By S A Ishaqui
Like in many regions, Ramzan in Andhra Pradesh is linked to mouth- watering sevayya (vermicelli). The link between Ramzan and sevayya is so intimate that this festival has come to be known in the State as "semia la panduga" (feast of sevayya).
Sevayya is not just an ingredient or a dish. It's a tradition as far as Ramzan in the State is concerned. Every Muslim house in Andhra Pradesh used to be busy making hand-rolled sevayya in the last 10 days of the month. Everyone in the family right from the grandma to the toddler used to contribute in making the vermicelli. The neighbours too used to participate, lending their helping hand. In those days sevayya were not sold in the open market and they had to be made at home.
Till 1970s sevayya used to be rolled out by hands. It was a tedious and long- drawn process. Only the experts were involved in the main process, while others used to be engrossed in works like drying the wet vermicelli under the sun. The moulds ranged from ordinary eating plates to aluminium utensils.
Later machines, both manual and mechanical, were introduced, speeding up the process of sevayya preparation. But manual machines were quite popular in those days.
But with life becoming fast in the new millennium, the tradition of making sevayya at home has died down. Today sevayya, of various sizes, are readily available in the market. They are no longer made at home.
Kheer made of sevayya is a Ramzan delicacy and many Muslims make it a point to eat a bowl of sheer khurma before going to the Idgah or mosque to offer the Id prayers.
The making of Sevayya used to be an instrument in bringing hearts closer. It was a week-long process and used to bring the rich and the poor together. Both Muslims and Hindus used to participate in the preparation. There used to be one or two vermicelli machines in a mohalla.
People used to borrow the machine, one after one.
The wheat dough that's left in the machine is rolled into a chapati and cut into small diamond-shaped pieces, called sutlees. The payasam made of such sutlees is one of the Ramzan delicacies.
The sevayya machines have disappeared. So is the tradition of making vermicelli at home. Sevayya used to serve as a thread that bonds the hearts.
And with the tradition gone, the binding thread is broken.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Dr Y S R Reddy chopper crash : Separate probe not needed : AP High Court
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad,Sept. 10: The AP High Court on Thursday refused to gave a direction to the Centre to appoint a special investigation team to probe the helicopter crash which took the lives of the then chief minister, Y.S. Raja-sekhar Reddy, and four others.
A division bench comprising the Chief Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy, while disposing a petition filed by Mr R. Chandra Sekhar Reddy, Supreme Court advocate, said there was no need to appoint a team to probe the incident.
Mr A. Rajasekhar Reddy, assistant-solicitor-general, told the court that apart from the CBI, the DGCA and civil aviation authorities are also probing the incident. He said the state government had appointed a two-member expert team to conduct an inquiry into the mishap. While agreeing with the contentions of the Centre, the judges observed, “We do not see any other reason as to why we should order another probe.”
The bench made it clear that the petitioners can supply whatever material they have in this regard to the investigating agencies and get their doubts clarified.
Hyderabad,Sept. 10: The AP High Court on Thursday refused to gave a direction to the Centre to appoint a special investigation team to probe the helicopter crash which took the lives of the then chief minister, Y.S. Raja-sekhar Reddy, and four others.
A division bench comprising the Chief Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice C.V. Nagarjuna Reddy, while disposing a petition filed by Mr R. Chandra Sekhar Reddy, Supreme Court advocate, said there was no need to appoint a team to probe the incident.
Mr A. Rajasekhar Reddy, assistant-solicitor-general, told the court that apart from the CBI, the DGCA and civil aviation authorities are also probing the incident. He said the state government had appointed a two-member expert team to conduct an inquiry into the mishap. While agreeing with the contentions of the Centre, the judges observed, “We do not see any other reason as to why we should order another probe.”
The bench made it clear that the petitioners can supply whatever material they have in this regard to the investigating agencies and get their doubts clarified.
AP High Court will function from same place
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad,Sept. 10: The state government on Thursday made it clear that the High Court should function from the existing building and make use of the adjoining premises of the old maternity hospital till suitable land is allocated for its new complex.
The chief secretary, Mr Ramakanth Reddy, said this to the representatives of the High Court Advocates’ Association in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, and Chief Justice Anil R. Dave on Thursday. Mr Rosaiah had visited the fire-damaged High Court building along with Mr Ramakanth Reddy and the representatives of the advocates’ association had presented a memorandum seeking 150 acres for the new High Court complex.
Even the Chief Justice requested Mr Rosaiah to provide an alternative site for the court. To this, Mr Rosaiah said that he will instruct the Ranga Reddy collector to identify a suitable land and suggested the Chief Justice to continue the proceedings at the existing building.
Reacting to the demands of the association, Mr Ramakanth Reddy said the government cannot accommodate the advocates in either the old Begumpet airport or the MCHRD Institute on a temporary basis because many procedures are involved in vacating the existing offices.
He said the government has handed over the premises of the old maternity hospital to the court.
Hyderabad,Sept. 10: The state government on Thursday made it clear that the High Court should function from the existing building and make use of the adjoining premises of the old maternity hospital till suitable land is allocated for its new complex.
The chief secretary, Mr Ramakanth Reddy, said this to the representatives of the High Court Advocates’ Association in the presence of the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, and Chief Justice Anil R. Dave on Thursday. Mr Rosaiah had visited the fire-damaged High Court building along with Mr Ramakanth Reddy and the representatives of the advocates’ association had presented a memorandum seeking 150 acres for the new High Court complex.
