BEHIND THE NAME – VIZAG

Visakhapatnam/Vizag – Hidden with in the folds of its verdant hills and picturesque valleys there is a bustling city, an industrial centre, with heritage buildings, ancient temples, Buddhists monuments, natural wonders, golden beaches, art, history, culture… Vizag is all this and more. The perfect tourist destination, come explore this exceptional city and her rich surroundings, the ‘jewel on the East Coast’.

Once a small fishing village, the city today is a busy port with the distinctive advantage of a natural harbour. Its geographical advantage has made this city the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. In addition, a number of major industries, ship building yard, a huge dry dock, a mega oil refinery, software giants, a massive steel and power plant make Vizag one of the modern faces of India. At the same time, Vizag has nestled within her, a rich legacy of ancient and historical sites of religious, cultural and natural significance. And all this progress and preservation of heritage has taken place in the midst of the awe-inspiring Eastern Ghats with the hills on one side and the azure waters of Bay of Bengal on the other.

The story behind the name Visakhapatnam has many versions.

Vizag Port – Old Picture

One popular belief is that the town was named after Buddhist princess Visakha (5th to 6th Century BC), and is referred to in the Buddhist gathas. Another similar theory attributes the name to a Buddhist monk, Vaisakhi. The Chinese traveller, Huien Tsang visited Andhra during 639-40 AD. In his travelogue he mentioned the name of ‘Visakha kingdom’, where Hinayana Buddhism was prevalent.

Another school of thought attributes the name derived from the God of valour, Visakeshwara. This is supported by the strong belief that there lies submerged a shore temple built by Kuluttonga Chola of the Lord just off the shoreline. Then again, the name is credited to a Muslim saint, Ishaq Madina, revered by all, the Hindus and Muslims, especially those who lived off the sea. And the simplest yet most possible explanation is that the city got its name from its topography; ‘isaka’ is the Telugu word for sand. The vast sand expanses could have contributed to the name.

Historically, Visakhapatnam was considered to be a part of Dandaka Aranya. Later, part of the Kalinga Empire, it was conquered by Asoka in about 260 BC. In about the 11th century AD, the Simhachalam Temple was constructed. The 15th century saw the reign of Krishnadeva Raya. The next significant happening was the establishment of the Dutch colony in 1735. Later, in 1765, Visakhapatnam became a part of the Northern Circars, initially under French control, only to be expelled by the British later. The city has evolved and flourished under the British. Prior to that, Visakhapatnam has witnessed the reigns of various kingdoms – Asoka, Pallavas, Cholas and Gangas.

Under the British, development was manifold. Like the establishment of the Andhra medical College (1902), railway connection to Madras and Calcutta (1904), the Andhra University (1926), Port (1933), Eastern Naval Command (1947), and clubs like the Golf Club and Waltair Club. Post independence, in 1949, Scindia Shipyard (HSL) was commissioned, HPCL (Caltex) came up (1957) and in 1981, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant opened its gates. Now there is a blossoming film industry, chemical industries and the IT parks adding to Vizag’s progress.

The unique topography, ancient history, cultural heritage and adaptability to modern trends have given Vizag an edge over many other destinations. In tune with preferential tourism, Vizag has temple tourism, beach tourism, heritage tourism, Buddhist tourism, eco-tourism, medical tourism, educational tourism, cuisine tourism, adventure sport tourism, river tourism, culture based tourism… this shore city has all this and more. Come; explore the enigma that is Vizag.

Voice from the sky: The fascinating story of the All India Radio in Vizag

The All India Radio Vizag’s programmes are as compelling as their principles but still beckon its niche listeners. Alisha Roy speaks to Station Director K Satyanarayana Murthy who steers ‘Akash Vani.’

