Category: Records, Karnataka

KARNATAKA: HISTORY /ARTS & CULTURE / LANDMARK: PM Modi Unveils 108-feet Bronze Statue of Bengaluru Founder ‘Nadaprabhu’ Kempegowda making it the Tallest Bronze Statue of a Founder of a City

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday unveiled the 108-feet tall statue of the city’s founder Nadaprabhu Kempegowda, which is the “first and the tallest bronze statue of a founder of a city”, as per the ‘World Book of Records’.

Called the “Statue of Prosperity”, it has been built to commemorate the contribution of Kempegowda towards the growth of Bengaluru.

The statue weighing 218 tonnes (98 tonnes of bronze and 120 tonnes of steel) has been installed at the Kempegowda International Airport here.

It has a sword weighing four tonnes.

The project, besides the statue, has a heritage theme park in an area covering 23 acres dedicated to the 16th century chieftain, together costing about Rs 84 crore to the government.

Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and several of his cabinet colleagues, Nirmalanandanatha Swamiji of Adichunchanagiri Math, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP Parliamentary Board member B S Yediyurappa, former Chief Minister S M Krishna, BJP legislators, officials, among others were present at the event.

Kempegowda, a feudatory ruler under the erstwhile Vijayanagara Empire founded Bengaluru in 1537.

He is revered, especially by the Vokkaliga community that is dominant in Old Mysuru and other parts of southern Karnataka.

Renowned sculptor and Padma Bhushan awardee Ram Vanji Sutar has designed the statue.

Sutar had built the ‘Statue of Unity’ in Gujarat and the statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Bengaluru’s ‘Vidhana Soudha’.

As a precursor to the unveiling, ‘Mruthike’ (sacred mud) was collected from over 22,000 locations across the state, which was mixed symbolically with the mud beneath one of the four towers of the statue.

Twenty-one special vehicles collected the sacred mud in villages, towns and cities during the last two weeks.

With the installation of the statue ahead of the Assembly polls next year, a competition of sorts seems to have erupted between political parties to claim credit for the legacy of Kempegowda, aimed at garnering electoral support from the politically dominant Vokkaliga community.

Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah had earlier said the Congress government led by him was the one which had first planned to install the statue of Kempegowda at the airport.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: HEALTH & MEDICAL SCIENCES / SCIENCE: Dr. Lekha Pandit Neurologist at K S Hegde Medical Academy receives National Honor – Awarded Fellowship of the National Academy of Sciences (NASI), Dept of Science & Technology, Government of India

Dr Lekha Pandit, professor of Neurology and director of the Center for Advanced Neurological Science at K S Hegde Medical Academy, Nitte (deemed to be university) has been awarded the prestigious fellowship of the National Academy of Science India (NASI), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

Since its inception in 1930, NASI has selected nearly 2000 fellows from various fields of science for their path breaking research in Science and Technology and for furthering societal education in science.

Dr Lekha Pandit is a clinician and basic science researcher whose three decades long work on demyelinating disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Neuromyelitis Optica, has remarkably improved the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of these severe diseases in India.

She has through her pioneering work shown the increasing prevalence of these diseases among Indians, determined the genetic and environmental factors related and developed and patented the first diagnostic assay for these conditions in India.

At K S Hegde Hospital in Mangaluru, she runs one of the largest registries for these diseases in the Indian subcontinent visited by patients from different parts of India and abroad.

Dr Lekha Pandit is one among 150 Indian women scientists and the first from Dakshina Kannada to have been bestowed this national honor.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: RESEARCH RANKING: Dr Manjeshwar Shrinath Baliga of Mangalore Institute of Oncology in Top 2% Scientists for Exceptional Research in the World in a study by Stanford University and Published by Elsevier BV

Dr Manjeshwar Shrinath Baliga, senior radiobiologist, in-charge of research and chief operating officer (COO) of Mangalore Institute of Oncology, has featured again in the global Top 2% for exceptional research work.

Dr Baliga’s current global ranking in all fields of research is 64,930; while in his specialized area of Cancer (Oncology & Carcinogenesis) is 2,786. In the 2019 report, Dr Baliga was also ranked in the top 2% with 3188th. Among Indian researchers working on cancer, his current ranking is 7th and second in the state of Karnataka.

The study was conducted by Prof John PA, Loannidis of Stanford University and published by Elsevier B V, and considered the contribution of 200,409 scientists from 1960 until the end of September 1, 2022 in 22 scientific fields and 176 sub-fields. The Stanford team focused on impact (citations) and analyzed the research citation in the “Scopus database”, considered to be the “benchmark” by the scientific community around the world.

