Yearly Archives: 2014

Hyderabad student is ‘World Topper in Mathematics’

Rishikesh Reddy Kayathi of Oakridge International School has been declared a ‘World Topper in Mathematics’, in the Grade X International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Examinations conducted by Cambridge University.

Toppers in IGCSE exam: report from Bangalore

Three Class X students of a private school in Bangalore have topped the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examination held in June 2014 in three subjects at the national level. While Ami Mehta has secured the first rank in English, Uma Shekhawat topped in Entrepreneurship and Mahesh Bhide has stood first in Chemistry. They are students of Indus International School.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> Education Plus / September 04th, 2014

Nomads Profit From Boom in Donkey’s Milk Business

Murugan has been coming to Bangalore for two months every year from Rajikotai | Jithendra M
Murugan has been coming to Bangalore for two months every year from Rajikotai | Jithendra M

Bangalore :

About 50 nomadic families from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have arrived with their droves to meet Bangalore’s rising demand for donkey’s milk.

Wandering about in groups of four or five families, they take their produce to residential layouts, where it is in huge demand.

Many families believe feeding a child, donkey’s milk at least once increases its immunity.

Each donkey-rearing group brings two females, one or two males, and a foal (baby donkey).

Camping on the city’s outskirts on Magadi Road, Tumkur Road, Mysore Road and Kanakpura Road, the groups venture into individual houses and apartment complexes in busy neighbourhoods.

They are doing brisk business, selling the milk for `40-50 for 5 ml. Their produce is cheaper than the donkey’s milk available at the local dhobi ghats. And moreover, they come to your doorstep.

Many mothers with newborns wait for them, to buy what they believe is an elixir. Rashmi, who works in a garment factory, said, “I gave a teaspoon of the milk to my six-month-old baby. He has been falling ill often.”

She paid `30 to a family from Vellore, and hopes the dose will cure the baby of respiratory infections, as rumoured.

Biz in two cities

For the donkey owners, business entails travel for six months in a year.

Murugan (40) has been coming to Bangalore for two months every year from Rajikotai in Dharmapuri district. He is part of a four-family group that has set up camp on Magadi Road. They have been around for over a month. City Express met him near K R Road, when he was making his rounds of Jayanagar and Basavangudi.

“Six months in a year, we go round Bangalore and Chennai, where people believe in giving this milk to their babies. This time, I am selling it for `50 for 5 ml and not a paisa less,” he said.

His group has already gone to many areas and plans to return after some more days of selling.

“It is a hard life. We have to buy a truck. I bought a Tata Ace for `2.5 lakh to take my animals around,” he said.

He is particular about the fodder, and says he can’t compromise since the milk is fed to delicate infants.

He has heard about the popularity of asses’ milk in the US and Europe. “There is no need for people to be scared about what the donkeys eat as we provide them grass and fodder,” said Murugan.

On the other hand, Gopika, who was annoyed at being disturbed during business, said, “It is a seasonal business and the donkeys give milk only if a foal is around.” The families have to look after the animals carefully so that they don’t fall sick. “When we come to the city, we leave them on the outskirts, where they graze. We collect them in the morning,” she said.

Dismissing the apprehension that the animals could eat garbage, Gopika declared, “My animals eat only bhoosa (fodder) and mevu (grass) and don’t touch other things.”

Street vending

Cries of ‘Katte haalu’ (donkey’s milk) have become common in recent days. People rush out to buy the milk for children between six months and three years.

City Express met a few families in Kadirenhalli, Uttarahalli and Jalahalli, where nomads have been selling donkey’s milk. About 20 families in Kadirenahalli said they had fed their children donkey’s milk.

Of Baby donkeys

R N Prasad, food processing expert and a resident of PP Layout, said, “The one group that camped in our neighbourhood for eight days was from Dharmapuri district.”

It sold milk to people from Arehalli and Uttarahalli. A donkey gives 200 to 300 ml every day. It can be milked for six months in a year, but only in the presence of a baby donkey, he explained.

