Category Archives: Arts, Culture & Entertainment

President Mukherjee to spend winter sojourn in Secunderabad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Science & Technology

President Pranab Mukherjee will proceed to the Rashtrapati Nilayam in Bolarum, Secunderabad  for the customary winter sojourn from December 19 to 31.

From Secunderabad, Mukherjee will visit  Tamil Nadu and Kerala  on December 20.

In Tamil Nadu, he will inaugurate the 28th Indian Engineering Congress and the School of Commerce and Economics of Loyola College at Chennai.

In Kerala, he will unveil a statue of late K. Karunakaran, former chief minister of Kerala, at Thiruvananthapuram and inaugurate the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Ayyan Kali at Kochi on the same day.

On December 23, Mukherjee will attend the concluding function of centenary celebrations of Dr. Neelam Sanjeev Reddy, former President of India at Ananthapuram,  Andhra Pradesh .

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-ANI> National / by ANI / New Delhi – December 18th, 2013

Maths prodigy aims to develop own technique

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

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Karimnagar: 

She is just 11 years old and studying in Class VII, but she can easily solve maths problems from Intermediate textbooks.

Meet S. Harshita Reddy, who has been excelling in maths since the last six years and winning many awards.

Harshita added another feather to her cap by bagging a silver medal in the National Child Awards for Exceptional Achievements-2013 from the ministry of women and child development in New Delhi on November 14. She was also given a certificate and a cash award of Rs 10,000.

The daughter of an English teacher at a government school, Harshita developed her passion for maths when she was studying in Class I.

“I was surprised after she could remember tables from 1-20 within three days at the age of five. I started teaching her a few topics from algebra, trigonometry and some other tough concepts when I saw that she was blessed with extraordinary skills,” recalls Govardhan Reddy, science teacher at a government school.

When Harshita was nine, she was asked to solve Class X problems and it was a cakewalk for her. “I organised over 50 sessions to demonstrate easy methods to solve maths for students in the school. I would like to develop a method or technique on my own,” said Harshita, adding, “I want to be a maths scientist.”

Harshita claimed she was termed a legend in maths and maro Shakuntala Devi (another Shakuntala Devi) by her critiques and teachers.

Karimnagar MP Ponnam Prabhakar and former MLC, Chukka Ramaiah had complimented her for her talent and achievements.

She has also won awards from the World Amazing Records and India Book of Record and was given the Andhra Bala Ratna Award by a voluntary organisation based on Vizag.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / by Santosh Padala / DC / December 13th, 2013

INS Circars celebrates 74 anniversary

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Science & Technology

 

Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra along with Commanding Officer INS Circars Commodore Saleem M. Anwer cutting a cake to celebrate the 74th anniversary of ENC Depot Ship INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Anil Chopra along with Commanding Officer INS Circars Commodore Saleem M. Anwer cutting a cake to celebrate the 74th anniversary of ENC Depot Ship INS Circars in Visakhapatnam on Thursday. / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

The premier depot ship of the Eastern Naval Command, Indian Naval Ship Circars, celebrated its 74th Anniversary here on Thursday.

Initially established as a small base by the Royal Indian Navy in December 1939 shortly after the outbreak of World War II, the role of Circars changed over the years from coordinating naval operations, functioning as a repair organisation and being an establishment for Boys training, to its present status of being the premier depot ship of the ENC.

Festive look

The establishment currently provides administrative and logistics support to as many as 44 naval units in and around Visakhapatnam, catering to an approximate strength of over 3,500 personnel. Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Vice Admiral Anil Chopra was the chief guest for the celebrations marked to commemorate the occasion. The naval base wore a festive look, and saw active participation by personnel and families of INS Circars and allied units. A large number of serving and retired officers participated in the celebrations. The traditional cake cutting ceremony was followed by release of in-house Hindi magazine Circars Vaani. Speaking on the occasion, Commanding Officer, INS Circars Commodore Saleem M Anwer said that the depot ship was fully prepared to meet all challenges in its assigned role of supporting the ENC.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – December 13th, 2013

Popular Telugu film comedian Dharmavarapu Subramanyam is no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hyderabad :

Popular Telugu film actor, comedian and television personality Dharmavarapu Subramanyam passed away here on Saturday. He was 53. The actor died at his residence at P&T colony at Dilsukhnagar. The actor hailed from Komminenivari Palem, Ballikuruva mandal in Prakasam district. The last rites of the actor are expected to be performed at his native place in Prakasam district.

It is learnt that Dharmavarapu Subramanyam was suffering from a liver disorder and had been hospitalized for some time. He died at his residence after having been discharged from the hospital some days ago. As he was not keeping well, he kept to his house in recent times.

