Category: Education

OVERSEAS: ARTS & CULTURE: Kannada Pata Shale Dubai’s 9th year Valedictory Event held with Grandeur

Kannada Pata Shale Dubai, a free Kannada language teaching school started in Dubai in 2014 is run by Kannada Mitraru UAE, a nonprofit association with over 100 volunteers serving the school. It is free for all children aged between 6 to 16 years who are willing to learn Kannada language.

The 9th year valedictory event of Kannada Pata Shale Dubai was held on April 29 at JSS International School, JVC Dubai. Kannada Pata Shale Dubai popularly known as KPSD has over 650 students this year, who attended the closing ceremony event, received their certificates and medal of appreciation from guests and dignitaries. Dr Mohan Ava, the president of Alva’s Education Foundation of Moodbidri graced the occasion as chief guest and was honoured by Kannada Mitraru UAE for their contribution in the field of education.

The well-disciplined event started on the dot as announced was noticeable, as the vice president Siddalingesh Revappa explained that KPSD is well known for time consciousness as he said that the teaching has to be backed by being an example.

In his presidential speech, Shashidhar Nagarajappa sought the blessings of Shri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji for their invaluable support and blessings to establish Kannada Pata Shale Dubai. He further explained the selfless services of 17 teachers who dedicated 6 months for the school without any remuneration. KPSD teachers who had served more than 4 years were recognized with ‘Shikshana Koustub’ award. This year’s awardees were Meena Harish Kodi, Divyashree Nagaraj Rao and Usharani Kotresh. Shashidhar urged for the support of Karnataka government to recognize KPSD so that the NRI students who complete 12th standard and move from UAE to Karnataka for their professional courses, who need to take CET exams, are required to attend separate Kannada exam, which is unnecessary for KPSD students and hence needs to give exhumation for those who are having certificates from KPSD.

An extravagant display of talents was seen, as children showcased their talent in Kannada language through various art forms like dance, singing and acting. The skit ‘Ekalavya’ was the heart winner with the spontaneous dialogues which is unseen in the young diaspora. A play ‘Kannada Granny and Naughty children’ mesmerized the audiences with its message to emphasis the importance of learning Kannada language. An overcrowded auditorium cheered the young performers with joy of appreciation.

In the formal event ceremony, the KPSD patron and president of KNRI forum Praveen Shetty thanked the parents for bringing in a record number of children and making KPSD a big success and appreciated the Alva’s Kannada and cultural activities such as ‘Nudisiri’ and ‘Virasat’ and called in for all the support. KPSD patron and KNRI vice president Mohan Narasimha Murthy appreciated the service of the teachers and called for highest number of admissions in the coming years.

Post felicitation, Dr Mohan Alva gave an impressive and elaborative speech. In his words of humbleness, Dr Alva sought the blessings of Shri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji. He further on appreciated the efforts put in to keep the culture and language alive and pass it to the next generation. He further called all parents to continue to teach Kannada as their primary language. He further assured his support to KPSD for getting necessary recognition from the state government and assured of an award of appreciation from the government.

One of the most prestigious awards for contribution to Kannada ‘Kannada Mitra-2023’ was awarded to Dr Rajani Krishna Rao for her invention of phonetics techniques to teach and learn Kannada language. Another Kannada Mitra-2023 awardee Huchhamma Basappa Choudri was felicitated virtually due to her inability to travel to Dubai.

Further in the dignitary’s speech, Harish Bangera thanked the parents for sending a record number of students to learn Kannada and he appreciated the efforts of the teachers. The next speaker, the CEO of JSS Schools Dubai, Govind Rao Naik welcomed Dr Mohan Alva to the JSS institution and remembered the days of KPSD foundation at JSS school in Al Safa and wished all the organizers a grand success for the future years. Sarvottam Shetty, president of Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi made an impressive speech and explained the origins of Kannada and wished all the parents and organizers.

Another guest of the event, award winning director, actor and writer of Sandalwood, Shivadhwaj Shetty gave a joyous speech of appreciation and thanked the parents and teachers for their love of the language.

General secretary Sunil Gavaskar, joint secretary Shivasharanappa Meti, treasurer Nagaraj Rao and organizing secretaries Mahadev, Harish Kodi, Jeetendra, Prakash, Vijay, Santosh, Guru Prashanth, Sudhir, and Suresh managed the certification and medal of students in the first batch of students.

