Category Archives: World Opinion

Srikanth on top of the world

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena
Kidambi Srikanth. | Photo Credit: Sandeep Saxena

Srikanth thus became only the second Indian after Saina Nehwal, who had occupied the women’s top spot in 2015, to achieve the feat.

K. Srikanth always let his racquet do the talking. Even for all those who are regular to Gopi Academy where the champion shuttler puts in that extra effort to become a better player, he acknowledges the presence of visitors with a smile and gets back to business.

One needs to probe him to get replies since Srikanth is not one of who loves to engage in long conversations.

So, after the 25-year-old scaled the summit of the world men’s singles rankings on Thursday, he just looked at it as just another achievement, gently reminding that he had bigger goals to chase, including the Olympics gold.

“I always believed that if you are consistent in any sport, these things (rankings) automatically will fall in place. Honestly, I never chased them, but was fully aware that if you keep winning titles, you are bound to be there at the top,” said Srikanth.

“To be the No. 1 now after being ranked No. 338 about six years ago is a fabulous journey,” he said.

Inspiration

“Yes, being World No.1 is something which not everyone is able to achieve. That way it will remain one of the special moments of my career and can only be a huge inspiration for better deeds,” said Srikanth, who has had a dream run in the recent past.

He won four Super Series titles and guided India to the team gold in the on-going Commonwealth Games. “Well, my immediate goal is to win the singles gold at the CWG,” he added.

“The ranking is definitely a big load off my shoulders as many people have been asking me about this wherever I go. So, it’s a big relief,” he added.

“This is a big year for Indian badminton and I would be glad to be part of anything that will bring name and fame for us. In the process, winning gold in the Asian Games and the World championship are something which should make anyone proud,” said the 2016 Rio Olympics quarterfinalist.

“I dedicate this feat to my parents, coach Gopi (Chand) Sir, my physio Kiran and all the support staff at the academy and all those who always backed my abilities right through my career,” said Srikanth.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / New Delhi – April 12th, 2018

Nellore doctor gets award

Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

‘Complications will arise if it is not tackled early’

Many children suffering from insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes eventually end up falling ill due to several other diseases such as thyroid and celiac intestinal illness which become complicated due to lack of awareness and timely treatment.

Out of 100 juvenile diabetics, nearly 50 of them are falling ill due to other common diseases affecting intestines and glands.

M.V. Rammohan, Endocrinologist, Apollo Speciality Hospitals, Nellore, says that nearly 40 % out of these 50 children are suffering from thyroid while another 20 % from celiac.

Early diagnosis and treatment of these other diseases in such children have helped in enhancing their quality of life. As their disease is genetic in nature, they have to manage and live with these conditions for a lifetime, he said.

Constant care

In recognition of this outstanding research work, Dr. Rammohan received the Halmessy Trust award from the World Endocrine Society at an international conference held in Chicago recently.

He has done extensive research on type 1 diabetes among children for whom consistent care and continuous treatment is required throughout their life. As they are vulnerable to other diseases, the related treatments should be taken without wasting time.

The World Endocrine Society encourages treatments for diabetes related disorders in various communities in a bid to take forward research in these areas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Nellore – April 05th, 2018

Venkat Rahul Ragala adds 4th gold to India’s weightlifting haul at CWG

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters
Gold medalist Venkat Rahul Ragala of India celebrates on the podium. | Photo Credit: Reuters

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

Venkat Rahul Ragala became the fourth Indian weightlifter to claim a gold medal at the ongoing Commonwealth Games , coming out trumps in a tense contest here on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Rahul, who is a Commonwealth Championships gold-medallist, lifted a total of 338kg (151kg+187kg) to finish on top.

The Indian was locked in a close battle with Samoa’s Don Opeloge, who ended with a total of 331kg (151kg+180kg).

Both the lifters opted for 191kg as their final clean and jerk lift and both of them failed but Rahul clinched the top prize owing to Opeloge’s failed second attempt at a 188kg lift.

Had Opologe managed a good final lift, Rahul would have ended with a silver as he had already fouled his third attempt.

In the Commonwealth Championships last year, Rahul had lifted a total of 351kg (156kg+195kg).

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Other Sport / PTI / Gold Coast – April 07th, 2018

Anatomy and history of a 200-year-old Ivory skeleton

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam
The ivory and rosewood skeletons on display at the AMC’s Anatomy Museum in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

A rare masterpiece from Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, it’s now the prized possession of the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College

A rare ivory skeleton, the bones of which have been carved to clockwork precision on the lines of the human skeleton, is the cherished treasure at the Anatomy Museum of Andhra Medical College (AMC) here.

