Monthly Archives: January 2014

Looking ahead: Infotech in Hyderabad to soar as ever

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Infotech HITEC CityHF03jan2014

Hyderabad:

While Information Technology has chosen Hyderabad as its favoured destination in the state, attempts to attract IT giants to other destinations had seen minimal response so far.

However, a lot of action is expected in the near future with the bifurcation issue coming to a finalisation, the ‘intent’ to draw IT companies towards the Seemandhra region has grown very strong.
There is a huge need for infrastructure development in the new Seemandhra state as all the tier II destinations, which were earlier identified in the IT policy, are mostly Seemandhra cities.

“There are no five star hotels and no infrastructure for the cities in Seemandhra region to begin with after bifurcation. We have to improve the infrastructure especially transportation. International airports will have to be developed in cities like Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Tirupati since IT will not come without infrastructure. Hyderabad was developed as  capital city of Andhra Pradesh and the best infrastructure was created here, but now, with the state being divided, Seemandhra will need to start afresh,” said finance minister Anam Ramanarayan Reddy.

Action may be seen in creating whole new eco-system. Infra-structure development may be seen in other prominent cities like Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Waranagal.

IT has not only created Hyderabad as it is but has attracted huge investments in various sectors.

However, it might be difficult to draw global players towards these newer destinations, say industry insiders. Also the fact remains that almost all big IT companies are global players and very few small companies may be owned by people from either state.

While the existing Information and Communication Technology  policy 2010-2015 has identified Tier II locations (Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Warangal) and Tier III locations (all towns and district headquarters) for years now, there is very little that has moved on the ground so far.

“Although it may be possible to create infrastructure and the eco-system, India currently does not need another tier II destination and hence it will be difficult to attract big players to these newer locations. For an MNC, established tier II destinations like Pune, Bhubaneshwar, Nagpur or Coimbatore makes sense rather than coming to Vijayawada or Warangal,” said vice president (Products and Centre Head for Software), Progress Software, Ramesh Loganathan.

In fact, all these identified tier II destinations already have state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and IT Parks but still more than 70 per cent of the IT park in Vijayawada, for instance, remains unoccupied. Also the fact that global MNCs like to come to established destinations as they want to select employees from an existing vibrant talent pool and preferably from other companies, puts these other destinations at a loss.

However, these destinations have begun seeing some growth in terms of IT exports with Visakhapatnam leading with Rs 1,000 crore, Kakinada with Rs 100 crore, Vijayawada at Rs 70 crore and Tirupati and Warangal at Rs 10 crore worth IT exports. The growth registered was 22 per cent in 2012-2013.

Industry insiders believe that currently Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada are better positioned for growth but it will come at its own pace.

While the IT department had been pushing these destinations for back-offices after no global players showed interest, industry insiders too believe that the growth potential of these destinations would be more from IT incubation.

“There will definitely not be any shifting of business or global companies setting up their businesses in these locations. In fact, it will be very difficult to get people to move to any of these cities. But what can begin now is innovations-led business may start off with the right eco-system. As innovation-led businesses can be started with an incubation centre, an angel network and a proper funding system, it takes 15 to 20 people to begin this kind of a setup. While such businesses can start immediately, for IT businesses and big companies to go to these destinations, it will be a slow process,” added Mr Loganathan.

Amidst all of this, Hyderabad will continue to grow and is expected to pick up pace with the Information Technology Investment Region project and clarity on the bifurcation issue.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / by Amrita Didyala / December 19th, 2013

Vijayawada archers bag five medals at world event in Singapore

Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Archers from Volga Archery Academy who won medals at the World Open (stage 2 indoor archery championship) in Singapore recently. / Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
Archers from Volga Archery Academy who won medals at the World Open (stage 2 indoor archery championship) in Singapore recently. / Photo: Ch.Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

City archers, known for winning medals at international fixtures, have done it again by pocketing five medals, including two gold medals, at the World Open Indoor Archery championship that concluded recently in Singapore. Archers of Volga Archery Academy in Gunadala also had an opportunity to take part in the indoor format for the first time.

“Both outdoor and indoor formats have different techniques. What matters in indoor is accuracy and velocity of wind will not be a factor. The archers can learn the art of perfect release (of the arrow) in indoor competitions,” says academy chairman Ch. Satyanarayana. He said that the targets are kept at a distance of 18 metres unlike outdoors where the target is placed 50-metres away from archers.

