Monthly Archives: March 2012

Synthetic track by May end: DC

Sports

Work on Synthetic Track laying in Mangala Stadium in progress in Mangalore on March 19, 2012. Photo: R.Eswarraj / The Hindu

Mangala Stadium will get a full-fledged synthetic track by May end, Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda said here after reviewing the progress of the work on Monday.

Mr. Gowda told The Hindu that he was hopeful of ensuring that facilities to hold competitions on either side within the track (called D areas) would be created. The tender that had already been awarded was for the creation of facilities only in one D area. Mr. Gowda said the district administration had apprised the Government of the need to create facilities on both sides.

Sportspersons, sporting bodies, and coaches have said that major tournaments could be held only if facilities were created on either side as this would allow holding of multiple events simultaneously.

The tender for the Rs. 3.15 crore synthetic track has been awarded to the lowest bidder – Delhi-based sports infrastructure company Syncotts International, which has been given four months to complete the work. The creation of additional facilities to allow competitions on either side is expected to cost Rs. 40 lakh. Mr. Gowda said that the sports infrastructure company would be asked to place orders for synthetic material (which have to be imported) for facilities in the second D area too, after securing in-principle approval from the Government. He agreed that the administration would have to bear additional financial burden if it had to import in two consignments.

According to an official release, Mr. Gowda said that the two committees — one for supervision and another to ensure compliance to technical standards — have been formed to ensure quality in laying the synthetic track. In addition, the firm would get money only after the International Athletics Federation certified the quality of work, he said.

Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly N. Yogish Bhat, who presided over the review meeting, said that he would take up the matter of providing facilities in the second D area with the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, according to the release.

Mr. Bhat urged the district administration to develop a swimming pool in Emmekere Lake which was being developed.

Mr. Gowda earlier asked the officials concerned to submit reports regarding the proposals to set up a sports hostel in Kadri and an indoor stadium on a 1.5-acre land in Shakthinagar. Commissioner of Mangalore Urban Development Authority Ajit Kumar Hegde said a report on the proposal to develop a sports ground in Bangra-Kuloor areas would be prepared.

Mangala Stadium Committee members said there was an agreement with the Corporation Bank to meet the expenses of maintenance of the stadium. Mr. Gowda said he would hold further discussions with the bank’s Chairman and Managing Director. About Rs. 40 lakh had been released for developing a stadium at Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, the official release said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / News> Cities> Mangalore / by Special Correspondent, Mangalore / March 20th, 2012

 

JK Tyres, Ranga Rao & Sons, Biligiri Granites win State Export Awards

Business & Economy, Records, All

Mysore, Mar. 21-

The State Export Awards have been bagged by city-based JK Tyres, N. Ranga Rao & Sons and Biligiri Granites of Chamarajanagar for having exported the maximum quantity of products in the State.

The awards will be given away by Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda and Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani today at a programme to be held at Capitol Hotel in Bangalore at 5.30 pm.

During 2009-10 and 2010-11, the awards were bagged by J.K. Tyres and Ranga Rao & sons. They have bagged the awards for the third time in a row.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 21st, 2012

 

Noble souls who care for the sick and dying

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

By Kiran Kumar

Mysore:

What might be the plight of the aged, sick and bedridden people who are left to die by their own family members? Bed-sores, stench, unbearable pain and on the top of it, the feeling of hurt for being discarded by their kin, waiting for death in the even-ing of their lives. Many of them are like breathing corpses, ailing from cancer, HIV +ve and other such incurable ailments.

Who is going to take care of them? Well, there is a group of people who have dedicated themselves for this purpose — they are the volunteers of Swami Vivekananda Aaraike Kendra, a unit of the city-based Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement. The Kendra, a shelter for such ailing, bedridden and uncared for beings, was set up in October 2011 and is silently serving mankind with their mantra, “Fear not, for we are with you.”

The volunteers identify bedridden patients ailing from cancer, paralysis etc. and treat them at their homes. The Kendra assimilates information from the villages of the district and from the hospitals about such ailing persons needing care and attention and then do the necessary nursing. This also makes the family members of the ailing persons change their attitude and become compassionate.

