Monthly Archives: February 2014

Berger Paints opens Hindupur plant in Andhra Pradesh

Business & Economy

Berger Paints India Ltd today inaugurated its largest water-based paint manufacturing unit with an initial capacity of 80,000 tons at Hindupur in the Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh .

Kuldeep Singh Dhingra, Chairman, Berger Paints, said in the final phase the factory will have a capacity of 3,20,000 tons per annum. Additionally, there will be a plant for the manufacture of 1,00,000 KL of emulsion, a key raw material, for which a provision already exists.

“The emulsion facility will be commissioned soon upon receipt of all clearances. Side by side, Berger India Group is opening a plastic packaging factory.

“Another Berger factory is coming up in the Gollapuram Industrial Area, just 3 to 4 km from Hindupur site, for manufacture of 40,000 tonnes of paint. Total investment in the Hindupur area by the Berger India Group will be close to Rs 550 crore,” Dhingra said.

Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy formally inaugurated the plant.

Talking to reporters, Abhijit Roy, Managing Director and CEO, Berger Paints, said the company would be hiking prices by 2.2 per cent on decorative range of products from February 1.

This is a third hike during the financial year, taking the overall hike to about 4.8 to 5 per cent, Roy said.

The Kolkata-headquartered paint-maker has facilities in four countries — Nepal, Bangladesh, Poland and Russia. Roy said currently revenues from overseas constitute 10 per cent of the overall income.

He also said the company expects double digit growth in terms of revenues in the current fiscal. The paint-maker reported nearly Rs 1,650 crore revenues with over Rs 110 crore net profit for the first half of the current year.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> Nes / by Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – January 31st, 2014

Don Bosco Navajeevan Hyderabad completes 15 years of Glorious Service

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Hyderabad :. 

DON BOSCO NAVAJEEVAN organized Children`s Mela on 22nd January 2014 at Nampally to celebrate 15 years of its service (1999-2014). The theme of the Mela was \\“PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE\\“. All the children from DBNJ Homes from the Twin Cities took part in the Mela along with local well-wishers and donors. The Mela was organized at DBNJ, Nampally area of GHMC Sports Complex Ground, to create awareness for the public and to present them the services provided by DBNJ homes for the street children and working youth.

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The programme began with a prayer song and Lighting of lamp by the invited guests. The Chief Guest of the function was Mrs. Zahera Begum, Corporator, GHMC. Mohammed Moin, President, MIM Red Hills Division area sabha member GHMC, Jaffer Sub-Inspector of Police, Nampally, and Mr Saritha, Project Coordinator, CFCA were other Guests of Honour.

The Chief Guest while addressing the children appreciated the work of DBNJ in twin-cities for the welfare of the Street children for past 15 years. She encouraged all the boys to be good and responsible students of DBNJ. She thanked for the invitation and assured us help and cooperation for the welfare and well-being of children.

The Guest of Honour Ms. Saritha, Project coordinator, CFCA, Hyderabad, also encouraged boys to set goals for their life to achieve their dreams with confidence and with positive thinking.

During the progamme three of the regular benefactors of DBNJ home, Nampally, namely, Mr. Inna Reddy, Mr. Alex Reddy and Mr. Joy were also honoured. The Director of DBNJ Fr. Sudhakar SDB thanked all the well-wishers, benefactors, donors and friends of DBNJ homes for their support and cooperation. In his speech he enumerated the mile stones that DBNJ homes covered in last 15 years. He called upon everyone to pledge themselves to protect children from all sorts` evils, especially by protecting them sexual abuse.

The colourful programme made up of Dances, Skits, Message Progammes and Mimicry by children from all the three centres was remarkable and thought provoking. A skit performed on the theme `Child Labour` was the highlight of the programme.

