Me, as a JOURNALIST

DESARAJU SURYA
I turned 20, as a journalist, today. For me, it has been quite an eventful journey and a fantastic learning process.
On this occasion, I would first like to express my sincere gratitude to a few persons who actually shaped me as a journalist and helped me grow. Messrs Ananthaneni Ravi Kumar, P Hari Prasad, Boddu Bhaskar, Suresh and Peddada Navin were those who guided me through the initial days of my career – which I began as a news contributor for Eenadu Telugu daily way back on February 26, 1990. And then, there were the likes of V Gopalakrishna Murthy (Gampalagudem Murthy) and Chilukuri Venu who too used to enable me learn the fine art of writing.
I was literally a college drop-out with absolutely no interest in academics. All I possessed at that time was just common sense, some general knowledge and a youthful zeal. A few years into the profession, I acquired a graduate degree and subsequently pursued a PG diploma course in journalism and mass communications, a PG diploma in international business and PG in public administration.
I had always been an avid listener of news on radio since my childhood days and also a good reader of newspapers (Eenadu, Andhra Prabha and Indian Express) which helped me understand news and style of writing.
The way the likes of Kandukuri Suryanarayana, Addanki Mannar, Koppula Subba Rao, Prayaga Ramakrishna read out the news on All India Radio, left an impression in my mind and that kept me going from the day one of my career. I literally followed the script, so to say. I also used to listen the English, Hindi and Sanskrit news bullet-ins on radio and subsequently on Doordarshan. I have no hesitation in saying that those bullet-ins were the “real” news presented in a lucid style without any distortions and gave the information required for people. They were, in fact, an education in news writing as well.
I was very childish at the time I began my career as a journalist. But the seniors in Eenadu were very appreciative and always helped me out by teaching the basics of news reporting and offering me valuable suggestions to improve myself.
There was one “Satyam master” who used to edit reports for Newstime, an English daily then run by the Eenadu group, in his post-retirement as a lecturer.
Noticing the interest in me, he encouraged me to write a few reports in English for Newstime. The legendary cricketer Kapil Dev visited Vijayawada on a promotional trip once in April 1991 and I took the opportunity to report that in English. It was published as a two-column box story in Newstime and I was elated. There were many who patted me on the back for that and it only spurred me to learn more and write more.
During my Eenadu days, I also used to write filmy reports for their film weekly Sitara and I covered the 100-days celebration of Gang Leader, the Chiranjeevi-starrer. It was the first time I physically saw my idol Chiranjeevi and the report came out very well.
Subsequently I quit Eenadu, re-joined it for a few more months before I was unceremoniously thrown out. That, however, proved a blessing in disguise and provided me an opportunity to work independently in a small newspaper called Mahanagar (evening daily). Later, I worked for another evening daily Pledge under the able guidance of senior editor (late) Kuchimanchi Satya Subrahmanyam. I shall never forget him. He was the one who brought me into English journalism and ensured that I continued in it though at one point I thought of going back to Telugu writing. Subrahmanyam garu, with his vast experience, was a very good teacher and a nice human being.
The newspapers may be “small” but the exposure they provided was really big. I was very fortunate to have worked in those newspapers, particularly under Subrahmanyam garu. Otherwise, I would have been nowhere in this profession despite having learnt a good deal of news reporting in Eenadu.
My first major break came in 1997 when I was appointed a trainee reporter in Deccan Chronicle. Mr Sriramulu was my chief in the Vijayawada bureau and working under him was another memorable experience. He is a thorough professional and man of great knowledge. He is a workaholic and a task master too. I should remember (late) Jagannathan here. He was our affable news editor and a great classical Carnatic singer. He was a good teacher as well.
In 2001, I moved over to The Times of India and was with it for six years. The only inspiring person here was M H K. He continues to be my friend, philosopher and guide.
Two persons need mention here: P B Koteswara Rao (Balu) and M Sambasiva (Samba). Only I know the kind of inspiration they have been right through my stints in DC and ToI.
From a stringer, I have now risen to become a Principal Correspondent after 19 long years in the profession. I value it a lot since only I know that I did not take any shortcuts. There have been ups and downs through these years but somehow God has helped me overcome the troubles and continue my climb. Good friends were always there to keep me going.
Undoubtedly, I have been “very sincere” to my profession right from the day one and continue to work with the same kind of zeal, devotion and sincerity. I have never compromised on values and I can certainly be proud of my achievements, even if they are only a few.
Only three or four people who too began their careers like me 18-19 years ago have succeeded in rising to a good position now. Murali (TV9), Bala Krishna (The New Indian Express), Pavan (Mumbai Mirror) and Yugandhar Reddy (Vizag). Hardwork and sincerity were their traits too. And, that’s the secret of success. Many others faded into the oblivion.
For me, there is still a long way ahead.

