Telugus dominate IIT-JEE 2007

ఐఐటీలో తెలుగు వెలుగులు
ఎంట్రన్స్‌లో వేలాదిగా ర్యాంకులు

ఐఐటీ-జేఈఈ ఫలితాల్లో రాష్ట్ర విద్యార్థులు తిరుగులేని ఆధిపత్యాన్ని ప్రదర్శించారు. గత కొన్నేళ్లుగా అధికశాతం సీట్లతో విజయబావుటా ఎగరేస్తున్న ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్‌ విద్యార్థులు ఈసారి మరింతగా మంచి ఫలితాలు సాధించారు. రాష్ట్రంలోని పలు కార్పొరేట్‌ విద్యాసంస్థలు సహా ఐఐటీ కోచింగు కేంద్రాలు.. వందల సంఖ్యలో తమ విద్యార్థులు ఐఐటీ ర్యాంకులు సంపాదించినట్లుగా ప్రకటించాయి. ఇవన్నీ పరిశీలిస్తే గత ఏడాదికన్నా ఈసారి సీట్లు సాధించగల ర్యాంకులు కనీసం రెండు రెట్లు అధికంగా వచ్చాయి. దాదాపు 2 వేల ర్యాంకులు వచ్చినట్టు అంచనా. నిజానికి గతంతో పోలిస్తే తాజా ర్యాంకుల సంఖ్య బాగా పెరగడానికి కొన్ని ముఖ్య కారణాలను విద్యావేత్తలు పేర్కొంటున్నారు. వాటిలో ప్రధానమైనది.. విశ్లేషణాత్మక ప్రశ్నలు గాకుండా రెండేళ్లుగా ఐఐటీ ప్రవేశపరీక్షలో ఆబ్జెక్టివ్‌ ప్రశ్నలు ఇస్తుండటం. విశ్లేషణాత్మక జవాబులు రాసే దిశలో ఇన్నాళ్లూ కోచింగు ఇచ్చే విద్యాసంస్థలు.. మారిన ప్రశ్నల సరళికి అనుగుణంగా వాటి శిక్షణ విధానాన్ని ఈసారి గణనీయంగా మార్చేసుకున్నాయి. గతంలో శిక్షణ విధానం మార్చుకోవడంలో ఒకింత తడబడిన విద్యాసంస్థలూ ఈసారి గాడిన పడ్డాయి. పైగా రకరకాల ప్రవేశపరీక్షల్లో ఆబ్జెక్టివ్‌ ప్రశ్నలకు జవాబులు రాయటానికి అలవాటుపడిన మన విద్యార్థులు... ఈ మారిన ప్రశ్నల సరళిని అద్భుతంగా వినియోగించుకున్నారు. అలాగే ఈసారి సీట్ల సంఖ్య పెరిగి, ఆ మేరకు మన ర్యాంకుల వాటా కూడా పెరిగింది. ఈ సంవత్సరం రాష్ట్రానికి చెందిన 25 వేల మంది దాకా పరీక్ష రాసినట్లు అంచనా. దేశంలోని ఏడు ఐఐటీలకు తోడు బెనారస్‌లో ఐటీబీహెచ్‌యూ, ధన్‌బాద్‌లోని ఐఎస్‌ఎంలో ప్రవేశాలకూ ఈ ర్యాంకులే పరిగణనలోకి తీసుకుంటున్నారు. వీటన్నింటిల్లో 5,444 సీట్లున్నాయి. ఇవేగాకుండా ప్రస్తుత విద్యాసంవత్సరం నుంచే అయిదేళ్ల ఇంటిగ్రేటెడ్‌ ఎంఎస్సీ పేరిట లెక్కలు, భౌతికశాస్త్రం, రసాయన శాస్త్రాల్లో ప్రత్యేక కోర్సులను ప్రారంభించనున్నారు. వీటికై పుణె, కోల్‌కతా కేంద్రాల్లో ఇండియన్‌ ఇన్‌స్టిట్యూట్‌ ఆఫ్‌ సైన్స్‌ ఎడ్యుకేషన్‌ అండ్‌ రీసెర్చి (ఐఐఎస్‌ఈఆర్‌), ఇండియన్‌ ఇన్‌స్టిట్యూట్‌ ఆఫ్‌ సైన్స్‌ అండ్‌ టెక్నాలజీ (ఐఐఎస్‌టీ) ఏర్పాటు చేస్తున్నారు. వీటిల్లో సీట్లు సుమారు 400 దాకా ఉంటాయి. వీటిల్లో ప్రవేశాలకూ ఐఐటీ ర్యాంకులే ప్రాతిపదిక. అదనపు మెరిట్‌ జాబితా (ఈఎంఎల్‌) పేరిట ఈసారి రెగ్యులర్‌ ఐఐటీ ర్యాంకులకు అదనంగా వందలాది మందిని ఎంపిక చేశారు. కటాఫ్‌ మార్కులకు 0.5 శాతం తక్కువ మార్కులు వచ్చిన వారిని ప్రిపరేటరీ అర్హులుగా ప్రకటించారు. వీరికి ప్రత్యేక శిక్షణ ఇచ్చి, మరుసటి సంవత్సరం మళ్లీ ఐఐటీ ప్రవేశ పరీక్ష రాయిస్తారు. అందులో మంచి ర్యాంకులు వస్తే సీట్లు దొరుకుతాయి. ప్రత్యేక శిక్షణవల్ల వీరి అవకాశాలు మెరుగవుతాయని భావిస్తున్నారు. ఇలా ఈసారి ఐఐటీ అర్హుల సంఖ్య రాష్ట్రంలో బాగా పెరిగిపోయింది. ఈసారి ప్రశ్నపత్రం సులభంగా రావడం కూడా మన ర్యాంకుల పెరుగుదలకు మరో ప్రధాన కారణంగా చెబుతున్నారు. రాష్ట్రంలో ర్యాంకులు పెరగడం మంచిదే అయినా... ఈసారి ప్రశ్నపత్రం ఐఐటీ స్థాయికి తగినట్లు లేనేలేదనీ, ఇదిలా కొనసాగడమూ మంచిది కాదనీ వివిధ విద్యాసంస్థల్లోని అధ్యాపకులు ఆందోళన వ్యక్తం చేస్తున్నారు. దీనివల్ల ప్రతిభ గలవారు, లేనివారూ ఒకే గాటన చేరుతున్నారని, ప్రతిభ నిరూపణ జరగడంలేదని వారి విశ్లేషణ. రెగ్యులర్‌ ఐఐటీ ర్యాంకులు, ఈఎంఎల్‌ ర్యాంకులు కలిసి రాష్ట్రంలో కనీసం 2000 ర్యాంకులు వచ్చినట్లుగా అంచనా. దీంతో దేశంలోని అన్ని ఐఐటీ క్యాంపసులలోనూ మనవాళ్ల ఆధిపత్యం కొనసాగుతుందనడంలో సందేహం లేదు.

