The onset of Akshaya Tritiya season this year has made the jewellers in the city keep their fingers crossed, with the skyrocketing price of the yellow metal. Yet, with the sentiment of purchasing gold during Akshya Tritiya engrained in the minds of Indians, perhaps, there may not be any dearth of buyers.
It's a day of roaring business for jewellers, with people thronging shops to buy gold on Akshaya Tritiya, considered auspicious for starting new ventures or making new purchases.
Over the years, like many other festivals, Akshaya Tritiya too, with the sentimental value of well-being of the household attached to it, has come to make its own space in the State.
Almost more than 1500 and odd jewellery shops located at Abids, Basheerabagh, Siddiamber Bazaar, Charminar, General Bazaar, Banjara Hills and Pot Market in Secunderabad will be crowded this week as customers, especially women will make a beeline for the gold.
Coins and lightweight jewellery are mostly in demand. After April, things have started to look up and sales have become normal as people are ready to splurge on gold but still rates are fluctuating.
Expressing concern over gold prices hitting the roof, Jitten Parmar, One of the partners from Shree Raj Jwellers said: "We expect 10 to 15 per cent increase in sales from last year though the current high prices are a cause for concern. A lot of advance bookings are already happening."
Banners and posters with special discount offers on diamonds and gold jewellery exclusively made for the brides in connection with the ongoing marriages are placed in many shops. In some centres, the shop owners made arrangements by opening special counters with deploying additional staff to tackle the customer rush.
This time, not only jewellers, but banks also made arrangements for selling gold. "Walk into our bank and purchase pure gold," said the SMS messages sent across by the banks to their customers.
—Anubha K. Singh
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Early onset of monsoon likely
It was a pleasant surprise for Hyderabadis who were caught unawares by a sudden spell of rain. Relief from the scorching sun is on the way for Hyderabadis and people living in different parts of the State, especially the Coastal region, in the next few days. The Meteorological Department officials said on Monday that advance rainfall was likely in the State capital and other parts of the State due to a depression that had formed over the Bay of Bengal.
The depression is the result of the strengthening and deepening of westerly winds and increased pressure gradient over the Bay of Bengal. This will gradually bring down soaring temperatures in the next one week. The weatherman said a maximum temperature of 42.3°C was recorded in Hyderabad on Monday and that it would come down to a bearable 38°C by the weekend.
"I love riding my bike in the rain. It was unexpected but much welcomed. The cool breeze, which accompanied the rain, was a welcome relief. It's been so hot since last week so the sudden change in weather was just perfect," said G Ravi.
In the coastal region, the heavens may open up in the next couple of days.
The depression that has formed over the Bay of Bengal, 1,050 km off the Visakhapatnam coast in south easterly direction, is likely to intensify further and develop into a deep depression.
Under its influence, coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to experience fairly widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places. Squally winds with speeds reaching up to 45-50 kmph are likely along the coastal region. The state of sea will be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for the time being.
Meanwhile, the much-awaited southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31. The monsoon may cross the Andhra coast at Nellore in the first week of June. According to the Met Department, the southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala three days in advance, if moisture in the air is high. If the monsoon sets in AP early, it would be a record of sorts since southwest monsoon has never arrived in advance. In fact, it was delayed by a maximum of seven days in the past.
The depression is the result of the strengthening and deepening of westerly winds and increased pressure gradient over the Bay of Bengal. This will gradually bring down soaring temperatures in the next one week. The weatherman said a maximum temperature of 42.3°C was recorded in Hyderabad on Monday and that it would come down to a bearable 38°C by the weekend.
"I love riding my bike in the rain. It was unexpected but much welcomed. The cool breeze, which accompanied the rain, was a welcome relief. It's been so hot since last week so the sudden change in weather was just perfect," said G Ravi.
In the coastal region, the heavens may open up in the next couple of days.
The depression that has formed over the Bay of Bengal, 1,050 km off the Visakhapatnam coast in south easterly direction, is likely to intensify further and develop into a deep depression.
Under its influence, coastal Andhra Pradesh is likely to experience fairly widespread rainfall with heavy to very heavy rainfall at some places. Squally winds with speeds reaching up to 45-50 kmph are likely along the coastal region. The state of sea will be rough to very rough and fishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for the time being.
Meanwhile, the much-awaited southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala by May 31. The monsoon may cross the Andhra coast at Nellore in the first week of June. According to the Met Department, the southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala three days in advance, if moisture in the air is high. If the monsoon sets in AP early, it would be a record of sorts since southwest monsoon has never arrived in advance. In fact, it was delayed by a maximum of seven days in the past.
