Tag: Karnataka First

OVERSEAS: ARTS & CULTURE: Kannada Pata Shale Dubai’s 9th year Valedictory Event held with Grandeur

Kannada Pata Shale Dubai, a free Kannada language teaching school started in Dubai in 2014 is run by Kannada Mitraru UAE, a nonprofit association with over 100 volunteers serving the school. It is free for all children aged between 6 to 16 years who are willing to learn Kannada language.

The 9th year valedictory event of Kannada Pata Shale Dubai was held on April 29 at JSS International School, JVC Dubai. Kannada Pata Shale Dubai popularly known as KPSD has over 650 students this year, who attended the closing ceremony event, received their certificates and medal of appreciation from guests and dignitaries. Dr Mohan Ava, the president of Alva’s Education Foundation of Moodbidri graced the occasion as chief guest and was honoured by Kannada Mitraru UAE for their contribution in the field of education.

The well-disciplined event started on the dot as announced was noticeable, as the vice president Siddalingesh Revappa explained that KPSD is well known for time consciousness as he said that the teaching has to be backed by being an example.

In his presidential speech, Shashidhar Nagarajappa sought the blessings of Shri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji for their invaluable support and blessings to establish Kannada Pata Shale Dubai. He further explained the selfless services of 17 teachers who dedicated 6 months for the school without any remuneration. KPSD teachers who had served more than 4 years were recognized with ‘Shikshana Koustub’ award. This year’s awardees were Meena Harish Kodi, Divyashree Nagaraj Rao and Usharani Kotresh. Shashidhar urged for the support of Karnataka government to recognize KPSD so that the NRI students who complete 12th standard and move from UAE to Karnataka for their professional courses, who need to take CET exams, are required to attend separate Kannada exam, which is unnecessary for KPSD students and hence needs to give exhumation for those who are having certificates from KPSD.

An extravagant display of talents was seen, as children showcased their talent in Kannada language through various art forms like dance, singing and acting. The skit ‘Ekalavya’ was the heart winner with the spontaneous dialogues which is unseen in the young diaspora. A play ‘Kannada Granny and Naughty children’ mesmerized the audiences with its message to emphasis the importance of learning Kannada language. An overcrowded auditorium cheered the young performers with joy of appreciation.

In the formal event ceremony, the KPSD patron and president of KNRI forum Praveen Shetty thanked the parents for bringing in a record number of children and making KPSD a big success and appreciated the Alva’s Kannada and cultural activities such as ‘Nudisiri’ and ‘Virasat’ and called in for all the support. KPSD patron and KNRI vice president Mohan Narasimha Murthy appreciated the service of the teachers and called for highest number of admissions in the coming years.

Post felicitation, Dr Mohan Alva gave an impressive and elaborative speech. In his words of humbleness, Dr Alva sought the blessings of Shri Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji. He further on appreciated the efforts put in to keep the culture and language alive and pass it to the next generation. He further called all parents to continue to teach Kannada as their primary language. He further assured his support to KPSD for getting necessary recognition from the state government and assured of an award of appreciation from the government.

One of the most prestigious awards for contribution to Kannada ‘Kannada Mitra-2023’ was awarded to Dr Rajani Krishna Rao for her invention of phonetics techniques to teach and learn Kannada language. Another Kannada Mitra-2023 awardee Huchhamma Basappa Choudri was felicitated virtually due to her inability to travel to Dubai.

Further in the dignitary’s speech, Harish Bangera thanked the parents for sending a record number of students to learn Kannada and he appreciated the efforts of the teachers. The next speaker, the CEO of JSS Schools Dubai, Govind Rao Naik welcomed Dr Mohan Alva to the JSS institution and remembered the days of KPSD foundation at JSS school in Al Safa and wished all the organizers a grand success for the future years. Sarvottam Shetty, president of Karnataka Sangha Abu Dhabi made an impressive speech and explained the origins of Kannada and wished all the parents and organizers.

Another guest of the event, award winning director, actor and writer of Sandalwood, Shivadhwaj Shetty gave a joyous speech of appreciation and thanked the parents and teachers for their love of the language.

General secretary Sunil Gavaskar, joint secretary Shivasharanappa Meti, treasurer Nagaraj Rao and organizing secretaries Mahadev, Harish Kodi, Jeetendra, Prakash, Vijay, Santosh, Guru Prashanth, Sudhir, and Suresh managed the certification and medal of students in the first batch of students.

