Category Archives: World Opinion

E-treatment catching up in Visakhapatnam

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Visakhapatnam :

No more waiting for long hours in serpentine queues to consult doctors at their clinics or hospitals as they are just a mouse-click or smartphone button away. E-treatment is the latest medical trend catching up in city with today’s tech savvy, educated, hard-pressed for time urban patients getting their reports checked or seeking medical advice and e-prescriptions from equally tech-savvy doctors online via smartphone apps like WhatsApp, social networking sites like Facebook, email, MMSs and SMSs.

Cardiologist Dr D K Baruah, director (Cathlab) at Apollo Hospital, said, “The e-treatment fad is picking up among the educated, urban patients of the city and could emerge as a popular trend in the next three years. We keep getting emails with medical reports like echo-cardiogram attached asking for diagnosis. The requests are mainly from working couples, especially those in the fields of IT and software, who also seek appointments and send reports of their children online. As many as six-eight such online cardiac cases come every month.” “The biggest advantage of e-treatment is that it saves precious time and travel expenses for patients and enables them to plan the cost and mode of treatment in advance. It also gives the doctor and patient enough time to mentally prepare and reduce stress as well.”

Some doctors have also formed WhatsApp groups to discuss cases and the best mode of treatment, as Dr B Leela Prasad, who specialises in orthopaedics and sports medicine, pointed out. “Orthopaedic doctors from the region have started a WhatsApp group recently to discuss patients’ reports and cases among the medical fraternity, friends and colleagues. We are also increasingly getting X-ray reports from tech-savvy patients through Facebook or WhatsApp messages or emails seeking a second opinion about surgeries or when a medical emergency like fracture takes place when they are out of station.”

Though time saving e-treatment has its advantages and uses, doctors caution against indulging in self e-treatment by relying on online information as misleading results can cause needless panic and stress. “While e-treatment is good for seeking a second opinion and can be used during emergencies when the patient is out of town, they should not solely depend on it as clinical examination by the doctor is always better for accurate results,” said Dr Prasad, who is also the secretary of North Andhra Orthopaedics Association.

Even Dr M Radhika, consultant gynaecologist at Manipal Hospital, is sceptical about treating pregnant women and gynaecological problems the e-way. “I do get enquiries through text messages about minor problems from my old patients who are based in the US and Dubai. But these are patients who I have clinically examined and who had been under my treatment earlier and I’m well acquainted with their medical history. Only for such patients do I suggest remedies or prescriptions through phone or messages but I wouldn’t advice e-treatment for new, pregnant patients.”

Elaborating on the two sides to e-treatment, general physician Dr Kutikuppala Surya Rao averred, “e-treatment is of two types. When the patient himself or herself searches online on his ailment and accordingly tries out treatments, it often leads to disaster. Every week we get a case or two like that. Recently, a panic-stricken woman came to me saying that she had a lump in her breast, which according to information available on the internet, was breast cancer. However, it turned out to be a fat lobule or adenoma, which can be treated non-surgically or through fine needle aspiration biopsy.”

On the other hand, e-treatment can be extremely beneficial for people living in remote areas as it can save commuting time and, thus, lives during an emergency and is also helpful in second opinions. “Some time ago, a friend of mine sent me a photograph of his ulcer-affected tongue from London. The doctors had diagnosed it as cancer and advised immediate surgery. But on examination of the case, I found it to be a stress ulcer that can be treated with vitamins, amino acids and other medicines. Accordingly, I sent him an e-prescription and he is completely cured,” said Dr Rao.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Medical Advice / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / January 29th, 2014

US Consul General impressed by Vizag’s infrastructural facilities

Business & Economy, World Opinion
US Consul General Michael Mullins having a word with VCTPL COO Sushil Mulchandani during a visit to the facility in Visakhapatnam on Monday./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
US Consul General Michael Mullins having a word with VCTPL COO Sushil Mulchandani during a visit to the facility in Visakhapatnam on Monday./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Visits VCPTL, SEZ and Gangavaram port along with team

The landscape of Visakhapatnam and its beauty and industrial infrastructure impressed Michael Mullins, Consul General of the US Consulate General, Hyderabad, during his maiden visit to the city after he took charge in September, 2013.

