Friday, April 25, 2014

Breakthrough in cancer treatment - The Hindu

Breakthrough in cancer treatment - The Hindu

Breakthrough in cancer treatment



  

Young engineer develops tablets for effective treatment of cancer

Palla Venkatesh in the lab.—Photo: By Arrangement
Palla Venkatesh in the lab.—Photo: By Arrangement
Tissue culture experiments go a long way in developing plants, particularly those with medicinal value. A young engineer from Kadiyapulanka village in East Godavari district successfully carried out two projects and got them tested in IIT Chennai Labs. The projects were also certified and recommended for pharmaceutical labs by the Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER).
The projects include a tablet made through tissue culture for treatment of cancer and one that prevents skin rashes.
Palla Venkatesh is son of an agriculturist in Kadiyapulanka, which is popular for its nurseries. He obtained a degree in Engineering from Satyabhama University in Chennai with specialisation in Bio-Technology. He later did MBA at GIET College, Rajahmundry.
During his Engineering final year, Venkatesh did two projects on tissue culture which was appreciated not only by the University authorities, but also IIT-Chennai professors who evaluated the projects.
In his first project, Venkatesh developed mass multiplication of rhynacantus nusitus, a disease resistant and pest resistant plant, which can be used for cancer treatment through. The Cancer Institute later identified that the extract of the plant is useful for making Xeloda tablets, which can replace chemotheraphy for patients above 60 years.
“This tablet has been in the market for the last 10 years. I, along with two others, only made mass multiplication of plant tissues through which pest-resistant plants can be produced in hundreds and throusands,” Mr. Venkatesh said.
Skin rashes
Venkatesh’s second project dealt with medicine for skin rashes. Wedelia trilobata, which was developed through tissue culture, was found to have medicinal values.
Prof. Justin Koirpillai of IIT-Chennai who evaluated the project said: “Wedelia trilobata propagation is crucial in tissue culture, and a group of students led by Venkatesh Palla have proved this through microscopic analysis and found medicinal values in it.” Interestingly, Venkatesh turned down lucrative offers from MNC’s and took up tissue culture experiments as his way of life. His grandfather Palla Venkanna, a national award winner, was a progressive farmer who developed nurseries in Kadiyam mandal between 1970’s and 1990’s. His father Palla Sattibabu and uncle Palla Subrahmanyam are his inspiration.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Gorantla files papers from 2 places - The Hindu

The Hindu

Gorantla files papers from 2 places

BVS BHASKAR

  
TDP general secretary Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary signing papers at the MRO office in Rajahmundry on Thursday.— PHOTO: S. RAMBABU
TDP general secretary Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary signing papers at the MRO office in Rajahmundry on Thursday.— PHOTO: S. RAMBABU
In a day of dramatic developments with talks about the possible fallout between the TDP-BJP alliance in Seemandhra region gaining ground, TDP general secretary Gorantla Butchaiah Chowdary on Thursday filed his nomination from both Rajahmundry City and Rural Assembly constituencies without the party’s ‘B’ form.
Mr. Chowdary filed his papers at the Rajahmundry MRO office and the Bommuru MRO office. He declared that he had been in the TDP since its inception and there was no need to request any one for the ticket or ‘B’ form.
However, Mr. Chowdary’s rivals in the party, who are opposed to his contesting from the Rajahmundry Rural constituency, also filed their papers from the same seat as TDP candidates. The three aspirants for the Rajahmundry rural seat are -- Anasuri Padmalatha, Gangumall Satyanarayana and Rankireddy Subba Raju.
One of them had even organised a protest during TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu’s road show near Bommuru, urging him not to give the ticket to Mr. Chowdary.
Speaking to the media later, Mr. Chowdary said the alliance would do more damage to the TDP than the BJP. “The BJP leaders who failed to win even as ward members are now seeking MP/MLA seats. The party does not have presence in most of the wards in Rajahmundry.” He regretted that Mr. Naidu had agreed to leave this seat to the BJP.
BJP’s counter
Meanwhile, BJP Seemandhra general secretary Somu Veerraju said the party was ready to field candidates from all seats in the region. He objected to the statement of Mr. Chowdary and TDP Rajahmundry LS candidate M. Muralimohan and said, “If the TDP is not interested in the alliance why did the party hold talks in Hyderabad and Vijayawada with BJP’s State and Central leadership.”
He said the TDP alone will not come to power without the BJP support both in Seemandhra and Telangana, and Mr. Naidu was well aware of this fact.
“We may not be strong in some places in Seemandhra, but we have our cadre and a strong vote bank, which the TDP leaders should not forget,” he remarked.
Luring Harikrishna?
In another twist to the tale, talks gained ground that the BJP was trying to rope in N. Harikrishna and pit him against Mr. Muralimohan from the Rajahmundry LS seat. Mr. Harikrishna is upset with Mr. Naidu for denying him a ticket.

