Records of India – Page 12

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Eminent Scientist Padma Shri Prof. MRS Rao passes away in Bengaluru at 75. He was the First Scientist to initiate Chromatin Biology Research in India.

Prof Rao was working as an Honorary Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and was actively running the Chromatin Biology laboratory in the institute.

Manchanahalli Rangaswamy Satyanarayana Rao, popularly known as MRS Rao, an eminent Indian scientist and Padma Shri awardee, died of cardiac arrest at 7 pm at his residence in Tata Nagar in Bengaluru on Sunday.

He was well known for his discipline, scientific knowledge, patience, soft-spoken nature and mentorship of PhD students.

The former Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research president is survived by his wife Padma S Rao and two sons Sharat and Rohan.

MR Satyanarayana Rao’s colleagues told TNIE that his last rites will be conducted on Tuesday after one of his sons returns from Brisbane.

Born on January 21, 1948, in Mysuru, the 75-year-old scientist, was the first scientist to initiate Chromatin Biology research in India.

Prior to his demise, he was working as an Honorary Professor at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research and was actively running the Chromatin Biology laboratory in the institute.

He was honoured with the Padma Sri award in 2010 for his contributions to the field of science and engineering.

He was also honoured by the Karnataka state government with the Sir MV Visvesvaraya Award for his contribution to the field of science and research.

He was the President of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, from 2003-13.

He was also the chairman of many central government science committees. He was also on all committees of the Indian Council of medical research.

Prof Rao completed his BSc in 1966 and Msc in 1968 from Bengaluru University. He did his PhD in biochemistry from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru in 1973.

He then did his postdoctoral research at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston from 1974–76, where he also worked as an assistant professor.

When he returned to India, he joined the Department of Biochemistry at IISc.

In over 30 years of his research career, Prof Rao has mentored and guided over 35 PhD students and hundreds of trainees.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AI in HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / OPTHALMOLOGY: AI can Predict Severity of Conjunctivitis, says Dr. Rohit Shetty, Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru

Addressing reporters on Thursday, the doctor said that using imaging and molecular diagnostics has enabled them to use AI and bio-markers in conjunctivitis to predict severity.

In an effort to identify and treat severe conjunctivitis cases early, Narayana Nethralaya has managed to predict the severity of such cases using Artificial Intelligence (AI). “We are using AI to predict the severity of conjunctivitis. This can help clinicians provide the right treatment that helps in better recovery. This bio-marker work in tears is probably one of the first in the country, and could also be one of the first conjunctivitis-related tear bio-marker research in the world,” said Dr Rohit Shetty, chairman, Narayana Nethralaya explained.

Addressing reporters on Thursday, the doctor said that using imaging and molecular diagnostics has enabled them to use AI and bio-markers in conjunctivitis to predict severity. This AI-driven research has highlighted that people who are more prone to allergies or asthma and have low Vitamin D levels are getting severely affected. The AI model has demonstrated 97 per cent accuracy, affirming its successful interpretation.

Cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as ‘pink eye’, are on the rise in Bengaluru in the past few weeks. Doctors at Narayana see over 100 patients daily, with 30% of them being children. Most cases are caused due to adenovirus, and is not just a summer infection, but occurs in all seasons.

“This research is of paramount importance to patients and doctors, as the disease has been addressed with a blanket approach that may not be suitable for all. Depending on the severity, we can decide what medications would be suitable, and starting topical steroids early can be beneficial,” said Dr Gairik, consultant of cornea and refractive surgery, Narayana Nethralaya.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: ARTS & CULTURE / RELIGION: Puttur’s Aparna Kodankeri Writes Hindu Scripture Bhagavad Gita in Tulu Script

Many books are being written in Tulu language and script in order to further strengthen the demand to add Tulu language to the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. In a similar attempt, a Puttur native woman has written Bhagavad Gita in Tulu and Kannada scripts.

Aparna Kodankeri, a resident of Kodankeri near Narigmogaru in Puttur, is the woman who has done this unique achievement. She is a Bharatnatyam expert too.

