Ayush Rudraraju, the young shooter from Hyderabad who represented India in the ISSF Junior Cup shotgun championship in Buhl (Germany). / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
The 13-year-old shooter is the youngest to qualify for the Nationals
At 13, Ayush Rudraraju can well afford a smile and dream big. He has managed to set yet another ‘first’ – he is the youngest shooter to qualify for the Nationals by notching up a Zonal record score of 117\125 in the junior men’s skeet category of the sixth South Zone shotgun championship, held at the Central University Sports Authority of Telangana shooting ranges here on Friday.
For the record, Ayush is also the youngest Olympic skeet shooter in India and is coached and mentored by his father, Rajeev Kumar.
An eighth standard student of Oakridge International School, Ayush is widely tipped to be one of the best young talents in shooting, which was amply demonstrated even when he took part in the ISSF Junior World Cup last year.
“Now, I am thinking of the different level after the Zonal performance,” says the articulate Ayush, who is clearly chasing bigger goals on the shooting front.
What is most impressive about this young talent is that he won the gold in the junior men’s skeet category (individual), team event and a silver in the senior men’s skeet category too.
With shooters from six southern States taking part, the fact that Ayush held his own to make another impact on the sport, has made many critics at the range take note of his prodigious talent.
“More importantly, I have qualified for the 58 Nationals to be held in Patiala from November 14 and 27. This gives me a real feel of what it means to be in the big league,” says a delighted Ayush after today’s achievement.
Not surprisingly, this young shooter is already aiming for a slot in the Indian team. He is looking forward to the qualification events for the Junior World Cup, the Asian meets which start next January.
“Yes, I am aware of the huge task ahead. But at the same time, I am pretty pleased with the way things are going. I love this sport and want to make it big,” he says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V.Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – November 02nd, 2014
A courageous ‘go-ahead’ by a young woman for doctors to perform an extremely risky procedure on her baby to rectify serious heart defects has revolutionised the medical field in India – because the procedure was carried out successfully when the baby was still in her womb.
A 99% block in aortic valve forced the blood to go the wrong way of the mitral valve. This caused pure and impure blood to mix, a potentially fatal condition that could have killed the foetus A courageous ‘go-ahead’ by a young woman for doctors to perform an extremely risky procedure on her baby to rectify serious heart defects has revolutionised the medical field in India – because the procedure was carried out successfully when the baby was still in her womb. The baby – a foetus of 27 weeks – was diagnosed in the pre-natal stage with a 99 per cent block of the aortic valve which allows purified blood into the largest artery in the heart, called aorta. Because of the block, a resulting leak in the mitral valve (which allows one-way flow of impure blood into the left ventricle) allowed the pure blood to mix with the impure blood in the left atrium of the heart. That led to shrinking of the left side of the heart. If the defect was not corrected, the baby may not have survived in the womb, or would have been born with the defect to lead an uncertain, short life
The baby – a foetus of 27 weeks – was diagnosed in the pre-natal stage with a 99 per cent block of the aortic valve which allows purified blood into the largest artery in the heart, called aorta.
Because of the block, a resulting leak in the mitral valve (which allows one-way flow of impure blood into the left ventricle) allowed the pure blood to mix with the impure blood in the left atrium of the heart. That led to shrinking of the left side of the heart.
If the defect was not corrected, the baby may not have survived in the womb, or would have been born with the defect to lead an uncertain, short life full of complications.
A team of eight cardiac specialists led by Dr. K Nageswara Rao, chief paediatric cardiologist at Care Hospital, Banjara Hills in Hyderabad – where the rare surgery took place on October 23 – successfully completed the surgery that took 150 minutes. The specialists were aided by 22 assistants, considering the complexity of procedures which involved cardiology, obstetrics, and gynaecology and paediatric fields of medicine.
And the highly complicated procedure became possible to be completed successfully because the mother, M Sirisha, a science teacher, easily understood the science and the problem, according to the doctors.
She gave her nod. When the first attempt failed in the 25th week, the parents were upset. But, we convinced them that the position of the foetus in the womb was the hurdle to the procedure.
In the 27th week, the team got experts to change the position of the baby inside the womb so as to allow the cardiac specialists to conduct the procedure.