Monday, April 7, 2014

‘Gladiators’ fighting for survival - The Hindu

‘Gladiators’ fighting for survival

B.V.S. BHASKAR

Stunning display:Members of the Mala Mashti tribe showcasing their martial arts skill during a show at Korukonda.— Photo: S. Rambabu

Stunning display:Members of the Mala Mashti tribe showcasing their martial arts skill during a show at Korukonda.— Photo: S. Rambabu

Men from Mala Mashti and Madiga Mashti communities showcase their martial art skills and strength for a living

This nondescript hamlet in East Gonagudem located on the outskirts of Korukonda mandal headquarters, about 30 km from Rajahmundry, is home to two nomadic communities -- Mala Mashti and Madiga Mashti -- who survived for over 300 years by showcasing their martial art skills.
Like Roman gladiators who fought men and beats in the arenas to entertain people, men from the Mala Mashti and Madiga Mashti communities are known for their excellence in the art of fighting. While the Roman gladiators are now confined to the pages of history, men from these communities still continue to showcase their martial art skills and strength, albeit for a living.
The unique skills of these men include prompting an adult ram to slam into their bare chest at full speed, throwing a 50-kg object into the air with a shoulder nudge and performing multiple somersaults without the support of a pole.
In the emperor’s army
It is believed that the legendary emperor Sri Krishnadevaraya had recruited men from these communities as soldiers in his army for their sheer strength and endurance. It is said the men used be well over 6 feet tall and weighed anywhere between 100 and 150 kg. Mala Mashtis, who now live in a low-lying area near Korukonda, have even preserved one of the copper plates given to their ancestors by Sri Krishnadevaraya, who certified them as dedicated soldiers of his army.
However, as time went by things have become difficult for the communities and they now depend entirely on the Mala communities for their daily bread. They exhibit their skills in various SC colonies for a living. While men from the older generation are now bed-ridden with injuries and disability, the younger generation is in a state of flux and their future looks uncertain.
The Mala Mashtis, after four years of agitation and with the help of social workers Soorisetty Bhadram and Kaki Barnisala, of their community, got a piece of land where the existing 63 families live.
“No one is concerned about our lives or our future. Only two from our community have enrolled for post-graduation and another 20 are going to school. We have no permanent shelter,” says Malisetty Lakshmana Rao, who is the first graduate from the community in the last 300 years.

Sunday, April 6, 2014

Call for holistic development of children - The Hindu

Call for holistic development of children - The Hindu

B. V. S. BHASKAR

Students of Sri Gowthami School exhibit skill in ‘Visual Programming’

Students of Gowthami School attending a programme on ‘Visual Programming' on Saturday.

Students of Sri Gowthami School demonstrated their creative and technical skills in ‘Visual Programming' on Saturday in the school function hall. The participants engaged in activities like storytelling, drawing and games.
Addressing a seminar on ‘Future of Computing’, organised on the sidelines, Pullela Nageswara Rao, Additional Director General, National Academy of Customs, Excise and Narcotics (NACEN), Hyderabad, said students should be inquisitive and develop scientific temper. Mr. Nageswara Rao advised parents to groom their children by exploring their talent.
Delivering keynote address, A. Rajagopal, Lead Principal-Education Training and Assessment, Infosys Limited, Bangalore, said deeper vision and wider understanding were key to the learning process and added that students must not confine themselves to playing games on computers, but they must also create them. He underscored the need for holistic development of students.
V. Nanda Kishore, founder of LCYkids, USA, through a power-point-presentation emphasised the need for proper parental guidance to children. He said parents must ensure proper use of technological advancements by children
Correspondent of Sri Gowthami Educational Institutions Ravi Kumar Sunkara said that 450-odd students formed into 150 teams and exhibited projects using visual programming approach.
Chairman of Sri Gowthami institutions S. Surya Prakasa Rao, Correspondent S. Ravi Kumar, Director S. Mallikarjun Rao, campus heads and others attended the event.

