` 50/DECEMBER 2014 | VOL. 04 | ISSUE 03
Life
GenX
People’s Man Palle
Eve
Pretty & Powerful Anita Dandiya Queen Bina
Padma Bhushan Pullela Cricket Star Venu
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Red Gadgets 86 iPad AIR 2, iPhone 6 plus or iPhone 6; flaunt one ‘Apple’ a day.
Red Focus 96 Fashion gets a new definition when he translates his imagination into stunning realities. Here is a chance to peep into his world of incredible creativity.
Red Trade 88 From skyscrapers to bridges, from connecting roads to engineering constructions, he is literally on a nation Nirmaan mission and he faces Vijay wherever he goes. If one wants to learn how to steer to vrooming success, no one can teach better than this man! His strategies are as sharp as Talwar.
Red Dazzle 78
Red Haute He is tall, dark, handsome and simply irresistible. We have seen him as a Leader, took deep breath with him in Dum Maaro Dum and now are eagerly waiting to see him rising from the history to have a head on with Bahubali.
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Gold wrapping the tradition artisticallywhat more a woman wants to look her best! Check out the pieces in Dazzle, you might find one for your special day to complete your ethnic ensemble.
Red Life
82 He is a minister by the people, of the people and for the people. He started as a champion of education. But his life took a politically correct turn. He as the Minister holding all key portfolios often reffered to as the CM’s right hand man, yet he remains chained to his roots.
Red GenX
Red GenX
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Who says Vizag is known only for sea and ports? Here is a man who introduces the city through sports. It’s none other than the international cricket icon Venu Gopal.
Red Scope 68
By winning the coveted All-England Open Badminton Championship, he had literally shuttled India’s name beyond the national fame. We are talking about legendary Pullela Gopichand, who has made badminton more than just a recreational sport.
"Movies were never on my list of career options," says this damsel. But the beauty pageant happened by coincidence and the movie by sheer luck to this engineering graduate, Ritu Varma. Rest is all a smooth sail for her and she makes most of every opportunity that comes her way.
Red Eve Red Eve While her high spirit and charisma make her one of the competent members in her team, her natural excellent oratory skills leave her followers spell bound; meet the teacher turned political leader- Anita
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She restores tradition by making you dance to her tunes. Meet the dancing sensation of Hyderabad who brandishes her Dandiyas with great aplomb.
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red | december 2014 | 18
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Every cloud has a silver lining. Cyclone Hudhud had devastated the region but could not crush the spirit of indomitable Vizag. In fact, it brought out some ne aspects of our society that hitherto lay dormant till now - the unbending fortitude people showed in facing the shattering gales; the unforeseen efciency of the state mechanism in dealing with precautions and aftermath; exemplary discipline of citizens in celebrating cracker-less Deepavali. Generous response and copious aid are pouring from far and wide. Tinsel town too chipped in saying Memu Saitam. All this goes to prove that Vizag is not only the most sought after, but also the most loved place. We salute the city which is marching ahead, despite this deathly blow and hope it would emerge stronger and better. Rana, our cover star speaks of his fads, fancies and of course, his upcoming icks. “We rise by lifting others” is the maxim by which State Minister Dr.Palle Raghunath lives. His Life is certainly inspiring and educating. Equally powerful is Padma Bhushan Pullela Gopichand, the ace badminton player, who has given a good turn to Indian badminton. Sharing the GenX space with him is our home grown cricketer Venugopal Rao. When the context is Trade, mention of Dr.S.Vijaya Kumar, chief of Vijay Nirman is just inevitable. This industry doyen stands tall in the world of construction. Saket Talwar from Hyderabad keeps the wheels of success rolling, dealing with ‘brand’ new automobiles. Our Focus this time is on Shravan Kumar, who ramps around the world to present the best of Indian fashion and fabric. It is the rst time MLA, Anita who speaks of her own initiation into politics and her dreams for the slack-in-progress Payakaraopeta. On the centre stage is Bina Mehta, who practises the famous Gujarati Dandiya in Telugu city and converts thousands of people into fans of this colourful tradition. These two divas adorn our Eve. Yet another year is coming to an end and we move forward with good memories, leaving behind the scary nightmares. Whatever may be our experiences, celebrate we must, at the end of the day, ...I mean year. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Chandra Mouli Tippala, Publisher red | december 2014 | 20
VIZAG APOLLO HOSPITALS MEET A BIG SUCCESS Apollo Hospitals Visakhapatnam has conducted various awareness programmes to mark the World Heart Day. A Contentious Medical Education Programme (CME) was held for the Doctors at Hotel Novotel. This programme was attended by all doctors from Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Dr.D.K.Baruah, Dr.N.K.Panigrahi, Dr.S.N.Panda and Dr.Afroz Farooqi spoke on the occasion, focusing mainly on the latest techniques and innovative methods in Cardiac Angioplasty and Cardiothoracic Surgery. The speeches were followed by case discussions and interaction on EP-Study which is available at only Apollo Hospitals in the new state of Andhra Pradesh. Doctors also interacted with Dr.Panda on treating of Cardiac Arrhythmias. Apollo Hospitals administrator Ms.Jhansi Lakshmi, Mr.Prasad BNV, Mr.Ramakrishna, Mr.T.Satya Venkat and team members coordinated the CME programme which was a big success.
SAM CASTS A SPELL Australian motivational speaker, Samuel "Sam" Cawthorn is a stark reminder that life is unpredictable and can go wrong anytime. However, this Young Australian of the Year for Tasmania -2009 awardee came back from the brink after a near fatal accident in which he lost a hand and damaged a leg. Visakhapatnam Chapter of Young Indians (Yi), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), could not have chosen a better speaker to address Vizagites who are just recovering from the blow of Hudhud. Sam spoke of strategies, tools, and secrets for overcoming challenges in life and business to a 500-strong gathering in a session based on his book ‘Bounce Forward: How to Transform Crisis into Success’. Poonam Shah Srinath, Past Chair, Young Indians (Vizag Chapter), welcomed the speaker and Karan Nagpal, Co-Chair, Young Indians (Vizag Chapter), delivered the concluding remarks. NARESH ORGANISES BLOOD DONATION CAMP Mr.O.Naresh Kumar, CEO, Symbiosys Technologies does it again. Responding to the severe shortage of blood in the city, Naresh organised donation camps at Symbiosys city ofce, IT Park, Rushikonda and CMR Central. Dr.K.Haribabu, MP, Mr.G.Sambasiva Rao, MD, Sravan Shipping Services Pvt. Ltd and Mr.P.L.K.Murthy, Visakha Ads graced the occasion. Nearly 880 units of blood were collected in this one-day event.18 units were handed over to Lions Blood Bank and 550 units were given to Rotary Blood Bank and the rest to NTR Blood Bank. It is relevant to mention that Naresh has been always in the forefront in the city’s welfare activities. Along with some like-minded organisations, he conducted a similar camp on the World Blood Donor Day (June 14) this year.
VIZAG CAKE MIXING AT DOLPHIN The delicious aroma wafting out of the bakeries indicate the arrival of the season of cakes. Be it Christmas or New Year, no celebration is complete without the delicious dollops of cake. Hotel Dolphin welcomed the festive season with a grand cake mixing ceremony at The Senate banquet hall. A global tradition, the fun-lled event saw the Dy.General Manager Mr.I.T.Rama Krishna Rao and other HODs of the hotel along with special guests in mixing 300 kgs of fruits, spices, rum and other ingredients which are to be used in making Christmas cake. The `plum' before the cake is a misnomer because the fruit is not added to the cake. “In all probability it is called plum cake because the dry fruits plum up as they are soaked in liquor for a long time," says Executive Chef D.V. Naidu.
HALLOWEEN HAPPY HOUR It was Teeny-Boppers that brought in the delightful tradition of Halloween to the city and has made it an annual event, for which everyone associated with the school wait with great enthusiasm. The event doesn’t remain restricted only to Teeny-Boppers, but welcomes and encourages the participation of their parents and siblings making it a family celebration. This year as many as 150 participants took part in the event making it a thumping success. Guised as Draculas, Angels and cartoon characters, the participants drew all round applause. Some of them even turned up dressed as characters from TV serials. What is heartening is a few of them were also dressed up in costumes that gave a message of hope to the Hudhud-hit Vizagites. Mrs.Poonam Shah Srinath, Founder and Correspondent of Teeny Boppers Playschool & Kindergarten, herself was seen leading the celebrations. Prizes were given in three categories- Chehel (Only child), Aarnav and Aaliyah (Child and Sibling) and Kausthub family (Child & Family). Mrs.Mari Rao, Mr.Rana Uppalapati and Mrs.Avanti Raju judged the contest. All participants received prizes as tokens of encouragement and every child present at the event received a trick or treat feat goodie.
BLEND TO BAKE @ FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON With Christmas and New Year fast approaching Four Points by Sheraton too had fallen in step with the tradition and organised a cake mixing ceremony. A lavish spread of kilos of dry fruits like apricots, raisins, dates, black currant, tutti-fruti, cashews, almonds and pistachios was kept for a grand blending with litres of liquor. Mr.P.Vishnu Kumar Raju, MLA, led a group of guests drawn from the corporate houses in the ritual. Even children were seen enjoying every bit of this fun-lled culinary activity.
VIZAG
VROOMING SUCCESS
JK Tyre-FMSCI National Karting Championship took place at go-karting circute of ‘HiFy’ (Hub for Youth). The races were agged by HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao who was accompanied by Mr. B.Kasi Viswanadham, a senior TDP leader. The winners under different categories were Chittesh Mandody, Kush Maini, Yash Aradhya, Ricky Ameya Bafna, Dhruv Mohite and Nayan Chatterjee. Dr.Meenakshi Anatram, CEO, Razzmatazz presented a cultural programme, while Pramod Kumar and Krishna Gorrepati of ‘HiFy’ ensured the smooth conduct of the event. Renowned racers Sailesh and Araman and Pramod Kumar gave away the prizes.
GNM HONOURS HELPERS Ganta Narayanamma Memorial(GNM) Trust, set up in the name of mother of HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao, put its best foot forward by honouring the people who rendered yeoman service to the region hit by Hudhud cyclone. Ganta Raviteja, the founder of the Trust, honoured workers from various government departments like re and police, besides the GVMC staff, who left no effort to restore normalcy. K.Hari Babu, MP, the chief guest lighted the lamp and he was assisted by M.T.Krishna Babu, Chairman VPT. Raviteja presented a memento to his father, Ganta, who was the guest of honour. Prominently present at the event were MLAs Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy and Vasupalli Ganesh. Kumar.
GANTA OPENS GREENDALE Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao inaugurated Greendale, The Complete International School. Greendale chairman Sunkari Ravindra, addressing the august gathering, said that the project was a dream come true for the educational group founded by S.Alwar Das who served as Education Minister of united Andhra Pradesh. Ms.Divya, Executive Director, welcomed the guests. The dais was shared by Correspondent S.Vijaya Ravindra, Principal Mercy Nelson, besides MLA Palla Srinivas and others. A delightful cultural programme was presented as part of the celebrations. The school developed in an area of 15 acres with the USP ‘smart school for smart city’ is being projected as a complete international school and admissions for 2015-16 with CBSE curriculum are open. Sushma
Anusha & Deepika Das Bharathi Sikandh
Rekha Dutt Balaji
Somanadh
Naga Prasad
Pydah Krishna Prasad red | december 2014 | 27
VIZAG BNI 4TH CHAPTER LAUNCHED Sharvani Durvasula (Psychologist & Career Planner) a member of Amigos BNI, Founder Chapter and Launch Ambassador for Vizag Region assisted the Regional Director Mr. K.V.T Ramesh to launch 4th chapter BNI in Vizag region. Secunderabad Regional Director Mr. Uday Shetty presided over the meeting held in Four Points by Sheraton. BNI is referral organization which works on a unique philosophy. Its ‘givers’ gain’ policy is a constructive competition among members, a friendly scramble to see who can do the most good for others by giving business or introducing a visitor who is most useful to other’s business. BNI gives its members an opportunity to knock at the door of the prot and it is up to them to turn the knob and walk through the door of the success. Ajay
Nilesh
Savitri Devi
Sanjay Panda
SUPER SHOW OF CRICKET Faza Foundation and Mahdi Bagh Youth Club (MBYC) have organized the rst-of-its-kind Vizag Super 20 cricket tournament. It was on knock-out basis. The 16 contesting teams are- VPC SPORTS CLUB, BNI Vizag, Nav Ship, Waltair Club Raiders, RVR Titans, Varun Gladiators, WNS Master Blaster, WNS Warriors, Vihar Super Kings, Eastern Naval Command Cricket Team, Vizag Shipping Warriors, Vaibhav XI, HPCL/VR Cricket Team, VCTPL, BRANDIX, Alwar Das Group. The sponsors and partners are Maruti Suzuki, CMR and WNS, Vihar, Razzmatazz, Big FM, Bank of Baroda, Bombay Gaslight Stores. The prizes include Rs.1 lakh and a trophy for the winners and Rs.50,000 for runners up. It will be an yearly event to raise funds for Faza Foundation, a charitable trust. Khusheed
Zarine
Munir
Rajendra red | december 2014 | 28
VIZAG
GLITZ, GLAMOUR & MISS VIZAG 2014 Organised by Ajay Agarwal, CEO, Creative Plus in association with Kalanjali and Prema Events, Miss Vizag 2014 was an event to remember. With 20 nalists contending for the crown at The Park, the evening was a show oozing glamour, attering fashion and enchanting beauties. While singer Navya entertained the audience with her melliuous voice, a dance troop amused with their acrobatic moves. The ethnic wear round set the tone of the evening in which the contestants introduced themselves giving details of their education and passion, which was followed by a western wear round. One of the highlights of the evening was the designer fashion show where Miss India Earth 2013 Sobhita Dhulipala sizzled the ramp as the show-stopper and walked along with Miss Vizag 2013 Sindhura Kaviti. Shweta Tiwari, Mrs.Asia International 2014, Sailaja Kiran, Executive Director and MD, Margadarsi Chit Fund and Kalanjali, Meenakshi Anantram, CEO, Razzmatazz, Tippala Chandu Reddy, CMD, red Magazine, Poonam Shah, Correspondent, Teeny-Boppers, K.V.T. Ramesh, Regional Head, BNI, Paramita Banerjee, PRO, Palm Beach, Shanti Chander, MD, Thunderbolt, Miss.Yasmeen and Dr. Sreedhar were judges who rated the contestants on aspects like walk, self-introduction, posture, persona and condence. They selected six nalists who were asked questions testing their wit and spontaneity. Shobhana Guddela was crowned as the Miss Vizag-2014 and awarded with a Scooty Pep Plus and other goodies. Laxmi Bhardwaj and Suryamayee were declared rst and second runners-up respectively. Other title winners were Meghna (Ms. Charming), Joshita (Ms. Beautiful Skin), Harshita (Ms. Beautiful Hair), Sirisha (Ms.Beautiful Smile), Anusha (Ms.Beautiful Eyes), Jayanti (Ms.Photogenic), Manasa (Ms.Hottest Face) and Shweta Choudhary (Ms.Popularity). The event was a fund raiser for the Hudhud-affected Vizag. TVS, Agarwal Comforts, SMS Dental Clinic, MVS Jewel Park, Pink Toes, Bon Chic and Syndicate Jewellers were the main sponsors of the event.
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HYDERABAD BEST ICE CREAM AWARD FOR HAZZEL The Ice Cream Café, Hazzel bagged the prestigious 'Best Indian Ice Cream Award' recently at the Indian Hospitality Awards 2014 ceremony held at Hitex. Speaking to the media, Directors J.Vinay and Sunil Reddy said, “The award organizers invited entries in 56 different categories and the 'Best Indian Ice cream Award' in India was bestowed upon Hazzel.” The awards were given under aegis of the Indian Hospitality Association and Epicurus. The celebrated ice cream has established branches at Jubilee Hills and Gachibowli. The ice cream café is planning a major expansion and will be setting up outlets to Miyapur, Kukatpally, Vijayawada and Vizag.
KTR OPENS BEST WESTERN ASHOKA The Best Western Group opened Best Western Ashoka at Hi-Tec City recentty. This hotel offers state of the art business and leisure facilities. Its interiors that are elegant and contemporary are worth a special mention. According to Mr. Karteesh Reddy Madgula, Executive Director, they plan to increase their presence and open more hotels in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. He adds, "Through Best Western Ashoka, we wish to offer perfect business and leisure facilities. We also strive to extend warm, caring and personalized service.” Extensive conference and banquet facilities are added attraction. The facility was inaugurated by Minister K.T. Rama Rao. Akanksha and Manoj, Pallavi, Archit and Hanshita, Shweta, Tejasvi and Vivek graced the occasion. HI LIFE EXPO SHOWS INDIA’S BEST HI Life is in the city yet again showcasing India’s exclusive haute couture, personal style, home décor and luxury products. The exhibition offers a plethora of choices from designer apparels, fashion and home accessories, furnishing concepts, stationary, gifting items and artefacts. HI Life held exhibitions at Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Pune, Chennai, Cochin and Sri Lanka. The Expo will be held in Hyderabad on 10, 11 and 12 of December at Novotel (HICC). It is going to display a spectacular collection. The uniqueness of this endeavour is that it focuses on niche and concept based premium lifestyle exhibitions hosting the most stylish, a la mode and in- vogue brands.
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HYDERABAD SANIA OPENS REFURBISHED COUNTRY CLUB Leading tennis player Sania Mirza inaugurated the revamped Country Club on Nov 3 at a function held to mark its 25th anniversary. Country Club, a renowned clubbing, holiday, tness and hospitality brand had journeyed through 25 glorious years of service in Hyderabad and other parts of the country. On this occasion, Rajeev Reddy, the founder of the Club, said, “This is a historic milestone for Country Club. We have worked with a vision to provide nest clubbing, holiday and hospitality services. Adapting to change, we have successfully fullled the aspirations of our 4,00,000 members. This is our biggest achievement.” Country Club had re-done its Begumpet branch with a grand décor and added other facilities. Siddharth, Nikhila, Varun and Rajiv were spotted conversing with the brand ambassador.
SILK MARK EXPO WEAVES MAGIC Srimathi Silk Mark recently Hyderabad Pageant was held at Shilpakala Vedika, near Cyber Towers, Madhapur recently. It received an overwhelming response from the silk lovers from across the city. Basing on the overall performance of the 18 nalists on parameters like their inclination for important tradition of Indian silks, knowledge on Silk Mark and other aspects, three winners chosen. The judges were I.Y.R.Krishna Rao, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh, C.S. Rama Lakshmi, Former Commissioner of Sericulture, Shravani Reddy, CEO of Colarz and Padma, a culinary expert. Silk Mark Organization of India constantly creates awareness among people about the various types of silks produced across the country.