“This milk is considered good for children to help them develop immunity, and it is also supposed to be good for lactose intolerant babies,” he said.

White breed

Last week, people were excited to see a group of white donkeys near Maharaja Agrasena Hospital near Chikallalasandra. Many in the crowd soon turned into customers, as a family from Hosur sold donkey’s milk at `60 for 5 ml.

Mani, who was measuring out the produce, made `3,000 in just two hours. “Business has been good this year as more and more people are buying donkey’s milk,” he said.

Kumar, a policeman and resident of Kadirenhalli, said, “We bought the milk for my two grandchildren from a Vellore family. We are not scared of any infection, as many in our family have been following this tradition for years.“

Doc’s take

“The tradition of feeding infants donkey’s milk has existed for centuries. But one has to be careful as the animals may feed on garbage dumps when they are left out to graze. Otherwise, there is no harm in feeding children this milk,” said Dr S Rao, a paediatrician.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Meera Bhardwaj / September 18th, 2014

Teen Conquers Bhagirathi River

 Belgaum :

At just 13, Belgaum boy Aditya Shailesh Prabhu stunned spectators by swimming 81 km non-stop in the Bhagirathi river at the 71st Open Water Long-distance Swimming Competition (OWLDSC) held in Jangipur, West Bengal, recently.

He was the youngest of the participants, drawn from various parts of the country.

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Aditya had to swim from Ahiron Ghat in Jangipur to Gora Bazar Ghat, which he completed in 12 hours, 29 minutes and 43 seconds. Of the 25 participants, only 12 could complete the stretch and Aditya came 8th.

He told Express that the competition was a “dream come true.”  He recalled participating in the 19-km OWLDSC last year, where he had witnessed the 81-km challenge. “From then onwards, I started preparing,” he said. Aditya is a student of KLS English Medium School in Belgaum.

His mother Seema Prabhu said the strong will of her son was the reason he was able to participate. All year, Aditya maintained a strict diet and exercised under the guidance of retired Subedar Maruti Ghadi, a national-level wrestler. Aditya’s father Shailesh Prabhu said his son needed more time to practise and so he had approached the school authorities. The school staff responded positively. Three months before the competition, Aditya started practising eight hours a day. Once in 15 days, he pushed himself to swim 12 hours.  He was in the pool from early morning to afternoon.

Aditya now dreams of swimming the English Channel next year.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Tushar A. Majukar / September 16th, 2014

‘BIMS to get autonomous status next year ’

Bahadur couple nominated as Overseas Brand Ambassadors for the Centenary Celebrations of Mysore University

Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, is seen handing over a citation to Dr. B.N. Bahadur nominating the Bahadur couple as Overseas Brand Ambassadors for the Centenary Celebrations of Mysore University at a programme in city this morning as R.C. Jagadesh, Chairman, CII, Mysore Zone and Prof. Aisha M. Sheriff, BIMS Chairperson, look on.
Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice-Chancellor, University of Mysore, is seen handing over a citation to Dr. B.N. Bahadur nominating the Bahadur couple as Overseas Brand Ambassadors for the Centenary Celebrations of Mysore University at a programme in city this morning as R.C. Jagadesh, Chairman, CII, Mysore Zone and Prof. Aisha M. Sheriff, BIMS Chairperson, look on.

Mysore :

“B.N. Bahadur Institute of Management Sciences (BIMS) in Manasagangotri will be granted autonomous status from the next academic year,” said Prof. K.S. Rangappa, Vice- Chancellor, University of Mysore (UoM), here this morning.

Speaking after presiding over B.N. Bahadur Institute of Management Sciences’ Decennial Celebration Lecture Series on “Contemporary challenges in Managing Business” at Rani Bahadur Auditorium in city, he said the University had taken this decision at its Advisory Board meeting held yesterday.

He pointed out that the granting of autonomous status would help in the comprehensive development of the Institute and take it to much greater heights.

