Monthly Archives: June 2012

Vijay Mallya on cloud nine after team’s best performance of season

Sports, Uncategorized

Ferrari’s Spanish driver Fernando Alonso, Caterham F1 Team’s Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen, Ferrari’s Brazilian driver Felipe Massa and Force India’s German driver Nico Hulkenberg drive at the Valencia Street Circuit – AFP

Vijay Mallya was over the moon on Sunday as his Formula One team Sahara Force India enjoyed its strongest performance of the season at the European Grand Prix in Valencia. German Nico Hulkenberg finished fifth and Scot Paul Di Resta came home seventh as the Indian-owned team earned 16 world championship points.

Mallya said he was delighted to see his cars in top-10. “A thoroughly enjoyable race. It was a rollercoaster contest with many twists and turns, but I feel we have come away with the points we deserved given our performance level this weekend. Both drivers pushed hard, kept out of trouble and made their different strategies work. Paul recovered the ground he lost under the safety car and Nico had to drive most of the race without KERS, so it was an excellent performance by him,” the business tycoon added.

Mallya vowed that the team’s strong show will continue. “It has set us up perfectly for Silverstone in two weeks’ time where we will be determined to build on this momentum in our local race (the team’s factory is based in England),” Mallya added.

Hulkenberg, who posted his best rest in Formula One career, said, ” A great result for everyone in the team and for me personally. Fifth place is a great achievement after a very long and difficult race. The
two-stop strategy worked well, but the last stint was very long and it was hard to hold off the cars behind me on fresher tyres in the last few laps. So the race was a bit messy at times, but very entertaining and it feels great to come through and score such a good result for the team. We got a bit lucky with some cars dropping out, but we were in the right place to capitalise on things,” the German said.

source: http://www.DeccanChronicle.com / Home> Channels> SPORT> Motor Racing / by C. Santosh Kumar, DC / Chennai / Monday, June 25th, 2012

Hyderabad: Rs 25-lakh Bonanza from Andhra Govt for ’Golden Girl’ Mamata Poojary

Records, All, Sports, Uncategorized

Hyderabad, 24 Jun 2012:

In the middle of complaints that only cricket hogs all the limelight and only cricketers get large gifts as incentives, here is some soothing news.

Captain of the first women’s World Cup-winning India Kabaddi team Mamata Poojary and another member of the team Nagalakshmi have won prizes of Rs 25 lakh each from the Andhra Pradesh government.

The announcement was made by chief minister Kiran Kumar Reddy on Saturday, June 23.

Mamata hails from Hermunde in Karkala taluk of Udupi district and if anyone wonders what made the AP government choose her, she happens to be an employee of Railways, based in Secunderabad. Nagalakshmi hails from AP.

Recently, the AP government had announced a prize of Rs 50 lakh in appreciation of badminton star Saina Nehwal from the state. There was discontent that the government had neglected the Kabaddi achievers.

source: http://www.bellevision.com / by PTI / Hyderabad, June 24th, 2012

Event by Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya, Dharwad

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

Why do some Hindustani vocalists and instrumentalists from certain places like Dharwad attain international fame? Take examples of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Dr. Gangubai Hangal, Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur,Pandit Basavraj Rajguru,Pandit Kumar Gandharva, Ustad Rahmat Khan Sitarwale, Pandit Devendra Murdeshwar or the present generation – Ustad Usman Khan (now based in Pune), Fayyaz Khan Sarangia (now based in Bengaluru) and Prof Venkatesh Kumar, Jayteerth Mehundi both from Dharwad).

To get answers, do attend an event by Kalkeri Sangeet Vidyalaya, Dharwad, Supported by the French-Canadian nationals and helped by Dharwad-based Ustad Hameed Khan (grandson of Ustad Rahmat Khan), these socially and economically ignored children are taught in the ancient Gurukul system and each student is assigned a Guru. It is not difficult to find Gurus in this land of Joshis and Hangals!

This event spanning 90 minutes, by the students includes two short themes in Hindustani ragas, solo Bansuri, violin and tabla recitals will attempt to answer your questions.

