Gynaecologist M. Vijaya Lakshmi distributing medicine to a patient at a medical camp in Karimnagar.
Vijaya Lakshmi treats patients free of cost every day between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
At a time when her peers did not feel it wise to work in rural areas, she moved to Karimnagar and opened Sanjeevani Hospital with the help of her husband Naveen Kumar, a surgeon.
Gynaecologist M. Vijaya Lakshmi, who was born and brought up in Hyderabad, studied medicine at Osmania University in 1984 and DGO in 1988. Dr. Lakshmi, popularly known as amma here, treats patients free of cost between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. every day.
She also conducts free medical camps for pregnant women every month at all the Primary Health Centres (PHCs) under Pradhan Manthri Surakshith Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA).
For her services under PMSMA, District Collector Sarfarz Ahmad even felicitated her with an appreciation letter during Republic Day celebrations on January 26 this year.
She runs Sanjeevani Charitable Trust under which she conducts medical camps across the district, and she performs surgeries free of cost on some occasions when patients cannot pay for the same. Also, she provides free breakfast to the in-patients at the hospital and distributes sarees as gift to pregnant women after their delivery. Dr. Lakshmi has launched an ambitious programme called Mogga to educate adolescent girls on the important of health and hygiene by visiting government schools and colleges.
Talking to The Hindu, Dr. Lakshmi said, “I received everything from the society and it’s time for me give back and I am doing that in small ways possible. Conducting medical camps is a part of that”.
She said she was planning to intensify her campaign to educate adolescent girls and added that she was planning to install automated sanitary vending machines at government educational institutions soon.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by K. M. Dayashankar / Karimnagar – May 05th, 2019
Hyderabadi film maker Anshul Sinha’s two-minute film, ‘Waterman’ is garnering appreciation in film festivals all over the world. The almost-silent film gives water a human form to highlight the issue of water scarcity.
“We wanted to make a humorous film that could communicate the message on a global platform,” says Anshul, adding that the lack of dialogues gives it a universal appeal, beyond the barriers of language. The narration was kept light as people often tend to disregard films on environmental issues. One of the challenges was that it took them a month to figure the characterisation of water as human. The film stood second in the eco-comedy video competition in the 8th edition of the International Environment Film Festival, in Washington DC, out of the 250 film submissions.
“We won The Infocus National Film Festival, Hyderabad,” said Anshul recounting the awards won for Waterman, which total up to 8 till date and have nominations in 12 other international film festivals. Anshul has been making documentaries since 2012.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Aakanksha Madhavaram / Express News Service / May 01st, 2019
Mini Ipe takes charge of Corporation’s South Central Zone
Mini Ipe took charge as zonal manager of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), South Central Zone, on Wednesday.
She is the first woman zonal manager (in-charge) of the corporation, a press release said. LIC’s South Central Zone comprises the States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
Prior to the present assignment, she was executive director (International Operations) looking after the foreign operations of LIC’s subsidiaries, joint ventures and branches. She has also worked as director and CEO of LICHFL Financial Services Ltd. and was instrumental in taking the company to new heights in business revenue and profits, the release said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Special Correspondent / Hyderabad – April 25th, 2019
A village zone reflecting Telangana Rural life is created with children’s play area with amusement rides, food courts, etc.
HMRL MD NVS Reddy and Shikha Goel, Additional Commissioner of Police, at the inaugural ‘Taruni Fair‘ held at Taruni Madhura Nagar Metro Station in Hyderabad on Saturday | Express
Hyderabad :
An exclusive women’s exhibition called ‘Taruni Fair’ was opened at Taruni Madhura Nagar Metro Station on Saturday. The exhibition, with as many as 150 stalls, will be open for the next two months, everyday between 5.30 pm and 10.30 pm. Entry is free.
HMRL Managing Director, NVS Reddy, Director of Municipal Administration, Telangana, T K Sreedevi, GHMC Zonal Commissioner of Serlingampally zone, D Harichandana, Additional Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad city, Shika Goel, Managing Director of Fernandez Group of Hospitals, Evita Fernandez, Foundation for Futuristic Cities, Karuna Gopal, Granules India, Cofounder, Uma Chigurupati and others were present.
A village zone reflecting Telangana Rural life is created with children’s play area with amusement rides, food courts, etc. HMRL looks at the Hyderabad Metro project not as a simple transportation engineering project but as an instrument to promote many wider socio-economic goals. As a part of this vision, Taruni Madhuranagar metro station along with the two-acre open area around the station is being made a hub of activities to promote women empowerment and gender equality, NVS Reddy said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home>Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / April 21st, 2019
Mango pulp being processed for solar drying at Society for Energy, Environment and Development (SEED); (extreme right) Shyamala Rambhotla | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal
Helmed by 94-year-old Prof Ramakrishna Rao, SEED’s zero carbon emission solar cabinet dryers may have answers to counter post-harvest losses
Professor M Ramakrishna Rao is 94. Yet, the retired scientist from Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, is the tour de force of Society for Energy, Environment and Development (SEED), which he established 32 years ago. Drawing from his expertise in physics and renewable energy, he guided the research and development team to design solar cabinet dryers for food processing. Three hundred of these cabinets ensuring zero carbon emissions are being used in 19 states across India by organisations working in the agriculture sector.