Dr Baliga is the eldest son of popular travel’s proprietor Prabhakar Baliga and Prema Baliga. He did his schooling and undergraduate studies at St Aloysius College and Masters in Biosciences from Mangalore University. He did his doctoral studies in radiation biology from Kasturba Medical College, Manipal with research on anticancer and radio modulatory properties of novel agents in 2003. He received advanced training at Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai and post – doctoral fellowship at the University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA and a second post doctorate from the University of Illinois, Chicago in areas of cancer prevention and metastasis.

Dr Baliga also has adjunct degrees in Masters of business administration in education management, from Alagappa University and Masters in Psychology and Psychotherapy from Kuvempu University. In addition to this Dr Baliga has been one of the founding members of the UNESCO Bioethics in India and has been active in studies on ethical issues in health care and Oncology in specific. He has done advanced research training in pharmacogenomics at University of Delhi, South Campus under the prestigious Indian National Academy of Sciences fellowship. Dr Baliga was inducted as a fellow in “The International Institute of Organizational Psychological Medicine (IIOPM), Melbourne Australia in 2019 for his work in health and work place psychology.

In his three decades long scientific career, Dr Baliga has carried out studies in the areas of cancer epidemiology, cancer prevention, radiation-modulation, Onco-psychology, cancer ethics, cancer education, health economics and pharmacovigilance. Till date he has published around 202 scientific articles and 92 text book chapters in the above said areas in national and international journals and books. Dr Baliga has mentored 61 students till date and most of his students are in premier institutes of Europe, USA and Australia.

Dr Baliga’s current research at Mangalore Institute of Oncology is focused on aspects important to local society, like cancer trends in Dakshina Kannada, effective integration of Ayurveda and Yoga in post treatment recovery and health economics in cancer care. These areas have been highly neglected and Dr Baliga’s emphasis is towards bridging the gaps for the benefit of the local society and country at large.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE: 4 from Karnataka – Fairoz, Sunitha Dhairyam, Akhilesh Chipli, Col CM Muthanna Awarded ‘Cricketers for Wildlife Conservation’s ”Wildlife Service Award 2022” organised by the Karnataka Forest Department

All should join hands with govt for conservation: Forester in Karnataka

As there is a lot of pressure on forests due to linear projects, the forest department alone cannot safeguard them and everybody should join hands for conservation and protection, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Kumar Pushkar said.

During the distribution of the Cricketers for Wildlife Conservation’s Wildlife Service Award 2022, organised by Karnataka Forest Department, he said NGOs, conservationists and celebrities should engage with the government in conservation and protection.

Forest watcher from BRT Tiger Reserve, Fairoz, along with wildlife conservationists — Sunitha Dhairyam (Mariamma Trust, Bandipur Tiger Reserve), Akhilesh Chipli (Shivammoga) and Colonel C M Muthanna (Kodagu) — were felicitated by former Indian cricketer and National Cricket Academy director VVS Laxman in the city on Saturday.

The awardees are chosen by a team of panellists from the forest department, including conservationists, based on their work. Laxman expressed concern about climate change and asserted the need to protect forests to mitigate the effects.

There are challenges, which need to be overcome for better results, he added using the platform to encourage youth in sports, but also stressed on the need for quality education.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / ICON: Kannada Actor Puneeth Rajkumar Conferred ‘Karnataka Ratna Award’ Posthumously at the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava

South actors Rajinikanth and Jr NTR joined Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai at an event here on Tuesday to honour late Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar with Karnataka Ratna award posthumously.

The event was held on the 67th Kannada Rajyotsava.

Chief Minister Bommai shared a video of the ceremony in which is seen sharing the stage with Rajinikanth and Jr NTR.

The award ceremony took place on the steps of Vidhana Souda.

Despite heavy rainfall, a large number of people attended the award ceremony.

Rajinikanth donned a simple white kurta pyjama, whereas Jr NTR opted for a white shirt and black jeans.

The Chief Minister had announced earlier that the state government has decided to present the ‘Karnataka Ratna’ award to Dr Puneeth Rajkumar on November 1.

“A committee would be formed to make preparations for the award presentation ceremony. Members of Dr Rajkumar’s family would also be included as members of the committee. We all together will present the award posthumously to Puneeth in a highly dignified manner,” Bommai had told the media.

