Category Archives: Education

He has sights trained on civil services

Amazing Feats, Education
Panyam Sai Vinayak using the tab gifted by his aunt after he secured top marks in the Intermediate examination. | Photo Credit: V RAJU.
Panyam Sai Vinayak using the tab gifted by his aunt after he secured top marks in the Intermediate examination. | Photo Credit: V RAJU.

Visual impairment no impediment to Vinayak in either education or recreational activities

Panyam Sai Vinayak can swiftly play his fingers on the keyboard of his laptop typing Telugu as well as play a musical keyboard producing nearly perfect tunes.

With total visual impairment since birth, Vinayak, 17, is pursuing under-graduation in English literature, politics and history in the Andhra Loyola College (ALC) and uses his voice-enabled laptop and tablet extensively for education, music and cricket, to sing songs and other activities for recreation.

Topper in Intermediate

His dedication to achieving big in life has always put him at the forefront in education. Vinayak scored 886 marks in Intermediate last year becoming the topper among the visually challenged students in AP. He was recently bestowed upon with the Prathiba Award by the Education Department for it and has become an inspiration for many students studying in ALC and other colleges.

“He can perform many tasks with ease and competes with other students in the college. Not just education but he does well in music too,” says P. Bhargav Ram, a proud father of Vinayak.

In SSC, he scored GPA 9.7, the highest in AP and Telangana that year among the visually challenged, Mr. Ram adds.

“I want to become a civil servant and it is the reason why I have selected the current degree course. After UG, I shall go to the JNU for MA where I can pursue politics while getting trained for civils,” Vinayak explains his career plan in a nutshell.

Against all odds

However, scoring top marks is no easy task for Vinayak. He had to face difficulties like not being able to find a proper scribe, unwanted subjects like mathematics, lack of material for the visually challenged and others.

“No school granted him admission when we moved from Hyderabad to Vijayawada. Finally, St. John’s School came forward. His greatest support is his maternal uncle K. Deepak and braille teacher Nirmala,” says Mr. Ram. Vinayak studies subjects through audio recordings of text book content by Mr. Deepak.

“AP has no institution that prints braille books. It would be a huge problem for students who cannot afford electronic devices for learning,” he says.

“Except the ALC, there is no institution that could provide the required support to persons with vision disability. The college provides scribes and also training in computer usage. The governments should make subjects like mathematics as optionals for the challenged or provide special teaching instead of forcing them to study and pass unwanted subjects,” Mr. Deepak says.

Vinayak, who regularly plays cricket with a special ball with his uncle Deepak, wants the AP government to set up a cricket training institute for them.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Tharun Boda / Vijayawada – October 22nd, 2018

Innovation to thefore at science fest

Education, Science & Technology
A student explaining about her model at the ‘Vidya Bharati Dakshina Madhya Kshetra Jana Vijnana Mela’, in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
A student explaining about her model at the ‘Vidya Bharati Dakshina Madhya Kshetra Jana Vijnana Mela’, in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

180 students from three States take part in the event

Solar power can cater to the need of an entire city if the available space are utilised to harness it. This concept was well explained by a student from Vidya Bharathi School at the South-Central Zone ‘Jnana Vijnana Mela’ (Science Fest) that began here on Monday.

The programme was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor of Krishna University and JNTU (Kakinada), prof. S. Rama Krishna Rao, in the presence of Bharteeya Vidya Kendram Chairman A. Narayanaswamy and Vidya Bharathi Dakshina Madhya Kshetra Joint Secretary G.R. Jagadish.

Around 180 students from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka are participating in the science fest.

source:http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – October 02nd, 2018

IIDT to become autonomous soon

Education

State issues G.O. sanctioning ₹97.95 crore; it will be managed by governing council

International Institute of Digital Technologies (IIDT), Tirupati, which will soon have a campus in Visakhapatnam is being converted into an autonomous institute with a deemed university status.

As a first step in this direction, the State Government issued GO Ms. No. 89 on September 20 granting permission to IIDT as a Section 8 company with a three-tier governance structure sanctioning an amount of ₹97.95 crore towards capital and operational expenditure for the next two financial years.

It will be managed by governing council, executive council and an administrative unit de-linking it from AP Electronics and IT Investment Agency (APEITA), an autonomous society under the Department of IT, Electronics and Communications.

J.A. Chowdary | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam
J.A. Chowdary | Photo Credit: C.V.Subrahmanyam

‘Campus in Vizag’

“We are in talks with globally reputed universities and centres of excellence for collaborations. IIDT, which has already admitted three batches of students in cyber security and business analytics, will soon have a campus in Visakhapatnam,” J.A. Chowdary, Special Chief Secretary and IT Adviser to Chief Minister, said.

