Category Archives: Sports

Two friends join hands to spread Bicycle culture in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Sports
Vikas Hosahalli & Mahesh Siddegowda
Vikas Hosahalli & Mahesh Siddegowda

Mysuru :

‘If passion can take you places, then Mysuru is the place to polish your passions till perfection.’ This seems to be the collective conscience among the young in city who are leaving behind fat-pay cheques from multi-national corporate companies to follow their hearts.

Like Rohan Abijith and Dhruva Rao, who gave up their lucrative jobs to start the ‘Science Ashram’ at Jayalakshmipuram, there is a rising trend among the young in the city to innovate, collaborate and start ventures that are benefiting the society on the whole.

Now two friends have joined hands to inculcate bicycle culture among Mysureans that can not only save the environment from pollution but can also keep individuals fit!

Nowadays in the fast paced modern world, man is totally dependent on petroleum products to keep moving about in his two and four-wheelers. The gasoline-run vehicles not only pollute the environment, but have also been cause for numerous accidents and deaths in the world. People suffer from breathing problems after inhaling the air polluted by the carbon dioxide emission from these vehicles.

Before it is too late, human beings must realise the importance of clean air and environment and in this context, several environmentalists and naturalists have come forward to work for a people-friendly environment.

The city is not lagging behind on such environmentally conscious matters and is fortunate to have two young men namely Vikas Hosahalli, a resident of Kuvempunagar and Mahesh Siddegowda, residing at Kesare, the founders of ‘Green Wheel Ride’ who have been trying to instill ‘Cycling Culture’ among Mysureans. In the first phase of cycling promotion, the duo have opened centres near State Bank of Mysore in Chamundipuram, near Gnanaganga School in Kuvempunagar, near Vikram Nursing School in Gokulam and near Corporation Bank branch in V. V. Mohalla.

Green Wheel Ride has plans to open 75 to 100 franchise points at various locations in city. The unique feature of this ‘Cycling Concept’ is that one may hire a bicycle from one centre and hand over the bicycle at the nearest destination centre.

Speaking to SOM, Vikas said that the duo was looking for places to set up their franchisees and are happy to engage in partnerships with institutions and environmentally conscious corporate houses.

“There are lots of un-used spaces in government office buildings and they are perfect to have these e-bikes installed there. The officials can use these bikes for their transport, but we are not getting any positive response from them,” says Vikas.

After having relinquished their plum positions in MNCs, Mahesh, a mechanical engineer by profession, has been engaged in altering the bicycles and Vikas is into the maintenance work of these bicycles.

Battery operated bicycles: We may be wondering how to pedal on these bicycles especially during summer, relax; these bicycles operate on eco-friendly batteries. ‘Lithium Ion’ technology is used for these bicycles and once the battery is charged, the bicycle runs for 70 kms at 20 km per hour. The cost for 3-hour charge will be less than a Rupee.

Triple mechanism on bicycle: An individual can ride the bicycle by pedalling if he or she wants to exercise; the bicycle can also be operated with pedals and accelerator on battery. The bicycle has the option of being operated only on accelerator.

The spare parts for these bicycles are manufactured by Green Wheel Ride at their Hootagalli unit in city. Bicycles are assembled at the Vidyaranyapuram unit, here, and the brand name for these bicycles is ‘Made in Mysuru.’

These bicycles may be hired at 50 paise per minute for members and Re. 1 per minute for non-members. Bicycles are available for hire between 8 am and 6 pm at the designated bicycle centres in city.

Riders who wish to avail these bicycles on hire should submit a passport sized photograph, identity card, address proof and give their thumb impression on biometric machine. The firm has its own App for registration of members and to identify the path travelled by the bicycle rider.

E-Bike: The battery-operated bicycle was launched only 18 days ago in Mysuru and has been christened ‘E-Bike’ for its eco-friendly mechanism. Our aim is to save the environment from pollution and reduce the dependency on petrol, diesel operated vehicles. Even if 10 percent of our population uses these bicycles, the country would save lakhs of rupees on petroleum products import. Ten bicycles have been made available at the Karanji Kere premises for the convenience of the public. A fee of Rs. 25 will be charged for 30 minutes use. About 3,500 people have used 10 bicycles which were operational at Karanji Lake during the last 10 months covering a distance of 15,000kms.

