Category: Amazing Feats

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: ‘Koti Kantha Gayana’ – 1.5 Crore People Sing 6 Classic Kannada Songs & State Anthem in One Voice at 11 am(IST) Friday 28th October

From the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru and the high seas off Malpe coast in Udupi, Kannada pride reverberated across the world with about 1.5 crore people singing six classic Kannada songs, including the state anthem at the same time at 11 am (IST).

As part of the ‘Koti Kantha Gayana’ programme on Friday — a precursor to the Rajyotsava celebrations on November 1 — citizens, government officials, politicians, students and eminent people gathered at various places within and outside the country to sing together in Kannada. Minister for Kannada and Culture V Sunil Kumar said programmes were held at 10,000 locations in 50 countries, including 27 states in India.

Adorned in state flag colours – yellow and red – they sang songs including ‘Udayavagali Namma Cheluva Kannada Naadu’, ‘Baarisu Kannada Dindimava’, ‘Hachevu Kannadada Deepa’ and ‘Vishwa Vinuthana Vidya Chetana’, besides the state anthem.

‘Koti Kanta Gayana’, a golden day for K’taka: Bommai

At many places, family members of government staffers were also invited to join the event, with some taking an oath that they will use Kannada in their office work and will introduce the language to those who are not familiar with it.

In some places, songs were being played in the background. Special teams of musicians were called at the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) head office in Bengaluru. Over 1,000 officers and staffers attended the programme. Similarly, over 2,000 people gathered at the Bengaluru city police commissioner’s office on Mahaveer Jain Road (Infantry Road). Crowds gathered at the KSRTC office and Bengaluru University Jnanabharathi campus as well. Over 3,000 staffers of Bannerghatta Biological Park and students from various government schools participated in an event held at the zoo premises at 11 am.

In Udupi, over 100 fishing boats sailed far out into the sea off the Malpe coast as they took part in the event with enthusiasm. In Dakshina Kannada, an event was held at Panambur Beach as people sang the Kannada songs on cruise and fishing boats. These songs were sung in villages and towns across the state. Even those travelling on flights took part in the programme.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that through the ‘Koti Kanta Gayana’, great respect was shown to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari, and the state government is determined to build a bright future for Karnataka and Kannada.

Speaking to reporters after launching the event at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, Bommai termed it a golden day for the state of Karnataka. He said this could be a world record.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: NATIONAL: Proud Moment! Dalit Scholar KP Ashwini from Karnataka Becomes First Indian & First Asian Woman to be Appointed As UN Special Rapporteur

KP Ashwini, an Ambedkarite scholar from Kolar is all set to take over as the Special Rapporteur At the UN by November. With this, she becomes the first Indian as well as an Asian woman to hold the post.

KP Ashwini, a Dalit scholar with roots in the Kolar district of Karnataka, was appointed as the Special Rapporteur for United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) earlier in October. Endorsed by the 47-member United Nations (UN) human rights body, Ashwini would become the first Indian and Asian woman to be appointed to this post.

The international posting comes with a huge responsibility of identifying and presenting resolutions on human rights concerns. As someone coming from a marginalized community with a long legacy of ancestors who have been part of several Dalit movements, she would play a crucial role in rewriting the human rights crisis faced in the country and beyond.

An Ambedkarite To Be The Voice For Human Rights

The 36-year-old is an Ambedkarite and Ph.D. scholar from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University. Her academic profile comes along with an illustrious line of works surrounding indigenous communities and their rights. Taking this ahead to a global platform, Ashwini hopes to address issues of racism and casteism, which are growingly seen across social media platforms as well during her tenure.

Special Rapporteurs (SR) with the UNHRC are independent experts who serve personally and report on human rights from an extensive perspective. The position, which was created back in 1994, holds communications with states and has the authority to issue urgent appeals over violations of international human rights laws.

Ashwini would be taking over as the sixth SR on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance, as Zambia’s E Tendayi Achiume resigned from the post unexpectedly. In her application letter to fill in the vacancy, she brought along a long line of experience working with indigenous communities of different Indian states and her efforts in addressing descent and occupation-based discrimination.

She wrote in her letter that, “belonging to a marginalized community myself, an Indian Dalit woman,” the space of activism is not new to her. She has been vocal about ideas revolving around caste discrimination and once even noted that her caste identity had haunted her and gave her quite the backlash when she stressed an anti-caste narrative.