Subramanyam had made his mark on television with the programme ‘Adando brahma’ which was a huge hit on Doordarshan. He subsequently made his entry into tinsel town with the film ‘Jayambu Nischayambu Ra’. He even directed a film titled ‘Thokaleni Pitta’.

In recent times, Dharmavarapu Subramanyam kept television audience engaged with his satirical programme on a Telugu channel. He acted in more than 80 films till date. His films include ‘Shadow’. ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Businessman’, ‘Dookudu’, ‘Kathi Kantha Rao’, ‘Mahesh Kaleja’, ‘Darling’, ‘Chirutha’, ‘Varsham’ and ‘Simhadri’.

With the death of Dharmavarapu Subramanyam, the Telugu film industry has lost a comedian whose satirical dialogues regaled audience. Film industry personalities have expressed shock at the passing away of a talent artiste.

It was only recently that another comedy actor AVS and Srihari died leaving the industry in a state of shock. And now the death of Dharmavarapu Subramanyam has come as another shock. On coming to know about his death, film personalities started coming to the residence of the actor.

Though Dharmavarapu Subramanyam had made it big in the film industry, he chose not to move to Filmnagar or Jubilee Hills area and continued to live in his Dilsukhnagar house.

source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad> Film Industry / by Ch. Sushil Rao, TNN / December 08th, 2013

Vakalapudi gearing up for ‘beach festival’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
First round of the festival was a grand success, says District collector Neetu Prasad / The Hindu
First round of the festival was a grand success, says District collector Neetu Prasad / The Hindu

Collector holds review meet on the three-day celebrations

East Godavari district administration is making arrangements for the celebration of three-day ‘beach festival’ at Vakalapudi beach for the second consecutive year from January 10.

Addressing a review meeting with the officials of various departments here on Wednesday, Collector Neetu Prasad said that the State government allocated Rs.12 lakh for the last festival, while the sponsors had come out with another Rs. 40 lakh. She said that efforts were on to get more funds from the government for this year event as the first round of beach festival was a grand success.

Recalling the traffic congestion on the Beach Road during the last festival, the Collector asked the police to identify alternative routes to avoid traffic jams.

Different committees were appointed to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival and the convener of each committee was directly answerable to the Collector. Similarly, a sponsors’ meet would be conducted in which the hoteliers and tour operators would be invited. Ms. Neetu asked the officials to arrange a photo exhibition that would depict the places of importance in the district.

She also suggested arrangement of stalls in the exhibition by the government departments.

Cultural performances would be arranged on all the three days for providing entertainment to the audience, she said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu /Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Kakinada – December 12th, 2013

GRAB YOUR GRUB : Breaking bread

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu
A view of the open space outside the Griffin. / Photo: Nagara Gopal / The Hindu

From artisan breads to scones, pastries, sandwiches and pastas, Griffin has something in store for everyone

Fancy some sourdough bread or maybe some ciabatta? You could try Griffin- The Artisan Bread Store in Madhapur, which promises to dish out fresh breads of various kinds. Fairly new, this store was the brain child of Mohd. Mujahid, who wanted to give the city a taste of different breads. The store, which is already a hit with the expat crowd in the area, also offers a variety of short eats for gastronomes.

The little bread store-cum-café has an interesting array of baked goodies that are perfect for those long conversations over a cup of coffee. You could take your pick from their cookies, scones, donuts, croissants, muffins, cheesecakes or tarts. Priced at around Rs. 50 each, they hardly burn a hole in your pocket.

Griffin can also be a pit-stop for a quick lunch or casual dinner with its selection of pizzas, sandwiches and pastas. You could choose from their delicious pastas in an array of sauces like arrabiata, pesto, alfredo or a juicy sandwich with some smoked or grilled meat or roasted veggies of your choice. You can’t really get bored with their selection of sandwiches, which are served in different breads each day. “I started this store mainly so I could introduce people to different varieties of breads. The idea behind serving sandwiches in different kinds of breads is to give our clients an idea of the kinds of breads we offer and how they can use them in different ways,” says Mujahid.

The café section of this bread store is also a good place to spend an afternoon just reading or browsing the internet with a free wi-fi connection available to patrons. For the coffee lovers there are a variety of coffees to choose from while those watching their weight can pick a salad of their choice.

