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<ul><li>Dulam Satyanarayana, a popular documentary filmmaker has captured an aerial view of Hyderabad during the lockdown.</li><li>The images show iconic structures like the Charminar, Legislative Assembly, Mecca Masjid and more.</li></ul>Amidst the ongoing nationwide lockdown, Dulam Satyanarayana, a documentary filmmaker was roped in by the Telangana government to capture the beauty of Hyderabad, the city of Nizams and capital of the youngest Indian state. K. T. Rama Rao, the Minister of IT, Telangana posted the aerial view of the city showing empty roads, the iconic Charminar, Hussain Sagar, rows of trains at the Hyderabad railway station, the outer ring road and more. Here are some of the best aerial pictures of Hyderabad showing the city’s beauty during the lockdown. Charminar <div type="image" title="Charminar" msid="75058448" hostid="261"></div> The first picture is of Charminar, which is one the iconic buildings in the city. Charminar which is usually jam-packed is seen sporting a deserted look due to the lockdown. Hussain Sagar <div type="image" title="Hussain Sagar" msid="75058454" hostid="261"></div> Hussain Sagar lake, which is commonly known as Tank Bund is a heart-shaped lake that was built in 1563. The Gautama Buddha statue stands on the Gibraltar Rock in the middle of the lake. Hyderabad Railway station <div type="image" title="Hyderabad railway station" msid="75058459" hostid="261"></div> The Hyderabad Railway Station, also known as Nampally Railway Station was opened in 1907. The picture shows several trains parked as the railway station and nearby roads wear a deserted look. Mecca Masjid <div type="image" title="Mecca Masjid" msid="75058478" hostid="261"></div> Mecca Masjid, which has a capacity of over 20,000 people wears a deserted look as it has been closed due to the lockdown. It was opened in 1694 and is situated in the old city near Charminar. Necklace Road <div type="image" title="Necklace Road" msid="75058490" hostid="261"></div> The Necklace Road is a large road adjoining the Hussain Sagar Lake. The road from Sanjeevaiah park connects to the Tank Bund road which in turn connects to the NTR Gardens completing a circle and looks like a ‘necklace’ from the sky. Nehru Outer Ring Road <div type="image" title="Nehru ORR" msid="75058503" hostid="261"></div> The Nehru Outer Ring Road is a 158-kilometer 8-lane ring road expressway that encircles Hyderabad. It was opened in 2005 to solve the traffic problem and provide orbital linkage to arterial roads. PVNR Expressway <div type="image" title="PVNR" msid="75058505" hostid="261"></div> The P V Narasimha Rao Expressway is a 11.6-kilometer long elevated road that was opened in 2009. It connects the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport with Mehdipatnam. Telangana Legislative Assembly <div type="image" title="Telangana legislative assembly" msid="75058511" hostid="261"></div> The Telangana Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Telangana legislature. It took 8 years to build and was completed in 1913. It houses 119 MLAs of the state. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/a-leaked-video-of-indian-prime-minister-narendra-modis-clearly-shows-lockdown-will-be-extended/articleshow/75047512.cms">A leaked video of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi clearly shows lockdown will be extended</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/these-pictures-show-how-india-spent-day-1-of-the-nation-wide-lockdown/articleshow/74813040.cms">These pictures show how India spent day 1 of the nation-wide lockdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/here-are-the-potential-coronavirus-treatments-that-india-and-other-countries-are-banking-on/articleshow/75043987.cms">Here are the potential Coronavirus treatments that India and other countries are banking on</a>

Hyderabad lockdown pictures reveal its old-world charm and new age vibrancy

<ul><li>There are 11,052 active cases of <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword> in Telangana and 39,327 people have been cured so far. </li><li>So far, the state has reported 447 deaths due to Coronavirus.</li><li>On July 23, the state reported 1,567 new cases and 9 new deaths.</li></ul>Telangana reported 1,567 new cases of Coronavirus in the state on July 23, taking the total confirmed cases in the state to 50,826. Out of the 1,567 new cases, 662 cases were reported in the state's capital Hyderabad. The death toll in the state increased to 447 after the state recorded 9 new deaths on July 23. In some good news, the state government in its health bulletin has revealed that 1,661 people have been discharged on July 23, taking the total number of cured people to 39,327 at a recovery rate of 77.3%. "But people should not entertain any fear or anxiety. The government is ready to provide treatment to any number of cases in the state. The required PPE kits, test kits, masks, beds, ventilators, hospitals are all ready," a statement from the Chief Minister's Office quoted him as saying at a high-level meeting called by him to review Covid-19 situation. <table style="width: 540pt;"> </colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup> <tbody><tr> <td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt; width: 