A record number of star tortoises have been produced in captive breeding at Srikurmam temple nesting site in a span of two weeks. In total 55 star tortoises hatchlings were produced in one enclosure which is a world record. Earlier. In 1990 a total of 50 hatchlings were produced at the Gladis zoo park in the US, said Green mercy and NGO representative and temple officials.
Devotees believe that Lord Maha Vishnu is in the form of a start tortoise in his second avatar as Kurmanadhudu which is attracting peoples’ attention symbolically. The news of the record hatching has attracted the attention of the devotees who are queuing up at the conservation site.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / July 20th, 2014
Global Business Incubator (GBI) and Usha Rama Engineering College will conduct ‘Engineer Seemandhra into Swarnandhra’, a competition for engineering students, fresh engineering graduates and students who have appeared for EAMCET or ECET.
Students should present their concepts on how to develop AP in various fields, post-bifurcation the state is left with many problems.
Students can present their concepts relating to various fields like IT, infrastructure, power, health and pharma, explaining how their ideas can make a change and how they can contribute to the state’s development.
Each student will be given 10 minutes to present their ideas. Selected concepts will be given financial and research assistance for converting them into practical solutions. A total of 10 projects will be selected.
‘Engineer Swarnandhra into Seemandhra’ will be held on July 19 at Usha Rama Engineering College Campus, Telaprolu, near Gannavaram in Krishna district. Interested students can contact M Ram Mohan, assistant professor, at 94400 95992, email: sacontest@usharama.com
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 12th, 2014
Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham is to receive Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award and title “Mridanga Kala Siromani’ at Thalavadyotsav- at Bangalore Gayana Samaja on July 13
Mridangam maestro Vankayala Narasimham is to receive Palghat Mani Iyer Memorial Award and title “Mridanga Kala Siromani’ at Thalavadyotsav-2014 (the 33rd annual percussive arts festival and music conference) at Bangalore Gayana Samaja on K.R. Road in Bangalore on July 13. Percussive Arts Centre is organising the programme.
Kala Ratna Narasimham, who was at his residence on the Ring Road here told The Hinduon Thursday that he was born on November 14, 1931 in Bheemunipatnam in Visakhapatnam district to Venkatalakshmi and Lakshmana Swamy and had studied B.A. B.Sc. B. Ed and worked as a science teacher in B.P.M. High School here for 22 years. Later, he worked as a Mridangam staff artist in All India Radio, Visakhapatnam from 1975 to 1991, and as a Principal of Vignana Vihar, Gudilova from 1991-2013.
He would be leaving for Bangalore on Friday to deliver a lecture on four M’s – melody, mathematics, method and manipulation — on July 12.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Correspondent / Vizianagaram – July 12th, 2014
Egg shell artist S. Durga Shankar with his creation in Visakhapatnam. – Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Multi-cut egg artist Silaparasetty Durga Shankar creates a replica of the first locomotive that chugged out of Visakhapatnam on October 1, 1894. He has produced over 100 art works with egg shells. These include models of motorcycles, musical instruments, car and snake.
Though the Railway Budget – 2014 is a “big disappointment” for people of North Andhra and the Visakhapatnam region, a replica of a locomotive made by multi-cut egg artist Silaparasetty Durga Shankar is sure to become a big draw.
Shankar, hailing from the city, has been involved in the art since 2001.
He made the replica of the first locomotive that chugged out of Visakhapatnam on October 1, 1894. He used eight emu egg shells and four hen egg shells, ice-cream sticks, ball pen refills, and some fancy items to make the locomotive.
“I spent around Rs.8,000 for making the locomotive as the emu eggs are costly and, while cutting, many shells develop cracks and go waste. I used egg shell for the brake shoes, engine door, and caps. Some of the decorative items, shaping liquid and gumming material are expensive,” he says.
“I have learnt the art on my own during my spare time and perfected it over a period of time,” says Mr. Shankar, who works in a private firm.
He has produced over 100 art works with egg shells. These include models of motorcycles, musical instruments, car and snake.
A replica of the cricket World Cup grabbed the attention when he placed it on the Internet, and a model of ‘Eega’ (housefly), the popular Telugu film by Rajamouli, won the appreciation of the ace director himself.
He was invited to participate in the Poultry India Show organised at Hitex, Hyderabad, in 2012. He had designed the logo of the National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) with shells. His art works, displayed at the show, won the appreciation of visitors.
Shankar’s plea
Shankar’s father Harishandra Rao retired from the Railways as senior electrical lineman in 1998. Being the eldest son, he aspired to join the Railways and support the family. He had been appearing for the Railway Recruitment Board examinations, but luck had not favoured him so far.