Auto Show South 2010, a big hit
With all major carmakers making their presence felt at the Auto Show South 2010 at the Hitex in Madhapur by rolling out their latest models, the show turned out to be a treat for prospective buyers and car enthusiasts.
An exhibition was set to make drooller out of the entire city, Auto Show South 2010, the premier regional automotive event, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in conjunction with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), was held from May 13 to 16 at the Hitex Exhibition grounds. The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association of India (FADA) also supported the event.
The show was intended to focus on the south Indian market. The exhibition comprised the latest in cars, bikes, SUVs, car accessories, video systems and GPS navigation schemes. Participating companies include the global giants, including General Motors, Skoda Auto, Honda, Fiat, Mercedes, Toyota, Tata Motors and M&M.
The Indian automotive industry has witnessed an unprecedented boom in recent years, owing to the improvement in living standards of the middle class, and a significant increase in their disposable incomes. With southern region being one of the most important markets and contributors for this growth, the first Auto Show South in Hyderabad aimed to facilitate larger regional exposure, display of latest products on offer, technology transfer, one to one interaction with the end customers, promote sales and provided opportunities to make network with the automobile and related industries.
Premier vehicles, some of which are the Hybrid Prius, New Prado Diesel, Land Cruiser and Fortuner, were kept on display. The visitors present also took participation in go- karting, torture track, safety rides, vehicle launches, puc campaign, etc.
The first day of the event was exclusively for the media, the second day was for the manufacturers and dealers, and the last 2 days was for the general public.
"To promote automotive manufacturing clusters in AP, the APIIC is developing exclusive automotive parks near Toopran and Chevella on the outskirts of Hyderabad and also at Naidupet in Nellore district," Chief Minister Rosaiah said.
An exhibition was set to make drooller out of the entire city, Auto Show South 2010, the premier regional automotive event, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in conjunction with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), was held from May 13 to 16 at the Hitex Exhibition grounds. The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA), and the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association of India (FADA) also supported the event.
The show was intended to focus on the south Indian market. The exhibition comprised the latest in cars, bikes, SUVs, car accessories, video systems and GPS navigation schemes. Participating companies include the global giants, including General Motors, Skoda Auto, Honda, Fiat, Mercedes, Toyota, Tata Motors and M&M.
The Indian automotive industry has witnessed an unprecedented boom in recent years, owing to the improvement in living standards of the middle class, and a significant increase in their disposable incomes. With southern region being one of the most important markets and contributors for this growth, the first Auto Show South in Hyderabad aimed to facilitate larger regional exposure, display of latest products on offer, technology transfer, one to one interaction with the end customers, promote sales and provided opportunities to make network with the automobile and related industries.
Premier vehicles, some of which are the Hybrid Prius, New Prado Diesel, Land Cruiser and Fortuner, were kept on display. The visitors present also took participation in go- karting, torture track, safety rides, vehicle launches, puc campaign, etc.
The first day of the event was exclusively for the media, the second day was for the manufacturers and dealers, and the last 2 days was for the general public.
"To promote automotive manufacturing clusters in AP, the APIIC is developing exclusive automotive parks near Toopran and Chevella on the outskirts of Hyderabad and also at Naidupet in Nellore district," Chief Minister Rosaiah said.
Voters' enrolment drive from May 28
Special voters' enrolment drive would be conducted between May 28 and June 12 with a target to achieve 100 per cent voter enrolment in the State. The Election Commission of India (ECI) held state-level consultations on Improving Electoral Rolls Management recently in city.
The Chief Electoral Officer has convened a meeting of representatives of political parties, university vice-chancellors, voluntary organisations, welfare associations, senior officials of various departments and others to take their views on voter enrolment programme.
The decision came only after the members and representatives of various political parties in the State urged State Chief Electoral Officer IV Subba Rao to take up necessary corrections in the voters' list and steps for the new voter I-card enrolment.
The members also urged the CEO to take steps ensuring that the names of the voters, who carried EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) be mentioned in the voters' list in the polling stations during elections.
As part of the drive, about 500 voter enrolment centres would be opened in colonies and bastis. A tracking system would also be set up to know the status of those who have applied for enrolment. Besides, e-seva centres will be utilised for the service of voters' enrolment and drop boxes would be set up at every public place.
