Monthly Archives: May 2014

Mangala remembers Scarlett ‘Kempamma’

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

 

T. Scarlett Epstein, also known as 'Kempamma'.
T. Scarlett Epstein, also known as ‘Kempamma’.

The people of Mangala, a village in Mandya district, chose to re-christen T. Scarlett Epstein “Kempamma” when she came to their village in the ’50s. They were unaware that the first name of the young woman roughly translated to the Kannada variant they had picked and that her study on their village was to bring her international renown.

Dr. Epstein (OBE), who passed away in U.K. at 91 on April 27, had a lasting connection with Mangala and Kalenahalli where she stayed in the ’50s during the course of her Ph.D on the socio-economy of Mysore villages, with renowned sociologist late M.N. Srinivas as her guide. She kept in touch with Mangala all her life, her last visit being in 2010. The villagers held a condolence meeting when they heard of her death.

From AustriaDr. Epstein’s journey to academia was nothing short of an adventure. The social anthropologist and economist was a Jewish refugee from Vienna who left Austria in 1938, as a high school girl, after Germany annexed it during World War II. She eventually made her home in the UK, working as a labourer in a clothes factory as she studied, slowly gaining a foothold in academia, she reveals in her autobiography, Swimming Upstream. Her visit to Mangala was the first leg of her long and illustrious journey.

Manjamma, an elderly resident of Mangala, recalls Dr. Epstein as someone who was always interested in studying the routine activities of rural women. “She learnt to put rangoli and got used to our ragi mudde and naati chicken curry,” she says.

Though she later worked in others parts of the globe and published over 15 academic works, her link to Mangala was special, recalls T. Thimme Gowda, a former bureaucrat who hails from Mangala and worked with Dr. Epstein on her field studies. “I was a boy of seven when she first visited our village,” he says.

In KannadaHer Ph.D work, as well as two of her important works rooted in Karnataka — ‘South India Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’ and ‘Village Voices’ — have been translated into Kannada and brought out by the University of Agricultural Sciences, says Mr. Gowda.

“When she visited the village in 2010, she was worried about the large-scale migration because of agrarian distress and wanted to write about it and also do something to prevent it,” recalls Mr. Gowda.

source:http//www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Bageshree S. and M.T. ShivaKumar / Bangalore – Mandya, April 29th, 2014

In the company of two Governors

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

Pages from History

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by Prof. A.V.Narasimha Murthy

Dr. Channa Reddy was the Governor of Lucknow University and at the suggestion of Prof. B.N. Puri, we went to the Raj Bhavan and called on the Governor. When I was introduced by Prof. Puri to His Excellency, I told him, ‘Sir, I have met you twice in Hyderabad; once in the company of Mallampalli Somasekhara Sharma and on another occasion with Oruganti Ramachandariah, both my gurus.’ He was pleased and told me, ‘in that case why are you not talking to me in Telugu.’ The Governor continued, ‘you are fortunate that you were a student of Mallampalli. He is a great man. You know, he is not even a graduate but his book History of Reddi Kingdom is an authoritative book on the subject. Four doctorate degrees can be awarded to that research work. When I had recommended his name for professorship at the Andhra University, the authorities turned it down on the ground that he has no Master’s degree and a doctorate. Finally, I got him selected as a Visiting Professor…’

The other day I was reading my own book Chadurida Chitragalu in Kannada published on the occasion of my 75th birthday by Talukina Venkannaiah Smaraka Publications of T. S. Chayapati. It contains 75 anecdotes relating to me which incidentally throw light on the contemporary academic and social scene. Fortunately this book was welcomed by Kannada readers and it has become out-of-print and its next edition is due. I thought I should share with my readers two of the incidents which I considered interesting.

Lucknow University in Uttar Pradesh has a renowned Department of Ancient Indian History and I used to visit that University for many official purposes. Prof. B.N. Puri was the Professor at Lucknow University and on his invitation I visited the University. At that time, Dr. Channa Reddy was the Governor and at the suggestion of Dr. Puri we went to Raj Bhavan and called on the Governor. I was introduced by Dr. Puri to His Excellency, the Governor. I told him, ‘Sir, I have met you twice in Hyderabad; once in the company of Mallampalli Somasekhara Sharma and on another occasion with Oruganti Ramachandariah, both my gurus.’ He was pleased and told me, ‘in that case why are you not talking to me in Telugu.’ He turned towards Dr. Puri and said, ‘hope you don’t mind if we talk in Telugu.’

