Category Archives: Education

Visually impaired strike a chord, win hearts

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features

Chennai :

These aspiring singers required no accomplices, not a single musical instrument. Their sole voices would do the job for them once they were handheld and aided to climb the stage. For, they were all visually impaired.

More than 100 students from- Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh endeavoured to hit all the high and low notes at the South Indian Singing Festival 2015 organised by the NGO, Nethrodaya. And it was 20- year- old Bhagyamma a student from Bangalore who was adjudged the best among them for her rendition of a Carnatic based Kannada cinema song and won Rs 50,000 in cash. The second and third winners were both from Chennai. “I don’t know what raaga I sang in, I’m not trained in music, but I have the gift of singing which I don’t want to waste,” says Bhagyamma, a BA History student from Bharat Education Society, Bangalore who has been visually impaired since she was born.

But the man who was placed after her in the third position is Gokula Krishna who has been training in Carnatic music since he was 6. This final year B Com student from Loyola College sang a medley of the popular Rajinikanth song raagangal pathinaru and the recent aanandha yaazhai. Krishna, 20 is also part of Loyola’s light music team. “Parents forced me into learning classical music but I began liking it,” laughs Krishna who now says he wants to make it as a professional singer. Krishna has a condition of low vision but like Bhagyamma he says they are not stumbled by difficulties. “No one deliberately isolates you, if you can mingle with a normal crows, it’s just fine. Fortunately my peers who have vision are friendly and cooperative,” Krishna says.

Six playback singers from Tamil cinema were the panellists who marked them on par with any other singing competition. Social Welfare minister B Valarmathi gave away the prizes. “The purpose was to provide entertainment and competitions for the visually impaired and to make an impact that they are on par with sighted singers,” says Nethrodaya founder C Govindakrishnan known as Gopi to Chennaiites. “The fighting spirit among is prevalent but they have no platform to showcase their talents. This is why we increased the price money to encourage the student community. It is a hope that now other clubs and organisations too will host competitions and fests for them.”

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Chennai / by Divya Chandrababu, TNN / February 22nd, 2015

Neeraja Puthiamadom bags 15 gold medals in B.SC

Education, Records, All

Horticulture College felicitates meritorious student

Neeraja being felicitated at Horticulture College, Mysuru, recently.
Neeraja being felicitated at Horticulture College, Mysuru, recently.

Mysuru :

Neeraja Puthiamadom, a B.Sc Horticulture student at the Horticulture College, Mysuru, who topped the B.Sc Horticulture examinations and was awarded 15 Gold Medals at the recently held 4th Convocation of University of Horticultural Sciences, Bagalkot, was felicitated at her college in city recently.

Winners of Inter-collegiate Youth Festival and Inter-collegiate Sports and Games meet of the college were also felicitated on the occasion.

College Dean Dr. K.M. Indiresh, who was the chief guest on the occasion, lauded the brilliant performance of Neeraja and her achievement.

Dr. B.G. Prakash, Professor and University Head, Dept. of Crop Improvement and Biotechnology, College of Horticulture, Mysuru, who also spoke, explained the academic activities of Neeraja in different stages and stressed that apart from academic performance, personal behaviour was also important in achieving success.

Later, the College’s Inter-Collegiate Youth Festival team which achieved success and the College sports team which won the overall championship at the Inter-Collegiate Sports & Games Meet were also felicitated.

Professors Dr. Prasad Kumar and Dr. G. Janardhan and Assistant Professors Dr. B.N. Dhananjaya, Dr. K.P. Mangala and Dr. Vikram Appanna were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Wednesday – February 11th, 2015

Bags best Research Publication Award

Education, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

DrSureshaBF08feb2015

Mysuru :

Dr. B. Suresha, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering at the National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysuru, has been selected for the Best Research Publication Award instituted by Vision Group on Science and Technology, Department of IT, BT and Science & Technology, Government of Karnataka for the year 2014-15.

His research publication titled ‘Investigation of organo-modified montmorillonite loading effect on the abrasion resistance of hybrid composites’ has bagged the award.