Over 500 students were encouraged with certification and medal of appreciation. The felicitation was done by all the dignitaries namely M E Mulooru, advisor of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah, prominent businessman Harish Sherigar, honorary advisor of Karnataka Sangha Dubai Jayanth Shetty, James Mendonca of Mangalore Konkans, vice president of Karnataka Sangha Dubai Daya Kirodian, Balakrishna Salina of Mugaveers UAE, general secretary of Karnataka Sangha Dubai Manohar Hegde, Vokkaliga Samaja UAE president Dr Rashmi Nanda Kishore, former president of Karnataka Sangha Sharjah Novel Almeda, president of WOW Power Yoga Anand Bailooru, and Basava Samithi president Dr Mamatha Radder. Other heads of associations who participated and wished the event were Sagar Shettar couple and Vineeth.

The entire event was well coordinated by the organizing secretaries in various roles such as dinner distribution by Santosh, Harish Kodi and Rohit, and the stage co-ordination was handled by Girish Patwari, Yuvaraja, P Wadekar, Rohit and Shivu. Guest welcome was handled by Girish Kalkund and Guru Prashanth, and the creative and AV display was superbly managed by Shashidhar Mundaragi, Grish Vorate and Vinay.

The stage and student coordination was handled by a team of 16 teachers managed by Roopa Shashidhar.

Nagaraj Rao thanked all the guests and attendees.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: Bidar’s 24-year-old Adhish R. Wali Appointed Member of London Youth Council. History Made as the First From State to have been Appointed so.

Adhish Rajneesh Wali has been appointed member of London Youth Council. The 24-year-old from Bidar is the first from the State to have been appointed so.

London Youth Council, established by the Faith and Belief Forum, is made up of young leaders from various faiths and beliefs who are leading an interfaith movement in London with youth in the forefront.

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Wali said that the council works together to learn the practices and preachings of various faiths, conducts research to influence policy and organises events to bring young individuals together to learn, build skills and make plans to build a movement of young activists.

Mr. Wali, who participated in the prestigious sixth Annual London Faith and Belief Community Awards 2022 at Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament, London, recently had an insightful discussion with Kenneth Olisa, OBE, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Greater London.

The London Youth Council successfully organised a Youth Interfaith Summit on climate change at the London School of Economics, which attracted over 300 young individuals.

Mr. Wali said that the topic of climate change is one of the biggest challenges.

Mr. Wali is a ParliaMentor Leadership Award winner and also the first from the State to win a student union elections in the U.K.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: EDUCATION / AWARD WINNER: Udupi’s Schoolgirl Avantika V Rao gets to Speak in front of President

Avantika V. Rao, a Class IX student of Anandathirtha Vidyalaya, Pajaka, Udupi district bagged the prize in the Tata Building India School Essay Competition 2019-20.

Avantika V. Rao, a Class IX student of Anandathirtha Vidyalaya, Pajaka, Udupi district, who had bagged first prize in an essay competition, got a rare opportunity to speak in front of President Droupadi Murmu in Delhi recently.

She bagged the prize in the Tata Building India School Essay Competition 2019-20. The competition was to instil a sense of pride and spirit of nation building among the youth. Many students from across the country had participated in this competition and 29, including Ms. Rao, emerged as winners, according to the school.

All the winners were taken to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 17, 2023. Of them, in addition to Ms. Rao, another student Kushi Prajapathi from Nagaur, Rajasthan, got the opportunity to speak in front of the President.

During her three-minute speech, Ms. Rao stressed on ‘Clean India’ and how each person should take the responsibility to achieve it. Recycling of waste will set things in the right direction, she said.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan release on that day said that the President congratulated the winners of the essay competition. She said that during the ‘Amrit Kaal’, the topic of the essay competition ‘Five things I will do to build a great India’ was quite relevant.

Ms. Murmu expressed confidence that when India celebrates 100 years of independence, the contribution of these young minds would be for the betterment of the country as a whole. The President urged children to dream big and try hard to realise their dreams.

It said that Ms. Murmu praised the organisers for providing a platform for young minds to showcase their ideas in writing on a specific topic of national importance or on social issues.

