Monthly Archives: June 2015

Bravo! Rowing now is a civilian passion

Sports

Bengaluru :

As the early-morning sun soaks the Ulsoor lake, dreamy-eyed youngsters — some sleepy, some chirpy — troop into Trishna Club in a far corner of the lake. Soon, the stillness of the lake is tattooed with the rhythmic paddling of oars. For the next couple of hours, rowers go about their routes, shouting ‘down’ and ‘bravo’.

The sport long dominated by defence personnel has new takers: civilians. A reflection of this trend is in evidence at the ongoing 18th sub-junior rowing national championships at the MEG & Centre here.

Of the 23 members in the Karnataka squad, 15 are from the civilian background.

Karnataka Amateur Rowing Association secretary G Somasekharappa says: “We usually had sportspersons from Army schools. Now, we’ve many kids from elite schools. More heartening is parents’ involvement in their children’s progress as also in improvising the sport.”

Asked about his rowing ambitions, Frank Anthony Public School’s Eeshan Krishnan says: “I’m a keen swimmer and I like watersports. One of my father’s friends suggested I try the sport. Then I started rowing, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was a little plump; this helped me lose the flab. My shoulders hurt initially, but then there is no gain without pain.”

Eeshan’s mother Hema, a special educator, says rowing has made her 11-year-old son responsible and passionate about the sport. “He needs no alarm and is up at 5am to go to practice. His days are long, but he doesn’t complain. There was a time when I asked him to concentrate on studies because we weren’t sure about his future in rowing. But he was very clear: he wanted to take up the sport seriously and would balance studies and sport.”

Watching other rowers in action has inspired many, like Palak Agarwal, a student of Vidya Shilp Academy. Ditto with G Annapurna, 17, who took up the sport a year ago and is participating in the Challenger Sprint category. The second-year PU student from Narayana College swapped the athletics track with the water sport after watching her brother Tarun, 14, in action.

“I was an athlete for nine years and participated regularly in high jump. But I wasn’t tall enough to take my passion forward. I often watched my brother at practice and that’s when I thought I should also try. Once in the water, I was hooked to the sport. Since I was an athlete, the strenuous routine wasn’t difficult to embrace.”

From an individual sport to participating in team events like double scull or coxed fours, Annapurna says adjustment and understanding of the teammates is the key.

“Initially, it was difficult for me. But it’s a great way to build team spirit because you learn to sync with teammates both physically and mentally. The race plan tells us the course of our action in water. Since we’ve little time to communicate during the race, we depend on the rapport we share.”

Many parents feel the state association must proactively promote the sport.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Bengaluru / by Manuja Veerappa, TNN / June 13th, 2015

Maiden Konkani Mahila Samavesh begins in city

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Hundreds take part in day-long event including seminar, cultural programme and Kavi Goshti

Kusuma J. Shenoy, President, GSB Mahila Mandali-Mysuru, is seen lighting the lamp to inaugurate the Konkani Women’s meet at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium in city this morning as Joyce Lobo (extreme right), Principal, St. Joseph’s Central School, Vijayanagar; Roy Castelino, Chairman, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy; M. Jagannath Shenoy, President, GSB Sabha-Mysuru and others look on.
Kusuma J. Shenoy, President, GSB Mahila Mandali-Mysuru, is seen lighting the lamp to inaugurate the Konkani Women’s meet at Jaganmohan Palace auditorium in city this morning as Joyce Lobo (extreme right), Principal, St. Joseph’s Central School, Vijayanagar; Roy Castelino, Chairman, Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy; M. Jagannath Shenoy, President, GSB Sabha-Mysuru and others look on.

 

Mysuru :

Over 500 Konkani women are participating in the first Konkani Mahila Samavesh organised jointly by Gowda Saraswath Brahmin (GSB) Sangha, Mysuru and Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy (KKSA) in association with Konkani Christian Association (KCA), Mysuru at Jaganmohan Palace here this morning.

Inaugurating the programme, GSB Mahila Mandali, Mysuru President Kusuma J. Shenoy was overwhelmed by the huge congregation of Konkani women for the first such meet in city and thanked the co-operation of members of all Konkani Associations in organising the event.

