Monthly Archives: January 2012

NTPC awaits MoEF nod for Kudgi power project

Business & Economy

The state-owned National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC) is likely to start work on the first stage of 4,000 Mw ultra mega power project at Kudgi in Bijapur district shortly. Following the transfer of 1,923 acres land by the state government, the board of NTPC recently approved a proposal to take up the work for the first stage of 3×800 Mw project at an estimated investment of Rs 15,166 crore.

The second stage for 2×800 Mw would be taken up later after the state government transfers the entire land for the project, NTPC sources said.

“The Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has handed over priority land of 1,923 acres land for building the main power plant. Land acquisition for the balance 1,600 acres is in progress. We are awaiting the clearance from the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) and once the approval comes the civil work on the first stage would commence,” sources said.

After the MoEF approval comes, the board of NTPC will approach the ministry of power for final approval to commence the work on the project, sources informed.

Meanwhile, NTPC has opened a project office at Bijapur, which is very close to the project site in Kudgi village. NTPC has deposited Rs 100 crore to acquire the land at Kudgi village. Of this, the KIADB has disbursed Rs 80 crore to farmers in the villages of Kudgi, Golasangi, Masuti and Telagi in Basavanabagewadi taluk of Bijapur district. The compensation given to farmers varies between Rs 5.25 lakh per acre for dry land and Rs 7 lakh per acre for wetland, KIADB officials said.

NTPC sources said about 1,100 acres of land for construction of Ash Dyke is under notification for acquisition. The company has included the Kudgi plant equipment in the bulk tendering issued for many other projects. The first unit will be operational in 58 months from the date of award of contract for the main plant equipment.

The Karnataka government had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NTPC on January 12, 2009 for the proposed project. This would be the first power project being set up in Karnataka by NTPC. The state government has committed to supply 5.2 tmc ft water from Almatti dam for the project.

NTPC would use the supercritical thermal technology at this plant. The proposed plant will have the capacity to generate 80 million units of power a day and 50 per cent of it would be supplied to Karnataka while the remaining would be shared among other states. The power purchase agreement was signed between NTPC and electricity supply companies in November 2010.

At present, NTPC has an installed capacity of 36,014 Mw and operates 15 coal-based, seven gas-based and six joint venture power stations. NTPC expects to have a 1,28,000 Mw generation capacity by 2032.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Companies & Industry / by Mahesh Kulkarni /Chennai/Bangalore/ January 13th, 2012

 

Devotees donate 12 lakh rotis for month-long mass feast

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment

It will be a unique treat for devotees who arrive here to participate in the Gavi Siddeshwara math’s jatra in Karnataka for three days from Wednesday.

No one will go hungry with anna dasoha (mass feast) being planned for the devotees which will continue for nearly a month.

The mass feast is organised every year during Gavi math jatra besides the daily anna dasoha for devotees who visit the math. People from across the district, donate kadak roti, prepared with jowar flour for the purpose.

Rotis are dried so that they can be stored for a month without getting spoilt. They are shifted to the math just 4-5 days before the jatra.

The rotis are collected from houses in most villages by the elders who carry them to the math in bullock carts or autorickshaws. Over 12 lakh rotis have been stored in rooms belonging to the math to feed the devotees arriving for the jatra mahotsav.

More rotis are expected with people expected to continue the supply as long as the jathre lasts. This apart, the devotees have also donated thousands of quintals of rice, 5,000 litres of milk, ghee, vegetables and 200 quintals of madali or maldi, prepared by mixing jaggery, wheat flour and dried coconut.

Abhinava Gavisiddeshwara Swamiji, the pontiff of Gavi math told Deccan Chronicle that five years ago, about 80 quintals of rice was left unused in the godown.

“Hence, we decided to use it for dasoha. However, some devotees opposed the move asking what we would do the next year. Undeterred by this, we began the mass feast during the jatra mahotsav. Since then, the feast has been continuing uninterrupted with the blessings of the late pontiff of the math,” the seer added.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> Cities> Bengaluru / DC, Koppal / January 11th, 2012

 

Orissa Assn. Rememers DR. M.S. Nagaraja Rao

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Caption: A file photo of Dr. M.S. Nagaraja Rao with Dr. M.S. Krishnamurthy (former Chairman, Department of Archeology and Ancient History, University of Mysore) at the temple.

The members of Orissa Association Mysore (OAM) were shocked on the demise of Dr. M.S. Nagaraja Rao (former Director General of Archaeological Survey of India), who was deeply involved in all the affairs of the Association. He was the Chairman of the technical committee constituted for renovation of the 11th century temple of Sri Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha, situated on the banks of river Cauvery. It would not have been possible to undertake such a complicated task without Dr. Rao’s involvement.