The ivory skeleton, 5’6” in height and weighing 231 lbs (104.78 kg), reflects the ingenuity of the sculptor, who had carved it more than two centuries ago. It was procured from the famous Saraswati Mahal of Thanjavur, which was under the patronage of Rajah Serfoji (1798-1832). The skeleton is said to have been made between 1805 and 1810. Dr. R. Krishna Rau, a Professor in the Department of Anatomy between 1929 and 1946, who was instrumental in setting up the museum, had bought the ivory skeleton and a rosewood skeleton for a sum of ₹75. The 18th century skeleton has been drawing appreciation of not only experts in the medical field, but also the general public during exhibitions.

“The British are said to have paid ₹5 lakh to display it during an exhibition in London in 1970. The skeleton was taken in a specially made coffin and returned after about a week,” Dr. Ashalatha, Head of the Department of Anatomy, told The Hindu.

Mortem and taboo

“In those days, there were several taboos in handling human bodies and skeletons, and Dr. Krishna Rau was said to have stayed back in the department for a few days on the arrival of the skeletons. Even today, some anatomy professors do not tell their family members that they handle dead bodies,” says Dr. K. Lakshmi Kumari, an Associate Professor of Anatomy. “The ivory skeleton is a masterpiece and is said to be one among the few in the world. No wonder, it was taken by ship all the way to London for display at an exhibition there. The ivory and rosewood skeletons are displayed at exhibitions, organised on special occasions,” says Dr. P.V. Sudhakar, Principal of AMC.

The museum signifies the efforts and dedication of the illustrious teachers, professors and HODs, particularly of AMC during the early days.

Prof. F.J. Anderson, who as Principal of AMC, gave full freedom to Dr. Krishna Rau in securing the unique collections.

The department was named after Dr. Krishna Rau on January 24, 1984 honouring his efforts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – April 06th, 2018

CM opens Franklin Templeton Investments office in Vizag

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
N Chandrababu Naidu, CM, Andhra Pradesh (file photo). - REUTERS
N Chandrababu Naidu, CM, Andhra Pradesh (file photo). – REUTERS

Visakhapatnam :

The IT sector in Andhra Pradesh is gathering momentum and Visakhapatnam in particular is bound to emerge as a major fintech hub in the country, according to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.

He was speaking here on Thursday after inaugurating the office of Franklin Templeton Investments here on Thursday.

He said it was a good sign for the city that a major company, a Fortune 500 company, like Franklin Investments had chosen to set up a centre in the city. “The company will invest Rs 450 crores here gradually on setting up the centre and provide 2,500 high-end jobs. Today it has opened the office,” he said. He recalled how the company had first set up the centre in Hyderabad in the united AP way back in 2002 and he expressed confidence that the Vizag centre would be even more successful than the one in Hyderabad.

Jennifer M Johnson, the president and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the company, said the company had immense faith in the Chief Minister “who is the key architect and visionary CM” who built up the IT sector in Hyderabad and is doing so now in Visakhapatnam. She expressed confidence that the Vizag centre would flourish. She also thanked Rajkumar Velagapudi, the president and CEO of Innova Solutions Inc., responsible for bringing Franklin Investments to Vizag.

State IT Minister N. Lokesh said it was a historic moment.

Conduent centre

Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the centre of Conduent Inc. in the IT park at Rushikonda. The company will generate 5,000 jobs in the next two years and it will invest roughly Rs 650 crores.

The CM said he was trying to create the right eco system for IT companies to flourish in the city.

However, he lamented, some political parties were creating hurdles in the onward march of the State on the path of progress. He said unfortunately a hue and cry was being raised over the allotment of land on the beach road to Lu Lu group to build a world class convention centre and shopping mall. “Vizag needs such a convention centre. After all, it can only be built on land and not in the air,” he said, taking a dig at the political parties and others opposing the decision.

Earlier, the Chief Minister also participated in the second convocation ceremony of the IIM-Vizag where he exhorted the MBA graduates to become entrepreneurs instead of mere job-seekers.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by Ch. R.S. Sarma / Visakhapatnam – March 29th, 2018

Kalamkari art museum comes up at Pedana

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
Visitors at the Kalamkari art museum at Pedana in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU
Visitors at the Kalamkari art museum at Pedana in Krishna district. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU

It has three galleries; traces link with Dutch and British

Former Union Minister for Textiles K. Sambasiva Rao and Professor N. Sridharan, School of Planning and Architecture, Bhopal, on Saturday inaugurated the ‘Kalamkari art museum’ here. The museum, developed by Pedana-based Pitchuka Srinivas and his son Varun Kumar, traces the history of the art and displays the process of extraction of natural colours from various sources. The museum has three galleries — wooden blocks, natural colours and history — which establish the connection with the Dutch and the British.