బాలురదే హవా ముంబయి: ఐఐటీ-జేఈఈలో బాలుర హవా కొనసాగింది. దేశవ్యాప్తంగా 2,43,029 మంది ఈ పరీక్షకు పోటీపడ్డారు. ఇందులో 7209 మంది అర్హత సాధించారు. ఈ దఫా 54,025 మంది విద్యార్థినులు పరీక్ష రాయగా, 587 మందే అర్హత సాధించారు. పంజాబ్‌కు చెందిన అక్సిన్‌ బన్సాల్‌ దేశంలోనే టాపర్‌గా నిలిచారు. బాలికల విభాగంలో ముంబయికి చెందిన అంకిత శర్మ (55వ ర్యాంకు) ప్రథమ స్థానంలో నిలిచారు. కాగా ప్రస్తుత విద్యా సంవత్సరంలో ఓబీసీ రిజర్వేషన్లను అమలుచేయడం లేదని జేఈఈ ఛైర్మన్‌ ప్రొఫెసర్‌ పండాలాయ్‌ చెప్పారు.

జిప్‌మర్‌ ఫలితాలూ విడుదల: బుధవారం జిప్‌మర్‌ ఫలితాలూ విడుదలయ్యాయి. ఈ జాతీయ స్థాయి ప్రవేశపరీక్షలో ఒకటి, పది ర్యాంకుల్ని శ్రీ చైతన్య గ్రూపు విద్యార్థులు సాధించారు.

Courtesy: ఈనాడు

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Over 600 students from State may get admission into various IITs

BRILLIANT BRAINS: Ankit (left) and Santosh Kumar in a jubilant mood in Hyderabad on Wednesday. — Photo: G. Krishnaswamy

HYDERABAD: Students from the State have reaped a rich harvest in the Indian Institutes of Technology - Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) this year and more than 600 students are likely to get admission into various IITs.

The top ranker from the State this year is Santosh Kumar who secured all India 15th rank and he belongs to Narayana IIT Academy at Habsiguda. The second best rank from the State is Varun Tripuraneni, a student of Ramaiah coaching institute. Varun secured 18th rank.

Mr. Ramaiah's institute continued its good performance with 115 students out of the 135 getting ranks and these include 12 ranks below 100. Satish Kumar got 7th rank in the SC category. Mr. Ramaiah said 80 out of the 115 are from areas other than Hyderabad indicating the growing awareness of IIT education in the State.

Corporate colleges also contributed heavily to the success story. Narayana Group of institutions claimed that 1,149 students from its institutions would get into IITs this year of which 623 are from the State alone. About 180 students from the reserves category were also successful. Similarly, Sri Chaitanya Institutions claimed that 344 students from its institutions in the State would get into IITs. Another 259 qualified for other institutes like IIST and AISR.

Both the institutes claimed the all India 6th ranker Ankit as `their' student. However, Ankit later at a press conference, clarified that he had registered for Test Series of Sri Chaitanya but also pursued Intensive Condensed Classroom programme of Narayana institution.

The FIITJEE centre in Hyderabad said 91 of its classroom programme students got a place in the merit list. Similarly, Delta Education Academy said 41 students out of the 90 who appeared got seat-securing ranks from its institute. Other institutes like Krishna Murthy IIT Academy and PAGE claimed a lot of their students also secured good ranks.

State topper Santosh Kumar prefers to join Computer Science at IIT Kanpur. He scored 962 marks in Intermediate and 41st rank in EAMCET.

Courtesy: The Hindu

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Maa TV to launch three Telugu channels

MUMBAI: Hyderabad-based Maa TV Network is planning to launch three Telugu language channels over the next one year. This would include a devotional, a music and movies and a news channel.

The company, which owns and operates Telugu general entertainment channel Maa TV, has applied to the ministry for uplinking license for these three channels.

"We will be launching these three channels within a year's time. We have applied for uplinking license," Maa TV Network CEO Sharradh Marar tells Indiantelevision.com.

The devotional channel is likely to be called Maa Bhakti and will come up first. "We already have 600 hours of devotional programming. Our two devotional shows on the general entertainment channel are very popular," says Marar.

The plan is to tie up with temple establishments across Andhra Pradesh and also to come up with interactive shows. Maa TV already airs live programming from Tirupati temple on special occasions.

Maa Music will be launched next, followed by Maa News. "We run five news bulletins every day on Maa TV. The incremental staff requirement for the news channel will not be huge," says Marar.

Late last year, the company restructured its shareholding with Chiranjeev, Nagarjuna and Matrix Laboratories Ltd (a listed company) promoter N Prasad acquiring 60 per cent stake for Rs 400 million. The three of them hold 20 per cent stake each in the company.

Courtesy: IndianTelevision.com

NTR Memorial Award for Veturi, Tanikella Bharani

Hyderabad, May 28: The Tarakarama Cultural Association will present NTR Memorial Award to renowned film lyricist Veturi Sundararama Murthy and Tanikella Bharani here on Monday.

Avula Manjulata, Vice-chancellor, Potti Sriramulu Telugu University, where the function is to be held, will preside. A musical nite of select

NTR songs by Mitra Group will be organised to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of NTR, Telugu film thespian and former Chief Minister.

Nandamuri Jayakrishna and N. Ramakrishna, sons of NTR, will attend his birth anniversary celebrations.

`Ganabhishekam'

Kinnera Art Theatres and Sri Tyagaraya Gana Sabha are jointly holding a `ganabhishekam' of 84 songs. Ravu Balasaraswati, reputed singer of yesteryear, will be the chief guest at the function to be organised at the sabha. Dr. NTR-Kinnera Puraskar will be presented to well-known Telugu film producer and actor A. Pundarikakshayya on May 29.