Unlayering Years Of Discrimination

According to a report by The Wire, she has been appointed by the UN Body on October 7 and will be taking over the post by November.

Talking about the work she expects to get done at the UNHRC, Ashwini said, “I am keen to focus on racism in terms of gender and the intersectionality perspective. This is because we always look at racism in a vague space, sometimes forgetting the many layers it comes in, like caste, class, and gender.”

Ashwini, who took after her family, has always fought against Dalit oppression, racism, and racial discrimination through a multitude of social movements. An article by the Indian Express quoted Ashwini saying, “Many of my family members were part of Dalit movements, and I personally have a keen interest in anti-caste and women’s rights movements.”

These movements of her created the much-needed ripple effect that took her ahead to a post in which she would now be protecting the rights of millions across the world. As someone who has always found her interest in understanding the kinds of social exclusion that persist in society, this platform would prove to be the right place to create the change.

source/content: thelogicalindian.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AVIATION & TRAVEL: RECORD: First Commercial Flight of the Worlds Largest Passenger Aircraft Lands at KIA on October 14th. Bengaluru’s Captain Nikhil Thiagarajan and First Officer Sandeep Prabhu who Piloted Emirates Airbus A380 on Cloud Nine after the Historic Flight to Bengaluru City

Emirates Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, touched down at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on October 14. It marked the first commercial flight of the aircraft to the South Indian city’s airport.

It was a historic moment for Bengaluru when Emirates Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, touched down at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) on October 14. It marked the first commercial flight of the aircraft to the South Indian city’s airport.

Also two important individuals who were part of the landmark moment are the pilots – Captain Nikhil Thiagarajan and first officer Sandeep Prabhu, both hailing from Bengaluru.

Thiagarajan told indianexpress.com that the touchdown in Bengaluru last Friday was indeed a great ‘milestone’ in his career. “As I consider Bengaluru my hometown, it was very exciting to have the opportunity to fly the aircraft into this airport. It was an honour to land on the runway in particular as it was the first commercial flight operated with an A380, so I honestly felt privileged. Throughout the flight, excitement was building onboard as we approached the destination. Seeing the warm welcome at the airport was also a proud moment for me. It made the trip very rewarding,” he said.

Interestingly, the first officer Prabhu also made the announcements in Kannada – a script given to him by his parents Arathi Prabhu and Shivaraya Prabhu.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: U.K. PRIME MINISTER: Bengaluru Celebrates ‘son-in-law’ Rishi Sunak becoming next UK PM

The 42-year-old Sunak, who is also known as “the son-in-law of Bengaluru” was married to Akshatha Murthy, daughter of Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy and Sudha Murty.

While the Murthys chose to maintain silence over their son-in-law making history, many others from the corporate world expressed their happiness over the development.

Along with corporate giants Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai also congratulate Rishi Sunak on being elected as the Britain Prime Minister.

Union Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, Skill Development, Electronics and Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar, congratulated Rishi Sunak on his victory and his term as the Prime Minister of UK.

Along with congratulating, he also warned that Rishi Sunak is taking over the responsibility at a time when the whole of Europe is going through a difficult time.

“I have met him (Sunak) personally. He is a highly competent person,” Chandrasekhar said. Kamal Bali, the president and managing director of the Volvo Group India said it is a matter of joy that a person of Indian origin is becoming the Prime Minister in the UK.

“Rishi Sunak’s rise shows that anybody has an opportunity in a democratic set-up. It is a good sign, which also shows that capability matters in a democratic country,” Bali told PTI.

The former Infosys Chief Finance Officer V Balakrishnan called it a historic moment. He also said that Britain is an example to the world that a migrant can also become Prime Minister of their country. Britain is a sign of a mature democracy

Former president of the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jacob Crasta regarded it a matter of great pride and honour for Indians.

“It is a pride for us Bengalurians as the son-in-law of Bengaluru is becoming the Prime Minister of the UK,” Crasta told PTI.

He further informed that it is a good news for India as it will create new opportunities for the development of India UK relationship and bring more options for UK technology to come to the country.

source/content: livemint.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS: Hangyo Ice Creams Pvt Ltd Bags ‘Best Family Owned Business Award’ at India Family Business Summit 2022′ organised by FICCI

Hangyo Ice Creams Pvt Ltd was awarded as the Best Family Owned Business Award at India Family Business Summit 2022 organised by FICCI at FKCCI Bhavan here.

