Category Archives: Business & Economy

B’luru lab to co-develop Ebola drug with Public Health England

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
(Representative Image)
(Representative Image)

Bengaluru :

Nine months after two novel compounds or drug candidates for Ebola from the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) were shortlisted among 20 globally by the Public Health England (PHE), one of them has made it to the final three.

And having realised the potential, PHE, which built and commissioned the first bio-safety level (BSL)4 facilities in the world (1976), designed the world’s first Class III safety cabinets, and used them to co-discover and characterise the Ebola virus, has signed a memorandum of understanding with JNCASR to co-develop the drug.

This contribution to the world from Dr Jayanta Haldar and two of his students–Chandra Dhish Ghosh and Mohini Mohan Konai–will be the first serious one from a developing nation.

The two drugs which were shortlisted, codenamed NCK-8 and D-LANA-14, were lead candidates from two classes of peptide mimics (a molecule global researchers have created to fight the virus) with high activity against a range of multi-drug resistant bacteria and malarial parasites, including clinical isolates.

TOI was the first to break the story in its December 20, 2014 edition under the title “Drugs for Ebola likely to have an Indian connection”.

Speaking TOI on Tuesday, Haldar said: “After extensive trials, one of them along with another from PHE proved to be very active in in-vivo (guinea pig) tests, which has prompted PHE to sign the MoU. From here on we will be working together and we hope to bring out a drug soon.”

Haldar while refusing to still disclose the exact materials used in NCK-8 and D-LANA, reiterated that they are made in three steps with easily available and inexpensive starting materials which do not require any difficult conditions for synthesis.

Dr Seshadri Vasan of PHE had said in December that PHE has a track record of scientific innovation and development, and the funding from Wellcome Trust will allow it to utilise our experience and expertise to assist in the fight against Ebola.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home>City> Bengaluru / by Chethan Kumar, TNN / September 08th, 2015

Indian e-mail tech start-up strikes it big

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion
The Strike team which won the regional round of Seedstars World competition.
The Strike team which won the regional round of Seedstars World competition.

Wins Swiss-based Seedstars World regional competition

Strike, a start-up which helps people do research inside their Gmail App, has won the regional round of Seedstars World, a global start-up competition.

Based in Geneva, Switzerland, and founded by Alisee de Tonnac and Pierre-Alain Masson, the competition is supported by the venture builder Seedstars. It promotes, connects and invests up to $1.5 million (Rs 9.9 crore) in start-ups in emerging markets, ranging from Shanghai to Cairo.

The Strike team will now travel to Geneva in March 2016 and win up to $500,000 (Rs. 3.3 crore) in equity investment. It will compete with regional winners from 55 countries as part of the Seedstars World final event in front of top investors and an international jury.

“We have developed a global product in India. Seedstars’ network will help us to target almost every market in the world,” said Aishwarya Jain, 25, chief executive at Strike. “It is rare to find product start-ups getting funded by venture capitalists in India.”

Mr. Jain cofounded Strike last September along with Akshay Katyal, his former colleague at tech company HackerEarth. The start-up has developed a technology that provides insights to users about people while checking mails on mobile. For example, how they look like, where they work, their social profiles and public updates. The start-up aims to provide all the public information about anyone through its app.

Ten start-ups from different parts of the country pitched their ideas to an audience of angel investors and industry experts at the one-day event held in Bengaluru on Saturday.

“Strike, by its unique idea of giving an outlook of personalities of people with one tap on your phone, has won the chance to represent India,” said Mahesh Bhalla, president at gift card tech firm QwikCilver. Mr.Bhalla was one of the jury members at the event.

EventsHigh, a local event discovery platform that brings all the events and things to do in a city, was placed second in the competition. The firm was founded by former WalmartLabs engineers Nikesh Garera, Arvind Batra and Parag Sarda last year. Another start-up, SayPay Technologies, co-founded by Ramsyam Missula was placed third in the competition. The firm enables users to make bill payments and online purchases on their mobile device by using their voice.

