Monthly Archives: January 2019

Historic Masonic Temple celebrates 110th anniversary in New Year

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Newly-elected body decides to allow people to have glimpse of antiques on the premises

Lodge Nicopolis No.81, which is generally known as Vizianagaram IV Masonic Temple, is going to get special attention in the New Year, thanks to the initiatives of newly-elected body for the preservation of its rich heritage and culture.

The Nicopolis No.81 constructed in 1909 by the then Maharaja of Vizianagaram Princely State Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju-IV will celebrate its 110th anniversary in the New Year. The programmes have been planned throughout the year to create awareness about the greatness of the temple which was founded on October 1, 1909.

Poly clinic

As part of the celebration, the new team of the Masonic Temple decided to allow common people to have glimpse of antiques on the premises. An exclusive room for the display of antiques is being created, according to the Worshipful Master of the temple Motamarry Srinivas. The temple also decided to take up service activities such as running poly clinic to ensure medical assistance to poor people at very nominal charges. “Our temple was instrumental in establishment of Polytechnic College in Vizianagaram. It has allocated its prime land for the construction of APSRTC complex, adjacent to the building. We will continue to take more activities in the year 2019-20,” he added.

According to him, the then Raja Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju-IV insisted for the service activities after he was inspired by the activities of such Lodge located in Kolkata. The members of such Lodges were called as brothers. The head of the Lodge is called as Worshipful Master. After serving as a ‘brother’ in Kolkata Lodge, he bought a few acres of prime land from Thotapalem Zamindars. He obtained permission from Scotland for its establishment in Vizianagaram. After serving one year, Mr. Vijayarama Gajapathi Raju relinquished the post and allowed local dignitary C. Mangayya Naidu to take charge Worshipful Master. Only four members of Raja’s family headed the institution.

Former Union Minister of Civil Aviation P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju served as Master in the year 1973 and year 2009 on the eve of centenary celebrations.

According to Past Master D.S. Raju, free masonry is directly descended from associations of operative masons who travelled through Europe, employing secrets and skills of their crafts. The cathedral builders of the Middle Ages started to accept others ‘entry into their profession and it led to establishment of Grand Lodges across the world. Masonic Lodge is the basic unit of all Grand Lodges.

“Although the movement started with different reasons, now its primary objective is to serve the society. Honesty in business, fairness in work, love for one another and reverence for the God are promoted through the temple. All these objectives are being fulfilled by Vizianagaram Masonic Temple,” Dr. Raju said. Another Past Master G. Shiva Kumar said that the temple was offering its premises for functions, marriages and other programmes at nominal charges as part of the serving the society.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by K Srinivasa Rao / Vizianagaram – January 01st, 2019

Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar sworn in as first Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court

Leaders, Records, All

The AP High Court, temporarily being housed at Chief Minister’s camp office in Vijayawada was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

AP and Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and CM N Chandrababu Naidu greet chief justice of AP high court Praveen Kumar after the swearing-in ceremony of high court judges in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)
AP and Telangana governor ESL Narasimhan and CM N Chandrababu Naidu greet chief justice of AP high court Praveen Kumar after the swearing-in ceremony of high court judges in Vijayawada. (Photo | P Ravindra Babu/EPS)

Vijayawada :

Marking a historic day in the annals of Judiciary in Andhra Pradesh, Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court in Vijayawada by Governor ESL Narasimhan on Tuesday. Thirteen other judges were also administered the oath of office on the occasion.

Later, the AP High Court, temporarily being housed at Chief Minister’s camp office in Vijayawada was inaugurated by Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Justice of AP High Court Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar observed that with limited resources available at this stage and with some teething problems likely to come up during functioning of the High Court, which everyone has to face. “With your cooperation, we will march ahead. Our aim would be to take this institution to such heights that it would proud off in years to come,” he said.

He said Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi sent a note of appreciation lauding the efforts of Justice NV Ramana in establishing of High Court in Andhra Pradesh. On the occasion, he lauded the efforts and vision of Chief Minister for the new capital city, where Justice City will be coming up, which will be the ultimate seat of High Court in the state.

Justice Praveen Kumar on the occasion noted that that ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort but where he stands at the times of challenge and controversy. “Now is the time to deliver and now is the time to act,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu described it as a historical occasion and urged the Judges of High Court and other legal functionaries to bear with the inconvenience for some time as the transit High Court building in Amaravati will be ready in another three weeks. He observed that with shifting of High Court, the physical transfer of institutions has completed.

