Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

In pursuit of ‘Happyness’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Engineering students who made the 'Happy Hyderabad' video./ Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Engineering students who made the ‘Happy Hyderabad’ video./ Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

Happiness is trending in Hyderabad this poll season with a photo exhibition and candid Happy Hyderabad videos

Hyderabad is on a happy high this poll season. Unmindful of the power cuts, youngsters taking a cue from Pharel Williams’ Happy project have released candid Happy videos online. Adding to the happy flavour is a photography exhibition showcasing colours of happiness through its photographs.

When American singer Pharel Williams in his trademark funky hat sang:

Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you

Because I’m happy

Clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do…, denizens across the globe are creating their own spinoffs and posting it online.

Narrating a story

Thariq Hussain and Shreyans Dungarwals’ Happy Hyderabad song narrates a small story. “I didn’t want people to just pose in the video. I wanted to tell a story through it,” says Shreyans. Engineering students Melvin Sam, Karthik Malladi, Boga Sunil, Ritesha A Jairaj, Kausar Tabassum, Kushal and Mohith Paul of Couch Potato Productions’ Happy Hyderabad video is also part of the league. Melvin’s passion for filmmaking came handy when the group decided ‘Hyderabad deserved to have an awesome version of the song’.

With a couple of short films and music videos in their repertoire, their happy number shows enthusiastic people dancing merrily at different popular spots in the city. From Charminar and Golconda to Mecca Masjid and Hitech city…. the video showcases the blend of tradition and modernity in Hyderabad. Karthik recalls the Metro shoot at Uppal.

“The workers had finished work and were returning home. They were tired but when we told them about our concept, they were too eager to be part of it.” If SVM and Half Full Creatives’ A Gift to Hyderabad Inspired by Pharel Williams Happy shows candid dancing on the streets, another ‘Hyderabad is Happy’ album has been shot with Nexus 5 phone.

If the online world shines bright with these ‘happy’ sparklers, ‘Magnifying Happiness Photography’ a photo exhibition by Gifting Happiness at Muse Art Gallery celebrates happiness. The company which believes in ‘magnifying happiness through gifting’ helps individuals plan something special for their loved one.

“With the amount of pressures in modern day, it takes time to be happy. We take our loved ones for granted especially when it comes to buying gifts for them. We just buy a gift without much thought,” says Revathi Turaga of Gifting Happiness. The pictures in the gallery are accompanied by a ‘wall of wishes’. The exhibition depicts the journey the company has undertaken in making their customers’ lives happy by customising and innovating their gifts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neeraja Murthy / Hyderabad – April 30th, 2014

Just 11 and raring to be a Hindi ‘pundit’

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

Sridharani, a 7 class student of the AP Paper Mills Model High School, has passed ‘Praveena Uttarardh’ examination with distinction

At 11, she has passed the Hindi examination ‘Praveena Uttarardh’ conducted by the Dakshina Bharata Hindi Prachara Sabha with distinction, creating a record in the coastal Andhra region.

Apart from being a bright student, Sridharani, a 7 class student of the AP Paper Mills Model High School, is also active in extra-curricular activities. She nurtures the ambition to become a teacher some day.

The young girl appeared for the Pradhamika examination at the age of eight and within three years, she became the youngest student to complete the Praveen Uttaradh by scoring 72 per cent, the highest among the group in Rajahmundry. Before achieving this feat, she has crossed eight other levels which included Pradhamika, Madhyama, Rashtra, Praveshika, Vishardha Puruvardh, Vishardha Uttarardh and Praveena Uttaradh.

Over two decades ago, sending children to learn typewriting and Hindi coaching classes was very common in this locality. Hindi classes conducted by the Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachara Sabha were a big hit in summer vacations. But with the advent of technology, computer coaching took precedence pushing to the background the other two activities.

Sridharani comes from an economically poor family and her father is bed-ridden. Her mother works as a domestic maid to make both ends meet while the little girl tries to help her mother in domestic chores whenever the time permits.