Even the Chief Justice requested Mr Rosaiah to provide an alternative site for the court. To this, Mr Rosaiah said that he will instruct the Ranga Reddy collector to identify a suitable land and suggested the Chief Justice to continue the proceedings at the existing building.
Reacting to the demands of the association, Mr Ramakanth Reddy said the government cannot accommodate the advocates in either the old Begumpet airport or the MCHRD Institute on a temporary basis because many procedures are involved in vacating the existing offices.
He said the government has handed over the premises of the old maternity hospital to the court.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
141 persosns die of Dr YSR grief in Andhra Pradesh
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad,Sept. 4: In an unprecedented show of love for any politician in the history of modern Andhra Pradesh, at least 141 people have died (including suicides) because they were unable to bear the trauma of the loss of their leader, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.
One hundred and fifteen people died of cardiac failure and another 26 committed suicide after the chief minister died in a tragic helicopter crash deep in the Nallamali jungle.
While 42 people died on the first day (Thursday) soon after news of YSR’s death reached them, the toll went up to 141 on Friday as many could not bear the shock of their leader’s demise. All TV news channels beamed live the funeral procession and last rites, throwing people into a state of what psychologists described as "mass hysteria".
Psychiatrists explain the unprecedented number of deaths to the slow build-up of mental trauma and suppression of emotions over a period of 24 to 48 hours. The news of YSR’s helicopter disappearing was flashed on Wednesday afternoon and this caused mental agony and tension to his admirers. This state continued for a full day, heightening the trauma.
"People are attracted to leaders not only by their policies and programmes, but also by their personalities, the way they speak, dress and talk to them. This gradually creates a sort of hero worship and, when something tragic happens, they cannot bear the loss. This leads to mass hysteria," said senior psychiatrist Dr Yerra Sridhar Raju. He said there would have been mass violence had the news broken suddenly. "Now people are killing themselves. In case the news of death emerged the same day, people would have resorted to violence, killing others. They would have made someone their target of attack and would have taken to the streets."
Despite appeals to the people by chief minister K. Rosaiah and YSR’s son, Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, to not resort to suicide, the death roll kept increasing on Friday.
Twenty-three people died due to shock in Warangal district, while in East Godavari 14 people succumbed to shock and two committed suicide. Six people died in Krishna and three in Adilabad. In Narsapuram in West Godavari district, an MRPS activist climbed up a cell tower and threatened to end his life if Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy was not made chief minister.
The toll, district-wise, is Nalgonda 11, Medak 11, Mahbubnagar six, Karimnagar eight, West Godavari three, Prakasam six, Nellore and Chittoor seven each, Visakhapatnam five, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam five each, Hyderabad three and Nizamabad seven.
In Kadapa, a head constable died of a heart attack after watching the funeral procession on TV. The constable was a fan of Rajasekhar Reddy. He had been upset for the last two days.
Hyderabad,Sept. 4: In an unprecedented show of love for any politician in the history of modern Andhra Pradesh, at least 141 people have died (including suicides) because they were unable to bear the trauma of the loss of their leader, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.
One hundred and fifteen people died of cardiac failure and another 26 committed suicide after the chief minister died in a tragic helicopter crash deep in the Nallamali jungle.
While 42 people died on the first day (Thursday) soon after news of YSR’s death reached them, the toll went up to 141 on Friday as many could not bear the shock of their leader’s demise. All TV news channels beamed live the funeral procession and last rites, throwing people into a state of what psychologists described as "mass hysteria".
Psychiatrists explain the unprecedented number of deaths to the slow build-up of mental trauma and suppression of emotions over a period of 24 to 48 hours. The news of YSR’s helicopter disappearing was flashed on Wednesday afternoon and this caused mental agony and tension to his admirers. This state continued for a full day, heightening the trauma.
"People are attracted to leaders not only by their policies and programmes, but also by their personalities, the way they speak, dress and talk to them. This gradually creates a sort of hero worship and, when something tragic happens, they cannot bear the loss. This leads to mass hysteria," said senior psychiatrist Dr Yerra Sridhar Raju. He said there would have been mass violence had the news broken suddenly. "Now people are killing themselves. In case the news of death emerged the same day, people would have resorted to violence, killing others. They would have made someone their target of attack and would have taken to the streets."
Despite appeals to the people by chief minister K. Rosaiah and YSR’s son, Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, to not resort to suicide, the death roll kept increasing on Friday.
Twenty-three people died due to shock in Warangal district, while in East Godavari 14 people succumbed to shock and two committed suicide. Six people died in Krishna and three in Adilabad. In Narsapuram in West Godavari district, an MRPS activist climbed up a cell tower and threatened to end his life if Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy was not made chief minister.
The toll, district-wise, is Nalgonda 11, Medak 11, Mahbubnagar six, Karimnagar eight, West Godavari three, Prakasam six, Nellore and Chittoor seven each, Visakhapatnam five, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam five each, Hyderabad three and Nizamabad seven.
In Kadapa, a head constable died of a heart attack after watching the funeral procession on TV. The constable was a fan of Rajasekhar Reddy. He had been upset for the last two days.
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 4 : Last rites of late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's principal secretary P Subrahmanyam, chief security officer ASC Wesley and Group Captain S K Bhatia, who were killed along with him, were today performed in different parts of the state.