“We have to cooperate and strive together to make Andhra Pradesh High Court, the youngest High Court in the country, best in the Country,” he said. The Chief Minister also praised the efforts of officials for reading the temporary accommodation for the High Court in short time of four-five days.

Supreme Court Judge Justice NV Ramana said the new transit High Court building will be ready by January 21 and Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi will participate in its inauguration. He described the High Court of Andhra Pradesh functioning from Vijayawada today as a momentous occasion.

He recalled the comments of Justice Koda Subba Rao during the inaugural of High Court of Andhra at Guntur on July 5, 1954, and stressed the need of everyone to raise up to the occasion and prove them qualified to enhance the image of the High Court.

Key points:

  • Judges of Andhra Pradesh High Court sworn in on January 1
  • Justice Chagari Praveen Kumar (Chief Justice)
  • Justice Sarasa Venkatanarayana Bhatti
  • Justice Akula Venkata Sesha Sai
  • Justice Mandatha Seetharama Murti
  • Justice Upmaka Durga Prasad Rao
  • Justice Talluri Sunil Chowdaryu
  • Justice Mallavolu Satyanarayana Murthy
  • Justice Gudiseva Shyam Prasad

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Express News Service / January 01st, 2019

Vizag attracted attention ofglobal fintech community

Business & Economy, Records, All, World Opinion
A file photo of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia at the Vizag Fintech Festival in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: arranged pic
A file photo of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia at the Vizag Fintech Festival in Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: arranged pic

‘Promotional campaigns have evoked positive response’

Visakhapatnam, the largest IT hub of Andhra Pradesh, has attracted the attention of global fintech community with the campaigns launched by the Fintech Valley Vizag, an initiative of the AP Electronics and IT Agency (APEITA), getting encouraging response.

Fintech leaders from Silicon Valley, Las Vegas, New York, London, Tel Aviv, Singapore and Hong Kong have evinced interest for developing Visakhapatnam into a world-class fintech hub.

Big players

WHub, which plays a key role in strengthening the startup ecosystem in Hong Kong, signed an MoU with the State to provide access to the startups in Visakhapatnam to their area for acceleration and exploring market opportunities.

SOSA, an Israel-based organisation that promotes innovation centres, also came forward to partner with the AP Innovation Society to spread innovation culture across the State. After an overwhelming response to the Global Fintech Festival and One Million Dollar Startup Challenge instituted by the State government in October, 75 firms, a majority of whom are based in the global fintech destinations such as Silicon Valley, promised to invest ₹500 crore in the next three years.

Representatives from 40 countries attended the festival, where the world’s first humanoid robot, Sophia, was the cynosure of all eyes.

Among the big-ticket projects that started operations during 2018 were Conduent, a $5 billion U.S. company, and asset management firm Franklin Templeton.

Federal Bank, Paytm and other fintech institutes also launched their operations.

“We have been successful in branding Visakhapatnam as a fintech destination, and after a series of events such as Spring Fest, AgTech Summit addressed by Microsoft founder Bill Gates and launching of first Million Dollar Startup Challenge, Visakhapatnam has become the talking point,” J.A. Chowdary, Special Chief Secretary and IT Adviser to Chief Minister, said. While the layout for IT city in an area of 400 to 450 acres at Kapuluppada has been completed, the first Millennium Tower, with 1.5 lakh sft and plug-and-play facility, at a cost of ₹85 crore is ready for inauguration at Rushikonda.Mr. Chowdary said: “Now, everyone wants to see and explore the opportunities in business as the tech-savvy government here also offers lot of business to startups.” He pointed out the good work done by Zebi Al Chain in creating registry for Amaravati land records and guest arrival at star hotels in Visakhapatnam using blockchain technology and artificial intelligence.

In Software Technology Parks of India’s BPO Promotion Scheme, A.P. has become No. 1 in bagging seats, with Visakhapatnam getting the highest number of seats.

The city is already home to several BPOs like HSBC, Patra India, WNS, Concentrix, and big firms like Conduent and Miracle Software are investing a lot in new facilities. “We have got sanction for 12,000 seats in A.P., with highest number in city-based BPOs. This will lead to creation of 42,000 jobs in two to three years,” STPI Joint Director M.P. Dubey said.

Reverse migration

With the IT Association of AP (ITAAP) launching a fresh drive, there is reverse migration. “Our aim is to overcome shortage of experienced manpower, mostly local talent. This has started bearing fruit,” ITAAP State president R.L. Narayana said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Andhra Pradesh / by Santosh Patnaik / Visakhapatnam – December 31st, 2018