Alfred Miranda, 56, who studied from LKG to PUC in Hubballi, is a successful entrepreneur in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Alfred Miranda, 56, who studied from LKG to PUC in Hubballi , is a successful entrepreneur in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. A salon started by him employs 70 people from the Philippines and India and the average salary of an employee is around Rs 1 lakh per month.
Alfred, the son of retired railway guard Orlando Miranda and homemaker Angela, studied at St Mary’s High School from KG to SSLC and PUC at PC Jabin College. Alfred said he started working at the age of 18 with Avery India Ltd for a salary of Rs 400 per month. “After four years of apprenticeship, the company posted me to Mysuru as a technician. Then, I got a job in Kuwait as expeditor at the material department in Kuwait Sante Fe Braun UAS company and worked at modernization of oil wells at Mina Abdulla,” he told this correspondent in Sharjah recently.
He was appointed tour manager in 1989 at Hayes Jarvis in Goa, where he handled local and outstation tours of British guests, arranged welcome meets and insurance claims. “”Later, I joined as a manager at Smart Instruments Goa, a Mumbai-based company, in 1995,” he added.
“As Dubai is a tax-free city, I moved there and floated my import-export firm Tanya Beauty Proucts. My wife Dolly supported me in opening the Al Mansour Ladies Saloon, with one Indian and one Filipina as hairdresser and beautician. We adopted a model of more bills, more money for our staff. It worked well as most the staff here work very hard. Currently, we have 70 employees from the Philippines, India, Pakistan and Morocco and they work as hairdressers, beauticians, do manicures and pedicures as well as sales and marketing,” he said.
Dolly, who manages the salon, said the salon attracts customers as it provides quality service at affordable rates. “We have four salons in Sharjah. Apart from paying their salaries, we also take care of their accommodation, transportation, food, medical, cooking gas and laundry expenses. We also pay for travel to their country and back once a year. Our children Karyn, Tanya and Orlando manage the administrative work. I’ve worked at Taj Hotel, Mumbai, and there I learnt the lesson that if the staff is happy, the business sees a steady growth.”
Alfred, who has visited over 60 countries, was also a sales manager for Alliance Insurance Company, Dubai. “I’ve got the Million Dollar Round Table certificate from the US-based association of financial professionals,” he said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Hubli News / by Sangamesh Menasinakai / TNN / December 14th, 2016
The process of installing solar lamps at all houses of Amasebailu Gram Panchayat is nearing completion and with this, Amasebailu Gram Panchayat is all set to become the first ‘Solar Gram Panchayat’ in Udupi district.
Amasebailu Charitable Trust President A G Kodgi told reporters that Amasebailu has two villages, Rattadi and Machattu, with 1,872 houses. The trust had chalked out programmes to instal solar lamps at all households in 2012 itself. But owing to various reasons, the project was delayed. The installation of solar lamps was started in May this year and India Pvt. Ltd was entrusted with the responsibility of installing lamps. According to the conditions agreed upon in the tender, the company gave a five-year guarantee for solar lamps with a half-yearly maintenance and a provision to replace faulty lamps.
In the first phase, 397 houses were illuminated and 548 houses were covered in the second phase. The third phase of lighting 73 houses is currently under way. The estimated cost of the project is Rs 2.13 crore and about 20% of the cost has been shared by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd, 30% by the ministry of energy and Rs 25 lakh from district administration.
Amasebailu PDO Bhaskar Shetty said some families have already installed solar lamps before the commencement of the project. About 20 streetlights light up with solar power, Shetty said.
“There are 30 temples and a mosque in the Gram Panchayat jurisdiction and efforts are on to promote solar lamps in places of worship as well,” he said. Vishwesha Theertha Swami of Paryaya Pejawar Mutt has agreed to sponsor the installation of solar lamps in these places of worship, Kodgi said.
The cost for installing two solar lamps was Rs 9,900, while it was Rs 16,000 for four lamps. The beneficiaries had to pay Rs 3,000 for two lamps, while it cost Rs 6,000 for four solar lamps.