Green Wheel Ride has plans to open such Bicycle Centres in other cities too and those interested to join the organisation may contact: 95358 50001 or visit the website: www.ecobike.rentals

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – June 14th, 2015

‘I always dreamt of owning the best cars’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Sports

CarBF16jun2015

Personal diaries have always been around. Confidential and distinctive, personal diaries capture some memorable moments, in the life of an individual. However, VP Manohar. a passionate hoarder of machines of all ages, has a list of cars written down in his diary! 
It all started when he was a kid. Manohar would write down the names of the cars that he liked and the ones he saw on the roads. Not only did he know the names of the best cars that roared on the streets of old Bangalore, but would also write down the information about the owners of these cars. “I always dreamt of owning the best cars,” says Manohar, currently the managing partner of Southam and Company. He says, “I remember that my father owned just one car. I made sure I washed it regularly.” However, it was in 1967 that Manohar was gifted his first car — the Triumph Herald. He later owned a few more beauties, including a Ford and a Contessa, after which his love shifted to vintage and classic machines.His first classic car was a 1966 Mercedes Benz, a royal blue queen, which ruled the automobile markets for eleven years. “These cars are called classic for the obvious reasons. They were strong and weighed over two tons,” he explains. The second entrant into his collection was the very stylish 1984 Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign. A rare car with twin fuel tanks, it has the glass headlight cover, which is not to be seen in the present-day models.“The old models of Jaguar are better built than the newer ones. This car has twin fuel tank with a button that can switch from one tank to the other. The 1984 model is premium when compared to the recent models,” he opines. After the ‘panthera’ beauty came the beastly wagon — 1946 Chevrolet Fleetmaster. A synonym for luxury, it has a fastback styling, comfortable upholstery and white-walled tyres. A roar of the car is enough to know its majesty. “I have the original keys for this car. I have the bill from 1946 with me too,” he quips.

A love for these classic beauties has turned his house into a workshop of sorts. “The Benz was in a pretty good condition. But the other two needed complete restoration. I would never leave my cars at the workshop. Instead, I would get the mechanics home and my house was altered into a workshop,” he informs.

His Mercedes Benz has driven one lakh miles. He says, “The Germans built this machine ahead of technology and hence it has remained intact, without any rust or wear and tear.” While most of the parts of Jaguar were imported from the US, the Chevy’s parts were available in the country. “I even have the original petrol cap for my Chevy,” he says.

A member of Karnataka Vintage and Classic Car Club, he takes out his cars every Sunday and says he likes the attention he gets while driving these old cars. He has been a part of rallies for many years now. Drawing a parallel to the rallies of the old times, he says, “The rallies of the olden times were tougher. Now it is just a 600 to 800 km rally. But I have taken part in 2,000 km rallies and one had to be a strong driver to take part in them.”

It is his passion that has brought him thus far and inspired him to learn a great deal about cars, from assembling to reassembling. He concludes saying, “I want to own a vintage Rolls Royce in future.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Pragna GR – DHNS / June 16th, 2015

Bravo! Rowing now is a civilian passion

Sports

Bengaluru :

As the early-morning sun soaks the Ulsoor lake, dreamy-eyed youngsters — some sleepy, some chirpy — troop into Trishna Club in a far corner of the lake. Soon, the stillness of the lake is tattooed with the rhythmic paddling of oars. For the next couple of hours, rowers go about their routes, shouting ‘down’ and ‘bravo’.

The sport long dominated by defence personnel has new takers: civilians. A reflection of this trend is in evidence at the ongoing 18th sub-junior rowing national championships at the MEG & Centre here.

Of the 23 members in the Karnataka squad, 15 are from the civilian background.

