Latest news with #HansIndia
Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Urukonda temple priest ends life, alleges harassment
Urukunda (Kurnool district): The revered Sri Eranna Swamy temple in Urukunda, Kurnool district, is reeling from the tragic suicide of its deputy chief priest, Poojanna Swamy, who took his life in the early hours of Sunday. In a heart-wrenching suicide note, Poojanna accused temple executive officer (EO) Vijayaraju, chief priest JErappa, and Vedic scholar Mohan Sharma of relentless harassment and humiliation, driving him to this extreme step. Poojanna Swamy, a hereditary priest from Urukunda, had served at the temple since 2002 and was promoted to deputy chief priest three years ago. His family's deep spiritual connection to the temple traces back to their ancestral land, where the deity is believed to have been installed. Demonstrating his devotion, Poojanna donated a four-room building worth Rs 50 lakh to the temple. On Saturday night, he retired to bed as usual but was found dead by his family in an upper room of his residence on Sunday morning. In his alleged suicide note, Poojanna alleged that EO Vijayaraju enabled the chief priest and Vedic scholar to exert unchecked authority over fellow priests, undermining the dignity of hereditary priests. He claimed CCTV cameras were installed in the sanctum sanctorum with malicious intent and decried the growing intolerance and power politics within the temple, stating that the EO's support of the duo left no room for justice, plunging him into deep mental distress. Poojanna is survived by wife, daughters and a Hans India repeatedly attempted to contact EO Vijayaraju for comment, but he did not respond to calls.
Hans India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Hans India
Exclusive Interview with Mudavath Kishan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Road Transport Department, Mahabubnagar
Mahabubnagar: After taking charge as the Additional Deputy Commissioner of the Road Transport Department, Mahabubnagar Region in December 2024, Mudavath Kishan has been working relentlessly to improve vehicle registration services and ensure smooth and transparent operations. With a notable increase in electric vehicle (EV) registrations and a strong emphasis on road safety, the commissioner has initiated several awareness drives and enforcement measures. In this candid interview with Hans India, he shares the key developments, trends, and future goals of the department. ________________________________________ Q: Could you give a brief overview of the operations of the RTO Department and the major changes you've observed since taking charge? A: The RTO Department mainly deals with new vehicle registrations, issuing fitness certificates, and enforcement of road safety regulations. Since I took charge, we have intensified our operations to crack down on violations such as overloaded or expired vehicles. We have booked several cases under the Road Transport Vehicle Act. In addition, we are focusing heavily on road safety awareness. Recently, we conducted programs for auto-rickshaw drivers, school bus owners, and school managements, where we ensured 100% fitness checks for all school buses. We are also running campaigns to spread awareness about pollution control, especially targeting vehicles over 15 years old. ________________________________________ Q: How many new vehicles are being registered daily in Mahabubnagar? A: On average, around 70 to 75 new vehicles are registered every day at the Mahabubnagar RTO. This comes to nearly 2,000 new vehicle registrations every month. ________________________________________ Q: Are there any new trends you're observing in vehicle registrations, especially with regard to electric vehicles (EVs)? A: Absolutely. One of the most noticeable trends is the increased registration of electric vehicles (EVs). Since there is no registration fee for EVs, many people are choosing them over traditional vehicles. This is a positive shift and aligns well with the government's vision to reduce environmental pollution. We've also streamlined the registration process, making it hassle-free and transparent. Today, anyone can get their vehicle registered without needing to go through middlemen. ________________________________________ Q: Have you introduced any measures to ease the registration process further? A: Yes. We've simplified the entire registration process, so that people can get their vehicles registered without delays. Our focus is to make services more accessible to the public and eliminate the need for agents or brokers. We're also promoting online services and ensuring faster redressal of public grievances. ________________________________________ Q: What steps are being taken to ensure older vehicles comply with pollution norms? A: We have launched a special awareness drive targeting vehicle owners, particularly those operating vehicles older than 15 years. These vehicles are more likely to cause pollution — studies show that nearly 60% of them fail fitness tests. We are urging owners to get their vehicles checked and take corrective action. Those that do not meet fitness standards will not be allowed to run on roads. ________________________________________ Q: Which districts fall under your jurisdiction, and how are they functioning? A: The Mahabubnagar RTO Commissionerate covers five districts: Mahabubnagar, Jogulamba Gadwal, Narayanpet, Wanaparthy, and Nagarkurnool. I monitor and supervise operations across all these districts. We are expecting new policy reforms from the state government soon, which will further streamline licensing, vehicle fitness, and registration processes. The department is fully committed to enforcing all road safety and transport rules to ensure safe travel for everyone. ________________________________________ Q: Any final message for the vehicle owners and the public? A: I urge all vehicle owners to strictly follow traffic rules, keep their vehicles up to date with fitness and pollution checks, and avoid relying on unauthorized agents. The RTO is here to serve the public transparently and efficiently. We will continue our efforts to improve road safety, environmental awareness, and public service delivery in the days ahead.