Master Madhu, student learning DTP and Printing and also preparing to write Class 10 public exams as private student, shared his experience and affinity with DON BOSCO NAVAJEEVAN and the facilities provided to the students at DBNJ homes. He found the personal follow up received from the management and staff truly praiseworthy. He called upon his friends and companions to be grateful to DBNJ for their constant guidance, encouragement and support.

Vote of thanks was proposed by Fr. Ignatius, In-charge of the Education of the students. He thanked all the guests and donors who blessed the children with their presence.

The Director personally met and thanked each and every staff member for their hard work and dedication for the success of the event.

source: http://www.donboscoindia.com / Don Bosco India / Home> News / by BIS Correspondent / Hyderabad – January 23rd, 2014

ELAN – IIT Hyderabad’s Techno-Cultural Fest

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

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IIT Hyderabad will be celebrating its fifth annual intercollegiate technical -cum-cultural festival, Elan , on 31st January, 1st and 2nd February this year. Elan, which means energy, style, and enthusiasm, spreads the culture of innovation interlaced with merry-making through events, competitions, workshops and performances.

Over the years, Elan has grown, witnessing international band performances, dance groups and singers, into Andhra Pradesh’s largest technical-cum-cultural festival. The competitions during Elan are spread over technical, cultural, literary and informal domains.

The fest also conducts extra-mural lectures and workshops, and takes up social initiatives. Elan has associated with renowned companies like Microsoft, Vodafone, Hitachi, InfoTech, Bank of India, State Bank of India, L&T Constructions and McDonald’s, etc.

With exhilarating performances of art and culture and an electrifying atmosphere of fun and frolic, the festival is all set to become one memorable event in the lives of all those who attend it.

The epic fest is the brain child of the pioneer students of IITH which reveals the undying fervour to prove themselves as best extensively. Every moment of Elan was and will be celebrated as it is the festival of overwhelming zeal.

Starting as an intra-college fest it is now one of the most awaited youth fest of the city. It is a fete with a promise, a promise to render a plethora of pleasure and opportunities without compromising on the merry-making that comes along.

The logo of the fest shows 4 people intertwined helping each other reach the next level, which represents the main idea of festival. With a passion to celebrate music, arts and technology the fest spreads the culture of innovation entailed with all necessary action and fun. Buckle up for the festival with just 5 days to go and likes of Deathember scheduled to perform at the event!

source: http://www.coolage.in / CoolAge / Home / by Ganesh Mahidar – IIT Hyderabad / January 26th, 2014

Women form green climate team

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Visakhapatnam :

In a bid to create awareness about the hazards of dumping waste in plastic bags, the Visakha Mahila Seva Sangham and a few concerned environmental activists including former Intach Vizag convenor Rani Sarma and Prof C Manjulatha of Andhra University’s geology deparment faculty member have come together to form the ‘Green Climate Women’s Team’.

The group will mainly focus on the need to avoid dumping food waste covered in plastic by the wayside and in water bodies as they are resulting in the death and destruction of the fauna, especially cattle and birds.

At a poster release function organised here on Tuesday, Professor Manjulatha and Rani Sarma said that the slogan ‘Show Mercy Towards Other Living Beings’ was aimed at appealing to the good in the general public, who are unaware of the death and destruction being unleashed by plastic covers laden with food waste, especially on cattle, dogs and birds. The speakers pointed out that birds also act as carriers of plastic waste, spreading it far and wide.

The speakers also pointed out that plastic waste has permeated every nook and corner of the world and today no water body, especially the seas and the oceans, are safe. Environment activist J V Ratnam said, “It is sad that most people do not realise the manner in which they are upsetting the ecological balance across the length and breadth of the world, just by dumping litter anywhere and everywhere. This lack of sensitivity will be addressed through this campaign, the main aim of which is to sensitize people.”

