Hyderabad is home to not just IT but also to several business persons who have brought their companies on par with the world standards, commanding the awe and attention of the business world. What’s more, their hard work, vision and determination are earning rich dividends, making them individuals and companies to watch out for.
Pioneers of health care
Dr Krishna Ella and Suchitra Ella
The year 2017 has been one of the best for Hyderabad-based vaccine maker, Bharat Biotech International Ltd., which led by the Ella couple, has got an order from global vaccine alliance GAVI for the purchase of new typhoid vaccines. It is only one of the five other drug makers in the world that GAVI would procure the vaccine from between 2018 and 2022. GAVI is backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, UNICEF, donor governments and others. It funds bulk-buy vaccination programmes for poorer nations that can’t afford shots at developed-economy prices. The company has also reported that the next-generation typhoid vaccine Typbar-TCV has demonstrated its safety and efficacy in a high-risk human challenge clinical study carried out at Oxford University. In 2017, it also initiated phase-1 clinical trials to test its indigenously developed Chikungunya (CHIKV) vaccine on humans for safety and efficacy.
Forging strong financial ties
Mr. Rao
Yet another major company founded in Hyderabad will make history if IndusInd Bank successfully acquires Bharat Financial Inclusion Ltd (BFIL). Formerly known as Swayam Krushi Sangham or SKS Microfinance Ltd, BFIL was one of the pioneers in the micro lending business in India. Led by its founder Vikram Akula, SKS moved away from the non-profit concept of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus’ Grameen Bank to fast track its growth and reach big investors. Under Rao’s leadership, the company has finally entered into a Rs 15,486 crore all-stock merger deal with IndusInd Bank.
Gennext innovator
Mahesh Lingareddy
If anyone stands out in the Hyderabad business ecosystem in 2017, it would have to be Mahesh Lingareddy, the founder of Smartronics — a Hyderabad-based startup that aims to be the Indian Xiaomi. Smartronics aims to build India’s first global brand using the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence.
2017 has been a particularly eventful year, with the company investing in Volta Motors, a Chennai-based automotive company that is designing and developing sustainable electric vehicles. In May, Smartronics released its smartphone, one of the key components of its TronX platform. The company is also planning an electric bike in the US.
Experience recognised
The city’s artistic stalwarts, ranging from sculptors and painters to
performing artists have been felicitated and honoured with awards galore
Raja Ravi Varma Samman recipient
The year 2017 was a year of celebrations for senior artist, Anjani Reddy. The Raja Ravi Varma Samman, organised by Megh Mandal Sansthan was bestowed upon her, for her contributions in the contemporary art field. Sharing her happiness, she said, “The award came as a complete surprise. Raja Ravi Varma is a name to reckon with among the art fraternity and receiving the award was a dream coming true.”Anjani is now looking forward to a show of her new artwork soon in 2018.
A doctorate artist
Artist Laxman Aelay had recently received a doctorate degree for his research on the visual culture of Telangana. His research revolves around the patamkatha tradition, which beautifully amalgamates the art of storytelling and painted scrolls. This oral, visual and narrative art form is a priceless South Indian artistic tradition. The study discusses how this art form was performed, circulated and survived with its distinctive form, style and function.
The other side of Veena
City-based artist Srivani created ripples with her Veena rendition of Cheap Thrills by Sia, which took YouTube by storm. Coming from a classically trained background, Srivani has been playing the Veena since she was seven! Srivani says, “It was a conscious decision to move away from classical tunes. Today, however, I feel that the importance of the Veena as an instrument is slowly diminishing, and I’ve been trying to revive it in my own way.”
Padma Sri atlast
Renowned sculptor and designer of the Telangana Martyrs Memorial, Aekka Yadagiri Rao, was conferred the Padma Shri award this year. The 80-year-old sculptor from Telangana is one of the first-generation artist-sculptors of South India who started out in the late 1950s. On receiving the recognition, the artist said, “I feel very elated for being recognised at the national level. Somehow, I feel that it came a bit late, but never mind at least it came!” At present, Aekka is almost done with writing the first draft of his memoirs about his journey and passion for sculpture.
Ugadi Puraskar for Kuchipudi
Kuchipudi danseuse, Yashoda Thakore received the Ugadi Puraskar award from the Andhra Pradesh Government in 2017. For someone who has been dancing for the last 35 years, this recognition took a while to come. But Yashoda is glad it finally came her way and the feeling was surreal. In her decades-long career, apart from learning Vilasini Natyam, Yashoda has also been instrumental in bringing back the Devadasi dance form to the city.
