September 30, 2015

TS farmer climbs atop tower, threatens to jump | Business Line

TS farmer climbs atop tower, threatens to jump | Business Line



A few days ago I wrote a post about a farmer who travelled all the way from his village in Nizamabad to Hyderabad to end his life to convey the last message -- That the city hardly bothered about the travails of those in the country side.
Yesterday, Sammayya, a farmer from Warangal, threatened to end his life by jumping from a cell tower, not very far from the Assembly that had just begun a discussion on the farm crisis in the State. But timely intervention, cajoling by a local cop helped. He gave in.
His life saved, for now. But what about lakhs of other farmers who faced similar financial challenge?
The crisis getting worse by the day.

September 22, 2015

Millennials' challenge to print media

  My 12-year-old son asked me meaning of a word while reading a novel recently. I asked him to check with the
(Photo taken from this article on a related subject: http://news.softpedia.com/news/UK-Parents-Still-Prefer-Books-to-Tablets-When-Reading-to-Their-Kids-394283.shtml)
dictionary. But he refused to do so and took my phone and checked it in Google search.

  This was not how we learnt things. We always kept Oxford Advanced Learners' Dictionary or Cambridge Dictionary. Besides, would always keep an Oxford Pocket dictionary handy on the go.
The digital media is changing the way people are consuming news. A CEO of a top IT firm once told me he is using his Twitter account to keep him updated. "Tweets and retweets of those in my friends' list would take care of my news needs," he said.
  Perhaps, he's exaggerating a bit. He'd have a team working for him to update him on things from newspapers. But he'd a point to make -- that people are looking at on-the-go avenues to keep in touch with the world.
   For the last 30 years, my typical day starts with opening the door to pick the bunch of newspapers that await at the window corner. The habit became part of my DNA after I became a journalist 20 years ago.
   But, of late, I noticed a clear change in the DNA -- the first thing I'm doing in the mornings is to open Flipboard or Buzzfeed or Veooz for updating myself. Newspapers can wait because I'd my first dose of updates from the news apps.
  If this is the case with me, I can only imagine how millennials consume news.
Though I encourage my son to read newspapers, he shows no interest. But he consumes news on his Facebook wall. He would take part in discussions on some issues that interests him, quoting from the FB posts that include news sources.
I noticed that the kid next door is interested in Page 3 of Times of India.
  Are we going to be the last generation that cares to buy (English) newspapers? This is a fear that stalks me every other day. I know that people would continue to read newspapers. They do require news sources and they have lots of it already on Google Play, iOS or Microsoft's app store.
The phenomenon is largely confined to English media now. It will take some time before it impacts the regional media.
The means of consumption is changing rapidly. But I'm afraid those in the print media have not woken up yet to the adverse impacts of such change on them.


September 19, 2015

Telugu - S Rajeswara Rao Garu's Original Private Song - Challagaalilo Ya...











చల్లనిగాలిలో యమునా తటిలో.....
సాలూరి రాజేశ్వర రావుగారి అద్భుతమైన కంపోజిషన్. స్వరంకట్టి' స్వయంగా పాడిన అరుదైన పాట.
మనల్ని చల్లగాలిలోకి తీసుకెళ్లగలిగిన విద్వత్తు ఆయనది.