“I am eager to write the Pandit exam but my Hindi teacher told me that I’ll have to wait until I complete 18 years. I was told that a student of my age completed medicine in one of the States in our country, then why can’t I appear for the Pandit exam now?,” Sridharani wonders.

“It is for the Dakshin Bharata Hindi Prachara Sabha, the State government and academicians to take a stand and guide Sridharani accordingly,” says Seema Nallani, General Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility, International Paper, which owns the APPM.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Rajahmundry – April 29th, 2014

Archaeologist Krishna Sastry dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
V.V. Krishna Sastry
V.V. Krishna Sastry

Eminent archaeologist, Veluri Venkata Krishna Sastry, who was involved in transplantation of several ancient temples including Alampur, passed away here on Wednesday. He was 78 and is survived by wife, a son and a daughter.

Fondly called “the digger” for his passion in excavating antiquities, Dr. Sastry was instrumental in the discovery of rare coins that established the succession of pre-Satavahana kings and Chimukha Satavahana, the founder of the Satavahana dynasty. It was again Dr. Sastry who established historicity of Keesaragutta on the outskirts of Hyderabad. He found antiquities from prehistoric to medieval periods as famous as those of Nagarjunakonda during the excavations at Yeleswaram. Discovery of many of the prehistoric rock paintings in Kurnool, Mahabubngar and Karimnagar are credited to him. He also pioneered salvage archaeology and is known for transplanting several temples that would have otherwise submerged in Srisailam, Jurala, Singur and Pulichintala projects.

Born on October 23, 1934, Dr. Sastry completed his BA from Andhra University and MA from Osmania University. After obtaining training in archaeology from a pioneer like Rayaprolu Subramaniam, he joined the Archaeology Department in 1961 and rose to become the Director in 1981, a post which he held till 1992, a record next only to the founder of the department, Ghulam Yazdani.

Having a number of publications, his magum opus, Pre, proto and early historic cultures of Andhra Pradesh , was released by Queen Elizabeth during her visit to Hyderabad in 1983.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – August 23rd, 2012

Celebrating 70 years of fruitful career

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Old students of ‘Kaara Mastaru’ line up several programmes to celebrate their teacher’s birthday on November 9. Katha Nilayam he established in Srikakulam was a monumental contribution to Telugu literature and an inexhaustible treasure house of reference.

Former students of St. Anthony High School here constituted a committee with Kavana Sarma (Prof. K.V.N. Sarma of Bangalore) as its president to celebrate the 90 birthday of their former teacher, noted writer, and Central Sahitya Akademi award winner Kalipatnam Rama Rao in the city.

The old students, who were taught by Kaara Mastaru, as Kalipatnam Rama Rao is affectionately and reverentially addressed, held a meeting a few days ago to constitute the committee and chalk out a programme to celebrate their master’s birthday on November 9.

Noted dermatologist and former student of Kaara Mastaru, G. Raghurama Rao, who is secretary of the organising committee, said proper celebration was needed to mark Kaara Mastaru’s fruitful career spanning 70 years, during which period he taught many students and inspired creative writers.

Laudable contribution

Katha Nilayam he established in Srikakulam was a monumental contribution to Telugu literature and an inexhaustible treasure house of reference, Dr. Raghurama Rao said. Bringing out a special commemorative souvenir with contributions from his colleagues and students, creating a website on the writer, among a host of other programmes, are being planned on that day.

Former students of Kaara Mastaru and his admirers can contact Dr. Raghurama Rao on 99890 22314 for details.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatham – April 27th, 2014

Shobha Nagi Reddy’s eyes donated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology
Bhuma Nagi Reddy, along with his elder daughter Akhila, mourns the loss of his wife Shobha Nagi Reddy (Photo: DC)
Bhuma Nagi Reddy, along with his elder daughter Akhila, mourns the loss of his wife Shobha Nagi Reddy (Photo: DC)

Hyderabad:

Shobha Nagi Reddy, the 46-year-old official spokesperson of the YSRC, was returning from Nandyal after attending a political rally with party leader Y.S. Sharmila. She was given first aid treatment in a private hospital and then rushed to Hyderabad early on Thursday morning. She was in the Intensive Care Unit of Care Hospital for more than four hours before doctors declared her dead at 11.05 am.