They used a special-sized balloon with a special 18 gauge needle (imported from the US) to its baby’s thigh. The needle was inserted through the wall of the mother (Sirisha’s) womb, the doctors explained.
Dr Nageswara Rao said the procedure was successfully completed, but still only 60 per cent of the work has been done, with the rest 40 per cent to be completed after the baby is born in December third week.
Dr Rao is excited. “I have been waiting for ten long years to perform this surgery. Though we tried one three years ago (a different case), the surgery failed and the baby died. Now, this baby will be born healthy and will be normal once the remaining part of the correction is carried out,” he said. Such surgeries are performed in the UK and the USA but this is the first time such an operation has been conducted in India.
Noted cardiologist and chairman of Care Hospital, Dr. Soma Raju, said, “Hitherto, parents preferred termination of pregnancy in almost all such cases. In cases which were not diagnosed, the babies are born dead or die soon after birth. Now, we can say we have overcome one more health challenge.
Sirisha, already a young mother of 25 with a 20-month-old son, said, “The problem was diagnosed during a regular pre-natal test at some other centre. They directed me to Dr. Nageswara Rao who gave me the confidence that the procedure can be carried out successfully. We are now very happy, waiting for the delivery.”
The significance of the success of the surgery is in the fact that parents who seek similar procedures abroad would be able to get it done in India at much lower costs. However, Care Hospital has kept the cost aspect confidential even while indicating that the procedure would cost anywhere above Rs 3 lakh.
source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by P Pavan, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / October 31st, 2014
Weightlifter Ragala Venkata Rahul, showing his silver medal he won in the recent Youth Olympics in China to his parents in Hyderabad. Photo: V.V. Subrahmanyam / The Hindu
Weightlifter Ragala Venkata Rahul is set to make his maiden foray into the big league at the World Senior championship in Almaty
For Ragala Venkata Rahul, the journey to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics begins when this gifted weightlifter from the Telangana Sports School competes in his maiden World Senior championship to be held in Almaty (Kazakhstan) from November 4 in the first week of November. The only other weightlifter from this part of India to make it to the meet is Matsa Santoshi in the women’s section.
This is will be his maiden foray into what his coaches S. A. Singh and Pachipala Manikyalu confess should be the most challenging assignment. The 17-year-old weightlifter continues to be the star performer from the Sports School on international platforms.
Some of Rahul’s major accomplishments in the last one year have been gold medals in the Youth Asian, Junior Asian and Junior Commonwealth championships. Yet for someone who picked India’s only medal in the recent Youth Olympics in Nanjing (China) when he clinched the silver in the 77 kg category with an effort of 316 kg (141+175), the Almaty meet should be a huge learning curve. “Yes, it is going to be very, very difficult. But at the same time, it is the kind of challenge I am glad to be facing well ahead of the Rio Olympics,” says Rahul.
With the World Championship also being one of the many qualification events for the Rio Olympics, Rahul feels there will be some pressure. “Yes, the training has bee really intense in the national camp and the coaches are doing a wonderful job in helping us all (the 14 weightlifters selected for the Worlds). But again, it all depends on how well we adapt to the conditions, atmosphere and face the pressure factor too,” the champion weightlifter explains.
Inspired by Karnam Malleswari, India’s first-ever woman medallist in Olympics (weightlifting bronze in 2000 Sydney Games), Rahul has definitely bigger dreams to chase. “Representing India in the Olympics is my ultimate goal. Given the way things have been moving so far in the circuit, I am confident, if not over-confident, of making it big,” says Rahul.
Rahul is aware that whatever he had won so far including the three gold medals in the Asian Youth Championship and two medals in the IWF Youth Boys World Championship in Tashkent a year ago are a thing of the past. “What happened in the past is irrelevant. This is a totally new challenge and I am ready to face it,” reminds the young champion.
AP Weightlifting Association Secretary Badeti Venkatramaiah, who has been a guiding force for Rahul by way of sending him to major events given his potential, too is optimistic of a better future. “The best part he is just 17. He can go places as he never complains of getting tired during training schedule and more importantly always keen to learn and keep improving,” he points out.