Over 500 students were encouraged with certification and medal of appreciation. The felicitation was done by all the dignitaries namely M E Mulooru, advisor of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, prominent businessman Harish Sherigar, honorary advisor of Karnataka Sangha Dubai Jayanth Shetty, James Mendonca of Mangalore Konkans, vice president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai Daya Kirodian, Balakrishna Salina of Mugaveers UAE, general secretary of Karnataka Sangha Dubai Manohar Hegde, Vokkaliga Samaja UAE president Dr Rashmi Nanda Kishore, former president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah Novel Almeda, president of WOW Power Yoga Anand Bailooru, and Basava Samithi president Dr Mamatha Radder. Other heads of associations who participated and wished the event were Sagar Shettar couple and Vineeth.

The entire event was well coordinated by the organizing secretaries in various roles such as dinner distribution by Santosh, Harish Kodi and Rohit, and the stage co-ordination was handled by Girish Patwari, Yuvaraja, P Wadekar, Rohit and Shivu. Guest welcome was handled by Girish Kalkund and Guru Prashanth, and the creative and AV display was superbly managed by Shashidhar Mundaragi, Grish Vorate and Vinay.

The stage and student coordination was handled by a team of 16 teachers managed by Roopa Shashidhar.

Nagaraj Rao thanked all the guests and attendees.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Celebrates Founder’s Day to mark Dr. T.M.A. Pai’s 125th birth anniversary

Founder’s Day was also celebrated by other institutions of the Manipal Group, Dr. T.M.A Pai Foundation, Academy of General Education (AGE), Manipal Media Network Limited and Manipal Education and Medical Group.

Udupi Pejawar Mutt seer Sri Vishwaprasanna Tirtha said on Sunday, April 30, that the Indian education system was altered by the inspirational community leader Dr. T.M.A. Pai. The level of success Manipal has achieved now only serves to highlight how equally committed the current leadership and other members of Manipal are, in improving society.

He was speaking at the 125 th birth anniversary and Founder’s Day celebrations of Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) in Manipal. Sri Vishwaprasanna said such dedication, commitment and service to society are extremely uncommon to see. His Guru, Sri Vishvesha Tirtha Swamiji had always held high regards towards Dr. Pai.

It is heartening to see MAHE continues the same vision of its founder through community-engaging initiatives, including Dvaita Philosophy Resource Centre, MAHE Mahabharata Research Centre, Discerning Tulunadu, Yakshagana Centre and other such projects, he said.

A release from MAHE said the Founder’s Day was also celebrated by other institutions of the Manipal Group, Dr. T.M.A Pai Foundation, Academy of General Education (AGE), Manipal Media Network Limited and Manipal Education and Medical Group (MEMG). MAHE celebrated the Founder’s Day to honour and remember the legacy of Dr. T.M.A Pai, founder of the Manipal Group, who developed the barren hilltop of Manipal into an education hub of International Fame.

MAHE president Ranjan R. Pai said his grandfather’s dream was to confront and address three fundamental issues facing society—poverty, illness, and illiteracy.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: Bidar’s 24-year-old Adhish R. Wali Appointed Member of London Youth Council. History Made as the First From State to have been Appointed so.

Adhish Rajneesh Wali has been appointed member of London Youth Council. The 24-year-old from Bidar is the first from the State to have been appointed so.

London Youth Council, established by the Faith and Belief Forum, is made up of young leaders from various faiths and beliefs who are leading an interfaith movement in London with youth in the forefront.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Wali said that the council works together to learn the practices and preachings of various faiths, conducts research to influence policy and organises events to bring young individuals together to learn, build skills and make plans to build a movement of young activists.

Mr. Wali, who participated in the prestigious sixth Annual London Faith and Belief Community Awards 2022 at Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, London, recently had an insightful discussion with Kenneth Olisa, OBE, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.

The London Youth Council successfully organised a Youth Interfaith Summit on climate change at the London School of Economics, which attracted over 300 young individuals.

Mr. Wali said that the topic of climate change is one of the biggest challenges.

Mr. Wali is a ParliaMentor Leadership Award winner and also the first from the State to win a student union elections in the U.K.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: 02 Bengaluru Institutes among 4 Spearheading National Quantum Mission (NQM)

Research will be carried out by thematic hubs, which are consortiums of research institutions. Each such hub will tackle one among the verticals of quantum research — quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing and quantum materials.

A week after the Union cabinet approved the National Quantum Mission (NQM) at Rs 6,003 crore, several leading experts in the field met at the Raman Research Institute in Bengaluru this week to break down the course the NQM intends to take.

Research will be carried out by thematic hubs, which are consortiums of research institutions. Each such hub will tackle one among the verticals of quantum research — quantum computing, quantum communications, quantum sensing and quantum materials.

According to a statement, these hubs will “undertake translational research, incubate and support startups, network with industries and international collaborators alongside running outreach programmes.”

