Latest news with #VenkatRao
Hans India
4 days ago
- Health
- Hans India
SP inaugurates renovated police hospital
Tirupati: SP Harshavardan Raju on Saturday inaugurated the renovated police hospital in Tirupati. The hospital was renovated with an outlay of Rs 8 lakh adding more facilities to provide medical care to policemen and their families working in Tirupati district. The SP said maintaining good health is essential for policemen to perform their duties actively. The renovated hospital will help police health requirements. It has a full pledged lab to take up 13 tests and X-Ray facilities. ASPs Venkat Rao, Srinivas Rao, Hospital Doctor Dr Madhuri, DSPs Bhakthavatsalam, Srinivasa Rao, Syam Sundar, Ramakrishnachari were also present.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
'A direct threat to constitutional freedoms..': New Code of Conduct at Pondicherry University triggers student backlash
The release of Pondicherry University Disciplinary Rules and Code of Conduct for Students, has ignited a wave of protests among the student community. The code was formally notified on May 24, 2025. Issued under Statutes 8(1) and 30 of the Pondicherry University Act, 1985, the new regulations aim to enforce stricter discipline but have drawn criticism for being authoritarian and vague. The code, which applies to all Regular, Part-time, Distance, and Online Learning students, outlines penalties for a range of infractions. These include fines of up to Rs 6,000 for 'acts of moral turpitude' and up to Rs 10,000 for participating in protests—including hunger strikes, sit-ins, and group bargaining—within 100 metres of any academic or administrative building. Repeat offenders may face eviction from hostels for up to two semesters. The university administration insists the regulations are in line with standards followed by other Central universities. 'The code is intended to maintain discipline and a healthy academic environment,' said Y. Venkat Rao, Dean of Student Welfare (DSW), adding that the university is now utilizing a provision from the Pondicherry University Act, 1985, which had remained dormant for decades. Rao emphasized that the Proctorial Board's composition includes representatives from minority communities, women, and the Northeast region. 'We've ensured due process and natural justice in the disciplinary framework,' he added. However, the Students' Council of Pondicherry University and a coalition of student organizations under the Joint Action Committee (JAC) have condemned the regulations as authoritarian. The Students' Council, in its own statement titled 'Resist the Fascist Onslaught', alleged that the code introduces undefined moral standards that could be used to target dissenting voices. They raised concerns about the broad and ambiguous language used, such as 'decorous behaviour' and 'acts lowering the status of the university.' In a joint statement, the JAC—comprising ASA, AISF, BSF, Fraternity Movement, MSF, NSUI, and SIO—called the move 'a blueprint for administrative overreach and the silencing of dissent.' 'This is not a mere disciplinary code, but a direct threat to constitutional freedoms and democratic engagement on campus,' said in the JAC statement.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Climate
- Hans India
Pre-monsoon works face hiccups as water logging grips parts of city
Hyderabad: With the onset of monsoon, the city is witnessing heavy water logging, thanks to the incomplete pre-monsoon preparations. The residents alleged that officials had ignored the seriousness of water logging and had taken no step to prevent the water inundation in localities. Despite repeated warnings and past experiences of flooding of various areas across the city, the monsoon related work appears to be moving at a slow pace. There was no proper desilting of manholes, storm water drains, and nalas which can prevent water logging. In several areas, there was no desilting and if completed following the heavy rains, heaps of desilted mud remained uncleared from the roads. Though the civic body has taken measures to ensure that no rainwater to be inundated, it has been observed that the roads were blocked due to water logging. According to activists, the status of monsoon-related works including desilting and works under the Telangana government's Strategic Nala Development Program (SNDP) in GHMC limits is still underway and nowhere near completion, despite passing the deadline. 'A brief 15-minute downpour is leaving parts of main roads in knee-deep water, which exposed the unpreparedness for the monsoon season,' said Mohammed Ahmed, an activist. Activists said that construction activities must cease during the season. However, the works are continuing in different parts of the city, posing risks to drivers during heavy rainfall, as the entire stretch where the works are going on are dug up, and filled with potholes. Venkat Rao a resident of Surya Nagar colony in Shaikpet said, 'During heavy rainfall, numerous internal roads within our locality see severe water logging, with water levels rising up to the knees. It is a challenge for us in accessing the main road. In these flooded streets, we found ourselves stranded in the middle of a submerged road, unable to proceed further in our vehicles.' During rains, various areas in the city are witnessing water logging including the worst affected colonies in Tolichowki, Attapur, LB Nagar, Uppal, Begumpet, Kukatpally, Miyapur, Banjara Hills, Jubilee Hills, Vanasthalipuram, Hayath Nagar, Somajiguda, Ameerpet, Nampally, among others. These areas have been witnessing massive flooding during rains. Also, several localities in the Old City like Talabkatta, Tadbun, Yakutpura, Dabeerpura, Darulshifa, Bahadurpura and Old Malakpet. Moreover, the GHMC identified over 141 locations that are affected by water logging and measures were taken to address the issue permanently.
