KARNATAKA: Young Indians (Yi): Movement for Indian youth to lead, influence country’s future

Young Indians (Yi) is a movement that aims to converge, lead, co-create, and influence India’s future by empowering its youth. As an integral part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)—a non-government, not-for-profit, industry-led, and industry-managed organization playing a proactive role in India’s development process—Yi was formed in 2002 to create a platform for young Indians to work towards realizing the dream of a developed nation.

Through thousands of impactful projects and activities divided primarily into three areas: “Youth Leadership,” “Nation Building,” and “Thought Leadership,” Yi strives to emerge as the premier Indian youth organization, giving young Indians a voice on relevant platforms to solve India’s proble Yi grooms its members for offices of significance and enables Indian youth to create using an expanding digitally enabled network. Under Youth Leadership, Yi promotes leadership skills for its members through programs in entrepreneurship and innovation.

Yi is one of the proud founders of the G20 Young Entrepreneurs Alliance (G20 YEA) and the Commonwealth Alliance of Young Entrepreneurs – Asia Pacific (CAYE- Asia Pacific). It engages the youth through international missions to many countries around the world to understand and learn from the best practices and cultures.

Yi’s student wing ‘Yuva’ engages over 25,000 young dynamic students from various educational streams through 107 Yuva Institutions. Under Nation Building, Yi engages its members in projects such as MASOOM, Gift an Organ, and Road Safety. Yi also works in broad categories including education, environment, healthcare, employability, arts (sports & culture), rural initiatives, accessibility, and disaster management, contributing positively to the surrounding ecosystem and the nation.

Under Thought Leadership, Yi engages its members through a Contributory Movement of Constructive Action, Collaborative Reasoning, and Collective Voice. Yi conducts learning sessions with industry experts to impart experiential learning through interactions and discussions. Yi Leadership Academy (LA) upholds the founding principles and values, instilling the same in Yi membership through the Yi Leaders Fellowship Program. Yi organizes its Annual Flagship Summit TakePride to celebrate Yi’s achievements, brainstorm over the future roadmap, and showcase the efforts of its membership from across its 67 chapters.

Empowering India’s future: Yi Mangaluru’s vision for young changemakers

In a nation as diverse and dynamic as India, the role of its youth in shaping the future cannot be underestimated. Young Indians hold the potential to be the driving force behind progress, innovation, and positive change. One organization that recognizes this immense potential and is dedicated to fostering it is Yi, the Young Indians. With a mission centered on empowering young minds and instilling the values of leadership, entrepreneurship, and nation-building, Yi provides a platform and voice to the next generation of changemakers, empowering them to lead, innovate, and create a better nation.

By nurturing leadership qualities and fostering a spirit of entrepreneurship, Yi aims to create a generation of informed, capable, and proactive individuals who are committed to building a stronger and self-sufficient India. Through its visionary framework and unwavering dedication, Yi is shaping the leaders, builders, and innovators who will drive India’s progress for years to come.

Three pillars of Yi’s framework:

Youth leadership:

Yi’s first pillar is rooted in the belief that leaders are not simply born; they are molded through experiences and learning. Recognizing the leadership potential within every young Indian, Yi has established a range of leadership skill development programs, personal growth initiatives, and nation-building activities.

Nation building:

The youth of India hold the responsibility of building a nation that is not only self-sufficient but also well-informed and progressive. Yi’s second pillar focuses on harnessing the transformative power of the country’s youth by addressing contemporary issues through various verticals.

Entrepreneurial ecosystem:

Recognizing the potential of entrepreneurship in driving economic growth and innovation, Yi’s third pillar is dedicated to fostering a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem among young Indians. This pillar reflects the organization’s commitment to nurturing not only leaders but also creators and innovators who can shape India’s economic landscape.

Yi Mangaluru: A dynamic and forward-thinking chapter

In the vibrant city of Mangaluru, nestled on the southwestern coast of India, the spirit of youth is a driving force for change and progress. It is within this energetic milieu that Young Indians Mangalore Chapter (Yi Mangalore) was born, thanks to the vision and determination of Gaurav Hegde. Yi Mangalore owes its existence to him. He embarked on a mission to channel the energy and talent of young individuals towards meaningful contributions to society. After thoughtful deliberation, he selected a group of young individuals who shared his passion for change and innovation. This dedicated team became the driving force behind the establishment of Yi Mangalore, and together, they set out to make a difference in their community.

Young Indians Mangaluru (Yi Mangaluru) is a dynamic and forward-thinking chapter that thrives under the capable leadership of M Athmika Amin as the Chair and CA Salome Lobo Pereira as the Co-Chair. This passionate team of young professionals is dedicated to harnessing the potential of Mangaluru’s youth and driving positive change in the region. With an impressive lineup of stakeholders and a diverse range of initiatives, Yi Mangaluru is making significant strides in various sectors.