Fashion Value Chain
01-07-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
SRM AP Bags Multiple Recognitions at The Hans India Technical Education Awards-2025
Hans India, ranked SRM University-AP No. 1 in three prestigious categories: National Best Private University, the Andhra Pradesh Best Business School (awarded to Paari School of Business, the management precinct of SRM AP), and Excellence in Smart Campus & Classroom Infrastructure at the Hans India Technical Education Awards-2025. The recognition acknowledges the varsity's commitment to excellence in all fields of development and offers a significant contribution to the education sector. Prof. Ch Satish Kumar receives the National Best Private University award from dignitaries The recognition was given to the university in the presence of the Chief Guest and Member of Parliament Shri Paka Venkata Satyanarayana and the members of the SRM AP leadership, ProVice-Chancellor, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar; Dean Incharge-Paari School of Business, Dr S V Ramana Rao; and Mr Anup Singh Suryavanshi, Director of CLM. Dr Ramana Rao, Dean Incharge, Paari School of Business and Members of SRM AP Leadership receiving the award for the Andhra Pradesh Best Business School Speaking on the occasion, the Hon'ble Member of Parliament stated, 'Educational institutions play a pivotal role not only in shaping future generations but also in the development of the country's economy. The landscape of education needs to be redefined. Marks as a criterion for evaluation do not ensure knowledge.' Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ch Satish Kumar, who received the award on behalf of the university, remarked, 'This prestigious recognition is a testament to SRM AP's commitment to excellence in education and our dedication to shaping leaders of tomorrow.' Vice Chancellor Prof. Manoj K Arora extended his heartfelt congratulations to the members of the varsity, Paari School of Business, and the Campus Life and Maintenance team for their exemplary support and dedication towards the varsity's growth.
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Madras HC rejects plea to ban film reviews, upholds free speech
In a landmark judgment reinforcing the right to free expression, the Madras High Court has dismissed a plea by the Tamil Film Active Producers Association seeking a temporary three-day ban on film reviews post theatrical release. The association had argued that early reviews—especially negative ones—posted on social media and digital platforms were harming box office revenues and shaping public opinion prematurely. Presiding over the case, Justice N Anand Venkatesh strongly ruled against the petition, stating that such a request was not only impractical in today's digital world but also unconstitutional. He underscored that imposing a blanket restriction on reviews would infringe upon Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. 'Criticism is inherently subjective,' the judge remarked. 'Just because someone disapproves of a film does not mean everyone will agree. In the same way that judges are critiqued on social media, filmmakers must also be open to differing opinions.' Justice Venkatesh further noted the logistical and legal difficulties of implementing such a ban in the age of global digital communication. 'How can this court stop someone in Azerbaijan or any other part of the world from sharing their views?' he questioned, stressing the futility of attempting to regulate online speech across borders. The court also took a subtle jab at the expectation of universally positive reviews, calling it 'unrealistic' and 'detached from reality.' Instead, the verdict advised producers to invest in quality storytelling and filmmaking rather than attempting to suppress criticism. The judgment comes at a time when film industries across India—including in Telugu cinema—have been mulling similar legal approaches to delay or regulate early reviews. The court's ruling is now being seen as a benchmark that protects the independence of film critics and online reviewers. Speaking to Hans India, Senior film reviewer Ch Srinivas said, 'This is a significant win for creative dialogue. Reviews—good or bad—are part of the artistic ecosystem. You can't have a thriving industry without accountability or conversation.' The verdict serves as a reminder that public discourse, especially around art and culture, is a cornerstone of democracy. In a media-driven society where audience engagement begins the moment a trailer drops, curbing opinions post-release is neither ethical nor enforceable. As the court rightly pointed out, the film industry would do better to address systemic issues such as content quality, piracy, and distribution challenges—rather than chasing after critics. The focus, as many now agree, must return to where it belongs: creating compelling cinema.
