Category Archives: Amazing Feats

P. Susheela enters Guinness World Records

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
Veteran playback singer P. Susheela. File photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu
Veteran playback singer P. Susheela. File photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu

‘The queen of melodies’ has been officially credited by Guinness Book of Records for singing 17, 695 songs in 12 Indian languages.

Renowned playback singer P. Susheela Mohan, who has won many awards and earned accolades in a career spanning five decades, has added two more to her awards cabinet.

She has now been recognised by both the Guinness Book of World Records and Asia Book of Records for singing most number of songs in Indian languages. The usually reticent singer met journalists in Chennai on Tuesday to celebrate her new award.

While Guinness Book of Records has officially credited her for singing 17, 695 songs (solo, duet and chorus backed songs) in twelve Indian languages, Asia Book of Records has recognised her for singing close to 17, 330 songs.

Speaking about the awards, P. Susheela reminded everyone present that the adjudicators had only considered songs she had song from 1960s. “Please remember that I started singing from 1951,” she said.

None of this would have been possible without the work of her fans, who, by setting up psusheela.org, painstakingly catalogued the songs that she has sung over the last few decades and sent it to the adjudicators of the award.

Reflecting on the recognition, the singer said that she views it as an acknowledgement of her hard work. “There is a lot of hard work that has gone behind this achievement. Today, with so many television channels and newspapers, a talented singer can shine through quickly. But when I was singing, it was very slow and I had work my way up , step by step,” she said.

Crediting her husband for her success, she said that her husband, a doctor, was a corner stone in her life. “He fell in love with my voice and sacrificed his life so that I have a great career in playback singing,” she said.

She was candid in her response when asked why she had never considered a career in acting. “I was offered a chance to act by several directors, but I refused saying that I wouldn’t want to act even if I was paid a crore,” she said, adding, “My heart was in music.”

When asked why she is not singing anymore, the singer said that she would love to sing in movies if someone offered a good song. When she was nudged by journalists to sing her favourite song, she ended the press conference by singing Ennai pada sonnal, enna paada thondrum from Pudhiya Paravai, a hit song of 1964.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Entertainment / by Udhav Naig / Chennai – March 29th, 2016

Telugu states bag 14 Padma awards

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, Sports

Hyderabad :

Telangana and Andhra Pradesh once again made their mark on the national stage with 14 individuals from the two Telugu speaking states bagging the Padma awards.

Between them, the two states shared two Padma Vibhushan awards, five Padma Bhushans and seven Padma Shris for the year 2016. The awards were announced in New Delhi on the eve of the Republic Day on Tuesday.

Last year, the two states had to settle for four Padma Shri awards while the year before in 2014, unified AP had the honour of receiving two Padma Bhushans and seven Padma Shri awards.

Leading the winners this year are Ch Ramoji Rao of the Eenadu Group, who was chosen for the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in the country, for his contribution to education, literature and journalism. The danseuse Yamini Krishnamurthy is the other winner of the award.

Chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana N Chandrababu Naidu and K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed happiness at the Ramoji Group chairman being chosen for the prestigious award. Naidu said Ramoji Rao had taken print and television journalism to great heights. He had launched ‘Eenadu’ in Visakhapatnam in 1974.

The 79-year-old Ramoji Rao, who was born in Pedaparupudi of Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh, is also a film producer with 87 films to his credit, has a chit fund business and owns a group of hotels. His Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad is a filmmaking destination for producers even from Hollywood, apart from being a tourist attraction.

Among the Padma Bhushan winners are the popular sports stars Sania Mirza (tennis) and Saina Nehwal (badminton). With the Rio de Janeiro Olympics round the corner, the awards are expected to come as a great boost to both of them. Mirza had won the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award last year.

SS Rajamouli, who made waves with his blockbuster film ‘Bahubali’ has been awarded the Padma Shri. Rajamouli, officially listed as hailing from Karnataka by the government in its release announcing the awards, is currently shooting in Kerala for ‘Bahubali-2’.

His father, K Vijayendra Prasad, told TOI that he was happy that his son has been given the award. “First of all, it is God’s grace. And secondly, he is sincere, hardworking and humble. He deserves the award,” he said.