Last year, Scandid, a Pune-based shopping technology start-up, won the regional round of Seedstars World. The venture enables shoppers do price comparison by scanning the product barcodes with their mobile phones.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Peerzada Abrar / Bengaluru – September 08th, 2015

She helps washed-up families start over

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Hubballi  :

Suma Jeevannavar isn’t your textbook entrepreneur. From being a restless but diffident homemaker worried about letting her BSc education go to waste to rescuing women in financial distress, the 54-year-old’s journey of self-discovery and social entrepreneurship is, nevertheless, inspirational. In just a few years since the launch of her startup – Elukoti Traders, manufacturer of low-cost detergent powder – Jeevannavar has taken under her wing 30 hard-up women and has been helping them rebuild their lives.

Jeevannavar was moved by the struggles of women from poor families who consulted her husband, a general physician with a modest practice of his own in the city. These served as lessons in self-reliance. She cobbled up an investment of Rs 50,000, bought a mixer and began manufacturing detergent powder at home in 2001. No sooner had she set foot in the world of entrepreneurship than she was stonewalled: She incurred heavy losses as few people were keen on buying an unbranded, homemade detergent powder. Jeevannavar, though, was relentless. She kept supplying her products to hotels and lodges in the city for two years.

Business was slow; yet she summoned the courage to branch out into the manufacture of detergent soaps.

Her husband’s patients were the ones who helped turn the tide. “They began buying the detergent soaps and liked them,” she explains. Marketing began by word of mouth. “Since we don’t spend on advertising, middlemen or expensive packaging, the price of the soap is low – Rs 2.50 per bar – against the cost of others in the market – Rs 5. But, we make no compromise on quality or quantity,” she clarifies.

For someone who started off with a staff of just two women, Jeevannavar has come a long way. Today, she sells soaps to over 100 households in a month in Hubballi-Dharwad, has 30 women employees on the rolls and the startup earns Rs 5 lakh a month.

The entrepreneur’s husband was her pillar of strength through the tough times. Government aid, too, improved the chances of her startup’s survival. “Prior to introducing Ganga Detergent Bar, I was trained by the Small Scale Industries Association. I also got a subsidy of Rs 40,000 from the industries and commerce department,” she says.

For Kasturavva, who has been working at the company for the last 10 years, Elukoti Traders is her second home. “Working here helped my family and I overcome our financial crisis,” she says.

Mangala Patrot, a resident of Anand Nagar who, too, is an employee, says her salary has become a steady source of income for her family. “My husband used to be a bootlegger, and was often arrested. After alcoholism took a toll on his health, we started selling these soaps. Now, I earn Rs 300 a day.”

Rayappa Mishrikoti, a senior citizen in Ravi Nagar who, too, goes door-to-door to sell the soaps, says Jeevannavar’s startup has given him a new lease of life.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Huibballi / TNN / September 06th, 2015

India Gets its 1st Health Exchange Website

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Hemant Bhardwaj, CEO, MD and co-founder of PMHLC, said, “With our business model which is a win-win for each stakeholder in the ecosystem, we anticipate achieving one million transactions within 12 months of operations. Zigy.com will connect chemists and druggists with consumers.”

Zigy.com, integrated with Zigy HealthVault, is a first-of-its-kind patient-controlled electronic health record system that will use technology to connect Indians needing health products and services with doctors, clinics, hospitals and other healthcare providers.

Zigy HealthVault provides a highly secure and completely confidential way of storing all health-related information for patients and family members. Zigy facilitates its easy retrieval, upon the patient’s authorisation, to enable doctors and other healthcare providers to fully understand the case history. This structured flow of information will result in better diagnosis.

Phaneesh Murthy, co-founder and executive chairman of PMHLC, called Zigy the first step towards realising “our dream of a Swastha Bharat”.

The online marketplace will initially serve customers in five cities – Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Delhi. The product portfolio on the marketplace will include allopathic, homeopathic, ayurvedic and other wellness products.

The operations will be extended to 50 cities within 18 months, and PMHLC expects Zigy to serve rural India after a while.

