Doctors store and use patient’s own blood to perform life saving surgery
Dr. M.N. Ravi, Senior Cardiac Surgeon, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, is seen with the patient Nanjammani and Facility Director Dattatreya during a press conference held post-surgery.
Mysore :
A 19-year-old woman suffering from Atrial Septal Defect (hole in the heart) and Dextrocardia with Situs Inversus Totalis, an extremely rare congenital condition (which happens once in 12,000 births), in which the heart, lungs, liver, stomach, and gallbladder are a mirror image of the normal anatomy underwent an Open Heart surgery at Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, for repairing the cardiac defect.
Nanjammani from a village near Mysore was leading a normal life until few months ago, when she started experiencing frequent episodes of tiredness and chest discomfort. An initial check-up at a local hospital revealed a startling diagnosis of multiple congenital complications, including a hole in the heart and abnormal placement of visceral organs in her body. As a result of this, doctors were unsure of performing a surgery on her since her anatomy was complicated and highly uncommon. Another critical factor that added to the complication was the patient’s rare blood group (O-ve).
At Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, the surgical team, headed by Senior Cardiac Surgeon Dr. M.N. Ravi took-up this challenging case and devised a thorough surgical strategy to perform open heart surgery, using her own blood.
Dextrocardia that affect the heart function can cause a variety of symptoms such as breathing difficulties, fatigue with heart defects and blue lips and skin. The symptoms are consistent with defects in ventricles of heart. Lack of oxygen in heart can make the patient tired and may prevent in growth as well.
Explaining about the surgery at a press conference at a private hotel yesterday, Dr. M.N. Ravi, Senior Cardiac Surgeon, Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Mysore said, “Usually in an open heart procedure, the surgeon accesses the heart from the right side ,standing to the right of the patient as it is pointing towards the left. However in this case, as the patient’s heart and chambers were in the reverse location, we decided to operate on the heart from the other side. The positioning of the heart lung machine was also changed. We also collected her own blood and transfused back during the surgery, which is not common.” “A surgeon gets to treat such cases very few times and we were quite confident of successfully performing this challenging surgery,” he added.
The defect was repaired and closed successfully in a three-hour-long surgery. The patient was comfortably able to sit and eat a light meal the same evening and was discharged three days post surgery. Experts treating her are confident about her full and speedy recovery. She will also be able to resume her household work in about four week’s time and without any further restrictions she will be able to lead a normal family life thereafter.
For details, contact Dr. M.N. Ravi on Mob: 99809-22456.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / April 12th, 2014
Bangalore-based Modern Family Doctor Pvt. Ltd., which runs a 25 primary healthcare clinics and pharmacies in Bangalore and Pune, has secured a second round of investment of Rs. 24 crore ($4 million) from Bamboo Finance, with participation by existing investor Saama Capital.
“The lack of good primary healthcare is very apparent in India because hospital outpatient departments are flooded with patients, 70% of whose needs are primary in nature but they have no other option,” said Naresh Malhotra, CEO and founder of MFD. “Going to a hospital means travel, time, inconvenience, exposure to infections and higher expense.”
The former CEO of the Café Coffee Day chain, Malhotra was an operating partner at Sequoia Capital India. MFD, which received $2 million in a first round from Saama Capital, plans to use the funds to expand to more than 100 clinics. “Bamboo Finance was created to support commercially viable businesses that provide access to essential products and services to underserved communities and MFD fits perfectly with our fund’s mission,” said Bamboo chief investment officer Eric Berkowitz. Nishith Desai Associates was MFD’s legal counsel for the deal.
source: http: //www.indiawest.com / IndiaWest / Home> News> Business / by Richard Springer, Staff Reporter / April 05th, 2014
It is to honour people for excellence in the field of education
The prestigious Derozio award for excellence in the field of education was conferred upon four heads of schools from across the country during the valedictory function of the 92nd Association of Heads of Anglo-Indian Schools of India held at Bishop Cotton Boys’ School on Wednesday.