74pt; font-size: 11pt; color: white; font-weight: 700; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left: 0.5pt solid black; background: black;">State</td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 175pt; font-size: 11pt; color: white; font-weight: 700; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: black;">Total Cases</td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 179pt; font-size: 11pt; color: white; font-weight: 700; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: black;">Active Cases</td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 56pt; font-size: 11pt; color: white; font-weight: 700; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: black;">Cured</td> <td class="xl63" style="width: 56pt; font-size: 11pt; color: white; font-weight: 700; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right: 0.5pt solid black; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: black;">Death</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="xl63" style="height: 14.4pt; font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left: 0.5pt solid black; background: rgb(217, 217, 217);">Telangana</td> <td class="xl63" style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: rgb(217, 217, 217);">50,826</td> <td class="xl63" style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: rgb(217, 217, 217);">11,052</td> <td class="xl63" style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right-width: initial; border-right-style: none; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: rgb(217, 217, 217);">39,327</td> <td class="xl63" style="font-size: 11pt; color: black; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; border-top: 0.5pt solid black; border-right: 0.5pt solid black; border-bottom: 0.5pt solid black; border-left-width: initial; border-left-style: none; background: rgb(217, 217, 217);">447</td></tr></tbody></table> COVID-19 victim's body carried in autorickshaw In a shocking incident highlighting the utter negligence of health officials in Telangana's Nizamabad town, body of a COVID-19 victim was carried in an autorickshaw. The visuals of the body being carried in the three-wheeler in total violation of the guidelines for transporting the bodies of COVID-19 victims, went viral on social media on Saturday. The body was seen protruding from both sides of the vehicle as it was kept at the bottom of the rear seat. Neither the autorickshaw driver, said to be a relative of the deceased nor the local municipal employee sitting with him was wearing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits. Hyderabad MP urges people to undergo COVID-19 test AIMIM president and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday underwent a COVID-19 test to create public awareness in his constituency about the need to undergo the test. He visited the Government Nizamia General Hospital near the historic Charminar to give his samples for testing. "Got my antigen &amp; RT PCR tests done for COVID-19 today. My antigen test results were negative, Alhamdulilah. There are 30 odd centres in the South of Hyderabad where antigen testing is being conducted, I encourage all of you to not hesitate &amp; get tested," he later tweeted. Charminar, Golconda Fort shut after brief re-opening The Charminar and the Golconda Fort, two of Hyderabad's most famous monuments, were re-opened for visitors on Monday, only to be shut again as authorities took a U-turn. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is responsible for the upkeep of the centrally protected monuments, went back on its decision after the Telangana government opposed their re-opening as both were located close to areas witnessing a spike in Covid-19 cases. Few people had booked their tickets online and were allowed entry but sale of tickets was stopped after local authorities expressed the apprehension that re-opening of the monuments could lead to violation of social distancing and other Covid-19 norms. 2 Hyderabad jewellers' corona deaths create panic among party guests The death of two city jewellers due to coronavirus within five days has led to panic among around 150 people from various walks of life who attended a birthday party thrown by one of them in Hyderabad a few days. A 63-year-old diamond jeweller who had organised the party for his relatives and friends two weeks ago succumbed on Friday. One of his guests, another city jeweller, had died earlier. A leading politician from the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) and 11 others who attended the party have since tested positive and are undergoing treatment at different hospitals.As many as 150 people had attended the birthday bash hosted by the jeweller who owns a shop in Himayatnagar area. Many leading jewellers, politicians and prominent people from various walks of life were among the attendees. As new lockdown looms over Hyderabad, migrants head for Andhra With another lockdown looming over Hyderabad, hundreds of people were heading to their native places in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. Fearing that they may be stuck in the city if the lockdown was re-imposed, workers and businessmen were returning to be with their near and dear