HYDERABAD: A bike taxi driver was reportedly electrocuted to death at a construction site in Lingampally. The deceased identified as Anil Nainavath, 26, a native of Zaheerabad, was a supplier of milk to households in the morning and during the day, he worked as a bike taxi driver with Rapido. A watchman of an under-construction building found the body of Anil on Friday morning. The construction site falls within the limits of the Chandanagar police station. Upon investigating, the police discovered burns on his body indicating electrocution.

They have registered a case under section 174 of the CrPC and are investigating the circumstances that led to the youth’s death. Preliminary reports suggested that the victim left his house after receiving a call on Thursday night. He then headed to the construction site, which is usually guarded by a watchman. But there was no one around when he went there as it was raining heavily at that time. He went inside and reportedly came in contact with live electrical wires. However, the exact sequence of events leading to the accident is yet to be determined.

The police are studying the construction site for any potential safety violations or negligence that may have led to the fatal incident.The cops said that they would examine the CCTV footage to know what had happened.They were not convinced by the accidental electrocution theory since he left his house after receiving a call.Meanwhile, his body was sent to Gandhi Hospital for postmortem.

HYDERABAD: Enjoy the ongoing Ganesh Chaturthi festival with these delicious and healthy recipes shared by chefs to try at home

•  Add a few fresh coconut pieces to add a good flavour to the payasam
•  In another pan add 400ml of water and boil it add saunf, ghee and green cardamom powder, Bring it to a boil, then add undralu and cook them on a medium flame for 10 minutes, stirring it when required
•  When they are cooked, in a bowl mix rice flour with some water and add it to the boiling undralu and stir to avoid lumps cook until it thickens. Then add boiled milk and cook for 5 mins. Just check them once and then add grated jaggery, Let the jaggery melt and boil it for 2 to 3 more minutes add fresh grated coconut and fried dry nuts, Let it cook for a while on a medium flame for 2 mins and turn off the flame  
• Serve hot ragi undrala payasam with some ghee and fried nuts

By Executive Chef Chakradhar, Radisson Hyderabad Hitec City

Ragi Undralla  Payasam

Ingredients
Ragi flour 150 gms, Jaggery grate  450 gms cup, Rice flour 50 gms, A pinch of salt, Saunf powder  10 gms, Ghee  100 gms, Milk  150 ml, Cashews  50 gms, Raisins  30 gms, Fresh coconut grated   30 gms, Green cardamom powder  2 gms 

Method

• Boil the milk and keep aside
•  In a mixing bowl add ragi flour and a pinch of salt and mix them well
•  Knead it into a hard dough adding water and rest it for 30 mins
• After resting of dough make undralu by dusting your hands with rice flour and mould them in required shapes either cylindrical or small balls
•  Dust a plate with ragi flour and place the moulds on the plate to avoid sticking
• In a pan heat 2 tbsp of ghee and fry cashews and raisins to golden brown colour

PINK BLOSSOM

Ingredients 
Dry desiccated  coconut 1 kg, Sweet khoya  200gm, Sugar  800grm, Strawberry  syrup 50 ml , Cardamom power 20 gm , Water   200ml

Method

•  Add water to the pan along with sugar, until it is completely diluted in water   
• Add strawberry syrup to it
• Add cardamom powder   
• Now take your dry desiccated coconut powder and add in the same syrup, cook a while till the coconut gets a little dry and sweet pinkish in colour
•  Leave for 5-7 minutes to get cool down , Once the dough is consistent start the next step
•  Grease a steel tray with ghee, and roll out the mix about 1-inch-thick layer   

GOODNESS MODAK

Ingredients
Sweet khoya   1 kg ,Saffron   1gm , Pumpkin seed 150gm , Roasted flax seed  30 gm , Cardamom powder   30 gm

Method

•  Heat a pan and add sweet khoya, and cardamom powder and sauté for a minute.   
•  Stir at times and cook this mixture until the mixture is moist enough to dough, switch off the flame
• Add chopped pumpkin seed and pre-soaked saffron water for colour   
•  Pour the mix into the mould firmly and open it gently
•  Sprinkle the flax seed all over the modak

 By Chef Shakeel Ahmed, MasterChef, The Westin Hyderabad Mindspace

HYDERABAD: In his house in Langar Houz, 30-year-old Aun Mehdi opens old documents and letters from his family’s collection with utmost care. Stacks of archival materials tell the tales of kin before him. “This is the smallest pile I have,” he smiles.

