Karnataka First

A Kannada film featuring a faculty member of Pondicherry University in a lead role has bagged the Karanataka Government award for “Best Family Entertainment Social Film.”

“Fourwalls”, written and directed by S. S. Sajjan has Pavithra, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Performing Arts at Pondicherry University, in a lead role opposite Kannada actor Achyuth Kumar.

A press note said, the film is a compelling family drama that narrates the poignant journey of a middle-class man who, after losing his wife at a young age, struggles to raise his four children while navigating the challenges of family life. With a strong emotional core, the film has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike, a press note fron Pondicherry University said.

Since its theatrical release on February 11, 2022, Fourwalls has now been made available on OTT platforms. The film also has upcoming releases in Tamil, Malayalam, and Marathi. Ms. Pavithra’s performance in the film has been widely appreciated, highlighting her versatility as both an academic and an artist. Her contribution to the performing arts continues to inspire students and the creative community, the University said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

This comes at a time when Bengaluru is also staring at a water crisis and measures are being done to ensure the 2024 water crises does not repeat this year.

A delegation from Cape Town in South Africa was in Bengaluru for the last two days to share their best practices on water and energy conservation and gain insights on IT development from the Indian city. Representatives from the two cities discussed potential tourism opportunities as well.

Cape Town in South Africa had recently made global headlines because of its severe water crisis.

Now the city is in news again. But this time as a case study on water management, said Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, Cape Town.

Speaking to TNIE during his two day visit to the city on Tuesday, he said, “We are an example for all global cities to learn on how to manage water. We are the only city to have reduced water consumption by half to mitigate the crisis.”

He added, “A dashboard was created for live streaming the water situation and a benchmark was set. If the water levels dropped below 19%, then supply will be stopped. A simple method of the government maintaining transparency and involving citizens helped mitigate the crisis.”

This comes at a time when Bengaluru is also staring at a water crisis and measures are being done to ensure the 2024 water crises does not repeat this year. This financial year, a large budget allocation was done for water management.

The government is also working extensively to replace old pipes and ensure zero leakage, new water extraction technologies through aquifers is being worked upon, waste water treatment plants are being set up and rain water harvesting is mandated.

Potential collaborations in IT, Tourism

Karnataka IT-BT and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday said India and South Africa have a strong history and many commonalities. The relationship between the two countries can be further strengthened with a partnership on sharing best practices and knowledge.

After holding an interaction with a team of delegates led by Alderman James Vos in Bengaluru, Kharge said he proposes to start a partnership between Bengaluru and Cape Town under the larger Global Innovation Programmes and look into the multiple ways in which the two cities could benefit.

He said he was looking forward for exploring how these two cities can share best practices and innovation technologies.

The team from Cape Town along with officials and business partners, CapeBPO and Cape Town Tourism, discussed collaboration in technology, BPO and tourism.

Vos said the objective is to forge strong partnerships to create job opportunities.

As Cape Town is a growing city, the best innovative solutions can be adopted to channelise the city’s economic growth. India’s dynamic BPO and tech industries complement Cape Town’s strengths and this will improve investment opportunities and enhance trade and tourism, he added.

The meeting with GCCs and IT-BT sector was organised by MoveInSync, a Bengaluru-based employee commute platform, also working in Cape Town; and Moar Advisor, a strategic enabler.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

Udupi Kalparasa Coconut and All Spices Producer Company Ltd., a Farmer Producer Company (FPC) which makes and sells value added products of ‘neera’ has added four more franchises in undivided Dakshina Kannada.

With this, its franchises rose to 12 in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.

The new franchises, which came up within a span of a month, are at Byndoor and Karavali Junction in Udupi district and at Surathkal (two) in Dakshina Kannada, according to K. Sathyanarayana Udupa, president-cum-managing director of the FPC.

‘Neera’ is a sweet nutrient-rich sap derived from coconut spathe. The FPC is into ‘neera’ tapping in Udupi district by purchasing the Coco-sap Chiller technology from the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasaragod, Kerala since the past over two-and-half years.

In addition to ‘kalparasa’ (which is neera) the FPC sells sugar, jaggery, liquid jaggery or jaggery syrup made from ‘kaplarasa’ in the franchises, Mr. Udupa told The Hindu.

“Our two more franchises one at Car Street in Mangaluru and another at Ullal will come up within a month,” he said adding that then people can purchase ‘kalparasa’ and its value added products from 14 franchises.

