Monthly Archives: October 2020

First woman IAF officer Wing Commander Vijayalakshmi Ramanan dies at 96 in Bengaluru

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Science & Technology

She and her husband K V Ramanan, who was also an IAF officer and had persuaded her to join the Army Medical Corps, were also the first couple to serve in the Air Force

IAF officer Vijayalakshmi Ramanan (left) with then Vice President S Radhakrishnan

Bengaluru :

The first woman officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Wing Commander Vijayalakshmi Ramanan, passed away in Bengaluru on Sunday night at the age of 96.

She had pursued her MBBS from Madras Medical College in 1943. Awarded the best outgoing student in 1948, she went on to do her DGO and MD in obstetrics and gynaecology, and worked at Egmore Maternity Hospital, Chennai.

Later, she joined the Army Medical Corps in 1955 on Short Service Commission and was seconded to the Air Force as the first lady commissioned officer as a gynaecologist. She was posted in the Air Force Hospitals in Kanpur, Secunderabad and Bengaluru. During the wars in 1962, 1966 and 1971, she treated wounded soldiers.

She and her husband K V Ramanan, who was also an IAF officer and had persuaded her to join the Army Medical Corps, were also the first couple to serve in the Air Force. He passed away at the age of 47, in 1971, after battling cancer.

“Even until 11 days ago, she was alert and had written a note to her attending doctor. And until a few months ago, she was filing her income tax returns,” shares son-in-law SVL Narayan, a retired IT professional.

She pursued her interest in Carnatic music, having learnt from eminent musicians. “She was an AIR artiste from the age of 15 and represented her college in music competitions. She broadcast regularly from Delhi, Lucknow, Secunderabad and Bangalore,” says Narayan.

Ramanan was elated when one of her “interns” visited to seek her blessings last year. “Padma Bandopadhyay, who went on to become the first air marshal in the Air Force, was facing opposition from family when she wanted to marry her Bengali colleague. That’s when my grandfather intervened and oversaw the marriage in Secunderabad,” recalls her granddaughter Sukanya.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Vidya Iyengar / Express News Service / October 21st, 2020

Gold on the block

Business & Economy

City-based label Abraham and Thakore’s new  block-printed collection, showcased on Day 1 of Lakme Fashion Week, is chic, comfortable and full of colours  that are perfect for a low-key festive season

David Abraham (left) and Rakesh Thakore

Bengaluru : 

Fashion lovers, here’s some good news for you. Lakme Fashion Week officially kickstarted on Wednesday, after a grand digital premiere with Manish Malhotra’s collection Ruhaaniyat on Tuesday. Day 1’s showcase included city-based label Abraham and Thakore, who used their gold and beige collection to highlight a sustainable fashion line, filled with fun elements.

“We have developed silhouettes with frills and ruffles, which soften the look and add a playful element,” says Abraham, adding that they have played with a softer colour palette. “The collection is in shades of beige and sand, which are printed in gold ‘kari’, which is a form of pigment printing. The colours are appropriate for a low-key festive look, with the gold adding a spark,” he adds. 

The duo’s collection came as a part of the segment All About India, where LFW (which is on till Oct. 25) is showcasing designer collaborations that revive the livelihoods of craftsmen affected by Covid-19. The segment showcased other ace designers like Rajesh Pratap Singh for Satya Paul, Anavila, Suket Dhir, Payal Khandwala and Urvashi Kaur, where they put the spotlight on Ikkat, Katwa and linen weaving, brocade, Jamdani, and Shibori, respectively. 

Through their designs, the duo shine a spotlight on the traditional technique of block printing, as they explore geometric patterns with it. “Block printing is one the oldest techniques of creating patterns on cloth. We manipulated the possibilities that this technique offered us and created engineered textile patterns in very contemporary geometric forms by working with polka dots and stripes,” explains Abraham. 

A veteran in the field of fashion, Abraham called the digital avatar of the fashion show, “an excellent form of communication.” The fashion guru adds, “Now there is a more subdued approach to fashion. People are looking for elegance but they also want comfort, ease and practicality. In other words, people want clothes that look as elegant at home as they do outside home.”

Designs from a distance 

While many might miss the energy that radiates off the ramp at Lakme Fashion Week (LFW), its digital avatar does feel close to a movie. From Kartik Aaryan oozing royal glam in Manish Malhotra’s collection to Gurang Shah’s line, Taramati, being showcased against the backdrop of a heritage building with folk music in the background… The designers went above and beyond for their videos. They didn’t have to worry about mistakes made on the ramp since each video was shot and edited to perfection.

