Hyderabad is quite famous for its food scene these days. While the city boasts of some fancy restaurants of late, it has its share of famous street food points that make the whole scene pretty tantalizing. And one food stall that has been in business for the past 60 years and is evergreen as it used to be is <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir//Bhagawati+Pani+puri/data=!4m6!4m5!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x3bcb99cba635ed65:0x9f0579865d6f0ed2?sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwidjum4ptbzAhVDbn0KHaHaBkAQ9Rd6BAhkEAQ">Bhagawathi Pani puri</a>&nbsp;or Famous Gupchup shop in Kachiguda.The place cannot be missed as it's quite near to the Mahankali temple in Kachiguda, and during the evenings, the place is filled with people. One can see a huge gathering of people wanting to eat Pani puri and chaat here. In fact, the place is totally crowded between 5 pm and 7 pm. And just about everybody takes more than one plate of chaat here.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/nbn-engine/uploads/6394cf3fa8d59be5e73b0fda8d9d004cb60670b1.jpg" alt=""> The place was started by Bhagawathi's grandfather about 60 years back in the same place. So when the time came for someone to run the business, Bhagawati took over the reins, and she has been running it for the past 35 years. And now, both her sons Rajeshwar and Maheshwar, who happen to be engineering graduates, chose to join the business as they did not want to do a 9-5 job.The best part about Bhagawathi Pani Puri center is that their Pani puris have amla juice in them instead of the usual tamarind water. From the pani puris to the spicy water, Bhagawathi makes everything at home.One must-try chaat here happens to be ragda chaat, apart from pani puris. As for the price, one can understand that it will be pretty affordable as it's true street food.

60-year-old Bhagawathi Chat Shop, a Must-try for Pani Puri Lovers

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">On Monday, the World Health Organization (<a href="https://www.who.int/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">WHO</a>) released a statement that it expects Bharat Biotech to provide more info on its COVID vaccine, which means the company's hopes of getting an emergency-use listing for the shot goes for a toss. The two-dose <a href="https://www.bharatbiotech.com/covaxin.html" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Covaxin</a> is unlikely to be accepted as a bonafide COVID-19 vaccine around the world without WHO's nod. </blockquote>Bharat Biotech is an Indian multinational biotechnology company headquartered in Hyderabad and has been pursuing an emergency-use listing from WHO for several months, having submitted data on a rolling basis since July.On their official Twitter handle, WHO said that they are aware that many people are waiting for WHO's recommendation for Covaxin to be included in the COVID19 Emergency Use Listing, but they cannot cut corners.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">We are aware that many people are waiting for WHO’s recommendation for Covaxin to be included in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> Emergency Use Listing, but we cannot cut corners - before recommending a product for emergency use, we must evaluate it thoroughly to make sure it is safe and effective. <a href="https://t.co/GDx8GAc1KU">pic.twitter.com/GDx8GAc1KU</a>— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1450069244910129154?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote>The response from Bharat Biotech is still awaited on WHO's statement.As it has been widely reported, Covaxin is one of the three approved vaccines that are being used in the country for the vaccination drive for adults. Around 30% of about 944 million eligible adults have been fully vaccinated so far, including administering more than 112 million doses of Covaxin.WHO also added that Bharat Biotech has been submitting data on a rolling basis, and WHO experts have reviewed these data. WHO is expecting one additional piece of information from the company on Tuesday.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Bharat Biotech - the manufacturer of Covaxin - has been submitting data to WHO on a rolling basis and WHO experts have reviewed these data. WHO is expecting one additional piece of information from the company today. <a href="https://t.co/kfaNI05KIw">https://t.co/kfaNI05KIw</a>— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1450069497642110978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote>On Sunday, WHO's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said that the agency's technical advisory group would meet on October 26 to consider the listing for Covaxin.
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">When the information provided addresses all questions raised, WHO and the Technical Advisory Group will complete the assessment and come to a final recommendation whether to grant Emergency Use Listing to the vaccine. <a href="https://t.co/QULXMYRGMf">https://t.co/QULXMYRGMf</a>— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) <a href="https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1450070059112706053?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 18, 2021</a></blockquote>

