Monthly Archives: September 2015

NITK students design virtual lab

Education, Science & Technology

Surathkal  :

A take-home lab complete with equipment, albeit in a virtual avatar. SOLVE (Students Online Lab for Virtual Experimentation), a virtual lab designed by students of National Institute of Technology (NITK), Surathkal, can be accessed using smartphones and computers which have internet connectivity.

“Students of four streams came together to make V-lab a reality and, that too, after two years of hard work. The lab was introduced with the primary objective of experiential learning of basic concepts in engineering technology and science. SOLVE makes the labs available as per the learner’s time, pace and place, and makes it easier to conduct experiments,” said Prof KV Gangadharan, HoD, mechanical department and the lab’s co-coordinator.

SOLVE’s website (solve.nitk.ac.in or vlab.co.in) has over 1 lakh active users across the world over. NITK is among the 12 institutions to set up the lab, eight among which are IITs. “We are essentially providing a take-home lab where we share costly laboratory equipment through remote-triggered lab infrastructure,” said Gangadharan.

Simulation labs related to chemical, civil, electrical and mechanical engineering are available at NITK, while other subjects are made available through IITs. “We have around 100 simulation labs on the virtual lab website (vlab.ac.in) and 30 remote-triggered labs. A remote-triggered lab is where an actual experiment at one location can be accessed by students anywhere, and they can make changes remotely while the experiment in on,” he said. The ambitious project is an initiative of human resource development ministry under the national mission on education through information and communication technology (ICT).

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Kevin Mendonsa, TNN / September 26th, 2015

Wadiyar wins wealth tax case after a 38-year-long battle

Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Leaders

Issue was valuation of vacant land around Bangalore Palace

Nearly two years after his death, the then scion of the Mysore royal family Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar has finally won the legal battle, which lasted 38 years, over the valuation of vacant lands around the Bangalore Palace for the assessment of wealth tax between 1977 and 1986.

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The Supreme Court, in its September 21 verdict, held that total market value of the vacant land, which came under the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976 will have to be considered as Rs. 2 lakh, which was the maximum compensation payable while taking over the land under the ULCR Act, for computation of wealth tax. The tax authorities had assumed the value of the land in the range between Rs. 13 crore and Rs. 31 crore during the period (between 1977 and 1986) for calculating the wealth tax.

The Supreme Court did not agree with the claim of the tax authorities and the Karnataka High Court’s 2005 finding that value of the vacant land had to be estimated to be the price, which in the opinion of the wealth tax officer, the land would fetch if sold, hypothetically, in the open market on the valuation date even though the land was notified under the ULCR Act during the assessment period.

There was no dispute with regard to valuation of residential, non-residential structures and appurtenant land thereto as Wadiyar had paid the wealth tax accepting the valuation for them. The dispute was only with regard valuation of vacant land that was notified under the ULCR Act.

A Bench, comprising Justice A.K. Sikri and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman, wondered how one could assume the hypothetical sale for the valuation purpose when the land was under the clutches of the ULCR Act and the authorities had already determined the maximum compensation of Rs. 2 lakh for the entire land.

‘Ordinary way’

Stating that it was not oblivious of those buyers who purchased “disputed properties” for higher rates by taking risks, the apex court said it had to consider only “ordinary way” of the presumptuous sale and conduct of a reasonable person, who would not offer more than Rs. 2 lakh when knowing well about the compensation.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by KrishnaPrasad / Bengaluru – September 26th, 2015

Love for light houses, permanent picture cancellations

Arts, Culture & Entertainment

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K Sridhar, who works as Chief Manager in Information Systems Department for Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) is known for his love for lighthouses among philatelists.

He drew attention of public with his collection of permanent picture cancellation
s, during the exhibition at Head Post Office on Sunday, oganised by Mangalore Philatelic and Numismatic Association.

Sridhar said: “what makes permanent picture cancellations unique is that they are available in a particular post office. The picture cancellation with postal index number 11004 is available only in Rashtrapati Bhavan post office”.

“There are approximately 205 permanent picture cancellations in India and I have collected around 180 PPCs. Nineteen states and seven union territories have released PPCs. I have collected PPCs of 15 states and four union territories. Karnataka has released most number of PPCs with 39 followed by Kerala with 36 and Tamil Nadu- 33.