Griffin also has a bread shelf with different breads like sourdough, ciabatta, bagels and baguettes among others that you can choose from. The breads that are baked in two batches a day are brought in from the Griffin factory in Shamshabad. “We want to keep the products as fresh as possible,” explains Mujahid. The breads like the items on the menu are priced affordably with a whole wheat bread costing as less as Rs.50, while a sourdough could go up to Rs.100 The ciabatta and panini cost around Rs. 30, while a Scottish Bap comes for around Rs. 20.

 

Griffin – The Artisan Bread Store

Where: Kavuri Hills, Phase-1, Madhapur

When: 7.30 a.m. to 11p.m.

Contact: 040-30512844 ext:454

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Food / by Ranjani Rajendra / Hyderabad – December 12th, 2013

Women’s NGOs in Vijayawada set out to achieve quota Bill

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Uncategorized
Former MP Chennupati Vidya addressing the all-women's meeting organised to chalk out an action plan for achievement of 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies, in Vijayawada on Thursday. Former Mayors Mallika Begum and Tadi Sakuntala are also seen./ The Hindu
Former MP Chennupati Vidya addressing the all-women’s meeting organised to chalk out an action plan for achievement of 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative bodies, in Vijayawada on Thursday. Former Mayors Mallika Begum and Tadi Sakuntala are also seen./ The Hindu

Representatives of various women’s organisations have come on to a common platform to build pressure on the UPA Government in support of their demand that the long-pending Women’s Reservation Bill be passed in the winter session of Parliament.

At a meeting initiated by the city-based NGO Vasavya Mahila Mandali (VMM), women representatives of various political parties, voluntary organisations and service organisations unanimously resolved to work relentlessly for achievement of 33 per cent quota for women in legislative bodies.

Former MP Chennupati Vidya, who is also VMM president, said that it was time the ruling party proved its commitment to women’s rights and gender equality by passing the Bill in the winter session.

“The Bill has gained acceptance in Rajya Sabha and awaits approval of the Lok Sabha.

In the wake of the alarming increase in atrocities against the fairer sex, it is imperative to make women’s voice heard in Parliament. Various organisations have set out on the task of mobilising support for the Bill at the district, State and at national-level,” said Ms. Vidya.

She also churned out statistics of women’s representation in both the Houses of Parliament over the years to prove her point that the fairer sex had not been given what was due to her.

The NGO general secretary G. Rashmi spelled out an action plan drawn to spread awareness on the need to bring in the proposed law.

Signature campaign

She said that members of this conglomeration of organisations would fan out across the district and educate various sections of the society on all aspects related to the proposed Bill.

A signature campaign would be followed by a massive rally culminating into a public meeting on December 10, coinciding with International Human Rights Day.

Former Mayors Mallika Begum and Tadi Sakuntala, president of Mahila Samakhya P. Durga Bhavani, Lok Satta president Sarala Kumari, BJP’s mahila wing national president M. Revathi, YSR Congress Party city convenor Suneetha, Lion’s Club former district governor Vidyawathi, Inner Wheel Club district unit chairperson Prameela Rani, Vasavi Club past governor T. Gayathri, Bezawada Bar Association secretary D. Sujatha, Indira Kranthi Padhakam additional project director Kalika Devi, Arthika Samatha Mandali secretary Nou among others pledged their support to what they called a crusade to achieve 33 per cent quota for women in legislative bodies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – December 01st, 2013

Ethnic setting in urban milieu gets artistic flavour

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
A sculptor working on scrap metal creation at the ongoing art and sculpture camp at Shilparamam-Jatara in Visakhapatnam on Friday / . Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
A sculptor working on scrap metal creation at the ongoing art and sculpture camp at Shilparamam-Jatara in Visakhapatnam on Friday / . Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

57 artists, including AU fine arts students, participating in the camp at Shilparamam

Shilparamam Jatara off the National Highway 16 at Madhurawada has drawn visitors and tourists alike for its rural ambience. In another month or so the same location would have some very contemporary icons thanks to the students of Andhra University Department of Fine Arts.

There would be some scrap steel sculptures, some cement sculptures, fibreglass models and a few paintings dotting the landscape adding to the attraction. There are 57 artists at work at the ongoing art and sculpture camp organised jointly by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department – Shilparamam – and the Department of Fine Arts of Andhra University.

Under the benign gaze of camp curator, Professor of Fine Arts Ravi Shankar Patnaik, the artists are enjoying themselves and as a result producing some extraordinary pieces of art. All of them are students of the AU Department of Fine Arts, while some are studying a few of them have graduated earlier.

