It is known that a new variant Omicron (B.1.1.529) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was reported in South Africa, and the outbreak has caused concern world-over. Already, the officials at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport are on high alert with regards to checking the arriving passengers from various countries. Already, PM Modi has talked of imposing a travel ban to curtail any spread of the new variant.Those flying in from Botswana, South Africa, Israel, Belgium, and Hong Kong will be put through rigorous tests, and screening and testing will be done based on the guidelines by the Union Ministry of Health of Family Welfare.If tested positive, the samples will be immediately sent to the nearest Genome Sequencing Laboratory (GSL), which happens to be the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, which is part of the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) that tracks emerging new variants of concerns (VOCs) in India.So far, 100 cases of COVID by Omicron variant have been reported in South Africa. And WHO has made it clear that it will take a few weeks before the medical fraternity can come to certain conclusions on the variant virus and its impact. However, health and surveillance teams are alert at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, and Vijayawada to track all travelers from ‘at risk’ countries.Meanwhile, Telangana health director Srinivasa Rao says that people need to be careful all over once again. Wear masks, follow all COVID protocols and maintain distance from people. They should stop being lax and stop moving about in crowds.

City on High Alert for COVID’s New Variant Omicron

Of late, it does not come as a surprise if one is into different passions. Once upon a time, it was said Jack of all trades is master of none. But the present generation is proving this age-old proverb wrong. Today, a lot of people have a vocation or vocations apart from their profession. And one such multi-talented person happens to be <a href="https://www.instagram.com/madhuchevakula">Madhu Chevakula</a>, who is from Hyderabad.Madhu happens to be a teacher by profession, but that’s not all. He is a biker, trekker, and self-taught photographer who clicks birds and animals. And Madhu says he is equally passionate about all his interests. His beautiful journey began five years back when he first went on a bike trip to Spiti Valley in 13 days. Prior to that, he completed his first trek covering 6000 mts in Manali and had the chance to explore various places locally.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/nbn-engine/uploads/24bae21931bce3284cee013e016dbf257a01d56f.jpg" alt=""> And during such trips, he also developed a passion for photography, though he got initiated into the world of pictures right in his backyard. He happened to spot a beautiful bird near his house and captured the bird in myriad colors. Since then, he trained himself to take awe-inspiring photographs of animals and birds. His peers helped him, he got tips from fellow riders during his trips, and he experimented quite a bit to get the techniques right.Growing up listening to his grandparents’ travel stories, he developed a deep passion for traveling. So far, he has covered Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and most of the southern states. In the coming future, he hopes to cover Telangana and other Indian states.He is also a father of a seven-yr-old son, who he took on a trek when the boy was just two years old. But Madhu maintains that his wife is his constant support.

Teacher Captures Birds, Animals Through His Pictures

Socialite Tella Shilpa, alias Shilpa Chowdary and her husband Tella Krishna Srinivas Prasad were arrested by the city police in connection with a cheating case. The police report says that the couple has been living in a villa in Gandipet. Shilpa used to conduct lavish kitty parties and made people believe that she is doing real estate business. She asked for investments from people by saying she would share profits she earned, and if she didn't get any profit, she would pay interest for the invested money.Shilpa also made people believe that she has contacts with big stars in the Tollywood industry. Shilpa and Krishna have allegedly cheated many people in the name of giving high interest on their investment into the real estate business.The couple was arrested by the police after a case was registered against them at the Narsingi police station.On October 13, victim Divya and her husband Pradeep Reddy filed a complaint at the Narsingi police station. After investigation, Shilpa and her husband Srinivas were arrested, and cases have been booked under 406, 420, 341, 506 sections. Reports say that A-3 and A-4 are absconding. Rajendra Nagar Metropolitan Magistrate rejected the bail petition and issued orders to keep the prime accused under judicial remand for 14 days.Police filed a petition seeking the custody of the accused to investigate further. However, the case was adjourned to Monday. Police said that some of their close friends from the film industry are suspected of being victims of the couple's notorious acts.Deputy Commissioner of Police M Venkateshwarlu said that they would interrogate the couple for more information. The reports also suggest that the couple had taken Rs. 5 to 6 crore from some people.

High-Profile Socialite and Her Husband Arrested in Cheating Case

Jogging or walking on the lush green campus of <a href="https://www.osmania.ac.in/">Osmania University</a> is a famous activity for health enthusiasts in Hyderabad. But from December 1, it will do a lot of good for the university’s coffers too. According to sources, the university administration has decided to collect Rs 200 per month as user charges from those who intend to use the OU campus for jogging or for walking.For thousands of people from the adjoining areas of the Osmania University, including Adikmet, DD Colony, Tarnaka, Vidya Nagar, Manikeshwar Nagar, Amberpet, and Habsiguda, the campus has been a favorite spot for fitness activities such as walking, jogging, running, and yoga.OU Vice-Chancellor Prof R Ravinder said that several walkers are ready to pay even 500 for using the OU campus. But they have decided to charge only 200/- per month. In addition, they will be providing walking tracks, drinking water facilities, and bio-toilets for the walkers on the campus.The varsity has also decided to make available its playgrounds and gymnasium for outsiders on payment of charges. The gymnasium will be available in two slots from 6 am to 9 am and 5 pm to 8 pm, for which the university will charge Rs 1,000 per person. The playground usage will be permitted from 6 am to 8 am and 4 pm to 6 pm. People can also use the football ground, basketball court, and athletics camps by paying a monthly charge of Rs 500 for each facility.With effect from December 1, only university staff, bonafide students of university colleges with ID cards, and pass holders will be allowed to use the OU gymnasium, playgrounds, and campus. Further details are available on their <a href="www.Osmania.ac.in">website</a>.