Karnataka Amateur Rowing Association secretary G Somasekharappa says: “We usually had sportspersons from Army schools. Now, we’ve many kids from elite schools. More heartening is parents’ involvement in their children’s progress as also in improvising the sport.”

Asked about his rowing ambitions, Frank Anthony Public School’s Eeshan Krishnan says: “I’m a keen swimmer and I like watersports. One of my father’s friends suggested I try the sport. Then I started rowing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a little plump; this helped me lose the flab. My shoulders hurt initially, but then there is no gain without pain.”

Eeshan’s mother Hema, a special educator, says rowing has made her 11-year-old son responsible and passionate about the sport. “He needs no alarm and is up at 5am to go to practice. His days are long, but he doesn’t complain. There was a time when I asked him to concentrate on studies because we weren’t sure about his future in rowing. But he was very clear: he wanted to take up the sport seriously and would balance studies and sport.”

Watching other rowers in action has inspired many, like Palak Agarwal, a student of Vidya Shilp Academy. Ditto with G Annapurna, 17, who took up the sport a year ago and is participating in the Challenger Sprint category. The second-year PU student from Narayana College swapped the athletics track with the water sport after watching her brother Tarun, 14, in action.

“I was an athlete for nine years and participated regularly in high jump. But I wasn’t tall enough to take my passion forward. I often watched my brother at practice and that’s when I thought I should also try. Once in the water, I was hooked to the sport. Since I was an athlete, the strenuous routine wasn’t difficult to embrace.”

From an individual sport to participating in team events like double scull or coxed fours, Annapurna says adjustment and understanding of the teammates is the key.

“Initially, it was difficult for me. But it’s a great way to build team spirit because you learn to sync with teammates both physically and mentally. The race plan tells us the course of our action in water. Since we’ve little time to communicate during the race, we depend on the rapport we share.”

Many parents feel the state association must proactively promote the sport.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / by Manuja Veerappa, TNN / June 13th, 2015

MAN AND MACHINE – Fiat 1100 charms the millennials too

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports
A still from Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, a film woven around the love for the Premier Padmini. The film had a young director and story-screenplay writer in S.U. Arun Kumar
A still from Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, a film woven around the love for the Premier Padmini. The film had a young director and story-screenplay writer in S.U. Arun Kumar

‘Fiat 1100 Club Bangalore’, has used Facebook to create a wider network of the car’s owners.

“Do not speak ill of the dead” is an often-repeated exhortation. And it is one that usually goes unheeded. But when it comes to automobiles that have gone out of production or ‘departed’, we follow it to the letter, all the time.

Even when the negative features are brought up, they only serve to further glorify the ‘departed’ automobile.

Sujith Thomas, a car enthusiast and an automobile engineer, ‘treasures’ memories of his family’s Premier Padmini stalling in rush-hour traffic, and them pushing the vehicle away from the chaotic blares of horns. There are also vivid and happy recollections of rainy days, when a loose distributor cap would allow water to seep in and cut off the electricity supply to the spark plugs. The Padmini has helped Sujith realise that the world is not as uncertain a place as it is painted to be; there are certain things one can count on. “The Premier Padmini’s radiator hose could be counted on to blow out anytime,” says Sujith.

Sujith will continue to add to these memories, because he is keeping a 1978 Premier Padmini 1100 Deluxe BE on ‘life support’, by connecting with other Fiat 1100 enthusiasts and scouring the scrap yards for spares.

In 2009, he joined three other Fiat 1100 enthusiasts – Arun Srinivasan, Karthik Makam and Karthik M.B. – to form the ‘Fiat 1100 Club Bangalore’, which has used Facebook to create a wider network of the car’s owners.

The club has over 200 members, with the majority coming from Bangalore, and some even from European countries. Sujith has learnt from them that sourcing spares for Fiat 1100 cars in Europe is more difficult than in India. The success of the initiative, according to Sujith, is the exchange of information on availability of spares.

What I find most impressive about the club is that it is helmed by millennials. When the club was formed six years ago, its founders were in their twenties. Sujith is 27 now and the other three are in their early 30s. The majority of the club members are in their fifties and sixties.

