Category Archives: Business & Economy

Emergency angioplasty saves Belgian

Business & Economy, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Vanhaeren Kohn

Minutes before the Vijayawada-New Delhi Air India flight was to take off from Gannavaram Airport, a 38-year-old Belgian national Vanhaeren Kohn, suffered a massive heart attack, but timely medical help saved his life.

A businessman, who was in Vijayawada to sell his company’s equipment, was on his way to New Delhi and sudden severe chest pain, palpitation left him motionless and identifying the problem, the people around immediately shifted him to the Pinnamaneni Medical College and Hospital in Gannavaram on Thursday evening.

Doctors shifted him to Dr. Ramesh Hospitals, where a primary emergency angioplasty was done in consultation with the family physician of Mr. Kohn back in Belgium. Ramesh Hospitals Chief Cardiologist P. Ramesh Babu said that there was a 100 per cent block in a vessel on the side and they removed it within 25 minutes .

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / February 02nd, 2013

World Congress on Orthotics in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Science & Technology
Hyderabad , JAN 30:

Assistive devices and technologies that help people with disabilities will be the focus of a four-day global conference of the International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO) beginning on February 7 in Hyderabad.

The ISPO 2013 World Congress at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre will be the 14th edition and the first to be held in India and South Asia. The ISPO is an advisory body in the field of rehabilitation to the WHO, UN Agencies and the International Red Cross.

The event will showcase the latest equipment, facilities, technology and solutions that can bring in positive changes in the lives of people with disabilities and allied health issues, says a press release.

Over 1,000 delegates from 84 countries would participate in the event that would also see more than 100 exhibitors from across the world.

President of the Society Jan H.B. Geertzan said the changing disability profile, increasing ‘grey’ population, and many lifestyle-generated disorders are creating an ever-increasing demand for professionals in this field.

B.D. Athani, Chair, India Task Force, said the mega scientific event has attracted professionals, policy-planners, academicians and service providers for P&O, rehabilitation, orthopaedic and mobility sectors. The last congress was held in Leipzig, Germany and 3,000 delegates took part.

Somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> News> Science / by M. Somasekhar / Hyderabad, January 30th, 2013

ONGC mini-refinery at Tatipaka in East Godavari starts exporting naphtha

Business & Economy

ONGC’s mini-refinery at Tatipaka in East Godavari has started exporting naphtha.

The first tanker of 100 tons was flagged off by Group General Manager from Tatipaka. ONGC has hired a storage facility in Visakhapatnam port from East India Petroleum Ltd to store 7,600 tons of naphtha. It will be exported along with HPCL’s naphtha.

source: http://www.plastemart.com / Home> Plastic News / January 28th, 2013

Visakhapatnam hosts jute fair to promote sales of eco-friendly products

Business & Economy

Visakhapatnam, Jan.30 (ANI):

The National Jute Board (NJB) is hosting a week-long fair here to promote the sale of eco-friendly jute products and to provide a market for the small artisans.

A variety of jute products, including colourful mats and carpets, clutches, handbags, shopping bags, slippers, men’s wallets, tablemats, file folders are on display at the fair.

Jute, which is also known as ‘the Golden Fibre’ is considered to be the second most important fibre after cotton due to its reasonable price and eco-friendly attributes.

A customer, Vishal, said that such exhibitions should be held more often, as they provide an insight about eco-friendly products.

“Such kinds of exhibition should be held in all states of India, especially in capital and metropolitan cities, so that people can know about it and can purchase these products and commodities, as they are more eco-friendly,” said Vishal.

Participating craftsmen expressed their delight over the increase in sales of their products.

A shopkeeper, Abhijit Ghosh, said: “Earlier, our financial condition was not good and the National Jute Board is supporting us. It was getting difficult for us to sustain our livelihood. With this particpation of the National Jute Board, our economic condition has improved,” said Ghosh.

In all, 23 stalls have been put up by jute artisans and manufacturers.

Such fairs not only bring the craftsmen into limelight, but also provide an opportunity to the people to find out more about the arts and crafts of other regions of the country. (ANI)

source: http://www.newstrackindia.com / Home> Economy / by ANI / Visakhapatnam, Wednesday-January 30th, 2013

De Beers diamond range launched in Visakhapatnam

Business & Economy
Visakhapatnam , JAN. 25:

Forevermark, the diamond brand from De Beers group of companies, was launched here on Friday in association with Vaibhav Jewellers at the latter’s showroom.

Sachin Jain, the Managing Director of Forevermark India, said on the occasion that the brand promises quality, rarity and responsibility. “We are thrilled to tie up with Vaibhav to offer the best diamonds to the customers in Visakhapatnam,” he said.

Raghunathan of Vaibhav Jewellers, said the company believed in quality, craftsmanship, and customer service. “We are happy to partner with De Beers and we are offering fabulous designs,” he said.

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessline.com / Home> News> States / by the Hindu’s Bureau / Visakhapatnam, January 25th, 2013

US city delegation on visit

Business & Economy, World Opinion
Hyderabad , JAN. 23:

A business delegation from the City of San Antonio, Texas, US, and the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry today signed a memorandum of understanding to increase trade.

