Firing: Lok Satta faults State, opposition parties

WARANGAL: Lok Satta Party leader N. Jayaprakash Narayan on Sunday found fault with both the ruling and the opposition parties and held them responsible for the police firing at Mudigonda in Khammam district.

Mr. Narayan who was here to attend his party’s regional meeting told reporters that the State Government should take into consideration peoples’ aspirations.

The opposition parties should maintain restraint while leading agitations and restrain from instigating innocent public. Political parties were only trying to gain mileage out of the issue rather condemning it.

They should pledge to strive to maintain law and order and protect the lives of poor people.

Media criticised

He took exception to the behaviour of media personnel who were jumping to conclusions. The media, instead of judging, should centre its activity around people and dig deep into the issues concerning them. Mr. Narayan said the party would launch an agitation against illegal sale of liquor and ensure that all the belt shops in the State were closed.

Beginning October 2, the party would mobilise people, particularly women at the village level.

Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy claimed that there were no belt shops in the State, but there were 1.8 lakh shops in Andhra Pradesh, he maintained.

“Our party cadre will undertake a survey and submit it to the Government,” he said. Similarly, Lok Satta would also agitate for proper functioning of fair price shops in the State. Party leader Parcha Kodandarama Rao and others were present.

Warangal City Information

NIT Warangal

NITW (National Institue of Technology, Warangal), formerly known as RECW (Regional Engineering College, Warangal).The college seems to be doing great in recent times.In a recent IDC-Dataquest-Nasscom survey, NIT Warangal ranked in 7th nationwide.The precise nature of the activities in the academic departments and other units of the College, the contributions made in Research and Development work, the consultancy services rendered to industry and various field organisations are not always known and understood by the society at large.

ITM Warangal

The Institute for Technology and Management was founded with an academic association with The Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), USA . The curriculum, academic standards and pedagogy of SNHU formed the basis of ITM's MBA Program. In the years since, the Institute has expanded its collaborations to include distinguished Universities across Europe and Asia , evolving academic programs of International repute. The ITM Group of Business Schools is currently conducting 15 programs.Hunter Road, Opp.APSRTC Tyre Unit,WARANGAL - 506 001Tel: (0870) 2524138 Fax:(0870)2524083email:warangal@itm.edu

Kakathiya University

Kakatiya University is located in the historical town, Warangal.The University is offering about 120 programs at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Commerce and Business Management, Social Sciences, Education, Engineering and Pharmaceutical Sciences with 340 constituent and affiliated colleges spread over four districts of Andhra Pradesh. The faculties of all the departments, with 248 teaching staff and 622 non-teaching staff, are committed to and well versed in their respective subjects.

Kakathiya Medical College

The Kakatiya Medical College, Warangal was started in the year 1959 by the Regional Medical Education society (Regd.) warangal with the active support of the then Chief Minister of A.P., the Director of Medical services and the District Collector, warangal to provide Medical education for students of Telengana region.The Collegs was inaugurated on 23rd July, 1959 by Honorable Sri P.Karnakar, Minister of Health, Govt.of India.The P.G. Courses were started in 1972 and the college is conducting post-graduate courses in almost all the departments.

NIT Warangal

National Institute of Technology (NIT) Warangal is one of the premier engineering institutions of India. The institute was established in 1959 and at that time it was known as the Regional Engineering College, Warangal. The institute was initially affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technical University. In 1976, its affiliation was changed to Kakatiya University. In 2002, the institute was accorded the status of Deemed University and was renamed as NIT Warangal.

NIT Warangal offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs in BioTechnology, Chemical, Civil, Computer Science, Electrical, Electronics and Communications, Mechanical, and Metallurgical & Materials Engineering. Admissions to undergraduate programs are made on the basis of performance in AIEEE.

NIT Warangal offers 2 years post-graduate (M. Tech.) programs in Electronics Instrumentation, VLSI System design, Power Systems, Electrical Machines & Industrial Drives, Engineering Structures, Water resources Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Remote Sensing & Geographical Information Systems, Thermal Engineering, Manufacturing Systems Engineering, Computer integrated Manufacturing & Advanced Manufacturing Processes, Industrial Metallurgy.

NIT Warangal also offers in Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics. These include: M.Sc.(Tech.) in Engineering Physics with specialization in Photonics, Electronics & Instrumentation. M.Sc (Tech.) in Industrial Chemistry with specialization in 'Dyes, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals and Pesticides' or Modern Methods of Chemical Analysis. M.Sc (Tech.) in Mathematics with specialization in Applied Mathematics and Mathematics and Scientific computing.

NIT Warangal also offers MBA and MCA programs.

Contact Address:
National Institute of Technology,
Warangal - 506004, A.P, India
URL: www.recw.ernet.in

Left parties’ bandh tomorrow

VIOLENCE ALL OVER: A policeman beats up Left party activists during a protest in Hyderabad on Thursday.

HYDERABAD: The Left parties have called for Statewide bandh on July 28 in protest against the “indiscriminate” police lathicharge on their leaders and activists who laid siege to district collectorates across the State on Thursday.

Violence marked the programme of the CPI (M) and CPI to lay siege to the Collector’s offices as police resorted to lathicharge in nearly one dozen district headquarters, including Hyderabad to prevent activists from barging inside. The protests were organised as part of their ongoing agitation for land distribution to the poor. Several party activists sustained bleeding injuries and hundreds were arrested in different districts. Women who gathered in large numbers bore the brunt of the lathicharge and many fainted or sustained minor injuries in the caning. Seven police personnel who tried to stop the activists from gatecrashing into the Warangal Collectorate sustained minor injuries. Cases under section 307 were registered against 12 activists. Police resorted to lathicharge in Kadapa, Visakhapatnam, Anantapur, Mahabubnagar and Srikakulam.

Water cannons

In the State capital, police fired teargas shells and deployed water cannons to prevent Left party workers from storming the Hyderabad Collectorate.

They fought a pitched battle with party activists who tried to sneak into the Collectorate from the Mozamjahi Road. Mounted police were at t e receiving end of stone pelting when they tried to chase away the demonstrators.

Fifth day

Condemning the lathicharge, CPI (M) secretary B. V. Raghavulu and CPI secretary K. Narayana announced their decision to continue their indefinite fast that entered the fifth day on Thursday.

After a meeting of leaders of the two parties, they rejected Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy’s appeal to call off their fast as his response to their demands was far from satisfactory.

Left parties’ protest turns violent

WARANGAL: The picketing by the CPI and CPI (M) activists turned violent when the police tried to disperse the protestors at the district Collectorate. Seven policemen and several others were injured in melee. Thousands of people affiliated to the Left parties reached the district Collectorate early on Thursday to express solidarity with the fasting leaders. The leaders were demanding house sites to the poor and withdrawal of police cases against their cadre. As the number of protestors increased., those in front, tried to gatecrash into the Collectorate premises. The police initially tried to pacify the agitating mob and tried to disperse them , but in vain.

The police were forced to resort to lathicharge. . Some of the women from the crowd hurled slippers and stones at the police and manhandled the women police on duty. As a result, seven police personnel were grievously injured. Protesting the lathicharge by the police, the CPI and CPI (M) called for a district bandh on July 28.

NIZAMABAD: The fast unto death being staged by the CPI(M) activists in front of the Collectorate here , entered the fourth day on Thursday. As many as 10 party activists have been observing the fast since July 23 on the issue.

A large number of policemen who were deployed around the Collectorate prevented them from coming near the premises. After a scuffle between the police and the agitators, the police bundled them into the waiting vans and shifted to different police stations. They were set free later in the evening.