In the case of Koraga community beneficiaries, the Gram Panchayat has borne the amount of Rs 3,000 per beneficiary while in the case of other Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes beneficiaries, it had spent Rs 2,000 per beneficiary for installation of lamps, he said.
With the accomplishment of the project the efforts of the district administration, Gram Panchayat, Amasebailu Charitable Trust, Karnataka Bank and Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala Rural Development Project have borne fruit, he said.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Udupi, December 10th, 2016
T. Sunandamma, popular humour writer, was the first president of the Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha | Photo Credit: Handout E Mail
The KLS was formed by women writers, who felt they were being excluded from the mainstream
Bengaluru :
Karnataka Lekhakiyara Sangha (KLS), a collective of women writers started in 1979, has released documentaries on eight remarkable women who have steered the organisation since its inception.
The documentaries have been made by D.S. Suresh. He had earlier made films on 15 Kannada women writers who have received the prestigious Anupama Award. KLS made use of grants given by the Department of Kannada and Culture for this project.
The documentaries cover T. Sunandamma, H.S. Parvathy, Hemalatha Mahishi, Nagamani S. Rao, Shashikala Veeraiahswamy, Usha P. Rai, Sandhya Reddy and Vasundhara Bhoopathi. It was released by S.G. Siddaramaiah, chairperson of the Kannada Development Authority, on Monday.
Mr. Suresh worked on this ambitious project for more than 18 months. He had interviewed over 125 people, including writers. “These documentaries can reach out to people who have little knowledge about literature. It will help them to know about women writers and their contribution to literature and the Sangha,” he added.
Women writers in Kannada, who felt they were being excluded from the mainstream, decided to join hands to form KLS. “Initially, it was an informal group. It grew slowly and T. Sunandamma, popular humour writer, became the first president of the Sangha, which had only 20 members in 1979.
Dr. Vasundhara Bhoopathi, president of the Sangha, said they are now planning to record the contribution of women Kannada writers in and outside Karnataka under the title ‘Nanna Kavithe Nanna Haadu’ (my poetry, my songs).
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bengaluru / by Special Correspondent / December 12th, 2016
For any hardcore Harry Potter fan, the Sorting Hat, and the medieval wizard Godric Gryffindor is basic knowledge. Three entomologists, who stumbled upon a new species of spider have decided to pay tribute to the character by naming it after him. Though the arachnid bears resemblance to the ‘Sorting Hat’ of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, it would be hard to spot it if you are trekking in the Western Ghats.
Eriovixia gryffindori, is the new spider species discovered, details of which was published in the recent edition of Indian Journal of Arachnology.
The discovery of the arachnid was made at ‘Kans’ forestland of Central Western Ghats at Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district, by Javed Ahmed, Rajashree Khalap and Sumukha J N. While Javed and Rajashree hail from Mumbai, Sumukha is from Shivamogga.
Describing the etymology of the spider, the scientists write that naming it after Gryffindor – after whom one of the four houses in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is named and who once owned the Sorting Hat – was, “An ode from the authors, for magic lost, and found, in an effort to draw attention to the fascinating, but oft overlooked world of invertebrates, and their secret lives.”
Prior to it, they express their fondness of J K Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series as a ‘wordsmith extraordinaire’.
“This uniquely shaped spider derives its name from the fabulous, sentient magical artifact, the sorting hat, owned by the (fictitious) medieval wizard Godric Gryffindor, one of the four founders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and stemming from the powerful imagination of Ms. J K Rowling….” they wrote.
While the team found a female specimen of the Gryffindor spider, they are yet to describe the holotype of a typical male of the species. The paper notes that the particular species of spider is known to be distributed only from Shivamogga district, as of now.
The spider mimics dry foliage, making it ideal for it to reside almost undetected on the forest floor.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bengaluru / by Express News Service / December 13th, 2016
Manohar Pais, one of the dynamic and highly talented Konkani personalities outside India, has been unanimously elected as the president of ‘The Mangalorean Association of Canada (MAC)’ for the term 2017-2018 during its Annual General Body Meeting (AGM) held on Sunday, November 20 at Sts Martha and Mary Parish, Mississauga, Canada.
