ONGC draws up ambitious plan

ONGC draws up ambitious plan

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

  However, frequent instances of leakage are a cause for concern

  Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has been facing certain problems in the operational areas of the Krishna-Godavari (KG Basin) from quite some time.
  Nevertheless, it has drawn up an action plan to produce 2.18 million metric tonne of oil and 6.46173 billion cubic metres of gas in the next five years from its onshore wells.
  The ONGC Rajahmundry Asset would be investing U.S. $ 750 million at Nagayalanka in Krishna district alone. It plans to invest Rs.760 crore on new Type III rigs for drilling, production, pipelines, and other surface facilities.
  Asset Manager and Executive Director of ONGC, Rajahmundry, Debasish Sanyal, says that the 707-km of pipeline network, spread over East and West Godavari, and Krishna districts, connects 260 active wells to the Gas Collecting Stations and Group Gathering Stations in the three districts.
  Though the oil major has fast-tracked work on laying new pipelines, frequent instances of leakage in some parts of East Godavari are a cause for worry both for the people in the vicinity and the ONGC.
  Eight such instances have been reported in the last three months, causing anguish among the villagers, particularly those in the Antarvedi and Sakhinetipalli areas of the Konaseema region.
  Mr. Sanyal says that the 4-inch diameter and 7.9 mm thick pipes have developed minor leaks only in the Mori area near Antarvedi in East Godavari district.
  “The company has taken a serious note of it,” says Mr. Sanyal, adding that the company has three well-trained teams to attend to pipeline leakages. This apart, it has a 24x7 toll-free helpline.
  It is learnt that the ONGC is facing problems in Right of Use (RoU) in the region to replace the pipelines.
  Landowners are paid compensation as per the government norms and they are bound by certain conditions. But ignoring the lease agreement terms, the landowners are said to be developing fish ponds and excavating sand and mud over the pipelines, which is rendering the pipelines weak.
  This apart, the two-crop farming activity allows little working window for the company to replace the pipelines.
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Historic building at Tanuku on the brink

Historic building at Tanuku on the brink:

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• Greats such as Gandhi and Kanchi Paramacharya had stayed there for a while

  

  Symbol of neglect:A view of the building that was constructed by Yerramilli Ramanatham. —Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar
  : Sri Yerramilli Ramanatham building, which had virtually become a second home for freedom fighters during the struggle for independence, is on the verge of collapse. The building has become an outlet for drainage water of an adjacent building housing a bank. With people relieving themselves, it presents a revolting sight.

  Yerrammili Ramanatham, a follower of the Mahatma, had constructed the building with the intention of providing free meal to freedom fighters. When Gandhiji visited Tanuku on April 27, 1929, during a campaign to boycott foreign clothes and wear khadi ones only, Ramanatham urged him to stay in the building to which the latter readily agreed. During his visit, Gandhiji formally launched the common meal initiative. “The Mahatma again visited the building on December 26, 1933, and asked us to launch the Harijan movement,” said Konda Venkatappaiah, also a freedom fighter, in one of his books. Ramanatham, who was given the title of “karmayogi,” got an opportunity to provide accommodation to the Kanchi Paramacharya in 1938. The seer stayed for three days in the building with his entire “parivaram” and other paraphernalia, a devotee said.

  Freedom fighters from the Godavari districts and north Andhra, including Konda Venkatappaiah, Mangipudi Purushothama Sarma, Mudiganti Jagganna Sastry, Bandha Viyyanna, and Sanivarapu Subbarao, would regularly meet in the building and discuss strategies.

  But unfortunately, after the country gained Independence, the sacrifices made by Ramanatham and his family were forgotten.

  “Ramanatham’s son Narasimha Rao, a Sarvodaya worker, was asked to write a book on Alluri Seetharama Raju’s life and his wife Parameswari also undertook some research,” said Vadrevu Sundarrao, a lecturer at the SCIM Government Degree College here.

  He said it was unfortunate that successive governments had neglected such a great building.

Ghanapatis’ children in search of their roots

Ghanapatis’ children in search of their roots:

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• Delta areas in East and West Godavari districts known for the rich Vedic tradition

  

  A view of Agraharam at Peruru in Amalapuram rural mandal.
  “Kramapati”, “Ghanapati”, “Somayaji” and “Vajapayee” are some of the highest degrees in Vedic education and those who have achieved them will be honoured by adding the tag to their name. Delta areas in East and West Godavari districts are not only popular for paddy production, but also for the rich Vedic tradition for more than 500 years.

