- Timeline for where we had been in Hyderabad, India -
Day 1
-On the airplane at 8.30pm
-Arrive at ''SHANTINIKETAN'', at Ramoji Film City
Day 2
-Breakfast at Prince Cafe
-Proceed to Ramadevi Public School
-Ramoji Film City, Tour part 1 ( movie magic )
-Dinner at Hotel Tara
Day 3
-Nagarjuna Right Earth Dam
-Vijayapuri, Nagajunasagar Museum
-Ettipotala (waterfall)
-Shift to Hotel Tara
Day 4
-Ramadevi Public School
-Dinner at ''HOLLYWOOD'', in Hotel Tara
Day 5
-Ramadevi Public School
-Ramoji Film City, Tour part 2
-''Vibration'' to have our dance practice
Day 6
-Yoga class in the morning before sun rise
-Ramoji Film City, Tour part 3
-''Vibration'' to have our dance practice
Day 7
-Birla Temple (made up of white marble )
-Birla planetarium
-Dinosarium
-Light and Sound Show ( at Golconda Fort )
-Shopping at SHILPARAMAM
Day 8
-Ramadevi Public School - Competition day
-Live Studio
-''Vibration'' to have our dance practice
Day 9
-Ramadevi Public School ( prize presentation and farewell lunch with our buddy )
-Magic Show at Hotel Tara before dinner
- LAST dinner at ''HOLLYWOOD'' , in Hotel Tara
Day 10 ( LAST DAY IN HYDERABAD! )
-Ramoji Film maker
-Sitara Hotel to have our lunch
-Shopping at SHIPARAMAM
-Airport ( bye bye Hyderabad... )
Reflections by the students
for day two, 17nov2007,
"Went to Ramadevi Public School today. We are warmly welcomed by a grand ceremony. Drums and rows of people holding their country's flag, girls were marching, I feel like I am a VIP!"
from Chin Juan.
''The students at Ramadevi Public School is very welcoming/ enthusiastic about our presence at their school. The students are very discipined.''
from Cheri
for day three, 18nov2007,
"plus 20mins for us to pee at the bushes! That's realli amazing coz u'll never get to do it in Singapore." "Took the boat back to see the World's 3rd Largest Dam! and also the Ettipotala Waterfall."
from Alice.
"As a geography student, I am excited to see the dams & waterfall. The museum revealed history to me. I am happy to gain all these & hope to share with my friends."
from Chin Juan.
for day four, 19nov2007,
"RPS students are super cute, especially the small ones! haahas~ They will follow you and wave to you in a very cute way!"
from Yi Miao.
"All the students were well prepared for the lessons, they had read and let the knowledge sink in so they knew all the answers."
from Taahira.
"One thing about the students that really impressed me was their manners, courtesy and attentiveness. And that was what kept me awake. I was really impressed.."
from Mindy.
For day five, 20nov2007,
"Joined in together with the clowns to dance was super fun. It is a good experience for me as i', not so daring as to dance crazily in the middle of somewhere where there is alot of people."
from Yi Miao.
'' We had our tour part 2 in Ramoji Film City. Our tour guide was very cool. he sang songs to us and entertained us. He told us about the history of Ramoji Film City.''
from Gayathri
For day six, 21nov2007,
"I'm starting to feel that these people are realli getting irseperable, liked family. Together, we can really form a 3/10."
from Mindy.
'' Nobody is perfect in the world. Everyone will have their pros and cons, and we need to accept one another to be harmony''
from Jillyn
For day seven, 22nov2007,
"We love Ashok, shok! shok!"
from Zhi Ler.
'' The sad thing is that today is day 7 and there's about three more days to the end of the trip and I hate it! I don't want it to end...''
from Yun Liang
For day eight, 23nov2007,
"Pride is worthless, but pride is priceless if you know how to value it."
from Yi Miao.
"2days left! OMG, so fast. its as if the friends i made here, i want them to last forever."
from Taahira.
For day nine, 24nov2007,
"Everyone was so adorable! They ask for your mail, phone number, pictures, they even as for our autograph. I've never felt so popular and wanted before. I will miss all of them so very much!"
from Huda.
''Today was a sad and emotional day! Today was the last i woulld get to see my buddy, Siddarth and step foot in Ramadevi Public School... We had a special lunch with our buddies which was scrumptous.When it was time to leave. I hugged all my new friends and bid farewell.''
from Byran
For day ten, 25nov2007,
"I enjoyed myself in this trip. Everyone dance with me and cheer me up."
from Saras.
"All in all, the trip was a good experience and opportunity for us to find out what we'd never thought we can do. If i were given a chance to come back, i will."
from Huda.
"I had learnt to manage my time well and listen to teachers in class attentively despite how tired i am. I enjoyed every moment in hyderabad!"
from Yi Miao.
"This trip has also made me realise that I should value my friends, widen my scope of my friends, learn whats important, leave out all the bitter memories and hold tight to the fond ones."
from Taahira.