The history of Mehdi’s family mirrors the history of Hyderabad. Mehdi is a fifth-generation descendant of Mir Hashim Ali Khan, the Commandant of the 2nd Nizam’s Own Imperial Service Troops who were part of a decisive victory for the Allied powers against the Ottoman Empire. On September 23, 1918, troops from three princely states of British India - Hyderabad, Mysore, Jodhpur -  liberated the city of Haifa, in present-day Israel, from Ottoman rule. Every year, the Indian Army commemorates the day as ‘Haifa Day’ to remember the bravery of the three regiments.  

The sixth Nizam of Hyderabad gave Khan the title of ‘Nawab Hashim Nawaz Jung Bahadur’. In April of 1897, Khan was setting sail to England on the Britanica, an imperial ship. In June of the same year, Queen Victoria, who was celebrating the diamond jubilee year of her reign, honoured Khan with the ‘Order of British India’. He was given a photogravure of Queen Victoria signed by the Queen herself, which now hangs in Mehdi’s living room. Showing the original copy of the gratitude note to the Queen sent by his ancestor, Mehdi says, “He was given the title of ‘Sardar Bahadur’ or Commander of the Brave.”

Battle of Haifa

The Hyderabad Lancers (cavalrymen who fought with lances) were part of the 15th (Imperial Service) Cavalry Brigade. “Mir Hashim Ali Khan was the longest-serving Commandant of the regiment. The soldiers who went to war in Haifa were trained and supervised by him,” says Mehdi.

Soldiers from Hyderabad were posted in places such as the Suez Canal, Egypt, Gaza and Haifa. According to Anuradha Reddy, Hyderabad Convenor of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), 84 Indian soldiers lost their lives in the Battle of Haifa while 124 were wounded.  

An interesting artefact in Mehdi’s collection is a small book detailing the achievements of Khan’s long career as a soldier. Each page, stamped with the official seal, talks of his bravery till his retirement in 1922. He remained a faithful officer to the Nizams till his death in 1934.

A few days ago, Aun Mehdi was blessed with a baby boy, the sixth link of a family that has witnessed the crescendos and abysses of the city.As the conversation came to an end, he shared, “I inherited these archives. I want my future generations to preserve them with the same zeal and passion that I do.” 

HYDERABAD: TPCC manifesto committee chairman and MLA D Sridhar Babu said that the party’s assurances will reflect the people’s aspiration to see change. The committee held its first meeting at Gandhi Bhavan on Thursday. Former ministers Ponnala Lakshmaiah, G Chinna Reddy and other members attended the meeting.

Later addressing the media, Sridhar Babu said that soon the committee members will tour all the districts and prepare “local manifestos” based on constituency-specific issues. Assuring that the Congress will implement all its promises, he said: “The Congress is trustworthy. The BRS cheated the people by not fulfilling the promises made in its election manifestos.”

A group of aspirants for teacher posts met the committee members and expressed their apprehensions over the State government conducting the DSC examination to fill 13,500 vacant posts. Sridhar Babu assured them that Congress will “immediately” conduct a mega DSC recruitment to fill those posts if it is voted to power in the State.

The guest faculty working in government degree colleges also met the committee members and made a representation on their issues. According to them, around 1,940 guest faculty have been working in 135
government degree colleges in the State for many years.

They wanted the implementation of a GO for degree colleges' guest faculty with auto-renewal, and consolidated pay for 12 months or a minimum time scale. In case a regular faculty is appointed to replace them, other vacant posts for degree college guest faculty should be filled, and services of eligible staff should be regularized. They were assured that their demands would be included in Congress’ manifesto.

Meanwhile, Kisan Congress representatives also made some suggestions with regard to the assurances for farmers to be included in the party’s election manifesto.

HYDERABAD: In preparation for future traffic demands, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has initiated a series of crucial infrastructure projects, which include the widening and strengthening of the existing road from Bachupally Junction to Bowrampet, construction of a four-lane flyover at Bachupally Junction and the widening and strengthening of the existing road from Bahadurpally to Kompally, covering a distance of 7 km.

The construction of a four-lane flyover at Bachupally X Roads will help alleviate heavy traffic congestion from Miyapur X Roads to Bolarum. This will reduce traffic congestion, enhance mobility, decrease travel times and improve overall road safety throughout the entire stretch.

Moreover, the creation of a four-lane road from Bachupally X Roads to Bowrampet, complete with entry and exit ramps for the Outer Ring Road, will greatly enhance north-west connectivity, officials said.
The existing major road network in the city faces a multitude of challenges, including railway crossings, inadequate carriageway width, insufficient drainage facilities, pedestrian footpath issues, traffic management and the absence of an efficient mass transport system, said experts.

