Nizam Club 125,Going Strong

By Mouli Mareedu

Considered a jewel in the crown of 400 years old Hyderabad, the Nizam Club has already completed 100 years and is all set to cross yet another landmark – 125 years, this week. “A hundred years in the history of any institution is a landmark; a century of growth and continued progress is a remarkable achievement.”

These words in the records of Nizam Club speak for the magnificent history of this prestigious institution. Considered to be a jewel in the crown of 400 years old Hyderabad, the Nizam Club has already completed 100 years and is all set to cross yet another landmark — 125 years, this week.

The club was established by the sixth Nizam Nawab, Mir Mahboob Ali Khan Bahadur. During his period, there was only one major club in the twin cities, the Secunderabad Club, which was exclusive and almost confined to the resident Europeans. The then prime minister Mir Laiq Ali Khan Bahadur, Salar Jung-II, suggested that a club for gentlemen of status and culture, irrespective of race, religion or creed, be established. Thus, the Nizam Club came into existence on September 26, 1884. In 1885, the government sanctioned a monthly grant of Rs 100 towards rent for a suitable club building and this grant was continued till 1946.

The club was initially housed at the Abid Centre, on a site where the old GPO building was subsequently located. Later, it was shifted to premises in the present Mahboobia Girls’ School complex. The present premises opposite to the Assembly building was purchased in 1906 for a sum of Rs 30,000.

The sprawling club, spread across three acres of land, is very popular for mutton biryani, which has been famous from the days of Mughal chefs. The first president of the Club was Salar Jung-II, who continued till 1887. Since then, 24 persons served as presidents of the Nizam Club. S.A. Niamathullah and E. Rajender Prasad are the president and secretary respectively at present. The club has more than 5,000 members. The galaxy of prominent personalities among the members are Chief Minister Dr Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Legislative Assembly Speaker K.R. Suresh Reddy and Telugu Desam Party senior leader and former minister Nagam Janardhan Reddy.

“As the Club is going to celebrate its 125th anniversary, we are planning to modify various amenities for the convenience of the members,” said Rajender Prasad. He said the Club is going to have many more changes to mark the occasion — kitchen modification, conversion of the existing office to fine dining hall (Dine ‘n’ Drink), shifting of the administration office to the second floor of the main building after renovation and modernisation of the office. Also, the entire office building, including the committee room, will be air-conditioned and the latest gadgets like filling cabinets and fire proof will be arranged to keep all the records safe.

These apart, other facilities such as lift for office and fine dining, air-conditioned coffee shop, sporting complex and parking complex will be the added attraction. “We’re planning to bring out a newsletter to dissipate all kinds of information to the members soon,” Rajender told Deccan Post.

Besides, it flaunts amenities like billiards room, health club, guest rooms, spacious dining hall, swimming pool, cards zone, massive library, ladies’ gym, tennis and shuttle courts and bar, which are sure to woo the visitors. Portico, main entrance and reception veranda are the eye-catching spots in the club.

“We’re also focusing on building a parking complex, sports complex and a guest room complex with latest models. The newly planned parking complex will have three levels (tiers) where at least 380 cars can be parked. The guest room complex will also house banquet halls and conference halls,” the secretary added.

M.A. Samad, former president of the Club finds it the best place to hang around with the family members. He pays it a daily visit and says, “It’s a feel-like-home to be here.” The management is also keen on providing better facilities on the request of members. Women members do visit the club often to spend time at the health club and the gym.

I visit the club on several occasions and have a great time with my political associates. Mostly, I usually come here to have lunch during the Legislative Assembly session as it is nearby. I prefer biryani and other spicy food. The club has good infrastructure and provides better facilities to the members. It also organises cultural events every month.

The comfort of home

By Mouli Mareedu

Indu Projects Limited offers villas and apartments that have exceptionally high standards of quality, health, safety and environmental protectio.

Though apartment blocks and huge residential complexes are chock-a-block as there is huge demand for living spaces, what everyone longs for is an independent place to live in. The demand for villas and independent houses has been on the rise and is likely to further increase.

Keeping the growing demand for housing in my mind, Indu Projects Limited, one of the leading real estate companies in India and an end-to-end solutions provider in infrastructure and real estate headquartered in Hyderabad, is into developing residential apartments and villas.

Mahender Basani, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Indu Projects Limited said compared to other States in India, Telugu people prefer to build or purchase an independent house. “People feel more comfortable if they live in villas. It seems a few major giants in the field of real estate are facing hard time these days as many small developing firms offer living space for about Rs 20 to Rs 30 lakh,” Mahender explained.

