‘Getting a PhD is dream come true’

Vasumathi Devera, who is first doctorate awardee from Yerukala category in ST communities in Andhra Pradesh. Photo: A Radhakrishna, The New Indian Express

Vasumathi Devara (36) was on cloud nine receiving applause from her friends, relatives and colleagues while her husband Siva Kumar Appisetty accepted flowers at the felicitation ceremony on Sunday to award Vasumathi a Doctorate (PhD) degree.One might wonder what is so special about getting a PhD degree. Well, she is first woman from the Yerukala tribe to receive such an award. “It is indeed a proud moment in my life to get a PhD degree. It is a culmination of my five-year long work at the JNTU-H, where I studied and am now working as an associate professor,” she said.Vasumathi Devera, who works as an associate professor, department of computer science and engineering, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad (JNTU-H) was awarded the Doctorate of Philosophy for her work on 'Web mining using pattern discovery techniques'.After her wedding to Siva Kumar Appisetty, who is a faculty member at the Malla Reddy Engineering College, Vasumathi did her BTech and MTech in computer science and engineering. A native of Epurapalem village in Chirala mandal of Prakasam district, she was born into a poor family.But from the beginning she did not allow poverty to stand in her way education. “I knew from the beginning that life was not a bed of roses. I was born into a poor family and grew up in a community that is known for violence. Many members of my community were against my decision to go to school or college. But I never gave up my dream to excel in studies and today I have accomplished my dream of getting the doctorate degree,” Vasumathi said, with tears of joy in her eyes.Dr Vasumathi, who wants to be a role model for other ST students, said the main reason for low level of education among tribes were the socio-economic factors. “Lack of educational institutions in tribal areas, poverty, lack of nutritional and health care programmes, poor enrolment and high dropout rate from schools curtail development among scheduled tribes. Moreover, parents of tribal children being mostly illiterate, do not have the vision to send their children to school,” observed Vasumathi.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

‘Ban on smoking? C'mon, Nobody takes it seriously!'

“Ban on smoking in public places. Is it there?” asked Mohammed Pasha, an auto-rickshaw driver enjoying a puff sitting in his parked auto-rickshaw near the chief minister's Camp Office in Somajiguda.A Raj Kumar, a marketing executive, said he knows the government imposed ban on smoking in public places a few years ago. “But, they lifted the ban later, right?” he asked.Most habitual smokers, who enjoy a puff in public places seem to have no idea about implementation of the ban on smoking in public places while others believed that the government has already lifted it.The ban on smoking in public places came into effect from October 2, 2008 but somehow in the interim, the authorities have forgotten to enforce it strictly.On the eve of World No-Tobacco Day, an interaction with a few smokers who revealed they are not aware about ban on smoking in public places.While imposing the ban, the government identified public places under the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products (COTP) Act 2003 like amusement centres, cinema halls, restaurants, hotels, pubs, stadiums (closed area only), function halls, monuments, hospital buildings and health institutions, educational institutions, libraries, court buildings, public offices and public service vehicles.If smokers were found smoking in such places, authorities would collect a fine ranging from `100 to `200.Meanwhile, medical authorities said they are working with NGOs to create awareness among smokers about the long-term consequences of smoking.Dr BL Veena Kumari, district health and medical officer, Hyderabad told Express they are planning to make surprise raids on pan shops, bars, restaurants, pubs and other business establishments. “The ban has been extended to college campuses, bars and pubs. Major establishments have been directed to appoint anti-smoking officers to keep a check. To create awareness among habitual smokers over the smoking ban, we asked pan shop owners, film theatre managements and hospital authorities to put signboards in their premises,” she replied.She said that during a special anti-smoking drive, they collected Rs 9,600 as fines in December while over Rs 8,000 was collected in January. “During the drive to enforce ban on smoking in public places, we booked 8,500 cases against people smoking at public places like hospitals, schools and colleges,” said Dr Veena Kumari.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Sacked trainee cops end up on the streets

Sitting on the footpath at the Basheerbagh-Koti stretch, K Kiran Kumar was looking for some help to return to his native place. The youngster from Medak district has literally ended up on the streets.

