Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Pooja Loves The Food & Places In Godavari Distrcits

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

PoojaANDHRA30dec2014

More than the mixed-response Mukunda has evoked, heroine Pooja Hegde’s glamorous look in the movie has enthralled audiences. And rather worrying about the flick’s partial success, even Pooja is enjoying the good days of shooting for this flick. She couldn’t just stop raving about the various locations in East Godavari district, where director Srikanth Addala filmed most parts of the film.

Songs like Gopikamma were shot at an ancient temple in Samarlakota in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. “We’ve shot in Bhimavaram, Kakinada and Amalapuram to name a few. Also I love the food served there and those beautiful girls in the village”, says Pooja, sharing her thoughts. Director Srikanth Addala not just picks subjects with native touch, but his visuals contains loads of Godavari backdrop. Probably Pooja Hegde got awestruck by the scenic beauty of these fertile districts of Andhra.

source: http://www.gulte.com / Gulte.com / Home> Movie News / December 28th, 2014

AP’s Kashmir to get facelift by winter-2015!

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

Visakhapatnam  :

Lambasingi, often touted as the Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh, will be developed as a tourist spot in the upcoming year as the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) in association with Union ministry of tourism has come forward to develop tourism projects at a cost of Rs 9 crore in the hamlet. The serene hamlet located in Chintapalli mandal of Visakhapatnam Agency sees temperatures go down as low as zero and sub-zero conditions during December-January every year.

As part of the facelift planned for Lambasingi, a resort will come up in an area of six acres at a cost of Rs 5 crore, and a botanical garden in an area of 37 acres at a cost of Rs 4 crore is also on the list. The APTDC recently sent a detailed project report (DPR) of the projects to the Centre, which has assured to financially support the corporation. The state government, on its part, has supported the project by converting the forest and tribal land and transferring it to the Tourism department to be used only for tourism development purpose.

The village, situated at a height of 1,000 metres above the mean sea level, with cold weather conditions (zero degree Celsius in winter and below 10 degree Celsius entire year), is an ideal spot for tourists. G Bheemasankara Rao, general manager for Visakhapatnam division of the APTDC, said the corporation took the decision of developing the area as a tourism spot because of the existing climatic conditions and tourist influx. The area is also famous for coffee and pepper plantations which are being cultivated since the British regime in the country. Coffee grown here is exported to other countries, including the USA, said a senior official from the Coffee Board of India.

“There is hardly any hut at Lambasingi, but are coming up very fast because of the scenic beauty of the place particularly in winter. So we decided to set up the two projects at a cost of Rs 9 crore. The state government has already given 43 acres of the tribal land to the tourism department. We are waiting for the centre’s fund which we may get in two months. Once the funds are released we will start ground works of the projects, which may be completed by next winter,” Bheemasankara Rao told TOI.

Apart from Lambasingi, the corporation has also selected two hot spots in Paderu, headquarters of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) of Visakhapatnam district, for tourism projects at a cost of Rs 8 crore. The corporation identified a five acres piece of land in Paderu for developing a butterfly park at a cost of Rs 3 crore, and establishing a resort in an area of six acres at a cost of Rs 5 crore in the same area. In addition to that, the corporation has also identified a beach spot at Revupolavaram near Nakkapalli to develop a resort along the beach at a cost of Rs 5 crore.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / December 30th, 2014

AP Tourism to host New Year celebrations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nature
Puligundu hillock in Chittoor district all set to attract New Year revelers / The Hindu
Puligundu hillock in Chittoor district all set to attract New Year revelers / The Hindu

Chennai :

Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation has planned a host of entertainment shows at Horsley Hills, Puligundu and Kuppam easily accessible from here, to celebrate the new year on December 31.

“We have been organising events on New Year’s eve every year at Horsley Hills. This year Puligundu near Chittor and Kuppam abutting Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu are additions,” APTDC Divisional Manager RV Suresh Kumar Reddy told reporters here today.

A picturesque view of the Horsley Hills on a foggy dawn. - Photo: K V Poornachandra Kumar / The Hindu
A picturesque view of the Horsley Hills on a foggy dawn. – Photo: K V Poornachandra Kumar / The Hindu

From Chennai, Horsley Hills is 270 km, Puligundu near Chitoor 155 km, and Kuppam 290 km, he added.

