A team from Udupi won the national finals of the Rural IT Quiz organized by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) held at Bengaluru Palace as part of BengaluruITE.Biz 2016.
Aditya B Nayak and Pranoy DSouza from MGM PU College, Udupi, competed against the winners of state-level quizzes conducted in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Students from class 8 to 12 compete in the annual quiz competition which aims to enhance IT awareness among students in smaller towns and districts.
The quiz, conducted by Giri ‘Pickbrain’ Balasubramaniam, was based on the theme of Digital Marketing and its significance in present times. The animation-based quiz format had five rounds — Landing Page, Search Engine Optimisation, Higher Per Hit, Going Viral and Net Worth.
The students received a trophy and an educational scholarship of Rs 1,00,000 from minister Priyank Kharge. The team from Agragami High School, Wardha were the runners-up and they received Rs 50,000.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / DHNS – Bengaluru, November 29th, 2016
Anushree K, a Class VII student of Shree Mahaveer Vidyalaya, Koti Road, Shivamoga emerged the winner of the state-level painting competition on the theme:
“Conservation of Water and Pollution”. The 7th annual competition was hosted by the Central Ground Water Board in the city.
Anushree will represent the state at the national level competition, which will be held in Delhi. The second and third prizes went to Amithraj, Class VII student from Amrutha Bharathi Vidya Kendra of Udupi and Sujana S Godbole, Class VIII student from Sant Meera’s English School of Angol – Belagavi respectively.
In all, around 55,000 students from 550 schools across the state took part in the school-level competition. Of them, 50 best paintings were selected for the state-level competition.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / DHNS / Bengaluru – November 28th, 2016
Barely a month, after 250 students launched a nano-satellite PISAT, under the mentorship of PES University staff, another group of students have started work on developing another satellite at the university, the PISAT-2.
While the earlier satellite, which entered orbit on September 26 on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) operated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), is a stabilised imaging satellite, PISAT-2 will have an ultraviolet imager that will stare at a single point in space for the lifetime of the mission.
“The goal is to search for variable sources, those that change in brightness. These may include explosive events like supernovae, exotic events such as planets falling into their parent stars or events in our neighbourhood such as nearby asteroids or comets,” a statement from PESU said.
Students will work with the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) on the project which will be supported financially by the university. The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has also evinced interest in funding the mission, sources said.
With an outlay of Rs. 2.3 crore, 18 to 24 months have been set for the launch.
“PISAT-1 was developed for Earth observation while PISAT-2 will help us head towards deep space exploration,” said Ajay Kumar, a student working on the project.
Explaining the difference between the two missions in terms of technological expertise, Divya Rao, a mentor for the project said, “PISAT-2 will be more advanced in terms of technology like the control systems onboard as well as the composition of the satellite which will have space grade components on board.”
Chancellor of PES University, M.R. Doreswamy said that the institute was committed to extending support for the design and development phase of the satellite. PISAT-1 in the meantime is functioning as per parameters and is healthy. The team will continue to use the satellite for earth observation in the coming months, a team member said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Staff Reporter / November 21st, 2016
INVITING BOOK LOVERS:Readers browse at Hassan City Library.— Photo: Prakash Hassan
Leading literary figures have been regulars at the institution that has one lakh books, and a large membership
One of Karnataka’s oldest public libraries, the Hassan City Central Library is all set to celebrate its centenary. The Department of Public Libraries will hold a week-long celebration during January and February of 2017.
The Hassan institution has served many well-known litterateurs including Masti Venkatesh Iyengar, D.R. Bendre, and Shivaram Karanth, who have also participated in its programmes.
“We have a collection of over one lakh books, besides 8,000 reference titles. There are more than 13,017 members,” said P.L.Nagaraj, chief librarian.
This is the third centenary library in the State after the central public libraries in Mysuru and Bengaluru. The building here was sanctioned in 1911 to commemorate the coronation of George V, then Emperor of India.
The foundation stone was laid by P.R.W. Wetheralla Eso, Deputy Commissioner of Hassan on December 12, 1911.
The building was completed in 1916 and inaugurated by Sir M.Visvesvaraya, the Dewan of Mysore.
It then became the Public Library and Reading Room.
In just a few years, the library became a magnet for all intellectuals and cultural personalities. Mahatma Gandhi held a public meeting in the library premises in 1924 as part of the freedom struggle, records say.
Thousands of students have also benefited. Indian Space Research Organisation chairperson Dr. A.S. Kiran Kumar, who hails from Hassan, is a member, and was a regular visitor as a student.
