Saimers' Issue 8 September 2023
In this issue 2
Glimpses of Saimers day out at the Hyderabad Marathon 2023 3
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Saimer in focus 6
Saimer in focus A run to remember! This October, when our seasoned marathoner, Victoria Steadman, runs her 50th half marathon at The Royal Parks Half Marathon, it will not just be about achieving a personal milestone of completing 50 half marathons before turning 50 but for a greater cause. Victoria is supporting Parkinson’s UK, an organization that works for the greater well being of people affected with Parkinson’s by building community for support as well as pushing for new drugs. Victoria Steadman Business Development, UK 7
Saimer in focus Saving stray dogs with smart collars We all care about animal welfare, but compassion intertwined with technology is rare. Baby Kirthana Tadakala - Trainee-Unit 2 Biology - came across a dog that had met with an accident. Despite her best efforts, it did not survive due to severity of the injury. Disturbed by the incident, and realising that drivers miss observing animals on the road more at night, Kirthana started an innovative initiative – she ordered Radium neck collars which shine in reflective light. More than 12 dogs in her neighbourhood can be seen with these belts. Thank you, Kirthana, for your noble effort…even if lost, abandoned or left to fend for themselves, we are glad there is someone like you to care for canines. 8 When Ratan Tata took note of Smart Collars! In 2014, Shantanu Naidu would often encounter carcasses of dogs on the road run over by speeding vehicles during his late-night commute in Pune. This disturbed him and made him wonder how he could save lives of street dogs. After various trials, Shantanu came up with a dog collar made with the best industrial -grade retro-reflective material on a bed of used denim that he and his friends collected through a donation campaign. This initiative called Motopaws was later funded not from any investment engine, but from Ratan Tata’s own pocket owing to his love for dogs and the innovative concept of saving their lives from speeding vehicles. Baby Kirthana Tadakala Biology, Shamirpet
Saimer in focus Planting trees as a solution for pollution While at an annual public event in Pune, Pragati and her friends realised that participants were ignoring cleanliness while focusing on tradition and culture. The road was littered with fruit peel, plastic bottles, biscuit wrappers and more. Next day they went into a huddle and set out on a cleanliness drive. The brainstorming in June 2022 has now bloomed into an NGO – Volunteers of Helping Hands Punekar – which has conducted more than 24 cleanliness drives in forts, temples and gardens. More than 700 trees have been planted in the locations taken up for cleaning. “My love for planting trees is driven by a desire to leave a positive legacy for future generations,” she says, and adds: “Save trees now; try to be a part of the solution, not part of the pollution. It should be everyone’s dream to keep the earth clean and green.” 9 Pragati Popat Mohite DMPK, Shamirpet
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Saimer in focus Lighting up the lives of the differently abled Life changed for Riya Arora while completing her academics at Delhi. Always keen to support a good cause, she joined The Visionaries, a group committed to break the stereotype and make the blind community excel. Now, as part of the technical team, she helps to record audio books, serves as a volunteer for sightseeing and organizes musical events. Says Riya: “Blindness is one of the most misunderstood disabilities. The blind, despite the challenge they face in life, can move forward if we encourage them. They are not disabled, just differently abled.” 11 Riya Arora Biology, Shamirpet
Saimer in focus Why film makers should continue to make biopics More than 70 years after his debut in the world stage, Olympian Milkha Singh continues to inspire Gen Next. Case in point is Saimer Parikshit who was motivated to take up athletics after watching the biopic ‘Baag Milkha Baag’ at a young age. As a lad growing up in rural Maharashtra, Parikshit started to keep pace with the train that passes through his village. He graduated to school level athletics, as a participant in long jump and running events. His achievements include: • Athletics medal winner at the district level from 2013 to 2016. • Gold Medal in 100 metres at a division level sports event in 2018. • Leading the Nagpur division Kabaddi team as Captain in 2019 and emerging as runner-up. • Participation in a National level Relay Running Race in 2019. 12 Parikshit Martand Kapgate Production, Bidar
