Category Archives: Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Crowdfunding helps budding badminton player

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Sports

Full of talent: Vamsi Krishna’s target will be to bag a spot in the top eight under-15 singles category this year.


Netizens donate ₹2 lakh for 14-year-old Vamsi Krishna’s training, equipment

He took up the role of a coach even before he was a professional player. A year into serious training, he burst into the national scene and won several awards. All of just 14 years, Vamsi Krishna, along with his partner, defeated the defending champions — Vishnu Pullela, son of the established badminton coach Pullela Gopichand, was part of the defending team.

Yet, the budding badminton star from the city faced a handicap in the form of poverty. Govardhan Reddy, the coach of Mr. Krishna, made an appeal on crowd-funding website ‘Milaap’ for financial assistance a few days ago.

Seeing the plight of Mr. Krishna, whose father is a bus driver, netizens showed their generous side by helping him get better coaching and equipment, donating ₹2 lakh in eight days — ₹40,000 more than the set target of ₹1.6 lakh.

“I saw him two years ago at a badminton academy when he was substituting for his father, who is also a badminton coach, on the court. I recognised his potential and immediately spoke to his father. I convinced him to let Mr. Krishna stay at my academy and get trained,” said Mr. Reddy, who runs three badminton coaching centres in the city.

“I have been training and taking care of him since his father cannot afford to spend much. We decided to get his expenses crowd-funded as we wanted to make sure that he gets the best training.”

The 14-year-old’s target would be to bag a spot in the top eight under-15 singles category by the end of the year. “I am surprised with the response online and we have already started acquiring the best equipment from Mr. Krishna,” he said.

Donations poured in from across the globe, especially from Hyderabad and Bengaluru, according to Anoj Viswanathan, co-founder, Milaap.org. “The success of Mr. Krishna’s campaign reflects the people’s endeavour and wish to support young athletes who are struggling to fulfil their dreams due to lack of funds,” he said.

When helping hands joined together

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Against odds: Jamuna (seated) with the winners and runners-up in the AITA Talent Series tournament at ASCI in the city on Sunday. | Photo Credit: VVS

A sporting gesture to the needy! Well, this has been the motto of Sun-Jay Tennis Academy on the ASCI premises, almost every week when Sanjay Kumar organises tournaments at different levels and in different age groups.

And, so when he conducted the AITA Talent Series tournament for under-14 years at Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Sanjay Kumar made it a point to present a purse of about ₹40,000 to a physically challenged woman, Jamuna, whose nervous system crippled a few years ago — rendering her jobless and left to herself.

The money was pooled by the tennis coach, players’ parents and well-wishers and it was a touching gesture which may inspire some of the corporate groups to take up the much-publicised social responsibility in a big way.

“Jamuna, who came to know about our charity work, approached us through another person and when we heard about her plight, we decided to help her. I am really grateful to all those who responded so well to help her,” says Sanjay, one of the most dedicated tennis coaches in the city.

Ms. Jamuna is expected to undergo a major operation for which about ₹ 1 lakh is needed.

“In fact, my Academy players and parents have also been to Mantralayam when it was flood-affected and donated about ₹ 1.5 lakh worth material to the needy people. We always believe charity begins at home and we try our best to contribute in our own way back to the society,” says Sanjay.

ASCI Administrative Officer Mary Elliott, who gave away the prizes, lauded the efforts of Sanjay as a tennis coach but also providing the human touch to his efforts. “We are glad that such noble gestures are taking place on our premises,” she said amid applause from the small but caring gathering.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V.Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – February 19th, 2017

Visionary of a different league

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Hyderabad :

She looks closely into the mirror and applies her favourite kajal and tells us how she adores defining her eyes. She glides into the kitchen effortlessly to prepare masala puffed rice and asks us if we like it spicy or bland. All of these activities with a contagious smile on her face. What’s so different about her, you ask? Well, her personality can effortlessly make us realise, how disability is just in our head. Surbhi Mudgal, the free-spirited, independent girl, who lost her vision to brain fever in her middle school, is now a pioneering software developer and a blazing beauty pageant participant. Above all this vivacious girl who lives in Ameerpet is one who despises taking anyone’s help in her activities.

“I know there is someone sitting there, but I can’t figure out if it is guy or girl,” she says in the most unapologetic and unsympathetic tone, leaving us inspired within seconds of the meet.

Now, she is all set to inspire others too as she has been chosen to part of Mumbai photographer Somsubhro Sarkaar’s photo exhibition titled ‘My Identity My Pride where he is featuring 51 inspiring women achievers across the country. She shows off her one-minute video where she says how people with vision often fail to see the real world.

