Visakha Vimala Vidyalayam of Ukkunagaram organised a function here Saturday to felicitate nine of their students who secured top grades in SSC examinations of Andhra Pradesh State Board of Secondary Education for the academic year 2013-14.
RINL director (Personnel) GBS Prasad distributed mementos to the meritorious students and appreciated them for achieving distinction in studies.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / August 24th, 2014
DRM Anil Kumar, president of East Coast Railway Women’s Welfare Organisation Anju Anil Kumar, and Madanlal Meena with winners of the girls group in the first DRM Cup swimming championship in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. / The Hindu
The first DRM Cup swimming championship was conducted by the East Coast Railway Sports Association here on Sunday. The championship, inaugurated by Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kumar on Sunday morning, where Madanlal Meena was the guest of honour, was organised at the newly-built Olympic-size swimming pool constructed by the Waltair Division of East Coast Railway.
The championship conducted under the auspices of the Visakha District Swimming Association saw participation of 320 enthusiasts — 200 boys and 120 girls.
President of East Coast Railway Women’s Welfare Organization Anju Anil Kumar was chief guest at the evening session and gave away the prizes.
G. Vishal Yadav was adjudged best swimmer in the boys’ group and V. Meena Amrutha best swimmer amongst girls.
Senior DCM M. Yelvender Yadav presided over the event. Senior Divisional Engineer (Coordination) G.H. Victor Joseph, Divisional Engineer (headquarters) and Assistant Sports Officer Ch. Vishnu Murty, ADME and Assistant Sports Officer Kaushalender, secretary, Visakha District Swimming Association, A. Mohan, general secretary, ECoRSA, Waltair, B. Appanna Reddy, and secretary, Swimming, ECoRSA, Waltair, . Lakshmana Prasad, helped organise the event.All divisional officers of Waltair Division of East Coast Railway were present.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – August 18th, 2014
Vijayawada city is likely to gets its first 15-storey building soon, but at the cost of the city’s popular landmark, the Pinnamaneni polyclinic, presently known as the KIIMS hospital.
According to sources, GEV Projects, which belongs to BJP leader V. Ranga Prasad’s son, and the management of Pinnamaneni hospital have already entered an agreement to construct the 15-storey building on the three acre plot of land located in Municipal Colony, the heart of the city.
As per the agreement, the hospital would be shifted from the premises by August end and construction would start in September. The new building will have both commercial and residential space, said Mr Ranga Prasad. The new building will have hotels, restaurants etc., along with residential flats. GEV Projects will also construct a seven-storeyed hotel for the Novotel group. This hotel will come up opposite the Vinayak theatre.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / August 22nd, 2014
AP Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday informed the Assembly that the government has decided to name the airport at Rajahmundry and the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences after freedom fighter ‘Andhra Kesari’ Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / August 24th, 2014
Bhimeswara Temple where the excavation was carried out at Chebrolu in Guntur district | EXPRESS PHOTO
Vijayawada :
In an important excavation executed by the Archaeology Department after finding a wall at Bhimeswara temple at Chebrolu village in Guntur district, the officials have unearthed six railing posts of the Buddhist Stupa and several other precious remains.
It may be recalled that the a brick alignment (wall) was unearthed on August 12 while digging on the southern side of the Bhimeswara Temple premises as a part of the temple renovation works taken up by the Archaeology Department. Following this, a team of officials of the Archaeology Department including assistant director K Chitti Babu, deputy executive engineer Koteswaran and technical assistant B Deepak Joe visited the place on August 16 and decided to explore the site further, anticipating some valuable remains there.
After the excavation, they have found the railing posts depicting Lotus Medallions and a row of animals. They also found a sculpture in which Bodhisattva is seen worshipped by a group of devotees, an image of a mystical animal and a ‘Yaksha’ on these posts.
“We have also found a sculpture in which the devotees are seen worshipping a Stupa by garlanding it, and large bricks (52 x 27 x 8cm size) at the site,” said Chitti Babu and added that an inscription of temple in Telugu-Kannada language has also been found.
“But this inscription belongs to medieval times when Telugu and Kannada languages had one script. A Buddhist pillar has been flattened to make this inscription,” he said.
