Category: Women, Girls

Kasturba Hospital, Manipal wins recognition as one of India’s most trusted IVF and fertility centres

 Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, has been honoured by Insights Care as one of India’s most trusted IVF and fertility centres. This recognition celebrates the hospital’s remarkable advancements in healthcare services, medical research, and its compassionate approach to healthcare delivery.

The Manipal Assisted Reproduction Centre (MARC), with 35 years of dedicated service to infertile couples, received this prestigious award during a ceremony held at the Fortune Inn Valley View, Manipal, on May 27, 2024. MARC has been instrumental in facilitating the birth of over 10,000 babies through various procedures, with the oldest IVF child now 25 years old.

The Insights Care Award is a prestigious recognition given to healthcare organizations that have demonstrated exceptional performance in advancing healthcare services, medical research, and fostering a culture of compassion in healthcare delivery. This award highlights institutions that have made significant strides in their respective fields, showcasing excellence, innovation, and a patient-centered approach.

Dr H S Ballal, pro chancellor of MAHE Manipal, presented the award and said, “We are immensely proud of the achievements of MARC. The dedication and expertise of the team have brought joy to thousands of families. This recognition by insights care is a testament to their hard work and the compassionate care they provide. We look forward to continuing our journey of excellence in reproductive healthcare.”

C G Muthana, COO, MAHE Manipal, Dr Anand Venugopal, COO Teaching Hospitals, MAHE, Manipal, and Dr Avinash Shetty, medical superintendent of Kasturba Hospital, Manipal and whole MARC team were present.

Dr Pratap Kumar, professor and Head of MARC, provided an overview of MARC’s journey since its inception in 1990, highlighting its significant achievements in the field of infertility.

He explained that MARC began with basic procedures and introduced the test tube baby (IVF) procedure in 1998. The IVF process involves fertilising an egg from the wife with sperm from the husband outside the body, then placing the embryo into the woman’s womb.

The first IVF baby was born on February 18, 1999. Dr. Pratap Kumar emphasised that MARC offers a comprehensive range of treatment programmes for sub-fertile couples seeking assisted conception. The centre is supported by expert doctors and scientists who have received specialised training abroad and possess extensive experience in handling sub-fertility issues. The centre’s pioneering technological advancements have positioned MARC as one of the most advanced infertility treatment centers in India.

Dr Satish Adiga, professor and chief embryologist at MARC, along with his team of skilled embryologists, was acknowledged for their crucial role in the success of the test tube baby procedures. Other key team members, including Dr Prashanth K Adiga, professor, Dr Anjali Suneel Mundkur, associate professor, and Dr Vidyashree G Poojari, associate professor, were also congratulated by university and hospital officials.

MARC boasts of a fully equipped andrology laboratory for male subfertility evaluation and semen banking for both short-term and long-term storage. Its embryology laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that meet international standards. The centre also offers laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery for fertility enhancement and provides oncofertility techniques.

This recognition by Insights Care underscores MARC’s commitment to excellence and innovation in the field of reproductive medicine, making it a beacon of hope for countless couples seeking to build families.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS – GOLF: IGU West Bengal Ladies Golf Championship: Mysuru’s Vidhatri Urs Emerges Victorious

Continuing her winning streak, city’s Vidhatri K. Urs has won the Indian Golf Union (IGU) West Bengal Ladies Golf Championship-2024 held at the prestigious Royal Calcutta Golf Club in Kolkata on Friday.

Vidhatri demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency, shooting a remarkable 3-under-par 213 across three rounds (70, 74 and 69). Her performance secured her the top spot, setting her apart as a formidable player.

Jahnavi Prakhya of Gujarat finished runner-up in Ladies division. Despite a challenging start with a round of 82, Prakhya made a strong comeback with subsequent rounds of 72 and 71, finishing with a total score of 225.

 Vidhatri had won the Western India Ladies and Junior Girls Golf Championship held at Ahmedabad recently. Currently she is ranked No.1 in the country in IGU Amateur Ladies Merit list.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HEALTH CARE: Unsung Heroes: Mom-daughter duo Rani Desai & Priya Teams up to offer primary health care under Anahat Foundation for Bengaluru’s urban poor

Bengaluru-based Anahat Foundation deals with identifying, preventing and counselling the patients suffering from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hypertension. Rani Desai, 70, manages the operations and devises public health programmes, while daughter Priya handles communications and funding for the foundation.

‘Prevention is better than cure’ is as simple as that for Rani Desai, 70, and Priya, 40, the mother-daughter duo behind Anahat Foundation that is focused on improving access to primary and preventive healthcare for the urban poor.