Dr. B.N.Bahadur, an alumni of the UoM and President & CEO of Blue Nectar Spirits Company, Michigan & Colorado, USA, who was the chief guest on the occasion, said that it gave him immense pleasure to come back to the Varsity Campus, especially at BIMS.

Recalling the then Vice-Chancellor Dr. S.N. Hegde’s visit to his house in USA approximately 12 years ago, Dr. Bahadur said that Dr. Hegde asked him whether he could support the UoM in building a Business Management school offering MBA programmes.

“I took Dr. Hegde’s request under consideration and discussed with my family and agreed to build a business school at this present location. I asked my friend late Dr.P.N. Reddy to take the lead in this venture along with Dr. Hegde and Dr. Shamanna. Thereafter the trio acted as a bridge in overseeing the construction of the Institute with the assistance of P.S. Prasad under the Bahadur Family Foundation. A couple of years later, the BIMS was born and today it has a total strength of over 450 national and international students,” said Dr. B.N. Bahadur.

Before his address, Dr. Bahadur greeted the gathering in 17 Indian and Foreign languages, much to their delight. On this momentous occasion, Prof. Rangappa handed over a citation nominating Dr. B.N. Bahadur and Rani Bahadur as the Overseas Brand Ambassador couple for the Centenary Celebration of University of Mysore.

Senior Journalist Niranjan Nikkam, Consultant for Centenary Celebrations, gave a brief on the significance of nominating Dr. Bahadur couple.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 12th,  2014

Selected for Asia Masters Athletic Championship

YogendraBF16sept2014

Mysore :

M. Yogendra, Superintendent of Central Excise & Customs, has been selected for the 18th Asia Masters Athletic Championship-2014 to be held in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan, from Sept.19 to 23.

An international athlete, Yogendra, is the son of late P. Madappa and late N. Paravathamma. Yogendra is a B.Sc graduate from Sarada Vilas College, Mysore and holds a Masters Degree in Physics from Manasagangotri, Mysore. He is currently working as Superintendent of Central Excise and Customs, Bangalore-II Commissionerate.

He has received various awards including Karnataka Bhushana Prashasthi by Karnataka Samskruthika Academy, Bangalore, Mukhya Prana Rajoshthsava Prashasthi by Mukhya Prana Samskruthika Academy, Mysore, Karnataka Rajoshthava Prashathi by Kannada Sangha, Customs, Central Excise and Service Tax Department, Bangalore and Jagajyothi Basaveshwara Kayaka Shree by Vishwa Veerashaiva Samkruthika Pratishtana, Bangalore.

He has also participated in Republic Day parade

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / September 11th,  2014

Tulu script brought out in Unicode

The Karnataka Tulu Sahitya Academy on Monday released the Unicode version of Tulu script, bringing the language spoken in coastal districts of Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Kasaragod on the world-language platform.

The academy termed it a major milestone towards getting the language included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Mangalore – September 16th, 2014

69 monuments in State to be restored, renovated

It will cost the exchequer Rs. 15.63 crore

Historical site: The State's Archaeology Department is repairing mantapas at the kalyani at Melkote at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh. — Photo: M.A. Sriram / The Hindu
Historical site: The State’s Archaeology Department is repairing mantapas at the kalyani at Melkote at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh. — Photo: M.A. Sriram / The Hindu

The State Archaeology Department has taken up the restoration and renovation of 69 protected monuments in the State at an estimated cost of Rs. 15.63 crore.

This includes the restoration of mantapas around the kalyani at Melkote at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, the renovation and restoration of Parsvanath Basdi at Kanakagiri in Chamarajanagar district at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh, the Srikanteshwara temple at KM Halli on the outskirts of Mysore at a cost of Rs. 50 lakh, among others.

But the icing on the cake is the conversion of Dewan Purnaiah’s bungalow at Yellandur into a full-fledged museum for which the property is being acquired on a lease for 33 years.

