The occasion of Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to the US brings to mind “Virchand Raghavji Gandhi,” a barrister and religious scholar, who is widely regarded as “the first Gujarati leader to make a public visit to the US.”
A prized archival photograph showing “Virchand Gandhi (turbaned at extreme left) with Swami Vivekananda with a flowing turban in the centre at the World Parliament of Religions, Chicago, 1893.”
Virchand Gandhi (1864-1901) represented Jainism at the World’s Parliament of Religions (Chicago, 1893), where Swami Vivekananda made his immortal speech. Virchand Gandhi delivered more than 500 lectures on religion and philosophy across the US and Europe, and is often hailed as the Father of American Jainism.
Mrs. Howard, an American woman, became his foremost disciple, almost like Sister Nivedita in the case of Swami Vivekananda, and was among the first converts to the tenets of Jainism under his influence.
—S. G. Seetharam
Gita Road
25.9.2014
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Voice of the Reader / Tuesday, September 30th, 2014
City’s Rithi Priyanka bagged the top place in the ‘above 75 kg’ category at the Dasara State-level Women’s Wrestling contest held at D. Devaraj Urs Multipurpose Stadium in Dasara Exhibition Grounds on Sunday.
Rithi defeated Malini of Karkala to bag the top place, while Akshaya of Belgaum came third and C. Radha of Mandya fourth.
In the 69 kg category, Aishwarya Palai of Belgaum won the top place, while Nagarathna Siddhi came second and C.K. Archana of Hassan came third.
India-born German Chaya Maria Schupp, who has been searching for her biological mother from the past decade, is also another mission — documenting the lives of sex workers in Mumbai.
She is pursuing her doctorate thesis on the subject as part of an exchange programme between the University of Kassel, Germany, and Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai. The thesis will document the lives of women in the red-light areas of Mumbai and how they cope with home and work.
Chaya, who started working on her thesis in 2011, plans to submit it early next year. “Only half of the work is done. I have interviewed countless sex workers and have come to understand their plight,” she said.
The major focus of her thesis is to study the system. Though Germany has many red-light districts, Chaya does not want to comment on it or compare it with the one in Mumbai.
According to her, women have been pushed into sex trade majorly due to poverty and violence at home. “There are different hues of women I have seen. Many of those who have joined voluntarily due to poverty do not enjoy it. Some come to make a fast buck. Some are forced into it. Some are happy and others unhappy,” said Chaya, who has studied women’s issues. “I like to study issues affecting women. My focus has been violation of women’s rights,” she said.
Chaya was six when she was adopted by a German couple.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangalore / Stanley Pinto, TNN / October 03rd, 2014
Bangalore cow bags first place, yields 30.9 kgs milk
Mysore :
Bangalore cow bagged the first place in the cow milking competition organised by the Raitha Dasara Sub- Committee as part of Dasara festivities held at J.K. Grounds in city yesterday.
The cows were milked twice, once in the morning and once in the evening and the measurements were totalled in which Lakshman Hogebandi of Bangalore emerged as winner.
Results: Lakshman Hogebandi of Bangalore won the first place by milking a total of 30 Kgs and 900 grams. Second place was bagged by Jagadish of Mysore who milked 30 Kgs and 300 grams. Third place was bagged by Satish of Naganahalli, who milked 28 Kgs and 800 grams and the fourth place went to Bangalore resident Byanna Lohit Yadav, who milked 26 Kgs and 850 grams.
Prizes were given away by Co-operation Minister H.S. Mahadevaprasad in the presence of ZP President Dr. Pushpa Amarnath, Corporator D. Nagabhushan, Jt. Director of the Dept. of Animal Husbandry Venkatesh, Dr. Shashidhar and others.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday, September 29th, 2014
Winners of the 4×100 m individual medley relay (gold) at University Swimming Pool as part of Dasara Sports yesterday are: Bangalore City Men’s team — S.V. Likith, Rakshit U. Shetty, Mohammed Makarab Salim and M. Aravind — and Bangalore City Women’s team — G. Monisha, D.A. Charu Hamsini, U.S. Utthare and V. Malavika.
Mysore :
Five new meet records were set (three in the men’s and two in the women’s section) on the second day of the Dasara Games athletic events at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium yesterday.
Bangalore city continued their fine run with their athletes setting two new meet records in the women’s section while Belgaum, Mysore and Bangalore Rural athletes accounted one each.
