Yana Gupta is the new ‘Malliswari’ Thursday, July 31, 2003 | Editor
Yana Gupta, famous model from Mumbai has been selected to play the most coveted princess role in Suresh Productions latest film Malliswari with Venky as the hero. The film has already grabbed a lot of attention as Katrina Kaif, the top model chosen to play the heroine was in the news, as she was asked by director K.Vijay Bhaskar, to pack her bags and leave by as she could not emote or gets her lines properly. Yana Synkova was born in Czechoslovakia and she began modelling in the mid-1990's. Her career took a turn towards the east when she married an Indian artist Satya Gupta and changed her last name from Synkova to Gupta. In 2001 was named as the new face for Lakme cosmetics in India, replacing former model Lisa Ray. K Vijaya Bhaskar who has given continuous hits like Swayamvaram, Nuvve Kavali, Nuvvu Naaku Nachchav and Manmadhudu is directing this film. Trivikram is writing dialogues and story. Can Yana do what Katrina could not? We will have to wait and watch!
‘Boys’ audio is a hit Thursday, July 31, 2003 | Editor
‘Boys’ audio is a hit Tuesday, 29 July , 2003, 10:24 By Moviebuzz A.M.Ratnam’s Telugu version of Boys is one of the hottest film in the trade. Its audio is doing extremely well and the song Girlfriend is on everybody’s lips. Producer Ratnam and Siva Ganesh have written the lyrics of the songs that are mainly a mixture of Telugu and English. Since the music has caught up like wild fire the film is sure to be a hit with youngsters. The director and producer are giving finishing touches to the film, which has an all-new star cast. The film due for release on August 15 may be delayed by a week.
15 labourers hurt in attack Thursday, July 31, 2003 | Editor
Vijayawada: Fifteen agricultural labourers were injured, three of them seriously, when they were allegedly attacked by an influential Telugu Desam Party leader and his followers at Maddur, near Kankipadu, on the outskirts of Vijayawada. Police said there was a long-standing dispute between local TDP leader K Subba Rao, a landlord and former sarpanch, and his farm labourers ever since they petitioned the Mandal Revenue Officer for allotment of more than 100 acres of government land allegedly under his illegal occupation. This morning, trouble started when the labourers took their cattle for grazing to the land under Mr Rao's occupation. Following a verbal duel, about 40 supporters of the landlord threw chilli powder at the labourers, attacked them with sickles and drove tractor over some of them. The injured were admitted to both government and private hospitals, the police added. Y Kesava Rao, State President of the CPI(M)-affiliated All India Kisan Sabha, visited the injured at the Government Hospital and demanded that the police take stern action against the landlord and his followers.
TRS seeks Barnala role in RDS Thursday, July 31, 2003 | Editor
TRS seeks Barnala role in RDS Hyderabad, Jul 29 - Telangana Rashtra Samiti on Tuesday appealed to Governor Surjit Singh Barnala to intervene and give direction to the State government to close the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme sluice gates to ensure irrigation water to 89,000 acre in Gadwal and Alampur in Mahbubnagar district. Submitting a memorandum to the Governor, TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao, party Legislature Forum leader A Narendra and other leaders sought the help of the Governor to help farmers of Mahbubnagar district since the State government had failed to respond to their innumerable appeals. Chandrasekhar Rao told the Governor that MLA R Ravindranath Reddy had recently went on an indefinite hunger strike before Mahbubnagar district collectorate on the issue. He had also undertaken a five-day padayatra in the catchment area of the RDS demanding the government to close the sluice gates, he said. Barnala asked several questions on the RDS row and KCR explained to the Governor how the government was denying allocated water to Mahbubnagar. After the meeting, KCR told newsmen that the Governor had assured to take up the matter with the government.
Chandrababu Naidu pushes for Afro-Asian Games Thursday, July 31, 2003 | Editor
Chandrababu Naidu pushes for Afro-Asian Games New Delhi, Jul 29 - CM N Chandrababu Naidu discussed with Prime Minister A B Vajpayee the holding of the Afro-Asian Games in Hyderabad and requested Vajpayee to sort out the issue soon as holding the Games in the State would involve a financial aspect of Rs 1,66 crore.
Naidu meets Vajpayee Wednesday, July 30, 2003 | Editor
New Delhi,Tuesday, July 29, 2003: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and is understood to have discussed developmental issues pertaining to the state. At the 75-minute meeting in Parliament House, the dispute over river water sharing between Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka is also understood to have cropped up. Besides attending a meeting at the Planning Commission for finalising the state plan outlay, Naidu is scheduled to meet other Union Ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani. 03:31 IST
Girl dies of ‘overdose’ of drugs Monday, July 28, 2003 | Editor
Girl dies of ‘overdose’ of drugs Hyderabad, Jul 26 - A ninth class student, S Manasha, died allegedly due to doctors’ negligence at Sravana Nursing Home at Mozamjahi Market here on Friday. Following her death, Maharajgunj MLA Prem Singh Rathore along with his followers, at least 40 of them, arrived at the nursing home and damaged the furniture and smashed the window panes. Manasha, a resident of Osman Shahi, was a student of Hanuman Vyayamshala in Sultan Bazar. Her father is into transport business. According to the police, Manasha (13) was admitted to the nursing home in the early hours of Friday as she was running high temperature. It is learnt that she had been feverish for the last couple of days. The police said that the duty doctors - Dr Krishnamurthy and Dr Sanjeeva Rao - prescribed paracetamol and Clocit tablets to her. As per the doctors’ instructions, Manasha’s father Raju gave her four Clocit tablets which she had swallowed even while complaining that she was on empty stomach. Twenty minutes after taking the drug, Manasha developed complications and started vomiting. The doctors put her on ventilation, but she soon fell unconscious and later died. Raju and his wife Anita blamed the duty doctors for their daughter’s death and picked up an argument with them. Later, the in-charge of the nursing home, Aparna Reddy, arrived and the argument went on.
Chandrababu Naidu says viral fever in the State under control Monday, July 28, 2003 | Editor
Chandrababu Naidu says viral fever in the State under control Visakhapatam, Jul 26 - In Andhra Pradesh, the death toll in mosquito-borne viral fever has gone up to 140. Over 250 children have been affected by the disease across the State in the past two months. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu claimed the viral fever is under control in the state. Speaking to media persons at the Visakhapatnam airport, Naidu said, the situation is better as compared to other states. Health authorities are taking all possible measures to prevent spread of the disease. The crippling viral fever has struck Andhra Pradesh in a big way. The victims are mostly poor and malnourished children. Karimnagar and Warangal districts reported the worst outbreak. We came to work in a cement factory. Since only poor labourers live in that locality, it is not clean and there are lots of mosquitoes and flies. Doctors say chances of survival are high if patients are treated early. Health officials are worried that the disease may spread to assume epidemic proportions during an upcoming religious gathering for the Godhavari Pushkaram festival in the State. Thousands of people are expected to converge for the festival, observed once in 12 years. --
Chandrbabu Naidu has narrow escape as his car brake fails Sunday, July 27, 2003 | Editor
Visakhapatnam,Saturday, July 26, 2003: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandranbabu Naidu on Friday had a narrow escape when the brake of the car carrying him to the airport here failed in heavy rains. Hardly had the motorcade of Naidu travelled some distance when the brake of the car failed near Tyda region of Araku valley, where he attended an official function, as he was going back to the airport for return to Hyderabad, sources said. The driver, an employee of the city police, lost the balance of the car for a while before regaining control and managing to slow down the vehicle, avoiding a major mishap. Heavy downpour compelled the Chief Minister to take a car to the airport instead of boarding the helicopter which had brought him to to Araku after landing from the a regular Hyderabad-Visakhapatnam flight at the airport here on Friday.
Hyderabad : The state capital has been in the grip of viral infections, fever, gastroenteritis, malaria and respiratory infections since the onset of the south-west monsoon. The sharpest rise has been in the number of gastroenteritis cases. At Gandhi Hospital, over 35 per cent of the out-patients in the paediatric unit are children suffering from symptoms of gastroenteritis. According to the hospital's head of the paediatric department, Dr K V Raghava Rao, respiratory infections constitute 30 per cent of the cases and the rest are fever cases. Stagnant water, leaking sewage lines and contamination of drinking water during the monsoon facilitate mosquito breeding. They are the main reasons for the spread of epidemics. "Usually, there is a spurt in the number of viral infections after the initial rains. But this year with the state under the grip of a severe drought, immunity in children is low, hence they are more susceptible to infections," Rao said. Nearly 10,000 cases of diarrhoea have been reported in the state capital till date. Niloufer Children's Hospital has witnessed a sudden spurt in gastroenteritis cases in the past couple of days. Since Monday, close to 50 children were admitted with gastroenteritis-related complications, the hospital's superintendent Dr N C K Reddy said. Nearly 90 cases of viral encephalitis, including two from the city, have been admitted to Niloufer. "What is unusual in most cases is almost all children admitted with gastroenteritis have abdominal cramps, which is not associated with known diseases," Dr Ramesh Kancharia of Rainbow Hospitals said. "Over the past two weeks, on an average six children have been admitted with gastroenteritis and another 25 are being treated as out-patients each day," Kancharia added. The hospital has also seen a steady increase in the number of viral fever cases with patients reportting severe headache, he added. "During the last one month, I have seen at least 50 cases of malaria," Andhra Pradesh Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association president (Hyderabad and Rangareddy) Dr N L N Sharma said. Respiratory infections are also on the rise due to the change in the weather, Sharma added. Though viral infections are usually on the rise during the monsoon, this year there has been an abnormal increase in the numbers, he added. Meanwhile, the viral encephalitis sweeping the state claimed five more lives on Thursday, taking the death toll to 157. Nizamabad reported two new cases and two deaths,while Mahbubnagar reported four new cases and three deaths. One fresh case was reported from Warangal.
Cong flays govt for extending term of co-ops Saturday, July 26, 2003 | Editor
Cong flays govt for extending term of co-ops Hyderabad : The Congress has criticised the state cabinet for approving an ordinance to extend the term of the cooperative societies by three more years. PCC spokesman Gali Muddukrishnama Naidu told reporters on Thursday that the state government had paralysed the cooperative sector by not holding elections to the primary agriculture cooperative societies for the last 11 years. "The government finds time to hold elections to education committees for schools, water user committees, but has no time to hold PACS polls," he said. Naidu alleged that the Chief Minister was not holding the elections to the cooperative societies because he was threatened at the prospects of the ruling TDP in the elections.
Golconda Express mishap: Delay in applying brakes Saturday, July 26, 2003 | Editor
A delay while applying the brakes led to the derailment of the Secunderabad-bound Golconda Express near Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. An engine and two bogies of the 7201 Golconda Express derailed and fell from a rail overbridge, resulting in the death of 18 persons on July 2. "As per provisional findings, the derailment had occurred due to a delay in application of brakes," Commissioner of Railway Safety R P Agarwal, who conducted an inquiry into the accident, said in a release in Hyderabad on Thursday night. The findings have been forwarded to the Central government, he added.
After Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Hyderabad gets its Imax theatre Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu comes out of the Imax theatre, which he inaugurated near NTR Gardens in Hyderabad on Wednesday. HYDERABAD: The long wait for movie goers is finally over with Imax theatre being thrown open for the public on Wednesday. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was the first viewer to have purchased the ticket by paying Rs 125 at the Imax that has come up on the Necklace Road. The clarity in vision and sound gives one `a real experience of movie watching.' Naidu described his experience of watching movie as, "the most thrilling." He said the whole effort is to make the State and the city in particular a tourism hub. The height of Imax screen is 193 ft, almost 10 times larger than that of the 35 mm. A number of other facilities to attract tourists and provide them the required facilities and entertainment are also being made available, he added. "Very soon all the entertainment projects would be here in the city," he added. Though, there are two other Imax theatres in the country, one being in Mumbai and the other in Ahmedabad, this Imax, he felt is far superior not just in terms of the technology and screen size, but also in terms of other facilities. Tourism Minister T Srinivas Yadav said that Rs 62 crore project has six theatres with a total capacity of 10,000 seats. This apart, shopping complexes and food courts would soon be ready, he added. Commercial Tax Minister, K Viajya Rama Rao, felt that it was a big advantage to have the theatre on the banks of Hussainsagar as more entertainment spots that would come up soon. Union Minster of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya described his experience of watching movie as `thrilling and momentous' which he has never experienced before. The theatre would also screen 3D movies, besides the regular films. A technology called Imax DMR that helps to transform ordinary films into 3D would be procured in about three years time, said Jim Patterson, Prasad Media Corporations Limited vice-president (sales, south east) An elated Prasad Media Corporations Limited Director Ramesh Prasad, said "Its a dream come true and I had been dreaming since 1987 to make it a reality." In the past, there were hurdles with foreign regulations but now it has been possible due to the state government's cooperation, he said.
Governor stresses on child-friendly atmosphere in schools Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
Governor stresses on child-friendly atmosphere in schools Mr. Surjit Singh Barnala, Governor, said education must instill in the students the spirit of enquiry, thirst for knowledge and desire to learn, and added that the purpose of education goes beyond acquiring certain skills. In his inaugural address at a public open forum on 'Universalization of elementary Education and Child Rights' Jointly organised by the Common wealth Education Fund and AP Alliance for Child Rights, he said a rational and affectionate dialogue and interaction of the Parents, Teachers concerned, and the Community is necessary to create a child- friendly atmosphere in the schools. Once it was achieved the attention, curiosity, eagerness, sensibility, aesthetic and human qualities can be developed in the Children. He said Literacy should lead to continuous education. And Education is both an expansion of experience and knowledge. Expansion of knowledge is gained through social interaction, critical evaluation and analytical ability. He said if the knowledge of the print and electronic media were added, one can gain the true spirit of education. The Governor said Education is a key input in the development of any country and counties which have laid emphasis on education at all levels had gained fastest growth and added that what learns at school by way of knowledge and discipline plays a decisive role in one's future. Prof. K. Vishwanath Reddy, Former Director, Academic Studies of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University, stressed upon the role of civil society and called upon the academicians and educated people and parents to protect the democratic rights of the Children. He regretted that, though the Governments had been concentrating on primary education for the past few years, half of the children were out of schools in the country. He said in 1993 about 23 lakh children joined in first class, but by 2000, only nine lakh students appeared the 7th class Board exams, and added that there was 39 percent drop out rate in the primary education. The drop out rate was very high among the Tribal Children due to the fact that they were not owning the contents of the curriculum as those were not directly linked to their culture and lives, illiterate parents and Poverty. He said the regional inequalities and discrimination towards girl child, meagre budget allocation to primary education and physical and mental torture of the teachers are resulting in increase in the drop out rate. Governor inaugurated a Photo Exhibition on Children on the occasion.
TRP leader threatens to immolate self Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
WARANGAL: Tension gripped the city on Tuesday when Telangana Rashtra Party (TRP) Karimnagar district unit secretary G Krishna Reddy threatened to immolate himself if the auction of Ajamjahi mills’ lands was not stalled immediately. According to police, initially, Reddy threatened to jump from a water tanker in front of the mills on Tuesday morning. Activists of the party, including party president G Innaiah on the ground, supported Reddy’s demand to stall the auction, by raising slogans. DSP Sumati, ASP Venkat Rao and revenue officials rushed to the spot to stop Reddy. Reddy doused himself with petrol and threatened to set himself ablaze even as the DSP tried to climb atop the tanker. The drama continued for four hours. It was only after Joint Collector Parthasarathy announced that the chief minister had assured him that steps would be taken to halt the auction that Reddy cooled down. The TRP leaders had been on a hunger strike for the past ten days over the issue. Krishna Reddy had announced earlier that he would commit suicide in front of the mill if the authorities went ahead with the auction.