The award, which was instituted by the Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations in 1999, is in the memory of Anglo-Indian leader Henry Louis Vivian Derozio – a nationalist poet and teacher from West Bengal.
The winners of the 2013 Derozio award are John K. Zachariah, principal of Bishop Cotton Boys’ School in Bangalore; Norina Fernandez, principal of Lilavatibai Podar High School in Mumbai, Maharashtra; Jagpreet Singh, headmaster of Punjab Public School in Nabha, Punjab; Neena Singh, principal of Himalayan Public School in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
The Laksman Public School in New Delhi and Ashadeep School in Guwahati also received the award in the special educational institution category.
The award consists of an engraved gold medal, a citation, a silver plaque, certificate and Rs. one lakh in cash.
Giving away the awards, Governor H R Bhardwaj lauded the contribution of Anglo-Indian and missionary institutions such as Bishop Cotton and The Doon School. “I often meet highly motivated and successful people who are from these schools,” he said. He also recalled the contribution of the Jesuit priest and educationist Marshall D. Moran and said, “We have a powerful system of education inherited from missionary-run institutions.”
English necessary
Mr. Bhardwaj expressed displeasure at the growing linguistic fanaticism and provincialism, which is resulting in rejection of English education in several regions of the country.
“Dismantling the systems established by Anglo-Indian educationists and replacing them with linguistic institutions is not good,” he said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore – January 10th, 2014
“Tulu language is the soul while Tulu culture is the heart of Tulunadu. If we protect our language then we can save our culture. Tulu is a beautiful language which has beauty, power, and luminosity,” said Sri Vishweshatirtha Swami of Pejawar Math.
He blessed the occasion after inaugurating the ‘Tulunada Jatre-Bale Theru Oipuga’ by symbolically pouring water on a coconut plant on behalf of ‘Vijaya Rajata Sambrama-2014’ of Odiyoor Gurudevadatta Sansthanam on Sunday January 5. Three chariots, each from Barkur, Kasargod and Sullia temples, were taken in a procession from Dr Ambedkar circle to Nehru Maidan.
Pejawar Swami further said, “For Tuluvas, the Tulu language is the mother that has given them birth, hence it is special. Tulunadu has rich spirit in its soil and Tuluvas are too good in their heart. Tulunadu has recognition internationally and hence our international airport should be named as ‘Tulunad International Airport’. We should also serve to protect the culture and language of Tulunadu and the state as well this nation.”
On this occasion Sri Sadguru Ramananda Swami of Kolya Math felicitated Vishweshatirtha Swami, Dr D Veerendra Heggade, Sri Gurudevananda Swami of Odiyooru, and Dr Prabhakar Bhat Kalladka for their immense contribution to society.
Sri Gurudevananda Swami, in his blessings, said, “Tulu language should get national recognition and be included in the 8th schedule. The international airport should be named as ‘Tulunad International Airport’ and ‘Matsyagandha’ train as Tulunad Express. From our side, there is also demand for a separate Tulu state.
“There are three types of people – first, one who fears to begin work; secondly, one who starts work and stops in between; and thirdly, people who start and don’t stop till the work is complete, and these are the people of Tulunadu. Agriculture is declining and though we have shortage of water, various projects like Yethinahole are heading towards our district. We should be aware of these kinds of projects which are a threat to our district. Protection of this land is in our hands. In future, there are plans to bring all Tulu litterateurs under one forum.”
Dr Chinnappa Gowda, professor of Mangalore University, said, “Tulunadu culture and language date back to centuries. Several writers including from the West have lauded Tulu language. Many writers like K S Paniyadi have sacrificed their life to save this land, culture, and language. Gopal Nayak, by singing ‘Siri Paddana’ has contributed to this land. We can find more than 35,000 folk stories in the various villages of Tulunadu.”
Ramanath Rai, state minister for forest, ecology, and environment, said, “Tulu language is a very sweet and soft language. People of different religions also interact in Tulu. Some day Tulu will surely be included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and I too support this.”
MP Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “Already the issue regarding inclusion of Tulu in the 8th Schedule has been raised twice in the Parliament. In future, it will surely be done.”
