Recognition: The award winners with Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro Ltd. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
They include a team each from a Belagavi school and a Bengaluru college
Fourteen schools and 10 colleges from various parts of the country have bagged the ‘Wipro Earthian Awards 2018’. The awards were presented to the winners by Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro Ltd., on Saturday in recognition of their sustainable thinking. Government High School, Sambra, Belagavi district, and BMS College of Engineering, Bengaluru, are the winners from the State.
A press release states that 1,300 entries were received for the 2018 edition of Wipro Earthian programme.
“The teams from schools demonstrated their understanding of biodiversity and water through a combination of activity and essays. The teams from colleges submitted their entries on the themes of water, waste, and transportation in the urban context,” states the press release.
The entries have increased threefold since the inception of award in 2011. “The programme so far has engaged with over 55,000 schools and colleges, 1.3 lakh students and 13,000 teachers across the country. The winning institutes will get an opportunity to engage with Wipro collaborative programmes on sustainability. Anurag Behar, chief sustainability officer, Wipro, said, “The eighth edition of the award involved an outreach to schools and colleges in 29 States and two Union Territories, including those in remote locations such as Ladakh, Dras, Kargil, Sunderbans and the Nicobar Islands for the first time.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – February 10th, 2019
A company delivers 10 to 12 day old plants that are rich in nutrients and anti-oxidants
Akash K. Sajith was theVice President of Customer Experience and Analytics at a firm when his life changed a couple of years ago, after both his parents became very ill.
This resulted in Akash starting to think about the nutrition value of the food we consume and the manner in which it is prepared. “I realised that good food is vital for good health. Real food is about trust and transparency. It is about ensuring quality and traceability at every step. We set up Living Food Company to provide the food we can trust and to meet a need to take control of our food production systems.”
Microgreen dreams
With his co-founders, Niranjan and Shikha, Akash decided to grow micro-greens, 10 to12-day old plants that are extremely rich in nutrients, antioxidants, essential vitamins and minerals. The Living Food Company grows and delivers the produce to households across the city and sells it to hotels such as the Hilton, Shangri-La and top chefs in the city.
Akash says, “We focus on growing highly nutritious micro-greens such as kale, broccoli, mizuna (Japanese mustard), pink radish, red chard and 15 other varieties. They are a rich source of vitamin A, B, C, E, proteins, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, magnesium and folic acid. These essential nutrients are often neglected in our diets and the living greens help correct these nutritional imbalances. We aim at making these nutrient-rich foods affordable and accessible for the average urban Indian consumer and democratise access to super-foods.”
Describing the greens, Akash says, They are usually about one to three inches long and come in a rainbow of colours, which has made them popular in recent years as garnishes with chefs. We have climate-controlled hydroponics and aeroponics farmsdesigned to eliminate soil contamination, enhance nutrition and preserve taste and flavour, making us one of the first climate-smart and sustainable farms in the country.”
There are daily and monthly subscription packs. “We deliver across the city. Koramangala, Whitefield and Indiranagar are areas where we have a good subscriber base. I am sure this will become more popular in the time to come.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Life & Style / by Nikhil Varma / February 01st, 2019
Gaganyaan is the “highest priority” for ISRO in 2019, according to the space agency, and the plan is to have the first unmanned mission in December 2020 and second for July 2021.
ISRO Chairman K Sivan addressing press conference at ISRO Head office, in Bengaluru on January 11, 2019. (File |EPS)
Bengaluru :
Gearing up for its maiden manned space mission ‘Gaganyaan’, ISRO unveiled its Human Space Flight Centre here Wednesday.
The space agency is gearing up for the human spaceflight programme by 2021-end that is likely to include a woman astronaut.
Gaganyaan is the “highest priority” for ISRO in 2019, according to the space agency, and the plan is to have the first unmanned mission in December 2020 and second for July 2021.
Once this is completed, the manned mission will happen in December 2021. K Kasturirangan, former ISRO Chairman, in the presence of K Sivan, ISRO Chairman and Secretary, Department of Space, inaugurated the Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) Wednesday at ISRO Headquarter campus in Bengaluru, the space agency said on its website.
Directors of other ISRO Centres, former Chairman and other dignitaries were also present, it said, adding that a full scale model of Gaganyaans crew module was also unveiled during the event.
HSFC shall be responsible for implementation of Gaganyaan project which involves end-to-end mission planning, development of engineering systems for crew survival in space, crew selection and training and also pursue activities for sustained human space flight missions, ISRO said.
It will take the support of existing ISRO centres to implement the first development flight of Gaganyaan under the human spaceflight programme.
S Unnikrishnan Nair is the founder director of HSFC, while R Hutton is the project director of Gaganyaan.