Information technology, renewable energy, bio-sciences and clinical research were some of the areas identified.

HEALTHCARE FOCUS

The delegation, led by Councilmember Elisa Chan, will be visiting other cities during the tour and will meet Government officials and corporates.

Chan invited Indian business houses to explore opportunities in the City, especially in the bio-science and health-care segment. “This is today a $29-billion industry in the City, employing over 150,000 people. We also have a sound base in IT services, especially those related to cyber security,” she said.

amitmitra@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> States / by Hindu’s Bureau / Hyderabad, January 23rd, 2013

GEF to invest $8.4M in Hyderabad’s Integrated Cleanroom Technologies

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

GEF, which has approximately $1 billion in aggregate capital under management, has invested over $100 million across eight deals in India.

South Asia Clean Energy Fund (SACEF), an SME fund managed by clean technology investor Global Environment Fund (GEF), is investing Rs 45 crore or $8.4 million in Integrated Cleanroom Technologies Ltd (IClean). The Hyderabad-based firm, founded by first-generation entrepreneurs back in 2002, will use the funding to expand its manufacturing facilities and reach the target revenues of Rs 500 crore by FY17.

SACEF is acquiring a minority stake in IClean, which manufactures prefabricated modular cleanroom and cleanroom equipment (cleanroom technology refers to providing contamination-free and temperature-controlled room facilities in different industrial environments). In addition, the company is aggressively expanding into cleanroom projects execution on a turnkey basis. IClean’s promoters are led by managing director K Gopi besides U Srinivasa Murthy, TV Prasad and D Narendra.

IClean was started after its founders saw an opportunity in the cleanroom equipment segment, where all products used to be imported and companies incurred high costs. The firm set up a domestic manufacturing facility and indigenised the products. It earned revenues of Rs 5 crore in its first year of operation which went up to Rs 125 crore in FY12. IClean also bagged two mega projects during the third quarter, each worth Rs 30 crore.

While manufacturing accounts for 75 per cent of its current revenues, the rest comes from execution of turnkey projects. Going forward, IClean sees this mix heading towards 50:50.

IClean clients are primarily pharmaceutical and biotechnology laboratories, but the company has started servicing clients in healthcare services, food & beverage processing and electronics space.

Its overseas revenue currently accounts for 20 per cent of the total revenue although the company has recently bagged a contract worth Rs 35 crore in the US. Some of its key clients include Dr. Reddy’s, Cipla, GlaxoSmithKline, Glenmark, Pfizer and Biocon.

With the capital infusion from GEF, IClean plans to expand its two existing plants in Hyderabad with additional machinery and finance a new facility in Vadodara, Gujarat. The company has also expanded its manufacturing space from 1.5 lakh sq. ft. to 4.5 lakh sq. ft. and sees no major capex ahead. Its product range includes cleanrooms, cleanroom accessories, heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC), air handling unit and lab furniture.

K Gopi, managing director of IClean, said in a statement that the firm is also entering other engineering products, as well as greenfield projects, which have significant market potential and market size of Rs 5,000 crore.

“Cleanroom solutions, while providing for contamination-free environments, also result in energy efficiency gains through better design and insulation. IClean is one of the leading solution providers in the country with a very strong team and execution record,” said Raj Pai, managing director at GEF Advisors India Pvt Ltd.

GEF, which has approximately $1 billion in aggregate capital under management, has invested over $100 million across eight deals in India. Its current portfolio include energy efficiency firm Kalki Communication Technologies, clean energy firm Greenko Group Plc and Saisudhir Infrastructures, an EPC player focused on sectors like water supply and solid waste management.

(Edited by Sanghamitra Mandal)

source: http://www.elp.com / Electric Light & Power / Distributed by Contify.com / by Mosaic Media Ventures / Wire News by Lexix Nexis

 

Social entrepreneurship, not politics, is Deepa’s call

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Entrepreneur Deepa Venkat is not like a majority of her counterparts for whom politics is the only profession to chose. Instead, the entrepreneur daughter of former BJP chief M Venkaiah Naidu prefers to pursue Mahatma Gandhi’s dictum — back to villages.

Swarna Bharat Trust, a charitable organisation run by her, collaborated with Soma Enterprises and Andhra Bank last September to set up an institute to impart technical education to rural youths. Around 400 deprived youths from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh and since passed out from this place and are now settled with good jobs at different firms.

“It gives you a great sense of satisfaction to see helping somebody’s life and future,” Deepa says, adding, “My father (Venkaiah Naidu) is the driving force behind this initiative. He praises me at good works and do not mind pulling me up when there is some fault.”

Deepa is recipient of a national award under “Humanitarian and Voluntary Leadership” category given by the Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs.

The trust set up by eight friends of Naidu in 2001 also runs another Cyber Grameen project to impart computer training to rural youth, vocational training centre called SIRED for self improvement in 18 trades.