“A significant chunk of our clientele happens to be from Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu.”

Interactive game shows for couples, children, entertainment programmes, including dance, mimicry, magic shows have been planned.

“Film and Television celebrities have also been roped in,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> News> Travel / PTI / Chennai – December 25th, 2014

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

Software that helps visually challenged read and write

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

Visually challenged students can now read textbooks, browse journals and compose on the desktop using a special software designed by Department of Computer Science Engineering at the Vignan University.

The software project – “Development of Educational Suite for Visually Challenged Students in Computer Science and Information Technology” has been approved by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

The DST has further sanctioned Rs.43.17 lakh towards the project.

“Students and faculty members are training 70 students from Kalabharathi and Government School for Visually Challanged at Narsaraopet in the usage of special software. Students are also being provided laptops and desktops in which the software is uploaded. We will also further augment facilities to train more number of students,” said Professor A. Raghunath and K.V. Krishna Kishore (CSE).

Under the project, customised computers have been set up on the premises of library.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – December 24th, 2014

Vizagites come together for Christmas celebrations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Visakhapatnam :

The lit-up churches, shopping complexes and buildings with stars dangling from them, the aroma of freshly-baked cakes and plum pudding, melody of carols from churches signal that Christmas is here. After all the Samaikyandhra agitation, state bifurcation and Cyclone Hudhud havoc in 2014, finally the year is ending on a cheerful note.

On X-Mas eve, the city was abuzz with last minute shoppers, purchasing gifts, paper stars, lights and Christmas trees from various shops and roadside makeshift stalls put up at every nook and corner. The bakeries in the city were packed to their capacity with people queuing up to purchase cakes and cookies since evening.

Christmas celebrations are no longer confined to only the Christian community, but has taken a universal note with people from all religions participating in X-Mas tree decorations, buying cakes and going for the midnight mass and church service.

S. Srinivas, selling Christmas decor and stars in front of St Anthony’s Church, said, “Our customers belong to all religions and are mostly children and youngsters. The festival has a universal appeal.”

S Prasad from Baker’s Castle informed that the demand for cakes go up so high that they would be selling only cakes and chocolates for December 24 and 25. “We don’t have the time to prepare our regular snacks items but going by the demand would only be selling cakes. The plum cakes, especially the Christmas tree-shaped ones are in great demand. Christmas and cakes have become synonymous for public.”

Among the gift items musical Santa caps are a hit this year. Apart from this, customers are buying regular paper stars, LED lights for Christmas trees and silver bells. “I would love to sport this Santa cap at the Christmas party that we friends would be celebrating tonight at a hotel. It’s something new this year,” said Prateek M, a commerce student.

Various city schools such as Sri Prakash Vidyaniketan, V T High School, Ravindrabharathi and Pollock’s High School also observed X-Mas in their schools by hosting Nativity plays, Christmas tree decorations, singing carols and so on. Also participating in the festive fervour, even YSR Steel Employees Congress Union celebrated Christmas at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Wednesday. As part of the celebrations the message of peace and prosperity was conveyed to the employees of the plant.

On Christmas, the city is all set to ring in the Christ’s arrival with prayers, hymns, church service and Christmas balls in the evening by the members of Christian and Anglo Indian community.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / TNN / December 25th, 2014

‘Chaitanya Sravanthi’ enthrals

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Nri's / Pio's
VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH, 21/12/2014: A dancer at her best at Chaitanya Sraanthi, a programme organised by Telugu Associaion of Norh America, in Vijayawada on Sunday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu
VIJAYAWADA, ANDHRA PRADESH, 21/12/2014: A dancer at her best at Chaitanya Sraanthi, a programme organised by Telugu Associaion of Norh America, in Vijayawada on Sunday. Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar / The Hindu

The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) organised a Chaitanaya Sravanthi in a grand fashion here on Sunday.

School and college students enthralled the audience with their performances. The students presented dance forms of various States in classical and semi-classical style. Folk dances like Lambada by students from Guntur, and a classical dance on Vrindavana theme were a few to mention.

The dance depicted the multi-dimensional aspects of Krishna including the kaliya mardana. In yet another interesting portrayal, the important events in Indian independence movement evoked patriotic sentiments.