It augurs well for the Fiat 1100. It is a crucial time for the car. Unless youngsters carry the baton and pass it on to the following generation, the Fiat 1100 may not have a great future as an antique car.

Sujith, however, does not see anything unusual about youngsters being drawn to the car. He believes it could appeal to any car enthusiast, irrespective of age. “It has more pluses than minuses. The best quality about the Fiat 1100 is its simplicity — due to its simple design, it can be easily repaired by any mechanic. Even the owner, without a profound knowledge about how automobiles work, can understand its mechanism and, if he applies his mind to it, carry out a few repairs on the car himself,” says Sujith.

I am impelled to believe the millennials have done for the Fiat 1100 more than we credit them for.

The greatest tribute to the car has come from a young film director, S.U. Arun Kumar. He was the story and screenplay writer and director of Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, an engaging film woven around the love for this car.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Prince Frederick / June 10th, 2015

University SportsPersons Alumni Association inaugrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
University of Mysore Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj is inaugurating the Alumni Association of University of Mysore Sports Persons at a function held at Maharaja College Grounds yesterday. Also seen are (from left) SAI Volleyball Coach Dr. N.B. Suresh, University College of Physical Education Prof. Thirumalai Gopalan, Department of Physical Education Director Dr. C Krishna, Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice President P.M. Somashekar and former University of Mysore athlete and triple jump record holder M.A. Cariappa. Picture right shows former University of Mysore athlete M.A. Cariappa being felicitated by the Department of Physical Education during the inauguration of alumni association of sports persons yesterday. Mysuru, June 8- The University of Mysore Sports persons Alumni Association
University of Mysore Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj is inaugurating the Alumni Association of University of Mysore Sports Persons at a function held at Maharaja College Grounds yesterday. Also seen are (from left) SAI Volleyball Coach Dr. N.B. Suresh, University College of Physical Education Prof. Thirumalai Gopalan, Department of Physical Education Director Dr. C Krishna, Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice President P.M. Somashekar and former University of Mysore athlete and triple jump record holder M.A. Cariappa. Picture right shows former University of Mysore athlete M.A. Cariappa being felicitated by the Department of Physical Education during the inauguration of alumni association of sports persons yesterday.
Mysuru, June 8- The University of Mysore Sports persons Alumni Association

Mysuru :

The University of Mysore Sports persons Alumni Association, formed with sports persons who have represented University of Mysore in various sports activities, was inaugurated at a function held at Maharaja’s College Grounds in city yesterday.

The Association was inaugurated by University of Mysore Registrar Prof.C. Basavaraj by lighting the camp.

Around 600 athletes who had represented University of Mysore were present during the inauguration.

Speaking on the occasion, Department of Physical Education Director Dr.C. Krishna said that the alumni association was a step in the right direction and it was the first of its kind in the country.

He hoped that sports persons from different disciplines who had represented the University of Mysore became the members of the alumni association and interact with each other with an objective to improve sports and infrastructure at the University.

He also added that the Vice Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa has supported the idea of forming the alumni association at the time when the varsity was preparing for centenary celebrations.

Dr. Krishna also said that University would be conducting South Zone Inter University Women’s Hockey Tournament in November 2015 and All India Inter University Men & Women’s Wrestling Championship in January, 2016 which have been allotted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Speaking on the occasion Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj said that forming an alumni for the sports persons was a good initiative to bring together the sports fraternity and also to work together for the upliftment of sports activities at the University.

Lauding Dr. Krishna’s efforts in convening a meeting for the same, Prof. C. Basavaraj praised Dr. Krishna’s efforts and vision for promoting sports activities.

On the occasion the Department of Physical Education, University of Mysore honoured M.A. Cariappa, former Mysuru University athlete, whose Triple Jump record of 49 feet 11.5 inches created in the year 1963-64 while studying in Yuvaraja’s College, Mysuru, remains unbroken even today, with a memento and a cash award of Rs. 25,000. The cash award was given by Mysore District Athletic Association Hon. Secretary Srikanth and Mysore Athletic Club Hon. Secretary M. Yogendra.

