Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Youngest CA in country authored books at 10

Amazing Feats, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

Hyderabad :

While other children at the age of 10 were busy brushing up their mathematical skills, Hyderabad’s child prodigy authored books on the subject and became the youngest income tax payer for the royalty he received from developing the math laboratory.

Meet Nischal Narayanam, 19, who last week became the country’s youngest chartered accountant, capping an already long list of achievements. Not only did he display his talent by completing five classes, class 8 to 12, in one academic year, securing the top rank in the International General Certificate of Secondary Education board in Cambridge University in 2010, he also is a double Guinness world record holder in the category of memory. He made the record first at the age of 11. He is also the recipient of the National Gold Medal for exceptional achievement in 2008, presented by the then central government.

A prodigy from the start, Nischal’s skills were honed by 40 tutors from across the world, who taught him almost all the Math methodologies. “I have been taught almost all Math methodologies such as Abacus (China), Trachtenberg system (Germany), Napier Bones (Scotland), Vedic Math (India), among many others. These mental methodologies are the foundation of my success,” said Nischal.

In fact, Nischal designed the Math laboratory at the age of 10. Manufactured by Nischal Learning Solutions Pvt Ltd., the Math lab includes various tools and equipment to explain various mathematical concepts. “The Math lab teaches basic concepts such as multiplication of six digit numbers, algorithms, structures etc. with a wide choice of problem solving skills. Through these portable labs, teachers can teach several concepts which cannot be taught only through textbooks,” said Nischal.

No wonder then that the Math lab is technically empanelled by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). It is already being used in almost 2 lakh schools across the country and will be introduced in the schools run by the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments from this academic year.

In the meantime, Nischal, who plans to study further in the field of finance and statistics, is relaxing with movies and travelling. “I watch movies almost twice a week. I don’t isolate myself from social life and attend almost all family functions,” said Nischal, who had already been to 18 countries so far.

National Geographic Channel has recently named Nishal among “7 brilliant brains of the world”. Deloitte International audit firm, recognizing his amazing abilities, had invited him as a special invitee and speaker at their global conference in Shanghai. The conference was attended by delegates from 190 countries. At Deloitte, Nischal is the youngest amongst their two lakh members, globally. Nischal’s passion for mathematics was spotted by his parents at an early age of nine and since then they have encouraged him for all his achievements.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / July 24th, 2015

Sania seals historic Wimbledon crown with Hingis

Amazing Feats, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza pose with their trophies after winning their Women's Doubles Final match / Reuters
Martina Hingis and Sania Mirza pose with their trophies after winning their Women’s Doubles Final match / Reuters

Sania had come close to winning a women’s doubles Major in 2011 when she reached the French Open final with Elena Vesnina but ended up runners-up.

India’s tennis queen Sania Mirza today created history by becoming the first female player from the country to win a women’s doubles Grand Slam trophy as she clinched the Wimbledon title with Swiss partner Martina Hingis.

More than a decade after turning Pro, 28-year-old Sania laid hands on her first women’s doubles Major title when she and Hingis battled past second seed Russian team of Ekaterina Makarova and Elena Vesnina 5-7 7-6(4) 7-5 in a thrilling final.

In an interesting coincidence it was at these very historic courts that Sania had won women’s doubles junior Wimbledon championship with Russian partner Alisa Kleybanova in 2003.

Sania had come close to winning a women’s doubles Major in 2011 when she reached the French Open final with Elena Vesnina but ended up runners-up.

Already having a long list of firsts, Sania had become India’s first woman player to win a Grand Slam when she won the Australian Open with compatriot Mahesh Bhupathi in 2009.

She later added French Open (2012 with Bhupathi) and US Open (2014 with Bruno Soares) to her mixed doubles collection.

It was a remarkable turn around for the top seeds as they were trailing 2-5 in the deciding set but made a stunning comeback to reel off five straight games to clinch the issue.

Vesnina was all fired up and her smashing volleys at the net put Sania and Hingis in a lot of trouble. The Russian was left distraught as she played out of her skin.

It was third time in recent times that Sania and Hingis played the two Russians in finals — Indian Wells and Miami — and asserted their supremacy again.

Sania was broken in the very first game of the match when Vesnina hit a volley winner from the net but the top seeds immediately broke Vesnina to avoid falling behind. It was a remarkable lob from Hingis that gave them two break chances and they converted the second.