This time the main focus would be on the first-time voters who have just turned 18 years and are not getting enrolled. According to recent survey by the ECI only about 30 per cent of the eligible voters in this age group were currently enrolled. The remaining 70 per cent needed to be registered in the electoral rolls. The ECI would also enter into an MoU with the Universities, Residential Associations and SHG groups for the purpose.
The 12-day exercise will involve publication of the draft rolls on May 28 followed by submission of claims and objections till June 12. The claims and objections would be disposed of by June 26, the database will be updated by July 10 and the final rolls will be published on July 17. In respect of the 12 Assembly constituencies in the twin city, the database would be updated by June 30 and the final rolls published on July 12.
The Chief Electoral Officer has convened a meeting of representatives of political parties, university vice-chancellors, voluntary organisations, welfare associations, senior officials of various departments and others to take their views on voter enrolment programme.
The decision came only after the members and representatives of various political parties in the State urged State Chief Electoral Officer IV Subba Rao to take up necessary corrections in the voters' list and steps for the new voter I-card enrolment.
The members also urged the CEO to take steps ensuring that the names of the voters, who carried EPIC (Electoral Photo Identity Card) be mentioned in the voters' list in the polling stations during elections.
As part of the drive, about 500 voter enrolment centres would be opened in colonies and bastis. A tracking system would also be set up to know the status of those who have applied for enrolment. Besides, e-seva centres will be utilised for the service of voters' enrolment and drop boxes would be set up at every public place.
This time the main focus would be on the first-time voters who have just turned 18 years and are not getting enrolled. According to recent survey by the ECI only about 30 per cent of the eligible voters in this age group were currently enrolled. The remaining 70 per cent needed to be registered in the electoral rolls. The ECI would also enter into an MoU with the Universities, Residential Associations and SHG groups for the purpose.
The 12-day exercise will involve publication of the draft rolls on May 28 followed by submission of claims and objections till June 12. The claims and objections would be disposed of by June 26, the database will be updated by July 10 and the final rolls will be published on July 17. In respect of the 12 Assembly constituencies in the twin city, the database would be updated by June 30 and the final rolls published on July 12.
Heavy rains bring city life to a grinding halt
Heavy rains lashed twin city on Tuesday bringing the temperature considerably down. While it bought cheer as the first major rain this monsoon, it also exposed the poor preparation of the city to deal with the monsoon.
Normal life was thrown out of gear as several low-lying areas, including Lakdikapul, were inundated with water. Motorists had to negotiate with waterlogged roads near Nampally, Abids, Begumbazaar after pre-monsoon showers lashed Hyderabad.
The tall claims of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and State Government about their preparation for the monsoon were exposed. Tuesday's showers showed that the city is ill prepared to face the monsoons and people are now dreading waterlogged roads and overflowing drains in the coming weeks. Low lying areas in Panjagutta, Khairatabad, Lakdi ka pul, Erram Manzil, Mehdipatnam, Toli Chowki and Dilsukhnagar and several other neighbourhoods were flooded with both drain and rain water.
Overflowing open drains added to people's woes. Vehicular traffic was thrown out of gear in several areas in the central part of the city as almost all the roads were waterlogged. A traffic police official, who was trying to manage traffic at the busy Panjagutta crossing, said the waterlogging was mainly due to the outdated drainage system.
The southwest monsoon is all set to reach Andhra Pradesh from June 5 and the State is expecting copious rains this time. Southwest monsoon is very crucial for State as it brings around 80 per cent of the rainfall that the State annually gets. The State witnessed drought in many districts last year because of adverse weather conditions between June-October.
The Indian Meteorological Department said southwest monsoon would hit the State in next five days. Normally, southwest monsoon enters AP on June 5," said Dr M Satya Kumar, director of Hyderabad Meteorological Centre.
—Anubha K Singh
Normal life was thrown out of gear as several low-lying areas, including Lakdikapul, were inundated with water. Motorists had to negotiate with waterlogged roads near Nampally, Abids, Begumbazaar after pre-monsoon showers lashed Hyderabad.
The tall claims of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and State Government about their preparation for the monsoon were exposed. Tuesday's showers showed that the city is ill prepared to face the monsoons and people are now dreading waterlogged roads and overflowing drains in the coming weeks. Low lying areas in Panjagutta, Khairatabad, Lakdi ka pul, Erram Manzil, Mehdipatnam, Toli Chowki and Dilsukhnagar and several other neighbourhoods were flooded with both drain and rain water.