Bangalore city athletes dominate: Out of the 10 gold medals which were at stake in athletics (both men & women), on the second day, Bangalore city won five golds, Mysore two, Belgaum two and Bangalore Rural claimed the other gold.
Bangalore city’s athletes top the medal’s tally in athletics with 9 golds, 6 silver and 5 bronze medals (Men’s section – 3 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze; Women’s section – 6 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze). Mysore is placed second with 6 gold, 12 silver & 8 bronze (Men’s – 2 gold, 7 silver and 4 bronze; Women’s – 4 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze).
In the day’s first event, Railway athlete Vishwambhar Kolekar of Belgaum won gold in the men’s 800m event with a new meet record timing of 1:50.04s, erasing the six-year-old record of 1:52.7s set by V. Rohith of Bangalore city in 2008. K.A. Bharath of Bangalore Rural also bettered the old record by bagging the silver with a timing of 1:52.6s. Mysore Division’s Suraj Pujar bagged the bronze with a timing of 1:53.15s.
Samarth sparkles: Udupi’s Samarth representing Mysore Division impressed with his clean strides and clearances of the hurdles to win the men’s 110m hurdles event. He set a new meet record timing of 14.2s, erasing the previous record of 14.9s, set by Sreekanth Madyastha of Mysore Division in 2013. Srikanth Madhyastha finished second and bettered his own record with a timing of 14.3s. M.K. Sumanth of Bangalore Rural also bettered the old mark and bagged the bronze with a timing of 14.6s.
B. Chethan of Bangalore Rural, the Bangalore University record holder, jumped to a new height of 2.10m and set a new meet record. Chethan broke his own record of 2.07m set in 2013.
The day’s fourth record came from Priyanka of Mysore division who threw the discus to a new mark of 41.42m and set a new meet record. Priyanka erased the 21-year-old mark of 39.69m set by Mysore Division’s K.G. Kavitha in 1993. Likitha of Mysore (38.55m) and S. Nividetha (36.92m) secured the silver and bronze medals respectively.
National-level athlete M. Arpitha of Bangalore City ran a fast paced race and set a new meet record in the women’s 200m event with a timing of 24.01s, erasing the previous mark of 24.5s set by Mysore Division’s Reena George in 2013. Reena George of Mysore also bettered the mark and secured the silver medal with a timing of 24.03s. M.G. Padmini of Bangalore City won the bronze (25.04s).
G.N. Boppanna of Bangalore city who had won 100m on the first day, also won the 200m event in style in the men’s section with a timing of 21.2s. Keerthikumar Benke of Belgaum won the discus gold in the men’s section with a throw of 45.16m.
K.C. Shruthi of Bangalore City who had won the gold in the women’s 1500m event on the first day, continued her good run and clinched the 800m gold with a timing of 2:18.07s. Harshinikumari and Prajna S. Prakash (both from Bangalore City) struck gold in the women’s High Jump and 110m hurdles events respectively.
In the team events, Mysore Division won the men’s tennis title beating Bangalore Rural 2-0 in the final. Suraj R. Prabodh and Prashanth of Mysore Division won their singles matches to clinch the gold. Belgaum beat Bangalore Rural 2-1 to clinch the bronze. In Table tennis, Mysore Division and Bangalore City have entred the final. In throwball, Mysore Division has won all their mathes in the league and will take on Bangalore City in the final to decide the winner. In the Kho-Kho matches, Mysore Division beat Bangalore City 16-14 (by two points0 in the league to emerge on top.
In the women’s section, Bangalore City beat Mysore 2-1 to clinch the gold. Bangalore Rural took the third place. In the women’s throwball section, Mysore Division will meet Bangalore City in the final. In Kho-Kho, Mysore beat Bangalore Rural (10-1) and also beat Belgaum 8-1 to set up a title clash with Bangalore City.
In basketball, Mysore beat Bangalore rural 59-31 with Savitha (15) playing well for the winner. Mysore drubbed Bangalore rural 1-0 in their hockey league tie, while Gulbarga beat Bangalore City 1-0 in a closely contested tie in which the winning goal was scored by Vijayalakshmi.
Jeelani of Davanagere was adjudged as the ‘Dasara Shree 2014’ in the Body-building competition (weight class) held at the Chamundivihar stadium on Friday evening. Jeelani also topped the 65kg section and excelled in the body show to clinch the title.