Disclosing this, Mr. R. Gopal, Director, Department of Archaeology and Museums, told The Hindu that the descendants of Dewan Purnaiah have agreed to lease out the bungalow to the Archaeology Department for 33 years at a cost of Rs. 1,000 per annum. The lease deed was being finalised and has gone to the legal cell for approval, he added.

Once acquired on lease, the bungalow would be restored befitting its heritage status. The work is expected to be ready by the end of the current financial year while the Dewan Purnaiah Memorial Government Museum would take some time for development. However, it is likely to be thrown open to the public by 2011-12, according to Mr. Gopal.

He said plans are to display all the records pertaining to Dewan Purnaiah in the historical context while a gallery exclusively devoted to the art and architecture of Karnataka would be developed. Also on the anvil is an epigraphy gallery, an inscription gallery which will showcase copies of important inscriptions of the State apart from a sculpture gallery.

History

Dewan Purnaiah was a Minister under Tipu Sultan and after the death of Tipu in the Fourth Mysore War in May, 1799, the Mysore kingdom was restored to the Wadiyars and Purnaiah, who was reckoned to be an able administrator was made the Dewan of the Mysore kingdom. Among the notable achievements of Purnaiah included suppression of the palegars of the region, administrative division of the kingdom for better efficiency, initiatives for public works like the Sagarkatte Dam across the Cauvery at K.R. Nagar.

The Mysore Gazetteer notes that the vaccination against small pox was introduced in Mysore by Dewan Purnaiah in 1806, for the first time in India. Historians say the region was so prosperous under his Dewanship that people migrated from Nizam’s dominion during the 1804 famine. In recognition of his services, the British granted him Yellandur as a jagir in 1807.

Mr. Gopal said a wax museum showcasing life-style statue of important historical personalities of the region including some of the prominent rulers of the Wadiyar dynasty, Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali was also in the offing. The museum would be an attraction to tourists visiting B.R. Hills as they would have to pass through Yellandur and hence was expected to be popular.


  • Dewan Purnaiah Memorial Government Museum will come up in Purnaiah’s bungalow
  • Purnaiah’s descendants to lease it out to the Archaeology Department for 33 years 

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Karnataka / by R Krishna Kumar / Mysore – December 24th, 2010

Call of the Jungle

At Saad Bin Jung’s luxury eco-tourism lodge in Kabini, Karnataka, villagers and tribals work together to conserve the forest and the big cats that inhabit it

Image: Shaaz Jung A new calling: Saad Jung believes in eco-tourism that conserves more than animals
Image: Shaaz Jung
A new calling: Saad Jung believes in eco-tourism that conserves more than animals

As the last rays of sunlight filter through the leaves, a shadow slinks out of the thick foliage with an unmistakable feline elegance. “There,” whispers 27-year-old Shaaz Jung from his perch atop a jeep. Immediately, seven pairs of eyes turn to the clearing ahead. Under the rapt gaze of the tourists, a male leopard emerges from the foliage. A flurry of clicks from SLR cameras breaks the silence of the waning dusk. But the leopard makes an indifferent model. He was aware of the jeep the moment the vehicle entered his territory, deep in the jungles of Karnataka. For the tourists, however, this sighting is a privilege. The shy animal deigned to make an appearance on the last of the five game drives organised by Bison Wildlife Resort near Kabini Lake, Karnataka. The resort, started by Shaaz’s father, 53-year-old Saad Bin Jung, lies between two national parks, Nagarhole and Bandipur, and is a two-hour drive from Mysore. It is also a labour of love, one in which villagers and tribals work with the Jungs to conserve and preserve this ecologically vibrant zone.

Though the eco-resort opened five years ago, it took over a decade to come to fruition. Consider its back story.