The Chief Minister had also paid rich tributes to Puneeth Rajkumar on his first death anniversary. “His death has left a deep void in Kannada cinema. A multi faceted personality, he was a wonderful actor, playback singer, television presenter & producer. In our hearts forever Appu!” he said in a tweet.

The prestigious award has been conferred only nine times earlier.

The Karnataka Ratna was last awarded to Dr Virendra Heggade in 2009 for his social service. Apart from him, Puneeth’s father Dr Rajkumar was among the first recipients of the state’s highest civilian award in 1992 for his work in the entertainment industry.

Puneeth Rajkumar passed away last year on October 29 following a cardiac arrest at the age of 46. Colloquially known as Appu, he was an actor, playback singer, television presenter and producer.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: TRANSPORT /AUTOMOTIVE INNOVATION / GREEN / ELECTRIC: Spotter Mobility a Startup Innovates Reverse Strike Electric Vehicle (EV) in Hubbali

 A Hubballi-based startup has innovated a fully-covered reverse trike electric vehicle, which comes with the comfort of a car and the manoeuvrability of a two-wheeler.

Spotter Mobility has developed a vehicle that has two wheels in the front and one in the back. The cabin has two seats and any person who rides a scooter can easily ride it.

The co-founders of the firm, Prasad Patil and Arun Agadi, who are from the engineering background and are showcasing the vehicle at the Global Investors Meet, said they have developed the EV for two years now.

“In all metro cities, people mostly use two-wheelers to go to work. While two-wheelers are convenient, they can’t offer the comfort of a car, especially when it rains. There is a vacuum in the segment between two-and four-wheelers and the reverse trike we have designed is expected to fill the void,” Patil said, adding, “When we did market research, many said that they were looking for something like that but there was no availability. Hence, we went ahead with the R&D and other processes.”

He said the vehicle offers safety, comfort and convenience besides ease of parking and manoeuvrability despite being cost-effective. “As parking space is a major constraint in cities, the vehicle is designed in such a way that it’s hardly a few centimetres wider than two-wheelers. Two vehicles can be parked in the space of one car,” he said.

“We are developing the vehicle to run at least 150 km per charge. Also, it will have an air-conditioning facility, reverse gear with a rear camera and an audio system like any other car,” Patil added.

Recently, the firm has obtained the intellectual property rights for the twin independent seater and the approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is pending. “We are expecting the ARAI approval at the earliest and we intend to hold the commercial launch in 2023,” said Arun Agadi, who said the price of the vehicle is not yet finalised but it will be around Rs 2.5 lakh.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AGRICULTURE: Organic Rajamudi Rice draws Fitness Freaks at Krishi Mela the farmer fair in Bengaluru

Farm Superintendent, OFRS, P Prakash told The New Indian Express that the crop takes 160 days to yield and the research station has managed to derive 12 quintals per acre.

Organic rice variety Rajamudi, which is believed to have once graced the palate of erstwhile royal households, is a big draw at the Krishi Mela, especially among health-conscious visitors. 

According to officials at the Organic Farming Research Station (OFRS), Naganahalli, the red-coloured rice is grown on 4 acres of land on OFRS’ 60-acre property in Mysuru.

Farm Superintendent, OFRS, P Prakash told The New Indian Express that the crop takes 160 days to yield and the research station has managed to derive 12 quintals per acre. He said that at present, the station has successfully managed to collect 351 types of paddy, and is promoting many local varieties. The idea is to encourage farmers to cultivate organic rice on one or two acres for their own consumption.

“We cultivate the rice without using pesticides and ensure it gets sufficient water supply. Our primary focus was on local crops like ‘Bili’, ‘Kempu’, ‘Kappu’, ‘Bangar Kovai’, ‘Rathna Choodi’, ‘Gandhasale’, and others. A few varieties are already available in the market, but they are not grown organically. At the station, we research on increasing output, while through fairs, we aim to make farmers and visitors aware about healthy diet,” Prakash said, adding that organic farming is costly and demanding. 

“If the farmer intends to make a profit, he may not opt for this method on a large tract of land. Based on the acres, a farmer would expect 40 quintals of output, hence it is suggested that he grows the crop in one or two acres for consumption,” he added.

The research station has displayed dozens of organic paddy varieties and has also brought Rajamudi rice grown at the 4 acres area at the station premises at Naganahalli in Mysuru. The price for the rice is fixed at Rs 70 per kg, said Sumath Kumar, Research Associate, OFRS.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE : New Tulu font ‘Allige’ developed by Prahlad Joshi , II PUC student released

 “More than 800-year-old history substantiates that Barkur was the capital of Tulu state. Several documents and sculptures found in Barkur say its story,” said Barkur gram panchayat president B Shantaram Shetty.