Admission to these events is free.

Program Details:

Mysore Association, Bhau Daji Road, Kings circle, 400019 (Tel: 24024647)

Thursday, June 21,2012 , 7.00 p.m.

Karnataka Sangha, C.S.M.Road, Matunga Road (W) Mumbai 400 016 (Tel: 24377022/24379645)

Saturday June 23, 2012, 6.00 p.m.

For more info, visit www.ksv.org.in

source: http://www.shadjamadhyam.com / Home> submitted by Mukul / June 18th, 2012

UAS releases 15 new varieties of crops

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

The University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) Dharwad has introduced 15 new varieties of crops for the farming community. UAS Vice-Chancellor R R Hanchinal said here on Tuesday that the researchers and experts of the varsity were introducing the new varieties of crops for the betterment of the farming sector and to help the farmers get high yield.

Considering that North Karnataka region has rich potential for vegetables and horticulture crops the UAS has released two new varieties of tomatoes named DMT-1 and DMT-5. The duration of these crops is 120 days and the new breed has the capacity to yield 28 tonne per hectare. This is a bushy variety with bacterial wilt resistant and the fruits are good for fresh market. Similarly, a new variety of coccinia named DRC-2 has also been released. It has capacity of yielding 67 tonne per hectare and is a long duration crop.

The scientists after years of research have developed new variety of cotton breed named DHH-263 which has a duration of 165 days and has a yielding capacity of 26 quintals per hectare. This is a superior medium staple hybrid cotton with high lint yielding ability.

A new variety of hybrid maize GH-0727 having the duration of 120 days and a capacity of getting 74 quaintal per hectare has also been released. This is resistant to turcicum leaf blight and rust, high yielding and high starch containing variety, he added.

To help the black gram growers, new variety breed DBGV-05 with a duration of 82 days and a yielding capacity of 15 quintal per hectare has been introduced.

Apart from this, the UAS has also released new variety of Cowpea named DCS-1-47, green gram DGGV-2, Niger named DNS-4, Sesame named SSD-5, two new varieties of ground nut G-2-52 and GPBD-5 with a yielding capacity of 35 quintal per hectare and soya JS 03-05 and DSB-21

Hanchinal stated that the biggest challenge before the country is to provide nutritional food to the ever growing domestic market. Hence, emphasis has been given to generate high yielding crops.

source: http://www.Business-Standard.com / Home> Economy & Policy> by BS Reporter / Chennai-Dharwad / June 21st, 2012

Karnataka NGO wins global green energy award

Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Science & Technology
Mangalore, MAY 31:

The Karnataka-based NGO, Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project (SKDRDP), has won Ashden Gold Award for 2012.

The Ashden awards were founded in 2001 to encourage greater use of local sustainable energy to address climate change and alleviate poverty. Ashden’s patron is the Prince of Wales.

A press release by the London-based Ashden said that the Dharmasthala-based SKDRDP was awarded the overall Ashden Gold Award of £40,000 in prize money at a meeting with the Prince of Wales in London on May 30.

Quoting the judges of the Ashden award, the release said that the project is a fantastic example of how ethically managed microfinance can deliver sustainable energy to the poor, demonstrating that providing consumer loans for energy makes sound social, environmental and economic sense.

The project provides affordable loans to families in the area, helping them buy renewable energy systems that improve their quality of life. Key to the success of this programme, which has provided nearly 20,000 energy loans, is self-help groups that help people make informed choices on what energy products they buy, it said.

Presenting the award, Dr Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General of UNIDO and Chair of UN-Energy, urged governments around the world to increase their support for clean energy pioneers. “The Ashden 2012 winners are exposing the myth that poor countries cannot stimulate growth without degrading the environment. They are demonstrating that sustainable energy stimulates green growth and new jobs, lifts people out of poverty, improves health and opens up new educational opportunities,” he said.