Mystery fever is encephalitis Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
Mystery fever is encephalitis, conclude Delhi doctors HYDERABAD: The 10-member team of paediatricians from New Delhi, which extensively toured the villages affected by the `mysterious fever' in the State, concluded that the disease was viral encephalitis. Led by Dr AK Datta of the Lady Hardinge Hospital, the doctors conducted clinical assessment of the disease in Warangal, Karimnagar and Mahboobnagar districts and left for New Delhi on Tuesday. The team held discussions with officials of the Health department after their field visits and suggested that treatment as is being given now should be continued. Meanwhile, the dreaded disease claimed four more lives including its first victim in Anantapur district on Wednesday morning. One death each was reported from Ranga Reddy, Adilabad and Karimnagar districts. In all, nine fresh cases including three in Adilabad, two each in Ranga Reddy and Mahboobnagar and one in Anantapur were reported during the day. Some 149 deaths out of 272 cases were reported the worst affected being Warangal and Karimnagar where nearly 100 children aged between 2 and 12 died so far. Health Minister Kodela Sivaprasada Rao who chaired a review meeting at his residence alerted the medical officials to tour the affected areas and continue with the treatment. "We are taking all precautionary measures to face the situation which is still alarming," he said.
Free transport for pilgrims from pushkar Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
Free transport for pilgrims from pushkar ghats The Department of Endowments had decided to provide free transportation to pilgrims from pushkar ghats to nearby temples or places during Godavari Pushkarams. It is aimed at reducing the congestion at ghat places and also to facilitate pilgrims to visit popular temples. Commissioner, Endowments has informed that it had been decided to play 40 free buses in five districts through which Godavari flows. In Adilabad district from Basar to Nizamabad, in Karimnagar district Dharmapuri to Jagityal, in Khammam district Bhadrachalam to Kotthagudem, in West Godavari from Kovvur to Dwaraka Tirumala and Elur, in East Godavari from Rajahmundry to Annavaram, Kotipalli and Draksharamam free buses will play during pushkaram days. The Department had established a Control Room with senior level officers, which will operate round the clock from July 28 to August 10. Information relating to Godavari Pushkarams can be accessed from 55106590/591/592 and 593 phone numbers. A call centre with phone number 200030810 has also been set up for Godavari Pushkarams. For similar information people can also contact phone 1111.
Naxalites kill TD leader Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
Naxalites of the outlawed People’s War Group killed a Telugu Desam worker and Nangara Bheri leader Bhukya Saraiah, 48, at Ramachandrapuram village in Mulug mandal on Monday night by branding him as police informer. According to the villagers, 15 armed Naxals came to the house of Saraiah and forcibly took him away to the village panchayat office after confining his wife Sammakka and daughter Vijaya in the house. They fired three rounds at him and left the place. Saraiah died on the spot. The ultras left a letter at the incident site in the name of Narsampet Local Guerrilla Squad in which they claimed that they were killing Saraiah for acting as police informer. Mulug CI Surender shifted the body to the Mulug Government Hospital and registered a case.
Poor response to KCR padayatra: TDP Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
The Telugu Desam Party today alleged that there was poor public response to TRS chief K. Chandrasekhar Rao's padayatra in Mahabubnagar on the issue of `injustice' to farmers in the district under the Rajolibanda Diversion Scheme (RDS). It claimed that people had ignored the campaign and Mr. Rao was walking in the company of outsiders. This proved the ruling party's contention that the TRS did not enjoy even one per cent support in the district, the Panchayat Raj Minister, N. Janardhan Reddy, said. He condemned the outburst of the TRS president accusing him of `selling away the interests of Mahabubnagar to Andhra.' Mr. Rao had never shown concern for Telangana during his 16-year-long association with the TDP but was raking up the issue now for the sake of power. Attributing the RDS problem to neglect by earlier Congress regime, he said it was at the instance of the TDP Government that seven out of the ten construction sluices (allowing flow of water to Kurnool district) were closed. He was making best efforts to close down the remaining three.
For heroines, mums are must Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: The glamour of tinsel town is irresistible for girls who want to make it big as heroines but the reputation of the Telugu film industry is becoming even more scary. This, especially after the incident in which producer-actor Mohan Babu allegedly assaulted actress Shilpa Sivanand and her mother Parveen Sivanand on Tuesday. Now, most heroines cannot imagine not being accompanied by any of their family members to the sets despite the fact that shootings generally happen in a friendly atmosphere. Stories abound in the Telugu film industry about danger lurking in the form of producers, director or even actors making unreasonable demands on heroines but there have been just a few instances where heroines went public about it. Because of these incidents, most heroines are accompanied by a close family member for shootings. I need to protect my daughter all the time. That is even sacrifice my medical practice and accompany her on her shooting schedules, says Dr Mohd Ahmed Sayed, father of actress Sada. Dr Sayed says so far they have not encountered any difficulties but they would rather not take a chance. Actress Aarti Agarwal who has come from the US pursuing a career in Tollywood is always accompanied by her father on the sets. Similarly, heroine Anshu, the girl from London, is accompanied by her father during the shooting schedules. Ramyakrishna has always had her father accompanying her. A number of heroines are accompanied by their mothers most of the times. I don’t necessarily feel the need to be with my daughter all the time, especially if I am convinced the unit is friendly, says Monica, mother of actress Aneeta of ‘Girlfriend’ fame. But she’s there with her as often as she can. Ankita, Bhoomika, Aarti Chabria and several other actress have the company of their mothers. Actress Namita feels comfortable and safe with her boyfriend Steven Kapoor around much as Raasi feels reassured when her brother is with her. Soundarya used to be accompanied by her brother most of the times before she got married. However, actresses like Shriya, Sonali Bendre, Reema Sen, Rekha, Gazala and Neha are on their own. I can manage on my own, says Reema Sen.
Mohan Babu turns tables on Shilpa Thursday, July 24, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: Actor-producer Mohan Babu on Wednesday turned the tables on actress Shilpa Sivanand, whom he allegedly assaulted, by lodging a complaint with the Jubilee Hills police saying that she had threatened him with dire consequences if he fails to pay extra money for the film. Earlier, addressing a press conference, he denied beating up Shilpa and said he was not even present at the Annapurna Studios where the alleged incident happened on Tuesday. Mohan Babu refuted allegations levelled by the actress and her mother that he had beaten them up after he was not satisfied with Shilpa’s performance in a song being picturised with his son Vishnu. I was not even on the sets when the alleged incident happened. I don’t spend more than five minutes on the sets because if I am there my son cannot act properly, he said at a press conference. Asked about the police complaint filed against him, Mohan Babu replied: Anyone can file a complaint against any individual. The police have not approached me over the complaint so far. Stating that everyone in the unit had a complaint against Shilpa, he said the actress did not cooperate with director Sharji Kailash. I have acted with several heroines but no one has complained against me so far, Mohan Babu said. Choreographer Brinda, who was present at the press conference, described Shilpa as an unprofessional and irresponsible’’ girl, while director Kailash said it was a torture’’ working with Shilpa. The co-producer of the film, Krishna has filed a complaint against the heroine with the Telugu Film Producers Council alleging that Shilpa left the shooting midway on Tuesday, though she was committed to work till July 26. The complaint stated that Shilpa had insulted the entire unit by calling in the police to Annapurna Studios. Because of her absence, we are incurring a loss of Rs 50 lakh, Mohan Babu said. Mohan Babu also said Shilpa had deceived them by claiming that she had not acted in any movie before. Writer Posani Krishna Murali said it was only after he had shown Mohan Babu proof that she accepted that she was not new to the film industry.
Harassed woman hangs self Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
VISAKHAPATNAM: A woman committed suicide by hanging herself on Sunday night. According to police, L Pallavi (28) of Cheepurupalli village of Vizianagaram was married to Kishore Kumar, a mineral plant owner of Srinagar, Visakhapatnam, eight years ago. He is alleged to have illegal intimacy with a woman and harassing his wife for the last few months. Unable to bear the harassment, she committed suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan. A case has been registered on a complaint lodged by the mother of the deceased, the police said.
Three get seven-year jail term for gangrape Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
VISAKHAPATNAM: Three persons accused of committing gangrape two years ago, were sentenced to seven years imprisonment by sessions judge of the woman’s court CH Manavendranath Roy here on Monday. In his judgment, the judge said that the allegations against the trio G Gangaraju, G Tata Rao and A Appa Rao were found to be true as per the eyewitness account. It may be recalled that on June 2, 2001, a woman who came to the Appikonda Beach along with her husband was gangraped by the trio. Later, Gajuwaka Police arrested them and produced them in the court. They will also have to pay Rs 3000 as fine or serve another nine-month jail term. The trio would be sent to the jail on Tuesday, the police said.
Karimnagar college bags four ranks in GATE-2003 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: In the recently held GATE-2003 examination, students of Jyothishmathi Institute of Technology and Science, Karimnagar, secured all India ranks of 22, 30, 65 and 131. Many students were also able to secure admissions to MS programmes abroad and M.Tech courses in reputed institutes in India. Jyothishmathi Insitute of Technology and Science was established in Karimnagar in 1997 by a local group Shalini Vidya Samstha, according to a press release. During the last six years, it has grown with an annual intake capacity of 42 students in B.Tech courses in computer science, engineering in information technology, electronics and communication engineering, electronics and instrumentation engineering and electrical and electronics engineering and has an intake capacity of 60 in the MCA course. These course have been approved by AICTE.
2 die, 16 hurt as stockpiled explosives go off Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
TIRUPATI: Two persons died and 16 others suffered critical injuries when the explosives stocked in a house at Vengampalle of Tavanampalle mandal in Chittoor district went off accidentally late on Sunday night. The deceased were identified as Ilayaraja (22) and Govindraj (18), both contract labourers from Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu. According to the police, Rajasekhar Reddy of Vengampalle and Mahender Reddy of Chittoor took on lease stone quarrying in the area and were carrying out the operations for the last one year. They employed 20 labourers from Dharmapuri district. The labourers were staying in a small house where the quarrying material and gelatine sticks were stocked. The explosives suddenly went off at about midnight last night. While Ilayaraja died on the spot, other labourers suffered serious injuries. Govindaraj died on way to the hospital. The remaining injured were admitted to the government hospital at Chittoor. Police, Fire and Revenue officials rushed to the spot and took up rescue operations. District superintendent of police Navin Chand visited the spot this morning and conducted an inquiry.
Docs fail to find real cause for fever; toll hits 150 Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: As many as 150 children died of "mysterious fevers" caused by some unknown virus. But the tragedy is that the government which boasts of a high tech administration and doctors priding themselves of state-of-the art labs and experts flown from Delhi, Pune etc; are clueless about the acutal cause. Unable to suppress his anger, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu gave a piece of his mind to his Health Minister Dr. K Sivaprasada Rao, suspended a district medical and health officer in Karimnagar, shifted a revene divisional officer and suspended half a dozen sarpanches. But, nothing eased the crisis. Even two months after the outbreak of the fever that remained unabated, the State government is groping in the dark about the root cause of the epidemic which surfaced in 10 districts. A five day long sanitation campaign launched by the government too could not contain the deaths, even till Tuesday. The Health department officials claimed that identification of the virus was unimportant as treatment was, more or less, the same for all strains of the viruses but children were dying within hours of contracting the virus. Perplexed over the raging "mysterious fever," experts from the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) in New Delhi, senior pediatricians from different hospitals in New Delhi besides doctors from the Bangalore-based NIMHANS descended in hordes on the affected areas to make a clinical assessment of the disease. Instead of presenting a clear picture, their findings created more confusion. While the NICD experts claimed three out of the 62 samples tested positive for Japanese Encephalitis, their counterparts in NIV failed to arrive at any conclusion. Others termed the disease as West Nile Virus, viral meningo encephalitis and so on. The last word on the assessments is that the tests are still going on. The experts committee set up by the State government to know the reasons submitted an interim report lauding the various measures taken by the government and added few more to the list. It is not uncommon that such diseases surface during the onset of monsoon but it is the severity of the epidemic that portrayed the officials in poor light. Last year too 54 children died of Measles Encephalitis in the same districts but timely action helped in reducing the mortality rate. On its part, the State government began a campaign to educate people on environmental hygiene, distributed mosquito coils, took anti-larval operations like fogging and distribute homoeopathy medicines free of cost to control the epidemic. "The incidence has been declining and all primary health centres have been asked to treat the children coming to them with such symptoms," Health Minister K Siva Prasada Rao said. The disease is certainly on wane but will the officials take steps to prevent its recurrence at least in future ? One has to wait till next year for an answer to this query.
TDP stalls Lok Sabha on Karnataka projects Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
NEW DELHI: The Telugu Desam Party members on Tuesday stalled the proceddings of the Lok Sabha demanding the Centre to intervene and stop illegal construction of irrigation projects in Karnataka. Though the issue of CBI dominated the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, TDP members succeeded in getting an assurance from speaker for a discussion on Karnataka projects in the house soon. After a long time, TDP MPs had resorted to cross the Lakshman Rekha and rushed to the Podium. They raised slogans demanding justice from the Centre. Telugu Desam Parliamentary leader Kinjarapu Yerran Naidu raised the issue of illegal construction of projects by Karnataka which detrimental to the interests of the people of Andhra Pradesh. He said that the Central Government should come to the rescue of the lower riparian state and protect the people of Andhra Pradesh. MPs from Karnataka also joined the issue with TDP members and rushed to the well in support of the Karnataka Government. However, Congress members from Andhra Pradesh S Jaipal Reddy and N Janardhan Reddy supported the arguments of TDP members. Interestingly enough, members of DMK and AIDMK also supported the TDP members. AIDMK members were heard saying that their party President Jayalalitha asked them to support TDP on this issue.
Case filed against actor Mohan Babu for slapping actress Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | Editor
PTI HYDERABAD: Police on Tuesday registered a case against Telugu actor and former TDP MP Mohan Babu on charges of assaulting his co-star Shilpa Shivanand. Mohan Babu allegedly slapped Shivanand, sister of popular Telugu actress Sakshi Shivanand, while shooting for a film here in a Jubilee Hills studio, Jubilee Hills police station sources said. The actress, in her complaint, alleged Babu assaulted her and her mother with out any provocation, they added. Shilpa Shivanand alleged that she was slapped because she could not act "properly" in one particular scene. She also charged that Mohan Babu had roughed up her mother.
Clinching proof of Andhra varsity employees’ nexus with racketeers on hand Sunday, July 20, 2003 | Editor
VISAKHAPATNAM: The city police investigating into the fake certificate racket, busted three days back, have claimed to have procured substantial evidence to nail some employees of Andhra University who colluded with the racketeers. Sources in the police told this website's newspaper that though the initial focus was on the hand of Fareed, an employee of the despatch wing of the University, clues indicate that there could be more than what meets the eye in the case with at least four more employees involved in issuing the fake certificates. The police, while arresting kingpin V Srinivasa Rao along with four others, had recovered degree, PG and engineering certificates of various universities including Andhra University, Madhurai Kamaraj University and Mysore University. A large number of AU’s provisional certificates, marks sheets, transfer certificates were also recovered. The police suspect the involvement of more than one person from the university which normally follows certain procedure to issue various certificates and some series numbers which are kept secret from outsiders. However, accused Srinivasa Rao had used the procedure and codes to issue the fake certificates. A senior police official said the University authorities would be approached with a list of persons in key positions whose complicity is suspected.
Illustrious son of Kadapa is new RBI Governor Sunday, July 20, 2003 | Editor
CUDDAPAH: The Kadapa district will soon achieve distinction of having its native as Governor of the highest monetary regulatory body of the nation -- the Reserve Bank of India -- for the first time. Retired IAS officer Y Venugopal Reddy, a native of Komminivaripalli village in Pullampet mandal, will be sworn-in as new Governor of the RBI next month, succeeding Bimal Jalan. Son of a middle-class farmer Y V Reddy did his schooling at Nandalur High School, which also produced high ranked officials like A V S Reddy. He earlier worked as district collector of Guntur and Vijayawada, presently he is an executive director of the International Monetary Fund.