September 17, 2015

కోరల సింహంగా మారిన కుందేలు కథ


                                                                                                    Sketch: Aman

ఆ రోజు సాయంత్రం అడవిలో పండు వెన్నెల కాచింది.
కుందేలు పిల్ల నాయకత్వంలో క్రూరమైన సింహం చిత్తైన రోజు అడవిలో నెమళ్ళు కొత్త నృత్యం చేసాయి.
ఇంటికో పిల్లని, లేదా తల్లిని, లేదా తండ్రిని మట్టుబెడుతున్న సింహం ఇక లేనందుకు జంతువులకు వేయి పండుగలు ఒకేసారి వచ్చినట్టు అనిపించింది. ఏ రాత్రి ఏ పాలుగారే పాపని పోగొట్టుకోవాలో అని బెంగటిల్లిన తల్లులకు, తండ్రులకు ఆ రాత్రి వాళ్ళు మళ్ళీ పుట్టినట్టు అనిపించి పిల్లల్ని దగ్గరకు తీసుకుని హత్తుకుని తనివితీరా ముద్దుపెట్టుకున్నాయి. పొదివిపట్టుకున్నాయి.
 ఏ రోజు కన్నతండ్రిని, లేదా తల్లిని పోగొట్టుకోవాలో తెలియని భయంలో నిద్రలేని రాత్రులు గడిపిన పిల్లలు కొందరు వాళ్ళ తల్లిదండ్రుల గుండెల్లోకి ఇమిడిపోయారు.
ఆ రాత్రి, మృగరాజు నేలకొరిగిన రాత్రి అక్కడ గొప్ప వేడుక జరిగింది.
తమ బతుకుల్ని చిదిమేసిన, తమ పిల్లల రక్తం తాగిన సింహం రాజు నీట ములిగేక ఆ అడవిలో ఆశల హరివిల్లు విరిసింది. వాళ్లకది యుగాదిలా తోచింది.
ఆ రాత్రి అడవి పూల వర్షం కురిపించింది. మిగతా కుందేళ్ళు వింత గెంతులు గెంతేయి. కోతులు ఏనుగుల వీపులనెక్కి జారుడుబండ జారేయి. నక్కలు ఊళలు మానేసి కూని రాగాలు తీసాయి. ఆ రాత్రి కోకిలలు కొత్త పాటలు పాడేయి.
సింహాన్ని ఓడించిన కుందేలుని జింక పిల్లలు ముద్దు చేసాయి.
చిరకాల శత్రువుని మట్టుపెట్టినందుకు, చీకట్లని తరిమివేసి వేల ఉషస్సులతో మనసుల్ని వెలిగించినందుకు ఎనుబోతు ఒకటి ఆ కుందేలు చెవుల్ని వాటంగా పట్టుకుని ఎత్తుకుని తనివితీరా నిమిరింది.
మృగరాజు చచ్చిన ఆ రాత్రి ఆ అడవిలో గొప్ప కేరింతలు వినబడ్డాయి.
వేలాది జంతువుల రక్తసిక్త ఆక్రందనల్ని మౌనంగా చూసిన మద్ది చెట్లు రెల్లుగడ్డిలా హాయిగా, విలాసంగా  ఊగాయి. వింత ఆకుల చెట్లు, తీగలు గొప్ప సువాసనల్ని వెదజల్లాయి.
అక్కడి పూలుకొన్ని ఆనాడు కొత్త రంగులతో వెన్నెల్లో చిత్రంగా మెరిశాయి.
నిద్రపట్టక ఎగురుతున్న ఓ పిల్ల మబ్బొకటి ఆ ముచ్చట చూసి అక్కడే నిలబడి పోయి చూస్తోంది, ఆ గొప్ప సందడిని చూసి. దాన్ని చూసి మరికొన్ని మబ్బుతునకలు వచ్చి చేరాయి. పచ్చటి వెన్నెల వాటి మీద పడి అవి భారీ విద్యుద్దీపాల వలె ఆకాశాన్ని చల్లగా వెలిగిస్తున్నాయి. చంద్రుడి పిల్లలవలె మెరుస్తున్నాయి.