Chebrolu was a territorial capital at that time. The remains found at the temple might belong to 1st or 2nd century AD, according to the officials.
When asked about taking up further excavation at the site, the officials said that they do not have any such plans right now.
Buddhism flourished during the Satavahana and Ikshvaku dynasties as they have patronised the religion. But the rise of Vishunkundinis (Vaishnavaites), Pallavas (Shaivites) and Eastern Gangas (Shaivites) has helped Hinduism revive itself and so Buddhism disappeared in these areas. The Buddhist sites have turned into Hindu temples.
Meanwhile, the Union government has sanctioned `1.48 crore grants from the 13th Finance Commission for the renovation of Bhimeswara temple, Adikeswara temple, Nageswara temple and Chaturmukha Brahma temple.
A Crucible of Buddhism
Chebrolu is an ancient village located about 17 km from Guntur. It is situated on a large mound, the excavation of which revealed several terracotta figures and Roman coins. Its ancient name was Sambhole (from which ‘Chebrolu’ is derived).
The Brahmalingeswara Chaturmuka Brahma temple has a small shrine situated in the middle of the temple tank. The main deity is a Siva Lingam, which has four images of ‘Brahma’ carved on its sides.
As many as six Stupa posts have been unearthed at the site.
The officials say that they may not take up further excavation at the site.
Remnants of a Buddhist monastery, dating back to pre-Satavahana period, unearthed atop the Bhairavakonda hillock at Vaikuntapuram village in Thullur mandal of Guntur district in March, 2013.
Another Buddhist site, belonging to the 2nd Century AD, unearthed near Pondugula village in March 2013.
BUDDHIST SITES IN GUNTUR, KRISHNA DISTS
Nagarjunakonda
Amaravathi
Bhattiprolu
Nandayapalem
Karlapalem
Bapatla
Garikapadu
Pedamaddur
Takkelapadu
Penumaka
Vaddemanu
Vaikunatapuram
Sitanagaram
Velpur
Madalaguda
Buddham
Ghantasala
Pondugula
Jaggaiahpet
Munjuluru
Ghantasala
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Laxma Reddy / August 23rd, 2014
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited director (Projects) Prakash Chandra Mohapatra assumed charge as the chairman of Computer Society of India, Visakhapatnam Chapter, Thursday, succeeding TK Chand.
Mohapatra has 34 years of experience in Steel and Power industries and is a specialist in projects, operation and maintenance of large organisations like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant.
He keeps himself abreast of the latest technological developments in the steel industry.
He has been actively guiding the CSI for several years in conducting several national and international seminars and workshops.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express New Service / August 22nd, 2014
Hassan, an M.Sc (Biochemistry) student, explains working of a baby rescue unit designed by him to ANU Vice-Chancellor K. Viyanna Rao at the academic exhibition held in Guntur on Friday. Photo: T. Vijaya Kuma / The Hindu
An indigenous baby rescue unit to extricate children who accidentally fall into borewells in countryside has been designed by a student of Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) here.
Hassan, a first year student of M.Sc. (Biochemistry), has designed a simple baby rescue unit, which he says, can be used to safely extricate babies from borewell pits, which sometimes are well over 100 ft deep.
His exhibit at the ongoing academic exhibition being held on Civil & Mechanical Engineering block has been catching the attention of viewers. ANU Vice-Chancellor K. Viyanna Rao asked the student to further modify the design and added that the university would support further research and development of the model.
Consisting of a cylindrical iron netted structure, the rescue unit has a bulb, a web camera and an oxygen cylinder tube attached to it. The structure is funnelled through the earth soil through extra pipes till it reaches the spot where the baby is located. Using the pictures beamed by the camera, the operator can use the trays at the bottom of the structure to extricate the baby with the soil. The continuous supply of oxygen with the tube helps the baby in staying alive during the operation.
“Conventional method of digging a parallel pit along with borewell consumes a lot of time and poses a risk to the life of baby. With the baby rescue unit designed by me, the whole operation gets completed within 2-3 hours and the precious lives of children can be saved,’’ Hassan told The Hindu.
