NRI couple makes a mark in Andhra Pradesh

Chicago, IL: India is now emerging as a land of opportunity. A congenial climate to succeed as investors exists for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in India in general and in Andhra Pradesh in particular.

This encouraging view with supporting examples has been expressed by a successful NRI wife and husband duo – Galla Aruna Kumari, Andhra Pradesh Minister for Medical Education and Health Insurance, and Galla Ramachandra Naidu, a leading industrialist.

Aruna Kumari and Ramachandra Naidu were speaking at a well-attended felicitation meeting arranged in their honor by various Telugu associations of Chicagoland at the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago (HTGC) in Lemont, a suburb of Chicago, on July 1.

The couple, who had come to the US in 1969, returned to Andhra Pradesh in 1985 when no one else even thought or ventured to do so. The temple was taken as the venue because the couple, along with other friends, played an important role in its establishment and growth.

Addressing the gathering, Aruna Kumari said that all NRIs, with their knowledge and education acquired in India, and the success they achieved in the US, owe an obligation to their country and the state. They would definitely find gainful venues in Andhra Pradesh to invest their money and knowledge.

Explaining the opportunities they would have, she said: “India is growing at a fast pace. There are ample opportunities available for NRIs to help the country. Andhra Pradesh, with its rich resources, is emerging as a leading knowledge and industrial state. The Chief Minister, Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, promises to do what he can do; he does not promise what he cannot do. The investment areas in Andhra Pradesh are abundant. There is an opportunity for investment for every NRI. They can start industries. They can support education. They can help hospitals. They can develop their villages. The NRI physicians can invest in the medical colleges that they studied. The NRI engineers can help industries. They all can give money to buy furniture, equipment and books for libraries of medical and other educational institutions.”

She said that the YSR government was concentrating on youth employment schemes, women empowerment plans, rural housing, agriculture and other growth-oriented works.

Speaking about her Ministry, she said that it was only 50 days ago she assumed charge. With her persuasion, the newly initiated health insurance scheme, which was originally started in three districts, had been extended to 10 districts. It would soon be extended to all the districts of the state. Listing the problems faced by hospitals and medical colleges, she said that there was severe shortage of faculty. She gave an example of a government dental college where the principal along with eight other faculty members resigned en masse to join a private college. Therefore, she proposed some remedial measures and incentives to retain the faculty. Hitherto it was taking five years for an assistant professor to become a professor. Now the period had been cut down to two years. Similarly the retirement age of physicians and professors had been extended from 58 years to 60 years. She also emphasized the need for new medical graduates to serve in the rural areas.

Galla Ramachandra Naidu, who owns companies like Amara Raja Batteries in Tirupati, Amara Raja Power Systems in Kanakambadi, Amara Raja Electronics in Diguvamagham and Galla Foods in Rangampeta, said all these projects would remain second to his first successful project – the Hindu Temple of Greater Chicago. Tracing the history of HTGC, he said it was started as a small project with an investment of $250,000 and it had grown into a project of millions of dollars.

He said that when he returned to India in 1985, the country was still had a license raj. Hurdles and red tape were many in the way of starting any new industry. It needed a lot of patience and perseverance to start an industry and succeed. But as of today, all his industries provided employment to about 5,000 people, including women and the youth – both educated and uneducated. “Now things are very different in India. Many incentives and opportunities are available to start industries. In economic parity, India now occupies fourth place after Japan in the world. With 10 percent GDP, India would soon replace Japan. India, which was looked down suspiciously in 1960s, is now commanding great respect and recognition among world countries. Today China may be dominating by flooding the world with cheep consumer goods, but India will soon overtake China by supplying quality consumer goods to world. If you want to start an industry or business, India provides you several opportunities. It is a turning point. With consumerism growing in the largest Indian middle class population, and with increasing purchasing power among the youth workforce, India’s economic activity is scaling new heights. Our scientists, doctors, engineers, management experts and other professionals and entrepreneurs, who are contributing so much to the growth of world counties, can now help India. India needs you and provides you opportunities,” he added.