City-based Covaxin Receives a Setback from WHO

There was a time when Hyderabad used to have its showers, mostly in the months of June, July, and August and sometimes in September. However, of late, the city is experiencing delayed monsoon, and the state of Telangana is getting heavy showers even in the months of October and November. Well, monsoons are the ideal time to visit beautiful Kuntala waterfalls in the Adilabad district.It is an ideal destination for a long drive, and it happens to be the highest waterfall in Telangana. Incidentally, the Kuntala waterfall originates from the convergence of several ponds that lead to the Kadem river. What makes the waterfall really awe-inspiring is the fact that it comes down as two separate waterfalls adjacent to each other. And the waterfall is located in the dense teak forest of Neredikonda village, which is about 300km from Hyderabad.What’s more enchanting is the drive up to the waterfall. There is lush greenery on both sides of the route, and it is a photographer’s delight. Though one can reach the waterfall from various routes, one has to trek for about 20 minutes to reach the waterfall.But one must be aware that there are quite a few monkey ‘gangs’ that one gets to meet on the way, and it is best to avoid carrying food packets. However, make sure to take water with you as you need to ascend and descend quite a few steps.As for food, you can have your fill at the many dhabas sprinkled around the area, which serve hot vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. Also, be prepared for the trek by wearing comfortable footwear and clothing.

Kuntala Waterfalls - An Ideal Weekend Getaway for Hyderabadis

For city-based ceramist <a href="http://artsquareindia.com/testimonial/manpreet-singh-nishter/">Manpreet Singh Nisther</a>, working with nature is a way of life. Having worked as a marketer for around 12 years, he quit his job about two years ago and started off giving life to his passion. He uses his <a href="http://artsquareindia.com/">art</a> form to help his clients experience nature and be one with it. In fact, his home and studio totally reflect his philosophy of life.Over a period of time, Manpreet built an eco-friendly home and ceramic studio for himself at a gated community in Kokapet. Today, he specializes in making and designing custom-made ceramic wall murals, fine art decor, and exotic tableware from eco-friendly zero-waste materials. Manpreet shares that he stopped using single-use plastic some 28 years back and has consciously chosen to lead an eco-friendly life. He shares that his work, too, is mostly from upcycled waste.His house and studio, too, have been built with re-purposed industrial waste. The house has many openings that allow one to see the sky and experience natural air and light. In fact, one of the walls in his studio is made with recycled wine bottles. Manpreet says even in the seven washrooms in the house; there are no electric ventilators. The entire space allows for the natural flow of air.But Manpreet does take a break from the concrete jungle to be one with nature every six months. He goes off to the Himalayas and Western ghats to get inspiration for his work. Manpreet’s most sought-after crafts include leaves, butterflies, flowers, birds, fish, turtles, and seashells. At times, he uses a mix of one or two crafts to make one piece. He also uses upcycled wine bottles to create abstract and crystalline fine art ceramic pieces.Manpreet wakes up at 4 am every morning and goes about his craft. He says pottery and sculpting are like mediation for him as his work involves all major elements such as water, fire, air, and earth. He also uses a power-efficient electric kiln that helps to keep the carbon footprint low.

Get a Bit of Nature into Your House in Ceramic Style

Plans are afoot to set up a layout under the auspices of HMDA in Medchal District Bogaram. Land pooling is being carried out by HMDA officials to develop the layout which will be set up on an area of 120 acres. Authorities are preparing for the lay-out with the farmers agreeing to give up their lands. Medchal‌ District Revenue officials are examining the title deeds of farmers who have agreed to give their lands.Bogaram in Medchal district is located close to the city of Hyderabad. With this, HMDA took steps to set up a layout. Medchal district almost merges with Hyderabad. As a result, land prices have skyrocketed there. Focusing on development, HMDA has decided to set up a lay-out at Bogaram near the Outer Ring Road.Many roads connect to Bogaram village. Officials expect the layout to come at seven kilometers from Ghatkesar railway station, four kilometers from Rampally Dayara Outer Ring Service Road, eight kilometers from Keesara Junction Outer Ring Road, seven kilometers from the Warangal Highway National Highway, and a close to Kesara.People from different parts of the country are settling in the Medchal district. There are Outer Ring Roads connecting the district. People are interested in Medchal district as it is convenient for public transport. In addition, there are thousands of industries in the district, and lakhs of people are employed. With this, people are preferring to settle in the area. In view of this, HMDA is preparing a plan to set up Bogaram Layout.