Its other franchises are at Kundapur, Japti, Hebri, Karkala, Moodbidri, B.C. Road, Kadri Temple Road in Mangaluru and in Udupi, he said.

Mr. Udupa said presently the FPC has government’s permission to tap ‘kalparasa’ from 512 trees. It taps it from about 200 trees in Japti, Avarse and Shiriyara villages in Udupi district.

According to K. Balachandra Hebbar, Director, ICAR-CPCRI, who developed the Coco-sap Chiller, the device only prevents fermentation of ‘neera’, but also maintains its hygiene during the long process of tapping. Otherwise, ‘neera’ has a short shelf-life as it is highly susceptible to fermentation, transforming into toddy within an hour of extraction.

Coconut sap collected by Coco-sap Chiller has neutral to slightly alkaline pH (pH 7 to 8) which is rare to get under natural condition, he said. “It is considered as one of the most pH balanced juices. It is rich in vitamins, phenols, flavonoids and antioxidants. It has a high content of potassium, besides high amount of anti-bacterial and anti-oxidant properties. It is relatively low in glycemic index (GI) also,” Mr. Hebbar added.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

Dr Michelle Maya Kittleson (nee’ Pinto) has been honored with the prestigious 2025 Distinguished Teacher Award by the American College of Cardiology (ACC). A distinguished cardiologist and educator, Dr Kittleson serves as a professor of Medicine at Cedars-Sinai and is the director of Education in Heart Failure and Transplantation at the Smidt Heart Institute. She completed her medical degree at Yale University, followed by residency training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a cardiology fellowship at Johns Hopkins, where she also earned a PhD in Clinical Investigation.

Dr Kittleson has made significant contributions to cardiovascular research and education. She has served on writing committees for the ACC/AHA hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines and the ACC/AHA/HFSA heart failure guidelines. She is also the interim editor-in-chief of the Journal of Heart and Lung Transplantation and serves on the board of directors for the Heart Failure Society of America. She holds key positions at Cedars-Sinai, including co-course director for Smidt Heart Institute Cardiology Grand Rounds and co-chair of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Group Peer Review and Credentialing Committee.

The ACC’s 2025 Distinguished Teacher Award is a recognition of individuals who have made outstanding contributions to cardiovascular medicine through exceptional teaching at both national and international levels. The award is a remarkable honor, distinguishing Dr Kittleson from thousands of cardiologists worldwide. The ACC has announced the recipients of its 2025 Distinguished Awards, recognizing them as pioneers in advancing cardiovascular science and education. The awardees will be formally honoured at ACC.25 in Chicago, Illinois.

Dr Kittleson has actively engaged with the medical community through publications and social media. She created #kittlesonrules on Twitter, a widely followed collection of tips aimed at improving patient care, medical education, and professional communication. Her insights have earned a strong following of over 30,000 professionals. Additionally, her best-selling book, ‘Mastering the Art of Patient Care,’ has gained immense popularity among healthcare professionals and the general public alike.

Dr Kittleson’s parents, Dr Marguerite Monteiro and Dr Edward Pinto, hail from prominent medical backgrounds. Her mother is the daughter of Dr Louis Monteiro, the first dean of St John’s Medical College, Bengaluru, originally from Goa. Her father, Dr Edward Pinto, is a renowned cardiologist from Mangaluru. Both parents, of Konkani Indian origin, have made significant contributions to the field of medicine.

The American College of Cardiology, founded in 1949 by 13 pioneering cardiologists, has grown into a global leader in cardiovascular care, uniting more than 56,000 members worldwide. The ACC is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, culminating in a grand gala on March 28, at ACC.25 in Chicago. As the medical landscape continues to evolve, the ACC remains committed to advancing cardiovascular education, clinical guidelines, and global healthcare innovations.

With a mission to transform cardiovascular care, the ACC has announced its new five-year strategic plan, emphasizing teamwork, professionalism, diversity, innovation, and patient-centered care. The college continues to lead major initiatives in clinical guidance, digital transformation, and global education, ensuring that the future of cardiovascular medicine remains strong and progressive.

Among the other distinguished recipients of ACC’s 2025 awards are Malissa J Wood for the Bernadine Healy Leadership in Women’s Cardiovascular disease, Craig J Beavers as the distinguished cardiovascular team member, Biykem Bozkurt as the distinguished fellow, Eric N Prystowsky as the distinguished mentor, Jane E Freedman for distinguished scientist (Basic Domain), and James L Januzzi Jr for distinguished scientist (Clinical Domain). The list of honourees also includes Bonnie Ky for distinguished scientist (Translational Domain), Keith C Ferdinand for distinguished service, Brittany Weber as the Douglas P Zipes distinguished young scientist, and Dinesh Kalra as the gifted educator.