“We are sad to inform that Shobha Nagi Reddy, who was brought to Care Hospital on April 24 following a major road accident, is no more,” a medical bulletin issued by Care Hospital said.

The MLA’s vehicle, a Mitsubishi Outlander, was moving at high speed, and the driver lost control when he tried to slow down to evade the paddy husk.

“We suspect that the driver could not see the husk heap from a reasonable distance. When he applied the brakes suddenly, the tyres slipped and the vehicle toppled over several times to the road side farm land. The MLA’s head hit the roof of the car and she was then thrown down,” said Kurnool superintendent of police K. Raghuram Reddy.

The SP said that Shobha was not wearing a seat belt though she was sitting in the front seat. He added that the injuries of the two gunmen sitting in the back, and the driver, were less serious comparatively.

Passers-by informed emergency services and the police about the accident. The victims were shifted to a private hospital in Nandyal, and later to Care Hospital in Hyderabad at around 7 am on Thursday.

In keeping with her wishes, Shobha’s eyes were donated to the Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital in the city. Her body was taken to Kurnool on Thursday afternoon. Sources said that her last rites will be performed at Allagadda on Friday.

Kurnool police said that a case has been registered against the car’s driver following a complaint received from one of the MLA’s gunmen. “We have booked a case against the driver under IPC Section 304 A for causing death due to negligence,” said the Kurnool SP.

Shobha Nagi Reddy is survived by her husband former Nandyal MP Bhuma Nagi Reddy, two daughters and a son.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / by DC Correspondent / April 25th, 2014

MELANGE : Royal treat for bibliophiles

About Seemandhra / Andhra Pradesh, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion
Books restored from different Asaf Jahi dynasties are in the Chowmahallah Palace library./ Photos: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Books restored from different Asaf Jahi dynasties are in the Chowmahallah Palace library./ Photos: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

The Mehtab Mahal library at Chowmahalla Palace throws open a treasure trove from the Nizam’s era

The Nizams, it turns out, had an eye for everything exquisite. From the jewellery they wore to the silks that adorned their wardrobe, the cars they rode in, and the cuisine they partook, everything simply spelt royalty. While these indicate their lavish lifestyle, their interest in books and literature is less known.

Throwing light on their urge to discover and relate to the world around is the Royal Library in Chowmahalla Palace; its collection of books includes The Life of Samuel Johnson, History of Don Quixote, John F Kennedy – Portrait of a President, Glimpses of India,The Princes of India and an array of Encyclopaedias and much more .

Situated in the Mehtab Mahal of the Chowmahalla, the Royal Library houses more than 10,000 books and “is a haven for researchers and book lovers.”

The library that was thrown open to book lovers last year has been digitized recently, not only to help book lovers but also ensure safety of the royal treasure.

The idea of the library is to protect and preserve the valuable collection of the Asaf Jahi kings. The collection mostly belonged to the Mir Mahboob Ali Khan (VI Nizam), Mir Osman Ali Khan (VII Nizam) and Nizam Mukarram Jah. The books have been sourced from different Asaf Jahi palaces like the Nazri Bagh, Chiran Palace and Chowmahalla to be housed in the Royal Library here.

The books thus collected were sorted and segregated into various categories.

Books restored from different Asaf Jahi dynasties are in the Chowmahallah Palace library. / The Hindu
Books restored from different Asaf Jahi dynasties are in the Chowmahallah Palace library. / The Hindu

“A lot of work went into making them ready to be put in the cases for readers to read them in the library. Various professionals worked to clean, bind and make the books fit for reading. We have applied all preservation techniques, including fumigation, to protect the books,” informs G. Kishan Rao. He adds, “The collection of books range from history, literature, poetry, philosophy, geography, culture and religion. This library also houses the exclusive collection of Qurans by the Nizams which was inaugurated recently.” A few books also hint at the Nizam’s passion to learn languages. The number of English books is close to 3000, followed by Urdu, Persian and Arabic.

