Category Archives: Leaders

A Mysurean Abroad

Leaders, World Opinion

The National Day Receptions were glittering occasions which enabled us to meet our own counterparts from other Embassies. Old photographs revive memories of past friendships. Our lives were enriched by reaching across national borders, to find that despite linguistic or cultural differences, we were fellow travellers in distant lands

A Toast at a National Day Reception.
A Toast at a National Day Reception.

by Girija Madhavan

My husband, A. Madhavan and I started life in the Indian Foreign Service in Rangoon [Yangon, Myanmar] from 1958 to 1961. Over thirty three years, we lived in nine posts abroad and two in New Delhi. We wandered from one metropolis to another, facing linguistic and life style challenges in different settings. We confronted cultural, climatic and political problems in some countries; we also experienced moments of delight in others. Such are the coloured skeins woven into the tapestry of our memories. Meeting people of different nationalities and cultures and forging friendships with them has been fulfilling.

The “Ministry of External Affairs and Commonwealth Relations” was formed in 1947 from the former “Foreign and Political Department” of the British Indian Government. The Indian Foreign Service [IFS] started in 1948, is its diplomatic wing. It is distinct from the Indian Forest Service, also “IFS,” which can be confusing. Among the early Indian diplomats is Sri V. Siddharthacharry of Acharya Vidya Kula, Mysuru. The first recruits were selected by of the Union Public Services Commission in 1948. Madhavan was a member of the batch of 1956. He was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge as part of his training. Burmese was his “Compulsory Foreign Language.” He also had to pass a Departmental exam in Hindi which he did not know. The poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, father of Amitabh Bachchan, headed the Department of Hindi. This was the only exam in which Madhavan did not do well!

Now, IFS Trainees go to the Lal Bahadur National Academy of Administration in Mussoorie. Earlier it was in Metcalfe House, Delhi, near the Jamuna River. The training with the Police included horse riding. Madhavan remembers a Police horse which would obstinately try to trot back to its stable with him on its back in the middle of the exercise.

I first heard the words “Ambassador” and “Embassy” as a girl of twelve. This was when Dr. S. Radhakrishnan came to Yadavagiri, Mysuru, for the wedding of his son, Dr. S. Gopal, to a Mysurean bride. At that time he was the Ambassador of India to the USSR [1949 to 1952] and had come from Moscow for the wedding.

The bride was “Kaveri”, later re-named “Indira” by her parents-in-law. She was the second daughter of Dr. and Mrs. H.V. Ramaswamy, our close friends and a respected Mysurean family. They belonged to the Babboor Kamme community and hailed from Belavadi. Kaveri was tall, lovely and highly educated. The Ramaswamy home still stands in Yadavagiri and now houses the “Hobby Centre” for young people.

I remember Dr. Radhakrishnan walking down Vivekananda Road to the wedding venue in a gas lit marriage procession, standing out among the glittering, sari clad participants, a striking figure in a white Achkan and dhoti, worn in the “panchakaccham” style.

In 1959 we settled into the diplomatic circuit, the youngest in the official hierarchy. Getting on with our Embassy folk, Burmese officials and our neighbours was not so hard. At the core, diplomacy is what is known as “Jana Balike” in Kannada. The intricacies of protocol and entertaining were more complex. Now the Ministry of External Affairs arranges courses for young Indian diplomats and their spouses on etiquette, table arrangements and menus. Coming from a small town, I only knew of Rotary events in Hotel Metropole or Hotel Krishnaraja Sagara which I attended with my parents. Those parties were unlike the formal events we were invited to or had to host. We learnt by observing and adjusting. The National Day Receptions were glittering occasions which enabled us to meet our own counterparts from other Embassies. Old photographs revive memories of past friendships. Our lives were enriched by reaching across national borders, to find that despite linguistic or cultural differences, we were fellow travellers in distant lands.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / November 28th, 2016

Honour for UVCE principal

Education, Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bengaluru :

The University Visvesvaraya College of Engineering (UVCE) principal has been recognized for his contribution to computer science and engineering education.

The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) conferred Venugopal KR the ACM Distinguished Educator Award 2016. Venugopal has 11 degrees, including a PhD in computer science engineering from IIT-Madras, and another PhD in economics from Bangalore University.

He has authored and edited 64 books and published more than 600 papers. “The contributions of our distinguished members led to breakthroughs that improve our lives, advance the frontiers of scientific discovery and boost economic development,” said Vicki L Hanson, president, ACM.

