Sri Rama Navami is being celebrated with much pomp and geity in Badhrachalam. SitaRama kalyanam that was performed at this temple was a feast to the devotees who were present over there. Chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who arrived at the temple, kept the silk clothes and thalambralu on his head and moved towards the deity where he offered the holy clothes to the deity. As the clothes were presented, the kalyanam got underway.

A large number of VIPs too took part in Sita Rama kalyanam. The temple premises was echoing with Jai Shri Ram, Jai Shri Ram as the palanquin was taken out for procession on the temple premises and then SitaRam Kalyanam was performed. It's being considered that watching kalyanam at Badhrachalam on Sri Rama Navami is a life time experience.

(AW Phani)

After highlighting many issues, it looks like TDP now wants to take on the railways. At a point of time when natural seasonal rush keep people search run pillar to posts for their tickets, TDP seems to play hard on this point. The party's MP s have today met the railway general manager in Secunderabad and handed over a memorandum of request to him.

The MP s have urged the general manager to ensure that some special railway tracks are being laid down between Secunderabad and Kurnool besides many other important rules. Also, they highlighted about the drinking water problems at many railways stations. The general manager has assured them that he would look into the issue and take necessary steps. Whatever it is, talking about public problems is always good but why didn't they come up with this issue during parliament sessions is a million dollar question now.

(AW Phani)

Chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who has been under criticism from his own leaders for quite sometime over increased electricity surcharges, has now being criticized for other reasons, from leaders of his own party. Congress senior leader V Hanumantha Rao has alleged that chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was allegedly safeguarding the alleged tainted ministers.  He has also said that it was improper of chief minister's part to support these ministers.

Mr VH who said that he doesn't know as to what chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy was telling to AICC supremo Sonia Gandhi and AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi, has mentioned that leaders like Aanam Ramnarayana were realizing the facts. Speaking about the discussions about MP s from Telangana region and their alleged chances of jumping into TRS, V Hanumantha Rao has opined that he was not believing that MP s would jump into TRS.

All in all, senior leaders like VH taking on chief minister publicly will only give enough scope for opposition parties to raise fingers at Congress sarkar more firmly!

(AW Phani)

Sri Rama Navami is being celebrated with much pomp and geity in Badhrachalam. SitaRama kalyanam that was performed at this temple was a feast to the devotees who were present over there. Chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, who arrived at the temple, kept the silk clothes and thalambralu on his head and moved towards the deity where he offered the holy clothes to the deity. As the clothes were presented, the kalyanam got underway.

A large number of VIPs too took part in Sita Rama kalyanam. The temple premises was echoing with Jai Shri Ram, Jai Shri Ram as the palanquin was taken out for procession on the temple premises and then SitaRam Kalyanam was performed. It's being considered that watching kalyanam at Badhrachalam on Sri Rama Navami is a life time experience.

(AW Phani)

After highlighting many issues, it looks like TDP now wants to take on the railways. At a point of time when natural seasonal rush keep people search run pillar to posts for their tickets, TDP seems to play hard on this point. The party's MP s have today met the railway general manager in Secunderabad and handed over a memorandum of request to him.

The MP s have urged the general manager to ensure that some special railway tracks are being laid down between Secunderabad and Kurnool besides many other important rules. Also, they highlighted about the drinking water problems at many railways stations. The general manager has assured them that he would look into the issue and take necessary steps. Whatever it is, talking about public problems is always good but why didn't they come up with this issue during parliament sessions is a million dollar question now.

(AW Phani)

Om Namo Narayanaya

Hi dear devotees of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, welcome to Tirumala Tirupati updates. Today being Saturday, the rush at Tirumala is likely to increase. As on Saturday morning, as many as 11 queue compartments are filled with devotees. In fact, it's taking seven hours to seek blessings of the deity through sarva darshanam (free darshan).

For pratyeka pravesha darshanam, it's taking three hours to enter sanctum sanctorum through special entry (Rs. 300) darshan. To those who are taking pedestrian path to Tirumala, it's taking just two hours to seek blessings of the Lord. Over 50,000 devotees thronged sanctum sanctorum on Friday.

