Karnataka First

The state government has announced the list of recipients for the prestigious Kannada Rajyotsava Award for the year 2026. A total of 71 achievers who have rendered notable service in various fields have been selected for this year’s Rajyotsava Award.

Here is the list of award winners by major fields:

Folk (Janapada)

1. Davalsab Attar, Koppal

2. Gauramma, Chamarajanagar

3. Pandappa Devalappa Lamani, Gadag

4. A. R. Satyanarayana, Bengaluru South

5. Eranna Rudrakshi, Raichur

6. Shivalingappa M, Koppal

7. Suresh Ramachandra Joshi, Vijayapura

Music

8. Dr. C. A. Sridhar, Mysuru

9. Dr. A. Narayana Swamy, Hassan

10. Sri B. Murali, Bengaluru

Rural Dance

11. Dr. Satyanarayana Raju, Bengaluru Urban

Cinema / Television

12. Venkataramana Babajee, Dharwad

13. Ashok, Bengaluru Rural

14. K. S. Ravindranath, Bengaluru Urban

Yakshagana

15. Gopala Ganiga, Udupi

Bayalata

16. Huligamma, Ballari

Theatre

17. D. Kempanna Bin Late Dyavappa, Bengaluru Rural

18. K. Jayalakshmi Patil, Dharwad

19. G. D. Thimmayya, Chitradurga

20. K. R. Sumathi, Mysuru

21. H. V. Puttaveerappa, Bengaluru South

22. Honnanayak, Mysuru

Sculpture

23. G. V. Hamsananda Acharya, Vijayanagara

24. Kadappa Parashurama Gadivaddar, Belagavi

Painting

25. C. B. Somashetty, Bidar

Handicrafts

26. Shantabai, Bidar

Agriculture

27. H. K. Sreeranthu, Bengaluru South

28. B. A. Channappagowda, Bengaluru Urban

Environment

29. Dr. Swami Anand R., Mysuru

Science – Technology

30. Prof. Rajasab A. H., Kalaburagi

31. Dr. Rajashekhara Murthy, (Canada)

Media

32. D. Umapathi, Chitradurga

33. M. P. Susheela, Bengaluru Urban

Media / Photography

34. Vishwanath Suvarna, Dakshina Kannada

Others

35. Rukminibai Nagappa Vashthar, Bagalkot

36. D. S. Chowgule, Belagavi

37. Belluru Shankara Narayana Dwarakanath, Bengaluru Urban

38. Ravipraveen Noronha, Bengaluru Urban

39. M. R. Jaishankar, Chikkamagaluru

40. Prasad Bidappa, Kodagu

41. Vasappa Yallappa Kusagoor, Haveri

Architecture

42. B. P. Aaradhya, Bengaluru South

Social Service

43. Dr. Annadaneeshwara Mahashivayogi, Gadag

44. Basavaraju, Mandya

45. Kagodu Thimmappa, Shivamogga

46. Dr. S. M. Eli, Davanagere

47. Dr. G. S. Chandrashekar (Adarsha Charitable Trust), Uttara Kannada

48. Dr. Shivananda Mahaswami, Kalaburagi

49. Krishnegowda Bin Venkatarayappa, Chikkaballapura

50. A. C. Bhandary (A. B. Tulu Okoota), Dakshina Kannada

51. Guramma Hampayya Sankinamath, Bagalkote

Medical

52. Dr. Vijayendra Honnourappa, Bengaluru Urban

53. Dr. Sujatha Mallikarjuna Jali, Belagavi Administration

54. Teresa Bhattacharya, Bengaluru Urban

55. Dr. K. S. Somashekar, New Delhi

Engineering

56. Dr. K. N. Venkata Krishna Rao, Chikkaballapura

Literature

57. Dr. Indira Hegde, Dakshina Kannada

58. Veerahanuman, Raichur

59. Prof. Narayana Ghatta, Tumakuru

60. C. Maheshwarappa Chatnalli, Chikkamagaluru

61. Dr. Karigowda Beechanahalli, Tumakuru

62. Dr. Siddarama Honkal, Yadgir

Education

63. Fr. Joseph (Vice-Chancellor, Christ University), Bengaluru Urban

64. Shantappa Dashavantha, Vijayapura

65. Sangeeta N. Kattimani, Kalaburagi

66. Dr. N. S. Rangaraju, Mysuru

Judiciary

67. B. V. Acharya, Udupi Non-Resident (Overseas/Other states)

68. Ramesh Gowda (Former President, AKKA America)

Sports

69. A. V. Ravi, Kolar

70. Dr. A. B. Subbaiah, Kodagu

71. N. Girish, Bengaluru Urban

source/content: english.varthabharati.in (headline edited)

Bengaluru-based planetary infrastructure company Pixxel has established Pixxel Federal, a U.S. subsidiary that will deliver advanced Earth observation technologies, satellite mission systems, and geospatial intelligence capabilities to federal customers across civilian, defence, and intelligence agencies.

