Monthly Archives: September 2014

NRI businessmen join Andhra Pradesh’s efforts to develop Visakhapatnam as IT hub

Business & Economy, Nri's / Pio's

Hyderabad :

The Andhra Pradesh government  is wooing expat Indian businessmen to give the initial push to its plan of developing Visakhapatnam into an information technology hub.

Nearly 16 US-based small and medium enterprises in the IT and IT enabled services sectors are planning to begin operations in the region by the end of 2014. These companies, which mostly run their offshore operations in cities across India and have revenue ranging from $20 million to $100 million, are banking on government incentives to return the favour.

“This goes beyond the purview of business” and “has an emotional connect to the state” as the US has a large number of entrepreneurs from Andhra Pradesh, says B Sriram, tax partner at Ernst & Young. “Though that is the significant pull factor, the fact that Vizag is the only city with some infrastructure in the state makes it a favoured destination.” Though an appeal has been made to the NRI audience, according to him the bigger players are yet to make a move. “Once the tier-1 players move, it will attract tier-2 players as well.”

Around half a dozen companies from the US have agreed to be a part of the 50,000-square-foot incubation centre at the Madhurawada IT Layout to mentor and seed-fund promising ventures from a combined pool of $250,000. “These SMEs will create the critical mass for bigger players to come in,” said JA Chowdary, chairman of the Industrial Development Forum, which has been conducting roadshows to garner investment for the state.

“We are looking at adding Vizag operations for software development with a focus on enterprise services as well as that on mobile-cloud in six-eight months’ time,” said Satish Manduva, chief executive of Texasbased IntelliSoft Technologies, an IT-consulting and software development company. “We plan to set up a 200-member team at Vizag over the next three years generating around $15 million.” IntelliSoft, with a turnover of $50 million, currently has operations in Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune.

The SMEs making the move are focused on training and recruiting talent in emerging technologies such as mobile, cloud and big-data analytics. “Our main source of recruiting the fresh talent is through references, walk-ins and approaching institutions,” said Brahma Gupta, founder of Indrasol, a oneyear-old mobile and analytics company incorporated in California.

The blueprint issued by the AP government on its Information and Communication Technology Policy 2014-2020 promises land at rebated costs for development by companies, sops including 100% reimbursement of stamp duty for IT industry and 25% power subsidy for three years for IT companies identified as micro, small and medium enterprises. Beginning with a plug and play model for setting up operations, the SMEs are looking at owning office space as an additional asset to their operations.

“We would lease the space initially but would like to set up an office in a year and half ‘s time, given the land allocation by the government. Also, the cost arbitrage in terms of salaries will work out to be 25% cheaper than expanding in Bangalore or Hyderabad where we presently have operations,” said Sunil Kilaru, chairman and chief executive of PrimusGlobal, an IT solutions company registered in Texas with an annual turnover of $20 million.

“Visakhapatnam is the only possible destination with infrastructure – both social and regular in the state of AP. It will emerge as an IT destination in AP state,” said Sandeep Patnaik, managing director of real-estate consultancy Jones Lang LaSalle, Hyderabad. “Other cities such as Ananthapur and Tirupati will take another five years to develop for senior-level employees to move in.These cities lack a minimum captive audience.”

In order to overcome the gap in filling senior managerial positions, the companies are looking at bringing employees from other centres.”Initially two members from our senior management will be brought in to anchor the operations for six months,” says Satish Manduva of IntelliSoft Technologies.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> Business> India Business / Payal Ganguly, ET Bureau / September 24th, 2014

Anantapur remembers musician Mandolin Srinivas

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion
Uppalapu Srinivas Born: 28 Feb 1969 Palakole in Andhra Pradesh Popularly known as ‘Mandolin’ Srinivas
Uppalapu Srinivas Born: 28 Feb 1969 Palakole in Andhra Pradesh Popularly known as ‘Mandolin’ Srinivas

Anantapur:

The sudden demise of musician Mandolin U. Srinivas was a rude shock for many music lovers of Anantapur and Puttaparthi. Being an ardent devotee of Sri Satya Saibaba, Mr Srinivas has been a regular visitor and performed mandolin concerts several times. Anantapur Thyagaraja Sangeetha Sabha had a great attachment with the mandolin maestro since 1986.

