Category Archives: World Opinion

Karthik conquers Glasgow, clinches gold

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Sports, World Opinion
K.V.K. Karthik / The Hindu
K.V.K. Karthik / The Hindu

For 27-year-old K.V.K. Karthik, a city chess player down with a peculiar orthopaedic complication, the sojourn to Scotland ended in a memorable fashion, as he went on to win the gold medal in the physically challenged segment of the Commonwealth chess championship that concluded in Glasgow on Wednesday.

Karthik hauled five points out of nine rounds and finished top of the heap. In the open category, he finished at 40 among 152 players participated from the world over.

The 11-day tournament, jointly organised by the World Chess Federation (FIDE) and Commonwealth Chess Association, witnessed top Grand Masters and International Masters taking part from 24 countries. “More than 11 GMs and 11 IMs vied for honours,” said Sk. Khasim, Karthik’s coach who accompanied his ward.

Khasim said his ward played against Australians, Scots and fellow-Indians in the allotted nine rounds. “He defeated Dishan Baura of India in the first round and later tamed Scots like Andrew Burnett, Robert O’Brien and Ian Robertson. He drew with Clement Streeves and Andrew Green to finish with five points. Karthik is a victim of failed nervous system that resulted in blurred vision (right eye) and his head hardly stays on the shoulders – wobbling continuously – owing to detachment of an optical nerve.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by  J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – July 10th, 2014

Palle Raghunatha Reddy to showcase Seemandhra in UK, US

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Picture for representational purpose only (Photo: DC online)
Picture for representational purpose only (Photo: DC online)

Hyderabad:

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu is planning an investor-friendly policy to woo information technology and other industries to invest in Andhra Pradesh.

IT minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy will lead a high-level delegation to the United States of America and United Kingdom to invite NRIs, IT and other companies to set up companies in AP.

The delegation will explain the benefits, tax concessions and other incentives the Centre  and the state will offer to investors.

“Every day, nearly 15 to 20 NRIs have been  showing interest in  investing here. They are requesting us to post details of incentives and special category status  that will be offered to investors on the Website. After finalising the new policy, we will upload all the details on our Website,” said  minister Mr Reddy.

Stating that he is likely to visit the US and UK shortly, the minister said he has already conducted  meetings  with nearly 250 national and international companies  eager to invest in residuary AP.

“As many as 17 companies have confirmed to invest. IT firms like Wipro, Tech Mahindra and Infosys are also  interest,” he said.

The state government has plans to develop an ITIR in Visakhapatnam, mega IT hubs in Vijayawada, Tirupati and Anantapur.

As decided so far, AP government will  provide a single-window facility for investors where in they can get  all relevant permissions for setting up industries, environmental clearances, building permissions, power and water connectivity and others.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / by M. Roushan Ali / July 09th, 2014

Australian woman stops over at Visakhapatnam

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion
Australian Kayaker, Sandy Robson who was on a kayak expedition from Germany to Australia arrives at Rushikonda Beach (Photo: DC)
Australian Kayaker, Sandy Robson who was on a kayak expedition from Germany to Australia arrives at Rushikonda Beach (Photo: DC)

Visakhapatnam:

Sandy Robson of Australia is no ordinary adventurer. She is 47 and is on her way to creating a kayaking world record by taking up the tough challenge of kayaking her way from Germany to Australia.

Robson is retracing a historic journey which Osker Speck of Germany undertook in 1932 and finished in seven years. She plans to finish the same in five years and is currently on stage three of her journey, paddling through the East Coast. She reached Vizag on Tuesday. Her journey along the Indian East Coast has not been as pleasant as it was through Europe or the West Coast of India.

While Robson was paddling along AP coast near Nellore, fishermen attacked her mistaking her to be a terrorist. They ran over her kayak with their boat, broke it and looted her stuff. Battling odds and standing true to sportsman spirit, she faced the attacks and with the help of AP police, she continued her journey.

She now gets police protection wherever she lands in AP. Robson said, “I was attacked many times along the AP coast, which left me feeling scared. But I understand that the fishermen were just skeptical and they panicked. Later, we spoke and I left on good terms.”

Robson’s spirit is unbroken by such incidents and she is all praise for India. She said, “This journey gave me an opportunity to see India through a different lens. People here are warm and welcoming everywhere, even in AP. I felt safe wherever I landed. Before I started my journey, people told me waters in India would be dirty and filthy which was not at all true as I paddled across some of the most beautiful stretches of blue waters in India.”

While paddling across Sri Lanka, the 47-year-old had to kayak her way once continuously for 22 hours, covering 109 km. Robson paddles an average of 45 km a day and lodges on shore about once a week to collect ration, food and drinking water.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / Adil / July 02nd, 2014

AU to host global meet on electromagnetics

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Andhra University, in association with Society of Electromagnetic Compatibility Engineers, is hosting the 13th international conference on electromagnetic interference and compatibility (INCEMIC 2015) on February 27 and 28, Vice-Chancellor and conference chair G.S.N. Raju and Vice-Chancellor of BITS, Ranchi, and technical chair Ajoy Chakrabarthy announced here on Monday.