The Police Training Centre officials had earlier cancelled the training session of Stipendiary Cadet Trainee Police Constables (SCTPCs), since there were cases booked against them for participating in a protest, demanding release of selection results which were due for over two years. 15 youth from across the state had arrived in Hyderabad about a month back to lobby with political leaders and other important personalities, to get some relief for their plight. But with no solution in sight and all their money at an end, they are now cooling their heels on footpaths and public parks in the city."I joined the training centre hoping to become a policeman. I reported on April 18 and trained till April 24. Suddenly, officials cancelled my session and asked me to leave the centre, for protesting against delay in results of constable selections. While many of the colleagues are undergoing training, I have nowhere to go," Kiran Kumar told Express.Even as the Central Administration Tribunal (CAT) made it clear in a case that selection boards can recruit candidates even when they are involved in criminal cases, the respective Superintendents of Police (SP) directed training centre officials to send them away. The Service Selection Board had conducted the selection process in 2008 and results were released in 2010."Training centre officials cancelled our training telling us we were involved in protests demanding immediate release of results which have been delayed by more than two years," dejected candidates coming out of the training centre said. N Vittaiah is the first from his family to get a government job but his joy was short-lived. "It was my childhood dream to become a policeman. With great expectations, I had joined the training centre. But only after three days of training, officials asked me to leave the centre. It came as a shock," said Vittaiah.

 

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Warning posters put on the gates of school

“This school is running for one year without government recognition. If you admit your children in this school, you will be doing so at your own risk.” This warning message appears on posters pasted on gates of many unrecognised schools in the twin cities. With complaints pouring in against schools mushrooming in every nook and corner, collecting huge amount in name of admissions, the District Educational Officers (DEOs) of Hyderabad and Rangareddy have decided to crack the whip on unrecognised schools. Reportedly, most corporate and private schools are running without any government authorisation.P Suseendhra Rao, district educational officer, Hyderabad told Express they have taken serious note over complaints lodged by parents and various organisations on illegal schools. “No private school can function without government recognition. If they are found running without proper authorisation, we will take strict action,” said Rao. “We have constituted a few teams who will visit all schools located in city checking their recognition thoroughly. If the school is found guilty, we will not hesitate to serve a notice to the management to close them down. Our staff will also paste a poster alerting unsuspecting parents about the school running without any recognition,” he added.For school to be awarded recognition, school managements should comply with certain rules and regulations. The school building should have a registered property lease, pay Rs 25,000 towards endowment fund for primary and upper primary schools and Rs 50,000 for secondary schools. Besides, they should also obtain a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), Fire department, traffic police and have a 1000 sq m playground along with a library, laboratory and sanitary facilities, said the DEO. Suseendhra Rao said that notices have already been served to at least 16 schools running without proper recognition. He further said out of around 3,000 schools in the city, more than 300 unauthorised schools are functioning without any recognition. “We will continue the drive to crack down on illegal schools. We will also book criminal cases against such school managements,” Suseendhra Rao said.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com 

'I want to win a gold medal like Subbu in Tammudu'

Immadi Prithvi Tej's favourite film is the Pawan Kalyan-starrer, Tammudu. The IIT-JEE first rank-holder admitted he identifies with the character 'Subbu' played by Pawan Kalyan. Like Subbu, he also bunked classes in school.
Four years back, 16-year-old Prithvi Tej, a native of Dwaraka Tirumala in West Godavari decided to follow in Subbu's footprints to bag a gold medal. "My favourite actor Pawan Kalyan achieved a gold medal in boxing, inspired by his brother in reel life. Like him, I want to bag a gold medal, but in the Mathematics and Science Olympiad, which will be held on July 4 in Bangkok. In real life, I am inspired by my maternal uncle T Gopal Krishna efforts to clear the Civil Services in 2007. But I want to go one step further by becoming an IAS officer after completing my IIT studies," the topper replied.
Prithvi Tej spent at least eight hours per day at his training institute for his IIT-JEE preparations. Yet, he found time to play badminton, watch IPL matches and movies and chat with friends. He also harboured dreams of becoming a cricketer like his idol Sachin Tendulkar. He is, however, clear at what he wants do at the IIT, pursue Engineering from IIT-Bombay. The next goal is to become an IAS officer to solve problems of people in rural areas.
He was always good in studies right from school, chemistry being his favourite subject. His father, Immadi Srinivasa Rao is a businessman and mother Rani a housewife. "He secured the top rank due to his intelligence rather than hard work. We never forced him to prepare for IIT-JEE. We encouraged him to follow his interests. He is very keen to prepare for Civil Services and I hope he gets his goal," says Srinivasa Rao.
He reads the Edex regularly, the educational tabloid of the New Indian Express. "I read articles published in the Edex online. It is completely education-related and very helpful for students," he added.

