The nine-day annual Brahmotsavam festival at the hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara near here will begin with the hoisting of sacred Garuda flag atop the golden ‘dwajasthambham’ (flag mast) tomorrow.
Temple officials said tight security arrangements have made on the seven hills and in Tirupati for the smooth conduct of the Navaratri festival.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu would arrive on the hills in the afternoon on a five-hour visit.
Later in the evening, observing the three and half decade old practice, Naidu, on behalf of the state government, would offer a set of new silk clothes to the shrine on the occasion of the advent of the festival, officials said.
The high priests of the hill temple would receive the clothes from Naidu.
The clothes would be adorned on the presiding deity on the ‘Garudaseva’ day on the fifth day of the Brahmotsavam on September 30, they added.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / PTI / September 25th, 2014
Doordarshan’s regional language channel for residuary Andhra Pradesh would be launched in Vijayawada, the proposed capital region of the State, on September 27.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu would launch the channel, Doordarshan Saptagiri, in the presence of Union Ministers Prakash Javadekar (Information & Broadcasting) and M Venkaiah Naidu (Urban Development), an official release said today.
The channel is being launched in the wake of bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh. The newly-formed Telangana would have its own channel.
The release quoted Doordarshan Deputy Director General Sailaja Suman as saying the channel would have programmes blending cultural, political, economic, science and technology issues and aim at attracting the substantial population of youth.
source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> News> India / Place: Andhra Pradesh, Agency:PTI / Thursday – September 25th, 2014
Collector Kantilal Dande garllanding a statue of poet Gurram Jashuva on the latter’s 119th birth anniversary in Guntur on Sunday. PHOTO: T. Vijaya Kumar / The Hindu
The stirring poetry written by Gurram Jashuva has mirrored the primordial prejudices and caste exploitation and it’s a matter of pride that Jashuva hailed from Vinukonda in Guntur district, Collector Kantilal Dande has said.
Paying rich tributes to the poet on his 119th birth anniversary, he said modern Telugu poet Jashuva was hailed as `Viswa Kavi,’ for his all encompassing poetry touching all aspects of society. The day saw a host of Ministers, MLAs and officials paying tributes to the bronze statue of Joshua near the District Court Complex.
Minister for Agriculture Prathipati Pulla Rao said that the State government was committed to construct a cultural auditorium in honour of Jashuva. Social Welfare Minister Ravela Kishore Babu said that the legacy of Jashuva had not been limited to a particular section of the society but was embraced by one and all.
MLC K.S Lakshmana Rao demanded that a cultural centre be built in Guntur in honour of Jashuva.
The meeting had its share of nostalgia with several poets reading out verses from Joshua’s famous works, ‘Gabbilam’ and ‘Firadausi’. P.V. Ramana too had the audience spellbound with his rendering of some verses from Joshua’s works.
Literary critics said Joshua was the first Telugu poet to give voice to the exploited and the oppressed and his use of pastoral imagery in ‘Gabbilam’ was in stark contrast to the symbolic imagery used by earlier poets.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – September 29th, 2014
Arrangements being made for the Monday inaugural of the Startup Village by chief minister Chandrababu Naidu at the Technology Research and Innovation Park in Visakhapatnam on Sunday | EXPRESS PHOTO
Visakhapatnam :
Techies who have a product idea but do not have the tools to execute it, can breathe a sigh of relief for they can now just walk into the Startup Village to be inaugurated Monday at Technology Research and Innovation Park (TRIP) at Madhurawada Hill-3 where they would not only get all the equipment required to execute their idea but also get funding for their business venture.
Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu will formally inaugurate the Startup Village project which is designed in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode on the lines of the one in Kochi. The facility would be spread over 17,000 sft of fully furnished and air-conditioned startup space at Rushikonda in Visakhapatnam. Startup Village CEO Pranav Suresh and chief mentor Kris Gopalakrishnan, who is the co-founder of Infosys, will attend the event.
It will commence operations within two weeks in an area of 17,000 sft. The facility will have all the necessary plug-and-play equipment including computers and internet access allowing people with innovative ideas to start their companies overnight.
