DESARAJU SURYA
HYDERABAD: Wizards of mathematics from the across the globe congregated at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre for the nine-day International Congress of Mathematics (ICM) that the President of India Pratibha Patil inaugurated with a call for promotion of mathematics studies among the young generation.
This is the first time that the ICM, organized every four years by the International Mathematical Union (IMU), is being held in India. More than 3,000 delegates from over 80 countries are taking part in the ICM.
The President gave away the prestigious Fields Medals, also called the Maths Nobel, to four eminent mathematicians in recognition of their contribution to the field. The four Fields Medals were presented to Elon Lindenstrauss (Israel), Ngo Bao Chau (Vietnam), Stanislav Smirnov (Russia) and Cedric Villani (France). The Rolf Nevanlinna Prize was presented to Daniel Spielman of Yale University while the Gauss Prize was given away to Yves Meyer of France.
The newly-instituted Chern Prize for lifelong achievements in mathematics was presented to Canadian Louis Nirenberg of New York University.
Andhra Pradesh Governor E S L Narasimhan, Chief Minister K Rosaiah, International Mathematical Union president L Lovasz, organizing committee chairman M S Raghunathan, secretary Rajat Tandon and others were present on the occasion.
In her inaugural address, the President noted that mathematics inculcated the habit of rational thought and promoted scientific temper. She stressed on the need for promotion of mathematics studies among the young generation.
The President said the need for understanding mathematics was necessary in all walks of life, be it engineers, scientists or those working in the industry, finance or social sciences.
Since Independence, India recognized the importance of science as a vehicle for human progress, the President said. “Mathematics, the language of science and its advancement, is an integral part of India’s science policy,” she added.
“Economics and social sciences, once impervious to mathematics, are coming increasingly under its influence. There is an aesthetic component to its pursuit and it inculcates the habit of rational thought. Its role in other human endeavours apart, we also recognize the profound cultural dimension that the study of mathematics has,” Pratibha Patil said.
Noting that India’s engagement with mathematics dated back to some three thousand years, the President said the country had a rich mathematical heritage and has been accorded a primary position among intellectual pursuits.
“Like the crest of the peacock and the jewel of the serpent, Mathematics stands at the helm of all sciences,” Pratibha said, quoting a Sanskrit verse.
She recalled the contributions of Aryabhatta and Brahmagupta to the development of Algebra and Astronomy and also that of Bhaskaracharya. “However, until the last Century, the West seems to have been unaware of Madhava, a mathematician of the 15th Century who anticipated the essentials of Calculus. It is only in recent years that the work of ‘Kerala School’ has attracted considerable attention from historians of mathematics,” Pratibha Patil pointed out.
Revival of mathematical activity in India was triggered by the advent of the extraordinary figure of Srinivasa Ramanujan in the 20th Century, she said, adding that Ramanujan’s achievements were a source of inspiration for succeeding generations.
She wished success for the initiatives of the International Mathematical Union aimed at promotion of mathematics in developing countries.
The ICM assumes significance for India as it is being held coinciding with the Centenary of the founding of Indian Mathematical Society and the Silver Jubilee year of Ramanujan Mathematical Society.
World Chess champion Viswanathan Anand will test his skills by playing chess simultaneously against 40 mathematicians on the sidelines of the mega event, Prof Govindan Rangarajan of the ICM organizing committee said.
The award winners presented their works to the delegates during the technical sessions that followed the inauguration ceremony.
Panel discussions on interesting topics like “Mathematics Education and Popularization of Mathematics” and “Mathematics in Science and Technology” will begin tomorrow. A panel discussion on how to take mathematics to high schools has also been scheduled during the event. The London Mathematical Society is organizing a discussion on August 25 on ‘Mechanisms for strengthening mathematics in developing countries’ as part of the ICM.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Bad blood between AP ministers
DESARAJU SURYA
HYDERABAD: The bad blood flowing for some time now between ministers of the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet hailing from Telangana and Andhra-Rayalaseema regions spilled in the meeting of the state Council of Ministers with the two “rival factions” seeking to cross swords.
But senior minister Gade Venkata Reddy, through his wise counsel, ensured that the acrimony did not spread.
