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Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Residents in several areas root for fixation of inundation woes
Hyderabad: Each monsoon season brings immense hardship to Hyderabad residents, particularly those in low-lying areas, as heavy downpours consistently lead to widespread inundation. Following recent flood-like situations, exasperated locals are once again demanding a permanent solution to the perennial flooding issue. During the latest heavy rains, numerous localities experienced flooded roads and stranded vehicles. Affected areas included Tolichowki, Shaikpet, Yousufguda, colonies in Nagole, Uppal, Begumpet, and even affluent areas like Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills. Parts of the Old City, such as Bahadurpura, Chandrayangutta, Malakpet, Nawab Sahab Kunta, Talabkatta, and Yakutpura, were also severely hit. Residents expressed profound disappointment, noting that their areas were still inundated despite crores of Rs having been spent on various civic projects. 'Though the GHMC took various civic works by spending crores of rupees, the rain has flooded the various colonies in Tolichowki. The GHMC is facing criticism for their failure,' stated Asif Hussain Sohail, a resident of Surya Nagar Colony in Tolichowki. Residents and activists allege that monsoon preparedness works are still ongoing, even after the arrival of the monsoon season. They claim this year's disruptions are a direct consequence of these pending projects. Following the recent rains, videos circulated widely on social media platforms, showing high-speed water flows and even bikes being washed away in several Old City and other areas. Mohammed Ahmed, vice-president of the TDP Minority Cell, highlighted, 'Over 70 per cent of the monsoon works are incomplete and are still going on in ongoing incessant rains in various areas in the southern part of the city.' The heavy rains have caused significant personal loss for some. Talha Bin Amoodi, a physically challenged resident of Jahanuma, lost household items due to water inundation. 'When I approached the area representative regarding the water inundation, he asked me to vacate the house, as this decades-old issue will not be solved,' Amoodi recounted. Similarly, S Ganesh, a resident of Moosarambagh, observed, 'Though the works in various colonies were completed, still the residents are witnessing water inundation. In half an hour of rain, the colony was inundated, and we residents are in fear of rains and inundation during the monsoon season.' Activists further allege that civic authorities are failing to act despite multiple complaints, attributing the problem to faulty engineering works undertaken by the civic department. 'The engineering wing of GHMC has failed to rectify the problem even after several crores of works were done to prevent flooding. The government must take serious action against the officials and hold an enquiry by the vigilance department,' Ahmed urged.
New Indian Express
20-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Lapses in food safety persist in Telangana schools despite SOPs, multiple poisoning cases reported
HYDERABAD: The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) introduced by the state's School Education department to maintain food quality in government-run schools and hostels have not been fully enforced, despite multiple food poisoning incidents being reported annually from these institutions. The SOPs, launched in September last year on a pilot basis in Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) hostels and urban residential schools, were later claimed to have been implemented across all government, social welfare, tribal welfare and minority educational institutions in the state. However, reports from the ground suggest otherwise. Several recent and past food poisoning cases, including those at Mahatma Jyotirao Phule Gurukul School in Laxmipur mandal (Jagtial district), Mudigonda Tribal Ashram Girls School, Government High School in Munaganoor, and Tribal Ashram High Schools in Asifabad and Mancherial, point to continued lapses in hygiene and food safety protocols. According to sources, self-help groups assigned to prepare mid-day meals in many schools often do not follow basic food safety norms. Meals are reportedly left uncovered, raw materials are poorly stored, cleanliness is not maintained, and supervision is minimal. Though the SOPs called for the formation of task forces to oversee food quality, this has not been implemented effectively, largely due to staff shortages and lack of dedicated funds. A key reason for weak enforcement, according to Telangana State United Teachers' Federation (TSUTF) General Secretary Chava Ravi, is the absence of Mandal Education Officers (MEOs) in most areas. 'Out of 620 mandals, only 16 have regular MEOs. In the rest, senior teachers or headmasters are handling additional responsibilities. This has led to poor supervision and failure to implement SOPs,' he said. Asif Hussain Sohail, president of the Telangana Parents Association for Child Rights and Safety, said the SOP initiative was positive in intent but poorly executed. 'In most state-run institutions, including SC/ST hostels and minority schools, there is no proper monitoring. We have made repeated representations, but no real action has been taken. The recent food poisoning cases are not isolated incidents – they reflect systemic negligence.'
Hans India
25-04-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Suicide cases among Inter students on the rise across TG
Hyderabad: Despite the Telangana Board of Intermediate Education offering free counseling, at least 10 students allegedly committed suicide over failing and not securing good marks in the recently released Inter exam results. Reports say that most of the students who died by suicide failed in one or two subjects in the first year of MPC and BiPC courses. The incidents were reported Kothapet, Gundlapochampally, Banjara Hills and Moti Nagar in Hyderabad. Bhongir, Peddapalli and Mancherial districts also reported suicides by failed Inter students. Officials said that Tele Manas, the free mental health helpline set by the Inter Board, has been receiving calls from the depressed students after the announcement of the inter results. Students were reportedly stressed out due to scoring low marks and not living up to the expectations of their parents. Every year, during the commencement of the exams or after the announcement of the results, the helpline has been receiving calls and the students were being counselled to ensure they are not depressed. Some of the students were found to be taking the extreme step without consulting the helpline. Most of the students who approached the counselors through the helpline have become normal after undergoing treatment. Last year, seven cases of student suicides were reported and in 2023, six were reported. Officials of the Education department underscore the need to have regular counseling sessions in every college throughout the academic year in the wake of increasing suicides by students. Asif Hussain Sohail, president of Telangana Parents Association for Child rights and Safety, said, 'It is very disappointing that students are committing suicides due to being unable to handle stress and over fear of exam results. The most important thing is that parents should interact with their children, and motivate them that failure is a part and parcel of life, that they can once again give the exam. Parents need to instill confidence in children, but it is missing at the ground level'. He suggested the mandatory set-up of counseling cells in every school and college to prevent the growing instances of student suicides in the state.