Shree Kshetra Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade who presided on this occasion, said, “This is the land of Satya (truth), Dharma (righteousness), and Nyaya (justice). Hence, there are several sacred places in this region. People belonging to various languages and religions also interact in Tulu in this region. The government should support agriculture. ‘Bootharadane’ and ‘Nagaradhane’ are the beliefs of this land. It is time all joined hands to provide national recognition to Tulu language.”
On this occasion, Sadhvi Mathanandamai, Sri Ramananda Swami, Sri Mohandas Swami, Sri Yogananda Swami, Sri Mahabala Swami,Sri Shashikanthamani Swami, minister Abhaychandra Jain, M N Rajendra Kumar of SCDCC Bank, MLAs J R Lobo and Shakuntala Shetty were present.
A memorandum with various demands was submitted to the chief minister through the district in-charge minister.
source: http://www.daijiworld.com / DaijiWorld.com / Home> Top Stories / by DaijiWorld Media Network – Mangalore (DV) – January 05th, 2014
Mysore gives you a sense of rootedness in the largely soulless world you find yourself adrift in. It provides you that much needed anchor and gives you a sense of belongingness. The Mysore-sensibility is inherent, indescribable and distinctive.”
1) Chetan with wife Rajeshwari and son Dhruv. 2) Chetan with the unmanned Google car.
by Nandini Srinivasan
It’s said “Go where you are celebrated — not tolerated.” If they can’t see the real value of you, it’s time for a new start.
Not everyone gets to be celebrated wherever he goes and gets a chance for a new start, though valued amply in the fields he has worked in.
Chetan Krishnaswamy, Country Head – Public Policy, Google India, fits the bill perfectly, moving from being a leading Journalist, to a decision-maker in the world’s most exciting company — Google!
Chetan was earlier the Director – Corporate Affairs at Dell India (2008-2013) and prior to that, was with Intel from 2003. Now, at Google, he steers the company’s initiatives and campaigns in the public policy space and works towards ensuring that Internet penetration grows in India, without regulatory impediments or encumbrances.
Based out of Delhi, Chetan also oversees the company’s range of engagements across key industry associations, think tanks and civil society on issues of relevance. “The Internet is a vibrant mosaic of free expression and enterprise and it is important that it is kept open. All of us have a stake in ensuring that the medium remains that way…” says Chetan.
A Mysorean who enjoys his walks along the Kukkarahalli bund as much as he basks in the soulful tunes of P.B. Srinivas from old Kannada films, Chetan, an alumni of Mysore Maharaja’s College (He won a gold medal in BA and a scholarship. He also met his future wife Rajeshwari Jagtap, who was also doing journalism at Maharajas.) won several accolades in the field of journalism at a very young age, before he got hooked on to the IT bandwagon. His stint with journalism began with Star of Mysore, with his weekly column titled ‘Ordinary People’ which tugged at the hearts of the readers, as it focussed on people in mundane professions — from the morgue-keeper to the newspaper vendor.
In the early days, despite the family legacy and being among ‘The’ men of letters (Chetan is the grandnephew of renowned novelist R.K. Narayan and cartoonist R.K. Laxman), Chetan never did think of writing as a career. He says, “in spite of all the literary credentials within the family, I too had plans to become an engineer which was the most obvious path you took those days. A trip to Mysore changed my thinking. Working for a short stint in a local newspaper like Star of Mysore was the turning point. During those two months of vacation, I stayed at my grandparents place and worked as an intern in SOM and learnt the everyday rudiments of producing a paper, gathering news etc., and this was when I knew there was an obvious affinity towards journalism and probably I should take this up as a career,’’ and adds that this short stint gave him direction to pursue journalism and that’s when he got into a journalism course.
Chetan admits that the Fourth Estate may not be as paying as a MNC job, but it does have its moments of glory, several of them in fact, if you have a flair with words. And he says, working for a leading publication in a small town like Mysore has its own advantage. “Working for a publication in a city like Mysore sustains your interest because the feedback is instant. People recognise you for your writing and the appreciation that comes your way keeps you going. That’s why Mysore has been able to spawn so many journalists. This kind of instant feedback is missing in larger cities,” says Chetan.