ones. Using whatever mode of transport available to them, the migrants were leaving Hyderabad, which is witnessing a big spike in Covid-19 cases. Majority of those returning home were daily wagers, construction labourers, domestic help and traders. Most of them had returned to Hyderabad after easing of lockdown in May. Biggest single-day jump takes Telangana Covid tally to 18,570 In the biggest surge since the outbreak of Covid-19, Telangana on Thursday registered 1,213 cases, taking the tally to 18,570 cases. With this, Telangana overtook Rajasthan and climbed to the seventh spot in the list of states with most cases. Under fire from different quarters for low testing, the state authorities ramped up the testing. According to the director of public health and family welfare, 5,356 tests were conducted. Covid fight in Telangana gets mired in political slugfest The fight against Covid-19 in Telangana has become mired in a political slugfest between the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) government and the opposition parties. With the daily jump in new infections almost touching 1,000 and the state touching a new high with each passing day, the criticism of the government's response to the crisis is also mounting. Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed by activists and the reprimands received by the government from the High Court has given ammunition to the opposition to attack the government, which claims to be handling the situation effectively and sees a conspiracy by "vested interests" to malign the government and state-run hospitals. The Centre's assessment is that between June 10 and 23, Telangana had the highest positivity rate in India at 27.7 per cent (ratio of people testing positive to number of people tested) and the latest data that Telangana is doing lowest number of tests per 10 lakh population at just 2,356 has also come handy to the opposition. HC asks Telangana govt to spell out stand on online classes The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to spell out its stand on the ongoing online classes by private schools and inform it by Friday if any policy on online classes had been framed or not. The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Hyderabad School Students Parents Association, seeking directions to ban online classes. The petitioner argued that conducting online classes before the beginning of an academic year is "illegal". The court was told that the government had not yet issued orders with regard to the beginning of the new academic year. Telangana postpones all common entrance examinations The Telangana government on Tuesday decided to postpone all the Common Entrance Examinations (CETs) for admission to various professional courses in the state, in view of the Covid-19 pandemic. The CETs, including the Telangana State Engineering, Agriculture and Medical Common Entrance Test (TS EAMCET) 2020 were scheduled to begin from Wednesday. The government conveyed its decision to the Telangana High Court during hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), seeking direction to postpone the examinations. Telangana pauses mass testing in hotspot Hyderabad The health authorities in Telangana on June 25 decided to pause the ongoing mass testing for Covid-19 in Hyderabad and surrounding districts in view of the piling-up of samples in testing laboratories. With 8,235 samples still pending in the labs for testing, the authorities said collection of more samples without testing the pending ones will create problems. Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao had announced on June 14 that 50,000 Covid-19 tests will be done in 30 Assembly constituencies in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits. Till June 16, the health authorities collected 36,000 samples. With inputs from IANS. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-cases-in-andhra-pradesh-news-and-updates/articleshow/74828808.cms">Coronavirus cases in Andhra Pradesh</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-cases-in-gujarat-news-and-updates/articleshow/74830845.cms"></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-gujarat-covid-19-cases-and-death-numbers-for-today/articleshow/76510489.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Coronavirus cases in Gujarat</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-cases-in-bihar-news-and-updates/articleshow/74833815.cms">Coronavirus cases in Bihar</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/coronavirus-patient-cases-in-uttar-pradesh-news-and-updates/articleshow/74833735.cms">Coronavirus cases in Uttar Pradesh</a>

Telangana Coronavirus cases rise to 50,826 – 447 dead and 39,327 cured till July 23