Radio Mango Award winner Manohar Pais is gifted with enormous talents and was groomed as an artiste at the St Francis Xavier Parish of Bejai, Mangaluru. Before moving to Dubai in search of greener pastures, he was actively involved on Konkani stage in Mangaluru, from the year 1977 for over 15 years. During this period, he acted in over 30 plays in various parishes in Mangaluru such as Passion Play during Lent, Inter Parish drama competitions, Fund raising programs, and other commemorating events.
As an eloquent and highly popular Master of Ceremonies, he has conducted over 500 functions and wedding receptions in various parts of South Kanara. As a teenager when he was just 17, he compered a full musical show at Town Hall Mangaluru for Paradela Bejai. Not only in various parts of India, he also performed as MC in the Middle East for the great Konkani musical shows of renowned Konkani music personalities like the late Wilfy Rebimbus, Melwyn Peris, Claud D’Souza, Rang Tarang Geet Mala, Patrao Bros, Henry D’Souza, Lawrence Saldanha during the musical nites organized by Mangalore Konkans Dubai and KCO in Abu Dhabi.
Manohar, who is gifted with a silken voice, has won many accolades in inter-parish competitions as a singer organized by the Konkani Natak Sabha in Mangaluru. As an actor and director par-excellence, Manohar has won several prizes in drama and fancy dress competitions including the best actor prize in All India level Konkani drama competition organized by Rangabhumi, Udupi in 1990. He directed, acted and staged the most successful ‘classic Konkani play ‘Tho Maka Naka’ in 2006 in Dubai. The DVDs of this stage play are still in great demand. After moving to Canada he has written, directed and staged four religious plays namely Fatima Saibhin, Ankwar Moriyechin Ajapan, Sontasache Mister and Anandache Mister staged during Monthi Fest festivities in Mississauga. He also directed and played a lead role in the recently staged play Kazarachi Dotorn. By profession Manohar is a banker and during the helm of his career he served Citibank NA in the Middle East reaching Senior Executive Level Positions (VP & CFO).
The MAC had very fruitful years during 2015-2016, a real drive towards unity among Mangalureans in the GTA and within Canada and a keen passion to keep the flame of culture and traditions burning brightly especially through the most cherished Nativity Feast (Monthi Fest). The members owe a huge debt of gratitude to the outgoing President, Maxim D’Mello and EC, who have served the Mangalurean community tirelessly by promoting MAC in the GTA and within Canada.
The MAC AGM started with a Prayer led by the Spiritual Director Fr. Edwin D’Souza followed by the welcome address by the incumbent president Maxim D’Mello. He extended a warm welcome to the members who attended in large numbers. He expressed his joy on the completion of the successful tenure and applauded exiting members of the Executive Committee for their dedication and hard-work. He thanked all the sponsors who have generously supported the Association. The former MAC President Ronald Fernandes, Pamela Soans and Prescilla D’Mello ably handled the rest of the proceedings of AGM.
General Secretary Reynold Sequeira presented the Annual Report for the year ended 2016. The Report rewound the memories of the audience to the happy times they spent together both indoors and outdoors during the past year.
Joel Lewis, the Treasurer, one of the most committed and dedicated members of MAC, presented the Financial Report of the association. This was followed by the Auditor’s report. Certified Financial Report by the Auditor Reginald Fernandes presented by Ivan Lobo. Prescilla D’Souza presented the details on the membership drive.