Project details

•  Length of flyover: 1.3  kilometres
•  Width: 17.50 metres
•  To comprise 17 piers and two abutments
•  Entry/exit ramps at Mallampet ORR service road

Road widening from Bachupally Jn to Bowrampet

•  Transforming the existing two-lane road into a four-lane road
•  Length: 6 kilometres

Road widening from Bahadurpally to Kompally

•  Upgrading the existing two-lane road into a four-lane road
•  Total length: 7 kilometres

HYDERABAD: Two education department officials were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while accepting a bribe of Rs 80,000 in exchange for facilitating the upgrade of a school to CBSE standards. According to ACB officials, Aysola Sai Purna Chander Rao, the assistant director at the office of regional joint director of school education in Hyderabad, and the second accused, Doddy Jagjeevan, who served as the superintendent, demanded a bribe of Rs 80,000 from the complainant, K Shekhar, to expedite the processing of a file.

This file pertains to the issuance of a No Objection Certificate for the upgradation of a school located in Farooqnagar to CBSE standards from the academic year 2023-2024. Furthermore, the complainant revealed that Satish, a junior assistant serving as the personal assistant to the regional joint director, had also demanded a bribe for himself. ACB also urged people to call 1064, a toll-free number, to report demands for bribes from any public servant.

Former cop booked on court orders

Banjara Hills police booked a former inspector of the Jubilee Hills police station, Rajashekar Reddy, on Thursday. The victim, a doctor, had filed a complaint with the Banjara Hills police alleging that he was falsely accused in a domestic violence case and subsequently detained by the inspector. He claimed that he suffered due to a baseless report and approached the court, which directed the police to register a case

HYDERABAD: Two of the oldest dilapidated municipal markets in Punjagutta and Ameerpet have reached a state of disrepair, causing immense hardship for citizens and vendors. Recognising the dire condition of these buildings, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has decided to demolish both markets and replace them with modern facilities.

These markets are currently on the verge of collapse. Most of the stalls inside these markets have been shuttered by vendors and are now being used for storage. To ensure their safety, many vendors have resorted to conducting their business using push carts located outside these crumbling structures.

The Ameerpet market, occupying 1,175 square yards, will be completely demolished and replaced with a new structure consisting of a ground floor (cellar+stilt) plus four additional floors and a terrace floor, all at an estimated cost of Rs 8.66 crore. Meanwhile, the Punjagutta market, spanning 800 square yards, will also undergo demolition and reconstruction, featuring a ground floor (cellar+stilt), four additional floors, and a terrace floor, with an estimated cost of Rs 5.36 crore. Additionally, a stilt floor will be provided for parking two- and four-wheelers.

In this regard, the civic body has issued invitations for bids from agencies for the construction of modern markets. Administrative approval for these projects was granted by the State Government in August 2022. The technical bids are scheduled to be opened on October 7, with the price bid opening slated for October 9. The project is expected to be completed within a 12-month timeframe, with a two-year defect liability period.

GHMC officials said the Ameerpet market will comprise approximately 82 shops and two office rooms, while the Punjagutta market will include 45 shops and two office rooms. Once agreements are reached with the selected agencies, construction work will commence.

These modern markets will offer much-needed relief to street vendors, shielding them from the heat and rain, officials said. Currently, vendors and hawkers in these locations are exposed to severe weather conditions and dust due to the absence of proper shelter for their stalls, they said, adding that their wares, including vegetables, fish, chicken, and mutton, are susceptible to exposure to dust and flies.The construction timeline stipulates that 40% of the work must be completed within the first four months, 80% within four to eight months, and the remaining within the eight to 12-month period.

HYDERABAD: Bharat Serums and Vaccines Limited (BSV) hosted the groundbreaking ceremony of its new manufacturing plant at Genome Valley in Hyderabad on Thursday. The Rs 200 crore manufacturing facility, spread across 10 acres, aims to provide long-term employment opportunities to the people of the State as well as upskilling capabilities, a release said, adding that the BSV also intends to increase its capacity in producing injectables with the commissioning of the fill-finish formulation line in Phase I and an additional multi-product line in Phase II of the project.

BSV currently has a manufacturing facility in Ambernath, Maharashtra, that caters to domestic and more than 80 export markets and a manufacturing facility in Aachen, Germany, that serves the international markets. It is one of the fastest-growing biopharmaceutical companies in India, the release said. For 50 years now, BSV has used its scientific resources to develop a range of biological, biotech and pharmaceutical products.

Headquartered in Mumbai, BSV is amongst the top 10 biotech companies in India and has a portfolio of over 145 brands. The company has over 2,500 employees selling its products across the country with their brands being marketed all over India, the release added. The facility aims to produce world-class products that adhere to international quality systems while complying with the Indian regulatory norms of Schedule M and the global regulatory requirements in the world.