Key stakeholders

Yi Mangaluru’s success is the result of a collective effort led by a dedicated group of stakeholders:

Membership: Ensuring that the chapter’s membership base remains strong and engaged is the responsibility of Ar Ashrika Amin and Aditya Pai as the Chair and Co-Chair. Their commitment helps sustain the organization’s growth and impact.

YUVA & Thalir: Shohan Shetty as Mentor, Durgadas Shetty as Yuva Chair, Gaana Bhat, and Anushree Shetty as Yuva Co-Chair lead initiatives aimed at nurturing young talent and addressing educational and youth-oriented issues. Not resting on their laurels of signing MoUs with 12 colleges in and around Mangaluru, Yi Mangaluru continued its quest for fruitful partnerships. Yi Mangaluru organized the Y20 dialogue event at Alva’s College of Engineering and Technology on April 29, 2023. This event, in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, aimed to encourage youth involvement in policy change discussions. Students associated with Yi Mangaluru participated in panel discussions, keynotes, and interactive sessions, connecting with industry experts and entrepreneurs to brainstorm on important issues. Ullas Kamath, Founder of UK & Co, emphasized the need for youth to focus on becoming job creators rather than job seekers, investing their time and talent in pursuing goals. Industry leaders participated in panel discussions, sharing insights on reimagining business for the future. Two panels moderated by Sameeksha Shetty and Ashith Hegde, featured sustainability advocates like Divya Hegde, Dr T V Ramachandra, and Anand Malligavad, discussing strategies for consistent sustainability practices and industry names such as Raghuraj Sunder Raju, Deekshith Rai, and Anup Pai who stressed the importance of directing funds towards environmental preservation and the significance of Low Code No Code platforms for accelerated digitalization.

Rural initiative: Harsha Kamath is at the forefront of Yi Mangaluru’s efforts to extend its positive impact into rural communities, contributing to their development.

Key initiatives

Yi Mangaluru’s diverse range of projects and initiatives spans various critical domains:

Masoom: Under the leadership of Aditi Bansal as Chair and Abhinav Bansal as Co-Chair, Masoom is dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child sexual abuse. The awareness session conducted is a significant step forward in creating a society where children can grow up safe from harm and report timely if they are in trouble. A session on the safe use of mobiles was organized so that teenagers can navigate the digital world with confidence.

Road safety: Aajeeth Kumar spearheads efforts to improve road safety and promote tourism in the region, enhancing both local safety and economic development. Recognizing this, Chota Cop, a dedicated initiative, conducted impactful road safety sessions at several prominent schools in early 2023. These sessions aim to equip young minds with the knowledge and awareness necessary to navigate the streets safely.

Health and accessibility: Eshwar Shetty as Chair and Hari Sudan & Dr. Megha Goukul as Co-Chair are actively involved in initiatives related to healthcare and improving accessibility for all members of the community.

Climate change: Sharon D’Souza and Rishab Raj Shetty lead the charge in tackling the urgent issue of climate change, advocating for sustainable practices and environmental responsibility.

Entrepreneurship and learning: Arjun D’Souza, Chair, and CA Kedarnath Shenoy, Co-Chair, focus on fostering entrepreneurship and innovation among Mangaluru’s youth, thereby driving economic growth and job creation.

Innovation: Under Madhukar Kudva and Adeeth Kalbavi’s guidance, the YI Innovation Vertical has evolved into a dynamic hub of knowledge and innovation. One of the hallmarks of the YI Innovation Vertical is its commitment to delivering high-quality interactive sessions.

Branding for Yi Mangaluru: Chair Sharan Shetty and Co-Chairs Aditya Prabhu, Ashmitha Satish, and Shreshtha Bhandary take charge of branding efforts, ensuring that Yi Mangaluru’s message and impact reach a wider audience. As Young Indians (Yi) in Mangalore continue to drive impactful initiatives and contribute to the community, a strategic branding effort becomes pivotal to create awareness, establish a strong presence, and highlight the diverse range of initiatives undertaken. With their innovative and creative approach, they have taken the helm of branding through various media campaigns.

Yi Mangaluru also annually organizes “Thatasth” – a National-level Retreat Event focusing on adventure water sports, tourism, and the cultural heritage of Mangaluru city. “Thatasth,” Yi Mangaluru’s flagship event, is true to its name and spirit of Mangalore’s coastal terrain and culture. The event welcomes delegates from across the country to participate in various activities.

The chapter benefits from the wisdom and guidance of experienced leaders. Ashith Hegde, Mentor, and Sameeksha Shetty as the Immediate Past Chair, provide valuable insights, while Dikshith Rai, the Charter Chairperson, serves as a mentor, offering direction and support to the team.

