NATIONAL: AIPORTS: Mangaluru International Airport bags Apex India OHS Platinum Award, New Delhi

Mangaluru International Airport added yet another feather on its cap in bagging the Platinum Award conferred by Apex India Foundation at the 8th Apex India Occupational Health and Safety Awards 2023 ceremony held at New Delhi on May 4, 2024. The award serves as a validation of the airport’s dedication to maintaining the highest standards of occupational health and safety for its workforce.

Throughout its operational journey since Commercial Operation Date, Mangaluru International Airport has consistently implemented robust safety measures with an emphasis on zero work site related incidents. The airport has also initiated training programs and continuous improvement initiatives that is also in line with its Vision 2025 of making it the safest tabletop airport in India.

The safety governance structure of the airport follows the group safety standards and ISO 45001 guidelines. The Chairman (Chief Airport Officer) and six taskforce leaders make up the safety governance committees that meet periodically. “The Safety Governance council body meets monthly to discuss and review any safety issues at the airport, in its unwavering commitment to safety,” the airport spokesperson said.

Apex India Foundation confers the “Apex India Occupational Health and Safety Awards’ to reward the institutions, organizations, their units, and activities which have made unique contribution in the field of health and safety of workers. The award lays emphasis on decreasing job accidents, injuries, medical illnesses, safe and clean environment at the workplace and healthy working conditions.

Overall, more than 60 companies and 200 representatives participated in the gala awards function. Mr Vijayamohan Kondeti, lead (QHSE) and Mr Jithumon N R, lead (OHS) received the award on behalf of the airport.

source/content: daijiworld.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)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: SPORTS – FIRST: Karnataka govt launches ‘India’s First ever International Stand up-Paddling (SUP) event’, Mar 08-10 Mangaluru

The Government of Karnataka officially launched India’s first-ever International Stand-Up Paddling event here. 

The announcement was made in the presence of UT Khader, Speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Dinesh Gundu Rao, Minister of Health and District In-Charge Minister of Dakshina Kannada, Govt of Karnataka, and Dhananjaya Shetty, Chairman, Surfing Swami Foundation.

Additionally, the occasion featured the unveiling of the India Paddle Festival logo.

The three-day SUP championship is scheduled to take place at Sasihithlu Beach from March 8-10, 2024, preceding the launch of the 2024 APP World Tour.

Speaking on the occasion, UT Khader said, “We need more of these events in Dakshina Kannada to highlight the beauty of our coastline, culture and cuisine. We are excited to host the inaugural India Paddle Festival in Mangaluru.”

Meanwhile, Dhananjaya Shetty said, “On behalf of the surfing community, I would like to express my gratitude towards the Government of Karnataka for stepping up and supporting us to host the country’s first-ever International Stand-Up Paddling event. We take pride and immense pleasure in hosting the event on such a grand scale, and we will leave no stone unturned to make this event a grand success.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA – INDIA’s FIRST: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd ( MRPL), becomes India’s First AS 9100: D Certified Refinery

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) has been certified with AS9100:D standard prepared by International Aerospace Quality Group (IAQG) to assure customer satisfaction in aviation, space and defence organisations, under the scope of “production, storage, testing and distribution of aviation turbine fuel”.

MRPL is India’s first refinery to get this new aerospace standard. The aerospace industry demands the utmost precision, reliability, and safety in its supply chain. As a certified organization, MRPL is now well-positioned to serve as a trusted partner to aerospace companies within India and globally.

The standard ensures the interaction and configuration of various processes, from sourcing raw materials to the final product certification.

The certification process involves a stage audit of the entire life cycle of ATF, involving production criticalities like the addition of qualified additives and catalysts, standardisation of production processes, transfer through a dedicated pipeline network, ensuring fuel devoid of foreign object detection (FOD) in storage tanks, followed by certification and distribution to customers.

MRPL’s newly acquired certification is expected to give it leverage to expand its presence in the aerospace sector.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: WORLD KANNADA CONFERENCE: 17th World Kannada Cultural Conference to be held in Dammam on Jan 18-19, 2024

Non-resident Kannadigas committee, Saudi Arabia and Hridayavahini Karnataka Mangaluru will be holding 17th two-day long Vishwa Kannada Samskrithi Sammelana at the Safwa auditorium, Dammam on January 18-19, 2024.