Addressing the gathering, KKSA member and Programme Co-ordinator Mamata Manjunath Kamath asked the women to be united and spread the richness of Konkani language.

Earlier to the stage programme, a procession was taken out by Konkani women from Maharani’s PU College through Krishna Vilas Road to the programme venue. The star attraction of the procession was the tableaux depicting the Konkani tradition and culture.

GSB Mahila Mandali Founder-President Mohini D. Pai was the chief guest.

Konkani Bhasha Mandali, Mangalore President Geetha C. Kini; St. Joseph’s Central School, Mysuru Principal Joyce Lobo; Sugama Sangeetha artiste Anuradha Dhareshwar; Balodayana Higher Primary School, Mysuru Head Mistress Meera Nagesh; Government Higher Primary School, Jyotinagar Head Mistress S.H. Pushpaveni; GSB Sabha Mysuru President M. Jagannath Shenoy; KKSA Chairman Roy Castelino and others were present on the occasion.

The day-long event includes cultural programmes, seminar, comedy play ‘Yeya Hasya’ and Kavi Goshti.

Minister for Kannada and Culture Umashree will be the chief guest at the valedictory ceremony this evening. On the occasion, Konkani Sthree Vibhushani awards will be presented to distinguished achievers in various fields.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Sunday – June 07th, 2015

A global sound with an Indian touch

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, World Opinion
Lagori
Lagori

Bengaluru folk rock band Lagori share their thoughts on a one-of-its-kind music venture tying up with international DJ trio Above And Beyond

Music lovers across genres in the city were in for the ride of a lifetime as Bengaluru folk rock band Lagori launched a brand new track in collaboration with Girish Pradhan from hard rock/heavy metal band Girish And The Chronicles on June 12. What makes this collaboration actually epic is that the track and its accompanying music video is a remixed cover of English progressive trance group Above And Beyond’s title track from their latest album We Are All We Need.

Invited by the DJ trio themselves to work on the track, Lagori’s version of ‘We Are All We Need’ is a non-EDM take on it, which, the much impressed Above and Beyond are launching on their YouTube channel, simultaneous to its official release in India.

Comprising vocalist Tejas Shankar, electric/acoustic guitarist Geeth Vaz, acoustic guitarist Edward Rasquinha, bass guitarist Shalini Mohan and percussionist/drummer Vinyl Kumar, Lagori teams up with one of the rising stars in the indie scene – Girish — for the music video that blends a range of Indian elements and rock to its unique soundscape. Tejas says they are excited “in capital letters!” What got Above and Beyond’s attention on Lagori was an earlier cover of their song ‘Sun And Moon’, explains Edward. “We were approached by their label Anjunabeats to do a cover for the title track of We Are All We Need and when we heard it the first time, we knew that it’s going to be an amazing venture.”

Tejas elaborates: “We could relate to this track a lot since it’s about travelling and exploring ourselves. We all love that though we do get bored of touring and each other sometimes,” he jokes. “The song is all about hitting the road and the journey. We thought we could write a nice Hindi version of it and rope in a kick-ass western singer for the English bit.”

Shalini adds: “We retained the original feel of the song so Above & Beyond fans connect while we’ve added a bit of Lagori to it. It’s a nice mashup of Hindi and English where Girish comes in.”

They admit that Girish was the best thing that happened for the track. Tejas emphasises: “We couldn’t have found a better singer. He was our first choice. He came in and nailed it in one take.” Vinyl adds that though it is a non-EDM track going to Above and Beyond fans, it is different and appealing. “When we did ‘Sun And Moon’, we shot the video in City Market among cows and vegetable vendors. It was a massive hit.” Tejas pitches in: “That gave us the confidence that it doesn’t matter if the audience is an EDM listener base or not. At the end of the day if you can relate to the music, it’s good enough.” Shalini sums up: “It’s just our way of saying that if we can relate to EDM by covering their song, the other way round is also possible.”

Shalini points out that they are quite kicked about the video they shot for the track. “We look quite cool in it,” she beams. Tejas explains: “It’s got the whole road feel.”

Edward elaborates: “We shot the video in a garage that services bullets and other bikes. We ride in on our bikes in the biker outfits for the video.” Shalini adds that the first shot is that of a regal-looking sitar player in the midst of all the rugged bikes since the intro of the song has a sitar piece.

