NTR Gardens Photograph

Dated : 5th. June 2006

BANGALORE V/S HYDERABAD

Date: 17th. May 2006

BANGALORE V/S HYDERABAD
This seems to be the hot topic for discussion everywhere these days - TV, print media, board rooms of MNCs, lunch tables in IT companies, blogs - just about everywhere. Semi-conductor fab plant setup and the visit of President Bush’s happening in hyderabad instead of bangalore this chatter has accentuated to a whole new level.
With so much chatter around this I thought I would write my perspectives (technology & startups) on this as both these places are most interest to me. I am in Bangalore after an effort of few years. I was’nt be going to be in silicon valley to experience the technology culture which I always wanted to, I thought I could be in bangalore instead.So now my home is in bangalore. After having come here there is no ounce of doubt in my mind that this is place with startup culture. Among all the IT cities in India Bangalore ranks number #1 as a technology hub. I can’t (don’t have the data) and won’t include the IT services/export that these IT cities make which might yield a different result but my focus here is pure technology companies - software products, semi-conductors, hardware etc, not just support and maintaineance.

Having said that One is in hyderabad for work as bangalore has become way too expensive for young companies to grow up. Interestingly I’ve heard of many others move from bangalore to hyderabad because of its cost & its infrastructure problems. I must say though hyderabad which once used to a very cheap city has become costly, rents have doubled but I guess overall even after the increase it is still probably cheaper than bangalore.

One most admirable thing about hyderabad now is that it’s infrastructure has improved by order of magnitudes. Except for some pockets driving in hyderabad is an absolute pleasure especially in the IT concentrated areas( viz Hitech City etc).Startups mushroom around great universities just like civilization originate around shores of a river. Thus key reason for the higher number of startups in bangalore is because it has a world class technical institution ( IISc & now emerging IIIT-B) and a truly excellent IIM-B. Relatively recently hyderabad has made place for ISB & IIIT-H ( they relatively new but they steadily making mark for themselves). With key drivers being replicated in hyderabad now the other parameters becomes important to draw comparsion. For ex infrastructure (government support etc) and bangalore has not been able to show a good report card on it while Hyderabad has been a lot better.

Acquiring talent has become a very expensive affair in bangalore, I heard some calculations from friend who said that given the current salary increases happening in bangalore in a few years there will be no price arbitrage between a US and a bangalore engineer. Hyderabad is relatively not as expensive as bangalore for talent.Social capital: Bangalore has the highest number of successful entrepreneur with quite some of them playing active role in creating an entreprenuerial eco-system. An indicator of that is extremely active TiE bangalore chapter. Delhi, hyderabad or any other chapter comes nowhere close to what TiE bangalore has been doing. Hyderabad is very weak in these aspects ( atleast TiE Hyd chapter is/appears dormant) and I am hoping that some of this will change in the coming few months.

Another important criteria is the weather and on this aspect bangalore is an undoubted winner . it is a breeze to live in this city all around the year. There is no hot summer neither a cold winter, there is rain which is fun unless ofcourse the rain god is angry and takes his/her fury out against people. Hyderabad has a very bad summer and One gets his skin burnt quite a lot over there.

There are both merits & demerits of both the places and one can go on to make a vast list for comparsion. Instead of arguing between them endlessly I choose to leverage best of both of them. Thus You Leverage the benefits of upcoming hyderabad and also benefit from the capital (advisory, social etc) built over time in bangalore

A Brief On IT and Education

The IT Industry

Cyber Towers IT Park, Hyderabad on a clear evening sky.

The development of a township with state-of-the-art facilities called HITEC City, prompted several IT and ITES companies to setup operations in the city. An aggressive promotion of growth in this area has led civic boosters to call the city "Cyberabad". Hyderabad has also been referred to as the second Silicon Valley of India^[4]. IT exports from the city are expected to exceed Rs 12,500 crores ($ 2.5 billion) in the 2005-06 fiscal year^[5]. There has been extensive investments in digital infrastructure within the city promoting the setting up of several campuses by a vast array of companies within the city. This list includes several multinational corporations having established centers in the city. The major areas were such campuses have been setup include Madhapur and Gachibowli.

Education

Main article: Education in Hyderabad, India

Indian School of Business entrance.

