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Dreaming of studying or working overseas, but not sure how to get there? At Chai & Coaching, we want to help you be successful in America, or anywhere you travel in the world. Check out our videos that focus on cross-cultural training, international student success, and career consulting in America and abroad. Learn more here.

Opening The Time Capsule

Creating a visual and tangible time capsule, Kalakriti India is ready to take us back in time to witness, feel and understand our heritage and culture. To take us on this journey into the past, Kalakriti has launched their ‘TIMELES Histories Back-in Time’ initiative along with TiE Hyderabad at an event at the restored Bansilalpet stepwell.

• An Idea Germinates: The seed for this initiative was sown by Kalpana Ramesh, an architect and the founder of the Rainwater Project as she worked to restore the historic Bansilalpet stepwell. Speaking at an event hosted by TiE Hyderabad, she spoke about the challenges and processes involved in the restoration of the stepwell. She also shared details about other stepwell restoration projects undertaken by her team.

• Curated Tours & Events: Announcing the Histories Back-in Time initiative at the gathering, Prshant Lahoti, founder and director of Kalakriti said the idea behind the initiative is to provide tourists with a distinct experience of Hyderabad. This will be achieved through professionally curated tours of the city. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the historic monuments in Hyderabad through tours, cultural events, and choreographed performances.

Read the full story HERE

GHMC's Makeover Project

A unique version of the ugly duckling story is set to unfold in the heart of Hyderabad as the GHMC seeks to turn a drain site into a waterfront. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation seeks to beautify the drain between the Fatehnagar sewage treatment plant (STP) and the rain garden underneath the Begumpet flyover to create an aesthetically appealing promenade.

• Proposals Invited: The GHMC has invited proposals for consultation to prepare a detailed project report to create a waterfront between the Fatehnagar STP and the rain garden near the Begumpet flyover. This 1.9 km stretch holds great potential to become an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally sustainable corridor. The proposed site has the advantage of being well connected with the Metro rail corridor, MMTS stations, and major road networks.

• Detailed Layout: The consultant is required to prepare a comprehensive detailed layout that integrates the development of vehicular and cycle parking facilities, street furniture, and landscaping. The stretch is designed to host a host of amenities such as themed parks, souvenir shops, play areas, toilets, entertainment activities, and much more. Bids will be accepted till July 11.

Read the full story HERE

Red Tape Over Green Card

So, an Indian gent named Anuj Christian, who's been in the US for over 13 years, is stuck playing the longest game of "Green Card Limbo" ever. Stuck in bureaucratic purgatory, Anuj's green card is indefinitely queued up behind a population of nearly 1.4 billion people. So much for the American dream!

• In Bureaucratic Purgatory: He saunters over to America on a student visa, earns a master's in science, and scores a job with a company that sponsored him for an H-1B visa. So far so good, right? But hold on! Despite his approved immigration petition, his green card is proving more elusive than Bigfoot.

• Sticky Visa Quota: Anuj's category, “employment-based immigrants", a flashy title for folks with advanced degrees or exceptional skills, is designed to fill the skill gaps in areas like tech, science, and healthcare. But, here's the zinger, the US, in its infinite wisdom, has slapped a 7% per country cap on this category. This means, irrespective of how big or skilled the population is, no single country can receive more than 9,800 visas under this category each year. 

Read the full story HERE

Pet Crematorium Fiasco

The absence of burial or cremation facilities for everybody's beloved four-legged companions is deeply distressing for pet owners in Hyderabad. Despite there being about 1 lakh domesticated pets and about 4 lakh stray animals, there seems to be an alarming lack in the existence and maintenance of a decent space where people can lay their fur kids to rest.

• Struggling to Find a Solution: Many pet owners face distressing situations when their beloved pets pass away and are to put to rest. They often struggle to find appropriate solutions for cremating and later handling the remains. Civic authorities fail to provide adequate information and guidance regarding burial or cremation options.

• The Path to New Facilities: GHMC officials have confirmed a dedicated animal crematorium at Fathullaguda, run by Peoples for Animals, which has been operating for months. Dr. Abdul Wakil, GHMC's chief veterinary officer, said that they cremate three dogs a day, on average. To meet demands in other areas of the city, GHMC is planning four more facilities in Mahadevapuram, Nalagandla, Chudibazar, and Khatedan.

Read the full story HERE

Battle of the Coaching Centres

As the IITs roll out the red carpet for the next batch of students, the coaching centres of Hyderabad and Kota have become the talk of the town. The astonishing success rate of the students from the Hyderabad zone in JEE advanced has prompted the discussion. Six of the top 10 to crack the exam were from Hyderabad. The city also contributed to the largest pool of candidates, 10,342 to be precise to the premier engineering institute.

• The Telugu Model: Industry experts believe the method adopted by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana is much more effective. Here, the students undergo an intensive integrated program from either class 7 or class 11 to prepare for competitive exams alongside normal education. Kota however follows a coaching first, schooling later model that starts from class 10.

• Not All Hunky Dory: While the coaching institutes and students do see success, it is accompanied by high rates of suicides and mental health issues. To overcome this, the Telangana State Intermediate Board of Intermediate Education (TSBIE) brought in new regulations. TSBIE rules stated minimum space allocated to students in junior colleges should be 50 sq ft. The guidelines also reduced duration of after school classes and instituted larger breaks. However, these new regulations were not implemented.
  

Read the full story HERE

Morning Chai Daily Picks

• A Never Ending Love Story: Hyderabadis unleash a biryani frenzy, rocking the culinary universe with a mind-blowing 150 lakh orders in a year! The biryani capital reigns supreme, raining down a jaw-dropping 72 lakh orders in just six months.

• A Turkish Delight:  Baklava, the nutty, honey-drenched delight from Turkey, fulfills sugar desires. Gourmet Baklava store by Imtiaz Ali Siddiqui in Banjara Hills brings Turkey's treat to Hyderabadis.

• Buses To Go Electric: Public transport is set to get a green makeover. Hyderabad starts small with 1000 electric buses in its quest to make its entire fleet electric.

• Carve 'em Crazy:  Peel 'n carve coconuts are now available in Hyderabad. You can personalize these peeled coconuts for weddings with crazy logos, pics & more!

• Ultimate Adventure Splash: Nature lovers' dream vacay! North Karnataka's unbeatable blend of beauty awaits. Don't miss out! Gokarna, Nirvana Beach, Dandeli adventures.

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