Category Archives: Records, All

Asian Bariatrics opens centre in Hyderabad

Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

Ahmedabad-based Asian Bariatrics (AB), which specializes in bariatric surgery, on Saturday, announced the launch of its first centre in Hyderabad. This is AB’s third dedicated centre in India after Ahmedabad and Rajkot, where it has a total capacity of 100 and 20 beds, respectively.

“In Gujarat, we get around 25% patients from south India, a majority of which hail from Hyderabad. Given the high demand, we felt it was important to have a dedicated centre for the city, where treatment for people suffering from morbid obesity could be provided treatment and weight loss surgeries can be performed by experts,” AB chairman Dr Mahendra Narwaria said, adding that the Hyderabad centre, with an initial capacity of 15 beds, has been set up at an investment of Rs 8-10 crore.

He said the number of bariatric surgeries has been increasing in the country rapidly as in 2007 only 400 such surgeries were performed as compared to 18,000 in 2014. AB’s Hyderabad will be the first centre in India, where the EMI option will be extended to patients, he said, adding that the cost of the surgery ranges Rs 2.5-Rs 8 lakh.

On expansion plans, he said they plan to open one centre each in Mumbai and New Delhi by the end of this fiscal with investments of around Rs 15-20 crore and a bed capacity of around 30-35 per centre.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hyderabad / by Swati Rathor, TNN / October 17th, 2015

LVPEI Gets Equipment for Pre-sculpting Cornea

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Hyderabad :

Inspite of rapid advances in healthcare technology in treating eye problems, many people are still falling prey to eye disorders, eye specialists at LV Prasad Eye Institute observed.

‘’There have been rapid advances in healthcare technology in India and today we have the best facilities when compared to any other advanced nation in the world. As a result of these advances and skilled doctors, we are able to treat many eye disorders. But it is always better to prevent a problem than treating the person after being affected,’’ Dr Pravin Krishna Vaddavalli, Consultant, Cornea, Anterior Segments Service and Head of Refractive Surgery and Cataract Service, has said.

He was speaking about the importance of advanced healthcare technology in treating eye disorders, at a programme held for technology transfer from Germany to India for Cornea and Laser Refractive Surgery at LVPEI here on Saturday.

Two high precision automated corneal tissue processing systems to enable preparation of pre-sculpted tissue for corneal transplants in the eye bank and two high precision microkeratomes to assist in flap creating during LASIK surgery, have been donated by Germany-based medical equipment company Gebauer Medizintechnik GmbH to LVPEI. These high precision systems will help in optimising the utilisation of corneas and improving the precision in LASIK surgery.

‘’There are five layers in cornea and we used to implant all the five layers to the receiver to restore eye sight. But eye sight can be restored by even implanting part of layers also. With pre-sculpting technology different layers of cornea can be separated and one cornea can be used for restoring the eyesight of more than one person, thus increasing the utilisation of corneas,’’ Pravin said.

Sometimes corneas get wasted if they have some scars or other minor disturbances, after being donated by the donors in the process of implanting in the receiver. But with this new technology only that part of cornea which is affected by the scar can be removed and the remaining cornea can be implanted thus successfully restoring eye sight.

The availability of these high precision ‘pre-cutting’ donor corneal tissues at LVPEI, makes it the first centre in Asia pacific region to have such a facility. Inspite of these technological strides, rising eye disorders is seen as a disturbing trend. LVPEI is the only institute which has done 20,000 corneal transplants and catered to about 2 crore people in the past two decades.

‘Children Should be Taught about Good and Bad Touch’

Senior consultant psychologist Dr Pragya Rashmi speaks about the importance of teaching kids about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’ in the early years itself to protect them from child sexual abuse. In an interview She urges parents to take note of the issue to protect child’s health.

How rampant is child sexual abuse in India?

According to a recently released World Health Organisation (WHO) report, child sexual abuse is on rise in India. Even in states like Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, which are considered conservative, the problem is rising. Child sex abuse is a serious problem from not just societal point of view but even from health point

How does child sexual abuse affect the health of a child?

A child who faces sexual abuse goes through severe mental trauma and faces many issues related to mental health. It may even affect her mental health and development leading to serious consequences.

How a child affected by sexual abuse is treated?

Depending upon the severity of abuse the treatment is planned. Week long or month long psychotherapy sessions are conducted and if needed series of sessions are conducted in severe cases. Even parents are made part of counseling psychotherapy sessions. In some case even medication may also be needed, if child has is hurt physically.

But can a child be completely relieved from the scars of sexual abuse?