“It’s a wonderful city. We are very impressed with the facilities,” he said, after a visit to the Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd (VCTPL), Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone and Gangavaram Port on Monday. VCTPL operates the container terminal at Visakhapatnam Port under PPP mode.

Accompanied by political and economic officer Travis Coberly, political and economic associate John Mataya and political and economic specialist Srimali Kari, the team from US Consulate General office went around the facilities for first-hand knowledge on the infrastructure and facilities available in the city.

After a traditional welcome by VCTPL personnel Mr. Mullins and his team was escorted by the COO Sushil Mulchandani for a presentation about the terminal and growth prospects to make Visakhapatnam a transhipment hub as per Maritime Agenda of the Ministry of Shipping.

Target

The team was explained how they had achieved a Compounded Aggregate Growth Rate of 23 per cent for past five years. VCTPL has set a target to achieve a growth of 15 per cent annually with a huge hinterland of 750 km spread over seven States.

Mr. Mullins wanted to know about the activities of American companies from the region.

Projects explained

The team noted the movement of frozen shrimp and the possibility of importing Washington apples via the Visakhapatnam Port. Mr. Mulchandani explained to him on the projects in the pipeline like PCPIR and the investments made in Brandix India Apparel City, Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, AP Special Economic Zone and Visakhapatnam SEZ.

VCTPL General Manager (HR) B.P.Chinoy, and Manager (Operations) Sudheep Banarjee were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – January 28th, 2014

Triumph opens dealership in Hyderabad; to have nine outlets by March

Business & Economy, Sports, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Iconic British motorcycle brand Triumph has opened a dealership facility in Hyderabad named Rebel Motorcycles, offering over 10 of the 28 models from its stable.

The motorcycle manufacturer plans to set up nine dealerships in India by March 2014. The first one was set up in Bangalore.

Vimal Sumbly, Managing Director of Triumph Motorcycles India, said, “We are in India to give brand lovers not just the product but an overall experience that they deserve from a globally renowned brand such as Triumph. The opening of the dealership advances our commitment to establish Triumph marquee in the local market and extend a comprehensive suite of after-sales services and support.

The bikes, with an engine capacity of 675 cc and going up to 2300 cc, are priced in the range of Rs.5.9 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh ex-showroom.

Triumph lovers have the option to also buy its branded accessories ranging from about Rs.20,000 and going up to Rs. 2 lakh. These include jackets and gloves.

The country’s super bike market, where Triumph offers its range, is estimated to be about 3,000 units each year. The company, which has an accounting practice of June to July, expects sales of 500 bikes in the first year, 1,000 in the next and 1,500 in the year thereafter.

“There is a latent demand for such bikes and we are geared up to serve such bike lovers. Typically, these bike enthusiasts also form clubs and enjoy sharing their experiences and long rides,” he said.

The company is currently assembling a crop of bikes at its Manesar plant and is planning to set up a manufacturing unit in Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by V. Rishi Kumar   rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in /  Hyderabad – January 23rd, 2014

Punching her way to Rio Olympics

Sports, World Opinion

India sat up and took notice when this 17-year-old girl from small-town Nizamabad punched her way to the gold medal at the Third Nations Cup International Boxing Tournament in Serbia earlier this month. Meet Nikhat Zareen, who is being hailed as the next Mary Kom for the striking similarities in their sparring styles and has won four medals in just four years of taking up the sport, including gold in the Women’s Junior and Youth World Championship in Turkey in 2011 and silver medals in Bulgaria and Serbia in 2013. The third child of a family of four girls from an orthodox Muslim family, Nikhat tells Siva G of TOI, about the trials and tribulations of taking up a traditionally male-dominated sport and how her goal is to grab a gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics, for which she has changed her weight category from 54 kgs to 51 kgs and is focusing on 2014 championships to make the cut.

How and why did you take up boxing, considered a masculine sport?

Even before taking up boxing, I was an athlete. I won six medals in different athletic events at the school level and also the best sports person award in sixth standard. I decided to switch to boxing after I found that nobody was taking it up in school. When I asked my father why girls don’t participate in boxing, he said girls do not have the strength to fight. That’s when I decided to take up boxing and show the world that girls too can spar just like boys. I started boxing in 2009 and won the best boxer award at the national level the very next year. So far, I have won two gold and silver medals each in international championships. I have now changed my weight category from 54 kgs to 51 kgs, because only three weight categories for women are allowed in the 2016 Olympics.