Stench, squalour, overflowing sewer water greet CM Sunday, July 20, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: Stench, squalour and overflowing sewer water in slums greeted Chief Minister Chandrabu Naidu when he made a surprise visit in the city on Saturday morning in the wake of unabated viral fever cases affecting children and continuing complaints of non-clearance of garbage and overflowing sewage. A livid Chief Minister publicly rebuked Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad (MCH) commissioner Chitra Ramachandran and Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&WB) managing director MG Gopal for poor upkeep of sewage `nala's and piled up garbage. Not satisfied with their explanations, Naidu later announced that the job of cleaning 800 km long open 'nalas' in the city would be transferred from the MCH to HMWS&SB as it was better equipped to deal with it. For that, the MCH would provide Rs 5 crore to the sewerage board. At Ambedkarnagar slum, near Rail Nilayam, Naidu was confronted by people who complained that the civic authorities had abandoned the colony and there was no one to clear garbage and 'nalas'. At one stage, Naidu found it difficult to ward off from the stench. A boy died of viral fever two weeks ago here. Similar situation awaited the Chief Minister at Chintal Basti too. Unhappy over lack of cleanliness, he took Chitra Ramachandran for task and grilled her over poor storm water drain maintenance there. Gopal had to bear the brunt of Naidu for stinking open 'nala' at Ambedkarnagar slum for the last few months. Chief Secretary Mohan Kanda and several senior secretaries too accompanied Naidu when he inspected the premises of Secretariat. Earlier, he visited the Niloufer Hospital where about 20 children affected with viral fever have been recuperating. Parents of some children complained to him that they were being fleeced for bribes by the hospital staff and that there was a scarcity of medicines. One, Anjamma, mother of a child patient, fell on the feet of Naidu seeking better treatment to her son and save her from the greedy hospital staff. Soon a few other parents too came forward and pour out the same grievance. Naidu asked hospital superintendent Dr NCK Reddy to look into the complaints. Dr Reddy explained to the Chief Minister that the hospital was running short of funds. Naidu immediately sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for purchase medicines. He was apprised of the treatment being given to the children suffering from suspected `viral maligno encephalitis'. Of the 20 children admitted as in-patients in Niloufer hospital during the last 48 hours, eight of them are in intensive care unit, Dr Reddy said.
Andhra Pradesh minister slams NCW chief over AIDS victim Sunday, July 20, 2003 | Editor
The controversy over an AIDS victim's death in Andhra Pradesh has deepened with the state health minister objecting to the National Commission for Women (NCW) chief's criticism of health authorities for the incident. Minister of Health Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said the remarks made by NCW chairperson Poornima Advani were "unfair" and "unbecoming" of her position. Thirty-year-old Ponnamma died in Kuppam in Chittoor district under mysterious circumstances. While NGOs allege that her family stoned her to death because of the stigma associated with AIDS, state officials say the disease killed her. Advani visited Kuppam last week and spoke to over 100 people to ascertain the facts behind the death. An NCW report after the visit slammed health authorities for the criminal neglect of the woman but was unclear about how she died. "Advani's remarks about Kuppam are painful and caused agony to the constituency people. Her allegations are baseless and her remarks are unfortunate and do not suit her position," Rao told newsmen during a visit to Prakasam district on Friday. At the release of the report in New Delhi on Thursday, Advani expressed fears that Ponnamma, a mother of two, had been cremated alive on July 4. The NCW report noted that: "In the absence of proof about the time of death, the team wondered whether Ponnamma, while she was alive and battling for life, was bundled and transported to the cremation ground." The report said the cremation was done on an open garbage dump and there was no guard or record to prove the person who was set on fire was dead. "The local officials were unaware that there were any rules for cremation," Advani aid. Chittoor district is the high-profile assembly constituency of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the shocking episode is causing him some embarrassment. Advani, however, said she had found no conclusive evidence to prove the claim made by a Tirupati-based NGO that Ponnamma had been stoned by her family. "A hazy line continues to linger on the crucial point of whether the death of Ponnamma was a natural death or otherwise," Advani said. Rao said there was not an iota of truth in Advani's allegation that the state government concealed facts in the case relating to the AIDS patient's death. He said that after Ponnamma's own mother had said she died of AIDS, there was no question of a controversy. Rao also accused Advani of being inconsistent. "She once alleged that the victim was lynched, another time she said she was poisoned and yet another time she said she was cremated alive." The Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society has said Ponnamma died a natural death due to AIDS. Its officials, however, admit that no doctor declared her dead but added that people in villages do not bother about obtaining death certificates. The society sent a report on the death to the National AIDS Control Organisation. The organisation also sent a three-member team to probe the incident and concluded that Ponnamma had died a natural death due to illness.
AP ministers dismissal demanded Sunday, July 20, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh Congress Legislature Party (APCLP) has demanded that the Chief Minister "uphold the rule of law" and immediately remove State Housing Minister P Rama Subba Reddy and State Health Minister Kodela Siva Prasad Rao from the Cabinet, as they were facing criminal charges. APCLP leader and Opposition Leader in State Assembly Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a statement, alleged that the Chief Minister was attempting to protect the two ministers. "Congress Party's Suddala Devaiah, then minister in the Cabinet, was asked to resign when he faced similar charges," he pointed out. He said the removal of the ministers would go a long way in electoral democracy and would benefit the system. "The Government should realise that they are answerable to institutions such as the Judiciary, even if they arrogantly consider themselves unanswerable to the Opposition parties, the Legislative Assembly and the people," he said. Dr Reddy said it was disgusting to note that the persons who were facing trial for involvement in grave offences such as murder, were continuing as ministers in the Andhra Pradesh Government. "Cabinet Minister P Rama Subba Reddy has been charged with double-murder, but has not chosen to resign from the Cabinet nor has he been asked to by the Chief Minister," he said. He also alleged that Kodela Siva Prasad Rao had been inducted into the Cabinet even as the CBI was seeking his prosecution in connection with a bomb-blast case, just to protect him from prosecution. He said this reflected poorly on the attitude of the Chief Minister and demanded the immediate dismissial of the two ministers.
Homoeopaths offer to treat viral fever in AP Sunday, July 20, 2003 | Editor
KOZHIKODE: Claiming that homoeopathy can provide cure to the epidemic viral fever in Andhra Pradesh which has claimed over 100 lives, the Institution of Homoeopaths, Kerala on Friday appealed to the Chandrababu Naidu Government to popularise the homoeopathy system of treatment to fight against the disease. "It is unfortunate that the Andhra Pradesh Government has neglected homoeopathy to treat hundreds of cases affected by the viral encephalitis and we are prepared to send our team to the state to provide effective treatment," Dr S Vidya Prakash, Institution's State Vice-President, told reporters. Homoeopathy had helped cure the disease very effectively in the past in Andhra but the Government there had ignored it now and was resorting to other systems of treatment, he said, adding a team of homoeopaths from Kerala were prepared to travel to Andhra to provide adequate treatment to the affected. On Indian Medical Association's remarks that homoeopathy could not cure epidemics like Dengue fever, he said the system of medicine had proved effective in the state during the past but the Government was ignoring its practice and allotting less funds compared to allopathy.
eCops extended to 12 more districts Saturday, July 19, 2003 | Editor
Twelve district police units in the state will soon go online, with the police department deciding to implement eCops partially in these districts. A meeting to this effect was held at the state police headquarters on Monday. Senior police officers and superintendents of police from select districts attended the meeting. A case registered at one police station can be tracked at any police station in the state after eCops is implemented. Besides, the project ensures faster handling of grievances and quicker results, officials told The Times of India. For police, the project facilitates faster exchange of critical information among various police stations and departments. Also, the project will improve the efficiency of police personnel and ensure vertical integration of hierarchical units, officials said. However, certain problems were identified in the implementation of the project on a pilot basis in Hyderabad, Cyberabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada and Srikakulam. One of them is the difficulty in changing the attitude and mindset of field officers to implement the project. Due to a lack of belongingness, dedicated and trained personnel were not posted for eCops operations. Instead, such personnel were diverted for other duties. Also, the funds are received in phases due to which the project needs to be implemented in phases, officials said. --
5,000 phones go dead in 4 days Saturday, July 19, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad - More than 5,000 telephones went dead in the last four days in the twin cities, and complaints of more lines snapping are pouring in. The AP Telecom officials have blamed it on the massive digging taken up during the National Games, which damaged telephone cables, especially around Gachibowli and Mehdipatnam. Indiscriminate digging around the city by the Water Board and Municipal Corporation of Hyderabad have also damaged cables, they said. With the city receiving rain, seepage of rainwater into the cables has only compounded the problem. An irate subscriber who called the Deccan Chronicle office said, Why does the telephone go dead with a light shower? The officials do not realise the inconvenience we have to come out, find a PCO to register a complaint. The phone has been dead though it is two days since I registered a complaint. Efforts to restore the phone lines have been undertaken by BSNL on a war footing. Official sources said about 2,500 phones would be restored by midnight on Friday.
Niloufer overflows with sick children Saturday, July 19, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad - Of the five patients admitted to Niloufer Hospital during last 24 hours, one patient died of suspected viral fever on Friday which is being termed as Viral meningo encephalitis. Akhil, 3 years, died at about 7 am on Friday. Akhil was brought to the hospital from Mahbubnagar. Other four cases, two each from Mahbubnagar and Medak are being treated. Mild tension prevailed at Niloufer hospital when a group of persons led by MIM MLA Asaduddin Owaisi staged a dharna in front of Niloufer hospital and raised slogans against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and and the doctors. They were protesting against the callous attitude of the doctors at Niloufer, alleging that a two year girl died at the hospital on Thursday as the doctors failed to attend to her even three hours after being admitted. Later, the MLA and the group gheraoed the RMO and demanded action against the doctors. It may be mentioned here that a two-year-old girl from Hussaini Alam was admitted to Niloufer Hospital on Thursday complaining frequent vomitings. At around 3 pm, the girl died and the parents alleged that though they brought the child at 8 am, the doctors attended to her only at 11 am, due to which she died. However, Hospital superintendent N C K Reddy assured MLA Asaduddin Owaisi that he would conduct an enquiry into it and take action against the doctors. Later, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, Reddy said that the girl who died on Thursday was not due to viral fever, She was suffering from multiple congenital anomalies. I enquired about the incident and came to the conclusion that our doctors attended to the patient in time. because it was a serious case, the girl died, he added. Reddy said so far 77 cases of viral fever have been admitted at Niloufer of which nearly 30 have died. The number of patients being reported at Niloufer hospital daily is increasing from the last fortnight. Reddy said it was a 350 bedded hospital but presently they were having 680 patients. We are not refusing any patient, as almost all of them are poor. Serious cases will not be refused under any circumstances and other cases also we are accepting. Some of them are preferring to sleep on floor, Reddy said.
Andhra Bank slips on profit taking Saturday, July 19, 2003 | Editor
Andhra Bank was down by 1.40 per cent to close at Rs 35.20. More than 18.31 lakh shares were traded on the BSE. It surged ahead of the results hitting an intra day high of Rs 36.85, but was hurt by the broad profit taking today. For the first quarter ended June 30, the public sector bank reported a 43 per cent growth in net profit to Rs 116.14 crore compared with Rs 81.32 crore. Just as in the case of Syndicate Bank, that declared results earlier today, treasury income boosted earnings growth for Andhra Bank. Net interest income grew 9 per cent to Rs 187.07 crore from Rs 171.76 crore. Other income (which includes treasury income) surged 138 per cent to Rs 198.15 crore from Rs 83.40 crore. The bank substantially increased provisioning during the quarter. Its provisions and contingencies went up 186 per cent to Rs 69.02 crore from Rs 24.11 crore. The bank substantially brought down NPAs in FY03. Net NPAs, as on March 31, stood at Rs 206.27 crore, as against Rs 237.23 crore on March 31. The ratio of net NPAs to net advances declined to 1.8 per cent, from 2.5 per cent as on March 31, 2002.
Brain fever toll goes up to 127 in AP Saturday, July 19, 2003 | Editor
The toll in the brain fever epidemic in Andhra Pradesh rose to 127 on Friday evening, with eight more deaths reported in the last 24 hours. State Health Minister Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao said the fresh deaths occurred in Warangal, Nellore and Adilabad districts, while one non-fatal case was reported in Rangareddy district on Friday. Karimnagar topped the death roll with 45 deaths out of 69 cases and Warangal accounted for 42 deaths out of 86 cases. The toll in other districts included Nizamabad (10), Nalgonda (seven), Mahbubnagar (six), Adilabad, Medak and Nellore (four each), Krishna (three) and Khammam (two).
Editor of Telugu weekly grilled Saturday, July 19, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD July 18. The Ibrahimpatnam police on Friday took into custody T.V. Ramana Murthy, editor of a Telugu weekly and owner of Jana Harsha real estate ventures, for questioning in connection with seizure of explosives from his venture premises at Rayaprolu on June 29. He was set free in the evening on personal bond. Nearly 50 employees of Jana Harsha ventures and the NTR Telugu Desam president, Laxmi Parvathi, staged a demonstration in front of the Cyberabad Police Commissionerate at Lakdikapool in protest against Mr. Murthy's detention. The four-hour demonstration was called off after Mr. Murthy was released in the evening. Mr. Murthy assured that he would extend complete co-operation in the investigation of the explosives case, the police said. Ms. Laxmi Parvathi accused the Government of misusing the police machinery to detain Mr. Murthy, as the latter was publishing a serial relating to the life of late NTR in his magazine Vijayaviharam. The employees of Jana Harsha ventures charged the Government with resorting to arm-twisting tactics by detaining Mr. Murthy following publication of negative stories in the magazine. When contacted, the Cyberabad Police Commissioner, M. Mahender Reddy, said that some explosive substances and papers with the letterhead of the CPI-M PW Nalgonda district committee were seized from a room of Jana Harsha venture 21 days ago. The seized material included gelatine sticks and detonators, bundles of fuse wire. Replying to a question as to why the police took nearly three weeks to arrest the accused, Mr. Reddy said the police were busy with other cases.
Arjun Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
Mahesh Babu’s ARJUN is launched After phenomenal success of OKKADU, director Gunashekar and hero Mahesh Babu have teamed once again for ARJUN. Mahesh Babu’s brother Ramesh Babu produces the film, under a new banner called Krishna Productions. It was launched on Friday (July 18, 2003) at Padmalaya Studios, Hyderabad. Shriya and Keerthi Reddy play the female lead roles. Speaking on the occasion Superstar Krishna said that he was thrilled when Gunashekar narrated the story few days back. I am sure this film would also set new records in collections, he said. Mahesh Babu said that Gunashekar had narrated the story line during the shooting of OKKADU and he was so thrilled. He (Gunashekar) said that the film needs huge budget. So I said ok, we would produce this film on our own banner. We are not sure how much money we are going to spend but it definitely is highest budgeted movie ever made in Telugu industry," Mahesh said. We are erecting a set of Madhura Meenakshi temple at the cost of around Rs three Crores. Tota Tharani designs the set. The film will have high technical standards, Mahesh Babu added. Gunaskher raved Mahesh Babu for his sense of grasping the story instantly. He has ability to imagine how the story would look on screen. I am not directing this film just because our last film was so big hit. It is just that Mahesh and me are very tuned to each other, he clarified. He also denied the reports of the film being the sequel of OKKADU. The film is schedule to release in next summer. Manisharma provides the music.
Why should I need anyone to protect me? -Rekha Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
There was a famous scene in RANGEELA, where a producer yells at a heroine, Why is that our heroines bring their mom to the sets? Hollywood mein Julia Roberts aise hi karthi hai Kya? Perhaps, exasperated by heroine’s mom’s demands Ram Gopal Verma put this scene. Had he encountered Rekha before RANGEELA, he would not have dared to put this scene. Bangalore babe Rekha is the only heroine in Telugu film industry who comes to the sets without any ‘escort’ no mom, father, brother or boyfriend. She comes to the sets alone and handles all her filmi affairs herself. Why should I need anyone to protect me? Do working women bring their moms to the office! Yes, it is sweet news to the Telugu producers. Rekha has become even bolder now. She has done a sizzling item in Raviteja’s DONGODU contrary to her image of ‘decent girl’. She is now vying for offers in Telugu.