Mr Srinivas had performed first Carnatic concert during the silver jubilee celebrations of Sangeetha Sabha at Anantapur in 1986. The music maestro had performed at least five concerts in Anantapur-1986, 1988, 1990, 1992 and last in 2004 organised by  Tyagaraja Sangeetha Sabha. The Sangeetha Sabha had also felicitated Mr Srinivas with ‘Suvarna kankanam’ on January 8, 2004.

Recalling that Srinivas adopted a difficult electric western instrument to the Carnatic concert, Sabha founder C.N. Gnaneswar Rao appla-uded it as an impressive concert. “He assured to do concert during inauguration of Srirama temple at the Sabha, three months ago,” Mr Gnaneswar Rao said. Meanwhile YSRC president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was in Anantapur as part of his two-day visit, expressed his deep condolence over the sudden demise of Srinivas. In a condolence message, Jagan said the state had lost a great personality in Carnatic music.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Nation> Current Affairs / DC Correspondent / September 20th, 2014

Wal-Mart Extends E-Commerce Platform to Vijayawada, Guntur

Business & Economy, World Opinion
Wal-Mart (File photo/Reuters)
Wal-Mart (File photo/Reuters)

Hyderabad :

Wal-Mart India, the fully owned subsidiary of Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world’s leading retailer, is extending its B2B platform to its customers in Guntur and Vijayawada towns of Andhra Pradesh.

Members of Best Price wholesale stores in the two towns can shop and book orders online from Oct 1, the firm announced Saturday.

As a virtual store, the e-commerce platform will provide a similar assortment of products as the brick and mortar Best Price Modern Wholesale stores including a select variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

This will take the tally of e-commerce platforms to four stores in India. The This was launched from July this year for members of Lucknow and Hyderabad Best Price stores.

Members can navigate the virtual store and place orders on 24/7 interactive site www.bestprice.in. In addition to the delivery at their doorsteps, convenient payment solutions will help them make faster business decisions.

“Given the tremendous support from our members for this initiative, we will continue to extend this in a phased manner to our other stores as well. Members have particularly appreciated our transparency and consistency of prices, availability of products and assortment besides the convenient payment options and efficient delivery solutions,” said Wal-Mart India president and CEO Krish Iyer.

Wal-Mart India owns and operates 20 Best Price Modern Wholesale stores in nine states across India. The company plans to open 50 more stores by 2020.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Business> News / by IANS / September 20th, 2014

Tradition and a Legacy

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence
Office of Akhila Bharatha Kuchipudi Natya Kalamandali at Kuchipudi
Office of Akhila Bharatha Kuchipudi Natya Kalamandali at Kuchipudi

Despite having no or less financial benefits, the   traditional Bhagavathula families of Kuchupudi are sticking to their age-old art of dance  wholeheartedly. While nearly 40 such families are living in the village, each member of a family is pursuing the traditional path of learn, perform, teach, propagate and keep the tradition alive.

Akhila Bharata Kuchipudi Natya Kalamandali (ABKNKM) founder-secretary P Kesava Prasad says, “Dance is on our blood. We are continuing our tradition and making all efforts to keep it intact.

At least one member of each family are learning the dance here. Several dancers from this village are running dance institutions in cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, Vizag and Vijayawada.”

The statue of Vempati China Satyam and his house at Kuchipudi
The statue of Vempati China Satyam and his house at Kuchipudi

Several students are now pursing the courses at Siddhendra Yogi Kuchipudi Kalapeetham of Potti Sriramulu Telugu University and some seniors are working as the faculty there.

Chinta Ravi Balakrishna, a PhD scholar in Kuchipudi, says that they are continuing their tradition to pursue the dance though what they can earn very less comparing to other professions.

He, however, urges the government to create dance teacher posts in the important government schools including municipal on line of music or drawing teacher as it would encourage other to learn the dance and  also provides secured employment to the people who are learning the dance now.

Students from other States are also coming to Kuchipudi village to learn the dance in its ‘true or old form’.

Sreelaksmi Goverdhanan, a well known Kuchipudi dance performer in Kerala,  has come all the way to Kuchipudi from Thrissur. She is pursuing her MA in dance.