Yugandhar Yadlapati, one of the founders of Telugu Association of North America, praising the hard work and perseverance behind the success of Aruna Kumari and Ramachandra Naidu in the US and in India, said that it was no exaggeration if some one said that one day a person of Andhra origin would become the President of the US. “You can already notice the influence of Andhras here – former President Bill Clinton would be addressing the forthcoming TANA conference in Washington DC. Aruna Kumari, with her vast experience gained in the US, quickly won the hearts of people in Cuddapah area and became an MLA, and subsequently a Minister. She gained political acumen from her father, Rajagopala Naidu, an active parliamentarian and a close associate of N.G. Ranga.

Syama Pappu, president of Telugu Association of Greater Chicago (TAGC), said that TAGC was proud at the success of Ramachandra Naidu because he was its president in 1975. Paying tributes to the contribution of Telugus to the US and other countries, Syama Pappu said that the world which realized the importance of Telugu physicians, engineers, scientists and other professionals also recognized the importance of experts of information technology. “In Chicagoland itself, there are 10,000 Telugus. With thousands of Telugus living and serving the US, the bondage between Andhra Pradesh and the US is strong. We do everything ourselves in this country and we value dignity of labor. We must carry this message to our own people in India. Here we should work to keep our family and Vedic values and pass them on to our younger generations. We should celebrate our festivities and showcase our culture to mainstream Americans here,” he concluded.

Earlier, Narendra Reddy, vice president of American Telugu Association (ATA), welcomed the gathering

The others, who spoke in praise of services of Aruna Kumari and Ramachandra Naidu, included Subramanyaraju Rudraraju, regional vice president of TANA, Dr. Sinha, Dr. Prasanna Reddy, Ramakrishna, Dr. Umapathy Reddy, Dr. Tata Prakasam, Dr. Vidya Sagar, Dr. Ram Reddy, and Dr. Sadasiva Reddy.

Ch Bharati, who emceed the program with all the charm, said that in one of the factories of Ramachandra Naidu, 90 percent of the employees held qualifications less than 10th class.

US consulate emerges as the "editor"

Generally it is the editor of a newspaper who decides what should or should not be covered and who should and should not cover such and such incident. Editor's word is the final in a newspaper set-up. But the US consulate in Chennai donned the role of an editor when it came to who should or should not cover the TANA conferences in the USA.

A large number of Telugu journalists had applied for visas to cover TANA meetings. When they attended the interviews, the officials responsible for issuance of visas put a number of queries before the journalists. They asked why the journalists were seeking visas. When a journalist told the American consulate officials that he was going to the US for "coverage" of TANA news, he was curtly told that "he need not", sources point out.

Another journalist also got the same reply. He was told "not necessary". The US officials have every right to deny or grant visas. But now they also seem to decide who should or should not cover, ala editors.

A Telugu journalist opted for interview in English, instead of Telugu. He could not get the visa for the simple reason that he could not understand what the official was saying and vice versa.

And this explains why there were so little number of Telugu journalists from Andhra Pradesh at the TANA meet this time.

Rains, Flash Floods In Andhra Claim 45 Lives

Heavy rains and flash floods in Andhra Pradesh have claimed 45 lives in the past two days, with the situation still grim in coastal areas Saturday.

Some 70 soldiers Saturday joined civil authorities in rescue and relief operations in the worst hit Kurnool district. Helicopters were also pressed into service.

Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, who reviewed the situation and relief measures at a high-level meeting here Saturday, told newsmen that the rains had receded in the coastal districts over the last few hours but Kurnool and parts of Rayalseema and Mahabubnagar district continued to receive heavy rains.

According to weather officials, a low-pressure area that crossed the Andhra coast early Friday triggering the heavy rains was moving towards Karnataka and Maharashtra. They have forecast heavy rains in parts of Andhra Pradesh and neighbouring states.