Anu’s yogic sojourn Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
Anu Agarwal, the sexy model who sizzled in the number Koncham nippu, koncham neeru...in DONGA DONGA is back in news after a long hiatus. One of the sexiest models of the late 80s and 90s, her dusky looks, long legs and husky voice, helped her conquer Bollywood in Mahesh Bhatt’s AASHIQUI. But it was not long before Anu realised that modelling was a different ball game from films. The limited success she had after AASHIQUI was proof of it. A couple of years back, a horrific car accident left her bedridden for a long time. This is when she realised the spiritual side of life. Anu has renounced films since, and has taken to yoga. She has almost become a permanent resident at the Bihar School of Yoga for the past couple of years. She has been so serious about it that she has shaved her long gorgeous tresses, and has taken to wearing the simple cotton garments that yogis wear at the Institute. Bihar School of Yoga was formed in the 60s and has since attracted many Indians and foreigners to its picturesque location on the banks of the river Ganga.
Tamil gal Ashin gets lucky! Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
Ashin, who made debut in AMMA NANNA O TAMIL AMMAYI, has been graduated to big star films. Though her debut film didn’t bring her accolades and success, she seems to have touched the right chord with filmmakers in Tollywood. In her very second film, she has got chance to work with big star like Nagarjuna in SHIVAMANI. Now, she is playing solo heroine in Balakrishna’s film. First the producer wanted Meera Jasmine for the film but after much consideration he went ahead with Ashin as she can even show her cleavage and naval part without hesitation, which is essential for a heroine if she were to act in a mass hero film. So Ashin is going now strong in Tollywood.
Sri Anjaneyam Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
Director Krishnavamsy’s latest film, SRI ANJANEYAM, which was launched recently without any hungama, is quickly finishing it’s shooting. The film’s shooting is now going at Shamshabad Temple near Hyderabad, where the director has been canning the shots on the heroes Nitin and Arjun. While Nitin plays the lead role, Arjun plays the role of Lord Hanuman. Aditi Agarwal is the heroine. The film is scheduled for release in October. Manisharma scores the music.
Villian Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
The remake of Tamil film Villlian is nearing completion and will be released for August first week. The story is about two look-alike twins. One loots the rich and feeds the poor while working as bus conductor and as an alibi he shows the other brother who is an inmate of an orphanage. The police are not able to pin him down. The reason for this is his revenge on the forces who made his brother a mentally retarded guy. Gaythri plays aide of the hero and Neha is a rich girl in love with hero.Lead artistes in the film are Dr Rajsekhar, Gaythri Raghuram, Neha Dupia, Rami Reddy, Dharmapuri Subramanyam Siva Reddy etc. Rajsekhar plays the dual role (Ajith did in Tamil). Director Ravikumar will finish the film by July 25th and release it on August. Financier Ramesh Babu turns producer with this film. More at Galatta.com
Brain fever toll reaches 162 in Andhra, Maharashtra Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
Some 162 children have died in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra over the last month from a brain fever suspected to be Japanese encephalitis, officials said on Tuesday. The fever, caused by an unidentified virus, has killed as many as 110 children over the past month in Andhra Pradesh while 52 have died in some districts of Maharashtra. "With four new fatalities reported over the last 24 hours the toll has now risen to 110," Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Kodela Sivaprasad Rao said. The first case was reported in Karimnagar, 160 km north of Hyderabad, soon after the onset of the monsoons in the middle of June. The outbreak has now spread to more than 10 districts with hundreds of children being treated in several hospitals across the state. The highest fatalities have been reported in Karimnagar and its adjoining district of Warangal. "We know it is a viral infection which if left untreated can cause fatal infection of the brain. We also know that it is a virus being spread by mosquitoes, however, the virus itself is yet to be identified," said Dr NCK Reddy, superintendent of Niloufer Hospital and Institute of Child Health. "We are giving the patients symptomatic and supportive treatment which they respond to positively if they are brought in before slipping into a irreversible coma," he added. Casualties have been high in rural areas where transport and medical facilities are often inadequate. In Maharashtra, blood and other samples of the affected children have been sent to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune and a report on the exact nature and cause of the disease is expected on Thursday. "Till now 44 children have died in Vidharbha and eight in Marathwada districts of Maharashtra from likely encephalitis or Japanese encephalitis," state Health Minister Digvijay Khanvilkar told AFP. "These children are from numerous villages and so it cannot be called outright as an outbreak of encephalitis. In fact, these cases are from a total of 47 villages in these districts." He said many other children aged between two and 14 and complaining of similar symptoms were being treated at various local hospitals in these two districts, adding "as of now the disease is restricted to only these two districts." "Initial reports indicate that it is Japanese encephalitis or inflammation of the brain caused by mosquito-borne virus," Khanvilkar said. "We have launched a massive cleaning operation in these districts and all local municipal authorities have been given the necessary directions and medical supplies to counter the disease." Japanese encephalitis is a severe inflammation of the brain caused by the Japanese B encephalitis virus transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes. Common in Asia, the disease affects children and tends to be more actively spread during the summer.
Gruesome death for Andhra AIDS patient Friday, July 18, 2003 | Editor
A thirty-year-old mother, Poonama, suffering from AIDS, was left to die in an open shed by her family in Andhra Pradesh. Even worse, there are accusations that she was then cremated, while perhaps still being alive, because she was becoming too much of a bother. Poonama's death may have gone unnoticed had it not been for the efforts of a local NGO and newspaper reports, one of which was read by the chairperson of the National Commission for Women, Dr Poornima Advani. The victim spent her last three days dumped on gunny bags placed next to open toilets outside her brother's house in Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh. She was bleeding and when the stench got too much, neighbours pressed her family to get rid of her. On July 3, her brother and mother declared her dead. Three drunk municipal workers were then apparently hired, who burnt her in a garbage heap. "There are no confirmations whether she was dead," said Advani. Shocking attitude Jul 17, 2003: NCW intervenes in AIDS 'murder' case Jun 22, 2003: AIDS survey finds HIV scare in Peddapuram Jun 12, 2003: NCC spreads AIDS awareness Jun 8, 2003: Vasai initiates HIV/AIDS awareness drive More What is more shocking is that the panchayat knew of her condition and even the deputy superintendent of police appeared to be least concerned. "I am satisfied with the enquiry of my officers all though it was not clear if she was alive when she was cremated," said Kesava Raju, DSP. Andhra Pradesh has around four lakh AIDs patients. While the chief minister has set up a three member team to look into exactly what happened in the case, it is going to be a more difficult task to alter the attitudes and ignorance that give rise to such inhuman behaviour.
Pranam Audio-released Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
"Allari" Naresh's forthcoming film "Pranam" is receiving some final touches of completion. The audio of the film was released recently at a grand function held at the Rock Gardens, Near Shilparamam in Hyderabad. Malli is the director of the film. Music is composed by Kamalakar. Sada is the heroine of the film. Among those present at the cassette release function of the film were Naresh, Sada, Dr. Ramanaidu, M.S. Raju, S.V. Krishnareddy, E.V.V. Sathyanarayana, Allu Arjun, Venu, Tarun, Murali Mohan and K.L.Narayana. Audio of "Pranam" has been released on Superme Audio.
Rakshita Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
Rakshita This girl captured everyone's heart and became an instant favorite among the youth through her first film "Idiot". Rakshitha is now a busy heroine in the south with telugu, tamil and kannada film offers coming her way. Read on, to know more about this young and bubbly actress in an exclusive interview (some excerpts): How do you feel delivering a hit after hit? I am very happy. I consider my self very lucky. I believe in destiny and I think I was destined to enjoy this success. If you weren't a heroine, what would you have been? Fashion - designing and interior - decorations are my interests. If I wasn't a heroine, I'd have taken up a course related to interiors or fashion- designing. All of my friends and relatives felt that I had all the qualities a heroine should possess. This really inspired me and I wanted to try my luck in films. Now, acting has become my career and am really serious about my profession. About any person whom you adore Puri Jagannathgaru. It is only because of him that I am in the position today. He is like my Godfather. Who is your favorite hero? I'm a great fan of Nagarjuna, I've also seen "Manmadhudu". Am so excited about working with him in 'Shivamani 98480 22338' About your films in other languages. I've done 2 films in Kannada. I'm receiving a lot of tamil film offers after the tamil hit "Dum". What is your role in "Shivamani"? Am playing the role of a journalist in the film. I'll look very different in the film and it is a good character. What is your favorite food? I love Chinese food. I also like Andhra food, especially Gongura pacchadi and Avvakai. Whenever I go to my home-town Bangalore, I make sure to take the pickles along with me. Your Hobbies. When I am not shooting, I freak out a lot. I like going to 'Cofee day' at Panjagutta in Hyderabad. I also like the lush green lawns on Necklace Road. I don't mind sitting there for hours and chatting with my friends. Boy friend.. No, I don't have a boyfriend. But, yes, I used to have many friends among boys than among girls. We used to be a set of 10boys and 6 girls in college. We were the naughtiest gang and used to have a lot of fun. We have gone for many movies together. Did anyone propose to you in college? Yes. I used to receive so many love - letters. It used to be such fun reading them. Actually, I got so tensed When I got a love - letter for the first time. But, I kept receiving a lot of them and got used to it. So, I look it easy and never bothered much about that. Have you been in love? (Smiles) No. About marriage. I guess everyone has his or her own dreams about marriage when they are in school or college. But later, when you think of all that, it seems so silly and childish. I don't have any plans to get married right now. May be I'll think about it a few years later. Rakshitha, how do you react when you are angry with someone? I'll scream out. That's the best way to give a vent to your emotions. I'm a very straight-forward person. So if I don't like something, I'll just go and tell that person. You have played the role of an outgoing and modern girl in films. But how is Rakshita in real life? Am like any other normal girl I am very close to my family- members and friends. Am quite friendly with everyone. You've gained a very good reorganization among the Telugu audience in a short span of time. So, how does it feel? I am very, very happy. Everyone in the industry has encouraged me a lot. The audience have started liking me. Am really grateful to each and everyone for all their support and encouragement Source: http://www.telugu.cinesouth.com
Puttintiki Raa Chelli Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
The combination of Kodi Ramakrishna and Arjun has given Telugu Film Industry good hits like Mannemlo Monagaadu and Maa Pallelo Gopaludu. Now in the same combination Megahit Movie Films is producing a film Puttintiki Raa Chelli. This film is a remake of Kannada film "Baviride Bathangi". Shooting of the film was started recently. As per Kodi Ramakrishna "A Brother and Sister sentiment will pay in any language". He said this film's story revolves around the point "A girl has every right to come to her fathers' house any time she wants to in her life." and he also said that this film discusses the marriage system and also dowry system in our society. Schedule Shooting of the film will be completed in three schedules and producers are planning to release the film by Dasara. Ramu Enterprises will present this film. Cast: Arjun, Meena, Anum Srinath, Brahmanandam, Shivajiraja, Costumes Krishna, Ananthraj, Jyothi, Shakeela, Sana, Sumalatha Story: Ajay Kumar Dialogues: Pusala V Photography: Giri Music: S.A.Raj Kumar Presented By: Ramu Enterprises Producers: R.S.Goud, Basavaraj Screenplay and Direction: Kodi Ramakrishna
Hrithik in twin cities Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
Hrithik in twin cities to promote MPKDH To promote his latest release Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon produced by Rajashree Productions, Hrithik Roshan accompanied by the director of the film Suraj Barjatya met the press in the twin cities. Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon is a rehash of Rajashree Productions classic Chitchor. Director Suraj Barjatya mentioned during the press meet that he wants to see how the present generation would deal with the situation that was presented in Chitchor. Suraj took a total of three years to produce and direct this film. The film's story as many of us already know is a triangular love story with trio played by Hrithik, Abhishek and Kareena. Hrithik is cast as Prem in the film. History shows that all of Rajashree films' which had a hero name as Prem were big hits. Hrithik mentioned he is completely involved in the character and said for Prem, "happiness is not a state of mind but a way of life." In Hrithik's words about his character in the film "Prem is the conscience of Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. He inspires me. I am trying to be like Prem in real life". Mr.Barjatya also mentioned that Kareena Kapoor is a very good artist and is apt to the character of Sanjana she plays. He said he is confident that audience will start recognizing her as Sanjana after this film. If this film succeeds at box-office, it will give a good boost to the all the lead artists and also to the Bollywood in general which didn't see a huge hit in many months.