There will be poetics session, comedy session, media session and nonresident Kannadigas session during the programme. Bharatanatya, Janapada dances, dance skits, Yakshagana, Dollu dances and Daf arts will be displayed during the event.

An exhibition of goods will be held outside the auditorium on those days. There are more than 40,000 Kannadigas in Saudi Arabia. There will be publicity of the programme so that a large number of Kannadigas may attend the event. Kannadigas in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Qatar, Sharjah and Dubai will be invited for the event.

Chief minister Siddaramaiah will be invited to inaugurate the event. Vidhan Sabha speaker U T Khader, minister of the department of Kannada and culture Shivaraj Tangadagi, minister of agriculture Cheluvarayaswamy, minister of health and Dakshina Kannada district in charge minister Dinesh Gundurao, minister of higher education, Madhu Bangarappa, minister of civic administration and Haj, Rahim Khan, deputy chairman of the NRI Forum of Karnataka Dr Arati Krishna, Kannada Development Authority former president Prof S G Siddaramaiah have been invited.

The concluding programme will be held during the evening on January 19. A delegation of more than 100 members from Karnataka and India and office bearers of various Kannada organizations across the country will take part in the conference.

The president of the conference president will be selected during the first week of January 2024. Those who intend to suggest the names can send them to hrudayavahini@rediffmail.com.

Kudroli Ganesh will perform magic show, Gopi will perform Mimicry, Mahadeva Sattigeri will give away a comedy speech, Go Na Swamy, Pushpa Aradhya, Anil Basagi and Shivu will sing songs, Ranga Samskriti Bengaluru will perform comedy skit, Patla Foundation Bahrain and Saudi Arabia unit will perform Yakshagana. There will be Daf display by Byari artistes from Mangaluru, Bharata Natya by Pushkara Performing Arts Bengaluru, Dollu dance by Sagar and Mandya Janapada artistes and variety programmes by artistes from Saudi Arabia. Patla foundation Bahrain and Saudi Arabia unit artists will perform Yakshagana play.

Non-resident Kannadigas welcome committee Saudi Arabia honorary president Zakariya Bajpe, Vishwa Kannada Samskrithi Sammelana committee founder president K P Manjunath Sagar, nonresident Kannadigas welcome committee president Sathish Bajal and Praveen Peter Aranha were present.

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL / KARNATAKA: MEDICAL & HEALTH CARE SERVICES: Mangaluru’s ‘First Neuro, Brain & Spine Speciality Hospital’ Conferred with ‘Best Emerging Stroke Unit in India’ Award

First Neuro, Brain & Spine Super Speciality Hospital, Mangaluru is proud to announce that it has been honoured with the prestigious award for Best Emerging Stroke Unit in India. This recognition comes in light of the hospital’s unwavering commitment to excellence in stroke care and its continuous efforts to enhance patient outcomes.

The VOH (Voice of Healthcare) in association with ISA (Indian Stroke Association) recognized First Neuro, Brain & Spine Super Speciality Hospital for its outstanding contributions to stroke care, particularly in the areas of rapid response, advanced treatments and patient-focused care and presented The Best Emerging Stroke Unit award. This acknowledgement reaffirms the hospital’s dedication to providing high-quality stroke care services to the community. Dr Mohammed Shameem K A, consultant neurologist, received the award at the event, which took place on October 27 at the Taj Skyline in Ahmedabad.

“We are deeply honoured to receive the Best Emerging Stroke Unit award,” said Dr Rajesh Shetty, managing director at First Neuro Brain & Spine Super Speciality Hospital. “This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team who strive relentlessly to deliver exceptional care to our stroke patients. We remain committed to advancing our stroke care services and ensuring the best possible outcomes for our patients.”

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. First Neuro Brain & Spine Super Speciality Hospital is committed to raising awareness about stroke prevention, symptoms, and treatments. The hospital’s multidisciplinary team of experts, employ the latest technologies and evidence-based practices to provide comprehensive stroke care to patients, including emergency interventions, rehabilitation, and ongoing support for stroke survivors and their families.
This award serves as a validation of First Neuro Brain & Spine Super Speciality Hospital’s efforts to continuously improve its stroke care services. The hospital remains dedicated to investing in training, research, and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure that patients receive the best possible care when it matters the most.