The last rites of pilot M S Reddy, who too was killed in the crash, will be performed tomorrow at Brindavanpuram in Miryiyalguda of Nalgonda district.
All the bodies were brought to the city from Kurnool yesterday after an autopsy.
Subrahmanyam's body was taken to Chemadgunta village in Nellore district where the last rites were performed this afternoon with state honours, police said.
The body of ASC Wesley was taken to Prakasam district and buried at Mamdipalem in Ongole town after state honours this evening, police said, adding the last rites of Group Captain S K Bhatia was performed in Alwal area of the city.
Hyderabad, Sept 4 : Last rites of late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's principal secretary P Subrahmanyam, chief security officer ASC Wesley and Group Captain S K Bhatia, who were killed along with him, were today performed in different parts of the state.
The last rites of pilot M S Reddy, who too was killed in the crash, will be performed tomorrow at Brindavanpuram in Miryiyalguda of Nalgonda district.
All the bodies were brought to the city from Kurnool yesterday after an autopsy.
Subrahmanyam's body was taken to Chemadgunta village in Nellore district where the last rites were performed this afternoon with state honours, police said.
The body of ASC Wesley was taken to Prakasam district and buried at Mamdipalem in Ongole town after state honours this evening, police said, adding the last rites of Group Captain S K Bhatia was performed in Alwal area of the city.
Friday, September 4, 2009
ALL MAJOR ROADS HAD TYPICAL ANDHRA TOMBSTONE WITH PORTRAITS OF A SMILING YSR IN A RED TURBAN "LONG LIVE RAJA"
By S A Ishaqui and Syed Akbar
Hyderabad, Sept 4 :
"Ayana chanipoledu, makosam tappaka vastadu" (He is not dead, he will return for us). This was the immediate reaction of many people after the state government confirmed the death of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, in a helicopter crash.
Many refused to believe that their leader is no more; it took them some time to recover from the shock and come to terms with the reality. Slogans like "YSR amar rahe," "Pedala pennidi, YSR," and "Badugula aashajeevi, YSR," reverberated all over the state, even as countless admirers and followers put up portraits of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy and black flags at street corners to express their love for their leader.
Every half-a-kilometre of major roads in the state had the typical Andhra tombstone with portraits of a smiling Rajasekhar Reddy in a red turban, and groups of people gathered around to mourn the leader they so obviously love. The portrait with the red turban tells it all. It encapsulated the man - a man of the masses who championed the cause of the farmer and the economically backward, the underprivileged and minorities.
"YSR jaisa aur koi nahi hoga. Garibo ko bohut madad kiya," (There will not be anyone like YSR. He helped the poor a lot) says a taxi driver, unable to control his emotions. Even those who had never met Dr Reddy personally felt a deep sadness and personal loss at his untimely death.
DR Reddy was nicknamed `Kadapa puli', and not without cause as he was quite a fiery and fierce leader, who was not afraid of demonstrating his displeasure or voicing his dissent. This earned him at first grudging, and later, real admiration. But even the people who had backed him as chief minister had underestimated his vision.
He came up with some of the most original and workable social schemes that touched many households that were socially and economically backward.
DR Reddy endeared himself to various sections of society.
"He is the first chief minister who has really done something concrete for Muslims in the last 60 years. He gave benefits to the community directly,"
says Mr Shaik Yakub Hussain, as he drives his autorickshaw that was financed through the AP Minorities Finance Corporation.
As a chief minister he was eager to turn Andhra Pradesh into a well developed state. If there was any leader in the state after N.T.
Rama Rao whose death has shocked the people so much, it's YSR's. In fact, YSR surpassed NTR in initiating populist schemes and development programmes. But, unlike NTR, Dr Reddy had no filmi charisma. He came up from the bottom of the political ladder entirely by his own efforts.
He was the only Congress chief minister of the state to have completed five years in office without any sign of dissidence. He also initiated many schemes for the uplift of the downtrodden and neglected segments of society. He was a man with an extraordinary character of coolness, trademark smile and devotion to God.
"Oka illu ichchadu, kadupu ninda bhojanam pettadu and pillala chaduvulakudabbu ichchadu. Rogavaste vaidyam cheinchadu," said Bhanothula Pulamma, one of the beneficiaries of the Indiramma scheme on the outskirts of the city. Dr Reddy's schemes centred around roti (Rs 2 a kg rice scheme), pani (irrigationJalayagnam), makaan (Indiramma housing), kaam (guaranteed employment), taleem (education-fee reimbursement), and sehat (health under Aarogyasri).
Dr Reddy took decisions that his predecessors dared not take. The Jalayagnam programme, reservations for Muslims, Arogyasri, fee waiver scheme for the underprivileged, Rs 2/kg rice scheme, free power to farmers and low interest rate for women's groups were unique welfare schemes that turned the fortunes of millions of families.
He believed in the Gandhian principle of padayatra to seek redressal of people's grievances. His 150km padayatra in Kurnool district in 1999, and the 1400-km-long padayatra under a scorching summer sun in 2003 catapulted him from a dissident leader to a political hero who cared for the have-nots. After these padayatras he was confident that the people were solidly behind him and he could take criticism in his stride. Even his political opponents vouchsafe that Dr Reddy had "turned soft" after his padayatras.
