1. EVMs, Not Ballots, to Be Used in Nizamabad Where 185 Are in Fray: EC
The Election Commission on Sunday, 31 March, directed the Chief Electoral Officer of Telangana to make arrangements for conduct of elections in Nizamabad constituency, where 185 candidates including over 170 farmers are in the fray, using EVMs instead of ballot papers.
After the deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended 28 March, a total of 443 candidates remained in the fray in Telangana, with Nizamabad topping the list at 185.
With the number of candidates higher than what the EVMs can accommodate, Telangana CEO Rajat Kumar had earlier said the polls will be conducted through ballot paper and the matter will be referred to the EC for approval.
Telangana, which has 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, goes to polls in the first phase on 11 April.
(Source: PTI)
2. 32-Yr-Old Indian Dentist Killed in Road Accident in US
A 32-year-old Indian dentist, pursuing an advanced medical course in the US, was among two persons killed in a road accident in Chicago, police said.
Dr Arshad Mohammed, originally from Hyderabad, was killed when a blue Volkswagen travelling the wrong way on the Veterans Memorial Tollway struck his black Honda on 28 March, police said in a statement.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as 36-year-old Robert Velazco of Hammond, was also killed in the accident.
Dr Mohammed was a current resident of orthodontics at UIC seeking an advanced certificate in orthodontics and a master's of science in oral sciences. His friends said he lived with his sister and had no children.
(Source: PTI)
3. Hyderabad Temperature Touches 40 Degree Celcius
Mercury level is on the rise in Telangana with most districts experiencing over 40 degree Celsius temperature on Sunday, 31 March. According to the Meteorological Department, Adilabad recorded the highest temperature with 42.3 degree Celsius followed by Nizamabad, which registered 42.1 degree Celsius even as the temperature in the capital city recorded a maximum of 40.9 degree Celsius.
Adilabad on 30 March, had recorded highest temperature of 42.3 degree Celsius while Hyderabad experienced 40.2 degree Celsius.
(Source: The Times of India)
4. Hyderabadis Join Global Initiative for Earth Hour
Residents switched off lights for an hour on Saturday, 30 March, to observe World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Earth Hour, a global initiative to spread awareness on climate change.
Charminar, Buddha statue and Salar Jung Museum switched off their lights to mark Earth Hour, even as individuals, communities and organisations chipped in to combat climate change. “The purpose of Earth Hour is to remind citizens about the importance of our natural resources,” said M Aneesh, an IT professional.
According to WWF-India’s officials, Earth Hour, 2019 would build the momentum to inspire citizens and organisations to ‘give up’ single use plastic, paper and water wastage. “Earth Hour has always found resonance among citizens of Hyderabad and Telangana. Many households participated in the event by switching off lights from 8.30 to 9.30 pm,” said Farida Tampal, State Director, WWF-India Hyderabad Office.
(Source: The Times of India)
5. Few Takers for TSRTC’s Fleet of Electric Buses
Nearly a month after its launch, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC)’s fleet of electric buses seems to have generated a lukewarm response, with the occupancy ratio hovering around 20-25 percent.
The BYD-Olectra fleet of 40 e-buses was launched in the first week of March at the Miyapur–2 Bus Depot. While 20 e-buses will be operating from here, another 20 have been ferrying passengers from the Jubilee Bus Station by means of the Cantonment Depot.
“The occupancy is a little low — 20 percent to 25 percent. Having said that, more time is required to comment on the popularity or performance of the e-buses. Steps will soon be taken to give more publicity to our initiative of zero emission transportation. As it is, we are trying to give passengers the best commute as each e-bus makes four trips to the airport,” says a senior TSRTC official.
(Source: The Hindu)