Overflowing open drains added to people's woes. Vehicular traffic was thrown out of gear in several areas in the central part of the city as almost all the roads were waterlogged. A traffic police official, who was trying to manage traffic at the busy Panjagutta crossing, said the waterlogging was mainly due to the outdated drainage system.
The southwest monsoon is all set to reach Andhra Pradesh from June 5 and the State is expecting copious rains this time. Southwest monsoon is very crucial for State as it brings around 80 per cent of the rainfall that the State annually gets. The State witnessed drought in many districts last year because of adverse weather conditions between June-October.
The Indian Meteorological Department said southwest monsoon would hit the State in next five days. Normally, southwest monsoon enters AP on June 5," said Dr M Satya Kumar, director of Hyderabad Meteorological Centre.
—Anubha K Singh
Rising mercury gives residents a tough time
Soaring mercury coupled with constant power cuts has put residents in the city in hardships. Residents who are already facing a tough time with Hyderabad experiencing a maximum of 41.5 degrees Celsius to 42.5 degrees Celsius, the season's highest temperature so far, are also worried over the sudden power cuts in different spells in many parts of the city that is continuing throughout the day and even in night-- sometimes in various localities.
The local Meteorological office has forecast that the heat wave conditions would prevail over Telangana and isolated parts of Rayalaseema during next two to three days. Besides, mainly dry weather is likely to prevail over coastal Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions. The Met officials warned that the mercury would increase a couple of degrees further with maximum temperature likely to hover around 43 degrees Celsius in coming days.
Many parts of the State are in the grip of a heat wave with day temperatures shooting up rapidly in the last few days. Heat wave conditions are prevailing in Adilabad, Karimnagar Mahbubnagar, Krishna and other districts apart from Hyderabad. After a gap of 10 years, Hyderabad has been experiencing the highest day temperature of around 42.5 degrees Celsius for the last few days.
The mercury is continuing to soar and there is no respite from the heat in sight. The constant power cuts are also not a very good news for many schools that are revising their academic calendar, making changes to protect children from the harsh sun.
Delhi Public School, Gachibowli, has reduced school timings by an hour and the management has announced vacations would start a week in advance, from April 17 as against on April 24 citing "summer'' as the reason. "The normal school timing is 8 am to 3 pm but now it has been changed to 7.45 am to 1.30 pm.
Schools designated as SSC exam venues have been asked by the state government not to run afternoon classes because of the sweltering conditions. In addition, almost all CBSE schools in the city have either cut short school timings or have announced an early vacation.
The local Meteorological office has forecast that the heat wave conditions would prevail over Telangana and isolated parts of Rayalaseema during next two to three days. Besides, mainly dry weather is likely to prevail over coastal Andhra, Telangana and Rayalaseema regions. The Met officials warned that the mercury would increase a couple of degrees further with maximum temperature likely to hover around 43 degrees Celsius in coming days.
Many parts of the State are in the grip of a heat wave with day temperatures shooting up rapidly in the last few days. Heat wave conditions are prevailing in Adilabad, Karimnagar Mahbubnagar, Krishna and other districts apart from Hyderabad. After a gap of 10 years, Hyderabad has been experiencing the highest day temperature of around 42.5 degrees Celsius for the last few days.
The mercury is continuing to soar and there is no respite from the heat in sight. The constant power cuts are also not a very good news for many schools that are revising their academic calendar, making changes to protect children from the harsh sun.
Delhi Public School, Gachibowli, has reduced school timings by an hour and the management has announced vacations would start a week in advance, from April 17 as against on April 24 citing "summer'' as the reason. "The normal school timing is 8 am to 3 pm but now it has been changed to 7.45 am to 1.30 pm.
Schools designated as SSC exam venues have been asked by the state government not to run afternoon classes because of the sweltering conditions. In addition, almost all CBSE schools in the city have either cut short school timings or have announced an early vacation.
Hoardings, a cause of concern as GHMC shows double standards
Motorists, two-wheeler riders, auto-rickshaw passengers and bus commuters in Hyderabad, particularly those zooming around the VVIP zones, can breathe easy. That is if the twin developments in the past ten days are taken as pointers and are implemented in totality.
The decision of the city police urging the GHMC authorities and the respective advertisers to do away with billboards and hoardings from areas frequented by VVIPs is a significant development.
The police top brass feels that this would go a long way in curbing terror menace as they apprehend that the billboard boxes could be used to plant bombs. Perhaps that may hold true from the security point of view. However, it comes as a whiff of fresh air for drivers and riders for altogether different reasons.