“Respond to prisoner’s welfare” - The Hindu

“Respond to prisoner’s welfare” - The Hindu



Prisons DIG, Coastal Region, A. Narasimha has appealed that society has to respond for the welfare of the prisoners who are not able to get all the facilities and provisions through the government.

He was speaking after inaugurating a new water-cooler at the Rajahmundry Central Prison on Friday donated by Balakavi Educational Seva Trust-BEST and Rankireddy Subbaraju Foundation (RST Foundation).
Welfare activity
The DIG thanked BEST and RSR Foundation for taking up welfare activity in the prison and asked philanthropists to come forward in developing society.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Tasty mangoes roll out from Central Jail - The Hindu

Tasty mangoes roll out from Central Jail - The Hindu

Tasty mangoes roll out from Central Jail

B.V.S. BHASKAR
 

Grown with organic compost and no chemicals, mangoes from the prison are known for sweet pulp and preservative qualities

In full bloom:Inmates of the Rajahmundry Central Prison at work in the mango orchard.- PHOTO: S. RAMBABU
In full bloom:Inmates of the Rajahmundry Central Prison at work in the mango orchard.- PHOTO: S. RAMBABU
Here is good news for mango lovers. The Central Prison here is delivering tasty and healthy mangoes to the open market. One would be surprised to know how a prison would supply mangoes. \People in and around Rajahmundry eagerly waiting for the king of fruits that are grown by prisoners every year is a fact. Grown in the sprawling orchards on the jail premises using only organic compost, the mangoes are quite a customers’ delight.
The 40-acre orchard in this semi-open jail has 750 trees that provide tasty mangoes which can be preserved for longer periods. Imam Pasand, Suvarna Rekha, Peda Rasalu, China Rasalu, Mallikalu, Collector and Banginapalli, to name a few, are the varieties that are grown inside the Central Prison.
Some of them are known for their sweet pulp, while others, though sour in taste, are ideal for pickles. Incidentally, pickles prepared using these mangoes have good export value, thanks to their preservative qualities. Deputy Inspector-General (Prisons), Coastal Region, A. Narasimha and Rajahmundry Central Prison Superintendent K. Newton inaugurated the sale of mangoes at the prison on Monday. Speaking to the media, Mr. Narasimha said the Central Prison had generated Rs. 3.34 lakh from the sale of mangoes last year, and that the income was expected to cross Rs. 5 lakh this year. “The revenue generated from selling the mangoes is utilised for the welfare of prisoners across the State,” he added.

An old institution craves for attention - The Hindu

An old institution craves for attention - The Hindu

An old institution craves for attention

BVS BHASKAR

Call for national status to Gowthami Regional Library

Copper plated inscriptions in Devanagari script in Sri Gowthami Regional Library, Rajahmundry. —Photo: S. Rambabu
Copper plated inscriptions in Devanagari script in Sri Gowthami Regional Library, Rajahmundry. —Photo: S. Rambabu
Sri Gowthami Regional Library (SGRL) has the oldest and rarest collection of books between the 1805 and 1898. It also boasts unpublished manuscripts.
The government took over the library in 1979 and renamed it as Sri Gowthami Regional Library.
The name Sri Gowthami Regional Library, popularly known s ‘Gowthami’, adjoins the Palm leaf manuscripts since its inception. At present, the library has more than 400 manuscripts of ‘Colonel McKenzie’ describing East and West Godavari Districts. These manuscripts are in three volumes. ‘Tamara Sasanalu’, meaning copper plates (from the 13th and 14th centuries), are also available in the library. An interesting facet of the library is its possession of the first Britannica Encyclopedia of the year 1771.
As of now, the library has more than 1,500 rare books published before 1900 and around 8,115 books published prior to 1923 and 5,000 published up to 1950. In all, more than 15,000 rare books find place in the collections. Magazines and periodicals like Bharathi, Chintamani, Vivekavardhini, Andhri and Krishna Patrika are oldest periodicals that are housed in the library.
Though Union Minister for Human Resources Development M.M. Pallam Raju hails from the district, the library is yet to get national status. “We got national status for the Telugu language after making tireless efforts. For getting the same status for this library also, we have to struggle in residual state of Andhra Pradesh,” says Sannidhanam Narasimha Sarma, who worked as librarian.
V.S. Suryanarayana Murthy, the current gazetted librarian, modernised the only big government library in coastal region in keeping with the advancement in Information Technology.
It has now around 16 computers with scanner and Printers.