme as well as the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme at Amaravati in Guntur district on Saturday. They also laid the foundation-stone for  `21.5 crore integrated water scheme intended to supply drinking water to 39 villages under Pedakurapadu and Tadikonda Assembly constituencies.

As part of the first phase of HRIDAY scheme, the Union government sanctioned funds to the tune of ` 22.26 crore for the development of Amaravati. Similarly, the Centre sanctioned `28.36 crore under PRASAD scheme.

Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, the Union Minister, who handed over the funds sanction letter to the Chief Minister, said the Centre altogether sanctioned `60.62 crore to Amaravati under both the schemes and sought the latter to sanction another `50 crore on behalf of the state government for the allround development of the town.

On the occasion, he also underlined the need for providing the best connectivity to the ancient Amaravai with the new Amaravati (the new capital of the state). Detailing the historic importance of Amaravati, he said  it was the place that visited by Gautama Buddha several centuries ago and from where Acharya Nagarjuna launched the propagation of Buddhism.

Speaking on the occasion, Chandrababu Naidu said they would develop the ancient Amaravati in such manner that all those visiting the state’s new capital city would also make a visit to the historic town. The articrats belonging to Amaravati lying in British Museum in London, as well as in Tamil Nadu, will be brought the back, he said.

“No doubt, it is going to be one of the best historic city,” he maintained.

Promising to sanction `50 crore for development of Amaravati as sought by Venkaiah Naidu, he said the government would complete the Jnana Buddha project at the earliest.

He further appealed to those farmers, who approached court refusing to part their lands to an extent of 16 acres for the Buddhist circuit, to withdraw the petitions and cooperate with the government for the expansion of the project, which will come in handy for expansion of tourism sector in the town. He said the government would take its own steps in case the farmers show reluctance.

On the occasion, he also announced R Mallikarjuna Rao as special officer of the Jnana Buddha project. The Chief Minister promised to construct a lift irrigation scheme at Bodhanam to provide irrigation water to villages under Pedakurapadu constituency by drawing water from Pulichintala project.

Deputy Chief Minister N Chinnarajappa, ministers P Pulla Rao, D Umamaheswara Rao and Kamineni Srinivas, Visakhapatnam BJP M K Haribabu, Narasaraopet MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao, Pedakurapadu MLA K Sridhar and others were present.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / Express News Service / December 06th, 2015

World’s top architects shortlisted for Amaravati

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, World Opinion

Hyderabad  :

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who wants to build Amaravati as a world-class capital, has zeroed in on three of the world’s leading architects to conceptualise the ‘government complex’ – which will be the first structure that will come up in the new capital. The three architects are Norman Foster, Rem Koolhaas and Richard Rogers, who will ‘compete’ to clinch the deal under the Swiss Challenge method.

Some of the world’s finest landmarks have been designed by these leading architects from Europe. And Naidu is reportedly keen to utilise their services for the grand government complex that will be the seat of power. The winner of the Swiss Challenge bidding process will conceptualise and design the mega structure.

“The building will come up in the proposed Government Core area of the seed capital. The state government is keen to complete the complex by 2018. The 42-floor complex will have 1.32 crore sq feet of built-up space,” said a senior official privy to the development.

Norman Foster has won the Pritzker Architecture Prize, which is regarded as the Nobel Prize of architecture. He has designed and built the new German Parliament, the Hearst Tower in New York City, City Hall and Millennium Bridge in London and is regarded by many as the greatest living architect.

Richard Roger has designed the Lloyd’s Building and Peternoster Square in London as also the Millennium Dome. Rem Koolhas had conceptualised the Seattle Central library, Shenzhen Stock Exchange, Seoul National University Museum of Art and the iconic Dutch Embassy building in Berlin.

Initially, the state government invited tenders for selection of the architects through the Capital City Development Management Corporation (CCDMC). As many as 10 firms had responded to the tenders. The government kept them in abeyance as it was not satisfied with the participating firms.

This time the government invited the tenders through the CRDA and shortlisted a few companies to participate in the design competition. Norman Foster (Foster + Partners), Richard Rogers (Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners), and Rem Koolhas (Office for Metropolitan Architecture) figure in the shortlisted architect firms.