If you are near Tirupati and want to have hassle free darshan, today seems to be ideal one as it's not only Saturday (one of the auspicious days) but also the rush is moderate. That's all for today friends, catch you all on Monday with more Tirumala Tirupati updates!

(AW Phani)

Come 2014, election atmosphere will be prevailing everywhere across Andhra Pradesh. While ruling party will have enough defenses right from Arogya Sri smooth implementation to other welfare schemes, opposition parties such as TDP would be having other things such as (as said by party leaders) electricity issues to make their points during election campaigns. But there's one party in Telangana region that has enough scope to not just make its own point but rather to drive home ideas with ease. It's Telangana Rashtra Samithi, the only political party in Andhra Pradesh, whose formation was based on aim to achieve Telangana state.

It is known that so many times TRS joined hands with so many parties but it couldn't achieve its motive, a separate state. And that's the reason, as said by TRS leaders, that it would go ahead alone in 2014 elections. Since Telanana sentiment is strong in Telangana region, the observers said, TRS's victory might be a cakewalk. Also, it even has points that Congress had been dilly-dallying on the issue, TDP and YSRC's unclear stand on Telanana to make presumably make people attracted towards its party.

We even saw the way one of Congress MP s from Telangana region said TRS was not a political party but a movement. So, it looks like MP s from Telangana region also got to know that TRS was reportedly going strong and it would probably be better if they shift to TRS, as per observers. So, all in all TRS will have enough scope to sweep maximum seats in Telangana region if Congress, TDP and YSRC don't come to a clear stance on Telangana!

(AW Phani)

Bayyaram mining lease issue has been making opposition parties raise their voices strong in support of Telangana. The main opposition party in the state, TDP has today made it clear that the party would not allow the proposal to shift Bayyaram mines to Vishakapatnam. The TDP leaders have said that they even made it clear to chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy over the same. Also, they demanded that Bayyaram mines would be allocated to Telangana region only.

Commenting on TRS, TDP MP Nama Nageshwara Rao has questioned as to why TRS chief KCR didn't raise Bayyaram issue in the parliament when it there was a discussion on the same in the Lok Sabha. TDP even said that it was Chandrababu Naidu who first fought against Bayyaram mines lease when it was alloted to YSR's son-in-law Anil. Meanwhile, Errabelli Dayakar Rao has said that chief minister assured that Bayyaram company would set up in Bayyaram itself.

(AW Phani)

Tollywood actor and TDP leader Balakrishna has today met the victims of Dilsukhnagar bomb blasts in Hyderabad of Andhra Pradesh. Mr Balakrishna, who has reportedly plunged into active politics, was recently touring several parts of the state and demanded an explanation from NTR for his photos being used in YSRC flexis. After that issue curtained, probably this is the first time that Balakrishna has appeared in the news.

The two victims of blasts, who are still undergoing treatment, got a chance to see Balakrishna. One Shravani, the victim had a pleasant smile on her face-despite the apparent pain in her that she was bedridden for no fault of hers-the moment Balakrishna touched her head with grace as a token of warmth. Notably, today is TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu's birthday. On this occasion, Balakrishna had cut the cake with visually challenged people and shared his happiness.

(AW Phani)

Megastar-turned-politician Chiranjeevi, when he started Praja Rajyam Party, came out with a new scheme vanda rupaayalake vanta sarukulu, which promises essential commodities required for a meal for just Rs. 100. Now, this scheme seems to be adapted by chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy with Ammahastham programme. It is known that chief minister Kiran Kumar came out with this programme on Ugadi and launched it with much pride.

The mega fans are reportedly upset after they to know that central minister Chiranjeevi was not informed about this Ammahastham programme. In fact, Chiranjeevi was not even invited for the programme, said reports. So, the observers said that this might increase the apparent gap between chief minister Kiran Kumar and central minister Chiranjeevi. It has to be mentioned here that Chiranjeevi took on chief minister over increased sur-charges, which allegedly irked the chief minister. Anyway, let us hope that the alleged rift between Chiranjeevi and Kiran Kumar comes to an end.