    ఆ రాత్రి దిక్కులేని జంతువుల్ని అడవితల్లి పొదివిపట్టుకు ముద్దుపెట్టుకుంది.
  ఆ రాత్రి పిల్లల్ని కోల్పోయిన తల్లులు, తల్లుల్ని చూడని పిల్లలు ఇక చావుల్లేని, బెంగల్లేని, భయాల్లేని రోజులొస్తాయని ఆశపడ్డాయి. తమ పిల్లలు హద్దుల్లేని ఉత్సాహంతో గెంతవచ్చని, ఎగరవచ్చని, హాయిగా నదుల్లో ములిగి తేలవచ్చని, అలవికాని హద్దుల్లేని స్వేచ్చతో ముచ్చట్లు పెట్టుకోవచ్చని అని సంతోషించాయి.
   అమావాస్య తొలగిన ఆ రాత్రి, నిద్రలోకి పోబోతూ ఓ లేడిపిల్ల వాళ్ళ అమ్మని అడిగింది, “అమ్మా, మరి నేను రేపు ఈ చివరినుంచి ఆ చివరి వరకూ ఉరుకుతా రేపు మా ఫ్రెండ్స్ తో. నువ్వు అడ్డుచెప్పకు,” అని.
  “సరే
, కన్నమ్మా,” అని ముద్దుపెట్టుకు పడుకోబెట్టింది.
***
సింహాన్ని ఓడించిన కుందేలుకు ధైర్యం రాత్రికి రాత్రే రాలేదు. సింహం దెబ్బకు నలిగిన, సింహం చేతిలో చిత్తయిన ఎన్నో జంతువులు ఆ కుందేలుకు అండగా నిలబడ్డాయి. పాడుబడ్డ నుయ్యి జాడని కుందేలుకి చూపెట్టేయి. ధైర్యం చాలని కుందేలుకి అవే ధైర్యం చెప్పి నడిపించాయి దుర్గమమైన ముళ్ళ మార్గంలో.
పోరాటానికి అదే మొదలు కాదు. ఆ మహారణ్యం భీకరపోరాటాలు చూసింది. ఆ మొక్కలు కొన్ని, ఆ తీగలుకొన్ని, ఆ జంతువులు కొన్ని, ఆ మానులు కొన్ని, ఆ సూదంటు రాళ్ళు కొన్ని అక్కడి పోరాటాలకి సాక్షులు. ఆ అడవికి శత్రువులు కొత్త కాదు.
కుందేలు బంధువులు కొందరు, అడవిగుర్రం తమ్ముళ్ళు కొన్ని, సింహాలు కొన్ని, పులులు కొన్ని, నెమళ్ళ అక్కలు ఇంకొన్ని, దుప్పి తాతలూ, లేళ్ళ పిల్లలూ తమను పీడించే సింహాలతో, పులులతో ఎప్పటినుంచో పోరాడుతూ వున్నాయి.
 ఒక్క మృగరాజే కాదు, తమ రక్తం తాగే, తమ ఉసురు తీసే జంతువుల జాతి మొత్తం ప్రమాదమని, కాటు వేసే, విషప్పురుగులూ ఎప్పటికైనా ప్రమాదమనీ చెప్తున్నాయి. అవి ఆ అడవిలోనే కాదు, ఆ చుట్టుపక్కల అడవుల్లో కూడా అదే చెప్తున్నాయి. పోరాడుతున్నాయి. అవి శత్రువుల వాడి కోరలకి బలయ్యేలోగా, దొంగ దెబ్బలకు పడిపోయేలోగా కొంచెం ధైర్యం, కొంచెం నమ్మకం పిల్లలకి వదిలి పోయేవి. పోతున్నాయి. పిల్లలా ధైర్యాన్ని వారసత్వాన్ని అందుకుని పోరాడుతూనే వున్నాయి. ప్రాణాలు సింహాలకవి ఎన్నడూ భయపడలేదు. పంజదెబ్బలకు పిల్లల్ని చంపివేసే పులులకవి ఏనాడూ వెన్ను చూపించలేదు. అడవి దున్నల వలె అవి కొమ్ముల్ని అడ్డుపెట్టి పోరాడేయి. పోరాడుతున్నాయి. ద్రోహాలకి అవి ఎన్నడూ వెరవలేదు.
ఆ ధైర్యపు తోడుతోనే, ఆ ఉపాయపు మద్దతుతోనే కుందేలు గెలిచింది. మృగరాజుని మట్టుబెట్టింది.
ఆటలన్నీఅయ్యాక, పాటలన్నీ సద్దుమణిగేక, కేరింతలు పూర్తిగా ఆగిపోయాక ఇక నువ్వే మాకు రాజు”వని అక్కడి జంతువులు కుందేలుని అన్నాయి. ఆ కుందేలుకు తెలుసు తనే ఇక రాజునని. ఆ కుందేలుకు తెలుసు ఇక తానే అన్నీ అని. తన మాటకి ఇక తిరుగే లేదని.
