Monthly Archives: January 2015

Environmental Groups Come Together to Develop Origin of River Shalmala

Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Dharwad :

Environmental  organisations led by Dharwad-based Pura Trust have come forward to develop the origin of Shalmala river near Someshwar temple on the outskirts of the city, on the lines of Talacauvery, the origin of river Cauvery.

River Shalmala, which has inspired a number of writers and poets of many generations in the twin cities, is in a dilapidated condition.

The idea first occurred to primary school teacher Virupakshappa Managundi, who often visited the Mahadev Tatanavar Mutt besides the temple to clean the river bank. He initiated the process and after some time environmental organisations such as Pura Trust, Balanandan Trust, Green Army among others joined hands for the cause of restoring the pristine river’s origin.

Soon after, Pura Trust organised a kite festival on the ground adjacent to the mutt to draw the attention of residents Deputy Commissioner P Rajendra Cholan also expressed interest and assured them of sending officials to examine the spot to take up development works.

The origin of the river dates back to ancient times, where Agasthya Rishi, along with his wife Lopamudra, is said to have meditated and installed a Shivalinga here.

Shalmala is the tributary to the Bedti river, which flows through the forest in Sirsi taluk of Uttara Kannada district. It passes from Sahasralinga to Ganeshapal before joining the Arabian Sea.

Pura Trust president Vijayanand Doddawad told Express: “We are preparing to submit a proposal to the district administration to develop the birthplace of Shalmala river on lines of Talacauvery. This spot, combined with the 12th century Chalukya-style Someshwar temple, will be a tourist destination. The river originates in the north and flows west to eventually join the Arabian Sea.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / January 12th, 2014

Corporation Bank bags MSME Banking Excellence Awards 2014

Business & Economy, Records, All

Mangaluru :

City based Corporation Bank bagged MSME Banking Excellence Awards – 2014 instituted by Chamber of Indian Micro Small and Medium Enterprises. The Bank bagged two awards under the categories ‘Best MSME Bank award for other bank (winner)’ and ‘Best Bank award (runner up)’. S R Bansal, chairman and managing director of the bank received the award from KalrajMishra, Union minister for MSME at the award ceremony in New Delhi.

CIMSME is a non-profit organization which represents interest of companies in SME sector with banks, financial institutions, concerned ministries and organizations to promote bilateral dialogue for benefit of MSMEs. The awards are evaluated by knowledge partner of the process – PWC. The evaluation has been based on parameters like overall bank performance, infrastructure available with the bank, priority sector lending, among others.

Realizing the constructive role played by MSME sector in the national development, Corporation Bank has taken several initiatives that include collateral free loans up to Rs 1 crore under Credit Guarantee Scheme, cost of guarantee cover for loans up to Rs 10 lakhs is borne by the Bank and to encourage the entrepreneurs, interest rate concession to the extent of 50 bps is offered. Concessions in interest rate are offered to women beneficiaries and rated SME units.

The Bank offers customized loan schemes to cater to needs of MSME sector. Bank has launched SME loan centres across the country. Each SME centre is ably supported by dedicated team of relationship managers and exclusive processing mechanism. These exclusive SME centres will facilitate effective use of hi-tech banking technology available in the Bank, for speedy processing of proposals and making available bank finance at an attractive rate.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangaluru / by Jaideep Shenoy, TNN / January 12th, 2014

‘Kere Habba’ today

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

From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, a host of activities promise to keep people of all ages engaged. In what is touted to be the city’s first such festival, ‘Kere Habba 2015’ is aimed at fostering an appreciation of Bengaluru’s existing lakes, besides increasing community participation.

Right from workshops about quilting, making bags from old clothes and recycling newspapers to make reusable household items, to storytelling, performances by bands and walks to identify reptiles and birds, there are enough and more activities to keep people enraptured.

Organised by Namma Bengaluru Foundation, in partnership with Mahadevapura Environment Protection and Development Trust and United Way, Bengaluru, the first ‘Kere Habba’ will be held at Kaikondarahalli lake where the community events will be held from dawn to dusk.

The event, organised by neighbourhood volunteers, will witness the community connecting to the lake, to one another and to issues and inspiring ideas in the field of conservation. The nearly 2-km walkway around the lake will feature various stations where activities will be held for free.

For more details, visithttp://goo.gl/OfVqYBor call Lakshmikanth on 8861768806.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – January 10th, 2015

Buddhism Incorporates Human Values: CM

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

First Karnataka State Buddhist Convention held at Ch’ Nagar

BuddhismBF11jan2015

Chamarajanagar :

“Buddhism incorporates freedom, equality, brotherhood and human values,” opined Chief Minister Siddharamaiah. He was speaking after inaugurating the first Karnataka State Buddhist Convention jointly organised by Bharatiya Bouddha Mahasabha and International Buddhist Monks Charitable Trust at Jyothigowdanapura in the taluk yesterday.

Stating that the humane values propounded in Buddhism can be an answer to terrorism, naxalism etc., the CM observed that peace cannot exist in the absence of equality in society.

Pointing out that Buddhism was one of the oldest religions, Siddharamaiah said that this religion does not give way for any superstitious beliefs or practices and called upon everyone to shun violence and hatred.

Declaring that the State government would grant Rs.10 crore for the construction of Nalanda Buddhist University at Jyothigowdanapura, the CM also promised 50 acres of land for the proposed Varsity. Stating that he was against declaring holidays to mark the birth anniversaries of social reformers, Siddharamaiah said that as such, the State government will not declare a holiday on account of Buddha Poornima.

MP and Congress party leader in the Lok Sabha, Mallikarjuna Kharge, said that the Constitution has given rights for citizens to follow the religion of their choice. However, cases of forceful re-conversion in the country are on the rise, he lamented.

He also said that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism out of self respect.

Lamenting the lack of unity among Dalit community members, Kharge called upon each community member to get educated.

Bodhidatta Bantheji of Nalanda Buddha Vihara, Banthe Manorakkhita, Banthe Viriyasheela and Banthe Varajyothi graced the occasion. Revenue Minister V. Sreenivasa Prasad presided. PWD Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa released a book titled ‘Dharmapatha’ on the occasion.

Co-operation Minister H.S. Mahadev Prasad, Social Welfare Minister H. Anjaneya, MP R. Dhruvanarayan, former MP M. Shivanna, former Ministers Motamma and Narendra Swamy, MLAs Puttarangashetty and Chikkamadu, MLC D.S. Veeraiah, former MLAs A.R. Krishnamurthy and S. Balaraj, MUDA Chairman K.R. Mohan Kumar, Poet Moodnakoodu Chinnaswamy, former Mysuru Mayor Purushottam, Chamarajanagar Municipal President Nanjundaswamy and others were present.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  /  Monday , January 05th, 2015