Two other well-known personalities from the city, social worker Sunita Krishnan won the Padma Shri while gastroenterologist Dr D Nageshwar Reddy has been awarded the Padma Bhushan.

Well-known artist K Laxma Goud, cardiothoracic surgeon Dr Mannam Gopi Chand and cardiac surgeon Dr Alla Gopalakrishna Gokhale were also awarded the Padma Shri.

QUOTE
This award is not just mine, but belongs to all Telugu people who have been with me in this journey in journalism
Ramoji Rao
First of all, it is God’s grace. And secondly, he is sincere, hardworking and humble. He deserves the award
– K Vijayendra Prasad, father of director SS Rajamouli

|Telugu Winners
Padma Vibhushan
Yamini Krishnamurthy Art classical dance
Ch Ramoji Rao Literature, education & journalism

Padma Bhushan
Dr Alla Venkata ama Rao Science and engineering
Yarlagadda Laxmi Prasad Literature and education
Dr D nageshwar Reddy Medicine, gastroenterology
Saina Nehwal Sports – Badminton
Sania Mirza Sports Tennis Padma

Padma Shri
Dr Nayudamma Yarlagadda Medicine, pediatric surgery
Sunita Krishnan social work
Dr TV Narayana social work
SS Rajamouli Art Film direction & production (Officially listed as from Karnataka)

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> India / TNN / January 26th, 2016

Arthroscopic Surgery Performed by Vizag Steel Docs

Amazing Feats, Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

In a rare achievement, the doctors of Vizag Steel General Hospital have performed arthroscopic surgery (keyhole surgery) without opening the joint to fix fractures within the knee joints (Tibial Eminence Fractures) on two patients. G Venkateswara Rao, a senior most surgeon in the field of arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine at the hospital, led this technically demanding and challenging task.

In a release, Venkateswara Rao said that some fractures within the joints are treated by putting a plaster cast or through surgery carried out by opening the entire joint through incisions which are 10-15 cm long. However, Venkateswara Rao used the state-of-the-art arthroscopic equipment, and performed the ‘ACL Avulsion fixation and ACL pull out repair’ with 3-4 stab incisions of less than 5 mm. “Special Titanium screws and suture material were employed to prevent complications such as stiffness and infection,” he said.

The convalescence period of the two patients was reduced to two weeks each as against two months under the general method. Venkateswara Rao said such advanced methods could be adopted due to the state-of-the-art equipment available at Vizag Steel General Hospital. On the occasion, the officials of Vizag Steel expressed happiness at the success of this advanced operation technique.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / October 15th, 2015

Just a day away for historic moment at Ferri

Amazing Feats, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All
Villagers in Nunna on the outskirts of Vijayawada are a happy lot with River Godavari set to flow into the Krishna as part of the Krishna-Godavari Interlinking project.PHOTO: V RAJU
Villagers in Nunna on the outskirts of Vijayawada are a happy lot with River Godavari set to flow into the Krishna as part of the Krishna-Godavari Interlinking project.PHOTO: V RAJU

Celebrations planned to mark the inter-linking of Godavari-Krishna rivers

It is just a day away for the historic moment of River Godavari interlinking with River Krishna and elaborate arrangements are being made by the district administration to celebrate the grand occasion near the confluence point at Ferri village in Ibrahimpatnam on the city outskirts on Wednesday.

More than 3,700 buses are being arranged to transport over 1.5 lakh farmers and women from across the State to participate in the programme. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will be formally operating the pump to link the both the rivers at Ferri village on the banks of River Krishna.

He will be performing special pujas at the confluence point and lay foundation for a pylon to mark the occasion. Later, he will be addressing a public meeting at a 20-acre open site in the village. Collector Babu A is monitoring the arrangements and directed the officials to provide ample parking space for RTC buses and other vehicles arriving from different districts.

Meanwhile, Godavari water, which was released from Tadipudi lift irrigation project in West Godavari district, reached Nunna through Polvaram Right Main Canal on the city outskirts. The water will be flowing into Prakasam Barrage via Balerayudu tank, Pachivagu, Budameru Diversion Canal and NTPPS canal.

Irrigation officials have curtailed the flow of water at different points to ensure free flow of water from the canals during the ceremony. However, they explained that water was being curtailed to ensure that minimum level of water was maintained in the canal as it was a trial run.

