KARNATAKA: CITY PUBLIC TRANSPORT-MAJOR MILESTONE: Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Clocks 100 Crore Foot Falls ever since its inception

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro Achieves Major Milestone with 100 Crore Footfalls.

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro clocked more than 100 crore foot falls from 2012 when it was first launched, said Bengaluru Metro Transport Corporation (BMRCL) in an announcement. This is said to be a major milestone for the key public transport system of the IT Capital.

The first metro line in Bengaluru was launched in the year 2012 and was between Baiyappanahalli and MG Road. The 6.7 kilometers metro on the Purple Line was widely used by the public, with an average daily ridership of 33,152 passengers during the first year.

BMRCL later extended metro lines to most parts of the city in phases. In 2016-17, the Majestic metro station was opened on the Purple line, and it turned out to be one of the busiest metro stations in the city, connecting areas like Mysuru Road, Jayanagar and Baiyappanahalli. The average daily ridership then crossed 1 lakh passengers.

Bengaluru’s Namma Metro has 65 stations with an operational network of 74 kilometres.

In December 2023 alone, Bengaluru’s Namma Metro recorded two crore footfalls. This is said to be the highest monthly ridership for Namma Metro, ever since it was launched, and it also saw a spike in average daily ridership.

Making Purple Line fully operational in October last year by connecting Whitefield to Bengaluru South and Bengaluru Central was a game changer for BMRCL.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally dedicated the full operations of Bengaluru metro’s Purple Line to the people of the IT capital by inaugurating two pending stretches, Baiyappanahalli – KR Puram and Kengeri – Challaghatta, on October 20. The Purple Line operations started on October 9 without much fanfare or an inaugural event.

During the launch of Purple Line, BMRCL expected the increase in ridership would be at least between 70,000 and 1 lakh people, but it has only risen to roughly 60,000 passengers per day.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD: NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: World No.1 Ranking will Inspire ‘Gen-Next’ of Indian Tennis, says Rohan Bopanna after Achieving the Feat

Bopanna is set to become the oldest tennis player to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in men’s doubles after reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open along with his partner Matthew Ebden of Australia.

Rohan Bopanna feels that his ascent to world No. 1 in doubles rankings at the twilight of his career is perfect boost that Indian tennis needed just when it was falling off the radar.

Bopanna is set to become the oldest tennis player to achieve the world No. 1 ranking in men’s doubles after reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open along with his partner Matthew Ebden of Australia here on Wednesday.

The 43-year-old, who had entered the tournament with a career-high ranking of world No. 3, and Ebden recorded a comfortable 6-4 7-6(5) win over sixth seeded Argentinian duo of Máximo González and Andrés Molteni in the quarterfinals that lasted an hour and 46 minutes here.

Bopanna will be crowned the new numero uno spot on Monday after the end of the tournament.

“It (the feat) means a lot not to just me but for Indian tennis also. You need something to inspire the next generation. Sumit (Nagal) also had a great Australian Open. He won a round,” Bopanna told PTI in an exclusive interview from Melbourne.

And the star player said the feat came with a lot of sacrifices.

“Extremely proud of this (world no.1 ranking in men’s doubles). It’s a special moment. Lot of sacrifices have gone into this. My coaches, family everyone. My family is travelling with me, so different feeling,” he said.

In fact, he is more happy that for the past week, Indian tennis has been in the news.

“Nothing at all was happening in Indian tennis. You (journalists) also did not have much to write about, so this has happened at the right time.” Earlier, Rajeev Ram of the USA was the oldest player to be ranked world no. 1 when he had achieve the top ranking in October 2022 at the age of 38 for the first time in his career.

Ebden, on the other hand, is set to reach the world no 2 spot.

Bopanna twice reached the US Open final but never won a men’s doubles major.

He, however, has a mixed doubles trophy at the French Open when he and his partner Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada won the crown at the 2017 French Open, defeating Anna-Lena Grönefeld and Robert Farah in the final 2–6 6–2 12–10.

But Bopanna’s desire to win a men’s doubles title at the Slam still remains unfulfilled, something which we wants to achieve before hanging up his racquet.

“That’s a personal goal (winning men’s doubles title at a Grand Slam). It’s no one else’s goal,” he said.