Sreelaksmhi, a postgraduate in Psychological Counselling and Hypnotherapy, has become a disciple  of Pasumarthy Rattaiah Sarma at Kuchipudi. “By coming down to Kuchipudi, one can learn a lot. Here I am feeling so better,” she says.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Laxma Reddy  / September 21st, 2014

Gurajada’s Birth Anniv Celebrated with Pomp

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Minister for Housing and Rural development K Mrunalini (left) and ZP chairperson Shobha Swathi Rani and other officials taking a look at the portraits of poet Gurajada Apparao at his residence in Vizianagaram on Sunday | EXPRESS PHOTO
Minister for Housing and Rural development K Mrunalini (left) and ZP chairperson Shobha Swathi Rani and other officials taking a look at the portraits of poet Gurajada Apparao at his residence in Vizianagaram on Sunday | EXPRESS PHOTO

Visakhapatnam :

Being the home town of poet Gurajada Apparao, Vizianagaram celebrated his 152nd birth anniversary with gaiety here Sunday. Housing and rural development minister Kimidi Mrunalini paid floral tributes to the legendary poet at his residence in the town and went through the portraits, books and belongings of Gurajada.

The minister remembered the contributions of Gurajada towards the field of literature and said that the government would take steps to officially celebrate his birth anniversary across the state from the next year. She also unveiled a souvenir designed on Gurajada Apparao. “Gurajada was an inspiration for women, for abolishing the child marriage system,” she recalled.

Earlier, a rally with some memorabilia of the social reformer was taken out from his residence to Kshatriya Kalyanamandapam, in which hundreds of students from many schools took part and belted out ‘Desamunu Preminchumanna’, written by Gurajada.

A meeting was conducted at the Kshatriya Kalyanamandapam wherein district collector MM Nayak opined that Gurajada’s ‘Kanyasulakam’ was a valuable contribution to the society. “It is renowned till date and has no replacement,” he opined.

Nayak also said that they would set up a museum with the photographs and belongings of Gurajada in the coming days. The authorities concerned promised to take necessary action as regards acquiring the lost collections of the poet in the library, he added. Later, the play ‘Puthadibomma Poornamma’ was showcased by some artistes. ZP chairperson Sobha Swathirani, MLA M Geetha and joint collector B Ramarao were present.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / September 22nd, 2014

Port City Farmer’s ‘Amrutam’ Variety Set to Rule Mango World

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
Kongara Ramesh at his mango orchard at Tarluwada village in Visakhapatnam district | Express Photo
Kongara Ramesh at his mango orchard at Tarluwada village in Visakhapatnam district | Express Photo

Visakhapatnam :

Amrutham Ice Fruit Mango, a new variety of the king of fruits, developed by a scientist Kongara Ramesh, is entering the international markets including the United Arab Emirates, the US and several other countries. This is the first mango created by a farmer using cross-pollination technique and can be frozen and eaten in all seasons. The uniqueness of the new mango variety is that it can be eaten like an ice fruit by peeling off its skin.

The new variety was developed three years ago after a 12-year experimentation by Ramesh. In the last three years, he planted the saplings extensively to estimate its yields. Now, Ramesh is taking care of 50,000 saplings at his own nursery at Tarluwada village in Anandapuram, just 28 km away from Visakhapatnam city.

Ramesh developed the variety by cross pollination between Amrapali and Chinnarasalu mango varieties, which are very sweet and can be frozen at sub-zero temperatures.

The Amrutham Ice Fruit Mango has been selected for the world horticulture show to be held at Germany in February, 2015. “It will be the first step to market Amrutham globally. I’m sure this will bring huge foreign currency to the country,” a proud Ramesh says.

Mass Cultivation

After the great success of Amrutham, Ramesh is wasting no time for mass cultivation of the fruit. Making use of all the 100 trees he raised initially, he had developed a nursery of about 50,000 saplings aged between six months and two-and-half years. As many as 600 trees can be raised in an acre and they will bear fruit in about three to four years. The yield of the fruit is 15 tonnes per acre. Except for using organic manure in the first year, the trees need no special care.