The Governor continued, ‘you are fortunate that you were a student of Mallampalli. He is a great man. You know, he is not even a graduate. But his book History of Reddi Kingdom is an authoritative book on the subject. Four doctorate degrees can be awarded to that research work. What a pity! When I had recommended his name for professorship at the Andhra University, the authorities turned it down on the ground that he has no Master’s degree and a doctorate. Finally, I got him selected as a Visiting Professor. I felt the Andhra University should have considered itself proud to have such a great scholar on its faculty.’ Thus he expressed his unhappiness over the way in which the University behaved.

Subsequently, he remembered with respect many of his Professors working at the Andhra University. He continued, ‘you are from Karnataka. There was a great visionary by name R.R. Diwakar, a scholar and Statesman. He planned a work called Karnataka Through the Ages and it was published under his guidance. After seeing that wonderful volume, I told many Professors and Vice-Chancellors to take up the work Andhra Through the Ages. But nobody took any interest in it and such a book has not been published for Andhra so far and again he felt sad about it.

Finally, he turned towards Dr. Puri and said what is the purpose of your visit. Dr. Puri talked about some official matters and added that it will be good if Prof. Narasimha Murthy is nominated for Selection Committees of the Universities in UP. He smiled and said no problem. It was done and I was nominated as the Chancellor’s nominee which gave me opportunities of visiting Lucknow, Banaras Hindu University, Allahabad, Garhwal etc. We took leave of the Governor. Dr. Puri was highly pleased. After my retirement I have not visited Lucknow University nor Dr. Puri. Only memories remain.

Dr. T.N. Chaturvedi was the Governor of Karnataka and I knew him as a great scholar in Ancient Indian History prior to his becoming the Governor. I used to meet him at functions and talk to him. Infact he released my book on Sringeri at the Gokhale Institute, Bangalore, and had praised my book. As General Secretary of South Indian Numismatic (coin) Society, I wanted to arrange the annual conference at Dravidian University, Kuppam. Dr. Gangiraju Lakshminarayana was its Vice-Chancellor. As soon as I told him that I was a student of Mallampalli and Oruganti, he got up from his seat, hugged me and said, ‘You are a fortunate person.’ Immediately he agreed to my suggestion of holding the Numismatic Conference at Kuppam.

He added, ‘I have been trying to arrange the visit of His Excellency Dr. T.N. Chaturvedi to our University. But travelling by road is very tedious and hence it has not materialised. I will be grateful if you can request Dr. Chaturvedi to inaugurate this conference.’

I went to the Raj Bhavan and personally invited the Governor. His Private Secretary suggested the Governor not to accept the invitation because of the tedious and hazardous journey to Kuppam. Further it is outside the Karnataka State. I lost hopes. But His Excellency, the Governor, turned towards me and said, ‘but I cannot say no to Prof. Murthy; let us somehow manage.’ As I felt happy, the Secretary was disappointed. After a couple of days, I met the Governor and handed over the printed invitation. ‘I will definitely come,’ he assured me.

One day before the conference, I went to Kuppam to look into the arrangements and I was satisfied by the arrangements made by the Vice-Chancellor. The Governor arrived at 10 am on 21.1.2006 at the venue and he inaugurated the conference and made a good speech about our coins. He even traced the antiquity of our coinage during the Vedic period when a gold coin called Nishka was used. He referred to the coin reforms made by Muhammad-bin-Tughlaq. Finally he referred to the British coins and post-independent era coins. He called upon the coin collectors to collect as many coins as possible and save them for posterity as they have a heritage value.

I felt very happy as he mentioned my name three times during his speech and I also felt proud. That year I was awarded the P.L. Gupta Medal for my contribution to South Indian Numismatics. I received that medal from T.N. Chaturvedi.