Yes, a child can be completely relieved of the scars of abuse, if proper care and counselling is given to him by therapists and parents. It is not just counselor but even parents have to play a crucial role in making a child normal. But rather than focusing on treatment we should focus on preventing the child abuse in the first place.

Can we prevent child sex abuse?

The first thing to be done is to teach children about how to protect themselves from those who abuse them sexually. Children should be taught to distinguish between ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch’.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by J. Deepthi Nandan Reddy / October 18th, 2015

B-school celebrates silver jubilee

Education, Records, All

The ITM Business School celebrated its silver jubilee and the chief guest of the event, T. Vishnu Vardhan, CEO NTR Trust and NTR Blood Bank delivered a lecture on “Networked Individual: Is a Re-Imagination of Institutions Required?”

He said that there was a tectonic shift in the knowledge domain, which had a tremendous change from acquiring knowledge from print to viral digitalisation. He also said that the social media plays a crucial role in the present generation with a larger impact on society and also said that the networking is the key to get success in acquiring knowledge or business.

Institute’s director Dr. K.V.N. Prasad said that the institute had grown in the past 25 years. The curriculum which was redesigned as per the requirement of the industry and the track record of the institute has 100 per cent placement.

Various sports competitions were conducted for staff and students on the occasion.

Prizes were also distributed. All faculty members and students attended the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Warangal – October 10th, 2015

Adilabad police officer is first Indian woman to scale Kun

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, Travel
Adilabad Additional Superintendent of Police G.R. Radhika at a tent on her way to the summit of the Kun mountain in Jammu and Kashmir. - Photo: By Arrangement
Adilabad Additional Superintendent of Police G.R. Radhika at a tent on her way to the summit of the Kun mountain in Jammu and Kashmir. – Photo: By Arrangement

Adilabad Additional Superintendent of Police G.R. Radhika performed the feat on September 7 after a gruelling climb for over 10 days.

As any mountaineer would do, G.R. Radhika, the frail-looking police officer in Adilabad District of Telangana also swears by Sir Edmund Hillary’s belief, “It is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves.” And her concurrence with the legendary mountaineer does matter as she has become the first Indian woman to conquer the 7,077-metre Kun mountain, the twin of Nun, located in the inhospitable Zanskar range of Himalayas in Jammu and Kashmir.

Adilabad Additional Superintendent of Police performed the feat on September 7 after a gruelling climb for over 10 days. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation subsequently declared her to be holding the record for an Indian woman.

“I am a bit of a risk taker,” reveals Ms.Radhika about her personality which evidently craves for challenges that go beyond the ordinary ones faced by women. “I was brought up more like a boy than a girl,” says the younger one of the two children of a teacher couple as she tries to reason out her craving for adventure.

She likes to accept challenges which is why she quit her earlier job as an English language lecturer and took up policing. Despite her inclination, there was nothing to write home about in her 8 years as a cop until the opportunity to climb the rugged mountain came her way.

It was in 2012 that this mother of two children belonging to Anantapur District in the Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh, her birth place and Kadapa, where she grew up, got to know about mountaineering as a sport. One of her friends suggested she get trained in mountain climbing after she successfully completed the difficult pilgrimage to Mount Kailash and Mansarovar in the Himalayas, Radhika recalls.

This set in motion her as yet short yet illustrious association with the sport. She finished her basic and advanced mountaineering courses which was, among other things, a confidence-building exercise.

“As part of the course I climbed the 5,980 mtr high Golep Kangri peak, also in the harsh Zanskar range in 2013,” Radhika states. “The following year, I scaled the 6,443 mtr high mount Menthosa in Himachal Pradesh which was all technical climbing,” she adds.

The policewoman enrolled herself for the Kun expedition with a recognised mountaineering outfit and set off towards it in the latter half of August. The team consisted of 7 muntaineers, some of them much experienced.

“Five of them dropped out on our way to the peak,” Radhika remembers trying to drive home the point about the difficulty quotient which even had her lose 4 kg of her weight. “Kun is considered more difficult because of its numerous crevasses and the ‘walls’ which meant a vertical climb of even 300 mtr at some place with a load of 6 kg,” she shrugs off a shudder as recent memories came flooding back.

Having seen her team mates back out did not diminish the gutsy woman’s enthusiasm in any way though she swears that it was only will power that kept her driving towards the peak. “The peak was visible but seemed ever so far thanks to he fatigue,” she recalls of her final effort.

“It took a few seconds for the feeling of victory to register,” she observes of the moment when she made it to the top. “I felt happy when it was confirmed that I was the first Indian woman to achieve the feat,” she adds, a wide grin breaking on her face.