And so, the formation of the new Executive Committee for the upcoming year was the main highlight of the day. The members of the new Executive Committee for the year 2017–2018 are the following:
Spiritual Director : Fr. Edwin D’Souza
President : Manohar Pais
Vice president : Melwyn Menezes
General Secretary : Cynthie Fernandes
Joint Secretary : Olivia Moras
Treasurer : Louis Pereira
Assistant Treasurer : Prescilla D’Souza
Cultural Coordinator : Ronald Monteiro
Sports Coordinator : Olwin Pereira
Public Relations Coordinator : Manoj D’Cunha
Liturgical Facilitator : Nina Crasta
Web Master : Leonard Crasta
Auditor : Ivan Lobo
The AGM concluded by leaving the members to look forward for exhilarating events organized by the energetic, talented and vibrant EC team under the dynamic leadership of Manohar Pais.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by Gerry D’Mello / Daijiworld Media Network / December 08th, 2016
Padma Bhushan K.V. Kamath, President of New Development Bank of BRICS Countries, is seen presenting the Manava Rathna Award to M. Vinod Rao, first Managing Trustee of BSMS Trust that manages Kamakshi Hospital, at a function in city last evening. Also seen are (from left) Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, Chairman of Manava Rathna Award Committee and Founder Trustee, Schevaran Scientific Foundation Rtn. Sam Cherian, President of Rotary Club of Mysore West Rtn. C. R. Hanumanth, Secretary Rtn. B.S. Srinath and Inner Wheel President Ann. Sumana.
Mysuru :
Demonetisation will bring in positive changes in India’s economy and will improve financial status of its people, said Padma Bhushan K.V. Kamath, President of New Development Bank of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Countries.
Kamath was speaking as the chief guest after presenting Manava Rathna Award to Kamakshi Hospital at Rotary West Auditorium in Saraswathipuram last evening.
The Manava Rathna Award was instituted by Schevaran Scientific Foundation and was presented to Kamakshi Hospital in recognition of its charity. M. Vinod Rao, the first Managing Trustee of Bantwal Sulochana Madhava Shenoy (BSMS) Trust that manages the hospital, received the award. The event was organised by Schevaran Scientific Foundation and Rotary Club of Mysore West.
“Demonetisation has come as a precursor to digital currency and it would strengthen the country’s economy. It will curb corruption as now only documented money would be in circulation and it would be difficult to move unaccounted money. Even the rate of interest on home and vehicle loans would come down which will help bring down inflation. India has been registering an economic growth of 7.3% for many years and this is a positive sign of development. “We must identify the achievements of the country and celebrate them,” he said.
Kundapur Vaman Kamath, commonly referred to as K.V. Kamath, has served as the Chairman of Infosys Limited, the second-largest Indian IT services company, and as the Non-Executive Chairman of ICICI Bank, India’s largest private bank.
“Food prices and real estate rates will come down and it will be a boon to the market economy and the interest rates will come down by around 2 per cent in the next 12 months. All this will benefit the common man,” he said.
Comparing India with other developing countries like Brazil, China and South Africa, Kamath said that while those countries have shown speedy development, India did not get a platform for development. With demonetisation, India can accelerate growth,” he added.
Recalling the introduction of ATMs in the country by the ICICI bank for the first time, he said while many had doubts about its success the ATM culture soon caught the imagination of the other bankers and also the customers.
The noted banker said that in the year 2000 there were only 150 ATMs and at present, there are more than 3 lakh ATMs in India. “This could be possible only due to digitalisation of banks and people’s participation and acceptance,” he added.
“More than anything, demonetisation will curb the menace of corruption in India. Though the move has led to a lot of inconvenience, it will benefit the country in the future. People will slowly switch over to cashless economy,” he opined.
YEOMAN SERVICE TO THE POOR
Kamakshi Hospital Administrator Dr. K.R. Kamath, Medical Superintendent Dr. C. Umesh Kamath and current Managing Trustee of BSMS Trust Mahesh Shenoy too were felicitated on the occasion.
Speaking after receiving the Manava Rathna Award, M. Vinod Rao said that the hospital was established with an intention of serving the poor and people from lower economic groups. The expansion of the hospital with a second unit has been taken up in J.P Nagar, he said.
Star of Mysore Editor-in-Chief K.B. Ganapathy, who was the guest of honour, said that service to mankind is equal to service to God. “This is the reason why Mother Teresa compared her service to the dying and the destitute as service to God,” Ganapathy said.
“I personally know the yeoman services provided by Kamakshi Hospital, specially to the poor and middle-class patients since 40 years. The doctors here and also the paramedical staff are so gentle and kind they sincerely consider their service as God’s service,” he said.