KARIMNAGAR: The CPI district unit leaders have staged a dharna in front of the Collectorate here on Thursday. Led by district leaders K Narsaiah, K Raghavulu, C Rajesham and others the workers arrived in a procession from the party office to the Collectorate and tried to gate crash into the office building. However, the police have thwarted their attempts. After raising slogans against the Government, the CPI activists dispersed from the scene.

SANGAREDDY: The CPI(M) State executive member Sudhabhasakar, district secretary Chukka Ramulu and CPI district secretary Prakash Rao were among a large number of activists who were arrested by the police following a two-hour-long siege of the district Collectorate here on Thursday.

Earlier police resorted to mild lathicharge and applied force to remove the activists from the spot. While town CPI (M) leader M.V.Prasad was injured in the lathicharge, CPI activist Bharathi who was dragged by the Indrakaran sub inspector Manga to the police station was also injured. Speaking to The Hindu, Chukka Ramulu condemned the lathicharge and said that the police did not even spare women and dragged them by hair. NALGONDA: Police arrested about 100 activists when they tried to lay siege to the Collectorate here on Thursday. Hundreds of workers thronged the town in support of the ‘Bhoo poratam’ by morning. , They tried to stage a dharna in front of the Collectorate main gate but police thwarted their attempt by arresting the leaders.

The district secretary of the CPI (M) Nandhyala Narasimha Reddy claimed that the protest programme was a grand success.

“We planned three phases of protest and it went on well,” he claimed, condemning the arrest of the Communist leaders and the ‘highhandedness’ of the police against the activists.

ADILABAD: Left party activists on Thursday blockaded the district Collectorate and staged a rasta roko on the NH 7 as part of their `Bhoo poratam’ agitation. The agitators were arrested and taken to the Two Town police station at about 11 a.m.

KHAMMAM : Hundreds of Left party workers courted arrest at different places as part of the stir on Thursday. The police resorted to lathicharge at Bhadrachalam. Those arrested by the police on the occasion included P. Sudarshan , T. S,. Prasad (CPI-M), T. V. Chowdhury and Moulana (CPI).

1 lakh devotees expected for festival in Warangal

DECKED UP: Goddess Bhadrakali decorated beautifully as part of the ongoing Shakambhari festival in Warangal on Wednesday.

WARANGAL: The Endowment Department has made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the concluding day of Shakhambhari Navaratri celebrations - falling on July 30.

Founder trustee B. Ganesh Sastry, executive officer T Rajendram and vedic pundits said Shakhambhari festival is one of the main festivals celebrated on a grand scale at the temple.

The celebrations began on July 15. During the nine days, the deity of Sri Badrakali will be decorated with the vegetables and fruits and special prayers are offered. A mega event - Sahasra Kalashabhishekam marks the concluding day of the celebrations. About one lakh devotees are expected to throng the temple.

Improve facilities

Mr. Sastry said the celebrations are considered holiest among the festivals and have their roots in `Shatakshi’ episode of the Devi Bhagavatam. Every year, the number of devotees were increasing forcing the authorities to improve the facilities in proportion. According to him, arrangements were made to distribute free mineral water to the devotees, electrification of temple, massive sanitation by pressing additional personnel and setting up of closed circuit televisions to enable the devotees to witness the grand celebrations.

The trust is seeking support of the non-government organisations, NCC, NSS and Bharat Scouts & Guides volunteers to control the crowd and ensure smooth conduct of the event.

Counselling for PG courses

WARANGAL: The counselling for admission into PG courses for special category (Physically handicapped/NCC/NSS/Games & Sports/CAP/in-service teachers) of students will commence from August 1, 2007.

Poor farmer's son sets his sights high

K Rajendra Prasad of Papayapet, Warangal district, is finally happy. After three years of uncertainty, the young man, son of a poor farmer, hopes he can now become a cardiologist and go back to his village to serve his people.

Prasad's hard work paid off when he shared the state first rank with two others in the Eamcet-2007 medical stream. The icing on the cake is the gritty boy got admission in the most-sought-after college in the state - Osmania Medical College (OMC), Hyderabad.

When he took up BPC in Intermediate in Vijayawada, he did not set his sights very high. All that he wanted was to tread the path of his favourite biology teacher at school. But what changed his destiny was the feverish preparation for Eamcet by his classmates. He too wanted to try his luck and managed to secure a modest rank in 4000s.

Disheartened by his performance, Rajendra Prasad almost gave up his medical dreams and decided to enroll for B Sc.

But then his favourite teacher asked him to try Eamcet once more. The boy joined another college and took a long-term coaching, concentrating unwaveringly on Eamcet for a whole year and secured 1,519th rank last year.

“In the first year, I could not even read the topics properly, because I have a Telugu medium background. During my second attempt I realised I could do this, that cracking Eamcet is not all that tough, and so I tried for the third time and reached the top rank,” Prasad said.

But coming first by no means meant the end of the struggle for him. His parents are too poor to afford his medical education despite the fact that the fee in the government college is just Rs 10,000 per annum.

This financial hurdle too has been cleared when the NTR Trust has agreed to pay Rs 45,000 every year for his fee, books, and lodging and boarding.

Rajendra Prasad plans to finish MBBS and then go on to specialise in cardiology. His ultimate goal is to serve his village.

Prasad shares the top rank with A Sai Kumar and V Saiesh Reddy. Both hail from a business family in Karimnagar.
Like Prasad, Sai Kumar, who also got admission in OMC, wants to become a cardiologist.

However, the third topper, Saiesh, wants to be a surgeon- either neuro or cardio. Though Saiesh took JIPMER, Banaras Hindu University and Manipal Medical Entrance tests, he thinks OMC is the best. He hopes to do his MD abroad.

After the first day of counselling, of the 965 medical aspirants, 923 got admissions.

The candidates up to the 615th rank made it to government medical colleges.

Among boys, 612th was the last rank (OU local) to get a government college seat, and among girls it was the 614th rank.

TDP seeks probe into ‘swindling’ by TRS MLA

WARANGAL: Alleging that TRS dissident MLA Dugyala Srinivas Rao had embezzled huge sum of public money in the name of repairs to lakes and ponds, the TDP leaders demanded an inquiry by a sitting judge into the issue.

Addressing mediapersons here on Tuesday, former MLA of Chennur constituency N Sudhakar Rao, district party unit president Revuri Prakash Reddy alleged that the TRS leader misappropriated Rs 10 crore getting the proposals for repairs prepared by the engineering officials. The funds were sanctioned but none of the repair works were taken up, they charged.

Training their guns at the Government, they said that it did not wake up from its slumber unless a written complain was lodged about the issue. A departmental inquiry has been constituted. Bills had been recorded for repairing defunct lakes and lakes which do not irrigate even one acre of land, they said. Bills were drawn for repairing lakes that were submerged under the balancing reservoir, they said.

Several such incidents would come to light if a comprehensive inquiry is launched, the TD leaders said. Lashing out at the TRS MLA, they said Srinivas Rao presented and collected amounts for two bills for the same work.

The Suicide Economy of Corporate Globalisation

"Like a plaque of locusts corporate globalisation is devouring the Earth's natural resources, polluting its air, land and waters, exploiting its human inhabitants and slowly plunging us all into the dark confines of the abyss."

By Vandana Shiva

The Indian peasantry, the largest body of surviving small farmers in the world, today faces a crisis of extinction.

Two thirds of India makes its living from the land. The earth is the most generous employer in this country of a billion, that has farmed this land for more than 5000 years.