Bhoomika Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
Q. How’re you feeling after the success of Okkadu? A. When you have done a good days work, sometimes you’re physically drained but don’t hurt mentally. That’s the way it was throughout Okkadu. Okkadu was my baby. I had to know everything about it not in an interfering way, but in a nurturing way. I reached higher with my acting. There’s a lot of fear that I show through the movie. Now fear’s not an emotion you normally encounter so I had to work hard to portray it. Physically too. I challenged myself. I jumped from 40 feet for a shot, didn’t use a double. I ran so much through the streets of karnool I had blisters on my feet. For one shot Mahesh was holding my hand and we were running, I stumbled. He didn’t realise it, just dragged me along. Then he turned around and went ‘Where did she go?’ I was like ‘thanks a lot, Mahesh!’ If you’re satisfied during the shooting that’s half the battle won. And if the movie is a success then you’ve won the war/ that’s the way it is with Okkadu. Q. You’ll be making your Bollywood debut this year? A. Yes, I’m doing Tere naam with Salman Khan, Satish Kaushik is the director. The movie should be ready for release by the end of May. It’s a remake of Seshu or Sethu as it was originally called in Tamil. Q. What was it like working with Salman Khan? A. He is very nice person to work with, totally unlike the awful statements that appear about him in the press. And it wasn’t like he was out to impress me, I worked with him for nearly four months and nobody works that hard to keep up an act. Q. What are you shooting for now? A. It’s a movie with NTR Jr called Simhadri. Q. The hindi remake of Khushi hasn’t worked. Why do you think that happened? A. Just luck and some mistakes I think. They changed the movie a bit for the Bombay audiences. But truly I can’t say why. I’ve watched the Tamil version a hundred times and the Telugu version nearly as much. I know the movie so well I can’t make any judgments about it. Q. So you watch your movies once they’re released? A. I should say no, no? But I watch my movies once, Sometimes I feel ‘very nice’ sometimes I feel I could have been better. And I always think I could have benn better when I’m shooting. Q. You’re from Delhi but based in Bombay, so how did you start off doing South movies? A. I was doing ads and I got a call to come down for a screen test. I did, and here I am. Q : Can you tell us something about your family? A: My father and brother are from the army. We are not very well off. My elder sister is married and happily settled. My mother was a school teacher, and now retired. I’d rather say a housewife as she retired before the completion of her term. My brother always criticizes me. He is one of my biggest critics. My family is very proud of me as I have come to this stage. I don’t say I have reached great heights, but what ever I have come upto till now is my own credit, I guess Q. Did you enter modeling thinking you would want to be doing films? A. At the back of my mind I guess I always wanted to do Hindi films, but I’m not a go-getter. I hoped it would happen and it did. Q. Tell us about the 40 feet jump you did in Okkadu. Did you feel scared? A. Actually, director Guna suggested me to go for a dupe incase I was not able to jump. Mahesh had experience in jumping and was able to do it easily. He asked me to jump when the director shouted Action. But I was nervous, I couldn’t. When it was getting late and the whole unit was pissed-off I made the dare devil stunt. Then in another chase sequence in the film I had to get into this dirty pool and mud water. My skin developed rashes that time. But, that dint deter me. I applied all the creams I had to and went to shooting after 3 days. Q. The south has always liked its heroines more voluptuous. Do you have to pad up? A. No, never. The audience has to like who I am, the way I am. In a movie I get into the mind of the character in terms of mood, expression and reactions. The body follows. If you have a look at the great artistes in India Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil none of them is conventionally beautiful. And they are the best we have. Looks only take you to a certain extent, then it’s talent all the way. Stars fade away only performers stay. Q. You’ve worked with nearly the entire A-list of Telugu heroes. Do you find any similarities amongst all of them? A. Not really. Well except for the fact that they’re all very nice, sensible and cultured people. Q. You’re in Hyderabad often, what do you think about it? A. I love it! Gosh, that’s such a stereotyped statement, saying it makes me feel bad that I’m trotting out such a standard statement. But really I do love it. And to a large extent the credit is genuinely Chandrababu Naidu’s. Hyderabad has made a lovely transition. Some parts of it, especially Jubilee Hills, look like a foreign city, and of course you get the best rasam in the South right here. I just love the rasam. Q. You seem to have acquired a reputation of being media shy? A. Really! That’s strange. I’ve always given interviews. I remember discussing with a friend that the press can be very nice and also very mean. But if you’re nice to them they’re nice to you. Q. Who do you think is the sexiest entertainment personality? A. Anywhere in the world? Then it’s Richard Gere. He’s my favorite actor too. Q. Is marriage on the horizon?A. It’ll happen when it happens. The guy I marry would have to be nice, good. He should have good cultural values and should respect elders. And there’s nobody special in my life right now. Q. Surprise us with something not many people know about you. A. I’m very sensitive, very soft-hearted and thought my friends warn me not to, More Movie Interviews at http://www.nonstopcinema.com/
Venkatesh's films with Teja and Poori Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
Venkatesh, who is being very choosy on the novelty of the storyline, is having a bunch of films lined up. The latest films to add to his pipeline are the films with sensational director Teja and creative director Poori Jagannath. What is interesting is that these two films will start towards the end of this year itself. This is told by Venkatesh himself. Suresh Productions Malleswari is going to floors in July. This film will be directed by K.Vijayabhaskar. Khatrina Kaif is replaced and they are in search for a new heroine. Another film in the direction of E.V.V.Satyanarayana and produced by Sivaraju and Venkatraju will go to floors in August. Sonali is the heroine in this film. Films with Teja and Poori will start after Malleswari and the film with E.V.V. are completed. Venkatesh is very confident about the story lines and his characterization. He says that all the characters are different from each other and sound very positive. So Venkatesh is all poised to treat his fans with a line of films that are going to offer a wide variety of entertainment. More News at http://totaltollywood.com/
Tagore - scheduled for Chiru's birthday Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
Is Tagore releasing for the birthday of Chiru?? More or less, the answer seems to be yes. Initially there was lot of talk about the film releasing for Chiru's birthday that falls on 22nd August. Then again, the delays in the shooting and other factors, raised lot of doubts about the film releasing for Megastar's birthday. Atleast at this point, the plans are still intact. Tagore is the remake of Tamil hit film Ramana. Shreya and Jyothika are playing the lady leads. There are high expecatations on the film. Business wise, there seems to be a lot of craze already. It is heard that few buyers are already competing for the rights. Mega film that is creating Mega expectations is in production. Oscar Ravichandran is producing the film in the direction of V.V.Vinayak. Source: http://totaltollywood.com
Tagore's Nellore rights bagged for 1.1 crore? Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
The box office passed through a lean patch until a couple of days ago. The buyers are not willing to pay the huge figures they were earlier. But still Leela Mohan Syndicate a new entrant into the distribution field in Nellore area has bagged the rights for Megastar Chiranjeevi's latest film - Tagore for a hefty sum of 1 crore 10 lakhs. And guess what? It is the highest amount paid so far. The earlier highest has 1.05 lakhs for Johnny. Trade circles say only a megabrother film can topple the other in pre-release business. Johnny too was bagged by the same buyer - Leela Mohan Reddy. It seems Tagore's business exceeded or is on par with Johnny in most areas except Nizam - where its being own released through Geetha Film Distributors. This is the only area where the producers have retained to themselves. Oscar Films Pvt Ltd produces this prestigious project and present by Ravi Chandran. Source: http://www.nonstopcinema.com/
Vasantham Sunday, July 13, 2003 | Editor
Staring : Victory Venkatesh Arthi Kalayni Akash Chandramohan Surya Ahuti prasad Tanikella bharani and others Music : S.A Raj kumar Story, Screenplay ,Dialogues ,Direction : Vikraman Production : Saideva films. Nonstopcinema Rating : 3.25/5 Story: Ashok (Venkatesh) and Julie (Kalyani) are friends from their childhood, and their friendship remain intact and never extended to love. Everybody's reaction to their friendship is normal until they attain the marital age. Ashok falls in love with Nandini (Arthi) at first sight and marries her, shown very unconvincingly. Initially some jitters in their marriage is caused, as Arthi's doubt Venky's friendship with Kalyani. But later she understands him, and both of them decide to search perfect match for him. Before they zero-in upon one, Kalyani falls in love with Akash. Its later known that Akash and Venky are rivals in cricket, and each of them just hates the other. As Venky is the better cricketer among the two - Akash's father plans a plot in way Venky looses one thing to win the other. The rest of the story is how the all of them unite. Performances : Venky is looking very handsome and youthful. His dressing style too synchs with the audience taste. The action in sentiment scenes were handled with utmost ease. He repeated his trend of canning the first song of his film among models. Arthi Agarwal showed an ocean of change - be it acting or her bloated physique. She played the role of a mature housewife with ease. Kalyani got a soft and subtle role again, and carried it easily. She scored good marks from the audience for her performance. Akash was the unexpected surprise in this film. He too did well, but nothing great. The rest of the characters like Tanikella Bharani, Chandra Mohan and Surya gave thier usual best. The comedy track by Sunil, Sivareddy and Dharmavarapu Subramanium were stale and inspired from Archies comics. The ones performed by Surya, and Venky's family members evoked laughter. Technical Departments : The story by Vikraman is a grand rehash of old telugu films. The story has too simple loopholes. The way Arthi and Venky are shown falling in love is unconvincing. His dialogues backed by Chitanpalli Ramana are good. The screenplay is okay, could have been more gripping with an unexpected twist or two. But there was nothing in store for Venky's fans or the youngsters. The photography was good. The music by S.A Rajkumar was good, not great. All of them were slow melodies, but thanks to the picturization the audience received them. Highlights: 1. Artist performances 2. Comedy 3. Few songs 4. Sentiment Drawbacks 1. No mass and youth attracting elements 2. No punch songs 3. Old story Analysis and Box Office Report : The first half of the film lasting 1.25 hrs was good with 4 songs and some subtle comedy. The heroine Arthi Agarwal enters on screen only after 50 mins. Second half was okay. The story was old and screenplay was neither loose nor gripping and fails to retain the viewer's interest. Most of the elements were seen already in Venky's earlier films. The strong hold for this film in families and ladies prefer watching such film and Venky has a lot of acceptance and liking amongst them which may increase the box office range of this film. Venky delivered a clean family entertainer after a long time. The movie started with a positive talk, and it will do well in the box office provided its publicized well. Click Here for More Reviews
No MMS here, Devasthanam bans cellphone in the temple Friday, July 11, 2003 | Editor
TIRUPATI: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) is understood to have decided to prohibit cellphones into the temple of Lord Venkateswara to prevent the pilgrims from clicking the photographs of the Lord. The state-of-the-art cellular phones with in-built cameras and multimedia messaging system (MMS), which have flooded the market in the recent past, have forced the TTD to take the decision, sources said. Photography is strictly banned inside the temple and the pilgrims carrying cameras have to deposit them at the main entrance before entering the temple for a ‘darshan.’ However, it was noticed that some pilgrims clicked the photographs with the latest mobile phones. Already, the mobile phones do not function within the temple precincts as signal jammers have been fitted in and around the temple. But, the latest equipment has begun posing problems for the TTD, which strictly implements the ‘no photographs’ rule inside the temple. Even during important programmes and functions, TTD allows only its officials photographer to cover the events. Taking these factors into consideration, TTD has decided not to allow the pilgrims to carry any kind of mobile phones into the temple. They will be asked to deposit them at the main entrance of the temple and take them back while coming out.
Departmental action against hostel matron soon Friday, July 11, 2003 | Editor
NALGONDA: In a new twist to the BC Girls' Hostel inmate Bhargavi's suicide, BC welfare department joint director P Simhadri on Thursday laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of hostel matron for the incident. Following the directive of BC welfare Minister Narasimha Rao, the joint director conducted a departmental inquiry into the incident on Thursday. He questioned the hostel inmates, particularly ninth class students, about Bhargavi's death. Later, speaking to mediapersons, he said that inquiries revealed that matron Usharani was indifferent towards the welfare of the inmates. Departmental action will be initiated against her, he announced. Although there were instructions to exhibit departmental phone numbers in the hostel, she withheld the information from the inmates, he said adding that Usharani had also been harassing Bharagavi for the past three months. To a query, he replied that the police had already registered a criminal case against the matron and she would be sacked if she was put behind bars. He also said that Rs 3,000 was given to the family of Bhargavi. The government will not spare erring matrons and wardens and suitable action would be taken against them, he asserted.
Mysterious fever toll rises to 92 Friday, July 11, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: Five more children -- three from Warangal and one each from Nizamabad and Adilabad districts -- died, and hundreds others were admitted to hospital due to the mysterious fever which has gripped several parts of the State. The toll has risen to 92. Officials of the Directorate of Health, however, put the number of deaths at 84. OFFICIAL SHIFTED: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who visited Warangal district on Thursday shifted Jangoan revenue divisional officer Manikya Rao for failing to tackle the situation promptly. Naidu also pulled up civic and health officials for their lapses. He consoled two couples who lost their sons in Illanda and Kondaparthi villages respectively, and announced ex gratia of Rs 50,000 each to the two families. Speaking to reporters, he said many children had died because the Medical & Health officials had failed to provide them with timely treatment. Naidu will be holding an interactive live telecast on Doordarshan channel 8 (Saptagiri) from 10.30 am to 1 pm on Friday on the epidemics which have been affecting children. The programme, titled "Pillalanu Kapadukundam - Domalanu Nirmuliddam", will be telecast on KU band and on In Cable. The public may pose questions to the chief minister on Phone Nos -040- 23453229, 23453230, 23453231 and also 98480-54343, according to a press release. A report from Nizamabad said that Rashid Khan (6) who was suffering from viral fever died there, while Kittu (5), C Sagar (6) and B Ravi (2) of Warangal also succumbed to the dreaded disease. During his visit to Warangal, Naidu said the government would come out with an action plan to eradicate the mosquito menace in a couple of days and that self-help groups would be involved in implementing the plan under which every minor panchayat would get Rs 5,000 and major ones Rs 10,000 each. Naidu, noticing stagnant water in the Rock Garden area, pulled up municipal commissioner Devanand for not keeping the city clean. On his way to Kondaparthi village, the Chief Minister saw heaps of garbage in Pothana colony. On being told by local women that the area was full of stray pigs and cattle, Naidu sought explanations from Mayor T Rajeswara Rao and the municipal commissioner. The Mayor said 500 families reared 15,000 pigs in town but the authorities could not take action due to court orders. Naidu, however, said the government would release funds to relocate the herds far from human habitation.
Indian Airlines announces change in flight timings Friday, July 11, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: The timings of daily evening Indian Airlines flight IC 840 from Hyderabad to Delhi will change from July 14. It will leave Hyderabad at 7 p.m. instead of 7.20 p.m. and will reach Delhi at 9 p.m. The timings of the daily morning flight IC 927 from Hyderabad to Mumbai will also change from July 15. It will leave Hyderabad at 7.45 a.m. instead of 8.15 a.m. and will reach Mumbai at 9 a.m. However, there will be no change in the departure and arrival timings of other flights. For further details regarding Indian Airlines flight schedules, passengers can contact Main Booking Office, Saifabad, Hyderabad, during working hours from 10 a.m. to 5.35 p.m. on telephone Nos: 23299333, or 23234979 or 141, according to a press release.
Stoning slur on Andhra AIDS death Friday, July 11, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad, July 10: An Australian NGO has blamed the death of an AIDS-afflicted woman in Kuppam on stoning by neighbours though a state inquiry attributed it to the critical stage of the disease. Local language newspapers had alleged that Pavanamma, a 32-year-old housewife, was chased by neighbours at B.C. Colony in Munuswamypuram village while she was going to a shop and pelted with stones on June 29. She died at home in Kuppam chief minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's seat on July 3. The non-government organisation, Australian AIDS Fund Inc, brought the death to President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's notice in their letter. "Such a horror and appalling act should be unacceptable in any society and be condemned in strongest terms," the letter said. The government ordered an inquiry the first such into an AIDS patient's death in the state by revenue divisional officer Sharat along with medical officials at Kuppam. The probe today attributed her death to the incurable disease, which they said had reached a critical stage. "Investigations showed that she was a critical stage AIDS patient and she could die any time," said Manohar, a Telugu Desam Party leader of Kuppam. Her mother, Sharadamma, said on phone: "She (Pavanamma) was upset and delirious and unconscious during the last four days. After returning from a walk on June 29, she became bedridden." Pavanamma, the inquiry said, was suffering from heavy diarrhoea and the stench from her house had kept many neighbours away from their homes for nearly two days. The backward-class woman, twice married and a mother of two children, was living with her mother and brother for the past two years. Her second husband, Veerayya, had sent her home from Guntur after she fell chronically ill. Pavanamma's brother Ramappa said she was infected by her first husband Balaji. Her 9-year-old son by Balaji is with his parents and 5-year-old daughter with Veerayya is in Guntur. An NGO activist from Chittoor, who refused to give his name and that of his organisation, brushed aside the validity of the state inquiry. "Even for such suicides, the government had not appointed any inquiries. But what has been done at Kuppam is just to clean up the high-profile image of the chief minister's constituency," the activist said. He was referring to suicides by some HIV-positive families over the past one year in Guntur, Vijayawada, Nalgonda and Khammam. Only four deaths from AIDS have been recorded in the state. The local panchayat had allegedly tried to expel Pavanamma, whose AIDS affliction was also known in surrounding villages, from Munuswamypuram and slapped her relatives with a Rs 600 fine. Later, the fine was collected and she was banned from drawing drinking water, and going to the local temple and tea shops.