Affectionately called "Raja" by his close followers, he was a leader of the masses, who spent a lot of time with the people. He created a history of sorts when he surrendered his family's1000-acre of surplus lands to the state government.
His confidante, Mr K.V.P.
Ramachandra Rao, says that "Raja never deviated once he took a policy stand.
It was sometimes difficult for us to convince officials to do it if rules had to be bent or there were financial constraints."
He had a firm belief in the rightness of his decisions and was confident about his actions. It was this confidence that compelled him to take up Rs 60,000 crore worth of irrigation projects, even when the state exchequer was empty. His confidence-instilling words "beg, borrow or steal" have subsequently become a political trademark.
YSR's often used to say, "My mission is to make Andhra Pradesh the Annapurna of India and the IT hub of the world." Unfortunately, he left before his mission could be accomplished.
Though his many well wishers wished him a long life, Dr Reddy had said back in 2004: "I will not continue in politics after I complete 60 years." It may have been a political statement, but it has unfortunately come true.
"Raja never devi ated once he took a s e policy stand. It was sometimes difficult - for us to convince t officials to do , it if rules had to be bent or there were financial con. straints." K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao t Dr Reddy's confidante
Hyderabad, Sept 4 :
"Ayana chanipoledu, makosam tappaka vastadu" (He is not dead, he will return for us). This was the immediate reaction of many people after the state government confirmed the death of the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, in a helicopter crash.
Many refused to believe that their leader is no more; it took them some time to recover from the shock and come to terms with the reality. Slogans like "YSR amar rahe," "Pedala pennidi, YSR," and "Badugula aashajeevi, YSR," reverberated all over the state, even as countless admirers and followers put up portraits of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy and black flags at street corners to express their love for their leader.
Every half-a-kilometre of major roads in the state had the typical Andhra tombstone with portraits of a smiling Rajasekhar Reddy in a red turban, and groups of people gathered around to mourn the leader they so obviously love. The portrait with the red turban tells it all. It encapsulated the man - a man of the masses who championed the cause of the farmer and the economically backward, the underprivileged and minorities.
"YSR jaisa aur koi nahi hoga. Garibo ko bohut madad kiya," (There will not be anyone like YSR. He helped the poor a lot) says a taxi driver, unable to control his emotions. Even those who had never met Dr Reddy personally felt a deep sadness and personal loss at his untimely death.
DR Reddy was nicknamed `Kadapa puli', and not without cause as he was quite a fiery and fierce leader, who was not afraid of demonstrating his displeasure or voicing his dissent. This earned him at first grudging, and later, real admiration. But even the people who had backed him as chief minister had underestimated his vision.
He came up with some of the most original and workable social schemes that touched many households that were socially and economically backward.
DR Reddy endeared himself to various sections of society.
"He is the first chief minister who has really done something concrete for Muslims in the last 60 years. He gave benefits to the community directly,"
says Mr Shaik Yakub Hussain, as he drives his autorickshaw that was financed through the AP Minorities Finance Corporation.
As a chief minister he was eager to turn Andhra Pradesh into a well developed state. If there was any leader in the state after N.T.
Rama Rao whose death has shocked the people so much, it's YSR's. In fact, YSR surpassed NTR in initiating populist schemes and development programmes. But, unlike NTR, Dr Reddy had no filmi charisma. He came up from the bottom of the political ladder entirely by his own efforts.
He was the only Congress chief minister of the state to have completed five years in office without any sign of dissidence. He also initiated many schemes for the uplift of the downtrodden and neglected segments of society. He was a man with an extraordinary character of coolness, trademark smile and devotion to God.
"Oka illu ichchadu, kadupu ninda bhojanam pettadu and pillala chaduvulakudabbu ichchadu. Rogavaste vaidyam cheinchadu," said Bhanothula Pulamma, one of the beneficiaries of the Indiramma scheme on the outskirts of the city. Dr Reddy's schemes centred around roti (Rs 2 a kg rice scheme), pani (irrigationJalayagnam), makaan (Indiramma housing), kaam (guaranteed employment), taleem (education-fee reimbursement), and sehat (health under Aarogyasri).
Dr Reddy took decisions that his predecessors dared not take. The Jalayagnam programme, reservations for Muslims, Arogyasri, fee waiver scheme for the underprivileged, Rs 2/kg rice scheme, free power to farmers and low interest rate for women's groups were unique welfare schemes that turned the fortunes of millions of families.
He believed in the Gandhian principle of padayatra to seek redressal of people's grievances. His 150km padayatra in Kurnool district in 1999, and the 1400-km-long padayatra under a scorching summer sun in 2003 catapulted him from a dissident leader to a political hero who cared for the have-nots. After these padayatras he was confident that the people were solidly behind him and he could take criticism in his stride. Even his political opponents vouchsafe that Dr Reddy had "turned soft" after his padayatras.
Affectionately called "Raja" by his close followers, he was a leader of the masses, who spent a lot of time with the people. He created a history of sorts when he surrendered his family's1000-acre of surplus lands to the state government.
His confidante, Mr K.V.P.
Ramachandra Rao, says that "Raja never deviated once he took a policy stand.
It was sometimes difficult for us to convince officials to do it if rules had to be bent or there were financial constraints."
He had a firm belief in the rightness of his decisions and was confident about his actions. It was this confidence that compelled him to take up Rs 60,000 crore worth of irrigation projects, even when the state exchequer was empty. His confidence-instilling words "beg, borrow or steal" have subsequently become a political trademark.