Did you face any resistance from your family and community?

I am the third of four girl children. My father Jameel Ahmed, a real estate businessman, is my strength. He used to take me for practice on his moped and always stayed behind for practice. My mother, Parveen Sultana, was very upset as she felt that if I received any injuries on my nose, ears or head, nobody will marry me. I told her that if I get name and fame, everything will come to my doorstep and even marriage will not be a problem. She used to cry on seeing my face bleed during practice sessions with boys because there were no girls to fight with. Relatives from my father’s side too raised objections as they felt girls should not join a sport like boxing due to the danger of facial injuries. But nothing has happened to me so far. We wear protective gear while fighting.

Did your decision to take up boxing cause any problems in school or college?

My school friends at Nirmal Hriday used to tease me, saying don’t crack jokes against Nikhat, she will beat you to pulp. I told them that I am a boxer, not a street fighter as I box only in the ring and not on the streets. It was only after I started winning medals in national and international tournaments that they started to appreciate my talent and the fact that a girl from a small place like Nizamabad had made it big. Seeing my success, my relatives and people of Nizamabad are now encouraging girls to take up male dominated sports like boxing. A majority of people in my home town belong to the Muslim community but are now ready to let their daughters take up sports. Unfortunately, we don’t have any facilities in the district to nurture talent. If we have good stadiums with better equipment, girls will shine in sports.

How important is it for girls to learn sports like boxing and karate given the rise in crimes against women? What will you do if somebody tries to tease or molest you on the road?

I will teach them a lesson by beating them black and blue. I won’t spare anybody trying to take advantage of women. Girls face such experiences on the roads every other day, which is why I feel they should learn self-defence techniques or a sport like boxing or karate to develop self confidence and fitness to fight their attackers. Women should be alert on the roads and have the courage to face the odds. The government should also make self-defence compulsory in school and college.

What are your strong and weak points in the game?

Frankly speaking, I don’t know. My coach, Dronacharya awardee I Venkateswara Rao feels I am ready to take any risk in the ring. He feels I am very good at throwing a combination of punches and have a good sense of the game. He tells me that I am a technical boxer but need to improve my strength. I have never been afraid of my opponents. Once I step into the ring, my only aim is to defeat them. I got a chance to improve my game under coach Rao after joining the Sport Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Visakhapatnam in 2012.

Seniors see in you another Mary Kom thanks to your style of boxing. Comments

There may be a few similarities between us but there is a lot that is different too. She is a very experienced boxer, while I am still learning. Her willpower and technique are far greater than mine. She has strived hard for years to reach the top and I wish to reach that position by winning medals for the country. So, please don’t compare with me with Mary Kom at this point.

What is the biggest challenge you are facing now?

In the Serbia championship recently, I fought in the 51kg category for the first time. The quarterfinals and finals were tough as I was up against tough Russian opponents. Losing weight reduced some of the power in my punches but I made up for it with speed and technique. Now, my main focus is on honing my punching power, as competition is tougher in the new weight category. We are training to take on opponents from Russia, China, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan.

What is your next goal?

I wish to bring home a gold medal in the 2016 Olympics. To bag a place in the Indian Olympic team, I am concentrating on the World Championship in Sofia in Bulgaria and Youth Olympics to be held in China this year. This year is very crucial as it is my performance in these two events that will decide whether I get a place in the Indian team.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Boxing / TNN / January 20th, 2014

Millennium trauma centre inaugurated in government hospital

Nri's / Pio's, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Andhra Pradesh Governor ESL Narasimham inaugurated the massive five-storeyed Millennium trauma centre in the 1100-bedded government Hospital premises here.

The trauma centre has been named the ‘Podili Prasad Guntur Medical College Alumni of North America (GMC ANA) Millennium Super Specialty Trauma Centre’.

The new block houses the trauma care centre and the proposed super specialty wing for economy bypass surgeries and liver transparent surgeries for which the hospital currently does not have sophisticated equipment or trained super specialist doctors.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Guntur (AP), January 17th, 2014

Microsoft launches ‘Academic Accelerator’

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Plans to bridge the gap between industry and academia

MicrosoftHF27jan2014

Software giant,  Microsoft , on Thursday launched ‘Microsoft Academic Accelerator ‘, a new programme aimed at building a long-term association between industry and academia in India.