However, as farming is delinked from the earth, the soil, the biodiversity, and the climate, and linked to global corporations and global markets, and the generosity of the earth is replaced by the greed of corporations, the viability of small farmers and small farms is destroyed. Farmers suicides are the most tragic and dramatic symptom of the crisis of survival faced by Indian peasants.

1997 witnessed the first emergence of farm suicides in India. A rapid increase in indebtedness, was at the root of farmers taking their lives. Debt is a reflection of a negative economy, a losing economy. Two factors have transformed the positive economy of agriculture into a negative economy for peasants - the rising costs of production and the falling prices of farm commodities. Both these factors are rooted in the policies of trade liberalization and corporate globalisation.

In 1998, the World Bank's structural adjustment policies forced India to open up its seed sector to global corporations like Cargill, Monsanto, and Syngenta. The global corporations changed the input economy overnight. Farm saved seeds were replaced by corporate seeds which needed fertilizers and pesticides and could not be saved.

As seed saving is prevented by patents as well as by the engineering of seeds with non-renewable traits, seed has to be bought for every planting season by poor peasants. A free resource available on farms became a commodity which farmers were forced to buy every year. This increases poverty and leads to indebtedness.

As debts increase and become unpayable, farmers are compelled to sell kidneys or even commit suicide. More than 25,000 peasants in India have taken their lives since 1997 when the practice of seed saving was transformed under globalisation pressures and multinational seed corporations started to take control of the seed supply. Seed saving gives farmers life. Seed monopolies rob farmers of life.

The shift from farm saved seed to corporate monopolies of the seed supply is also a shift from biodiversity to monocultures in agriculture. The District of Warangal in Andhra Pradesh used to grow diverse legumes, millets, and oilseeds. Seed monopolies created crop monocultures of cotton, leading to disappearance of millions of products of nature's evolution and farmer's breeding.

Monocultures and uniformity increase the risks of crop failure as diverse seeds adapted to diverse ecosystems are replaced by rushed introduction of unadapted and often untested seeds into the market. When Monsanto first introduced Bt Cotton in India in 2002, the farmers lost Rs. 1 billion due to crop failure. Instead of 1,500 Kg / acre as promised by the company, the harvest was as low as 200 kg. Instead of increased incomes of Rs. 10,000 / acre, farmers ran into losses of Rs. 6400 / acre.

In the state of Bihar, when farm saved corn seed was displaced by Monsanto's hybrid corn, the entire crop failed creating Rs. 4 billion losses and increased poverty for already desperately poor farmers. Poor peasants of the South cannot survive seed monopolies.

And the crisis of suicides shows how the survival of small farmers is incompatible with the seed monopolies of global corporations.

Kidnapped Satyam official rescued

Sources in the Hyderabad Police have told NDTV that V Satyanaryana, General Manager of Satyam Computers, who was kidnapped on Tuesday has been rescued from Warangal district.

He will be back in the state capital later in the day. Police sources say at least four people have been arrested in this regard.

He had been missing ever since he went to drop his children to school on Tuesday morning. His wife received a phone call from him an hour later after which she lodged a complaint with the Hyderabad police.

Chain of events

Around 9:30 am, Satyanarayana's wife Kiran got a call from Satyanarayana who said he had a meeting and will be returning soon. She called up his office two to three hours later and came to know that there is no such meeting.

She got suspicious and lodged a complaint with the police. Search is on for Satyanarayana.

The only clue was that the driver said a chowkidar told him Satyanarayana had left by another car. His wife did not want to give a photograph of her husband to NDTV since she wanted to keep the matter private.

However, Kiran received a call from her husband who told her he had been kidnapped and gave some sense of solace to her by saying he was all right and will return soon.

She said she received the call from his mobile phone and was at the police station awaiting news of her husband.

''Nothing like this has ever happened to our family. We do not have any land dispute. I have full faith in God,'' said Vedula, Satyanarayana's father.

The family is from Vizag. Vedula has another son who is in the US.

He said this was probably done by rivals who could have been observing him at his office and on his way back home.

Police sources said car driver saw Satyanarayana going into the school where he had gone to drop his child.

The driver waited outside for him for quite a while and only after he got a call from Satyanarayana's wife asking why it was taking so long, did the driver actually go inside the school to see.

But when he could not find him, he asked the watchman and a couple of autorickshaw drivers at the entrance to the school in Secunderabad whether they had seen him. All of them said no.

No one had actually seen Satyanarayana being kidnapped. There were no eyewitnesses. A couple of hours later his wife got a call from him probably saying he had been kidnapped.

Police say his speech was apparently had not been very clear. His wife came to the conclusion that he had probably been kidnapped and filed a complaint at the Gopalpuram police station.

She refused to speak to NDTV. There are reports that there could be some monetary disputes, but police not really confirming that.

DCP North Zone Shiv Prasad said no suspect has been named by the wife of Satyanarayana.

Satyam Computers had also expressed concern over the incident. In a statement, Satyam said:

''We have learnt of the kidnapping of our associate, Satya Vedula from his family. We are monitoring the situation with the police and are concerned about his safety. We pray for his speedy reunion with his family.''

Sources also told NDTV that the last two phone calls to Satyanarayana's mobile had been traced to Warrangal district and the kidnapping seemed to have been linked to a property dispute.

Sources also said that reportedly Rs 20 lakh had been demanded as ransom.

KU pharmacy department gets research equipment

WARANGAL: German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Director Dr. Ulrich Podewils visited Kakatiya University and handed over research equipment worth $22,000 to the Pharmacy Department laboratory.

Mr. Podewils participated in interactive sessions with students and teachers at pharmacy and chemistry departments. He spoke on ‘Academic and research opportunities in Germany’. He said DAAD had 231 member universities with 14 regional offices across the world providing 51,962 scholarships. It had about 4,000 alumni in India. It was jointly taking up research activities with organisations like CSIR, IITs, IIMs in India. Internship in Germany, programmes for groups of Indian Scholars, M.S. M.Tech students of the IITs and also Doctoral and Post-Doctoral Research short and long term programmes were being offered as part of the programme.

Since the age limit for short term programmes was 32 years and long term programmes 36, many Indian researchers were unable to avail of the opportunities provided by DAAD. He said he would try to enhance the age limit.

According to Mr. Podewils, under sandwich model fellowship programmes, students could pursue their research for their doctoral degree jointly with German and Indian research supervisors.

Poor artistes asked to apply for house sites

WARANGAL: The Nerella Venumadhav Cultural Trust has invited applications from poor artistes for allotment of house sites.

Disclosing this at a press conference here on Monday, Mr Venumadhav said the district Collector had formally agreed to allot some land to the Trust.

The land allotted would be distributed among the unemployed poor artistes who have been in the field of culture for nearly fifteen years.

Those who do not have any support and did not benefit from any Government schemes in the past would also be eligible to apply.

Mr Venumadhav said that the applications should reach the Trust office before August 15.

Artistes seeking the sites should send their applications with Rs 100 to Nerella Venumadh Cultural Trust, HNo 11-25-45, Vasavi colony, Warangal-506 002.

Further details can be had from the Trust office over phone: 0870-2441166 or 2501388.

‘Victims of human trafficking need empathy’

WARANGAL: District Collector K. Damayanthi has exhorted policemen to adopt empathetic attitude towards women who have fallen victim to human trafficking.

“The fault lies with traffickers who lure innocent girls and hapless women into the world’s oldest profession as none on her own will get into it,” she pointed out.

Inaugurating a two-day orientation programme on anti-human trafficking for policemen at the District Police Office here on Monday, the Collector told the policemen to deal sternly with the traffickers. When the policemen raided brothel houses, the women moved to other places thus spreading the trade from one place to another.