Casual in a chequered shirt and plain cotton trousers and far removed from the power dressing attire donned by most media bosses, K Satyanarayana Murthy reminds us that there is more to being a radio station head than glamour. It is a world driven by hard work, sacrifice and relentless ambition. One that he came to know too well as All India Radio Vizag’s Director of Programming, in a career which is essentially tested in front of thousands of people – ‘live.’ KS Murthy oversees all aspects of the AIR Vizag’s daily radio production. And, with a supportive team of artists, programme curators and sound engineers; he does so with unmatched flair.

Taking roots
Since the station was commissioned in 1963 till the advent of FM, AIR Vizag ruled the airwaves. The station was, for a considerable time, at the zenith of its success and popularity, not because there was no other competitive source of information and entertainment, but because it ran in a manner on par with several international radio services. Known as Akash Vani (voice from the sky) it reached the widest audience, including vulnerable communities like industrial workers, farmers, rural women and the youth. AIR Vizag powered them with information in an era before feminism gained momentum in India. Their women’s programme not only promoted gender equality but also became a testimony to AIR’s efforts in supporting women. “Our women’s programme bagged an award in the AIR best programmes category,” the Director shares.



Flair on air
Despite being a state-owned enterprise, the news broadcast on AIR Vizag is much more than what the government wants you to hear. There is an interesting mix of cultural, musical and religious programmes on offer. The language used on air, as far as Telugu broadcasting is concerned, is top-notch, with absolutely no room for slang or banter. “Our presenters are thoroughly coached in proper pronunciation before going on air; compared with what makes it to the airwaves today,” the Director reveals.This notion soon had to be revised, in order to keep up with the young FM radio which now seems to dominate the market. “We branched out to FM and launched AIR FM Rainbow to stay abreast with trends. Rainbow’s programmes are to be consumed on the go,” he says. “It is radio for the modern age with an eclectic playlist, featuring slots for local drama acts, film music, as well as semi-classical numbers. The RJs intersperse the tracks with light banter. SMS based programs and live callers are in place to suit the city’s new metropolis outlook,” he adds.

Modernity and heritage
Without doubt, the Rainbow FM station played a key role in AIR Vizag’s revival and gave it a new lease on life. In a competitive industry of private channels and the Internet, AIR Vizag is conscious of its edge. “We have elite listeners; and people of importance like A Prasanna Kumar, CS Rao, government officials and others closely monitor our programmes and give us feedback immediately,” he says. Stating that other mediums of entertainment have never been a threat; and the All India Radio has its niche market, he adds that private channels don’t affect their number of listeners. “In fact, the problem isn’t in the numbers, but in the fact that our listeners are passive and don’t give us feedback,” he says.

Keeping in touch with the roots, the All India Radio Vizag seems to be an important outlet for tribal artistic expression as well, in times when the mainstream media is not always paying attention. And, it provides listeners with a vivid window into the lives of people surviving on tribal lands. “All AIR stations across India are programme specific. The station in Vizag focuses on tribal and rural programmes because the city is surrounded by tribal areas. As custodians of folklore culture, we preserve rural beliefs,” KS Murthy explains. “My team chronicles Samskar Geet or pristine form of folklore tunes without any music in the background. We visit villages to record folk songs like lullabies, wedding songs and funeral songs. We archive and share these recordings with other AIR stations around the country,” he adds.

Team AIR
Being a part of the team All India Radio is a matter of prestige, and recruitment follows a stringent process. With the Director and his team going through job applications for news presentations, radio jockeys and musicians, he discloses that those selected need to meet the government media standards. Starting with a press notification, the hiring process involves a written exam on Indian heritage as well. They hire Radio Jockeys or “casual announcers” and train them in script writing and voice modulation. “We check the vivaciousness of the applicant’s voice and prefer to hire locals,” divulges KS Murthy.

Diversity of offering and adaptation to newer times while keeping standards and values intact is what makes the All India Radio a name to reckon with. As the city moves towards a hurried culture and in times when different media like the television and Internet vie for attention, it is radio shows from AIR that make their way into the lives of thousands of the city’s listeners everyday.

The concerning scenario when internet trolling crosses the line

A good two decades ago, when the internet was still beginning to find its feet and trolling had its restrictions, it was alright to speak one’s mind in the open. Furthermore, picking sides and opining on social issues was in total acceptance.