“With the vast and growing pool of engineering graduates (over 500, 000 per year) in India, it is imperative to invest in skill-building and high-tech jobs. We saw an opportunity that is there between the academia and the industry to be bridged,” Vinod Anantharaman, head (business development), Microsoft India (R&D), told mediapersons in Hyderabad.

It is initially collaborating with 10 Indian engineering colleges for the programme. The programme currently has two main components — a series of workshops that span a spectrum of relevant to modern-day high technology industry, and a series of student hackathons that give all students at the 10 campuses an opportunity to work collaboratively in team environments to build real-world applications that leverage the latest Microsoft platforms including mobile and cloud.

While the workshops are tailored to the curriculum at each partner college, based on the needs of computer science faculty and their specific tasks, and get delivered by seasoned Microsoft engineers who are domain experts on that particular area, the hackathon series, delivered under the ‘code.fun.do’ brand name, are open to all passionate coders at partner college campuses.

During 2012-13, the pilot year of the programme, apps such as Awesome Logo, Lengua and SudoCam were developed by students and are now made available on the  Microsoft’s app store.

“The students are working on 15-16 such apps now,” Anantharaman said, adding that during the 2014 fiscal, Microsoft was planning to touch over 4, 000 students (including more than 2, 500 at code.fun.do) and should be creating over 250 apps, including 30-odd ‘great’ apps for the store.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News /by BS Reporter / Hyderabad – January 16th, 2014

Isuzu Motors to invest Rs.3,000 crore in Andhra plant

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Japanese automotive major Isuzu Motors will invest Rs.3,000 crore in its first manufacturing plant in India , coming up in Andhra Pradesh , company officials said Thursday.

The plant, which is coming up at Sri City, is expected to be operational in 2016 and manufacture 50,000 Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) and Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in the first year.

Sri City is a special economic zone located in Chittoor and Nellore districts of Andhra Pradesh close to Tamil Nadu.

The company, which rolled out its first SUV manufactured in India at an event here, plans to increase the capacity of the plant to 80,000 in the second year and 100,000 in the third.

The company showcased MU-7, one of the longest SUVs available in India, and also handed over the key to its first customer here.

Powered by Isuzu’s superior diesel engine and priced at Rs.22.6 lakh (ex-showroom Hyderabad), the SUV has been assembled at the Thiruvallur (Chennai) plant of Hindustan Motors , with which Isuzu has a contract manufacturing agreement to assemble MU-7 and pick-up truck D-Max.

“We are delighted to showcase the India made MU-7 in Hyderabad. The MU-7 SUV is known for its ruggedness, durability and fuel efficiency and is a proved and successful SUV in other key markets,” Takashi Kikuchi, president and managing director, Isuzu Motors India, told reporters.

He said the Chennai plant would manufacture 5,000 SUVs and pick-up trucks before Isuzu’s own manufacturing plant in Andhra Pradesh becomes operational in 2016.

Isuzu Motors had last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to set up the plant.

The Japanese firm, which is considered the global diesel engine expert, has already sold 200 imported SUVs in India.

Isuzu currently has dealers in Hyderabad, Chennai and Comibatore. Shigeru Wakabayashi, deputy managing director, Isuzu Motors India, said they planned to have five more dealers in a month, all in south India, the region where it is currently focusing.

After its manufacturing plant becomes operational in 2016, Isuzu plans to expand the dealership network to entire country with 60 dealers. Despite the current slowdown, the firm bets high on Indian market.

Wakabayashi is optimistic that the Indian economy would return to high growth path in six months and pointed out that many Japanese companies were investing in India.

Wakabayashi did not agree that Isuzu had come late to India.

“We have come to India at right time as the demand is set to pick up in coming years,” he said, pointing out that the Indian automobile industry was expected to see a huge growth from 3.5 million in 2013 to 10 million by 2020.

Isuzu, which sold 700,000 vehicles worldwide last year, sees India as a key market and plans to achieve the production capacity of 100,000 units by 2020.