The campaign is aimed at generating awareness on the importance of segregating plastic from other waste, apart from focussing on the protection of the age old green belt in and around Visakhapatnam city. The Green Climate Women’s Team has also pledged to generate awareness on the need to protect trees and flora in Visakhapatnam that has existed for hundreds of years.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Plastic Bags / TNN / January 29th, 2014

Akkineni Nageshwara Rao dubbed for his film from his death bed

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hyderabad :

Ninety-year-old Akkineni Nageshwara Rao who knew he had very little time to live battling with cancer, dubbed from his bed for the last film he acted in. The film ‘Manam’ starring his son Nagarjuna and grandson Naga Chaitanya is scheduled for release on March 31.

The Dada Saheb Phalke award winner had passed away on January 22. Except for a song that he was to have shot for, Nagarjuna made sure he completed his role. As if he had a premonition about his death, he called for the dubbing equipment to his bedside and dubbed his voice for the movie.

“Fifteen days after surgery he was at home in bed when he said,

“Bring all the dubbing equipment and do my dubbing for ‘Manam’ before I get worse, or you will get a mimicry artiste to do my dubbing,” he told his son Nagarjuna 15 days after he had a surgery and was in bed. “He made sure he completed the film,” Nagarjuna said.

Opening up about his father’s death, Nagarjuna said on his 90 thbirthday in September, ANR had call all his friends and family from India and abroad. He met all the 2,000 people.

“He made an hour-long speech, which we fortunately recorded. It’s the only biographical life-sketch we have of him. We now intend to make it public,” Nagarjuna said.

Nagarjuna said as an actor ANR had enjoyed acting until the 1970s and 80s. “Then just when I came in as a leading man, Indian cinema become mongrelized, Westernized and corrupted. My father didn’t like it at all,” Nagarjuna recalled. “Why does our cinema need to ape the West? Our culture and heritage are so rich. Why do you need to change that?” he would ask.

Nagarjuna argued back saying that they had to give the audience what they wanted but ANR said: “Look at the Chinese, Koreans. Their cinema preserves their language and culture. They’re global leaders.”

When Nagarjuna recently wanted to send a film he made to international film festivals after cutting the songs, ANR was aghast. “Why are you cutting out your culture?” he asked. Seeing reason in what his father said, Nagarjuna retained the songs.

Nagarjuna made one confession about what his father thought of his acting. “In his later years he continued to watch all the films. He would comment only on the acting as acting was his first love. He saw no logic in my action scenes. Lately he had started approving of my performances. He liked my performance in Sri Ramadasu,” he said.

When ANR was diagnosed with cancer, he gave the family the strength and courage to face up to the impending tragedy.

“He fought the disease as long as he could. He was on the sets of our family film Manam when he collapsed. When they opened him up he was in the 5th stage of cancer. Until then he was in the pink of health,” Nagarjuna said.

The film ‘Manam’ spans a period from 1920 to 2013 in which Nagarjuna plays a 90-year old. Except an incomplete song, ANR completed all the part of his shooting.

Taking about the end days of ANR, Nagarjuna said: “When he knew he was losing the battle with the disease he closed his eyes and surrendered to death. He developed a pain at the end. We took him to the hospital and for the first time he had to be given painkillers. The doctor warned us that it was the beginning of the end.”

The family was informed that he had two more months to live and his condition would worsen. ANR preferred to go home.

“That night (January 21) he called all of us to gather around him. At around 9.30 pm he asked all of us to go home. That night he passed away,” Nagarjuna recalled.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Nagarjuna / by Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / January 29th, 2014

Prepare for a literary carnival

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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Bringing colour, creativity and learning to the fore, the Hyderabad Literary Festival (HLF) 2014 begins today and will be held over a span of three days till January 26. The festival will take place across five different locations in Banjara Hills.

For three days of the festival, the street will be re-christened as ‘Literary Street’ and will come alive with plenty of events, bookstalls, exhibitions and other activities. The festival, which started in 2010, will include 30 literary sessions and 30 cultural experiences and will host 117 delegates from seven different countries. Admission is free and is open for all.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

‘Lit walk’

Literary street will be the central point of all activity at the HLF and is spread across five different venues – Ashiana, Kalpa School, Saptaparni, Kalakriti Art Gallery and Lamakaan.

