Category Archives: Business & Economy

Pootharekulu: The Paperlike Sweet from Andhra

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

The village of Atreyapuram in the coastal district of East Godavari is an important location on the food map of Andhra Pradesh.

PootharekuluANDHRA08oct2018

Hyderabad :

The village of Atreyapuram in the coastal district of East Godavari is an important location on the food map of Andhra Pradesh. Its traditional sweet pootharekulu is quite popular in the two Telugu states and is gaining recognition nationally due to its signature looks and taste. The name of the sweet literally means “coating of sheet”. The sweet is wrapped in a wafer-thin rice starch layer resembling paper and is stuffed with sugar, dry fruits and nuts.

The traditional sweet has a history of a few centuries. It is said that a village lady first prepared the sweet by adding sugar and ghee to the leftover rice starch.

The making of the “reku” or sheet is quite interesting and provides livelihood to hundreds of women in Atreyapuram village. A special type of rice batter is used for pootharekulu. The variety of rice locally known as ‘Jaya’ is soaked for a few hours and then ground into a fine batter. An inverted earthen pot is heated before a fine cloth is dipped into the batter and quickly spread of the pot surface. It is taken away in a jiffy leaving a thin film of the starch on the pot.

This forms the paper-thin outer cover of the sweet. The sheet is then taken off and stuffed with powdered sugar, ghee, dry fruits, nuts and other ingredients and finally expertly folded into a roll. There are variations in the sweet where jaggery is used instead of sugar. The village folk of Atreyapuram are experts in making the paper-like sheet and they supply them to sweet manufacturers all over the two Telugu states.

Recently Pootharekulu was in the news, when under the patronage of AP Tourism Development Corporation a group of chefs in Vijayawada prepared a 10.5-metre long version of the dish, catapulting them in the record books. The state of Andhra Pradesh is in the process of applying for Geographic Indication (GI) tag for the sweet. The sweet is extremely popular for festivals, religious occasions and weddings.

In Hyderabad, many sweet shops prepare Pootharekulu. Almond House, the premier dessert manufacturer with multiple outlets have three versions of it – sugar, jaggery and jaggery with dry fruit. The rice paper is obtained from the locals in Athreyapuram as part of the social responsibility of the organization. According to Chaitanya Muppala of Almond House, they get frequent requirements for the paper sweet from outside Hyderabad, too.

Sabyasachi is a food enthusiast and blogs at www.foodaholix.in

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Sabyasachi Roy Chaudhari / Express News Service / October 06th, 2018

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

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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

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

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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

Andhra food festival begins

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena and CEO A.P. Tourism Authority Himanshu Shukla at the food festival in Guntur on Tuesday.
Tourism Secretary Mukesh Kumar Meena and CEO A.P. Tourism Authority Himanshu Shukla at the food festival in Guntur on Tuesday.

Food festival being organised by AP Tourism at Capital Hotel

A delectable aroma wafts across the ballroom at the Capital Hotel. The array of traditional Andhra cuisine spread across the platter is a sight to behold. The carved vegetables and the sight of men and women dressed in dhoti and saree adds a native touch.

The delights of authentic Andhra cuisine are now up for grabs at the food festival being organised by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Authority in association with Capital Hotels. A lavish spread of dishes prepared in typical Andhra style with the right mix of spices awaits food connoisseurs.

The starters include, fresh veggies and sprouts in vegetarian menu and Kodi Vepudu (Chicken Fry), Bamboo Chicken, fish fry. The main course includes, Kodi Pulav (Chicken Pulav), Lemon Rice, Tomato Rice, jeera rice. The main course in vegetarian menu has Tomota Pappu (dal), mudda pappu, Potato fry, and a variety of pickles.

The lavish spread of sweets include ariselu, kobbari burelu and cashew nut.

Push for local dishes

“AP Tourism Authority is organising food festivals to popularise the local dishes. Guntur is a land of spices and chilli, so we have included a lot of pickles including Gongura. Andhra cuisine is known for its variety and tingy taste. We have already created a brand for Bamboo Chicken,’’ said Secretary, Tourism, Mukesh Kumar Meena. Chief Executive Officer, AP Tourism, Himanshu Shukla said that food festivals are being patronised widely by people here and added that more such food festivals should be organised in the future.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – September 05th, 2018

In the city of saris, Khadi goes organic

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Threads of nature: Eco-friendly khadi dress material put on display by a group of weavers in Chirala.
Threads of nature: Eco-friendly khadi dress material put on display by a group of weavers in Chirala.

Traditional weaving is fading, but enterprising producers in Chirala have taken a green turn

Weavers from Chirala, which derives its name from word chira (sari), have carved a niche for themselves, making silk and cotton fabrics for men and women for centuries.

But the going has been tough in the era of global textile competition, and members of GenX from the community from across the State have been quitting the profession. Many weavers have also been hurt by the GST regime.

But a group of enterprising weavers in the handloom town want to show that some innovation can make things different. They have taken to making organic Khadi dress material for women in a big way.