Bright Hopes
Class X: 573 marks out of 600
Inter: 970 marks out of 1000
School: Vishwa Bharati Public School at Gudivada in Krishna district
College: Sri Chaitanya IIT Academy at Gudavalli in Vijayawada district
Interests: Playing badminton and watch IPL games
Dream: To become a IAS officer

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Snazzy headlights under scanner

Riding on a motorcycle installed with high-beam headlights or fancy lights on city streets might land one in hot water. The traffic police and Transport department officials are set to crack the whip on motorists, who use high-beam headlights and fancy lights on their two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

With numerous complaints pouring in, traffic police and transport officials have decided to initiate a special drive during nights. Reportedly, a number of road accidents take place between 10 p.m and 4 a.m, with many caused by people who drive around in cars and two-wheelers with high-intensity lights. Traffic officials explained that high-beam headlights end up blinding riders approaching from the opposite direction and force them to either slow down or slam brakes suddenly, which lead to accidents.GVG Ashok Kumar, deputy commissioner of police (Traffic) told Express that riding on motorcycles or cars with high-beam or fancy headlights is dangerous and one of the main causes of accidents during nights. “Using high-intensity headlights or fancy lights are against traffic rules and regulations. We will initiate stern action against violators found riding vehicles with high-beam headlights,” he added. Kumar also said they have identified a few other reasons for road mishaps during nights- lack of proper reflectors on dividers and bad paintings over dividers. Most motorists get confused during the night by missing to spot dividers due to poor visibility. Similarly, the Transport department was also looking to take stern action against fancy headlights. “We strictly inspect condition of both two-wheelers and four wheelers before issuing the registration. Officials register the vehicle after thoroughly checking headlights, brakes, engine capacity and others,” said D Panduranga Rao, joint transport commissioner. He said installation of powerful headlights or fancy lamps is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. Most motorists add these extra equipment after obtaining their registration to make the vehicle look more stylish.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Performing art to be part of IIIT syllabus

Any technological institute gives one a sense of serious IT professionals in the making and the last thing one would expect is to see them practice sa re ga ma or learn a classical dance form. But the Indian Institute of Information Technology is set to change that and has introduced three courses in Kuchipudi, Mridangam and vocal music.

The Rajiv Gandhi University of Knowledge Technology (RGUKT) has decided to introduce the subjects in the IIIT curricula from the start of this academic year set to begin on June 4. "We have decided to introduce these three courses in the IIIT centres at Basara, RK valley in Pulivendula and Nuzvid. We offer Minor in Classical Performing Arts in Vocal Music, Kuchipudi dance and Mridangam along with the other major engineering subjects," said Prof R V Raja Kumar, vice-chancellor of RGUKT. He added that there were multiple reasons to start the three new courses, the main one being to educate the students in more than the humanities and social sciences stream. "Spending time in learning the classical performing arts will keep the students stress-free in their busy work schedule. Besides, the initiative will help students learn about our culture and heritage," the VC added.As many as 6000 students in the first batch who are pursuing various engineering courses in the IIIT centres would get a certificate in the minor courses they take "We will issue certificates to the IIIT students giving marks and grades for these subjects along with the major subjects," he said. The RGUKT has identified as many as 10 faculty to teach these courses. "The famous Mridangam maestro Yella Venkateswara, classical dancers Shoba Naidu, Maddali Usha, Alekhya and a senior trainer from Sree Siddendra Yogi Kuchipudi Kala Petham among others would take part in teaching the courses," the VC said.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

‘My granddaughter given us reason to celebrate'

