Category Archives: Records, All

DD-Hyderabad turning 41

Doordarshan Kendra-Hyderabad will be inviting film and TV artists, who made their debut through the channel, and felicitate them on its 41st Formation Day celebrations on October 23 at its premises.

DD in Telangana has a viewership of over 1 crore, claimed channel head M. Vijay Bhagwan on Sunday.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 21st, 2018

A flourishing trade centre revisited

A bird’s eye view of Peddabonkur village of Karimnagar district.


Coins, terracotta beads, pearls, semi-precious stones unearthed at Peddabonkur village of Karimnagar

The Hussain Miyan Vagu, a tributary of Godavari, flows beside the largely agriculture village of Peddabonkur in Karimnagar district. But 20 centuries ago, it was a flourishing trade centre.

“The vagu (stream) might have been a source of water for the village that flourished in the 1st and 2nd century. The village had flourishing trade centre during Satavahana rule and later in Chalukya times,” says N.R. Visalatchy of the Department of Archaeology and Museums (DAM). The Satavahanas ruled between 1 BCE and 2 CE in a region that now stretches over Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra while the Eastern Chalukyas ruled between 7th and 12 century.

The DAM recently finished excavation of the Satavahana era site and a vast trove findings about 922 artefacts were discovered in one layer. The excavation throws a new light on the Satavahana era and the trade links of the village in the interiors of Karimnagar. The coin hoards unearthed include punch marked coins dating to pre-Satavahana era, variants of Satavahana coins, Eastern Chalukyan coins, Pallava coins and one Chola coin. “The coin collection makes me believe that the village was continuously inhabited for a long time and had trade relations with many places in the country,” says Ms. Visalatchy who led the excavation team. Besides agricultural produce and cattle trade; the village had a tradition of textile manufacture. Needles, knives and nails have been uncovered at the site.

It is not just the trade links that formed a key part of the findings at Peddabonkur. Among the artefacts are 500 terracotta beads. “We recovered 50 tiny pearls from the site. The pearls are very small and the technique for drilling a hole through them and stringing them would be worth researching,” said Ms. Visalatchy.

Among the other findings from the site are jade, jasper, shell bangles besides crystal and semi-precious stones. The findings also include amalkha gold foil work, the ribbed shape of amla, for ear rings.

From a historical perspective, this was one of the biggest finds during the archaeological season for the DAM. A report cataloguing the finds as well as the historical context has been sent to the Government of India.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Serish Nanisetti / Hyderabad – October 20th, 2018

Dutch firm opens facility in Jadcherla

Dutch multinational firm Royal DSM has set up its second animal nutrition and health premix plant in India at Jadcherla, near Hyderabad.

With the facility, which was formally opened on Monday, the company aims to serve the growing Indian market in tune with the objective of providing solutions tailor-made for local needs. DSM Animal Nutrition and Health Business Unit Director (South Asia) Ravindra Vyawahare said the company has been in the region for over 20 years.

“We see strong potential for growth in the animal premix industry. The Jadcherla plant gives us far greater geographic reach and increases our production capacity to meet the growing industry demands,” he said in a release. The first plant of the company in India is in Maharashtra.

DSM, which is listed on Euronext Amsterdam, and its associated companies had annual net sales of about €10 billion and a headcount of about 23,000 people.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 15th, 2018

Washable sanitary pads in Hyderabad soon

Days for Girls is a global movement breaking menstrual stigma while improving access to quality, reusable menstrual care products.

Happy Smiles Foundation and Days for Girls International say they are partnering to forge change around the issue of MHM. (Photo| EPS)

Hyderabad :

In celebration of the UN International Day of the Girl on October 11, Happy Smiles Foundations, in partnership with Days for Girls International (DfGI), is inaugurating a social enterprise in Hyderabad to provide affordable, environmentally-friendly menstrual health solutions for women and girls.