“If we can offer a solution to their problems or can provide them rehabilitation, it will be good. Otherwise, we better not to disturb them. Indeed, we should prevent trafficking,” she pointed out.

‘Book cases’

Addressing the participants, DIG, Warangal Range, K. Laxman Mohan, asked the police personnel to book the human traffickers under Preventive Detention Act. He wanted them to identify the traffickers in their respective police station limits.

Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra said they would henceforth try to provide suitable rehabilitation to prostitutes in the district with the cooperation of other Government agencies.

16 officers transferred

The state government on Monday issued orders transferring 16 IAS officers at the level of joint secretaries. L Premchandra Reddy who had been holding the post of project director, modernisation of Nagarjunasagar Project, since April this year was shifted on Monday to department of technical education as commissioner.

K Venkata Reddy, who was DIG intelligence and is known to be among the favourite officers of chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, was transferred to tourism department as director in place of Dr D Sambasivarao.

Rahul Bojja, joint collector, Guntur, was posted as additional project director, a newly created post, for the outer ring road project (ORR) in Hyderabad. Kantilal Dande, joint collector, Kadapa, will replace him as joint collector Guntur.

Similarly Syed Omar Jaleel, joint collector, Warangal, was made special officer and competent authority, urban land ceiling in Hyderabad in place of P Bhanumurthy who was shifted to civil supplies department as director.

Srikakulam joint collector M Veerabhadraiah was transferred as joint collector, Visakhapatnam, in place of Sandeep Kumar Sultania, whose services were placed at the disposal of industries and commerce department to be appointed as executive director, Andhra Pradesh industrial infrastructure development corporation (APIIC), Hyderabad.

While Christina Z Chogthu, deputy commissioner, commercial taxes, Charminar division in Hyderabad was posted as joint collector, Mahbubnagar district in place of D Varaprasad who was transferred as secretary to the commissioner excise and prohibition.

Busani Venkateswara Rao, who was awaiting posting, was posted as special collector, Sri Ram Sagar Project (SRSP), Hyderabad.

Kurnool joint collector Rama Shankar Naik was transferred and posted as joint collector, Medak district, in place of A Vani Mohan who was transferred to GHMC as additional commissioner, a newly created post.

Solomon Raj, Joint Collector, Khammam district, was posted as joint collector in Ranga Reddy district in the existing vacancy while A Dinakar Babu, joint collector, Adilabad, was transferred and posted as joint collector Prakasam in the place of Siddarth Jain whose services were placed at the disposal of the department of municipal administration to be posted as municipal commissioner Guntur.

Faculty Recruitment in Kakatiya University Warangal

KAKATIYA UNIVERSITY
Warangal-506009 (A.P)

Notification No. 01/2007

Applications in the prescribed form are invited from qualified candidates belonging to the categories mentioned for the posts of Assistant Professor (UGC Pay Scales Rs.8000-275-13500) and Associate Professor (UGC Pay Scales Rs.12000-420-18300) in the following subjects of the Kakatiya University so as to reach on or before 18/08/2007.

I. SC/ST Back-log Vacancies :

1. Assistant Professor
* English : 01
* Physics : 01
* Informatics : 01
* Computer Science Engineering : 01
* Electronics Engineering : 01
2. Assosciate Professor
* Informatics : 01
* Computer Science Engineering : 01

II. PH Persons Back-Log Vacancies :

1. Hindi : 01
2. Law : 01
3. Public Administration : 01
4. Chemistry : 01
5. Informatics : 01
6. Electronics Engineering : 01

III. Other than SC/ST :

1. Assistant Professor
* Commerce & Business Management : 01
* Hindi : 01
* Law : 01
* Sociology : 01
* Geology : 02
* Physics : 04
* Computer Science Engineering : 01
* Electrical Engineering : 02
2. Associate Professor
* Mining Engineering : 01

How to Apply : The prescribed application form together with Information Brochure can be obtained from the O/o Director, Publication Cell & Stores, Kakatiya University, Warangal – 506009 by paying Rs 50/- through challan payable at the State Bank of Hyderabad, KU Branch or by sending a crossed DD for Rs 75/- (inclusive of postal charges) along with a self addressed envelop. The application forms can also be downloaded from the University Website. The filled in application form should be accompanied by a Demand Draft for Rs.200/- towards registration fee and for the downloaded forms Rs 250/- including cost of application. The DDs should be drawn in favour of the Registrar, Kakatiya University, Warangal payable at State Bank of Hyderabad, Kakatiya University Branch, Warangal.

Advertisement, Application form and Information broucheru available at http://www.kakatiya.ac.in/

Eight kidnappers arrested

The Suryapet police have busted an eight-member gang allegedly involved in the kidnap of a businessman and his wife and recovered Rs.15.5 lakhs, jewellery worth Rs.30 lakh, an Italy-made pistol and some fake currency on Saturday.

The Inspector-General of Police Anuradha told reporters at Suryapet that the kingpin of the gang Konakalla Suresh, 32, a life convict, belonging to Koyalagudem of West Godavari district, had escaped from the police custody at Tanuku on November 11, 2006, and had since been absconding. A former head constable Sarvi Venkanna, 42, of Thorur in Warangal district was also nabbed.

The other accused persons were: Kusangi Upender, 24, of Venkatapurm in Khammam district, Narsingam Sudhakar, 25, of Chervu Madharam of Shaligouraram mandal in Nalgonda district, Mohd Abdul Yasin, 25, of Chaitanyapuri Colony in Kothapet, Hyderabd, Vallakari Rajesh, 30, of Lingala in Krishna District, Ram Srinivas, 30, of Hanumakonda in Warangal district and Mundeda Ram Dev, 40, of Mahaboobad.

Ransom demanded

According to an agreement between Venkanna and Ramdev, the gang led by Suresh intercepted the car of a merchant, Shyam Mahesh of Guntur, at Koyyalagudem in a filmy style and kidnapped the couple. They demanded a ransom of Rs. 3 crores and finally settled for Rs. 27 lakhs. Suresh gang told the victims that they belonged to a naxalite group.

As per the deal, the merchant arranged the amount but later approached the Guntur police.

Meanwhile, a police team led by Suryapet Circle Inspector M. Tirupatanna intercepted their car at Beebigudem and took five of them into its custody. The IG announced a cash reward of Rs.25,000 for the team that nabbed the gang.

SRI MALLIKARJUNA SWAMY DEVASTHANAM

This temple is dedicated to Lord Sri Mallikarjuna swamy a fierce looking diety along with Kethamma and Medalamma on the both sides of the main diety. The temple is located in a cave on a small hillock at a distance of 110 Kms from warangal. Lakhs of piligrims congregate on the eve of Makara Sankranthi as Brahmotsavam starts. The clay moulded diety of Lord Mallikarjuna swamy is believed to be made 500 years ago.

The temple is renovated and mandapamas and choultries etc., are constructed by Endowments Department. The 'pedda patnam' celebrated on Maha Sivaratri day attract pilgrims in lakhs. It is located at a distance of 85 kms from the state capital on Karimnagar - Hyderabad - Highway (Rajiv Rahadari). People also calls him as "Komuravelli Mallanna", this temple is one of the famous temple in Telangana Region.

MGM Hospital to streamline functioning of its wings

WARANGAL: The Hospital Development Society (HDS) of Mahatma Gandhi Memorial (MGM) Hospital, which met here on Wednesday, decided to streamline the functioning of several wings in view of increased demand from public.

Chairing the meeting, Zilla Parishad Chairperson L. Dhanvanthi said to begin with, the out patient wing would be entrusted to a doctor of resident medical officer rank and more medicines would be kept at his disposal to meet the growing demand.