'' This is not the end of a twinning programme, but its a start of an everlasting friendship with my friends back in Ramadevi Public School.''
from Gayathri
'' There is something that made me realise that many life quotes that are meaningful is having through the situations and coming inconclusion with it.''
from Cheri
'' I will not forget the days we all spent together and the sweet memories. i was very glad that i was given this chance to come to india. Everything in India have left deep impression on me.''
from Jia Ying
'' I will never forget the fun, the bonding and the great times i had during the trip. i am going back to Singapore. Going to miss India!''
from Fadli
Where we have been??
The Charminar
Charminar was built in 1591 A.D. when the foundation of the city was being laid. Sultan Mohamed Quli Qutub Shah gave precedence to the building of Charminar. It is a prototype of Tazeya shape. The charminar or the four minarets is magnificent square edifice built up on 4 granite arches facing north, south, east and west. This square edifice, in the heart of the city was constructed with plaster and stone. Its foundation corners lie exactly towards the four cardinal points, each side measuring 60 ft in length and 42 ft in width. Its main building consists of four splendid arches, one in each direction, measuring 24 by 24 ft facing each are four highways. several stairs lead to the upper portion having four stories and the last upper place consists of one mosque and a school. The entire building is built of lime and stone, full of decoration. The height of each Minar from the ground level is 180 ft. It is protected monument, good scenery is visible when one climbs the Charminar topmost storey of the minaret. The suburbs can be seen from this place.
Golconda Fort
The orgin of Golconda fort can be traced to the eariler Hindu periods of Deccan History, namely Yadava dynasty of Deogiriand later the Kakatiyas of Warangal. During the reign of Raja Pratap 1, an idea of a shepered was materialised and the fort was built. This fort named ''Golconda'' which was a combination of two words ''Golla'' meanins ''Shepherd'' and ''Konda'' meaning ''Hill''. There is no recorded history of Golconda previous to 1364 A.D.
Sultan Quli Qutub Shah, a Turkman adventurer from Persia who had risen in the Bahmani service to be Governor of Telangana who was inependent in all but name until 1512 A.D. made Golconda his capital. An important Persia Quli Qutub Shahto be the founder of the dynasty. He was put to death while he was engaged in prayer at Assembly mosque of Golconda fort.
His son Jamsheed Quli Qutub Shah succeeded Sultan Quli. After the death of Jamsheed Quli his infant son, Subhan Quli was places on the throne and Saif khan, 'Ainul Mulk' was sent from Ahmednagar for the performance of the duties of recent during the boy's minority. Jamshed's brother Ibrahim Quli ruled from 1550 to 1580. He is describled in one of the inscriptionson the Makki darwaza in the fort as 'The greatest of sovereigns, the opener of the gates of benovolence to all creatures.' After a short illnedd Ibrahim Quli expired in 1580. Besides administering the country, he took a keen intrest in the welfare of the people of Golconda. He also repaired and fortified the fort and built a small mosque midway on the steps of Balaisar.
Third son Mohammed Quli Qutub Shah hwo founded the city of Hyderabad in 1590, succeeded Ibrahim. he was much intrested in Architecture. The Charminar, Jama Masjid, etc, were built by him during his peaceful regin in which the Qutub Shahi kngdom was at its zenith of prosperity. After the demise of Mohammed Quli, his Nephew Sultan Mohhammed Quli married his daughter, Hayat Bakshi Begum in 1607. The chief memorial of the reign of Sultan Mohammed is in Mecca Masjid. The first Qutub Shahi history was compiled during his regin.
The next ruler was Abdullah Qutub Shah whoes regin was full of sorrow and trouble. By the order of Shahjahan, Aurangazeb by force of arms took Abdullah Qutub Shah so completely by surprise that he had to flee to the hill fort of Golconda, while hyderabad fell into the hands of Mughals. Abdullah died in 1672 and was succeeded by his som-in-law Abul Hasan Tanashah who fell prey to the relentless ambition of Aurangazeb. About the year 1683 Abul Hasan appears to have become irregular in payment of the tribute to Delhi and this brought the Imperial forces against the city. For seven months he bravely defended the fort of Golconda and lost it by treachery in 1687, he was sent a prisoner to Daulatabad, where he resided till his death.
Aurangazeb took possession of all the territories of Deccan, but the occupation wqas purely military, the people never subued. After Aurangazeb's death in 1707 there was decline of his wide domain. The viceroys rapidly became sovereign's princes.
-Architecture of Golconda Fort-
The magnificent architecture of eh fort is manifest in its acoustic system, the structural grandeur of the palaces and ingenious water supply system. One is perplexed to see the meticulous details of the architecture and the fading gardens, which were once upon a time replete which sprawling lawns and playing fountains. The ventilation design reveals the brilliant planning of the architects, they are designed to let in a flow of fresh cool breeze, which is a respite from the heat of summer. The massive gates are studded with large pointed iron spikes to prevent elephants from battering them down. The outer wall surrounding the entire township of Golconda, is about 11km long, and is strongly fortified. in its heyday, the 10km long road from golconda to outer hyderabad was a fabulous market selling jewellery, diamonds, pearls ad other gems, which were famous all over the world. The kohinoor diamonds, Orloff diamond and the Hope diamonds are believed to have been orginated from here.