Register on LFW website to watch the shows live or check LFW’s Instagram page.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Monika Monalisa / Express News Service / October 21st, 2020

Visually-challenged girl defies all odds, bags medals at University of Mysore centenary convocation

Amazing Feats, Education, Records, All

Kavya S Bhat has studied carnatic music besides learning the keyboard, but since she wanted to become a teacher so she gave NET and cleared it with flying colours.

Kavya S Bhat (L) with her mother Ravikala. (Photo| EPS)

Mysuru : 

At the age of two, she was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma, an eye condition resulting in the loss of vision. However, this did not dampen Kavya S Bhat’s dream to complete her higher education.

She was the cynosure of all eyes at the University of Mysore’s centenary convocation on Monday when she climbed the stage to receive two gold medals and two cash prizes for scoring the highest marks in MA (Political Science).

Like many of other specially-abled children, she completed her schooling in a blind school and graduated from Bengaluru. She relied on her parents, Srinivas Bhat and Ravikala Bhat, who helped her all through the way.

She then joined the University of Mysore for a PG programme. However, she hit a hurdle when several faculty members opposed her decision to take computerized exams here but she did not lose hope. She managed to appear for a computerized exam in all four-semester exams.

This also makes her the first person from the varsity to give computerized exams without the aid scribes. “I wanted to write the exam myself. So I requested a computerised exam for all four-semesters,” she said.

Kavya has studied carnatic music besides learning the keyboard, but since she wanted to become a teacher so she gave NET and cleared it with flying colours. Kavya said, “My father actually wanted me to have a career in the field of music. Though I love music, I wanted to prove myself and wanted to take up the teaching profession which made me choose this.”

When asked about how she accomplished this feat, she said, “Even we want to be more independent and that makes us find perfection in everything we do. This compulsion is what helped me accomplish this feat.”

She further added, “There will be people to support as well as oppose each of our decisions, but one must be strong to decide what they want.” Despite reaching her goal, she was still not very happy as two weeks ago her father passed away and couldn’t see her getting the medal. 

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Good News / by Karthik KK / Express News Service / October 20th. 2020

Hampi Zoo to have first wildlife rescue and rehab centre in North Karnataka

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

The rescue centre is coming up at the zoo premises and will be constructed at a cost of Rs 80 lakh.

The view of veterinary hospital at Ballari zoo premises near Hampi. (Photo | EPS)

Ballari

The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Zoological Park in Hampi of Ballari is all set to expand its services to the region. The zoo which is also known as Hampi Zoo will now have a rescue and rehabilitation facility for the wildlife animals such as woof, leopard and sloth bear.

The move comes a month after Mysuru Zoo helped the Hampi zoo set up a veterinary hospital on their premises. The rescue centre aims to help in mitigating the human animal conflict and will also have state-of-art facilities to deal with any kind of wildlife situation in the Kalyan Karnataka region.

The rescue centre is coming up at the zoo premises and will be constructed at a cost of Rs 80 lakh. This will be first such facility in North Karnataka and third in the state after Bengaluru and Mysuru. The centre will also take up treatment for the injured wildlife.

Kiran M N, Executive Director Hampi Zoo said that the new centre will reduce the response time during man-animal conflict, thus helping to save the animals. “The Daroji Sloth Bear sanctuary in Ballari has numbers of bears and leopards which come into conflict with humans on many occasions. The rescue centre will also act as rehab facility for the injured animals,” he explained.

Currently Ballari zoo houses white tiger and lions besides other animals. The rescue centre will be set up in the zoo premises and will have separate staff for the facility.

“There will be three dedicated staff at the rescue centre and during field operations we can use staff from zoo and local forest divisions depending on the case. There have been instances were leopards and bears are injured or seen regularly in human populated areas and during such times the role of rescue centre is very important. This will help mitigate conflict,” pointed out a wildlife expert from Ballari.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Kiran Balannanavar / Express News Service / October 19th, 2020

Students from Dakshina Kannada fare well in NEET

Education, Records, All

Students from Dakshina Kannada, including those studying in Alvas PU College, Excellent Science and Commerce PU College, Expert PU College, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, and Chaitanya PU College, have fared well in the National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) 2020, the results of which were declared on Friday.

As many as 914 students from Alvas PU College, Moodbidri, scored good marks in NEET. of which eight scored more than 650 marks, 37 scored between 600 and 650, 139 students between 500 and 600, and 203 students between 400 and 500 marks. Arnav Ayappa topped with 685 marks, followed by Anargya K. (683), and P.S. Ravindra (670), chairman of Alvas Education Foundation Mohan Alva said in a press release.

Of the 1,085 students from Expert PU College who qualified, Aakarsh R. Pai topped with 691 marks, followed by Akash G. (687), and H.C. Gourish (675). As many as 14 students scored more than 650 marks, followed by 112 students between 600 and 650, and 482 students scored between 500 and 600 marks, said Narendra L. Nayak, chairman of the Expert Educational and Charitable Foundation.