Speaking on the occasion, M. A. Cariappa thanked Dr. Krishna for remembering yesteryear sportspersons and honoring him during the function.

Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice President P.M. Somashekar. On the occasion, Tennis Coach M.J. Charan, former University of Mysore tennis player) was chosen as the Hon. Secretary of the association.

Department of Physical Educaiton Deputy Director Dr. Krishnaiah, University College of Physical Education (UCPE) Professor Thirumalai Gopalan, SAI Volley Ball Coach Dr. N.B. Suresh and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Monday – June 08th, 2015

State ranking TT tournament

Sports

Anirban Roy, Swetha bag titles

Mysuru :

Anirban Roy Choudhary (SWR) and Swetha Kumaravel (AGORC) clinched the men’s and women’s singles titles on the concluding day of the Karnataka State Ranking Table Tennis Championship conducted jointly by Karnataka Sports Foundation, Mysuru District Table Tennis Association (MDTTA) and Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) at the Chamundi Vihar Indoor Stadium yesterday.

M.V. Spoorthy completed a fine double (she had won the junior girls singles title on Saturday) by clinching the Youth Girls singles title too.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Monday – June 08th, 2015

Girl headed for World Games has her money worries eased

Sports

Hubballi :

Priyanka Kalagi, an alumnus of Karnataka University, Dharwad, has been selected for the World University Games (WUG)-2015 to be held in Gwangju, South Korea, from July 3 to 14. The 22-year-old, who is pursuing PGDCA at Alva’s College in Moodbidri, Dakshina Kannada district, is the only student from Karnataka to be part of Indian Universities Team of Athletics (men and women).

In the final trials held at Punjabi University, Patiala, on May 27 and 28, Priyanka ran 100 metres in 11.56 seconds. She won the silver medal in the 200 metres trials. Every day, she trains two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening.

Hailing from Gadag, Priyanka pursued her high school and degree while living in the Sports Authority of India’s hostel in Dharwad. After doing her BA, she got a free seat at Alva’s College to pursue PGDCA.

Speaking to STOI, Priyanka wondered how she would raise the Rs 1.90 lakh needed to participate in WUG. “However, authorities at my college have promised to make arrangements,” she added.

There’s good news from another quarter too. The Alva Education Foundation has come forward to send Priyanka to South Korea.

Her coach at the college, Shantaram Rai DV, said Mangalore University has promised to bear some of the cost. “Our chairman M Mohan Alva has instructed us to take care of expenses of Priyanka. We will bear 100% cost and later get some percentage reimbursed by the university.”

Her father Shivayogi Kalagi, who is a weighing machines repairer in Gadag, said he earns about Rs 15,000 a month. “My son Pratik works in a company in Bengaluru and earns Rs 13,000 a month. We cannot expect more from him. Because of our financial constraints, Priyanka lived in the SAI hostel. She never got discouraged by our condition.”

Venkatesh Kattimani, president of the Gadag District Athletic Association, said Priyanka is a serious sportsperson. “Her dedication towards sports will design a bright career for her.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hubballi / by Sangamesh Menasinakai, TNN / June 07th, 2015

Bengaluru to become hockey hub

Sports

HockeyBF12jun2015

After a prolonged delay, the Sports Authority of India, South Centre, here will finally get two hockey pitches play-ready by September end with plans of converting the facility into a major training centre for the men’s team.

A green pitch, costing Rs 5.71 crore, will be ready by the end of this month, while a blue pitch — same as the one that will be used at the Rio Olympics next year — will be completed by the end of September.

Apart from laying of the state-of-the-art blue pitch, SAI will also construct change rooms, install 600 lux floodlights and provide space for two video towers. This project is estimated to cost Rs 8.6 crore.

“This is the beginning,” said Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal after laying the foundation stone for the project on Thursday. “We have many schemes to be implemented. This blue turf will be the same turf that will be used at the Rio Olympics. This has been done to make our players feel comfortable and familiar with the surface.
“Once this has been done, our intention is to keep the players here so that they can prepare well. Bengaluru is a good place to train all year round, thanks to the weather. I’ve heard the players like it here as well.”