Hyderabad is an important seat of learning in southern India. The City hosts two Central Universities, two Deemed universities, and six State Universities. Osmania University is one of the oldest Universities in India. Technical institutes such as Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Chaitanya Bharati Institute of Technology, Vasavi College of Engineering and Technology, Deccan College of Engineering and Technology and International Institute of Information Technology are found here. Also based here is the highly acclaimed Indian School of Business. Hyderabad is famous for its various research institutes such as the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, University of Hyderabad, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, National Institute of Nutrition and Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University. It is also the home of Mawlana Azad National Urdu University as well as BR Ambedkar Open University, an Institution designed to promulgate the Distance Education. The city therefore attracts students from all over the country and some beyond, especially from the Africa and other Arab nations.

Historical Sites of Hyderabad

Historical Sites of Hyderabad


Navigation >

Charminar- Golconda Fort- Mecca Masjid- Qutb Shahi Tombs- Falaknuma Palace


The Charminar : Charminar, the edifice of four minarets, is the legendary masterpiece of the Qutb Shahis. The awesome rectangular structure was built upon four grand arches by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of the plague.

The plan is a square, each side 20 meters long, while the four arches are 11 meters wide and rise 20 meters from the plinth. The four storied minarets rise 20 meters from the roof of the massive monument and measures 24 meters from the plinth. The western section of the roof contains a mosque with 45 prayer spaces with a large open space in front to accommodate more for Friday prayers. To the east of this space is a veranda with a large open arch in the centre, flanked by smaller ones both sides.


Golconda Fort : Founded originally by the Kakatiyas in the 13th century, the existing structure was expanded by the Qutb Shahi kings into a massive fort of granite with walls and ramparts extending some 7kms in circumference. The fortress city within the walls was famous for the diamond trade and the Koh-i-noor diamond is said to have come from here.

The Mecca Masjid : This is the biggest mosque in Hyderabad and lies 100 yards south-west of Charminar. The name is derived from the Grand Mosque at Mecca on which it is patterned. The hall is 67 meters by 54 meters and 23 meters high. The roof is supported by 15 arches, five on each of the three sides. The western side is blocked by a high wall to provide the Mehrab. At each end are two huge octagonal columns made out of a single piece of granite each topped by an arched gallery that is crowned by a dome. The mosque is one of the largest in India and can accommodate ten thousand people at a time.

Qutb Shahi Tombs : The tombs erected in the memory of the departed kings of Golconda are truly magnificent monuments that have stood the test of time and the vagaries of nature. They stand a kilometre north of Golconda fort's Banjara Darwaza.

Falaknuma Palace : Built by one of the Paigh nobles Sir Vicar ul Umra, and later bought by the Nizam, the Falaknuma Palace (meaning "Mirror in the Sky") is 5km south of the Charminar. This palace was designed by an Italian architect and houses some rare treasures collected by the Nizam.

Tourist Information

Tourist Information


Hyderabad is one of the most rapidly growing cities of India. The IT hub in Southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh is easily accessible. Regular flights, frequent trains and the excellent road network make Hyderabad a great travel destination. .

Quick Facts for the Traveller Visas : Six month multiple-entry visas are now issued to most nationals regardless of whether you intend staying that long or re-entering the country. Only six-month tourist visas are extendable. Be careful to check whether your visa is valid from the date of entry or the date of issue. [Check with your local Indian embassy before travelling]

Time : GMT + 5 hours 30 minutes ,Electricity : 230-240V, 50 HZ Weights & Measures : MetricCurrency : You are not allowed to bring Indian currency into the country, or take it with you when you leave.

Changing Money : You can change most major foreign currencies and brands of travellers' cheques - but you'll widen your options and save yourself hassles if you stick to US dollars or pounds Sterling and either Thomas Cook or American Express travellers cheques.ATMs : Available at most major banks.

Credit Cards : Credit cards are widely accepted, particularly American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa.Travel Insurance : Highly Recommended. UK based travellers should try for one of the most competitive online travel insurance deals.

How to Get Here By Air :
Local/International Airport : Begumpet Airport
Internal : Indian Airlines, Jet Airways
International : Air India, Emirates, Singapore Airlines
Mumbai fr £374 Delhi fr £374


Internal Flight Schedules By Air :

Hyderabad is connected with all the major cities of India by Indian Airlines, Air India and Jet Airways flights. Flights link Hyderabad with Delhi, Port Blair, Bangalore, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, etc.