In view of the frequent breakdown of machinery at X-ray and scanning wings and other important laboratories at the MGM, it was decided to fix the responsibility on individuals manning them. In view of shortage of doctors, the society decided to take up the issue with the State Government for sanction of additional posts or for the time being, engage specialists on contract basis with the available funds at its disposal.

It was also decided to take up with the State Government issues such as a nursing college and upgradation of cobalt unit.

On the shortage of drinking water at the MGM Hospital, Mayor E. Swarna, who was present at the meeting, agreed to ensure four more drinking pipe line connections for the benefit of patients hailing from all over the Telangana region. The Chairperson said a proposal for Rs. 2.5 crore had been sent to the State Government to conduct open heart surgeries at the hospital.Legislator B. Saraiah, district Collector K. Damayanthi, MGM Superintendent C. Raghuram, Kakatiya Medical College principal Venugopal, society member Sampath Rajaram and others were present.

Four naxals surrender in Warangal

Change of heart: Warangal Superintendent of Police Soumya Misra with the four naxalites who surrendered on Monday.

WARANGAL: Four naxals belonging to various revolutionary groups surrendered to the police in the presence of Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra here on Monday.

Those who surrendered were Alem Nageswar Rao alias Seshu of Tupakulagudem of Eturunagaram mandal who was Maoist party commander of 5th platoon in Prathapghar area in North Bastar division of Chattisgarh State, V. Mahesh alias Jeevan, secretary of Warangal – Khammam area committee of CPI (ML-Janashakthi) belonging to Katrapally village of Sangem mandal, Eka Venkataswamy alias Devanna, Janashakthi party commander of Manuguru area, hailing from Rampur village in Kothaguda mandal, and Bairi Yakaiah alias Ramakanth of CPI (ML-New Democracy) of Krishna dalam belonging to Khanapur mandal.

SP’s appeal

The Maoist party leader Alem Nageswar Rao carried a reward of Rs. 20,000.

He was involved in three cases of exchange of fire and three of blasting public property. Janashakthi leader Mallesh was involved in six cases exchange of fire.

Speaking at the press conference, Ms. Soumya Mishra reiterated her appeal to the underground cadre of various revolutionary parties to give up arms and join the mainstream to lead a happy life. She wanted them to join their families to bring happiness to their family members and to society.

Cheques given

The SP distributed cheques towards the reward amount to naxals who had surrendered in the past. Former naxals -- Durgam Ramanaiahs and Merugu Sambaiah -- got Rs. 2 lakh each while R. Sampath and P. Veeraswamy of Praja Prathighatana group were given Rs. 50,000 each and K. Chandraiah of PPG got Rs. 20,000, the reward amount.

Turmeric's stuck with high stocks, low demand

A comfortable stock position and low demand will ensure that turmeric prices will be subdued. However market sources say there can be some improvement in prices from August, till September because of festive demand.

August futures contract on Thursday, by 4.30 pm, was trading up by a per cent at Rs 2,178 per quintal against the previous close at Rs 2,158.

The spot market has also shown a slight improvement. In Erode price of NCDEX variety turmeric was around Rs 2,260 and at Nizamabad it was Rs 2,160.

Angel Commodities research analyst Badruddin feels that sluggish demand from overseas as well as domestic market may keep the prices week but there can be firmness in prices in August when there is domestic festive demand.

Dungarchand Kanungo, a turmeric and chilli trader from Andhra Pradesh says, long-term sentiments are bearish with a carryover stock of 15 lakh bags.

“Even if domestic production goes down to 40 lakh bags there will be 55 lakh bags available against the requirement of 38-39 lakh bags for domestic consumption and exports,” he said. Domestic production this season was around 55 lakh bags (one bag carries 70 kg).

There are huge stocks of 12 lakh bags are at Erode mandi, close to 3.5 lakh bags at Nizamabad, 2 lakh bags in Warangal, 1.5 lakh bags in Duggirala and around 2-2.5 lakh bags in entire Maharashtra. At NCDEX warehouses, stocks are around 10,000 tonnes.

Meanwhile at Nizamabad, Warangal and Erode, about 75% sowing has been completed. Sowing through out the country is expected to be complete soon and there has been a reported fall in acreage.

“At Duggirala farmers have shifted to other crops like maize and acreage is expected to fall by 30%-40%. Despite an increase acreage in Maharshtra the overall acreage under turmeric will fall by 15%-20%,” said Ravindra Reddy from Andhra Pradesh based Vista Financial Services.

Mr Reddy expects a bearish market but feels that the August contract will trade between 2,200 and 2,500 levels as final reports on acreage in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu will arrive triggering bullish sentiments.

Singareni Collieries union polls on Aug 9; canvassing hots up

Election fever started gaining momentum in the Singareni Collieries, the biggest establishment in Telangana area.

The collieries spread over Khammam, Warangal, Adilabad and Karimnagar districts. There are 76,115 voters.

Though it was earlier decided to conduct elections on August 14, the officials issued a notification holding elections on August 9. The nominations would be received from July 23 to 26 and on July 27 objections, scrutiny and allotment symbols would be taken up.

Polling would be held between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on August 9, according to officials.

The INTUC remains recognised union for the last four years. As the term of the union came to a close the Singareni management urged the Union Labour Ministry to conduct elections and Regional Labour Commissioner issued a notification to this effect on Monday.

There are 14 eligible unions in the Singareni Collieries. This is the fourth time the collieries is going for elections.

Twice AITUC-affiliated Singareni Collieries Workers Union was in power and during the last elections the INTUC-affiliated Singareni Coal Mines Labour Union bagged the recognition.

The four districts where the collieries are spread are divided into 11 divisions and whichever union gets majority votes in those divisions would be declared majority union.

But this time the union election gained prominence due to the influence of the TRS, which is trying to gain a foothold in the mine workers unions.

International pharma journal from Warangal

Warangal: The district, known for quality pharma education, is all set to achieve another milestone in the field. Steps are on for publishing Faa International Pharmacy Journal from the district.

This is the first time that an international pharmacy journal is being published in the country.

The experts in the field are making efforts to release the journal in a month or two. Researchers in the field had been depending on journals from other countries for learning about the developments in pharmacy, so far.

An office has been set up for the journal in Vagdevi Pharmacy College, Hanamkonda. Speaking to this paper, chief editor of International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Nano Technology Prof V Malla Reddy said the journal would aid discovery of new medicines with the help of nano-technology.

Akunuru Jitan, a young scientist who had returned to India after a long stint of research in pharmacy in America, will be the executive editor. Chandupatla Devender Reddy, Chairman of Viswambhara Educational Society which runs pharmacy and engineering colleges, will be the administrative supporter of the journal.

Executive editor Jitan said they would publish four issues annually. He claimed to have secured the support of several experts in the field, from within the country and abroad, for publishing the journal.

The assistant editorial team included Prof. Uzi Meriwaki (Japan), Prof. Jasti Bhaskar, Prof Kompelli and Prof Samba Reddy (all three from America), Prof Benia and Prof Hoffman (both from Israel), Prof Chandrakanth Kokate, Prof Madhusudhan and Prof D R Krishna (all from India).

They would examine the research articles, edit them on Internet and select them. The editorial board members will take up the responsibility of publishing the selected essays in the journal, he added.

He said publication of the journal from the district was a good omen for the development of pharmacy. He said they would soon announce the date of release of the first issue.

Seven die as van plunges into well

WARANGAL: Seven persons including two children were killed when a van in which they were travelling fell into an agricultural well at Laknepalli village in the district, late on Friday night.

According to police, the vehicle was proceeding to Illendu in the neighbouring Khammam district, where Singereni collieries, a public sector coal exploring company, was conducting a work shop.