The Trust also runs training centre for farmers to help them effectively use resources to increase yield. There is a modern medical centre sponsored by M/s Venkateswara Hatcheries named after their founder Dr BV Rao where free medical facility by prominent Doctors from Hyderabad and Chennai drawn from five corporate hospitals visit by rotation to treat the patients in the district and nearby areas.

The local Red Cross and Indian Medical Association (IMA) join the Trust to conduct regular medical camps. The Trust also runs a mobile medical unit with modern medical facility like x-rays, clinical lab, pathological lab etc.

Trust also operates an eye hospital in association with LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad, to provide free eye treatment for those who can not afford costly treatment. A free Veterinary Hospital is also run by the Trust in Collaboration with Mandava Foundation.

“The Trust runs a Bridge School for children who have discontinued studies due to various reasons in association with Simhapuri Vidya Seva Samiti. It also conducts free legal aid and recently five eminent judges have participated in the face to face meet with the villagers,” Naidu said. Other initiatives include an Elders’ Home.

source: http://www.DailyPioneer.com / Home> Nation /PNS / Nellore ( Andhra Pradesh) / Wednesday, January 16th, 2013

The wizard weaver of Nalgonda

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

Chintakindi Mallesham with his invention.

Necessity is the mother of invention, but these days, it’s exactly the reverse: invention is the mother of necessity. But for Chintakindi Mallesham, the age old adage stands true. For, the plight of his mother and other Pochampalli weavers impelled him to innovate. He designs machine for weavers, who live at the far end of dirt roads in Sharjipet village, Nalgonda in Andhra Pradesh, as well as in other villages in India. His invention costs Rs 16,000. The idea germinated in his mind in 1992. Reason: his mother’s tired arms. “You can’t understand how difficult asu—the tying of threads and dyeing them in selected colours—is,” he says. It is this understanding of tedium and tired muscles that Mallesham brings to his work.

Despite lacking a formal education or technical training, Mallesham has made a machine that has mechanised the most tedious part of Pochampally weaving—the tying of threads and dyeing them in selected colours. He replaced the woman’s arm with a mechanical one, which winds the silk thread on the pins and offers a choice of settings. The result is that the thread needed for three or four sarees is now processed in a reduced timespan. He has named the machine, Laxmi Asu, as a tribute to his mother.

The journey wasn’t easy, Mallesham was burdened by the loans he took to develop the machine and had to leave it unfinished and work in Hyderabad as a daily wager. In the journey to his invention, once he got stuck, since he did not know which parts to use to provide for one particular movement in the asu process. He then worked in a machine shop where he spent time observing various machines, searching for that one elusive movement. “The owner used to shout at me,” recalls Mallesham, a school dropout. “Finally, one day I found it and rushed off, without my wages for the day. My machine was ready.”

His achievement has made Forbes magazine list him as one of the seven most outstanding rural entrepreneurs of India in 2010. “The Pochampally saree involves weaving patterns on the loom. The yarn has to be wound with hand using the ‘asu’ process, according to the design. This might involve even moving multiple pegs over 9000 to 10,000 times, for each saree. By doing this manually, many weavers suffer from joint pains and strain their eye,” explains Mallesham. The Lakshmi Asu, he explains, does the weaving in 90 minutes against 5 hours with the manual process and enables more innovative designs. Only 200 watts equivalent to the power consumption of an air cooler usage is consumed.

Initially, he was at the receiving end from family and villagers who saw his preoccupation with the machine as an excuse to escape earning a livelihood. So it took seven years to introduce the first prototype of Laxmi Asu.

“The first few customers gave feedback that there should be some technical modifications, and I worked on that too,” says Mallesham. I have sold about 600 machines but most weaver families cannot afford the money. Their lives can change if the government helps them buy the machine,” says Mallesham.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / Home> Magazine / by Swati Sharma / January 13th, 2013

Infotech Enterprises opens development centre at Kakinada

Business & Economy, Science & Technology
Hyderabad , JAN 11:

Infotech Enterprises has launched its 7th India Development Centre at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. It has 850 employees now and has plans to ramp up staff strength to up to 2,000 by 2014.

The focus of the centre will be to deliver technology solutions to its oil & gas, energy and utilities customers. It is Infotech’s second centre in the coastal city.

The facility developed in a five acre, sprawling campus has a built up area of 52,000 sq.ft. It has a capacity of 650 seats, which will be increased to 1,500 by 2014. The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, and Union Human Resources Development Minister, M.M. Pallam Raju, formally inaugurated the Centre at Sarpavaram, Special Economic Zone today.

B.V.R. Mohan Reddy, founder and Chairman, Infotech Enterprises, said it was part of the company’s strategy to grow inclusively by expanding operations in tier-II cities. It will also help boost the local economy by generating employment opportunities, he said in a press release.

The Hyderabad-based Infotech Enterprises has also set-up an Avionics M.Tech programme in JNTU Kakinada by providing an avionics lab, enhanced course curriculum and adjunct faculty. The first batch of students will be graduating this year.

Infotech also provides several scholarships for needy students of JNTU Kakinada.

somasekhar.m@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry> Info-Tech / by M. SomaSekhar / Hyderabad, January 11th, 2013