Zigy is available on both the web and mobile platforms.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / August 25th, 2015

A unique jatra which highlights the importance of organic farming

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature
Farmers looking at various organic products displayed at the stalls during the agriculture fair at Kolhar town in Vijayapura district on Monday.— PHOTO: RAJENDRA SINGH HAJERI
Farmers looking at various organic products displayed at the stalls during the agriculture fair at Kolhar town in Vijayapura district on Monday.— PHOTO: RAJENDRA SINGH HAJERI

For the last five years, Kolhar town of Basavanabagewadi taluk is witnessing a unique type of jatra. During the fair, an association of progressive farmers arranges a Krishi Mela (agriculture fair) for educating the farming community about the importance of organic farming.

“It is a one-of-its-kind event which is purely by the farmers, of the farmers and for the farmers. Unlike any other agriculture fair which organised by government, here, only the farmers contribute to the event,” said Siddu Balagonda.

The progressive farmer who is behind the unique event says that for the last five years he has been organising the fair with the help of other farmers in the town during the Uppashappa temple fair. He said that they noticed that during the annual religious fair, hundreds of people, mostly farmers were arriving to the temple.

“We thought of using the opportunity to hold an event which could help the farming community.

Thus, we chose to organise an agriculture fair on the issue of organic farming as it has become the need of the hour,” Mr. Balagonda said.

Winner of ‘Krishi Pandit’ and a recipient of many such awards, he said that owing to excess and unabated use of chemical fertilizer, the soil is losing fertility and commodities are becoming unhealthy.

‘Save soil’

“The best way out to save soil and have healthy food is to switch over to organic farming.

“The fair essentially focuses on this critical aspect where every year we call the experts and progressive farmers to make farmers aware of its significance for the present and future generation,” he said.

To a question, he said that the farmers have contributed around Rs. 7 lakh for holding the event.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Firoz Rozindar /Kolhar (Vijayapura Dist). / August 25th, 2015

Hubballi’s jowar rotis now make it to Oz, US

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Hubballi :

The humble jowar roti — the North Karnataka staple — is now crossing the seas to reach homesick Kannadigas yearning for its chewy wholesome goodness.

Growing demand from Australia, England, West Asia and the US has spawned a small-scale industry in Hubballi, a busy commercial hub 400km north of Bengaluru, with dealers and agents spread across the region. Exported in its kadak (crisp) avatar, the jowar roti has a shelf life of 6-9 months.

Poorva Food Products, run by the Patil family, discovered this niche global market and has now gone online.

Lingangowda Patil, who runs the family unit with wife Pushpa and son Girish, says they realized the demand for the roti was going up, as more people migrated from this tier-2 city to other parts of the country and world.

Started in a mess with a paying guest facility in Vidyanagar in 2011, Poorva Food Products has swiftly expanded from 2-3 women making 500-600 rotis, to around 35 women patting out 10,000-12,000 pieces a day. With sales touching 1.5 lakh to 2 lakh rotis a month, the monthly turnover of the 3,800-sqft unit, set up in the city’s industrial area, is pegged at Rs 6-8 lakh.

“We started with an investment of Rs 15-20 lakh. Now, we’ve installed a flourmill, grain-cleaning machine, and other infrastructure,” Patil says.

Business is channeled through dealers who buy rotis in bulk to sell at their own outlets and to customers spread across Karnataka, India and abroad. Like Arun Torgal, who exports rotis to Australia every three months. “Last week, I exported 16,000 rotis. Natives of North Karnataka form a major market in Australia. With the rotis, I also export flax (alasi) seed and niger seed (ramtil) chutney,” he says.

Pushpa Lingangowda Patil takes care of the quality and supplies. “We need 30-40 quintals of jowar every month to meet the demand. We also sell sajji (bajra) roti, ragi roti, half-baked chapatti, senga (groundnut) chutney, flax seed and niger seed chutney. But the demand is highest for kadak jowar roti.”

“There are many who have jumped into this business today, but they often mix other grains with jowar, which changes the taste. We use only jowar,” Pushpa Patil says.