Venugopal was earlier given the prestigious IEEE Fellow Award, US.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / Bengaluru / TNN / December 02nd, 2016

Sharjah: Multitalented Ganesh Rai to be honoured with ‘Global Man Award’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Dubai :

Multitalented former president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, B K Ganesh Rai is being bestowed with the ‘Global Man Award 2015’ for his contributions to Kannada language, literature, art, folk and social service both globally and in India and is the only one chosen from the UAE for this award. The award will be presented to him during the 12th Vishwa Kannada Samskruthi Sammelana and 13th anniversary of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah celebrations to be held on November 19 and 20 at Al Boom Tourist Village, Sharjah, UAE.

Ganesh Rai is the name that flashes in the minds of every Kannadiga specially in the UAE when it comes to matters of creativity. Multitalented, one can call him “Sakala Kala Vallaban”, be it different forms of painting, from miniatures to wall size, various forms of sculptures, from paper pulp to plaster or parry’s, large stage settings, tableaux, palatial sets, photography, videography, brochures, digital banners, souvenirs, models… you name it and you will find the skills in this great man, Ganesh Rai. He will simply smile and says yes without any hesitation, as for him work is worship and so he does it with ease. He is a good speaker too, a recepient of “Karnataka State Best Teacher Award” in the year 1993.

Hailing from Madikeri, Coorg, Ganesh Rai was born to Thulasiamma and Krishnappa Rai who themselves sound ‘Krishna Tulasi’, close to the Lords. Madikeri has gifted to the world this unique personality called Ganesh Rai who always keep saying “Elladaru iru, yenthadaru iru, yendendhigu nee Kannada vaagiru. (Live wherever you want to, be whatever you want to be, but remain a Kannadiga forever).”

Professor of art, B K Ganesh Rai needs no introduction in this part of the world. He is a person who rises above boundaries of colour, caste, creed, religion and language. Be it a request for art, stage setting, designing, printing, executing brochures, logos, invitations, souvenirs, sculpture, decorating stage from any corner of people, any corner of UAE, at any point of time, you will find only one person who creates with a smile and executes in spite of his busy schedule. ‘Sirigannadam Gelge, Sirigannadam Baalge’ – he never forgets to say that when completing his speech in any of the respected podiums he addresses.
Ganesh Rai’s Work – Service without Boundaries

* Turnkey project management for almost all social organisations without linguistic barriers
* Conceptualization, designing, printing and distribution of invitations
* Creation of giant size banners, stage backdrops, stage settings, cut-outs, posters etc.
* Creative journalism writing to various web media flashing timely news around the world
* Publication of high profile visit reports of specially invited artistes and guests from India
* Master of ceremony (MC) par excellence with easy flow of language and literature
* Conceptualization of ‘Certificate of Honour’ for dignitaries, high profile guests, artistes etc.
* Concept, design and execution of various souvenirs to almost all the existing Associations in UAE
* Creating sculptures especially Ganesha idol every year, Narayan Guru idol and many more
* Paintings of deities, brush arts, pencil art, charcoal art and various naturalistic creations
* Assumed and discharged active role as president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in 2004
* Conducted first blood donation camp for Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in association with MOH
* Attends all blood donation camps organised by various associations and spreads awareness
by creating banners, role-ups and notices for blood donation camps and providing media news
* Compiled, created and released brochure of all Karnataka-based organisations’ blood donations. Brochure released by M K Lokesh, Ambassador of India
* Record of Indian blood donors presented to governments of India, UAE and Karnataka
* Helping the unfortunate deceased Indians in formalities of sending the mortal remains to India
* Enlightening and spreading the essence of Kannada as a soldier of Karnataka to Kannadigas
* Attained appreciations and accolades from almost all Karnataka based associations, and from Tamil, Malayalam and other Indian associations
* Won accolades from NMC Group where he is serving as creative art director
* Supported people of Bangladesh during the flood and natural disasters and helped those affected by the calamities.

Rai, a BCom graduate of Government College, Madikeri, a fine arts diploma holder of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Art6s, an art master certificate holder from Kalanikethan School of Arts, Mysore and Mahalasa School of Arts, Mangaluru, is very well supported by his charming wife Manjula Rai, beautiful daughter Aishwarya Rai and handsome son Monish Rai.

