Category Archives: World Opinion

‘Register for GI to tap global market for Bandar Laddu’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
Bandar laddu manufacturer being felicitated at Machilipatnam in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: BYARRANGEMENT
Bandar laddu manufacturer being felicitated at Machilipatnam in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: BYARRANGEMENT

Authorities offer support to manufacturers

Authorities of the Geographical Indications Registry on Tuesday offered necessary support to Bandar laddu manufacturers to register as Geographical Indication Tag Users. Bandar laddu was registered in the GIR under the food category in 2017, geographically confining its production to Machilipatnam town.

On Tuesday, GIR, Chennai, and Brundavanapura Bandar Laddu Manufacturers Welfare Association organised a workshop, creating awareness on the benefits of GI tag and creating a brand across the globe.

Former Additional Chief Secretary Gonela Rajendra Prasad opined that the GI tag would help to tap the national and international markets for Bandar laddu if the eligible manufacturers registered their units as ‘GI users’.

Historical evidence

Mr. Prasad was one of the key sources who strived for the GI tag for the Bandar laddu. Deputy Registrar of Geographical Indications Registry Chinnaraja G. Naidu explained the benefits and legal procedures in protecting Bandar laddu from getting copied by any other manufacturers outside Machilipatnam.

The GI tag is given based on the historical evidence that establishes the food variety’s association with Machilipatnam and technical procedure in preparation of the Bandar laddu.

Bandar Laddu GI authorised User and association president Gowra Venkateswara Rao shared his experiences of his journey in getting the laddu registered by the GIR. Machilipatnam-based Historian Mohammad Silar, G.J.D. Pavan, Patent, Trademark and GI Agent S. Ravi spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – September 26th, 2018

Skydive, paraglide and scuba-dive in Visakhapatnam for an adrenaline fix

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature, Sports, World Opinion
Scuba divers exploring the wreck sites in the sea off Visakhapatnam | Photo Credit: By Arrangement
Scuba divers exploring the wreck sites in the sea off Visakhapatnam | Photo Credit: By Arrangement

Tourists visiting Visakhapatnam will soon get to admire the coastline from various angles. A series of tourism initiatives will offer different experiences to travellers and locals. Paragliding will start at the city’s iconic hilltop, Kailasagiri, giving adventure lovers a chance to glide over the cityscape and the Bay of Bengal.

On the occasion of World Tourism Day today, a demo will be held by the team at Livein Adventures. “We have three sets of tandem paragliders and six solo paragliders. The activity depends on the wind pattern. Participants will be in the air for about 15 minutes,” says Balaram Naidu of Livein Adventures. A tandem ride lets one enjoy the thrill of paragliding, without having to learn it. The trial runs by the team which were held earlier this week were a success. “The ideal wind speed is about seven to 13 kilometres per hour,” Balaram adds.

Trials for paragliding being carried out at Kailasagiri in Visakhapatnam | Photo Credit: Special arrangement
Trials for paragliding being carried out at Kailasagiri in Visakhapatnam | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

After last season’s find of two shipwrecks during scuba-diving explorations off the coast of Visakhapatnam, a team of three dive masters and one instructor is gearing up to search new areas under the ocean. The fresh explorations will be done along the coast of Yendada, Mangamaripeta, till the sea opposite Kailasagiri. The scuba-diving community across the globe has been excited about the recent discoveries. “On an average, we cater to 30 clients for scuba diving in a day during the season (October to February),” says Balaram. The bookings can be done online on Livein Adventures. A scuba-diving academy is underway at Chintapalli in Vizianagaram district and is expected to be operational by November.

Among other initiatives, a skydiving facility will come up by the Rushikonda coast. The initiative, that was recently announced by Himanshu Shukla, CEO-AP Tourism Authority, is a joint venture between Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) and Rajasthan-based Aero Sports Adventure Club. PTDC will support the adventure club by providing infrastructure. The thrill doesn’t end here. Re-launching of heli-tourism services by Visakhapatnam Metroplitan RegionDevelopment Authority is in the pipeline as well. The Ramakrishna Beach recently got a facelift with 100 coconut trees being planted on the three-kilometre sand stretch. Visakhapatnam district saw a footfall of over two crore tourists last year and the recent initiatives are expected to give a boost to its tourism sector.

Log onto: liveinadventures.com

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home>Life & Style> Travel / by Nivedita Ganguly / September 26th, 2018

HCL opens new IT centre in Vijayawada

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

Vijayawada :

HCL SSHS (State Street HCL Services) Facility, a joint venture between HCL Technologies and US-based State Street Corporation, has opened its IT centre at Medha Tech Park at Ganavaram near Vijayawada airport.

Nara Lokesh, State IT Minister, who was the chief guest for the inauguration, said the IT platform would give a great opportunity to the local talent. Michael Brager, Chairman of the board of State Street HCL India, was also present on the occasion along with senior members from HCL leadership team.

