Hyderabad: Two professors from Hyderabad — Prof. Sanket Goel of BITS Pilani-Hyderabad and Prof. Vineeth N. Balasubramanian of IIT Hyderabad — were among 21 faculty nationwide selected for the National Award to Teachers (NAT). The award recognises excellence in teaching, innovation, outreach and research impact.
Prof. Goel, who leads the Micro/Nano Materials and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) lab, guides research on lab-on-a-chip systems, biosensors, flexible electronics and microfluidics. His team focuses on translational innovations for healthcare, energy and environment, bridging lab research with societal challenges. His department has introduced courses on MEMS and microfluidics with experiments in graphene prototyping, lithography, wearable electronics and COMSOL simulations.
At IIT Hyderabad, Prof. Balasubramanian’s research covers explainable AI, robust machine learning and multimodal vision-language models, applied in agriculture, drone imaging, autonomous navigation and behavioural AI. His work aims to make intelligent systems more transparent and reliable.
The NATs were extended to higher education institutions and polytechnic teachers in 2023. Selections involve a two-step process with preliminary screening and a national jury, with learning effectiveness and outreach carrying the most weight.
Two professors from Andhra Pradesh — Dr. Menda Devananda Kumar of Dr Lakireddy Hanimireddy Government Degree College, Mylavaram, and Prof. J. Vijayalaxmi of the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada — were also among this year’s honourees.
TG to Remove Check Posts
Hyderabad: The transport department on Thursday issued orders for the removal of all border check posts following the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). A directive from the Union ministry of road transport and highways stated that commercial check posts at state borders must be abolished after GST to ensure seamless travel and transport.
It noted that many states had already removed such posts, enabling ease of logistics and improving the business environment. States and Union Territories were asked to take immediate steps to facilitate the smooth movement of transport vehicles.
State to Remove Checkposts
Hyderabad: The transport department on Thursday released an order for removal of all checkposts on the borders following the implemention of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This follows a Central directive, issued by the under secretary, Union ministry of road transport and highways, which stated that after the introduction of GST, commercial checkposts at state borders were to be abolished for providing seamless travel and transport.
It stated that large numbers of such checkposts had been removed by various states, paving the way for ease of transport, logistics efficiency and ease of doing business and requested to take necessary steps at the State/UT level to ensure the seamless movement of transport vehicles.
Telangana Sanctions ₹7.5 Crore for Weavers’ Insurance
Hyderabad: The industries and commerce department on Thursday sanctioned ₹7.5 crore under the Telangana Nethanna Bhadratha scheme to provide insurance for weavers. A government order authorised the commissioner of handlooms and textiles to draw and disburse the amount.
TSUTF Demands Promotions
Hyderabad: The Telangana State United Teachers Federation (TSUTF) has urged the government to immediately begin promotions for teachers in Tribal Welfare Ashram Schools. The union said vacancies in headmaster and school assistant posts must be filled at the earliest.
TSUTF president Chava Ravi and general secretary E. Venkat said officials had promised to release a schedule along with the school education department, but nothing was announced even after promotions were completed. They demanded the upgradation of posts for language pandits and physical education teachers, and that eligible teachers be considered for headmaster and school assistant vacancies already lying open.
The federation warned it would stage a protest in front of the Tribal Welfare Commissioner’s office in the first week of September if promotions are not initiated before the end of August.
Water Released from City Reservoirs
Hyderabad: Authorities continued to release water from Osmansagar and Himayatsagar following heavy inflows and advised people in downstream areas to stay alert. At Osmansagar, water stood at 1789.85 feet against the full tank level (FTL) of 1790 feet on Thursday evening. Officials opened eight gates up to three feet, discharging 2,704 cusecs. At Himayatsagar, the level was 1763.1 feet against the FTL of 1763.5 feet, with two gates lifted by three feet and another by one foot.
Expedite DPR for Musi Project: CM
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has directed officials to complete the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Musi River Development Master Plan without delay and begin work at the earliest. He said the project must be designed to serve the city’s needs for the next 100 years, with signal-free junctions, better road links and eco-friendly features.
At a review meeting at his Jubilee Hills residence, the Chief Minister examined design options for Gandhi Sarovar and gave instructions on creating the Gateway of Hyderabad and related road networks. He also reviewed plans for Mir Alam Tank and an iconic bridge, stressing that development must protect the environment while improving connectivity.
Talking about the timeline of the DPR, E.V. Narsimha Reddy, managing director of the Musi River Development Corporation Ltd (MRDCL), said the DPR was still under preparation.
Those present in the meeting included CM advisor Vem Narender Reddy, special chief secretary (industries) Jayesh Ranjan, CM secretary Manik Raj, MA&UD secretary (HMDA area) Ilambarathi, HMDA commissioner Sarfaraz Ahmed, FCDA commissioner K. Shashanka, HMWSSB MD K. Ashok Reddy, MRDCL MD E.V. Narsimha Reddy, JMD P. Gouthami, Ranga Reddy district collector Narayana Reddy and other senior officials.