-Sound and Light Show at Golconda Fort-
A new attraction at the fort is a sound and light show that brings the legend of Golconda to life hilding the audience spellbound. With a spectacular interplay of audio and visual effects, the story of Golconda unfolds over centuries of splendour. The show livens up the glorious past and it is an experience worth watching. The show has Amitabh Bachan's voice as its voice over, taking the aduence down the history lane. Events of the bygone era are narrated. The event that unfolded reverberates in Bachan's booming voice and the place on the fort is tastefully illuminated. This colourful spectacle is organised by the AP Tourism Department. The show is presented in English, Hindu and Telgu. The duratin for the show is 55 minutes.
The Hi-Tech City
Hyderabad is set to plunge in to new millenium and is becming te information technology ''Cyberabad'' with the emergence of this 'Hi-Tech city'. It provides in frastructural facilities like office space, rrecreational zones and clubhouses. The projects was built to increase the growth of India's Software and Hardware. It is jointly promoted by Mr. Larsen & TourboLtd. A tourist could not miss the beautiful futuristic architecture of this city.
N.B. Birla Planetarium
The main and the foremost objective of the construction of a planetarium by the special instituition of one of the leading industrial houses of our country, namely Hindustan Charitable Thrust is to highlight historic significance of our great, historic metropolis, Hyderabad. N.B Birla planetarium is built near beautiful Hussain sagar lake on the historic Naubat pahad (Hill Fort). This instituition has taken up the task of preserving spiritual values and relics of great Indian culture along with scientific developement. In keeping with this motto, the Birla archeological museum has been established in the grand Asmangarh palace. The Birla planetarium is built on the hill situated close to Asmangarh palace.
Birla Science Museum
The Science Museum displays various fathomless facets of science such as a Planetarium, a Science Museum, the Center for Applicable Mathematics and Computer Sciences, a Science projects division and so on. It inspires the young and old alike. The Dinosorium is the latest addition, which has excavated in Adilabad district and presented to Science Museum by the Geological Survey of India. It is a new wing housing among other exhibits, a 160 million years old mounted "Kotasaurus Yamanpalliensis". Apart from this the Dinosaurium also has a collection of smaller fossils of dinosaur eggs, marine shells and fossilised tree trunks.
Lord Buddha Statue
The 16-meter tall, 350 tonne monolithic colossus rises high from the placid waters of the picturesque Hussain Sagar lake. The statue of Lord Buddha is placed on the rock of Gibraltar in the middle of the Lake. This stuatue was immersed in water for more than 2 years due to a technical failure, before it was rescued and erected. This is supposed to be the largest monolithic statue of Buddha in Asia. Today people across the world flock here to witness and pay homage to this marvelous colossus standing in all its glory and are regaled of it over and over. We can reach this statue through the boating facilities available from Lumbini Park at affordable prices.
Ramoji Film City
Ramoji Film City - The land of movies, entertainment and magic, it has everything that dreams are made of. Offering unlimited fun, thrill and excitement, its a great visual extravaganza. Experience and get enthralled by its exquisite and lavish gardens, spell binding movie sets, spectacular attractions, enchanting entertainment shows, food, shoppong, unmatched hospitality, and of couse the glitz and glamour of the silver screen - The ultimate holiday destination for the entire family.
Ramoji Film City is one of the largest tourist destinations in Asia & proclaimed to be the biggest such venture in the world, it is make to believe world of its own on a sprawling 1500 acres. It has star hotel accomodation, restaurants and a special packages for different groups and has a daily tour too.
A producer or director can walk in with a script and walk out with canned film or television programme. The Film City gives a choice of numerous flexible locations, typically as well as spontaneous. Film maker can shoot in a picturesque India village, or recreate a street in Switzerland. Film maker can choreograph a song sequence in any of the gardens and later change the look of the Gardens/Fountains, the layout of the streets, the facades of the buildings in the streets, to give a totally different locale to suit the requirements so no one ocation will ever go out of style or suffer from repeated exposure.
History of Hyderabad
Hyderabad was founded on the banks of the musi river in the present day Andhra Pradesh by Muhammad Quli Qutub Shah, Sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty, in 1590, this reloocation was intended to relieve a water shortage the dynasty had experienced at their old headquaters at Golconda. They ruled over the Telangana region and some parts of present day Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The history explains the origins and etymology behind Hyderabad's name differ. A popular theory suggests that after founding the city, Muhammad Quli fel in love with and married a local Banjara girl known as Bhagmati. He named this city after her as Bhagyanagar. Upon her conversion to Islam, Bhagamati changed her name to Hyder Mahal and the new city's name was correspondingly changed to match it, resulting in the eponymous name ''Hyderabad''.
After the rulers of the Quli Qutub Shah dynasty the Nizams came to power. The Nizams were also known as the Asaf Jahi Kings. In the year 1948 the federal Government of India annexed the Nizams state of Hyderabad. In 1956 the state of Andhra Pradesh emerged and Hyderabad became the capital of this state.
okayy, so here is a blog for us.. ((: as in the hyderabad ppl.