 

Below are some of the creations for which he has been applauded:

Rai’s creations in India

Sculpture / Statues: Created Pushpanjali, Elephants, Lion and Carving Designs in the year 1974 at Govt Junior College Madikeri – Courtesy P P Ayyanna, principal, and unveiled by Field Marshal K M Cariappa

Ganapathy Statues: From 1979 onwards he has created more than 350 statues (2ft – 12 ft) for Karnataka Electricity Board Madikeri 1979-1995, Archana Ganapathy Festival, Virajpet, Angala Parameshwari Temple, Virajpet, Sri Rama Mandir Dechoor Madikeri, Hindu Yuva Shakti New Extn, G T Circle, Madikeri.

Paper Pulp Statues: Created paper moulding statues 8ft-12ft of different styles at Madikeri Dasara Festival, Gonikoppal Dasara Festival, viz, Ganapathy, Natya Ganapathy, Durga Parameshwari, Lakshmi, Saraswaty, Cauvery, Subramanya, Veera Hanumaan, Soorya Bhagavan with Seven Horses, Shanmuka Tarakasura vadhe, Vishnu Bhagavan, Narada, Thumbura, Shiva Linga, Lions, Tigers, Swamy Ayyappa, Maha Kali and many more. Also at Kanchi Kamakshi Temple Gouli street Madikeri, Kote Mariyamma Temple new Extn. Madikeri, Dechoor Sri Rama Mandir Madikeri, Kote Ganapathy Temple Madikeri, Kundurumotte Chamundeshwari Temple Madikeri Uma Maheshwari Temple Gonikoppal, Sree Hanuman Garadi, Beltangadi, South Canara, Bhuvaneshwari Statue – Kannada Rajyotsava celebration – Virajpet etc.

Concrete Moulding Statues: Created 9 ft Cauvery Statue both front and back faced double dimension in front of Cauvery Kalakshetra Madikeri, St Michael Statue (9 ft) at St Michael’s Church Madikeri, St Mary Statue at Kedamalloor Church – Virajpet, Nandi Basava – Arameri Kalancheri Mata statues, Raghavendra Swamy Statue at Raghavendra Temple – Mantralaya, AP, Karu Mariyamma / Nandi / Shiva Linga statues at Karu Mariyamma Temple Madikeri, Swamy Vivekananda 12 ft statue at Cauvery Krupa Madikeri and Prabhavali at Ganapathy Temple Virajpet

Wax Statues: Created Ganapathy, Lakshmi, Sarswathy, Cauvery statues at Madikeri.

Oil Colour/Water Colour Paintings: Created Birth Place of Cauvery oil color canvas painting for Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Board, Chennai. Also created Field Marshal K M Cariappa lifesize oil colour painting, Gopala Krishna Gokale lifesize oil colour painting for Govt Junior College Auditorium Madikeri, Coorg landscape paintings in oil colour for Public Library Virajpet, Jayaprakash Narayan oil colour portrait for A B Vajpayee, former Prime Minister of India, Omkareshwara Temple by night oil colour painting for Lalitha Kala Academy Bengaluru and many painting collections in Delhi, USA, Australia, France, Dubai etc.

Besides, he has participated in a number of art exhibitions in several places right from 1977.
Souvenir Cover Page Design and Logos

Created souvenir pages for 54th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Madikeri, Madikeri Kodava Samaj Amruta Mahotsava (80 Years), Karnataka Police Centenary Celebration, St Anne’s Church 200 years Celebration, Kodagu Dist Honey & Wax Co-op Society Virajpet.

Created logos for Kodagu District Co-op Central Bank, Kodava Sahitya Academy, Kodagu Zilla Parishat, 54th Kannada Sahitya Sammelana, Taranga Virajpet, St Anne’s High School Virajpet, Many more commercial company

He was responsible for multi-coloured picture, offset printing at Shivakasi which was the first time a multi-coloured picture was published in Kodagu (1980)

Birth Place of River Cauvery – Released by Field Marshal K M Cariappa.
Tala Cauvery – Poster released by A Ramaswamy, former deputy commissioner, Kodagu
Tala Cauvery – Triveni Sangama, Theerta Kundike – Picture cards released by M K Poovaiah
Tala Cauvery – Raja Seat Madikeri, Abbi Falls Madikeri – Greetings cards released by R Gundu Rao, the then chief minister of Karnataka
Cauvery – Amar Chitra Katha (pictorial book) Kannada, English, Kodava language released by M C Nanaiah, the then law minister of Karnataka government.
Aishwaraiswara Kubera Lakshmi, Framing picture – Released by Shekar Shetty of Arab Udupi Group of Hotels UAE