Officials informed that the water would be reaching the Budameru Diversion Canal by Tuesday evening and would be eventually flowing into the NTPPS Canal. Officials in West Godavari had released about 600 cusecs of Godvari water from Tadipudi on September 1 into the Polavaram Right Main canal. They said there would be a transmission loss of about 15 per cent due to seepages and evaporation in the newly constructed canal.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by S. Sandeep Kumar / Vijayawada – September 15th, 2015

Women scientists hail Manjula’s elevation

Amazing Feats, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

A woman defence scientist, having roots in Nellore district, has now become an inspiration for many women aspiring to work with the country’s defence establishments.

J Manjula, director of Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE), was on Thursday posted as the director general, Electronic and Communication Systems (ECS), at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).This elevation makes her one of the top seven defence scientists in the country who report to the overall head S Christopher. It was only last year that Manjula was posted as director of DARE.

In fact, this is the second time in the span of a few months that Nellore district has seen one of its own being elevated to a position of eminence.

Before 53-year-old Manjula, it was Dr G Satheesh Reddy who made the district proud by being appointed as the scientific advisor to Raksha Mantri. He heads the Research Centre Imarat in Hyderabad.

Manjula’s appointed as DG has brought much cheer, especially among fellow women scientists. The “missile woman of India”, Tessy Thomas, was one of the first to congratulate Manjula. “It really is a great thing that Manjula has got to the top position. It was her sincerity and dedication to her work that led her to where she is now,” Tessy Thomas, director of Advanced System Laboratory , DRDO in Hyderabad told TOI. Manjula had worked at the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory in Hyderabad for more than 25 years in the field of electronic integrated warfare.”We are already seeing a lot of enthusiasm from college students towards science. We expect more would be interested in getting into defence research,” Tessy Thomas, who was the project director for Agni IV , said.

Manjula, a school principal’s daughter, was born in Nellore and did her schooling there. Later, she pursued her higher education in Osmania University in electronics and communication engineering. She worked with the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) in Hyderabad before joining DRDO in 1987.

“She has been busy in meetings all through the day . She works till late in the night. Today she took over as the DG and after that was engaged in a video-conference,” an official at Manjula’s office in Bangalore said. Attempts to speak to her did not yield results as Manjula was said to be `extremely busy’ because of her new assignment.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Hyderabad / TNN / September 11th, 2015

Reunion for a cause

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All
Former students of Fort Catholic Girls High School celebrating their reunion on the school campus in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Former students of Fort Catholic Girls High School celebrating their reunion on the school campus in Visakhapatnam on Friday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Old students of 1977-2013 batches of Fort Catholic Girls High School meet for the first time to raise funds for the Hudhud-hit institution. For many, it was the perfect moment to rejoice as the event brought the old friends from different parts of the globe together, including the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.

A group of women were busy posing for selfies with the newly-designed cut-out that had a faceless image of a schoolgirl. Peals of laughter echoed at the venue as friends met to make merry after a long time.

There was excitement in the air as old pals, from 1977 to 2013 batches, met at Fort Catholic Girls High School to celebrate their reunion for the first time. Apparently, what united them after such a long time was their love for the school. “We came to know that some of the classrooms have become roofless post the cyclone Hudhud that damaged the city beyond its recognition. The reunion has been organised to raise funds and bring the 162-year-old school back to its feet,” says Lakshmi Kamal, who belonged to the 1995 batch.

For many, it was the perfect moment to rejoice as the event brought the old friends from different parts of the globe together, including the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore.

“In 1977, the scenario was entirely different. We were adept at giving the students their space and be strict when it comes to studies,” says Rupali Banerjee, a retired geography teacher. What was initially a five-member group has now grown up to a network of 216 members.

“We have been in touch with each other through Facebook and WhatsApp. This is a result of our two-month hard work,” say Beena, Neelima, and P. Anuradha.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam  – December 27th, 2014

Naval Day operations s hold Vizagites spellbound Helobatics, Marcos steal the show

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology

Visakhapatnam :

Nearly one lakh people congregated at the RK Beach to watch the thrilling operational displays put up by the men in uniform who guard the seas on Navy Day on Thursday evening.