YSR's often used to say, "My mission is to make Andhra Pradesh the Annapurna of India and the IT hub of the world." Unfortunately, he left before his mission could be accomplished.
Though his many well wishers wished him a long life, Dr Reddy had said back in 2004: "I will not continue in politics after I complete 60 years." It may have been a political statement, but it has unfortunately come true.
"Raja never devi ated once he took a s e policy stand. It was sometimes difficult - for us to convince t officials to do , it if rules had to be bent or there were financial con. straints." K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao t Dr Reddy's confidante
Dr P Subramanyam and his family ---->
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 4 :
Last rites of late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's principal secretary P Subrahmanyam, chief security officer ASC Wesley and Group Captain S K Bhatia, who were killed along with him, were today performed in different parts of the state.
The last rites of pilot M S Reddy, who too was killed in the crash, will be performed tomorrow at Brindavanpuram in Miryiyalguda of Nalgonda district.
All the bodies were brought to the city from Kurnool yesterday after an autopsy.
Subrahmanyam's body was taken to Chemadgunta village in Nellore district where the last rites were performed this afternoon with state honours, police said.
The body of ASC Wesley was taken to Prakasam district and buried at Mamdipalem in Ongole town after state honours this evening, police said, adding the last rites of Group Captain S K Bhatia was performed in Alwal area of the city.
Relatives, friends mourn CSO Wesley's demise
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 3 : A pall of gloom descended at the residence of A S C Wesley, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who was among the five killed in the chopper crash in dense Nallamala forest area at Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
Relatives, friends and colleagues of the police officer started gathering at his residence in Shantinagar colony today after hearing the tragic death of Reddy and four others including Wesley, who was accompanying the Chief Minister.
Wesley (44) is survived by wife, a 10-year-old son and a six-year-old daughter.
Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) A K Khan and other police officers visited CSO's house and paid their condolences.
Wesley, who hails from Ongole in Prakasam district, was selected as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) after appearing group-1 examination in 1998.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
48 people die of YSR shock in Andhra Pradesh
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 3 : Shocked by the sudden and tragic end of their leader, 47 people died in different parts of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. Six people died in East Godavari, five in Chittoor, while another YSR fan got a cardiac arrest in Vishakhapatnam. Two others died in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.
Daily wager B Padma (44), a Rajiv Arogyasri benefactor, from Vanamalla in Punganur, collapsed on hearing the news of YSR's death at 10 am and died. Parvathamma (22), from Kummaragunta village in Punganur mandal, too died of shock. An ardent fan of YSR, N Raja Reddy, 52, a shopkeeper in Piler, died of cardiac arrest as soon as he saw YSR's death on television. "The people around him tried to resuscitate him, but he was declared brought dead by doctors at a hospital,'' a relative said.
A farmer from Kadapa, Narsaiah (75), who came to Piler on personal work along with his wife and children two days ago, died of cardiac arrest after hearing the tragic news. In Durgasamudram, Shankaramma (37), a daily wage labourer, who recently underwent a heart surgery under Arogyasri, died at around 6 pm.
A degree student, Laxminarayana (19), studying in Chittoor Government Degree College, consumed pesticide. "My son could not take the sad news and resorted to the extreme step,'' his weeping mother C Lakshmamma said. The family hail from Chowdepalle mandal.
In East Godavari, six people died in the aftermath of YSR's death, while former minister Jakkampudi Ramamohan Rao fainted upon hearing the news. Four died of heart attack, two others hanged themselves unable to bear the grief. According to district police, N Yesubabu (20), of Narendrapuram in Rajanagaram mandal and Achanta Ramakrishna (48), of Nagaram in Mamidikuduru mandal committed suicide.
According reports reached here the state capital this nights , several others were died due heart attack after they hear the news of sad demise of their beloved leader. As many as 14 persons reportedly committed suicide shocked by the sudden and tragic end of their leader Dr Y S R Reddy.
Hyderabad, Sept 3 : Shocked by the sudden and tragic end of their leader, 47 people died in different parts of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday. Six people died in East Godavari, five in Chittoor, while another YSR fan got a cardiac arrest in Vishakhapatnam. Two others died in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam.
Daily wager B Padma (44), a Rajiv Arogyasri benefactor, from Vanamalla in Punganur, collapsed on hearing the news of YSR's death at 10 am and died. Parvathamma (22), from Kummaragunta village in Punganur mandal, too died of shock. An ardent fan of YSR, N Raja Reddy, 52, a shopkeeper in Piler, died of cardiac arrest as soon as he saw YSR's death on television. "The people around him tried to resuscitate him, but he was declared brought dead by doctors at a hospital,'' a relative said.
A farmer from Kadapa, Narsaiah (75), who came to Piler on personal work along with his wife and children two days ago, died of cardiac arrest after hearing the tragic news. In Durgasamudram, Shankaramma (37), a daily wage labourer, who recently underwent a heart surgery under Arogyasri, died at around 6 pm.
A degree student, Laxminarayana (19), studying in Chittoor Government Degree College, consumed pesticide. "My son could not take the sad news and resorted to the extreme step,'' his weeping mother C Lakshmamma said. The family hail from Chowdepalle mandal.