Tejas says they have added a whole repertoire of elements in the song – from Indian to dirty garage to even a scene on a railway track. “It’s a neat mishmash of everything.”

“The only challenge in making the video was getting Girish and Edward to ride the bikes,” Shalini laughs. “They have this whole biker appearance but they didn’t know how to ride the bikes.” Edward joins in and says: “We had a lot of cool ideas and some of them turned out to be funny like this one.”

Tejas adds that having co-written the Hindi lyrics for the track with composer Abdul, giving the completely EDM track an Indian feel and taking the challenge up made it a fun process.

What’s the take away for listeners and viewers in ‘We Are What We Need’? Shalini one lines it: “Girish’s vocals and Lagori, of course.” Tejas adds: “And the fact that an Indian band has done something cool like this. This proves that Indian music can blend with a range of other genres.”

The video is available on YouTube and was aired on Pepsi MTV Indies.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Allan Moses Rodricks / June 12th, 2015

‘Mysore Memories ’: A convent school in old Mysuru

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

ConventBF12jun2015

by Girija Madhavan

The other day I saw two nuns at a stationery shop in Mysuru — one dressed in a simple brown sari, with a crucifix around her neck and the other in a dress with a veil half covering her head. They were so different from the nuns I had known in 1943, when, as a five-year-old, I joined the Good Shepherd Convent of Mysuru as a day pupil.

In those days, the nuns were mostly English women, wearing the traditional nun’s attire… a white habit belted at the waist with a woollen cord to which a rosary was fixed, a long panel of cloth over the habit called the ‘scapular,’ a tight fitting wimple framing the face, topped by a black veil. A chain bearing a heavy crucifix hung over the scapular. Stockings and sensible flat shoes completed the outfit which was stiff and crackling with starch. Mother Dominic was a stern disciplinarian and could use her cane too. Mother Martha taught the piano and was given to outbursts of temper. Young Mother La Salatte was gentle and sweet tempered allowing small children to sit on her lap, hold the crucifix or even to stroke her clipped hair under the wimple.

I had special piano lessons with Mother Martha and learnt to sing and play two lines:

‘Little birdie on a tree

Shakes his head and

looks at me.’

The notation as I remembered it, went C B C D C B C. But I am told that could not be right. The lessons ended in floods of tears after Mother Martha ‘accidentally’ poked me in the eye. Another song that all the children sang together was, as I later learnt, a hunting song.

‘Do you ken John Peel, do

you ken John Peel,

At break of day, with his coat

so gay,

Do you ken John Peel?’

The last line went into the upper octave and I loved shouting it out with no idea what it all meant.

In those days of the World War, some Anglo-Burman children lived in the Convent. I was fascinated by Pauline, who always wore white stockings. I so longed for such a pair that they were ordered from Bengaluru for me. I put them on without a belt or garter and by the time I walked into class they were forming pouches at the knees and soon drooping down in sagging folds. I began to cry. Children then had their faces powdered with talcum, the popular one being Johnson’s. Soon my face was streaked with runnels of grey and brown where teats washed away the powder. Pauline was beside herself and everyone was tittering until Mother Dominic settled them in neat rolls around my ankles. One remembers a shame into old age!

Years later one of Mother Martha’s successors, a nun who was an excellent pianist, did some innovative work on the piano. This was Sister John Britto. She belonged to a Railway family of the Dorechettis, who had Pondicherry connections. Years ago when we went to visit her at the Convent, she received us in the Music Room and played a few bars of Raga Hamsadhvani for us. The tune was recognisably that of the Kriti, ‘Vatapi Ganapathim Bhaje,’ the room with the cross and the pictures of saints on the wall, an unusual place to hear this composition. Sister John later held a full concert of Karnatak music in Jaganmohan Palace. The piano was set at an angle so that the pianist had her back partially to the audience but her hands were visible to the listeners. She was accompanied by musicians on the mridanga and the ghata as well as a sari-clad lady who kept the tala. Surely this was a Catholic with very Catholic tastes. At 91 years of age, she no longer plays the piano but lives in Bengaluru with a community of nuns who work for St. Martha’s Hospital.