The Kendra has a total of 14 staff members including two doctors, one staff nurse and two counsellors. They tour around the seven taluks of the district and extend their services. On Thursdays, counselling is done for select patients at the Centre on K.R. Hospital road in Mandi Mohalla.

At present, the Kendra’s team is taking care of 129 patients in 40 villages. About 1,000 persons suffering from lifestyle diseases, out of the 4,000 surveyed, also are being treated by the Kendra.

The Kendra does not get any foreign funds or aids from the government. They have to mobilise their own resources for which they raise donations from educational institutions and industries, collecting One Rupee from each donor to pay the salaries of 14 staff members and a staff nurse. Others, including the doctors, are volunteers offering free service.

The Kendra provides service to 4,500 AIDS patients, of which 1,500 are children, comprising 206 HIV +ve. Many have lost their parents. Such orphans are given government grants of Rs. 750 per month while children of single parent get Rs. 650 grant each.

You too can help

For this noble cause, you too can contribute your mite either by donating materials like bed-spreads, blankets, wheel chairs, crutches, drugs, walking sticks that are lying idle in your house or by donating cash. Major cash donations will be given tax rebate under the 80G rule. Interested may contact M.N. Hemath [99459-55879] or Manoj Sebastian [99725-28007]

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 17th, 2012

Eminent Scientists chosen for ‘Thathachari Memorial Awards’

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Mysore, Mar. 19

The city-based Bhramara Trust of Y.T. and Madhuri Thathachari has announced the awardees of the Thathachari Memorial Science Awards for the year 2011.

Prof. T.P. Singh, distinguished Biotechnology Research Professor, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi will be the recipient of Bhramara’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Science — 2011 and Dr. Debashis Mitra, National Centre for Cell Science, Pune will receive the Prof. Y.T. Thathachari Prestigious Research Award for Biological/Medical Sciences, said Trustee Madhuri Thathachari, in a press release.

Dr. Singh has made significant contributions in the field of Rational Structure based drug design, Protein Structure biology and X-ray crystallography. Prof. Singh is carrying out elaborate structural studies of proteins from several systems which are important potential drug targets.

He has submitted more than 400 protein structures in the Protein Data Bank. He has published more than 400 research papers in leading international journals. He is a fellow of national and international academies — The Third World Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences, Indian Academy of Sciences, Alexander von Hum-boldt Foundation and Biotech Research Society of India.

Dr. Singh is the recipient of many national and international awards.

Dr. Debashis Mitra is an outstanding immunologist who has contributed greatly to the understanding of modulation of host cell factors during HIV-1 infection. His laboratory has been able to identify several novel HIV inhibitors which are being worked upon as anti-HIV lead compo-unds to develop potential micro-bicides for HIV prevention.

In recognition of his work, Dr. Mitra has received several aw-ards such as American Foundation for AIDS Research Award in 1995 and DBT Overseas Associateship Award in 2007. He was elected as a Fellow of the Maharashtra Academy of Science, India, and the National Academy of cience, India.

The Award for Science consists of a memento, citation and a cash prize of Rs. one lakh. The award would be presented at a function to be held in city. The date, venue and other details will be announced soon, stated Madhuri Thathachari.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 19th, 2012

 

Rs 50-cr grant for UAS Dharwad welcomed

Education

Bangalore:

In recognition of the yeoman service to research and development by the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS), Dharwad – among the nation’s premier agriculture universities – was rewarded with a special `50-crore grant this budget.

Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee made the announcement in the Lok Sabha on Friday while presenting the 2012-13 budget. UAS Dharwad had won accolades few years ago when its scientists developed hybrid colour cotton varieties, in addition to their research on vegetable and cash crops.

