Our organisation HRIDAY-SHAN , Visakhapatnam’s primary objective is to motivate youth, understand the ill effects of tobacco taken in any form and prepare them as ambassadors of health promotion in the society.Today i.e., on 30th May, 2010 school children, parents participated in a rally and shouted slogans and displayed play-cards and banners to create awareness against Tobacco at the vizag beach on the eve of World Anti-Tobacco day.Healthy diet and nutrition is another important issue of our project. It aims at educating youth, the nutritive values of the available foods. The youth are also made aware of the importance of the nutritive foods and the harmful effects of the fat rich junk foods. The organization is also active in educating youth about the importance of regular physical activity, environmental protection and road safety.HRIDAY- SHAN emerged as a Voluntary Organization during 1992 in New Delhi and is active in Visakhapatnam since 2005 involving more than 30 schools.Programmes of HRIDAY- SHAN :Village Health Tours by students Intra and Inter School Debates and Painting compititions aimed at health promotionPublic awareness stalls by the students of HRIDAY-SHAN during melasHealth runs and marches aimed at promoting health awareness in the societyOur students met the then Hon’ble President of India Dr.A.P.J.ABDUL KALAM during his visit to Visakhapatnam.Our student representatives participated in the first GLOBAL YOUTH MEET at NEWDELHI and AGRA during 2007 inaugarated by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and had meaningful interaction with student representatives from more than 40 countries and members from WHO, UNICEF, UNESCO etc.

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant bagged the ‘Town Official Language Implementation Committee’ (TOLIC) Award, for its exemplary performance in implementation of Official Language. The Award was presented at the 53rd Meeting of Town Official Language Implementation Committee held on Friday at Divisional Railway Manager’s Office, Visakhapatnam.The representatives of All Central Government Organizations and Central Banks have participated and activities related to Official Language implementation were discussed and Reports submitted by various organizations were evaluated. Awards were presented to the organizations for their outstanding performance in ‘Implementation of official Language’ during 2009-10.Visakhapatnam Steel plant was awarded First Prize for its outstanding performance. Mr. Lalan Kumar, In-charge of Hindi Cell of VSP received the award. Chairman of the Committee Mr. D Kamilla, DRM complimented VSP for its endeavour towards propagation of ‘official Language’.Mr. AS Jhingar, Additional DRM, Mr. Sarat Chandra Jha, Assistant Director, Hindi teaching scheme and Senior Hindi officers of participating organizations were present.Sri. Y. Manohar, Director (Personnel) complimented the team of Hindi Cell.

A Coastal Security Review Meeting for the East Coast was held today, 26 May 10 at the Swarna Jyoti Conference Hall of the Eastern Naval Command. The meeting chaired by the Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command was attended by senior functionaries of the Police, Naval Officers-in-Charge and Coast Guard Representatives from the four coastal states of the East Coast. The Chairman expressed satisfaction at the initiatives taken by the states and exhorted the members to ensure that high tempo in coastal security issues is maintained. State specific issues as well as overall coastal security were also discussed and the way ahead deliberated upon. Shri BB Dash the IGP (Admin) from West Bengal, Shri RP Singh IGP (INT) from Orissa and Shri SR Tiwari IGP (Org) from Andhra Pradesh attended the meeting. The Coastal Security construct for the Eastern seaboard was put in place during 2009. A number of steps have been initiated by all stakeholders towards ensuring the security of the East Coast of India, that includes four states namely West Bengal, Orissa, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and the Union Territory of Puducherry. The vibrant coastal security organisation which is functioning on the East coast has been put to test in various operations and two sets of exercises in each state.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility Activities, RINL-VSP is supporting the 10th National junior Federation Cup Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in Visakhapatnam from27th to 29th May, 2010 at Port Diamond Jubilee Stadium.The reasons for conducting the championship in Visakhapatnam are that ‘adequate infrastructure and other facilities are available in city’, ‘climatic conditions are conducive during the period of competition’ and ‘availability of very good Rail, road and Air Transportation’, in addition to presence of several large central PSUs like RINL, HPCL, NTPC to support these events.The National Junior Federation Cup Athletics Championship of 2009 was held in Bhopal, which attracted nearly 600 athletes from all over the country. The present championship is expected to draw around 700 athletes from all over the country including Andhra Pradesh. Visakhapatnam District Amateur Athletic Association has had proud record of conducting similar Athletic championships in Visakhapatnam with grand success in the pas like 32nd National Games most successfully. The Athletics Federation of India has given Visakhapatnam the privilege to host the above championship. The national probable will be selected from this championship for participation in the world Junior Championship and Asian Championship to be held in Canada and Vietnam in July, 2010.The estimated expenditure for organizing the championship is Rs 21 Lakhs. The Honorary Secretary of the organizing committee has requested RINL-VSP for generous support to make the championship grand success.RINL-VSP has been continuously supporting sports and games under its Corporate Social Responsibility Activities and agreed to support the event by way of reimbursement of Rs 6 Lakhs.