This award is being given to recognise and encourage quality research publications in Science and Engineering by the faculty members serving in University Departments, Colleges and Research Institutions in the State. This award carries a prize money of Rs.25,000 and a citation.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday , February 02nd, 2015

Meet Shreshta, the multi-talented kid

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Sports

SreshtaBF07feb2015

Sreshta K. Raagh is the little old daughter of doctor-mother Preetham and father Raghavendra Ratnakar, a singer better known by name junior Md. Rafi of Mysuru and the granddaughter of late Kannada cine actor Ratnakar Thus, the culture of being inclined towards artistry comes naturally to Sreshta. Being trained in music and musical instruments by her father and in dance and acting at the Chamaraja Film Institute, Mysuru and having participated in various television shows and won prizes, she is a kid too full of energy when it comes to learning anything new. Saying it is quite an achievement to have boldly participated in several television shows and also won a few, all at the age 4, makes Sreshta’s parents feel very proud of her.

Talking of her daughter, Preetham says, “For me, Sreshta has never seemed like a kid of her age till date. I always feel like she is way too mature and sensible for her age as I see that she behaves much like a kid of an older age. Her aims are way too high, her dreams are big and her approach towards them very different. I feel proud of her for all these. Also, she is lucky to be receiving an exposure for all these things, since my husband is a full-time singer and we own an orchestra of our own, thus getting to frequently host several music programmes in each of which she gets a chance to perform.”

The child, who first began performing on stage at the age of 2.2 years, has given over 25 stage performances, apart from appearing in television shows like Chinnara Chilipili, Chota Champion where she won a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 apart from being rewarded with the titles.

The little kid is an LKG student at Pramathi Hill View Academy in city, who is also lucky to have been receiving great encouragement from her school. Says her mother, talking of her school, “I am glad she is very positively encouraged by her teachers too, towards pursuing her interests. —AN

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / February 01st, 2015

Mysore Varsity ties up with Japanese University

Education, World Opinion
Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa is seen greeting Hokkaido University President Prof. Keizo Yamaguchi after exchanging the MoU at a press meet held at Crawford Hall here this morning.
Mysore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa is seen greeting Hokkaido University President Prof. Keizo Yamaguchi after exchanging the MoU at a press meet held at Crawford Hall here this morning.

Mysuru :

The University of Mysore has tied up with Hokkaido University of Japan for exchange of faculty, students and research fellows, academic materials, publications and to conduct joint research projects to include symposiums, conferences and workshops. This was disclosed by Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa at a press meet held at Crawford Hall here this morning after signing an MoU with representatives of Japanese University.

Elaborating on the subject, Prof. Rangappa said the agreement was valid for five years which could be extended and the alliance would boost research and academic works.

The VC said that Mysore University, Hokkaido University and a South African University had already taken up a joint research work on early detection of cancer. He further said that the State government with approval of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development was contemplating to establish an Exclusive Research University and Mysore University was vying to get that honour.

Hokkaido University President Prof. Keizo Yamaguchi, Professors Makoto Demura, Shinichiro Nishimura, Kenju Monde and Mysore University Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Thursday, January 29th, 2015

City boy’s space idea takes him to NASA

Education, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Sanjay will present a paper with a set of plans to explore the outer solar system and beyond

Sanjay Lakshminarayana
Sanjay Lakshminarayana

A 20-year-old Bengaluru boy is on his way to Texas to present a paper at the prestigious National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Sanjay Lakshminarayana, a mechanical engineering student, has been selected to present his ideas and attend conventions. These will study important observations made by recent planetary missions and emerging nuclear technologies for space exploration and travel.

The youngster, who has been interested in space since childhood, will present a set of plans to explore the outer solar system and beyond. The ideas will have a significant focus on nuclear systems as enabling technologies.

Sanjay said he would use this opportunity to discuss the knowledge gaps in exploration of extra-terrestrial environments and the most recent discoveries in this area.

The youngster, who also has an interest in car designing, told BM that his background in mechanical engineering provided a base for his interest in space exploration and his consistent research in the area.