K Sivalakshamma (65) was on cloud nine, distributing sweets along with her son-in-law Mallu Lakshma Reddy, after her granddaughter Mallu Jyotsna secured 594 marks in the SSC examinatons, whose results were declared on Saturday.“It is the first celebration in the family after my daughter Sunita Reddy, died in 2006. We had stopped celebrating festivals after that. Jyotsna has given us a reason to celebrate again. If her mother was alive today, she too would have been proud of her performance,” said Sivalakshamma, wiping her tears of joy. Jyotsna’s family migrated from Nandyala in Kurnool district to the city a couple of years ago. Her father Mallu Lakshma Reddy is working as a sergeant in the Indian Air Force. The family resides at Ferozguda. Jyotsna, visibly happy said, “It is really a happy moment for me and my family. My teachers helped me a lot during the preparations but I got such good marks only because of my mother’s grace and blessings of my father and maternal grandmother, who always encouraged me.” Jyotsna wants to become an IT professional and invent new technologies for the common man. She plans to join the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) to pursue computer sciences. Similarly,  most girl students who secured meritorious scores, have fixed ambitions in navigating their careers.  A Sushmita, who secured 591 marks said she wants to become a physicist. “I want to pursue PhD in Physics after taking up Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry in  my Intermediate,” she added. Sushmita secured 99 marks in maths and 100 in both science and social studies. Another topper, V Shruthi who secured 581 marks said she wanted to become a civil servant.  Shruthi is a native of Tanuku in West Godavari.

By Mouli Mareedu
moulimareedu@gmail.com

‘I was late by just 5 mins'

“Please mujhe exam hall ke andar jane do. Thoda darwaza kholo sir,” was the earnest cries from two students-Fatima and Anjuman Begum who had come late to the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad centre, where the EAMCET exam was being conducted on Sunday. A few minutes later, they returned home dejected, as security staff at the entrance refused their request. The reason: the two girls had come late to the centre by just five minutes. The exam committee’s strict rule of not allowing candidates into test centres, even if they are late by a minute, poured water on some student’s dreams to become an engineer or a doctor. Even as the authorities made it very clear that the rule will be strictly, a few students had to face the penalty for coming late. With teary eyes, Fatima and Anjuman Begam, both residents of the Old City returned from the JNTU-H centre after reaching around 2.35 p.m for the EAMCET medical stream test held between 2.30 p.m to 5 p.m. “A five-minute delay has ruined my dream to become a doctor. All my two years of hard work went to waste. I can’t believe the examination committee would not allow even five minutes delay in reaching the centre,” said a despondent Fatima. She added that though she started from her home early, she could not reach the centre at the right time due to traffic jams. Similarly, Anjuman Begum, who reached the test centre just three minutes late, was also refused entry by the security staff. Even after repeated requests, she was not allowed entry into the exam hall. “I know EAMCET authorities made it clear that latecomers, even by a minute, will not be allowed into the test centre. I got stuck in a traffic jam. Why are EAMCET officials so stubborn in implementing the rule?” questioned a teary Anjuman Begum. Prof DN Reddy, vice-chancellor, JNTU-H and chairman of EAMCET examination committee explained they had strictly implemented ‘one-minute latecomer’ rule to prevent malpractice while creating awareness among students about discipline.  Meanwhile, it was tough time for parents who accompanied their children to the centres. With police strictly enforcing Section 144, parents had to brave the heat, waiting for their wards. Covering his face with a small handkerchief, M Vara Prasad, whose daughter was writing the test, vented anger on EAMCET authorities for lack of proper facilities.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Necklace Road turns into litter street