The photos of Ms. Rao speaking and a group photo of students with Ms. Murmu were uploaded on the official Twitter handle of the President on that day.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: RECORD – SPORTS / CRICKET: KL Rahul Completes 7000 T20 Runs, Breaks Virat Kohli’s Long-Standing Record To Achieve Massive Feat

KL Rahul is the third-fastest overall, in terms of innings taken, to reach the 7000-run landmark in T20 cricket.

K L Rahul became the 41st male cricketer to have scored 7000 runs in T20 cricket during match number 31 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Saturday.

KL Rahul became the fastest Indian to reach the landmark, beating Virat Kohli.

INNINGS TAKEN TO REACH 7000 T20 RUNS

KL RAHUL197
Virat Kohli212
Shikhar Dhawan246
Suresh Raina251
Rohit Sharma258

Overall, KL Rahul is the third-fastest in terms of innings taken to reach the 7000-run landmark in T20s.

source/content: news18.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HORTICULTURE & AGRICULTURE: Green theory. New Documentary on Horticulturist HC Javaraya – The First Deputy Superintendent of Lalbagh

This city-based documentary maker’s latest explores the life of celebrated horticulturist HC Javaraya.

 It is known to every Bengalurean that German horticulturist Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, changed the landscape of the city, but his successor HC Javaraya also had an equal contribution to it. The latest book by Meera Iyer, a writer, researcher and convenor of INTACH, Bahadur HC Javaraya: A Gardener and a Gentleman, revolves around the life of horticulturist HC Javaraya. Inspired from the book, city-based filmmaker Ganesh Shankar Raj has adapted it into a documentary. 

Raj says Javaraya was one of the key and native horticulturists in India, and the first deputy superintendent of Lalbagh. “He was a successor of renowned horticulturist Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel, who actually set up various gardens in Bengaluru. Even the Indian Institute of Horticulture and Research (IIHR) was set up by this gentleman as a Fruit Research Institute in the 1930s. Today, it has grown to become one of the premier institutes in the country. He is the one who created the famous ‘Agmark’ for fruits,” says Raj. 

Javaraya was known as the fruit man of the then Mysore state. “If you see so much fruit cultivation in Bengaluru, it is because of him. He introduced a wide variety of fruits in Bengaluru. He was even the first person to cultivate apples. There was a thriving apple cultivation that took place in Bengaluru during his time and then everything died down,” says Raj, adding that Javaraya is an unsung hero. “Nobody knows about him. So, therefore, we decided to make a film in association with the family,” Raj further adds. 

Raj’s last documentary was on Krumbiegel and he admits to having a soft spot for horticulturists who shaped Bengaluru. “We do different kinds of films, but these people have done a tremendous amount of work for the city. In Bengaluru, you can see a lot of trees, gardens and flowers…these stalwarts were responsible for it. Therefore, we decided to make a film that speaks about their contribution,” says Raj.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY / SHIPPING: First Mainline Container Vessels calls at New Mangalore Port post operations of its new Dedicated Container Terminal

“MV HONG AN”, the first direct mainline vessel, called at the New Mangalore Port on Thursday, after the port operationalised its dedicated container terminal.

The regular service vessel will operate between the westbound rotation of Chittagong- Colombo-Mangalore-Nhava Sheva-Mundra; and the eastbound leg to Jebel Ali-Khalifa Port, said a release. It is the only direct service for Indian exporters to Jebel Ali and Abu Dhabi with seamless connections to the USA, Europe, South East Asia, and Africa.

NMP Authority chairman A.V. Ramana inaugurated the first Direct Mainline Service from New Mangalore Port by flagging off the container discharging from the vessel in presence of Sagar Dange, Head India Operations CMA-CGM; Ramanathan, Vice -President and Unit Head, JSW Mangalore Coal and Container Terminals, officers from NMPA, official’s from JSW-MCTPL, CMA-CGM, and Port Users.

The mainline service got introduced primarily as a result of the use of various productivity measures to free up berth time for new services through the establishment of a fixed window berthing policy and the extension of additional inducements in the form of commercial rebates on vessel-related costs.