Dr. Rao was fully involved with OAM and was constantly following up the progress of renovation work even during his hectic foreign tours. Although he was a great contemporary archaeologist, he never compromised with ancient and traditional values.

In one of the technical committee meetings, Dr. Rao decided that the floor of the temple should be laid with ordinary stone slabs or in case granites were used, the surface should be made rough to give the look of the 11th century temple. When it was pointed out that it would involve considerable extra cost to make the surface rough by flaming, he stuck to his decision and said there is no comprise.

He was a workaholic and never got tired. Once he telephoned from USA and said that he was departing from Chicago and would reach Bangalore the next day early morning and then would return to Mysore by road. And I was to meet him in his Dhvanyaloka office at around 11 am. To my utter surprise, when I reached Dhvanyaloka at 11, I found him deeply engrossed in lot of paper work but looking fresh and cheerful. He told me that he had come directly from Bangalore International Airport to the office to do some urgent work relating to his just concluded USA tour. The purpose of asking me to meet him was to get the latest feedback regarding the temple renovation work, which was an example to show his involvement with OAM.

Dr. Rao, who had a special liking for Odisha, used to recount his connection with Odisha. It seems, when he was the Director General of Archeological Survey of India, he was closely involved in the decision making for removal of lime plaster from the outer walls of the world famous temple of Lord Jagannath at Puri and to provide chemical coatings to these walls for its protection from saline atmosphere caused by Bay of Bengal. But for his decision, the beautiful stone carvings on the walls would not have been exposed and the temple looked grander.

The members of Orissa Association have lost a great well-wisher and his absence will be felt immensely.

We pray Lord Venkateswara and Bhoga Narasimha to keep his soul in peace.

— Dilip K. Misra, President, Orissa Association Mysore

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / Feature Articles / January 04th, 2012

 

Palace Treasury With Rare Relics Lies Neglected

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence

Caption: The locked library in Palace Premises

Mysore:

Many may not be aware of the fact that the Mysore Palace premises is home to a fairy-tale type treasury. Many ancient relics and rare antiquities of a bygone era have been preserved at the cellar of the library building belonging to the Archaeology Department at the Palace premises.

It is said that the cellar in the library building in front of the Sri Krishna temple, which is home to bronze coins, idols of gods and some rare items, has remained unopened till now.

It is also said, in addition to other items, the treasury also houses some idols acquired during the times of Vijayanagara Kings and later days, apart from valuable jewellery.

As per the norms, any coins, bronze idols and other antique items found during the excavation of land or temples in Mysore region are handed over to the Archaeology Department through the Deputy Commissioner.

However, the fact about the existence of such a treasury of priceless relics has been kept a closely guarded secret for reasons of security, it is said.

Many officials have served at the Archaeology Department since the past many years. But no proper measures have been taken to safeguard the treasury. It is ironic that at a time when even a small jewellery shop or bank is provided tight security with the installation of CC cameras, an ancient treasury hoarding priceless relics is just a rusty lock away from thieves.

This area has not been cordoned off or declared restricted area along with providing Police security. The items in the treasury have not been catalogued, either based on their numbers or according to their value. It is being alleged in some quarters that the Department officials are neglecting the trove. Such an attitude of the officials has led to suspicions among those who are aware of the treasury, it is said.

No gold, silver jewellery: Director Dr. R. Gopal

The treasury houses just antique idols and bronze coins. There are no gold or silver jewellery there, clarified Dr. R. Gopal, Director, Archaeology Department, to Star of Mysore.

“This treasury has been present at the library building since 50-60 years. If it gains publicity through the media now, we will have to provide special security,” he said.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News/ January 04th, 2012

Nannies Goat Milk launched in Bangalore and Mumbai

Business & Economy, Science & Technology

Udupi, Karnataka :

Launched by Nadur Goat Farms based in Udupi, Goat Milk is now available across several supermarkets across Bangalore and Mumbai in conveniently sized packs of 500 ml.

Nannies Goat Milk , 500 ml package

Easily among the oldest known health foods and high up the list of easily digestible dairy products, Goat Milk makes a comeback in India. Launched by Nadur Goat Farms based in Udupi, Goat Milk is now available across several supermarkets across Bangalore and Mumbai in conveniently sized packs of 500 ml.