Like his uncle Mansur Ali Khan—the late nawab who is remembered by his moniker ‘Tiger’ Pataudi—Saad Jung started his career as a cricketer. A descendant of the royal Pataudi family of Bhopal and the Paigahs of Hyderabad, he acknowledges and accepts the popular portrayal of Indian nobility as hunters. “I now realise the mistakes we made while addressing wildlife conservation within the forests that belonged to our family,” says Jung. “The rulers, to a large extent, permitted community usage of forest produce. Locals were asked to manage forest land, but were banned from hunting. That was the sole prerogative of the royals. There was control, but there was also inclusion.”

Image: Prasad Gori for Forbes Life India The village: The resort maintains a rustic look and feel, although it houses luxurious facilities
Image: Prasad Gori for Forbes Life India
The village: The resort maintains a rustic look and feel, although it houses luxurious facilities

Saad began taking an active interest in conservation in 1986. He started with Bush Betta Resort at Bandipur and an angling camp on the Kaveri river soon after. In 1997, he acquired patta (registered) land outside the protected forest area and worked with locals to build a luxury resort, one that doesn’t intrude on or disturb the ecologically sensitive zone. The Bison Resort,  made up of African lodge-style stilted, elaborate tents and decks that overlook the forest and Kabini lake, is the result. Most of the building material for it was sourced locally. Rather than alienating tribals and villagers from the land, Saad brokered a symbiotic relationship between resort and village.

The Bison, which opened in 2009, has succeeded because it combines luxury with inclusive growth. Saad and Shaaz, who is the resort manager, create a rustic yet opulent experience. From sunken showers in bathrooms to bars that overlook the lake, the resort delivers a unique kind of grandeur—one that typically costs more than Rs 10,000 a night for Indians and Rs 24,240 ($400) a night for foreign nationals. Most employees are locals and their intimate knowledge of the land heightens a visitor’s experience.

source: http://www.forbesindia.com / Forbes India / Home> Forbes India/Live / by Shravan Bhat / August 16th, 2014

For this artist, Mysore itself is an inspiration …

ArtsBF15sept2014

The Heritage City is full of beautiful things and people. Scenic places, attractive buildings, interesting spots, artistic personalities, art connoisseurs and much more. Come, let us today meet one such dexterous personality hailing from this lovely city who is all set to host an expo of her beautiful paintings in Mysore this week. Nanda R. Putty is the skilled daughter of late Lalitha R. Putty and late artist Raghuttama Putty who had carved a niche for himself in Mysore for his dexterity in the field of painting.

Nanda, who followed her footsteps since young, drew inspiration from the works of her artist-father and has been painting since childhood with several works to her credit today.

She loves talking of art and the way she got introduced to it. Plainly ask her to talk about how it all started and she exclaims, “My dad and my grandmother were my greatest inspiration. I have grown up with colours, painting since my childhood, as I felt painting was as important as my studies and exams were to me.”

But her first easel was no paper canvas but the floor on ground upon which she began artistically depicting the traditional rangoli designs. “My grandmother ‘Rangoli’ Kaveramma taught me depicting the Rangoli. I learnt the art with keen interest and later started developing my own designs through my innovative ideas and also took part in several Rangoli competitions and won prizes. Every time my dad held an expo of his paintings, I would display all my rangoli designs at the spot. Etching the design of Mysore Palace through rangoli was something I loved doing. My father refused to send me to CAVA though I had got a seat there, as he always felt that nature is the best Guru and one need not learn painting through formal education,” she recalls.

“I would also do a lot of embroidery works and even won a National Award in 1979 while I was conferred with the title ‘Needle Work Princess’ for one of my works where I had embroidered the portrait of Rabindranath Tagore,” the artist further recalls, adding “today, it feels nice to say I have done all kinds of paintings like the Mysore art, oils, landscape and even fabric and embroidery works. However, no work interests me as much as painting does.”