The group is launching the enterprise this month. DfG Founder and CEO, Celeste Mergens visited Hyderabad recently and met with various organizations and government officials to discuss menstrual health management (MHM) and the needs of Indian schoolgirls and women when managing their menses. Days for Girls supplies empower women to make a choice that supports the Swachh Bharat initiative.

Days for Girls is a global movement breaking menstrual stigma while improving access to quality, reusable menstrual care products. The US-based nonprofit organization has a 10 year history of delivering menstrual supplies and health education to women and girls around the world; to date, they have reached over 1 million women and girls in over 120 countries with Days for Girls Kits, which include comfortable washable sanitary pads that are eco-friendly, and designed to manage menses without stigma or shame.

In India, more than 40% of women report lack of access to sanitary pads, and many social and cultural taboos leave women and girls feeling uncomfortable discussing their menses or purchasing sanitary products.

One in five girls drops out of school after starting menstruation. India has recently seen a surge in efforts to address this issue from local NGOs, community leaders, and government officials, especially as menstrual health management has become recognized as an important barrier to gender equality, women’s health, and girls’ education. DfG uses a multi-tiered approach to menstrual health challenges that involves a global network of over 50,000 volunteer Chapters and Teams. DfG has more than 80 Social Enterprises globally, like the one launching in Hyderabad, with a mission to increase access to menstrual care and
education.

Happy Smiles Foundation and Days for Girls International say they are partnering to forge change around the issue of MHM and ‘act as a catalyst for local leaders to continue speaking out and creating solutions to this taboo subject.’ Celeste Mergens, Founder, Days for Girls International and team members Stephanie Stewart Schmid, Starry Laurie took part in the city event.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / October 10th, 2018

Harsha becomes GM

Harsha Bharathkoti…making the right moves

He is the second one from Telangana

Harsha Bharathkoti has become the second Grandmaster from Telangana having attained the mandatory ELO rating of 2500 during the on-going Gujarat International Grandmasters open chess tournament on Monday, according to his coach N.V.S. Rama Raju.

Raju, who also trained GM D. Harika, told The Hindu on Monday that the 17-year-old Harsha got all the three GM norms including the third one in Abu Dhabi Masters.

Now, Harsha will be now be officially conferred with the GM title having earned the eight points required after an impressive start to his campaign in the Gujarat Open. Arjun Erigaisi was the first player from Telangana to get the GM title.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sports> Other Sports / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 08th, 2018

Secunderabad sailor wins Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award

Secunderabad sailor wins Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award.

The INSV Tarini team with (inset)Lieutenant Commander Aishwarya Boddapati during their 254-day voyage circumventing the globe | Express

Hyderabad :

Secunderabad-based Navy sailor Lt Commander Aishwarya Boddapati who, along with five other Navy women, became the first to circumnavigate the world on a shipping vessel, was surprised when she learnt that she had won the Tenzing Norgay Award for Adventure.

“I couldn’t believe it. This is the highest award for adventure in the country,” a jubilant Boddapati told Express on Tuesday. The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports informed the Lieutenant and the five other Naval officers via email late on Monday night. She is set to receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind on September 25 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.

She said, “The expedition was a gruelling challenge for all of us. It was never done before by women and we were given extensive physical, psychological and emotional training for six months before embarking upon the mission.”

She considers the Pacific Ocean to be the most gruelling part of her journey that spanned 254 days. “Even though we chose to circumnavigate around the world during the summer season, the average temperature in the Pacific Region was -six degree Celsius,” Bodapatti said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New IndianExpress / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Aihik Sur, Express News Service / September 19th, 2018

Sneaking into the Guinness Book in a Gandhi garb

School children dressed as Mahatma Gandhi gather in an attempt to qualify for the Guinness World Record, in Nalgonda on Tuesday. | Photo Credit: Singam Venkataramana

5,500 students gather in a record-breaking bid in Nalgonda
Gandhi’s iconic garb — a loincloth, khadi shawl and a stick — to identify himself with the poor, is meant to teach students the simple way of life the Mahatma preached and practised.