Each roti costs Rs 3.50. About 10-12 rotis are packed into a food grade packet and placed into boxes to be exported without breakage — with three layers of packing for transport within India, and seven layers for export. “Packing and transport cost extra. Our packing ensures the nutrition value of the roti is retained,” she says.

The highest demand is from Bengaluru, Bidar, Kalaburagi and Vijapayapura in Karnataka, besides Gurgaon, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Surat and the states of Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat. Demand peaks during festivals like Sankranti and the marriage season, touching 3-4 lakh rotis a month. Online booking and payment are pushing up sales, with orders being sent to the customer’s doorstep.

“We export to Dubai, Muscat and some parts of America, besides Australia and England. A few days ago, we sold 600-800 rotis to families leaving for England and the US,” says Lingangowda Patil.

Poorva does not have an export licence yet, and is exporting through its agents. Patil has applied for one and is putting in place norms laid down by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. “Gloves, caps and uniforms are a must for workers. The unit must be equipped with filtered water facility and have high hygiene standards. We are adopting all these norms. Once we get the licence, exports will be more regular,” Patil says.

SS Reddy of Tirumala Foods, Bidar, buys 40,000 to 45,000 rotis from Hubballi every month. “Every day, we export 200 rotis to America and 200 to England. We send rotis to Hyderabad and Tandur in Telangana, and Latur in Maharashtra, by air.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Basavaraj Kattimani, TNN / August 01st, 2015

Shipping ministry launches Sagarmala Project in Karnataka

Business & Economy

Mangaluru :

Union Ministry of shipping launched the NDA government’s ambitions Sagarmala Project in the state at Hotel Taj West End, Bengaluru in the presence of Kaushik Mukherjee, chief secretary, government of Karnataka; additional secretary, union ministry of shipping, principal secretaries and senior officers from the state and central governments, stakeholders and representatives from chamber of commerce, railways, FKCCI, FIEO, and so on.

Sagarmala has been envisioned to provide ports and shipping the rightful place in Indian economy and to enable port-led development. The prime objective of the project is to promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively, noted P C Parida, chairman, New Mangalore Port Trust, while briefing about the importance the union government attached to the project.

Kaushik urged the centre to include vital projects like four laning of Mangalore-Hassan NH and linking of Hubballi-Ankola railway line in the project so as to ensure seamless movement of cargo to and from the Port. He also emphasized need for one more major port in North Karnataka for overall development of that region. According to him early completion of fisheries harbour here and relaxation of CRZ regulation for developing tourism should be part of Sagarmala.

R K Agarwal, joint secretary to government of India (Sagarmala), Ministry of Shipping gave a presentation on overall vision of Sagarmala project and its benefits to the state. This was followed by stakeholders’ session that deliberated the role of Sagarmala Development Company [SDC] and funding pattern of projects to be undertaken under Sagarmala. A K Saran, deputy secretary, government of India, ministry of Shipping proposed the vote of thanks on this occasion.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Mangaluru / by Jaideep Shenoy, TNN / August 02nd, 2015

‘I don’t measure success by money’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Family music

Want to wake up to the birds of Munnar or watch the beauty of New Zealand’s glaciers without leaving your seat? With their second album ‘Nature and Places’, the father-son duo ‘Instrumental Conversations’ takes listeners through a global musical tour. But what’s unique is that an untrained IT professional became a recording artiste, and the family worked tirelessly to turn dreams into reality.

RaviBF30jul2015

Multi-instrumentalist Ravi CA started the band with his son Rahul. His journey started in his school days, when he taught himself to play the guitar and harmonica. As a teenager, his first exposure to rock music was ‘Sultans of Swing’ by ‘Dire Straits’. He spent hours mimicking Mark Knopfler’s rhythmic solos. Since he was self-taught, he was not limited by terms such as ‘Western’ and ‘Indian’ music. He began playing publicly while at Christ University.

He loved music, but in the 1980s music was a limited career option. So, as he transitioned into the corporate world and got married, music remained a hobby. As years passed, he realised that he was ready to make music a full-time endeavour. “I don’t measure success by money or titles. If you have a roof over your head and fulfill your responsibilities, you can pursue your passion,” he says.