(AW Phani)

Karnataka former tourism minister and accused in Obulapuram Mining Case, Gali Janardhan Reddy was today shifted to Chanchalguda jail from Bangalore jail. In fact, he was earlier kept under judicial custody in Chanchalguda itself. However, in connection with another case he was shifted to Bangalore jail till trails went there. Today, he was shifted back to Chanchalguda jail.

It is at the same jail that Gali Janardhan Reddy's alleged friend Jaganmohan Reddy stays under judicial custody. Gali Janardhan Reddy was booked by CBI and shifted to the prison long ago for allegedly tampering the borderline of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. Till now, the borderline between these two states is not ascertained and till it's ascertained, Supreme Court ordered OMC not to go ahead with digging iron ore on Andhra border.

(AW Phani)

The body of slain Inspector G V Prasad was found near Kavurugatta village, Chattisgarh. G V Prasad was on duty as Greyhound Reserve Inspector on an ill fated day when he lost his way in the forest. Moists killed him as a retaliation to the encounters in Puvarthi forest.

The body was brought to Charla in Andhra Pradesh near Bhadrachalam at late night yesterday. The body will be sent to Bhadrachalam for conducting postmortem before it is given to his relatives.

Villagers of Kavurugatta, that falls under Pamedu Police Station area said to have negotiated with maoists through some forest dwelling Girijans and brought the body of Prasad in a tractor trolley. As the search for the body was on and entire area was gripped in tension, it seems the villagers initiated the move to persuade Maoists to release the body of the Inspector. A poster at the place where the body was left by Maoists warns the police to refrain from conducting combing operations in the forest.

AW-SriJa

Intermediate 1^st year results are released today at 9.00 am by intermediate Education Minister Partha Saradhi, that show a pass percentage of 54.6. The Minister said that the results of Second Year Intermediate will be released on 25^th or 26^th of this month. In the general category 891337 students attended the exams out which a 486658 number of students passed through the exams.

Girl students achieved 59.46% where as 50.22 was achieved by boys. Students of vocational courses achieved 46.54%.

Krishna District stood first with 74% of passed students. Mahaboobnagar District is at the tail end with 40% pass.

It was also announced that the advanced supplementary exams will be conducted from May 22 onwards for which May3 will be the last date to pay the examination fee.

AW-SriJa

Om Namo Venkateshaya

Good morning dear devotees of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy, welcome to Tirumala Tirupati updates! The rush in Tirumala increased on Sunday and it continued to be heavy on Monday morning too. As many as 22 queue compartments are filled with devotees.

It's actually taking 11 hours to seek blessings of Lord Sri Venkateshwara Swamy through sarva darshanam (free darshan), to devotees who take Rs. 300 tickets, it's taking around five hours to enter the sanctum sanctorum. And those who are taking pedestrian path to Tirumala, it's taking around three hours to seek blessings of Tirumala deity.

On Sunday, over 70,000 devotees thronged sanctum sanctorum. That's all for today friends. Catch you all tomorrow with more Tirumala Tirupati updates.

(AW Phani)

Simhadri Appanna Brahmotsavalu are being celebrated with much pomp and geity at Simhachalam of Vishakapatnam. As a part of these annual Brahmotsavams, Rathotsavam and Kalyanotsavam would be conducted today. At least five to six thousand devotees are expected to witness this celestial event, said the temple authorities. They have even mentioned that elaborate arrangements were made to witness the holy event. All those taking part in Kalyanotsavam would be presented a pearl and even thalambralu, said temple authorities.

It may be noted that Sri Varaha Nrusimha Swamy at Simhadri temple is considered one of the most powerful deities as it's self incarnated after Sri Maha Vishnu eliminated Hiranyaksha demon as Sri Varaha Nrusimha. Daily thousands of devotees offer their prayers here. The deity here will be covered with sandal paste.

(AW Phani)

A boy only a month old was sold for Rs 1.5 Lakhs in Nizambad, AP, officials reported today. They boy was rescued but no one was arrested yet.