Ganesh is a worker in the kitchen at lakeside restaurant Eat Street on Necklace Road. Each day, he carries vegetables to his kitchen, all nicely packed in large polythene bags. The vegetables go in the freezer, and the bags go out the window, to join thousands of discarded plastic waste on the fringes of Hussain Sagar.For people living around the rim of the lake, plastic detritus is an everyday sight: empty water bottles, plastic covers, ice cream cups. The lapping waters knock the plastic flotsam together and deposit it on the edges right round the lake. At some places round the rim, large swathes of land have been filled with plastic filth.For official purposes, plastic is banned all along Necklace Road and anywhere on the fringes of Hussain Sagar.Last year, the grandiose Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) declared the surroundings of the Hussain Sagar as a ‘plastic-free zone’.To add its mite to the cause, the Buddha Purnima Project Authority (BPPA) banned plastic in the vicinity of Hussainsagar by the aegis of something called GO 25.As part of the effort to create awareness, small signage was erected along Necklace Road. A few Task Force teams patrol the lakeside playing recorded announcements at NTR Gardens, Secretariat Road, Lumbini Park and Sanjeevaiah Park from 4 pm to 6 pm imploring people and vendors to strictly comply with the plastic ban.But Ganesh, the Eat Street worker, is not aware of it. No one objected to his carrying plastic bags into the surroundings.“Is it really banned?” he asked. The lakeside vendors solemnly say they have almost stopped using plastic bags, preferring paper cups. If anyone pays for violating the ban, it is the vendors. “I’ve switched to paper cups,’’ says G Santosh Kumar, a vendor.“Else we’ll have to pay a Rs 250 a fine. I can’t afford that.’’ Another Necklace vendor said, “We do not litter the place, sir. It’s the people who visit the lake who throw all sorts of things into the lake.’’ Even as he said that, a motorist stopped at a kiosk, bought a Rs 1 plastic water sachet, drank it up and threw it out of the window.Buddha Purnima officials pat themselves, claiming that the plastic ban works 50- 50.“We can’t achieve results overnight. We are happy to have achieved at least 50 per cent of our objective in enforcing the ban,’’ says Sunil Kumar Gupta of the environment wing of HMDA.“We collected around Rs 40,000 by levying fines on vendors in the past few months.’’ The HMDA works with four NGOs and 22 resident welfare associations around the Hussain Sagar in popularising and implementing the ban on plastic usage. Officials claim there has been mammoth response to the ban, with most of the vendors switching to paper bags. 

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

Summer heat pushing up beer sales

Summer is reaching its peak and it seems everyone is after a chilled bottle of beer. Wine dealers, however, are not really excited by the sales in April. Though beer consumption has increased, they think it is not going up as expected.Most wine shop owners blame it on the vagaries of weather- with day temperatures shooting up but nights being somewhat cooler, in the last month. D Venkateswara Rao, general secretary, Andhra Pradesh State Wine Dealers Association blamed dual weather conditions in April for less sales. “The situation might improve in May,” he said. With the mercury slowly inching over the 40-degree mark and IPL-4 ongoing, beer consumption is likely to rise.Sale of beer registered an increase of 30 to 40 per cent in April this year as compared to 2010. “There is an increase in beer consumption in the Hyderabad division of Excise and Prohibition department,” said TN Venkataswamy, excise deputy commissioner. He said the department had earned `1,300 crore up to 2010-11 compared to `1,121 crore in 2009-10, from sale of beer and liquor. All 212 wine shops located in and around the city recorded a sale of 70,000 to 80,000 cases of beer in April 2011 compared to 50,000 cases last year. A case contains 12 beer bottles. On an average, 21 lakh cases of beer are sold in a year in the state. Sale of Indian Made Foreign Spirit (IMFS)  has also gone up by 4 per cent.  Venkataswamy said they have already taken proper measures in supplying all beer brands to wine shop dealers, to meet the increasing demand in summer. Existing sales are likely to go up further in the near future, with heat wave conditions prevailing in the city. Wine dealers expect to cash in during the hot month of May.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com

'TB trouble' for UK-bound Indians

A techie, Srinivas Reddy, who flew to the United Kingdom on a professional trip some time back, had a bitter experience on landing at the Anegada Airport there.Immigration officials detained him for a few hours at the airport for not producing a tuberculosis-free health certificate.A city-based businessman, Jagadeeswar, too had a similar experience on his first business trip to London. He was stopped in his tracks at the Heathrow airport for not carrying the certificate.Reddy and Jagadeeswar are not stray cases of Indians being detained at UK airports, as Britain has intensified surveillance to detect carriers of a latent form of tuberculosis, particularly those arriving from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.Based on a study conducted by Imperial College, London, the British officials believe that a majority of the carriers of the disease to the UK are Indians.Meanwhile, to comply with the new rule, people from AP bound for the UK are queuing up at the Erragadda Chest Hospital to undergo tuberculosis screening.“As the UK insists on the tuberculosis-free certificate, those who have obtained UK visas are coming to the Government Chest Hospital for screening. In the recent months, the Chest Hospital has issued hundreds of No Objection Certificates on the health of travellers with a clear mention that the traveller is free from tuberculosis.The hospital has been getting at least 10 requests per week for the certificates,” said Dr S V Prasad, superintendent of the AP Government Chest Hospital.Meanwhile, Srinivas Reddy, who returned from the UK, is taking all precautions to avoid any trouble during his next visit to the UK shortly.“I had a bitter experience in the UK. The immigration staff had detained me for hours because I did not have a certitificate that I was free from TB. I am planning to visit the UK again and this time I am being more careful.I am here to take a certificate from the hospital,”said Reddy while waiting for his turn for screening at the Chest Hospital.On the other hand, the UK's suspicion that Indians are carriers of tuberculosis seems not without any basis, if the Chest Hospital data is any indication. The hospital authorities have confirmed that the incidence of tuberculosis has been on the rise."There are more patients here with a type of tuberculosis that could be cured. As many as 12,000 cases of this type of TB have been reported till April 2011 in the chest hospital, Dr Prasad said.

