The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : In spiritual mode

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Tuesday, Jan 08, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

In spiritual mode

The city seems to be soaking in spiritualism this month. At least two well-known swamis have already visited the city for different events and one more is scheduled to descend on Wednesday.

Avadhootha Datta Peethadipathi Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swami, who makes it a practice to remain in the city on the New Year Day every year, this time chose to organise a session of his music therapy here. Just a day before that, Tridandi Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar made a quick visit to the city to lead a walk to create awareness of blindness and remedial measures.

And, finally, the Art of Living Foundation is leaving no stone unturned to make its founder Sri Ravi Shankar’s visit for a discourse at IGMC Stadium a hugely successful event. More in the offing?

Only to preach?

Some comments on film-making made by actor-turned-politician R.K. Roja in her speech at a dharna here recently raised many eyebrows. She appealed to the present-day directors and producers not to highlight scenes of violence and atrocities against women in their films, since they would leave a negative impact on the younger generation. The TDP women’s wing president said this while expressing concern over the alleged rape and murder of student Ayesha Meera in a hostel at Ibrahimpatnam recently. Roja also stressed the need for films to be “message-oriented” rather than being “sensational”. Those who heard her wondered whether Roja followed these noble practices during her film career.

Good Samaritan

It is a common belief these days that a mobile phone lost is lost forever. But, traffic constable K. Ramesh of Patamata traffic police station, who was on duty at High School Road near Durga Mahal on Monday, proved such cynics wrong. He noticed that a mobile phone slipped from the pocket of a two-wheeler rider, but even before he could alert the vehicle rider the latter zoomed past.

Ramesh immediately informed the police control room and, not being content with just that, called the last dialled number in the phone to find out its owner.

The last dialled number, fortunately for the mobile phone owner, happened to be that of his wife.

All disquiet and worries of the phone owner have gone to winds with the call from Ramesh. Definitely, the elation and joy of finding a lost mobile phone is unimaginable. We, undoubtedly, need more Good Samaritans of the likes of Ramesh.

Back in action

Former MLA K. Subba Raju, who was recently elected city secretary of the Communist Party of India, is known in media circles as a prolific writer.

During his earlier stint in the same post, he was known for the press notes he issued almost on a daily basis. He would sometimes issue even three press releases on a day, all written in his familiar handwriting.

Though his colleagues in the party sent typewritten press releases, Mr. Subba Raju always relied on his handwriting.

Technological advances like computers and word-processors did not make any difference to him. There was, however, a break in the flow of these hand-written press releases when Mr. Subba Raju became an MLA. But, now, with Mr. Subba Raju taking up the city unit’s responsibilities under pressure from the State leadership, these hand-written press notes have started making a comeback.

Even when newspaper offices receive a typed copy of a memorandum or a press release, there will be some introduction or a footnote in the familiar handwriting of Mr. Subba Raju. Despite the gap, journalists familiar with his handwriting enjoy reading them even now.

Ironical

Fatalities of the accidents involving Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation buses, as figures of 2007 suggest, were the highest.

The RTC, however, took some stern steps to bring down the figure and it seemed to have worked with RTC Regional Manager Ansari showing figures that suggest number of accidents had come down.

But ironically on the day the Guntur Regional Manager and APSRTC Chief Commercial Manager Sadasiva Rao were giving away safety awards to their drivers, one of the RTC buses was involved in an accident leading to former Ongole MLA Eedara Hari Babu sustaining severe injuries to both his legs at Chilakaluripet in Guntur district on Sunday.

(K. Srimali,

G. Ravikiran, G.V.R. Subba Rao, G.V. Ramana Rao in Vijayawada and Ramesh Susarla in Guntur)

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