The nuns were very dedicated to their work. They asked for no favours, only asking children who had gardens for flowers for the altar, help with the reredos, or, rarely, to ask the loan of a car for medical appointments. I never knew what became of them because I myself fell ill and stayed in bed for a whole year and stopped going to school to be tutored at home. Our tradition is to acknowledge every teacher, however, short the learning period. To the distant memory of these teachers I tender my salutations.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – June 07th, 2015

At Ballari, a Museum to Tell Stories of a Forgotten Past

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel
A worker giving final touches to a replica of Sanganakallu gudda, said to be South India’s largest neolithic site, inside the museum
A worker giving final touches to a replica of Sanganakallu gudda, said to be South India’s largest neolithic site, inside the museum

Ballari  :

To preserve the stone artifacts found in South India’s “largest neolithic site” located in Sanganakallu village, Ballari, and other places such as Vijayapura and Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, a mini museum is being readied at the cultural complex here.

The goal behind setting up this museum is preserving  the neolithic stone artifacts in a scientific manner and documenting them properly to help research scholars. A few artifacts will also be kept on display for the public.

According to Prof Ravi Korishettar, who conducted research on the site in Sanganakallu for 10 years, the site is the largest neolithic site in South India.

The hilltop site is spread over 1,000 acres.  However, he told Express that rampant stone quarrying has been destroying the site. At the museum, the artifacts Korishettar found during his small-scale excavations will be preserved.

He said as part of his research, he explored around 40 neolithic sites in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and found artifacts after excavations in 20.

In 2008, he appealed to the Ballari deputy commissioner to take steps to set up a mini museum to preserve the artifacts. The DC approved the proposal, but work was delayed for years due to technical reasons.

But the museum is now nearing completion and according to sources, is expected to be thrown open in two months.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Bhukker Madhu Kumar / June 10th, 2015

Pages from History : Musings on Royal Saint Pipa

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

by Prof. A.V. Narasimha Murthy, former Head, Department of Ancient History & Archaeology, University of Mysore

Royal Saint Pipa or Pipadeva was the king of a small State called Gagaraunghra. Actually his correct dates are not known but he is said to have flourished in the 16th Century. He was famous as a righteous king and particularly showed great respect to saints and his position did not come in the way of serving them. His family deity was called Jagadambadevi (mother of the earth). According to stories current in that area, Pipa was capable of talking to the Goddess and he even fed her. Thus she would accept the offerings directly from king Pipa.

He led a simple life and never indulged in royal luxuries. He was very regular in reading scriptures and meditation. Ascetics who passed that way would normally visit his Palace and talk to him about dharma. Once a group of ascetics came to the Palace. He welcomed them and made arrangements for their comfortable stay. As usual he went to the temple of Jagadamba for worship. To his surprise she told him that she would take the offerings only after his guests had their food. Accordingly, Pipa offered them food and had their blessings. Then Pipa requested them to guide him to have the darshan of Lord Rama. They told him to start this procedure through a Guru and asked him to go to Varanasi and became a disciple of Swami Ramananda.

Pipa went to Varanasi and sent a message that he wanted to meet him. Ramananda sent the reply saying that his hermitage is open only to poor people and not kings. Immediately Pipa gave up his kingdom and distributed his wealth among the needy and the poor. To test his devotion, Ramananda asked him to jump into a well. Pipa was ready to do that. Ramananda stopped him and went to his Palace. Pipa was impressed by his guru Ramananda and wanted to be his follower listening to his religious discourses. Ramananda disuaded him and told him that it would be difficult for a king who had so much of royal responsibilities to be a disciple of an ascetic because of the hard life involved. He asked, ‘Can you fast for days together because you may not get food at all. Even if you get something to eat, it will be so simple and may be unpalatable because of its tastelessness. That too you have to beg and get the food. Nobody will supply the food.’ Pipa agreed.

But to test him further, Ramananda sent him to a place where no offerings were available. Pipa came back empty handed. The Saint asked him what he will do for food. Pipa replied, God wants that I should fast and try to understand how poor people led their lives days together. This is a lesson for me from the God divine. He fasted but concentrated on reading the scriptures and doing meditation.