The one-month-old was the illegal child of a laborer Gangadhar who failed to convince the mother to undergo abortion. Around the same time, Linganna, a mediator in the child-trafficking deal, suggested Gangadhar that instead of trying to abort the child, he could sell he child for money. Immediately, Gangadhar stopped all efforts to get the mother aborted. They sold the boy one month after he was born only 10 days ago according to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) authorities who lodged a complaint to the rural police in Nizamabad.

The boy was rescued from Dubba vilage and taken to a Child care home Nizambad town. After delivery at the government hospital in Nizambad, the child was missing from the hospital 10 days ago. The mother was not giving out any information on the same which forced the ICDS to lodge a complaint. She later revealed of the child-trafficking deal after a bit of counselling.

Gangadhar and Linganna were being questioned and no arrests have been made yet.

(AW- Anil)

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) Sunday vowed not to allow transport of iron ore mines from Telangana for Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, saying these mineral resources should be used only for the region's development.

TRS in its fight to obtain a separate statehood for Telangana is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that they mean serious business. KCR has been seeking a steel plant being installed at Warangal or Khammam supporting his demands by stating that either of the locations had all the resources iron ore, water and electricity for the plant.

The Mahabubnagar MP has also said that he would write to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the same mentioning that Telangana has all rights to use the iron ore of the region and no one else. Over a crore of Telangana's population willl sign this petition being sent to the PM.

"We will not allow iron ore to be taken from here at any cost," Rajender told reporters at the state assmebly.

Meanwhile there are plans being made to ensure that the VSP would be integrated with the mines in Khammam with a new plant. The Bayyaram mines would become more efficient with such a plan but TRS leaders and other T-leaders are not happy with the proposal. They have been demanding a separate plant for Telangana itself since the integration will develop only 4000 more jobs which is way too less than VSP.

Is TRS only being selfish or is there real philanthropic motive of serving the people faithfully behind this protest?

(AW- Anil)

Hyderabadis had a cool evening today as skies opened up. After scorching heat for the couple of days, rain drops made people come out of their homes and offices and enjoy the cool evening. Mirchi bajji vendors were in all smiles too as people were thronging country snacks' dens to taste the snacks that are right out of fire. Accompanied by cool breeze, the rain really brought respite to scores of people in Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

However, there's one bad thing that gave enough scope for the people in the twin cities to wear unpleasant expression. The drainage water was overflowing on the roads and all footpaths were completely submerged, which made people walk on the roads due to which traffic jams took place. God alone knows when municipal authorities are going to look into this!

(AW Phani)

The producer of Gauravam movie, Prakash Raj, has thrown a good offer for NRI regarding his movie Gauravam. He has said that NRIs can now watch Gauravam movie online on prakashrajlive.com website. However, one needs to pay just five dollars to get a day's pass to watch that movie online.

You must be wondering what's the offer in it. Well, the exciting offer is that Prakash Raj has told that he would allow all those who purchase Gauravam movie pass to watch his Dhoni movie for free.

In case, of any bad internet connection or difficulty in watching the movie, Prakash Raj has promised to give the money (five dollars) back. It looks like Prakash Raj's innovation has left other producers awestruck. We never know, other producers might soon come up with such exciting offers for NRIs.

(AW Phani)

Telangana turmoil is still hitting the headlines. Telangana MP s from Congress party, who were reportedly in talks with TRS chief reportedly whether to plunge into TRS or not, have displayed placards in Parliament yet another time. Pressing their demand for separate state of Telangana, MP s have made camera's turn towards them with big placards that supported formation of Telangana state.

The MP s gathered at the parliament gate and expressed their displeasure over the delay in formation of Telangana state. It looks like Telangana MP s want to exert more pressure on the Centre over formation of the state. How Congress is going to react on its MP s stance has become an interesting debate amongst political circles.

Will these MP s really jump to TRS if Congress continues to dilly dally? Well, any MP moving out of the party will surely effect the future of it! Looks like Congress is in a fix now.

(AW Phani)