Organisations Served

President –Kodagu Kala Parishat / Kodagu Art Masters Association
Secretary –Bharat Scouts and Guides Taluk Association
Secretary –Kodagu District Bunts Association
Founder Member – ‘Taranga’ Cultural Association Virajpet
Technical Advisor – Field Marshal K M Cariappa Statue Committee, Madikeri
Rai’s activities in United Arab Emirates from 1996 onwards

Served as creative art director at Mirrage Advertising, Winning Communivations, Modern Graphics and now currently serving as creative director in Gulf Public Relations Advertising – Signage Division, NMC Group

Public Service

President – Karnataka Sangaha Sharjah 2004 – 2006
Entertainment Secretary – Karnataka Sangha Dubai 2000-2002
Art Director – UAE Tulu Koota Dubai, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE
Organising Committee Member – UAE Bunts -2000-2001
Blood Donation Camp, 2006 – Karnataka Sangha Sharjah and Gulf Medical College Hospital, Ajman and Ministry of Health, Sharjah


Art works created in UAE: Digital banners created with the concept of Karnataka art and culture and Indian traditional art for Karnataka Sangha Dubai, UAE Tulu Koota, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, UAE Bunts, Mogaveers UAE, Billawas Dubai & Northers Emirates, Billawas Dubai, Gulf Billawa Sangha, Daiji Rang Mandir, Symphony Music Institute – Ajman/Sharjah, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE, Nama Tuluveru UAE, Vishwakarma Seva Samiti UAE, Devaadiga Sangha UAE.

Logos created in UAE for Karnataka Sangah Sharjah, UAE Tulu Koota (decennial), UAE Bunts, Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha, Al Ain Kannada Sangha, Dhvani Pratistana UAE (silver jubilee), Mogaveers UAE, Sangama Kalavidaru UAE, Gulf Kannadiga Forum, Devadiga Sangha UAE, UAE Tamil Sangam, Mangalore Konkans (20 years), Daiijiword website, Kannadadhvani website

Stage settings and gateway creations in UAE with the concept of Karnataka art and culture and Indian traditional art for Karnataka Sangah Dubai – Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore setting in 2001, Mysore Palace setting in 2002 (Karnatakotsava – Vishnuvardhan Kannada cine star), UAE Tulu Koota – Tulunadu setting.


Tableaux, gateways and souvenirs designed

* UAE Bunts Souvenir Cover page design – 1999
* Karnataka Sangha Dubai Souvenir – “Gaana Vaibhava”2001 , “Chandana” 2010
* Karnataka Sangha Sharjah – “Saadhane” – 2006
* Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha “Rajata Rashmi” – 2006
* Mangalore Konkans Dubai 2003 – 2010
* Billawas Dubai & Northern Emirates “Suvarna Kedage”- 2007
* UAE Tulukoota – “Sangama” 2000
* St Mary’s Church Dubai – 2005
* St Francis Assisi Jebal Ali – 2007
* St Michael’s Church Sharjah
* SMC Malayalee Catholics
* Tamil Sangam Ras Al Khaimah
* SMC Fr Daniel’s Hon Souvenir
* Dhvani Pratistaana UAE – “Kannada Naadu Nudi Rakshane” Cover
* Karnataka Sangha Sharjah -” Suvarna Karnataka Picture Card”

Besides, he has written and conceptualised a book titled ‘Footprints – A fascinating journey’ to Padmashri Dr B R Shetty.
Awards

Honoured at Govt Junior College Madikeri 1974 at Field Marshal K M Cariappa unveiling ceremony of sculptured art work, Main Gate GJC Madikeri
Karnataka State Best Teacher Award – 1993 by Karnataka Teachers Benefit Fund Bangalore
Karnataka Rajyotsava District Award -1987 by R Gundu Rao, the then chief minister of Karnataka
Gold Medal -1987 at Lakshadeepotsava Dharmasthala by Dr Veerendra Heggade
State Level Honouring – 1993 – at Gokrananatheshwara Temple Mangaluru, by Sri Pejawar Swamiji
Dr Shivaram Karanth Shilpa Kala Rathna Award – 1983 at Karnataka Electricity Board – Madikeri, by K A Somanna, state commissioner, Bharat Scouts – Karnataka
Kala Praveena Award – 1984 Ganapathy Utsava Samiti Gandhi Nagara Virajpet by Sri Shanthamalla Swamiji, Arameri Mata
Kala Kirana Award – 1990 at Angala Parameshwari Temple Virajpet, by M K Poovaiah, president, town muncipal council, Virajpet
Honoured at 100 years Karnataka Police Celebration – 1984 by P S Ramanujam, DIG Mysore
Honoured at Lalitha Kala Academy, Bangalore -1991 by P R Thippeswamy, president, Lalitha Kala Academy Bangalore
Honoured at Madikeri Dasara – Navaratri festival by M C Nanaiah, the then law minister Karnataka
Honourred at Sarva Dharma Sammelana – Arameri Math, by Shiva Kumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math,Tumakuru and Shantha Malla Swamiji Kalncheri Arameri Math
Honoured at Madikeri Dasara Utasav Temples by Kanchi Kaamkshi Temple, Kote Mariyamma Temple
Honoured by Kodagu Bunts Association 1993 at Rotary Hall Madikeri
Honoured at Vishwa Bunts Convention -1993 at Art Exhibition – Chitra Kala Parishat Bangalore by Dr Shivarama Karanth and Jeevaraj Alva, the then minister of Kannada and culture, Karnataka
Awards in UAE