Ironically, it was Gade who has been the main target of attack by leaders of Telangana region for submitting a report on behalf of ministers for Andhra-Rayalaseema region to the five-member Srikrishna Committee allegedly dubbing those seeking a separate state as “traitors.”
Information Technology Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy reportedly raised the issue at the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister K Rosaiah, and pointed out that the Andhra-Rayalaseema ministers’ claim before the Srikrishna Committee had deeply hurt the people of Telangana.
Gade immediately intervened to assert that they had never made any such claim. “There is nothing secret about our representation to the Srikrishna Committee. Everything is in black and white. Don’t go by media reports,” Gade told Venkat Reddy and other ministers from Telangana.
The senior minister, who holds the Endowments portfolio, also noted that they were all “ministers of Andhra Pradesh” and not ministers of any particular region.
“The state is still united and as per Constitution we are ministers of Andhra Pradesh. Let us not divide ourselves even before the Centre-appointed committee submitted its report,” Gade said.
“Gade’s ‘elderly’ talk pleased everyone and there was no further discussion on the subject,” one Cabinet minister later said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rosaiah reportedly conveyed to his Cabinet colleagues that they all should abide by all directives of the Congress high command. This was seen as an oblique reference to the third-leg of Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s “Odarpu Yatra” slated to begin in Prakasam district on September 3. Mines Minister and Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s close relative Balineni Srinivasa Reddy announced that he would take part in Jagan’s yatra even as reports from New Delhi suggested that the Congress high command once again issued a directive asking elected representatives to keep away from the MP’s tour.
“Shall we pass a resolution in this regard,” Health Minister Danam Nagender sarcastically questioned Rosaiah when the latter referred about the high command’s directive.
“This is only an informal issue and not on the official agenda. How can we pass a resolution,” the Chief Minister reportedly retorted.
On the growing allegations of irregularities in the land deals by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation since 2004, the Cabinet felt that any further action into the issue could be decided based on the internal enquiry report of the APIIC. The APIIC appointed a three-member internal committee to look into the issue of Emaar Properties’ land deal in which the government is said to be losing thousands of crores of rupees.
Sources said a decision on the APIIC issue could be taken at the next meeting of the Cabinet.
HYDERABAD: The bad blood flowing for some time now between ministers of the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet hailing from Telangana and Andhra-Rayalaseema regions spilled in the meeting of the state Council of Ministers with the two “rival factions” seeking to cross swords.
But senior minister Gade Venkata Reddy, through his wise counsel, ensured that the acrimony did not spread.
Ironically, it was Gade who has been the main target of attack by leaders of Telangana region for submitting a report on behalf of ministers for Andhra-Rayalaseema region to the five-member Srikrishna Committee allegedly dubbing those seeking a separate state as “traitors.”
Information Technology Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy reportedly raised the issue at the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister K Rosaiah, and pointed out that the Andhra-Rayalaseema ministers’ claim before the Srikrishna Committee had deeply hurt the people of Telangana.
Gade immediately intervened to assert that they had never made any such claim. “There is nothing secret about our representation to the Srikrishna Committee. Everything is in black and white. Don’t go by media reports,” Gade told Venkat Reddy and other ministers from Telangana.
The senior minister, who holds the Endowments portfolio, also noted that they were all “ministers of Andhra Pradesh” and not ministers of any particular region.
“The state is still united and as per Constitution we are ministers of Andhra Pradesh. Let us not divide ourselves even before the Centre-appointed committee submitted its report,” Gade said.
“Gade’s ‘elderly’ talk pleased everyone and there was no further discussion on the subject,” one Cabinet minister later said.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Rosaiah reportedly conveyed to his Cabinet colleagues that they all should abide by all directives of the Congress high command. This was seen as an oblique reference to the third-leg of Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy’s “Odarpu Yatra” slated to begin in Prakasam district on September 3. Mines Minister and Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s close relative Balineni Srinivasa Reddy announced that he would take part in Jagan’s yatra even as reports from New Delhi suggested that the Congress high command once again issued a directive asking elected representatives to keep away from the MP’s tour.
“Shall we pass a resolution in this regard,” Health Minister Danam Nagender sarcastically questioned Rosaiah when the latter referred about the high command’s directive.
“This is only an informal issue and not on the official agenda. How can we pass a resolution,” the Chief Minister reportedly retorted.