Special features 13
Special features Full support to charity at annual half marathon Around 18 km south of Manchester, where Sai Life Sciences UK unit is located, is the market town of Wilmslow, the host of the annual Wilmslow Half Marathon. Seven Saimers took part in the event on March 26 and helped raise £400 for the Salvation Army, a charitable organisation that supports nurseries, community choirs and food banks. Message from our runners: “Thank you to everyone who donated for the cause. As for the Half Marathon, we highly recommend participating in future events if you get a chance!” 14 Half Marathon participants from left to right: Thomas Culshaw, Ted Thornton, Fabien Talbot, Matt Curley, Hardy Burch and Adam Close. Steve Glossop (not in the group photo)
Special features Warming up hearts and the Manchester weather Did you know Sunflower is termed a happy flower? Because of their association with the sun, sunflowers in bloom are likely to brighten moods and bring positivity to the environment. Our Manchester team, while busy at work, is equally busy seeding and growing sunflowers as part of the ongoing wellness initiative at the facility. A competition was organised over the summer months to brighten up offices, foster team spirit, and encourage friendly competition, all of which aim to develop an environment and culture in which people feel empowered to openly discuss mental health isues. The competition has already exceeded expectations in terms of participation and plant growth, amid what the UK team refers to as “famously incredible Manchester weather.” 15
Good reads Shambhavi took to book reading as a route to reduce stress and improve English communication skills. Here is her review of two favourite books: “Do Epic Shit” by Ankur Warikoo: The author, a content creator and online educator, shares his personal experiences of failure and success. The book serves as a source of inspiration and guidance, with practical wisdom that can be applied to various aspects of one’s own life. “Get Epic Shit Done” by the same author is a 4-part book consisting of 36 chapters. Addresses questions related to managing one’s life, career, relationships with others, and self-management. Topics covered include time management, choosing the right career, and establishing a sleep routine. Readers gain an understanding of challenges and are motivated to find their own solutions. 16 Special features Shambhavi Sudam Andhale DMPK, Shamirpet
Saimer families in focus 17
18 On Saturday early mornings, if you happen to travel to Shamirpet office in the company bus and peeping through the window when you are listening to your favourite song or thinking of Sunday plan or wondering what movie to watch on Netflix and you suddenly catch a fleeting glimpse of father-son duo cycling on the road... chances are that it is Sauri Gudlavalleti and his son. Here is his story in his own words: “Way back when, I had committed to myself that I would make a new resolution every five years, hoping that this would be easier to adhere to than the usual ‘new year’s resolutions’. Think of it as a ‘strategic goal’ versus an ‘annual budget’. Five years ago, I picked up Yoga, something which has enabled me to stay fit through my travels, with no dependencies on gym gear or equipment. This year, I decided to step up my occasional hobby of cycling to a more serious one. A root cause analysis of why I was struggling to go beyond 25km resulted in the realization that I was using a Trek bike. With good advice from a friend, I got myself a Bergamont Sweep 6. Over the last six months, I have ridden over 1300km, including a dozen 50km rides and even one 100km ride. The power of making good investments and of setting high standards is evident – something we follow here at Sai. Riding high on a cycle! Saimer families in focus Sauri Gudlavalleti with son, Saarang
19 Our 13 year old son also jumped in with me, and thanks to his new Triban RC500, has been cranking out 50k’s week after week. Most of our rides have been in the North Hyderabad area – and I frequently pass by the Sai employee bus around Shamirpet Saturday mornings (wish I had a photo). We are blessed with beautiful surroundings in this side of the city – with so many lakes, hills and amazing roads. I wish we continue to preserve our environment in the coming years. In all these months, the one thing that I have been paranoid about is safety. I carefully plan each ride the night before with an equipment check (PSSR), full PPE check (helmet, goggles, reflective light), and a route risk assessment. That explains why I never ride to our Unit 2 site – the road to Shamirpet has a very narrow shoulder and cars leave little space for cyclists. Last but not least, I never use noise canceling headphones while riding – it is critical to maintain situational awareness while on the road. I am really glad I found my passion in cycling over the last few months. I have not only enjoyed every single ride, but have also met a whole set of new friends on the Strava app and via several cycling clubs. I wish 7for every Saimer to find their own passion which makes their Health, Safety and Environment better.” Saimer families in focus