Reliance Gas to be flowing from April

DESARAJU SURYA
Kakinada: Production of gas in Reliance Industries' D6 block in the Krishna-Godavari basin in Andhra Pradesh will begin in mid-March with an initial capacity of 5 to 10 million cubic meters per day and the output will be stepped up to 40 MCMD by July this year. Distribution of gas will begin either towards the end of March or early April as it will take two weeks to fill the pipelines, according to Reliance Industries Limited (Exploration and Production Business) President and Chief Executive Officer P M S Prasad. Who would get the gas first would, however, be decided by the Government of India, he told a visiting team of reporters at their onshore terminal at Gadimoga. Pre-commissioning trials were currently underway at its off-shore platforms. Admitting that Reliance was behind schedule in commencing full scale production of gas in the D6 block, Prasad said they would, however, achieve the target production of 80 MCMD much ahead than 2012. He said the Empowered Group of Ministers constituted by the Government of India would prepare a list of prospective customers for gas supplies, based on the lists submitted by both the fertilizers and the power ministries, and they would accordingly start the supplies. "We expect to get the list from the EGOM in the next ten days and by the time production of gas starts and we are in a position to distribute it, we will have signed the agreements with the buyers. The selling price at our terminal will be 4.2 US dollars per million British thermal unit," the President said. Replying to questions, he said they were working with the government to supply gas to power generating stations in the first place but the government has to give necessary approval for that. "Fertiliser manufacturing units require about 15 MCMD of gas and we can spare some five MCMD for power stations. We are very keen that gas-based power projects in Andhra Pradesh get the supplies first but again it is up to the government of India to take a decision in this regard," Prasad pointed out. The Reliance E&P president said they were "not happy" with the gas utilization policy of the Centre as they did not have any marketing freedom. "We have to go to the government everyday to sell our gas," he lamented. They were, however, "not unhappy" with the current price at which gas has to be sold. "We wanted the price to be affordable, so 4.2 US dollars is good enough," he pointed out. Head of operations of the D6 block Prem Varma and other senior officials of the company were present on the occasion.

India and the nuclear energy

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: India will produce 20,000 MW of nuclear power by the year 2020.
“We may as well exceed this target,” Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar has said.
Talking on the sidelines of the three-day international conference on Characterisation and Quality Control of Nuclear Fuels organized by the Nuclear Fuel Complex at the Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Kakodkar said the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has started work on four 700 MW nuclear power plants for which the Government of India has given approval in principle. Each megawatt of nuclear power would cost Rs 6 crore.
He said plans were also afoot for another four 700 MW nuclear plants and fast breeder reactors. “We also will go in for some light water reactors that have a capacity of over 1000 MW each. We are in discussion with prospective vendors for constructing the light water plants and hope that very soon we will be able to actualize these projects,” Kakodkar said.
He said the Government of India gave in principle approval for development of sites at Jaithapur and Kudankulam. The initial work in this regard was on.
Replying to a question, the AEC chief said private players could be allowed into nuclear power business provided they had “prior experience in Indian conditions.”
“It’s important that whoever would enter into nuclear power business must have prior experience in Indian conditions. It is unlike other businesses because in nuclear business you have to run the facility whether or not you produce power. We have to ensure there is control on nuclear materials and so there are demands on such entities,” he said.
“It can’t be a vision driven by profit and loss. It’s also a vision which has to have long-term stability based on demands of nuclear energy business,” Kakodkar noted.
The Atomic Energy Act specified that the nuclear energy business could be carried out by a government company in which the Centre had a 51 per cent stake.
The Act also enabled both government and private entities to participate within this framework, he added.
NPCIL, the AEC chairman said, has the capability to take on new projects and deliver them within time and budget. NPCIL recently signed a MoU with NTPC for power generation and was also talking to others approaching it, he said.
Referring to the current economic recession across the world, Kakodkar pointed out: “Situation in India is not as bad as some other countries. But we can’t say it doesn’t affect our programmes.”
Stating that India required energy in increasing quantities, he added that the energy should be clean, which did not contribute to any green house gas emissions. This would, however, take quite some time because we are primarily dependent on coal. There were several drivers for growth of nuclear energy in India, he noted adding that this could in fact be one way of getting out of the economic slowdown problem. “NPCIL has its own strength to some extent. We should be in a position to carry on reasonably comfortably,” he observed.