For the veteran, it is always one step at a time.

“When you reach second round, next you want is third round then fourth, quarters, semi-final. So, yes I have been in two Slam final and now want to win but it’s a natural. You always try to go one better,” Bopanna said about his future goal.

Bopanna, who had achieved the highest of world No. 3 for the first time in 2013, is the fourth Indian after Leander Paes, Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza to take the world number one rank in doubles.

He also didn’t forget to acknowledge the contribution of his long-time coach Scott David of the USA in his breathtaking journey in the game.

“I am probably fifty world number one of coach Scott David. It’s a proud moment for him also. I switched to doubles in 2010 and since then I have been with him only,” Bopanna said.

Bopanna and Ebden have been one of the most consistent pairs on the tour over the last 12 months. The duo reached the final of US Open 2023, their best result so far in Grand Slams.

En route the semifinals here, the second seeded Bopanna and Ebden, had to over come two close contests in the first and third rounds to book their place in the semifinals.

Their first hurdle came in the opening round against wildcards James Duckworth and Marc Polmans of Australia, whom Bopanna and Ebden defeated 6-7(5) 6-4 6-7(2).

Their next steep challenge came in the third round where they overcame 14th seeds Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Croatian Nikola Mektić 7-6(8) 7-6(4).

And Bopanna attributed the ability to finish close matches to his experience on the circuit.

“Experience is a great factor in getting those wins. Ever since, I started focussing only on doubles in 2010, it has taken me 13-14 years to reach this. I have been a journeyman,” said Bopanna, who will take over the top position from USA’s Austin Krajicek, who and his Croatian partner Ivan Dodig lost in the second round.

The Indo-Australian pair will play unseeded Tomas Machac of Czech Republic and Chinese Zhizhen Zhang in the semi-finals.

His former Davis Cup teammates Mahesh Bhupathi and Somdev Devvarman termed it as one of the greatest stories in Indian sport.

“Rohan Bopanna getting to World Number 1 today after 20 years on tour in my opinion is one of the greatest stories in Indian Sport!!!,” Bhupathi wrote on ‘X’.

“Bops first told me he was contemplating retirement 5 years ago, then 4 years ago, then 3 years ago…Moral of the story is…. Who cares… He’s number 1! Couldn’t be happier for the Bopanna family! rohanbopanna is the best story in indian sport,” Devvarman wrote.

Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Telegraph Online staff and has been published from a syndicated feed.

source/content: telegraphindia.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: AVIATION & AIRLINES: RECORD SETTING: India’s First wide-bodied Airbus A350 Flies from Bengaluru to Mumbai

Flight AI 589 will operate from Kempegowda International Airport six days of the week barring Tuesdays to the same launch timings.

Air India on Monday commercially launched of India’s first Airbus A350 flight from Bengaluru to Mumbai carrying 297 passengers on board. Flight AI 589 departed from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at 7.05 am and reached Mumbai at 8.50 am.

The Airbus A350 aircraft is part of Air India’s record setting order of 470 aircraft signed with Airbus and Boeing in June 2023. The first Airbus A350-900, registered as VT-JRA arrived at IGI Airport, New Delhi on December 23, 2023, said an official release. One aircraft will arrive every six days in 2024.

The configuration of the aircraft is 316 seats – 28 private business suites with full-flat beds, 24 premium economy seats with extra legroom and 264 spacious economy seats. The latest generation Panasonic (eX3) in-flight entertainment system and HD screens in them will offer a superior flying experience to flyers, it said. “Fitted with the Rolls Royce Trent XWB engines, this aircraft is 20 percent more fuel efficient tan other similar aircraft,” it added.

Bengalurean Naveen, who flew on this spacious aircraft during one of its subsequent trips later on Monday from Bengaluru to Chennai told TNIE, “I have been waiting for long to travel by this magnificient aircraft. This model has been operated by international airlines to India and I have flown by them. But this is the first time that an Indian airline is operating one and that too on a domestic route.”

Asked what impressed him about this make, he said, “The entertainment systems available were impressive. Overall, it has more space than regular aircraft.”

AI 589 will operate from KIA on six days of the week barring Tuesdays to the same launch timings.