Radhika is seriously contemplating making an attempt at scaling Mount Everest. “I have not decided as yet but I am definitely inclined to do so,” she asserts.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by S. Harpal Singh / Adilabad – October 04th, 2015

Piecing together State’s rich past

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All
The Telangana State Archaeology Department has taken up digitisation of negatives of old photographs in Hyderabad. Senior photographer of the department Narsing Rao engaged in the process.— Photo: Nagara Gopal
The Telangana State Archaeology Department has taken up digitisation of negatives of old photographs in Hyderabad. Senior photographer of the department Narsing Rao engaged in the process.— Photo: Nagara Gopal


The department has already categorised 2,795 stampages from Telangana districts and their documentation is to be taken up soon.

The infant State of Telangana would soon have its exclusive centuries-old past documented. In a major initiative, the State Archaeology Department has decided to piece together bits and pieces dating back to centuries culled from different archaeological finds to reconstruct the history of Telangana.

Ancient writings from different locations across the ten districts of the State collected during epigraphy surveys were being categorised and coinages, stone and copper plate inscriptions and other sources would be put together for the purpose. Independent district-wise surveys too form part of the exercise to build local narratives of the past to arrive at the larger picture.

The department has already categorised 2,795 stampages (imprints of stone inscriptions) from the districts and their documentation is to be taken up soon. These orders inscribed in stone shed light on the ruler who installed them, the period and occasion.

“The inscriptions have the names of the rulers, their genealogy and occasion such as donation of land to temples and so on. By deciphering them, we intend to piece the history,” said P. Brahma Chari, Assistant Director of the State Archaeology Department.

Inscriptions from across the districts provide a peep into the past with details such as rulers of that period, historical and cultural aspects, disputes resolved, taxation, revenue collections and lakes developed.

The earliest collection of history in the form of inscriptions and coinage available with the department date back to the Satavahana dynasty (First and second century) found in Kotilingala in Karimnagar district.

“From Satavahana onwards, among other dynasties we have Andhra Ikshvakus, Vishnukundinas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakuta, Kalyani Chalukyas, Kakatiya, Bahmani, Velama, Qutb Shahi and Asaf Jahi rulers,” Mr. Brahma Chari said.

Epigraphical survey of all the 10 districts was already in progress and inscriptions from five districts of Warangal, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Karimnagar and Medak have been completed and details published.

Director of the Archaeology department Sunita M. Bhagwat said the project was aimed at building up an exclusive history of Telangana with information from historical and archaeological finds and epigraphical surveys.

“We want to piece together the rich cultural and historical past of the State through extensive study of the available stampages and other material,” she adds.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by T. Lalith Singh / Hyderabad – September 28th, 2015

TSTDC Launches Mobile Application, Touch-screen Kiosks

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
IT minister KT Rama Rao flanked by state government advisor KV Ramanachary, TSTDC chairman P Ramulu and MD Christina Z Chongthu releasing a book on ‘Ancient Temples of Telangana’ on the occasion of World Tourism Day in Hyderabad on Sunday. | EXPRESS Photo
IT minister KT Rama Rao flanked by state government advisor KV Ramanachary, TSTDC chairman P Ramulu and MD Christina Z Chongthu releasing a book on ‘Ancient Temples of Telangana’ on the occasion of World Tourism Day in Hyderabad on Sunday. | EXPRESS Photo

Hyderabad :

Coinciding with the World Tourism Day, the Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) entered the online market and launched Android-based mobile phone application and touch-screen kiosks to promote tourism destinations in the state.

The App acts as a virtual guide to users and provides detailed information on the transport, accommodation and history of any chosen place. Any mobile phone user can download this Android-based App free of cost.

The touch-screen kiosks, which will also serve a similar purpose, will be installed at railway stations, bus stations and airports for the benefit of travellers to guide them to the nearest tourist spots.

Information technology minister K T Rama Rao inaugurated the two facilities during World Tourism Day celebrations at Taramati Baradari in the city on Sunday.

Rama Rao advised the TSTDC to explore new trends in tourism promotion such as palace tourism and theme park tourism. “The weekend culture is a developing trend in cities like Hyderabad. It is a good opportunity for the tourism sector to cash in on the growing demand for children’s parks and theme-based restaurants in the city.” He also suggested to TSTDC to develop adventure sports destinations near Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, the TSTDC has announced new initiatives to develop unexplored tourist destinations in the state. Corporation chairman Pervaram Ramulu said that the government was planning to develop theme- based tourism circuits to connect multiple tourist spots under a single package.