Even though public and private vehicles were barred from entering the Beach Road from noon amidst stringent security, it didn’t deter the hoards of people who made their way to the venue, thousands of whom came walking from distant places. Every inch of the beach and road, balconies and rooftops of all the apartments and buildings in the vicinity were choc-a-bloc with people who quickly took vantage points so as not to miss any action.

Though every year the governor of some state is invited as the chief guest, for the first time this year, chief minister of Andhra Pradesh N Chandrababu Naidu was given the honours. Satish Soni, Vice Admiral of Eastern Naval Command, was present alongside.

This year, there were a couple of new demos such as the helobatics by Sarang Helicopters of the Indian Air Force and continuity drill with fire by the armed naval personnel.

Grace Abraham, a student of Timphany School, was bowled over by the helobatics display. “The manoeuvres of the helicopters were just awesome, especially the cross over and dolphin’s leap. I salute the pilots and people behind the show as so much of hard work and month-long practice have gone into making the challenging helobatics a huge success,” she said.

It was not only the fleet manoeuvers, demo and flypast by various helicopters and aircrafts that kept the onlookers’ gaze fixed firmly to the skies for more than an hour but also the daredevil performance by the Special Forces – the Marine Commandos (Marcos) – that kept them on tenterhooks.

Ashirwad Mohanty, a Class X student of Little Angel’s School, loved all the performances by the Marcos, especially the amphibious and beach assault involving specially designed crafts, a tank and missile boats. “Every demo was commendable. From skydiving to submarine and warships demonstration, from the Navy Band’s mesmerising music to the fire and weapon drills… But I was thrilled to watch the operations by the marine commandos the most, including the amphibious assault and their sabotage operations on a simulated oil rig,” said Ashirwad, who aspires to become an aeronautical engineer.

For Gita Singh, wife of Commander Bhupinder Singh, it was her first time at Navy Day ops demo. “All the demos were interesting and exhibited the skills of our men in uniform but the colourful skydiving by the marine commandos impressed me the most,” she stated.

Finally, at the end of the show, while watching the brilliant fireworks and illumined silhouettes of warships in the sea, Mriganka Majumdar, a communication consultant, said, “I feel the Indian coast and the seas are in the safest of hands. It’s a mind-blowing performance where for the first time I got to see the Naval operations on land, water and air. I’m lucky to be in Vizag at this time of the year. The skydiving as well as the slithering operations of the Marcos from the helicopter, the rescue demo involving the boats and helicopters were just spellbinding.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatanam / TNN / December 05th, 2014

Andhra Techie desilts Nellore canal

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Chandrasekhar Reddy inspecting desilting work at Muthukuru Road in Nellore. — DC
Chandrasekhar Reddy inspecting desilting work at Muthukuru Road in Nellore. — DC

Nellore:

Moved by the plight of farmers whose standing crops are withering away due to heavy silt, including garbage, deposited at the mouth of Krishnapatnam canal, software professional Pothireddy Chandrasekhar Reddy hired earth-moving machines with his own money to take up the desilting operation. His move has ensured the free flow of water in the area.

As many as 12,000 acres of agricultural land located in TP Gudur and Muthukuru mandals are dependent on the canal for irrigation.

The canal is a  branch canal to the Surveypalli channel and it starts from Ramalingapuram centre in Nellore.

The water flow had almost dried up on the stretch from its starting point to Narayana General Hospital in Muthukuru road due to plastic materials and garbage dumped in it by people living along the canal.

Though the irrigation department had prepared estimations for desilting works, the proposal was stalled for want of sanction from the government.

Mr Reddy volunteered to carry out the work after farmers of his village apprised him of the situation when he visited them a couple of days back.

Mr Reddy is a native of Pidathapoluru village in Muthukuru mandal of SPSR Nellore district, and resides in Hyderabad. He worked for over 10 years in the United States as a software engineer and was  the CEO of a company called Navayuga Infotech.

“Telugu Desam senior leader Somireddy Chandramohan Reddy gave a green signal to my proposal when I brought the issue to his notice. Being a native of this area, I feel it is my responsibility,” Mr Reddy said when contacted.