Sania and Hingis put tremendous pressure on the their rivals but the two Russians responded well and it was 5-5.

Hingis was broken in the 11th game at love after a terrific rally of powerful ground strokes from left-handed Makarova. Vesnina pounced on one return from the Swiss and hammered the volley winner close to the body of Sania.

Makarova served for the set and it was Vesnina’s smart play at the net that sealed them the opening set.

It was the first set that Sania and Hingis had dropped in this tournament.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport / by PTI / London – July 12th, 2015

Students showcase novel models in ‘eye care’

Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

A group of students showcased how the buzzwords ‘technology’ and ‘innovation’ can help provide effective and affordable healthcare in the country.

At the ‘ReDx: Engineering the Eye’ workshop, which was inaugurated on Sunday, engineering students collaborated with their mentors from the medical fraternity to exhibit unique alternatives as well as newer ideas in eye care. In the workshop organised by L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Camera Culture Group and MIT Media Lab, about five potential prototype models were on display.

One such model was JULIA (Just Use Logic in Imaging App), which was developed by a team of ten members selected from various institutes from across the country. “Autorefraction and Retinoscopy are the two methods used to detect refractive errors.

The equipment is expensive and the process is time consuming,” said Venu Madhav, IIIT student and member of the project.

“We have developed a device, which if manufactured on a large scale, costs only Rs.100 per piece. This can be operated even by an illiterate person and the test results can be known immediately. We tested this on 200 people and the difference of results of our device when compared with usual equipment was minor.”

Another tool called ‘visual field testing for babies’ is a first, according to those developing it. “Babies in the age group of three months to twelve months are checked for sight issues. There is no such testing for babies available now and this will help in early detection of Glaucoma and other eye ailments,” said Prem Nandini, mentor of the group.

Telangana IT Minister K.T. Rama Rao, who inaugurated the workshop, assured that the State government would provide favourable conditions for entrepreneurs and suggested that students ‘Indianise’ their products for the benefit of society.

Gullapalli N. Rao, Founder-Chair, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, said that they aim to reach the most neglected citizens with the efforts.

In its third year, the programme saw about 100 participants.

The exhibits will be showcased for the next one week in Engineering Staff College of India in Gachibowli.

L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, Camera Culture Group and MIT Media Lab organise ‘ReDx: Engineering the Eye’ workshop

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – July 07th, 2015

Nikitha catches the ‘magic bus’ at the right time

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports, World Opinion

Dantulturi Sri Nikitha practising football on the school premises on Friday.– PHOTO: Mohd Arif
Dantulturi Sri Nikitha practising football on the school premises on Friday.– PHOTO: Mohd Arif

Dantulturi Sri Nikitha of Nyamatabad in Nyalakal mandal, who dropped out from school, has a reason to celebrate now. She has made it to the football training programme at New Jersey, USA.

Three years after she left the school for financial reasons, Magic Bus, a voluntary organisation working with children, recognised her talent in football and helped her hone her skills as a goal keeper.

Her parents Subba Raju and Vijaya Lakshmi, who are farm labourers, had plans of marrying her off once they get a suitable groom. It was at this juncture that Magic Bus recognised her talent and prodded her to pursue it with enthusiasm. She came to the limelight during one of the community sports events organised by the Magic Bus. “Thanks to Magic Bus which made all efforts to get her readmitted to school. They convinced her parents to do so. Without the organisation, Nikhita’s talent might not have gotten proper exposure,” says Shakeela, Principal, Navabharat High School, where Nikhita is studying at present. Under Nikhita’s leadership, the school football team won more than eight matches and also represented the school at the State-level last year.

“She was distraught when we refused to readmit her in the school. Some of our relatives are still against she going to the US as they think that it will be of no use for her. Only her uncle, Subrahmanyam Raju, supported us throughout,” says Nikhita’s parents. But nothing has deterred Nikhita from chasing her dream. Ask her about it and phat comes the answer: “I want to become a football player. To achieve that, I will do whatever that is needed to be done. But my family needs support too ,” says Nikhita, who is flying to New Jersey today to be trained by Sports Leadership Academy there.

With the help of Magic Bus, a voluntary organisation, a dropout from school has managed to go to the US for training in football

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Telangana / by R. Avadhani / Mirajpur (Medak District) / July 04th, 2015

Yet another first for Sania Mirza

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports, World Opinion

Three-time Grand Slam winner, Sania Mirza.
Three-time Grand Slam winner, Sania Mirza.

