What can be more fun for Vizagites than ushering in the New Year on the beach to the sway of salsa beats in true Latin American style? With the city bouncing back to normalcy after the prolonged Samaikyandhra agitation, denizens are willing to give troubling division thoughts a rest and are gearing up to welcome 2014 with full gusto and city hotels are going all out to woo revellers with an entertaining mix of dance, music and food under the stars on the beaches.
This is proving to be a big hit with several Vizagites, especially the family crowd, who have preferred to stay put in the city during the New Year instead of venturing out of station as winter holidays have been curtailed by many educational institutions to make up for lost classes during the Samaikyandhra agitation.
While Park Hotel is organizing its ‘Sin City’ bash, featuring South American dancers, DJ and gourmet delights, on the beach, Palm Beach Hotel is organizing open air sea deck events. “We have decided to transform the beach into a dance floor this year. There will be salsa, pole dance apart from Bollywood dancer Hema Panchali’s troupe that will keep the audience enthralled,” said Park Hotel’s PR department official Vindhya Singh, pointing out that the response was better than last year.
In fact so good is the demand for New Year bashes that Palm Beach Hotel claims that most of its event packages are almost sold out. The hotel’s spokesperson Ravi Shankar said, “We have DJ Suman and a live band playing on the sea deck. Despite the steep price tags of up to Rs 3500 per head, the bookings have been selling like hot cakes.” While the Novotel Varun Beach is not really taking its patrons to the beach, it is making sure that they get a feel of being on the beach by organizing a `Dance by the Bay’ do at the Pool Deck replete with DJ, live singers and international artistes apart from ‘Fiesta Mexicana’ fest that will feature Russian dancers and a Bollywood troupe. And despite the steep pricing ranging from Rs 5,500-8,500 per couple enthusiastic Vizagites are lapping it up, claimed Varun Mehrotra, director (sales and marketing), Novotel Hotel.
At Waves, the Four Points by Sheraton night club, a DJ night will be the focal point of New Year’s eve, while at Sea Green, a fashion show along with DJ performances is on the menu. And even the strict deadline of 1 am laid down by the police for all public events has not deterred the organisers or the revelers.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam> Troupe / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / December 31st, 2013
The year 2013 could well be the last page in the history of ‘united’ Andhra Pradesh as the state stands on the verge of a geographical separation.
If everything goes as per the government’s plan, Andhra Pradesh will get divided into two states – Telangana and (residual) Andhra Pradesh – early this year, bringing to an end the history of a state that remained united for 58 years.
(The year 2013 could well…)
Andhra Pradesh was the first state in the country to be created on a linguistic basis on November 1, 1956 by merging the erstwhile Andhra state and Hyderabad state.
In 1953, Andhra state was carved out of the then Madras Presidency with Kurnool as its capital.
Subsequently, the Telugu-speaking parts of the then Hyderabad state were amalgamated with Andhra state, giving birth to Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
The proposal for amalgamation of Hyderabad state with Andhra state came up in 1953 and the then Chief Minister of Hyderabad state, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, supported the Congress central leadership’s decision in this regard though there was opposition in the region that was known as Telangana.
Accepting the merger proposal, the Andhra state Assembly passed a resolution on November 25, 1955 promising to safeguard the interests of Telangana.
An agreement was reached between Telangana leaders and Andhra leaders on February 20, 1956 to merge Telangana and Andhra with promises to safeguard Telangana’s interests.
Another agreement was then signed by then chief ministers of the respective states, Bezawada Gopala Reddy and Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, to the effect.
The city of Hyderabad, the then capital of Hyderabad state, was made the capital of Andhra Pradesh.
For 13 years after Andhra Pradesh came into being, everything ran smoothly.
In 1969, however, an agitation began in Telangana region as people protested the “failure” to implement the ‘Gentlemen’s Agreement’ and other safeguards properly.
On January 19, 1969, an all-party accord was reached to ensure proper implementation of Telangana safeguards but that did not satisfy leaders of the region.
Marri Channa Reddy of the Congress launched the Telangana Praja Samiti espousing the cause of a separate state.
Meanwhile, the people’s agitation intensified and turned violent, leading to the death of over 350 people.
In 1972, the Jai Andhra movement started in Andhra- Rayalaseema regions as a counter to the Telangana struggle.