“To produce world-class swimmers, you need a world-class swimming pool and a world-class coach. The Startup Village at Madhurawada will provide these world-class equipment which would be otherwise not affordable for any small or startup company. The idea is to encourage youngsters particularly students who are aspiring to become entrepreneurs,” said Sanjay Vijaya Kumar, chairman of Kochi-based Startup Village, which is collaborating with Andhra Pradesh government to operationalise the Startup Village in Vizag. Thirty-year-old Sanjay Vijayakumar who is also CEO of MobME Wireless, will sign a memorandum of understanding with the state government, modelled on the Kochi-based Startup Village.
Startup Village has the stated goal of finding a billion dollar campus startup from India within the next 10 years.
“We believe that if Google, Microsoft, Apple and Facebook can be founded by young founders below the age of 24, there is talent in India to replicate the same success story,” he said, adding that the Startup Village at Visakhapatnam aims to create an ecosystem to find and nurture such visionary young entrepreneurs.
The Startup Village in Kochi attracted over 5,000 applications within two years and incubated more than 800 startups of which 256 are student startups. Nearly 46 companies are currently working from an office space of just 15,000 sft.
With an initial space of 17,000 sft, fully furnished offices and the plug-and-play system provided by Andhra Pradesh, the TRIP premises in Madhurawada can easily house 50 startup companies. Though the Startup Village will initially act as an incubator for the startup companies offering mobile and internet products, people with ideas in electronic hardware manufacture also now have a scope to realise their innovative ideas after the equipment is established. “We are bringing the Fab Lab including 3D Printers which are otherwise available only in the Western countries,” he said.
Terming Andhra Pradesh government proactive in terms of executing ideas, Sanjay feels that Vizag has the potential to become a major hub for the next phase of IT revolution in India. “Andhra Pradesh is the only state to have the Startup Policy designed to encourage startup companies which would revolutionise the IT and hardware sector in the country,” Sanjay stated.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by P S Dileep / November 29th, 2014
Mahakavi Gurajada Samarka bhavan building in Vizianagaram | Express Photo
Vizianagaram :
The erstwhile Congress government, led by former chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, had announced `2 crore for the Mahakavi Gurajada Venkata Appa Rao Memorial project in 2012 at Vizianagaram. However, it still hangs fire after the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has come to power.
The district administration has made arrangements to celebrate Mahakavi’s 152nd birthday celebration on September 21 this year. Noticing the abnormal delay in getting the funds from the government, the collector requested the Tourism and Cultural Department to release the funds. But the officials of the department reportedly informed the collector that it had sent the proposal to the government and was waiting for the approval. According to sources in Hyderabad, the file went missing. Gurajada Appa Rao, who authored his greatest ever first Telugu play Kanyasulkam and the sensational patriotic hit song “Desamunu Premimchumann-Manchi Annadi Penchumanna, Desamnte Mattikadoy Deamante Manushuloi” spent most of his life in Vizianagaram. He served the Maharaja families of Vizianagaram. He constructed his residential building in Vizianagaram town in 1914 and passed away in the following year.
In the 1980’s, the government took away the building assuring the family members that the residence would be develop as a heritage structure. Later, the building was converted into a memorial.
On the occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Gurajada Appa Rao in 2012, the then minister for tourism and culture Vatti Vasantha Kumar assured the opposition that the government had allotted `5 crore for construction of two Gurajada memorial auditoriums – one at Vizianagaram and another at Hyderabad each at Rs two crore.
The same was also announced by the then minister for transport Botcha Satyanarayana. Later, during the 2012 celebrations, the incharge minister, MPs and others promised to develop the Gurajada Appa Rao Memorial into a museum and a library.
During his recent visit, deputy chairman of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Mandali Buddha Prasad also assured that the TDP government was ready to develop the memorial in a big way.
The proposals have been sent to the principal secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, according to deputy director, Department of Culture, Hyderabad, R Vasantha Rao.