First woman tennis player from India to be top-seeded in Wimbledon

Twenty-eight-year-old Sania Mirza has become the first woman tennis player from India to be top-seeded in the ongoing Wimbledon or for that matter, any Grand Slam championship.

“It’s a great honour to be the top-seed in what is considered to be the ‘home of tennis’,” said Sania from London, before leaving for practice on Friday, ahead of the next match.

“It’s a proud moment and is an official acknowledgement of Sania’s sustained, consistent performances at the highest level,” said her father, Imran Mirza.

Ms. Mirza, incidentally, is playing her 15th year at Wimbledon. She won her first major title there in 2003 at the first junior Grand Slam, in the girls’ doubles category. Sania’s best at Wimbledon in women’s doubles has been the semi-final appearance with partner, Vesnina. It also means she is now a member of the ‘Last-four Club’ in Wimbledon and enjoys certain privileges for a lifetime, including use of a special locker etc.

“No matter how many times you’ve been here, it is still really exciting. I have several beautiful memories associated with the ‘BIG W’,” said Mr. Mirza. His daughter’s performances at Wimbledon have been memorable, including the three-setter in singles, which she lost to the then reigning US Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, playing for the first time on the famed Centre Court, besides beating Japan’s Akiko Morigami.

The only Indians top-seeded in a Grand Slam earlier were Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi in the 1999 French Open edition men’s doubles. Ms. Sania Mirza, a three-time Grand Slam winner, is determined to complete a career Grand Slam, having won the mixed doubles titles in the Australian, French and the US Opens earlier.

Becomes the first woman tennis player from India to be top-seeded in the ongoing Wimbledon

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – July 03rd, 2015

NRI Kids Donate Rs 30,000 for Mission Kakatiya

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / PIO's

Hyderabad :

Inspired by the state government’s effort to revive lakes in the state under Mission Kakatiya, a group of NRI children donated Rs 30,000 to irrigation minister T Harish Rao on Wednesday.

The children said the amount was raised by working during weekends by cleaning up gardens and cars in their locality.

Born in US and studying in prestigious schools in the city like Oakridge, Chirec, Delhi Public schools, the students run a social service organisation called Hill County Interactive Club.

Harish Rao congratulated them for their gesture.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / June 25th, 2015

Nonagenarian doctor’s relentless service to patients

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, Travel

At the age of 91, Daram Nagabooshanam, the senior most chest physician of Karimnagar district, hates Sundays and holidays and says, “I feel happy and healthy only if I work and go to my clinic to treat my patients”.

This elderly doctor still arrives sharp at 9 a.m. at his clinic by walking, from his house and treats patients coming from far flung places of Karimnagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad and Medak districts and also adjoining Chhattisgarh State.

He is still continuing his crusade against the Tuberculosis (TB) disease.

Dr. Nagabooshanam, who is popularly called as the TB doctor, is native of Jagtial and completed his medicine from Osmania Medical College in 1952. He also completed his TDD in 1960.

He practiced medicine in the government sector for 13 years till 1964 and later started private practice in Karimnagar town since then. When TB was considered as dreaded disease like cancer, this doctor instilled confidence in people with his proper diagnosis and appropriate prescription.

Varied interests

He was the first person in the district to conduct X ray screening facilities for treatment. Recently, he had won the State government’s “Vayo Shrestha Samman” award for Lifetime Achievement category. He is a multi-faceted genius and a man with varied interests. He has passion for collection of rare artefacts, drift wood, philately, numismatics, crystal stones and ancient historic tools and preserving them in his museum set up in memory of his wife Daram Susheela Memorial Museum in Karimnagar.

He also won accolades for launching campaign against corruption and usage of plastic bags.

This doctor also serves gruel during summer season every year to quench the thirst of people in the town. Dr Nagabooshanam feels proud to serve the needy patients even at this age.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by K. M. Dayashankar / Karimnagar – July 01st, 2015

National pledge author gets due credit at last

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All

In a significant move, the Telangana government has finally credited Pydimarri Venkatasubba Rao, the authour of national pledge, for his work by giving his name in text books. The recognition comes 51 years after it was first published in textbooks.

Poets, writers, family members of Venkatasubba Rao hailed the government’s decision for acknowledging his work.