The event will be inaugurated at Ashiana which will be followed by a ceremonial ‘Lit walk’, wherein delegates, organisers, partners and children will walk from Ashiana to Kalakriti dressed as their favourite literary characters, inaugurating the various components of the festival as they go.

The walk will be held from 10:15 to 10:45 am.

Book signing

Authors will visit Saptaparni at various times during the festival to interact with fans and autograph copies of their books. You can visit Saptaparni to bump into your favourite author and get your book copy signed!

Book Swap

You can bring along an old favourite books and swap it for one you haven’t read. Book swap will be an exciting activity that will take place at Saptaparni on all three days of the festival. Everyone is welcome.

Book Stalls

Book stalls from various publishing houses will be open on throughout the festival at Ashiana and Saptaparni.

Graffiti

Students will create and display graffiti on walls of the literary street. These will be on display only during the inaugural walk.

Collage and Book Covers

Students will take part in the collage activity and book cover competition. The winning book covers will be on display at the Literary Street

Photo Art Mart

Just for today, photography students will display their work at the Literary Street.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express Features – Hyderabad / January 24th, 2014

Climate resilient germplasm for chickpea breeding identified

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Science & Technology

As many as 40 germplasm lines of chickpea with resistance to extreme weather conditions like drought, high temperature and salinity have been identified by a city-based crop research institute.

The climate resilient germplasm lines are expected to further strengthen efforts to develop adaptation measures and support mitigation measures to help small holder farmers in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa  cope up with changing climates, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) said in a statement here.

A diverse chickpea mini core germplasm collection consisting of 211 lines was systematically evaluated to identify beneficial traits, such as high yield and drought tolerance in the 40 lines.

The evaluation of this collection also helped ICRISAT Genebank team identify 31 lines with resistance to pests and diseases. Six germplasm lines of chickpea were found to have resistance to extreme weather, pests and diseases, it said.

“Climate change is here and is happening. We have been experiencing extreme weather events, like the severe floods in India last year that devastated the northern states and recently Typhoon Haiyan that ravaged the Philippines,” ICRISAT Director General Dr William Dar said.

“You will see more of these extreme events which will also adversely affect agriculture. Under these circumstances, the findings by ICRISAT Genebank team will help small holder farmers close crop yield gaps significantly,” he said.

The rich and diverse germplasm resources available at the ICRISAT genebank have been helping plant breeders in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa as sources of beneficial traits to develop new high-yielding and resilient varieties with better quality to boost production of food crops like chickpea, even under a climate change regime, the statement said.

The samples of seeds collected from farmers’ fields, having genes with desirable traits, act as valuable material for plant breeders in making new crosses and incorporating new unique characteristics into existing varieties, it said.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> PTI Stories> National> News / by Press Trust of India / Hyderabad – January 25th, 2014

Global network for women chapter in Hyderabad

Business & Economy, Leaders

A global network that could open up opportunities for business and professional women from the State is all set to start operations in Hyderabad.

The International Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW International), with affiliates in 95 countries is set to launch its Hyderabad Chapter tomorrow.

It will help women to develop professional and leadership potential through education, awareness and mentoring within a supportive network, said Nafeesa Ismail, Vice-President, BPW India.

BPW with consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and participatory status with the Council of Europe has influential women leaders, entrepreneurs, business owners, executives, professionals and young career women as its members, a press release stated.

Fay Jahan Ara, noted for her contributions to business, philanthropy and women’s rights is expected to launch the Chapter in city. The Princess is also BPW International Goodwill Ambassador.

In the recently released 2013 Global Gender Gap Report by the World Economic Forum, India ranked 124th among 136 countries in terms of economic participation and opportunity.