The competition under Swiss Challenge will take place for two days from November 20. “The design competition for the smart government complex will be held for two days in Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) office premises. The participants will give their proposals. Based on those, we will take a final call,” N Srikanth, CRDA commissioner, told TOI.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / by Sribala Vadlapatla, TNN / November 19th, 2015

2 Visakhapatnam cyclists all set for Paris event

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Visakhapatnam:

Two cyclists from the city qualified for the coveted title of ‘Super Randonneur,’ which is given to a cyclist who is able to complete 200 km, 300 km, 400 km and 600 km cycling brevets in stipulated cut-off time within one cycling season.

Yogesh Tiwari and Anukaran Arzare are the first cyclists from Andhra Pradesh to achieve this title. They are now eligible to participate in the world’s most prestigious endurance cycling race, Paris-Brest-Paris (PBP) held once in four years.

These brevets are endurance cycling races organised in the city under the patronage of Paris Club Parisien Randonnuer and Audax India Randonneur. The city cyclists are known as Vizag Randonnuers and championed by Sridhar Vaddi.

First of the series qualifiers, a 200 km brevet, was held in February, 300 km brevet was in August, while the 600 km and 400 km brevets were organised in October. The last race of the qualifiers was organised on October 30 and completed on October 31. “We paddled the entire distance of 400 km in 23 hours disregarding continuous heavy rains and opposing winds, going up the National Highway 16 till Vimancheru near Rajamundhry and back on the same highway. We had to wear helmets, reflective jackets carry repair kits, water and food items,” Yogesh Tiwari said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / November 02nd, 2015

A.P inks pact with Japan for development of Capital city

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yosuke Takagi on development of new capital and industry in Vijayawada on Thursday.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu signing a Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yosuke Takagi on development of new capital and industry in Vijayawada on Thursday.

Under the pact, an Andhra Pradesh Investment Task Force (APITF) will be set up in Japan for accelerating industrial development in A.P.

Japan State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Yosuke Takagi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on development of new capital city of A.P. and industry cooperation here on Thursday.

Under the pact, an Andhra Pradesh Investment Task Force (APITF) will be set up in Japan for accelerating industrial development in A.P. It is a part of the MoC between Japan and Government of A.P that will facilitate further investments by the Japanese companies in the State.

Japan Ministries of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) have partnered with the METI.

A.P has requested the Japanese Government to extend technical assistance for developing a masterplan on such strategic sectors as transportation infrastructure in the new capital area.

The JICA has chosen transportation for extending technical assistance. The other Japanese multilateral funding agencies will help A.P Government in development of seaports, food value chains, ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants, renewable energy projects and smart cities among others.

Later, JBIC Director General (Social Infrastructure Department) Noriko Nasu and A.P Principal Secretary (Finance) P.V. Ramesh signed a MoU for facilitating foreign investments in A.P.

On the occasion, Mr. Takagi said he was happy to be associated with the development of A.P and that he looked forward to a large scale participation in what is going to be India’s Gateway to the East Asian countries.

Mr. Naidu requested the Government of Japan to make investments in a big way in the Capital Region particularly in urban development, seaports and other sectors which had tremendous untapped potential.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by V. Raghavendra / Vijayawada – October 22nd, 2015

Telugu man to contest Swiss Federal elections

Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

Telugu man, Aditya Yellepeddi, with origins from Guntur-Krishna districts is contesting the Federal Elections of Switzerland to be held there on Sunday (Monday in India).

Mr Aditya’s parents are both from Guntur (Brodipet and Arundelpet). His father, a doctorate from IIT Madras, moved to Switzerland and Aditya was born there.

“Several of relatives still live in Vijayawada, Guntur and Hyderabad. There may be a relationship with Ms Padmasree Warrior, who shares the family name,” Mr Aditya said.

He is contesting for the National Council, equivalent to our Lok Sabha, as a candidate of the Centrist Democratic Party (PDC/CVP).

Born and brought up in the country he studied in Switzerland and USA (MIT). He is being officially endorsed by the State Chamber of Commerce (CVCI) and the Swiss Bankers Association as an ambassador for a strong economy. After his education in the USA, Mr Aditya worked for a while in Luxemburg with various health care and financial companies.

He is currently working at an international Investment Group based in Geneva with various interests in healthcare, IT and consumer products. “I regularly come to India (Hyderabad) to meet executives and officials and engage in discussions to promote the local/regional/state economy,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Venkataramana Rao / Vijayawada – October 18th, 2015

Vijayawada Culture Centre Signs MoU With Korean Artist

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Vijayawada :

Cultural Centre of Vijayawada, started 10 months ago with the objective of reviving the glory of Vijayawada as a centre of arts, culture and literature by encouraging artists and artisans, has taken another step to strengthen the revival process.