Stalwarts like Kakani Venkata Ratnam, Tenneti Viswanadham and Gouthu Lachchanna led the Jai Andhra struggle in which the likes of M Venkaiah Naidu took an active part.
On September 21, 1973, a political settlement was reached with the Government of India and a Six-Point Formula put in place to placate people of the two regions.
It was agreed upon by the leaders of the two regions to prevent recurrence of any such agitations in future.
To avoid legal problems, the Constitution was amended (32nd amendment) to give legal sanctity to the six-point formula.
Thereafter, peace prevailed across Andhra Pradesh and it progressed on the path of development.
Subsequently, till 1999, there was no demand from any quarters for division of the state on regional lines.
In 1999, the then Leader of Opposition Y S Rajasekhara Reddy of the Congress re-ignited the regional fire making his party MLAs from the region write a letter to the high command demanding creation of a separate state of Telangana.
Yet another chapter opened in the struggle for Telangana when Kalvakuntla Chandrasekhar Rao, who was seething over denial of Cabinet berth in the Chandrababu Naidu government, walked out of the Telugu Desam Party and launched the Telangana Rashtra Samiti on April 27, 2001.
Though KCR launched the Telangana statehood movement in 2001, it remained rather subdued till late 2009 when he tried to sit on an indefinite hunger strike for a separate state.
In October 2008, a rather decisive moment appeared to have come for Telangana when the TDP – one of the main political forces in AP – changed its stance and declared support for bifurcation of the state.
This was a political move that the TDP took to protect its citadel in Telangana as well as dethrone the Congress government.
The TRS was virtually decimated in the 2009 elections and that dealt a severe blow to the statehood movement.
But the sudden and tragic death of the then Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash in September 2009 gave a re-birth to the TRS and a new thrust to the Telangana struggle.
Following KCR’s agitation that began on November 29, and took a violent turn, the Centre budged and came out with an announcement on December 9, 2009 that it was “initiating” the process for formation of Telangana state”.
But due to a political turmoil caused by en masse resignation of legislators, cutting across party lines, from coastal Andhra-Rayalaseema regions, the Centre went back on its word and came out with another announcement on December 23, 2009 that it was putting the Telangana issue on hold.
Since then, the statehood movement gained momentum in Telangana forcing the ruling Congress to take a final call on July 30, 2013 to create a separate state.
Consequent to the Congress’ decision, the Union Cabinet too approved the proposal to bifurcate Andhra Pradesh and create a separate state of Telangana.
The ongoing protests in Seemaandhra against the bifurcation notwithstanding, the Centre appears determined to go ahead with its exercise and the requisite formalities have been set in motion.
Year 2014 could see the birth of India’s 29th state – Telangana – thereby ending the history of a united Andhra Pradesh.
source: http://www.articles.economictimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> News> Politics and Nation> Andhra Pradesh / PTI / December 31st, 2013
Gandhi Memorial Stupa atop Gandhi Hill in Vijayawada. / Photo: V. Raju / The Hindu
Tourism authorities equipped with funds to upgrade local properties
After a prolonged lull in activity, the AP Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is finally all set to switch to action mode in Vijayawada region.
Most part of the year that just passed by was about ‘all-promises-no-implementation’. But the tourism authorities are now equipped with funds to upgrade, augment and enhance local properties awaiting their attention.
The Tourism Corporation has its hands full with works related to development of scenic spots like the Gandhi Hill, the picturesque Bhavani Island on River Krishna and the historic Kondapalli Fort near Vijayawada.
Gandhi Hill
Gandhi Hill, the first Gandhi memorial with seven stupas in the country was constructed on this hill at a height of 500 ft. The project was unveiled by the then President of India Zakir Hussain on October 6 in 1968. Regardless of its great significance that reflects in the Gandhi Memorial library and a sound and light show on Mahatma Gandhi’s life the place has, besides a planetarium and a toy train, the structure is reduced to a monument of neglect over the years.
To reclaim its glory, the APTDC plans to spend funds to the tune of Rs. 3 crore. The works it proposes to take up include modernisation of the toy train which is currently in a dilapidated state, re-laying of the road that goes up the hill, renovation of the library and the museum and add new features besides illuminating the place.
“We will soon call tenders for taking up works worth Rs. 75 lakhs at Kondapalli Fort. The walls that have collapsed will be reconstructed and other demolished structured will be restored,” says Babu Prakash, Executive Engineer of the engineering wing of APTDC. The fort is located on the west of the Kondapalli village and was built by Prolaya Vema Reddy of Kondaveedu in the 14 century. What was initially a pleasure place and a business centre later served as a military fortification and the British placed a strong garrison here.