But organisers of the 150th birth anniversary celebrations of Mahatma Gandhi in Nalgonda, went a step further, to create a record, teaching schoolchildren Gandhi’s practices — truth and non-violence — in a demonstration.

Bare-chested, with bald head caps, round glasses, watercolour moustaches and sticks, thousands of students reached the N.G. College Grounds here, for what they were told will be, “a historic exercise”.

Record-breaker
Organising the ‘largest gathering of people dressed as Mohandas Gandhi’ in the town, members from the Gandhi Global Family and Gandhi Gyan Prathishtan said the event was breaking a Guinness world record, of 4,605 students dressed as Bal Gandhis in Bengaluru in 2015. An organiser announced that the official count for the record on Tuesday was 5,500 students, all between age six and 14. “This is not only an attempt to get into the Guinness World Records (GWR), but to tell students to walk in Gandhi ways,” chairman of GGF G. Rajender Reddy said. He later read the ‘Gandhi pledge’ to the gathering. While no one from from the Guinness World Records was present, the organisers were meticulous in hiring a lot of photographers, videographers and a drone camera to record the event.

No Gandhigiri this

However, for parents who were at the venue, organisers teaching the students ahimsa or non-violence and truth, through the event was just ‘going overboard’, and was aimed only for a record.

“Like all parents, I dropped my son in school at 7.30 a.m. Why should they stand in the sun for four hours, for a ten-minute song and video recording for their competition? How will this help them learn about Gandhi?” P. Vara Prasad, a parent questioned.

Another parent pointed that all the 5,500 students were photo and videographed individually, for evidence, with numbered tokens, and then allowed into enclosures, causing the delay. Many were seen holding umbrellas and water bottles for their children in the 35 degree Celsius temperature, and some feeding them. By the end of the programme at 12 noon, tens of students were down due to dizziness, and were helped by volunteers.

Speaking to The Hindu, a member from the GGF justified the waiting. “If they are unable to be like Gandhi for four hours, how will they serve the country in future?” he asked. He eventually expressed regrets for missing out on amenities for some students.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by B. Pradeep / Nalgonda – October 02nd, 2018

Keeping the passion alive

Two-time world champion S. Appoorwa being felicitated at Anand Nagar Welfare Association Sports Academy in the city.

Carrom player Appoorwa continues to evoke admiration with her consistent performance

The young as well as the champions, who have already made a mark in carrom, continue playing the game with the same passion shown by yesteryear stars in the last four decades.

Also, carrom is one sport that has helped players in the State get more jobs in government and public sector undertakings than some of the Olympic disciplines.

And two of the finest women stars – P. Nirmala and S. Appoorwa – continue to evoke awe and admiration with their consistent performances at all levels.

When Appoorwa, a two-time world champion, was felicitated at Anand Nagar Welfare Association Sports Academy during the on-going State championship, it was an acknowledgement of not just her achievements, but her efforts to keep the sport alive.

For the record, the Hyderabad Carrom Association, founded 42 years ago, has been a pioneer in sustaining the interest of many in the sport, thanks to the efforts its founder-president B.K. Haranath and general secretary S. Madan Raj.

Dreaming big
“It’s always nice to be felicitated by your fraternity. It keeps you going and dream big,” said Apporwa in a chat with The Hindu.

“My journey began way back in 1991 and I am glad that I keep playing the sport, thanks to the Association officials, my parents and my husband Kishore Kumar. It’s never easy to be an Administrative Officer (LIC), take care of your family and a growing kid (son Kanishk),” she said.

“I am not even thinking of life beyond carrom. I will keep playing as long as I can. It’s an integral part of my life,” said Appoorwa.

Decent job
Former SAARC champion D. Ravinder Goud says the best part is that many achievers are still assured of a decent job. “This is a biggest motivating factor for many to continue playing,” he said.