  The Vedic scholars settled down mostly in Agraharams (specially designed lanes) like Peruru in Amalapuram rural mandal, Nandampudi, Vyaghreswaram, Vakkalanka, Gangalakurru and Tondavaram villages in Ambajipeta mandal of Konaseema region in East Godavari and the most popular village Iragavaram in West Godavari. Ganti Lakshmana Somayajulu, Ganti Purushothama Somayajulu, Nemani Somasekhara Avadhanulu and Nemani Jwala Narasimha Avadhanulu are popular in Peruru and Amabjipeta mandals.

  According to Nemani Sriramachandra Murthy, Head of HDFC Bank, Raichur, many of their families have settled in Nagpur, Mumbai and Chennai about two generations ago for livelihood, particularly in Railways, though they had learnt conducting Yagnas and Homams and were well-versed in Vedic sastras.

  This happened in the 1950s and then in my generation youngsters started going to Bengaluru and Chennai for software jobs as Vedic rituals would not earn bread and butter, he added.

  “But, there was a sea change since the last one decade as the youngsters started looking back to their roots. They are coming to Agraharams. Every year during the summer they are coming with families and spending almost a month here to learn daily rituals like ‘Sandhya Vandanam’ from their grandfathers,” Mr. Murthy added. Pidaparthi Sivarama Sarma of Sri Dattatreya Veda Vidya Gurukulam, Rajamahendravaram, said though the youth were getting attracted to Vedic culture and learning rituals, many scholars were not encouraging them to enter their own profession or learn the Vedas.

  Dr. Gullapalli Dattatreya Ghanapati, who had done research in Vedic literature and head of the Gurukulam, said once the number of institutions went up, the next generations would automatically carry the torch of the Vedas to the masses.

  Like Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi, the young generation of the Agraharams wants to preserve the Vedic culture in these districts, says Nukala Bapanna Somayajulu.

  Maha Mahopadhyaya and Vedic adviser to Sringeri Peetam Sri Sri Viswanatha Gopalakrishna said the East and West Godavari districts were the only places which would continue to produce hundreds and thousands of Vedic scholars.

‘Koya’ youth climbs Everest, creates record

‘Koya’ youth climbs Everest, creates record

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• He is the first from the State to achieve the feat after bifurcation

  

  Summit of achievement:Doodi Bhadraiah was part of Transcend Adventures International Mount Everest, Hyderabad. —PHoto: By Arrangement
  Doodi Bhadraiah, a tribal youth, has created a record of sorts by climbing world’s highest mount — the Everest — on Friday, and he is first tribal lad from Andhra Pradesh to achieve the feat — after bifurcation.

  He is part of the Transcend Adventures International Mount Everest, Hyderabad, a professional unit led by Arjun awardee Sekhar Babu Bachinepally. This year, Mr. Babu took eight others along with Bhadraiah to the expedition. The ‘Koya’ lad is from of Kothapalli village in Chinturu mandal, which was merged into East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh from Khammam district in Telangana.

  His arduous journey started on April 8. After reaching Kathmandu (Nepal), he completed documentation work and flew to Lhasa with his team. He stayed for three days there to get acclimatised to the weather.

  The team started climbing Mt. Everest from April 20 and reached the North Base camp (5,200m height) and later reached 8,300m on May 19 to set up a summit camp.

  “It was so exiting leaving the Summit Camp — world’s highest elevated camp — around 9 p.m. on Thursday night. I climbed for entire night to reach the 8,848m mark on Friday morning along with my team. It is my life’s goal to climb the Everest. I have achieved it,” said Bhadraiah who called Integrated Tribal Development Agency Project Officer KVN Chakradharababu over satellite phone from the base camp, who incidentally supported him financially for this adventurous trip.

  The road to become part of team was not easy for Bhadraiah. Last year, he visited the rock-climbing school at Bhuvanagiri in Nalgonda district and met the coach Mr. Sekhar Babu who responded favourably to his plea to admit him in the team.

  After a training session at Bhuvanagiri Fort, Mr. Bhadraiah emerged as one of the two persons selected for the expedition.

  After completing an industrial training programme from Kothagudem College, he worked for the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation plant near Mothugudem on contract basis. “My parents are farm labourers,” he said.
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Water pollution a perennial problem in Konaseema region

Water pollution a perennial problem in Konaseema region

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• Drains are connected to main canal in Kothapeta, Ravulapalem, and Amalapuram

  

  The Central Delta canal near Tatipaka in Konaseema region where water gets polluted.
  Water from a septic tank is being let out into irrigation canal and the same is being supplied as drinking water after a little treatment. If a farmer needs water for his field, the nearby canal is filled with drain water. It may sound strange. But, it’s true and the practice has been going on for the last two decades in the Konaseema region with or without the knowledge of the public.