Dr L.H. Manjunath, Executive Director of SKDRDP, said that receiving an Ashden Gold Award was a great step in recognising that poor people need financial services to acquire sustainable energy assets. For too long, micro-credit only meant improving livelihoods. This award will redefine the scope of micro-credit, he said.

SKDRDP, which is headquartered at Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, has presence in 16 districts in the State. Other winners of this year’s award are: IBEKA, a community-owned micro-hydro programme in Indonesia; GIZ/INTEGRATION, a micro-hydro programme in Afghanistan; iDE/Hydrologic, an energy-saving water filter in Cambodia; and Barefoot Power, an affordable solar power provider in East Africa. SKDRDP has been selected for the overall Gold Award winner, it said.

vinayakaj@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com / Home> Industry & Economy> Economy / by The Hindu’s Bureau / May 31st, 2012

Minister for Education launches Ireland India Institute at DCU

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

The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn TD, has launched the Ireland India Institute, a new national centre at Dublin City University to drive enterprise, research and academic collaboration between Ireland and India.

Professor Brian MacCraith, President of DCU with DCU students, Rachita Singh and Abina Philip at launch of DCU’s Ireland India Institute

Through a series of targeted initiatives, the Institute aims to practically support strategic partnerships in business, education and research between the two countries. The initiatives will include:

  • An Ireland-India Research Fund, which will help fund research into the grand challenges affecting both states in areas such as sustainable technologies, health and multiculturalism
  • The provision of Ireland India Institute Scholarships to support Indian scholars and researchers in their studies in Ireland
  • An Ireland India Institute Seminar Series which will bring some of the most significant thinkers and business leaders on contemporary India to Ireland
  • In addition, the Institute will provide a suite of academic and extra-mural programmes in areas relevant to contemporary India.

In a key development, Ms Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, Indian entrepreneur and founder, chairman and managing director of Biocon, one of the world’s largest biotechnology companies, has agreed to become patron of the Institute.

Commenting on the launch of the Institute, Mazumdar-Shaw stated: “I am delighted to be patron of this important Ireland-India initiative.

Contemporary Ireland and India face the same global challenges, issues such as healthcare, ageing and sustainability. The Institute will help focus our joint efforts in achieving common solutions to these challenges. It will become a focal point for the study of contemporary India and a meeting place for all friends of India.  I welcome DCU’s continued strategic focus on my country which is based on academic and research excellence.”

Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, who formally launched the Institute, commented: “Dublin City University’s strategic focus on contemporary India has resulted, already, in a series of research collaborations with the sub-continent’s most prestigious Institutions, particularly in the areas of science and technology. The establishment of the Ireland India Institute will see DCU build on that record to host a national centre for the study of contemporary India. As Minister I have sought to drive the international agenda in our higher education institutions. I am delighted with this response to that drive.”

Professor Brian MacCraith, President of Dublin City University, stressed the importance of engagement with India as part of his overall vision for DCU: “On becoming President of DCU I made engagement with contemporary India a strategic priority for the University. Our faculty and researchers have, since that time, made great strides in developing active research projects with our Indian partners in Institutions such as IIT Madras, IISC Bangalore, JNU and IIT Delhi and others. That unprecedented degree of collaboration will be developed and fostered in the coming years through the Ireland India Institute which will become the hub for all those in Irish enterprise and academia who seek to develop our common goal of deeper Ireland India collaboration.”

The Ireland India Institute is hosted at Dublin City University and at www.irelandindiainstitute.ie.

source: http://www.businessandleadership.com / Home> Exporting / by Bernice Barrington / June 18th, 2012

Prof. Hampana lauds contribution of Jainism & Jain literature to Kannada

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

Caption:  Picture shows the Digambar Jains, adorned with crowns, who participated in Kalpadhruva Aradhana Mahotsava at the newly-inaugurated Mahaveer Bhavana in city yesterday in the presence of Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji, D. Surendra Kumar, National Working President of Bharatiya Jain Milan and others. Picture shows Mysore Digambar Jain Samaja Vice-Presidents N. Prasanna Kumar (left) and B.S. Santosh Kumar felicitating Prof. Dejagow as Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah and Dr. Padma Shekar look on.