120 Acres Layout In Bogaram To Push Medchal Real Estate

Train passengers boarding at Secunderabad station will have to pay user charges going forward. Indian Railways is all set to implement user charges for the first time under the South Central Railway at Secunderabad station. The Railway Board has recently clarified that user charges will be levied on passengers on the lines of airports as part of the redevelopment of about a thousand selected stations (A-1) across the country. Secunderabad station has been included in this list.However, initially, the user charges will be limited to those traveling in AC bogies. First AC passengers may be charged up to 30 Rupees, and second and third AC passengers will be charged around 25 Rupees. A South Central Railway official said the charges were likely to be levied within 30 days. Ordinary bogies, passenger, and MMTS trains will be exempted from user charges.Although currently limited to AC bogie passengers on major express trains, user charges are likely to apply to sleeper class and other categories in stages. After Secunderabad, user charges will be gradually extended to Nampally, Kachiguda, Vijayawada, and Tirupati stations. In fact, despite the Railway Board's proposal in the past, its implementation has been postponed due to the spread of corona in the country.At Secunderabad station, which handles 150 trains and 1.85 lakh passengers a day, parking, toilets, drinking water, and restrooms are all run entirely by private companies. The Indian Railway Station Development Corporation (IRSDC) has already drawn up plans for the redevelopment of the Secunderabad station, but the project was stalled due to reluctant investors because of the pandemic.Secunderabad station generates Rs. 1.65 crore income every day. It is estimated that about 30,000 people travel in AC bogies on long-distance trains. There are about eighty such trains plying every day. An average user charge of Rs 25 per AC passenger would fetch Rs 7.5 lakh per day. As part of the station's redevelopment, there is a proposal to set up shopping malls, entertainment, and hotels on about 2.5 acres of land at the station.

User Charges On AC Passengers Of Secunderabad Station

Asian Group, the leading film distribution, and exhibition firm has become a synonym for swanky multiplexes. The AMB Cinemas, the multiplex in Gachibowli, a joint venture of Asian Group and Superstar Mahesh Babu is one of the best multiplexes in the country. They recently inaugurated AVD Cinemas in Mahabubnagar in partnership with Vijay Deverakonda.&nbsp;And then, there is another venture, AAA Cinemas with Allu Arjun coming up soon in Ameerpet. It will replace the old Satyam Theater Complex. Buzz in the movie circles is that the same group is planning another state-of-the-art multiplex at RTC X Roads.The Multiplex which will be called 'AMB Victory' is said to be coming at the site of the old Sudharshan 70 mm and is a joint venture of Asian Group, Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh, and Rana Daggubati. We hear that another celebrity is also showing interest to join this business. When completed, this multiplex is going to be an iconic spot at the RTC Cross Roads. At the same time, it will also pose a big challenge to the Single screen theaters which are already struggling in the area.

AMB Victory - A State-of-Art Multiplex Coming At RTC X Roads?

Vegetable prices, which have been stable for the past few days, are getting wings for once. Prices have been rising day by day for the past few days, baffling the common man. Onion prices are also rising again. The price of onions which are around 20-25 Rupees till recently has gone up to Rs 40 to 50 per kg in the retail market.&nbsp;With this, the common people are worried that the prices of vegetables are going up again. Traders say the supply of tomatoes from Telangana districts to Hyderabad has been severely reduced. Due to untimely rains, crop loss has created a huge gap between supply and demand. At present, the price of a kilo of tomato in the retail market is around Rs 60 to Rs 70.The Hyderabad market normally imports 150 to 180 lorries of tomatoes per day. But now traders say even 80 lorries a day are not coming in properly due to crop losses. With this, prices are said to be rising. Traders said the onion crop was also damaged due to unseasonal rains, which pushed up prices. Moreover, supply from Maharashtra is also said to be down. The Onion crop in Telangana districts is said to have been damaged due to rains. Traders say the situation will remain the same for another month.