Courtesy: Siasat

Chennai: All-India Telugu conference from June 1

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy expected to inaugurate event

CHENNAI : The 5th All India Telugu Conference will be held in at Kamarajar Arangam in Chennai for three days from June 1.

Hosted jointly by the International Telugu Centre of Potti Sreeramulu Telugu University, Hyderabad, and the All India Telugu Federation, the meet will discuss propagation of Telugu language and culture.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is expected to inaugurate the conference organised under the aegis of the Andhra Pradesh Department of Culture.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, the organising chairman of the conference C.M.K. Reddy said it would discuss several issues such as the relationship between Telugu and other languages such as Marathi, Tamil and Oriya and the contribution of Telugus to the national integration movement.

Representatives of the Telugu community in other states, including Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra, would speak about the culture and status of Telugu in their regions, Mr. Reddy said.

The problems of Telugus, especially those related to education and culture, voiced in the conference would be represented to the Andhra Pradesh government, he added.

Cultural programmes such as Kuchipudi dance, folk and tribal art and literary drama would be organised, Mr. Reddy said.

The members of the federation plan to submit a memorandum asking for a cultural centre to promote Telugu fine arts in Chennai and setting up of a Telugu academy during the conference.

Some of the problems faced in Tamil Nadu, especially in the field of education, including poor quality of Telugu textbooks and shortage of Telugu teachers in government schools, would also be discussed at the meeting.

Several union ministers, including E.V.K.S. Elangovan and Subbirami Reddy and Andhra Pradesh state ministers, including Law Minister R. Chenga Reddy, are expected to participate.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Chennai meet to focus on Telugu pride

Hyderabad, May 24: About 4,000 delegates from all over India and neighbouring Mauritius are expected to attend the all-India Telugu meet in Chennai from June 1 to 3 to focus on the problems of Telugus living outside Andhra Pradesh.

Authorities of Potti Sriramulu Telugu University are faced with complaints from neighbouring States like Orissa, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra on the lack of textbooks and adequate Telugu teaching staff.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Avula Manjulatha, Vice-Chancellor of the university, said the conference would have academic sessions on language, history and culture after the delegates' session on June 2.

She said there were not many problems with translations of school syllabi into Telugu in Maharashtra and Karnataka. But Telugus in Orissa were facing difficulties.

Blow to Telugus

The 1984 agreement between Andhra Pradesh and Orissa Governments to constitute House committees to deal with the language problems had not taken off, she said.

The recent order of the Tamil Nadu Government making Tamil compulsory for all students while relegating Telugu to third language had come as a blow to Telugus.

The meeting in Chennai would be used to explore solutions to these problems, she said, apart from discussing the status of Telugu in the backdrop of globalisation.Folk art forms of Telugus and `Astavadhanam' would be staged. Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy will inaugurate the meeting on June 1.

Courtesy: Siasat

Big Apple's date with Tollywood

A US college's plans to send its students on a Tollywood tour, indicates that India's second-largest film industry is gaining global popularity.

Here's another feather in Tollywood's cap. The Lakeland Community College in Ohio, US, is planning to send its students to India, on a study tour to learn about Bollywood and Tollywood.

The two industries are among the largest producers of films in the world. Bollywood releases about 800 films, every year, and Tollywood produces about more than 200 films, annually. On a 13-day excursion, the students will visit Mumbai, Pune and Hyderabad, in January, 2008.

A university in Ohio has planned the study plan. Activities during the tour include daily film viewing, location visits, lectures by industry workers and experts. The college will charge $2,500 per student for the trip. Just as the students, Tollywood is quite excited about hosting the tour.

"It shows that Tollywood is gaining international recognition," says producer Ashwini Dutt. Industry big wigs feel that it will be a good exposure for students and the film fraternity.

"There will be healthy exchange of ideas. While the students will get to know about the ways of the Telugu film industry, we can get an understanding of how they perceive our films.

Interactions with technicians and artists will give them an insight into our style of filmmaking," observes noted producer Shyam Prasad Reddy.

Director Shekar Kamula adds, "In terms of numbers, we are the second largest industry in the country, after Bollywood. It makes sense for the students to critically compare Telugu cinema with Western films."

Courtesy: TOI

Malaysia: Association wants Telugu reinstated as exam paper

BUTTERWORTH: The Telegu Association of Malaysia is appealing to the Government to reinstate Telegu language as a paper in public examinations in secondary schools.

Its president, Dr Achaiah Kumar Rao, said the paper was dropped from the former Sijil Rendah Pelajaran examination (now replaced by Penilian Menengah Rendah) in 1993 because few students were sitting for it.

“But now, we have at least 800 students who attend Telugu classes in 40 government and Tamil schools nationwide," he said.

Courtesy: thstar.com.my

AP to have 10 Telugu News channels by year end

The latest news is that, news is big in Andhra Pradesh. The state has a record of seven news channels presently - 'TV9', 'Teja News', 'Vissa News', 'Maa TV News', 'ETV 2', 'NTV' and 'TV5'; which are wooing viewers with sensationalism and breaking news. And all this means that the IT state is known for something else – for having the largest number of dedicated news channels in the country, apart from having the largest cable TV penetration.

'NTV' and 'TV5', were launched recently and are promoted by Narendranath Chowdhary and B. R. Naidu, respectively. Chowdhary has invested about Rs 20 crore and has roped in S. R. Ramanujan, the man behind ETV's successive launch of 11 entertainment channels. On the other hand, Naidu has hired I. Satyanarayana, from Vissa Television.

And the news is not over. Three more Telugu news channels would be launched by the end of this year. The first being 'VTV', funded by a group of NRI's, is already being beamed in the US and will be launched by August this year. While, 'Hyderabad TV', promoted by politician Malepalli Lakshmaiah and 'Telangana TV', promoted by political group TRS are in formative days.

But in a state where Chiranjeevi's gyrations and NTR's histrionics make more news, how justified is this state of affairs? Says Shyam of Teja News, "People are hardly interested in news unless there's a controversy or a coup, they say they prefer to watch Chiranjeevi and Balakrishna. Our brief is to get scoops and make news peppy."