First Neuro Brain and Spine Super-Specialty Hospital in Mangaluru is indeed a significant development in the healthcare sector for the coastal city. Neurological issues related to the brain and spine are complex and often require specialized expertise and state-of-the-art facilities for diagnosis and treatment.

Here are some potential benefits and highlights of having such a dedicated neuro hospital in the region:

Specialized Care: With a team of highly professional and specialized doctors and healthcare staff, the hospital can provide focused care for patients dealing with neurological disorders. This includes conditions such as brain tumors, spinal injuries, epilepsy, stroke, and more.
Advanced Technology: Specialized neuro hospitals typically invest in advanced medical equipment and technology to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. This ensures that patients have access to cutting-edge medical care.
Comprehensive Services: Neuro hospitals often offer a wide range of services, including neurosurgery, neurology, neuro-rehabilitation, and pain management. This comprehensive approach to neurological healthcare can greatly benefit patients in need.
Improving Healthcare Standards: The presence of a specialized neuro hospital can also lead to an overall improvement in healthcare standards in the region. It may encourage other medical facilities to enhance their services and competencies.
Patient Convenience: Having a dedicated neuro hospital means that patients can access specialized care in a single location, which can make the healthcare journey more convenient and less stressful.

In summary, the introduction of First Neuro Brain and Spine Super-Specialty Hospital in Mangaluru is a significant development that can enhance the region’s healthcare services, particularly in the field of neurosciences. It represents a commitment to improving patient care, advancing medical knowledge, and offering specialized treatments for neurological conditions, ultimately benefiting the local community.

For more information about First Neuro Brain & Spine Super Speciality Hospital and its stroke care services, please visit www.firstneuro.in

Email: info@firstneuro.in
Ph: 0824 2276633/0824 4293333, Mob: 9343442488

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AGRICULTURE : A Veterinary Doctor P Manohar Upadhya’s Passion to Save ‘naada mavu’ of Coastal Belt and Creating ‘Maavu Mantapa’ a Mango Gene Bank

P. Manohar Upadhya of Mangaluru purchases 5.4 acres of land at Kukkila to conserve local mango varieties under threat and create a mango gene bank.

A veterinary doctor and surgeon in Mangaluru has begun conserving varieties of “naada mavu” (local mango) of the coastal belt by planting their grafted saplings on 5.4 acres of land at Kukkila in Dakshina Kannada.

P. Manohar Upadhya purchased the unused land only to conserve the local mango varieties which are under threat owing to various factors in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kasaragod (Kerala) districts. Kukkila, about 38 km from Mangaluru, is in Vitla Padnur village in Bantwal taluk.

“No commercial interest is involved in the initiative. Once the plants are stable and start yielding, anybody can use their scions for multiplication to save the varieties for future,” Dr. Upadhya told The Hindu.

The planting of the saplings with drip irrigation facility began this September 17. So far, 382 plants, with 300 odd varieties, have been planted. The saplings planted included 90% local varieties and 10% hybrid and exotic varieties.

In all, the doctor wants to conserve 475 varieties by planting their grafted saplings within the next one or two years. The doctor has named the mango gene bank as “Maavu Mantapa”.

Why local mango?

Unlike hybrid and exotic varieties, the “naada mavu” in addition to table purpose can be used to prepare a variety of delicacies like “gojju”, “tambuli”, “beratti”, “payasa”, “rasayana”, “mamubla”, and pickles. The hybrid and exotic varieties are mainly meant for table purpose (for only eating). The taste of each local mango variety differs.

“The types of taste which hybrid and exotic varieties provide are limited. While local mangos offer a number of flavours,” he said, adding that the characteristics of the local variety are not lost when they are grafted for planting purpose. The grafted plants yield early and the canopy of the tree is also not vast when compared to the ones raised through seeds.

Jackfruit conservation too in the offing

In addition to the mango, Dr. Upadhya wants to cultivate 75 varieties of local jackfruit of the coastal belt on the same land in the next two years.

“So far no jackfruit saplings have been planted. We may plant 20 to 30 saplings this year,” he said.

The use of local jackfruit varieties differed. Some are best suited to prepare only “dosa”, while some are meant for making only chips. Some are suited to make “payasa”, while a few are meant to be used as vegetable.

Dr. Upadhya said that like him many others are also conserving local mango/jackfruit varieties in their own way. Some of them are Maaphalathota Subrya Bhat of Markanja, Deva Rao of Mittabagilu, Venkatakrishna Sharma of Muliya, Shivaprasad Varmudi of Perla, Chandrashekara Udupa of Kenchanur, and Kukkemane Shivakumar of Madikeri.