By Rail :

Hyderabad is linked with the metropolitan cities by train. One can also get off at Secunderabad, which is very close to Hyderabad.

By Road :
Hyderabad and its sister city Secunderabad are situated on the junction of two important National Highways: NH 7 (Varanasi-Nagpur-Hyderabad- Kanyakumari) and NH 9 (Bombay/Mumbau-Shlapur-Vijayawada).

Places to See :

. Nehru Zoological Park : This is a 300 acre park filled with various species of birds and animals. Tank Bund : This is a dam on the Hussain Sagar lake and is famous for the 33 statues of statesmen and a huge monolithic statue of Buddha.

Hussain Sagar : Hyderabad spreads around this lake which is the largest lake in the city. It is surrounded by well maintained parks. Nagarjuna Sagar : This is the world's largest masonry dam and lies on the river Krishna. There is a museum which houses ancient Buddhist sculptures, carvings, and terracotta. 149 km from Hyderabad.

Osmansagar : An artificial lake off the river Moosi. Complemented by well kept gardens and swimming pools. Paigah Tombs : These are 200 year old tombs of the royal nobles made out of lime and mortar with carvings. Pakhal : This is an old wildlife sanctuary and retreat built around 1213 A.D. Approx 900 sq. km. The sanctuary has wildlife like tigers, leopards hyenas, and deer. 200 km from Hyderabad. Raymond's Tomb : A tomb for a French soldier who served in the Nizam Army 1786 A.D.

Lumbini Park : A new amusement park near Hussain Sagar. This park has a musical fountain show at 6.30pm and 8.00pm. The park is open from Tuesday to Sunday 9.00am to 9.00pm.

Ocean Park : Ocean park is located at Gandipet in 20 acres of landscaped gardens. The park provides a number of amusement and water rides. The park is also equipped with fast food restaurants offering a variety of cuisine.

Ramoji Film City : The Ramoji Film City is a colossal creation. This is Hyderabad's answer to Universal Studios - nearly 2000 acres, a complete world created for assisting the dream merchants of cinema. Luxury hotels, Japanese gardens, Parisian boulevards, lavish palaces, make-believe airports/railway stations and a host of other fantastic creations.

Hi- Tech City : One of the modern monuments of trade and technology, it embodies the new found attitude of Hyderabad and today finds a place of pride. Situated on the outskirts of the city, it is the nucleus of Cyberabad, the IT destination in these parts of the world.


Places to Stay :

In order to make the travel tour to Hyderabad even more joyful you need to choose just the right kind of accommodation for you and your family or friends in Hyderabad. There are ample places to stay in Hyderabad. The various hotels packages in Hyderabad offer the best of facilities. The well-furnished rooms place most of the comforts at your feet. You may enjoy the luxuries of life on your stay at the hotel. You may take your pick from a range of luxury and budget hotels in Hyderabad besides the star categorized accommodation hotels around the landmarks of Hyderabad offer excellent view of the landmarks through their suites


Five Star Deluxe Hotels in Hyderabad Kakatiya Sheraton and Towers Taj Krishna
Five Star Hotels in Hyderabad Hotel Viceroy Taj Residency
Four Star Hotels in Hyderabad Hotel Green Park Hotel Amrutha Castle
Three Star Hotels in Hyderabad Hotel Golkonda

Hyderabad - City Information

Hyderabad City Information



Fast Facts :

Area : 260 Sq. Km
Population : Approx 7 million (1991 Census : 3,145,939)
Growth Rate : 9.5%
Land Use : Urban 93% [including industrial]; Agriculture 1.7%; Water Spread 5.3%
Altitude : 536 metres above sea level
Languages : Urdu, Telugu, Hindi,English.

OTHER INFO


Industries :
Cotton and silk textiles, cigarettes, paper, pottery, glassware and more recently information technology and call centres.


Character :
The area exhibits undulating topography with number of tanks and hill ranges. The elevation ranging between 500 to 600m. While Banjara, Jubilee, Golconda, Nawabat Pahad, Tirumalagiri and Moula Ali are prominent hill ranges, Hussain Sagar and Mir Alam are prominent tanks located within the city. Hussain Sagar located in the heart of the city bifurcates it into Secunderabad and Hyderabad. The Musi river passing through the middle of Hyderabad city flows in an easterly direction.



