NATIONAL: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) achieves major milestone, First Aircraft of Tejas LA5033 of the Mk1A series takes to skies in Bengaluru
The first Aircraft LA5033 of the Tejas Mk1A series took to the skies from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru on Thursday. It was a successful sortie with a flying time of 18 minutes, the HAL said in a statement.
“HAL achieved this significant production milestone with concurrent design and development amid major supply chain challenges in the global geo-political environment subsequent to the contract signature in February 2021. The flight was piloted by CTP, Group Captain K. K. Venugopal (Retd),” HAL stated.
A. Bharat Bhushan Babu, Principal Spokesperson, Ministry of Defence, said, “HAL achieves a significant production milestone with the successful test sortie of Tejas Mk1A aircraft today.
The Tejas Mk1A will have an advanced radar, electronic warfare and communication systems, additional combat capability and improved maintenance features,” he said.
source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)
Yet again Hubballi gets drenched in myriad colours on Ranga Panchami
There was little impact of drought and reported restrictions on rain dance on Ranga Panchami celebrations on the fifth day after the Full Moon as part of Holi festival on Friday in Hubballi, which got soaked in myriad colours with people of all age groups coming out to indulge in revelry.
After the morale boosting route march a day before, a large number of people descended on the streets to celebrate the festival of colours and did not even spare police personnel on duty, many of whom resembled revellers by the end of the celebrations.
Like on earlier occasions, the streets in the central business district of Hubballi were drenched in colours. The talk of restricting water tankers by the municipal authorities had no impact on rain dances organised by various Kamanna Pandals.
The revellers, especially young girls and boys, danced their heart out at rain dance installations where high decibel sound systems played foot thumping music of hit numbers.
The usual road restrictions imposed during Holi to prevent movement of vehicles in a few sensitive areas did not dampen the spirit of celebration. It was a common sight to see motorcyclists riding their two-wheelers with two-three pillion riders. Several girls too were seen riding two-wheelers with two-three pillion riders, visiting various localities.
Couples with children dressed to suit the celebration mood, with masks and other paraphernalia, too roamed around the city. Some pillion riders were seen beating the drum while proceeding from one locality to another.
Children, including toddlers, had a great time under the supervision of their mothers and grandparents in the vicinity of their houses. Armed with water ballons and pitchkaris, the children sprayed coloured water on passersby.
In Kamaripet area, women and girls standing on their balconies poured coloured water in buckets on the revellers and visitors. Elders of the family too enjoyed the revelry by sitting in front of their houses, watching the celebrations.
As has been the practice, idols of Kamanna (Lord Manmatha) and Rati were taken out before Kamanna was burnt in effigies to mark the end of the celebrations.
This year too, the celebrations continued till late in the evening. Channapet area in Old Hubballi witnessed colourful procession with the organisers getting several folk troupes to play the Jaggalige (large traditional drum that is rolled on the ground while playing) and other drums.
In some localities of Old Hubballi and the central business district, Muslims welcomed the processions and played Holi with the revellers. At a few places, juice was offered to the revellers. Vendors of powdered colour did brisk business amid the celebrations, while the rest of the shops and commercial establishments remained closed for the day.
Despite the order for a dry day, there were several spirited youths among the revellers, who had planned in advance for the celebrations. The police heaved a sigh of relief as the celebrations concluded peacefully.
source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)
KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE: 02nd edition of 2-day ‘Mahindra Percussion Festival 2024’ kicks off with thunderous performances
The second edition of the two-day Mahindra Percussion Festival stormed into Bengaluru this weekend, igniting the Prestige Srihari Khoday Centre for Performing Arts with a thunderous opening day of performances.
The first day’s events began with a slightly subdued crowd, the emcee’s energetic greeting met with hesitant applause. However, the atmosphere quickly transformed as the Charu Hariharan Quartet took the stage, featuring the traditional percussion ensemble Kozhikode Nanthalakootam and artists from the Jenu Kuruba tribe of Nagarahole.
Charu and her quartet opened with three original compositions, showcasing a compelling blend of classical Indian percussion with contemporary influences.
The energy shifted as the Kozhikode Nanthalakootam joined the quartet, their powerful chenda drumming adding a distinctly Keralan flavour to the performance. The Jenukurubas’ arrival further electrified the stage, their unique instruments crafted from bamboo, antenna dishes, and plastic containers infusing a raw, folk energy into the proceedings.
Two Summ, featuring Viveick Rajagopalan and Anantha R. Krishnan, introduced a fascinating digital-analog hybrid — the MIDI mridangam (or the MIDIdangam). Their performance built from a gentle drizzle into a rhythmic downpour, Anantha’s humour lightening the mood as intricate melodies flowed. Their finale, blending African-sounding rhythms with Hindi lyrics, invited audience participation, ending in a standing ovation.
However, the night reached its zenith with Swarathma, Thavil Raja, and the Beat Gurus. Their performance made the audience rise from their cushioned seats and applaud and dance, thanks to a thrilling mix of global percussion. ‘Duur Kinara’ fused African drums and horns, while Sanjeev Nayak’s violin pierced through the powerful rhythms. Vasu Dixit’s invitation for the audience to howl during ‘Koorane’ added to the electric energy, further enhanced by ‘Thavil’ Raja’s masterful solo. The spotlight shone on each percussionist, showcasing their brilliance. ‘Pyaar Ke Rang’, saw Vasu descend from the stage, joining the audience in a joyous frenzy of song and dance.
After this crowd-pleasing performance, the legendary Vikku Vinayakram graced the stage for a phenomenal final act, accompanying his Ghatam symphony, which included V Selvaganesh, who won a Grammy this year. It was a fitting climax to a dazzling night of world-class percussion.
The festival, which resumes on Sunday at the same venue, will feature three performances: Rhythms of India, Ashtanayika – Kal Aur Aaj, and Taufiq Qureshi’s Surya.
The Mahindra Percussion Festival, in association with The Hindu, is co-sponsored by Mahindra Finance, Paul John Visitor Centre, and Carlsberg Smooth Soda and promoted and produced by Hyperlink Brand Solutions.
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)
ISRO’s ‘Pushpak’ makes flawless landing in Karnataka’s Chitradurga
Pushpak was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and was released from a 4.5-km altitude.
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has added another feather to its cap by successfully demonstrating the autonomous landing capability of ‘Pushpak’, the Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), as part of its RLV-LEX 2 mission.
The second experiment in the series was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Chitradurga, Karnataka, at 7.10 am on Friday. This was Pushpak’s third flight after the RLV-LEX-01 mission was accomplished last year. “The RLV was made to undertake more difficult manoeuvres with dispersions, correct both cross-range and downrange and land on the runway in a fully autonomous mode,” said ISRO in a statement.
Pushpak was lifted by an Indian Air Force Chinook helicopter and was released from a 4.5-km altitude. After release at a distance of 4 km from the runway, Pushpak autonomously approached the runway along with cross-range corrections. It landed precisely on the runway and came to a halt using its brake parachute, landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering system.
This experiment has successfully simulated the approach and high-speed landing conditions of RLV returning from space. Another success in the space frontier for ISRO was that all flight systems used in RLV-LEX-01 were reused in the second mission after clearances.
source/content: newindianexpress.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)