A new book chronicles how the world's 12 greatest diamonds that emanated from Golconda and Kollur mines in Andhra Pradesh were whisked away by Mughals, Persians, Brits, French, Turks and Russians after centuries of bloody wars, conspiracies and million-dollar deals, and now ensconced in their national treasures. Sanjay Dharwadker's "Diamond In My Palm" goes on to say that ancient India was not only like a golden sparrow but as much a mine of invaluable glittering solitaires. Although, it is <keyword id="165620" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Koh-i-Noor">Koh-i-Noor</keyword> that sits in the Tower of London and has constantly remained in the eye of storm, this historical fiction also provides intriguing details of some of other famous diamonds like the pink Darya-i-Noor (now in Tehran); the pale, flat-shaped <keyword id="8490179" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shah-Diamond">Shah Diamond</keyword> and the half egg eye shaped, blue-green <keyword id="8490178" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Orlov-diamond">Orlov Diamond</keyword> (nestling in Kremlin); and the fabled Blue Diamond that Jean Baptiste Tavernier first set his eyes on in 1638, when he got an audience with Emperor <keyword id="74797" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shah-Jahan">Shah Jahan</keyword>, and is now the <keyword id="257944" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hope-Diamond">Hope Diamond</keyword> in the Smithsonian. "There is monumental cache of diamonds that originated in India, and after centuries of bloody wars, conspiracies, amorous affairs and million-dollar deals, were ensconced in the national treasures of various countries across the world," the author says. An alumnus of BITS Pilani, Dharwadker worked for India's technology missions in the 1990s, and towards the end of the millennium, he moved to specialise in solutions for identity and identification as applied to national populations. Currently based in Utrecht, Netherlands, he's a consultant with the United Nations working closely with governments on identity law, policy and practices. It was Dharwadker's decade-long stay in Johannesburg in South Africa that triggered this tome. Unlike anywhere else in the world, diamonds in India are known to be thousands of years old, hence, linked not only to history but also mythology. Mined first and foremost in India, circa 800 BC, diamonds were discovered in South Africa 2500 years later, in 1866 CE, while deposits were also found in Brazil by 1726. South Africa's famous diamond mines in Kimberley and Cullinan and other scintillating historical nuggets come alive in the book, brought out by Stellar Publishers. Another interesting fact that the book tells is about the coinage of the catchphrase "A Diamond is forever". The strident propagator of apartheid, Cecil John Rhodes was the first secretary of De Beers Mining when it was formed in 1880. And "A Diamond is forever" was voted the 'advertising slogan of the twentieth century'. Coined for a campaign of De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd in 1947 by Mary Frances Gerety, copywriter at America's oldest advertising agency NW Ayers &amp; Son in Philadelphia, the catchphrase remains in perpetuity. Not only did these luminescent stones bring together India and South Africa, but they were also connected by their colonial past. The book also tells how Ambaji Shinde of JJ School of Art in Mumbai went on to become the most celebrated diamond jewellery designer of the twentieth century, while working for the famed Harry Winston in New York. And that the 34.65-carat shining pink <keyword id="1633785" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Princie-Diamond">Princie Diamond</keyword> of Indian origin was auctioned in April 2013 for a whopping USD 39 million by Christie's, the most expensive diamond ever auctioned in America. Once owned by the <keyword id="797909" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nizam-of-Hyderabad">Nizam of Hyderabad</keyword> and auctioned at the Sotheby's in 1960, it was bought by the French luxury jewellery Van Cleef &amp; Arpels for 46,000 pounds. In Paris, it was christened after Sayajirao Gaekwad, nicknamed Princie, since his mother Sita Devi, second wife of the Maharaja of Baroda, loved Paris and maintained an apartment in this 'City of Light'. All these musings and enticing chronicles turn into a gripping narrative through the fortuitous meeting of a Gandhian scholar from Hyderabad and a mining engineer from Johannesburg at a Middle Eastern international airport, and romance brews. In this trajectory of the immensely enigmatic and lucrative business of magnificent diamonds, a sinister web of desire, deceit and power entangles characters who inhabit the richly evoked social worlds of global cities, from Johannesburg, Antwerp, New York to Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. Dharwadker says his novel is about India, its journey in time and its unparalleled spiritual past.

The tale of 12 diamonds from Golconda that India lost forever