Ravi Prakash, CEO, TV9 agrees. "We have already reached a peak with two channels. When we started the channel, targeted at women and youngsters, it was in response to the fact that people were saturated with just soap operas and needed a change. But AP people are more focused on entertainment."

A report by Starcom Mediavest Group suggests that cable TV advertising in the last fiscal got ten per cent of ad revenues. And the ad potential is growing. Also, with new digital technologies, operational costs of running a news channel have considerably reduced. Channels are also banking on the vast Telugu NRI population across the globe.

As a channel spokesperson of 'VTV' says, "Here, if anything does well, people want to climb on to that bandwagon. For NRI's this is like a power trip."

Manchu Takeshi, an NRI from Los Angeles, explains, "I get one channel right now, but you have to install a separate dish for every channel and it's an expensive affair. I feel a couple of channels are good enough, how different can five to six channels be from one another?"

Courtesy: TelevisionPoint.com

Confessions of a film-maker: నా Video Diary

Anish Kuruvilla, who played the hero’s brother in Sekhar Kammula’s Telugu film 'Anand', has made a 90-minute film, 'Confessions of a Film-maker: Naa Video Diary’.

The film is all about a guy who loses faith in the system and culture prevailing in the Telugu film industry after failing to direct a film in the last minute despite being in the industry for 10 years.

Courtesy: ChennaiOnline

Dampuri Narasaiah : A forgotten name in the history of journalism

K. Mrityunjaya Ram

Dampuri Narasaiah was the first Telugu to edit an English journal

NELLORE: When one goes through many books, which have dealt with the history of Indian and in particular, Madras journalism, one will come across quite a few names of prominent yesteryear journalists. Surprisingly there is no mention of Dampuri Narasaiah or his journals in those books.

Narasaiah, who hailed from Nellore was the first Telugu man to edit an English journal. Moreover, he published `The Native Advocate', an English weekly, while he was working as an assistant teacher at Patchyappa's High School in Madras.

And the pioneering journalist inspired by several social reformers as well as the Brahmo Samaj Movement, published `The Nellore Pioneer', a newspaper from Nellore in 1871, which was one of the first newspapers in the District of Madras Presidency, claimed Dr. Kalidas Purushottam, a retired Principal of Sarvodaya College. Mr. Purushottam wrote a book on Narasaiah's contribution to Indian journalism - `English Journalism Lo Tholi Telugu Velugu - Dampuri Narasaiah'.

Publisher

The Asylum Press Almanac, Madras in fact, stated that he was the publisher of an English weekly __ The People's Friend __ from Madras continuously from 1881 to 1897. Narasaiah, who was very passionate about journalism, left the Government job and began publishing the weekly.

And he was the first journalist to review eminent Telugu poet Gurujada Apparao's కన్యశుల్కం (Kanyasulkam) play in `The People's Friend'. In turn, Gurajada praised Narasaiah's erudite scholarship in English, "perhaps, he was the first journalist to have sensed that `Kanyasulkam' was a path-breaking dram in Telugu literature," Mr. Purushottam told The Hindu on Thursday.

Narasaiah published a book `Letters on Hindu marriages' in 1867. Madras dailies of 1883 speak of Narasaiah as one of the `six reformers of Madras'. Narasaiah's ఆంధ్ర భాష గ్రామ వార్తామణి (Andhra Bhasha Grama Varthamani) from Nellore was the first Telugu weekly dedicated to the welfare of rural poor and the underprivileged.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Andhra candidate tops Civil Services Exam

ముత్యాలరాజు రేవు (Mutyalaraju Revu) from Andhra Pradesh has topped the 2006 Civil Services Examination.

"In 1998 my sister met with an accident. She urgently needed medical attention. But the nearest hospital was three hours away and we had no transport. She died in front of our eyes as we watched helplessly. Subsequently, during the 2000 summer vacation, two of my friends were coming to meet me in the village. The boat they were traveling in capsized in the Godavari river and the duo died." said Mutyala Raju Revu, this year's IAS topper.

These traumatic events shaped the mind of the young boy then to become district collector and do something to improve the conditions in his landlocked island village, చిన్నగొల్లపాలెం (Chinnagollapalem), in Krishna district, that still lives in the medieval times. Since then he doggedly pursued the ambition, culminating in success in his third attempt.

When in college, almost all his friends had one ambition of going to the US for higher studies and get a green card. But he decided to opt out of that route as he wanted to solve the problems of that village.

During his last attempt he was selected for IPS and given the Rajasthan cadre, but his heart yearned for IAS and that too Andhra Pradesh cadre and now he has achieved both. He has also ended the 35 year drought for Andhra Pradesh, by topping the civil services.

"I am very close to achieving my dream," an effusive Raju told HT soon after the results came in.

Raju, who is the first member of the fishermen community in Andhra Pradesh to get into IAS, had to work amidst heavy odds to reach the goal. His village has only one school and both boys and girls drop out after high school as the nearest college was two to three hours away out of which one hour is spent in crossing the turbulent river.

So soon after school he shifted to a nearby town, with the urging and financial help of his two paternal uncles. He topped the entrance test for polytechnic in the state and studied electrical and electronics course from SMVM Polytechnic, Tanuku.

Then he went on do BTech from the National Institute of Technology, Warangal and subsequently ME from IISc Bangalore. He also appeared in the Indian Engineering Service and secured the All India first rank and was posted as a railway engineer.

Though traditionally a fishermen, the family is into farming. The family owns one acre of land and cultivates another three acres on lease. Raju's father and two brothers are engaged in rain fed agriculture. He is the only person in the village of 300 households to study beyond intermediate.

Since the news broke out on Monday evening, there is a beeline of people to Raju's house. Fishermen folk from nearby villages as well as political leaders of all hues are descending in the village to share the family's happiness. There were also some with marriage proposals for the most eligible bachelor in the community.

Raju's success has spurred other families to look beyond their fishing/agriculture. "We are thinking of sending our children outside so that they can study and achieve something in life," said one villager, Shankaraiah.

Whether Raju gets posted in his native district and is able to solve the problem of the village is the moot question. Last September the District Collector Naveen Mittal spent a night in this remote village as part of the పల్లె నిద్ర (Palle Nidra) programme. The villagers told him the main problem was communication and they wanted a bridge be built to link the isolated village with the main land.