Chirag Rao topped among students from Chaitanya PU College by scoring 685 marks. In all, five students scored more than 600 marks, while 17 scored between 500 and 600 marks, said a release by college principal Ramakrishna Bhogyam.

All the 119 students coached by Excellent Science and Commerce Pre-university College, Moodbidri, qualified. Shreyas G.R. topped with 660 marks, followed by Sahana V.P. (653), and Dheeraj Hegde (645). Seven students scored above 600 and 35 students scored between 500 and 600, said Yuvaraj Jain, chairman of Excellent Group of Institutions, in a press release.

Abdul H. Shahrukh, Spandana M.N. and Sudeep S. from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Mudipu, qualified in the examination, said V. Srinivasan, principal of the vidyalaya.

Anjali E.D. topped among five students from Vikaas PU College, Mangaluru, with 600 marks, followed by Kousar Ibrahim (571), and Ashritha M. (553). A total of 67 students qualified in NEET, said a release by the college.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – October 17th, 2020

‘GoPink’ women-only taxi service at Bengaluru airport having a smooth ride

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All, Travel

Women, senior citizens and children are taken on board this service. Apart from pre-booking of taxis, spot booking too is permitted by GoPink.

Bengaluru :

The increase in domestic passenger traffic at the Bengaluru airport with every passing month means good news to a taxi service operated by women for women at the Kempegowda International Airport. Taxi service, GoPink, which was hugely popular among women flyers to Bengaluru, is now seeing much better days, a sharp contrast to the bleak future it was facing in the first quarter of this financial year.

Domestic flight operations shut since March 25 across the country have resumed from May 25 while regular international flights continue to remain shut from March 22 with only Vande Bharat Mission and the Air Travel Bubble flights operating. GoPink Co-founder Anuradha Udayshankar told The New Indian Express, “Our business is picking up now, particularly the last three months, and my drivers are extremely busy. In contrast to the scene experienced by male cab drivers of taxis operating to and from the airport who appear to be waiting for countless hours to get a customer, our cab drivers run four to five trips per day from KIA presently. In addition, they are getting requests for travel to outstation locations from Bengaluru.”

The taxi service, which began operations at the airport on January 7, 2019, is fitted with GPS, Panic buttons, Mobile Data terminal devices as well as Pepper sprays to ensure safety of both the driver and the passenger.

Women, senior citizens and children are taken on board this service. Apart from pre-booking of taxis, spot booking too is permitted by GoPink. “We used to operate 24×7 earlier. In the absence of most international flights which used to land at night, we now operate from 5.30 am to midnight and sometimes even an hour beyond it,” she said.

Though business is not anywhere near pre-COVID levels, Udayshankar was upbeat. “Traffic is picking up with each passing month due to the increase in passenger flow. More women drivers are showing an inclination to join our workforce,” she added. Speaking about the health and safety protocol being observed bearing in mind the COVID scenario, the co-founder said that much care was taken before every trip.

“The vehicle is sanitised before every trip to ensure passenger safety. Masks are worn and physical distancing is maintained. None of our drivers has caught the Corona virus so far. Barring the first national lockdown, we have been operating daily,” she explained. The women drivers have also been advised to use sanitizers frequently as well as inhale steam and have hot water baths after reaching home after work and they are adhering to it scrupulously, the co-founder added.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Good News / by S. Lalitha / Express News Service / October 16th, 2020

MIT students bag prize at aero design competition

Education, Records, All, Science & Technology

Students of Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, bagged the second prize at the recently-concluded Aero Dominator 7.0, a national-level aero design competition.

The competition was held during Vellore Institute of Technology’s technical fest “Gravitas” from October 2 to October 5 wherein 25 teams from all over the country competed.

The task was to design a fixed wing RC UAV capable of transporting medical cargo and first aid during emergencies. Teams were judged on three criterion – design report, technical presentation and predicted flight score.

The team of students consisted of team manager Aditeya Gurumurthy, aerodynamics Head Nagaraj Ganesh Prabhu and senior team members Pranav Gupta, Prahaladh Chandrahasa, and Rahul Alvares.

MIT director Srikanth Rao congratulated the team.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – October 17th, 2020

Karnataka: Items from bygone era enthrall people

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links, Pre-Independence, Records, All, Travel, Uncategorized
Visitors look at the vast range of antique utensils and other items exhibited from the collection of Ponnacchana Madhu in Madikeri on Friday.

She was speaking after inaugurating the exhibition of antique items from the collection of Ponnacchana Madhu at Coffee Krupa building near Raja Seat in Madikeri on Friday. The exhibition a part of Janapada Dasara, was organised by Taluk Janapada Parishat.