In the heart of India's southern landscape, a monumental shift unfolded on June 2, marking a pivotal moment in <keyword id="19896313" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Andhra-Pradesh" source="keywords">Andhra Pradesh</keyword>'s history. Hyderabad bid adieu to its role as the administrative nucleus of Andhra as a tangible consequence of the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act of 2014. Presently, the southern state has no capital, a fate that will likely change after the verdict of the <keyword id="21626076" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vidhan-Sabha-elections" source="keywords">Vidhan Sabha elections</keyword> is delivered. Now, trends as confirmed by the Election Commission of India suggest that the TDP-BJP-Jana Sena Party (JSP) coalition is poised to deliver a significant blow to the incumbent <keyword id="19973324" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="YSR-Congress-Party" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="YSR Congress Party" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="YSR Congress Party">YSR Congress Party</keyword> (YSRCP) in both Vidhan Sabha and Lok Sabha elections. At the time of writing this article, The <keyword id="19910623" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TDP" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="TDP" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="TDP">TDP</keyword>-JSP-BJP alliance has either won or leading in a whopping 158 out of the 175 seats, as per the ECI. And TDP leader <keyword id="20138505" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="N-Chandrababu-Naidu" source="keywords">N Chandrababu Naidu</keyword> is all set to take oath in Amaravathi as the Chief Minister on June 9. Similarly, in the Lok Sabha election, the NDA triparty alliance has won (or leads) in 21 out of 25 seats. Compared to their impressive vote share of nearly 50% in the 2019 assembly elections, YSRCP is facing a substantial setback, largely attributed to the compelling appeal of the alliance's promise of effective and progressive governance. In 2013, as a product of decades of political fervour and regional aspirations, <keyword id="19909031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Telangana" source="keywords">Telangana</keyword> became India's newest state. It necessitated the redefinition of Andhra Pradesh's administrative centre. And former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu had set his sights on <keyword id="19926152" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Amaravati" source="keywords">Amaravati</keyword> as the new capital, envisioning a modern hub of governance. Amaravati, with its promise of modernity and progress, symbolised Naidu's vision for a dynamic Andhra Pradesh. Yet, with the changing of the political guard came a divergence in vision. The unexpected rise of <keyword id="19936253" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jagan-Mohan-Reddy" source="keywords">Jagan Mohan Reddy</keyword> in 2019 ushered in a completely new and audacious vision of <keyword id="21938308" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="three-capitals" source="keywords">three capitals</keyword>! The current CM of Andhra affiliated with the YSR Congress Party revealed his vision of establishing a three-city plan with Visakhapatnam, Amaravati, and Kurnool sharing governance roles. With Visakhapatnam for executive functions, Amaravati for legislative affairs, and Kurnool for judicial matters, this plan reflected a departure from the conventional wisdom of centralised governance. Reddy's vision, born from a desire to uplift all corners of the state, challenged the conventional wisdom that a single capital must bear the burden of governance. It was a bold experiment — one that seeked to rewrite the script of regional development. Yet, amidst the cacophony of political rhetoric and legal battles, the fate of Andhra Pradesh's administrative apparatus hung in a limbo. The High Court's intervention, compelling the state to honour the commitments made by its predecessor, added another layer of complexity to an already convoluted saga. In April 2024, Naidu asserted that should he come to power in Andhra, Amaravati would remain the enduring capital of the state, adding that the city embodied the pride of Telugu people. Speaking at a gathering in Tadikonda, Guntur district, during his Praja Galam public meetings, Naidu stated firmly, "This isn't just Tadikonda; this is Amaravati. I assure you all from this platform that no force can disrupt Amaravati's future. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, JSP president Pawan Kalyan, and I are committed to its development." Naidu also accused YSRC president and Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of commencing his tenure by demolishing the 'Praja Vedika' (Grievance Hall). The 74-year-old legislator pledged to rebuild the Praja Vedika promptly upon regaining power. Meanwhile, the new CM of Andhra already has his work cut out for him. With Hyderabad's departure, a logistical domino effect has ensued — offices, assets, and infrastructure must find new homes. The bureaucratic machinery, once anchored in Hyderabad, now faces the challenge of redefining its locus. The fate of over 55 buildings, prime symbols of administrative authority, lies in the hands of policymakers. The intricate process of bifurcating government corporations, training institutions, and assets demands meticulous planning and foresight. The transition from Hyderabad to a new capital is not just about changing addresses; it's about reimagining governance itself. In the corridors of power, negotiations simmer as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana navigate the delicate dance of asset allocation. The fate of institutions like the Film Development Corporation and the Women's Finance Corporation hangs in the balance, awaiting resolution in the crucible of political negotiation.