Unexpected invite

The meetings on Sanjay’s agenda have been sponsored by NASA and the American Nuclear Society. Speaking on the unexpected invite, Sanjay said, “It was at a meeting in Russia, that a professor from NASA noticed my interest and sent me an invite for this year”.
Commenting on what this opportunity meant for him, he said, “I want to learn a lot about the latest developments and share my ideas with scientists from across the world. I am looking to gain immense knowledge, a sense of direction and meet people who will be able to help me in my research. ”

The meetings are scheduled between February 3 and March 16. These will be held at various locations including the Lunar Planetary Institute in Houston. Sanjay has also been invited to present his paper titled “The Magneto-Confined Fusion Ion Thruster” at the 2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2015) conference to be held in Albuquerque.
Sanjay’s schedule

1. 2015 Nuclear and Emerging Technologies for Space (NETS-2015) conference, March 23rd-26th, Albuquerque

2.Workshop on Early Solar System Impact Bombardment III, February 4th-6th, Lunar and Planetary Institute in Houston.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Bangalore> Others / by Apurva Venkat, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / February 03rd, 2015

A spelling bee with a difference

Education, Records, All, Sports
Winners of the spelling bee contest: (from left) Bindu Shree (3rd place), Sandhya (2nd place), Archana N.S. (1st place), Syed Arbaz (4th place), and Vishwanath R. (5th place). / The Hindu
Winners of the spelling bee contest: (from left) Bindu Shree (3rd place), Sandhya (2nd place), Archana N.S. (1st place), Syed Arbaz (4th place), and Vishwanath R. (5th place). / The Hindu

The air is thick with tension as students from 23 schools across the city struggle to get their words right.

“How do you spell Gemini?” a judge asks Preethy of Madivala Government High School. She hesitates and asks for a Kannada translation, then proceeds to answer correctly, amid loud claps and cheers.

It was the sixth year that Sahasra Deepika International for Education (SDIE) was holding a spelling bee competition for Class 9 students of Kannada-medium government high schools across the city.

It is unique in many ways: the students do not come from top private schools and many cannot speak English beyond constructing basic sentences. As many as 92 students were drawn from 23 schools as part of a programme to impart English grammar and vocabulary skills among Kannada-medium students. They performed admirably, tackling words from ‘celebration’ and ‘vague’ to ‘heliocentric’ and ‘echinodermata’. The winning word was ‘chorus’.

“We want to give these children an opportunity to be on stage, and to gain confidence through such competitions,” says Vijayalakshmi Ramakrishnan, founder and treasurer of the SDIE. “Some of these kids have never celebrated a birthday. Some do not get English textbooks until the end of the school year.”

The goal is to try to ensure that these children do not feel left out, she says, pointing out that without a working knowledge of English, the children have little chance of getting jobs in the future.

The winners of the event are: Archana, Krishna Iyer School; Sandhya, Honnagonahatti Government High School; Bindu Shree, Honnagonahatti High School; Syed Arbaz, Fort High School, and Vishwanath Doddagolarahatti Government High School.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Cinthya Anand /Bengaluru – February 01st, 2015

Natl. workshop on ‘ Reviving the Indian Intellectual Tradition ‘ from tomorrow

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Records, All

Mysuru :

A three-day National Workshop on ‘Reviving the Indian Intellectual Tradition’ has been organised by Samkriti Foundation at Rama Mandira Hall in Krishnamurthypuram from Jan. 26 to 28.

Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Bengaluru Chairman N. Ramanuja will inaugurate the Seminar on Jan. 26 at 6.30 pm. Researcher Chittaranjan Naik will be the chief guest and Samkriti Foundation President Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathachar will preside over the inaugural.

Academic Sessions on Jan. 27 will feature paper presentation by Vid. Gangadhar V. Bhat, James Boag, Dr. K.S. Kannan and Dr. Chittaranjan Naik, Dr. M.A. Narasimhan, Dr. N.S. Govindarajan, Dr. H.L. Chandrashekhar and Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathachar. Prof. S.K. Kiran Kumar and Prof. Chittaranjan Naik will chair the sessions.