In the meantime, Ramananda wanted to go to Dwaraka, the place of Lord Krishna. Pipa expressed his desire to go with the saint to Dwaraka. Ramananda told him that the journey by walk would be highly difficult for a king like Pipa. But Pipa was steadfast in his resolve to go to Dwaraka, the great pilgrimage centre of Lord Krishna. Then Ramananda told him that he could go with him as an ascetic and not as a king. Pipa immediately abdicates his throne and becomes an ordinary man. Hearing this news his wife too refuses to live in a Palace where her husband is not there and hence expresses her desire to accompany him to Dwaraka. Thus both husband and wife go to Dwaraka.

After reaching Dwaraka. Pipa is supremely happy and worships Lord Krishna with all devotion. He refuses to take food and is simply immersed in meditation at the holy feet of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is pleased with Pipa, gives him darshan, blesses him and tells that he would get moksha or salvation if he continued in the same path uninterrupted by worldly desires. Pipa returns to his place.

The people of the State to whom he was a king were surprised and adore him as a great saint. They come in large numbers and pay respects to him. He tells them not to bring any worldly offerings but to come with devotion to Lord Krishna. Some jealous people kidnap his wife but Pipa prays to Lord Krishna who saves her through some pious people. Pipa was very happy and his devotion to the Lord increased manifold.

Another incident is equally interesting. Once Pipa and his wife were passing through a forest and suddenly a lion accosted them. His wife was afraid but Pipa told her that God would reside in a lion also and we should not be afraid of him. Pipa spoke to the lion as if he was his friend and advised him not to trouble the people who did not harm him. The lion came nearer Pipa and licked his feet showing friendship and affection. Pipa patted him and prayed to the Lord to give him a human birth next time and whispered Rama- Krishna mantra in his ears. The ferocious lion became a tamed animal and local people were surprised at this sudden change in the lion. They knew it was the magic of Pipa. It is said, this lion was born as Narsi Mehta in the next birth.

Once Pipa found a vessel full of gold coins. When he mentioned this to his wife, some thieves overheard this and went there to take away the gold coins. But to their disappointment they found a snake in the vessel. But when Pipa went there, he found the gold coins which he distributed among the poor people.

Pipa had a cow which supplied milk to the ascetics. One day some thieves stole the cow and ran away. Pipa ran after them along with the calf and shouted, ‘Friends, you will not get the milk without the calf, please take the calf also.’ The thieves were taken aback and ran away leaving the cow.

Once Pipa went to a friend’s house for food. He noted the absence of his wife as the husband alone was serving food. Pipa understood that she was hiding herself because she did not have decent clothes to come out. Immediately Pipa blessed her and there was no dearth of clothes and food at her house thereafter. Impressed by this, the friend and his wife became devo- tees of Pipa.

Many devotees came to Pipa for advice and guidance. He refrained from giving them discourse or lecture but asked them to lead a simple life following ethical principles. He specially told them to avoid luxury. Rich people can see God if they can serve the poor. God is a friend of the poor people. Many rich people came to him and offered gold and money to exhibit their richness and show their vanity. The first advice of Pipa to such people was to come with empty hand after distributing all money to the poor and needy. Then only one would understand the secret of life. Thus many rich people went away disappointed and Pipa felt sorry for their ignorance of the divinity.

Once a rich merchant came to Pipa and requested him to visit his mansion so that he could show him his wealth. But Pipa did not accept his invitation because he did not want to disappoint the common people. The rich merchant tried to entice Pipa by telling him that his visit may enrich his wealth. Pipa did not go to his house and told him to distribute his wealth to the poor. A disappointed merchant went back cursing him. In the meantime, the merchant incurred heavy losses and became poor. Even then his greed for wealth did not diminish. He came to Pipa and requested him to bless him with original wealth and in return he would give him some wealth. Pipa advised him to pray for permanent divine wealth and not temporary monetary wealth. Ultimately he became his disciple.

Thus Pipa became a household name in 16th Century for his simplicity and religious life. Though he is not known widely in South India, his impact on dharmic way of life is felt in North India. That is the greatness of king Pipa.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / Sunday – June 07th, 2015

IISc makes much room for mushroom… using crop waste!