With operations spread across the country today, Indu projects Limited has actually started its activities in 2001 as a core infrastructure company doing irrigation, roads, railways, power and contract coal mining. Now the company is also involved in realty sector introducing a few projects in Special Economic Zones (SEZs), commercial, residential, hospitality, health cities, agro parks and rural transformation centers.

Mahender told Deccan Post that Indu Projects Limited maintained exceptionally high standards of quality, health and safety, environmental protection, and was committed to delivering projects on budget and on schedule, often exceeding the client's expectations. “From the making of self-sustained townships to the creation of fast- appreciating investments, an Indu home is a bundle of benefits. When we design a home, we keep in mind not just the needs of today, but the unpredictable necessities of tomorrow as well. Our projects offer the advantages of both a great neighborhood and access to life’s regular requirements,” Mahender added.

Explaining some of its landmark projects, Mahender said Indu Fortune Field and Indu Aranya are residential projects whereas Point Indu is for Information Technology (IT) and IT Enabled Services (ITES), which is being constructed under Special Economic Zone (SEZ). Indu Fortune Field, being constructed in an area of 65-acres located at Kukatpally Housing Board has at least 376 villas and 660 apartments. 288-325 square yards of villas and apartments will cost Rs. 2.5 crore each. The villas and apartments at Indu Fortune Fields are designed for ultimate comfort, Mahender said. The sizes of villas are higher than the regular homes giving you that extra living space.

The Indu Aranya is located at L B Nagar area in the city in 50-acres and will have as many as 880 apartments and 260 Villas. Each square feet of the villas and apartments will cost Rs. 3,800. The unique feature of Indu Aranya is that it is right next to National Deer Park.

Point Indu, Hyderabad’s largest green campus spread in 150-acres is adjacent to the new international airport at Shamshabad. Of the 7.8 million square feet space of the total project, the company is aiming to build at least 4. 75 lakh square feet in the first phase by 2008. Every building is designed to environment-friendly norms and meets the US Green Building Council's LEED Gold standards.

Indu Projects Limited future projects are Indu City at Bachupally in Hyderabad with 320 Villas and 1800 luxury apartments, Indu Skies at Shamshabad with at least 140 villas and 1200 high rise apartments, 600 mid rise apartments, 2 signature towers of 72 apartments each including a hotel, an international school and retail markets will be built in the area soon.

‘Aim to provide quality education’

By Mouli Mareedu

P rof. D Narasimha Reddy, popularly known as D N Reddy, assumed charge as the first Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University (JNTU), Hyderabad after JNTU segregated into four universities. Prof Reddy has more than 30 years of experience as an administrator and academician working in various key positions in the field of education, especially, engineering departments. He also discharged duties as a successful Convener of Integrated Common Entrance Test (I-CET 2008), when it was conducted on behalf of the Osmania University.

Before Prof Reddy accepted the Vice-Chancellor of JNTU, he was principal of Engineering Colleges of Osmania University. Prof Reddy did his Bachelor of Engineering (BE) in Mechanical Engineering at Osmania University in 196874. Then, he did M.Tech from IIT Madras and Ph.D from IIT Delhi. Deccan Post interacted with D N Reddy to known about his dreams for JNTU Hyderabad. Excerpts:

Q. How do you feel as the first Vice-Chancellor of JNTU, Hyderabad, after JNTU split into four?

I feel very happy. Really, it is a good honour for me as the Government assigned me a responsible job. At the same time, my duties also increased along with the position of a new Vice-Chancellor of JNTU.

Q. As a new V-C of JNTU Hyderabad, what is your precedence to look into the main issue in the varsity?

Well, first, I want to streamline the entire system of academics and other polices in the JNTU to provide quality education to students without any obstructions. We are also planning to introduce a few reforms soon.

Q.What kind of reforms do you want to introduce?

After segregation of the JNTU, the Hyderabad JNTU has as many as 220 engineering colleges and a few Pharmacy and management colleges. I would like to strengthen these colleges academically like maintaining quality education, making available good laboratory, library, and talented teaching staff. If affiliated colleges violate these norms, the JNTU will cancel the affiliation.

Q. Do you have any plans to introduce new courses and new colleges?

Yes, we are planning to introduce a few new courses in graduation and Post-Graduation levels from the next academic year. The new courses are - VLSI Embedded System, Networking and embedded system. I am concentrating to develop the JNTU as one of the best universities in the world providing good infrastructure and other facilities to the faculty and students. The Government has also sanctioned a new college, which will be set up at Jagithyala in Karimnagar district.

Q. Tension prevailed among students on the issue of certificates by the respective managements after the JNTU split into four varsities, while JNTU, Hyderabad has a brand image globally.What is the solution to this?