From Hangyo, Srinivas Pai and Sankeern Pai received the award from Murgesh Nirani, minister for L&M Industries, Ullas Kamath – president FICCI-Karnataka, and V B Gopal Reddy, president FKCCI.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: BUSINESS & INDUSTRY / LEADERS: Karnataka Bank MD Mahabaleshwar Bhat selected for the Rajyotsava award

Karnataka Bank MD Mahabaleshwar Bhat who wrote a new chapter in the banking sector has been selected for the prestigious Panchavarna Rajyotsava award.

He will be conferred the award with a silver panel during the silver jubilee celebrations of Panchavarna Yuvaka Mandala under the title of Kannada Rajyotsava near Amrutheshwari temple, Kota on November 15 and 16.

He will be presented Panchavarna special award by Samradhi Mahila Mandala Cherkadi, Brahmavar, felicitations by Arjun Bhandarkar, head of Save Life Charitable Trust, Mangaluru and Niswartha Seva Trust, Kota and another award by Samradhi Kundapur, recipient of Drama Junior award.

Scholarships to Kannada medium school, monetary help to poor patients and uniforms to students will be distributed during the two day long programme, said the mandala president Amrath Jogi in the press release.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SAFETY: Bengaluru becomes 2nd City in India to have 90 mts Tall Aerial Ladder Platform for the State’s Department of Fire & Emergency Services

After India’s financial capital of Mumbai, Karnataka’s capital city of Bengaluru became the second city in the country to have a 90-meter tall aerial ladder platform vehicle for the State’s Fire Services.

Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who dedicated the aerial ladder platform vehicle in Bengaluru on Thursday, said: “Today marks an important day for the development of Bengaluru as well as infusing a biggest strength for the Department of Fire Services.’’

The Chief Minister also flagged off “Green Deepavali,’’ a public awareness campaign on the stairs of Vidhana Soudha.

The 90 meter aerial ladder platform is a most essential and important facility and this modern ladder will work as a real friend in need,’’ he said adding: The new ladder will be put into use in BBMP limits.

“The whole world is growing on a big scale and it is a most essential service especially in all important metropolitans without which building permission is not given.,’’ Bommai said.

The Chief Minister said Fire Safety and its rules are equally important. It was essential for the Department of Fire and Emergency Services to have all facilities to reach hi-rise buildings during an emergency.

Ready to Serve

The State Government is capable of solving problems, he said pointed out that Bengaluru City is growing fast and several definitions are made without understanding issues.

“The recent rains had created floods only in two constituencies and not in all 26 Assembly segments. But it was projected as if the whole Bengaluru City had submerged. In fact, Bengaluru is an important city both in national and international level and the government is capable of solving any problems of the city. It is important to present facts correctly,’’ he said.

Bommai said there are over 100 personnel working in SDRF to deal with flood situations. The State Capital has both NDRF and SDRF teams and they are capable of rescuing anyone from any part of the city.

The government had already released Rs 20 crore to buy the new equipment and another Rs 20 crore was released recently. The governments intention is o strengthen SDRF.

Instructions are given to form another two companies of SDRF for which ex-servicemen will be appointed. Already, over 100 retired defense personnel were appointed and more personnel will be recruited directly for the proposed two companies, he said. Along with modernisation and increasing numbers, even training and empowerment are also given importance. The SDRF had helped during the recent floods in different districts, he added.

The Chief Minster said till now the Bengaluru Fire Department had only a 50 meter ladder and the State capital is growing fast both horizontally and vertically. “After Mumbai City, Bengaluru has become the second city in the whole country to have a 90 meter Aerial Ladder Platform system.

Efforts were made to procure this in the last two and a half years and while he was the Home Minister the grants had been released. But it got delayed due to some reasons such as Covid-19 and production problems,’’ he said.

Bommai said permission has been given to strengthen the Department of Fire Services by sanctioning various schemes and one of them was the procurement of 90 meter aerial ladder platform.

This department rescues people in any fire mishap that occurs in any corner of the city all the 24 hours, he said.