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

A simple and rugged technology developed by scientists at Indian Institute of Science by utilising crop waste is promising triple benefits — filling up shelves in supermarkets with mushrooms, empowering tribal women through commercially viable mushroom cultivation, and ensuring higher nourishment for tribals through mushroom-rich diets.

Scientists from IISc’s Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST) have developed biogas reactors which ferment straw, weeds and leaf litter. They have combined these with other agricultural wastes and digested residues from bio-gas units to create a fertile ground for edible mushroom cultivation.

ChanakyaBF12jun2015

The researchers found that this unique substrate efficiently converts crop waste into usable protein for human consumption, and also boosts mushroom yield as compared to conventional methods. The researchers supplemented biogas digester residue with agricultural waste – paddy straw or coir pith in a specific ratio – to maintain structure suitable for mushroom growth.

They also used paddy straw and coir pith alone as substrate for comparison. These substrates were processed, sterilised, hydrated and seeded with mushroom species – Pleurotus florida and Pleurotus flabellatus. After mushrooms started growing, the substrate was incubated in polythene bags and kept in a humid chamber under laboratory conditions.
They found that paddy straw supplemented with bio digester residue appeared to be the most efficient substrate to grow more nourishing mushrooms. They saw increased yield for the mixed substrates — with the highest for P. florida in paddy-straw — bio-digester residue mixture at a record 2.32 kg mushroom per kg substrate, CST’s chief research scientist Prof HN Chanakya (in pic) said.
P florida gave the best yields among the two mushroom species tested. An increase in mushroom yield by as much as 20-60% using biogas digester residue mixtures sounds like good news for the bio-gas initiative, which can quote protein generation as an additional incentive, according to Chanakya. The scientists think the improved mushroom varieties could be a result of better nutrient supply with the addition of bio-digester residue and structural properties of agricultural waste allowing better aeration and gas exchange. In the coming days, the scientists plan to take this technology to two villages — one in Male Mahadeshwara Hills in Karnataka, and the other near Tejpur in Assam. “We plan to train 100 tribal farmers at each location,” he told Bangalore Mirror.
He said that while the ultimate aim is to popularise protein-rich mushroom consumption among the masses, it would also empower tribal women to grow mushroom using this technology which is sought to be made more rugged and simple for them to use. While at it, mushrooms would also be encouraged to be a nourishment-enhancing part of the diet for the tribal folks, he said. Their research paper was published in the online version of the journal Energy for Sustainable Development.
Sreesha Malayil and Vijayalakshmi C, both from CST, were the other two researchers on the project.

HOW THEY DID IT
* Bio-gas reactors breakdown plant material in the absence of oxygen to produce methane that can be used as a clean fuel, while generating digested by-products rich in organic matter.
* They first developed a novel reactor that can use plant waste, and not just cow dung like a traditional ‘gobar’ gas plant.
* They then investigated if such digested plant material can be efficiently used in mushroom production.
* Mushrooms belong to a class of fungi called ‘basidiomycetes’ which efficiently breakdown the compound lignin, which gives toughness to plant structure.
* This property makes mushrooms ideal organisms for recycling such inaccessible nutrients hidden in biogas digester residue.
* Samples were collected at regular intervals to assess residual nutrient and elemental concentrations in the substrate.
* The mushroom fruiting bodies were weighed and biological efficiency – mushroom weight per kg substrate weight – was calculated.

CAN PRODUCE ETHANOL TOO
The substrate by-products from mushroom cultivation can be further used to produce ethanol, the additional step ensuring utmost utilization of organic resources in plant waste. Such downstream applications of biogas digester waste create optimism for bio-gas plants which might become harbingers of energy cleaner than ever before.

source: http://www.bangaloremirror.com / Bangalore Mirror / Home> Others> Sci-Tech / by Nirad Mudur, Bangalore Mirror  Bureau / June 08th, 2015

MAN AND MACHINE – Fiat 1100 charms the millennials too

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Sports
A still from Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, a film woven around the love for the Premier Padmini. The film had a young director and story-screenplay writer in S.U. Arun Kumar
A still from Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, a film woven around the love for the Premier Padmini. The film had a young director and story-screenplay writer in S.U. Arun Kumar

‘Fiat 1100 Club Bangalore’, has used Facebook to create a wider network of the car’s owners.