The Hospital well deserves this Manava Rathna Award which would further encourage the hospital doctors and staff to serve the community better and with great responsibility, Ganapathy added.
Administrator Dr. K.R. Kamath said that the hospital was committed to serve the poor and has launched several people-friendly programmes like the ‘Save A Child’ in association with Rotary Mysore West. Under this project, any child needing surgical intervention or special medical care is admitted for treatment free of cost. “It is a matter of pride to receive the award and we will continue to remain committed to the service of the society,” Dr. Kamath said.
Managing Trustee of BSMS Trust Mahesh Shenoy said that the hospital had close association with Rotary Mysore West since its inception.
“We will launch a series of healthcare facilities for the benefit of the poor,” he said. Medical Superintendent Dr. C. Umesh Kamath traced the journey of the hospital since it was established in 1973.
President of Rotary Club of Mysore West Rtn. C.R. Hanumanth, Chairman of Manava Rathna Award Committee and Founder Trustee, Schevaran Scientific Foundation Rtn. Sam Cherian, Secretary of Rotary Club of Mysore West Rtn. B.S. Srinath, Dr S.N. Mothi of Asha Kirana Hospital, Proprietor of Mangalore Ganesh Beedies Dr. M. Jagannath Shenoy and others were present on the occasion.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 03rd, 2016
Among the talented visually impaired students, who have achieved great feats in their respective fields of interest is C. Manjunath, a guest faculty for Political Science at Maharani’s Arts and Commerce College in city, who has obtained Ph.D in Political Science from Mysore University.
Born to Susheelamma and Chandrachari at Kattikyathanahalli in Pavagada Taluk, Tumakuru, Manjunath comes from a poor background. Though his family was facing economic problems, his parents made sure to provide him good education. After completing primary education at his native village, Manjunath travelled to his neighbouring village Maridasanahalli where he completed his middle school and high school education before shifting to Mandya.
After shifting to Mandya, he joined Government PU College and got BA degree from Government Boys College. He later completed his PG in Political Science at Manasagangothri following which he successfully pursued M.Phil through distance education. Now, he has completed Ph.D under the guidance of Dr. Dayananda Mane by submitting his thesis titled ‘Student Movement in Karnataka: Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishat, A Study (since 1990).’
Manjunath was also actively involved with the student movement and has been guiding students on choosing their career path and subject of study.
Manjunath is not the first visually-impaired person to get Ph.D from the University of Mysore. Earlier, city’s noted musician K.T. Udaya Kiran secured Ph.D in Music during 2011 while S. Kavyashree completed her Ph.D in Political Science during 2014. Adding to this list are: Prof. Arun Kumar and Krishna Hombal who have received Ph.Ds in History and Political Science respectively.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 03rd, 2016
Mysuru’s talented junior golfer Pranavi S. Urs representing Karnataka in the IGU West Bengal Ladies & Junior Girls Golf Championships 2016 at the Tollygunge Golf Club, Kolkata won a triple crown by clinching the Ladies Category A & B, Category B & Category A&B combined titles.
Pranavi won the Category ‘B’ title with a three-day aggregate score of 222 (71+81+70). Anika Varma of Uttar Pradesh with a three-day card of 229 (77+77+75) emerged second. Vasundra Thiara of Chandigarh with a three-day score of 235 (86+74+75) secured the third place.
She also won the Category A & B title with a three-day aggregate score of 222. Ananya Barthakur of Delhi with a three-day card of 223 (78+74+71) finished second while Sifat Sagoo of Delhi with a three-day score of 223 (73+75+75) secured the third place.
Pranavi completed the triple crown by clinching the Ladies Category A & B title with a three-day card of 222. Ananya Barthakur of Delhi with a three-day card of 223 (78+74+71) finished second while Sifat Sagoo of Delhi with a three-day score of 223 (73+75+75) secured the third place.
Another Mysuru girl, Disha Kaveri finished eighth with a three-day card of 240 (85+80+75) in the Category ‘C’ section.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / December 02nd, 2016
The Avva Awards ceremony will mark the seventh death anniversary of Guravva Shivalingappa Horatti.