Jogging Costs Rs. 200 Now on Osmania Campus

The state government is all set to take a decision based on the recommendations of a three-member committee regarding the setting up of a construction university on the National Academy of Construction (<a href="https://nac.edu.in/">NAC</a>) premises, Madhapur. The same was also revealed by roads and buildings minister V Prashanth Reddy.The R&amp;B minister participated in NAC’s 42nd executive committee conference and shared that NAC functioned even during COVID times and that about 19,000 people were trained in different fields last year and were provided employment accordingly. This year, NAC’s target is to train 20,000 people. On the occasion, the minister stated that a decision had been taken to offer one-year special post-graduation education under the aegis of NAC to all those who completed their BTech course.During the visit, Reddy also inaugurated a new solar training lab set up Schneider Electric India Foundation and Hydraulics Mechanic Lab set up by L&amp;T. He also visited the construction equipment training yard for interaction with the construction equipment industry partners and handed over tool kits sponsored by Saint Gobain Gyproc to two successful NAC drywall false ceiling trainees turned entrepreneurs.NAC also decided to train 20,5000 people in 2021-22, which also includes training of 4500 unemployed youth and skill up-gradation for 12,000 construction workers.

State Govt to Set Up Construction University on NAC Premises

HMDA is working relentlessly to develop an IT cluster in and around Rajendra Nagar. It is being said that the proposed IT corridor will be developed in the government land at Budwel, which falls under Rajendra Nagar limits. Efforts are on to make a cluster meeting international standards as the place falls close to Hyderabad's international airport.The concerned authorities are looking at various designs to finalize a model that will be functional and futuristic. The IT hub will be having office space, convention halls, restaurants, and hotel-style boarding houses.HMDA has about 165 acres of land in Budwel, of which 105 acres are lying vacant. The idea is to reduce the load on the present IT corridor and develop an area close to Shamshabad airport so that there is ample commercial activity in the area.After deciding on this, HMDA is now sifting through various designs by architect giants for the IT cluster. The officials share that once the best designs are chosen, they will get the state government's approval and start working on the project. Another sidelight is that with the development of this cluster, the prices of 250 acres of government land in Budwel will become extremely high.And once that happens, the land pockets will be auctioned on the lines of Kokapet land parcels. For the uninitiated, earlier, TSIIC made an effort to develop the IT cluster but withdrew later. A team of officers headed by MD chief secretary Arvind Kumar surveyed the lands, and they have decided to develop about 58 lakh sq ft land that will have office, residential, commercial spaces along with modern convention centers, conference halls. They also shared that once the designs are finalized, the entire project will take three years to complete.Also, about 200 start-ups will get workstation facilities here. The place will also be used to hold international conferences.But the interesting bit is that the deadline for submission of designs is barely a week away. The companies that will take up construction work and design will be finalized by the second week of December.

Rajendra Nagar to Become IT Hub Due to its Proximity to Airport

On Thursday, Chandrayangutta police arrested Syed Hassan Askari (52), who had been raping a woman for more than ten years. He was cheating her by saying he was molesting her to relieve her from evil spirits by performing black magic. His son Syed Afroz (35) raped the woman on several occasions as well and was also arrested by police.Under the pretext of black magic, the woman was being raped, but she realized it only after she got to know that Baba Askari had also raped her younger sister (23) on many occasions and approached the police. Police registered a case against the father-son duo under Sections 376 (2) (n), 420, 506 of the IPC and Section 7 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.&nbsp; The police then collected the evidence, arrested them after they confessed their crime, and sent them to remand.The victim was acquainted with Syed Hassan Askari through her maternal uncle when her mother was down with a prolonged illness. Askari performed black magic and got her mother cured. Since then, they have depended on him for every issue. The victim even divorced her husband after Askari told her that her husband had an evil influence. He also made them sell their house, saying that there was an evil spirit in their house. Askari took a major portion of the cash from the sale of the house.Further, he performed some spells and hypnotized her frequently, due to which she used to do whatever he said. Finally, he raped her on several occasions, taking advantage of this. He also created rifts between the victim and her family members.