MILI KATARIA BRINGS FASHION HOME Travelling all the way to the star hotels to shop at the exclusive exhibitions is yesterday’s story. Residential expos are currently in vogue in the expositions circuit. You heard us right! Now one can shop within their residential premises if they live in gated communities, as Mili Kataria, a brilliant entrepreneur, organises exhibitions at the club houses of such communities. She presents a comprehensive fair that includes wide range of clothing and accessories (both Western and Indian), tasty treats and entertainment for children. She organises these exhibitions once a month in different communities. One such exhibition was held at Ramky Towers in Hi-tech city recently and it was a total sell-out.
red | december 2014 | 34
HYDERABAD TRENDZ VIVAH COLLECTION ATTRACTS With wedding season round the corner, Mrs.Santhi Kathiravan organised Trendz Exhibition. Inaugurated by Tollywood actress Parinidhi, the two-day event showcased an array of exquisite daily wear, designer wear, bridal jewellery and gifting items offering a whole new shopping experience for the discerning customers. The objective of the event is to promote women’s fashion by bringing together some of the most enterprising and progressive designers on a common platform. At the exhibition, the consumers had an opportunity to look at and choose from a wide range of designs, all at wholesale prices. Sirisha, Santhi & Parinidhi Jyothi
Shaheen
Neha
Shipali
HI LIFE SUCCESSFUL Hi Life Luxury Expo 2014, a three-day exclusive fashion, lifestyle and luxury expo was kicked off at Novotel (HICC), Madhapur. Aby Dominic, the organiser of this exhibition, said, “We present the most vibrant works of over 150 top most fashion designers with an exclusive collection of furnishings, handpicked artefacts, art collectibles and home decor objects, personal style and gifting solutions.” Tollywood actress Ritu Varma inaugurated the exhibition. NAR infra- Executive Director Parvathi Reddy, Roopa Vaitla, Celebrity costume designer and wife of lm director Sreenu Vaitla, Ishita Singh, and Sashi Vangapalli were prominently present. Sanjana, Raunak, Neeru Mohan and Swathi graced the event. Neeru Mohan
Sabitha
Roopa Vaitla
Nandita
HYDERABAD THRIVING AKRITI ELITE Akritti Elite, a fashion and lifestyle expo kicked off with a bang on 7th November at the Taj Deccan. Pooja Kiran, a Tollywood actress inaugurated the exhibition, which showcased the latest collections of designer saris, ethnic wear, kurtis, jewellery, handbags, clutches and home accents. Renowned designers from different parts of the country exhibited luxurious fashion apparel and accessories. The shopaholics of the city shopped till they dropped. Akritti organises exhibitions across the country with an objective of promoting designers, women entrepreneurs and arts and culture. Present at the event were Shikha, Nikitha, Spandana and Sharada besides organisers Sashi and Alok Nahata.
Sheetal Nahata
Pooja & Sashi Nahata
Roopa Reddy
Naheed
Pooja
Shilpa Chowdary
Neelima, Shilpa, Rajath Sharma, Lavanya, Kavitha & Navitha
Sirisha
Keerthi
LAVSHH SUCCESSFUL Lavshh, a multi-designer exhibition and sale was a sensational hit. Ladies of the city quenched their shopping thirst armed with full wallets. Held at Taj Deccan recently, the expo presented a wide range of clothing, accessories, gold and diamond jewellery and home ware. The fair, which was inaugurated by MP, K.Kavitha, exhibited creations of renowned designers of the country. It was presented by Neelima Reddy, Lavanya Reddy, Shilpa Chowdhary and Navitha Pulpa. Manepally Jewellers and Sri Krishna Silks were the key sponsors of this exhibition. Spotted shopping here were Bindu, Arpitha, Deepthi, Gayathri Reddy, Mahita and others.
Shilpa
Divya
HYDERABAD ELEGANT & CHIC Elegance, a two-day festive shopping extravaganza was held at N Convention, Hitech City recently. It is an exclusive exhibition and sale with over 35 different brands of jewellery, apparel and independent designers from all over India came together under one roof. They showcased their innovative, classic and enchanting designs. Its organisers Swathi Pudtha and Satish Vangapally made impeccable arrangements. A humongous crowd drawn from Hi-Tech City, Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills and other areas of Cyberabad thronged the expo. Milli, Satish, Pradeep, Sindhu, Abid Bhushan, Praveena & Avinash Milli
Deepika
Josie
Sindhu
ANGASUTRA LAUNCHED Angasutra, the Hyderabad’s new fashion destination, was opened recently. This luxury designer boutique presents a plethora of designers like Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, Manish Malhotra, Rohit Bal, Anamika Khanna, Varun Bahl, Ritu Beri, Pria Kataria Puri, Shehla Khan, Amit Aggarwal, Nikhil Thampi and 30 others, whose vision and talent are admired. People behind this venture are Kamini Saraf, Sachin Baslas and Shalini Sharma, who plan to have regular promotional events at the store so that their customers can meet the designers personally and understand their vision. The organisers believe that Hyderabadis are the most ardent shoppers amongst all south Indians and enjoying good things in life unabashedly is a typical ‘Hyderabadi’ trait. Spotted at the event were Anam, Anju Jain, Aparna, Deepthi Rajesh, Elahe, Fara, Kavya Reddy, Mourya, Nikitha Reddy and Shilpa Reddy.
Suman Saraf, Ponnala Laxmaiah & Kamini Saraf
Shilpa Reddy
Suhani Pitte
Sridevi
Amita
HYDERABAD BLEND OF MUSIC AND STYLE On Nov 15, the city celebrated ‘Substance in Style’, a Blenders Pride Fashion Tour. The evening was impeccably crafted to bring out the best in design, music, technology and style. A true ambassador of Style and Substance, Boman Irani launched the 10th edition of this tour. Rocky Star and Neeta Lulla showcased their creations on the rst day. Fine notes of music by Tarun Shahani blended in perfectly with the essence of designs on the ramp. The rst day of the tour brought together an entourage of brilliant artists exuding their unique styles. With distinguished hues, motifs, techno artistic treats and punk chords, the riveting evening ended with grace.
Ramana & Nikki Gogula
Manisha & Sunaina
Sudheer
Yogesh
Sharon
Ananya
Mr & Mrs Gaurang Shah
Imran
Amir Sharma
Sakina
Dr. Kiran
VIZAG
REVIEW
T
o jazz up your parties further more Party Hunterz is here in town. It shares the space with Anahita located in Balajinagar. It is the franchise of Party Hunterz, the chain of store, which is India’s only one-stop-party-shop. From party hats, boas, funky glasses, masks, disposables (plates, glasses, bowls), décor and accessories; it offers all possible party gear. Be it bridal or baby showers, wedding anniversary or birthday or bachelorette, it has all the themed decorations. Superhero lovers, just pick any of the set from the big range. They are 3D too. Kiddos’ favourite can be the Disney-inspired themed merchandise. From the classic ones like Mickey & Minnie Mouse to the latest like the Cars 2, the choices are many. The most popular are the Moustache and Halloween themes. Soon it is going to get Casino Theme decoration as well. The must buys are the themed balloons. Made of latex and inated with helium, they are absolutely safe. The range of candles is impressive. Party Hunterz takes up order to decorate the venue. At present the service is only for small celebrations. Try their balloon bouquet, you will forget the ower ones. 1
POOR
Your Party Hunt Ends Here
4.5
TIMINGS: 10 am-8.30 pm (SUNDAY CLOSED) Ph: 08912741115
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ith GaasPus opening in town, global cooking at home is possible. Located at Resapuvanipalem, this retail outlet of the parent wholesale store in Railway Colony, has already garnered an amazing response. One gets exotic vegetables like red cabbage, red and yellow bellpeppers, cherry tomatoes, lettuce, broccoli, zucchini, red raddish, Chienese cabbage, blue beans, kale, bok choy etc. The fresh herbs list includes oregano, parsley, basil, galanjal, limegrass, thyme, celery etc. One can also get imported fruits like Washington, Fuji and Royal apples, Passionfruit, golden pear, Australian grapes, Canadian cherries, oranges mostly from Australia, grapefruit, green guava of Thailand, pamelo, soursop, plums, g, avocado, dragon fruit, mangosteen, longan or Thai Litchi and many more. The mango season is gone, but you get them here even now. Home delivery is available to the regular customers within 20 km radius. 1
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The Green Treat
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TIMING- 10.00 am to 9.00 pm (MONDAY CLOSED) Ph: 88850 64456
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SHOP TILL YOU DROP
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hoppers Stop, India’s largest fashion retailer, now extends its bridge-to-luxury experience to Vizag with the launch of its rst store in the city on VIP Road. Opened at the newly constructed SRK Destiny Mall, this is its 71st store in the country. Spread over approximately 47,000 sq.ft. and three distinct levels, the store’s look and feel are modern and elegant, offering a worldclass shopping experience. Customers are sure to get spoilt for choice with the wide assortment of brands ranging across categories such as apparel, cosmetics, perfumes, articial and ne jewellery, handbags, footwear, personal accessories such as sunglasses and watches, kids wear, toys, home décor and much more. At the new store, customers can nd approximately 250 most stylish and desirable brands such as US Polo, Being Human, United Colors of Benetton, Indian Terrain, AND, Latin Quarters, Zink London. In addition to these, the store offers a wide variety of merchandise across categories under its exclusive brands Stop, Kashish, Life, Haute Curry, Elliza Donatein, inSense’, iJeanswear, Austin Reed, Mario Zegnoti, and Vettorio Fratini. For the shoppers’ convenience there are customer-friendly signage, ample and spacious trial rooms, an alteration desk, and a customer service desk with complimentary gift wrapping service and more. Shoppers Stop’s First Citizen Loyalty programme is one of the largest with a growing base of over 3.4 million members across the country. The members enjoy various offers and special privileges such as the exclusive First Citizen lounge at every store, facility to redeem their reward points directly at the cash counter, exclusive preview of Sale and other annual offers etc. Timing:11.00 am to 9.30 pm | Cell no: 0891-2827600
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VIZAG
REVIEW
5
THE LION OF THE ROAD
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ingam Suzuki throws open its gates to the bike-lovers in the city. This exclusive Suzuki showroom has gained a good business within a few days of its launch. It has three models in scooter segment- Swish, Access and Lets. Each of them differs in size and performance. While Access is mainly targeting the urbane customer, Lets is a lightweight scooter and targets primarily women riders. It is known as the best mileage provider with 63kmpl. The bikes’ segment has four models such as- GS, Hayate, Sling Shot and the newly launched Gixxer which has created ripples in the market. If you are looking at style and performance with the boon of fuel-efciency then Gixxer with around 60kmpl record can be your best deal. You will get it here for Rs.74, 552(ex-showroom). It is available in ve colours- red, blue, black, silver and white. There are three nance providers Singam has tied up with, viz. Hinduja, L&T and Shriram. Access in grey and Hayate in green are in great demand. “The USP of the showroom is the best pricing, which is quite low compared to other dealers. Our offers on parts and warranty are comparable. Excellent customer service is our selling point,” vouches Sandeep Kumar, the Director. The authorised service center is also one of its advantages. It is the rst to offer the automated service in town for bikes. Customers can avail free servicing within the city limits, which works through 12 coupons. It also offers mobile services where the servicing technician will visit corporates, educational institutions or residences and give the service at their doorstep. Timings: 9.00 am to 8.00 pm (Sunday closed, except the 24X7 service station facility) Ph:0891-2555562, 2555526
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4.5
KIDS’ FASHION DEN
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ey Kiddo can be one of the most advisable choices for sartorial shopping of your younger ones. The reason- it is the onestop-shop for kids, right from newborns up to children of 12. This store is the fourth venture of Dona Boutique and is conveniently located on Waltair Main Road, Jagadamba Junction.
Besides catering to the clothing needs of both boys and girls, it offers an array of products to choose from. The stock is mainly procured from Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata and there are a few which are imported from Bangkok. Right at the entrance there is a display of newborn baby products and accessories like clothes, blankets, wipes, mittens, caps by brands like Baby Den and Nuby. It also sells baby cots. For a little grownup children, you can buy T-shirts and shirts which are available for Rs.200- 300 and pants with a starting range of Rs.500. Quite impressive are those nightsuits for 0 -12 years. It also sells shorts, socks, cotton frocks and a few innerwear for the kids. The must buys are the fancy frocks for girls and party wear collection for boys, the price ranges from Rs.2,000 to Rs.3,000. For your young lasso get those colourful and trendy leggings, priced at Rs.139- Rs.149. There is a trial room too. Timing- 10.30 am to 09.00 pm (Sunday opens at 5.30 pm) Ph- 9052529898, 2529898
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HYDERABAD
REVIEW
Silks at Saran
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ffering a plethora of handloom silks from different parts of the country, Saran keeps the traditions alive in 600 sft area at Banjara Hills. It is a sister concern to the renowned clothing store, Anagha. The owner, Sarvamangala explained, “I had a lot of customers asking for silk saris at Anagha. To serve the persisting need of my valuable customers, I started this brand exclusively to offer exquisite silk saris and suits.” Banaras, Uppada, Kanchi, Arani, Dharmavaram are a few of the silks available here including Orissa and Pythani. Reviving the old weaves and the colour combinations, which is the store’s USP, it caters to the upper middle, the elite and to the NRIs. They also offer affordable traditional accessories like the one- gram- gold jewellery and potlis to go with the silk outts. Salwar sets range from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 5,000 and saris range from Rs. 4,500 to Rs.40,000. They undertake tailoring and embroidery orders as well.
4.5
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TIMINGS: 10:30 am TO 8:00 pm PH NO.: 040 66252911 \ 66666767 (Sunday Closed)
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REVIEW
High End & Luxurious
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pread across 1150 sft, Karishma & Co. offers an array of luxury brands for dinnerware, glassware and gifts like Ekaani, Versace and Rosenthal. Strategically located in Banjara Hills, Road No.7, the store can change the way people have been gifting. The range caters to all sizes of budget and is an ideal store for weddings, anniversaries, house warming, corporate events, Diwali, and birthdays. Brands like Sabadin Vittorio, Astra Argenti, Recuardo and Leader Argenti can be found here. The collection includes silverware, porcelain gurines. The artefacts, handcrafted in 92.5% sterling silver & porcelain, are studded with original swarovski and 24 carat gold. Products of this brand range from Rs.575 to Rs.4 lakh. Also adding a charm to the store is Versace and Rosenthal with their high end crockery like dinner and tea sets. Ms.Karishma Jain says,“ The store is the rst and biggest Versace and Rosenthal agship store in the south India, which targets the cream crowd of the city.” TIMINGS: 10:30 am TO 8:30 pm PH NO.: 040 40211511
5
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HYDERABAD
REVIEW
5
ALLURING FASHION AVENUE
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his lavish fashion destination is for the designer- crazy ladies who prefer sensuous outts for the luxurious galas of Hyderabad. Targeting the elite and the brand conscious of the city, Angasutra- the art of adornment has ample ensembles to offer.
Spread over 5,000 sft in two oors at Banjara Hills, Road No.10, it presents a variety of designers namely Abu Jani, Sandeep Khosla, Manish Malhotra, Rohit Bal, Anamika Khanna, Varun Bahl, Ritu Beri, Pria Kataria Puri, Shehla Khan, Amit Aggarwal, Nikhil Thampi and 30 other designers whose vision and talent are admired, to pick your outt from. The galore of saris, Indian and Western wear and fusion outts serves the luxury quotient of Hyderabadi shoppers, allowing an easy access to the county’s prominent designers’ creations. The boutique’s objective is to exemplify beauty, not only in the store design and merchandise but also in its shopping experience. Located amidst serene greenery reecting a natural glow of the sun’s rays, it stands by its USP. The interiors are suave and contemporary and are designed by Aamir Sharma, winner of many prestigious awards. This is a brainchild of the city’s renowned people, Kamini Saraf (Fashion Yatra fame), Sachin Baslas (owner of Go Bananas) and Shalini Sharma. Prices start from Rs.5,000. Along with a remarkable customer service, the store also provides ample car park facilities. Timings: 11:00 am to 8:00 pm | Ph no.: 040- 65303100
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SWANKY AND GLAMOROUS
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layboy Club-the name itself is a giveaway, isn’t it? Swanky and glamorous, this renowned chain of nightclubs and resorts owned and operated by the Playboy Enterprises, opened its club in the city. The Hyderabadis rejoiced its extravagant launch party as the club brought in the quintessential red-gold décor along with it. Vastly spread over two oors and 7,800 sft, the club offers an exclusive membership programme with numerous benets like access to any Playboy Club worldwide, personal butler service for the members and an additional access to the exclusive VIP lounge for a whole year. This upmarket club brings in the world’s famous music artistes on a weekly basis to attract the music buffs. Savouring its signature cocktails along with an array of delicious starters and main courses is something one cannot miss out on. The scrumptious appetizers like Crostini Sampler and Chicken Satay complement the ne wines that the club offers. With a seating capacity of 750 over all, it also offers a private dining area which can be reserved for throwing private parties for friends. The club is soon to launch their merchandising with products ranging from watches to apparel. Playboy’s open air seating and bar, the grand private dining area, the succulent food bites and the hippest music of the world indeed provide a night to remember. Timings: 8:00 pm-2:00 am, currently open on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday Contact: Ashwani(GM) 9818365864.
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HYDERABAD
REVIEW
4.5
COSMIC CLUBBING
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pread across 18,500 sft, Suchir’s Club Republic is truly a hub for parties, luncheons and rock fests. It is a renovated party place of an earlier club called Rain and the facelift could not have been more appealing. Known for its best sound and light amenities, it has ve different outlets for all ages. That is the club’s USP.
Jazz Lounge- This ne dining section has a lavish spread of buffet at comparable rates. It is difcult to take your eyes off the interesting wall hangings. They have a display of famous rock legends like the Pink Floyd, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and many others. Unwinding here is surely a pleasure. Meal for a person: Rs. 399 including taxes. Sky Coffee Bar- The wooden ooring of this section is quirky, with a striking print of the world map which surely makes one feel like they are walking through the world! They have evening sessions like the Karaoke along with live sports on special nights. The menu options are diverse like Continental, Mexican, Indian and Chinese along with a complimentary drink. Meal for two: Rs.800-Rs.1,000. Gold Room- This Persian themed space is the perfect place to throw a private party for your pals. With packages starting from Rs.1,400, it has a separate dance oor, bar counter and a DJ console for uninterrupted galas. Moshpit- This economical rock music bistro stands out of all the outlets with an entrance of walls sporting grafti in neon colours. It has a unique concept for starters called the Global Street Food with snacks and drinks only at Rs.89. The interiors with 60’s themed wall hangings and the live performances of rock bands add an essence to the theme. Main club- If you are here, your motto surely has to be to party all night and dance till you drop. This exquisite party club bearing a capacity of 350 people follows a weekly schedule for their parties on all the seven days. Couple entry: Rs.1,500 of which Rs.1,000 is cover charge. Timings: 12:00 pm to 12:00 am | Ph no.: +91 9505200333
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4.5
A COMFORT STAY
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est western Ashoka is a sheer boutique hotel spread vastly over 25,000 sft on four oors. Located in the heart of the information technology hub, the hotel bears contemporary and modest design and offers state of the art business and leisure facilities. Equipped to handle both business and holiday travellers, the hotel has a coffee shop with a 40-seat capacity that serves the nest food with complimentary breakfast buffet to the guests. They also plan to begin lunch buffet and a multi-cuisine restaurant for general customers apart from the house guests. The hotel offers vast conference and banquet facilities. The conference room holds about 20-pack capacity, which can be utilised for small gatherings or meetings. The banquet hall, Wisteria, with a 50-pack capacity, can accommodate guests as per their requirement. The customer can choose a cluster or round table set up. This hall is ideal for engagement parties and rendezvous with friends and family. The hotel has 48 premium guest rooms tted to perfection with elegance and style. They offer a range of rooms for booking like the King bed, Queen and Twin beds rooms. The price range varies from Rs.3,500 to Rs.4,000. The unique art adorning walls of the hallway denitely grabs an eye while walking down to the rooms. Each room comes complete with upgraded bedding and linen, LED televisions with HD channels, free High Speed Wi¬Fi Internet access, luxury toiletries, minibar, hair dryer, tea/coffee maker and safe locker. Additionally, the hotel offers gym facilities like the treadmill and elliptical, built on 250 sft. The Executive Director, Mr. Karteesh says, “We want to offer perfect business and leisure destination for all our guests with warm, caring and personalized service. Our new property fuses functionality, aesthetics, technology and service to offer customers greater control of their environment.” while talking about the hotel’s USP. Timings: Hotel- Round the clock Coffee Shop- 6:30 am to 11:00 pm | Ph no.: +91 40 48800222, +91 40 48800200, +91 8125000222
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V I Z A G
RANJITH’S WINNING SCORE Here we have one more Vizag product entering TollywoodRanjith Somi. His rst ick Nuvvu Nenu Okatavudaam, directed by P. Narsimha Reddy and produced by Gurrala Krishna Reddy, isn’t released yet, it has earned him a lot of name and fame. The recent audio launch turned out to be a huge success. People are going gaga over the music which is composed by Ram Narayan and this is certainly working in favour of the debutant Ranjith. The teasers already establish that the hero is promising and he might even outshine the heroine. Competition is welcome and is also needed to bring out the best in any artiste. However, not ready to play the second ddle, the heroine is insisting on getting a billing on a par with the hero, it is said. But sources say that Ranjith, closely associated with the family of Botsa, enjoys an extra edge. With such a powerful backing, Somi need not lose sleep over how his release would be. It is certainly going to be a grand one. Now it is to be seen how this talented actor will encash this ‘political’ clout. ANISHA’S SURPRISING ROLE She kick started with a few clicks, graduated to short lms and in no time moved to the silver screen with Allias Janaki. Anisha Ambrose is the name which wowed everyone with her zooming success. Who says the route to success is long? There are other factors that can lead one to their chosen goal. Anisha seems to have proved that the years spent in the industry after all are not what really matter to make it to the top. The latest buzz around the Tinsel Town is of her being cast against the power star Pawan Kalyan in an upcoming movie and the news certainly created ripples. Wait a minute, she is not in any side role but she is the lead! Her fans from her hometown Vizag are pinning hopes on her high success after this big break. At the same time this rare feat leaves them bafed and makes them wonder how this greenhorn bagged the jackpot when the big names in the industry are struggling to secure a role in such a mega project.