Surbhi was in eighth grade when the ruthless brain fever affected her optical nerves. She gradually lost her sight. “I am an independent girl now. My journey included depression, societal struggle and a lot more but I have battled them enough that they don’t bother me any more. Despite being challenged, I do everything and I am proud of it,” she smiles.

Her fashion quotient is impeccable. Ask her if she enjoys shopping, she jumps from the couch and says, “I love shopping at the malls. It is comfortable and I get assistance as well from the people there. I pick on their brain until they give what I want. I even write appreciation letters to them so that they will help me when I visit again. Sometimes I don’t get good assistance. They will just tell me it’s blue or pink, they don’t tell me it is indigo, turquoise or navy blue. I question them incessantly. If I like something and don’t buy, it haunts me badly. I immediately take an auto or cab and rush to buy it. There were some embarrassing situations when I picked up wrong ones, but after I got back home, my mother was proud of my choice. I prefer going alone for shopping,” she shares.

How does she commute? “I trust the cab or auto drivers. I have a good orientation about the places I frequent, since I didn’t have this challenge from the beginning. ,” she informs in a determined tone.

Doesn’t she have trust issues? Surabhi quips, “If I don’t trust, I should lock up myself within these four walls. I have no other option, but to trust them. In any case, who is safe? Are you safe? No one is. Even you are vulnerable,”Elaborating about her her job, “I am an app tester with a software company in Hyderabad. I test MS products using screen readers where the system reads out about the image. We work to make the apps friendly for people who have challenges. For example, it the screen reader says image, what will the challenged understand? So we navigate in a way that it is comprehensible. Instead of image, it will read out girl in the garden,” she explains.

“I have taken basic training on how to screen read from LV Prasad after being rejected 10 times. It was tough for me to prove my strength as people would ask me “You are blind, what will you work.” But I managed to get a placement from LV Prasad. The nature of job is on par with other jobs, it cannot be written off,” she narrates.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Purnima Sriram Iyer / Express News Service / February 17th, 2017

Padma awardee pledges Rs 50 lakh to Ibrahimpur

Amazing Feats, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology

Dr. P Raghu Ram, Padma Shri awardee and Director of the KIMS – Ushalakshmi Centre for Breast Diseases, has pledged Rs. 50 lakh to Ibrahimpur in Siddpet mandal. The village was adopted by him and he participated in several programmes in the village.

Acting on an article in the media, which mentioned that although the Telangana government had launched the Grama Jyoti Project in 2015, only 30 per cent of villagers had been adopted so far, he decided to adopt the village. His parents — Dr Chalapathi Rao and Ushalakshmi — and wife, Dr. Vyjayanthi, were also involved in the initiative. The village has a population of around 1,000 people with 265 homes.

On Sunday, Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao inaugurated the school dining room and digital study room built at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh. Also, foundation stone was laid for the modern crematorium being built at a cost of Rs 10 lakh.

“I have also agreed to build and stock a modern library at a cost of Rs. 10 lakh in addition to fully funding solar power for 25 houses in the village at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. I have pledged Rs. 10 lakh towards building shelter over an acre of land for sheep and cattle on the outskirts of the village,” said Dr Raghu Ram.

A health centre manned by an ANM that would provide basic healthcare in the village and conduct health camps to detect cancer were being planned simultaneously. In addition, efforts would be made to find employment for skilled jobless youth of the village.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by Staff Reporter / Siddipet – February 12th, 2017

What it takes to be an entrepreneur

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

T-Hub CEO Jay Krishnan gave a picture of a true life of a motivated entrepreneur, and also some self-tests that would analyse individuals’ abilities to become either a venture capitalist, a manager, or an entrepreneur.

He was sharing his views at the International Conference on Management Challenge and Trends in the Digital Era, organised by Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Hyderabad. Sekar S.N.S.R., Chairman of Sekar and Associates, discussed the significance of keeping one’s mind open and being able to acknowledge what is not known, and keep learning more and more at any point in time.

Awadh Dubey, founder of R.K. Devi Eye Research Institute, shared his views on bliss and happiness being an ultimate goal in every individual’s life while Jack Reardon, professor at Hamaline University at Minnesota, USA, gave suitable examples to share his insights into the remarkable revolution in the field of technology.