Former U.S. Open carrom champion, R.D. Dinesh Babu, said the increasing number of players was a tribute to the way the State association has been organising the events with such regularity over the decades.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – October 02nd, 2018

Thinking caps on, students present out-of-the-box ideas

Young innovators share 175 ideas at Startup India boot camp

There has been overwhelming response to the Startup India Telangana Yatra with students sharing 175 ideas at the boot camp organised at the Jyothismathi Institute of Technology and Sciences (JITS) on Monday.

To promote entrepreneurship in Tier-II and Tier-III cities, Telangana State Innovation Cell launched the Startup India Telangana Yatra to bring budding entrepreneurs together to brainstorm and present their ideas. JITS was selected as the nodal centre for the programme.

The boot camp witnessed the participation of over 400 students from various engineering colleges such as JNTU Kondagattu and Manthani, NIT-Warangal, SR Engineering College and KITS-Huzurabad, apart from schools like Sidhartha High School in Karimnagar town. Among them, 175 students shared their ideas and innovations.

Of those, the best ideas would make it to the grand finale at JNTU-Hyderabad. The winners would be attached to seven incubators in the State and provided all assistance to start their business. On this occasion, the students of JITS have exhibited their innovations and won accolades.

A working model on prevention of accidents on ghat roads in the wake of Kondagattu bus mishap was appreciated by visitors. Third year civil engineering students S. Ashritha, E. Sucharitha and A. Laxmi Prasanna designed the model by erecting roller barricades, which would prevent vehicles from plunging into the gorge.

Startup India Telangana representatives Radhika Meenakshi Shankar, Nikitha Rupasri, Amith Sharanya, Spoorthi, Major Sunil Shetty, Tarun, Raj Janagam and Swetha clarified doubts raised by the students about startup ideas and innovations. JITS chairman J. Sagar Rao, director K. Venkat Rao and principal G. Laxminarayana were also present.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 25th, 2018

Women’s cricket | Hyderabad’s Arundhati Reddy beaming with pride

Cricketer Arundhati Reddy is hopeful of winning T-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in West Indies this November.

On being selected to represent India in T-20 Women’s World Cup

M.S. Dhoni’s team winning the T-20 World Cup in 2007 was the inspiration for Arundhati Reddy to take up the sport and dream big.

Eleven years later, the 20-year-old cricketer is beaming with pride on being selected to represent India in the T-20 Women’s World Cup to be held in West Indies this November.

Huge opportunity
“I was expecting this to happen after my decent performances in the five T-20Is in Sri Lanka. I am thrilled at getting this huge opportunity,” said Arundhati, a junior clerk in South Central Railway.

Looking back at her debut series in Sri Lanka, Arundhati said getting the India cap from Mithali was the best part of her debut.

Interestingly, India captain in Tests Mithali Raj, who is also from SCR, and Arundhati are under the mentorship of coach R.V.S.S.R. Murthy.

“I feel it’s a great honour to play alongside such a great player and I hope to live upto the expectations,” said the all-rounder, who bowls medium-pace.

Learning experience
“In the days to come, I will be a more confident bowler having had the experience of playing for the country against Sri Lanka. In domestic cricket, you don’t really plan to sort out a batter, but at the international level, it was a different learning experience for me,” said the cricketer, who trains at St. John’s Sports Coaching Foundation.

And Arundhati watches the videos of India bowler Jaspreet Bumrah and hopes to master some of the tricks of the trade as she feels he is the best T-20 bowler, especially in death overs.

“The atmosphere in the dressing room was terrific as everyone in the team ensured that I was in a comfort zone. They just told me to go out and enjoy every moment,” she recalled.

What’s the next big dream? To win the World Cup, comes the instant reply from Arundhati, who credits her success to her mother Bhagya Reddy and brother Rohti Reddy, besides her coach.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – September 29th, 2018