DISTANT DREAMS Those who follow the news on regular basis, cannot but be astonished with the unending announcements of sops the government is showering on Visakhapatnam, the second largest city in the residual Andhra Pradesh. To begin with, it was touted as the upcoming IT Hub to be developed as the replica of Hitech city. This declaration came from none other than the architect of Hitech City and CEO Chief Minister, Mr.Chandrababu Naidu. Then came the message that it is going to be a tinsel town where all the shining stars would descend. Soon on its heels followed the promises of Visakhapatnam-Chennai industrial corridor and boost to acqua exports. The most ludicrous of all the dreams shown to Vizagites is that it would soon be home for India’s rst Disney Land besides many Singapore like facilities. Bullet train is the latest carrot that is being dangled before gullible Vizag. People would not have been sceptical, had they were shown some initiation in any one of these lofty plans. A dream is never respected until it grows into reality. The dreamsselling leaders should realise that dreams are just words till they are translated into concrete actions.
WRAPPING THE FASHION Now shopping of haute couture is possible here itself. One need not make a trip to metros like Hyderabad, Kolkata or Mumbai. Woman’s World (WW), the renowned brand of high fashion has penetrated the city to meet the sartorial demands of the fashionistas. From embroidered saris, kurtis to western wear like skirt, partywear gowns and tops of latest styles- you name it and they have it. One is spoilt for choices with its wide range of fashion apparels crafted by expert designers. Their unique designs and exclusive products have made them a top brand among the elite who shop for every special occasion. In Vizag that offers limited facilities of this kind, opening of WW certainly is a welcoming news. The shop’s USP appears to be their designer counter where you can bespoke outts.
H Y D E R A B A D
COFFEE DRIVEN PROFIT Despite the colossal structure, global appeal, a strong brand value and huge investment being pumped in, grand names too have to bow to whims of the Lady Luck. Believe it or not, Hotel Park Hyatt is experiencing it right now. The sources say that it is running into huge losses. However, to its good fortune, the Coffee Shop has come to its rescue, which has become a hotspot for bigshots. Politicians, businessmen and even lm stars throng this place to crack deals. Looks like, it has turned into a ‘lucky charm’ bringing the fortune cookie for them. Well, call it a blessing in disguise or anything else, it is a reality that this tiny corner has become the sole source of income for the giant property. Isn’t it a humble reminder of the proverb “a drowning man clutches at a straw”? FROM FLAB TO FAB Acting runs in his genes and dialogue delivery comes naturally to him. It is no wonder that fans swoon over him. The most importantly, NTR Jr. is known for his superb dancing skills. Though a bit on the heavier side, he never seems to have any problem with executing highly complicated steps and movements that go with both modern and classical dances. He goes through them with such grace and ease, the audience don’t even notice those extra pounds. Adding to his wowing aura, NTR Jr. has created sensation with the latest sizzling look of his chiselled body. The poster of his upcoming lm– Temper has created a huge buzz. His shirtless pictures sporting an amazing six-pack abs went viral on social media sites. People are curious to know who is the real man behind this fantastic make-over of the star? Who is his tness guru, whose identity the star is keeping under wraps? When will he divulge the details of the man behind his new look? Postponementality “Cannot resolve the issue? Put off the decision’, seems to be Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu’s attitude. No wonder the Tirumala Tirupathi Devsthanam’s Chairman’s position is lying vacant even now. Babu is caught in a piquant situation as Rayapati Samba Siva Rao was lured into the TDP using the TTD bait and so also was J.C.Diwakar Reddy. The names of ex-MLAs Chadalawada Krishna Murthy and Gali Muddu Krishnama Naidu, and Rajahmundry MP Murali Mohan, have been making rounds for the past many days. Latest to join the race is Tollywood hero Sivaji, who seemed to have got the assurance from the BJP leaders. It is also learnt that Naidu is under tremendous pressure from some Union ministers who are lobbying for their own candidates. The CM is unable to displease any of them because he himself needs their help in building the new state. Aggravating the problem further, some BJP Union minsters are seeking the post for people of their own states. One would not know how the TDP supremo will come out of this tangle without rufing the feather of all those who matter.
NO CLEAN SWEEP By launching the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the importance of sanitation. The mission was to draw in all Indians to the cleanliness drive. Everyone is expected to devote at least two hours a week to clean their surroundings. Despite the celebrities, lm stars and the elite picking up brooms to set an example, the message did not seem to have created the desired impact. Our residential areas, roads and public places still remain dirty and littered. Voluntarism doesn’t appear to be the solution. The civic bodies and local leaders should be at the centre of the campaign. They themselves may not wield the brooms all the time but atleast they should visit the localities to supervise and take the civic staff to task if things are not in order. It is true that even information about the impending visit of the leader is enough to get the job done. If the government wants to sustain the mission some hard and down-toearth steps are imperative.
VIZAG
GOPAL Cricket Pal,
By Ranita Ray alaka Venugopal Rao is one among a few who has put Visakhapatnam on the international map. A right-handed middleorder-batsman and right arm off-break bowler, Venu holds a unique record of being selected as the rst "super sub" of Indian cricket team in the Limited Overs Cricket. Known for his indomitable spirits and hard work, he is often compared with the ace cricketer, Rahul Dravid. It is no exaggeration to say that his bat once was branded as the ‘magic wand’ as it generated runs, whatever it struck. From being a part of the Indian squad during the U-19 World Cup in 2000 to earning a place in the national squad in 2005 through his stunning performance in the domestic season, his journey of success has been highly laudable. He was the only player to shine in the Hyderabad camp in the inaugural Indian T20 league of 2008 in which he scored 365 runs. In 2011, he was signed by Delhi Daredevils for the coveted IPL and in 2014, he played for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. Presently occupied with rst-class cricket with a lot of Ranji Trophy matches, Venu takes time to eld our questions.
Shoot by Dhana Vijay
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red | december 2014 | 56
FLASHBACK He made his rst-class ofcial entry at the age of 17 representing Andhra Pradesh against Karnataka in Ranji Trophy match. But his actual debut into the world of cricket happened when he was just 10. “Initially I picked it up to bunk my classes. I was never good at studies and realized I could do better in sports,” confesses a candid Venu.
“I am really fortunate to have my parents, especially my dad who never questioned me ‘why cricket’?”
His parents without forcing education on their young son, had been very supportive. “I am grateful to my parents (Mr.Mancheswara Rao and Mrs.Appalokonda), especially to my father who never questioned me ‘Why cricket?’ My school principal was equally encouraging and allowed me to go for practice condoning my half-a-day absence from the school,” he says. This helped Venu to nurture and realize his dreams. His impressive performance in the game steered his destiny soon taking him to the doors of Indian national team. He became a part of the team in 2000 that won the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka. “I always wished to be a part of the Indian team and to be specic, to repeat that feat of winning a World Cup,” he says, recollecting how he felt on making it to the national league. “Getting the opportunity to play for the country is the greatest turning point of my life,” adds Venu.
honourable achievement. It has given him a good exposure, which in turn helped him improve his performance. Venu, however, stresses on the importance of national recognition and says, “Once you make it to the national bandwagon, there is no discrimination about your city, age, etc. You are judged only by your prowess.” Most memorable “Coming from a small town, I was awestruck by the prospect of sharing the eld with legends like Sachin, Dravid, Laxman. Moreover the thought of being watched by the entire world is equally exciting. What more a young cricketer could wish for? In 2005-06, I experienced it for the rst time and this has been the most memorable moment of my professional life till date,” states Venu.
Guiding Force All his three elder brothers Sai Kumar, Shiv Kumar, and Jaggannath are cricketers and they play inter-state tourneys. Venu’s introduction to the game was quite gradual as he used to accompany Sai when the latter used to go to play mathces. Thus he drew inspiration and entered the eld. Even his younger brother Gnaneshwar Rao is a cricketer, who plays for Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL.
Role Model It is none other than the Master-Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. “I have had great moments with this star and had the good fortune of playing with him.” At the same time he says, every cricket legend has one thing common which is worth emulating. Be it Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, V.V.S.Laxman or Rahul Dravid- all are extremly hard working and thoroughly dedicated to the game.
Challenge “The very fact that I hail from Vizag and chose cricket as my profession was itself a challenge,” he states. Back then, the city didn’t have anything- guidance, infrastructure or encouragement- to offer to budding cricketers. Overcoming these hurdles and gearing to face the players trained with advanced technologies from the bigger cites, Venu launched on a rather arduous journey. Yet not even once did he feel that ‘cricket may not happen for him’.
If not cricket “I need to think. Many asked me this question. Since, I started at the age of 10, I didn’t get time to think of that. But, honestly speaking, I can never get tired of cricket.”
In any adverse situation, he draws strength from his father’s life, who met tougher challenges. Today, Venu is associated with the esteemed MRF Pace Foundation and plays extensively for it. He considers this association as an
Passion It has been 20 years in cricket. Yet he just can’t keep off the eld even for a single day. “Once I am off the active game, I wonder what I will do. I am absolutely clueless,” says Venu, describing his love for the sport.
Future plans He never looks at long term targets, but plans short term goals, like scheduling his time for 2-3 months. He feels it helps him to stay t both physically and mentally. This process is more useful and less stressful than making extensive plans. Ask him if he has any regrets, pat comes the answer ‘none’. He just wants to focus on the game and take life as it comes. He feels he is lucky to have a good cricketing career and wishes to play for another 4-5 years of First-class-Cricket before he says quits. He also expresses his noble thought to give it back to cricket and cricketers, by sharing his knowledge and experience.
Advice Apposite assistance by skilled and experienced persons is a must. If you don’t have proper guidance, you won’t reach anywhere though you work hard. Work in a systematic way. Patience is the key. Even after you establish your credentials, you have to be careful with what you say or do. With the celebrity status comes the responsibility too. Once you are in limelight, you are answerable to the public. He follows an advice given by his father as a guiding mantra, “Work hard and be truthful to your profession. God will take care of the rest.” HIS VIEWS ON Handling Fan Following “Don’t go ga-ga over it. Then things are easy. But if you give undue attention, it is sure to take a toll on your performance,” opines Venu. He explains it further that as long as you play good and perform well, you have fan following. It takes no time for the public to pull down even those they have put on a throne.
the opportunity and experience to play with international cricketers on homeground. Here almost every domestic cricketer gets his due recognition. It won’t be wrong to say that it has transformed the entire gamut of Indian Cricket by adding greater dosage of glitz, moolah and excitement.
are off. I call my buddies and go for long drives and be home by 11.00 in the night.
Vizag cricket There is a pool of talent. We need good coaches and correct guidance. I don’t want the cricket fame to end with me and certainly love to see more local talents to come up. I wish to give my bit to the city. I have a plan to set up coaching academy here. Now I don’t like to disturb my playing. But postretirement, things will progress in this direction.
Importance of Experience “Absence of players with international experience, especially in Test cricket, hampers the team's progress,” he opines and hastens to add that domestic experience is equally important to take the player to a higher level of performance. Venu himself is a cricketer to reckon with and a veteran in the domestic rst-class cricket. He is considered a very attacking batsman and often commended for his prowess as a elder. Venu likes to square cut the ball and plays some very good shots square of the wickets. Any new comer would be beneted by emulating Venu and his wellevolved tactics on the eld.
I am a movie buff, but I prefer to enjoy it at home rather than in a theatre. Partying never falls in my POA. I don’t like it.
National and local cricket scenario The Team India is doing wonderful. There is also a drastic change in our overseas performance. For other countries, it is not easy to come and play in India, as we have high winning records on homeground. IPL IPL has changed a lot of things related to cricket and cricketers. But, of course, for good. It has pumped in that extra glamour quiotent and this, in turn, has earned the players more respect in public eyes. At the performance level, players have become even more focused, as IPL has given them nancial security. As a sportsman, one can concentrate on the game better when the monetary constraint is off one’s mind. Another boon IPL has granted is
A LEAF OUT OF HIS DIARY My days are not xed at all. People often think we follow a regular routine, but it is not so. I keep travelling throughout the week. As I am stationed primarily in Chennai, as and when I get time I come to Vizag to meet my parents. The usual day starts at 6.30 am and ends by 6.30 pm. Even coaching is not a routine, it depends on trainer or how my matches are. My tness regimen too keeps changing every week. When I am not playing, I take break to be with my friends. I don’t have weekends. At times I have matches from Saturday to Monday, so rest of the days
THESE ARE A FEW OF HIS FAVOURITES Colour: Blue Food: Lamb curry prepared by my mom Movie: Any good comedy movie, language: no bar Actor: Chiranjeevi & Pawan Kalyan Actress: Savitri Hobby: Sleeping Cricketer: Sachin Tendulkar Vacationing: I love to be in Vizag or go abroad. My best getaway is a small place in Shimla. There I have a friend who has a resort. I can spend a couple of weeks there, do nothing and simply watch the snowfall.
HYDERABAD
FROM
STAR PLAYER
TO STAR-MAKER By Sumana Reddy hey say badminton is a game where strategies are as important as the player’s skills. Maintaining that equilibrium with agility and fortitude, this player whizzed his shuttle robustly taking Indian badminton to great heights. Pullela Gopichand made this high-energy sport popular in India singlehandedly. He won the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championship in 2001, becoming the second Indian to achieve this feat after Prakash Padukone. With a stellar career, this champion inspired a generation of players. Now as a coach he nurtures yet another generation of players. He churned out many players like P.Kashyap, P.V.Sindhu and Saina Nehwal, who brought laurels to the country. India is now regarded as a serious force on the international badminton scene. This speaks for his extraordinary coaching. Topping his long list of awards like Arjuna, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Padma Shri and Dronacharya is Padma Bhushan. The biography titled “Pullela Gopichand……The World Beneath His Feat” analyses how this stalwart refuses to accept defeat in his life. We try to nd out what is the most challenging of his tasks- winning tourney or cloning Gopi?
Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
T
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E x c e r p t s Early Life My father is from Nizamabad and mother from Prakasam and I was born in Nalagandla. As my father worked in the Indian Overseas Bank, we moved along with him wherever he was posted- from Hyderabad to Rayagada in Odisha, from Chennai to Ongole. In 1983, when I was in the Sixth standard, we settled down in Hyderabad for good, where I studied in St.Paul’s School. I pursued Intermediate in St.Mary’s Junior College and degree course in A.V.College. Badminton by Chance In the childhood I used to play a lot of street cricket. My father identied my passion for sports and encouraged me to play. As I was allergic to the sun, cricket was not really an option. Hence I chose badminton. I used to practise endlessly, not missing out a single opportunity to play it professionally. We had a stadium in our neighbourhood and I made the most of it. I used to practise in the small courtyard of our house with my father. When I was in Ongole, I used to tag along my father to the collectorate to play badminton every Sunday. But my regular coaching started only after we shifted to Hyderabad. Challenges Time and facilities were the two major challenges I faced. As I was a student, time was a constraint. Insufcient court time and lack of facilities added to my woes. However, I wanted to play and win. Period. With that attitude, I aced the sport. Academy After my retirement, I was fortunate to get this piece of land from the government. I started coaching in 2004. This was when we had a whole bunch of young players kickstarting their career. Kashyap, Gurusai Dutt and Sai Praneeth joined the academy when I started coaching 10 years ago. I am ecstatic to see them graduate as national champions. We started coaching in the Gachibowli stadium and subsequently at this facility that we built. It was a great challenge to establish the academy and I am very fortunate to have a few people supporting me. Initially people did not believe that it would ourish the way it did and India could produce world champions. I owe my triumph to my family and their phenomenal support. We have gone through a lot of hardships to build this place. Fund paucity was the major hurdle in establishing the academy. We approached many people with no avail. Of course, we did receive support from Nimmagadda Prasad, Mallikarjuna Reddy of Arch Pharma and many IAS ofcials. Finding the next generation of coaches was the second biggest issue. The Switch As I am still with the sport, I nd no signicant shift in the transition from player to a coach. My routine has been the same for the past 30 years- get up early, put on the sports tracks and play. The only difference is earlier the focus was on myself and now on others. Training I believe that we are all unique in our own ways. When I train the players, I do not look at moulding them into the way I am, but mould them to be the best of what they are. I do not impose my way on them. Each player comes with a different
physique, approach, mindset and living conditions and excels in his/her own way. I direct but they have to nd the path themselves. I am a ‘Tough Task Master’ (what the trainees call him). I have patience of a saint too. Sometimes I just sit back and let them realise their mistakes. I step in before it is too late though. Although the sport offers a great learning experience, one has to forfeit it all if they fool around. When fame goes to their heads, I do advise them to be grounded. Trainees I believe that talent is abundant. It is not talent that makes a huge impact, but the work ethics and one’s attitude towards failure and success. When I select trainees, these are some of the things that I look for. I have been very fortunate to have worked with exceptional trainees. Typically, a player goes through multiple phases in his/her career. When they set off with their training at a very young age, they listen to the coach without any questions. But after the player reaches a certain stage, the coach has to take feedback from him/her and modify the training programme accordingly. Future Plans We are in the second phase now. We have gured out ways to nurture and bring players to a certain level. We want to go wider and nd a lot more players at the grassroot level to show them a way forward. Our next centre is coming up in Vadodara, Gujarat, where we have nine courts. We have offers from other states like Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. We shall ensure that the talented shuttlers get an opportunity. We aim to produce capable coaches to train them. We have a system in place.