The deceased were identified as the staff of the Warangal engineering college workshop.

Imp Milestones in Warnagal's History

• Prior to 1956, in Warangal, there used to exist only 6 Mandals and 109 Gram Panchayats.
  
  
• In the year 1959, on December 1st Warangal district took its shape, at that time the district area was spread around 5000 hectare miles. The district was populated with 20Lakh people.
  
  
• After the 1959 elections, 1098 villages have been brought in to the purview of Gram Panchayats with the establishment of 530 Panchayats.
  
  
• The District in the State is in the direction of _Vayuvya disha
  
  
• The entire District is spread across in the area of 12,846 hectares miles, this is only the 4.67% of the entire area the State constitutes.
  
  
• Hanamkonda is at a height of 1700 feet when compared to the sea level, where as the district is at a height of 870 feet.
  
  
• The average annual rainfall in the district is around 1048.01 mm.
  
  
• District’s East side, From Warangal at a distance of 107KM, the Godvari rivers keeps flowing at stretch of 100KM via Eturunagaram and Gangaram villages in the North side direction.
  
• The Laknavarm Sarassu flowing in the direction of East - North , joins the Godavari river at Eturunagaram village.
  
  
• The river Munneru, which took its birth at Narasampet Taluka, Kishtapuram, joins the Vira river in the Kammam district.
  
  
• In Mulugu Ganpuram Mandal, Ganapuram Sarassu gets converted to Moruvancha vagu and gets merged with Maneru river, which is located in Chityal Mandal, Andugutanda, Vencha Rani, Kaluvapalli.
  
  
• The river Paleru which tooks its birth in Jangam Taluka, in the village Kurchpalli, flows in equal width with the munneruvagu and gets merged with Krishan river located at 2 kms in the south direction from Jagaiaha peta in the Krishna District.
  
• Population density is more in the western side when compared to eastern side as eastern side consists of mostly tribal population of Koya, Gondu, Chenchu and Lambadi communities.
  
  
• Forest are spread over an area of 3710 sqkm in Warangal district
  
  
• Warangal district has 1098 villages,5 towns and one municipal corporation ,one municipality, two loksabha and 12 assembly constituencies
  
• There are 5 revenue divisions and 51 mandals in Warangal
  
  
• First police station in Warangal is established in 1865
  
  
• First hospital is established in 1884
  
  
• Central Prison is established in 1895
  
  
• First Court is established in 1912
  
  
• Azam-Zahi mill and Agriculture Market Committee are established in 1935
  
  
• Sri Pendyala Raghava Rao of CPI is the first person to be elected as Member of Parliament from Warangal in 1952
  
  
• The first person from the district to work as a minister is M.S.Raja Lingam
  
  
• Kakatiya Medical college is established in 1959
  
  
• Regional Engineering College(NIT) is established in 1959
  
  
• Kakatiya University is formed in 1976
  
  
• All India Radio is established in 1990
  
  
• Total area of the district is 12,846 sqkm. It forms 4.46% of total area of Andhra Pradesh
  
  
• Total area occupied by forests in the district is3710 sqkm.It is 28.89% of total area of the district
  
  
• Warangal Municipality is formed in 1899. and later upgraded to Major Municipality in 1934
  
• In 1960 Warangal is again upgraded to Special grade Municipality and later it was upgraded to Municipal Corporation in 1994
  
  
• Kakatiya Urban Development Authority (KUDA) is formed in 1982

Moderation a must

Man clothes himself to obey the exigencies of hygiene, modesty and decorum. These are three needs so profoundly rooted in nature that they cannot be neglected or defied without causing repulsion or prejudice. Modesty as the origin and purpose of dress includes due consideration for other people’s repugnance for repulsive objects no less than a defence of moral honesty and a shield against disordered sensuality.

Modesty is the natural bulwark of chastity. The dictates of hygiene have mostly to do with the climate but should not be taken to justify deplorable licence.

The influence of fashion for good or evil is great. Man must be the master of fashion, not its supine servant. The foundation of all fashion must be moderation, which curbs the desire for luxury, ambition and caprice at all cost.

Although creators of impudent fashion are skilful in contra banding perversion by mixing it with aesthetic elements which are honest in themselves, human sensuality in unfortunately even cleverer in discovering it and in being readily fascinated by it. It follows that any return of fashion to a healthy state must start from the intentions of those who design fashion and of those who wear them. Both must have a sense of their responsibilities and be aware of the consequences that can derive from clothing that is too old, especially if worn in the streets.

M. Satyanarayana Rao,

Hanamkonda

Turns of history

If we examine our long history scientifically we can say that Hindu society went through three clearly identifiable modernisations.”

Even long before these events took place, the great Aryan philosophers with their mighty intellects proclaimed equality of all men and divinity of all life.

But human society, being what it is, relapsed into superstition and casteism. At this stage Buddha’s teaching awoke the society to its duties and Hindus went through the first modernisation.

Hinduism as practised today and as reflected in the subsequent versions of Ramayana and Mahabharata was the result.

There was great stress on morality, truthfulness, equality of all human beings and sanctity of life, though society was trapped in the inevitable casteist mould. Shankara with mighty unparalleled intellect was a great interpreter of the sublime principles of Hinduism.

The second “modernisation” occurred after the establishment of Mohemmadam empires in most parts of India. India beset by casteism experienced a fresh breeze of a philosophy of equality. The result was the growth of the great “bhakthi cults” throughout the country.

The third “modernisation” occurred during British rule, India came into contact with Western philosophy political thought, and stalwarts like Swamy Vivekananda, Sri Aurobindo, Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi were representatives of the “third modernisation”. Can we not conclude that casteism is rooted in the racial history of India?

S. B.V. R Shastry

Warangal

A streetkid keeps tryst with success

It was no Abhi-Ash marriage. But, arc lights, flash bulbs and a host of VIPs were there to shower blessings. This was a special wedding and bridegroom Patibandla Santosh Kumar was a special man. Santosh (27) was a runaway kid who had lost his hand and a leg when a train ran over him at Warangal. He was 11 then.

Vijayawada-based Navjeevan Bal Bhavan, a home for the destitute boys, took him under its wings and nurtured him. There, he took to studies and went on to become the proud winner of a gold medal in MA (Social Work) from Acharya Nagarjuna University.

Now, a team member of Young at Risk, a New Delhi-based NGO, he fell in love with Suneetha of Warangal, an MBA and a social activist. Both met at their workplace and felt a strong desire to become man and wife.

"This is the first marriage of an inmate of Navjeevan Bal Bhavan. Santosh is a success story. From a streetkid to an MBA gold medalist, he travelled a long way and proved that given proper care and support, these boys can work wonders. Santosh is now a success story for other inmates of Navjeevan Bal Bhavan," said Fr Koshy of Balbhavan.

Koshy shed tears of joy as the destitute boy that he had picked up years ago had made his own destiny.

"Fifteen years ago, he lost his limbs in Warangal. Today, he lost his heart to Warangal," quipped a friend of Santosh even as others were lustily cheering the bride and bridegroom.

The marriage was performed as per both Hindu and Christian traditions as Santosh is a Hindu and Sunitha is a Christian. Former MLA K Subba Raju, industrialist Chukkapalli Koteswara Rao and several others were present.

Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary

Area: 860-sq-km/86,000 ha
Established In: 1952 as a sanctuary.
Location: 50-km From Warangal, Andhra Pradesh

Description:
Pakhal Wildlife Sanctuary is a manmade lake, completed in 1213 AD by the Kakatiyas. The sanctuary is spread over 860-sq-km consisting of a large plateau surrounded by low hills. The environment and the Pakhal Lake form the core area of the sanctuary. The vegetation consists of tropical dry deciduous mixed forests, bamboo and mixed teak forests.