As he tries his luck in the 77kg category, the World Championship should give Rahul an experience of what it means to be in the big league, where the best in the world compete.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by V V Subrahmanyam / October 29th, 2014
AWARD FOR TELANGANA
STATE OF STATES
INDIA TODAY
KTR RECEIVES AWARD
HYDERABAD, TELANGANA: 31/10/2014: Telangana State has been selected for the “Big Best State in Infrastructure” award at the India Today’s State of the States Conclave 2014 being held at New Delhi. IT & Panchayat Raj Minister KT Rama Rao received the award from Union Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Sri Ravi Shankar Prasad to at New Delhi. PHOTO: By Arrangement
Minister for Panchayat Raj K.T. Rama Rao on Friday received the ‘India Today State of States’ award given to Telangana. Union Minister for IT and Communications Ravi Shankar Prasad presented the award at the India Today conclave in New Delhi.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / New Delhi – November 01st, 2014
Hyderabad is set to have the first digital (paperless) post office in the country soon, member, Postal Services Board (PSB), India Post, G John Samuel said on Wednesday.
The official was in the city to launch ‘Same day parcel delivery service’ at a programme in Chikkadpally.
Speaking on the occasion, Samuel said AP circle tops in launching innovative and unique schemes for customers. Elaborating on the new parcel delivery scheme, Samuel said the service would first be available at General Post Office (Abids), Humayunnagar, Himayatnagar, Malakpet, Himmatnagar, Saroornagar and Malkajgiri. “If a customer books a parcel to be delivered to an address in the city before 3 pm at select post offices, it will be delivered the same day without additional charges,” he explained.
Chief postmaster general, A P Circle, B V Sudhakar said: “One-day delay could be avoided with the new service. For parcels weighing up to 500 grams, Rs 36 (Rs 19 postal charge and Rs 17 registration charges) would be charged. Based on the response, the service will be extended to other post offices in the city.”
Citizens can now track their SpeedPost by dialing a toll free number at 18004253925.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / October 30th, 2014
To curb eve teasing against girls, city police on Friday pressed in 100 SHE Teams, who will keep surveillance in all important public places to nab the stalkers.
During a press conference, Hyderabad police commissioner Mahendar Reddy said that the SHE Teams will be working directly under additional commissioner of police (crimes) Swathi Lakra. City police had already identified places and timings where the eve teasing is a menace.
“Stalkers are identified and brought to the CCS police station. Counseling is given to stalker and his familyin the police station. His activity sheet is prepared and kept in the central data baseHis activities are monitored on a daily basis,” commissioner said. Repeat offenders will be charge under Nirbhaya Act. The victims, whose details will be kept confidential, can dial 100 to lodge complaints.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / October 25th, 2014
In a bid to make Hyderabad the first WiFi enabled city in the country, telecom operator Bharti Airtel along with the Telangana government launched the pilot project, ‘Public WiFi,’ with the rollout of 17 WiFi spots in the city’s IT district on Friday.
Elaborating on the project, Bharti Airtel chief executive officer (Andhra Pradesh and Telangana) Venkatesh Vijayraghavan said ‘Public WiFi’ has been launched in 17 locations in the hub of Hi-Tec City and will enable people living in those areas to access up to 750 MB of free internet per day on any device.
To begin with, these public WiFi hotspots have been set up between Cyber Towers to Madhapur police station, Cyber Towers to Kothaguda junction and Cyber Towers to Raheja Mindspace Circle. On an average, around 40,000 commuters, commercial establishments and visitors would be able to benefit from this service, he said.
Explaining the process, Vijayraghavan said that anybody with a valid mobile number can access this facility. Once the WiFi has been switched on, the user needs to submit the mobile number, following which a username and one-time password (OTP) would be sent to the user via SMS. Using the password, the user can log on and use the free WiFi, he explained.
The project will be operational for three months as of now and the future course will be decided based on the response and outcome, he added.
Meanwhile, speaking about future plans of the government’s pet project of making Hyderabad a fully WiFi city, Telangana IT minister KT Rama Rao said the state government has already invited expression of interest from players keen on working in the area of WiFi enabling the city and the state government will be floating tenders in this regard in a couple of weeks. The IT minister pointed out that the entire city will be WiFi enabled in the next four to five months.
