Tag: Karnataka First

KARNATAKA: HISTORY / ARTS & CULTURE / BUDDHIST: Nuggets of history from Sannati village in Kalaburagi district

Left neglected for many years after it came to light through the ASI excavations in the 1990s, the ancient Buddhist site of Sannati on the bank of the Bhima River got a restoration project in 2022.

Major Buddhist centre during the Ashokan Empire

Historians believe that the Sannati Ranamandal [war zone] was a fortified area spreading over 210 acres, of which only a couple of acres have so far been excavated. The excavations suggested that the area was one of the major Buddhist centres that flourished with the active support of Emperor Ashoka. The areas came under the control of Shatavahanas after the Mouryas.

The Maha Stupa destroyed by natural calamities

The Maha Stupa, which measures nearly 22 meters in diameter and rose to a height of about 17 meters, is believed to have been developed in three constructional phases – Maurya, Early Satavahana and Later Satavahana periods stretching from 3rd Century BC to 3rd Century AD. The archaeologists believe that the Stupa was destroyed by natural calamities.

Devanampiye and Piyadasi, titles of Emperor Ashoka

The minor rock edict found at Maski town in Raichur district in 1915 convincingly established that Devanampiye and Piyadasi (‘beloved of the gods’ and ‘one with a benevolent gaze’) were the titles of Ashoka. Till then, the identity of Devanampiye and Piyadasi which were widely referred to in ancient inscriptions remained unknown.

A major education hub between 10th and 12th Centuries

The site of ancient Nagavi Ghatikasthana, which was often termed the Takshashila of the South by historians, is around 40 km away from Sannati. The Ghatikasthana, which had the status of a present-day university, was a major education hub during rulers of the Rashtrakuta and Kalyana Chalukya dynasties between the 10th and 12th Centuries.  

The Sannati Development Authority to conserve the antiquities

The Karnataka government established the Sannati Development Authority to conserve the antiquities retrieved during the excavation in Kanaganahalli and developed the ancient Buddhist site as a major tourist and pilgrimage destination. Karnataka Housing Board has built a museum building, dormitories, and staff quarters, but the museum building is not handed over to to ASI.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: HISTORY: Know Your City: The Bengaluru ‘Jayamahal Palace Hotel’ connected to 03 Royal families and a musical mind of the Wodeyar family

A well-known admirer of music, Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar is said to have pursued his interests at what is now Bengaluru’s Jayamahal Palace hotel.

Connections to the bygone royals are everywhere in Bengaluru for those looking in the right place, from the Gangas to Kempe Gowda. But today, the most common reminders are those of the Wodeyar dynasty, most often seen in the marks of the twin-headed Gandaberunda sigil. But one heritage hotel can draw its lineage back to not one but three of India’s erstwhile royal families—Jayamahal Palace.

The earliest trace of the history of the building, blending colonial and Indian architecture of the time, is from around 1892, by which time it had already been built for the Jagirdar of Arni. This was a small state dating back to around the time of Shivaji, when the founder of the jagir had been granted the territory by Shivaji’s father Shahaji as a reward. By the early 20th century, however, the palace had passed into the hands of the Wodeyar family.

The hotel probably takes its current name from Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar’s successor. His nephew, Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar, was a well-known admirer of music and is said to have pursued his interests at Jayamahal. A composer in his own right, Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar was the president of the Philharmonia Concert Society in London and a patron to composers as far afield as Europe.

One of these musicians was Nikolai Medtner. This association happened towards the close of Medtner’s life, during a period of relative obscurity. The New York Times noted in October 1948, “In characteristic regal fashion, this Hindu ruler has expressed a desire, backed by a special endowment, that the entire stock of Medtner’s works—sixty works in all—be recorded on gramophone disks, so that posterity may avail itself of the composer’s neglected contribution to musical art. For the past twelve years Nicholas Medtner has been living quietly and modestly… One may well imagine the composer’s complete bewilderment when…he was informed of the Maharaja’s friendly wish.”