The three southern states have 108 PPCs among them contributing 60 per cent of the PPCs of India,” he said.

Interestingly, Mangaluru also has permanent picture cancellation for Mangalore light house.  Permanent picture cancellation is a postmark which replicates the place or thing with religious, historic or tourist importance.

The oldest permanent picture cancellation- ‘Qutab Minar’ was released in November 29, 1960 and latest- ‘Malpe’, ‘Nadalike’ and ‘Kattale Basadi’ were released in January 17, 2015. Around eight PPCs including ‘Madikathi- Odikathi and Peechikathi’ and ‘Gumbaz’ or ‘Sword and headgear of Tipu Sultan’ of Karnataka have multiple designs.

K Sridhar is stamp collector on lighthouses and oil and gas and hails from Erode of Tamil Nadu. He joined Mangalore Philatelic and Numismatic Association in 1999. He is now its patron member. He won silver medal in Karnataka Philatelic Exhibition four times and silver medal at National-level. He is also member of Trichy Philatelists Association, Gujarath Philatelic Association, Karnataka Philatelic Club (Bengaluru) and UK’s Lighthouse Stamp Society.

Sridhar has collected around 3,000 stamps on lighthouses and oil and gas. “I started collected stamps on light house after watching Surathkal light house. India has only four stamps on lighthouse- Minicoy lighthouse of Lakshadweep, Mahabalipuram of Chennai, Alape of Kerala and Aguda of Goa. We get lighthouse stamps at Estonia, Germany, Croatia, Spain, US and other countries.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / Mangaluru – DHNS, July 13th, 2015

Belagavi foundry cluster bags one more UNIDO project

Business & Economy, World Opinion

Belagavi :

One more project has been sanctioned to the Belagavi Foundry Cluster (BFC) on behalf of United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in the union power ministry.

Project is about promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy in energy intensive foundry units in Belagavi. Project aims at implementing energy efficiency practices and technologies, besides providing renewable energy options to help achieve higher energy performance to foundry industries.

In this regard, team from UNIDO will be visiting BFC on Friday. The team lead by Ayumi Fujino, representative of UNIDO and regional director for South Asia.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Bengaluru / by Ravindra Uppar, TNN / September 24th, 2015

A first of its kind

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Naanu Avanalla, Avalu by B.S. Lingadevaru Halemane, which bagged two-national awards, is claimed to be the first such film for the Kannada film industry.

“Of course there were films on transgenders. But they dealt their issues as a sub-text, not a main-text. Our film is inspired by I am Vidya, a transgender’s journey , an autobiography of Living Smile Vidya”, said Mr. Lingadevaru.

Sanchari Vijay, who essayed the role of the protagonist, won the best actor award, which came to Kannada after a gap of 27 years. For the first time in the history of Kannada cinema, the film got the award in the make-up category.

Initially, he thought of casting a transgender for the role of Madesh, who transforms later as Vidya in the film, but that did not materialise. Many transgenders have acted in various roles, including that of Sharada Nani and Danamma.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Muralidhara Khajane / Bengaluru – September 24th, 2015

‘Nooru Rupayi’ made by city’s architects to be screened at fest in Washington DC

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Science & Technology
‘Nooru Rupayi’ is directed by architect Prashanth Raj.
‘Nooru Rupayi’ is directed by architect Prashanth Raj.

Directed by Prashanth Raj, the 20-minute film with a budget of Rs. 2 lakh

Why do you think a group of young Bengaluru architects are rejoicing? Not an award for one of their best designed projects, but global appreciation for a well-made short film in Kannada, Nooru Rupayi(‘Hundred Rupees’) with English sub-titles.

The 20-minute film, directed by architect Prashanth Raj of Arch Venture in Sanjaynagar, has been selected to be screened at the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival on September 27, after bagging the Runner Up Award at the 5th Bangalore International Short Film Fest last month, and Special Awards at Mumbai, Calcutta, and UK Short Film Fests earlier.