It may be recalled that one of the major demands of former coach Michael Nobbs and current High Performance Director Roelant Oltmans was to make Bengaluru as a permanent training centre. While they trained largely here from mid-2010 despite the pitch being below par, they moved to facilities across the country around two years ago after plenty of players suffered injuries during training.

With both the pitches set to be ready by September end, this should come as good news for the hockey players and staff. Meanwhile, plenty of elite Karnataka athletes — past and present — and administrators attended the afternoon function. Badminton legend Prakash Padukone, former National badminton coach Vimal Kumar, long-jumper Anju Bobby George, former hockey player Ashish Ballal, paralympian HN Girisha, current high jump national record holder Sahana Kumari, heptathlete Pramila Aiyappa and India hockey defender VR Raghunath were some of the few in attendance.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / Bengaluru , DHNS / June 12th, 2015

Damini dazzles as BAC dominate

Records, All, Sports

Basavanagudi Aquatic Centre swimmers set the pool ablaze, creating five new meet records on the third and penultimate day of the State Junior and Sub-junior Swimming Championship here on Wednesday.

Damini K Gowda clinched the Group I, 50M butterfly gold in a record time of 29.89. The BAC swimmer erased the previous meet record set by Arhatha Magavi (30.17), four years ago. Damini added one more gold to her tally by winning the 200M backstroke (2:30.67) and in the process surpassing Nisha Millet’s State record of 2:32.49, set in 1999.

Dolphin Aquatics’ Sanjay CJ put up an impressive show and powered to gold in the boys’ Group II, 100M freestyle. Sanjay clocked 55.22 seconds for a new record. Sanjay bettered Aniketh D’Souza’s (JSC) timing of 58.20.

Malavika V also kept her fine form going, bagging her third yellow metal of the meet. The 17-year old from BAC won the Group I 100M freestyle (1:00.22) and went past Nisha Millet’s meet record of 1:00.37 set in 1999.

Results: Group I: Boys: 400M freestyle: Avinash M (BAC) 4:14.75, 1; Mohammed Yaqoob Saleem (DA) 4:16.90, 2; Rahul M (BAC) 4:23.24, 3. 100M freestyle: Mohammed Yaqoob Saleem (DA) 56.34, 1; Vishwesh C Dudham (BAC) 56.82, 2; Rahul M (BAC) 57.13, 3. 200M backstroke: Joseph Padavath (BAC) 2:23.30, 1; Hemanth Jenukal V B (GSC) 2:23.70, 2; Nishanth Kumar (GSC) 2:28.25, 3. 50M breaststroke: Vaishnav Hegde (DA) 30.70 (NMR; OMR: Likith SP 31.22 (BAC) 2013), 1; Pruthvik D S (BAC) 33.00, 2; Rakshith R (GSC) 34.57, 3.50M butterfly: Avinash M (BAC) 26.82 (NMR; OMR: Rahul Batra 26.94 BAC, 2001), 1; Vishwesh C Dudham (BAC) 27.26, 2; Suhas P M (Aims) 29.06, 3.4x200M freestyle: BAC ‘A’ (BAC) 8:44.87, 1; BAC ‘B’ (BAC) 8:53.79, 2; GSC 1 (GSC) 9:14.79, 3.