The inauguration was over and it was lunch time. The Police and the Collector had arranged his lunch at the Vice-Chancellor’s Bungalow and the invitees were the Police and Revenue Officials. As soon as he saw them, he called the ADC and told him to invite me, Krishhnamurthy, Conference President and others so that he could talk to them over lunch. All of us had good lunch in the exalted company of the Governor with lot of academic discussions.

After some rest, he sent for me and said, ‘Prof. Murthy, I would like to meet the delegates for sometime over a cup of tea.’ It was arranged and he mixed freely with all the delegates and enquired about their collections. Some of the specialists showed some coins which he saw with the help of a lens and appreciated their efforts.

It was time for him to leave for Bangalore at 5 pm. His car came and I went upto him and thanked him profusely. He said, ‘special thanks to Prof. Murthy for having given me an opportunity to inaugurate this conference and thereby educating me regarding our ancient coinage which is a valuable heritage.’ The car left and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Lakshminarayana was supremely happy and said, ‘my desire of getting the Governor Dr. Chaturvedi to our University was fulfilled by you, Prof. Murthy; I am grateful to you.’

We were in regular correspondence till Dr. Lakshminarayana retired from the Vice-Chancellorship of the Dravidian University. He had invited me to deliver special lectures at this University.

Almost after many years, the memories of these two events with two enlightened Governors are still green in my memory. That gives me the satisfaction of having accomplished a responsibility that was expected of me. Perhaps that is my strength.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / May 03rd, 2014

Bangalore boys come first in aero competition

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Bangalore :

Bangalore, the aviation capital of India, has often had its young opting for careers in aerospace, many displaying their skills at various forums. Two teams from Bangalore only reaffirmed this fact by bagging the first two places at the recently concluded (April 12) Boeing India-IIT national-level aeromodelling competition.

The four Bangalore boys — three from ASC College of Engineering, and one from BMS — competed against 560 participants to clench the contest.

At one point, Tabrez Nadvi Anser, Pavan MJ, and Vignesh Arul of ASC College, who bagged the first place, stared at a missed opportunity. “Selection for the finals was to happen at four zones, IIT Madras (South), IIT Kharagpur (East), IIT Bombay (West), and IIT Kanpur (North). Unfortunately, we couldn’t enter the zonal-level competition at IIT Chennai, as it coincided with our semester exams. We finally got permission to participate from the East zone, and our college helped us with the funding,” Tabrez told TOI.

In the zonal round, Pavan said, the team focused on design and building of the remote control (RC) aircraft, keeping in mind the ability to glide. “We did not buy a ready-made aircraft,” Tabrez added.

Having qualified for the finals with 12 other teams from various zones, the four shifted their focus to flying and acrobatic flying, as per the problem statement given by the organizers. They built a depron-made 3D RC aircraft which performed all manoeuvres as planned. “Eventually, we won because of our strategy which was duly acknowledged by the jury,” Tabrez said.

While team ASC was busy clearing hurdles at the zonal levels, Mohammed Shadman Alam was steering a solo show. “While other teams had at least two participants, with the upper limit set at four per team, Alam did everything alone,” said one of the organizers.

At the end, the battle was between the two Bangalore teams, and Alam came second. “Going alone has its perks. I could conceive and design what I wanted, and also perform manoeuvres I liked. Also, if something were to go wrong, the blame would be all mine, and so was it with the credit,” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / by Chethan Kumar, TNN / April 30th, 2014

Inaugration of Veena Chokkamma Hall and Veena Concert at Ganabharathi

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Education

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Mysore :

The newly-built Veena Chokkamma Hall in Veene Seshanna Bhavana of Ganabharathi, Adichunchanagiri Road, Kuvempunagar, will be inaugurated today (May 2) at 5 pm by Vidushi M. K. Saraswathi, Senior Veena artiste of Mysore. Following this event, Vidu. Saraswathi will present a Veena recital at 6 pm accompanied by Vid. G. S. Ramanujan on Mridanga and Vid. S. Manjunath on Ghata.

The programme is sponsored by Veena Vidushi Chokkamma Memorial Trust. All are invited.