There is no need to get tensed. As per APSCHE guidelines, 80 per cent of the same syllabus would be pursued in the four new universities — JNTU-Kakinada, JNTUAnanthapur, JNTU - Hyderabad and Fine Arts and Architecture -Masab Tank, Hyderabad . Only 20 per cent of syllabus would be prepared by the respective managements as per their local needs. Besides, students can get their academic certificates in the name of JNTU-Kakinada and JNTUAnanthapur.

Q. What about placement facilities for students?

Well, from the current academic year, the JNTU, Hyderabad is planning to start campus placements in all affiliated colleges, including the main campus. We are planning to conduct job fair and career fairs in all colleges to create jobs for all eligible students. This is the first time JNTU Hyderabad is taking up such an initiative.

Q. What kinds of steps are you taking to strengthen research activities by scholars?

We are focused not only on academic oriented aspects but also encouraging the students to do research on different angles in the field of science and engineering. To create awareness among science and engineering courses, the JNTU and Honeywell Nobel Company jointly organised a Nobel laureate lecture series by Nobel Laureate in Physics, Professor Claude Cohen-Tannoudji.

Ameerpet to America

Information Technology (IT) and IT enabled Service (ITES) centres that provide coaching to software aspirants in different programmes and languages in the field of software and hardware. Ameerpet is one of the busiest areas of the city with lot of commercial establishments.

This colony got the name Ameerpet from Ameer Ali Khan, a subedar, who was staying in the colony and worked at least in four Collectorates of Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Aurangabad and Karimnagar during the rule of the fourth Nizam Nawab, Nasir-UlDoula.

Recalling the growth of the colony, a senior resident V Jagadeesh said, “The Ameerpet colony was granted by the Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB), which constructed as many as 50 houses in 1953-54. “Initially, people were scared to come and live here as the area was full of dense jungles,” Jagadeesh said.

The area, especially, HUDA Maitrivanam became a popular joint for undertaking training in various IT and ITES fields, after many software aspirants settled in America. “At least 10,000 students take training per month in various languages and programmes in IT and ITES. Also many training centers came up here due to the close proximity to Hi-tech city, located in Madhapur,” said K Siva Kumar, Technical Manager, Zoom Technologies.

Some of the religious bodies located here are the Pochamma Temple, now called the Durga Temple, Hanuman temple and Gurudwara Sahib. Many Sikh families living in the area visit the gurudwara regularly. “The Gurudwara Sahib is famous in the locality and every day we perform ardas,” Indrajit Singh, an organising member of the Gurudwara and former police official said.

He said that as many as 1000 Sikhs came to Hyderabad from Punjab on the request of Fourth Nizam Nawab, Nasir- Ul- Doula to provide him security. They were also called to herald peace among the Arabs and other communities who were protesting against payment of taxes and robberies. “We built the Gurudwara Sahib in 1943 with the assistance of Gopal Singh, who was the mentor of the Sikh community in Hyderabad,” Indrajit Singh said.

Today, Ameerpet is a commercial hub with many retail and small shops setting base. Chandana Brothers, R S Brothers, Chermas and Big Bazaar are some of the well-known names who have their shops here. For the movie viewing public there is the Adlabs film theater, besides, the existence of corporate offices of Dr. Reddy Laboratory and Aurobindo.

Master Builder

Despite a slump in real estate sector, IJM(India) Infrastructure is going great guns. Its latest venture, Malaysia Towers at Kukatpally is truly world-classThe real estate business in Andhra Pradesh is facing difficult times. Some of it is due to stiff competition by different players, partly due to inflation and partly to some policies implemented by the governments like hike in stamp duty and registration fee.

There is a need to strengthen the rules and regulations to pursue realty business and please the customers when they come buying their dream houses. The governments must look into these to strengthen the realty sector. They must set up an independent regulatory agency with the assistance of Ministry of Housing on the lines of Malaysia to monitor and keep vigil on the activities of real estate firms, said Manjit Singh, Vice -President of IJM (India) Infrastructure Limited (IJMII).

The IJMII is one of Malaysia's largest and most diversified construction groups, with world-wide presence and specialisation in the areas of construction, property development, manufacturing, quarrying, plantation and international ventures. Its current operations are spread over Malaysia, India, Australia, Argentina, Chile, China, Myanmar, Singapore and Vietnam.

In an exclusive interview with Deccan Post, Manjit Singh said that Hyderabad was the best destination for real estate business, as the city was growing and had a cosmopolitan outlook. "Many realty firms are concentrating on Hyderabad to invest in the field of real estate and many multi-national companies are setting up their business activities here as it has plenty of resources available than other cities in India," he said.