Group II: 400M freestyle: Sanjay C J (DA) 4:27.21, 1; P Kushal (DA) 4:40.23, 2; Mihir Ahuja (DA) 4:51.80, 3. 100M freestyle: Sanjay C J (DA) 55.22 (Aniketh D’ Souza 58.20 JSC 2002), 1; Siddharth Rai (BAC) 1:01.61, 2; Vinod R (BAC) 1:03.70, 3. 200M backstroke: N Sri Hari (GSC) 2:20.62 (NMR; OMR: S Siva 2:21.15 (BAC) 2014), 1; Bhavesh R (DA) 2:36.93, 2; Mihir Ahuja (DA) 2:43.18, 3.50M breaststroke: Manohar M Prabhu (MAC) 33.61, 1; P Kushal (DA) 35.45, 2; Naveen Kumar T (BAC) 36.22, 3. 50M butterfly: Vaishnav V Rao (BAC) 30.69, 1; Anirudh J (BAC) 30.77, 2; Uday M L (PETAC) 31.44, 3. Group III: 50M freestyle:Prasidha Krishna P A (GSC) 28.57, 1; S Hiten Mittal (BAC) 29.05, 2; Abhay Kumar (SL) 29.16, 3. 100M backstroke: Shivansh Singh (BAC) 1:14.07, 1; R Vaibhav Shet (GSC) 1:17.66, 2; Deep Gilda (PMSC) 1:18.37, 3. 50M butterfly: Prasidha Krishna P A (GSC) 29.40, 1; S Hiten Mittal (BAC) 30.07, 2; Raj Vinayak Relakar (PMSC) 30.57, 3.

Group IV: 50M breaststroke: Shoan Ganguly (DA) 42.14, 1; Utkarsh S Patil (PMSC) 42.90, 2; R Akshaya Shet (GSC) 43.17, 3.

Girls: Group I: 100M freestyle: Malavika V (BAC) 1:00.22 (NMR; OMR: Nisha Millet 1:00.37, BAC, 1999), 1; Damini K Gowda (BAC) 1:00.90, 2; Deeksha Ramesh (GSC) 1:04.23, 3. 400M freestyle: Malavika V (BAC) 4:34.23, 1; Nikitha SV (BAC) 4:51.02, 2; Rhia Singh (BAC) 4:52.04, 3. 50M breaststroke: Charu Hamsini (BAC) 35.70 (NMR; OMR: Divya Guruswamy 36.45 GSC, 2011), 1; Riddhi S Bohra (PMSC) 37.02, 2; Deeksha Ramesh (GSC) 37.65, 3. 200M backstroke:Damini K Gowda (BAC) 2:30.67 (NMR; OMR: Nisha Millet, 2:32.49 BAC, 1999), 1; K Harishree J Rai (GSC) 2:36.71, 2; Jhanati Rajesh (BAC) 2:41.05, 3. 4x200M freestyle relay: BAC A (9:37.04), 1; BAC B (9:37.59), 2; GSC 1 (10:54.41), 3. 50M butterfly: Damini K Gowda (BAC) 29.89 (Arhatha Magavi 30.17. DOL, 2011), 1; Charu Hamsini DA (BAC) 31.38, 2; Chandana (VSC) 31.70, 3.

Group II: 100M freestyle: Harshitha (BAC) 1:05.87, 1; Saloni Dalal (PMSC) 1:08.55, 2; Harshitha Jayaram (GSC) 1:08.74, 3. 400M freestyle: Nandini SS (BAC) 4:57.65, 1; Harshitha J (BAC) 5:04.64, 2; Abhigna Anand (BAC) 5:10.68, 3.200M backstroke: Vibha Aparna Bhovnsle (BAC) 2:46.40, 1; Sushma S Bharadwaj (ASC) 2:53.30, 2; Hita Juneja (BAC) 2:58.43, 3 50M breaststroke:Saloni Dalal (PMSC) 37.13 (NMR; OMR: Charu Hamsini DA 37.51, BAC 2011), 1; Harshitha Jayaram (GSC) 37.71, 2; Pratiksha Patel (DA) 40.53, 3. 50M butterfly:Mayuri Lingaraj (BAC) 31.67, 1; Thanuja S (BAC) 31.69, 2; Sunaina Manjunath (BAC) 32.40, 3.

Group III: 50M freestyle: Smruthi Mahalingam (BAC) 30.44, 1; Khushi Dinesh (BAC) 30.58, 2; Riddhi Juyal (PMSC) 31.00, 3. 100M backstroke: Suvana C Baskar (DA) 1:14.82, 1; Kshithija K (BAC) 1:18.82, 2; Vaishnavi P (BAC) 1:20.22, 3.