The centre’s patron and Malaxmi Group of Companies chairman Y Harischandra Prasad signed an MoU with a Korean artist SEO JUNG JA, who runs an art studio and cultural centre in Seoul, South Korea.  The Korean Artist evinced keen interest in having a tie-up with the Cultural Centre for establishing cultural contacts between Korea and Amaravati, as many Korean companies are likely to participate in its construction.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / October 09th, 2015

JNTUK faculty achieves fourth patent for microbes

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Assistant Professor and Head of the School of Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada, Ramesh Malothu, has achieved fourth patent and the Microbial Type Culture Collection and Gene Bank (MTCC) microbial culture deposition on ‘Mutant Aspartate Kinase Gene from Coryne Bacterium Species and its application for production of L-Lysine.’

“It is all about the mutations in coryne bacterium species has made specific change in Aspartate Kinase (AK) gene.

Due to the change in the AK gene, the expression levels of L-Lysine are enhanced. L-Lysine is an amino acid which is essential for both human and animals, but it is not supplied to the body in required quantities,” Dr. Ramesh said on Tuesday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Kakinada – September 30th, 2015

Prestigious Award for Defence Scientist G Satheesh Reddy

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
File Photo: G Satheesh Reddy /
File Photo: G Satheesh Reddy /

Hyderabad : 

The Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), London has conferred G Satheesh Reddy, Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, with the Society’s 2015 Silver Medal for work contributing to major advances or contributions in aerospace.

Mr Reddy is the first Defence scientist working in India to be honoured with the prestigious “Silver Medal” of the Society, according to a release.

“This award is in recognition of your contributions as one of the leading navigation and avionics experts in India, under whose leadership India has developed state-of-the-art avionics sensors and systems for key national strategic programmes and other defence applications,” a letter addressed to Mr Reddy from the Society said.

The award will be formally presented with your medal, at the Wilbur and Orville Wright Lecture to be held on December 9 in the Society’s headquarters in London, it said.

RAeS is the world’s only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community. Established in 1866 to further the art, science and engineering of aeronautics, the Society has been at the forefront of aerospace ever since.

The Royal Aeronautical Society has been honouring outstanding achievers in the global aerospace industry since 1909, when Wilbur and Orville Wright came to London to receive the Society’s first Gold Medal, the release added.

source: http://www.ndtv.com / NDTV / Home> All India / Press Trust of India / September 12th, 2015

Peek into shared bonhomie

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

This is a historic day for Australia and India as it coincides with the launch of the first edition of bilateral maritime exercise in the city

Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling, accompanied by head of Navy Capability of Australian Navy Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, goes round the photo exhibition organised by the Australian Government at Visakha Museum in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. —Photo: K.R. Deepak
Australian High Commissioner to India Patrick Suckling, accompanied by head of Navy Capability of Australian Navy Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead, goes round the photo exhibition organised by the Australian Government at Visakha Museum in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. —Photo: K.R. Deepak

Some century-old photographs of Madras (now Chennai) that was bombed by German light cruiser SMS Emden showing the broken walls, and exploded and unexploded shells, some pictures of the daring German raider, and some of the wreck of SMS Emden are part of the week-long exhibition at the Visakha Museum on the Beach Road.

The photo exhibition, ‘Centenary of the Emden Spirit: 100 Years of Shared Military History’, organised by the Australian Government and Australian Consulate-General in Chennai was inaugurated by High Commissioner of Australia in India Patrick Suckling in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.

“This is a historic day for Australia and India as it coincides with the launch of the historic first edition of the bilateral maritime exercise AUSINDEX in the city,” Mr Suckling said speaking on the occasion.

Apart from the Emden incident, there are a large number of photographs on the bonhomie shared by Australian and Indian soldiers in different theatres of war during the two World Wars, and the recent interaction during the International Fleet Review in Sydney, among others.

Head of Australia Navy Capability Rear Admiral Jonathan Mead went round the exhibits in the museum and expressed his pleasure at the way they were maintained.

The exhibition focused on Emden as it was the first and the only time Indian city was attacked during the First World War. The German ship was finally defeated and sunk by the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Sydney at Cocos Island.

Incidentally, Emden was the first ship sunk by the RAN. This marked the beginning of a shared military history between the two countries. The exhibition will be on till September 23 during the museum’s timings.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / September 13th, 2015