Monthly Archives: May 2014

INTACH Demands Audit of Historic Monuments

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All
P Anuradha Reddy
P Anuradha Reddy

Expressing fears and doubts regarding what the bifurcation of the state will bring for heritage sites across Andhra Pradesh, the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has demanded a heritage audit to be conducted on all historically valuable buildings and artifacts to ascertain the damage done and recommend steps to be taken for division of cultural assets post-bifurcation.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, convener of the Hyderabad chapter of INTACH P Anuradha Reddy said this audit must be conducted with the involvement of the Department of Archeology of Andhra Pradesh. ‘’The audit will help in determining the basis on which these artifacts will be divided,’’ she said.

The creation of  the Telangana state, the convener feels, will do more harm to monuments, historically significant buildings and culturally important artifacts than the last 66 years have done.

Citing the example of the old Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly built in 1913, she said that the building will be renovated and this will destroy its identity as an important cultural landmark of Hyderabad.

‘’The old Assembly has not been given the official status of a heritage site because it makes it easier to destroy it because there will be less resistance from the people’s bodies,’’ she felt.

Anuradha Reddy, along with co-convener, Sajad Sahid, pointed out that no committee has been set up to look into the repercussions of bifurcation on heritage sites.

Bringing to light an alarmingly true trend, Anuradha Reddy said that no political party has mentioned the protection of historic sites and culturally significant artifacts in their manifestos.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service – Hyderabad / April 23rd, 2014

Global hospital creates record with 300 successful liver transplant surgeries in Hyderabad

Records, All, Science & Technology

The Hyderabad based Global Hospital has made a record by registering more than 300 successful liver transplant surgeries in the country.

With the 300th liver transplant conducted successful on a Nellore based patient, doctors at Global hospital celebrated their success commemorating the World liver day on 18th April 2014.

According to Dr. K Ravindranath, chairman and managing director Global Hospital Group, lack of awareness and drastic lifestyle changes are some of the major reasons that are pushing the liver related disorders to endemic proportions in India. At present the country is home to 11 per cent of the world’s patients affected with chronic Hepatitis B and about one to two lakh people die due to liver cancer or cirrhosis in the country. “It is estimated that about 0.02 per cent of population i.e., about 25000 persons need liver transplants every year. The need of the hour is to remove the myths and increase awareness about organ donation among public,” said Dr. K. Ravindranath.

So far, the Global Hospital Group has conducted a total of 600 liver transplantation surgeries at its four centers viz., Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai across India. Among all the centers Hyderabad Global Hospital has reached the record of performing 300 successful liver transplant surgeries in the country.

Dr. Tom Cherian, who is a leading liver transplant surgeon at Global hospitals, opined that detecting the liver disease at early stage will help avoid liver transplant. The cost of liver transplant ranges from 18 lakh to 25 lakh depending up on the complexity of disease. Though the state government had initiated cadaver donation schemes like Jeevandan, it is lacking adequate infrastructure facilities and fund crunch.

The major reason for liver disorders and liver cancer in India is attributed to smoking, hypertension and drinking alcohol.  Doctors expressed concern as there is huge rise in the number of paediatric liver cases. Children with end stage liver disease have a very short and miserable life. “Children with liver transplant can lead normal lives and become adults. But it is unfortunate that paediatric liver transplantation services are limited in India,” Informed Dr. Tom

Acute liver failure is another rising concern among the healthy population these days. It strikes young people in their prime. High fever, jaundice and unconsciousness are the major symptoms of acute liver failure. This disorder has high mortality rate with 70-80 per cent chance of death if not treated properly.