The Chief Minster said 5,000 new vehicles are added to the fleet of vehicles daily whereas the roads have remained the same. Despite this, the police department has been managing traffic by using several technologies including synchronizing for free flow of traffic.

“I will compliment Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Home Department and senior officials of Department of Fire Services for bringing this ladder to Bengaluru,’’ he said.

Potholes being filled up:

Steps are taken to fill up potholes across the city. New potholes have emerged due to incessant rain. Even they too are being filled up on the war-footing. It was possible to do quality works in case rain reduces. Whatever repair works done would not last long during continuous rain. But all the potholes will be filled up, Bommai said. The Chief Minister wished the people on the occasion of Deepavali festival and asked them to celebrate by using green crackers. The citizens must use the crackers of less than 125 decibels.

Earlier, the Chief Minister went in the newly dedicated aerial ladder platform along with others.

Asked about his experience, Bommai said: “I was surprised to see the design of Vidhana Soudha dome. In those days, they had taken this stone to the top of the building. I was elated to see the Ashoka Pillar from a close angle. The solace is that with the new ladder it is possible to save lives of people in fire mishaps.

As many as 7500 cameras are installed under the Nirbhaya scheme and it will be used to address the problems of traffic density and for women safety. They work on artificial intelligence and revolves 360 degree.

Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, Ministers Kota Srinivasa Pujari, S T Somashekar, Shivaram Hebbar, MP P C Mohan, MLA Niranjan Kumar, Additional Chief Secretary (Home Department) Rajneesh Goel and DGP (Fire Services) A K Pandey were present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / CRICKET: Roger Binny, First World-Cup Winner, Elected as President – Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at its 91st Annual General Meeting, Mumbai

Roger Binny becomes the first World Cup-winner to become the president of the BCCI.

Former Indian cricketer Roger Binny has been appointed as the new president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The 67-year-old was elected unopposed during BCCI’s annual general meeting (AGM), which was held on Tuesday, 18 October, at the Taj Hotel in Mumbai.

BCCI secretary Jay Shah, departing president Sourav Ganguly, treasurer Arun Dhumal and vice-president Rajeev Shukla were all present at the 91st annual general meeting of the board. With his appointment, Binny becomes the first-ever former World Cup-winning to become BCCI’s president.

Jay Shah has been re-inducted as the secretary of the board, while it now remains to be seen whether the BCCI will field a candidate for the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) elections.

Among the other decisions taken during the meeting, Arun Singh Dhumal vacated his position as the treasurer of the board and was appointed as a member of the Indian Premier League (IPL) Governing Council. Avishek Dalmiya, the president of Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), was also appointed as an IPL Governing Council member.

Ashish Shelar, the former chief of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), took over as the new treasurer, with former secretary of the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), Devajit Saikia was appointed as the joint-secretary. Assam M Khairul Jamal Majumdar was appointed as an Apex Council member.

Besides confirming the new appointments, the BCCI also approved to conduct the inaugural edition of the Women’s IPL in 2023.

source/content: thequint.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION / DEFENCE / MANUFACTURING: PM Modi Unveils HTT-40, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd’s (HAL) Indigenously Designed and Developed ‘Trainer Aircraft’ at DefExpo-2020,

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled HTT-40, the indigenous trainer aircraft designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at the India Pavilion during DefExpo-2020 in Gandhinagar, on Wednesday.

The Basic Trainer Aircraft would be used for basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying and close formation flights, whereas its secondary roles would include navigation and night flying.

HTT-40 has cutting-edge technology designed to meet primary training requirements of the Indian defence services. Built around a meticulously tested, turbo-prop engine, it is equipped with the latest avionics, an air-conditioned cabin and ejection seats. HTT-40 boasts of unique features like running changeover of pilots, hot-refuelling and short turnaround time.

HAL receives DcPP certificate

Hal  also received a Development – cum -Production Partner (DcPP)/Production Agency (PA) certificate for ABHYAS – High Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System from DRDO at a programme held on the sidelines of DefExpo-2022.

The Aircraft Division of HAL is the first DcPP/PA identified organisation under ADE-DRDO’s new scheme for the procurement of a complex system.