Mr. Y Manohar, Director (Personnel) of RINL-VSP inaugurated ‘Intense Pulse Unit’ at Dermatology Department and ‘Olympus Trinocular Research Microscope with multiple viewing for teaching’ and associated equipments at Pathology Department of Andhra Medical College on Tuesday for treating poor patients in King George Hospital.RINL-VSP as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative donated about Rs 18 Lakhs for the purchase of various Equipments and Units and accessories for the Departments of Pathology and Dermatology of Andhra Medical College.The intense Pulse Unit is useful for treatment of various skin and cosmetological problems. Trinocular Microscope will facilitate in diagnosis for further treatment especially of cancer and will also help in training the undergraduate and postgraduate students in medicine.Dr K Venkateswarlu, Principal (In-charge), Dr G santa Rao, Superintendent, KGH thanked CMD and Director (Personnel) for the support. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Manohar expressed hope that these units and equipment will be fully utilized for the healthcare of common man.Dr Bhagyalakshmi, Head of the Department of Pathology, Dr Narayana Rao, Head of the Department of Dermatology, Faculty and Postgraduate students of AMC and Senior Officials of Corporate Communications and CSR departments of VSP were present.

As a Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative for accommodating more ‘differently-abled’ children, RINL-VSP is constructing a new building in VSP’s township of Ukkunagaram. The work is being executed through M/s CPWD at an estimated cost of Rs 2.0 crores.A request was received from the Principal and Secretary of Arunodaya Special School and Educational Society to provide New Building for ‘differently–abled’ children, which will help in offering specialised training to the children from nearby areas too. RINL’s board approved and VSP requested CPWD to submit the preliminary estimates for the building construction.The estimated number of children to be accommodated is 200. The plinth area of the building is 990 square meters. It is scheduled to be completed by January, 2011.The foundation stone was laid by Mr. Y Manohar, Director (Personnel). Senior Officials of VSP, Representatives of Steel Executives Association, SC&ST Association and other Union leaders were present.

Customer Information System which enables Visakhapatnam Steel Plant’s customers to view their transactions online, developed inhouse was inaugurated by Mr. P Madhusudhan, Director (Finance) on Saturday.An exclusive Kiosk with touch screen facility was installed for this purpose in Branch Sales Office of VSP in Project Office.Mr. Madhusudhan complimented the Finance, Marketing and IT departments for bringing the system within the shortest possible time. He also stated that efforts will be made to extend the facility through all the marketing outlets of VSP. He advised all the esteemed customers to make use of the system and benefit from the same.Mr. JK Rao, ED (F&A), Mr. GVN Reddy, GM (Marketting), Senior Officials of Marketing, Finance and IT and Customers of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant were present.

Responding to the request of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, five comprehensive Diving Teams comprising 30 personnel alongwith associated technical support elements from the Eastern Naval Command have been pressed into action for rescue and relief operations in the district of Narsapur. The Diving Teams together with inflatable rubberised boats with out-board motors, rescue equipment and medical supplies left for the affected areas today, 19 May 10, and will assist the State Administration in rescue and relief operations before, during and after the passage of the Cyclone. Additionally, the Port Defence Headquarters at the Eastern Naval Command is being manned round the clock and will coordinate with the State authorities regarding further requirements of search, rescue and relief efforts, for which additional diving teams and aircraft of the Command are standing by.