It will also produce women’s health products, anti-rabies vaccines, immunoglobulins and hormones, among others. Speaking on the occasion, IT and Industries Minister KT Rama Rao, said, “We welcome BSV to the ‘Vaccine Capital of the World’ and are delighted that they have chosen Genome Valley to host their world-class manufacturing facility.

This reflects the huge opportunity, potential and comprehensive ecosystem that Genome Valley offers to the life sciences sector, which truly makes Telangana a biotech hub focusing on innovating in India for the country and the world. It also reflects our State’s commitment towards good health and wellbeing especially in areas such as women’s health in which we already run flagship programmes such as the Arogya Mahila programme.”

HYDERABAD: The Gudimalkapur police have served a notice to Tollywood actor Navdeep, summoning him to appear before the Hyderabad Narcotic Enforcement Wing (H-NEW) officials at 11 AM on Saturday. A source from the Police department said that along with Navdeep, Surya, the owner of Snort Club and Kitchen on Hitex Road, Arjun, the owner of Terra Cafe and Bistro on Jubilee Hills Road No. 21, and Ravi Uppalapati, a producer whose movies have starred Daggubati Venkatesh, Tapsee Pannu and Srikanth, have appealed for anticipatory bail and acquired a stay order.

Three other offenders who approached the court too were reportedly directed to surrender before the police and appear at the station every Monday. It can be recalled that Telangana Narcotics Bureau (TS-NAB) director CV Anand named actor Navdeep along with Surya, Arjun and Ravi as accused in the drugs case.

CV Anand had said that narcotic substances were being provided in discreet rooms inside these establishments for customers to consume drugs. Sources said that police has incriminating evidence about Navdeep and his friend Ramchand partying two weeks ago and that WhatsApp conversations between the duo will play a crucial role to aid the investigation.

HYDERABAD: Roads near Khairatabad Metro station during rush hours are synonymous with traffic snarls. Pedestrians and students of nearby degree colleges often find it difficult to cross the road. On both sides of the road, pelican signals or pedestrian light-controlled signals remain unused.

Inaugurated in May by Hyderabad City Police Commissioner CV Anand at Upper Tank Bund, there are 31 signals in the Hyderabad commissionerate limits. Launched as an antidote to the woes of pedestrians, these signals, a common sight abroad, seem to have no takers in the city.

A pelican crossing is formed of two poles on either side of the road. The poles contain three signal heads, one in each direction for drivers and one facing pedestrians. Pedestrians can operate the crossing by pressing the buttons on both poles. Once a pedestrian presses the button, the traffic light turns red and it is safe for the pedestrian to cross. Pelican signals work on a timer system; pedestrians have to cross the road within a set time. At the press of the button, a beep sound will also be produced.

According to a pedestrian, Syed Aamir, vehicles do not always follow the rules and stop for pedestrians. “Some drivers do stop, but most of them, especially youngsters, just speed away,” he says. As per Aamir, rush hours in Khairatabad also see the passage of heavy vehicles. This makes crossing roads a riskier affair for pedestrians, he says.

The pelican signal opposite the Tripuraneni Ramaswamy Chowdary statue in Tank Bund, the venue of the launch, seems to be forgotten. On enquiry, even police officers manning the stretch could not recollect its location.

According to P Bharath Kumar, Inspector of Police who is in charge of traffic signals, traffic wardens will man these signals in order to help pedestrians cross the road and raise awareness about the signals. “The hours of these wardens will depend on the traffic in each area. In zones with schools and colleges, the wardens will remain till 5 pm,” he said.  

Even as existing pelican signals remain unused, plans are on to increase the number of pelican signals in areas with heavy movement, as per the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC). Regarding non-compliance of vehicles, Kumar said, “It will take some time to make drivers aware of how a pelican signal works.”

HYDERABAD: With a festive mood enveloping the entire city, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has begun readying three categories of artificial ponds over the next one week for the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols which are less than six feet in height.

The portable prefabricated fibre-reinforced plastic water ponds, temporary excavation water tanks, and baby ponds across the twin cities are being set up. The objective is to ensure that the existing water bodies would be spared to the extent possible immersion of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols.

As many as 24 portable water tanks, 23 excavated water tanks and seven baby ponds, totalling 74, have been readied. GHMC officials and sanitation staff have been drafted for duties at these water ponds to receive the idols from the devotees and immerse them in these artificial water ponds.

The civic body wanted the devotees to immerse small and medium Ganesha idols in the temporary water ponds and cooperate in environmental protection. The help of local police is proposed to be taken to guide the pandal organisers and individual devotees to immerse the small and medium-sized idols at these artificial water ponds without any difficulties.