“We are also in the process of introducing new courses in artificial intelligence and machine learning and blockchain and other technologies based on applied mathematics,” he told The Hindu.

Virtual university

The government had earlier declared that IIDT would be made India’s first virtual university to enable Andhra Pradesh to be in the forefront in the next generation digital economy and become the first place of choice for the students, industry and governments.

IIDT has plans to launch more courses in 2019 and achieve an overall intake of 250 students by next year spread across four programmes. It wants to increase the overall intake to 400 students by 2021. IIDT will spend ₹94.06 crore on capital expenditure and ₹3.89 crore on operational expenditure during 2019-20 and 2020-21.

“We are very happy that IIDT is moving in the right direction to emerge as an institute of global repute for offering industry-relevant courses in new age technologies,” AP Innovation Society CEO Winny Patro said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – September 24th, 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

Designing varsity to come up in Vizag

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Designing varsity to come up in Vizag
Designing varsity to come up in Vizag

Amaravati:

To promote gaming and designing, a special ‘Designing University’ will be established at Visakhapatnam. The UNESCO already entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the AP Economic Development Board (EDB) on ‘Gaming Digital Learning Hub’, and the representatives from UNESCO met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday at Secretariat, to finalise the project.

The UNESCO team requested Chandrababu Naidu to allocate 100 acres of land for them to promote gaming and digital learning in the State.The delegates explained that future will be on the gaming and the corporate giants like UB Soft, Samsung, Microsoft and others also were ready to establish their offices in Visakhapatnam.

They further explained that within next 10 years, more than 50,000 jobs would be generated in the sector.  Out of the total market in the country, AP will capture at least 25 per cent, they opined. Gaming-Digital skill development, gaming-digital teacher training, global certification in digital learning and others will be the part of the hub. Naidu said that AP should lead the country as innovation valley. This would help in building knowledge economy, he added.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / The Hans India / Home> Andhra Pradesh / The Hans India / July 05th, 2018

City kids to represent India at global skating championship

Education, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Vijayawada :

City kids Gummadi Venkata Pardhu and Bathula Sri Vidhya got selected to represent India in World Skate Speed Championship- 2018 which is scheduled to held at the Netherlands from July 1.

Both of them appeared for selections held in Gurgaon and secured their place.

Fourteen-year-old Gummadi Venkata Pardhu who is studying tenth standards in Sri Chaitanya Schools said, “I started skating in a summer camp held in 2012 and later it became my world. I daily practice on BRTS Road from 5am to 7am before going to school and I continue to practice even after classes which helped me learn more techniques.”

“Representing India in the senior category and winning an international medal is my dream and I hope I will achieve it one day,” he added.

“Dedication and commitment of my son helped him to get selected for the international championship under junior category in young age and he broke the record which was on the name of his coach Sarath Kumar,” said Pradhu’s father Durga Kumar. “We are spending a lot of money on training and international tours and we hope that state government and Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) will recognise my son’s efforts and support him,” he added.

Bathula Sri Vidhya who is studying in twelth standard at Nalanda Vidya Niketan in the city said that she was happy for being the first girl to participate in International Championship from Krishna district.

Support of my school management is unforgettable and they encouraged me very much. Sri Vidhya who got second place in road hundred meters category also got selected for Asian roller skating championship which is scheduled in September.

“Encouragement and support given by my parents and school management helped me in achieving my dream and I want to make my city proud by achieving the international medal for the first time in Andhra Pradesh,” said Sri Vidhya.

source:http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Vijayawada News / by Venu Lanka / TNN / June 14th, 2018

Bengaluru: Hearing impaired woman covers 8,300km on bike

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports
DRIVEN BY PASSION: Archana Timmaraju embarked on the tour to motivate the hearing impaired
DRIVEN BY PASSION: Archana Timmaraju embarked on the tour to motivate the hearing impaired

______________________________

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Hearing impaired Archana Timmaraju is back in Bengaluru after completing a 8,300km bike ride to Ladakh.
  • Born with 40% hearing ability, Archana has been facing difficulties and disabilities in her speech

______________________________

Bengaluru :

She may be hearing impaired but that hasn’t stopped her from being adventurous. Archana Timmaraju, 33, is back in the city after completing a 8,300km bike ride to Ladakh .

Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Archana studied in St John’s School, Bengaluru, and later did her masters in metal sculpting from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath. Other than sculpting, Archana also teaches art at Mallya Aditi International School.

“I started riding at 21 and haven’t looked back since. The aim of this tour — Journey to Inspire — was to motivate the hearing impaired and encourage more women to ride bikes,” she said.