Best Achievement Winning the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championship! I did win a lot of tourneys earlier. However, people put me on a high pedestal after this. This tag earned me that extra trust, which is very important for me as a coach. The Thomas Cup victories, Commonwealth, South Zone and all the team medals are also very signicant. When you win a team championship, it is more pleasurable as a group of people win along with you. Whether you win or not, each tournament teaches a lesson that shapes your career. I take injuries and losses sportingly. Targets When we started the academy, our target was the Olympic Medal which we eventually bagged. We also acquired world championship and Asian games medals. It gives me immense pleasure to see the sport growing bigger. Competition among the players, academies, districts and states should drive the players to win the sport at a higher level. We have a huge talent and it needs to be tapped. Passion is what we need. If not a Badminton Player I dread this question because I really do not know (laughs). I was not good in academics. Those days, the trend was either one becomes a doctor or an engineer. I would have become one of them, but would have been bad at it. I perhaps would be associated with sports and tness or probably with yoga, if not a badminton player. Anything related to sports gives me immense pleasure. But honestly, since the time I played badminton, I never thought of anything else. Badminton in India We may not be on the top, but we are surely off to a ying start. We did favourably well in the last few years. For the rst time, we were ranked third in the women’s world team championship. This is an enormous achievement. Being consistent in our achievements helps the country to progress further.
All England Open Badminton Championship is my best achievement.
Hyderabad Hotshots Hyderabad Hotshots is a phenomenal team with great stars like Tauk Hidayat and Saina Nehwal. The owner, Mr.Prasad V. Potluri, is very passionate about this sport. It is also fantastic to see that they won the trophy. On the day the auction was announced, I received a call from him asking about building the team. But we were uncertain of the success of this league. I had the opportunity to coach four of the six Indian Badminton League teams. Politics To be in politics, one needs to have a different mindset. I do not disrespect them, but in a lot of ways, I am not cut out for it. Over the years I have seen numerous politicians, some good and some bad, but I believe that is the way they are moulded because of the conditions they are in. Inspiration I feel very fortunate to be in this position, playing the sport, spreading its message and making a difference. It is a one in a million opportunities. I feel a sense of challenge all the time which inspires me. Success Mantra Keep it simple. Focus on doing things correctly, even if they are small.
Advice to Aspirants It is very important to be passionate towards the sport and nd ways to make things interesting. If you think that it is a pain to get up in the morning, eat the right food and abstain from parties, then this arena is not meant for you. One should enjoy the discipline and challenges, gear up for failures, correct themselves and move on. That is most important for an aspirant. Sign Off Statement Life is a learning experience and good or bad, I think how we react to instances is what we have in control. It is important to look at life as an experience because each of these is a passing phase. A LEAF OUT OF HIS DIARY
LAKSHMI ON HER COURTSHIP He is a very caring husband. He is also the best father and dotes over Gayathri and Vishnu. Agreed, he works tirelessly. But whatever little time he spends at home is valuable for all of us. Gopi and I met each other when we were kids. We practised badminton and also travelled together for tournaments. I played the sport since I was 10. In fact, I am the rst shuttler from Andhra Pradesh to win the Indian National Badminton championship. I also won the women’s doubles along with my sister at the Indian National Badminton. The best moment was when I got selected for the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. I played international tournaments from 1990 to 2002. After having kids, I stopped playing and made my home. Later we are caught up in the hustle and bustle of life. He coaches continuously at the academy and I work from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm at Bharat Petroleum. So, the only time we get to spend together is the half an hour walk we have after dinner, which is the best part of our day. We also go on vacations with kids, mostly to the beaches. They love it there. We usually holiday once in a year or two.
4:00 am:
Wake up
5:00 am:
On court in the academy
12:30 pm:
Head home for lunch
3:00 pm:
Back to the academy
6:30 pm:
Wind up
7:30 pm:
Early Dinner
Movie:
Actor Ravi Teja’s Kick
9:30 pm:
Hit the sack
Hobby:
Badminton
Holiday Destination:
None
I do not have a tness regimen as such. My day goes according to the set training programme. I am on the court for good 10 hours a day. I lead a very simple life!
THESE ARE A FEW OF HIS FAVOURITES Colour:
Black
Outt:
Jeans and a T- Shirt
Brand:
None
COMPATIBILITY METER IT IS JUST LOVE-ALL: GOPI My wife Lakshmi is very understanding and I am very lucky to have somebody like her. She adjusts very well to my lifestyle. We spend a lot of time with our children, Gayathri (11) and Vishnu (10). We have great fun playing with them and enjoy each other’s company. Gayathri won the Under 13 National doubles title. Each person has to nd his own challenge, his own passion. Children these days do not play sports and stay glued to TV in their free time. I would rather let them play sports. Vishnu also plays badminton. That is the only time I get to see them. They come to the academy to play and it is good fun. I can not predict if they will become professional players or not. But I would want them to choose this as a career for the simple fact that I love the sport and I think it is a great career to have. THESE ARE A FEW OF HER FAVOURITES Colour:
Black and White
Outt:
Salwar Kameez
Brand:
None
Movie:
Actor Ravi Teja’s Kick
Hobby:
Shopping online (Laughs)
Holiday Destination:
US
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D
espite his tight schedule with the hands on projects in Hindi, Rana Daggubatti had recently lent his voice for a short film, a tribute to Hudhud victims in Vizag. The video, which is going viral in social media, motivates people to donate to the CM's Relief Fund. There cannot be a better proof that wherever the actor is, he remains quintessential Telugu and stays connected to his roots. There is a lot of buzz around that the B’town directors are all too eager to rope in this complete package of Tollywood. Anyway, the local fans need not fear or fret. Rana is perfectly equipped to deal with both south and north, the frequent shuttling between Hyderabad and Mumbai notwithstanding. Here we find out how this dynamic actor transcends the barriers of region, language and culture and creates panIndian image for himself.
A L L N A O
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TAKE 1 Of course, the first question has to be about your upcoming magnum opus, Bahubail. Your take on it. Bahubali naturally is going to be the biggest visual spectacle that people have ever seen. It has all the worksfictional story, massive sets, big stars and of course, the celebrated director of Tollywood Rajamouli. I am eagerly waiting to get done with it. I realised the magnitude of the movie only after I got on to the job. I am sure it is going to be a huge hit, going by the people’s response to the tiny teasers released till now.
was a minor accident during the training and I suffered a few injuries. Injuries have become a part and parcel of my work now. For in-production film Baby too we heard there are a lot of action sequences for you. Can you share some inside news? I have performed a few pretty gravitydefying stunts with the action-king Akshay Kumar in this flick. Both of us dealt with all the fight and stunt sequences with ease, it was only during the last schedule we had some issues. It were required us to film our stunt in the sand dunes near Abu Dhabi. But every
How is it working with Rajamouli? Rajamouli is very clear about what he wants. More than that, he himself is a very gifted actor. He acts out every scene, giving us an idea of what to do. Our task becomes very easy. It seems you sustained injuries while rehearsing for the movie. We were undergoing training in sword fighting and horse riding for the film. It
Bollywood experience It has been a lot of fun and very satisfying as an actor. My acceptance in Hindi cinema has been huge, even though they knew that I am from Hyderabad. Hollywood next? If something exciting comes along, why not? You are a Style Icon. We can see some changes in your style, especially during the recent SIIMA Awardswhom should we give the credit to? For that particular event the credit goes to Geetika Chadha, who came all the way from Karnal, Haryana. She is my personal stylist. I received a lot of appreciation for my style for that event where I was dressed in ‘Jodhpur prince’ ensemble keeping in mind the current look for Bahubali. Even my Western look with a shawl collar tuxedo with satin details was also well appreciated. Personally I too have a very refined and sophisticated sense of style and open to experimenting with new and interesting looks. It is not just style, comfort is of importance to me.
It is an epic war film that revolves around the power struggle between two brothers -Bahubali (Prabhas) and Bhallala Deva (me). This will be presented in two parts and we are shooting simultaneously in Telugu and Tamil. What did the role do to you? The film is the first of it’s kind for the auditorium and me. With a theme that goes back in time, close to 1000 years ago, everything about the film has made an impact on all of us. I play the antagonist in the film. Since there is a period tale, there is a certain way that we have to dress, talk and move. I cannot deny that it did take a toll on all of us. It has been a great experience. Thanks to the role, Prabhas, Anushka and Rajamouli have become my extended family as we have been living together on the sets for several months now.
quite easily in terms of the way he explain things.
time we tried to “take the leap” and something or the other would go wrong and the scene would have to be shot again. It was really challenging. While the temperature was unbearably high which was acting against us, next was the untamed sand which kept blowing onto the camera. We ended up with 25 takes just for that one stunt scene. What is your take on the director Neeraj Pandey? I am highly impressed by the way Neeraj visualises cinema and he is a comfortable taskmaster. We get him
You have a sound understanding of the dynamics of movie production. What is your vision for Suresh Productions 10-15 years down the line? I want to make Suresh Productions the No.1 movie production house in the country and I would want it to make movies in all languages. My grandfather Ramanaidu garu did it earlier, but somewhere along the line we stopped doing it. We should do it again. You come from a family of actors and producers, has that been an influence in your decision to act? There is definitely a little more of an edge that I get from the family that I come from. So it has been a great influence in many ways. It’s like being in film school from when you’re in class 1. So I understand films in and out.
Every actor has a USP. What is Rana’s USP? My USP is that I have no USP. I don’t like to be slotted into any particular image. I remember Kamal Haasan’s advice. He said , “The moment you feel that you cannot mould or adapt yourself to a particular character because of an image or inability, it’s time to stop acting.” So, I will always do my best to change myself completely to suit the character I play. I don’t like to be seen as ‘Rana’ in a film. I would like to be remembered for the character. So it’s Rana the actor and not Rana the star! Yes. I have some favourite genres and I have been trying to make one film in each of them. From ‘Leader’ to ‘Department’ and ‘Naa Ishtam’ to ‘Bahubali’- my characters in those films were not even remotely similar to each other. I will continue to challenge myself as an actor.
Why are you fastidious about action movies? You have not done a romantic film for a long time. Well, based on the physicality that I have action films are the first that come my way. And also I have been inclined towards them while growing up. But, I would love to do any kind of role that’s offered to me. It is heard that you made Mumbai your second home? Yes. Now that I have an official place to stay in Mumbai, I don’t have to live out of suitcase anymore. Also, this will help me dedicate quality time in Mumbai and
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Love marriage A great option when in love. Link ups Comes with the territory, nothing to get perturbed about. Controversies Best to clarify with those close to you first, regardless of what people say. Money Is important, but not the centre of my world.
Dream role Every role that I end up playing. TAKE 3 Partying or a weekend at home? Partying at home with my buddies. Cheesiest pick up line used on you? None.
I am an avid reader and it is my favourite pastime. Mahabharatha interests me a lot and I have read several versions of it so far. I love video games. Often I try to beat my younger brother.
What are your other projects? Rudramadevi - Gunasekhar’s prestigious historic 3D movie is another exciting film I am proud to be working on. Another film currently under production is a bilingual in Telugu and Tamil, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi of Andala Rakshasi fame. This will be my first film produced under the Suresh Productions banner. There are a couple of more films underway with ace directors like Selvaraghavan and Mani Shankar. You will be seeing me in a new avatar soon.
TAKE 2
Friendships in the industry Are for real, not a myth.
What are your other interests apart from cinema?
What do you like about Tollywood? It’s home for me…this is the world I was born into and have grown up with.
and with sensitivity by Bhavani Iyer giving the film a definite emotional theme.
Best advice given ever If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything! What is your favourite movie of all time? Star Wars. Most embarrassing moment. None.
focus on my ongoing and future Hindi projects. What next in Bollywood? Soon you will see me romancing with Sunny Leone (laughs), not in real but on reel in ‘One Night Stand’, directed by debutante Jasmine D’Souza. Sunny apart from having a magnetic physical persona is a good actor too. It is going to be an intense drama revolving around her playing a girl-next-door whose life goes into a spin after meeting the hero. The project will be shot extensively abroad. The title is suggestive and has sparked off many discussions. However, the script has been written meticulously
If God granted you three wishes, what would you ask for and why? He’s given me so much, if I ask for anything else, he’ll start punishing me. Sexiest woman alive? Katrina Kaif. Who’d you love to be stranded on an island? Tom Hanks from Castaway… who would know how to survive on an island better than him? Clean shaven or bearded look Whatever the role demands.
I do have some favourite genres and I have been trying to make one film in each of them. From ‘Leader’ to ‘Department’ and ‘Naa Ishtam’ to ‘Bahubali’- my characters were not even remotely similar to each other. I will continue to challenge myself as an actor.
Fitness for you Is a part of everything I do - from the food I choose to eat to the importance I give to working out. Train hard, eat right. A Dostana in Telugu, who’d you love to be paired with... I wouldn’t want to do it in the first place. What makes Rana complete? My family, my movies, my iphone, my Ray Ban. A book that you keep going back to read time and again. iCon Steve Jobs: The Greatest Second Act in the History of Business. What would you do for a girl on a date? Watch a stand up comedy before heading out for a quiet dinner. You can tell a lot about a girl from what makes her laugh. Were you ever in a serious relationship with an actress? Yes I was!
Have you ever thought to marry a girl you dated? Affirmative. TAKE 4
On sets: Grilled Chicken or Baked Fish with Caesar Salad Non-food passions: Fitness- I hit the gym twice a day Music: Rock/Pop/AR Rahman
Priya Anand – Multilingual Richa Gangopadhyay – Mirapakaya Ileana – Superstar Bipasha Basu – Gorgeousness Deepika Padukone – Ravishing Abhishek Bachchan -Big brother Naga Chaitanya - Star in the making Nagarjuna - Style icon Venkatesh - Supreme dedication TAKE 5
Attire - Jeans and T-shirt Car - With lots of leg room TAKE 6 Welcome to red. How do you feel about being on the cover page? Thank you. It’s very special to be featured on the cover. Your take on red. Vizag No.1 entertainment Magazine A message to your fans Thank you very much for the love you showered on me all these days.
Shopping destination - New York Cuisine - Hyderabadi Kebabs, Biryani and Haleem
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SC PE
ACTOR ACTOR
SEASON(ED) By Ranita Ray
S
he is in her early twenties, but has bagged quite a few accolades which earned her distinguished name and fame. Winner of First Runner up title of Dabur Gulabari Miss Rose Glow 2011, she marked her entry into the glam world. In no time she was seen modeling and ramp-walking for renowned designers of the country. However, her talent didn’t restrict to ramps as she proved her acting prowess by winning the Best Actor (female) for Anukokunda in 2012. The short film was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival. Next step she took was straight into Tollywood where she debuted with Prema Ishq Kadal followed by Naa Rakumarudu. Her amazing acting skills and stunning looks fetched her rave reviews from every quarter. Here, we present Ritu Varma.
E X C E R P T S How did your reel debut happen? Movies were never on my list of options. I obtained an engineering degree and was ready to go for further studies. That was when I came across the beauty pageant and grabbed the first runner up tag. It led to modeling assignments. Then came the role in the short film Anukokunda. My friend was making it to compete in the 48-hour-film contest. Initially, I was hesitant but he managed to convince me. We uploaded it on YouTube. It went viral and got me many film offers. Even now I am called the Anukokunda girl. How was the first shot? I was a bit nervous but once the camera started rolling I gave my best. My director’s confidence gave me a lot of encouragement. I am not a trained actor. Pardon my bragging, but I do receive a lot of compliments for my natural performance.
Acting or modeling, which is dearer to you? Modeling too was not planned. It was a brief stint for me. Of course, I still enjoy walking the ramp, especially when I am called to be the showstopper. Acting has become my passion. Which one is more challenging? Definitely acting, as it requires you to play different roles and express varied emotions. Which is your favorite role and why? Each character is different. In Prema Ishq Kadal, I played a
strong and independent character and in Naa Rakumarudu I was an innocent, bubbly college girl. What is your dream role? I would love to do performance-oriented roles, though I am game for glamorous ones too. Can you share a memorable moment on the sets or ramp? There was this scene in Naa Rakumarudu which was shot in chilly winter under artificial rain and I had to emote. It is the most difficult scene for me so far. Post-completion of the scene, I received a message from my director appreciating my dedication and hard work. What do you look for before accepting a role- script, role, co-actor or director? Definitely the script and my role, though the rest too matter. What are your upcoming movies? I am playing the lead in Mr.M.S.Raju film. I am also cast opposite Nani in the Vyjayanthi movies next film. Currently I am in talks with a few Telugu, Tamil and Kannada production houses. Off-work, what do you love to do? I prefer to be with family or chill out with friends. I watch movies. I am a big foodie and try out new cuisines at new eateries.
VIZAG
eve
Talented, Dynamic, Passionate By V. Sarada
B
y 2020, our country will be the youngest in the world as it is experiencing a huge youth swell. Counting on this biggest asset, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says, “Some believe that the world changes with the wisdom of the old. I think that the idealism, innovation, energy and ‘can do’ attitude of the youth is even more powerful.” This explains why young, dynamic and highly motivated Vangalapudi Anita represents Payakaraopeta Assembly constituency. It was hard to pin down the extremely busy MLA for an interview, but once she is with us, she goes for a no holds-barred chat. Shoot by Dhana Vijay
red | december 2014 | 70
Excerpts
Awakening Born in a modest family that hailed from Narapadu, Sabbavaram Mandal, Anita had her early schooling in Yelamanchili and Anakapalle and obtained B.Ed degree from Bhimavaram and M.A and M.Ed from the Andhra University. Anita lost her mother Mrs.Premalata at the age of four. Her father Mr.Appa Rao, who retired as the Principal of Nakkapalli Junior College, had been the motivating force for young Anita. She was the brightest of “Seven Stars of the East”, the group that used to claim the top slots of all the contests in the region. “Sometimes people used to drop out of debate contest when they came to know that I was the rival. Such was the strength of my oratory,” says Anita with a proud smile. It was again her father who sowed the seeds of political interest in her. He used to explain the dynamics of politics during their daily walks to the market in her childhood. Interestingly, Anita had her rst taste of elections and victory when she contested for the post of School Pupil Leader. “The entire process was done on the lines of general elections. All the works like nominations, campaigning and voting were replicated to give the students the feel of elections. So I knew, albeit symbolic, what is contesting all about,” explains Anita.
Marital Bliss A highly independent Anita chose Mr.K.Siva Prasad as her life partner. They got married in May, 2001, defying their respective families. However, Siva’s family welcomed the young bride with open arms. “My family too came round later. All's well that ends well,” smiles Anita. Anita went through an eventful career line taking up a teaching assignment with a ZP elementary school, getting promoted as school assistant and becoming the in-charge of open schools, even while she was raising her family. Siva and Anita are blessed with a boy Nikhil and a daughter Reshmitha Sree. Political Turn Anita walked into the public life with her eyes wide open, holding the ever-obliging hand of her husband. “Politics is a thorn-strewn path. The thorns get all the more sharp when it comes to women. Siva and I had discussed the issue threadbare before I took the plunge. We made a promise to ourselves and to each other that no mud-slinging (an inevitable part of politics) would ever come in the way of our relationship.” This extra caution was necessary because her people always reminded her, “You married the man of your choice. You must solve your problems yourself.” Spirited Anita calls it a blessing in disguise as it helped her become totally independent and condent. Political Arangetram Anita gratefully recalls Mr.Ganta Srinivasa Rao and Mr.Botsa Satyanarayana for helping her climb the political stage when she tried to get a Congress ticket in 2012 by-poll. Unfortunately it did not fructify. Wishing herself ‘better luck next time’, undaunted Anita threw her lot with the TDP. Toeing TDP Line “Chandrababu garu asked me just four questions, ‘Can you quit your job?’, ‘Can you handle it?’, ‘What is your educational
qualication?’ and ‘What is your age?’ At a meet that followed, he simply asked me to come on to the stage, declaring my candidature without uttering a word,” recalls Anita. Her entry to active politics coincided with the state bifurcation. “This taught me a lot of lessons,” she afrms. Picture of Confidence “While others were apprehensive about my victory, I sat pretty exuding uncanny condence that I would win at least with one vote majority.” says a self-assured Anita. First Day at Assembly “The rst day started with a minor tension as I went into the Assembly forgetting my certicate in the car. As I went back to collect it, my name was announced for oath-taking. My father, watching the live coverage on TV, was frantically calling me, wondering why I was not showing up. Anyway, I did complete the formality a little later. The thought of being in the august House was at once heady and humbling. A mild shiver went through me as I signed on the dotted lines.” Politically Correct “I am very clear in my thoughts. I am in this eld as long as I do not need to compromise on my ethics. The day I am compelled to do so, I shall quit the scene without a moment’s hesitation.” When someone questions the propriety of her entering politics at such a young age, she has her answer ready -“People generally get into ‘I, me and myself’ mode once they cross 40. I want to serve people when I am still in the ‘We, us and ourselves’ phase,”
Politics is a thorn-strewn path. The thorns get all the more sharp assuming extra spikes when it comes to women.