Born on June 10, 1916 at Anneparthy village near Nalgonda town, Rao had flair for writing since his childhood. One of his works appeared in ‘Golkonda Kavulu’ published by noted writer Suravaram Prathap Reddy in 1934, when Venkatasubba Rao was just 18 years-old.

Cultivating patriotism

Later, he joined Treasury Department and worked in the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh until he retired in 1971. When he was working in Visakhapatnam in 1960s, India was at war with China in 1962.

With an aim to put the nation together and cultivate patriotism among the younger generation at the crucial juncture, the writer penned ‘National Pledge’ in Telugu which appeared for the first time in textbooks of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in 1964, but the government did not give him credit for reasons unknown. Later, it was translated to English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and many other Indian languages and included in textbooks by many States.

Shockingly, he was not even informed about the inclusion of Pledge in school books. He came to know about inclusion after his retirement when his granddaughter read it aloud.

Speaking to The Hindu , member of Text Book review committee and noted poet from Nalgonda, Venu Sankoju said all the members of the committee had pressed for credit for Venkatasubba Rao and Telangana government accepted it.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Telangana / by T.Karnakar Reddy / Nalgonda – June 30th, 2015

Stanford Trio Launch Code Camp to Empower Girls through ICT

Education, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, World Opinion

Stanford University students Aashna Shroff, Akhila Moturu and John Kamalu at the launch of Girl Code Camp at Chirec International School in Madhapur on Saturday | RVK Rao
Stanford University students Aashna Shroff, Akhila Moturu and John Kamalu at the launch of Girl Code Camp at Chirec International School in Madhapur on Saturday | RVK Rao

Hyderabad :

An alumnus of city-based CHIREC International School, along with two of her undergraduate batch mates from Stanford University, has launched a concept named Girls Code Camp (GCC) which is aimed at creating a network of young women who are confident in their abilities to computer code and use technology to foster change. The Girls Code pilot boot camp at CHIREC is scheduled to be held from June 29 to July 4, 2015.

The trio – Aashna Shroff, Akhila Moturu and John Kamalu – is conducting GCC as a 6-day workshop in partnership with select schools in Hyderabad. Aashna Shroff is a sophomore at Stanford pursuing Computer Science and Economics; Akhila Moturu is a freshman majoring in Computer Science at Stanford University, seeking a minor in Education; and John Kamalu is a freshman interested in Computer Science and Linguistics at Stanford University.

Each workshop is being planned around an innovative theme that allows girls to align their interests with what they are learning. Workshops will be on Mobile App development, web development and hands-on tinkering for 8th to 10th grade girls.

Speaking at the launch of the pilot boot camp at CHIREC, on Saturday, BVR Mohan Reddy, founder and executive chairman, CYIENT and chairman, NASSCOM, told young girls to be fearless and compete with men in every field. He urged the students to make full use of technology around in creating social equity. “Technology today is all pervasive and accessible. It is constant though the velocity of change is increasing. Predictability of technology has come down and ICT is at the pinnacle of the change,” he said. Further, he opined that use of technology can bring about a social transformation in sectors like education, health, hygiene, and agriculture.

“The idea is to bridge the gender disparity in technological fields in India. With better exposure to computer science skills, girls can take charge of their lives and their communities,” said Aashna. According to her, there exists better awareness abroad for bridging gender disparity apart from combat mechanisms in the form of special scholarships for girls, and student groups.

Iffat Ibrahim, principal, explained about the efforts being taken by the school in empowering students. The GCC will be conducted at NASR girls school, Meridian International School, Sreenidhi International School, and Oakridge International School in the city.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / June 28th, 2015

Honour for RPO official

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel

Hyderabad :

A senior official at the Regional Passport Office, Hyderabad, will be honoured by Union external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj with the Best Granting Officer Award at Passport Diwas to be held in Delhi on June 25.

The MEA has recently announced the awards for 2014-15. “P Udaya Lakshmi, superintendent at RPO, Hyderabad, was chosen for the Best Granting Officer Award for her outstanding performance in processing 78,781 passport applications, granting 76,857 passports and 1,924 police clearance certificates (PCCs) in 2014-15.

The official, who worked at Vijayawada and Begumpet passport seva kendras (PSKs) in 2014, set a new record in the country,” regional passport officer Ashwini Sattaru said in a release.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hyderabad / TNN / June 21st, 2015