On the growing allegations of irregularities in the land deals by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation since 2004, the Cabinet felt that any further action into the issue could be decided based on the internal enquiry report of the APIIC. The APIIC appointed a three-member internal committee to look into the issue of Emaar Properties’ land deal in which the government is said to be losing thousands of crores of rupees.
Sources said a decision on the APIIC issue could be taken at the next meeting of the Cabinet.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The real test for TRS
DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: The by-elections in ten Assembly constituencies, slated for July 27, in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh will be a real test for the separatist Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
In actual terms, the ruling Congress and the principal opposition Telugu Desam Party have nothing to lose and victory in even a couple of seats will only be a gain for these parties. Of the ten constituencies facing by-elections, nine were won by the TRS and one by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2009 general elections. These legislators resigned from their posts in February this year demanding immediate grant of statehood for Telangana even as the Government of India constituted a five-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge B Srikrishna, to study the situation in the state.In all 12 MLAs – ten of TRS and one each of TDP and BJP – quit their posts but by-polls are not being held for Vemulawada and Sircilla seats in Karimnagar district because of legal hurdles. TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s son K T Rama Rao won the Sircilla seat by a margin of just 171 votes following which his election was challenged in High Court. Chennamaneni Ramesh won the Vemulawada seat on TDP ticket last time but his election too was contested on the ground that he was a “foreign” citizen. Ramesh quit the TDP after his resignation from the Assembly and joined the TRS.In 2009, the TRS enjoyed the support of TDP as well as CPI and CPM and hence managed to win ten seats in all. This time, however, it is fighting the by-elections on its own banking solely on the so-called “Telangana sentiment.” Interestingly, the Congress and the TDP too will be playing the Telangana card, thereby depriving the TRS of its USP. The entry into fray of Congress and TDP has left the TRS jittery as it hoped to get its candidates re-elected without any contest on the ground that they “sacrificed” their posts for the cause of a separate state. The TRS used every gambit to prevent the Congress and the TDP from contesting the by-elections but failed. The ruling party is jumping into the fray with the slogan that it is the Congress alone that could ultimately deliver Telangana. Of course, it will also use the “development” plank to win over the electorate. The TDP would like to expose how both the Congress and the TRS had been deceiving the people of Telangana over the separate statehood issue. Besides, it will take up the people’s problems and the state government’s failure in preventing the construction of Babli irrigation project on river Godavari by the Maharashtra government. While all the TRS MLAs who quit their posts will be fielded again in the by-elections, the TDP finalized the name of seven candidates so far and will formally announce its full list probably on June 30. Telugu Desam sources say the party might strategically field the kin of persons, who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana state, in at least a couple of constituencies like Siddipet essentially to put the TRS in a bind. Siddipet is considered the TRS’ bastion from where party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s nephew T Harish Rao won with a thumping majority of 64,014 votes in 2009. The TRS, through the now non-existent Telangana Political Joint Action Committee, mooted the idea of fielding the kin of the so-called “Telangana martyrs” in at least some constituencies in the by-elections to showcase their commitment to the statehood cause. Now, the TDP is planning to beat the TRS in its game by fielding such persons particularly in constituencies like Siddipet, according to party sources. The BJP will re-nominate Lakshminarayana for the Nizamabad (Urban) seat and will not contest other seats. Lakshminarayana was one of the two BJP MLAs elected in 2009 but quit over the statehood issue. He will be facing PCC chief D Srinivas again in Nizamabad while the TDP is nominating a Muslim candidate Aleem. The Praja Rajyam Party has decided not to contest the by-polls. The PRP has been reduced to nothing by changing its stand in favour of a unified Andhra Pradesh. Even when it supported the cause of “Social Telangana” in 2009, it could win only two seats in the region and both the MLAs are now out of the party. Given the strong antagonism it faces in the region, the PRP decided to stay away from the fight. The real fight begins once the poll notification is issued on July 2.
Hyderabad: The by-elections in ten Assembly constituencies, slated for July 27, in the Telangana region of Andhra Pradesh will be a real test for the separatist Telangana Rashtra Samiti.