President of India award recipient K. Gangadhar inaugurated the history gallery in which the “Tree of Life” design was on display along with the other older works done in Machilipatnam and Pedana. The art has been flourishing in Pedana since the 1970s having been introduced by Pitchuka Veera Subbaiah. Machilipatnam was known for the art before that.

Give up chemicals

Speaking to newsmen, Mr. Sambasiva Rao appealed to the production units to give up the practice of using chemicals and use the natural colours. “The units need to understand the demand for the products across the globe and attempt to explore the market instead of killing it with unnatural practices,” he said.

He lauded the efforts of Mr. Srinivas in developing the museum. Professor Sridharan opined that the museum would serve as an education centre of Kalamkari and was arguably the country’s first one dedicated to the art. Mr. Sridharan played an instrumental role in developing the museum by extending academic and research support to the artisans.

“The idea of coming up with the exclusive museum has been realised now. It is a result of my serious effort to keep it alive in its true format,” said Mr. Srinivas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Pedana (Krishna)  – March 31st, 2018

Guntur doctor wins Natgeo award for physical therapy app

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports, World Opinion
Asha J Gummadi
Asha J Gummadi

Therax Portal helps physiotherapists to share home exercise programmes with patients

A neuro physical therapist from Guntur has won the National Geographic Chasing Genius Challenge in the U.S. for designing a web/mobile application that helps patients with home exercise programmes in their native language.

Dr. Asha’s web application — Therax Portal — is now helping physiotherapists to prescribe, customise and share home exercise programmes with their patients in their native language.

Thousands of people living in rural areas across the world now use the app to get access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation exercises. In places where there is no internet facility, people are taking printouts of the programmes. “People in rural areas are forced to travel long distances to get quality treatment, and by using the application, they can do the exercises at home. The exercises can be modified by their physiotherapists during check-ups. I have watched my grandparents struggle to get access to effective rehabilitation as they were living in rural areas in India,” Dr. Asha said.

The Natgeo challenge is part of a marketing strategy to popularise a television series — Genius — and rewards innovative ideas. Participants have to create a one-minute video about an idea they had to solve a problem using wireless connectivity. Over 1,050 entries competed for the award, and of them, 10 ideas were considered for final round held in March and the winner was chosen based on votes through social media platforms such as Facebook.

Dr. Asha entered the competition with an idea, “Empowering Telerehabilitation with digital connectivity”, and stood out as the winner. She is at present residing at Philadelphia in the U.S. where she works at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital. Daughter of former principal of Government College for Women, Guntur, Gummadi Narayana Rao, Dr. Asha graduated from Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupati, and later moved to the U.S. to pursue Master of Science in Physical Therapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – April 01st, 2018

Teen archer from city hits the bull’s eye in Bangladesh

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
K. Venkatadri | Photo Credit: Picasa 3.0
K. Venkatadri | Photo Credit: Picasa 3.0

Wins silver at the South Asian Championship

Archers of city-based Volga Archery Academy are in a buoyant mood as its archer K. Venkatadri, a Class X student of St Johns’ (E.M.) High School (Gunadala) had returned from Dhaka with three silver medals thus enhancing the pride of the country and the city in the 3rd South Asian archery championship that concluded Wednesday night.

The teenager, who was part of the Indian senior team, figured in three finals – individual Olympic round, mixed, and team championships and finished second in all three events. “He went down to fellow-Indian Harsha Prasher 141-144 in the individual Olympic round final and in the mixed event, partnering Isha Pawar, he lost to Bangladesh pair 148-153. In the closely-fought team championship, Venkatadri along with Harsha Prasher, Mayank Rawat bowed out to Bangladesh trio in a narrow margin of 125-126,” said Andhra Pradesh Archery Association secretary Cherukuri Satyanarayana.

“This is his second international achievement after the silver medal exploits at Singapore in Asian Youth archery championship in 2014. Presently he is among the top eight junior archers in the country,” he added.

Fourteen-year-old Venkakadri made it to the Indian senior team after he won the gold medal in the Khelo India competitions held recently at Delhi where he defeated Harsha Prasher in the final.