"After spending one night in the village, I became sick and remained bed-ridden for four days," said one district official who attended the "Palle Nidra" programme.

Courtesy: Hindustan Times

telugu

Telugu film 'Vanaja' picks up 4 more US awards

Set for release in selected cities across America later this summer, the acclaimed Telugu film వనజ (Vanaja) has won four more awards in US as it continues its wildly successful tour of international film festivals.

Directed by రజ్నేష్ దోమలపల్లి (Rajnesh Domalpalli), the coming-of-age drama about a teenage girl in rural South India, has now won a remarkable 13 awards after playing at over 50 film festivals around the world.

Its newest prizes were awarded by the Newport Beach Film Festival, Worldfest-Houston International Film Festival, the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, and the RiverRun International Film Festival in North Carolina.

'Vanaja' has already won numerous other honours including Best Feature Debut at this year's Berlin International Film Festival, Best Feature at the Memphis International Film Festival, Best Actress and Best International Film at the Sacramento International Film Festival, Best Narrative Feature at the IAAC Film Festival, and the Special International Jury Prize at the Cairo International Children's Film Festival.

Set in rural South India, a place where social barriers are built stronger than fort walls, 'Vanaja' explores the chasm that divides classes as a young girl struggles to come of age.

Vanaja (Mamatha Bhukya) is the 14 year-old daughter of a poor, low caste fisherman, struggling with dwindling catches and mounting debt. When a soothsayer predicts that she will be a great dancer one day, she goes to work in the house of the local landlady, Rama Devi (Urmila Dammannagari), in hopes of learning Kuchipudi dance while earning a keep.

She is hired as a farmhand, and her vivacious ways and spunk soon catch the landlady's eye: when she is entrusted with tending the chicken, she's caught, instead, chasing them into a general pandemonium, and lying unabashedly to conceal her pranks.

To keep her out of trouble, Rama Devi promotes her to a kitchen underhand, where she comes up against the old, crusty and extremely loyal Radhamma (Krishnamma Gundimalla) - Rama Devi's cook.

It isn't long before Vanaja gets herself invited to play a game of ashta chamma against Rama Devi. Seeing that losing isn't the mistress's forte, Vanaja deliberately gives up her game - a fact that doesn't go unnoticed - and which eventually secures her the landlady's mentorship - first in music, and then in dance.

Vanaja excels at the art, and seems to be on a steadily ascending path when Shekhar (Karan Singh), Rama Devi's 23-year old son, handsome, muscular and rather insecure, returns from the US to run for local political elections.

Sexual chemistry is ignited between Shekhar and Vanaja (still a minor at 15), as flirtation and innuendo bloom. But, the situation suddenly turns ugly when Vanaja's superior intellect pits her against Shekhar in a public incident, which ultimately humiliates him in front of his mother.

Matters escalate, spiralling downwards and she is pitched into a tale of class, family and animus from which there is only one escape.

Courtesy: Malaysia Sun

Separate cell for Telugus in Singapore

HYDERABAD: The Singapore Government has expressed intentions to create a separate cell for the welfare of Telugu people living in the country.

Meets President

Singapore President N.R. Nathan, who hosted lunch for the delegation from the State headed by Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy setting aside the protocol, conveyed this proposal. Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hosted breakfast for the Chief Minister and his entourage.

Though it has been a tradition to host breakfast or lunch for the heads of other countries, the Singapore President and Prime Minister set the customary protocols aside for the delegation from the State, according to an official release.

Courtesy: The Hindu

హైదరాబాద్‌లో గూగుల్ టెక్నో-క్యాంపస్‌

At it's headquarters in Mountain View, California

హైదరాబాద్‌, మే 11ః ఇంటర్‌నెట్‌ సెర్చ్‌ ఇంజన్‌ ద్వారా ఆన్‌లైన్‌ లావాదేవీల్లో అగ్రశ్రేణి కంపెనీగా నిలిచిన గూగుల్‌ హైదరాబాద్‌లో సరికొత్త డెవలప్‌మెంట్‌ సెంటర్‌ను ఏర్పాటు చేయాలని నిర్ణయించింది. గూగుల్‌ కొత్తగా ఏర్పాటు చేసే కేంద్రానికి కోకాపేట గ్రామంలో 20 ఎకరాల హుడా భూమిని కేటాయించనున్నారు. ఈ మేరకు ఈ నెల 9న అమెరికాలోని శాంతాక్లారాలో అవగాహన ఒప్పందం కుదిరింది. ముఖ్యమంత్రి రాజశేఖరరెడ్డి సమక్షంలో ఐటి శాఖ కార్యదర్శి శైలేంద్రకుమార్‌జోషి, గూగుల్‌ డైరక్టర్‌ (ఆన్‌లైన్‌ సేల్స్‌- ఆపరేషన్స్‌) రాయ్‌గిలబెర్ట్‌లు ఎంవోయుపై సంతకాలు చేశారు.

ఈ కార్యక్రమంలో ఐటి శాఖ మంత్రి ఆర్‌. దామోదర్‌రెడ్డి కూడా పాల్గొన్నారు. ప్రస్తుతం హైదరాబాద్‌లో లీజు భవనంలో కార్యకలాపాలు సాగిస్తున్న గూగుల్‌లో 1088 మంది ఉద్యోగులు ఉన్నారు. ప్రభుత్వం కేటాయించే నూతన స్థలంలో పూర్తిశ్రేణి క్యాంపస్‌ ఏర్పాటు ద్వారా ఉద్యోగుల సంఖ్యను 4000 పెంచాలని కంపెనీ లక్ష్యంగా పెట్టుకుందని ముఖ్యమంత్రి కార్యాలయం ఒక ప్రకటనలో తెలిపింది. భారత్‌లో గూగుల్‌ పెట్టుబడుల కొనసాగింపులో భాగంగానే ఈ కొత్త కేంద్రం అభివృద్ధి చేయాలని నిర్ణయించినట్లు కంపెనీ ఒక ప్రకటనలో తెలిపింది. భారత్‌లో గూగుల్‌ ఉత్పత్తులు, సేవలకు మంచి ఆదరణ లభిస్తున్నదని, కంపెనీ గణనీయమైన వృద్ధి నమోదు చేసిందని గూగుల్‌ ఇండియా డైరెక్టర్‌ రాయ్‌ గిల్బర్ట్‌ పేర్కొన్నారు.