Md. Yakoob Salim and M. Aravind of Bangalore City with 15 points each won the Individual championship title in the men’s swimming championships. Bangalore City won the men’s team title with 88 points. V. Malavika of Bangalore City with 15 points won the Individual title in the women’s swimming championships. Bangalore City won the team title with 57 points.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Sunday, September 28th, 2014
Athletics is the mother of all sporting activities and is a global sport. An athlete needs good stamina and will power to excel in the top level. Mysore has been from time to time producing top class athletes who have gone to represent the country and the State in different levels. One such upcoming talent is Reena George from Mysore who has been doing well in the women’s section in the State and National level. Reena, taking part in the Dasara Games 2014 at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium in Mysore, has so far won 2 gold and one silver medal in the women’s section and was part of the Mysore division 4x400m relay team which created a new meet record on the inaugural day of the meet on Friday. She is our ‘Star This Week.’
Reena is a student of the Teresian College for Women in Mysore. She is a product of the DYES, Mysore and is presently coached by Vasanth, National athletic coach at DYES, Mysore. She was earlier trained with international athlete and SAK athletic coach, Damodara Gowda.
Reena, a sprinter who excels in the 100m and 200m events, has represented Karnataka in the National-level. She is an All-India inter-University medalist representing Mysore University.
Reena won 100m event in the Dasara Games-2014 on the inaugural day of the meet with a timing of 11.09s. She was also part of the 4x400m Mysore division relay team which won the gold with a new meet record of 3:50.00s, erasing the previous mark of 3:59.57s set by Mysore in 2013. F.K. Afsana, K.R. Meghana and H.R. Navami were the other three runners.
On the second day of the athletic event on Saturday, Reena George won silver medal in the women’s 200m event. M. Arpitha of Bangalore City won the gold with a new meet record timing of 24.01s, erasing Reena’s previous mark of 24.5s set in 2013. Reena also bettered her old mark and secured silver with a timing of 24.03s.
She has been practicing hard and will be representing Karnataka in the Open nationals to be held next month.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Sunday, September 28th, 2014
Former Governor Rama Jois (extreme left) is seen with Governor Vajubhai Vala, BVB Bangalore Chairman N. Ramanuja, Mysore Chairman Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy during the release of e-Book at Bangalore.
by Prof. A.V. Narasimhamurthy
Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014 was a great day for Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan (BVB) in general and those of Bangalore and Mysore in particular because on that day our new Governor Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala released e-Books of 11 volumes of English original of the History and Culture of the Indian People prepared directly under the direction of Kulapati K.M. Munshiji and the Kannada translation of the same 11 volumes prepared under my Editorship at Mysore. The latter is in 25 volumes. This has a background of its own. Sixty years ago Munshiji observed that there was no history of India written by a competent person or persons. The so-called histories attempted by individuals were far from satisfactory. Some were written from colonial angle while others were written by nationalist angle. Some others were to highlight either the Hindu or Muslim community or British contribution. Cambridge History of India was started to remedy these defects but it had a major problem of the paucity of competent writers to write on Indian history. Thus, it also languished. Many other smaller attempts do not merit serious attention.
At that juncture came Munshiji who felt the inadequacy of so-called Indian histories. He did not keep quiet murmuring over it but thought of tackling the problem in all seriousness. He strongly felt that Indian past should be described by her own historians so that they might catch a glimpse of her soul as Indians see it. In his own words as a result I have seen and felt the form, continuity and the meaning of the Indian past. History as I see it is continuously lived by Indians. Attempts to comprehend what has happened in the past forms no small part of our modern struggle. There is a conscious as well as an unconscious attempt to carry life to perfection to join the fragments of existence and to discuss the meaning of the visions which they reveal. It is not enough, therefore, to conserve, record and understand what happened; it is necessary also to assess the nature and direction of the momentous forces working through the life of India in order to appreciate the fulfilment which they seek.
He further elaborated it by stating the scope of history as follows: To be a history in the true sense of the word, the work must be the story of the people inhabiting the country. It must be a record of their life from age to age practiced through the life and achievements of men whose experiences become the beacon light of tradition, physical and economic conditions, political changes and vicissitudes which create the forces and conditions which operate upon life through characteristic social institutions, beliefs through literacy and artistic achievements through movements which helped or hindered the growth of collective harmony to make it an organic unity. Thus it must unfold the values which age after age have inspired the inhabitants to develop their culture and express it. Such a history of India is yet to be written !