Simhadri Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
An innocuous and good-hearted lad Simhadri(NTR) is handpicked by Ram Bhupal Varma(Nazar). The bond Ram Bhupal Varma and Simhadri share is like that of a father and son. Kasturi (Ankita) is the grand daughter (daughter's daughter) of Ram Bhupal Varma. Kasturi likes Simhadri a lot. Once in a week, Simhadri visits a mentally retorted girl called Indu (Bhumika). He entertains her and passes on the money to her caretakers (Rallapally and Ragini). After coming to know about Ankita's liking towards Simhadri, Ram Bhupal Varma decides to get them married. At this point of time, it is revealed that Simhadri is very close to a mentally retorted girl Indu. The alliance breaks off. Mean while a bunch of gangsters are in search of Simhadri. They found him at the banks of Godari River along with Indu. In that confrontation between gangsters and Simhadri, Indu gets injured. When she comes back to her senses, she becomes a normal girl. The first thing she does then was to stab Simhadri. Simhadri is hospitalized. Then we see hoards of buses coming from Kerala to see Simhadri, whom they call as Singamalai. In the flashback it is revealed that Ram Bhupal Varma's elder daughter Seeta (Seeta) elopes with a guy (Bhanu Chandar). They settle in Kerala. Simhadri takes up the job of uniting family and visits Trivendrum. There he finds Indu as the grand daughter of Ram Bhupal Varma. He convinces the separated family and when the reunion is about to happen, Seeta is stabbed by a local goon Nair (Rahul Dev). A rowdy named Bhai Saab (Mukesh Rushi) controls the mafia of Kerala. Nair and Bhai Saab belong to the same mafia. Simhadri takes law into his hands and eradicates goons in Kerala. The local Kerala people starts calling him 'Singamalai'. When Simhadri along with Indu and her father is about to return to Vizag, an unexpected thing happens. To know what that unexpected thing, you should watch it on silver screen. Artists Performence NTR: NTR has displayed the entire gamut of emotions in this film from innocence to dare devilry guile. This character offered him the chance to use all his histrionic capability to impress the crowds and he utilized every frame of it to make a deep impact on the hearts of the viewers. His effortless dancing capabilities saw newer heights in this film. He is terrific in action sequences and his body language and facial expressions make us believe the unbelievable action sequences. He effortlessly modulates his voice from dialogue to dialogue as per the requirement. Bhumika Chawla: Bhumika Chawla is the perfect fir for the role of Indu. She impresses us with her innocent looks for the character of mad girl. However, she could not help becoming a Malayala Kutti (in that typical Malayali dress) in the second half of the film. You can see a brand new mass Bhumika in the 'Whistle' song of the film. Ankita: Ankita could be crowned as the latest glam doll, who does not hesitate to shed her cloths at the drop of a hat. She wore bare minimal cloths for the voyeuristic pleasure of peeping toms. She did well in dances department too. However, she is almost missing in the entire second half except for a song and a couple of scenes. Others: Nazar is the perfect fit for that role. Kota Srinivasa Rao provided some classic comedy as the 'Pingali' guy. The comedy episodes of Brahmanandam and Venu Madhav are entertaining. Ramya Krishna is hot in the special song. Rahul Dev looks debo'nair' in his 'Nair' get up. Mukesh Rushi has finally got an opportunity to show his muscles in the film in his Tarzan getup in the jail. He looks terrific. Sharad Saxena did the positive character of lieutenant of NTR in Kerala. Seeta and Bhanu Chandar did justice to their roles. Master Mahendra did well as a handicapped lad. Technical Departments: Story: Story of the film is pretty strong. However, the story in second half should have been knitted with more care. There are a couple of unconvincing points in this film. 1. The reason why Bhanu Chandar and Nazar hate each other so much is not convincing enough. 2. Sarat Saxena is shown as a helpless and sincere police officer. But he does not do a thing to even stop a goon from committing a rape or murder. Screenplay - direction: Screenplay of the film in the first half is tight. The screenplay in the second half looks more like being knitted impromptu on the sets than sticking to a perfect bounded script. It's hard to believe that SS Raja Mouli -who is very much soft natured in real life - directed such a mass masala film with good conviction. Raja Mouli should be commended for incorporating all sections (comedy, fights, sentiment, masala, powerful dialogues etc) in an appropriate way without losing grip on narration. He would become a very good mass director in the future. Music: Songs by Keeravani capture the mood of the targeted audience, though few numbers remind us of songs from Keeravani's earlier albums. Background music is also good. Songs: Some of the dance bits by NTR for first and last songs (Cheema & Soda Buddi) are extraordinary. 2 melodious songs are very sensibly pictured on Bhumika and NTR. Guest song on NTR and Ramya Krishna is also excellent. Dialogues: 'Gangotri' Viswanath and M Rathnam did a good job in dialogues department. They wrote all kinds of dialogues (sentiment, mass, masala, comedy). In the titles itself, they mentioned that all the dialogues of Kerala episode are written in Telugu so that audiences could understand (other wise chronic critics like me would have complained about nativity). Camera: Photography by Ravindra Babu is impressive. The way sun set is captured for various scenes in the film is beautiful. Lots of special effects were also added to the film. Stunts: Stunts by Vijay are worth applauding. Most of the fights composed for NTR have NTR killing the people with just one shot. There is lot of bloodshed in the fights of this film. Other departments: Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao is crisp. Art by Anand Sai is good. Production: Producer Dora Swami Raju showed his experience of filmmaking in choosing an apt subject for NTR. The film is also shot in a rich scale. Analysis: First Half of the film is very much entertaining and would be liked by all sections of the audiences. The second half is little haphazard. The second half is stuffed by 1 hour of Kerala flashback episode. By the time flashback is over, people would be in a frame of mind that the climax is over. The last song and the following climax episode should have been picturised in an effective way. The second half does appeal to the masses a lot. Over all, its a good film that would give value for money you spent on ticket (only if you can excuse some skin showing scenes, double entendres and excessive bloodshed) More Movie News at http://www.idlebrain.com
Venky to work with Puri and Teja Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
Venkatesh has announced the details of his future films today evening while speaking to the press. He said that 'Malliswari' (Vijaya Bhaskar - Suresh Productions) would go to floors in the month of July 2003. His film with EVV Satyanarayana (Siva Raju and Venkatraju) would go to floors in the month of August. His film with Burugapally Sivarama Krishna in the direction of Puri Jagan would go to floors in the month of December. His film in the direction of Teja also would go to floors in the month of December. More Movie News at http://www.idlebrain.com
13 action episodes in Seetayya Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
There would be 13 action episodes in YVS Chowdary's latest film in offing 'Seetayya'. Hari Krishna is playing the solo hero for the first time in his career with this film. He is playing a powerful police officer working in Rayalaseema. Soundarya and Simran are playing heroines in this film. This film was shot for 140 days, out of which 70 days were shot in outdoor locations. This film is all set for the release in the first half of August 2003. http://www.idlebrain.com
Crores at stake, how will the audiences take? Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
BV Reddy - in a pressmeet - told that the Telugu film industry is headed for a crisis due to bombing of big films which resulted in a loss of 60 crores to the industry. If you think the crisis is over with just Johnny, Palanati Brahma Naidu and Nijam, then are you are mistaken. The movies which are releasing in the months of August and September hold 100 crores. The industry did not have a resounding box office blockbuster after 'Okkadu' in this year so far. And Telugu film industry badly needs another hit of 'Okkadu' stature to keep the buyers and exhibitors in good spirits. In the films of high expectations we have Boys, Simhadri, Vasantham, Seetayya, Kalyana Ramudu, Sambaram, Dhum and Praanam (in that order). The next season is going to be dussera season (September & October) where we have three biggies, Tagore (Chiranjeevi - VV Vinayak), Shivamani 90480 22338 (Nagarjuna - Puri Jagannath) and Naani (Mahesh Babu - SJ Suryah) releasing. More Movie News at http://www.idlebrain.com
Athade Oka Sainyam Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: Jagapathi Babu plays the lead role of a commonman, who rises like an army to fight for a cause, in SVK Films' first production Athade Oka Sainyam launched at Annapurna Studios on Sunday morning. Despite rain, the opening ceremony went on as scheduled, with producer Aswani Dutt giving clap for the opening shot on Jagapathi Babu and heroine Neha, while financier Satya Rangaiah switched on the camera. Aswani Dutt giving clap on Neha and Jagapathi Babu for the muhurat shot of Athade Oka Sainyam at Annapurna Studios on Sunday morning. Later, addressing mediapersons, Krishna Reddy said the subject was apt for Jagapathi Babu. While the hero played soft characters in movies like Subhalagnam and Maavichiguru under his direction earlier, he had a strong role in this hero-oriented film, he said. ''Though we started the new production company, SVK Films, the same Manisha team and spirit continues,'' he said. Besides Prakash Raj, Raviteja's brother Bharat, who makes his debut in this movie, has a very typical role, he added. Jagapathi Babu said when Krishna Reddy told him that he had a 'different' subject for him, he didn't expect that it would be much different from his previous films. But, after hearing the subject, he was in doubt for a while whether he should do such a totally different movie because the audience would expect another Subhalagnam-type film. ''It is a new kind of story which I liked very much,'' he said. Writer Diwakar Babu said the hero's character in the movie was identifiable by every man. Producer K Atchi Reddy said images of political leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who were 'an army' in their respective political parties, were used in the pre-launch publicity of the film to convey the spirit of the title. ''I am thankful to them,'' he said. Atchi Reddy said the movie would be completed in a single schedule and released on October 2. The cast consists of Suman, Brahmanandam, MS Narayana, Ali, Sunil, Siva Reddy, Uttej, Jeeva, Sita etc. Music is by Krishna Reddy himself. 'FUNCOUNTER': What followed the regular mediaconference was a mock pressmeet where movie comedians cornered the hero and the director with all sorts of questions. ''Why isn't the film titled Pellame Oka Sainyam (on the lines of SVK's recent film titles Pellame Oorelthe and Pellamtho Panenti)?'' ''How many heroines Jagapathi Babu has in the movie,'' asked Uttej. The question exposed the differences between Krishna Reddy and Jagapathi Babu with the director saying there was only one heroine, while the hero claiming he has one-and-a-half heroines. Ali, Gundu Hanumantha Rao, Goutham Raju and 'Vizag' Prasad kept shooting more questions. ''But, why is the movie titled on producer Atchi Reddy, instead of the story or the hero?'' Well, no one asked that question at the 'funcounter'
Nikita celebrates b'day as Sambaram releases audio Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: All the angels - Ramyakrishna, Sada, Gazala, Neha, Anshu, Shwetha Agarwal, and of course, Nikita - were in full throttle, smiling and wishing Sambaram all the best at the movie's audio release at the Annapoorna Studios, on Saturday evening. Chitram Movies and producer Thammudu Satyam might be having a winner on their hands, as they reunite Nitin and music director RP Patnaik after the success of Jayam. Director Dasharath is expected to continue his Santhosham streak as he combines with Patnaik for this venture. ''Unlike Santhosham which was completely cooked as a family entertainer, Sambaram would have a dash of youthful love as the extra ingredient,'' said the director. ''While I was an innocent boy in Jayam and a rough guy in Dil, this movie would see me in both these shades,'' explained Nitin. Nikita, who cut her birthday cake after blowing a lighter flame (for want of a candle), is keeping her fingers crossed as her Kalyana Ramudu is also hitting the theaters soon. Sambharam has five dance numbers, but just one duet, ie, the hero and heroine get just one chance to run around the trees together. The lyrics are by Seetharama Sastry and Kulasekhar. The cassettes are on Sohan Music. Every heroine present, starting with Sada, released a song each. Mahesh Babu distributed the cassettes to Sambaram's crew and the guests. The movie will be released on August 1.
Uday Kiran calls off wedding Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
At a time when the break-up of star couples has become a common occurence, a noted Telgu star has reportedly announced that his wedding has been called off, after the enagagement was held in a grand manner, a couple of months ago. This Telugu star Uday Kiran, who had hit the bull's eye with few blockbusters includsing Kalasu Kovalani and Chitram, has become a sought-after star in Tollywood. Recently Uday Kiran was engaged to a young girl, whose father is none other than the super star of Telugu filmdom Chiranjeevi. The engagement was much a publicised event which caught the attention of film buffs. However, recently it has reported that Uday Kiran had fallen apart with Chiranjeevi's daughter and the two would not be entering into wedlock. At a time when break-up of star marriages has become a normal affair in Kollywood with star couples Kamal Haasan-Sarika, Parthiban- Seetha, Raguvaran-Rohini and recently Suresh Menon-Revathy announcing their separation, Telugu filmdom has gone a step ahead with the actor announcing a break up even before the marriage.
Vadde sounds alarm for agriculture sector Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD : The agriculture department on Tuesday sounded the alarm bells saying sowing has so far been done in only 19 per cent of the arable area for kharif and if it does not rain sufficiently in the next fortnight, AP would be heading for a major crisis in foodgrain production. Agriculture minister V Sobhanadreeswara Rao said farmers have sowed only 15.37 lakh hectares of the total 81.41 lakh hectares of cropped area in the state for kharif. The foodgrain production in the state had come down drastically last year due to severe drought. The minister, while addressing a media conference, reasoned that poor rainfall has hampered agricultural operations. He expressed the administration’s inability to provide water for the first crop in Krishna basin, sowing for which was supposed to begin in the first week of June. Terming the situation as disturbing, Rao said sufficient seeds were made available in all the districts. The remaining groundnut seeds, for which sowing will continue up to July end,would be supplied by AP Oilfed and APSSDC. The agriculture minister said all the three regions in the state Telangana, Andhra and Rayalaseema received an average deficit rainfall of 24 mm. Even the inflows into the major reservoirs in the Krishna, Godavari and Pennar basins have been very poor, he said. The low levels in the reservoirs are very disturbing. The government is closely monitoring the situation, he said. The inflows into Almatti have been recorded at 13,452 cusecs and 6,022 in Tungabhadra while there have been no inflows into Narayanapur, Srisailam and Nagarjuna Sagar in the Krishna basin. There have also been no inflows into the Godavari basin and a meagre 10 cusecs into the Pennar basin. He said the cropped area for dry crops too came down to 26 per cent of the normal area of 52.58 lakh hectares.
Shamshabad tense after idol desecrated Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
Suburb tense after idol desecrated HYDERABAD : Mild tension gripped Shamshabad on Tuesday following the desecration of idols at a Hanuman temple. The incident came to light when a Shaneshwar idol was noticed lying near a drain. It is suspected that the incident occurred in the early hours Tuesday. As the news spread, a crowd gathered at the Veeranjaneya temple close to the Shamshabad police station. Home minister T Devender Goud rushed to the town and political parties called a bandh. Local residents said they suspected some drunken people seen in the area on Monday night. Fingerprint experts scoured the temple and sniffer dogs were pressed into service. Eighteen persons have been rounded for interrogation. According to the local people, this was not the first such incident. About a fortnight ago, the Navagraha idols had been removed from the temple and the place vandalised.
Govt finalises fee for private medical seats Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD : The government has finalised the fee to be charged by the 14 private medical and 10 dental colleges in the state, which would pave way for the commencement of counselling for medical seats. The announcement of seats was delayed as college managements had put forth many combinations of fee structure. The chief minister is said to have given to the fee structure. The government has fixed a fee of Rs 55,000 per year for A and B category seats in medical colleges. For the C category, it would be Rs two lakh per year and the private colleges could fix the fee for the seats in the D category. For the dental seats, the fee structure would be Rs 49,000 per year for A and B categories, Rs 1.1 lakh per year for the C category and the managements could fix the fee for the category. The seats have been classified into four categories. In the A category, 25 per cent of seats will be filled up by the convenor in the open category based on the rank in Eamcet-2003. The next 25 per cent of seats have been allocated to the B category which would filled up by SC, ST and BC candidates based on the Eamcet rank. In the C category, the management will conduct its own counselling process for another 25 per cent of seats based on merit following the rule of reservations for those students who have qualified in the Eamcet. The government will monitor the process to be filled up by the SC, ST and BC and open category candidates who have qualified in the Eamcet. For the D category, the remaining 25 per cent of seats would be filled.
Prabhu Deva's brother in Tollywood Thursday, July 10, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: After 20 years of being an assistant and a co-director, S Siva metamorphises into a director. B Srinivas Rao and P Muralidhar are producing his Arre Chinna - Ore Kanna for SSA Productions. The puja for recording the songs was held at the Ramanaidu Studios last Saturday. The colourful invitation listed the nine directors and almost-50 actors and actresses Siva had worked with, down the years. For his debut movie, he has given the main roles to Srinath and Prabhu Deva's kid brother Nagendra Prasad, for whom this will be the first Telugu venture. Debutante Niharika will be the girl the heroes would be running after. ''But it won't be a triangular love story,'' promises the entire crew, repeating the mantra,''this will be a different film.'' ''Ladki Hindustan, Lovelo ne Sultan,'' went the first lines of the first song recorded for the movie. Music director Pramod Sharma and lyricist Bhuvanachandra sounded optimistic about the films chances at the box office.