The Union Cabinet gave its nod for the Rs 9,023 crore programme recently.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Nation / by PTI / January 30th, 2019
A small jaggery unit assures growers a hassle-free harvest and timely payment
While sugarcane farmers are still bogged down by settlement of dues from cane factories, growers in around 10 villages around Rajapur in Chittapur taluk of Kalaburagi district have found alternative avenues to sell their produce. Skirting the factories, they are now going to a local jaggery unit which promises a hassle-free harvest and timely payment.
Sudhakar V. Patil, once a sugarcane farmer himself, set up a jaggery unit in Rajapur investing ₹25 lakh in 2017. The unit can crush 30 tonnes of cane a day. Last year, the unit crushed around 2,000 tonnes and is expected to get more business this season. Farm scientists believe that replicating such experiments could go a long way in solving the cane crisis.
Till last year, the cane growers of these villages were having a tough time. There was no sugar factory within a 100-km radius and mills would take their produce only by the end of the season. Many complained that they had to bribe factory agents to get their crop harvested and transported early. Then, there was inordinate delay in payment. The situation was so bad that some farmers chose to set their fields ablaze than wait endlessly for factories to take the crop.
“I purchase cane from the farmers paying ₹100 less per tonne than what the sugar factories pay. Yet, farmers prefer to sell their crop to me as I am prompt in paying them. I clear the dues within 40 days. Sometimes, I pay in advance as well,” Mr. Patil said.
Raju Teggelli and Vasudev Naik, farm scientists attached to KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra), view it as an “effective model” to address the cane crisis.
They are open to offering guidance to those who come forward with similar initiatives. They have opened a small retail outlet on KVK premises in Kalaburagi for selling the jaggery produced in Mr. Patil’s unit.
“Large problems can have local solutions. People with relatively better financial stability should come forward to establish small agro-processing units in rural areas. Such initiatives help both farmers and local entrepreneurs. It can generate job opportunities too,” said Mr. Teggelli.
Mr. Patil employs 25 persons at his unit of which 15 are skilled jaggery makers from Uttar Pradesh; the rest are locals. Jaggery makers are paid at ₹230 per each quintal of jaggery they produce. They together make around 20 quintals of jaggery a day.
Mr. Patil believes in minimising middlemen in the marketing chain. Nearly two-thirds of jaggery produced in the unit is sold directly to retailers and the rest to wholesalers.
He has also formed some teams to sell the product directly to consumers in the nearby villages. He now plans to create his own brand and make jaggery-based products soon.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Kumar Buradikatti / Kalaburagi – January 25th, 2019
An aerial view of Vijaya Vittala temple complex on banks of the Tungabhadra River in Hampi; the famous stone chariot | Express
Ballari :
Hampi has emerged at the second spot in the list of ‘52 places to go in 2019’ published by The New York Times. The UNESCO World Heritage Site figures behind Puerto Rico, which has grabbed the top place for its amazing recovery from Hurricane Maria to rebound as a tourist destination.
The report recommends Hampi as a favoured place, and talks about its archeological monuments, scenic vistas against the Tungabhadra river, and geological rock formations. “At the heights of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 16th century, Hampi thrived as one of the largest and richest cities in the world. Its architectural legacy lives on in the Southwestern State of Karnataka with over 1,000 well-preserved monuments, including Hindu temples, forts and palaces,” the report says. The description also mentions the difficulty in reaching there, while pointing out the recent air connectivity provided to Ballari from Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Tourists can take up rock climbing and river jaunts in basket boats (coracle), the feature says, while suggesting a few places to stay.
Hampi is the only destination not just from India, but entire South Asia, in the list.While the report brought happiness to experts, they also said that more needs to be done. “Let monuments be protected and showcased in a better manner. It is important for tourism,” Professor C S Vasudevan from Department of Ancient History and Archeology, Kannada University, Hampi, said.
Mallika Ghanti, Vice Chancellor, Kannada University, said that history of the Vijayanagara Empire is popular, and still has many hidden things. “If a proper excavation is done, it will bring out many more surprises pertaining to the lost history, best architectures and sculptures,” she said, adding that development of only Hampi is not enough, since villages around it should also see progress. “There should not be any eviction in the name of development of the world heritage site; it should be a package development,” she said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Subhash Chandra N S / Express News Service / January 11th, 2019
If you meet the general manager of the radiology department at Columbia Asia Hospital, it’s hard to imagine that Anto Ramesh Selvi D started out as a daily wage labourer.