GHMC officials told TNIE that the exercise of establishing portable and excavated water tanks has been completed and for baby ponds, minor repairs and cleaning is being undertaken and once they are cleaned they will be filled with fresh water. The initiative to set up artificial ponds is aimed to ensure that devotees need not travel long distances for immersion, but also avoid crowding during the festive period.

The portable water pond is of 20 metres X 10 metres with a depth of  1.35 to 1.50 metres where idols up to four feet height can be immersed in them with ease, while the excavated tanks will be six feet deep and then cover the base and the sides with a  black polythene cover sheet, to ensure that the water and pollutants do not seep into the ground. Once the rituals are over, the immersion material and puja leftovers will be segregated and taken to the landfill for treatment and disposal.

After the completion of the festivities, portable ponds will be dismantled and will be kept in storerooms for use for the following years while the excavated ponds will be levelled to the surface of the ground, they added.

HYDERABAD: “Oh dadi (grandmother)! Isn’t our Ganesha looking good?” a little boy asked. The grandmother, who was passing by, nodded in agreement. The little boy’s Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganesha, decked in all finery, is the biggest idol in the pandal. He is joined by 50 other miniature Ganesha idols and models of rats, who are believed to be the vehicles of the elephant-headed Hindu deity. The nine lanes of Hindi Nagar alone, in Goshamahal, house 50 Ganesha pandals. Another pandal houses a Ganesha holding onto a soaring Chandrayaan-3 launcher.

In Nagulchinta lane of Lal Darwaza, children returning from school look bewildered. They were welcomed by models of polling officers. This year, the idea behind Future Foundation’s Ganesha is to familiarise youngsters with the process of elections. In front of the 16-foot-tall Ganesha, there are cardboard cutouts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao. Cutouts of police officers were also found there.  

A little girl greeted the clay Ganesha with folded hands. “Our idol is fully eco-friendly. We have only used watercolours,” says Sachin Chandan, president of Future Foundation. His organisation has been setting up pandals with innovative themes since 2011. For example, in 2021, the idol spread awareness about Covid-19 vaccines.

However, every year, the Khairatabad clay Ganesh is the cynosure of all eyes. Standing tall at 63 feet, devotees from all over the city, dressed in festive wear, throng the area to see the idol. As vehicles have been prohibited, visitors move slowly towards the idol on foot. Due to the footfall, the area is bustling with all kinds of economic activity. jewellery vendors, fortune tellers, makeshift sweet shops, and toy sellers have occupied both sides of the road.

While some organisers have made the shift to eco-friendly materials, PoP idols are still a common sight in the city. “When we made the switch to clay, everyone made fun of us,” says Chandan. In the coming days, these PoP idols will make their way to the Hussainsagar, despite a 2022 Telangana High Court order prohibiting the immersion of PoP idols in the heavily polluted lake.

HYDERABAD: Nampally police on Wednesday reunited with his parents a six-month-old infant who was abducted from the Niloufer Hospital by a tragedy-stricken couple from Kamareddy who longed for a healthy baby.

The abduction came to light after his mother, Fareeda Begum, lodged a complaint with the Nampally police on September 14 about the disappearance of her infant son. Swinging into action, the police, along with sleuths from Saifabad police station and the Central Zone Task Force, scoured hours of CCTV footage and zeroed in on a couple boarding a bus to Kamareddy from the Jubilee Bus Stand.

Briefing media persons, Central Zone DCP M Venkateshwarlu identified the accused as Katroth Mamtha and Katroth Srinu, who took the drastic step as they wanted a healthy child. The DCP said that Fareeda, accompanied by her mother, had taken her four-year-old son to Niloufer Hospital for treatment.

While her mother attended to the elder son, Fareeda was tending to the younger one outside the ward. Meanwhile, Mamtha approached Fareeda and told her that she was there for her son’s treatment as well and gained her trust.

Trusting her, Fareeda asked Mamtha to watch over her sleeping infant while she went to get something to eat. Upon her return, Fareeda found her son missing, and she immediately suspected the woman she had entrusted her baby with, the DCP said.

After the police arrested Mamtha and Srinu they found the heart-wrenching motive behind the abduction.  
The accused, who hails from Kamareddy, had suffered a series of tragedies, losing their twins a few years ago to a genetic disease. Recently, their newborn son was diagnosed with hyperviscosity syndrome.

Desperate for a healthy child, they plotted to kidnap an infant. DCP Venkateshwarlu said: “The accused couple’s painful journey, marred by the loss of their twins and the dire health condition of their newborn, led them to make this unfortunate decision.”

