Dedication and perseverance finally paid off when the Andhra Pradesh State Government conferred the 'Best Teacher Award' to Prof. P. Ellaiah, Senior Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Prof. K. Nirupa Rani, Senior Professor of English from Andhra University, Visakhapatnam on 5th of September, 2004 at Hyderabad.  Dr Y. S. Rajashekhara Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, presented the prestigious award amidst a large gathering of literary laureates to the awardees, who did Visakhapatnam proud.

Summarising the educational testimonials of Prof. P. Ellaiah, one will find the list impressive. Prof. Ellaiah has specialised in the field of Pharmaceutical Technology and Pharmaceutical Bio-Technology. His research work has been published in 80 National and International research journals. Under his able tutelage, 11 research scholars have received their Ph.D degree certification and 10 aspirants are pursuing their research work presently. Prof. Ellaiah has previously held positions of Visiting Professor to Kathmandu University, Nepal; President of Indian Pharmacists Association, Visakhapatnam branch; as Dean; Chairman of Board of Studies; Head of Department; In-charge Principal of College of Engineering and Special Officer, Examinations at Andhra University. 

The second awardee bestowed with the 'Best Teacher Award' of the year 2004, Prof. K. Nirupa Rani, senior professor in the Department of English, was an early starter. Specialising in the research areas of 'new literatures', Prof. K. Nirupa Rani joined the Andhra University in 1979 and became a Professor in 1994. Having many feathers in her cap, Prof. K. Nirupa Rani is the first woman Dean of Andhra University. She has previously held positions of Dean, UGC unit; Chief warden; Head of Department; Chairperson of Board of Studies. Prof. Nirupa Rani is presently serving as Director of the Centre for Woman's Studies. She coordinated the NAAC visit to Andhra University and also the UGC 10th Plan Committees. Deputed as the NAAC Peer Committee member to various Universities, she has researched extensively and published several research articles at the National and International level.

A photo exhibition by American photographer John Margolies is being held at Kshetra Art Gallery on VIP Road.

The photographs are of roadside commercial establishments that came up in the early 1920s in the USA following the advent and rise in popularity of the motor car that catered to the new requirements and life styles of the motorists. 

These establishments also had to catch the attention of potential clients traveling at high speeds. Gas (petrol) pumps itself were designed in outlandish and exotic shapes including Greek temples, Japanese tea houses, flying saucers. Other innovations were fast-food style eateries, drive-ins and motels.

For more than 25 years John Margolies, covering more than 100,000 miles in the USA, captured on camera images of this vanishing tradition in American commerce.

This era and architecture came to an end in the 1950s when the new high-speed roads that bypassed the old automotive highways - the interstate highway - was constructed.

The new system had commercial building only at the ramps of interstates. The old roadside businesses were closed and the buildings pulled down. They exist only in John Margolies pictures now. The exhibition ends September 9, 2004.