Weather :
Summer temperatures range from a mean maximum of 40 deg centigrade to a mean minimum of 30 deg centigrade. Winter temperatures range from 22 deg centigrade. to 14 deg centrigrade. The monsoon season normally occurs from June to December. Registers rainfall of about 89 cms.


Best Season
Hyderabad is pleasant during the winters and hot during summer. Thus, the months from October to February form the best time to visit Hyderabad.

Introduction To Hyderabad

Introduction To Hyderabad

BRIEF :

Hyderabad, the fifth largest metropolis of India, is the state capital of Andhra Pradesh, known for its rich history and culture with monuments, mosques, temples, a rich and varied heritage in arts, crafts and dance. This Blog endeavours to present the rich heritage and culture of Hyderabad, along with an insight into Hyderabad today.





Hyderabad- Its Early Days


The capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad is the fifth largest city in India with an ancient civilisation and culture. Attached to the city is its twin , Secunderabad, which is part of Hyderabad. The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad are separated by the Husain Sagar, an artificial lake constructed during the time of Ibrahim Quli Qutb Shah Wali in 1562 A.D.
The city is nearly 400 years old and is noted for its natural beauty, mosques and minarets, bazaars and bridges, hills and lakes. It is perched on the top of the Deccan Plateau, 1776ft., above sea level, and sprawls over an area of 100 Sq. miles.

Hyderabad was founded on the River Musi five miles east of Golconda, in 1591-92 by Muhammad Quli Qutb Shah. In the 16th century the city grew spontaneously to accommodate the surplus population of Golconda, which was the capital of the Qutb Shahi rulers. Many buildings sprang up along the River Musi. Gradually the city grew.

The Qutb Shahi dynasty founded the Kingdom of Golconda, one of the five kingdoms that emerged after the break up of the Bahamani Kingdom. During the Qutb Shahi reign, Golconda became one of the leading markets in the world of diamonds, pearls, steel for arms, and also printed fabric.

The glory of the Golconda kingdom ended in 1687, after a valiant struggle. Aurangzeb, the last great Mughal ruler, captured Golconda after a siege that lasted eight months. Abul Hasan Tana Shah, the last king of Golconda, was imprisoned at Daulatabad, where he died after twelve years in captivity.

With the conquest of the Hyderabad and the South, Aurangzeb succeeded in expanding the Mughal Empire to cover the entire sub-continent. However, after his death in 1707, the Empire rapidly declined.

that time , the Deccan was administered by a Subedar or viceroy of the Mughal Emperor. Mir Quamaruddin, the Governor of the Deccan, who bore the title of Nizam-ul-Mulk Feroze Jung Asif Jah, declared his independence from Mughal rule in 1724. He thus became the first Nizam and the founder of the Asif Jahi dynasty.

Asif Jah I continued to maintain Aurangabad (capital of Aurangzeb), which had been founded by the Mughal rulers as the capital of his new state. In 1769, Nizam Ali Khan Asif Jah II, shifted the capital to Hyderabad. The seven Nizam's of the Asif Jahi dynasty ruled the Deccan for nearly 224 years, right up to 1948.

During the Asif Jahi period,The Persian, Urdu, Telugu and Marathi developed simultaneously. The highest official positions were given to deserving persons irrespective of their religion. Persian was the official language up to 1893 and then Urdu up to 1948.

When the British and the French spread their hold over the country, the Nizam soon won their friendship without bequeathing his power. The title "Faithful Ally of the British Government" was bestowed on Nizam VII. The British stationed a Resident at Hyderabad, but the state continued to be ruled by the Nizam.

The rule of the seven Nizam's saw the growth of Hyderabad both culturally and economically. Huge reservoirs, like the Nizam Sagar, Tungabhadra, Osman Sagar, Himayath Sagar, and others were built. Survey work on Nagarjuna Sagar had also begun during this time.
Hyderabad, under the Nizam's, was the largest princely state in India. Area wise it was as big as England and Scotland put together. The State had its own currency, mint, railways, and postal system. There was no income tax.

Soon after India gained independence, Hyderabad State merged with the Union of India. On November 1, 1956 the map of India was redrawn into linguistic states, and Hyderabad became the capital of Andhra Pradesh.