On Jan. 28, Academic Sessions will feature paper presentation from Vid. Umakant Bhat, Vid. H.V. Nagaraja Rao, Dr. S.K. Kiran Kumar, Retd. Prof. of Psychology, Dr. Mukundan Cadambi, Chennai, V. Lakshminarayanan, Director, Vishvakshema Trust, Mysore and Dr. M.A. Alwar, Asst. Professor, Maharaja Sanskrit College, Mysuru. The session will be chaired by Prof. M.A. Lakshmithathachar.

Panel Discussion and Valedictory Session will be held at 4.30 pm on Jan. 28, according to a press release.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 25th, 2015

Programme on ‘Evolution of Clocks’ held at JSS Medical College

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

Expo of clocks open to public till Jan.26 between 9 am and 4 pm

ClocksBF30jan2015

Mysuru :

The Department of Anatomy, JSS Medical College, Shivarathreeshwaranagar, had organised a presentation on ‘Time Management’ by M.S. Chandrashekar Iyer, city’s well-known horologist, at its premises this morning.

During his presentation, Chandrashekar Iyer explained about mechanism and accuracy of various types of clocks — digital, mechanical, analog and atomic clocks.Dr. N.M. Shama Sundar, Professor and Head, Department of Anatomy, JSS Medical College, Mysuru, speaking to Star of Mysore, said, “Chandrashekar Iyer’s Grandfather K.S. Lakshmana Iyer, was the first person to start a watch repair shop in Mysuru. The shop was started under the name ‘Lakshmana Iyer Watch Company’ on Ashoka Road in city in the year 1912.”

He further said that Chandrashekar Iyer started repairing watches at the age of 10 years and has over 70 years of experience in repairing watches.

Speaking about the purpose of conducting the presentation, Shama Sundar said that it was organised to make the Medical Students understand the value of time. He noted that time management is very important for doctors because during emergencies, even seconds matter in saving the life of patients.

On the occasion, an exhibition featuring wrist watches, wall clocks, alarm clocks, time pieces, cells, batteries, engravers, programmable time switches, bells, sirens, cardiac pacemakers, digital diaries, thermometers, hygrometers, barometers, mobile phones, calculators, lactometers, digital calendars, telephones and other time-related instruments, was inaugurated by Chandrashekar Iyer at the College’s Histology Lab.

The exhibition will be open till Jan.26 between 9 am and 4 pm. High School students can attend the exhibition.

The exhibition is dedicated to late Dr. K.H. Basavaraj, Senior Professor of Dermatology, JSS Hospital, Mysuru.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Saturday, January 24th, 2015

M’luru professor wins award for scientific work on ferns

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All
Dr Smitha Hegde
Dr Smitha Hegde

Dr Smitha Hegde, associate professor, department of post-graduate studies and research in biotechnology, St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, has been awarded the Professor SS Bir gold medal in Pteridology for her scientific work towards advancement of science in the area of ferns.

The award was recently handed over by Dr PS Ahuja, director general, Council of Industrial Research (CSIR) and Dr SP Khullar, secretary treasurer of Indian Fern Society at the National Conference on ‘Modern Approaches to Pteridophytes: Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresource’ at the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur.

Dr Hegde is currently screening ferns of the Western Ghats region, particularly the Kudremukh National Park region, for their capacity of hyper accumulation of heavy metals. She said, “As a first step, a field guide has been written reporting 38 ferns of the region.
Simultaneously, I am undertaking a project on DNA fingerprinting of ferns of the region to confirm the identity of selected ferns of the region.” She has developed a technique of encapsulating sporophytes produced in vitro as ‘Protocorm-like bodies’ in Alginate beads to enable transportation of the in vitro produced planting material to the field with minimum shock and damage, thus producing the first ‘Synthetic seeds’ for ferns in 1995.

She worked on (Cyathea spp) tree ferns of the Western Ghats for post-doctoral studies .

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> News> State / by Deepthi Sanjiv, Bangalore Mirror Bureau / January 12th, 2015