The IJMII's main thrust is in construction and upgrading of highways and property development including world class townships and commercial buildings using modern technology and equipment. The sky-rising residential of Malaysia Towers, located at Kukatpally Housing Board (KPHB) was constructed by the IJMII.

Explaining the Raintree Park famous as Malaysia Township, which was constructed by the IJMII, Manit Singh said that the Raintree Park was an International Class Integrated Township incorporating residential units with facilities, lush green landscapes, commercial and retail elements with distinct design features and character that sets it apart from other developments and a 'class' by itself.

The Raintree Integrated Township spread over sprawling 31-acre with an investment of at least Rs 360 crore is a joint venture of IJMII and Andhra Pradesh Housing Board (APHB) with the board equity of 49 per cent. The Malaysia Township has 2700 apartments and 500 low income group houses and it has accommodated at least 10,000 families. The IJMII previous ventures were TCS IT Park located at Gachibowli with an investment to the tune of Rs 38.25 crore, Mumbai-Pune Expressway, with an investment of Rs 136 crore, Tada-Nellore national highway number-5, Km 110 to Km 163.60 for Rs 226 crore.

Manjit Singh said that IJMII was presently working to complete construction on a few ongoing ventures such as First City Township, in Nagpur, a stylish and comfortable integrated township for citizens. The project comprises an elegant mosaic of 12 towering blocks, laying out around 2300 exquisitely designed apartments, and convenient shopping with several utilitarian and recreation facilities. "The First City is being made without any beams and bricks and it is being constructed on concreting walls," he added.

The IJMII's current venture, Raintree Park- Dwaraka Krishna Township, a joint venture between IJM (India) Infrastructure Ltd, and Lingamaneni Estates Private Limited, is located near Acharya Nagarjuna University campus near Vijayawada. Manjit Singh said that the Raintree Park- Dwaraka Krishna Township in Vijayawada is built on 120-acres with an investment of at least Rs 600 crore. The township will have 360 Villas and 3,300 apartments and 12,000 families will reside in the township. Double bed room houses measuring 1,300 sqft plinth and 1,700 sqft for 3 BHK houses are available, costing Rs. 2000 per sqft.

Another major project IJM (India) is working on is Civic Centre for Municipal Corporation of Delhi, a 27-storeyed building with an investment of Rs 545 crore. Work on this project is in the final stages.

Benign Borabanda

By Mouli MAreedu

Unperturbed by the radically changing surroundings, the rocky terrain of Borabanda remains the same with innumerable slums and unpretentious people around Ironical as it may sound, but it is true. Close to the high-profile settlements in the posh suburban areas of Kalyannagar and Mothinagar, lies the buzzing colony of people down-to-earth at Borabanda, one of the biggest colonies in Hyderabad.

Unaffected by the changing lifestyle and hip surroundings, Borabanda, a cluster of 70 bastis, remains to be a comfortable living area of people of lesser Gods. The rocky vicinity was named 'Borabanda' as a borewell in the rock-strewn existed there when stone crushing activities were going on a few decades ago. People started calling the area 'Borubanda' and subsequently, changed as 'Borabanda' as it is known today.

The value of land has been growing up in the area as several Information Technology (IT) firms have set up their units at nearby Madhapur, which is just three kilometres away from Borabanda. "The area has been development up to certain extend as many software employees chose to live in here, especially at Mothinagar and Kalyannagar which are near to Madhapur, where IT firms are located," said a flower merchant, Saidulu.

Satish Chandra, an IT professional, said he had chosen to live in the area because it was very convenient to reach his office and the rental was also affordable. The colony presents a curious look as several slums are dotted along high-rises even as some bastis have developed potentially and economically. "This is the second largest settlement of Muslim community. Muslim families at Borabanda are next to the old city in number," said Rehman, a rickshaw-puller.

Another landmark in the area is 'Peeli Dargha', which is famous as 'Venkat Khwaja Dargha' located on a hilltop. It is the part of chain of the famed Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz (Ajmer).
"Many devotees of belonging to all religions - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and others - visits this Dargha from several States including Maharastra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh," said Dargha manager, Khudratullah Chiptiyaar Khwajai Nayabhi Khalander Mirza.

Borabanda is a blend of literate and illiterate families. The literacy in high-class Kalyannagar and Mothinagar is approximately 90 per cent while Borabanda and adjoining Rehmathnagar have roughly 25 per cent literacy, said Father Mariadas, principal, Don Bosco Degree College.