Forbes
07-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Morality Versus Legality In Stakeholder Relations
Venkat Rao: VP and Country Head—Asia-Pac & Japan at Pitney Bowes | Stanford Seed Consultant. getty The emerging landscape of business is witnessing an increasing interplay between morality and legality, particularly within the complex context of community relationships. While legality provides the framework and guidelines, morality serves as the conscience that guides decisions beyond mere compliance. In today's hyper-connected and socially conscious world, successful businesses are the ones that acknowledge the distinction between doing things right (legality) and doing the right thing (morality). The Morality-Legality Divide In Business Legality refers to adherence to laws and regulations. These rules in black and white are defined by the government to ensure order and fair play. However, laws often lag societal expectations and ethical norms. Morality as a whole is shaped by culture, values and ethics, and it encompasses a broader and more nuanced perspective on right and wrong. Consider, for instance, the case of a multinational company that may be legally correct when it displaces a rural community to build world-class infrastructure. As legally apt as it might be, the morality can be questionable if it ignores the impact on the livelihoods, heritage and dignity of the people affected. Erosion of trust can occur due to this divide in legality versus morality, which can spark a backlash and damage the brand and the company's reputation. This can occur even if no law is broken. Why Morality Matters In Community Relationships The community is more than just a geographical area; it's an ecosystem of people, culture, values, aspirations and diverse ingredients. In short, it is a living ecosystem of people and culture. Businesses embedded in communities hold immense power to influence social, economic and environmental outcomes. I don't think the debate is essentially about whether businesses should be accountable to communities, but in what ways they can act as catalysts to uphold their moral responsibilities when laws remain silent. Morally guided behavior in community and business relationships can prove to be precursors for sustainable outcomes, including: • Trust And Loyalty: Businesses with empathy, fairness and responsibility are often more embraced by communities. • Social License To Operate: Businesses can thrive in the long term because of the approval of the local population and communities • Crisis Resilience: Strong community bonds are often the reason for companies to withstand crises of any nature: reputational, environments or political. How Stakeholders Can Create Impact Collaboration is essential to bridging the gap between legality and morality, but it can only succeed when all stakeholders—corporations, communities, governments, civil society, and individuals—are involved. Here's how each group can contribute: 1. Corporate Leadership The core strategies of leaders must embed ethical considerations. This involves: • Building charters for community engagement that goes beyond legal obligations. • Practicing transparent communication and inclusive decision-making. • Employing ethics committees to vet important decisions remain the key 2. Employees Ethical ambassadors often come from employees themselves, and a blend of advocacy and loyalty can prove to create a positive impact too. I find that a knowledge management system is critical to empowering them to recognize and act on moral issues. Make sure to create safe spaces for whistleblowing and feedback, overall ensuring that morality is part of the organizational culture. 3. Investors And Shareholders Create metrics to define how ethical practices and environmental, social and governance (ESG) metrics should be blended with community practices. Investors should push companies to move beyond profit for profit's sake and instead pursue what I think of as purposeful, responsible profitability. 4. Governments And Policymakers Consulting with communities and businesses is essential to ensure laws reflect shared moral values. Offering incentives for ethical business practices, such as tax benefits or public recognition, can help establish new norms. 5. Communities Themselves Participatory governance is the key to the enforcement of laws, and communities play a vital role here. Regulatory community audits and feedback mechanisms can make businesses more accountable and attuned to local values. Conclusion While laws set the floor, morality sets the ceiling. Sustaining strong relationships in business and communities requires embedding morality—not just relying on legality. Once laws are shaped through collective consensus, upholding them becomes a shared moral responsibility. A mindset shift from compliance to conscience should be adopted when complying with laws. Overall, I find that businesses and communities thrive when they are governed by the heart rather than merely by rules. A moral compass is no longer a luxury; it's a necessity. And when stakeholders come together with a shared commitment to ethical impact, they don't just build businesses—they build legacies. Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?
Zawya
17-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
HSBC lays off about 40 bankers in Hong Kong
HSBC Holdings is letting go of almost 40 investment bankers in Hong Kong, including four managing directors, according to people familiar with the matter. The layoffs are said to include Luying Gan, head of sustainable debt capital markets for Asia Pacific, Venkat Rao, managing director for debt syndicate and head of local currency and private placements for APAC, Viet Phan, head of chemicals for APAC and Heidi Chan, head of consumer retail for APAC. There are also cuts in coverage areas including equity capital markets, healthcare, real estate, M&A, financial institutions, and technology, media and telecommunications. The layoffs are part of an ongoing reorganisation since Georges Elhedery took over as CEO last September. The bank could cut 17,000 jobs as part of an attempt to save US$2.5bn annually or 22,000 jobs to reach US$3.5bn in savings, Barclays analysts have estimated. HSBC in January said it would quit M&A advisory and equity capital market activities in the UK, the rest of Europe and the Americas as part of a major retrenchment in its investment bank by Elhedery. The bank is due to report annual earnings on Wednesday.