Institutes are also likely to drive the functioning of these hubs based on their expertise. For instance, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumabi is one of the leading institutes in quantum computing, the Raman Research Institute’s Department of Science and Technology in quantum communications, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune, in quantum sensing, and Indian Institute of Science (IISC) in Quantum Material Research.

The Raman Research Institute itself has made breakthroughs recently. After prior success in quantum key distribution (QKD) between stationary transmitters, the feat was replicated with a moving transmitter this year.

Dr Urbasi Sinha of the Raman Research Institute said, “We have been actively working on quantum communications for several years. The goal is to connect the whole country using QKD and satellite-based communication. The NQM will take quantum research and technology to the next level.”

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: EDUCATION / AWARD WINNER: Udupi’s Schoolgirl Avantika V Rao gets to Speak in front of President

Avantika V. Rao, a Class IX student of Anandathirtha Vidyalaya, Pajaka, Udupi district bagged the prize in the Tata Building India School Essay Competition 2019-20.

Avantika V. Rao, a Class IX student of Anandathirtha Vidyalaya, Pajaka, Udupi district, who had bagged first prize in an essay competition, got a rare opportunity to speak in front of President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi recently.

She bagged the prize in the Tata Building India School Essay Competition 2019-20. The competition was to instil a sense of pride and spirit of nation building among the youth. Many students from across the country had participated in this competition and 29, including Ms. Rao, emerged as winners, according to the school.

All the winners were taken to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 17, 2023. Of them, in addition to Ms. Rao, another student Kushi Prajapathi from Nagaur, Rajasthan, got the opportunity to speak in front of the President.

During her three-minute speech, Ms. Rao stressed on ‘Clean India’ and how each person should take the responsibility to achieve it. Recycling of waste will set things in the right direction, she said.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan release on that day said that the President congratulated the winners of the essay competition. She said that during the ‘Amrit Kaal’, the topic of the essay competition ‘Five things I will do to build a great India’ was quite relevant.

Ms. Murmu expressed confidence that when India celebrates 100 years of independence, the contribution of these young minds would be for the betterment of the country as a whole. The President urged children to dream big and try hard to realise their dreams.

It said that Ms. Murmu praised the organisers for providing a platform for young minds to showcase their ideas in writing on a specific topic of national importance or on social issues.

The photos of Ms. Rao speaking and a group photo of students with Ms. Murmu were uploaded on the official Twitter handle of the President on that day.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Hosts International Global Health Advisory Board meeting of the Global Health Programme April 15-16, Udupi

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) hosted the International Advisory Board of the Global Health programme on April 15-16 followed by the Global Health Symposium.

The board met under the aegis of MAHE and the occasion was graced on April 15 by Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, vice chancellor, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao K, pro vice chancellor- Health Sciences, Dr Giridhar Kini P, registrar, Dr Karunakar Kotegar, director – International Relations and, Dr Helmut Brand, director – Prasanna School of Public Health.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Thijs Teeling, director, Covalence, with representation from seven partner universities, including Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Thailand, India and Sudan.

Dr Thijs Teeling presided over the meeting and stated: “I am very happy to be in Manipal and grateful to MAHE for hosting the board and students for the symposium. I am impressed by the preparation and coordination of the events and am looking forward to meeting the students at the symposium. To this point, the meeting has been a great success.”

Video greetings to the board and MAHE leadership were presented from the president of Maastricht University, Prof Dr Rianne Letschert and the dean and vice-president, faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, prof Dr Paul M O’Byrne. The Global Health International Consortium website and logo were presented by Dr Agnes Meershoek from Maastricht University which was applauded as a step in the right direction.

Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, the vice chancellor of MAHE stated: “Global health is of paramount importance and is in accordance with the vision of the founder, Dr. TMA Pai who had worked towards the provision of quality healthcare, education and development.” He also emphasized that the deliberations of the Advisory Board and the development of a website dedicated to the Consortium for Global Health were in line with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future.”

During the meeting, the guest speaker was Maj Gen (Dr prof) Atul Kotwal SM, VSM (retd)., executive director, National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), ministry of health & family welfare, government of India, and he provided comprehensive insights on the topic of ‘Global Health Leadership and Partnerships in Health System Strengthening Efforts’ emphasizing the example of India’s efforts towards equity with impacts on the local and global platforms.

Following the advisory board meeting, the annual Global Health Symposium will take place between April 16- 28, bringing together over 300 students and 37 faculty from partner institutions.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: EDUCATION / DRONES & REMOTE PILOTS: Centre of Excellence for Drone Education and Remote Pilot Training to come up at Chickballapur

This institute will serve as a platform where students learn the fundamentals of drones, drone mapping, GIS, data processing, and a certified remote pilot training course.

Aereo, an end-to-end drone solutions startup, has partnered with SJC Institute of Technology to open a centre of excellence in Chickballapur.