“The U.S. government market represents a significant opportunity for Pixxel as we expand our capabilities beyond hyperspectral imaging into advanced sensing technologies, software, and satellite systems,” said Awais Ahmed, founder and CEO of Pixxel.

He added that Pixxel’s work with NASA and the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) has given it a strong foundation, and Pixxel Federal will enable the company to work more closely with federal agencies, understand their mission requirements, and deliver solutions tailored to their needs.

“This is an important step in building Pixxel’s long-term presence in the U.S. market,” he said.

Pixxel Federal will draw on the company’s growing portfolio of hyperspectral satellites, Earth intelligence software, and satellite mission systems to support a broad range of government missions.

Pixxel said that by identifying materials through their unique spectral signatures, hyperspectral imaging can reveal details that conventional imagery may miss.

Applications include camouflage detection, terrain characterisation, and identification of activities of interest for defence and intelligence missions, as well as critical mineral and rare earth element detection, environmental monitoring, and agriculture.

Pixxel Federal also plans to establish an office in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area to work more closely with government customers and partners.

The latest announcement follows Pixxel’s $100 million Series C funding round, co-led by Temasek and Seraphim, which brought its total funding to $195 million.

It said that the investment is supporting the company’s broader expansion across advanced sensing technologies, software, satellite systems, and manufacturing capabilities, as it scales its operations and presence in international markets.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Academic Chandan Gowda’s Longing for an Elsewhere unpacks the ideas which shaped princely Mysore’s ideas of development.

In the story of India’s colonisation, Karnataka, then the princely state of Mysore, has a unique position. Restored to the throne in 1881, the Wadiyars had freedom to rule the land as they saw fit. Mysore became the first state to have a representative assembly, took on infrastructural projects and garnered praise from leaders for being a model state. But, what motivated this desire which predated Nehruvian planning by decades? Chandan Gowda’s latest Longing for an Elsewhere (Oxford University Press; ₹1,595), traces it to colonial ideas of backwardness that Mysore’s elite bought into. Excerpts:

Why were you interested in tracing the ideas of development that influenced the princely state of Mysore?

After Mysore was restored as a semi-autonomous state in 1881, the Maharaja and his Dewans showed interest in industrial development. The book shows where they got their ideas from. German economist Friedrich List argued that less-industrialised nations like Germany required a protectionist state to build their economies and Indian thinkers like MG Ranade and RC Dutt, who were inspired by him, inspired the Mysore state.

I try to theorise why the modern Indian state saw itself as a developmental state. There is nothing natural about any state accepting that it needs to develop. The British introduced a notion of evolutionary history in which Europe had progressed through industrialisation, while non-Western societies were perceived to be behind because they were rural, religious and technologically backward. Many educated Indians accepted this, but believed they need not remain permanently behind.

Princely states have also been insufficiently studied. The kind of British oppression seen in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay presidencies was absent in Mysore. Local society was shielded from the everyday colonial violence, which shaped how its political and literary cultures evolved.

What does the case study on the Bhadravati Iron Works (BIW) Project reveal about attitudes towards development at the time?

Mysore invested massively on the project. Wherever steel was manufactured, large supplies of charcoal were needed, but there are no deposits in Bhadravati, so a forest is burned down for it. Mysore kept the factory going despite losses because it was a symbolic asset. State guests were taken there on visits and it was seen as civilising local people by inculcating habits of an industrial society. When Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar visited, he saw Birmingham in Bhadravati. Products made here were displayed at exhibitions in England and this iron was reportedly seen as superior to Swedish iron, assuring us that Mysore was doing well. Today, if a rocket doesn’t take off, we feel insulted because we’ve internalised a vision of a global audience finding us lacking.

How were Mysoreans responding to this new wave of industrialisation?

The Mysore Representative Assembly’s members criticised the BIW but never the need for an iron plant in the first place. Author Shivaram Karanth wrote an account of it, but it is a neutral description. The English romantic poets, who inspired early 20th-century Kannada poets, were harsh critics of industrialisation because it had torn apart the social fabric. Believing in the integrity of the Mysore planners, Kannada literary figures, however, did not sufficiently engage with their vision of development. The rulers of Mysore, who had travelled in the West, didn’t see the dark side of capitalism. Canadian agricultural officer James Coleman and German horticulturist Krumbiegel cautioned against going the American-European way because they had caused social misery, but nobody listened.

In what ways does this history of developmental thought still influence our policies?