However, skid through to the modern age and the omnipresent social media seems to have altered the equations drastically. A person passing an “enlightening” comment, or taking a “dogmatic” stance, can no longer get away without fetching a notorious tag from the users of popular social media platforms.

Originally intended to pull someone’s leg sportingly, the practice has reached a sorry state where the fun-part has been mutated to offence and humiliation. Popularly termed as trolling, this act of provocation has far reached the expanse of our social lives.

From labelling an individual as “anti-national” to threatening someone of rape and murder, trolls, unfortunately, have crossed the line by distressing margins.

Trolls, in some cases, lead to extreme consequences as well. It was not long ago that an American porn star had committed suicide for allegedly being subjected to the savagery of online trolls.

While it is celebrities who are generally the soft-targets, on some occasions, common users too end up drawing the ire of trolls.

In fact, trolling has become so widely prevalent that experts have identified an internet disease called the Chronic Troll Syndrome (CTS). Apparently, someone suffering from CTS would no longer be able to comprehend what is appropriate to do while dealing with people in real life.

So, as this worrying trend continues to spread its diabolic tentacles, be sure to remain guarded against the dank space and even better, refrain in indulging in internet trolling.

How Pakistani wedding dresses are giving us major wedding fashion goals

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How Pakistani dressing style can add all glimmer to Indian weddings

Pakistan has come up as a fashion hub in the past decade and when it’s about their wedding celebrations, they are no less than Indians.

From past many years, we all have been following a same traditional Lehengas and salwar kameez for our wedding functions in India, but if you explore on the other side of the border, the Pakistani wedding dresses are seen to be more elaborate and intricate with their designing and production.

And when it’s about picking up the perfect Pakistani wedding dresses for your special day, there are myriad of options to choose from.

The perfect styling, cuts, embroidery and the shades of colours they include in Pakistani wedding collection will definitely make you go awestruck.

Recently, Pakistani celebrities Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt got married in an intimate Nikkah ceremony giving all of us major Pakistani fashion goals. Their designers  Erum Khan and Deepak & Fahad kept the traditional colour palette of white and gold for their wedding day, which made them look more than stunning.

So why not this wedding season, get inspired from the Pakistani wedding dresses and their designers to look more than just beautiful on your wedding day!

Look 1: From Erum Khan collection

We can’t talk about Pakistani wedding dresses without talking about Erum Khan and his fine-work, his latest collection showcased in Aiman Khan and Muneeb Butt nikkah was breathtaking. This purely versatile outfit from his collection is unique in itself, fuss-free, embellished with fashion-forward cuts, fine-layering and perfect colour will make you look timeless.

Style it with:

-Light puffy bun, to give you a perfect Pakistani look

-Go with heavy makeup for eyes

-Pair it with any silver or beige heels

-Crystal or Diamond light jewellery will do wonders!

Look 2:  From Rema and Shehrbano collection

Image Credits: www.remashehrbano.com

Intricately designed gold lehenga with gold work and uber cool cobalt choli with deep cut in the front is tailor-made to dance the night away in at a sangeet or reception. So the bonus point of this Pakistani dress from Rema and Shehrbano collection is that it is traditional and contemporary in equal parts.

Style it with:

-Light polki necklace and a maang tikka

-For hairdo, the simple bun will look great

-Go for light beige makeup with a wine shade lip colour

Look 3:  From Ammara Khan collection

Image Credits: www.cdn.shopify.com

A gorgeous gilded bridal gown with tones of peach and burnt coral from Ammara Khan collection is an impressive outfit to be worn on your wedding day. Nothing like to be in a Pakistani dress, which exemplifies your bridal guise in a more graceful way.

Pairing it with two-three neckpieces and a passa will make you look like a complete royal bride.

Style it with:

– A mix of pearl and polki jewellery

– For hair, soft curls or a bun would look great!

-Beige or gold pumps for you shoes

-Light makeup with plum lip colour will look more than magical!