Honourable Union Minister of Steel, Sri Virbhadra Singh, in his maiden visit to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP) complimented Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) collective for being ever committed and dedicated work force. Speaking on the occasion of presentation of Steel Minister’s Trophy for the year 2006-07, Hon’ble Steel Minister mentioned that RINL has demonstrated excellent overall performance and the panel of judges after through examination adjudged RINL for this first Steel Minister‘s Trophy. He mentioned that RINL is operating above rated capacity consistently and setting bench marks in various technical parametersOn this occasion, the Hon’ble Steel Minister also dedicated the Coke Oven Battery- 4 to the nation. The Coke producing facility has been constructed at a cost of about Rs 360 Crs. He applauded RINL for the big step forward which would save over Rs 1500 Crs per annum to the company by way of current imported price of Coke. He appreciated that Visakhapatnam Steel Plant area was like a garden rather than a Steel Plant. Hon’ble Minister of Steel mentioned that captive Iron Ore Mines is the most important issue which would be pursued further. Hon’ble Minister also advised RINL to help King George Hospital as a Corporate Social Responsibility activity. Hon’ble Minister of State for Steel Sri A. Sai Prathap and Hon’ble Minister of State for HRD Smt.D.Purandeswari also addressed the gathering on this occasion. Sri P.Janardhan Rao Hon’ble Mayor and Mr Ch. Venkata Ramaiah MLA Gajuwaka, distinquished guests from nistry of Steel and State Government were also present on the occasion.Earlier in the day he listened patiently to the concerns expressed by the various Unions, Officers’ Association, SC/ST Association and Women in Public Sector. Many of them requested about allotment of captive Iron ore mines to RINL. Hon’ble minister expressed that he is in favour of value addition in the country and we should be exporting finished steel rather than Iron ore. He mentioned that he has been taking up the matter at various levels and his sentiments are with RINL collective in this regard

Responding with utmost alacrity to an appeal from the State Government of Andhra Pradesh today, 10 May 10, the Indian Navy evacuated casualties from Chintapalle Mandal, over 95 kilometers from Visakhapatnam. Following a request from the District Collector, Visakhapatnam, a UH-3H helicopter of the Eastern Naval Command airlifted six casualties, including three ladies with atleast two in critical condition. The personnel were seriously injured during Combing operations against Maoist rebels near the forests of RV Nagar of Chintapalle Mandal, Visakhapatnam District earlier in the day. The patients were brought to Visakhapatnam this evening and are presently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in the city.

A workshop on Electrical Hygiene and Safe Engineering Practices was held today, 07 May 10 at Samudrika naval auditorium. Vice Admiral Dinesh Prabhakar, VSM, NM, Project Director, Ship Building Centre, Visakhapatnam inaugurated the Workshop and delivered key note address. Papers and case studies on the subject were presented by various units. A skit highlighting the common mistakes made by personnel during day to day work onboard drove home the message in an innovative manner.Personnel from Ships, Submarines and Establishments of the Indian Navy participated in the Workshop. Representatives from Industries and Companies associated with manufacturing and maintenance of various electrical equipments also attended the Workshop.Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Prabhakar stressed upon the importance of Electrical Hygiene and Safe Engineering Practices onboard ships/submarines and at establishments in day to day work. The Admiral lauded the efforts of the Command in working towards increasing the awareness levels through uch Workshops.

A Navy Hull Conference 2010 was held today, 03 May 10 at the Swarna Jyothi Conference Hall at the Headquarters, Eastern Naval Command. Rear Admiral P Murugesan, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet inaugurated the Conference and delivered the keynote address. Delegates from Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), led by Rear Admiral Dinkar Sharma, Assistant Chief of Material, and from the Western, Southern and Andaman & Nicobar Commands attended the Conference. Personnel from various Naval Dockyards and Ship Repair Yards of the Navy, as also large number of Officers and Men from the Ships, Submarines and Establishments at Visakhapatnam participated in the Conference. Speaking on the occasion, Rear Admiral Murugesan stressed on the importance of hull upkeep and maintenance in the overall combat readiness of ships. He called upon the delegates to focus on the use of new technology and find innovative solutions to existing problems and challenges.The Hull Conference was followed by a Convention of Hull Inspection and Trials Units of the Navy. Commodore Ratnakar Ghosh, Principal Director of Naval Architecture presided over the proceedings of the Convention that is held annually with a view to exchanging and consolidating the experiences of the various Hull Trials Units of the Navy, with the overall aim of ensuring high standards of hull maintenance and readiness of ships for assigned roles.