In Indian parlance, history is Itihasa meaning as it happened in the past. It means that history is a record of events as they happened. Munshiji not only understood these principles but put them into practice. Another significant contribution of Munshiji is the way in which these volumes were planned and executed. He gave adequate importance to political history but gave more prominence to cultural history. He recognised various periods in the writing of our history from Vedic Age to the history of freedom struggle. This has attracted the historians all over the world.
It is practically impossible for a single historian, however scholarly he may be, to write a full history of India. That is why he picked up the best sixty scholars of that period to write different aspects. For example K.A. Nilakanta Sastri, a great scholar in South Indian history, was entrusted with the responsibility of writing on South Indian history and culture. Habibullah was requested to write on Muslim polity. This gave authenticity to the various chapters. That is sterling quality of the entire series. R.C. Majumdar was a towering personality in the study of Indian history of that period and naturally he was given the responsibility of being the Chief Editor. It is an education by itself to read the foreword or preface written by him to each of these volumes.
Munshiji had pointed out certain defects. We were told about the successive foreign invasions but little about how we resisted them and less about our victories. We were taught to decry Hindu Social system but nothing about how it brought about a synthesis of cultural forces. Alexandar’s short-lived invasion was described in glorious terms but nothing about how it failed to produce any tangible results on us. The heroic rule of Samudragupta, Harsha were discussed in a summary fashion but details were described of the bloody thirsty invasions of various periods. Our struggle for Independence was given the name Sepoy Mutiny to undermine its influence. The British historians cleverly introduced the concept of divide and rule and highlighted the part played by Dravidians against the Aryans, the Muslims and even the British. Dissatisfied by all these mistakes Munshiji planned and accomplished eleven volumes of our history. This has not been surpassed so far and as it appears now, this may not happen at all. Thus it may be considered as the magnum opus of Kulapati K.M. Munshiji.
It was the good fortune of Vidya Bhavan that Chief Justice E.S. Venkataramaiah (ESV), who was the chairman of BVB, Bangalore, showed great interest in this project. He felt that the benefit of the message of Munshiji should be made available to the Kannada readers. It was my good fortune that I was selected to be the Chief Editor of Kannada volumes in 25 parts. The first volume was released in 1997 and ESV passed away. Fortunately, N. Ramanuja of HMT fame took over the Chairmanship of BVB, Bangalore and he evinced active interest in the scheme and it was completed as planned, under the title Bharatiya Janateya Itihasa Mattu Samskriti. Dr. Mathoor Krishnamurthy and H.N. Suresh, present Director, gave full support for this project. It was completed in 2005 after eight years.
In accordance with the modern development, these 25 volumes were planned in e-book in a single disc under the guidance of N. Ramanuja. The entire project was supported financially by M.P. Birla Institute of Management and the work was done with the help of Arjun of Sriranga Digitals. This fine work was released by the Governor of Karnataka. On that day, I was sitting by his side along with Ramanuja. He praised me and appreciated my efforts being the Chief Editor of the Kannada volumes and asked many clarifications. I was impressed by his simple living and high thinking. In his speech he said that it is my good fortune to be sitting by the side of a scholar and looked at me. I became overwhelmed by affection when the Governor said, ‘Professor you may take as much time as you want but tell us about history.’ Ramanuja and I requested him to pay a visit to BVB, Mysore and he readily agreed. Thus, we are waiting for the visit of the Governor to Mysore Bhavan shortly. Thus, I had a pleasant and useful occasion after spending about three months in America. Lastly, I bow to Kulapati K.M. Munshiji for this great opportunity.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday, September 28th, 2014
Columnist Bannur K. Raju, who turned 50 yesterday and his wife who were felicitated by Mysore District KSP and Inchara Samskruthika Prathishtana at a function at Rotary Centre on JLB road in city are seen with Nadoja Prof. Dejagow, litterateurs Prof. Bhyravamurthy, CPK, Malali Vasanthakumar, Dr. Latha Rajashekar, District KSP President M. Chandrashekar, Mysooru Mithra Editor M. Govindegowda, Ranganath of Inchara Prathishtana and others.
Mysore :
Noted columnist Bannur K. Raju, who turned 50 yesterday and his wife were felicitated at a glittering function organised jointly by Mysore District Kannada Sahitya Parishat (KSP) and Inchara Samskruthika Prathishtana at Rotary Centre on JLB Road in city yesterday evening.
Litterateur Dr. C.P. Krishnakumar, speaking on the occasion, said that Bannur Raju, as a columnist, organiser, and a litterateur had rendered yeomen service besides stamping his name in the world of literature and created his own group of admirers.