After a stint of about a half century with the Wodeyars, the building was by 1950 in the hands of the erstwhile royal family of Gondal, a princely state of Rajput origin located in Gujarat. According to Sanjay Sinhji, a member of the family, “The connection with the family is that Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar was married to my grandfather’s sister (Maharani Pratapa Kumari), who hailed from Vana in Gujarat. The hotel later was sold to Vikram Sinhji, the head of the family and erstwhile king of Gondal. Today, it is owned by his grandson.”

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: EDUCATION / UNSUNG HEROES : Hit hard by daughter’s death, this Bengaluru Police Officer Asst SI D.Lokeshappa now supports 600 school children in their studies

Assistant SI Lokeshappa lost his 3-year-old daughter to a garbage fire that broke out in police staff quarters in Bengaluru 5 years ago; now donates study materials for govt school children, equivalent to the amount that he would have spent on his daughter’s education if she were alive.

13 March, 2019, was a tragic day in the life of Assistant Police Sub-Inspector D Lokeshappa’s life when he lost his three-year-old daughter to the garbage fire that broke out in police quarters in Bengaluru.

Unable to come to terms with the loss, Lokeshappa chose a meaningful way to compensate himself by helping over 600 government school children every year in memory of his daughter.

On March 5, 2019, Harshali, daughter of Lokeshappa and Sudhamani was playing with her ball on the police staff quarters premises located in Shivajinagar. While her father was at work in Vidhana Soudha, around 5 pm he received the most unexpected call that Harshali has sustained over 60 per cent burn injuries in the garbage fire accident.

Harshaali was rushed to Victoria Hospital where she was treated for the next few days before she succumbed to burn injuries on March 13.

“I was unable to digest the fact that I will not be able to see my daughter any more. It was traumatic for her and me as well. She was being treated in the burning ward and was screaming ‘Appa’ (father) whenever she saw me which I cannot digest to this day and she suffered a lot before her death,” recalls the 43-year-old.

After his daughter’s death, a mentally shattered Lokeshappa was confined to his house for two months. “It was my wife who tried to console me as our other daughter was just six months old then. I had no choice but to return back to work but I did not want to go to the same police quarters. My department had allotted me quarters in Binnypet,” says Lokeshappa who opens up about how he came out of the pain.

It was then he decided to do something in his daughter’s name. Donate study materials for government school children, equivalent to the amount that he would have spent on his daughter’s education.

“If my daughter was alive, I would have spent at least Rs 50,000 – Rs 70,000 for her education. The same money I spend for poor children. Before the start of every academic year, we provide the children with the required materials. At least 500-600 children from five government schools benefit out of this,” he says.

The police officer zeroed in on five schools – a government school in Dhodda Hosuru in Mysuru district which has many tribal children, Jodi Gubbi government school in Hassan district, government school at Kodigehalli in Bengaluru, and two others in Jannavara and Valehalli in Hassan districts for his charity work. “While I spend about 70,000 every year, some of my colleagues, family members and friends also contribute for the cause and every year we spend about Rs 1.5- Rs 2 lakh,” Lokeshappa reveals.

Mary Stella, a teacher with the Dhodda Hosuru school, recalls how the charity activities have helped her students. “Many of the students come from Haadis (hamlets) and belong to tribal communities. There is a Tibetian camp here and these students used to wait for some visitors to throw a used water bottle on roadside (mineral water bottle) to reuse it. We insisted them not to take them. Lokeshappa donated proper school water bottles to all the 120 children here. This comes besides, geometry boxes, notebooks and pencils. They no longer pick those water bottles,” smiles Mary Stella.

Government schools in Bengaluru are fraught with problems as well. The Kodigehalli government school sees a lot of migrants from north Karnataka and north India who require support. “From Classes 1 to 5, we provide pencils, geometry boxes and box notebooks. From Class 5 to 10, we provide pens and notebooks according to their demands,” Lokeshappa says.

Every year, the police officer and his family celebrate Harshaali’s birthday at orphan houses. “The Rotary Club near Cubbon Park has given us space for free for a day to hold an event, he says.

