NOVEL PROTEST BY TDP February 17, 2012 16:19
Telugu Desam Party workers under the leadership of city propaganda secretary S. Panduranga Rao organised a novel protest at the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation Square here on Thursday by conducting a mock funeral service to Transport Minister Botcha Satyanarayana alleging that he was involved in liquor business in the region. Speaking on the occasion he said that excise officials were being made scapegoats while ministers and people''s representatives were being exempted from action. He demanded that all those found guilty by the Anti-Corruption Bureau should be arrested. State ministers Botcha Satyanarayana, Dharmana Prasada Rao and Mopidevi Venkataramana should be sacked from the Cabinet by the Governor for their alleged role in the liquor scam, Mr. Panduranga Rao said.
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AITUC supports junior doctors February 14, 2012 15:24
Trade union AITUC extended its support to the junior doctors whose strike entered 50 day on Monday. It demanded the Government to concede the demands of junior doctors to put an end to the strike and put an end to the misery of poor patients. Members of city council of the AITUC held a demonstration near the in-gate of King George Hospital on Monday morning and burnt an effigy of the government. State leader of AITUC Ch. Raghavendra Rao criticised the government for planning to invoke ESMA against the junior doctors instead of finding ways to solve their problems. As the government was not responding in the right direction, the strike continued and poor patients in the government hospitals were facing lot of difficulties, he said. City secretary of CPI M. Pydiraju criticised the government for prolonging the issue and warned of an agitation in future if the junior doctors’ demands were not conceded. AITUC leaders J.D. Naidu, Sivaprasad, Gurumurthy, Prasanth Kumar, Markendyulu, Taviti Raju, Appala Raju, Venkata Rao and others along with AITUC members participated. Physician extends help A senior physician and former HoD of Medicine of KGH and AMC N. Srinivasa Rao while appealing both to the Government and the junior doctors to find a solution since the poor patients were suffering, assured to offer his services to the poor and needy if the strike continued. Free treatment would be provided to the poor and those needed emergency care, Dr. Srinivasa Rao said. He also appealed to the retired doctors and the Indian Medical Association members to work in the place of junior doctors and to the nursing homes to provide free treatment to the poor and needy during the strike period. Politicians would double their salaries and hike the constituency development fund but such generosity was not shown to the junior doctors who were extending patient care in spite of facing exposure to serious contagious diseases and finding it to manage with an insufficient stipend while the prices were spiralling, Dr. Srinivasa Rao said.
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Air India to fly from Vizag to Dubai February 09, 2012 18:39
The long standing dream of the people of Visakhapatnam to fly to international destinations from the airport there will become a reality as the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has agreed to allow operation of VizagDubai Air India flight and inaugurate the first flight on March 27 in the steel city. Rajya Sabha member and former Union Minister from Andhra Pradesh T. Subbarami Reddy, who pursued the issue for the last two years with various ministries like Civil Aviation, Home (for setting” up immigration facility), Finance (for customs point) and Defence (incharge of airport) to bring the recently modernised airport under the ambit of international flight operations, told ‘The Hindu’ after meeting Mr. Singh, that the decision would immensely benefit people in the city as well as those in the surrounding districts in Andhra Pradesh as well as Odisha. He pointed out that two years back when the then Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel visited Vizag to participate in his (Mr. Reddy) birthday celebrations he promised to bring international flights to the coastal city. “That promise has been fulfilled now,” he said. Sources said since Dubai is well connected to international destinations, particularly to United States and Europe, people visiting to and from Vizag, would benefit a lot from this daily flight operation as many NRIs in the US belong to this North Coastal Andhra region. Presently, the administrative control of the Vizag airport, including the air traffic control, comes under the Indian Navy’s air station INS Dega and the integrated new terminal of the airport was inaugurated on February 20, 2009. A new expanded runway, 10,500 feet long, was added to the airport on June 15, 2007, and after that Air Bus A320 flights started landing in the airport. Presently Air India, Spicejet, Indigo, Kingfisher Airlines and Jetlite flights operate from the airport to various domestic destinations like Delhi, Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Tirupati and Hyderabad.
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Jeweler Manoj Kumar murdered by kidnappers February 09, 2012 18:37
Mr Manoj Kumar, 43, owner of the well known jewelry show room in Visakhapatnam Vaibhav Jewelers, was found murdered at an isolated place near Sakaleswar forest area in Hasan district of Karnataka this morning. A close relative of Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah, Manoj Kumar was kidnapped two days ago in Bangalore when he landed there from Jaipur. While Bangalore police said he was carrying diamonds and jewelry worth more than Rs.3 Cr with him when he was kidnapped, unofficial reports put the value of jewelry and diamonds he was carrying at Rs.6 Cr. After noting down a complaint from his family members and staff of the Vaibhav Jewelers at Visakhapatnam on phone, Bangalore police filed an FIR and pressed into service two special teams to find out the whereabouts of Manoj Kumar His body was found near the Sakaleswar forest area in the wee hours of today and police have already arrested three persons including the driver of the cab which took him to the airport from a city hotel. Reports said he was kidnapped once and the kidnappers let him out after robbing jewelry worth more than Rs.1 Cr in the past. (JUBS)
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Junior doctors to go on indefinite fast January 31, 2012 16:29
Junior doctors, attached to all the teaching hospitals of Andhra Medical College, who have been on strike for the last one week demanding regular payment of stipend, decided to boycott emergency duties also from Saturday. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Junior Doctors'' Association on Friday night after it discussed the details of a meeting its office-bearers had with Tribal Welfare Minister P. Balaraju in the evening when the latter asked them to call off their agitation and promised to talk to the Health Minister, Health Secretary, and Finance Secretary. Principal of AMC G. Shanta Rao was also present.