Assured Yield

Amrutham starts flowering from November. If the flowers are damaged in November, the cyclone season, it starts flowering in December and January with an assured yield of 90 per cent. Ramesh has also developed another variety called ‘Swagatham’. The speciality of the fruit is its aroma. One fruit of Swagatham’s aroma pervades the entire house. The variety was developed by cross-pollination between Imam Pasand and Chinna Rasalu.

Export Potential

Ramesh has plans to export the Amrutham Ice Fruit Mango to several countries. A large number of Telugu NRIs and foreigners are making enquiries about the fruit. However, surprisingly, neither the state government nor the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry visited the place to take further steps for bulk cultivation.

The Man Behind the Magic Fruits

A Guntur-based farmer and homoeo doctor settled in Visakhapatnam about 15 years ago, Ramesh started his own research at a 40-acre land owned by a private company. Having great interest in the mango crop and its varieties, Ramesh developed his ideas by cross-pollinating Andhra’s most popular mango Nuziveedu Chinnarasalu with North India’s famous variety Amrapali. He displayed it at the All India Horticulture Exhibition held in New Delhi last year, where a large number of foreigners tasted it and lauded it. Ramesh also sold the fruit in Vizag market. Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority witnessed the variety and congratulated Ramesh, who is set to market the fruit on a large-scale from the next season.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by VKL Gayatri / September 24th, 2014

A trip down the memory lane: St. Aloysius High School

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Leaders, Records, All
A view of the chapel on the St. Aloysius High School premises, the oldest English medium school in Visakhapatnam. / Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
A view of the chapel on the St. Aloysius High School premises, the oldest English medium school in Visakhapatnam. / Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

Six classmates of the 1961 batch of St. Aloysius High School met after five decades at their alma mater. Reminiscing the old days, Narayanswami, who played cricket for Andhra, said it was in this courtyard that he picked up the rudiments of the game.

A group of six classmates met after five decades to relive their naughty days at St. Aloysius High School, here on Saturday.

Though, into their late 60s and early 70s none appeared to have lost his youthful vigour. Hopping from one classroom to another, going around the expansive courtyard, and calling their buddies by their nicknames, the six went on a nostalgia drive.

A group of seven friends who studied in St. Aloysius High School meeting after five decades on the school premises to relive the old days in Visakhapatnam on Saturday /. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
A group of seven friends who studied in St. Aloysius High School meeting after five decades on the school premises to relive the old days in Visakhapatnam on Saturday /. Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu

The old students of the 1961 batch who met were P.R. Narayanswami, former Director of Physical Education in Andhra University, M.A. Raihan, former Commander in the Indian Navy, V.N. Natarajan, Chief Manager of Indian Overseas Bank, Fr. George Kottam, Arun Panse, former Hindustan Shipyard employee, and Md. Ali Khan, a retired officer from the Visakhapatnam Port Trust.

Accompanying them was Rohinton Kapadia, who was a couple of years junior to them in school.

Incidentally, Fr. Kottam was not only an old student but also principal of the school during early 1980s.

Reminiscing the old days, Narayanswami, who played cricket for Andhra, said it was in this courtyard that he picked up the rudiments of the game.

“We are always ahead of the rest in athletics and games. We had the best boxing team in the district. In fact, ours was the only school that had a proper boxing ring. Even the ENC, then INS Circars, would borrow our ring for their tournament,” said Raihan.

We also had a strong NCC contingent and 80 per cent of our students were from the Anglo Indian and Muslim communities. But we never experienced any sort of discrimination based on religion, caste, or creed, said Arun Panse.

On how strict was the school, they came out in chorus, “Fr Eliemeynet, a French national, who was our principal, and our teachers were strict, but they gave us the rope to be mischievous too.”

According to Fr. Kottam, the schooling then was about holistic learning.

For Md. Alikhan, the association with the school has been for three generations. His son also studied in the school and now his grandchildren are studying there

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Sumit Bhattacharjee / Visakhapatnam – September 21st, 2014

Young Jagathi steals the show with Kuchipudi recital

Arts, Culture & Entertainment
Andhra Pradesh High Court judge A.Ramalingeswara Rao has some words of praise for budding Kuchipudi dancer Jagathi during her solo performance in Ongole. Siddendra Art Academy founder President C. Devasena is also seen. photo: Kommuri Srinivas
Andhra Pradesh High Court judge A.Ramalingeswara Rao has some words of praise for budding Kuchipudi dancer Jagathi during her solo performance in Ongole. Siddendra Art Academy founder President C. Devasena is also seen. photo: Kommuri Srinivas

Eight-year-old Jagathi hogged the limelight giving a scintillating Kuchipudi dance recital here.