The report assesses how well resources and opportunities are divided among male and female populations.

It also gives an indication of how far down the economic ladder India’s women are.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> National/ by The Hindu Bureau / Hyderabad – January 26th, 2014

US Consul General impressed by Vizag’s infrastructural facilities

Business & Economy, World Opinion
US Consul General Michael Mullins having a word with VCTPL COO Sushil Mulchandani during a visit to the facility in Visakhapatnam on Monday./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
US Consul General Michael Mullins having a word with VCTPL COO Sushil Mulchandani during a visit to the facility in Visakhapatnam on Monday./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Visits VCPTL, SEZ and Gangavaram port along with team

The landscape of Visakhapatnam and its beauty and industrial infrastructure impressed Michael Mullins, Consul General of the US Consulate General, Hyderabad, during his maiden visit to the city after he took charge in September, 2013.

“It’s a wonderful city. We are very impressed with the facilities,” he said, after a visit to the Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd (VCTPL), Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone and Gangavaram Port on Monday. VCTPL operates the container terminal at Visakhapatnam Port under PPP mode.

Accompanied by political and economic officer Travis Coberly, political and economic associate John Mataya and political and economic specialist Srimali Kari, the team from US Consulate General office went around the facilities for first-hand knowledge on the infrastructure and facilities available in the city.

After a traditional welcome by VCTPL personnel Mr. Mullins and his team was escorted by the COO Sushil Mulchandani for a presentation about the terminal and growth prospects to make Visakhapatnam a transhipment hub as per Maritime Agenda of the Ministry of Shipping.

Target

The team was explained how they had achieved a Compounded Aggregate Growth Rate of 23 per cent for past five years. VCTPL has set a target to achieve a growth of 15 per cent annually with a huge hinterland of 750 km spread over seven States.

Mr. Mullins wanted to know about the activities of American companies from the region.

Projects explained

The team noted the movement of frozen shrimp and the possibility of importing Washington apples via the Visakhapatnam Port. Mr. Mulchandani explained to him on the projects in the pipeline like PCPIR and the investments made in Brandix India Apparel City, Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, AP Special Economic Zone and Visakhapatnam SEZ.

VCTPL General Manager (HR) B.P.Chinoy, and Manager (Operations) Sudheep Banarjee were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – January 28th, 2014

Triumph opens dealership in Hyderabad; to have nine outlets by March

Business & Economy, Sports, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Iconic British motorcycle brand Triumph has opened a dealership facility in Hyderabad named Rebel Motorcycles, offering over 10 of the 28 models from its stable.

The motorcycle manufacturer plans to set up nine dealerships in India by March 2014. The first one was set up in Bangalore.

Vimal Sumbly, Managing Director of Triumph Motorcycles India, said, “We are in India to give brand lovers not just the product but an overall experience that they deserve from a globally renowned brand such as Triumph. The opening of the dealership advances our commitment to establish Triumph marquee in the local market and extend a comprehensive suite of after-sales services and support.

The bikes, with an engine capacity of 675 cc and going up to 2300 cc, are priced in the range of Rs.5.9 lakh to Rs. 20 lakh ex-showroom.

Triumph lovers have the option to also buy its branded accessories ranging from about Rs.20,000 and going up to Rs. 2 lakh. These include jackets and gloves.

The country’s super bike market, where Triumph offers its range, is estimated to be about 3,000 units each year. The company, which has an accounting practice of June to July, expects sales of 500 bikes in the first year, 1,000 in the next and 1,500 in the year thereafter.

“There is a latent demand for such bikes and we are geared up to serve such bike lovers. Typically, these bike enthusiasts also form clubs and enjoy sharing their experiences and long rides,” he said.

The company is currently assembling a crop of bikes at its Manesar plant and is planning to set up a manufacturing unit in Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by V. Rishi Kumar   rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in /  Hyderabad – January 23rd, 2014