Anto Ramesh Selvi D completed the radiography course in 1994
Bengaluru :
If you meet the general manager of the radiology department at Columbia Asia Hospital, it’s hard to imagine that Anto Ramesh Selvi D started out as a daily wage labourer. Hailing from Ranipet, Tamil Nadu, he lost his father to a heart attack when he was 10 years old. “My mother was a nursing assistant at a hospital. She raised my younger sister and me with great difficulty. I wasn’t a great student. I dropped out of my college when I was in the third year of my BSc,” recalls the 50-year-old.
He couldn’t find a clerical job due to his low academic score and started working as a daily wage worker at an electronics repair shops and at construction sites. This went on from 1989 to 1992. Later, with help from his uncle, he came to Bengaluru with his friend to write an examination at the CSI Hospital, for an admission in a radiography course.
He says, “I didn’t get through. Since it was a mission hospital, my uncle requested people to give me the job since my mother was the sole earner in the family.” His uncle’s request bore fruit and Selvi joined the 1992 batch. This period was full of doubts as he wasn’t sure if he could survive staying in a hostel and manage expenses. Luck, however, was on his side and he passed out as ‘the best outgoing student’.
Despite completing the course in 1994, he wasn’t able to find a job. He took up a part-time job at Jain Hospital for a salary of `300 a month. During his time there, he continued to apply for different jobs until he finally got the job of a technician at Jindal Charitable Hospital. He worked there with an earning of `1,000 a month, before he resigned to pursue further studies in CT/MRI, through a six-month course in Salem. “When I completed the course, Jindal Hospital called me back and increased my salary to `3,500. They had also provided a 2BHK flat in their quarters,” he says.
In 2000, Selvi married his childhood friend and moved to Bengaluru. During this time, he applied for a position at Columbia Asia Hospital. This was in 2005 but all the vacancies were filled. Selvi was told to try again the next year. The following year, he eventually got selected, and now earned a salary of `12,000 a month.
While he was confident about his technical knowledge, Selvi faltered in his computer and communication skills. Over time, he widened his computer, management and also communication skills. “The hospital helped a lot too. They would go through my draft e-mails before I sent them,” he says. Interestingly enough, though Selvi struggled with academics in school, he now holds degrees in BSc (Physics), DTT, MRIT and MBA.
He also ran a hospital in Doddaballapura, Bengaluru rural, from 2011 to 2013 where he was in charge of all aspects of operations and management. However, Columbia Asia asked Selvi to return as the general manager of the radiology department. It has now been five years since he took over as the general manager of the department for all branches of the hospital in India. “My biggest takeaways are to keep trying and the importance of giving people a chance,” he says.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Akhila Damodaran / Express News Service / January 07th, 2019
The man who knew nothing but tailoring was clueless about how to make a living.
Sridhar Jayaram’s mobile tailoring facility now serves up to 400 commuters, helping him earn `1,000 a day Pushkar V
Bengaluru :
While many would shut shop when all the money poured into running a business fails, this 46-year-old determined tailor in namma ooru refused to give up and found a unique way to continue his business. He mounted his 30-year-old tailoring machine onto a two-wheeler and started his ‘tailor on wheel’ services.
Sridhar Jayaram, the ‘mobile tailor’, is a resident of Kammanahalli and has customers ranging from senior corporator Padmnabhareddy of Kachakarahalli to actor Manju Bharghavi and hundreds of IT professionals. “I set up a tailoring unit in Kammanahalli area in 1993. I did well till 2003, but then I found that customers would give their dresses for stitching but never come back to collect it. I faced severe losses and had to shut shop 15 years before,” he said.
The man who knew nothing but tailoring was clueless about how to make a living. His elder brother, Srinivas, who is a driver now, told him that he should “go mobile.” Jayaram then purchased a tricycle and set up all the tailoring equipment on it. He would pedal through the roads in East Bengaluru seeking customers. “Slowly, my business grew. I started gaining customers’ confidence,” he explained.
However, Jayaram realised that it was not enough to make ends meet, and also sensed that ‘mobile tailoring’ had a market which could be tapped. He then decided to buy a two-wheeler and with the help of some of his friends who worked in welding shops, mounted the machine onto a moped. Now, with a workstation on his moped and two mobile handsets, a big display board with his number Jayaram treads the entire city.
“My customer list now has gone upto 400. I commute all the way to Marathahalli and I have customers in Yamalur too,” Jayaram said.Richmond Circle, Hebbal, Shivajinagar, Davis Road, Coxtown, Hutchins Road, Cox Town, HRBR Layout, Koramangala are his favourite areas as he has regular customers there. He gets minimum of 15 to 20 calls every day from some of his regular customers, however, he is able to attend to only five of them. He earns about `1,000 per day.