Papers were also presented on finance, management and marketing and discussed in the presence of Loknath Reddy and Sita Vankara, associate professors, University of Hyderabad and Vidyasagar Reddy, director of NALSAR Business School. Prithvi Yadav, Director of NMIMS, set the theme of the conference and Radha Krishna from NMIMS briefed the conference details.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by R. Ravikanth Reddy / February 05th, 2017

Ambedkar Puraskar to NRI

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Nri's / PIO's, World Opinion

Hyderabad :

Patkuri Basant Reddy of the Gulf Telangana Welfare Association was honoured with the Dr. Ambedkar Vishista Seva Puraskar for his services to the NRI community.

He received the award from Union Minister for Food and Public Distribution Ram Vilas Paswan at a function in New Delhi. The award is instituted by the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Academi and is given to people who serve the underprivileged.

Mr. Basant Reddy played a key role in Dubai in mitigating the sufferings of thousands of migrants from India, mostly the poorer sections, exploited by the middlemen and the companies in the Gulf. He is the only person from Telangana to have been selected for the award.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / December 17th, 2016

Doctor who plays, sings, clicks…

Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

DOCTORA
DOCTORA

Hyderabad :

He was barely 15 when he had to choose between joining the Indian Cricket team and his dad’s unfulfilled dream of becoming a doctor. He opted for the latter, slogged 18 hours a day to land at Gandhi Medical College. Today, Dr Kannaiah Thalapally, a cosmo-dermatologist stands tall among the rest for being the youngest doctor in the world to perform more than 1,300 hair transplants in seven years.

What makes him a cut above the all is that he didn’t confine himself to needles and stitches. Interestingly, he plays for the Doctor’s Cricket League and has won more than 200 Man of the Match trophies all of which adorn his home and hospital. Not content with playing at the pitch, he went all the way to Phuket to become a certified scuba diver. Despite being swamped with work at the hospital, he went on to learn Carnatic music, western and hip-hop dance, photography and martial arts.

drkannaiahtelan11nov2016

In 2014, he and his friends opened Livyoung hair transplant and anti-aging clinic at Jubilee Hills. “It was through word-of-mouth that the hospital grew than through ads and promotions,” he says.

“Thanks to my friend Praneeth Kumar Jangili, he took up my educational burdens and also munificently helped me set up my hospital. “Like any other doctor, I am bad at handling fiances. So handling patient’s expenses and still being non-commercial is difficult,” he shares.

He attributes his success to Dr Bhavani Prasad, Dr Krishna Kiran Echchampati, Dr Sharat Putta and Dr Sunil Aspingi, his friends, siblings Manoj and sister Mamatha. His 17-member team is apparently the largest hair transplant team in the world. “It is the only surgical centre in the world that does absolute painless transplants,” he informs.
Last year, he received the Vaidya Ratna Award from the State Council.

“I often find people hitting the rock bottom after they lose their hair or skin. How much ever we debate that beauty is secondary, we have to primarily understand that looks have imperceptible yet resilient connection with our confidence,” the doc says. He says that dermal fillers, botox, peels are helping people gain confidence and make them feel beautiful.

Talking of beauty, his photography page speaks volumes about his love for cameras and vision to create memories. “I own three cameras and 10 lenses. I am perhaps the the only guy in town to own a 400 F 2.8 lens. It was sheer passion that made me learn the craft thoroughly,” he beams.

From Ladakh to Kargil, from Rameswaram to Coorg, he has been almost everywhere with his camera. “I work for more than 20 hours in a day for 20 days. The other ten , I am off to some place with my camera or play cricket,” he reveals his mantra to unwind.

Just as you wonder how he manages to squeeze it all into his schedule, he throws yet another Googly. “I was lucky to have Savitri garu as my music teacher. She would come to my house at 10 pm to teach me. She understood my time constraints as a doctor. She passed away a couple of years ago and after that I haven’t sung much,” he adds.
He, along with his seven friends contribute 15 per cent of his income towards charity. They are supporting 178 children and 46 senior citizens financially, emotionally and physically.

Along with his friend cum trainer Jackson master, Kannaiah doesn’t skip a day at the gym to get trained in kick boxing. Thanks to Jackson master, Kannaiah sports a six pack today. Jack of all trades you say? Doc of all trades is more like it.

source:http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Purnima Sriram / Express News Service / November 09th, 2016

No more visits to tailor, thanks to new app

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

athiratelan02nov2016

Hyderabad :

So you have been making various visits to your local tailor and paying a hefty price on top of the cost of the outfit to get the right fit? In a bid to reduce hassles, time and cost, three young fashion designers from the city have created a mobile app that will provide a wide range of design, colour and fabric options.