The Bengaluru-based foundation that emerged as one of the winners at the recently concluded SVP (Social Ventures Partners) India Fast Pitch 2024, a virtual fundraiser event, is proving to be a major lifeline for the urban poor who lack access to basic healthcare. The foundation which was started seven years ago was offering preventive and primary healthcare to the rural population and later expanded to the urban region, given the growing demand for primary healthcare needs.

Rani and Priya come with a rich experience in public service as consultants and members of various humanitarian projects. Rani worked with Biocon Foundation for 12 years and has also served as an independent public health consultant for seven years before co-founding Anahat with her daughter in 2017.

Meanwhile, Priya, a journalism student who has worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry, worked as a consultant with India Water Portal that dealt with water issues in India and moved on to the role of a marketing and communication manager with Pratham Books, a non-profit children’s book publisher.

At Anahat the mother-daughter duo somewhat replicates similar roles wherein Rani manages the operations and devises public health programmes, and Priya handles communications and funding for the foundation.

“My mother and my family members have been actively involved in public service for a long time. My brother and I grew up doing philanthropic work. When I worked as a copywriter in the advertising industry, I realized it was not the right fit; which is when I shifted gears towards public service along with my mother,” said Priya.

Most of the work by the foundation deals with identifying, preventing and counselling the patients suffering from chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and hypertension, among others.

The services are targeted mainly towards economically disadvantaged families who lack access to public healthcare.

These services are accorded to patients through Anahat Clinic located in the heart of Bengaluru in Shantinagar.

“During our assessment we found out that 70 per cent of the poor people don’t avail themselves of the public health services despite knowing that it is cost-free. This is because of the trust deficit in the public healthcare system and the lack of resources in government hospitals,” said Priya, who also partners with various NGOs to conduct free community health camps in slum areas in Bengaluru.

The clinic that garners over 50-100 footfalls daily on an average, provides a wide of range of primary care services for free including free medical consultation with a full-time registered allopath, free medicines including 100 different medicines stocked based on the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) list of essential drugs for primary care, free diagnostic tests, including WHO recommended panel of 70 tests like blood and urine tests, X-rays, scans and MRIs.

The foundation also partnered with Medtronic Labs to introduce Prerna, a special programme for people living with diabetes, hypertension, and co-morbid diseases. With Prerna, the foundation integrates social and clinical interventions in a group setting with patients at the Anahat Clinic every week, focussing on the social and behavioural determinants of diabetes and hypertension. Patients also receive ongoing medication, lab testing, and doctor visits to address clinical needs.

The Anahat clinic also offers counselling and therapy sessions called ‘Ananda’ for individuals, couples and parents by engaging them in role-play therapy to strengthen social and interpersonal skills and help patients learn techniques to manage and deal with stress.

“The major challenge for us has been to make the patients understand that there is something more than medication. It is challenging to help them understand that diet, change in lifestyle, regular exercises among other changes are as integral as medications. For example, we can’t recommend a diabetic patient from an economically weaker background to have millets. It’s not part of their diet,” said Priya.

According to Priya, raising funds is a major hurdle because Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds are mostly project-based and not long term. “We are looking at long-term health programmes to prevent disorders at an early stage. It has been difficult for us to raise funds on these lines,” she mentioned.

With the recent grant of Rs 10 lakh which they won at the fundraiser event, the foundation will now spend the same in covering people costs, delivery of health care programmes, training for nurses and other medical professionals.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE : BOLLYWOOD: From Mysuru To Mumbai… City’s Ritika Gupta Forays Into Tinsel World Of Glitz And Glamour

Mysuru has a rich legacy of producing talented actors and technicians who have carved a niche for themselves in the film industry. In fact, some of them have even gone on to become G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Times). Among the aspiring actors who wish to make it big in the industry is Ritika Gupta of Mysuru.

Born and brought up in Mysuru, Ritika studied acting from Second City, Chicago and Kreating Characters from Mumbai. This young actor from Mysuru has been featured alongside actress Pooja Bhatt in the series ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ directed by Nitya Mehra and Sudhanshu Saria on a popular OTT platform.

Ritika has also featured in a Hindi movie ‘Tamso’ that was screened at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas, USA, during February 2023 which is expected to release in an OTT platform later this year. A true Kannadiga by nature, she has acted in the movie ‘Srinivasa Kalyana’ directed by M.G. Srinivas.