Was honoured with ‘Mayura Award’ by Karnataka Sangha Sharjah in 2009
Received ‘Prathiba Puraskar Award’ at Vishwa Kannada Cultural Convention in 2009
Honoured at Nama Tuluveru ‘Tuluvere Parba 2012’
Honoured at Kuvempu Utsava 2012 at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sangha
Honoured at UAE Bunts Satyanarayana Pooja by Dr. B.R. Shetty in 2015
Honoured at UAE Tulukoota Silver Jubilee Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Devadigas Dubai Celebration in 2015
Honoured at Ramakshatriya Sangha in 2015
Honoured by Shri. Veerendra Hegde at Abu Dhabi Karnataka Sanga Rajyotsava Celebration 2015
Other than the above there are innumerable events Ganesh Rai has contributed selflessly to in one or the other way which was noticed and appreciated by the concerned on various occasions.

In my view, Ganesh Rai should be considered as a great asset to the Kannadigas in the UAE and India as well, for his contribution so far. With his sheer enthusiasm and commitment towards Kannada and Tulu language, he is promoting community spirit from so many years in this part of the world. He deserves all accolades and appreciation from the government of Karnataka which should recognize his service towards Kannada/Tulu language, art, folk and literature packed with a unique blend of artistry, social awareness, commitment of service to humanity and honour him soon.

Wishing him more success in his future endeavors.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / Daijiworld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Shodhan Prasad / Dubai – November 19th, 2015

Pramila Jayapal has a close city-connect

Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, World Opinion

She is a frequent visitor to the city as her parents stay here

It was a day of celebration for a proud couple in the city as their daughter, who left for the U.S. at the age of 16 to pursue her education, was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives after she won the Washington State Senate seat.

Pramila Jayapal, a candidate endorsed by Senator Bernie Sanders, ran from the seventh Congressional District of Washington State, including Seattle, and won. Pramila, who hails from Kerala, is a frequent visitor to the city as her parents stay here.

Her mother, Maya Jayapal (76), is a well-known writer and counsellor, who is the author ofBangalore:Roots and Beyond

A teacher and columnist, who has a deep love for the city, Ms. Maya Jayapal has authored another book on the city as well.

She and her husband have been in Bengaluru since 1993. Speaking about her daughter’s entry into the U.S. legislature, she said, “We were a little surprised by her decision to contest, but we always had faith in her dedication. When I heard the news of her win, I was over the moon,” the proud mother said.

Speaking about her childhood, her mother said that both Pramila and elder sister Suseela had studied at the Jakarta International school when they were posted there.

“We stayed in Bengaluru for 10 years after my marriage and then moved to Jakarta and then Singapore where we stayed for 24 years before returning here,” Ms. Maya Jayapal, who is a graduate of Mount Carmel College in the city, said.

Suseela, who by training is a lawyer, currently lives in Portland, Oregon, but does not practise law actively. “It was a first for us as no one from our family has been in politics,” she said. “Her favourite place is Karavalli restaurant where she loves the appam and stew,” her mother said.

The family is looking forward to a reunion soon after the initial rush of the elections subsides.

“I did not get to speak to her for long on Wednesday; she had to give her victory speech. She sounded happy. I look forward to catching up with her soon,” she said.

When I heard the news of her win, I was over the moon. Maya Jayapal – Pramila Jayapal’s mother

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Avinash Bhat / Bengaluru – November 10th, 2016

… and the award turns 50

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Leaders, Records, All

It is the 50th year of the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award.