In actual terms, the ruling Congress and the principal opposition Telugu Desam Party have nothing to lose and victory in even a couple of seats will only be a gain for these parties. Of the ten constituencies facing by-elections, nine were won by the TRS and one by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2009 general elections. These legislators resigned from their posts in February this year demanding immediate grant of statehood for Telangana even as the Government of India constituted a five-member committee, headed by former Supreme Court judge B Srikrishna, to study the situation in the state.In all 12 MLAs – ten of TRS and one each of TDP and BJP – quit their posts but by-polls are not being held for Vemulawada and Sircilla seats in Karimnagar district because of legal hurdles. TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao’s son K T Rama Rao won the Sircilla seat by a margin of just 171 votes following which his election was challenged in High Court. Chennamaneni Ramesh won the Vemulawada seat on TDP ticket last time but his election too was contested on the ground that he was a “foreign” citizen. Ramesh quit the TDP after his resignation from the Assembly and joined the TRS.In 2009, the TRS enjoyed the support of TDP as well as CPI and CPM and hence managed to win ten seats in all. This time, however, it is fighting the by-elections on its own banking solely on the so-called “Telangana sentiment.” Interestingly, the Congress and the TDP too will be playing the Telangana card, thereby depriving the TRS of its USP. The entry into fray of Congress and TDP has left the TRS jittery as it hoped to get its candidates re-elected without any contest on the ground that they “sacrificed” their posts for the cause of a separate state. The TRS used every gambit to prevent the Congress and the TDP from contesting the by-elections but failed. The ruling party is jumping into the fray with the slogan that it is the Congress alone that could ultimately deliver Telangana. Of course, it will also use the “development” plank to win over the electorate. The TDP would like to expose how both the Congress and the TRS had been deceiving the people of Telangana over the separate statehood issue. Besides, it will take up the people’s problems and the state government’s failure in preventing the construction of Babli irrigation project on river Godavari by the Maharashtra government. While all the TRS MLAs who quit their posts will be fielded again in the by-elections, the TDP finalized the name of seven candidates so far and will formally announce its full list probably on June 30. Telugu Desam sources say the party might strategically field the kin of persons, who committed suicide for the cause of Telangana state, in at least a couple of constituencies like Siddipet essentially to put the TRS in a bind. Siddipet is considered the TRS’ bastion from where party chief K Chandrasekhar Rao’s nephew T Harish Rao won with a thumping majority of 64,014 votes in 2009. The TRS, through the now non-existent Telangana Political Joint Action Committee, mooted the idea of fielding the kin of the so-called “Telangana martyrs” in at least some constituencies in the by-elections to showcase their commitment to the statehood cause. Now, the TDP is planning to beat the TRS in its game by fielding such persons particularly in constituencies like Siddipet, according to party sources. The BJP will re-nominate Lakshminarayana for the Nizamabad (Urban) seat and will not contest other seats. Lakshminarayana was one of the two BJP MLAs elected in 2009 but quit over the statehood issue. He will be facing PCC chief D Srinivas again in Nizamabad while the TDP is nominating a Muslim candidate Aleem. The Praja Rajyam Party has decided not to contest the by-polls. The PRP has been reduced to nothing by changing its stand in favour of a unified Andhra Pradesh. Even when it supported the cause of “Social Telangana” in 2009, it could win only two seats in the region and both the MLAs are now out of the party. Given the strong antagonism it faces in the region, the PRP decided to stay away from the fight. The real fight begins once the poll notification is issued on July 2.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Chaos in Andhra Pradesh Congress
DESARAJU SURYA
HYDERABAD: Chaos is ruling the roost in the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh these days – for the first time in six years.
Members of Parliament are attacking state Ministers, junior MLAs are trying to take on their seniors while the latter are hitting back with equal vigour. Legislators eyeing a berth in the state Cabinet are sulking as Chief Minister K Rosaiah appears in no hurry to take up the expansion exercise in the immediate future.
The only ones who are left exuberant right now are the state ministers who have fallen in line and are singing paeans of the Chief Minister, what with the Cabinet expansion\reshuffle put on the backburner giving them “job security.”
Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy may have put off his planned “Odarpu Yatra” in Warangal district from May 28 to console over 70 families whose members allegedly died either due to heartbreak or committed suicide following the death of his father and late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in September last.
But it has left the Congress bruised as the not only the party’s state leadership but also the “high command” were left totally embarrassed because of the violence it caused when an adamant Jagan sought to defy the party directive and go ahead with the tour.
