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A date with rare stamps

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Uncategorized

PhilatelyKF12jul2017

Karnataka Philatelic Society to hold exhibition after 10 years

Philately, like letter writing, does not have many takers today. But young and old collectors will participate in an exhibition of rare stamps by the Karnataka Philatelic Society (KPS) from July 14 to 16 at the Rajarajeshwari Kalyana Mantapa, Rajajinagar. The event is being organised by the society after 10 years. Till 2008, philately exhibitions were held regularly by the Department of Posts, too, but they were stopped when participation dipped.

“Most major collectors these days are in the age group of 40 to 60. Not many young people are interested in hobbies such as philately and numismatics. Through the exhibition, we want to revive interest in them,” said Nikhilesh Melkote, general secretary, KPS.

Of the 114 applications the KPS received for the exhibition from Karnataka, Goa, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Assam, only 22 were from children or teenagers. “Till a few years ago, many schools encouraged the hobby and had their own clubs, which is not the case today,” Mr. Melkote said.

Sri Krishnan K.L., 17, is among the exceptions — he started collecting stamps when he was eight. “I always tell my friends that philately is about a lot more than collecting stamps. We learn about countries and their history.”

Two schools that have philatelic clubs are also participating. One of them is the Vijaya High School in Jayanagar, which has been running its philately club since 1973. The school also houses a stamp museum. “The idea is to encourage children to take up the hobby. Our students also participate in State and national exhibitions,” said Nirmala B.K., in-charge of the club, and a collector herself.

Selection process

K. Chaitanya Dev, president, KPS, said exhibits for the show are selected by a committee of three senior philatelists. “We check the entry forms and the previous record of the collector. Some exhibits are rejected on the basis of quality, but to encourage young participants, we have decided to allow all the 22 exhibits by them.”

The best three exhibitions in various categories will receive awards. “Depending on the success of the event, we want to make this a yearly affair,” Mr. Dev said.

Games and quizzes will also be organised. There is also a prized lucky dip, the winner of which will get the world’s first ever postage stamp: the Penny Black, issued in 1840 in Great Britain.

The survivor

The society, affiliated to the Philatelic Congress of India, was started in 1975 by Col. L.G. Shenoi and his like-minded friends.

“At that time, three other clubs were already running, including a Youth Philatelic Club. But, they stopped functioning eventually,” said Mr. Melkote, who joined the the Karnataka Philatelic Society in 1977.

Today, the KPS has nearly 600 members, almost a hundred of whom meet once a month at the General Post Office to discuss and exchange stamps.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Sarumathi K / Bengaluru – July 10th, 2017

Bengaluru girl bags three medal at Dance World Cup

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Uncategorized, World Opinion

VinayaBF11jul2017

Bengaluru :

Vinaya Seshan, a grade 10 student of  Inventure Academy , won three medals at the 2017 Dance World Cup held recently in Germany .

The event is considered to be one of the world’s top all-genre dance competition for children and youth. More than 12,000 participants from 47 countries competed in the qualifiers, and over 10,000 from 43 countries made it to the final.

Vinaya bagged gold in the duet category and a bronze each in the hip-hop group and hip-hop solo categories, adding to her haul of three medals at last year’s World Championships. Vinaya danced in Inventure’s formal blue uniform as she considers it to be her lucky charm.

Vinaya’s passion for dance began in Grade 1 and she has been a regular in Inventure’s dance teams and musical productions.

She got her big break when she was selected for Berserk, a week-long dance workshop conducted by the Lourd Vijay Dance School. She was part of their squad that won a bronze in the 2015 World Cup.

Vinaya also plays the tabla, guitar and piano. “Being versatile is important; at the same time finding the right balance is difficult, but achievable,” she said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News / TNN / July 10th, 2017

A ‘sticky’ success story

Agriculture, Business & Economy
Bumper harvest: Avinash Kora of Koppal district has successfully grown drumstick as an intercrop. Photo by Author
Bumper harvest: Avinash Kora of Koppal district has successfully grown drumstick as an intercrop. Photo by Author

Avinash Kora, a young farmer from Narasapura village of Yelburga taluk in Koppal district, has successfully experimented with agroforestry. He has planted horticulture and forest species like lemon, guava, custard apple, jamun, red sandalwood, hebbevu and sandalwood in his six-acre farm. The plants are nine months old. Marigold is grown in an area of two acres. A farm pond (30X40 feet) is also constructed in this part of the land.