Germination of SEED
Prof Ramakrishna Rao | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal
Ramakrishna Rao spends his days at the SEED office and incubation centre in Hyderabad ,overseeing the operations. He ascends the stairs, one step at a time, to inspect dryers on the terrace. Age may have slowed him down but he’s always enthusiastic to discuss how solar dehydration can help minimise post-harvest losses and develop food products that can fetch farmers additional revenue.
Rao founded the organisation in 1987, after retiring from IISc, eager to use his scientific knowledge to help the farming sector. He did his Masters in physics and PhD from Osmania University, followed by post-doctoral studies in Columbus University, Ohio. SEED is a non-governmental organisation with a governing council headed by Padma Vibhushan awardee Prof Palle Ramarao; several food scientists work in honorary positions. The organisation receives partial funding from Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, and has 20 employees.
Helping Rao at SEED is his niece Shyamala Rambhotla, a computer science quality engineer. She returned to India in 2011, after working in a credit bureau in the US for 20 years, to help Rao with his work, and a long-term focus on strengthening the organisation.
In its first decade, SEED developed and tested dryers that used biomass and alternative fuels before zeroing in on solar cabinet dryers. Their solar cabinet dryer design was patented in 1997. The organisation reached out to those working in the agriculture sector to raise awareness about using solar power. It was a slow process. “Not many people knew about using solar power back then. We’ve seen a spurt in the last four years,” says Shyamala.
Branching Out
SEED has worked on 100 fruits, vegetables and other produce. Solar dehydrated mango, pineapple, chikoo, guava, fig, mango and mixed fruit are sold as rolls or fruit bars. An environmental chamber checks the shelf life of food products. Some of the products are sold at Karachi Bakery outlets. However, SEED primarily remains a non-profit, research and development outfit.
The centre’s library and lab is frequented by food science students for their projects. The organisation’s think tank comprises like-minded researchers and scientists. SEED also has an extension centre at Tholkata village near Moinabad.
Six commercial solar cabinet dryers were exported to Australia, Indonesia, Mauritius, Saudi Arabia, Zanzibar and Kigoma.
Outreach initiatives
SEED has so far conducted 70 training sessions for more than 2,000 farmers, teaching them techniques of solar-drying fruits, vegetables, millets and other produce. A dedicated team develops products. On the day we visit the centre, ripe mangoes have been pulped, transferred as thin layers to trays and placed in the cabinets. A temperature gauge indicates 65° Celsius in the cabinet; another gauge monitors the weight reduction due to dehydration. It typically takes a day for the pulp to dry into a thin film; another layer of pulp is then added and left to dry. The dried pulp is then cooled, cut into segments and packaged as bars or rolls. “Traditional ‘mamidi thandra’ (aam papad) is made by drying mango pulp in open air, prone to dust. Solar cabinet drying ensures hygiene and retains nutritional value,” says Shyamala.
Fruit rolls developed by SEED | Photo Credit: Nagara Gopal
Other solar dryers are stocked with finely diced carrots, amla, spinach, rings of onions and tomatoes. An in-built fan removes moisture and ensures uniform dehydration. For leafy vegetables, the solar dryer is fitted with a blue filter to create greenhouse effect that helps retain chlorophyll and hence, the colour. “Dehydrated vegetables can be stored for later use. Soak it in water for 30 minutes and use for cooking just like fresh vegetables,” she says.
SEED designs dryers with loading capacities of eight, 50, 100, 200 and 500 kilograms and is working towards designing a one tonne capacity dryer for use in large firms. Elaborating on the applications, Shyamala explains, “Farmers incur losses when there’s a sudden drop in price, transportation issues or excess seasonal produce. At the mandal level, if community solar dryers are set up with government or corporate help, it will help farmers dehydrate their produce for later use and develop food products. India is big on agriculture production, but we aren’t processing enough.”
A dryer of eight kilograms capacity is priced at ₹40,000 and it goes up to ₹4,50,000 for 200 kilograms. SEED allows entrepreneurs to try the solar dryers at the incubation centre, develop their recipes and test market before purchasing. The pricing remains an issue, admit Rao and Shyamala. “If banks or the government can give subsidies, more farmers will be willing to buy,” says Shyamala. Rao points out that unlike electric dryers, solar dryers don’t have recurring costs.