Mr. Satyanarayana said that Venkatadri had all the wherewithal to emerge as a top archer as he had loads of patience and willingness to go the extra mile.

“He is a coach’s delight as he follows the instructions diligently. We, at Volga Archery Academy, are giving all the necessary equipment and other financial support to him,” he said.

Next challenge

The next big challenge to the teenager is at Pune where he will be taking part in the Senior Nationals as part of the Andhra Pradesh senior compound team.

“Venkatadri needs to attend an exposure trip to the U.S.A where he can learn latest tips from the renowned and experienced coaches. In fact former Mexico national coach and California -based archery coach Natty Jamie is willing to come to Vijayawada to train the young archers,” Mr Satyanarayana said.

On behalf of St. John’s Educational Institutions, correspondent T. Suman Thyagaraj gave ₹50,000 for the purchase of archery ancillaries equipments besides cancelling his school tuition fee completely. School President T. Monica Suman and Principal P. Rama Bharathi hailed his stupendous show and wished him more glory in his future contests.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by J R Shridharan / Vijayawada – March 30th, 2018

Vijayawada: UK team conducts free heart surgeries

Amazing Feats, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

This is the 13th such camp and 274 children have benefitted.

Doctors with parents of the children after surgery. (Photo: DC)
Doctors with parents of the children after surgery. (Photo: DC)

Vijayawada :

A team of doctors from the United Kingdom have completed 22 free surgeries for children organised at a private hospital in association with Healing Little Hearts, United Kingdom (UK). The surgeries were conducted from March 18-24. Cardiac surgical camp was performed in all 22 complex cardiac surgeries this week. Other surgeries will be done by local doctors as they are not very severe.

Hospital’s children services chief Dr P.V. Rama Rao addressed the media on Friday, Dr Rao said that the Heart and Brain Institute had organised Paediatric Cardiac surgical camp and performed about 22 complex cardiac surgeries successfully this week. He said that a nine-member UK doctor’s team from hospitals like Lady Cilento children’s hospital, Brisbane, Australia, Alderney children’s hospital, Liverpool, UK and Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester performed complex Paediatric Cardiac surgeries.

He said that the team includes paediatric interventional cardiologist, Paediatric cardiac surgeon, paediatric cardiac intensivists, perfusionist, paediatric intensive care nurses who were led by Dr Sanjiv Nichani from UK and Dr Vikram. Hospital MD Dr P.V. Ramana Murthy said that this is the 13th free camp for children since December 2015 and had successfully performed surgeries on 274 children. He said that Healing little hearts, UK team has visited thirteen times so far and many complex heart surgeries were done with their association. He said that surgeries were successfully performed with the team effort of Paediatric Cardiology, cardiac surgical team and Paediatric intensive care team.

Actor Mahesh Babu extended his support for the noble cause. Parents of the patients also expressed their happiness as they are poor. Dr Prem Venugopal, Paediatric cardiac surgeon, Dr Nayan Shetty, Dr Gopi, Dr Chellappan Subramanian, Anuradha, Anand Mohan Patil, Julia, cardiac surgeon Dr Dilip, cardiologist Dr Sreemannarayana and cardiac anaesthetist Dr Ramesh were present.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / March 24th, 2018

Physiotherapist from Guntur wins Nat Geo Challenge

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

Visakhapatnam:

Indian physiotherapist Dr Asha J Gummadi won the National Geographic Chasing Genius Challenge held in the US for her innovative idea. Dr Asha, a graduate in physiotherapy from SVIMS University, Tirupati, hails from Guntur district.
She moved to the US to pursue Master of Science in physiotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, Boston.

She graduated with an Advanced Master of Science majoring with Neurological Physiotherapy in 2008. She had been practising in the US since then and for the past seven years. She was associated with Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Hospital, a large acute rehab centre in Greater Philadelphia, as a neurological physiotherapist.

National Geographic network had called for innovative ideas that can change the world in their segment chasing genius challenge and Dr Asha Gummadi presented her idea “Empowering tele- rehabilitation with digital connectivity.” Her solution was a web application that helps physiotherapists prescribe, customise and share home exercise programmes with their patients in their native languages.

Her solution was well received and acknowledged.
Her vision was to provide tele-rehabilitation services to people living in rural and remote areas with the use of technology. Patients living in rural regions, in general, face a lot of hardships to get access to physiotherapy and rehabilitation services.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> Andhra Pradesh / March 25th, 2018