The joint venture offers high-end financial services. The facility, spread over 63,000 sq ft is expected to generate 1,000 plus high-end employment opportunities in the areas of capital market, fund administration, investment management and brokerage services.

Anoop Tiwari, Vice-President, HCL Technologies, thanked the State Government and the IT Minister for their co-operation.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by CH R S Sarma / Vijayawada – September 14th, 2018

Vijayawada to host first Southern States’ meet on Liveable Cities

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Andhra Pradesh is set to host the first Southern States conference on ‘Liveable Cities’ in Vijayawada on September 19.

Vijayawada :

Andhra Pradesh is set to host the first Southern States conference on ‘Liveable Cities’ in Vijayawada on September 19. It is to be organised by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI).
In a communique to the Special Chief Secretary, Satish Chandra, TERI’s Director General Ajay Mathur invited Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu to deliver the inaugural address. He also expressed readiness to support the State government in developing Amaravati into a green and sustainable capital.

“The Energy and Resources Institute has chosen Amaravati for conducting the first Regional Policy Dialogue on ‘Livable Cities’ for Southern States. Royal Embassy of Denmark in India and network of the Global Compact of Mayors, South Asia will organise the event,” an official said. Dignitaries from Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Pondicherry, and Chhattisgarh and global experts will participate in the workshop.

The officials explained that the objective of the Regional Policy Dialogues was to bring together cities and state governments for formulating a policy framework and implementation models for enhancing livability of Indian cities.

In a teleconference on Sunday, the officials told CM Naidu the same. On the occasion, Naidu directed AP Capital Region Development Authority officials to work with global organisations such as TERI to formulate a policy framework for the implementation of advanced technologies related to sustainable urban planning in Amaravati.

The programme is a part of the series of regional dialogues that will be conducted in Goa for Western region on September 21, in Sikkim for North Eastern region on October 9 and in Rajasthan for Northern region in the second week of October. The concluding national workshop will be held in Delhi on October 21.Municipal minister P Narayana, Principal Secretary of Capital Region Development Authority, Ajay Jain and other officials were present in the teleconference.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Vijayawada / by Express News Service / September 10th, 2018

CM felicitates Naval officer

Amazing Feats, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu falicitating Lieutenant Commander Patarlapallil Swati of the Indian Navy in Vijayawada on Thursday | Photo Credit: ARRANGED
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu falicitating Lieutenant Commander Patarlapallil Swati of the Indian Navy in Vijayawada on Thursday | Photo Credit: ARRANGED

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu felicitated Patarlapalli Swathi, who circumnavigated the globe on a sailing vessel.

Swathi, Lieutenant Commander in the Indian Navy, was part of six-member team that circumnavigated the globe in eight months. The team started its journey on September 10 last year and returned to Goa on May 21. The voyage is christened Navika Sagar Parikrama. She hails from Visakhapatnam.

Showering praises on Lt. Cdr. Swathi, Mr. Naidu said that the youth should take inspiration from her courage and valour. Her voyage remains in the history. Despite hardships she and her team succeeded , he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – September 07th, 2018

Sindhu floors the gathering at Teachers’ Day celebrations

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Well done: Badminton champion P.V. Sindhu shows her medal to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Mangalagiri on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: T_VIJAYA_KUMAR
Well done: Badminton champion P.V. Sindhu shows her medal to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in Mangalagiri on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: T_VIJAYA_KUMAR

She is a role model for every child in the State, says Naidu

P.V. Sindhu, badminton champion and silver medallist in Asian Games, was a star attraction at the Teachers’ Day celebrations held at CK Convention Centre in Mangalagiri on Wednesday. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who showered lavish praises on the badminton player, described her as a role model for every child and promised all support to her as she pursues her passion.

‘Felicitation soon’

“If Sindhu can achieve the phenomenal success as a player at the age of 23 years, I have no doubt that she will go on to become the greatest badminton player in the world. I want to see a Sindhu emerge from every home in the State. She has done the country proud by winning silver in Olympics and in Asian Games and soon we will felicitate her after discussing in the Cabinet. She has shown what a child can do with the support from parents and motivation from within,” said Mr. Naidu.

Sindhu too expressed her gratitude and said that the support extended by Mr Naidu after the Olympics motivated her to perform and win a silver in Asian games. “I can not forget the support given by the CM. My parents are my first teachers and the role of teachers who have shaped me in school and coaches in the academies is tremendous. I feel that my career is just beginning to pick up and I am confident of scaling the peak with the support of all of you,” said Sindhu, whose father P.V. Ramana was a former volleyball national player. Minister for Human Resources Development Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Minister for Civil Supplies P. Pulla Rao and Minister for Social Welfare N. Ananda Babu were among those present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – September 06th, 2018

Golden jackal faces threat in its habitat

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion
A golden jackal in search of prey outside its habitat in the Bandar Reserve Forest area. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU
A golden jackal in search of prey outside its habitat in the Bandar Reserve Forest area. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU

Destruction of mangrove cover in Bandar Reserve Forest may trigger man-animal conflict

Destruction of mangrove cover in the Bandar Reserve Forest is forcing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) out of its habitat, triggering a conflict with the local communities.

