Monthly Archives: January 2017
12th
11th
10th
09th
08th
07th
NRI scientist on a mission to find the next Ramanujan
Bengaluru :
A city-based computer scientist who spent over four decades in the US and racked up an outstanding body of work is starting a first-of-its-kind talent search programme in the state. For this initiative, he has had inputs and backing from another titan in the field of science — Prof C N R Rao, who will inaugurate the programme’s award function in Indian Institute of Science on Friday.
The programme, called NIAS-Maiya Prodigy, involves 10 meritorious students from various parts of the state — some from rural areas — who will receive a scholarship of `50,000. The students can be from any field. The USP of the programme is that the 10 students will have a mentor assigned to them who will guide them in their studies and careers and monitor them over five years. This programme is a joint initiative by the food brand Maiya, National College and the Iyengar Medical Foundation.

“Nobody else in the world is doing this, not even in the US,” says Prof Sundaraja Sitharama Iyengar, who conceived the project and had it executed over the past 18 months.
Prof Iyengar is currently the Ryder Professor and Director of Computer Science at Florida International University, Miami, USA. During his career, he has received many prestigious awards including the NRI Mahatma Gandhi Pradvasi Medal at the House of Lords in London on October 2013.
When asked about his biggest accomplishment, he says, “It was mentoring younger minds. Even now, what I want is to discover the next Ramanujan or C N R Rao.” It was this thought, along with the urge to give back to his country that made him come up with the programme.
The seeds of the idea were sown two years ago when he spoke to Prof Rao about his idea, and the latter liked it. Iyengar then set about an exhaustive selection process. After multiple selection rounds, 10 students were chosen for the scholarship, and their names will be announced at 3.30 pm on Friday at NIAS Auditorium, IISC.
Describing the students, Iyengar says, “I came across some bright students with lofty ambitions, and they are all technically good. One of them wants to win a Nobel Prize. Another wants to find a cure for blindness. We have so much potential, but there are problems like inability to articulate well and lack of confidence. Their mentors will work with them and teach them how to ask questions.”
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Tushar Kaushik / Express News Service / January 06th, 2017
110-year-old railway overbridge to be demolished
The Railway authorities have decided to demolish the 110-year-old railway overbridge connecting Gogte Circle to Basaveshwar Circle on Khanapur Road in the city and replace it with a four lane bridge. Officials of the South Western Railway, Hubballi division and Belagavi City Corporation inspected the bridge on Wednesday.
Later, BCC Commissioner Shashidhar Kurer told presspersons that the existing bridge will be demolished and a new bridge will be constructed by the Railways at an estimated cost of ₹12.30 crore.
Considering the possibility of double-decker trains being introduced on the route, the height of the bridge will be raised and made wide for smooth flow of traffic. Also, the work on the railway overbridge at the third railway gate on Khanapur Road will be taken up simultaneously at a cost of ₹23 crore, which will be shared equally by the Railways and the State government. It will be completed in 11 months, he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home>News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Belagavi – January 05th, 2017
Crafting mojris out of used denims, lending a hand
Bengaluru :
A Hundred Hands aim to create a livelihood for those in need of financial stability and strives for towards sustainability.
The team makes sustainable, evironment friendly products from scratch or from discarded goods.
Started as a non-profit organisation in the heart of Bengaluru off MG Road in August 2010, sisters Mala and Sonia Dhawan want to help facilitate the sale of products for the urban crowd by eliminating middlemen.
Apart from a host of handicraft and food items, their annual handmade collective, a exhibition is on its seventh leap this year in the city.
The team aims to expand to in other cities. The handcrafted alternatives are a healthy choice for everyone specially for those looking for a good living, inform the duo. As for the upcycling part, they have a range of products made from old denim jeans.
From denim footwear called mojaris, to bum bags, envelope clutches, dog harnesses and quilts, they have made optimum use of jeans to make a host of products. The initiative was started to help the patients at NIMHANS to assist monetary aid while they were undergoing treatment.
The trendy bags and footwear also provide livelihood to women from self help groups and NGOs.

“As A Hundred Hands has 86 artisan member groups, we thought we should collaborate with them as well and the idea of the denim mojaris and denim bum bags with tribal embroidery emerged,” says Mala Dhawan.
The designs on the products are made catchy to attract the urban crowd and it has earned quite a good fan base on the social platform, with over 13K likes.
“A Hundred Hands handmade collective is a commission free programme where all the collections from sales goes back a 100% to the creators. This eliminates the middle man or trader who just sources and sells without any value add and adds huge margins. Here the artist and the consumer come face to face so it is educative on both sides and a fair price to consumers and a fair earning for the artisan.” she adds.
Many people get to know about their initiative through word of mouth, posts on social media and through the coverage provided by the media. “Lambadi tribal embroidery and traditional leatherwork (bags and mojaris) are a big hit and unique in nature,” she says.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Rakshanna Pattabiraman / Express News Service / January 04th, 2017