Category Archives: Records, All

Golden jackal faces threat in its habitat

Agriculture, Green Initiatives / Environment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion
A golden jackal in search of prey outside its habitat in the Bandar Reserve Forest area. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU
A golden jackal in search of prey outside its habitat in the Bandar Reserve Forest area. | Photo Credit: T_APPALANAIDU

Destruction of mangrove cover in Bandar Reserve Forest may trigger man-animal conflict

Destruction of mangrove cover in the Bandar Reserve Forest is forcing the golden jackal (Canis aureus) out of its habitat, triggering a conflict with the local communities.

Recently, The Hindu documented how a young golden jackal was swimming in the brackish waters out of its habitat for prey near the Palletummalapalem village in Machilipatnam mandal in Krishna district.

“We have recorded several golden jackals in the BRF through camera traps. The sighting out of its habitat is a sign of its destruction,” said A. Appa Rao, an expert engaged in the restoration of the mangrove cover.

Aqua ponds

The conservation status of the animal is the ‘least concern’ and it preys on wild crab and fish.

Amid uproar over the aqua ponds, the Vigilance authorities in 2017 recommended to the State government to hand over the 24,363 acres under the BRF and the BRF extension (I to IV) to the Forest department for protection.

Since 1970 (G.O.No. 2204), the BRF has been in the hands of the Revenue department as the final notification to de-reserve the forest land (25,259 acres) was still pending owing to various reasons.

The Revenue authorities, on the other hand, are helpless in preventing the encroachment of the mangrove along the Machilipatnam coastline.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by T. Appala Naidu / Machilipatnam – July 16th, 2018

Guntur girls, Nellore boys lift rugby trophies

Records, All, Sports
On cloud nine: Guntur girls’ team celebrating the victory against Anantapur team during in Machiliipatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit:
On cloud nine: Guntur girls’ team celebrating the victory against Anantapur team during in Machiliipatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit:

Players selected for the State team

Guntur girls’ team registered a thumping victory with the 15-0 point lead against Anantapur to lift the 2nd State Rugby Championship 2018 trophy (Under 18 boys and girls) at Hindu College Grounds here on Sunday.

The Krishna District Rugby Association with the support of the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh has organised the two-day championship-cum-selections. At least 300 players, representing 13 boys’ teams and 11 girls’ teams, have participated in the championship. In the girls’ category, Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Chittoor bagged the third and four places respectively.

In boys’ category, SPSR Nellore emerged the champion by defeating East Godavari while Guntur and Anantapur got third and fourth places. MLC B. Arjunudu and Machilipatnam Municipal Chairperson M. Baba Prasad on Sunday presented trophies to the winners. The officials representing the SAAP and State Rugby Association on Sunday selected the 12 players from each category of boys and girls. “The best 12 players from both the categories will represent the State at the nationals to be held in July-end in Tamil Nadu,” according to SAAP official and the championship observer Vamsi.

Addressing the players, Mr. Arjunudu has announced that foundation stone would be laid for construction of the stadium at Goshala area in July, to provide better sports infrastructure in Machilipatnam.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – July 16th, 2018

NRIs from U.S. donate IRs. 13.5 crore to TTD

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All
TTD Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadhav receiving the donation of ₹13.50 crore from the NRI devotees on Saturday | Photo Credit: Arrangement
TTD Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadhav receiving the donation of ₹13.50 crore from the NRI devotees on Saturday | Photo Credit: Arrangement

Minister lauds their gesture

In a single major donation, an NRI devotee settled at U.S. Mr. Ravi Aika on Saturday contributed ₹10 Crore to the TTD.

Likewise, another NRI devotee Mr. Srinivas, also from U.S., donated ₹3.50 crore to various trusts being floated by the TTD.

Chairman Putta Sudhakar Yadav received the donation on behalf of the TTD in the presence of Minister N. Amaranatha Reddy.

Later speaking to the media, the Minister appreciated both Mr. Ravi Aika, a leading businessman in the field of pharmaceuticals, and Mr. Srinivas for their charitable gesture.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> State> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Tirumala – July 15th, 2018

Vocalist Jayalakshmi Santhanam passes away

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

VocalistJayalakshmiCF15jul2018

She was popular in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Carnatic vocalist Jayalakshmi Santhanam, who was popular both in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, died here on Saturday. She was 86 and is survived by two sons and a daughter.

Family played a crucial role in shaping Jayalakshmi as a musician and she imbibed music by listening to her mother Muthulakshmi. Her elder brother was V.V. Sadagopan, an actor and professor of music at Delhi University.

Her family lived in Thiruvananthapuram and her initial training was under Rukmini Sunderrrajan, wife of her eldest brother Sunderrajan. She won a gold medal when she was seven. Many well-known musicians used to visit her house.

“They took me to concerts and competitions and introduced me to veterans like Brinda/Mukta and Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer,” Jayalakshmi recalled in an interview to The Hindu in 2007.

She used to accompany her sister-in-law Rukmini, who learnt music from Harikesanallur Muthaiah Bhagavathar and Sattur A.G. Subramania Iyer and learnt advanced lessons in music.

She lived for several years in Andhra Pradesh, as her husband Santhanam worked in Hyderabad. Though she admired M.S. Subbulakshmi and M.L. Vasanthakumari, her all-time favourite was D.K. Pattammal.

“I wish I had been born a kitten in D.K. Pattammal’s house,” she would say.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Tamil Nadu / by Special Correspondent / Chennai – July 15th, 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

PACE student wins district-level badminton doubles in Ongole

Education, Records, All, Sports
PACE Global School student I Gunavanth Sai
PACE Global School student I Gunavanth Sai

Ongole: 

The secretary and correspondent of PACE Global School in Ongole, Maddisetty Sridhar announced that a student of their school won the district-level badminton doubles championship.