There is a gap of eight feet between the rows of fruit plants. Six months ago, Avinash decided to grow drumstick in this area. He sowed the seeds directly on the farm. Almost all the seeds sprouted and grew into healthy plants. Drumstick is a perennial crop and once planted, it yields for five years. In Avinash’s farm, the crop was ready for harvest after four months. Since then, he has been harvesting drumstick once every three days. This is the first season of harvest and he has got a yield of 300 to 450 pieces per plant. Generally, drumstick is harvested twice a year and the harvest season spans over two months.

With neat packing (10 kg packs) and proper transportation, the produce remains fresh for hours, and thus fetches good price. Proper packing and identifying the right sale point are the other aspects that have helped him reap rich rewards from drumstick cultivation. Initially, he sent the produce to the local market. But since he didn’t get a good price there, he contacted a vegetable exporter in Belagavi after a quick online search. Now he sells two to three tonnes of harvest every week, and money is transacted online.

“Everything is going on smoothly. Quality produce coupled with proper grading, packing and transportation go a long way in helping farmers get the right price. Hence, it is time we farmers understand that post-harvest management is as important as choosing the right crops and practicing healthy cultivation methods. Also, we should be more enterprising and take the initiative to sell our produce to the consumers directly,” he says. While he has spent Rs 40,000 on cultivation, he has earned Rs 3 lakh through sales in this season.

This is not the first time Avinash has experimented with minor crops. In the first four months of setting up the farm, he had grown marigold and toor dal as intercrops and earned good money.

“Drumstick grows well in almost all types of soil. The agro-climatic conditions of this region are suitable for growing drumstick,” says Linganagouda Patil, assistant director of Horticulture Department in Koppal.

Kishan Rao Kushtagi
(Translated by AP)

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Kishan Rao Kushtagi / July 11th, 2017

This Bengalurean turns soda cans into mini-satellites

Education, Science & Technology

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Suraj has converted Coke, Red Bull and beer cans into mini-satellites to create an open-source database on several city parameters.
  • The CanSat project was launched in 2014 to provide students an experience of smallscale space missions through several workshops .
  • __________________________________

Bengaluru :

You don’t have to be a space scientist to launch a satellite. All you have to do is stock up some empty beverage cans and turn them into mini satellites .

The satellite collects data on temperature and pollution levels
The satellite collects data on temperature and pollution levels

That’s exactly what a city based computer engineer has been doing for the past two years. He has converted Coke,  Red Bull and beer cans into mini-satellites to create an open-source database on several city parameters, including temperature and pollution levels. Suraj Kumar Jana, 22, founder of  Opencube Labs, is the mastermind behind the project monikered as CanSat Development Programme. CanSat is a sounding rocket balloon payload built of open hardware (Arduino, RaspberryPi) with the entire satellite components assembled inside a 350ml soda can.

The mini-satellite, which is launched from the Air Force base at Yelahanka, does a controlled descent with the help of a parachute and transmits captured data to the ground station. “The data collected by these mini-satellites include temperature and pollution levels, quality of air and water, ultra-violet penetration and traffic congestion levels in the city. These data can help in research purposes and our civic bodies can even use them to implement better policies,” said Suraj, who is a computer engineer from BMS Institute of Technology .

The CanSat project was aunched in 2014 to provide students an experience of smallscale space missions through several workshops conducted across the city.

Suraj said: “Receiving a real-time experience of smallscale space missions isn’t that reasonable and goes beyond affordability of Indian, middleclass students. Through our workshops, we provide students a first-hand knowledge on making, operating and launching of satellites.”

source: http://www.timsofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bangalore News> Schools & Colleges / by Sreemoyee Chatterjee / July 10th, 2017

Melody shaped in wax

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Records, All
Perfect blend: Wax statues of musicians at the Melody World Wax Museum in Mysuru. DH Photo
Perfect blend: Wax statues of musicians at the Melody World Wax Museum in Mysuru. DH Photo

What makes the Melody World Wax Museum in Mysuru stand out from other wax museums is its display of various musical instruments and wax statues of musicians playing instruments. There are around 100 life-size wax statues and over 470 musical instruments displayed here.

This is a one-of-its kind wax museum that was established by Shreeji Bhaskaran, a Bengaluru-based IT professional, in October 2010 as a tribute to all musicians from across the world. This museum focuses on the preservation of art and culture of India, especially in the field of music.

Making of the statues

All the musical instruments that are displayed here are purchased from across the country and world. “While India is moving towards a virtual digital platform, most of the art and culture heritage of India is disappearing. The collection of this museum is unique and represents most states of India,” says Shreeji. Nearly all the musical instruments of Karnataka are displayed in this museum.