“I always aspired to become an actress but there is so much taboo around it that I was scared to speak about it. But, as soon as I joined a course in Arts (Journalism), I was assigned to write about movies, music and theatre and that is when I realised that I should pursue a career in acting. Following this, I enrolled myself into acting classes,” said Ritika.

The Mysuru girl also has a liking towards performing arts which inspired her to learn Kathak and Belly dancing and Bachata, a Latin form of dance. In fact, Ritika represented India in the opening of World Latin Dance Cup that was held in Columbia in February 2024.

On completion of her dance course, Ritika shifted to Mumbai where she has been trying to foray into Bollywood. “Life in Mumbai has been very challenging from finding a place to stay to building a network, making friends and having a sense of community. But I am slowly getting there. Also there is so much of learning and growth that happens in Mumbai,” she said. 

Ritika added that she visits Mysuru, her home town, often to recharge and rejuvenate amidst nature, friends and family.

Her entry into ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’ was not easy. She was tested for multiple roles during which she had to give 12 auditions over a period of five months before she finally bagged the role of ‘Mithya Nagraj.’ Ritika is popular in social media through her Instagram handle ritika_gupt.

She also aspires to  enter Kannada film industry. “Being a Mysurean, I am familiar with the Kannada language which I can speak fluently. This apart, I am aware of the rich culture and tradition of Karnataka,”  she added.

Ritika is the daughter of C. Anil Kumar, owner of Bombay Tiffanys Annexe and late Anita Gupta.  She has two siblings Anish Gupta and Anjul Patel. Here is wishing good luck to the Mysuru girl.  — VNS

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: ARTS & CRAFTS / LITERARY : Kannada poet Mamta G. Sagar wins international award

The Bengaluru-based writer was conferred the World Literary Prize from the World Organization of Writers (WOW) on April 6 at a ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria

Mamta G. Sagar, a Bengaluru-based Kannada poet, writer, academic and activist, has recently won the World Literary Prize from the World Organization of Writers (WOW) for her contributions to the world of literature. Dr Sagar, a facilitator at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design, and Technology, known for her involvement in diverse forms of transdisciplinary creative writing and cultural industries, received the award on April 6 at a ceremony in Abuja, Nigeria.

“I am deeply honoured to receive the award and diploma. This recognition is a testament to the power of literature to inspire and provoke thought irrespective of the language,” said Dr. Sagar on receiving the news of her win. “I am humbled to be acknowledged among such esteemed writers.”

In addition to this award, Dr. Sagar, who has always actively engaged in community-based projects centred around poetry, has also been honoured with the LIFFT award, the gold medal, and a diploma for her outstanding achievements in the field of literature. Some of the themes she has addressed in her work, over the years, include identity politics, feminism, and cultural diversity.

Sagar produced Interversions 1,2, & 3, three films based on her poetry collections, with Srishti Films as part of the Wales-India collaborative projects (2018). She has also written and produced For Gauri, a video presentation of her poem written for the late journalist-activist Gauri Lankesh. She has several works to her credit including Kaada Navilina Hejje, Chukki Chukki Chandakki, Nadiya Neerina Teva, and Illi Salluva Maatu.

Congratulating Dr. Sagar on the occasion, Dr. Arindam Das, Director, SMI said, “Dr. Sagar’s achievement not only reflects her exceptional talent but also underscores our commitment to cultivating a community of erudite and exemplary practitioners who bring their real-world experience into the classroom, enriching the academic journey of our students.” 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: Glass House Poetry Festival 2024 in Bengaluru: Dialogues on Gaza, freedom of speech, and more

The first in-person edition of the festival in Bengaluru on March 23 and 24 will be held at the Bangalore International Centre.

Remember the solace of poetry amidst the global lockdown? The feeling that shared words could transcend the loneliness and fear? The ArtMantram Trust attempted to evoke this feeling with the Glass House Festival, wherein poets from many parts of the world shared and celebrated poetry. It is ready to rekindle that spirit with the first in-person edition of the festival in Bengaluru on March 23 and 24 at the Bangalore International Centre.

This year, the Glass House, put together by a strong curatorial team, expands its scope with a focus on ‘Planet, Prosperity, People, and Peace’, the festival’s theme. Amidst a world fractured by conflict and turmoil, the festival creates a space where the power of words cannot only illuminate shared experiences but also spark vital conversations, inviting the public to be part of a larger dialogue and fostering a sense of global community.

“We found in that (lockdown) environment, we were turning to things like poetry to help us get through the moment, either writing or reading poetry,” says Yumna Hari Singh, founding trustee of ArtMantram, about the inaugural festival. This year’s iteration builds on that legacy.