H.K. Sharat, a faculty member at Malnad College of Engineering said, “I have been visiting this library to read magazines and borrow books for 10 years. Many students have benefited from the reference section, where books for competitive exams are available.” Many programmes for the centenary have been planned, with Hassan MLA H. S. Prakash chairing the meetings.
“We are facing a shortage of space. We want a new building and the department has provided Rs. 40 lakh for this,” the chief librarian said.
To celebrate the centenary, a new building has been planned in the land spread over 2.5 acres. The design is being worked out.
“We have suggested a design akin to Anna Centenary Library in Chennai, one of the best library buildings constructed on a big budget,” he added.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Satish G T / Hassan – November 09th, 2016
Bhandavya Gowda is among the two players from the State on the team
Bhandavya H.M. Gowda, captain of the Indian team participating in the Junior Asian Women (Under-18) Basketball Championship in Bangkok, is a student of the Alva’s College in Moodbidri.
A native of Mandya, Bhandavya Gowda is a first year B.Com student. She is among the two basketball players from the State who are part of the national team for the Junior Asian Women Basketball Championship in Bangkok between November 13 and 20. She is one among the many students with exceptional talent who are being offered free education by Alva’s Education Foundation under its adoption scheme. Bhandavya Gowda joined the college two years ago.
A good three-point shooter and point guard, Bhandavya Gowda was part of the national team in the 2013 Asian Youth Basketball tournament held in Colombo.
She was also in the team that took part in the 2014 Junior Asian Basketball tournament in Jordan. The Junior Asian Championship in Bangkok will be her fourth international tournament.
Naveen Shetty from Mangalore Basketball Club, who has seen Bhandavya Gowda play at close quarters, said that she has been in basketball since she was 12. A product of Sports School in Mandya, Bhandavya Gowda was groomed by Raviprakash, a former coach in the Department of Youth Services and Sports. It was a pride that a player from the State was captaining the national team, Mr. Naveen Shetty said.
Chairman of Alva’s Education Foundation Mohan Alva has wished Bhandavya Gowda and the national team a success in the upcoming championship.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Staff Reporter / Mangaluru – November 03rd, 2016
Lecturers of a private pre-university college have shot a film with students as the target audience. A Sunny Morning, an educational movie, will be screened at Adichunchanagiri Community Hall in Hassan on Tuesday.
The film has been directed by J. Shivaprasad, an English lecturer and A.R. Sachidananda, who teaches Physics. Both are working at B.G.S.PU College. “The movie is all about attractions that disturb students in the age group 16-18 years, primarily those in the PU colleges. We lecturers thought of this theme and developed a script keeping the students in mind,” Mr. Sachidananda said.
The college lecturers have contributed from their salaries for making of the movie, which cost about Rs.4 lakh. “It is a short movie of about 20 minutes. Our students have played acted in it. We hired a cameraman, an editor and other technicians for production,” said Sachidanand.
The movie will be released in a programme on Tuesday. Nirmalanananatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math, C.Shikha, Director of PU Department and others will participate in the event.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Staff Correspondent / Hassan – October 31st, 2016
Parth Sabnis, an electrical and electronics engineering student of KLS Gogte Institute of Technology (GIT) who designed the smart PDG wat ch for Switzerland-based Luxius M’iWatch, will represent the brand at the annual GPHG Awards event at Geneva on November 10.
Parth Sabnis, 22, is thrilled by the appreciation he’s been getting.
“The company specialises in simple yet sophisticated designs. It was a challenging task as watch design was a new domain for me. I considered it an opportunity when I got the assignment,” Parth told TOI.
Parth, who is from Mumbai, said initially it was a challenge to identify the appropriate tool for the design. After some research, he decided to use Autodesk Maya software due to its sheer versatility. After dis cussions with several clients, he decided to go for a traditional design that incorporates modern technology. The objective was to offer something more than usual ensemble of high-end watches.
Smart PDG Watch features a digital face that would run on Android Wear OS along with a fully hand-crafted analog dial. Parth said the watch symbolises two things which never stop — time and news of the world. “I did not realise the magnitude of the project until I received the invitation to attend the awards function. It couldn’t have happened without the support of the college faculty. They allowed me to got Bengaluru to work on the project and resume classes later. The college authorities appreciated my effort,” he said.
The Smart PDG Watch is a hybrid watch with two interchangeable watch cases and two time zone dials. The first watch case contains a Swiss manual winding, mechanical tourbillon movement. The second case integrates a connected smart watch movement, with a digital dial face, with a notification screen streaming real-time world news at the bottom.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Hubli / TNN / October 29th, 2016
AeorMIT, Manipal Institute of Technology’s aero-modelling team which won first place at NIT
Manipal:
AeroMIT, Manipal Institute of Technology’s aero-modelling enthusiasts who design, build, test and fly radio controlled aircraft, capped their performances earlier this year with two more accomplishments.