As many as fourteen achievers from different fields will be honoured with ‘Avva Awards’ by the Avva Seva Trust in Hubballi this Sunday.
The ‘Avva Awards ceremony’ will also mark the seventh death anniversary of Guravva Shivalingappa Horatti, in whose memory the Trust has been set up. Writer Baraguru Ramachandrappa will confer the awards, while High Court Judge Justice Koratageri Narasimhamurthy Phaneendra will inaugurate the award ceremony to be held on Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. at Gujarat Bhavan in Hubballi.
Addressing the media along with vice-president and MLA N.H. Konaraddi, secretary Shashi Sali and others chairman of Avva Seva Trust, former minister Basavaraj Horatti said that most of the awardees had been chosen based on reports in newspapers and electronic media and a few through nominations. The selection committee finalised awardees after due discussion, he said.
Mr. Horatti clarified that they had not considered nominations that had come with recommendations. “At a time when awards are losing their credibility because of recommendations, we preferred to cross check through our own network before finalising the list,” he said.
He said the list included a 76-year-old newspaper hawker, visually-impaired person who planted 1,000 saplings, a ‘full time’ teacher, the woman from the region who climbed Mount Everest, artistes, musicians and journalists.
Special honour
Mr. Horatti said the Trust would accord special honour to the residents of Talakawada village in Badami taluk of Bagalkot district, where upper caste people have taken it on themselves to conduct funerals of the dalits in a bid to alleviate untouchability. Freedom fighter, former MLA and centenarian Mahadevappa Pattan and his wife Sharada would also be felicitated on the occasion.
The awardees
The awardees include: vocalists Pt. Venkatesh Kumar and Nanda Patil, theatre artistes Chindodi Shrikanthesh and Yashwanth Sardeshpande, writer Bhuvaneshwari Hegde, journalist Markandeya Doddamani, environmentalists Appaji Wadeyar and Parashuraam N. Habib, Gamaka artiste Khaseem, mountaineer Nandita Naganagoudar, child prodigies Shivappa Kodli and Pooja Milke, teacher Rajkumar M. Mali, newspaper hawker Veeraiah V. Shirahattimath.
Mr. Horatti also said that Avva Trust would adopt a government school and develop it into a model school.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> States> Karnataka / Hubballi – December 07th, 2016
Sporting a crisp blue coat, cream trousers and a champion’s smile, Peter England Mr India World 2016 Vishnuraj S Menon looked the part for his homecoming to Bengaluru after having won the pageant.
Sporting a crisp blue coat, cream trousers and a champion’s smile, Peter England Mr India World 2016 Vishnuraj S Menon looked the part for his homecoming to Bengaluru after having won the pageant. Awaiting his arrival outside the airport were his parents and elder brother, who had travelled from his hometown of Thrissur just to welcome and congratulate him, his close set of college friends and the media. Upon seeing his inner circle on arrival, the reigning Peter England Mr India World 2016 let out a victory scream. He then let his emotional side get the better of him, tearing up after he embraced his parents warmly. His friends expressed their joy for his victory by hoisting him on to their shoulders and carrying him out of the airport.
Following this, Vishnuraj and team left for his residence in Whitefield, where an even grander welcome awaited him. His house was decorated colourfully, and delicious chocolate cake was presented for him to cut. Once they were rested, they headed to his college MVJ College of Engineering , where he was welcomed by loud cheers from his juniors. He then took a trip down memory lane, visiting his classes and favourite hangout spots in the college. The college then felicitated Vishnuraj, following which he shared some interesting snippets from his college life and his journey from a college student to a pageant winner.
The day could not be complete without the hunk visiting one of his most favourite place in the city — his gym. Vishnuraj and his friends, who are also his workout buddies, visited two gyms — one that he regularly works outs at, and the other a new one run by his trainer. At both the places, he showed off his grueling routine and ripped muscles. “I spend a lot of time at the gym, and especially love working out my chest and biceps. It’s rare that I miss my gym days, and that’s something I’m proud of,” he says.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / News> City News> Bengaluru / by Mohammed Waseem / TNN / December 03rd, 2016