Andhra Assembly Election Results 2024: As TDP sweeps AP, dream of Amaravati as the ideal capital gains momentum

India's <keyword id="20884491" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="cement-industry" source="keywords">cement industry</keyword> is heating up faster than a kiln! If one’s tracking the sector, the war-like situation between the existing and emerging cement giants is pretty evident. For the uninitiated, Aditya Birla Group-backed <keyword id="19963567" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ultratech-Cement" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Ultratech Cement" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Ultratech Cement">Ultratech Cement</keyword> and <keyword id="19955648" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adani-Group" source="keywords">Adani Group</keyword> have been at loggerheads for increased market share in recent years. And now, JSW Cement also seems to be gearing up to challenge the potential duopoly. As conglomerates aggressively acquire smaller players to achieve market domination, the cement industry in India right now resembles an eighteenth-century battlefield. The battle has significantly escalated this year, but this trend of acquiring regional cement companies can be traced back to 2018 when Ultratech acquired Binani Cement. Since then, both Adani Group and Birla Group have been capturing checkposts all over India, one by one. Ultratech acquired Binani Cement to strengthen its base in the western region and this week, India Cement, for the southern states. Adani has also acquired the Hyderabad-based Penna Cement this year, after acquiring majority stakes in Ambuja Cements and ACC in 2022. But why the obsession with cement? <h2>Why are the Titans clashing for…cement?</h2>India's infrastructure boom is in full swing, and whoever controls the cement supply holds the key to this construction kingdom. Adani Group has been known to follow an acquire &amp; dominate strategy for capturing market segments. <keyword id="19907441" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aditya-Birla-Group" source="keywords">Aditya Birla Group</keyword>, however, has dominated the cement industry in India through Ultratech for a while now. The answer to the above question may simply lie in establishing the leadership moat for themselves. With even-growing public and private spending on infrastructure, both players want to capture the majority share to dominate the supplies of cement, which is essential for construction. <h2>Where is the sector heading?</h2>While both Adani and Aditya Birla groups have locked horns to acquire CK Birla’s Orient Cement for a while now, a new hurdle threatens their dominance. As per an Economic Times report, Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Cement has now started to evaluate the acquisition of the promoter stake in Orient Cement. As an emerging front, JSW Cement also aims to reach 50 MT per annum by 2030. However, two other major players, Shree Cement and Dalmia Bharat, already have 53 MTPA and 43 MTPA capacity. <div type="image" title="Birla Vs Adani" msid="112196675" hostid="261" sizebytes="284160" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;Look back at major acquisitions in the cement sector&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> However, with over a dozen acquisitions over the last decade, both Ultratech and Adani Group are by far the largest players in the sector eyeing over 200 MT per annum by 2030. <h2>What about the prices?</h2>Will consumers benefit from this cutthroat competition to industry domination? In the short term at least, yes! While lower prices might sound appealing, it's essential to keep an eye on quality as consolidation in the manufacturing sector is always tricky. We don't want to end up with buildings crumbling like cookies. And let's not forget about the little guys. This consolidation of power into a few mega-corporations could squeeze out smaller players, reducing competition and potentially leading to higher prices in the long run. <h2>I think I’ve seen this film before….</h2>The current atmosphere of the cement industry feels reminiscent of what happened in the telecom industry in India in 2016 i.e. the infamous tussle of tariffs. As Reliance Industries launched Jio, it disrupted the entire segment and forced other telecom companies to compete on their terms. As a result, the tariffs fell sharply, companies shut and brands merged, but Jio still claims 40% of the market share in India in terms of subscriber count. Moreover, experts feel that the change in power dynamics in both these industries, cement and telecom, have direct ties to the current government’s industrial policy. Government policies seem to favour companies that have acquired a dominant position in distinct sectors of the economy, which in India’s case are led by two of the richest men in Asia — Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani. This strategy of adopting ‘<keyword id="1327299" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-champions" source="Orion">National Champions</keyword>’ is seemingly inspired by South Korea’s <keyword id="4933297" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chaebols" source="Orion">Chaebols</keyword> and Japan’s Zaibatsu conglomerates that came into existence decades ago. <h2>From corporate drama to k-drama: Chaebols</h2>The term Chaebol might ring a bell if you've watched K-dramas. They are family-owned business conglomerates in South Korea. This business structure originated in the 1960s and got so popular that it made its way into Korean pop culture. While chaebols have fueled the rapid growth of the Korean economy, concerns about their opaque governance and controlling shareholder interests often deter external investors. Japan’s zaibatsu were also similar financial and industrial conglomerates that were major forces in Japan during World War II. Korea’s Hyundai and Japan’s Mitsubishi are some prime examples of this structure. <h2>Growth of the Goliaths</h2>Viral Acharya, the former Deputy Governor of the RBI, highlights the decade-old trend of the central government achieving economic growth outcomes by working with large conglomerates in part, rather than with state governments. In his conference paper for the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity in March 2023, he demonstrates this pattern with examples from multiple sectors. “By way of specific examples, the share of the Top 5 groups by sales in Civil Engineering and Construction rose from 31% in 2016 to 42% in 2021, in Telecommunications from 65% to over 84%, and in the Retail trade sector from under 44% to over 65%. Similarly, the share of Top-5 groups by Assets rose sharply by 2021 to 68% in the Manufacturing of Basic Metals, 26% in the Manufacturing of Chemicals, 90% in the Manufacturing of Refined Petroleum and Coke, and 47% in the Manufacturing of Non-metallic Mineral Products (including cement and other building materials),” writes Acharya. While this strategy of ‘National Champions’ has benefitted the telecom sector, it has its caveats. The acceleration in the growth may lead to an oligopolistic economy, thereby restricting the entry of new players and stifling innovation. Additionally, a multi-dimensional concentration of power poses the threat of crony capitalism. <h2>National champions: checks and challenges</h2>There’s more to this debate. Arvind Subramanian and Josh Felman, in their paper titled ‘India’s Stalled Rise’ note that the collective impact of this strategy could be more adverse in India, more than anywhere else. They explain that the two big conglomerates — Adani Group and Ambani-led Reliance “have interests that extend throughout the economy, in defence production, ports and airports, energy, natural gas, petroleum, digital platforms, telecommunications, entertainment, media, retail, textiles, financial payments, and education.” Chaebols and Zaibatsu have/had their demerits that range from autocratic decision-making dubbed as ‘imperialistic management’ to the slow inclination of the market towards an oligopolistic structure. However, they weren’t shielded from international competition, nor was this strategy of creating ‘national champions’ shaped using government regulation. They were prevalent in sectors that faced competition internationally, like Hyundai in automobile manufacturing, keeping them in check. The lack of a similar system of checks and balances in India may lead to deeper implications of this strategy of ‘national champions.’ Viral Acharya further notes that they “grew not just at the expense of the smallest firms, but also of the next largest firms” and empirically established a causal link between market power and markups (broadly, profit). At a point when India has seen a monumental shift in infrastructure and looks to capture the market share that China could evacuate, the implications of a tilted policy could prove detrimental. While consolidation can improve performance and catalyse growth, we need to be very careful as a country of the direction we will set ourselves in at this crucial juncture. <h2>Also read:</h2> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112159576" title="India Cement employees to lose jobs after UltraTech acquisition? Chairman Srinivasan answers" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div> <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112163130" title="Ambuja Cements Q1FY25 profit at Rs 789.63 crore; revenue at Rs 8,311.48 crore" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"><payload><![CDATA[seealso]]></payload></div>

Cementing dominance: Birla vs Adani, of Chaebols, conglomerates, and National Champions

After two years of pandemic-induced lull, <keyword id="1484" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="feroz-abbas" source="Orion">Feroz Abbas</keyword> <keyword id="6355601" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="khan" source="Orion">Khan</keyword>'s Broadway-style opus 'Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical' opened to packed houses in Mumbai on October 21 this year. The musical has already amassed unanimous critical and popular acclaim around the world but this is the first time in the post-pandemic era that the 18th season of the show has been staged. Director Feroz Abbas says, "As a team, during the course of the last two years, we truly missed entertaining the audience and now it feels so reassuring that the fans of the show have missed it too! The response since the first show on October 21, has been unbelievable and more shows have had to be added to accommodate the overwhelming demand for tickets." Mumbai has embraced the musical extravaganza once again and says Khan, "The core appeal of the musical remains the same though as always we have worked hard to improve technical and production aspects. The audiences however come back again and for the music, the monumental scale, the costumes, the energy of a live performance and the nostalgia that this classic love story evokes. And very soon, hopefully, we will be on the road once again to travel with the play and regale audiences in different parts of the country and the world." Deepesh Salgia of Shapoorji Pallonji Producers of the musical says, "Mumbai has embraced the musical extravaganza once again. The core appeal of the musical remains the same though as always we have worked hard to improve technical and production aspects." 'Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical' has won seven trophies, including the Best Indian Play, at the Broadway World India Awards 2017. Feroz <keyword id="209157" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="abbas-khan" source="Orion">Abbas Khan</keyword> won the Best Director <keyword id="24" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="award" source="Orion">Award</keyword>, and celebrity fashion designer Manish Malhotra won the trophy for Best Original Costume Design. Mayuri Upadhya scored in the Best Original Choreography category, Neil Patel received recognition in the Best Original Set Design segment and David Lander won the Best Original Lighting Design award. The play also bagged the Best Ensemble Cast award. IANSlife speaks to director Feroz Abbas to get his views on the show: When was the first time that you saw 'Mughal-E-Azam' and what impact did the film have on you? Feroz: I saw 'Mughal-E-Azam' as a child on Eid with my family and it had an enormous emotional impact on me and I remember crying profusely because I thought a great injustice had been done to Anarkali! Decades later when I saw the coloured version with Farooque Sheikh and Shabana