Dean, College Development Council and Coordinator of academic exhibition, G.V. Chalam said that the exhibition featured innovative solutions including, solar based appliances, national disaster prevention mechanisms, NSS extension activities etc. The 10 science departments, professional colleges and University college of Pharmaceutical Sciences took part in the exhibition.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – August 23rd, 2014
India defeats Uzbekistan to clinch the bronze medal, the first-ever medal in the format
What former world champion Viswanathan Anand could not attain, young Grandmaster from Vijayawada M.R. Lalith Babu achieved at Tromso, Norway by becoming part of the medal winning Indian team at the prestigious Chess Olympiad.
India defeated Uzbekistan to clinch the bronze medal, the first-ever medal in the format and the achievement was possible owing to the on-board exploits of Adhibhan, Sethuraman, Parimarjan Negi, Lalith Babu and Sasikiran Krishnan.
India just lost two games in the 44 games played, which showed the consistency exhibited by the team members.
Lalith played three rounds – against Syria, Cuba and Moldova – and later he was rested by the team management to give a chance for others to perform.
Says Grandmaster B. Ramesh, Indian team’s coach in his blog: “I must apologise to Lalith Babu for not letting him play more than he did. It was just that no one lost any games and I didn’t want to spoil the momentum with frequent changes. Lalith is a great team player and he supported our decisions wholeheartedly. He was helping other players in their preparations.”
Mr. Ramesh in his blog praised Lalith Babu and said he was always positive and affirmative. “He is like liquid. He will take the shape of the role which you put him into. Lalith did not only sit outside but also helped his friends in their preparation. He is truly a team player.”
“India finishing third among 171 countries is a sparkling achievement. The medal is all the more important as we won it for the first time without star players – Anand and Hari,” said Sk. Khasim, chairman of Global Chess Academy.
The medal is crucial for Lalith, who is keen on settling down with a job and his efforts are already on to join one of the oil companies. “Andhra Cricket Association has always been every supportive of Lalith. He needs a job to take care of his chess expenses. This victory will give him the necessary fillip to achieve more laurels,” said Lalith’s mother Padma.
Lalith will come down to Vijayawada on August 17 and would leave for Abu Dhabi to take part in a tough Grandmaster tournament beginning from August 18.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by J. R. Sridharan / Vijayawada – August 16th, 2014
Manisha Koirala, who regularly visits the Oneness University in Chittoor for meditation, says that one of the main reasons that she and her family managed to deal with her cancer was the university and its teaching.
“I have been coming here since 2006,” adding, “I feel one of the main reasons we could deal with my illness was due to the teachings of this place. I came back here as I learned how important it was to lead a balanced, happy life… one must be well in mind, body and spirit.
“I am thankful to God for giving me a second chance. This life is a gift and I will honour it and help others know it,” she adds.
Talking about others who are fighting cancer, Manisha has the following advice: “It’s not only me, there are many (who have survived cancer) and I learned from them. It’s important to stick to a good doctor’s advice. Instead of taking too much advice from different people. Also exercise as much as your body allows.
“Pray to whichever divine form you believe in. This is a good time to connect with the divine. I was asked to do japa and I would do it three times a day,” she says, adding, “Be in the company of positive and happy people.”
When asked about her adoption plans, she says, “Yes, I will adopt a girl child. As and when the Lord thinks that I can do justice to the child, I will adopt. But for now, please let us not make it another issue to talk about. I am a bit superstitious about talking before acting on things.”
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC / Lipika Varma / August 20th, 2014
The Guntur Numismatic and Philatelic Society, is organising a State-level competitive exhibition of stamps, coins and currency notes during September 5-7.
Society secretary M.V.S Prasad said that the Stamps and Coins Fest-2014 would be held at Balaji Mandapam on the premises of Sri Venkateswaraswamy Devalayam, Brundavan Gardens, to mark the 20th anniversary of the society.
The other highlights include, inter school quiz, letter writing, drawing and elocution competitions, competitive exhibition for beginners in juniors and seniors category, exhibition of rare stamps, coins and currency notes, release of special philatelic covers on Telugu literature and culture, and workshops on philately and numismatics. The last date for submitting entries is August 30. For details, contact 98667-10379, 98495-31955 and e-mail address is gnpsguntur@gmail.com
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / Staff Reporter / Guntur – August 21st, 2014
