Rana Daggubati presents “35-Chinna Katha Kaadu” teaser starring Nivetha Thomas, Priyadarshi

Hyderabad: The Helping Hands Foundation (HHF) has inaugurated a free primary and bridge school for Nursery to Class 5 in Errakunta, Hyderabad. This initiative targets children from underprivileged backgrounds, specifically daily wage earners, single mothers, abandoned mothers, and migrant laborers. The school prioritizes first-generation learners from migrant families residing in Errakunta, a vulnerable slum.

Speaking to the Hyderabad Mail, Mujtaba Hasan Askari, the founder trustee of Helping Hands Foundation, said, “With 400 students already enrolled, admissions are closed for the current academic year. However, the founder emphasizes welcoming other poor children in the future.”

This initiative follows a comprehensive survey conducted by HHF across 15 major Hyderabad slums. The survey revealed alarming dropout rates, with 27% of students dropping out during the last academic year, with nearly half occurring at the primary level. Additionally, a concerning 4% of school-aged children were entirely outside the education system.

The survey pinpointed financial hardship as the leading cause of dropout, with 75% of parents citing the high cost of private schools prevalent in urban slums. Uneven distribution of government schools further exacerbated the problem. While 756 government schools were identified, some areas lacked sufficient options, while others had a concentration of schools.

Despite proximity, only 30% of counselled parents opted for government school enrollment. Transportation issues and a lack of facilities like teaching staff, sanitation were cited as deterrents.

To address these challenges, HHF implemented a free school shuttle service and boasts 14 classrooms, including dedicated bridge school facilities. The school employs 12 qualified teachers, a headmistress, counselors, support staff, and a dedicated bus service team. This comprehensive approach aims to deliver high-quality education without financial burdening families. The initiative is estimated to save parents over Rs 1 Crore annually on their children’s education.

🎉 Exciting News! 🎉

Introducing HHF School: our new free primary school for 450 vulnerable children in the slums. Every child has potential! Join us in transforming lives. Learn more and support our mission: https://t.co/AEKnLc90jS#EducationForAll #TransformingCommunities pic.twitter.com/RFUyt3LEj6

— Helping Hand Foundation (@HelpingHandHyd) July 5, 2024

“Free education, coupled with existing free health centers, will significantly impact the socio-economic well-being of these communities,” said Mujtaba Hasan Askari. “Education and health are crucial for overcoming poverty.”

The school was formally inaugurated by Syed Mazharuddin Hussaini, Executive Director of SEED-USA, the main partner of HHF in India.

Hyderabad: A large number of fish have died in Mushki Cheruvu, a freshwater lake in Hyderabad, sparking outrage among residents who blame government departments for inaction on water pollution.

Social media posts reveal complaints about pollution in the lake is for over a year. Citizen Gowtham, in a post on a social media platform Twitter, called the fish deaths an “environmental murder” caused by irresponsible government officials. He praised individual efforts to protect the environment.

Another resident tagged the Manikonda Municipal Corporation on social media, criticizing their lack of response to complaints regarding an illegal weigh bridge and the polluted lake.

Madhulika, the environmentalist and founder of the Dhruvansh NGO, took to Twitter to express her concern about the fish kill, stating it as a clear indicator of pollution. She hopes this large-scale die-off will finally prompt the authorities to take action.

Speaking to the Hyderabad Mail, Madhulika elaborated, “I’ve been observing this lake since 2014. It used to receive good water from the Fakkruddin Gutta side, but couldn’t retain it. In 2020, we addressed seepage issues and improved water retention. For the past four years, the lake held water effectively.”

It’s clearly Murder of Fishes by irresponsible Government officials… hatsoff Sir… for your service to the Nature.. Next it’s impact to us only… Mark my words… pic.twitter.com/lytm3TAB0O

— Goutham (@Goutham00513403) July 6, 2024

However, Madhulika raised concerns about the lake’s current state. “The irrigation department breached the lake weir, preventing it from reaching its full capacity of 54 acres. Currently, it only holds water up to 15 acres.”

She questioned the authorities’ approach, saying, “Why is the lake being polluted before remedial actions are taken? Why can’t we prioritize its protection in first place? Mushki Cheruvu is a 54-acre lake. Why hasn’t Government Order 419, which reportedly denotifies 20 acres, been cancelled? The lake even has a stepwell, crucial for shallow aquifers that we advocate for.

Madhulika further highlighted the illogical land use near the lake. “The area around the lake has a pipeline on one side and high-voltage wires on the other. How can people be claiming ownership of land that the government says is protected? How were so many tall buildings built in an area that’s supposed to be good for the environment?”

Lb Nagar: The Nalgonda District Police apprehended two members of the notorious interstate Pardhi gang, notorious for their involvement in a series of heinous robberies along the National Highways in Telangana. The police claimed to have detected 32 cases spanning, Nalgonda district, Rachakonda and Cyberabad Commissionerate and Sangareddy District.
On Friday, The sleuths of Central crime states(CCS) police Nalgonda opens fire in air in an attempt to nab the notorious Pardhi gang members of Maharashtra near Outer ring road (ORR) under Abdullapurmet police station of Rachakonda commissionerate.The operation resulted in the arrest of two gang members and the seizure of Rs. 17,000 in cash, two knives.
The arrested accused were identified as A Pandranga and Shubham Ashok hailing from Maharashtra. Two other gang members absconding are Kashmir Shashipal Bhonsle and A Anil Khale also hailing from Maharashtra.
Going further into the case details, On 18 May 2024, the gang attacked and killed Kolluri Rajavardhan, a resident of Krishna District, Andhra Pradesh who was sleeping in a vehicle at a layby area. Rajavardhan was brutally murdered with a screwdriver, and the gang stole Rs. 14,500 and fled away.
Investigation disclosed that the gang often attacked vehicles and individuals on highways, robbing them of their valuables. They also stole parked bikes, used them for further crimes, and then abandoned them.
Speaking at a press briefing after arrests, District Superintendent of Police Sharath Chandra Pawar.”The gang has been particularly active in Nalgonda, Rachakonda, and Cyberabad commissionerates, and in the Sangareddy district, targeting travelers on National Highway 65. The gang’s criminal activities include attacking vehicles on lay-bys, robbing individuals by pelting stones at them, and stealing gold and cash”.
During the arrest operation, the gang members attempted to flee in a TATA ACE vehicle. When cornered, they attacked the police with a screwdriver and knives. In self-defense, the police fired two shots in the air and successfully apprehended the suspects. Constable Vikram Shankar sustained injuries in the confrontation, including a broken finger.
The gang was also involved in several cases in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Members of the gang were equipped with lethal weapons like saws, axes and knives and they don’t hesitate to attack people if they resisted or tried to catch them.
The special team under the supervision of Nalgonda DSP K. Shivarama Reddy and led by Narketpally CI K. Nagaraju, along with SI D. Saida Babu of Chityala and CCS Head Constable Vishnuvardhan Giri nabbed the two accused. Further manhunt launched against two other accused are absconding.