The first school in the area is the Don Bosco Missionary School, which provides quality education. "In 1970s, the Don Bosco was the only school here and many students came from Ameerpet, S R Nagar and Erragadda area too," explained Father Mariadas.

Enchanting Erragadda

A whole range of consumer goods, from branded items to smuggled products to farm-fresh vegetables -- all for the cheapest rate. This is what Erragadda has to offerWith neem trees scattered around, letting cool breeze to caress the tired vegetable vendors and hurrying pedestrians, centuries old Erragadda is abuzz with activities. Businessmen of Erragadda, including small merchants and vendors, are planning to organise a week- long celebrations as its famed Sunday Market is going to complete 100-years. The popular Sunday Market is a place where hundreds throng to buy accessories, tools and domestic vessels at the cheapest price in the market. The Sunday Market is also famous for smuggled goods - branded items like watches, TV sets, Refrigerators, cameras, VCDs, shoes and modern key chains. Initially known as Bhoolkhanguda village, this locality got the name Erragadda because during ancient days, people living in the area used to build their houses with Red Soil available in plenty. Erra means Red and Gadda means Soil.A local merchant, Aryakatika Balaraju, who is running an accessories business in the area said, "My forefathers told me when we were kids that Nizams used to visit the Sunday Market and buy different kind of birds for their daily dish," said Balaraju.Several mentally ill patients get treated at the Government Mental Hospital located in the area. "The mental hospital was set up during Nizam's era and has been treating people with mental disorder ever since. Even Nizam's sister used to visit the place to get relief as the area was full of Neem trees," said Yadgiri, an employee in mental hospital.Residents belong to different backgrounds and a mix of religions is present here. The Hanuman Temple at Czech Colony is a famous place of worship for Hindus. Christianity was brought to this area by the Silesian missionaries, who introduced early education to this area. St. Theresa's Church is very popular Christian shrine here. Another land mark is 'Angrezi buildings', which was built by Nizam Abdul Doula to provide accommodation to the first British Governor to India, Lord Rippon. The Erragadda Model Rytu Bazaar is the largest in the state and witnesses heavy rush by customers every day. "The Erragadda Rytu Bazaar is famous and thousands of customers visit the spot during weekend. People from Ameerpet, Yusufguda, Jubilee Hills, Begumpet, Sanathnagar, and Kukatpally visit the place every day," said K R Vijay Kumar, Estate Officer of the Rytu Bazaar.

Enchanting Erragadda

A whole range of consumer goods, from branded items to smuggled products to farm-fresh vegetables -- all for the cheapest rate. This is what Erragadda has to offerWith neem trees scattered around, letting cool breeze to caress the tired vegetable vendors and hurrying pedestrians, centuries old Erragadda is abuzz with activities.

Businessmen of Erragadda, including small merchants and vendors, are planning to organise a week- long celebrations as its famed Sunday Market is going to complete 100-years. The popular Sunday Market is a place where hundreds throng to buy accessories, tools and domestic vessels at the cheapest price in the market. The Sunday Market is also famous for smuggled goods - branded items like watches, TV sets, Refrigerators, cameras, VCDs, shoes and modern key chains.

Initially known as Bhoolkhanguda village, this locality got the name Erragadda because during ancient days, people living in the area used to build their houses with Red Soil available in plenty. Erra means Red and Gadda means Soil.

A local merchant, Aryakatika Balaraju, who is running an accessories business in the area said, "My forefathers told me when we were kids that Nizams used to visit the Sunday Market and buy different kind of birds for their daily dish," said Balaraju.Several mentally ill patients get treated at the Government Mental Hospital located in the area.

"The mental hospital was set up during Nizam's era and has been treating people with mental disorder ever since. Even Nizam's sister used to visit the place to get relief as the area was full of Neem trees," said Yadgiri, an employee in mental hospital.Residents belong to different backgrounds and a mix of religions is present here.

The Hanuman Temple at Czech Colony is a famous place of worship for Hindus. Christianity was brought to this area by the Silesian missionaries, who introduced early education to this area. St. Theresa's Church is very popular Christian shrine here. Another land mark is 'Angrezi buildings', which was built by Nizam Abdul Doula to provide accommodation to the first British Governor to India, Lord Rippon. The Erragadda Model Rytu Bazaar is the largest in the state and witnesses heavy rush by customers every day.

"The Erragadda Rytu Bazaar is famous and thousands of customers visit the spot during weekend. People from Ameerpet, Yousufguda, Jubilee Hills, Begumpet, Sanathnagar, and Kukatpally visit the place every day," said K R Vijay Kumar, Estate Officer of the Rytu Bazaar.