HYDERABAD: CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) on Wednesday commenced its operations for Phase I of the newly redeveloped International Tech Park Hyderabad (ITPH). Strategically located in Madhapur, the heart of Hyderabad’s IT corridor, the business park has received 100% lease commitment from leading global corporations for its Block A office building.

CLINT will invest in the complete redevelopment of ITPH, which is expected to be done in phases for over 7–10 years. After completion, ITPH will provide 4.9 million sq.ft of Grade A+ office space to house more than 50,000 IT/IT Enabled Services (ITES) professionals.

Launching a block of ITPH, IT and Industries minister KT Rama Rao said, CLI’s commitment to developing world-class business parks and data centres in Hyderabad is a testament to the exponential growth of the city’s IT sector. With Hyderabad becoming a preferred destination for leading global corporations, we are dedicated to providing the infrastructure and support necessary for these companies to grow and succeed.

Explaining about the growth of Hyderabad, he said during their visit, Maharashtra builders went around the city for three days and said what is being built essentially here is India’s version of Singapore. “I was so delighted with the statement because Singapore is the country I look up to and it is the country we looked up to,“ stated Rama Rao

“We will continue to work with leading companies like CLI to shape the future of Hyderabad’s business landscape by creating an ecosystem that nurtures innovation and collaboration,” KTR added.

ITPH Block A offers tenants a wide array of amenities across over 0.11 million sq ft including cafeterias, food courts, private dining areas, meeting rooms and townhall centres, a daycare facility, a gym, a convenience store, a clinic, and premium flexible office spaces.

HYDERABAD: Warner Bros. Discovery, the world’s leading media and entertainment company with many iconic brands across television, films and streaming, inaugurated its Hyderabad Capability Centre on Wednesday. “I am proud to note that Warner Bros. Discovery with such marquee presence and brands in the media space has chosen Hyderabad for setting up its development centre,” said IT and Industries minister KT Rama Rao, at the event.

He said that the centre has taken very good shape within four months of its announcement. “As part of our delegation to the US, we met Alex Carter in New York earlier during May this year and were glad to announce the entry of Warner Bros. Discovery’s Global Capability Centre in Hyderabad,” the minister said.

Rama Rao stated that it was a privilege to note that the Hyderabad office of Warner Bros. Discovery is its first greenfield office in Asia after the merger of Warner Media and Discovery. He thanked the Warner Bros. Discovery team for choosing Hyderabad and said that they would never regret this decision.

He mentioned that when Telangana was formed, its IT employment was over 3,23,000 and today the number has almost risen to a million, despite the pandemic. He also added that Telangana’s employment and exports have tripled and quadrupled since the formation of the State.

“Hyderabad city has contributed to 33 per cent of the net new IT jobs in FY 2022 and 44 per cent of the net new jobs in FY 2023 which is unprecedented. In the first half of 2023, Hyderabad has overtaken Bengaluru as the top destination for the Global capability centres,” said the IT minister.

HYDERABAD: In a major crackdown, the Cyberabad police have dismantled two separate fake document networks that have been clandestinely operating for the past eight years. These nefarious operations involved the creation of counterfeit rubber stamps bearing the names of high-ranking government officials and falsified documents purportedly issued by entities such as the GHMC, Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA), Revenue, and other government departments.

Authorities have identified 63-year-old Ghanta Ranga Rao as the alleged mastermind behind the first case, while 24-year-old Vaka Nagi Reddy is suspected to be the main orchestrator in the second case. The perpetrators used these fake documents to secure home and business loans from various nationalised banks. The police arrested a total of 18 individuals and confiscated 1,347 counterfeit rubber stamps, 1,825 forged certificates and documents, 10 laptops, two stamp-making machines, two stamp flashers, and 65 mobile phones from the possession of the suspects.

An ongoing investigation revealed that the fraudulent loans were obtained from a range of prominent banks, including SBI, Canara Bank, and Punjab National Bank. Preliminary findings also suggest the involvement of bank verification officers, managers, a panel of advocates, and managers in facilitating this elaborate scam.

Police officials are currently scrutinising the roles of these individuals as part of their ongoing investigation, which has already uncovered a list of 50 clients who fell victim to the scammers. Addressing the media, Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Stephen Ravindra said that, as of now, there is no evidence of government officials being directly implicated in the scheme. According to authorities, the accused established a well-organised network across the twin cities and collaborated with loan agents to identify potential targets.

HYDERABAD: The PVNR Marg, previously known as Necklace Road, is a popular tourist destination situated in a lively yet tranquil setting along the picturesque Hussainsagar. Soon, it will offer another exciting attraction: the Lake Front Park, located adjacent to Jalavihar. A pivoted bridge, newly installed along the bank, will allow visitors to stroll into the Hussainsagar.