He was speaking after inaugurating a programme on Tulunadu historic capital Barkur and Tulu script singara held at Mahatobhara panchalingeshwara temple, Barkur here recently.

“We have the responsibility of preserving the rich culture of Barkur. Though I speak in Kannada, the Kambala buffaloes inspired me to speak in Tulu,” he said.

Jai Tulunadu Sangha vice-president Vishu Srikera who presided over the programme said that we have the responsibility to create revolution in Tulu education and make Barkur the capital of Tulu state.

Barkur Panchalingeshwara temple head Manjunath Rao sought the cooperation of all to take Barkur to its lost glory.

Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy former member Dr Akash Jain released the new Tulu font. He said that the tenth century stone edicts have a mention about the Tulu language. “More than 56 stones with writings in Tulu were found. More than 1,500 writings on leaves and poems were found in Tulu language,” he said.

“There are 142 Tamil schools, 162 Telugu schools, 4,000 Urdu schools, one Gujarati and two Malayalam schools in the state but it is unfortunate that there is not even one Tulu school in the state,” he said.

Second PUC student Prahlad Joshi who developed Tulu fonts was felicitated. Teachers teaching the Tulu language were honoured.

Jai Tulunadu organisation treasurer Rakshit Raj welcomed the gathering. Sharath Kodavoor rendered the vote of thanks.

Jai Tulunadu Sangha chief secretary Avinash Mukka, members, members of local organizations and others were present. 

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

OVERSEAS NRI’s: KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: Dr. David Frank Fernandes to be conferred with Karnataka Sangha Sharjah’s ‘Mayura Award’

Karnataka Sangha Sharjah will be celebrating 67th Karnataka Rajyotsava Day as well as its 20th anniversary on Sunday November 13 from 3 pm onwards at Winners Sports Club, Ajman, UAE. During the programme, Karnataka Sangha Sharjah will also present the ‘Mayura Vishwamanya Kannadiga Award’ to Dr David Frank Fernandes.

To grace this occasion, Kantara, the blockbuster Kannada film’s lead actor-cum-director, Rishab Shetty will be the chief guest.

‘MAYURA VISHWAMANYA KANNADIGA’ AWARD 2022

Dr David Frank Fernandes, a businessman, film producer and a well-known orator has been selected for the ‘Mayura Vishwamanya Kannadiga’ Award 2022. He has been promoting Kannada language, literature and culture in this part of the world from several years and truly deserves the award. He is the managing director of Mosaco Shipping & Forwarding Company in Dubai which is serving in the UAE for the past many years.

As a part of the 20th anniversary and dispalying multi-religious togetherness in this part of the world, Naved Magundi, Mallikarjuna Gowda and Rajesh Sequeira will be specially honoured for their contribution towards Kannada language, art and culture.

‘CHINNARA CHILIPILI’ – A SPECIAL CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME

Celebrating November 14, Children’s Day, there will be a special ‘Fancy Dress Competition’ for children.

FREE ENTRY

President M E Muloor along with his managing team at Sharjah Karnataka Sangha have appealed all Kannadigas living in the UAE to attend the programme and make it a huge success.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Kannada Rajyotsava Award 2022 Winners List

The Karnataka government has announced the Kannada Rajyotsava Award winners for the year 2022 to coincide with the celebrations of the Karnataka formation day. Here’s a look at achievers from all walks of life who have won the award for the year 2022

Kannada Rajyotsava Awards 2022 winners

Complex Constituency -Subbaram Shetty (Bangalore), Vidwan Gopala Krishna Sharma (Bangalore), Mrs. Soligara Madam (Chamarajanagar) Soldier- Subedar BK Kumaraswamy (Bangalore) Journalism-HR Srisha (Bangalore), GM Shirahatti (Gadag) Agriculture-Ganesh Thimmaiah(Kodagu), Chandrasekhar Narayanapura(Chikkamagaluru) Science and Technology-K.Sivan, DR Baluragi Environment-Salumada Ninganna Civil Works Sector-Mallamma Vulaishadagali Administration-L.H.Manjunath, Madan Gopal Horanadu-Devidasa Shetty, Arvind Patil, Krishnamurthy Manja Overseas-Gulf Countries Rajkumar Medicine-Dr.H.S.Mohan, Dr.Basavanthappa Theater-Tippanna Helavar, Lalitabai Channadasar, Gurunath Hoogar, Prabhakar Joshi, Srishaila Huddar Sangeet-Narayana.M, Ananthacharya Balacharya, Anjinappa Satpadi , Ananta Kulkarni Folklore-Samadevappa Erappa Nadiger, Gudda Panara, Kamalamma Sulagithi, Savitri Pujar, Rachaiah Salimath,