“The items that were used by our ancestors had scientific applications. Some utensils in the older days were designed to improve the health of people. Unfortunately, the young generation is forgetting the significance of the livelihood of their ancestors,” she added.

Zilla Janapada Parishat president B G Anantashayana said that the folklore was close to nature. Folklore is a form of knowledge. But, the modernity has been taking us away from this knowledge, he added.

Taluk Janapada Parishat president Anil H T said that Ponnacchana Madhu, the exhibitor, had collected rare items in the last three years.

These items will be on display till October 26. The work by Madhu and Preethu couple is laudable, he added.

Collector and Exhibitor Ponnacchana Madhu said that he purchased old items in the households, after convincing the elders in the houses. Many tourists have been willing to purchase them from me. However, they are not for sale. The collection began with an old lamp contributed by an old lady called Arifa Munavar, a scrap dealer in Madikeri.

Taluk Janapada Parishat Treasurer Ambekal Navin Kushalappa, Parishat Directors Savita Rakesh and Veenakshi were present.

Exquisite collection

The collection showcases traditional weapons, a 120-year-old mud bowl, an ancient lamp from a temple in Tamilnadu with 84 diyas, puja items, African dolls, bronze items,  utensils, coffee grinding machines and so on.

The agricultural equipment are an added attraction.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / by DHNS, Madikeri / October 17th, 2020

CHD Group wins award

Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Records, All

CHD Group, a public health organisation based in Mangaluru, has won the ASSOCHAM NGO Award 2020 for its work carried out as part of COVID-19 emergency relief activities.

CHD Group won the award under the category of “Excellence in demonstrating speed in decision making and supporting time critical needs of the community”, said a statement from the group.

It worked remotely during the lockdown in Karnataka, Odisha, Chhatisgarh and Telangana to provide relief and rehabilitation to distressed people and support farmers as well as farm workers during harvest season.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mangaluru – October 15th, 2020

The Richie Rich of Bengaluru

Business & Economy, Education, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Garden City, tech hub, pub city… And now most preferred city for business headquarters for young wealth creators.

Nikhil Kamath,  co-founder and CIO, Zerodha and True Beacon

Bengaluru : 

The recently-released IIFL Wealth Hurun India 40 & Under Self-Made Rich List 2020 has a ranking of the self-made Indian-origin entrepreneurs with a wealth of Rs 1,000 crore, aged 40 years and under. Bengaluru figures as the city with the highest number of persons on the list. As many as nine entrepreneurs from the list of 17 are city-based, with Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath from Zerodha, ranking first with a wealth of Rs 24,000 crore. 

Sharing his thoughts on the findings, Anas Rahman Junaid, MD and chief researcher, Hurun India, said some of the names on the list have fully or partly exited their core businesses and are setting up investment funds and backing other young entrepreneurs. “This will have a compounding effect on the growth of disruptive entrepreneurship in India,” he said in a statement. 

The 17 Indian-origin entrepreneurs have together added wealth close to Rs 45,000 crore. The list also includes Media.net’s Divyank Turakhia in second place, Bengaluru-based Udaan’s Amod Malviya and Sujeet Kumar in third position, Flipkart’s Sachin Bansal and Binny Bansal in seventh rank and Zomato Media’s Deepinder Goyal in the 13th position. 

The only woman on the list is 39-year-old Devita Saraf, who ranks 16th with a wealth of Rs 1,200 crore. Saraf derives her wealth from Vu Technologies, a television manufacturing company, which she founded in 2006.

Richie Rich in Namma Ooru

Nithin Kamath and Nikhil Kamath 
(rank 1; Rs 24,000 cr)Co-founders of online trading platform Zerodha, which grew to become India’s largest stockbroker by the number of clients.

Amod Malviya and Sujeet Kumar 
(rank 3; Rs 13,100 cr) Co-founders of B2B commerce company Udaan.

Riju Ravindran (rank 6; Rs 7,800 cr) 
Brother of Byju Raveendran, who co-founded Byju’s in 2011 with his wife Divya Gokulnath. All three have stakes in the online edtech company.

Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal (rank 7; Rs 7,500 cr) 
Co-founders of Flipkart. Since their exit from Flipkart, Binny Bansal has been investing in several start-ups as an angel investor and Sachin Bansal has co-founded and is the CEO of Navi, a neo-bank start-up headquartered in Bengaluru.

Bhavish Aggarwal and Ankit Bhati (rank 10; Rs 3,500 cr and rank 14; Rs 1,600 cr) 
Co-founders of Ola. In July 2020, Ola incentivised Aggarwal and Bhati by way of issuing equity shares at a nominal price of Rs 10 per share – resulting in a 13% increase in their wealth compared to last year.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / October 14th, 2020