***
విషపు పురుగులతో, మాటువేసి దెబ్బతీసి కాల్చుకుతింటున్న, పిల్లల్ని మాయం చేస్తున్న, బతుకుల్ని దుర్భరం చేస్తున్న సింహాలతో, వాటి తొత్తులతో ఎక్కడెక్కడి అడవుల్లో పోరాటం చేస్తున్నలేళ్ళు, నెమళ్లు, కుందేళ్ళు, కొన్ని సింహాలు, ఇంకొన్ని పులులు ఏమరుపాటుగా లేవు.
రాజుల బూజు దులపకపోతే జీవితంలో ఏం మార్పు వస్తుందని అన్నారు.
సింహం చచ్చింది కానీ మన రక్తపు రుచి మరిగిన మిగతా క్రూర మృగాలు హాయిగా తిరుగుతున్నాయని గుర్తు చేశాయి. మనల్ని వేపుకు తినే పొయ్యీ, పెనమూ ఇంకా అలానే వున్నాయి అని చెప్పేయి. ఏం మార్పు వుందని ప్రశ్నించాయి.
సింహం చచ్చింది కానీ దాని అనుయాయులు అలానే వున్నారు కదా అని అడిగాయి.
కుందేలు రాజుకి ఇది నచ్చలేదు. కొత్త మృగరాజుకి ఇది ఇంపుగా అనిపించలేదు.
“వీళ్ళు ఎవరు? ద్రోహులు,” అన్నది.
“వీళ్ళు చచ్చిన సింహానికి దోస్తులు,” అని కూడా ప్రకటించింది. 
సింహం చచ్చిన సంతోషంలో ప్రపంచం మారిపోయిందనుకున్న జంతువులు కొన్ని ఇపుడు రాజ్యం మనదే కదా బాధేమిటని అడిగాయి.
“కాదు, కాదు. రాజు ఎప్పుడూ రాజే. రాజు మనకి ఎన్నడూ శత్రువే. ఆ అడవి అయినా, ఏ అడవి అయినా. పెనం పట్టుకున్న చెయ్యే మారింది కాని, పెనం ఇంకా పొయ్యిమీదే వుందని, మనం ఇంకా పెనంలోనే వున్నామని, అన్ని అడవుల్లోని జంతువులన్నీ చేతులుకలపాలి,” చెప్పేయవి.
ఈ విషయాన్ని మళ్ళీ మళ్ళీ చెప్పాలి, నలుగురికీ, నాలుగు చోట్లా. “మేం చెబుతాం అందరికీ. ఈ అడవిలో, ఆ అడవిలో, ఏ అడవిలోననైనా ప్రజలే రాజ్యం చేయాలని మేం చెబుతాం, పోరాడుతాం,” అని అన్నాయవి.
కుందేలు రాజుకి తెలుసు. చెయ్యిమారిన పెనంగురించి ఎక్కువమందికి తెలిస్తే తన ఆరోగ్యానికి మంచిది కాదని. ఆ ఆలోచనలు నలుగురికి తెలిస్తే కష్టమని దానికి తెలుసు. నలుగురు వింటే కష్టమనీ తెలుసు.
అందుకే చెప్పిందది, “మనం స్వర్గంలో వున్నాం. నరకపు మాటలు వెనకటివి. ఎవరు చెప్పినా వినకండి. ఎవరైనా విందామనుకున్నా, మేం చెప్పనివ్వం. మాట్లాడనివ్వవం. మాది స్వర్గం కాదన్న వాడల్లా ఈ అడవికి శత్రువు. శత్రువుకి మిత్రుడు,” అని ప్రకటించింది.
రాత్రికి రాత్రి, నోరు విప్పిన కుందేళ్లని, మాట్లాడిన పులుల్ని, వాటికి గొంతు కలిపిన లేళ్లని, మాట కలిపిన నెమళ్లను ఎక్కడికక్కడ బంధించింది. కలుగుల్లో, గుహల్లో వుంచింది. వీళ్ళు రాజ్య వ్యతిరేకులు అని ప్రకటించింది. స్వర్గాన్ని కూలదోయడానికి వచ్చిన నరకలోకపు ప్రతినిధులని దండోరా వేయించింది.
ఆ రాత్రి అడవి కొద్దిగా వణికింది.
ఆ రాత్రి అడవిలో పాత రాత్రుల నీడలు నాగుపాముపడగల్లా ఊగాయి.
ఆ రాత్రి అడవిలో పీడకలలు తీతువు పిట్టల్లా అరిచి బయటపెట్టాయి.
అటువైపు వెళ్తున్నమబ్బుల్ని వింత భయాలు చుట్టుకున్నాయి.
ఆ రాత్రి అడివిని పాత స్మృతులు చుట్టుముట్టాయి.
      ఆ పొద్దున్న జంతువులు కలలోంచి బయటికొచ్చాయి.
కుందేలు కోరల సింహంగా మారిపోయిందని అర్ధమయ్యింది జంతువులకు.
పిల్లల్ని దగ్గరకు తీసుకుని పొదివిపట్టుకున్నాయి.
-కె వి కూర్మనాథ్
***