  Though the officials are aware of it, they express their inability to address the issue.

  The water pollution is a perennial problem in Konaseema and now it has assumed alarming proportions. As a result, people of this fertile region are made to drink polluted water. Lack of awareness among farmers, political pressure and negligence on the part of officials have resulted in the situation turning from bad to worse.

  The main source for irrigation in East Godavari district is the Godavari. The canal which flows through Central Delta is known as Amalapuram main canal and it first touches Lolla lakula in Konaseema. The Central Delta canal caters to the irrigation and drinking water needs of 19 mandals of the region. It irrigates 1.80 lakh acres of paddy and one lakh acres of crops, including coconut. The canal water is used for drinking purpose after being treated. But at Kothapeta, Ravulapalem, and Amalapuram the major drains are connected to Central Delta main canal.

  In Amalapuram, hospital waste, water from restaurants, hotels and households are let out in huge quantities into the main canal.

  Important drains in Gandhinagar, Vittanalavaripalem, Abbireddyvari Veedhi are being connected to the main canal.

  At places there are outlets from municipal dumping yards and burial grounds.

  Dr. Anil, a doctor in Amalapuram, says that water-born diseases are increasing every year due to irrigation canal being polluted as a result of linking it with septic tank water.

  Gopinath, Deputy Engineer of Irrigation Department, says that from 2009 to 2014 the irrigation authorities tried to close drains in consultation with farmers, but in vain.

  Turbidity levels

  Former RDO of Amalapuram P. Sampath Kumar has prepared a report to completely close all the drains that lead to the Central Delta Canal from Lolla Lakula Junction. He has suggested all MPDOs, panchayat officials and village secretaries and municipal officials to check turbidity levels in the water that is being supplied to the public through CPW schemes.

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Women SHG members turn entrepreneurs

Women SHG members turn entrepreneurs:

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

  Chief Minister to launch ‘Swashakthi Note Book Industry’ through Internet today

  

  Scripting success:SHG women at their unit in Amalapuram. —Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar
  On your next visit to a book store, you may find notebooks with attractive cover page design and titled ‘Amaravati,’ ‘Godavari’, and ‘Konaseema.’

  “What’s so special!” one may wonder.

  They are special in that they are products of an industry established by women self-help groups of East Godavari district.

  The thrift groups, inspired by the Central Government’s ‘Start-up India, Stand-up India’ initiative, launched a notebook manufacturing unit— Swashakthi Note Book Industry— which is first of its kind in the State.

  Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu will formally inaugurate it through the Internet on Wednesday. He will also interact with the members through the video link.

  The unit is located on the premises of the GMC Balayogi Training and Technology Development Centre (DRDA Training Centre) here.

  The SHG federations —zilla samakhyas, mandal samakhyas, village organisations, and Sand Mining Mutually Aided Cooperative Societies— with profits/earnings from ‘Anna Deevena,’ paddy procurement centres, and sale of sand, mobilised the share capital.

  The group, comprising 14 women and led by N. Durga Devi as managing partner, invested Rs. 94.72 lakh, besides obtaining a bank loan of Rs.1 crore.

  Ms. Durga Devi has invested Rs. 20 lakh as representative from the zilla samakhya (district body of all SHGs). The other members who represent various groups have invested amounts ranging from Rs.1.99 lakh to Rs.10 lakh.

  Working capital

  Out of Rs.1.94 crore thus mobilised, they purchased machinery worth Rs. 89.42 lakh. The balance amount is kept as working capital.

  District Collector H. Arun Kumar has extended all support in the establishment of the industry, and DRDA Project Director S. Mallibabu has been the guiding force, say the members.

  “We are sourcing paper from A.P. Paper Mills, Rajamahendravaram. Till date, we have sourced 80 tonnes of paper. We are manufacturing about 40,000 to 50,000 172-page notebooks and 50,000 to 90,000 84-page notebooks every day,” says Jayakrishna Kakarala, general manager of the unit. Mr. Mallibabu says that all the SHG women in the district have been instructed to promote the sale of the notebooks, both white and ruled.