Mysore, June 12

Though members of Jain community are committed to non-violence, it does not mean that they will tolerate anything, said eminent Jainism scholar Prof. Hampa Nagarajaiah (Hampana).

He was delivering the presidential address at a felicitation held as part of the two-day inaugural function of Mahaveer Bhavana in Srirampura here yesterday under the auspices of Digambar Jain Samaja and Mahaveer Bhavana Nirmana Samithi.

Though injustice should be fought against, it should not become a reason to get into violence. Gandhiji’s non-violent way of protest against the British which paved the way for India’s independence should be a model to all, he opined.

Let the Mahaveer Bhavana, instead of being just a building and kalyana mantap, be a platform to honour those who strive for the welfare of Jain community, Nagarajaiah wished.

He lauded the litterateurs for spreading the words of Lord Mahaveera among all generations, adding that Jainism always gave due prominence to literature and art. Jainism showed that Kannada which was earlier mainly a spoken language, could also be used in literature.

The tradition of building a library with each Basadi showed the Jains’ love for literature and it has continued even in the midst of many changes. The very idea of Mutts came from Jainism. A place where apart from the spread of religious thoughts, children were also imparted teaching came to be known as a Mutt, he averred.

Veteran litterateurs and scholars Prof. D. Javaregowda, Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar, Dr. T.V. Venkatachala Shastri, B.S. Sannaiah, Seetharam Jagirdar, G.G. Manjunath, Dr. Taranath, Dr. K. Anantharamu, Pt. P. Nagarajaiah, Prof. Jeevandhar Kumar Hothapete, A. Anandkumar, Dr. Y.C. Bhanumathi, Dr. Saraswathi Vijayakumar and Dr. Padmavathamma were honoured on the occasion.

Speaking on behalf of the honourees, Dr. Dejagow said Jain culture was the foundation for the culture of Karnataka. Pampa, Ranna and other poets who authored many volumes in Kannada language were Jains. The culture and literature found in Karnataka are not present anywhere else in the world. There are more than 4,000 poets, 500 Yakshagana poets and on an average 20 books are published everyday, he added.

Saying that he always advices politicians to read literature, which is turned down by them as they say that they cannot politick if they read, Dejagow added that people should read books of Pampa, Ranna and other poets, through which the country would become prosperous.

Kalpadhruva Mahotsava

Earlier, at the Kalpadhruva Aradhana Mahotsava celebrated for two hours, 24 silver kalashas were adorned in front of the stage and abhisheka was performed to the idols of 24 Theerthankaras simultaneously.

Mysore University Prakrit and Jainology Department’s Dr. Padma Shekar was the chief guest. Shravanabelagola Digambar Jain Mutt’s Sri Charukeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji and Kanakagiri Digambar Jain Mutt’s Sri Bhuvanakeerthi Bhattaraka Swamiji conducted the rituals.

Chinmay Vishwasen Jain invoked. Arun Pandit compered. H.P. Prasad, Director, Digambar Jain Samaja and Convenor of Publicity Committee, proposed a vote of thanks.

Digambar Jain Samaja President S.N. Prakash Babu, Mahaveer Bhavana Samithi Working President M.A. Sudheer and others were present.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / June 12th, 2012

Five Personalities selected for ‘Basavashri’ Award

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Leaders, Nature, Records, All

Mysore, June 12

Five distinguished personalities have been selected for “Basavashri-2012” award by Sharana Mandali, 5th Cross, Anikethana Road, Kuvempunagar in city:

1. Senior officer Dr. C. Somashekhar, who is currently serving as the Director of Agriculture Marketing Department at Bangalore.

2. A.S. Sadashivaiah, Chairman, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

3. Rajashekara Koti, Editor of Andolana Kannada daily.

4. Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement.

5. K.N. Basavaraj, Veteran Theatre Artiste of Mysore.

The awards will be presented by Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathi Deshikendra Swamiji at a function to take place on the evening of June 17 in city, according to a press release.