September 16, 2015

A start-up's dilemma

To do or not do, to say or not to say, to be or not to be -- Dilemmas a young person faces are many. It's no different for a start-up.
Ideas sound good at the ideation stage. Not many would agree if someone says that there's something like this already. Or, they wouldn't easily agree if someone says it might not work or that they might have to wait for a long period to see traction.
Here's where the help from mentors would help.
Here's a dilemma of a different kind -- a start-up doesn't want the reporter to be quoted on the size of the deal. For, Non-Disclosure norms could hit them very hard. They may be served legal notices. Their credibility would be at stake and if the word spreads they might find it tough when they go to the fund markets next time. Fair enough.
But a reporter can't easily sell his story without mentioning the crucial numbers. The value of a story is directly proportionate to the numbers it quotes.
Some start-ups don't want the value of their ventures to be mentioned. Even if they were to be mentioned, they don't expect the reporters not to attribute the numbers to them.
When reporters find an indirect route to hint at the value, those start-ups get offended. For, they don't want to be seen as a small-time start-up. Their sale must be regarded as a big ticket one. A tough call for reporters.

HP to cut up to 30,000 more jobs in enterprise business | Business Line

HP to cut up to 30,000 more jobs in enterprise business | Business Line

September 15, 2015

We missed the comics bus

Enthusiastic crowds at #ComicCon Hyderabad 2015


One is not old as long as one is a comic freak. I was a comics freak. I have kept myself away from comics for years, the moment I got into college education and got into reading serious stuff – the likes of Marquez, Isabelle Allende, Gorky, London and Sinclair.
But for those occasional encounters in newspaper columns, I was away from the world of zombies, super heroes, villains, comedians and those lovely animated characters.
I have just reconnected myself with that wonderful world of comics as I accompanied by 12-year-old son to the two-day Comic Con held here over the weekend. Thousands of kids and youth swarmed the Hall 3 at the Hitex facility. I have never seen such an enthusiastic crowd, yelling, hooting, giggling as they jostled their way and took innumerable selfies all over, with friends and with cosplayers.
The hall was so crowded that one actually had to push others to find space for one’s next the other foot as you walk.
There are a lot of takeaways. Hope is not lost – a good number of them are still hooked to that wonderful world of comics where we, who are into 40s and 50s, once spent considerable time. Over 200 people cosplaying as their favourite comic characters vied for a prize in the cosplay contest, with crowds yelling out the famous dialogues of the characters. Most of them actually looked like living and breathing those characters. Exuberance indeed is infectious.
That only two participants cosplayed as Indian comic characters shows where India stands in this space. It shows how poor our imagination is. Utter lack of imagination leads to mediocre content. Comic makers take the beaten track – churn out content based on religions. Japanese content is virtually ruling the comics space. Kevin Hamric of Viz Media says there’s universal acceptance for the Japanese content across the English-speaking world.
Why, both my kids are avid fans of Japanese comic serials – Doraemon, Naruto et al.
It’s time we invent themes and characters that can catch imagination of our children. It’s time we attract our children back from vulgar item number culture.

September 12, 2015

Thousands of phones but no word on quality

I lent my second phone (which I kept on standby) to a journalist friend recently as he awaited return of his from the service centre. He had to pay about 70 per cent of the cost of phone to get it repaired, barely a few months after buying it.
It's raining phones in India. Tens of handset manufacturers (or, assemblers)  are flooding the market with scores of models. Newspapers, websites and social media networks announce launch of phones every other day.
There's a phone for everybody -- from $7 to $1,000, the range is simply mind blowing. The features that these feature and smart phones, a bulk of them manufactured in Shenzhen in China, offer are amazing. The pace of launches is so high that even an industry man can't tell you the best one to pick. There are a few firms that sell phones exclusively on the e-commerce sites. Thousands of phones are booked in a jiffy, sometimes even crashing the servers.
The Government must be smiling, getting crores of rupees in duties and Sales Tax. E-commerce firms are happy that they are able to get million of hits, a good number of them turning into sales.
So far so good.
But no one talks about quality and service. No, I'm not talking about the warranties and service centre networks of the handset makers. They talk a lot on these issues and a random Googling would throw up sob stories of users. You simply don't exist for the firm after the transaction is completed.
The phone firms know it well -- that people don't have time and interest to engage in a discourse with the firm on a failed purchase. They instead go for a new phone after struggling with the present one after, say, 6-12 months. Those who have time and energy would be asked to pay a little less than the cost of the phone to get certain parts repaired.
I'm simply amazed at the Governments' indifference. Not a single government agency is interested in ensuring quality or taking up the cause of the consumer.











September 11, 2015

Creative marketing

This, perhaps, is a common scene in several Indian cities -- guerrilla marketing by the women, kids, youth from the poor families. I don't know why, (or is it a Hyderabad-specific phenomenon?) mostly these uneducated marketing professionals are mostly from the Lambada community.
They efficiently use the short span of time to sell the idea. Or, in the start-up lingo, quickly pitch their product idea. As vehicles wait for their turn to get the green, she moves on from one car to another, showcasing the product.
Looks like they are the first point of access to most of the Chinese products -- toys, Chota Bheem balloons, 'designer' umbrellas, mosquito bats, car cleaners, and what not. The products are novel, contemporary and the utility value too.
This morning, I have seen this woman, a familiar face at the impromptu, walking mall at the Jubilee Hills' Check Post -- selling selfie sticks.
With selfie mania gripping the city (as elsewhere), this woman chose to sell a product that goes very well with the mania.
She demonstrates the product, clamping her phone to the stick and holding a small stock of the product. ...And, China knows how to penetrate a market with a product.





September 10, 2015

Agile Thinking: How Can I Help You?