The release added, “Initially the aircraft will be deployed on domestic routes for crew familiarisation and regulatory compliance purposes. Passengers from Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Mumbai will have the opportunity to experience the unparalleled comfort and state-of-the-art technology of the A350 – part of the 470 new aircraft order that Air India placed less than a year ago. The aircraft will be later deployed for long-haul flights to destinations across continents, strengthening AI’s growing fleet of wide-body fleets, comprising its own and recently leased aircraft.”

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS / MANUFACTURING: ARTS, CRAFTS & CULTURE: 111-foot-long Agarbatti unveiled in Mysuru to honour local Craftsmanship

Similar events were organised in Maharashtra and Goa to celebrate diverse artisanal and cultural heritage.

Cycle Pure Agarbathi, an agarbatti manufacturer in Mysuru, unveiled a huge 111-foot-long agarbathi, as a tribute to the rich tradition of local craftsmanship. The event unfolded on January 22 simultaneously across three culturally vibrant places — Mysuru in Karnataka, Thane in Maharashtra, and Sankhali in Goa, marking a commitment to support and celebrate diverse artisanal heritage.

Saraswathi, mother of renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj, lit the agarbatti in the presence of Mysuru MP Pratap Simmha and MLA T.S. Srivatsa. The Ranga family of Cycle Pure Agarbathi, including Guru, Kiran Ranga, Vishnu Ranga, Anirudh Ranga, and Nikhil Ranga, were present to express support for preserving heritage and traditional art forms. In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde celebrated the State’s rich craftsmanship while in Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasised the need for preserving and promoting the region’s unique artistic expressions.

The 111-foot-long agarbatti is a testament of modern technology meeting traditional art form. It is a homage to the rich cultural heritage of Mysuru’s artisans. The massive agarbatti was crafted over 23 days by a dedicated team of 18 skilled individuals, using specially handpicked auspicious Dashanga, honey, Konneri Gedde, ghee, sandalwood powder, Guggula, Agaru, Sambrani , Devadaru, Loban and White Mustard (bili sasive) along with charcoal, Jigat and jaggery. The manufacturing process incorporated a unique technology devised by the team of specialists of N. Ranga Rao & Sons.

Known as ‘Akhand Jyothi’, with a unique fragrance called ‘Parampara’ crafted by Ranga Rao and family, the agarbatti invokes tradition and nostalgia.

Ms Saraswathi said the initiative is meaningful for artists in Mysuru ‘where our cultural contributions thrive, making it an invaluable endeavour towards the broader creative landscape’.

NR Group Chairman R. Guru said, “This 111-foot agarbatti serves as a symbol of commitment, spreading happiness through its fragrance to the world of craftsmanship.”

Mysuru MP Pratap Simmha said, “Being part of this special occasion, honouring the talented artisans shaping our artistic landscape, is indeed an honour. These individuals are the custodians of our cultural identity.”

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY: Karnataka yet again Rated one of Best Performer in Country’s Start-up Ranking

The annual exercise by DPIIT assesses performance of States and Union Territories across seven reform areas.

Karnataka has emerged as one of the best performers in the fourth edition of the States’ Start-up Ranking, a yearly capacity building exercise by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). The other best performers include Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

This is the fourth consecutive year that Karnataka has bagged the top honour. The exercise was launched in 2018. The results were announced by Commerce & Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on National Start-up day on Tuesday.

The exercise assesses the performance of States and Union Territories across seven reform areas divided into 25 action points. The seven reform areas include institutional support, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, access to market, incubation and mentorship support, funding support, capacity building of enablers and roadmap to sustainable future.

The ‘best performer’ title is awarded to States and Union Territories with model State start-up ecosystems that could be benchmark for other States to follow. While the Bengaluru, the State capital, also adorns the title of ‘India’s start-up capital’, there has been push from the government and other ecosystem players to encourage more start-up clusters in the State under ‘Beyond Bengaluru’. Mysuru, Hubbali, and Mangaluru have seen some of these emerging clusters.