“There is also a good number of Persian manuscripts containing the firmans issued by the Asaf Jahis as well as several volumes of Mir Osman Ali Khan’s poetry,” informs the librarian. Qurans of different sizes are in the process of being restored and will find place in the library after that.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Prabalika M. Borah / Hyderabad – April 25th, 2014

ROCKSCAPE : The many uses of stone!

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
Burgula Narsing Rao. / Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu
Burgula Narsing Rao. / Photo: G. Ramakrishna / The Hindu

From pelting stones at the cops to hiding under Nayapul bridge, rocks were an integral part of Hyderabad’s history, says Burgula Narsing Rao

“In all Indian agitations, stones are very important!” laughs Burgula Narsing Rao. In one of the most riveting conversations we have had in our research for the documentary on the rocks and Hyderabad, he describes why he, an eminent Hyderabadi senior citizen, once threw stones!

His ancestral village is Burgula, 68km from Hyderabad. He served as its Sarpanch from 1976 to 1995. A student leader and freedom fighter himself, he has the regions’ political movements committed to a memory that is razor-sharp even at 84. I will recount here just one part of a dense, personally annotated account of the region.

To transition from the Nizam’s government, during the gap between joining the Indian Union in 1948 and the democratically elected state government of 1952, a parallel bureaucracy with officers from outside the state was brought into Hyderabad. Andhra was still a part of Madras presidency then, so Andhra officers came from there. There was simmering discontent with this Andhra bureaucracy that, in September 1952, broke out on the streets in the form of the Mulki/Non-Mulki agitation.

“It started from Warangal. I was President of Nizam College Students Union. We also called for agitation. We were not parochial and did not favour slogans like “Andhras go back”. We wanted Mulkis to be given preference in employment. We wanted officers who came after Police Action to be repatriated to their native states. We wanted education and employment opportunities.”

On September 3rd, students of City College came out agitating, were fired upon and 3 persons were killed. Students added the immediate demand, that the government hand over the bodies, to earlier demands.

On 3rd evening when Narsing Rao went home, there were summons from the Chief Minister. “I woke up Bharat Vajpayee (Secretary of Arts College Union) and took him along. Almost the entire cabinet was there and very disturbed. I reiterated that they had to hand over the bodies. My uncle, Chief Minister Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, became very emotional and promised to do so.”

Next day, September 4th about 20,000 people gathered at Osmania Hospital. “There were emotional speeches. Trouble erupted. I saw armed police all over: at the hospital, across the Nayapul Bridge (made of stone masonry, after the terrible 1908 Musi flood, under Mehboob Ali Khan’s rule). Police started firing and people scattered. We went under the bridge for protection, emerged to throw stones we found there at the police, went back under it for protection.”

“All schools, colleges were closed for one month curfew. We regrouped and demanded an inquiry into firing. The Government responded with an inquiry and the outsiders being repatriated.”

“But the one month turmoil shook the government. Nehru and Maulana Azad came to Hyderabad. At the Fateh Maidan public meeting, Nehru assured us about our demands. Next day he addressed students at Nizam College grounds: a 45-minute class on the meaning of democracy. As Chairman of the Action Committee and President of the Students Union, I was on the dais and began a vote of thanks, ‘Thanks Panditji for your advice and guidance, we will try and restore normalcy…’, when I suddenly found myself being lifted up high. It was Nehru! There are many Hyderabadis around the world, who were there that day, who still remind me of that! My mike had failed, the audience could not hear and was restive. Nehru simply lifted me and put me onto the other mike! It was one of the most exciting moments of my life.”

“Seriously though, the Telangana agitation against denial of opportunity to the Telangana people began there: in the 1952 student movement.”