Goat Milk from Nadur Goat Farms comes from healthy goats, raised in the stall-fed method- a unique and superior method of raising goats for dairy purposes. Goats raised in this method are fed a balanced mix of nutrients as per their daily requirements and are kept in specially designed stalls which ensure that the goats are healthy and clean, while producing odourless milk. Every goat is checked before it is milked to ensure that it is healthy; the milk then is instantly pasteurised, chilled and packed in 500ml. pillow pouch packets and transported through highly efficient cold chains. The purity, taste and natural nutritional value of the milk, is checked for at every stage of packaging and stringent standards are maintained to ensure the milk that is available on the shelves are of the highest quality. Goat Milk from Nadur Goat Farm is 100% pure and farm fresh without any traces of additives or preservatives.

Talking on the significance of launch, Stephen Kairanna, Director Nadur Goat Farmsopined “Nadur Goat Farms is all about bringing back one among the most revered dairy foods ever in an easily accessible and convenient form. Goat milk has since generations proven itself as a healthy food with multiple benefits and very high levels of nutrition all the while being very quickly digestible. With the launch of our Goat Milk in Bangalore and soon in other cities across India, we aim to take the promise of good health to the busy urbanite with hardly any access to the myriad benefits of fresh Goat Milk.”

source: http://www.indiaprwire.com / PR> Food & Beverages> New Products/Services / January 07th, 2012

 

Med school first step in Shetty project

Business & Economy, Education, Science & Technology, Uncategorized, World Opinion

Dr. Shetty

Cardiologist Dr. Devi Shetty plans to partner with a local educational institution to open a medical school this year in Cayman as part of his medical facility.

Dr. Shetty, who was in Cayman for four days this week to meet government officials and local partners, also revealed that the first phase of the hospital project was expected to break ground in August this year.

“It is our plan to work with a current local institution to get [the medical school] going quicker… In the [initial] plan, the medical school was not supposed to start till the third or fourth year. We decided to expedite that,” explained local partner Gene Thompson.

The medical school will be based within an existing building at a local institution. Dr. Shetty declined to identify which local institution he was partnering with, saying the deal had not yet been “tied down”.

Dr. A. Raghuvanshi, managing director of Narayana Hrudayalaya Hospitals, the group behind the proposed project, said: “By the end of this year, the coming academic year, we should start a medical school that will take about 100 students.”

Dr. Shetty said about 700 students graduated in Cayman every year, only one or two of whom opt to take medical courses after leaving school. He said that if there were a medical school on the island where they could train as doctors, nurses or technicians, one in seven graduates would go into the medical field,

“Healthcare jobs are the only recession-proof jobs,” he said, adding that in recent years, the only industry that created jobs was the healthcare sector. “Currently there is a shortage of three to four million jobs in the healthcare sector,” he said.

“No country should depend on foreign medical specialists to look after healthcare in their country. It is very important that the Cayman government and Cayman people train adequate numbers of doctors, nurses and technicians to look after their own healthcare,” Dr. Shetty added.

The hospital project, officially called the Narayana Cayman University Medical Centre, is slated to be built at the High Rock area of East End, where the Shetty group has bought 200 acres of a 600-acre site. The hospital, its associated assisted living facility and research centre will be built on the 200 acres, while related infrastructure, such as a hotel, will be built by Joseph Imparato, who sold the land to the Shetty group and who still owns the adjacent 400 acres.

The initial phase of the project involves the establishment of a 140-bed hospital, which if all going to schedule, should start accepting its first patients in August 2013, Dr. Shetty told reporters at a briefing Friday, 6 January, shortly before flying off island.

source: http://www.CompassCayman.com / by Norma Conolly,  norma@cfg.ky / January 06th, 2012

Women set to rule the country, says Puttappa

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Hubli:

Women folk are set to rule the country in the future, said noted journalist Patil Puttappa. Releasing books on the first day of the three-day 12th All India Poetess’ Conference here on Friday, Puttappa said, women folk suffered harassment in family and society. Now with the change of time, women are set to lead, he said.

In the past, there was dominance by Brahmins, followed by warriors and industrialists. Now women are prepared to dominate, he said. He asked men to provide opportunities for women to serve the society and the country.

He also said that women’s role is important in maintaining peace and cordial life. Commending the work of Shilpa Shettar, wife of Minister Jagadish Shettar, in organising the mega event, Puttappa said, women of the state would soon see her addressing them as a minister in the future.

Presiding over the function, Jagadish Shettar said every person needs to have a poet’s heart. Saying that majority of the politicians lack poet’s heart, he termed former prime minister A B Vajapayee as a renowned poet who ‘awakened’ people through his poems.

He said the state is concerned about all round development of the region. Hubli would soon see Kala Grama and Janapada Loka, he informed.

Inaugurating the event, former minister Leeladevi Prasad elaborated the contributions of poetess from the time of Akkamahadevi.