Though the Congress high command is now talking tough over the issue, it is not in a position to take any action against the first-time MP.
The current mess in the AP Congress started with Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao petitioning AICC chief Sonia Gandhi early this month against “corrupt ministers” in Rosaiah’s Cabinet and seeking their immediate expulsion. His prime target was state Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, his bête noire in the district, and this led to a war of words and challenges and counter-challenges between the two.
Following in Rayapati’s footsteps, Kurnool MP Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy targeted his district minister C Silpa Mohan Reddy alleging that the latter was working hand-in-glove with the opposition Telugu Desam Party, thereby weakening the Congress in the district. Kotla also levelled allegations of corruption against Silpa Mohan.
Even before these two episodes ended, senior MLAs J C Diwakar Reddy, D L Ravindra Reddy and P Shanker Rao – all eyeing berths in the Cabinet – openly demanded that the Chief Minister “review” the so-called welfare schemes launched by his predecessor YSR in view of the precarious financial health of the state.
Three MLAs from Kadapa, owing allegiance to Y S Jagan, warned of consequences if the welfare schemes were withdrawn or watered down on the pretext of financial crunch. They even went to the extent of threatening to take on even the Prime Minister and the AICC president if they committed any mistake.
This left not only the senior leaders red-faced but also the Chief Minister and the Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas, who rushed to the party high command with “proof” of the Jagan camp’s loud-mouthed outbursts.
The senior legislators and many other party leaders demanded that the three MLAs be expelled from the party forthwith for having the temerity to speak against Sonia Gandhi.
Interestingly, neither the Chief Minister nor the PCC president reacted openly when the Kadapa MP himself issued flagrant warnings against moves to withdraw any of the welfare schemes initiated by his father when he was Chief Minister.
PCC chief D Srinivas' silence on anti-party activities by senior Congressmen and his eagerness to enter the Rajya Sabha have emboldened many a Congress leader in the state to take a dig either at his rival within the party or criticise the Rosaiah government only to keep their ilk in the party happy.
All said and done, the Congress party in the state is passing through a serious phase of gross indiscipline because the high command is not in a position either to displease the Jagan camp or the anti-Jagan camp.
Now, everyone is looking towards New Delhi for the AICC to “first react and then act” to set the party house in order in Andhra Pradesh.
HYDERABAD: Chaos is ruling the roost in the ruling Congress party in Andhra Pradesh these days – for the first time in six years.
Members of Parliament are attacking state Ministers, junior MLAs are trying to take on their seniors while the latter are hitting back with equal vigour. Legislators eyeing a berth in the state Cabinet are sulking as Chief Minister K Rosaiah appears in no hurry to take up the expansion exercise in the immediate future.
The only ones who are left exuberant right now are the state ministers who have fallen in line and are singing paeans of the Chief Minister, what with the Cabinet expansion\reshuffle put on the backburner giving them “job security.”
Kadapa MP Y S Jaganmohan Reddy may have put off his planned “Odarpu Yatra” in Warangal district from May 28 to console over 70 families whose members allegedly died either due to heartbreak or committed suicide following the death of his father and late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in September last.
But it has left the Congress bruised as the not only the party’s state leadership but also the “high command” were left totally embarrassed because of the violence it caused when an adamant Jagan sought to defy the party directive and go ahead with the tour.
Though the Congress high command is now talking tough over the issue, it is not in a position to take any action against the first-time MP.
The current mess in the AP Congress started with Guntur MP Rayapati Sambasiva Rao petitioning AICC chief Sonia Gandhi early this month against “corrupt ministers” in Rosaiah’s Cabinet and seeking their immediate expulsion. His prime target was state Major Industries Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana, his bête noire in the district, and this led to a war of words and challenges and counter-challenges between the two.
Following in Rayapati’s footsteps, Kurnool MP Kotla Suryaprakash Reddy targeted his district minister C Silpa Mohan Reddy alleging that the latter was working hand-in-glove with the opposition Telugu Desam Party, thereby weakening the Congress in the district. Kotla also levelled allegations of corruption against Silpa Mohan.
Even before these two episodes ended, senior MLAs J C Diwakar Reddy, D L Ravindra Reddy and P Shanker Rao – all eyeing berths in the Cabinet – openly demanded that the Chief Minister “review” the so-called welfare schemes launched by his predecessor YSR in view of the precarious financial health of the state.