But he had real responsibilities towards his wife and two children. “They were supportive, but guarded. Your family has to be comfortable with your plan,” he says. Ravi worked for four more years, saving every extra rupee. “The key to following your dream is planning and management,” he adds.

In 2008, Ravi left his job, giving himself a one-year deadline for success or failure. While his ultimate dream was to record music, he and his wife first started the ‘RaGa School of Music’, partly as an income-generator, partly to share music with others. They started the ‘Music Gear’ shop a few years later, where he indulges his love for carpentry by repairing broken instruments. After the year passed, Ravi knew there was no looking back.

His teaching style is built on his own experience with music. He teaches “the instrument, not a style”.

While he never doubted his purpose, there were many strenuous moments. The family overcame financial struggles, personnel issues and the stress of running two businesses. But finally, Ravi and Rahul were able to start ‘Instrumental Conversations’. Inspiration for the album ‘Nature and Places’ came to him one early morning in Munnar, when he recorded bird calls and decided to build a song around the sound. Every track on the album has authentic sounds from different locations.

“I want to recreate places close to me, and places that others find special,” he says. Ravi uses gentle guitar solos, sound effects and ambient keyboard melodies to mimic the atmosphere of each area. The songs also weave in reflections on life, like his tribute to Bengaluru, which reflects his concern over the City’s changes. Although Ravi has many other plans for the future, including writing and teaching, he plans to focus on music for now. At the very least, he hopes to leave a legacy that convinces others to not waste their potential.

“People today rush to achieve goals, but they don’t know what those goals are. I want to help people understand a balanced view of life and success. I see life as a journey where I keep going and keep learning,” he says.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Lisa Pauline Matackal, Bengaluru / DHNS – July 30th, 2015

Through the artistic lens

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Upcycled products

UpcycledProductsBF23jul2015

By expressing creativity, one can experience freedom, according to Grishma, the founder of a ‘twisted desi’ start-up called ‘Ingenious Imaginoes’ (i2). There is a healing power in her creativity as her products are not only beautiful but also eco-friendly. 

“At i2, we are preserving the environment in style by making beautiful things from scrap,” says Grishma. Bottle lamps, paper lamp shades, plastic jewellery, plastic lamp shades, paper coasters, paper print art, wall hangings… the creativity here knows no limits. Apart from these, i2 also sells homemade chocolates that are rich in both taste and nutrients.

“I am a dance movement psychotherapist certified from London and currently pursuing certificate courses from the USA, which require me to shuttle between India and USA. The stall culture in the City has risen to provide a platform to budding talents and this in a way gave birth to i2,” she says. Her firm was initially started to encourage her mother, Lakshmi, to showcase her talent. “My mother makes delicious chocolates and after years of shying away, she finally agreed to put up her own stall of homemade chocolates,” she says. But unfortunately, it did not do very well the and she says, “Customers showed less interest in homemade products. But I realised that the jewellery stalls were more fortunate and that is when I decided to make jewellery to help my mother attract more customers. It clicked and now we have clients, both for our jewellery and homemade chocolates,” she explains.

The journey that began as a support to her mother let her explore more of her creative skills and she says, “My interest to learn only kept growing. Gradually, I began to learn quilling jewellery through online blogs and videos. I let my imagination go wild and loved every bit of what I was making and learning at the same time. I started selling and taking customised orders and the business just grew.” Her exploration made her realise how expensive the raw materials were.

“I saw a lot of unused products at home from newspapers to books and bottles, which would soon make their way to the scrapstores. I collected them and experimented with everything that I could lay my hands on. Slowly, I saw an abundant flow of raw materials.”

The bottles were turned into lamp holders, papers into quirky earrings. Scrap was ‘reincarnated’ in a beautiful way and she added a ‘desi twist’ to all her creations, which reflected Indian tradition and culture. She says, “I completely enjoy the process of creating new products and am happy that they reflect our culture. ‘i2’ ships its products to the US too. I have to thank my mother for steering me in the direction of freedom and creativity.”