Nooru Rupayi , with a budget of Rs. 2 lakh, was made by Prashanth Raj (director), Shilpa Patel (art director), Nitin (cinematographer), Guruswamy (Editor) along with the production team Raghav, Abhilash Pallaki, John Joseph, and Pramod Chandru (sound recording) and Abhijeet (music) — architects and engineering professionals who have a passion for films beyond their drawing board. The film, which revolves around a message to stand up against corruption and make a social change, was conceived and written by Prashanth, whose passion for “short films with a strong message” became easier after he took up a course at the Indian Institute of Moving Images.

The film took nearly four months to shape up, and has been entirely shot in the pastoral Thimmanahalli near Tumakuru, at the Chikkanayakanahalli hamlet, a four-hour drive from Bengaluru. “While I was raring to handle this subject of corruption revolving around a story of ‘puppy love’, a struggling village family and socially relevant issues of corruption that seem an accepted norm, it is the protagonist primary school boy Arvind’s (played by Srinivasa Murthy) early realisation of the gloom of dishonesty that makes him comprehend the power of the Hundred Rupees which sports Gandhi on it. When the young are made to realise that straightforwardness and sincerity maketh a good man, it’s a strong message,” says Prashanth.

The film’s endeavour is not just in its message, but the team’s effort in having the entire cast of 25 taken raw from the innards of Thimmanahalli. “We went to the village to uncover bundles of raw talent during child auditions. Finding a lady for the mother’s role was a challenge as local conservative women shied away from the camera. Our acting coach, John Joseph, helped them overcome inhibitions,” says Prashanth.

The film’s aesthetics also brings in Karnataka’s folk Veeragase showing intense energy-sapping dance movements to represent expressions of conflict and resolution for the young hero. That Prashanth is interested in his potent message is evident when you consider that his first short film Psycho’s Jury — which brings out the travails of an architect to practice what he preaches — bagged the Indian Institute of Architects Award.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Ranjani Govind / Bengaluru – September 24th, 2015

Manipal university team help discover four exotic atomic nuclei

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Manipal :

Researchers from Manipal Centre of Natural Sciences (MCNS) at Manipal University in collaboration with GSI-Giessen, Germany have discovered four new atomic nuclei to be added to the chart of the nuclides. The study focuses on developing new methods of synthesis for super heavy elements. The newly discovered, exotic nuclei are one isotope each of heavy elements berkelium and neptunium and two isotopes of the element americium.

H M Devaraja, a PhD student at MCNS, participated in experimental work along with an international team of researchers at GSI Helmholtzzentrumfur Schwerionenforschung. Other participants included scientists from Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA and the joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Russia. The results are published in Physics Letters B.

Apart from discoveries themselves, first proof of the new technique for production of these exotic nuclides will pave way for a new generation of exciting experiments at the frontiers of experimental physics. It is a proud moment indeed for the team and the collaboration. I expect that continuing investigations will uncover many more surprises as our team explores previously unknown areas and extends the chart of the nuclides, Dr Bhat said.

Gottfried Munzenberg who initiated the Giessen-GSI-Manipal collaboration together with Mohini Gupta expressing happiness at the discoveries, said “Synthesis of new isotopes in nuclear transfer reactions is milestone in search for new methods for SHE synthesis, the principal research goal of our collaboration”. Mohini Gupta, director, MCNS said, “Now that we know this method is viable, interpretation and prediction is two other important aspects of the discovery.”

Newly discovered isotopes have fewer neutrons and are lighter than previously known isotopes of the respective elements. To date, the known Periodic Table comprises over 3,000 isotopes of 114 chemical elements. According to scientific estimates, more than 4,000 additional, undiscovered isotopes should also exist. “By using this method, we have succeeded in generating many different atomic nuclei at once,” says Dr Sophia Heinz who headed the experiment at GSI.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Mangaluru / TNN / September 16th, 2015

A green house in the urban jungle

Green Initiatives / Environment

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At the first look, this house looks like any other. But it is different from other houses in ways more than one. That is why its occupants were neither affected by the power cuts last fortnight nor do they remember when it was the last time that they cooked on LPG-fuelled stove.

S.S. Raghunandan, a renewable energy technologist, adopted a green way to build his three-bedroom house in Vidyaranyapura. In an attempt to reduce carbon footprint, he installed a solar power generation unit. The unit produces enough energy to meet the needs of the household, and Mr. Raghunandan also manages to earn around Rs. 20,000 a year by selling additional power generated to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company.