A farmer, Venku Reddy of Pidatapoluru, said the desilting exercise will cost more than `5 lakh.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / by Pathri Rajasekhar / November 28th, 2014

Andhra Pradesh confectioner bags new Guinness record for 7,858-kg ‘laddu’

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Records, All
(Photo: DC)
(Photo: DC)

Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh: 

A huge ‘laddu’weighing 7,858 kg, prepared by a shop owner from Tapeswaram in Andhra Pradesh, which was offered to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, has found a place in the Guinness World Records.

Sri Bhaktanjaneya Sweets bagged a place in the Guinness World Records for the fourth consecutive time for preparing the biggest ‘laddu’, offered to Lord Ganesha on August 27 during the eleven-day festival this year.

Speaking to PTI today after receiving his new Guinness certificate, shop owner S Venkateswara Rao said that he could achieve this feat only with the blessings of his family and the cooperation of his 25 staff members at Bhaktanjaneya.

Rao, who is a school drop out and joined his father S Satyanaraya Murthy in running the then small hotel after completing his sixth grade studies, said that his aim is to outdo his own record every year.

Previously, in 2011 he prepared a laddu weighing 5,570 kg, and followed it up with 6,599.29 kg laddu in 2012; 7132.87 kg in 2013 and 7,858 kg this year.

“My father (Murthy), who came here in 1942 to earn a livelihood started a small hotel, which initially served coffee and tiffin items along with sweet products.

Gradually, the shop in Tapeswaram began catering to travellers en-route, after buses and other vehicles began halting there for a small snack,” Rao said.

Subsequently in 1972, they expanded the hotel into a full-fledged sweet mart and have been famous for serving their patent ‘Kaza’ sweet.

Rao now intends to open outlets of his shop in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, with the help of his children, who are now pursuing higher studies.

The sweet mart has earlier received State-level awards for its ‘Kaza’ preparation before entering the Guinness Records. “Our range of products start from ‘laddus’ of small size to bigger ones as huge as 60-1000 kg,” Rao said.

For bigger orders like those weighing 5,000 kg, the makers have to be intimated six months in advance although the preparation will commence only 1-2 days before the festival as the product (laddu) is kept for 14-15 days during the event.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / PTI / November 12th, 2014

Now, they will walk the ramp for a cause

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features
Aspirants of Miss Vizag-2014 pageant pose for a photograph at the audition conducted in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Aspirants of Miss Vizag-2014 pageant pose for a photograph at the audition conducted in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Aspirants of Miss Vizag pageant are happy to be part of something more meaningful. Besides Miss Vizag-2014 title and two runners-up titles, the participants have an opportunity to grab other titles such as Miss Beautiful Skin, Miss Beautiful Eyes, Miss Beautiful Smile.

The sixth edition of Miss Vizag will be remembered for two reasons. Firstly, the show was initially scheduled for October 12, the day when the city was battered by the cyclonic storm Hudhud. Secondly, to reach out to the cyclone victims, the organisers have decided to conduct the pageant for charity.

What has remained unchanged though is the spirit of the contestants, who are now keen on walking the ramp with energy and enthusiasm. The reason behind this, they say, is that their creativity is being utilised for something more meaningful.

WhatTheySayANDHRA03nov2014

At the first audition held here on Sunday, the participants shared their views on how they felt like being part of the relief team.

“Now, the impact of the show has become intense as we are able to come together to contribute to a social cause,” says G. Shobana, who is all excited about her maiden show.

Some felt happy that despite the odds, they were able to team up again.

“The natural calamity could not stop the much-awaited show in any manner. However, the delay has helped us bounce back with more vigour and drive to help the needy,” says Sirisha, another aspirant.

Sharing her views on the rescheduled beauty contest, Laxmi Bhardwaj, an airhostess and a contestant, says: “Charity is very personal and should come from within. This is a nice opportunity for us to walk the extra mile and bring the smiles back.”

A total of 50 aspirants turned up for the auditions and, out of them, 22 will be heading to the finale.

Besides Miss Vizag-2014 title and two runners-up titles, the participants have an opportunity to grab other titles such as Miss Beautiful Skin, Miss Beautiful Eyes, Miss Beautiful Smile.

Funds raised through the show, including contributions made by the participants and organisers, will be utilised for cyclone relief work, says Sharif, one of the organisers.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam – November 02nd, 2014