That’s some consolation to a Mysorean, who always hears of how the town doesn’t have much to offer to youngsters to build their career. But what is true is that it has a limited set of opportunities and exposure. Chetan does agree. “I agree the Internet has shrunk the world and has opened up more opportunities; but then, in today’s competitive milieu there is a need to mix and deploy your skills in various environments. Maybe for this, Mysore is not the most conducive of places. It just does not offer that range and variety,” but the passionate Mysorean in him is quick to add “having said that it is true that a city like Mysore gives you a sense of rootedness in the largely soulless world you find yourself adrift in. It provides you that much needed anchor and gives you a sense of belongingness. The Mysore-sensibility is inherent, indescribable and distinctive.”
From 1993 to 2003, Chetan worked as a journalist for some of India’s renowned publications, including The Times of India, Frontline magazine and The Week.
In Frontline, as a young cub reporter, he got his cover story in the first six months of his job and was promoted in due course. While covering a string of stories for The Week, he was awarded the magazine’s best reporter award in 1998. And, as a young 28-year-old, he became the Assistant Editor and Head of ‘The Times Technology’ Bureau, the first to be constituted by any newspaper in the country. He wrote a regular column ‘Mousetrap’ on tech-related issues. Chetan also did research for the reputed Fortune magazine and extensively interacted with its contributing writers.
But what made him retreat from a field he was excelling himself in? “Sheer boredom,” says Chetan! “Frankly, I had reached a point where I thought there was nothing new happening. I had written on every conceivable subject and I was getting restless. Seeing my name in print didn’t give me a rush of adrenaline anymore and it was quite surprising because it came at a stage when I was doing very well for myself in the field…”
To get over the phase of listlessness, Chetan started teaching Business Journalism once a week in a local college in Bangalore. “I enjoyed lecturing to this young bunch but also ensured that my cynicism didn’t surface and destroy their idealistic notion of journalism,” says Chetan. “TOI also encouraged me to edit and release two hard bound books on technology which kept me going for some more time.”
Chetan was also recommended by The Times Bangalore management to be part of a ‘think tank’ team headed by Times of India’s reclusive proprietor Sameer Jain. “I was quite keen and enthusiastic to be part of this team. The Times of India flew me into Delhi to meet Sameer Jain, which I did. But due to a host of reasons, I was disappointed when nothing materialised.”
Speaking of his jump from journalism he says, “Later I heard Intel was looking for a person to drive its public affairs division and thought I’ll give it a try.” He says however he was very sure he didn’t want to do media Public Relations. “Just the thought of approaching friends, who were reporting into me previously, to place articles didn’t appeal to me,” says Chetan.
After several rounds of negotiation, I decided to change lanes and got into the corporate world in 2003. My friends wrote me off saying that I would come back to what I did best within a year. I did prove them wrong though.
“It was a totally new world compared to journalism which is so spontaneous, free wheeling and free thinking. As a journalist you enjoy a vantage point of sorts and you do speak from a strength of position. But the new world that I had entered was so dynamic, so different. In the corporate milieu, I had to unlearn and reorient my attitude because here everything was process driven.’’ Transitioning from a vibrant, creative field to a ‘sterile’ corporate environment was a trifle discomfort but not entirely insurmountable. Furthering this point, he recalls, “My boss at Intel, Anjan Ghosh had once told me that if you fail in an assignment even after sticking to the process it’s okay. You will be excused. But if you fail without adhering to the established process then you are mincemeat. I will not be able to save you.”
Chetan’s five-year stint at Intel as Head- Public Affairs and Executive Assistant to Intel India President was marked by several awards and accolades. The change of field was no deterrent as he went on to prove that the hand that wields the pen, can also articulate his thoughts perfectly well verbally as to influence policy makers! Chetan was responsible for all of Intel India’s policy engagements in India and parts of South Asia. Chetan won the prestigious ‘Intel Achievement Award,’ the company’s highest award for driving an industry-wide initiative to influence the Central government in reducing tariffs on PCs in 2004. Hailed as a “role model,” he received the award from the then Chairman Craig Barrett (Less than 1% of Intel employees win this award.)