Though the Mysore State comprising Kannada-speaking territories came into existence on November 1, 1956 the tradition of conferring the award — considered to be the second highest civilian honour for persons of eminence for their contribution to their respective fields — began in 1966.

Except on two occasions, once during the Vishwa Kannada Sammelan held in Mysuru in 1985 and Kanteerava Indoor Stadium in 2008, the award ceremony has been held in Ravindra Kalakshetra, which is the icon of Kannada and culture in the State.

While 10 eminent persons, including Dr. M.C. Modi, who claimed to have performed a record half-a-million eye surgeries, were selected for the award in 1966, the number did not change for the next decade. However, this was increased to 21 in 1973. The number even crossed three digits in the later years. The S. Bangarappa regime had chosen 175 awardees and the Dharam Singh government had chosen 176. But at that time, the cash component was just Rs. 10,000, which was increased to Rs. 1 lakh in 2008. As many as 92 personalities were chosen for the award in 2008 during B.S. Yeddyurappa’s tenure as the Chief Minister. The number even reached 162 in 2010 during Mr. Yeddyurappa’s tenure.

In the last 50 years, awards were not conferred for various reasons, including natural calamities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – October 31st, 2016

Tribute : Anita Kaul , one of Karnataka’s finest Bureaucrats

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders

She had served as Director-General of ATI Mysuru

by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder & President, Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement

With communication being what it is nowadays, my day began with a piece of bad news arriving on WhatsApp. A friend had sent me a message that Anita Kaul (62), one of Karnataka’s finest IAS (Indian Administrative Service) officers had passed away after a brief illness last night (Oct. 10). This news was hard to believe (as with many WhatsApp messages nowadays) and I called up another good friend and erstwhile colleague of hers to verify. He had just reached Delhi to be with her family and told me the inevitable. She leaves behind her husband Sanjay Kaul and son Rohan.

Anita Kaul had retired from the IAS just more than a year ago after a long and distinguished service in the Karnataka Cadre. She was the Secretary to the Ministry of Law, Government of India, at the time of her retirement, and post-retirement had associated with a social sciences research organisation. I had first met her a few decades ago and was impressed with her efficiency and insightful thinking right from this first interaction. She was with the HRD Ministry of the Government of India and had come visiting to Karnataka to launch one of her favourite women empowerment programmes — Mahila Samakhya. What left me changed was the manner in which she accepted the prevailing realities of gender imbalance and was making suggestions that were practical, embedded in the context and implementable on a large scale. Her fiery passion for improving the lot of women was only matched with her sense of pragmatism.

Her visit to our tribal school at Hosahalli when she was the head of the DPEP programme in Karnataka is still fresh in my memory. Her desire to know about all our educational experiments, her eye for detail and her constant questioning about the idea of the school’s architecture influencing the learning process was a learning exercise for all present. My closest interaction with her was when she was the Director-General of Administrative Training Institute (ATI) at Mysuru [9.1.2002 to 24.12.2004]. It was during her time that this Institute along with the State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) reached its peak. The innovative programmes and the impactful training sessions that she personally designed needed to be seen to be believed. One could scarcely believe that this was a Government Institution and the professionalism that every member of ATI and SIRD demonstrated was a tribute to her leadership.

The next location where she left her deep imprint was in the Ministry of Planning in the Government of Karnataka. She tried hard to bring in evidence-based policy-making and rigorous programme evaluations into the system but with limited success.

Every person who came in contact with her will remember her not just for her administrative brilliance but also for her humaneness, her constant concern for the common man, her instinctive ‘people-centric’ thinking and her stubbornness. Yes, she was stubbornly honest and unwilling to deviate even slightly from the path of the high standards of ethics and morality that she subscribed to. She was also known to take thoughtful decisions, but once she had made them, would stubbornly resist changing it.

Another endearing quality of hers was the freedom that she gave everyone around her to argue and challenge her. One could feel very comfortable criticising her, knowing fully well that soon she would be her caring motherly self again. Yet another dimension of her that people would hardly know was her concern for her aging in-law and mother. She was always trying to be by their side and care for them during their old age and infirmity.