  “The brand names will help sell the products like hot cakes. We are confident of reaching breakeven in one year,” says G. Varalakshmi, another partner.
• 
  
• 
  

A feather in CRPF’s ‘CAP’ in East Agency

A feather in CRPF’s ‘CAP’ in East Agency

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• 42nd Battalion with Rajamahendravaram as headquarters tops in conducting welfare activities

  The presence of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) only indicates that there is some major incidence of law and order in the plains or exchange of fire with Maoists or a landmine blast in a deep forest. But, the different battalions of the CRPF in Andhra, Telangana, Odisha and Chattisgarh are being involved not only in area domination to show their power and might to the enemy, but also engaged in service activity under “Civic Action Programme-CAP”.
  The topper in this is the 42 Battalion which has Rajamahendravaram as its headquarters for the last three years. It was formed in 1968.
  Building up trust
  “We are building up trust among the tribal people with our CAP while we go for area domination programme. In the beginning they have hesitated to come nearer to us as they thought we also carry long weapons like Maoists,” said B. Veerraju, Commandant of 42 Battalion which covers Donkarai, Chintapalli, Annavaram, Maredumilli, Y. Ramavaram and G.K. Veedhi (Visakhapatnam district).
  Confidence-building
  Confidence-building among the tribals took between three and five years for the CRPF to achieve in all the places where area domination was carried out continuously. “At first instance the tribal’s feeling was that we are unofficial Maoists and they (naxals) are official Maoists as both are carrying long weapons and conducting operations in their villages,” said Mohan, Second-in-Command.
  Commandant Veerraju said they had bitter experiences with Maoists in the recent past when they distributed food stuff, blankets and medicines in the villages.
  The Maoists came to villages in Chintapalli, G.K. Veedhi and Y. Ramavaram areas and asked the tribals to bring all the stuff provided by the CRPF to one place and burnt them.
  Under CAP, the CRPF had connected pipelines from water sources to villages, including Lankapakalu in G.K. Veedhi, provided computers to schools, individual latrines to some villages and girls toilets in tribal schools.
  Psychological warfare
  Psychological warfare to restore confidence among the tribals and reaching out to areas where civil administration has not are ways of winning the people’s confidence, said Deputy Commandants Sameer Kumar Rao, Anil Kumar and Vikram Singh Thakur who participated in medical, blood donation camps in some areas.
  42nd Battalion with Rajamahendravaram as headquarters tops in conducting
  welfare activities

Nannaya varsity told to focus on employment-oriented courses

Nannaya varsity told to focus on employment-oriented courses

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• Follow norms to get financial benefits, says UGC coordinator

  Adikavi Nannaya University has been introducing new courses every year to extend its purview in East and West Godavari districts. About 420 undergraduate colleges and PG centres were affiliated from Andhra University about two years ago, but there are two engineering and pharmacy colleges yet to be affiliated.
  Introduction of new courses without proper employment or post-graduation opportunities is inviting a lot of criticism from different quarters.
  “Being a new University it should consolidate in all aspects, particularly in view of the welfare of the student and offer courses which suit the order of the day,” said Principal Secretary of Government, Education, Sumita Dawara. Instead of hurrying to introduce new courses, the people who run the University should concentrate on getting 12B from UGC, she added.
  The University was established in March 2006.
  Director of Admissions, Prof. Matta Reddy, said they were running eight courses in arts, six in sciences on the University campus. Four courses were been added this year in arts and eight in science taking the total number to 26 courses. “We added 12 new courses keeping the market demand in view and assurance from some Executive Council members that they will offer jobs to the students who complete courses like aquaculture,” he added.
  Vedic Studies course
  The new courses introduced included biotechnology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer sciences, applied mathematics, applied geology, aquaculture, and MBA (Finance). The Vedic Studies course, started with the support of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, is yet to receive any response.
  Some of the courses have the required faculty, facilities like labs, infrastructure and also expertise.
  “Each department requires one professor, two assistant professors and four associate professors and some of the universities like Nannaya are not following these norms which UGC requires to issue 12B to get financial benefits,” said Prof. Srinivasa Rao, UGC Coordinator, Andhra University.
  The Nannaya University has introduced B. Tech (Electronics and Instrumentation) this year amid severe criticism as the course was not a success in other universities. “When I was in Osmania University, we suddenly withdrew the course as the student has to do M. Tech compulsorily and if he or she does so, there is no guarantee for job in the market,” said Prof. VSS Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, JNTU-Kakinada.
  Y. Ramakrishna, Additional Secretary, Finance, A.P. Government, and Executive Member of the Nannaya University, said that approval was necessary to recruit even ad hoc faculty or outsourcing staff in the university by the State Finance Department though it is approved by the executive council.
  Responding on behalf of the University, Prof. S. Teki, Head of Academic Affairs, said they were starting from the scratch and hoping for the good in niche marketing than going for mass marketing through M.B.A. Finance course. The Big Data Analysis, which the University is offering, will be useful in the near future and all the courses will create a new job market than traditional courses.
  Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. Mutyala Naidu said they would provide all infrastructure like science bloc, women’s hostel, and software technology park. “But my only concern is that the government has to release Rs. 20 crore that we have spent and Rs. 10 crore it has given to all new universities,” he added.