By Mouli Mareedu
moulimareedu@gmail.com

Illegal weapons’ market thriving

It seems the practice of using illegal weapons by middle-level realty businessmen and gangs in the twin cities is becoming an increasing menace.In wake of the recent attack on MIM MLA Akbaruddin Owaisi, which took place in broad daylight in the Old City, Task Force police have started the process of identifying names of city bigwigs who allegedly possess illegal weapons.Recently, a Telugu Desam senior leader from Krishna district, Chalasani Venkateswara Rao alias Pandu, notorious factionist Maddelacheru Suri and on Saturday were also victims of attacks by assailants.Pandu and Suri died on the spot while Akbaruddin was critically injured and undergoing treatment, as four bullets of a country-made weapon were pumped into him. Interestingly, all attacks reportedly took place for land settlement issues.Buying or possessing a gun in this city is a fad. Whether it is the passion to possess a firearm or for personal protection,  most prominent personalities, bigwigs and businessmen are keen to purchase weapons illegally by paying huge sums.Illegal country-made tapanchas and guns from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are easily available for anything between Rs 10,000 and Rs 30,000, depending on the model.Sources say a few dealers hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have been selling arms through their agents in the city. In the last year, it is estimated that at least 500 illegal weapons were supplied. They added that illegal weapons are brought into the city only after verifying the authenticity of the customers. Customers are reportedly made to pay at least five per cent of the total cost as initial payment and the weapon is delivered within ten days.VB Kamalasan Reddy, deputy commissioner of police (DCP), Task Force told City Express that with increase in number of crimes committed using illegal weapons, a drive to track the unauthorised firearms racket will start soon. "Most individuals, who come here from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are involved in the illegal trade of firearms. They came to the city to earn their livelihood and have started the illegal weapon supplies business," Reddy added.

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com 

Crackdown on rickety school buses

A fire extinguisher, first aid kit, an experienced driver and speed limit of 40 km are the new rules set out for school buses plying in the twin cities by the Regional Transport Authority. The guidelines have to be followed by all schools from the new academic year.   With the due date of renewal of fitness certificates for school buses being May 15, RTA officials have issued new rules and regulations for safe ride of school children in the city. The transport authority has also decided to crack the whip on rickety buses being run by corporate and private school managements. D Panduranga Rao, joint transport commissioner told City Express they would issue fitness certificates for school buses from next month. “We are also writing to all corporate and private school managements to attend the fitness drive, which is scheduled to be held in the Nagole RTO office,” he added. With increasing complaints being received over unfit buses being run by many school managements, RTA has decided to strictly implement rules and regulations of the Motor Vehicles Act to ensure a safe and happy journey for school kids. Reportedly, a few managements were plying school buses with excess seating capacity and without proper documents and fitness certificates, violating rules of the Act. Panduranga Rao said all buses should have front and rear mirrors along with hand rails along the steps as a must. Buses also should provide overhead containers to keep school bags, along with functioning speedometer and horn.There are about 3,000 schools in the twin cities- out of which 2,200 are private schools and 800 government institutions. RTA officials estimate that about 1,000 private school buses are plying in the city with most unfit for transporting school children. To comply with rules and regulations, RTA officials are planning to constitute a committee comprising parents, school staff and officials to keep a check on fitness of school buses. 

By Mouli Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com