Beneficial to shippers

The service will be a gamechanger in how shippers take their exports to the global markets in the fastest and most efficient ways. Besides leading to more sea route options, the service can seamlessly connect cargoes for air transfers from Dubai to destinations in Europe and the USA. Transit time gets reduced to half, from the earlier 13-15 days to Jebel to seven days.

With trans-shipment being avoided, the trade gets better ocean freight costs for their shipments. It also offers scope for develop time-sensitive commodities, including pharma, vegetable, fruits etc., which require direct sailing. The service gives major boost to exports from Karnataka, particularly agricultural products.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORT / MOUNTAINEERING: Naveen Mallesh sets a New Record Conquering Peaks

This mountaineer set a new record by scaling two among the highest peaks in Asia, in a span of just three days.

When Naveen Mallesh  (35) stood atop Mount Fansipan in Vietnam in February this year, he was thankful for an uneventful trek.

At that moment, the mountaineer didn’t imagine he would eventually set a record of becoming the fastest individual to scale two mountains in South-East Asia.

Having undergone a month-long recovery process following a near-death experience while attempting to scale Mount Manaslu in Nepal in September ’22, Mallesh returned to mountaineering, scaling two among the highest peaks in South East Asia and Indo-China, Mount Kinabalu (Malaysia: 4,095m) and Mount Fansipan (Vietnam: 3,147m), respectively, within a span of just 3 days 10 hours and 49 minutes. “When I was talking to local guides in Fansipan, some didn’t believe I had come there having trekked Kinabalu just days before. They thought I had set a new record. It’s then that I applied for the Indian Book of Records and the Asian Book of Records,” he says.  

Mallesh’s only desire was to get back to doing what he loves and that drove him to undertake the challenge. “I explored trekking routes in the South-East and flew to Singapore. I then completed the trek to Mount Kinabalu in a day and flew back to Singapore. I had an 18-hour layover, flew to Vietnam, and completed the trek to Mount Fansipan,” he says, adding his experience helped him tackle the varied topography of both peaks. 

Like most mountaineers, Mallesh has always wanted to climb the highest peaks in all of the seven continents. In 2019, he scaled the first of the seven – Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. But the pandemic disrupted plans. So when he climbed the second of the seven peaks – Mount Elbrus, Russia, he dedicated that to Covid warriors. His next target was Mount Aconcagua, Argentina.

Yet again, the third wave and the ensuing restrictions forced the Banashankari resident to look elsewhere. He decided to scale Mount Manaslu – the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8,163m. When he was within touching distance of the peak, an avalanche buried him under snow. “It’s known as the ‘dead zone’. I had blockages in my lungs and frostbites on my toes. Thankfully, I was rescued,” shares Mallesh, who is now eyeing Mount Everest.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) Hosts International Global Health Advisory Board meeting of the Global Health Programme April 15-16, Udupi

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) hosted the International Advisory Board of the Global Health programme on April 15-16 followed by the Global Health Symposium.

The board met under the aegis of MAHE and the occasion was graced on April 15 by Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, vice chancellor, Dr Sharath Kumar Rao K, pro vice chancellor- Health Sciences, Dr Giridhar Kini P, registrar, Dr Karunakar Kotegar, director – International Relations and, Dr Helmut Brand, director – Prasanna School of Public Health.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Thijs Teeling, director, Covalence, with representation from seven partner universities, including Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Colombia, Thailand, India and Sudan.

Dr Thijs Teeling presided over the meeting and stated: “I am very happy to be in Manipal and grateful to MAHE for hosting the board and students for the symposium. I am impressed by the preparation and coordination of the events and am looking forward to meeting the students at the symposium. To this point, the meeting has been a great success.”

Video greetings to the board and MAHE leadership were presented from the president of Maastricht University, Prof Dr Rianne Letschert and the dean and vice-president, faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, prof Dr Paul M O’Byrne. The Global Health International Consortium website and logo were presented by Dr Agnes Meershoek from Maastricht University which was applauded as a step in the right direction.

Lt Gen (Dr) MD Venkatesh, the vice chancellor of MAHE stated: “Global health is of paramount importance and is in accordance with the vision of the founder, Dr. TMA Pai who had worked towards the provision of quality healthcare, education and development.” He also emphasized that the deliberations of the Advisory Board and the development of a website dedicated to the Consortium for Global Health were in line with the theme of India’s G20 Presidency – “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth. One Family. One Future.”