The significance of nurturing the potential of young Indians cannot be overstated. Yi’s mission to strengthen India’s future by cultivating leadership, entrepreneurship, and nation-building skills among the youth is both commendable and crucial. Through a range of initiatives and the support of committed stakeholders, the chapter is driving positive change in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and more. The future of Mangaluru looks brighter with the energetic and visionary leadership of Yi Mangaluru, serving as a shining example of youth-led initiatives that are transforming communities across India. As Yi continues to provide a platform for young changemakers to voice their ideas, collaborate, and initiate positive changes, the organization plays an integral role in building a brighter and more prosperous India.

For those looking for an organization to contribute towards building a better nation while becoming a more inclusive leader, Young Indians is the platform.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: APPS : Bengaluru-based auto taxi ride booking app Namma Yatri mentioned in Economic Survey 2023-24 as success story of ONDC

The ‘Digitally Empowered Inclusive Stories’ section of the Economic Survey of India states that the Namma Yatri app has increased driver earnings and reduced cancellation rates.

The Bengaluru-based ride booking app Namma Yatri, developed in partnership with the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union, was hailed as a success story of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) in the Economic Survey of India 2023-24. The survey, presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman along with a statistical appendix, was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on July 22.

The ‘Digitally Empowered Inclusive Stories’ section of the Economic Survey of India states that the Namma Yatri app has increased driver earnings and reduced cancellation rates.

“Namma Yatri, a ride-hailing platform integrated with ONDC, eliminates commissions and operates on a subscription fee. Launched in collaboration with the Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union in Bengaluru, it increased driver earnings and reduced cancellation rates,” the document states.

Namma Yatri app is part of Open Network for Digital Commerce

The Namma Yatri app, developed by Bengaluru’s Auto Rickshaw Drivers’ Union (ARDU) and built by Juspay Technologies with support from the Beckn Foundation (founded by Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani), was launched in November 2022 in collaboration with local auto drivers. The app is open source, does not charge any commission from drivers, and is available through the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC).

Instead, the app takes a small monthly subscription fee from its drivers.

ONDC is a Union government-backed technology platform designed to eliminate intermediaries to enable direct transactions between sellers and customers.

ARDU General secretary T.M. Rudramurthy told The Hindu, “We are happy that our success story has been highlighted in the Economic Survey of India. The Namma Yatri model, praised by both auto drivers and passengers for its zero commission structure, has greatly benefited 4,25,180 registered drivers. The app charges no commission from either drivers or customers, with payments made directly and promptly to the drivers. This approach has significantly boosted the app’s popularity, and we are thrilled that the government is now recognising this model.”

The app’s website states that Namma Yatri is a direct-to-driver platform with all customer payments going directly to the driver. The app is built on an open mobility platform, and claims to be India’s first open mobility app. The app has a dashboard to share all the data of live ongoing trips, completed trips, driver earnings, registered drivers, customers details, and area-wise statistics on completed trips.

Namma Yatri app is now available in 9 cities

The app has gained significant popularity in Bengaluru, gradually capturing market share from Uber and Ola with its no-commission model. In April 2024, the company expanded its services to include cabs in Bengaluru.

Namma Yatri is now operational in Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, Tumakuru, Mysuru, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Siliguri. The company claims to have completed 4,71,64,363 rides since its launch in 2022.

The Economic Survey serves as an official report card on the government’s financial performance and the state of the economy for the fiscal year ending March 31. It also offers insights into future policy changes. Typically released by the Ministry of Finance a day before the Union Budget is presented, the survey provides a comprehensive overview of economic conditions and policy directions.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: C-CAMP partners with UK Department of Health to fund innovations for antimicrobial resistance in environment

The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has partnered with the UK Department of Health and Social Care’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Innovation Fund to nurture and fund innovations for antimicrobial resistance in the environment.

Up to £5.1 million (approximating around ₹500 million or ₹50 crore+) funding has been committed over three years by the UK’s Global AMR Innovation Fund (GAMRIF).

This partnership between GAMRIF and C-CAMP will support the development of innovative solutions addressing AMR in the environment for the benefit of low- and middle-income countries where the burden of drug resistance is the highest.

Fostering innovations

“C-CAMP is committed to fostering innovations addressing AMR across humans, agriculture and the environment. With our decade-long work in this area, we are confident of harnessing the most exciting AMR innovation science happening in India and across the globe into solutions to tackle the challenge, especially the often-neglected issue of environmental AMR that threatens low- and middle-income countries,” Dr. Taslimarif Saiyed, Director-CEO, C-CAMP said.