Now an active participant in the City’s flea markets, she reasons, “Not every venue appreciates upcycled and handmade products. Keeping a stall means living up to the ever-changing trends to compete with the other vendors. This I feel inhibits my freedom of creativity. Hence, I do not exhibit at many flea markets. Instead, I take customised orders over the phone or e-mails.” With her artistic glasses on, Grishma works towards making products that puts a smile on her clients’ face.

For details, visit her Facebook page ‘Ingenious Imaginoes’ or email her at i2ingenious@gmail.com

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> MetroLife / by Prajna GR, DHNS / July 20th, 2015

KSIC to showcase 100 years of Mysore Silk

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

Cultural programmes planned, cine stars to participate; Rs. 5 crore sanctioned for modernisation of Mysore Silk weaving factory

Mysuru :

The Karnataka State Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) in city has also planned to celebrate 100 years of its service to the people in a big way in August, similar to the Centenary celebrations of the University of Mysore and the City Central Library.

Addressing a press conference at Pathrakartara Bhavan in city yesterday, KSIC Chairman D. Basavaraju said that Chief Minister Siddharamaiah has given his consent to prepare the schedule for the KSIC’s Centenary celebrations in Mysuru in August. The KSIC has completed 103 years of its inception.

KSIC’s delayed Centenary event will be a memorable one as the Chief Minister has agreed to inaugurate and planning has begun, said Basavaraj and added that to mark the celebrations, efforts will be made to offer Mysore Silk saris at cut-price.

Replying to questions, as to why the Centenary celebrations of KSIC were not held in 2012, Basavaraju said the celebrations were postponed due to professional commitments.

A Centenary Bhavan had been built at the factory premises on Mananwadi Road in city but the centenary had not been publicly celebrated, he added.

Basavaraju pointed out that the 100 years of Mysore Silk will be showcased along with cultural programmes and other events and added that cinema stars will also be invited for the Centenary celebrations of KSIC.

The Silk factory in Mysuru is one of the oldest and historical silk manufacturing units in the country. It was founded by the Wadiyars in 1912 for manufacturing silk fabrics for the royal family and ornamental fabrics for armed forces.

Rs. 5 crore sanctioned for modernisation of Mysore Silk weaving factory

Stating that the State Government through Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) has sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for modernisation of the Silk weaving factory in Mysuru, the KSIC Chairman said: “new technology will be adopted to manufacture better quality silk sarees for the customers. About 645 people, including management staff and workers have been employed at the Silk weaving factory and 254 people have been hired on contract basis.”

Basavaraju said that fresh recruitments have not been made at the factory since 21 years despite shortage of workers even after retirement of several employees and added that steps were being initiated to recruit employees.

KSIC, in its first phase, has installed modern machines at a cost of Rs. 68 lakh at the thread spinning unit in T. Narasipur, said Basavaraju. The spunk silk factory at Channapatna will be restored at a cost of Rs. 9.26 crore and the unit is expected to produce low-cost silk sarees priced at Rs. 4,000 to cater to middle class and economically weaker sections, he added.

The KSIC Chairman pointed out that KSIC had a record transaction of Rs. 146.42 crore in 2014-15 — an increase of Rs. 20 crore when compared to Rs. 127.15 crore in 2013-14. The profit earned during the current fiscal is Rs. 25 crore and Rs. 1.10 crore has already been deposited to the Government as its share dividend, he added.

As there is more demand for setting up of Mysore Silk retail units in the State, 6 units in Mysuru, 7 in Bengaluru, one each in Channapatna, Chennai, Hyderabad and Vijayawada have been functioning and from these 17 units 72,000 silk sarees were sold during the last year, said Basavaraju. New retail units will be set up by the end of this year at Davanagere, Hubballi, Dharwad, Tumakuru, Belagavi and Kalaburgi, he added.

KSIC officers N.H. Thimappa, Krishnappa and Suresh were present at the press conference.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday – July 16th, 2015