Onion And Tomato Prices Skyrocket In The City

Sanitation in Hyderabad is crumbling. Garbage has accumulated everywhere on the main roads. The Corporation did not pay much attention to Garbage removal due to consecutive holidays. The situation is similar across the city. In some areas, people say, garbage is not removed for a week. Currently, there is a growing concern about seasonal fevers. Dengue and viral fevers are on the rise due to garbage, flies, and mosquitoes.GHMC, which disposed of dust bins all over Greater six months ago under the name ‘Dust Bin Less City’ but is not paying much attention to garbage collection since then. The city, which has a population of over a million, has only 2,800 clean autos to go door-to-door and pick up trash. Of these, more than 500 autos do not enter the field.Some people who received Swachh autos under the ‘Owner cum Driver Scheme’, took the autos and went undetected. There are many others who are utilizing them for their own works. As a result, autos do not come to most areas for garbage collection. In some areas, people complain that the autos are not coming on time. If the garbage is left outside their houses, street dogs litter them.&nbsp;GHMC is spending more than ever on the garbage disposal. It used to spend 160 crores per annum till 2016. Since then, it has been operating through agencies, spending up to Rs 660 crore a year. GHMC previously owned 800 garbage vehicles. Through these vehicles, the garbage is moved to dumping yards. GHMC has set aside 600 garbage vehicles due to over 15 years of service. Currently, only 200 vehicles are moving garbage. Although the cost has increased by Rs 460 crore compared to the past, the problem has not been solved.Hyderabad is not getting a good rank in the Swachh Survekshan Survey being conducted by the Central Government. The City has been ranked 20th since 2015 among the cities of the countries in cleanliness. In 2016, it was ranked 19th. In the last year, Hyderabad has gone out of the Top-20. Officials are ignoring the fact that the city was not getting a good rank in the survey due to its lack of cleanliness.

Hyderabad: No Chance Of Bettering Swachh Rank?

The people of Hyderabad enjoyed Dussehra to the fullest. People of the city celebrated the festival in full josh resulting in the bumper sale of liquor and meat. Liquor sales were at record levels this week. Excise officials said liquor sales worth Rs 222.23 crore have happened in the city in the last week.&nbsp;Between the 12th and 14th of this month, in just three days, more than Rs 75 crore worth of liquor was sold. During Dussehra, 7.78 lakh cases of liquor and another 2.36 lakh cases of beers were sold in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and Medchal districts. The Greater Hyderabad typically consumes 10 lakh kg of chicken per day.&nbsp;However, on Thursday and Friday alone, about 50 lakh kg of chicken was sold. Greater Hyderabad people preferred chicken over mutton for the festival as the price of mutton is on the higher side. Mutton has sold about 10 to 15 lakh kg in the last three days which is still a lot higher than the usual sale.

Dussehra Effect: Liquor And Meat Sales Create New Record

Telangana Tourism aficionados have a new destination to feed on their interest. Qutub Shahi era’s <a href="https://mahabubnagar.telangana.gov.in/gallery/koilkonda-fort/">Koilkonda Fort</a> is located in <a href="https://www.google.com/maps?q=koilkonda+fort&amp;um=1&amp;ie=UTF-8&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwi6l6v-gqHyAhUpzIUKHRTMDwMQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw">Mahbubnagar</a> district of Telangana and has become the new favorite weekend getaway of Hyderabadis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/nbn-engine/uploads/3074ab1ccb3aeb1e3bad21d26f656883dc6797af.jpg" alt=""> The Koilkonda Fort is located on a hilltop and is 140 km away from Hyderabad. It was the frontier of the Qutub Shahi dynasty.An ancient tank is located on one of the sides of the historic fort. One has to pass through seven gates, to enter the fort.The fort comprises a mosque, pond, and an eidgah in its vicinity. An ashoorkhana dedicated to Fatima Bibi (R.A) is also a tourist's delight. As the fort is situated at the top of the hill, Koilsagar reservoir can be viewed from it.The Koilsagar reservoir is located at a distance of 34 km. Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan built this dam during 1945-48. Mountains surround the reservoir.&nbsp;According to the tourist guides, it is best for the public to visit the Koilkonda fort during the winter season.