Dozens of towns and villages remained inundated. Local authorities rescued about 40 people trapped in vehicles in swirling waters. District authorities evacuated hundreds from low-lying areas along Krishna and Godavari rivers.

Two helicopters have left for Kurnool and Guntur districts for relief operations. About 4,000 food packets and 140,000 water sachets would be air dropped in the inundated towns and villages.

A helicopter is looking for eight missing people in East Godavari district.

The authorities have opened 95 relief camps in the affected districts to provide shelter to 56,000 people, who were evacuated from low-lying areas. The chief minister said 51 camps were opened in Kurnool district alone.

Kurnool district accounts for 21 deaths. Five people were killed in Guntur, four in Prakasam, three each in Kadpa and Karimnagar and two in Hyderabad. The remaining deaths were reported from Srikakulam and East and West Godavari districts.

The incessant rains since Thursday and flash floods damaged paddy nurseries in the fertile coastal region while strong gales uprooted trees, electricity and communication poles snapping electricity supply to many towns and villages.

Hundreds of trucks and buses were stranded on waterlogged highways. The Chennai-Kolkata highway was cut off. Train services also came to standstill in Kurnool and Guntur districts as railway tracks were submerged at a few points.

Several parts of Macherla town in Guntur district, Kurnool and Nandyal towns in Kurnool district and Ongole town in Prakasam district and dozens of villages were water-logged as rivulets, streams, irrigation channels and tanks were overflowing.

Rajasekhara Reddy announced compensation of Rs.200,000 for the kin of each of those killed. He said houses that have destroyed would be rebuilt.

Shabbir behind the new TV channel?

Having held the Information and Public Relations portfolio for nearly three years, Minister for Energy Mohd Ali Shabbir seems to have tasted the power being a media man.

Reliable sources say Shabbir Ali has made behind the screen investment in a forthcoming television channel, promoted by a realtor and a known racketeer in Jubilee Hills and is extending all possible assistance from the government. The channel has already poached prominent journalists from ETV and even Andhra Jyothi and has been paying them good salaries.

The problem, however, is that the main promoter was once an out and out Telugu Desam supporter and a fan of Naidu, basically because of his caste leanings. Therefore, Shabbir Ali would be confined to investing in the channel and not dictating its policy. Unfortunately, this channel is yet to get all the permissions from the Union government and Shabbir Ali's influence has failed to work with the Delhi bosses.

Fact Sheet: Naidu to take Balakrishna to US!

Lending credence to the speculations that he will join the Telugu Desam, film hero Nandamuri Balakrishna is all set to accompany his brother-in-law and TD president N Chandrababu Naidu to his tour to the USA.

Though it is being claimed that Balakrishna is going to the US to attend the Telugu Association of North America conventions and it is only concidence that Naidu would be present there, party sources say Balakrishna's visit was actually planned by Naidu himself. It was at Naidu's behest that Balakrishna's name was included in the TANA's invitees' list. In fact, the itinerary of Balaiah is being planned by the TD leaders, who are already in the US to work out the programme schedule.

Interestingly, the engagement ceremony of Naidu's son Lokesh and Balaiah's daughter Brahmani is going to take place on June 24, a day before Naidu's departure to the US. So, when Balaiah goes to the US, the marriage will become a talking point there and the entire focus would be on Naidu and Balaiah. This would fetch the Telugu Desam more publicity from Telugu NRIs at the dinners proposed to be hosted for Naidu. What a strategy!

Interestingly, the engagement ceremony of Naidu's son Lokesh and Balaiah's daughter Brahmani is going to take place on June 24, a day before Naidu's departure to the US. So, when Balaiah goes to the US, the marriage will become a talking point there and the entire focus would be on Naidu and Balaiah. This would fetch the Telugu Desam more publicity from Telugu NRIs at the dinners proposed to be hosted for Naidu. What a strategy!

Photo Feature: Watch The Cycle Used By NTR

This is the cycle used by NTR. The photograph was sent by greatandhra.com reader Mr Ravi Potluri. It is needless to say that this cycle holds historical value that deserves a place in Museum.