Indian economy will turnaround: Chidambaram

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: India's economy will see a turnaround from October 2009 though it will continue to pass through difficult times in the first two quarters of the 2009-10 fiscal, according to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram. "The 2009-10 financial year will be a difficult one for our economy but there will be a turnaround from October or little thereafter," Chidambaram -- who till recently headed the finance ministry -- said addressing a meeting after inaugurating the Union Bank of India's 2501 branch here. Asserting that India would register a 7 per cent growth in economy, he said a "right mix of policies and leadership" was required to steer the country through these difficult times. "Our economy did well even in slowdown thanks to our strong banking, insurance and services sector. Besides, our farmers too have contributed to the growth story because of which our economic growth rate has been close to 9 per cent," Chidambaram observed and quoted US President Barack Obama as saying that only Indian and Chinese economies remained sturdy despite the global meltdown. Expressing satisfaction that "we tamed inflation," the Union Minister noted that inflation would go down further in the coming months. "Inflation remained a monster seven months ago but we successfully tamed it," he pointed out. He urged banks to further cut down lending rates in tune with the downward trend in inflation. "Interest rates must be modified when there is an opportunity. Banks, right now, have been investing more than lending but they should step up lending and stand by the customers in difficult times. We still need greater policy support in this regard," Chidambaram said. Loans must be rescheduled, more capital should be pumped in and more working capital should also be made available to sustain growth, he added.
Chidambaram also launched the networking of branches of UBI-sponsored regional rural banks under core banking solutions. UBI became the first public sector bank to network all its rural bank branches under CBS, with technological support from Infosys. Union Bank of India chairman and managing director M V Nair was also present on the occasion.

The 'Con'gress SHAM on Telangana

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: When it comes to hoodwinking the people, none can probably beat the Grand Old Party of India – the Congress.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s statement in the Assembly on February 12 on the Telangana statehood issue is yet another clear example of the Congress’ con game. A party that rode to power in the state on the promise of creating the Telangana state, failed to keep its word in five years and has now shamelessly come out with a ‘statement’ that it would constitute a committee to look into the contentious issue. What a SHAM!
Everybody knows how Rajasekhara Reddy, despite all major parties in the state having consented to the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, played spoilsport all these years and made the Congress high command ignore the public sentiments on such an emotional issue. What’s more appalling is the stance of Congress leaders from the Telangana region. They were the first to raise the bogey of Telangana but once the party rode to power in the company of Telangana Rashtra Samiti they conveniently pushed the issue on to the backburner. It was nothing but deception of the worst kind and the Congress leaders have to be blamed – in fact banished – for having caused bad blood between people of various regions of the state.
Now, with elections to the state Assembly as well as Lok Sabha just about two months away, the Chief Minister – and, of course, the Congress party – was left with no other option but to come out with some stand on the separate statehood issue. Hence this new drama by Rajasekhara Reddy.
But the time’s up for the party and it should sure bite the dust in the fast-approaching elections.
At the outset, doubts are being raised on whether or not the proposed joint legislature committee on the contentious Telangana issue can be constituted at all given the fact that the current Andhra Pradesh Assembly now remains “only on paper” for all practical purposes.
Besides, the “sanctity” of such a committee is also being questioned as the “outgoing” MLAs may not have the locus standi to deal with such a critical issue.
Though Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy sought to assert that “we have never in the past deceived any one on the Telangana issue nor will do in the future,” all opposition parties termed his statement in the state Assembly precisely as “yet another deception.”
Besides, the Chief Minister had merely made a ‘statement’ indicating his government’s decision to constitute a “committee of members of both Houses of the legislature to deliberate upon Telangana and related issues” and made no formal plea to the Assembly Speaker to obtain the House’s consent for the move.
“Consent of the House is very much required to constitute any such committee. The government has not obtained any such consent nor did the Speaker follow due procedure in this regard. So, how can the committee be constituted,” former Speaker of Assembly Yanamala Ramakrishnudu questioned.
Moreover, the committee, even if put in place, would not have any sanctity since it would have many outgoing members.
He pointed out that the Chief Minister’s statement on Telangana was nothing but a “laughing stock” as due procedures were totally violated in making the statement on the floor of the House.
And, the opposition parties also questioned the ‘timing’ of the Chief Minister’s statement: it was made at the fag end of the final day of the final session of the current Assembly which, for all practical purposes, ceased to function with elections due in two months.
“Why did the Congress government remain silent for about five years and not constitute such a committee much earlier,” Ramakrishnudu wondered.
“The Pranab Mukherjee Committee constituted by the UPA on Telangana was a farce. Now, the committee mooted by the Chief Minister is only a drama,” TDP deputy leader in the Assembly Nagam Janardhan Reddy remarked. It was a clear attempt by the Chief Minister to hoodwink the people of the Telangana region yet again, he alleged.
BJP floor leader G Kishan Reddy questioned the validity of the proposed committee when the Assembly itself would be dissolved soon. “It only re-established Rajasekhara Reddy’s intention to block the formation of Telangana state by any means,” he charged.
TRS MLA T Harish Rao remarked that by proposing the committee, Rajasekhara Reddy had “dug his own grave” besides leaving the hearts of Telangana people with a wound. “He will never be forgiven for the kind of treachery he has committed on Telangana,” Harish Rao added.
For the record, government whip Mallu Ravi asserted that the current Assembly would be in place for the next three months and hence the proposed committee could be formed. “Consent of the House is not required for forming the committee,” he maintained.