Our desire to be seen as arriving in the world is a direct consequence of having been shamed by colonial accusations of backwardness and of seeking to restore lost honour by pursuing a Western vision of development. In the popular imagination, development is often symbolised by fast highways, consumer goods or high-rise buildings. The government projects a $5 trillion economy and everyone thinks it is fantastic. But no one asks: Will gains be equitable? What is the ecological impact? We need to rethink our idea of development because it destroys community life and local ecologies.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Bengaluru / by Mahima Nagaraju / October 28th, 2026

20th Asian Schools Chess Championships-2026

Rajeswari Aiyappan, a 7th std. student of Amrita Vidyalaya, Bogadi, Mysuru, has won four medals (2 gold and 2 silver) for India at the 20th Asian Schools Chess Championships-2026, held in Tula, Russia, from Oct. 1 to 11.

Competing in the Girls Under-11 category, Rajeswari clinched the individual gold medal in the Standard Championship, scoring an impressive 7 points out of 9 rounds, with six wins, two draws and one loss.

Gold Medal and WCM Title

Rajeswari’s gold-medal-winning performance earned her the prestigious Women Candidate Master (WCM) title, marking a significant milestone in her chess career.

Making India proud: Rajeswari Aiyappan seen with former President of International Chess Federation (FIDE) Arkady Dvorkovich.

Four Medals for India

Rajeswari delivered an exceptional performance across individual and team events, contributing to India’s success at the Championship. Her medal tally includes: Gold in Girls Under-11 Standard Championship (Individual); Gold in Girls Rapid Team Championship; Silver in Girls Standard Team Championship and Silver in Girls Blitz Team Championship.

Rajeswari is the daughter of V.R. Aiyappan and P. Mangayarkarasi, residents of Mysuru. Karnataka State Chess Association has congratulated Rajeswari on winning the title and medals.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL), a subsidiary of ONGC, has been adjudged winner in two categories — “Best Indigenously Developed Technology” and “Best Innovation in Refinery” — under the Innovation Awards 2025–26, instituted by the Centre for High Technology (CHT), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India.

The awards were presented at the 29th Energy Technology & Innovation Meet (ETM-2026) held on October 27 at ATI–ONGC, Goa, recognising outstanding technological achievements among India’s petroleum refineries.

• Best Indigenously Developed Technology: KARVE IBB – Indigenous active pharma intermediate process technology for the manufacture of isobutyl benzene, marking MRPL’s advancement into high-value pharmaceutical intermediates through indigenous technology.
• Best Innovation in Refinery: REVEAL™ FCC – Indigenous closed-loop real-time optimiser, demonstrating MRPL’s capabilities in digital innovation and real-time refinery process optimisation.

The awardees were selected by a distinguished committee chaired by Dr G D Yadav, chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC).

The awards were received by an MRPL delegation led by managing director Mundkur Shyamprasad Kamath, director (refinery) Nanda Kumar Velayudhan Pillai, executive director (refinery) N Anandha Kumar, GGM (maintenance) H C Sathyanarayana, GGM (TS) Sudheer Pai M, and chief managers of the Innovation Centre Karthick R and S Nirmal Ganesh.

Significantly, this marks the fifth consecutive instance of MRPL receiving national recognition for innovation at premier Government of India platforms, including the Energy Technology Meet and India Energy Week.

These achievements reinforce MRPL’s position as an innovation-driven, future-ready refinery, committed to indigenous technology development, operational excellence and the Government of India’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Government representatives, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and cybersecurity experts joined the event to discuss emerging cyber threats, regulatory compliance and measures to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness among MSMEs.

The Centre of Excellence for Cybersecurity–Karnataka (CySecK), an initiative of the State government, organised a one-day cybersecurity workshop for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru on Wednesday (October 14) to mark the Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Government representatives, industry leaders, entrepreneurs and cybersecurity experts joined the event to discuss emerging cyber threats, regulatory compliance and measures to strengthen cybersecurity preparedness among MSMEs.

In a statement, CySecK said that the technical sessions focused on the evolving cybersecurity and regulatory landscape, cyber risks and compliance, risk management in cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) environments, defence strategies and cost-effective cybersecurity measures for MSMEs.

Experts also addressed cybersecurity challenges and practical approaches that smaller businesses could adopt to protect their digital assets and operations.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

B’luru drummer Tanay Hitesh Shah, 15, is set to represent India at the UK Drum Show on Oct 25, blending original compositions with Indian folk and Carnatic rhythms.

At an age when most teens are still figuring out their interests, 15-year-old Bengaluru drummer Tanay Hitesh Shah is preparing to take his music to an international stage. Selected for the Main Stage Mini at the UK Drum Show 2026 in Liverpool, he is the second Indian to earn a place on the platform. “I was happy because it’s a big achievement for me,” says Shah, recalling the email that confirmed his selection.