The wax statues and instruments in the museum are a source of attraction for many. However, the making of these wax models takes a long time. The process of making wax statues involves several steps including computerised digital imaging techniques, conventional and traditional methodologies of moulding and sculpting, etc. In fact, around 50 kg of wax is used to make each statue and it takes 13 months to complete.

After the statues are developed, they are given an authentic look with the use of various accessories.

Clothes are specially stitched to fit the statues and their styles. Colours are mixed in with wax when it is in the molten state. However, cosmetic colouring is used only in the final stages of the statue’s creation. The eyes and teeth used in the statues are artificial while the hair may be synthetic or natural, depending upon the statue’s requirement to get a real-life look. All the statues exhibited are of life size and are dressed in traditional clothing.

Probably, this museum houses the largest collection of musical instruments in Karnataka. These have been displayed in 19 galleries. There are also wax models of various bands from across the country and abroad in genres such as Indian Classical, Hip Hop, Jazz and Bhangra. While many of the wax statues showcased at this museum have musical relevance, there are a few which also have social importance.

Major attractions

Highlights of this museum include a colossal statue of Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar and a life-size statue of Maharaja Srikantadatta Wadiyar. Another attraction at the museum is that you can play some of the musical instruments displayed in a special section.

The museum has become a popular haunt for people who want to get to know the rich musical diversity that India offers. In fact, the museum gets as many as 400 visitors on weekdays, while it gets around 600 visitors on weekends.

Melody World Wax Museum is open on all days between 9.30 am and 7.00 pm. To know more about the museum, visit www.melodyworld.in.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Supplements> Spectrum / by Monica S A / July 11th, 2017

Mysore Lancers’ tryst with Haifa

Amazing Feats, Records, All, World Opinion
The Mysore Lancers march at Haifa, a port city in Israel, on Sept 23, 1918. | Photo Credit: from the collection of Mr. Raja
The Mysore Lancers march at Haifa, a port city in Israel, on Sept 23, 1918. | Photo Credit: from the collection of Mr. Raja

They fought hard to liberate it in 1918

A long forgotten slice of martial history related to Mysuru will be revisited when Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays tribute to fallen Indian soldiers at the Haifa cemetery in Israel.

The Mysore Imperial Service played a big role in the liberation of Haifa on September 23, 1918, from Ottoman Turks and Germans, by allied forces. This is seen as one of the fiercest battles in the west Asian theatre of World War I in which India, as a British colony, fought German and the Ottoman troops.

The Mysore Lancers were in the 15th Imperial Service as the forces sent by the princely states of Mysore, Jodhpur and Hyderabad. Historian M. Shama Rao in “Modern Mysore” published in 1936 says troops of native States, who were seen as fit only for ceremonial parades, proved their mettle.

General Sir Edmund Allenby’s despatches of October 31, 1918, on the occupation of Damascus and Aleppo, found in the book, make a special reference to the Mysore Lancers during the capture of Haifa.

A special recruitment drive was conducted in the princely State and 5,000 men drafted for the war. The then Mysuru Maharaja Nalwudi Krishnaraja Wadiyar sent his troops to defend the empire and even gave nearly ₹50 lakh to the India War Fund.

Raja Chandra R., son-in-law of the last Maharaja, Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar told The Hindu that the ruler Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV sent a spirited message to the men on the front.

The book “Mysore’s Part in the War: 1914-1918” cites Sir Allenby and says over 1,350 prisoners and 17 guns were taken in the operation between the spur of Mount Carmel and the marshy banks of river Kishon, about two miles from Haifa road. Mr. Raja Chandra said a memorial at Bengaluru to the participants lies forgotten.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Sharath S Srivatsa / Mysuru-Bengaluru, July 04th, 2017

Funding for 100 start-ups

Business & Economy
Priyank Kharge
Priyank Kharge

As many as 100 start-ups will get ₹400 crore funding under the Karnataka Government’s “Elevate”, a programme to fast-track the most innovative start-ups.

Priyank Kharge, Minister for Information Techonlogy, Bio-Technology and Tourism, said the selected start-ups will be eligible to get guidance, consultancy, patent filing facilitation, legal assistance and funding.

Registration for “Elevate” commenced from July 4 and will be open till July 18 for all participants across the State. Experts in verticals would be asked to identify innovative start-ups for funding, he said.