Lokeshappa is currently the assistant sub-inspector at Shivajinagar women’s police station in Bengaluru.

source/content: indianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: WATER FROM AIR: How some institutions in Bengaluru are harvesting water out of thin air 

Atmospheric Water Generator uses cutting-edge technology under which water vapour in the air is converted into fresh and cleaning drinking water, which is 100% microbe-free.

Imagine getting around 100 litres of water every day from thin air when Bengaluru is battling a water crisis. Thanks to a technology called atmospheric water generation, several institutions in Bengaluru, including government schools and hospitals, have regular water supply source on their premises.  

The Atmospheric Water Generator (AWG) uses cutting edge technology under which water vapour in the air is converted into fresh and clean drinking water, which is 100% microbe-free. The vapour is converted to water droplets through the process of condensation. The water then goes through multiple filtration processes and is also passed through a mineral cartridge to infuse necessary minerals. 

K. R. Puram Government Hospital was among the initial beneficiaries of this technology with the installation of two AWGs almost four years ago. With an installed capacity of 300 litres, the water from these generators is used for the dialysis centre and maternity division in the hospital in east Bengaluru. 

“As we also have an RO plant, we do not use all of 300 litres every day, but we make use of 50 – 100 litres for drinking purposes. We get both hot and cold water. The generator keeps filling up as we draw water from it. However, if the air supply to the AWGs was better (currently, it is obstructed by a tree and glass casing around one AWG), then the water generation would have been much better,” said Praveena, in-charge nursing superintendent at the hospital. 

Recently, an AWG of 250-litre capacity was installed at Government Higher Primary School, Rajarajeshwari Nagar. Kashinath Prabhu, the district director, CSR of Rotary District 3191, which implemented the project in collaboration with other institutions, said, “With this, we can provide at least half a litre of drinking water to each of the 300 children who come there. We are currently able to harvest 80% yield every day.” 

Yield reduces in summer 

While the yield from AWGs is usually higher in the rainy and winter seasons, the absence of humidity in the air during summer reduces the yield at some installations. According to sources, the yield from the AWG at Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium has been around 50-60% of the installed capacity this summer. 

“We do not see much generation during the day. But it happens during evenings and nights in summer. It has certainly proven to be helpful for drinking water purposes at the planetarium,” according to a source. 

Maithri Aquatech is the technology partner for these installations, under their project Meghdoot. Including the aforementioned, they have a total of 21 installations in and around Bengaluru with capacity ranging from 40 litres to 5,000 litres. The installations are in residential buildings, corporate companies, educational institutions and the latest, the College of Horticulture in Kolar. 

Cost concerns  

According to S. Sridhar, director of a non-profit organisation Applying Technology For Social Changes (ATFSC) who has partnered with Maithri Aquatech to provide potable water to communities, there is an increased interest in the technology in light of the recent water crisis in Bengaluru. 

“However, people are hesitant about installation due to power costs. The AWG consumes 0.25 units per litre. Overall, the cost comes up to ₹2 per litre, and maintenance is minimal. Just like RO systems, there are two filters inside, which should be cleaned once a year,” Mr. Sridhar said. 

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: KANNADA : Vatican Radio-News adds Kannada as 53rd language for its media coverage

 Vatican Radio – Vatican News have added Karnataka’s official language of Kannada as the 53rd language to provide coverage of Papal, Vatican, and Church news, offering the Gospel Proclamation in the mother tongue of 35 million Indians.

Vatican Radio – Vatican News will be available in Kannada language spoken by millions of people in India on the Vatican News web portal.

The initiative arises from collaboration between the Dicastery for Communication and the Archdiocese of Bangalore, in the Indian state of Karnataka.

“I am delighted with the launch of these pages in Kannada,” remarked the Archbishop of Bangalore Dr Peter Machado.