Karma Bhoomi To my dismay, I note no progress in Payakaraopeta for the past 12 years. Even underground drainage cannot be envisaged here as the town is not planned. Hence I address the basics- water, roads, education and employment. Thanks to Mr.Ganta, we are getting a college. We are also demanding a separate police circle. Payakaraopeta and surrounding areas get inundated whenever Varaha and Tandava are in spate. We need a protective wall to withstand this onslaught. My constituency consists of maximum number of Panchayats and Panchayat Raj Minister Mr.Ayyanna Patrudu has been kind enough to release funds for road network. I know the value of Industrialisation and welcome entrepreneurs. But I insist on their setting aside 30% of the jobs for the locals. Similarly, contractors are also welcome to take up works, on the condition they take the responsibility of maintaining the infrastructure for the following ve years. Harassed Women & Abused Children “I held a meet with the police soon after I took over as the MLA and issued clear instructions to them that any case of child abuse or women harassment should be dealt with utmost severity and the culprits should be instantly put behind the bars. I instructed them to ignore any appeal to go slow on such people, even if it comes from me.”
I sat pretty exuding uncanny condence that I would win at least with one vote majority and would go to Assembly.
Woman Power “Woman should break out of her self-created shell. She is a repository of talent and proves it all along her journey- right from the childhood to motherhood. Yet she allows herself to be suppressed. Hence I feel the change should come from within.” Hurdles and Opposition “There is always opposition when a woman is on the job. Of course I have nothing major to complain. I am here following an intense passion. So no hurdles would make me give up,” asserts Anita. Dealing with Rural Uneducated “My teaching experience comes handy here. I can effortlessly get any message across to people. It does become a bit hard at times, especially when I have to deal with the uncouth and the drunk. I evolved my own methods to explain things differently to different people.” Family Support “My children, Nikhil and Reshmitha Sree are understanding and considerate. They are being looked after by an elderly lady and they think that she is their blood relation. She and her mentally challenged daughter live with us. That is my small world. Memorable Incident On one birthday, my husband gifted me with a large picture of my mother, whose face I don’t even remember. That was the most touching gesture. Success Mantra Condence! I don’t go about advising people unless I am asked for one. Before I have to make an important comment, I take two long breaths and think for two minutes. I just don’t get involved in affairs which don’t concern me and so never get dragged into any controversy. Future Plans I want to set up an education institution and a jute unit that provides employment to local women in Payakaraopeta.
Quick Bites Best Compliment “Ever smiling girl,” – Mr.M.V.V.S.Murthy Leisure Pleasure Books and music. Luxury Individual perception Regrets None Idea of Happiness My children
Depression I dodge depression by removing myself from the place that causes it. Habit Given Up Earlier, I used to explain my deeds to all and sundry. But now I realised that I owe explanation only to my children, husband and my father.
Her Thoughts •
The local training centres imparting vocational and technical knowhow are the need of the hour.
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Some inconvenient rules which are obsolete ought to be changed.
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More women’s colleges are a must to improve the lot of the uneducated.
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Girls should be taught self-defence.
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Girls and their parents too should be counselled to deal with the situations.
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Husband and wife should not separate once the children come on the scene.
Worst Fears Lizard and cockroach What makes you angry? Baseless arguments What makes you sad? Any child, more so a girl child, losing its mother. Best Holiday Spending time with my children at home Moments of frustration I quit my job to join politics. I went through two days of torture wondering what I would do if I were not given the ticket.
HYDERABAD
eve
Dandiya Damsel By Sumana Reddy
C
ome Navarathri, one name ashes in the minds of Hyderabadis- Bina Mehta. It is needless to mention Dassehra and Dandiya after that. For this Director of the famed Prakash Lights and Mega Commercial Constructions, Dandiya and Garba ware a childhood passion with which she grew up. Mastering this genre of dance, Bina took part in innumerable events and won many competitions. It was her husband’s encouragement that helped her sustain her interest in the dance form that gained popularity among Inidans worldwide. Today Bina is the most sought after choreographer. Besides teaching the traditional dances at Government Schools, Bina engages herself in social activities like helping the underprivileged children and the senior citizens. Known for her dance formations like peacock, lotus and swastika, she brings a new avour to Dandiya every year with different themes and props. Find out how she danced her way to fame.
Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
Excerpts Early days Born in a Gujarati family, I was brought up in the city of joy, Kolkata. I had a beautiful childhood there. Life was so simple back then, when we were contented with the small pleasures of life. Those early days always remain etched in my mind. I was the most pampered of my siblings. They love me for what I am. I never compromise until I get the best from life! I pursued my graduation in Bhawanipur Education Society College. Thankfully we did not have these distractions like hightech mobiles and addictive apps like whatsapp and facebook. Two qualities of mine continued to stay with me since childhood- the desire to look elegant and the passion for traditional dances. Marital Bliss Like any girl, I wished to marry person who would be understanding and caring and thank God my wishes are fullled. I did marry a man who matched the list of ‘qualities-of-my husband’ perfectly well. It was an arranged marriage and the alliance came through some friends. Vikram and I became fond of each other right from our rst meeting. We had a long distance courtship and we kept in touch through letters and telephones. Everything was so good- the infatuation and eagerness to read his letters. That was one of the best experiences I had in life. Even after our wedding, we have continued to share the same loving relationship and cherish every moment together. On The Family Front The best moment of my life was undoubtedly when I gave birth to my son, Rushit (16). My happiness knew no bounds when I held him for the rst time. I could not have asked God for anything more. I savour every single day of motherhood. I feel lucky because he always wants to bring a smile on my face. My husband too, is very supportive and encourages me to choreograph Dandiya. He has a very busy working schedule. This activity gives me something to do in my free time during Navrathri. My husband also dances to the Dandiya beats occasionally, but not my son! He is
more into Bollywood music. However, he helps me out with my events. Dandiya Rass We Gujaratis believe that Dassehra signies the glory of togetherness and traditional culture. The joy of dancing together is priceless. Tradition says that the dance is all about Ram’s victory over Ravana and the victory of good over the evil. People rejoice, dance and display their happiness. The festival is also devoted to mother Ambey and is celebrated with much pomp and show. Hyderabad is especially alive to this event. People here take pleasure in socializing at the galas. These festivities gave me a chance to carry forward my
dancing culture, I wanted to reinforce the Indian culture through traditional dances like Garba and Dandiya. Hence the Navrathri season lls me with extra enthusiasm! To encourage the youngsters to learn and continue the tradition, I teamed up with Minal Vakharia and organised a Garba competition called Garba Rass Ni Ramjhat. The event brought together all those interested in the traditional Garba Raas and compete with 16 other teams to win a cash prize of Rs.40,000. As I witnessed a lot of westernization of Garba, I wanted to bring back the traditional form with this competition. It received a favourable response from the local communities, also making a substantial impact on the city’s social circuit. I feel delighted to have imbibed the culture of Garba and Dandiya in the youngsters. I continue to organize such competitions. This inspires me a lot as the traditional dances bring an identity to the country. Best Moments In today’s era, one of the challenges is striking a balance between progress and culture. I had the best time teaching a group of young girls when they wanted to learn the art despite other commitments. I was stirred with the remarkable enthusiasm they had!
ardour for Dandiya. This was when I started choreographing Garba and other traditional dances. I realised I was pretty good in not only performing but also teaching. Hence Navrathris are a busy time for me as I engage myself in the composing, performing and competing in the Dandiya events. Choreographing is certainly not an easy task. But what started as a fun activity at the age of ve, soon turned into a burning passion for me. I want more people to come and learn this dance. I want to spread the importance of this tradition. The Journey As the younger generation is completely inuenced by the western music and
Challenges Luckily, in my personal life, I do not face any challenges. Even for choreographing and performing Dandiya, I never encountered major hurdles. One trivial challenge was to convince people about organising traditional dance shows. Usually, in Hyderabad, people include Fashion Shows and Music concerts as the main attraction in parties. Most of my friends expected me to follow the trend. I preferred to be different. I wished to organise exclusive Dandiya performances, choosing traditional theme over the modern. Of course, selling this idea was a bit difcult. Achievements I choreographed Garba for the Kakatiya Ladies Club, Sanskruti Club, Jain Social Group, Katchi Samaj, Deepshikha Club, Round Table and many other
communities. I was truly honoured to be a Judge at various Garba competitions for Kutchi Yuva South Club, Aakriti Club, Lion’s Club, Jain Seva Sangh, Terapanthi Jain Samaj and Namdhari Gaurav Navratri Mahotsav for a couple of years now. Additionally, I was thrilled to have won the Garba Queen award at the Namdhari Gaurav Navratri Mahotsav and acquired the rst position in Garba choreography at Chak De Gujarat. I consider all these little things as my achievements because it boosted me even more! Striking a Balance I am fully occupied with my household work in the morning and get free by the afternoon and I like to socialise then. I catch up with my friends, attend events, meet new people and get home by the evening. I divide my time between home and social life. A woman has to prioritize accordingly. For me, both family and friends are important. I feel very lucky that my family supports me in all my endeavours. Women Today Woman plays a very important role in the society. She is a mother, a sister, a daughter and a wife. Each role comes with a unique set of responsibilities, to be fullled. Especially as a mother she plays a crucial role in building a better society by teaching Sanskar to her child,. Motivation I draw my inspiration from famous actor-dancer Madhuri Dixit.
This danseuse has wowed us over the years and her dance is exemplary. I also believe that people who never quit, don’t lose condence, nor do they fail. Sooner or later, they achieve success. Idol My papa is my idol for life. He followed the Gandhian ways of life and is a noble man. My hubby too, who is my friend and a critique. Not to forget my friend Mrs.Devyani Reddy, who is more like a sister to me. My mom and older sister Asha also add to my list. My family has inspired me to be what I am today! Travelling I love travelling! Although I have toured the European and Asian countries. But I love the Indian destinations like Goa, Orange County, Kashmir, Leh, Ladakh and Amby Valley. Fitness Healthy life is a happy life. Fitness plays an important role in life. Although dance gives me a good round of exercise, I also practise aerobics and yoga, besides eating healthy. Favorite Books Life Is Beautiful by Bennet Holmes and Who Will Cry, When You Die by Robin Sharma are the two books close to my heart. Motto Love, Peace and Happiness are the key elements of a successful life. Quick Six What are your hobbies? Dancing and listening to music. What is your favourite quote? Swami Vivekananda’s sayings What do you aspire to become if you pursued a career? Life had been kind to me and it has provided all the things that I ever needed, which is probably why I never aspired to have a career. On the other hand, dancing is my passion. I would not want to make a career out of it, which is why I do not charge. I teach for free. I surely go into a different world altogether when I see great dancers like Hema Malini do her moves! What were the best/worst comments you heard about yourself? The best comment was that my dance creates magic and the worst is yet to come! What are your strengths/ weaknesses? Strength is my family and weakness is my sensitivity One thing about you that nobody knows? The fact that I am very sensitive. Her Thoughts:
Love, Peace and Happiness are the key elements for a successful life.
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Pain is unavoidable, but suffering is a choice.
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God does not see who won or lost. He only observes how you played the game.
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I truly believe that sympathy is easy to get, but jealousy has to be earned.
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Use your Wealth, Health and Power wisely before time consumes them.
D A Z Z L E
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Simple Cuts &
Sensuous Creations By Sumana Reddy
S
Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
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HYDERABAD
life
PEOPLE’S MINISTER LOGS IN By V. Sarada
A
minister going in the open without gunmen, interacting with all and sundry, breaking bread with the commoner and sleeping in the dwellings of the underprivileged, spending whopping Rs.2 cr per annum for welfare activities, preferring ragi sankati to five-star delicacies, bagging nine national awards for his service, obtaining a doctorate degree and quoting Shakespeare certainly come across as extraordinary exploits. But that is exactly what Dr.Palle Raghunatha Reddy, Minister for IT, I &PR, Minority, NRI and Telugu Language Development does and he does it with great elan. No wonder Chief Minister Mr.Chandrababu Naidu trusts him with the most crucial portfolios. The highly approachable Minister obviously meets hundreds of people on daily basis to learn about their problems. He has been extremely busy re-building the image of the Hudhud-hit Vizag as a new IT hub. Yet taking time off, Dr. Reddy gives us vivid glimpses of his vision and mission.
Shoot by Dhana Vijay & Dinakar Pamu
Excerpts Tell us about your early life. I came from very humble beginnings, with no silver spoon. I was brought up along with six siblings, in a remote village - Pallevani Palle, which was oblivious to facilities like power and roads. I used to walk barefoot to the school which was 5km away. I perhaps inherited leadership qualities from my father, the late Sri Chinna Venkat Reddy who served as sarpanch for two decades. My mother Smt.Chinna Narasamma was a housewife. Neither of them had any formal education but they believed that human behaviour should be based on sympathy, education and social equality and that was the mantra they gave us. Can you recall some childhood memories? There are two incidents that stay etched in my mind. That was the time when our region was reeling under severe famine. Though I was a mere boy, I took the responsibility of distributing ragi sankati, the staple diet of the region among the starving denizens in the SC/ST colonies. The affection and gratitude bestowed on me by those people is still fresh in my memory. I was always a disciplined and diligent student. When I bagged three awards besides standing rst in the University in Telugu, a lecturer asked me, “You look so calm and quiet - how did you manage to get so many awards?” as I was being felicitated in an assembly of 3000 people. Tell us about your forays into the field of education. After obtaining post-graduation degree, I worked as a chemistry lecturer in Saibaba National College. It is no exaggeration that I did not see the sun rising or setting for two decades as I used to hold classes from 4.30 am to 10.30 pm. I used to accept whatever was given to me as fees. My classes were free for SC/ST and BC students. I wrote many text books and guides. I feel gratied that I could impart knowledge to lakhs of students. Most of them are well-placed in various countries and fondly remember me. The service I rendered in the eld of education earned me name. I established “Balaji Educational Society” which grew from strength to strength and now runs as many as 48 institutions in various streams.
of any organisation has never been my wont. I served as an active ofce bearer of as many as 40 organisations. Why were you drawn to service? This I attribute to my rural background. In smaller places there is an admirable bonhomie among communities, despite the peripheral divide. Especially, our families used to maintain excellent relations with one and all. We were taught to help everyone- whether it was a farm hand or a cowherd. What is the trait that makes you stand apart from others? Reaching the spot of crisis is my uniqueness. If there is any untoward incident, I am there to help even before the ofcials and the ofcial machinery arrive. If I am away, my wife doubles for me. If she is also not available, my aides are bound to be there. Now we have such a well-oiled mechanism in place and our resources in such readiness that the people in distress get monetary or other help instantaneously. Perhaps, it is this attitude that endears me to people. Secondly, I have no hassles about mingling with any group, irrespective of its social status. I sometimes eat and sleep in the dwellings of the underprivileged to build condence in them and to show them that I am one among them. What is your driving force? I am inspired by various people and incidents at different stages of my life. I am also inspired by the lives of heroes, whose stories I used to pore on. This made me set very high moral parameters for myself. I must mention my wife Uma, who inspires me at every step. She neither raises an eyebrow nor utters a word of resistance on my doling out crores of rupees for various causes.
When did this educationist turn to politics and why? When I was preparing students for competitive exams, it occurred to me that I could reach out to greater numbers if I opened a college myself. But Mr.A.Veerappa, then a sitting MLA, put a spoke in the wheel, citing my lacking political background as the reason. That denial opened a totally new avenue for me politics. I thank him from the very bottom of my heart because had he given me the permission to start an institution, I would have remained just an educationist. This minor hitch threw up a life time opportunity, offering me a bigger platform to serve people. Did you feel comfortable switching your field? Before I took the plunge, I went for an honest introspection and asked myself, “Yes, I am popular and charismatic. Fortunately, I am blessed with oratory skills. Why should I shy away from public life?” I entered politics with the blessings of the legendary NTR and there is no looking back after that. The Party reposed faith in me right from the day one and I was entrusted with several responsibilities- Director of state libraries, SecretaryPublicity, Government Whip, MLC, MLA and nally the Minister. I have been on a number of privileged committees besides being attached to many social service clubs. Being a passive member
He is overly protective and caring, almost like an over-indulging father.
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What are the major hurdles you faced in your journey? Nothing out of the ordinary. By God’s grace, I reached the zenith of success as an educationist and as a politician. Moreover, I am always in readiness to face any hurdle. Perhaps that is why I cannot mention a particular issue as an insurmountable one.
compete with the world unless we have a system that raises standards and ensures excellence in every classroom. The syllabus has to be upgraded. Teachers, who follow the beaten path, need to be motivated to adopt the latest techniques. I also stress on skill development.
What do you attribute this success to? Sheer dedication, hardwork and my ability to mingle with people. Most importantly I am not egoistic. So my people, friends, family and even media always gave me due respect and love.
What is ailing our system? Basically, we lack communication skills and positivity. I conduct workshops and deliver lectures with special focus on positive approach, communication skills, work culture and character building.
What have you done for Anantapur constituency? Besides providing free education to the needy, I also organise regular medical and blood donation camps. Anyone in need of blood can approach us and get it without paying a penny. We also run an Ayurveda campus where people can avail free treatment. What are the changes you have observed in politics over the years? Politicians cannot take people for granted any more. The leader should not only work for them but also as one among them. He has to become part and parcel of the society and stay with people through thick and thin. Human Right Commission and Right to Information Act have educated them adequately. They can assess the merits of their representatives. Perform or perishis what the voter tells the leader today. At the same time they pay with their loyalty for every service- small or big, a leader renders. What is your take on status of education today? I do admit there is much to be done. We will never be able to
IN BRIEF What is your success Mantra Hardwork and compassion towards the underprivileged. The best compliment It was from Mr.Chandrababu who appreciated my endeavours in Janmabhoomi programme. He commends my no-holds-barred interaction with the underprivileged. Do you face any criticism? Practically nil. Even my rivals have a good word to say about me. At times I get criticised for being too much with people. Some grumble that they cannot keep pace with my speed and match my energy. (laughs) Best advice you ever got? My brother Ramakrishna advised me, “You may be highly qualied and intelligent. But it is only your honest approach that endears you to your students.” Whom do you emulate? I strive to emulate Chandrababu garu’s attitude, dedication and work culture.
She neither raises an eyebrow nor utters a word of resistance on my doling out crores of rupees for various causes.