Varsity Vice-Chancellor R R Hanchinal told Express that the special grant was a vindication of the university’s accomplishments in recent years. “He said that the grant will be utilised to set up a farmers’ knowledge centre and create infrastructure at the Krishi Mela site in the University.” The university has four colleges, 25 research stations, six extension education units, five Krishi Vigyan Kendras with and has its jurisdiction over 7 districts of northern Karnataka including Bagalkot, Bijapur, Dharwad, Belgaum, Gadag and Uttara Kannada. “The university which was established in 1986 has developed numerous varieties of high-yielding variants of cotton and other food crops,” he added. The university has also to its credit of being the first varsity to start a Krishi Community Radio Station on agriculture. The Krishi Mela, the annual agri-exhibition of the university, attracts lakhs of farmers.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / South> Bangalore / The New Indian Express and Express News Service / March 17thy, 2012

A unique father-son duo remembered

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

DVG’s birthplace salutes litterateur on his 125th birth anniversary

D V Gundappa and B G L Swamy were an unusual father-son pair. Their contributions to Kannada literature were remarkable in their variety and intensity, said Dr Chandrashekhar Kambar

Dr. Chandrashekhar Kambar was felicitated at the Rangavithala Hall at Narashimhatheertha in Mulbagal on Saturday, the 125th birth anniversary of DVG. Justice N Nagamohan Das, Deputy Commissioner Manoj Kumar Meena, P N Srinivasan, K Prahlad Rao, K R Narasimhan and Komul Director Kadenahalli Nagaraj are also seen.  DH Photo.

“Both of them won the Sahitya Akademi Award twice. In many ways, they were like another father-son duo, Kuvempu and Poornachandra Tejaswi.”

Dr Kambar was speaking at the programme commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of DVG, organised at the Rangavithala Hall at Narasimhatheertha on the outskirts of the town on Saturday.

“DVG was a multi-faceted personality. He contributed greatly not just to Kannada literature and culture, but also to Indian journalism,” said Kambar. “The litterateur followed the ideals he presented in his works.”

Justice H N Nagamohan Das inaugurated the programme.

“His lifestyle was simple, as he never used the money he received with the awards for his own needs. Instead he donated the money for the establishment and growth of the Gokhale Institute,” he said.

Speaking about DVG’s works, Justice Das said one can find in the writings several interesting aspects of contemporary town-life in Mulbagal, the birthplace of DVG.
P N Srinivasachari, general secretary of the Department of Small Irrigation, unveiled a picture of DVG. Amaresh, MLA, presided. K R Narasimhan spoke on the life and works of the litterateur.

Dr Shivanna welcomed the gathering. Cultural events were presented by Moodala Nritya Academy. The programme was organised jointly by the Dr D V Gundappa Trust, Department of Kannada and Culture, C Munishami Charitable Trust, Amarajyothi Education Society, Deccan Education Society, Sharada Education Trust and pro-Kannada organisations.

Manjunath Prasad, managing director of KSRTC, Manoj Kumar Meena, Deputy Commissioner, Kadenahalli Nagaraj, chairman of the Amarajyothi Education Society, K Prahlad Rao, chairman of the DVG Trust, K V Jagannath, chairman of the Taluk Primary School Teachers’ Association, Mangamma Muniswamy, Zilla Panchayat member, P Jayamadhava, tahsildar, B N Venkatachalapathi, assistant director of the Department of Kannada and Culture, and others were present.

In Malur

“DVG was a great thinker who visualised the cultural life in the 20th century,” said H S Satyanarayana, professor at the Varthur Pre-university College.

He was speaking at the DVG birth anniversary programme organised at the Agricultural Society Hall in the town by the Chutuku Sahitya Parishat on Saturday.

“Having arrived in Bangalore, tugging along the ‘bullock cart of life’, DVG presented the versatility of his achievements as a litterateur as well as member of the Legislative Assembly,” said the professor.

The book ‘Raktaratri’, by youth poet Na Muniraju, was released by Satyanarayana.

M V Hanumanthaiah, chairman of the Bapuji Education Society inaugurated the programme. Kannada Sahitya Parishat immediate past president A Ashwattha Reddy chaired the programme.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> District / Mulbagal, DHNS / March 17th, 2012

Prof.R.L. Narasimhaiah Award presented

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology


Caption: Physicist Prof. Roddam Narasimha presenting Prof. R. L. Narasimhaiah award to Dr.B.N. Satyanarayana Rao as Mysore University Registrar Prof. P.S.Nayak and Prasaranga Director Prof. Prabhu Shankar look on.