People like Anita Kaul come along very rarely. Bureaucrats like her are rarer. She set high standards not just for the IAS but for the entire development community. She was a unique combination of passion, compassion, integrity, hard work, discipline and concern for the last man on the street. We will all miss you Madam, we pray to the Lord to give your family the strength to bear with the loss. May your soul rest in peace.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / October 19th, 2016

ZP’s Dasara tableau to bring Maharanis of Mysore into limelight

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All
Contributions of Maharanis Doddammanni, Lingarajammanni, Devajammanni, Lakshmammanni and Vani Vilasa Sannidhana to be showcased
Contributions of Maharanis Doddammanni, Lingarajammanni, Devajammanni, Lakshmammanni and Vani Vilasa Sannidhana to be showcased

by Pushpa Vikram

Apart from the grand Vijayadashami Day procession, royal rituals and people’s participation in the festivities, Dasara is a time to recollect the contributions made by the erstwhile kings. While paeans are sung every year hailing the contributions of the Maharajas, very rarely, the sacrifice of the Maharanis are recollected or remembered.

Realising this, the Mysuru Zilla Panchayat has, this year, planned a tableau exclusively dedicated to the Maharanis of Mysore who have selflessly worked for the kingdom and have made sacrifices like selling their jewellery for the welfare of the people.

The tableau has been conceptualised and named ‘Mysurige Maharaniyara Koduge’ when translated in English means the contribution of Maharanis to Mysore. It will be a pictorial representation of the contributions of Maharanis Doddammanni, Lingarajammanni, Devajammanni, Lakshmammanni and Kempananjammanni (Vani Vilasa Sannidhana).

The tableau, one among the 41 tableaux that will be a part of the Dasara procession on Oct.11, is being designed by artists from all parts of the State.

Maharani Doddammanni: In the year 1660 the then King Ranadheera Narasaraja Wadiyar inspired by Maharani Doddammanni built the Bangaradoddi Dam for River Cauvery near Srirangapatna. This turned out to be the first dam built by Kannadigas across Cauvery.

Maharani Lakshmammanni: The kingdom of Mysore saw its low when Haider Ali, a common soldier in the Mysore army, usurped the throne in 1761. He and his son Tipu Sultan kept Maharani Lakshmammanni under imprisonment. Despite being in jail, Maharani Lakshmammanni was able to connect with the then ruling British and was able to give back the kingdom to the Yadu dynasty. Maharani Lakshmammanni’s negotiations with the British proved to be Tipu’s ultimate nemesis. He died fighting on May 4, 1799 at Srirangapatna. Between 1803 and 1804, Mysuru kingdom had to face the outbreak of deadly plague. Though the rulers took effective steps to control the disease, people were not ready for vaccination. Maharani Lakshmammanni had to convince the people and she told the doctors to vaccinate her first. This act by the Maharani earned her laurels from the British and the incident has also been mentioned in the gazette.

Maharani Lingarajammanni and Devajammanni: The Maharanis of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, Lingarajammanni and Devajammanni built two lakes in the eastern side of Mysore – Devambudhi Lake – and the western side of the city – Lingambudhi Lake. They also constructed many temples.

Kempananjammanni (Vani Vilasa Sannidhana): Among the Maharanis of Mysore kingdom, Vani Vilasa Sannidhana is the most remembered queen. She was the mother of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar (then a mere teenager) and she ruled the kingdom in the capacity of ‘Rajamathe’.

Vani Vilasa Sannidhana started separate schools for girls, planned the hydro electric station at Shivanasamudra, drinking water and UGD lines for Mysuru city and built Mari Kanive, a dam popularly known as Vani Vilasa Sagara in Chitradurga. This was the biggest reservoir in India at the time of completion. Under Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar (called Rajarishi among kings by Mahatma Gandhi), Mysore witnessed tremendous economic, social and cultural progress. Mysore State had many firsts to its credit and was hailed as the Model State.

The Krishna Raja Sagar or the KRS Dam, completed in 1931, was then the biggest reservoir in Asia. As the estimate for its construction exceeded the State budgets, Nalwadi and his mother Vani Vilasa Sannidhana sold costly diamonds, ornaments, gold and silver plates of the royal family to provide seed capital for the project.

In designing and displaying this exclusive tableau, the ZP hopes to showcase the role played by the Maharanis for the welfare of the people.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Features Articles / October 07th, 2016

This farmer waters his plants by a phone call to the pump

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Science & Technology

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Last year, when 56-year-old Ronald Mark D’Souza decided to set up a pineapple farm in Shirva about 18 kilometres from Udupi, the biggest challenge before him was the water supply  – a farming essential that suffered because of electricity fluctuation, as well as labour .