Artists working on their paintings at the art and sculpture camp at Shilparamam-Jatara in Visakhapatnam on Friday./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Artists working on their paintings at the art and sculpture camp at Shilparamam-Jatara in Visakhapatnam on Friday./ Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

At the beginning of the camp the artists were given a simple brief that they should let their creative juices flow and create something that reflects the values, ethos of the region. There has been no restriction on what they want to do, he said. The artists participating in the camp include 7 painters, 10 working on scrap metal, 10 are working on cement structures, 10 are creating fibreglass models and another 10 are carving stone.

The granite blocks have been brought from Kotappakonda in Guntur district and the sculptors along with assistants are chiselling away the blocks to create works that would stand the test of time.

The artists have selected the sites for display of cement sculptures and are working on the location.

The general visitors to Jatara were in for a treat to see the art camp in progress and watch the creative juices flow giving shape to icons that would remain in the landmark for generations of tourists to watch and wonder.

As part of the camp on Wednesday the artists made a presentation on their works to peers and other artists and art lovers and picked up a tip or few on how to address some finer nuances, Prof Patnaik said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – November 30th, 2013

JKCCS Honours Balagopal with Robert Thorp Award

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

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The J&K Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) has honoured Dr K Balagopal, a human rights activist and lawyer from Andhra Pradesh, with Robert Thorp Award-2013, posthumously, for his contribution in highlighting the human rights issues in Jammu and Kashmir.

The JKCCS every year confers Robert Thorp Award to persons who have shown exemplary courage and contributed to the achievement of civil society and political rights of the people of J&K. The award was received by his colleague, Prof Babaiah on Tuesday.

The award is given in memory of Robert Thorp, a young British Army officer, who arrived in Kashmir in 1865 and fought for the right of self-determination of Kashmir.

He was killed in 1868 by forces of Maharaja Gulab Singh, a feudal ruler of Kashmir, for highlighting the miseries of Kashmiris in international media.

Dr Kandala Balagopal, born on June 10,1952, was a trained Mathematician and taught at Kakatiya University in Andhra Pradesh. An uncompromising human rights activist, Balagopal broke away from the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC), with which he was associated from 1980s, on the issue of violence perpetrated by the erstwhile CPI-ML Peoples War.

During his visits to Kashmir, Balagopal worked actively for human rights in Kashmir and wrote numerous articles on Kashmir issue, questioning Indian occupation in Kashmir.

Fifth child of a middle class Telugu Brahmin couple, his education happened in various towns across AP owing to his father’s occupation. After pre-university education at Kavali and BSc in Tirupati, he took an MSc and PhD in Mathematics from the Regional Engineering College in Warangal before proceeding to Delhi for a post-doctoral at the Indian Statistical Institute. He returned to Warangal in 1981, where he started teaching Maths at the Kakatiya University. This was also the time when he decided on social activism and joined the APCLC, which he left after two decades to form Human Rights Forum.

Balagopal, who played a commendable role in exposing the institutional impunity enjoyed by the Indian military force and his unflinching support for the right of self determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir, died of lung aspiration following bleeding of stomach ulcer in Hyderabad on  October 8, 2009.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / November 29th, 2013

Americans in Hyderabad to ‘give thanks’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion

Hyderabad:

A growing expatriate community in the city and an increased interest in international culture has made it easier for holidays like Thanksgiving to be celebrated away from home, say American expats.Traditionally celebrated in Canada and the United States on the fourth Thursday of November each year, Thanksgiving is an annual festival heavily laden with cultural significance, a time for family and friends to come together.

It is said to be additionally special this year with Thursday also being the first full day of Hanukkah. Nicole Wisler, an American currently wor-king with an NGO in the city, feels that the place is not important as long as the spirit of the festival is alive.

“Thanksgiving is not about where you spend it as long as you have your family and friends around you. I have my family visiting, so it’s not really very different from being at home,” she said.
Others say that in the absence of one’s family, having a large community of other expats helps. “Of course, it’s hard to celebrate Thanksgiving away from home, but having a community with whom to celebrate sort of makes up for it.
It won’t be the same but there will be a sense of togetherness at least,” said Alex Williams, an investment banker who is spending his first Thanksgiving in Hyderabad.
With most star properties in the city including Taj Vivanta, Novotel, Westin and Park Hyatt designing special menus for Thursday, Thanksgiving dishes like roast turkey, corn breads, cranberry sauce and collards, sauces and stuffing will be easily available.
They certainly won’t be missing out on the feast part of the festival, assured executive chef of Westin, Steffan Dawson.
“There is a lot of excitement about Thanksgiving here at the hotel. Our restaurants are booked almost full. We are seeing an increase in footfall year after year,” he added.

source: http://www.asianage.com / The Asian Age / Home> India / November 28th, 2013