Agile Thinking: How Can I Help You?
(From Nasscom blog)



One of the key fundamental elements of Agile is its focus on delivering a testable or demonstrable end-to-end functional slice that provides business value. This approach is the key catalyst of some behavioural, cultural, and structural changes. 
As a product owner, I am interested more in the working functionality of a product rather than the individual goals of team members. For instance, just the front-end of a user-story is of no use to me. Even if the developers finish coding, I cannot use the product if it still needs to be tested. This implicitly means that cross-functional team members have to collaborate and help each other to attain Sprint goals.
One of the key values that resonates time and again whenever we talk about teams and collaboration is, “How can I help you?” In other words, how can I help you finish your (or our, to be precise) task or user-story? Asking how you can help your teammates is one of the most important unwritten guidelines for an Agile team, which is why, as an Agile coach, I want it to be prominently displayed in the team area. It should be promoted as the most important component of a team’s DNA.
help
So how does Agile collaboration work in practice? Below are some examples:
  • Taking the time to fix a build that is preventing the whole team from using Continuous Integration before working on your own task
  • Pairing up with your colleague to help fix something that is blocking him/her
  • Instead of taking up a new user-story from the board, taking up one of the remaining tasks of the existing user-story so that it reaches the tester faster and therefore moves to the DONE column faster
Looks interesting and doable, doesn’t it? It pays rich dividends in attaining Sprint goals, as well. However, Agile is a cultural change and therefore requires a change in mindset. Any kind of cultural shift is tough and not easy to implement.  For instance, even though most Agile teams know that collaboration and helping each other is the “soul” of the Agile method, in reality most teams continue to work in silos because of many reasons.
 http://blogs.nasscom.in/agile-thinking-how-can-i-help-you/#sthash.w0e9ieNx.dpuf

A farmer's last visit to the city to deliver a message from the village

   A nameless, listless farmer Limbaiah, 45, ended his life in Hyderabad yesterday.
A portrait of a farmer by the legendary
 artist Chittaprasad (from the Net)
He was among hundreds of farmers that committed suicide this year in India. But Limbaiah, like the farmer who killed himself in Delhi during AAP rally, shook the conscience (I doubt, though) of the 400-year-old City. He travelled 170 km from Nizamabad to hang himself in Hyderabad.
   Had he committed suicide elsewhere, like many of his peers, the City would not have bothered. Those deaths happening in the backyard hardly touched the City soul.
   The City wants everything. The food that the village produced. The milk, handicrafts, water, drivers, maids, vegetables, cotton for its clothes -- a typical urbanite wants everything delivered at his or her nearest shop, at the doorstep. They don't have time to spare a minute about how the gigantic machine called City is chugging along. He never cared for the nuts and bolts that helped the machine to run.
   Limbaiah, perhaps, wanted to convey a strong message -- that the village is bleeding to quench the thirst of the City, that their problems are not being heard, that they are broke, that their wards living in inhuman conditions, that the City has become a monster, devouring the life in rural areas. Perhaps, that's why he chose Hyderabad, the Capital of Telangana, as the venue for his last journey.
  Like the little Syrian boy, Limbaiah will haunt us for long.

Nizamabad farmer commits suicide in Hyderabad

Asif Yar Khan Hyderabad, Sept. 9: A farmer from Nizamabad District allegedly hanged himself to death at Lower Tank Bund in Hyderabad early on Wednesday.
The man, B Limbiah, 47, of Sadasivanagar mandal in Nizamabad District came to the city three days ago along with his son Shankar. Shankar, is admitted at a private hospital in Chaderghat as he suffers from some ailment, the police said.
On Wednesday morning, Limbaiah left the hospital and reached Katta Maisamma temple in Lower Tank Bund area. “He handed over Rs.10,000 to the priest and stayed in the vicinity of the temple. Sometime later, the locals found him hanging to a pole adjacent to an electrical transformer,” DCP Central Zone, V.B. Kamalasan Reddy said.
The police said that the incident is not a farm related suicide. “We are trying to ascertain the reasons. Preliminary enquiries revealed that Limbiah was depressed over his son’s failing health condition,” the official added.
(The Hindu, Sept 10.9.2015)

September 09, 2015

Complete list of Modi's foreign jaunts

https://factly.in/prime-minister-narendra-modis-foreign-visits/

Here is a list of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign visits from the time he took charge as the Prime Minister of India. This information has been compiled from documents available on the website of Ministry of External Affairs. (Data as on Aug 2015).

State Visit to Bhutan (June 15-16, 2014):

At the invitation of Shri Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, the King of Bhutan, Shri Narendra Modi paid a State Visit to Bhutan from 15-16 June 2014. The Prime Minister of India was  accompanied by External Affairs Minister Smt. Sushma Swaraj, National Security Adviser Shri Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Smt. Sujatha Singh and other senior officials of the Government of India. A joint statement was made on the outcome of the visit.

Visit to Brazil for 6th BRICS Summit (July 13-15,2014):

In July 2014, Shri Narendra Modi visited Brazil for his first  multilateral visit, the 6th BRICS summit was held at the north-eastern beach city of Fortaleza. In the Fortaleza summit the group have agreed to establish a financial institution rivaling the western dominated World Bank and IMF.The new bank would be called the New Development Bank (NDB). The Fortaleza Declaration was arrived at by the end of the summit.