At Bhavani Island, the long-pending amphitheatre works have been completed at a cost of Rs. 56 lakh while the jetty is being repaired at a cost of Rs. 14 lakh.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by P. Sujatha Varma / Vijayawada – January 12th, 2014
Sillago Sihama brackish water fish being cultivated in Krishna district./ Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
CMFRI ties up with Nagayalanka-based farmer to cultivate it
The Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute’s (CMFRI) project of cultivating Sillago sihama, knows as ‘Ladyfish’, in Nagayalanka of Krishna district is raising the hopes of scientists and farmers to tap the potential of the huge market for the fish in Indian metros.
At a time when shrimp cultivation is becoming less lucrative, the brackish water Ladyfish is likely to woo aquaculture farmers in the Krishna-Godavari delta.
This is the first project of the CMFRI in the country to test the possibility and survival of the brackish water fish with a view to cultivating it in other parts of India, particularly Karnataka.
In July, scientists of the CMFRI Mangalore Research Centre collaborated with Nagayalanka-based farmer T. Raghu Sekhar after he had collected over 20,000 Sillago sihama seed from the mangrove forest in Nagayalanka.
“I rejected the scientists’ request to hand over the seed to them. Instead, I sought their support and guidance to cultivate the fish in my own pond and they agreed,” said Mr. Sekhar.
Considering the cultivation of the fish in the two-acre pond at Pedakammavaripalem in Nagayalanka mandal, the scientists began their project and achieved favourable results.
Survival rate
“Survival rate of the fish is good when compared with other brackish water species. If each fish records a growth of not less than 100 grams, it would be a huge success and lucrative on the marketing front.
“We will then replicate the cultivation to parts of Karnataka,” a scientist of the research station told The Hindu over phone.
Demand
The fish has a great demand in Indian metros, apart from the local market. “The success of the project will help tap and meet the demand for the fish in our country in the coming years,” the scientist has said.
“By mid-December, the weight of each fish reached 50 grams. It is likely to grow to the targeted weight – 100 grams – by harvest time. Being blessed with mangrove forests that are rich fish seed banks, cultivation of Sillago sihama is likely to be seen as an alternative to the Vannamei shrimp in the Krishna-Godavari delta,” Mr. Sekhar said.
According to local communities, the availability of the Sillago sihama seed is particularly abundant in the mangrove forest, adjacent to the point where the river merges into the sea.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Nagayalanka – January 02nd, 2014
Mytrah Energy Ltd has added wind power generation capacity of about 150 MW in three southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
This has increased its installed wind power generation capacity from 309.9 MW to 459.9 MW.
The wind power generation company based in Hyderabad and listed on the Alternative Investment Market of (AIM) of London Stock Exchange is implementing wind farms with total capacity of 238.2 MW at three locations at Burugula (37.4 MW) in Andhra Pradesh, Savalsang (100.3 MW) in Karnataka and Vagrarai (100.5 MW) in Tamil Nadu.
The company has commissioned the additional capacity at these sites. All the three projects are being commissioned on a rolling basis with the stabilisation process being conducted throughout the first quarter of 2014. With the completion of these three projects, the installed capacity of Mytrah Energy will go up from 309.9 MW now to 548.1 MW.
According to the company listing in the AIM, the entire new capacity will be able to capture the benefit of 2014 wind season.
Burugula and Savlsang are Mytrah’s first two self-development projects constructed on the company’s land with Gamesa. This provides the company with diversification when combined with its turnkey agreement with Suzlon.
The other project in Tamil Nadu at Vagarai is another self-development project with Regen and will be Mytrah’s first project where the output will be sold under third-party sale agreements.
Vagarai is expected to be one of the Group’s highest performing sites with an expected plant load factor of 31 per cent.
source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by V. Rishi Kumar rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in / Hyderabad – December 25th, 2013
MLC K.S.Lakshman Rao addressing newsmen on JVV science talent test, in Guntur. / Photo: T.Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu
Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) Guntur district unit, will organise ‘Chekumuki Science Talent Test’ at district-level for students on December 29. The test will be conducted at K.S.R. Nursing College, located on Pedda Palakaluru Road, from 9 a.m, said MLC K.S. Lakshman Rao.
