There is always a silver lining to dark clouds. While there are no dark clouds hovering over the skies in the capital, the searing summer heat has brought a windfall of sorts for business establishments that depend on the intensity of the heat.
By this time of the year, the general public are literally praying for the month of May to end. But, scores of small-time businessmen, who sell a host of beverages during summer, are definitely seeing the silver lining to the otherwise dreary summer. Fruit juice vendors, ice-sellers, pudina water joints, water melon and sugar cane juice outlets are doing a roaring business this summer.
While many in the capital will be praying for the summer to be over quickly, there are others who might be praying for the spell of heat to be a bit longer.
No river in twin cities?
GHMC Commissioner M.T.Krishna Babu, who claimed that there was no water source for the city of Hyderabad when it was planned, had to eat his words when the president of the Forum for Better Hyderabad Ved Kumar set him right at a panel discussion recently.
Mr. Krishna Babu was eloquent in his assertion that unlike the cities world-over which were invariably built on river banks, Hyderabad did not have a river and depended on water lifted from reservoirs. In saying so, he totally ignored the fact that River Musi, which has been reduced to a sorry stream of filth, was once a gushing river.
Mr. Ved Kumar was quick to point it out and also bring to his notice that the twin reservoirs were built as late as in 20{+t}{+h}century. He also mentioned the network of tanks around the city, apart from Hussainsagar, which was once a source of drinking water.
All set to tackle media
The new chief of RTC, Abdul Khayum Khan is well-versed with media working style. And this was evident when he took charge of his new assignment as VC and MD of RTC on Monday.
Soon after assuming office, Mr. Khan addressed a press conference and a battery of media persons turned up for the event. Even as camera crew were arranging their equipment, he asked reporters as to which language they wanted him to address.
With the number of television news channels increasing, it is becoming mandatory for authorities to address media persons in Telugu, Hindi and English languages. And Mr. Khan seems to have already set an example for his colleagues.
Water woes continue
While Hyderabadis are reeling under water scarcity the condition of those living on the outskirts is pitiable. Residents of Malkajgiri and Alwal particularly get the elixir of life once in five days if they are lucky. Otherwise the wait can stretch to a week also. Drying up of groundwater has only added to their woes. Most of the residents here are at the mercy of private tankers who charge a bomb and also indulge in short supply.
Why don't they go for the HMWSSB tankers? Reason one can't rely on the Water Board in times of emergencies as it takes its own time to supply.
RGV impresses media
Reporters, as a habit, try to stump celebrities by shooting unexpected questions to get ‘news-worthy' information. But in a recent promotional event of his latest film ‘Department', director Ram Gopal Varma came well-prepared to field the questions.
When a scribe asked Varma as to the parameters he used to judge his latest muse Nathalia Kaur and declare her as the most beautiful women in the world, Varma stumped the journalist by advising him to see her from his perception.
“Look at her through my eyes and you will understand what I mean”, he said.
To another question on his favourite song in the movie, he quipped, ‘Dan Dan Cheeni', even before the question could be completed.
M. Sai Gopal,Swathi.V, S. Sandeep Kumar, J.S. Ifthekhar,Nemmani Sreedhar