Visit to Nepal (August 3-4, 2014):

Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Nepal from August 3-4, 2014 at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Nepal, Shri Sushil Koirala. The Prime Minister of India was accompanied by Shri Ajit Doval, National Security Advisor (NSA), Ms. Sujatha Singh, Foreign Secretary and a delegation comprising senior officials of the Government of India and media. A joint press statement was made at the end of the visit.

Visit to Japan (Aug 30- Sep 3, 2014):

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Japan from 30 August to 03 September, 2014. During the visit, Prime Minister had an audience with the Emperor of Japan and held an Annual Summit meeting with Prime Minister Shri Shinzo Abe. The Tokyo declaration  for India – Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership was arrived at the end of the visit.

Visit to USA (Sept 26-30, 2014):

Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to USA. During the  visit, Prime Minister spoke at the Madison Square Garden in New York. He also addressed the UN General Assembly. He met with various world leaders at the UN. He then proceeded to Washington to meet President Barrack Obama. A Vision Statement for the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership- ‘Chalein Saath Saath: Forward Together We Go‘ was arrived at.

Visit to Myanmar (November 11-13, 2014):

Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Myanmar to attend the 12th  India-ASEAN Summit.  He also spoke at the 9th East Asia Summit. The chairman made a statement  at the end of 12th ASEAN-India Summit in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar.

Visit to Australia (November 14-18, 2014):

Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Australia in November, 2014.  He  attended G-20  and met the BRICS heads of states.  He addressed a joint session of Austrialian Parliament and met with his Austrialian counterpart Shri Tony Abbott. A joint statement was issued at the end of the visit.

Visit to Fiji (November 19, 2014):

Shri Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Fiji where he met with the Prime Minister of Fiji Shri Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama. A number of MOUs were signed between both the countries during this visit.

Visit to Nepal for 18th SAARC Summit (November 25-27, 2014):

Shri Narendra Modi made a second visit to Nepal as the PM to attend the 18th SAARC summit. The Kathmandu declaration was made at the end of the
18th SAARC summit. There were a number of other outcomes of this visit.

Visit to Seychelles (March 10-11, 2015):

This was part of PM Modi’s visit to three Indian Ocean Island countries. The PM reitrerated India’s foreign policy priorities in India’s immediate and extended neighbourhood. He also said that India attaches paramount importance to strengthening relations with this region, which is vital for India’s security and progress. Modi went on to say that India’s relationship with Seychelles has been built on the foundation of mutual trust and shared values. His visit to Seychelles was the first Prime Ministerial visit to Seychelles since 1981. The PM’s statement at the end of his visit outlined the outcomes.

Visit to Mauritius (March 11-12, 2015):

The PM visited Mauritius after Seychells. He addressed the National Assembly of Mauritius. He also commissioned Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Barracuda in Mauritius. A list ofMOUs/Agreements were signed during this visit.

Visit to Sri Lanka (March 13-14, 2015):

PM Modi during this visit to Sri Lanka said he was truly honoured by the warm welcome and friendship. He also attached a great significance to his visit since it is the first standalone bilateral visit to Sri Lanka by an Indian Prime Minister since 1987. The PM in his statement outlines India’a committment to ties with Sri Lanka and listed a host of areas where co-operation is being extended. He said that he looks forward to the early commencement of work on the ground in the Sampur Coal Power Project. This landmark project would meet Sri Lanka’s energy needs. He also assured to provide a fresh Line of Credit of up to US$ 318 million for the railways sector. This will be used to procure rolling stock, and to restore and upgrade existing railway track. The Foreign Secretary also briefed the media on the PM’s visit to Sri Lanka and its outcomes.

Visit to singapore (March 29, 2015):

PM Modi was in Singapore to attend State Funeral of Singapore’s founder and first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew

Visit to france (April 09-11, 2015):

PM Narendra Modi during his visit to France said he was  really happy to come to France. As the Prime Minister, this was his first visit to Europe and started it with France. The PM said that France is one of India’s closest friends and reliable partners. Here is a list of agreements signed during this visit.

Visit to germany (april 12-14, 2015):

During PM Modi’s visit to Germany, he said “Whenever anyone in India talks about technology, manufacturing or high quality, Germany is the first country that comes to the mind. So, it is natural that when India has embarked on a new journey for ‘Make in India’ for economic development and employment, we look forward to Germany’s strong partnership.” A joint statement was issued during this visit exploring ways of dialogue on foreign policy and security issues.