D’Souza, though, was determined to find a solution to the problem. After reading up a lot on the GSM-based irrigation system, he decided that that was what suited his farm the best. Speaking to Bangalore Mirror, he said, “I have implemented a very simple mechanism. One need not be in the farm while waiting for the supply of electricity in order to switch on the pump. We have in place a system that provides the farmer the flexibility to regulate and control the operations of their irrigation systems. The GSM sim-based control system has a registered sim inserted in it. The system can control the pump set operations (on and off) from a mobile number with which it has been tuned. The user just needs to make a call to start the pump. It has been programmed to receive commands from only one mobile number. It also sends an SMS whenever there is an interruption in the power supply. I just need to recharge it with an SMS pack.”

D’Souza has developed a pineapple farm called Ronjus garden. “Even when I am not in station, I can control the sprinklers in our farm,” he said. After working in Abu Dhabi for 10 years, he returned to India to work as a financial consultant. In about 3.5 acres of land that he owns, he has grown about 40,000 pineapple plants. He plans to develop a papaya farm as well as a full-fledged organic vegetable farm. His wife Jacintha, a beautician, assists him in the farming. “My dream is to develop a model organic garden. In the west, the support for farming is excellent. Labour is one of the biggest problems haunting the farming community,” he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City News> Bangalore / Bangalore Mirror Bureau / October 10th, 2016

The Mahatma’s days in Namma Bengaluru

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders, Records, All

Momentous moments

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Mahatma Gandhi visited Bengaluru for the first time on May 8, 1915, four months after he returned from South Africa.

A photograph of a young Gandhi and his wife Kasturba, taken during this visit is one of the many that are on display at a week-long exhibition that began at the Rangoli Art Center at Metro station on Mahatma Gandhi Road on Sunday.

Vemgal Somashekhara, a former teacher from Kolar who wrote a book on Gandhi’s visits to Bengaluru, ‘Bengalurinalli Mahatma Gandhi’, explained the significance of Gandhi’s first visit.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale had passed away in February that year and Gandhi had come to Bengaluru for a condolence service organised for his mentor, said Somashekhara.

“Gandhi looks very different in the picture compared to his later avatar. He is seen wearing a ‘topi’ and a kurta in the picture. By the time he comes here for the second time in 1920, we see a different Gandhi, clad in only a dhoti.”

The exhibition is based on pictures and texts from Somashekhara’s book.
Between 1915 and 1936, Gandhi would visit the city a total of five times. Pointing at an old picture of the Eidgah Khuddus Saheb on Miller’s Road, Somashekhara said, “In 1920 on his second visit, Gandhi visited the Eidgah Khuddus Saheb and stayed in the city only for half a day. However, this short visit saw a gathering of around 40,000 people in and around the Cantonment. Such a huge gathering was never seen before.”

Then, there is a picture of the Mahatma getting down from a train at Yeshwantpur and offering prayers at the platform. This is from his third and the longest visit to the city in 1927.

Another picture shows Gandhi on a visit to the Imperial Dairy College in Adugodi (now the National Dai­ry Research Centre) flanked by William Smith, the then director of the college and nationalist leader Madan Mohan Malviya.

“Gandhi stayed in Bengaluru for 87 days during this visit and visited various places. He stayed at the Nandi Hills for 42 days,” said Somashekhara.

It was in 1990 that Somashekhara took interest in chronicling Gandhi’s visit and stay at Nandi Hills. Later, he expanded his project to include Gandhi’s visit to Bengaluru and published his book in 2006.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> City / DHNS – Bengaluru, October 03rd, 2016

Eminent psychiatrist Ashok Pai dies at 69

Leaders, Records, All, Science & Technology

Shivamogga :

Noted psychiatrist, chairman of the state’s mental health task force and award-winning film producer, Dr KA Ashok Pai, died of a massive heart attack in Scotland in the early hours of Friday. The 69-year-old was at an international conference with his wife Dr Rajani Pai.

According to his family, Pai, who landed in Scotland three days ago, had a heart problem on Thursday night and was rushed to hospital  where he passed away. His body is expected to reach Shivamogga on Saturday or early Sunday.

Pai was committed to promoting mental health among people and set up the Manasa Trust, which treated lakhs of patients suffering from mental diseases. He would produce films which highlighted the problems of mental health. His films Prathama Ushakirana and Kadina Benki and tele-serial Antarala  bagged awards.

Pai was a writer, brilliant orator, TV presenter on psychoanalysis, environmentalist/filmmaker Suresh Heblikar said. Pai felt psychiatry shouldn’t be restricted within the confines of a counselling chamber… he wanted to popularize it as a treatment available to all, he added.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India /News Home> City News> Bangalore / TNN / October 01st, 2016