AeroMIT participated in two competitions at NITK, Surathkal and NIT, Calicut and returned with ‘flying’ colours. In the competition at NITK, the team won second and third places and at NIT, Calicut, the team finished first and second.
The first competition that AeroMIT participated in was Engineer, Technical Festival of NITK, Surathkal. MIT team’s event was called ‘Wright Flight’.
The aim of competition was to test flying skills and manoeuvrability of scratch built remote controlled aircraft and compete by executing complex in-flight manoeuvers as well as dropping payload on a bulls-eye target. This involved spot take-off and landing and stable flight.
The second competition was in Tathva, a technical festival at NIT Calicut and their event was called ‘Albatross’. Here the team required to scratch build an aircraft with maximum takeoff weight of 700 grams and adhere to limited wingspan and could take-off from top of a building and spot land on a bulls-eye. It also included points for manoeuvrability, range of flight and speed. The team won 1st and 2nd places.
AeroMIT had on December 28, 2015 outmatched 37 teams including IITs and NITs to clinch the first place in its maiden appearance in the Boeing National Aero-modelling Competition for West zone.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> Chennai News> Bangalore / TNN / October 27th, 2016
Residents of a village in Udupi district have been forced to walk on a dangerous path after authorities failed to make provisions for a road or a bridge while constructing a canal as part of Varahi Lift Irrigation Project.
About 250 members belonging to the Schedule Tribe community live in 30 houses in Soni village located in Siddapura village of Kundapur in Udupi district.
Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, Chitte Rajgopal Hegde, a social worker, said the village is located around a lake and there are two temples there.
To meet their basic requirements, the villagers have to reach Karebail which is about one and a half kilometres away.
“They need to walk daily to Karebail junction to meet their daily requirements that includes visiting provision stores, bus stand or a dairy unit. They walk a dangerous path that is about three feet wide on the concrete slab of a drain constructed for the flow of water from forests and hills between Soni and Karebail junction at Dyanooru. In case there is an accident, it is really difficult to conduct a rescue operation,” he said.
If not this route, they will have to travel for five kilometres to reach places like Shankarnarayana.
About four years ago, when the canal was being constructed between Soni and Karebail, people of the village had made several requests to the engineers to make a bridge across the drain.
The work for the canal began in the year 2008 and the project was inaugurated by chief minister Siddaramaiah last year. Priyanka Mary Francis, CEO of Udupi Zilla Panchayat, has assured she will look into the issue. A team is likely to visit the village soon.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Bangalore / by Deepthi Sanjiv / TNN / October 20th, 2016
Divya Nangaru Prabhakar with her parents, N.V. Prabhakar and T.M. Kusumavathi
We only hope that the State government or any sports organisation comes forward to help us and the girl realise her dreams T.M. Kusumavathi , Divya’s mother
Divya Nangaru Prabhakar is a reserved teenager, but she packs a punch, literally.
The 15-year-old city girl sheds her inhibition when she’s performing taekwondo. With little financial support but plenty of grit and determination, she won India a bronze at the Junior International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) World Championship three weeks ago.
“My dream is to head to the Olympics next,” said Divya who competed in the 70-kg category. According to her coach Pradeep Janardhana, her “power kicks” give her an edge. “It took five years of rigorous practice for me to get used to punches, kicks, power blows and knocks with rapid spinning in Taekwondo. Bagging the bronze was exhilarating,” says Divya, a class 10 student of Nava Prajna Public School on Whitefield Airport Road.
“It was rewarding to be there on the podium representing India. I owe this to my coach, school and my parents,” she said.
But it’s been an uphill struggle for the family “My father, N.V. Prabhakar retired from the Army, while my mother, T.M. Kusumavathi is a staff nurse at Vani Vilas Hospital. With their income they have strived to see my dreams take shape,” she said.
Taekwondo demands protein-rich food and daily practice. “This is something we provide Divya. For her practice sessions she has to travel 25 kilometres to Amruthahalli from Marathahalli at 5 a.m. regularly,” said Kusumavathi.
“It cost us Rs.1.75 lakh to participate in the Taekwondo World Championships at Italy. We have to repay this loan. We only hope that the State government or any sports organisation comes forward to help us and the girl realise her dreams,” is Kusumavathi’s appeal.
Divya has also won medals at the State and national level. “I am getting used to the punches. Sometimes I hurt my lips and they bleed, but that’s what martial arts is all about.”
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – October 03rd, 2016