“Do not speak ill of the dead” is an often-repeated exhortation. And it is one that usually goes unheeded. But when it comes to automobiles that have gone out of production or ‘departed’, we follow it to the letter, all the time.

Even when the negative features are brought up, they only serve to further glorify the ‘departed’ automobile.

Sujith Thomas, a car enthusiast and an automobile engineer, ‘treasures’ memories of his family’s Premier Padmini stalling in rush-hour traffic, and them pushing the vehicle away from the chaotic blares of horns. There are also vivid and happy recollections of rainy days, when a loose distributor cap would allow water to seep in and cut off the electricity supply to the spark plugs. The Padmini has helped Sujith realise that the world is not as uncertain a place as it is painted to be; there are certain things one can count on. “The Premier Padmini’s radiator hose could be counted on to blow out anytime,” says Sujith.

Sujith will continue to add to these memories, because he is keeping a 1978 Premier Padmini 1100 Deluxe BE on ‘life support’, by connecting with other Fiat 1100 enthusiasts and scouring the scrap yards for spares.

In 2009, he joined three other Fiat 1100 enthusiasts – Arun Srinivasan, Karthik Makam and Karthik M.B. – to form the ‘Fiat 1100 Club Bangalore’, which has used Facebook to create a wider network of the car’s owners.

The club has over 200 members, with the majority coming from Bangalore, and some even from European countries. Sujith has learnt from them that sourcing spares for Fiat 1100 cars in Europe is more difficult than in India. The success of the initiative, according to Sujith, is the exchange of information on availability of spares.

What I find most impressive about the club is that it is helmed by millennials. When the club was formed six years ago, its founders were in their twenties. Sujith is 27 now and the other three are in their early 30s. The majority of the club members are in their fifties and sixties.

It augurs well for the Fiat 1100. It is a crucial time for the car. Unless youngsters carry the baton and pass it on to the following generation, the Fiat 1100 may not have a great future as an antique car.

Sujith, however, does not see anything unusual about youngsters being drawn to the car. He believes it could appeal to any car enthusiast, irrespective of age. “It has more pluses than minuses. The best quality about the Fiat 1100 is its simplicity — due to its simple design, it can be easily repaired by any mechanic. Even the owner, without a profound knowledge about how automobiles work, can understand its mechanism and, if he applies his mind to it, carry out a few repairs on the car himself,” says Sujith.

I am impelled to believe the millennials have done for the Fiat 1100 more than we credit them for.

The greatest tribute to the car has come from a young film director, S.U. Arun Kumar. He was the story and screenplay writer and director of Pannaiyarum Padminiyum, an engaging film woven around the love for this car.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Metroplus / by Prince Frederick / June 10th, 2015

Gold medals presented to the College toppers

Education, Records, All

Gurikar Marimallappa Samsmaranotsava: 2014-15

S. Neha, M. Nischay Prasad and M. Ravish, toppers of Marimallappa’s PU College, were presented with gold medals during Gurikar Marimallappa Samsmaranotsava: 2014-15 at the College premises in city on Saturday.
S. Neha, M. Nischay Prasad and M. Ravish, toppers of Marimallappa’s PU College, were presented with gold medals during Gurikar Marimallappa Samsmaranotsava: 2014-15 at the College premises in city on Saturday.

Mysuru :

Three top ranking students (Science, Commerce and Arts) of Marimallappa PU College were presented gold medals at ‘Sri Gurikar Marimallappa Samsmaranotsava: 2014-15’ organised at the College premises here on Saturday.

Speaking after inaugurating the programme, AIISH Director Dr. S.R. Savitri said there is no short cut to success.

It is only dedication, concentration and hardwork that matters in every achievements, she said and urged the students to develop a probing attitude.

Stressing on the need for allowing the students to make their own choice of subjects, the AIISH Director called upon the students to take suggestions from elders and teachers and shape a good future for themselves.

On the occasion, gold medals were presented to the PU toppers — M. Nischay Prasad (590/600 – Science stream – Gurikar Gold Medal), S. Neha (578/600 in Commerce – Bhagya Shilpi Gold Medal) and M. Ravish (559/600 – Arts – Mathrushri Gold Medal).

Also, 276 other students of the college, who passed out with distinction, were presented merit certificates on the occasion.