Baba Arrested for Raping Lady for More Than a Decade

The first bridge to be constructed in Hyderabad, Puranapul, is set to regain its lost glory. Urban Development Special Chief Secretary Arvind Kumar tweeted on Thursday that the repair works would be carried out in the next few days.On his social media account, he wrote that Puranapul is being taken up immediately for bringing back its glory – removing encroachments, pruning wild shrubs, lighting, cleaning, re-carpeting road, properly planning hawker area, and creating enough space for sitting/walking. All requested to cooperate.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Puranapul?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Puranapul</a> is being taken up immediately for bringing back its glory - removing encroachments, pruning wild shrubs, lighting, cleaning, re- carpeting road, properly planning hawker area &amp; creating enough space for sitting / walking All requested to cooperate Watch this space <a href="https://t.co/18M8CJSXnQ">https://t.co/18M8CJSXnQ</a>— Arvind Kumar (@arvindkumar_ias) <a href="https://twitter.com/arvindkumar_ias/status/1463560737964449799?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 24, 2021</a></blockquote>Due to the impact of last year's floods in the city, the bridge has been in danger of falling apart.As per the records, it was built in 1578 by Ibrahim Qutb Shah (1550-80), the third monarch of the Qutb Shahi of the Golconda dynasty, as a link between the Golconda Fort. There is a gateway which is called the Puranapul Darwaza at the end of the bridge.

City's First Bridge Puranapul Set To Regain Its Lost Glory

In what will be a good push to the already thriving pharma industry in Hyderabad, the state government has announced the setting up of a multi-industry-supported innovation and technology hub for flow chemistry in the city. They intend to ensure greater incorporation of flow chemistry techniques in pharma R&amp;D and greater adoption of continuous synthesis for manufacturing of active pharma ingredients (APIs).The hub would function as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) and is being set up at Dr. Reddy’s Institute of Life Sciences (DRILS). The Centre will receive funding from Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd and Laurus Lab. A consortium agreement for setting up CoE on flow chemistry was signed on November 25, 2021.MA&amp;UD minister KT Rama Rao spoke on the occasion and said that the government of Telangana was delighted to facilitate and support the establishment of CoE with the help of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories and Laurus Labs. He went on to congratulate the life sciences team that enabled this. KTR further stated that the effort would help bring a paradigm shift towards the incorporation of modern approaches from R&amp;D to manufacturing and migration to greener and sustainable processes in the pharma industry across the country.On its part, the Telangana government would encourage more pharma firms to join the consortium and will provide strategic support and scale-up for the hub. As of now, there are about 800 pharma companies, and Hyderabad happens to have the highest number of USFDA approved facilities globally and contributes to about 35 percent of India’s pharmaceutical production.

Telangana Govt Plans Big to Strengthen City’s Pharma Industry

E-waste or electronic waste is indeed a relevant problem in present times. No longer can one turn a blind eye to this reality, and it is time that the governments took the necessary measures to eliminate e-waste in the best possible way without harming the environment. However, for this to happen, the citizens of the city are equally responsible for sorting out their e-waste and disposing of it in a sensible manner in keeping with the guidelines given out by the government.The people living in greater Hyderabad have every reason to worry as e-waste is increasing tremendously in the city, which is the IT hub of the country. A study by Environmental Protection Training Research Institute (<a href="http://eptri.telangana.gov.in:8080/eptri/">EPTRI</a>), Hyderabad, showed that the annual e-waste of greater Hyderabad is presently 40,000 tonnes per annum. The institute also warned that the waste would go up to 1 lakh tonnes in the next five years, which is a reason to be alarmed. In addition, the EPTRI also suggested that if the e-waste is not disposed of properly, it could be detrimental to the health of people and will mean an environmental hazard.Though the city’s e-waste is treated scientifically, the collection of e-waste is not satisfactory as many dump their e-waste along with the household waste. The sad part is that all this e-waste goes untreated directly into landfills.In fact, the city has e-waste centers in Kukatpally, Khairatabad, Hafeezpet, Jubilee Hills, and Secunderabad. On its part, EPTRI has suggested that the state pollution control board (PCB) increase the number of collection centers in the city and also organize awareness drives to educate citizens on e-waste disposal.E-waste contains hydrocarbons and heavy metals, which, when not treated properly, can enter the waterbodies and destroy food chains and ecosystems before contaminating resources such as soil, water, and air. So, when people inhale toxic air, then it affects their nervous and blood circulatory systems.

E-waste to Double in 5 years, Citizen Responsibility Need of the Hour

The widening of the Nalas in Greater Hyderabad seems to be not happening. Under the pilot project, GHMC has decided to widen Nalas of 30 km long in six zones at the rate of one in each zone. Tenders were called but contractors did not show interest as bills are not cleared for work already done.&nbsp;Also, the contractors did not show interest due to some other conditions imposed by the GHMC. The corporation has mandated special vehicles to transport the sludge that is removed from the Nalas. The contractors did not come forward to bid as it would cost around Rs 50 lakh to buy them. They are not ready to invest such a big amount when they are not sure when the bills will be cleared.The state government launched the SNDP (Strategic Nala Development Program) project after heavy rains in October last year. The then Minister KTR also announced that the widening of the Nalas would be completed soon. It was revealed that the Nalas will be developed in Greater with Rs 858 crore. Contractors are worried to take up works without specific funds allocation. Attempts by the authorities to rectify the situation have not come to fruition.