During the meeting, the guest speaker was Maj Gen (Dr prof) Atul Kotwal SM, VSM (retd)., executive director, National Health Systems Resource Centre (NHSRC), ministry of health & family welfare, government of India, and he provided comprehensive insights on the topic of ‘Global Health Leadership and Partnerships in Health System Strengthening Efforts’ emphasizing the example of India’s efforts towards equity with impacts on the local and global platforms.

Following the advisory board meeting, the annual Global Health Symposium will take place between April 16- 28, bringing together over 300 students and 37 faculty from partner institutions.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ILLUSTRIOUS PERSONALITY: R3 – R.R. Rao: a Book of Family History and Personal M Memories

Dr. Githa has collected 51 pictorial memories of her husband to document his life journey and construct a personal archive.

A book of memories compiled by Dr. Githa U. Badikillaya titled “R 3 – R. R. Rao: Resplendent, Resonating Reflections” was released by former ambassador Gurjit Singh on Sunday, April 17, 2023.

In the book, Dr. Githa has collected 51 pictorial memories of her husband, fondly called R-Cube, from his colleagues, friends and relatives.

The author saw in this project an opportunity to document her husband’s life journey, construct his personal archive, define family history and gift it to their 10-month-old granddaughter Ira, said a release. It’s a perfect way of preserving knowledge, wisdom and memories down the ages, the release added.

Value of individual memories

On what motivated her, Dr. Githa said, “Every family member has stories that need to be told and archived. These individual memoires are of great value to the members and extended members of the family as it humanises our ancestors. These are the micro-narratives that form a part of the larger societal multi-layered legacies. There is a need for documenting a collection of anecdotes from our ancestors even if its contemporary, as memories become fragmented and are lost over time.”

“Families are becoming diversified and cross cultural across the globe. As such, future generations will have more than one family history, and documenting family histories is an investment in oneself and one’s family. The impact leads to understand how the family has interacted with larger historical changes, and the specific family traditions that depict a changing social milieu.” 

The book is available for sale at an early-bird price of ₹150. Readers can contact 9845327145 to order their copies.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY / FOOD & BEVERAGES: Mysuru-based start-up ‘Eshanya Beverages’ formally releases Innovative ‘Betel Leaf Tea Bags’

The product developed at Nitte’s DST TEC is available online.

Mysuru-based start-up, Eshanya Beverages, on Friday formally released ‘Betel leaf tea bags’, which was developed at NITTE (Deemed to be University) DST Technology Enabling Centre (DST TEC).

Sandeep Eshanya, a resident of Vijayanagar in Mysuru, told reporters that he quit his job in Bengaluru during COVID-19 second wave. He read a research paper on betel leaf tea. “I was fascinated with the idea as I come from the land of betel leaf and approached a few start-up incubation firms.” NITTE DST TEC agreed to support Mr. Eshanya and NITTE University’s Centre for Science Education and Research (CSER) was asked to study the product.

B.S. Mamatha from NITTE’s CSER said they researched on the product for a year. The research involved the way the betel leaves can be dried and cut into small pieces, which will release its natural taste when placed in hot water. “It took a year to come out with the product that had mild and natural taste of betel leaf,” Ms. Mamatha said, adding the product retains the health benefits of betel leaf.

Mr. Eshanya said apart from natural flavour, they brought out betel leaf bags in orange, rose petals, and lemon flavours. His wife Rani Vishwanath said they approached Ramaiah Evolute, start-up incubator of M.S. Ramaiah Institute, where they received help from Sadananda Maiya, a pioneer of ready-to-eat products, in marketing the product.

Eshanya Beverages sold over 300 boxes of tea, each containing 50 bags and priced at ₹349, through an online platform recently. Betel leaf tea bags are available in retail stores in Mysuru, Mr. Eshanya said.

Launching the product, NITTE Vice-Chancellor Sateesh Kumar Bhandary said TEC set up at NITTE is among a few set of TECs set up by the Union government’s Department of Science and Technology across the country. “Since the last three years, TEC has been supporting new entrepreneurs,” he said.

Iddya Karunasagar, advisor (Research and Patent), NITTE, said the TEC recently transferred technology of making of almond milk powder to a Delhi-based start-up. Technology transfer related to two more products of TEC is in the pipeline, he said.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)