Archana was accompanied by her friend and colleague Daniel Sundaram, a geography teacher, on the journey that began on April 29 and culminated at Freedom Park on May 29. She rode a Royal Enfield, while Daniel was on a KTM bike.

When asked about Archana’s feat, her mother Sita Mahalakshmi said: “We were not scared at all.Archana made video calls to us every day and shared her location live so we knew where she was. I am extremely proud of her.”

Born with 40% hearing ability, Archana has been facing difficulties and disabilities in her speech. She can hear to a certain extent with help of an aid. Archana, with Daniel, has also founded a community, Silent Expedition, for bikers,withspecialemphasison those with disabilities.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> News> City> Bangalore / TNN / June 02nd, 2018

NRI couple returned to serve their village

Education, Inspiration /Positive News and Features, Leaders, Nri's / Pio's

PrasadANDHRA29may2018

Guntur:

“The contribution of DVS Prasad and his wife to our village is massive. The couple funded construction of roads, community halls and setting up of drinking water facilities,” said Dr Prakasa Rao of Medical and Cultural Association of Repalle.

As a youth, DVS Prasad dreamt of making millions. Meritorious in studies, Prasad went to America to further his career after completing graduation in engineering. He worked with top multinational companies, including Deloitte and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

By his own admission, Prasad felt uncomfortable with his growing bank balance. He realised that the solution for him was paying back to society. Prasad, who spent over two-decades in US, gained peace after returning to India and serving society. His wife Sunitha, a dental professional, backed him throughout and helped him start a trust in the memory of Prasad’s parents.

Prasad initially adopted Jillepalli village and wanted to expand activities to the neighbouring areas in a phased manner. The locals were overwhelmed with the initiatives of Prasad and his wife. The trust took up a number of activities, including developmental activities and welfare programmes.

DVS Prasad is keen on sponsoring students of underprivileged sections to pursue higher-education. “Education will help them beat poverty and help society. We need to help every child,” Prasad told TOI.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Vijayawada News / TNN / May 28th, 2018

City skater Riya Saboo for South Korea

Education, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion
Riya Saboo, who is selected for Asian roller skating championship, to be held in South Korea in September. | Photo Credit: HAND OUT
Riya Saboo, who is selected for Asian roller skating championship, to be held in South Korea in September. | Photo Credit: HAND OUT

She will take part in Asian roller skating championship

City skater Riya Saboo is all set to take part in the Asian roller skating championship to be held in South Korea from September 4 to 14, according V P. Siddhartha Public School principal L.S. Ram Babu here on Tuesday.

The talented teenager, a Class X student of the school, is presently attending a training camp at Ahmedabad after completing her selection trials in the first week of May. “Riya will be taking part in frees style and pair skating along with Jaswanth Bathina,” he added.

Mr. Ram Babu said 15-year-old Riya, who started her tryst with skating in the age of seven, has so far participated in two world championships in Italy and China along with an Asian event in China. “She has so far clinched 14 national medals, including eight gold, and over 25 State medals that included 14 gold,” he said.

Synthetic rink

Roller Skating Andhra Pradesh secretary Durga Prasad said skaters from other Asian countries were in an advantageous position as they mastered skating on synthetic rink from the Day One. “For young Riya it will be a challenging task,” he said.

Hes said Vijayawada was yet to get a rink of international standards forcing talented skaters to look for advanced training in other places.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Special Correspondent / Vijayawada – May 23rd, 2018

Writer Peddibhotla Subbaramaiah no more

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education
Peddibotla Subbaramaiah. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR
Peddibotla Subbaramaiah. | Photo Credit: CH_VIJAYA BHASKAR

His writings reflected travails of middle class

Noted Telugu writer Peddibhotla Subbaramaiah passed away at a private hospital here on Friday. He was 79.

Mr. Subbaramaiah won many awards, including that of the Sahitya Akademi, for his stories and a few novels some of which got translated into English.

He was suffering from a liver disease.

Mr. Subbaramaiah, who shot into fame with his compilation of stories titled ‘Peddibhotla Subbaramaiah Kadhalu,’ was born in Guntur in December 1938 and had worked as a Telugu lecturer in Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada for nearly four decades.

He became an accomplished writer under the tutelage of Viswanatha Satyanarayana.

CM condoles death

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolence on the death of Mr. Subbaramaiah and said his demise was an irreparable loss to Telugu writers.

Krishna District Writers’ Association President G.V. Purnachand told The Hindu that he was fortunate to have moved closely with Mr. Subbaramaiah for nearly four decades.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Vijayawada – May 19th, 2018