50M butterfly: Smruthi Mahalingam (BAC) 32.92, 1; Poojitha G Murthy (BAC) 33.11, 2; Suvana C Baskar (DA) 33.59, 3.

Group IV: 50M breaststroke: A Jedidah (DA) 44.34, 1; Latiesha Mandanna (Young Challengers) 46.11, 2; Keerthi B (PMSC) 46.64, 3.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports / DHNS – Bengaluru , June 11th, 2015

When Betty came home…

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BettyBF02jun2015

As a school-going boy, he saw the Mysuru Maharani’s Daimler pick his grandmother up from his house. Fascinated by the Daimler, the young boy came running out and sat on the compound wall staring at this royal beauty.

He had made up his mind. He was firm on owning this royal machine one day. Now a retired businessman, Ramanna is the enthusiastic owner of a 1951 Daimler Consort, which he has named — Betty.

“It is a Daimler passion rather than a vintage passion,” says Ramanna proudly. Recalling his school days, he says, “When I used to sit on the wall watching the Daimler, the driver of the car came up to me one day and said, ‘Boy…you will become a driver like me if you sit here and watch. Go inside and study,’ and these words thrilled me and I decided that I will own a Daimler one day, instead of sitting in my grandfather’s Austin 7.”

The original Daimler company closed down but Ramanna’s dream was still alive. Years passed, and one day, in 1998, his brother rang up saying, “There is a Daimler for sale, are you interested?” Without wasting a second, Ramanna said yes and there was his dream. “The car was in pieces. There was no wiring, no headlights. But she was a Daimler,” he says. She lay in their house in pieces for four years and the mission of fixing her began after Ramanna’s retirement.

“There were hardly any mechanics who were ready to come and she would not go out of this house. Finally, I got my father’s mechanic, Murthy. He was old and we used to work from morning to noon and take a break,” he explains.

The slow process kickstarted again when Ramanna’s daughter went to London Business School. “I did not know the technicalities of the car. As my daughter was in London, I could get in touch with ‘Daimler and Lanchester Club’ and many other Daimler owners,”  he informs.

He wrote about his Daimler dream in the Club’s journal and it is then that he met a British guy who owned three Daimlers. He let Ramanna rip the parts of one of his spare Daimlers and Ramanna says, “He asked me to take all the parts I needed and I sat for four hours removing just four bolts! The British guy then came with a hammer and ripped all the parts and gave it to me,” he reminisces.

The parts were transported to India and he recalls, “My wife Mridula safely trolleyed the parts and no one questioned her at the customs.”

Ramanna’s Betty has undergone various stages of restoration and each part of hers has a story to tell. While Betty’s upholstery was done by a local sofa repairer riding a bicycle, her wiring was done by a mechanic who was a Dubai return.

“I had to pick up this Dubai returned mechanic in my Mercedes car. But later he did not finish the work and I completed it referring to the book given to me by the Daimler Club,” he says. The book was given to him as an appreciation for his passion by one of the British guys.
His strong passion for Daimler has also taken him to Gujarat as he says, “One
of the Daimler club members wrote to me to get the measurements of Maharaja’s Daimler in Gujarat, as he had the same model. I went till Gujarat and took the measurements and sent it to Britain. I did this, also because, I would get a ride in my dream car,” he explains.

Betty has rewarded Ramanna with a lot of new friends in the City and abroad. She has also let them be part of many vintage rallies including the ones in London.

Betty is taken out on Saturdays and Sundays on Sankey Tank Road or Cubbon Park. “We have three cars. One is Betty. The Mercedes we have is Veronica and the Esteem is Lucy. Veronica comes out for clubs and dinners and Lucy for all the regular work,” he says lovingly.

“Our children are abroad and now these three are our daughters,” the couple say. Ramanna adds that it has been a great journey with the Daimler and concludes, “Daimler was a dream and now it has become a reality after Betty came home.”

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Prajna GR, DHNS / June 02nd, 2015