The rooftop solar power unit generates 10 to 12 units of electricity every day, while the household requires only around 4 units a day. All appliances, including lights, fans, washing machine and refrigerator, run on solar energy.

Besides that, the solar power panels prevent direct sunlight from falling on the building, thus reducing the need for air-conditioners.

Mr. Raghunandan’s house also has a rooftop garden. Using bio-waste, organic manure is produced and used in the garden to grow plants. To top it all, the rain-water harvesting system adopted by the occupants makes the house an ideal eco-friendly one that is worth emulating by people in the urban jungle.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Tanu Kulkarni / Bengaluru – Friday – September 17th, 2015

Cultivation of red cabbage turns lucrative

Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature

Hubballi :

Streetside Chinese snack makers would struggle to find red cabbage, which is not grown in the district, and the cost of the leaf flower is high, too, because it would be imported from neighbouring districts and states.

To cover this deficit, local farmers are beginning to grow red cabbage, having discovered that it is lucrative. There are other such crops, too, which are attractively priced. Snack stalls use red cabbage extensively to garnish Chinese dishes like gobi manchurian, noodles and salads, and in its absence, looked for alternatives.

Anitha Golappanavar, a resident of Managundi of Dharwad, has taken up cultivation of this infrequently grown vegetable, with technical aid from the horticulture department. “I studied the marketing strategy of red cabbage and learnt the mechanisms of growing it with their assistance. It can be easily grown as we grow common cabbage in the Dharwad climate,” she said.

She added that it has limited marketing network, so she found a way to market it online, because it has a good market in Mumbai, Mangaluru and Delhi. “I was inspired by a documentary on a private TV channel and got information on the internet. It’s an experiment in our land; my husband is also an employee of the horticulture department, and technically supported me to grow it with drip irrigation. The seeds were brought from Mysuru.”

Arun, food manager at Denissons Hotel, said red cabbage is used for garnishing salads and snacks, and is costlier than the regular green-white cabbage. “We used to bring them from Bengaluru, Belagavi and other parts of the state. If it’s available in the local market, it is helpful for us, especially street vendors,” he said.

Saralamma, senior assistant director of the horticulture department, said details of the grower and supplier, contractor and user of the flower are easily available on websites. The crop could a get good a price in the market and the climate of the district is suitable for growing it, too.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatime.com / The Times of India / News Home> City> Hubballi / TNN, September 07th, 2015

City girl bags Gold Medals in Naturopathy Sciences

Education, Records, All
Dr. Jasmine D’Souza is seen receiving the certificates from Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade at the convocation ceremony held at Dharmasthala as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister U.T. Khader look on.
Dr. Jasmine D’Souza is seen receiving the certificates from Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade at the convocation ceremony held at Dharmasthala as Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Health Minister U.T. Khader look on.

Mysuru :

City girl Dr. Jasmine D’Souza, a student of SDM College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences, Ujire, affiliated to Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, has won two gold medals for academic excellence and Best Outgoing Doctor for the Year 2014-15.

She received President’s gold medal and Sitaram Jindal Foundation gold medal from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the convocation ceremony held at Srikshetra Dharmasthala on Sept. 9.

Dharmadhikari of Dharmasthala Dr. D. Veerendra Heggade and Health Minister U.T. Khader were present on the occasion.

Jasmine had bagged 2nd rank in 1st and 2nd year cousre, 1st rank in 3rd year and now being the University gold medalist in the final year. She has been honoured with Dr. M. Gayathri Silver Medal, Dr. B. Narayana Rao Endowement Cash Prize, Dr. J.V. Chandrika Cash Prize and Dr. Ashok Kumar Memorial Cash Prize.

She is the daughter of John William D’Souza (BEML employee and Secretary of Konkani Christian Association, Mysuru) and Florine D’Souza, residents of KHB Layout, Hootagalli, Mysuru. She completed her schooling at Notre Dame School securing 87.6% in 10th ICSE board exam (topper of Notre Dame school in 2007-08) and PU from Sri Raghavendra Gurukula, Mysuru, with 94.3%.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Tuesday – September 15th, 2015