Mysore, Mar. 15

Mysore University has the distinction of publishing four editions of science literature under the stewardship of K. L. Srimali while he was the Vice-Chancellor, said former Prasaranga Director Prof. Prabhu Shankar here this morning.

He was speaking after inaugurating a function organised by Prasaranga at Rani Bahadur Auditorium in city for presenting Prof. R. L. Narasimhaiah award and a seminar on Science literature in Kannada.

The award was presented to Dr.B.N. Satyanarayana Rao by Physicist Prof. Roddam Narasimha. Science writer Prof. J.R. Lakshman Rao was present.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / March 15th, 2012

Mamatha Poojary

Records, All, Sports

The Indian kabaddi captain on winning the first Women’s World Cup Kabaddi Championship

10 QUESTIONS

You beat Iran 25-19 in the final. Was it as easy as it seemed?

Our team was the best in Patna (the final’s venue), but in the Asian Games, we beat Iran by just one point. So, we were under pressure.

But you played really well?

We were certain of winning the gold, and the team played well. I could have performed better. But I am happy I won my first big event after becoming captain.

International competition seems to be getting tougher?

Yes, other teams have never beaten us. They are determined to work hard and change that.

Your father is a farmer in a small Udupi village. How did you decide to get into sports?

Life is not easy in the village, and you get physically strong. I had been good at volleyball, javelin throw and short-put from my school days. I took up kabaddi in 2003 when I was 17.

And you got into the Indian team in three years?

Yes. That was the year I joined Railways, too.

How did that change your life?

That was my lucky year. I got a job, got into the Railways team, became secure and got good support and coaching. I then got into the Indian team.

You had to give up studies early?

I graduated with history, political science and economics, but couldn’t pursue education because I was so involved in sports.

In your village (Hermunde), how are you looked at now?

I get a little too much respect, because there was no one into sports from my village.

Are girls following in your footsteps?

Girls used to get into athletics, now they are also taking up kabaddi.

You’ve also participated in beach kabaddi.

Yes, and I was the captain! I also played in events in Colombo, Iran, Indonesia and China.

source: http://www.OutlookIndia.com / Sports> Interview> 10 Questions / Magazine / Interview by Rohit Mahajan / March 19th, 2012

 

Trees outside my window

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Uncategorized
CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE TREES?

Trees outside my window

View from one’s window can be educational. Did you know for instance what we commonly call Ashoka tree is actually not Ashoka?

Nature is sometimes only as far away as one’s window! Here’s the view from an apartment balcony:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I can see four kinds of trees. Pic: Deepa Mohan

One can see the roads and transport and one can also see four different types of trees in the picture.

Framing the photograph at right and left, are some of the most common trees in India, the coconut palm. What a wonderful tree it is, with every part of it being useful to us…the palm fronds used for thatches, brooms and pandals for auspicious occasions; the coconuts being useful as one of the few drinks that cannot be adulterated, and is very nutritious; the trunk being used for both wood and boats!

On the median in the road are what are called Mast trees….they grow tall and straight like masts, and are often useful in breaking the force of the wind. They are often called Ashoka, too, but it is “Faux Ashoka”, since the real Ashoka trees (you can see them at Lalbagh) are spreading trees with flowers and fruit.

Across the road, next to the small Traffic Police Station is a Jungli Badam tree. It is from this tree that our Badam (almonds) trees have been cultivated. This tree, too, has the same fruits…but they are likely to be much more bitter. This tree was planted after the Rain Tree on that spot was cut down for road-widening…and already gives welcome shade, with its broad leaves and spreading canopy.

Behind the Jungli Badam are a row of beautiful Mahogany trees, which are often planted as an avenue tree in our city. The Mahogany is known for its hard, termite-resistant wood, used in making furniture.