Mystery fever spreads in Andhra, toll 80 Wednesday, July 9, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad, July 9 A mystery fever suspected to be Japanese encephalitis continues to wreak havoc in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh, claiming 80 lives during the last two weeks. Ten children died Tuesday in Warangal, Nizamabad and Adilabad districts while 400 children are undergoing treatment in Karimnagar district, where the disease was first reported late last month. After Karimnagar, where 30 children have succumbed to the viral fever, the disease has claimed an equal number of lives in the neighbouring district of Warangal. Initial reports from the New Delhi-based National Institute Communicable Diseases and Pune's National Institute of Virology show that the children have died of Japanese encephalitis. The final reports of the blood samples sent to the two institutes are expected by the weekend. The children are dying within hours after their admission into hospitals. They complain of high fever, headache, diarrhoea and convulsions. Many seriously ill have been shifted to the government-run Niluofer Hospital in Hyderabad. Concerned, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has asked the district authorities to take all measures to control the epidemic. Naidu deputed senior officials to Warangal to monitor relief operations and directed the local administration to take up cleaning operations on a war footing. The mosquitoes are believed to be spreading the virus. The affected districts also have a high number of pigs, the breeding ground for JE virus. Even as the authorities battle to control the disease in the four districts, reports from districts and regions say children were being admitted to hospitals with symptoms of viral fever. The viral fever has reportedly claimed six lives in Khammam district, also in the Telangana region. Acute and infectious diseases characterized by allergic rashes and high fever have been spreading on epidemic proportions in the district. One death has been reported from the coastal district of Krishna. Six children died of viral fever in the district last month. In Cuddapah district, about 100 students of a residential school were hospitalised with viral fever. Health Minister Kodela Sivaprasad Rao said in the last 15 days, 165 children of the age group of two to 14 years were admitted to hospitals in six districts and 71 of them have died.
51 couples tie the knot on one platform Wednesday, July 9, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad, July 8 (ANI): At least 51 couples belonging to poor families tied the nuptial knot at a community marriage ceremony on Sunday in Hyderabad. bout 32 Muslim, 18 Hindu and one Christian couples took the wedding vows at a ceremony organised by the Hyderabad Welfare Society conducted according to their different customs and rituals. The trend of mass marriage has been gaining momentum in recent times. However, this is the first multi-religion mass marriage conducted in the country. The society organised the marriage free of cost and also gifted household items like a cot, almirah and other essentail items for the couple to start their married life. "In entire India we have never seen Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians getting married together on one platform. Hindus are married according to their customs. There is a Muslim priest for Muslims and a priest for Christians. We have arranged the marriage according to different customs. That's how we are conducting the marriages," said Mohammad Mehboob, General Secretary of Hyderabad Welfare Society. In Indian society the bride's parents usually pay off huge amounts of money as dowry to the bridegroom in acceptance of marriage which is driving many needful and concerned families to opt for simple and affordable ceremonies. "Marriages cost a lot of money, poor people cannot afford it and nowadays people ask a lot of dowry...that's why we come here as we don't have enough money," said Wajida Begum, one of the relatives who had come for the wedding. The newly married couples said marrying in a mass ceremony incurs them a relatively much less expenditure. "Marriage is a costly affair and we are in no position to afford that much, hence we came here to avail of this facility," said Ramesh, one of the grooms who tied the knot at the function. Several organisations are now campaigning against high-cost marriages and social menace like dowry due to which many marriage are stalled. Besides, the concept of mass marriage is gaining popularity amongst the economically backward as it eases the financial burden.(ANI)
Two lakh bicycles to girl students, but no additional funds Sunday, July 6, 2003 | Editor
'Soukaryam', a scheme launched by the Government for distribution of two lakh bicycles for high school and junior college girl students, a major component in the one crore sops announced by the Chief Minister Mr. N Chandrababu Naidu, is literally a unique one. Any government programme weather it be a populist or a constructive one requires additional funds. But the bicycle 'Soukaryam' scheme that costs about Rs 20 crores, is not putting even a penny of additional burden or 'Asoukaryam' on the State exchequer, according to the GO (Ms. No. 77) issued by the School education department on June 17, 2003. Under the head, 'funding', the GO clearly mentioned that 'no additional funds will be provided for the scheme'. It says, 'regarding the expenditure towards purchase and supply of 2,00, 000 bicycles under the scheme 'Soukaryam', the Chief Executive Officer, Velugu / DPIP shall provide requisite budget from out of Velugu project funds and initiate immediate action for implementation of the scheme'. The education department seemed to have taken every care in creating 'Soukaryam' to the Finance Department and the government. Accordingly the GO furthers said that, ' in respect of areas not covered under Velugu project, the bicycles shall be purchased and supplied by Commissioner and Director of School Education or Commissioner, Intermediate Education as the case may be from out of their respective budget estimates for 2003 - 04 under school and higher education department respectively by way of re - appropriation only and no additional funds will be provided'. It may be recalled that this bicycles programme is the first of one crore sops announced and also adjusted to size after initial announcement of bicycle to all the girls students and the opposition parties dubbing it as election gimmick of Chief Minister Mr. Chandrababu Naidu.
Police register case against train driver, assistant driver Sunday, July 6, 2003 | Editor
Police register case against train driver, assistant driver HYDERABAD: The Mills police station in Warangal in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday registered a case against the driver and assistant driver of the Secunderabad-bound Golconda Express, which derailed and fell from an overbridge resulting in the death of 21 people on July 2. The Mills police station sub-inspector told UNI over phone that the case under section 304 A IPC for rash and negligent driving causing the death and injuries to people were registered against the two. He said the uncle of a scooterist, a Ganeshwar Rao, who was killed when the engine fell on him had registered a case against the railway officials in the police station, under whose jurisdiction the accident occurred. He said that the Railway Police, which held an inquest of the six fishermen killed in the accident, are yet to submit their report to the local police. He said that the driver and assistant driver, who were admitted to MGM hospital along with the 21 other injured, are still recovering.
Shekhawat calls for comprehensive electoral reforms Sunday, July 6, 2003 | Editor
Shekhawat calls for comprehensive electoral reforms HYDERABAD: Disfavouring frequent elections to Parliament and assemblies, Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat on Saturday called for comprehensive electoral reforms to establish primacy of value based politics. Unless we stop this practice of going in for elections too frequently and cut down poll expenditures, democracy will continue to come under cloud, he said. Shekhawat, who is on a maiden visit to the city after assuming the charge, was replying to felicitation at a civic reception here on Saturday night. Decrying the growing influence of money power in elections, the vice-president said the present electoral system gave very little scope for intellectuals and experts to enter legislative bodies. "We need to ensure that elections are fought on the basis of ideology, characters and moral standards of the contenders", he said.
Mysterious fever toll rises to 48 Sunday, July 6, 2003 | Editor
UNI KARIMNAGAR: The toll in mysterious fever in three districts of Andhra Pradesh shot up to 48 with more deaths reported in the last 24 hours even as the medical fraternity and scientists are struggling to find the cause for the disease. Karimnagar district is the worst affected as 40 children have so far died of the fever, with 22 of them in district headquarters hospital alone, in the last one month. Six deaths were reported from Nizamabad and two from Adilabad districts. More than 150 children were still being treated at the district headquarters hospital. Hundreds of fresh cases were reported in different hospitals from 15 mandals in the district. Meanwhile, district collector Sumitha Dawra told UNI that Rs 50 lakh had been released to all the gram panchayats for chlorinating drinking water sources and sanitation. She said nodal teams, consisting of RWS paramedical and revenue staff, had been formed to oversee the chlorination of drinking water and proper sanitation. The national institute of virology at Pune and the National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) at Delhi have not been able to identify the mysterious fever. However, the scientists at the NICD suspect it to be "viral encephalitis," caused due to poor sanitation and contaminated drinking water. State health and family welfare Minister K Siva Prasad Rao, who visited the affected mandals and headquarters hospital here, directed the doctors to be alert and provide all necessary medical care.
Train derails in AP, 17 dead Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
Wednesday, July 2, 2003 (Warangal): At least 17 people were killed and 20 injured when the Golconda Express derailed today morning in Andhra Pradesh. The accident occurred when the train's engine fell off a bridge near Warangal railway station. Passengers trapped Relief operations are underway as many passengers are still trapped in the two coaches hanging precariously from the bridge. Twelve bodies have been recovered so far from the wreckage. "I was on the train when our compartment started shaking vigorously. Suddenly the roof of the bogie caved in and four people were crushed to death," said a passenger. The injured have been taken to the MGM hospital in Warangal. The engine also reportedly crushed two autorickshaws as it toppled from the the over bridge. Golconda Express Derailment Helpline Numbers: 040-27786970, 040-27704056 Brake failure? The mishap occurred around 10.25 am (IST), a few metres from the Warangal station, 150 kilometers off Hyderabad. The train was headed from Vijaywada to Secunderabad. Initial investigations indicate that a brake failure could have led to the accident. Reacting to the accident, Railway Minister Nitish Kumar said that the train driver may have overshot the signal. "It seems like the driver overshot the red signal. And in the process two-three bogies got derailed," he explained. The minister has announced an inquiry lead by the commissioner of railway safety, south zone into the mishap.
Rajender Singh Babu launches son in Telugu, Kannada Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: Noted Kannada film director Rajender Singh Babu, who also directed many Telugu movies launched his son Audhitya with a bilingual titled Premnagar. While the Kannada version has already gone to the sets, the Telugu version had its muhurat at Annapurna Studios on Sunday morning. It was no coincidence that the opening was attended by D Ramanaidu, who had produced the earlier Premnagar, while the ceremony took place at its hero, Akkineni Nageswara Rao's studio. ''I have seen Premnagar 15 times and even incorporated elements from ANR's character in one of my films,'' says Rajender Singh Babu, who directs as well as produces the movie. ''It is no 'love-at-first-sight' film. It will show where and when real love starts. And it definitely not on a college campus,'' he says. The story will begin in Kasi and goes allover the world and returns to Kasi after the climax in Egypt, he says adding ''I have written it and it will take total 100 days to shoot.'' Audhitya says he plays an 'eligible bachelor and his role is down to earth. Rakshita is the leading lady while Prakash Raj, who made his first screen appearance in Rajender Singh Babu's movie, is now cast in a very important role. The rest of the cast includes Kota Srinivasa Rao, Sunil and Sudha. Music is by Anu Malik, dialogues by Marudhuri Raja and cinematography is by Ajay Vincent.
Prakashraj pinning hopes on home production Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
He was introduced by director K Balachander in Duet. This actor Prakashraj, has gone from strength to strength since an impressive debut in Duet. Since then, he has let his good performances in films including Aasai, Vallarasu, Kalki, Andhapuram, En Swasa Katrae, Kadhal Sadugudu speak for themselves. Also, he won the national award for best supporting actor for a stupendous performance in Manirathinam's Iruvar. Prakashraj turned his attention to Tollywood and established his supremacy in Telugu filmdom, thanks to a versatile roles. Prakashraj, whose home venture Daya met with moderate success, is all set for his next home venture Naam, which is being directed by Saba Kailash, who directed Punnagai Poovae for Kalaipuli Thanu. Prakashraj, known for taking up challenging roles, plays a different part in Naam. Starring with him would be Gemini fame Kalabhavan Mani. What is more, the film introduces five youngsters to play the lead roles in Naam. With music being scored by Kalyan, cinematography by M V Paneerselvam, Naam is expected for release this September.
Janmabhoomi opens on peaceful note Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: Kicking off the programme in Jaggaram in Aswapuram mandal in Khammam district, Chandrababu Naidu called upon farmers not to create law and order problem as the Government always stood by them in times of difficulty. ‘‘If farmers turn violent, everybody suffers,’’ he said, promising stringent action against those who tried to cheat farmers. In Warangal district, people of Tekulagudem, who boycotted all the earlier rounds of Janmabhoomi, took part in the programme on Tuesday. The people of the village, located in the Naxalite infested area, welcomed the Irrigation Minister K Srihari, district collector N Sivasankar and other officers. In Adilabad, Textiles Minister P Bhumanna flew into a rage against officials for not attending to problems faced by people. He warned them of action if they did not change their attitude. In Mahaboobnagar, there was a deluge of representations for ration cards and house site ‘pattas’. In some villages, the crowd became uncontrollable necessitating the intervention of police. In Kurnool, there was a mixed response to the programme.
Youth set afire by friends for refusing to drink Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: A 24-year-old man was set afire by his three friends when he refused to consume beer with them under the Ibrahimpatnam police limits on Sunday night. The victim - M Mahipal Reddy is battling for life with 80 percent burns in the hospital. According to the police, Mahipal Reddy, along with his friends Jaipal Reddy, Satti Reddy and Sobhan Reddy, went to a wine shop and bought liquor. When Mahipal refused to consume the beer, all the three doused Mahipal with petrol and set him afire and fled the scene. The locals shifted him to a nearby hospital where his condition is stated to be critical.
BPL thermal project runs into rough weather as Govt refuses to bail it out Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: The fate of the 520 MW BPL thermal power project hangs in the balance as the State Government is unlikely to bail it out by giving fresh guarantees for purchasing its power, as is being demanded by the financiers. If everything goes well, BPL can commence production only after three years. The coal-based pit head thermal project, proposed to be set up at Ramagundam, has been facing problems right from its inception seven years ago. The project received a fresh lease of life after it agreed to revise its Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) in March this year. As per the PPA cleared by the Electricity Regulatory Commission, BPL could sell power to the APTransco at a levelised tariff of Rs 3.70 per unit for a period of 30 years. The firm also agreed to increase its plant load factor (PLF) from the earlier 68.5 to 80 percent. Still, certain factors like the high cost of production which was put at Rs 5.19 crore per MW raised doubts among the IDBI-led consortium of financiers. Even the intervention of Union Power Secretary Shahi could not convince the financiers. At a meeting held under the auspices of the Union Power Secretary in Delhi in April this year, the consortium insisted on three major guarantees from the State Government so as to extend the crucial loan of Rs 2,200 crore project. The guarantees are: An assurance that APTransco will buy the power (this doubt arises as the APTransco projected a surplus of 12,600 million units power by 2007), extending escrow account at the earliest and a letter of credit from the Government for power to be purchased. ‘‘Our stand is clear, we do not have to give any of these guarantees. Escrow account was opened only a couple of months before the commissioning of the project and letter of credit is almost ruled out. Surplus projections have nothing to do with any particular project,’’ a senior official told this website's newspaper.
Free cycles to have special logos, distinct colour Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
HYDERABAD: The forthcoming Assembly elections and the ongoing Congress campaigns seem to have made TDP supremo hellbent on sending TD waves across the State by hook or by crook. Now, it is the turn of high school girls to own TD’s election symbol free of cost. Going by what Education Minister M Venkateshwar Rao told newsmen here on Monday, cycles proposed to be given by the AP Government to girl students in high schools in rural areas may look altogether different, with those cycles having a specially embossed ‘Janmabhoomi’ logo on them, distinct colour and tailor-made accessories. The School Education Department, which is responsible for distribution of cyles, held talks with various cycle manufacturers about the design and other specifications of the cycles. It will use the data collected in the Velugu survey to distribute cycles. CURRICULUM REFORMS: The Minister said that orders had been issued making it mandatory for all schools to stick to three language formula and impart Telugu as one of the subjects of study. The Telugu medium schools will have Telugu as first language, Hindi as second language and English as third language. The English medium schools should offer Telugu as the first language for native speakers and as the second language for students whose mother tongue is other than Telugu, he said adding that that Telugu would be introduced in Class VI in the academic year 2003-04, Class VII in 2004-05, Class VIII in 2005-06, Class IX in 2006-07 and Class X in 2007-08. Exemption will be given to students coming from other states and joining classes VII and above. The existing CBSE and ICSE schools too would have to follow the three language formula, he added. DEVELOPMENTAL WORKS: The Minister said that the school education committee elections in districts would be held from June 21 to 27. Each government school is being given Rs 10,000 to take up various development works and about Rs 21 crore has been given to various districts for the mid-day meal scheme. Untrained teachers will be posted by July 5 and on-job training will be imparted. Arrangements have made to disburse the allowance of Rs 1,000 to Vidya Volunteers by fifth of very month, he said responding to a query on the position of staff at schools. The promotion and transfers of teachers in residential schools will be taken up after zonalisation following the six-point formula, he said adding that permissions have been given to schools for upgradation.