The doctor said that the scion collection for his initiative was done by NaaMaami Group, an informal group of like-minded people involved in the conservation of local fruit and other varieties.

Many local mango, jackfruit varieties in the coastal belt have been lost while widening local roads and highways and building infrastructure projects and constructing buildings.

source/content: thehindu.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 & KARNATAKA: MARINE & FISHERIES: Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) Scientists Facilitate Successful Cultivation of Indian Pompano through Cage Fish Culture in Padhthonse Village, Udupi district

A team of scientists from the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Mangaluru, has facilitated successful cultivation of Indian Pompano (Trachinotus mookalee) for the first time in Karnataka in the Swarna estuary at Padhthonse village, Udupi district, and its harvest was done from June 2 to June 26.

The pilot project began last November under the Scheduled Caste Sub Plan Programme, wherein the beneficiaries got hands-on training in various aspects of cage culture.

Indian Pompano fingerlings, measuring 2-3 cm, were procured from the marine finfish hatchery of the Vishakhapatnam Regional Centre of ICAR-CMFRI.

About 4,000 fingerlings, each weighing 3-4 gm, were released into cages at a density of 40-50 fishes per cubic metre after acclimatising them to the local condition.

The fingerlings were fed pelleted floating feed twice a day, amounting to 5% of their body weight, said a release from CMFRI-Mangaluru.

After a five-month grow-out period, the Indian Pompano was harvested in batches between June 2 and 26. The average growth observed during this period was 400-450 gm, resulting in a total harvest of 1,300 kg with survival rate of 90%.

The beneficiaries sold the harvested fish locally, fetching prices ranging from ₹450 to ₹490 per kg generating ₹6.1 lakh revenue. With expenses at ₹3.75 lakh, the net profit earned was ₹2.35 lakh in six months.

Success of the pilot would not only provide alternative livelihood for SC families, but also help other local communities. The success has demonstrated the rapid growth rate of Indian Pompano to reach the preferred table-size in six months and the favourable market demand for the same.

Cage cultivation of fish in coastal Karnataka began in 2009-10 in coastal rivers with over 900 cages being installed in estuaries till now.

The Fisheries Department, the National Fisheries Development Corporation etc., extended financial support to over 500 families. Seabass, Red Snapper and Snubnose Pompano were among the species grown in cages.

The research programme was led by A.P. Dineshbabu and his team of scientists comprising Sujitha Thomas, Geetha Sasikumar, Rajesh K. M., and Divya Viswambharan.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: SHIPPING & TRANSPORT: The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) Bags 03rd Prize from Shipping Ministry for Overall Performance among Major Ports

The New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) secured the third prize in the overall performance for 2022-23 among the major ports in the country.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State Shripad Y. Naik presented the prize to NMPA chairman A.V. Ramana at the launch of Harit Sagar, the Green Port Guidelines launching programme in New Delhi on Wednesday, said a release.

The port handled 41.42 million tonnes of traffic, a 5.4% growth compared to 39.3 million tonnes in 2021-22. The container traffic grew by 8.55%, from 1.5 lakh TEUs to 1.65 lakh TEUs during the period, while the ship turnaround time was reduced to 43.29 hours from 45.95 hours.

The average output per berth per day rose from 16,465 tonnes to 18,489 tonnes per berth, with an incremental operating ratio of 38.44 that is on par with private ports in the country.

Awards were conferred for the overall performance on operational and financial parameters during 2022-23 to generate healthy competition among major ports.

Harit Sagar Guidelines – 2023 envisages ecosystem dynamics in port development, operation and maintenance while aligning with ’Working with Nature’ concept and minimising impact on biotic components of harbor ecosystem.

It lays emphasis on use of clean/green energy in port operation, developing port capabilities for storage, handling and bunkering greener fuels, including green hydrogen, green ammonia, green methanol/ethanol etc.

The NMP has already undertaken various green port initiatives in accordance with the guidelines, including transforming from manual cargo handling to mechanised cargo handling system, 100% solarisation, rainwater harvesting, maintaining 33% of total land area as green, commissioning electric vehicles to reduce carbon emission, moving from conventional to LED lighting system, sewage treatment plant, and vermi-composting for waste management etc.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)