Chetan then moved to Google and says the company excites as much as it does any youngster and speaking of his work, he says, “Today, there is a constant dialogue happening between the policy makers and the industry and that’s where I come in, the internet as a medium is dynamic and Google is in constant talk with the policy makers to ensure that this medium thrives unhindered.’’
He is excited about Google launching a portal for the general elections. “The portal will assist voters in India. Our intent is to empower voters with all the information they need at a single destination for the upcoming polls. Over time we will add more functionality to enable users to interact and engage with the candidates, so that they are not simply watching from afar, but participating in, engaging with and shaping the political process in a democratic way,” says Chetan.
Chetan has been an active part of both the pre-internet and post-internet era of Journalism. Does he feel the media has seen a dramatic makeover?
“The era of poster boys in journalism is over I think. For good or bad, social media has resulted in the democratisation or flattening of news. Information or news is being generated and thrown up through unconventional modes and methods. In this era of ‘citizen journalists’ you need to develop your own discerning measure to gauge what is relevant to you. Undoubtedly, the sanctity and credibility that you attached to traditional news formats is undergoing a dramatic change. But good and creative journalism will always find a place in a crazy democracy like ours,” says Chetan.
A person who himself was not too sure of which path he needed to take during his formative years, Chetan doesn’t want to sound preachy! But he does have a piece of suggestion for those youngsters who are at the crossroads and for those who feel apprehensive to step out of their comfort zone! “It is very easy to simply say pursue what gives you happiness, which is what it should be, I agree. But, there is a need to be adaptable in this ever-changing world. You need to at times take rational and commonsensical decisions and not get swept away by romantic notions of what life is all about. You need to ruthlessly prioritise to survive in this competitive world whichever field you choose. In fact today, the corporates are more appreciative of individual capabilities and give him/ her the space to experiment and try out their passions. Your professional trajectory needs not be at the cost of your passion.’’
Chetan’s love for Mysore surfaces once too often as he goes on to add, “It is here that cities like Mysore will help you retain your sanity and help you take out time for doing very simple things that you did all your life. Listen to music, go for a walk or just laze around doing nothing.’’
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / January 11th, 2014
S.R. Subba Rao, President of the prestigious National Institute of Engineering (NIE), Mysore and the Chairman of NIE Governing Council, passed away yesterday night at a private hospital following a brief illness. He was 90.
A resident of Saraswathipuram in city, he leaves behind his son Gurudatt, an Environmental Consultant, daughter Jayashree Srinath, grand and great-grand children. Last rites will be held on Friday (Dec. 20) at 12 noon at the foot of Chamundi Hill.
Condoled: The Board of Management, Principal and the staff of the National Institute of Engineering and NIE Group of Institutions have condoled the sad demise of Subba Rao.
Born on Aug. 29, 1923 as the third son of late S. Ramaswamy (who was one of the three founders of NIE), S.R. Subba Rao was a Civil Engineer. He had served in various departments during the erstwhile Bombay State and Mysore State including Bangalore City Corporation, Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board, Public Health Engineering Department and Major Irrigation Department before retiring as the Superintending Engineer in 1980. He was one of the blue-eyed officers of former CM late D. Devaraj Urs.
He was in-charge of many major projects related to construction of roads, bridges and planning, designing and execution of rural and water supply schemes including the 2nd and the 3rd stages of improvement schemes of the Mysore city water supply.
Subba Rao was a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India) and Chairman of its Mysore Local Centre during 1984-86. He was also the Governing member of Anathalaya founded by the great Thathaiah since 1983.
As the President of a housing society, he was instrumental in the formation, development and distribution of 500 residential sites named as Niveditha Nagar in city.