It’s surprising how an urban scene can give us so much of information about trees! We have many kinds of trees in our city, and Lalbagh has many kinds of trees brought from all around the world, too. Trees, and the life they support, are fascinating to know about!

source: http://www. bangalore.citizenmatters.in / Features> Trees / by Deepa Mohan / March 12th, 2012

12 Mar 2012

Deepa Mohan is a freelance writer who fell in love with Bangalore when first she moved from Chennai, and has been both enthused and worried over the rapidly changing city. She is also a Bangalore metroblogger

 

An Entrepreneur with a Difference

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology

“I Can,” says Pandu Ranga Rao

By S. Kenneth Shishir


 

The problems faced by the disabled is gaining more and more importance all over the world. The government of India and also State governments have lent a helping hand to the differently abled by framing various policies like reservation in jobs, concession in traveling, special training institutions etc.

However, a major role is played by the family members who need to fill the affected person with strength to face the world. Here is the story of one such person who has gone beyond his disability and is telling the world “I Can.”

Meet Pandu Ranga Rao, a young entrepreneur who wants to take the world of web and software to new horizons.

Born to Sunanda and Nara-yan Rao couple on Aug. 24, 1975, he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a disorder of movements, at birth. His brave parents did not lose heart and got him admitted to a normal school.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Pandu Ranga Rao said that tho-ugh he completed SSLC with flying colours, it was difficult for him to enter PUC. His mother got him admitted to CPC Polytechnic and he later obtained B.Sc. in Information Technology from KSOU.

After completing his Diploma in Computer Science from CPC Polytechnic, he joined as a Lab Instructor in JSS Polytechnic for Differently Abled in SJCE campus here. While working there, he developed two softwares for JSS Polytechnic and gained vast experience at Excel Soft Technologies.

He says that he is grateful to D. Sudhanva, Managing Director of the company, for his encouragement to develop softwares on his own and added that he never went to any special classes but learnt through the opportunities given at Excel Soft.

Pandu Ranga Rao says that he was humiliated a few times during his education and was frustrated with the experiences in life all because of him being specially abled. He says that he wanted to show the world that people like him can achieve anything and teachers should have an open mind and heart to help students like him.

While working as a Lab Instructor, he came across Yathish, who is also disabled. He involved Ya-thish in his activities of flash developing and founded the company I Can Technologies (www. icantech.in) which offers services like website development, web hosting, software development and product development.

Inspired by the TV show Kaun Banega Crorepathi, he develo-ped a small programme called Quiz Master for a CD brought out by PC-Quest. He has also developed alerts which act as reminders of scheduled works on the computer desktop.

Pandu Ranga Rao says that he aims to provide jobs to people like him, not because they are disabled, but for their talents. He wants to help them enter into mainstream as they need more opportunities than sympathy.

He says that nothing is impossible and computers bore him to some extent. Smiling, he says he loves travelling.

Pandu Ranga Rao got married to Jyothi of Shimoga in 2011 and she has been supporting him in all his activities.

His mother Sunanda says that she faced a lot of problem in the beginning and it was a young doctor from All India Institute Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation, Mumbai, who advised her to admit Pandu Ranga Rao to a normal school. On his advice, she admitted him to a convent at Udupi. The teachers there said that she has to be with her son in the school for a few days as they needed time to study his behaviour.

Sunanda says she enjoyed being with him in the school during his studies. In 1985-86, they shifted to Mysore to provide him speech therapy at AIISH.

Pandu Ranga Rao is presently working from home as he cannot move about on his own.

He was honoured by AIISH on World Disability Day in 2006 and won the ‘Achiever Award’ by GSB Bankers Educational and Welfare Trust in 2008 apart from being felicitated during Teachers’ Day celebrations. He says that he is looking for a place to start an enterprise so that he can provide employment to persons like him.

I Can Technologies is presently running its own online tutorial (www.programming basics.in) in programming for children who want to be programmers. Product development is the key area of their focus and they will be developing and releasing a product which will target educational institutions. Through this, one can bring the entire student community and all their activities like payment of fees, borrowing of library books, etc. under one roof.

Pandu Ranga Rao can be contacted on 9341856071 or e-mail: info@icantech.in.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Article / March 05th, 2012