Marimallappa Educational Institutions Hon. President S. Paramashivaiah, Hon. Secretary Prof. E.N. Panchaksharaswamy, DDPU K.M. Puttu, College Principal Dr. B.S. Parvatharaju, Managing Committee Convenor S. Basavaraju and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Monday – June 08th, 2015

University SportsPersons Alumni Association inaugrated

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Sports
University of Mysore Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj is inaugurating the Alumni Association of University of Mysore Sports Persons at a function held at Maharaja College Grounds yesterday. Also seen are (from left) SAI Volleyball Coach Dr. N.B. Suresh, University College of Physical Education Prof. Thirumalai Gopalan, Department of Physical Education Director Dr. C Krishna, Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice President P.M. Somashekar and former University of Mysore athlete and triple jump record holder M.A. Cariappa. Picture right shows former University of Mysore athlete M.A. Cariappa being felicitated by the Department of Physical Education during the inauguration of alumni association of sports persons yesterday. Mysuru, June 8- The University of Mysore Sports persons Alumni Association
University of Mysore Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj is inaugurating the Alumni Association of University of Mysore Sports Persons at a function held at Maharaja College Grounds yesterday. Also seen are (from left) SAI Volleyball Coach Dr. N.B. Suresh, University College of Physical Education Prof. Thirumalai Gopalan, Department of Physical Education Director Dr. C Krishna, Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice President P.M. Somashekar and former University of Mysore athlete and triple jump record holder M.A. Cariappa. Picture right shows former University of Mysore athlete M.A. Cariappa being felicitated by the Department of Physical Education during the inauguration of alumni association of sports persons yesterday.
Mysuru, June 8- The University of Mysore Sports persons Alumni Association

Mysuru :

The University of Mysore Sports persons Alumni Association, formed with sports persons who have represented University of Mysore in various sports activities, was inaugurated at a function held at Maharaja’s College Grounds in city yesterday.

The Association was inaugurated by University of Mysore Registrar Prof.C. Basavaraj by lighting the camp.

Around 600 athletes who had represented University of Mysore were present during the inauguration.

Speaking on the occasion, Department of Physical Education Director Dr.C. Krishna said that the alumni association was a step in the right direction and it was the first of its kind in the country.

He hoped that sports persons from different disciplines who had represented the University of Mysore became the members of the alumni association and interact with each other with an objective to improve sports and infrastructure at the University.

He also added that the Vice Chancellor Prof. K.S. Rangappa has supported the idea of forming the alumni association at the time when the varsity was preparing for centenary celebrations.

Dr. Krishna also said that University would be conducting South Zone Inter University Women’s Hockey Tournament in November 2015 and All India Inter University Men & Women’s Wrestling Championship in January, 2016 which have been allotted by the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).

Speaking on the occasion Registrar Prof. C. Basavaraj said that forming an alumni for the sports persons was a good initiative to bring together the sports fraternity and also to work together for the upliftment of sports activities at the University.

Lauding Dr. Krishna’s efforts in convening a meeting for the same, Prof. C. Basavaraj praised Dr. Krishna’s efforts and vision for promoting sports activities.

On the occasion the Department of Physical Education, University of Mysore honoured M.A. Cariappa, former Mysuru University athlete, whose Triple Jump record of 49 feet 11.5 inches created in the year 1963-64 while studying in Yuvaraja’s College, Mysuru, remains unbroken even today, with a memento and a cash award of Rs. 25,000. The cash award was given by Mysore District Athletic Association Hon. Secretary Srikanth and Mysore Athletic Club Hon. Secretary M. Yogendra.

Speaking on the occasion, M. A. Cariappa thanked Dr. Krishna for remembering yesteryear sportspersons and honoring him during the function.

Sports Authority of Karnataka Vice President P.M. Somashekar. On the occasion, Tennis Coach M.J. Charan, former University of Mysore tennis player) was chosen as the Hon. Secretary of the association.

Department of Physical Educaiton Deputy Director Dr. Krishnaiah, University College of Physical Education (UCPE) Professor Thirumalai Gopalan, SAI Volley Ball Coach Dr. N.B. Suresh and others were present on the occasion.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / Monday – June 08th, 2015