MAUD Minister KT Rama Rao took to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday to announce that the park will soon be inaugurated. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has designed and developed this sprawling park. Officials said the park will be open to the public from 5.30 am to 11.30 pm, with an entry fee of Rs 10 for children, Rs 50 for adults and a monthly pass option of Rs 100 for morning walkers.

The lakefront park has landscaped greenery adorned with exotic plant varieties, totalling four lakh plants, each labelled with barcodes an innovative first introduced by the HMDA. A total of 22 25-year-old trees have been transplanted within the park. A diverse selection of 40 plant varieties, capable of thriving in drainage-prone areas and shade, along with mosquito-repelling plants, scented and aromatic species, and rare plants, have been planted. Key features include four elevated walkways, each measuring 110 metres in length, complete with a cantilever jetty extending 15 metres over the lake.

Additionally, there is a 240-metre-long and 2-metre-wide curvilinear (wave) walkway as well as a 690-metre-long and 2-metre-wide walkway that seamlessly connects all elements within the park. The total expenditure for the park’s development stands at Rs 22 crore for civil and electrical works and Rs 4.65 crore for landscaping. Following the minister’s directives, the HMDA has embarked on enhancing the beauty and functionality of the Hussainsagar surroundings.

The architectural elements encompass pavilions, a promenade area along the lake’s shore, a ‘panchatatva’ walkway, a central pathway, underpasses and more.The lake front park features a 15-metre-long cantilevered deck over the water, pergolas with illuminated seating and captivating light sculptures that serve as focal points.

Electrical components include bollard lighting, decorative LED illumination, high mast lighting, navi column lighting, and neoflex lighting along the boardwalk, complemented by theme post tops. The park also hosts administrative blocks, ticket counters, toilet facilities and other essential amenities.

HYDERABAD: The regions in and around Kompally, Medchal and  Shamirpet has emerged as a rapidly growing residential hotspot in the northern suburbs of Hyderabad. Its proximity to major urban centres has led to a surge in interest in recent times, primarily driven by substantial infrastructural development, which in turn has spurred significant growth in the real estate sector.

According to a report from Colliers International Group Inc., an investment management company, on top investment destinations, Kompally, Medchal and Shamirpet have become sought-after real estate destinations due to several favourable factors, including its strategic location, the substantial potential for capital appreciation and a wide array of housing options, including several premium gated communities.

Experts pointed out that the northwestern part of Hyderabad has evolved into the city’s largest employment hub, resulting in increased residential activity in and around its periphery. As prominent micro-markets become saturated over the years, neighbouring areas of Kompally, Medchal and Shamirpet have experienced a spillover in demand. These areas are highly regarded by homebuyers looking for a range of housing options.

In areas like Kompally and Alwal, a standalone flat costs anywhere between Rs 4,500 to Rs 5,000 per sq. ft., while units in gated communities command prices of Rs 5,500 to Rs 6,000 per sq. ft. For those interested in plots, prices typically range from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000 per sq. yard.

This corridor is getting recognition as a luxurious weekend and holiday home destination as well. It has witnessed the development of premium wellness resorts, nature resorts and gated communities with extensive amenities, experts said, adding that the area’s lush green surroundings, robust physical infrastructure, and existing and upcoming commercial hubs make it an attractive proposition for investors looking to capitalise on opportunities in the region. Several renowned schools, hospitals and shopping complexes have also come up in the area.

In terms of connectivity, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad and railway stations in Medchal and Gundlapochampally are easily accessible. It is also well connected to other key city destinations via the Outer Ring Road. Additionally, the corridor is located along the NH-44, connecting Hyderabad and Nagpur, providing one of the best road networks in the State capital.

HYDERABAD: With less than 24 hours remaining for the commencement of Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, devotees in Hyderabad are facing a tough time in obtaining all the required 21 varieties of patri (leaves).Vendors selling these leaves in markets across the city are struggling to procure more than 10-15 varieties of leaves and shrubs, leaving devotees with limited options.

During Ganesh pooja, devotees traditionally require leaves from 21 different plants and shrubs for the ritual offering to Lord Ganesha. However, the patri available in the markets often lack authenticity, as they may contain leaves of plants that are not traditionally supposed to be used. Patri is a compilation of various leaves, primarily wild leaves of different shapes, sizes, and medicinal properties, which are combined for the ritual offering to Lord Ganesha.

The Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Committee (BGUS) has been urging the State government, particularly the Forest department, to assist devotees in obtaining the 21 patris from the market. Some of these leaves can still be found in forest areas.Despite assurances from Minister for Animal Husbandry T Srinivas Yadav in a recent meeting with BGUS office bearers that the State government would make patris available to devotees through the Forest department, little has been done to fulfil this promise.