The GRAM Report, published in the Lancet in 2019, estimates that 1.3 million people each year die due to AMR, with the highest mortality rates in low- and middle-income countries, primarily in Asia and Africa.

By 2050, deaths associated with AMR are projected to rise to a staggering 10 million each year, surpassing the global death toll of malaria and comparable to that of cancer.

Antimicrobial misuse

The impacts of climate change, antimicrobial misuse and overuse across the food and agriculture industries and antimicrobial pollution in the environment will all contribute to this rise in AMR-related deaths. Despite the fact that LMICs bear a disproportionately higher global burden of AMR, the funding to foster innovative solutions best suited for the region has been acutely low.

The GAMRIF C-CAMP partnership will kick off shortly with an AMR Challenge under the umbrella of IAIH that will invite applications from innovators and startups for funding and ecosystem support to enable scale-up of technology, production, adoption and impact. The call for applications is expected to open in August 2024.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: INDIAN ARMY: Mysuru To Siachen. Captain C.T. Supreetha from Mysuru became the second female officer of the Indian Army and the first woman officer from the Corps of Army Air Defence to be operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

Capt. Supreetha from city becomes second female Army Officer in the country to be posted at the highest battlefield

Captain C.T. Supreetha from Mysuru became the second female officer of the Indian Army and the first woman officer from the Corps of Army Air Defence to be operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier, the highest battlefield in the world.

Before joining the Indian Army, Capt. Supreetha did her schooling in Shastri Vidya Samsthe in Hunsur, St. Mary’s Convent (H.D. Kote) and St. Joseph’s School (K.R. Nagar). Later, she joined Marimallappa’s Institutions in Mysuru where she completed her High School and Pre-University education. Capt. Supreetha completed her Degree in Law from JSS Law College in Kuvempunagar, Mysuru.

Capt. Supreetha was a part of 4 Kar Air Sqn NCC, Mysuru Group. She also took part in the All India Vayu Sainik Camp held in 2015 and Republic Day Camp in 2016 where she was declared as the Best Cadet from Karnataka and Goa Directorate and received the DDG Commendation Letter. Capt. Supreetha was also a part of the Youth Exchange Programme camp held at Maldives in 2016. She even secured II Rank in the All India SSCW (NCC) Special Entry – 48th (Women) Course held in October 2020.

In 2021, Supreetha was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Army. After undergoing rigorous training at Officers Training Academy (OTA) in Chennai, she joined the Army Air Defence Unit. Before being posted in Siachen, Supreetha served in Anantnag, Jabalpur and Leh.

Capt. Supreetha is the daughter of Talakadu Police Sub-Inspector Thirumalesh and Nirmala couple. She is married to Major Jerry Blaize of Madras Regiment. The couple made headlines by becoming the first Indian Army Couple to participate in the 75th Republic Day Parade on Kartavya Path in New Delhi on January 26, early this year.

Before Captain Supreetha, Captain Shiva Chouhan, an officer from the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers, became the first female officer to be deployed in Siachen.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Capt. Supreetha’s father Thirumalesh, said that he was proud of her daughter’s achievement and added that apart from their encouragement, Supreetha had also drawn inspiration from her husband and in-laws to achieve the feat.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HISTORY RECORDS: Udupi: Study of 14th century inscription at Maravante

 In a scholarly lecture, Ganesh Prasad G Nayak and researcher Shrutesh Acharya Moodubelle shed light on an ancient inscription found at the Sri Maharaja Varahaswami Temple. According to their findings, the inscription, engraved on a granite slab, features a Shivalinga and depictions of the sun, moon, royal insignia, lamp posts, and the bull Nandi. The script, characterized by worn-out letters, is indicative of the 14th century based on paleographic analysis.

The inscription commences with the auspicious term ‘Swastishree’, with no explicit mention of the era. Additionally, references to a ‘nectar pot’ and ‘four boundaries’ suggest its nature as a donation inscription, detailing the temple’s history. Researchers anticipate further study in the coming days, emphasizing its significance in understanding local history.

This archaeological endeavour was supported by students of MSRSAS College: Vishal Rai K, Manjunath Nandalike, and Kamalesh, along with lecturer Srikanth Poojary and temple administration committee chairman Satish M Nayak, among others.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: Spell Bee State Grand Finale: Ciel Merlyn Monteiro of Mount Carmel Central School, Mangaluru stands First

Merlyn Monteiro, a class 9 student of Mount Carmel Central School, Maryhill in city, has secured the first rank in the 2023-24 state level grand finale conducted by India’s No 1 Spell Bee WIZ National Spell Bee competition.

Ciel Merlyn Monteiro is the daughter of Walter Monteiro of Bajpe Karambara and Kiran Shirley D’Souza.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)