Truck Runs Over Lorry Driver, Cleaner to Death

Kakinada: Lorry driver Navundri Rajesh (30) of Karugorumilli village and cleaner Thodadasi Lakshmana Rao (35) of Koduru village in Achanta mandal of West Godavari district died after another speeding lorry ran over them near Bayyanagudem in Koyyalagudem mandal during the early hours of Sunday.

Rajesh and Lakshmana Rao had been carrying a load of coconuts to Bhainsa in Telangana. They two parked it along the road margin to readjust the coconuts when another speeding lorry driven by Bamidika Gopi of Suraram village in Ramannapeta mandal of Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district in Telangana ran over them.

Koyyalagudem sub-inspector V. Chandrasekhar said both Rajesh and Lakshmana Rao died on the spot.

Koyyalagudem police registered a case of rash and negligent driving.

Vizag schools shut amidst rain alert today

Visakhapatnam: On account of continuous heavy rainfall and adverse weather forecasts, M.N. Harendhira Prasad, district collector of Visakhapatnam, has declared a holiday for all schools across the district on Monday, August 18.

The directive applies to all government, aided, and private management schools, including those run by various educational trusts and societies. Headmasters, principals, and correspondents have been formally informed of the decision, which prioritises student safety amid challenging commuting conditions.

Officials emphasised that the precautionary measure was taken to avoid inconvenience and ensure the well-being of children travelling to and from school. The declared holiday will be compensated at a later date, with formal orders to be issued regarding the adjustment.

Parents are advised to keep children indoors and stay updated through official channels for further instructions.

A. Vidyasagar is national VP of government staff federation

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted and Gazetted Officers’ (APNGGO) Association state president Alaparthi Vidyasagar has been unanimously elected as the national vice president of the All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) on Sunday.

The AISGEF national executive meeting met at Faridabad in New Delhi in which office bearers of state government employees’ unions from 29 states participated.

AISGEF national general secretary Sukumar proposed Vidyasagar for the position. The proposal received unanimous support from all national executive members and state representatives.

Additionally, D.V. Raman, state general secretary of APNGGO Association, has been elected as a national executive member.

Speaking on the occasion, Vidyasagar emphasised the need for nationwide movements on key issues, such as abolition of the CPS (Contributory Pension Scheme), regularisation of contract employees and reforms in the labour code.

Vijayawada mayor says no safety for women in AP

Vijayawada: YSR Congress leader and Vijayawada mayor Rayana Bhagyalakshmi condemned the coalition government’s failure to curb atrocities against women.

Speaking to the media here on Sunday, she said a depraved culture has set in under the NDA coalition government, where women face sexual harassment even for securing seats in like hostels.

Bhagyalakshmi cited the cases involving MLAs Koneti Adimulamu and Kuna Ravi Kumar. “Can there be something more despicable,” she asked.

The mayor accused Home minister Anita of neglecting duties, Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan of prioritising films, and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of ignoring crisis situations.

She alleged that ruling party leaders are harassing, raping and exploiting women, including a Dalit girl and a seven-year-old, without facing any action.

“YSRC party will fight this anarchy,” Bhagyalakshmi vowed, announcing state-wide protests by the opposition party.

200 children in Vizag vaccinated against cancer

Visakhapatnam: As part of a public health initiative, around 200 children have been vaccinated against cancer at a local corporate hospital on Sunday.

Manav Seva Trust and the Digumarthi Foundation, led by US-based philanthropist Dwivedula Narasimha Shastri, jointly organised the programme.

State BJP president P.V.N. Madhav attended the event as the chief guest. He encouraged families to adopt traditional health practices and consume natural foods, noting that such habits can help reduce the risk of cancer.

Dr. Raghunath Rao, a leading oncologist, explained that the vaccines administered are part of a primary prevention strategy targeting the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is linked to multiple forms of cancer. He explained that the children, aged between nine years to 14 years, will receive two doses of the vaccine over a period of six months. Youth aged between 15–21 years will be given three doses.

The oncologist said the HPV vaccine, previously imported, is now being produced domestically and has already reached over 5,000 recipients. He underlined that the vaccine offers protection against six types of cancer, marking a major step forward in preventive healthcare.