Currently, Thailand is the biggest market for Isuzu. The company sells 15,000 vehicles per month in Thailand.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-IANS> Business-Economy / IANS / Hyderabad – January 16th, 2014

Cognizant buys Hyderabad office space for Rs 112 crore

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bangalore :

Nasdaq-listed IT software firm Cognizant has bought a 11.04-acre land parcel that includes a 250,000 sqft operational office space facility in Hyderabad, from Bangalore-based technology park developer DivyaSree.

The Rs 112-crore transaction, struck in Hyderabad’s IT hub of Gachibowli, gives the $7.35-billion IT services company room to further develop around 1 million sqft of office space. Last year Cognizant had bought 18-acres of land in Kochi; work here has begun.

Despite political uncertainties over the status of Hyderabad, the city’s IT corridor of Madhapur, Kondapur, Hitec City and Gachibowli continue to remain the most active commercial micro-market, owing to the expansion and relocation requirements of IT/ITeS firms. Industry analysts estimate that around 3-million sqft of commercial office space is likely to be released into Hyderabad’s IT corridors over the next six months.

Major IT companies are all expanding facilities as demand remains robust . Last week TOI reported that Infosys Technologies had bought a 300,000 sqft facility for Rs 115 crore in Bangalore.

(Cognizant has bought a 11.04-acre…)
(Cognizant has bought a 11.04-acre…)

In Hyderabad, Cognizant has been working out of a leased office it got when it acquired the business interests of UBS in India in 2010. This facility nowhasover 3,000 employees working out of it.

Confirming the deal, a Cognizant spokesperson said, “The facility will support our expansion in Hyderabad. It is at a conveniently accessible location in the city’s financial district.” International property consultants CBRE South Asia had structured the deal.

As per Cognizant’s annual report, its India real estate development programme includes construction of 10.5 million sqft of new space between 2011 and the end of 2015. “This programme includes an expenditure of over $700 million (over Rs 4,300 crore ) during this period on land acquisition, facilities construction and furnishings to build new company-owned development and delivery centres in regions primarily designated as SEZs, located in India,” the company’s annual report for 2012 says.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Tech> Office Space / by Anshal Dhamija, TNN / January 13th, 2014

Zesty Zareen lands gold in Serbia

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

After Mary Kom’s fabulous effort in London Olympics, yet another woman boxer from India did the country proud.

Nikhat Zareen, the 17-year-old Andhra Pradesh pugilist, won a gold medal in the third Nations Cup International Boxing Tournament in Novi Sad, Serbia.

She defeated Paltceva Ekaterina of Russia 3-0 in the 51kg final to follow up on her success in the Youth World Boxing Championship in Bulgaria in September, when she had finished runner-up.

(Nikhat Zareen defeated…)
(Nikhat Zareen defeated…)

Such was Nikhat’s mastery that none of her opponents logged a point against the Indian in the knockout rounds. Nikhat blanked Abdi Malika of Algeria 3-0 in the quarterfinals and Ballentine of the Netherlands 5-0 in the semifinals.

The pre-quarterfinals was no different as she defeated a Russian 3-0. “I’m happy,” was Nikhat’s first reaction when she called her parents to confirm the good news.

“It was an easy bout but the achievement is yet to sink in,” Nikhat told her sister.

It was Nikhat’s father, Jameel Ahmed, a real estate businessman in Nizamabad, who noticed the spark in her and enlisted her in athletics when she was 12.

During her brief stint as an athlete, she caught the eye of Dronacharya boxing coach I Venkateswara Rao of Visakhapatnam.

She joined Rao at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in Visakhapatnam. And the rest, as they say, is history. Within a year, she was declared the `golden best boxer’ at the Erode Nationals in 2010.

She went on to clinch gold in the flyweight division at the AIBA Women’s Junior and Youth World Championship in Turkey in 2011.

The bright young talent from the state is now targeting a gold at the Youth Olympics to be held in China. “My goal is to win gold at the Youth Olympics and qualify for the 2016 Olympics,” she told TOI.

Considering the progress she’s made in quick time, and her steely determination, it will be no surprise if Nikhat gets more laurels to the country.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Sports> Boxing> London Olympiancs / by M. Ratnakar, TNN / January 13th, 2014

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