Its natural scenic beauty and landscape is extremely beautiful and captivating, which makes this place worth visiting. This sanctuary consists of a large plateau surrounded with low hills. The Pakhal Lake and its environs form the core area. Altitude ranges from 280-300 ft.

Visiting Season:
November To June

Access:
By Rail Nearest railway station is at Warangal
By Road: It is located on Narsampet-Warangal division, which is at a distance of 50-km from Warangal. Pakhal is 130-km by road from Hyderabad. It is well connected by road.

Temperature:
The temperature in this area ranges from 15 -45oC. Average annual rainfall 1,225mm

Accommodation
PWD Rest House, Sulurpet

Wildlife
Flora: Tropical deciduous forests with a few evergreen species such as Aegle marmelos and Mallotus philippensis. The deciduous trees, forming the chief components of the forest are Adina cordifolia, Bombax ceiba, Bridelia retusa, Cleistanthus collinus, Cochlospermum religiosum, Emblica officinalis, Dalbergia latifolia, Flacourtia indica, Garuga pinnata, There are also many climbers, woody herbs and shrubs and monsoon plants. Extensive grasslands occur near the lake.

Fauna Leopard, sambar, nilgai, sloth bear, chital, chowsingha (four-horned antelope) , chinkara (mountain gazelle), blackbuck, wild boar. Large concentration of migratory waterfowls and waders arrive at the lake between November and March.

Four Naxals surrender

WARANGAL: Four Naxals belonging to different revolutionary groups surrendered before the police in the presence of Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra here on Monday. One CPI (Maoist) commander, one secretary and commander of CPI (ML) Janashakthi and one Dalam member of CPI (ML) New Democracy laid down their arms.

CPI (Maoist) Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) fifth platoon commander Alem Nageswar Rao alias Seshu, a native of Thupakulagudem of Eturnagaram mandal in Warangal district, joined the party in 1997.

He carried a reward of 20,000 on his head. He was involved in six offences during his underground life. An illiterate Vallapu Mallesh alias Jeevan alias Ramesh, a native of katrapally of Sangem mandal in Warangal district, worked as secretary of CPI(ML) Janasakthi Warangal, Khammam area committee went underground in 1992.

Janasakthi Khammam district Manuguru area commander E Venkata Swamy alias Devanna and New Democracy Krishna Dalam member B Yakaiah alias Ramakanth were among the surrendered Naxalites.

On this occasion SP Soumya Mishra gave away a reward of Rs 5.40 lakhs to six surrendered Maoists. She also distributed Rs 40,000 as immediate relief for eight surrendered Naxalites of various groups.

Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda, Warangal, Andhra Pradesh

Bhadrakali Temple at Hanamkonda is significant Devi temple located on the hilltop between the twin cities of Hanamkonda and Warangal in Andhra Pradesh. The temple is held in high esteem by devotees of the of Goddess Bhadrakali popularly called the ‘Grant Mother Goddess’. Remarkable feature of the temple is the square shaped stone image of the Goddess (2.7 X 2.7 meters). In the image goddess is seen in a sitting posture with fierce looking eyes and face. The Goddess can also be seen wearing a crown and having eight hands holding various weapons.

Major Attractions of Bhadrakali Temple
High point of Bhadrakali Temple is an artificial lake of 2 ½ kms radius in the vicinity of the temple. Number of natural rock formations in the surroundings add to the spiritual charm of the temple and are the most dominant feature of the temple. Some of the unique shaped rocks are said to carry immense spiritual powers. The structure of the temple is said to be 250 years old. Though the image of the deity is called the Bhadrakali, the goddess is said to have been transformed by the mantras into a very rare form called the Tripura Sundari, which includes the Kali form. Tripura Sundari is regarded as the supreme manifestation of Prakriti - the feminine power which is the vital energy of the universe. Literal meaning of Tripura Sundari is 'The Beauty of the Three Worlds' or more precisely the three Cites or 'Pura'.

Best Time to Visit Bhadrakali Temple
The best time to visit the famous Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal is the Telegu month of ‘Sravana’ which corresponds to the month of August - September according to Gregorian Calendar. At this time a festival is organised and the deity is aesthetically decorated in various forms. Housing about 8 major and 12 minor temples surrounding mountains of Bhadrakali Temple exude a sacred aura when a large number of devotees gather to offer prayers.

People who visit Bhadrakali Temple also visit Hanamkonda Fort which is just a kilometer away from the another well known thousand pillared Hanamkonda Temple. Inside the fort is the Siddeshwara Temple housing a small Linga shrine.

Ramappa Temple

The city of Warangal is 157 km from Hyderabad. It was the ancient capital city of the Kakatiya kingdom. Warangal means "history". Its massive fortress has withstood continuous attacks from the Delhi Sultans in the 13th and 14th centuries AD. In the 19th century AD, it was the hunting ground of the nobles. It is noted for its beautiful lakes, magnificent temples, mud-brick forts and wildlife sanctuaries. Warangal today is an important tourist destination.

Palampet is located at a distance of 77 km from Warangal, the ancient capital of the Kakatiyas. It is home to brilliant Kakatiya art as seen in the Ramappa temple. The Ramappa temple is near the ancient engineering marvel of the 13th century AD Ramappa tank. The ancient Ramappa tank can be dated back to the period of Kakatiyas. It is a well-conceived tank where a 2000 ft long earthen dam connects a semi circular chain of hills to form a lake.

The Ramalingeswara Temple is popularly known as the Ramappa temple because the chief sculptor was Ramappa. It is probably the only temple in India to be known by the name of the sculptor who builds it. It was built under the patronage of the King Kakati Ganapathi Deva by his Chief Commander Rudra Samani at Ranakude in the province of Atukuru. The temple has been described as the "brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples in the Deccan". The temple is approached thorough a royal garden, now just a lawn with tree lined path. The temple is situated in a valley and is built with bricks so light that they can float on water. Yet the temple is so strong that it is still intact after numerous wars, invasions and natural calamities.

The Ramappa temple stands on a 6 ft high platform on a cruciform plan. The sanctum is crowned with a shikhara and is surrounded by a pradakshinapatha. Rich and intricate carvings adorn the walls, pillars and ceilings of this wonderful building. The hall in front of the sanctum has numerous beautifully carved pillars that have been placed to create an effect that combines light and space wonderfully. There are many votive shrines within the temple. There are two subsidiary shrines on either side of the main temple, which are in a good condition.

The entire temple complex is enclosed with a compound wall. At the entrance to the temple is a ruined Nandi mandapam, with an imposing 9 ft high Nandi, which is still intact. The Shivalingam in the sanctum also rises to a height of 9 ft. The east-facing sanctum is surrounded with pilasters crowned with Dravidian and Nagara shikharas in an alternating fashion. There is an additional entrance from the north also leading to the Navaranga mandapam in front of the sanctum. The ceiling is divided into compartments by columns from the bottom and is carved with intricate patterns. There is a richness of carvings in this temple on dark rock with a smooth finish, portraying an amazing range of themes from the Puranas and various Indian mythological stories.

The temple signifies many facets of Shiva, his royal residence, the Himalaya Mountains and his inhabiting a sacred space beyond the mortal realm. The temple is built upon the classical pattern of being first raised upon a platform that separates its sacred functions from the taint of the everyday. This 'sacred mountain' mindset was characteristic of the temple builders in all the cultures. It represented a powerful symbolic representation of a perfect building, an intersection in midair of the spheres of heaven and earth. The platform lifts it above the normal, transcends the profane, declaring with uncompromising firmness that it is a place for un-common activities dedicated to a god.