Hans India
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
AP govt disburses `400 cr through CMRF in one year
Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government disbursed a whopping Rs 400 crore through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) in the last one year, thereby helping scores of families in the State. Through the CMRF, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu extended substantial aid to those suffering from serious health conditions. This financial assistance benefitted those who were not covered under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme. Unlike any previous government, Naidu has allocated massive funds through CMRF, standing by the people in need, officials say. Compared to 2014, the state's financial situation in 2024 is in bad shape. 'The government is struggling to pay even small bills. Despite this, it is balancing welfare schemes and development programmes, launching several initiatives within just one year. In this context, the Chief Minister has been providing aid through CMRF without hesitation. A significant portion of the petitions and grievances submitted to the CM involve requests for CMRF assistance. Recognizing the importance of this, the Chief Minister has established a mechanism to resolve petitions within hours or days,' an official told Hans India For those treated in private hospitals for critical illnesses, the government reimburses expenses through the CMRF. Many families are being financially devastated by unexpected health crises. In such cases, people apply for aid either directly or through MLAs. Poor families who fall into debt due to major illnesses are greatly benefiting from the CMRF's support. According to available statistics, the state government in undivided Andhra Pradesh spent only Rs 758 crore under the CMRF from 2004 to 2014. But after taking over as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh in 2014 post-bifurcation, Chandrababu provided Rs 1,533 crore through CMRF over five years, benefiting 2,23,742 individuals across 13 districts. This amount was more than what three Chief Ministers provided over 10 years in the united AP. However, when the YSRCP government came to power in 2019, the support from the CMRF declined sharply. Due to lack of access to the Chief Minister's Office, lack of a system for collecting petitions, absence of MLA appointments, and a generally closed-door approach, most applications did not even reach CM's desk. Between 2019 and 2024, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, the then chief minister, released only Rs 897 crore through the CMRF. After returning to power for the fourth time in 2024 with a historic mandate, Naidu started allocating more funds for CMRF. The Chief Minister is also meeting common citizens daily at the Secretariat, personally receiving petitions. Whether at the party office or during district visits, wherever he receives petitions, he immediately instructs officials to act on them. As a result, within just one year, Chandrababu sanctioned around Rs 400 through the CMRF, benefiting 35,000 individuals. Depending on the severity of the medical condition, Letters of Credit (LOCs) are issued immediately to ensure timely treatment. Based on the family's financial condition and the seriousness of the illness, amounts ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 30 lakh are being disbursed to poor people. In the past year alone, 3,354 people have received LoCs worth Rs 89 crore. TDP state president Palla Srinivasa Rao said the Chief Minister took initiative to help ailing people through CMRF funds. He said poor and middle-class families suffer heavily and fall into debt traps due to health issues. Therefore, the Chief Minister is personally disbursing CMRF cheques to the family members of ailing people including those above poverty line. Citing an example, he said that he handed over a cheque for Rs 20 lakh from the CMRF to a poor man in his constituency, Gajuwaka, in Visakhapatnam. Thanking the Chief Minister for sanctioning financial assistance under the CMRF, B Rajeswari, a senior citizen and resident of Vijayawada, who underwent an operation, opined that the timely help from the Chief Minister saved her life.