This institute will serve as a platform where students learn the fundamentals of drones, drone mapping, GIS, data processing, and a certified remote pilot training course.

This institute is the first-of-its-kind for advancing holistic drone education in India alongside fundamental remote pilot training.

The centre will provide exposure to students and help them build a career in India’s booming drone industry. The courses will be taught by highly experienced industry experts, said Aereo, which was founded in 2013 in IIT Kanpur.

“This centre of excellence will lay the groundwork for drone education in the country. We are extremely grateful to SJCIT for their collaboration and look forward to providing top-notch drone education to the youth of Karnataka. Lack of high-skilled workforce is a primary bottleneck for the Indian drone industry. By imparting holistic drone education along with remote pilot training, we aim to create thousands of new drone-related jobs and pave the way for R&D in indigenous drone technology. It will equip students with real-world experience and skills required to forge a lucrative career in the Indian drone industry,” said Vipul Singh, co-founder, and CEO of Aereo.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / LITERATURE : Renowned Konkani Writer Stan Ageira bags Dr TMA Pai Appreciation Award

Well-known Konkani writer Stan Ageira’s anthology of short stories ‘Cathillaacho Anamik’ has been selected for the prestigious Dr TMA Pai Appreciation Award for 2021. The award carries Rs 10000 and citation. This was announced recently by the foundation in Manipal.

The book was published by Udupi diocese’s Uzvaad Prakashan.

A prolific writer in Konkani, Stan Ageira from Mulki has written 18 novels and over 250 short stories.

Over 50 short stories are translated to Kannada, Telugu and English.

Woman’s Era from New Delhi have been regularly publishing his stories in English for over 20 years. His collection of short stories ‘Tea, Coffee and Cheesecake’ was published by US based Raider publication.

He is recipient of several literature awards including twice Karnataka Sahitya Academy Award.

His short stories are available online under the Red Chillis column in Daijiworld.

Konkani poems, ‘Gayathri Devi’, written by Professor Sudhir Manohar Tadkodkar from Panji, Goa, has been picked for the ‘best Konkani work’ award for the year 2021. This is given with Rs 25000 and citation. B Shantharam Baliga’s ‘Shachatushyaka Subashitha Ganga’ was given the consolation award with Rs 10000 and citation.

Dr TMA Pai Foundation, a Konkani linguistic minority trust, was established in 1981 to preserve the memory of (Padmashree) Dr TMA Pai, physician, educationist, banker, philanthropist, Konkani lover, one of the greatest visionaries and the founder of the internationally famous Manipal Educational Institutions. The trust was established with an objective to support and promote the advancement of educational activities and promote the Konkani Language and the culture of Konkani speaking people.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: EDUCATION: Ramanji Nammabhoomi Conferred with ‘Bank of Baroda Achievers Award’

Ramanji Nammabhoomi, Udupi was conferred with Bank of Baroda Achievers Award at Mangaluru University Syndicate auditorium on March 18 for his all-round achievements in the post graduate courses of Mangalore University.

Mangalore University vice-chancellor professor P Subrahmanya Yedapaditaya who conferred the award said that this handover has increased the award’s value. “The work of identifying talented persons by the Bank of Baroda is commendable,” he said.

Ramanji said that the award has inspired him to achieve more in the education sector. He expressed his gratitude for the award.

Bank of Baroda Konaje branch senior branch manager Derick D’ Souza, Mangalore University’s Dr Kishore Kumar C K, finance officer professor Y Sangappa, Professor Sadananda, Professor Kishori Nayak K and others were present. 

source/content: daijiworld.com

KARNATAKA-INTERNATIONAL: CULTURE & ARTS: Comparative Study on Poetry of Basavanna and Hopkins released

“The Poetry of G.M. Hopkins and Basavanna: A Comparative Study”, authored by Basavaraj P. Donur, Registrar, Central University of Karnataka, was released at Basava Samithi office in Bengaluru on Saturday.

“If Hopkins knew about Basavnna and his ideas he would have adopted Lingayat philosophy,” said Manu Baligar, member, Central Sahitya Academy, after the release of the work.

“Basavanna protested against the exploitative religious system and gave Lingayat philosophy and Hopkins also protested against the rigidity and orthodox practices of the Church of England. Though he lived in the 19th century, Hopkins’ ideas have a lot of similarities with that of Basavanna’s. It shows ideas of great thinkers always correlate and are timeless,” he said.

Dr. Baligar said that the work is meant for serious readers and suggested its translation into Kannada for taking it to a larger section of readers.

Central University Vice-Chancellor Battu Satyanarayana, faculty members Vikram Visaji, Ganapati Sinnoor, Siddanna Langoti, Prof. Donur and others were present.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)