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Lagadapati enjoys bicycle ride on Beach Road January 30, 2012 16:11
Vijayawada MP Lagadapati Rajagopal, who pedalled a bicycle in the vehicle-free zone on the Beach Road on Sunday morning, said he would discuss with the municipal authorities at Vijayawada the possibility of creating such a zone. Mr. Rajagopal, who pedalled the 5-km distance from NTR statue to YSR statue and back, described it as pleasant. He complimented the GVMC for the initiative aimed at reducing vehicular pollution. Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said, so far four vehicle-free zones were formed and more would be created depending upon the demand from people. The vehicle-free stretch on the Beach Road would be extended, he said. Additional Commissioner S. Krishna Murthy, zone commissioners P. Durga Prasad and R. Somannarayana, and Chief Medical Officer D. Abbulu participated.
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Balakrishna strides on NTR legacy January 23, 2012 16:15
Tollywood actor Balakrishna said today he decided to enter active politics to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of his late father and legendary actor NTR. Addressing a massive public meeting after unveiling the statue of NTR at Pedawaltair junction in Visakhapatnam today, Balakrishna said his father worked on a nominal monthly salary of Re 1 during his tenure as CM and no other chief minister had that credit. Seeking the blessings of the people, Balakrishna said he would strive hard under the leadership of party president N. Chandrababu Naidu to bring back the past glory to the TDP. “The congress leaders introduced several popular welfare schemes but ate away the lion’s portion of the schemes leaving the marginal benefits to the public,” he alleged. He said the TDP leadership would lead the party to a grand victory in the next elections with a systematic campaign of its proposed policies and programmes. Balayya ready to take on Chiranjeevi Balakrishna announced on Sunday at Paderu he was ready to take on the Congress leader Chiranjeevi in the elections. "I am ready to contest against Chiranjeevi from wherever he contests in the next elections," Balakrishna said addressing people who attended his road show at Paderu in Visakha agency after unveiling a statue of NTR.(JUBS)
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Fun time at ‘CycloXcitement' January 14, 2012 13:16
In all, 150 students from 25 schools participated in ‘CycloXcitement', an event organised by TI Cycles of India, at Dr. V.S. Krishna College grounds here on Friday. The objective was to promote a cleaner and greener environment by re-introducing cycling as a healthy habit and a fitter way of life among schoolchildren, according to the organisers. The ‘Rough and Tough Race' involving movement around cones, a gravel pit, a sand pit, loose boards, and speed breakers provided a lot of excitement to the participants. Students participated in the adventurous crawl under hurdles and a six-foot climb over a barrier. Fast cycle race and slow cycle race was conducted for boys and girls in two age categories – below 14 years and above 14 years. Cycles were given to the first prize winners along with other prizes such as BSA Zippers, cricket bats, badminton rackets, footballs, basketballs, sippers, and BSA protective cycling gear.The winners Slow cycling (for boys above 14): Bhagya Raj (MSM Public School), V. Mohan (R.K. School) and Y. Govaradhan (Sri Chaitanya Talent School) won the first, second and third prizes respectively Fast Cycling (Above 14 boys): Razzaq of MSM Public School, N. Ganesh and M. Vijay Kishore of Raman School of Advaced Education won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Girls slow cycling (above 14): P. Sravani (R.K. School), V. Girija (Sri Shiva Shankar School) and R. Nandini of Hanuman School won the first, second and third prizes respectively Girls Fast cycling (above 14): Geetha Swapna and K. Satyavathi of Sri Chaitanya and G. Saroja of R.K. School won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Hurdle race: M. Udayaraj and Vimal Raj of The Madras Seva Sadhan School and D. Raj Kumar of St. Joseph School won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Rough and Tough Race: O. Chandu of R.K. School, P. Santosh, Sri Mukha Public School and P. Prakash of Sri Chaitanya won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Kids Slow cycling (under 13): Md. Imran (Sri Mukha School), M. Sai of Sri Sarada Vidya Niketan and Leela Sai Kumar of Bhashyam School won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Kids Fast cycling (under 13): Ch. Prasad of Steel City Public School, R. Rakesh of Chaitanya and R. Bhuvan of R.K. School won the first, second and third prizes respectively.