Prof Lari Azad, founder of AIPC, spoke on the occasion.

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Express News Service, The New Indian Express / Karnataka / January 07th, 2012

 

 

Straight out of the ‘tawa’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

DELIGHTFUL FLAVOUR

If you are looking for a good eatery in Channammanakere Achchukattu, your search will definitely end at ‘Kavali’, an open-kitchen darshini located opposite the Telephone Exchange, Katriguppe East.


 

 

Known for its wide range of dosas, the joint caters to the residents of the area. It is owned by Meena Rao, a dedicated entrepreneur who is continuing the legacy of her father, who was an expert in the hotel industry. Before starting ‘Kavali’, Meena used to run ‘Shringar Dosa Palace’ in Jayanagar 8th Block. However, she had to close the place down due to some problems.

When she decided to open a new place, she wanted to have a unique name for it, a name that would reflect their speciality of making dosas. “Without kavali (dosa pan), one cannot prepare dosas. And when we hear the word kavali, it instantly reminds us of tasty dosas. Moreover, I didn’t want my new outlet to have a convention name. In that sense, ‘Kavali’ is unique and also symbolises the food we serve,” she says.

To steer the business, she quit a lucrative job in the IT industry. Her friends Sindhu and Abdul supported her in this venture. “My family and friends have always been with me. My father Vittala Udupi Rao is an expert in this field and takes care of most things even today.

My brother Raghavendra Rao manages the quality and oversees other things. My uncle Prabhakar is a food consultant and I always take his advice in improving quality and service,” adds Meena. The menu includes a range of dosa items like masala dosa, onion dosa, set dosa, capsicum dosa, neer dosa, pineapple dosa and chilli dosa.

The methi dosa is an exclusive item and is not easily available elsewhere. The other delicacies include rava idli, shavige idli, pulav, bonda soup and vada. The khara bath is also a special item which is different from the usual khara bath available elsewhere. They prepare three types of chutney as well — coriander and coconut chutney, fried gram chutney and sweet chutney. Akki roti and ragi roti are also available.

The sweet section has jamun, jalebi and Bowring kulfi. The eatery opens at 7 in the morning and closes at 12.30 pm. It reopens again in the evening and these timings ensure that the staff gets enough rest. For the evening session, all the items are prepared fresh once again.

“We use only quality products to prepare the food. No colours or preservatives are added. Anyone can come and take a look at our preparation methods. In a couple of days, we will be adding ten more varieties of dosas to our menu which already has 35 different dosas,” says Raghavendra Rao.

Arpitha, a professional, comes here regularly for coffee and breakfast. “These days, I have stopped having breakfast at home. I like the masala onion dosa, which is very special to this place and also the capsicum dosa. The coffee is awesome too,” she says. ‘Kavali’ is closed on Tuesdays.

For details, call 9740357836.

source: http://www.DeccanHerald.com / Home> Supplements> Metrolife / by: Sudha Hegde / Sunday, January 08th, 2012

 

Mangalore: Youth Festival – Palemar Seeks Wholehearted Cooperation, Not Donation

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Mangalore, Jan 6:

“For the first time, our city will be hosting National Youth Festival. We solicit contribution and cooperation from everyone for the success of the festival. We have not asked organizations or institutions to foot the bills. We do not seek monetary assistance, but we need wholehearted participation of the people, institutions and organizations,” said Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister, Krishna J Palemar.

He was addressing a press conference held at the office of the district deputy commissioner here on Thursday January 5.

He requested managements of schools, colleges, banks, and other business establishments etc to illuminate their buildings with tasteful lights since January 11 onwards till the conclusion of the festival to create a festive atmosphere in the city. He also asked people to decorate important circles in the city with electric lights and green festoons, and wished that the entire city will get bedecked like a bride for the occasion.

He said that the students and staff of all schools and colleges in the district have permission to take part in all the programmes of the festival, without applying for leave. He revealed that buses will be run from rural belts to the city during these days free of cost, to enable villagers to participate in the festival.

Deputy speaker in state assembly, N Yoigish Bhat, MLA, U T Khadaer, MP, Nalin Kumar Kateel, city mayor, Praveen Kumar, S Ramesh, chairman of Mangalore Urban Development Authority, chairman of Coastal Development Authroity, B Nagaraja Shetty, district deputy commissioner, N S Channappa Gowda, zilla panchayat chief executive officer, Dr K N Vijay Prakash, principals of colleges and bank officials participated in the programme.

source: http://www.DaijiWorld.com / Daijiworld Media Network, Mangalore (SP) / Friday, January 06th, 2012

 

One self-made Indian woman can reform healthcare: The New Yorker

Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Science & Technology

New York:

Amid concerns about runaway health spending, American industry leaders have said the world can find inspiration in India’s ability to provide low-cost medical innovation. Almost on cue, The New Yorker has a big profile of Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon, India’s first and largest biotech company, started in 1978. The piece asks the question “Can one self-made woman reform health care for India, and the world?”