Tension in hospital as viral fever toll mounts to 22 Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
KARIMNAGAR: Tension prevailed in the Karimnagar Civil Hospital as five more children succumbed to viral fevers within a few hours on Tuesday evening taking the toll to 22. Heart-rendering scenes were witnessed in the hospital as the ailing kids died like birds one after the other within five hours. All the parents were in the grip of fear and witnessed the death of their beloved ones like mute spectators. Parents and relatives of the kids were up in arms against hospital authorities as their kids were ‘neglected’ by the doctors. In-charge Collector M Danakishore rushed to the hospital around 7 pm and promised the parents that a magisterial enquiry would be ordered into the negligence of doctors. Swapna (9), from Nittur Social Welfare hostel died late in the night and four more children Premalatha (8) of Pudur in Kodimyala mandal, Chainy Florence (9) of Peddapalli, Sai Kumar (3) of Raikal mandal, Harshin (1) of Karimnagar town succumbed on Tuesday evening within four hours. Ramya and Raju were shifted to Niloufer Hospital.
Rajahmundry, Vijayawada among 100 railway stations to have cyber cafes in AP soon Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Konkan Railway will soon have the fastest train shuttling between Madgaon and Mumbai at a breathtaking speed of 150 km/hr, Union Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya said here on Tuesday. Speaking during a visit to the Visakhapatnam Railway Station, the Minister also announced the setting up of cyber cafes at 200 stations across the country of which 100 would be Andhra Pradesh. In the first phase, cyber cafes would be set up in Rajahmundry, Guntur, Ongole, Vijayawada, Nellore, Tirupati, Hyderabad and Warangal stations. Coaches incorporating German technology would be produced indigenously at the Kapurthala Coach Factory, Dattatreya added. Later speaking to reporters, the Minister agreed to consider the demand of Railway Standing Committee chairman and MP Yerran Naidu for extension of the inter-city express running between Bhubaneswar and Srikakulam up to Visakhapatnam and said that the officials had been asked to prepare a project report in this regard. Responding to a request for a direct train between Visakhapatnam and Hyderabad with limited halts, Dattatreya said that he would look into it. Referring to the concerns of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Yerran Naidu over Visakhapatnam being sidelined after the formation of the East Coast Railway, he said that the Union Minister for Railways Nitish Kumar had agreed to give due weightage to Visakhapatnam. A chief engineer and a deputy chief engineer would be stationed at Visakhapatnam to look after development works. Hill stations like Araku Valley would be developed and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) would promote tourism packages to religious and picnic spots. AC CHAIR CAR ON ARAKU TRAIN: An AC Chair Car would be attached to the present train to Araku Valley, he added. To improve communication facilities, Optic Fibre Cables (OFC) were being laid between Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada, Howrah and Secunderabad, Wadi and Pune and between Secunderabad and Mumbai, he said.
Sinha lays foundation stone for new berth at Vizag harbour Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
Visakhapatnam, (UNI) The Union Shipping Minister Shatrugan Sinha today underlined the need for ports to gear up to provide required services, as per demand. Addressing a meeting after laying the foundation stone for a new berth in the harbour, he lauded the major ports in the country for handling record cargo of 313 million tonnes during 2002-03, and the non-major ports for handling 125 million tonnes of traffic last year. Mr Sinha said the efficiency of the ports had improved as the productivity per berth per day had increased to 7000 tonnes from 4500 tonnes five years ago. He complimented Visakhapatnam Port Chairman S R Rao and its workers for record-handling of traffic for three years in a row. Mr Rao assured the Minister that the tempo of productivity at the port would be maintained, and said that the newly commissioned rail-mounted stacker at the Ore Handling Complex of the port could handle 2700 tonnes of ore per hour. The new stacker replaces the 27-year-old one of the same capacity. Mr Sinha had earlier commissioned the stacker at the Ore Handling Complex. He also laid the foundation stone for a general cargo berth, costing over Rs 33 crore, which would enable the berthing of ships of 35000 dead weight tonnes (DWT), with the capacity to berth ships of upto 45000 DWT, after taking up the necessary dredging for deepening the waters. The berth is likely to be put into operation by February, 2004.
Eight killed, three injured in road mishap Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad, July 1 (UNI) Eight people were killed and three seriously injured when a jeep was hit by a speeding lorry near Gowaravaram village of Nellore district today. The mishap took place on the Nellore-Kavali main road. All the victims travelling in the jeep were killed on the spot. The injured, including a woman, were admitted to a hospital.
Food plazas to be set up in all major railway stations Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
Visakhapatnam, (UNI) Minister of State for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya today announced that 'Food Plazas' will be set up in all the major railway stations in the country with public and private sector participation to provide food items to passengers at affordable prices. Addressing a media conference after formally inaugurating a food plaza here, he said the quality of the items in these plazas would be audited by third party quality food audit committees. The plazas, being set up in coordination with the Indian Railway Tourism and Catering Corporation (IRTCC), would serve the dual purpose of offering quality food items and helping in tourism promotion by catering to the food needs of railway passengers and tourists. Food plazas would be set up at Vijayawada, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Warangal and Nellore in Andhra Pradesh in the current financial year, the Minister said. The IRTCC would help private parties to set up 'yatrinivas' in hill railway stations in the country for promoting tourism and one such place would be set up at Araku hill station in this district. Mr Dattatreya also announced the setting up of a production unit for 'rail neer' in Hyderabad in addition to Secunderabad for catering to the Southern areas. Two such units had been set up in North India and sale of rail neer would be started in Bihar shortly, he said. Provision of reservation facilities through internet would be started in 51 centres in the country, including Vijayawada, Tirupati and Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, the Minister said. With a view to providing facilities to tourists, the Railways with private sector participation was setting up 'budget hotels' at Chandigarh, Bhopal, Hyderabad, Madurai and Bangalore with special concessional packages in travel, accommodation and food items. This measure would enhance railway revenues. The Railways on their part would provide land to the private parties intending to set up such 'budget hotels'. Mr Dattatreya announced that to improve communication facilities, the Railways have been laying 'Optical Fibre Cables' (OFC) and the 330-km-long line from Visakhapatnam to Vijayawada would be covered within three months. While OFC laying from Kolkata to Visakhapatnam was completed recently, the Wadi-Pune line would be taken up soon. The Minister said 200 'cyber cafes' would be set up at railway stations in the country in the current fiscal, of which 100 would be located in Andhra Pradesh. Such cyber cafes would start functioning in Rajahmundry, Guntur, Ongole, Vijayawada, Bapatla, Nellore, Tirupati, Hyderabad and Warangal within three months.
AIKS urges Centre to make Seed Act stringent Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
Vijayawada, (UNI) The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS), today urged the Union Government to amend the Seed Act to provide for stringent punishment to suppliers of spurious seeds. Expressing serious concern over the flooding of the market with spurious seeds and pesticides forcing farmers to resort to arson and other forms of agitation, AIKS national Vice-President K Nageswara Rao, told reporters here that the present act allowed spurious seed manufacturers to escape with a mere fine ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000, leaving farmers in the lurch. Tenants were being evicted from Endowment Department lands despite a Supreme Court ruling providing protection for those with wetlands up to 2.50 acres and dryland up to five acres, he alleged. Referring to the riparian row between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Mr Rao, also the AIKS State President, urged the Centre to stop the upper riparian state from going ahead with the water projects as they were in violation of the Bachawat award. Charging the Chandrababu Naidu Government with not acting in time to stop these projects, he opined that the State could get justice only by putting its case effectively before the fresh tribunal on sharing of waters of Krishna and its tributaries. He demanded that the State take up with the Centre the formation of a vigilance wing within the irrigation department for investigating any illegal construction of reservoirs by the upper riparian state. Mr Rao, alleged that the TDP Government of trying to ''cheat'' the peasants by dedicating the ''Janmabhoomi'' programme beginning today for issues pertaining to farmers after resorting to lathicharge and police firing on ''farmers struggling to get seeds.'' He asked the farmers to throng the 'janmabhoomi' gramasabhas and question the Government on its ''failures'' to solve their problems.
Two TDP leaders killed Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
NALGONDA Two Telugu Desam Party leaders were axed to death allegedly by Congress activists in broad daylight in Cherukupally village of Kethepally mandal on Tuesday. According to the police, nearly nine persons waylaid Bayya Buchhalu (38), the TDP village president and Nunna Venkanna (32), the Telugu Yuvatha mandal secretary, while they were on the way to fields in the morning. First they attacked Buchhalu and grievously injured him on the head with axes. He died on the spot. Venkanna tried to escape from the scene but the miscreants chased him and axed him to death. Police believe that political rivalry between activists of the ruling and opposition parties led to the double murder. A case was booked against nine persons belonging to the Congress.
BJP-led NDA will win 2004 LS polls: Dattatreya Wednesday, July 2, 2003 | Editor
Visakhapatnam, (UNI) Minister of state for Railways Bandaru Dattatreya today claimed that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, would win the 2004 Lok Sabha elections and rule the country for another five years. Addressing party workers here, he said the NDA was able to provide a stable government despite parties with diverse policies being part of it. The BJP had a large number of political friends and even rival parties in Tamil Nadu--DMK and AIADMK--were seeking its friendship, he pointed out. On the other hand, the Congress stood 'isolated' as it had lost its 'political ground' in the country, he said. Mr Vajpayee had the ability to wage a war against Pakistan and wipe out terrorism from the Indian soil. But he was firm on his conviction of resolving issues peacefully, Mr Dattatreya said. He claimed that Telugu Desam Party President N Chandrababu Naidu had become the Chief Minister of the state only with the tacit support of the BJP. Even senior Congress Leader Y S Rajasekhara Reddy had openly stated this, he added.
Drought-hit poor selling their kids Tuesday, July 1, 2003 | Editor
Visakhapatnam : Driven to despair by the continuing drought in the district, many poverty-stricken villagers are reportedly selling their children to brokers. In return they get a meagre sum of money and an assurance that their children would be looked after well and lead a better life. Police detected the child selling racket when they received a complaint from a woman who wanted her child back but could not trace the broker. The woman, Radha, of Krishnarayapuram village was forced to sell her o n e - a n d -half-year-old son after she was hospitalised due to ill health. Radha was given the promised amount and assured by the broker V Appala Swamy that her son would be well taken care of. But when she changed her mind and wanted her son back she could not trace Swamy. Radha then approached the local police and investigations revealed that Swamy had sold her son to a couple in neighbouring Lakshmipuram village for Rs 6,000. She was given the child back by the couple with police intervention. Police soon learnt that this was not a lone incident in the district. Several similar cases of povertystricken families having sold their children came up. The Vizag rural district police are now looking for Appala Swamy, 25, the man who acted as the middleman for several transactions between poor families and childless couples. Swamy allegedly approached poor people with large families in Rampuram, Pedagadi, Chitala Agraharam, Mogalipuram, Kottapalem and Gopalapatnam villages, offering to broker the sale of their children to well-off families where, he would say, the child would enjoy a better life with proper education. Many agricultural labourers struggling to provide a square meal a day for their children found the bait laid by Appala Swamy tempting. They preferred to send their children to welloff but childless families hoping that their child would not only be safe, but also have a better future. Many a childless couple too preferred to purchase children from Swamy as it would mean a hassle-free way of adoption without any legal complications, police investigations revealed. However, the families who have sold their children for a meagre Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 are being tightlipped about it with the local police. Those who have sold their children are not cooperating. Unless they come out with the truth, there is little that we can do, a police official told The Times of India. Swamy has been allegedly selling the children to childless couples for Rs 6,000 to Rs 10,000. According to police, he has also collected advances from couples promising them healthy children.
EdCET hall tickets full of errors Tuesday, July 1, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad : Even when the chapter of problems being faced by EdCET 2002 candidates regarding B. Ed. admissions is not yet over, EdCET 2003 candidates are facing problems from the beginning itself. The candidates appearing for EdCET 2003 to be held on July 6 have been issued hall tickets with lots of errors. Some hall tickets have wrong addresses and two centres marked on them. Many others have been issued more than one hall ticket with different centres and different media. With hardly one week left for the entrance test, the candidates are forced to run helter skelter to the Osmania University offices, seeking solutions to their problems, rather than preparing for the exam itself. Md Raheemuddin Quadri, son of Md Habeebuddin Quadri, a resident of Reshambagh, Golconda Fort, has been issued two hall tickets. He is appearing for the entrance test in Urdu, but he has been issued one hall ticket bearing number 581746 citing the medium as Urdu and another one, number 566106, citing the medium as English/Telugu. Interestingly, both the hall tickets carry same name, same address, common reference number and common application number with common subject. The two different test centres are St Peters Model School, Raghavendranagar, Nacharam (centre number is 464060) and St Domnics High School, Saleemnagar, Malakpet (centre number is 464008). Another candidate is K Pramila, daughter of K Raghavendra Rao, a resident of Amberpet, applied for Social Studies. But she has been issued hall ticket mentioning the subject as Mathematics. Another candidate Syed Naziullah, resident of Jagtial, Karimnagar district, bearing hall ticket number 518654 has been issued a hall ticket mentioning the medium of the exam as English/Telugu. However, the candidate wanted to write the exam in Urdu
Bodies of students who died in US brought to city Tuesday, July 1, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad : The bodies of M Kiran Kumar, 24, and K Nagaraj, 26, who died in the United States in a car crash on June 22, were brought to the city on Sunday to perform the last rites. It may be recalled that their car caught fire when it turned over on June 22 morning on a highway near Chicago. They were travelling along with two other city-based youth, Praveen and Abhilash. Kiran and Nagaraj died on the spot. The other two were injured, but are reportedly safe. The friends were returning to their home in Chicago after meeting a friend when the accident occurred. The bodies, being kept at Begumpet airport, will be brought to their homes at around 7 am on Monday. The bodies would be cremated at Amberpet Crematorium at 11 am.
PW attacks force rural banks to move Tuesday, July 1, 2003 | Editor
Khammam : With the increase in the number of attacks by the People’s War (PW) naxalites on banks in rural areas, regional bank managements are being forced to shift their branches to urban centres. This, however, is having a negative effect on the rural economy. The farmers and women self-help groups are largely dependent on the rural banks to meet their credit requirement, specially during the kharif season. But the latest move of the banks to shift the grameena branches or of not keeping any money in the branches is severely affecting them. Therefore, a large number of farmers in rural Nalgonda and Khammam districts are being forced to go back to money lenders to meet their credit requirements. Women members of local Dwcra groups too are reportedly hesitant to deposit money in the banks fearing a loot by the naxalites. The PW squads so far have looted over Rs twocrore worth cash and jewellery from various banks in Nalgonda, Khammam, Guntur, Prakasam, Medak and Adilabad districts. In some incidents, due to the pressure from farmers and local villagers, some of the PW squads were forced to return back part of the money to the depositors. Apparently to assuage the feelings of the depositors, the naxalites gave back some money they had looted from a grameena bank in Kasirajugudem village in Nalgonda district recently. Besides the attacks on banks, the famine raids by the naxalites are also having an effect on the rural economy as farmers are no longer storing food grains in their houses. For instance, in Kothagudem, a farmer K V Rao sold all his farm produce fearing a raid by the naxalites. Rao, otherwise, stored at least 20 quintals of rice in his house. With farmers selling the produce, experts say that it would help the market forces create an artificial scarcity on the availability of foodgrains and hike prices.
State raises objections on new projects Tuesday, July 1, 2003 | Editor
Hyderabad : The chief minister on Sunday appealed to Prime Minister Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani and Union water resources minister to direct Karnataka to stop all unauthorised constructions in the Tungabhadra sub-basin and uphold the legitimate rights of Andhra Pradesh. Chandrababu Naidu, who wrote individual letters and the second in three days, appealed to the leaders to intervene and stop the construction of an anicut across Tungabhadra at Himmagi village in Gadag district and a lift scheme at Singatlur. Naidu asked the Union minister to direct the Central Water Commission to inspect illegal sites, if any, in Karnataka and also expedite the review of the sanction of the Upper Tunga project and similar projects in the Tungabhadra basin and revoke their clearances. He also urged the Centre to revoke clearances given to the Upper Tunga Project, Hire Halla tank, Upper Hire Halla and Maskinala in Karnataka and protect the interests of the state.