HAL had formally handed over the first batch of two units of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) System ABHYAS, an indigenous target aircraft, to Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) recently. HAL CMD CB Ananthakrishnan received the certificate from DRDO Chairman and secretary of the Department of Defence R&D Dr Samir V Kamat

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: LEADERS: Mallikarjun Kharge Elected as Congress’ First Non-Gandhi President in over two decades

Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge became the first non-Gandhi President after 24 years by defeating his opponent Lok Sabha MP Shashi Tharoor by a margin of over 6,000 votes. 

Out of the 9,385 votes polled in the Congress presidential polls, Mallikarjun Kharge got 7,897 votes, Shashi Tharoor secured 1,072 votes, and 416 votes were declared invalid, the party’s Central Election Authority (CEA) chairman Madhusudan Mistry said.

Kharge won with eight times more votes.

Soon after the election results were announced, Tharoor congratulated Kharge in a letter and termed the election as a ‘true celebration of inner-party democracy.’ “The revival of the party has begun today,” Tharoor said.

Kharge will replace Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving party president who has been at the helm since 1998, barring the two years between 2017 and 2019 when Rahul Gandhi had taken over.

With no Gandhi family members in the fray, the election came three years after Rahul Gandhi resigned from the top post citing the Lok Sabha poll debacle in 2019.

Kharge will take charge on October 26.

MP Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the president was the ‘supreme authority’ in the Congress and whoever got elected to the post would decide on the way forward (for the party). “President is the supreme authority in the Congress and everyone reports to him. My role – I am very clear – Congress president will decide what my role is and how I will be deployed,” he remarked as Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Andhra Pradesh.

Congress central election authority chairman Mistry on Monday expressed satisfaction with the party’s presidential polls process, saying it was “free, fair and transparent”. He also said it was a secret ballot and no one would get to know who voted for whom.

The election is significant for the party as an internal election to the top post is taking place after nearly two decades.

The last election for the post of Congress chief was held in 2000 when Sonia Gandhi defeated her opponent Jitendra Prasada by an overwhelming majority. 

Meanwhile, congratulations poured in for Kharge from many senior leaders and celebrations erupted outside AICC headquarters in the capital. 

Earlier in the day, after the counting of votes began, the Tharoor camp alleged extremely serious irregularities in the poll process.

In a letter to CEC Madhusudan Mistry, Tharoor’s campaign team member Salman Soz said, “The facts are damning and the election process in UP is devoid of credibility and integrity.”

He also alleged the use of unofficial seals for ballot boxes and the presence of unofficial persons in polling booths.

Later in a tweet, Soz said that the CEA has assured fair inquiry into the allegations. “After discussions with CEA, we have agreed for the counting to continue and our team looks forward to the results,” he tweeted.  

However, in reply to media queries, Mistry said that the CEC has prepared a point-by-point reply to the complaints raised by the Tharoor camp. He also said that the letter shouldn’t have been made available to the public.

Even during the campaign, Tharoor raised allegations of preferential treatment by his senior colleagues several times and approached the CEA on the same.

80-year-old Kharge with more than 50 years of experience in politics was largely seen as the candidate backed by the top leadership in the Presidential election. While Tharoor rooted for reforms in the party, Kharge promised to follow the Udaipur Chintan Shivir resolutions to bring changes in the party.

Kharge, a senior Rajya Sabha MP from Karnataka, is seen as a hardcore loyalist of the Gandhi family. He resigned as the leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha, on October 1, 2022, to contest for the President post of Congress.

Though many senior leaders hailed the election as the beginning of inner party democracy, they also expressed apprehension about the elections to the Congress Working Committee (CWC) and cast doubts that the President would act as a rubber stamp. The immediate challenge for Kharge will be the performance of the party in the upcoming Assembly elections in Himachal Pradesh and Gujarat, said a leader

Of the total 9,915 Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) delegates that formed the electoral college to pick the party chief in a secret ballot, over 9,500 cast their ballot at PCC offices and the AICC headquarters, Mistry had said at a press conference after the polling ended on Monday.

Electors in the Congress presidential polls had been asked to put a tick mark against their candidate in the ballot paper after Tharoor’s team took up with the party’s top poll body the issue of its earlier directive that voters write “1” to reflect their preference. This, the team said, might lead to confusion.

Ahead of the polling, Kharge had said he would have no shame in taking the advice and support of the Gandhi family in running the party affairs, if he becomes its president. Tharoor, meanwhile, said that some colleagues were telling party workers that they know who Sonia Gandhi wants elected”.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)