“In 2012, I received the hall-ticket after the examination on June 10, thereby depriving me of a chance,” he says.
He hopes the Railways would provide him a chance to work as a multi-cut egg artist by giving him a suitable job.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by B. Madhu Gopal / Visakhapatnam – July 09th, 2014
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Sheik Mabu Saheb, a renowned Nuzvid veena maker of Krishna district, has received the Best Artisan Award-2013 from the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited for his work – Veena with peacock design.
He bagged the award in the category of Veena Making in which artisans from Bobbili were also in the competition. Mr. Saheb had stolen the hearts of the jury members with his small size veena that produces vibrations and sound like any other professional-size veena. “The award is recognition to the art rather than an individual artiste. Despite having a great demand for veena from the world of Indian classical music, shortage of veena makers is still creating problems for the industry’s growth,” Mr. Saheb told The Hindu.
Nuzvid Veena maker Sheik Mabu Saheb training youths at his residence in Nuzvid in Krishna district. Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
Handicrafts Department Assistant Director K.N. Murali Krishna said plans were afoot to use the services of Mr. Saheb in training youth in veena making and designing. In a guru-shishya parampara, Mr. Saheb learnt that art from his father Sheik Meera Saheb, one of the first generation veena makers alive. According to Mr. Mabu Saheb, there were only nine veena makers engaged in the profession, spreading the art.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by T. Appala Naida / Nuzvid – July 10th, 2014
Sri Swathi Narasimha Maha Yagna Trust members conducted a puja on Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar Swamy’s 70th birth anniversary at Sri Mukkur Swamy Yagna Vatika at Mattapalli in Nalgonda district on Saturday. / Photo: S. Sandeep Kumar / The Hindu
He is known for performing over 100 Sri Swathi Narasimha ‘Mahayagnams’ at various Lakshmi Narasimha temples across the country
The serene ambience at the centuries-old Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swami Maha Kshetra at Mattapalli on the banks of the Krishna came alive on Saturday with the celebrations of Sri Mukkur Lakshminarasimhachariar’s 70th birth anniversary. Large number of devotees, including those from United States, Dubai and Australia, participated in the celebrations.
Mukkur Swamy is known for performing over 100 Sri Swathi Narasimha ‘Mahayagnams’ at various Lakshmi Narasimha Kshetras (temples) across the country. Mattapalli Kshetra at Huzurnagar in Nalgonda district is significant as Mukkur Swamy conducted several yagnams here.
Swamiji’s birthday is celebrated on Purvashada Nakshatra of Ashada month every year. The festivities commenced 11 months ago with the recitation of Kanninun Siruthambhu (Divya Prabandham) verses 32,000 times. A team of six Ghanapatis recited the verses from Krishnayajurveda in ‘Ghana’ form for 30 days commencing on June 13 at the temple, says Challapalli Venkata Subrahmanya Ghanapati, who led the team. Coinciding with the completion of the recitation of 32,000 verses on Saturday, 32 Nrusimha stambhas (pillars) with carvings depicting different forms of the Lord will be installed around Sri Mukkur Swamy Yagna Vatika on the temple premises. Each pillar is about eight feet in height and was specially made in Tirupati. Special pujas were performed by M.L. Srinivasan, son of Mukkur Swamy and chairman of Sri Swathi Narasimha Maha Yagna Trust.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by S. Sandeep Kumar / Mattapalli (Nalgonda Dt.) – July 13th, 2014
The Rotary Club-Visakha Port City is planning to adopt two government schools and two villages with a view to provide safe drinking water, school benches, blackboards and better sanitation facilities for the year 2014-15. The Club is also contemplating encouraging Rotaract Clubs in colleges and Interact Clubs in schools.
Club city president PLK Murthy, past district governor D Varada Reddy, secretary R Ramakrishna Rao, past president KSMK Murthy and Rotary Blood Bank vice-chairman K Srinivasa Reddy unveiled the Rotary Club-Visakha Port City action plan for the year 2014-15 here Saturday. A meeting in this connection was held Friday night on the Club premises.
Speaking on this year’s Rotary International Presidents’ theme, ‘Light up Rotary’, Varada Reddy gave a clarion call to the Rotarians to light a candle to serve the society and light up the entire world.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 13th, 2014
Following the state’s bifurcation, contemporary artist Raparla Vinod Chowdary has started a fully equipped art studio in Guntur city.