Thalassemia: NGOs take the lead

Thalassemia: NGOs take the lead

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• Regular blood transfusion must for children suffering from the disorder

  

  A thalasseima patient being fed while she undergoes blood transfusion. —PHOTO: BY ARRANGEMENT
  Thalassemia, a dreaded disease like AIDS, is claiming 60 per cent of the one lakh children affected in the country, but very little help is forthcoming from government institutions. In contrast, non-governmental organisations are doing their best to fulfil the affected children’s needs.

  In 2014, Jain Seva Samithi, Mahaveer International, Dhanvantari Blood Bank and Goutami Eye Institute of Rajamahendravaram formed a support group for children with thalassemia. According to K. Madhu, executive director of Goutami Eye Institute, the affected children need blood transfusion every 15-30 days for life.

  There is virtually no cure for the disorder —the only cure is a bone marrow transplant from matching sibling. The procedure, costing Rs. 15 lakh, is beyond the reach for many. Proper management costs over Rs.1.5 lakh per year (excluding transfusion costs). “Forget costs. Today’s average age of survival is approx 25 years, which is very pathetic,” Mr. Madhu said.

  Dr. Srinivasa Rao of Dhanvantari Blood Bank say the affected children need iron removal medicine (chelator called Desferal) which has to be injected over periods of 6-8 hours per day, 4-5 days a week. Also, the children run the risk of contracting needle-related diseases such as HIV/hepatitis. If blood transfusions are not regular, the affected children become vulnerable to disorder of the heart, liver, endocrine system, and osteoporosis, etc.

  Mr. Madhu recalled that the Union government has identified 30 diseases under Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK) and it is listed in Arogyasri under general medicine. “RBSK is still in the womb stage and none of the hospitals empanelled and can treat under Arogyasri are not offering the services,” he said.

  All blood banks in the country are by order should be giving blood to thalassemic child free of cost and as many times as the child needs. But the agony of the family of thalassemic child continues for procurement of blood once in 20 days, said Dr. Srinivas.

  Jain Seva Samiti members are arranging meetings with parents of the affected children. The Youth wing of Jain and Mahaveer organisations is getting blood tests done at subsidised price in Thyrocare, making the availability of blood at Dhanvantari Blood Bank, organisation of blood donations camps every month, medical examination of all children with haematologist, cardiology examination with the support of GSL Hospitals.

  Major initiative

  The major initiative was to get 47 children test for Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing to find the match the child with donor for bone marrow transplantation. Ten children got the match and are being scheduled for bone marrow transplantation.

  Ten children selected for bone marrow transplantation

Nannaya varsity told to focus on employment-oriented courses

Nannaya varsity told to focus on employment-oriented courses

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

• Follow norms to get financial benefits, says UGC coordinator

  Adikavi Nannaya University has been introducing new courses every year to extend its purview in East and West Godavari districts. About 420 undergraduate colleges and PG centres were affiliated from Andhra University about two years ago, but there are two engineering and pharmacy colleges yet to be affiliated.
  Introduction of new courses without proper employment or post-graduation opportunities is inviting a lot of criticism from different quarters.
  “Being a new University it should consolidate in all aspects, particularly in view of the welfare of the student and offer courses which suit the order of the day,” said Principal Secretary of Government, Education, Sumita Dawara. Instead of hurrying to introduce new courses, the people who run the University should concentrate on getting 12B from UGC, she added.
  The University was established in March 2006.
  Director of Admissions, Prof. Matta Reddy, said they were running eight courses in arts, six in sciences on the University campus. Four courses were been added this year in arts and eight in science taking the total number to 26 courses. “We added 12 new courses keeping the market demand in view and assurance from some Executive Council members that they will offer jobs to the students who complete courses like aquaculture,” he added.
  Vedic Studies course
  The new courses introduced included biotechnology, biochemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer sciences, applied mathematics, applied geology, aquaculture, and MBA (Finance). The Vedic Studies course, started with the support of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, is yet to receive any response.
  Some of the courses have the required faculty, facilities like labs, infrastructure and also expertise.
  “Each department requires one professor, two assistant professors and four associate professors and some of the universities like Nannaya are not following these norms which UGC requires to issue 12B to get financial benefits,” said Prof. Srinivasa Rao, UGC Coordinator, Andhra University.
  The Nannaya University has introduced B. Tech (Electronics and Instrumentation) this year amid severe criticism as the course was not a success in other universities. “When I was in Osmania University, we suddenly withdrew the course as the student has to do M. Tech compulsorily and if he or she does so, there is no guarantee for job in the market,” said Prof. VSS Kumar, Vice-Chancellor, JNTU-Kakinada.
  Y. Ramakrishna, Additional Secretary, Finance, A.P. Government, and Executive Member of the Nannaya University, said that approval was necessary to recruit even ad hoc faculty or outsourcing staff in the university by the State Finance Department though it is approved by the executive council.
  Responding on behalf of the University, Prof. S. Teki, Head of Academic Affairs, said they were starting from the scratch and hoping for the good in niche marketing than going for mass marketing through M.B.A. Finance course. The Big Data Analysis, which the University is offering, will be useful in the near future and all the courses will create a new job market than traditional courses.
  Vice-Chancellor Prof. M. Mutyala Naidu said they would provide all infrastructure like science bloc, women’s hostel, and software technology park. “But my only concern is that the government has to release Rs. 20 crore that we have spent and Rs. 10 crore it has given to all new universities,” he added.