The doctors also viewed that in India, the cadaver donor rate is only 0.3 per cent and only 800-900 transplant surgeries are happening in the country annually, while in western countries like USA and UK, annually 5000 to 6000 organ transplant surgeries are conducted. For India to reach that stage the cadaver donation rate should at least reach 3 per cent so that it will facilitate doctors to perform organ transplant surgeries to 18000 to 25000 patients annually without having to wait for the donor.

source: http://www.pharmabiz.com / Pharmabiz.com / Home> Top News> Hospitals & Clinics / by Pharmabiz.com Bureau – Hyderabad / Tuesday – April 27th, 2014

Silver lining for Hyderabad Grandmasters

Sports
Dronavalli Harika and Pentyala Harikrishna share a lighter moment after winning a silver each at the Asian Blitz chess championship in Sharjah on Saturday./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Dronavalli Harika and Pentyala Harikrishna share a lighter moment after winning a silver each at the Asian Blitz chess championship in Sharjah on Saturday./ by Special Arrangement / The Hindu

Harikrishna and Harika bag a silver each in the 13 Asian Continental Blitz chess championship

It was a splendid silver-lining from the Hyderabad duo of Super GM Pentyala Harikrishna and GM Dronavalli Harika, who bagged a silver each in the just-concluded 13 Asian Continental Blitz chess championship in Sharjah.

Chinese player Yu Yangyi emerged champion while Harikrishna, who was leading until the eighth round, finished second because of his loss to Vietnam player Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son in the eighth round.

However, Harikrishna informed The Hindu that his win against Indian teammate GM Vidit Gujarati in the next round helped him finish second.

For someone who featured in four World Cups in 2002, 2004, 2005 and 2011 with a third-round appearance in the knock-out format being his best performance, this BPCL officer believes that it is high time he comes up with a special performance in the 14 or 12 player Grand Prix Series.

“Yes, this result after being rated (ELO 2726) the next best player from India after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand (ELO 2785) is something special. But for that loss in the eighth round, the result would have been better,” Hari said from Sharjah.

“Well, this is not the end of it all. The journey, step by step, has to go on to reach the pinnacle and the World Blitz championship in June this year should be another major test for my preparations,” he said.

For her part, Harika (ELO 2507) is pleased with her silver medal. “Playing Blitz is far more difficult for the simple reason that the reaction time is very quick. It is nevertheless exciting,” says the 23-year-old GM from Hyderabad, who is now ranked World no. 14.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V. V. Subrahmanya  / Hyderabad – April 21st, 2014

She Cabs to increase fleet for techies

Business & Economy, Inspiration /Positive News and Features

The concept is inspired by SheTaxi, a women-owned-and-driven cab service by Gender Park, a Kerala govt initiative

She Cabs , a cab service for women with a female driver bureau started by Hyderabad-based voluntary organisation Andhra Pradesh Balala Hakkula Sangham (APBHS), is gearing up to add 25 cars to its existing fleet  of two by August this year, according to general secretary Vijaya Reddy.

“We have been seeing significant traction in demand. While TCS has asked for 40 vehicles to ferry their employees, Google, too, wanted an equal number of cabs. Providing such fleet is quite easy but getting women chauffeurs in large numbers is difficult,” she says.

She Cabs, a not-for-profit initiative aimed at providing safe travel for women besides nurturing entrepreneurship among them, recently started She Free Driving School to train and empower women with underprivileged backgrounds.

“At present, 25 women, including from Prajwala, a Hyderabad-based anti-trafficking organisation, are undergoing training. Our idea is make them own cars by providing subsidies and through easy financing options, and allow them to run those vehicles under the She Cabs brand,” Reddy adds.

Inspired by She Taxi, a women-owned-and-driven cab service by Gender Park, a Kerala government initiative, APBHS started She Cabs in February 2014. She Cabs are loaded with security features like GPS, an SOS button to connect to the police in cases of emergency and pepper spray cans.

“With the increasing number of cases of violence against women heightening the concerns around their security, it’s important to extend safe and secure journey of women commuters,” she says, adding She Cabs has been gaining wide acceptance not just among techies but also from homemakers.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Current Affairs> News> ET Cetera / by K Rajani Kanth / Hyderabad – April 27th, 2014