Sreeram (Srikanth) secret marriage

Okariki Okaru fame Sreeram (Srikanth in Tamil) on Sunday in a press conference at Chennai disclosed the facts behind his marriage with his 'fiancee' Vandana Reddy. Visibly shaken Sreeram agreed that he married Vandana three months back, unaware that her family is involved in an alleged fradulent business activity regarding a hotel management college.

"I came to know about the background of her family, only after I announced my wedding with her last month. Few friends who know about the family and the cases against them cautioned me and after making several enquiries even I was convinced that it was true," he said. The actor however strongly denied the claims made by Vandana's mother that they led the life of married couple after their register marriage. He said that he was mounted by lot of pressure by her parents to marry her immediately since she was getting lot of proposals and the secret marriage would bring a sense of committment.

Sreeram also said that her family still hides lot of facts from them and sent goons to their place on Friday. He said the lives of his family members are under threat and would file a case for legal seperation with her soon. "In fact, her parents refused to print their names on our wedding cards and wanted it to be a low key affair. My parents never understood why they are so particular not to print their names, but we came to know the facts only after our well-wishers told us," he added.

The actor has shown few documents to the reporters about the cases registered against the family of Vandana, however her name never appeared in the documents. The hero also approached Chennai city police commissioner for help and security to his family.

Buzz : Mobile trouble from ministers

The recent expansion of the Y S Rajasekhar Reddy Cabinet after a gap of two years might have come a great relief for the Chief Minister as well as those who were inducted, but it has become a nuisance for the officials of the Finance department.

Soon after assuming charge, the ministers placed orders for new mobile phones and as per the provisions, the finance department released money to purchase the same. But, some of the minsiters were not happy with the handsets they got. So, they placed orders again for the latest models of handsets. The finance department officials, after a brief resistence, were forced to oblige the same. Knowing this, all the other ministers, including those in the old batch, placed indent for the latest mobile phones, each costing not less than Rs 20,000 each.

A couple of ministers, who are known for their greediness, presented their newly-obtained handsets to their wives and children and placed orders for a second handset. The officials had to oblige their request. Realising that this is a good opportunity, the personal secretaries and personal assistants of the ministers, too, have ordered for new mobile handsets with advanced connections. Now, the finance deparment is worried as to how to fulfil the growing desires of these ministers.

Sivaji a new political weapon for Babu

Former chief minister and Telugu Desam president N Chandrababu Naidu has got a new political weapon in the Telugu film Sivaji, starred by Rajanikant. Wherever he goes, Chandrababu Naidu is promoting the Rajanikant's film, though in a different way. He wants people to watch Sivaji and emulate the character in real life. Chandrababu Naidu has been asking people to unearth the black money from the "treasure troves" of Congress leaders. He even went to the extent of saying that Chief Minister YS Rajasekhar Reddy had earned so much black money that he should wear a talisman to ward off evil eye from falling on his wealth.

However, Chandrababu Naidu is silent when it comes to the black money hidden in the houses and Swiss Bank accounts of Telugu Desam and other political parties.

Sivaji has now emerged as a political weapon for the Telugu Desam leader to criticise the ruling party leaders. And this explains why Rajanikant has not invited Rajasekhar Reddy to watch his film along with Chandrababu Naidu.

Excessive Mobile Phone Use Makes You Mad

Now the scientists have discovered that cell phone damages the cells in brain and makes the person suffer from the brain related ailments ranging from small time memory loss to fatal Alzheimer's. To prove this they have shown the result practically.

Two cell phones are placed in opposite direction. They were connected to different tape recorders and left for sometime. The sounds recorded on tape are now emitting out from the cell phones. An egg was placed between the two. After 65 minutes to the surprise of all the egg was fried and started emitting little smoke. This is an illustration for Radio Activity and Radio emitted by cell phones. Scientists say that brain cells damage easily with cell phone usage. They say, "First it affects on emotional channels of brain. Person becomes blunt to emotions slowly and he or she will not find any sexual arousal eventually by speaking for longer hours on cell phone. Slowly the damage increases and it may even lead to madness".

