TELANGANA

On the occasion of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s 133rd birth anniversary, celebrated as Minorities Welfare Day, the Telangana Urdu Academy bestowed the prestigious Mahboob Hussain Jigar Lifetime Achievement Award upon senior journalist Ahmed Ali Khan from Nizamabad. The award was presented by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in the presence of Government Advisor Mohd. Ali Shabbir, Transport Minister Poonam Prabhakar, and other dignitaries. This recognition highlights the significant contributions of Ahmed Ali Khan to journalism and his dedication to promoting Urdu language and culture.

EnvisionIS Group, a diversified company known for its work in industrial automation and other sectors, has launched Maamaas Studio, a cutting-edge multimedia and production facility in Kukatpally. This new venture marks a significant step in the group’s strategic expansion into the creative industries. Founded in 2012 as the International Institute of Automate (IIA), EnvisionIS Group has steadily diversified its operations, establishing Envision Integrated Services for industrial solutions, the Envision Business Centre as a coworking hub, and Maamaas House and Kitchen as a culinary destination. The launch of Maamaas Studio further demonstrates the group’s commitment to innovation and growth across various sectors.

A two-day conference at the English and Foreign Languages University in Hyderabad shed light on the rich history and cultural significance of Persian manuscripts in India. The conference, organized in collaboration with the University of St Andrews, UK, highlighted the role of these manuscripts in Indian historiography and culture. Presentations by scholars like Malini Roy of the British Library revealed the complex history of these manuscripts, showcasing how they were acquired through patronage, trade, and even looting. The conference showcased examples like a portrait of Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah commissioned in Awadh and a painting of Jama Masjid commissioned by Colonel Antoine Polier, demonstrating the evolving interest in architectural artwork in India. Researchers like Sunil Sharma and Jake Benson presented evidence of how manuscripts of Amir Khusrau ended up in various royal collections across India and subsequently dispersed to western countries, including a cache looted from the Awadh royal library in 1858. The conference provided a platform for exploring the fascinating journey of these manuscripts and their enduring impact on our understanding of Indian history and culture.

Ajay Kumar, a 23-year-old English Literature student from Chennai, has been awarded the prestigious Srinivas Rayaprol Poetry Prize 2024. Selected from a pool of 66 entrants by a jury comprising renowned poet Menka Shivdasani and two faculty members from the University of Hyderabad, Kumar’s work impressed with its depth and originality. The prize, instituted by the Srinivas Rayaprol Literary Trust to recognize emerging talent in English poetry, carries a cash award of ₹15,000 and a citation. Kumar, author of the e-chapbook “Balancing Acts” and a contributor to publications like the Yearbook of Indian Poetry in English and The Bombay Literary Magazine, will be formally presented with the award at the Hyderabad Literary Festival in January 2025.

The Telangana government is set to unveil a series of new industrial sectoral policies aimed at attracting investment and boosting economic growth. These policies, which will focus on sectors like electric mobility, electronics, life sciences, defense, and aerospace, are designed to be more competitive and modern than existing policies. The move comes after the successful implementation of a new MSME policy, which includes 40 support measures and a special focus on women entrepreneurship. The government is also establishing the Young India Skills University in Hyderabad, a unique institution that emphasizes industry partnerships and ensures graduates are job-ready. The university will only introduce new courses with the backing of private partners, who will be involved in curriculum design, faculty selection, and job placement. These initiatives, along with a focus on geographically inclusive industrial development, innovation, and women entrepreneurship, are key to achieving the state’s ambitious goal of a $1 trillion economy.

The Telangana government has assured farmers of a smooth paddy procurement process despite a record harvest of nearly 150 lakh metric tonnes. Civil Supplies and Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy announced that 30 lakh metric tonnes of godown space has been secured and the government will bear the additional cost of storage in intermediary godowns and custom milling. The government is prepared to incur additional expenses to ensure seamless procurement and has urged millers to cooperate fully, setting a low bank guarantee requirement for CMR paddy. The government is also considering dispatching surplus paddy to neighboring states if procurement exceeds Telangana’s milling capacity. The next 10 to 15 days are crucial for the procurement process, and the government is committed to ensuring farmers do not face any distress.

An Iron Age menhir, known locally as ‘Niluvu Rayi’, located in Kamasanpalli village of Nagarkurnool district, Telangana, is facing neglect and potential destruction. Believed to have been erected around 1500 BCE as a memorial, possibly for an important individual, the menhir stands as a testament to ancient funerary practices. However, the 8-foot-tall granite structure is leaning eastward and is at risk due to ongoing agricultural activities in the surrounding field. Local farmers have revealed that several Iron Age burial sites, marked by circular boulder formations, have already been cleared during land reclamation. Archaeologist E. Sivanagireddy, who visited the site, expressed concern about the menhir’s condition and highlighted the need for its preservation. This discovery underscores the importance of protecting these ancient sites and ensuring their survival for future generations.

The Hyderabad Birding Pals have released a pocket guide featuring 252 bird species found in Telangana, a valuable resource for bird enthusiasts. The guide categorizes the birds based on their habitat, including wetlands, woodlands, grasslands, and generalist environments. It includes photographs, names, feeding habits, and important bird habitats like the Manjeera Wildlife Sanctuary and Pakhal Lake. The guide also highlights the significance of Ameenpur Lake as the state’s only biodiversity heritage site. Beyond identification, the guide offers tips on birdwatching etiquette and details on bird identification techniques. The NGO plans to distribute the guide to students in government schools and colleges, promoting awareness and appreciation for Telangana’s diverse birdlife.

The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has concluded a week-long cyber awareness campaign aimed at protecting senior citizens from online scams and cyber threats. The campaign involved workshops and awareness sessions conducted across the state, reaching out to senior citizens through community outreach programs and dedicated WhatsApp groups. Participants were educated on identifying and defending against common scams like digital arrest scams, trading/investment fraud, and emergency deception scams. The campaign also included the launch of videos and posters specifically designed for senior citizens to enhance their cyber awareness. The TGCSB plans to continue the campaign through targeted online groups and WhatsApp groups for senior citizen associations across the state, with over 2,000 members currently enrolled.

1. A Vision for Sustainable Urbanization: Recognizing the rapid urbanization in Telangana, the state government has established 25 Urban Development Authorities (UDAs) to ensure planned and integrated infrastructure development around major towns.

2. Strategic Location and Future Scope: The decision to create UDAs was driven by the strategic location of the districts and their potential for future urbanization. These authorities will play a crucial role in shaping the region’s development.

3. Comprehensive Master Plans: Each UDA will develop a comprehensive master plan for its jurisdiction, encompassing key aspects like roads, water supply, employment opportunities, and satellite townships.

4. Learning from the Success of HMDA: The creation of these UDAs is inspired by the success of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) in guiding the urbanization around Hyderabad.

5. Expanding Existing Authorities: The government has also expanded the areas of some existing UDAs, including Satavahana (Karimnagar), Stambhadri (Khammam), Vemulawada Temple Area Authority, and Nizamabad.

6. A Network of Development: The newly created UDAs cover a wide range of districts, including Adilabad, Jogulamba Gadwal, Kagaznagar, Kothagudem, Mahabubabad, Mancherial, Nagarkurnool, Nirmal, Kamareddy, Suryapet, Wanaparthy, Narayanpet, Jagtial, Medak, Yadadri-Bhongiri, Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Sangareddy, Nalgonda, Vikarabad, and Jangaon.

7. A Humanistic Approach to Urbanization: The establishment of these UDAs reflects a commitment to a more humane and sustainable approach to urbanization, ensuring that the development benefits all residents and fosters a thriving future for Telangana.