Fetching water an uphill task for them

Fetching water an uphill task for them

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

Tribal women have to trek 2 km under hot sun to fetch one or two pots of water from Godavari

No respite:Women trek from their village Koeterikommu in Vara Ramachandrapuram mandal of East Godavari district to get potable water from river Godavari. —PHOTO: S. RAMBABU

Tribal women were seen trekking 2 km up and down daily from their hamlets in this interior forest area under the hot sun to fetch one or two pots of water from river Godavari.

The Rural Water Schemes (RWS), which were dug borewells about two decades ago, became defunct and the AP Eastern Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APEPDCL) and RWS blame each other for the failure of the schemes. Before the bifurcation, Y. Ramavaram, Addateegala, Devipatnam, Maredumilli, Gangavaram, Rajavommangi and Rampachodavaram mandals were there in Rampachodavaram sub-division, and post bifurcation of the State V.R. Puram, Koonavaram, Chinturu and Nellipaka mandals were added and most of the villages are going to be submerged under Polavaram project.

Out of 183 village Panchayats, 3.46 lakh tribal people are living in 977 habitations, mostly the primitive tribal groups Konda Reddy, Koya, Valmiki, Konda Kummari and Konda Kapu.

The Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) is taking care of all the panchayats under which RWS and Tribal Welfare Departments are running 417 protected drinking water schemes.

Both the departments claim they have dug 6,343 hand pumps in all the habitations. “For every pump it takes at least 250 to 400 feet in the Agency (forest) area. Only problem is that there is no power connection to villages for two to three decades in the past,” recalled Venugopala Rao, former engineer. Sathya Sai Baba water schemes, which were boon to many of the villages in Maredumilli and Y. Ramavaram mandals, were becoming defunct after they were handed over to respective village panchayats and local RWS authorities for maintenance.

The trio who kept the university’s head high

The trio who kept the university’s head high:

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

A decade ago, there were no buildings, no hostel facilities, with limited teaching and non-teaching staff. The combined Andhra Pradesh government hurriedly established Adikavi Nannaya University on April 22, 2006 here.

• Many students from East and West Godavari districts and equal number from north Andhra districts joined the university in the first year as there was only one option left for them, that is Andhra University in Visakhapatnam.
  Two students from Vizianagaram and one from Polavaram in West Godavari became classmates in the university, and roommates as paying guest outside. Their family background i.e., poverty, backwardness in their districts, social stigma strengthened their bond.
  Borgam Satish, G.S. Chinnam Naidu and Allu Seetham Naidu, who encountered many teething troubles in the university in its first year, came to university campus on Thursday and shared their experiences.
  “We are first shocked to see the structures that have come up here, which was our dream. We never thought one day our university will also will have such buildings.”
  This was the reaction of Mr. Seetham Naidu, who came to Visakhapatnam from Mumbai as a Hindustan Petroleum Company Limited employee. His father, Krishnam Naidu, is a daily wage labourer and mother Polamma supports the family.
  “After completion of our M.Sc., when we went for an interview, they used to ask us where this university is, and whether it was recognised by the government or not?” said Mr. Seetham Naidu.
  The trio said the former Registrar and senior Professor from Andhra University A. Nageswara Rao laid the foundation for their careers in Nannaya University, and later Prof. Jagan Mohan Reddy advised them to go for research.
  “I topped in M.Sc., Chemistry in this university and wrote GATE exam and cleared CSIR JRF and NET in chemical sciences in Chennai. Then Prof. Reddy advised me to join in IIT Chennai to take up research. After three-and-half years, I discontinued research due to personal problems,” said Mr. Chinnam Naidu, whose parents are struggling to survive as NREGS labour near Vizianagaram.
  Mr. Satish, who came from a Tribal community, stood first in his entire academic career before joining Nannaya University. He got distinction along with two other friends and wrote all the competitive exams.
  “The entire first batch of university came with many hopes to the university and we struggled for each and every thing during our two years’ study. Most of our batchmates have settled in some or other position which they deserve,” said Mr. Satish, who is lecturer in Addattegala Junior College. After his demise of his father at an early age, he took the burden of his big family and did part-time jobs and settled his family.