Here are a few remedies to overcome this:

"Never put the cell phone near your ears if you are going to speak for more than 2 minutes. Use ear phones. Even then restrict your talk to 6-7 minutes", says a scientist.

Srikanth wedding: ‘She concealed the truth’

Actor Srikanth along with his advocate Pandian met the media in a hurriedly organised press conference on Friday, where he revealed that he is going to file a case to get a legal separation from his wife Vandana. He said that he wanted to clarify his version of the series of shocking revelations and admitted that he should have spoken out much earlier. “Soon after I announced my intention to get married to Vandana last month, I was told about her family’s criminal activities, including her involvement in the matter through certain journalist friends of mine. When I started investigating the matter, all the truth started coming out about how she has been implicated in the CBI case,” he said.

The official ‘wedding’ was to take place on June 18, but now the actor says he is seeking legal help to come out of the entire episode. He also gave this newspaper copies of documents which he claims are proof of Vandana’s family’s criminal activities (However, Vandana’s name does not figure in any of the documents given as proof).

Then why the secret wedding and subsequent denials? The actor claimed that Vandana’s parents were in a hurry to get her married and rushed him into it saying that a lot of proposals were coming for her and as a sign of his commitment to her, they wanted them to have a registered wedding. “Even though I was hesitant, as I was supposed to start shooting for my next film, I gave in to them,” explained Srikanth. However he accepted that he had made a mistake by hiding his marriage. But he vehemently denied the claims made by Vandana’s mother Shalini, that he and Vandana lived together as husband and wife after their registered wedding. “I did whatever they wanted, but in the end, she hid so many things from me.”

Talking about what led him to become suspicious, the actor says, “When we wanted to print the names of her parents in the invitation card, her father said not to include use their names, but to use their grandparents names instead. But when my parents insisted that it’s only proper that their names be printed, they told us to print S.Pani and Lakshmi instead of Sarangapani and Shalini. That was when my father became upset and confused.”

The whole of Friday, Vandana gave media interviews sitting alone in Srikanth’s house. Where was he the whole time? “On Wednesday night, there were goondas outside my house who pelted stones at the house. Her parents came and left her at my place and went despite my requests to take her back. That’s why we all left the house after giving a complaint at the Vadapalani police station. The next thing I see is that she is giving interviews claiming dowry harassment and other allegations.”

So what does he think is Vandana’s motive? “It is very clear that she wants to spoil my reputation as an artiste, harass and humiliate me and tarnish my image. They are trying to fool people and frame me. No marriage works on force. It should be mutual. I do not think I will come to terms with her background. I am filing a case on Monday asking for a legal separation from her. My parents and I have received death threats from her family and I have already met the commissioner of police and asked for police protection.”

Analysis: Two lakh jobs before elections!

Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy wanted at least two lakh more employment opportunities to be created during the next two years. The State Assembly elections are due in May 2009.

The Chief Minister told officials "you must do anything and everything to achieve this target. You must be able to create two lakh job opportunities in the manufacturing sector alone. This is possible the way it is growing in Andhra Pradesh.

There is an industrial buoyancy and investment boom in the State and we must fully make use of it and I am sure this could be easily achieved".

He also asked the finance departm/ent to immediately clear all the incentives and concessions assured to the new industries as stipulated in the industrial and investment policy.

The Chief Minister was reviewing the achievements, targets, mega industries on the pipeline, status of the projects which signed the MoUs, employment created etc. by the industries department with top officials at Secretariat.

While the total projects grounded during 2004-07 is 6092, it was only 5046 during 2001-04, while the total investments for these units during 2004-07 is Rs.10,571 crore, it was only Rs. 4524 crore, the employment created during 2004-07 is 1,28,296 while it was only 94,691 during 2001-04. The Chief Minister appreciated the achievements and said this could be continued in the coming years too.