The Karnataka government has also introduced schemes like the ELEVATE programme which offers up to ₹50 lakh for innovative early stage start-ups for no equity in return and the ELEVATE – Unnati programme for start-ups with founders from SC/ST communities. The government also recently introduced preferential market access for start-ups registered in the State.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ACHIEVERS HONOURED: 5 Eminent Personalities of Udupi & Dakshina Kannada District Awarded at the ‘New Year Awards 2024’

Academy of General Education, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, MEMG, Manipal Media Network Ltd and Dr TMA Pai Foundation, Manipal conducted ‘New Year Awards 2024’ to honour eminent personalities of Udupi and Dakshina Kannada district for their immense contributions to society, art and culture.

The awards were conferred to five achievers who have contributed in their own ways in culture, literature and have even created awareness in this unprecedented situation.

The welcome address was made by Dr H S Ballal – pro chancellor and president, Academy of General Education, MAHE and the felicitation address was given by Lt Gen (Dr) M D Venkatesh – vice chancellor, MAHE.

The winners of this year were Dr M Narendra, an esteemed senior professional and retired chairman and managing director of Indian Overseas Bank; Dr Jaimala Ramachandra, cine artiste and producer; Dr H Manjunatha Hande, professor, HOD and unit head in the department of medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal; Dr Yadkathody Sanjeeva Rai, former dean of Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru, and a distinguished cosmetic surgeon at Kasturba Medical College, Mangaluru and B K Deva Rao, agriculturist.

Commenting on the occasion, Dr H S Ballal – pro chancellor, MAHE said, “Being the hosts of this wonderful celebration of the contributions and outstanding accomplishments of the five recipients is an honour for us. I congratulate each one of them from the bottom of my heart for their spirit. The educational system in place now looks for fresh perspectives and investigations. The liberal arts and humanities ought to be given more importance. We are thrilled to acknowledge their hard work and accomplishments in their respective fields which has added significant impact towards the betterment of the society.”

Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, vice chancellor, MAHE, sharing his excitement said, “We are exuberant to felicitate the outstanding achievements of the New Year awardees, and this is undoubtedly a terrific occasion for us. We value their unparalleled contributions to literature, agriculture, medicine, culture, and mankind. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to establish an example for others to follow and instil virtues in the community. The most effective way to address societal issues or raise awareness is through these literary and artistic disciplines. Honouring the achievers serves a dual purpose: it not only shows appreciation and recognition for their hard work, but it also serves as a springboard for young people to aim higher.”

Humbled by the award, Dr M Narendra conveyed, “With deep appreciation I extend my sincere gratitude to the community for choosing me. This serves as not just a personal achievement but a celebration of the vital role of banking in shaping our economic landscape. From early on, I have been committed to contribute to the welfare of society through the financial sector by fostering economic growth, and financial inclusion. In a world where economic well-being is integral to the fabric of society, this award reinforces my determination to contribute to building a more inclusive and thriving society through responsible and impactful financial practices. Thank you for acknowledging my efforts and encouraging me to make a lasting positive difference.”

Expressing his happiness after receiving the award, Dr Yadkathody Sanjeeva Rai, said, “I am grateful for this award for recognizing the path I have chosen in medicine and surgery. Receiving this award not only celebrates my individual achievements but underscores the collective effort of all those who have been integral to my professional journey especially during the establishment of Manipal College of Medical Sciences in Pokhara, Nepal. It highlights the significance of collaboration in the global healthcare landscape, and I am inspired to continue fostering partnerships that transcend borders for the betterment of medical education and healthcare. Thank you for this incredible moment.”

Conveying her joy, Dr Jaimala Ramachandra said, “In this moment of reflection and gratitude, I am truly touched by the recognition given to me by the New Year Awards committee. This recognition holds a special place in my heart, acknowledging not just my contributions to the film industry but also my commitment to public service, literature and social wellbeing. Movies are a powerful storytelling form which can showcase the reality of society in an open forum. I see this award that reaffirms the belief in the transformative impact of cinema to connect, inspire and bring about positive change. I am deeply thankful for the encouragement to persist in my endeavours.”

Honoured by the recognition, Dr H Manjunatha Hande,“I extend my heartfelt appreciation for recognizing my journey dedicated to medical education and research. It serves as a powerful acknowledgement of the importance of medicine in shaping a healthier and brighter future for our communities.”

Overcome with joy, B K Deva Rao, agriculturist said, “With sincere gratitude, I am humbled with the recognition given to me through the award. This acknowledgement reflects the tireless efforts of every farmer into cultivating our lands. I thank the community for considering me and celebrating the vital role of agriculture in our community.”