What would you be in a place of anonymity? Success did not make me egoistic. So I am the same whereever I am. Is there anything you want to change about yourself? I wish I could manage my time better. The only excuse I can offer is that I am always surrounded by hordes of people seeking attention and I just cannot walk out on any of them. Secondly, I am not able to spend adequate time with my family.
Quick Bites Holiday My wife is a Balaji devotee and we often go to Tirupati. Luxury I don’t know what it is. I am happy with my simple living. Family Good Support system Politics Must to serve the public Social Service Must again
Favourites Book: Quote: Colour: Films:
Othello Forgiveness is best. Love all and hate none White & red ANR movies
FAMILY CORNER
I HAVE A PERFECT FAMILY: DR.REDDY It was a love marriage which got the stamp of approval from the elders. We are blessed with one son, Kishore who is a software engineer. He is an all rounder. Besides having a great command over the languages, especially English, he is a musician par excellence. Yet he is very simple and has created a niche for himself. Even now only a few of his acquaintances know that he is the son of a Minister. He is a humanitarian and treats our employees with great respect and dignity. My daughter-in-law, Sindhura, the only child of Mr.Sankar Reddy, the Additional DGP, Kerala, is extremely brainy. She scored 99.98% in Engineering and is a gold medallist from Kerala University. She is a perfect complement to our family.
HE IS GOD’S GIFT TO ME: UMA (WIFE) It is hard to believe that we are married for the past three decades. It is amazing how time ies. Over these years, I don’t see even an iota of change in my husband, his feelings or attitude towards me. He remains the same doting husband. You should see him in action, especially when we travel. He ensures that all my comforts are taken care of. By chance if I am travelling without him, those accompanying me have really had it. He calls each one of them at regular intervals to nd out how I was faring. He is overly protective and caring, almost like an over-indulging father. We are a unique couple because he is not only my husband, but also my friend and guide. I feel specially blessed because I am given a husband with a golden heart and a son who is a gem. If God offers to grant me a wish, I simply would not know what more to ask for.
A PERFECT ROLE MODEL: KISHORE (SON) FROM US It is rather difcult to detail what it is like to be my Dad's son. I'll give my best to ensure that this is brief, nonetheless precise. He is an epitome of hardwork and perseverance. If I have to describe him in one word, that would be –extremely dedicated. His life is a role model for generations to come and in my case it is nothing less than a textbook. He is rather uptight when expressing his love but it is ocean's deep. I still remember talking to my dad when I was accepted into Texas A&M University, in US for Masters programme 12 years ago. I was given admission with funding. First words from my dad were, “If only I had to pay for your tuition I would have been happier.” Never once he insisted that I come back to India or I do something for him that I don't believe in. He is a man’s man. One of many qualities that I like the most about him is his 'down to earth' attitude and rather simplistic approach to life. He has set such a high benchmark for me in life, I am not sure if I can ever become half the person he is.
MAN OF GREAT ENERGY: SINDHURA (DAUGHTER-IN-LAW) I consider myself very lucky to be a part of this family. I have never felt out of place. My in-laws have always treated me like their own daughter. My father-in-law encouraged me to continue education even after the marriage. Thanks to the family support, I could complete M.Tech. My father-in-law is a role model for everyone in the family. The amount of hard work he puts in is worth mentioning. Ever since I came to this house I have seen him work at least 18 hours a day and his energy levels never seem to depreciate. He is a man with tons of patience, following simple lifestyle. I would like to wish him all the best in his career and may he inspire a lot of people around him.
GADGETS
Apple Staple By Ishi Ray
T
he jingle bells are about to ring setting the celebration mood around the town. Capture the moments of joy or click yourself in your festive best as you grab a brand new Apple. There is a surprise for android lovers too, it can be the best gift for the season.
Thinner than its last year’s version Apple’s iPad Air 2 comes with an improved A8X processor, better rear and front-facing cameras, an anti-reflective screen, a Touch ID fingerprint sensor and more built-in storage at higher configurations than last year. It has a bevy of tweaks, enhancements, a much faster processor, and the welcome addition of Touch ID. Its one-touch fingerprint identification comes in handy for unlocking, iTunes transactions or any other app that takes advantage of its use. Wi-Fi on iPad Air 2 is fast — more than twice as fast as the previous generation — so downloading movies and streaming videos take less time. Its iSight camera comes with advanced optics, an improved sensor, and a powerful Apple-designed image signal processor. The other features include panorama, time-lapse videos, slo-mo, and burst and timer modes. The front-facing FaceTime HD camera has an improved sensor. Hence all your photos/videos/ video calls/ selfies look incredible. Dimensions: 240 x 169.5 x 6.1 mm | Weight- 444 g DISPLAY: Type: LED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors Size: 1536 x 2048 pixels, 9.7 inches MEMORY: Card slot: No | Internal: 16/64/128 GB, 2 GB RAM CAMERA Primary: 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, Video: 1080p(30fps), 720p(120fps), HDR Secondary: 1.2 MP, 720p@30fps, face detection, HDR, FaceTime over Wi-Fi or Cellular
iPad iPAD Mini 3
New iPad mini 3 is just lovable. With refined chassis, good grip it feels great to hold and amazing to touch. Best handled with two hands, fret not if one hand is busy you can operate it single-handedly, thanks to its lightweight unibody. The mini 3 is a pricey little tablet, but has powerful hardware and a beautiful screen. Here its Home button doubles as a Touch ID fingerprint sensor. There is also a new golden paintjob. Select from 16, 64 and 128GB options. Everything else of this slate remains almost identical to the iPad mini 2 - the 7.9" Retina display, the Apple A7 chipset, the 5MP rear camera, and unibody. Things which might disappoint you are lack of microSD slot, expensive memory upgrades, no NFC connectivity and Apple iOS 8 still depends on iTunes for music and file transfers.
SPECIFICATIONS
iPad Air 2
Dimensions & Weight D: 200 mm X 134.7 mm X 7.5 mm | W: 331g FEATURES: • Optional LTE connectivity (Cat. 4, 150Mbps downlink) • Dual-core 1.3 GHz Apple A7 chipset, M7 motion co-processor, PowerVR GX6430 GPU, 1GB of RAM • 6,471 mAh battery CAMERA 5MP autofocus, 1080p@30fps, 1.2MP front-facing
Inputs from Mr. Duke, MobiCare
Nexus 6
Motorola is here with its first Nexus phablet. It introduces Android 5.0 Lollipop and the vanilla OS that set it on top against its skinned contemporaries. It also packs ground-breaking runtime called ART. With a 159.3mm height and 83mm width, it might be a challenge to use it with one hand. But 5.96" screen compensates for the inconvenience. The combination of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC, 3GB or RAM, and a 6" QHD display and the front-facing stereo speakers can impress even the finickiest Android user. Its 13MP camera with optical image stabilization and ring dual-LED flash and UHD video capture are welcome changes in the Nexus family. Features: • Display: 5.96" AMOLED touchscreen, 1,440 x 2,560 resolutions (493ppi); Gorilla Glass 3 • Chipset: Snapdragon 805 chipset: quad-core Krait 450 @ 2.7GHz; Adreno 420 GPU; 3GB RAM • Video camera: 2160p@30fps video •Front camera: 2MP •Storage: 32GB/64GB built-in • Connectivity: LTE Cat. 6 (300Mbps), Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, A-GPS + GLONASS; microUSB 2.0 with SlimPort functionality •Battery: 3,220mAh, Motorola Turbo Charger, Qi wireless charging
Apple iPhone 6 with comfy edges and 6.9 mm thickness, is easy on the palm. The slightly recessed volume buttons sit on the left just under the mute toggle. The 3.5mm headphone jack resides at the bottom. To ensure no compromise on image quality, Apple has had to raise the camera slightly from the body. Though it does not scream ‘look at me’, the iPhone 6 with an accomplished design, is refined and ergonomic, great for long hours of use. It comes in Space Gray, Silver, Gold Specifications General 2G Network, 3G Network and 4G Network | SIM: Nano-SIM Body Dimensions: 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm (5.44 x 2.64 x 0.27 in) Weight: 129 g Display Type: LED-backlit IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors Size: 750 x 1334 pixels, 4.7 inches Memory Internal: 16/64/128 GB, 1 GB RAM Camera Primary: 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, Secondary: 1.2 MP, 720p@30fps
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone 6 Plus marks Apple’s foray into the phablet zone sporting a huge 5.5-inch screen display. The new phone is 0.2mm thicker and heavier by 43gm than its predecessor. It comes with a full-HD (1920x1080p) IPS Retina display packing 401 pixels per inch of screen and iOS 8, the latest iteration of the OS. At 158.1x77.8x7.1mm, iPhone 6 Plus is without doubt an unabashedly large phone. It comes with internal storage:16GB Specifications General Form factor: Touchscreen Battery capacity (mAh): 2915 Bundled accessories: Charger, cable, headset Colours: Silver, Gold, Space Gray Operating System: iOS 8.0 Display Resolution: 1080x1920 pixels Pixels per inch (PPI): 401 Camera Rear camera: 8-megapixel Front camera: 1.2-megapixel
Connectivity Wi-Fi: Yes | Wi-Fi standards supported: 802.11 a/ b/ g/ n/ ac | GPS: Yes Bluetooth: Yes, v 4.00 | NFC: Yes SIM Type: Nano-SIM | GSM/ CDMA: GSM 3G: Yes red | december 2014 | 87
VIZAG
VI-JOY OF BUILDING By Ranita Ray
3
2 years, around 500 major civil engineering and industrial projects with a clean record of never being mentioned for adjudication nor charged any penalties, reects the high image of the company. It also shows the cordial customer relations built and maintained by the company. From river and highway bridges and structures, ballast less tracks for railways, sports stadiums, industrial and urban infrastructures to piling, marine structures, integrating power generation and distribution systems and air conditioning system or executing nishes and interior works of residential and commercial complexes- it has its presence everywhere. The client list includes Nalco, Reliance, BHEL, Gammon, BE, VSP, Mumbai Metro One, Rolls-Royce, ITC etc. No more guesses, it is Vijay Nirman Company (VNC) Pvt. Ltd, which true to its tagline, Engineers constructors. Backed by a team of skilled and committed engineers and workers and led by an outstanding head, the rm has grown into one of the best construction companies in the country and has also registered global presence. Here is a chronicle VNC, its origin, growth and contribution as narrated by the founder and managing director, Surapaneni Vijaya Kumar. Shoot by Dhana Vijay
red | december 2014 | 88
What made you land in this field? I always had a great passion for civil engineering. Soon after obtaining my engineering degree, I started my career as a design engineer. But, I observed that there was a lot of gap between the demand and supply in the construction eld. Hence, I decided to shift to the other side of the table, with an aim to do justice to the eld of my interest and launched VNC in 1982. What was your initial investment, strength of employees and current growth? I had started the venture with a modest capital of just Rs.20,000 and with a team of 30. Today we have grown into a company with a turnover of Rs.1200 cr per annum and we have over 2,500 employees working with us. What were the hurdles you had overcome to reach so far? One impediment that existed there three decades ago and continues to exist even today is the uninformed clients. What is more disturbing is that even some of our copractitioners in this eld also lack the muchneeded knowledge. Here is the eld where knowledge can be instantly applied but unfortunately there are not many beneciaries of this advantage. Ignorance and lack of awareness lead to fear and erode one’s condence. To cite a simple example an ignorant builder uses 7-foot rod for a work that needs only 5-foot one, resulting in avoidable wastage. Thus, they often end up exhausting precious resources, which could be put to better use. Optimization of resources is important to make projects economical. The technologies and methodologies which are adopted in countries like Singapore, Malaysia, China take years to reach us. So even if we theoretically know the latest methods, a lot of time is lost by the time we get to adopt them here. What upsets you the most about this field? These days retaining the workforce is a major problem. Loyalty is the missing feeling in the present generation. Money can buy away people and poaching is prevalent in our eld. Another issue which the industry is facing is difculty in getting the artisans (skilled, semiskilled and unskilled labour). One of the
reasons is the shrinking time frame to complete a project, which has reduced by around 30% to 60%. It means a lot of mechanisation, without which it is hard to meet the deadline. The existing artisans are generally reluctant to accept new technology. Previously, even neighbouring states like Bengal, Odisha and Bihar used to send us the workforce, but now they have hands-on projects of their own. So outsourcing labour is no more a viable option. The last and certainly not the least is the next generation’s penchant for white-collar jobs and unwillingness to don the blue collar. What do you suggest as panacea? Demand and supply can’t be handled by poaching. The only way to ll the gap is to impart vocational training to more youth. Ironical, yet true, there are millions of engineers, who are unemployed. We need people on the job. We have started a skill development programme for engineering graduates and diploma holders. Training is imparted to select individuals in the elds of formwork, bar bending, steel xing, masonry, scaffolding, laboratory testing of materials, surveying, etc. Nearly 80% of trainees are from economically weaker sections of the society. The idea is to set right their fundamentals, strengthen their knowledge about the core subject and change their mindset. The objective is to make them ready to work from the basic level. The right trajectory is that they should begin as a worker and graduate to engineer’s level. This endeavour is also a part of our CSR. Of course, we also contribute largely to social, cultural, health and sports causes. Do you feel the pressure of competition? You can cope with competition, but can’t cope with ignorance and stupidity of peers. There are a lot of people who got into this eld, but are now struggling to survive. A great deal of research, innovation, training and commitment is necessary to stand in this eld. How your firm differs from others? My key personnel are passionate about their job. We tend to spend more time on the eld. It prepares them to make the right choices when a decision needs to be taken. Thus, the chances of error are nearly nil. red | december 2014 | 89
What is your take on ‘Green Measures’? We limit the usage of industrial wastage which cause environmental nuisance like y ash. We also try to reduce energy requirement in the plant and equipment. That answers for green technology. However, I feel the ‘green tagging’ is over gloried. I think ‘something which is obviously good needs no certication’. Let me explain. A good friend of mine, Anil Lal garu, a philosopher, wrote a book called ‘The Green is Red’. It narrates the tales about how the agencies are making huge money to earn the so-called eco-friendly tag. It may be hard to believe but some of the non-certied projects are equally good or even better than the certied ones. What are the new trends and technologies in your field? Precast concrete elements are coming up in a big way. Waterproong is an in-thing. In ooring and nishing a lot of new products have come. Now there are materials using which we can complete the interior work in a month’s time for which we used to take at least two months. Residential, commercial or civil engineering- what project excites you the most? Any project where there is a scope of innovation and challenge both time wise and quality wise, interests me. Most of our projects are strictly deadline-bound and such tests suit our temperament and approach. For example, we got the prestigious assignment of British Embassy in Abu Dhabi, where we had to work on the existing
building and expand it by adding two more oors. We completed it within 100 days. Which was the project of your pride? We got the task of repairing the Kadalundi Bridge in Kerala, which was damaged in an accident. The train services needed to be restored as fast as possible since it was a crucial connecting point in the state. It involved around 11piers and two abutments. We were given only 45 days, which included load and other testing to ensure safe run of trains. The simplest way of doing it was by disturbing the existing railway track and steel girders. But that was out of question because removing them would have demanded more time. Since the bridge situated near the meeting point of the river in the Arabian Sea, its substructure is always underwater. We had to go into 3.5mt backwater. We applied vertical boring by using Jet and C clamps. It was quite an innovation. In fact, we were the rst to adopt this technology it in the world. We completed the work four days before the deadline set by the Railway Board. I feel very gratied thinking of it for which my team worked relentlessly. What will be your guru-mantra to the new entrants to this field. Enter this eld only if you have knowledge and passion for it and have common sense to apply whenever required. Make sure you do your own homework. What are the things listed in your planner for future? We have chosen seven topics to work on, which can be implemented all over the country. The rst one is grain silo, where one can arrest wastage of grain by proper storing. Here storage is elevated from the ground and has fumigation to guard against insects. This facilitates the country to have additional 10 million tons of grain which is going down the drain. Next is drinking water. Too much of purifying water can leech minerals like magnesium from blood and calcium from bones. Under this programme, we will provide drinking water by using traditional method of water purifying in copper vessels with marble, chips or river sand and give wholesome water. It can be sold for Rs.2 to 3 per litre. Other programmes include genius science lab for students, ehome-with an area of 450 sft and priced at Rs.3 lakh and smart villages and city programmes. We are also involved in I-focus, i.e. focus on what you want to deliver. It is based on sraddhaa-commitment, sammardhata- should translate potential to actual application, Samagnataability to be a part of team, Bharatiyata – gratitude to mother nation. We want to inculcate these values in young generation through an 11 day-workshop. It will also teach the importance of being a good listener and how to communicate with clarity.
HYDERABAD
TRIUMPHANT RIDE W By Sumana Reddy
hile the new age entrepreneurs were busy sowing seeds in the hospitality, entertainment and other sectors, Saket Talwar reaped his afuence from the automobile industry. This quickwitted business man introduced international brands like Volvo cars and Triumph bikes to Hyderabad and is now riding high tide of success. He reckons that business is not always about the money, but about the pleasure of selling a reliable product to the customer. “We sell Volvo to those who want to feel secure in a car and Triumph, to those who are fanatical about possessing gallant bikes,” he adds, as aTriumph Bonneville roars in the background. Let us learn more about the luxury brands and his business stratagem.
EXCERPTS Please give us a brief account of your background. I did my schooling from Little Flower High School at Abids and Intermediate from St. Mary’s College at Himayatnagar in Hyderabad. After obtaining B.Com degree from Indian Institute of Management and Commerce, I went to U.K to acquire Masters from Leeds University. I came back to Hyderabad in 2000 and joined my family business in automobiles. What is the structure of your family business? Our business is divided between my father, brother and me. My father, Sunil Talwar handles Eicher dealership, my brother, Saral Talwar handles Hyundai and Bajaj dealerships and I handle Volvo and Triumph. Automobiles- was it a choice or compulsion? I was fascinated by the automobile business as I saw my father and brother work tirelessly in this eld for almost forty and fteen years respectively. To begin with I managed the Hyundai workshops and later administered the Eicher sales. This way I gained adequate experience in both sales and services, which are the two major aspects in this industry. I did not have much to do as the business was already running smoothly. Hence, I decided to start a new dealership. Thus Volvo came into existence. There are always initial hiccups in any business but I got my foothold in the dealership as I was guided by my family. (laughs) How and when did you start dealing with Volvo? Earlier, as Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover worked together, one had to sign all three brands to take a dealership. After we approached them, Volvo suddenly split from Jaguar and Land Rover. Volvo became a separate entity, whereas TATA took over the other two companies. We could earn the Volvo dealership in 2009. red | december 2014 | 92
Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
I started off on a difcult note as we hardly sold 50 vehicles in the rst year. Of course, we doubled it in the following year. We had only two models to sell then- the S80 and the C90. In the third year, we could sell 170 cars. But in the fourth year (2012), we did extensive marketing analysis, which fetched us good results. Well supported by the Volvo group, we succeeded in convincing people about the brand. Later, we launched Volvo in Bangalore, Vizag and Vijayawada. We plan to launch it in Odisha shortly. Tell us something about Volvo. Volvo is a very futuristic company and I can vouch for its quality, which is much higher than that of other brands. I can say it with authority as I have compared the materials used by Volvo with the ones used by the other brands in the Paris Motor Showroom, where all the international cars were on display. They used plastic-like material to keep the product cost low. But Volvo strives to improve the quality to ensure safety, that too following green norms. It aspires to make the earth a better place to live in. It also aims to have less wastage of metal. Volvo has launched an innovative engine in the market. The hallmark of this is the two-litre engine which has a Scalable Platform Architecture (SPA). This means, it can be modied to curb a BHP starting from 130 to 480, giving mileage of 12 to 30 km per litre. Suppose you buy a car with this engine, but want go for a change later, all you have to do is change the BHP of the engine to the desired level and use it in the new car! You need not replace the car all together. As these engines are re-usable, there is no wastage of steel, which is good for environment. Our cars are 90 -95% recyclable and eco friendly. This engine is already available in the XC60, S60 and XC90 models. Volvo’s servicing cost too is way cheaper than the rest. There is no point if one sits in a luxurious car but be paranoid about what might happen to the tyres or the bill of Rs.5 lakh for the servicing. Hence Volvo does not just offer life-security, but also nancial security.