Psychiatrist gets 24th degree

Psychiatrist gets 24th degree

• SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
• 
  Psychiatrist Karri Rama Reddy on Saturday got his 24th bachelor’s degree and added another feather in his cap.

  This is in Corporate and Securities Law and he did four L.L.M.s .

  “This is my fifth degree in law course. I completed 24 and want to continue till I am physically fit and able to read and write,” the psychiatrist told media persons on Saturday..

  Addressing media persons, G.S. Krishna Memorial Law College director Srinivas said Dr. Reddy had mastered the subjects despite huge rush of patients in his hospital.

  He said this showed the determination of Dr. Rama Reddy Former Bharath Vikasa Parishat president P.V.S. Krishna Rao, social worker Phani Nageswara Rao and others were present.

On edge, rushing to cast their vote

On edge, rushing to cast their vote

• B.V.S. BHASKAR

These people feel they won’t be shunted out of India if they exercise their franchise

Sobahan Ali and Diwan Jubbar Ali have taken a short break during their one-month training programme which they are imparting to tribal youths in the thick forests of Maredumilli in the Rampachodavaram Agency area in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh from April 1. The duo was seen at the Rajamahendravaram railway station on Saturday to board the Guwahati Express to exercise their franchise in the second phase of polling in Assam scheduled for April 11.

The two, along with their head, Prabhat Saikia, have been training in making cane and bamboo articles at the Maredumilli Youth Training Centre for the last eight days, attended by 50 men and women. “We came here on the invitation of programme coordinator of an NGO and told her that we have to take break to exercise our voting right. If we are not going to exercise our franchise, we will lose our voting rights and then will be sent across the border, which is only about 3 km from our village,” said Mr. Jubbar Ali.

The two are from Sarthebari Tehsil of Barpeta district in Assam, which is about 3 km from the Bangladesh border.

“The BJP’s election slogan to push Bangladeshis living on Indian soil out has become a taboo for those living on the border villages of Sarthebari, Kayachuchi, Barakapala and Bayaskuchi,” said Mr. Jubbar Ali. The livelihood of people living in Sarthebari Tehsil, according to Mr. Sobahan Ali, is making historic Assamese bell metal artistic designs, bamboo and cane articles and exporting them to the international market.

“Most of the Assam youths are fed up with the Tarun Gogoi government. At the same time we are so cautious about Narendra Modi’s promises and implementation of the same in the last two years in other States,” said Mr. Jubbar.

They say money and muscle power in the Assam election is comparatively less than any other State, but border issues and insecurity feeling are more. About their return, the duo said that: “Though it is not our pre-condition, the organisers allowed us to take a break for five days. We will be back on April 14.”

Assam craftsmen honing skills of tribal people

• B.V.S. BHASKAR
• 
  

• A six-member team reaches Maredumilli to take part in one-month programme

  

  Grooming:All Assam Artisans Association general secretary Prabath Saikia training tribal women at Maredumilli on Tuesday.—Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar
  A half-a-dozen master craftsmen, after travelling about 2,500 kms from Mariani junction near Dibrughar of Assam to Maredumilli forest in East Godavari district, imparting training to semi-skilled Adivasis.

  Prabhath Saikia, general secretary of All Assam Artisans Association and head of the six-member group, came to Maredumilli to participate in one-month long training programme at the Youth Training Centre here organised by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) and the AP Skill Development Centre in association with an NGO.

  Assam and Rampachodavaram Agency having many similarities as the making of bamboo and cane items is the main livelihood in both the areas.

  But tribal people who are living in Maredumilli, Y. Ramavaram, Addateegala and Rajavommangi are not coming out of the good old practices in making different kinds of handicrafts.