Courtesy: ఆంధ్ర జ్యోతి

*****

Google to set up techno-campus in Hyderabad

Signs a memorandum of understanding with the State Government

HYDERABAD: After software majors like Microsoft and Infosys, Hyderabad will host a new techno-complex of Google Inc., the innovator of search technologies connecting millions of people seeking information.

Google, acclaimed as the world's best search engine with a market capitalisation of over $150 billion, will set up its state-of-the-art techno complex in Hyderabad. The company's present facility, on a leased premises, comprises over 1,000 employees and is the second biggest in the country.

The new facility, catering to engineering, online sales and service, information systems and other support functions, is expected to house 4,000 people once it becomes fully operational and the company proposes to raise the headcount further based on the business needs.

Google Inc. entered into a memorandum of understanding with the State Government for setting up the centre in Hyderabad during Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy's visit to Santa Clara in the U.S. on Wednesday.

Google's online sales and operations director, Roy Gilbert, signed the MoU on behalf of the company while Information Technology Department Secretary, S. K. Joshi, represented the State Government. As part of the MoU, the Government will allot 20 acres at Kokapet in Rajendranagar mandal to the company, an official release said. Welcoming Google's decision to invest in the State, the Chief Minister said such investments would help in accelerating economic growth in addition to providing gainful employment.

Courtesy: The Hindu

AP CM in Singapore

Courtesy: ఆంధ్ర జ్యోతి

నవంబరులో రాష్ట్రానికి ష్క్వార్జ్‌నెగర్‌

టెర్మినేటర్‌, హాలీవుడ్‌ హీరో, అమెరికాలో అతిపెద్ద రాష్ట్రమైన కాలిఫోర్నియా గవర్నరు ఆర్నాల్డ్‌ ష్క్వార్జ్‌నెగర్‌ నవంబరులో ఉన్నతస్థాయి బృందంతో కలిసి హైదరాబాద్‌ రానున్నారు. అమెరికా పర్యటనలో ఉన్న ముఖ్యమంత్రి వై.ఎస్‌. ఆయనతో సమావేశమైన సందర్భంగా ఈ మేరకు నిర్ణయం తీసుకున్నారు. ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్‌, కాలిఫోర్నియా మధ్య వాణిజ్య సంబంధాలను మరింత విస్తృత పరిచేందుకు కృషిచేయాలని ఇద్దరు నేతలూ నిర్ణయించారు. ఐటీ, బీటీ, ఫార్మా, ఫుడ్‌ ప్రాసెసింగ్‌, బీపీవో, సూక్ష్మసేద్యం, నీటి నిర్వహణ రంగాల్లో పెట్టుబడులతో రావాలని ముఖ్యమంత్రి కోరగా ఆర్నాల్డ్‌ అంగీకరించారు. కాలిఫోర్నియా, ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్‌లలో నీటి ఎద్దడి ఎక్కువగా ఉన్నందున ఈ భేటీలో నీటి నిర్వహణ, పొదుపు అంశాలకు వారు ప్రాధాన్యమిచ్చారు. 'ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్‌లోనే కాకుండా దేశంలోనే మీరెంతో ప్రముఖుడిగా పేరొందారు. రైతు, ఆధునిక పరిపాలకునితోపాటు ముఖ్య రాజకీయ నేత' అని వైఎస్‌ను కాలిఫోర్నియా గవర్నరు ప్రశంసించినట్లు శుక్రవారం హైదరాబాద్‌లో ముఖ్యమంత్రి కార్యాలయం విడుదల చేసిన ప్రకటన పేర్కొంది. కాలిఫోర్నియాలో ఉంటున్న ప్రతి నలుగురు భారతీయుల్లో ఒకరు ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్‌కు చెందినవారని ఆర్నాల్డ్‌ తెలిపారు. దీనికి వైఎస్‌ స్పందిస్తూ 'మీరు చాలాకాలం నుంచి భారత్‌లో ప్రజాదరణ ఉన్న యాక్షన్‌ హీరో. ప్రతిచోటా మీకు అభిమానులున్నారు' అంటూ ప్రశంసించారు. ఈ భేటీలో వైఎస్‌ వెంట ఐటీ మంత్రి ఆర్‌.దామోదర్‌రెడ్డి, మాజీ ఎంపీ ఆత్మచరణ్‌రెడ్డి, ఐటీ ముఖ్య కార్యదర్శి ఎస్‌.కె.జోషి, సీఎం ముఖ్య కార్యదర్శి జన్నత్‌ హుస్సేన్‌ ఉన్నారు. కాలిఫోర్నియా లెఫ్టినెంట్‌ గవర్నరు జాన్‌ గారామెండీ వీరికి తేనీటి విందు ఇచ్చారు.

Courtesy: ఈనాడు

*****

HYDERABAD: California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will visit Hyderabad in November as the head of a trade, information technology and cultural delegation to discuss mutual cooperation and investment opportunities in Andhra Pradesh.

This was decided when Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, now on a U.S. tour, met the California Governor on the latter's invitation on Wednesday. Dr. Reddy, who flew to California along with his delegation, in a private jet, urged Mr. Schwarznegger to explore possibilities of investments in IT, biotechnology, pharma, food processing, business process outsourcing, micro-irrigation and water conservation.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Dataquest article on regional blogging

Check it out!

Blogging in Telugu

Telugu blogging has come of age. With the availability of Unicode, various language tools and exclusive feed aggregators, Telugu blogging is spreading at break-neck speed. This Informative post lists all the available tools which make blogging in Telugu, a joy. Very useful post for new bloggers!



read more | digg story

Telugu fragrance in Chicago

Chief Minister felicitated by non-resident Telugus

YSR hails their contribution to global economy

Calls Indira Gandhi his favourite Prime Minister

OVERSEAS HONOUR: Andhra Pradesh Cheif Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy (left) being felicitated at a reception organised by Hyderabad Muslim Association in Chicago on Sunday. — PTI Photo

HYDERABAD: The fragrance of the Telugu culture wafted across and their pride took centre-stage at a function organised by the Telugus at Chicago to felicitate Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on the first leg of his tour of the United States on Sunday

He described as `my own eyes' the American Telugu Association (ATA) and Telugu Association of North America (TANA) who had put together the event at the swank Rosemont Convention Centre.