Azmi Azmi in Hyderabad, the film wove the same magic that I had experienced all those years ago and then the idea to adapt it to the stage came to me because I realised that the film had a very theatrical structure. Do you think a film like this can be made today? Feroz: I think films which are much bigger in scale and even in detailing and budget are being made today, especially in South India, but 'Mughal-E-Azam' was very unique at that particular period and time where epics were few and far between and these one, in particular, had cost the producers more than any previous Indian film. It took nearly 10 years to reach cinemas and that would be unthinkable today. Can you share with us a few things that are different about this season of 'Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical'? Feroz: It's the same play, with the same cast and the same scale. Practically everything is the same except that after COVID hit us, the intensity and the passion of the performers reached a new high. The years in which the play wasn't performed, have had a huge impact on them and it is almost as if their passion had been bottled up and now it is going to be unleashed on the stage. As I was watching the rehearsals, I saw things that the actors had never done before, so, there's a great intensity and a great purpose to deliver an outstanding performance for the audience. All these years that made them wait now will culminate in a magnificent outpouring of intensity, beauty and power on stage. What have been some of the most memorable responses to the musical from the audience? Feroz: There have been so many that it would be tough to encapsulate them all. All I can say is they are diverse and heartwarming and each generation has connected differently to the play. For some, it is a nostalgic experience to revisit this story. For others, it is a discovery. Every single time we perform, we are suffused with waves of energy and appreciation and that is what keeps us inspired and motivated to do better and better each time. How did you translate war scenes and the immersive opulence of the film for its stage version? Feroz: War scenes are very difficult to do on stage because we don't have the facilities that cinema has, to realistically recreate battlefields. So it boils down to presenting them in a more suggestive and symbolic way and we have been able to create, if not the scale and opulence of the original film but surely the impact of war on stage and in the minds of the audience. It's very difficult for me to describe that in words because it is something that you've got to be in the auditorium to experience. What was your brief to the actors who were going to play roles that have been immortalised by stalwarts like Prithviraj Kapoor, Madhubala and Dilip Kumar? Feroz: The brief was to not mimic or become caricatures of the stalwarts but to understand and interpret the characters in question. It is very easy to be intimidated by the legacy of these iconic actors but once you begin to connect organically with the characters, you start relating with them and slowly you become a part of them and they of you. You have often mentioned the role that progressive writers played in creating a very egalitarian perspective of love in the film. Do you think film writing today has the same passion to at least suggest if not create positive change? Feroz: Every writer responds to the time he/she lives in. They absorb all that's happening around them, and finally, they put that on paper. As far as the egalitarian aspect is concerned, which means basically asking for a more well-adjusted, just, equitable and compassionate society for the weak and the marginalised, I think regional cinema is doing a very good job. They seem to be much more in tune with what's happening around them. However, our Hindi cinema at this point in time is struggling to find a voice that speaks for the marginalised and the weak. They are struggling to understand what exactly the audience expects, wants and needs and what issues they identify with. Whatever is going on in the name of entertainment has an element of confusion. Makers are trying various things but we aren't finding any strong voices that speak up for social equity. Though there have been voices for gender equality, which is good, the egalitarian aspect has been absent from Indian cinema for quite some time. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/how-power-corrupts-lessons-from-king-lear-and-three-more-shakespearen-plays/articleshow/95113874.cms">How power corrupts - lessons from King Lear and three more Shakespearen plays</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/katrina-kaifs-yet-to-be-released-phone-bhoot-makes-it-to-chacha-chaudhary-comic-book/articleshow/95117757.cms">Katrina Kaif's yet-to-be-released Phone Bhoot makes it to Chacha Chaudhary comic book</a>

'Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical' gets extended on public demand

The flagship carrier of African nation Ethiopia has named its newest <keyword id="472715" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Boeing-787">Boeing 787</keyword> <keyword id="85416" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dreamliner">Dreamliner</keyword> after the <keyword id="6355354" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Taj-Mahal">Taj Mahal</keyword>, India’s most famous monument. This is for the first time that the airline has named a Dreamliner aircraft after a historical or heritage site outside of Africa. 
 With its large African network, the <keyword id="100277" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ethiopian-Airlines">Ethiopian Airlines</keyword> is looking to benefit from the large number of Indians travelling across the region. 
Ethiopian Airlines, which currently operates one flight to New Delhi and two flights to Mumbai per day, is also considering other destinations like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram. 
 
“In doing so, we are heralding the renaissance of Africa globally and we will continue promoting iconic international figures found in the destinations we serve. This will also strengthen our already established relations with India as we have an increasing number of Indian travellers,” an Ethiopian Airlines official said.

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