An integrated eco-tourism circuit in Mahbubnagar district has been announced recently. A tribal tourism circuit in Warangal district with eight destinations was being developed with an investment of Rs 96.01 crore, he said. On the occasion of the World Tourism Day, the TSTDC presented awards to best performing restaurants, tour operators and guides. ‘One Billion Tourists, One Billion Opportunities’ has been chosen as the theme for Tourism Day celebrations this year. According to a recent report by the United Nations, the global tourism market will have 1.80 billion (100.80 crore) tourists.

To enhance its share in the country’s tourism revenue, the TSTDC is planning to spend Rs 600 crore with a target to develop the tourism spots to global standards.

Tourism secretary B Venkatesham, advisor to the state government KV Ramanachary, TSTDC managing director Christina Z Chongthu and director of archaeology Sunita Bhagawat were also present at the event.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / September 28th, 2015

Buddhist Stupa lies in neglect

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, World Opinion
The Buddhist Stupa in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district.—Photo: Thakur Ajay Pal Singh
The Buddhist Stupa in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district.—Photo: Thakur Ajay Pal Singh

The Buddhist Stupa dating back to 2nd century BC and one of the 30 walled cities mentioned by Megasthenes located in Dhulikatta village of Eligaid mandal in Karimnagar district lies neglected for several decades due to lethargy on the part of the government.

The Archaeology Department had discovered the heritage structure in 1975 along the shores of a picturesque rivulet on the outskirts of Dhulikatta village. Barring the discovery of this early Buddhist stupa, the authorities have failed to take up any measures for the development and protection of the heritage site for the promotion of tourism.

In spite of several pleas by the historians and others, the authorities failed to provide road facilities to the ancient protected monumental structure. It is barely 33 km distance from the district headquarters, but still reaching the Stupa is a herculean task due to non-availability of road.

Due to non-availability of security at this structure, the miscreants had damaged the ancient monument and stolen away the antique veneer slabs and other panels and bricks. There were also incidents of miscreants digging the structure in search of treasure hunt. Literally, there is not even a sign board educating the people about the importance of ancient structure to attract tourists.

This Buddhist Stupa was constructed on a mound with light weight bricks. It is embellished with sculpted veneer slabs and beautifully carved limestone slabs. It is stated that site had attained importance as it was constructed with 47 slabs to enhance the dome with the Stupa.

Historians say that the Archaeology authorities had discovered other relics such as gateways built with light weight bricks, mahastupa, chatra, residential houses, wells, bangle pieces, ivory combs, gold objects, punch-marked coins, beads, coins of Romans and Satavahanas and seals. Majority of relics were shifted to the present Andhra Pradesh State Museum and only a few antiques lie in the Karimnagar museum.

AD (Archaeology) Premsagar told The Hindu on Tuesday that the Telangana State government was planning to develop Buddhist circuit covering Dhulikatta and other ancient Buddhist structures located in Nalgonda district which will also promote tourism.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 23rd, 2015

Fighting Odds, Telangana Woman Cop Conquers Mount Kun in Second Attempt

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports, Travel
Adilabad Additional SP G R Radhika atop Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Jammu and Kashmir along with her fellow mountaineers
Adilabad Additional SP G R Radhika atop Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Jammu and Kashmir along with her fellow mountaineers

Hyderabad :

Battling all odds, including high winds, hostile climate, sub zero temperature, deep and treacherous crevices and roughly half the oxygen content in the air, a woman police officer has conquered 7,077 metres high Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Kashmir recently. G R Radhika, working as additional superintendent of police (Admin) in Adilabad district, achieved the rare feat, on September 7 to become the first woman police officer to conquer Mount Kun.

The Additional SP, Adilabad, G R Radhika, who climbed 7,077 meters peak of Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Kashmir on September 7.
The Additional SP, Adilabad, G R Radhika, who climbed 7,077 meters peak of Mount Kun in Zanskar Range of Kashmir on September 7.

Radhika, a lecturer-turned-police officer, had attended a special training programme on mountaineering, organised by former additional director general of police (ADGP), Rajiv Trivedi, who is now principal secretary for Home in Telangana. Mount Kun had a special place in Radhika’s mind and she had dreamt of climbing the snow-clad peak umpteen times. After much efforts Radhika tasted success in her second attempt.