Congratulating the overseas Telugus for their contribution to the global economy, he said, "You are making us proud with your endeavours here. Keep up the good job."

Asked by a non-resident Telugu Yugandhar whether NRIs should enter politics, Dr. Reddy replied, "You are always at liberty to join politics. At the same time, remember that politics is not a bed of roses."

In response to a question, he said he liked Abraham Lincoln the most among the American presidents and his Indian choice was Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy who tried his best to create enduring resources in the State. Likewise, Indira Gandhi was his favourite Prime Minister, he said.

Rural development

In his address earlier, Dr. Reddy said his Government was laying special emphasis on irrigation, agriculture, rural development and housing to rejuvenate the rural economy.

Exhorting the non-resident Telugus living in the US to contribute liberally for the all-round development of the State, he said the State Government was willing to play the role of a facilitator and co-operate in developing their native places.

The Chief Minister said the Government had accorded priority to irrigation sector and was allocating huge sums of money for the completion of the pending irrigation projects to irrigate about one crore acres. The mood on the industrial front was upbeat with the Government ensuring necessary infrastructure while giving subsidy on power tariff.

Dr. Reddy said the Government was providing funds for temples under `Dhoopa-Deepa-Naivedyam scheme', besides bringing in an ordinance prohibiting the activities of other religions near places of worship of a particular faith. Responding to a request made by TANA president Bandla Hanumaiah, the Chief Minister said the Government had intensified efforts to secure classical language status to Telugu.

Speaker of The House of Representatives of the State of Illinois Michael J. Madigan passed a resolution welcoming Dr. Reddy and his entourage to Chicago.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Telugu commentary for India-Bangladesh Cricket series

Vissa TV of Raj Networks will telecast live the India-Bangladesh cricket series, both one-dayers and the two Test matches from May 10 to May 25, with Telugu commentary, according to a press release.

Courtesy: The Hindu

మాలతి చందూర్ : A passion for translation

"I act as a bridge between Telugu and Tamil literature"

In a literary career spanning beyond five decades, she has introduced books in other languages to Telugu readers. Sahitya Akademi award winner Malathi Chendur has translated six novels of Tamil writers and a volume of short stories into Telugu in the last two decades. She discusses her passion for translation with K. Lakshmi.

"I learnt Tamil to understand films that I watched as a member of Central Censor Board in the early 70s," said Ms. Chendur. Even then, she had earned a reputation as a novelist and columnist on women's issues and won several honours.

Besides publishing 25 Telugu women-oriented novels, Ms. Chendur has translated 300 books of English writers, from classic Jane Austen to contemporary Arundhati Roy, into Telugu. These translations that appeared in `Swati', a monthly magazine, provided innumerable Telugu readers a window to world of literature.

Within two years of her learning Tamil, she was offered the translation work of litterateur Jayakanthan's `Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidargal' by National Book Trust.

"Even my encouraging husband writer N.R. Chendur doubted my translation skills. But the translation was a big hit and the third edition is now due."

Ms. Chendur went on to translate Sujatha's `Gayathri', Na. Parthasarathy's `Samudhaya Veedhi' and Sivasankari's `Oru Manidanin Kadhai', as the novels "moved her deeply."

"I act as a bridge between Telugu and Tamil literature. Most of us are unaware of the literature or writers of our neighbouring State because of the language barrier," said Ms. Chendur, who is also associated with organisations involved in social work, including the Andhra Mahila Sabha.

She cherishes her translation of Pudhumaipithan's short stories, including `Saaba Vimochanam' and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi's `Anil Kunju'. At the age of 75, she is busy writing for `Suraksha', a magazine brought out by the Andhra Pradesh police department. Currently, she is engrossed in Kiran Desai's `Inheritance of Loss'. Perhaps, a Telugu translation of the Booker-winning work is not too far away.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Language panel chief to continue

HYDERABAD: The term of A. B. K. Prasad as Chairman of the State Official Languages Commission has been extended by two more years effective from May 4.

He was appointed to the post along with four members for a two-year term on May 5, 2005 which expired on Friday. The necessary order extending his term was issued by the Government on the same day.

Official sources said the order providing for appointment of new members or extending the term of the present incumbents would be issued separately.

One consideration taken into account by the Government for extending his term was that he had initiated the efforts to demand "classical language" status for Telugu. Mr Prasad will submit a report on the activities of the Commission to the Chief Minister on Saturday.

Courtesy: The Hindu

California celebrates Ugadi

Bay Area Telugu Association (BATA) celebrated the Sixth Annual Ugadi Telugu Mela and Youth Talent Show on March 24th at Sunnyvale Temple, California celebrating the “Sarvajit nama samvatsaram”. Sponsors included Remit2India.com, Ravi Tax Preparation Services and BharatFamily.com amongst others. The event was a huge success and drew a crowd of over 2000 people.

The Youth Talent Show has been consistently providing a platform for youth of Telugu origin living in the Bay Area to showcase their talents in music, dance and other fields. This year saw more than 90 entries with over 250 children across categories.

It was indeed memorable to see tiny tots singing classical and popular movie songs, playing musical instruments and dancing in front of a large gathering. The hall was well decorated and adorned with traditional Telugu toranalu and mango leaves leaving the audience with a distinct impression of celebrating Ugadi in Andhra Pradesh.

Several vendors such as Remit2India NRI Services, tax services, real estate promotors, Telugu TV channels, boutiques, mehendi etc were setup at the Mela and drew a huge crowd.

The finale was set to some fast foot tapping hits from recent movies leaving the audience clamouring for more. BATA has always been at the forefront of working on social and developmental projects since its inception. BATA announced a new social development project "Continuing College Education" on the auspicious occasion of Ugadi. This would enable economically unaffordable girl students an opportunity to pursue further education.

Courtesy: TOI

Saint-poet Annamayya's anniversary celebrated

It featured the rendition of about 200 of the poet's songs

CHENNAI: About 400 people sang `keerthanais' composed by saint-poet Annamayya at his 599th anniversary celebrations on Wednesday.

The celebrations featured the rendition of about 200 of the poet's songs during a marathon session that lasted nearly 10 hours. The event was jointly organised by the Indian Telugu Association, Chennai, and IIT Madras Telugu Samskruthika Samithi.