Solar cabinets are efficient all through the year, barring occasional rainy days. “On such days, we use electric backup (powered by rooftop solar panels). We are working towards developing dryers that can use biogas for power backup,” sums up Shyamala.
(Planet Healers celebrates eco-conscious initiatives. If you know an eco warrior, writer in to hydmetroplus@thehindu.co.in)
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad – Planet Healers / by Sangeetha Devi Dundoo / April 22nd, 2019
Cannons made over two centuries ago and iron foundries lie neglected
History, in all probability, will not repeat itself, especially in the case of Nirmal town that has seen glorious days over two centuries ago. Some of that magnificence, however, can be restored if the State government focuses on preserving whatever that is left of local forts, the iron foundries and the locally-made cannons. This district headquarter town, once a part of the united Adilabad district, is historically one of the most important places in Telangana, but remains neglected, according to experts.
The locally-made cannons, the ones that have remained after decades of plunder and vandalism of historical artefacts at the forts and whatever remains of the unique iron foundries where the cannons were manufactured, are crying for attention.
Two cannons are lying neglected within the premises of the District Collectorate in the town, while another lies under a tree in a locality close to Khazana Cheruvu. The third cannon at the Collectorate is well-preserved. There are a few that can still be found in the ruins of the local forts like Khilla Gutta, besides the one at Wadoor in Neredigonda mandal of Adilabad district, about 35 km from Nirmal town.
Among the well cared for cannons in the historic town are the ones that adorn the SP’s camp office, Tahsildar office, the TNGO union office fire station and the police station. These are of varying sizes and calibre, the ones at the Collectorate and SP’s camp office being the largest, and they were brought down from the fort ruins after the formation of the district in September 2016.
“The Nirmal town still has 22 locally-made cannons in the two foundries that were established by French engineers in the late 1700s,” said S. Jaikishan, a member of Salarjung Museum Board, who is an expert on the history of cannons in Telangana, especially those in Nirmal town. He belongs to the Hyderabad-based NGO, Deccan Archaeological and Cultural Research Institute, which is involved in the conservation and preservation of Indian heritage. The expert, who has researched into the history of Nirmal with respect to its foundries and weapons factories, said more cannons lie buried under the earth at a location near Venkateshwara temple in the town, which need to be unearthed. He offered to provide details of each and every existing cannon of Nirmal to be displayed, provided that the government installs those on special pedestals.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by S. Harpal Singh / Nirmal – April 16th, 2019
Varun, currently an assistant commissioner with the Income Tax department, and undergoing Indian Revenue Services (IRS) training in Nagpur, is a native of Miryalguda.
Karnati Varun Reddy. (Photo: Facebook)
Hyderabad :
Pursuing his father’s dream of seeing him as an IAS officer, Telangana-lad Karnati Varun Reddy has secured the seventh rank in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exams, and stood first in the State. Varun, currently an assistant commissioner with the Income Tax department, and undergoing Indian Revenue Services (IRS) training in Nagpur, is a native of Miryalguda. He is the son of P Nagamani, additional director with the Agriculture department and Dr Janardhan Reddy, an ophthalmologist. His elder sibling is a surgeon at Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal.
It was Varun’s fourth attempt that saw him achieve his father’s dream.
Speaking to Express, his father Dr Janardhan Reddy said that after securing the 29th rank in JEE and a seat at IIT Bombay, Varun wanted to pursue MBA from one of the top IIMs. “But it was my dream that my son should be an IAS officer, and for four years, he put in all efforts to make my dream come true,” said an elated Dr Reddy. “It is no surprise that he has fared so well,” he added.
Varun was unable to clear the exam in his first attempt. “This did not deter him and he worked harder and secured the 166th rank in his second attempt. Still dissatisfied, he gave a third try and got the 225th rank. Finally, this time, he placed seventh all over the country, and topped among the two states,” said Dr Reddy.
All through the years, Varun had been staying in Delhi, where he was undergoing IAS coaching.
The results of the prestigious civil services examinations, which were announced by the Union Public Service Commission on Friday evening, saw Kanishak Kataria, a B Tech from IIT Bombay, bag the first rank. The topper among women was Srushti Jayant Deshmukh, who secured the fifth position overall.
Continuing their good performance, this year too, over 20 Telugu students made their mark by securing a place in the top 1000 ranks. Another city lad, Naveen Mallarapu, secured the 75th rank. The 2017 civil-services topper, Anudeep Durishetty, too was from Hyderabad. This year, a total number of 759 candidates have been recommended for appointment to IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS and other Group A and Group B Central services.