Profile: Vidu. M. K. Saraswathi was initiated into music at a young age by her mother Kamalamma. Later, she received advanced training from Dr. Gowri Kuppuswamy and Veena Maestro M. J. Srinivasa Iyengar. She is thus an embodiment of the legendary GNB and Saint Thyagaraja parampara. Saraswathi is a top grade artiste of AIR and Doordarshan.

Saraswathi is a Veena player par excellence. When she plays this vedic instrument, it appears as if it sings ! Dignity, simplicity and profundity set to creative melody are the key ingredients of her style. Several major music organisations and doyens of music have showered her with accolades and honour. Some of the titles she has been awarded are Veena Gana Visharade, Gandharva Gana Vidhyadhari, Sangeetha Kala Tapasvi and Lalitha-kala Ratna. Her lifetime contribution to Music has been very well recognised and evident by titles like Karnataka Kalashree by Karnataka Sangeetha Nrithya Academy in 2006 and Ananya Puraskara in 2005 in addition to several other decorations by prestigious music sabhas in Karnataka.

She has performed at many prestigious music Sabhas all over India and has enthralled international audiences in Brisbane and Melbourne in Australia with much appreciations.

Her music recordings are in wide circulation, carrying the Mysore bani all over the globe, according to Dr. T. P. Krishnakantha, Joint Secretary, Ganabharathi.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / May 02nd, 2014

JSW Steel commissions Cold Rolling Mill in Karnataka

Business & Economy, Records, All, Science & Technology

Company has invested Rs 4,500 cr to set up the 2.3 mn tonne per annum plant to manufacture high-end auto-grade steel, first time in India

JSW Steel  has taken one more step forward in its journey of diversification by commissioning the first phase of 2.3 million tonne per annum (MTPA) Cold Rolling Mill -2 at Toranagallu in Karnataka’s  Bellary district. The company has invested Rs 4,500 crore to set up the plant in technical collaboration with Japan’s JFE Steel.

The CRM-1 is already operational since 8 years and manufactures special steel for under body parts in passenger cars.

With this, the company aims to capture a sizeable portion of auto-grade steel market in India. Currently, Indian automobile  industry imports about 1 million tonnes of high-end steel with a strength level of 980 MPA (Megapascal) annually to manufacture premium passenger cars and sports utility vehicles (SUVs). The company plans to capture a sizeable portion of this market, which is estimated to grow at 0-15% in the coming years.

“We have invested a huge amount of money to set up this plant, which will help the automobile industry save precious foreign exchange and also reduce dependency on the imported steel. We will be able to supply the high-quality steel at shorter duration (4 weeks) compared to the present time period of 3 months to import. We can also offer the steel at 15% lesser cost compared to the imported material,” said Vinod Nowal, deputy managing director, JSW Steel Limited.

He said the company has entered into a dialogue with several automobile companies to test its new steel. They include Honda, Hyundai, Maruti, Toyota, Ford, Nissan and Volkswagen among others.

“The entire process of test and try our new steel will take at least 8 months for the automakers and once they place the order, we will start the supplies. Until then, we will manufacture the product for general engineering industries,” he told reporters, here today.

Nowal said the new CRM-2 complex, with a production capacity of 2.3 million tonnes per annum has capability to produce high strength and advanced high strength steel, both in uncoated and coated (galvanized and galvannealed GI and GA) categories and wider width up to 1,870 mm. It also includes a Continuous Annealing Line, which is the first to start operations in India, he said.

JFE Steel of Japan has a 15% stake in JSW Steel and has provided technical assistance to develop various grades of auto steel, including steel for external panels for automobiles, to meet the high demand from both domestic and international arena, he said. The phase-2 of the CRM-2 plant consisting of 0.95 MTPA Continuous Annealing Line (CAL-2) is targetted to be commissioned during the first half of FY16.

source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> Companies> News / by Mahesh Kulkarni / Toranagallu (Bellary District) / April 23rd, 2014

University of Agricultural Sciences to tie up with Australian centre for crop development

Education, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Hubli :

The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, has sent a proposal to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra, Australia, seeking collaboration in natural resources management, crop improvement and agriculture business development.