Narsing Rao had a book-worthy amount of invaluable information to share. There is space here for just so much. Clearly though, those were times of passionate action for socio- political justice. Inspiring times! Somewhere in all this excitement, the stone masonry of Naya-Pul culled from our rocks gave young agitating students shelter and a means of self defence. Our rocks have been sentinels in our history and enduring protectors. They are as inspiringly strong and remarkable as the history of our region. Etched in various ways into memories of our city, they must be protected in our current development in order to remain unique markers of our city’s human and physical geography.

(The writer is a documentary filmmaker, writer and teacher.)

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Rockspace / by Uma Magal / Hyderabad – April 24th, 2014

Radisson Hyderabad Hitec City opens its doors for guests

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, World Opinion

Radisson Hyderabad Hitec City welcomed guests on April 1, 2014 at the opening of the first Radisson hotel in Hyderabad and the sixth Radisson property in India for Carlson Rezidor. It was previously known as Aditya Sarovar Premiere and has undergone refurbishment to include international brand hallmarks and is now a Radisson hotel. The hotel is owned by G. Yoganand, CMD, Manjeera Group, under the banner of Manjeera Hotels & Resorts Private Limited and will continue to be managed by Sarovar Hotels Private Limited under the Radisson brand. Sarovar operates 61 hotels in India and Africa including several Park Plaza and Park Inn hotels across India.

Raj Rana, CEO, Carlson Hotels (South Asia) Private Limited said, “We are honoured to be partnering Sarovar again for another distinguished hotel. Radisson Hyderabad Hitec City is a wonderful addition to our growing portfolio of more than 100 hotels in operation and under development in India. The hotel is in a great location and now it has all the international service hallmarks of the Radisson brand. We are confident that the hotel will have a strong appeal to both international and domestic business and leisure travelers.”

Radisson Hyderabad Hitec City has 202 guest rooms and 24-hour room service. There are various room categories to suit every need, including Business Class Rooms for business guests and a Presidential Suite for lavish vacations. All rooms feature free Wi-Fi access so that business travellers can check emails and leisure travellers can enjoy social interactions and entertainment.

For small meetings, seminars or large gatherings, the hotel has a dedicated Banquet Co-ordinator to assist in planning a successful event. The hotel’s business center, which has printing facilities and free Wi-Fi, also offers on-site secretarial support. For diners, the hotel includes Cascade and an award-winning restaurant, The Oriental Blossom. There is also Zyng lounge bar, and the Poolside Grill for some barbecued delights.

Ajay Bakaya, Executive Director, Sarovar Hotels Pvt. Ltd. said, “Our association with the Manjeera Group as well as CarlsonRezidor Hotel Groupis decades old and we are happy to be continuing as the management partner. With the combination of the hotel’s new branding as a Radisson and our management we are sure that guests will enjoy an enhanced experience at this upscale property.”

source: http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com / HospitalityBizIndia.com / Home> News Track / by HBI Staff, Mumbai / April 23rd, 2014

On a reflective note

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Raja Reddy says Kuchipudi has a tradition to it and one needs be disciplined to follow it. / Photo: Nagara Gopal. / The Hindu
Raja Reddy says Kuchipudi has a tradition to it and one needs be disciplined to follow it. / Photo: Nagara Gopal. / The Hindu

Dancer Raja Reddy on dance, his two daughters and why he is not a guru for item numbers

Ace dancer Raja Reddy is high on nostalgia. At his daughter Yamini Reddy’s house in Jubilee Hills, the dancer remembers the time when he watched Vyjayanthimala sing Man dole mera tan dole in Nagin and fell in love with her dance. “I was mesmerised by Vyjayanthimala’s dance and watched the movie for 17 days. I was mad about dance,” he remembers. Now, he sees the same passion in his daughter Bhavna. “When people saw her dance, they said she is born only to dance. But Bhavna’s passion is western music and when she told us she wanted to study abroad, we were sceptical. Bhavna told me, ‘If you could travel from a village to Delhi to make your dreams come true, why can’t I go to US.’ I had to let her go to realise her dreams. I am sure, after she comes back she will also dance,” he says.

Kuchipudi dancer Raja Reddy and his daughter Yaminin Reddy / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
Kuchipudi dancer Raja Reddy and his daughter Yaminin Reddy / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

The father is also proud of his other daughter Yamini Reddy’s achievements with her dance school Natya Tarangini.