“The regional feelings of Telangana and Andhra are giving rise to differences within the Telugu community, which is forcing many AP artists to think twice about staying in Hyderabad. With Telangana artists forming their own association, the atmosphere is no longer conducive for contemporary artists to work together,” says the 43-year-old Vinod, who feels that an artist has no region or religion. Like Vinod, about 20 renowned AP artists from Hyderabad are also planning to shift to Guntur, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and other areas, which will promote art in the residuary state.
“My parents admitted me in a convent in Guntur at the age of 12 but I would bunk classes and paint signboards etc. Later, our family shifted to Miryalaguda but my mindset failed to change. Vexed with my behaviour, my family returned to Guntur and sent me to a signboard artist,” he says. “Initially, I was inspired by greenery and I learnt landscape painting from various artists. In 1988, following the craze of the Tollywood industry, I went to Chennai where I worked as a layout artist and cine poster designer. But commercial painting became a threat to my art and passion so I later shifted to Hyderabad,” adds the artist.
His passion for art did not please his parents who got him married to a girl who was his relative. However, their viewpoints regarding art did not match and they divorced within six months. “I have decided not to get married and will be dedicating the rest of my life to the promotion of art. I have trained nearly 20 artists in the past five years and am planning to start an art academy in Guntur to promote art among youngsters,” he says. Recently, during the oath-taking ceremony of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Vinod had presented the CM with his portrait.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Books/Art / DC / Md. Ilyas / July 07th, 2014
The campus of St. John’s School was abuzz with a steady stream of students forming queues and walking past a delightful array of exhibits that raised their level of curiosity.
It was an exhibition of vexillology, the scientific study of the history, symbolism and usage of flags or, by extension, any interest in flags in general, notaphily, the study and collection of paper money, numismatics, the study of collection of coins and philately, the study and collection of postal stamps.
The two-day event, organised as part of ‘No Teaching Only Learning’ slogan of the school management, raised a fair amount of curiosity and excitement among students. “The idea is to provide a platform to the students to get adequate exposure to a treasure trove of knowledge. Our endeavour has been to groom the students into rounded personalities by adopting a practical approach while imparting lessons in the classroom,” said T. Suman Thyagaraj, secretary and correspondent of the school.
The main exhibits included collection of rare coins, currency notes and stamps for 200 countries. Guitar-shaped coins of Somalia, gold foil currency of China and ancient currency of Russia (1898) were some of the highlights.
A vivid depiction of the evolution of Indian National Flag (1857 – 1947) was the cynosure of all eyes at the venue.
“I am sure by mere viewing these, one can feel a sense of patriotism. We intend to motivate the children, youth and the adults towards this hobby and flourish in life with glorious colours,” said Mr. Thyagaraj.
The school principal, staff and others participated.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Vijayawada / by P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – July 10th, 2014
For the first time, the 117th birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter and ‘Manyam Veerudu’ Alluri Sita Rama Raju was celebrated as a state function with full honours at his native Pandrangi village in Padmanabham mandal of the district here Friday wherein human resource development minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Visakhapatnam MP Kambampati Hari Babu participated.
Ganta Srinivasa Rao told the youngsters to take inspiration from Alluri’s life, who fought for the nation and sacrificed his life in the freedom movement.
He promised to develop Pandrangi village and establish a museum dedicated to Sitaramaraju and his achievements in the area.
A park, an arch and a statue with `25 lakh besides a bridge will be constructed in the village shortly, he added.
He also insisted that people should celebrate Alluri’s birth anniversary every year and informed that the government would soon introduce his life story in the school syllabus.
District collector Solomon Arokiaraj, joint collector Pravin Kumar and revenue divisional officer Venkata Murali were present.
Meanwhile, Alluri’s birth anniversary was also celebrated by various organisations across the district with much pomp and show.
RINLexecutive director (works) incharge DN Rao paid tributes to the revolutionary by garlanding his statue at Ukkunagaram.
He recalled the sacrifices of Sitarama Raju to protect the tribal rights in the agency areas and his crusade against the British rule.
BJP leaders PV Narayana Rao and Appalakonda remembered the yeoman service rendered by Alluri at a gathering.
Alluri’s birth anniversary was also celebrated at Mrs AVN School, where he had pursued his primary education.
The school authorities paid homage to the freedom fighter and felt privileged to have been serving the school where Alluri had studied. College vice-principal JB Raju and staff were present.
Andhra University officials paid rich tributes to Alluri wherein vice-chancellor GSN Raju, rector EA Narayana, registrar K Rama Mohana Rao and professors took part.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / July 05th, 2014