The proposal was submitted to Dr Ejaz Qureshi, the research programme manager of the Agricultural Development Programme for South Asia and the Pacific (ACIAR). The varsity is in the process of signing an MoU with the government of Monitoba.

If it happens then the varsity can have the expertise in food technology to provide exposure in the food processing technology. It is also decided to create experiential learning opportunities for students, establishing pilot plants for food technology centre and academic exchange programme for scientists.

The initiation was taken up during the visit of Dr Robin Young, project coordinator of Food Development Centre, Government of Monitoba, Canada in the month of February, 2014, said Dr Rajendra Potdar, Head, Project Planning & Monitoring Cell, UAS.: The University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, has sent a proposal to the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), Canberra, Australia, seeking collaboration in natural resources management, crop improvement and agriculture business development.

The proposal was submitted to Dr Ejaz Qureshi, the research programme manager of the Agricultural Development Programme for South Asia and the Pacific (ACIAR). The varsity is in the process of signing an MoU with the government of Monitoba.

If it happens then the varsity can have the expertise in food technology to provide exposure in the food processing technology. It is also decided to create experiential learning opportunities for students, establishing pilot plants for food technology centre and academic exchange programme for scientists.

The initiation was taken up during the visit of Dr Robin Young, project co-ordinator of Food Development Centre, Government of Monitoba, Canada in the month of February, 2014, said Dr Rajendra Potdar, Head, Project Planning & Monitoring Cell, UAS.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Hubli / by Srinivas Reddy, TNN / April 23rd, 2014

Chief Commissioner of Income Tax feted

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

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Mysore:

Dr. K. Satyanarayana, IRS, Chief Commissioner of Income Tax (Cadre Controlling Authority), Bangalore-1, who is retiring today, was felicitated by the Officers and Staff of Income Tax, Mysore, recently.

Under Dr. Satyanarayana, Karnataka and Goa region of Income Tax performed exceedingly well and surpassed the targets fixed for collection of taxes besides receiving praises from the Union Finance Minister.

Dr. Satyanarayana is also a well-known Kannada writer having many publications to his credit and recipient of several prestigious awards including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award and Masti Venkatesh Iyengar Award. The University of Bangalore, considering his achievements recently conferred Hon. Doctorate on him.

S.K. Sahai, Chief Commissioner of IT, Bangalore-II, Nutan Wadiyar, Chief Commissioner of IT, Bangalore- III, M. Tirumala Kumar, Commissioner of IT, Mysore and G.R. Reddy, Commissioner of IT (Appeals), Mysore, were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General New / April 30th, 2014

Prof. Indira felicitated on retirement

Education, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, World Opinion

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Mysore :

“The Post Graduate Department in Sociology at Manasagangotri has a long history extending over 6 decades and it is left to the students and the teaching faculty to carry forward the legacy of the department,” opined Prof. R. Indira, who is retiring from service today.

She was speaking at the function organised by the Sociology Department to felicitate her on attaining superannuation, at the department premises in Mansagangotri yesterday.

Citing the example of Dr. T. Scarlett Epstein, a women social anthropologist from England who had conducted studies in Mandya District in the 1950’s on ‘Rural Transformation in South India,’ Prof. Indira called upon the sociology students to read Scarlett’s works such as ‘Economic development and social change in South India,’ ‘Capitalism, Primitive and Modern’ and ‘Village Voices.’

Scarlett Epstein, popularly known as Mangala Kempamma, left an indelible footprint on Mangala and its surrounding village in Mandya, Prof. Indira said and added that Epstein’s books have been included in the curriculum of many Indian Universities.

Recalling her association with the University in various capacities which extended over four decades, Prof. Indira said she was delighted with the warmth in the University campus.

She also expressed thanks to everyone for extending their co-operation during her long association with the University.

Associate Professor Dr. S. Yashoda, Sociology Department students and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General New / April 30th, 2014

Mangalore Darshana to hit book shelves in a year

About Bangalore(Bengaluru) / Karnataka, Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Mangalore :

An initiative by the Mangalore City Corporation and Mangalore Urban Development Authority will see people of this coastal city flip through pages an encyclopaedia of sorts on the city. The book planned in two volumes intends to provide insight into historical, cultural, social life and growth of Kudla and is expected to be ready in a year. The project is expected to be completed at a cost of Rs 50 lakh, according to deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim.