A blend of yoga and dance was a major attraction. The students of VMR Municipal School in the city were at their best as they showcased different asanas laced with dance postures. Impressed by their performance, Friends Foundation announced a cash reward of Rs. 25,000 to five students of the group. A musical concert by singers Prudhvi Chandra, Sravana Bhargavi and Revanth was among other highlights.

Venkat from Proddutur in Kadapa district demonstrated his skills in lip-reading, singing and dance. He sang songs based on clues given in tunes by his father. The father-son duo entertained the crowd by singing and humming. TANA gave him special slot with a view to encourage him.

TANA president Mohan Nannapaneni, secretary Satish Vemana and members Rajani Akurti were present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by G. V.R. Subba Rao / Vijayawada – December 22nd, 2014

Veteran Telugu Sports Journalist M Babu Dies at 74

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports

Veteran Telugu sports writer and journalist M Babu passed away here at his residence on Wednesday.

He was 74 years old. He is survived by his wife and two sons.

He was in good health even at 74, but suffered a suffered cardiac problem in the morning and breathed his last.

He served as a physical education teacher in various Zilla Parishad schools in Krishna district.

Incidentally, his wife happens to be a retired physical education teacher and one of his sons, serves as a physical education teacher in Krishna district.

After retiring as a physical education teacher, he joined Eenadu Telugu daily as a sports writer, before serving in other Telugu dailies like Andhra Jyothi and Vaartha, where he held similar posts.

He was the first Telugu sports journalist in Krishna district and was an authority on all sports. He was a guide as well as mentor to other sports journalists and he was present at all major sports events held in the city.

Journalists in the city affectionately called him “babai” (uncle) in Telugu.

Sports journalists, members of sports associations and local politicians visited his house to pay their last tributes to him.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook / Home / Vijayawada – December 17th, 2014

Bapu’s bronze statue unveiled at his birth place

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Minister for Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy paying tributes to Bapu at the statue of the film-maker and writer after unveiling his statue in Narsapur in West Godavari district on Monday. Photo: AVG Prasad / The Hindu
Minister for Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy paying tributes to Bapu at the statue of the film-maker and writer after unveiling his statue in Narsapur in West Godavari district on Monday. Photo: AVG Prasad / The Hindu

Legendary film maker Sattiraju Lakshminarayana, popularly known as Bapu, found an enviable place as a son of the soil in Narsapur, his birthplace in West Godavari district, on his birth anniversary four months after his demise.

A bronze statue of Bapu was unveiled by Palle Raghunadha Reddy, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Telugu Language and Culture, on the banks of the picturesque Vasistha river which too found a prime place in the Bapu’s films. Different walks of people joined the occasion and paid him floral tributes in their own way.

Minister for Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy taking a look at the paintings of Bapu on show after unveiling his statue in Narsapur in West Godavari district on Monday. Photo AVG Prasad / The Hindu
Minister for Information and Public Relations Palle Raghunatha Reddy taking a look at the paintings of Bapu on show after unveiling his statue in Narsapur in West Godavari district on Monday. Photo AVG Prasad / The Hindu

A statue committee involving intelligentsia, writers and artistes from the town was constituted to raise funds for unveiling of the statue, a creation of a woman sculptor from Tadepalligudem. NRIs, public representatives and philanthropists from in and around the town contributed their mite for the statue installation. A group of painters brought the caricature works of Bapu into the form of painting works which were on show at an exhibition organised on the occasion. Songs competitions with the songs in the Bapu films and drawing competitions with his cartoons and paintings as the theme were held for students in the run up to the jayanti celebrations.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by G. Nagaraja / Narsapur (West Godavari Dist.) – December 15th, 2014

Naidu to host high tea in Guntur

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders

Hyderabad :

On the eve of Christmas, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu is organizing a high-tea for the Christian community in Guntur. Normally, this event takes place in Hyderabad, but in tune with Chandrababu Naidu’s approach of hosting all official events in Andhra Pradesh, the first Christmas high-tea is being organized in Guntur, the district which is going to be the seat of power, said social welfare minister Ravela Kishore Babu.

“The who’s who of the Christian community from the town will be invited to the event that begins at 6 pm in a function hall. Later, the chief minister will address a gathering of the community in the local stadium,” Kishore Babu said.

Similar events in the districts are to be organized by collectors across the state.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / December 16th, 2014