In East Godavari, six people died in the aftermath of YSR's death, while former minister Jakkampudi Ramamohan Rao fainted upon hearing the news. Four died of heart attack, two others hanged themselves unable to bear the grief. According to district police, N Yesubabu (20), of Narendrapuram in Rajanagaram mandal and Achanta Ramakrishna (48), of Nagaram in Mamidikuduru mandal committed suicide.
According reports reached here the state capital this nights , several others were died due heart attack after they hear the news of sad demise of their beloved leader. As many as 14 persons reportedly committed suicide shocked by the sudden and tragic end of their leader Dr Y S R Reddy.
Thousands gather to take last glimpse of YSR
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 3 : Thousands of mourners gathered on Thursday outside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's camp office here at Somajiguda to have a last glimpse of the charismatic leader who died in a helicopter crash.
A large number of Congress workers, supporters and politicians across the spectrum, including TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, visited the camp office-cum residence of the Chief Minister where the mortal remains of Reddy were kept after being brought from the crash site.
Naidu, along with his son Lokesh, placed a wreath on his body. Praja Rajyam leader Chiranjeevi, TRS MP Vijayshanti, CPI State Secretary K Naryana and Telugu film stars were among those who paid their tributes to YSR.
People consoled YSR's son and Kadapa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy who stood beside the casket along with Rajya Sabha member K V P Ramchandra Rao, a close aide of Reddy.
Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy and her ministerial colleagues were also present.
Earlier, the mortal remains of Reddy and four others were brought to old Begumpet Airport here by an Indian Air Force helicopter this evening from Kurnool district.
A huge crowd of mourners followed the cavalcade carrying the body of Reddy towards the camp office
The bodies of Reddy, his Principal Secretary P Subrahmanyam, Chief Security Officer A S C Wesley, Pilot S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were brought from Kurnool after an autopsy.
Reddy along with Subrahmanyam, Wesley and the two pilots were on board the twin-engined government helicopter that crashed in Nallamala forest in Kurnool yesterday.
The body of the chief minister will be kept in the L B Shastri Stadium here tomorrow to allow the general public to pay their last respects before being taken to his native village in Pulivendula in Kadapa district for final rites.
Meanwhile, the bodies of Subrahmanyam, Wesely, pilot Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were also shifted from the old Begumpet Airport to their residences in Somajiguda, Shanti Nagar, Yapral in Bollarum area and Vidya Nagar areas respectively.
Later, the body of Wesely was taken to his native place Adanki in Prakasam district.
Meanwhile, former state home minister Janna Reddy, BJP State President Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP MLA Kishen Reddy and Congress leader Sarve Satyanaryan paid a visit to co-pilot M S Reddy's house and consoled his family members.
Hyderabad, Sept 3 : Thousands of mourners gathered on Thursday outside Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's camp office here at Somajiguda to have a last glimpse of the charismatic leader who died in a helicopter crash.
A large number of Congress workers, supporters and politicians across the spectrum, including TDP supremo N Chandrababu Naidu, visited the camp office-cum residence of the Chief Minister where the mortal remains of Reddy were kept after being brought from the crash site.
Naidu, along with his son Lokesh, placed a wreath on his body. Praja Rajyam leader Chiranjeevi, TRS MP Vijayshanti, CPI State Secretary K Naryana and Telugu film stars were among those who paid their tributes to YSR.
People consoled YSR's son and Kadapa MP Jagan Mohan Reddy who stood beside the casket along with Rajya Sabha member K V P Ramchandra Rao, a close aide of Reddy.
Home Minister P Sabita Indra Reddy and her ministerial colleagues were also present.
Earlier, the mortal remains of Reddy and four others were brought to old Begumpet Airport here by an Indian Air Force helicopter this evening from Kurnool district.
A huge crowd of mourners followed the cavalcade carrying the body of Reddy towards the camp office
The bodies of Reddy, his Principal Secretary P Subrahmanyam, Chief Security Officer A S C Wesley, Pilot S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were brought from Kurnool after an autopsy.
Reddy along with Subrahmanyam, Wesley and the two pilots were on board the twin-engined government helicopter that crashed in Nallamala forest in Kurnool yesterday.
The body of the chief minister will be kept in the L B Shastri Stadium here tomorrow to allow the general public to pay their last respects before being taken to his native village in Pulivendula in Kadapa district for final rites.
Meanwhile, the bodies of Subrahmanyam, Wesely, pilot Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were also shifted from the old Begumpet Airport to their residences in Somajiguda, Shanti Nagar, Yapral in Bollarum area and Vidya Nagar areas respectively.
Later, the body of Wesely was taken to his native place Adanki in Prakasam district.
Meanwhile, former state home minister Janna Reddy, BJP State President Bandaru Dattatreya, BJP MLA Kishen Reddy and Congress leader Sarve Satyanaryan paid a visit to co-pilot M S Reddy's house and consoled his family members.
YSR dead : Jagan is likely to new CM of Andhra Pradesh
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Sept 3 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and four others were killed when their helicopter crashed on a hillock, about 74 km east of Kurnool, more than an hour it took off on Wednesday morning (8.30 am).
The charred bodies of 60-year-old Reddy and others and the wreckage of the twin-engined Bell 430 helicopter were located at 8.30 am today on a hillock.
YSR's body has been brought to Hyderabad from Kurnool after post-mortem.
The helicopter had deviated 18 km from its planned flight path. It took off from Hyderabad's Begumpet airport at approximately 8:38 am and remained in contact with the air traffic controller (ATC) in Hyderabad up to 9:13 am.