A complex field
Subbarama Shetty (Bangalore),
Vidwan Gopal Krishna Sharma (Bangalore),
Mrs. Soligara Madam (Chamarajanagar)

Soldier
Subedar BK Kumaraswamy (Bangalore)

Journalism
H.R. Srisha (Bangalore),
GM Shirahatti (Gadag)

Agriculture
Ganesh Thimmaiah (Kodagu),
Chandrasekhar Narayanpur (Chikkamagaluru)

Science and Technology
K. Sivan (Bangalore)
D.R.Baluragi (Raichur)

The Environment
Salumada Ninganna (Ramanagar)

Civil Service Sector
Mallamma Flower Boat (Vijayanagar)

Administration
L.H. Manjunath (Shivamogga),
Madan Gopal (Bangalore)

Abroad
Devidas Shetty (Mumbai),
Arvind Patil (Overseas),
Krishnamurthy Manja (Telangana)

Abroad
Rajkumar of Gulf Country (Gulf Nation)

Medical
Dr. H. S. Mohan (Shivamogga)
Dr. Basavanthappa (Davanagere)

Social service
Ravishetti (South Kannada)
Kariappa (Bangalore Rural)
MS Cory Shetter (Haveri)
D. Madegowda (Mysore)
Balbir Singh (Bidar)

The Broadcasting industry
BV Naidu (Bangalore)
Jayaram Banan (Udupi)
Srinivas (Kolar)

Theater
Tippanna Helavar (Yadagiri)
Lalitabai Channadasar (Vijaypur)
Gurunath Hoogar (Kalaburgi)
Prabhakar Joshi (Udupi)
Srishaila Huddar (Haveri)

Music
Narayan.M (South Kannada)
Anantacharya Balacharya (Dharwad)
Anjinappa Satpadi (Chikkaballapur)
Ananta Kulkarni (Bagalakot)

Folklore
Samadevappa Erappa Nadiger (Northern Kannada)
Gudda Panara-Divine Dancer (Udupi)
Kamalamma Midwife (Raichur)
Savitri Pujar (Dharwad)
Rachaiah Salimath (Balakote),
Mahadeshwar Gowda Lingadahalli, Veeragase (Haveri)

Sculpture
Parushuram Pawar (Bagalakot),
Hanumanthappa Balappa Hukkeri (Belagavi)

Painting
Sannarangappa Chitrakar-Kinna’s Art (Koppal)

Movie
Duttanna (Chitradurga), Avinash (Bangalore)

Television
Bittersweet Moon (Bangalore)

Yakshagana
MA Naik (Udupi)
Subrahmanya Dhareshwar (Uttar Kannada)
Sarapadi Ashok Shetty (South Kannada)

Open
Advaiah Cha Hiremath-Doddata (Dharwad)
Shankarappa Mallappa Horpet (Koppal)
H. Pandurangappa (Bellary)

Literature
Shankar Chachadi (Belagavi)
Krishna Gowda (Mysore)
Ashoka Babu Nilagarh (Belgavi)
A. Ra Mitra (Hassan)
Ramakrishna Marathe (Kalaburgi)

Education-
Koti Rangappa (Tumkur)
MG Nagaraj – Researcher (Bangalore)

Sports
Dattatreya Govinda Kulkarni (Dharwad)
Raghavendra Annekar (Belagavi)

Judiciary
Venkatachalapathy (Bangalore)
Nanjundereddy (Bangalore)

Dance
Kamalakshacharya (South Kannada)

Amrita Mahotsava Rajyotsava Award of Independence-2022

Ramakrishna Ashram (Mysore)
Lingayat Progressive Organization (Gadag)
Agadi Tota (Haveri)
Thalassemia and Haemophilia Society (Bagalakote)
Amrita Shishu Niwas (Bangalore)
Sumana Foundation (Bangalore)
Yuva Vahini Organization (South Kannada)
Nele Foundation-Orphan Rehabilitation Center (Bangalore)
Nammane Summane – Refugee Ashram (Mangalmukhi Institute (Bangalore)
Uma Maheshwari Backward Classes Development Trust (MANDYA)

source/content: english.sakshi.com (headline edited)