Aparna translated Bhagavad Gita, a part of Mahabharata, which is the Hindu religious book using Tulu script. The book was released recently by Sri Vidyaprasannatheertha Swamiji of Subramanya Math in the presence of scholar Laxmeesha Tholpady and Ananda Theertha Sagri of Subramanya math Vedavyasa research centre.

Aparna, who was at home during the Covid pandemic, started writing in Tulu script which was taught to her by her brother Mukund.

Aparna says, “I felt while writing why Bhagavad Gita taught by Sri Krishna should not be written in Tulu language and script. I have written the summary and teaching of 18 Shlokas of Bhagavad Gita in Tulu and Kannada scripts as I found that writing in Tulu will make the book and teachings closer to heart of Tulu speaking people.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: Shobha Rao Smilemaker’s latest video ‘Six Decades in Incredible India’ released

After her video about Memorable Mangalore became viral last year, local resident and soft skills trainer Shobha Rao Smilemaker released a new video, this time about India.

On the occasion of her 60th birthday, the video called ‘Six Decades in Incredible India’ was released among friends and family on her Shobha Smilemaker YouTube channel.

The delightful video gives a pictorial glimpse about her travels across almost all of the 28 states and 8 union territories of India, and still she says one lifetime is not enough to experience the different corners of India.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: NATIONAL PARTICIPATION: 02 Bengaluru College students Krishnan A & Peddi Sai Kaushik, Pedal 3,200 kms to pay Homage to Martyrs at Kargil War Memorial

Two college students from Bengaluru cycled 3,200 km in 60 days to pay homage to the martyrs at the war memorial in Ladakh on Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Navigating through flood-affected areas during monsoon and battling typhoid, two college students from Bengaluru pedalled for more than 60 days covering 3,200 km to pay homage to the martyrs at the war memorial here on the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Inspired by the heroics of Army Captain Vijayant Thapar, who died in the Kargil war, the duo undertook the journey and reached out to National Cadet Corps (NCC) units along the way to spread awareness about the sacrifices made by army personnel.

Krishnan A, a BBA student of Ramaiah College, and Peddi Sai Kaushik, studying BCom at St Joseph’s University, are NCC cadets and aim to clear the Combined Defence Services examination to join the armed forces.

“We started the expedition in May and reached the Kargil War Memorial on July 24, two days before Vijay Diwas. It took us over two months. The journey was really difficult but the moment we were here, it felt magical,” Krishnan told PTI.

They took the Kanyakumari-Srinagar highway (NH-44) hoping to finish the journey before monsoon.

“But by the time we reached Punjab, it was flooded and we thought we wouldn’t make it. My cycling partner got typhoid during the journey and that slowed us down for two weeks. I met an accident and for some time we had to take rest. But it was worth the effort,” he said.

The duo’s excitement know no bounds when upon arriving in Dras, they were honoured and given VIP passes to attend the wreath-laying ceremony on Vijay Diwas.

“On New Year, I was reading a book about Captain Vijayant Thapar who was martyred during the war and was greatly inspired by him. He was awarded the Vir Chakra. I asked my family to name five others who had won a gallantry award. They couldn’t name any. When I asked my friends, they went blank too.

“That’s when we realised that there is a need for awareness, apart from just a day or two of attention for warriors who sacrificed their lives for our nation,” Sai Kaushik said.

The Indian Army had launched a fierce counter-assault, Operation Vijay, to push back Pakistani forces that had stealthily occupied important heights in Ladakh in 1999.

The war saw Indian armed forces fight in the most challenging terrains amid harsh weather conditions in Drass, Kargil and Batalik sectors.

Kargil Vijay Diwas is observed to mark India’s victory over Pakistan .

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ENGINEERING: Mangaluru’s Rajendra Kalbavi Elected Secretary General of Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India)

Consulting civil engineer from Mangaluru and executive director of Dakshina Kannada Nirmiti Kendra was elected the secretary general of the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) for two years.

Association president Vijay Kishan Sanap installed Mr. Kalbavi as the secretary general during the annual general body meeting on July 17 at Hyderabad, said a release.

Chief Returning Officer M.U. Ashwath had announced the results of the annual central committee elections held on April 26 at Nagpur and issued the certificate of election to Mr. Kalbavi for 2023-25.

Over 700 members attended the AGM at Hyderabad.