The helicopter was then supposed to switch over to communication with the Chennai ATC. It sent out signals to the Chennai ATC but lost radio contact soon after.
The helicopter appeared to have hit a tree, crashed and perhaps exploded. Chopper had deviated 18 km from its regular path. The bodies were charred and were in a state of getting decomposed because of incessant rain in the area, Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary Ramakanth Reddy said.
Others who died in the crash were Special Secretary P Subramanyam, Chief Secretary A S C Wesley, pilot Group Captain S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy.
People who were with YSR
There were four more people on board the helicopter carrying Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, which went missing on Wednesday morning.
Dr P Subrahmanyam
He was the principal secretary of Andhra Pradesh and one of the seniormost IAS officers in the state. He has been working at the chief minister's office for nearly five years
Captain S.K. Bhatia
The helicopter was flying under his command. He was endorsed with the type Bell 430 in June 2007, and had flying experience of more than 5,600 hours
Captain M.S. Reddy
He was the co-pilot of the chopper. He was endorsed with the type Bell 430 in January 2009, and had more than 3,200 hours of total flying experience, says the DGCA
ASC Wesley
He was the chief security officer of the chief minister. He does not come from the IPS and joined the chief minister's office just two months ago
Kadapa to be renamed
The Andhra Cabinet decided that Kadapa district will be renamed after the late chief minister. It will be called YSR district.
Gloom descended across the state as soon as news of YSR's death came in. Shops, theatres and restaurants shut down voluntarily in many districts.
Jagan is new CM of AP
With the sudden death of YS Rajasekhara Reddy, his supporters have initiated a campaign for making his son YS Jagan Mohan Reddy the new Chief Minister amidst a hunt for the successor.
While Jagan Mohan's name was being assiduously pushed, there are some other names including those of union minister S Jaipal Reddy and APCC president B Srinivas which have also cropped up as contenders in the race.
As senior most leader K Rosaiah was today sworn-in as Chief Minister, Union Law Minister and AICC in-charge for the state Veerappa Moily said it was only an "interim arrangement".
Shortly after he was sworn-in, Rosaiah met ministers of the Reddy Cabinet informally. Party sources said they all pressed for making Jagan Mohan Reddy, a first time member of the Lok Sabha, the Chief Minister.
Nearly 10 ministers openly campaigned for Jagan Mohan Reddy to be made the Chief Minister, saying his successor should be "a person who thinks on the lines of YSE and cares for the poor."
A signature campaign is also said to have been initiated by the ruling party's Chief Whip in the Assembly B Vikramarka backing their demand.
Those, who openly pushed Jagan Mohan's case, include Major Irrigation Minister P Lakshmiah, Health Minister D Nagender, Women and Child Welfare Minister K Surekha, Small Scale Industries Minister D K Aruna, Forest Minister P Ramachandra Reddy and Backward Classes Welfare Minister Mukesh Goud.
The Forest Minister even threatened to split the party if it comes to that.
Even as huge crowds of mourners collected in front of Reddy's house, some were seen displaying placards in support of Jagan Mohan as the next Chief Minister. "We want Jagan as CM," read one of them.
Congress sources said among the options being considered by the High Command is the need to choose a successor who will also be from the dominant Reddy community. And in that case, the choice has to be on whether continuing with YSR's legacy by opting for his son or go for experience.
Some sections said even Rosaiah could not be ruled out in view of his association with the party for decades and experience as Minister in various governments.
On Rosaiah being sworn in, Moily told reporters "this is only an interim arrangement to respond to certain Constitutional obligations. This arrangement will continue till the Congress Legislature Party meets and elects its new leader."
Congress sources in Delhi said the CLP meeting would be held after the mourning period.
Reddy's funeral on Friday
Reddy's funeral will take place in his hometown in Pulivendala in Kadappa district in southern Andhra Pradesh tomorrow.
A state holiday has been declared in Andhra Pradesh on Friday. Meanwhile, Punjab also has declared a two-day state mourning. Closure of government offices and educational institutions has been ordered.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Ms Sonia Gandhi are expected to go to Andhra Pradesh on Friday.
"It's a huge loss for the Congress. He was a man with a vision. All Congressmen and the people of Andhra Pradesh will remember him," said
Congress president Ms Sonia Gandhi .
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said "the Congress has lost a tall leader. YSR launched many welfare programmes for the people of Andhra Pradesh".
In Guntur district, a man committed suicide by consuming pesticide. Another man died of a heart attack in the same district after learning of YSR's death.
Y S Rajasekhar Reddy no more
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, August 3 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and four other persons were killed in the helicopter that crashed in the Nallamala Hills in bad weather on Wednesday losing radio contact an hour after take off from Hyderabad.
The bodies of Dr Rajasekhar Reddy (60),his Principal Secretary S Subramanyam, Chief Security Officer A S C Wesley, pilot Group Captain S K Bhatia and co-pilot M S Reddy were found on Rudrakonda Hill, 40 nautical miles east of Kurnool.
His Bell 430 chopper went down in bad weather.Army commandos recovered the bodies of all the five people including the Chief Minister who were on board the twin-engine Bell chopper.
An Indian Air Force helicopter had on Thursday morning located the mangled remains of the helicopter.