World Bank vice-president's visit to a village in AP

DESARAJU SURYA

Hyderabad: World Bank vice-president Katherine Sierra had a pleasant outing in a tiny village in Ranga Reddy district of Andhra Pradesh today. Interaction with members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the "tremendous progress" they have achieved under the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas programme has left the top official from the World Bank "highly impressed." Katherine was in Andhra Pradesh on a day's visit to Mondegourelli village in Ranga Reddy district to study the implementation of the Dwcra scheme and the empowerment of women through various initiatives undertaken by the government. Aided by a high-level team of officials including World Bank's Indian co-ordinator Parmesh Shah, Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty chief executive officer T Vijay Kumar and Ranga Reddy district M Dana Kishore, Katherine went around some houses in the village under Yacharam revenue mandal and quizzed the SHG members about the thrift activities, micro-finance facilities, employment-generation programmes, skill development activities and the overall functioning of the groups. The SHG members explained the novel three per cent interest scheme launched by the state government and the benefit accrued from it. The World Bank vice-president, in particular, was appreciative of the initiatives for the physically-challenged persons.Katherine also interacted with local farmers and learned about the innovative sustainable agricultural practices, including pesticide-free farming, adopted by them. She told the SHG members as well as the accompanying government officials that the World Bank would try to adopt certain features of the SHG movement in Andhra Pradesh while formulating programmes for women and child empowerment elsewhere.

Praja Rajyam and the symbol trouble

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Confirming the Praja Rajyam Party's worst fears, the Election Commission of India has made it clear that a "common symbol" would not be allotted to the party candidates for the ensuing Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Andhra Pradesh. This could prove to be a major electoral disaster for actor Chiranjeevi's fledgling PRP as it will now have to contest the elections on different symbols as it is not yet a "recognized" political party.
The PRP challenged the ECI decision in the Andhra Pradesh High Court but the grounds on which it filed the writ petition appear too flimsy. It wanted rail engine as the party symbol for all its candidates. But, given the rule position, one doubts whether PRP will win the case.
Chiranjeevi met Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswami in Nirvachan Sadan recently and pleaded for allocation of a common symbol for PRP candidates as the party has been "registered" already. He cited past instances wherein certain parties were allotted a common symbol despite they being not recognized by the ECI. The ECI, in a letter to the PRP, clarified that under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, only "recognized" political parties are eligible for a permanent election symbol while "registered" parties will have to choose from the "free symbols" available. While Congress, BJP, CPI, CPM, RJD, NCP and BSP are the recognized political parties at the national level, Telugu Desam Party and Telangana Rashtra Samiti are recognized as state parties in Andhra Pradesh with permanent election symbols.
In case the court cases goes against it, the PRP will have to pick from symbols like aeroplane, almirah, axe, balloon, banana, bangles, cake, comb, cot, frock, electric pole, dao, diesel pump, camera, fork, harmonium, etc. Sources in the Election Commission said that as per rule 6A of the said Order, a political party shall be eligible for recognition as a state party in a State, "if, and only if" it has secured not less than six per cent of the total valid votes polled in the state and, in addition, it has returned at least two members to the Legislative Assembly and at least one member to the House of People (Lok Sabha) in a general election. "Since Praja Rajyam is a new party, it has only been registered with the Election Commission of India. It gets recognized only if it fulfills the criteria laid down in the Election rules and only then becomes eligible for allotment of a permanent election symbol. In the ensuing elections it will have to make do with only the free symbols," a top EC official said.
But, in its writ petition the PRP claimed it has a vote share of 16 per cent going by its membership. The party's contention doesn't hold any water as it has not yet fought any election and its real strength will be determined only based on an election outcome.
Being a registered political party, PRP could, however, be given "preference" in allotment of poll symbol in a particular constituency. "The PRP also has the option of making a representation, at the time of elections, seeking a common symbol for all its candidates across the state. But the allotment is not guaranteed," the EC official added. As per para 12 (3) (a) of the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) (Amendment) Order, 2005, if two or more candidates from registered political parties vie for a particular symbol, the allotment is done only through draw of lots. Besides, if any sitting MLA seeks a particular symbol in a constituency, he shall be allotted the symbol and no one else, the rules say. As such, there is no guarantee that the PRP will get the symbol of its choice across all constituencies. Having to face elections without a common symbol could prove a tough task for the fledgling party, political observers say.