He was also the Vice-President of the Association of Management of Aided Engineering Colleges in Karnataka. He was a Rotarian for over 30 years. At NIE, he served in various capacities as Director, Treasurer, Secretary, Vice-President and President for the past four decades. His contribution to the growth of NIE was immense.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / December 18th, 2013
Seeking to eliminate parental alienation of children of separated and divorced parents, a Bangalore-based NGO Saturday said it has joined hands with the city’s Men’s Rights Association (MRA) to work against gender-biased laws.
“Children’s Rights Initiative for Shared Parenting, Bangalore and MRA, Pune will jointly take forward the cause for children who suffer on account of their estranged parents due to increasing separation or divorce cases,” CRISP president Kumar V. Jahgirdar told IANS.
With a strong presence in Mumbai, Delhi, Nagpur, Lucknow, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata and other cities, Jahgirdar hopes that the Pune chapter with MRA would help mitigate the sufferings of men who are at a disadvantage owing to gender-biased laws.
“We are a pro-family and pro-life NGO engaged in promoting social harmony and comprise people from all walks of life like IT, medical, teaching and business who have been deprived of children’s love due to the anti-father mindset prevalent in our society,” said MRA president Mahesh Shinde.
Usually, in divorce cases, one of vengeful parents deprives the child of the love, affection and care of the other parents which is a form of child abuse, he said.
As a result kids suffer from consequences of permanent psychological damage due to the parental alienation syndrome and reactive associative disorders, in which they don’t establish healthy bonds with others, Shinde said.
Citing studies, he cautioned that such children tend to become criminals later in life for which society itself is responsible, unless shared parenthood is properly permitted.
One of the measures suggested was setting up of special courts to dispose of child custody cases within six months and Supreme Court guidelines on the issue, Jahgirdar said.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-IANS> Human Interest-Society / by IANS / Pune – December 14th, 2013
Organ receiver now runs foundation for organ donation.
Reena Raju (second from left), is the first woman in Karnataka to undergo a heart transplant. – A Veeramani/DNA
Reena Raju, the first woman from the state to undergo a heart transplant four years ago, is now running an organisation, Light a Life, that raises funds for and spreads awareness about organ transplantation.
“The best way to honour a donor is by living life to the fullest and making it worthy,” says Raju, as she celebrates the 4th year of her rebirth, post the transplant.
The awareness drives and funds raised have helped many patients across the country. The six patients who received free life saving medicines and over 75 patients and their family members who received counselling, remain thankful for the support.
“Everyone knows that transplant is a costly affair. But the ones who want to save lives of their loved ones often miss some critical information – of the challenges and cost involved in post transplant care,” she pointed out.
“A kidney transplant can cost anywhere between Rs5 lakh and 15 lakh and patients who sell their property and jewellery to manage this expense are then left with nothing to look after the post transplant expenses.”
Jayaram G, a second year B Com student who underwent a kidney transplant agrees.
“I only wanted to live. But I had no organ and no money. My parents are labourers. After the surgery, I realised that the anti-rejection drugs that I need to take everyday to ensure that the new organ does not get rejected by my body are very expensive.”
He is currently being given free medicines by Light a Life. The other challenges they are exposed to is that of infections.
“Maintenance and care are so crucial,” says Mayanna K, a 41-year-old kidney recipient and farmer, “After the surgery, I now know that life has become very difficult. I have to take so many precautions and care to maintain the organ and avoid infections. Even a fever can lead to an organ failure.”
Mayanna managed to undergo the transplant and avail medicines at subsidised rates from a government hospital and is now receiving free medicines for a year from Raju’s foundation.
Manikantan A, a cable operator from Chennai earns less than half of what he needs to spend on post-transplant medication, and so decided to reduce his dosage of the immuno suppressant drugs which led to many complications.
For a transplant to be viable, it should be affordable and people should be completely informed about the extra care, regular tests and the side effects that the medicines could bring, Raju said.
The first heart recipient in the country to complete a 5.7km marathon and 8km cyclathon, Raju did not allow anything to take her life away from her.
“The most thrilling experience was parasailing and underwater sea walk that I recently went to. Isn’t it wonderful that one could take one’s donor heart to the sky and the sea bed?” the adventurous woman asked. Awareness about transplant is not just in terms of financial or medical aspects.