Yet, Nanda has one interesting confession to make. She believes Mysore city has greatly contributed to her accomplishments and success. “I am born and brought up in Mysore and this is one city that gives me loads of happiness. Mysore has a lot to offer and inspire me, as landscape painting is my field of interest and specialisation. Remarkable places like Kukkarahalli Lake, Karanji Lake and Chamundi Hill in the city are extremely inspirational.” Hence, she had painted and exhibited 45 paintings depicting various heritage buildings in the city in 2010. “Heritage City has been extremely inspirational and helpful as it is host to some of the most beautiful heritage buildings ever. Hence, I painted various heritage buildings present here and held a one-man show a few years back. Now, enthused by nature yet again, I have painted various Indian birds in oil colours, which will be exhibited next week.” The inspiration for these paintings were a photography exhibition by a noted city-based photographer C.S. Kulashekara who had displayed photos of various birds recently. “I visited his expo and loved the pictures so much that I got inspired to paint them. Hence I looked at the same pictures and began painting them about three months before. It was an interesting task.” The lady has spent about three months to complete 36 paintings which will be on display at the three-day expo. So, those of you who wish to witness and admire her artistry can visit Bharani Art Gallery in Vivekananda Nagar starting from Sept. 12. The expo called ‘Drishti-Srishti,’ a tribute to the late artist Raghuttama Putty, will be inaugurated by Rangayana Director H. Janardhan on Sept. 12 at 5 pm. C.S. Kulashekara will be the chief guest. Sr. artist N.B. Kaverappa will preside. The expo will be open to public between 10 am and 8 pm on Sept. 13 and 14.

Being active is one thing she learnt from her dad she says, concluding, “My dad kept painting until his last days and even while he was in the hospital, I would be seated next to his bed, painting, as it gave him a lot of happiness and satisfaction. This inspired me a lot. I too wish to be like him and would love to continue my works forever.”

Married to M.K. Anil Kumar, Nanda Putty is working as a teacher in Vidyavardhaka School, Mysore and is training many budding artists. She can be contacted on Mob: 92410-32032. —AN

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Feature Articles / September 10th,  2014

Narayana MultiSpeciality Hospital launches Mysore’s first heart valve clinic

Mysore :

Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Mysore today announced the launch of Mysore’s first dedicated ‘Heart Valve Clinic’ that will offer advanced care for repair of the diseased valve. The advanced technology along with a team of senior cardiac experts will ensure early accurate diagnosis and treatment to patients suffering from heart related disorders.

The city has witnessed a steady rise in heart valve disease cases and unfortunately there are a high percentage of children also suffering from such conditions. This created a critical need for a specialised clinic that can perform specialised surgeries and procedures to address the growing disease burden and provide accurate screening and treatment planning. Valve diseases can be congenital or could happen due to infections or degenerative at a later stage in life. Rheumatic heart disease with valvular stenosis or leaks in the young and adult age groups, myxomatous valve disease in the adult women with minimal discomfort (asymptomatic MR) and elderly with degenerative valve disease are common in the area.

 Dr. M.N Ravi – Senior Cardiac Surgeon, is seen addressing.
Dr. M.N Ravi – Senior Cardiac Surgeon, is seen addressing.

Speaking about the launch of the clinic, Dr. M.N Ravi – Senior Cardiac Surgeon at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Mysore said, “According to data, 2 – 4% of school going children in the rural areas of Mysore suffer from rheumatic heart disease. In most cases, patients develop heart valve disease during childhood but often due to poor awareness the disease goes undiagnosed till it reaches advanced stage. With timely and accurate diagnosis and advanced surgical techniques we can effectively perform complex repair on patients who were considered inoperable.”

The clinic will provide outpatient support for all non-emergency patients with free consultation from Cardiac Surgeon and free investigations like ECG, ECHO scan.

Commenting on the launch of the Heart Valve Clinic, K.S. Dattatreya, Director of the hospital said, “Narayana Multispeciality Hospital Mysore is considered as a centre of excellence to treat heart valve disorders. Our goal is to set-up a speciality clinic that offers high quality care to patients suffering from any kind of valve disease to bring down the mortality rate and disease burden in and around Mysore.”

The Department of Cardiac Science specialises in all streams of cardiac treatments and deals with complex heart problems.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News  / September 10th,  2014