Free internet
* ‘Public WiFi’ launched in 17 locations in Hi-Tec City
* Users can access up to 750 MB free internet per day
* Any user with a valid mobile number would get a username and one-time password via SMS once the WiFi is switched on
* Project to be operational for three months on pilot basis
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / October 11th, 2014
M.A. Qaiyum, historian, with his new book “Charminar in Replica of Paradise” Photo: Satyanarayana Gola / The Hindu
Do you know that great geometric combinations and mathematical reasoning has gone into the construction of Charminar? Visitors are usually astounded by the beauty of the 16 century monument, but not many know how the number ‘char’ (four) and its multiples figure in the designing of the structure. In at least 22 spots the magic of four dazzles.
Of course, the main Minars and arches are four. So are the small arches decorated on each side of the main arch. The number of galleries built in each Minar at different level is four. Again each Minar is divided into four parts. The supporting arches (big petals) to galleries and main dome in each Minar are four. The number of entrance arches built in four directions to enter the Minar is also four. And it was the fourth Qutb Shahi king, Mohd. Quli Qutb Shah, who built the Charminar!
There are also effigies of pigeon, parrot, squirrel and peacock in the delicate stucco work of Charminar. Mind-boggling, isn’t it? If your curiosity is aroused, don’t mind. You can now find all about Charminar, the little known and not so well-known things, in the new book on the monument authored by M.A. Qaiyum, retired deputy director, Department of Archaeology and Museums.
The book titled “Charminar in Replica of Paradise” is, perhaps, the first publication devoted entirely to the legendary Qutb Shahi masterpiece.
“So beautiful, so old and so complete”. One is compelled to repeat this comment of a western traveller after going through the 220-page book. The 190 multi colour photos, illustrations and paintings on real art paper make it a collector’s item.
Mr. Qaiyum traces the 400 years of journey from Qutub Minar to Charminar (1192-1591 AD). He throws light on monuments all over the world which sport Minars to explain the concept of minarets. For instance, there are references with pictures of the first Turkish mosque with four Minars built between 1569-75, the Qaismi Mosque with four minarets built in Iranian architects in Baghdad, the four Minars on the main entrance gate of Emperor Akbar’s mausoleum in Agra. Not just this. The book contains pictures of spiral minaret (Iraq), square minaret (Morocco), cylindrical minaret (Afghanistan).
Mr. Qaiyum discusses in detail the Paradise gardens and their significance in Persian life and culture. A well laid out garden is a symbol of happiness and prosperity. The ‘Char Bagh’ or four garden pattern was introduced in India by the first Mughal king, Babar. This concept was also followed when Charminar was constructed. “In later years the gardens and parks gave way to streets and houses and few know that Hyderabad once had a virtual garden of Paradise”, says Mr. Qaiyum. He can be reached on phone 8978877448.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by J.S. Ifthekhar / Hyderabad – October 28th, 2014
Cara Black of Zimbabwe (R) and Sania Mirza. File photo. / Reuters
Cara Black and Sania Mirza cruised to the doubles title at the WTA Finals with an authoritative 6-1, 6-0 win over defending champions Peng Shuai and Hsieh Su-Wei on Sunday.
For Black, it was the third time she had won the doubles crown at the WTA Finals, while for Mirza it was her first victory at the season-ending championships.
It was a surprisingly one-sided final, given Peng and Hsieh entered the match with a 12—0 record in doubles finals, including this year’s French Open and Wimbledon in 2013.
The winning pair received $500,000 in prize money.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Tennis / AP / Singapore – October 26th, 2014
The Indian National Science Academy (INSA) has elected Srivari Chandrasekhar, Chief Scientist at CSIR- Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, as a fellow from 2015.
The recognition has been accorded to Dr. Chandrasekhar for his contributions in the area of organic chemistry. He has made significant contributions in synthesising complex and scarcely available natural products in the laboratory using easily available chemicals, the latest related to developing technology for manufacture of Misoprostal, an important drug in treatment of ulcers.
An IICT press release said INSA was the only organisation representing Government of India to the International Council of Scientific Unions.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 24th, 2014