Look 4:  From Natasha Kamal collection

Image Credits: www.natashakamal.com

Elegant and simple handcrafted gold kundan blouse and  gotta lehenga from Natasha Kamal collection can be worn on engagement or a Mehndi function of your own or friends and family. This outfit will definitely give you the dazzling look, you are wishing for your special day.

Style it with:

– Soft curls for your hair or a loose side braid

–Maang Tikka will do wonders with a choker necklace

– Light dewy makeup for the perfect look!

Look 5: From Sana Salman collection 

Image Credits: www.sanasalman.com.pk

The right use of colours and exquisite embroidery by Sana Salman, has created a fabulous outfit for any wedding function, even a bride who is looking for something light for her wedding day can pull it off perfectly.  The long cut gray sharara with deep embellishments gives it a complete look when paired with dark maroon kurta adorned with gold work. Also, we completely believe that this Pakistani outfit is purely an easy-breezy way to dress for any wedding function.    

Style it with:

-Wear light  jewellery as already there is a lot of work on the outfit

– For night function, go for smokey eyes and a light lip colour

– Can pair it with embroidered juttis or polki embroidered block heels.

Look 6: From Zainab Chottani

Image Credits: www.zainabchottani.com

It’s high time now, to go away with traditional red or peach Indian wedding lehengas. As we have something really classy and trendy Pakistani dresses from Zainab Chottani collection, this over-detailed piece from his timeless collection  portray a certain exuberance of spirit, ash grey in colour with heavy embellishments and all kinds of work of kundan, kora, sequin, and dabka is paired perfectly with ash grey jamawar lehenga and Khaadi net dupatta to give you the dream look.

Style it with:

-Half tied hair with some flocks in the front

–Passa on your head with a light choker necklace

-Get light makeup with a bold lip colour

Look 7: From Rema and Shehrbano collection

Image Credits: www.remashehrbano.com

Classic red and gold bridal lehenga with exquisite embroidery on the Kurta and Dupatta will be a perfect Pakistani wedding dress for your special day. The outfit has its own charm, the mix of gold and red are not letting this outfit to look like a too much of work. If you are looking for something easy to carry and not yet light with work and embellishments, then this is the perfect outfit for you.  

Style it with:

-Gold heels or embroidered gold wedges will go with this outfit

– Soft curls or a bun for a hairdo

– Pair it with light Polki jewellery, as Kurta is heavy.

– Nude makeup look with maroon shade lip colour is just what you need!

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely of the author and not Yo! Vizag 

Indulging in green spaces: Vizag’s gardening expert gives tips for your green thumb

The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul as well. The words of Alfred Austin do motivate the hobby of gardening in most of us. However, for those who aren’t as blessed with the green thumb, here are some tips by Usha Raju to get you a smooth start.

Get your tools right

While a beginner needn’t have any fancy tools to start with, there are some things that you do need. Get yourself a bag of red soil, compost and coco peat. While red soil offers a rich source of micronutrients for the plant, coco peat helps to retain moisture and the compost brings in rich nutrients. Also buy a few pots, depending on your need and space available. Opt for bigger pots, and while 6 – 8 inches pots are recommended for leafy veggies, you’ll need 12 inches pots for tomatoes, lady finger, brinjal and chillies and 20 inches pots for gourds. Alternately you can also purchase grow-bags or use old buckets or containers in the spirit of recycling. However, do remember to punch holes in these for easy water drainage.

Expert gardening tip: Head to the closest nursery and start with a smaller number of pots for a manageable experience.

Choose your plants

The kind of plants you choose should match both your interests and the space available. For those who like flowers; rose and hibiscus are the easiest to grow. For people planning on indoor plants; crotons, money plant, areca, peace lily and rubber plant work best. And if you’re looking at something that helps the nature, opt for aloe vera, that requires zero care, grows easily and does a great deal of good for the environment. Kitchen gardeners must start with leafy vegetables, brinjal and tomatoes. 