Saidulu, who operates Route No 49M that passes through most of the VIP roads, has a more pragmatic opinion. He points out, "By removing hoardings, I can assure you that there will be a dramatic reduction in the number of road accidents. The blaring and gaudy hoardings are major distractions." The GHMC has decided to remove advertising lollipop boards in three roads frequented by the Chief Minister and other VVIPs.
The lit up boards will now be replaced with single sheet lollipops on the central medians of Raj Bhavan, NTR Marg and Secretariat to begin with. Altogether 10 roads have been identified as those having regular VVIP movements requiring a change in the boards of the more than 20 such roads having box type illuminated lollipops.
However, instead of the box-type lollipops, new slate-type ones will be allowed. But no permission would be given for any kind of advertisement board under flyovers.
On one side, GHMC looks more concerned about the VVIPs and on the other hand it doesn't seems so caring for the common public by permitting the LED hoardings to light up again. Earlier, there was a strong opposition from the traffic department for allowing such hoardings as it was causing distractions and leading to road accidents.
The then Chief Justice pulled up the Municipal Corporation to High Court for allowing such hoardings as it was causing "distractions" and leading to road accidents and High Court had ordered to shut down these hoardings.
Earlier decision was taken up in the wake of a unipole collapse incident on Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, near KBR Park in April 2007, which claimed a life. The High Court also viewed it seriously and asked the GHMC to shut hoardings. Close on the heels of this incident, another life was lost when an advertisement board had fallen off a shopping mall at Santosh Nagar.
But now such LED hoardings already installed at the old spots of Rasoolpura, Greenlands and Somajiguda circle will come to life soon. Now the interesting part will be to see how the traffic department will react to the decision of the GHMC.
As of now, there are about 3,000 lollipops, including some under flyovers, on 12 main roads where VVIPs frequent. The GHMC earns Rs 37 crore advertisement revenue through hoardings, unipoles, and lease of advertisements on bus shelters, lollipops, ads on central median and electricity poles.
—Anubha K Singh
The decision of the city police urging the GHMC authorities and the respective advertisers to do away with billboards and hoardings from areas frequented by VVIPs is a significant development.
The police top brass feels that this would go a long way in curbing terror menace as they apprehend that the billboard boxes could be used to plant bombs. Perhaps that may hold true from the security point of view. However, it comes as a whiff of fresh air for drivers and riders for altogether different reasons.
Saidulu, who operates Route No 49M that passes through most of the VIP roads, has a more pragmatic opinion. He points out, "By removing hoardings, I can assure you that there will be a dramatic reduction in the number of road accidents. The blaring and gaudy hoardings are major distractions." The GHMC has decided to remove advertising lollipop boards in three roads frequented by the Chief Minister and other VVIPs.
The lit up boards will now be replaced with single sheet lollipops on the central medians of Raj Bhavan, NTR Marg and Secretariat to begin with. Altogether 10 roads have been identified as those having regular VVIP movements requiring a change in the boards of the more than 20 such roads having box type illuminated lollipops.
However, instead of the box-type lollipops, new slate-type ones will be allowed. But no permission would be given for any kind of advertisement board under flyovers.
On one side, GHMC looks more concerned about the VVIPs and on the other hand it doesn't seems so caring for the common public by permitting the LED hoardings to light up again. Earlier, there was a strong opposition from the traffic department for allowing such hoardings as it was causing distractions and leading to road accidents.
The then Chief Justice pulled up the Municipal Corporation to High Court for allowing such hoardings as it was causing "distractions" and leading to road accidents and High Court had ordered to shut down these hoardings.
Earlier decision was taken up in the wake of a unipole collapse incident on Road No. 2, Banjara Hills, near KBR Park in April 2007, which claimed a life. The High Court also viewed it seriously and asked the GHMC to shut hoardings. Close on the heels of this incident, another life was lost when an advertisement board had fallen off a shopping mall at Santosh Nagar.
But now such LED hoardings already installed at the old spots of Rasoolpura, Greenlands and Somajiguda circle will come to life soon. Now the interesting part will be to see how the traffic department will react to the decision of the GHMC.
As of now, there are about 3,000 lollipops, including some under flyovers, on 12 main roads where VVIPs frequent. The GHMC earns Rs 37 crore advertisement revenue through hoardings, unipoles, and lease of advertisements on bus shelters, lollipops, ads on central median and electricity poles.
—Anubha K Singh
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