Visit to canada (april 14-17, 2015):

PM Modi during his visit to Canada said that few countries in the world can match Canada’s potential to be a partner in India’s economic transformation. He also sought  Canada’s cooperation and investment in every area of India’s national development priority,- Energy and Infrastructure,Manufacturing and Skills,Smart Cities and agro-industry, and Research and Education. A joint statement titled ‘New Vigour, New Steps” was issued during this visit.

Visit to china (May 14-16, 2015):

PM Modi said that he has lot of hope from the relationship that both him & the President of China are trying to build. During his visit to India in September 2014, Chinese investments worth 20 billion US Dollars (Rs. 12 lakh-crore) were committed. Modi also said that India is keen to develop the sectors where China is strong. MOUs & Agreements worth $22 billion were signed during this visit.

Visit to mongolia (May 17-18, 2015):

PM Modi during his remarks in the Mongolian Parliament said he was delighted to visit Mongolia, a country of great people. He also said  it is a special privilege to do so in the 25th year of democracy in Mongolia. A host of agreements were signed during this trip.

Visit to republic of korea (may 18-19, 2015):

During this visit, PM Modi said South Korea ranks only 14th in FDI flows in India and said there is a scope for improving this. He said India is also a land of enabling policy environment. He said there is potential for cooperation between India’s software and Korea’s hardware industry and also spoke about various other sectors where both the countries can work together. A list of agreements were signed.

Visit To Bangladesh (June 6-7, 2015):

During the visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India & Bangladesh are bound by the threads of history, religion, culture, language, kinship and passion for cricket.  He also said that both countries share emotional bonds of shared struggles and sacrifices. He also said that India is  pleased to extend  line of credit of 2 billion U.S. dollars to support infrastructure and other development activities in Bangladesh. Here is a list of MOUs, Agreements & other documents concluded during this visit .

Visit To Uzbekistan (July 6-7, 2015):

During this visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he has embarked on a five-nation tour of Central Asia and that  it reflects India’s resolve to start a new era in the relations with Central Asian Republics. A few agreements were signed during this visit

Visit To Kazakhstan (July 7-8, 2015):

During this visit, Prime Minister Modi  congratulated the people of Kazakhstan on the occasion of 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate and 20th anniversary of the Constitution of Kazakhstan. He also said that Kazaksthan was one of the first country with which India launched civil nuclear cooperation through a uranium purchase contract. He said India intends to expand cooperation in other minerals and Hydrocarbons. Five agreements were signed during this visit.

Visit to Russia for BRICS Summit (July 8-10, 2015):

During his address in the plenary session of the 7th BRICS Summit, PM Modi said that  everybody must acknowledge the success of BRICS in economic field including the New Development Bank, Contingency Reserve Fund, Export Credit Insurance, Financing for Innovation and new proposals for Customs Cooperation and Reinsurance Pool. The UFA declaration was signed during the 7th BRICS Summit.

Visit To Turkmenistan (July 10-11, 2015):

During this visit, Prime Minister Modi said that the most significant initiative in the relationship is the TAPI Gas Pipeline and that this could transform regional economic cooperation and bring prosperity along the route. Several agreements were signed during this visit.

Visit to Kyrgyz Republic (July 11-12, 2015):

During this visit, PM Modi said that he is delighted that both Election Commissions have signed an agreement on cooperation.  He said that he looks  forward to the launch of the tele-medicine link with India which is the  first in the region. He also mentioned the establishment of India-Kyrgyz Centre for Information Technology in the Kyrgyz State University in Bishkek. Several agreements were signed during this visit

Visit to Tajikistan (July 12-13, 2015):

During this Visit, Prime Minister Modi said that Agriculture is important to both economies . Both nations have agreed to promote the International North South Transport Corridor. Other connectivity initiatives such as India’s  planned investment in Chahbahar Port in Iran and intention to join the Ashkabat agreement will help. Both countries also  agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation which is  a strong pillar of the strategic partnership. Two agreements were signed during this visit.

Visit to UAE (August 16-17, 2015):

During this visit, the PM said that in the recent decades, UAE’s economic progress has been one of the global success stories, transforming the nation into a regional leader and a thriving international centre that attracts people and business from across the world.  India is UAE’s second largest trading partner; and UAE is not only India’s third largest trading partner, but also India’s gateway to the region and beyond. A joint statement was issued during this visit.
(Here is an infographic showing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s domestic visits as of Feb 24th, 2015 from the time he took charge as the Prime Minister of India.)

ఏ పార్టీలోకి?

రామయ్య: ఏం, బావా, ఏంటి దీర్ఘంగా ఆలోచిస్తున్నావు? సోమయ్య: ఏం లేదు బావా, ఎవరికి ఓటేద్దామా అని? రామయ్య: అదేంటి నువ్వు ఫలానా నాయకుడి అభి...