  According to Baburao and Eswararao of Kotha Colony of Maredumilli, the young generation wants to know the new artistic models which will be sold in national and international exhibitions and also the new techniques. They said that they had requested ITDA Project Officer K.V.N. Chakradharababu to bring some expert trainers and impart training and accordingly he brought master craftsmen from Assam.

  Mr. Prabhath Saikia participated in hundreds of exhibitions at national-level along with his artisans group, Abhinobh Sanskritic Gusthi, involving Chankikya Dutta, Priyanka Barali, Amitabh Barua (Brahmaputra Boyz) and individually in more than 10 international bamboo and cane international exhibitions .

  Speaking to The Hindu , he said that the tribal people in Maredumilli were only making traditional swings, bamboo cots, diwan sets and other decorative sets. When he spoke with them with the help of a translator Sk. Basha, they told him that the other items have no market, which is not true.

  “If we make the item very attractive, people will love to see it and purchase them, even if they are costly. But, bamboo and cane articles are like this…they can be bought from Rs.50 to Rs.50,000,” Mr. Saikia said.

  He added that his team was training them in making women jewellery with bamboo and can, mobile covers, hangers, see grass baskets, egg stands, different varieties of chandeliers, pendants, fixers, walls and so on within 20 days to one month.

  Uttam Roy, expert in cane and, Jabbar Ali and Azahar Ali, experts in both bamboo and cane, have said that the tools which the locals were using have to be changed and added the support from the ITDA and the APSSDC is good compared to Assam.

‘Lava-Kusa’ bemoan fall in values

‘Lava-Kusa’ bemoan fall in values

• B.V.S. BHASKAR
• 

  Lava-Kusa actors Nagaraju and Subrahmanyam.— PHOTO: S. RAMBABU
  : “Actors in Telugu movies in good old days had ethics and values and were known for discipline and punctuality, but nowadays artistes with such qualities are almost nonexistent, ” said two important characters in C. Pullaiah’s legendary movie ‘Lava-Kusa.’

  Anaparthi Nagaraju played the role of ‘Lava,’ elder son of Lord Rama and Viyyuri Subrahmanyam of ‘Kusa,’ the younger one. They were felicitated by the C.P. Brown Mandir team here when they came to attend a programme on Sunday.

  Mr. Nagaraju and Mr. Subrahmanyam said it took five long years to produce “Lava-Kusa” and the legendary artistes N.T. Rama Rao and Anajali Devi, who played the lead characters, were committed to the core. The duo said their friendship is still continuing. The production of the movie started in 1958 and it hit the screens in 1963.

  The duo recalled that during the shooting of the film, when Rama had to hug his sons, Pullaiah got two small tables for them and asked NTR to hug them. “This shows how much the director respected the lead character and also the state of technology,” Mr. Nagaraju said.

  Mr. Subrahmanyam and Mr. Nagaraju said technology has improved tremendously, but producers and directors are not selecting the right people, adding that hero worship has gone out of proportion.

Set to achieve pinnacle of glory

Set to achieve pinnacle of glory

• B.V.S. BHASKAR
• 

  Bhadraiah with ITDA project officer K.V.N. Chakradhara Babu releasing the logo of A.P. -Photo: S. RAMBABU
  Doodi Bhadraiah will perhaps be the first person from a poor tribal community in the country to climb Mount Everest, if all goes well. Mr. Bhadraiah is from the Koya community of Kothapalli village in Chinturu mandal that was recently merged into the East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh from Khammam in Telangana.

  Mr. Bhadraiah, along with Konda Sahadev, a taekwondo coach, will start from Hyderabad on April 7. The expedition is scheduled to conclude on May 23.

  The road to becoming part of a two-member team was not easy for Mr. Bhadraiah.

  Last year, he visited the rock-climbing school at Bhuvanagiri in the Nalgonda district of Telangana, and met eight-times Arjuna Award winner and coach B. Sekhar Babu.

  The latter responded favourably to his plea to admit him in a 23-member team. After a training session at Bhuvanagiri fort, Mr. Bhadraiah emerged as one of the two persons selected to climb the Everest. After completing an industrial training programme from Kothagudem College, he worked for the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation plant near Mothugudem on contract basis. “My parents are farm labour. Our habitations, except for a few colonies, will soon submerge in the Polavaram project” he said.

  On February 21, Mr. Bhadraiah lost all his academic certificates in a fire accident.

  K.V.N. Chakradhara Babu, ITDA (Integrated Tribal Development Agency) Project Officer, helped Mr. Bhadraiah get his passport and the financial support for the expedition .