Expert gardening tip: Make your choice depending on the season and amount of sunshine available.

Getting started

Once you have the tools, the seeds and the space ready, get started by creating the potting mix. Take equal proportions of coco peat, red soil and compost. Alternatively, you can also purchase a ready bag of potting mix. Ensure that the pot you’re using has drainage holes in the bottom. Start by layering the base with stones so that the excess water drains out easily, without disturbing the soil. Now fill in the potting mix, such that 2 inches of space is left at the top. Press the medium firmly and water thoroughly. Now sow the seeds or plant the sapling.

Expert gardening tip: Take care not to overcrowd the pot with many seeds as plants love space.

December options

These months are ideal for tomatoes, carrots and radish, which will grow in just a couple of hours of sun. If you get four to five hours of sun, then brinjal, ladyfinger and chillies are recommended. Seeds for all these are readily available in stores, and you can also source stem cuttings or saplings from your friends. Mint, fenugreek, coriander, chillies and tomato seeds can be sourced straight from your kitchen while seeds for leafy vegetables like Amaranth, Spinach and all gourds can be store-bought.

Expert gardening tip: Florals like marigold, hibiscus, cosmos, petunia and roses also grow well in December.

Care

Once you’ve potted your plant, you need to water it regularly. However, remember not to add excess water, as nutrients can run out. Add compost once in 15 days. In fact, you can make your own compost by mixing vegetable waste, dry leaves and sour curd and leaving it in a bin for 3 months. Once the plant starts to grow, cover the top soil with dry leaves to reduce pests, allow for moisture to be trapped and also give carbon to the plant.

Expert gardening tip: Develop the virtue of patience, as seeds take time to germinate. 

Gardening is much recommended for everyone, and along with physical health, it brings in mental health benefits too. More importantly, you get to eat food that’s not treated with any harmful chemicals, which enhances your well-being. With the scare of pesticides being sprayed upon food ranking high, growing your own vegetables ensures that you eat healthy and stay fit.

Check out Vijay Deverakonda’s super anecdote behind Forbes honours

The buzz surrounding Vijay Deverakonda is not dying anytime soon. The young actor, who shot to fame with consistent blockbusters, has now made it to the Forbes Celebrity 100 and the Forbes 30 Under 30 lists. In fact, Deverakonda stands as the only Telugu actor to be mentioned in the recently announced lists, making the feat all the more special.

While the news has got his fans pumped, it is his special tweet that has been fetching everyone’s attention. Vijay Deverakonda posted an interesting anecdote on Twitter, sharing how things turned around for him in the past few years.

“I was 25. Andhra Bank lo 500 Rs. min balance maintain cheyakapothe lock chesinru account. Dad said settle before 30 – That way you can enjoy your success when you are young and parents are healthy. 4 years later – Forbes Celebrity 100, Forbes 30 under 30,” the Taxiwala star tweeted.

Vijay Deverakonda shared how when he 25-years-old, his account in Andhra Bank was locked for not maintaining a minimum balance of Rs 500.

Several celebrities from the Telugu film fraternity congratulated Vijay Deverakonda on being named in the prestigious lists. While Rana Daggubati commented, “Well done: May the force be with you!!”, Director Harish Shankar tweeted, “You deserve it all … This tweet is such an inspiration to the youth … Keep it up buddy.” ‘Baahubali‘ Producer, Shobu Yarlagadda too, congratulated the young actor and wished him prolonged success.

The actor initially marked his screen presence with notable characters in ‘Nuvvila’, ‘Life is Beautiful’ and ‘Yevade Subramanyam’. In 2016, Deverakonda scored his first blockbuster as a lead actor with ‘Pelli Choopulu’. The actor then set the box office on fire with his following films, ‘Arjun Reddy’ and ‘Geetha Govindam’. He was even acclaimed for his performances in ‘Mahanati’ and ‘Taxiwala’.

2018 was special for him in other ways too, as he even introduced his own clothing brand ‘Rowdy’ and a production house, ‘The King of The Hill’.