Secured seventh rank in fourth attempt Talking about Karnati Varun Reddy’s journey, his father Dr Janardhan Reddy said Varun failed to clear the exam in his first try. In his second attempt, he secured the 166th rank. “Still dissatisfied, he gave a third try and got the 225th rank. Finally, this time, he placed seventh all over the country,” Dr Reddy said. The exam was topped by Kanishak Kataria, a B Tech from IIT Bombay
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Telangana / by Express News Service / April 06th, 2019
While the station is open for all passengers irrespective of gender, it will be managed by women employees and will soon have shops exclusively catering to the needs of women and children.
Image of a HMRL station used for representational purpose only (File Photo | EPS)
Hyderabad :
For the first time in the country, and perhaps in the world, Hyderabad Metro Rail has set up an all-women station catering to the needs of women. Madhuranagar Metro Station of Corridor – III (Blue Line) has been renamed ‘Taruni Madhuranagar’ metro station. While the station is open for all passengers irrespective of gender, it will be managed by women employees and will soon have shops exclusively catering to the needs of women and children.
HMRL looks at the Hyderabad Metro not as a simple transportation engineering project but as an instrument to promote wider socio-economic goals. As a part of this vision, Taruni Madhuranagar metro station along with two-acre open area around the station is being made a hub of activities to promote women empowerment and gender equality, HMRL Managing Director, NVS Reddy said. A women-centric exhibition will be held for the next 60 days at Taruni Madhuranagar which will open soon, he added.
There will be an online slogan competition on women empowerment and gender equality, wherein slogans can be submitted online on HMRL’s website — https://hmrl.co.in. Competitions for children will be held in painting, drawing, essays, elocution, music, etc. Competitions in Rangoli, cooking, performing arts, etc would be held for women.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / April 06th, 2019
Everest expedition team includes a diabetic and a former auto driver
Scaling the Mount Everest is no mean feat, even for a seasoned mountaineer, but that is no deterrent for Hyderabad-based entrepreneur Nitin Somalaraju, who just might have to push his limits a tad more than the others, given his medical history.
Nitin, 28, who has scaled Mera Peak (6476 meters), and Stok Kangri (6154 meters) in 2017 and 2018 respectively, aspires to become the first diabetic to conquer the world’s tallest peak.
Since he is diabetic, he is prone to develop edema (swelling caused by excess fluid trapped in body tissues) and frost bite in frigid temperatures. “I took precautions to prevent frost bite and edema and did not suffer from either when I scaled those two mountains. I consider mountaineering a high endurance activity. Unlike other endurance sports where people feel fatigued as they reach the end of an activity, one needs to become stronger when they are about to climb a mountain,” Nitin said, adding that he wants to spread message on the importance of maintaining a physically active lifestyle.
Another youth who stands out in the group is G. Thirupathi Reddy (23), who until a few years ago, drove an autorickshaw along with his father in Yellakonda village of Vikarabad district to earn livelihood, and pursue academics on the side.
In 2015, when he read about ace mountainer Malli Masthan Babu’s death during an expedition, he started harbouring aspirations of becoming a mountaineer. He joined Rock Climbing School, Bhongir, and scaled mountains in Africa and Australia. Since those feats, he has set his sights on Mt. Everest.
Since the expedition will cost ₹ 29 lakh per head, he managed to get ₹ 18 lakhs from BDL employees social organisation Winners Foundation which collected the amount from donors while Transcend Adventures has chipped in with ₹4 lakh. His father Gopal Reddy mortgaged their only property — a one-acre agriculture land — and secured ₹5 lakh for the purpose.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Hyderabad / by Staff Reporter / Hyderabad – April 02nd, 2019
The Youtube series, which has been on air since March 16, has already opened to a wide response with at least 1.7k views on the 10-minute explainer about the methodology of the Indian election.
Youtube screengrab of the video series DECODE
Hyderabad :
At a time when fake news and false information is rampant on the internet and driving several netizens from the news media, Factly, a Hyderabad-based initiative, has launched a video series on YouTube to demystify elections and related subjects. DECODE, the video series has been made in order to help voters understand the voting process and bust myths about policy misinterpretation ahead of the 17the Lok Sabha elections. The Youtube series, which has been on air since March 16, has already opened to a wide response with at least 1.7k views on the 10-minute explainer about the methodology of the Indian election.
Follow our election coverage here
“In our interaction with people, we realised that people want to engage with political and policy issues but find them monotonous. With this initiative we are making policy issues entertaining and engaging,” noted Rakesh Dubbudu, founder of Factly. The fact-checking initiative has been in place for years now, however, the weekly Youtube series started only a few days ago, in view of the elections. “This is the best time to educate people about the democratic process as there is a lot of excitement and chatter about these things,” added Rakesh.
Rakesh further added that the main motive of Factly is to bust fake news. “Fake news takes over when there is no credible information. We will be giving official sources on government websites so that people can verify the facts for themselves,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Express News Service / March 29th, 2019