Titled Mangalore Darshana volume 1 and 2, the book, Ibrahim, who is also the chairman of Muda, said will chronicle the past and growth of the city limited to the present boundaries of the Corporation. Plans are afoot to print 1,000 copies each of the two volumes, with each volume containing 752 pages. A reader can go through 65 articles with each article running in to 10 pages. Scholar B A Viveka Rai will be the chief editor of the book.

Rai, also former vice-chancellors of Karnataka State Open University, Mysore and Kannada University, Hampi, said Mangalore Darshana volumes will record development based on evidence as well as oral narrative from memory relating personal experiences. The socio-economic, cultural, trade, commerce, education, lifestyle and other aspects of people in the coastal city from pre-history to 21st Century will go on record in this official effort.

Old photographs including those from archives of Bassel Mission will go into embellishing the visual appeal of this book. While oral narratives of leading citizens such as VIPs may not form part of the book, Rai said, experiences of aam aadmi including an old time bus conductor, fish or vegetable sellers, a farm worker or those involved in such routine and sundry chores will form part of this effort at chronicling the city’s history.

Trivia such as Karnataka’s first printing press being set up in this city and the first Kannada newspaper too getting published here will add value. Mangalore Darshana will focus on aspects such as city administration, sports, industry, and politics. Vamana Nandavara, former president, Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy and Muddu Moodubelle, writer will be assistant editors and a 14-member honorary advisory committee will assist them.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / TNN / April 24th, 2014

Mangalore: City witnesses first ever literary conference on environment

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

Mangalore :

With an aim to create awareness on the necessity to protect the environment, a maiden ‘Parisara Sahitya Sammelana’ (literary conference on environment) was held on Thursday April 24 in a makeshift setup that resembled a forest near Shediguri at Ashok Nagar here.

The conference was organized by National Environment Protection Union with an aim to garner support to work towards the protection of environment.

The conference expressed stiff opposition to the proposed Yettinahole project, displaying leaflets sent through posts to the organizers by many school children across the district. The display was inaugurated by artist Dinesh Holla in a unique way by painting and writing a poem.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the environment conference, environment journalist Nagesh Hegde expressed his discontent over human greed that has been turning out as a tragic curse to mother earth. “Human ever since his advent on the earth has indulged in destroying the environment around him for his own benefits, neglecting the importance of the earth,” he said.

Adding a touch of imagination to the scientific definition of the evolution of the earth, he said, “Imagine that the earth is now 46 years old, which means the earth was born 46 years back. When the earth was one year old 45 years ago, it started to cool itself to make the conditions suitable for living. The process went on till it reached 40 years. At the age of 42, rain lashed the earth further cooling the heat and enabling the earth to support life on its surface. As a result, at 43, the first flower blossomed beautifying the mother. At the age of 45, dinosaurs made their way to earth and vanished in a year.

“Currently the earth is aged 46. Nine months back mammals came into existence, one week back apes started to roam around the earth and 4 hours back humans started walking on the earth. An hour back, the human started to till the arable land learning agriculture. A minute back he studied to drill the land for petrol and coal ransacking the earth, leaving its womb damaged. His greed minute by minute is growing on a distructive mode further drying up the ground water,” he said.

“The population of the world has reached 750 crore milling on the earth, with man encroaching the maximum land, doubling his vicious aspirations and killing nature. At least now we have to understand the importance of protection of nature for a sustainable living,” said, appreciating the initiative of the organizers to spread awareness on the necessity of preserving the environment.

Prior to the formal programme, book stalls and herbal products stalls were inaugurated by the guests.

On the occasion litterateur Dr Na D’Souza, bureau chief of Prajavani Balakrishna Puttige, president of Ramakrishna Math Sri Jitakamananda Swamiji, environment columnist Dr Narendra Rai Derla, professor of Milagres College A A Richard Rebello and others were present.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Daijiworld Media Network (SHS) / Mangalore – April 24th, 2014