“The department has informed the same to the district collector, Vizianagaram. Since 2012, on several occasions, the officials asked the ministers to sanction the funds but in vain. When I raised the issue twice, a minister was angry with me,” a senior official told Express.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by VKL Gayatri / September 21st, 2014
City chess player K.V.K. Karthik receiving FIDE Master title from IPCA president Pilimon Zbigniew at Serbia. Also seen is Karthik’s coach Shaik Khasim. Photo: By Arrangement / The Hindu
The Andhra Pradesh Chess Association will felicitate Karthik during the State Open tournament which will be held at Chennupati Ramakotaiah Stadium on September 27
A gold medal at Commonwealth chess championship at Glasgow (Scotland) and a bronze at the World championship at Apatin – Banja Junakovic, Serbia. Twenty-seven-year-old K. Venkata Krishna Karthik is on cloud nine as 2014 is proving to be lucky to him.
The youngster, who is down with a peculiar orthopaedic disorder and poor vision, these two titles in the international tournaments in the physically challenged category has made him realise that his dream of becoming a Grandmaster is not far away.
“We need to thank all those people who stood by Karthik by offering their support both financially and emotionally. Associations like Andhra Cricket Association, Sri Chaitanya Educational Institutes, ARKS Group based at United Kingdom and parents of several players pitched in to give a new dimension to Karthik’s life,” said coach Sk. Khasim of Global Chess Academy.
Karthik not only won FIDE Master title but also earned his first International Master (IM) norm. The chess fraternity went into raptures as Karthik set a fine example to the able-bodied players that what was required to success was hard work and dedication.
“Had Karthik won the eighth round he would have won the title,” felt D. Srihari, secretary of Krishna District Chess Association. Dronacharya Koneru Ashok, Grandmaster Lalith Babu, senior coach and administrator V. R. Bobba and others congratulated the tenacity of Karthik despite his failing health.
Karthik won the hearts of many in the 14 International Physically Challenged World Chess Championship for he played against six talented and higher-rated Russians. A total of 36 players, including International Masters and FIDE Masters from 15 countries, participated in this tournament in which Karthik is seeded the 19th player.
The Andhra Pradesh Chess Association will felicitate Karthik during the State Open tournament which will be held at Chennupati Ramakotaiah Stadium on September 27.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by J.R.Sridharan / Vijayawada – September 25th, 2014
Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will be attending conclave of CEO in Vizag
Visakhapatnam:
Chief executive officers of IT and ITES companies from Vizag are gearing up for the conclave of CEOs on September 29 which will be attended by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, as a host of issues are expected to be raised at the conclave. A list of the issues which will be presented at the conclave has already been sent to the Chief Minister and J. Satyanarayana, advisor to the state government on matters of IT and e -governance by the Rushikonda Infor-mation Technology Park Association (RITPA).
The policy of allotment of land on lease for a period of 33 years combined with various conditions like employing 500 people per acre will feature at the conclave. Many IT company heads complain that this condition is proving difficult for conducting the business of information technology in the city as many banks are not ready to fund as lease might be cancelled due to non-fulfillment of employment conditions.
A much-touted innovative policy, which would be one of its kind in the country will be proposed at the conclave by the RITPA. The idea consists of an NRI Startup Village which aims to provide employment to 20,000 people on 200 acres of land. According to RITPA vice-president O. Nar-esh, the plan will aim at reducing red-tapism and increasing ease of business for NRIs who wish to conduct IT business in the city.
According to the proposal, 200 acres of land at various stretches in the city, every NRI entrepreneur will be provided one acre of land which will be pre-approved by all governmental authorities. An entrepreneur will have to just select a building plan from a set of 12 designs, designed by top three architects in the country and invest phase-wise in his acre of land and provide employment to 100 people per acre.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / September 28th, 2014
Archaeologist K. K. Venkateswaralu examines a ‘thoranam’, discovered near Bheemeswara Swamy Temple at Chebrolu in Guntur District./ Photo: By Arrangement / The Hindu
The discovery of thoranam, placed in front of the Maha Stupa, and the earlier discovery of several Buddhist artefacts point to the fact that the Maha Stupa at Chebrolu could have been a major Buddhist site of the Satavahana and Ikvakshu times
A unique Buddhist ‘thoranam’ was unearthed during excavations at Bheemeswara Swamy temple here. The architrave panel, measuring 4.2 inches in length and 11 inches in thickness, was unearthed by freelance archaeologist and former ASI Documentation Officer K. Venkateswaralu.