Stating that more than 3,000 works written by Raju had been published in newspapers, Dr. CPK added that Raju had published 70 books including 25 detective novels and projecting social concerns in his works. He also said that Raju, as President of Ambarish Abhimanigala Balaga in the 80s had rendered social service.
Prof. K. Bhyravamurthy, in his address, lauded Raju saying that Raju had been serving the society for the past three decades from behind the scene by successfully projecting his views through his columns.
Mandya KSP President Meera Shivalingaiah, lauding the efficiency of Raju said that his services were required to the literary world.
Karnataka Rathna Nadoja Prof. Dejagow, litterateurs Dr. Y.D. Rajanna, Rajashekara Kadambara, Dr. Malali Vasanthakumar, Mysore District KSP President M. Chandrashekar, Ranganath of Inchara Prathishtana were among those present.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Sunday, September 28th, 2014
Bangalore-based company is the only in Karnataka to obtain permission to make the miniature models
The 145 Gandhi Jayanthi will be special for 6,500 children of Sri Vani Education Centre in Rajaji Nagar, as they will receive a miniature model of a charaka (spinning wheel).
Bangalore-based Swadesh Enterprises, the only company in Karnataka to obtain permission from Khadi Bhandar Sabarmati in Gujarat to make miniature models, has taken the responsibility of handling this big order.
Swadesh Enterprises started as a small venture by Sri Charan Bhaskarachar three years ago. It now employs 25 workers crafting six models of charakas at a unit at Banavara in Chikmagalur district. The charakas are gifted as mementos in India and abroad.
“We receive orders from Indian consulates across the globe. Recently, we received a huge order from the consulate in Peru,” says Mr. Sri Charan.
Miniature models crafted by him were presented to United States President Barack Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping, who visited India recently.
What made Mr. Sri Charan, a documentary film maker, switch over to making miniature model of charakas? A native of Bhadravathi, he was influenced by Gandhian ideals as his father Khadhi Bhaskarachar was a staunch follower of the Father of the Nation.
Once he needed a charaka for a documentary. It was after much difficulty that he got one made. It was then that he decided to switch to making charakas. Initially, he crafted every component with wood. But this made spinning difficult. Then he opted for a steel spindle. Everyone, including officials of Khadi Gramodyoga, appreciated his model. To meet the increasing demand, he established Swadesh Enterprises. “Now I make over 3,000 pieces a month,” he says.
The charaka has become a most sought-after memento at public functions. “While a micro model costs Rs. 500, a bigger one crafted with teak will cost Rs. 5,000. Some demand charakas fitted in hand-crafted boxes, which costs a bit more,” he says.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Muralidhara Khajane / Bangalore – October 02nd, 2014
Department of Horticulture alleges that the Department of Tourism is intruding in its jurisdiction
The controversial Cubbon Park Management Authority (CPMA), a proposed autonomous body to manage the lung space and develop it as a tourism hub, has been caught in a bitter turf war between the Horticulture and Tourism Departments.
CPMA was proposed as part of the Karnataka Tourism Vision Group, appointed by the government. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced formation of the Authority in his 2014-15 budget speech, under the ‘tourism’ head.
However, a note seeking approval from the government did not even find its way to the cabinet, as the Department of Horticulture alleged that the Department of Tourism was unduly intruding in its jurisdiction through CPMA, sources said.
The cabinet note was prepared by the Tourism Department. It envisages the CPMA to be on the lines of English Heritage in England, an executive public body for the protection of historical buildings and monuments in that country. CPMA was to be headed by a private individual with representatives from all government departments that have a stake in the park. The Authority had envisaged to re-purpose some of the buildings in the area to provide for tourist attractions, sources said.
Alternative proposal
Meanwhile, sources said, the Horticulture Department has now proposed an alternative CPMA headed by the Horticulture Minister instead of a private individual as a face saver for the government since it was announced by the chief minister. The CPMA proposed by the Department of Horticulture would have six members from the public of which one would be the non-executive vice-chairperson.
Also, the CPMA is caught up in another tangle — over jurisdiction. Lokayukta has ordered the City Survey Department, Survey Settlement and Land Records to conduct a survey of the Cubbon Park area and fix its boundaries, as there have been multiple notifications issued by the State government demarcating the Cubbon Park area. The survey report is expected by November second week. CPMA is likely to be withheld till the boundaries are finalised in the survey.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by K. V. Aditya Bharadwaj / Bangalore – September 30th, 2014