Over 100 poets of diverse backgrounds will take the stage alongside workshops and performances.

Expect recitative and slam poetry, translations, regional language showcases, close readings, and more. Distinguished names like Annie Zaidi (who will be participating online), Ashwani Kumar, and Gayatri Majumdar bring star power. The festival’s heart, however, lies in its open invitation for poets and lovers of poetry from all walks of life to engage and become part of the artistic process, fostering a sense of belonging and global community.

“As a poet, I see poetry as a potent, condensed form. It can convey immense meaning in a short space like a telegram or the universe’s Morse code. Layers of thought, rhythm, and stanzas allow poets to communicate quickly and deeply,” says co-curator Rochelle Potkar, highlighting poetry’s power to cut straight to core themes affecting us all.

This commitment to meaningful dialogue shines through in the festival’s programming. Panels will address Gaza, incarceration, freedom of speech, and environmental activism. Art also plays a pivotal role, with artists and poets sharing stages and even dance performances alongside poetry readings.

The first Glasshouse Festival was born from a moment of isolation. This 2024 edition carries a similar weight. “The zeitgeist we see that affects us is the violence… There’s so much,” explains Yumna. But in its expanded form, the festival offers something more – a testament to poetry’s ability to connect us across borders, whether physical or emotional.

As a hybrid event, including online sessions, poets worldwide contribute their voices – echoing the festival’s first pandemic-era incarnation. “Poetry is a small form… What you can tell in poetry is like a telegram. You can tell so many things,” Rochelle reflects. These telegrams of verse promise to explore the complex challenges of our time.

Beyond the festival weekend, ArtMantram Trust envisions a lasting legacy. They see the gathered material, the recordings, and the sparked conversations as seeds. “We want to make sure the thoughts and ideas sparked by the Glass House Festival keep echoing in people’s minds long after the two days are over,” says Rochelle.

The two-day festival at Bangalore International Centre is free to attend. For more information, visit artmantram.org or bangaloreinternationalcentre.org.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: Mangaluru’s Dr Oshin Hegde Wins ‘Mrs Karnataka Global World India 2024’ Beauty Pageant

Dr Oshin Hegde won the ‘Mrs Karnataka Global World India 2024’ in the month of February which was conducted by Global India Entertainment Production (GIEP) held at Westend inn hotel, Delhi.

It was a pan-India beauty pageant, for which contestants from all over the country were auditioned and then selected. She represented herself from the city of Mangaluru for the grand finale. There were different rounds throughout the event after which she received her title.

She is an oral radiologist and forensic dentist by profession practicing in Ivory Shine dental clinic, Kavoor, Mangaluru along with her husband Dr Deviprasad Rai a practicing paedodontist as well. She is a mother to 2 boys.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA’s Judiciary is leading social transformation with Highest Number of Women Civil Judges: CJI Chandrachud 

In Karnataka, of the 447 civil judges, 200 are women, which constitutes about 44% of the working strength in the civil judges’ cadre.

The Karnataka district judiciary is leading social transformation in the country by employing the highest number of women civil judges and its rate of disposal of cases is truly a performance to replicate across the country, said Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Speaking at the 21st biennial State-level conference of judicial officers of Karnataka in Bengaluru, he said the number of women in judiciary is heartening as its 37% of its working strength in district judiciary.

In Karnataka, of the 447 civil judges, 200 are women, which constitutes about 44% of the working strength in the civil judges’ cadre, the CJI said while pointing out that the increase in the number of women judicial officers is crucial not only to correct historic lack of representation in our courts but also to bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the table, resulting in the more effective adjudication process.

“Your contribution to judiciary is of immense importance and you serve as a source of inspiration for the future generation of women aspiring to purpose career in law and Indian judiciary,” the CJI told the women judicial officers.

Disposal of cases

On disposal of cases by the district judiciary in Karnataka, he said that 20.62 lakh cases were disposed of the 22.25 lakh cases instituted between January 1, 2023, and March 23, 2024, while stating this performance is a model to replicate across the country. 

Stating that work-life balance is integral to fulfil duties effectively, the CJI said that a judge, who is overwhelmed with work and unable to prioritise personal time with family and self care may struggle to perform optimally. “Therefore, the ability to manage stress and to achieve work-life balance is not separate from but rather intertwined with delivering justice,” he added. 

The CJI said that the judiciary must have objective yardsticks to access what is its output and what is the quality of work that it is rendering, and how different the judiciary is making the life of citizens by the expenditure and investment of public revenue.