Did you know? Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France in July this year has a touch of Telangana, with his gift to French President Emmanuel Macron’s spouse Brigitte Macron being a Pochampally Ikat sari in a sandalwood box. Modi presented Macron with a pure sandalwood replica of a sitar, while the First Lady got the Pochampally Ikat sari. Renowned for its intricate designs and vibrant colours, the Pochampally silk ikat saree encapsulates the beauty, crafts manship, and cultural heritage of India, making it a true treasure in the world of textiles. Source – Telangana Today, India Today Saimer families in focus Proud of Pochampally, Proud of her Parents The son of two artisans from the Padmashali community, renowned for weaving skills, shares this brief about his family and the magic they create with a handloom.Pochampally Silk Sarees are primarily woven by Padmashalis. Though named after the village of Pochampally, these sarees are created in many villages in Telangana State.His father Laxmaiah has been a weaver for last 40 years in Koratikal Village, Munugode Mandal, Nalgonda District. With help from his wife, Chandrakala, he weaves a saree in 5 to 7 days. More than 450 families in the district depend on handlooms for their livelihood.That their skills are exceptional and unique is validated by the granting of Geographical Indication (GI) status for the famed Pochampally Ikat, which includes the Tie and Dye silk woven sarees. 20 Laxmaiah & Chandrakala, parents of Dayakar Cherupally PR&D, Shamirpet
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Saimer families in focus Graceful. Artistic. Agile. On and off the stage. Ale Shloka is a trained Kuchipudi dancer who started learning at an early age. The journey was not without challenges… she enrolled in a dance studio under the tutelage of dance exponent Amy Kumar but had to discontinue training when her father relocated to Kolkata; she returned to Hyderabad after a four-year gap, and had to start all over again, which she did with fervency and zeal. Says the dancer who has mastered dance steps such as adavus, jaathis, jathis, puja nrithyam, jathiswatam and Ramayana shabdam: “I was three years old when my mother accompanied me to the nearest dance studio. From then to now, engaging in various performances has significantly bolstered my on and off-stage confidence. None of this would have been possible without my mother’s guidance.” 22 Ale Shloka daughter of Narasa Raju Ale AR&D, Shamirpet
Saimer families in focus Portrait of Pranay Anugula We all love watching Chota Bheem and Motu Patlu cartoons - Pranay loves drawing the characters. Noting his passion for sketching at an early age, his parents encouraged Pranay, now in 7th standard, to become an artist. He has been awarded prizes in school and social events. Being a football fan, he draws his favourite players too. Check out his YouTube channel: “The Masked Kid @Mr_Pranay777.” 23 Pranay Anugula son of Rajender Anugula Medicinal Chemistry Shamirpet
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Saimer families in focus Chellangi’s Challenge Rubik’s Cube in 5.6 seconds It all started with random moves to spend time usefully during lock down. Today, Vedish Chellangi is acknowledged as a speed cuber. “I planned the whole process as a project and learned about the algorithms and permutation and combinations of the cube, and I got the results,” he says. “Speed cubing is full of positive energy and sportsmanship. If one person breaks a record, everyone will celebrate, and this makes the cubing community different and special.” Chellangi can solve cube 3x3 in 20 to 30 seconds, 2x2 cube in 5 to 6 seconds, 4x4 cube in 2:30, magaminx in 7mins skewb in 30 seconds and pyraminx in 20 seconds. In the open event held in Hyderabad in April 2023, in association with World Cube Association and Deccan Cubing, Chellangi solved cube 2x2 in 5.6 seconds and 3x3 in 25.6 seconds. 25 You’ve probably heard of Erno Rubik. But most people don’t know that he created the Rubik’s Cube by accident. A professor of architecture, Rubik built a twistable box with colorful rows of labels on each side to see if it was possible to design blocks that could move without causing the entire structure to collapse. After Rubik rotated a few rows and mixed up the colors, his challenge began: Realign the hues. It took him about a month to restore the cube to its pristine condition. Source - Reader’s Digest Vedish Chellangi son of Thrinath Venkat Kumar Chellangi Quality Assurance, Bollaram