Held annually, the UK Drum Show brings together percussionists, musicians and leading drum companies from across the world. Its Main Stage Mini features around 50 young, emerging drummers selected internationally to perform. For Shah, the opportunity meant much more than just performing; it meant learning from fellow musicians. “I’m more excited than nervous. I want to see other drummers and learn about the different styles they play,” he says, adding, “It’s a stage where multiple drum artistes come, perform solos and interact with other musicians. Artistes like Matt Garstka and Gavin Harrison come on the Main Stage, while young artistes play at the Main Stage Mini.”

He hints that his original composition revolves around a recurring theme. “It allows for more dynamic representation of the instrument and more open space for improvisation,” he adds. Working with his mentor, drummer Karthik Mani, Shah has arranged an original composition for his 10-minute performance, globally. The set will also feature Indian folk songs and rhythms. “I’m aiming to represent Indian culture. I’ve dedicated a proper section to Konakkol to represent Carnatic music,” he says, adding, “I’ll also be playing different rhythms from different states and Carnatic rhythms, along with an Indian folk song.

His relationship with percussion began around three, when his parents noticed his inclination towards rhythm as he played on household plates. They introduced him to the tabla and other small instruments before he began learning drums formally at five.

Bengaluru, too, has played a key role in shaping his journey. From attending drum circles near MG Road as a young child to participating in school-level Battle of the Bands competitions, Shah has found opportunities to perform, collaborate and learn. Festivals such as the Bengaluru Drum Fest have also introduced him to established musicians, including his influences Darshan Doshi and Karthik Mani.

While he believes India is already well-represented on global stage, he feels more institutional support is needed for young musicians. Music, he points out, is offered as a subject at his school only in Class X and is not taught in Classes XI and XII. “Every school should have music or some form of art as a subject in the curriculum, and not just as an extracurricular activity,” the young drummer says, adding, “That way, it’s already built from the base.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Mr. Sen is internationally recognised for his pioneering work on S-duality, the precise counting of black hole entropy and string field theory, which have helped shape modern string theory.

Professor Ashoke Sen has been awarded the Oskar Klein Medal for 2026, becoming the first Indian physicist to receive the honour, the Bengaluru-based ICTS said on Saturday (October 24, 2026).

Mr. Sen, an ICTS-Infosys Madhava Chair Professor, is internationally recognised for his pioneering work on S-duality, the precise counting of black hole entropy and string field theory, which have helped shape modern string theory, the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences said in a post on its website.

Mr. Sen delivered the 2026 Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture, titled ‘Gravity from Strings and Strings from Gravity’, at Stockholm University’s AlbaNova Centre on October 22, the institute said.

He received the Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics in 2012 for his contributions to establishing the unifying structure of string theory and the Dirac Medal in 2014, the ICTS said.

His other honours include the Infosys Prize in Mathematical Sciences in 2009, the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1994, the ICTP Prize in 1989, the Padma Shri in 2001 and the Padma Bhushan in 2013.

Mr. Sen was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1998, it added.

ICTS Director Rajesh Gopakumar congratulated Mr. Sen, saying, “On behalf of all of us, very warm congratulations to Ashoke. It has been no less than wonderful having Ashoke with us and setting the tone for excellence here at ICTS.”

Named after Swedish theoretical physicist Oskar Klein, the medal recognises distinguished contributions to physics. It was established in 1988, and previous recipients include Nobel laureates Chen-Ning Yang, Steven Weinberg and Hans Bethe, who received the medal in its first three years, respectively, the ICTS said.

The medal is awarded annually by Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, according to the ICTS.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

The award will be presented on Friday during the 40th National Conference of the Karnataka Itihasa Academy in Bidar.

Senior researcher, epigraphist and retired professor J.M. Nagayya from the Dr. R. C. Hiremath Kannada Studies Chair at Karnatak University in Dharwad has been chosen for the prestigious Itihasa Samskruti Shree Award.

Instituted by the Karnataka Itihasa Academy, the award carries a purse of ₹50,000 and a memento.

The award will be presented on Friday during the 40th National Conference of the Karnataka Itihasa Academy which is being held from Thursday to Sunday at the Anubhava Mantapa on the premises of the Sri Chennabasaveshwara Gurukula in Hiremath, Bhalki in Bidar district.

Prof. Nagayya has authored 19 research works and 70 scholarly papers, along with several significant texts dedicated to the study of Kannada inscriptions.

He has also served as the chief editor for over 20 edited volumes covering diverse subjects, including epigraphy, history and the history of the Kannada region.

His research work titled Atmabalidana received an award from the Karnataka Sahitya Academy, while another work Sandarbha Sahitya has been recognised by Gulbarga University.

He has also received the Prof. S. S. Malawada Award for his work titled Karnatakada Shilpagalalli Shivasharanaru (Shivasharanas in the Sculptures of Karnataka).

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

.