“I felt on top of the world, when I reached the peak. It was a challenging task, but once I got there I felt sky is not the limit if we have the determination. I was part of an eight-member team including foreigners, that reached the top of the peak on September 7. I would like to thank all my colleagues in Telangana Police, particularly Rajiv Trivedi who facilitated me to get trained in mountaineering. It was an unforgettable moment,” said Radhika, while sharing her moments of glory and joy standing atop the peak. The Nun and Kun are the highest twin peaks in the Zanskar Range.

Now that she has conquered Mount Kun, Radhika now aspires to reach the summit of Mount Everest. “I will start preparing to climb Everest and will undergo training for the same. Mountaineering is not an easy task. Climbing Mount Kun itself was a tough task. We reached Kargil on August 23. From there, we started climbing under the guidance of an Indian Air Force officer who is an expert in mountaineering. Finally, we reached the peak at 7,077 metres Kun on September 7,” Radhika reminisced.

Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Sharma congratulated Radhika stating that the personnel of state police department have been excelling in the national sports arena and the achievement of Radhika has added glory to the state police.

The woman police officer is also a philanthropist. Adilabad SP Tarun Joshi and Radhika have adopted villages as part of Telangana government’s pet scheme Grama Jyothi. While the SP adopted Devapur in Talamadugu mandal, ASP G R Radhika adopted Ponnari in Tamsi mandal.

Principal secretary Rajiv Trivedi told Express that he had recommended Radhika for the basic mountaineering course at Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering and Winter Sports, Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir last year when he was additional DGP, Sports.

After the course, Radhika went on a week-long expedition to Golep Kangri peak to test her skills and successfully scaled the peak, which is 5,980 metres high. “If Radhika thinks she is equipped, she must scale Mount Everest,” Trivedi opined.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), TSSP, who is in-charge of Sports, V V Srinivasa Rao said that the police department would provide equipment for trekking to Radhika who currently hires the equipment by spending Rs 30,000 to 40,000 for few days.

Extending financial help to Radhika, the police department would sanction special causal leave to the police officer for her mountaineering venture.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Mouli Mareedu / September 14th, 2015

Madhvika in Guinness book of record

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, World Opinion
Madhvika showing her Guinness record certificate in Karimnagar on Wednesday.-Photo: By arrangement.
Madhvika showing her Guinness record certificate in Karimnagar on Wednesday.-Photo: By arrangement.

Child prodigy Peeka Madhvika, who entered the Limca Book of Records for chiselling 12 Lord Ganesh idols on eight centimetre chalk-piece in 60 seconds, had recorded her name in the Guinness Book of World Record also.

Fourteen-year-old Madhvika, who is studying eighth standard in a private school, is the daughter of Reserve Inspector Sashidhar, received the Guinness World Record certificate on Wednesday.

She had performed the record feat on November 24 last year for Guinness record. She had earlier entered several record books for her feat of chiselling out small Ganesh idols on chalk-piece. There were accolades from all sections of society for her achievement. She is ecstatic about her achievement saying that Guinness record is the ultimate.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by Special Correspondent / Karimnagar – September 03rd, 2015

Ancient twin caves discovered in Nalgonda

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All
The twin caves which were discovered at Gajubeda village in Nalgonda district . Photo : Singam Venkataramana
The twin caves which were discovered at Gajubeda village in Nalgonda district . Photo : Singam Venkataramana

It is arguably the oldest in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

In a significant discovery, the Department of Archaeology and Museums has come across naturally formed ancient twin caves which pre-historic man could have made his habitation in Nalgonda district of Telangana on Thursday. According to experts in the Department of Archaeology, the 200-metre-deep caves, a rare find, are probably the oldest-ever discovered in both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Local tribal leaders Lalu Nayak and Bikku Nayak informed archaeology officials about the caves at Gajubeda Tanda, a hamlet under Kacharajupally grama panchayat in Chandampet mandal. The place is just a couple of km from Nagarjunasagar backwaters and very close to Dindi rivulet.

Assistant Director at Archaeology and Museums P. Nagaraju told The Hindu that as of now they have found no archaeological evidences like paintings inside the cave.

The twin caves have 15-metre radius at the entry point but the size narrows down. One of the twin caves is 50 feet deep and the other 200 metres.

He had discussed the find with many experts who confirmed they had never found such massive naturally formed caves in the past. However, he observed that it needed to be studied further by experts. The Assistant Director along with District Tourism Officer M. Shivaji and K. Narasimhulu and others visited the place.

Tourism potential
Mr. Shivaji said that the place could be developed into a great adventure tourism spot. Since it was located very close to Nagarjunasagar, Krishna and Dindi rivers, the Tourism officer said they would include these caves in the proposed Devarakonda, Chandampet tourism circuit.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National / by T. Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – September 12th, 2015