Monthly Archives: January 2019
ASI, GHMC, State unite to secure World Heritage tag for Golconda
GHMC is also expected to take up the tricky task of removing wild vegetation in and around the monuments.

The Golconda Fort. (Photo | File/EPS)
Hyderabad :
After more than one unsuccessful attempts to secure the World Heritage Site tag for Golconda Fort and the Qutub Shahi tombs owing to the massive encroachments around the monuments, the State government has now directed the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to recover the lost lands in the site’s vicinity, to improve sanitation, and to take up other beautification works.
In a stake holders’ meeting convened earlier this week by Chief Secretary SK Joshi—attended by GHMC, ASI, officials of the District Collectorate, State Government and police — the municipal body was directed to remove ‘a few encroachments’ on Murda Darwaza, GHMC Central Zone Commissioner Musharraf Faruqui told Express.
Faruqui, who attended the stake holders’ meeting, said, “Our people (at GHMC) have visited the Murda Darwaza area and a survey has been undertaken. Once we get an idea of the number of people who stay there, the kind of livelihood they have and put an estimate into the cost, we will come up with an appropriate rehabilitation programme. In the coming week, along with ASI officials, a final survey will be undertaken.”
GHMC is also expected to take up the tricky task of removing wild vegetation in and around the monuments. “You simply can’t uproot the vegetation because it might cause damage to the monument. It has to be chemically treated before being removed,” Faruqui said, adding that the work will be done under supervision of an ASI-appointed expert.
Water stagnation is the other major focus area, instructed the Chief Secretary, which includes identifying and clearing water stagnation points in the entire fort perimeter. Places like the Darwazas where locals dump garbage and debris, have been identified. Speaking to Express, Director of Department of Archaeology & Museums N R Visalatchy said, “Works to clear the moat where locals dump debris have already started.”
The District Collectorate will assist in taking up surveys and settling land disputes while police will help in maintaining law and order.Officials expect all works to be completed before September which is when officials of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre will visit the city for inspection.
Golconda Fort and Qutub Shahi Tombs are part of the ‘Monuments of the Deccan Sultanate’ nomination for World Heritage Site tag made by the central government in 2014. Apart from the two Qutub Shahi monuments from the State, the nominations include Bahmani monuments at Gulbarga in Karnataka, Barid Shahi monuments in Bidar, Karnataka, and Adil Shahi monuments at Bijapur, Karnataka.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Hyderabad / by Aihik Sur / Express News Service / January 12th, 2019
Telangana sailors give their all

Sailors who won big at Youth National Sailing Championship with coach Suheim Sehikh.
Win two gold, two silver and six bronze in Youth National Sailing Championship
Telangana sailors put up an impressive show winning two gold, two silver and six bronze in the Youth National Sailing Championship, said coach Suheim Sehikh.
Jaikiran Bolli, a product of a social welfare school in Telangana, chose to defend his bronze rather than try for a gold that was within a striking distance on the final day of medal race, the coach said. And, Mahboobie of Marredpally Government School had a confirmed silver well before the final race, he added.
“Mahboobie could have bagged a gold, but she received a black flag that disqualified her in the penultimate race, dashing all hopes of a gold or a silver. She had to settle for a bronze in her last-ever appearance at a sub-junior regatta before moving on to the Olympic Class Laser this year,” the coach said.
“The stars of the junior fleet were Ravali Parandi and Vaishnavi Veeravamsham, both from Udbhav School, Rasoolpura here, who bagged two golds and two silvers respectively at the nationals and the international,” Mr. Suheim said. “Ravali was not even a favourite before the nationals and was seeded well below seventh in the Telangana fleet. With the two-meter swell and winds and current, we did not expect this diminutive 12-year-old of just 29 kg to strike gold,” the proud coach said.
“The best part is that five of our trainees are now ranked in the top 10 boys in the national fleet, thanks to the huge support of Yacht Club of Hyderabad,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Telangana / by V.V. Subrahmanyam / Hyderabad – January 10th, 2019