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Stage show marks launch of student web portal January 02, 2012 17:24
Hysteric rock dances, revelry, and mind shattering fashion show marked the launching of the student web portal www.yuniquescoop.com here on Sunday. The electrifying performance of Veerumama of 92.7 Big FM and the Rock Band followed by rocking songs of Revanth and the lively actions of film stars Jayaprakash Reddy, Geetha Singh lifted the lively young audience to a new emotional high. It was a lively evening for the youngsters and students of different colleges who reflected the same enthusiasm of the artistes off the stage by dancing and screaming in tune with the music on the stage. Vamsi Krishna, an engineering student of Andhra University, founded the web portal with the vision of reaching out to the needy students of all shades both financially and academically by posting everything relating to students from tenth class to post graduate streams. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Vamsi said the portal will address every problem and educational need of the students apart from offering career guidance and entertainment. The portal managers also presented a token financial assistance of Rs.5,000 to K. Anusha studying Bachelor of Physiotherapy apart from giving a commitment to take care of all her financial requirement until the completion of her course. The portal was formally launched by Government Regional Hospital superintendent P. Krishna Prasad. Old question papers of public examinations from 10 class to PG will be put on in the website for the benefit of students preparing for public examinations concerned. Students can find information on Robotics, career guidance, jobs, fun and many more subjects of interest. He appealed to students to fully benefit from the services provided by the web portal. Mr. Vamsi also announced his future ventures including plans to set up a blood bank and an eye bank. The students already donated from their pocket money Rs.10 lakhs for the noble project. Awards presented Yuniscoop Awards had been presented to the artistes including Rock Star award to Revanth Young Singer Awards to Meghana and Sabeena and Rising Star Award to Maggi. Mimicry artist Jathara Buchi Babu regaled the participants with his performance.
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Tourists face tough time at Araku Valley December 13, 2011 13:13
Tourists had a tough time in Araku on Monday due to a rasta roko by tribal farmers, demanding wages from the authorities for taking up coffee and oak plantations. Farmers stopped all vehicles on the main road and staged a dharna, raising slogans and demanding that the authorities immediately pay wage dues pending since five years. “Farmers are losing interest in growing coffee plants and silver oak trees. Government announced perks to farmers to encourage coffee and silver oak cultivation in the Agency areas. These perks dues are pending,” said Mr O. Baladev, who led the agitation. Farmers from 14 panchayats in Araku mandal took part in Monday’s stir. The agitation resulted in a traffic jam from the main road of Araku to some extent of the Vizag ghat road, for more than two hours and created inconvenience to tourists.
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Kitchenware, towels to boost condom sale December 13, 2011 13:04
The sale of condoms across the state by the social marketing wing of the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) has increased by 50 per cent this year when compared to last year. Besides increased awareness among people on “playing safe,” social marketing teams are motivating retailers across the state with various schemes to sell condoms. NACO sells condoms manufactured by the state owned Hindustan Latex Limited. While the sale of condoms between July 2009 and June 2010 was 9.1 millions, it was 14.5 millions between July 2010 and June 2011. “There has been a great growth in condom sale. Our aim is to make condoms av-ailable to everyone as part of the NACO project, especially to high risk groups. Now you can see our condo-ms even in a small departmental store or a pan shop,” the NACO social marketing state manager, Mr Nityanand Das told this newspaper. The teams look for non traditional outlets other than medical stores to sell condoms. This year they have increased the outlets to 31,000 in all 23 districts. The teams also provide gifts to retailers to motivate them to sell NACO’s condoms. If the outlets buy a certain amount of condoms, they will be given towels, kitchenware and bed sheets as gifts.
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VSP greenery impresses Parliamentary panel October 20, 2011 17:09
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment and Forests, headed by T. Subbarami Reddy, visited Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited-Visakhapatnam Steel Plant on Wednesday. RINL Chairman-cum-Managing Director A.P. Choudhary and others extended a warm welcome to Mr. Reddy and other members of the committee. The committee visited the model room and various new facilities in the expansion area. The committee members, who visited the plant included Saman Pathak, Jabir Husain, Barun Mukherjee, Ninog Ering, Kamla Devi Patie, Abdul Rahman, Gajendra Singh Rajukhedi, Anup Kumar Saha, Pradeep Tamta and Ranjan Prasad Yadav, and other officials from the Ministry on Environment and Forests and Parliament Secretariat. Later, the committee reviewed the environmental measures being taken by HPCL and NTPC Simhadri and held separate discussion with the officials concerned. At VSP, Mr. Choudhary explained the facilities incorporated, the technology adopted, and the initiatives being taken with regard to environment in the plant. After visiting the plant, Mr. Reddy expressed his satisfaction over lush-greenery around the plant and steps being taken to prevent pollution. He also had a word of praise for environment protection measures during the expansion project. Mr. Reddy said VSP was one of the best in the industry with respect to energy and water consumption, waste heat recovery and sticking to environment related parameters. RINL officials explained that the company was incurring additional cost for lacking captive iron ore mines and requested Mr. Reddy and other committee members to expedite the applications pending with various State governments. Mr. Reddy and members positively responded and assured that they would use their good office for early allotment of captive mines. RINL Directors Umesh Chandra (operations), P. Madhusudan (finance), T.K. Chand (commercial), Y.R. Reddy (personnel), senior officials and union leaders attended.
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