Saimer families in focus IIT Topper all set to pursue Masters at a Top 10 University in the world! The phrase ‘passed with flying colours’ is most appropriate to Vir Karan, son of Runa Karan, Company Secretary, Finance & Accounts, Sai Life Sciences, and Vishal Karan. Vir completed B.Tech in Metallurgy and Materials Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras by topping the class of 2023 with a CGPA of 9.33. He received two awards for the best academic record in the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering at the institution’s 60th Convocation ceremony in July 2023. Vir was awarded the prestigious MITACS Globalink Fellowship to take up an international research project in the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers (CSME) at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (2022). Vir has to his name two research publications: “Accelerated Solutions of Coupled Phase Field Problems Using Generative Adversarial Networks” and “Quantification of similarity and physical awareness of microstructures generated via Generative Models.” Vir enrolled in August for Masters and Doctorate in Materials Science at University of California Berkeley (UCB), in a fully-funded scholarship programme. UCB is ranked among Top 10 universities in the world and #4 in the USA. 26 Vir Karan son of Runa Karan Corporate Finance & Accounts
Looking back at the last quarter 27
Looking back at the last quarter - Manchester Sports day at Alderley Park 28
Looking back at the last quarter - Manchester 29
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet Blood donation camp 30
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet Independence day celebrations at Sai 31
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet 32
Looking back at the last quarter - Bollaram 33
Looking back at the last quarter - Bollaram 34
Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate 35
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet Mango Mela 36
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet 37
Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate Mango Mania 38
Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate 39
Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate 40
World Environment Day Plantation Drive Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet 41
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet 42
Looking back at the last quarter - Bollaram May Day Celebrations 43
Saimer of the quarter Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet 44
Looking back at the last quarter - Bollaram 45
Looking back at the last quarter- Bidar 46
Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate 47
Zumba workshop Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet 48
Looking back at the last quarter- Shamirpet & Corporate 49
Yoga session Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate 50
Financial planning and management sessions Looking back at the last quarter - Corporate 51
Monsoon Magic photography contest Looking back at the last quarter - India Chavan Radarapu, Bollaram Sasikumar A, Bidar Nagireddy Bollapu, Shameerpet Sathishkumar T, Bollaram Mamoni Dey, Corporate 52
Looking back at the last quarter - Monsoon Magic, India Prakash Yerramsetti, Shamirpet Venkata Navin Kumar Konkipudi, Shamirpet Mahesh Mopidevi, Bollaram Younus Khan, Bidar 53
Looking back at the last quarter - Monsoon Magic, India Venkata Sylesh Nanda, Bollaram Ramprasad Rekham, Shamirpet Thomas Vijo Joy, Shamirpet Ommshree Rath, Shamirpet 54
Looking back at the last quarter - Monsoon Magic, India Pragati Popat Mohite, Shamirpet Samarendra Meher, Bidar 55
Looking back at the last quarter - Monsoon Magic, India Madhura N Karkare, Shamirpet Shabanam Jhangir Shaikh, Shamirpet 56
Looking back at the last quarter - Shamirpet Welcomed a new batch of trainees at Hyderabad & Bidar 57
Looking back at the last quarter - Bidar 58
Looking back at the last quarter - Bidar Women’s club member’s day out 59
We’d love to hear from you! How did you like Saimers’ Cafe? Do you have any feedback or suggestions? Would you like to contribute any stories for the next issue? Write to us at: saimerscafe@sailife.com Make it better together
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