The Lawyerpet Sai Baba temple set the stage for the budding Kuchipudi dancer to perform, starting with the song ”Mooshika vahana” during the celebrations of the Hyderabad-based Siddendra Art Academy’s 32nd anniversary celebrations here late on Sunday.

”This is the first solo performance of the girl in Andhra Pradesh, said Academy founder President Dr. C.Deva Sena, who is on a spree to spot talent in boys and girls and keep alive the glorious cultural tradition.

Forty-year-old Y.Sridhar floored dance lovers by performing ballet ”Ravanasurudu”.

Speaking on the occasion High court judge Mr Justice A. Ramalingeswara Rao said ”art has no geographical barrier” and lauded the academy’s intiatives to promote the traditional dance form both in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Sai Baba Monthly magazine Editor Poluri Srinivasa Rao and Brahmana Bhavan Founder President K.N.Giriprasad were among those present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by S. Murali / Ongole – September 22nd, 2014

Virginia tobacco exports fetch Rs. 6,092.8 crore

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Flue Cured Virginia (FCV) Tobacco has emerged a top grosser for India as the exports fetched more than $1billion during the 2013-2014 fiscal year, Tobacco Board Chairman K. Gopal said here on Monday.

Tobacco exports touched a record 2.66 lakh Metric Tonnes, earning a foreign exchange of Rs. 6,092.86 crore surpassing all previous records, Dr. Gopal said on Tuesday.

India is the second largest producer of FCV tobacco (316 million kg), second largest exporter of tobacco (236 million kg), with 91 countries as trading partners.

“The Board has set a target of achieving Rs.10,000 crore in the next five years. It is possible if farmers adopt best farm practices. We have managed to achieve a consistency in FCV tobacco production and with a four per cent growth in export volumes,’’ Dr. Gopal said.

Regulation of crop production has been a formidable challenge for the Board as the farmers went on an overdrive in 2013-2014 producing 316 million kg, much higher than the authorised crop size of 274 million kg. The Board has ensured that the entire Tobacco was sold on auction floors ensuring that farmers and traders have a win-win situation.

“The key issues remain are CPA residues, non-tobacco related manufacturers, tariff barriers for traders and lengthy auction procedures, price variations and vagaries of weather for farmers. The Board is looking into these issues and has begun addressing them,’’ the Tobacco Board Chairman said, adding that as part of the brand image building exercise, the Tobacco Board participated in the International Trade fairs giving a boost to trade.

As a prelude to the cropping season in Andhra Pradesh, the Tobacco Board released a “Special Bulletin on Karnataka FCV tobacco” containing good agriculture practices that have been adopted to produce best quality neutral filler tobacco from Karnataka Light Soils and also to inform the global importers about the Board’s intent in bringing grower and trade oriented reforms.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Andhra Pradesh / by P. Samuel Jonathan / Guntur – September 24th, 2014

Andhra Univ to Present NSS Awards Today

Education, Records, All

Visakhapatnam :

The Andhra University is going to host a state-level NSS awards function at BR Ambedkar Assembly Hall here Wednesday from 10.30 am. Human resource development minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao would be the chief guest at the occasion.

Revealing the details to the newsmen here Tuesday, AU vice-chancellor GSN Raju said that NSS cadets from across the state would take part in the awards function.

As many as 16 awards would be given away during the function, of which the AU NSS cadets won four awards. EPS Bhagya Lakshmi and Ch Adinarayana achieved awards in the category of Programme Officers, while Rahul Pal and Md Goush Khan won the best volunteers awards.

NSS regional head R Gokul Krishnan and state coordinator P Ramachandra Rao would be present, he added.

This apart, a blood donation camp will be organised jointly by the Indian Red Cross Society and AUCE at YVS Murthy Auditorium at 9.30 am on Sept 24 during which the NSS cadets and AU officials would donate their blood on the occasion.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / September 24th, 2014