The conference, to be attended by international experts in the field of electromagnetic studies, would cover the entire scope of electromagnetic compatibility like design, circuits, chip level, power systems, signal integrity and high frequency, high power electromagnetics, antennas, radiation hazards, environment, satellite communications, biomedical systems, and other advances, Prof. Raju said. It was designed to give a new dimension so as to implement electromagnetic compatibility techniques in military and civilian radar and communications right from the design, development and production states.

A two-day workshop-cum-tutorials on the latest trends in the field of electromagnetic interference and compatibility would be conducted by experts on February 25 and 26. Last date for submission of abstracts was August 30 and the deadline for submission of full papers was October 30, Prof. Chakrabarthy said.

Rector E.A. Narayana, Principal in-charge of AU College of Engineering P.S. Avadhanri, HoD of Electronics and Communication Engineering and convenor of the conference P. Rajesh Kumar, technical co-chair V. Vallikumari, treasurer P.V. Sridevi and Registrar K. Rama Mohana Rao were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – July 01st, 2014

Caribbean Islands lure Andhra Pradesh doctors with good pay

Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Picture for representational purpose (Photo: DC)
Picture for representational purpose (Photo: DC)

Guntur:

Doctors from AP are flocking Caribbean islands where they can earn up to $4,000 a month with an MBBS degree. Many doctors from Guntur, Vijaya-wada, Kurnool and Tirupati are now working in Jamaica, British Guiana, Trinidad & Tobago.

Dr Ravi Kishore Reddy of Guntur, who worked in a Caribbean nation, says, “Doctors are paid well. In T&T, out of 250 doctors, 200 are from AP.”

The local governments sign up doctors on five-year  contracts. “After five years, we get permanent  registration and after eight years, citizenship,” said Dr V. Siva Kota Reddy, an assistant professor in a medical college in Dominica.

However, things are changing. “Local governments are sponsoring students to study in Cuban medical schools. They are accommodating locals first, followed by Indians. The craze among local doctors to go to the US is slowly coming down,” he said.

Many AP students are joining MD course equivalent to MBBS in islands like Curacao. Dr Reddy cautioned that Indians may not be given  visas after studying the two-year pre-clinicals.

Several AP students are joining MD course equivalent to MBBS in islands like Curacao. These are offshore colleges where first two years of pre-clinical is done in Caribbean islands and clinicals in the US and Canada.

Experts cautioned that after completion of pre-clinicals, it is difficult for non-US students to get visa for pursuing clinicals and joining the medical courses is risky.

Dr Kota Reddy said, “The course is semester based. Most of the colleges have offshore tie-ups with the hospitals in US and Canada. For North American students, there is no issue. But those hailing from countries like India may find that they are not given visas after studying the two-year pre-clinicals. So, serious risk is involved.”

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / June 30th, 2014

GBI to launch renewable solar power chargers

Business & Economy, Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology, World Opinion
BuffaloGrid managing director Daniel Becerra, along with GBI India Head Srinivas Gogineni explaining about the device, in Vijayawada on Friday. /. Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
BuffaloGrid managing director Daniel Becerra, along with GBI India Head Srinivas Gogineni explaining about the device, in Vijayawada on Friday. /. Photo. Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

Global Business Incubator (GBI) in association with BuffaloGrid, a UK-based Solar Power Systems manufacturer, is planning to introduce off-grid electrical solutions across India.

GBI, based at Koneru Lakshmaiah University (KLU), will soon launch renewable solar power chargers in rural areas for sustainable economic growth, particularly in villages. The project will begin by August this year, said GBI India Head Srinivas Gogineni.

BuffaloGrid founder and managing director Daniel Becerra who was in the city, gave a power point presentation to students on the solar powered recharging device titled ‘BuffaloGrid’ at KLU on Friday. “BuffaloGrid is a device which can recharge 100 mobile phones, solar power lamps and other devices a day. The equipment, which will be supplied to agents free of cost, is safe and reliable for charging. Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited CEO Richard Branson is mentoring our product,” said Mr. Daniel.

Mr. Srinivas said off-grid devices enable social inclusion, e-government and help in poverty eradication. United Nations recognised that mobile phones are one of the biggest contributors to economic growth in the rural areas.

K.L. University vice-president Koneru Raja Hareen said the solar power device (BuffaloGrid) would focus on cellphone recharging, which means access to all critical services such as mobile banking, water point mapping, health care and even access to broadband services.

“The company will conduct a trial run with 40 devices. After the trial is completed, BuffaloGrid will start operations in India in the next two months,” said Mr. Hareen.

According to Mr. Srinivas, BuffaloGrid embarked upon expansion of its operations in Uganda, Ghana and India. Already, 12,000 agents had been identified in India.