Memorable

For Poorvasha Shinde, the experience in Singapore was memorable as she won gold in the under-16 compound segment blanking an archer from host country 6-0 and bowing out in the quarterfinal in the senior division.

Myneni Sai Charith bagged the other yellow metal in the under-14 compound final taming a Singaporean 6-4, while B. Deeraj in the under-14 compound segment settled for a silver crashing out to a Sri Lankan in the final. K. Venkadadri in the under-12 division and Rohit Manivarma in the under-14 compound segment won a silver and bronze respectively to take the medals tally to five.

“Archers of our academy are regulars at the indoor meets and for the past four years we are sending them to help get used to alien conditions,” says J. Rama Rao, a senior coach.

Before leaving for Singapore, the academy archers helped Andhra Pradesh bag the silver medal in the compound final losing out to Jharkhand in the junior nationals at Assam. Archers are preparing for the senior nationals which are scheduled to be held at Jamshedpur from December 22 to 26.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – December 19th, 2013

Visakhapatnam’s nature lovers turn guardian angels of tree

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Visakhapatnam :

Having lost trust in the intentions and actions of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), environment-conscious citizens and NGOs have decided to maintain a strict daily vigil on the 125-year-old heritage banyan tree at Railway Station Road to prevent it from falling prey to the civic body’s axe.

After the photograph of the tree bearing axe marks was published in TOI on Sunday, irked green lovers not only paid the heritage banyan tree a visit the same day but also spoke to GVMC workers present at the site. Noted environment and heritage activist from the city, Sohan Hatangadi, who is a member of Intach (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage) also sent a scathing email in this regard to the GVMC chief on Sunday, which still hasn’t received any response.

Vivek Rathod, an active member of Meecons (Mother Earth Environment Consciousness Society), said, “On Sunday, we visited the tree and the GVMC staff in charge of constructing the wall and drainage said that the drainage construction will take place from another side to prevent any further damage to the tree. However, we will be keeping an eye on their future activities around the tree and will also meet the authorities at the earliest. We have decided to take turns to visit the tree each day and keep a strict watch so that no further harm is done to the tree.”

With the GVMC demolishing the century-old Kurupam market structure overnight, citizens are apprehensive that the heritage tree could also meet the same fate. Already, around 40 full-grown trees on the railway station road have been chopped off recently for road widening much to the chagrin of denizens.

Representatives of environmental NGOs are also planning to meet GVMC authorities to ensure that the heritage tree is not harmed any more. The tree not only bore axe marks but also a branch was chopped off for facilitating drainage in the area despite assurances given by GVMC that it would not touch the tree.

Meanwhile, in his letter to the GVMC commissioner M V Satyanarayana, Sohan wrote, “Now that the railway area has been acquired by GVMC, it has exposed the tree and left it to the mercy of the corporation’s axe. The GVMC has failed miserably in greening our city and now it appears to be taking an active part in destroying what little greenery we have. Your engineers are giving only a speculative, uninformed and unconvincing response when asked how this could happen.”

“We are frequently seeing news reports of old trees being axed during road widening. Some of these old trees are more than 100 years old and are not only of heritage significance, but also nurture thousands of birds and small animals that are a part of our ecosystem. Furthermore, large trees such as these serve as a CO2 sink removing almost 50 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere in a year,” the letter said.

However, till Tuesday, Sohan said he had not received any intimation from the GVMC. “After December 27, we, on behalf of Intach, are planning to meet the GVMC commissioner regarding the tree as well as establishing a heritage conservation committee,” he said.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Cultural Heritage / TNN / December 25th, 2013

Best Single Specialty Hospital Award Presented to AIG

Records, All, Science & Technology
Asian Institute of Gastroenterology’s manager (PR) U Satyanarayana, along with Ram Mohan, receiving the Best Single Speciality Hospital, Gastroeneterology, Award from Planning Commission deputy chairman MS Ahluwalia in Delhi on Monday.
Asian Institute of Gastroenterology’s manager (PR) U Satyanarayana, along with Ram Mohan, receiving the Best Single Speciality Hospital, Gastroeneterology, Award from Planning Commission deputy chairman MS Ahluwalia in Delhi on Monday.

The city-based Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, under the leadership of Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, has received the ‘Best Single Specialty Hospital _ Gastroenterology’ award at CNBC TV18’s India Healthcare Awards ceremony.