Urbanisation, destruction of ghats and deforestation have made it increasingly challenging to find certain species of leaves, according to GHMC officials.As society becomes more disconnected from nature, the ability to identify and gather these leaves is diminishing. Many people now purchase patris from markets without fully understanding their significance in rituals.

Vendors selling patris have expressed their difficulties in sourcing all the required leaves, particularly from remote villages and deep forest areas where some of these leaves are found. Consequently, the patris available today are often not authentic, in contrast to traditional practices.

The number 21 holds great significance in Ganesh puja, and the authentic patris consist of leaves from Terminalia arjuna (Arjun), Sesbania grandiflora (Agati), Achyranthes Aspera (Prickly Chaff Flower), Nerium Indicum (Oleander), Pandanus odoratissimus (Kewda), Jasminum auriculatum (Juhi), Punica granatum (Pomegranate), Solanum indicum (Indian nightshade), Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass), Cedrus deodara (Deodar), Ocimum sanctum (Holy basil), Datura innoxia (Datura), Ficus religiosa (Holy Ficus), Aegle marmelos (Bel), Ziziphus mauritiana (Ber), Origanum majorana (Marjoram), Eclipta erecta (False Daisy), Jasminum sambac, Evolvulus alsinoides, Calotropis procera (Rubber bush), and Prosopis spicigera (Khejri tree).Devotees hoping to preserve the authenticity of the rituals during Ganesh festivities are praying that they get their hands on genuine patris.

HYDERABAD: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday extended greetings to the people of Telangana, Hyderabad-Karnataka and Marathwada region on Hyderabad Liberation Day saying this day marks the unwavering patriotism of the people and commemorates their unyielding struggle.

"On Hyderabad Liberation Day, I extend my heartfelt best wishes to the people of Telangana, Hyderabad-Karnataka & Marathwada region. This day marks the unwavering patriotism of the people of Hyderabad and commemorates their unyielding struggle to set themselves free from the atrocious rule and domination of the Nizam. I solemnly pay homage to the martyrs of the Hyderabad Mukti Sangram," Shah wrote on 'X'.

On September 17, 1948, the then Hyderabad state, which was under the rule of the Nizam, was annexed into the Union of India following military action, initiated by the then Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

The people of the region fought valiantly against the atrocities of the 'Razakars' to merge the region into Union of India. The 'Razakars', a private militia, had committed atrocities and defended the erstwhile Nizam rule in Hyderabad. When India gained Independence, the Razakars called for Hyderabad state to either join Pakistan, or to become a Muslim dominion while resisting its merger with the Union of India.

Shah said that Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel broke the highest authority of the country and the strongest ideological barrier, and took the decision to design the police action on September 10, 1948, which he, along with the then agent general (ambassador) KM Munshi, had implemented till the Nizam surrendered on September 17.

Had it not been for their joint efforts, Shah said that Hyderabad State wouldn't have been liberated so soon.

The minister hoisted the national flag at Parade Grounds on Sunday, and reviewed the parade of the paramilitary forces. 

Addressing the gathering at the central government event, he said that the people were suffering from atrocities worse than hell, under the Nizam's rule, and organisations like Arya Samaj, Hindu Mahasabha, and movements like the 'Vande Mataram' slogan movement started in the Osmania University, the movement waged by the farmers in Bidar, and most importantly the participation of youth, and the decisive action of Patel in the last-leg of the liberation struggle, had made the liberation of Hyderabad State possible.

The minister said that it was unfortunate to see political parties playing appeasement and vote-bank politics, and were afraid to officially celebrate the liberation of Telangana. "Those parties which are turning their faces away from the country's history, the people will turn their faces away from such parties," he said.

Shah remembered the role played by Marri Chenna Reddy, Sai Bandagi, Vidyadhar Guru, Pandit Keshav, Annabheri, Raavi Narayan Reddy, Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, Kaloji, Vaman Rao, Baddam Yella Reddy, Digambar Rao and many others in the liberation struggle.

"The memories of this day are the struggles waged by the people and the sacrifices of the great martyrs, which we shall continue to remember for generations, so that the youth will get inspired and dedicate themselves for nation building," he added.

Shah also virtually laid the foundation for the construction of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) family accommodation buildings, which will be constructed in 85 acres of land in Ibrahimpatnam.

He also released postal covers of freedom fighters Shoaibullah Khan and Ramji Gond on the occasion.

The parade of cultural troupes from different States in south India was the cynosure of all eyes at the event. 

Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, Union Culture Secretary Govind Mohan, CRPF DG Sujoy Lal, SSB DG Rashmi Shukla and others attended the parade of CRPF, CISF, Cobra and other paramilitary forces.