“The discovery of the thoranam, placed in front of the Maha Stupa, and the earlier discovery of several Buddhist artefacts such as white marble pillars, ‘Harmika’, and bases indicate that the Maha Stupa at Chebrolu could have been a major Buddhist site of the Satavahana and Ikvakshu times,” Mr. Rao said.
The architraves were also found to be sculpted with ‘Jatakas’ and scenes from the life of the Buddha.
Mr. Rao had earlier discovered a number of huge light green marble pillars sculpted with half-lotus medallion designs with various animal motives indicating the existence of a congregation hall constructed for Buddhist monks during religious gatherings.
According to him, the artefacts found on the temple premises indicate that the Buddhist site could have extended from the southern side of the temple.
“I have also discovered a number of conical bowls, black and red pot shreds, giving credence to historical references to the existence of a Maha Stupa near the temple,” Mr. Rao said.
Chebrolu, a village with a hoary past, is being promoted as a major tourist destination. The village, once a thriving Buddhist centre next only to Amaravathi and Nagarjuna Sagar, was known as Tambrapuri during the Satavahatana period.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Chebrolu – September 27th, 2014
Archers participating in the inter-district championship in the city on Sunday. -Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
The first AP State Inter-District Senior Archery Championship was inaugurated by Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju at the Golden Jubilee Grounds here on Sunday.
CMR Group CMD M.V. Ramana, joint general manager of Essar Steel D.S. Varma, correspondent of Sri Kodirama Murthy College of Physical Education R. Chandrasekhar, secretary of AP State Archery Association Ch. Satyanarayana, and president of Visakhapatnam Olympic Association T.S.R. Prasad participated. Later, at the valedictory, Registrar K. Rammohan Rao participated as chief guest and distributed prizes to the winners. AP Tribal Sports Officer P. Deva Nand, Visakhapatnam District Archery Association chairman M.V. Ramanayya and Srikakulam District Archery Association secretary Ramesh were among those who participated in the valedictory. Visakha District Archery Association secretary P. Satyanarayana proposed a vote of thanks.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Special Correspondent / Visakhapatnam – September 22nd, 2014
Children being explained a project ‘Pascal Law – Routine Use’ during the State-level science exhibition iin Visakhapatnam. PHOTO: A. MANIKANTA KUMAR
Three -day State-level science expo concludes. Keeping the water scarcity in view, A. Sai Manideep has created waste water purification system which helps reuse waste water for domestic needs. He said, “If we can apply this mechanism, the water scarcity problem can be largely addressed.”
A few simple measures like installing a smoke sensor and automatic emergency doors and exits can save many lives during bus accidents. This was clearly explained by Raja Rajeswari, a Class X student of Zilla Parishad High School (Svam), Aarutegalapadu in Krishna district, who was part of the three-day State-level INSPIRE Science Exhibition II that concluded at SFS High School here on Monday.
If exhibiting their projects was exciting enough for most of the students, for those who came from various rural areas, participation itself turned out to be a unique experience. “We got to know the effective applications of solar energy, wind energy, and water recycling system at the venue and it helped us to learn and unlearn several concepts,” said Praveen Sai, a Class VIII student of ZPHS, Korukonda mandal in East Godavari district.
Water scarcity
Keeping the water scarcity in view, A. Sai Manideep has created waste water purification system which helps reuse waste water for domestic needs. He said, “If we can apply this mechanism, the water scarcity problem can be largely addressed.”
What is more appealing is the fact that the students appear to be well-versed with various science concepts and evince keen interest in experimenting with the same. “For instance, catalytic converter is used to reduce the emission from the engine used in cars. The same device can also be applied to control air pollution,” explained K.R.S. Naidu, a Class X student.
It was a different experience for B. Venkata Sai, who came from Pogiri village in Srikakulam. He said, “I feel happy that I am able to connect with people through my project — national highway solar power project and convey the message effectively.”
Out of 456 models from six districts, 23 projects will be selected for the national-level exhibition which will be held in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from October 7, according to Deputy District Education Officer, Visakhapatnam (Urban), and nodal officer of INSPIRE Award Scheme C.V. Renuka.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Rani Devalla / Visakhapatnam – September 23rd, 2014