U Satyanarayana and Ram Mohan of the institute received the award from Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia at a function organised in New Delhi on Monday.

More than 3,000 hospitals and healthcare service providers have stood up to be counted for the awards. Consumer and doctor ratings on facility assessment data were shared with the jury to select the overall best hospital as well as awardees in other categories.

According to a press release from the AIG on Tuesday, the institute has been selected for the award for its service in the field of gastroenterology, providing state-of- the-art technology to patients, service rendered to the rural population and  the various steps taken to spread medical education in gastroenterology to various parts of India and abroad through workshops, seminars and telemedicine.

Dr Nageshwar Reddy said that such awards would encourage them to spread health care   and increase their responsibility towards society.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / December 25th, 2013

Hyderabad-born is Texas secretary of state

Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

Hyderabad -born attorney Nandita Venkateswaran Berry has been appointed the Secretary of State for Texas, making her the first person of Indian origin to hold the third top executive job in the southern state.

Announcing the appointment of Berry, 45, Governor Rick Perry called the Houston-based attorney one of the most accomplished in the state. She steps into the office Jan 7.

As the 109th Texas Secretary of State, Berry would also become the state’s chief elections officer; the governor’s liaison on border and Mexican affairs and Texas’ chief protocol officer for state and international matters.

Her office also serves as the formal repository for official and business records; publishes government rules and regulations, keeps the state seal and attests to the governor’s signature on official documents.

Berry has been on the board of several institutions including the Houston Zoo, the South Asian Chamber of Commerce, the Houston Area Women’s Centre, and the Community Family Centre of Houston.

“Nandita Berry personifies what is possible through hard work and dedication in the State of Texas,” Perry said in a release.

“Arriving from India at the age of 21 with nothing but $200 to her name, she worked diligently to earn her law degree and has since become one of the most accomplished attorneys in the state.

“Her work ethic, intelligence and wide array of experiences will serve her capably in her new duties as Secretary of State, and I look forward to working with her to keep Texas the best place in the country to live, work and raise a family.”

“I am truly humbled to follow in the footsteps of Stephen F. Austin, Texas’ first Secretary of State,” Berry said.

“Like him, I came to Texas in search of a better life and the limitless opportunities to be found across our great state. Every day, I see Austin’s pioneering spirit alive in Texas, and this great honour proves once again Texas is the land of opportunity, both in the private sector and public service.”

Born in Hyderabad in 1968, Berry is married to controversial radio talk-show host and former Houston city councilman Michael Berry, a conservative with Tea Party links boasting close to 85,000 Facebook followers.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mt. Carmel College, Bangalore. After coming to the US, Berry got another bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Houston.

She got her law degree from the University of Houston Law Centre in 1995, and was admitted to the Texas bar the same year.

Currently, she is a senior counsel with the law firm of Locke Lord LLP, where she practices corporate and securities law as in-house counsel for El Paso Corporation, one of North America’s largest independent natural gas producers.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-IANS> Diaspora / IANS / Washington, December 21st, 2013

Bike rally to mark Neelam centenary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Sports

BikeRallyHF01jan2014

Anantapur:

A motorbike rally was organized at the Nehru Yuva Kendram here, on Friday, to mark the concluding centenary celebrations of the former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

The bike rally was to remember the services of the first Chief Minister, Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy, who made sincere efforts to improve irrigation facilities from Tungabhadra reservoir during his tenure.
He was the initiator of High Level Main Canal from Tungabhadra reservoir.

As part of the concluding function of the centenary celebrations of the former President, who was native of Illur village, in Anantapur district, the district authorities have organized the motorbike rally towards the Tungabhadra reservoir, about 150 kms away from here and back.

Also, President Pranab Mikherjee would visit the mahasamadhi, of Sri Satya Saibaba at Prasanthinilyam, during his visit to the district. Initially, the President was not scheduled to visit the mahasamadhi and was to return on a special aircraft to Prasanthinilayam airport.

The official sources said, President Pranab Mukherjee would attend the concluding function of the centenary celebrations of former President Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy.

Additional forces are being posted at Puttaparthi and Anantapur on the occasion of the President’s visit. The President would arrive at around 12.30 pm on December 23, at Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy stadium.

Later the Governor, ESL Narasimhan, would release the book on Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy and present the   first copy to the President.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / December 21st, 2013