But have to accept the fact that most of the international brands are absolutely unfamiliar to us. When Triumph came to India, nobody knew what it was as there were not many vehicles on roads, but today, we have plenty plying. With the industry developing rapidly, a dealer can strike it big in just ve years. There is going to be an explosion in the auto industry by 2017 and sales will go up tenfold by 2020. You will see cheaper cars and bikes with more options available. Our government is well aware of the fact that they need to build broader and larger roads. What role do advertisement and marketing play? It is a sheer ‘brand recall’ for us. We invest in advertisements only for a signicant recall value rather than the sales. Here if a customer buys a product, it is not because he saw an advertisement but because his neighbour has it. (Laughs). Such is the Indian mentality. Based on this, we tried to sell one Volvo car in every gated community, so that it multiplies in the neighborhood! Volvo is cars, Triumph is high end Bikes. How do you operate the two? We have a perfect organizational structure with different managers handling different departments like marketing, sales and accounts. Being at the top, I ensure the processes run efciently. I do not involve in the daily operations as the departments handle their jobs independently. I coordinate and go through monthly reviews. Lesser the involvement of top level management in the daily operations, the better it is for efciency.
Tell us something about Triumph. Triumph bikes give a gangster image to the bikers and a star image to the biking community. Triumph had been in the Indian market just for six months now, but has exceeded expectations with sales of over 1,000 bikes. We ourselves sold over 100 bikes in Hyderabad so far. Triumph was originally launched in the year 1902 and is the second motorcycle in the world which upholds history and heritage. They launch new engines every year and offer good service. Our bikes range from Rs. 6.5 lakh to Rs.22 lakh and one does not have to spend much on its maintenance. Triumph sold itself effortlessly! Tollywood actors like Ram Charan Tej and Nag Chaitanya purchased our bikes. What is your take on the business? It is surely one of the fastest growing businesses in India.
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What are the differences in the two marketing strategies? For Triumph we organize events with the local biking communities, participate in the rides and arrange customer- oriented workshops and promotional activities. For Volvo, we invest in print advertisements. We understand that this brand is not for everybody. We identify the prospective clientele and organize niche events. We also contribute towards sponsorships for certain events. What is your USP? Triumph is a British brand and Volvo Swedish. The USP for both brands is the credible quality of the products. I visited both the factories and monitored their work. I was thoroughly impressed by their working pattern and prompt responses to the customer’s queries. They attend to the quality issues instantly. What are your expectations from the trade? Both Volvo and Triumph, premium sector brands, are completely new here. I expect people to realize the difference between a normal and premium product, which is vital for trade. They usually compare us to Skoda and other cars. What are your approaches and challenges? Our approach is very simple. We continuously showcase the brand with paper ads. Despite our efforts at brand recall, there is always someone who prefers another brand. That is a challenge. One of our initial hurdles in Volvo dealings was the low funds apportioned for marketing, which made steady visibility difcult. But for Triumph, we did not have to do much. The brand sold itself! The rst 100 bikes got sold like hot cakes. So the challenge now is to sell the next 100. Recently, Harley Davidson launched their new 750 cc bike, which is around Rs.5 lakh, as opposed to our bikes which start off from Rs.7 lakh. Although this is another obstacle, I know that Harley’s servicing is very expensive and we will beat them in the long run. Patience is the key. How do you deal with competition? I am not a very competitive person. If somebody wants to really push it, I let them win. I love my peace and walk at my own pace. I believe that there is enough space for everyone to ourish without creating ill will. How do you update yourself? Through internet. How do international brands affect the Indian market? The international brands will identify India’s potential and start the production here. Perhaps Ferrari and the Maserati will not do so, but the rest will certainly be here. Realising the great potential, the super luxury brands are looking at launching their manufacturing units in India. For bikes, Ducati and BMW will have their units in India shortly. Who is/are your nearest rival/rivals? Audi is Volvo’s toughest rival, like Harley Davidson is for Triumph. How do you assess the markets before launching a new brand? Usually, the companies do market analysis and identify its potential. We go by the manufacturer’s presentations and decide to invest in the best of the lot. What should the government do to boost the market? Firstly, we should have a stable government. Unstable government only destroys the sentiments and the dynamics of any business. How many employees do you have? 400.
What are your employment strategies? What are the incentives and training you offer to retain them? Every employee, from an ofce assistant to a manager can earn incentives and awards. We also organize events for the employees like festival celebrations, picnics and trips. These events happen twice every year. Additionally, we offer English and Etiquette training. What is your CSR exercise? We contribute a certain percentage of our prots to many NGOs and sponsor charity events. We are also working with the Telangana Trafc Police Department to promote safety and exhibit safety tips everywhere. Another initiative is to educate people about child seats. Describe life before and after Volvo/ Triumph. Business is all about responsibility and multitasking. I have seen a perceptible change in my character and lifestyle. I am still adapting to change. This journey is adventurous and tough. Of course there are happy moments too. What are your expansion plans? I plan to expand Volvo. Our next target is Odisha. I have no plans for Triumph. Advice to the new entrepreneurs We need entrepreneurs who have the ability to look beyond money and prots. Contributing to society, working for betterment of employees and altruistic deeds are crucial for business to ourish.
HYDERABAD
By Sumana Reddy
G H N I T I T A W E C R I C MAG FABRIC
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Shoot by Dinakar Pamu
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hravan Kumar Ramaswamy, the renowned designer, has been presenting India in all its resplendent glory on the foreign ramps, yet calls himself aam aadmi. This genial artist is full of beans. It is not difcult to spot him. When you nd his team in an animated conversation and where you hear peels of laughter, you know he is around. Shravan, an ingenious artist, belongs to a generation of research-driven designers. He not only crafts magic with a variety of Indian fabrics but also revives eco-friendly textiles with his sensuous designs. He believes that fashion is his religion and makes ‘the most awesome clothes’ from trite fabrics. His splendid creations, his chic and bold clothing line and enchanting couture with ramp-to-road appeal are the talk of the town.
His initiative ‘An ode to weaves and weavers’ an annual fashion show, promotes handicrafts and artisans from rural India, paying rich tribute to a varied genres like Phulia, Parsi, Srikakulam, Khadi, Salem, Jamdhani, Paithani, Kerala, Kanchi, Gadwal, Pochampally, Dharmavaram, Mangalagiri, Venkatagiri, Uppada. These are woven at a non-government organization called ‘The Society of Aalayam’ which he chairs. ‘Aalayam’ not only succeeds in restoring various weaves whose signicance is dwindling rapidly, but also strives to better the lives of weavers. His much acclaimed work often includes a drama of colours and prints like Kalamkari, Ajrak, Kozyndan, Bodhi, Handblocks, Folk, Sangneri, Bagru, Batik and Patachitra. Initiation My interest in fashion started during my school days. In fact, I was enamoured by my mother who used to be clad in saris of vibrant colours, designs and patterns. She was my rst inspiration and since then I am allured by clothing and fashion. “My family always encourages and supports me in realising my dreams and fullling my aspirations.” Self-Assessment My designs are regal, majestic and classic. My design process is magnicent though the intention is very simple. I make clothes which are usable and can be worn for multiple occasions, but not for a one-time-use. I don’t sell just clothes, but my ‘babies’. I put my heart and soul into them. As I live by fashion every minute, fashion is inherent in me. I gain heaps of inspiration from colours, moods and seasons and have brainwaves of creativity only twice a year- once when it rains and once when it does not! (laughs) Fashion and Style Fashion can be taught, but style cannot be and it is inborn. Everybody has his unique style, which is his signature. His Way I usually sit with the customer and understand her dream as a bride and her style. I translate it on the fabric with embroidery and present it to her. The garment that my customer wears for her D-day takes shape as my interaction with the client progresses. Imitations Let them imitate me. I am happy as long as it gives the imitator his bread, butter and wine. I do not mind. I am very happy that somebody is eking out a living by aping my designs. It makes me feel very special at the end of the day. It shows that I sell. It is very tough to guard my designs as they are in the newspapers most of the times. If you open the wedding season, you will nd at least three of the outts designed by me. We do about 300 brides and 250 grooms every year. If anyone approaches me for a particular design, I say. “Please go to the tailor! It might be suiting the person in the picture, but it might not suit you” (laughs). I would rather sit with the customer and make a different ensemble that suits her/him.
Competition I never consider myself on the ladder nor in the race. I am not a rat to be in the race but a cat that chases away rats! (laughs) If all the designers are on the one side of the road, I am on the other. I don’t mind even if I miss the bus because I am condent that I eventually join somewhere and become the showstopper. If others miss the bus and join late, I become the rst and the leader. Either ways I win. I feel winning or losing should not affect one’s state of mind. I believe that it is all about being happy. He who says is not happy is the biggest fool in the world! One needs to nd happiness within oneself. à la mode Fashion Weeks Vancouver Fashion Week: It was a marvellous and exquisite experience! I reckon that people started having a fresh look at India of late and our country has taken giant strides in the world of fashion over the years. With my artistry and imagination I could win the hearts at VFW. Use of vibrant colours, embroidering and embellishments made fashionistas accept my designs without question. I could successfully club traditional South Asian textures and fabrics with modern Western elements. Singapore Fashion Week- My line is all white, off white and beiges this season. It is fresh as a bride, pure as white, serene as a prayer, spiritual as a heart beat, demure as an angel. White is a symbol of introspection. That is how white correlates to my inspiration for the upcoming Singapore Fashion Week. The groundwork and conception is time taking. I think we will take a bolder step after this if it works well.
Best Showstopper Hands down, my clients are the best showstoppers! Having said that, it is hard to make anybody a showstopper in my shows. I work with the folks whom I understand and connect on the same wavelength, besides those who can relate to my weaves and design cuts. Tollywood actress, Taapsee Pannu had been my showstopper quite a lot of times, as I relate to her style and poise. India Internationally The westerners take a lot of time to comprehend and associate with the Indian fabrics and adopt the Indian fashion. They don’t have that kind of time. They are also very clear about what they want. When it comes to India, it is a different ball game. We have enough time and go to the nitty-gritty to evaluate the product. Indians are very cultural, classic and very sure. A person here wears a Kanjivaram like how one is supposed to, whereas, a westerner prefers that same Kanjivaram as a border on a Chantilly lace sari. Fusion of Indian and western for a contemporary style is more outside India. I do a lot of fashion shows for such people who can adopt a particular style from my designs. My designs are for everyone including the charming young ladies, professionals and the chic fashionistas. Hyderabad Fashion It is a smart city and people here are fashion conscious, level headed, sharp with their thought process and do smart purchases. They are also sensitive to price as they want best for less price. Fashion Faux Pas I ask, do we have the right fashion police to catch them? We should eat food according to our choice but wear clothes according to others! We look at the other persons more than at ourselves. What is fashion faux pas to you might be fashionable to others. But surely wearing a swimming costume to a ball room party is not just a blunder, but a thunder! (laughs) Comfort Quotient Textile or fashion industry, comfort is the priority any day. Khadi, the hand-spun fabric, is the most beautiful gift Mahatma gave us. It is the most comfortable of all fabrics. Future Plans The brand that I chair is Alayam Society, the brand that I live is Shravan Kumar and the brand which I run is Shravan Studio. We want to make Alayam global. We plan to rope in international designers for the Indian weaves. Our stratagem is to introduce our products in the online marketplaces and promote ‘make-your-own-sari’ concept through social media. Regarding Shravan Studio, we want to do a lot of learning. We want to understand the human body, understand our clients’ needs and wants. For Shravan Kumar, it is only research. We are doing a lot of Pata Chitra, Mathani Pachedi and Ajrak. People know only Kalamkari! Advice to Aspirants Believe in yourself, pursue your dream and do not regret later. This is a beautiful profession. Do not lose your identity.
Signing off Although I have been in the fashion industry for a long time now, I am still learning. I think I would learn until I die. ‘Established’, ‘ruling the domain’ or ‘being ambitious’ are negative words for me. I am a people’s person and I think people can approach me very easily. My customers get a welcoming smile from us when they come into the studio to get their clothes done. They reciprocate the same feeling when they go back. This is what I have earned till today! One has to lose something to gain something. Success eludes those who nurse ego. Be yourself, believe in yourself. RATE CARD Rate yourself on a scale of 10 as a Designer 5 Philanthropist N/A Style icon N/A Trendsetter 6 Human being 6
Vizag
H
ailing from a family of academicians, she is understandably excels in studies and co- curricular activities like painting, dancing, sports etc. A student of B.Arch., she intends to pursue PG in Urban Planning in JNTU. Owner of a naturally flattering figure, she feels ads work as the best launch-pad to enter silver screen.
Name: Shayala Kona Age- 22 years Height- 5’ 4.5� Weight- 50 Kg VS: 35-26-35 Striking Feature- Eyes Role Model: Sushmita Sen
Y T U A E B Y BA a Ray By Ranit
Dress Courtesy: Purple Styling: Rahul Kedia Venue Courtesy: Hotel Novotel Varun Beach
FORAY: MODELING IS ONE AMONG MANY INTERESTS. CURIOSITY DROVE ME HERE. DURATION: 3MONTHS OBSERVATION: RIGHT APPROACH, CHANNEL AND LANDING IN RIGHT HANDS- ARE A MUST FOR A SAFE AND SECURED CAREER. BEFORE: A CALM AND STUDIOS GIRL. AFTER: A BOLD AND CONFIDENT PERSON GENRE: COMMERCIAL AND PROMO COMPLIMENT: PRAISED FOR MY PERFECT BODY CRITICISM: HAVEN’T FACED YET. BUT IT MAKES ONE STRONGER FQ: YOGA AND MEDITATION TO RELAX, NOT FOR FITNESS FASHION: STAY COOL AND COMFORTABLE IN WHATEVER YOU WEAR! AMBITION: TO ENTER FILM INDUSTRY! ASSETS: VERSATILE TO CARRY ANY ATTIRE WITH POISE.
MAN BEHIND LENS Equipped with Cannon 5d and 6d and all ranges of lenses, his forte is fashion and glamour photography. His heart also lies in clicking nature too. He idolizes Lazar Angelov and Surya and loves to sweat it out at gym when off the camera. Click Start: With a basic DSLR as a hobby In Profession: 6 years First and Best: Of landscape. Captured the tribals at Araku Worst Shot: Capturing the city after Hudhhud Edge: Exposure gained from extensive travelling Photography: Is simplest thing, but incredibly complicated to make it really work. Dream : To be a successful ad lm maker with a studio
Chinni Manikantha
MAKE-OVER In beauty industry she is a veteran in the city. Her forte is to create make-up which blends naturally with the skin of the person receiving it. She is an expert bringing out the best in the people who come to her for a make-over. In Profession: 20 years Best at: Bridal and fashion make up Loves to work on: Eyes Radhika Ravoori
Favourite Cosmetics: Revlon and Krylon as it suits the Indian skin best Importance of make up: Make-up has become imperative these days, but one has to know what suits her/him best. red | december 2014 | 101
VIZAG
BEATS OF SUPPORT Parikrama, gurus of all Indian rock bands, was here again as a part of its 23rd anniversary celebration. The band is out performing pan India to support the 100 pipers Play for a Cause initiative. While the performance by the band mesmerized the audience out there, all proceeds from the show were donated to the AP CM Relief fund to be used for the people affected by the recent Hudhud cyclone.
Prisulla & Deepa
Yasmin & Ekata
Vineesha & Jeeja Valsaraj
Sameer Pandita & Biswas
COMEDY FOR CHARITY @ THE PARK Vizagites once again gathered for an evening dedicated to a lot of laughter. It was the new season of Vizag Komedians Open Mic Nights. However, this time it wasn’t all about fun but for a cause to raise funds for the Hudhud victims. Hosted by Raouf Gangjee, the event aimed at regular hunt for fresh talent with a brief open Mic contest. The highlight of the evening was the special performance by Rajneesh Kapoor, who ranks among India's top ten comedians and Amit Tandon, one of India's best Observational Comedians. The host club chose the Park as the venue which saw guests gathered to laugh their weary and worry off. Srijan & Kaushik
Venkat & Nanda Kishore
Anusha & Bharath
Anjali & Amit saple
VIZAG
@NOVOTEL City’s elite had a gala time when Novotel opened its doors of unlimited fun. The evening saw ooding of energies of party lovers who ocked in their sartorial best. Revellers were seen hitting the dance oor, swaying to the tunes of the popular numbers of the season. The pub had action packed weekends with Karaoke and special performances by DJ, B.R.E.E.D and KJ Noel.
Arjan & Monika
Priyanka, Piyush & Aarthi Ameet Mirpuri
Sean
Micky & Ricky
Varun & DJ Rahul Rohit
Rajesh J
Romeo
Janaki Ram
HYDERABAD
Kiran & Divya
THE BIG FORK LAUNCHED The Big Fork, an American gourmet restaurant was inaugurated by chief guests Kiran Kumar and Kishore recently. It is located at Madhapur near the State Art Gallery. The launch was a success with many Tollywood celebrities gracing the event. Guests at the gala were spotted relishing the yummy bites of the chef’s specials. Mihira, Sumanth, Sonali, Miihier and Sravya and others were spotted.
Mihira
Sumanth
Sonali
Sanjana & Kishore
KAROAKE NIGHT So, who partied all night at The Grove Sky Bar recently? The Crème de la Crème of Hyderabad. Hosted by Meju and Radhika, Sudhir and Rakhee and Manish and Rekha, on a Saturday night, the party was a smashing hit as the guests enthusiastically sang their favourite songs at the karaoke themed gala. The night was surely worth remembering for the party-holics present at this venue in Banjara Hills. Guests Koyal Chandak, Trushna and Ashwin Tibrewal, Rajeev and Sonal Doshi, Rashmi, Komal and Sushmita were spotted shaking a leg.