Mr. Kalbavi was conferred with the “Eminent Engineer Award” by the association in recognition of his achievement in the field of civil engineering during the Association’s Foundation Day at Nagpur recently.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: Mysuru’s Deia Urs Selected to Represent India at 10th Shitoryu Karate Do Intl. Championship, Jakarta

Mysuru’s Deia Urs won gold medal in the Senior Female Individual Kata at the 26th National Karate Championship organised by All India Shitoryu Karate Do Union (AISKU) at St. Philomena’s College Indoor Stadium in city recently.

She will now be representing India at the 10th Shitoryu Karate Do International Championship to be held at Jakarta, Indonesia, in September this year.

Around 800 karatekas all over the country had taken part in the National Championship. In the pool of 15 participants, Deia Urs entered the finals by securing highest points (24.50) along with Agnes Ashlyn of Kerala (23.80), Varsha of Hyderabad (23.50), Samiksha of Tamil Nadu (22.00), Sahana or Maharashtra (22.00) and R. Greeshma (21.90).

In the finals, Deia Urs held on to her top position and won the gold medal by securing 25.10 as against her opponent Agnes Ashlyn’s 24.80 who took the silver. The bronze was shared by Varsha & Samiksha with 23.90 & 23.50 scores respectively.

This is the second time Deia Urs will representing India at Shitoryu International Championships. At the APSKF Championship held at Jakarata in 2018, Deia had won a Bronze medal.

Deia Urs, who is doing her Master’s in Journalism & Mass Communication in Manasagangothri, University of Mysore, holds 4th Degree Black Belt in Karate (Shitoryu). She is trained by her father B.S. Srinath Urs. Both practice under AISKU & AKSKA President Kyoshi C.S. Arun Machaiah.

source/content: starofmysore.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY / TEXTILES: G.I tagged Udupi Sari dyed with Arecanut ‘chogaru’ Natural Dyes to be launched tomorrow

In addition, the GI tag enjoying Udupi sari has been made using natural dyes from leaf of wild almond, root of ‘manjistha’.

The Udupi handloom sari, which enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) tag, dyed using natural arecanut ‘chogaru’ is set to be launched on Monday.

The ‘chogaru’ is a reddish-brown liquid obtained during the processing of arecanut. After harvesting the unripened arecanut, farmers boil the kernel or tender nuts and later dry the nuts for selling. The water thus boiled is called ‘chogaru’ in Kannada. Farmers discard or throw away this liquid.

Now Talipady Primary Weavers Service Cooperative Society Ltd., Kinnigoli, Dakshina Kannada, under the guidance of Kadike Trust, a non-government organisation based at Karkala in Udupi district, promoter of Udupi sari, has used the ‘chogaru’ for colouring the Udupi saris woven by it. The society is among the five weavers’ cooperative societies which has obtained the authorisation certificate to use the GI tag for Udupi sari.

Mamatha Rai, president, Kadike Trust, told The Hindu that arecanut ‘chogaru’ dyed saris with brown and pink shades will be launched at a function on the premises of the society at Kinnigoli on July 31. “It is for the first time arecanut ‘chogaru’ has been used for colouring Udupi sari,” she said.

In multiple shades

In addition, she said, Udupi sari naturally dyed after processing leaf of wild almond tree has been woven in yellow and black shades. The weavers of the same society have produced sari dyed using the root of ‘manjistha’ (Indian Madder), which is a climbing or scrambling herb. These saris are in orange, pink and red shades. “All the three (arecanut ‘chogaru’, leaf of wild almond tree and ‘manjistha’ root) are new natural dyes used in making of Udupi sari,” Ms. Rai said adding that the latter two will also be launched on Monday.

She said that these initiatives are expected to boost the recognition for Udupi sari further. The Udupi sari received GI tag first in 2016. The Talipady Society was the first authorised user of the GI tag for the sari. The trust arranged training programmes for weavers with the help of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

At Charaka earlier

Earlier, Charaka Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Heggodu, in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district and some other garment makers have used arecanut ‘chogaru’ as the natural dye in their garment products.

