Janmashtami Fest to Start on Aug. 15 at Golden Temple

Hyderabad: Hare Krishna Movement-Hyderabad has made all preparations to celebrate the divine occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami with great devotion and splendour at the Hare Krishna Golden Temple, Banjara Hills.

The festivities will take place on August 15 and 16. This year’s Janmashtami offers devotees a unique Darshan of Lord Sri Krishna’s enchanting forms: Sri Radha Govinda, Sri Godha Krishna, and Sri Laddu Gopal.

Devotees can participate in the Jhulan/Unjala Seva to Sri Laddu Gopal. Darshan timings are from 7.15 am to 9.30 pm on August 15, and from 6 am to 1 am on August 16.

The 129th Vyasa Puja Mahotsav of Srila Prabhupada, founder acharya of the Hare Krishna Movement (ISKCON), will be celebrated on August 17 at 6 pm.

On August 16, the Maha Mangala Harathi of Sri Radha Govindha, featuring 108 Kalashas, is scheduled at 10.30 pm. Alongside devotional events, a series of cultural programmes will be organised, including the Hare Krishna Challenge, Krishna Kids, Japa Club and traditional Natya and Gana Seva performances.

Sri Satya Gaura Chandra Dasa Prabhuji, president of the Hare Krishna Movement Hyderabad, unveiled the plans and extended a heartfelt invitation to all devotees to join and seek the divine blessings of Lord Sri Krishna.

Festivities on August 16 will also take place at Hare Krishna Heritage Tower in Narsingi and Hare Krishna Cultural Centre in Kandi, Sangareddy district.

Pista House found unhygienic

Hyderabad: Inspections conducted by food safety officers at 25 Pista House outlets across Hyderabad revealed multiple hygiene and storage issues. The inspections, carried out by the GHMC food commissioner’s team following citizen complaints, covered outlets within GHMC limits. Approximately 23 food samples were collected under the Food Safety & Standards Act, 2006, and its rules for laboratory analysis.

Officials noted that kitchen floors at some outlets were wet, slippery and patchy. Washing areas were unhygienic with stagnant water and damaged flooring. Dustbins were left uncovered and drains lacked proper traps to prevent contamination. Walls had broken tiles, refrigerators were unclean, and chimneys were oily. Additionally, kitchens faced housefly infestations, and openings lacked insect-proof meshes.

Storage problems included food articles kept on the floor, raw and cooked food stored together, racks positioned close to walls, poor lighting in storage areas, and missing temperature control records for cold rooms. Food samples were sent to the Food Safety laboratory at Nacharam, with reports expected within 15 days. Outlets found violating standards will be issued notices accordingly.

GHMC targets unsafe buildings

Hyderabad: The GHMC has identified 685 dilapidated structures and 154 cellar excavation sites and repair or vacation actions have been initiated on 327 structures and 61 cellar excavation sites.

GHMC commissioner R. V. Karnan, together with chief city planner K. Srinivas, held an online review meeting with town planning officials from all zones and circles to assess progress on these sites in view of heavy monsoon rains.

Officials reported that, ahead of the monsoon season, they identified vulnerable structures and issued notices to prevent risks to life and property. Follow-up action continues on the remaining 358 dilapidated buildings.

Repair work and retaining wall construction have been completed at 61 cellar excavation sites, with measures underway at the remaining 93. Actions have been taken against 52 unauthorised cellars, including notices and plans to fill them with construction and demolition waste.

The commissioner directed officials to recheck all identified sites and remain vigilant to prevent incidents during the rains. He also urged faster action in Khairatabad, Secunderabad and Charminar zones, instructing staff to remain available without taking leave until the work is complete.

Worker killed at Premier Explosives

Nalgonda: A worker died in an accident that took place in Premier Explosives Company located at Peddakaandukuru of Yadagirigutta mandal in Yadadri-Bhongir district on Tuesday morning.

The victim was identified as K. Sadanandam, 50, resident of Alair. The workers, who were eyewitnesses to the incident, said that the steam pipe was blown up when Sadanandam was opening it from outside the plant. He suffered serious head injuries and died on the spot.

2 get jail terms in Pocso cases

Nalgonda: The Pocso Special Court in Nalgonda sentenced Veerashetti Sambashiva to 20 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs.25,000 for sexually assaulting a mentally retarded minor girl in 2017 at Adavidevulaapally. The court ordered the state government to pay Rs.10 lakh compensation to the victim and directed the District Legal Services Authority to ensure her rehabilitation.

In a separate case, Pole Mallesh was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and fined `15,000 by the Pocso Court for sexual assault on a minor girl at Thirgandlapaally, Marriguda mandal in 2016. The court also directed the District Legal Services Authority to pay Rs.5 lakh compensation to the victim.

Pocso accused flees before verdict

Nalgonda: An accused in a Pocso case, Gyarala Shiva Shanker, escaped from the District Court premises in Nalgonda just minutes before his judgment was pronounced. Shiva Shanker, facing charges under the Pocso Act for raping a minor girl, was waiting outside the court hall when he left on the pretext of attending to nature’s call and did not return. He had voluntarily appeared before the court.

A case was filed against Shiva Shanker in 2023 with the Nalgonda I town police station under sections of the Pocso Act for raping a minor girl. His extramarital relationship with the victim’s mother, who is also an accused for aiding the assault, is part of the case. Special police teams have been formed to apprehend him. The court has awarded 22 years imprisonment to Yadamma and ordered Rs.10 lakh compensation for the victim.