The state is also collaborating with leading industry bodies, including the Deshpande Foundation, for promoting start-up culture in tier-II cities.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bengaluru – July 04th, 2017

karnataka round-up

Records, All, Sports

Rakshit, Kushi emerge champions

Rakshit Barigidad and V. Kushi emerged the men’s and women’s champions respectively as the Malleswaram Association State-ranking table tennis tournament concluded here on Sunday. Rakshit defeated Shreyas Kulkarni 14-12, 9-11, 11-1, 14-12, 11-7, while Kushi, who had won the junior title a couple of days ago, held off Koumudi Patankar 11-13, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5.

The results (all finals): Men: Rakshit Barigidad bt Shreyas Kulkarni 14-12, 9-11, 11-1, 14-12, 11-7; Boys: Sub-junior: K.J. Aakash bt Neil Gollarkeri 11-7, 9-11, 11-9, 12-10; Cadet: Rohit Shankar bt Hrishikesh Shettlur 11-6, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11, 11-4.

Women: V. Kushi bt Koumudi Patankar 11-13, 11-6, 11-4, 8-11, 11-2, 5-11, 11-5; Girls: Sub-junior: M. Anargya bt G. Yashaswini 11-9, 9-11, 11-7, 11-7; Cadet: M. Deshna bt Sahana Murthy 7-11, 11-8, 11-9, 11-6 .

Solomon scores winner

A strike from Solomon helped Navrathna FC snatch a 1-0 win over Bangalore Youngsters in the BDFA ‘C’ division football league here on Sunday.

The results: Vel Socials 0 drew with Bentex FC 0; Navrathna FC 1 (Solomon 49) bt Bangalore Youngsters 0 .

Rail Wheel Factory posts win

Rail Wheel Factory rallied from a goal down to defeat Customs and Central Excise 3-1 in the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Memorial hockey tournament here on Sunday.

The results: SAI ‘A’ 3 (Stalin 19, Raheel 23, Veeranna 57) bt ASC 1 (Anand Nag 48); RWF 3 (M.G. Poonacha 21, Umesh 60, Deepak 64) bt Customs and Central Excise 1 (Nilesh 17) .

Dinesh wins title

IM Dinesh Sharma of Uttar Pradesh won his final round against K. Senthil Maran (TN) in the top board and clinched the title with eight points from nine rounds in the Open category, on the concluding day of the Late Prof. S.K. Ananda Thirtha Memorial all India FIDE-rating rapid chess tournament.

Final Placings: Open Section: 1. IM Dinesh Sharma (UP, 8 points), 2. FM Karthik Venkataraman (AP, 7.5 & 55 tie-break score), 3. Ram S. Krishnan (TN, 7.5 & 54.5), 4. FM Joydeep Dutta (WB, 7.5 & 54), 5. P. Saravana Krishnan (TN, 7.5 & 53.5).

Rating below 1800: 1. AIM Trisha Kanyamarala (TS, 7), 2. Yashas Kara Jois (Kar, 6.5), 3. V.P.S. Darshan (6.5).

Rating below 1600: 1. S K. Kanishk (TN, 6.5), 2. L. Seshadri (Kar, 6), 3. R. Thirumurugan (TN, 6).

Rating below 1400: 1. Vijay Ravi (Kar, 6.5), 2. Vishnu Sundar (Kar, 6), 3. S. Selva Kumar (TN, 6).

Rating below 1250: 1. Abhay B. Bhandarkar (Kar, 6), 2. M.N. Eshanvi (Kar, 6), 3. H.N. Preetham (Kar, 5.5).

Best female (above 30 years): Prasanna Swamy (Ker, 6).

Best veteran (above 55 years): K. Upendra .

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport /  Bengaluru – July 03rd, 2017

Scholar Krishnachar dead

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Leaders

Sanskrit and English scholar D.S. Krishnachar, 96, a big name in printing of religious books in Sanskrit, English, Hindi and Kannada through the Prabha Printing House in Basavanagudi here, died of cardiac arrest on Sunday. He is survived by wife, two sons and three daughters.

His son D.K. Upendra said Mr. Krishnachar, who studied in Fort High School, Chamarajpet, and Central College, was a friend and classmate of freedom fighter H. Narasimhaiah, and was closely associated with scholars N. Ranganatha Sharma and K.T. Pandurangi. “My father used to start the day with The Hindu. It is amazing to note that he has read from page 1 till the end for over 70 years. Having been a resident of Bengaluru all along, he also interacted with the editorial team about changes in the paper. He was interested in current affairs and discussed relevant topics with all of us. In fact, he passed on the habit of reading newspapers to us,” Mr. Upendra said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / by Staff Reporter / Bengaluru – July 02nd, 2017