Recently, The Hindu documented how a young golden jackal was swimming in the brackish waters out of its habitat for prey near the Palletummalapalem village in Machilipatnam mandal in Krishna district.

“We have recorded several golden jackals in the BRF through camera traps. The sighting out of its habitat is a sign of its destruction,” said A. Appa Rao, an expert engaged in the restoration of the mangrove cover.

Aqua ponds

The conservation status of the animal is the ‘least concern’ and it preys on wild crab and fish.

Amid uproar over the aqua ponds, the Vigilance authorities in 2017 recommended to the State government to hand over the 24,363 acres under the BRF and the BRF extension (I to IV) to the Forest department for protection.

Since 1970 (G.O.No. 2204), the BRF has been in the hands of the Revenue department as the final notification to de-reserve the forest land (25,259 acres) was still pending owing to various reasons.

The Revenue authorities, on the other hand, are helpless in preventing the encroachment of the mangrove along the Machilipatnam coastline.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – July 16th, 2018

7,000 from State selling products on Amazon

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

The global online retailer launches its first warehouse in Vijayawada

More than 7,000 sellers from Andhra Pradesh have registered with Amazon and the State is one of the important geographies being pursued by the global online retailer for its expansion.

The company launched its first customer fulfilling point (warehouse) here on Thursday.

The facility, spread across 20,000 sft, is expected to reduce the delivery time for the customers and save on cost of storage and delivery for sellers, according to Amazon India vice-president, customer fulfilment Akhil Saxena.

Amazon plans to have 20 million cubic feet storage space, says Akhil Saxena. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
Amazon plans to have 20 million cubic feet storage space, says Akhil Saxena. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

Rapid growth

The facility in Nidamanuru is one of the five announced during 2018.

The company plans to set up 50 such centres to have a storage space of 20 million cubic feet across India.

Mr. Saxena told media here, “We see a rapid growth in sellers from Andhra Pradesh. The facility will now be able to give better service to both the sellers from the region and buyers from across the country.”

Artisans, apparel makers

As per the information from the company, there are about 1,400 sellers from Vijayawada.

A sizeable number of the sellers are artisans and the ones who supply apparels, toys and plastic utensils.

Besides the warehouses, Amazon has about 15,000 points across the country under its ambitious Project Udaan.

Help at hand

These points are expected to facilitate the digitally illiterate people book the desired products through online with the help of the Amazon staff.

Vijayawada too has one such point on Bandar road.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – July 12th, 2018

A.P. tops in ‘Ease of Doing Business’

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion

Willingness to tweak policies gives it the winning edge

Andhra Pradesh has topped the third edition of the government’s ‘Ease of Doing Business’ index for States with a final score of 98.42%. This is the second time in a row that A.P. achieved the first rank.

A.P., which was given second rank in 2015, outperformed other States and Union territories by maintaining its leadership position through implementation of 99.73% reforms.

Telangana and Jharkhand trailed behind A.P. though they scored 100% in reform evidence score.

A.P. got 99.73% score in reform evidence and 86.50% in feedback score. While Telangana stood second in the final score, Haryana bagged the third position. A.P. and Telangana jointly occupied the top slot in fiscal 2015-16.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – July 11th, 2018

Designing varsity to come up in Vizag

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Designing varsity to come up in Vizag
Designing varsity to come up in Vizag

Amaravati:

To promote gaming and designing, a special ‘Designing University’ will be established at Visakhapatnam. The UNESCO already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the AP Economic Development Board (EDB) on ‘Gaming Digital Learning Hub’, and the representatives from UNESCO met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday at Secretariat, to finalise the project.

The UNESCO team requested Chandrababu Naidu to allocate 100 acres of land for them to promote gaming and digital learning in the State.The delegates explained that future will be on the gaming and the corporate giants like UB Soft, Samsung, Microsoft and others also were ready to establish their offices in Visakhapatnam.

They further explained that within next 10 years, more than 50,000 jobs would be generated in the sector.  Out of the total market in the country, AP will capture at least 25 per cent, they opined. Gaming-Digital skill development, gaming-digital teacher training, global certification in digital learning and others will be the part of the hub. Naidu said that AP should lead the country as innovation valley. This would help in building knowledge economy, he added.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> Andhra Pradesh / The Hans India / July 05th, 2018