Dr. C. Somashekar began his career as a lecturer at KLE College, Bangalore, before joining government service. He was secured in various capacities including as Deputy Director of Food & Civil Supplies Department at Dharwad, Assistant Commissioner at Mangalore and Housing Board Secretary.

A.S. Sadashivaiah hails from Tumkur district. He earned his Diploma from the Indian Institute of Forestry. He has delivered many lectures and presented papers in many countries on issues concerning forest. He retired as the State’s Principal Conservator of Forests. He is currently the Chairman of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board.

Rajashekara Koti is a veteran journalist and Editor of Andolana, city’s Kannada daily. Koti has over four decades of experience in Kannada journalism. He has many awards to his credit for his service to journalism field.

Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, the founder of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM), is a social activist and an expert in leadership development training.

After completing his MBBS degree in Mysore, Dr. Balasubramaniam got his M.Phil from BITS, Pilani and Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University. He has been assisting the Lokayukta in unearthing many irregularities and scams in the PDS system and health sector of the State.

K.N. Basavaraj, a veteran theatrist, has been involved in the theatre field of Mysore for over six decades. He has also served in the famous yesteryear drama troupes such as Gubbi Company, Honnappa Bhagavathar Company etc.

He was accorded the Kalarathna award by then Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah. He floated his own theatre group Kannadambhe and has performed plays all over the State.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News /  June 12th, 2012

India’s first ‘Sky Wheel’ to come up on Expo Grounds in city

Amazing Feats, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Now riders can enjoy the panoramic view of city and its surroundings within 20 kms

Mysore, June 14- The country’s first Sky Wheel, a modernised version of the Giant Wheel, will be installed at the Dasara Exhibition Ground premises and will be available for joy-rides during this Dasara, announced Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA) Chairman B.P. Manjunath here yesterday.

Addressing a press conference here, Manjunath said that the Sky Wheel will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 crore. There will be more than 30 air-conditioned and well-furnished cabins with seating arrangements for four persons each. The rider will get to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings within a radius of 20 kms.

Places of tourist interest like the Ranganathittu bird sanctuary, Srirangapatna, Brindavan Gardens in KRS, Chamundi Hill, Nandi statue, Mysore Palace, Zoo and the Karanjikere lake can be seen with a bird’s eye view from the Sky Wheel, said Manjunath.

This Sky Wheel would be the third in the world, after the London Eye and Singapore Skyer.

An area of two acres is earmarked for this project, work on which would begin in 15 days and completed in four months, said Manjunath, adding that the project was approved at the Global Investors’ Meet held in Bangalore recently.

Innovative Studio Private Limited, which has set up the Innovative Film City in Bidadi, will construct the Sky Wheel, he said.

While the entry fee per person will be fixed in the range of Rs. 500 to Rs. 600, a decision on family packages and students’ discount would be taken later, Manjunath said.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / Thursday, June 14th, 2012

‘Fruit-Bearing trees help survival of birds’

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Caption: Zoo Executive Director B.P.Ravi watering a sapling at the Vanama-hotsava programme at Snehakiran School for specially-abled children in Bogadi here on Wednesday. SVYM founder Dr. R. Balasubramanyam, Snehakiran Spastic Society President A. Raghunath and others along with the children of the school look on.

Mysore, Jun 15- Planting saplings of fruit and flower bearing trees will help in conserving bird species, opined Zoo Executive Director B.P.Ravi.

He was speaking at the Vanamahotsava programme organised at Snehakiran school for specially-abled children at Bank Colony in Bogadi here on Wednesday.

Ravi said that we have trees that bear fruit twice in a year and neem and sandalwood trees attract more than 25 variety of birds.

He said society should be ready to accept specially-abled children and parents should ensure that these children are trained in such a way that they can lead a life without depending on others.

Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement founder Dr. R. Balasubramanyam, Snehakiran Spastic Society President A. Raghunath, Secretary A.P. James, K. Abraham, Principal Chitralekha and others were present.

source: http://www.StarofMysore.com / General News / Thursday, June 15th, 2012