Metro Plus
Chennai
Hyderabad
Dreams fulfilled
ANOTHER YEAR has passed into pages of history. The task of summarising memorable moments of 365-days inescapably gets caught up in a tight corner, - between where to begin and what to leave out.
This year largely, has been of men and matters, events and non-events. For Hyderabad, 2003 was an eventful period that witnessed many firsts. The Afro-Asian Games, introduction of MMTS, the 10K Run and the F1-dream on reality fast track are among the many momentous milestones that have scripted a new history for the 400-year old city.
Hyderabadis, meanwhile, had their fair share of triumph and turmoil in celebrating with Sania Mirza and Koneru Humpy, at the same time struggling between the scorch of the sun and the communal flare-up, which reared its ugly head yet again.
Metro Plus turns the spotlight on a few newsmakers, - who stood out in their chosen line of work as they share the highpoints in the year gone by...
RAMALINGA RAJU
Chairman, Satyam
THE CURRENT year has so far been quite encouraging for Satyam chairman, B. Ramalinga Raju. Focussed in the future, as he is always, the IT-visionary says, "Trends indicate a robust growth for the Indian IT companies in the coming months."
According to him, a revival in technology-spending coupled with the increasing adoption of offshore outsourcing by global customers and the pre-eminence of leading Indian IT-services companies in this space, will ensure high growth opportunities in future. A favourable geo-political environment in the international arena will facilitate this trend.
"We, at Satyam, are fully geared to meet these opportunities which would further strengthen our position in the global market place," concludes Raju, exuding confidence.
RAMESH PRASAD
Prasads Multiplex
HE REDEFINED the concept of entertainment for the Hyderabadis by providing a new audio-video experience - the IMAX (South India's first and Indian's third), the latest landmark dotting Hyderabad's landscape. By providing a bonanza - food courts and shopping besides films Ramesh Prasad has ensured it to be a great point of attraction. "This year I cherished my dream of bringing IMAX which I dreamt since 1987. I am happy people have appreciated and welcomed it," says Ramesh Prasad who has made watching films a worthwhile experience.
SANJAY CHIMNANI
Bottles & Chimneys
FOR THIS marketing man from the corporate world setting up Bottles and Chimney may have marked a shift-change. But the city's pub culture got an impetus. B & C has been in the news since it started this year. The events organised there have attracted the city's glitterati. Be it film promos or DJ's or any other event - it has people thronging to catch glimpse of stars and singers. "Personally and professionally it has been a great year for me. I set up B&C even though the pub culture is nascent in the city. It has been an enjoyable experience. My idea was to make people come in with their spouses to the pub and I think it has met with success. Most clubs are event based I think we have made a change in the business of entertainment by organising those," says Chimnani.
C.V. ANAND
DCP, Central Zone
C.V ANAND is a `consumed' cop who does not have time even to eat his cake. This year, particularly, was terribly tight on time for this dynamic 35-year old police officer, who feels nearly guilty for not having spent enough time with wife, Lalitha and sons, - Milind and Nikhil. "And the year is over!"
However, on hindsight, Anand is happy that he has done what best could have been done professionally. A highly motivated cop, to him goes the credit for modernising policing by introducing fresh and innovative concepts: Lake Police, Reception Management, and Citizen Charter, to name a few. Over 200 visits by VVIPs and tackling a thousand agitations, `bandobast-man' is one word suited for DCP-Anand.
"Personal highpoints were when I received the President's Gallantry Award for dedication to service." The source of Anand's kinetic energy is his big-time involvement in games and sports. After becoming the State Champion in Police-tennis, Anand brought laurels to the state when he won the National's held in Vizag, recently. "In cricket, 90 is my average this year," says the league-player, beaming with joy. Just one `episode' of the India-New Zealand cricket match cannot wipe out all these glories? "It was a learning experience for the year."
UTPALA SATYANARAYANA
Sahitya Akademi award winner
THE RICHNESS of Telugu literature is brought to light when the veteran writer Utpala Satyanarayana was given this year's Sahitya Akademi award for his poem Sri Krishna Chandrodayam. The poet, however, remains modest when he says that "recognition is not for me but for the padya kavitvam (poetic verse written in a traditional way). In these days of vachana kavitvam (modern poetry written in the form of prose), people still take pleasure in listening to my verse.
This proves the sweetness of Telugu language," he says. Utpala Satyanarayana has been striving to retain the traditional elements in Telugu poetry like proper chandassu and fine blending of Sanskrit and Telugu words for the last 60 years. "I am very happy about the fact that the Telugu poetry and language have been duly recognised after a long gap," he says.
GAGAN NARANG
Shooting champion
THE YEAR took off on a high tide for ace-shooter Gagan Narang. Earning laurels for himself and name for the country, Narang won his first international medal in the Junior International Shooting Championships held in Suhl, Germany in June. In the 1st World Cup held in Zagreb, Croatia - Narang was ranked 24th in the world, in the 2nd World Cup in Munich, Germany - the sharp shooter inched to the 20th position, and in the last World Cup in South Korea, Narang showed signs of consistent improvement when he was graded the 15th best in the world. The gold at the recently concluded Afro Asian Games was his career best achievement, which placed him in the league of Jaspal Rana, Anjali Bhagwat and other greats.
Academically too, he has done well securing 70 per cent in his BCA final exams. The year ahead is an important year for Narang: "I have to catch the bus for Olympics by winning the Asian Shooting Championship to be held in Malaysia, early next year."
SHANTA SINHA
Magsaysay award winner
IT CAME as no surprise when Shanta Sinha was honoured with Magsaysay award this year. This scholar-activist's mission in life to protect child rights has been duly recognised. Through her MV Foundation, Shanta Sinha helped many an institution, individual and group to realise the need for eradicating child labour, educating the girl child etc. "It has been a positive year. Our efforts got a visibility," says Shanta about the prestigious award. "However, it is not enough," she says. "The plans should be concretised into action, and the poor should be treated with respect," she concludes.
JAYA RAJU
Director
WHEN MANY of her ilk are calling the shots Jaya Raju made headlines with her directorial debut Chantigaadu. For this journalist-turned- film-maker the response of the people was overwhelming. "This year has been quite good. One of my dreams came true. I never expected to be a director this year. Thanks to my husband the film materialised. The response has been extraordinary and I am thrilled with it. I travelled with the hero, heroine and technicians to all the theatres in all the centres the film released I struck a direct rapport with the people. I have made friends through this film," says Jaya. Now that she has made her mark offers are pouring in and Jaya is basking in the glory.
PURI JAGANNATH
Director
HE'S THE most sought-after director in the Telugu film industry now, not so much for his successful films but for the refreshing innovativeness that he adopted in his films, which include the titles. Amma Naana O Tamil Ammayi and Shivamani were both sleeping successes this year and Jagannath is a happy man today. His desire to direct Chiranjeevi is being fulfilled along with another "childhood dream" to make a film in English on Hyderabad. "Bachi was my only flop and I've realised the moment you face failure people write you off and flock you when you succeed. But I continue to work with the same kind of confidence," says the director who considers 2003 as the year, which brought him good fortune.
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