Three MLAs from Kadapa, owing allegiance to Y S Jagan, warned of consequences if the welfare schemes were withdrawn or watered down on the pretext of financial crunch. They even went to the extent of threatening to take on even the Prime Minister and the AICC president if they committed any mistake.
This left not only the senior leaders red-faced but also the Chief Minister and the Pradesh Congress Committee president D Srinivas, who rushed to the party high command with “proof” of the Jagan camp’s loud-mouthed outbursts.
The senior legislators and many other party leaders demanded that the three MLAs be expelled from the party forthwith for having the temerity to speak against Sonia Gandhi.
Interestingly, neither the Chief Minister nor the PCC president reacted openly when the Kadapa MP himself issued flagrant warnings against moves to withdraw any of the welfare schemes initiated by his father when he was Chief Minister.
PCC chief D Srinivas' silence on anti-party activities by senior Congressmen and his eagerness to enter the Rajya Sabha have emboldened many a Congress leader in the state to take a dig either at his rival within the party or criticise the Rosaiah government only to keep their ilk in the party happy.
All said and done, the Congress party in the state is passing through a serious phase of gross indiscipline because the high command is not in a position either to displease the Jagan camp or the anti-Jagan camp.
Now, everyone is looking towards New Delhi for the AICC to “first react and then act” to set the party house in order in Andhra Pradesh.
Friday, May 7, 2010
National Institute of Urban Management to come up in Hyderabad
DESARAJU SURYA
Hyderabad: Hyderabad will soon be home for yet another prestigious national institute, the National Institute of Urban Management (NIUM).
NIUM will be developed as a world-class institute jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh on a 20-acre site at Khanamet village in Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
“NIUM will be a premier institute for training urban managers in tune with the growing challenges of urbanization,” state Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The key objective of the institute will be to provide policy prescriptions, innovations for better urban governance, information and training inputs to all those concerned with improving living conditions and quality of life for urban citizens.
While the GoI would contribute Rs 50 crore, the state government would spend Rs 15 crore for building the NIUM and setting up the training facilities in the first year. “The World Bank will contribute another Rs 20 crore for the project,” the Minister added.
The state Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Rosaiah, approved a proposal to allocate 20 acres of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority land at Khanamet free-of-cost for the NIUM.
World-class infrastructure for training urban managers, hostels, modern computer labs, library and other infrastructure would be developed on the campus.
Currently, the National Institute of Urban Affairs is being run as an autonomous institution in New Delhi with the support of the Union Ministry of Urban Development. It is a premier institute for urban policy research, training and information dissemination in urban development and management.
“NIUM is the first national-level institute being set up by government to train urban managers from across the country,” Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The state government will communicate the land allocation particulars to the Union Ministry of Urban Development after which the latter will start building the facility.
Hyderabad: Hyderabad will soon be home for yet another prestigious national institute, the National Institute of Urban Management (NIUM).
NIUM will be developed as a world-class institute jointly by the Government of India and the Government of Andhra Pradesh on a 20-acre site at Khanamet village in Ranga Reddy district on the outskirts of Hyderabad.
“NIUM will be a premier institute for training urban managers in tune with the growing challenges of urbanization,” state Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Aanam Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The key objective of the institute will be to provide policy prescriptions, innovations for better urban governance, information and training inputs to all those concerned with improving living conditions and quality of life for urban citizens.
While the GoI would contribute Rs 50 crore, the state government would spend Rs 15 crore for building the NIUM and setting up the training facilities in the first year. “The World Bank will contribute another Rs 20 crore for the project,” the Minister added.
The state Cabinet, which met here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister K Rosaiah, approved a proposal to allocate 20 acres of Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority land at Khanamet free-of-cost for the NIUM.
World-class infrastructure for training urban managers, hostels, modern computer labs, library and other infrastructure would be developed on the campus.
Currently, the National Institute of Urban Affairs is being run as an autonomous institution in New Delhi with the support of the Union Ministry of Urban Development. It is a premier institute for urban policy research, training and information dissemination in urban development and management.
“NIUM is the first national-level institute being set up by government to train urban managers from across the country,” Ramanarayana Reddy said.
The state government will communicate the land allocation particulars to the Union Ministry of Urban Development after which the latter will start building the facility.
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