Dr Michelle Kittleson’s recognition as the distinguished teacher stands as a testament to her immense contributions to cardiovascular education and patient care. Her achievements continue to inspire young professionals and elevate the standards of medical education globally.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

Providing clean and safe drinking water to Bengaluru’s residents has always been our top priority, said DCM and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar,

The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) has set a national precedent by becoming the first water board in India to receive certification from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for its piped drinking water supply management system. The recognition underscores BWSSB’s commitment to providing high-quality drinking water and reinforces its role as a model for water utilities across the country, said DCM and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar.

Following a comprehensive six-month evaluation, the BIS team commended the international standards implemented in Bengaluru’s water supply system. BWSSB successfully met the rigorous criteria established by BIS, securing the prestigious certification for its efficient, safe and sustainable water management practices, according to a press release on Thursday.

“Providing clean and safe drinking water to Bengaluru’s residents has always been our top priority. It is a matter of great pride that BWSSB is the first organisation in the country to receive BIS certification for its water supply system,” Shivakumar said.

He further highlighted how this accomplishment aligns with the Brand Bengaluru initiative, reinforcing the city’s commitment to urban sustainability and excellence in public services.

“We uphold stringent standards for water quality and safety. This recognition strengthens Bengaluru’s position as a model city for sustainable water management. BWSSB’s dedication to maintaining international benchmarks sets an example for other water utilities nationwide. I congratulate the entire team for their outstanding efforts in achieving this milestone,” he said.

BWSSB Chairman Dr Ram Prasath Manohar explained that the BIS certification encompasses the entire spectrum of water supply operations, including water intake from source, treatment, storage and pumping, distribution through the pipeline network, ongoing maintenance and quality assurance and consumer metering and billing.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

To be successful, the first thing to do is fall in love with your work. — Sister Mary Lauretta

Veena Bopanna exactly epitomises this philosophy. Deeply passionate about machines, Veena’s journey from a corporate career at AT&S to founding I-Yantra Technologies, a Mysuru’s startup company in India’s PCB (Printed Circuit Board) industry, is a testament to resilience, vision and empowerment.

In a sector traditionally dominated by men, Veena has carved her place as one of the few women entrepreneurs in India’s electronics and manufacturing landscape. Her love for machines started at AT&S, including a stint  in Austria.

She worked for AT&S till 2013 and her tenure at AT&S is 23 years including her stint in Austria.

Veena returned to India in 2005 intending to bridge the gap between India and Europe in electronics trading. At that time, the focus was largely on China and the Far East, India was rarely a consideration for Western countries.

Realising the lack of locally manufactured machines for the PCB industry, she decided to step in. “Back then, India was known either as a back office for IT or electronic assembly lines, I wanted to change that image of India,” Veena laughs, determined to alter that narrative too.

“After dabbling in the retail business for a few years, and armed with 33 years of experience in the PCB industry, the next logical step was obviously setting up my own manufacturing unit,” Veena humbly shares.

Founded in 2021, I-Yantra is dedicated to producing 100 percent Indian- made machines for the PCB industry, a sector critically dependent on automation and production machinery.

Today, I- Yantra serves clients across Europe, the US, and even ISRO, becoming the first Indian company to offer PCB automation solutions.

Veena’s commitment to India’s manufacturing ecosystem is unwavering. She sources most raw materials locally, empowering her workforce and supporting gender inclusivity in a male- dominated industry.

Despite challenges like the pandemic and financial hurdles, I-Yantra continues to thrive, with 50 percent of its output exported and growing demand from global markets.

The company’s workforce includes engineers, diploma holders, and even SSLC pass individuals, with a strong focus on internships, many of whom are absorbed into full-time employment.

Veena envisions her company becoming a globally recognised name in semiconductor equipment manufacturing. With a target of scaling the business to 50 crore in the coming years and eventually reaching 100 crore, her focus extends beyond profits — she’s building a legacy of innovation, empowerment and job creation.

“I work 24/7. I eat, breathe and sleep machines. I have no life beyond my company, and I’m not complaining. My work gives me endless joy,” Veena says, her face radiating with passion.

Veena Bopanna’s journey reinforces the idea that women can lead, innovate and break barriers in traditionally male-dominated fields. Rightly said, with passion and perseverance, no dream is too big to achieve.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)