He is in Hyderabad for the dance workshop being organised by her. “After her workshop news went online, people in Delhi are asking me when I will hold such a workshop there,” he says. On a reflective note, he says, “Traditional gurus never let their daughters dance. They always encouraged their sons. We have to be progressive and let our daughters do what they want to do. Be it sports, art, music or dance… we should give them our support,” he says.

As a guru he looks for dedication among youngsters. “Some parents tell me, ‘My daughter wants to join films. Can you teach her some items?’ I am not a guru for item numbers,” he says with a laugh.

During his Hyderabad trips, a few rangapravesams he attended left him disappointed. “I noticed many other elements being included during a dance show. In the middle of the performance, the guru’ssanmanam is organised. Then, he gives a speech followed by chief guest’s speech. Kuchipudi has a tradition to it and one needs to have discipline,” he notes.

As he watches his grandson Arjun in a playful mode, he smiles, “When I wished for a grand-daughter, my daughter Yamini told me, ‘You have two wives and two daughters. You should be happy with a grandson.”

Two-day workshop

Yamini Reddy’s idea for a dance workshop emerged when a parent asked her what couture her daughter should wear while dancing. “Another parent had a doubt as to what food her daughter should eat when she is practicing dance. I knew the benefits of yoga from my personal experience and felt students should know about yoga too,” she states.

She decided to address these issues and organise a workshop with experts. “I realised people don’t discuss these topics and there was a need to address them,” she says. The dance workshop organised by her dance school Natya Tarangini at Hotel Golkonda had different sessions on two days. The first day saw a session on costume and make up by fashion designer Ganesh Nallari and eating right and a talk by Dr. Harita Shyam, chief clinical nutritionist at Apollo Hospitals on nutrition and psychological benefits of dancing.

The second day on Thursday saw sessions on yoga and music. Her father and eminent dance guru Raja Reddy shared his experiences with the 150 participants.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Neeraja Murthy / Hyderabad – April 24th, 2014

Railway exhibition a big draw

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology
A visitor records the exhibits on his mobile at the exhibition organised as part of the Railway Week celebrations, in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. / Photo: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM / The Hindu
A visitor records the exhibits on his mobile at the exhibition organised as part of the Railway Week celebrations, in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday. / Photo: C.V. SUBRAHMANYAM / The Hindu

It was a trip down memory lane for some of the visitors as they went through old photographs and stamps on locomotives, rail bridges, and our national leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Sastry, and Jawaharlal Nehru travelling in trains.

The exhibition was organised by the Waltair Division of East Coast Railway as part of the 59 Railway Week celebrations here on Tuesday and Wednesday.

There were stamps issued on Howrah, Chennai, Mumbai CST, and Old Delhi stations with the imposing vintage buildings, the BNR locomotive, built by the North British Locomotive Company, introduced by BNR in 1913. It was continued till 1921 for heavy shunting and coal traffic.

Later in the evening, cultural programmes were organised by the Personnel Branch of Waltair Division as part of the celebrations.

In his inaugural address, Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kumar listed the achievements of the Division during the financial year 2013-2014.

The Division achieved an originating loading of 52.56 MT, thereby becoming one of the few divisions in the country which had an originating loading in excess of 50 MT. On the passenger front, the originating traffic increased to 33.80 million, which was 3 per cent more than the previous year, and passenger earnings increased to Rs.366.51 crore, which was 17 per cent higher than the previous year. The Division has earned the highest ever total earning of Rs.6,265.58 crore.

Mr. Anil Kumar spoke on the development works initiated at Visakhapatnam railway station like commissioning of escalators on platforms 2 and 3 and 4 and 5, and works on improvement of Gnanapuram-side to ease traffic congestion.

Additional DRM M.L. Meena, ECoRWWO president Anju Anil Kumar, and Divisional Personnel Officer B. Mondal were among those who attended.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Cities>Visakhapatnam / Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – April 16th, 2014