Rekha & Manish Malpani
Ashwin & Trushna
Radhika & Prashanth
Sunil & Komal
CANCER (June 21 - July 20) ARIES (March 21-April 20) Rightly said, ideas are like plants! They need to get lots of water and sun if you want them to thrive. So, dear Ariesians, whatever ideas are popping up in your mind, this is the right time to nourish them well. They will blossom soon. 15th, 16th and 17th are the days when you need to keep an eye on your physical fitness. You may feel a little restless or tired. Fret not! It is a sign that you need to be a little more attentive about your more complex feelings, your deepest needs and your neglected desires. Review your goals. Don’t allow problem to push you down. Lucky for you: 17, Turquoise
TAURUS (April 21-May 22) The time has come when you really need to start taking decisions on your own. Consult your inner-self. This is the key to your personal development. The month will bring you a feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. Additionally, a few fresh alliances on personal as well as professional front lead to success. Fitness regimen needs to be revived. Think wise and twice before taking risks. The month is ideal for trying out something way too crazy, but stay within the safety barrier. Lucky for you:18, Golden Brown
GEMINI (May 23 - June 20) Keep your mind as well as eyes open for witnessing a few important changes in your own perspective. Chances are high for you to see a new side-road. However, walking on it is completely your choice. Friends will play a vital role in guiding you in the right direction, so do not hesitate to consult them. A healthy flirting will work as a stress-buster. You may get an opportunity to make long-term plans. Partner can be consulted. In case you are single, you are the best decision-maker for yourself. A little disappointment isn’t such a big deal. In effect, if you don’t let it get to you, it can be useful! Lucky for you: 18, Pink
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Financially you will be flourishing. You may be in a position to buy all that stuff you always aspired to get. Well, at the same time, it is essential to maintain a healthy balance between your earning and spending. It’s time to slow way down around mid-month. Give your creative knack a fair scope. You are pretty confident in conveying your messages to others. Thus, speak all that out. Don’t be demoralised, if you feel low. Simply practice yoga. The month will again bring some wonderful ideas which you certainly want to follow. Lucky for you: 4, Violet
LEO (July 21 - Aug 22) The time may seem a little tough in case of personal relationships, but hold on to them. It is just a part of life. This too shall pass. You might meet someone who could change your perception. Accept it, as it will be helpful. Do not be afraid to implement something new. Your romantic life will begin to resurface. Simply go with the flow and enjoy every bit of it. You will get scope to cherish and nurture your creativity. You’ve really got something extraordinary there. Lucky for you: 7, Lemon Green
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22 - Dec 20)
VIRGO (Aug 23 - Sept 22)
It is a perfect time to talk to strangers. So no matter wherever you go, make a confident conversation. You never know what’s there on the other side, unless, you ask! Your outdoor activities will be at their peak. And it is indeed awesome. Avoid fights. If someone else is not ready to join you, you just have to accept the fact that you’re not on the same page. Try a hand at a little brainstorming. The more ideas you can toss back and forth, the better the end result will be. You will witness some outstanding developments both on the personal and professional ground. Take out some time for yourself. If you’re feeling exhausted, there is a good reason! The best thing you can do now is get a little break and rest.
Keep yourself and your belongings presentable, organized and up-to-date. You will be a complete social animal. So, be ready to have some fun. You’ll be in a pretty awesome space. Ahh! Seems like somebody has a big crush on you! You just need to sit back and enjoy the moment! Explore the unseen side of life passionately. That person will express it and it feels wow. If you feel like criticizing some people simply ignore the feeling. After all, if you just watch their moves with patience, you could see the brilliancy of their plan. Lucky for you: 2, Pink
Lucky for you:17, Parrot Green
LIBRA (Sept 23 - Oct 22) SCORPIO (Oct 23 - Nov 21) You will face a slightly irritated situation in romantic front. Whatever the issue is, sit down and talk things out. Determine what the situation is and react accordingly. This is the perfect time to start a new fitness routine. Let your dreams change your reality. Plan a secret surprise for somebody you care for. You have a lot of luck, love and happiness in store. Sign that contract on the 26th. Lucky for you: 22, Dark Slate Grey
Romance is in the air! Enjoy every bit of it! But of course, after romance, various issues related to relationships come into picture. Do not hesitate to talk things out. The sooner you convey your feelings, the easier it will be for everyone. Your ability of appreciating the small things in life serves you as a major strength. You will achieve a big success at work which is really going to pave the path towards new possibilities. Be courageous to express your hopes, dreams as well as desires. Through the super-harmonious 29th and 30th, you’ll absolutely be in a good zone.
Since the financial matters are taking the lead in your thoughts, keep them systematic by keeping a tab on your earnings and expenditure. In this way, it will be easier for you to deal with them. Safety, security and love are three issues cropping up in your mind. Give them ample time and attention. If something is not meant to be taken personally, don’t take it. Plan what your heart asks for. Your plans will be fulfilled! You might be amazed by all the huge success coming your way. Remember, you have earned it all with your hard work. If needed, pen down your feelings.
Lucky for you: 9, White
Lucky for you: 8, Violet
AQUARIUS (Jan 21 - Feb 18) Your work, love life and energy level- everything is in a healthy state. You are actually loving where you are now. Cherish this moment! Your views would be remarkable. So make sure to share them. This month will keep you highly emotional. You certainly want to take time to position yourself. Neither you are in a mood to make hasty decisions nor you want to suppress your feelings. Though it feels quite uneasy, it will definitely make you feel better soon. Remember, not every work association is going to work right away, so don’t get disheartened. The better things will come to you by the last week of the month. So stay positive! Lucky for you: 2, Pink
CAPRICORN (Dec 21 - Jan 20)
PISCES (Feb 18 - March 20) Give wings to your imagination and let them reach high. However, avoid making any concrete plans. Follow your heart. Do not overlook important things. You might feel a little puzzled, but do not let it bother you much. Romance is where it should be. Mind investing time on needless things. Take time and decide what you really want. Speaking without the brain can lead to gaffes. So be careful! Be ready for some incredible changes at your professional and romantic ends. Lucky for You: 9, Rosy Brown red | december 2014 | 107
VIZAG Adventure Sports Bunkers N Bonkers Vizag’s First “PAINTBALL ARENA” Near Senora Beach Resort, Sagar Nagar, Vizag - 17 Ph: 9959849922 / Facebook.com/bunkersnbonkers Advertising agency KBGS The Advertisers Newspaper - TV - Radio Siripuram towers, Siripuram, Opp: HSBC call centre,Vizag Ph. 8008 550351,352 & 353 Air Conditioners Ramcor Enterprises Pvt Ltd/ Cool Concepts Authorised Sales & Service Dealers for Air Conditioners (Voltas / Daikin / Panasonic / Lloyd / Samsung / Water Coolers / Deep Freezers / Bottle Coolers) - 12-1-18, Waltair Main Road, Beside Hotel Green Park Vizag - 2. M : 9848778771 / 9848778775 / 9848778681 / 9912796400 / T : 0891 - 2706825 / 2706037 Branch Off : Fort Gate, Rajamundry T : 0883 - 2476360 Apparel Kankatala Textiles Pvt. Ltd. VSquare Mall, Dwarakanagar, Visakhapatnam - 530 016. T: 0891 6633336 Panache By The Raymond Shop D.No: 30-15-163, Ground Floor, E.J.Periera Manor, Dabagardens, Visakhapatnam - 530020, T: 0891-6536666, Siripuram Fort, Waltair Uplands Road, VSP-530013 T: 0891-6532666
Sona (Extn.) Boutique #13-1-1c, St. Anthony Church Complex, Nr. Jagadamba Centre, Maharanipeta, Vizag - 530 002. T: 0891 2792407 Car Accessories Andhra Accessories (Andhra Ax) Jyothi Enclave, A-3, Ram Nagar, Beside Lions Club Visakhapatnam - 530 002. T: 0891 - 6617894 M : 9966202084 Catering & Cooking Services Srinivasa Catering & Cooking Service Our Services : Veg & Non Veg, South Indian & North Indian Door No. 21-29-8, Ganneru Street, Near Chinta Chettu, Vizag-01 T: Ch. Srinivas - 0891 2737430 / Ch. M. Raju - 9966664673 / Shyam - 9985988744 / Jana - 8790799799 Cell Shops Mobi Care Professional mobile phone service & training centre, Opp. Woodland showroom, 1st floor, Daba Gardens, Visakhapatnam - 530 020 T: 0891 6468887, 9392345123 New Raj Mobiles - Sales & Service H.O.: Opp. Wood Land Showroom, Beside Old Amaravathi Hotel, Dabagardens, Vizag. T: 0891-6646447 B.O.:Opp. Kanya Sri Kanya Theatre, Shop No.1, Aditya Lodge, Old Gajuwaka, Vizag. T: 0891-6646449 E Chilled Delights Baskin Robbins CMR Central Mall, Maddilapalem, Ground Floor, Varun Inox Mall, Beach Road, Visakhapatnam Confectioners
One Stop Family Store
Sri Vamsi Textiles Pvt Ltd Sarees / Salwars / Chudidhars / Readymades / Kidsware / Furnishings & Accessories #30-15-136, Lorven Plaza, Dabagardens, Visakhapatnam-530020 T:0891 6698888 E:sri_vamsi90@yahoo.com/ W: www.srivamsi.com Architecture Fourth Dimension Architecture Architecture|Planning|Interiors 8-1-86/12, #7, First Floor, Annapurna Complex, Peda Waltair, Visakhapatnam-17, T: 0891-6464169 M: 9885160036 E: harsha@4darch.in www.4darch.in Project Inc Architecture, Interiors, Landscape 101, Venu Regency Plaza, Beside Raghavendra Swamy Temple, Ramnagar, Vizag - 530 002. T: 0891 2568228, 9550036999 E: projectinc@ymail.com www.projectinc.in Beauty Bon Chic D.No. 55-10-32, HPCl Millinium Outlet, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam T: 0891-2733619, M: 7032662442 www.bonchic.co.in. Cute’s Beauty Clinic D.No.12-4-29, Opp. Vaartha, Jagadamba Junction, Vizag-3. T: 0891-6539485, Radhika / Bhavani : 9866051649 Boutique Aarna #7-19-2, Kirlampudi Layout, Behind Syndicate Bank, Chinna Waltair, Vizag. T: 0891-2549999 Blossoms - Exclusive Boutique for Women Near Sampath Vinayaka Temple, CBM Compound, Visakhapatnam. M: 9985334444, 9966682222 GORGEOUS boutique - Designer Sarees, Salwar Suits, Tunics and Bed Covers. Tailoring Available 11am to 8pm MVV Estates, Opp. Kotak School, Chinna Waltair, Vsp - 17 T : 0891 - 2727894 M : 9533308552 red | december 2014 | 108
Bakers Castle Prasanna Foods: Siripuram Towers, Opp. HSBC, Next to Lee & Arrow, Siripuram, Visakhapatnam - 530 002. T: 0891 2578889, 9000008889, 0891 6690989 Near Rama Talkies, CBM Compound, Visakhapatnam - 530 003. T: 0891 2518000 Desi Delights Punjabi Grill & Mr & Mrs IDLY The famous Taste of Chawla’s Cream Chicken from Ludhiana @ Punjabi Grill (Lunch & Dinner 11am to 11pm), The Famous Taste of Chennai-South Indian Tiffins @ Mr & Mrs IDLY (7am to 12pm, 4pm to 8pm) at Fish Aquarium, Beside Kali Temple, R.K. Beach Road, Vizag. T: 0891-6625777/6625778 M: 9393116428/7569535851 Eat Fresh Sub Way Dutt Island, Siripuram - 0891-2784911 Event Managers Krosswire Entertainment Specalized in: Event Management • Artiste & Talent Management • Corporate Events • Theme Parties • Birthday Parties • Wedding Planning • DJ Parties • Product Launch & Promotions • Mall Activations • Fashion Shows • International Performers • Celebrity Endorsements etc. Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Vijayawada T: 9885118789, 9346997556 www.krosswire.com E: krosswire@gmail.com & info@krosswire.com
Razzmatazz Theme Decorations, Set Designs, Entertainment, Floral arrangements. You name it WE HAVE IT! T: 9052024650, 9348623223, razzrahul1@gmail.com, www.razzmatazz.in Florist & Decorator’s Sugandhikaa Theme party decoration’s, Wedding decoration’s, Birthday party decoration’s, Flower Bouquets, Gift & wedding packing Plot No.20, Daspalla Hill’s, Visakhapatnam. M: 9440731765, E: alkajaju@hotmail.com
Gifts & Handicrafts Eastern Art Museum #10-1-9/1, Waltair Uplands, Sampath Vinayak Temple Road, Visakhapatnam - 530 003. T: 0891 6647880 F: 0891 2562775 E: easternartmuseum@gmail.com Hair Transplantation Radha - International Institute of Hair Transplant #103, Siripuram Fort, Siripuram, Opp. Union Chapel Church, Vizag - 530 003 T: 0891 6458111, 9177777192 E: contact@hairclinicindia.com www.hairclinicindia.com Health & Fitness Deepa’s Total Fitness Add Life Premises, 1st Floor, Pandurangapuram Temple Road, Opp. Officers Club, Vizag. T: 9885674016 Homoeopathy Vandana Homoeopathic Hospital Shop no. 4, Dwarakanagar, 2nd Lane, Pavan Paradise, Opp. Pollocks School, Vizag - 530 016. T: 0891 2755747, 9948416772 Hotels Hotel Green Park Waltair Main Road, Visakhapatnam - 530 001. Ph: 0891 6615151 Hotel Meghalaya Dr. No. 10-4-15, Ramnagar, Asilmetta Junction, Visakhapatnam T: 0891 2755141 / 145 Novotel Beach Road, Vizag T: 1860 500 2020, +91 891 2822 222 E: h7535-re@accor.com, www.novotel.com The Palm Beach Nr. RK Beach, Waltair Uplands, Beach Road, Visakhapatnam T: 0891 2754026 / 27 The Dasapalla Suryabagh, Visakhapatnam. T: 0891 25564825 / 2563141 The Park Beach Road Visakhapatnam. T: 0891 Industrial Pipes & Valves M/s Preeti Tubes #28-16-12, Suryabagh, Visakhapatnam-20. T: 0891-2526062 M: 9849126062 E: sales@preetitubes.com M/s Menda Steels, Visakhapatnam. T: 0891-2506062 E: mendasteels@gmail.com Interior Design Studio - Interior designers & consultants C2, Aakruthi, 10-1-9, Waltair uplands, Visakhapatnam - 530 003. T: 0891 2561586 F: 0891 2562775 E: designstudio2000@hotmail.com, www.designstudiointeriors.in Project Inc Architecture, Interiors, Landscape 101, Venu Regency Plaza, Beside Raghavendra Swamy Temple, Ramnagar, Vizag - 530 002. T: 0891 2568228, 9550036999 E: projectinc@ymail.com www.projectinc.in International Couriers Sampath Vinayaka Express Services 47-10-37, Ratnadham Arcade, Dondaparthi Road, Near Diamond Park, Visakahapatnam - 530016 T: 0891-6636285, 6536880, M: 9291901303, Branch: 8-3-677/9, Plot No.:9, HDFC Atm Lane, Sri Krishna Devaraya Nagar Colony, Srinagar Colony Post, Yellareddyguda, Hyderabad - 5300073, M: 9299991539, E: krishna_kod@yahoo.co.uk Jewellery MVS. Jewel Park Ramatalkies Road, Vizag - 530 003. T: 0891 2509591/92/93 Kids Wear Hey Kiddo! Opp. St. Anthony Church, Jagadamba Centre, Hotel Green Park Road, Visakhapatnam-530002. T: 0891-2529898, M:9052529898
Lingerie Flames We Cover Your Bare Necessities Pavan Enclave, Opp. HDFC, Daba Gardens, Vizag - 530 020. T: 0891 6644455 E: flameslingerie@yahoo.co.in Inner Elegance Shop No.: 25, VUDA Complex, Siripuram Jn., Vizag - 530 003. T: 0891 6647882 Marbles Archean Granites & Italian Marbles #52-4-6, Resapuvanipalem, Beside CMR Central, Visakhapatam - 530 013. T: 0891 2753188, 9440190226 H.O: 151, Kamalapuri Colony, Near Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad - 500 073. T: 040 - 23547143, 9848055077 Mattresses Agarwal Home Comforts #48-18-75,Near Rama Talkies, Bullaya College Road, Vizag - 530 013. T: 0891 6637111, 9849577711 E: thevizag@gmail.com www.agarwalcomforts.com Real Estate Prasad's Township Pvt Ltd., #47-13-2, 2nd Floor, Lakshmi Arcade, Beside Sankaramatam, Dwarakanagar, VSP -16. NAD Jn. & Gajuwaka. Plot cost 99,000/for 100sq.yard & 200, 300, 400, 500, 1000 size Plots are available. Sreeram Nagar Layout Kothavalasa-Anandapuram road. a.kothapalli village, Devarapalli Mandalam, Visakhapatnam. T: 0891-2541229, 9912411477 Saloon ABDUL’S- Men Beauty Parlour & Family Salon Branches: A1 # 11-4-5/1, Shop No 4, Nowroji Road, Maharanipeta, Vizag - 2. T : 0891 - 2792812M : 9951173787. A2- Family Salon: # 58-01-336, 1st Floor, Near Bashyam Public School, Baji junction, Vizag - 02. T: 0891 - 6557737 www.abdulsthesaloon.in Avenue Hair & Beauty Unisex Salon Hair, Skin & Make-up Haritha Arcade # 10-50-54/1, Opp. Lions Club, Waltair Main Road, Ram Nagar, Vizag - 02. T : 0891-2520666, 8297120666 / 9966722395 Abhay Spikes The Men's Salon #24, Vuda Complex, Opp. Gurajada Kalashetram, Siripuram, Vizag - 530 001. T: 9885027449, 0891-2727449 Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty Ltd. For Men & Women #9-14-5, Praveen Plaza, VIP Road, Siripuram, Vizag - 530 003. T: 0891-2521142, 6667288, 8106788000 #58-14-51, Journalist Colony, Marripalem, Vizag - 530 009. T:0891-2780082 / 83 Well Groom - The Saloon Special packages for grooms Shop No: 4, Nr. HSBC, VUDA Complex, Siripuram, Vizag. T: 0891-6649488, 9849873999, www.wellgroom.in
Solar Systems Emandi Solar Systems #28-10-17/1, 2nd Floor, Emandi Lakshmi Towers, Suryabagh, Opp.GVMC, E-Seva, Vizag-530020. M: 9848197055, 9866444644, E: BORG@Emandi.IN & EKLRao@EmandiSolar.Com, WWW.EmandiSolar.Com Tours & Travels Travel Links D.No.30, Satya Surya Complex, Dwarakanagar, Vizag-16 T: 98483101117, 9246616117, 9246618117, E: priyatravellinks@yahoo.com red | december 2014 | 109
RED ALERT! REDEFINING CAREERS AHEAD WITH red MAGAZINE APPLY TODAY! red, the hip lifestyle magazine from Vizag has hooked everyone - from teens to business owners. Buoyed with overwhelming response, red now intends to splash big across Vizag & Hyderabad. And true to its name, red is now looking for energetic, ambitious and go-getters for various roles. Excellent communication skills a must. Salary negotiable. Come, join us to paint the cities red! Editorial Team - Asst. Editor / Copy Editor / Feature Writers Graduates / Post-graduates with good command over English, editing skills and ability to cover a wide range of subjects. Prefer: Prior experience in Print / Publishing industry.
Siva Shakthi Travels VIZAG Near Laxmi Ganapathi Temple, Visakha Eye Hospital Down, Pedawaltair Main Road, VSP T: 0891-2743338, M: 9246433338, 9848211093 E: sivashakthitravelsvsp@gmail.com www.sivashakthitravelsvsp.in Web Design Colour Moon Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Website: www.thecolourmoon.com Email: info@thecolourmoon.com Mobile: 9885281291, 9676600666 Branches: Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada. Wedding Planners V-Team Wedding Management Theme Decor, Sets, Entertainment, Mehendi, Sangeeth, “A to Z� for any event. Veerumama: 9348143927. E: veerumama9@gmail.com, www.vizagno1.com
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3) How much dirt is in a hole that is 3 ft deep, and 6 inches in diameter?
2 An electric train is traveling southwest at 95 miles per hour, and the wind is blowing northeast at 95 miles per hour. In which direction does the smoke blow?
1) If there are ď€ fteen crows on a fence and the farmer shoots a third of them, how many are left?
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1) None. They all fly away after hearing the shoots. 2) There is no smoke. It is an electric train. 3) None. A hole only has air in it, no dirt.
RNI: APENG/2011/38387 | POSTAL REG. NO. VSP/177/2014-2016