According to the trust, the Udupi sari is woven using the best quality single ply combed cotton yarns for both warp and weft. Artificial zari or cotton yarns are used to create design in body, border and pallu portion using extra weft technique. The sari has plain or checked design in the body and dobby or plain design in the border. Light shades are used for the body, bright and contrast colours for the border and pallu.

Ms. Rai said that SELCO India has arranged solar equipment to the Talipady Society. They include dryer, pulveriser, winding device, water heater and lighting system.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

GLOBAL: NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: Bengaluru becomes First Indian City to join World Cities Culture Forum

The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents.

The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents, and Bengaluru is set to join the league of cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.

Bengaluru has become the first Indian city to become part of the World Cities Culture Forum (WCCF,) a global network of cities that share research and intelligence, and explore the role of culture in future prosperity.

The network currently has 40 cities spanning six continents. Bengaluru being the latest addition is set to join the league of cities like New York, London, Paris, Tokyo and Dubai among others.

The global consortium was founded in 2012 by Justine Simons OBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Culture & the Creative Industries.

“We have been keen to have an Indian city and a lot of other cities that are part of the network have also been keen about it. Bengaluru is a fast-growing city. It’s very diverse and has got a big commitment to culture,” said Ms. Simons in an exclusive interaction with The Hindu.

“It feels like there is real ambition and drive in Bengaluru around the culture story. It is known as a tech city in the rest of the world. This is a fantastic opportunity for Bengaluru to bring the cultural story alongside the tech story, and to really grow its economy and its status as a global city,” she added.

Bengaluru’s entry into WCCF comes after several discussions that have been happening for over a year. Unboxing Bangalore, a participative project to create a new narrative around Bengaluru through multimedia properties, have been representing the city and leading the discussions.

“Bengaluru, in many ways, represents an aspirational India. There is a lot of culture to the city that is not being talked about,” said Prashanth Prakash, chairman of UnboxingBLR Foundation and founding partner at Accel India.

(Detailed interview in e-paper)

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: ENERGY / OIL & GAS: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) Becomes Largest Single Location PSU-Refinery of India

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), a mini Ratna CPSE PSU refinery based in coastal Karnataka and a subsidiary of ONGC, has become the single largest PSU-refinery (single location) in the nation for the year 2022-23. The MRPL achieved this feat by processing 17.14 million metric tons of crude oil during the past financial year. This is also the highest-ever throughput processed by any single-location PSU refinery in India’s Petroleum refining history. The MRPL processes 10% of the total crude oil refined by the PSU petroleum refineries of the nation.

Set up as a joint venture refinery in 1988 with a 3.69 MMTPA capacity, the MRPL later underwent a second and third-phase expansion to raise its capacity to 15.00 MMTPA. The refinery configuration has a Nelson Complexity Index of 11.3, one of the highly complex PSU refineries. The MRPL Petchem intensity is currently at 9.5%, aiming to reach 15% in the medium term.

The MRPL can process more than 250 different types of crude from around the world. Crudes from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Africa, South America and the US are the major ones processed in the MRPL. The MRPL is capable of producing almost a full range of petroleum products like Naphtha, LPG, Motor Spirit, High-Speed Diesel, Kerosene, Aviation Turbine Fuel, Sulphur, Xylene, Bitumen, along with Pet Coke and Polypropylene.

In recent times, the MRPL has taken significant steps to build its petrochemical profile. Its 440 KTA Novolen gas-phase polypropylene plant can produce a complete range of homopolymer grades. Its Aromatic Complex can produce 0.905 MMTPA of Para Xylene and 0.273 MMTPA of Benzene. This Aromatic Complex is in the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) and fully integrated with the MRPL. The MRPL has ambitious plans for the Retail business shortly. It has initiated to expand its coveted RO brand HiQ in 1000 locations in South India in the near future.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, managing director Sanjay Varma said, “The MRPL has made a strong bounce back after effectively countering the challenges posed by the pandemic. With the strong support of MOPNG and our parent organisation ONGC and through the dedicated efforts of all stakeholders, the MRPL is now poised to reach greater heights in the days to come. Our focus will be on meeting Atmanirbharata through producing precious petrochemicals while effectively focusing on environmental protection by concentrating on renewable energy solutions.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)