Commissioner of Land Reforms V. Varaprasada Rao distributed certificates presented by Andhra Pradesh Government Cultural Authority.

Thallapaka Meenalochani, the 12th descendant of Annamayya, participated.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Setting tunes to Telugu poems to promote culture

NIZAMABAD: This hot summer the staff of the government music schools and colleges are busy with the Kala Parichayam – a summer special camp organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs across the State – to develop awareness on cultural and art forms.

Following the suggestion of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy to give importance to propagation of Telugu apart from focusing on other languages in view of globalisation, the Cultural Affairs Department has included Telugu poems in the curriculum of its Kala Parichayam – a 40-day Summer Coaching Camp. The camp is being held from April 24 to June 2 across the State.

According to Director Cultural Affairs Department Rallabandi Kavitha Prasad, ‘‘50,000 students enrolled in Kala Parichayam this year in 800 centres across the State. We are charging a nominal fee of Rs 100 from each student.

The students will be exposed to both theoretical and practical training in various music and art forms like classical vocal music, classical instrumental music and classical dances, among others.

The students will be taught Tal, Raga, Sruthi, Laya among others and brief history, including contributions of renowned personalities to various music and dance forms.

The course motivates them to learn further by joining regular classes of the music school.’’

To help the students learn Telugu poetry, the staff of the music schools and colleges are setting tunes to 20 poems by renowned poets కరుణశ్రీ(Karunasri), అల్లసాని పెద్దన్న (Allasani Pedanna), బొమ్మెర పోతన (Bommera Pothanna), తిక్కన్న సోమయాజులు (Thikkanna Somayajulu), విశ్వనాథ సత్యనారాయణ (Viswanatha Satyanarayana), శ్రీనాధుడు (Srinadhudu), దాసరథి (Dasarathi), జాషుఆ (Jashua), అప్ప కావ్యం (Appa Kaviyam), పీ. రాఘవ రాజు (P Raghava Raju), తెనాలి రామకృష్ణ (Tenali Ramakrishna) and కృష్ణ / భాస్కర/ సుమతి శతకములు (Krishna/ Bhaskara/ Sumathi/ Dasarathi sathakams).

‘‘Setting tunes to Telugu poems is an unexpected new assignment in our career and now we are back in schools approaching Telugu teachers, holding discussions on setting tunes to the poems for creating interest amongst the student community.

Out of 20 poems included in the curriculum, six are popular and we are setting tunes for the rest,’’ said a music teacher.

Venkateshwara Sharma, Telugu teacher in ZP High School of Manoharabad village of Jakranpally Mandal in the district, opined that different poems must be taught based on the language teaching procedures and attributed the evergreen popularity of Guurjada Appa Rao’s ‘Puthadi bomma purnamma’ to the same. He felt that poems must be included as a separate subject at the primary level and enough classes allocated for it.

‘‘Two mega cultural events – one organized by the International Cultural Organization and the other Nandi Natakotsavam by the State Government in the multi-linguistic district of Nizamabad – could not have any positive impact due to non-involvement of literary lovers,’’ observed Konda Raja Sekhar Goud, Telugu pandit of ZPHS School in Borgaon (P) village of Nizamabad Mandal and district secretary for Zilla Sahithi Sanghala Samakya, Nizamabad.

The Cultural Affairs Director said a monitoring team will tour the State to evaluate the ongoing Kala Parichayam programme.

Courtesy: NewIndPress

Collectors urged to collect Telugu software CDs

HYDERABAD: District Collectors can collect free Telugu software CDs and booklets with guidelines issued by the Andhra Pradesh Official Language Commission on usage of the language for people's benefit, before May 2.

In letters to the Collectors, A.B.K. Prasad, Commission Chairman, said they could depute a staffer with an authorisation letter and list names of division and mandal-level officials to collect the CDs and guidelines from his office in the Secretariat.

He said the aim of releasing the CDs and booklets was to enable Government staff to totally implement Telugu at official level.

The CDs could be loaded only in computers with Windows XP System.

He said private institutions offering computer courses could also collect the CDs.

Courtesy: The Hindu

Madras Telugu Academy awards presented

HONOUR: Maharashtra Governor S.M.Krishna presents `Samaikya Bharath Swarnapurashkar' to Shalom Hills International School founder Lilly George in Chennai on Sunday. (From left) Madras Telugu Academy Founder T.V.K.Sastry, former CEC T.N.Seshan and act or Akkineni Nageswara Rao are in the picture. — Photo: S.R.Raghunathan

CHENNAI : Fifty eminent and upcoming personalities in various fields were honoured with సమైఖ్య భారత్ గౌరవ్ సత్కార్ (Samaikya Bharath Gaurav Satkar 2007) of the Madras Telugu Academy at a glittering ceremony here on Sunday.

Maharashtra Governor S.M.Krishna gave away the awards to veteran actress P.Anjali Devi, art director Thota Tharani, Bharatanatyam exponent Srekala Bharath and Kuchipudi danseuse Swathy Somanath and others.

This year's సమైఖ్య భారత్ స్వర్ణపురస్కార్ (Samaikya Bharath Swarnapurashkar) comprising a cash award of slightly over Rs. 1 lakh was conferred on Shalom Hills International School founder and managing director Lilly George.

Twelve child prodigies, including the four-year old P.Venkata Nagadheeraj for his memory power and the 14-year old Veena artiste R. Sriram were also honoured.

Appreciating the efforts of the Academy, which aimed at national and cultural integration, Mr. Krishna stressed the significance of individual commitment to the nation's progress. Despite the disparities the country, he added, has emerged as a strong positive force with its eight per cent growth for three consecutive years.

Commending Lilly George, he said she has been spreading the message of harmony and unity through the medium of theatre, dance and music. Through her social service activities, she was also reaching out to the underprivileged children and women.

Former chief election commissioner T.N. Seshan urged like-minded organisations and citizens to strive for national integrity. He appreciated the Madras Telugu Academy founder T.V.K Sastry for organising the cultural festival as the event enabled the younger generation to know its roots.

Veteran actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao said he was impressed with the initiatives and activities of the 27-year-old Academy, including those to bring artistes of all states under roof at its functions.

About 30 toppers in tenth standard of various states and union territories were given scholarship of Rs.6, 000 each.

Courtesy: The Hindu