The app named ‘Athira’, which launched on Thursday, is all set to serve its customers their desired outfits at their doorstep once they confirm their measurement and choice of design before placing their final order on the app, claim the alumnus of Hamstech Varsha, Vamshi and Praneeta.

The startup which has begun with a small team is determined to make timely deliveries which will involve “reasonable” shipping charges. Varsha also shared that she came up with the idea having faced difficulties in conveying her requirements to the local tailors and failing to get the work done in time.

To reach out to people across classes in Hyderabad, these young entrepreneurs will directly contact those customers who are not very comfortable in navigating through their smart phones.

The startup also plans to hire student volunteers eventually. “Right now, we are a handful of entrepreneurs and a few tailors.

Athira, as the name suggests, clearly has been started targetting women in mind.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Zumbish / Express News Service / November 02nd, 2016

Stories of success won with determination

Amazing Feats, Inspiration / Positive News and Features

Can a farmer’s daughter unable to spend huge sums on schools and private coaching get into the coveted Indian Police Service?

Yes, one can. If anyone has doubts, meet Gowthami Sali. Daughter of a ryot from a remote village of Chittoor district in Andhra Pradesh, she got into the prestigious IPS. “Being member of a farmer’s family and inability to spend thousands on education cannot stop one from achieving one’s goals,” the IPS probationer of 68th batch Regular Recruits says exuding confidence

Gearing up for the passing out parade to be held at the Academy on Thursday, the young IPS probationer recalled how her teachers inspired her. “They told me that not only students from elite schools and having capacity to afford better coaching but also those from humble background can also be successful,” Ms. Gowthami said.

Hers was a joint family with father’s siblings and their children living together in one house. After completing her engineering course, Ms. Gowthami took up job with a private company. Instead of relaxing after office hours, she used the time to prepare for Civil Services and realised her dream of becoming a police officer.

For software engineer K. Arif Hafeez, his father, a retired police officer, was the inspiration to get into IPS. Though career in software has some promising prospects, his father was always a driving force for him to get into the prestigious IPS focussing all his energies.

Patil Sangramsingh Ganpat Rao, a doctor, chose IPS which gives varied experiences about society. Some of his family members were doctors and he wanted a different path to serve people.

It was passion for policing that attracted Rakshitha K. Murthy, also an engineer and hailing from Karnataka, to IPS. For her, joining the police force was one of the best options to serve the needy and poor. “My friends used to joke that my name (Rakshitha meaning protection) has an element of policing and I achieved that goal,” she says with a smile.

A Hyderabadi and doctor, Chetana Mylabattula decided to prepare for Civil Services after learning about dowry harassment cases. Daughter of a journalist, she first got into the Indian Revenue Services. Determined to be a police officer, Ms. Chetana intensified her preparation and reached her goal.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – October 27th, 2016

The stuff that dreams are made of: Scheduled Caste welfare hostel girl brings laurels to all

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

Uppena along with MV Reddy, who earlier served as Director of SC Welfare Department and her hostel warden H Kanyakumari. | EPS
Uppena along with MV Reddy, who earlier served as Director of SC Welfare Department and her hostel warden H Kanyakumari. | EPS

Hyderabad :

Uppena, a girl from a poor family from a remote place Narava in Mahabubnagar district, emerged as a symbol of pride for her parents, friends and teachers.

The reason for celebration: she was presented with Lakshmi Venugopal Award and a cash prize of `10,000 for emerging topper in Class X among all girls belonging to Scheduled Castes Welfare Hostels (social welfare hostels) in TS for the academic year 2015-16 with a GPA of 9.8. For the family members of Uppena, it was a moment of pride as the young girl brought recognition to them, who are otherwise left in oblivion.

“I have even expected of 10/10 GPA but got 9.8 GPA. I would like to exceed this performance in Intermediate and score a rank in Eamcet,” said Uppena.

A first generation learner, Uppena symbolises grit and determination, and also part of the success story being scripted by scheduled castes welfare hostels in the state.

“We took wanted to improve the results, as without even passing tenth, these children will not have any opportunity to grow in life. As the staff of SC welfare hotels took personal care, now pass percentage in SC Welfare hostels rose to 93 per cent in 2015-16, even exceeding the state average and many private schools,” explained MV Reddy former director of SC Welfare Department, who has recently taken charge of Medchal district.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by J. Deepthi Nandan Reddy / Express News Service / October 16th, 2016