There are a bundle of myths waiting to be busted, she explained.
“Many patients reject organs because they think their feelings and emotions will be changed with a new organ coming in, which is ridiculous. And religious views such as ‘eye donors will go to heaven without eyes’ and ‘bodies must be cremated within a certain period of time’ stops a donor from helping the needy.”
The 32-year-old also believes that Indians are givers and if we can spread sufficient awareness and make the system of transplantation transparent, people will come forward and donate.
source: http://www.danindia.com / DNA / Home> Bangalore> Report / by Shruthi EN / Place: Bangalore, Agency: DNA / Wednesday – November 20th, 2013
Paintings will be cleaned using chemicals, and scribbles on the walls will be covered by patch plastering work
Years of dust and smoke that have masked the paintings on the walls and ceiling of Tipu Sultan’s summer palace in Bangalore may finally be cleaned up, while portions of the wall vandalised with graffiti could also receive much-needed attention.
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which protects the 18th Century monument, will take up chemical cleaning of the paintings. The scribbles on the walls will be covered by patch plastering work.
Protected monument
Located in the busy Kalasipalya area, the wooden edifice built in Indo-Islamic style, is a protected monument along with the nearby fort and dungeon.
The chemical wash is expected to brighten the paintings at the palace, most of which are vivid floral designs in water and vegetable colour.
Conservation wing
The process will be done by the ASI’s Mysore-based chemical conservation wing.
“Chemical wash was conducted on a small test area about five years ago. The painting has not changed much since then,” a senior ASI official said. He explained that it was a slow process that was dependent on humidity and dust, among other factors.
Besides, structural conservation work has to be completed before chemical wash is taken up.
An eyesore
However, this will do little to address the damage to paintings from scribbles and scratches.
“If the graffiti has to be removed, restoration of paintings has to be taken up. This is nearly impossible. It is difficult to maintain the same quality of painting and sourcing raw materials is highly impossible,” the ASI source said.
Instead, patch plastering work could be taken up to remove the eyesore in some spots.
“We will attempt to fill the scribbled portions with the patch work.”
Public office
The official claimed: “The palace was a public office before it was handed over to us in the 1950s. Much of the graffiti is from that period.” It was this sort of vandalism that had led the ASI to hire private security guards at the palace.
“We do not encourage visitors to stay on the palace premises for long,” another official said.
Colour washing of pillars with a protective coating and replacing some wooded portions that have been damaged by the elements too are on the agenda.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Sharath S. Srivatsa / Bangalore – Novembr 19th, 2013
Indian business magnate and the co-owner of Formula One side Force India, Dr. Vijay Mallya has said he is confident that there will be a Grand Prix in India again in 2015.
Dubbed the ‘King of Good Times’ for the playboy style of his younger days and his ownership of Kingfisher breweries, Mallya made the statement following Indian motorsport head Vicky Chandhok’s fears that F1 may never return to India despite promises to the contrary for 2015.
According to CNN, Mallya is confident that there will be an Indian GP in 2015 with 2014 given a skip because of scheduling issues (three new GPs scheduled next year), adding that he has tried to persuade his ‘good friend’ F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone that India should not be ignored as it has a good market with its economic opportunities.
The report mentioned that Ecclestone shelved the Indian GP, to be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida this year, for 2014 because of increasing costs due to rupee depreciation and tax issues faced by the teams.
However, Mallya admitted that there might be need of a new approach from the Indian government to secure the event’s future, adding that although the Delhi Grand Prix is staged by the track owners without any government involvement, he wishes that the Indian government would force some support to F1 to boost its own image.
Stating that India finally holding a Grand Prix was a ‘dream come true’ for him, Mallya further said that although India has its fair share of challenges, there is no drought of potential fans despite cricket holding the No.1 position for which there is still a hope for the sport in the country.
source: http://www.business-standard.com / Business Standard / Home> News-ANI> Sports / by ANI / Washinigton – October 25th, 2013