“News about the Pope, the Vatican, the universal Church, and the world will be of great interest and importance for the local Church in Karnataka. I thank our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, for his continual emphasis on synodality and on bringing the Church to the peripheries. The faithful will surely benefit from reading these articles and, in a later phase when possible, also from their broadcast in audio/video. I am sure that our Communication Centre of the Archdiocese of Bangalore will bring the universal Church closer to the people,’’ said the Archbishop.

“A new language is added to those spoken by Vatican News. It is an ancient language, yet very much alive,” highlighted Dr Paolo Ruffini, the Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication.

“It is alive just as is the Catholic community that helps us in this small but great enterprise: to speak the language of 35 million Indians. It is an act of homage to their culture, and a service to authentic communication, a way of walking together, one step after the other. It represents great effort, certainly. ‘Effort always pays,’’ he said.

“The decision to also add the Kannada language to the existing 52 of Vatican Radio – Vatican News to offer the word of the Pope in the mother tongue of millions of Indians,” said Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of Vatican Media, “confirms our vocation of service to the Bishop of Rome and the Churches that form the universal Church.”

In a historical moment characterised by difficulties, uncertainties, wars, and violence, it is comforting that the Church bears witness to communion and sharing, strengthening the ties between Rome and the world.

“The breadth of the Church is truly wonderful. 93 years ago, Pope Pius XI entrusted Guglielmo Marconi with the task of building Vatican Radio to bring hope to the world,” emphasised Massimiliano Menichetti, head of Vatican Radio – Vatican News, “to spread the Christian proclamation, and to build up the Church of Christ. In the 1990s, the waves of the Pope’s Radio reached Vietnam, that Proclamation generated “radio Christians”; a new living Church.

Today, new technologies (shortwaves, satellites, and internet) offer us many opportunities to bring the Good News to our wounded world. The Kannada language is another example of vitality and fraternity and our wish is to continue to weave these paths in responsibility and unity.”

‘’We are excited to announce that Vatican news is now broadcast in Kannada, courtesy of the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Today, Dr Peter Machado, Metropolitan Archbishop of Bangalore, officially inaugurated and launched the channel.

This addition makes Kannada the 53rd language in which Vatican news is accessible worldwide, joining other major languages such as Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: IT & TECHNOLOGY: Ayman Patil and Dheeraj Angadi Win ’15th TCS TechBytes Quiz’ in Kalaburagi, Dharwad

Ayman Patil of BLDEA’s V.P. Dr. P.G. Halakatti College of Engineering and Technology, Vijayapura, and Dheeraj Angadi of KLS MS Sheshagiri College of Engineering and Technology, Belagavi, have respectively won the Kalaburagi and Dharwad regional finals of the 15th edition of TCS TechBytes quiz competition held in Kalaburagi and Dharwad respectively.

While Nagaraj Dhoni from Appa Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kalaburagi, emerged as the runner up in the Kalaburagi regional finals, Makan Sujith of IIT-Dharwad bagged the runner up prize in the Dharwad regional finals.

The Kalaburagi regional finals were held on Thursday and that of Dharwad on Friday. TCS and the Board for IT Education Standards (BITES), an autonomous body promoted by Government of Karnataka, conducted the regional finals of the annual event.

Principal of the Lingaraj Appa Engineering College, Bidar, Vinita Patil, and Dean of Academics of SDM College of Engineering and Technology, Dharwad, Vijaya C. gave away trophies and gift vouchers to the winners.

The winners of both Kalaburagi and Dharwad regional finals will represent the respective regions at the State Finals to be held in Bengaluru on April 5.

After the preliminary written tests, top six students were chosen for the regional finals of the quix which comprised of five segments – Tech Dashboard, Tech Recognition, Data World, Tech Connections and Generative Insights – testing the students’ technology acumen.

TCS TechBytes is a campus outreach programme that strives to provide a better understanding of IT to students of all streams of engineering, to enable them to compete in a technology intensive industry. Regional Finals of TCS TechBytes is conducted across six cities in Karnataka – Mangaluru, Mysuru, Kalaburagi, Dharwad, Tumakuru and Bengaluru.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

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)

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)

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)