The mobile phone would be recharged only if the port is unlocked in the device with an SMS. The details of the mobile phone recharged would be recorded by BuffaloGrid, and the company would collect charges from the service providers or mobile companies. “Deliberations in this regard are under way,” said Mr. Srinivas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Rajulapudi Srinivas / Vijayawada – June 27th, 2014

Telugu elected Mayor of German city

Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

Ravindra Gujjula, the son of former Ongole MP Gujjula Yalamanda Reddy, has been elected for the fifth time as the Mayor of Altlandsberg in Germany.

Ravindra who belongs to the SPD was elected unopposed with rival political parties also supporting his candidature.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – June 26th, 2014

ANU Signs MoU with West Georgia University

Education, World Opinion

Guntur :

With a view to get a foreign degree to the students, Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the University of West Georgia, and is in the process of signing two more MoUs with the Fort Valley State University, Georgia and the State University of New York Institute of Technology, New York.

ANU vice-chancellor K Viyanna Rao said that students who complete their first year in MSc (biotechnology) are eligible to pursue their second year in University of West Georgia and Fort Valley State University, to obtain MS in Biology and Biotechnology respectively. While, those who are admitted to first year MBA can pursue the ultimate year in Richards College of Business in University of West Georgia.

The students who are admitted to the first year MTech computer science, ECE and technology management are eligible to complete their course in the collaborated State University of New York Institute of Technology, for their MS in Computer & Information Technology, Tele Communications and Technology management respectively.

Viyanna Rao also expressed his happiness as the foreign universities accepted the standards of ANU, and for taking into consideration the credits system followed there in the first year. He said that students would be benefited enormously because of the reduction in expenditure due to this collaboration and also added that the partner universities agreed further to consider incentives and scholarships to students based on their performance.

He asked the interested students to contact prof. V Chandra Sekhara Rao, Director, International Students Cell, Acharya Nagarjuna University or refer www.anu.ac.in for further details.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States / Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / June 19th, 2014

Indian dentist honoured

Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Dr. Lakshmaiah Naidu. D. Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, KLRs Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences receiving Certificate of Appreciation from Dr. Joseph Varghese, President, Indian Orthodontic Society, in Spain. / The Hindu
Dr. Lakshmaiah Naidu. D. Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, KLRs Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences receiving Certificate of Appreciation from Dr. Joseph Varghese, President, Indian Orthodontic Society, in Spain. / The Hindu

About 100 orthodontists from India participated in the Indian Orthodontic Society (IOS) Mid-year Convention 2014 (IOSMYC–2014) held at University of Valencia, Spain, recently.

D. Lakshmayya Naidu, Principal, Professor and Head of the Department of Orthodontics and Dento-facial Orthopaedics, KLR Lenora Institute of Dental Sciences at Rajanagaram, near Rajahmundry, attended the conference and received a Certificate of Appreciation from the organisers for presenting a paper on the latest methods in orthodontic surgeries and dento-facial orthopaedics.

Research papers presented

According to Dr. Naidu, orthodontists from India shared their research papers with peers.

A few professors of orthodontia from both Spain and India presented their scientific research papers on various subjects relating to orthodontics.

Dr. Lakshmayya Naidu said post-graduate medical students must take up research in orthodontic surgeries and dento-facials.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Rajahmundry – June 23rd, 2014

VGS-Cavallo Energy fast-tracks floating LNG terminal project off Andhra Pradesh

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Plan to commission the 3.6-mt terminal by July next year

Hyderabad :  

Krishna Godavari LNG Terminal Ltd, a joint venture between VGS Group, Cavallo Energy of the US and Belgium’s Exmar, is fast-tracking its 3.6 million tonnes (mt) floating terminal project off Kakinada coast in Andhra Pradesh.

The company is hastening the commissioning schedules, expecting a surge in demand, as the new State Government is set to take immediate measures to boost power production.

The $450-million (₹2,670-crore) project is expected to fire up a significant chunk of the gas-famished power units in the region, which are today lying idle for want of fuel.

Speedy commissioning

Set to face the first public hearing for environmental clearance later this month, the company is readying to start construction by November. It plans to commission the project by July next year.

Unlike shore-based LNG terminals, a floating facility, which will be the first-of-its-kind in India, takes relatively shorter time for commissioning, as ready-made floating storage and floating re-gasification units are available in the market.

The 5-mt Gangavaram Port LNG Terminal, being developed by Petronet LNG in neighbouring Visakhapatnam, is also looking at clearing the decks for the project at the earliest.

Boost to power production

MVSR Kamesam, Director (India Operations) of VGS Group, said the 3.6-mt terminal can fire up power projects with a capacity of 4,000 MW.

“After we add another 3.6 mt capacity in the next three to four years, a total of 8,000 MW of power can be generated,” he told Business Line.

An estimated 3,000 MW of capacity is today lying stranded in the new Andhra Pradesh for want of gas, especially after output from the KG Basin shrank.

The company intends to keep the cost of gas below $15 a unit (gas is measured in million British thermal units). “At this price, power can be produced at ₹5-5.50 a unit,” Kamesam said. Apart from the two floating units, which are being built in China for $250 million, the facility will include a mooring system to hold the LNG carriers and a sub-sea pipeline that will deliver gas to the shore.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by Amit Mitra / Hyderabad – June 11th, 2014