Briefing this to the newsmen here, he said 56 teams each from Telugu Medium and English Medium would participate in the contest. In all, 336 students of 8th, 9th and 10th classes attend the test from different mandals.
Acharya Nagarjuna University Vice-Chancellor K. Viyanna Rao would inaugurate the programme. MLC Boddu Nageswara Rao would participate. Winners in the test would represent the district in the State-level contest to be held at Visakhapatnam, said Mr. Lakshman Rao, who is also honorary president of JVV district unit.
JVV State convenor (health wing) S. Suresh, State committee member G. Venkat Rao, district general secretary N. Venkateswarlu, and UTF district president G. Prabhu Das participated.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – December 26th, 2013
Donkeys may be the butt of jokes but the nutritional quality of donkey milk seems to be no laughing matter. After all it was said to be the secret of Egyptian princess Cleopatra’s glowing beauty.
And now, despite the bifurcation trouble brewing in the state, a group of nomads from the north Telangana region have arrived in north coastal Andhra with a herd of donkeys and are doing brisk business selling donkey milk that they claim has medicinal value for newborn babies.
(G Lingamma, a woman spotted…)
G Lingamma, a woman spotted with a pair of donkeys and surrounded by milk buyers at Sivajipalem in the city on Thursday, said a group of 20 people comprising four families had arrived in the district few days ago from Mancherial town in Adilabad district of Telangana along with 15 pairs of donkeys to sell donkey’s milk that is believed to be a remedy for curing asthma and any respiratory problems in newborns.
“We are selling a cup (25 ml) of fresh donkey milk for Rs 200. If anybody wants it in bulk we can sell it for Rs 2000 per litre. Despite the steep prices, people who believe in donkey milk therapy are buying it without trying to bargain. Each one of us is currently able to earn nearly Rs 700-800 per day by selling the milk in the city. We had come here last year too and after completing our tour of Vizag city we will go to Vijayawada,” Lingamma said.
Meanwhile, housewife K Satyavathi, who bought 75 ml milk from Lingamma, said they used to buy donkey milk from Salur in Vizianagaram district. “My daughter recently gave birth to a baby boy. I was very happy when I heard that the donkey milk seller is roaming in our street. It’ good for my grandson’s health as feeding donkey milk to a newborn is nothing but administering good ayurveda medicine,” Satyavathi explained.
Concurring with Satyavathi’s statement, a senior ayurveda doctor, V Suseela, from Sri Ayurveda Health Centre Srinagar, said that donkey milk is the best medicine for newborns suffering from asthma, tuberculosis and throat infections. Explaining its medicinal value, V Venkateswara Rao, joint director, department of animal husbandry, Visakhapatnam district, said that though donkey milk is similar to human breast milk, it is relatively poor in protein and fat but rich in lactose.
“It has been used since ancient times to battle asthma and respiratory allergies and is fed to babies aged between 6-8 months for good health. The milk also enjoys a good demand in metros like Bangalore and Chennai. It also helps skin become smooth and glowing and is used in cosmetic products. It is no coincidence that Cleopatra used to bathe daily in donkey’s milk and 700 donkeys were milked everyday just for her,” Venkateswara Rao said. According to him, donkey milk is very famous in European countries and cheese made from donkey milk is the world’s costliest dairy product.
source: http://www.articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City>Visakhapatnam> Asthama / by V. Kamalakara Rao, TNN / December 28th, 2013
Arasam and Visalandhra Publishing House members presenting ‘Visala Sahiti Puraskaram’ to noted writer Olga at Visalandhra Publishing House diamond jubilee celebrations in Guntur on Friday. / Photo: T.Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu
Visalandhra Publishing House is celebrating its diamond jubilee
Visalandhra Publishing House (VPH), born from left-oriented movement and ideologies, is celebrating its diamond jubilee in Guntur. The book house, formed in 1953, has completed 60 years.
Abyudaya Rachayitala Sangam, which completed 70 years and contributed several stories, novels and writings to VPH, is celebrating ‘Arasam Edupadula Udyama Prastanam’, in association with VPH, at Sri Venkateswara Vignana Mandiram in the city on December 27 and 28.