Andhra Pradesh's rosy budget

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: With elections to the state Assembly just about two months away, the Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh sought to project a rosy picture of the state economy through the budget for 2009-10 financial year. But, principal opposition leader Nara Chandrababu Naidu was quick to equate the state budget to the balance sheet of scandal-hit Satyam Computers.
“From gloom to boom” appeared to be the burden of the song in finance minister K Rosaiah’s vote-on-account budget wherein he noted that the state economy was “on a roll” since 2003-04 as per the latest quick estimates and recorded a “phenomenal growth” of 11.27 per cent in gross state domestic product during 2007-08.
This was way ahead of the country’s growth rate of 9.01 per cent during the same period, he pointed out.
“Today, thanks to the various initiatives taken by our government in the last five years, we have emerged as one of the fastest growing state in the country with the economic growth registering 10.64 per cent in 2007-08,” Rosaiah said.
The government’s decision to substantially enhance allocations to irrigation and weaker sections housing programmes paid rich dividends to the state by not only taking the economic growth rate to near 9 per cent per annum but also increasing revenues to GSDP ratio to 20 per cent. Thereby, the government did not require to enhance taxes in any form over the last five years, the finance minister explained.
Quoting the latest RBI report on state finance, Rosaiah said AP stood first in the country in respect of its allocation on plan expenditure, development expenditure, social sector expenditure and capital expenditure. He also said the state’s plan expenditure was the highest for any state in the country in absolute terms with the figure touching Rs 38,477 crore for the ensuing fiscal.
“The economic buoyancy in the state is borne out of the fact that the credit deposit ratio of the banking system has increased from 62.8 per cent in 2003 to 95 per cent by September 2008. Many steps have been initiated in the last five years for substantially enhancing social and economic inclusion in the state which have already started yielding beneficial results,” the finance minister pointed out.

The Grand Alliance takes shape, finally

DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: After dilly-dallying for 10 days and keeping everyone guessing, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti finally joined the “Grand Alliance” giving it full shape in Andhra Pradesh.
The Grand Alliance now comprises the Telugu Desam Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India and Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
TRS chief K Chandrasekhar Rao drove to TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu’s residence to convey his party’s decision to join the Grand Alliance.
“We are joining the Grand Alliance to defeat the ruling Congress party and rid the state of its atrocious and corrupt administration. We shall soon organize a ‘maha sabha’ (grand public meeting) to announce other details related to the alliance,” Chandrasekhar Rao said after his brief meeting with Chandrababu.
“Our main objective is to trounce the Congress party that has grossly deceived the people of Telangana on the promise of creating a separate state. Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, in particular, had to be sent home to rid the state of the evil administration,” he pointed out.
Welcoming the TRS’ decision, the TDP chief termed it a “historic step” and hoped the “Telugu people” would appreciate the “Grand Alliance” whole-heartedly and bless it in the ensuing elections.
The two leaders expressed confidence that the Grand Alliance would win 100 seats in Telangana region and an aggregate of over 200 seats in Andhra Pradesh. “The Congress will be deeply buried in the April\May elections,” they said.
Meanwhile, TDP sources indicated that the TDP finally agreed to concede nine Lok Sabha and 46 Assembly seats to the TRS as part of the seat-sharing. The TRS, in fact, demanded that it be given 10 Lok Sabha and it was the main reason that caused a stalemate in the Grand Alliance taking full shape on January 21.
After a series of talks between the two parties and widespread consultations within the TRS, the finally tally was agreed upon, the sources added.