Maha Shiva Ratri is celebrated for a period of three days in this temple Many of the smaller structures are neglected and are in ruins in the Ramappa temple. There were even instances of people carrying away the bricks, to be proudly exhibited that they can float on water, before the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) took charge of it. The main entrance gate in the outer wall of the temple is ruined, so one can enter only through a small west gate.

Thousand Pillars Temple

Very near from Hanamkonda crossroad. The temple is a fine specimen of Kakatiya architecture and sculpture. Built by Rudra Devan in 1163 A.D, in the style of Chalukyan temples, star shaped and triple shrined. The 3 shrines are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. The temple is famous for its richly carved pillars, screens and detailed sculpture. The black basalt Nandi, a monolith, has a lovely polished finish.

How to reach?

• Road: Warangal is connected by state buses from hyderabad, Vijayawada, Karimnagar, Khammam, etc.
• Rail: Warangal has a railhead that is well connected to every city in the country.
• Air: The nearest airports are Hyderabad and Vijayawada, about 157 kms and 249 kms respectively.

Warangal Fort

About Warangal Fort

Warangal is the mighty capital of the Kakatiya Kingdom. Just about 157 kms from Hyderabad, lies the legendary city of Warangal, which has found its way into Mareo Plo's travel diaries! Cross the threshold through the impressive huge stone gateways, A Kakaitya King Ganapathi Deva and his daughter, Rani Rudrama, built the Waragal Fort in the 13th century, the once impregnable fort combines geometrical intricacies and beautifully carved arches. The fort has 45 towers and pillars spread over a radius of 19 km, and a temple of Mother Earth called 'Swayambhudevi Alayam' in the middle. The famous 'Ekasshila', a beautifully carved gateway located within the fort, symbolizes the Kakatiya empire and Warangal even till date like Charminar does for Hyderabad.

How to reach Warangal Fort?

• Bus: Express and Garuda A/c buses available from Hyderabad.
• Rail: Rail available from Secunderabad, Hyderabad.

Global demand for Warangal’s blue Safire granite

WARANGAL: The exports of the famous blue Safire granite available in this part of the world have picked up following a surge in the global demand for the rare variety.

Every year, the district exports thousands of cubic metres of granite abroad.

The Warangal granite has found favour with the Chinese authorities taking up a large number of constructions for the 2008 Olympics.

As a result, the exports have caught on. It is estimated that the Chinese alone are likely to source around 500 cubic metres of blue Safire granite.

The other countries which have lined up to import the granite are the US, Italy, Canada, Taiwan, Germany and the Gulf.

Blue Safire granite is found only in Warangal district in the country.

The fillip for its exports came five years ago, when the White House officials in Washington made orders for around 500 cubic metres of granite for use in constructions at the White House.

This had attracted various importers to the granite, and orders had since been pouring in from across the globe.

In the year 2003-04, 10,917 metres of blue Safire granite was mined from the quarries in the district.

In the same period, the production of black granite touched 28,438 cubic metres. In the following years, the production of blue Safire was 15,732 cubic meters in 2004-05, 21,919 cubic metres in 2005-06 and 25,294 cubic metres in 2006-07.

In the India market, a metre granite fetches around Rs 20,000, and the cost is higher is in the international markets.

The Government has given licences to 65 quarries to mine for blue colour granite in the district. However, at present only 15 units are operational.

Ten units are located in Madikonda area. In respect of black granite, there are around 200 granite quarries in the district.

Half of the granite from the district exported to foreign markets. In the absence of sufficient number of polishing units to process raw material, the quarries are keen on exporting the raw material itself.

In view of the huge investment required there are few polishing units.

However, the Mining Department officials exude confidence that with the surge in demand, there are prospects of some polishing units coming up in the next few years.

Warangal City Guide

Warangal, 157 km from Hyderabad, is noted for its beautiful lakes, splendid temples and wildlife. It was once the capital of the legendary Kakatiya kingdom, and mentioned.

Work of art at his studio in London. The pictures glow vibrant and life like. Each window is made up of several bits of painted glass which has been glued into a single piece and then delicately set into the stone windows. The window to the north which offers a canopy to the altar is the most moving. It depicts the scene of ascension of Jesus towering above the altar dwarfing everything. Jesus ascends to heaven.

The other two windows decorating the east and west faced depict the scenes of the birth of Jesus and his crucifixion. The colour spectrum produced by these windows inside by the early and late afternoon sun is beautiful and beyond all description. With its immensity and beauty, this century old church stand out as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India.

Nearest airport is at Hyderabad 157 km. Nearest convenient rail head is at Kazipet 6 km. Warangal also has direct rail connections with all important cities of India. The city is well connected by road.

PLACES OF INTEREST

The Thousand Pillars Temple, Bhadrakali Temple, Ramappa Lake and Temple, Raymond's Tomb, and Srisailamone of the most important of Lord Shiva's temples.

Warangal

Warangal, the stone hill and the ancient city, is located on 157 km distance from the capital state of Andhra Pradesh called Hyderabad. Dotted with wonderful lakes, brilliant temples and wildlife sanctuaries and reserves, Warangal stands high for its mention in the travel diaries of Marco Polo. Warangal was once the noted capital of the famous Kakatiya kingdom. The rule of Kakatiya kingdom lasted for around 200 years here. It is believed that the patrons of this dynasty had penchant for arts. And it was their inherent interest in arts that contributed towards the heritage sites of this ancient city.

Today Warangal has become one of the most popular tourist places in Andhra Pradesh . There are many unique and elegant attractions to visit. Some of these places of tourist interest include;
• The Thousand Pillar Temple: constructed in 1163 AD by King Rudra Deva, this Thousand Pillar Temple is consecrated to the Hindu deities Shiva, Vishnu and Surya. This magnificent temple boasts of Chalukyan style of temple architecture

• Bhadrakali Temple: located on a on a hillock between Warangal and Hanamakonda, the Bhadrakali Temple features 2.7 meter tall stone image of the deity. This temple also replicates the Chalukyan style of temple architecture.

• Warangal Fort: built during 13 th century under the rule of Kakatiya King Ganapati Deva and his daughter Rudramma, this fort is about 12 km away from Hanamakonda. However, the places of attraction in the fort are a temple and four gateways that replicate Sanchi architecture and reflect Buddhist influence.

• Ramappa Temple: this Shivalaya dating back to 1234 AD is described by Marco Polo in his diary as "brightest star in the galaxy of mediaeval temples in the Deccan".

• Pakhal Lake: surrounded by hills and forests this lake is the famous picnic spot. It was formed by the Kakatiya rulers in 1213 AD.

• Pakhal wild life sanctuary: this excellent sanctuary is an ideal home to tigers, leopards, bears, hyenas, deer and a wide variety of birds. This wildlife sanctuary extends over 90 acres around the lake.

• Eturnagaram Sanctuary: home to tiger, leopard, sloth bear, nilgai, chousingha (four horned antelope), chinkara (mountain gazelle), black buck and various bird species, this sanctuary is very big. This wonderful shelter also houses teak and other beautiful tall trees.

You can reach Warangal by air, rail or bus very conveniently. From Warangal the nearest airport is at Hyderabad at a distance of 157 km. However, if you want to take a rail journey then Warangal is an important railway junction and connected to major cities. And for the bus journey you can avail state bus services operating from Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Karimnagar, Khammam and other districts.

South India Tour Travel offers you interesting information on Warangal in Andhra Pradesh and many more around South India.