The event was aptly concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Dr Raviraj N S, director, planning & monitoring, acknowledging the enthusiastic participation and support of the entire community.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: AVIATION : MANUFACTURING – MAKE IN INDIA: PM Narendra Modi inaugurates in Bengaluru Largest Aerospace Engineering Facility of Boeing outside the United States

The state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) is built with an investment of ₹1,600 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru along with the Boeing Sukanya Program, on January 19.

The state-of-the-art BIETC is built with an investment of ₹1,600 crore. It is located in a 43-acre campus, and is the American aerospace major’s largest such investment outside the U.S.

Boeing said that the BIETC will become a cornerstone for partnering with India on next generation products and services for the global aerospace and defence industry.

The Prime Minister also launched the Boeing Sukanya Program that aims to support the entry of more girl children from across India into the country’s growing aviation sector.

The program will provide opportunities for girls and women from across India to learn critical skills in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, and train for jobs in the aviation sector.

For young girls, the program will create STEM labs at 150 planned locations to help spark interest in STEM careers. It will also provide scholarships to women who are training to be pilots. Investments will support flight training curriculum, obtaining certifications, funding for simulator trainings, and career development programs.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SPORTS / EQUESTRIAN: Karnataka State Police Team’s V. Shylendra, Commandant KARP Wins Gold in 42nd All India Police National Equestrian Championship

V. Shylendra, Commandant, KARP Mounted Company, Mysuru, has won the gold medal in the National-level Equestrian Competition ‘Hacks’ event in the 42nd All India Police Equestrian Championship and Mounted Police Duty Meet – 2023 held at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad, Telangana State, from Dec. 26, 2023 to Jan. 5, 2024.

A native of Chitradurga, Shylendra represented Karnataka State Police team with the horse named “King’s Power” and has won the individual gold medal after 12 years for Karnataka.

The last individual gold medal in this event was won in the year 2012.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: TELECOMMUNICATIONS & AERIAL TECHNOLOGY / SATELLITES: Pixxel Unveils New Facility to Manufacture & Integrate Satellites, making it the First Spacecraft Manufacturing Facility in Bengaluru

This state-of-the-art facility spans over 30,000 square feet and is designed to streamline the satellite manufacturing process from conceptualisation to launch readiness.

In Short

  • The facility boasts the capacity to manage over twenty satellites concurrently
  • It will have a turnaround time of six months per satellite
  • The facility includes advanced camera integration labs

Pixxel, a space data company known for its cutting-edge hyperspectral earth-imaging technology, has inaugurated its first Spacecraft Manufacturing Facility, MegaPixxel, in Bengaluru.

This state-of-the-art facility spans over 30,000 square feet and is designed to streamline the satellite manufacturing process from conceptualisation to launch readiness.

The MegaPixxel facility will ensure spacecraft assembly, integration and testing (AIT), allowing Pixxel’s satellites to be crafted, integrated, and tested against the rigors of launch conditions before being dispatched to their respective launch sites.

“As we approach our fifth anniversary, the opening of this new facility is a significant achievement for Pixxel. It enhances our capability to act as the planet’s health monitor, increasing our satellite production capacity and enabling us to supply vital data to our clients more rapidly. This data is crucial for informed decision-making across various sectors, including agriculture, energy, forestry, and environmental monitoring,” Awais Ahmed, CEO of Pixxel, said in a statement.

The MegaPixxel facility boasts the capacity to manage over twenty satellites concurrently , with a turnaround time of six months per satellite. This impressive throughput could see up to forty large satellites produced annually.

The facility is uniquely equipped with two modern clean rooms rated at ISO Class 7 and ISO Class 8 to prevent contamination that could compromise satellite functionality during assembly and integration.

In addition to the clean rooms, the facility includes advanced camera integration labs, electronics R&D, electrical assembly areas, a mechanical workshop, a mission control room, and office space capable of accommodating over 200 employees.

MegaPixxel is fitted with smart heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to optimise energy efficiency and minimize the carbon footprint.

Pixxel is the second private company to open its facility after Skyroot Aerospace, which unveiled its newly developed HQ in Hyderabad last year. 

source/content: indiatoday.in (headline edited)