The tailor is also much in demand by a famous set up, ‘Repair Cafe’, works with them every alternate month. He wants to set up a small tailoring unit for his son but doesn’t want to give up the ‘tailoring on wheels’ service. “I need about `35,000 to set up the same on to a new vehicle. Although I have seen the vehicle and planned the set up, I need money to make the switch. I am hoping that I manage to get some money from anyone who could help,” said Sridhar, who has two girls studying in high school and a son who works as an office boy in a company.
services at a glance
● Charges `60 to alter jeans, trousers, etc
● Full length alteration is `120
● His visiting card says:
ALTERATION TAILOR @ DOOR 2DOOR SERVICE 9980228270
● He does stitch new clothes, takes one week to deliver the outfit
● Alteration time taken is 30 minutes to one hour
● Doesn’t stop his business even during rains, has a sheet ready to set up a tent-like structure
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Chetana Belagere / Express News Service / January 07th, 2019
The new cabs, with women drivers in pink uniforms, are aimed at strengthening the safety of women passengers.
Women stepping out of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) can now rely on cabs meant exclusively for them.
Launched here on Monday by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), the new cabs — with women drivers in pink uniforms — are aimed at strengthening the safety and security of women passengers.
A release said the drivers will be fluent in multiple languages, well-versed with local areas, and trained in self-defence. The cabs will be equipped with safety features such as GPRS tracking and an SOS switch.
The initiative has been launched on an experimental basis, the release said.
“This concept has been implemented with the objective of providing a safe and secure mode of transport for women travellers from the airport, while simultaneously creating opportunities for women drivers to be self-employed and empowered,” said Kumar Pushkar, managing director, KSTDC.
Hari Marar, managing director and CEO, BIAL, said: “At the airport, safety and security of women passengers is of prime concern. This is another step in our endeavour towards ensuring 100% safety.”
The service will be operational round the clock and has been priced at ₹21.50/km during the day (6 a.m. to 11.59 p.m.) and ₹23.50/km at night (midnight to 6 a.m.).
Fog causes delay
Meanwhile, fog continued to wreak havoc on flight schedules at the KIA, with departure delays for 41 flights and arrival delay for one flight. One Indigo flight from New Delhi was diverted to Hyderabad.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – January 08th, 2019
Mysuru Karnataka: 23-12-2018: Mysuru Winter Festival Logo | Photo Credit: M_A_SRIRAM
Over 60 farmers and women’s groups likely to set up stalls
The Krishnaraja boulevard in front of the Law Court complex here will be converted into an organic farm produce mela between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on December 30 as part of the ongoing Mysuru Winter Festival.
An estimated 60 to 80 organic farmers and women’s groups are expected to set up stalls on one side of the boulevard, starting from Mahatma Gandhi’s bust in front of Law Court complex till the Crawford Hall premises.
Deputy Director of Agriculture, Mysuru, Somashekar told The Hindu that organic farm produce and value-added millet products will be available at the mela.
Ramesh, president of the Federation of Mysuru, Mandya and Chamarajanagar Regional Organic Farmers’ Association, said about 35 different organic items, including rice, ragi, jaggery, pulses, spices, dry fruits, besides value-added eatables like chakli and chutney powder, will be made available. Mr. Ramesh said the federation is represented by more than 6,000 organic farmers from the three districts, besides scores of women’s self-help groups that deal in value addition of the organic produce.
Chitra Santhe
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Krishnaraja boulevard, a Chitra Santhe or exhibition-cum-sale of artefacts will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Mysuru district administration has cancelled the Open Street festival during the ensuing Winter Festival in the backdrop of complaints of alleged harassment and molestation of women during the event held at Krishnaraja boulevard during Dasara earlier this year.
In view of the complaints, the district administration has not only scrapped the Open Street festival, but has also issued instructions to wind up Chitra Santhe and the mela by 5 p.m.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mysuru – December 24th, 2018
Nandini, the well known milk brand of Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (KMF), has introduced buffalo milk.
File Photo of a buffalo (PTI)
Belgavi :
Nandini, the well-known milk brand of Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (KMF), has introduced buffalo milk. Speaking to reporters, KMF chairman Vivekrao Patil said buffalo milk is considered ‘A2 milk’ that has high content of calcium and vitamin D which help burn calories effectively.
“We have released half litre packs… One litre of buffalo milk will cost Rs 60 for consumers while farmers are being paid Rs 38 per litre including the incentive of Rs 5”, Patil said.
About 60,000 litres buffalo milk is being collected every day from 35,000 farmers in various parts of the district. As much as 35,000-litre milk packed in flexi packets is being supplied to Bangaluru and local markets while the remaining milk is used to make kunda, penda, paneer and other products, he said. “We have also got orders for buffalo milk from Goa, Sangli and Pune”, he added.
There are several private milk organisations which indulge in adulteration and the Deputy Commissioner should take action against them, he urged.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / December 23rd, 2018
