Saturday, May 31, 2014
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Visual way to combating social evils - The Hindu
Visual way to combating social evils - The Hindu
Visual way to combating social evils
B.V.S. BHASKAR
A. Ramadevi, Officer on Special Duty, Rajahmundry.– Photo: B.V.S. Bhaskar
Visual storytelling is an ancient art. Visuals help us tell stories with impact. A. Rama Devi, Officer on Special Duty, Law and Order and Traffic (Additional SP rank), Rajahmundry, chose this powerful medium to educate and enlighten the unlettered masses on social evils.
A native of the Andhra region, the women police officer has gained prominence in Warangal district for her prudent approach to issues.
When she was posted as Sub-Divisional Police Officer at Mahabubabad in Warangal district towards the end of 2011, she decided to take up issues related to the welfare of women in Lambada thandas (hamlets).
“There were a total of 696 Lambada thandas under the purview of 10 police stations which were under my jurisdiction. Almost 98 per cent of them were unlettered and so, the level of awareness about key issues was very low,” she recalls.
To drive home her point effectively, she used the visual media as a tool and made a short film,Chaitanyam, which portrays a fierce fight against brewing of gudumba (illicit liquor).
Several youngsters joined hands to promote the short film.
Chaitanyam also brings to the fore other existing practices like chewing of tobacco and child labour.
“I wrote the script and directed the film and gave it a voice. For camera, editing and acting, I used local talent,” she says. The first CD of the film was released by then SP Rajesh Kumar Singh. When ‘Nirbhaya Act’ came into force following the Delhi rape incident, Ms. Ramadevi came up with yet another short film to enlighten the public on the clauses of the Act, explaining in detail each Section of the IPC relating to rape, attempt to rape and molestation. Her work was widely appreciated.
“My 10-year stint as Mandal Parishad Development Officer (MPDO) has helped me understand issues quickly and respond to them immediately,” she says.
Ms. Ramadevei passed Group-2 exams in 1996 and was appointed MPDO. She won the best MPDO award continuously for 10 years. A native of Srikakulam, she is also a postgraduate.
Friday, May 9, 2014
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Brooms attract grooms - The Hindu
Brooms attract grooms - The Hindu
Brooms attract grooms
B.V.S. BHASKAR
Broomsticks being made by Chintapalli Arjunudu and his family members in Palla Kadiyam village. —Photo: S. Rambabu
There is a relation between brooms and grooms in this tiny village which is 25 km from Rajahmundry city in East Godavari district. Brides here are in great demand, so much so that grooms are willing even to pay kanyasulkam (a practice where the groom pays dowry to the bride) to get a bride from Palla Kadiyam village.
It is a semi-rich village in Rajanagaram mandal which became famous for making broomsticks, an activity that turned into a cottage industry, providing livelihood to over 1,000 families.
Parents in the village don’t worry about their daughters’ marriage. “Girls after attaining marriageable age have wannabe grooms queuing up because it takes care of their employment, making brooms here,” says Chintapalli Arjunudu.
According to Ch. Sahadevudu, the raw material to make broomsticks comes in gunny bags from Assam and Maredumilli in Rampachodavaram Agency area in the district. “A 50-kg-bag of dry grass used in the broom costs Rs. 2,000. After wastage, we get only 40 kg,” he says, explaining that soft grass is cleaned up before it is assembled into a broom.
A handle is made for a comfortable grip and buyers have a wide range of varieties to choose from.
Most villagers secure additional raw material like plastic pipes, coconut sticks and wire from cities such as Vijayawada.
Every household generates between 250 and 400 brooms every day which is then weighed, says Arjunudu. “Each bag of grass is used to make 150 to 200 brooms of four different varieties and the price ranges from Rs. 30 to Rs. 60.” Citing financial constraints, Mr. Arjunudu says banks should come forward to give loans and the government must look into the issue.
Friday, April 25, 2014
Breakthrough in cancer treatment - The Hindu
Breakthrough in cancer treatment - The Hindu
Breakthrough in cancer treatment
BVS BHASKAR
Young engineer develops tablets for effective treatment of cancer
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
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
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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.
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