Major sectors implemented in the last three years are iron & steel, sponge iron, paper, cotton yarn, cement, ceramics, food processing etc. Small scale industries grounded in the last three years are mainly electrical and electronic goods, food, agro, marine produces, cotton textiles, jute produces, paper, pulp and publishing, leather produces, chemicals including bulk drugs, rubber, plastics, petroleum & coal tar products, non-metallic mineral, basic metals & alloy industries, power generation etc.

Large & medium industries implemented during the last 3 years as on May 07 total to Rs.8,999 crores with employment potential of 44,620. Large & medium industries under execution is worth Rs.19,200 crores and employment created 38,118, Mega Projects under initial stages is worth Rs.78,838 crores with an employment potential of 1,72,901, the officials said.

Employment created in manufacturing sector during the last three years was 1,19,887 while it was expected to the around 2 lakhs in the next two years. Employment likely to be created through Special Economic Zones in the next five years including IT/ITES will be around 5,50,000. The investment subsidy given to industry during 2004-07 is around 6,913.96 crores.

Andhra Talk: 610, 399, 415-How Many More?

The fresh talk among native Telangana people in Hyderabad is about GO 415. The announced was made freshly today and the people are waiting to read what the amendments those were made in GO 399 are. Well everything is for GO 610 that gives unique status for local Telangana citizens in Government services and education.

A few Telangana people those were picked up in random expressed their views of dejection.

"Everything is a funda. Nothing comes out finally till Congress is in power. We expect nothing big till TRS will come to power in this area", says Bikshu Yadav, a businessman.

"I hear about this 610 and 399. When this 415 has come. What's it all about? I feel nothing turns new despite new GOs are brought to light", opines an Osmania University student.

There are indeed a few who are not at all aware of this GO.

Syed Khader, a Muslim businessman at Amberpet Mosque said, "Kya Lafdaa Hai Saab. Hukumat mein koi bhi ho…gareeb gareebi mein rehta aur ameer imarat mein rehta. Iskey oopar sab kuch akal ki baat hai..Jo Taleem ho woh upar chad jaatha..jo be-taaleem ho woh tamashaa dekte rehta..GO ka number koi bhi ho..agar aadmee kaa akal ek number ka ho ..tho koun harayegaa???"

(What's this nonsense sir? Whoever be in government. the poor stays in poverty and the rich lives in mansion. Above that everything is related to brain power. Whoever is educated will stride up. Who ever is illiterate, he will look at everything in astonishment. Whatever be the GO number you are saying, if the individual's brain power is No-1, who can defeat him?")

Well, that's the philosophical touch given by Syed.

On a whole the feel of glumness is observed among many who are aware of GO 610.

Police To Deal Lady Producer's Body Massage Case

Nekkanti Sridevi is the film producer who is also running 'Paris International Massage center' in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The massage center is of unisex and separately done for ladies and gents. A girl by name Sandhya joined the parlor as an employee little while ago. But Sridevi forced her to do massage for gents. When Sandhya denied, Sridevi compelled her vehemently to do body massage for men and entertain them in the way they want.

Sandhya said that she left the place and started her own massage center at other place. But it seems (as per Sandhya's police complaint) Sridevi is sending gundas to her massage center to wind up that business and join her again.

Now Sandhya is awaiting police involvement in this issue.

Actress Participated In Semi-Nude Photo Session

This is the information revealed from reliable sources. The actress was never a heroine but a glamorous middle aged beauty. She tried to be heroine but hr attempts turned vain. She has been in the company of a few photographers from many years.

This married lady has been making trials to get big break in the industry. Now one of her photographers asked her to go controversial and turn heads of all in order to get fame.

She asked, 'How's that possible'. The photographer suggested her to go for nude session of album. But the actress hesitated and denied. At last she was convinced to pose for semi nude session. She covered herself with a thin draper and nothing else in that session. The photos are about to hit media soon.

Well her name starts with 'R'!