Child marriages
VPH and Arasam, in association with Vattikonda Visalakshi Cultural Trust, presented ‘Visala Sahiti Puraskaram’ to noted writer, Olga. Speaking on the occasion, she said Akkiraju Umakantham of Guntur district scripted a novel ‘Balya Vivaham’ 100 years ago, but more than 50 per cent child marriages were being performed in the State.
Sahitya Academy Awardee Kethu Viswanatha Reddy, Visalandhra Publishing House executive editor N. Madhukar, Arasam State president Penugonda Lakshminarayana, general secretary Velpula Narayana, writers and poets inaugurated a book ‘Arasam Edupadula Udyama Prastanam’, published by Visalandhra Publishing House, on the occasion.
3,000 publications
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Madhukar said the book house printed more than 3,000 publications in the last six decades.
The theme of VPH is to collect, promote and preserve Telugu literature and explain the youth about the great writers across the world their writings, translated literatures and the philosophies and cultures of different countries.
“Visalandhra Prachuranalayam was publishing books in all the States in India in different languages. We published about 70 new prints and 300 reprints this year, and VPH is planning to publish more books on political and progressive literature, left theoretical writings, science and technology, history, culture and the experiences of eminent persons,” said Madhukar. Prof. Viswanatha Reddy said that the first conference of Arasam, was held in Tenali in Guntur district, and the bond between Arasam and VPH was great. The two-day meeting will discuss the conferences, extracts, essays and ideologies of Arasam in the last seven decades.
Play performed
Arasam district president Kanaparthi Swarnalatha, and Vattikonda Visalakshi Cultural Trust president Papineni Shivashankar were present. Later, a play ‘Kotha Nayakudu’ was performed on the occasion.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Staff Reporter / Guntur – December 28th, 2013
Members of Kalamkari Artisans’ Union, Pedana, receiving permanent trade licence to procure and transport black jaggery, from Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao in Machilipatnam. / Photo: T. Appala Naidu / The Hindu
The Hindu reported the woes of the Kalamkari artisans due to lack of the jaggery
Krishna district Collector M. Raghunandan Rao on Monday handed over the permanent trade licence, issued by Commercial Tax department, for procurement, transport and sale of black jaggery, to the Kalamkari Artisans’ Union members at the Collectorate here.
The registered licence number was VJ2/0173/7851 (as per the AP Value Added Tax Act 2005) was officially sanctioned on December 17, based on the recommendations of the Excise Superintendent K. Pradeep Rao.
Amicable solution
In response to the woes of the Kalamkari industry due to scarcity of black jaggery, both the district Collector and Excise official found an amicable solution to encourage the rural industry. The Hindu reportet the woes of the Kalamkari artisans and the officials reacted positively to that. Excise Superintendent K. Pradeep Rao told The Hindu that the Kalamkari union deserved the licence as it was found to be of great necessity for supply of black jaggery. “There is no hesitation to act against the members of the KAU if violation of the licence in any manner is found. We will keep vigil on illegal transportation of jaggery, even within the limits of the Kalamkari industry,” he added.
KAU president Y.V. Malleswara Rao and other members thanked the authorities concerned.
The artisans are now being allowed to procure and transport the black jaggery from Chittoor and Anakapalle in Visakhapatnam district.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by Staff Reporter / Machilipatnam – December 31st, 2013
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and the National Tiger Conservation Authority have joined hands with the State Forest Department to undertake the first ever intensive census of tigers at the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) on Wednesday.
A six-member team of experts from WII, Dehradun, arrived in the city on Saturday to monitor the survey. The All India Tiger Census 2014 is being carried out across 44 tiger reserves in the country. Besides NSTR, Kawal is the only other tiger reserve in Andhra Pradesh.
The phase one of the exercise to be carried out in the entire state would start on January 18 and end on the 25th. Transact line and trail pass data are collected during this phase. On the other hand, phase two and three would be devoted to analysis of the data collected.
The NSTR, including GBM, is spread over 5,938 square kms. A pair of cameras will cover 4 square km area for 45 days without any interruption. But the core area of the tiger reserve stands at 3,750 sq kms. “It is the core area where the census survey will be carried out. Once camera trappings are conducted here for 45 to 50 days, we will move on to a sample survey of the 10 percent or nearly 400 sq km of the core area. This will be a 15-day survey where one pair of camera will cover only one sq km area. The data we will be collecting through these stages will help the WII in reaching a scientific conclusion on the tiger population in the NSTR,” he explained.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Environment> Flora & Fauna / TNN / December 31st, 2013