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the founder of Biocon, India’s first and largest biotech company, started in 1978.  Reuters.

It cites her company’s work on diseases that are prevalent in countries like India, and also her philanthropic work to bring health care to the poor. Since 1996, Biocon has been developing its own drugs, in addition to generics. Biocon produces drugs for cancer, diabetes and auto-immune diseases.

“I would love to see one of our novel drugs make it big with the ‘Made in India’ label,” Mazumdar-Shaw, who at 25 created a biotech company by working out of the garage of a rented one-bedroom house in Bangalore,  told The New Yorker’s Ariel Levy.

Never mind that no one in the ’70s knew what biotech was, that she is a woman and that backers were hard to come by because of these two points. Today, Mazumdar-Shaw’s Biocon is a $1 billion operation.

Most importantly, it is in stage-three clinical trials for both a cancer treatment drug and a variety of insulin that can be taken orally, a product that has long been the global pharmaceutical industry’s “holy grail,” said the US magazine.

“I grew up being apologetic about India,” Mazumdar-Shaw told Forbes. “I felt a strong urge in me to create something that would be a piece of the new India. I did not want the new generation to feel apologetic.”

Well, India is far from apologetic about Mazumdar-Shaw’s Biocon Park which sits on a verdant 90-acre campus in Bangalore and houses some 5,000 molecular biologists, technicians and employees. At the entrance is an enormous sculpture of a double helix with the words “Recombinant Revolution” on the base.

Mazumdar-Shaw works a few doors down from her husband, John Shaw, who became Biocon’s vice chairman in 2001, three years after the couple married. John Shaw, who grew up in Scotland, came to Bangalore in 1991 as chairman of Madura Coats Ltd.

Mazumdar-Shaw told the magazine that she thinks of her husband as a “very secure person” who is comfortable in his role. “After we got married,” John Shaw told The New Yorker “we sat down and Kiran said, ‘Now, John. You’ve got a career in the textile industry. I’ve got a career in the biotech industry. One of us has to give up our career, and it’s not me.” When he looked at her accounts ledgers, he agreed.

In 2004, Biocon held an initial public offering (IPO), which brought Mazumdar-Shaw’s net worth to half a billion dollars. It is now almost double that, indicated The New Yorker. Not long afterward, she started the Biocon Foundation, to carry out her philanthropic work.

“Although charity is not prevalent among wealthy Indians — they give at about a quarter of the rate of Americans — Mazumdar-Shaw has spent $15 million on her cancer hospital and the Arogya Raksha,” noted The New Yorker.

The magazine highlighted Mazumdar-Shaw’s model for sustaining the 1,400-bed Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Centre in Bangalore which treats poor patients for free or at steep discounts. At the center, the wealthy pay market price for MRIs and other diagnostic procedures, subsidising discounts for the poor.

“At 4 a.m, it’s free, 8 a.m to 5 p.m it is full price, 6 p.m to 10 p.m it’s half price,” Mazumdar-Shaw explained. She said that one-time donations — what she describes as a “turn-on, turn-off mentality” — won’t bring change; the market has to adjust.

What the Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center is doing is similar to the Madurai-based Aravind Eye Hospital. Deceased management guru CK Prahalad had trumpeted how the Aravind Eye Hospital had created a new hospital business model. Aravind’s founders use a tiered pricing structure that charges wealthier patients more for fancy meals or air-conditioned rooms, letting the firm cross-subsidise free care for the poorest. Aravind rotates its staff at its five hospitals to deal with both paying and non-paying patients so there is no difference in quality.

In addition to starting the Huskur clinic and nine others like it in Karnataka, Shaw-Mazumdar’s Arogya Raksha programme has started a micro-insurance programme and hired local women to go door-to-door offering screening services for oral cancer. Every year, Shaw donates $2 million to support health insurance coverage for 1,00,000 Indian villagers.

“Mazumdar-Shaw has become a national mascot for rectitude,” observed The New Yorker,adding that her company is run with deep “corporate nationalism” — you know there is going to be no tax fiddle. Not surprisingly, Mazumdar-Shaw was one of the first civic-minded Indian business leaders to tweet support for Anna Hazare.

source: http://www.FirstPost.in / by Uttara Choudhury / January 05th, 2012