He said that the Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association organised the 47th district-level badminton championship at Rotary DSA Indoor Stadium in Chirala on July 6 and 7.

In the under 15 category doubles, the PACE Global School student I Gunavanth Sai participated and won the doubles championship, he added.

Sridhar appreciated the student in the school on Monday and wished him to balance between the regular studies and game and win at the state and national tournaments.

The school principal, YS Digvijay, PET V Raju and other teaching staff also congratulated the student.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> Amaravati Tab / July 09th, 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

Healing touch of ‘IRs.10 doctor’ in East Godavari

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology
Humane gesture: Doctor Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy with a patient at his nursing home in Anaparthi.
Humane gesture: Doctor Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy with a patient at his nursing home in Anaparthi.

Fee kept steady for the past 27 years

It’s rare for a doctor to be known by his consultation fee than the treatment he renders. However, the ‘₹10 doctor’ in Anaparthi in East Godavari district, has earned the name for providing deprived patients treatment for the same nominal fee for the past 27 years.

It was Sathi Suryanarayana Reddy’s father’s dream that he serve the poor. “This is to fulfil the last wish of my father, who passed away when I was pursuing medicine,” he recalls.

Seeing more than 200 patients, who make a beeline for the outpatient department every day, he spends 12 hours in the OPD and reserves another five for medical procedures.

Come weekends or public holidays, Dr. Reddy gives consultation to patients who mostly throng from surrounding villages and towns. Fee for poor patients from faraway villages, who typically spend everything on transport, is exempted.

He was among the first batch of students at Siddhartha Medical College, Vijayawada, and later specialised in general surgery from the JJM Medical College at Davanagere in 1991, when he opened the nursing home in his native town.

Even then, ₹10 was lower than the average consultation fee charged by most doctors. “I preferred not to raise the fee, as I am here not for earnings. With my wife Adilakshmi extending her support, I am able to run the show this way,” he says, smiling.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K N Murali Sankar / Kakinada – July 09th, 2018

Nitish, the run machine@16

Records, All, Sports
K. Nitish Kumar Reddy with the ‘Best Cricketer in the Under -16’ award he received at the BCCI annual award function in Bengaluru recently.Special ArrangementSpecial Arangement
K. Nitish Kumar Reddy with the ‘Best Cricketer in the Under -16’ award he received at the BCCI annual award function in Bengaluru recently.Special ArrangementSpecial Arangement

‘My goal is to shatter records set by Virat Kohli’

He is 16-year-old and his batting prowess has mesmerised many in cricketing circles. K. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been consistent with willow and hammered 441 runs against Nagaland in the Vijay Merchant inter-State tournament. His insatiable hunger for scoring runs seems going on unabated. His incredible run of form in the last season saw him finish as the leading run-getter and fetched him the BCCI ‘Best Cricketer in the Under -16’ award for the season 2017-2018.

BCCI presented him the award along with a cash prize of Rs. 1.5 lakh and a Trophy named after Jagmohan Dalmiya at its annual presentation ceremony in Bangalore. Nitish is the first player of Andhra Cricket Association who got the BCCI award.

Speaking to The Hindu Nitish said he was very much thrilled and excited to receive the BCCI award. Indian skipper Virat Kohli was his role model and his goal was to beat the records set by Kohli, the young batting sensation from the city said.

Nitish expressed confidence that he would continue his performance in u-19 selections. He said ACA academies were very much helpful to the budding cricketers like him.

“As a citizen of Visakhapatnam we are proud of him,” says VDCA general secretary K. Parthasaradhi. He said Nitish had played for VDCA in under-12 and u-14 matches and will don national colours and sure will become an all-rounder.

Nitish began playing cricket with plastic bat at the age of five years and was a regular to Hindustan Zinc grounds to watch seniors playing cricket. The little maestro received good support from his father K. Mutyala Reddy, who quit job in Hindustan Zinc when he was transferred to Udaipur, to lend helping hand to Nitish to continue his dream campaign in cricket. He took Nitish to VDCA camps where coaches Kumara Swamy, Krishna Rao and Watekar nurtured him in batting and bowling.

Proud moment

An elated Mutyala Reddy told The Hindu that he was very happy and it was a proud moment as his son got the top award of BCCI. Mr. Reddy thanked VDCA, ACA and BCCI for the support extended to Nitish.

MSK Prasad spotted Nitish during u-12 and u-14 matches and picked him up for training at ACA Academy at Kadapa, where coaches Madhusudhana Reddy and Srinivas Rao further improvised his batting and bowling skills, Mr. Reddy said. “Nitish’s mother also encouraged him to pursue cricketing skills and now We are happy that he was bringing laurels both to the family and the city. We owe a lot to selection committee chairman MSK Prasad,” he said

Nitish made his maiden century in u-14 MSK Prasad tournament against Kurnool. Since then runs flowed from his bat. He remained unbeaten with 207 against Karnataka in Vijay Merchant Trophy in 2007.

His success run with both bat and ball continued.

During 2017-18 season Nitish scored 811 runs in ACA inter-district matches and 1237 runs all India inter-State matches and took 27 wickets in the inter district and , 26wickets in the inter-State matches.

Had he been given a chance to play in the under -19 age group inter-State matches, probably Nitish would have represented the country in the under -19 age group, said D.S. Varma, vice-president of VDCA.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Janardhana Rao / Visakhapatnam – July 06th, 2018