Even if the khadi dress material is a bit costly, they are in great demand as they are free from chemicals that harm the skin. The dress material made with natural dyes are particular favourites, say the weavers. They have been producing environment-friendly dress material in a span of just three days. What makes some dress material special is that it carries seed remnants.

Guntur cotton

The weavers first came out with eco-friendly khadi shirting material for men. “Encouraged by the good response, we now make dress material — top, salwar and dupatta — from good quality cotton produced by farmers from neighbouring Guntur district,” said Indira Abhyudaya Silk Handloom Weavers Society president B. Shyam Sundar.

But saris are never out of fashion, and the target audience includes youth. “We will soon come out with khadi saris as well, anticipating a good demand from women of all ages,” adds S. Aruna, an expert at producing dress material from the Janarpeta area.

With elections round the corner, new demand is expected. We hope to bag orders from politicians as well as party workers, said B. Balashankar Rao, who takes his consignment of specially-made khadi dress material to “Neta Bazaar.”

Still mostly offline

Though these weavers had launched online marketing, the bulk of the sale happens through Neta Bazaar in Chirala.

The clothes are also popular at handloom expos organised by the Union and State Governments, according to weavers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News>States> Andhra Pradesh / by S.Murali / Ongole – August 03rd, 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

When Railways constructed a subway within 5 hours

Amazing Feats, Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology
Engineering marvel: A train passes over a low height subway in Visakhapatnam. It was completed in four hours using pre-cast reinforced cement concrete technology by the East Coast Railway on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
Engineering marvel: A train passes over a low height subway in Visakhapatnam. It was completed in four hours using pre-cast reinforced cement concrete technology by the East Coast Railway on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK

A time-lapse video recently telecasted by television channels showed Railways constructing a subway within a record time of four-and-a-half hours.

The Limited Height Subway (LHS), was constructed between Kothavalasa-Pendurti line in Waltair division of East Coast Railway on April 26, 2017.

The LHS project was sanctioned in April last year, to remove the manned level crossing no. 484 in between Kothavalasa and Pendurti, where four railway lines pass through.

The construction involved the use of base slabs and pre-fabricated boxes measuring 1.5m X 4.65 m X 3.65 m. As many as 16 heavy duty excavators, three heavy duty cranes, five tippers, 1,000 sandbags, four hydra machines, heavyweight jacks and 300 workforces were deployed to complete the project. The passage of trains via Rammurthypanthulapeta was blocked only for 3.5 hours.

“Just after starting the block, the track was removed with the help of cranes and earthwork started from both sides. Simultaneously, the shifting of boxes and plate was done. After reaching the centre, the surface preparation was carried out and base slabs and pre-fabricated boxes were placed using heavy duty cranes.

“While the earthwork was in progress, the boxes were lifted from both sides and placed at the requisite location. The placement of 20 boxes took one hour; for placing of base slabs after surface preparation and linking of tracks, it took 1.5 hours and the total block was completed in 4.5 hours,” a statement from the East Coast Railway said.

The manned level crossing was completely closed in the next 45 days after the approach road was made.

The Waltair Division has completed construction of 17 LHS during 2017-18 fiscal.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – July 06th, 2018

In A.P., affordable bungalows at ₹6.5 lakh

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House beautiful: Proud owners at one of the houses at Gorantla. | Photo Credit: The Hindu
House beautiful: Proud owners at one of the houses at Gorantla. | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Three lakh subsidised homes are handed over in a single day, in a record of sorts

In what is said to be the largest such event to take place on a single day, 3,00,346 families in Andhra Pradesh performed house-warming for their new homes on Thursday. The 3 lakh-plus beneficiaries got their new homes under the Andhra Pradesh government’s NTR Housing Scheme.

The owners set foot in their new homes around 11 a.m., the appointed time on a day regarded as auspicious, in the presence of Ministers, elected representatives, and District Collectors. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu inaugurated the ceremonies remotely from Vijayawada.

The previous occasion when the A.P. government did something similar was on October 2, 2017, when one lakh units were handed over to beneficiaries. A typical house under the scheme, built on an individual plot, is a single-bedroom unit of 750 sq. ft. carpet area, with a living room, kitchen and a bathroom. Where land was not available, apartment complexes of up to four floors were built. The beneficiaries were chosen through a Smart Pulse Survey.

G. Tirupattama of Mulapadu in Krishna district said, “Owning a pucca house has been a long-cherished dream.” A. Venkatapadma from Machilipatnam echoed similar feelings.

No stopping now

Mr. Naidu said the State would go ahead with the housing project even if the Centre did not support it. Beneficiaries put in ₹2.5 lakh towards the cost, and got State subsidy of ₹1.50 lakh in villages and ₹2.50 lakh in cities. The Central subsidy was ₹1.50 lakh.

The government planned to build 20 lakh houses by 2019, at an estimated cost of around ₹50,000 crore. The scope for corruption in such a large scale construction project was eliminated by ensuring that all payments were made via the NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) gateway and through regular monitoring of the projects’ progress through geo-tagging, he added.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by V. Raghavendra / Vijayawada – July 05th, 2018