Stating that the district judiciary and grassroots-level judges are the backbone of the Indian judiciary, Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court N.V. Anjaria has said that the common man’s faith in judicial institution originates from here as the district courts and its judges bear a direct connection to the litigants for their plight and aspiration of justice more than the role played by the High Courts or the Supreme Court.

On language 

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said that language should not be a barrier to justice. “The use of the local language in court proceedings, or the integration of artificial intelligence to provide real-time updates and translations, can significantly enhance the understanding and participation of litigants in the judicial process,” Mr. Siddaramaiah said.

‘I was trolled through doctored video’

CJI Chandrachud recalled a recent incident where he was subjected to trolling and vicious abuse through a doctored video clip, from the Supreme Court’s live streaming, posted on social media, for merely adjusting his seating position during the hearing of a case.

“I was labelled as arrogant by some social media users claiming I got up in the midst of an important argument in court,” he said while pointing out that he had some pain in his back, and all that he did was that he placed his elbows on the armchair in the court and just shifted position.

“I didn’t leave the court. I only shifted my position but I was subject to vicious abuse, trolling, the knives were out…” he said while talking about work-life balance and stress management for judges.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: Hampi Art Labs: A new residency and cultural hub amidst Karnataka’s iron-rich terrain

Residency director Meera Curam says, “We are hoping to make this a space where critical conversations about contemporary art can happen.

It’s the colour of burnt orange all around. It is a hue that is unmissable when you are in Toranagallu in Bellary, Karnataka, thanks to the iron-rich land. The newly inaugurated Hampi Art Labs (HAL) near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hampi boasts the same colour palette. The expansive nine-acre space by the JSW Foundation is spearheaded by founder Sangita Jindal and her daughter Tarini Jindal Handa, the creative director. The concept is to primarily work as a residency. There are five large studios that will host as many artists every quarter, selected from an open call.

Residency director Meera Curam says, “We are hoping to make this a space where critical conversations about contemporary art can happen. This is where artists can come and work without any expectation. Sometimes you may not have anything at the end of three months but just a very strong concept and multiple prototypes or ideas which you may not have the time to develop here but can take back with you. We want the artists to go off the beaten paths.”

Inspired by the surrounding landscape, much of the building structure mimics the organic shapes and fluid forms carved by the Tungabhadra River that flows through the region. “As the founder of Echo, one of India’s first collected design galleries, I wanted to bring in what we try to achieve there with design, craft and art making. We adopt and create new lenses and unique languages to revisit Indian craft heritage through contemporary design. In the same way, I have tried to make the overall philosophy of HAL to be experimental, inclusive, and fluid in design and in vision,” says Sangita Jindal.

The space has been designed by Mumbai-based Sameep Padora from studio sP+a. Tarini Jindal Handa was also involved in the design conversation. The project itself has been in conception for over four years.

“We wanted to do something to give back to the world of art and culture,” says Handa. The site location incidentally was completely barren and did not have any vegetation, or features.

“We were looking at a reference point to develop the project from and being in the proximity of the incredible ruins of Hampi, its boulders and its riverine landscape was the starting point. The river in some sense became a metaphor for movement through our site and each of the buildings became the riverine landscape seen here,” says Padora.

HAL serves as a space for large-scale work and will be a production facility that the JSW Foundation will support. The inaugural exhibition—Right Foot First—on till May 31, showcases works from Sangita Jindal’s personal art collection and includes works of artists like Ai Weiwei, BV Doshi, Dayanita Singh, Tushar Joag and Zarina Hashmi, among others. HAL is a space that comes with a charm like no other as it makes art accessible, inclusive, and open for more people to enjoy and interpret in their own unique way.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited0

NATIONAL: BEAUTY : Ishika Shetty Wins Miss Teen Global World India Oceana 2024 Crown

Mangaluru girl Ishika Shetty was crowned as Miss Teen Global World India Oceana – 2024 at Mr and Miss and Miss Teen Global World beauty pageant in New Delhi on February 27, organized by Global India Entertainment Production and Ali Sharma.

Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and model Jathin Kirbath were the jury members for the final round and 65 contestants from all over the country took part in the beauty pageant.

Ishika Shetty hails from Kavoor. She is the daughter of Sharath Kumar Shetty and Shwetha Sharath Kumar Shetty. Presently, she is pursuing her degree at St Aloysius College.

In the year 2022, Ishika bagged Miss Teen Mangaluru and Miss Teen Karnataka in 2023 in Bengaluru. Since childhood, she has been inclined towards acting, dancing and modeling.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)