The news of the tragedy filtered out after a meeting of the Congress core group at the Prime Minister's residence, but fears had been growing since Wednesday night when search operations to locate the missing chopper were unsuccessful.
The helicopter took off at 8.35 am from the old Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad on Wednesday.
The Chief Minister was on his way to Chittoor, for a function when his helicopter went missing in inclement weather around 9.30 am on Wednesday in the dense Nallamalla forests.
Police said the bodies were identified by their clothes as they were charred beyond recognition in the crash.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
AP High Court ignore early fire warnings
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad,Aug. 31: The consumption of power in excess of installed capacity is reported to have caused the short circuit that led to the blaze in the AP High Court.
The Chief Justice Anil R. Dave met the full court and decided to constitute a judges’ committee to probe into the cause of the mishap and suggest safety measures.
The decision came after a briefing by a Transco official that the capacity of the cable installed at the HC was 150 KV, whereas it was consuming more than 400 KV per day.
The CJ discussed the lapses while citing a letter send to the fire services department recently, and asked the judges’ committee to look into the aspect during the probe and suggest measures.
A Transco official said, “We had informed the administrative authorities that excess withdrawal of power causes melting of cables and it becomes vulnerable to short circuit.”
Sources said three minor mishaps occurred on the court premises in the last four months due to overheating and melting of cables, one of which was in the CJ’s court.
Three weeks ago, an airconditioner got burnt in the Chief Justice’s court when he was conducting proceedings. On the ground floor a cable exploded outside of the court hall No.14
Hyderabad,Aug. 31: The consumption of power in excess of installed capacity is reported to have caused the short circuit that led to the blaze in the AP High Court.
The Chief Justice Anil R. Dave met the full court and decided to constitute a judges’ committee to probe into the cause of the mishap and suggest safety measures.
The decision came after a briefing by a Transco official that the capacity of the cable installed at the HC was 150 KV, whereas it was consuming more than 400 KV per day.
The CJ discussed the lapses while citing a letter send to the fire services department recently, and asked the judges’ committee to look into the aspect during the probe and suggest measures.
A Transco official said, “We had informed the administrative authorities that excess withdrawal of power causes melting of cables and it becomes vulnerable to short circuit.”
Sources said three minor mishaps occurred on the court premises in the last four months due to overheating and melting of cables, one of which was in the CJ’s court.
Three weeks ago, an airconditioner got burnt in the Chief Justice’s court when he was conducting proceedings. On the ground floor a cable exploded outside of the court hall No.14
AP High Court up in flames
By S A Ishaqui
Hyderabad, Aug 31: A major fire that broke out in the 90-year-old AP High Court building on Monday shook the authorities rudely as the very stability of the historic structure is threatened by the inferno.
Structural engineers, who visited the spot, later briefed Chief Justice Anil R Dave that the fire caused extensive damage to the walls of the central part of the building. They suggested against the use of the court halls located on
the first and the ground floors of the building till they submitted the final report on Thursday.
The experts detailed the damage to the judges in a full court meeting held at the administrative building soon after the fire mishap.
As many as 10 chambers including six used by judges, the Registrar-General of the High court's chamber, a judges lounge, mini conference hall and a library of judges located on the first and the second floors of the building were destroyed in fire. A court hall (court No. 7 ) adjoining the conference hall was also damaged. However, none was injured in the mishap.
The library, which had an extensive collection of books, many of which are considered highly valuable, bore the brunt of the mishap.
Sources in the judiciary told this correspondent that the library had the rarest
collection of England Law Reports, Privy Council Journals and a lifesize portrait of the Nizam and portraits of judges.
The imported furniture of antique value and two big alarms brought from England as also decorative chandeliers housed in the library were gutted.
However, the registrar-general said the records of the High Court are "absolutely safe". The fire had not touched the records.
Following the mishap, holiday has been declared for the High Court on August 31 and
September 1. The Registrar-eneral said arrangements are made to take up urgent matters as and when moved. He said the High Court will regularly function from September 2.
According to judicial authorities, the fire broke out on the second floor located in the central part of the building at about 4.40 am. A security guard and a watchman of the court noticed the fire and informed the sub-inspector of the special protection force on the night duty. Special Protection Force is looking after the
security of the building.
Sub-Inspector Brahama Chary informed the fire services at 4.50 am and fire tenders rushed to the spot within 15 minutes after receiving the information.
About 15 fire brigades were pressed into service to extinguish the flames. The fire was brought under the control by at 7.30 am, said the registrar-general.
The authorities said initial reports suggested that it was caused by an electric
short-circuit. However, top officials of the police and the fire department are trying to ascertain the cause of the fire.
Forensic department experts collected samples from the spot to find out what had caused the mishap.
This is said to be the first major fire accident in the AP High Court since it started functioning on April 20, 1920.The construction started on April 15, 1915 and was completed on March 31, 1919. The High Court building was inaugurated by Nizam VII.
The High Court stands on the south bank of the River Musi. This is one of the finest
buildings in the city, built in red and white stones in Saracenic style, by Nizam VII Mir Osman Ali Khan.
The Chief Justice visited the spot at 5.15 am and later Governor ND Tiwari, and ministers Ms Sabita Indira Reddy,Mr Danam Nagender, and Mr M Venkata Ramana and city police commissioner Mr B Prasada Rao and Ms Aruna Bahuguna, director-general of fire services are visited the spot. A case was lodged in the Charminar police station by the High court authorities.
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